bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Principles and practice of greener ionic liquid–nanoparticles biosystem
Authors: Feder-Kubis Joanna , Wirwis Anna , Policht Małgorzata , Singh Jagpreet , Kim Ki-Hyun
Published: January 2024

Ionic liquids as additives in nanoparticles influence their morphology and enhance their bioactivity, highlighting their key role in sustainable chemistry, a major environmental advance.
A three-dimensional (3D) liver–kidney on a chip with a biomimicking circulating system for drug safety evaluation
Authors: Huang Qihong , Yang Tianhao , Song Yunpeng , Sun Wenxuan , Xu Jian , Cheng Ya , Yin Ruixue , Zhu Lili , Zhang Mengting , Ma Lei , Li Honglin , Zhang Hongbo
Published: January 2024

A 3D liver–kidney on a chip with a biomimicking circulating system (LKOCBCS) was constructed to obtain kidney and liver models in vitro for drug safety evaluation.
Realization of giant superstructural chirality at broadband optical wavelengths via perovskite dielectric metasurfaces
Authors: Asad Aqsa , Khaliq Hafiz Saad , Kim Min-Seok , Lee Jae-Won , Kim Hak-Rin
Published: January 2024

This study presents a perovskite-integrated metasurface to realize exceptional chirality with maximum anisotropy of ∼1.55 and the CD of ∼42 934 (mdeg) at the broad visible regime with potential applications in chiral photonics and optoelectronics.
Embedding Pd into SnO2 drastically enhances gas sensing
Authors: Jabłczyńska Katarzyna , Gogos Alexander , Kubsch Christian M. P. , Pratsinis Sotiris E.
Published: January 2024

The sensitivity of SnO2 increases by up to 2-orders of magnitude when embedding Pd atoms or clusters into its matrix.
A viscosity-sensitive probe based on the structure of indole salt
Authors: Yu Jiaying , Yuan Shen , Chu Xianfeng , He Xiaofan , Liu Qi , Chen Lucheng , Hu Jinzhong , Wang Zhifei
Published: January 2024

Long-lasting and high-intensity fluorescence imaging of tumor cells.
Emerging electrospinning platform toward nanoparticle to single atom transformation for steering selectivity in ammonia synthesis
Authors: Zheng Xuan , Hao Jiace , Zhuang Zechao , Kang Qi , Wang Xiaofan , Lu Shuanglong , Duan Fang , Du Mingliang , Zhu Han
Published: January 2024

A “top down” strategy for the transformation of Co NPs to Co SAs was proposed and the synthesized Co SAs/CNF electrocatalyst exhibited excellent electrocatalytic NO3RR activity with a FE of 91.30% at −0.70 V vs. RHE.
Dehydration of alcohols catalyzed by copper(ii) sulfate: type II dyotropic reactions and stepwise mechanisms
Authors: Sánchez-Quesada Jorge , López-Cruz Carlos , de Cózar Abel , Arrieta Ana , Arrastia Iosune , Cossío Fernando P.
Published: January 2024

Dehydration of alcohols by CuSO4 can take place via (asynchronous) concerted or stepwise mechanisms. DFT calculations show the effect of the substitution pattern of the starting alcohol on the actual mechanism.
Magneto-chiral dichroism of chiral lanthanide complexes
Authors: Pointillart Fabrice , Atzori Matteo , Train Cyrille
Published: January 2024

This Perspective reviews the Magneto-Chiral Dichroism (MChD) investigations performed on chiral lanthanide complexes, highlights the crucial criteria to enhance the MChD performances and presents the main perspectives of this emerging field.
Ambiphilicity of ring-expanded N-heterocyclic carbenes
Authors: Vermersch François , Wang Victor T. , Abdellaoui Mehdi , Jazzar Rodolphe , Bertrand Guy
Published: January 2024

Contrasting with popular beliefs, experimental and theoretical data show that some N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), especially the seven and eight membered rings NHCs, are very ambiphilic.
Hydrogen bonds delicately restraining photoelectric performance in hybrid perovskites
Authors: Qin Shengjian , Liu Yanglei , Li Rui , Jiao Yinan , Chen Hengbin , Zhao Jinjin
Published: January 2024

The delicate roles of hydrogen bonds in structural distortion and photoelectric performances in tetragonal methyl ammonium lead iodide hybrid perovskite are first rationalized by first principles calculations in this paper.
Bio-response of copper–magnesium co-substituted mesoporous bioactive glass for bone tissue regeneration
Authors: Anand Akrity , Kaňková Hana , Hájovská Zuzana , Galusek Dušan , Boccaccini Aldo R. , Galusková Dagmar
Published: January 2024

Co-substitution of magnesium and copper (up to 2 mol%) in a silicate mesoporous glass has potential in stimulating new tissue formation by Cu and Mg ion delivery and enhancing multiple biological features for bone tissue regeneration.
Site-selective occupancy of Cr3+ enabling tunable emission from near infrared I to II in fluoride LiInF4:Cr3+
Authors: Chang H. , He F. Q. , Song E. H. , Zhang Q. Y.
Published: January 2024

A new broadband NIR II emission fluoride LiInF4:Cr3+ peaking at 1000 nm with a FWHM of 220 nm is demonstrated using a site-occupancy control strategy. The NIR II emission is originated from the Cr3+ at seven coordinated crystal field environments.
Development of bishydrazide-based fluorescent probes for the imaging of cellular peroxynitrite (ONOO−) during ferroptosis
Authors: Li Shijing , Mehmood Abdul Hadi , Tang Xiaochan , Yue Tao , Dong Baoli
Published: January 2024

Peroxynitrite (ONOO−) is a critical ROS in living systems, and could induce lipid peroxidation which is the driver of ferroptotic cell death.
Signatures of s-wave scattering in bound electronic states
Authors: Moorby Robin E. , Parravicini Valentina , Alessio Maristella , Jagau Thomas-C.
Published: January 2024

Totally-symmetric molecular anions exhibit unique properties, in terms of potential curves and orbitals, close to where they become unbound.
Asymmetric gold catalysis enabled by specially designed ligands
Authors: Gade Amol B. , Urvashi  , Patil Nitin T.
Published: January 2024

This review is planned to provide a comprehensive overview of the progress made in the design and development of chiral ligands for asymmetric gold catalysis.
Optimal dispatching of clean energy heating considering customer satisfaction
Authors: Haifeng Cheng , Houjing Guo , Minli Huang , Zhixuan Pan , Jin Cheng , Dabala Wu , Jieren Tan
Published: January 2024

The consumption of coal in winter heating period in northern China is large, and the combustion generates greenhouse gases that pollute the environment. At the same time, wind abandonment is widespread in northern China, causing waste of energy. In order to solve these problems, this paper proposes to apply clean energy heating and waste wind power generation for heating, and build a multi‐objective optimal dispatching model under the goal of considering customer satisfaction and operating costs. Finally, taking a region in the north of China as an example, the improved genetic algorithm is used to solve the model, the improved genetic algorithm ensures the survival rate of excellent genes, which is more efficient than the traditional genetic algorithm. The example results verify that the use of clean energy heating can increase the wind power consumption space and reduce the heating cost in winter.
The eROSITA upper limits
Authors: Tubín-Arenas Dusán , Krumpe Mirko , Lamer Georg , Haase Jonas , Sanders Jeremy , Brunner Hermann , Homan David , Schwope Axel , Georgakakis Antonis , Poppenhaeger Katja , Traulsen Iris , König Ole , Merloni Andrea , Gueguen Alain , Strong Andrew , Liu Zhu
Published: January 2024

Context. The soft X-ray instrument eROSITA on board the Spectrum-Roentgen-Gamma (SRG) observatory has successfully completed four of the eight planned all-sky surveys, detecting almost one million X-ray sources during the first survey (eRASS1). The catalog of this survey will be released as part of the first eROSITA data release (DR1).

Aims. Based on X-ray aperture photometry, we provide flux upper limits for eRASS1 in several energy bands. We cover galactic longitudes between 180° ≲ l ≲ 360° (eROSITA-DE). These data are crucial for studying the X-ray properties of variable and transient objects, as well as non-detected sources in the eROSITA all-sky survey data.

Methods. We performed aperture photometry on every pixel of the SRG/eROSITA standard pipeline data products for all available sky tiles in the single detection band (0.2–2.3 keV). Simultaneously, we performed the same analysis in the three-band detection at soft (0.2–0.6 keV), medium (0.6–2.3 keV), and hard (2.3–5.0 keV) energy bands. Based on the combination of products for the individual bands, we are also able to provide aperture photometry products and flux upper limits for the 0.2–5.0 keV energy band. The upper limits were calculated based on a Bayesian approach that utilizes detected counts and background within the circular aperture.

Results. The final data products consist of tables with the aperture photometry products (detected counts, background counts, and exposure time), a close-neighbor flag, and the upper flux limit based on an absorbed power-law spectral model (Γ = 2.0, NH = 3 × 1020 cm−2). The upper limits are calculated using the one-sided 3σ confidence interval (CL) of a normal distribution, representing CL = 99.87%. The aperture photometry products allow for an easy computation of upper limits at any other confidence interval and spectral model. These data are stored in a database with hierarchical indexes in order to offer a fast query option.

Conclusions. We provide a detailed description of the process of retrieving SRG/eROSITA upper limits for a large set of input positions, as well as of the eROSITA data, the X-ray aperture photometry, the upper limit calculation, and the final data products. The eROSITA upper flux limits represent either the maximum flux of potential non-detections or the 3σ upper flux uncertainty of detected sources. We emphasize the importance of choosing the right spectral model that ought to match the spectral shape of the source of interest: the wrong spectral model can produce discrepancies of up to 30% in the final flux upper limit value. We also describe the architecture of the database and the web tool, which are designed to handle large queries on input positions.
Application of Endophytic Bacteria using In vitro Technique to Increase Vigour of Shallots (Allium cepa L.) based on Inoculation Time
Authors: Harp Aulia Floribunda , Setiawati Tia , Akhdiya Alina , Husni Ali , Purwito Agus , Nugroho Kristianto , Susilowati Mariana , Kosmiatin Mia
Published: January 2024

Shallot is one of the important horticultural commodities in Indonesia. Besides having many benefits, the shallot is also the main ingredient in various traditional dishes in Indonesia. A significant increase in healthy shallot production is needed to meet the increasing demand every year. The aim of this study was to obtain the best strain of endophytic bacteria and inoculation time for increasing shallot vigour through in vitro. This study used a factorial completely randomized design with two factors, the type of bacteria and the time of inoculation which was divided into 3 stages. The first stage consisted of three collections of bacteria (GO53, IB15, S12) with 12 and 24 hours of inoculation. The second stage consisted of two collections bacteria (GO53, IB15) with 4 and 6 hours of inoculation. The third stage consisted of one collection bacteria (GO53) and 4 bacterial strains isolated from shallot (T4(2), T5, T8(1), T8(2)) with 2 and 4 hours of inoculation. The results showed GO53 and T4(2) with 2 hours of inoculation were the best types of endophytic bacteria to increase vigour. The explants in this treatment survived the longest, had more shoots and leaves than the control, and induced root formation more quickly.
Physical and Organoleptic Quality Characteristics of Ice Cream Made from Arabica Coffee (Coffea Arabica) Grounds
Authors: Nugraha Shandra Silvia , Fauziyyah Athiefah
Published: January 2024

Coffee has become a popular food trend among millennials. However, this has led to a significant amount of coffee grounds waste being discarded. Coffee grounds, particularly those from Arabica coffee with its distinctive aroma, can serve as an innovative additive in ice cream production. The aim of this research is to determine the panellists’ preferences and evaluate the melting point of Arabica coffee groundsinfused ice cream. The research method involves dividing the ice cream mixture into three groups with varying concentrations of coffee grounds (40 grams, 30 grams, 20 grams). Wet coffee grounds samples from espresso machines are initially dried using three different methods: oven drying, roasting, and exposure to sunlight. Data collection is carried out through organoleptic tests conducted by 30 moderately trained panellists, which include analyses of color, aroma, taste, and texture. The results reveal a higher preference among panellists for ice cream with a 20-gram concentration of Arabica coffee grounds dried under sunlight, and the melting time ranged from 10.30 to 40.03 minutes. Therefore, it can be concluded that the addition of Arabica coffee grounds to ice cream significantly affects the hedonic evaluation, hedonic quality assessment, and melting characteristics.
A Review of Beef Jerky and Its Microbiological Characteristics
Authors: Susilo Adhi , Pratomo Hurip , Sulistyawati Eko Yuliastuti Endah
Published: January 2024

Because of its long shelf life, flavor, and health benefits, dried beef must be preserved if we are to fight the world’s food shortage. Several factors, including urbanization, rising living standards, and shifting lifestyles, are driving up demand for processed beef products globally. Customers who purchase processed beef products can enjoy delicious, easyto-prepare meals. Some common examples of air-dried meat products that are readily available in the market today are jerky, biltong, cured ham, and pastirma. This paper attempts to perform a review of the literature regarding the jerky’s manufacturing processes and biochemical changes. To guarantee the safety of jerky products, it is essential to understand how microorganisms affect the preservation of flavor and to cater to consumers’ preferences and health concerns. To provide a wider range of safer products and extend the shelf life of these items, future research should put a priority on improving the efficiency of jerky production.
German CheXpert Chest X-ray Radiology Report Labeler
Authors: Wollek Alessandro , Hyska Sardi , Sedlmeyr Thomas , Haitzer Philip , Rueckel Johannes , Sabel Bastian O. , Ingrisch Michael , Lasser Tobias
Published: January 2024

Purpose The aim of this study was to develop an algorithm to automatically extract annotations from German thoracic radiology reports to train deep learning-based chest X-ray classification models.

Materials and Methods An automatic label extraction model for German thoracic radiology reports was designed based on the CheXpert architecture. The algorithm can extract labels for twelve common chest pathologies, the presence of support devices, and “no finding”. For iterative improvements and to generate a ground truth, a web-based multi-reader annotation interface was created. With the proposed annotation interface, a radiologist annotated 1086 retrospectively collected radiology reports from 2020–2021 (data set 1). The effect of automatically extracted labels on chest radiograph classification performance was evaluated on an additional, in-house pneumothorax data set (data set 2), containing 6434 chest radiographs with corresponding reports, by comparing a DenseNet-121 model trained on extracted labels from the associated reports, image-based pneumothorax labels, and publicly available data, respectively.

Results Comparing automated to manual labeling on data set 1: “mention extraction” class-wise F1 scores ranged from 0.8 to 0.995, the “negation detection” F1 scores from 0.624 to 0.981, and F1 scores for “uncertainty detection” from 0.353 to 0.725. Extracted pneumothorax labels on data set 2 had a sensitivity of 0.997 [95 % CI: 0.994, 0.999] and specificity of 0.991 [95 % CI: 0.988, 0.994]. The model trained on publicly available data achieved an area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) for pneumothorax classification of 0.728 [95 % CI: 0.694, 0.760], while the models trained on automatically extracted labels and on manual annotations achieved values of 0.858 [95 % CI: 0.832, 0.882] and 0.934 [95 % CI: 0.918, 0.949], respectively.

Conclusion Automatic label extraction from German thoracic radiology reports is a promising substitute for manual labeling. By reducing the time required for data annotation, larger training data sets can be created, resulting in improved overall modeling performance. Our results demonstrated that a pneumothorax classifier trained on automatically extracted labels strongly outperformed the model trained on publicly available data, without the need for additional annotation time and performed competitively compared to manually labeled data.

Key Points 

Zitierweise
Implementation of In-Hospital Postpartum Glucose Tolerance Testing for People with Gestational Diabetes
Authors: Ayala Nina K. , Fain Audra C. , Smith Megan M. , Schlichting Lauren E. , Hamel Maureen S. , Werner Erika F.
Published: January 2024

Objective We aimed to evaluate uptake of the glucose tolerance test performed during delivery hospitalization as part of routine clinical care.

Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study of people with GDM at a tertiary center. We collected 9 months of postimplementation data after the in-hospital (“early”) glucose tolerance test was adopted as a routine screening option. Adherence was compared between those who elected early glucose tolerance testing versus those who deferred testing to the standard postpartum period. Bivariable statistics including demographics, care team, and postpartum testing/visit attendance were compared between those who received early testing and those who did not using chi-square, Fisher's exact, and t-tests.

Results A total of 681 patients with GDM delivered during the study period. Of those who had an early glucose tolerance test ordered (n = 408), 340 (83.3%) completed the test. Among those who did not complete an early glucose tolerance test (ordered and not completed or never ordered), only 104/341 (30.5%) completed any postpartum glucose testing in the first 12 months of postpartum. There were significant differences in characteristics in terms of race/ethnicity, insurance, type of gestational diabetes (A1GDM vs. A2GDM), diabetes medications, obstetric care provider, and delivery mode. Among those who completed early testing, 43.7% of participants had impaired glucose metabolism and 6.5% had values concerning for overt diabetes mellitus. Among those who deferred testing to the standard 6- to 12-week period, 24.0% had impaired glucose metabolism and none had overt diabetes. Those who completed an early glucose tolerance test had a lower rate of postpartum visit attendance compared with those who deferred (75.6 vs. 91.5%, p < 0.01).

Conclusion In this cohort, when the early glucose tolerance test is offered in clinical practice, adherence rates are higher than when the test is deferred until the postpartum visit.

Key Points
Oral versus intravenous iron for anemia in pregnancy: a cost-effectiveness analysis
Authors: Dazelle Wayde D.H. , Ebner Megan K , Potarazu Savita , Kazma Jamil , Ahmadzia Homa
Published: January 2024

Our findings suggest that treating antepartum anemia with currently available iron therapies would result in significant cost-savings and reductions in adverse outcomes associated with anemia in this context. Ferric carboxymaltose likely confers the greatest overall benefit among competing options. This conclusion is robust to uncertainty, even when the cost these therapies is significantly higher than is demonstrated in the literature.
Reverse-U Aortotomy (Kırali Incision) for Aortic Valvular Interventions
Authors: Ozgur Mustafa Mert , Hancer Hakan , Yigit Fatih , Aksut Mehmet , Ozer Tanıl , Altas Ozge , Sarıkaya Sabit , Kırali Kaan
Published: January 2024

Background Surgical incisional approach to the ascending aorta is the main strategic step during valvular and/or subvalvular aortic interventions. Classic aortotomy incisions (transverse or oblique) can be challenging and can cause suboptimal exposure of the aortic root especially for the patients with small aortic annulus or for redo coronary artery bypass patients with patent proximal grafts interposed to the ascending aorta.

Methods The Kırali incision was used in 91 patients (including 13 reoperations) who underwent an aortic intervention for valvular and subvalvular pathologies. Aortic root was exposed by forming inverted “U” shape incision starting from approximately 3 cm above the right coronary ostium toward the center of the noncoronary annulus and the top of the left–right commissure like a tongue.

Results The aortic valve was replaced with a mechanical prosthesis in 45 patients and with a bioprosthesis in 39 patients including 14 sutureless and 16 stentless prostheses. A total of 29 patients received a concomitant procedure per the following: coronary artery bypass grafting on 8 patients and left ventricular assist device on 7 patients. There was no any problem related to aortotomy incision technique such as bleeding, rupture, dehiscence, or laceration perioperatively. There was no complication related to the procedure during 5-year follow-up.

Conclusion This new aortotomy incision technique is a safe procedure that provides good exposure for all kinds of aortic valve interventions and protects grafts and can facilitate aortic root enlargement or aortoplasty easily. This incision has the potential to be an alternative to traditional techniques.
A Small Ratio of Proximal to Distal Bone Fragments Is a Risk Factor for Scaphoid Nonunion: A Volumetric Analysis of Preoperative CT
Authors: Sugiura Hirotaka , Tatebe Masahiro , Yoneda Hidemasa , Nishizuka Takanobu , Morita Akimasa , Yamamoto Michiro
Published: January 2024

Background Small proximal bone fragments are a known risk factor for nonunion, but it is not known what ratio of proximal to distal bone fragments actually results in nonunion.

Objective We hypothesized that a small proximal ratio of proximal scaphoid fragment volume to distal scaphoid volume as measured by preoperative computed tomography (CT) would be a risk factor for postoperative scaphoid nonunion.

Patients and Methods We retrospectively examined the factors that led to postoperative nonunion in 78 patients who underwent surgery using free bone grafts for scaphoid nonunion. Nonunion was defined as no evidence of union on plain radiography or CT more than 3 months after injury. Three-dimensional models of scaphoid fractures were created from the preoperative CT of all cases, and volumes were measured. Other patient characteristics, surgical methods, and imaging were investigated.

Results Persistent nonunion was observed in 13 patients after surgery, a rate of 16.7%. A multivariate analysis showed that only the proximal fragment ratio was an independent factor (union group 0.94, persistent nonunion group 0.54, p = 0.03). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that a proximal fragment ratio less than 0.66 was associated with persistent nonunion.

Conclusion Treatment of scaphoid nonunion with a small proximal fragment ratio should be based on a thorough understanding of the anatomy, blood flow, and carpal kinematics of the scaphoid bone itself.

Level of Evidence Level IV, prognostic study.
Impact of the Timing of Percutaneous Catheter Drainage following Endoscopic Drainage on Outcomes in Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis
Authors: Bhatia Harsimran , Vermani Sanya , Gupta Pankaj , Farook Shameema , Kumar Abhishek , Johnson Joseph , Shah Jimil , Singh Anupam , Jearth Vaneet , Samanta Jayanta , Mandavdhare Harshal , Sharma Vishal , Sinha Saroj K. , Dutta Usha , Kocchar Rakesh
Published: January 2024

Background The role of dual-modality drainage of walled-off necrosis (WON) in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) is established. However, there are no data on the association of clinical outcomes with the timing of percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD). We investigated the impact of the timing of PCD following endoscopic drainage of WON on clinical outcomes in AP.

Materials and Methods This retrospective study comprised consecutive patients with necrotizing AP who underwent endoscopic cystogastrostomy (CG) of WON followed by PCD between September 2018 and March 2023. Based on endoscopic CG to PCD interval, patients were divided into groups (≤ and >3 days, ≤ and >1 week, ≤ and >10 days, and ≤ and >2 weeks). Baseline characteristics and indications of CG and PCD were recorded. Clinical outcomes were compared between the groups, including length of hospitalization, length of intensive care unit stay, need for surgical necrosectomy, and death during hospitalization.

Results Thirty patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 35.5 ± 12.7 years) were evaluated. The mean CG to PCD interval was 11.2 ± 7.5 days. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics and indications of CG and PCD between the groups. The mean pain to CG interval was not significantly different between the groups. Endoscopic necrosectomy was performed in a significantly greater proportion of patients undergoing CG after 10 days (p = 0.003) and after 2 weeks (p = 0.032). There were no significant differences in the complications and clinical outcomes between the groups.

Conclusion The timing of PCD following endoscopic CG does not affect clinical outcomes.
The Role of Proximal Locking Fixation in Volar Distal Radius Fracture Fixation
Authors: Gossett Leland , Vu Giap H. , Reizner Wayne , Gira Emma , Qiu Bowen , Awad Hani A. , Ketonis Constantinos
Published: January 2024

Background Volar-locked plating has become a popular treatment option for unstable distal radius fractures. While using locking screws in the distal fragment increases the stability of the fixation, the biomechanical benefits of locking fixation in the proximal fragment have not been definitively established.

Purposes This study evaluated the initial mechanical behavior of the volar plating construct with different locking screw configurations in the proximal fragment.

Methods Sixteen Sawbones radius models were used. An unstable metaphyseal distal radius fracture was created and fixated with a volar-locked plate. Four different screw configurations in the proximal fragment were tested: all nonlocking screws, locking screw in the distal-most hole, locking screw in the proximal-most hole, and locking screws in both the proximal- and distal-most holes. Initial stiffness, displacement during harmonic loading, and load-to-failure were compared among the three groups.

Results The initial stiffness, displacement during harmonic loading, and load-to-failure did not significantly differ among the four proximal screw configurations (p < 0.05). Failure occurred via toggling of the screws in the configuration with all nonlocking screws and through screw breakage or locking mechanism failure in the configurations with locking screws.

Conclusions The use of locking screws in the proximal fragment did not significantly affect the initial stability of volar distal radius plating. However, failure modes differed between the nonlocking and locking configurations, consistent with known mechanical properties of locking fixation. Further mechanical studies in cadaveric models and clinical trials are warranted to determine the optimal screw configuration in volar distal radius plating.

Level of Evidence To be determined. Biomechanical study on synthetic models.
Comparative Analysis of Two Hemiarthroplasty Techniques for Symptomatic Distal Radial Ulnar Joint Arthritis
Authors: Hebel Nathan , Wu Kitty Y. , Helsper Elizabeth , El Hassan Bassem , Kakar Sanjeev , Rizzo Marco , Moran Steven L.
Published: January 2024

Background Hemiarthroplasty may be indicated for patients with distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) arthritis. Recently, the use of the pyrocarbon metacarpophalangeal implant has been proposed as a novel means of treating DRUJ arthritis due to the materials improved mechanical properties and wear characteristics.

Purpose and Questions This study compares midterm outcomes of metallic and pyrocarbon hemiarthroplasties for the treatment of symptomatic DRUJ arthritis. Questions of interest included outcomes and complications.

Patients and Methods In total, 32 hemiarthroplasties, 10 metallic and 22 pyrocarbon, were performed between 2010 and 2020 by three surgeons at one tertiary medical center. Patients' retrospective outcomes were extracted from the electronic medical record.

Results Postoperatively, the metallic implant group (mean follow-up: 38 months) demonstrated decreased pain but no changes in range of motion. Comparatively, the pyrocarbon group experienced an improved range of motion and postoperative pain (p < 0.05). Radiographic analysis demonstrated 10% of metallic implants and 9% of pyrocarbon implants to have resulted in thinning of the lateral cortex of the radius at the final follow-up. Minor complications in metallic and pyrocarbon implant groups warranting reoperation occurred at rates of 10 and 13.5% while implant failure occurred at a rate of 30 and 18%, respectively.

Discussion Within this study, pyrocarbon implants resulted in significant functional improvement with comparable complication and failure rates to the metallic implant. Long-term stability demonstrated efficacy for both techniques in symptomatic DRUJ treatment.

Type of Study/Level of Evidence Observational Case Series IV.
Social capital development on interest-based networks: examining its antecedents, process, and consequences
Authors: Chen Meng , Li Wu
Published: January 2024

Social capital development has been extensively studied on relationship-based networks (i.e., Facebook, WeChat), whereas scant attention has been devoted to another critical category: interest-based networks. People join interest-based networks primarily to exchange information on shared topics and interests, as opposed to relationship development or maintenance. Guided by social capital theory, the current research takes an initial step by looking into whether and how bridging and bonding social capital accrues on interest-based networks. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among users of a well-known Chinese interest-based network, Douban.com (N = 624). The participants reported their bridging and bonding social capital, frequency of online interactions with content (i.e., posting, favoriting) and with humans (i.e., chatting, discussing), and sense of belonging. The mediation analysis results informed us of a theoretical model of social capital development on interest-based networks with both online interactions with content and with humans as the antecedents, and a sense of belonging as the consequence. The findings also revealed the steps of bridging and bonding social capital development on interest-based networks. This study advanced our understanding of social capital theory by examining its applicability in an interest-based SNS, identifying OIs with humans and content as potential antecedents, and elucidating the association between two types of social capital. The findings hold practical significance for designers of interest-based networks.
Computational philosophy: reflections on the PolyGraphs project
Authors: Ball Brian , Koliousis Alexandros , Mohanan Amil , Peacey Mike
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we situate our computational approach to philosophy relative to other digital humanities and computational social science practices, based on reflections stemming from our research on the PolyGraphs project in social epistemology. We begin by describing PolyGraphs. An interdisciplinary project funded by the Academies (BA, RS, and RAEng) and the Leverhulme Trust, it uses philosophical simulations (Mayo-Wilson and Zollman, 2021) to study how ignorance prevails in networks of inquiring rational agents. We deploy models developed in economics (Bala and Goyal, 1998), and refined in philosophy (O’Connor and Weatherall, 2018; Zollman, 2007), to simulate communities of agents engaged in inquiry, who generate evidence relevant to the topic of their investigation and share it with their neighbors, updating their beliefs on the evidence available to them. We report some novel results surrounding the prevalence of ignorance in such networks. In the second part of the paper, we compare our own to other related academic practices. We begin by noting that, in digital humanities projects of certain types, the computational component does not appear to directly support the humanities research itself; rather, the digital and the humanities are simply grafted together, not fully intertwined and integrated. PolyGraphs is notably different: the computational work directly supports the investigation of the primary research questions, which themselves belong decidedly within the humanities in general, and philosophy in particular. This suggests an affinity with certain projects in the computational social sciences. But despite these real similarities, there are differences once again: the computational philosophy we practice aims not so much at description and prediction as at answering the normative and interpretive questions that are distinctive of humanities research.
Lifelong learning in the workplace: the knowledge management role of corporate universities in China
Authors: Han Yuhang , Zhou Yi , Carr Sarah , Jiang Jiaoyan
Published: January 2024

In the current era of constant change, both employees and enterprises face the daunting challenge of lifelong learning. To address enterprises’ dissatisfaction with the knowledge provided by traditional universities, a growing number of corporate universities are being established, representing a crucial strategic pathway for enterprises. This study thus adopts the coding methodology of grounded theory to analyze the internal mechanism of a sample of seven corporate universities in China enabling organizations’ lifelong learning. Adopting the knowledge-based view (KBV), this study also identifies how corporate universities empower organizations, establishing a path model whose paths include “generating strategic knowledge”, “sharing business knowledge”, “optimizing governance knowledge” and “transforming cultural knowledge”. Accordingly, this study establishes a theoretical path model and explores how to empower organizations’ lifelong learning in the context of China. Moreover, our qualitative conclusions not only enrich the literature on corporate universities and their complex functions concerning lifelong learning and knowledge management but also have important implications for managers in enterprises and corporate universities.
Transforming rice husks into fuel
Authors: Lange Katherine De
Published: January 2024

Exergoeconomic evaluations can optimize the energy efficiency of pyrolysis processes while minimizing economic costs.
Blue and red in the protein world: Photoactive yellow protein and phytochromes as revealed by time-resolved crystallography
Authors: Schmidt Marius , Stojković Emina A.
Published: January 2024

Time-resolved crystallography (TRX) is a method designed to investigate functional motions of biological macromolecules on all time scales. Originally a synchrotron-based method, TRX is enabled by the development of TR Laue crystallography (TRLX). TR serial crystallography (TR-SX) is an extension of TRLX. As the foundations of TRLX were evolving from the late 1980s to the turn of the millennium, TR-SX has been inspired by the development of Free Electron Lasers for hard X-rays. Extremely intense, ultrashort x-ray pulses could probe micro and nanocrystals, but at the same time, they inflicted radiation damage that necessitated the replacement by a new crystal. Consequently, a large number of microcrystals are exposed to X-rays one by one in a serial fashion. With TR-SX methods, one of the largest obstacles of previous approaches, namely, the unsurmountable challenges associated with the investigation of non-cyclic (irreversible) reactions, can be overcome. This article describes successes and transformative contributions to the TRX field by Keith Moffat and his collaborators, highlighting two major projects on protein photoreceptors initiated in the Moffat lab at the turn of the millennium.
Particle–polymer interactions for 3D printing material design
Authors: Mitchell Kellen , Hua Weijian , Bandala Erick , Gaharwar Akhilesh K. , Jin Yifei
Published: January 2024

Embedded ink writing (EIW) and direct ink writing (DIW) constitute the primary strategies for three-dimensional (3D) printing within the realm of material extrusion. These methods enable the rapid fabrication of complex 3D structures, utilizing either yield-stress support baths or self-supporting inks. Both these strategies have been extensively studied across a range of fields, including biomedical, soft robotics, and smart sensors, due to their outstanding print fidelity and compatibility with diverse ink materials. Particle additives capable of forming volume-filling 3D networks are frequently incorporated into polymer solvents. This integration is crucial for engineering the requisite microstructures essential for the formulation of successful support bath and ink materials. The interplay between the particle additives and polymer solvents is critical for achieving rheological tunability in various 3D printing strategies, yet this area has not been systematically reviewed. Therefore, in this critical review, we examined various mechanisms of particle–polymer interactions, the resulting microstructures, and their subsequent impact on mechanical and rheological properties. Overall, this work aims to serve as a foundational guideline for the design of next-generation materials in the field of extrusion additive manufacturing, specifically for EIW and DIW.
Modeling, properties, and fabrication of a micromachined thermoelectric generator
Authors: Uebensee Hartmut , Reiche Manfred , Kosina Hans , Xu Xuemei , Leipner Hartmut S. , Brokmann Geert , Schwartz Bernhard , Reinhardt Anna , Ortlepp Thomas
Published: January 2024

Different electrical and thermoelectric properties of a Si-based thermoelectric generator (TEG) are described based on the Kubo–Greenwood formalism. Temperature and doping dependence, phonon scattering (acoustic and optical phonons), and scattering on impurities are included. Comparisons with experimentally verified data confirm the validity of the model. Experimental studies were carried out on a micromechanically fabricated TEG. Devices were realized using a standard CMOS SOI technology in a lateral geometry. All thermopiles are located on a thin membrane to reduce the heat flow. The thickness of the membrane was adjusted between 20 and 30 µm ensuring also sufficient mechanical stability. Measurements on individual devices confirm the results of the theoretical model. The Seebeck coefficient was calculated and experimentally measured as S = 0.5 mV/K at an acceptor level of 1019 cm−3 at room temperature. The power factor is S2 · σ = 0.0073 W/mK2.
Reversible solvent interactions with UiO-67 metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Goodenough Isabella , Boyanich Mikaela C. , McDonnell Ryan P. , Castellana Lauren , Datta Devulapalli Venkata Swaroopa , Luo Tian-Yi , Das Prasenjit , Richard Mélissandre , Rosi Nathaniel L. , Borguet Eric
Published: January 2024

The utility of UiO-67 Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for practical applications requires a comprehensive understanding of intermolecular host-guest MOF–analyte interactions. To investigate intermolecular interactions between UiO-67 MOFs and complex molecules, it is useful to evaluate the interactions with simple polar and non-polar analytes. This problem is approached by investigating the interactions of polar (acetone and isopropanol) and non-polar (n-heptane) molecules with functionalized UiO-67 MOFs via temperature programmed desorption mass spectrometry and temperature programmed Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. We find that isopropanol, acetone, and n-heptane bind reversibly and non-destructively to UiO-67 MOFs, where MOF and analyte functionality influence relative binding strengths (n-heptane ≈ isopropanol > acetone). During heating, all three analytes diffuse into the internal pore environment and directly interact with the μ3-OH groups located within the tetrahedral pores, evidenced by the IR response of ν(μ3-OH). We observe nonlinear changes in the infrared cross sections of the ν(CH) modes of acetone, isopropanol, and n-heptane following diffusion into UiO-67. Similarly, acetone’s ν(C=O) infrared cross section increases dramatically when diffused into UiO-67. Ultimately, this in situ investigation provides insights into how individual molecular functional groups interact with UiO MOFs and enables a foundation where MOF interactions with complex molecular systems can be evaluated.
Ni/Bi bilayers: The effect of thickness on the superconducting properties
Authors: Sant’ana Gabriel , Möckli David , Viegas Alexandre da Cas , Pureur Paulo , Tumelero Milton A.
Published: January 2024

Nickel/bismuth (Ni/Bi) bilayers have recently attracted attention due to the occurrence of time-reversal symmetry breaking in the superconducting state. Here, we report on the structural, magnetic, and electric characterization of thin film Ni/Bi bilayers with several Bi thicknesses. We observed the formation of a complex layered structure depending on the Bi thickness caused by the inter-diffusion of Bi and Ni which leads to the stabilization of NiBi3 at the Bi/Ni interface. The superconducting transition temperature and the transition width are highly dependent on the Bi thickness and the layer structure. Magnetoelectric transport measurements in perpendicular and parallel magnetic fields were used to investigate the temperature-dependent upper critical field within the framework of the anisotropic Ginzburg–Landau theory and the Werthamer–Helfand–Hohenberg model. For thicker samples, we observed a conventional behavior, similar to that shown by NiBi3 bulk samples, including a small Maki parameter (αM=0), no spin–orbit scattering (λSO=0) and nearly isotropic coherence length (γ=ξ⊥(0)/ξ∥(0)≈1). The values obtained for these properties are close to those characterizing NiBi3 single crystals. On the other hand, in very thin samples, the Maki parameter increases to about αM=2.8. In addition, the coherence length becomes anisotropic (γ=0.32) and spin–orbit scattering (λSO=1.2) must be taken into account. Our results unequivocally show that the properties characterizing the superconducting state in the Ni/Bi are strongly dependent on the sample thickness.
Particle transport in turbulent square duct flows with a free surface
Authors: Wang Yanzhi , Mortimer Lee F. , Fairweather Michael , Ma Wenli , Zhen Yanzhong
Published: January 2024

Direct numerical simulation combined with a one-way coupled Lagrangian particle tracking technique is employed to investigate dilute particle-laden turbulent flows in open square ducts with a free surface. The focus is on examining the influence of the mean cross-stream secondary flow on particle transport near the wall, free surface, and across the duct cross section. Based on the duct half-width and mean friction velocity, a shear Reynolds number of Reτ = 300 is considered, with the corresponding particle Stokes numbers ranging from St+ = 0.31 to 260. The results reveal that particle concentration near the sidewalls is lower than that near the bottom wall, and the minimum particle concentration is observed at the free surface. Along the bottom wall centerline orientated upward, particle concentration gradually decreases. An exception to this is in the vicinity of the free surface where a slight increase is observed for the heavier particles (St+ ≥ 25), and the amplitude of this increase gradually declines as the Stokes number increases. In the streamwise direction near the free surface, heavier particles tend to preferentially concentrate in regions where the instantaneous transverse secondary flow velocity is negative. As the Stokes number increases, the position of the maximum streamwise velocity for heavier particles is closer to the free surface, and the rotation centers of inner and outer secondary particle motions gradually disappear. The streamwise root mean square velocity for the lightest St+ = 0.31 particles is higher than that for particles with higher inertia in the middle region of the free surface.
Implementing vorticity–velocity formulation in a finite difference lattice Boltzmann method for two-dimensional incompressible generalized Newtonian fluids
Authors: Kefayati Gholamreza
Published: January 2024

A finite difference lattice Boltzmann approach is introduced to address the two-dimensional macroscopic equations of velocity–vorticity for generalized Newtonian fluids (GNFs). The study involves equations governing macroscopic momentum, energy, and concentration, along with constitutive models applicable to Newtonian, power-law, and viscoplastic fluids. Subsequently, the lattice Boltzmann method, which recovers these macroscopic equations, is detailed, along with proof of its capability to reproduce the aforementioned equations. In order to evaluate the effectiveness and time efficiency of the method, it is validated against various benchmarks. The results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed method in successfully solving isothermal, thermal, and solutal problems of GNFs, while significantly reducing computational time compared to our previously suggested approach in this domain.
Pressure waves from air gun bubbles: A numerical analysis based on the finite volume method
Authors: Wang Shi-Ping , Geng Hang , Zhang Shuai , Wang Si-Wei
Published: January 2024

Pressure waves emitted from the air gun contain many frequencies, among which low-frequency waves are desirable for exploration and imaging, while high-frequency waves need to be suppressed as they are harmful to marine species. The high-frequency waves originate from the fast oscillations of the flow during the release of the air, such as the impingement of the gas jet into the liquid, the expansion of the air gun bubble, and the interaction between the air gun body and the bubble. However, those dynamic and the emitted waves are adjustable by the special design of the air guns. To analyze the underlying relations, we present a numerical study with a compressible air gun bubble model using the volume of fluid (VOF) approach combined with the finite volume method (FVM) implemented in STAR-CCM+. The venting process of an air gun is investigated to reveal the influence of the air gun body. The results show that air gun pressure for the far field is mainly proportional to the expansion acceleration of the whole gas. Our results also indicate that the opening and chamber shape of the air gun affects the gas expansion acceleration, which influences the first peak of the pressure wave significantly. The larger the opening is, the faster the gas is released, the greater the amplitude of the first peak is. The larger the chamber length/diameter ratio, the slower the gas is released and the lower the amplitude of the first peak.
Programmable integrated photonic coherent matrix: Principle, configuring, and applications
Authors: Wu Bo , Zhou Hailong , Dong Jianji , Zhang Xinliang
Published: January 2024

Every multi-input multi-output linear optical system can be deemed as a matrix multiplier that carries out a desired transformation on the input optical information, such as imaging, modulation, and computing. The strong programmability of the optical matrix has been explored and proved to be able to bring more flexibility and greater possibilities to the applications such as optical signal processing and general optical digital and analog computing. Furthermore, the burgeoning integrated photonics with advanced manufacturing and light manipulating technology pave the way for large-scale reconfigurable photonic coherent matrix. This paper reviews the programmable photonic coherent matrix in the integrated platform. First, the theoretical basis and optimizing methods of three types of integrated photonic coherent matrix (Mach–Zehnder interferometer mesh, multi-plane diffraction, and crossbar array) are introduced. Next, we overview the configuring method of this optical matrix. Furthermore, their applications in optical signal processing, optical neural network, optical logic operation, recurrent optical matrix acceleration, and optical quantum computing are comprehensively reviewed. Finally, the challenges and opportunities of programmable integrated photonic coherent matrix are discussed.