bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevention of strabismus and amblyopia in preschool children / Prevencija razrokosti i slabovidosti dece predškolskog uzrasta
Authors: Radulović Tijana
Published: July 2016

Squint (strabismus) is a disorder of the position and motion of the eyeballs. Visual axle only one eye directed towards the observation, while the other, belonging strabismus eye turns next to subjects of observation. The brain consequently can not fused image, but due to the presence of double vision clears one and with an eye that turns off the object of observation. Start strabismus mothers often associated with an illness with fever or cramps. Children are brought to the doctor most often due to the “ugly” looks. However, the importance of strabismus is far greater, because eyesight is getting increasingly worse and often leads to blindness (amblyopia) inactive eye.The success of treatment depends on the time of detection of strabismus. Treatments need to be implemented as soon as walleye maintain, and certainly in the preschool age, because later can only be successful in the aesthetic sense.In order to evaluate how parents are informed about the problems that walleye can cause, we investigated how they were informed about the problems of child vision and the importance of arriving at a systematic review them, control and exercise, testing visual acuity in children at an early age (the period from birth to two years ) and a period of three years until the start of school, for reasons of early detection and treatment of strabismus.Results trials show that a slightly higher number of strabismus in boys (61%) than girls (39%). Parents are noticing a problem with seeing the review led to 50% by the end of the first year of life and 38% by the end of the third year of life so that the treatment is started in time. With 74% of our respondents walleye exists pointing to her family heredity. Most parents (78%) applied the advice given by the ophthalmologist, but 18% do so partially, and 5% do not implement the measures of treatment. In terms of awareness of strabismus half of parents think that is sufficiently informed partly informed by 27.5% and 22.5% insufficiently informed. All the surveyed parents want more information on the problems of vision that usually get from doctors (71%) and nurses (15%), only through the media and the Internet (14%).The timely treatment of strabismus key role parents have to be on time to recognize the disorder and lead a child for review to the treatment began. It is necessary to better inform parents about the importance of regular attendance of children at the eye doctor as soon as they notice any vision problems.
Talin-KANK1 interaction controls the recruitment of cortical microtubule stabilizing complexes to focal adhesions
Authors: Bouchet Benjamin P , Gough Rosemarie E , Ammon York-Christoph , van de Willige Dieudonnée , Post Harm , Jacquemet Guillaume , Altelaar AF Maarten , Heck Albert JR , Goult Benjamin T , Akhmanova Anna
Published: July 2016

The cross-talk between dynamic microtubules and integrin-based adhesions to the extracellular matrix plays a crucial role in cell polarity and migration. Microtubules regulate the turnover of adhesion sites, and, in turn, focal adhesions promote the cortical microtubule capture and stabilization in their vicinity, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. Here, we show that cortical microtubule stabilization sites containing CLASPs, KIF21A, LL5β and liprins are recruited to focal adhesions by the adaptor protein KANK1, which directly interacts with the major adhesion component, talin. Structural studies showed that the conserved KN domain in KANK1 binds to the talin rod domain R7. Perturbation of this interaction, including a single point mutation in talin, which disrupts KANK1 binding but not the talin function in adhesion, abrogates the association of microtubule-stabilizing complexes with focal adhesions. We propose that the talin-KANK1 interaction links the two macromolecular assemblies that control cortical attachment of actin fibers and microtubules.
Effect of N2 microplasma treatment on initial growth of GaN by metal–organic molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Suzuki Yohei , Kusakabe Yasuhiro , Uchiyama Shota , Maruyama Takahiro , Naritsuka Shigeya , Shimizu Kazuo
Published: July 2016

N2 atmospheric microplasma was applied to improve the yields and reproducibility of the initial growth of GaN by metal–organic molecular beam epitaxy (MOMBE). The plasma treatment was found to be effective in cleaning the surface, and excellent flat growth was achieved even in the early stage of the growth. The effect of the air exposure after plasma treatment was also studied, and the yield of the growth was found to be largely decreased by the air exposure even after the treatment. Therefore, the oxidation of the substrate is one of main causes of the poor initial growth and the installation of the microplasma equipment in the MBE loading chamber is useful for suppressing the oxidation after the treatment. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurement shows that the microplasma treatment is also effective for undoing the surface double steps through etching, which is helpful for a very smooth layer-by-layer growth in the early stage of growth.
Analysis of energy states of two-dimensional electron gas in pseudomorphically strained InSb high-electron-mobility transistors taking into account the nonparabolicity of the conduction band
Authors: Nishio Yui , Sato Takato , Hirayama Naomi , Iida Tsutomu , Takanashi Yoshifumi
Published: July 2016

We propose a high electron mobility transistor with a pseudomorphically strained InSb channel (InSb-PHEMT) having an InSb composite channel layer in which the Al
y
In1−

y
Sb sub-channel layer is inserted between the InSb channel and the Al
x
In1−

x
Sb barrier layers to increase the conduction-band offset (ΔE
C) at the heterointerface between the InSb channel and the Al
x
In1−

x
Sb barrier layers. The energy states for the proposed InSb-PHEMTs are calculated using our analytical method, taking account of the nonparabolicity of the conduction band. For the proposed InSb-PHEMTs, putting the sub-channel layers into the channel is found to be effective for obtaining a sufficiently large ΔE
C (∼0.563 eV) to restrain electrons in the channel and increase the sheet concentration of two-dimensional electron gas to as high as 2.5 × 1012 cm−2, which is comparable to that of InAs-PHEMTs. This also leads to a large transconductance of PHEMTs. In the proposed InSb-PHEMTs, electrons are strongly bound to the channel layer compared with InAs-PHEMTs, despite the effective mass at the conduction band (0.0139 m
0) of InSb being smaller than that of InAs and ΔE
C for the InSb-PHEMTs being 25% smaller than that for the InAs-PHEMTs. This is because the bandgap energy of InSb is about one-half that of InAs, and hence, the nonparabolicity parameter of InSb is about twice as large as that of InAs.
Spatial variation in local work function as an origin of moiré contrast in scanning tunneling microscopy images of Pb thin films/Si(111)
Authors: Kim Howon , Hasegawa Yukio
Published: July 2016

By scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), we measured an evolution of electrical conductance from the tunneling to point contact regimes on Pb thin films formed on a Si(111) substrate. Immediately before the contact formation, the conductance evolution curves exhibit an onset of the conductance that is presumably due to a short-range chemical interaction between the tip apex atom and surface atom(s), and we found that the onset can be utilized as a reference of the tip–sample distance. By measuring the spatial variation in onset distance, we investigated surface atomic corrugation in moiré-corrugated areas and found that the geometrical corrugation is negligibly small (less than 2 pm) on the surfaces of 7-monolayer Pb thin films. We also observed a local variation in apparent barrier height depending on the moiré contrast in the tunneling regime, which leads us to conclude that the spatial variation in local work function is the origin of the moiré corrugation observed in STM images.
Simultaneous observation of two dimensional electron gas and polarization in AlGaN/GaN heterostructure using scanning nonlinear dielectric microscopy
Authors: Hirose Kotaro , Goto Yasunori , Chinone Norimichi , Cho Yasuo
Published: July 2016

The AlGaN/GaN heterostructure has two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) and electric polarization. We observed both of them simultaneously in the cross section of the AlGaN/GaN heterostructure by scanning nonlinear dielectric microscopy (SNDM), which can visualize both carrier and polarization distributions. The AlGaN/GaN heterostructure was cross-sectioned at an angle of 20° from the [0001] axis and, hence, the perpendicular components of the polarizations of AlGaN and GaN were observed. Moreover, the 2DEG distribution was confirmed in a range of ∼10 nm at the AlGaN/GaN interface.
Temperature control of the growth of iron oxide nanoislands on Fe(001)
Authors: Yamada Toyo Kazu , Sakaguchi Yuki , Gerhard Lukas , Wulfhekel Wulf
Published: July 2016

The control of atomically flat interfaces between iron (Fe) and insulating oxide films, such as the Fe/MgO(001) interface, is crucial for tunnel-magnetoresistance (TMR) devices. However, the realization of an ideal atomically flat and clean interface is rather difficult since iron easily binds to impurities such as oxygen. Atomic step defects and iron oxide at the interface could reduce TMR. In this study, the oxidization of an atomically flat and clean Fe(001)-whisker single crystal at different substrate and annealing temperatures was investigated with an ultrahigh-vacuum scanning tunneling microscope (STM). Annealing up to a temperature of 850 K was required to obtain ordered and atomically flat Fe(001)-p(1×1)O terraces after the oxidization with the coexistence of Fe–O nanoislands (∼1 nm in height, ∼50 nm in size). We found that the growth of such nanoislands, which enhances interface roughness, strongly depends on the substrate temperature (T
S) during the oxidization. A T
S lower than 300 K reduces the coverage by the nanoislands to less than 10%.
Metagenomic analysis of the gut microbiota of hooded cranes (Grus monacha) on the Izumi plain in Japan
Authors: Takada Kosuke , Nakagawa So , Kryukov Kirill , Ozawa Makoto , Watanabe Tokiko
Published: September 2024

Recent advances in DNA sequencing technology have dramatically improved our understanding of the gut microbiota of various animal species. However, research on the gut microbiota of birds lags behind that of many other vertebrates, and information about the gut microbiota of wild birds such as migratory waterfowl is particularly lacking. Because the ecology of migratory waterfowl (e.g., lifestyle, diet, physiological characteristics) differs from that of other birds, the gut microbiota of migratory waterfowl likely also differs, but much is still unknown. The hooded crane (Grus monacha) is an important representative migratory waterbird species and is listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Red List of Threatened Species. In this study, we analyzed the bacterial and viral microbiota in the gut of hooded cranes by using deep sequencing data from fecal samples of hooded cranes that winter on the Izumi plain in Japan, and found that Cetobacterium, Clupeiformes, and Pbunavirus were clearly present in the fecal samples of hooded cranes. These findings advance our understanding of the ecology of hooded cranes.
Cannabis and first episode psychosis: Which came first?
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: September 2024

The typical conundrum with cannabis use by adolescents and first episode psychosis — which came first? — was displaced by Steven Batki, M.D. in a plenary session at the Cape Cod Symposium on Addictive Disorders (CCSAD) last week. Bakti, who is professor of psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco Weill Institute for Neurosciences, presented his conclusions allowing the audience of some 1,000 to ask questions as he went along.
What does motivation mean to a teen afraid of treatment?
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: September 2024

Motivation has long been considered key to sending substance use disorder (SUD) patients in the direction of recovery. But how do you motivate an adolescent, to whom motivational approaches may feel like a call to battle — or even worse, an excuse for running away? Lauren Sbarbaro, Ph.D., a psychologist licensed in alcohol and drug treatment who trained at Hazelden, shared some insights with attendees at the Cape Cod Symposium on Addictive Disorders (CCSAD) in Hyannis, Massachusetts last week.
Field urges Medicare to pay for residential treatment
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: September 2024

Medicare's coverage for substance use disorder (SUD) care is “outdated,” and legislation is needed to fix it so that Americans aged 65 and older can be covered for residential treatment, the Legal Action Center urged in a statement last week, which included a long list of endorsing field organizations. The coverage gap is significant — residential treatment takes place in a safe and stable living environment, but it is not a hospital. Medicare also covers Americans with a disability.
Why are you celebrating?
Authors: Kent Rob
Published: September 2024

Many in government are taking a victory lap over the recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) overdose death numbers showing a very slight decline in the 2023. Any celebration is premature and dangerous!
Stereoisomeric Homo‐ and Hetero‐Binuclear Iridium(III) Complexes with 3‐Oxidopicolinate Bridging Ligand and Their Application in OLEDs
Authors: Bejoymohandas Kochan Sathyaseelan , Baschieri Andrea , Reginato Francesco , Toffanin Stefano , Prosa Mario , Bandini Elisa , Mazzanti Andrea , Monti Filippo
Published: September 2024

The small and simple 3‐hydroxypyridine‐2‐carboxylic acid (Hpic‐OH) is explored as asymmetric bridging ligand for the synthesis of neutral binuclear cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes. Once fully deprotonated the picO2– ligand can act as ancillary ligand toward two iridium centers adopting both the N^O– and O^O– chelation modes. To tune the energy of the excited states within such binuclear complexes, the 2‐(2,4‐difluorophenyl)pyridine (Hdfppy) and the 2‐phenylbenzothiazole (Hpbtz) are used as cyclometalating ligands to respectively obtain both blue‐ or orange‐emissive homo‐cyclometalated complexes (BB and YY, with formula [Ir(dfppy)2]2(picO) and [Ir(pbtz)2]2(picO), respectively). Moreover, for the first time, short‐bridged hetero‐cyclometalated binuclear complexes are also obtained (BY and YB, with formula [Ir(dfppy)2](picO)[Ir(pbtz)2] and [Ir(pbtz)2](picO)[Ir(dfppy)2]). Depending on the reciprocal arrangement of the cyclometalating ligands on the two sides of the small picolinate bridge, two couples of diastereoisomers are obtained and efficiently separated, as proved by combined NMR and DFT studies. The reported binuclear complexes are highly emissive with photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) up to 67%, which are comparable to those of their mononuclear analogues (B and Y). Due to the full reversibility of their redox processes, all the complexes are also tested in solution‐processed organic light‐emitting diodes, providing unique OLEDs based on hetero‐binuclear cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes.
Organic THz Crystals Based on Off‐Diagonal Optical Nonlinearity with Optimal In‐Plane Polar Axis
Authors: Lee Chae‐Won , Kim Chaeyoon , Yoon Woojin , Yun Hoseop , Jazbinsek Mojca , Rotermund Fabian , Kwon O‐Pil
Published: September 2024

Highly efficient off‐diagonal THz generators based on novel organic nonlinear optical single crystals with optimal polar axis orientation in the as‐grown crystal morphology are introduced. The newly developed fluorinated and non‐fluorinated cationic chromophores exhibit a non‐centrosymmetric crystal structure with P21 space group symmetry in the crystalline phase. In particular, PB5FB‐T (5‐fluoro‐2‐(4‐(2‐(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidin‐1‐yl)styryl)‐3‐methylbenzothiazol‐3‐ium 4‐methylbenzenesulfonate) crystals have an in‐plane polar axis, along with a top‐level off‐diagonal component of the nonresonant effective first hyperpolarizability of ≈100 × 10−30 esu. This stands in stark contrast to previously reported organic THz crystals, which either show a small off‐diagonal optical nonlinearity with an in‐plane polar axis or a large off‐diagonal optical nonlinearity with an almost out‐of‐plane polar axis. Employing an off‐diagonal THz generation configuration, PB5FB‐T crystals generate a THz electric field approximately four times higher than previously reported benchmark analogous crystals with a polar axis nearly out‐of‐plane. Moreover, PB5FB‐T crystals yield smooth THz spectral shapes without significant absorption dimples up to 6 THz when utilizing 130‐fs pump pulses at the wavelength of 1300 nm.
Engineering PbSnSe Heterostructures for Luminescence Out to 8 µm at Room Temperature
Authors: Meyer Jarod E. , Nordin Leland , Carrasco Rigo A. , Webster Preston T. , Dumont Mario , Mukherjee Kunal
Published: September 2024

Low‐cost, room‐temperature operating light emitters in the 3–8 µm mid‐wave infrared wavelengths are desired for a broad range of applications such as chemical spectroscopy and infrared scene projection. The photoluminescence properties of PbSnSe ternary alloys grown by molecular beam epitaxy on (001) GaAs are studied in this work. Despite a large threading dislocation density, much greater than 109 cm−2, room temperature photoluminescence out to a peak wavelength of 8.4 µm is observed. In situ surface passivation with amorphous GeSe and an optimized thick PbSe buffer layer are shown to be necessary for enabling bright photoluminescence in PbSnSe heterostructures, stemming from Sn‐related defect complexes generated from ambient exposure and lying near the GaAs interface. Luminescence is found to be strongly blueshifted by unrelaxed tensile strains associated with thermal expansion and lattice constant mismatch, which makes emission wavelengths farther in the infrared more difficult to achieve. Carrier recombination analysis indicates room for further improvement as luminescence efficiencies are still limited by extrinsic mechanisms rather than intrinsic Auger recombination. Overall, this work demonstrates the exciting potential of PbSnSe for spontaneous emission in the mid‐wave infrared at room temperature, alongside more established material platforms like InAsSb.
In Situ Label‐Free Monitoring of Riboflavin Concentration in Shewanella via a Fiber‐Optic Biosensor Modified by Ti3C2‐MXene@ SGNps Composites
Authors: Jin Po , Zhou Enze , Cheng Liangliang , Zheng Wanlu , Zhao Yong , Zhai Shuang , Zhang Ya‐nan
Published: September 2024

Riboflavin is a common marker of microbial corrosion and can act as an electron shuttle in the solvated state to enhance electron transfer efficiency. In this paper, an in‐situ label‐free fiber‐optic biosensor modified by Ti3C2‐MXene@Square Gold nanoparticles (SGNps) composites and riboflavin kinase is developed, which behaved with high sensitivity for measuring riboflavin. The sensing interface of the sensor is constructed by stepwise assembly of SGNps and riboflavin kinase using Ti3C2‐MXene nanosheets as the supporting substrate. Riboflavin kinase catalyzed the phosphorylation of riboflavin to form flavin mononucleotides in the presence of adenine nucleoside triphosphate and Mg2+. Experimental results showed that the sensitivity of riboflavin measurement is 5.61 nm µm−1 and the limit of detection (LOD) is 115 nmol L−1 (nm) in the concentration range of 0–2.656 µm. In situ label‐free monitoring of riboflavin in Shewanella, the sensitivity of the sensor in bacterial fragmentation fluid is 53.90 nm/OD within the optical density (OD) of 0–0.175, and the LOD is OD = 0.017. The above results verified the feasibility of the sensor for in situ monitoring of riboflavin in microbial corrosive environments, with ultra‐low detection limit and good selectivity, which undoubtedly provided great research value for the application of optical fiber sensors in microbial corrosion monitoring.
Sex Differences in Strength During Development: Implications for Inclusivity and Fairness in Sport
Authors: Loenneke Jeremy P. , Abe Akemi , Yamasaki Sakiya , Tahara Ryoji , Abe Takashi
Published: September 2024

Objectives

Males, on average, are bigger and stronger than females. Hormonal differences during puberty are one reason given for this performance advantage. However, not all evidence supports that thesis. Our aim was to further this discussion by measuring early life changes between sexes (when hormones would be similar) in components of muscle function.

Methods

Fifty‐one children (29 boys, 22 girls) completed this study. Forearm muscle size and strength were assessed three times with each time point being separated by approximately a year (2021–2023).

Results

There was no sex*time interaction for handgrip strength (p = 0.637). There was, however, a time (p < 0.001) and sex (p < 0.001) effect. Strength increased each year and boys were stronger than girls (difference of 1.5 [95% 0.7, 2.3] kg). There was no sex*time interaction for ulnar muscle thickness (p = 0.714) but there was a time (p < 0.001) effect. Muscle size increased each year but there was no evidence of a sex effect (p = 0.12; difference of 0.81 [95% −0.21, 1.8] mm). A strong positive within‐participant correlation between muscle size and strength (r = 0.803 95% CI: [0.72, 0.86], p < 0.0001) was found across time.

Conclusion

Muscle size and strength increased together but this increase did not differ based on sex and boys were stronger than girls. Future work is needed to determine the reason for this difference in maximal strength. Any effect was seemingly present at the initial measurement (at the age of 4 years), since muscle size and strength did not change differently between boys and girls over time.
Selective Covalent Inhibiting JNK3 by Small Molecules for Parkinson's Diseases
Authors: Shuai Wen , Yang Panpan , Xiao Huan , Zhu Yumeng , Bu Faqian , Wang Aoxue , Sun Qiu , Wang Guan , Ouyang Liang
Published: September 2024

c‐Jun N‐terminal kinases (JNKs) including JNK1/2/3 are key members of mitogen‐activated protein kinase family. Wherein JNK3 is specifically expressed in brain and emerges as therapeutic target, especially for neurodegenerative diseases. However, developing JNK3 selective inhibitors as chemical probes to investigate its therapeutic potential in diseases remains challenging. Here, we adopted the covalent strategy for identifying JNK3‐selective covalent inhibitor JC16I, with high inhibitory activity against JNK3. Despite targeting a conserved cysteine in the vicinity of ATP pocket in JNK family, JC16I exerted a greater than 160‐fold selectivity for JNK3 over JNK1/2. Importantly, even at low concentration, JC16I showed enhanced and long‐lasting inhibition against cellular JNK3. In addition, its alkyne‐containing probe JC‐P1 could label JNK3 in SH‐SY5Y cell lysate and living cells, with good proteome‐wide selectivity. JC16I selectively suppressed the abnormal activation of JNK3 signaling and sufficiently exhibited neuroprotective effect in Parkinson's diseases (PD) models. Overall, our findings highlight the potential of developing isoform‐selective and cell‐active JNK3 inhibitors by covalent drug design strategy targeting a conserved cysteine. This work not only provides a valuable chemical probe for JNK3‐targeted investigations in vitro and in vivo but also opens new avenues for the treatment of PD.
Mechanochemical “Cage‐on‐MOF” Strategy for Enhancing Gas Adsorption and Separation through Aperture Matching
Authors: Liang Yu , Xie Gongfu , Liu Kang‐Kai , Jin Meng , Chen Yuanyuan , Yang Xiaoxin , Guan Zong‐Jie , Xing Hang , Fang Yu
Published: September 2024

Post‐modification of porous materials with molecular modulators has emerged as a well‐established strategy for improving gas adsorption and separation. However, a notable challenge lies in maintaining porosity and the limited applicability of the current method. In this study, we employed the mechanochemical “Cage‐on‐MOF” strategy, utilizing porous coordination cages (PCCs) with intrinsic pores and apertures as surface modulators to improve the gas adsorption and separation properties of the parent MOFs. We demonstrated the fast and facile preparation of 28 distinct MOF@PCC composites by combining 7 MOFs with 4 PCCs with varying aperture sizes and exposed functional groups through a mechanochemical reaction in 5 mins. Only the combinations of PCCs and MOFs with closely matched aperture sizes exhibited enhanced gas adsorption and separation performance. Specifically, MOF‐808@PCC‐4 exhibited a significantly increased C2H2 uptake (+64 %) and a longer CO2/C2H2 separation retention time (+40 %). MIL‐101@PCC‐4 achieved a substantial C2H2 adsorption capacity of 6.11 mmol/g. This work not only highlights the broad applicability of the mechanochemical “Cage‐on‐MOF” strategy for the functionalization of a wide range of MOFs but also establishes potential design principles for the development of hybrid porous materials with enhanced gas adsorption and separation capabilities, along with promising applications in catalysis and intracellular delivery.
Synthesis and Antitumor Activity of Photosensitizer Eugenol Porphyrin Derivatives: A Combination Therapy of Chemotherapy and Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Li Hui , Tang Chen , Liu Zhenhua , Tian Zejie , Shi Lei , Yang Lingyan , He Jun , Ai Wenbin , He Xufeng , Liu Yunmei
Published: September 2024

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising treatment for cancer. At present, the development of photosensitizers has become a hot spot for research at home and abroad. In this study, 20 porphyrin‐butylphenol compounds were synthesized, and the structures of the target compounds were analyzed by means of 1H NMR, IR, mass spectrometry, and other analytical methods. The quantum yield of the target compound as a photosensitizer for the production of singlet oxygen was determined by using a DPBF reactive oxygen probe (1,3‐diphenylisobenzofuran). The anticancer activity of the synthesized target compounds was studied using HepG2 cells and A549 cells. The results of the singlet oxygen experiments showed that the Zn metal chelated compound had better singlet oxygen production than the free‐base porphyrin. The cellular activity assays showed that the metal‐chelated compounds exhibited better in vitro antitumor activity.
Cannabinol modulates the endocannabinoid system and shows TRPV1‐mediated anti‐inflammatory properties in human keratinocytes
Authors: Di Meo Camilla , Tortolani Daniel , Standoli Sara , Ciaramellano Francesca , Angelucci Beatrice Clotilde , Tisi Annamaria , Kadhim Salam , Hsu Eric , Rapino Cinzia , Maccarrone Mauro
Published: September 2024

Cannabinol (CBN) is a secondary metabolite of cannabis whose beneficial activity on inflammatory diseases of human skin has attracted increasing attention. Here, we sought to investigate the possible modulation by CBN of the major elements of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), in both normal and lipopolysaccharide‐inflamed human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). CBN was found to increase the expression of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) at gene level and that of vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1) at protein level, as well as their functional activity. In addition, CBN modulated the metabolism of anandamide (AEA) and 2‐arachidonoylglicerol (2‐AG), by increasing the activities of N‐acyl phosphatidylethanolamines‐specific phospholipase D (NAPE‐PLD) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH)—the biosynthetic and degradative enzyme of AEA—and that of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), the hydrolytic enzyme of 2‐AG. CBN also affected keratinocyte inflammation by reducing the release of pro‐inflammatory interleukin (IL)‐8, IL‐12, and IL‐31 and increasing the release of anti‐inflammatory IL‐10. Of note, the release of IL‐31 was mediated by TRPV1. Finally, the mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathway was investigated in inflamed keratinocytes, demonstrating a specific modulation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) upon treatment with CBN, in the presence or not of distinct ECS‐directed drugs. Overall, these results demonstrate that CBN modulates distinct ECS elements and exerts anti‐inflammatory effects—remarkably via TRPV1—in human keratinocytes, thus holding potential for both therapeutic and cosmetic purposes.
Elucidating sequence‐function relationships in a template‐independent polymerase to enable novel DNA recording applications
Authors: Milisavljevic Marija , Rodriguez Teresa Rojas , Tyo Keith E. J.
Published: September 2024

Harnessing DNA as a high‐density storage medium for information storage and molecular recording of signals has been of increasing interest in the biotechnology field. Recently, progress in enzymatic DNA synthesis, DNA digital data storage, and DNA‐based molecular recording has been made by leveraging the activity of the template‐independent DNA polymerase, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT). TdT adds deoxyribonucleotides to the 3′ end of single‐stranded DNA, generating random sequences of single‐stranded DNA. TdT can use several divalent cations for its enzymatic activity and exhibits shifts in deoxyribonucleotide incorporation frequencies in response to changes in its reaction environment. However, there is limited understanding of sequence‐structure‐function relationships regarding these properties, which in turn limits our ability to modulate TdT to further advance TdT‐based tools. Most TdT literature to‐date explores the activity of murine, bovine or human TdTs; studies probing TdT sequence and structure largely focus on strictly conserved residues that are functionally critical to TdT activity. Here, we explore non‐conserved TdT sequence space by surveying the natural diversity of TdT. We characterize a diverse set of TdT homologs from different organisms and identify several TdT residues/regions that confer differences in TdT behavior between homologs. The observations in this study can design rules for targeted TdT libraries, in tandem with a screening assay, to modulate TdT properties. Moreover, the data can be useful in guiding further studies of potential residues of interest. Overall, we characterize TdTs that have not been previously studied in the literature, and we provide new insights into TdT sequence‐function relationships.
Towards integrative multi‐stakeholder responsibility for net zero in e‐waste: A systematic literature review
Authors: Cao Dongmei , Puntaier Elmar , Gillani Fatima , Chapman Dennis , Dewitt Sunita
Published: September 2024

Despite extensive research on e‐waste management, the integrative responsibilities of multi‐stakeholders and the dependency on technology remain underexplored. This study aims to develop an integrative multi‐stakeholder responsibility model to advance the net‐zero goal in e‐waste management. Following the PRISMA protocol, we conducted a systematic review of 99 articles. The review revealed three themes of stakeholder responsibility, four performance measure categories, three e‐waste solutions, and four roles of smart technologies. These insights informed the development of a conceptual model to enhance environmental performance in e‐waste. The proposed model emphasises critical attributes of multi‐stakeholder relationships, including partnership, shared responsibility, inclusiveness, and transparency; it offers practical guidance for multi‐stakeholders in prioritising efficient and mature technologies to be adopted and diffused, enabling effective e‐waste management. Our study extends stakeholder theory from an organisation‐centric to a problem‐based perspective, highlighting its practical implications for effective e‐waste management and suggesting future research directions for sustainability.
The automated sustainability auditor: Does artificial intelligence curtail greenwashing behavior in Chinese firms?
Authors: Khan Muhammad Kaleem , Huo Chunhui , Zahid R. M. Ammar , Maqsood Umer Sahil
Published: September 2024

Corporate stakeholders are intrigued by the potential collaboration between AI and environmental reporting to maintain competitiveness in the digital and sustainable economy. This exploration is crucial given the persistent pressures driving companies to engage in greenwashing practices for legitimacy. Aiming to shed light on the function of AI in reducing the prevalence of greenwashing by Chinese businesses, the findings, derived from panel data estimation of Chinese A‐share firms, suggest that the implementation of AI has a positive impact on the fight against greenwashing. The investigation presents compelling evidence that greenwashing mechanism control can be accelerated by AI technologies. Organizations that invest strategically in artificial intelligence exhibit a diminished propensity to obfuscate environmental performance by means of AI‐enabled automation and enhanced data‐driven decision‐making. Intriguingly, the study demonstrates that the substantial disparate greenwashing impact of AI depends on ownership structure. In comparison to non‐SOEs, state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) demonstrate diminished AI control over greenwashing. Significantly, the research utilizes a variety of validation methods, such as instrumental variable approach, propensity score matching, and two‐stage least squares, to ensure the validity of the primary findings.
Circular economy‐based operational strategies in the management of solar photovoltaics e‐waste: A multi‐stakeholder perspective
Authors: Gautam Ayush , Shankar Ravi , Vrat Prem
Published: September 2024

The growing field of circular economy (CE) offers a promising framework for the sustainable management of end‐of‐life (EOL) electronic waste (e‐waste). However, translating this concept into a practical solution necessitates a nuanced understanding of implementation hurdles. This study delves into the complexities of EOL solar photovoltaic (PV) e‐waste management within the Indian context. We propose a novel, structurally defined CE model specifically designed to address these challenges. Our research engages a diverse group of stakeholders, encompassing academic experts, e‐waste collectors, and recyclers. By leveraging established literature and expert insights, we identify and analyze 18 key inhibitors to CE implementation. The Grey‐DEMATEL method is employed to elucidate the causal relationships and interdependencies among these inhibitors, while Euclidean distance analysis reveals areas of consensus and divergence in stakeholder perspectives. Our findings highlight prevalent challenges, including a lack of incentives for e‐waste collection and recycling, alongside shortcomings in extended producer responsibility and producer responsibility organization strategies. Ultimately, this investigation informs the development of targeted interventions aimed at bolstering reduce‐reuse‐recycle initiatives for EOL solar PV e‐waste within the Indian solar energy sector.
Performance of a Large‐Language Model in scoring construction management capstone design projects
Authors: Castelblanco Gabriel , Cruz‐Castro Laura , Yang Zhenlin
Published: September 2024

Grading is one of the most relevant hurdles for instructors, diverting instructor's focus on the development of engaging learning activities, class preparation, and attending to students' questions. Institutions and instructors are continuously looking for alternatives to reduce educators' time required on grading, frequently, resulting in hiring teaching assistants whose inexperience and frequent rotation can lead to inconsistent and subjective evaluations. Large Language Models (LLMs) like GPT‐4 may alleviate grading challenges; however, research in this field is limited when dealing with assignments requiring specialized knowledge, complex critical thinking, subjective, and creative. This research investigates whether GPT‐4's scores correlate with human grading in a construction capstone project and how the use of criteria and rubrics in GPT influences this correlation. Projects were graded by two human graders and three training configurations in GPT‐4: no detailed criteria, paraphrased criteria, and explicit rubrics. Each configuration was tested through 10 iterations to evaluate GPT consistency. Results challenge GPT‐4's potential to grade argumentative assignments. GPT‐4's score correlates slightly better (although poor overall) with human evaluations when no additional information is provided, underscoring the poor impact of the specificity of training materials for GPT scoring in this type of assignment. Despite the LLMs' promises, their limitations include variability in consistency and reliance on statistical pattern analysis, which can lead to misleading evaluations along with privacy concerns when handling sensitive student data. Educators must carefully design grading guidelines to harness the full potential of LLMs in academic assessments, balancing AI's efficiency with the need for nuanced human judgment.
Effect of suturing in root coverage via coronally advanced flaps: A systematic review
Authors: Ariceta Alina , Chambrone Leandro , Stuhr Sandra , Couso‐Queiruga Emilio
Published: September 2024

Background

To analyze the evidence about the influence of the suturing technique and material in terms of the percentage of mean root coverage (%MRC) following root coverage therapy in teeth diagnosed with single/localized gingival recession defects (GRD) via a monolaminar coronally advanced flap.

Methods

The protocol of this systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024514043). A literature search was conducted to identify investigations that fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Variables of interest were extracted, subsequently categorized, and qualitatively analyzed.

Results

A total of 15 randomized clinical trials, including 301 localized GRD in non‐molar sites classified as Miller class I‐II/RT1, in 253 patients were included. The studies reporting the combination of sling and single interrupted sutures, or interrupted sutures alone showed an MRC of 70.2%±16.6%, and 74.1%±0.75%, respectively. The highest MRC was observed in the studies using polyglactin 910 with a pooled value of 76.6% ± 15.3%, and monofilament materials, with a pooled MRC of 74.8%±7.1%. When the suturing diameter was evaluated, the highest pooled MRC with values of 79.1%±9.8% was observed with the use of 5‐0.

Conclusions

For the treatment of single/localized GRD in non‐molar sites via a monolaminar coronally advanced flap, the use of a combination of sling and single interrupted sutures, or single interrupted sutures, polyglactin 910 or monofilament materials, and material diameter of 5‐0 showed a higher MRC as compared to the use of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, and silk with/without dressing, and other suture diameters.

Key points

There were no differences in the percentage of root coverage achieved between the use of sling and single interrupted, versus single interrupted sutures alone on the treatment of single/localized GRD in non‐molar sites.

Polyglactin 910 and monofilament sutures resulted in a higher percentage of root coverage achieved as compared to expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, and silk with/without dressing.

The use of 5‐0 material diameter showed the highest percentage of root coverage achieved.

Plain language summary

This study was primarily aimed at evaluating how different suturing techniques and materials could affect the percentage of root coverage in single/localized recession defects, without the use of soft tissue substitutes or autogenous soft tissue grafts. After the pooled analyses of 15 randomized clinical trials that fulfilled the inclusion criteria, we observed that the adequate selection of suturing techniques, materials, and size could lead to a higher percentage of root coverage. Specifically, the use of single interrupted with or without sling sutures at the most coronal portion, Polyglactin 910 or monofilament materials, and size of 5‐0 showed a higher percentage of root coverage as compared to the use of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, and silk with/without dressing, and other suture diameters.
Aframomum Melegueta: Evaluation of Chronic Toxicity, HPLC Profiling, and In Vitro/In Vivo Antioxidant Assessment of Seeds Extracts
Authors: Mounia Latif , Ismail Elkoraichi , Othman El Faqer , Hicham Wahnou , Rajaa Elaaj , El Mostafa Mtairag , Mounia Oudghiri , Samira Rais
Published: September 2024

Aframomum melegueta, commonly known as grains of paradise, is a medicinal plant celebrated for its rich phytochemical content and therapeutic properties. This study evaluated the antioxidant and cytotoxic potentials of its ethanolic and methanolic extracts, both in vitro and in vivo, while also analyzing their chemical profiles. HPLC analysis identified key compounds, including gallic acid, caffeic acid, caffeine, coumarin, rutin, catechin, ferulic acid, and quercetin. Chronic toxicity assessments confirmed the safety of the extracts, with no adverse effects on animal health, particularly in liver histopathology. Cytotoxicity results indicated reduced splenocyte viability at the highest concentrations. The extracts exhibited significant antioxidant activity in DPPH•, FRP, and phosphomolybdate assays, demonstrating their effectiveness as antiradical agents. In vivo antioxidant results showed a reduction in lipid peroxidation levels in serum and liver, highlighting the extracts’ ability to mitigate oxidative stress. Additionally, the extracts provided protection against H2O2‐induced erythrocyte hemolysis and modulated NO production in peritoneal macrophages. These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of A. melegueta extracts, suggesting their promise in developing preventive strategies for oxidative stress‐related chronic diseases.
Novel α‐glucosidase Inhibitors Designed as Type 2 Diabetes Drugs by QSAR, Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Methods
Authors: Tong Jianbo , Yan Jing , Zhang Yakun , Xing Xiaoyu
Published: September 2024

Diabetes mellitus is a globally prevalent disease of significant concern. Alpha‐glucosidase has emerged as a prominent target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In this study, 39 α‐glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs) of tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene‐2‐ylurea derivatives to establish a stable and valid Topomer CoMFA model, with a cross‐validation coefficient (q2) of 0.766 and a non‐cross‐validation coefficient (r2) of 0.960. Subsequently, the ZINC15 database was used to screen the fragments, based on which 13 novel inhibitor molecules with theoretically potentially high activity were designed. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations to understand the binding status of the inhibitor molecules to the target proteins showed that amino acids ASP215, GLN279 and ARG442 may form hydrogen bonds with the ligands and therefore enhance the inhibitory effect of the small molecules. Additionally, MM/PBSA calculations indicate that the newly designed molecules exhibit more stable binding modes. These molecules also demonstrate favorable ADMET properties with potential as AGIs. The findings would provide valuable guidance and a theoretical foundation for the design and development of novel AGIs.
Coupling of the Catalytic Reactions of Formate Dehydrogenase and Hydrogenase in Solution: Insights from in situ IR Spectroscopy and Computations
Authors: Waffo Armel F. T. , Wu‐Lu Meritxell , Katz Sagie , Frielingsdorf Stefan , Duffus Benjamin R. , Liedtke Jan , Leimkühler Silke , Lenz Oliver , Laun Konstantin , Mroginski Maria Andrea , Zebger Ingo
Published: September 2024

Sophisticated enzymatic systems have evolved in nature to efficiently couple distinct biochemical reactions in form of cascades. As such, they serve as reference models to understand the indirect interactions of catalytic centers. Herein, we studied, in solution, the coupling of the reactions from membrane‐bound [NiFe] hydrogenase (MBH) from Cupriavidus necator (reversible H2 splitting into H+ and e−) and the molybdenum‐dependent formate dehydrogenase from Rhodobacter capsulatus (reversible formate to CO2 interconversion). To follow their interplay via the characteristic absorptions from the MBH's active site or the respective substrate and product bands of FDH, we utilized in situ IR spectrocopy and GC(‐MS), in the absence and presence of soluble redox mediators. Coarse‐grained molecular dynamics (CGMD) computations revealed the lack of productive enzyme complexes for direct electron transfer (ET). Thus, the observed minor amounts of H2 or formate were produced from transient interactions between the two enzymes. On the contrary, the significantly increased product formation in the presence of methyl viologen can be related to the putative multiple interaction sites of the redox mediator with FDH identified by CGMD. Our study represents a proof‐of‐concept approach that can be used in the future to develop novel coupled biocatalytic systems by identifying potential ET pathways.
Soybean stand and yield impact from a fungicide seed treatment in North Carolina soybean production
Authors: Hurry J. J. , Vann R. A. , Stowe K. D , Collins G. D. , Cahoon C. W. , Anderson D. , Barrow B. , Baucom A. , Britton T. , Carleo J. , Coggins T. , Flowers P. , Gibbs A. , Gurganus R. , Hambrick T. , Huffman M. , King D. , Malloy M. , Place M. , Rhodes H. , Seitz M. , Szilvay B. , Tilley M. S. , Waters J. , Worden L. , Lux L.
Published: September 2024

North Carolina soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] producers have shifted to earlier planting dates as a mechanism to increase soybean yields. As growers have shifted to earlier planting dates, soybean fungicide seed treatment use has become more common. In 2020 and 2021, on‐farm research investigated the value of a fungicide seed treatment across the state. Experiments were conducted across 18 diverse production environments in North Carolina during that time. Treatments included fungicide seed treatment (fludioxonil: 2.32%, mefenoxam: 13.9%, and sedaxane: 2.32%, i.e., Vibrance Trio, a commonly used multi‐mode of action fungicide across the state and country) compared to untreated seed. Data collected included soybean stand and soybean yield. The use of a fungicide seed treatment variably affected stand, but when combined over environments, fungicide seed treated plots averaged 110,757 plants/acre as opposed to untreated plots averaging 101,570 plants/acre with significant stand protection in seven of 18 environments. When averaged across environments, fungicide seed treatment protected yield by 1.3 bu/acre which, depending on input practices and soybean selling price, would border providing a return on investment. As planting date was delayed past mid‐April, yield decreased for both fungicide treated and untreated plots. Results from this trial indicate that fungicide seed treatments can provide protection of soybean yield and stand in North Carolina although protection provided may not provide a return on investment with current input prices.