bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
T Cell Activating Thermostable Self‐Assembly Nanoscaffold Tailored for Cellular Immunity Antigen Delivery
Authors: Zhang Jinsong , Yang Jianghua , Li Qianlin , Peng Ruihao , Fan Shoudong , Yi Huaimin , Lu Yuying , Peng Yuanli , Yan Haozhen , Sun Lidan , Lu Jiahai , Chen Zeliang
Published: July 2023

Antigen delivery based on non‐virus‐like particle self‐associating protein nanoscffolds, such as Aquifex aeolicus lumazine synthase (AaLS), is limited due to the immunotoxicity and/or premature clearance of antigen‐scaffold complex resulted from triggering unregulated innate immune responses. Here, using rational immunoinformatics prediction and computational modeling, we screen the T epitope peptides from thermophilic nanoproteins with the same spatial structure as hyperthermophilic icosahedral AaLS, and reassemble them into a novel thermostable self‐assembling nanoscaffold RPT that can specifically activate T cell‐mediated immunity. Tumor model antigen ovalbumin T epitopes and the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 receptor‐binding domain are loaded onto the scaffold surface through the SpyCather/SpyTag system to construct nanovaccines. Compared to AaLS, RPT‐constructed nanovaccines elicit more potent cytotoxic T cell and CD4+ T helper 1 (Th1)‐biased immune responses, and generate less anti‐scaffold antibody. Moreover, RPT significantly upregulate the expression of transcription factors and cytokines related to the differentiation of type‐1 conventional dendritic cells, promoting the cross‐presentation of antigens to CD8+ T cells and Th1 polarization of CD4+ T cells. RPT confers antigens with increased stability against heating, freeze‐thawing, and lyophilization with almost no antigenicity loss. This novel nanoscaffold offers a simple, safe, and robust strategy for boosting T‐cell immunity‐dependent vaccine development.
Nitrogen fixation among pea and lentil varieties in the Northern Great Plains
Authors: Baber Kaleb , Jones Clain , McPhee Kevin , Miller Perry R. , Lamb Peggy
Published: July 2023

Pulse crops, including lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.), can improve the sustainability of Northern Great Plains cropping systems, largely through biological N fixation. Greater N fixation amounts can help producers to increase yield while decreasing N fertilizer inputs for the following crop. There may be potential to breed greater N‐fixing pulse varieties, yet little is known about varietal differences in N fixation. Nitrogen fixation of pea and lentil varieties was quantified at two sites in Montana from 2019 to 2021 using an N difference approach and the 15N natural abundance method. Riveland and CDC Richlea were frequently high N‐fixing lentil varieties, both fixing ca. 130 kg N ha−1 in the site‐year with the most favorable growing conditions. No pea variety had consistently greater N fixation than others, despite N fixation ranging from 88 to 135 kg N ha−1 in one site‐year among varieties. Nitrogen fixation by lentil had an inverse relationship with days to flowering but was not correlated with days to maturity. Nitrogen fixation by pea was positively correlated with days to maturity but was not correlated with days to flowering. Breeding lentil and pea for high N fixation by selecting high N‐fixing varieties is likely difficult, as varieties performed differently under variable environmental conditions. Breeding efforts based on traits, such as days to flowering, could be more successful. There were more positive correlations between N fixation parameters and seed yield for pea than for lentil, suggesting that breeding for greater yields could increase N fixation for pea but not lentil.
Efficacy and economics of light‐activated sensor‐controlled sprayer for site‐specific weed control
Authors: Sharma Priyanka , Kumar Vipan , Jha Prashant
Published: July 2023

An increasing cost of controlling herbicide‐resistant weeds necessitates the development of cost‐effective weed control strategies in the semi‐arid U.S. Great Plains. Two separate field studies were conducted in 2013 and 2014 at the Montana State University Southern Agricultural Research Center near Huntley, MT to (1) evaluate a light‐activated sensor‐controlled (LASC) sprayer compared to a broadcast sprayer for effectiveness and cost savings for weed control in postharvest wheat (Triticum aestivum) stubble, and (2) determine the efficacy of LASC sprayer operated at two different speeds for weed control in fallow fields. Results indicated that both LASC and broadcast sprayers performed similarly for the effectiveness of a majority of herbicides tested on kochia [Bassia scoparia (L.) A.J. Scott] and prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola L.). Paraquat alone or in tank‐mixture with linuron, and saflufenacil + 2,4‐D provided 93%–100% control of kochia, 98%–100% control of prickly lettuce, and reduced the total weed biomass by 75%–80% at 28 days after treatment (DAT), regardless of the sprayer used. A simple comparative economic analysis revealed that LASC sprayer reduced the overall chemical use by 23%–55% and resulted in cost savings of $5.83–$30.83 ha−1 across herbicide treatments. Herbicide efficacy was reduced up to 20% for kochia and prickly lettuce control when applied with LASC sprayer at a speed of 16 versus 8 km h−1. Altogether, these results indicate that the LASC sprayer can provide cost‐effective, site‐specific weed control in no‐tillage chemical fallow or postharvest wheat stubble.
Association between physical fitness and normal weight obesity in children and adolescents from Poland
Authors: Żegleń Magdalena , Kryst Łukasz , Kuszewska Gabriela , Kowal Małgorzata , Woronkowicz Agnieszka
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Normal weight obesity (NWO) is defined as elevated adiposity, despite normal body mass index (BMI). The aim of this study was to compare the results of selected fitness parameters in Polish children and adolescents from Poland with and without normal weight obesity.

Methods

The study was cross‐sectional and school‐based. Body height, weight and adiposity, as well as the results of selected fitness tests, were obtained. BMI was calculated, and only normal‐weight individuals were included. NWO was defined as normal BMI with adiposity ≥85 percentile for age and sex.

Results

Children with NWO tended to have better results of absolute dynamometric strength and overhead medicine ball throw. On the other hand, when the dynamometric strength was normalized for the body mass nonNWO group achieved better results. Furthermore, NWO group had lower explosive muscle strength of the lower limbs, agility, as well as abdominal muscle strength, and endurance.

Conclusions

Obtained results suggest that NWO is associated with a decrease in at least some fitness parameters in children and adolescents. Therefore, it can be hypothesized, that normal weight obesity can result in poorer fundamental motor skills. Moreover, as parameters such as muscle strength have been shown to be associated with cardiometabolic risks, described results can also be important in the context of the present and future health of the children. The results also highlight the importance of monitoring physical fitness and body composition in children, as individuals with NWO are almost indistinguishable from normal weight non‐obese counterparts based on current standard surveillance protocols.
Riding the merry‐go‐round of racial disparities in ADRD research
Authors: Adkins‐Jackson Paris B. , Kraal A. Zarina , Hill‐Jarrett Tanisha G. , George Kristen M. , Deters Kacie D. , Besser Lilah M. , Avila‐Rieger Justina F. , Turney Indira , Manly Jennifer J.
Published: July 2023

INTRODUCTION

With the rapid expansion of the aging population, the burden of Alzheimer's disease related dementias (ADRD) is anticipated to increase in racialized and minoritized groups who are at disproportionately higher risk. To date, research emphasis has been on further characterizing the existence of racial disparities in ADRD through comparisons to groups racialized as White that are assumed to be normative. Much of the literature on this comparison insinuates that racialized and minoritized groups experience poorer outcomes due to genetics, culture, and/or health behaviors.

METHODS

This perspective shines a light on a category of ADRD research that employs ahistorical methodological approaches to describe racial disparities in ADRD that puts us on a merry‐go‐round of research with no benefits to society.

METHODS

This commentary provides historical context for the use of race in ADRD research and justification for the study of structural racism. The commentary concludes with recommendations to guide future research.
Supramolecular Polymer Brushes Grown by Surface‐Initiated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization from Cucurbit[7]uril‐based Non‐Covalent Initiators
Authors: Metze Friederike K. , Filipucci Irene , Klok Harm‐Anton
Published: July 2023

Polymer brushes are densely grafted, chain end‐tethered assemblies of polymers that can be produced via surface‐initiated polymerization. Typically, this is accomplished using initiators or chain transfer agents that are covalently attached to the substrate. This manuscript reports an alternative route towards polymer brushes, which involves the use of non‐covalent cucurbit[7]uril‐adamantane host–guest interactions to surface‐immobilize initiators for atom transfer radical polymerization. These non‐covalent initiators can be used for the surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization of a variety of water‐soluble methacrylate monomers to generate supramolecular polymer brushes with film thicknesses of more than 100 nm. The non‐covalent nature of the initiator also allows facile access to patterned polymer brushes, which can be produced in straightforward fashion by drop‐casting a solution of the initiator‐modified guest molecules onto a substrate that presents the cucurbit[7]uril host.
Revealing Active Sites and Reaction Pathways in Methane Non‐Oxidative Coupling over Iron‐Containing Zeolites
Authors: Zhang Hao , Bolshakov Aleksei , Meena Raghavendra , Garcia Gustavo A. , Dugulan A. Iulian , Parastaev Alexander , Li Guanna , Hensen Emiel J. M. , Kosinov Nikolay
Published: July 2023

Non‐oxidative coupling of methane is a promising route to obtain ethylene directly from natural gas. We synthesized siliceous [Fe]zeolites with MFI and CHA topologies and found that they display high selectivity (>90 % for MFI and >99 % for CHA) to ethylene and ethane among gas‐phase products. Deactivated [Fe]zeolites can be regenerated by burning coke in air. In situ X‐ray absorption spectroscopy demonstrates that the isolated Fe3+ centers in zeolite framework of fresh catalysts are reduced during the reaction to the active sites, including Fe2+ species and Fe (oxy)carbides dispersed in zeolite pores. Photoelectron photoion coincidence spectroscopy results show that methyl radicals are the reaction intermediates formed upon methane activation. Ethane is formed by methyl radical coupling, followed by its dehydrogenation to ethylene. Based on the observation of intermediates including allene, vinylacetylene, 1,3‐butadiene, 2‐butyne, and cyclopentadiene over [Fe]MFI, a reaction network is proposed leading to polyaromatic species. Such reaction intermediates are not observed over the small‐pore [Fe]CHA, where ethylene and ethane are the only gas‐phase products.
Bis(N‐Heterocyclic Carbene) Manganese(I) Complexes: Efficient and Simple Hydrogenation Catalysts
Authors: Both Niklas F. , Spannenberg Anke , Jiao Haijun , Junge Kathrin , Beller Matthias
Published: July 2023

The use of bis(NHC) manganese(I) complexes 3 as catalysts for the hydrogenation of esters was investigated. For that purpose, a series of complexes has been synthesized via an improved two step procedure utilizing bis(NHC)‐BEt3 adducts. By applying complexes 3 with KHBEt3 as additive, various aromatic and aliphatic esters were hydrogenated successfully at mild temperatures and low catalyst loadings, highlighting the efficiency of the novel catalytic system. The versatility of the developed catalytic system was further demonstrated by the hydrogenation of other substrate classes like ketones, nitriles, N‐heteroarenes and alkenes. Mechanistic experiments and DFT calculations indicate an inner sphere mechanism with the loss of one CO ligand and reveal the role of BEt3 as cocatalyst.
Stereospecific Radical Polymerization of a Side‐Chain Transformable Bulky Acrylamide Monomer and Subsequent Post‐Polymerization Modification for Syntheses of Isotactic Polyacrylate and Polyacrylamide
Authors: Pan Yuehang , Ouchi Makoto
Published: July 2023

We report syntheses of isotactic polyacrylate and polyacrylamide via a stereospecific radical polymerization of a pendant‐transformable monomer, acrylamide carrying isopropyl‐substituted ureidosulfonamide (1), followed by post‐polymerization modification (PPM). The study in the alcoholysis and aminolysis reactions of the model compound (2) for evaluation of the transformation ability of the electron‐withdrawing pendant group on the repeating unit 1 revealed the following points: the pendant of the polymer became more reactive than that of monomer; the pendant was active enough for aminolysis reaction affording the amide compound quantitatively without additive/catalyst; the addition of a lithium triflate [Li(OTf)] and triethylamine (Et3N) was effective as for promotion of the alcoholysis reaction. Poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) was quantitatively obtained via the radical polymerization of 1 in the presence of Li(OTf) at 60 °C and the subsequent addition of methanol along with Et3N. Thus‐obtained PMA showed higher isotacticity [m=74 %] than that directly obtained via radical polymerization of methyl acrylate (MA) (m=51 %). The isotacticity was further increased as the temperature and monomer concentration were lower, and eventually m was increased up to 93 %. The aminolysis PPM after the iso‐specific radical polymerization of 1 gave various isotactic polyacrylamides carrying different alkyl pendant groups, including poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM).
Fast‐Response Nickel‐Promoted Indium Oxide Catalysts for Carbon Dioxide Hydrogenation from Intermittent Solar Hydrogen
Authors: Li Xianghong , Zhang Peng , Yang Chengsheng , Wang Zhongyan , Song Xiwen , Wang Tuo , Gong Jinlong
Published: July 2023

Construction of a “net‐zero‐emission” system through CO2 hydrogenation to methanol with solar energy is an eco‐friendly way to mitigate the greenhouse effect. Traditional CO2 hydrogenation demands centralized mass production for cost reduction with mass water electrolysis for hydrogen supply. To achieve continuous reaction with intermittent and fluctuating flow of H2 on a small‐scale for distributed application scenarios, modulating the catalyst interface environment and chemical adsorption capacity to adapt fluctuating reaction conditions is highly desired. This paper describes a distributed clean CO2 utilization system in which the surface structure of catalysts is carefully regulated. The Ni catalyst with unsaturated electrons loaded on In2O3 can reduce the dissociation energy of H2 to overcome the slow response of intermittent H2 supply, exhibiting a faster response (12 min) than bare oxide catalysts (42 min). Moreover, the introduction of Ni enhances the sensitivity of the catalyst to hydrogen, yielding a Ni/In2O3 catalyst with a good performance at lower H2 concentrations with a 15 times adaptability for wider hydrogen fluctuation range than In2O3, greatly reducing the negative impact of unstable H2 supplies derived from renewable energies.
Regioselective and Stereospecific β‐Arabinofuranosylation by Boron‐Mediated Aglycon Delivery
Authors: Inaba Kazuki , Naito Yuna , Tachibana Mina , Toshima Kazunobu , Takahashi Daisuke
Published: July 2023

Regio‐ and stereoselective formation of the 1,2‐cis‐furanosidic linkage has been in great demand for efficient synthesis of biologically active natural glycosides. In this study, we developed a regioselective and β‐stereospecific d‐/l‐arabinofuranosylation promoted by a boronic acid catalyst under mild conditions. The glycosylations proceeded smoothly for a variety of diols, triols, and unprotected sugar acceptors to give the corresponding β‐arabinofuranosides (β‐Arbf) in high yields with complete β‐stereoselectivity and high regioselectivity. The regioselectivity was completely reversed depending on the optical isomerism of the donor used and was predictable a priori using predictive models. Mechanistic studies based on DFT calculations revealed that the present glycosylation occurs through a highly dissociative concerted SNi mechanism. The usefulness of the glycosylation method was demonstrated by the chemical synthesis of trisaccharide structures of arabinogalactan fragments.
Synergistic effects of carbon fiber and polytetrafluoroethylene on the friction and wear behavior of polyarylene ether nitrile under dry lubrication condition
Authors: Wang Ting , He Liang , Liu Xiaobo , Tong Lifen
Published: July 2023

The synergistic effects of carbon fiber (CF) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) on the friction and wear behavior of polyarylene ether nitrile (PEN) under dry lubrication condition were studied. According to the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on the composites' surface after wear, the wear mechanism of the composites under dry sliding condition was analyzed. The research results show that the addition of solid lubricants PTFE and carbon fibers to PEN helps to enhance the properties of friction and wear. The specific wear rate is decreased to 5.7 × 10−7 mm3/N m at a PTFE composition of 5 wt%, which is optimized by 33.4% more than PEN/CF composites. In addition, wear mechanisms are mainly abrasive wear, accompanied by adhesive wear and plowing of the friction ring.
Enhanced tribological properties of polyimide composite with carbon fiber/graphitic‐carbon nitride nanosheets
Authors: Chen Beibei , Yang Bi , Tong Yang , Dong Wenquan , Li Jiaye , Qiu Shu
Published: July 2023

Developing polymer self‐lubricating composites is of great significance for reducing mechanical friction and wear. In this study, a hybrid of graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) nanosheets anchored carbon fiber (CF) was constructed through one‐step calcination method to enhance the tribological performance of polyimide (PI). The presence of g‐C3N4 improved the interfacial interaction of CF/PI composite by endowing CF surface with active sites and rough microstructure. Tribological test results demonstrated that CF/g‐C3N4/PI composite had outstanding antifriction and wear resistance, with friction coefficient and wear rate of 0.209 and 2.23 × 10−7 mm3/Nm, which were reduced by 21% and 73.52% compared to pure PI, respectively. This was mainly attributed to the enhanced interfacial interaction, which was conducive to the stress transferring from PI to CF/g‐C3N4 in sliding process. At the same time, the g‐C3N4 nanosheets could give the composite excellent self‐lubrication property by promoting the formation of transfer film. More importantly, the as‐proposed CF/g‐C3N4/PI composite still maintained good self‐lubricating performance in different sliding environment, with a friction coefficient of 0.132 in water environment and 0.049 in oil environment, suggesting it had a broad prospect in polymer self‐lubricating composite. In addition, the corresponding mechanism was discussed based on the analysis of worn surface of the composite and counterpart.
The advances of the Chinese Brucella suis strain 2 vaccine
Authors: Li Peng , Jiang Hui , Feng Yu , Zhang Guangzhi , Banai Menachem , Ding Jiabo
Published: July 2023

Brucellosis, a worldwide crucial zoonotic disease, poses global socioeconomic risks to the system by threatening human health and animal reproduction. In recent years, with the increase of animal husbandry, animal brucellosis has become a remarkable health issue in China. To prevent and control the spread of brucellosis, Brucella suis live strain S2 vaccine has been licensed as a multivalent vaccine against the three major zoonotic Brucella species, for example, Brucella melitensis (small ruminants), Brucella abortus (bovids), and B. suis (swine). Following this process, the country enforced control measures based upon B. suis S2 vaccination, which reduced the disease burden in 2022 to 0.66% in the livestock population. The aim of this paper is to review and discuss the biological properties of the S2 vaccine and its wide use in vaccination programs of China, highlighting oral vaccination advantages, validation, and standardization of this vaccine as well as the progress of the S2 vaccination program achieved in the national control of the three zoonotic Brucella species.
Anwendung von UHFB im Brückenbau – Beispiele und Herausforderungen für die Praxis
Authors: Bredow Danica , Brühwiler Eugen , Thorstensen Rein Terje , Schacht Gregor
Published: July 2023

UHFB ist ein zementgebundener ultra‐hochleistungsfähiger Faserverbund‐Baustoff, der sich durch seine Materialeigenschaften für die Instandsetzung und Verstärkung von Betonbauwerken wie Brücken eignet. Eine auf das Stahlbetonbauteil aufgebrachte UHFB‐Schicht erhöht den Tragwiderstand signifikant und übernimmt auch die Abdichtungsfunktion. Während UHFB in der Schweiz, speziell für Brücken, schon regelmäßig angewendet wird, ist die Technologie vielerorts in Europa und weltweit noch relativ unbekannt und wird noch selten eingesetzt. Die Gründe hierfür sind vielfältig. Das Fehlen von normativen Grundlagen in vielen Ländern ist nur eine der Herausforderungen. Um eine Voraussetzung für eine Verbreitung von UHFB in Deutschland und anderen Ländern zu schaffen, sollte länderübergreifend zusammengearbeitet werden. Die Erfahrung der Schweiz mit mehr als 350 realisierten UHFB‐Projekten könnte von anderen Ländern genutzt werden, bspw. um eine europäische Norm zu entwickeln. Dieser Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über mögliche Anwendungen von UHFB im Brückenbau, stellt den aktuellen Stand der Regelungen zu UHFB in verschiedenen europäischen Ländern vor und analysiert, welche Randbedingungen und Voraussetzungen erforderlich sind, damit sich eine neue Bauweise erfolgreich durchsetzen kann.
Learning curve of trans‐areola single‐site endoscopic thyroidectomy in a high‐volume center: A CUSUM‐based assessment
Authors: Zhan Ling , Xuan Ming , Ding Hao , Liang Juyong , Zhao Qiwu , Chen Lingxie , Yang Zheyu , Cheng Xi , Kuang Jie , Yan Jiqi , Cai Wei , Qiu Weihua
Published: July 2023

Background

Limited attempts have been made in trans‐areola single‐site endoscopic thyroidectomy (TASSET) due to technical challenges and the lengthy time for proficiency. This study aimed to define the learning curve of TASSET and to describe improvements in operative performance over time.

Methods

Based on 222 consecutive TASSET procedures, the learning curve was established according to the operation time by using cumulative sum analysis (CUSUM). The end‐point of learning curve was defined as the number of cases necessitated to reach the initial surgical proficiency stage. The demographic information, surgical and oncological outcomes, surgical stress, and postoperative complications were also analyzed.

Results

There were 70 cases of simple lobectomy for benign nodules and 152 cases of lobectomy with central neck dissection (CND) for malignancy. The mean operative time was 106.54 ± 38.07 min (range: 46–274 min). The learning curve identified two phases: the skill acquisition phase (Case 1–Case 41) and the proficiency phase (Case 42–Case 222). There were no significant differences in demographic information, drainage amount and duration, oncological outcomes, and postoperative complications between the two phases (p > 0.05). Both operation time and postoperative hospitalization decreased significantly in Phase 2 (154.63 ± 52.21 vs. 95.64 ± 22.96 min, p < 0.001; 4.12 ± 0.93 vs. 3.65 ± 0.63 days, p < 0.001). Additionally, the mean variations of surgical stress factors (C‐reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate) decreased significantly as the phase progress. The case number required for proficiency phase in benign and malignant tumor were 18 and 33, respectively, and lymph node resection posed a significant impact on the endpoint of the learning curve (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, the size of nodule showed no significant impact (p = 0.622). For right‐handed surgeons, 16 cases and 25 cases were required for technical competence in left‐sided and right‐sided lesions, respectively, and no significant difference reached (p = 0.266).

Conclusions

TASSET has demonstrated safe and technically feasible with comparable oncological outcomes. Experience of 41 cases was required for surgical competence and proficiency. The initial learning stage could be more quickly adopted by high‐volume thyroid surgeons with standardized procedures.
A New Pathway for the Synthesis of Ketones from Aldehydes and Sulfonylhydrazones: Is Diazo the Key Intermediate?
Authors: Wang Yue‐xing , Chen Li‐ping , Cao Feng‐de , Zhao Bin , Li Zhen‐peng , Li Xiu‐fen , Huang Long‐jiang
Published: July 2023

A new pathway via a cyclic intermediate for the synthesis of ketones from aldehydes and sulfonylhydrazone derivatives under basic conditions is proposed. Several control experiments were performed along with analysis of the mass spectra and in‐situ IR spectra of the reaction mixture. Inspired by the new mechanism, an efficient and scalable method for homologation of aldehydes to ketones was developed. A wide variety of target ketones were obtained in yields of 42–95 % by simply heating the 3‐(trifluoromethyl)benzene sulfonylhydrazones (3‐(Tfsyl)hydrazone) for 2 h at 110 °C with aldehydes and with K2CO3 and DMSO as base and solvent, respectively.
Anchoring Polydopamine on ZnCo2O4 Nanowire To Facilitate Urea Water Electrolysis
Authors: Bhanuse Gita B. , Kumar Sanath , Fu Yen‐Pei
Published: July 2023

To overcome the sluggishness of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), the urea oxidation reaction was developed. In the case of OER application studies ZnCo2O4 is an excellent electrocatalyst, towards the UOR has been performed with surface‐grown polydopamine (PDA) with surface‐grown polydopamine (PDA). ZnCo2O4@PDA is produced over the surface of nickel foam by a hydrothermal method followed by self‐polymerization of dopamine hydrochloride. Dopamine hydrochloride was varied in solution to study the optimal growth of PDA necessary to enhance the electrochemical activity. Prepared ZnCo2O4@PDA was characterized by X‐ray diffraction, electronic structural, and morphology/microstructure studies. With successful confirmation, the developed electrode material was applied to UOR and ZnCo2O4@PDA‐1.5, delivering an excellent low overpotential of 80 mV at 20 mA cm−2 in the electrolyte mixture of 1 M potassium hydroxide+0.33 M urea. To support the excellent UOR activity, other electrochemical properties such as the Tafel slope, electrochemical surface active sites, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were also studied. Furthermore, a schematic illustration explaining the UOR mechanism is shown to allow a clear understanding of the obtained electrochemical activity. Finally, urea water electrolysis was carried out in a two‐electrode symmetrical cell and compared with water electrolysis. This clearly showed the potential of the developed material for efficient electrochemical hydrogen production.
Stereo‐Controlled Synthesis of Vicinal Tertiary Carbinols: Application in the Synthesis of a Diol Substructure of Zaragozic Acid, Pactamycin and Ryanodol
Authors: Kim Byungjoo , Puthukanoori Ravi Kumar , Martha Bhikshapathi , Reddy Muthyala Nagarjuna , Thota Srinivas , Thummala Venkatesham , Rao Paraselli Bheema , Chen David Y.‐K.
Published: July 2023

A novel and flexible approach for the stereo‐controlled synthesis of vicinal tertiary carbinols is reported. The developed strategy featured a highly diastereoselective singlet‐oxygen (O21) [4+2] cycloaddition of rationally designed cyclohexadienones (derived from oxidative dearomatization of the corresponding carboxylic‐acid appended phenol precursors), followed by programmed “O−O” and “C−C” bond cleavage. In doing so, a highly functionalized and versatile intermediate was identified and prepared in synthetically useful quantity as a plausible precursor to access a variety of designed and naturally occurring vicinal tertiary carbinol containing compounds. Most notably, the developed strategy was successfully applied in the stereo‐controlled synthesis of advanced core structures of zaragozic acid, pactamycin and ryanodol.
Synthesis of Skipped Aminodienes by a Ni‐Catalyzed Ring‐Opening/Cross‐Coupling Reaction of Vinylaziridines with Multifunctional Organoboronic Acids†
Authors: Zhang Lu , Du Qingfeng , Luo Yicong , Wang Yuanlin , Gao Feng , Ye Yong , Zhang Wanbin
Published: July 2023

Comprehensive Summary

Skipped dienes are of great importance but remain challenging to synthesize because of the presence of a sp3 hybrid carbon between the two alkenes. Herein, we have developed the first nickel‐catalyzed regio‐, (E)‐stereo‐ and linear‐selective ring‐opening/cross‐coupling reaction of vinylaziridines with organoboronic acids under mild conditions to construct various skipped aminodienes. The reaction exhibits wide functional‐group compatibility, and could be adapted for the introduction of skipped aminodiene functionality into bioactive molecules. In addition, the reaction could be carried out on a gram‐scale, delivering the ring‐opening products in high yields and with linear‐selectivity (90% yield, l : b >20 : 1). Furthermore, DFT calculations and mechanistic experiments provided detailed insights into the mechanism.
Analysis of Multivariate Survival Data under Semiparametric Copula Models
Authors: He Wenqing , Yi Grace Y. , Yuan Ao
Published: July 2023

Modelling multivariate survival data is complicated by the complex association structure among the responses. To balance model flexibility and interpretability, we propose a semiparametric copula model to modulate multivariate survival data, with the marginal distributions of the response components described by semiparametric linear transformation models. To conduct inference about the model parameters, we develop a two‐stage maximum likelihood method and a three‐stage pseudo‐likelihood estimation procedure. We investigate the impact of model misspecification on the estimation of covariate effects and identify a scenario in which consistent estimation of the marginal parameters is retained even when the copula model is misspecified. The proposed methods are justified both theoretically and empirically. An application to a real dataset is provided to demonstrate the utility of the proposed method.
Rerandomization and optimal matching
Authors: Kalbfleisch John D. , Xu Zhenzhen
Published: July 2023

On average, randomization achieves balance in covariate distributions between treatment groups; yet in practice, chance imbalance exists post randomization, which increases the error in estimating treatment effects. This is an important issue, especially in cluster randomized trials, where the experimental units (the clusters) are highly heterogeneous and relatively few in number. To address this, several restricted randomization designs have been proposed to balance on a few covariates of particular interest. More recently, approaches involving rerandomization have been proposed that aim to achieve simultaneous balance on several important prognostic factors. In this article, we comment on some properties of rerandomized designs and propose a new design for comparing two or more treatments. This design combines optimal nonbipartite matching of the subjects together with rerandomization, both aimed at minimizing a measure of distance between elements in blocks to achieve reductions in the mean squared error of estimated treatment effects. Compared with the existing alternatives, the proposed design can substantially reduce the mean squared error of the estimated treatment effect. This enhanced efficiency is evaluated both theoretically and empirically, and robustness properties are also noted. The design is generalized to three or more treatment arms.
Fine‐tuning of frontline tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy in chronic‐phase chronic myeloid leukemia: The choice of the right TKI for the right patient
Authors: Nuhoğlu Kantarcı Eda , Tolgay Ece , Eşkazan Ahmet Emre
Published: July 2023

In an era when tyrosine kinase inhibitors are gaining acceptance in the treatment scene of chronic‐phase chronic myeloid leukemia, this editorial focuses on the search for the optimal patient‐based frontline treatment option while evaluating a recent study by Tiribelli and colleagues, which is published in this issue of Cancer.
Improvements to the CIELUV color space
Authors: Wang Ling , Li Changjun , Xu Yang , Melgosa Manuel , Xiao Kaida , Gao Cheng
Published: July 2023

Three new approximately uniform color spaces named MLUV, MLUV1, and MLUV2 were developed by modifying CIELUV lightness, chromaticity coordinates, and color coordinates, respectively. Performance tests using the combined and four individual datasets employed at CIEDE2000 development showed that MLUV, MLUV1 and MLUV2 were significantly better than CIELUV. Using values of Standardized Residual Sum of Squares (CIE 217:2016) for predictions of the four individual datasets the ranking (from best to worst) was MLUV, MLUV2 and MLUV1, but for predictions of two ellipses datasets the ranking (from best to worst) was MLUV2, MLUV, and MLUV1. Overall, the MLUV2 space was found to be the best. Hence, it is expected that MLUV2 could be used for color specification and color difference evaluations, especially in industrial applications that depend on additive light mixing, such as color TV sets, video monitors, and lighting.
Nonlinear inviscid damping and shear‐buoyancy instability in the two‐dimensional Boussinesq equations
Authors: Bedrossian Jacob , Bianchini Roberta , Zelati Michele Coti , Dolce Michele
Published: July 2023

We investigate the long‐time properties of the two‐dimensional inviscid Boussinesq equations near a stably stratified Couette flow, for an initial Gevrey perturbation of size ε. Under the classical Miles‐Howard stability condition on the Richardson number, we prove that the system experiences a shear‐buoyancy instability: the density variation and velocity undergo an inviscid damping while the vorticity and density gradient grow as . The result holds at least until the natural, nonlinear timescale . Notice that the density behaves very differently from a passive scalar, as can be seen from the inviscid damping and slower gradient growth. The proof relies on several ingredients: (A) a suitable symmetrization that makes the linear terms amenable to energy methods and takes into account the classical Miles‐Howard spectral stability condition; (B) a variation of the Fourier time‐dependent energy method introduced for the inviscid, homogeneous Couette flow problem developed on a toy model adapted to the Boussinesq equations, that is, tracking the potential nonlinear echo chains in the symmetrized variables despite the vorticity growth.
Repurposing Artificial Intelligence Tools for Disease Modeling: Case Study of Face Recognition Deficits in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Singh Gargi , Ramanathan Murali
Published: July 2023

Face recognition deficits occur in diseases such as prosopagnosia, autism, Alzheimer's disease, and dementias. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether degrading the architecture of artificial intelligence (AI) face recognition algorithms can model deficits in diseases. Two established face recognition models, convolutional‐classification neural network (C‐CNN) and Siamese network (SN), were trained on the FEI faces data set (~ 14 images/person for 200 persons). The trained networks were perturbed by reducing weights (weakening) and node count (lesioning) to emulate brain tissue dysfunction and lesions, respectively. Accuracy assessments were used as surrogates for face recognition deficits. The findings were compared with clinical outcomes from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) data set. Face recognition accuracy decreased gradually for weakening factors less than 0.55 for C‐CNN, and 0.85 for SN. Rapid accuracy loss occurred at higher values. C‐CNN accuracy was similarly affected by weakening any convolutional layer whereas SN accuracy was more sensitive to weakening of the first convolutional layer. SN accuracy declined gradually with a rapid drop when nearly all nodes were lesioned. C‐CNN accuracy declined rapidly when as few as 10% of nodes were lesioned. CNN and SN were more sensitive to lesioning of the first convolutional layer. Overall, SN was more robust than C‐CNN, and the findings from SN experiments were concordant with ADNI results. As predicted from modeling, brain network failure quotient was related to key clinical outcome measures for cognition and functioning. Perturbation of AI networks is a promising method for modeling disease progression effects on complex cognitive outcomes.
Type 1 diabetes could begin with alterations in innate anti‐viral immunity, which are already at this stage associated with HLA risk haplotypes
Authors: Buschard Karsten , Jensen Mathias Høj , Krogvold Lars , Gerling Ivan C. , Dahl‐Jørgensen Knut , Pedersen Kristina , Haupt‐Jorgensen Martin
Published: July 2023

Aims

To investigate if HLA risk haplotypes and HbA1c levels are associated with the expression levels of innate anti‐viral immune pathway genes in type 1 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

We investigated RNA expression levels of innate anti‐viral immune pathway genes in laser‐dissected islets from two to five tissue sections per donor from the Diabetes Virus Detection study and the network of Pancreatic Organ Donors in relation to HLA risk haplotypes (non‐predisposed and predisposed) and HbA1c levels (normal, elevated, and high).

Results

The expression of innate anti‐viral immune genes (TLR7, OAS1, OAS3 etc.) was significantly increased in individuals with predisposing vs non‐predisposing HLA haplotypes. Also, the expression of several of the innate anti‐viral immune genes from the HLA risk haplotype analysis was significantly increased in the group with high vs normal HbA1c. Furthermore, the gene expression of OAS2 was significantly increased in the group with high HbA1c vs elevated HbA1c.

Conclusions

Expression of innate anti‐viral immune pathway genes was increased in individuals with predisposing HLA risk haplotypes and those with high HbA1c. This indicates that type 1 diabetes might well begin with alterations in innate anti‐viral immunity, and already at this stage be associated with HLA risk haplotypes.
Invasive wild deer exhibit environmental niche shifts in Australia: Where to from here?
Authors: Kelly Catherine L. , Gordon Iain J. , Schwarzkopf Lin , Pintor Anna , Pople Anthony , Hirsch Ben T.
Published: July 2023

Invasive species have established populations around the world and, in the process, characteristics of their realized environmental niches have changed. Because of their popularity as a source of game, deer have been introduced to, and become invasive in, many different environments around the world. As such, deer should provide a good model system in which to test environmental niche shifts. Using the current distributions of the six deer species present in Australia, we quantified shifts in their environmental niches that occurred since introduction; we determined the differences in suitable habitat between their international (native and invaded) and their Australian ranges. Given knowledge of their Australian habitat use, we then modeled the present distribution of deer in Australia to assess habitat suitability, in an attempt to predict future deer distributions. We show that the Australian niches of hog (Axis porcinus), fallow (Dama dama), red (Cervus elaphus), rusa (C. timorensis), and sambar deer (C. unicolor), but not chital deer (A. axis), were different to their international ranges. When we quantified the potential range of these six species in Australia, chital, hog, and rusa deer had the largest areas of suitable habitat outside their presently occupied habitat. The other three species had already expanded outside the ranges that we predicted as suitable. Here, we demonstrate that deer have undergone significant environmental niche shifts following introduction into Australia, and these shifts are important for predicting the future spread of these invasive species. It is important to note that current Australian and international environmental niches did not necessarily predict range expansions, thus wildlife managers should treat these analyses as conservative estimates.
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in haemodialysis patients: prevalence, diagnosis, risk factors, prognosis
Authors: Yu Xixi , Zhang Di , Chen Jing , Zhang Han , Shen Ziyan , Lv Shiqi , Wang Yulin , Huang Xinhui , Zhang Xiaoyan , Zhang Chun
Published: July 2023

Aims

Heart failure (HF) is a common complication and the leading cause of mortality in maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) patients. Few studies have investigated heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), which is known to affect a majority of patients. The objective of this study is to explore the prevalence, clinical profiles, diagnosis, risk factors and prognosis of MHD patients with HFpEF.

Methods and results

Four hundred thirty‐nine patients haemodialyzsed for over 3 months were enrolled in the study and evaluated for HF according to the European Society of Cardiology guidelines. Clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded at baseline. The median follow‐up of the study was 22.5 months. A total of 111 (25.3%) MHD patients were diagnosed with HF, while 94 (84.7%) of the HF patients were classified into HFpEF. The cut‐off value of N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) was 4922.5 pg/mL for predicting HFpEF (sensitivity 0.840, specificity 0.723, AUC 0.866) in MHD patients. Age, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease and serum phosphorus were independent risk factors for the incidence of HFpEF in MHD patients while normal urine volume, haemoglobin, serum iron and serum sodium were protective factors. MHD patients with HFpEF had a higher risk of all‐cause mortality than those without HF (hazard ratio 2.47, 95% confidence interval 1.55–3.91, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The majority of MHD patients with HF were categorized into HFpEF, with a poor long‐term survival rate. NT‐proBNP beyond 4922.5 pg/mL performed well in the prediction of HFpEF in MHD patients.
Postsurgical outcomes in a cohort of patients with hippocampal sclerosis: Initial experience in a referral epilepsy center in Peru
Authors: De La Cruz Ramirez Walter F. , Chacón Zuñiga Denisse E. , Sánchez‐Boluarte Sofía S. , Vásquez Perez Carlos M. , Nuñez Del Prado Murillo Liza N. , Delgado Rios José C.
Published: July 2023

Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, one of the most common forms of epilepsy, is often linked with drug resistance. Surgical intervention is a reliable and safe treatment option, though research into postsurgical outcomes in our locality remains limited. We performed a retrospective observational study included 91 patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy and hippocampal sclerosis who had undergone anterior temporal lobectomy between 2012 and 2020 at a surgical epilepsy center located in Lima, Peru. Postoperative outcomes were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate analysis based on the Engel classification. We found that after 12 months of follow‐up, 78.65% of the 91 patients achieved an Engel IA classification, while 9.09% attained Engel IB classification and 11.24% were designated as Engel II, with only 1.12% classified as Engel IVA. The median QOLIE31 score was 84 (IQR: 75–90), with 74.16% of the participants successfully reintegrating into academic or employment activities. After 24 months, only 68 patients completed the follow‐up, with 69.12% achieving an Engel IA classification. Individuals with a secondary education or higher were more likely to achieve an Engel IA classification at 12 months (OR: 5.11; P = 0.005; CI: 1.63–16.01), after adjusting for sex and age. We concluded that most patients exhibited favorable outcomes after 1 year of follow‐up. However, lower educational attainment was linked to worse postsurgical outcomes.
De novo 2′‐fucosyllactose bioproduction through modular engineering of a novel Escherichia coli K12‐derived strain
Authors: Ma Chunyu , Zhang Chunyue , Fan Liqiang , Deng Chen , Zhao Liming
Published: July 2023

The most abundant human milk oligosaccharide 2′‐fucosyllactose (2′‐FL) is a valuable component that has gained significant attention from the food industry. To biosynthesize 2′‐FL, various Escherichia coli K12 derivatives have been genetically modified. To further enhance the application performance of E. coli K12, a novel E. coli K12 derivative BL27 was used as a chassis cell in this study, and modular pathway enhancement was performed to achieve de novo synthesis of 2′‐FL. The futC gene encoding α‐1,2‐fucosyltransferase was introduced, and the wcaJ gene was knocked out to prevent the conversion of GDP‐
l‐fucose to colanic acid. Next, the effects of overexpressing transcriptional regulators rcsA and rcsB and knocking out transcriptional regulators mcbR and waaF were evaluated to optimize the colanic acid pathway. The expression level, solubility, and activity of FutC were improved through genomic integration, TrxA‐tag fusion, and double mutation in F40S/Q237S. Fermentation conditions were optimized to achieve maximum 2′‐FL titers of 3.86 and 23.56 g/L in shake‐flask and fed‐batch cultivation, respectively. Over 85% of the products were successfully excreted into extracellular and almost no byproduct 2′,3‐difucosyllactose was generated. This study has explored a new microbial platform and modification strategies for the synthesis of 2′‐FL and provides opportunities for its commercial production.
Long-Term Standardized Sampling as a Tool for Evaluating Management Actions: BACI Analysis to Reevaluate Predatory Control of Stunted Crappie with Saugeye
Authors: Shoup Daniel E , Carl Dray D
Published: July 2023

Field evaluations of management manipulations are rarely conducted, in part because they are difficult to design and require large sampling effort. However, many commonly used management approaches have <50% success rate, indicating the need for more research. Herein, we provide a case study illustrating how historic standard sampling data from Oklahoma were used to design robust before–after control–impact study designs to evaluate the effectiveness of stocking saugeye Sander vitreus × S. canadensis as a predatory control for stunted White Crappie Pomoxis annularis populations. Comparing six manipulated lakes with six reference lakes (no saugeye stockings), we found that proportional size distribution, proportional size distribution of preferred-size fish, and mean length at ages 1 and 2 of White Crappie all improved after stockings, but still fell short of statewide median values. Further, similar improvements in these metrics also occurred in reference lakes, suggesting they were likely caused by regional patterns (flood/drought or temperature effects) rather than management intervention. Thus, we conclude saugeye stockings are not likely to routinely improve stunted White Crappie fisheries. We encourage managers who have historic data to use these data to robustly evaluate management interventions (as illustrated in this study), because our field needs additional information regarding when management interventions will be most effective, versus when they may not have the desired outcome. These historic data sets have considerable utility in providing this type of information. Our case study illustrates the importance of replication and reference lakes to avoid erroneous conclusions in such evaluations.