bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Triggering Asymmetric Layer Displacement Polarization and Redox Dual‐Sites Activation by Inside‐Out Anion Substitution for Efficient CO2 Photoreduction
Authors: Yu Yutang , Zhu Zijian , Chen Fang , Ma Tianyi , Huang Hongwei
Published: October 2024

Sluggish bulk charge transfer and barren catalytic sites severely hinder the CO2 photoreduction process. Seeking strategies for accelerating charge dynamics and activating reduction and oxidation sites synchronously presents a huge challenge. Herein, an inside‐out chlorine (Cl) ions substitution strategy on the layered polar Bi4O5Br2 is proposed for achieving layer structure‐dependent polarization effect and redox dual‐sites activation. Cl ions in the bulk phase shrink the halogen layer interspace by 8‰, triggering asymmetric [Bi4O5]2+ layer displacement polarization, prolonging the average photocharge lifetime to 201.8 ps. Meanwhile, surface substituted Cl ions enhance the electron‐donating capability of neighboring Bi atoms, activating the intrinsic Bi reduction sites, and increasing H2O molecule adsorption on nearby intrinsic O oxidation site (cal. by 0.105 eV), also self‐donating as an alien oxidation site. Besides, Cl upshifts the p‐band center closer to the Fermi level, facilitating the reactant adsorption. Therefore, the energy barrier for CO2 activation and rate‐limiting *COOH intermediate formation steps are significantly decreased. Without cocatalysts and sacrificial reagents, inside‐out Cl‐substituted Bi4O5Br2 delivers a remarkable CO2‐to‐CO photoreduction rate of 50.18 µmol g−1 h−1, being one of the state‐of‐the‐art catalysts. This finding offers insights into exploiting polarization at the molecular‐level and enhances understanding of catalytic site activation.
Loss of LRP1 Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression via UFL1‐Mediated Activation of NF‐κB Signaling
Authors: Guo Xingxian , Yang Fan , Liu Tianyi , Chen Amei , Liu Dina , Pu Jiangxia , Jia Can , Wu Yuanhong , Yuan Junfeng , Ouyang Nan , Herz Joachim , Ding Yinyuan
Published: October 2024

Low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein‐1 (LRP1) is thought to be correlated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) invasion and metastasis. However, the precise mechanism through which LRP1 contributes to HCC progression remains unclear. Here, lower LRP1 levels are associated with malignant progression, and poor prognosis in patients with HCC is shown. LRP1 knockdown enhances the tumorigenicity of HCC cells in vitro and in vivo, whereas overexpression of either LRP1 or its β‐chain has the opposite effect. Mechanistically, LRP1 knockdown promotes the binding of ubiquitin‐like modifier 1 ligating enzyme 1 (UFL1) to OGA and accelerates ubiquitin‐mediated OGA degradation, leading to increased O‐GlcNAcylation of nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) and subsequent inhibition of pro‐apoptotic gene expression. Conversely, exogenously expressed truncated β‐chain (β∆) stabilizes OGA by disrupting the association between UFL1 and OGA, consequently abolishing the anti‐apoptotic effects of O‐GlcNAcylated NF‐κB. The findings identify LRP1, particularly its β‐chain, as a novel upstream control factor that facilitates the stabilization of the OGA protein, thereby suppressing NF‐κB signaling and attenuating HCC progression, thus suggesting a novel therapeutic strategy for HCC.
Charge Separation Induced by Asymmetric Surface Charge Effects in Quasi‐Solid State Electrolyte for Sustainable Anion Storage
Authors: Kim Sungho , Kim Dongjoo , Kim Youngbi , Yang Heejae , Lee Hojung , Kang Jieun , Han Jihoon , Kim Youn Soo , Ryu Jaegeon , Han Jeong Woo , Park Soojin
Published: October 2024

Compared with conventional lithium‐ion battery systems, anion‐intercalation in graphite cathodes opens avenues for the development of batteries with groundbreaking power density. This study explores the enhancement of dual‐ion batteries (DIBs) by gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) enhanced with surface‐charged nanoclays, focusing on overcoming traditional challenges such as electrolyte decomposition, anion‐solvent co‐intercalation, and interfacial instability at the graphite cathode. Three nanoclays including montmorillonite, kaolinite, and halloysite are compared by incorporating them into GPE and evaluating their effect on the electrochemical properties, ion conduction, and mechanical integrity of DIBs. Particular attention is paid to the halloysite because of its differential internal and external surface charges, which generate charge separation, facilitate optimal lithium‐ion transport, and mitigate undesirable anion‐solvent interactions. These results indicate that halloysite‐incorporated GPE (HS‐G) significantly improves DIB performance, as demonstrated by extended cycle life, robust capacity retention at fast charge/discharge rates of 20 C, and operational stability over a wide temperature range (0–60 °C). These improvements are attributed to the unique structural advantages of HS‐G, including effective charge separation, enhanced anion diffusion, and reduced solvent co‐intercalation, which provide an environmentally friendly and cost‐effective approach to advanced DIB applications.
Laseraktivierte, modulare Präzisionschemie von Graphen unter Verwendung von λ3‐Iodanen
Authors: Gerein Kevin , Unmu Dzujah Diyan , Yu Hongde , Hauke Frank , Heine Thomas , Hirsch Andreas , Wei Tao
Published: October 2024

Das neuartige Laserschreiben stellt eine effiziente und vielversprechende Strategie für die kovalente zweidimensionale (2D) Strukturierung von Graphen dar, bleibt aber aufgrund eines Mangels an geeigneten Reagenzien ein schwieriges Unterfangen. Wir berichten hier über einen vielseitig anwendbaren Ansatz für die kovalente Laserstrukturierung von Graphen, der trivalente organische Iodverbindungen als wirksame Reagenzien verwendet und damit das Binden einer Reihe von Funktionalitäten auf die Graphenoberfläche ermöglicht. Die relativ schwachen iodzentrierten Bindungen dieser Verbindungen werden laserinduziert gespalten und erzeugen so in situ Radikale in den bestrahlten Bereichen. Diese können im nächsten Schritt an Graphen binden und schließen somit die kovalente 2D‐Strukturierung dieses 2D‐Films ab. Die maßgeschneiderte Anbringung verschiedener funktioneller Einheiten mit unterschiedlichen elektrischen Eigenschaften sowie die thermisch reversible Bindung derer, ermöglichen eine einfache Programmierung der Oberflächeneigenschaften von Graphen. Mit dieser eleganten Methode wird der Engpass einer begrenzten Anzahl an funktionellen Gruppen, die durch das Laserschreiben auf die Graphenoberfläche aufgebracht werden können, überwunden.
Taming of the microbial beasts: Plant immunity tethers potentially pathogenic microbiota members
Authors: Entila Frederickson , Tsuda Kenichi
Published: October 2024

Plants are in intimate association with taxonomically structured microbial communities called the plant microbiota. There is growing evidence that the plant microbiota contributes to the holistic performance and general health of plants, especially under unfavorable situations. Despite the attached benefits, surprisingly, the plant microbiota in nature also includes potentially pathogenic strains, signifying that the plant hosts have tight control over these microbes. Despite the conceivable role of plant immunity in regulating its microbiota, we lack a complete understanding of its role in governing the assembly, maintenance, and function of the plant microbiota. Here, we highlight the recent progress on the mechanistic relevance of host immunity in orchestrating plant‐microbiota dialogues and discuss the pluses and perils of these microbial assemblies.
Confirmatory Adaptive Designs for Clinical Trials With Multiple Time‐to‐Event Outcomes in Multi‐state Markov Models
Authors: Danzer Moritz Fabian , Faldum Andreas , Simon Thorsten , Hero Barbara , Schmidt Rene
Published: October 2024

The analysis of multiple time‐to‐event outcomes in a randomized controlled clinical trial can be accomplished with existing methods. However, depending on the characteristics of the disease under investigation and the circumstances in which the study is planned, it may be of interest to conduct interim analyses and adapt the study design if necessary. Due to the expected dependency of the endpoints, the full available information on the involved endpoints may not be used for this purpose. We suggest a solution to this problem by embedding the endpoints in a multistate model. If this model is Markovian, it is possible to take the disease history of the patients into account and allow for data‐dependent design adaptations. To this end, we introduce a flexible test procedure for a variety of applications, but are particularly concerned with the simultaneous consideration of progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). This setting is of key interest in oncological trials. We conduct simulation studies to determine the properties for small sample sizes and demonstrate an application based on data from the NB2004‐HR study.
A Fluorescent Probe Containing Triphenylamine‐Benzofuranone Moiety for Detecting Cysteine and Imaging in Living Pulmonary Cells Under Hypercapnia
Authors: Wu Xiao‐Ping , Yang Na , Liu Qing‐Qing , Zhu Zhong‐Quan
Published: October 2024

In this work, a fluorescent probe TPB‐Cys derived from triphenylamine‐benzofuranone was developed for monitoring the cysteine (Cys) level and imaging in living pulmonary cells under hypercapnia condition. A systematic hypoxia module was tried to cover both the in‐solution test and pulmonary cellular imaging. The hypoxia condition did not obviously affect the fluorescence response signal during the in‐solution test. The fluorescence signal at 540 enhanced in a dose‐dependent enhancement along with the increase of the Cys concentration. The probe showed the advantages including relatively long linear range, high sensitivity, high stability, and high selectivity. With low cyto‐toxicity, TPB‐Cys achieved the monitoring of the endogenous Cys level in living pulmonary cells. Furthermore, it also realized the visualization of the affection of the hypoxia and hypoxia recovered conditions. This work was informative for both the accurate diagnosis and potential medical techniques.
Cost‐effective synthesis of unsymmetric tetrazines
Authors: Hwang Jiwon , Yoon Byeongjip , Suh Sung‐Eun
Published: October 2024

1,2,4,5‐Tetrazines serve as versatile two‐carbon synthons, essential for synthesizing a variety of (hetero)aromatic compounds. Their specific reactivity with certain dienophiles, without interfering with biochemical processes, makes them ideal for bioorthogonal ligation. Despite their broad utility, current synthetic methods are costly and raise safety concerns, particularly during scale‐up. This study introduces safer and more cost‐effective synthetic strategies utilizing zinc chloride or boron trifluoride diethyl etherate as catalysts. These alternatives significantly reduce costs and enhance safety, potentially expanding the applicability of tetrazine synthesis across broader research domains.
The Role of Sex and Other Personal Characteristics in the Effects of Symptoms Severity on Self‐Care Agency in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Demirci Pınar Yeşil , Yeşilot Saliha Bozdoğan , Eskimez Zehra
Published: October 2024

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system.

Aims

The study was conducted to determine the role of sex and other personal characteristics in the impact of symptom severity on self‐care in individuals with MS.

Methods

The study was cross‐sectional and was completed with 200 participants throughout Turkey. The data were collected through random and snowball sampling using the MS‐related symptom checklist (MS‐RS), the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and the Exercise of Self‐Care Agency (ESCA) form. The data obtained were analyzed using the SPSS 21. Statistical significance was evaluated at the level of p < 0.05.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 37.97 ± 10.6 years. The mean scores were 47.4 ± 22.41 for MS‐RS, 4.58 ± 2.2 for FSS, and 94.65 ± 24.76 for ESCA in females. The mean MS‐RS score in males was 45 ± 25.89, FSS was 4.33 ± 2.5, and ESCA was 83.43 ± 23.95. There were no significant differences between the sexes except that the ESCA scores were higher in females (p < 0.05). According to a multiple linear regression analysis, the duration of diagnosis and sensory subdimension of MS‐RS negatively affected the ESCA score in females, and this statistically significant model explained 22.6% of ESCA scores.

Conclusion

The study found that both sexes had clinically significant fatigue, mildly severe symptoms, and moderate self‐care agency. While being a female positively affected self‐care agency, disease duration, and sensory symptoms negatively affected females’ self‐care agency.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Isoaurone Derivatives as Anti‐inflammatory Agents
Authors: Bai Xueqian , Ye Chao , Liu Zhe , Zhou Zhijiang , Zhang Tianyi
Published: October 2024

Twenty‐eight isoaurone derivatives with 1,2,4‐triazole moieties were synthesized using a fragment‐based design strategy, and their anti‐inflammatory activity was investigated. The anti‐inflammatory effect of the most active derivative, 14e (41.82 %), was dose‐dependent and higher than the values for celecoxib (31.82 %). Compound 14e was almost non‐toxic and inhibited different concentrations of nitric oxide (NO). The western blotting results demonstrated that cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) expression was elevated when the macrophages were exclusively treated with LPS. However, compound 14e effectively suppressed the LPS‐induced COX‐2 upregulation. Subsequent investigation revealed that 14e is a promising compound capable of inhibiting the downstream signaling of COX‐2. With the above interesting biological profile, molecular 14e could be a promising lead to develop novel anti‐inflammatory agents.
Polycyclic Polyprenylated Acylphloroglucinols (PPAPs) from Garcinia Oblongifolia and their Antitumor Activity
Authors: Yang Si‐Yu , Lin Qiang , Zhuo Xue‐Fang , Huang Yue‐Hao , Wu Wei , Wu Tian‐Yuan , Zheng Wei‐Xuan , Li Yao‐Lan , Wang Guo‐Cai , Zhang Yu‐Bo
Published: October 2024

Two new polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols, along with four previously known compounds, were isolated and identified from the fruits of Garcinia oblongifolia. The structures of these compounds were elucidated through a combination of spectroscopic techniques, including MS, UV, IR, and 1D/2D NMR, as well as their chemical properties. Additionally, the cytotoxic activities of compounds 1−6 against the H134B cell line were evaluated using the MTT assay, revealing that compounds 1 and 2 exhibit promising antitumor activity.
Because kids don't come with manuals
Authors: Bulusu Maanasi , Davis Emily , Umaschi Stephanie Shepard
Published: October 2024

Parents often struggle with discipline as well as how best to support their children's social and emotional growth. Unfortunately, many pediatricians, nurses, teachers, and other professionals involved in the lives of young children and their families lack the formal training and/or time to address parenting questions and concerns. And, although evidence‐based parenting programs do exist, their impact is limited by low rates of uptake. Logistical barriers to implementation and workforce shortages limit their availability, and even when available, families often face numerous obstacles to enrolling in and completing programs. From a public health perspective, lack of accessibility and low exposure rates severely limit their potential for reducing the prevalence of behavioral and emotional problems and for promoting psychological wellbeing.
Primary hyperaldosteronism secondary to right adrenal hyperplasia with non‐functioning left adrenal adenoma elucidated by adrenal vein sampling: A case report with in‐depth physiological review on utility of aldosterone renin ratio
Authors: Tuchinsky Adam , Sardar Sundus , Akkari Abdel‐Rauof M. , Matarneh Ahmad Samir , John Gia Susan , Ghahramani Nasrollah , Farooq Umar
Published: October 2024

Key Clinical Message

In cases of primary hyperaldosteronism, the aldosterone renin ratio (ARR) is crucial for determining the need for adrenal vein sampling (AVS). Our case highlights the importance of utilizing ARR with AVS, contextual interpretation of plasma renin and aldosterone levels, and stresses that sole reliance on imaging without AVS may result in unnecessary or contralateral adrenalectomy.
Growers, consultants, and county agents perceive white‐tailed deer to be the most economically impactful pest of Georgia cotton
Authors: Hand Lavesta C. , Roberts Phillip M. , Taylor Sally
Published: October 2024

Plain Language Summary

White‐tailed deer damage is a common occurrence for cotton producers in the Southeastern United States, but in 2023, deer feeding on cotton and other crops was abnormally high. To determine how bad the perceived white‐tailed deer problem is in cotton, producers, county extension agents, and crop consultants were surveyed. Growers, county agents, and consultants agree that white‐tailed deer are an economic pest of cotton. The same groups reported that 33% to 41% of acres are affected by deer annually, while 34% to 42% yield loss is observed on affected acres. Additionally, $51 to $73 per acre are spent on mitigation measures according to growers, county agents, and consultants in an attempt to reduce deer damage. According to these answers, all three groups perceive white‐tailed deer to be the biggest pest of cotton compared to other common, problematic pests. This paper is the first to demonstrate the severity of this issue in cotton and serves as a starting point for research on deer damage in cotton.
Design and Analysis of a Novel Bidirectional DC‐DC Converter With Ultra‐Conversion Ratio and Reduced Current Stress
Authors: Dharavath Anusha , Pradabane Srinivasan
Published: October 2024

Conventional nonisolated bidirectional DC‐DC converters are limited because of their low conversion voltage ratio. To overcome the limitation, this paper proposed a new bidirectional DC‐DC converter to introduce the novel regenerative configuration merged with the switched inductor technique for high voltage conversion applications. This design enables extreme DC‐voltage conversion with a minimal number of semiconductors and passive components. As a result, the converter's cost is reduced, and it can attain a high voltage gain with less duty ratio. In general, ultra‐gain converters suffer from high current stress across the input and output side switches in the step‐up and step‐down modes. To reduce high current stress, an active network configuration is imposed in the proposed converter. This paper describes the operating principle, steady‐state analysis of the voltage gain, and presents the performance matrices of the proposed converter. Furthermore, a comparative analysis is made with conventional and recent literature converters. Finally, a 350‐V, 500‐W, and 20‐kHz experimental prototype has been fabricated to validate the operation and corroborate the theoretical waveforms with experimental results.
Suspended Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction Based on Zr‐MOF‐Modified Cotton Thread for Enrichment and Detection of Three Trace Quinolones in Fish Tissue
Authors: Long Jiao , Gao Yan , Sheng Kangjia , Bao Tao , Wang Sicen
Published: October 2024

In this study, an efficient and practical method was established to enrich and detect three trace quinolones in fish tissue. Low‐cost and environment‐friendly cotton threads were coated with PCN‐224 using a simple one‐pot hydrothermal method. The PCN‐224‐modified cotton threads (PCN‐224@CTs) were characterized to ensure that the crystal was successfully fabricated on the surface of cotton threads. The prepared PCN‐224@CTs were wrapped around steel needles to form suspended bars. Key factors of extraction and desorption were optimized, and analytical performance was tested. Suspended bar sorptive extraction coupled with ultra‐performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) with a photodiode array detector was used to analyze the quinolones in fish tissue. The detection limits of quinolones were 0.26–1.15 ng/mL, and the recoveries were achieved in the range of 81.31%–115.81%, indicating a simple method with high sensitivity and satisfactory practicability of enriching, separating, and detecting trace quinolones was successfully established.
Development of the SupersonicIEF Method for High‐Throughput Charge Variant Analysis
Authors: McElroy Will , Heger Christopher D.
Published: October 2024

The analysis of biopharmaceuticals for charge variants occurs from early‐stage samples through formulation and process‐development optimization. Higher throughput methods allow increased analysis of these samples to facilitate greater understanding of the samples and to better optimize their production and formulation. To enable higher throughput charge variant analysis, a new, rapid platform imaged capillary isoelectric focusing (icIEF) method was optimized to be two to three times faster than standard methods.
Applications of Probabilistic Genotyping Method for Combining Evidence Across Microhaplotype DNA Mixture Profiles
Authors: Ling Xiaohua , Han Shuang , Lin Xinyi , Bai Zhaochen , Zhang Nan , Li Jiayue , Wang Huan , Ou Xueling
Published: October 2024

In cases of serious crimes that involve challenging DNA samples from the perpetrator (e.g., a minor contributor to a mixture), there is justification to combine different mixture profiles. In our previous study, we developed a massively parallel sequencing (MPS)–based assay targeting 140 microhaplotype markers. In this study, we extended the use of the microhaplotype panel to common scenarios, such as determining the presence of a common contributor or relatedness between different mixture profiles when no reference source is available. Data interpretation was performed using the R package KinMix. Our findings revealed that correct assignments of a common contributor and relatedness were made between relatively balanced mixtures. However, when profiles suffered from allele imbalance, inclusive assignments were significantly associated with the suspect's mixture proportion. Additionally, our analysis showed zero false‐positive rates in the studied scenarios. These results indicate that microhaplotype data can be reliably interpreted for identifying a common donor or related donors among different mixtures. Further research based on larger sample sizes may yield more reliable results, which could assist in solving issues related to complex scenarios where multiple mixed profiles were involved.
Simultaneous Genotyping of Three SNVs, rs5471, rs5472, and rs2000999 Involved in Serum Haptoglobin Levels by Fluorescent Probe‐Based Melting Curve Analysis
Authors: Soejima Mikiko , Koda Yoshiro
Published: October 2024

Haptoglobin (Hp) is a hemoglobin‐binding acute‐phase serum protein. Several single nucleotide variations (SNVs) within the Hp gene (HP) or Hp‐related protein gene (HPR), such as rs5471 (A > C) and rs5472 (A > G) in HP promoter region and rs2000999 (G > A) in intron 2 of HRP, are suggested to correlate with the serum Hp levels. To determine these three SNVs simultaneously, a genotyping assay based on duplex dual‐labeled fluorescent probes was developed. The method was then validated by analyzing genomic DNA from 121 Ghanaian and two Japanese subjects who had been previously genotyped for rs5471, rs5472, and rs2000999. Both rs5471 and rs5472 could be determined as haplotypes with a single FAM‐labeled fluorescent probe, and rs2000999 could be genotyped with a HEX‐labeled fluorescent probe. The results obtained with the present method were consistent with the previous results except for those of three Ghanaian subjects. All three subjects appear to have multiple HPR copy number variants characteristic of African populations, which may have led to incorrect results during previous genotyping. This method allows us to genotype these three SNVs in a relatively large number of samples, especially in African populations where rs5471 is uniquely distributed.
Determination of 40K radionuclide concentration and elements content in some animal feeds
Authors: Eke Canel
Published: October 2024

The study of radionuclide concentrations is significant for the exposure of the radiation on the livings from these radionuclides and they are transferred from plants, animals to livings, and this is important for the health of livings. In this paper, 40K concentration and elements content of wheat, barley, corn, and chick feeds, which are used as animal feed using gamma‐ray spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma‐optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES) were examined. The animal feeds were obtained from two different sellers for representative and to be able to compare the obtained results from studied animal feeds. The mean value of 40K radionuclide concentration for wheat, barley, and corn is smaller than the world mean value whereas it is higher for chick feeds than the world mean value. The Hin, Hex, and Iγ of studied animal feeds are lower than limit value reported in the scientific report. There are positive and significant correlations between K, Ca, Fe, Mg, Na, P, and 40K at the 0.01 level and between Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn, and 40K at 0.05 level.
Thermomechanical properties and microstructure of concrete made with recycled concrete aggregates after exposure to high temperatures
Authors: Fernandes Bruno , Carré Hélène , Gaborieau Cécile , Mindeguia Jean‐Christophe , Perlot Céline , La Borderie Christian , Anguy Yannick
Published: October 2024

Using recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) in concrete has emerged as a promising solution to produce concrete with reduced environmental impact and adequate performance. However, a deeper understanding of the thermal and mechanical behavior of concrete made with RCA is still needed for further application in real structures. The present paper addresses one of the crucial issues for structural concrete: its behavior after exposure to high temperature. Four concrete mixes are studied: a reference concrete made with natural aggregates (NA), two concretes including 40% and 100% of coarse RCA as a direct replacement (DR) for coarse NA, and a concrete made with 100% of coarse RCA relying on a strength‐based replacement (SBR). The SBR concrete mix was designed to achieve the same performance (28 days compressive strength and slump) as the reference concrete. All specimens were exposed to temperatures of 200, 400, and 600°C. After cooling, samples were evaluated for residual mass loss, thermal, and mechanical properties. Microstructural quantitative analyses were conducted over several square millimeters to show that interfaces between the old and new cement pastes, peculiar to concrete made with RCA, do not further promote fracture development. The results show that after exposure to high temperatures, the thermal and mechanical performances of concrete made with RCA are reduced in the same manner and extent as in concrete made with NA. When the RCA‐based concrete is designed to achieve similar performance as concrete with NA at room temperature (SBR), the residual thermomechanical behavior is similar between both concretes.
Modeling of Catalyst Degradation in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells Applied to Three‐Dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Fink Clemens , Edjokola Joel Mata , Telenta Marijo , Bodner Merit
Published: October 2024

In a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell, the following degradation mechanisms are associated with the catalyst particles and their support: carbon support corrosion triggered by carbon and platinum oxidation, platinum dissolution with redeposition, and particle detachment with agglomeration. In this work, an electrochemical model for those degradation effects is presented as well as its coupling with a three‐dimensional computational fluid dynamics PEM fuel cell performance model. The overall model is used to calculate polarization curves and current density distributions of a PEM fuel cell in a fresh and aged state as well as the degradation process during an accelerated stress test with 30 000 voltage cycles. The obtained simulation results are compared to measurements on a three‐serpentine channel PEM fuel cell with an active area of 25 cm2 under various temperatures and humidities. The experimental data are obtained with a segmented test cell using respective degradation protocols and test conditions proposed by the United States Department of Energy. In addition to the temperature and humidity changes, the influence of geometry and material parameters on the degree of degradation and the resulting fuel cell performance is explored in detail.
Egr1 Expression Is Correlated With Synaptic Activity but Not Intrinsic Membrane Properties in Mouse Adult‐Born Dentate Granule Cells
Authors: Ohline Shane M. , Logan Barbara J. , Hughes Stephanie M. , Abraham Wickliffe C.
Published: October 2024

The discovery of adult‐born granule cells (aDGCs) in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus has raised questions regarding how they develop, incorporate into the hippocampal circuitry, and contribute to learning and memory. Here, we used patch‐clamp electrophysiology to investigate the intrinsic and synaptic excitability of mouse aDGCs as they matured, enabled by using a tamoxifen‐induced genetic label to birth date the aDGCs at different animal ages. Importantly, we also undertook immunofluorescence studies of the expression of the immediate early gene Egr1 and compared these findings with the electrophysiology data in the same animals. We examined two groups of animals, with aDGC birthdating when the mice were 2 months and at 7–9 months of age. In both groups, cells 4 weeks old had lower thresholds for current‐evoked action potentials than older cells but fired fewer spikes during long current pulses and responded more poorly to synaptic activation. aDGCs born in both 2 and 7–9‐month‐old mice matured in their intrinsic excitability and synaptic properties from 4–12 weeks postgenesis, but this occurred more slowly for the older age animals. Interestingly, this pattern of intrinsic excitability changes did not correlate with the pattern of Egr1 expression. Instead, the development of Egr1 expression was correlated with the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents. These results suggest that in order for aDGCs to fully participate in hippocampal circuitry, as indicated by Egr1 expression, they must have developed enough synaptic input, in spite of the greater input resistance and reduced firing threshold that characterizes young aDGCs.
Prediction of poor prognosis using the peak systolic velocity and early diastolic velocity of the central retinal artery in patients with post‐cardiac arrest syndrome
Authors: Choi Wook Jin , Lee Jae Hoon
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Monitoring intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with post‐cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS) is crucial for effective management and prognosis assessment. However, continuous ICP monitoring is rarely practiced. Increased ICP is often associated with the impairment of brain autoregulation. This study investigated whether central retinal artery (CRA) flow velocity, autoregulation status according to mean arterial pressure (MAP), and the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD)/eyeball transverse diameter (ETD) ratio could predict poor prognosis related to increased ICP in PCAS patients.

Methods

In this multicenter prospective observational study, transocular ultrasonography of the optic nerve sheath was performed on 38 PCAS patients treated with targeted temperature management from December 2021 to November 2022. CRA peak systolic velocity (PSV), early diastolic velocity (eDV), MAP, CRA‐PSV changes following MAP changes (autoregulation), and ONSD/ETD ratio were measured repeatedly from days 0 to 4 post‐admission.

Results

Univariable analysis indicated that CRA‐PSV, nonpositive or flat CRA‐eDV, and disrupted autoregulation correlated with a poor prognosis (Cerebral Performance Category 4 or 5). In multivariable analysis, nonpositive CRA‐eDV or disrupted autoregulation was the most significant predictor of poor prognosis (odds ratio, 40.576; p = 0.002), with an area under the curve of 0.774. The ONSD/ETD ratio did not show a significant correlation.

Conclusions

Nonpositive CRA‐eDV, CRA‐PSV and disrupted autoregulation can predict poor prognosis in PCAS patients. Transocular Doppler ultrasonography of the CRA and autoregulation assessment may aid in ICP monitoring and management in PCAS patients.
Strategies for Top–Down Hydrogen Deuterium Exchange‐Mass Spectrometry: A Mini Review and Perspective
Authors: Langford Joel B. , Ahmed Elizabeth , Fang Mulin , Cupp‐Sutton Kellye , Smith Kenneth , Wu Si
Published: October 2024

Hydrogen deuterium‐exchange mass spectrometry (HDX‐MS) is commonly used in the study of protein dynamics and protein interactions. By measuring the isotopic exchange of backbone amide hydrogens in solution, HDX‐MS offers valuable structural insights into challenging biological systems. Traditional HDX‐MS approaches utilize bottom–up (BU) proteomics, in which deuterated proteins are digested before MS analysis. BU‐HDX enables the characterization of proteins with various sizes in simple protein mixtures or complex biological samples such as cell lysates. However, BU methods are inherently limited by the inability to resolve protein sub‐populations arising from different protein conformations, such as those arising from post‐translational modifications (PTMs). Alternatively, top–down (TD) HDX‐MS detects the global deuterium uptake at the intact proteoform level, allowing direct probing of structural changes due to protein–protein interactions, PTMs, or conformational changes. Combining TD‐HDX‐MS with electron‐based fragmentation techniques, such as electron capture dissociation (ECD) and electron transfer dissociation (ETD), has demonstrated the feasibility of studying intact protein interactions with amino acid‐level resolution. Here, we present a brief overview of methodologies, limitations, and applications of TD‐HDX‐MS using direct infusion techniques and LC‐based approaches. Furthermore, we conclude with a perspective on the future directions for TD‐HDX‐MS.
Feasibility of Super‐thin Anterolateral Thigh Free Flap for Oral and Pharyngeal Reconstruction
Authors: Chisolm Paul , Dowd John , Zheng Wynne , Wu Eric , Pierce Matthew , Davidson Bruce , Maxwell Jessica , Reilly Michael , Giurintano Jonathan
Published: October 2024

Objectives

To highlight the feasibility of employing super‐thin ALT free flaps for reconstruction of complex oral cavity and oropharyngeal defects.

Methods

Retrospective chart review.

Results

Sixteen super‐thin ALT free flaps were performed in 15 patients between 2020 and 2023 for reconstruction of oral cavity defects (seven oral tongue, three floor of mouth, three buccal, two oropharynx, one lower lip). Flap success rate was 100% with only minor complications reported, with no patient requiring return to the operating room within 30 days and no patient requiring radial forearm free flap reconstruction. One patient experienced partial flap failure, one patient experienced superficial necrosis of the distal skin paddle measuring 1 cm, and one patient was converted intraoperatively to a contralateral traditional ALT free flap due to insufficient perforator size. Average operative time was 509 min, average length of hospitalization was nine days, and two patients required gastrostomy placement prior to discharge for dysphagia.

Conclusions

Super‐thin ALT free flap harvest technique represents a feasible option for oral cavity and oropharyngeal reconstruction in select patients and does not require additional surgical training, invasive testing, or technology. It can be readily adopted by reconstructive surgeons with a simple adaptation in existing ALT harvest technique.

Level of Evidence

Level 4 Laryngoscope, 2024
Green Energy and Land Resources: COP27 Perspective of BRICS Economic Growth and Land Production
Authors: Teng Yin‐Pei
Published: October 2024

In contemporary times, managing land resources and green energy from the COP27 perspective is a burning issue, attracting the attention of policymakers and scholars to attaining sustainable economic growth. In emerging economies, the adoption of both green energy and land resources is rapidly increasing to encourage economic productivity. In this regard, the current research explores the impact of oil resource fluctuations on the economic growth of the BRICS economies. In addition, this research contemplates the role of technological innovation, energy efficiency, and gross capital formation during 1990–2021. Using several econometric approaches, the results indicate the variables' stationarity and the cointegration between variables. Since most of the study variables follow a nonnormal distribution, this work employs a novel moments quantile regression. The estimation outcomes revealed that oil resource fluctuations, energy efficiency, technological innovation, and gross capital formation are substantial economic performance and growth drivers. The robustness of the empirical model is also tested via parametric (robust least squares) and nonparametric (quantile regression) approaches. Bidirectional causality estimates are reported between these variables except for the oil resource fluctuations that unidirectionally cause economic performance. Based on these estimates, this research recommends the sustainable management of oil resources and further investment in energy efficiency and technological innovation to attain sustainable economic performance.
Altmetric.com or PlumX: Does it matter?
Authors: Rasuli Behrooz , Nabavi Majid
Published: October 2024

Altmetric.com and PlumX are two prominent tools for collecting alternative metrics data. This study has two main objectives: first, to evaluate how the choice between Altmetric.com and PlumX affects the results of alternative metrics analysis, and second, to investigate the social impact of ‘hot papers’ through the alternative metrics data provided by these platforms. We employed a descriptive and exploratory approach, gathering common alternative metrics from 4236 hot papers using both Altmetric.com and PlumX. The data collected included various alternative metrics such as policy mentions, Mendeley readers, Wikipedia mentions, blog mentions, Facebook mentions, and news mentions, in addition to citation counts from Scopus. We conducted descriptive statistics and inferential analyses to examine the relationships between citations and alternative metrics, as well as to compare the data obtained from both platforms. Our findings indicate that PlumX has broader coverage of hot papers compared to Altmetric.com. While the mean and individual values of alternative metrics differ between the two platforms, the median and geometric mean are similar. Both Altmetric.com and PlumX demonstrate that publications with higher citation counts tend to receive more online attention. Notably, all alternative metrics for Immunology and Chemistry showed statistically significant differences between the two platforms, whereas in Mathematics, alternative metrics (with the exception of Mendeley readers) did not exhibit significant differences. The findings suggest that researchers should be aware of potential variations in data captured by different alternative metrics platforms. Additionally, interpreting alternative metrics data requires caution, considering the research fields and the specific platform used.
Pathway‐based prediction of the therapeutic effects and mode of action of custom‐made multiherbal medicines
Authors: Ezoe Akihiro , Shimada Yuki , Sawada Ryusuke , Douke Akihiro , Shibata Tomokazu , Kadowaki Makoto , Yamanishi Yoshihiro
Published: October 2024

Multiherbal medicines are traditionally used as personalized medicines with custom combinations of crude drugs; however, the mechanisms of multiherbal medicines are unclear. In this study, we developed a novel pathway‐based method to predict therapeutic effects and the mode of action of custom‐made multiherbal medicines using machine learning. This method considers disease‐related pathways as therapeutic targets and evaluates the comprehensive influence of constituent compounds on their potential target proteins in the disease‐related pathways. Our proposed method enabled us to comprehensively predict new indications of 194 Kampo medicines for 87 diseases. Using Kampo‐induced transcriptomic data, we demonstrated that Kampo constituent compounds stimulated the disease‐related proteins and a customized Kampo formula enhanced the efficacy compared with an existing Kampo formula. The proposed method will be useful for discovering effective Kampo medicines and optimizing custom‐made multiherbal medicines in practice.
Parallel transmit hybrid pulse design for controlled on‐resonance magnetization transfer in R1 mapping at 7T
Authors: Leitão David , Tomi‐Tricot Raphael , Bridgen Philippa , Di Cio Pierluigi , Liebig Patrick , Gumbrecht Rene , Ritter Dieter , Giles Sharon , Hajnal Joseph V. , Malik Shaihan J.
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This work proposes a “hybrid” RF pulse design method for parallel transmit (pTx) systems to simultaneously control flip angle and root‐mean‐squared (). These pulses are generally only designed for flip angle, however, this can lead to uncontrolled , which then leads to variable magnetization transfer (MT) effects. We demonstrate the hybrid design approach for quantitative imaging where both flip angle and are important.

Theory and Methods

A dual cost function optimization is performed containing the normalized mean squared errors of the flip angle and distributions weighted by a parameter . Simulations were conducted to study the behavior of both properties when simultaneously optimizing them. In vivo experiments on a 7T MRI system with an 8‐channel pTx head coil were carried out to study the effect of the hybrid design approach on variable flip angle (= 1/T1) mapping.

Results

Simulations showed that both flip angle and can be homogenized simultaneously without detriment to either when compared to an individual optimization. By homogenizing flip angle and , maps were more uniform (coefficient of variation 6.6% vs. 13.0%) compared to those acquired with pulses that only homogenized flip angle.

Conclusion

The proposed hybrid design homogenizes on‐resonance MT effects while homogenizing the flip angle distribution, with only a small detriment in the latter compared to a pulse that just homogenizes flip angle. This improved mapping by controlling incidental MT effects, yielding more uniform maps.
Long‐Term Laryngeal Function and Quality of Life Following Treatment of Early Glottic Cancer: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Qasem Mustafa , Qasem Noor , Kinshuck Andrew , Milinis Kristijonas
Published: October 2024

Objective

To review the literature concerning long‐term functional outcomes and quality of life (QoL) in patients undergoing transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) versus radiotherapy (RT) for early glottic cancer.

Data Sources

A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library from inception until April 2024.

Review Methods

Articles considered were primary studies directly comparing the 2 treatment modalities in a population of T1 and T2 glottic cancer. Interest outcomes were patient report outcome measures (PROMs) of vocal function and QoL, clinician‐reported measures, and acoustic analyses parameters.

Results

There was no significant difference between TLM and RT in grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, strain (relative risk, 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.60‐2.07; I2 = 90.96; P < .001), Voice Handicap Inventory‐30 scores (standardized mean difference [SME] 0.51; 95% CI, −0.04‐1.07; I2 = 89.72; P < .001), or fundamental frequency (SME 0.56; 95% CI, −0.14‐1.25; I2 = 91.12; P < .001). The TLM group had significantly better performance with regards to jitter (SME 0.54; 95% CI, 0.08‐1.00; I2 = 79.42; P < .001) and shimmer (SME 0.53; 95% CI, 0.11‐0.95; I2 = 74.94; P < .001). The risk of bias was assessed to be serious.

Conclusion

The findings suggest comparable long‐term PROMs between TLM and RT in the treatment of early glottic carcinoma, with TLM showing better acoustic analysis outcomes. However, the available evidence remains scarce, of high heterogeneity, and at risk of bias. A direct comparison between TLM and RT through large randomized controlled trials is needed to provide more substantial evidence to determine the optimum treatment.
Microbiome of the Middle Meatus, Tonsils, and Adenoids in Pediatric Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Liu Katie , Pereira Nicola , Subramanian Tejas , Chen Xiaoxuan , Pearlman Aaron , Maresh Alison
Published: October 2024

Objective

Pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis (PCRS) is a common condition with a significant impact on quality of life. This study compares the microbiome of pediatric patients with and without chronic rhinosinusitis.

Study Design

Single‐center, prospective, quantitative case‐control.

Setting

Metropolitan.

Methods

Patients undergoing adenoidectomy for PCRS (subjects, n = 20) or obstructive sleep apnea (controls, n = 20) were recruited. 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing was performed on the right middle meatus (MM), adenoid, and palatine tonsil samples from each patient. Alpha diversity was measured by the Simpson's diversity index, beta diversity was measured by the Bray‐Curtis dissimilarity index, and the differential abundance of bacteria genera was analyzed.

Results

There were 40 adenoid, 40 tonsil, and 37 MM samples analyzed. There was no significant difference in alpha diversity between controls and subjects. Tonsils were significantly more diverse than the adenoids, which were more diverse than the MM (P < .001). There was no difference in bacterial composition between controls and subjects, but the composition of the 3 sites were significantly different (P < .001). The dissimilarity in bacterial composition between the adenoid and MM sites was larger in the control group than in the subject group.

Conclusion

There were significant differences in alpha diversity and bacterial composition between the anatomic 3 sites; however, there was no difference between the controls and subjects. The larger dissimilarity in bacterial composition between adenoid and MM sites in controls compared to subjects suggests there may be colonization of the MM by the adenoid in PCRS patients.
Roaming Urban Europe: How Can the Scope of Network Governance in the Multilevel Framework of the EU Explain the Performance of the Dutch Urban Envoy
Authors: Groen Rosa Sara , Beeftink Rieneke
Published: October 2024

This paper examines the network governance approach of the Dutch Urban Envoy in the context of multilevel governance in the European Union. This paper aims to answer the research question on how the scope of network governance can explore the performance of the Dutch Urban Envoy. By analyzing network characteristics, such as legitimacy, actor‐level properties, and network‐level properties, this paper seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of the performance of the Dutch Urban Envoy. Drawing on previous research, this paper identifies the applicability and limitations of assessing network characteristics in understanding advocacy processes. The paper successfully visualizes the networks of the Dutch Urban Envoy and explores their roles and mandates, contributing to determining the added value of their position. However, the network governance approach has limitations in explaining the tangible successes and challenges of the Dutch Urban Envoy that cannot be directly attributed to their overall performance.