bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Adoption of Soil Nutrient Management Practices: A Case of Rice Farmers in Liberia
Authors: Apeh Chikamso Christian , Chiemela Stella Nwawulu , Apeh Andrew Chiahalam , Okere Richard Anayo , Ukwuaba Sunday Ifeanyi , Onyekuru Anthony NwaJesus 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTThe declining level of crop yield in connection with soil infertility poses a major threat to farmers’ food security and income leading to adoption of different soil nutrient management (SNM) practices by rice farmers. The study identified five soil SNM options adopted by rice farmers and the factors influencing their adoption in the South Eastern region of Liberia. A multistage sampling technique was used to select study areas and participants, starting with purposive sampling of 6 high rice‐producing counties and 12 districts, followed by random sampling of 17 rice farmers from each district, resulting in a total of 408 farmers, with data collected through structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a probit regression model to understand the factors influencing SNM adoption. The result showed that the majority (78.43%) of the rice farmers were into lowland rice farming, 97.55% into integrated SNM with 26.72% in organic fertilizer options. The probit regression analysis revealed that the likelihood of adopting SNM practices was significantly influenced by gender (−4.9%), age (+8.2%), education (+16.7%), land ownership (−6.8%), farm size (+4.4%), agricultural group membership (+32.08%), credit access (+4.9%), and farm distance (−8.8%). It was observed that rice farmers adopt SNM practices primarily to increase yield ( = 4.34), with secondary motivations including maintaining a healthy environment ( = 3.89), increasing income ( = 3.46), and improving food and nutrition security ( = 3.11). To ensure efficient and effective rice production and boost agricultural output, agricultural policymakers and extension services should actively promote the adoption of SNM and integrated practices by providing targeted education and increasing access to credit facilities for farmers.
Unexpected mismatches in population structure among marine mussel life‐history stages reveal the true scales of planktonic larval dispersal
Authors: Oliver Jody‐Carynn , Porri Francesca , Emami‐Khoyi Arsalan , Teske Peter R. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractStudies investigating gene flow in sessile or sedentary marine species typically draw conclusions about larval dispersal by investigating genetic structure of adults. Here, we generated microsatellite data from adults, recruits, settlers and planktonic larvae of the brown mussel, Perna perna, from the southeast coast of South Africa, and identified a consistent mismatch in genetic structure between the adults and all earlier life stages. While adults could be assigned to two major geographical groups (western and eastern), most of the early‐stage mussels were strongly affiliated with the eastern group. This suggests that few of the early‐stage individuals present in the western portion of the sampling range will eventually establish themselves in the adult population, highlighting the importance of post‐recruitment processes as drivers of population structure. Our findings caution against the exclusive use of genetic data generated from adults to assess population connectivity facilitated by the dispersal of planktonic propagules.
Achromatic Silicon Photonic Waveguide Lenses for Ultra‐Broadband Multimode Spot‐Size Conversion
Authors: Liu Ruoran , Zhao Weike , Dai Daoxin 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe rapid development of silicon photonics inspired the emergence of on‐chip geometric optics. As one of the most crucial elements, waveguide‐lenses have attracted much attention. Nevertheless, waveguide‐lenses often suffer from large chromatism due to the strong waveguide dispersion, especially for the cases with multiple guided‐modes. In this paper, achromatic waveguide‐lenses available for multimode photonics are proposed and are further utilized for realizing multimode spot size converters (MSSCs) as an example. The present MSSC shows low excess losses < 0.4 dB and low inter‐mode crosstalks <−14 dB within an ultra‐broad bandwidth of 1450–1650 nm, which is realized for the first time by comprising a positive waveguide‐lens and a negative waveguide‐lens. In addition, the present MSSC is applied successfully for realizing high‐performance multimode waveguide corner‐bends. To the best of the knowledge, the proposed MSSC is the unique one with an ultra‐compact footprint and the largest bandwidth for low crosstalks as well as low losses, indicating that on‐chip geometric optics potentially provides a new perspective for on‐chip light manipulation desired in various applications.
Physician Level Assessment of Hirsute Women and of Their Eligibility for Laser Treatment With Deep Learning
Authors: Thomsen Kenneth , Jalaboi Raluca , Winther Ole , Lomholt Hans Bredsted , Lorentzen Henrik F. , Høgsberg Trine , Egekvist Henrik , Hedelund Lene , Jørgensen Sofie , Frost Sanne , Bertelsen Trine , Iversen Lars 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTObjectivesHirsutism is a widespread condition affecting 5%–15% of females. Laser treatment of hirsutism has the best long‐term effect. Patients with nonpigmented or nonterminal hairs are not eligible for laser treatment, and the current patient journey needed to establish eligibility for laser hair removal is problematic in many health‐care systems.MethodsIn this study, we compared the ability to assess eligibility for laser hair removal of health‐care professionals and convolutional neural network (CNN)‐based models.ResultsThe CNN ensemble model, synthesized from the outputs of five individual CNN models, reached an eligibility assessment accuracy of 0.52 (95% CI: 0.42–0.60) and a κ of 0.20 (95% CI: 0.13–0.27), taking a consensus expert label as reference. For comparison, board‐certified dermatologists achieved a mean accuracy of 0.48 (95% CI: 0.44–0.52) and a mean κ of 0.26 (95% CI: 0.22–0.31). Intra‐rater analysis of board‐certified dermatologists yielded κ in the 0.32 (95% CI: 0.24–0.40) and 0.65 (95% CI: 0.56–0.74) range.ConclusionCurrent assessment of eligibility for laser hair removal is challenging. Developing a laser hair removal eligibility assessment tool based on deep learning that performs on a par with trained dermatologists is feasible. Such a model may potentially reduce workload, increase quality and effectiveness, and facilitate equal health‐care access. However, to achieve true clinical generalizability, prospective randomized clinical intervention studies are needed.
Synthesis and Magnetic Property of 4,4′‐(2,6‐Anthracenediyl)bis(2,6‐di‐tert‐butylphenoxyl) Diradicaloids
Authors: Kaneko Takashi , Ogawa Ayako , Teraguchi Masahiro , Aoki Toshiki 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAnthracene based phenoxyl diradicaloids are synthesized. The UV–vis spectra of them give absorption maxima around 700 nm attributes to the extended quinone structure. The diradical characters y of them are estimated as ∼0.6 from their static magnetic susceptibility and absorption maxima. The extended π‐conjugated anthracene‐linker enhances the diradical characters compared to the phenylene linker. It is noteworthy that these enhanced diradical characters are accomplished without steric effects.
Feeder cell training shapes the phenotype and function of in vitro expanded natural killer cells
Authors: Gao Fei , Mora Mauricio Campos , Constantinides Michael , Coënon Loïs , Multrier Caroline , Vaillant Loïc , Peyroux Julien , Zhang Tianxiang , Villalba Martin 
Published: September 2024

AbstractNatural killer (NK) cells are candidates for adoptive cell therapy, and the protocols for their activation and expansion profoundly influence their function and fate. The complexity of NK cell origin and feeder cell cues impacts the heterogeneity of expanded NK (eNK) cells. To explore this, we compared the phenotype and function of peripheral blood‐derived NK (PB‐NK) and umbilical cord blood‐derived NK (UCB‐NK) cells activated by common feeder cell lines, including K562, PLH, and 221.AEH. After first encounter, most PB‐NK cells showed degranulation independently of cytokines production. Meanwhile, most UCB‐NK cells did both. We observed that each feeder cell line uniquely influenced the activation, expansion, and ultimate fate of PB eNK and UCB eNK cells, determining whether they became cytokine producers or killer cells. In addition, they also affected the functional performance of NK cell subsets after expansion, that is, expanded conventional NK (ecNK) and expanded FcRγ– NK (eg‐NK) cells. Hence, the regulation of eNK cell function largely depends on the NK cell source and the chosen expansion system. These results underscore the significance of selecting feeder cells for NK cell expansion from various sources, notably for customized adoptive cell therapies to yield cytokine‐producing or cytotoxic eNK cells.
Similarity of Phenotype in Three Male Patients With the c.320A>G Variant in ALG13: Possible Genotype–Phenotype Correlation
Authors: Finnegan Rebecca , O'Regan Mary , White Máire , Cavalleri Gianpiero L. , Delanty Norman , Benson Katherine A. , Greally Marie T. 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundCongenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) are a group of neurometabolic diseases that result from genetic defects in the glycosylation of proteins and/or lipids. Multiple pathogenic genes contribute to the varying reported phenotypes of individuals with CDG‐1 syndromes, most of which are inherited as autosomal recessive traits, although X‐linked inheritance has also been reported. Pathogenic variants in the asparagine‐linked glycosylation 13 homolog (ALG13) gene have been implicated in the aetiology of developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) 36 (OMIM:*300776, DEE36). The NM_001099922.3:c.320A>G; p.(Asn107Ser) variant is the most frequently described pathogenic variant in ALG13, with 59 females and 2 males with this variant reported to date.MethodsWe report on a male with a de novo, hemizygous variant in ALG13: c.320A>G; p.(Asn107Ser), whose phenotype resembles that of two previously reported males with the same variant.ResultsAll three males have a de novo mutation, infantile spasms, DEE, drug‐resistant epilepsy, intellectual disability, dysmorphic findings, recurrent infections, skeletal anomalies, brain abnormalities and a movement disorder: a phenotype not consistently reported in males with other pathogenic variants in ALG13.ConclusionThe similarity of phenotype in the three males with the c.320A>G variant in ALG13, suggests a possible genotype–phenotype correlation.
Covalent and non‐covalent action‐enhanced cellulose‐based thermally conductive composite (TCC) films fabricated via vacuum‐assisted self assembly with high thermally conductivity and superior mechanical performance
Authors: Yang Bin , Lu Huijie , Yang Yuqing , Zhang Ting , Wang Xiaohong , Wang Hao , Wang Ziyi , Zhang Yue , Xia Ru , Qian Jiasheng , Jia Ning 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAs is known, to establish covalent or non‐covalent interaction between filler and matrix, which helps to reduce the interface thermal resistance (ITR) as well as construct good thermal conduction channels, is a good strategy for dealing with the risk of thermal runaway in the extreme service environment of electronic equipment. In this paper, carboxylated nanocellulose fiber (c‐CNF) was used as matrix, and a hybrid filler (M‐CoNPs@GNP) was fabricated by coating cobalt‐nanoparticles (CoNPs) and grafting maleimide on graphene nanosheets (GNPs). M‐CoNPs@GNP/c‐CNF thermally conductive composite (TCC) films were successfully fabricated by combining with c‐CNF. As zero‐dimensional particles, CoNPs can effectively prevent GNPs agglomeration due to surface effects, and “‐NH” in maleimide dehydrates with “‐COOH” in c‐CNF to form “C‐N‐C” covalent bonds, with strong hydrogen bond formed between filler and matrix, which remarkably enhances the interface compatibility between matrix and filler. The ITR has been reduced to form a well‐defined three‐dimensional thermal conduction path, achieving an ultra‐high in‐plane TC (35.9 W·m−1·K−1) for MCGC40, which is 7.9 times that of pure c‐CNF film, in addition to a sufficiently high tensile strength of 123.3 MPa. The combination of high in‐plane TC, excellent mechanical flexibility and good electrical insulation jointly justifies the potential application of M‐CoNPs@GNP/c‐CNF TCC films in effective thermal management of flexible electronic products.Highlights
CoNPs effectively inhibit GNPs agglomeration.
GNPs exhibit hydrophilicity after modification.
Modified fillers interact fairly well with the matrix.
High tensile strength and exceptional flexibility are achieved.
TCC films exhibit both electrical insulation and hydrophobicity.
Universal mechanical modeling of fiber bundle under torsion: An experimental and numerical study
Authors: Zhang Chi , Hu Hongbo , Liu Yang , Zhu Kunkun , Jiang Liquan , Yu Hao , Xu Weilin 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIn this paper, a universal mechanical model for the torsional behavior of fiber bundle was established, grounded in the principles of spatial geometry and continuum mechanics, incorporating differential geometry formulas. The model was validated through self‐designed experimental equipment and finite element simulations using Ansys Workbench, showing strong agreement between predicted torsional fracture behavior and experimental results. The study further examined the contributions of fiber bending, torsion, and tension to the overall torque, revealing that torsion plays the dominant role. Additionally, the effect of filament count on the torsional performance of fiber bundles was analyzed, demonstrating that while the number of fibers significantly influences stress distribution, its impact on overall torque is minimal.Highlights
A universal mechanical model for fiber bundle torsional is proposed.
High consistency between simulation and experimental results.
Examined filament count effect on torsional strength.
More filaments reduce stress concentration, improving performance.
Prenatal Sonographic Features of Rubinstein–Taybi Syndrome—A Small Case Series of a Rare Syndrome
Authors: Zloto K. , Weissbach T. , Messing B. , Birnbaum R. , Gindes L. , Levy M. , Lerman‐Sagie T. , Hadi E. , Eliyahu A. , Feinstein‐Goren N. , Kassif E. 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTRubinstein–Taybi syndrome (RSTS) is a rare syndrome characterized by intellectual disability, distinctive facial features and distal limb abnormalities. RSTS is indicated by clinical features and confirmed via genetic testing. In this prenatal case series, we report four cases of RSTS with various sonographic features. Some features, such as corpus callosum dysgenesis, are nonspecific, but they may be the first sign apparent, as they appear early in pregnancy. Others, like beaked nose, shawl scrotum, premature coccygeal ossification, and overly mature scrotal sac with excessive rugae, are distinctive, but they may only be apparent in advanced gestation.
A Theoretical Perspective on the Stereochemistry of Benzoanellated Aroyl‐X,N‐Ketene Acetal Derivatives
Authors: Martins Francisco A. , Freitas Matheus P. 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTKetene 1,3‐oxazoles and their derivatives present intriguing structures for the study of rotational barriers due to their pseudo–double‐bond character stemming from resonance in the ketene moiety. A diverse range of compounds featuring this motif underwent quantum‐chemical investigation to elucidate the nature of the stereochemical singularity observed in numerous cases. Because rotational barriers in most instances are too high to permit rapid interconversion, the findings are ascribed to thermodynamic rather than kinetic factors in the gas phase and within an implicit polar medium. The stabilities are attributed to internal hydrogen bonding where feasible. However, in cases where this is not possible, chalcogen bonding rather than steric effects governs the stereochemical preferences, particularly when S and Se comprise the heterocycle of these compounds. These findings hold promise for guiding the design of compounds whose properties hinge on stereochemistry and resonant structures, such as dyes.
Exploring Spectral and Electrochemical Behavior of Hydroxy‐N‐Benzylideneanilines by Integrated Theoretical and Experimental Approaches
Authors: Hota Prabhudatta , Biswal Supriya Priyambada , Dash Manas Ranjan , Das Bijnyan Ranjan , Misra Pramila Kumari 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTThe present work explored the effect of –OH group substitution (o/p) on the spectral and electrochemical behavior of N‐benzylideneaniline. The geometry optimization of unsubstituted and (o/p)‐OH‐substituted analogs revealed the coplanarity of the molecules. The vibrational spectra of the compounds were computed using density functional theory (DFT) and compared with the experimental data. The observed bands were assigned based on total energy distribution (TED). Predicted electronic absorption spectra from time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) calculation were compared with the UV–visible spectra of the molecules. The analysis of the lowest spin‐allowed (singlet‐singlet) excited states divulged possible electronic transition. The o‐substituted benzylideneaniline possessed the lowest highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy gap among the substituted and unsubstituted analogs. The intramolecular contacts were interpreted using natural bond orbital and localized molecular orbital analysis. The –CH=N– linkage was investigated as a bridge for the electron delocalization from the donor to acceptor moieties. The manifestation of a reduction peak in the cyclic voltammetric studies confirmed the electrochemical behavior in the –OH‐substituted molecule, which was diffusion‐controlled. The discrepancy in the electrochemical property concerning the position of the –OH substituent of the candidate molecules was put forward.
Correlating Chemical Structure and Charge Carrier Dynamics in Phenanthrocarbazole‐Based Hole Transporting Materials for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Hussain Muzammil , Adnan Muhammad , Irshad Zobia , Hussain Riaz , Darwish Hany W. , Lim Jongchul 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTPolymeric hole transport materials (HTMs) have emerged because of their potential to produce dopant‐free, efficient, and stable perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Therefore, we engineered 10 novel donor materials (SMH1–SMH10) containing phenanthrocarbazole‐based polymeric structures for organic and PSCs. These molecules underwent bridging‐core modifications using different spacers, such as furan (N1), pyrrole (N2), benzene (N3), pyrazine (N4), dioxane (N5), isoxazole (N6), isoindole (N7), indolizine (N8), double bond (N9), and pyrimidine (N10), in comparison to reference molecule R. The study examined the structure–property relationship and the impact of these modifications on the optical, photovoltaic, photophysical, and optoelectronic characteristics of the newly designed SMH1–SMH10 series. Density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) calculations were conducted to analyze frontier molecular orbitals, density of states, reorganization energies, open‐circuit voltage, transition density matrix, and charge transfer processes. Results show that the newly designed molecules (SMH1–SMH10) exhibited superior optoelectronics characteristics compared to the R molecule. Among these, SMH4 is the most promising candidate, with a small band gap (2.79 eV), low electron and hole mobility (λe 0.0028 eV, λh 0.0020 eV), lower binding energy (Eb 0.58 eV), high λmax values (656.42 nm in gas, 573.34 nm in chlorobenzene), and a high Voc of 1.30 V. Therefore, this study demonstrated that bridging‐core modifications offer a simple and effective strategy for designing desirable characteristics molecules for photovoltaic applications.
Evaluating the potential of non‐immunosuppressive cyclosporin analogs for targeting Toxoplasma gondii cyclophilin: Insights from structural studies
Authors: Favretto Filippo , Jiménez‐Faraco Eva , Catucci Gianluca , Di Matteo Adele , Travaglini‐Allocatelli Carlo , Sadeghi Sheila J. , Dominici Paola , Hermoso Juan A. , Astegno Alessandra 
Published: September 2024

AbstractToxoplasmosis persists as a prevalent disease, facing challenges from parasite resistance and treatment side effects. Consequently, identifying new drugs by exploring novel protein targets is essential for effective intervention. Cyclosporin A (CsA) possesses antiparasitic activity against Toxoplasma gondii, with cyclophilins identified as possible targets. However, CsA immunosuppressive nature hinders its use as an antitoxoplasmosis agent. Here, we evaluate the potential of three CsA derivatives devoid of immunosuppressive activity, namely, NIM811, Alisporivir, and dihydrocyclosporin A to target a previously characterized cyclophilin from Toxoplasma gondii (TgCyp23). We determined the X‐ray crystal structures of TgCyp23 in complex with the three analogs and elucidated their binding and inhibitory properties. The high resolution of the structures revealed the precise positioning of ligands within the TgCyp23 binding site and the details of protein–ligand interactions. A comparison with the established ternary structure involving calcineurin indicates that substitutions at position 4 in CsA derivatives prevent calcineurin binding. This finding provides a molecular explanation for why CsA analogs can target Toxoplasma cyclophilins without compromising the human immune response.
Plasma and urinary CP I and CP III concentrations in chimeric mice with human hepatocytes after rifampicin administration
Authors: Shishido Yurina , Yoshida Tomohiro , Oshida Keiyu , Uchida Masashi 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe interest in transporter‐mediated drug interactions has been increasing in the field of drug development. In this study, we measured the plasma and urinary concentrations of coproporphyrin (CP) I and CP III as endogenous substrates for organic anion‐transporting polypeptide (OATP) using chimeric mice with human hepatocytes (PXB mice) and examined the influence of an OATP inhibitor, rifampicin (RIF). CP I and CP III were actively taken up intracellularly, and RIF inhibited the uptake in a concentration‐dependent manner for both CP I and CP III in human hepatocytes (PXB‐cells). Single doses of RIF at 10 and 30 mg/kg were orally or intravenously administered to PXB mice and wild‐type ICR mice. Plasma concentrations (AUC0‐8h) of CP I increased in both mice. However, a marked increase in CP III was only observed in ICR mice, after intravenous administration of RIF at 30 mg/kg. The IC50 values of RIF for intracellular CP I/III uptake and the unbound plasma concentrations of RIF suggested that the increase in plasma CP I is associated with the exposure of RIF to OATPs. The 24‐h cumulative urinary excretions of CP I and CP III increased in both mice, but more markedly in PXB mice. Thus, RIF increased the plasma and urinary concentrations of CP I and CP III in the mice, as reported in humans, and CP I may be a more sensitive biomarker of OATP‐mediated drug interactions in PXB mice.