bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing the Performance of 2D Ni‐Fe Layered Double Hydroxides by Cabbage‐Inspired Carbon Conjunction for Oxygen Evolution Reactions
Authors: Chen Youming , Gu Xinrui , Guo Song , Zhang Jingjing , Barkaoui Sami , Xu Liangliang , Li Gao
Published: April 2024

Layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets as one type of two‐dimensional materials have garnered increasing attention in the field of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in recent decades. To address the challenges associated with poor conductivity and limited electron and charge transfer capability in LDH materials, we have developed a straightforward one‐pot synthesis method to successfully fabricate a composite material with a microstructure resembling cabbage, which encompasses NiFe‐LDH and nanocarbon (referred as NiFe‐LDH@C). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) revealed that the monolayer NiFe‐LDH with a height of ~0.5–0.8 nm is uniformly distributed and closely bonded to the carbon support, leading to a significant enhancement in conductivity and facilitating faster electron and charge transfer. Moreover, the NiFe‐LDH@C exhibits a substantial number of surface defect sites, which enhances the interaction with oxygen species. This dual enhancement in charge transfer and oxygen species‐mediated transfer greatly improves the catalytic OER performance, which is further corroborated by theoretical calculations. Notably, the Ni10Fe6‐LDH@C with the highest concentration of surface oxygen vacancies demonstrated superior water oxidation performance, surpassing commercially available RuO2 catalysts; an OER overpotential of 231 mV@10 mA cm−2 with a Tafel slope of 71 mV dec−1 was achieved.
General and Facile Synthesis of Co/CoO Nanoparticals Supported by Nitrogen‐Doped Graphenic Networks as Efficient Oxygen Electrocatalyst for Zn‐Air Batteries
Authors: Tian Xin , Xu Mengnan , Ma Xin , Mu Guanyu , Xiao Junwu , Wang Shuai
Published: April 2024

Reasonable design of low‐cost, high‐efficiency and stable bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts is of great significance to improve the reaction efficiency of Zn‐air batteries, which is still a huge challenge. Here, we report a highly efficient bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst with three‐dimensional (3D) N‐doped graphene network‐supported cobalt and cobalt oxide nanoparticles (Co/CoO‐NG), which can be in situ synthesized by inducing metal ions on metal plates via graphene oxide as an inducer. This 3D network structure and open active center show excellent bifunctional oxygen electrocatalytic activity under alkaline conditions, and can be used as an air electrode in rechargeable Zn‐air batteries, with significantly better power density (244.28 mW cm−2) and stability (over 340 h) than commercial Pt/C+RuO2 mixtures. This work is conducive to advancing the practical application of graphene‐based materials as air electrodes for rechargeable zinc‐air batteries.
Improving species distribution forecasts by measuring and communicating uncertainty: An invasive species case study
Authors: Thomas Shyam M. , Verhoeven Michael R. , Walsh Jake R. , Larkin Daniel J. , Hansen Gretchen J. A.
Published: April 2024

Forecasting invasion risk under future climate conditions is critical for the effective management of invasive species, and species distribution models (SDMs) are key tools for doing so. However, SDM‐based forecasts are uncertain, especially when correlative statistical models extrapolate to nonanalog environmental domains, such as future climate conditions. Different assumptions about the functional form of the temperature–suitability relationship can impact predicted habitat suitability under novel conditions. Hence, methods to understand the sources of uncertainty are critical when applying SDMs. Here, we use high‐resolution predictions of lake water temperatures to project changes in habitat suitability under future climate conditions for an invasive macrophyte (Myriophyllym spicatum). Future suitability was predicted using five global circulation models and three statistical models that assumed different species–temperature functional responses. The suitability of lakes for M. spicatum was overall predicted to increase under future climate conditions, but the magnitude and direction of change in suitability varied greatly among lakes. Variability was most pronounced for lakes under nonanalog temperature conditions, indicating that predictions for these lakes remained highly uncertain. Integrating predictions from SDMs that differ in their species–environment response function, while explicitly quantifying uncertainty across analog and nonanalog domains, can provide a more robust and useful approach to forecasting invasive species distribution under climate change.
Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy among patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction: the AMY score
Authors: Gioia Guglielmo , Schrutka Lore , Jozwiak‐Nozdrzykowska Joanna , Kresoja Karl‐Patrik , Gunold Hilka , Klingel Karin , Thiele Holger , Bonderman Diana , Lurz Philipp , Rommel Karl‐Philipp
Published: April 2024

Aims

Transthyretin ‘wild‐type’ amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTRwt‐CM) is a differential diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The clinical work‐up for ATTRwt‐CM is challenging. Considering a combination of clinical variables specific for ATTRwt‐CM might aid in identifying patients at risk.

Methods and results

Sixty patients (78 ± 6 years, 8% female) were diagnosed with ATTRwt‐CM by endomyocardial biopsy. Preserved ejection fraction (LVEF >45%) was present in 41 of the patients. Those were 1:1 propensity score age‐ and sex‐matched to a cohort of patients with HFpEF. ATTRwt‐CM patients had less obesity (P = 0.01) and higher septal thickness (IVSd, P < 0.01) as well as more diastolic dysfunction (E/e′, P < 0.01). On multivariable regression IVSd > 14 mm, E/e′ > 14 and absence of obesity (P > 0.01 for all) were identified as predictors for ATTRwt‐CM. A weighted point‐based score was derived with IVSd > 14 mm = 1 point; absence of obesity = 2 points; and E/e′ > 14 = 3 points. Area under the curve (AUC) for the summation score was 0.91 (0.84–0.97, P < 0.01) and a score of more than 3 points predicted ATTRwt‐CM with good sensitivity (78%) and specificity (90%). The score was validated in an external cohort of 142 patients with ATTRwt‐CM and 419 HFpEF patients showing sufficient accuracy (AUC 0.91, 0.88–0.94, P < 0.01). A value greater than 3 points demonstrated a high sensitivity (93%) and a negative predictive value of 97%.

Conclusions

A score based on basic clinical and echocardiographic features helps to distinguish ATTRwt‐CM from typical HFpEF. This could facilitate the diagnostic work‐up for these patients and enable earlier disease screening on a large scale.
Synthesis of Cobalt Molybdenum Nitrides From Precursors Precipitated at Different pH
Authors: Adamski Paweł , Albrecht Aleksander , Moszyński Dariusz
Published: April 2024

Cobalt molybdenum nitrides can be obtained from the oxidic precursor by reaction with gaseous ammonia. Despite the large number of works regarding the catalytical properties of these compounds, there are relatively few reports about the initial transformation from oxide to nitride. In this work, the influence of the precursor structure on the active phase formation and catalytic properties of cobalt molybdenum nitrides is examined. Oxidic precursors were obtained by precipitation at different pH values controlled by the addition of aqueous ammonia. The parameters of the precipitation process affected the composition and properties of the materials. The ammonolysis of NH4Co2OH(MoO4)2 ⋅ H2O was investigated in situ with the use of X‐ray powder diffraction and thermogravimetry. The ammonia synthesis activity of the obtained catalysts was compared to the reference iron catalyst. The formation of the Co3Mo intermetallic phase was suggested as the factor governing high activity.
An IoT‐based multiple teaching quality evaluation method for English translation with improved deep learning
Authors: Lai Ningyi
Published: April 2024

To enhance the teaching quality (TQ) of English translation (ET) courses, multivariate evaluation methods have garnered significant attention for their ability to identify deficiencies in the teaching process and subsequently improve instructional standards. Traditional evaluation techniques have shown limited effectiveness. Therefore, this paper proposes an ET in multiple teaching quality (MTQ) evaluation method with improved deep learning in internet of things (IoT). First, the paper establishes evaluation indicators for ET in MTQ, which mainly encompass ET teaching effectiveness, pedagogic competency in ET, teaching methods, content, as well as attitudes towards ET teaching. It then utilizes IoT technology to preliminarily collect data on these indicators, and using clustering algorithm based on weighted attributes and density (CABWAD) algorithm to mine data on English teaching MTQ evaluation indicators for ET. The extracted evaluation indicator data is then denoised using a probabilistic undirected graph model. Ultimately, the multilayer perceptron in deep learning is improved through Wolfe line search optimization, and this enhanced multilayer perceptron is employed to construct an ET in MTQ evaluation model. The denoised indicator data is inputted into the model, which then outputs precise MTQ evaluation results. The results show that the absolute value of the average Pearson correlation coefficient of this method is the highest, the Spearman correlation coefficient is the lowest, the mean average precision value is 0.965, and the positive category imbalance degree and the negative category imbalance degree are the lowest, indicating that the proposed method has outstanding performance in all aspects, and has certain application value in the field of TQ evaluation.
Design and Numerical Study of Microchannel Liquid Cooling Structures for Lithium Batteries
Authors: Wang Dong , Tang Mingyun , Wu Chengzhi , Huang Chao
Published: April 2024

To investigate the microchannel liquid cooling system of 18650 cylindrical lithium battery packs, cooling systems with varying numbers of microchannels are developed and they are analyzed through numerical simulations using COMSOL software. The findings reveal that lower coolant inlet temperatures correspond to lower maximum temperatures during discharge, with temperatures decreasing closer to the inlet. When the coolant passes through a 3.6 mm diameter or at an inlet flow rate of 0.1 m s−1, an increase in Reynolds number results in a decrease in the highest temperature of the cells. However, this temperature reduction slows down when Re exceeds 400. The annular channel cooling structure demonstrates superior cooling effects and temperature uniformity. Optimization opportunities exist to reduce the number of inlets. The dual‐inlet and dual‐outlet cooling structure has been enhanced by adjusting the number of channels in the annular channel design. This modification has resulted in a maximum temperature reduction of 4.62 K and a temperature difference of less than 5 K compared to the initial reference group, demonstrating effective cooling performance.
Silicon Nanowires as Anodes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries: Full Cell Modeling
Authors: Kilchert Franziska , Schammer Max , Latz Arnulf , Horstmann Birger
Published: April 2024

Silicon (Si) anodes attract a lot of research attention for their potential to enable high‐energy density lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Many studies focus on nanostructured Si anodes to counteract deterioration. Herein, LIBs are modeled with Si nanowire anodes in combination with an ionic liquid (IL) electrolyte. On the anode side, elastic deformations to reflect the large volumetric changes of Si are allowed. With physics‐based continuum modeling, insight into usually hardly accessible quantities like the stress distribution in the active material can be provided. For the IL electrolyte, the thermodynamically consistent transport theory includes convection as relevant transport mechanism. The volume‐averaged 1d+1d framework is presented and parameter studies are performed to investigate the influence of the Si anode morphology on the cell performance. The findings highlight the importance of incorporating the volumetric expansion of Si in physics‐based simulations. Even for nanostructured anodes — which are said to be beneficial concerning the stresses — the expansion influences the achievable capacity of the cell. Accounting for enough pore space is important for efficient active material usage.
Striving to support the supporters: A mixed methods evaluation of the strive support groups for caregivers of individuals with an eating disorder
Authors: Lefkovits Aviva Margaret , Pepin Genevieve , Phillipou Andrea , Giles Sarah , Rowan Jane , Krug Isabel
Published: April 2024

This mixed‐methods study evaluated a peer‐led support group for ED caregivers; the Eating Disorders Families Australia strive support groups. Quantitatively, 110 past or current strive attendees completed an online survey assessing their own and their care recipients' demographic profiles, strive's impact on caregiving experiences, and caregivers' psychological distress, burden, caregiving skills and self‐efficacy. Qualitative assessment comprised open‐ended survey questions about caregivers' strive experiences, reinforced by in‐depth focus group assessment of nine participants. Quantitative analyses revealed that participants felt more confident and supported, and less isolated in their caregiving since attending strive. Caregivers displayed mid‐range psychological distress and caregiver burden, and moderate caregiver skills and self‐efficacy. Qualitatively, the most helpful aspects of strive were the shared experience among participants, education, and support. The most difficult elements were emotional distress and overly dominant members. Reflections discussed the necessity of caregiver support and factors impacting strive attendance. Participants recommended resuming face‐to‐face contact and differentiating groups based on participant characteristics (e.g. care recipients' age/stage of illness). The current findings provide support for the importance and overall positive contribution of support groups led by caregivers, such as strive.
Preparation and evaluation of functional cocoa‐free spread alternatives from different sources
Authors: Smuda Sayed Saad , Mohammed Amera T. , Tsakali Efstathia , Van Impe Jan F. M. , Marie Asmaa M.
Published: April 2024

Spread products have an important market share as they have high nutritional value and they are increasingly consumed, especially by children as a source of energy. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the potential use of powdered chickpea, black rice, carob, doum, date seeds, and beetroot to produce novel functional spreadable products as cocoa‐free alternatives. Additionally, to avoid the side effects of cocoa‐based products and to assess the cocoa replacement effects on the sensory properties, chemical composition, texture analysis, viscosity, antioxidant, peroxide stability, and microbial quality during storage periods were compared to the ones of cocoa spread. Sensory evaluation revealed that most formulated spreads were accepted as chocolate spread alternatives since there was no significant difference in overall acceptability among cocoa, chickpea, black rice, carob, and doum, while date seeds and beetroot spreads were significantly less acceptable. A variation was observed in the proximate chemical analysis of the produced functional spreads, as the alternative spreads had different characteristics to each other in their physicochemical, texture, and rheological properties. Results indicated a wide variation in the total phenolic content (TPC) of the different spread extracts. The highest amount of TPC was obtained for beetroot spread (455.84 mg GAE/100 g) followed by black rice spread (436.08 mg GAE/100 g). The obtained results indicated that the antioxidant activity of different spreads was significantly different (p < .05) while based on their microbiological analysis, they could have a shelf life of up to 9 months. According to the results, chickpea, carob, doum, black rice, date seeds, and beetroot powders could be used for the production of cocoa‐free alternatives as they were highly acceptable and they showed antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.
Effect of pomegranate peel powder‐infused multigrain chapatti on diabetes prevention: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Zubair Muhammad , Ahmed Aftab , Afzaal Muhammad , Saeed Farhan , Faisal Zargham , Asghar Aasma , Akram Noor , Manoharadas Salim , Nawaz Asad , Asres Degnet Teferi
Published: April 2024

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic and chronic disease linked to lifestyle factors like dietary patterns and physical inactivity. This randomized clinical study aimed to develop a novel dietary intervention using pomegranate peel powder‐based multigrain chapatti to prevent diabetes. The product was formulated by incorporating pomegranate peel powder into a mixture of wheat flour, pearl flour, millet flour, and chickpea flour. The study included the formulation of various treatments (Tc, T1, T2, and T3) following product development, and these treatments were subjected to comprehensive assessments. The nutritional composition and antioxidant potential of the pomegranate peel powder‐based multigrain chapatti were analyzed. Sensory attributes, including taste, texture, and overall acceptability, were evaluated. Additionally, biochemical analyses, including blood glucose levels and HbA1C, were conducted to assess the impact of the interventions on blood glucose metabolism. The results revealed that the nutritional profile and phytochemical potential of the product improved significantly in treatment T3, which contained 15% pomegranate juice. Overall acceptability was found to be high for T3, indicating that the inclusion of pomegranate peel powder was well received in terms of taste and sensory qualities. Importantly, the clinical trial demonstrated positive outcomes in the intervention group receiving the pomegranate peel powder‐based multigrain chapatti. Blood glucose analysis and HbA1C assessments indicated that the consumption of this innovative dietary product contributed to improved blood glucose metabolism, suggesting its potential as a preventive strategy for diabetes.
Evaluation of the effect of TBM disc cutter wear on rock cutting efficiency
Authors: Sabri Mansour , Goshtasbi Kamran , Reza Nejati Hamid , Taheri Ehsan
Published: April 2024

The geometry of the disc cutter is one of the most important factors in the rock cutting process of mechanized tunnel boring machines (TBMs). However, during excavation, the optimal conditions of the disc cutter are not constant due to disc cutter wear. One of the most significant consequences of cutter wear is the increase in the contact area of the disc cutter with the rock so when the wear of the cutter exceeds its maximum limits, it should be replaced. Therefore, this study will examine the effect of disc cutter wear on TBM operational parameters such as thrust force, net penetration rate, and specific energy. In order to achieve this, six types of worn 17“ disc cutters have been studied graphically, and a method for calculating the surface of contact between the disc cutter and rock as a function of the cutter tip width has been developed. Moreover, a new equation has been proposed to predict normal and rolling cutting forces whose results are in good agreement with the reported laboratory values. As a final step, the hard rock TBM parameters of the Kani Sib water conveyance tunnel have been studied after replacement of worn disc cutters. The results show that replacing the worn disc cutters leads to an increase in penetration rate and a decrease in thrust force, resulting in an increase in specific penetration. On average, specific penetration increases by ≈35 %.
Automatic tunnel point cloud creation using photogrammetry and deviation analysis of excavation and shotcrete surfaces
Authors: Urbančič Tilen , Česnik Jure
Published: April 2024

During new Austrian tunnelling method excavation, it is necessary to carry out an analysis of the compliance of the actual surfaces with the theoretical lines prescribed in the support types for each tunnel excavation step. With our own software solutions, we created point clouds of the excavation and shotcrete of the primary tunnel support through the automated process of photogrammetric data. Together with the tunnel axis and theoretical profiles, the georeferenced and filtered point clouds were then used in the analysis of the deviation from the theoretical lines of excavation and primary support shotcrete and shotcrete thickness. The final products of the independent analysis are deviation profiles and unwrapped extrados views with numerical results and a color legend.
Transcription factor Olig2 is a major downstream effector of histone demethylase Phf8 during oligodendroglial development
Authors: Kremp Marco , Aberle Tim , Sock Elisabeth , Bohl Bettina , Hillgärtner Simone , Winkler Jürgen , Wegner Michael
Published: April 2024

The plant homeodomain finger protein Phf8 is a histone demethylase implicated by mutation in mice and humans in neural crest defects and neurodevelopmental disturbances. Considering its widespread expression in cell types of the central nervous system, we set out to determine the role of Phf8 in oligodendroglial cells to clarify whether oligodendroglial defects are a possible contributing factor to Phf8‐dependent neurodevelopmental disorders. Using loss‐ and gain‐of‐function approaches in oligodendroglial cell lines and primary cell cultures, we show that Phf8 promotes the proliferation of rodent oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and impairs their differentiation to oligodendrocytes. Intriguingly, Phf8 has a strong positive impact on Olig2 expression by acting on several regulatory regions of the gene and changing their histone modification profile. Taking the influence of Olig2 levels on oligodendroglial proliferation and differentiation into account, Olig2 likely acts as an important downstream effector of Phf8 in these cells. In line with such an effector function, ectopic Olig2 expression in Phf8‐deficient cells rescues the proliferation defect. Additionally, generation of human oligodendrocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells did not require PHF8 in a system that relies on forced expression of Olig2 during oligodendroglial induction. We conclude that Phf8 may impact nervous system development at least in part through its action in oligodendroglial cells.
Age‐related differences in the impact of resilience on mental health outcomes during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Hong Kong
Authors: Lei Lauren Ka Shun , Suen Yi Nam , Hui Christy Lai Ming , Chan Sherry Kit Wa , Lee Edwin Ho Ming , Michael Wong Tak Hing , Chen Eric Yu Hai
Published: April 2024

Objective

This study investigated changes in mental health in Hong Kong over two years and examined the role of resilience and age in mitigating the negative effects of public health emergencies, particularly the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

Complete data of interest from two telephone surveys conducted in 2020 (n = 1182) and 2021 (n = 1108) were analysed. Participants self‐reported depressive and anxiety symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire 4‐item version (PHQ), psychotic‐like experiences (PLEs) using three items from the Prodromal Questionnaire Brief (PQB), and resilience using the Connor‐Davidson Resilience Scale 2‐item version (CD‐RISC‐2).

Results

We observed an increase in the percentage of participants with high depressive and anxiety symptoms and PLEs from 1.6% to 6.5% between 2020 and 2021. The likelihood of having high depressive and anxiety symptoms or PLEs depended on resilience and age, with no significant between‐year differences. Resilience and age interaction effects were significant when comparing the high PHQ‐high PQB group to the low PHQ‐low PQB group only in 2021 but not in 2020.

Conclusions

This study provides valuable insights into the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on mental health in Hong Kong, emphasising the age‐dependent nature of resilience in mitigating negative effects. Future research should explore the mechanisms by which resilience promotes mental health and well‐being and identify ways to enhance resilience among older individuals during public health crises.
Fenestration of the facial nerve by the stylomastoid artery
Authors: Zhou Allen S. , DeVore Elliana K. , Juliano Amy F. , Richmon Jeremy D.
Published: April 2024

Background

Anatomic landmarks such as the tympanomastoid suture line, posterior belly of the digastric muscle, tragal pointer, and styloid process can assist the parotid surgeon in identifying and preserving the facial nerve. Vascular structures such as the posterior auricular artery and its branch, the stylomastoid artery, lay in close proximity to the facial nerve and have been proposed as landmarks for the identification of the facial nerve. In this case report, we describe an anatomic variation in which the stylomastoid artery has fenestrated the main trunk of the facial nerve, dividing it in two.

Methods

Two patients underwent parotidectomy (one for a pleomorphic adenoma, the second for a parotid cyst) through a standard anterograde approach with identification of the usual facial nerve landmarks.

Results

The appearance of the main trunk of the facial nerve was unusual in both patients due to its being fenestrated by the stylomastoid artery. The stylomastoid artery was divided, and the remainder of the facial nerve dissection was performed uneventfully with subsequent resection of the parotid mass in both patients.

Conclusions

In rare instances, the stylomastoid artery can penetrate through the common trunk of the facial nerve. This is an important anatomic variant for the parotid surgeon to be aware of, as it can increase the difficulty of facial nerve dissection.
Comprehensive characterization of somatic mutations associated with chimeric RNAs in human cancers
Authors: Wang Yuting , Shu Meng , Wang Tianqiang , He Tongxin , Yuan Jiapei , Yang Yang
Published: April 2024

Chimeric RNAs, which can arise from gene recombination at the DNA level or non‐canonical splicing events at the RNA level, have been identified as important roles in human tumors. Dysregulated gene expression caused by somatic mutations and altered splicing patterns of oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes can contribute to the development of tumors. Therefore, investigating the formation mechanism of chimeric RNAs via somatic mutations is critical for understanding tumor pathogenesis. This project is the first to propose studying the association between somatic single nucleotide variants and chimeric RNAs, identifying around 2900 somatic SNVs affecting chimeric RNAs in pan‐cancer level. The somatic SNVs on chimeric RNAs were commonly observed in various types of tumor tissues, providing a valuable resource for future study. Additionally, these SNVs show distinct tumor specificity, and those with high frequency had a significant impact on the survival time of patients with tumors. Further research revealed that somatic SNVs associated with chimeric RNA (chiR‐SNVs) were typically found within 10 nt of the junction site of chimeric RNAs and had a particularly significant effect on chimeric RNAs from different chromosomes. The enrichment analysis revealed that chiR‐SNVs were significantly overrepresented in oncogenes and genes related to RNA binding proteins involved in RNA splicing, which could imply that chiR‐SNVs may disrupt the process of RNA splicing and induce the occurrence of chimeric RNAs. This study sheds light on the potential molecular interaction mechanism between somatic SNVs and chimeric RNAs, which opens up a new avenue for researching disease pathway and tumorigenesis development.
Single‐cell analysis reveals microbial spore responses to sodium hypochlorite
Authors: Yang Weiming , Yuan Yufeng , He Lin , Fan Haihua
Published: April 2024

Pollution from toxic spores has caused us a lot of problems because spores are extremely resistant and can survive most disinfectants. Therefore, the detection of spore response to disinfectant is of great significance for the development of effective decontamination strategies. In this work, we investigated the effect of 0.5% sodium hypochlorite on the molecular and morphological properties of single spores of Bacillus subtilis using single‐cell techniques. Laser tweezers Raman spectroscopy showed that sodium hypochlorite resulted in Ca2+‐dipicolinic acid release and nucleic acid denaturation. Atomic force microscopy showed that the surface of treated spores changed from rough to smooth, protein shells were degraded at 10 min, and the permeability barrier was destroyed at 15 min. The spore volume decreased gradually over time. Live‐cell imaging showed that the germination and growth rates decreased with increasing treatment time. These results provide new insight into the response of spores to sodium hypochlorite.
Pazopanib stimulates senescence of renal carcinoma cells through targeting nuclear factor E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2)
Authors: Wang Xingyuan , Yang Jing , Li Dechao , Teng Lichen , Chen Yongsheng , Meng Jie , Yang Chen , Yin Zhihao , Li Changfu
Published: April 2024

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common kidney cancer with high mortality rate. Pazopanib has been approved for the treatment of RCC. However, the underlying mechanism is not clear. Here, we report a novel finding by showing that treatment with Pazopanib could promote cellular senescence of the human RCC cell line ACHN. Cells were stimulated with 5, 10, and 20 μM Pazopanib, respectively. Cellular senescence was measured using senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase (SA‐β‐Gal) staining. Western blot analysis and real‐time polymerase chain reaction were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression of nuclear factor E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2), γH2AX, human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), telomeric repeat binding factor 2 (TERF2), p53 and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI). First, we found that exposure to Pazopanib reduced the cell viability of ACHN cells. Additionally, Pazopanib induced oxidative stress  by increasing the production of reactive oxygen species, reducing the levels of glutathione peroxidase, and promoting nuclear translocation of Nrf2. Interestingly, Pazopanib exposure resulted in DNA damage by increasing the expression of γH2AX. Importantly, Pazopanib increased cellular senescence and reduced telomerase activity. Pazopanib also reduced the gene expression of hTERT but increased the gene expression of TERF2. Correspondingly, we found that Pazopanib increased the expression of p53 and PAI at both the mRNA and protein levels. To elucidate the underlying mechanism, the expression of Nrf2 was knocked down by transduction with Ad‐ Nrf2 shRNA. Results indicate that silencing of Nrf2 in ACHN cells abolished the effects of Pazopanib in stimulating cellular senescence and reducing telomerase activity. Consistently, knockdown of Nrf2 restored the expression of p53 and PAI in ACHN cells. Based on these results, we explored a novel mechanism whereby which Pazopanib displays a cytotoxicity effect in RCC cells through promoting cellular senescence mediated by Nrf2.
Basics of hip arthroscopy: Step‐by‐step technique
Authors: Gursoy Safa , Cirdi Yigit Umur , Kirac Muge , Chahla Jorge
Published: April 2024

Hip arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that has a technically challenging nature, requiring advanced spatial skills and specialised instrumentation. The most common indication for hip arthroscopy is femoroacetabular impingement, which is increasing due to improved awareness and knowledge of the condition among healthcare professionals. Hip arthroscopy requires many different checkpoints from patient positioning to capsule closure to be successfully completed. Patient positioning is one of the keystones of hip arthroscopy and the probability of a surgeon achieving successful outcomes is significantly influenced by the establishment of optimal access points. The importance of the acetabular labrum and capsule has been better understood in recent years. There has been a noticeable preference towards prioritising acetabular labral repair over debridement or excision. Similarly, consistent with the literature, capsule closure restores naive hip biomechanics more successfully and improves functional outcomes following hip arthroscopy. Osteochondroplasty is a frequently employed therapeutic intervention; yet, attaining optimal osteochondroplasty outcomes might present challenges. The aim is, to restore the full perfect sphericity of the femoral head without attenuation of the head. The aim of this article is to highlight the knowledge accumulated from experiences based on previous hip arthroscopy surgeries as a solution for future troubleshooting steps.

Level of Evidence: Level V.
Extracellular vesicles and endothelial dysfunction in infectious diseases
Authors: Zhang Linfang , Chi Jingshu , Wu Hao , Xia Xiujuan , Xu Canxia , Hao Hong , Liu Zhenguo
Published: April 2024

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally. Studies have shown that infections especially bacteraemia and sepsis are associated with increased risks for endothelial dysfunction and related CVDs including atherosclerosis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small, sealed membrane‐derived structures that are released into body fluids and blood from cells and/or microbes and are critically involved in a variety of important cell functions and disease development, including intercellular communications, immune responses and inflammation. It is known that EVs‐mediated mechanism(s) is important in the development of endothelial dysfunction in infections with a diverse spectrum of microorganisms including Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, SARS‐CoV‐2 (the virus for COVID‐19) and Helicobacter pylori. H. pylori infection is one of the most common infections globally. During H. pylori infection, EVs can carry H. pylori components, such as lipopolysaccharide, cytotoxin‐associated gene A, or vacuolating cytotoxin A, and transfer these substances into endothelial cells, triggering inflammatory responses and endothelial dysfunction. This review is to illustrate the important role of EVs in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases, and the development of endothelial dysfunction in infectious diseases especially H. pylori infection, and to discuss the potential mechanisms and clinical implications.
Parental questions about sex chromosome aneuploidies regarding sex, gender, and sexual orientation as reported by genetic counselors in a prenatal setting
Authors: Burzynski Sarah , Leonard Jaqueline , Albrecht Jenna Plamondon , Doyle Lauren E. , Mills Rachel
Published: April 2024

The introduction of cell‐free DNA screening has resulted in increased prenatal identification of sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs). This study aimed to evaluate genetic counselor experiences disclosing SCAs positive prenatal screening or testing results and genetic counselor‐reported parental questions regarding sex, gender, and sexual orientation. Forty‐eight prenatal genetic counselors completed the survey. When asked to quantify their experiences, 97.9% of counselors reported disclosing a SCAs positive screen result within the previous year, and 81.3% disclosed a diagnostic result. Of those counselors, 53.8% reported always or often receiving parental questions about sex, 33% always or often about gender, and 25% always or often regarding sexual orientation. Counselors were asked to share examples of parental questions following a positive screen or diagnostic testing for SCAs. Parental questions were stratified by karyotype and content analysis revealed questions about the fetus' sex, anatomy, reproduction, being cisgender, gender expression, behavior, being transgender, and sexual orientation. The examples of parental questions provided by genetic counselors suggested some parents may have misconceptions about the intersection of SCAs with sex, gender, and sexual orientation following prenatal screening or diagnostic testing. The majority of counselors (83.3%) agreed to some extent that they desired further education on responding to parental questions about SCAs. Findings from this research suggest a need for genetic counseling strategies that accurately and respectfully discuss SCAs in the context of sex, gender, and sexual orientation with prenatal patients.
CPAK classification detect the real knee joint apex position in less than half of the knees
Authors: Şahbat Yavuz , Chou Te‐feng Arthur , An Jae‐Sung , Gülağacı Fırat , Ollivier Matthieu
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Accurate assessment of the knee joint line is essential for surgeries involving the knee. The knee joint line obliquity (KJLO) is a radiological measurement that evaluates the position of the knee joint relative to the ground and is frequently used in preoperative planning and clinical follow‐up. On the other hand, coronal plane alignment of the knee (CPAK) classifications assesses the joint line as the summation of the medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) and mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA). The purpose of this study is to determine the concordance of these two measurement techniques.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study evaluated the long‐leg standing radiographs (LSRs) of 164 healthy knees. The extremity KJLO and CPAK classification JLO were measured twice by two observers at 8‐week intervals. The knee joint line apex positions (proximal, neutral and distal) of the two measurement techniques are compared (concordance or discordant). The intraobserver and interobserver reliability were examined using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Possible causes of the discordant were evaluated with univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

CPAK classification detected the KJLO apex position in 70 extremities (42.7%) only. Subgroups CPAK JLO detected 13.6% of the proximal apex, 20.4% of the neutral, and 90.7% of the distal apex (p < 0.01). Upon multivariate logistic regression analysis, the variable KJLO apex position (proximal, neutral vs. distal, odds ratio (OR) = 10.291, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.225–25.656, and (p < 0.01) was determined as a risk factor for discordant.

Conclusion

The CPAK JLO measurement technique can be misleading in defining the KJLO apex position and the concordance between them is less than 50%. It has a high tendency to misleadingly predict proximal and neutral apex positions, which can potentially have negative implications for assessing the joint line.

Level of Evidence

Level I.
Rare‐earth element phytoextraction efficiency in southern Chinese mines under different clipping intensities using a co‐cropping system (Dicranopteris pedata and Pinus massoniana)
Authors: Chen Zhiqiang , Feng Liujun , Lin Yu , Wang Haiyan , Chen Zhibiao , Chen Zuliang
Published: April 2024

Our understanding of how varying clipping intensities affect the efficiency of phytoextraction remains limited, particularly with co‐cropping systems. This study focuses on assessing the effects of different clipping intensities on phytoextraction efficiency within co‐cropping systems dominated by the key species Dicranopteris pedata and Pinus massoniana in rare‐earth mines of southern China. Our results confirmed the following. Firstly, the compensation index, dry aboveground biomass, and rare‐earth elements (REE) accumulation of clipped D. pedata per unit area were highest under 100% clipping (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the bioabsorption coefficient, bioconcentration factor, and translocation factor of P. massoniana were less than 1. Secondly, the soil catalase, sucrase, and α‐diversity indices of bacteria and fungi separately indicated no significant variation between the clipping treatments and control. The REE content in tree rings increased, and the total REE contents in thicker tree rings were higher than those in the thinner tree rings of P. massoniana from 1997 to 2016. Additionally, the soil erosion intensity diminished significantly in the growth area of P. massoniana from 1995 to 2019. Thirdly, both D. pedata and P. massoniana, when subjected to 100% clipping, could effectively remove excess REEs from the 0–20 cm soil layer within 18.57–61.19 years. In contrast, P. massoniana alone achieved a removal rate of excess REEs in the 20–60 cm layer, within 923.16–1899.62 years. Thus, D. pedata with 100% clipping can phytoextract the maximum amount of REEs. It is noted that P. massoniana cannot be used for REEs phytoextraction or phytostabilization. Co‐cropping with 100% clipping would have a less negative impact on growth and REEs extraction, and the co‐cropping system can phytoextract excess REEs from the surface soil within decades. However, it is not efficient for the phytoextraction of excess REEs from deep soil layers.
Dynamic flow for efficient partial decellularization of tracheal grafts: A preliminary rabbit study
Authors: Byun Woo Yul , Liu Lumei , Palutsis Amanda , Tan Zheng Hong , Herster Rachel , VanKoevering Kyle , Manning Amy , Chiang Tendy
Published: April 2024

Objective

Bioengineered tracheal grafts are a potential solution for the repair of long‐segment tracheal defects. A recent advancement is partially decellularized tracheal grafts (PDTGs) which enable regeneration of host epithelium and retain viable donor chondrocytes for hypothesized benefits to mechanical properties. We propose a novel and tunable 3D‐printed bioreactor for creating large animal PDTG that brings this technology closer to the bedside.

Methods

Conventional agitated immersion with surfactant and enzymatic activity was used to partially decellularize New Zealand white rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) tracheal segments (n = 3). In parallel, tracheal segments (n = 3) were decellularized in the bioreactor with continuous extraluminal flow of medium and alternating intraluminal flow of surfactant and medium. Unprocessed tracheal segments (n = 3) were also collected as a control. The grafts were assessed using the H&E stain, tissue DNA content, live/dead assay, Masson's trichrome stain, and mechanical testing.

Results

Conventional processing required 10 h to achieve decellularization of the epithelium and submucosa with poor chondrocyte viability and mechanical strength. Using the bioreactor reduced processing time by 6 h and resulted in chondrocyte viability and mechanical strength similar to that of native trachea.

Conclusion

Large animal PDTG created using our novel 3D printed bioreactor is a promising approach to efficiently produce tracheal grafts. The bioreactor offers flexibility and adjustability favorable to creating PDTG for clinical research and use. Future research includes optimizing flow conditions and transplantation to assess post‐implant regeneration and mechanical properties.

Level of Evidence

NA.
Fast, Precise, High Contrast Laser Writing for Photonic Chips with Phase Aberrations
Authors: Sun Bangshan , Moser Simon , Jesacher Alexander , Salter Patrick S. , Thomson Robert R. , Booth Martin J.
Published: April 2024

Integrated photonic chips have significant potential in telecommunications, classic computing, quantum systems, and topological photonics. Direct laser writing offers unique capability for creating three‐dimensional photonic devices in an optical glass chip with quick prototyping. However, it is a challenge for existing laser writing schemes to create index‐modified structures in glass that precisely match the laser focal shape while also achieving high refractive index contrasts and high scanning speeds. Here, we introduce a refractive index modification scheme that combines the advantages of non‐thermal and thermal regime fabrication methods. We also propose a waveguide formation model that is verified through a thorough study on the effects of phase aberrations. The presented new photonic chip fabrication scheme uses a novel focal intensity distribution, where pulse energy is relocated to the bottom of a laser focus by manipulating primary and higher order spherical aberrations. The technique can produce index modifications with high scanning speed (can be 20 mm/s or higher), high index contrast (ranging from 0.009 to 0.021), and high precision to fabricate with arbitrary cross‐sections. This method has potential to expand the capabilities of photonic chips in applications that require small‐scale, high precision, or high contrast refractive index control.
Diamond Based Optical Metasurfaces for Broadband Wavefront Shaping in Harsh Environment
Authors: Yang Xun , Wu Bo , Chen Pei‐Pei , Xie Yi‐Yang , Lin Chao‐Nan , Zhang Zhen‐Feng , Dou Wen‐Jie , Ni Pei‐Nan , Shan Chong‐Xin
Published: April 2024

Metasurface enables a new class of “meta‐optics” that can manipulate light at subwavelength scale. Despite that versatile metasurfaces have been demonstrated based on a wide range of materials, the vulnerability of conventional materials to harsh environments, i.e., low resistance to corrosion, low transparency at short wavelength, and lack of thermal/mechanical stability, greatly limit their applications in extreme conditions. Diamond is well‐known for exceptional properties, including the highest thermal conductivity, high damage resistance, extraordinary hardness, and chemical inertness. Therefore, diamond based metasurface is generally expected to benefit from its material merits for extreme use. However, the performance of diamond metasurface in harsh environments remains unexplored up to date. To address this question, this work is designed to study the suitability of single‐crystal diamond based metasurface for broadband applications under harsh environments. As an example, diamond metasurfaces with representative functionalities, including holographic wavefront‐shaping, DUV‐focusing, are investigated under high‐temperature, acid/alkali, and abrasive conditions, respectively. The findings prove the capability of diamond metasurfaces for applications in broadband and harsh conditions, which not only provides a practical and scalable scheme to encode on‐demand functionalities into diamond, but also unlocks a capable candidate to develop robust, large bandwidth, and durable meta‐optics for advanced wavefront shaping under extreme conditions.
Design of Silk Fabric Surface with Enhanced Antiseptic Properties through Graft Modification and Iodophor Integration
Authors: Dinçer Sefa , Erdoğan Meryem Kalkan , OmerOglou Emine , Kiran Fadime , Karakışla Meral , Saçak Mehmet
Published: April 2024

To improve the hydrophobic character of silk and impart iodine complex ion adsorption, the surface of woven silk fabric is enriched by different functional groups through the grafting of N‐vinylpyrrolidone (NVP), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), and their mixtures (NVP–EGDMA). The dominant fibrous texture of silk enables an efficient graft copolymerization in terms of high grafting yield (>30%) after applying a mild degumming process. The structural and morphological alterations in the silk surface are evidenced with attenuated total reflectance‐fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The imparted hydrophilicity property of the samples is revealed by contact angle–wetting time measurements. The usability of the graft‐modified samples as an iodophor polymeric substrate is then examined by treatment with I2/KI solutions, and the results are monitored using UV–vis spectroscopy. It is obtained that the NVP–EGDMA mixture‐grafted sample exhibits satisfactorily high iodine adsorption compared to untreated and NVP‐grafted silk samples, such as 0.05 g per 1 g fabric with high antibacterial activity against various pathogens, including methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) responsible for hospital‐acquired infections. This finding evidences its potential as an alternative antiseptic tissue for biomedical applications.