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Inside Back Cover: Photocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction for Ammonia Synthesis Accelerated by Overcoming Photo‐Dember Effect (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 26/2025)

Ability to control forehand groundstroke of skilled tennis players

In tennis, the ability to hit groundstrokes accurately to a target area on the court is important. It is a common belief in tennis coaching that greater concentration leads to more accurate targeting. The purpose of this study was to test this belief by evaluating the variability of the ball-landing position when hitting toward target areas of different sizes and locations. Ten male top-level college tennis players performed forehand strokes and aimed at four target areas: 1) a short area (Short) between the service line and baselines, and 2) a deep area (Deep) just inside the baseline, both with an identical target size (2*2 m); and 3) a large area (Big, 2*4 m), and 4) a small area (Small, 1*1m), both centered in the same location. The average ball-landing position, standard deviation (SD), and bivariate variable error (BVE) were calculated. SD and BVE were normalized relative to the distance between the player and center of the target area. SD in the depth direction (net-baseline direction) was significantly smaller in Short than Deep, but the normalized SDs showed no difference. SD in Big was not significantly different from that in Small, suggesting that it is inherently difficult even for advanced tennis players to intentionally control the distribution of their ball-landing positions.

Enantiomerically Enriched Aziridine‐2‐carboxylates via Copper‐Catalyzed Reductive Kinetic Resolution of 2 <i>H</i> ‐Azirines

Abstract We present the first reductive kinetic resolution of racemic 2 H ‐azirines to prepare optically enriched N ‐H aziridine‐2‐carboxylates, which are bench stable and readily diversifiable building blocks, concomitantly with the corresponding enantiomerically enriched 2 H ‐azirines. The N ‐H aziridines were obtained with excellent diastereoselectivity (&gt;20:1) and high enantioselectivity (up to 94%). A Hammett study revealed a linear free energy relationship between the ΔΔG ⧧ of the diastereomeric transition states and the σ p − values. density functional theory (DFT) calculations and non‐covalent interaction analysis suggested that non‐classical H–bonding interactions and edge‐to‐face aromatic interactions between the substrate and the ligand are responsible for the stereoselectivity and also for the substrate electronic effects observed in the Hammett study.

Editorial Note: Fertility return after hormonal contraceptive discontinuation and associated factors among women attended Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia Dessie model clinic, Northeast Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

Adaptive Defluoroamination of Aryl Fluorides: Harnessing the Catalytic Potential of a Unique Zinc Amide Compound

Abstract The activation and functionalization of C─F bonds, the strongest bonds between carbon and any other element, via C─N bond formation to generate complex molecules has remained a compelling challenge. Herein, we present a ligand‐centered redox‐controlled effective strategy employing a zinc amide catalyst ( C ) to achieve facile defluoroamination of fluoroarenes with several N‐nucleophiles (&gt;90 substrates) under mild conditions. Notably, this adaptable protocol works readily with most types of fluoroarenes and a diverse range of N─H moieties that include secondary and primary amines, indoles, azoles, and amides under the same reaction conditions and encouragingly offers excellent functional group compatibility. Intriguingly, we also demonstrated its application in one‐pot synthesis of (un)symmetrical triaryl amines from primary amine itself and the selective activation of C─F bonds to access F‐containing amines, relevant to drug synthesis. Finally, detailed mechanistic probes via active‐intermediate‐capture, EPR analysis, and various control experiments indicate that the reaction proceeds through a radical‐mediated C─N coupling pathway. Importantly, use of Zn(II) center as a template to hold the two amide moieties together in C enables facile intramolecular electron transfer to generate the radical intermediates for the present protocol. Finally, the practical utility of this methodology was showcased by synthesizing various drug derivatives.

“We have to amplify what we saw at EBOVAC” – Assessing participant perceptions, attitudes, and acceptability of an ancillary care policy in an Ebola vaccine trial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A mixed methods study

Introduction In a vaccine trial conducted between 2019 and 2022 in Boende, a remote, resource-constrained area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, our research team developed an ancillary care (AC) policy to provide adequate care and follow-up for concomitant adverse events (AE), whether study-related or not. The trial aimed to assess the safety and immunogenicity of an Ebola vaccine regimen among approximately 700 healthcare providers and frontliners to strengthen outbreak preparedness in this Ebola-endemic region, where access to healthcare is severely limited by poverty, weak infrastructure, and an overstretched health system. Methods A mixed-methods approach was used to assess participants’ acceptability of the AC policy. First, participants with AE completed a questionnaire (1-–5 scale; 6 questions on AC policy support, 4 on the consequences of no support, and an open comment field). Second, a telephone survey (1-–3 scale; 3 questions evaluating the AC policy, 1 on unsupported AE and an open comment field) was conducted with participants, both with and without AE. Descriptive statistics were used for quantitative data analysis, while open comments were coded qualitatively. Third, semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants who experienced a (serious) AE and either benefited from or did not benefit from the policy. Participants were selected using purposive and convenience sampling, and thematic analysis was performed. Results Of 185 individuals with AE, 290 surveys were collected, with 93.5% expressing (very) strong appreciation for the AC policy. In the telephone survey, all 311 respondents supported the AC policy and emphasized its importance, 88.1% indicated it addressed their medical needs, and 35.7% reported experiencing an AE not covered by the policy. The 17 interviews revealed three major themes: 1) Experiences with AE management and AC support; 2) Financial impact of (non-) support; 3) Expectations of AC support. Participants who received AC reported personal, medical, and financial benefits, but noted limitations, such as the scope and duration of support, variations in local healthcare practices, and administrative hurdles. Conclusion Both quantitative and qualitative findings show high endorsement for the AC policy support, regardless of participants’ personal use. This acceptability study highlights the importance of AC in clinical trials and comprehensive participant care in research.

Development and validation of a clinical prediction model for in-hospital heart failure risk following PCI in patients with coronary artery disease

Objective Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are at increased risk of in-hospital heart failure (HF) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), yet understanding of the associated risk factors is limited. This study aims to identify predictors of in-hospital HF after PCI and to develop and validate a clinical prediction model for the early identification of high-risk patients. Methods We retrospectively analyzed data from the patients hospitalized for ACS who underwent PCI at Henan Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from 01/01/2019–01/10/2023. Patients were classified into non-HF and HF groups based on the occurrence of heart failure after PCI. LASSO regression and logistic regression were employed to identify potential predictors. The model’s diagnostic efficacy was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves and calibration curves, while decision curve analysis and clinical impact curve were utilized to evaluate clinical benefits. Results A total of 309 patients were included in this study, of whom 79.93% were male, with a mean age of 57.84. Key predictors included New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification, smoking status, right coronary artery occlusion after PCI, left ejection fraction (LVEF), and N-terminal fragment of brain natriuretic peptides. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.910 (95% CI: 0.868–0.953), indicating strong predictive ability. Decision curve analysis and clinical impact curve demonstrated good clinical applicability of the nomogram. Conclusion The identified predictors and the prediction model can be used in identifying high-risk individuals who develop HF hospital admission after PCI, or as a basis for further guiding personalized prevention and treatment.

QnAs with Anne K. Churchland

The impact of IRT and IDT on metaverse adoption in tourism: The moderating role of personal innovativeness among China’s generation Z

This study examines the Metaverse—a virtual world that merges entertainment, work, and social interactions—in terms of leisure tourism, using the frameworks of innovation resistance and diffusion theories. It explores the factors that drive and hinder Chinese Gen Z tourists’ resistance to Metaverse technology, including the moderating role of personal innovativeness. An analysis of data from 400 Chinese Gen Z tourists revealed that, in addition to risk barriers, factors such as value, usage, image, and traditional barriers significantly impact innovation resistance. Conversely, this resistance is mitigated by compatibility, trialability, and relative advantage, as outlined in the Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT). Additionally, Innovation resistance significantly and negatively affects usage intentions, while personal innovativeness influences innovation barriers and diffusion within the Metaverse. This study not only fills gaps in existing studies but also provides valuable insights for providers and developers of Metaverse tourism services.

Assessing the effects of design modifications on the use of wildlife exits designed for endangered Texas ocelots

Roadside exclusionary fencing is commonly used on highways to prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions. Although it can mitigate wildlife road mortality by limiting their access to the road, it can also create a barrier for wildlife stranded within the right-of-way. On State Highway 100 in Texas, the Texas Department of Transportation installed 10 wildlife exits (WEs) to allow endangered ocelots and other wildlife to escape the fenced roadway and minimize wildlife-vehicle collisions. Our study compared three types of WE designs within the same area from 2019 to 2024 to assess their effectiveness. The first design (Design A) was without a door and berm, and the second design (Design B) had a raised berm (10 WE sites) with a door (six WE sites) and no door (four WE sites). Lastly, a third design (Design C) had all the structural features of Design B, except for the raised berm removed from all ten WE sites. We used the approaches of four meso-carnivore target species (coyote, bobcat, northern raccoon, and striped skunk) as a metric and binomial generalized linear model as a statistical method to evaluate the effectiveness between three designs. The statistical analysis showed that the raised berm in Design B was the major cause for a decline in the approaches of meso-carnivore communities toward the WE sites. With the berm removal in Design C, the approaches of target species from road to habitat increased significantly in the sites without a door. Our study indicates that the WE door design might be another structural cause for limiting its effectiveness, where significantly lower approaches were recorded for meso-carnivores in the sites with a door compared to those without a door in Design C.

Day‐Long Organic Persistent Luminescence in Flexible Polymeric Materials

Abstract The progress in organic afterglow materials has drawn significant attention due to their extensive applications in fields such as optoelectronics, anti‐counterfeiting, and bioimaging. Nonetheless, a general limitation of organic afterglow materials is their short emission lifetimes, typically spanning from milliseconds to seconds, which creates a substantial challenge in developing day‐long organic afterglow (DOA). In this study, a DOA system is demonstrated through the incorporation of electron donor/acceptor exciplexes. Polyethylene naphthalate is used for both the electron acceptor and charge storage units, coupling with a spirobifluorene‐carbazole derivative as the electron donor, providing effective charge separations under UV‐light and sunlight excitation. The resulting DOA polymers demonstrate an exceptional bluish‐green afterglow that endures for over 28 h under ambient conditions, setting a new record for the longest afterglow duration in polymeric materials. Moreover, the DOA‐doped polymers, as both films and fibers, exhibit outstanding flexibility and transparency, making them highly suitable for flexible technologies and wearable devices.

Pretreatment expression of miR-191a may predict response to the induction chemotherapy based on cytarabine in acute myeloid leukemia patients – a single-center pilotal study

Background Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is associated with the accumulation of acquired genetic disorders. Moreorver chromosomal and molecular changes are independent prognostic factors that are taken into account to determine prognosis and treatment. MicroRNAs are novel gene regulators, which have been recognized to play an important role in pathological leukemogenesis. This study is aimed to analyze the possible role of micro RNAs as a markers predicting the outcome to induction chemotherapy based on cytarabine. Materials and methods The expression of miR-34a, miR-191, miR-199a and miR-199b in previously separated bone marrow cells was assessed at the moment of diagnosis in 44 AML patients with use of qRQ-PCR technique. Assessment of response to induction therapy was based on criteria for response to treatment proposed by European LeukemiaNet (ELN). Results Only the expression level of miR-191a out of all analyzed microRNAs was significantly associated with the induction chemotherapy response. We detected also significantly higher expression of miR-191 in FLT3-ITD negative group in comparison to FLT3-ITD positive subjects. For miR-34a, miR-199a and miR-199b, no relationship was found between their expression and FLT3-ITD, NPM1 and CEBPA mutations. It was also shown that in the group of patients with low miR-191 expression, the number of myeloblasts was higher (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusions These results may prove an important role of miR-191a expression as a predictor of response to the induction chemotherapy based on cytarabine, even in cases when other risk factors are absent.

Diagnosis of knee meniscal injuries using artificial intelligence: A systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic performance

Aim of the study The aim was to systematically review the literature and perform a meta-analysis to estimate the performance of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms in detecting meniscal injuries. Materials and methods A systematic search was performed in the Scopus, PubMed, EBSCO, Cinahl, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, and Cochrane Central databases on July, 2024. The included studies’ reporting quality and risk of bias were evaluated using the Transparent Reporting of a multivariable prediction model for Individual Prognosis or Diagnosis (TRIPOD) and the Prediction Model Study Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST), respectively. Also, a meta-analysis was done using contingency tables to estimate diagnostic performance metrics (sensitivity and specificity), and a meta-regression analysis was performed to investigate the effect of the following variables on the main outcome: imaging view, data augmentation and transfer learning usage, and presence of meniscal tear in the injury, with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) and a P-value of 0.05 as a threshold for significance. Results Among 28 included studies, 92 contingency tables were extracted from 15 studies. The reference standard of the studies were mostly expert radiologists, orthopedics, or surgical reports. The pooled sensitivity and specificity for AI algorithms on internal validation were 81% (95% CI: 78, 85), and 78% (95% CI: 72, 83), and for clinicians on internal validation were 85% (95% CI: 76, 91), and 88% (95% CI: 83, 92), respectively. The pooled sensitivity and specificity for studies validating algorithms with an external test set were 82% (95% CI: 74, 88), and 88% (95% CI: 84, 91), respectively. Conclusion The results of this study imply the lower diagnostic performance of AI-based algorithms in knee meniscal injuries compared with clinicians.

Assembly of High‐Nuclearity Copper(I) Alkynyl Nanoclusters with Exposed Polyoxomolybdate Templates

Abstract The directed synthesis of copper(I) nanoclusters with atomically precise active sites for photocatalytic CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR) poses notable challenges. By carefully regulating the acidity of the reaction system, a set of five atomically precise Mo–Cu heterometallic nanoclusters were effectively synthesized. The adjustment of the reaction system's acidity stimulates the polymerization of molybdate, consequently influencing the encapsulation structure of the outer copper(I) shell and thereby controlling the number of catalytically active sites located at the periphery of these nanoclusters. When subjected to xenon lamp irradiation, the synthesized Mo–Cu nanoclusters, which showcase exposed polyoxomolybdates, exhibit significantly activity in the conversion of CO 2 to CO (up to 160.8 µmol g −1 h −1 ) while maintaining an impressive selectivity of up to 99.9% without any additional sacrificial agent, cocatalyst or photosensitizer. When sacrificial agent and photosensitizer were added to the CO 2 RR system, the maximum CO production rates for Mo 16 Cu 36 ‐1 and Mo 22 Cu 30 were 5672.1 µmol g −1  h −1 and 7370.8 µmol g −1 h −1 , respectively, with CO selectivities of 90.3% and 90.6%. The Mo─O─Cu active sites play a dual role in enhancing both CO 2 adsorption and activation, as well as facilitating charge separation. This study not only elucidates the synthesis of high‐nuclearity Mo–Cu nanoclusters with potent photocatalytic activity in CO 2 RR but also contributes to advancing our comprehension of the structure‐property relationship inherent in nanocluster photocatalysts.

Genetic markers for knee osteoarthritis presence are not associated with disease progression - data from the IMI-APPROACH cohort

Objective Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a heterogeneous disease with different endotypes and phenotypes, resulting in patients’ varying clinical and structural progression. Several genomic markers have been associated with knee OA presence. This study aimed to find new associations of these genetic markers with knee OA progression and to investigate the risk of knee OA progression using a polygenic risk score (PRS). Methods Data from knee OA patients (n = 297) from the IMI-APPROACH cohort with detailed measurements on disease progression were used. Knee OA progression definitions were based on the decrease in minimum joint space width in mm (minJSW; primary outcome), increase in pain on the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and presence of radiographic OA (based on the Kellgren-Lawrence score) over 24 months. 30 previously reported single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with presence of OA irrespective of affected joints or knee OA specifically were investigated. We performed a SNP based genome-wide association analysis using the disease progression definitions. Furthermore, a PRS was created using the 30 presence SNPs to predict knee OA progression. Results Existing genetic markers for knee OA presence were not found to be associated with knee OA progression. The PRS of the SNPs for knee OA presence did also not show significant predictive value for knee OA progression. Unexpectedly, nineteen different variants were associated significantly (P &lt; 5 × 10−8) with minJSW decrease. Ten SNPs are located near protein coding genes PLCL2, CDYL2, and NTNG1, and several SNPs are located in or near long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA). Conclusions The 30 OA risk SNPs individually and combined in a PRS are not associated with progression of knee OA in the IMI-APPROACH cohort. 19 different SNPs were associated with minJSW decrease. We demonstrated how to employ multiple bioinformatics tools to, despite a limited dataset, still prioritise potential biomarkers for associations to knee OA progression.

MVT-Net: A novel cervical tumour segmentation using multi-view feature transfer learning

Cervical cancer is one of the most aggressive malignant tumours of the reproductive system, posing a significant global threat to women’s health. Accurately segmenting cervical tumours in MR images remains a challenging task due to the complex characteristics of tumours and the limitations of traditional methods. To address these challenges, this study proposes a novel cervical tumour segmentation model based on multi-view feature transfer learning, named MVT-Net. The model integrates a 2D global axial plane encoder-decoder network and a 3D multi-scale segmentation network as source and target domains, respectively. A transfer learning strategy is employed to extract diverse tumour-related information from multiple perspectives. In addition, a multi-scale residual blocks and a multi-scale residual attention blocks are embedded in the 3D network to effectively capture feature correlations across channels and spatial positions. Experiments on a cervical MR dataset of 160 images show that our proposed MVT-Net outperforms state-of-the-art methods, achieving a DICE score of 75.9±7.43%, an ASD of 2.69±0.58 mm and superior performance in tumour localisation, shape delineation and edge segmentation. Ablation studies further validate the effectiveness of the proposed multi-view feature transfer strategy. These results demonstrate that our proposed MVT-Net represents a significant advance in cervical tumour segmentation, offering improved accuracy and reliability in clinical applications.

Characterization of the Pank2-/- mouse retinal phenotype as a pre-clinical model for pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration

Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) is an autosomal recessive movement and vision disorder in the neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation family of diseases. PKAN is caused by mutations in PANK2, encoding pantothenate kinase 2, causing an inborn error of coenzyme A metabolism and leading to iron accumulation in the basal ganglia. Peripheral pigmentary retinopathy is common in people with PKAN. The knockout murine model of the orthologous Pank2 gene is known to manifest retinal degeneration through electroretinography, pupillary response and histology analyses. Our longitudinal characterization of the retinopathy in this model reveals reduced visual performance and reduced photoreceptor thickness compared to wild-type mice. Additionally, retinal perturbations in coenzyme A metabolism and dopamine metabolism pathways mimic those previously observed in the brain. These data extend the murine ocular phenotype associated with loss of function of Pank2. With a measurable behavioral, structural and mechanistic retinal phenotype, this mouse model is an ideal pre-clinical model that can be used to evaluate therapeutics for PKAN.

Porous Aromatic Frameworks Filler with Anion‐Constrained Centers in Composite Polymer Electrolyte for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Abstract The widespread use of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) based on solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) is hindered by their low Li + conductivity and safety risks posed by the growth of lithium dendrites. To overcome the aforementioned challenges, we designed a cationic porous aromatic framework (PAF‐142) and introduced it as a filler into SPEs to obtain a composite polymer electrolyte (CPE), PAF‐142‐CPE. The cationic imidazolium sites could effectively constrain the movement of anions through electrostatic interactions. Furthermore, the design of the imidazolium‐based building units allowed the cationic sites to be located within the framework, which promoted the transport of Li + . Density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics simulations revealed the mechanism by which PAF‐142 promoted the dissociation of lithium salts and enhanced Li + transport. Benefiting from these advantages, the Li + conductivity of quasi‐solid composite polymer electrolyte (QCPE), PAF‐142‐QCPE reached 8.77 × 10 −4 S cm −1 at 20 °C. Additionally, a stable interface with abundant inorganic components was formed between PAF‐142‐QCPE and the lithium electrode, thus effectively inhibiting the growth of lithium dendrites, thereby achieving stable long cycle of the Li//PAF‐142‐QCPE//Li cell for more than 8500 h. The Li//PAF‐142‐QCPE//LFP cell demonstrated excellent cycle life exceeding 1400 cycles. This study proposes a promising SPEs performance‐enhancing solution, advancing cutting‐edge lithium‐ion batteries.

Genetic profiling of inherited colorectal cancer syndromes in Tunisian patients

Objective Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide, with 2% to 5% of cases being linked to inherited syndromes. Material and methods A cohort of 30 Tunisian patients was selected and divided into two groups based on clinical features and family history: Group 1 included patients clinically diagnosed with hereditary polyposis syndromes, including MUTYH-Associated Polyposis (MAP: 15 cases) and Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP: 5 cases). Group 2 consisted of patients clinically diagnosed with non-polyposis syndromes, including Lynch Syndrome (LS: 7 cases) and other rare syndromes (OS: 3 cases). Genetic testing was performed using either Sanger sequencing or targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) with a cancer panel including 31 cancer-related genes. Results In Group 1, MAP was confirmed in 13 patients who were homozygous carriers of the pathogenic variant (c.1143_1144dup p.Glu382fs) in the MUTYH gene. For patients suspected of having FAP, pathogenic variants in the APC gene were identified in only two patients (c.3183_3187del p.Lys1061_Gln1062insTer, and c.2016_2017del p.His672Ter), while another patient carried a frameshift variant (c.502_503del, p.Ile168SerTer11) in the PTEN gene, indicating Cowden Syndrome. In Group 2, genetic testing confirmed Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome in a young girl who had a large deletion in the STK11 gene. For patients suspected to have LS, only variants of unknown significance (VUS) were identified in MMR. Further genetic investigations are required to identify the pathogenic variant in these patients. Conclusion Overall, our results highlight the importance of genetic testing to better understand hereditary CRC syndromes in Tunisian families, and to improve the management of patients and their relatives.

Probing the Catalytic Degradation of Unsaturated Polyolefin Materials via Fe‐Based Lewis Acids‐Initiated Carbonyl–Olefin Metathesis

Abstract Degradation and recyclability of polymeric materials, including extensively used polyolefins, are becoming increasingly necessary. Chemically stable saturated polyolefin backbones make their degradation frustratingly challenging. The current effective strategy is to create cleavable defects, e.g., C═C double bonds along the backbone, and subsequently depolymerize them via cross‐metathesis reaction with olefins. High‐value chemicals or reusable polymeric segments are obtained. This two‐step protocol provides operable means for alleviating plastics problems. There are several approaches to introduce unsaturation into a polymer backbone, like dehydrogenation or copolymerization of olefins and conjugated dienes. However, for the second step, to conduct a cross‐metathesis reaction, only noble metal catalysts can be used most of the time. Regardless of their limited availability, the fact that these organometallics are unfavorably sensitive to impurities would raise barriers in industrial practices. Herein we employed earth‐abundant and inexpensive iron‐based Lewis acids to initiate carbonyl–olefin metathesis reactions between ketone/aldehyde reagents and unsaturated polyolefins. After explorations in poly(diene)s and industrial thermoplastic elastomers, we extended this protocol to degrade low‐density polyethylene (LDPE). Low‐molecular weight PE wax‐like products were obtained as useful chemicals. This catalytic degradation system is expected to enable the development of more efficient metathesis strategies to promote degradation of polyolefins and pave sustainable ways for reuse of polymeric materials.