bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visual‐Detection of Cu2+ in DMSO aAqueous Solution Based on Benzimidazole Azo‐dye as a Colorimetric Chemosensor
Authors: Ghorbanian Moein , Asghari Sakineh , Tajbakhsh Mahmood
Published: August 2024

In this work, a novel colorimetric chemosensor (BIAD) containing azo chromophore, 1,5dihydroxynaphthalene, and benzimidazole was synthesized and characterized by using IR, 1H,13C NMR, and mass spectral data, and elemental analysis. The cation recognition studies (including fourteen metal cations) exhibited that the synthesized azo dye can act as a rapid, sensitive, and selective colorimetric chemosensor for detecting Cu2+ ions. The addition of Cu2+ ions to the BIAD solution, changed immediately the solution color from purple to blue‐green, which could be observed by the naked eye. Comparison of the UV/Visible spectra of BIAD and (BIAD+Cu2+) revealed a red shift from 543 nm to 616 nm, which confirms the formation of a complex between Cu2+ cations and BIAD molecules. The result of Job's plot indicated that the stoichiometry binding ratio of BIAD to Cu2+ is 1 : 1. The limit of detection (LOD) was found for BIAD toward Cu2+ ion to be 0.10 μM. Furthermore, the BIAD‐based test paper strips were successfully used for the rapid detection of Cu2+ ions (<1 sec) in the aqueous solution (H2O‐DMSO, 9 : 1).
Gold Nanoparticles and Antimicrobial Peptides: A Novel Combination
Authors: Balcı Şule , Ergüden Bengü
Published: August 2024

This article examines the diverse conjugation forms of AMP‐AuNP nanostructures that arise from the amalgamation of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), as well as their prospective utility in the field of biomedicine. AMPs are a class of naturally occurring microbicidal compounds that are recognized for their wide range of inhibitory effects and distinctive modes of operation. The utilization of AuNPs in diverse biomedical applications is facilitated through the application of nanotechnology. AMP‐AuNP nanostructures exhibit diverse features through the utilization of molecular linkage techniques. The aforementioned qualities encompass the ability to expedite the process of wound healing, facilitate precise targeting through the incorporation of DNA aptamers, serve as a means for bacterial imaging, enable the use of photothermal therapy, and contribute to the advancement of prospective treatments for fungal infections. The utilization of these synthesized antimicrobial gold nanostructures in many biomedical applications holds significant promise for advancing treatments and enhancing disease management.
Phytofabrication of Silver Nanoparticles Using Pomegranate Juice Extract for Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities
Authors: Rani Jyoti , Singh Sushila , Beniwal Anuradha , Moond Monika , Kakkar Simran , Sangwan Seema , Kant Sharma Rajni
Published: August 2024

In the current research, monowave‐assisted biosynthesis of AgNPs utilising aqueous Pomegranate Juice extract (PJE) for antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities were evaluated. The synthetic approach used for the biosynthesis of AgNPs was simple, affordable and eco‐friendly. UV‐Visible, DLS, FTIR, XRD, FE‐SEM and HR‐TEM techniques were used to characterize the synthesized AgNPs. The DLS technique confirmed the monodispersed nature and zeta potential of −25.8 mV. FTIR technique revealed that OH functional groups of phytochemicals were crucial for the reduction and stabilization of AgNPs. FESEM and HRTEM techniques confirmed that biosynthesized AgNPs appeared spherical and triangular. XRD analysis resulted in 18.04 nm size of AgNPs. The antioxidant capacityof biosynthesized AgNPs was analysed via DPPH (IC50 35.20 μg/mL), ABTS (IC50 37.77 μg/mL), FRAP (4.37 mM Fe(II)/mL at 90 μg/mL) and total antioxidant (77.16 g AAE/mL at 90 μg/mL) assays. Biosynthesized AgNPs exhibited antifungal activity against Colletotrichum gloesporioides, Colletotrichum graminicola and antibacterial activity against Xanthomonas axonopodis, Klebsiella aerogenes at 50 μg/mL. Owing to these studies, synthesized AgNPs may be valuable in the future for biomedical and agricultural applications.
Studies on the Termination Behavior of Styrenic Free‐Radicals
Authors: Zhijie Wei , Pengyu Yin , Li Jiang , Qimin Jiang , Wenyang Huang , Bibiao Jiang
Published: August 2024

In order to provide more evidence to understand the termination mechanism in styrene free‐radical polymerization, (1‐bromoethyl) benzene and polystyrene with bromide end group (PSt‐Br) synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) were used as the model compound and model polymer to study the termination behavior of styrenic radical by atom transfer radical coupling (ATRC), and then the NMR chemical shifts of the head‐to‐head enchainment from coupling termination were obtained. SEC and different NMR measurement methods were used to analyze and characterize the products. It is confirmed that there is no bimolecular disproportionation termination between styrenic free radicals, but only coupling termination to form the head‐to‐head enchainment. The proton and carbon chemical shifts of the head‐to‐head enchainment from coupling termination for (1‐bromoethyl) benzene are 2.7–2.86 ppm and ~47.3 ppm. As for the polystyrene through ATRC from PSt‐Br, the corresponding chemical shifts are 2.61–3.29 ppm and ~46.4 ppm, respectively, they are almost the same as the data in our previous paper (~3.05 ppm, ~46.6 ppm) for polystyrene initiated by BPO, proving that the chain termination in free‐radical polymerization of styrene initiated by BPO occurs through primary termination between chain radical and primary radical rather than bimolecular termination between chain radicals.
ZnS Derived from Hydrozincite Precursor: Impact of the Synthesis‐Solvothermal Temperature on the Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Piña‐Pérez Yanet , Aguilar‐Martínez Octavio , Santolalla‐Vargas C. E. , Samaniego‐Benítez Enrique , Mantilla Ángeles , González Federico , Tzompantzi Francisco , Santes Víctor
Published: August 2024

This paper presents the synthesis of ZnS through solvothermal method using hydrozincite (Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6) as a precursor. Zinc sulfide (ZnS) was synthesized at four different temperatures: 80 °C, 100 °C, 140 °C, and 180 °C. All photocatalysts that were synthesized underwent characterization by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, N2 adsorption‐desorption isotherms, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron analysis. The performance of H2 using photocatalysis was evaluated by utilizing methanol as a sacrificial agent. At 80 °C solvothermal temperature, the ZnS exhibited maximum photoactivity, leading to an H2 generation rate of 154.8 μmolh−1. The high photo‐activity of ZnS synthesized at 80 °C was mainly influenced by the crystallite size, which has an essential influence on the specific surface area. The photocatalytic efficiency of the most active material decreased by approximately 17 % over four reaction cycles due to the photo corrosion effect, with ZnSO3 being the primary by‐product formed after the reaction.
A Simple and Eco‐Friendly Fluorescent Probe for α‐Amylase Detection Based on Hydroxyproply‐β‐Cyclodextrin‐Curcumin Inclusion Complex
Authors: Yan Zhaoxu , Guo Rui , Du Ting , Tian Danbi , Jiang Ling , Zhu Liying
Published: August 2024

Owing to the importance of α‐amylase in industry, it is necessary to develop a more simple and practical approach to measure α‐amylase activity. Herein, a fluorescence method was established for the detection of α‐amylase activity based on hydroxyproply‐β‐cyclodextrin‐curcumin inclusion complex (HP‐β‐CDs‐Cur). Curcumin was utilized as a signal probe, while hydroxyproply‐β‐cyclodextrin (HP‐β‐CDs) was employed both as a substrate of α‐amylase and the carrier of curcumin. α‐amylase is capable to hydrolyse α‐1,4‐glycosidic bond on the HP‐β‐CDs ring, facilitating the detection of its activity through the measurement of the decrease of fluorescence intensity caused by the release of curcumin into the aqueous. The results showed that there was a good linear relationship between fluorescence intensity and α‐amylase concentration in the range of 0.065~1.365 U mL−1, and the detection limit was 0.0065 U mL−1. The successful application of this method to evaluate the activities of multiple commercial α‐amylases underscores its robustness and reliability.
Self‐Scrolling of a Graphyne Ribbon Near a CNT in Multiphysical Environments
Authors: Song Bo , Cai Kun , Ma Jian , Qin Qing‐Hua
Published: August 2024

Graphyne nanoscrolls (GNSs) have attracted significant research interest because of their wide‐ranging applications. However, the production of GNSs via a self‐scrolling approach is environment dependent. Here, molecular dynamics simulations are conducted to evaluate the self‐scrolling behavior of an α‐graphyne (α‐GY) ribbon on a carbon nanotube (CNT) within various multiphysical environments, accounting for the interactions among temperature, electric field, and argon gas. The results demonstrate that the fabrication of an α‐GNS lies in the interplay of van der Waals (vdW) forces among the components in a vacuum. Notably, the α‐GY ribbon is easier to scroll onto a thicker CNT. The electric field attenuates the vdW interaction, necessitating thicker CNTs for successful self‐scrolling under a stronger electric field. In argon, both the vdW interaction and nanoscale pore contribute to the overlap formation. At 300 K, increasing argon density prolongs the time required for α‐GNS formation, with self‐scrolling failing beyond a critical gas density threshold. Moreover, the self‐scrolling becomes easier at higher temperatures. In multiphysical environments, the interplay between the electric field and the gas density dictates the self‐scrolling at low temperatures. Finally, reasonable suggestions are given for successful self‐scrolling. The conclusions offer valuable insights for the practical fabrication of α‐GNS.
Targeting the Skin: The Study of a Bottlebrush Polymer‐Antisense Oligonucleotide Conjugate in a Psoriasis Mouse Model
Authors: Fang Yang , Cai Jiansong , Fei Feng , Zhong Tongtong , Ren Mengqi , Wang Dali , Li Yao , Zhang Ke
Published: August 2024

The investigation of gene regulation therapeutics for the treatment of skin‐related diseases is rarely explored in part due to inefficient systemic delivery. In this study, a bottlebrush polymer‐antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) conjugate, termed pacDNA, designed to target IL‐17 receptor A (IL‐17RA), which is involved in psoriasis pathogenesis is presented. Systemic administration of pacDNA led to its accumulation in epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis of mouse skin, reduced IL‐17RA gene expression in skin, and significantly reversed the development of imiquimod (IMQ)‐induced psoriasis in a mouse model. These findings highlight the potential of the pacDNA as a promising nanoconstruct for systemic oligonucleotide delivery to the skin and for treating psoriasis and other skin‐related disorders through systemic administration.
Orthorhombic Polar Phase in Sodium Niobate Nanoribbons
Authors: Canabarro Beatriz Rodrigues , Calderon Sebastian , Letichevsky Sonia , Jardim Paula Mendes , Ferreira Paulo
Published: August 2024

Ferroelectric materials exhibit switchable spontaneous polarization below Curie's temperature, driven by octahedral distortions and rotations, as well as ionic displacements. The ability to manipulate polarization coupled with persistent remanence, drives diverse applications, including piezoelectric devices. In the last two decades, nanoscale exploration has unveiled unique material properties influenced by morphology, including the capability to manipulate polarization, patterns, and domains. This paper focuses on the characterization of nanometric sodium niobate (SN) synthesized from metallic niobium through alkali hydrothermal treatment, utilizing electron microscopy techniques, including high‐resolution differential phase contrast (DPC) in scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). The material exhibits a nanoribbon structure forming a tree root‐like network. The study identifies crystallographic phase, atomic columns displacement directions, and surface features, such as exposed planes and the absence of particular atomic columns. The high sensitivity of integrated DPC images proves crucial in overcoming observational challenges in other STEM modes. These observations are essential for potential applications in electronic, photocatalytic, and chemical reaction contexts.
Pulsed Airstream‐Driven Hierarchical Micro‐Nano Pore Structured Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Wireless Self‐Powered Formaldehyde Sensing
Authors: Wang Gang , Ren Zhongkan , Zheng Longkui , Kang Yajie , Luo Ning , Qiao Zhuhui
Published: August 2024

Formaldehyde (HCHO), as a common volatile organic compound, has a serious impact on human health in the daily lives and industrial production scenarios. Given the security issue of HCHO detection and danger warning, a ZIF‐8/copper foam based pulsed airstream‐driven triboelectric nanogenerator (ZCP‐TENG) is designed to develop the self‐powered HCHO sensors. By combining contact electrification and electrostatic induction, the ZCP‐TENG can be utilized for airflow energy harvesting and HCHO concentration detection. The short‐circuit current and output power of the ZCP‐TENG can reach 2.0 µA and 81 µW (20 ppm). With the high surface area, abundant micro‐nano pores, and excellent permeation flux, the ZCP‐TENGs exhibit excellent HCHO sensing response (61.3% at 100 ppm), low detection limit (≈2 ppm), and rapid response/recovery time (14/15 s), which can be served as a highly sensitive and selective HCHO sensor. By connecting an intelligent wireless alarm, the ZCP‐TENGs are designed to construct a self‐powered warning system to monitor and remind the HCHO of exceedance situations. Moreover, by combining a support vector machine model, the difference concentrations can be quickly identified with an average prediction accuracy of 100%. This study illustrates that ZCP‐TENGs have broad application prospects and provide guidance for HCHO monitoring and danger warnings.
Secure semi‐automated GDPR compliance service with restrictive fine‐grained access control
Authors: Hashem Eiza Max , Thong Ta Vinh , Shi Qi , Cao Yue
Published: August 2024

Sharing personal data with service providers is a contentious issue that led to the birth of data regulations such as the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and similar laws in the US. Complying with these regulations is a must for service providers. For users, this compliance assures them that their data is handled the way the service provider says it will be via their privacy policy. Auditing service providers' compliance is usually carried out by specific authorities when there is a need to do so (e.g., data breach). Nonetheless, these irregular compliance checks could lead to non‐compliant actions being undetected for long periods. Users need an improved way to make sure their data is managed properly, giving them the ability to control and enforce detailed, restricted access to their data, in line with the policies set by the service provider. This work addresses these issues by providing a secure semi‐automated GDPR compliance service for both users and service providers using smart contracts and attribute‐based encryption with accountability. Privacy policies will be automatically checked for compliance before a service commences. Users can then upload their personal data with restrictive access controls extracted from the approved privacy policy. Operations' logs on the personal data during its full lifecycle will be immutably recorded and regularly checked for compliance to ensure the privacy policy is adhered to at all times. Evaluation results, using a real‐world organization policy and example logs, show that the proposed service achieves these goals with low time overhead and high throughput.
Using WindTunneling to document emergent knowledge to explore common perceptions of well‐being
Authors: Winn Karrin
Published: August 2024

The purpose of this paper is to discuss using WindTunneling to document emergent knowledge to explore common perceptions of well‐being. WindTunneling is a systemic research methodology to help groups navigate complex issues. In 2022, I adapted WindTunneling to document sensory‐based emergent knowledge from 978 international participants exploring 52 somatic movement activities designed to promote well‐being. Well‐being is a complex subjective condition that is difficult to measure and maintain the richness of diverse perspectives. Discovering common perceptions of well‐being using WindTunneling would partially substantiate the efficacy of movement as a well‐being intervention in context specific situations. If successful, this research design would add to the rigor of WindTunneling as a way to develop a holistic understanding of how participants perceive well‐being in relationship to their lived experience. Developing WindTunneling methodology to meet appropriate qualitative research standards would have practical significance to researchers working to measure the subjective dimension of well‐being.
Activation of the Radical‐Mediated Pathway and Facilitation of the Li2S Conversion by N‐Doped Carbon‐Embedded Ti1–xCoxN Nanowires as a Multifunctional Separator with a High Donor‐Number Solvent toward Advanced Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Park Gwan Hyeon , Lim Won‐Gwang , Jeong Yun Ho , Kang Song Kyu , Kim Minho , Ji Junhyuk , Ha Jungseub , Mangishetti Sandya Rani , Kim Subin , Park Yeji , Jo Changshin , Kim Won Bae
Published: August 2024

Electrolyte modification with a high donor‐number solvent is necessary to increase sulfur utilization, but it also presents poor compatibility with lithium metal. The amount of the solvent should be optimized to maximize sulfur utilization at the cathode and minimize side reactions with Li metal at the anode. An electrolyte solution comprising 1 vol% N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMA) in a 1,2‐dimethoxyethane (DME)/1,3‐dioxolane (DOL) co‐solvent demonstrated increased discharge capacity and reduced overpotential compared to DME/DOL and DMA/DOL. In addition to electrolyte, modification that creates radical‐mediated pathways from a high donor‐number solvent, long‐cycle performance is achieved by effectively mitigating the shuttling effect and enhancing reaction kinetics with an efficient electrocatalyst. Cobalt doping into TiN introduced an upshift of the d‐band center with ferromagnetic properties that suppressed the shuttling effect, activated radical‐mediated pathways, and facilitated the Li2S conversion. A multifunctional separator fabricated with N‐doped carbon‐embedded cobalt‐doped titanium nitride nanowires (NC‐Ti0.95Co0.05N NWs) under 1 vol% DMA electrolyte achieved a discharge capacity of 464.4 mA h g−1 even after 200 cycles at a decay rate of 0.093% per cycle through the synergistic effects of electrolyte and electrocatalyst modifications. This work highlights the importance of ferromagnetic catalysts with a high donor‐number solvent for lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries.
Preparing Inclusive Early Childhood Educators (PIECE): A conceptualization of multilingualism, English learning, and inclusivity
Authors: Evans Leanne M. , Joseph Tatiana , Jozwik Sara , Bartlett Maggie
Published: August 2024

The purpose of this article is to share the examination of inclusivity as a paradigm for fostering authenticity and agency (Moore, 2017) among teacher candidates. This framing challenges the notion of inclusion as a tool of meritocracy used to manage learners through expectations that uphold monolingualism, decenter racial histories, and rely on rigid behavior plans. In this work, the authors interrogate the impact inclusion as assimilation has on English learners' authentic ways of knowing and being. Thus, they present a conceptualization of spaces of difference (Agbenyaga & Klibthong, 2012) within the context of an Inclusive Early Childhood Teacher Education (IECTE) program and the objectives of the Preparing Inclusive Early Childhood Educators (PIECE) project. With its rigorous coursework, clinical experiences, multi‐tiered mentorship, and practice‐based professional development, the PIECE project aims to develop inclusive early childhood educators at the preservice and in‐service levels. Infused throughout the PIECE project is an emphasis on cultivating the knowledge and skills needed to provide high‐quality instruction that improves educational outcomes for English learners (ELs). Frameworks of transformative theory and intersectionality perspectives provided the authors with a grounding for the work within the PIECE project community of learners (i.e., teacher candidates, teacher educators, and school district partners). This article summarizes critical concepts of inclusivity centered in the PIECE project work. These concepts include (1) understanding oneself to look beyond; (2) disrupting notions of normalcy and naturalized language; and (3) reconceptualizing inclusivity as a social justice act.
Reflections on my Presidency of the Royal Society of Medicine
Authors: Kirby Roger
Published: August 2024

Roger Kirby reflects on some of the challenges and achievements during his presidency of the Royal Society of Medicine.
Theranostic nanoparticles for detection and treatment of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Agarwal Happy , Bynum Ryan C. , Saleh Nada , Harris Danielle , MacCuaig William M. , Kim Vung , Sanderson Emma J. , Dennahy Isabel S. , Singh Rohit , Behkam Bahareh , Gomez‐Gutierrez Jorge G. , Jain Ajay , Edil Barish H. , McNally Lacey R.
Published: August 2024

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most recalcitrant cancers due to its late diagnosis, poor therapeutic response, and highly heterogeneous microenvironment. Nanotechnology has the potential to overcome some of the challenges to improve diagnostics and tumor‐specific drug delivery but they have not been plausibly viable in clinical settings. The review focuses on active targeting strategies to enhance pancreatic tumor‐specific uptake for nanoparticles. Additionally, this review highlights using actively targeted liposomes, micelles, gold nanoparticles, silica nanoparticles, and iron oxide nanoparticles to improve pancreatic tumor targeting. Active targeting of nanoparticles toward either differentially expressed receptors or PDAC tumor microenvironment (TME) using peptides, antibodies, small molecules, polysaccharides, and hormones has been presented. We focus on microenvironment‐based hallmarks of PDAC and the potential for actively targeted nanoparticles to overcome the challenges presented in PDAC. It describes the use of nanoparticles as contrast agents for improved diagnosis and the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents that target various aspects within the TME of PDAC. Additionally, we review emerging nano‐contrast agents detected using imaging‐based technologies and the role of nanoparticles in energy‐based treatments of PDAC.

This article is categorized under:

Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanoscale Tools and Techniques in Surgery

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease

Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging
Cite-worthiness Detection on Social Media: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Hafid Salim , Ammar Wassim , Bringay Sandra , Todorov Konstantin
Published: August 2024

Detecting cite-worthiness in text is seen as the problem of flagging a missing reference to a scientific result (an article or a dataset) that should come to support a claim formulated in the text. Previous work has taken interest in this problem in the context of scientific literature, motivated by the need to allow for reference recommendation for researchers and flag missing citations in scientific work. In this preliminary study, we extend this idea towards the context of social media. As scientific claims are often made to support various arguments in societal debates on the Web, it is crucial to flag non-referenced or unsupported claims that relate to science, as this promises to contribute to improving the quality of the debates online. We experiment with baseline models, initially tested on scientific literature, by applying them on the SciTweets dataset which gathers science-related claims from X. We show that models trained on scientific papers struggle to detect cite-worthy text from X, we discuss implications of such results and argue for the necessity to train models on social media corpora for satisfactory flagging of missing references on social media. We make our data publicly available to encourage further research on cite-worthiness detection on social media.
OCR Cleaning of Scientific Texts with LLMs
Authors: Madarász Gábor , Ligeti-Nagy Noémi , Holl András , Váradi Tamás
Published: August 2024

Correcting Optical Character Recognition (OCR) errors is a major challenge in preprocessing datasets consisting of legacy PDF files. In this study, we develop Large Language Models specially finetuned to correct OCR errors. We experimented with the mT5 model (both the mT5-small and mT5-large configurations), a Text-to-Text Transfer Transformer-based machine translation model, for the post-correction of texts with OCR errors. We compiled a parallel corpus consisting of text corrupted with OCR errors as well as corresponding clean data. Our findings suggest that the mT5 model can be successfully applied to OCR error correction with improving accuracy. The results affirm the mT5 model as an effective tool for OCR post-correction, with prospects for achieving greater efficiency in future research.
RepoFromPaper: An Approach to Extract Software Code Implementations from Scientific Publications
Authors: Stankovski Aleksandar , Garijo Daniel
Published: August 2024

An increasing amount of scientists link to their research software code implementations in their academic publications in order to support the reusability of their results. However, research papers usually contain many code links (e.g., from reused tools or existing competing efforts) making it challenging to automatically establish clear links between papers and their corresponding implementations. This paper presents RepoFromPaper, an approach for automatically extracting the main code implementation associated with a research paper, based on the context in which that link is mentioned. Our approach uses fine-tuned language models to retrieve the top candidate sentences where a code implementation may be found, and uses custom heuristics to link candidate sentences back to their corresponding URL (footnote, reference or full-text mention). We evaluated RepoFromPaper on 150 research papers, obtaining an F1 score of 0.94. We also run our approach on nearly 1800 papers from the CS.AI Arxiv category, discovering 604 paper-repository links and making them available to the community.
From large to small $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = (4, 4) superconformal surface defects in holographic 6d SCFTs
Authors: Capuozzo Pietro , Estes John , Robinson Brandon , Suzzoni Benjamin
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2d) $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= (4, 4) Lie superalgebras can be either “small” or “large”, meaning their R-symmetry is either $$ \mathfrak{so} $$
so
(4) or $$ \mathfrak{so} $$
so
(4) ⊕ $$ \mathfrak{so} $$
so
(4), respectively. Both cases admit a superconformal extension and fit into the one-parameter family $$ \mathfrak{d} $$
d
(2, 1; γ) ⊕ $$ \mathfrak{d} $$
d
(2, 1; γ), with parameter γ ∈ (−∞, ∞). The large algebra corresponds to generic values of γ, while the small case corresponds to a degeneration limit with γ → −∞. In 11d supergravity, we study known solutions with superisometry algebra $$ \mathfrak{d} $$
d
(2, 1; γ) ⊕ $$ \mathfrak{d} $$
d
(2, 1; γ) that are asymptotically locally AdS7×𝕊4. These solutions are holographically dual to the 6d maximally superconformal field theory with 2d superconformal defects invariant under $$ \mathfrak{d} $$
d
(2, 1; γ) ⊕ $$ \mathfrak{d} $$
d
(2, 1; γ). We show that a limit of these solutions, in which γ → −∞, reproduces another known class of solutions, holographically dual to small$$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= (4, 4) superconformal defects. We then use this limit to generate new small $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= (4, 4) solutions with finite Ricci scalar, in contrast to the known small $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= (4, 4) solutions. We then use holography to compute the entanglement entropy of a spherical region centered on these small $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= (4, 4) defects, which provides a linear combination of defect Weyl anomaly coefficients that characterizes the number of defect-localized degrees of freedom. We also comment on the generalization of our results to include $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= (0, 4) surface defects through orbifolding.
Logarithmic correlation functions in 2D critical percolation
Authors: Camia Federico , Feng Yu
Published: August 2024

Abstract

It is believed that the large-scale geometric properties of two-dimensional critical percolation are described by a logarithmic conformal field theory, but it has been challenging to exhibit concrete examples of logarithmic singularities and to find an explanation and a physical interpretation, in terms of lattice observables, for their appearance. We show that certain percolation correlation functions receive independent contributions from a large number of similar connectivity events happening at different scales. Combined with scale invariance, this leads to logarithmic divergences. We study several logarithmic correlation functions for critical percolation in the bulk and in the presence of a boundary, including the four-point function of the density (spin) field. Our analysis confirms previous findings, provides new explicit calculations and explains, in terms of lattice observables, the physical mechanism that leads to the logarithmic singularities we discover. Although we adopt conformal field theory (CFT) terminology to present our results, the core of our analysis relies on probabilistic arguments and recent rigorous results on the scaling limit of critical percolation and does not assume a priori the existence of a percolation CFT. As a consequence, our results provide strong support for the validity of a CFT description of critical percolation and a step in the direction of a mathematically rigorous formulation of a logarithmic CFT of two-dimensional critical percolation.
Aktueller Behandlungsstandard und Trends der Systemtherapie beim metastasierten hormonsensiblen Prostatakarzinom – Anwendung der Studiendaten in der Praxis
Authors: Wenzel Mike , Banek Séverine , Chun Felix K. H. , Mandel Philipp
Published: August 2024

Hintergrund

Die Therapielandschaft des metastasierten hormonsensiblen Prostatakarzinoms (mHSPC) hat sich in den letzten Dekaden grundlegend von einer alleinigen Androgendeprivationstherapie (ADT) hin zu einer intensivierten Kombinationstherapien gewandelt.

Fragestellung

Inwieweit haben die Daten der prospektiven Phase-III-Studien Einzug in den klinischen Alltag in der Behandlung des mHSPC innerhalb der letzten 5 bzw. 10 Jahre erhalten.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt konnten für die vorliegende Studie 1098 mHSPC-Patienten mit einem medianen Alter bei Metastasierung von 70 Jahre und einem medianen prostataspezifischen Antigen (PSA) von 43 ng/ml inkludiert werden. Signifikante Unterschiede zeigten sich bzgl. des PSA-Nadirs beim mHSPC nach Jahresstratifizierung. Ebenso zeigten sich signifikante Unterschiede bezüglich der eingesetzten Systemtherapien beim mHSPC und metastasierten kastrationsresistenten Prostatakarzinom (mCRPC; p < 0,001). Bezüglich der jährlichen Änderungsraten („estimated annual percentage changes“, EAPC) der letzten 10 Jahre zeigte sich ein signifikanter Abfall der ADT-Monotherapie von 85 % (2013) zu 29 % (2023, EAPC: −12 %, p < 0,001). Umgekehrter Weise zeigt sich ein signifikanter Anstieg von Substanzen zur Blockade des Androgenrezeptorsignalweges (ARSI) von 6 % in 2013 auf 55 % in 2023 (EAPC: +21,7 %, p < 0,001). Bezüglich der Docetaxel-Chemotherapie zeigt sich über die letzten 10 Jahre ein glockenhafter Verlauf von 8 % in 2013 zu 25 % in 2019 und einem Abfall auf 0 % in 2023. Der Anteil der Triplet-Therapien lag 2023 bei 16 %.

Schlussfolgerung

Innerhalb der letzten 10 Jahre zeigt sich eine Adaptation der Phase-III-Studien zur intensivierten Kombinationstherapien beim mHSPC in der klinischen Realität mit dem häufigsten Einsatz von ARSI und Triplet-Therapie beim mHSPC.
Understanding model power in social AI
Authors: Brandtzaeg Petter Bae , Skjuve Marita , Følstad Asbjørn
Published: August 2024

Given the widespread integration of Social AI like ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and MyAI, in personal and professional contexts, it is crucial to understand their effects on information and knowledge processing, and individual autonomy. This paper builds on Bråten’s concept of model power, applying it to Social AI to offer a new perspective on the interaction dynamics between humans and AI. By reviewing recent user studies, we examine whether and how models of the world reflected in Social AI may disproportionately impact human-AI interactions, potentially leading to model monopolies where Social AI impacts human beliefs, behaviour and homogenize the worldviews of its users. The concept of model power provides a framework for critically evaluating the impact and influence that Social AI has on communication and meaning-making, thereby informing the development of future systems to support more balanced and meaningful human-AI interactions.
Design and destructive testing of high-value hook fabricated by laser metal deposition
Authors: Leary Martin , Fordyce Ian , Lui Edward , Downing David , Khorasani Mahyar , Watts Jarrod , Brandt Milan
Published: August 2024

Laser metal deposition (LMD) provides an emerging opportunity for the economic fabrication of high-value components at low production volume. Despite the technical and commercial opportunities associated with LMD, there exist potential failure-modes that differ from those typical of traditional manufacture; concurrently, LMD is typically applied to high-value components associated with a high consequence of failure. This report contributes to the emerging literature on LMD component design and failure analysis by documenting the design and destructive testing of a high-value tensile loaded hook component, including numerical structural simulation, manufacture characterisation, microstructural analysis and instrumented destructive testing. This systematic design contributes to the understanding of LMD design for structural integrity and supports the application of LMD as a robust commercial additive technology.
Sensory characterization and identification of odorants in birch wood (Betula pendula Roth)
Authors: Wang Qifan , Baum Adina , Schreiner Linda , Slavik Benedikt , Buettner Andrea , Loos Helene M.
Published: August 2024

As one of the most common tree species, birch wood (Betula pendula Roth) is widely used as a material of furniture and decoration indoors for its many excellent characteristics. Whereas there are some studies on the volatile composition of the essential oil from the leaves of Betula pendula Roth, only limited information is available on the odor-active constituents of birch wood. To close this gap, the odorants of birch wood were investigated by means of instrumental and sensory analyses, including techniques such as gas chromatography-flame ionization detection/olfactometry, high-resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and heart-cut two-dimensional high-resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/olfactometry. Overall, a total of 20 odorants was (tentatively) identified on the basis of their respective odor qualities and retention indices and mass spectra by comparison with reference compounds. It was shown that birch wood odor is dominated by a series of terpenes, terpenoids and phenyl compounds originating from the degradation of lignin and aldehydes, ketones and acids originating from fatty acid degradation. By a sensory evaluation of the birch wood, the predominant odor attributes were determined to be earthy, pencil-like, corky/mouldy, grassy, fatty, fruity, green tea-like, herb-like, vanilla-like, and vinegar-like.
Pollen signal of modern vegetation registered in surface soil samples along an elevation gradient from Iztaccíhuatl volcano, central Mexico
Authors: Rodríguez-Pérez Erandi , Vázquez Selem Lorenzo , Cañellas-Boltà Núria , Trapote María del Carmen , Sosa Susana , Lozano-García Socorro , Montoya Encarni
Published: August 2024

Characterising the vegetation-pollen signal is a crucial task for enhancing the interpretation of fossil pollen records. This study analyses 28 surface soil samples collected in the surroundings of Iztaccíhuatl volcano, between 2,650 and 4,024 m asl. Pollen zones and ordination analysis were assessed to establish a qualitative connection between the pollen signal and the distribution of plant communities along the elevation gradient. The results show: (i) the predominant pollen type in the pollen assemblage is Pinus; (ii) pollen grains of Quercus and Alnus are present along the elevation gradient, even at high elevations where the parental plants are not typically found; (iii) samples taken between 2,650 and 3,338 m asl., where fir forests dominate, exhibit higher values of Abies pollen compared to samples above 3,405 m asl.; (iv) the locally-dispersed pollen of the hemiparasite Arceuthobium results key in identifying the presence of pine forests; and (v) pollen taxa such as Apiaceae, Eryngium, Valerianaceae, and Caryophyllaceae are linked to higher elevations, specifically where the plant communities of Pinus hartwegii and alpine grassland occur. The study suggests that the pollen signal along the elevation gradient is useful to characterise the main plant communities of the study site (fir forest, pine forest and alpine grassland). Additionally, the percentage variations of Abies in the pollen signal below 3,600 m asl. show the reduction of fir forest communities resulting from recent human activities in the area.
Non-therapeutic laparotomies in military trauma (2009–2014)
Authors: Walker Patrick F. , Bozzay Joseph D. , Schechtman David W. , Shaikh Faraz , Stewart Laveta , Carson M. Leigh , Tribble David R. , Rodriguez Carlos J. , Bradley Matthew J.
Published: August 2024

Background

Combat casualties are frequently injured in austere settings where modern imaging modalities are unavailable. Exploratory laparotomies are often performed in these settings when there is suspicion for intra-abdominal injury. Prior studies of combat casualties reported non-therapeutic laparotomy (NTL) rates as high as 32%. Given improvements in combat casualty care over time, we evaluated NTLs performed during later years of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Methods

Military personnel with combat-related injuries (6/1/2009–12/31/2014) who underwent exploratory laparotomy based on concern for abdominal injury (i.e. not performed for proximal vascular control or fecal diversion) and were evacuated to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (Germany) before being transferred to participating U.S. military hospitals were assessed. An NTL was defined as a negative laparotomy without substantial intra-abdominal injuries requiring repair. Characteristics, indications for laparotomy, operative findings, and outcomes were examined.

Results

Among 244 patients who underwent laparotomies, 41 (16.8%) had NTLs and 203 (83.2%) had therapeutic laparotomies (i.e. positive findings). Patients with NTLs had more computed tomography scans concerning for injury (48.8% vs 27.1%; p = 0.006), less penetrating injury mechanisms (43.9% vs 71.9%; p < 0.001), and lower Injury Severity Scores (26 vs 33; p = 0.003) compared to patients with therapeutic laparotomies. Patients with NTLs were also less likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit (70.7 vs 89.2% for patients with therapeutic laparotomies; p = 0.007). No patients with NTLs developed abdominal surgical site infections (SSI) compared to 16.7% of patients with therapeutic laparotomies (p = 0.002). There was no significant difference in mortality between the groups (p = 0.198).

Conclusions

Our proportion of NTLs was lower than reported from earlier years during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. No infectious complications from NTLs (i.e. abdominal SSIs) were identified. Nevertheless, surgeons should continue to have a low threshold for exploratory laparotomy in military patients in austere settings with concern for intra-abdominal injury.
Geschlechtsspezifische Langzeitergebnisse nach elektiver endovaskulärer Versorgung abdomineller Aortenaneurysmen bei Verwendung von Stentgrafts mit und ohne Fenestrierung oder Seitenarm
Authors: Annunziata Sonny Gennaro , Epple Jasmin , Schmitz-Rixen Thomas , Böckler Dittmar , Grundmann Reinhart T.
Published: August 2024

Ziel

Das geschlechtsspezifische Outcome nach endovaskulärer Versorgung (EVAR) eines intakten Bauchaortenaneurysmas in Abhängigkeit von der Wahl des Stentgrafts soll geprüft werden.

Methodik

Es wurde eine retrospektive Analyse von anonymisierten Daten des Wissenschaftlichen Instituts der AOK (WIdO) durchgeführt. Dabei wurden 15.699 Patienten (86,6 % Männer) zwischen dem 01.01.2010 und 31.12.2016 endovaskulär versorgt. Der Follow-up-Zeitraum endete am 31. Dezember 2018. Bei 12.922 (82,3 %) Patienten wurde eine aortobiiliakale Prothese ohne Fenestrierung oder Seitenarm (F/B), bei 881 (5,6 %) eine aortobiiliakale Prothese mit F/B, bei 1010 (6,4 %) eine aortomonoiliakale Prothese und bei 886 (5,6 %) eine Rohrprothese eingesetzt.

Ergebnisse

Die perioperative Letalität war bei Männern im Vergleich zu Frauen bei Patienten mit aortobiiliakaler Bifurkationsprothese ohne F/B signifikant geringer (2,2 % vs. 3,6 %; p < 0,001). Es bestand jedoch kein signifikanter Unterschied in der Klinikletalität zwischen Männern und Frauen in den anderen Vergleichsgruppen. Patienten mit aortomonoiliakaler Prothese wiesen mit 5,5 % eine signifikant höhere Klinikletalität auf als Patienten mit aortobiiliakaler Bifurkationsprothese ohne F/B (2,4 %; p < 0,001) und als Patienten mit Rohrprothese (3,3 %, p = 0,019). Das Langzeitüberleben der Männer war im Gesamtkrankengut signifikant besser als das der Frauen (46,9 % vs. 43,6 %; p = 0,002). Patienten mit aortobiiliakaler Bifurkationsprothese ohne F/B hatten nach 9 Jahren mit 47,7 % ein signifikant besseres Überleben als Patienten mit Bifurkationsprothese und F/B (45,6 %; p < 0,001) und als Patienten mit aortomonoiliakaler Prothese (36,4 %, p < 0,001) oder solche mit einer Rohrprothese (42,1 %, p < 0,001).

Schlussfolgerung

Frauen hatten im Vergleich zu Männern ein signifikant ungünstigeres perioperatives Outcome. Das Geschlecht war aber risikoadaptiert kein Risikofaktor für das Langzeitüberleben. Langfristig wiesen Patienten mit aortobiiliakalen Prothesen ohne F/B ein günstigeres Überleben auf als Patienten mit fenestrierten/gebranchten Prothesen. Die ungünstigsten Ergebnisse wurden mit aortomonoiliakalen Prothesen erzielt.
Transanal circumferential pouch advancement for treatment of pouch vaginal fistulae
Authors: Obi M. , Klingler M. , Sapci I. , Lavryk O. , Lipman J. , Steele S. R. , Hull T. , Holubar S. D.
Published: August 2024

Background

Ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) circumferential pouch advancement (CPA) involves full-thickness transanal 180–360° dissection of the distal pouch, allowing the advancement of healthy bowel to cover the internal opening of a vaginal fistula. We aimed to describe the long-term outcomes of this rare procedure.

Methods

Patients with IPAA who underwent transanal pouch advancement for any indication between 2009 and 2021 were included. Demographics, operative details, and outcomes were reviewed. An early fistula was defined as occurring within 1 year of IPAA construction. Clinical success was defined as resolution of symptoms necessitating CPA, pouch retention, and no stoma at the time of follow-up. Figures represent the median (interquartile range) or frequency (%).

Results

Over a 12-year period, nine patients were identified; the median age at CPA was 41 (36–44) years. Four patients developed early fistula after index IPAA, and five developed late fistulae. The median number of fistula repair procedures prior to CPA was 2 (1–2). All patients were diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at the time of IPAA and all late patients were re-diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Four (44.4%) patients had ileostomies present at the time of surgery, three (33.3%) had one constructed during surgery, and two (22.2%) never had a stoma. The median follow-up time was 11 (6–24) months. Clinical success was achieved in four of the nine (44.4%) patients at the time of the last follow-up.

Conclusions

Transanal circumferential pouch advancement was an effective treatment for refractory pouch vaginal fistulas and may be offered to patients who have had previous attempts at repair.
Novel method for detecting frequent TERT promoter hot spot mutations in bladder cancer samples
Authors: Kovács Ákos , Sükösd Farkas , Kuthi Levente , Boros Imre M. , Vedelek Balázs
Published: August 2024

Telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter (TERTp) mutations are frequently targeted tumor markers, however, they reside in regions with high GC content, which poses challenges when examined with simple molecular techniques or even with next-generation sequencing (NGS). In bladder cancer (BC), TERTp mutations are particularly frequent, however, none of the available tools have demonstrated efficacy in detecting TERTp mutations via a simple noninvasive technique. Therefore, we developed a novel PCR-based method for the detection of the two most common TERTp mutations and demonstrated its use for the analysis of BC samples. The developed SHARD-PCR TERTp mutation detection technique requires PCR and restriction digestion steps that are easily implementable even in less well-equipped laboratories. Cell lines with known mutational status were utilized for method development. Matching urine and tumor tissue samples from BC patients were analyzed, and the results were validated by next-generation sequencing. Analysis of eighteen urine and corresponding tumor tissue samples by SHARD-PCR revealed perfect matches in sample pairs, which paralleled the corresponding NGS results: fourteen samples exhibited mutations at the −124 position, two samples showed mutations at the −146 position, and no mutations were detected in two samples. Our study serves as a proof-of-concept and is limited by its small sample size, nonetheless, it demonstrates that SHARD-PCR is a simple, economic and highly reliable method for detecting TERTp mutations, which are common in different cancer types. For bladder cancer, SHARD-PCR can be performed with the use of noninvasive samples and could replace or complement currently used techniques.
Environmental challenge of vehicle dispatching in marine container drayage
Authors: Nishimura Etsuko , Papadimitriou Stratos , Shintani Koichi , Imai Akio
Published: August 2024

In marine container drayage (CD), which refers to the transport of goods over a short distance, empty containers (ECs) are required to be transported long distances between a terminal and a shipper/consignee by conventional transportation. This causes truck traffic congestion in harbor districts that increases CO2 emissions (CO2EM). This study addresses the vehicle dispatch problem with respect to the environmental impact of marine CD, considering the tractor dwell time is long at the customer site due to cumbersome container loading/unloading (L/U). We model this problem as an extended version of the vehicle routing problem with precedence constraints to minimize the total CO2 weighted travel distance. To improve CD operation in long L/U time, we propose a new practice for CD operations. Additionally, we develop a mixed integer programing model (MIP) for the new practice representation, and propose a Simulated Annealing (SA) based heuristic approach to solving the new practice instance. By implementing our proposed new operation, in a long L/U time, the CO2EM, EC move and number of tractors required can also be reduced by allowing uncoupled tractor move.