bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polyols and polyurethane foams based on chitosans of various molecular weights
Authors: Strzałka Anna Maria , Dębska Bernardeta , Lubczak Jacek 
Published: March 2024

AbstractShrinking resources of fossil oil prompt search for other biosphere‐present substrates to obtain polyols, which in turn are basic components to synthesize polyurethane foams (PUF). Widely available examples are biopolymers like starch, cellulose, and chitosan. It has been shown that oligomeric chitosan as well as water soluble chitosan can be applied to obtain polyols and rigid PUF of good performance properties. In this paper, the higher molecular mass chitosans, insoluble in organic solvents and water, were converted to polyols and ultimately into foamed polyurethane plastics. The polyols were characterized by the infrared spectra (IR), 1H‐NMR, and MALDI‐ToF methods. Their properties, such as density, viscosity, surface tension and hydroxyl numbers, were determined. The PUF were obtained from these polyols of various molecular mass. The biodegradable, rigid PUF of enhanced thermal resistance were obtained. Their physical parameters like apparent density, water volume absorption, dimension stability, heat conductance, compressive strength, and heat resistance at 150 and 175°C were studied and compared with those synthesized previously from oligomeric chitosan and water soluble chitosan.
You are not alone: Characterizing users' relationship‐layer identities in online health communities
Authors: Chen Kejun , Zhao Yuehua , Song Ningyuan , Han Yufei , Peng Jiaer , Wang Jiaqing 
Published: March 2024

AbstractOnline health communities (OHCs) function as significant platforms that people use to obtain information and emotional support. Despite many studies on user behavior and relationships, little attention has been paid to user identities and how different layers of identities are interwoven. To address this potential research gap, this study examined users' relationship‐layer identities and their evolution by elaborating on the communication theory of identity (CTI) and social support theory. Additionally, based on our previous study on users' personal‐layer identities in OHCs, we investigated how users' relationship‐layer identities interacted with their personal‐layer identities. This study classified users' posts and replies into providing informational support, seeking informational support, providing emotional support, seeking emotional support, and companionship using the bidirectional encoder representation from transformers (BERT), with F1‐scores above 0.848. Through social network analysis, this study found that users of OHCs constructed their relationship‐layer identities more through informational interactions than through emotional interactions. Users with various personal‐layer identities presented different relationship‐layer identities. Users' relationships were more initiated by information exchange, and users with more interactions had more companionship activities. OHCs provided efficient communication channels for people to exchange social support.
Simplifying stable CHO cell line generation with high probability of monoclonality by using microfluidic dispensing as an alternative to fluorescence activated cell sorting
Authors: Chakrabarti Lina , Savery James , Mpindi John Patrick , Klover Judith , Li Lina , Zhu Jie 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSingle cell cloning is a critical step for cell line development (CLD) for therapeutic protein production, with proof of monoclonality being compulsorily sought in regulatory filings. Among the different single cell deposition technologies, we found that fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) offers high probability of monoclonality and can allow selective enrichment of the producer cells. However, FACS instruments are expensive and resource‐intensive, have a large footprint, require highly skilled operators and take hours for setup, thereby complicating the cell line generation process. With the aim of finding an easy‐to‐use alternative to FACS, we identified a flow cytometry‐based microfluidic cell dispenser, which presents a single cell sorting solution for biopharmaceutical CLD. The microfluidic cell dispenser is small, budget‐friendly, easy‐to‐use, requires lower‐cost consumables, permits flow cytometry‐enabled multiparametric target cell enrichment and offers fast and gentle single cell dispensing into multiwell plates. Following comprehensive evaluation, we found that single cell deposition by the microfluidic cell dispenser resulted in >99% probability of monoclonality for production cell lines. Moreover, the clonally derived producer cell lines generated from the microfluidic cell dispenser demonstrated comparable or improved growth profiles and production capability compared to the FACS derived cell lines. Taken together, microfluidic cell dispensing can serve as a cost‐effective, efficient and convenient alternative to FACS, simplifying the biopharmaceutical CLD platform with significant reductions in both scientist time and running costs.
Surface decoration of low molecular weight polyethylenimine (LMW PEI) by phthalated dextrin for improved delivery of interleukin‐12 plasmid
Authors: Keshavarz Valiollah , Kazemi Maryam , Khalvati Bahman , Zare Fateme , Dehshahri Ali , Sadeghpour Hossein 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn this investigation, low molecular weight polyethyleneimine (LMW PEI; 1.8 kDa branched PEI) was conjugated to phathalated dextrin. The aim of this chemical modification was to decorate PEI molecules with a hydrophilic layer to improve its biophysical properties while the phthalic moiety may improve the hydrophilic‐hydrophobic balance of the final structure. The polymers were prepared at various conjugation degrees ranging from 6.5% to 16.5% and characterized in terms of biophysical characteristics as well as their gene transfer ability and cell‐induced toxicity. The results showed that dextrin‐phthalated‐PEI (DPHPEI) polymer was able to form nanoparticles with the size range of around 118–170 nm, with the zeta potential of 6.2–9.5 mV. DPHPEI polymers could increase the level of desired protein expression in the cells by up to three folds compared with unmodified LMW PEI while the cell viability of the modified polymers was around 80%. The result of this study shows a promising approach to improve the transfection efficiency of LMW PEI while maintaining its low toxic effects.
Virtual follow‐up care among breast and prostate cancer patients during and beyond the COVID‐19 pandemic: Association with distress
Authors: Bender Jacqueline L. , Scruton Sarah , Wong Geoff , Abdelmutti Nazek , Berlin Alejandro , Easley Julie , Liu Zhihui Amy , McGee Sharon , Rodin Danielle , Sussman Jonathan , Urquhart Robin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate associations between self‐reported distress (anxiety/depression) and satisfaction with and desire for virtual follow‐up (VFU) care among cancer patients during and beyond the COVID‐19 pandemic.MethodsBreast and prostate cancer patients receiving VFU at an urban cancer centre in Toronto, Canada completed an online survey on their sociodemographic, clinical, and technology, characteristics and experience with and views on VFU. EQ5D‐5 L was used to assess distress. Statistical models adjusted for age, gender, education, income and Internet confidence.ResultsOf 352 participants, average age was 65 years, 48% were women,79% were within 5 years of treatment completion, 84% had college/university education and 74% were confident Internet users. Nearly, all (98%) had a virtual visit via phone and 22% had a virtual visit via video. The majority of patients (86%) were satisfied with VFU and 70% agreed that they would like VFU options after the COVID‐19 pandemic. Participants who reported distress and who were not confident using the Internet for health purposes were significantly less likely to be satisfied with VFU (OR = 0.4; 95% CI: 0.2–0.8 and OR = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.09–0.38, respectively) and were less likely to desire VFU option after the COVID‐19 pandemic (OR = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.30–0.82 and OR = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.23–0.70, respectively).ConclusionsThe majority of respondents were satisfied with VFU and would like VFU options after the COVID‐19 pandemic. Future research should determine how to optimize VFU options for cancer patients who are distressed and who are less confident using virtual care technology.
Design and Synthesis of 2‐Phenylindolizine Acetamides: Molecular Docking, in Vitro Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activity Evaluation
Authors: Kumar Gandham Siva , Jha Anjali , Kudale Amit A. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn the present work, we synthesized a small library of 2‐phenylindolizine acetamide derivatives 7a–i and studied their biological activity. The synthesis was accomplished starting with easily available starting material phenacyl bromide 1 proceeding through the key intermediate 6‐methyl‐7‐nitro‐2‐phenylindolizine 4. All the compounds 7a–i were characterized using spectroscopy viz., 1H‐NMR, 13C NMR, FTIR, and mass spectrometry. Interestingly, 2‐phenylindolizine scaffolds 7c, 7f and 7g revealed a remarkable antibacterial activity against relevant organisms S. aureus, E. coli, S. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa. The target compounds 7e and 7h showed excellent anticancer activity against Colo‐205 and MDA‐MB‐231 cell lines with IC50 values of 68.62, 62.91, 54.23 and 46.34 μM respectively. Additionally, all the 2‐phenylindolizine acetamide derivatives 7a–i were subjected to molecular docking prediction by Autodock 4.2. Compounds 7a, 7f and 7c exhibited very good hydrogen bonding amino acid interactions Asp83 (2.23 Å), Asp83 (2.08 Å), His74 (2.05 Å), His76 (1.71 Å), Ser80 (1.05 Å) with active site of Topoisomerase‐IV from S. pneumoniae (4KPE). Further, the compounds 7a–i have revealed acceptable ranges for drug‐likeliness properties upon evaluation using SwissADME for ADMET and physiochemical properties.
Innovative Encapsulation Strategies for Food, Industrial, and Pharmaceutical Applications
Authors: Aanniz Tarik , El Omari Nasreddine , Elouafy Youssef , Benali Taoufiq , Zengin Gokhan , Khalid Asaad , Abdalla Ashraf N. , Sakran Ashraf M. , Bouyahya Abdelhakim 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBioactive metabolites obtained from fruits and vegetables as well as many drugs have various capacities to prevent or treat various ailments. Nevertheless, their efficiency, in vivo, encounter many challenges resulting in lower efficacy as well as different side effects when high doses are used resulting in many challenges for their application. Indeed, demand for effective treatments with no or less unfavorable side effects is rising. Delivering active molecules to a particular site of action within the human body is an example of targeted therapy which remains a challenging field. Developments of nanotechnology and polymer science have great promise for meeting the growing demands of efficient options. Encapsulation of active ingredients in nano‐delivery systems has become as a vitally tool for protecting the integrity of critical biochemicals, improving their delivery, enabling their controlled release and maintaining their biological features. Here, we examine a wide range of nano‐delivery techniques, such as niosomes, polymeric/solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, and nano‐emulsions. The advantages of encapsulation in targeted, synergistic, and supportive therapies are emphasized, along with current progress in its application. Additionally, a revised collection of studies was given, focusing on improving the effectiveness of anticancer medications and addressing the problem of antimicrobial resistance. To sum up, this paper conducted a thorough analysis to determine the efficacy of encapsulation technology in the field of drug discovery and development.
Electrocatalytic Applications of Carbon Dots and Their Composites
Authors: Gao Shiqin , Chen Jiayi , Zhou Yida , Gan Tao , Wang Bolun 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCarbon dots (CDs) have attracted much attention in the field of electrocatalysis due to their many advantages. These reactions are of great significance for energy conversion and storage, as well as environmental remediation. In this review, we summarize the latest achievements in the electrochemical applications of CDs and their composites, with a focus on environmentally relevant electrocatalysis. We present some representative examples of CDs‐based electrocatalysts for different reactions and analyze the catalytic mechanisms and the factors that affect the electrocatalytic performance. Furthermore, we conclude with some challenging issues and future perspectives of this emerging material. This review aims to help readers better understand the application of CDs in the field of electrocatalysis, reveal the reasons that affect electrocatalytic performance, and guide further constructing more efficient, stable, and green electrocatalysts.
Production of Galacto‐Oligosaccharides by Enzymatic Membrane Reactors Using Free β‐Galactosidase
Authors: Teng Cao , Nath Arijit , Galambos Ildikó , Kovács Zoltán 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPrebiotic galacto‐oligosaccharides (GOSs) are synthesized by transgalactosylation of lactose using β‐galactosidases. Well‐established, large‐scale production of GOS is performed by stirred‐tank reactors (STR) operating in batch fashion. Main manufacturing expenses are attributed to enzyme purchase costs and the downstream operations required for subsequent enzyme inactivation and removal. In the last decades, several studies and patents have appeared on free enzyme membrane reactor (FEMR) as an economic alternative to STR due to enhanced enzyme recovery and reuse. In this review, we attempt to summarize the key design aspects, the catalytic performance and efficiency of FEMR compared to STR technology, and the main concerns related to stable product quality over long‐term operation.
Wheat bran extract as a source of amino compounds and sugar for biotech processes
Authors: Hanstein Stefan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWheat bran is an abundant source of starch fragments, peptides and amino acids which represent a valuable nutrient source for bacterial production of natural products. The commercial protease Corolase® 7089 efficiently improves extraction of N‐compounds from wheat bran. Here we show the effect of combined applications with the commercial α‐amylase Termamyl® 120. Wheat bran was extracted with at a liquid/solid ratio of 12.3. The same product yield of 24% was obtained after simultaneous enzyme application for 1 h and after serial application (first amylase) with a total treatment time of 7.75 h. Crude protein concentration in the product was 23% and 22%, respectively. Measurements of the sugar concentration in the extraction liquid indicate that the degree of starch hydrolysis was decreased in the presence of protease. In a stirred pilot‐scale reactor a product yield of 32% was achieved.
NIR‐II Organic Photothermal Cocrystals with Strong Charge Transfer Interaction for Flexible Wearable Heaters
Authors: Zhang Dong , Li Shuyu , Gao Shaosong , Fu Siyao , Liu Kexin , He Dan , Liu Huapeng , Zhang Xiaotao , Hu Wenping 
Published: March 2024

Comprehensive SummaryThe organic cocrystal strategy has provided a convenient and efficient platform for preparing organic photothermal materials. However, the rapidly directional preparation of cocrystals with desirable photothermal properties remains challenging due to a lack of suitable design ideas. Here, two new photothermal cocrystals, MTC and MFC, based on acceptor molecules (TCNQ and F4TCNQ) with different electron‐withdrawing capacities were quickly prepared by the coprecipitation method, aiming to explore the effect of charge transfer (CT) interaction on photothermal properties. Compared with MTC, the stronger intermolecular CT interaction in MFC facilitates extending the absorption range (from the NIR‐I to the NIR‐II region) and enhancing the non‐radiative transition process. Under the 808 nm laser irradiation, the photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) of MFC is 54.6%, whereas MTC displays a mere 36.8%. The MFC cocrystal was further combined with a flexible polymer substrate (HPDMS) to prepare a flexible wearable heater (HPDMS@MFC), which exhibits excellent NIR‐II photothermal performance. This work points out a research direction for the rapid assembly of efficient photothermal cocrystals and additionally provides an extensive application prospect for organic photothermal cocrystals in the field of wearable devices.
Production innovations to enhance sweetpotato as a food security crop in northern Ghana
Authors: Sugri Issah , Akansake Daniel , Abukari Issah A. , Low Jan W. , Abidin Putri E. , Dery Eric K. , Acheremu Kwabena , Adjebeng‐Danquah Joseph , Bidzakin John K. , Abubakari Mutari , Lamini Salim , Carey Edward E. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas(L) Lam) is prioritized among crops that enhance food security and reduce malnutrition in Ghana. The production is expanding faster than other food crops owing to its superior nutrient composition. This study evaluates integrated approaches to increase on‐farm productivity, income, and utilization of sweetpotato. The first part evaluated the agronomic yield performance, financial return, and sensory quality of 10 varieties under different fertilizer treatments. The second part of activities assessed both storage root and leaf composition (i.e., total sugars, dry matter, protein, Fe, Zn, Ca, total phenolic, total monomeric anthocyanins, lutein, zeaxanthin, α‐tocopherol, β‐carotene, and total carotenoids). Third, storage stability characteristics were assessed (i.e., shelf life and the incidence of decay). Application of NPK of 40:40:70 at 300 kg ha−1significantly (p < 0.001) increased storage root yield from 12.4 to 17.3 t ha−1, which represents a 32% increase in yield compared to farmers’ standard practice. The variety SARI‐JanLow (where SARI is Savanna Agricultural Research Institute) was outstanding for root yield (23.5 t ha−1) and β‐carotene content (20.8 Mg 100 g−1). SARI‐Tiemeh was consistently ranked among the three most preferred varieties by the sensory panel across the production hubs. At locations Nyankpala and Nikongo, the most responsive varieties to fertilizer application with regard to marketable storage root yield were SARI‐Tiemeh (108%) and PGA14351‐4 (79%), respectively. The varieties SARI‐Nyumengre (1.4%), SARI‐Nyoriberi‐gu (1.4%), and PGA14351‐4 (1.6%) were the least susceptible to sweetpotato weevil attack. Considering the benefit–cost ratio and a return on investments, the four most economically viable varieties appear to be SARI‐JanLow, SARI‐Suyolo, SARI‐Tiemeh, and SARI‐Nyoriberi‐gu.
Impact of perceived CSR practices on customers loyalty. The mediating role of reputation and customer satisfaction
Authors: Mehnaz  , Jin Jiahua , Hussain Azhar , Warraich Muhammad Akib , Waheed Abdul 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCustomers' loyalty is considered as an important factor ensuring overall organizational success in the long run. The purpose of this investigation is to determine how customer loyalty in Pakistan's banking sector affected by perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR) practice. To end this, the present study collected data from 378 respondents using convenience sampling technique. To test proposed hypothesis, the study used correlation analysis, regression analysis, and Baron and Kenny method used to test mediation effect of variables together with the Sobel test. The result of the study shows a significant positive association among perceived CSR, bank reputation and customers loyalty and customer satisfaction. This study further shows that bank reputation has a mediating effect between perceived CSR and customer loyalty, but the relationship between CSR practices and customer loyalty has a negative effect on customer satisfaction. It was found that there was no mediating effect of degree. The findings highlight the importance of allocating resources to CSR initiatives and reputation management as a means of increasing customer loyalty. The results provide an important academic addition to the current body of research on the impact of CSR on the development of customer loyalty, with a particular focus on the Pakistani banking industry.
Water table depth and plant species determine the direction and magnitude of methane fluxes in floodplain meadow soils
Authors: Peacock Mike , Lawson Clare , Gowing David , Gauci Vincent 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMethane (CH4) is a powerful greenhouse gas with ongoing efforts aiming to quantify and map emissions from natural and managed ecosystems. Wetlands play a significant role in the global CH4 budget, but uncertainties in their total emissions remain large, due to a combined lack of CH4 data and fuzzy boundaries between mapped ecosystem categories. European floodplain meadows are anthropogenic ecosystems that originated due to traditional management for hay cropping. These ecosystems are seasonally inundated by river water, and straddle the boundary between grassland and wetland ecosystems; however, an understanding of their CH4 function is lacking. Here, we established a replicated outdoor floodplain‐meadow mesocosm experiment to test how water table depth (45, 30, 15 cm below the soil surface) and plant composition affect CH4 fluxes over an annual cycle. Water table was a major controller on CH4, with significantly higher fluxes (overall mean 9.3 mg m−2 d−1) from the high (15 cm) water table treatment. Fluxes from high water table mesocosms with bare soil were low (mean 0.4 mg m−2 d−1), demonstrating that vegetation drove high emissions. Larger emissions came from high water table mesocosms with aerenchymatous plant species (e.g. Alopecurus pratensis, mean 12.8 mg m−2 d−1), suggesting a role for plant‐mediated transport. However, at low (45 cm) water tables A. pratensis mesocosms were net CH4 sinks, suggesting that there is plasticity in CH4 exchange if aerenchyma are present. Plant cutting to simulate a hay harvest had no effect on CH4, further supporting a role for plant‐mediated transport. Upscaling our CH4 fluxes to a UK floodplain meadow using hydrological modelling showed that the meadow was a net CH4 source because oxic periods of uptake were outweighed by flooding‐induced anoxic emissions. Our results show that floodplain meadows can be either small sources or sinks of CH4 over an annual cycle. Their CH4 exchange appears to respond to soil temperature, moisture status and community composition, all of which are likely to be modified by climate change, leading to uncertainty around the future net contribution of floodplain meadows to the CH4 cycle.
Unprecedented Pyrazine‐Bridged Guanidinate Rare Earth Complexes Through a Bridge Splitting Reaction Path
Authors: Delano Francis , Demir Selvan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe development of reaction pathways and ancillary ligand scaffolds is essential in the pursuit of higher nuclearity rare earth metal clusters that are relevant in storage materials and catalysis. Guanidinate anions represent attractive ligands due to their high degree of customizability allowing for facile alterations of both their steric and electronic properties. Here, we demonstrate an unprecedented bridge splitting reaction that shifts chloride anions in favor of a bridging neutral pyrazine to give pyrazine‐bridged dinuclear guanidinate rare earth complexes, [{(Me3Si)2NC(NiPr)2}2RECl]2(μ‐pyz) (RE =Y (1) and Er (2), pyz=pyrazine). Each six‐coordinate metal center is ligated by two guanidinates, one chloride ligand, and one nitrogen atom from the bridging pyrazine unit. The molecules were characterized by X‐ray crystallography, IR, NMR, and UV‐Vis spectroscopy. DFT calculations conducted on 1 provide insight into both the bonding picture and the mechanism of complex formation. This type of reaction constitutes a seminal application of a bridge splitting mechanism to the rare earth metals.