bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An experimental study on the performance of collaborative filtering based on user reviews for large-scale datasets
Authors: AL-Ghuribi Sumaia , Mohd Noah Shahrul Azman , Mohammed Mawal
Published: August 2023

Collaborative filtering (CF) approaches generate user recommendations based on user similarities. These similarities are calculated based on the overall (explicit) user ratings. However, in some domains, such ratings may be sparse or unavailable. User reviews can play a significant role in such cases, as implicit ratings can be derived from the reviews using sentiment analysis, a natural language processing technique. However, most current studies calculate the implicit ratings by simply aggregating the scores of all sentiment words appearing in reviews and, thus, ignoring the elements of sentiment degrees and aspects of user reviews. This study addresses this issue by calculating the implicit rating differently, leveraging the rich information in user reviews by using both sentiment words and aspect–sentiment word pairs to enhance the CF performance. It proposes four methods to calculate the implicit ratings on large-scale datasets: the first considers the degree of sentiment words, while the second exploits the aspects by extracting aspect-sentiment word pairs to calculate the implicit ratings. The remaining two methods combine explicit ratings with the implicit ratings generated by the first two methods. The generated ratings are then incorporated into different CF rating prediction algorithms to evaluate their effectiveness in enhancing the CF performance. Evaluative experiments of the proposed methods are conducted on two large-scale datasets: Amazon and Yelp. Results of the experiments show that the proposed ratings improved the accuracy of CF rating prediction algorithms and outperformed the explicit ratings in terms of three predictive accuracy metrics.
Deciphering Genetic Variability, Traits Association, Correlation and Path Coefficient in Selected Boro Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Landraces
Authors: Khalequzzaman M. , Chakrabarty T. , Islam M. Z. , Rashid E. S. M. H. , Prince M. F. R. K. , Siddique M. A.
Published: August 2023

The study was conducted to evaluate the mean performance, variability along with heritability, correlation coefficient and path coefficients from data collected on 48 Boro rice landraces. Amboro 2 (Golden), Gopal Beshi, Deshi Boro, Kali Boro, Madhabsail, Jagli (Deshi Boro), Pankaich, Joya Boro and Mi-Pajang were found as elite landrace based on the mean performance. High heritability along with genetic advance (GA) and genetic advance in per cent of mean (GAMP) was observed for ligule length, basal leaf length, basal leaf width, culm length, panicle length, test weight, grain length, grain breadth and brown rice length breadth ratio. A positive and significant correlation was observed for basal leaf length, culm length, plant height and yield at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Basal leaf length and plant height showed a positive direct effect, but culm length showed a negative direct effect at the genotypic level and the situation is just reversed at the phenotypic level for these three traits. However, all these three traits have made the total association positive and significant. Yield had significant (***p<0.001) positive correlations with filled grains number per panicle, days to flowering, days to maturity, grain length, and decorticated grain length breadth ratio. Hence, basal leaf length, culm length, plant height, days to flower and days to maturity are identified as key traits for developing advanced Boro rice breeding lines. The landraces showing a significant amount of variability for yield and its correlated traits can be used for the future breeding program by direct selection based on yield and yield contributing traits.
Foliar Application of Liquid Micronutrient Formulation for Improving Quality of Panner Grapes
Authors: D. Yogaswathy , Jegadeeswari D. , Suganya S. , Kavitha C.
Published: August 2023

Micronutrient deficiencies play a significant role in impacting the yield and quality of grapes in vineyards. To address the deficiencies, a field study was conducted during the summer, of 2022 by using foliar micronutrient mixtures in three different concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%), with one spray during pre-fruit set stage and twice at pre-fruit set/berry growth stages. The study aimed to investigate the effects of foliar micronutrient application on the biochemical quality characteristics of the Muscat Hamburg grapevine cultivar. The results of the study showed that the application of micronutrients spray showed a beneficial impact on all the yield parameters, such as number of bunches per vine (ranging from 28 to 44), the yield per vine (varied from 5.56 to 6.55 kg per vine), with overall yield range between 20.7 to 24.2 t ha-1. The biochemical properties of the berries, including sugars (reducing, non-reducing, and total sugars), juice pH and content, TSS (Total Soluble Solids), Titrable acidity, and berry firmness, were found to be high in grapevines sprayed at 1.0% twice. Results showed that total sugars ranged from 15.2% to 10.7%, with a juice pH of 3.47 to 3.94, juice content of 83.5 to 95.5%, and TSS from 15.6 to 17.40º Brix. Regarding the Titrable acidity and firmness of the berries, the outcomes showed a range of 0.92% to 1.14% for acidity and 9.4 to 12.9 N for firmness. Findings from the study clearly showed that applying 1.0% micronutrients twice at fruit-set and berry stages increased yield and improved quality indices of Paneer grapes.
Evaluation of Suitable Polymers for the Development of High-Concentrated Liquid Biofertilizers
Authors: Swaminathan N. , Anandham R. , Paranidharan V. , Balachandar D.
Published: August 2023

An improvement in the present liquid formulation of biofertilizer is essential to expand its shelf life and enhance the bioefficacy potential of the inoculated crops. Here, we screened ten different water-soluble polymers for their feasibility as cell protectants in liquid biofertilizers for the duration of three months. The physio-chemical properties and Escherichia coli survival assay experiments identified five potential polymers: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, and natural polymers extracted from seaweed, red algae, and brown algae. These five polymers' aqueous solutions comply with the standard parameters of liquid biofertilizers. Further, these polymers were compared with standard liquid biofertilizer diluting medium (phosphate buffer with glycerol) for the shelf life of two biofertilizer strains, viz., Azospirillum lipoferum (Az204) and Bacillus megaterium var. phosphaticum (Pb1). All the polymers had high cell viability up to 60 days after incubation. In conclusion, the results suggest that these polymers could be effective encapsulating agents to improve the quality of liquid biofertilizers.
Qualitative and Quantitative Means of Production of Biogas from Biodegradable Waste (Cow Dung) for Sustainable Energy
Authors: Gift Ibeh Adaugo , Onyinyechi Ozokonkwo
Published: August 2023

Aims: This study was carried out by analyzing the quantitative and qualitative of the biogas produced from cow dung by degrading mechanism. 32L of bioreactors was used for the study.

Methodology: The bioreactors were constructed to imitate the fixed batch prototype. The study lasted for 30 days and it was carried out at the National Centre for Energy Research and Development, University of Nigeria,Nsukka. Slurry was prepared in bioreactors. The substrates in the bioreactors were water and cow dung (intestinal and abdominal waste). The pH, the total solids (TS), volatile solids (VS) and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) characteristics of the substrate before and after digestion were determined using standard method. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of biogas production was by liquid displacement and gas Analyzer methods

Results: The results of the TS, VS and VFA were 400 mg/l, 92mg/l and 16.7 mg/l respectively in the predigested samples and 92 mg/l, 17.4mg/l and 28.3mg/l respectively in the post digested samples. The quantity of biogas produced at the first week was 8.5liters, 7.5litre and 6.1liter from the 4th day, 5th day and 8th days. The qualitative analysis showed that the prominent biogas produced was methane. 

Conclusion: The results of the research concluded that high quantity of biogas can be produced using cow dung. Approaches and technology for more efficient biogas producing consortia are proposed.
Mollification of Lead Induced Liver Injury by Lycopersicon esculentum (Tomato) Extract
Authors: Ajani Rotimi Sunday , Obianke John Chinedu
Published: August 2023

Objective: Lead is a highly toxic, non-biodegradable heavy metal usually found in the environment largely as a pollutant of water, soil or air. Chronic lead exposure has adverse effects on human health. Lycopersicon esculentum has many phytochemicals that may ameliorate organ injury due to lead toxicity in humans. This study answered the question “Is aqueous extract of Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato) beneficent to lead toxicity induced liver injury?”

Methodology: The study had five groups with fifteen animals each. The control was group CN. The lead toxicity group (PbT) had 30 mg/kg/day of lead acetate crystals, the concomitant extract group (CE) had concurrent administration of lead acetate and aqueous extract of L. esculentum (at 400 mg/kg). The post lead toxicity low dose extract. (PLE) had sequential administration of lead acetate and aq. extract L. esculentum (at 400 mg/kg). The post lead toxicity high dose extract. (PHE) had sequential administration of lead acetate and aq. extract L. esculentum (at 800 mg/kg). Both the lead acetate and extract were administered orally for twenty one days. At specific periods, blood samples were collected for biochemical analyses and organs harvested for histopathological evaluation.

Result: The total plasma protein levels of the extract groups (CE, PLE and PHE) were significantly higher than that of the PbT group. The PbT group had markedly elevated plasma liver enzymes. Oxidative stress was only evident in the PbT group but not in the extract groups as suggested by the significantly depressed anti-oxidant activities and elevated lipid peroxidation. A cystic lesion was observed in one of the liver specimens from the PbT group. Histopathological findings included fatty infiltration of the liver in the PbT group and presence of multinucleated hepatocytes in the extract groups. The latter feature suggested the ability of aqueous extract of L. esculentum to ameliorate the lead (Pb) toxicity induced liver damage.

Conclusion: Concurrent and post-exposure administration of aqueous extract of tomato fruit (L. esculentum) mollified the liver injury caused by lead toxicity.
OSMANLI DEVLETİ’NİN SON DÖNEMİNDE ASKER MAAŞ ÖDEMELERİNDE YAŞANAN AKSAMALAR VE SOSYAL SONUÇLARI
Authors: Karaman Mehmet Ali
Published: August 2023

Yabancı toprakların fethedilme sürecinde kontrol altına alınan bölgelerde devlet otoritesinin hissettirilmesi için adalet mekanizmasıyla birlikte güçlü bir askeri teşkilatlanma sayesinde egemenlik sürdürülebilir kılınmıştır. Kuruluş dönemlerinde ve sonrasında devlet mekanizmasının en önemli unsuru olan Osmanlı askeri sistemlerini aktif tutmak askerlerin maddi açıdan ciddi anlamda desteklenmesi ile mümkün olmuştur. Gerileme döneminde devlet ekonomisin bozulması ile birlikte ordu yapısındaki olumsuz gelişmeler paralellik arz ettiği gibi bu durum her geçen yüz yılda daha da büyük sıkıntıların ortaya çıkmasına neden olmuştur.
Mevcut çalışma içerisinde Osmanlı askeri yapısındaki unsurların maddi olanakları ele alınacaktır. Ordu mensuplarının gelir kalemlerinin temel özellikleri incelendiği gibi, dağılma döneminde yaşanılan aksaklıklar ve toplumsal yansımaları irdelenecektir. Osmanlı Arşiv Vesikaları başta olmak üzere dönemin kronikleri, hatıratlar, basın yayın organları ve bu alanda yapılan çalışmalar doğrultusunda asker maaşları ele alınacaktır.
İSTANBUL’DAKİ İLK CENEVİZ KOLONİSİNİN TARİHİ ÜZERİNE BİR DEĞERLENDİRME
Authors: Özdemir Ömer
Published: August 2023

Cenova, İtalyan Deniz Cumhuriyetleri arasında İstanbul’da ticaret semti elde eden son kenttir. Venedik 1082’de Pisa ise 1111’de Aleksios Komnenos tarafından sunulan ayrıcalıklar neticesinde başkente yerleşmiştir. Cenova yerleşimi ise ancak Manuel Komnenos döneminde mümkün olmuştur. Öte yandan mezkûr cumhuriyetin İstanbul’daki kolonisinin hangi tarihte kurulduğu tartışmalı bir husustur. Bizans İmparatorluğu ile Cenova arasında gerçekleştirilen ilk müzakereler 1155 senesine işaret eder. Ancak çağdaş kroniklerin aktarımlarını ve elçilik talimatlarını incelediğimizde söz konusu tarihin mümkün olamayacağı açıktır. Müteakip gelişmelerin ışığında ortaya çıkan tarihler ise 1162, 1169 ve 1170 yıllarıdır.

Bu makalede altı çizilen tarihlerde meydana gelen gelişmeler Bizans, Venedik, Cenova ve Pisa kaynaklarının aktarımları üzerinden incelenmiştir. Bununla beraber Bizans İmparatorluğu ile Cenova arasında mutabık kalınan anlaşmalar bahse konu şahitlerin beyanatlarıyla kıyaslanmıştır. Ortaya çıkan verilerin ışığında yukarıda ifade edilen tarihlerin geçerliliği sorgulanmıştır. Neticesinde İstanbul’daki ilk Cenova semtinin kuruluşu için hangi tarihin daha kabul edilebilir olduğu ortaya konmuştur.
Frontmatter (Front Cover, Editorial Team, Indexing, and Table of Contents)
Authors: Istadi Istadi
Published: August 2023

Frontmatter (Front Cover, Editorial Team, Indexing, and Table of Contents)
The Transitional Coverage for Emerging Technologies Pathway—Enhancing Innovation While Establishing Patient Safeguards
Authors: Farmer Steven A. , Fleisher Lee A. , Blum Jonathan D.
Published: August 2023

This Viewpoint discusses the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Transitional Coverage for Emerging Technologies pathway, which aims to enhance coverage of emerging technologies with supporting evidence.
High‐Throughput Evaluation of Hardening Coefficients of Eight Alloying Elements in Magnesium
Authors: Wang Chuangye , Zhong Wei , Garnett Jess , Zhao Ji-Cheng
Published: August 2023

Liquid–solid diffusion couples (LSDCs) are employed to generate a composition gradient in the single‐phase hexagonal closed‐packed (hcp) solid solution with compositions up to the solubility limit of various solutes in Mg. Nanoindentation scanning across the composition gradient in LSDCs allows effective evaluation of composition‐dependent hardness of eight alloying elements (Al, Ca, Ce, Gd, Li, Sn, Y, and Zn) in the hcp Mg phase. The hardening coefficients, an indicator of the potency of solid‐solution hardening, are evaluated from the measured composition‐hardness data and correlated with various materials properties such as atomic radius, shear modulus, and elastic modulus of the solutes. The rank of hardening potency of Al, Gd, Sn, Y, and Zn measured by nanoindentation is in good agreement with that measured by microindentation reported in the literature. The hardening coefficient (potency) from the strongest to the weakest is Ce > Ca > Y ≈ Gd > Zn > Al ≈ Sn > Li in Mg‐based hcp binary solid solutions. The hardening coefficient is found to be closely correlated with the strengthening potency.
Electrochemically Finely Regulated NiCo‐LDH/NiCoOOH Nanostructured Films for Supercapacitors with Record High Mass Loading, Areal Capacity, and Energy Density
Authors: Gao Mingyuan , Huang Jian , Liu Yuexin , Li Xiaoyu , Wei Ping , Yang Jinhu , Shen Shirley , Cai Kefeng
Published: August 2023

The design of supercapacitor materials with both high mass loading and high areal capacity is a major strategy to overcome relatively low energy density of supercapacitors. Herein, NiCo‐layered double hydroxide (NiCo‐LDH)/NiCoOOH composite films with both ultrahigh mass loading and high areal capacity are prepared by a two‐step cyclic voltammetry method. The films consist of NiCo‐LDH/NiCoOOH microspheres assembled with ultrafine nanosheets with highly ordered pore distribution from macropores to micropores and abundant defect active sites, which are conducive to the transport of electrolyte ions, increasing the reaction kinetics, and greatly improving the utilization of active material. The optimal film with hierarchical microstructure featuring an ultrahigh mass loading of 80 mg cm−2 not only exhibits a state‐of‐the‐art high areal capacity of 14.7 mAh cm−2, but also shows a record‐high energy density of 10.7 mWh cm−2 , as well as presents remarkable mechanical stabilityand superior capacity retention of 99% after 20000 galvanostatic charge‐discharge cycles. Moreover, by combining the experimental analysis and theoretical calculations, the mechanism of preferential conversion of the NiCo‐LDH in the subtle defect region to NiCoOOH by electrochemistry and the synergistic effect in electrochemical energy storage of the NiCo‐LDH and NiCoOOH phases is proposed.
Flexible Fabric Temperature Sensor Based on Vo2/Pedot:Pss with High Performance
Authors: Wang Yuxin , Hong Yang , Hu Xiaokang , Ye Yang , Wang Peike , Luo Jingjing , Yin Ao , Ren Zhongqi , Liu Haipeng , Qi Xue , Liu Jiang , He Sisi , Yu Suzhu , Wei Jun
Published: August 2023

Long‐term effective temperature monitoring using a flexible wearable temperature sensor is critical for future health monitoring, noninvasive clinical biomonitoring, disease diagnosis, and so on. Thermistors have the merits of simple structure, ease of preparation and great sensitivity, but the preparation of thermistors with good flexibility is often at the expense of their sensitivity and requirement of high temperature. Herein, a flexible temperature sensor with stability and high sensitivity by spraying VO2/PEDOT:PSS composites on an SBS electrospinning substrate is reported. The sensor exhibits high thermal sensitivity (−2.712%/°C), high precision (85 mK), ultra‐fast response time (1 s) and recovery time (2.5 s), enabling accurate real‐time temperature detection and meeting the need for long‐term temperature monitoring and tracking. As a proof of concept, this sensor is applied to monitor human skin temperature, breathing rate, and temperature recognition, and as a temperature‐based input keyboard, demonstrating its tremendous potential to further develop personalized flexible sensors.
Fast, Energy‐Efficient InGaAs Synaptic Phototransistors on Flexible Substrate
Authors: Kim Tae Soo , Jeon Sung‐Han , Ko Kyeol , Ahn Dae‐Hwan , Han Jae‐Hoon , Choi Won Jun , Yu Ki Jun
Published: August 2023

Photodetectors sensing the short‐wave infrared (SWIR) region have great potential due to their significant advantages in a variety of applications because SWIR light possesses both characteristics of visible light and infrared light. Among them, devices using photodetectors to mimic synaptic dynamics and functions have received a great deal of attention due to their capabilities to implement simplified neural systems. However, it is essential to develop synaptic devices that can operate fast with low energy consumption for more efficient implementation of neural systems. Here, a flexible InGaAs synaptic phototransistor with a fast operation speed of under 1 ms and low energy consumption in the atto joule level is developed to femto joule level which is superior to biological synapses (50 ms, 1–100 fJ). By using InGaAs which has high carrier mobility as a channel layer, weak light, and short optical pulse width, fast operation speed in the SWIR region with low energy consumption is obtained. Moreover, the devices demonstrate synaptic behaviors such as “excitatory post synaptic current”, “paired‐pulse facilitation”, “short term plasticity”, “long term plasticity”, and “learning‐experience behavior” as neuro‐synaptic applications. These results provide the possibilities for implementation of complex synaptic functions with fast speed and low power SWIR synaptic phototransistors.
The beneficial effects of l‐carnitine and infliximab in methotrexate‐induced hepatotoxicity: Emphasis on Notch1/Hes‐1 signaling
Authors: Radwan Sara M. , Abdel‐Latif Ghada A. , Abbas Samah S. , Elmongy Noura F. , Wasfey Eman F.
Published: August 2023

Methotrexate (MTX)‐induced hepatotoxicity is a serious adverse effect that may limit its use. Therefore, eligible drugs to ameliorate MTX‐induced hepatotoxicity are required. l‐Carnitine (LC) is a natural molecule with beneficial metabolic effects and infliximab (INF) is an anti‐inflammatory monoclonal antibody against tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α). Recently, Notch1/Hes‐1 signaling was found to play a key role in the pathogenesis of liver injury. However, its role in MTX‐induced hepatotoxicity is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the modulatory effects of LC or INF on MTX‐induced hepatotoxicity and to explore the underlying mechanism with emphasis on the Notch1/Hes‐1 signaling pathway. Sixty rats were randomized into six groups (n = 10): (1) control (saline); (2) MTX (20 mg/kg MTX, intraperitoneal [ip], once); (3) LC group (500 mg/kg ip, 5 days); (4) INF (7 mg/kg INF ip, once); (5) MTX+LC (20 mg/kg ip, once, 500 mg/kg ip, 5 days, respectively); (6) MTX+INF (20 mg/kg ip, once, 7 mg/kg INF ip, once, respectively). Oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, and Notch1/Hes‐1 were investigated. MTX induced the expression of Notch1 and Hes‐1 proteins and increased the levels of TNF‐α, interleukin (IL)‐6, and IL‐1β in the liver. Cotreatment with LC or INF showed apparent antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects. Interestingly, the downregulation of Notch1 and Hes‐1 expression was more prominent in LC cotreatment as compared with INF. In conclusion, LC or INF attenuates MTX‐induced hepatotoxicity through modulation of Notch1/Hes‐1 signaling. The LC ameliorative effect against MTX‐induced hepatotoxicity is significantly better than that of INF. Therefore, LC cotreatment may present a safe and therapeutically effective therapy in alleviating MTX‐induced hepatotoxicity.
Computer‐aided drug design course for pharmacy major students in Shenyang Pharmaceutical University following the COVID‐19 pandemic: Challenges and opportunities
Authors: Huang Min , Du Yue , Liu Yajing , Zhao Yanfang , Guo Yongxue , Liu Dan , Zhao Linxiang , Wang Jian
Published: August 2023

The computer‐aided drug design (CADD) course that spans biochemistry, computational chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and other cutting‐edge sciences is considered an important course by pharmaceutical universities in China. The course teaches students how drugs bind to protein targets and exert their biological activities using computer tools, and covers the basic principles of drug development and optimization. Due to the lockdown and social distancing measures adopted during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, the CADD course in Shenyang Pharmaceutical University was briefly suspended. Thereafter, it was taught in the online mode by adopting a novel blended teaching method. Through a questionnaire survey and final report assessment, we found that blended teaching might provide an opportunity to stimulate greater motivation and interest in students as well as improve teaching effectiveness and learning outcomes of the course. This study describes how we conducted the CADD course during the COVID‐19 period with the intention of providing a reference for other teachers to conduct similar courses.
Analyzing the integrated effect of circular economy, Lean Six Sigma, and Industry 4.0 on sustainable manufacturing performance from a practice‐based view perspective
Authors: Skalli Dounia , Charkaoui Abdelkabir , Cherrafi Anass , Garza‐Reyes Jose Arturo , Antony Jiju , Shokri Alireza
Published: August 2023

This study explores the interplay linking Lean Six Sigma (LSS), the Circular Economy (CE) and Industry 4.0 technologies (I4.0T), and their impact alone or combined, on sustainable organizational performance (SOP) within manufacturing firms. Using the existing literature, six hypotheses are identified and then analyzed following the Structural Equation Modeling method with SmartPLS software. A survey was designed and administrated in the Moroccan context. Based on the results, it was found that LSS, CE and I4.0T have a positive effect on SOP. Moreover, I4.0T significantly impacts both LSS and SOP. However, I4.0T had no significant effect on CE. Furthermore, the results show that LSS has a positive mediation role as a driver for the successful implementation of I4.0T within the SOP. This study will enable manufacturing professionals to understand the determinants of sustainable performance helping them to define their future business strategies. Also, it sets the benchmark for companies looking to achieve sustainable objectives by integrating I4.0 technologies into CE practices and the LSS approach. This study is a first attempt to examine the link between LSS, CE and I4.0 to achieve high triple bottom line gains (environmental, social and economic) within companies considering Morocco, an emerging economy.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Cereblon‐Recruiting HaloPROTACs
Authors: Ody Britton K. , Zhang Jing , Nelson Sydney E. , Xie Yayun , Liu Ruochuan , Dodd Cayden J. , Jacobs Savannah E. , Whitzel Savannah L. , Williams Leighan A. , Gozem Samer , Turlington Mark , Yin Jun
Published: August 2023

Target validation is key to the development of protein degrading molecules such as proteolysis‐targeting chimeras (PROTACs) to identify cellular proteins amenable for induced degradation by the ubiquitin‐proteasome system (UPS). Previously the HaloPROTAC system was developed to screen targets of PROTACs by linking the chlorohexyl group with the ligands of E3 ubiquitin ligases VHL and cIAP1 to recruit target proteins fused to the HaloTag for E3‐catalyzed ubiquitination. Reported here are HaloPROTACs that engage the cereblon (CRBN) E3 to ubiquitinate and degrade HaloTagged proteins. A focused library of CRBN‐pairing HaloPROTACs was synthesized and screened to identify efficient degraders of EGFP‐HaloTag fusion with higher activities than VHL‐engaging HaloPROTACs at sub‐micromolar concentrations of the compound. The CRBN‐engaging HaloPROTACs broadens the scope of the E3 ubiquitin ligases that can be utilized to screen suitable targets for induced protein degradation in the cell.
COVID‐19 STEMI related to microthrombi may lead to coronary microvascular dysfunction
Authors: Aziz Dalia , Yildiz Mehmet , Quesada Odayme , Henry Timothy D.
Published: August 2023

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) increases the risk of ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and is associated with a higher occurrence of nonobstructive coronary artery disease. We present a unique case of STEMI with concomitant COVID‐19 infection in a young female found to have slow flow in multiple vessels on angiography, likely due to microvascular thrombi. Three months later, the patient developed coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), suggesting an evolution of microvascular thrombi and injury into subsequent CMD.
Benefits of the four‐day workweek
Authors: Freebairn‐Smith Laura
Published: August 2023

In this month's column, which is adapted from my forthcoming book, Abundance Leaders: Creating Energy, Joy, and Productivity in an Unsettled World, which Wiley will release in fall 2023, I will discuss the four‐day workweek.
Office of Civil Rights received record‐breaking number of discrimination complaints
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: August 2023

The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights received a record‐breaking number of discrimination complaints filed between Oct. 1, 2021 and Sept. 30, 2022. During that time period, almost 19,000 discrimination complaints were filed. The previous record for discrimination complaints filed was 16,000 in 2016.
Employee Discrimination
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: August 2023

An overview of the key topics faced by disability services providers with citations to noteworthy cases, statutes, regulations, and additional sources.
Learn about EEOC's new guidance on visual disabilities and the ADA
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: August 2023

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently issued new guidance on how the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to employees and job applicants with visual disabilities. This column explains the key points below. You can find the full guidance document here (https://bit.ly/3Otf0oe).
Thyroid dysfunction and glycaemic control among Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Ghana: A comparative cross‐sectional study
Authors: Sakyi Samuel Asamoah , Ameyaw Bright , Laing Edwin Ferguson , Anthony Richard , Ephraim Richard K. Dadzie , Effah Alfred , Kwayie Afia Agyapomaa , Senu Ebenezer , Anto Enoch Odame , Acheampong Emmanuel , Afranie Bright Oppong , Amoani Benjamin , Opoku Stephen
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Thyroid disorders and diabetes mellitus coexist and are prevalent endocrinopathies among adult population. Thyroid dysfunction contributes to metabolic imbalances, increase beta‐cell apoptosis and glucose intolerance. There is paucity of data and contradicting findings on how thyroid dysfunction influence glycaemic control. Therefore, we evaluated thyroid dysfunction and glycaemic control among Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in Ghana.

Methods

A comparative cross‐sectional study was conducted among 192 T2DM patients from Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital. Three consecutive monthly fasting plasma glucose (FBG) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) were analysed and the results were classified as, moderate hyperglycaemia (MH) (FBG = 6.1–12.0 mmol/L, HbA1c < 7%), severe hyperglycaemia (SH) (FBG ≥ 12.1 mmol/L, HbA1c > 7%) and good glycaemic controls (GC) (FBG = 4.1–6.0 mmol/L, HbA1c < 7%). Thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4), body mass index (BMI) and other clinical parameters were measured. Data analysis was done using R language version 4.0.2 and p < .05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

There were no significant differences in age (years) between patients in the various glycaemic groups (p = .9053). The overall prevalence of thyroid disorders was 7.8% among T2DM patients. The prevalence of thyroid disorders was higher in patients with SH (11.7%) followed by those with MH (7.5%) and then those with GC (5.4%). Serum levels of TSH and FT3/FT4 ratio were significantly lower in T2DM patients with SH compared to those with MH and the GC (p < .0001). However, FT4 was significantly higher in SH patients compared to the good glycaemic controls (p < .01). The first tertiles of TSH [aOR = 10.51, 95% CI (4.04–17.36), p < .0001] and FT3 [aOR = 2.77, 95% CI (1.11–6.92), p = .0290] were significantly and independently associated with increased odds of hyperglycaemia.

Conclusion

The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction is high in T2DM and increases with hyperglycaemia. Reduced TSH and T3 may worsen glycaemic control. Periodic monitoring of thyroid function should be incorporated into management guidelines among T2DM patients in Ghana.
Chiral Lewis Base‐Catalysed Asymmetric Syntheses of Benzo‐fused ϵ‐Lactones
Authors: Stockhammer Lotte , Radetzky Maximilian , Khatoon Syeda Sadia , Bechmann Matthias , Waser Mario
Published: August 2023

We herein report a two‐step protocol for the asymmetric synthesis of novel chiral benzofused ϵ‐lactones starting from O‐protected hydroxymethyl‐para‐quinone methides and activated aryl esters. By using chiral isothiourea Lewis base catalysts a broad variety of differently substituted products could be obtained in yields of around 50 % over both steps with high levels of enantioselectivities, albeit low diastereoselectivities only.
MultiFeNet: Multi‐scale feature scaling in deep neural network for the brain tumour classification in MRI images
Authors: Agrawal Tarun , Choudhary Prakash , Shankar Achyut , Singh Prabhishek , Diwakar Manoj
Published: August 2023

One of the most fatal and prevalent diseases of the central nervous system is a brain tumour. Different subgrades exist for each type of brain tumour because of the broad variety of brain tumours and tumour pathologies. Manual diagnosis may be error‐prone and time‐consuming, both of which are becoming more challenging as the medical community's workload grows. There is a need for automatic diagnosis. In this study, we have proposed a deep learning model (MultiFeNet) based on a convolutional neural network for the classification of brain tumours. MultiFeNet uses multi‐scale feature scaling for feature extraction in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images. Multi‐scaling helps to learn the better feature representation of the MRI image for enhanced model performance. To evaluate the proposed model, 3064 MRI scans of three distinct categories of brain tumours (meningiomas, gliomas and pituitary tumours) were used. The MultiFeNet obtained 96.4% sensitivity, 96.4% F1‐score, 96.4% precision and 96.4% accuracy on the benchmark Figshare dataset. In addition, an ablation study is conducted with the objective of evaluating the role of multi‐scaling in model performance.
Collision cross section measurement and prediction methods in omics
Authors: Kartowikromo Kimberly Y. , Olajide Orobola E. , Hamid Ahmed M.
Published: August 2023

Omics studies such as metabolomics, lipidomics, and proteomics have become important for understanding the mechanisms in living organisms. However, the compounds detected are structurally different and contain isomers, with each structure or isomer leading to a different result in terms of the role they play in the cell or tissue in the organism. Therefore, it is important to detect, characterize, and elucidate the structures of these compounds. Liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry have been utilized for decades in the structure elucidation of key compounds. While prediction models of parameters (such as retention time and fragmentation pattern) have also been developed for these separation techniques, they have some limitations. Moreover, ion mobility has become one of the most promising techniques to give a fingerprint to these compounds by determining their collision cross section (CCS) values, which reflect their shape and size. Obtaining accurate CCS enables its use as a filter for potential analyte structures. These CCS values can be measured experimentally using calibrant‐independent and calibrant‐dependent approaches. Identification of compounds based on experimental CCS values in untargeted analysis typically requires CCS references from standards, which are currently limited and, if available, would require a large amount of time for experimental measurements. Therefore, researchers use theoretical tools to predict CCS values for untargeted and targeted analysis. In this review, an overview of the different methods for the experimental and theoretical estimation of CCS values is given where theoretical prediction tools include computational and machine modeling type approaches. Moreover, the limitations of the current experimental and theoretical approaches and their potential mitigation methods were discussed.
TRB CDR3 chemical complementarity with HBV epitopes correlates with increased hepatocellular carcinoma, disease‐free survival
Authors: Song Joanna J. , Chobrutskiy Andrea , Chobrutskiy Boris I. , Cios Konrad J. , Huda Taha I. , Eakins Rachel A. , Diaz Michael J. , Blanck George
Published: August 2023

The liver is a site of immune privilege, compared with the bladder and skin, for example. To study this attenuation of the immune response in the cancer setting, we compared quantities and features of adaptive immune receptor (IR) recombination reads obtained from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and six other cancers. Of these cancers, HCC had the lowest numbers of IR recombination reads and was the only cancer with a greater number immunoglobulin rather than T‐cell receptor recombination reads. To better understand the role of adaptive IRs obtained from the tumor microenvironment in shaping the outcome of HCC cases, we quantified the chemical complementarity between HCC tumor TRB and IGH complementarity determining region‐3 (CDR3) amino acid (AA) sequences, and known hepatitis B virus (HBV) epitopes. High chemical complementarity between HCC‐resident CDR3s and three HBV epitopes correlated with increased survival probabilities, for two sources of CDR3s representing different CDR3 recovery algorithms. These results suggest the potential of CDR3 AA sequences as biomarkers for HCC patient stratification and as guides for future development of therapeutics.
GaSb/GaAs Type‐II heterojunction GAA‐TFET with core source for enhanced analog/RF performance and reliability
Authors: Karthik Kadava R. N. , Pandey Chandan Kumar
Published: August 2023

For the first time, a novel source extension heterojunction gate‐all‐around tunnel FET (SE‐GAA‐TFET) is proposed and examined using Synopsys TCAD simulator in this manuscript. SE‐GAA‐TFET is found to exhibit improved performance in terms of various analog/RF and DC parameters. As channel/source (C/S) interface and electric field exerted by gate are perpendicular to each other, radius of channel is downscaled to enhance electric filed, without reducing area of the tunneling. Furthermore, the presence of GaSb/GaAs heterojunction at C/S interface leads to reduction in the effective band overlap, which helps a great number of mobile charges to tunnel through C/S boundary at ON‐state. The consequences of variation in different geometrical metrics are evaluated to optimize the device performance. SE‐GAA‐TFET is found to offer a current switching ratio (CSR) of ~1013 along with 32.2 mV dec−1 of average sub‐threshold swing (SSAVG). Furthermore, improvement in transconductance and parasitic capacitance boost the cut‐off frequency of SE‐GAA‐TFET up to 37 GHz. Next, both positive and negative traps are introduced at S/C interface and the study reveals that there is no much deviation in parameters of the transfer characteristics like ION, SSAVG, and IOFF of SE‐GAA‐TFET. Next, proper benchmarking is done to compare the performance of the SE‐GAA‐TFET with similar devices available in literature and it is found that proposed SE‐GAA‐TFET exhibits better DC performance due to improved electrostatic behavior. Finally, SE‐GAA‐TFET is found to offer better fall time along with full‐voltage swing when deployed in a resistive load inverter.
Rehabilitation on cerebellar ataxic patients with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review
Authors: Chasiotis Athanasios K. , Kitsos Dimitrios K. , Stavrogianni Konstantina , Giannopapas Vasileios , Papadopoulou Marianna , Zompola Christina , Paraskevas George P. , Bakalidou Daphne , Giannopoulos Sotirios
Published: August 2023

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory, autoimmune disease of the Central Nervous System with a vast spectrum of clinical phenotypes. A major aspect of its clinical presentation is cerebellar ataxia where physiotherapy and treatment modalities play a significant role on its management. This systematic review aims to investigate the physiotherapeutic rehabilitation techniques regarding the management of cerebellar ataxia due to MS and secondary to stratify each protocol as part of a multi structural personalized rehabilitation approach based on the gravity of the symptoms. A Pubmed Medline, Scopus and Web of Science research was performed using the corresponding databases. The results were screened by the authors in pairs. In our study, six (6) non‐pharmacological interventional protocols, 3 Randomized Controlled Trials and 3 pilot studies, were included with a total of 145 MS patients. Physiotherapeutic techniques, such as NDT‐Bobath, robotic and visual biofeedback re‐education protocols and functional rehabilitation techniques were included. In most cases cerebellar ataxic symptoms were decreased post‐treatment. The overall quality of the studies included was of moderate level (level B). Rehabilitation in cerebellar ataxia due to MS should be based on multicentric studies with the scope of adjusting different types of treatments and physiotherapeutic techniques based on the severity of the symptom.
Semianalytical findings for the dynamics of the charged particle in the Störmer problem
Authors: Ershkov Sergey , Prosviryakov Evgeniy , Leshchenko Dmytro , Burmasheva Natalya
Published: August 2023

In this semianalytical research, we present a new ansatz in solving the Störmer problem with numerical findings in graphical representations of solutions where dynamics of the charged particle in the classical dipole magnetic field (here, Earth's magnetic field) was investigated in detail. We have fully solved the Störmer problem for partial class of the charged particle's motion close to the equatorial plane of Earth; this result is the main important theoretical finding presented here with prescribed symmetry. Aforementioned motions, determined by Lorentz force in nonrelativistic case, thereby are explored in polar coordinates to present them in a quasi‐periodic motions in a general case (in equatorial plane of Earth). Thus, the system of momentum equations has been successfully solved numerically or semianalytically in each case and the resulting semianalytical solving algorithm can clarify the quasi‐periodic structure of such family of solutions (with reduction of their geometric symmetry around the Earth in an equatorial plane).
Murine Model of Airway Fibrosis has Anatomic, Physiologic, and Molecular Congruency to Human iSGS
Authors: Mafla Laura M. , Ospino Rafael , So Raymond J. , Berges Alexandra J. , Collins Samuel L. , Chan‐Li Yee , Abd‐Elazem Ibrahim , Motz Kevin , Hillel Alexander T.
Published: August 2023

Objective

To narrow knowledge gaps in the pathophysiology of idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS) through comparison of a murine subglottic stenosis model with iSGS.

Study Design

In vivo animal study.

Setting

Academic institution.

Methods

Murine samples/measurements were obtained from mice that underwent chemomechanical injury with a wire brush and bleomycin. Human samples/measurements were obtained from iSGS patients. Anatomic, physiologic, and epithelial molecular data were collected using histology, human peak expiratory flow (PEF) and murine airway conductance, gene expression analysis with quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and protein analysis with quantitative immunohistochemistry.

Results

Anatomic patterns of scars at the subglottis and proximal trachea seen in the murine model are similar to iSGS patients. Subglottic stenosis (SGS) mice had a decrease (P = .0194) in airway conductance compared to healthy controls, similar to a decrease (P = .0001) in predilation PEF versus postdilation in iSGS patients. There was decreased epithelial gene expression of E‐cadherin (ECAD) (P < 0.01), occludin (OCLN) (P < .01), and cytokeratin‐5 (CK5) (P < .05) and protein expression of ECAD (H/M: P < .001), OCLN (H: P < 0.05, M: P < .001), and CK5 (H: P < .001, M: P < .01) in murine SGS and iSGS versus controls.

Conclusion

The murine SGS model shows anatomic, physiologic, and molecular congruency with human iSGS, making it a reasonable model to investigate iSGS. The molecular similarities in epithelial barrier dysfunction suggest it may best be suited to explore epithelial mechanisms of iSGS and therapies directed at epithelial reconstitution. This model provides a foundation to collect data that will improve understanding of iSGS, and, ultimately, translate into more accurate animal models for future use.
Guanine and cytosine‐containing acrylic supramolecular networks
Authors: Liu Boer , Spiering Glenn A. , McDonough Rose K. , Moore Robert B. , Long Timothy E.
Published: August 2023

This manuscript describes the synthesis and characterization of guanine and cytosine‐containing supramolecular copolymers, which are inspired from the guanine and cytosine nucleobase pair in deoxyribonucleic acid. Regioselective Michael‐addition allowed the efficient installation of the nucleobases on acrylate‐containing monomers, which enabled the preparation of a series of nucleobase‐functionalized acrylate and n‐butyl acrylate copolymers using conventional free radical copolymerization. Guanine‐containing copolymers exhibited superior thermal properties, thermomechanical performance, and more defined morphological structure than cytosine‐containing copolymer analogs due to the relatively strong guanine self‐association, thus expanding the potential applications for mechanically reinforced polymeric networks. Blending guanine‐ and cytosine‐containing copolymers formed a supramolecular structure through multiple hydrogen bonding between guanine and cytosine units. The supramolecular blend exhibited intermediate thermomechanical and morphological properties, which suggested that guanine and cytosine units were not fully associated in the random copolymer composition. This work provides valuable fundamental understanding of structure–property‐morphology relationships in acrylic copolymers with the presence of guanine‐cytosine self‐ and complementary interactions, suggesting new understanding in supramolecular design for enhanced mechanical and morphological properties.
Molecular mechanism of the common and opposing cosolvent effects of fluorinated alcohol and urea on a coiled coil protein
Authors: Nakata Noa , Okamoto Ryuichi , Sumi Tomonari , Koga Kenichiro , Morita Takeshi , Imamura Hiroshi
Published: August 2023

Alcohols and urea are widely used as effective protein denaturants. Among monohydric alcohols, 2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol (TFE) has large cosolvent effects as a helix stabilizer in proteins. In contrast, urea efficiently denatures ordered native structures, including helices, into coils. These opposing cosolvent effects of TFE and urea are well known, even though both preferentially bind to proteins; however, the underlying molecular mechanism remains controversial. Cosolvent‐dependent relative stability between native and denatured states is rigorously related to the difference in preferential binding parameters (PBPs) between these states. In this study, GCN4‐p1 with two‐stranded coiled coil helices was employed as a model protein, and molecular dynamics simulations for the helix dimer and isolated coil were conducted in aqueous solutions with 2 M TFE and urea. As 2 M cosolvent aqueous solutions did not exhibit clustering of cosolvent molecules, we were able to directly investigate the molecular origin of the excess PBP without considering the enhancement effect of PBPs arising from the concentration fluctuations. The calculated excess PBPs of TFE for the helices and those of urea for the coils were consistent with experimentally observed stabilization of helix by TFE and that of coil by urea. The former was caused by electrostatic interactions between TFE and side chains of the helices, while the latter was attributed to both electrostatic and dispersion interactions between urea and the main chains. Unexpectedly, reverse‐micelle‐like orientations of TFE molecules strengthened the electrostatic interactions between TFE and the side chains, resulting in strengthening of TFE solvation.
X‐Ray Luminescence and Thermally Stimulated Processes in Cesium Iodide Crystal
Authors: Hrytsak Andriy , Rudko Mykola , Kapustianyk Volodymyr , Hrytsak Lilya , Mykhaylyk Vitaliy
Published: August 2023

X‐ray luminescence spectra, thermally stimulated luminescence, and thermally stimulated conductivity of undoped cesium iodide (CsI) crystal are investigated in order to reach better understanding of the factors which govern the emission processes in this material. X‐ray luminescence spectra are recorded in the temperature range from 15 to 293 K. The low energy band at 2.2 eV emerging at heating above 120 K is assigned to the emission of residual impurities. Other two bands peaking at 3.6 and 4.3 eV at 15 K are attributed to the intrinsic emission of CsI due to the self‐trapped excitons (STEs). The parameters of the peaks observed in the thermally stimulated luminescence and conductivity of CsI crystal are calculated. Investigations of the thermally stimulated processes in CsI lead to the conclusion that the increase of luminescence of 4.3 eV observed above 70 K is due to release of trapped electrons, which subsequently interact with Vk centers and form on‐center STEs. The considerable ionic conductivity observed above 250 K can be explained by the influence of uncontrolled impurities of divalent metal atoms as well as Na+ ions.