bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Crystallization behavior analysis and reducing thermal shrinkage of poly(lactic acid) miscibilized with poly(butylene succinate) film for food packaging
Authors: Jariyasakoolroj Piyawanee , Makyarm Kanyanut , Klairasamee Kanyapat , Sane Amporn , Jarupan Lerpong 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPoly(lactic acid) (PLA) incorporated with poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) through in situ reactive blending is proposed to retard thermal shrinkage. Succinic anhydride (SA) with varied contents (0.01–0.5 phr) was used as a reactive compatibilizer to enhance miscibility between PLA and PBS phases. The success of PLA chemically bound with PBS chains through simple esterification to form PLA‐SA‐PBS phase is confirmed and quantified using an X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy technique. The binding energy intensity ratio of ester and hydrocarbon in the PLA/PBS/SA blend with 0.5 phr SA increases for two‐fold, as compared to the PLA/PBS blend. The good interfacial adhesion of PLA and PBS phases is achievable with SA content up to 0.1 phr. In addition, the PLA‐SA‐PBS molecules preferentially support crystallization of PBS phase with increased degree of crystallinity (Xc,PBS) by ~15%. These enhanced homogeneity of PLA/PBS/SA blend and high Xc,PBS trigger the increased tensile strength to 50 MPa, and substantially reduced oxygen permeation coefficient approximately 10 times. Remarkably, the interpenetration of PLA‐SA‐PBS phase in amorphous PLA region coexisting with uniformly dispersed PBS crystals inhibits the PLA chain relaxation and deformation at elevated temperatures, leading to maintaining dimensional stability of PLA/PBS/SA films without shrinkage at 100°C.
Review of β‐carboline and its derivatives as selective MAO‐A inhibitors
Authors: Benny Feba , Kumar Sunil , Jayan Jayalakshmi , Abdelgawad Mohamed A. , Ghoneim Mohammed M. , Kumar Ashok , Manoharan Amritha , Susan Reshma , Sudevan Sachithra T. , Mathew Bijo 
Published: April 2023

AbstractAs flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)‐dependent enzymes, monoamine oxidases (MAOs) catalyze the oxidative deamination of various endogenous and exogenous amines. MAO‐A inhibitors are thought to be effective therapeutic agents for treating neurological diseases including depression and anxiety. Due to the academic challenge of developing new human (h) MAO‐A inhibitors and the potential for discovering substances with remarkable properties compared to existing MAO‐A inhibitors, numerous research groups are looking into novel classes of chemical compounds that may function as selective hMAO‐A inhibitors. β‐Carbolines are reported to be a prominent class of bioactive molecules exhibiting MAO‐A inhibition. Chemically, β‐carboline is a tricyclic pyrido‐3,4‐indole ring. It has only recently been discovered that this chemotype has highly effective and specific MAO‐A inhibitory activity. In this review, structure–activity relationship studies included in particular research publications from the 1960s to the present are discussed with regard to β‐carboline and its analogs. This comprehensive information helps to design and develop a new family of MAO‐A inhibitors for the management of depressive disorders.
Deep learning models for inflation forecasting
Authors: Theoharidis Alexandre Fernandes , Guillén Diogo Abry , Lopes Hedibert 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWe propose a hybrid deep learning model that merges Variational Autoencoders and Convolutional LSTM Networks (VAE‐ConvLSTM) to forecast inflation. Using a public macroeconomic database that comprises 134 monthly US time series from January 1978 to December 2019, the proposed model is compared against several popular econometric and machine learning benchmarks, including Ridge regression, LASSO regression, Random Forests, Bayesian methods, VECM, and multilayer perceptron. We find that VAE‐ConvLSTM outperforms the competing models in terms of consistency and out‐of‐sample performance. The robustness of such conclusion is ensured via cross‐validation and Monte‐Carlo simulations using different training, validation, and test samples. Our results suggest that macroeconomic forecasting could take advantage of deep learning models when tackling nonlinearities and nonstationarity, potentially delivering superior performance in comparison to traditional econometric approaches based on linear, stationary models.
An idea to explore: Augmented reality and LEGO® brick modeling in the biochemistry and cell biology classroom‐two tactile ways to teach biomolecular structure—Function
Authors: Agrawal Swati , Austin Shane 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWe present here two accessible ways for enhanced understanding of complex biological structures and their function in undergraduate Biology and Biochemistry classrooms. These methods can be applied for in‐class instruction as well as for remote lessons, as they are cheap, easily available and easy to implement. LEGO® bricks and MERGE CUBE based augmented reality can be applied to make three‐dimensional representation for any structure available on PDB. We envisage these techniques to be useful for students when visualizing simple stereochemical problems or complex pathway interactions.
The COVID‐19 Pandemic's impact on sustainability and expansion of a Pediatric Early Warning System in resource‐limited hospitals
Authors: Wiphatphumiprates Parima P. , Graetz Dylan E. , Ferrara Gia , Puerto‐Torres Maria , Gillipelli Srinithya R. , Elish Paul , Muniz‐Talavera Hilmarie , Gonzalez‐Ruiz Alejandra , Armenta Miriam , Barra Camila , Carpio Zulma , Hernandez Cinthia , Juarez Susana , de Jesus Loeza Jose , Mendez Alejandra , Montalvo Erika , Penafiel Eulalia , Pineda Estuardo , McKay Virginia , Agulnik Asya 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID‐19 pandemic impacted healthcare delivery worldwide, including pediatric cancer care, with a disproportionate effect in resource‐limited settings. This study evaluates its impact on existing quality improvement (QI) programs.MethodsWe conducted 71 semi‐structured interviews of key stakeholders at five resource‐limited pediatric oncology centers participating in a collaborative to implement Pediatric Early Warning System (PEWS). Interviews were conducted virtually using a structured interview guide, recorded, transcribed, and translated into English. Two coders developed a codebook of a priori and inductive codes and independently coded all transcripts, achieving a kappa of 0.8–0.9. Thematic analysis explored the impact of the pandemic on PEWS.ResultsAll hospitals reported limitations in material resources, reduction in staffing, and impacts on patient care due to the pandemic. However, the impact on PEWS varied across centers. Identified factors that promoted or limited ongoing PEWS use included the availability of material resources needed for PEWS, staff turnover, PEWS training for staff, and the willingness of staff and hospital leaders to prioritize PEWS. Consequently, some hospitals were able to sustain PEWS; others halted or reduced PEWS use to prioritize other work. Similarly, the pandemic delayed plans at all hospitals to expand PEWS to other units. Several participants were hopeful for future expansion of PEWS post‐pandemic.ConclusionThe COVID‐19 pandemic created challenges for sustainability and scale of PEWS, an ongoing QI program, in these resource‐limited pediatric oncology centers. Several factors mitigated these challenges and promoted ongoing PEWS use. These results can guide strategies to sustain effective QI interventions during future health crises.
Pharmacological therapy for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Duan Ruirui , Li Baicun , Yang Ting 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIn recent years, emphasis has shifted from preventing and treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to early prevention, early treatment, and disease stabilization, with the main goal of improving patients’ quality of life and reducing the frequency of acute exacerbations. This review summarizes pharmacological therapies for stable COPD.
Direct C−H Arylation of Dithiophene‐Tetrathiafulvalene: Tuneable Electronic Properties and 2D Self‐Assembled Molecular Networks at the Solid/Liquid Interface**
Authors: Ribeiro Catarina , Valente Gonçalo , Espinosa Miguel , Silva Rafaela A. L. , Belo Dulce , Gil‐Guerrero Sara , Arisnabarreta Nicolás , Mali Kunal S. , De Feyter Steven , Melle‐Franco Manuel , Souto Manuel 
Published: April 2023

AbstractTetrathiafulvalene is among the best known building blocks in molecular electronics due to its outstanding electron‐donating and redox properties. Among its derivatives, dithiophene‐tetrathiafulvalene (DT‐TTF) has attracted considerable interest in organic electronics, owing to its high field‐effect mobility. Herein, we report the direct C−H arylation of DT‐TTF to synthesise mono‐ and tetraarylated derivatives functionalised with electron‐withdrawing and electron‐donating groups in order to evaluate their influence on the electronic properties by cyclic voltammetry, UV‐vis spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. Self‐assembly of the DT‐TTF‐tetrabenzoic acid derivative was studied by using scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) which revealed the formation of ordered, densely packed 2D hydrogen‐bonded networks at the graphite/liquid interface. The tetrabenzoic acid derivative can attain a planar geometry on the graphite surface due to van der Waals interactions with the surface and H‐bonding with neighbouring molecules. This study demonstrates a simple method for the synthesis of arylated DT‐TTF derivatives towards the design and construction of novel π‐extended electroactive frameworks.
Co2+ Doped Biotinylated Carbon Dot: A Theranostic Agent for Target Specific Killing of Cancer Cells via Hypoxia Induced Apoptosis
Authors: Chowdhury Monalisa , Pal Sudeshna , Ghosh Aparajita , Kumar Das Prasanta 
Published: April 2023

AbstractConventional cancer treatments have systematic side effects that stand against its desirable therapeutic efficacy. Alternative strategies using biochemical features of cancer cells to promote apoptosis are finding notable significance. One such important biochemical feature of malignant cells is hypoxia, alteration of which can lead to cell death. Hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α) has the key role in hypoxia generation. Herein, we synthesized biotinylated Co2+‐integrated carbon dot (CoCDb) that specifically diagnose and selectively killed cancer cells with 3–3.1‐fold higher efficiency over non‐cancer cells by hypoxia induced apoptosis in absence of traditional therapeutic intervention. Immunoblotting assay in CoCDb treated MDA‐MB‐231 cells confirmed the increased expression of HIF‐1α that was responsible for efficient killing of cancer cells. In 2D cells and 3D tumor spheroid, CoCDb treated cancer cells showed significant apoptosis that make CoCDb a potential theranostic agent.
Optimum design of morphing flaps for improving horizontal axis wind turbine performance
Authors: Najafian Arezoo , Jahangirian Alireza 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThis study presents a conceptual design of optimum deformable blades as a function of wind speed. In this design, at any speed of wind flow, the blade sections have their optimal shape. Accordingly, the wind turbine performance will increase at different speeds. The WindPACT 1.5‐MW wind turbine is used as the base turbine, which has three different sections at the root, middle, and tip of the blade. The proposed deformation method, due to its simplicity, is suitable for the use of actuators. Different deflection angles are obtained at various wind speeds for each section through a controllable flap deformation method. The blade element momentum theory is used to calculate the performance of the morphing flaps. The results of this design are then validated by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations using three‐dimensional Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes equations together with the k–w turbulence model. The CFD results show that using optimum flap angles between 2° and 8° in the root, middle, and tip parts of the blade leads to a promising power increase of about 1.2%, 3.7%, and 13.5% at wind speeds of 4, 8, and 11.5 m/s.
Catastrophic health‐care payments and multidimensional poverty: Are they related?
Authors: Pinilla‐Roncancio Mónica , Amaya‐Lara Jeannette Liliana , Cedeño‐Ocampo Gustavo , Rodríguez‐Lesmes Paul , Sepúlveda Carlos 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe negative impact of health‐related out‐of‐pocket (OOP) payments is a well‐known problem in low and middle‐income countries (LMICs). Cross‐sectional analysis reveals that households use different coping mechanisms to mitigate or overcome the effect of OOP payments, but little is known from a longitudinal perspective. We explore this link using panel data for Colombia, Mexico, India, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda, and Tanzania. Using a fixed‐effect model, we computed the association between multidimensional poverty (MP) and facing catastrophic health payments (CHP) using a capacity‐to‐pay approach. We estimated different heterogeneous effects, including variables such as area of residence, facing CHP, being poor in the first wave, and facing CHP in period two. While using cross‐sectional data, we found that the association between CHP and MP is present for six of the seven countries; it is not the case for the time variation in most of them. The results provide evidence that OOP induce a long‐term impact on MP only in Colombia, India and Nigeria. In the last two countries, the levels of poverty and CHP were the highest of all seven, and the association between both situations was found by using different poverty cutoffs and thresholds to define CHP.
Immunomagnetic‐bead enriched culturomics (IMBEC) for isolating pathobionts from feces of colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Huang Ziran , Chang Yuxiao , Hao Kun , Tan Yafang , Ding Lei , Wang Likun , Wang Zhen , Pan Zhiyuan , Gao Hong , Wu Jiahong , Zhu Yubing , Gao Qi , Bi Yujing , Yang Ruifu 
Published: April 2023

AbstractCulturomics employs various cultivating conditions to obtain different types of bacteria and new species. However, current culturomics lacks a highly efficient method for isolating specific pathobionts. Immunomagnetic bead technology, which uses magnetic beads conjugated with antibodies for capturing the antigen to realize enrichment of the targets, has been employed as an alternative method. In this study, we developed a novel method, immunomagnetic bead‐enriched culturomics (IMBEC), in which magnetic bead‐conjugated antibodies purified from the fecal samples of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) were used to enrich and isolate potential pathobionts. A protocol for enriching potential pathobionts via immunomagnetic capture was developed by optimizing the concentrations of coupling reagents, NaCl, and detergent. The efficacy of pathobiont enrichment was compared between antibody‐coated magnetic beads (antibody group) and nonconjugated blank magnetic beads (blank group). To determine the proinflammatory potential of isolates from both groups, we investigated their ability to induce cytokine production in THP‐1 macrophages. This protocol was employed for isolating bacteria from 10 fecal samples of patients with CRC, which were simultaneously compared with those isolated from the blank group. A total of 209 bacterial species were isolated from both groups, including 173 from the antibody group, 160 from the blank group, and 124 from both groups. Bacteria isolated from the antibody group produced more proinflammatory cytokines than those isolated from the blank group. IMBEC is a promising method for relatively specific isolation of potential pathobionts for a particular disease of interest.
“One Belt One Road” and women development
Authors: Zhu Mingying , Hu Zhiren 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWomen have become “the source of prosperity and vitality” through their active participation in national economic development. This paper provides the first study to explore the impact of the “One Belt One Road” initiative (Belt and Road Initiative [BRI]) on women's development, which is mainly indicated by gender inequality index (GII). We adopt the difference‐in‐difference method for Asia–Europe regions from 2010 to 2019, and the propensity score matching method is further supplemented for refining the control group. The result suggests a robust negative effect of the BRI on gender inequality, and the decrease in GII caused by the BRI accounts for 33.01%. In addition, a deeper analysis is performed on subindices from multiple dimensions. We find that there has been a significant decrease in maternal mortality due to the policy. Besides, the female population has a larger increase in secondary education compared with men. Moreover, a clear labour shift has been found from family and agricultural labour to high‐value‐added industries and services. The BRI also helps improve the unfavourable condition in backward countries, which is conducive to narrowing the gap in women's development among countries along the route.
Development of serum substitute medium for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Ansari Sana , Ito Keita , Hofmann Sandra 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIn tissue engineering, cells are grown often on scaffolds and subjected to chemical/mechanical stimuli. Most such cultures still use fetal bovine serum (FBS) despite its known disadvantages including ethical concerns, safety issues, and variability in composition, which greatly influences the experimental outcomes. To overcome the disadvantages of using FBS, chemically defined serum substitute medium needs to be developed. Development of such medium depends on cell type and application—which makes it impossible to define one universal serum substitute medium for all cells in any application. Here, we developed a serum substitute medium for bone tissue engineering (BTE) in a step‐by‐step process. Essential components were added to the medium while human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (hBMSCs, osteoblast progenitor cells) were cultured in two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional substrates. In a 3‐week culture, the developed serum substitute medium worked equally well as FBS containing medium in term of cell attachment to the substrate, cell survival, osteoblast differentiation, and deposition of extracellular matrix. In the next step, the use of serum substitute medium was evaluated when culturing cells under mechanical loading in the form of shear stress. The outcomes showed that the application of shear stress is essential to improve extracellular matrix formation while using serum substitute medium. The developed serum substitute medium could pave the way in replacing FBS for BTE studies eliminating the use of controversial FBS and providing a better‐defined chemical environment for BTE studies.
Anatomical and histochemical characterization of Syzygium travancoricum Gamble (Myrtaceae)
Authors: Smitha P. S. , Anto P. V. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractSyzygium travancoricum Gamble popularly known as “Kulavettimaram” or “Kulirmaavu” is a least explored endemic endangered taxa of Southern Western Ghats, Kerala. The species is often misidentified due to its close resemblance with allied species and no other studies have been reported on the anatomical and histochemical characters of this species. This article aims to evaluate the anatomical and histochemical characteristics of various vegetative parts of S. travancoricum. Anatomical and histochemical characters of bark, stem, and leaf were analyzed using standard microscopic and histochemical procedures. S. travancoricum possessed distinct anatomical characters such as, paracytic stomata, arc shaped midrib vasculature, continuous sclerenchymatous sheath around the midrib vascular region, single layer of adaxial palisade layer, presence of druses, and quadrangular cross section contour of stem which could be combined with additional morphological and phytochemical characteristics, relevant for species identification. The bark showed the presence of lignified cells, isolated groups of fibers and sclereids, starch depositions and druses. Stem has quadrangular outline with well‐defined periderm. The petiole and the leaf blade have abundance of oil glands and druses with paracytic stomata. The anatomical and histochemical characterization are potential tools for the delineation of confusing taxa and provide substantial evidence to their quality control.
Coffee and conversation: A genuine dialogue on authentic professional learning between genetic counselor educators
Authors: Randall Armel Susan , Davis Claire 
Published: April 2023

AbstractLifelong learning is a term frequently referred to in the training and continuing professional development of genetic counselors. It implies the ability to continuously engage in self‐motivated reflection to identify knowledge gaps and develop a learning plan to address identified needs or interests. In contrast to this definition, the path to continuing professional development for most genetic counselors involves attendance at conferences; yet much data suggest that other forms of learning are more effective at leading to practice change and improved patient or quality outcomes. These conflicting ideas beg the question: what is professional learning? A dialogue between two genetic counselor educators, both with advanced training in health professional education, shares personal beliefs regarding lifelong learning in the genetic counseling profession. This discourse represents an authentic conversation that was audio‐recorded and transcribed with minimal editing to improve clarity and readability. The views presented in this dialogue are highly personal, yet grounded in educational theory. References are provided to those that desire further reading on the topics discussed. Several authentic learning strategies are described, including communities of practice, peer supervision, and personal learning projects. The authors consider ways to increase knowledge acquisition from conference attendance and discuss how learning on the job becomes embedded in practice. As a result of this discourse, the authors hope to inspire genetic counselors to reflect over their continuing professional development and consider their job as a learning environment that presents rich, ongoing, and unique opportunities for growth. The authors invite and challenge readers to identify learning needs and set goals for themselves to address those needs. For those with interest in education, it is hoped that the conversation sparks new or invigorated interest that will lead to novel or more effective learning opportunities with improved outcomes for patients, students, and colleagues alike.