bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Utility of Repertory of the Homoeopathic Materia Medica by J. T. Kent (Kent’s Repertory) in the treatment of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Salodiya Sapna , Srivastava B. P. , Naaz Ayesha 
Published: April 2023

Background: Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media is a long standing infection of middle ear with intermittent or persistent otorrhoea through perforated tympanic membrane for more than 6 weeks duration. It is more prevalent in developing nation than developed countries. In India the overall prevalence rate of CSOM was found to be 6%. In present scenario indiscriminate, haphazard use of antibiotics and the poor follow up of the patients have resulted in the persistence of low grade infections in middle ear and development of multiple resistant strain of bacteria. Homoeopathy can offers an alternative option for treatment of CSOM. So the aim of this study was to find out the efficacy of homoeopathic constitutional medicine in the management of CSOM with the help of Repertory of the Homoeopathic Materia Medica by J. T. Kent.
Methods: A prospective, single-arm, non-randomised, open-label, observational study was conducted on 30 patients diagnosed with CSOM at the Outpatient Department of National Institute of Homoeopathy, Kolkata. The Chronic Otitis Media Outcome Test (COMOT 15) score was the primary outcome measure. The outcome measure was obtained at baseline and 6 months after treatment. The intention to treat population was statistically analysed in the end.
Results: The maximum number of patients belonged to age group of 11 to 20 years (n = 8; 27%) and 41–50 years (n = 8; 27%). Male: female ratio was 1:2. Compared to baseline, COMOT 15 scores have been reduced significantly over 6 months (51.2 ± 6.42 vs. 26.93 ± 13.24; mean difference: 24.27±12.95 [95% confidence interval (CI): 19.54, 28.99]; t = 10.26; P < 0.0001; Student’s t-test. The most frequently indicated medicines were Pulsatilla nigricans (n= 5; 16.66%) and Mercurius solubilis (n= 5; 16.66%).
Conclusion: Homoeopathic medicines seemed to have a potential effect in the treatment of chronic suppurative otitis media with the help of Repertory of the Homoeopathic Materia Medica by J. T. Kent. To generalized the result more studies like randomised controlled trials should be undertaken.
Photocatalytic Dry Reforming of Methane Enhanced by “Dual‐Path” Strategy with Excellent Low‐Temperature Catalytic Performance
Authors: Zhou Wei , Wang Bing‐Hao , Tang Long , Chen Lang , Guo Jun‐Kang , Pan Jin‐Bo , Lei Ben , Hu Biao , Bai Zhang‐Jun , Tulu Mengistu , Li Zong‐Xu , Wang Xiong , Au Chak‐Tong , Yin Shuang‐Feng 
Published: April 2023

AbstractDry reforming of methane (DRM), which involves the activation of inert CH bonds and CO bonds, at mild conditions is a tremendous challenge. The sluggish mobility of oxygen during the reaction is known as a key issue causing low activity and poor stability of catalysts by the coke formation. Herein, a novel Cu‐CNN/Pd‐BDCNN photocatalyst that is made up of “Cu‐nanoparticle‐loaded g‐C3N4 nanosheets” and “Pd‐nanoparticle‐loaded boron‐doped nitrogen‐deficient g‐C3N4 nanosheets” is reported. The existing dual‐reaction‐sites benefit the reactive oxygen intermediates participate in the reaction directly without distant migration. The in situ characterizations and density functional theory calculations reveal a newly dual reaction pathway through simultaneous dehydrogenation of methoxy and methyl intermediates, and demonstrate the importance of metal loading, which promote the CO2 and CH4 activation from both aspects of thermodynamics and kinetics. The optimized Cu‐CNN/Pd‐BDCNN photocatalyst displays an excellent syngas formation rate of over 800 µmol g−1 h−1 with H2/CO = 1 and splendid stability in continuous flow reaction under 300 mW cm−2 xenon lamp irradiation at room temperature. The “dual‐site” and “dual‐path” strategy shed light on the design of effective photocatalysts for methane dry reforming.
Oxidization‐Temperature‐Triggered Rapid Preparation of Large‐Area Single‐Crystal Cu(111) Foil
Authors: Chen Heng , Liu Xiaoting , Huang Yongfeng , Li Guangliang , Yu Feng , Xiong Feng , Zhang Mengqi , Sun Luzhao , Yang Qian , Jia Kaicheng , Zou Ruqiang , Li Huanxin , Meng Sheng , Lin Li , Zhang Jincan , Peng Hailin , Liu Zhongfan 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe controlled preparation of single‐crystal Cu(111) is intensively investigated owing to the superior properties of Cu(111) and its advantages in synthesizing high‐quality 2D materials, especially graphene. However, the accessibility of large‐area single‐crystal Cu(111) is still hindered by time‐consuming, complicated, and high‐cost preparation methods. Here, the oxidization‐temperature‐triggered rapid preparation of large‐area single‐crystal Cu(111) in which an area up to 320 cm2 is prepared within 60 min, and where low‐temperature oxidization of polycrystalline Cu foil surface plays a vital role, is reported. A mechanism is proposed, by which the thin CuxO layer transforms to a Cu(111) seed layer on the surface of Cu to induce the formation of a large‐area Cu(111) foil, which is supported by both experimental data and molecular dynamics simulation results. In addition, a large‐size high‐quality graphene film is synthesized on the single‐crystal Cu(111) foil surface and the graphene/Cu(111) composites exhibit enhanced thermal conductivity and ductility compared to their polycrystalline counterpart. This work, therefore, not only provides a new avenue toward the monocrystallinity of Cu with specific planes but also contributes to improving the mass production of high‐quality 2D materials.
Hydrogel‐Based Growth Factor Delivery Platforms: Strategies and Recent Advances
Authors: Shan Bai‐Hui , Wu Fu‐Gen 
Published: April 2023

AbstractGrowth factors play a crucial role in regulating a broad variety of biological processes and are regarded as powerful therapeutic agents in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine in the past decades. However, their application is limited by their short half‐lives and potential side effects in physiological environments. Hydrogels are identified as having the promising potential to prolong the half‐lives of growth factors and mitigate their adverse effects by restricting them within the matrix to reduce their rapid proteolysis, burst release, and unwanted diffusion. This review discusses recent progress in the development of growth factor‐containing hydrogels for various biomedical applications, including wound healing, brain tissue repair, cartilage and bone regeneration, and spinal cord injury repair. In addition, the review introduces strategies for optimizing growth factor release including affinity‐based delivery, carrier‐assisted delivery, stimuli‐responsive delivery, spatial structure‐based delivery, and cellular system‐based delivery. Finally, the review presents current limitations and future research directions for growth factor‐delivering hydrogels.
Extraordinary Ionic Conductivity Excited by Hierarchical Ion‐Transport Pathways in MOF‐Based Quasi‐Solid Electrolytes
Authors: Liu Huiling , Pan Hongge , Yan Mi , Zhang Xuan , Jiang Yinzhu 
Published: April 2023

AbstractLiquid‐electrolyte‐laden metal–organic frameworks (LE‐laden MOFs) are promising quasi‐solid electrolytes (QSEs) for metal‐anode batteries. To achieve a high ionic conductivity, considerable efforts have been devoted to designing continuous and compact LE‐laden MOF layers. Surprisingly, in this work, an extraordinarily high ionic conductivity (1.02 mS cm−1) is observed in an LE‐laden MOF electrolyte with abundant interstices and cracks. Herein, various macroscopic and mesoscopic pore structures of Li‐LE‐laden HKUST‐1 QSEs are prepared via morphology control and different cold‐pressing procedures. Thereinto, Li‐LE‐laden cuboctahedron HKUST‐1 prepared under 150 MPa cold‐pressing with an optimal hierarchical pore structure (Li‐Cuboct‐H) exhibits the highest ambient ionic conductivity (1.02 mS cm−1). It is found that interstices and cracks in electrolytes construct a set of interconnected Li‐LE networks with innate MOF channels and facilitate Li+ transfer in the hybrid ion‐transport pathways. The Li/LiFePO4 cells based on Li‐Cuboct‐H deliver a splendid capacity retention of 93% over 210 cycles at 1 C. Meanwhile, the high ionic conductivities (higher than 10−4 S cm−1) can be achieved in different ion conductor systems (Na, Mg, and Al) under the same guideline. This work redefines the understanding of ion transport in MOF‐based QSEs and breaks the bottleneck of MOF‐based QSEs.
3D Printed Polyimide Nanocomposite Aerogels for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding and Thermal Management
Authors: Wu Tingting , Ganobjak Michal , Siqueira Gilberto , Zeng Zhihui , Li Mengmeng , Filimonova Ekaterina , Saghamanesh Somayeh , Bonnin Anne , Sivaraman Deeptanshu , Yip Joshua , Li Lei , Wu Hui , Nyström Gustav , Malfait Wim J. , Zhao Shanyu 
Published: April 2023

AbstractAerogels were listed among the top ten emerging technologies in chemistry by IUPAC in 2022. Their record‐breaking properties sparked the emergence of a thriving insulation market, but solutions are sought to promote additional applications. A 3D assembly process based on direct ink writing of “aerogel‐in‐aerogel” nanocomposites is presented. The printed polyimide‐silica aerogels are non‐brittle (E = 6.7 MPa) with a super‐insulating thermal conductivity (20.3 mW m−1 K−1) and high thermal stability (T5wt% 447 °C). In addition, they display excellent low‐loss dielectric properties and microwave transmission over all relevant communication bands and can be functionalized for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. The high shape‐fidelity printing, combined with laser‐induced etching of thermally conductive graphene layers, enable precise thermal management for portable electronics or maintain an extreme temperature gradient (−40 to +50°C) across a millimeter‐scale partition.
Computer‐assisted synthetic planning considering reaction kinetics based on transition state automated generation method
Authors: Liu Qilei , Tang Kun , Zhang Lei , Du Jian , Meng Qingwei 
Published: April 2023

AbstractOrganic synthesis facilitates the conversion of raw materials into high‐value chemicals. Computer‐assisted synthetic planning plays a vital role in designing synthetic pathways, which are usually evaluated by the reaction probability using deep learning models. However, this criterion is generally hard to describe real reaction behaviors such as reaction kinetics. Therefore, this article aims to establish a reaction kinetics‐based retrosynthesis planning framework to design synthetic pathways with well‐performed reaction kinetics. The key contribution of this work is developing a method for the GENeration of initial guesses of Transition States based on Reactive Sites (GENiniTS‐RS) to automatically and fast generate the initial guesses of transition states for the transition state theory‐based reaction kinetic model without sampling the minimum energy path from reactants to products. Finally, two case studies involving the design of synthetic pathways for aspirin and ibuprofen are presented to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed framework.
Tattooing as a phenotypic gambit
Authors: Lynn Christopher D. , Howells Michaela E. , Muehlenbein Michael P. , Nowak Tomasz , Gassen Jeffrey , Henderson Alexandria 
Published: April 2023

AbstractObjectivesTattooing is not an evolved behavior, but it may be a phenotypic gambit to highlight immunological health. Phenotypic gambits are traits or behaviors that appear costly but occur at high rates as a honing process of natural selection not constrained by genetics. Tattooing is an ancient practice that is increasing in popularity worldwide, but it involves wounding the body, which seems counterintuitive because it challenges the immune system and makes one more susceptible to infection. But tattooing may represent a costly honest signal of fitness by “upping the ante” in an era of hygiene or a means to stimulate the immune system in a way that improves and highlights underlying fitness.Materials and MethodsWe investigated this hypothesis by assessing bacteria killing activity (BKA) in saliva samples collected during two studies of tattooing (N = 40). We compared previous tattoo experience (extent of body tattooed and hours spent being tattooed) to BKA before and after getting a new tattoo.ResultsTattoo experience positively predicts post‐tattoo BKA (β = 0.48, p = 0.01), suggesting that people with more tattoo experience have a relatively more immediate and active immune response than those with less tattoo experience.DiscussionTattoo experience may elevate innate immunological vigilance, which could aid in protecting against future dermal insults.
Neanderthal child's maxilla from Baume Moula‐Guercy (Soyons, Ardèche, France)
Authors: Richards Gary D. , Jabbour Rebecca S. , Guipert Gaspard , Defleur Alban 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThis article provides an ontogenetically‐based comparative description of the Guercy 3 partial child's maxilla with Rdm2–RM1 and unerupted RI2–RP4 from Baume Moula‐Guercy (MIS 5e) and examines its affinities to European and Middle Eastern Middle‐to‐Late Pleistocene (≈MIS 14–MIS 1) Homo. Description of the Guercy 3 maxilla and dentition (7.0 year ± 0.9 month) is based on observations of original fossils, casts, CT scans, literature descriptions, and virtual reconstructions. Our ontogenetic sample comprises a Preneanderthal—Neanderthal group and a Homo sapiens group. These groups are subdivided into (1) Preneanderthals (≈MIS 14–9), Early Neanderthals (MIS 7‐5e), and Late Neanderthals (MIS 5d‐3), and (2) Middle (MIS 5), Upper (MIS 3–2), and Late Upper Paleolithic (≈MIS 1), and recent H. sapiens. Standard techniques were employed for measurements and developmental age determinations.The Guercy 3 maxilla lacks changes found in Late Neanderthals, including the positioning of the root of the zygomatic process, infraorbital and nasal plates, premaxilla, buccal and labial alveolus, maxillary sinus, nasal cavity, and verticality of anterior tooth implantation. The morphology of the Guercy 3 maxilla more closely approximates that of Sima de los Huesos Preneanderthals, while the dentition more closely approximates the Early–Late Neanderthal condition. Maxillary remains of children and juveniles between MIS 14–MIS 5e are rare, and the available sample is fragmentary and distorted. Although fragmentary, the Guercy 3 maxilla is undistorted and provides new insights into the evolution of the midface in Neanderthals.
Assessment of cyanobacteria and their taste and odorous metabolites in the lower River Murray: 2000–2022
Authors: Choo Florence , Sawade Emma , Cook David 
Published: April 2023

AbstractCyanobacteria continue to contribute to the taste and odor issues (T&O) in the lower River Murray. A review on the cyanobacteria and T&O data collected in the last 22 years showed that there has been a shift in cyanobacterial community and subsequent T&O profiles. The increased numbers and changes in cyanobacteria occurrence have likely influenced the resultant T&O profiles. T&O challenges started occurring more frequently post‐2015. Although the river has historically been affected by geosmin challenges, up to 999 ng/L of geosmin and 155 ng/L of 2‐methylisoborneol (MIB) concentrations that have been detected along the river. Findings from this study showed that of the 22 water treatment plants investigated, the more advanced ultrafiltration membrane and granular activated carbon system treatment plants were able to mitigate most of the T&O challenges whereas the conventional water treatment plants were more likely to have T&O breakthrough instead.
Tumor microenvironment signaling and therapeutics in cancer progression
Authors: Goenka Anshika , Khan Fatima , Verma Bhupender , Sinha Priyanka , Dmello Crismita C. , Jogalekar Manasi P. , Gangadaran Prakash , Ahn Byeong‐Cheol 
Published: April 2023

AbstractTumor development and metastasis are facilitated by the complex interactions between cancer cells and their microenvironment, which comprises stromal cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) components, among other factors. Stromal cells can adopt new phenotypes to promote tumor cell invasion. A deep understanding of the signaling pathways involved in cell‐to‐cell and cell‐to‐ECM interactions is needed to design effective intervention strategies that might interrupt these interactions. In this review, we describe the tumor microenvironment (TME) components and associated therapeutics. We discuss the clinical advances in the prevalent and newly discovered signaling pathways in the TME, the immune checkpoints and immunosuppressive chemokines, and currently used inhibitors targeting these pathways. These include both intrinsic and non‐autonomous tumor cell signaling pathways in the TME: protein kinase C (PKC) signaling, Notch, and transforming growth factor (TGF‐β) signaling, Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) stress response, lactate signaling, Metabolic reprogramming, cyclic GMP–AMP synthase (cGAS)–stimulator of interferon genes (STING) and Siglec signaling pathways. We also discuss the recent advances in Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 (PD‐1), Cytotoxic T‐Lymphocyte Associated Protein 4 (CTLA4), T‐cell immunoglobulin mucin‐3 (TIM‐3) and Lymphocyte Activating Gene 3 (LAG3) immune checkpoint inhibitors along with the C‐C chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4)‐ C‐C class chemokines 22 (CCL22)/ and 17 (CCL17), C‐C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2)‐ chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), C‐C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5)‐ chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 3 (CCL3) chemokine signaling axis in the TME. In addition, this review provides a holistic understanding of the TME as we discuss the three‐dimensional and microfluidic models of the TME, which are believed to recapitulate the original characteristics of the patient tumor and hence may be used as a platform to study new mechanisms and screen for various anti‐cancer therapies. We further discuss the systemic influences of gut microbiota in TME reprogramming and treatment response. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of the diverse and most critical signaling pathways in the TME, highlighting the associated newest and critical preclinical and clinical studies along with their underlying biology. We highlight the importance of the most recent technologies of microfluidics and lab‐on‐chip models for TME research and also present an overview of extrinsic factors, such as the inhabitant human microbiome, which have the potential to modulate TME biology and drug responses.
Silica‐Supported 1st Row Transition Metal (Nano)Catalysts: Synthetic and Catalytic Insight
Authors: Reina Antonio , Carmona‐Chávez Rodrigo , Pulido‐Díaz Israel T. , Martínez Draco , Salas‐Martin Karla P. , Guerrero‐Ríos Itzel 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe combination of first‐row transition compounds or nanoparticles with silica‐based supports offers a great possibility for catalyst design. In particular, iron, cobalt and nickel‐based materials rise in attention due to their availability, low cost and interesting reactivity, enabling transformations that are not possible with noble metals. Different support strategies exist where mesoporous silica‐based supports are of particular interest due to their morphology and stability. Their high surface area, tunable pore size and volume and both, thermal and chemical stability, are of great interest in terms of catalyst adsorption and reactants diffusion. The state of the art on the catalyzed transformations to attain fine chemicals is nowadays explored from a sustainable point of view. However, up to now, it is difficult to predict or understand the key features in silica supported first‐row transition metals‐based catalyst, despite the fact that there are widely applied. The rational tailoring of nanosized materials immobilized on silica‐based supports and their application in catalysis requires to be reviewed.
Mathematical modelling of coalescence of viscous particles: An overview
Authors: Polychronopoulos Nickolas D. , Benos Lefteris , Vlachopoulos John 
Published: April 2023

AbstractViscous particles of polymer melts and glasses coalesce under the action of surface tension. Resistance is due to viscosity, while inertia is not a contributing factor, with the Ohnesorge number being very high. Russian physicist Yakov Frenkel developed a model for neck growth during the initial stage of the merging process of two spherical particles, assuming uniform biaxial extensional flow. Frenkel's model was extended for prediction of neck size as a function of time to the completion of coalescence, expressed by an ordinary differential equation. The time t is expressed in dimensionless form as (tγ/ηR), where η, γ, and R denote the viscosity, surface tension, and particle radius, respectively. Models were also developed for viscoelastic effects, non‐isothermal conditions, and unequal diameter particles. For the coalescence of infinitely long cylinders, planar extensional flow is assumed. Other investigators presented numerical solutions of the Navier–Stokes equations, which include shear flow components, but the predictions of neck growth are not much different from those of the Frenkel‐based models. Comparisons to experiments are also discussed, involving polymers, glasses, animal tissue cells, and biomacromolecules. The models are also used in additive manufacturing applications for the determination of bonding and pore shrinkage.
PROTOCOL: Language of instruction in schools in low‐ and middle‐income countries: A systematic review
Authors: Nakamura Pooja , Leyew Zelealem , Molotsky Adria , Ranjit Varsha , Kamto Kevin 
Published: April 2023

AbstractTo address the evidence gap in making effective language of instruction (LOI) decisions, we propose a systematic review of the role of LOI choices in education programs and policies on literacy outcomes in multilingual educational contexts in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). Grounded in a multidisciplinary theory of change (ToC) describing what factors link LOI choices and literacy outcomes, we will gather, organize, and synthesize the evidence on the specific role of the three LOI choices described in the ToC (teaching in mother tongue [MT] with later transition, teaching in a non‐MT language, or teaching in two or more languages at one time) and its impact on literacy and biliteracy outcomes. We will focus our systematic review and meta‐analysis only on quantitative and qualitative intervention studies from LMICs as these have the highest relevance for decision making in multilingual LMIC contexts. We will also only include languages that are relevant and commonly spoken in LMICs. For example, we will likely include studies that examine Arabic to English transfer, but not Arabic to Swedish transfer.
Will the real units of Q please stand up?
Authors: Fairman Hugh S. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThere exists a general misunderstanding among colorists as to the units involved in the equation for tristimulus integration. The investigator of the color‐matching functions chooses four cardinal stimuli which, along with his choice to cause the three primaries to have equal coloration power to each other, causes him to assign units to the color‐matching functions in order that these units may be carried to the equation for tristimulus integration. This note discusses the development of these units using the 1931 RGB experiment and subsequent algebraic processing as an example. It develops exactly what these units are and concludes that they are consistent.