Ridge Research Articles (Page 1)

Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) are very common congenital spinal anomalies that consist of sacralization of the lowest lumbar vertebra or lumbarization of the uppermost sacral vertebra. They are a main cause of wrong-level surgery. This study aimed to explore morphological characteristics which can help to rapidly identify LSTV on lumbar spine radiography and computed tomography. Retrospective, case-control study. (1) Anterior superior angle (ASA) of the last presacral vertebra (PSV)-the angle between the anterior edge and superior endplate of the last PSV on a mid-sagittal lumbar CT view; (2) Posterior angle (PA) of the last PSV and the first sacral vertebra-the angle between the posterior edge of the last PSV and the posterior edge of the uppermost sacral-type segment on a mid-sagittal lumbar CT view; (3) Location of the iliac crest line (ICL) on AP whole-spine image-it was defined based on its location with respect to the transverse processes of the vertebra above the last PSV. An ICL higher than the inferior edges of the transverse process of the vertebra above the last PSV was defined as high ICL. Data of all patients, who underwent lumbar computed tomography (CT) and whole-spine radiography for lumbar spinal stenosis or lumbar disc herniation, at a single institution from 2017 to 2023, were analyzed from the local database. Data of 909 patients were grouped according to lumbosacral anatomy as follows: lumbarization of the first sacral vertebra (LZ), sacralization of the fifth lumbar vertebra (SZ), and normal spine (control). The anterior superior angle (ASA) of the last PSV, posterior angle (PA) of the last PSV and the first sacral vertebra, and location of the iliac crest line (ICL) on AP whole-spine imaging were measured. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic performance of the measurements (ASA; PA; ICL; ASA and PA; ASA, PA, and ICL). Inter- and intra-observer reliabilities of each measurement were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). LSTV were present in 105 patients (11.6%): LZ in 76 (8.4%) and SZ in 29 (3.2%). ASA of the last PSV (85.7° ± 4.1° vs. 90.6° ± 2.9°; P < 0.001) and PA of the last PSV and the first sacral vertebra (19.7° ± 14.2° vs. 36.9° ± 9.1°; P < 0.001) were significantly lower in the LZ group than the control group. The prevalence of a high ICL was significantly higher in the LZ group than the control group (36.8% vs. 0.9%; P < 0.001). Mean ASA and PA and prevalence of high ICL were 90.1° ± 2.6°, 32.6° ± 11.4°, and 6.9%, respectively, in the SZ group; corresponding values in the control group were 90.6° ± 2.9°, 36.9° ± 9.1°, and 0.9%, respectively. The differences were not significant. Among the 37 patients with a high ICL, 30 (81.1%) also had an LZ. Twenty-three of the 24 patients (95.8%) with both a high ICL and PA < 20° had an LZ. ASA, PA, and ICL combined demonstrated excellent or good performance in differentiating patients in the LZ group from those in the control group (area under the ROC curve = 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.85-0.96) and from those in the SZ group (area under the ROC curve = 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.76-0.92). Lumbarization can be identified on lumbar spine imaging using a rapid method. When the ICL is high and both the ASA and PA are small on lumbar imaging, whole-spine radiography is recommended to definitively identify if lumbarization is present.

Synthesis of High-Refractive-Index Oligomers Containing Bismuth in the Main Chain

Reprogramming mitochondrial metabolism to enhance macrophages polarization by ROS-responsive nanoparticles for osteoarthritis.

Study on the structural characterization and biological activities of polysaccharides from Dictyophora rubrovolvata and its silver nanoparticles.

Water-soluble hydroxypropyl curdlan derivatives with thermosensitive properties.

Structural characterization of a polysaccharide from Thesium chinense Turcz and its immunomodulatory activities.

Biomimicry-inspired zwitterionic polyurethane used for vascular implants showing water-induced stiffening and preventing intimal hyperplasia in stent.

Application of a thiophene-based conjugated polymer in the photocatalytic eradication of multidrug-resistant bacteria: Synergistic inactivation of MRSA via carboxyl capture and multi-pathway regulation.

Molecular engineering of benzimidazolium anion exchange membranes via 2-position carbon phenylation for enhanced water electrolysis stability.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction and purification of polysaccharides from Selaginella tamariscina: Structural characterization and biological activity studies.

ABSTRACT Twenty-four specimens of Bolonia lata trace fossils have been recorded in the Hamira Member of the Jaisalmer Formation, western Rajasthan, India. They are found as positive epireliefs on yellowish medium- to fine-grained silty limestone of the Suileman-Pir Section. The occurrence of Bolonia lata here is parallel to sub-parallel, mostly straight, while some are slightly curved, unbranched, bi-lobed ribbons that consist of bi-serially aligned transverse and sub-triangular or arched-shaped pads that are separated by a median furrow and/or a median ridge line. In cross-sectional view, these Bolonia lata traces are mostly found in trapezoidal to heart-shaped forms. The entire bilobed ribbon of Bolonia lata trace is found in ranges of 12 to 30 cm in the Hamira Member. These Bolonia lata trace fossils are considered as the combined repichnia and cubichnia behavioural activity and probably made by the irregular echinoids based on the presence of several types of echinoids (Several spines and fragments of crinoids; Hemicidaris; Acrosalenia along with several Asteriacites traces of ophiuroids) in the Suileman-Pir Section of Hamira Member.

Formamidinium lead bromide (FAPbBr3) quantum dots (QDs) have shown potential in light-emitting diodes (LEDs). However, their performance is constrained by surface defects and the limitations of charge transport. Zwitterionic ligands, owing to their twin functions of Lewis base coordination and electrostatic compensation, passivate surface defects of perovskite QDs. Some other zwitterionic ligands are high-cost, while amino acids, as zwitterionic ligands, are inexpensive, readily available, and have efficient passivation capabilities. Their short main chain and programmable side chain can control the volume and dipole at Å-scale range through functional group selection and feed ratio regulation, achieving interface energy level engineering. This work adopts green-emitting FAPbBr3 QDs as the model, tuning ligand properties by modifying side-chain functional groups, thereby achieving PLQY of 87.2%. Experimental results and DFT reveal that amino acids preferentially undergo coordination and can be further fine-tuned through conjugated contacts. Without severe site competition and without affecting coordination occupation and ligand uniformity, the EQE reaches 5.6% and the luminance exceeds 9000 cd/m2. This low-cost technology is easily scalable and broadly manufacturable, providing a replicable material and interface design route for green zone perovskite LEDs.

Abstract A series of polymers containing diacetylene-containing polyethersulfone by oxidative coupling polymerization of dipropargyloxydiphenylsulfone (BPS) and dipropargyloxy bisphenol-A (BPA) monomers were synthesized; the reaction was carried out under mild conditions and afforded high yields. Using these copolymers, films were made to determine the permeability for the following gases: CO 2 , CH 4 , N 2 , O 2 . The copolymers were amorphous and soluble in organic solvents except that the homopolymer from bis(4-propargyloxy)diphenyl sulfone was a crystalline polymer insoluble in most organic solvents. Films of copolymers were cast from solutions of each copolymer in chloroform at room temperature. The amorphous copolymer films slowly underwent cross-linking reactions in solid state during storage given a stronger mechanical force to copolymer. The relationship between cross-linking and mechanical properties was also studied. The incorporation of the diacetylene groups in the chain backbone of copolymer caused less permeability with a factor of ten times in its comparison with the polysulfones based on bisphenol-A synthesized by nucleophilic condensation, on the other hand. Moreover, the combined ease of processing and resultant stability was highlighted.

The spontaneous amino-yne click reaction is introduced for the first time as a fast, efficient, and ambient temperature strategy for preparing multi-responsive Liquid Crystal Elastomer (LCE) actuators. This synthetic approach relies on the amino-yne cross-linking between secondary amines along the main chain of poly(β-amino ester) liquid crystal oligomers and a dipropiolate-functionalized cross-linker, rendering β-aminoacrylate cross-linking points. After alignment and locking via dynamic transesterification at 30°C, the resulting LCE actuators exhibit reversible and reproducible thermal and light-induced actuation. The generated tension and activation kinetics are easily tunable by adjusting the cross-linker content. Additionally, leveraging the acid-triggered reactivity of the network enables it to respond to additional stimuli, including water-driven actuation. By integrating the capability for dynamic bond exchange, this LCE formulation opens new avenues for designing structures with complex molecular orientation patterns. As a proof of concept, a star-shaped soft actuator is fabricated, demonstrating diverse programmable actuation modes.

No study has, until now, examined the deep eutectic solvent (DES) extraction of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide (TFP). In this study, a DES composed of choline chloride and citric acid (1:1 molar ratio) was prepared for TFP extraction. Artificial neural network optimization based on genetic and sparrow search algorithms was applied, yielding the polysaccharide TFP-1 with an average molecular weight of 13 152 Da. The TFP-1 polysaccharide exhibited a triple-helix structure, and its polymer chains comprised glucose, mannose, xylose, and galactose in a molar ratio of 90.82:5.68:3.06:0.44. The main chain structure was →(6)-β-d-Glcp-(1→, →4)-α-d-Glcp-(1→, →3,6)-α-d-Glcp-(1→, →4,6)-α-d-Glcp-(1→). In a cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced oxidative injury cell model, the TFP-1-based extract (TFP-1-E) decreased interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) levels, while increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) activity at 50-100 μg mL⁻¹ compared with the model group. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis identified 1343 differentially expressed genes between the CSE and TFP-1-E groups, which were primarily mapped to a five-gene sub-network comprising CARD17, CARD18, CASP1, MINDY3, and MINDY2. These data suggest that TFP-1-E could alleviate inflammation and oxidative stress and could be used for the development of functional foods or biomedicines. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

ABSTRACT AB‐type monomers enable a more flexible molecular design of polyurethane synthesis than the conventional methods by the polyaddition of diol and di‐isocyanate, that is, various side chain structures can be easily integrated on the former. Meanwhile, the impact of the substituent effect has not been clearly investigated on the synthesis and properties of polyurethanes from AB‐type monomers despite its fundamental importance. Herein, we developed four new AB‐type monomers exhibiting certain substituents to study the above issue. Interestingly, the introduction of a benzene ring to the side chain moiety did not significantly affect the thermal properties of the polyurethane compared with the corresponding polymer having an n ‐butyl substituent, while that to the main chain moiety drastically changed the reactivity of the monomer and the thermal properties of the resulting polymer. Moreover, a 2‐ethylhexyl side chain structure increased the solubility and flexibility of the polyurethane framework while maintaining the high monomer reactivity at the same time, indicating it would work as a useful comonomer to increase the processability of rigid polymers.

Fresh coconut meat polysaccharides (FCMPs) are high-value natural active polysaccharides with both medicinal and edible uses, but their structural characteristics and potential biological activities have not been well studied. In this work, FFCMP was separated and purified by sequential application of water extraction and alcohol precipitation methods, the Sevag method, DEAE-52 cellulose column chromatography, and Sephadex G-100 gel column chromatography, yielding four components (FCMP 1-FCMP 4). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine their molecular weights as 343,016.9, 2279.4, 1363.2, and 2228.9 Da, respectively. Structural characterization and monosaccharide analysis revealed that the FCMP series primarily consists of mannose, glucose, galactose, arabinose, and rhamnose. Methylation experiments and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) indicated that FCMP 1 exhibits a complex topological structure with a β-1→4 main chain, β-1→6 branches, and an α-L-rhamnose terminal; FCMP 2 is a heteropolysaccharide with a β-(1→3)-mannan main chain containing β-(1→6)-galactose branches; the main chain of FCMP 3 consists of β-D-mannose and β-D -galactose, with side chains containing α-L-rhamnose and terminal α-L-arabinose and β-D-mannose; and FCMP 4 has a main chain primarily composed of glucose and mannose linked via 1→4 bonds, with some C6 positions exhibiting 1→6 branch structures. Molecular docking predictions suggest that the FCMP series of polysaccharides possess immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and edema-treating properties, providing a theoretical basis for their application in pharmacology and food science research.

Bottle-brush polymers with aggrecan-like side chains represent a class of biomimetic macromolecules that replicate key structural and functional features of natural complexes of aggrecans with hyaluronic acid (HA) which are the major components of articular cartilage. In this study, we employ numerical self-consistent field (SCF) modeling combined with analytical theory to investigate the conformational properties of cylindrical molecular bottle-brushes composed of aggrecan-like double-comb side chains tethered to the main chain (the backbone of the bottle-brush). We demonstrate that the architecture of the brush-forming double-comb chains and, in particular, the distribution of polymer mass between the root and peripheral domains significantly influences the spatial distribution of primary side chain ends, leading to formation of a “dead” zone near the backbone of the bottle-brush and non-uniform density profiles. The axial stretching force imposed by grafted double-combs in the main chain, as well as normal force acting at the junction point between the bottle-brush backbone and the double-comb side chain are shown to depend strongly on the side-chain architecture. Furthermore, we analyze the induced bending rigidity and persistence length of the bottle-brush, revealing that while the overall scaling behavior follows established power laws, the internal structure can be finely tuned without altering the backbone stiffness. These theoretical findings provide valuable insights into relations between architecture and properties of bottle-brush-like supra-biomolecular structures, such as aggrecan-hyaluronan complexes.

In the article, the author highlights the issue of the place and role of stakeholders as participants or direct subjects of the educational process of a higher education institution. At the same time, outlining that the term «stakeholder» has not an educational, but an economic meaning, and this is due to the fact that education has become a product on the educational services market. And, like any product or production, it must be of high quality and be in demand for a certain period of time. A higher education institution in the context of global challenges and risks, changes in educational paradigms, and social transformations must take into account the consequences of its activities for all stakeholders and bear social responsibility for their work. Cooperation between a higher education institution and stakeholders is the main chain in the formation of a future intellectually developed specialist for the labor market. The author turns to the genesis of the term «stakeholder». He also notes that the first mention of it as a new model of the educational process dates back to 2002 in Ukrainian society. The key impetus for involving stakeholders in educational management was Ukraine’s accession to the Bologna Process, and stakeholders in education were fully discussed in 2015. The optimal model of cooperation with stakeholders for a higher education institution is considered. In the author’s opinion, the most significant influence and close cooperation should be with former graduates of a particular Educational program of a higher education institution, direct employers and stakeholder consultants or stakeholder analysts, who in one way or another participate in the development of the Educational Program by making recommendations on the implementation of a particular Educational Component and forming an individual educational trajectory for a higher education applicant. It is precisely the formation of long- term relationships with stakeholders as equal partners that should become one of the tasks of a higher education institution. The article defines the legal status of a stakeholder, because in order to be a full participant in the educational process and be empowered to actively participate in the development and approval of the Educational Program as the core of the formation of a quality educational product, a stakeholder must have a certain status.

Abstract To address the challenges of global urbanization and housing shortages, implementing practical densification approaches often necessitates tailoring solutions based on the local context and prevailing housing typologies. However, such expansion strategies have been limited to unidirectional stacking or single-direction extensions while also heavily relying on designers' previous experience and subjective judgment. Therefore, this study proposes a novel machine learning (ML)-based framework for generating multi-directional house extension options, enabling efficient and contextually appropriate residential densification. Unlike existing approaches limited to unidirectional expansion and subjective designer input, our framework automatically identifies suitable land surfaces, conducts voxel-based generation of extensions, and incorporates customizable, structurally valid prefabricated components. A case study of Walthamstow, a neighborhood in North London, UK, demonstrates the framework's potential for significant residential densification. Key findings reveal that our proposed data-driven approach can generate scalable densification solutions tailored to diverse residential building types and neighborhoods, offering a promising strategy to reduce urban sprawl, alleviate the housing crisis, and minimize environmental impact through efficient, automated, and contextually sensitive design. This ML-based framework significantly advances automated densification strategies, providing a practical tool for sustainable urban development.