bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alterations in brain functional connectivity in patients with mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of functional near‐infrared spectroscopy studies
Authors: Wang Shuangyan , Wang Weijia , Chen Jinglong , Yu Xiaoqi 
Published: April 2024

AbstractEmerging evidences suggest that cognitive deficits in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are associated with disruptions in brain functional connectivity (FC). This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to comprehensively evaluate alterations in FC between MCI individuals and healthy control (HC) using functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Thirteen studies were included in qualitative analysis, with two studies synthesized for quantitative meta‐analysis. Overall, MCI patients exhibited reduced resting‐state FC, predominantly in the prefrontal, parietal, and occipital cortex. Meta‐analysis of two studies revealed a significant reduction in resting‐state FC from the right prefrontal to right occipital cortex (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −.56; p < .001), left prefrontal to left occipital cortex (SMD = −.68; p < .001), and right prefrontal to left occipital cortex (SMD = −.53; p < .001) in MCI patients compared to HC. During naming animal‐walking task, MCI patients exhibited enhanced FC in the prefrontal, motor, and occipital cortex, whereas a decrease in FC was observed in the right prefrontal to left prefrontal cortex during calculating‐walking task. In working memory tasks, MCI predominantly showed increased FC in the medial and left prefrontal cortex. However, a decreased in prefrontal FC and a shifted in distribution from the left to the right prefrontal cortex were noted in MCI patients during a verbal frequency task. In conclusion, fNIRS effectively identified abnormalities in FC between MCI and HC, indicating disrupted FC as potential markers for the early detection of MCI. Future studies should investigate the use of task‐ and region‐specific FC alterations as a sensitive biomarker for MCI.
Aquaculture: A hidden goldmine for the rural poor—A cost–benefit analysis of fish farming for sustainable development and food security in Vihiga County, Kenya
Authors: Syanya Fredrick Juma , Harikrishnan Mahadevan , Simiyu Naomy Nasambu , Khanna A. R. Nikhila , Litabas Joel Anyula , Mathia Wilson Munala 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn Kenya, aquaculture plays a significant role in enhancing the livelihoods of rural communities by boosting the local economy and diversifying protein sources. Although Vihiga County in Western Kenya boasts considerable potential for aquaculture, it paradoxically experiences some of the highest levels of poverty and malnutrition in the country. The profitability of fish farming has also been affected by inefficiencies and poor resources, disproportionately affecting the income and nutritional value of rural poor who rely on Aquaculture as a source of cheap protein. The study was conducted in Vihiga County to assess the cost–benefit of aquaculture production, selecting 100 fish farmers through a stratified random sampling technique from five sub‐counties. A descriptive research design was employed, and data analysis was conducted using correlation and regression analysis with SPSS. Budgetary techniques were used for the cost–benefit analysis. Data presentation was by comparing the mean and standard deviation in US dollars of different pond size production. The research findings indicated that the size and type of pond do not have a significant correlation and differences in production (p‐value >.05). There is a strong positive correlation between the size of the pond and the stocking density. The variable cost (VC) has a positive correlation with pond productivity meaning that an increase in VC leads to an increase in production. And is not statistically significant (p‐value = .21827, p‐value >.05). Moreover, the total cost (TC) correlation is statistically significant (p‐value = .0351, p < .05). Larger ponds are more profitable but require higher costs production than smaller ponds. The study concludes that pond size significantly impacts productivity, advocating for smaller ponds to achieve higher net returns with lower production costs. Major challenges include high costs of feeds, inputs, fish diseases, and post‐harvest losses. Key policy variables influencing aquaculture in Vihiga County include infrastructure, fish feed production, capital, and fisheries extension services. Adequate financial support from both National and County governments is crucial for sustainable aquaculture in alignment with Kenya's Vision 2030 and Global Sustainable Development Goals. Policymakers are urged to assist small‐scale farmers with financing, training, and market information to optimize returns on investment.
Does internationalization and board diversity affect family firms' sustainable performance? Empirical evidence from an emerging economy
Authors: Godbole Madhura , R. L. Manogna 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to examine the relation between internationalization and firm sustainable performance on a set of listed Indian family firms belonging to mid‐cap and large cap categories and listed on NIFTY 500. This paper aims to explore the heterogeneity among internationalization and a set of defined variables, namely, female representation on the board, firm size, firm age, industry type, leverage, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the number of female executives in influencing the firm performance. We aim to incorporate corporate governance, the factors influencing decisions related to it and gender diversity in understanding the relationship between internationalization and firm performance in the context of Indian family firms. The Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) and panel data regression models are both used in the study's empirical methodology. In order to examine the relationship between internationalization, as indicated by the percentage of foreign ownership, and family firm performance, as indicated by Return on Equity (ROE), the study uses the data from 2014 to 2023 for analysis, totaling 16,586 firm‐year observations. The findings indicate that internationalization, measured in this study by the investments the companies make abroad, positively affects the performance of the family firms. Age, women on board and number of female executives are seen to have positive associations with the performance of family firms. However, it is seen that firm size for family firms negatively impacts the performance while CSR and leverage seem to have no significant impact.
Versatile tissue‐injectable hydrogels capable of the extended hydrolytic release of bioactive protein therapeutics
Authors: Nealy Eric S. , Reed Steven J. , Adelmund Steven M. , Badeau Barry A. , Shadish Jared A. , Girard Emily J. , Brasel Kenneth , Pakiam Fiona J. , Mhyre Andrew J. , Price Jason P. , Sarkar Surojit , Kalia Vandana , DeForest Cole A. , Olson James M. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractHydrogels are extensively employed in healthcare due to their adaptable structures, high water content, and biocompatibility, with FDA‐approved applications ranging from spinal cord regeneration to local therapeutic delivery. However, clinical hydrogels encounter challenges related to inconsistent therapeutic exposure, unmodifiable release windows, and difficulties in subsurface polymer insertion. Addressing these issues, we engineered injectable, biocompatible hydrogels as a local therapeutic depot, utilizing poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)‐based hydrogels functionalized with bioorthogonal SPAAC handles for network polymerization and functionalization. Our hydrogel solutions polymerize in situ in a temperature‐sensitive manner, persist in tissue, and facilitate the delivery of bioactive therapeutics in subsurface locations. Demonstrating the efficacy of our approach, recombinant anti‐CD47 monoclonal antibodies, when incorporated into subsurface‐injected hydrogel solutions, exhibited cytotoxic activity against infiltrative high‐grade glioma xenografts in the rodent brain. To enhance the gel's versatility, recombinant protein cargos can undergo site‐specific modification with hydrolysable “azidoester” adapters, allowing for user‐defined release profiles from the hydrogel. Hydrogel‐generated gradients of murine CXCL10, linked to intratumorally injected hydrogel solutions via azidoester linkers, resulted in significant recruitment of CD8+ T‐cells and the attenuation of tumor growth in a “cold” syngeneic melanoma model. This study highlights a highly customizable, hydrogel‐based delivery system for local protein therapeutic administration to meet diverse clinical needs.
Integrative genomic and transcriptomic profiling of pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma identifies molecular subtypes associated with distinct immune features and clinical outcomes
Authors: Seth Sahil , Chen Runzhe , Liu Yang , Fujimoto Junya , Hong Lingzhi , Reuben Alexandre , Varghese Susan , Behrens Carmen , McDowell Tina , Soto Luisa Solis , Haymaker Cara , Weissferdt Annikka , Kalhor Neda , Wu Jia , Le Xiuning , Vokes Natalie I , Cheng Chao , Heymach John V. , Gibbons Don L. , Futreal P. Andrew , Wistuba Ignacio I. , Kadara Humam , Zhang Jianhua , Moran Cesar , Zhang Jianjun 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundPulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) is a rare and aggressive subtype of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), characterized by the presence of epithelial and sarcoma‐like components. The molecular and immune landscape of PSC has not been well defined.MethodsMultiomics profiling of 21 pairs of PSCs with matched normal lung tissues was performed through targeted high‐depth DNA panel, whole‐exome, and RNA sequencing. We describe molecular and immune features that define subgroups of PSC with disparate genomic and immunogenic features as well as distinct clinical outcomes.ResultsIn total, 27 canonical cancer gene mutations were identified, with TP53 the most frequently mutated gene, followed by KRAS. Interestingly, most TP53 and KRAS mutations were earlier genomic events mapped to the trunks of the tumors, suggesting branching evolution in most PSC tumors. We identified two distinct molecular subtypes of PSC, driven primarily by immune infiltration and signaling. The Immune High (IM‐H) subtype was associated with superior survival, highlighting the impact of immune infiltration on the biological and clinical features of localized PSCs.ConclusionsWe provided detailed insight into the mutational landscape of PSC and identified two molecular subtypes associated with prognosis. IM‐H tumors were associated with favorable recurrence‐free survival and overall survival, highlighting the importance of tumor immune infiltration in the biological and clinical features of PSCs.
Personalized surgical recommendations and quantitative therapeutic insights for patients with metastatic breast cancer: Insights from deep learning
Authors: Zhu Enzhao , Zhang Linmei , Wang Jiayi , Hu Chunyu , Jing Qi , Shi Weizhong , Xu Ziqin , Ai Pu , Dai Zhihao , Shan Dan , Ai Zisheng 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe role of surgery in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is currently controversial. Several novel statistical and deep learning (DL) methods promise to infer the suitability of surgery at the individual level.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to identify the most applicable DL model for determining patients with MBC who could benefit from surgery and the type of surgery required.MethodsWe introduced the deep survival regression with mixture effects (DSME), a semi‐parametric DL model integrating three causal inference methods. Six models were trained to make individualized treatment recommendations. Patients who received treatments in line with the DL models' recommendations were compared with those who underwent treatments divergent from the recommendations. Inverse probability weighting (IPW) was used to minimize bias. The effects of various features on surgery selection were visualized and quantified using multivariate linear regression and causal inference.ResultsIn total, 5269 female patients with MBC were included. DSME was an independent protective factor, outperforming other models in recommending surgery (IPW‐adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 0.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.19–0.78) and type of surgery (IPW‐adjusted HR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.48–0.93). DSME was superior to other models and traditional guidelines, suggesting a higher proportion of patients benefiting from surgery, especially breast‐conserving surgery. The debiased effect of patient characteristics, including age, tumor size, metastatic sites, lymph node status, and breast cancer subtypes, on surgery decision was also quantified.ConclusionsOur findings suggested that DSME could effectively identify patients with MBC likely to benefit from surgery and the specific type of surgery needed. This method can facilitate the development of efficient, reliable treatment recommendation systems and provide quantifiable evidence for decision‐making.
Framing brand concept of vertical line extensions: The moderating role of believability
Authors: Pontes Nicolas , Leite Fernanda Polli , Goyeneche David 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis article examines the influence of framing a brand's concept as functional versus symbolic in the advertising of a new vertical line extension. In this research, we carried out two online experiments and collected data from 415 participants recruited from MTurk to investigate the moderating role of believability on the effect of brand concept framing on consumers' purchase intentions of vertical line extensions. The results indicate that (i) consumers evaluate a vertical extension advertising message more positively when it is framed in a consistent manner with the targeted price/quality segment and not with its parent brand or existing product line and that (ii) this effect is moderated by consumer believability such that an advertising framing effect is found for high, but not low, in believability. Perceptions of category fit mediate the relationship between framing brand concept and the evaluation of the extension. This study contributes to the advertising and marketing literature by exploring how consumers can interpret brand concept framing in advertising messages of vertical line extensions differently depending on their level of believability and, in turn, influence their purchase intentions.
Wall‐Immobilized Biocatalyst vs. Packed Bed in Miniaturized Continuous Reactors: Performances and Scale‐Up
Authors: Michaud Maïté , Nonglaton Guillaume , Anxionnaz‐Minvielle Zoé 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSustainable biocatalysis syntheses have gained considerable popularity over the years. However, further optimizations – notably to reduce costs – are required if the methods are to be successfully deployed in a range of areas. As part of this drive, various enzyme immobilization strategies have been studied, alongside process intensification from batch to continuous production. The flow bioreactor portfolio mainly ranges between packed bed reactors and wall‐immobilized enzyme miniaturized reactors. Because of their simplicity, packed bed reactors are the most frequently encountered at lab‐scale. However, at industrial scale, the growing pressure drop induced by the increase in equipment size hampers their implementation for some applications. Wall‐immobilized miniaturized reactors require less pumping power, but a new problem arises due to their reduced enzyme‐loading capacity. This review starts with a presentation of the current technology portfolio and a reminder of the metrics to be applied with flow bioreactors. Then, a benchmarking of the most recent relevant works is presented. The scale‐up perspectives of the various options are presented in detail, highlighting key features of industrial requirements. One of the main objectives of this review is to clarify the strategies on which future study should center to maximize the performance of wall‐immobilized enzyme reactors.
Peptide‐Based Recognition Agents of Histamine: A Biopanning Approach with Enhanced Specificity
Authors: Öz Hafize , Dudak Fahriye Ceyda 
Published: April 2024

AbstractHistamine is a biogenic amine that poses a potential threat to public health due to its toxicological effects. In this study, we identified histamine‐binding peptides by screening a random 12‐mer peptide library, employing a novel biopanning approach that excluded histidine‐binding sequences in the final round. This additional step enhanced the selectivity of the peptides and prevented interference from histidine during detection. The binding affinities of synthesized peptides to histamine were assessed using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Among the identified peptides, HBF10 (SGFRDGIEDFLW) and HBF26 (IPLENQHKIYST) showed significant affinity to histamine, with Ka values of 2.56×104 (M−1) and 8.94×104 (M−1), respectively. Notably, the identified peptides did not demonstrate binding affinity towards histidine, despite its structural similarity to histamine. Subsequently, the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor surface was prepared by immobilizing the peptide HBF26 to investigate the potential of the peptide as a recognition agent for histamine detection. The findings suggest that the identified peptides have an affinity to histamine specifically, showcasing their potential applications as diagnostic agents with specific targeting capabilities.
Addressing the Activity and Selectivity Challenges for CO2 Reduction via Transition‐Metal‐Free Homo‐ and Hetero‐Biatomic Catalysts Embedded in Two‐Dimensional Networks
Authors: Hassan Afshana , Dar Manzoor Ahmad 
Published: April 2024

AbstractDesigning low‐cost and stable electrocatalysts with enhanced activity and selectivity for CO2 valorization to useful chemicals and fuels faces enormous challenges to address the pressing climate change concerns. Synergistic interactions between the atoms in double atom catalysts has emerged as a promising tool to tune and boost CO2 activation and reduction. In this work, we systematically designed highly stable transition‐metal‐free homo‐ and hetero‐biatomic catalysts based on Al, Be, B and Si supported on TCNQ monolayer for CO2 reduction to C1 products using dispersion corrected periodic density functional theory calculations. Our findings reveal that transition‐metal‐free homo‐and hetero‐biatomic TCNQ catalysts can effectively capture and activate the CO2 molecule with binding energies ranging from 0.09 to 2.35 eV. Extensive free energy calculations to screen the favourable reaction pathways to different C1 products (CO, HCOOH, CH3OH and CH4) demonstrate that Al2‐TCNQ, AlBe‐TCNQ and BeSi‐TCNQ stand out as potential candidates for catalyzing CO2RR to methanol in a selective manner, suppressing the competitive HER simultaneously. Remarkably, BeSi‐TCNQ shows the best catalytic activity towards CO2 reduction to methanol at record low limiting potential of −0.29 V with spontaneous desorption of the final product. From the in‐depth examination of the electronic structure details, integrated projected density of states and crystal orbital Hamilton populations are used to understand and rationalize the binding interactions between the adsorbed CO2 molecule and the homo‐ or hetero‐biatomic TCNQ catalysts. Moreover, the ΔG*COOH‐ΔG*CO2 and ΔG*HCOOH‐ΔG* OCHO/*COOH values are found to provide reasonable guidance to evaluate the overall CO2RR performance of homo‐ and hetero‐biatomic TCNQ catalysts, respectively. Therefore, our findings provide significant insights for designing transition metal‐free homo‐ and hetero‐biatomic catalysts with intriguing properties for improving CO2 utilization and conversion.
Recent Progress on Multifunctional Electrolyte Additives for High‐Energy‐Density Li Batteries – A Review
Authors: Lei Yue , Wang Kaifeng , Jiang Sen , Xu Xin , Zheng Junzi , Yin Junying , Gao Yunfang 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe improvement of the safety, specific energy, cycle life and the cost reduction of Li‐ion batteries are hot research topics. Now, in the pursuit of high energy density, the employed high‐energy‐density cathode/anode materials and the increased operation voltage challenge the prevalent electrolyte formula, like the existing ester and ether electrolytes cannot withstand the high‐voltage operation and high‐capacity anode such as lithium (Li), silicon (Si) and silicon‐graphite (Si−C) composite anode. It is recognized that stable electrolyte‐electrode interfaces can avoid the electrolytes side reactions and protect the electrode materials. Up to now, various additives have been developed to modify the electrode‐electrolyte interfaces, such as famous 4‐fluoroethylene carbonate, vinylene carbonate and lithium nitrate, and the LIBs and lithium metal batteries (LMBs) performances have been improved greatly. However, the lifespan of the higher‐energy‐density batteries with Li/Si/Si−C anode and high‐nickel layer oxides cathode materials cannot meet the request due to the lack of ideal electrolyte formula. In this review, we present a comprehensive and in‐depth overview on the electrolyte additives, especially focused on multifunctional additives, the reaction mechanisms of various additives and fundamental design. Finally, novel insights, promising directions and potential solutions for the multifunctional electrolyte additives are proposed to motivate high‐energy‐density Li battery chemistries.
Effect of Salt Concentration in Water‐In‐Salt Electrolyte on Supercapacitor Applications
Authors: Hwang Imgon , Leketas Mantas , Griffiths Kieran , Bragg Ryan , Griffin John M. , Dryfe Robert A. W. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractElectrical double‐layer supercapacitors offer numerous advantages in the context of energy storage; however, their widespread use is hindered by the high unit energy cost and low specific energy. Recently, water‐in‐salt (WIS) electrolytes have garnered interest for use in energy storage devices. Nevertheless, their direct application in high‐power devices is limited due to their high viscosity. In this study, we investigate the WIS Lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)Imide (LiTFSI) electrolyte, revealing a high specific capacitance despite its elevated viscosity and restricted ionic conductivity. Our approach involves nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis alongside electrochemical analyses, highlighting the pronounced advantage of the WIS LiTFSI electrolyte over the WIS LiCl electrolyte at the molecular level. The NMR analysis shows that the LiTFSI electrolyte ions preferentially reside within the activated carbon pore network in the absence of an applied potential, in contrast to LiCl where the ions are more evenly distributed between the in‐pore and ex‐pore environments. This difference may contribute to the difference in capacitance between the two electrolytes observed during electrochemical cycling.