bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New records of five Verrucaria species (Verrucariacaea, Ascomycota) from Iran
Authors: Kamyabi A. Saleh , Iranbakhsh Alireza , Moniri Mahroo H. , Asri Yunes
Published: July 2023

This study focused on the taxonomic evaluation of the genus Verrucaria Shrad (Ascomycota, Verrucariaceae) in northeast Iran. Lichen samples were collected from the Khorasan Razavi province and their morphological, anatomical, and ecological characteristics were investigated. According to the result, the species Verrucaria ahtii Pykälä, Launis and Myllys, Verrucaria cataleptoides (Nyl.) Nyl., Verrucaria dolosa Hepp., Verrucaria hochstetteri Fr., and Verrucaria muralis Ach., are new records from Iran.
Microbiological quality assessment of fresh produce: Potential health risk to children and urgent need for improved food safety in school feeding schemes
Authors: Msimango Thabang , Duvenage Stacey , Du Plessis Erika M. , Korsten Lise
Published: July 2023

About 388 million school‐going children worldwide benefit from school feeding schemes, which make use of fresh produce to prepare meals. Fresh produce including leafy greens and other vegetables were served at 37% and 31% of school feeding programs, respectively, in Africa. This study aimed at assessing the microbiological quality of fresh produce grown onsite or supplied to South African schools that are part of the national school feeding programs that benefit over 9 million school‐going children. Coliforms, Escherichia coli, Enterobacteriaceae, and Staphylococcus aureus were enumerated from fresh produce (n = 321) samples. The occurrence of E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase (ESBL)‐producing Enterobacteriaceae was determined. Presumptive pathogens were tested for antimicrobial resistance. E. coli was further tested for diarrheagenic virulence genes. Enterobacteriaceae on 62.5% of fresh produce samples (200/321) exceeded previous microbiological guidelines for ready‐to‐eat food, while 86% (276/321 samples) and 31.6% (101/321 samples) exceeded coliform and E. coli criteria, respectively. A total of 76 Enterobacteriaceae were isolated from fresh produce including E. coli (n = 43), Enterobacter spp. (n = 15), and Klebsiella spp. (n = 18). Extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase production was confirmed in 11 E. coli, 13 Enterobacter spp., and 17 Klebsiella spp. isolates. No diarrheagenic virulence genes were detected in E. coli isolates. However, multidrug resistance (MDR) was found in 60.5% (26/43) of the E. coli isolates, while all (100%; n = 41) of the confirmed ESBL and AmpC Enterobacteriaceae showed MDR. Our study indicates the reality of the potential health risk that contaminated fresh produce may pose to school‐going children, especially with the growing food safety challenges and antimicrobial resistance crisis globally. This also shows that improved food safety approaches to prevent foodborne illness and the spread of foodborne pathogens through the food served by school feeding schemes are necessary.
Limited clinical activity of palbociclib and ribociclib monotherapy in advanced cancers with cyclinD‐CDK4/6 pathway alterations in the DutchDRUPand AustralianMoSTtrials
Authors: Zeverijn Laurien J. , Looze Eleonora J. , Thavaneswaran Subotheni , van Berge Henegouwen J. Maxime , Simes Robert J. , Hoes Louisa R. , Sjoquist Katrin M. , van der Wijngaart Hanneke , Sebastian Lucille , Geurts Birgit S. , Lee Chee K. , de Wit Gijsbrecht F. , Espinoza David , Roepman Paul , Lin Frank P. , Jansen Anne M. L. , de Leng Wendy W. J. , van der Noort Vincent , Leek Lindsay V. M. , de Vos Filip Y. F. L. , van Herpen Carla M. L. , Gelderblom Hans , Verheul Henk M. W. , Thomas David M. , Voest Emile E.
Published: July 2023

The Dutch Drug Rediscovery Protocol (DRUP) and the Australian Cancer Molecular Screening and Therapeutic (MoST) Program are similar nonrandomized, multidrug, pan‐cancer trial platforms that aim to identify signals of clinical activity of molecularly matched targeted therapies or immunotherapies outside their approved indications. Here, we report results for advanced or metastatic cancer patients with tumors harboring cyclin D‐CDK4/6 pathway alterations treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors palbociclib or ribociclib. We included adult patients that had therapy‐refractory solid malignancies with the following alterations: amplifications ofCDK4,CDK6,CCND1,CCND2 or CCND3, or complete loss ofCDKN2A or SMARCA4. Within MoST, all patients were treated with palbociclib, whereas in DRUP, palbociclib and ribociclib were assigned to different cohorts (defined by tumor type and alteration). The primary endpoint for this combined analysis was clinical benefit, defined as confirmed objective response or stable disease ≥16 weeks. We treated 139 patients with a broad variety of tumor types; 116 with palbociclib and 23 with ribociclib. In 112 evaluable patients, the objective response rate was 0% and clinical benefit rate at 16 weeks was 15%. Median progression‐free survival was 4 months (95% CI: 3‐5 months), and median overall survival 5 months (95% CI: 4‐6 months). In conclusion, only limited clinical activity of palbociclib and ribociclib monotherapy in patients with pretreated cancers harboring cyclin D‐CDK4/6 pathway alterations was observed. Our findings indicate that monotherapy use of palbociclib or ribociclib is not recommended and that merging data of two similar precision oncology trials is feasible.
Diagnostic performance of routine blood parameters in periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis syndrome
Authors: Onur Hakan , Onur Arzu Rahmanali
Published: July 2023

Background

We aimed to investigate the difference between PFAPA and streptococcal tonsillitis (Strep Pharyngitis) by using blood parameters. We want to evaluate the relationship between periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome, and tonsillitis by using NLR.

Methods

The data of 141 pediatric patients who had applied to our clinic between October 2016 and March 2019 and were diagnosed with PFAPA syndrome and tonsillitis were reviewed from hospital records. The demographic data of the study group were recorded, as were their WBC, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts, NLR, and MPV values, which are obtained by proportioning these two counts.

Results

CRP and ESR values were significantly higher in the PFAPA group (p = 0.026 and p < 0.001, respectively). No significant difference was determined between the groups in terms of platelet count or lymphocyte count. Receiver operating curve analyses were calculated. The AUC was 0.713 ± 0.04 according to age, and the CRP was 0.607 ± 0.04 (95% confidence interval). Using a cutoff point of >49 months for age, the sensitivity was 0.71 and the specificity was 0.67.

Conclusion

With simple laboratory parameters, PFAPA syndrome can be differentiated from a diagnosis of tonsillitis. This may reduce the costs associated with unnecessary antibiotic use. However, these findings still need to be confirmed by other future studies.
Clinical value of prenatal ultrasound in diagnosis and classification of common arterial trunk
Authors: Su Xiao‐rong , Li Tian‐gang , Ma Bin , Wang Ai‐lin , Wei Chuan‐min , Tie Hong‐xia , Guo Wen‐jing
Published: July 2023

Objectives

To investigate the clinical value of prenatal ultrasound in the diagnosis of the common arterial trunk (CAT) classification and associated malformations.

Materials and Methods

The 2D ultrasound images, spatiotemporal image correlations (STICs) and clinical data of 88 fetuses diagnosed with CAT malformations by prenatal ultrasound were retrospectively analyzed and classified. The correlation between different types, fetal malformation and pregnancy outcomes were analyzed.

Results

Among the 88 fetuses, there were 39 cases (44.32%) of type A1, 40 cases (45.45%) of type A2, 8 cases (9.09%) of type A3, and 1 case of type A4 (1.14%). There were 16 cases (18.18%) with isolated CAT, 48 cases (54.55%) with complex intra‐cardiac structural abnormalities, and 24 cases (27.27%) with intra‐cardiac and extra‐cardiac structural abnormalities. In extra‐cardiac structural malformations, 14 cases were associated with 1 other system abnormality, 4 cases with 2 other system abnormalities, 3 cases with 3 other system abnormalities, while 3 cases were combined with 4 other system abnormalities, among which the facial and physical abnormalities had the highest incidence (39.13%). The STIC images were completely displayed in all 88 cases. There was a statistical difference between isolated CAT and CAT combined with other abnormalities in fetal pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusions

Prenatal ultrasound had a high clinical application value in CAT classification. Pregnancy outcomes were highly correlated with the classification and associated intra‐cardiac and extra‐cardiac structural malformations. The early evaluation of fetal prognosis before birth has important value for clinical intervention.
Artificial intelligence adoption among human resource professionals: Does market turbulence play a role?
Authors: Islam Md Asadul , Aldaihani Faraj Mazyed Faraj , Saatchi Seyed Ghasem
Published: July 2023

Drawing from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Technology‐Organization‐Environment (TOE) framework, this study investigates the factors that influence the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) among human resource (HR) professionals in the tourism organizations of Malaysia. Responses were collected from 389 HR employees working at tourism organizations. Based on a partial least squares‐structural equation modeling (PLS‐SEM) analysis, results revealed that perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, technology competency, top management support, and competitive pressure have significantly positive impacts on AI adoption in the tourism industry in Malaysia. The study's contribution to the TAM and TOE models is the inclusion of market turbulence as a moderating factor, which has been found to be a significant moderator as it enhances the understanding of HR practitioners and others regarding the factors that are most influential in AI adoption among HR employees in the tourism industry. The model developed in this study highlights how market turbulence can foster the relationship between AI adoption and organizations. In addition to the managerial and theoretical implications, the study also discusses its limitations and outlines directions for future research.
Traumatic brain injury and mental health outcomes among recently incarcerated men
Authors: Fahmy Chantal , Testa Alexander , Jackson Dylan B.
Published: July 2023

This study examined the association between experiencing a traumatic brain injury (TBI) before or during incarceration and several postrelease negative mental health consequences in a cohort of men recently released from prison. The goal of the study was to explicate the variety of mental health–related issues incurring a TBI has on one's ability to successfully reintegrate back into society following incarceration. Using data from the LoneStar Project, we used ordinary least squares regression and logistic regression to assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms, stress, trauma flashbacks, and psychosis in a representative sample of men released from Texas prisons (N = 498) approximately 9 months post–prison release. Recently released men with a history of head injury exhibited higher levels of depression, B = 0.204, 95% CI [.071, .337]; stress, B = 0.266, 95% CI [.116, .416]; experiencing trauma‐related flashbacks, odds ratio (OR) = 2.950, 95% CI [1.740, 5.001]; and psychosis, OR = 3.093, 95% CI [1.601, 5.975], compared to their non–head‐injured counterparts. TBIs—whether sustained before or during incarceration—pose significant risks for adverse mental health outcomes, particularly for recently released individuals during the already challenging and strained period of reintegration.
Pixelated Phosphor Converter for Laser‐Driven Adaptive Lighting
Authors: Deng Taoli , Halmurat Dilare , Shen Zetao , Yan Tianyu , Li Shuxing , Wang Le , Xie Rong‐Jun
Published: July 2023

With the advent of artificial intelligence and unmanned driving, it is an inevitable trend to provide laser‐driven adaptive lighting with super‐brightness, high penetration, and high spatial resolution; one of the best solutions is to pump pixelated phosphor converters by laser diodes (LDs). However, achieving high‐performance pixelated phosphor converters remains a great challenge due to the large size of commercial phosphor particles. In this study, promising pixelated phosphor films are proposed to be fabricated by producing arrayed holes in the Ag substrate with the laser direct writing technology and then filling the holes with the mixture of phosphor particles and the heat‐resisting inorganic glue. A strong thermal transfer field grid is built in Y3Al5O12:Ce3+‐pixelated‐film@Ag, which can withstand a high luminance saturation threshold of over 18.08 W mm−2 pumped by blue LDs. The maximum luminous flux density is ≈1300 lm mm−2, and the luminance is 3.36 × 107 cd m−2 of the white pixel light with excellent uniformity. Further, based on this fabrication strategy, the full‐color‐pixelated‐film@Ag is successfully prepared for the first time. The realization of laser‐driven white pixel light and full‐color pixel light shows an interesting application in intelligent adaptive lighting, and this study paves an avenue for designing pixelated phosphor converters.
Integrated Biorefinery Design with Techno‐Economic and Life Cycle Assessment Tools in Polyhydroxyalkanoates Processing
Authors: Andhalkar Vaibhav Vilas , Foong Shin Ying , Kee Seng Hon , Lam Su Shiung , Chan Yi Herng , Djellabi Ridha , Bhubalan Kesaven , Medina Francesc , Constantí Magdalena
Published: July 2023

To support and move toward a sustainable bioeconomy, the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) using renewable biomass has acquired more attention. However, expensive biomass pretreatment and low yield of PHAs pose significant disadvantages in its large‐scale production. To overcome such limitations, the most recent advances in metabolic engineering strategies used to develop high‐performance strains that are leading to a new manufacturing concept converting biomass to PHAs with co‐products such as amino acids, proteins, biohydrogen, biosurfactants, and various fine chemicals are critically summarized. This review article presents a comprehensive roadmap that highlights the integrated biorefinery strategies, lifecycle analysis, and techno‐economic assessment for sustainable and economic PHAs production. Finally, current and future challenges that must be addressed to transfer this technology to real‐world applications are reviewed.
Sharp Hardy inequalities for Sobolev–Bregman forms
Authors: Kijaczko Michał , Lenczewska Julia
Published: July 2023

We obtain sharp fractional Hardy inequalities for the half‐space and for convex domains. We extend the results of Bogdan and Dyda and of Loss and Sloane to the setting of Sobolev–Bregman forms.
Envelopes and classifying spaces
Authors: Karpenko Nikita A.
Published: July 2023

For a split semisimple algebraic groupHwith its split maximal torusS, let be the restriction homomorphism of the Chow rings of the classifying spaces ofHandS, whereWis the Weyl group. A constraint on the image off, given by the Steenrod operations, has been applied to the spin groups in a previous paper. Here, we describe and apply to the spin groups another constraint, which is given by the reductive envelopes ofH. We also recover in this way some older results on orthogonal groups.
Mathematical analysis of monkeypox infection with optimal control analysis: A case study with a new outbreak in the United States
Authors: Alshehri Ahmed , Ullah Saif
Published: July 2023

Monkeypox infection is a serious illness to human health, and its outbreak has been reported in many non‐endemic regions. Various approaches have been implemented to explore the epidemiology, transmission patterns, and effective control of monkeypox. In this paper, we focus on the implementation of a mathematical modeling approach to study the dynamics of monkeypox infection with a case study of the United States, the most impacted country in 2022. The proposed mathematical model is initially constructed using a nonlinear system of differential equations with constant control measures. The human population is divided into four subgroups while the animal (non‐human) population is divided into three subclasses. An extensive theoretical analysis of the proposed monkeypox model is presented including the stability of equilibria. Further, to make the present study more visible to the literature, a real data set of the cumulative confirmed cases of monkeypox in the United States from May to October 2022 is used to estimate the proposed model parameters. Some of the demographic parameters are estimated from the population of the United States. The most important biological parameter
of the problem is investigated theoretically as well as numerically based on the reported cases. The impact of various model parameters on the dynamics of state variables and
is shown graphically. Furthermore, we analyzed the impact of various model parameters on the basic reproduction number to explore the most influential intervention strategy to curb the infection. The most crucial components of the proposed system are identified and health officials are advised. Finally, using optimization theory, the most effective optimized preventive strategies are suggested to curtail the infection in a community. We believe that the present investigation will be helpful in understanding the dynamics and prevention of monkeypox infection.
Three‐dimensional fundamental solution for unsaturated transversely isotropic half‐space under surface time‐harmonic load
Authors: Ma Wenjie , Wang Binglong , Zhou Shunhua , Leong Eng‐Choon , Wang Xiaogang , Wang Changdan
Published: July 2023

An analytical solution of unsaturated poroelastic transversely isotropic (TI) half‐space under surface time‐harmonic load with consideration of compressibility, viscous and inertial coupling of soil skeleton, pore‐water and pore‐air, as well as the capillary pressure is investigated in this paper. Firstly, the governing equations of unsaturated TI soil are established in cylindrical coordinate system. Then, the displacement function and operator theory are introduced to decouple the general solution. Secondly, Fourier expansion and Hankel transform are applied to the circumferential and radial coordinates, and the integral general solutions of soil skeleton displacement, pore‐water displacement and pressure, pore‐air displacement and pressure, and the total stress components are derived in the transformed domain. Combined with boundary conditions and continuity conditions, the fundamental solution of unsaturated TI half‐space is obtained. Finally, the proposed solution is verified by benchmarking with two existing solutions. The influence of the TI parameters, vibration frequency and the degree of saturation on the dynamic response of unsaturated poroelastic half‐space is investigated.
Weight discrimination, BMI, or weight bias internalization? Testing the best predictor of psychological distress and body dissatisfaction
Authors: Macho Sergio , Andrés Ana , Saldaña Carmina
Published: July 2023

Objective

This study aimed: (1) to compare psychological distress (PD) and body dissatisfaction (BD) in terms of BMI, weight bias internalization (WBI), and weight discrimination (current and past); (2) to assess the best predictor of PD and BD and assess the relationships with weight discrimination, BD, and WBI.

Methods

The sample consisted of 1283 participants across all BMI categories, recruited through the internet voluntarily. People with obesity were the most predominant (26.1%). Experiences of weight‐based discrimination were reported by participants across all BMI categories, and they were more prevalent in people with obesity.

Results

People with obesity, those with WBI, and those who faced current and past weight discrimination reported higher PD and higher BD. However, WBI was the best predictor after controlling for BMI, WBI, and current and past weight discrimination. Mediation analyses revealed that the relationship between weight discrimination and BD through WBI was significant, as was the relationship between weight discrimination and WBI through BD.

Conclusions

These results stressed the importance of WBI in PD and the role of weight discrimination in WBI and BD. Hence, there is a need to better understand how WBI is formed and to design effective interventions to reduce it.
Stakeholder engagement for value‐based banking: The case of Malaysian Islamic banks
Authors: Noordin Nazrul Hazizi , Syed Jaafar Alhabshi Syed Musa
Published: July 2023

This study explores the practices of stakeholder engagement (SE) in Malaysian Islamic banks. In 2017, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) introduced the Value‐Based Intermediation (VBI) framework, with the aim of promoting a more sustainable and responsible banking system in the country. Among others, the VBI framework requires Islamic banks to adopt a stakeholder‐driven approach to their business operations, which involves understanding and responding to the needs and expectations of their stakeholders. Within this context, we apply a content analysis of the annual and sustainability reports of all stand‐alone Islamic banks in Malaysia to document the changes in the banks' quality of SE after the introduction of the VBI. The content analysis is guided by a new index that we construct, termed as the Stakeholder Engagement Quality Index (SEQI), which covers four dimensions of SE process: the purpose, stakeholder mapping, scope and approach to the engagement. Our results indicate that the SE quality significantly increases overall and for the third (i.e., scope of SE) and fourth (i.e., SE approach) dimensions subsequent to the VBI. Additionally, in terms of bank types, we find that the SEQI score is higher for commercial Islamic banks than development Islamic banks in the post‐VBI period. Despite such improvements, our study alerts policymakers that there are areas that need further attention. Among others, these include integrating SE into the banks' internal managerial functions and encouraging active stakeholder participation in the design and implementation of the engagement itself.
Registration of ‘DALSA 1618’ St. Augustinegrass
Authors: Chandra Ambika , Genovesi A. Dennis , Meeks Meghyn , Segars Chrissie A. , Eads Justin , Hejl Reagan , Floyd Weston , Wherley Benjamin , Straw Chase , Bowling Rebecca , Kenworthy Kevin , Schwartz Brian , Raymer Paul , Milla‐Lewis Susana , Wu Yanqi
Published: July 2023

‘DALSA 1618’ (Reg. no. CV‐291, PI 702594) is a first‐generation intraspecific St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze] hybrid developed by Texas A&M AgriLife Research in Dallas, TX, from a cross between a drought‐resistant polyploid female parent, TAES 5384 (PI 300130, GRIN National Plant Germplasm System), and a semi‐dwarf shade‐tolerant diploid pollen donor, ‘Amerishade’. DALSA 1618 was formerly tested as ‘TAES 5896‐09’ and ‘TXSA‐156’. Superior performance and quality from 2010 to 2015 in space‐plant nurseries across multiple environments led to advancing DALSA 1618 to replicated trials in 10 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) locations across the southcentral and southeastern United States. DALSA 1618 was one of the top performers in the 2016 NTEP (2016–2020). It established faster than ‘CitraBlue’ and similarly to other tested commercial cultivars. DALSA 1618 exhibited high turfgrass quality in standard and ancillary trials and earlier spring greenup, which was generally better than ‘Floratam’. Drought resistance of DALSA 1618 was similar to Floratam (a drought‐resistant aneuploid). Tolerance to moderately dense shade was tested in Dallas, TX, from 2017 to 2020, where DALSA 1618 exhibited improved shade tolerance relative to Floratam. This array of environmental testing indicates DALSA 1618 possesses a unique combination of drought and shade tolerance that would allow its use across the southcentral and southeastern United States.
Registration of high‐yielding maturity group V germplasm USDA‐N5001 with high seed and meal protein contents
Authors: Mian M. A. Rouf , Cunicelli Mia J. , Carter, Thomas E. , Villagarcia Margarita , Fallen Benjamin D.
Published: July 2023

USDA‐N5001 (Reg. no. GP‐524, PI 702592) is a conventional early maturity group (MG) V soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] germplasm with high yield potential and elevated seed and meal protein contents. USDA‐N5001 was jointly released as a non–genetically modified germplasm by the USDA‐ARS and the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service in January 2023. USDA‐N5001, experimental name N16‐590, was derived from the hybridization of high‐yielding breeding line N08‐145 and high‐protein breeding line Pro5‐1. Across 22 environments of the 2019 and 2020 USDA Uniform Soybean Trials Southern States, USDA‐N5001 yielded 105%, 98%, and 102% of the three checks ‘Ellis’, ‘AG55X’, and ‘TN11‐5140’, respectively. On a zero‐moisture basis, its protein content (425 g kg−1) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of the checks (399–402 g kg−1). The meal protein content of USDA‐N5001 (49.4%) was also significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the checks (46.7%–46.9%). The new release matured 2 days and 1 day later than Ellis and AG55X, respectively, but 5 days earlier than TN11‐5140. USDA‐N5001 is the first high‐yielding, high‐seed‐ and meal‐protein MG V‐Early (relative maturity 5.3) line developed by USDA‐ARS in North Carolina. With the recent increases in production of MG V soybeans in the southeastern United States and the national focus on higher‐meal protein lines, USDA‐N5001 should be highly useful to soybean breeders and growers of conventional soybeans in the southeastern United States.
Design, synthesis, and antimicrobial evaluation of 2‐aminothiazole derivatives bearing the 4‐aminoquinazoline moiety against plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi
Authors: Wan Su‐Ran , Yang Ye‐Hui , Tian Guang‐Min , An Lian , Liu Song‐Song , Yi Ming‐Yan , Yan Tai‐Sen , Bao Xiao‐Ping
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND

To find more effective agricultural antibiotics, a class of new 2‐aminothiazole derivatives containing the 4‐aminoquinazoline moiety were synthesized and evaluated for their antimicrobial properties against phytopathogenic bacteria and fungi of agricultural importance.

RESULTS

All the target compounds were fully characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and high‐resolution mass spectrometry. The bioassay results showed that compound F29 with a 2‐pyridinyl substituent exhibited an outstanding antibacterial effect against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc) in vitro, having an half‐maximal effective concentration (EC50) value as low as 2.0 μg/mL (over 30‐fold more effective than the commercialized agrobactericide bismerthiazol, with an EC50 value of 64.3 μg/mL). In addition, compound F8 with a 2‐fluorophenyl group demonstrated a good inhibitory activity toward the bacterium Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri (Xac), around twofold more active than bismerthiazol in terms of their EC50 values (22.8 versus 71.5 μg/mL). Interestingly, this compound also demonstrated a notable fungicidal effect against Phytophthora parasitica var. nicotianae, with an EC50 value largely comparable with that of the commercialized fungicide carbendazim. Finally, mechanistic studies revealed that compound F29 exerted its antibacterial effects by increasing the permeability of bacterial membranes, reducing the release of extracellular polysaccharides, and triggering morphological changes of bacterial cells.

CONCLUSION

Compound F29 has promising potential as a lead compound for developing more efficient bactericides to fight against Xoc. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
A Multidrug Delivery Microrobot for the Synergistic Treatment of Cancer
Authors: Li Yanfang , Dong Dingran , Qu Yun , Li Junyang , Chen Shuxun , Zhao Han , Zhang Qi , Jiao Yang , Fan Lei , Sun Dong
Published: July 2023

Multidrug combination therapy provides an effective strategy for malignant tumor treatment. This paper presents the development of a biodegradable microrobot for on‐demand multidrug delivery. By combining magnetic targeting transportation with tumor therapy, it is hypothesized that loading multiple drugs on different regions of a single magnetic microrobot can enhance a synergistic effect for cancer treatment. The synergistic effect of using two drugs together is greater than that of using each drug separately. Here, a 3D‐printed microrobot inspired by the fish structure with three hydrogel components: skeleton, head, and body structures is demonstrated. Made of iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles embedded in poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA), the skeleton can respond to magnetic fields for microrobot actuation and drug‐targeted delivery. The drug storage structures, head, and body, made by biodegradable gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) exhibit enzyme‐responsive cargo release. The multidrug delivery microrobots carrying acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and doxorubicin (DOX) in drug storage structures, respectively, exhibit the excellent synergistic effects of ASA and DOX by accelerating HeLa cell apoptosis and inhibiting HeLa cell metastasis. In vivo studies indicate that the microrobots improve the efficiency of tumor inhibition and induce a response to anti‐angiogenesis. The versatile multidrug delivery microrobot conceptualized here provides a way for developing effective combination therapy for cancer.
Perspective on Iron‐Based Phosphate Cathode for Commercial Sodium‐Ion Cells
Authors: Liu Yajing , Cui Xiang , Liu Yao , Xia Yongyao
Published: July 2023

Sodium (Na)‐ion batteries (SIBs) have been considered as a potential device for large‐scale energy storage. To date, some start‐up companies have released their first‐generation SIBs cathode materials. Among them, phosphate compounds, particularly iron (Fe)‐based mixed phosphate compounds, present great potential for commercial SIBs owing to its low cost, environment friendly. In this perspective, a brief historical retrospect is first introduce to the development of Fe‐based mixed phosphate cathodes in SIBs. Then, the recent development about this kind of cathode has been summarized. One of the iron‐based phosphate materials, Na3Fe2(PO4)P2O7, is used as an example to roughly calculate the energy density and estimate the cost at the cell level to highlight their advantages. Finally, some strategies are put up to further increase the energy density of SIBs. This timely perspective aims to educate the community on the critical benefits of the Fe‐based mixed phosphate cathode and provide an up‐to‐date overview of this emerging field.
Critical Point Drying of Graphene Field‐Effect Transistors Improves Their Electric Transport Characteristics
Authors: Rasouli Hamid Reza , Kaiser David , Neumann Christof , Frey Martha , Eshaghi Ghazaleh , Weimann Thomas , Turchanin Andrey
Published: July 2023

A critical point drying (CPD) technique is reported with supercritical CO2as a cleaning step for graphene field‐effect transistors (GFETs) microfabricated on oxidized Si wafers, which results in an increase of the field‐effect mobility and a decrease of the impurity doping. It is shown that the polymeric residues remaining on graphene after the transfer process and device microfabrication are significantly reduced after the CPD treatment. Moreover, the CPD effectively removes ambient adsorbates such as water therewith reducing the undesirablep‐type doping of the GFETs. It is proposed that CPD of electronic, optoelectronic, and photonic devices based on 2D materials as a promising technique to recover their intrinsic properties after the microfabrication in a cleanroom and after storage at ambient conditions.
Improved Primary Reference Cell Calibrations for Higher Accuracy Photovoltaic Cell and Module Performance Measurements
Authors: Osterwald Carl R. , Ottoson Larry , Williams Rafell , Mack Charles , Brewer Jeremy , Kopidakis Nikos , Song Tao
Published: July 2023

The adoption of photovoltaic (PV) modules for clean electricity relies on accurate measurements of their performance, which are essential for estimating their energy production potential. Herein, the calibration chain of PV cells and modules, with particular emphasis on primary reference cell calibrations, is discussed. Also, herein, the direct sunlight method the group has developed for these calibrations is presented and critical improvements and upgrades that lead to calibration uncertainty as low as 0.45% are discussed. The ultimate motivation behind this work is to provide low‐uncertainty performance measurements of PV modules, and lowering the calibration uncertainty of primary reference cells is a key first step toward achieving this goal. As the use of solar electricity continues to grow, the demand for primary reference cell calibrations inevitably increases beyond what the small handful of primary calibration laboratories can provide today. Therefore, this work can serve as a useful guide for implementing primary PV reference cell calibrations using the outdoor method, as well as outlining the critical elements required to make these calibrations highly accurate.
Occurrence of antimicrobials in animal manure‐amended soils around the breeding farms: The case of the Saigon River (southern Vietnam)
Authors: Tuyet Le Thi Bach , Tuc Dinh Quoc , Nghia Do Trong , Tran Thanh
Published: July 2023

The excessive use of antimicrobials in animal rearing and the associated environmental hazards have become a pressing issue. Animal agriculture is often viewed as a significant contributor to environmental degradation due to the residues of antimicrobials. It is a common practice to use livestock waste as a soil enhancer in farming. Despite some research into antimicrobials, there is room for more comprehensive data regarding these pollutants in animal farming environments. A handful of earlier studies have identified antimicrobials in animal waste. This research undertook the task of examining and evaluating soils amended with animal waste (from chickens, cows, and pigs) for the presence of seven specific antimicrobials. The antimicrobials under scrutiny included trimethoprim (TRI), ormethoprim (ORM), ofloxacin (OFL), norfloxacin (NOR), tetracycline (TET), chlortetracycline (CTE), and tylosin (TLS). Soil samples were collected from areas surrounding breeding farms located upstream of the Sai Gon River. These samples were then subjected to laboratory analysis, which involved solid‐phase extraction using ultrasonic waves and the application of high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS) to identify the antimicrobials. TRI, which had the highest average concentration (2.603–91.304 μg/kg), and OFL, with the second highest average concentration (1.815–15.832 μg/kg), were detected in all soil samples amended with manure. CTE, with the third highest average concentration, was found in soils amended with cow and pig waste (1.625–15.486 μg/kg). ORM and TE, with lower average concentrations (0.595–1.318 μ and 11.537–13.569 μg/kg, respectively), were only detected in soils amended with chicken waste, while NOR was only found in soils amended with cow waste. These findings indicate that the use of antimicrobials in animal farming can negatively impact the soil ecosystem. Consequently, these results can contribute to the creation of guidelines for monitoring antimicrobial residues in agricultural ecosystems.
High Precision Peg-in-Hole Assembly Approach Based on Sensitive Robotics and Deep Recurrent Q-Learning
Authors: Afifi Nehal Atef , Schneider Marco , Kanso Ali , Müller Rainer
Published: July 2023

Sensitive robot systems are used in various assembly and manufacturing technologies. Assembly is a vital activity that requires high-precision robotic manipulation. One of the challenges faced in high precision assembly tasks is when the task precision exceeds the robot’s precision. In this research, Deep Q-Learning (DQN) is used to perform a very tight clearance Peg-in-Hole assembly task. Moreover, recurrence is introduced into the system via a Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) layer to tackle DQN drawbacks. The LSTM layer has the ability to encode prior decisions, allowing the agent to make more informed decisions. The robot’s sensors are used to represent the state. Despite the tight hole clearance, this method was able to successfully achieve the task at hand, which has been validated by a 7-DOF Kuka LBR iiwa sensitive robot. This paper will focus on the search phase. Furthermore, our approach has the advantage of working in environments that vary from the learned environment.
Quantifying acetylene mole fraction in rich flat laminar premixed C2H4/air flames using mid-infrared polarization spectroscopy
Authors: Zhao Wanxia , Alwahabi Zeyad T. , Dally Bassam B.
Published: July 2023

Mid-infrared laser polarization spectroscopy (IRPS) has been applied to measure the mole fraction of acetylene in rich premixed laminar C2H4/Air flat flames at equivalence ratios (Φ) of 1.7, 2.1, and 2.3, and under atmospheric pressure. The detection was conducted by probing the ro-vibrational P(19) transition at ~ 3.1 μm. The total collisional broadening coefficient of C2H2 was approximately 0.074 cm−1 atm−1 and varied within a range of 0.5% under different flame conditions, which made the effect of linewidth not obvious in the CH4/air flame. The calculated mole fraction of C2H2, using the Chemkin model, at Φ = 1.3 and 1.5 was used to calibrate the recorded IRPS signal intensities at different Height Above Burner (HAB). A single scaling factor was then used to quantify the measured C2H2 at highly sooting conditions, Φ = 1.7, 2.1, and 2.3, with a Limit of Detection (LoD) of 35 ± 5 ppm. The first observed C2H2 mole fraction appeared at HAB of 3 mm and measured as 2003 ppm, 2217 ppm, and 2495 ppm, for Φ = 1.7, 2.1, and 2.3, respectively. The mole fraction increased as the HAB increased to reach the maximum value of 2296 ppm, 2807 ppm, and 3478 ppm, for Φ = 1.7, 2.1, and 2.3, respectively, up to HAB of 5 mm. It was observed that the C2H2 mole fraction reaches a plateau region at HAB of ~ 8 mm. The production of C2H2 has been observed to be subject to a critical gas temperature of 1400 ± 30 K. The critical soot inception temperature, where the first incepted soot particles are observed, is the same as the gas temperature where $${\chi }_{{{\mathrm{C}}_{2}\mathrm{H}}_{2}}^{\mathrm{max}}$$

χ

C
2

H

2

max

was detected, namely at 1500 ± 30 K. These measurements and calibration procedure demonstrate a plausible technique to probe other flames and to better understand soot inception and its correlation with C2H2.
Five-year-outcome of new-onset perioperative atrial fibrillation after left atrial appendage amputation concomitant with cardiac surgery
Authors: Gerçek Mustafa , Börgermann Jochen , Gummert Jan , Gerçek Muhammed
Published: July 2023

Background

Recent data demonstrated the benefit of left atrial appendage (LAA)-amputation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the long-term impact of LAA-amputation for patients with new-onset perioperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is still unknown.

Methods

Patients with no history of AF undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting by off-pump technique (OPCAB) between 2014 and 2016 were retrospectively examined. Cohorts were divided by the concomitant execution of LAA-amputation. Propensity score (PS) matching was applied by all available baseline characteristics. The composite of all-cause mortality, stroke and rehospitalization in patients with POAF and patients maintaining sinus rhythm posed as the primary endpoint.

Results

A total of 1522 patients were enrolled, of whom 1208 and 243 were included in the control and the LAA-amputation group, respectively and were matched to 243 patients in each group. In total, patients with POAF without LAA-amputation showed a significantly higher rate of the composite endpoint (17.3% vs 32.1%, p = 0.007). However, patients with LAA-amputation showed no significant difference in the composite endpoint (23.2% vs 26.7%, p = 0.57). The significantly higher occurrence of the composite endpoint was driven by all-cause mortality (p = 0.005) and rehospitalization (p = 0.029). Subgroup analysis revealed a CHA2DS2-VASc-score of ≥ 3 to be associated with the high rate of the primary endpoint (p = 0.004).

Conclusion

POAF is associated with a higher rate of the combined endpoint of all-cause mortality, stroke and rehospitalization. The composite endpoint in patients with LAA-amputation concomitant with OPCAB surgery developing new-onset POAF in a 5-year follow-up was not increased compared to a control cohort maintaining sinus rhythm.

Graphical abstract

Five-year outcome of patients with POAF and LAA-amputation; 95% CI, 95% confidence interval, CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, ECLS, extracorporeal life support, HR, hazard ratio, IABP, intra-aortic balloon pump, LAA, left atrial appendage, OPCAB, off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, PAPs, systolic pulmonary artery pressure, SR, sinus rhythm, VT, ventricular tachycardia.
Metals and metalloids in high-altitude Pyrenean lakes: sources and distribution in pre-industrial and modern sediments
Authors: Rodriguez-Iruretagoiena Azibar , Gredilla Ainara , de Vallejuelo Silvia Fdez-Ortiz , Arana Gorka , Meaurio Maite , Madariaga Juan Manuel , Auguet Jean Christophe , González Aridane González , Pokrovsky Oleg S. , Camarero Luis , de Diego Alberto
Published: July 2023

High-altitude Pyrenean lakes are ecosystems far from local pollution sources, and thus they are particularly sensitive to the atmospheric deposition of metals and metalloids. This study aims to quantify the effect of human activity in 18 lakes located in both side of the France–Spain frontier. Sediment cores were collected in summer 2013, sampled at a 1cm resolution and the concentration of 24 elements was measured by ICP-MS. Statistic and chemometric analysis of the results highlights the influence of the geographical position and lithogenic features of each lake basin on trapping pollutants. More than the 80% of the lakes showed values of enrichment factor (EF) above 2 for at least one of the elements investigated in at least one core interval, which corroborates the existence of historical anthropogenic inputs of elements in the studied area. The results demonstrate the natural origin of As and Ti in Pyrenees, together with the significant anthropogenic inputs of Cd, Pb, Sb and Sn from ancient times. The data set points mining activities as the main historical source of pollution and illustrate the large impact of the industrial revolution. The regional variability could reflect also differential long-range transport, followed by dry or wet deposition.
The role of foreign direct investments, urbanization, productivity, and energy consumption in Finland’s carbon emissions: an ARDL approach
Authors: Georgescu Irina , Kinnunen Jani
Published: July 2023

This study investigates the effects of productivity, energy consumption, foreign direct investments, and urbanization on carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) in Finland during 2000–2020 using an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model. The results show that (i) there is evidence of cointegration among variables; (ii) energy consumption has a positive effect on CO2 emissions in the long run; (iii) labor productivity and urbanization have a negative effect on CO2 emissions in the long run; (iv) foreign direct investments are not a significant explainer of CO2 emissions. The results are discussed with some policy implications and suggested future research.
Current approaches to secondary prevention after hip fracture in England and Wales — an analysis of trends between 2016 and 2020 using the National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD)
Authors: Mohsin Zaineb , Javaid M. Kassim , Johansen Antony
Published: July 2023

Hip fractures are strong risk factors for further fractures. However, using the National Hip Fracture Database, we observed that in England and Wales, 64% of patients admitted on oral bisphosphonates were discharged on the same and injectable drug use varies from 0–67% and 0.2%-83.6% were deemed “inappropriate” for bone protection. This variability requires further investigation.

Introduction

A key aim for the National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD) is to encourage secondary fracture prevention of the 75,000 patients who break their hip annually in the UK, through bone health assessment and appropriate provision of anti-osteoporosis medication (AOM). We set out to describe trends in anti-osteoporosis medication prescription and examine the types of oral and injectable AOMs being prescribed both before and after a hip fracture.

Methods

We used data freely available from the NHFD www.nhfd.co.uk to analyse trends in oral and injectable AOM prescription across a quarter of a million patients presenting between 2016 and 2020, and more detailed information on the individual type of AOM prescribed for 63,705 patients from 171 hospitals in England and Wales who presented in 2020.

Results

Most patients (88.3%) are not taking any AOM when they present with a hip fracture. Half of all patients (50.8%) were prescribed AOM treatment by the time of discharge, but the proportion deemed ‘inappropriate for AOM’ varied hugely (0.2–83.6%) in different hospitals. Nearly two-thirds (64.2%) of those previously taking an oral bisphosphonate were simply discharged on the same type of medication. The total number of patients discharged on oral medication fell by over a quarter in these five years. The number discharged on injectables increased by nearly three-quarters to 14.2% over the same period, but remains hugely variable across the country, with rates ranging from 0–67% across different units.

Conclusion

A recent hip fracture is a strong risk factor for future fractures. The huge variability in approaches, and in particular the use of injectables, in different trauma units across England and Wales requires further investigation.
Reworking Geometric Morphometrics into a Methodology of Transformation Grids
Authors: Bookstein Fred L.
Published: July 2023

Today’s typical application of geometric morphometrics to a quantitative comparison of organismal anatomies begins by standardizing samples of homologously labelled point configurations for location, orientation, and scale, and then renders the ensuing comparisons graphically by thin-plate spline as applied to group averages, principal components, regression predictions, or canonical variates. The scale-standardization step has recently come under criticism as unnecessary and indeed inappropriate, at least for growth studies. This essay argues for a similar rethinking of the centering and rotation, and then the replacement of the thin-plate spline interpolant of the resulting configurations by a different strategy that leaves unexplained residuals at every landmark individually in order to simplify the interpretation of the displayed grid as a whole, the “transformation grid” that has been highlighted as the true underlying topic ever since D’Arcy Thompson’s celebrated exposition of 1917. For analyses of comparisons involving gradients at large geometric scale, this paper argues for replacement of all three of the Procrustes conventions by a version of my two-point registration of 1986 [originally Galton’s of 1907 (Nature 76:617–618, 1907)]. The choice of the two points interacts with another non-Procrustes concern, interpretability of the grid lines of a coordinate system deformed according to a fitted polynomial trend rather than an interpolating thin-plate spline. The paper works two examples using previously published midsagittal cranial data; there result new findings pertinent to the interpretation of both of these classic data sets. A concluding discussion suggests that the current toolkit of geometric morphometrics, centered on Procrustes shape coordinates and thin-plate splines, is too restricted to suit many of the interpretive purposes of evolutionary and developmental biology.