bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Driving Efficiency: Leveraging Model‐Informed Approaches in 505(b)(2) Regulatory Actions
Authors: Sharma Vishnu Dutt , Bhattaram Venkatesh Atul , Krudys Kevin , Li Zhihua , Marathe Anshu , Mehrotra Nitin , Wang Xiaofeng , Liu Jiang , Stier Ethan , Florian Jeffry , Madabushi Raj , Zhu Hao
Published: August 2024

Introduced by the Hatch‐Waxman Amendments of 1984, 505(b)(2) applications permit the US Food and Drug Administration to rely, for approval of a new drug application, on information from studies not conducted by or for the applicant and for which the applicant has not obtained a right of reference. This pathway is designed to circumvent the unnecessary duplication of studies already conducted on a previously approved drug. It can lead to a considerably more efficient and expedited route to approval compared to a traditional development path. Model‐informed drug development refers to the utilization of a diverse array of quantitative models in drug development to streamline the decision‐making process. In this approach, diverse quantitative models that integrate knowledge of physiology, disease processes, and drug pharmacology are employed to address drug development challenges and guide regulatory decisions. Integration of these model‐informed approaches into 505(b)(2) regulatory submissions and decision‐making can further expedite the approval of new drugs. This article discusses some applications of model‐informed approaches that were used to support 505(b)(2) drug development and regulatory actions. Specifically, various quantitative models such as population pharmacokinetic and exposure‐response models have been employed to provide evidence of effectiveness, guide dosing in subgroups such as subjects with hepatic or renal impairment, and inform policies. These case study examples collectively underscore the significance of model‐informed approaches in drug development and regulatory decisions associated with 505(b)(2) submissions.
Presence of abnormal otoliths in hallucinogenic fish and their comparison with normal otoliths using light and scanning electron digital imaging
Authors: Yedier Serdar , Daban İsmail Burak , Şen Yusuf , Bostancı Derya
Published: August 2024

The otolith organs located in the inner ear of the fish are responsible for vital activities such as balance and hearing. Abnormalities in these organs can adversely affect the vital activities of the fish species. The main purpose of the study is to analyze the abnormalities in the otoliths of Sarpa salpa, known as the hallucinogenic fish. For that, 372 individuals of S. salpa are collected from the North Aegean Sea. As a result of the abnormality analyses in S. salpa otoliths, anomalies were detected such as various prominence structures on the surface of the otolith caused by accumulation and a more transparent appearance due to the different crystal structures in some parts of the otolith. These abnormalities were found in the left and/or right otoliths of male and female individuals in different total lengths. The percentage of individuals with abnormal otoliths of S. salpa is calculated as 52.42%. It was determined that there are statistical differences between the left and right otolith measurements of male and female individuals with abnormal and normal otoliths(p < 0.05). There is no relationship between the percentage of individuals showing abnormality and total length and sex. The current study presents for the first time abnormal otolith information on left and right otoliths in male and female S. salpa. It is thought that abnormalities in hallucinogenic fish otoliths could be related to genetic predisposition as well as stress due to nutritional preference, pollutants, and environmental factors.

Research Highlights

The presence of abnormalities in the otoliths of Sarpa salpa, a hallucinogenic fish, was revealed for the first time.

Abnormalities in the otoliths of S. salpa were identified, such as the presence of various prominence structures on the otolith's surface, loss of parts as well as a more transparent appearance in the outlines or surface of the otolith.

Normal and abnormal otoliths of female and male hallucinogenic fish from different size groups were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy.

Abnormality detected in the otoliths of hallucinogenic fish is not related to the gender and size of the fish.
Epidemiology and viral loads of respiratory syncytial virus in hospitalized children prior to and during COVID‐19 pandemic in Hangzhou, China
Authors: Chen Yunying , Zhao Xinfeng , Ye Cuiying , Zhou Jun , Wang Jie , Ye Xianfei
Published: August 2024

Non‐pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) implemented to control SARS‐CoV‐2 have significantly influenced the activity of respiratory pathogens. This study investigated epidemiological changes among hospitalized patients with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) before (2017–2019) and during (2020–2022) the COVID‐19 pandemic in Hangzhou, China. We also examined viral load distribution across demographic and temporal variables. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected and RSV loads were quantified using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR). RSV epidemic characteristics, seasonal dynamics, and viral load distributions were compared between pre‐ and pandemic years. General linear models were employed to assess associations between viral loads and age. Among 19 742 cases, 1576 and 2092 tested positive during the pre‐ and pandemic years, respectively. From February to July 2020, the implementation of NPIs led to the cessation of RSV circulation. However, after these measures were relaxed, RSV cases resurged over two consecutive seasons during the pandemic, notably affecting older children compared to those in the pre‐pandemic years (1.00 years, IQR: 0.50–2.00 vs. 0.58 years, IQR: 0.27–1.00, p < 0.001). Specifically, in 2021–2022, an off‐season resurgence of RSV began earlier (mid‐June), lasted longer (40 weeks), and involved more positive cases (1238 cases) than both 2020–2021 and pre‐pandemic years. Viral load distribution demonstrated a clear age‐related relationship in both pre‐ and pandemic years, with younger children consistently showing higher viral loads, independently of gender and season (all p‐values for trends <0.001). These findings highlight the impact of NPIs on RSV epidemiology and underscore the need to prioritize RSV infection prevention in younger children from the perspective of viral load.
Antithrombotic management in atrial fibrillation patients following percutaneous coronary intervention: A clinical review
Authors: Saito Yuichi , Kobayashi Yoshio
Published: August 2024

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) often develop acute coronary syndrome and undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and vice versa. Acute coronary syndrome and PCI mandate the use of dual antiplatelet therapy, while oral anticoagulation is recommended in patients with AF to mitigate thromboembolic risks. Clinical evidence concerning antithrombotic treatment in patients with AF and PCI has been accumulated, but when combined, the therapeutic strategy becomes complex. Although triple therapy, a combination of oral anticoagulation with dual antiplatelet therapy, has been used for patients with AF undergoing PCI as an initial antithrombotic strategy, less intensive regimens may be associated with a lower rate of bleeding without an increased risk in thrombotic events. This narrative review article summarizes currently available evidence of antithrombotic therapy in patients with AF undergoing PCI.
Outcomes of pediatric endoscopic ultrasound‐guided celiac plexus block: A single center pilot study
Authors: Joseph Michael , Liu Edwin , Mark Jacob A.
Published: August 2024

Celiac plexus blocks (CPBs) using endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guidance provide significant pain relief in adults with chronic pancreatitis. We present on EUS‐guided CPB for pediatric patients with abdominal pain from chronic pancreatitis or severe functional dyspepsia necessitating clinically assisted nutrition and hydration. Patients who underwent EUS‐CPB were included and followed prospectively at 2‐, 4‐, and 8‐weeks postprocedure about pain, enteral tolerance, and school/activity attendance. Thirteen patients underwent EUS‐guided CPB with a total of 21 procedures. In the pancreatitis cohort, mean pain relief was 11.7 weeks for those who responded. In the functional dyspepsia cohort, mean improvement (in either pain or enteral tolerance) was 4.8 weeks. Symptom improvement varied between the two cohorts. Acute recurrent/chronic pancreatitis patients demonstrated more sustained relief than the functional dyspepsia cohort. This study adds to the limited data investigating the utility of EUS‐CPB as part of a multimodal treatment plan in pediatrics.
Long‐term stability of extra virgin olive oil: effects of filtration and refrigeration storage on the Kolovi variety
Authors: Lazarou Konstantina , Tsagkaris Aristeidis S. , Drakopoulou Sofia , Kyriakopoulos Antony M. , Martakos Ioannis , Pentogenis Michalis , Glyniadaki Maria , Kritikou Evangelia , Koupa Anastasia , Kostakis Marios , Proestos Charalampos , Dasenaki Marilena , Maragou Niki , Thomaidis Nikolaos
Published: August 2024

Background

The composition of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) defines its sensory, nutritional, and human health benefits, and distinguishes it as a key component of the Mediterranean diet. Nevertheless, EVOO constituents are susceptible to degradation during processing and storage, which reduces the olive oil's quality and limits its shelf life. The present study investigated the effect of molecular filtration before storage and the effect of cool storage at 4 °C on the stability of ‘Kolovi’ EVOO, a variety originating from the Greek island of Lesvos, over a 24 month period.

Results

Storing EVOO at 4 °C positively affected free acidity, peroxide value, K268, fruity qualities, and concentrations of hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, ligstroside aglycone, lutein, and squalene, in comparison with the control sample stored at room temperature, particularly after 1 year. Molecular filtration significantly affected the ratio of unsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids (UFAs/SFAs). Optimal preservation of parameters such as acidity value and lutein content was achieved by combining molecular filtration with refrigeration.

Conclusions

The present study recommends storing EVOO in the refrigerator for up to 18 months. Based on the regulatory limits of the quality characteristics of acidity, peroxide value, K232 value and fruity sensory attributes, the shelf‐life of the protected geographical indication (PGI) ‘Kolovi’ EVOO can reach 2 years under cool storage (4 °C) and with molecular filtration before storage. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Investigating the impact of climate variables on the organic honey yield in Turkey using XGBoost machine learning
Authors: Sahin Demirel Ayca Nur
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND

The Turkish organic honey industry, a major player in the global market, faces challenges due to climate fluctuations. Understanding the influence of climate factors on honey production is vital for sustainable farming and economic stability.

METHOD

This study uses a machine learning approach with the XGBoost algorithm to analyze temperature, wind, humidity, precipitation and surface pressure over a 20‐year period from 2004 to 2023.

RESULTS

The results show that these factors significantly impact organic honey production, with temperature, wind, humidity, precipitation and surface pressure having effects of 41.20%, 26.50%, 12.47%, 11.42% and 8.41%, respectively. Sensitivity analysis reveals the model's sensitivity to even minor fluctuations in these variables.

CONCLUSION

The results of this research underscore the necessity of integrating climate change mitigation and adaptation measures into agricultural policies and beekeeping practices. This study showcases the practical application of machine learning in deciphering the intricate relationship between climate change and the production of crops, emphasizing the importance of data‐driven decision‐making to guarantee long‐term sustainability and financial stability in the sector. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
(+)‐Catechins Play a Protective Role in Diabetic Kidney Disease by Alleviating EMT through Multiple Pathways
Authors: Ni Ying , Zhu Dina , Chen Chao , Wang Fan , Miu Yanyan , Zhang Wensheng
Published: August 2024

Scope

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a complication of diabetes mellitus, is becoming a significant global health concern, with no complete cure currently available. Tea is regarded as an essential component of a balanced diet and contains (+)‐Catechin (CE), which exert a range of pharmacological effects. Consequently, CE may be a potential treatment for DN. The objective of this study is to examine the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of CE on DN, with a particular focus on the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, which plays a pivotal role in regulating DN.

Methods and results

In this study db/db mice are treated with catechins. The results demonstrate that CE reduces obesity and hyperglycemia, improves renal dysfunction and morphological changes in diabetic mice, and inhibits the development of DN through the RAGE/NF‐κB signaling pathway. Among them differentially expressed messenger RNA (mRNA) results, those related to EMT, including Cav1, grem2, macrod2, and kap, are identified. To further validate the results, the same experiments are performed on HK‐2 cells.

Conclusions

The research results offer novel perspectives by emphasizing the anti‐inflammatory properties of CE and their potential role in mitigating DN through the regulation of EMT‐related genes such as RAGE, Cav1, grem2, macrod2, and kap.
Optimizing solar photovoltaic and biomass integration for electric vehicle charging stations in metropolitan cities: A hybrid approach
Authors: Udaiyakumar S. , Kannayeram G. , Hariharan V. S. , Saravanan R.
Published: August 2024

This paper proposes a hybrid strategy for designing and optimizing a hybrid solar photovoltaic (PV) and biomass‐based electric vehicle charging station (EVCS) in metropolitan cities. The proposed strategy is the joint execution of the dung beetle optimizer (DBO) and Finite Basis Physics‐Informed Neural Networks Technique. It is hence called the DBO‐FBPINNs approach. The proposed strategy aims are to minimize initial cost and operating cost, net present cost, and levelized cost of energy. The design phase involves the energy storage systems, integration of solar PV panels, and biomass generators to warranty a reliable and continuous power supply for the EV charging infrastructure. Feasibility analysis encompasses various technical, economic, and environmental aspects. The converter's control signal is optimized via the DBO method. The FBPINNs model is used to forecast the optimal control parameters of the converter. By then, the proposed DBO‐FBPINNs method is implemented in the MATLAB platform and evaluated their performance with various present strategy's like deep neural network (DNN), fuzzy neural network (FNN), and recurrent neural network (RNN). When compared to other current technologies, the proposed strategy exhibits a low cost of $1.2.
Prenatal Diagnosis of Myhre Syndrome in Two Cases: Further Delineation of the Cardiac and External Phenotype
Authors: Jury Jeanne , Joubert Madeleine , Le Vaillant Claudine , Ghesh Leïla , Séguéla Pierre‐Emmanuel , Bruel Ange‐Line , Cogné Benjamin , Nizon Mathilde
Published: August 2024

Myhre syndrome is a rare genetic disease caused by recurrent gain‐of‐function variants in SMAD4 (Ile500Thr, Ile500Val, Arg496Cys, and Ile500Met) characterized by postnatal short stature with pseudo‐muscular build, joint stiffness, variable intellectual disability, hearing loss, and a distinctive pattern of dysmorphic facial features. The course can be severe in some cases, with life‐threatening cardiac and pulmonary complications caused by connective tissue involvement. These progressive features over time make early clinical diagnosis difficult but possible by astute clinicians who evaluate young children with autism or short stature and unusual appearance. Only two cases of Myhre syndrome diagnosed during the prenatal period have been reported. Here, we present a detailed description of two unrelated fetuses with Myhre syndrome, each molecularly confirmed by genome or exome sequencing, who underwent fetal examination after termination of pregnancy. One had severe intrauterine growth retardation associated with crossed fused renal ectopia, and the other one had pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (a form of tetralogy of Fallot). Both had mild dysmorphic features with a wide nasofrontal angle. Our results and a systematic prenatal literature review add insight into the early natural history of Myhre syndrome and highlight the contribution of prenatal next‐generation sequencing in prenatal diagnosis and the importance of fetal autopsy in Myhre syndrome.
A Personalized Dose‐Finding Algorithm Based on Adaptive Gaussian Process Regression
Authors: Park Yeonhee , Chang Won
Published: August 2024

Dose‐finding studies play a crucial role in drug development by identifying the optimal dose(s) for later studies while considering tolerability. This not only saves time and effort in proceeding with Phase III trials but also improves efficacy. In an era of precision medicine, it is not ideal to assume patient homogeneity in dose‐finding studies as patients may respond differently to the drug. To address this, we propose a personalized dose‐finding algorithm that assigns patients to individualized optimal biological doses. Our design follows a two‐stage approach. Initially, patients are enrolled under broad eligibility criteria. Based on the Stage 1 data, we fit a regression model of toxicity and efficacy outcomes on dose and biomarkers to characterize treatment‐sensitive patients. In the second stage, we restrict the trial population to sensitive patients, apply a personalized dose allocation algorithm, and choose the recommended dose at the end of the trial. Simulation study shows that the proposed design reliably enriches the trial population, minimizes the number of failures, and yields superior operating characteristics compared to several existing dose‐finding designs in terms of both the percentage of correct selection and the number of patients treated at target dose(s).
Ginsenoside Re inhibits non‐small cell lung cancer progression by suppressing macrophage M2 polarization induced by AMPKα1/STING positive feedback loop
Authors: Tang Xiaoyu , Zhu Man , Zhu Zeren , Tang Wenjun , Zhang Hongmei , Chen Yanbin , Liu Feng , Zhang Yanmin
Published: August 2024

Tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) promote tumor cell metastasis by interacting with cancer cells. Ginsenoside Re is capable of modulating the host immune system and exerts anticancer effects through multiple pathways. Both AMPK and STING are involved in the regulation of MΦ polarization, thereby affecting tumor progression. However, whether there is a regulatory relationship between them and its effect on MΦ polarization and tumor progression is unclear. The aim of this study was to provide mechanistic evidence that ginsenoside Re modulates MΦ phenotype through inhibition of the AMPKα1/STING positive feedback loop and thus exerts an antimetastatic effect in NSCLC immunotherapy. Cell culture models and conditioned media (CM) systems were constructed, and the treated MΦ were analyzed by database analysis, RT‐PCR, Western blotting, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence to determine the regulatory relationship between AMPK and STING and the effects of ginsenoside Re on MΦ polarization and tumor cells migration. The effects of ginsenoside Re (10, 20 mg/kg/day) on TAMs phenotype as well as tumor progression in mice were assessed by HE staining, immunohistochemical staining, and Western blotting. In this study, AMPKα1/STING positive feedback loop in NSCLC TAMs induced M2 type polarization, which in turn promoted NSCLC cell migration. In addition, ginsenoside Re was discovered to inhibit M2‐like MΦ polarization, thereby inhibiting NSCLC cell migration. Mechanistically, Re was able to inhibit the formation of the AMPKα1/STING positive feedback loop, thereby inhibiting its induction of M2‐like MΦ and consequently inhibiting the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) process of NSCLC cells. Furthermore, in mouse models, Re was found to suppress LLC tumor growth and colonization by inhibiting M2‐type polarization of TAMs. Our finding indicates that ginsenoside Re can effectively modulate MΦ polarization and thus play an important role in antimetastatic immunotherapy of NSCLC.
The fractions skill score for ensemble forecast verification
Authors: Necker Tobias , Wolfgruber Ludwig , Kugler Lukas , Weissmann Martin , Dorninger Manfred , Serafin Stefano
Published: August 2024

The fractions skill score (FSS) is a neighbourhood verification method originally designed to verify deterministic forecasts of binary events. Previous studies employed different approaches for computing an ensemble‐based FSS for probabilistic forecast verification. We show that the formulation of an ensemble‐based FSS substantially affects verification results. Comparing four possible approaches, we determine how different ensemble‐based FSS variants depend on ensemble size, neighbourhood size, and forecast event frequency of occurrence. We demonstrate that only one ensemble‐based FSS, which we call the probabilistic FSS (pFSS), is well behaved and reasonably dependent on ensemble size. Furthermore, we derive a relationship to describe how the pFSS behaves with ensemble size. The proposed relationship is similar to a known result for the Brier skill score. Our study uses high‐resolution 1000‐member ensemble precipitation forecasts from a high‐impact weather period. The large ensemble enables us to study the influence of ensemble and neighbourhood size on forecast skill by deriving probabilistic skilful spatial scales.
Strong consensus of convex second‐order multi‐agent systems with time‐varying topologies
Authors: Jin Yongfang , Liu Xingwen , Cao Mengtao , Tashi Nyima
Published: August 2024

This paper addresses the strong consensus problem of convex second‐order discrete‐time multi‐agent systems (MASs) with time‐varying topologies. The convex second‐order discrete‐time MAS model is derived from the Langevin equation and therefore has a certain physical significance. The strong consensus here means that all the first‐ and second‐order states converge to an identical value. Some fully distributed control protocols are designed with time‐varying weights randomly chosen from an arbitrary finite set. These protocols are applicable to several cases where changing topologies may be directed or undirected, and connected or disconnected. As a special case, the condition for convex second‐order MASs with fixed topologies to achieve the strong consensus is presented. Finally, two simulation examples illustrate the proposed results.
Terrain‐aware path planning via semantic segmentation and uncertainty rejection filter with adversarial noise for mobile robots
Authors: Lee Kangneoung , Lee Kiju
Published: August 2024

In ground mobile robots, effective path planning relies on their ability to assess the types and conditions of the surrounding terrains. Neural network‐based methods, which primarily use visual images for terrain classification, are commonly employed for this purpose. However, the reliability of these models can vary due to inherent discrepancies between the training images and the actual environment, leading to erroneous classifications and operational failures. Retraining models with additional images from the actual operating environment may enhance performance, but obtaining these images is often impractical or impossible. Moreover, retraining requires substantial offline processing, which cannot be performed online by the robot within an embedded processor. To address this issue, this paper proposes a neural network‐based terrain classification model, trained using an existing data set, with a novel uncertainty rejection filter (URF) for terrain‐aware path planning of mobile robots operating in unknown environments. A robot, equipped with a pretrained model, initially collects a small number of images (10 in this work) from its current environment to set the target uncertainty ratio of the URF. The URF then dynamically adjusts its sensitivity parameters to identify uncertain regions and assign associated traversal costs. This process occurs entirely online, without the need for offline procedures. The presented method was evaluated through simulations and physical experiments, comparing the point‐to‐point trajectories of a mobile robot equipped with (1) the neural network‐based terrain classification model combined with the presented adaptive URF, (2) the classification model without the URF, and (3) the classification model combined with a nonadaptive version of the URF. Path planning performance measured the Hausdorff distances between the desired and actual trajectories and revealed that the adaptive URF significantly improved performance in both simulations and physical experiments (conducted 10 times for each setting). Statistical analysis via t‐tests confirmed the significance of these results.
A modeling framework for the analysis of the SARS‐CoV2 transmission dynamics
Authors: Chatzilena Anastasia , Demiris Nikolaos , Kalogeropoulos Konstantinos
Published: August 2024

Despite the progress in medical data collection the actual burden of SARS‐CoV‐2 remains unknown due to under‐ascertainment of cases. This was apparent in the acute phase of the pandemic and the use of reported deaths has been pointed out as a more reliable source of information, likely less prone to under‐reporting. Since daily deaths occur from past infections weighted by their probability of death, one may infer the total number of infections accounting for their age distribution, using the data on reported deaths. We adopt this framework and assume that the dynamics generating the total number of infections can be described by a continuous time transmission model expressed through a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations where the transmission rate is modeled as a diffusion process allowing to reveal both the effect of control strategies and the changes in individuals behavior. We develop this flexible Bayesian tool in Stan and study 3 pairs of European countries, estimating the time‐varying reproduction number () as well as the true cumulative number of infected individuals. As we estimate the true number of infections we offer a more accurate estimate of . We also provide an estimate of the daily reporting ratio and discuss the effects of changes in mobility and testing on the inferred quantities.
Ionic Polymers with Phenolic Hydroxyl Groups as Hydrogen Bond Donors Toward Enhanced Catalytic Performance for CO2 Conversion
Authors: Zhu Lihua , Huang Ziying , Ge Tianhao , Jiang Chaoqi , Zhong Wei , Kannan Palanisamy
Published: August 2024

In this study, imidazolium‐based multifunctional ionic polymer (IP 1–IP 3) series, co‐incorporated with phenolic hydroxyl groups as hydrogen bond donors (HBDs) and Cl− as nucleophiles, are synthesized by a facile quaternization method. The physicochemical characterizations of these IPs are systematically examined by using FTIR, XPS, BET, TGA, CO2‐TPD, SEM with elemental mapping and TEM methods. Their catalytic activities are evaluated toward the conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) and epoxides into cyclic carbonates under solvent‐ and additive‐free environments. Apart from the synergy effect between HBDs and Cl−, it is found that the types of the spacer linking the two imidazole units in the diimidazole precursors (L1–L3) also play an important role in the catalytic activity. And IP 2, with a pyridine spacer as a Lewis base site, exhibits the best catalytic performance under solvent‐free mild conditions i. e., atmospheric pressure CO2, 80 °C, and 5 h. Notably, the catalyst demonstrates a good substrate applicability. Furthermore, IP 2 exhibited good reusability, stability, and it can be recycled for ten successive runs with stable and potential catalytic activity. This study provides an alternative route to construct IPs with efficient activity for CO2 catalytic conversion and fixation under mild‐conditions.
Selective Amphiphile‐Probed Liquid Crystal‐Based Sensing Platform for Monitoring Heavy Metal Ions in Drinking Water
Authors: Rashid Madeeha , Pandey Satyabratt , Singh Vishal , Singh Garima , Singh Sachin Kumar
Published: August 2024

This study presents a new method for detecting and monitoring heavy metal ions in water samples. The method uses liquid crystal‐based optical sensors and a molecular probe called dodecyl‐N‐iminodiacetic acid (DIDAA). The probe's hydrophilic polar diacetate head group acts as a chelator for heavy metal ions, while its hydrophobic non‐polar tail aligns the liquid crystal molecules. When heavy metal ion‐contaminated water samples are introduced, the LC alignment is rapidly disrupted, resulting in bright optical signals. The sensor has a detection limit of 0.1, 0.3, 1.0, and 5.0 μM for for Mercury (Hg2+), Copper (Cu2+), Cadmium (Cd2+), and Lead (Pb2+) respectively. The diacetate probe remains effective even after multiple uses and was not affected by changes in pH. Its activity could persist for over 5 days. Furthermore, this sensor could be reversed and reused to detect HMIs in the presence of EDTA, making it a potential candidate for developing logic gates at the molecular level.
Economic nationalism and the home court advantage
Authors: Choudhury Arnab , Jandhyala Srividya , Nandkumar Anand
Published: August 2024

Research Summary

Political and regulatory actors routinely adopt or enforce policies to protect domestic firms at the expense of foreign firms. However, since courts are expected to be neutral and act independently, a question arises whether (and why) they discriminate against foreign firms. We argue that the courts are nationalistic, which emanates from judges differentiating between in‐group (domestic) and out‐group (foreign) members. In a sample of 58,754 patent disputes adjudicated by US federal district courts between 1983 and 2016, we find domestic patent holders and challengers are more successful than their foreign counterparts. Rulings involving foreign firms are more likely to exhibit nationalistic rhetoric. Judicial ideology moderates the differential odds of success between domestic and foreign firms. Thus, the legal system is another source of economic nationalism.

Managerial Summary

Multinational firms might face a disadvantage relative to domestic firms because politicians and regulators are nationalistic; they routinely adopt policies that favor domestic firms. If courts are neutral, this disadvantage should not exist in litigation between multinational and domestic firms. On the contrary, if courts are also nationalistic, domestic firms should enjoy an advantage and greater success than multinational firms in judicial verdicts. Using data on patent disputes in the United States observed over a 33‐year period, we find domestic patent holders and challengers are more successful than their foreign counterparts suggesting that the legal system is another source of economic nationalism. Rulings involving multinationals are more likely to exhibit nationalistic rhetoric. Judicial ideology moderates the differential odds of success between domestic and multinational firms.
CO2 Uptake and Stability Enhancement in Vinyltrimethoxysilane‐Treated SBA‐15 Solid Amine‐Based Sorbents
Authors: Vallace Anthony , Campbell Zachary S. , Moon Hyun June , Koros William J. , Jones Christopher W. , Lively Ryan P.
Published: August 2024

Silica‐supported amine absorbents, including materials produced by tethering aminosilanes or infusion of poly(ethyleneimine), represent a promising class of materials for CO2 capture applications, including direct air and point source capture. Various silica surface treatments and functionalization strategies are explored to enhance stability and CO2 uptake in amine‐based solid sorbent systems. Here, the synthesis and characterization of novel vinyltrimethoxysilane‐treated Santa Barbara Amorphous‐15 (SBA‐15) supports and the corresponding enhancement in CO2 uptake compared to various SBA‐15‐based control supports are presented. The relationship between CO2 diffusion and amine efficiency in these systems is explored using a previously reported kinetic model. The synthesized materials are characterized with CO2 and H2O isotherms, diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, 1H T1–T2 relaxation correlation NMR, and rapid thermal cycling experiments. The novel support materials are shown to enable high amine efficiencies, approaching a fourfold improvement over standard SBA‐15‐supported amines, while simultaneously exhibiting excellent stability when cycled rapidly under humid conditions. As the poly(ethyleneimine) loadings are held constant across the various samples, enhancements in CO2 uptake are attributed to differences in the way the poly(ethyleneimine) interacts with the support surface.
Amino‐Functionalized Metal–Organic Frameworks Featuring Ultra‐Strong Ethane Nano‐Traps for Efficient C2H6/C2H4 Separation
Authors: Zhang Li‐Ping , Guan Guo‐Wei , Li Yi‐Tao , Liu Hao‐Ran , Zheng Su‐Tao , Jiang Yu , Bai Rui , Yang Qing‐Yuan
Published: August 2024

Developing high‐performance porous materials to separate ethane from ethylene is an important but challenging task in the chemical industry, given their similar sizes and physicochemical properties. Herein, a new type of ultra‐strong C2H6 nano‐trap, CuIn(3‐ain)4 is presented, which utilizes multiple guest‐host interactions to efficiently capture C2H6 molecules and separate mixtures of C2H6 and C2H4. The ultra‐strong C2H6 nano‐trap exhibits the high C2H6 (2.38 mmol g−1) uptake at 6.25 kPa and 298 K and demonstrates a remarkable selectivity of 3.42 for C2H6/C2H4 (10:90). Additionally, equimolar C2H6/C2H4 exhibited a superior high separation potential ∆Q (2286 mmol L−1) at 298 K. Kinetic adsorption tests demonstrated that CuIn(3‐ain)4 has a high adsorption rate for C2H6, establishing it as a new benchmark material for the capture of C2H6 and the separation of C2H6/C2H4. Notably, this exceptional performance is maintained even at a higher temperature of 333 K, a phenomenon not observed before. Theoretical simulations and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction provide critical insights into how selective adsorption properties can be tuned by manipulating pore dimensions and geometry. The excellent separation performance of CuIn(3‐ain)4 has been confirmed through breakthrough experiments for C2H6/C2H4 gas mixtures.
Nb Doping Induced the Formation of Protective Layer to Improve the Stability of Fe‐Ni3S2 for Seawater Electrolysis
Authors: Xing Minghui , Wang Shitao , Yun Jimmy , Cao Dapeng
Published: August 2024

The seawater electrolysis to produce hydrogen is a significant topic on alleviating the energy crisis. Here, the Fe, Nb‐Ni3S2 catalyst is prepared by metal‐doping strategy, and it shows high oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity in alkaline medium, and only needs 1.491 V to deliver a current density of 100 mA cm−2 in simulated seawater. Using Fe, Nb‐Ni3S2 as a bifunctional catalyst, the two‐electrode electrolyzer only requires a voltage of 1.751 V (without impedance compensation) to drive the current density of 50 mA cm−2, and can run over 150 h stably in the simulated seawater. Importantly, In situ Raman test demonstrates that the outstanding performance of Fe, Nb‐Ni3S2 in simulated seawater is ascribed to the in situ formed sulfate protective layer induced by Nb doping, which can effectively inhibit the corrosion of chloride ion, while the protective layer is absent for Fe‐Ni3S2. The stable operation of simulated seawater electrolysis under industrial current density further confirms the stability improvement mechanism of forming protective layer. In short, this study provides a new strategy of using Nb dopants inducing the formation of protective layer to enhance the stability of seawater electrolysis.
Ternary Passivation for Enhanced Carrier Transport and Recombination Suppression in Highly Efficient Sn‐Based Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Liang , Miao Qingqing , Wang Dandan , Zhang Zheng , Chen Mengmeng , Bi Huan , Liu Jiaqi , Baranwal Ajay Kumar , Kapil Gaurav , Sanehira Yoshitaka , Kitamura Takeshi , Shen Qing , Ma Tingli , Hayase Shuzi
Published: August 2024

The exploration of nontoxic Sn‐based perovskites as a viable alternative to their toxic Pb‐based counterparts has garnered increased attention. However, the power conversion efficiency of Sn‐based perovskite solar cells lags significantly behind their Pb‐based counterparts. This study presents a ternary passivation strategy aimed at enhancing device performance, employing [6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric‐acid‐methyl‐ester (PCBM), poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT), and indene C60 bisadduct (ICBA). These components play crucial roles in managing energy levels and enhancing carrier transportation, respectively. The results reveal that the introduction of the ternary system leads to improvements in carrier collection and transportation, accompanied by a suppression of the recombination process. Ultimately, the champion device achieves a remarkable performance with an efficiency of 14.64%. Notably, the device also exhibits robust operational and long‐term stored stability.
IABC‐TCG: Improved artificial bee colony algorithm‐based test case generation for smart contracts
Authors: Ji Shunhui , Gong Jiahao , Dong Hai , Zhang Pengcheng , Zhu Shaoqing
Published: August 2024

With the widespread application of smart contracts, there is a growing concern over the quality assurance of smart contracts. The data flow testing is an important technology to ensure the correctness of smart contracts. We propose an approach named IABC‐TCG (Improved Artificial Bee Colony‐Test Case Generation) to generate test cases for the data flow testing of smart contracts. With a dominance relations‐based fitness function, an improved artificial bee colony algorithm is used to generate test cases, in which the bee colony search coefficient is adaptively adjusted to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the search. In addition, an improved test case selection and updation strategy is used to avoid unnecessary test cases. The experimental results show that IABC‐TCG achieves 100% coverage for all the test requirements on a dataset of 30 smart contracts and outperforms the baseline approaches in terms of the number of test cases and the execution time. Performing tests with the generated test cases, IABC‐TCG can find more errors with less test cost.
High Quality Epitaxial Piezoelectric and Ferroelectric Wurtzite Al1‐xScxN Thin Films
Authors: Zeng Yang , Lei Yihan , Wang Yanghe , Cheng Mingqiang , Liao Luocheng , Wang Xuyang , Ge Jinxin , Liu Zhenghao , Ming Wenjie , Li Chao , Xie Shuhong , Li Jiangyu , Li Changjian
Published: August 2024

Piezoelectric and ferroelectric wurtzite are promising to reshape modern microelectronics because they can be easily integrated with mainstream semiconductor technology. Sc doped AlN (Al1‐xScxN) has attracted much attention for its enhanced piezoelectric and emerging ferroelectric properties, yet the commonly used sputtering results in polycrystalline Al1‐xScxN films with high leakage current. Here, the pulsed laser deposition of single crystalline epitaxial Al1‐xScxN thin films on sapphire and 4H‐SiC substrates is reported. Pure wurtzite phase is maintained up to x = 0.3 with ≤0.1 at% oxygen contamination. Polarization is estimated to be 140 µC cm−2 via atomic scale microscopy imaging and found to be switchable via a scanning probe. The piezoelectric coefficient is found to be five times of the undoped one when x = 0.3, making it desirable for high‐frequency radiofrequency (RF) filters and 3D nonvolatile memories.
PIoT‐fortifying IoT device identity and data access: A security framework empowered by blockchain
Authors: Janani K. , Ramamoorthy S.
Published: August 2024

The IoT, which refers to the process in which billions of devices are connected to the Internet, has emerged as an essential component of today's society. Yet, the safety of data exchange and the identification of devices in IoT networks have emerged as significant concerns in recent years. Also, there will be a significant drop in the effectiveness of the conventional consensus process. This study presents a novel consensus technique, Proof of IoT (PIoT), to address the security and authentication‐related issues in the IoT Infrastructure. It uses blockchain‐based smart contracts to securely transfer the data and uniquely identify the device on the IoT‐based network. PIoT uses a reputation assessment technique that involves complex cryptographic NuCypher‐based security computations to authenticate and update the data across IoT devices. This contract assures that only authorized parties can access the information recorded in the blockchain. A reward‐based filtering technique is developed for PIoT to identify malicious nodes with harmful actions, preventing them from contributing to consensus. Compared to specific conventional methods, PIoT performs better in simulations. Compared with LPBFT, DAC4SH Consensus, the Point of Interaction in blockchain‐based PIoT improved by 74.7% and 96.8%, respectively. When compared to DAC4SH, PIoT shows an overall 15% improvement in the security of the blockchain under the IoT. In addition to providing a secure method of communication between IoT devices, the given study also provides security against various IoT attacks.
Template‐Refine Network for Siamese Object Tracking
Authors: Lu Xiaofeng , Li Gaoxiang , Yan Zhaoyu , Teng Lin
Published: August 2024

Various mainstream target tracking algorithms based on Siamese networks are gradually becoming a trend in the field of deep learning tracking due to their concurrent advantages of accuracy and speed. Most Siamese network‐based trackers describe the tracking of a target object as a similar matching problem, and these trackers have achieved more advanced performance in several public tests. Most trackers often suffer from tracking drift or performance degradation owing to the non‐updating of the template in the first frame and the target appearance encounters disturbing environments such as occlusion and drastic deformation. Therefore, to address this problem, this paper introduces a template updating mechanism and proposes a refine structure network based on the template updating of Siamese networks as well as the greater similarity of target features in two adjacent frames, which improves the tracking accuracy while limiting the amount of computation using an anchor‐free method in order not to lose the tracking speed, and only needs to be trained by selecting the most suitable pre‐training network, thus greatly reducing the amount of network computation. Meanwhile, in the application of the refine structure, with the aim of making the weight design of the target localisation module more reasonable, we propose a new Refine Head section and analyze and design the update threshold to optimize the overall network. This method is practiced in SiamFC++ algorithm, which firstly designs the template refine module, inputs the image that needs to be improved, and then outputs it to the Refine Head to complete the template update and applies it to the tracking of the subsequent frames, thereby constituting the SiamTRN (Template‐Refine Network). According to the experiments, the improved structure of the method can effectively implement the refine module function and enhance the performance of the tracker on public datasets, such as OTB100, VOT2016, UAV123 and GOT‐10 k. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Biological effects of sodium phenylbutyrate and taurursodiol in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Arnold Steven E. , Hendrix Suzanne , Nicodemus‐Johnson Jessie , Knowlton Newman , Williams Victoria J. , Burns Jeffrey M. , Crane Monica , McManus Alison J. , Vaishnavi Sanjeev N. , Arvanitakis Zoe , Neugroschl Judith , Bell Karen , Trombetta Bianca A. , Carlyle Becky C. , Kivisäkk Pia , Dodge Hiroko H. , Tanzi Rudolph E. , Yeramian Patrick D. , Leslie Kent
Published: August 2024

INTRODUCTION

Sodium phenylbutyrate and taurursodiol (PB and TURSO) is hypothesized to mitigate endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, two of many mechanisms implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology.

METHODS

The first‐in‐indication phase 2a PEGASUS trial was designed to gain insight into PB and TURSO effects on mechanistic targets of engagement and disease biology in AD. The primary clinical efficacy outcome was a global statistical test combining three endpoints relevant to disease trajectory (cognition [Mild/Moderate Alzheimer's Disease Composite Score], function [Functional Activities Questionnaire], and total hippocampal volume on magnetic resonance imaging). Secondary clinical outcomes included various cognitive, functional, and neuropsychiatric assessments. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers spanning multiple pathophysiological pathways in AD were evaluated in participants with both baseline and Week 24 samples (exploratory outcome).

RESULTS

PEGASUS enrolled 95 participants (intent‐to‐treat [ITT] cohort); cognitive assessments indicated significantly greater baseline cognitive impairment in the PB and TURSO (n = 51) versus placebo (n = 44) group. Clinical efficacy outcomes did not significantly differ between treatment groups in the ITT cohort. CSF interleukin‐15 increased from baseline to Week 24 within the placebo group (n = 34). In the PB and TURSO group (n = 33), reductions were observed in core AD biomarkers phosphorylated tau‐181 (p‐tau181) and total tau; synaptic and neuronal degeneration biomarkers neurogranin and fatty acid binding protein‐3 (FABP3); and gliosis biomarker chitinase 3‐like protein 1 (YKL‐40), while the oxidative stress marker 8‐hydroxy‐2‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG) increased. Between‐group differences were observed for the Aβ42/40 ratio, p‐tau181, total tau, neurogranin, FABP3, YKL‐40, interleukin‐15, and 8‐OHdG. Additional neurodegeneration, inflammation, and metabolic biomarkers showed no differences between groups.

DISCUSSION

While between‐group differences in clinical outcomes were not observed, most likely due to the small sample size and relatively short treatment duration, exploratory biomarker analyses suggested that PB and TURSO engages multiple pathophysiologic pathways in AD.

Highlights

Proteostasis and mitochondrial stress play key roles in Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Sodium phenylbutyrate and taurursodiol (PB and TURSO) targets these mechanisms.

The PEGASUS trial was designed to assess PB and TURSO effects on biologic AD targets.

PB and TURSO reduced exploratory biomarkers of AD and neurodegeneration.

Supports further clinical development of PB and TURSO in neurodegenerative diseases.