bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
FDM printing of microneedles based on biocompatible and biodegradable thermoplastic polymers
Authors: Kouassi Marie‐Carole , Abdallah Abir Ben , Nouira Samia , Ballut Sébastien , Fitoussi Joseph , Shirinbayan Mohammadali , Kallel Achraf 
Published: August 2024

AbstractMicroneedles are an emerging class of transdermal drug delivery systems for biomedical applications. These devices allow minimally invasive and painless drug delivery, making them an attractive alternative to hypodermic injections. This paper focuses on the study of polymer‐based solid microneedles fabrication process using the fused deposition modeling (FDM) method. Biodegradable and biocompatible polymers are selected as printing materials. For this study, the thermoplastic polylactic acid (PLA), currently used for FDM microneedle preparation was selected. To overcome the potential brittleness of PLA during transdermal application, two other materials are also studied: polycaprolactone (PCL) and a PLA/PCL blend. The effect of 3D printing parameters on the dimensional accuracy of the microneedles is studied to determine the optimum printing conditions for each filament. In addition, the dimensions and/or geometry of the microneedles are modified to print its with minimal dimensions. Then, a post‐fabrication chemical etching treatment is used to improve both, size and shape of the printed solid microneedles.
Enantiomeric Analysis of Chiral Drugs Using Mass Spectrometric Methods: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Vallamkonda Bhaskar , Sethi Sonika , Satti PhanikumarReddy , Das Dipak Kumar , Yadav Suman , Vashistha Vinod Kumar 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACTChirality plays a crucial role in the drug development process, influencing fundamental chemical and biochemical processes and significantly affecting our daily lives. This review provides a comprehensive examination of mass spectrometric (MS) methods for the enantiomeric analysis of chiral drugs. It thoroughly investigates MS‐hyphenated techniques, emphasizing their critical role in achieving enantioselective analysis. Furthermore, it delves into the intricate chiral recognition mechanisms inherent in MS, elucidating the fundamental principles that govern successful chiral separations. By critically assessing the obstacles and potential benefits associated with each MS‐based method, this review offers valuable insights for researchers navigating the complexities of chiral analysis. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches are explored, presenting a comparative analysis of their strengths and limitations. This review is aimed at significantly enhancing the understanding of chiral MS methods, serving as a crucial resource for researchers and practitioners engaged in enantioselective studies.
Protein‐Protein Interface Identification by Site‐Specific Photo‐Cross‐linking/Cleavage in Mammalian Cells
Authors: Terasawa Kazue , Seike Tatsuro , Sakamoto Kensaku , Ohtake Kazumasa , Watabe Tetsuro , Yokoyama Shigeyuki , Hara‐Yokoyama Miki 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIdentification of protein‐protein interfaces is necessary for understanding and regulating biological events. Genetic code expansion enables site‐specific photo‐cross‐linking by introducing photo‐reactive non‐canonical amino acids into proteins at defined positions during translation. This technology is widely used for analyzing protein‐protein interactions and is applicable in mammalian cells. However, the identification of the cross‐linked region still remains challenging. Our new protocol enables its identification by pre‐installing a site‐specific cleavage site, an α‐hydroxy acid (Nε‐allyloxycarbonyl‐α‐hydroxyl‐L‐lysine acid, AllocLys‐OH), into the target protein. Alkaline treatment cleaves the crosslinked complex at the position of the α‐hydroxy acid residue and thus helps to identify which side of the cleavage site, either closer to the N‐terminus or C‐terminus, the crosslinked site is located on within the target protein. A series of AllocLys‐OH introductions narrows down the crosslinked region. This combination of site‐specific crosslinking and cleavage promises to be useful for revealing binding interfaces and protein complex geometries. © 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol 1: Search for crosslinkable sitesBasic Protocol 2: Site‐specific photo‐cross‐linking/cleavage
Current Protocols: Alopecia Areata Mouse Models for Drug Efficacy and Mechanism Studies
Authors: Sundberg John P. , Wang Eddy H. C. , McElwee Kevin J. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractAlopecia areata is the second most common form of hair loss in humans after androgenetic alopecia. Although a variety of animal models for alopecia areata have been described, currently the C3H/HeJ mouse model is the most commonly used and accepted. Spontaneous hair loss occurs in 15%‐25% of older mice in which the lesions wax and wane, similar to the human disease, with alopecia being more common and severe in female mice. Full‐thickness skin grafts from mice with spontaneous alopecia areata to young, normal‐haired, histocompatible mice provide a highly reproducible model with progressive lesions that makes it useful for drug efficacy and mechanism‐based studies. As alopecia areata is a cell‐mediated autoimmune disease, transfer of cultured lymph node cells from affected mice to unaffected, histocompatible recipients also promotes disease development and provides an alternative, nonsurgical protocol. Protocols are presented to produce these models such that they can be used to study alopecia areata and to develop novel drug therapies. © 2024 The Author(s). Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol 1: Full‐thickness skin grafts to reproducibly induce alopecia areata in C3H/HeJ miceBasic Protocol 2: Adoptive transfer of cultured lymphoid cells provides a nonsurgical method to induce alopecia areata in C3H/HeJ mice
Cretaceous cyclic peritidal carbonates of the Apulia Carbonate Platform (Apulia, southern Italy) in a hierarchical sequence‐stratigraphic perspective: A case study from the Murge area (the Giovinazzo sea‐cliff section)
Authors: Spalluto Luigi , Petruzzelli Marco , Sabato Luisa , Tropeano Marcello 
Published: August 2024

AbstractCretaceous cyclic peritidal carbonates form the bulk of the Apulia Region in Italy and represent the vestiges of the Apulia Carbonate Platform. To show from a sequence stratigraphic perspective the architecture of peritidal carbonates, the 17 m thick Albian Giovinazzo sea‐cliff section was studied at a centimetre detail, aiming to: (i) describe cyclic facies organisation in beds and bedsets; (ii) reconstruct the relative sea‐level curve and its evolution over time; (iii) interpret the long‐term evolution of the accommodation space in terms of sequence stratigraphy. The hierarchical stacking pattern of facies in beds and bedsets reveals Milankovitch cyclicity. As a working hypothesis, elementary sequences are assumed to represent the precession cycle (ca 20 kyr) and small‐scale and medium‐scale sequences the short (ca 100 kyr) and long (ca 400 kyr) eccentricity cycles, respectively. Four different types of elementary sequences (condensed, catch‐down, catch‐up and give‐up) are recognised and interpreted in terms of relative sea‐level changes to reconstruct the relative sea‐level curve of the entire succession. The envelope of the reconstructed relative sea‐level curve is used to represent the long‐term accommodation change on the platform, which covers a time span of approximately 1.8 Myr. Most of this time was spent in subaerial exposure, as approximately 1.2 Myr was predicted to be condensed in a stratigraphic interval encompassing both the sequence‐boundary zone/falling stage deposits and the lowstand deposits. Moreover, it was interpreted that about two‐third of the total thickness of the succession was formed in only 280 kyr and consisted of both transgressive and maximum‐flooding deposits. The main implication of this study is that unconformities do not necessarily correspond to single surfaces but, rather, to very amalgamated intervals or unconformity zones. Moreover, based on biostratigraphic constraints, there is a correlation between the unconformity zone of the studied succession and the third‐order KAl4 sequence boundary of the Cretaceous eustatic cycle chart.
Assessing Children's Autonomic Nervous System Activity During Structured Tasks: A Feasibility and Reliability Study in Ghana
Authors: Bentil Helena J. , Daang Enya M. , Guyer Amanda E. , Yuan Haiying , Adu‐Afarwuah Seth , Amponsah Benjamin , Manu Adom , Mensah Mavis Osipi , Demuyakor Maku E. , Arnold Charles D. , Oaks Brietta M. , Prado Elizabeth , Hastings Paul D. 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACTThe significance of physiological regulation in relation to behavioral and emotional regulation is well documented, but primarily in economically advantaged contexts. Few studies have been conducted in low‐ and middle‐income countries. We investigated the feasibility and reliability of measuring autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity and behavior during challenge tasks in 30 children aged 8–10 years in Ghana during two visits, 1 week apart. Completeness of ANS data ranged from 80% to 100% across all tasks. There was low‐to‐moderate test–retest reliability of video mood induction (VMI) emotion ratings and balloon analog risk task (BART) pumps (r = 0.34–0.52). VMI elicited higher targeted emotion ratings in Visit 2 than Visit 1. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) was higher, and pre‐ejection period (PEP) was longer at Visit 2 than Visit 1 for baseline and both tasks. RSA was higher at baseline than during the VMI anger scene at Visit 1, whereas PEP was shorter at baseline than during all VMI emotion scenes at Visit 2. RSA was higher at baseline than during BART at both visits. In conclusion, ANS data collection within evocative and arousing challenge tasks was feasible in Ghana, and the tasks were generally reliable and effective in eliciting target emotions and risk‐taking behavior in this sample.
The role of intraspecific trait variation in driving post‐metamorphic survival: Implications for recruitment in open populations
Authors: Giménez Luis , Jenkins Stuart R. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractMost ecological studies attempting to understand causes of population dynamics and community structure disregard intraspecific trait variation. We quantified the importance of natural intra‐cohort variation in body size and density of juveniles for recruitment of a sessile marine organism, the barnacle Semibalanus balanoides. Barnacles are representative of species organised in metapopulations, that is, as open local populations connected by larval dispersal. We tracked the individual growth and survival of a cohort of juvenile barnacles from two shores of North Wales. Barnacles settled as larvae in spring of 2002 on previously cleared rock. The density of these new recruits was experimentally manipulated in June and randomly selected individuals were monitored from June to October to evaluate the role of barnacle size and density in predicting survival. In doing so we characterised density at three spatial scales (quadrat: 25 cm2, cells within quadrats: 25 mm2 and neighbourhood: number of neighbours in physical contact with the target barnacle). At all scales, variations in juvenile body size exacerbated the effect of density‐dependent mortality on population size. While density‐dependent mortality was very intense in the small‐sized individuals, large‐sized individuals experienced very weak density‐dependent mortality and showed high survival rates. Using the concept of ‘Jensen inequality’, we show that important biases in estimations of survival, based on population size only, occur at high barnacle densities, where survival is low. Our study highlights the role of body size variation in understanding dynamics of open populations.
In vitro degradation behavior of grain refined WE43 magnesium alloy for biodegradable temporary implant applications
Authors: Vardhan V. S. S. H. , Sharma A. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn the present work, grain‐refined WE43 magnesium alloy was produced by friction stir processing to investigate the in vitro degradation behavior targeted for temporary bone implant applications. Friction stir processing resulted in significant grain refinement (from 46±4.2 μm to 16.1±5.4 μm) as observed from microstructural studies. Increased wettability was observed from the contact angle measurements in grain‐refined WE43 alloy. The corrosion behavior of the base alloy and the grain refined alloy assessed by potentiodynamic polarization tests demonstrated the influence of the smaller grain size and decreased intermetallics on enhancing corrosion resistance. Immersion studies carried out in simulated body fluids for one week indicated a quick development of the protective magnesium hydroxide on the surface of grain‐refined WE43 alloy compared with the base alloy. The deposition of the mineral phases from the immersed solution on the surface of the samples was studied by scanning electron microscopy and x‐ray diffraction analysis to assess the effect of microstructure on the biomineralization. Promisingly, grain refined WE43 exhibited relatively excellent mineral deposition which further helped to control the degradation of the alloy. The weight loss measurements of the samples from the immersion tests were also in good agreement with the electrochemical test results. Hence, the results demonstrate the promising role of grain refinement by friction stir processing in tailoring WE43 magnesium alloy with better degradation behavior for temporary bone implant applications.
Dynamic characteristics of nonlinear vibration isolator for gas turbine
Authors: Wang Teng , Feng Linhan , Zhang Lei , Zhang Chunhui , Wu Yue 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn this study, a theoretical model of the vibration isolation system of the gas turbine is developed and numerically solved. A simplified finite element (FE) model was also established to determine the response under the shock load. The results of the FE model are used to verify the effectiveness of the theoretical model and the numerical solution. The influence of isolator stiffness, vibration isolator damping, and vibration isolator nonlinear stiffness coefficient on the shock response of the vibration isolation system is studied using the controlled‐variable method. These parameters (stiffness, damping, and nonlinear coefficient) enter into the shock resistance design of gas turbine vibration isolators.
Synthesis and biological profile of substituted hexahydrofuro[3,4‐b]furans, a novel class of bicyclic acyl‐acyl carrier protein (ACP) thioesterase inhibitors
Authors: Ahrens Hartmut , Barber David M. , Bojack Guido , Bollenbach‐Wahl Birgit , Churchman Luke , Getachew Rahel , Helmke Hendrik , Hohmann Sabine , Laber Bernd , Lange Gudrun , Rees Shaun , Reingruber Anna M. , Schmutzler Dirk , Frackenpohl Jens 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDWeed control is a significant challenge for farmers around the globe. Of the various methods available for combatting weeds, small molecules remain the most effective and versatile technology to date. In the search for novel chemical entities with new modes of action toward herbicide‐resistant weeds, we have investigated hexahydrofuro[3,4‐b]furan‐based acyl‐acyl carrier protein (ACP) thioesterase inhibitors inspired by X‐ray co‐crystal structure‐based modeling studies.RESULTSBy exploiting scaffold hopping concepts and molecular modeling studies we were able to identify new hexahydrofuro[3,4‐b]furan‐based lead structures showing promising activity in vivo against commercially important grass weeds in line with strong target affinity.CONCLUSIONThe present work covers a series of novel herbicidal lead structures that possess a hexahydrofuro[3,4‐b]furan scaffold as a structural key feature, carrying ortho‐substituted aryloxy side chains. Based on an optimized synthetic approach a broad structure–activity relationship (SAR) study was carried out. The new compounds emerging from our modeling‐inspired structural variations show good acyl‐ACP thioesterase inhibition in line with promising initial herbicidal activity. Glasshouse trials showed that the hexahydrofuro[3,4‐b]furans outlined herein display good control of cold and warm season grass‐weed species in pre‐emergence application. Remarkably, some of the novel acyl‐ACP thioesterase‐inhibitors also showed promising efficacy against warm season weeds that are difficult to control. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Developing summative assessment literacy: Novice language teachers' perceptions in Sweden and Finland
Authors: Yildirim Ali , Stjernkvist Maria Proitsaki , Hilden Raili , Fröjdendahl Birgitta , Oscarson Anne Dragemark 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to investigate summative assessment (SA) perceptions and the sources of summative assessment literacy for novice second/foreign language teachers in Sweden and Finland. Data were collected through a questionnaire (N = 27) and a semi‐structured interview (N = 22) from a group of novice teachers who graduated from two Swedish universities and one Finnish university. Descriptive and content analysis of the data reveal that novice teachers perceive themselves to have a good understanding of most of the basic SA areas. They consider teacher education as the main source of their conceptual understanding while they attribute their skills mostly to experience in schools. Swedish and Finnish teachers present both similar and varied perceptions of the role of teacher education in developing their summative assessment literacy.
Context and implications
Rationale for this study
What summative assessment literacy pre‐service teachers acquire during teacher education, and how this literacy reflects on their teaching are critical questions in understanding novice teachers' learning and use of summative assessment in schools. This study investigates the perceptions and experiences of novice teachers of second/foreign languages in Sweden and Finland.
Why the new findings matter
The findings provide an understanding of novice language teachers’ perceptions on key components of summative assessment and the sources and processes enabling development of this literacy. Insights into theoretical and practical aspects of summative assessment that novice teachers need are expected to guide teacher education programmes in realigning their programmes respectively.
Implications for teacher educators and policy makers
Novice language teachers are confident about their theoretical knowledge of summative assessment but need to develop skills to put their knowledge into practice. Hands on exercises through content‐specific materials and tasks are critical in developing skills such as test construction, grading, analysis of exams and exposure to national tests. Special needs and diverse sociocultural contexts should be taken into consideration in teacher education. Steering documents should make the summative assessment requirements and expected competencies clearer to guide TE programmes in organising learning experiences for pre‐service teachers.
Research on the control of thrust vectoring turbojet aircraft with uncertainties and input saturation based on fixed‐time control
Authors: Liu Benshan , Gao Yongsheng , Gao Liang , Zhang Junming , Zhu Yanhe , Zhao Jie 
Published: August 2024

AbstractOne‐dimensional thrust vectoring turbojet vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft have attracted research attention due to their high thrust‐to‐weight ratios and their solution for the slow speed response of turbojet engines. However, there are some uncertainties and physical limitations in their systems, such as external disturbances, unknown parameters and input saturation. To improve the accuracy and convergence speed of trajectory tracking, a fixed‐time control method that is robust to saturation is proposed. The system dynamics are established, and an auxiliary system is built within a fixed time control framework to address the influence of input saturation and increase the error convergence rate. Nonsingular fast terminal sliding mode technology is combined with a few adaptive laws to ensure the robustness of the closed‐loop system against dynamic uncertainties and improve the precision of steady‐state control. The stability of the control system is proven based on Lyapunov, and the controller parameters are optimized based on particle swarm optimization (PSO). The proposed method based on fixed‐time stability guarantees that the states of the closed‐loop system can reach the residual set around zero within the designed time, and an expression for the upper bound on the convergence time is given. Finally, numerical simulations demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method based on the error integral criterion.
Exploring barriers to menstrual education between maternal figures and young girls: A pilot study in South Africa
Authors: Sobudula Viwe , Naidoo Dhee 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe study sought to explore barriers to menstrual education between maternal figures and young girls. Menstruation is a key part of the reproductive process and affects young adolescent girls. Menstrual blood is perceived as contaminating and impure, leading to the socialization of women and girls undergoing menstruation to feel soiled and impure. Menstruation is enveloped in feelings of disgust and shame, and societal expectations, dictating that women should conceal the appearance and odor of menstrual blood. Prevailing cultural narratives depict menstruation as a “hygienic crisis” necessitating management and concealment. In sub‐Saharan Africa, menstruation is afflicted with shame and stigma, with cultural and religious practices that support its concealment and secrecy. This is explained in the pollution theory which sees menstruation as dirt. This study used qualitative research to get the lived experiences of 10 maternal figures and 10 young adolescent girls through semi‐structured interviews. Maternal figures are the mothers/guardians of adolescent girls. The data was coded using similarities/differences in three themes (knowledge about menstruation, source of information, and quality of information shared). In the first theme, due to the concealment and treatment of menstruation with secrecy, knowledge about menstruation is not often provided. In the second theme, due to norms of concealment, maternal figures do shy away from being sources of information. In the last theme, stigma and shame limit the quality of information shared, leaving misinformation and further perpetuation of menstrual taboos. The study concluded that shame and stigma limit menstrual education and awareness. The information deficit has long‐lasting effects on young girls, creating a complex relationship that adversely affects their ability to embrace their womanhood and further pass on knowledge to future generations of adolescent girls.