bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Female advertising models and their body mass index (BMI): How does BMI similarity affect perceived product quality?
Authors: Vazquez Erik Ernesto , Felix Reto , Siliceo Lorena
Published: October 2023

Recent research has pointed out the importance of appearance similarity as a special instance of homophily. The current paper introduces body mass index (BMI) similarity as a convenient and powerful proxy of perceived appearance homophily in the context of female advertising models by showing process evidence and boundary conditions for the effect of BMI similarity on marketing‐relevant downstream variables. Study 1 tests how BMI similarity relates to a traditional measure of appearance homophily and perceived reliability of a female advertising model. Study 2 shows that BMI similarity influences perceived product quality and purchase intention. Website vividness negatively moderates the relationship between BMI similarity and product quality. Study 3 tests for alternative explanations and provides support for the mediating effect of appearance homophily for the relationship between BMI similarity and perceived product quality. The findings provide marketing managers with important insights on how to increase their marketing effectiveness by integrating BMI similarity into their marketing communications. Additionally, using BMI similarity serves as an alternative way to promote diversity and inclusion of models with plus‐size body type often sought by societal brands.
Zingiber officinale Roscoe Essential Oils‐Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles with Enhanced Bactericidal Efficacy against Burkholderia glumae in Rice
Authors: Tiran Gunasena Mahesh , Hussein Mohd Zobir , Ali Asgar , Wahab Mohd Aswad Abdul , Bashir Kutawa Abdulaziz , Rafif Amara , Afif Mohd Zobir Syazwan , Ahmad Khairulmazmi
Published: October 2023

Ginger essential oils (GEO) shows exceptional antimicrobial properties against plant pathogens. Due to its high volatility and low stability, it requires encapsulation to retain its effective properties. The GEO‐Chitosan (GEO‐CS) nanobactericide was developed using the ionic gelation method. The nanobactericides show particle diameters of 465, 28, 35, 48 and 500 nm when sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) concentrations used in the preparation were 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 %, respectively. The X‐ray diffraction and the UV‐vis studies revealed that the GEO was encapsulated into the chitosan nanoparticles with an encapsulation efficiency of around 46 % and a loading capacity of 27–34 %. The antibacterial activity of GEO‐chitosan nanobactericide against Burkholderia glumae (Bg) was found to be 7.5–11.8 mm, with minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values of 15.6 μl/mL and 31.25 μl/mL, respectively. Hence, these findings indicate that the prepared GEO‐CS nanobactericides were found to be effective against Bg. This preliminary study is toward the development of new agronanobactericides using a natural product to control Bg.
Machine Learning Applied to Predict Key Petroleum Crude Oil Constituents
Authors: Dhankar Shreshtha , Sharma Deepika , Mohanta Hare Krishna , Sande Priya Christina
Published: October 2023

Sulfur compounds are the most important inorganic constituents of petroleum and require to be estimated beforehand because of their corrosive nature and other processing anomalies during crude oil processing. Paraffins, naphthene, and aromatics form the bulk of crude oil. Machine learning (ML) predictions of these constituents were made by training the ML model with a diverse industrial data set of 515 oils. The XGBoost model gave an excellent R2 in the range 0.88–0.99 for the bulk compounds. R2 for sulfur was in the modest range of 0.45–0.6, which improved significantly to 0.8 for additional inputs. ML applicability was thereby found to depend on the nature of the constituent. This work furthers ML‐based predictions, with the incentive of reducing expensive spectroscopic analytical methods.
Proton Activation in the Presence of a Weak Acid Facilitated by Second Coordination Sphere Effects in Iron Porphyrins**
Authors: Ramuglia Anthony R. , Budhija Vishal , Ly Khoa H. , Schwalbe Matthias , Weidinger Inez M.
Published: October 2023

The catalytic activity of two iron‐based porphyrin complexes containing pyridine‐functionalized second coordination spheres, referred to as Py2XPFe and CuPy2XPFe, have been investigated for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and compared with the unsubstituted analog TMPFe in acetonitrile. The CuPy2XPFe incorporates a second metal center within the pyridine residues and represents a heterodinuclear system, while the structurally analogous Py2XPFe lacks an additional metal in the second coordination sphere. Both the Py2XFe and CuPy2XPFe complexes are observed to activate the weak acid, acetic acid (AcOH) at the FeII/I couple rather than at the more energy intensive FeI/0 couple observed for the unfunctionalized TMPFe complex at low acid concentrations. The ability of the monometallic Py2XPFe to activate the weak proton source at the FeII/I couple manifests as an ECEC(E)′ type electrochemical mechanism, rather than an EECC(E)′ type mechanism as observed for TMPFe. The CuPy2XPFe displays improved reactivity compared with the Py2XPFe and TMPFe under the same substrate conditions, however the mechanistic nuances into bimetallic CuPy2XPFe system are currently unclear. The concentration of AcOH was incrementally increased and the rate constants of the initial protonation step i. e. formation of a hydridic species (k1,app), as well as of the protonation of the hydridic species to produce dihydrogen (kglobal) were calculated using the Foot‐of‐the‐wave and plateau current rate equation methodologies, respectively. The kinetic analysis indicates that the activation of protons through the ECEC(E)′ type mechanism for the Py2XPFe results in a system in which k1,app< kglobal. As both the monometallic Py2XPFe and bimetallic CuPy2XPFe activate the AcOH at less cathodic potentials than TMPFe under identical conditions, the overpotentials (ηTOF/2) for these complexes are thus dramatically lower. The reactivity difference of the Py2XPFe when compared to non‐substituted iron porphyrin analogs is due to the hanging group's influence, which is believed to either act as hydrogen bond promoters for the active site or aids to stabilize a catalytic intermediate species during catalysis.
Evidence for microtubule nucleation at the Golgi in breast cancer cells
Authors: Zahn Laura A. , Lundin‐Schiller Sarah
Published: October 2023

Golgi‐derived microtubule (MT) arrays are essential to directionally persistent cell migration and vesicle transport. In this study, we have examined MT nucleation sites in two breast cancer cell lines, MDA‐MB‐231 and MCF‐7, with the hypothesis that only the migratory invasive MDA‐MB‐231 cells exhibit MTs originating from the Golgi. MTs were disassembled and allowed to slightly regrow so individual nucleation sites could then be observed via fluorescently tagged antibodies (α‐tubulin, cis‐Golgi marker GM130, and EB1—a MT plus‐end binding protein) and confocal microscopy. To determine if MT nucleation at the Golgi is more apparent during active migration compared to when cells are stationary, cells were treated with the chemoattractant epidermal growth factor (EGF) and examined for colocalizations between the Golgi, α‐tubulin, and γ‐tubulin. Images were analyzed qualitatively for color overlap, and quantitatively using Manders Colocalization Coefficients. Differences between groups were tested for significance using one‐way analysis of variances and Tukey's post hoc test. Significantly higher colocalization values (coloc) in the highly invasive MDA‐MB‐231 cells (α‐tubulin coloc GM130 = 0.39, GM130 coloc α‐tubulin = 0.82, GM130 coloc EB1 = 0.24, and EB1 coloc GM130 = 0.38) compared to the weakly invasive MCF‐7 cells (0.15, 0.08, 0.02, and 0.16, respectively) were observed. EGF‐treated cells exhibited higher colocalization values than control cells for three of the four protein combinations tested, but EGF‐treated MDA‐MB‐231 cells exhibited significantly higher values (α‐tubulin coloc GM130 = 0.20, GM130 coloc α‐tubulin = 0.89, and γ‐tubulin coloc GM130 = 0.47) than both control groups as well as the EGF‐treated MCF‐7 cells. Results support the hypothesis that MT nucleation at the Golgi occurs more frequently in the invasive MDA‐MB‐231 cell line compared to the weakly invasive MCF‐7 cells. The presence or absence of Golgi‐derived MTs may help to explain the difference in migratory potential commonly exhibited by these two cell lines.
Emotional and non‐emotional mental imagery and auditory verbal hallucinations (hearing voices): A systematic review of imagery assessment tools
Authors: Janssen Hella , van den Berg Karin C. , Paulik Georgie , Newman‐Taylor Katherine , Taylor Christopher D. J. , Steel Craig , Keijsers Ger P. J. , Marcelis Machteld C.
Published: October 2023

It is unknown to what extent mental imagery and auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) are related. Trials evaluating this issue used both emotional and non‐emotional mental imagery tools, thereby complicating outcomes comparisons. Therefore, the present study aimed to systematically review the literature on mental imagery in individuals with AVHs to (1) inventory imagery assessment tools used in this population, (2) to collect information on the relation between emotional and non‐emotional mental imagery in all sensory domains and AVHs and (3) to integrate the outcomes of this systematic review in a model of different mental imagery domains and related assessment tools. We conducted a systematic literature search in the PubMed Database. After full‐text screening, 17 papers were included. Findings showed that a variety of assessment methods have been used to assess various aspects of mental imagery in people with AVHs, suggesting that there is a lack of agreed theoretical conceptualization of mental imagery and AVHs. In addition, the studies confirmed as was expected that non‐emotional mental imagery seemed unrelated to AVHs whereas emotional mental imagery was related to AVHs. Lastly, we proposed a model of mental imagery domains and corresponding assessment methods distinguishing between emotional and non‐emotional mental imagery.
Nanoclusters for photoelectrochemical water splitting: Bridging the photosensitizer and carrier transporter
Authors: Xiao Yonghao , Yao Chuanhao , Su Chenliang , Liu Bin
Published: October 2023

Increasing global environmental deterioration is becoming a serious concern, leading to an exponential increase in scientific interest in renewable energy as an alternative to replace fossil fuels. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, which directly converts sunlight into hydrogen fuel, offers a promising renewable energy technology. Semiconductors, used as photoelectrodes, provide the most feasible method for converting solar energy into electrical energy and chemical fuels. Unfortunately, most of the common semiconductors used in PEC water splitting have wide bandgaps, which greatly restrict the utilization efficiency of sunlight. To promote the solar‐to‐hydrogen (STH) efficiency of PEC water splitting, atomically precise clusters with regular crystal structures have been introduced in the PEC systems. In this review, the recent advances in nanoclusters for PEC water splitting, including metal clusters, polyoxometalates, semiconductor clusters, and carbon clusters, are summarized. At last, major challenges and outlook for the development of clusters for PEC water splitting are provided.
Cross‐Linked Pseudopeptides via Pd‐Catalyzed Carbonylative Coupling of α‐Amino Acid Iodides with α‐Amino Acid Esters in the Presence of a CO Surrogate
Authors: Rathod Gajanan K. , Jain Rahul
Published: October 2023

We report the synthesis of cross‐linked pseudopeptides through a palladium‐catalyzed carbonylative cross‐coupling reaction. The reaction involves the coupling of α‐amino acid iodides with α‐amino acid esters via in situ CO insertion to give pseudopeptides linked by the side chain of the electrophilic counterpart. The key features are the use of a sustainable in situ CO surrogate, simple non‐inert conditions, short reaction time, and broad substrate scope. Both amino acids and peptide iodides were utilized as coupling partners.
Improvement of the oxidative stability of instant fried noodles using free and microencapsulated borage (Echium amoenum) and black hollyhock (Altaea rosea var nigra) extracts
Authors: Zamankhani Mahshid , Moeini Sohrab , Mahasti Shotorbani Peyman , MirsaeedGhazi Hossein , Jafarpour Afshin
Published: October 2023

This study investigated the oxidative stability of instant fried noodles by applying free and microencapsulated black hollyhock extracts (BHE) and borage extracts (BE) (BE, BHE, ME‐BE and ME‐BHE). At first, the BE and BHE were encapsulated with whey protein and maltodextrin at a 90:10 ratio through a spray dryer. After evaluating particle characteristics (including anthocyanin content, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI), particle size, and morphology), they were added to the noodle formulation (wheat flour 78.5%, NaCl 0.78%, and water 21.21%) at 1% w/w level, and the physicochemical (proximate analysis, pH, color, cooking loss, and texture), sensory properties (taste, odor, color, texture, and overall acceptability), and oxidative stability (acid value, peroxide value, anisidine index, thiobarbituric acid index, conjugated dienes) of the fried noodles were studied. The results showed that the microcapsules had uneven shapes with angular surfaces. There was no significant difference between the zeta potential, particle size, PDI, and encapsulation efficiency of BE‐ and BHE‐loaded microcapsules, and the values reported fell between −34.96 and −34.84 mV, 1.128 and 1.195 μm, 0.247 and 0.283, and 80.08% and 83.47%, respectively. Adding extracts to the functional noodles decreased cooking loss and pH compared to the control. The noodles exhibited a darker color. BE and BHE reduced the oxidation of fried noodle oil, with microencapsulated extracts showing stronger effects during storage (p < .05). Sensory evaluation indicated high acceptability for all samples. Encapsulation effectively preserves the natural antioxidant activities of BE and BHE, providing potential benefits for food processing and storage.
Reducing Gadolinium Contrast With Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Tsui Brian , Calabrese Evan , Zaharchuk Greg , Rauschecker Andreas M.
Published: October 2023

Gadolinium contrast is an important agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), particularly in neuroimaging where it can help identify blood–brain barrier breakdown from an inflammatory, infectious, or neoplastic process. However, gadolinium contrast has several drawbacks, including nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, gadolinium deposition in the brain and bones, and allergic‐like reactions. As computer hardware and technology continues to evolve, machine learning has become a possible solution for eliminating or reducing the dose of gadolinium contrast. This review summarizes the clinical uses of gadolinium contrast, the risks of gadolinium contrast, and state‐of‐the‐art machine learning methods that have been applied to reduce or eliminate gadolinium contrast administration, as well as their current limitations, with a focus on neuroimaging applications.

Evidence Level

3

Technical Efficacy

Stage 1
Influence of monsoon extreme rainfall on the distribution of upper tropospheric humidity
Authors: Devika M. V. , Kottayil Ajil , Koovekkallu Prajwal , Xavier Prince , John Viju
Published: October 2023

This study focuses on the changes in the upper tropospheric humidity (UTH) associated with two different extreme precipitation conditions for the period 2000–2019 over the Indian summer monsoon region. The analysis embodies UTH datasets derived from microwave sounders on‐board NOAA and MetOp‐A polar‐orbiting satellites. The circulation characteristics in the upper troposphere are studied using the high‐resolution ERA5 reanalysis data. The analysis of UTH variability over the Indian region shows a unique positive (negative) UTH anomaly patch extending from northwestern regions of India to the northern Arabian Sea for the enhanced (deficient) rainfall days over central India during the southwest monsoon period. The investigation reveals that deep convection alone does not impact the UTH variability. Rather the circulation in the upper troposphere also plays a crucial role in UTH distribution. The dynamics in the upper troposphere cause large‐scale dispersal of both wet and dry air in the upper troposphere, which is linked to the strengthening/weakening of Asian monsoon anticyclone. The study indicates that monsoon extremes exhibit a distinct moisture distribution pattern in the upper troposphere, influenced by upper‐level dynamics, which are associated with the intensity of the Asian monsoon anticyclone.
Rest–grazing before soil thawing alters the below‐ground distribution and extent of rooting in Carex subalpine meadows
Authors: Jing Yuanyuan , Xiao Hong , Xu Changlin , Wang Lin , Chen Yanzhu , Liu Yuanyuan , Yu Xiaojun
Published: October 2023

Livestock activities impact plant rhizomes and roots in the topsoil, particularly in the early stages of spring for a Carex subalpine meadow. Rest–grazing during critical periods can prevent harm to these roots and rhizomes caused by livestock, thereby enhancing the ecological performance of grasslands. In accordance with soil thawing and plant re‐greening, we designated five rest–grazing periods during the spring in a Carex subalpine meadows. The findings demonstrate that the topsoil of 0–10 cm, largely consisting of Carex roots, housed over 70% of root volume and root mass. After the plant had regained its greenery for a certain duration, rest–grazing resulted in higher vertical root length distribution index. With earlier rest–grazing, root growth in deeper soil was promoted, consequently transporting more organic material to the deeper soil. Deferred rest–grazing time has the potential to enhance lateral rooting extent, root resistance to vertical uprooting, and root accumulation in topsoil. It follows that increased root accumulation in the topsoil leads to greater loss of soil nutrients and carbon. Consequently, we recommend rest–grazing prior to soil thawing for Carex subalpine meadows, which encourages Carex root growth and fosters greater biomass accumulation in deeper soils. Avoiding “running for the green” and “trampling tillage” has a positive effect on both productivity and long‐term soil nutrients and carbon pool management in pastures.
Fabrication and In Vivo Assessment of Oxidatively Responsive PolyHIPE Scaffolds for Use in Diabetic Orthopedic Applications
Authors: Touchet Tyler J. , Horelica Madeleine , Gruenbaum Rachel , Lewy Keith , Hines Elizabeth , Stranahan Lauren , Saunders W. Brian , Maitland Duncan J.
Published: October 2023

Achieving surgical success in orthopedic patients with metabolic disease remains a substantial challenge. Diabetic patients exhibit a unique tissue microenvironment consisting of high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which promotes osteoclastic activity and leads to decreased bone healing. Alternative solutions, such as synthetic grafts, incorporating progenitor cells or growth factors, can be costly and have processing constraints. Previously, the potential for thiol‐methacrylate networks to sequester ROS while possessing tunable mechanical properties and degradation rates has been demonstrated. In this study, the ability to fabricate thiol‐methacrylate interconnected porous scaffolds using emulsion templating to create monoliths with an average porosity of 97.0% is reported. The average pore sizes of the scaffolds range from 27 to 656 µm. The scaffolds can sequester pathologic levels of ROS via hydrogen peroxide consumption and are not impacted by sterilization. Subcutaneous implantation shows no signs of acute toxicity. Finally, in a 6‐week bilateral calvarial defect model in Zucker diabetic fatty rats, ROS scaffolds increase new bone volume by 66% over sham defects. Histologic analysis identifies woven bone infiltration throughout the scaffold and neovascularization. Overall, this study suggests that porous thiol‐methacrylate scaffolds may improve healing for bone grafting applications where high levels of ROS hinder bone growth.
Synthesis and Comparison of Linear Polymannosides for Direct Binding with Escherichia coli
Authors: Hanheiser Natalie , Parshad Badri , Povolotsky Tatyana L. , Khatri Vinod , Achazi Katharina , Bhatia Sumati
Published: October 2023

Here, the synthesis of linear polyglycerols bearing multiple copies of mono and dimannosides (LPG40Man0.60 and LPG40(Manα1,2Man)0.60) is demonstrated. A method based on label‐free microscale thermophoresis is optimized to determine the direct binding affinity of multivalent mannosides for Escherichia coli (E. coli) strain ORN178 that produces the fimbriae protein FimH. It is observed that the LPG40(Manα1,2Man)0.60 exhibits only a modest onefold improvement in binding as compared to LPG40Man0.60. Nevertheless, both the multivalent mannosides display remarkably very low nm binding constant (Kd) in contrast to the high µm Kd of the single α‐d‐methylmannoside for intact E. coli ORN178 particles. Furthermore, in an adhesion‐inhibition assay, both multivalent mannosides show 50% inhibition of bacteria adhesion to the HT‐29 colon cells at low µm concentrations.
In silico evaluation of outer membrane protein S2 as a suitable vaccine candidate against Edwardsiella tarda infection of fish
Authors: Disha Somanath , Yathisha Undiganalu Gangadharappa , Harshitha Mave , Maiti Biswajit
Published: October 2023

Objective

Edwardsiella tarda, the agent responsible for edwardsiellosis, is one of the primary emerging pathogens in fish aquaculture. The disease leads to significant economic loss for the farmers. Development of effective vaccines can minimize the disease burden.

Methods

The types of vaccinations that are currently at the center of the most significant research are subunit vaccines. Outer membrane proteins, which are a component of the bacteria, are very well known to be effective at stimulating immune responses in the host. In this study, the gene encoding for outer membrane protein S2 (OmpS2) of E. tarda was identified, cloned, and sequenced, followed by in silico analysis.

Result

The structure and subcellular localization of the protein were first confirmed. Homology modeling of the whole protein was performed, and the protein was checked for its eligibility as a vaccine candidate. This was followed by identifying antigenic sites, B-cell epitopes, and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte epitopes on OmpS2. We obtained a few distinct vaccine peptides from OmpS2. The complete genome of E. tarda was subjected to genome analysis to identify potential epitopes that would bind to the fish major histocompatibility complex molecule and elicit both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses.

Conclusion

This study provides valuable insights for consideration of OmpS2 as a potential vaccine candidate against E. tarda infection.
Evaluating the viability of the use of T-bar and radiotelemetry tags on prespawn Arctic Lampreys
Authors: Spanos Mary C. , Cunningham Curry J. , Drew Katie A. , Sutton Trent M.
Published: October 2023

Objective

Arctic Lampreys Lethenteron camtschaticum are harvested by subsistence and commercial fisheries in the Yukon–Kuskokwim River region of Alaska; however, baseline population data are deficient. For mark–recapture and telemetry studies to be effectively implemented to assess Arctic Lamprey abundance, migratory and dispersal patterns, and spawning locations, tags must not impact fish survival, physiology, or behavior.

Methods

For this laboratory evaluation, we examined survival, tag retention, swim endurance at short-term (1 day posttreatment) and long-term (43 days [~6 weeks] posttreatment) intervals, and incision healing for T-bar-tagged and radio-tagged prespawn Yukon River Arctic Lampreys (N = 216). Six treatment groups were evaluated: control; sham surgery; external T-bar anchor tag; and small (0.30 g; 0.1–0.4% tag burden [ratio of tag weight to fish body weight]), medium (0.57 g; 0.2–0.8% tag burden), and large (1.50 g; 0.6–1.9% tag burden) internal dummy radio transmitter tags.

Result

Although all lampreys survived tagging and surgical procedures through the first 4 weeks of the experiment, a higher tag burden was associated with an increased mortality hazard up to 35 weeks postsurgery. Over the 14-week experimental period, one T-bar tag and one small radio tag were shed by lampreys. Although treatment was not a significant predictor of swim endurance, a higher tag burden led to reductions in swim endurance at 1 day posttreatment but not at 43 days posttreatment. Healing did not differ among surgical treatment groups, but persistent inflammation was observed at incision sites and skin erosion was observed at antenna protrusion locations.

Conclusion

These results indicate that T-bar anchor tags and internal radio tags are acceptable for Arctic Lamprey tagging studies if the radio tag burden is ≤1.3% for short-term (≤14-week) studies and ≤0.5% for long-term (≥14-week) studies.
Advanced porous materials for antimicrobial treatment
Authors: Miguel Sábio Rafael , Corrêa Carvalho Gabriela , Li Jiachen , Chorilli Marlus , Santos Hélder A.
Published: October 2023

Infectious diseases are a global public health concern generated by uncontrolled uses of antimicrobials resulting in multidrug‐resistant (MDR) pathogens. The antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has made explicit the ineffective action of the current medicines and vaccines. Rapid diagnosis and effective treatment are the keys to reduce the capacity of MDR pathogens spreading very fast, avoiding high socioeconomic impact, severe and prolonged illness and death. Advanced porous materials have emerged as promising alternatives to the conventional diagnoses and therapy due to their low‐cost production, high biocompatibility, adjustable porous structure, large surface area, easy surface functionalization and capacity of loading high drugs amount. In this review, we first highlighted the current strategies to fight against infectious diseases. Then, we introduce the main advanced porous materials used in infectious diseases, including mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), porous silicon nanoparticles (PSiNPs), metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent–organic frameworks (COFs), hydrogen‐bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) and porous carbon materials. The strategies to fabricate these materials and their characterization for the application in the recent years for antimicrobial treatment is also discussed. Finally, we present an overview outlook and challenges on the future application of such materials for infectious diseases.
3D morphological changes of the lip and face in patients with cleft lip and alveolus: The comparison of the lip development of incomplete and complete cleft lips under 3 months of age
Authors: Ogimoto Mamiko , Yokota Yusuke , Isomura Emiko Tanaka , Tanaka Susumu , Kogo Mikihiko
Published: October 2023

To treat cleft lip and palate, it is critical to understand the development of the lips and face.

Objective

The objective of this study is to comprehend the development of lips and facial features in patients with cleft lip from birth to cheiloplasty. A comparison of incomplete and complete cleft lips was performed.

Methods

The morphology of the lips and face was recorded using a noncontact three‐dimensional morphology recorder from shortly after birth to cheiloplasty. For each patient, their soft tissue growth was analyzed.

Results

These findings suggest that an incomplete cleft widens the gap between healthy and affected sides from 2 to 3 months of age. The pattern is different from that of a complete cleft.
Voice attractiveness and decision making in third‐party punishment
Authors: Shang Junchen , Liu Zhihui , Liu Chang Hong
Published: October 2023

This study examined the impact of an attractive voice compared to an unattractive voice in an economic game. Results showed that proposers with an attractive voice were perceived as more reasonable in their monetary allocations and were less likely to receive punishment for unfair allocation.
New mania post acoustic neuroma resection: more than a coincidence
Authors: Pulley Imogen
Published: October 2023

Mood disorder is a rare complication of acoustic neuroma resection, and therefore unlikely to be listed as a possible risk on a preoperative consent form. However, the occurrence of this has been recognised since as far back as 1914. This case study reports the new presentation of mania in a 65‐year‐old woman, seven weeks after surgical removal of an acoustic neuroma. The case study explores whether the acoustic neuroma and its surgical management could be directly causative of her psychiatric disorder, or whether it simply represents a psychological trigger in a susceptible patient.
Site‐specific photo‐crosslinking/cleavage for protein–protein interface identification reveals oligomeric assembly of lysosomal‐associated membrane protein type 2A in mammalian cells
Authors: Terasawa Kazue , Seike Tatsuro , Sakamoto Kensaku , Ohtake Kazumasa , Terada Tohru , Iwata Takanori , Watabe Tetsuro , Yokoyama Shigeyuki , Hara‐Yokoyama Miki
Published: October 2023

Genetic code expansion enables site‐specific photo‐crosslinking by introducing photo‐reactive non‐canonical amino acids into proteins at defined positions during translation. This technology is widely used for analyzing protein–protein interactions and is applicable in mammalian cells. However, the identification of the crosslinked region still remains challenging. Here, we developed a new method to identify the crosslinked region by pre‐installing a site‐specific cleavage site, an α‐hydroxy acid (Nε‐allyloxycarbonyl‐α‐hydroxyl‐l‐lysine acid, AllocLys‐OH), into the target protein. Alkaline treatment cleaves the crosslinked complex at the position of the α‐hydroxy acid residue and thus helps to identify which side of the cleavage site, either closer to the N‐terminus or C‐terminus, the crosslinked site is located within the target protein. A series of AllocLys‐OH introductions narrows down the crosslinked region. By applying this method, we identified the crosslinked regions in lysosomal‐associated membrane protein type 2A (LAMP2A), a receptor of chaperone‐mediated autophagy, in mammalian cells. The results suggested that at least two interfaces are involved in the homophilic interaction, which requires a trimeric or higher oligomeric assembly of adjacent LAMP2A molecules. Thus, the combination of site‐specific crosslinking and site‐specific cleavage promises to be useful for revealing binding interfaces and protein complex geometries.
Construction and biological effects of a redox‐enzyme dual‐responsive lufenuron nano‐controlled release formulation
Authors: Liang Qianwei , Hou Chaoqun , Tan Yifei , Wei Nuo , Sun Shaoyang , Zhang Shengfu , Feng Jianguo
Published: October 2023

Background

Pesticide formulations based on nanotechnology can effectively improve the efficiency of pesticide utilization and reduce pesticide residues in the environment. In this study, mesoporous silica nanoparticles containing disulfide bonds were synthesized by the sol–gel method, carboxylated and adsorbed with lufenuron, and grafted with cellulose to obtain a lufenuron‐loaded nano‐controlled release formulation (Luf@MSNs‐ss‐cellulose).

Results

The structure and properties of Luf@MSNs‐ss‐cellulose were characterized. The results showed that Luf@MSNs‐ss‐cellulose exhibits a regular spherical shape with 12.41% pesticide loading. The highest cumulative release rate (73.46%) of this pesticide‐loaded nanoparticle was observed at 7 days in the environment of glutathione and cellulase, which shows redox‐enzyme dual‐responsive performance. As a result of cellulose grafting, Luf@MSNs‐ss‐cellulose had a small contact angle and high adhesion work on corn leaves, indicating good wetting and adhesion properties. After 14 days of spraying with 20 mg L−1 formulations in the long‐term control efficacy experiment, the mortality of Luf@MSNs‐ss‐cellulose against Ostrinia furnacalis larvae (56.67%) was significantly higher than that of commercial Luf@EW (36.67%). Luf@MSNs‐ss‐cellulose is safer for earthworms and L02 cells.

Conclusion

The nano‐controlled release formulation obtained in this study achieved intelligent pesticide delivery in time and space under the environmental stimulation of glutathione and cellulase, providing an effective method for the development of novel pesticide delivery systems. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Propolis as an adjunctive therapy for treatment of uncomplicated cystitis in women: A randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Shekari Mahdi , Hadi Amir , Daabo Hamid Mahmood Abdullah , Allahyari Zahra Haj , Hjazi Ahmed , Rafie Nahid , Heidari Mohammad
Published: October 2023

The current research is designed to investigate the effect of propolis supplementation on the clinical manifestations in women suffering from uncomplicated cystitis. In this randomized double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial, 120 women with uncomplicated cystitis were selected and randomly assigned into two groups to receive two 500 mg capsules of propolis or placebo daily for 7 days along with ciprofloxacin (250 mg). Clinical symptoms including hematuria, urinary frequency, dysuria, suprapubic pain, and urgency, as well as bacteriuria, were assessed before and after the intervention. After supplementation, participants in the intervention group had significantly fewer days of urinary frequency (p < 0.001), dysuria (p = 0.005), and urgency (p = 0.03). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding hematuria and suprapubic pain (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the severity of bacteriuria decreased significantly in both groups. In conclusion, it seems that propolis supplementation in women with uncomplicated cystitis could improve urinary frequency, dysuria, and urgency. However, further clinical trials should be conducted to fully understand the effects of propolis in women suffering from uncomplicated cystitis.
Anomeric‐Schleyer hyperconjugative interaction as a convenient avenue for aromaticity enhancement of phospholes
Authors: Saeidian Hamid , Asadabad Seyed Mahdi Mortazavi , Szczepanik Dariusz W. , Al‐Juaifari Noorhan Jasim Mohammed , Mirjafary Zohreh
Published: October 2023

Due to the insufficient interaction of the phosphorus lone pair with the butadiene moiety, the aromaticity of the phosphole ring is lower than that of its counterpart's pyrrole, furan, and thiophene. Considering the high importance of phosphole core in organic chemistry, increasing its stability through reinforcement its aromaticity can be very valuable. In the present work, the aromaticity of the phosphole on the anomeric carbon in both the axial and equatorial conformers of the unsaturated six‐membered heterocycles, using structural, electronic, energetic, and magnetic indices were investigated by the DFT‐B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) computational method. Electron pumping through anomeric and then Schleyer hyperconjugative interaction increase the aromaticity of the phosphole ring in axial conformer of compounds 1–11. Based on various types of aromaticity indices, the results showed that the phosphole ring in the axial position has far higher aromaticity than the equatorial position. The phosphole ring containing cyano groups shows an efficient anomeric effect and, as a result, higher aromaticity. Excellent correlations were observed between aromaticity indices with different backgrounds.
Exploring the impact of language models, such as ChatGPT, on student learning and assessment
Authors: Zirar Araz
Published: October 2023

Recent developments in language models, such as ChatGPT, have sparked debate. These tools can help, for example, dyslexic people, to write formal emails from a prompt and can be used by students to generate assessed work. Proponents argue that language models enhance the student experience and academic achievement. Those concerned argue that language models impede student learning and call for a cautious approach to their adoption. This paper aims to provide insights into the role of language models in reshaping student learning and assessment in higher education. For that purpose, it probes the impact of language models, specifically ChatGPT, on student learning and assessment. It also explores the implications of language models in higher education settings, focusing on their effects on pedagogy and evaluation. Using the Scopus database, a search protocol was employed to identify 25 articles based on relevant keywords and selection criteria. The developed themes suggest that language models may alter how students learn and are assessed. While language models can provide information for problem‐solving and critical thinking, reliance on them without critical evaluation adversely impacts student learning. Language models can also generate teaching and assessment material and evaluate student responses, but their role should be limited to ‘play a specific and defined role’. Integration of language models in student learning and assessment is only helpful if students and educators play an active and effective role in checking the generated material's validity, reliability and accuracy. Propositions and potential research questions are included to encourage future research.
Complementary currencies and entrepreneurship: Sustaining micro‐entrepreneurs in Kenyan informal settlements
Authors: Kuk George , Meyer Camille , Giamporcaro Stephanie
Published: October 2023

Research Summary

With over a billion people inhabiting informal settlements worldwide, micro‐entrepreneurs are vital to local economies. Complementary currencies have emerged as tools to sustain these entrepreneurs, providing alternative trading and payment options. This study explores the daily strategies of micro‐entrepreneurs in Kenyan informal settlements using the digital complementary currency Sarafu. Our findings reveal that complementary currencies act as external enablers, transforming the local economies by enhancing payment systems, influencing supply and demand, and altering pricing structures. Significantly, when integrated with savings groups, they provide financial inclusion and collective purpose, strengthening local business networks. This research enriches our understanding of the mechanisms micro‐entrepreneurs deploy to leverage complementary currencies for growth, emphasizing the need for further exploration into the role of complementary currencies in supporting entrepreneurship.

Managerial Summary

This study explores how a complementary currency called Sarafu benefits micro‐entrepreneurs in Kenyan informal settlements. Sarafu acts as catalysts for entrepreneurship by boosting local markets and empowering community cooperation. Our findings reveal that micro‐entrepreneurs use Sarafu to adapt to the unique challenges of informal economies. They employ smart strategies like flexible pricing and inventory management to keep Sarafu flowing smoothly. Sarafu serves a dual purpose: a means of immediate spending and a tool for saving and growing capital. It also strengthens local business networks and creates a sense of collective purpose. For practitioners, this study suggests using complementary currencies to support local business networks, promote collective savings, and align the issuance of complementary currencies with local assets to foster sustainable entrepreneurship in informal economies.
Mapping spatiotemporal soil moisture in highly heterogeneous agricultural landscapes using mobile dual‐spectra cosmic‐ray neutron sensing
Authors: Andreasen Mie , Kragh Søren Julsgaard , Meyer Rena , Jensen Karsten Høgh , Looms Majken C.
Published: October 2023

Accurate large‐scale soil moisture (SM) maps are crucial for catchment‐scale hydrological models used for water resource management and warning systems for droughts, floods, and wildfires. SM can be mapped by mobile cosmic‐ray neutron (CRN) systems of moderated detectors at homogeneous landscapes of similar soil and vegetation. In this study, we present a new approach for mobile CRN detection to perform to its full potential, where CRN measurements can also be converted to SM at heterogeneous landscapes. The approach is based solely on thermal and epithermal neutron datasets obtained from mobile dual‐spectra CRN detection, combined with theoretical developments using a particle transport model. For each measurement point, the land cover type is identified using the thermal‐to‐epithermal (T/E) ratio, and the relevant neutron‐count‐to‐soil‐moisture conversion function is estimated from CRN stations located at the main land cover types in the catchment. With this approach, the requirement of collecting 100+ soil samples for each point along the survey route is omitted. We use this T/E‐dependent approach to obtain SM maps from 12 CRN surveys and compare it with a simple approach where only the conversion function from the agricultural site is used. SM by the simple approach is comparable to the estimates of the agricultural stations of a capacitance sensor network, while the estimates of the T/E‐dependent approach also compare well with the heathland and forest stations. With accurate SM estimates for all landcover types, the average error is reduced from 0.089 to 0.038 when comparing CRN SM with space‐borne Soil Moisture Active Passive Mission estimates.
Recent advance in self‐assembled polymeric nanomedicines for gaseous signaling molecule delivery
Authors: van der Vlies André J. , Yamane Setsuko , Hasegawa Urara
Published: October 2023

Gaseous signaling molecules such as nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) have recently been recognized as essential signal mediators that regulate diverse physiological and pathological processes in the human body. With the evolution of gaseous signaling molecule biology, their therapeutic applications have attracted growing attention. One of the challenges in translational research of gaseous signaling molecules is the lack of efficient and safe delivery systems. To tackle this issue, researchers developed a library of gas donors, which are low molecular weight compounds that can release gaseous signaling molecules upon decomposition under physiological conditions. Despite the significant efforts to control gaseous signaling molecule release from gas donors, the therapeutic potential of gaseous signaling molecules cannot be fully explored due to their unfavorable pharmacokinetics and toxic side effects. Recently, the use of nanoparticle‐based gas donors, especially self‐assembled polymeric gas donors, have emerged as a promising approach. In this review, we describe the development of conventional small gas donors and the challenges in their therapeutic applications. We then illustrate the concepts and critical aspects for designing self‐assembled polymeric gas donors and discuss the advantages of this approach in gasotransmistter delivery. We also highlight recent efforts to develop the delivery systems for those molecules based on self‐assembled polymeric nanostructures.

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies
From tree- to loop-simplicity in affine Toda theories II: higher-order poles and cut decompositions
Authors: Dorey Patrick , Polvara Davide
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Recently we showed how, in two-dimensional scalar theories, one-loop threshold diagrams can be cut into the product of one or more tree-level diagrams [1]. Using this method on the ADE series of Toda models, we computed the double- and single-pole coefficients of the Laurent expansion of the S-matrix around a pole of arbitrary even order, finding agreement with the bootstrapped results. Here we generalise the cut method explained in [1] to multiple loops and use it to simplify large networks of singular diagrams. We observe that only a small number of cut diagrams survive and contribute to the expected bootstrapped result, while most of them cancel each other out through a mechanism inherited from the tree-level integrability of these models. The simplification mechanism between cut diagrams inside networks is reminiscent of Gauss’s theorem in the space of Feynman diagrams.
Fusion of conformal defects in interacting theories
Authors: Rousu Alexander Söderberg
Published: October 2023

Abstract

We study fusion of two scalar Wilson defects. We propose that fusion holds at a quantum level by showing that bare one-point functions are the same. This is an expected result as the path integral is invariant under fusion of the two defects. The difference instead lies in renormalization of local quantities on the defects. Those on the fused defect takes into account UV divergences in the fusion limit when the two defects approach eachother, in addition to UV divergences in the coincident limit of defect-local fields and in the near defect limits of bulk-local fields. At the fixed point of the corresponding RG flow the two conformal defects have fused into a single conformal defect identical to one of the original scalar Wilson defects.

Parts of this paper was first presented in my thesis [1].
Celebrating Loday’s associahedron
Authors: Pilaud Vincent , Santos Francisco , Ziegler Günter M.
Published: October 2023

We survey Jean-Louis Loday’s vertex description of the associahedron, and its far reaching influence in combinatorics, discrete geometry, and algebra. We present in particular four topics where it plays a central role: lattice congruences of the weak order and their quotientopes, cluster algebras and their generalized associahedra, nested complexes and their nestohedra, and operads and the associahedron diagonal.
Paper sludge saccharification for batch and fed-batch production of bacterial cellulose decorated with magnetite for dye decolorization by experimental design
Authors: Saleh Ahmed K. , Salama Ahmed , Badawy Ahmed S. , Diab Mohamed A. , El-Gendi Hamada
Published: October 2023

Cellulosic wastes represent a great environmental challenge, with potential conversion to product-added value through microbial fermentation. Currently, bacterial cellulose (BC) is considered a promising natural polymer for multiple applications. However, the high production cost challenges its wide application. Hence, the current study evaluated the applicability of paper sludge as a cost-effective medium for both cellulases and BC production. The local isolate Streptomyces rochei revealed the highest cellulase production titer (about 3 U/mL) at optimized conditions. For BC production, batch and fed-batch fermentation strategies were evaluated using enzymatically hydrolyzed paper sludge. The results asserted the advantage of fed-batch fermentation for advanced BC production (3.10 g/L) over batch fermentation (1.06 g/L) under the same cultivation conditions. The developed BC membranes were characterized through different instrumental analyses, which revealed an increase in fiber diameters and crystallinity under fed-batch fermentation. Furthermore, BC/magnetite (BC/Fe3O4) nanocomposite was developed by an in-situ approach. The newly developed composite was evaluated for dye removal applications, using methyl orange (MO) as a model. The dye removal conditions were optimized through Box Behnken design (BBD), which indicated maximal MO removal (83.5%) at pH 3.0 and BC/Fe3O4 concentration of 0.1 mg/dL after 60 min. Therefore, the current study asserts the good applicability of enzymatically hydrolyzed paper sludge as a medium for cost-effective BC production and the high capacity of BC/magnetite nanocomposite for MO decolorization. The study paves the way for the cost-effective implementation of BC/magnetite nanocomposite for dye removal.

Graphical Abstract