bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Bio and Organic Fertilizations and Per-sowing Seeds Magnetic field Combined with Mineral Nitrogen Fertilizer on Some Soil Properties and Faba Bean Productivity and Quality under Saline Soil Conditions
Authors: Shaban Khaled A. H. , Mohaseb Mohamed I. , Kamel Gihan H. , El-Sayed Hala A. M.
Published: March 2023

Two filed experiments were conducted at Sahl-El-Hussinia, agricultural research station, El-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, 31o - 8' – 12.461" N and 31o - 52' – 15.469 E. during two successive winter seasons 2020/2021 and 2021/ 2022 , to study the evaluation of used bio-fertilizer (Rhizobium radiobacter sp strain (Salt Tolerant PGPR), humate potassium and pre-sowing seeds faba bean magnetic field different times (5, 10 and 15 min) combined with mineral N fertilizer at rates (15, 30 and 45 N kg/fed) on some soil properties and faba bean productivity and quality. The studied treatments were arranged within the experimental units in a split split plot design in three replicates. Results indicated that the all treatments had improved soil properties i.e. decreased soil salinity and soil pH and increase of available N, P, K, Fe, Mn and Zn contents in soil. The soil treated with humat potassium combined the highest N mineral fertilizers rate and magnetic field time than other treatments. On the other hand, the maximum values of weight of yield and other yield components as affected with humat potassium combined with 45 kg mineral N fertilizers under magnetic field at 15 min compared other treatments. The highest values of macro-micronutrients (N, P, K, Fe, Mn and Zn) concentrations in faba bean seeds as affected with bio-fertilizer and potassium humate combined with mineral N fertilizer different rates compared with control. The bio-fertilizer was beast on faba bean quality.
Rotation without Imaginary Numbers, Transcendental Functions, or Infinite Sums
Authors: Bakhos Joseph
Published: March 2023

Quaterns are introduced as a new measure of rotation. Rotation in quaterns has an advantage in that only simple algebra is required to convert back and forth between rectangular and polar coordinates that use quaterns as the angle measure. All analogue trigonometric functions also become algebraic when angles are expressed in quaterns. This paper will show how quatern measure can be easily used to approximate trigonometric functions in the first quadrant without recourse to technology, infinite sums, imaginarynumbers, or transcendental functions. Using technology, these approximations can be applied to all four quadrants to any degree of accuracy. This will also be shown by approximating \(\pi\) to any degree of accuracy desired without reference to any traditional angle measure at all.
Morphological Variation of Antheraea assamensis Helfer upon Semi-domestication: A Study on Rearing, Disease Incidence and Seed Production Performance
Authors: Sarkar B. N. , Singh Abhishek , Guha L. , Majumdar M. , Hridya H.
Published: March 2023

Muga silkworm is multivoltine and primarily feeds on two primary food plants Som (Persea bombycina King. syn. Machilus bombycina) and Soalu (Litsea polyantha Kost. syn. Litsea monopetala). Muga silkworm Antheraea assamensis (n=15) is a semi-domesticated silk moth mentioned in literature as early 1662 BC. In its annual life cycle there are six crops of cultivated muga silk worm whose nomenclature is based on the local Assamese names of month. By virtue of the narrow ecological distribution of host food plant Antheraea assamensis is confined to only Assam and North East state of India. Empirical observations show that the population is declining due to depletion of natural habitat and lack of genetic variability among population. The wild muga silkworm which is tri or tetra voltine in nature is also found nearby forest area of human habitat in different host plant in N E state of India. A stock of wild muga silkworm collected from the nearby area of Nongpoh and Mendipathar Meghalaya. reared and maintained in  muga farm and grainage activities of both wild and cultivated muga were conducted for comparative study. Details of morphology, economic characters and disease occurrence of wild and cultivated muga was studied for future improvement and breed development and also for future strategy of muga silkworm. The morphology of wild muga silkworm are little variant than cultivated muga and economic characters i.e. fecundity of wild muga was recorded 220 - 227 nos. in against the fecundity of cultivated muga observed 120-170 nos. and one gram total numbers of egg contain 120 -135 nos in wild muga in against 134 -145 nos.in cultivated muga. Average cocoon weight wild muga cocoon is ♂= 5.80 g & ♀= 6.60 g in against average cocoon weight ♂= 5.10 g & ♀= 5.54 g in cultivated muga silkworm. Average shell weight ♂= 0.51 g & ♀= 0.60 g in wild muga silkworm and average shell weight ♂= 0.43 g & ♀= 0.51 g in cultivated muga silkworm were recorded. Study revealed that the fecundity, weight of eggs, cocoon weight and shell weight are higher in wild muga silkworm than cultivated muga silkworm. Thereafter it is found that only protozoon disease was reported in wild muga silkworm and other disease i.e. Flacherie, Grasserie, Muscardine was not reported in wild muga silkworm. The mono race muga have no high yielding breed or hybrid and hence breeding programme between wild and cultivated muga may be carried out to get more heterosis, vigourity and yield enhancement.
Acute Toxicity and In vivo Antioxidant Activity Evaluation of Aqueous Extracts from Phyllanthus odontadenius Müll. Arg.
Authors: Nakweti Rufin Kikakedimau , Mwangu-Kabi Oscar Nsendo , Muganza Désiré Musuyu , Kanyanga Richard Cimanga , Ndiku Sébastien Luyindula
Published: March 2023

Aims: Phyllanthus odontadenius is one of medicinal plants from Phyllanthus genus traditionally used for treatment of a good number diseases including malaria. As indeed for any other drug, P. odontadenius could present risks of intoxication for users. This study aims to evaluate the antioxidant activity and acute toxicity in vivo of P. odontadenius using rats and mices.

Study Design: P. odontadenius plants harvested and dried, plant powders preparation by lyophilization and aqueous extracts preparation, weighed animals (mice’s and rats) and drug administration or not for control by gavages’; Monitoring in cages after 7 or 8 days. Animal Sacrifice and Blood draw; dosage of biochemical parameters (urea, creatinine, AST, ALT, GGT and PAL).

Place and Duration of Study: Division of Life Sciences, General Atomic Energy Commission, Regional Nuclear Studies Center of Kinshasa, P.O. Box. 868 Kinshasa XI (DRC). MPI and pharmacognosy laboratories in the National Biochemical Research Institute (INRB). The experiments were conducted from from October 19, 2021 to January 21, 2022.

Methodology: The aqueous extracts from the aerial parts of P. odontadenius harvested in three different sites (Cécomaf/Kinshasa, Kasangulu/Kongo Central and Pont-Kwango/Kwango) were administered respectively to the test mice (2,500 mg/kg of body weight in one dose) and to the test rats (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight each day) after poisoning with lead acetate (50 mg/kg body weight. And distilled water administered to control mice and rats (10 ml/kg body weight). The effects of these extracts on body and organ weights and on biochemical parameters (urea, creatinine, AST, ALT, GGT and PAL) were analyzed.

Results: Regarding acute toxicity, the administration of a single dose of 2500 mg/Kg to mice had no significant effects on body weight as well as on biochemical parameters in mice. The weights of organs like the heart and kidneys were affected in comparison with the mice to the control. Regarding the antioxidant activity in vivo, the toxicity effects induced by lead acetate were not visible thanks to the treatment with the aqueous extracts of P. odontadenius, which would justify the presence of the phenolic compounds at the base of the reduction of effects  could be caused by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) lead induced.

Conclusion: At the end of this work, it appears that the single dose administration of the 2500 mg/kg does not cause significant signs of toxicity in mice. Treatment of rats with P. odontadenius aqueous extracts (250 and 500 mg/kg) after their poisoning reduced the toxic effects due to free radicals caused by lead acetate.
Stone tools from a washing-limit deposit of the highest Post-Glacial transgression, Lealt Bay, Isle of Jura
Authors: Mercer John
Published: March 2023

NR 662902. Pollen analysis demonstrates that vegetation was broadly comparable in the post-glacial period along the NE coast of Jura and in mainland Argyll, while the highest post-glacial marine transgression is proved to have reached about 51ft OD on Jura early in the Atlantic period. Excavation at Lealt Bay yielded about 50,000 stone artefacts from the old marine deposit c 47ft OD; these show a variety of forms in use over a long period, and a few bear evidence of two phases of use separated by an appreciable time-gap. Microliths predominate and include the small backed blade, small crescents, triangles and quadrilaterals, and tanged and hollow-trimmed forms. The remaining material includes hafted blades, steep scrapers, thumb-nail scrapers, gravers, tanged leaf-shaped flakes, and a transverse series ranging from petit tranchet to heavy triangle types. The site is interpreted as a landing-place and camp for hunters from the mainland from before about 4250 BC and including occupation of Neolithic date (see also 70/754). A R
Excavations at the Roman civil settlement at Inveresk, 1976-77
Authors: Thomas Gordon D , Barnetson Lin P D , Brooks Catherine , Dickinson Brenda , Going Chris , Haggarty George , Hartley Katherine , Hayes A J , Henshall Audrey , Holmes N McQ , Howard Anne K , Swan Vivien , Tomber Roberta S
Published: March 2023

Antonine 1 structures include timber buildings and a stone furnace, while Antonine 2 saw rebuilding on a much grander scale with massive timber buildings and one stone building, all set on a grid with cobbled roads. Evidence of industrial activity may include production of a type of pottery unique to Inveresk. Other finds consist of iron tools, bronze jewellery, samian pottery and glass, some of unexpectedly high quality. A R
A Patient With Diabetes and Spontaneous Blistering of the Right Lower Extremity
Authors: DeWane Madeline , Kroshinsky Daniela
Published: March 2023

A 42-year-old patient with hypertension and type 2 diabetes had hyperpigmented macules on the anterior legs below the knees and tense, painless bullae on the right leg, with no surrounding erythema or edema; findings on the remainder of the skin and mucocutaneous examination were unremarkable. What is the diagnosis and what would you do next?
Food Insecurity and Cognitive Trajectories in Community-Dwelling Medicare Beneficiaries 65 Years and Older
Authors: Kim Boeun , Samuel Laura J. , Thorpe Roland J. , Crews Deidra C. , Szanton Sarah L.
Published: March 2023

Importance

Food insecurity has a known association with prevalent impaired cognition. However, it is unknown whether food insecurity has a longitudinal association with cognitive decline among older adults.

Objective

To determine whether food insecurity is associated with a faster decline in cognitive function among community-dwelling older adults.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study used data from a nationally representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries 65 years and older recruited for the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS). Community-dwelling NHATS participants were followed up for a maximum of 7 years (mean [SD] follow-up duration, 5.4 [1.1] years). Data were collected from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2020, and analyzed from December 23, 2021, to December 6, 2022.

Exposures

Self-reported food insecurity assessed from 2012 to 2019.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Primary outcomes were immediate memory, delayed memory, and executive function collected from 2013 to 2020. Immediate and delayed recall were assessed by a 10-item word-list memory task (range, 0-10, with higher scores indicating more words recalled). Executive function was measured by the clock drawing test (range, 0-5, with higher scores indicating more accurate depiction of a clock). Each year’s cognitive functions were linked to the prior year’s food insecurity data. Linear mixed-effects models with random slopes and intercepts were used to examine the association between food insecurity and cognitive decline. Analytic weights in each year were applied to represent community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries 65 years and older in 2011.

Results

Of 3037 participants, a weighted 57.8% (raw count, 1345) were younger than 75 years, 56.2% (raw count, 1777) were women, and most (84.9% [raw count, 2268]) were White. Over 7 years, 417 (weighted proportion, 12.1%) experienced food insecurity at least once. Food insecurity was associated with a faster decline in executive function in a fully adjusted model: the mean difference of annual change in executive function score between people exposed to and not exposed to food insecurity was −0.04 (95% CI, −0.09 to −0.003) points. However, food insecurity was not associated with changes in immediate and delayed memory (0.01 [95% CI, −0.05 to 0.08] and −0.01 [95% CI, −0.08 to 0.06], respectively).

Conclusions and Relevance

Among community-dwelling older adults, food insecurity was prevalent and associated with a decline in executive function. Interventions and policies aiming to increase healthy food access or reduce food insecurity should be assessed for their impact on older adults’ cognitive outcome.
Quantized event‐triggered adaptive control for switched nonlinear systems with vanishing control gains
Authors: Wang Fenglan , Long Lijun
Published: March 2023

This article studies the quantized event‐triggered adaptive tracking control problem for a type of switched nonlinear systems with parameter uncertainties, where the corresponding control problem for each subsystem can be unsolvable owing to vanishing control gains at some points. A constructive design scheme is established by triple design of quantized event‐triggered adaptive controller of each subsystem and a switching dynamic event‐triggering mechanism dependent on quantization and a hysteresis‐type state‐dependent switching law. The developed scheme handles not only the asynchronous switching between candidate event‐triggered adaptive controllers and subsystems, but also the asynchronous switching between candidate quantizers and subsystems. Both the switching law and the event‐triggering mechanism do not cause Zeno behavior. As a special case, a sufficient condition to address the quantized event‐triggered adaptive control problem for the switched nonlinear systems is also derived under dwell‐time switching. Finally, the effectiveness of the developed schemes are verified by a numerical example and a networked one‐link manipulator with motor dynamics.
Modulating In‐Plane Defective Density of Carbon Nanotubes by Graphitic Carbon Nitride Quantum Dots for Enhanced Triiodide Reduction
Authors: Hou Siyi , Yu Chang , Song Xuedan , Ding Yiwang , Chang Jiangwei , Liu Yingbin , Chen Lin , Wei Qianbing , Zhang Xiubo , Qiu Jieshan
Published: March 2023

The catalytic performance of carbon nanotubes has still been hindered by the intrinsic and limited in‐plane electrocatalytic active sites, with a focus on improving their catalytic activity by covalent modifications, which require the relatively high energy input to dissociate the in‐plane atoms and create the active sites. Herein, an effective route is developed to modulate the in‐plane defective density and electronic structure of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by ultra‐small‐sized g‐C3N4 quantum dots (CNQDs) with abundant nitrogen species via π–π stacking. The non‐covalent bonded CNQDs on MWCNTs endow them with abundant catalytic active sites on the basal plane, still inheriting the intrinsic and fast electron‐transfer characteristics of MWCNTs. The optimized CNQDs/MWCNTs‐4 heterogeneous catalyst exhibits an optimal photoelectric conversion efficiency of up to 8.30% in probing reaction for triiodide reduction, outperforming the Pt reference (7.86%). The thermodynamic calculations further reveal that the CNQDs integrated on MWCNTs are capable of reducing the reaction energy barrier (ΔG) of the rate‐determining step from I2 to I− and adsorption state I*. The present study provides an efficient and non‐covalent strategy to construct excellent carbon‐based catalysts with abundant active sites, which is also enlightening for the preparation and application of other carbon‐based catalysts.
FeN4OC Nanoplates Covalently Bonding on Graphene for Efficient CO2 Electroreduction and ZnCO2 Batteries
Authors: Chen Shan , Chen Jialei , Li Youzeng , Tan Sha , Liao Xuelong , Zhao Tete , Zhang Kai , Hu Enyuan , Cheng Fangyi , Wang Huan
Published: March 2023

Electrochemical carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction into value‐added products holds great promise in moving toward carbon neutrality but remains a grand challenge due to lack of efficient electrocatalysts. Herein, the nucleophilic substitution reaction is elaborately harnessed to synthesize carbon nanoplates with a FeN4O configuration anchored onto graphene substrate (FeN4OC/Gr) through covalent linkages. Density functional theory calculations demonstrate the unique configuration of FeN4O with one oxygen (O) atom in the axial direction not only suppresses the competing hydrogen evolution reaction, but also facilitates the desorption of *CO intermediate compared with the commonly planar single‐atomic Fe sites. The FeN4OC/Gr shows excellent performance in the electroreduction of CO2 into carbon monoxide (CO) with an impressive Faradaic efficiency of 98.3% at −0.7 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and a high turnover frequency of 3511 h−1. Furthermore, as a cathode catalyst in an aqueous zinc (Zn)‐CO2 battery, the FeN4OC/Gr achieves a high CO Faradaic efficiency (≈91%) at a discharge current density of 3 mA cm−2 and long‐term stability over 74 h. This work opens up a new route to simultaneously modulate the geometric and electronic structure of single‐atomic catalysts toward efficient CO2 conversion.
Condition‐Controlled Divergent Synthesis of Imidazoindolone Spiroisoquinolinones fromN‐Alkoxycarboxamide Indoles and Diazo Homophthalimides
Authors: Wang Manqing , Zhou Qianting , Zhang Xinying , Fan Xuesen
Published: March 2023

Presented herein is a condition‐controlled divergent synthesis of imidazoindolone spiro‐isoquinolinones (IISIQs) via the cascade reactions ofN‐alkoxycarboxamide indoles with diazo homophthalimides. When the reaction is carried out under air and in the absence of an acid additive, IISIQ tethered with aN‐alkoxy moiety (IISIQ‐OR) is formed through Rh(III)‐catalyzed C−H/N−H metalation, carbene formation/ migratory insertion followed by reductive elimination, in which air acts as an oxidant to regenerate the Rh(III) catalyst. When the reaction is run under argon and in the presence of MesCO2H, on the other hand, IISIQ−H is formed through rhodacycle intermediate formation, carbene insertion followed by acid‐assisted intramolecular substitution/annulation and N−O bond cleavge. In general, this method provides a divergent approach toward spiroheterocyclic scaffolds and features accessible substrates, functional group compatibility and air as an external oxidant. Moreover, the value of this developed protocol is further showcased by gram‐scale synthesis and structural transformation of products.

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Ultrasound Neuromodulation as a New Brain Therapy
Authors: Beisteiner Roland , Hallett Mark , Lozano Andres M.
Published: March 2023

Within the last decade, ultrasound has been “rediscovered” as a technique for brain therapies. Modern technologies allow focusing ultrasound through the human skull for highly focal tissue ablation, clinical neuromodulatory brain stimulation, and targeted focal blood‐brain‐barrier opening. This article gives an overview on the state‐of‐the‐art of the most recent application: ultrasound neuromodulation as a new brain therapy. Although research centers have existed for decades, the first treatment centers were not established until 2020, and clinical applications are spreading rapidly.
A Sleep‐Specific Midbrain Target for Sevoflurane Anesthesia
Authors: Yi Tingting , Wang Na , Huang Jing , Wang Yaling , Ren Shuancheng , Hu Yiwen , Xia Jianxia , Liao Yixiang , Li Xin , Luo Fenlan , Ouyang Qin , Li Yu , Zheng Ziyi , Xiao Qin , Ren Rong , Yao Zhongxiang , Tang Xiangdong , Wang Yanjiang , Chen Xiaowei , He Chao , Li Hong , Hu Zhian
Published: March 2023

Sevoflurane has been the most widely used inhaled anesthetics with a favorable recovery profile; however, the precise mechanisms underlying its anesthetic action are still not completely understood. Here the authors show that sevoflurane activates a cluster of urocortin 1 (UCN1+)/cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript (CART+) neurons in the midbrain involved in its anesthesia. Furthermore, growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) is highly enriched in sevoflurane‐activated UCN1+/CART+ cells and is necessary for sleep induction. Blockade of GHSR abolishes the excitatory effect of sevoflurane on UCN1+/CART+ neurons and attenuates its anesthetic effect. Collectively, their data suggest that anesthetic action of sevoflurane necessitates the GHSR activation in midbrain UCN1+/CART+ neurons, which provides a novel target including the nucleus and receptor in the field of anesthesia.
An Overview of Lead, Tin, and Mixed Tin–Lead‐Based ABI3 Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Seo Jongdeuk , Song Taehee , Rasool Shafket , Park Sungwook , Kim Jin Young
Published: March 2023

Over a short period of approximately 10 years, metal‐halide‐perovskite‐based photovoltaics have demonstrated unprecedented improvements in solar cell performance beyond the various major photovoltaic semiconductor materials such as organic, cadmium telluride, and copper indium gallium selenide. With this, the current focus lies on the commercialization of perovskite solar cell technology and the issues encountered while ensuring and balancing high efficiency, stability, and eco‐friendliness in the photovoltaic community. This article reviews prominent developments in perovskite‐based photovoltaic power generation based on the ABI3 structure, describing the current state and understanding of state‐of‐the‐art solar cell drives. Accordingly, methods to improve the efficiency and long‐term operational stability, lead toxicity, nonlead perovskites, bandgap optimization, and tandem solar cells are discussed. Prospects and views on future research considering the feasibility of perovskite technology commercialization are provided.
Relay cropping as an adaptive strategy to cope with climate change
Authors: Gesch Russ W. , Berti Marisol T. , Eberle Carrie A. , Weyers Sharon L.
Published: March 2023

Climate change and its complex interactions with crops and cropping systems present challenges to agricultural production. Resilient systems that provide food security for a burgeoning population, built by improving crops and developing new alternative cropping systems, are needed to cope with the myriad impacts climate change has on agriculture. Relay cropping is a systems strategy to sustainably intensify crop production and provide environmental benefits. Relay cropping involves interseeding one plant species into an established crop, creating a temporary spatial‐temporal overlap of the two crops. This system keeps living plant cover on the agricultural landscape most of the year, which has implications for adapting to and even mitigating climate change impacts. As global warming progresses, land area suitable for relay cropping or producing more than one crop per year will likely expand to more northerly latitudes. The following review specifically focuses on relay cropping, giving examples of how it can potentially improve agricultural system resilience and adaptability to climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while also addressing potential limitations. More research is needed to improve crop genetics, crop combinations, and management practices best suited for relay cropping to further develop systems that can adapt to changing weed and insect dynamics as well as improve nitrogen and water use under current and future predictions of climate change.
Confinement fluorescence effect of an aggregation‐induced emission luminogen in crystalline polymer
Authors: Zhou Lan , Zheng Linlin , Yu Xiaoxiao , Gao Mengyue , Xu Chengjian , Ge Yifan , Bai Tianxiang , Wen Jin , Cheng Yanhua , Zhu Meifang
Published: March 2023

Despite the impressive progress of stimuli‐responsive fluorescent materials, little is known about the influence of confinement created by crystalline polymer over the fluorescence properties of fluorescent molecules. The effects of confinement on the fluorescence of an aggregation‐induced emission luminogen (AIEgen) are investigated using computational simulations, which reveal that the confined space induces the AIEgens to take a more planar conformation, resulting in a red‐shifted emission spectrum. With this property, the study is extended to explore the confinement generated by various polymer crystalline forms, and it is shown that different fluorescence colors are activated. This confinement fluorescence effect is attributed to the different spatial dimensions of the polymer amorphous layer between lamellar crystals where the AIEgens are located. These results indicate the immediate association between crystalline structure and fluorescence signals, activating unprecedented photophysical properties of luminescent materials, and also providing the possibility for crystalline structure visualization, it is important for the many polymer crystallization processes occurring in the materials processing.
The challenge of dementia prevention trials and the role of quasi‐experimental studies
Authors: Lindhout Josephine E. , van Dalen Jan Willem , van Gool Willem A. , Richard Edo
Published: March 2023

Observational studies have shown consistently that modifiable risk factors during life are associated with increased dementia risk in old age but randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on dementia prevention evaluating the treatment of these risk factors did not find consistent effects on cognitive outcomes. The discrepancy in findings is potentially attributable to inherent differences between the two study designs. Although RCTs are the gold standard for establishing causality, designing and conducting an RCT for dementia prevention is complex. Quasi‐experimental studies (QESs) may contribute to investigating causality without randomization. QESs use variation in exposure to a risk factor or intervention in an observational setting to deduct causal effects. Design‐specific approaches are used to control for confounding, the main caveat of QESs. In this article we address the challenges, opportunities, and limitations of QESs for research into dementia prevention.

Highlights

Despite consistent associations between modifiable risk factors and dementia, the mostly neutral effects of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) challenge the causality of these associations.

RCTs in the field of dementia prevention are often problematic due to ethical, practical, or financial constraints, and their results may have limited generalizability.

Four quasi‐experimental study (QES) designs may be suitable to study causality between risk factors and dementia; we critically appraise these study designs for dementia‐prevention studies.

We describe how specific QES designs can be used to study the effects of risk‐factor modification for 12 known risk factors for dementia.
Toward a new nosology of neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Menéndez‐González Manuel
Published: March 2023

New “omic” technologies are revealing shared and distinct biological pathways within and across neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), allowing a better understanding of endophenotypes that exceeds the boundaries of the current diagnostic criteria. Moreover, a diagnostic framework is needed that can accommodate the co‐pathology and the clinical overlap and heterogeneity of NDDs. Apart from dissecting the reasons for a revolution in how we conceive NDD, this article aims to prompt a change in how we diagnose and classify NDD, drafting a general scheme for a new nosology. As identifying a cause is the key to using the term “disease” properly, we propose using a tridimensional classification based on three axes: (1) etiology or pathogenic mechanism, (2) pathology markers and molecular biomarkers, (3) anatomic–clinical; and three hierarchical levels of etiology: (1) genetic/sporadic (2) cellular pathways and processes, and function of fluidic brain systems, and (3) risk factors.
Stable Immobilization of Nickel Ions on Covalent Organic Frameworks for Panchromatic Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Zhang Hualei , Lin Zheng , Kidkhunthod Pinit , Guo Jia
Published: March 2023

Post‐coordination design on covalent organic frameworks (COFs) is an efficient strategy for elevating the photocatalytic activity of organic moiety. However, the rigid skeletons and densely layered stacking of two‐dimensional (2D) COFs cannot be flexibly adapted for specific conformations of metal complexes, thereby impairing the metal‐COF cooperation. Here, we adopt a solvothermal method to immobilize nickel(II) ions into a 2,2′‐bipyridine‐containing 2D COF, forming a stable coordination motif. Such the complex remarkably enhances the photocatalytic performance, giving an optimized H2 evolution rate of as high as 51 300 μmol h−1 g−1, 2.5 times higher than the pristine COF. The evolved hydrogen gas can also be detected upon 700‐nm light irradiation, while its analog synthesized by the traditional coordination method is photo‐catalytically inert. This work provides a strategy for optimizing the metal‐COF coordination system and strengthening a synergy for electronic regulation in photocatalysis.
Facile Access to Cyclopropylboronates via Stereospecific Deborylative Cyclization: A Leaving Group‐Assisted Activation of Geminal Diborons
Authors: Chen Xin‐Yi , Gao Feng‐Chen , Ning Peng‐Fei , Wei Yi , Hong Kai
Published: March 2023

Herein we reported a transition metal‐free deborylative cyclization strategy, based on which two routes have been developed, generating racemic and enantioenriched cyclopropylboronates. The cyclization of geminal‐bis(boronates) bearing a leaving group was highly diastereoselective, tolerating a few functional groups and applicable to heterocycles. When optically active epoxides were used as the starting materials, enantioenriched cyclopropylboronates could be efficiently prepared with >99 % stereospecificity. Mechanistic studies showed that the leaving group at the γ‐position played a crucial role and significantly promoted the activation of the gem‐diboron moiety.
Reduction of Platinum(IV) Prodrug Hemoglobin Nanoparticles with Deeply Penetrating Ultrasound Radiation for Tumor‐Targeted Therapeutically Enhanced Anticancer Therapy
Authors: Liang Ganghao , Sadhukhan Tumpa , Banerjee Samya , Tang Dongsheng , Zhang Hanchen , Cui Minhui , Montesdeoca Nicolás , Karges Johannes , Xiao Haihua
Published: March 2023

The development of PtIV prodrugs that are reduced into the therapeutically active PtII species within the tumor microenvironment has received much research interest. In order to provide spatial and temporal control over the treatment, there is a high demand for the development of compounds that could be selectively activated upon irradiation. Despite recent progress, the majority of PtIV complexes are excited with ultraviolet or blue light, limiting the use of such compounds to superficial application. To overcome this limitation, herein, the first example of PtIV prodrug nanoparticles that could be reduced with deeply penetrating ultrasound radiation is reported, enabling the treatment of deep‐seated or large tumors. The nanoparticles were found to selectively accumulate inside a mouse colon carcinoma tumor upon intravenous injection and were able to eradicate the tumor upon exposure to ultrasound radiation.
Graphene Mediates Charge Transfer between Lead Chromate and a Cobalt Cubane Cocatalyst for Photocatalytic Water Oxidation
Authors: Jiang Wenchao , Zhang Lingcong , Ni Chenwei , Shi Ming , Zhao Yue , Deng Yuting , Chi Haibo , Chen Ruotian , Wang Xiuli , Li Rengui , Li Can
Published: March 2023

The interfacial barrier of charge transfer from semiconductors to cocatalysts means that the photogenerated charges cannot be fully utilized, especially for the challenging water oxidation reaction. Using cobalt cubane molecules (Co4O4) as water oxidation cocatalysts, we rationally assembled partially oxidized graphene (pGO), acting as a charge‐transfer mediator, on the hole‐accumulating {−101} facets of lead chromate (PbCrO4) crystal. The assembled pGO enables preferable immobilization of Co4O4 molecules on the {−101} facets of the PbCrO4 crystal, which is favorable for the photogenerated holes transferring from PbCrO4 to Co4O4 molecules. The surface charge‐transfer efficiency of PbCrO4 was boosted by selective assembly of pGO between PbCrO4 and Co4O4 molecules. An apparent quantum efficiency for photocatalytic water oxidation on the Co4O4/pGO/PbCrO4 photocatalyst exceeded 10 % at 500 nm. This strategy of rationally assembling charge‐transfer mediator provides a feasible method for acceleration of charge transfer and utilization in semiconductor photocatalysis.
Complexes Featuring a cis‐[MUM] Core (M=Rh, Ir): A New Route to Uranium‐Metal Multiple Bonds
Authors: Shen Jinghang , Rajeshkumar Thayalan , Feng Genfeng , Zhao Yue , Wang Shuao , Maron Laurent , Zhu Congqing
Published: March 2023

Although examples of multiple bonds between actinide elements and main‐group elements are quite common, studies of the multiple bonds between actinide elements and transition metals are extremely rare owing to difficulties associated with their synthesis. Here we report the first example of molecular uranium complexes featuring a cis‐[M
U
M] core (M=Rh, Ir), which exhibits an unprecedented arrangement of two M
U double dative bond linkages to a single U center. These complexes were prepared by the reactions of chlorine‐bridged heterometallic complexes [{U{N(CH3)(CH2CH2NPiPr2)2}(Cl)2[(μ‐Cl)M(COD)]2}] (M=Rh, Ir) with MeMgBr or MeLi, a new method for the construction of species with U−M multiple bonds. Theoretical calculations including dispersion confirmed the presence of two U
M double dative bonds in these complexes. This study not only enriches the U
M multiple bond chemistry, but also provides a new opportunity to explore the bonding of actinide elements.
Quantification of design associated engineering properties of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seed varieties as a function of moisture content
Authors: Gojiya Devanand , Barad Ankitkumar , Gohil Vanraj , Dabhi Mukesh , Dhamsaniya Navnitkumar , Naliapara Viraj , Sapariya Parthkumar
Published: March 2023

The investigation was intended to examine the influence of selected moisture levels (4.26, 12.66, 25.31, 37.89, 50.21% wet basis) on engineering properties namely, dimensional, gravimetric, frictional, aerodynamic as well as mechanical properties of five selected varieties of sesame seed namely GT‐3, GT‐4, GJT‐5, GT‐6, and TKG 22. The investigation finds out that fluctuations in moisture level significantly (p ≤ 0.05) influenced the engineering properties assessed. Increase in moisture content influenced a rise in length, width, thickness, geometric mean diameter, arithmetic mean diameter, sphericity, volume, volumetric expansion coefficient, elongation ratio, flakiness ratio, surface area, projected area, thousand seeds weight, compressibility index, Hausner ratio, angle of repose, coefficient of friction, terminal velocity and Reynolds number of selected sesame verities. Whereas, a reverse trend was observed in aspect ratio, true density, bulk density, tapped densities, drag coefficient, and hardness with moisture content variation. The frictional characteristic of the seed showed improved stability with less flow ability at higher moisture levels. These outcomes disclosed that variation of seed moisture content is authoritative during designing and construction of machinery and process equipment related to sesame. It may be also beneficial in computation of design for hoppers, silos, conveyors, drying, and heat transfer equipment as well as other sesame seed‐related process and handling equipment.
High Dielectric Constants in BaTiO3 Due to Phonon Mode Softening Induced by Lattice Strains: First Principles Calculations
Authors: Guo Hengkai , Baker Jack S. , Wu Wei , Choy Kwang Leong
Published: March 2023

High‐dielectric‐constant materials attract much attention due to their broad applications in modern electronics. Barium titanate (BTO) is an established material possessing an ultrahigh dielectric constant; however, a complete understanding of the responsible underlying physical mechanism remains elusive. Here a set of density‐functional‐theory calculations for the static dielectric tensors of barium titanate under strain has been performed. The dielectric constant increases to ≈7300 under strain. The analysis of the computed vibrational modes shows that transverse vibrational mode softening (the appearance of low‐frequency modes) is responsible for this significant increase as driven by the relationship between lattice contribution for the static dielectric constant (k) and vibrational frequency (ω), i.e., . The relevant vibrational mode indicates a large counter‐displacement of Ti ions and O anions, which greatly enhances electrical dipoles to screen the electric field. The calculations not only interpreted experimental data on the high dielectric constants of BTO, where the lattice deformation due to the strains from the grain nanostructure plays an important role, but also pointed to exploring high‐throughput calculations to facilitate the discovery of the advanced dielectric materials. Moreover, the calculations can prove useful for doped BTO, for which local strains fields can be achieved using defect engineering.
Geospatial model of composition of water service lines in Flint,Michigan: Validation using excavation data and a new compositional geostatistical approach
Authors: Goovaerts Pierre
Published: March 2023

Following the Flint drinking water crisis, a service line (SL) replacement program was implemented to replace lead SLs and galvanized SLs connecting residences to Flint's water system, leading to the excavation and inspection over a 5‐year period (2016–2020) of a total of 26,750 lines, representing close to 50% of all tax parcels in the City of Flint. These recent data were used to validate an earlier geospatial model created by residual indicator kriging (IK) to predict the probability that a home has a lead, galvanized, or copper private‐side SL based on neighboring house inspections (i.e., 3254 homes visited in 2017) and secondary information (i.e., built year and city records on SL composition). Receiver operating characteristic curves indicated an average frequency of detection (i.e., area under the curve [AUC]) of 0.9 for copper and galvanized material and 0.6 for lead service lines. Predicting the composition of SL at unmonitored residences by IK, however, can result in negative probabilities of occurrence and probabilities that do not sum to 1. These limitations were overcome by adopting simplicial IK, whereby data undergo a logratio transform before the geospatial analysis. This first application of a compositional approach to SL data improved the detection of lead SLs (AUC = 0.8 vs. 0.6) while providing coherent predictions. Incorporating secondary information, in particular using standardized cokriging and a new rescaled cross‐semivariogram estimator introduced to correct for geographical clustering of house inspections, increased the accuracy of the prediction.
On efficient posterior inference in normalized power prior Bayesian analysis
Authors: Han Zifei , Zhang Qiang , Wang Min , Ye Keying , Chen Ming‐Hui
Published: March 2023

The power prior has been widely used to discount the amount of information borrowed from historical data in the design and analysis of clinical trials. It is realized by raising the likelihood function of the historical data to a power parameter , which quantifies the heterogeneity between the historical and the new study. In a fully Bayesian approach, a natural extension is to assign a hyperprior to δ such that the posterior of δ can reflect the degree of similarity between the historical and current data. To comply with the likelihood principle, an extra normalizing factor needs to be calculated and such prior is known as the normalized power prior. However, the normalizing factor involves an integral of a prior multiplied by a fractional likelihood and needs to be computed repeatedly over different δ during the posterior sampling. This makes its use prohibitive in practice for most elaborate models. This work provides an efficient framework to implement the normalized power prior in clinical studies. It bypasses the aforementioned efforts by sampling from the power prior with and only. Such a posterior sampling procedure can facilitate the use of a random δ with adaptive borrowing capability in general models. The numerical efficiency of the proposed method is illustrated via extensive simulation studies, a toxicological study, and an oncology study.
Circ‐Bnc2 alleviates neuroinflammation in LPS‐stimulated microglial cells to inhibit neuron cell apoptosis through regulating miR‐497a‐5p/HECTD1 axis
Authors: Chen Yanfang , Cao Peng
Published: March 2023

Background

Neuroinflammation caused by microglia cells activation and the apoptosis of neuron cells are associated with the occurrence of depression. Circ‐Bnc2 has been shown to be significantly downregulated in depression mice, but its role in the progression of depression remains unclear.

Methods

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to treat BV2 microglial cells to induce neuroinflammation. The expression of circ‐Bnc2, microRNA (miR)‐497a‐5p, and HECT domain E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 (HECTD1) was measured by quantitative real‐time PCR. The protein levels of neuroinflammation markers, apoptosis markers, and HECTD1 were determined by western blot analysis. ELISA assay was used to examine the concentrations of inflammatory factors. After HT22 cells were cultured with the conditioned medium of LPS‐induced BV2 cells, the proliferation and apoptosis of HT22 cells were assessed by cell counting kit 8 assay, EdU assay, and flow cytometry. In addition, the interaction between miR‐497a‐5p and circ‐Bnc2 or HECTD1 was confirmed by dual‐luciferase reporter assay, RIP assay, and RNA pull‐down assay.

Results

Our data showed that circ‐Bnc2 was lowly expressed in LPS‐induced BV2 cells. Function experiments suggested that circ‐Bnc2 could inhibit LPS‐induced neuroinflammation in BV2 cells to repress HT22 cell apoptosis and promote proliferation. Circ‐Bnc2 could sponge miR‐497a‐5p, and the neuroprotective function of circ‐Bnc2 could be reversed by miR‐497a‐5p overexpression. Additionally, miR‐497a‐5p could target HECTD1. miR‐497a‐5p inhibitor could alleviate LPS‐induced neuroinflammation in BV2 cells and reduce HT22 cell apoptosis, which also could be reversed by HECTD1 knockdown. Moreover, circ‐Bnc2 had a positive regulation on HECTD1 expression by sponging miR‐497a‐5p.

Conclusion

In summary, our results confirmed that circ‐Bnc2 could inhibit neuroinflammation and neuron cell apoptosis by regulating miR‐497a‐5p/HECTD1 axis, suggesting that circ‐Bnc2 might be a potential target for depression treatment.
The association between anemia and depression in older adults and the role of treating anemia
Authors: Ahmed Tamer , Lamoureux‑Lamarche Catherine , Berbiche Djamal , Vasiliadis Helen‐Maria
Published: March 2023

Objectives

To investigate the association between anemia and depression and whether the treatment of anemia modifies the effect of the association between anemia and depression.

Methods

This secondary data analysis is based on data from the Enquête sur la santé des aînés (ESA)‐Services study conducted in 2011–2013 on community‐dwelling older adults recruited in primary care and have given access to their medico‐administrative data (n = 1447). The presence of anemia was self‐reported, as was depression (major and minor) aligned with symptoms of the DSM‐5. Treated anemia was based on the presence of medications delivered to participants. Cross‐sectional associations were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression, controlling for confounders.

Results

The prevalence of self‐reported anemia in our sample was estimated at 6.7%. Self‐reported anemia was associated with increased odds of depression. Individuals with untreated anemia had a 2.6‐fold increased odds of depression compared to those with no anemia. In contrast, the odds of depression in individuals with treated anemia were not different from individuals with no anemia.

Conclusion

The findings underline the importance of treating anemia in older adults. Future longitudinal studies are needed to replicate the findings and further explore the role of treating anemia on symptoms of depression.
Palmitic acid‐ and cysteine‐functionalized nanoparticles overcome mucus and epithelial barrier for oral delivery of drug
Authors: Xie Yinzhuo , Jin Zheng , Ma Da , Yin Tan Hui , Zhao Kai
Published: March 2023

Nanoparticles (NPs) used for oral administration have greatly improved drug bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. Nevertheless, NPs are limited by biological barriers, such as gastrointestinal degradation, mucus barrier, and epithelial barrier. To solve these problems, we developed the PA‐N‐2‐HACC‐Cys NPs loaded with anti‐inflammatory hydrophobic drug curcumin (CUR) (CUR@PA‐N‐2‐HACC‐Cys NPs) by self‐assembled amphiphilic polymer, composed of the N‐2‐Hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (N‐2‐HACC), hydrophobic palmitic acid (PA), and cysteine (Cys). After oral administration, the CUR@PA‐N‐2‐HACC‐Cys NPs had good stability and sustained release under gastrointestinal conditions, followed by adhering to the intestine to achieve drug mucosal delivery. Additionally, the NPs could penetrate mucus and epithelial barriers to promote cellular uptake. The CUR@PA‐N‐2‐HACC‐Cys NPs could open tight junctions between cells for transepithelial transport while striking a balance between mucus interaction and diffusion through mucus. Notably, the CUR@PA‐N‐2‐HACC‐Cys NPs improved the oral bioavailability of CUR, which remarkably relieved colitis symptoms and promoted mucosal epithelial repair. Our findings proved that the CUR@PA‐N‐2‐HACC‐Cys NPs had excellent biocompatibility, could overcome mucus and epithelial barriers, and had significant application prospects for oral delivery of the hydrophobic drugs.
The interpubic cavity: A scoping review
Authors: Mazura Matej , Hromadka Rastislav , Kopriva Tomas , Benes Michal , Kachlik David
Published: March 2023

The interpubic cavity (cleft) is a narrow, slit‐like, oval‐shaped cavity which has frequently been described within the fibrocartilaginous interpubic disc. The aim of this article is to thoroughly analyze what is known about the interpubic cavity. The following three scientific databases (PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar) were systematically searched. Combinations of the search terms “interpubic cleft”, “interpubic cavity”, “symphysis pubis cleft”, “symphysis pubis cavity” and “symphysis cleft sign” were used. All databases were searched from inception until August of 2022. Searching of the three databases resulted in 711 hits, of which 280 remained after checking for duplicates. In the first step, 152 studies were excluded due to irrelevant content. Thus, 128 proceeded to the second step, of which 23 were finally selected for meeting the objectives of this review. Until now the reason for the cavity forming remains unclear. The interpubic cavity is present in the anterior portion of the interpubic disc, within 2 mm from its anterior margin. There is no predilection in the craniocaudal dimension. The secondary cavity is usually called a “cleft sign”. The results of our scoping review summarize information about the interpubic cavity. Its composition and morphology are still not well understood.