bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cell‐free DNA screening for common autosomal trisomies using rolling‐circle replication in twin pregnancies
Authors: Vivanti Alexandre J. , Maestroni Camille , Benachi Alexandra , Conotte Stéphanie , Geipel Annegret , Kagan Karl Oliver , Borrell Antoni , El Kenz Hanane , Costa Jean‐Marc , Jani Jacques C. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the performance of prenatal screening for common autosomal trisomies in twin pregnancies through the use of rolling‐circle replication (RCR)‐cfDNA as a first‐tier test.MethodProspective multicenter study. Women who underwent prenatal screening for trisomy (T) 21, 18 and 13 between January 2019 and March 2022 in twin pregnancies were included. Patients were included in two centers. The primary endpoint was the rate of no‐call results in women who received prenatal screening for common autosomal trisomies by RCR‐cfDNA at the first attempt, compared to that in prospectively collected samples from 16,382 singleton pregnancies. The secondary endpoints were the performance indices of the RCR‐cfDNA.Results862 twin pregnancies underwent screening for T21, T18 and T13 by RCR‐cfDNA testing at 10–33 weeks' gestation. The RCR‐cfDNA tests provided a no‐call result from the first sample obtained from the patients in 107 (0.7%) singleton and 17 (2.0%) twin pregnancies. Multivariable regression analysis demonstrated that significant independent predictors of test failure were twin pregnancy and in vitro fertilization conception.All cases of T21 (n = 20/862; 2.3%), T18 (n = 4/862; 0.5%) and T13 (n = 1/862; 0.1%) were correctly detected by RCR‐cfDNA (respectively, 20, 4 and 1 cases). Sensitivity was 100% (95% CI, 83.1%–100%), 100% (95% CI 39.8%–100%) and 100% (95% CI 2.5%–100%) for T21, T18 and T13, respectively, in twin pregnancies.ConclusionThe RCR‐cfDNA test appears to have good accuracy with a low rate of no‐call results in a cohort of twin pregnancies for the detection of the most frequent autosomal trisomies.
The Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry: Three decades of prospective monitoring for birth defects
Authors: Albano Jessica D. , Scheuerle Angela E. , Watts D. Heather , Beckerman Karen P. , Mofenson Lynne M. , Pikis Andreas , Vannappagari Vani , Seekins Daniel , Cook Taylor S. , Tilson Hugh ,   Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry Steering Committee
Published: May 2024

AbstractPurposeAntiretrovirals (ARVs) are life‐saving drugs used for the treatment and prevention of HIV infection and antiviral drugs (AVs) for the treatment of chronic HBV infection. ARVs have proven highly effective in reducing perinatal HIV transmission, however the risk of birth defects from prenatal exposure to ARVs/AVs is an ongoing concern. The Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry (APR), an international, prospective exposure‐registration cohort study, monitors ARV and AV use in pregnancy for early signals of teratogenicity. This communication reports results of 30‐years' experience of ARV/AV exposure during pregnancy and lessons learned through continuous quality improvement.Methods and ResultsBirth defect prevalence is estimated and compared to internal and external groups. Statistical inference is based on exact methods for binomial proportions. Between 2006 and 2023, cumulative enrollment more than tripled from 6893 to 25 960 pregnancies and ARVs/AVs monitored increased from 29 to 222. Through January 2023, there were 21 636 live births and 631 outcomes with birth defects, for overall prevalence of 2.9/100 live births (95% CI 2.7, 3.2). The birth defect prevalence was 3.0% (95% CI 2.7%, 3.3%) among first trimester exposures and 2.8% (95% CI 2.5%, 3.2%) among second/third trimester exposures (prevalence ratio 1.04 [95% CI 0.89, 1.21]).ConclusionsBirth defect prevalence is not statistically significantly different between first trimester ARV/AV pregnancy exposures compared to second/third trimester exposures and is also not different from two population‐based surveillance systems: 2.72/100 live births reported in the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (MACDP); and 4.17/100 live births from the Texas Birth Defects Registry (TBDR).
Eco‐friendly bio‐based polybenzoxazine composites derived from sustainable thymol: A versatile approach and multifaceted study for enhanced applications
Authors: Mohamed Mydeen K. , Krishnasamy Balaji , Arumugam Hariharan , Muthukaruppan Alagar 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis work studied the sustainable approach for the development of bio‐based polybenzoxazine composites derived from sustainable thymol and utilized for diverse applications viz., superhydrophobic, high dielectric, and resistant to bacterial corrosion. The molecular structure of benzoxazines was ascertained from spectral analyses and curing behavior was assessed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The benzoxazines were polymerized through ring‐opening polymerization to assess their thermal stability using TGA. Among the synthesized polybenzoxazines, the poly(BT‐fa) developed using bis‐thymol (BT) and furfurylamine (fa) which possesses the furfural core contributes to higher thermal stability with the enhanced value of char yield of 43%. Thus, poly(BT‐fa) was chosen for the preparation of composites, and found that 15 wt% chicken feather carbon (CFC) and 15 wt% cashew nutshell cake carbon (CSC) used as reinforcements exhibit significantly enhanced decomposition temperature with char yield of 77% and 69% respectively. Dielectric performance of the composites with high k values of 7.66 and 8.66 was obtained for 15 wt% of the CFC and CSC bio‐carbon reinforcements respectively. These bio‐based benzoxazines also exhibited substantial antibacterial activity, indicating their potential utility toward resistance against microbial colonization. Among polybenzoxazines, poly(BT‐sa) exhibits the highest value of water contact angle (WCA) of 151°. To exploit the superhydrophobic properties of polybenzoxazines, the cotton fabrics were coated with poly(BT‐sa). It was found that poly(BT‐sa) coated cotton fabric possesses an excellent WCA value of 161°, which indicates its suitability for self‐cleaning and water‐repellent applications. Further, poly(BT‐oa) possesses enhanced anti‐corrosion‐resistant behavior than that of other polybenzoxazines and contributes to better protection of mild steel surfaces from corrosion. The values of tensile modulus /flexural modulus and tensile strength and flexural strength obtained for poly(BT‐fa) are 5.1/3.7 GPa and 66 ± 1/103 ± 1 MPa, respectively. Data obtained for bi‐functional bio‐based polybenzoxazine composites from different studies suggest that these materials can be used in antimicrobial, superhydrophobic, and corrosion‐resistant applications.
Adverse effects of the Bordeaux mixture copper‐based fungicide on the non‐target vineyard pest Lobesia botrana
Authors: Garinie Tessie , Nusillard William , Lelièvre Yann , Taranu Zofia E. , Goubault Marlène , Thiéry Denis , Moreau Jérôme , Louâpre Philippe 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDBordeaux mixture is a copper‐based fungicide commonly used in vineyards to prevent fungal and bacterial infections in grapevines. However, this fungicide may adversely affect the entomological component, including insect pests. Understanding the impacts of Bordeaux mixture on the vineyard pest Lobesia botrana is an increasing concern in the viticultural production.RESULTSBordeaux mixture had detrimental effects on the development and reproductive performance of L. botrana. Several physiological traits were adversely affected by copper‐based fungicide exposure, including a decrease in larval survival and a delayed larval development to moth emergence, as well as a reduced reproductive performance through a decrease in female fecundity and fertility and male sperm quality. However, we did not detect any effect of Bordeaux mixture on the measured reproductive behaviors (mating success, pre‐mating latency and mating duration).CONCLUSIONIngestion by larvae of food contaminated with Bordeaux mixture had a negative effect on the reproductive performance of the pest L. botrana, which could affect its population dynamics in vineyards. Although this study highlighted collateral damage of Bordeaux mixture on L. botrana, the potential impact of copper‐based fungicides on vineyard diversity, including natural predators is discussed and needs to be taken in consideration in integrated pest management. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Catch and release: controlling eastern yellowjacket Vespula maculifrons colonies using horizontal insecticide transfer
Authors: Buczkowski Grzegorz 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDHorizontal insecticide transfer is thought to play an important role in controlling a wide range of urban pests including ants, bed bugs, cockroaches and termites. Trap–treat–release is an effective experimental approach that has been used to successfully manage populations of invasive ants in field applications. Trap–treat–release is based on the principles of horizontal transfer. Individuals are captured, treated with the toxicant and released back into the environment. The treated individuals then return to the colony and transfer the toxicant to other members of the population resulting in secondary mortality. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of the trap–treat–release technique for controlling field populations of the eastern yellowjacket, Vespula maculifrons.RESULTSLaboratory experiments demonstrated that fipronil was highly toxic against V. maculifrons across a wide range of concentrations. Furthermore, fipronil was efficiently transferred from treated donors to untreated recipients and caused significant secondary mortality. A field experiment utilized trap–treat–release and demonstrated that fipronil was effectively transferred when foraging worker wasps are trapped, treated, released and allowed to return to their respective colonies.CONCLUSIONThe trap–treat–release method may be an effective alternative to direct nest treatments and could help alleviate problems such as insecticide runoff, environmental contamination, and non‐target effects. This method has the potential to provide effective management of social wasps. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Robust Quantum State Manipulation by Composite Pulses in Five‐Level Systems
Authors: Wang Jian‐Hui , Shi Zhi‐Cheng , Chen Ye‐Hong , Song Jie , Huang Bi‐Hua , Xia Yan 
Published: May 2024

AbstractA scheme is proposed for achieving robust population inversion in five‐level systems by means of composite pulses. An example of such a system consists of the magnetic sublevels with angular momenta and . Through elaborately constructing the relative phases of pulse pairs, the composite sequences perform well in suppressing the uncorrelated pulse area errors. In particular, the five pulse‐pair sequence possesses good robustness and a short evolution time. The composite sequences are further designed to compensate for a single type of pulse area errors to any desired order. This work provides a high‐efficiency way for robust quantum state manipulation in five‐level systems.
Resource redeployment as an entry advantage in resource‐poor settings
Authors: Chauvin Jasmina , Inoue Carlos , Poliquin Christopher 
Published: May 2024

AbstractResearch SummaryScarcity of productive factors poses a challenge for firms entering underdeveloped regions. We theorize that incumbent firms can overcome scarcity of skilled human capital in local labor markets by redeploying workers from existing units. We predict that redeployment is more valuable when factor markets exhibit large differences in resource scarcity. Redeployment is also more valuable when output is highly sensitive to worker skill and is responsive to complementarities between labor and other inputs. Important implications are that redeployment can endow firms with superior resources and enable them to enter more markets. Data on sugar mills in Brazil, where a sudden demand boom incentivized expansion, corroborate the predictions. Our research identifies a new mechanism of value‐creation from resource redeployment across factor markets.Managerial SummaryFirms entering underdeveloped regions often struggle to obtain inputs needed for production, such as skilled labor. We propose that incumbent firms expanding into such regions can overcome resource scarcity by redeploying resources from their existing units. Redeployment allows firms to move resources—such as skilled workers—from markets where resources are relatively abundant to markets where they are scarce. We show that such factor market “arbitrage” is most valuable when firms operate across markets with large differences in resource scarcity and when production is sensitive to worker skill and to complementarities between inputs. By redeploying into markets suffering from resource scarcity, firms can enter more markets and seed units with superior resources. This gives incumbent firms with redeployment capabilities an advantage over de novo entrants.
Engineered Microrobots for Targeted Delivery of Bacterial Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMV) in Thrombus Therapy
Authors: Cong Zhaoqing , Li Yangyang , Xie Leiming , Chen Qiwei , Tang Menghuan , Thongpon Phonpilas , Jiao Yanxiao , Wu Song 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn the realm of thrombosis treatment, bioengineered outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) offer a novel and promising approach, as they have rich content of bacterial‐derived components. This study centers on OMVs derived from Escherichia coli BL21 cells, innovatively engineered to encapsulate the staphylokinase‐hirudin fusion protein (SFH). SFH synergizes the properties of staphylokinase (SAK) and hirudin (HV) to enhance thrombolytic efficiency while reducing the risks associated with re‐embolization and bleeding. Building on this foundation, this study introduces two cutting‐edge microrobotic platforms: SFH‐OMV@H for venous thromboembolism (VTE) treatment, and SFH‐OMV@MΦ, designed specifically for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) therapy. These platforms have demonstrated significant efficacy in dissolving thrombi, with SFH‐OMV@H showcasing precise vascular navigation and SFH‐OMV@MΦ effectively targeting cerebral thrombi. The study shows that the integration of these bioengineered OMVs and microrobotic systems marks a significant advancement in thrombosis treatment, underlining their potential to revolutionize personalized medical approaches to complex health conditions.
Electrochemical Paper‐Based Microfluidics: Harnessing Capillary Flow for Advanced Diagnostics
Authors: Bezinge Léonard , Shih Chih‐Jen , Richards Daniel A. , deMello Andrew J. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractElectrochemical paper‐based microfluidics has attracted much attention due to the promise of transforming point‐of‐care diagnostics by facilitating quantitative analysis with low‐cost and portable analyzers. Such devices harness capillary flow to transport samples and reagents, enabling bioassays to be executed passively. Despite exciting demonstrations of capillary‐driven electrochemical tests, conventional methods for fabricating electrodes on paper impede capillary flow, limit fluidic pathways, and constrain accessible device architectures. This account reviews recent developments in paper‐based electroanalytical devices and offers perspective by revisiting key milestones in lateral flow tests and paper‐based microfluidics engineering. The study highlights the benefits associated with electrochemical sensing and discusses how the detection modality can be leveraged to unlock novel functionalities. Particular focus is given to electrofluidic platforms that embed electrodes into paper for enhanced biosensing applications. Together, these innovations pave the way for diagnostic technologies that offer portability, quantitative analysis, and seamless integration with digital healthcare, all without compromising the simplicity of commercially available rapid diagnostic tests.
A Zwitterionic Hydrogel‐Based Heterogeneous Fenton Catalyst for Water Treatment
Authors: Gokhale Devashish , Chen Ian , Wu Wan‐Ni , Monne Gagnaire Arthur , Doyle Patrick S. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPersistent organic pollutants (POPs), including xenoestrogens and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), demand urgent global intervention. Fenton oxidation, catalyzed by iron ions, offers a cost‐effective means to degrade POPs. However, numerous challenges like acid dependency, catalyst loss, and toxic waste generation hinder practical application. Efforts to create long‐lasting heterogeneous Fenton catalysts, capable of simultaneously eliminating acid requirements, sustaining rapid kinetics, and retaining iron efficiently, have been unsuccessful. This study introduces an innovative heterogeneous zwitterionic hydrogel‐based Fenton catalyst, surmounting these challenges in a cost‐effective and scalable manner. The hydrogel, hosting individually complexed iron ions in a porous scaffold, exhibits substantial effective surface area and kinetics akin to homogeneous Fenton reactions. Complexed ions within the hydrogel can initiate Fenton degradation at neutral pH, eliminating acid additions. Simultaneously, the zwitterionic hydrogel scaffold, chosen for its resistance to Fenton oxidation, forms strong bonds with iron ions, enabling prolonged reuse. Diverging from existing designs, the catalyst proves compatible with UV‐Fenton processes and achieves rapid self‐regeneration during operation, offering a promising solution for the efficient and scalable degradation of POPs. The study underscores the efficacy of the approach by demonstrating the swift degradation of three significant contaminants—xenoestrogens, pesticides, and PFAS—across multiple cycles at trace concentrations.
Large‐Area Silicon Nitride Nanosieve for Enhanced Diffusion‐Based Exosome Isolation
Authors: Kim Gijung , Seo Mingyu , Xu Jiaxin , Park Jinhyeok , Gim Sangjun , Chun Honggu 
Published: May 2024

AbstractNanoporous membranes have a variety of applications, one of which is the size‐selective separation of nanoparticles. In drug delivery, nanoporous membranes are becoming increasingly important for the isolation of exosomes, which are bio‐nanoparticles. However, the low pore density and thickness of commercial membranes limit their efficiency. There have been many attempts to fabricate sub‐micrometer thin membranes, but the limited surface area has restricted their practicality. In this study, large‐area silicon nitride nanosieves for enhanced diffusion‐based isolation of exosomes are presented. Notably, these nanosieves are scaled to sizes of up to 4‐inch‐wafers, a significant achievement in overcoming the fabrication challenges associated with such expansive areas. The method employs a 200 nm porous sieve (38.2% porosity) for exosome separation and a 50 nm sieve (10.7% porosity) for soluble protein removal. These 300 nm thick nanosieves outperform conventional polycarbonate membranes by being 50 times thinner, thereby increasing nanoparticle permeability. The method enables a 90% recovery rate of intact exosomes from human serum and a purity ratio of 3 × 107 particles/µg protein, 4.6 times higher than ultracentrifugation methods. The throughput of the method is up to 15 mL by increasing the size of the nanosieve, making it an ideal solution for large‐scale exosome production for therapeutic purposes.
Institutional heterogeneity in the education and earnings returns to postsecondary technical education: Evidence from Missouri
Authors: Cook Maxwell J. , Koedel Cory , Reda Michael 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWe estimate the education and earnings returns to enrolling in technical 2‐year degree programs at community colleges in Missouri. A unique feature of the Missouri context is the presence of a highly regarded, nationally ranked technical college: State Technical College of Missouri (State Tech). We find that enrolling in a technical program in Missouri increases the likelihood of associate degree attainment and post‐enrollment earnings, but that the positive effects statewide are driven largely by students who attend State Tech. These findings demonstrate the potential for a high‐performing community college to change students' education and labor market trajectories. At the same time, they exemplify the potential for substantial institutional heterogeneity in the returns to postsecondary education.
Carbon dioxide‐activated mesoporous date palm fronds carbon integrated with MnO2/polyaniline for highly efficient capacitive deionization of water
Authors: Hussain Humair , Jilani Asim , Salah Numan , Memić Adnan , Ansari Mohammad Omaish , Alshahrie Ahmed 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe continuous population growth and drying up the freshwater reservoirs around the world are increasing the demand for fresh water. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore newer technologies able to purify water on large scales for human usage. Capacitive deionization is one of the most promising approaches to generate fresh water by the removal of salt ions from brackish water. In this work, we prepared three different capacitive deionization electrodes using carbonized palm tree fronds (PFC). These PFC activation was achieved using CO2 at 900°C. To generate the deionization electrodes, PFC activated carbon was combined with either polyaniline (PANI), MnO2, or both (PFC‐PANI, PFC‐MnO2, and PFC‐MnO2‐PANI). The MnO2 and PANI provided additional functionality and enhanced electrical conductivity, which resulted in much higher Na+ and Cl− ions adsorption. The BET surface area of PFC‐MnO2‐PANI was estimated to be 208.56 m2/g, which is approximately three times that of PCF‐PANI and PFC‐MnO2 alone. The morphological analysis showed that the PANI and MnO2 nanorods were well dispersed throughout the PFC network. Although PANI and MnO2 is largely embedded inside the PFC network, some remnants are visible on the surface of the electrodes. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) curves showed capacitive behavior of all electrodes in which PFC‐MnO2‐PANI showed highest specific capacitance of 84 F/g, while the PFC‐MnO2 and PFC‐PANI showed 42 and 43 F/g, respectively. Owing to its enhanced functionality and CV characteristics, the PFC‐MnO2‐PANI showed maximum salt adsorption capacity of 10.5 mg/g in contrast to 3.72 and 5.64 mg/g for PFC‐MnO2 and PFC‐PANI, respectively. Moreover, the measured contact angle for PFC‐MnO2‐PANI was ~51°, which indicates the hydrophilic nature of electrode that improved ions adsorption.Practitioner Points

Date tree fronds were converted into mesopores carbon using CO2 as activation agent.
Three composites were prepared with PANI, MnO2, and date palm fronds activated carbon (PFC‐MnO2, PFC‐MnO2‐PANI, and PFC‐PANI).
Surface area, pore profile, surface morphology, electrochemical behavior, desalination performance, and hydrophilicity of all the electrodes were investigated.
The PFC‐MnO2‐PANI showed maximum salt adsorption capacity of 10.5 mg/g in contrast to 3.72 and 5.64 mg/g for PFC‐MnO2 and PFC‐PANI, respectively.