bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strengthening Wear Resistance of Porous Polyimide With Organic Silicon Coating
Authors: Xu Zhengrong , Li Jinbang , Li Kai , Shi Chenchun , Zhou Ningning , Hua Licheng , Yang Qingyu , Zhao Jilong , Qing Tao 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTPorous polyimide (PPI) possesses interconnected micro‐pores capable of storing lubricant oil. However, the strength of PPI was weakened by pores, resulting in a decrease in wear resistance. Herein, organic silicon coating (OSC) was used to strengthen the PPI surfaces. The oil storage capacity and tribological performance of the coated PPI with varying coating coverages were investigated. Results demonstrated that PPI surfaces were effectively protected by the OSC. Particularly noteworthy was the substantial reduction in friction coefficient by 50.9 wt.% and wear rate by 55.8 wt.% observed under a high load of 100 N (103.19 MPa) with a 79.31 wt.% coating coverage. Improving surface strength and shrinking surface pore size are the two beneficial effects of the OSC. On the one hand, the OSC has high hardness and excellent density, which improves the wear resistance of PPI surfaces. On the other hand, the OSC reduces the surface pore size of PPI, improves the load‐bearing capacity of the oil film, and thus reduces wear. This study provides a viable approach for strengthening the wear resistance of porous polymer materials.
Changes in Descending Pain Modulation During Anti–Tumor Necrosis Factor Therapy: A Prospective Study in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Spondyloarthritis
Authors: Trouvin Anne‐Priscille , Simunek Arielle , Coste Joël , Medkour Terkia , Combier Alice , Poiroux Lucile , Vidal François , Carvès Sandrine , Bouhassira Didier , Perrot Serge 
Published: December 2024

ObjectiveIn rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA), managing persistent pain remains challenging. Little is known regarding impaired pain pathways in these patients and the impact of biologic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs). The objective of the Rheumatism Pain Inhibitory Descending Pathways study was to assess pain thresholds and descending pain modulation in patients with active RA or SpA following introduction of a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi).MethodsPatients with active disease (50 with RA and 50 with SpA) naive to bDMARDs or targeted synthetic DMARDs and starting a TNFi were included. Patients were observed for six months after TNFi initiation with clinical, psychological, and pain assessment. At all visits, participants underwent quantitative sensory testing with heat and cold pain thresholds and descending inhibition by conditioned pain modulation (CPM). Descending pain control (CPM effect) was assessed as the change in heat pain threshold (°C) following a conditioning stimulus.ResultsOf the 100 patients (59 women, mean ± SD age 45.8 ± 14.6 years), 74 completed the six‐month follow‐up. Thermal pain thresholds did not significantly change during follow‐up. CPM effect improved significantly during follow‐up (mean ± SD 0.25 ±2.57°C at baseline and 2.96 ± 2.50°C at six months; P < 0.001). At the end of follow‐up, the mean CPM effect was significantly higher in patients without significant pain compared with patients with persistent pain (>3 of 10 on the Brief Pain Inventory) (mean ± SD 3.25 ± 2.68°C vs 2.47 ± 2.11°C; P = 0.04) and in patients achieving remission or low disease activity compared with patients with active rheumatism (mean ± SD 3.31 ± 2.68°C vs 2.18 ± 1.87°C; P = 0.01).ConclusionIn active inflammatory rheumatisms, impaired descending pain modulation, but not thermal pain thresholds, is improved after TNFi treatment, suggesting a possible effect of TNFi on central pain modulation.
CEO Power and Carbon Emissions Management: Australian Evidence
Authors: Luong Hoa , Kumarasiri Jayanthi , Gunasekarage Abeyratna 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTWe investigate how CEO power contributes to the emissions management of Australian companies. Constructing a CEO power index and employing firm‐level carbon emissions data, we document a significant negative relationship between CEO power and carbon emissions, suggesting that firms with powerful CEOs better manage their carbon emissions. Extending our analyses into different dimensions of power, we find that the CEO power–emissions management relationship mainly comes from structural power and expert power sources. Further analyses show that emissions management plays a significant mediating role in the association between CEO power and firm performance. A survey administered among sustainability managers of large Australian companies reveals corroborative evidence that the leadership of powerful CEOs is an essential element in managing carbon emissions and mitigating the risk associated with climate change. The findings of this study provide insights to policymakers, regulators and corporate top‐management teams regarding an issue that is under severe public scrutiny and social pressure.
Risk Factor Analysis and Prediction of Para‐Aortic Lymph Node Metastases in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer
Authors: Wang Tinglu , Wei Jinchen , Jiang Li , Huang Lulu , Huang Tingting , Ma Shanshan , Huang Qiufeng , Zhang Yong , Wu Fang 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTBackground and PurposeThe indications of prophylactic extended‐field radiotherapy (EFRT) remain uncertain. This study aims to identify the risk factors for para‐aortic lymph node (PALN) metastases in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) and determine which part of patients may benefit from prophylactic EFRT.Materials and MethodsBetween January 2015 and July 2023, a single‐center retrospective analysis was performed on patients with stages IB3 and IIA2‐IVA cervical cancer. Lymph node involvement was assessed using positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). Risk factors were evaluated by logistic regression. A prediction nomogram model was developed and validated.ResultsAmong 329 patients, 64 (19.5%) had PALN metastases. Univariate analysis indicated that tumor size > 5.3 cm, tumor maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) > 9.8, bilateral pelvic lymph node (PLN) metastases, the number of positive PLNs ≥ 3, and T3–T4 stages were related to PALN metastases. After multivariate logistic analysis, it was found that tumor size > 5.3 cm (odds ratio [OR] = 3.129, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.536–6.374, p = 0.002), and the number of positive PLNs ≥ 3 (OR = 11.260, 95% CI = 3.506–36.158, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors. The C‐index of the nomogram was 0.886 (95% CI = 0.844–0.927). The calibration plot showed that the nomogram was well‐fitted. Decision curve analysis (DCA) exhibited excellent clinical utility.ConclusionTumor size > 5.3 cm and the number of positive PLNs ≥ 3 are independent risk factors of PALN metastases. The nomogram shows pretty good accuracy, which may provide a valuable reference for guiding patients who are very likely to develop PALN metastases to receive prophylactic EFRT.
Synergistic Effect of Donepezil and Neurotropic B Vitamins on Dysregulated Antioxidant, Inflammation and Neurotransmitter Status in Aluminium Chloride‐Induced Neurotoxicity in Rats
Authors: Ekundayo Bidemi Emmanuel , Adewale Olusola Bolaji , Obafemi Blessing Ariyo , Ntwasa Monde McMillan , Lebelo Sogolo Lucky , Obafemi Tajudeen Olabisi 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTCombination therapy offers a promising advantage because they target multiple pathways involved in the pathogenesis and progression of Alzheimer's disease. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic effect of donepezil and each of vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and vitamin B1 on aluminium chloride (AlCl3)‐induced neurotoxicity in rats. Fifty‐four rats were divided into nine groups of six. Group I received distilled water, group II—AlCl3 (100 mg/kg), group III‐ AlCl3 (100 mg/kg) + Donepezil (10 mg/kg), group IV‐AlCl3(100 mg/kg) + Donepezil (10 mg/kg) + Vitamin B12 (5 mg/kg), group V‐AlCl3 (100 mg/kg) + Donepezil (10 mg/kg) + Vitamin B6 (5 mg/kg), group VI‐AlCl3 (100 mg/kg) + Donepezil (10 mg/kg) + Vitamin B1 (5 mg/kg), group VII‐AlCl3 (100 mg/kg) + Vitamin B12 (5 mg/kg), group VIII‐AlCl3 (100 mg/kg) + Vitamin B6 (5 mg/kg), group IX‐AlCl3 (100 mg/kg) + Vitamin B1 (5 mg/kg). Treatment lasted for 40 days. Biochemical analyses of the brain revealed that chronic administration of AlCl3 significantly increased the level of inflammatory cytokines, caspase 9, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, while causing a significant decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, Nrf2, reduced glutathione, dopamine and norepinephrine. Results also showed that AlCl3 caused cognitive impairment as indicated by a reduction in the percentage alternation index and hypo‐activity towards novel object in animals treated with AlCl3 only. Moreover, results from biochemical evaluations indicated that treatment with donepezil, B vitamins and combination of donepezil and B vitamins attenuated the deficits in dopamine, norepinephrine, Nrf2, SOD and reduced glutathione, while also reducing the elevated levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, AChE, caspase 9 and inflammatory markers. These observations were corroborated by result of histopathological evaluation. The combination of donepezil and vitamin B12, B6 and B1 proved to be more effective than donepezil monotherapy. Donepezil conferred significant protection against AlCl3–induced neurotoxicity, however, the combination of donepezil and vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and Vitamin B1 significantly performed better in neuroprotective indices than donepezil monotherapy. The combination of donepezil and vitamin B1 was better amongst the three combination therapies in this study.
Thymol as Biofilm and Efflux Pump Inhibitor: A Dual‐Action Approach to Combat Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Shankar Das Bhabani , Sarangi Ashirbad , Pahuja Isha , Singh Vishal , Ojha Suvendu , Giri Sidhartha , Bhaskar Ashima , Bhattacharya Debapriya 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTTuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health challenge, exacerbated by the emergence of drug‐resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb). The complex biology of M. tb, particularly its key porins, contributes to its resilience against conventional treatments, highlighting the exploration of innovative therapeutic strategies. Following with this challenges, the present study investigates the bioactivity properties of phenolic compounds derived from the terpene groups, specifically through Thymol (THY) against M. smegmatis as a surrogated model for M. tb. Furthermore, the study employed with combination of two approaches i.e., in vitro assays and computational methods to evaluate the efficacy of THY against M. smegmatis and its interaction with M. tb biofilm and efflux pump proteins, particularly Rv1258c and Rv0194. The in vitro findings demonstrated that THY exhibits inhibitory activity against M. smegmatis and shows promising interaction with a combination of isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF) of TB regimens. Furthermore, THY demonstrated significant inhibitory action towards motility and biofilm formation of M. smegmatis. The combination of THY with INH and RIF exhibited a synergistic effect, enhancing the overall antimicrobial efficacy. Additionally, THY displayed reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity and potential efflux pump inhibitory action towards M. smegmatis. The computational analysis revealed that THY interacts effectively with efflux pump proteins Rv1258c and Rv0194, showing superior binding affinity compared to verapamil, a known efflux pump inhibitor. Pharmacokinetic studies highlighted that THY possess a favourable safety profile. In conclusion, THY represents a promising inhibitory compound for tuberculosis prevention, potentially addressing challenges posed by drug resistance.
Impact of Right Ventricular to Pulmonary Artery Coupling on Survival Following Indirect Mitral Annuloplasty
Authors: Rottländer Dennis , Golabkesh Milad , Degen Hubertus , Barlagiannis Dimitrios , Ögütcü Alev , Saal Martin , Haude Michael 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundRight ventricular‐to‐pulmonary artery (RV‐PA) coupling is an important predictor of long‐term survival following transcatheter edge‐to‐edge repair. However, its impact on survival in patients undergoing indirect mitral annuloplasty is unknown. The study aimed to assess the impact of baseline RV‐PA coupling on survival following indirect mitral annuloplasty in heart failure patients.MethodsPatients were classified according to baseline RV‐PA coupling: TAPSE (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion)/PASP (pulmonary artery systolic pressure) > 0.55 (group 1), ≤ 0.55 ≥ 0.32 (group 2) and ≤ 0.32 (group 3). Clinical follow‐up and RV function were assessed 3 and 12 months following indirect annuloplasty.ResultsA TAPSE/PASP > 0.55 was found in 19 patients, while 47 patients showed a TAPSE/PASP ≤ 0.55 > 0.32 and 26 a TAPSE/PASP ≤ 0.32. A significant reduction in vena contracta and regurgitant volume compared to baseline was found in all groups at 3‐months and 12‐months follow‐up. One‐year mortality was significantly increased in group 3 compared to the other groups (group 1: 0.95, group 2: 0.91, group 3: 0.77; Log‐Rank test p = 0.018). In groups 2 and 3 the TAPSE/PASP significantly improved during the 12‐months follow‐up, while it remained unchanged in group 1 (group 1: baseline = 0.71 ± 0.03, 12‐months = 0.67 ± 0.01; group 2: baseline = 0.43 ± 0.06, 12‐months: 0.56 ± 0.04; group 3: baseline = 0.25 ± 0.06, 12‐months: 0.4 ± 0.03; p < 0.001).ConclusionsRV‐PA uncoupling before indirect mitral annuloplasty is associated with poor survival. However, Carillon device implantation improved right heart function and RV‐PA coupling in patients with severe RV dysfunction at baseline. Therefore, Carillon device implantation can be a valuable option for transcatheter treatment of patients with FMR and right heart failure.
Mechanism‐Guided Development of Bifunctional Cyclooctenes as Active, Practical, and Light‐Gated Bromination Catalysts
Authors: Nagano Tagui , Shimazu Takuto , Ono Yusuke , Kaneko Kazuma , Matsubara Seijiro , Yamanaka Masahiro , Uraguchi Daisuke , Asano Keisuke 
Published: December 2024

AbstractMost molecular catalysts have been developed employing polar functional groups as catalytic sites. However, the use of non‐polar functional groups for catalysis has received less attention due to their modest molecular interactions while the bioorthogonal reactivity of non‐polar alkenes as substrates is frequently used in click chemistry. In this study, we conducted mechanistic studies on the catalysis of trans‐cyclooctene (TCO) derivatives with the strained olefin as the catalytic site using kinetic and computational analyses to aid the design of more active olefin catalysts. The analysis reveals the significant role of the benzyl substituents in accelerating the generation of bromonium species through dispersion interaction in the rate‐determining step. Guided by the mechanistic insights, we developed bifunctional TCO catalysts bearing a functionalized benzyl group, taking advantage of the remarkable substituent effects. Experimental studies confirmed the theoretical model and revealed that TCO with a para‐hydroxybenzyl group provided excellent catalytic activity. Furthermore, inclusion of the functionalized benzyl groups allowed more readily available and robust cis‐cyclooctenes to be used as active catalysts, expanding the practical utility of the olefin catalysts. By using a photochemically labile masking group on the para‐hydroxybenzyl substituent, the first light‐gated bromination catalyst was developed, enabling spatiotemporal control of the transformation.
Ligand‐Controlled Regioselective Alkoxycarbonylation of Nonfunctionalized Unsymmetric Internal Alkynes
Authors: Wang Bin , Wang Zhen , Shen Chaoren , Dong Kaiwu 
Published: December 2024

AbstractPd‐catalyzed alkoxycarbonylation of internal alkynes provides a straightforward access to α,β‐disubstituted acrylic esters. Compared with the well‐established regioselective alkoxycarbonylation of terminal alkynes, the regioselective hydrocarboxylation of non‐functionalized unsymmetric internal alkynes was more challenging owing to the delicate differences of properties between the two substituents. Herein, by using either monophosphine ligand based on 2,3‐dihydrobenzo[d][1,3]oxaphosphole motif or bidentate ligand Ph‐Phox, the regioselective alkoxycarbonylations of aryl‐aryl, aryl‐alkyl and alkyl‐alkyl disubstituted alkynes were achieved, giving a diversity of trisubstituted α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic esters with moderate to excellent yields and high regioselectivity. The synthetic utility of obtained α,β‐disubstituted acrylic esters was demonstrated.
DiQuinoline‐MonoQuinazoline: A Flat Proton Binder and its Application as a Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon Scavenger and G4 Ligand
Authors: Karimata Taiga , Xu Wei , Kumagai Naoya 
Published: December 2024

AbstractA new miniaturized framework for graphitic material featuring three neighboring pyridinic nitrogen atoms is disclosed. The quinoline/quinazoline hybridized pseudo trimeric macrocycle, DiQuinoline(Q)‐MonoQuinazolines(Qz), Q2Qz1, was readily synthesized from the key macrocyclic amide precursor in a modular fashion. Its central cavity strongly captures a proton, and the thus‐formed positively charged, highly planar architecture exhibits supramolecular complexation through π‐interactions. Q2Qz1, with its unique properties, was applied as a scavenger for toxic polyaromatic hydrocarbons and as a G‐quartet ligand for potential therapeutic agent for cancer chemotherapy.
Temporal Trends in Mortality Related to Stroke and Atrial Fibrillation in the United States: A 21‐Year Retrospective Analysis of CDC‐WONDER Database
Authors: Ahmad Owais , Farooqi Hanzala Ahmed , Ahmed Isra , Jamil Adeena , Nabi Rayyan , Ullah Irfan , Khan Abdul Wali , Ahmed Raheel , Alam Mahboob , Cortese Bernardo , Mamas Mamas A. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTAimsAtrial Fibrillation (AF) is one of the most strongly associated risk factors for stroke. Our study aims to analyze changes in mortality from 1999 to 2020 in patients with AF and stroke.MethodsUsing the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention Wide‐Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC‐WONDER), we retrospectively analyzed annual age‐adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) per million from 1999 to 2020 in stroke patients with AF. Temporal trends were analyzed, and Annual Percentage Change (APC) was calculated using the JoinPoint regression model across variations in demographics (sex, race) and regional subgroups.ResultsAround 490 000 deaths were reported between 1999 and 2020 from stroke and AF across the 25–85+ age group. AAMR initially decreased until 2008 (APC = –0.9), followed by an increase till 2020 (APC = 1.1). Women had a higher AAMR than men throughout the years. Non‐Hispanic white patients had a marginally higher AAMR than all other races and ethnicities. The highest AAMR was observed in the western region. States like Vermont, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Minnesota, and West Virginia were in the top 90th percentile, while Nevada, Louisiana, Florida, New York, New Mexico, and Arizona were in the bottom 10th percentile. Nonmetropolitan areas had consistently higher AAMRs throughout the 2 decades.ConclusionAn overall rise in mortality has been observed in stroke and AF patients, with a greater surge in 2019. The need for healthcare policy changes, especially in areas with high mortality and awareness of healthier lifestyle factors, can be an essential preventative measure to help mitigate growing mortality rates.
Converting the CHF3 Greenhouse Gas into Nanometer‐Thick LiF Coating for High‐Voltage Cathode Li‐ion Batteries Materials
Authors: Štefančič Aleš , Vaz Carlos Antonio Fernandes , Baster Dominika , Müller Elisabeth , El Kazzi Mario 
Published: December 2024

AbstractSolving the surface (electro−)chemical instability and the fading behavior of high voltage cathode materials cycled above 4.3 V vs Li+/Li remains a major challenge for the next generation of high energy density Li‐ion batteries. Here, we present a facile, environmentally friendly, cost effective and scalable method to address this problem by uniformly fluorinating the surface of cathode materials with a mild fluorinating agent (CHF3) using a gas flow‐type reactor. CHF3, well known as a potent greenhouse gas, is successfully transformed into a stable ~2 nm LiF homogenous layer by converting the adventitious Li2CO3 layer covering the surface of the vast majority of layered‐oxide cathode materials. The fluorination mechanism and the interface stability of the LiF coating layer is systematically studied on LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 using synchrotron surface spectroscopy techniques, operando XRD and TEM. In addition, we demonstrate improved electrochemical cycling performance of the LiF coated LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 when cycled up to 4.5 V where the impedance and overpotential decrease by 30 % and 100 mV respectively after 100 cycles, with a capacity retention better than 94 % and improved rate performance at high current density. Furthermore, the universality of the fluorination approach is validated further on Ni‐rich LiNi0.85Co0.1Mn0.05O2 cathode material cycled up to 4.3 and 4.8 V vs Li+/Li.
Quasi‐Z‐Source Cascaded Multilevel Inverter With Master‐Division Control for Photovoltaic Grid Connection
Authors: Jin Ningzhi , Hou Jiaowei , Jiang Jiaxin , Yang Jing , Sun Dongyang 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTThe quasi‐Z‐source cascaded multilevel inverter (qZS‐CMI) can achieve the boost function through the shoot‐through state without the requirement of an additional DC boost circuit. Thus, the efficiency of the system is improved, and each power module can be controlled independently, which makes it more suitable for distributed photovoltaic power generation systems. This paper proposes a multi‐carrier phase‐shifted PWM (MPSPWM) that inserts a shoot‐through signal at the switching moment, in order to address the high switching frequency problem caused by simple boost modulation in qZS‐CMI. In order to improve the dynamic response of the system and reduce the grid‐connected current distortion of qZS‐CMI, this paper proposes a master‐division grid‐connected control strategy. The DC‐link voltage division controllers use the sliding mode control to achieve DC‐link voltage stabilization, and the grid‐connected current master controller adopts an improved deadbeat control to achieve fast tracking of grid‐connected current. When the output power of PV arrays is inconsistent, the differential power allocation between modules is realized by setting the module power allocation factor. Finally, the effectiveness and feasibility of the above theory are verified by three‐module cascaded qZS‐CMI simulation and experiment.
Research Progress of Endoplasmic Reticulum Targeting Metal Complexes in Cancer Therapy
Authors: Xu Shihang , Wu Xiaoling , Zhu Jia , Wu Qiuming , Gao Lijuan , Yang Feng , Zhang Zhenlei 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTThe development of anticancer drugs that target different organelles has received extensive attention due to the characteristics of cancer recurrence, metastasis, and drug resistance. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an important structure within the cell that is primarily responsible for protein synthesis, folding, modification, and transport and plays a crucial role in cell function and health. ER stress activation induces cancer cell apoptosis. New anticancer drugs with different anticancer mechanisms and selectivity can be designed because of redox activity, composition diversity, and metal complexes structure regulation. Over the past few decades, dozens of metal complexes have killed cancer cells through ER stress, showing powerful tumor‐suppressive effects. This review summarizes the progress of research on anticancer metallic drugs that induce ER stress over the past few years, which is expected to bring more breakthroughs in the field of medicine and life science.