bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preparation and characterization of high solid content cationic waterborne polyurethane with core‐shell structures
Authors: Mu Minghao , Liu Xinqiang , Bi Haisong , Wang Zheng , Qian Chengduo , Yao Baojian , Liu Yifan , Liu Xiufen , Li Xue 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIn this study, core‐shell structured cationic waterborne polyurethane (WPU) dispersions with high solid content were prepared. To this end, prepolymer A was synthesized from polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMG), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), castor oil (CO) and 1,4‐butanediol (BDO) without integration of the hydrophilic groups. Prepolymer B with hydrophilic groups was prepared from PTMG, IPDI, CO, BDO and N‐methyldiethanol amine (MDEA). WPU dispersion with a core‐shell structure could be generated by mixing, neutralizing, and emulsifying of the prepolymer A and the prepolymer B. The results indicated that the generation of WPU dispersions through this technique exhibited a milky appearance while the pH values range from 5.30 to 5.60. The optimal combination of prepolymer A and prepolymer B (at a ratio of 5:5) resulted in a dispersion with the highest solid content (50.4%), lowest viscosity (69 mPa·s), and narrowest particle size distribution. As the proportion of prepolymer A to prepolymer B decreases, the tensile strength of WPU film reduces while the elongation at break and glass transition temperature increases. Moreover, initially the contact angle with water was decreased instead of increase. However, modifications in a ratio of prepolymer A and B was not showed any significant impact on the thermal stability performance of the WPU films.
Soybean polyenylphosphatidylcholine (PPC) is beneficial in liver and extrahepatic tissue injury: An update in experimental research
Authors: Mak Ki M. , Shekhar Aditya C. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractPolyenylphosphatidylcholine (PPC) is a purified polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine extract of soybeans. This article updates PPC's beneficial effects on various forms of liver cell injury and other tissues in experimental research. PPC downregulates hepatocyte CYP2E1 expression and associated hepatotoxicity, as well as attenuates oxidative stress, apoptosis, lipoprotein oxidation and steatosis in alcoholic and nonalcoholic liver injury. PPC inhibits pro‐inflammatory cytokine production, while stimulating anti‐inflammatory cytokine secretion in ethanol or lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated Kupffer cells/macrophages. It promotes M2‐type macrophage polarization and metabolic reprogramming of glucose and lipid metabolism. PPC mitigates steatosis in NAFLD through inhibiting polarization of pro‐inflammatory M1‐type Kupffer cells, alleviating metabolic inflammation, remodeling hepatic lipid metabolism, correcting imbalances between lipogenesis and lipolysis and enhancing lipoprotein secretion from hepatocytes. PPC is antifibrotic by preventing progression of alcoholic hepatic fibrosis in baboons and also prevents CCl4‐induced fibrosis in rats. PPC supplementation replenishes the phosphatidylcholine content of damaged cell membranes, resulting in increased membrane fluidity and functioning. Phosphatidylcholine repletion prevents increased membrane curvature of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi and decreases sterol regulatory element binding protein‐1‐mediated lipogenesis, reducing steatosis. PPC remodels gut microbiota and affects hepatic lipid metabolism via the gut‐hepatic‐axis and also alleviates brain inflammatory responses and cognitive impairment via the gut‐brain‐axis. Additionally, PPC protects extrahepatic tissues from injury caused by various toxic compounds by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and membrane damage. It also stimulates liver regeneration, enhances sensitivity of cancer cells to radiotherapy/chemotherapy, and inhibits experimental hepatocarcinogenesis. PPC's beneficial effects justify it as a supportive treatment of liver disease.
Triptorelin therapy for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in prostate cancer patients: A systematic meta‐analysis
Authors: Barrett Ravina , Birch Brian 
Published: October 2023

AbstractObjectiveThis systematic meta‐analysis aimed to assess the effectiveness of triptorelin therapy in reducing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men with prostate cancer (PCa).MethodsThe Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. PubMed, Web of Science and EMBASE databases were searched for studies conducted between 2013 and 2023. Eligible studies included PCa patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with triptorelin, with reported baseline and follow‐up International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSS) and quality of life (QoL) data. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the risk of bias, and a random‐effects model was applied for the meta‐analysis.ResultsA total of 29 articles were identified, and three studies met the inclusion criteria. Triptorelin therapy showed a clinically significant reduction in IPSS over 48 weeks in PCa patients with moderate to severe LUTS. The meta‐analysis revealed a pooled effect size of 1.05 (95% CI: 0.65; 1.45), indicating a statistically significant improvement in LUTS. QoL also improved in patients receiving triptorelin therapy, although heterogeneity among the studies and a moderate to high risk of bias were noted.ConclusionTriptorelin therapy demonstrated a positive impact on LUTS in PCa patients. The meta‐analysis showed significant reductions in IPSS scores and improved QoL after 48 weeks of triptorelin treatment. However, the results should be interpreted cautiously due to study heterogeneity and potential biases. Further well‐designed studies are needed to confirm these findings and determine the optimal use of triptorelin for managing LUTS in men with PCa.Implications for PracticeTriptorelin therapy may offer an effective treatment option for men with PCa experiencing moderate to severe LUTS. Its positive impact on QoL can lead to improved patient well‐being and treatment adherence. Clinicians should consider triptorelin as a potential treatment choice, especially in patients who may be reluctant to undergo surgical interventions for their LUTS. However, careful patient selection and close monitoring are essential due to the observed study heterogeneity and risk of bias. Future research should focus on evaluating triptorelin's cost‐effectiveness and comparing its efficacy with other LH‐RH agonists in managing LUTS in PCa patients.Video Abstract: URL (Reviewers/Editors to select from) Link 1: https://brighton.cloud.panopto.eu/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=071419c8-1ad5-4502-a222-b04300c2ca5eLink 2: https://brighton.cloud.panopto.eu/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=b6305a8a-b977-4fcd-a69e-b04300bed728
The role of language and emotional intelligence in judgments of real‐life social and moral transgressions among Greek, Hungarian, and British users of English
Authors: Dewaele Jean‐Marc , Mavrou Irini , Kyriakou Andreas , Lorette Pernelle 
Published: October 2023

AbstractPrevious research suggests that people are more prone to commit moral transgressions when they face moral dilemmas in a second language (LX) as opposed to their first language(s) (L1). This study investigated the influence of language, emotional intelligence, and the degree of severity of real moral transgressions on bilinguals' judgments of offense seriousness, the intensity of the emotions they experienced, and the punishments they proposed for the perpetrators. To this end, 256 British L1 users, 209 Greek–English bilinguals, and 187 Hungarian–English bilinguals watched four videos presenting moral transgressions of mild and extreme severity. Data were analyzed by means of robust linear mixed‐effects models and moderated mediation analyses. For the extreme severity videos, the results revealed strong correlations between offensiveness, emotionality ratings, and proposed punishments for the perpetrators. However, the Greek and the Hungarian participants who watched the videos in their LX English reported lower offensiveness and emotionality ratings and less harsh punishments for the perpetrators than they did in their L1 (Greek and Hungarian, respectively). Furthermore, the role of language in the proposed punishments for the perpetrators was mediated by emotional intensity, but only for the extreme severity stimuli. The results also suggest that higher levels of emotional intelligence are linked with tougher judgments of offense seriousness and stronger emotions when watching real moral transgressions. These findings highlight that the moral foreign language effect does not only exist in the hypothetical moral realm but affects perceptions of offensiveness and emotionality and decisions for the future of perpetrators in real‐life situations.
Life or death: A qualitative examination of mitigating and aggravating evidence presented in capital trials
Authors: Holleran Lisa Bell 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe US Supreme Court has required that death penalty procedures narrow the class of persons eligible for a death sentence. Through the selection requirement, juries must use mitigating and aggravating evidence jointly to determine if a defendant is one of the worst of the worst, resulting in a sentence of life without parole or death. This study analyzed capital trial transcripts from the punishment phase to assess the type and amount of mitigating and aggravating evidence presented to jurors in cases resulting in life without parole and death. The main assumption of the research was that cases resulting in life without the possibility of parole (LWOP) would reveal patterns in the types of evidence presented and differing patterns in cases where the jury handed down a sentence of death. The study qualitatively examined the trial transcripts from the punishment phase of 18 capital murders (nine resulting in LWOP and nine in death). The extra‐legal factors from each LWOP case were matched to a death case to eliminate sentencing discrepancies based on jurisdiction, race of defendant or victim, aggravator, age etc. The results found no consistent patterns of evidence presented in cases resulting life without parole and some relevant patterns in sentences resulting in death.
Sustainability factors affecting caregivers' toy preferences: An evaluation of e‐commerce best sellers in Turkey
Authors: Halli Sinem , Kaya Cigdem , Arslanli Kerem Yavuz 
Published: October 2023

AbstractToys make a considerable clutter in homes over time unless managed responsibly. Given the ease of buying anything these days, especially toys, due to the rise of online shopping (Richards et al., 2020), toy piles can grow quickly. Current literature on the sustainability of toys is based on physical touch points, such as material, design, assembly, or transport, and suggested methods to enhance sustainability performance up to the “before‐use” phase. Our study focuses on how consumers address the issue of sustainability in toys, from the moment they intend to buy a toy to the time they terminate the toys' use, with a focus on green purchase behavior. We used data from a survey to depict 220 Turkish caregivers' perceptions of sustainability with snowball sampling to build an analytic hierarchy process system. The aim was to understand caregivers' approaches to toy sustainability factors in general and to interpret their motivations for green purchase activity. Among the eight sustainability criteria explicitly set for toys, child development‐related factors dominated durability, while price was found to be ineffective. This study of six best‐selling toys for 3–6‐year‐olds on a shopping site revealed that long‐term use is crucial for sustainability in toys. We observed that digital platforms are insufficient to convey the sustainability features of products, and thus propose a concept that evaluates the sustainability performance of toys and advises the consumer about the sustainability potential of the toys on the sales site.
Understanding institutionally supported free college programs
Authors: Carrier Jonathan W. , Scull W. Reed , Perkins Mark A. , Schaffer Joseph M. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis chapter examines institutionally funded free community college programs that address specific community workforce needs. Within the article, the authors showcase “Rediscover LCCC,” a foundation‐funded scholarship program at Laramie County Community College in Wyoming that pays students’ tuition and fees for up to three years in specific, high‐demand degree and certificate programs, such as information technology, healthcare, and the trades. Preliminary outcome data is shared. The article concludes by encouraging community college leaders to support such programs as a way for students to attain work‐ready degrees and certificates needed by the local community, without incurring student debt.
Meeting the promise and challenges of “Free College”: Research and practical insights from a community college scholarship program
Authors: Wang Yunwei , Wang Xueli , Wagner Brit , Romero‐Reyes Joseph 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis chapter illustrates the potential promise and complexities of free college initiatives from the perspective of administrators, faculty, staff, and students who are involved in a scholarship program at a small Midwestern community college. Based on two waves of interviews conducted in 2019 and 2021 respectively, we found that, while largely supportive of the free college movement, the program participants shared clear reservations due to potential unintended burdens on the part of institutions, and compounding barriers for students that free tuition alone cannot solve. This chapter closes by presenting a series of implications to inform the implementation of “free college” to realize its full promise.
Community values: Exploring what undergraduate engineering students value in their community college experience
Authors: Maitra Debalina , Coley Brooke , Greene Clarreese 
Published: October 2023

AbstractPrevious research exploring the lived experiences of marginalized groups of students in STEM at community college settings is limited, despite the fact that community colleges have the potential to create pathways to 4‐year engineering degrees and diversify the STEM workforce. This study explored what underrepresented students in STEM valued most as they navigated community college. We conducted nineteen semi‐structured narrative interviews. Our findings suggested that the students found some of the values implicit compared to other explicit values mentioned by the participants. For example, they valued intimate class size, invested faculty, available tutors, and financial support as explicit values. They appreciated the low‐pressure environment, directional support, networking opportunities, and hands‐on learning as implicit values associated with their college experience. Our research has a direct implication on how such experiences influence students’ chosen pathways toward engineering careers, and institutions can learn directly to establish programs with an understanding of what they value.
The extremely rare case of aortic chordae tendineae strands: A case report with literature review
Authors: Khansari Nakisa , Salehi Amir Mohammad 
Published: October 2023

Key Clinical MessageThe aortic chordae tendineae strands (ACTS) is a rare complication that can induce aortic regurgitation. Reported cases of ACTS are very few, and this is the first case reported in Iran. Patients with unexplained aortic regurgitation should be carefully evaluated for ACTS, which can be easily observed by TEE; a decision regarding aortic valve surgery should be made based on the severity of AR. Herein we reported A 64‐year‐old male was admitted to our hospital for dyspnea on exertion. In transthoracic Echocardiography a fibrous band‐like chordae in the aortic root attached to the noncoronary cusp of the aorta was seen, which caused retraction of the noncoronary cusp, mal‐coaptation of the aortic valves, and severe eccentric jet posterior directed aortic regurgitation. As a result of the ACTS, the patient was diagnosed with severe aortic regurgitation (AR); due to the symptomatic severe AR, the patient underwent aortic valve surgical replacement.
New Insights into the Behaviour of Commercial Silicon Electrode MaterialsviaEmpirical Fitting of Galvanostatic Charge‐Discharge Curves
Authors: Huld Frederik T. , Eleri Obinna E. , Lou Fengliu , Yu Zhixin 
Published: October 2023

AbstractSilicon (Si) materials for use in Lithium ion batteries (LIBs) are of continued interest to battery manufacturers. With an increasing number of commercially available Si materials, evaluating their performance becomes a challenge. Here, we use an empirical fitting function presented earlier to aid in the analysis of galvanostatic charge‐discharge data of commercial Si half‐cells with relatively high loading. We find that the fitting procedure is capable of detecting dynamic changes in the cell, such as reversible capacity fade of the Si electrode. This fading is found to be due to the highly lithiated Li2SiLi3.5Si phase and that the behaviour is strongly dependent on the potential of this phase. EIS reveals that the Si electrode is responsible for the reversible behaviour due to progressive loss of Li+leading to increasing resistance. SEM/EDX and XPS characterization are also employed to determine the origin of the irreversible resistance growth on the Si electrodes.
An Aminoisoxazole‐Based Proto‐RNA
Authors: Xu Felix , Wiedemann Stefan , Feldmann Jonas , Becker Sidney , Carell Thomas 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe RNA world hypothesis predicts that life started with the development of replicating and catalytically active RNA, which evolved in a process of molecular evolution to increasingly complex chemical structures. RNA is, however, so complex that it has most likely formed from a precursor (proto‐RNA) that was more easily accessible in a prebiotic world. Recently, 3‐aminoisoxazoles (IO3) were identified as building blocks that can form under prebiotic conditions and can rearrange to give the nucleoside cytidine (C). The present study shows that the constitutional isomer 5‐aminoisoxazole (IO5) can undergo the same reaction to give uridine (U). Both compounds (IO3 and IO5), if embedded in RNA, react selectively to C and U, which are the main pyrimidine nucleosides of the genetic system. Importantly, the stereochemical outcome of the IO5 reaction in RNA depends on the neighboring bases. If they are β‐configured RNA nucleosides, the reaction proceeds with high selectivity to give exclusively the β‐configured U RNA base (anomeric control).
Optimization of 3D Synthetic Scaffolds for Neuronal Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: Galindo Josué M. , San‐Millán Ms. Irene , Castillo‐Sarmiento Carlos A. , Ballesteros‐Yáñez Inmaculada , Vázquez Ester , Merino Sonia , Herrero M. Antonia 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe increasing prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases has spurred researchers to develop advanced 3D models that accurately mimic neural tissues. Hydrogels stand out as ideal candidates as their properties closely resemble those of the extracellular matrix. A critical challenge in this regard is to comprehend the influence of the scaffold‘s mechanical properties on cell growth and differentiation, thus enabling targeted modifications. In light of this, a synthesis and comprehensive analysis of acrylamide‐based hydrogels incorporating a peptide has been conducted. Adequate cell adhesion and development is achieved due to their bioactive nature and specific interactions with cellular receptors. The integration of a precisely controlled physicochemical hydrogel matrix and inclusion of the arginine‐glycine‐aspartic acid peptide sequence has endowed this system with an optimal structure, thus providing a unique ability to interact effectively with biomolecules. The analysis fully examined essential properties governing cell behavior, including pore size, mechanical characteristics, and swelling ability. Cell‐viability experiments were performed to assess the hydrogel's biocompatibility, while the incorporation of grow factors aimed to promote the differentiation of neuroblastoma cells. The results underscore the hydrogel's ability to stimulate cell viability and differentiation in the presence of the peptide within the matrix.
New Protocol for the Synthesis of S‐Thioesters from Benzylic, Allylic and Tertiary Alcohols with Thioacetic Acid
Authors: Lachguar Abdelhak , Bandyopadhyay Uchchhal , Ech‐Chariy Mehdi , Vincendeau Sandrine , Audin Catherine , Daran Jean‐Claude , Manoury Eric , Poli Rinaldo , Deydier Eric 
Published: October 2023

AbstractA new one‐pot solvent‐less reaction to convert benzylic, allylic, ferrocenyl or tertiary alcohols into S‐thioesters, bench‐stable and less odorous precursors of the corresponding thiols, which is based on reactions in neat thioacetic acid in the presence of tetrafluoroboric acid, is presented. Reaction monitoring by NMR and GC of the benzyl alcohol conversion indicated the intermediate formation of benzyl acetate and benzyl thionoacetate (PhCH2OC(S)CH3) prior to the slower conversion to the final S‐benzyl thioacetate product. Increasing the HBF4 concentration enhanced the reaction rate, giving good to excellent yield (up to 99 %) for a large scope of alcohols. Control experiments, with support of DFT calculations, have revealed a thermodynamically favorable, though requiring HBF4‐activation, disproportionation of CH3C(O)SH to CH3C(O)OH and CH3C(S)SH, the latter immediately decomposing to H2S and (MeC)4S6 but also generating the hitherto unreported [MeC(O)C(Me)S]2(μ‐S)2. Kinetic investigations demonstrated that the rate of benzyl alcohol conversion is second‐order in [PhCH2OH] and second order in [HBF4], while the rate of conversion of the benzyl acetate intermediate to S‐benzyl thioacetate is second order in [PhCOOMe] and fourth order in [HBF4]. The DFT calculations rationalize the need to two alcohol molecules and two protons to generate the reactive benzyl cation.
Stereoselective Synthesis of Allylic Alcohols via Substrate Control on Asymmetric Lithiation
Authors: Linne Yannick , Lücke Daniel , Gerdes Kjeld , Bajerke Kevin , Kalesse Markus 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAllylic alcohols are a privileged motif in natural product synthesis and new methods that access them in a stereoselective fashion are highly sought after. Toward this goal, we found that chiral acetonide‐protected polyketide fragments performing the Hoppe–Matteson–Aggarwal rearrangement in the absence of sparteine with high yields and diastereoselectivities rendering this protocol a highly valuable alternative to the Nozaki–Hiyama–Takai–Kishi reaction. Various stereodyads and ‐triads were investigated to determine their substrate induction. The mostly strong inherent stereoinduction was attributed to a combination of steric and electronic effects.