bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flame Retardant Polyurethane‐Based Semi‐Interpenetrating Network Electrolyte with Continuous Ion Channel for High‐Voltage Lithium‐Metal Batteries
Authors: Zhang Zexian , Zhao Tingting , Huang Sheng , Wang Shuanjin , Han Dongmei , Guo Hui , Xiao Min , Meng Yuezhong
Published: December 2024

High‐nickel cathode materials is known to have high specific capacity but poor stability and safety due to nickel diffusion. While Al‐doped high‐nickel cathode (NCMA) particles exhibit enhanced stability, their durability under high‐charge cut‐off voltages remains uncertain. Herein, a polymer electrolyte with semi‐interpenetrating network (SIPN) structure is designed for high‐voltage lithium‐metal battery application. The matrix of the polymer electrolyte is composed of a CO2‐derived thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and an in situ polymerized polyacrylonitrile (PAN), where the PAN provides strength and the TPU offers excellent high‐voltage resistance and abundant ion‐complexing sites. With the assistance of additives, the PAN‐TPU‐based electrolyte performs excellent flame retardancy, wide electrochemical stability window (>5.1 V) and can lead to stable organic–inorganic hybrid cathode‐electrolyte interface during cycling. The Li‖PAN‐TPU/TEP‐E‖Li cell lasts over 3400 h at 0.2 mA cm−2. With the construction of well‐connected ion pathway by incorporating of the TPU as binder for cathode and in situ forming the PAN‐TPU‐based electrolyte. The NCMA@TPU‖PAN‐TPU/triethyl phosphate‐based electrolyte (TEP‐E)‖Li cell shows outstanding performances, which maintains a capacity of 186 mAh g−1 at a 4.3 V charging cut‐off voltage, retaining 82% capacity after 300 cycles at 0.5 C. Even at a 4.5 V cut‐off voltage, it retains 78% capacity after 200 cycles at 0.5 C.
Intracranial ependymoma: A retrospective analysis of clinical features, treatment modalities, and long‐term outcome
Authors: Badary Amr , Kurdi Sarah Zuhair , Almealawy Yasser F. , Alrubaye Sura N. , Sanker Vivek , Chaurasia Bipin , Atallah Oday
Published: December 2024

Objective

Ependymomas, rare neuroglial tumors originating from ependymal cells, can occur in the CNS and typically affect the brain's ventricles or spinal cord. Prognosis is influenced by tumor grade, location, resection extent, and preoperative Karnofsky Performance Status Scale (KPSS) scores. This study evaluates clinical features, treatment outcomes, and factors affecting prognosis in patients with intracranial ependymomas.

Methods

A retrospective review of 23 patients with intracranial ependymomas, treated from 2018 to 2023, was conducted. Data included demographics, clinical presentations, KPSS scores, imaging findings, and treatment details. Outcomes assessed were postoperative complications, recurrence rates, and functional status. Statistical analysis used SPSS version 26, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Results

The cohort was predominantly male (87.0%), with a mean age of 27 years. Tumors were mostly in the fourth ventricle (82.6%), with an average diameter of 68.9 mm. Complete resection was achieved in 87.0% of cases. Postoperative radiotherapy was given to 91.0% of grade 2 and all grade 3 tumors. Recurrence occurred in 17.4% of grade 2 ependymomas, but none of grade 3. The seven‐month mortality rate was 4.3%. Higher preoperative KPSS scores correlated with better outcomes.

Conclusion

Complete tumor resection and postoperative radiotherapy are crucial for improved outcomes in ependymomas. Higher preoperative KPSS scores and tumor location significantly impact prognosis. Tumors in the lateral ventricles are associated with higher recurrence risks. These findings highlight the need for aggressive surgical management and personalized adjuvant therapy to enhance patient outcomes.
Aromatizaiton of 2‐Carbonyl‐1‐Tetralones and Analogues via Aerobic Oxidation under Basic Conditions
Authors: Wang Tianqi , Su Fangyao , Yin Shuting , Zhang Boxiao , Liu Yongguo , Sun Baoguo , Tian Hongyu , Liang Sen
Published: December 2024

1‐Tetralone‐2‐carboxylates have been shown to undergo aromatization in the presence of sodium hydride under blue light irradiation in DMSO, yielding 1‐hydroxy‐2‐naphthoates with yields ranging from 30 % to 92 %. This method is also effective for the aromatization of 2‐acyl‐1‐tetralones, 1‐tetralone‐2‐carboxamides, and related structures containing heteroarenes. Thus, it serves as a valuable synthetic approach for the preparation of 2‐carbonyl substituted 1‐naphthols. The proposed mechanism involves aerobic oxidation under light irradiation, leading to the formation of α,β‐unsaturated hydroperoxide intermediates, which subsequently produce the aromatized products.
A Small‐Molecule Approach Enables RNA Aptamers to Function as Sensors for Reactive Inorganic Targets
Authors: Aggarwal Tushar , Wang Liming , Gutierrez Bryan , Guven Hakan , Erguven Huseyin , Cho Sarah , Izgu Enver Cagri
Published: December 2024

Fluorescent light‐up aptamer (FLAP) systems are promising (bio)sensing platforms that are genetically encodable. However, FLAP‐mediated detection of each distinct target necessitates either in vitro selection or engineering of nucleic acid sequences. Furthermore, an aptamer that binds an inorganic target or a chemical species with a short lifetime is challenging to realize. Here, we describe a small‐molecule approach that makes it possible for a single FLAP system to detect chemically unique, non‐fluorogenic, and reactive inorganics. We developed functionalized pre‐ligands of RNA aptamers that bind benzylidene imidazolinones (Baby Spinach, Broccolli, Squash). Reactive inorganics, hydrogen sulfide (H2S/HS−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), can specifically convert these pre‐ligands into native ligands that fluoresce with FLAPs. Adaptation of this platform to live cells opened an opportunity for constructing whole‐cell sensors: Escherichia coli transformed with a Baby Spinach‐encoding plasmid and incubated with pre‐ligands generated fluorescence in response to exogenous H2S/HS− or H2O2. Leveraging the functional group reactivity of small molecules eliminates the requirement of in vitro selection of a new aptamer sequence or oligonucleotide scaffold engineering for distinct molecular targets. Our method allows for detecting inorganic, short‐lived species, thereby advancing FLAP systems beyond their current capabilities.
Photochromic Dysprosium Single‐Molecule Magnet Featuring Reversible Redox Transformation of Polyoxomolybdate Moiety
Authors: Kong Hui , Wang Jing‐Yu , Liu Jia‐Chuan , Zhang Lu , Liao Pei‐Yu , Qi Yu‐Quan , Liu Zheng , Wu Si‐Guo , Tong Ming‐Liang
Published: December 2024

A photochromic dysprosium‐based single‐molecule magnet [Dy(CyPh2PO)2(H2O)5](PMo12O40) ⋅ 3CyPh2PO⋅H2O (1‐Dy) is synthesized via cocrystal engineering of a polyoxomolybdate (POMo) anion and an Ising‐type cation with pseudo pentagonal bipyramidal geometry. Upon ultraviolet irradiation, MoVI‐to‐MoV single‐electron photoreduction occurs in the POMo moiety, resulting in significant changes of optical and magnetic properties. The emergence of intervalence charge‐transfer transitions in heteropoly blue state 1‐Dy* facilitates photothermal conversion in near‐infrared region. Meanwhile, the coercive field of hysteresis loop is altered from 0.72 T (1‐Dy) to 0.04 T (1‐Dy*) at 2 K, which might be contributed to the magnetic interaction between DyIII and MoV. After dark treatment, 1‐Dy* can convert to the initial state with the recovery of magnetic memory effect. These results presented herein provide a blueprint for developing versatile opto‐magnetic materials via the coupling of photochemical regulation and magnetic interaction.
pH‐Dependent Fluorescence Quenching of Rhodamine 6G by Graphene Oxide: A Comprehensive Spectroscopic Study
Authors: Si Jiarui , Liu Yikang , Jiang Yuanfei , Chen Yutong , Chen Anmin , Jin Mingxing
Published: December 2024

The fluorescence quenching behavior of rhodamine 6G (R6G) by graphene oxide (GO) under varying pH conditions was investigated. Utilizing steady‐state fluorescence spectroscopy, single‐photon counting, and ultrafast time‐resolved absorption spectroscopy, we explored the quenching efficiency at pH values of 3, 7, and 11. Our findings reveal that GO effectively quenches R6G fluorescence across all tested pH levels, with the most significant quenching observed at pH 7. This quenching efficiency is attributed to optimal electrostatic interactions and efficient charge transfer between GO and R6G at neutral pH. At pH 3, the quenching efficiency is moderately reduced due to partial protonation of GO, which weakens electrostatic interactions but maintains hydrogen bonding. At pH 11, the quenching efficiency is lowest, likely due to increased electrostatic repulsion and reduced charge transfer resulting from deprotonation of GO. Ultrafast time‐resolved absorption spectroscopy further confirmed the dynamic nature of the quenching process, showing distinct differences in relaxation kinetics across the pH spectrum. This study highlights the critical role of pH in modulating the quenching mechanisms of GO and R6G, providing valuable insights for the design of pH‐sensitive fluorescence sensing systems.
Reaction‐Based Fluorescence Assays for the Determination of Food Trimethylamine Oxide
Authors: Peng Danfeng , Huang Xinxin , Wang Qiling , Huang Liying , Liu Fang , Xia Xiaotong , Liu Fangle , Cai Chun , Deng Tao
Published: December 2024

Trimethylamine oxide (TMAO), a microbial metabolite commonly found in foods, has been attracting increasing attention as it is associated with the risk of several diseases. Simple and accurate analytical methods are crucial for TMAO study. In the present study, we proposed a chemical reaction‐based fluorescence assay for TMAO detection using synthetic small molecular probes. After systematic screening and optimization, the sensitive and selective quantification of TMAO has been achieved based on a fluorescence probe P6 (3‐iodopropanyl group modified resorufin). Excellent linearity (R2 = 0.997) was found between 6.25 and 50 μM, and the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.20 μM. Using this method, TMAO levels in several marine fishes and shellfishes have been successfully analyzed. The probe‐based assay offers a simple and useful way for TMAO determination. The design is inspired by the unique oxidation reaction between TMAO and halogen, which opens a new perspective in the development of more advanced analytical assays for TMAO in the future.
Fast and Incremental 3D Model Renewal for Urban Scenes With Appearance Changes
Authors: Xiong Yuan , Zhou Zhong
Published: December 2024

Urban 3D models with high‐resolution details are the basis of various mixed reality and geographic information systems. Fast and accurate urban reconstruction from aerial photographs has attracted intense attention. Existing methods exploit multi‐view geometry information from landscape patterns with similar illumination conditions and terrain appearance. In practice, urban models become obsolete over time due to human activities. Mainstream reconstruction pipelines rebuild the whole scene even if the main part of them remains unchanged. This paper proposes a novel wrapping‐based incremental modeling framework to reuse existing models and renew them with new meshes efficiently. The paper illustrates a pose optimization method with illumination‐based augmentation and virtual bundle adjustment. Besides, a high‐performance wrapping‐based meshing method is proposed for fast reconstruction. Experimental results show that the proposed method can achieve higher performance and quality than state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Phytochemical Screening and Biological Activities of Convolvulus oxyphyllus Extracts
Authors: Masood Najat , Younes Kareem M. , Alshammari Rawan S. , Abunayyan Norah M. , Alanazi Tahani Y. A. , Magam Sami
Published: December 2024

As a member of the Convolvulaceae family, Convolvulus oxyphyllus is used in many medicinal contexts. The purpose of this study was to investigate the biological potency of plant methanolic extracts and determine the main bioactive components that give them their potencies. Using in vitro biological tests, the effects of plant extracts on cytotoxicity, antioxidant, and antibacterial activity were investigated. The results showed that C. oxyphyllus methanolic extracts exhibited potent antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Proteus vulgaris, as well as good antioxidant activity comparable to ascorbic acid. Methanolic leaf extract exhibited maximum cytotoxic activity against HepG2 cancer cells, producing cell cycle arrest at the S phase. In addition, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used to further analyze chemical makeup of leaf extract. 3‐Hydroxyphenyl acetic acid, quercetin, myricetin, and kaempferol were among the bioactive substances discovered. In conclusion, C. oxyphyllus leaves extract showed encouraging antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxic properties. More research is needed to determine C. oxyphyllus's therapeutic potential for treating liver cancer.
The Chemical Recovery of PMMA into Monomer
Authors: Yang Xi‐Man , Wang Xiao‐Yan , Tang Yong
Published: December 2024

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), commonly known as plexiglass, is widely used in the areas of aircraft, automobile, construction and transplants, due to its high mechanical strength, good corrosion resistance, and excellent compatibility with human tissue. With the increase in production and usage of PMMA, the vast accumulation of PMMA waste has posed a challenge to the recycling of PMMA waste. However, at present, only less than 10 % of PMMA is recycled each year. The cost‐effective chemical recovery of PMMA into monomer with high efficiency has attracted wide attention and has become one of the hot research subjects. The chemical recovery of PMMA into monomer are realized mainly via two approaches, including the pyrolysis of common PMMA at high temperature and the depolymerization of end‐functionalized PMMA under mild conditions. The second approach has emerged and achieved significant progresses in the past several years. Herein, we provide a review about the researches of chemical recovery of PMMA into monomer. Firstly, the pyrolysis of general PMMA at high temperature is illustrated by typical research works. Subsequently, the depolymerization of end‐functionalized PMMA under mild conditions is highlighted and discussed, as this approach is more in line with the green and sustainable development of polymer chemistry.
Highly Efficient Spectral Measurement Methods Using Newly Developed High‐Throughput Magnetic Circularly Polarized Luminescence System
Authors: Suzuki Satoko , Kaneta Akio , Santria Anas , Oyama Taiji , Nishikawa Hiroyuki , Imai Yoshitane , Akao Ken‐ichi , Ishikawa Naoto
Published: December 2024

Magnetic circularly polarized luminescence (MCPL) spectroscopy is widely used to evaluate the luminescence dissymmetry factor (gMCPL) for compounds. However, even for the same instrument and operating conditions, the measured gMCPL is affected by errors associated with sources such as baseline drift and spectral noise, and so the range of variation of gMCPL must be considered when comparing values, which requires multiple measurements for the same sample. Also, because many samples undergo photodegradation under excitation light, it is difficult to accumulate and average spectra for samples with weak MCPL signals to improve the signal‐to‐noise ratio. Single measurements must therefore be performed on multiple samples and the results averaged. Furthermore, for samples with a small Stokes shift, spectral correction is required to compensate for the intensity reduction due to the inner‐filter effect (IFE). Such measurements are generally performed manually and are therefore time consuming and prone to human error. Here, we demonstrate the use of a newly developed high‐throughput MCPL system to automatically measure MCPL and fluorescence spectra of multiple samples of phthalocyanine complexes with high efficiency and reduced human errors. This system allows the incorporation of effective countermeasures to the issues of gMCPL variation, sample photodegradation, extremely weak MCPL signals, and the IFE.
Energiesparen auf direktem Weg
Authors: Schienhammer Ralf
Published: December 2024

Mit den steigenden Energiekosten und dem dringenden Bedarf zur Reduzierung von CO₂‐Emissionen wird die Energieeffizienz in industriellen Prozessen immer wichtiger. Magnetgekuppelte, dichtungslose Pumpen mit nicht‐metallischen Spalttöpfen bieten eine innovative und bewährte Lösung zur Reduktion von Energieverlusten und ermöglichen erhebliche Einsparungen. Erfahren Sie, wie diese Technologie nicht nur die Umwelt schont, sondern auch Kosten reduziert, und welche Mythen um sie auf den Prüfstand gehören.
A dual‐space multilevel kernel‐splitting framework for discrete and continuous convolution
Authors: Jiang Shidong , Greengard Leslie
Published: December 2024

We introduce a new class of multilevel, adaptive, dual‐space methods for computing fast convolutional transformations. These methods can be applied to a broad class of kernels, from the Green's functions for classical partial differential equations (PDEs) to power functions and radial basis functions such as those used in statistics and machine learning. The DMK (dual‐space multilevel kernel‐splitting) framework uses a hierarchy of grids, computing a smoothed interaction at the coarsest level, followed by a sequence of corrections at finer and finer scales until the problem is entirely local, at which point direct summation is applied. Unlike earlier multilevel summation schemes, DMK exploits the fact that the interaction at each scale is diagonalized by a short Fourier transform, permitting the use of separation of variables, but without relying on the FFT. This requires careful attention to the discretization of the Fourier transform at each spatial scale. Like multilevel summation, we make use of a recursive (telescoping) decomposition of the original kernel into the sum of a smooth far‐field kernel, a sequence of difference kernels, and a residual kernel, which plays a role only in leaf boxes in the adaptive tree. At all higher levels in the grid hierarchy, the interaction kernels are designed to be smooth in both physical and Fourier space, admitting efficient Fourier spectral approximations. The DMK framework substantially simplifies the algorithmic structure of the fast multipole method (FMM) and unifies the FMM, Ewald summation, and multilevel summation, achieving speeds comparable to the FFT in work per gridpoint, even in a fully adaptive context. For continuous source distributions, the evaluation of local interactions is further accelerated by approximating the kernel at the finest level as a sum of Gaussians (SOG) with a highly localized remainder. The Gaussian convolutions are calculated using tensor product transforms, and the remainder term is calculated using asymptotic methods. We illustrate the performance of DMK for both continuous and discrete sources with extensive numerical examples in two and three dimensions.
Velvet: An alternative high‐yielding peppermint clone for oil production
Authors: Kippes Nestor , Culp Darrin , Wilson Robert G. , Dowd Eric , Comai Luca , Henry Isabelle M.
Published: December 2024

Peppermint oil is one of the most widely recognized natural flavors. It is mainly produced commercially by extraction from two main types of cultivars: Black Mitcham (Mentha × piperita L.), a sterile polyploid and the backbone of peppermint oil production in the United States, and Arvensis (Mentha arvensis L.), the main cultivar used for peppermint oil extraction in India. Here, we present the identification of an accession called Velvet that is publicly available at the US National Plant Germplasm System and exhibits potential as an alternative peppermint‐type oil producer. Despite its original classification as a diploid, we found that Velvet exhibits a nuclear DNA content close to that of Black Mitcham and higher than those of diploid and tetraploid mint accessions, suggesting a high ploidy level. A trial for cut date optimization suggested that one cut, between 117 and 124 days after sowing, is the optimal strategy for oil production. Analytic profiles of the oil produced by Velvet across years confirmed that Velvet produces a peppermint‐type oil with high menthol content (67%), and an overall oil profile similar but distinguishable from that produced by Mentha arvensis clones. Multi‐year field trials showed that Velvet exhibits great potential for mint oil production, with up to 38% yield increase compared to the control, Black Mitcham. The identification of an additional peppermint‐type oil producer presents new opportunities for farmers and the mint industry in their search for new superior clones, but also new germplasm to help decipher the genetic basis underlying peppermint oil production.
Analysis and Modeling of Fractional Order LC Series Resonant Boost Converter Based on Fractional Calculus and Laplace Transform
Authors: Ma Chentao , Zhu Xiaoquan , Chen Ziwen , Hou Jintao , Zhang Bo
Published: December 2024

Based on the fractional‐order (FO) characteristics of inductors and capacitors, many basic PWM DC–DC converters are defined and modeled by FO calculus in previous studies, but the research of FO resonant dc converters is still in its early stage. Therefore, this paper adopts FO calculus and Laplace transform to model and analyze a ZCS boost converter with an LC resonant tank, which mainly focuses on the influence of the FO component on the soft switching characteristics, converter efficiency, and output voltage gain of this isolated dc converter. This paper extends the topology to the fractional order domain and conducts FO modeling. The order of the resonant inductor and capacitor will affect the amplitude/phase of the resonant current and then affect the converter ZCS characteristic. The analysis demonstrates that the reduction of FOI and FOC order is not conducive to the ZCS of switching devices and converter efficiency. Based on the voltage and current relationship of the FO LC resonant tank, a parameter design guideline is presented. Numerical tools are used to solve the FO output voltage gain and draw the gain curve. And the order of FOI and FOC provides new flexibility for the converter output gain and soft switching design. Finally, simulations and a 360 W hardware experimental prototype are conducted to verify the accuracy and effectiveness of theoretical analysis.
Effect of Ion‐Neutral Collisions on the Plasma Sheath in the Presence of Surface‐Produced Negative Ions
Authors: Samanta Sutapa , Moulick Rakesh , Bhuyan P. J. , Saikia B. J.
Published: December 2024

The effect of ion‐neutral collisions on the plasma sheath has been investigated for electronegative plasma in the presence of surface‐produced negative ions. Such sheath structures are commonly found in the negative ion sources. It has been found that ion‐neutral collisions reduce the ion velocity towards the sheath and consequently reduce the negative ion production from the surface. The space charge profile shows peak near the sheath edge in contrast to the common case where it has a peak near the wall. The fractional loss of the ions at the wall along with the ion impact energy is calculated.
Does Motility‐Restricting Fibrosis Influence Dispersal? An Experiment in Nature With Threespine Stickleback
Authors: Heckley Alexis M. , Bolnick Daniel I. , Dinh Francis , Hendry Andrew P. , Steinel Natalie C.
Published: December 2024

Dispersal can affect individual‐level fitness and population‐level ecological and evolutionary processes. Factors that affect dispersal could therefore have important eco‐evolutionary implications. Here, we investigated the extent to which an inflammation and tissue repair response—peritoneal fibrosis—which is known to restrict movement, could influence dispersal by conducting a mark‐recapture experiment in a lake in Alaska with threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculatus). A subset of captured stickleback were injected with aluminium phosphate to experimentally induce fibrosis (‘treatment group’), and another subset were injected with saline or received no injection—both of which do not induce fibrosis (‘control group’). We released all fish at one introduction point and re‐sampled stickleback throughout the lake for 8 days. We recaptured 123 individuals (n = 47 fibrosis treatment; n = 76 control) and dissected them to determine fibrosis levels. Overall, fibrosis did not affect dispersal. Some compelling (but not statistically significant) trends suggest that early‐stage inflammation may affect dispersal, providing opportunities for future work. By showing that effects on dispersal are not important side effects of fibrosis, these findings improve our understanding of the ecological implications of immune responses.
Scalable Hierarchical‐Colored Passive Cooling Metapaint for Outdoor Facility
Authors: Yang Maiping , Zhou Zikang , Liu Mingxiang , Wu Jiawei , Li Jiaxin , Liang Jun , Zhang Shiliang , Chen Mingyue , Zeng Hongtao , Li Xiaofeng , Han Hao , Hou Chong , Tao Guangming
Published: December 2024

The temperature of metal‐based facilities rises significantly under high outdoor solar irradiation, leading to serious safety accidents. The application of active cooling technology poses challenges due to its high energy consumption, especially in complex outdoor environments. Passive cooling devices with high solar reflection and thermal emission can continuously cool objects under sunlight. However, the white or silvery passive cooling devices do not meet the need for aesthetics and specific demands. Here, we present a hierarchical metapaint for outdoor facilities that simultaneously achieve vibrant color and passive cooling ability. The top layer selectively absorbs visible wavelengths to display desired colors, while the underlayer boosts the reflection of near‐to‐short wavelength infrared (NSWIR) light to prevent solar heating. The metapaint‐coated metal is resistant to high and low temperatures, acidic and alkaline environments, and simulated seawater. It also has satisfactory anti‐fouling properties. When compared to metal coated without commercial paint, the hierarchical passive cooling paint (metapaint) coated metal can cool up to 9.7°C and 17.1°C. The metapaint has excellent passive cooling performance, attributed to its broad‐spectrum selective regulation function. Our work offers a simple, inexpensive, and scalable approach to reduce cooling energy usage and promote a low‐carbon lifestyle.

image
A Clustering‐Based Loading History Selection Method for the Calibration of Buckling‐Restrained Braces in Seismic Analysis
Authors: Zhang Hongzhou , Kwon Oh‐Sung , Christopoulos Constantin
Published: December 2024

The accuracy of engineering demand parameters obtained from nonlinear time‐history analysis (NTHA) is crucial in a performance‐based earthquake engineering framework. Hysteretic models are commonly used for predicting the nonlinear response of critical structural components and are essential for ensuring the accuracy of NTHA results. Hysteretic models are typically calibrated based on the experimental data from a quasi‐static test utilizing a standardized reversed‐cyclic loading protocol. Recent studies, however, have shown that this conventional model calibration method may lead to inaccurate dynamic response of a structural system because the standardized reversed‐cyclic loading history (LH) is unrealistic compared to what the component would experience in a structural system subjected to earthquake ground motions. These studies have demonstrated the benefits of using more realistic LHs for hysteretic model calibration by evaluating the calibration relevance (CR) of different calibration methods. The objective of this study is to extend the framework of evaluating calibration methods and to provide additional insights and recommendations to enhance the robustness of model calibrations. This is achieved by analyses conducted on a suite of buckling‐restrained braced frames (BRBFs). First, a comprehensive global sensitivity analysis (GSA) of parameters for a commonly used hysteretic model is conducted based on a probabilistic input model that was derived previously from multiple hybrid simulations. The GSA is conducted by evaluating Sobol’ indices using a metamodel‐based approach with polynomial chaos expansions (PCEs). Next, 20 features are extracted from each realistic LH considering the characteristics in the transitional and plastic ranges of the corresponding hysteresis curve. A clustering‐based LH selection criterion based on these features is then proposed to identify an optimal cluster of LHs exhibiting greater CR values, which are desirable in achieving higher accuracy in the global model of the structural system.
Front Cover
Authors: Goodman Christopher D. , DeMonte Franco , Nguyen Theresa P. , Garden Adam S. , Wang Catherine He , Wang Xin A. , Diao Kevin , Lee Anna , Reddy Jay , Moreno Amy , Spiotto Michael , Fuller Clifton D. , Rosenthal David , Ferrarotto Renata , Raza Shaan M. , Su Shirley Y. , Warner Andrew , Hanna Ehab , Phan Jack
Published: December 2024

The cover image is based on the article A prospective cohort study on stereotactic radiotherapy in the management of dural recurrence of olfactory neuroblastoma by Christopher D. Goodman MD et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.27887.

image
Large‐cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the kidney effectively treated by nivolumab and ipilimumab
Authors: Okubo Nodoka , Kabuto Takashi , Kobayashi Hisato , Kimura Junya , Imamura Yoshiaki , Seki Masaya , Inamura So , Taga Minekatsu , Fukushima Masato , Terada Naoki
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Neuroendocrine tumors originating in the kidney are rare, and standard treatments are not established.

Case presentation

An 80‐years‐old man was referred to our hospital with renal dysfunction and a left renal mass. Based on CT and bone scintigraphy results, he was diagnosed as having a large left renal tumor with a thrombus in the inferior vena cava, harboring lymph node, liver, lung, and left iliac bone metastasis. The renal biopsy indicated a large‐cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. Treatment with nivolumab + ipilimumab was introduced. The local and metastatic tumors had shrunk. Subsequently, treatment with nivolumab has remained effective for >2 years.

Conclusion

This case demonstrates the efficacy of treatment with the immune‐checkpoint inhibitors against large‐cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the kidney.
TransformHR: A Novel Approach to Athlete Heart Rate Monitoring With Transformer‐Based Wearable Technology
Authors: Shen Yunfeng
Published: December 2024

This study presents an innovative Transformer‐based deep learning model for heart rate estimation in wearable devices, addressing accuracy challenges during high‐intensity activities. Our model, utilizing self‐attention mechanisms and energy‐efficient computational strategies, achieves a mean absolute error (MAE) of 4.0–4.2 beats per minute and correlation coefficients of 0.92–0.93 on public datasets PPG‐DaLiA and WESAD. On our more challenging proprietary athlete dataset, the model maintains excellent performance with an MAE of 4.3 beats per minute and a correlation coefficient of 0.91. Ablation studies demonstrate the importance of attention mechanisms, positional encoding, and Gaussian‐weighted loss functions to model performance. These results highlight the potential of our approach in improving heart rate monitoring accuracy in wearable technologies, particularly for high‐intensity athletic data, showcasing its adaptability and effectiveness in real‐world athletic scenarios.
Different criteria affect prevalence of relapse of behavior targeted for treatment
Authors: Podlesnik Christopher A. , Ritchey Carolyn M. , Muething Colin , Falligant John Michael
Published: December 2024

Several studies have examined the prevalence of behavioral relapse among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities following common treatment challenges (context changes, schedule thinning). Most applied studies compare behavior during the treatment challenges with the maximum level of behavior from five preceding treatment sessions. This max‐of‐5 criterion could inadvertently capture behavior in transition during the preceding treatment phase, thereby underestimating the prevalence of relapse. In the current study, we reanalyzed existing clinical data with the max‐of‐5 criterion and an alternative criterion less likely to capture target behavior in transition—the mean of the last two sessions (mean‐of‐2 criterion) of the treatment phase. As hypothesized, the max‐of‐5 criterion produced lower prevalence estimates relative to the mean‐of‐2 criterion. We encourage researchers conducting these analyses to weigh different approaches to reporting prevalence data and discuss considerations for future areas of research and practice related to measurement of relapse.
Toxicological Safety Assessment of Heat‐Treated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum OLL2712 as a Food Ingredient
Authors: Parente Ryan M. , Toshimitsu Takayuki , Nakamoto Youko , Taguchi Tomoyasu
Published: December 2024

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum is a Gram‐positive, bacilli‐shaped bacterium commonly found in fermented foods and the human gastrointestinal tract. Heat‐treatment of L. plantarum OLL2712 prior to consumption has been found to have positive health effects. However, a full toxicological evaluation of heat‐treated L. plantarum OLL2712 cells (heat‐treated OLL2712) has not been conducted. In this regard, heat‐treated OLL2712 was evaluated for use as an ingredient in food and dietary supplements using a panel of toxicological tests including genotoxic and subchronic studies. Heat‐treated OLL2712 did not show any genotoxicity based on an in vitro mammalian chromosomal aberration test and in vivo mouse micronucleus assay up to 8.0 × 109 cells/mL and 6.4 × 1012 cells/kg, respectively. In the acute oral toxicity study, no toxic effects were observed at 5 × 1011 cells/kg body weight. In the 13‐week subchronic toxicity study, rats were administered (via gavage) heat‐treated OLL2712 at concentrations of 0.5 × 1011, 1.5 × 1011, and 5 × 1011 cells/kg body weight. Administration did not significantly impact mortality, body weight, food consumption, ophthalmology, hematology, clinical chemistry, coagulation, urinalysis, and macroscopic or microscopic findings. The no‐observed‐adverse‐effect level of heat‐treated OLL2712 in both sexes was 5 × 1011 cells/kg body weight/day, the highest dose tested.
Pilot Study of Acute and Subchronic Oral Toxicological Biosafety Evaluation of Resorcinol‐Formaldehyde Aerogel Nanomaterial in Kunming Mice
Authors: Zheng Guangzhen , Zhu Yong , Wu Bingmin , Xu Xiaoyuan , Cheng Juanjuan , Liu Yan , Huang Song , Chen Jing , Xiong Qingping , Chen Jihang
Published: December 2024

Resorcinol‐formaldehyde aerogel (RFa) is a unique nanomaterial composed of polymer nanoparticles with a three‐dimensional network structure. Our previous studies have demonstrated its application in the separation and purification of alkaloids, and we are exploring its application potential as the drug delivery carrier. Therefore, it is necessary to comprehensively understand the in vivo toxicity profile of RFa and evaluate its oral biosafety. In this work, we systematically evaluated the in vivo acute toxicity and subchronic oral toxicity of RFa in both male and female Kunming mice. During the 14‐day acute toxicity test, the dose administered (M = 580 mg/kg) was converted from the clinical dose of adsorbed alkaloids on RFa. The mice were gavaged only once and were observed continuously for 14 days. There were no abnormalities, and pathological changes in the major organs (heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, testes, and ovaries) were detected, followed by the 12‐week subchronic toxicity test at the dose of 1/4M, 1/2M, and M. All mice were administered orally once daily and regularly observed throughout the experimental period. As a result, no abnormalities were found in body weights, food intake, and organ coefficients. Tissue section revealed no pathological changes in the major organs. In addition, there were no significant differences in hematological, blood biochemical, and coagulation parameters in both male and female mice compared to control group. These results showed that RFa was well tolerated at these dosage levels and did not cause significant toxic effects in Kunming mice. This study, as part of a broad research program on the biosafety of aerogel nanomaterials, provided the biosafety assurance for the subsequent study of RFa in biomedical applications.
Arthroscopic meniscal surgery in Norway from 2010 to 2020: A paradigmatic shift
Authors: Nilsen Karoline Nysted , Øhrn Frank‐David , Årøen Asbjørn , Myklebust Tor Åge , Aae Tommy Frøseth
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Meniscal injuries in the knee are usually treated surgically with arthroscopic partial resection (APR) or arthroscopic repair (AR). APR has been shown to increase the risk of osteoarthritis and the focus has shifted to repairing the meniscus with AR. The extent of this shift is yet to be established and an analysis of incidence rates (IR) of APR and AR for meniscal injuries could highlight this.

Methods

Data from the Norwegian Patient Registry (NPR) and Statistics Norway (SN) from 2010 to 2020 were collected. The number of procedures, demographics and facilities providing meniscal surgery were obtained from NPR, while population size and catchment area were collected from SN. IR of APR and AR and APR/AR rate ratios were estimated and compared.

Results

A total of 119,528 knee arthroscopies were performed, 89.6% of which were APR. The number of APR performed nationally decreased by 72%, while AR procedures increased by 178%. The national IR of APR decreased from 298 to 82/100,000 inhabitants (p < 0.001). For AR, the national IR increased annually from 13/100,000 inhabitants to a peak in 2019 of 32/100,000 inhabitants (p < 0.001). The APR/AR rate ratio decreased from 22 to below five and the APR/AR trend curves showed a statistically significant decrease (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Surgical treatment of meniscal injuries has changed, with a substantial reduction in APR and a strong increase in AR. The reduction in APR, especially in older patients, suggests that meniscal surgery in Norway has undergone a paradigmatic shift, in line with recent literature.

Level of Evidence

Level IV.
Emotional Intelligence: A Cornerstone—and Foundation—for Peace Leadership
Authors: Haber‐Curran Paige
Published: December 2024

This article explores the integration of emotional intelligence (EI) and the emerging field of peace leadership. Highlighting the critical need for intrapersonal, interpersonal, and contextual awareness and competencies, the manuscript connects EI and the emotionally intelligent leadership (EIL) framework to peace leadership. The author discusses key EI and EIL dimensions and competencies alongside peacebuilding skills (e.g., self‐awareness, relationship‐building, conflict management, and systems thinking). Emphasizing EI and EIL as foundational frameworks for peace leadership, the author advocates for a focus on EI and EIL for fostering leadership that promotes justice, inclusivity, and sustainable change in communities and organizations.
Controlling Spatial Heterogeneity of Land Transfer Dynamics Using Multiscale Regression Approach for Sustainable Resource Management
Authors: Wang Ao , Kafy Abdulla Al , Feng Yanfei , Altuwaijri Hamad Ahmed , Song Lingfeng , Lin Li
Published: December 2024

Land reallocation dynamics play a crucial role in shaping urban development and environmental sustainability in rapidly urbanizing countries. This study employs Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) and Multiscale GWR (MGWR) models to analyze the spatial heterogeneity of land reallocation drivers across 285 Chinese cities, focusing on years 2008 and 2013. Our results reveal significant spatial variations in drivers of land reallocation, with energy intensity and foreign trade openness emerging as most influential factors. MGWR model consistently outperformed the classical GWR model, as evidenced by lower Akaike Information Criterion Corrected values (664.75 vs. 742.84) and a reduced sum of squares of residuals (130.44 vs. 165.31). This demonstrates multi‐scale nature of land reallocation processes and superiority of MGWR in capturing these complex spatial relationships. We find that the impact of energy intensity on land reallocation is particularly strong in northern China, with coefficients ranging from 0.208 to 0.761 in 2008. Foreign trade openness shows a more significant influence in coastal regions, with coefficients up to 1.078 in 2008. Interestingly, urbanization rate didn't show statistically significant effects, challenging some prevailing assumptions about urban growth drivers. Temporal analysis revealed a general decrease in magnitude of effects from 2008 to 2013, suggesting evolving dynamics in China's land reallocation processes. These findings have significant implications for sustainable land management and urban planning policies in China and other rapidly urbanizing countries. Our study adds to the literature by offering a detailed, spatially explicit understanding of land reallocation dynamics, providing valuable insights for achieving SDG 15.3 on land degradation neutrality.
Effect of Land‐Use Management on Soil Erosion Under Two Distinct Climates of Indian Himalayas
Authors: Wani Owais Ali , Sharma Vikas , Babu Subhash , Kumar Shamal Shasang , Sharma K. R. , Dar S. R. , Malik A. R. , Yadav Devideen , Singh Raghavendra , Rathore Sanjay Singh
Published: December 2024

Soil erosion is a growing concern, especially in regions where the combination of climate, land‐use, and soil characteristics increases the risk of degradation. The study utilized a stratified random sampling method across various land‐use types in both subtropical and temperate climatic zones of the Indian Himalayas. A total of 50 sampling locations were strategically selected, with 25 in each climate zone, to ensure representative data collection. Soil samples were collected from two depths (0 to 15 cm and 15 to 30 cm) for thorough analysis. This study set out to examine several key indicators of soil erodibility factors like the dispersion ratio (DR), clay/moisture equivalent (meq) ratio (CMR), percolation ratio (PR), clay ratio (CR), erosion ratio (ER), moisture equivalent (ME), critical level of organic matter (CLOM), and particle size distribution across different land‐uses in both subtropical and temperate climates. The goal was to better understand how these factors interact and what that means for soil health in vulnerable areas. The results suggest that soils in subtropical climates are generally more prone to erosion than those in temperate regions, regardless of how the land is used. For example, subtropical wastelands exhibited the highest levels of erodibility, with particularly high DR (19.20), PR (15.54), and ER (23.91), while temperate wastelands had a higher CR (2.12). On the other hand, undisturbed forest areas in both climates had the lowest risk of erosion, due to their higher clay content, organic matter (OM), and other favorable soil properties. The findings highlights that subtropical soils are significantly more vulnerable to erosion, emphasizing the importance of targeted management strategies. The choice of land‐use can drastically influence soil erodibility, with horticultural practices presenting a viable approach to reducing soil loss while promoting livelihoods. Maintaining undisturbed forest areas is critical for protecting soil health and implementing thoughtful land‐use practices is essential for mitigating erosion risks and ensuring the sustainability of soil resources. These insights are particularly relevant for the Indian Himalayas, where sustainable land management is crucial for both environmental preservation and community well‐being. land‐useland‐useland‐useland‐useland‐useland‐use.
Numerical Modeling on Small‐Strain Stiffness and Viscoelastic‐Viscoplastic Characteristic of Soft Soils
Authors: Ai Zhi Yong , Gu Gan Lin , Yuan Jun Tao
Published: December 2024

The behavior of soft soils distributed in coastal areas usually exhibits obvious time‐dependent behavior after loading. To reasonably describe the stress‐strain relationship of soft soils, this paper establishes a viscoelastic‐viscoplastic small‐strain constitutive model based on the component model and the hardening soil model with small‐strain stiffness (HSS model). First, the Perzyna's viscoplastic flow rule and the modified Hardin–Drnevich model are introduced to derive a one‐dimensional incremental Nishihara constitutive equation. Next, the flexibility coefficient matrix is utilized to extend the one‐dimensional model to three‐dimensional conditions. Then, by combining the HSS elastoplastic theory with the component model, the viscoelastic‐viscoplastic small‐strain constitutive model is subsequently established. To implement the proposed model for numerical analysis, the corresponding UMAT subroutine is developed using Fortran. After comparing the results of numerical simulations with those of existing literature, the reliability of the constitutive model and the program written in this paper is verified. Finally, numerical examples are designed to further analyze the effects of small‐strain parameters and viscoelastic‐viscoplastic parameters on the time‐dependent behavior of soft soils.
Safety and Tolerability of Intravenous Lidocaine Infusions as Opioid Adjunct for Children Hospitalized With Sickle Cell Vaso‐Occlusive Pain
Authors: Agbakwuru Ugochukwu , AuBuchon Jacob D. , Toebe Bobi , LaBarge Anne , Di Paola Jorge , Hulbert Monica L.
Published: December 2024

Sickle cell disease (SCD) vaso‐occlusive episode (VOE) pain is treated with opioids, and non‐opioid adjuvants may reduce pain severity without opioid side effects. We retrospectively investigated the safety and tolerability of intravenous lidocaine infusions as an adjunct to opioids in children and adolescents during VOE hospitalizations. In 2 years, lidocaine was administered in 64.6% of 260 admissions. There were no serious toxicities; overall, 82.2% of recipients chose to receive lidocaine during subsequent admissions. Lidocaine infusions were associated with longer hospitalizations, potentially reflecting selection bias. The efficacy of adjuvant lidocaine infusions during VOE should be studied prospectively.
Performance of YBCO Step Edge Josephson Junctions for Different Film Thickness to Step Height Ratio
Authors: Kandari Rajni , Dahiya Mamta , Khare Neeraj
Published: December 2024

Step edge Josephson junction devices of YBa2Cu3O7‐x films on SrTiO3 substrates are fabricated, and the device performance is studied for different t/h (t: the thickness of the film, h: step height) ratios. After depositing YBCO films on the step etched substrates, photolithography, and ion beam etching techniques are used to fabricate three devices with t/h ratios of ≈0.4, 0.7, and 1.2. The critical temperatures (Tc) of the devices are ≈82, 85, and 88 K, respectively. The critical current (Ic) and normal state resistance (Rn) are observed to be t/h ratio dependent. The critical current values at 70 K for the devices with t/h ratios of 0.4, 0.7, and 1.2 are ≈425, 550, and 820 μA, respectively. The IcRn product at 70 K is ≈2.06, 2.76, and 0.43 mV for t/h ratios 0.4, 0.7, and 1.2, respectively, which indicates that the t/h ratio of 0.7 is optimum for the device performance. The current versus voltage curves at 68 K are fitted using the resistively shunted junction model using the Portable Superconducting Circuit Analyzer (PSCAN2) simulator, which suggests that there can be normal conducting links present across the microbridge, and it becomes effective for I > Ic, contributing to excess current.