bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Potential of an Itaconic Acid Diester as Environmentally Friendly Plasticizer for Injection‐Molded Polylactide Parts
Authors: Ivorra‐Martinez Juan , Peydro Miguel Angel , Gomez‐Caturla Jaume , Boronat Teodomiro , Balart Rafa 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThis work reports on the use of dibutyl itaconate (DBI) as an environmentally friendly plasticizer for polylactide (PLA) with different proportions of DBI in the 2.5–20 wt% (weight content) range. A co‐rotating twin‐screw extrusion process followed by injection molding is employed for the manufacturing of the samples. The results show that the plasticized PLA formulation with 10 wt% DBI offers the most balanced overall properties, with a noticeable increase in the elongation at break from 4.6% (neat PLA) up to 322%, with a tensile modulus of 1572 MPa, and a tensile strength of 23.8 MPa. In the case of 15 and 20 wt% DBI formulations, PLA reaches the saturation point with no more increase in the elongation at break and a clear decrease in the tensile modulus. DBI also decreases the glass transition temperature (Tg) from 61.3 °C (neat PLA) down to 23.4 °C for plasticized PLA formulation containing 20 wt% DBI, thus showing the high plasticization efficiency of DBI.
Recent Advances in Peptide Engineering of PEG Hydrogels: Strategies, Functional Regulation, and Biomedical Applications
Authors: Xiao Zixuan , Zhao Shujing , Zhang Xiaoyuan , Wei Gang , Su Zhiqiang 
Published: August 2022

AbstractPolyethylene glycol (PEG) is hydrophilic, biocompatible, and electrically neutral in an aqueous solution due to its unique internal structure. PEG is widely used to prepare hydrogels for applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering. In addition, PEG can be used as a functionalization agent of biomaterials to prolong the presence of drug systems in vivo in biomedical applications. The functionalization of PEG hydrogels using functional peptides gives PEG hydrogels the advantages of better biocompatibility, higher loading efficiency, more adjustable lifetime, and lower cost, which have exhibited promising applications in biomedical fields. In this review, recent advances in the functionalization of PEG hydrogels with peptides for biomedical applications are presented. For this aim, first, the basic properties of PEG hydrogels are described by introducing various preparation methods, and then, the functional regulation of PEG hydrogels is demonstrated with different motif‐designed peptides to achieve specific properties. Finally, biomedical applications of peptide‐engineered PEG hydrogels in controlled drug delivery, tissue engineering, medical diagnostics, bioimaging, and biosensing are described in detail. This work provides a systematic literature review on this promising topic and facilitates readers in the design of composite materials and functional tailoring of PEG hydrogels with biomolecules.
Sub‐lineages of the SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron variants: Characteristics and prevention
Authors: Xu Ailan , Hong Bixia , Lou Fuxing , Wang Shuqi , Li Wenye , Shafqat Amna , An Xiaoping , Zhao Yunwei , Song Lihua , Tong Yigang , Fan Huahao 
Published: August 2022

AbstractSince the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, new variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) have emerged, accelerating the spread of the virus. Omicron was defined by the World Health Organization in November 2021 as the fifth “variant of concern” after Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta. In recent months, Omicron has become the main epidemic strain. Studies have shown that Omicron carries more mutations than Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and wild‐type, facilitating immune escape and accelerating its transmission. This review focuses on the Omicron variant's origin, transmission, main biological features, subvariants, mutations, immune escape, vaccination, and detection methods. We also discuss the appropriate preventive and therapeutic measures that should be taken to address the new challenges posed by the Omicron variant. This review is valuable to guide the surveillance, prevention, and development of vaccines and other therapies for Omicron variants. It is desirable to develop a more efficient vaccine against the Omicron variant and take more effective measures to constrain the spread of the epidemic and promote public health.
Repeat‐Associated Non‐AUG Translation of AGAGGG Repeats that Cause X‐Linked Dystonia‐Parkinsonism
Authors: Reyes Charles Jourdan , Asano Katsura , Todd Peter K. , Klein Christine , Rakovic Aleksandar 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundX‐linked dystonia‐parkinsonism (XDP) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the intronic insertion of a SINE‐VNTR‐Alu (SVA) retrotransposon carrying an (AGAGGG)n repeat expansion in the TAF1 gene. The molecular mechanisms by which this mutation causes neurodegeneration remain elusive.ObjectivesWe investigated whether (AGAGGG)n repeats undergo repeat‐associated non‐AUG (RAN) translation, a pathogenic mechanism common among repeat expansion diseases.MethodsXDP‐specific RAN translation reporter plasmids were generated, transfected in HEK293 cells, and putative dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs) were detected by Western blotting. Immunocytochemistry was performed in COS‐7 cells to determine the subcellular localization of one DPR.ResultsWe detected putative DPRs from two reading frames, supporting the translation of poly‐(Glu‐Gly) and poly‐(Arg‐Glu) species. XDP RAN translation initiates within the (AGAGGG)n sequence and poly‐(Glu‐Gly) DPRs formed nuclear inclusions in transfected cells.ConclusionsIn summary, our work provides the first in‐vitro proof of principle that the XDP‐linked (AGAGGG)n repeat expansions can undergo RAN translation. © 2022 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Skin dose distributions between Stanford and rotational techniques in total skin electron therapy (TSET)
Authors: Ding George X. , Chen Zhe J. , Zhong Weili , Zhu Timothy C. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractPurposeTotal skin electron therapy (TSET) has proven to be one of the most effective treatments for advanced‐stage cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma. Two most used techniques are the Stanford six‐field and rotational techniques. This study compares patient skin dose distributions as a function of depth between these two techniques.MethodsThe EGSnrc system was used to simulate electron beams and calculate patient dose distributions. The calculations assumed the same patient standing on a platform, and the patient's different postures were ignored for the Stanford technique in the comparison of dose distributions. The skin doses were analyzed as a function of skin depth‐dose coverage and evaluated using dose‐volume‐histograms (DVH). The comparisons were performed in three realistic clinical settings in which dual‐field were used for patients treated at extended distances of 316 and 500 cm, and a single field was used at 700 cm. In all cases the realistic patient treatment beam delivery geometry was simulated.ResultsAlthough small dose differences were observed in some local areas, no clinically significant differences were found in the patient 3D dose distributions between the Stanford and rotational techniques. Virtually the same DVH curves between two the techniques were observed for mean dose to skin depth of 0–5, 5–10, and 10–15 mm from the skin surface, respectively. It is found that the skin depth dose coverage is 2 mm shallower for patient treatment at 500 cm compared to at 316 cm due to the additional air attenuation. However, very similar dose coverage and uniformity can be achieved at these two different extended treatment distances by adjusting the thickness of acrylic scatter plate. Adequate thickness of a scattering plate improves the skin dose uniformity.ConclusionBoth the Stanford and rotational techniques deliver very similar skin dose coverage in DVH plots, and only small differences are seen in local areas. It is worth to emphasize that the DVH is a graphical representation of the distribution of dose within a structure, and it does not contain spatial information. Therefore, comparison of entire skin dose using DVH may mask some variations at different locations of the surface area. In addition, the comparison did not consider different patient postures of the Stanford technique. Including the different patient postures in the calculation may affect the result of doses to the limbs.
Investigation of the surfactant distribution in oil‐in‐water emulsions during the crystallization of the dispersed phase via nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry and diffusometry
Authors: Kaysan Gina , Kräling Raphael , Meier Manuel , Nirschl Hermann , Guthausen Gisela , Kind Matthias 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe crystallization of melt emulsions is of great interest to the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Surfactants are used in emulsions and suspensions to stabilize the dispersed phase; thus, questions arise about the liquid–liquid and solid–liquid interfaces of the droplets or particles and the distribution of the surfactant in the different phases (continuous and dispersed phase, interface). Nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation and diffusion measurements revealed that the internal and rotational mobility of surfactant molecules at the liquid–liquid interface decreases with increasing droplet sizes. Additionally, solid–liquid interfaces have fewer surfactants than liquid–liquid interfaces as a result of the desorption of the surfactant molecules during the crystallization of the droplets. Relaxation rates of surfactant molecules in aqueous solution as single molecules, micelles, and at the liquid–liquid and solid–liquid interface are analyzed for the first time.
Artificial urinary sphincter cuffs and safe instrument/catheter passage guidelines
Authors: Otis‐Chapados Samuel , Kim Justin , Radomski Sidney B. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractPurposeThe artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is the gold standard for males with urinary incontinence. It is generally a safe procedure with a high degree of satisfaction. However, there is a lifelong risk of infection and erosion. AUS cuffs are commonly placed around the bulbar urethral area. There is always a risk of trauma and erosion of cuffs with catheterization or endoscopy. At this time, there is little guidance as to which size catheters or scopes can pass through each AUS cuff sizes safely. The goal of this study was to determine which size of catheters/scopes can pass through different cuff sizes safely in an ex vivo setting.MethodAll AUS cuff sizes available (3.5 cm up to 6.0 cm), catheter sizes between 12 and 22 Fr, and scope sizes 19 Fr flexible/rigid, 21−26 Fr rigid scopes were examined. We used deflated assembled cuffs on the bench (ex vivo) and three different blind observers to measure the free space left between the wall of the cuff and the catheter/scope to be sure that there was consistency. We created a scale from 1 to 3 to determine the ease of passage for each catheter/scope. We also had an MRI radiologist examine bulbar urethra thickness in 20 male patients to determine the average thickness without the bulbospongiosus muscle. Using our average bulbar urethral thickness, we were able to estimate how much free space remained within the urethral lumen and how easy and safe it was to pass each catheter/scope.ResultsFor 3.5 cm cuffs, 12 Fr catheters pass easily and safely, 14−16 Fr catheters and 19 Fr flexible/rigid scopes can pass through with some mild risk of trauma. Larger catheter/scope sizes cannot pass through without a significant risk of trauma. For 4.0 cm cuffs, 12−14 Fr catheters pass easily and safely. 16−18 Fr catheters and 19−21 Fr rigid/flexible scopes can pass with some mild risk of trauma. Larger catheter/scope sizes cannot pass through safely. For 4.5 cm cuffs, 12−18 Fr catheters and 19 Fr flexible/rigid scopes pass easily and safely. 20−22 Fr catheters and 21 Fr rigid scopes can pass with some mild risk of trauma. Larger catheter/scope sizes cannot pass through safely. For 5.0 cm cuffs, 12−22 Fr catheters and 19−21 Fr flexible/rigid scopes can pass easily and safely. 22−26 Fr scopes can pass with some mild risk of trauma. For 5.5 cm cuffs, all catheters/scopes can pass easily and safely. However, the 26 Fr rigid scope can pass with some mild risk of trauma. For 6 cm cuffs, all catheters/scopes examined can pass easily and safely.ConclusionOur study can guide urologists in the management of patients with an AUS who need urethral catheters or endoscopy. These recommendations are based on the measurements of our study along with bulbar urethral thickness. In general, greater caution is needed with smaller cuff sizes (3.5−4.5 cm). Our recommendations, with minimal urethral compression, are purposely conservative and safe to avoid trauma and erosion of the AUS cuffs.
Exceptional design of super/hyperbases based on spiro‐alleneic structures in gas phase: A density functional theory study
Authors: Deljuie Fatemeh , Rouhani Morteza , Saeidian Hamid 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIn this investigation, some of the designed spiro‐alleneic derivatives with variety electron‐donating substituents have been studied by B3LYP/6‐311 + G(d,p) level of theory to assess their potential as strong hyperbases and superbases. The results showed that the protonation at alleneic C (sp) site gives 14 novel neutral organic bases with significant proton affinities (PAs) = 252.83–318.44 kcal·mol−1, in which six of them are hyperbases and the rest of them are superbases. The PAs of designed spiro‐alleneic derivatives were improved by substitution of electron‐releasing groups on the molecular structure. Two indices of aromaticity, nucleus‐independent chemical shift (NICS) and harmonic oscillator model of aromaticity (HOMA), were also applied for the explanation of basicity of three spiro‐alleneic derivatives, which indicates that cyclopropene and cycloheptatriene rings on some of the designed structures turn aromatic upon protonation of alleneic central carbon atom.
Effect of corticosteroid therapy on mortality in COVID‐19 patients—A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Patel Chirag , Parmar Krupanshu , Patel Dipanshi , Patel Sandip , Sheth Devang , Beladiya Jayesh V. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe effect of corticosteroid therapy is still controversial on prevention of mortality in coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19). The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of corticosteroids on mortality. This systematic review was performed as per preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses guidelines. A systematic search was performed at different databases namely Medline/PubMed, Cochrane and Google scholar on 10 February 2022. A pooled estimate for effect of corticosteroid therapy on mortality was calculated as outcome of study. Risk bias analysis and Newcastle Ottawa Scale were used to assess the quality of randomized control trial (RCT) and cohort studies, respectively. Cochran's Q test and the I2 statistic were conducted for heterogeneity and accordingly study model was applied. A total 43 studies were included, having sample size of 96,852 patients. Amongst them, 19,426 and 77,426 patients received corticosteroid therapy (intervention group) or standard treatment without corticosteroid (control group), respectively. Mortality observed in the intervention and control group was 14.2% (2749) and 7.1% (5459), respectively. The pooled estimate 2.173 (95% CI: 2.0690–2.2820) showed significantly increased mortality in intervention as compared to control. The pooled estimate of methyprednisolone 1.206 (95% CI: 1.0770–1.3500) showed significantly increased mortality while the pooled estimate of dexamethasone 1.040 (95% CI: 0.9459–1.1440) showed insignificantly increased mortality as compared to control. In conclusion, corticosteroid therapy produced a negative prognosis as depicted by increased mortality among COVID‐19 patients. The possible reasons might be delay in virus clearance and secondary infections due to corticosteroids initiated at high dose in the early stage of infection.
Advanced Nanostructured Conjugated Microporous Polymer Application in a Tandem Photoelectrochemical Cell for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Barawi Mariam , Alfonso‐González Elena , López‐Calixto Carmen G. , García Alberto , García‐Sánchez Alba , Villar‐García Ignacio J. , Liras Marta , de la Peña O'Shea Victor A. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractSolar energy conversion through photoelectrochemical cells by organic semiconductors is a hot topic that continues to grow due to the promising optoelectronic properties of this class of materials. In this sense, conjugated polymers have raised the interest of researchers due to their interesting light‐harvesting properties. Besides, their extended π‐conjugation provides them with an excellent charge conduction along the whole structure. In particular, conjugated porous polymers (CPPs) exhibit an inherent porosity and three‐dimensional structure, offering greater surface area, and higher photochemical and mechanical stability than their linear relatives (conjugated polymers, CPs). However, CPP synthesis generally provides large particle powders unsuitable for thin film preparation, limiting its application in optoelectronic devices. Here, a synthetic strategy is presented to prepare nanostructures of a CPP suitable to be used as photoelectrode in a photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell. In this way, electronic and photoelectrochemical properties are measured and, attending to the optoelectronic properties, two hybrid photoelectrodes (photoanode and photocathode) are designed and built to assemble a tandem PEC cell. The final device exhibits photocurrents of 0.5 mA cm−2 at a 0.7 V in the two electrode configuration and the hydrogen evolution reaction is observed and quantified by gas chromatography, achieving 581 µmol of H2 in a one‐hour reaction.
Covalent Organic Framework Nanocarriers of Singlet Oxygen for Oxygen‐Independent Concurrent Photothermal/Photodynamic Therapy to Ablate Hypoxic Tumors
Authors: Dutta Debabrata , Wang Jingbo , Li Xiang , Zhou Qinghao , Ge Zhishen 
Published: August 2022

AbstractPhotodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancers is seriously restricted by tumor hypoxia. In addition to the intrinsic hypoxic microenvironment, continuous photoirradiation further aggravates intratumoral hypoxia, thereby reducing the PDT effect significantly. Oxygen‐independent PDT is recognized as an efficient approach to overcome this issue. Herein, singlet oxygen (1O2)‐stored covalent organic framework (COF) nanoparticles loading the near‐infrared (NIR) dye cypate, which realize oxygen‐independent 1O2 production for concurrent photothermal therapy (PTT) and PDT under NIR irradiation, are presented. The cypate‐loading COF nanoparticles are prepared by using the photosensitizers and 1O2‐stored molecules via formation of Schiff base bonds, followed by coverage of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone). The COF nanoparticles significantly improve the photostability and photothermal conversion efficiency of cypate by protecting them from photodegradation under NIR irradiation. Upon 660 nm laser irradiation, 1O2 is produced by the photosensitizer motifs and is successfully stored by the 1O2‐stored moieties. After intravenous injection and tumor accumulation, the COF nanoparticles can generate heat quickly upon 808 nm irradiation which induces the efficient release of the stored 1O2 to ablate tumors via O2‐independent concurrent PTT/PDT. Accordingly, the COF nanocarriers of 1O2 provide a paradigm to develop O2‐independent concurrent PTT/PDT for precise cancer treatment upon NIR irradiation.
Metal‐Organic Framework Confined Solvent Ionic Liquid Enables Long Cycling Life Quasi‐Solid‐State Lithium Battery in Wide Temperature Range
Authors: Liu Zhaoen , Hu Zewei , Jiang Xueao , Wang Xiwen , Li Zhe , Chen Zhengjian , Zhang Yan , Zhang Shiguo 
Published: August 2022

AbstractSolid‐state Li batteries are receiving increasing attention as a prospective energy storage system due to the high energy density and improved safety. However, the high interfacial resistance between solid‐state electrolyte and electrode results in sluggish Li+ transport kinetics. To tackle the interfacial problem and prolong the cycle life of solid‐state Li batteries, a quasi‐solid‐state electrolyte (QSSE) based on a solvate ionic liquid (SIL) space‐restricted in nanocages of UIO‐66 (SIL/UIO‐66) is prepared in this study. Benefiting from the effective spatial confinement of the TFSI− by the pore UIO‐66 and the strong chemical interactions between the SIL and metal atoms, SIL/UIO‐66 QSSE exhibits high ionic conductivity and good compatibility with electrodes. As a result, Li|QSSE|LFP cells demonstrate excellent rate capability and cycle stability in a wide temperature range of 25–90 °C. This study provides a realistic strategy for the fabrication of safe solid electrolytes with excellent compatibility and long cycle life for high‐performance QSSE Li‐ion batteries.
The impact of oil and gas job opportunities during youth on human capital
Authors: Chuan Amanda 
Published: August 2022

AbstractLeaving school to work trades off schooling with on‐the‐job human capital acquisition. How do industry shocks impact how youth make this trade‐off? Exploiting the geography of natural resources, I estimate the effect of oil and gas job prospects on college and work outcomes. Using CPS data, I find that these job opportunities decrease college‐going for men but not women. I next assess the importance of this schooling loss for later outcomes using longitudinal geocoded NLSY79 data. I find permanent declines in college attainment but gains in employment and earnings at ages 25–30, driven by cohorts who reach college age during industry booms. The results suggest that informal human capital can compensate for schooling loss for the men who leave school for oil and gas work. They speak to the need for further research on non‐college work as a form of human capital investment outside of the traditional college pathway.
Nontrivial examples of $$JN_p$$ and $$VJN_p$$ functions
Authors: Takala Timo 
Published: August 2022

AbstractWe study the John-Nirenberg space$$JN_p$$JNp, which is a generalization of the space of bounded mean oscillation. In this paper we construct new$$JN_p$$JNpfunctions, that increase the understanding of this function space. It is already known that$$L^p(Q_0) \subsetneq JN_p(Q_0) \subsetneq L^{p,\infty }(Q_0)$$Lp(Q0)⊊JNp(Q0)⊊Lp,∞(Q0). We show that if$$|f|^{1/p} \in JN_p(Q_0)$$|f|1/p∈JNp(Q0), then$$|f|^{1/q} \in JN_q(Q_0)$$|f|1/q∈JNq(Q0), where$$q \ge p$$q≥p, but there exists a nonnegative functionfsuch that$$f^{1/p} \notin JN_p(Q_0)$$f1/p∉JNp(Q0)even though$$f^{1/q} \in JN_q(Q_0)$$f1/q∈JNq(Q0), for every$$q \in (p,\infty )$$q∈(p,∞). We present functions in$$JN_p(Q_0) \setminus VJN_p(Q_0)$$JNp(Q0)\VJNp(Q0)and in$$VJN_p(Q_0) {\setminus } L^p(Q_0)$$VJNp(Q0)\Lp(Q0), proving the nontriviality of the vanishing subspace$$VJN_p$$VJNp, which is a$$JN_p$$JNpspace version ofVMO. We prove the embedding$$JN_p({\mathbb {R}}^n) \subset L^{p,\infty }({\mathbb {R}}^n)/{\mathbb {R}}$$JNp(Rn)⊂Lp,∞(Rn)/R. Finally we show that we can extend the constructed functions into$${\mathbb {R}}^n$$Rn, such that we get a function in$$JN_p({\mathbb {R}}^n) {\setminus } VJN_p({\mathbb {R}}^n)$$JNp(Rn)\VJNp(Rn)and another in$$CJN_p({\mathbb {R}}^n) {\setminus } L^p({\mathbb {R}}^n)/{\mathbb {R}}$$CJNp(Rn)\Lp(Rn)/R. Here$$CJN_p$$CJNpis a subspace of$$JN_p$$JNpthat is inspired by the spaceCMO.