bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Advancements, Challenges, and Prospects in Rechargeable Solid‐State Lithium‐Air Batteries
Authors: Gu Zhi , Xin Xing , Men Mingyang , Zhou Yangyang , Wu Jinghua , Sun Yong , Yao Xiayin 
Published: August 2023

AbstractSolid‐state lithium‐air batteries (SSLABs) are attracting widespread research interest as emerging energy storage systems with ultra‐high theoretical energy density. However, due to their relatively short development history, the practical capacity and cyclic performance of SSLABs still fail to meet application requirements. The selection of solid electrolytes and the design and optimization of air cathodes are key factors for developing high‐performance solid‐state lithium‐air batteries. In this review, we focus on recent scientific advances and challenges in SSLABs, providing a comprehensive overview of solid electrolytes, air cathodes, and interface issues. Strategies such as electrolyte modification, composite cathodes, interface engineering, and the addition of catalysts which have been effective in addressing issues related to low ionic conductivity of electrolytes, high interfacial impedance, sluggish kinetics of electrochemical reactions, and poor cycling stability, were reviewed and discussed. Furthermore, this review also discusses the prospects of SSLABs, aiming to inspire and provide references for the development of solid‐state lithium‐air batteries, as well as other metal‐air batteries.
miR‐34a/SIRT1/HIF‐1α axis is involved in cardiac angiogenesis of type 2 diabetic rats: The protective effect of sodium butyrate combined with treadmill exercise
Authors: Sarlak Zeynab , Eidi Akram , Ghorbanzadeh Vajihe , Moghaddasi Mehrnoush , Mortazavi Pejman 
Published: August 2023

AbstractType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most common metabolic disorders worldwide. Recent research has indicated that sodium butyrate (NaB) affects glucose metabolism and exercise has an anti‐hyperglycemic effect in diabetes. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of NaB and treadmill exercise on heart angiogenesis through the miR‐34a/SIRT1/FOXO1‐HIF‐1α pathway. Diabetic animals received NaB (400 mg/kg daily, orally) and treadmill exercise for 6 weeks. The effect of NaB and treadmill exercise, alone or combined, on miR‐34a expression, SIRT1, FOXO1, HIF‐1α levels, and angiogenesis in diabetic heart tissue was measured. Diabetes caused increased miR‐34a (p < 0.01) and FOXO1 (p < 0.001) expression levels. Also, SIRT1 (p < 0.001) and HIF‐1α (not significant) expression levels were reduced in diabetic rats. NaB and treadmill exercise decreased miR‐34a (respectively p < 0.05 and not significant) and FOXO1 (both p < 0.001) expression levels and improved SIRT1 (both not significant) and HIF‐1α (respectively p < 0.01 and p < 0.001) levels. Also, NaB combined with treadmill exercise decreased miR‐34a (p < 0.001) and FOXO1 (p < 0.001) expression levels, and elevated SIRT1 (p < 0.05) and HIF‐1α (p < 0.001) levels in comparison with the diabetic group. NaB and treadmill exercises modulate the expression of miR‐34a and the levels of SIRT1, FOXO1, and HIF‐1α proteins, thus increasing angiogenesis in the heart tissue of diabetic rats. It can be concluded that NaB and treadmill exercise, alone or combined, may be useful in the treatment of diabetes through the miR‐34a/SIRT1/FOXO1‐HIF‐1α pathway.
The reputational costs of corporate environmental underperformance: evidence from China
Authors: Hossain Md Mosharraf , Wang Lafang , Yu Jing 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis study evaluates the relative importance of regulative and reputational pressures on corporate environmental performance by exploiting a novel research setting in China, where the financial penalties for corporate environmental wrongdoing are small. Despite the small monetary penalties, we still document a surprisingly strong negative stock price reaction to the news of corporate environmental violations. Additionally, we show that the negative stock market reaction weakens in firms with strong voluntary environmental commitment. But the effect of voluntary environmental commitment is less pronounced in state‐ or foreign‐owned firms. Our study yields important managerial implications: our findings reveal considerable reputational losses associated with environmental misconducts and demonstrate the benefit of voluntary environmental commitment in upholding corporate reputation and helping firms recover during unfavorable environmental crises.
Disparities in cancer mortality patterns: A comprehensive examination of U.S. rural and urban adults, 1999–2020
Authors: Sokale Itunu O. , Raza Syed Ahsan , Thrift Aaron P. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundCancer mortality rates overall in the U.S. have decreased significantly; however, the rate of decline has not been uniform across sociodemographic groups. We aimed to compare trends in cancer mortality rates from 1999 to 2020 between rural and urban individuals and to examine whether any rural–urban differences are uniform across racial and ethnic groups.MethodsWe used U.S.‐wide data from the National Center for Health Statistics, for all cancer deaths among individuals aged 25 years or older. We estimated average annual percentage change (AAPC) in age‐standardized cancer mortality rates in the U.S. by cancer type, rural–urban status, sex, and race and ethnicity.ResultsThere was a larger reduction in cancer mortality rates among individuals from urban (males: AAPC, −1.96%; 95% CI, −2.03, −1.90; females: AAPC, −1.56%; 95% CI, −1.64, −1.48) than rural (males: AAPC, −1.43%; 95% CI, −1.47, −1.39; females: AAPC, −0.93; 95% CI, −1.03, −0.82) areas. AAPCs for cancer types were uniformly higher among urban areas compared with rural areas. Despite overall decreases, deaths rates for liver and pancreas cancers increased, including in the most recent period among males (2012–2020, APC, 1.34; 95% CI, 0.49, 2.20) and females (2013–2020, APC, 1.52; 95% CI, 0.03, 3.02) in rural areas.ConclusionsCancer death rates decreased in all racial and ethnic populations; however, the rural–urban differences varied by race/ethnicity. The rate of decline in mortality rates were lower in rural areas and death rates for liver and pancreas cancers increased, particularly for individuals living in rural America.
Exploring the Potential of Anthraquinone‐Based Hybrids for Identifying a Novel Generation of Antagonists for the Smoothened Receptor in HH‐Dependent Tumour
Authors: Quaglio Deborah , Infante Paola , Cammarone Silvia , Lamelza Lara , Conenna Marilisa , Ghirga Francesca , Adabbo Gennaro , Pisano Luca , Di Marcotullio Lucia , Botta Bruno , Mori Mattia 
Published: August 2023

AbstractNatural products (NPs) are highly profitable pharmacological tools due to their chemical diversity and ability to modulate biological systems. Accessing new chemical entities while retaining the biological relevance of natural chemotypes is a fundamental goal in the design of novel bioactive compounds. Notably, NPs have played a crucial role in understanding Hedgehog (HH) signalling and its pharmacological modulation in anticancer therapy. However, HH antagonists developed so far have shown several limitations, thus growing interest in the design of second‐generation HH inhibitors. Through smart manipulation of the NPs core‐scaffold, unprecedented and intriguing architectures have been achieved following different design strategies. This study reports the rational design and synthesis of a first and second generation of anthraquinone‐based hybrids by combining the rhein scaffold with variously substituted piperazine nuclei that are structurally similar to the active portion of known SMO antagonists, the main transducer of the HH pathway. A thorough functional and biological investigation identified RH2_2 and RH2_6 rhein‐based hybrids as valuable candidates for HH inhibition through SMO antagonism, with the consequent suppression of HH‐dependent tumour growth. These findings also corroborated the successful application of the NPs‐based hybrid design strategy in the development of novel NP‐based SMO antagonists.
Enhancing mechanical strength of electrospun nanofibers by coaxial electrospinning and thermal treatment
Authors: Li Yifu , Smith Scott A. , Zhou Norman , Tan Zhongchao 
Published: August 2023

AbstractElectrospinning of nonwoven nanofibrous mats has received significant attention in recent years due to the high versatility and porosity of electrospun mats. However, electrospun mats generally suffer from low mechanical strength. This work reports a method to improve the mechanical strength of nanofiber mats by coaxial electrospinning combined with thermal treatment, without incurring significant dimensional shrinkage. Coaxial polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/polyvinylidene fluoride‐hexafluoropropylene (PVDF‐HFP) mats showed no shrinkage when tested at temperatures up to 240°C for 20 min, compared to a shrinkage of 94% for the homogenous PVDF‐HFP mats when treated at 190°C for 20 min. When treated at 178°C for up to 30 min, the coaxial fibres consistently showed changes in thickness of less than 10% and no significant change in area. The coaxial PAN/PVDF‐HFP mats showed negligible changes in average porosity after treatment at 178°C for 20 min. The mechanical strength of the coaxial samples heat treated at 178°C for 5 min was 7.72 MPa, a 22% increase from that before heating, and a 54% increase compared to the as‐spun homogenous PVDF‐HFP. Thus, the proposed technique of combining heat treatment with coaxial morphologies demonstrates significant potential for improving mechanical strength without dimensional shrinkage.
A new intelligent prediction model using machine learning linked to grey wolf optimizer algorithm for O2/N2 adsorption
Authors: Mashhadimoslem Hossein , Kermani Vahid , Zanganeh Kourosh , Shafeen Ahmed , Elkamel Ali 
Published: August 2023

AbstractTo address the deficiency and predict the adsorption performance in different adsorbents, this study proposes a new optimizer linked to the machine learning (ML) model considering the performance of the adsorption process. The main goal is to predict adsorption under different process conditions with different adsorbents and provide a unified framework, leading to the prediction of adsorption phenomena instead of traditional isotherm models. This research focuses on predicting the adsorbed amount of O2 and N2 on several carbon‐based adsorbents using the ML approach linked to the grey wolf optimizer algorithm (GWO). Experimental isotherm data (dataset 1344) on adsorbent type, temperature, pressure, gas type, and adsorption capacity of the process adsorption were used as input and output datasets. The best algorithm was Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno (BFGS), a two‐layer network from a multi‐layer perceptron (MLP) method applying 28 neurons. The new MLP‐GWO network would have the best mean square error (MSE) efficiencies of 0.00037, while the R2 (r‐squared) was 0.9934. The new ML‐generated model can accurately predict the adsorption process behaviour of different carbon‐based adsorbents under various process conditions. The results of this research have the potential to assist a wide range of gas separation industries.
Racial disparity in the genomics of precision oncology of prostate cancer
Authors: Le Tu , Rojas Pilar Soto , Fakunle Mary , Huang Franklin W. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundSignificant racial disparities in prostate cancer incidence and mortality have been reported between African American Men (AAM), who are at increased risk for prostate cancer, and European American Men (EAM). In most of the studies carried out on prostate cancer, this population is underrepresented. With the advancement of genome‐wide association studies, several genetic predictor models of prostate cancer risk have been elaborated, as well as numerous studies that identify both germline and somatic mutations with clinical utility.Recent FindingsDespite significant advances, the AAM population continues to be underrepresented in genomic studies, which can limit generalizability and potentially widen disparities. Here we outline racial disparities in currently available genomic applications that are used to estimate the risk of individuals developing prostate cancer and to identify personalized oncology treatment strategies. While the incidence and mortality of prostate cancer are different between AAM and EAM, samples from AAM remain to be unrepresented in different studies.ConclusionThis disparity impacts the available genomic data on prostate cancer. As a result, the disparity can limit the predictive utility of the genomic applications and may lead to the widening of the existing disparities. More studies with substantially higher recruitment and engagement of African American patients are necessary to overcome this disparity.
Extraskeletal mesenchymal chondrosarcoma arising from soft tissues: A rare case report
Authors: Shahnazari Razieh , Montazer Fatemeh , Shirzadi Shahriar , Karaji Sina 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundChondrosarcomas are an exceedingly rare form of cancer, impacting only a few individuals per million. Among chondrosarcomas, a small fraction belongs to the mesenchymal sub‐type. Furthermore, only one‐third of mesenchymal chondrosarcomas manifest in extraskeletal locations.CaseA 38‐year‐old woman was referred by a midwife after experiencing pain in the right upper quadrant of her right breast for 2 months. The mass had been palpable for 1 week before the initial assessment. According to radiological evaluations, the tumor is outside breast tissue and not connected to the bones. Hence, a biopsy of the mass is done. The biphasic morphology of the tumor during pathological evaluation, in addition to immunohistochemistry testing, confirms the diagnosis of extraskeletal mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (EMCS). Finally, the mass was surgically removed, and 6 months of chemotherapy were administered to the patient.ConclusionGiven the tumor's rarity and the lack of established guidelines, diagnosing EMCS can be challenging and prone to errors. As such, meticulous sampling, along with precise pathological and imaging investigations, is imperative to accurately establish the diagnosis of these tumors.
Remarkable Enhancement of Hole Mobility of Novel DA‐D’‐AD Small Molecules by Thermal Annealing: Effect of the D’‐Bridge Block.
Authors: Kuznetsov Ilya E. , Piryazev Alexey A. , Akhkiamova Azaliia F. , Sideltsev Maxim E. , Anokhin Denis V. , Lolaeva Alina V. , Gapanovich Mikhail V. , Zamoretskov Davlad S. , Sagdullina Diana K. , Klyuev Mikhail V. , Ivanov Dimitri A. , Akkuratov Alexander V. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractConjugated small molecules are advanced semiconductor materials with attractive physicochemical and optoelectronic properties enabling the development of next‐generation electronic devices. The charge carrier mobility of small molecules strongly influences the efficiency of organic and hybrid electronics based on them. Herein, we report the synthesis of four novel small molecules and their investigation with regard to the impact of molecular structure and thermal treatment of films on charge carriers’ mobility. The benzodithiophene‐containing compounds (BDT) were shown to be more promising in terms of tuning the morphology upon thermal treatment. Impressive enhancement of hole mobilities by more than 50 times was found for annealed films based on a compound M4 comprising triisopropylsilyl‐functionalized BDT core. The results provide a favorable experience and strategy for the rational design of state‐of‐the‐art organic semiconductor materials (OSMs) and for improving their charge‐transport characteristics.
Isolation of Projection‐Specific and Behavior‐Relevant Amygdala Circuit for RNA Sequencing
Authors: He Yu‐Ting , Zou Jia‐Xin , He Ye , Wang Chun‐Yan , Pan Bing‐Xing , Pan Han‐Qing 
Published: August 2023

AbstractOne of the most sought‐after topics in neuroscience is to understand how the environment regulates the activity and function of neural circuitry and subsequently influences relevant behaviors. In response to alterations in the environment, the neural circuits undergo adaptive changes ranging from gene expression changes to altered cellular function. Performing sequencing of the transcriptome involved in these behavior‐related circuits will provide clues to accurately dissect the detailed mechanisms of related behavior. Here, we describe methods for marking and collecting the ventral hippocampus–projecting basolateral amygdala neurons, which have been repeatedly implicated in regulation of anxiety‐like behavior, and subsequently constructing a library ready for sequencing. Specifically, the reported approaches include adeno‐associated virus injection, acute brain slice isolation, cell suspension preparation, cell extraction, and cDNA library construction. By utilizing the techniques described here, researchers can comprehensively investigate the transcriptional levels of neural clusters embedded in particular circuits and discover potential pathogenic and therapeutic targets for behavior‐relevant disorders. © 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol 1: Tagging of behavior‐related neural circuitsBasic Protocol 2: Isolation and capture of fluorescent‐positive cellsBasic Protocol 3: Foundation of sequencing library
Demographic consequences of an extreme heat wave are mitigated by spatial heterogeneity in an annual monkeyflower
Authors: McDonald Laura M. , Scharnagl Anna , Turcu Andrea K. , Patterson Courtney M. , Kooyers Nicholas J. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractHeat waves are becoming more frequent and intense with climate change, but the demographic and evolutionary consequences of heat waves are rarely investigated in herbaceous plant species. We examine the consequences of a short but extreme heat wave in Oregon populations of the common yellow monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus) by leveraging a common garden experiment planted with range‐wide populations and observational studies of 11 local populations. In the common garden, 89% of seedlings died during the heat wave including >96% of seedlings from geographically local populations. Some populations from hotter and drier environments had higher fitness, however, others from comparable environments performed poorly. Observational studies of local natural populations drastically differed in the consequences of the heat wave—one population was completely extirpated and nearly half had a >50% decrease in fitness. However, a few populations had greater fitness during the heat wave year. Differences in mortality corresponded to the impact of the heat wave on soil moisture—retention of soil moisture throughout the heat wave led to greater survivorship. Our results suggest that not all populations experience the same intensity or degree of mortality during extreme events and such heterogeneity could be important for genetic rescue or to facilitate the distribution of adaptive variants throughout the region.
Weathering the hunt: The role of barometric pressure in predator insects' foraging behaviour
Authors: Azevedo Kamila E. X. , Magalhães Diego M. , de Andrade Moral Rafael , Bento José Maurício S. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAbiotic factors strongly influence ecological interactions and the spatial distribution of organisms. Despite the essential role of barometric pressure, its influence on insect behaviour remains poorly understood, particularly in predators. The effect of barometric pressure variation can significantly impact biological control programs involving entomophagous insects, as they must efficiently allocate time and energy to search for prey in challenging environments. We investigated how predatory insects from different taxonomic groups (Coleoptera, Dermaptera and Neuroptera) adapt their foraging behaviour in response to variations in barometric pressure (low, medium and high). We also examined the response of different life stages to changes in pressure regimes during foraging activities. Our results showed that the searching time of Doru luteipes (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) was faster in a favourable high‐pressure regime, whereas Chrysoperla externa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and Eriopis connexa (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) had similar searching times under varying pressure regimes. Although no differences in prey feeding time were observed among the studied species, the consumption rate was influenced by low barometric pressure leading to a decrease in the number of preyed eggs. Moreover, we provide novel insights into how hemimetabolous (D. luteipes) and holometabolous (E. connexa) species at different life stages respond to barometric pressure. Doru luteipes nymphs and adults had similar consumption rates across all pressure regimes tested, whereas E. connexa larvae consumed fewer eggs under low barometric pressure, but adults were unaffected. This highlights the importance of investigating how abiotic factors affect insects foraging efficiency and predator–prey interactions. Such studies are especially relevant in the current context of climate change, as even subtle changes in abiotic factors can have strong effects on insect behaviour. Barometric pressure is a key meteorological variable that serve as a warning signal for insects to seek shelter and avoid exposure to weather events that could potentially increase their mortality. Understanding the effects of barometric pressure on predatory insects' behaviour can help us develop more effective pest management strategies and promote the resilience of agroecosystems. We provide new insights into the complex relationship between barometric pressure and predator–prey interactions.
The native reed‐specific bird, reed parrotbill, has been detected in exotic smooth cordgrass
Authors: Dawei Wu , Zhenqi Wang , Wei Hu , Changhu Lu , Pan Chen 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAfter the smooth cordgrass Spartina alterniflora invaded coastal China, native birds started avoiding the green desert, and bird diversity declined. After many years, a few passerine birds began to enter and use smooth cordgrass, but only birds with a nonspecialised habitat. In this study, we found that a native reed‐specific bird, the parrotbill Calamornis heudei, flocked and sang in a smooth cordgrass habitat throughout the overwintering period near Sheyang Port in Yancheng, Jiangsu Province. This observation suggests that native obligate birds may be forced to adapt to exotic smooth cordgrass habitats after long‐term coexistence, which would, obviously, affect the distribution, feeding and reproduction of birds. The concern is that this could be an ecological trap, leading to unknown consequences. More research is required to examine the process occurring along the Chinese coast.