bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Signal‐interference‐based quasi‐reflectionless bandpass filter for wideband and high‐selectivity
Authors: Guo Yiming , Qiu Lei‐Lei , Deng Lianwen , Wu Yueyang , Wang Yumin , Huang Shengxiang
Published: January 2024

This paper proposes a wideband quasi‐reflectionless bandpass filter with high‐selectivity based on signal‐interference method. The bandpass filter is composed of a bandpass section and two absorptive sections, which consist of a quarter‐wavelength coupled line and signal‐interfering/resistively loaded path, respectively. The bandpass section mainly performs bandpass filtering characteristics while the absorptive sections are applied to consume the reflected signals. By virtue of rationally setting electric lengths and characteristic impedances of the absorptive section to form signal interference, signal dissipation within a wider frequency range and higher selectivity can be realized. Finally, the quasi‐reflectionless bandpass filter was designed and demonstrated with well‐matched measurement and simulation results. Compared with conventional works, the proposed bandpass filter can simultaneously attain wideband, high‐selectivity, and two‐port quasi‐reflectionless performance within a single‐layer topology and well‐integrated structure owing to the signal‐interference technology. The proposed technique may be extensively applied in the RF front‐end and decreases the effect on the stability of communication systems caused by reflected signal.
Medicines optimization prior to discharge in patients admitted to hospital with heart failure
Authors: Cuthbert Joseph J. , Brown Oliver I. , Pellicori Pierpaolo , Dobbs Karen , Bulemfu Jeanne , Kazmi Syed , Sokoreli Ioanna , Pauws Steffan C. , Riistama Jarno M. , Cleland John G.F. , Clark Andrew L.
Published: January 2024

Aims

Approximately half of patients with heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction (HeFREF) are discharged from hospital on triple therapy [angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE‐Is) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), beta‐blockers (BBs), and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs)]. We investigated what proportion of patients are on optimal doses prior to discharge and how many might be eligible for initiation of sacubitril–valsartan or sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors (SGLT2Is).

Methods and results

Between 2012 and 2017, 1277 patients admitted with suspected heart failure were enrolled at a single hospital serving a local community around Kingston upon Hull, UK. Eligibility for sacubitril–valsartan or SGLT2I was based on entry criteria for the PIONEER‐HF, DAPA‐HF, and EMPEROR‐Reduced trials. Four hundred fifty‐five patients had HeFREF with complete data on renal function, heart rate, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) prior to discharge. Eighty‐three per cent of patients were taking an ACE‐I or ARB, 85% a BB, and 63% an MRA at discharge. More than 60% of patients were eligible for sacubitril–valsartan and >70% for SGLT2I. Among those not already receiving a prescription, 37%, 28%, and 49% were eligible to start ACE‐I or ARB, BB, and MRA, respectively. Low SBP (≤105 mmHg) was the most frequent explanation for failure to initiate or up‐titrate therapy.

Conclusions

Most patients admitted for heart failure are eligible for initiation of life‐prolonging medications prior to discharge. A hospital admission may be a common missed opportunity to improve treatment for patients with HeFREF.
Base‐Catalyzed Synthesis of N‐Aryl Thioacetamides from Multicomponent Reaction of Phenylacetylenes, Sulfur and Anilines
Authors: Hang Nguyen Minh , Sam Nguyen Hai , Anh Nguyen Le , Ngoc Nguyen Bich , Thuong Cao Hai , Hung Mac Dinh , Binh Nguyen Thanh
Published: January 2024

In the presence of a base catalyst (20 mol %) such as DBU, DABCO or Na2S ⋅ 3H2O/N‐methylpyrrolidone, phenylacetylenes were found to efficiently undergo sulfurative amination with elemental sulfur and anilines under neat conditions, leading to N‐aryl thioamides with complete atom efficiency.
Recent insight on nutritional value, active phytochemicals, and health‐enhancing characteristics of fig (Ficus craica)
Authors: Alzahrani Manar Yahya , Alshaikhi Asmaa Ibrahim , Hazzazi Jumanah Samir , Kurdi Jumanah Reda , Ramadan Mohamed Fawzy
Published: January 2024

The current review highlights the nutritional values, phytochemical profile, and health‐enhancing characteristics of figs (Ficus carica L., family Moraceae). Ficus carica is one of the oldest fruit trees. The fruit has been appreciated as food and for its biomedical properties since ancient times. Ficus carica contains essential bioactive compounds that enhance health. The plant is characterized by unique compounds in all parts (peel, pulp, leaves, seed, and latex) besides primary nutrients (fatty acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals). Ficus carica is rich in bioactive secondary products such as flavonoids, furanocoumarin, anthocyanin, pectin, and phytosterols, contributing to many health benefits. Bioactive phytonutrients found in fig are used as antioxidant and antidiabetic agents due to the presence of specific functional groups that control diabetes. The health‐enhancing effects of fig, including anti‐tumor, anti‐inflammatory, and anti‐osteoporosis, are related to high levels of minerals essential to bone health and their benefits on Alzheimer's disease. All parts of Ficus carica have been used in cosmetics and pharmaceutical products, especially wound healing. In addition, Ficus carica has many uses in food items as a colorant and a preservative. To the best of knowledge, there is a lack of reports discussing the biochemistry, bioactivity, and medicinal traits of Ficus carica and the plant parts. This review gathered scientific information regarding the chemical profile, biological traits, and different uses of Ficus carica.
Application of Pistacia atlantica Pickering emulsion‐filled chitosan gel for targeted delivery of curcumin
Authors: Naji‐Tabasi Sara , Shakeri Monir‐sadat , Modiri‐Dovom Atena , Shahbazizadeh Saeedeh
Published: January 2024

Emulsion‐filled hydrogels are a growing system in the food industry for delivering bioactive compounds. In this study, Baneh gum (BG) particles were prepared as a Pickering emulsion stabilizer for curcumin delivery. Then, BG Pickering emulsion was added to the chitosan solution (1.5%, 2.0%, and 2.5% w/w) in different Pickering emulsion (PE):hydrogel (HYD) ratios (1:3, 1:5, and 1:7) to create an emulsion‐filled gel. The highest amount of Cur stability after the 3rd week of storage was observed in the sample containing 2.0% CS and a 1:7 PE:HYD ratio (97.36%). Pickering emulsion and emulsion‐filled gel significantly protected the antioxidant activity of curcumin against the thermal process (p < .05). Curcumin loading in the emulsion‐filled gel provided better protection against the gastric condition compared to the emulsion system. The chitosan hydrogel swells in an acidic environment, but its combination with the anionic structure of the emulsion causes a lower release of curcumin in the stomach environment, which can help the stability of curcumin in the digestive system and have a controlled release in the gastrointestinal tract.
Aspirin intake and head and neck cancer: A pooled analysis within the INHANCE consortium
Authors: Sassano Michele , Taborelli Martina , Boccia Stefania , Cadoni Gabriella , La Vecchia Carlo , Garavello Werner , Lazarus Philip , Lee Yuan‐Chin Amy , Hashibe Mia , Boffetta Paolo
Published: January 2024

Background

Aspirin intake might be inversely associated with head and neck cancer (HNC). Thus, we investigated this relationship within the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology (INHANCE) consortium.

Methods

Four case–control studies within the INHANCE consortium were included (2024 cases, 4196 controls). Study‐specific odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using logistic regression and subsequently pooled with DerSimonian‐Laird random‐effects model. Nonlinearity of the relationship between duration of intake and HNC was modeled with fractional polynomials.

Results

Aspirin was inversely associated with HNC overall (OR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.91). Results for laryngeal cancer were similar (OR = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.96). Analysis on duration of intake confirmed findings for HNC overall, showing also inverse associations for oropharyngeal and laryngeal cancer.

Conclusions

This study suggests that aspirin intake may reduce the risk of HNC, driven mainly by decreases in risk for laryngeal and oropharyngeal cancer.
High immunocompetence in chronic hepatitis patients with normal alanine transaminase levels and and negative hepatitis B e‐antigen for the progression of liver fibrosis
Authors: Cheng Bianqiao , Wu Dandan , Zhang Ming , Chen Shiming , Wu Xunyuan , Zhong Jingjing , Wu Meimei , Huo Miaomiao
Published: January 2024

Introduction

This study aimed to investigate the role of immunocompetence in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with normal alanine transaminase (ALT) levels and negative hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) in the risk assessments of the progression of liver fibrosis.

Methods

We collected the clinical data of 57 patients with CHB, with normal ALT levels and negative HBeAg from December 2020 to December 2022. With hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA > 20 IU/mL and ALT ≤ 40 U/L, these patients had never undergone antiviral therapy. The levels of CD4+, CD4+CD25+, CD8+, and CD4+CD25+CD127LOW regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the patients were detected using flow cytometry; the liver stiffness measurement (LSM) values of the patients were detected using Fibroscan.

Results

There was a statistically significant difference between the levels of fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) when the cutoff point was HBsAg ≥ 1500 (p < .001). FIB‐4 was negatively correlated with HBsAg (R = −0.291, p = .028) and positively correlated with age (R = 0.787, p < .001). LSM was negatively correlated with Treg but this correlation was not statistically significant (p > .05). Findings based on the analysis using logistic regression were as follows: (i) age was the independent risk factor when FIB‐4 was used as the indicator for assessing liver fibrosis; (ii) Treg was the independent risk factor when LSM was used as the indicator for assessing liver fibrosis. When Treg was used to predict liver fibrosis, the cutoff value, diagnostic efficacy, area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and p value of the ROC curve were 6.875, 0.641, 0.84, and .027, respectively.

Conclusion

Age and Treg are independent risk factors for progressive liver fibrosis. The cutoff value of Treg > 6.81 indicates the need for timely antiviral treatment and can serve as an indicator for evaluating liver fibrosis.
Accuracy testing of a novel obstetric blood loss quantifying device: A pilot study
Authors: Lutfi Ahmed , Eustace David , Faul Stephen , Greene Richard A. , Higgins John R.
Published: January 2024

Synopsis

The Stryker® system is accurate in detecting hemoglobin levels in fluid mixtures, which may assist professionals in assessing birth waste and diagnosing postpartum hemorrhage.
Serum Raman spectroscopy: Evaluation of tumour load variations in experimental carcinogenesis
Authors: Jadhav Priyanka A. , Hole Arti , Ingle Arvind , Govekar Rukmini , Noothalapati Hemanth , Krishna C. Murali
Published: January 2024

Several serum Raman spectroscopy (RS) studies have demonstrated its potential as an oral cancer screening tool. This study investigates influence of low tumour load (LTL) and high tumour load (HTL) on serum RS using hamster buccal pouch model of experimental oral carcinogenesis. Sera of untreated control, LTL, and HTL groups at week intervals during malignant transformation were employed. Serum Raman spectra were subjected to multivariate analyses—principal component analysis, principal component‐based linear discriminant analysis (for stratification of study groups), and multivariate curve resolution‐alternating least squares (MCR‐ALS) (to comprehend biomolecular differences). Multivariate analysis revealed misclassifications between LTL and HTL at all week intervals. MCR‐ALS components showed statistically significant abundances between control versus LTL and control versus HTL, but could not discern LTL and HTL. MCR‐ALS components exhibited spectral mixtures of proteins, lipids, heme and nucleic acids. Thus, these findings support use of serum RS as a screening tool as varying tumour load is not a confounding factor influencing the technique.
Endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases: The role of human induced pluripotent stem cells and tissue engineering
Authors: Florido Mary H. C. , Ziats Nicholas P.
Published: January 2024

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains to be the leading cause of death globally today and therefore the need for the development of novel therapies has become increasingly important in the cardiovascular field. The mechanism(s) behind the pathophysiology of CVD have been laboriously investigated in both stem cell and bioengineering laboratories. Scientific breakthroughs have paved the way to better mimic cell types of interest in recent years, with the ability to generate any cell type from reprogrammed human pluripotent stem cells. Mimicking the native extracellular matrix using both organic and inorganic biomaterials has allowed full organs to be recapitulated in vitro. In this paper, we will review techniques from both stem cell biology and bioengineering which have been fruitfully combined and have fueled advances in the cardiovascular disease field. We will provide a brief introduction to CVD, reviewing some of the recent studies as related to the role of endothelial cells and endothelial cell dysfunction. Recent advances and the techniques widely used in both bioengineering and stem cell biology will be discussed, providing a broad overview of the collaboration between these two fields and their overall impact on tissue engineering in the cardiovascular devices and implications for treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Chitosan‐nanoclay embolic material for catheter‐directed arterial embolization
Authors: P.J. George Varghese , Zhao Keren , Chen Peng , Hu Jingjie
Published: January 2024

Minimally invasive transcatheter embolization is a common nonsurgical procedure in interventional radiology. It is used for the deliberate occlusion of blood vessels for the treatment of disease or injured vasculature, including vascular malformation and malignant/benign tumors. Here, we introduce a gel embolic agent comprising chitosan nanofibers and nanoclay with excellent catheter injectability and tunable mechanical properties for embolization. The properties of the gel were optimized by varying the ratio between each individual component and also adjusting the total solid content. The rheological studies confirm the shear thinning property and gel nature of the developed gel as well as their recoverability. Injection force was measured to record the force required to pass the embolic gel through a clinically relevant catheter, evaluating for practicality of hand‐injection. Theoretical predicted injection force was calculated to reduce the development time and to enhance the physician's experience. The stability of occlusion was also tested in vitro by monitoring the pressure required to displace the gel. The engineered gels exhibited sterility, hemocompatibility and cell biocompatibility, highlighting their potential for transcatheter embolization.
The effect of Galilean magnification loupes on the visual acuity and working distance of dental students
Authors: Pazos Júlia M. , dos Santos Carla G. , Dovigo Lívia N. , Garcia Patrícia P. N. S.
Published: January 2024

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the visual acuity and working distance of dental students using Galilean loupes at different magnification levels.

Methods

The participants included 50 undergraduate dentistry students selected from each class in the second to fifth years (N = 200) of São Paulo State University, School of Dentistry, Araraquara. The response variables were (i) the working distance between the operator's eyes and the mouth of the dental phantom head, and (ii) visual acuity. The independent variables were the five levels of the Galilean magnification system (naked eye, Galilean loupe simulator without magnification, and Galilean loupes with 2.5×, 3.0×, or 3.5× magnification) and academic year. Visual acuity was measured using a miniature Snellen eye chart inserted into the Class I cavities of the maxillary molars. After verifying the assumptions of normality and sphericity, a mixed repeated measures analysis was performed (α = 0.05).

Results

Statistical significance was found between the “magnification system” and “academic year” for visual acuity (p < 0.001). For the second‐, fourth‐, and fifth‐year participants, there were no significant differences in visual acuity between the naked eye and different magnifications of the Galilean loupes, which were superior to and significantly different from that of the loupe simulator. For the working distance, statistical significance was observed in the interaction between “magnification system” and “academic year” (p = 0.008). For the third‐, fourth‐, and fifth‐year participants, there was no significant difference in the working distance between the naked eye and different magnifications of the Galilean loupes, which were superior to and significantly different from that of the simulator.

Conclusion

It was concluded that the different magnification levels of the Galilean loupes did not influence the visual acuity or distance between the eyes of the operator and the mouth of the dental phantom head in the evaluated students.
Classification of cancer types based on microRNA expression using a hybrid radial basis function and particle swarm optimization algorithm
Authors: Soleimani Masoumeh , Harooni Aryan , Erfani Nasim , Khan Amjad Rehman , Saba Tanzila , Bahaj Saeed Ali
Published: January 2024

The diagnosis and treatment of cancer is one of the most challenging aspects of the medical profession, despite advances in disease diagnosis. MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNA molecules involved in regulating gene expression and are associated with several cancer types. Therefore, the analysis of microRNA data has become one of the most important areas of cancer research in recent years. This paper presents an improved method for cancer‐type classification based on microRNA expression data using a hybrid radial basis function (RBF) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. Two datasets containing microRNA information were used, and preprocessing and normalization operations were performed on the raw data. Feature selection was carried out by using the PSO algorithm, which can identify the most relevant and informative features in the data along with helping to prioritize them. Using a PSO algorithm for feature selection is an effective approach to microRNA analysis. This enhances the accuracy and reliability of cancer‐type classifications based on microRNA expression data. In the proposed method, we, respectively, achieved an accuracy of 0.95% and 0.91% on both datasets, with an average of 0.93%, using an improved RBF neural network classifier. These results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms previous works.

Research Highlights

To enhance the accuracy of cancer‐type classifications based on microRNA expression data.

We present a minimal feature selection method using particle swarm optimization to reduce computational load & radial basis function to improve accuracy.
Intracellular localisation and extracellular release of Y RNA and Y RNA binding proteins
Authors: Driedonks Tom A. P. , Ressel Sarah , Tran Ngoc Minh Thi , Buck Amy H. , Nolte‐‘t Hoen Esther N. M.
Published: January 2024

Cells can communicate via the release and uptake of extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are nano‐sized membrane vesicles that can transfer protein and RNA cargo between cells. EVs contain microRNAs and various other types of non‐coding RNA, of which Y RNA is among the most abundant types. Studies on how RNAs and their binding proteins are sorted into EVs have mainly focused on comparing intracellular (cytoplasmic) levels of these RNAs to the extracellular levels in EVs. Besides overall transcriptional levels that may regulate sorting of RNAs into EVs, the process may also be driven by local intracellular changes in RNA/RBP concentrations. Changes in extracellular Y RNA have been linked to cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Although the loading of RNA cargo into EVs is generally thought to be influenced by cellular stimuli and regulated by RNA binding proteins (RBP), little is known about Y RNA shuttling into EVs. We previously reported that immune stimulation alters the levels of Y RNA in EVs independently of cytosolic Y RNA levels. This suggests that Y RNA binding proteins, and/or changes in the local Y RNA concentration at EV biogenesis sites, may affect Y RNA incorporation into EVs. Here, we investigated the subcellular distribution of Y RNA and Y RNA binding proteins in activated and non‐activated THP1 macrophages. We demonstrate that Y RNA and its main binding protein Ro60 abundantly co‐fractionate in organelles involved in EV biogenesis and in EVs. Cellular activation led to an increase in Y RNA concentration at EV biogenesis sites and this correlated with increased EV‐associated levels of Y RNA and Ro60. These results suggest that Y RNA incorporation into EVs may be controlled by local intracellular changes in the concentration of Y RNA and their protein binding partners.
Immunoglobulin G4‐related disease: Multiple organ occupation on CT
Authors: Ma Luyao , Zhang Qian , Zhang Mengyao , Hao Junjie , Jin Zhenjing
Published: January 2024

One case involved a 61‐year‐old woman who was admitted to hospital with liver occupation, subsequently found multiple organ occupation, and was eventually pathologically identified as having immunoglobulin G4‐related disease.
Whose interests matter? The role of participation in inclusive organizational behavior
Authors: Ressi Elena , Weiss Silvana , Ortlieb Renate
Published: January 2024

In the context of working from home triggered by the COVID‐19 pandemic, we theorize on inclusive organizational behavior (IOB) as a participatory practice to use diverse interests as a resource for developing a long‐term working mode. We adopt a mixed‐methods design to examine qualitative data from four companies and quantitative data from a company survey. In the qualitative study, we identify four IOB approaches (blighting, silencing, balancing, and harmonizing) employed by various organizational actors (HR/managers, employees, and their representatives). These practices concern organizational culture, structures, and everyday interactions in dealing with diverse interests. In the quantitative study, we examine the relationship between heterogeneity of interests, participation, and organizational experiences with working from home. We integrate our findings in an IOB model and show that a higher degree of participation fosters positive experiences with working from home, as well as opportunities for learning. Addressing diverse interests through participatory practices may involve challenges and lengthy negotiations yet offers the potential to learn from diversity for future working modes. Our research contributes to the conceptualization and practical implementation of IOB by emphasizing the importance of participation in co‐creating opportunities for learning from given and potentially emerging interests in a constantly changing world of work.
Interactive effects of salinity and straw on the soil aggregate stability and organic carbon sequestration in saline soils in the Hetao area, China
Authors: Li Wenxiu , Yang Jingsong , Yao Rongjiang , Wang Xiangping , Xie Wenping , Xiao Ping
Published: January 2024

Soil organic carbon (SOC) and aggregate stability are the critical factors in evaluate soil quality and carbon sinks in agricultural soils. Especially in complex saline soils containing larges amount of sodium and calcium ions. To quantitatively estimate the importance of salinity factors, SOC fractions, and soil aggregate fractions on SOC contents and the mean weight diameter (MWD), as well as to reveal the transformation mechanism of SOC under the interactions between salinity and straw, a laboratory experiment was conducted on three soils with different salinity, with and without straw addition. The results showed that straw and salinity interactions significantly increased the proportion of large macro‐aggregate fractions and the MWD, decreased micro‐aggregate fractions, but promoted the conversion of SOC fractions to mineral‐associated organic carbon (MAOC) of micro‐aggregates in moderately saline soils. The responses of SOC contents and MWD to electrical conductivity (EC1:5) were nonlinear. The exchangeable sodium to calcium ions ratio (E‐Na/E‐Ca) (%IncMSE = 11.4, p < 0.01), and MAOC contents (%IncMSE = 17.0, p < 0.01) provided the best explanations of SOC contents, while the MWD was more explained by calcium carbonate (CaCO3) contents (%IncMSE = 9.6, p < 0.01), and MAOC/SOC (%IncMSE = 10.5, p < 0.01). The proportion of micro‐aggregate fractions was significant drivers of both SOC contents and MWD. The increased MAOC contents was mainly caused by improving the binding sensitivity of aliphatic compounds to salt‐related compounds, and the contents of C–C/C–H and C=O functional groups. The findings offer new perspectives into the mechanism of SOC sequestration and sustainable development of moderately saline soils under straw returning in the Hetao area.
Preclinical evidence using synthetic compounds and natural products indicates that AMPK represents a potential pharmacological target for the therapy of pulmonary diseases
Authors: Yang Chao , Rubin Limor , Yu Xiyong , Lazarovici Philip , Zheng Wenhua
Published: January 2024

Adenosine 5′‐monophosphate (AMP)‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a highly conserved eukaryotic enzyme discovered as a key regulator of cellular energy homeostasis, with anti‐inflammation, antioxidative stress, anticancer, and antifibrosis beneficial effects. AMPK is dysregulated in human pulmonary diseases such as acute lung injury, nonsmall cell lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma. This review provides an overview of the beneficial role of natural, synthetic, and Chinese traditional medicines AMPK modulators in pulmonary diseases, and highlights the role of the AMPK signaling pathway in the lung, emphasizing the importance of finding lead compounds and drugs that can target and modulate AMPK to treat the lung diseases.
Global stability analysis and Hopf bifurcation due to memory delay in a novel memory‐based diffusion three‐species food chain system with weak Allee effect
Authors: Ma Tingting , Meng Xinzhu
Published: January 2024

This paper presents a detailed study on the dynamics of a three‐species food chain system with memory‐based delay under weak Allee effect and middle predator refuge. The local stability analyses of the non‐diffusive and memory‐based diffusion systems are investigated. Moreover, we give a priori estimates and obtain the existence of the positive constant steady state by applying the comparison theorem. Sufficient conditions for the global stability are established by Barbǎlat lemma and the Lyapunov function. The theoretical results suggest the joint effect of cross‐diffusion and memory‐based delay can lead to Hopf bifurcation, which cannot appear in the system with self‐diffusion or a small cross‐diffusion coefficient. Numerical results verify the validity of the theoretical analysis.
Carbon‐13 chemical shift tensor measurements for nitrogen‐dense compounds
Authors: Holmes Sean T. , Boley Cameron M. , Dewicki Angelika , Gardner Zachary T. , Vojvodin Cameron S. , Iuliucci Robbie J. , Schurko Robert W.
Published: January 2024

This paper reports the principal values of the 13C chemical shift tensors for five nitrogen‐dense compounds (i.e., cytosine, uracil, imidazole, guanidine hydrochloride, and aminoguanidine hydrochloride). Although these are all fundamentally important compounds, the majority do not have 13C chemical shift tensors reported in the literature. The chemical shift tensors are obtained from 1H→13C cross‐polarization magic‐angle spinning (CP/MAS) experiments that were conducted at a high field of 18.8 T to suppress the effects of 14N‐13C residual dipolar coupling. Quantum chemical calculations using density functional theory are used to obtain the 13C magnetic shielding tensors for these compounds. The best agreement with experiment arises from calculations using the hybrid functional PBE0 or the double‐hybrid functional PBE0‐DH, along with the triple‐zeta basis sets TZ2P or pc‐3, respectively, and intermolecular effects modeled using large clusters of molecules with electrostatic embedding through the COSMO approach. These measurements are part of an ongoing effort to expand the catalog of accurate 13C chemical shift tensor measurements, with the aim of creating a database that may be useful for benchmarking the accuracy of quantum chemical calculations, developing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) crystallography protocols, or aiding in applications involving machine learning or data mining. This work was conducted at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory as part of a 2‐week school for introducing undergraduate students to practical laboratory experience that will prepare them for scientific careers or postgraduate studies.
Brewing alcohol 101: An undergraduate experiment utilizing benchtop NMR for quantification and process monitoring
Authors: Jenne Amy , Soong Ronald , Downey Katelyn , Biswas Rajshree Ghosh , Decker Venita , Busse Falko , Goerling Benjamin , Haber Agnes , Simpson Myrna J. , Simpson Andre J.
Published: January 2024

In recent years there has been a renewed interest in benchtop NMR. Given their lower cost of ownership, smaller footprint, and ease of use, they are especially suited as an educational tool. Here, a new experiment targeted at upper‐year undergraduates and first‐year graduate students follows the conversion of D‐glucose into ethanol at low‐field. First, high and low‐field data on D‐glucose are compared and students learn both the Hz and ppm scales and how J‐coupling is field‐independent. The students then acquire their own quantitative NMR datasets and perform the quantification using an Electronic Reference To Access In Vivo Concentration (ERETIC) technique. To our knowledge ERETIC is not currently taught at the undergraduate level, but has an advantage in that internal standards are not required; ideal for following processes or with future use in flow‐based benchtop monitoring. Using this quantitative data, students can relate a simple chemical process (fermentation) back to more complex topics such as reaction kinetics, bridging the gaps between analytical and physical chemistry. When asked to reflect on the experiment, students had an overwhelmingly positive experience, citing agreement with learning objectives, ease of understanding the protocol, and enjoyment. Each of the respondents recommended this experiment as a learning tool for others. This experiment has been outlined for other instructors to utilize in their own courses across institutions, with the hope that a continued expansion of low‐field NMR will increase accessibility and learning opportunities at the undergraduate level.
Impaired plasma glucose clearance is a key determinant of fasting hyperglycemia in people with obesity
Authors: Mittendorfer Bettina , van Vliet Stephan , Smith Gordon I. , Petersen Max C. , Patterson Bruce W. , Klein Samuel
Published: January 2024

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relative importance of the basal rate of glucose appearance (Ra) in the circulation and the basal rate of plasma glucose clearance in determining fasting plasma glucose concentration in people with obesity and different fasting glycemic statuses.

Methods

The authors evaluated basal glucose kinetics in 33 lean people with normal fasting glucose (<100 mg/dL; Lean < 100 group) and 206 people with obesity and normal fasting glucose (Ob < 100 group, n = 118), impaired fasting glucose (100–125 mg/dL; Ob 100–125 group, n = 66), or fasting glucose diagnostic of diabetes (≥126 mg/dL; Ob ≥ 126 group, n = 22).

Results

Although there was a large (up to three‐fold) range in glucose Ra within each group, the ranges in glucose concentration in the Lean < 100, Ob < 100, and Ob 100–125 groups were small because of a close relationship between glucose Ra and clearance rate. However, the glucose clearance rate at any Ra value was lower in the hyperglycemic than the normoglycemic groups. In the Ob ≥ 126 group, plasma glucose concentration was primarily determined by glucose Ra, because glucose clearance was markedly attenuated.

Conclusions

Fasting hyperglycemia in people with obesity represents a disruption of the precisely regulated integration of glucose production and clearance rates.

image
Effects of time‐restricted eating on intrahepatic fat and metabolic health among patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Deng Yan , Liu Xiaoming , Sun Yuzhe , Zhou Li , Li Qiang , Lei Ziqiao , Yang Fan , Chen Liangkai , Zhang Chen , Tan Wei , Jin Xin , Han Zhuang , Xu Huiyang , Wang Qing , Nie Qi , Yi Haoran , Bao Wei , Rong Shuang
Published: January 2024

Objective

The study's objective was to explore whether early time‐restricted eating (eTRE) and late time‐restricted eating (lTRE) have different impacts on intrahepatic fat and metabolic health among patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods

This is an 8‐week, randomized, parallel‐arm, open‐label trial. Forty eligible patients were randomly assigned to eTRE (eating between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.) or lTRE (eating between 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.). The primary outcome was the change of intrahepatic fat measured by magnetic resonance image‐derived proton density fat fraction. Secondary outcomes included changes in weight, body composition, liver function, and cardiometabolic factors.

Results

Forty participants who underwent randomization completed the trial (mean age: 38.25 years). The eTRE group had a −3.24% absolute reduction of intrahepatic fat (95% CI: −4.55% to −1.92%) and there was a −3.51% absolute reduction for the lTRE group (95% CI: −5.10% to −1.92%). Changes in intrahepatic fat were not statistically different between the two groups. Both the eTRE and lTRE groups had similar and significant reductions in weight, visceral fat, subcutaneous fat, liver enzymes, and glucose regulatory indicators.

Conclusions

Among patients with NAFLD, both eTRE and lTRE induced significant reductions in intrahepatic fat and improvements in body composition, liver function, and metabolic health with similar magnitude. These findings suggest that eTRE and lTRE are comparable and feasible strategies for NAFLD management.
Water as Country on the Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands, South Australia
Authors: Young Diana
Published: January 2024

Anangu, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara people living in the north‐western areas of South Australia, conceptualize changes in the surface of land as evincing the presence of Ancestral power. Rain is one such catalyst of change, though it is by no means a certainty on the Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands. When it does appear, water does not stay long on the surface: it is shimmering and unstable. This chapter examines the nature of various water sources in contemporary indigenous life, the spatial relationships between earth and sky and the dialectic between life and death that they mediate.
Kes (Passageway): Cross‐Cultural Considerations of Island Field Containment in the Torres Strait
Authors: Wissing Kirsty , Webb Torres
Published: January 2024

Synthetic biology (synbio) scientists have identified islands as potential environments in which to trial the release of approved gene drives in the future for conservation and biosecurity purposes. However, islands, and their interconnected waterscapes, can connect as much as they contain. The Torres Strait Islands stretch between mainland Australia, of which they are a part, and Papua New Guinea. The Straits' water facilitates transport and fosters customary connection and trans/national notions of kin. In this watery world, how might Torres Strait Islanders' understandings complicate and/or contribute to (synbio) scientific concepts of islands as contained, ‘watertight’ field sites? And how is a changing climate and rising sea levels impacting identities in the Torres Strait and relationships in the region? As intra‐ and inter‐national island anthropology, this article considers how synbio approaches to water may engage with the hydro‐history and fluid future of Torres Strait Islander identities and cross‐cultural socio‐environmental responsibilities.
Economic Evaluation of Pediatric Tracheostomy: A Cost of Illness Analysis
Authors: Zhang Jinghan , Liu Palmila , Narayanan Ajay M. , Chorney Stephen R. , Kou Yann‐Fuu , Johnson Romaine F.
Published: January 2024

Objective

This study aimed to determine the direct costs of pediatric tracheostomy care within a health care system.

Study Design

Prospective analysis.

Setting

Academic children's hospital.

Methods

Costs associated with caring for pediatric tracheostomy patients under 18 years were analyzed between 2015 and 2021. Direct costs were calculated using the Medicare/Medicaid charges‐to‐costs ratio for various visit types. Costs were estimated using generalized linear equations, accounting for confounders.

Results

A total of 297 children underwent tracheostomy at a median age of 0.94 years. The median follow‐up was 2.5 years, resulting in 13,966 visits (mean = 41). The total cost was $321 million. The initial admission accounted for 72% ($231 million) of costs while other inpatient admissions added 24% ($78 million). Emergency department, observation, and outpatient visits comprised 4% of costs. The length of stay (LOS) was the primary cost driver for inpatient visits. Each additional hospital day increased costs by roughly $1195, and each extra admission added about $130,223 after adjusting for confounders. Respiratory failure and infections were the primary reasons for 67% of subsequent admissions.

Conclusion

Pediatric tracheostomy care generated over $300 million in direct costs over 5 years. Inpatient stays constituted 96% of these costs, with the LOS being a major factor. To reduce direct health expenditures for these patients, the focus should be on minimizing admissions.
Understanding small‐scale private forest owners is a basis for transformative change towards integrative conservation
Authors: Tiebel Malin , Mölder Andreas , Bieling Claudia , Hansen Peter , Plieninger Tobias
Published: January 2024

Balancing societal demands on forests is a major challenge in current forest management. Small‐scale private forest owners are an important ownership group that is rarely addressed directly in this discussion. Our study aims to identify and differentiate between private forest owner groups. Based on this, we take a systemic approach and determine leverage points that can be used to foster transformative change towards integrative conservation‐oriented forest management.

We conducted a survey of 1656 small‐scale private forest owners in northwest Germany within a typical European multi‐ownership landscape and formed three clusters based on their activities.

While all groups generally perceived nature conservation as important, they differed with regard to their forest management activities. Multiple‐use‐oriented forest owners (45%) were most active, including in terms of conservation measures. Conservation‐oriented owners (25%) mainly focused on passive measures, and conventional owners (30%) showed only a little engagement with conservation‐related activities. Despite the differences, common instruments promoting conservation activities were identified. They included, for example on‐site consultation, information about legal regulations and financial incentives.

Based on four system characteristics (parameters, feedback, design and intent), we identified leverage points towards transformative change. The deep and thus effective leverage points are changing the discourse, accounting for the heterogeneity of private forest owners as well as for uncertainty related to climate change and adapting measures to local contexts. Furthermore, working towards increasing awareness, knowledge and interest as well as accounting for the desire for autonomy and control are promising pathways for change.

A holistic transformation of forest policy and management towards integrative conservation is urgently needed to meet the current challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and timber demand. This transformation has to go beyond the adaptation of existing policy instruments and instead focus on systematic and cross‐sectoral changes in the underlying policy orientation, its design and its implementation.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Dichotomous role of the serine/threonine kinase MAP4K4 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma onset and metastasis through control of AKT and ERK pathways
Authors: Juin Amelie , Spence Heather J , Machesky Laura M
Published: January 2024

MAP4K4 is a serine/threonine kinase of the STE20 family involved in the regulation of actin cytoskeleton dynamics and cell motility. It has been proposed as a target of angiogenesis and inhibitors show potential in cardioprotection. MAP4K4 also mediates cell invasion in vitro, is overexpressed in various types of cancer, and is associated with poor patient prognosis. Recently, MAP4K4 has been shown to be overexpressed in pancreatic cancer, but its role in tumour initiation, progression, and metastasis is unknown. Here, using the KrasG12D Trp53R172H Pdx1‐Cre (KPC) mouse model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), we show that deletion of Map4k4 drives tumour initiation and progression. Moreover, we report that the acceleration of tumour onset is also associated with an overactivation of ERK and AKT, two major downstream effectors of KRAS, in vitro and in vivo. In contrast to the accelerated tumour onset caused by loss of MAP4K4, we observed a reduction in metastatic burden with both the KPC model and in an intraperitoneal transplant assay indicating a major role of MAP4K4 in metastatic seeding. In summary, our study sheds light on the dichotomous role of MAP4K4 in the initiation of PDAC onset, progression, and metastatic dissemination. It also identifies MAP4K4 as a possible druggable target against pancreatic cancer spread, but with the caveat that targeting MAP4K4 might accelerate early tumorigenesis. © 2024 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Synergistic enhancement of interfacial adhesion for CF/PEEK composites through carbene chemistry and water‐based self‐catalyzed cross‐linkable PENK‐NH2 sizing agent
Authors: Guo Jiaming , Pei Weibing , Dai Shengtao , Ma Yan , Liu Yu , Zhao Yanan , Ao Yuhui , Liu Liu , Li Dongfeng
Published: January 2024

To address the issue of inadequate interfacial adhesion in carbon fiber/poly ether ether ketone (CF/PEEK) composites, an innovative approach that combines carbene chemistry and sizing treatment was meticulously designed to achieve remarkable synergistic enhancement. Specifically, cyano groups were chemical‐grafted on CF surface via carbene reaction. Meanwhile, a water‐based self‐catalyzed cross‐linkable PENK‐NH2 sizing agent with good storage stability was prepared. Noteworthy, the presence of amino groups as blocking agents of sizing agent significantly accelerated the rate of cyano‐crosslinking, thus effectively avoiding the adverse effects of excessively prolonged cross‐linking period during composites preparation. As a result, robust interaction between cyano‐modified CF and PEEK was established by cross‐linking reaction, along with chemical bonds generated between amino groups of sizing agent and ketone groups in PEEK. The maximum interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of CF‐CN‐1.5/PEEK composites was 22.0% and 57.0% higher than CF‐1.5/PEEK and CF/PEEK composites. Furthermore, the presence of cyano‐cross‐linked structure endowed interphase with outstanding solvent‐resistance, the mechanical properties of CF composites after solvent treatment were well‐preserved. The strong synergistic interfacial interactions facilitated by chemical bonds in different components provide an effective and fascinating methodology for producing high‐performance CF/composites.

Highlights

Water‐based self‐catalyzed cross‐linkable PENK‐NH2 sizing agents for CF/PEEK were prepared.

NH2 was introduced to avoid the adverse effects of prolonged cyano‐crosslinking.

Designed carbenoid motif with cyano group was grafted on CF via carbene chemistry.

The interaction between sizing agent and CF was boosted by the cyano‐crosslinking.

Mechanical properties of sized composites corroded by solvent were well‐preserved.
The impact of teacher−student relationship on knowledge sharing among Chinese graduate students: The moderating roles of proactive personality
Authors: Su Weilin , Xiao Fujun , Jiang Shangfeng , Lyu Bei
Published: January 2024

Introducing knowledge sharing into higher education research and exploring the internal influence mechanism of teacher−student relationship on knowledge sharing of graduate students can provide better guidance and reference for the current stage of higher education knowledge management practice. Against this background, this study built and verified a theoretical model to explore in detail the impact of teacher−student relationship on knowledge sharing of graduate students, and the moderating role of proactive personality in such process. This study collected data across two time points, and finally obtained a sample of 365 Chinese graduate students. The empirical results showed that the teacher−student relationship was positively related to knowledge sharing behavior of graduate students, and their knowledge sharing willingness partly mediated this correlation. Furthermore, the influence of teacher−student relationship on knowledge sharing willingness and behavior is positively moderated by proactive personality. Therefore, the findings of this study provide educational guidance and recommendations for promoting knowledge sharing of graduate students.