bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radiation absorption effect on MHD natural convective flow past an impulsively started infinite vertical plate with chemical reaction and thermal radiation
Authors: Dowerah Richa Deb , Ahmed Nazibuddin , Deka Hiren
Published: April 2024

The current work is interested on investigating the impacts of thermal radiation, chemical reaction, and absorption radiation of a hydromagnetic convection‐free mass and heat transfer flow in case of an electrically conducting fluid that passes through a vertical plate moving impulsively. The analytical solutions of the governing momentum, energy, and species concentration equations with the initial and boundary conditions are obtained by the Laplace transformation technique. Graphs for fluid characteristics are used to analyze the impact of changing parametric quantities such as M, N, Sc, Kc, Q, Gr, Gm, and t on the temperature, velocity, concentration, and Sherwood number. We derive the engineering curiosity expressions for the Nusselt number and stress, and at the end, we tabulate and discuss the consequences of new parameters. The magnetic field effect and the chemical reaction are seen to diminish the fluid velocity and concentration, respectively, but in contrast, the absorption radiation effect is seen to accelerate both velocity and temperature. It is closely studied that the Nusselt number and skin friction values for hydrogen consistently exceed those for carbon monoxide.
Soil water percolation and nutrient fluxes as a function of topographical, seasonal and soil texture variation in Central Amazonia, Brazil
Authors: Rodrigues Jardel Ramos , Solander Kurt C. , Cropper Stephen , Newman Brent D. , Collins Adam D. , Warren Jeffrey M. , Negron‐Juarez Robinson , Gimenez Bruno O. , Spanner Gustavo Carvalho , Menezes Valdiek da Silva , Ríos‐Villamizar Eduardo Antonio , de Oliveira Regison Costa , Ferreira Sávio José Filgueiras , Higuchi Niro
Published: April 2024

Understanding soil water dynamics and transport of nutrients is challenging in tropical rainforests due to the uniqueness of several properties related to soils, vegetation and seasonality that make relating patterns found in temperate environments to tropical sites difficult. We address the need for better edaphic characterization in tropical environments by investigating soil water percolation rates and chemistry across topographic, soil texture and seasonal gradients in a mature tropical rainforest in Central Amazonia, Brazil. We utilized a passive wick flux meter (e.g., drainage lysimeter) to directly measure real‐time percolation fluxes at 60‐cm depth, and to sample a suite of chemical species across plateau, slope and valley topographic positions. We found percolation flux volume and chemical exports generally increase with decreasing elevation and clay content, which was lowest in the valley. Daily percolation flux was observed to be 2.39 ± 0.44 in plateau, 3.01 ± 0.50 in slope and 6.16 ± 0.83 mm in valley. Most solutes were present in small amounts of <1 mg L−1, such as PO₄3−, Fe2+/Fe3+ and Mn2+; however, NO3− concentrations were >20 mg L−1, even exceeding 100 mg L−1 in the valley. Based on additional isotopic analysis, we speculate high NO3− concentrations are partially an artefact of root decomposition following installation of the flux meters. The empirical relationships we show among percolation volume and nutrient exports under varying topographies and soil textures can improve Earth System Model performance by better constraining ecohydrological relationships to nutrient fluxes, which can in‐turn better illuminate the important factors that govern their behaviour.
The experimental study of mir‐99a‐5p negative regulation of TLR8 receptor mediated‐mediated innate immune response in rabbit knee cartilage injury
Authors: Zhang Jiebin , Zheng Ke , Wu Yichao , Zhang Shengting , Guo Ao , Sui Cong
Published: April 2024

Background

Traumatic cartilage injury is an important cause of osteoarthritis (OA) and limb disability, and toll‐like receptors (TLRs) mediated innate immune response has been confirmed to play a crucial role in cartilage injury. In the previous study, we found that the activation of TLR8 molecules in injured articular cartilage was more obvious than other TLRs by establishing an animal model of knee impact injury in rabbits, and the changes of TLR8 molecules could significantly affect the process of articular cartilage injury and repair.

Objective

To verify how mir‐99a‐5p regulates TLR8 receptor mediated innate immune response to treat traumatic cartilage injury.

Methods

The impact of a heavy object on the medial condyle of the rabbit's knee joint caused damage to the medial condylar cartilage. Through pathological and imaging analysis, it was demonstrated whether the establishment of an animal model of traumatic cartilage injury was successful. Establishing a cell model by virus transfection of chondrocytes to demonstrate the role of TLR8 in the innate immune response to impact cartilage injury. Through transcriptome sequencing, potential targets of TLR8, mir‐99a‐5p, were predicted, and basic experiments were conducted to demonstrate how they interact with innate immune responses to impact cartilage damage.

Results

TLR8 is a receptor protein of the immune system, which is widely expressed in immune cells. In our study, we found that TLR8 expression is localized in lysosomes and endosomes. Mir‐99a‐5p can negatively regulate TLR8 to activate PI3K‐AKT molecular pathway and aggravate cartilage damage. Inhibiting TLR8 expression can effectively reduce the incidence of articular cartilage damage.

Conclusion

Based on the results from this study, mir‐99a‐5p may be an effective molecular marker for predicting traumatic cartilage injury and targeting TLR8 is a novel and promising approach for the prevention or early treatment of cartilage damage.
Exploring the tumor genomic landscape of aggressive prostate cancer by whole‐genome sequencing of tissue or liquid biopsies
Authors: Weiss Simone , Lamy Philippe , Rusan Maria , Nørgaard Maibritt , Ulhøi Benedicte Parm , Knudsen Michael , Kassentoft Christine Gaasdal , Farajzadeh Leila , Jensen Jørgen Bjerggaard , Pedersen Jakob Skou , Borre Michael , Sørensen Karina Dalsgaard
Published: April 2024

Treatment resistance remains a major issue in aggressive prostate cancer (PC), and novel genomic biomarkers may guide better treatment selection. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) can provide minimally invasive information about tumor genomes, but the genomic landscape of aggressive PC based on whole‐genome sequencing (WGS) of ctDNA remains incompletely characterized. Thus, we here performed WGS of tumor tissue (n = 31) or plasma ctDNA (n = 10) from a total of 41 aggressive PC patients, including 11 hormone‐naïve, 15 hormone‐sensitive, and 15 castration‐resistant patients. Across all variant types, we found progressively more altered tumor genomic profiles in later stages of aggressive PC. The potential driver genes most frequently affected by single‐nucleotide variants or insertions/deletions included the known PC‐related genes TP53, CDK12, and PTEN and the novel genes COL13A1, KCNH3, and SENP3. Etiologically, aggressive PC was associated with age‐related and DNA repair‐related mutational signatures. Copy number variants most frequently affected 14q11.2 and 8p21.2, where no well‐recognized PC‐related genes are located, and also frequently affected regions near the known PC‐related genes MYC, AR, TP53, PTEN, and BRCA1. Structural variants most frequently involved not only the known PC‐related genes TMPRSS2 and ERG but also the less extensively studied gene in this context, PTPRD. Finally, clinically actionable variants were detected throughout all stages of aggressive PC and in both plasma and tissue samples, emphasizing the potential clinical applicability of WGS of minimally invasive plasma samples. Overall, our study highlights the feasibility of using liquid biopsies for comprehensive genomic characterization as an alternative to tissue biopsies in advanced/aggressive PC.
Machine learning‐assisted wearable sensor array for comprehensive ammonia and nitrogen dioxide detection in wide relative humidity range
Authors: Li Yiwen , Guo Shuai , Wang Boyi , Sun Jianguo , Zhao Liupeng , Wang Tianshuang , Yan Xu , Liu Fangmeng , Sun Peng , Wang John , Tan Swee Ching , Lu Geyu
Published: April 2024

The fast booming of wearable electronics provides great opportunities for intelligent gas detection with improved healthcare of mining workers, and a variety of gas sensors have been simultaneously developed. However, these sensing systems are always limited to single gas detection and are highly susceptible to the inference of ubiquitous moisture, resulting in less accuracy in the analysis of gas compositions in real mining conditions. To address these challenges, we propose a synergistic strategy based on sensor integration and machine learning algorithms to realize precise NH3 and NO2 gas detections under real mining conditions. A wearable sensing array based on the graphene and polyaniline composite is developed to largely enhance the sensitivity and selectivity under mixed gas conditions. Further introduction of backpropagation neural network (BP‐NN) and partial least squares (PLS) algorithms could improve the accuracy of gas identification and concentration prediction and settle the inference of moisture, realizing over 99% theoretical prediction level on NH3 and NO2 concentrations within a wide relative humidity range, showing great promise in real mining detection. As proof of concept, a wireless wearable bracelet, integrated with sensing arrays and machine‐learning algorithms, is developed for wireless real‐time warning of hazardous gases in mines under different humidity conditions.

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Imperative connotation of SODs in cancer: Emerging targets and multifactorial role of action
Authors: Panda Biswajit , Tripathy Ankita , Patra Srimanta , Kullu Bandana , Tabrez Shams , Jena Mrutyunjay
Published: April 2024

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a crucial enzyme responsible for the redox homeostasis inside the cell. As a part of the antioxidant defense system, it plays a pivotal role in the dismutation of the superoxide radicals () generated mainly by the oxidative phosphorylation, which would otherwise bring out the redox dysregulation, leading to higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and, ultimately, cell transformation, and malignancy. Several studies have shown the involvement of ROS in a wide range of human cancers. As SOD is the key enzyme in regulating ROS, any change, such as a transcriptional change, epigenetic remodeling, functional alteration, and so forth, either activates the proto‐oncogenes or aberrant signaling cascades, which results in cancer. Interestingly, in some cases, SODs act as tumor promoters instead of suppressors. Furthermore, SODs have also been known to switch their role during tumor progression. In this review, we have tried to give a comprehensive account of SODs multifactorial role in various human cancers so that SODs‐based therapeutic strategies could be made to thwart cancers.
Comparison of teaching methods for the emergence and maintenance of untaught relations in foreign language vocabulary acquisition: A systematic replication
Authors: Yamaguchi Masaya , Matsuda Soichiro
Published: April 2024

In a replication of Daly and K. Dounavi (2020), the researchers evaluated the effect of foreign tact and bidirectional intraverbal teaching on the emergence of untaught relations. Three university students learned three stimulus sets through three types of teaching: native‐foreign intraverbal teaching (vocalizing Spanish words that refer to a Japanese textual stimulus), foreign‐native intraverbal teaching (reversed relation of native‐foreign condition), and foreign‐tact teaching (tacting a picture in Spanish). The researchers used an adapted alternating‐treatments design to assess the differential effect of each teaching condition on the emergence of untaught relations in a foreign language and collected data on response maintenance. The results replicated previous findings that native‐foreign intraverbal and foreign‐tact teachings were more effective than foreign‐native intraverbal teaching despite previous reporting that the maintenance outcomes may be a result of carryover effects.
Diagnosis of an epidermoid retroperitoneal cyst via ultrasound: A case report
Authors: Yonghan Wei , Jian Mo , Shujing Wei , Jie Li
Published: April 2024

Retroperitoneal cysts (RPCs) are rare types of cyst in the retroperitoneal space that are frequently misdiagnosed as gynecological tumors. This case report details, an epidermoid RPC, identified through 2D ultrasound, with attempts to visualize its rendered images using 3D ultrasound. A 39‐year‐old female patient was admitted to the hospital following the detection of a pelvic mass during a routine physical examination. Initially, the lesion was suspected to be an ovarian tumor, but subsequent ultrasound investigations suggested an epidermoid RPC. This diagnosis was later confirmed by pelvic magnetic resonance imaging. The definitive diagnosis was made following laparoscopic exploration and pathological examination. This case is shared to analyze the ultrasound characteristics of epidermoid RPCs.
Neonatal enteroids absorb extracellular vesicles from human milk‐fed infant digestive fluid
Authors: Yung Claire , Zhang Yang , Kuhn Madeline , Armstrong Randall J. , Olyaei Amy , Aloia Molly , Scottoline Brian , Andres Sarah F.
Published: April 2024

Human milk contains extracellular vesicles (HMEVs). Pre‐clinical models suggest that HMEVs may enhance intestinal function and limit inflammation; however, it is unknown if HMEVs or their cargo survive neonatal human digestion. This limits the ability to leverage HMEV cargo as additives to infant nutrition or as therapeutics. This study aimed to develop an EV isolation pipeline from small volumes of human milk and neonatal intestinal contents after milk feeding (digesta) to address the hypothesis that HMEVs survive in vivo neonatal digestion to be taken up intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). Digesta was collected from nasoduodenal sampling tubes or ostomies. EVs were isolated from raw and pasteurized human milk and digesta by density‐gradient ultracentrifugation following two‐step skimming, acid precipitation of caseins, and multi‐step filtration. EVs were validated by electron microscopy, western blotting, nanoparticle tracking analysis, resistive pulse sensing, and super‐resolution microscopy. EV uptake was tested in human neonatal enteroids. HMEVs and digesta EVs (dEVs) show typical EV morphology and are enriched in CD81 and CD9, but depleted of β‐casein and lactalbumin. HMEV and some dEV fractions contain mammary gland‐derived protein BTN1A1. Neonatal human enteroids rapidly take up dEVs in part via clathrin‐mediated endocytosis. Our data suggest that EVs can be isolated from digestive fluid and that these dEVs can be absorbed by IECs.
Assessment of Lung Nodule Detection and Lung CT Screening Reporting and Data System Classification Using Zero Echo Time Pulmonary MRI
Authors: Wang Xinhui , Cui Yingying , Wang Ying , Liu Shuo , Meng Nan , Wei Wei , Bai Yan , Shen Yu , Guo Jinxia , Guo Zhiping , Wang Meiyun
Published: April 2024

Background

The detection rate of lung nodules has increased considerably with CT as the primary method of examination, and the repeated CT examinations at 3 months, 6 months or annually, based on nodule characteristics, have increased the radiation exposure of patients. So, it is urgent to explore a radiation‐free MRI examination method that can effectively address the challenges posed by low proton density and magnetic field inhomogeneities.

Purpose

To evaluate the potential of zero echo time (ZTE) MRI in lung nodule detection and lung CT screening reporting and data system (lung‐RADS) classification, and to explore the value of ZTE‐MRI in the assessment of lung nodules.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

54 patients, including 21 men and 33 women.

Field Strength/Sequence

Chest CT using a 16‐slice scanner and ZTE‐MRI at 3.0T based on fast gradient echo.

Assessment

Nodule type (ground‐glass nodules, part‐solid nodules, and solid nodules), lung‐RADS classification, and nodule diameter (manual measurement) on CT and ZTE‐MRI images were recorded.

Statistical Tests

The percent of concordant cases, Kappa value, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Wilcoxon signed‐rank test, Spearman's correlation, and Bland–Altman. The p‐value <0.05 is considered significant.

Results

A total of 54 patients (age, 54.8 ± 11.9 years; 21 men) with 63 nodules were enrolled. Compared with CT, the total nodule detection rate of ZTE‐MRI was 85.7%. The intermodality agreement of ZTE‐MRI and CT lung nodules type evaluation was substantial (Kappa = 0.761), and the intermodality agreement of ZTE‐MRI and CT lung‐RADS classification was moderate (Kappa = 0.592). The diameter measurements between ZTE‐MRI and CT showed no significant difference and demonstrated a high degree of interobserver (ICC = 0.997–0.999) and intermodality (ICC = 0.956–0.985) agreements.

Data Conclusion

The measurement of nodule diameter by pulmonary ZTE‐MRI is similar to that by CT, but the ability of lung‐RADS to classify nodes from MRI images still requires further research.

Level of Evidence

2

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Effect of cationic Gemini surfactants ethonium and decamethoxin on the spectral properties, solubility and tautomerism of the curcumin
Authors: Barvinchenko Valentyna M. , Kazakova Olga O. , Lipkovska Natalia O.
Published: April 2024

The properties of natural polyphenol curcumin in water solutions of cationic Gemini surfactants decamethoxin and ethonium, which have similar positively charged nitrogen hydrophilic head groups but different spacer sizes and lengths of hydrophobic tails have been investigated in a wide range of concentrations by using UV–Vis spectroscopy and quantum‐chemical calculations. It was found that curcumin dissolves in the organized micellar media of these surfactants in the enol tautomeric form and its solubility increases 400 times compared to water. The binding constants of curcumin with decamethoxin and ethonium were determined by the solubility method. Significant differences in the influence of premicellar concentrations of cationic Gemini surfactants on the solubility and tautomeric transformations of curcumin were revealed. In contrast to decamethoxin, ethonium at a concentration below the CMC promotes a significant increase in the solubility of curcumin and a shift in the tautomeric equilibrium towards the formation of its keto form.
Patient Factors Associated with Missed Otolaryngology Appointments at an Urban Safety‐Net Hospital
Authors: Wilson Carolyn A. , Jamil Taylor L. , Velu Preetha S. , Levi Jessica R.
Published: April 2024

Objective

To determine if patient factors related to ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), medical comorbidities, or appointment characteristics increase the risk of missing an initial adult otolaryngology appointment.

Methods

This study is a retrospective case control study at Boston Medical Center (BMC) in Boston, Massachusetts, that took place in 2019. Patient demographic and medical comorbidity data as well as appointment characteristic data were collected and compared between those that attended their initial otolaryngology appointment versus those who missed their initial appointment. Chi‐square and ANOVA tests were used to calculate differences between attendance outcomes. Multivariate analysis was used to compare the odds of missing an appointment based on various patient‐ and appointment‐related factors.

Results

Patients who were more likely to miss their appointments were more often female, of lower education, disabled, not employed, Black or Hispanic, and Spanish‐speaking. Spring and Fall appointments were more likely to be missed. When a multivariate regression was conducted to control for social determinants of health (SDOH) such as race, insurance status, employment, and education status, the odds of females, Spanish‐speaking, students, and disabled patients missing their appointment were no longer statistically significant.

Conclusion

A majority of patients at BMC come from lower SES backgrounds and have multiple medical comorbidities. Those who reside closer to BMC, often areas of lower average income, had higher rates of missed appointments. Interventions such as decreasing lag time, providing handicap‐accessible free transportation, and increasing accessibility of telemedicine for patients could help improve attendance rates at BMC.

Level of Evidence

IV Laryngoscope, 134:4003–4010, 2024
Significant dark inorganic carbon fixation in the euphotic zone of an oligotrophic sea
Authors: Reich Tom , Belkin Natalia , Sisma‐Ventura Guy , Berman‐Frank Ilana , Rahav Eyal
Published: April 2024

Estimates of primary productivity have traditionally disregarded dark inorganic carbon fixation by marine microorganisms. Currently, only limited data are available from different systems on this potentially ecologically important process. We present monthly dark inorganic carbon fixation and photosynthetic rates from the euphotic layer of the northern Gulf of Aqaba collected over a decade between 2010 and 2020. Averaged dark inorganic carbon fixation rates from surface to 100 m depth, ranged from 99 to 173 mg C m−2 d−1, which corresponds to ~ 43% of the annual primary productivity at this location. The lowest dark inorganic carbon fixation rates were found during winter, contributing ~ 7.5% of the integrated primary productivity. During the oligotrophic summer, dark inorganic carbon fixation comprised a larger fraction of the integrated primary productivity estimated as ~ 12%. In accordance, dark inorganic carbon fixation contributed ~ 6% to the particulate organic carbon flux during the winter and ~ 30% during summertime. Complimentary nutrient‐enrichment bioassays of seawater from 5 m show that dissolved organic nutrient enrichment (P and C based) significantly elevates dark inorganic carbon fixation, whereas addition of dissolved inorganic nutrients (, , or both) significantly increased photosynthesis but to a lesser extent dark inorganic carbon fixation. These results suggest that dark inorganic carbon fixation may be an important biochemical process throughout the euphotic zone of oligotrophic seas, and thus should be incorporated into oceanic carbon production estimates.
Nonsymmetric Lévy‐type operators
Authors: Minecki Jakub , Szczypkowski Karol
Published: April 2024

We present a general approach to the parametrix construction. We apply it to prove the uniqueness and existence of a weak fundamental solution for the equation  with nonsymmetric nonlocal operators
under certain assumptions on , , and . The result allows more general coefficients even for .
Dynamic changes in lysosome‐related pathways in APP/PS1 mice with aging
Authors: Xu Zhendong , Hu Jichang , Wei Zhen , Lei Yu , Afewerky Henok Kessete , Gao Yang , Wan Lu , Li Longfei , Lei Ling , Liu Yi , Huang Fang , Yu Tong , Wang Jian‐Zhi , Li Hong‐Lian , Liu Rong , Wang Xiaochuan
Published: April 2024

Senile plaque, composed of amyloid β protein (Aβ) aggregates, is a critical pathological feature in Alzheimer's disease (AD), leading to cognitive dysfunction. However, how Aβ aggregates exert age‐dependent toxicity and temporal cognitive dysfunction in APP/PS1 mice remains incompletely understood. In this study, we investigated AD pathogenesis and dynamic alterations in lysosomal pathways within the hippocampus of age‐gradient male mice using transcriptome sequencing, molecular biology assays, and histopathological analyses. We observed high levels of β‐amyloid precursor protein (APP) protein expression in the hippocampus at an early stage and age‐dependent Aβ deposition. Transcriptome sequencing revealed the enrichment of differential genes related to the lysosome pathway. Furthermore, the protein expression of ATP6V0d2 and CTSD associated with lysosomal functions exhibited dynamic changes with age, increasing in the early stage and decreasing later. Similar age‐dependent patterns were observed for the endosome function, autophagy pathway, and SGK1/FOXO3a pathway. Nissl and Golgi staining in the hippocampal region showed age‐dependent neuronal loss and synaptic damage, respectively. These findings clearly define the age‐gradient changes in the autophagy–lysosome system, the endosome/lysosome system, and the SGK1/FOXO3a pathway in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice, providing new perspectives and clues for understanding the possible mechanisms of AD, especially the transition from compensatory to decompensated state.
Nutritional Sources and Anticancer Potential of Phenethyl Isothiocyanate: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Insights
Authors: M. Ezzat Shahira , M. Merghany Rana , M. Abdel Baki Passent , Ali Abdelrahim Nariman , M. Osman Sohaila , A. Salem Mohamed , Peña‐Corona Sheila I. , Cortés Hernán , Kiyekbayeva Lashyn , Leyva‐Gómez Gerardo , Sharifi‐Rad Javad , Calina Daniela
Published: April 2024

Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a compound derived from cruciferous vegetables, has garnered attention for its anticancer properties. This review synthesizes existing research on PEITC, focusing on its mechanisms of action in combatting cancer. PEITC has been found to be effective against various cancer types, such as breast, prostate, lung, colon, and pancreatic cancers. Its anticancer activities are mediated through several mechanisms, including the induction of apoptosis (programmed cell death), inhibition of cell proliferation, suppression of angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels that feed tumors), and reduction of metastasis (spread of cancer cells to new areas). PEITC targets crucial cellular signaling pathways involved in cancer progression, notably the Nuclear Factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB), Protein Kinase B (Akt), and Mitogen‐Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) pathways. These findings suggest PEITC's potential as a therapeutic agent against cancer. However, further research is necessary to determine the optimal dosage, understand its bioavailability, and assess potential side effects. This will be crucial for developing PEITC‐based treatments that are both effective and safe for clinical use in cancer therapy.
Can calcitonin gene‐related peptide monoclonal antibodies ameliorate writer's cramp and migraine?
Authors: Suzuki Keisuke , Suzuki Shiho , Fujita Hiroaki , Sakuramoto Hirotaka , Shioda Mukuto , Hirata Koichi
Published: April 2024

Recently, calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have become available as a prophylactic treatment for migraine and have shown high efficacy and safety in clinical practice. CGRP mAbs have been reported to be effective not only for migraine but also for other comorbidities, such as psychiatric complications in patients with migraine. However, there are no reports examining the effect of CGRP mAbs on dystonia. We treated a patient with comorbid migraine and focal task‐specific dystonia (writer's cramp) with a CGRP mAb (erenumab) because of an increase in monthly migraine days despite the addition of migraine prophylaxis. In this patient, erenumab treatment for 3 months led to improvements in symptoms of both focal dystonia and migraine, suggesting a role for CGRP in the pathophysiology of both conditions.
Cardanol‐based polybenzoxazine coatings: Crosslinking structures, hydrophobicity and corrosion protection properties
Authors: Ye Jiaming , Lu Xin , Xin Zhong
Published: April 2024

Two bio‐based polybenzoxazine coatings, cardanol/3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane‐based polybenzoxazine (PC‐aptes) and cardanol/stearylamine‐based polybenzoxazine (PC‐s), were prepared for corrosion protection on mild steel. The structures of polybenzoxazines were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR). Due to the presence of long hydrocarbon chains and hydrogen bond networks, the PC‐aptes and PC‐s coatings showed high hydrophobicity, with static water contact angles of 106.0 ± 0.6° and 104.8 ± 1.6°, respectively. It was noted that the silane‐functionalized PC‐aptes coating had a dual‐crosslinked network of polybenzoxazine and polysiloxane, which could effectively inhibit the penetration of corrosive media. The results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) indicated that the PC‐aptes coating with higher crosslinking density exhibited superior corrosion resistance compared to the PC‐s coating.
Peptide‐drug conjugate designated for targeted delivery to HER2‐expressing cancer cells
Authors: Sharma Amit Kumar , Sharma Rohit , Chauhan Nitish , Das Amit , Satpati Drishty
Published: April 2024

Targeted therapy of the highest globally incident breast cancer shall resolve the issue of off‐target toxicity concurring with augmented killing of specific diseased cells. Thus, the goal of this study was to prepare a peptide‐drug conjugate targeting elevated expression of HER2 receptors in breast cancer. Towards this, the rL‐A9 peptide was conjugated with the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX) through a N‐succinimidyl‐4‐(N‐maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane‐1‐carboxylate (SMCC) linker. The synthesized peptide‐drug conjugate, rL‐A9‐DOX, was characterized by mass spectrometry. Molecular docking studies, based on binding energy data, suggested a stronger interaction of rL‐A9‐DOX with the HER2 receptor in comparison to the unconjugated peptide, rL‐A9. The cytotoxic effect of the rL‐A9‐DOX conjugate was observed to be higher in HER2‐positive SKOV3 cells compared to HER2‐negative MDA‐MB‐231 cells, indicating selective cell killing. Cellular internalization of the rL‐A9‐DOX conjugate was evident from the flow cytometry analysis, where a noticeable shift in mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) was observed for the conjugate compared to the control group. This data was further validated by confocal microscopy, where the fluorescent signal ascertained nuclear accumulation of rL‐A9‐DOX. The present studies highlight the promising potential of rL‐A9‐DOX for targeted delivery of the drug into a defined group of cancer cells.
Imaging and quantification of neuropeptides in mouse pituitary tissue by atmospheric pressure matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Yang Qi , Liu Chengyuan , Qi Keke , Xiong Ying , Pan Yang , Tian Changlin
Published: April 2024

Rationale

Atmospheric pressure matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (AP‐MALDI) mass spectrometry has enabled the untargeted analysis and imaging of neuropeptides and proteins in biological tissues under ambient conditions. Sensitivity in AP‐MALDI can be improved by using sample‐specific preparation methods.

Methods

A comprehensive and detailed optimization strategy including instrument parameters, matrix spraying and sample tissue washing pretreatment was implemented to enhance the sensitivity and coverage of neuropeptides in mouse pituitary tissues by commercial AP‐MALDI mass spectrometry imaging (MSI).

Results

The sensitivity of a commercial AP‐MALDI system for endogenous neuropeptides in mouse pituitary was enhanced by up to 15.2‐fold by shortening the transmission gap from the sample plate to the inlet, attaching copper adhesive tape to an indium tin oxide‐coated glass slide, optimizing the matrix spray solvent and using sample tissue washing pretreatment. Following careful optimization, the distributions of nine endogenous neuropeptides were successfully visualized in the pituitary. Furthermore, the quantitative capability of AP‐MALDI for neuropeptides was evaluated and the concentrations of neuropeptides oxytocin and vasopressin in the pituitary posterior lobe were increased approximately twofold under hypertonic saline stress.

Conclusion

Mouse pituitary neuropeptides have emerged as important signaling molecules due to their role in stress response. This work indicates the potential of modified AP‐MALDI as a promising AP MSI method for in situ visualization and quantification of neuropeptides in complex biological tissues.
A multi‐UAV system for coverage path planning applications with in‐flight re‐planning capabilities
Authors: Luna Marco Andrés , Molina Martin , Da‐Silva‐Gomez Rodrigo , Melero‐Deza Javier , Arias‐Perez Pedro , Campoy Pascual
Published: April 2024

This paper presents the development and implementation of a multiple unmanned aerial vehicle system focused on coverage path planning on multiple separated areas capable of re‐planning the collective mission in case of unexpected events. For this purpose, we present a distributed‐centralized architecture that uses heuristic and computationally efficient methods to perform the planning/re‐planning and decision‐making tasks during the control of the mission execution. We performed a computational evaluation of the algorithms, comparing them with other proposals, together with experiments in simulated and real flights. The results show that the system can distribute tasks equitably among the aircraft in an efficient way, even in the middle of the flight, when facing unexpected events; and show a higher computational efficiency when compared to multiple proposals in the state of the art.
A discrete approximation method for modeling interval‐censored multistate data
Authors: You Lu , Liu Xiang , Krischer Jeffrey
Published: April 2024

Many longitudinal studies are designed to monitor participants for major events related to the progression of diseases. Data arising from such longitudinal studies are usually subject to interval censoring since the events are only known to occur between two monitoring visits. In this work, we propose a new method to handle interval‐censored multistate data within a proportional hazards model framework where the hazard rate of events is modeled by a nonparametric function of time and the covariates affect the hazard rate proportionally. The main idea of this method is to simplify the likelihood functions of a discrete‐time multistate model through an approximation and the application of data augmentation techniques, where the assumed presence of censored information facilitates a simpler parameterization. Then the expectation‐maximization algorithm is used to estimate the parameters in the model. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated by numerical studies. Finally, the method is employed to analyze a dataset on tracking the advancement of coronary allograft vasculopathy following heart transplantation.
“Synergistic Innovation: Crafting Indazole Derivatives for Advanced Anticancer, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Efficacy through Integrative Design and Holistic Evaluation”
Authors: Yadav Mithlesh , Pal Rohit , Purawarga Matada Gurubasavaraja Swamy , Kapoor Archana
Published: April 2024

This study presents the synthesis and characterization of a newer series of N‐(1‐(2‐(phenylamino) pyrimidin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐indazol‐5‐yl)benzenesulfonamide (6 a–6 n) and N‐(6‐ethoxy‐1‐(2‐(phenylamino) pyrimidin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐indazol‐5‐yl)benzenesulfonamide (7 a–7 c) derivatives through the reaction of N‐(1‐(2‐chloropyrimidin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐indazol‐5‐yl) benzenesulfonamide (4 a–i) and N‐(1‐(2‐chloropyrimidin‐4‐yl)‐6‐ethoxy‐1H‐indazol‐5‐yl) benzenesulfonamide (5 a–i) with various aniline derivatives in isopropanol. The compounds were thoroughly evaluated for their biological activities, encompassing antifungal, antibacterial, and anticancer assays, as well as antioxidant potential in DPPH and ABTS assays. Compound 7 b (IC50: 0.0125 MIC), 6 e (IC50: 0.0128 MIC), and 6 i (IC50: 0.0128 MIC) demonstrated exceptional antibacterial efficacy, while 6 d (IC50: 0.0124 MIC), 6 f (IC50: 0.0125 MIC) and 7 c (IC50: 0.0118 MIC), exhibited notable antifungal activity. Compounds 6 c (IC50: 13.31±0.32 μM, A459) & (IC50: 22.36±1.76 μM, MCF7) displayed significant anticancer activity comparable to established drugs. Moreover, 6 b (IC50: 11.22±0.16 μM, A459) & (IC50: 18.21±1.32 μM, MCF7) and 6 d (IC50: 11.23±0.17 μM, A459) & (IC50: 18.31±1.41 μM, MCF7) showed remarkable anticancer potency. Notably, compound N‐(1‐(2‐(methyl(phenyl)amino)pyrimidin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐indazol‐5‐yl)‐4‐nitrobenzenesulfonamide (IC50:0.1090 μmol/mL for DPPH and IC50: 0.1286 μmol/mL for ABTS) exhibited the most significant antioxidant activity. Computational docking studies revealed robust binding interactions with target enzymes (PDB ID: 4JT3 for anticancer, PDB ID: 1EA1 for antifungal, PDB ID: 1KZN for antibacterial, PDB ID: 3SRG for antioxidant), supported by molecular dynamics simulations indicating consistent stability of the most potent compound within the binding sites of the target proteins. These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of these derivatives, warranting further investigation for potential clinical applications.
Modulating 3d Charge State via Halogen Ions in Neighboring Molecules of Metal–Organic Frameworks for Improving Water Oxidation
Authors: Hu Yitian , Fan Yalei , Li Lili , Zhou Jing , Hu Zhiwei , Wang Jian‐Qiang , Dong Juncai , Zhao Shenlong , Zhang Linjuan
Published: April 2024

Modulating the coordination environment of the metal active center is an effective method to boost the catalytic performances of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). However, little attention has been paid to the halogen effects on the ligands engineering. Herein, a series of MOFs X─FeNi‐MOFs (X = Br, Cl, and F) is constructed with different coordination microenvironments to optimize OER activity. Theoretical calculations reveal that with the increase in electronegativity of halogen ions in terephthalic acid molecular (TPA), the Bader charge of Ni atoms gets larger and the Ni‐3d band center and O‐2p bands move closer to the Fermi level. This indicates that an increase in ligand negativity of halogen ions in TPA can promote the adsorption ability of catalytic sites to oxygen‐containing intermediates and reduce the activation barrier for OER. Experimental also demonstrates that F─FeNi‐MOFs exhibit the highest catalytic activity with an ultralow overpotential of 218 mV at 10 mA cm−2, outperforming most otate‐of‐the‐art Fe/Co/Ni‐based MOFs catalysts, and the enhanced mass activity by seven times compared with that for the sample before ligands engineering. This work opens a new avenue for the realization of the modulation of NiFe─O bonding by halogen ion in TPA and improves the OER performance of MOFs.
Context factors perceived important when looking for similar experiences in decision‐making for software components: An interview study
Authors: Papatheocharous Efi , Wohlin Claes , Badampudi Deepika , Carlson Jan , Wnuk Krzysztof
Published: April 2024

During software evolution, decisions related to components' origin or source significantly impact the quality properties of the product and development metrics such as cost, time to market, ease of maintenance, and further evolution. Thus, such decisions should ideally be supported by evidence, i.e., using previous experiences and information from different sources, even own previous experiences. A hindering factor to such reuse of previous experiences is that these decisions are highly context‐dependent and it is difficult to identify when previous experiences come from sufficiently similar contexts to be useful in a current setting. Conversely, when documenting a decision (as a decision experience), it is difficult to know which context factors will be most beneficial when reusing the experience in the future. An interview study is performed to identify a list of context factors that are perceived to be most important by practitioners when using experiences to support decision‐making for component sourcing, using a specific scenario with alternative sources of experiences. We observed that the further away (from a company or an interviewee) the experience evidence is, as is the case for online experiences, the more context factors are perceived as important by practitioners to make use of the experience. Furthermore, we discuss and identify further research to make this type of decision‐making more evidence‐based.
Structural Engineering of Carbon Host Derived from Organic Pigment toward Physicochemically Confinement and Efficient Conversion of Polysulfide for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Heo Woo Sub , Kwon Woong , Lee Taewoong , Chae Seongwook , Park Jae Bin , Park Minjoon , Jeong Euigyung , Lee Jin Hong , Lee Seung Geol
Published: April 2024

Lithium–Sulfur Batteries (LSBs) have attracted significant attention as promising next‐generation energy storage systems. However, the commercial viability of LSBs have been hindered due to lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) shuttle effect, resulting in poor cycling stability and low sulfur utilization. To address this issue, herein, the study prepares a sulfur host consisting of micro/mesopore‐enriched activated carbonaceous materials with ultrahigh surface area using organic pigment via facile one‐step activation. By varying the proportion of chemical agent, the pore size and volume of the activated carbonaceous materials are manipulated and their capabilities on the mitigation of LiPSs shuttle effect are investigated. Through the electrochemical measurements and spectroscopic analysis, it is verified that structural engineering of carbon hosts plays a pivotal role in effective physical confinement of LiPSs, leading to the mitigation of LiPSs shuttle effect and sulfur utilization. Additionally, nitrogen and oxygen‐containing functional groups originated from PR show electrocatalytic activation sites, facilitating LiPSs conversion kinetics. The approach can reveal that rational design of carbon microstructures can improve trapping and suppression of LiPSs and shuttle effect, enhancing electrochemical performance of LSBs.
Auto‐regulated radial base function structure implementation in the hybrid and ensemble hybrid domains to assess the hardened properties of novel mixture high performance concrete
Authors: Lei Yang
Published: April 2024

The mechanical properties of concrete, such as compressive strength and slump flow rates, are very nonlinear. For academics, it is crucial to forecast these qualities while creating new building methods. Such capabilities should be developed to lower the cost of expensive tests and increase the precision of the measurements. The goal of this study is to create an radial basis function neural network to describe the characteristics of hardness in high‐performance concrete (HPC) mix. Metaheuristic techniques were used to enhance the RBFNN's functionality. A dataset of 181 HPC mixes comprising ecologically beneficial ingredients, such as fly ash and silica fume, was used for training and evaluating the capabilities of the proposed hybrid models. According to the modeling process based on sensitivity analysis of input parameters and the results of hybrid models, the model combined with the multiverse optimization algorithm (MVO) had a higher correlation between the predicted and observed CS and slump values than the model combined with three optimization algorithms in terms of the R2 index being the maximum value of 0.984 in the tasting phase of CS and SL estimation. While evaluating two mechanical aspects of HPC samples, the of the model coupled with the MVO algorithm reconfirmed its accuracy being 3.59.
History and current status of embryogenic culture‐based tissue culture, transformation and gene editing of maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: McFarland Frank L. , Kaeppler Heidi F.
Published: April 2024

The production of embryogenic callus and somatic embryos is integral to the genetic improvement of crops via genetic transformation and gene editing. Regenerable embryogenic cultures also form the backbone of many micro‐propagation processes for crop species. In many species, including maize, the ability to produce embryogenic cultures is highly genotype dependent. While some modern transformation and genome editing methods reduce genotype dependence, these efforts ultimately fall short of producing truly genotype‐independent tissue culture methods. Recalcitrant genotypes are still identified in these genotype‐flexible processes, and their presence is magnified by the stark contrast with more amenable lines, which may respond more efficiently by orders of magnitude. This review aims to describe the history of research into somatic embryogenesis, embryogenic tissue cultures, and plant transformation, with particular attention paid to maize. Contemporary research into genotype‐flexible morphogenic gene‐based transformation and genome engineering is also covered in this review. The rapid evolution of plant biotechnology from nascent technologies in the latter half of the 20th century to well‐established, work‐horse production processes has, and will continue to, fundamentally changed agriculture and plant genetics research.
Disclosures 12: Request for mailing labels and legitimate educational interest
Authors: Rainsberger Richard
Published: April 2024

The most frequent Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act issue that occurs when disclosing education records internally to school officials is assuring that a legitimate educational interest exists before disclosing those education records. And it is important that, in making a disclosure to a school official, we are FERPA‐compliant.
Ehrenamtliche Bürgermeister und Wahlen
Authors: Bogumil Jörg , Gehne David H. , Süß Louisa Anna
Published: April 2024

Die Direktwahl von Bürgermeistern ist bei den hauptamtlichen Amtsinhabern seit Mitte der 1990er-Jahre in Deutschland flächendeckend eingeführt worden. Bei den eBm ist das nicht so, denn in Schleswig-Holstein und in Niedersachsen wurde die Direktwahl nicht eingeführt und die eBm werden weiterhin durch den Rat gewählt. Bisher gibt es keine Forschung zur Direktwahl von eBm, da sich die meisten Wahlanalysen entweder auf einzelne Länder konzentrieren (z. B. Gehne 2008, 2020 für NRW, Klein 2014 für Baden-Württemberg oder Klein und Lüdecke 2018 für Hessen), die keine eBm haben, oder diese nicht einbezogen wurden, oder erst ab einer bestimmten Gemeindegröße Daten gesammelt und ausgewertet wurden (z. B. Holtkamp und Garske 2020 ab 20.000 Einwohnende). Im Rahmen dieses Forschungsprojektes konnte erstmals Direktwahldaten für kleine Gemeinden in sieben von zehn Bundesländern mit eBm gesammelt und systematisch ausgewertet werden. Im folgenden Kapitel werden zunächst die Wahldaten hinsichtlich des Kandidatenangebotes und der Wahlergebnisse bei Direktwahlen der eBm ausgewertet, um abschließend auch im Vergleich zum Forschungsstand bei hBm die Fragen zu diskutieren, wie stark die personelle Parteipolitisierung von Direktwahlen der eBm ausgeprägt ist und ob die Wahlergebnisse Hinweise auf einen Nachwuchsmangel bei eBm liefern. Die ratsgewählten Bürgermeister werden im Weiteren nicht berücksichtigt.
Superspin chains solutions from 4D Chern-Simons theory
Authors: Boujakhrout Y. , Saidi E. H , Laamara R. Ahl , Drissi L. B
Published: April 2024

Abstract

As a generalisation of the correspondence linking 2D integrable systems with 4D Chern-Simons (CS) gauge theory, superspin chains are realized by means of crossing electric and magnetic super line defects in the 4D CS with super gauge symmetry. The oscillator realization of Lax operators solving the RLL relations of integrability is obtained in the gauge theory by extending the notion of Levi decomposition to Lie superalgebras. Based on particular 3-gradings of Lie superalgebras, we obtain graded oscillator Lax matrices for superspin chains with internal symmetries given by A(m − 1 | n − 1), B(m | n), C(n) and D(m | n).