bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stabilizing Layered Oxide Cathodes Based on Universal Surface Residual Alkali Conversion Chemistry for Rechargeable Secondary Batteries
Authors: Liu Yi‐Feng , Liu Han‐Xiao , Zhu Yan‐Fang , Wang Hong‐Rui , Li Jia‐Yang , Li Yong‐Chun , Hu Hai‐Yan , Wu Zhen‐Guo , Guo Xiao‐Dong , Xiao Yao
Published: January 2025

Layered transition metal oxides (LTMOs) are attractive cathode candidates for rechargeable secondary batteries because of their high theoretical capacity. Unfortunately, LTMOs suffer from severe capacity attenuation, voltage decay, and sluggish kinetics, resulting from irreversible lattice oxygen evolution and unstable cathode‐electrolyte interface. Besides, LTMOs accumulate surface residual alkali species, like hydroxides and carbonates, during synthesis, limiting their practical application. Herein, a universal strategy is suggested to in situ convert surface residual alkali into a stable polymer coating layer for LTMOs, thus turning wastes into treasure. The formation process of polymer coating involves NH4F treatment to consume residual alkali, then utilizing generated fluorides to induce the ring‐opening polymerization of tetrahydrofuran. Implementing this strategy to Li‐rich Mn‐based cathode materials (LRM) results in a notable reduction in voltage hysteresis, along with enhanced kinetics and cycling stability in lithium‐ion batteries. With this layer of encapsulation, surface lattice oxygen release and layered‐to‐spinel phase transition of LRM are significantly alleviated with minimal mechanical degradation and surface parasitic reactions. Such strategy can also be applied to air‐sensitive sodium‐rich LTMOs in sodium‐ion batteries, which showcases superior universality. This work might provide a promising solution to overcome residual alkali and interfacial instability issues for LTMOs in practical application.
Local Polarization Piezoelectric Electric Field Promoted Water Dissociation for Hydroxyl Radical Generation under Ambient Humidity Condition
Authors: Liu Yi , Lu Xinyi , Zhang Runzhe , Wang Jian , Zhou Zhikui , Xia Yanyan , Li Ning , Chen Dongyi , Zhou Zhenjian , Fan Xiaoyun
Published: January 2025

Combining piezocatalysts with mechanical ball milling for dissociating water to generate hydroxyl radicals (·OH) offers unprecedented opportunities for energy conversion and environmental remediation. However, the in‐depth insights into the relationship between water and local polarization piezoelectric electric field (LPPEF) are currently lacking, in particularly, the ·OH formation mechanism in ball milling driven piezocatalyst system is not systematically elucidated. To this end, the present work constructs a ball milling driven piezoelectric solid/liquid interface between piezoelectric Pb2B5O9Cl (PBOC) and different contents of water to investigate LPPEF initiated catalytic reaction. Results show that PBOC exhibits an excellent Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) degradation efficiency with a 68.94 and 12.43 times faster rate constant than traditional SiO2 and BaTiO3, respectively. Under ambient humidity condition, the lower energy barrier of water dissociation (0.23 eV) endows ·OH generation more energetically favorable than under the water‐oversaturated condition (0.66 eV), and trace water magnifies the polarizability of [BO3] and [BO4] units in PBOC to initiate an enhanced LPPEF, thus it enhances the trapping of lone pairs electrons in trace adsorbed water by holes to contribute a higher yield of ·OH. This study constructs a highly correlated field‐initiated electron transfer system that provides opportunities for promoting the performance of piezocatalytic materials.
Impermeable and Elastic Polydimethylsiloxane Film by Parylene‐Caulking for Inflatable Soft Devices
Authors: Konishi Satoshi , Suzuki Seiji , Sano Fumiya , Hori Yuto , Katsura Tatsumi , Dogoshi Fumiyoshi
Published: January 2025

Moldable polymers, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), are widely used for microstructures. Various PDMS microstructures have been developed by molding and applied to microfluidic devices. In addition to the moldability of PDMS, its elasticity, optical transparency, gas permeability, and biocompatibility facilitate its utilization in diverse applications. However, the permeability of PDMS makes it unsuitable in cases that require sealing. For instance, inflatable soft devices, including pneumatic balloon actuators, require their constituent material to exhibit both elastic and impermeable features to utilize driving pressure effectively. In this context, this paper presents the poly‐para‐xylylene (parylene)‐caulking of PDMS without losing elasticity of PDMS. Parylene‐caulked PDMS is obtained by etching coated parylene on PDMS. In the context of the previous study on parylene‐caulked PDMS and similar works published recently, updated surface analysis results, and prepolymer ratio dependences are reported in this paper. Surface analysis is performed based on Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry is used to examine the presence of parylene on and inside the PDMS superficial layer. Parylene‐caulked PDMS is attractive for inflatable soft actuators. This study believes that these results will potentially contribute to a wide range of applications that require gas impermeability.
Active Nematics Reinforce the Ratchet Flow in Dense Environments Without Jamming
Authors: Yao Yisong , Zhao Zihui , Li He , Zhao Yongfeng , Zhang H. P. , Sano Masaki
Published: January 2025

The past decade witnessed a surge in discoveries where biological systems, such as bacteria or living cells, inherently portray active polar or nematic behavior: they prefer to align with each other and form local order during migration. Although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear, utilizing their physical properties to achieve controllable cell‐layer transport will be of fundamental importance. In this study, the ratchet effect is harnessed to control the collective motion of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in vitro. NPCs travel back‐and‐forth and do not specify head or tail, and therefore regarded as nematics alike liquid crystals. Ratchet and splay‐shaped confinements are crafted to modulate collective cell dynamics in dense environments, while jamming is not explicitly spotted. The adaptation of an agent‐based simulation further revealed how the ratchet's asymmetry and active forces from nematic order synergistically reinforce the directional cell flow. These findings provide insights into topotaxis in cell populations when restricted to crowded 2D ratchets and the mechanisms that regulate collective behavior of the cells.
Control Strategies for Solution‐Processed ZTO‐Based Thin‐Film Transistors Tailored Toward Volatile Organic Compound Detection
Authors: Miller Lauren R. , Galán‐González Alejandro , Nicholson Ben , Bowen Leon , Monier Guillaume , Borthwick Robert J. , White Freddie , Saeed Mana , Thompson Richard L. , Robert‐Goumet Christine , Atkinson Del , Zeze Dagou A. , Chaudhry Mujeeb U.
Published: January 2025

A breakthrough in the fabrication of amorphous Zn‐Sn‐O (ZTO)‐based thin‐film transistors (TFTs) is presented for volatile organic compound (VOC) detection. The incorporation of highly abundant materials offers substantial economic and environmental benefits. However, analyses for the design of a multilayer channel are still limited. This work demonstrates that the chemical environment influences ZTO‐based TFTs' carrier transport properties and can be tailored for detecting specific VOCs, ensuring high specificity in diagnosing life‐threatening conditions through simple breath analysis. A low‐cost, high‐throughput, fully solution‐processed ZTO and ZnO multilayering strategy is adopted. The in‐depth compositional and morphological analyses reveal that low surface roughness, excellent Zn and Sn intermixing, high oxygen vacancy (31.2%), and M‐OH bonding (11.4%) contents may account for the outstanding electrical and sensing performance of ZTO‐ZTO TFTs. Notably, these TFTs achieve near‐zero threshold voltage (2.20 V), excellent switching properties (107), and high mobility (10 cm2V−1s−1). This results in high responsivity to alcohol vapors at low‐voltage operation with peak responsivity for methanol (R = 1.08 × 106) over two orders of magnitude greater than acetone. When miniaturized, these devices serve as easy‐to‐operate sensors, capable of detecting VOCs with high specificity in ambient conditions.
Efficacy and Safety Results With Rilzabrutinib, an Oral Bruton Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, in Patients With Immune Thrombocytopenia: Phase 2 Part B Study
Authors: Cooper Nichola , Jansen A. J. Gerard , Bird Robert , Mayer Jiří , Sholzberg Michelle , Tarantino Michael D. , Garg Mamta , Ypma Paula F. , McDonald Vickie , Percy Charles , Košťál Milan , Goncalves Isaac , Bogdanov Lachezar H. , Gernsheimer Terry B. , Diab Remco , Yao Mengjie , Daak Ahmed , Kuter David J.
Published: January 2025

Current treatments for persistent or chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) are limited by inadequate response, toxicity, and impaired quality of life. The Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor rilzabrutinib was evaluated to further characterize safety and durability of platelet response. LUNA2 Part B is a multicenter, phase 1/2 study in adults with ITP (≥ 3 months duration, platelet count < 30 × 109/L) who failed ≥ 1 ITP therapy (NCT03395210, EudraCT 2017–004012‐19). Oral rilzabrutinib 400 mg bid was given over 24 weeks, with optional long‐term extension (LTE). Primary endpoints were safety and platelet counts ≥ 50 × 109/L on ≥ 8 of the last 12 weeks of main treatment without rescue medication. From 22 March2018 to 31 January2023, 26 patients were enrolled. Patients had baseline median platelet count 13 × 109/L, ITP duration 10.3 years, and six prior ITP therapies (46% splenectomized). Nine (35%) patients achieved the primary endpoint. Platelet counts ≥ 50 × 109/L or ≥ 30 × 109/L and doubling from baseline without rescue therapy were sustained for a mean 9.3 weeks. 11 (42%) LTE‐eligible patients were ongoing with median LTE platelet > 80 × 109/L. Three (12%) patients received rescue medication during main treatment, none in LTE. Clinically meaningful improvements were observed in fatigue and women's health. With a median treatment duration of 167 days (main treatment), 16 (62%) patients had ≥ 1 treatment‐related adverse event (AE), mainly grade 1, including diarrhea (35%), headache (23%), and nausea (15%). There was no treatment‐related grade ≥ 2 bleeding/thrombotic events/infections, serious AE, or death. Rilzabrutinib continues to demonstrate durable platelet responses with favorable safety profile in previously treated ITP patients.

Trial Registration: NCT03395210, EudraCT 2017‐004012‐19
Unraveling the neuroprotective effect of perampanel and lacosamide combination in the corneal kindling model for epilepsy in mice
Authors: Tehreem Saba , Sabir Azka , Farooq Maryam , Ashraf Waseem , Alqahtani Faleh , Ahmad Tanveer , Imran Imran
Published: January 2025

Background

Scientific evidence to guide clinicians on the use of different antiseizure drugs in combination therapy is either very limited or lacking. In this study, the impact of lacosamide and perampanel alone and in combination was tested in corneal kindling model in mice, which is a cost‐effective mechanism for screening of antiseizure drugs.

Methods

The impact of lacosamide (5 mg/kg) and perampanel (0.125 mg/kg) alone and their combination was tested in corneal kindling process (3‐mA current for 3 s applied twice daily for consecutive 12 days) in male BALB/c mice. Post‐kindling, mice were subjected to a battery of behavioral tests assessing anxiety, memory, and depression‐like behaviors. Brain tissues were then harvested for analysis of oxidative stress biomarkers.

Results

Our results showed that the combination therapy of lacosamide and perampanel was more effective in reducing seizure progression than monotherapy of these drugs. Animals treated with combination therapy showed significant behavioral improvements, as reduced anxiety and depression were noticed, and their cognitive abilities were notably better compared to animals of all other groups. Moreover, biochemical assays of isolated brains from combination‐treated group revealed lesser amount of oxidative stress. In addition, outcomes of dual regime were comparable to the phenytoin in seizure control but showed superior benefits in mitigation of kindling‐prompted behavioral dysfunction and oxidative stress.

Conclusions

This study suggests that the lacosamide and perampanel combination therapy worked noticeably better in halting the corneal kindling process in mice and improved the epilepsy‐associated psychiatric disorders that might be due to antioxidant effects of both drugs.
High‐throughput markerless pose estimation and home‐cage activity analysis of tree shrew using deep learning
Authors: Wang Yangzhen , Su Feng , Cong Rixu , Liu Mengna , Shan Kaichen , Li Xiaying , Zhu Desheng , Wei Yusheng , Dai Jiejie , Zhang Chen , Tian Yonglu
Published: January 2025

Background

Quantifying the rich home‐cage activities of tree shrews provides a reliable basis for understanding their daily routines and building disease models. However, due to the lack of effective behavioral methods, most efforts on tree shrew behavior are limited to simple measures, resulting in the loss of much behavioral information.

Methods

To address this issue, we present a deep learning (DL) approach to achieve markerless pose estimation and recognize multiple spontaneous behaviors of tree shrews, including drinking, eating, resting, and staying in the dark house, etc.

Results

This high‐throughput approach can monitor the home‐cage activities of 16 tree shrews simultaneously over an extended period. Additionally, we demonstrated an innovative system with reliable apparatus, paradigms, and analysis methods for investigating food grasping behavior. The median duration for each bout of grasping was 0.20 s.

Conclusion

This study provides an efficient tool for quantifying and understand tree shrews' natural behaviors
Separation of Ethanol–Water Azeotrope Using Waste Carrageenan Filter‐Cake Adsorbent
Authors: Flores Dharyl C. , Martin Alvin Mar V. , Tagalog Shaira Kyle M. , Tabañag Ian Dominic F. , Go Alchris W. , Cabatingan Luis K.
Published: January 2025

The final step in the downstream processing of bioethanol is typically the removal of water from the ethanol–water azeotrope (95.6 wt.% ethanol) to obtain fuel‐grade ethanol (> 99 wt.%). This can be done by various techniques including distillation (azeotropic or extractive), membrane‐based separation, and adsorption using molecular sieves or bio‐based adsorbents. In this work, a waste by‐product of carrageenan production is studied for its efficacy as water adsorbent. This waste carrageenan filter‐cake (CFC) material is primarily composed of organics (22 wt.% cellulose and carrageenan) and ash (78 wt.% perlite) as inferred from the proximate analysis. The functional groups present in the material were identified by FTIR analyses, and the surface morphology was checked by FESEM. Liquid phase water adsorption isotherms at 30°C, 40°C, and 50°C were established and were found to be adequately described by both Langmuir (R2 = 0.93 to 0.97) and Brouers‐Sotolongo (R2 = 0.96 to 0.97) models. An enthalpy change of adsorption of about −17 kJ/mol was computed through the van't Hoff equation. An azeotropic mixture (95.6 wt.% ethanol) was successfully purified to above 99.2 wt.% ethanol in a CFC‐packed column. The CFC adsorbent was used in three adsorption–desorption cycles without much loss in capacity. Moreover, the Thomas model adequately described the breakthrough curves.
Fabrication of Polytetrafluoroethylene Composite Membrane via Laser Perforating and Nanosilica Coating for Efficient Oil–Water Separation
Authors: Zhang Denan , Lyu Zhenbei , Peng Delian , Peng Wenhai , Xue Wei
Published: January 2025

Oil/water separation membrane has attracted increasing attention due to the environmental issue caused by industrial oily wastewater and frequent oil spill incidents. Techniques for preparation of high‐performance membranes are still in need of advancing. In this work, an environment‐friendly polytetrafluoroethylene composite membrane was fabricated with a two‐step method, i.e., picosecond laser perforating and subsequent nano‐silica composite coating. The in‐air water contact angle of the prepared membrane was 0°, and the underwater oil contact angle was over 150°, showing excellent superhydrophilic/underwater superoleophobic properties and self‐cleaning performance. Results also showed that an average separation efficiency above 96% was obtained for the composite membrane for a variety of oil–water mixtures. The tailored wettability and separation efficiency remained after abrasion and corrosion tests, indicating good durability of the membrane in harsh environment.
Ermüdungsverhalten von Spannstahllitzen in UHFB
Authors: Lanwer Jan‐Paul , Empelmann Martin
Published: January 2025

Zur Untersuchung des Ermüdungsverhaltens von einbetonierten Spannstahllitzen wurden am iBMB der TU Braunschweig im Rahmen eines DIBt‐Forschungsvorhabens mehrere Serien von Dauerschwingversuchen an kleinformatigen Versuchskörpern durchgeführt. Darin wurden die Litzen in normalfesten Beton sowie in faserfreien ultrahochfesten Beton (UHFB) und faserbewehrten ultrahochfesten Beton (FBUHFB) einbetoniert und unter unterschiedlichen Schwingbreiten bis zum Erreichen der Ermüdungsfestigkeit geprüft. Die Versuchsergebnisse (Bruchlastspielzahlen) wurden in die Wöhlerlinie für Spannstahl im sofortigen Verbund nach EC2/NA eingeordnet. Im Mittel weisen die in faserfreiem UHFB einbetonierten Litzen zunächst geringere Bruchlastwechselzahlen auf als die in normalfestem Beton und faserbewehrtem ultrahochfestem Beton (FBUHFB) einbetonierten Litzen. Die Berechnungen der 5 %‐Quantile zeigen aber eine noch ausreichende Absicherung durch die Wöhlerlinie in EC2/NA.
Harnessing the ubiquitin proteasome system as a key player in stem cell biology
Authors: Atta Hind , Kassem Dina H. , Kamal Mohamed M. , Hamdy Nadia M.
Published: January 2025

Intracellular proteins take part in almost every body function; thus, protein homeostasis is of utmost importance. The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) has a fundamental role in protein homeostasis. Its main role is to selectively eradicate impaired or misfolded proteins, thus halting any damage that could arise from the accumulation of these malfunctioning proteins. Proteasomes have a critical role in controlling protein homeostasis in all cell types, including stem cells. We will discuss the role of UPS enzymes as well as the 26S proteasome complex in stem cell biology from several angles. First, we shall overview common trends of proteasomal activity and gene expression of different proteasomal subunits and UPS enzymes upon passaging and differentiation of stem cells toward various cell lineages. Second, we shall explore the effect of modulating proteasomal activity in stem cells and navigate through the interrelation between proteasomes' activity and various proteasome‐related transcription factors. Third, we will shed light on curated microRNAs and long non‐coding RNAs using various bioinformatics tools that might have a possible role in regulating UPS in stem cells and possibly, upon manipulation, can enhance the differentiation process into different lineages and/or delay senescence upon cell passaging. This will help to decipher the role played by individual UPS enzymes and subunits as well as various interrelated molecular mediators in stem cells' maintenance and/or differentiation and open new avenues in stem cell research. This can ultimately provide a leap toward developing novel therapeutic interventions related to proteasome dysregulation.
Application of Multiple Base‐Editing Mediated by Polycistronic tRNA‐gRNA‐Processing System in Pig Cells
Authors: Zhao Wudi , Zhu Xiangxing , Huang Guobin , Gu Hao , Bi Yanzhen , Tang Dongsheng , Ren Hongyan
Published: January 2025

Gene edited pigs have extensive and important application value in the fields of agriculture and biomedicine. With the increasing demand in medical research and agricultural markets, more and more application scenarios require gene edited pigs to possess two or even more advantageous phenotypes simultaneously. The current production of multi gene edited pigs is inefficient, time‐consuming, and costly, and there is an urgent need to develop efficient and accurate multi gene editing application technologies. The polycistronic tRNA‐gRNA‐processing system (PTG), developed based on endogenous tRNA self‐processing systems, has been shown to exhibit efficient multi gene editing in plants. This study aims to combine a PTG strategy with multiple gRNA production functions with an adenine base editor (ABE) to test its feasibility for efficient and precise multi gene base editing in pig cells. The results indicate that the PTG based integrated ABE plasmid can perform efficient base editing at multiple gene loci in pig cells. And while the gene editing efficiency was significantly improved, no indel and sgRNA dependent off target effects caused by DSB were detected. This work permit will provide a solid foundation for the production of multi gene edited pigs with agricultural and medical applications.
Highly blue‐emissive CBZ‐functionalized salen–In complexes: Influence of structural rigidity and donor substituent quantity
Authors: Kim Yoseph , Kim Jaehoon , Lee Ji Hye , Moon Hyeongkwon , Hwang Hyonseok , Lee Junseong , Kang Houng , Park Jun Hui , Kim Youngjo , Park Myung Hwan
Published: January 2025

Indium–salen complexes with electron‐donating carbazole (CBZ) groups at positions 4 (CBZIn1) and both 4 and 6 (CBZIn2) were synthesized and characterized to explore the impact of the number of substituents and the structural rigidity on their photophysical properties. The single‐crystal structure of CBZIn2 revealed highly twisted arrangements between the CBZ groups and salen moieties, with torsion angles of 80°–81° at 6‐position and 45°–47° at 4‐position. The In center adopted a nearly square‐pyramidal geometry. Both complexes displayed blue fluorescence in toluene at 298 K and in rigid environments (toluene at 77 K and in films), with emission originating from intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) transitions. The photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) of CBZIn1 and CBZIn2 were low in solution but significantly higher in rigid states. Notably, the film‐state PLQY of CBZIn2 (78.7%) was over eight times greater than that of CBZIn1 (9.0%). A similar trend was observed in toluene at 77 K. These results highlight the positive influence of structural rigidity and a great number of CBZ donors on ICT‐based radiative decay. The experimental observations were consistent with computational predictions, further supporting the proposed mechanism.
Transgender History, Part I: An Anthropology of Gender‐Nonconformity Across Ages and Cultures
Authors: Fontenele Rodrigo , Abi Zeid Daou Margarita
Published: January 2025

Transgender experiences have been attested since the dawn of civilization. Long before gender was reinterpreted as socially constructed and non‐binary by 20th‐century Western scholarship, concepts such as not belonging to the gender assigned at birth, transitioning, and being “neither a man nor a woman” integrated the belief systems and practices of various societies worldwide. This review examines anthropological and historical records of trans, non‐binary, and gender‐nonconforming behavior spanning six continents and five millennia. Moreover, we investigate how trans experiences interact with local traditions, family structures, laws, religions, and other social institutions. Finally, we explore trans‐inclusive historiographical trends and discuss the relevance of transgender history awareness for professional and academic endeavors beyond the social sciences.
Relative Impact of Underreporting and Desistance on the Dark Figure of Sexual Recidivism
Authors: Scurich Nicholas , John Richard S.
Published: January 2025

Sexual recidivism rates based on arrests or convictions underestimate actual reoffending due to underreporting. A previous Monte Carlo simulation estimated actual recidivism rates under various reporting and conviction assumptions but did not account for desistance—the decreasing likelihood of reoffending over time. This study addresses that gap by incorporating a 12.3% annual desistance rate (from a well‐known empirical study) and exploring its impact alongside varying charge rates (100%–5%). The results showed that reductions in charge rates lead to disproportionately large increases in recidivism. For instance, lowering the charge rate from 50% to 25% results in a much larger increase in actual recidivism than reducing it from 100% to 75%, despite both being 25% reductions. This indicates that as charge rates decrease, actual recidivism grows more sharply. A sensitivity analysis also examined desistance rates of 0%, 5%, 12.3%, and 20%. Higher desistance rates cause reoffending to occur earlier but have little impact on long‐term totals. Over 25 years, reoffending rates remain similar across desistance rates, suggesting desistance affects the timing, but not the overall amount of reoffending.
Elastic Recoil and Deployment Asymmetry of the Transcatheter Heart Valve in Bicuspid Versus Tricuspid Anatomy
Authors: Iskandar Odette , Layoun Habib , Ramu Shivabalan Kathavarayan , Vannan Judah Rajendran Ravi Raja Malar , Asala Elian Abou , Bhalla Jaideep Singh , Ghandakly Elizabeth , Besir Besir , Yun James , Reed Grant , Puri Rishi , Harb Serge , Krishnaswamy Amar , Kapadia Samir R.
Published: January 2025

Background

Data supporting the use of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is limited compared to tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) anatomy, as the BAV anatomy poses unique challenges to prosthesis expansion and symmetric deployment.

Aims

We aim to compare the acute recoil and asymmetry of the SAPIEN‐3 valve between BAV and TAV anatomies and their impact on procedural outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a single‐center study of patients who underwent TAVR with the SAPIEN‐3 valve. We measured acute recoil, deployment asymmetry, and length asymmetry from intraprocedural angiogram before and after postdilation, as well as before and after predilation. Hemodynamic and procedural outcomes were studied.

Results

Among 946 patients, 9% had BAV. In the RAO view, BAV patients had significantly higher absolute and relative acute recoil across all diameters, while in the LAO view, only central diameter relative recoil was significantly higher (p < 0.001). Deployment asymmetry was more common in BAV patients with an OR of 1.88 (CI 1.19, 2.96; p = 0.01). Predilation reduced both length and deployment asymmetry in RAO and LAO views for TAV and BAV patients (p < 0.001). Postdilation significantly reduced acute valve recoil in both groups (p = 0.002 and p = 0.032). Hemodynamic outcomes were comparable between TAV and BAV patients, and there were no significant associations between deployment or length asymmetry and procedural outcomes.

Conclusions

Acute recoil, deployment asymmetry, and length asymmetry are common in BAV patients but do not affect short‐term clinical outcomes or hemodynamics.
Numerical Study on the Intensification of 3D Fluidized Bed Flue Gas Desulfurization Process by Multi‐Jet Structure
Authors: Yang Huimin , Wang Shuai , Wu Shengxiao , Jin Jiao , Wu Feng
Published: January 2025

There are problems such as short residence time, high particle packing density, and insufficient interphase contact in traditional fluidized beds (FBs), which greatly reduce the efficiency of the reactor. Based on this issue, this article simulates and analyzes the flow field characteristics in a 3D FB with different inlet angles (45°, 90°, 102.5°). The results show that in an FB with an inlet angle of 90°, the radial distribution of particles is uniform, and the best interphase mixing effect is achieved. On the basis of the traditional FB, a 3D multi‐jet FB (MJFB) structure was designed to study the semi‐dry flue gas desulfurization process. The results show that the multi‐jet structure enhances the turbulence of gas and the radial pulsation of gas–liquid–solid three‐phase, improving the phenomenon of uneven radial distribution of solid particles. In addition, the heat transfer coefficient between the phases has been improved. Compared with FB, the moisture content of MJFB outlet flue gas increased by 33.69 %, and the multi‐jet structure reduced the sulfur content of outlet flue gas, which helps to improve desulfurization efficiency.
A Unique Case of ′in Situ’ Bifluoride Triggered Formation of Supramolecular Organogels Using Isophthalamide Hydrogen Bond Donating Receptors.
Authors: Picci Giacomo , D'Anna Francesca , Marullo Salvatore , Montis Riccardo , Lippolis Vito , Orton James , Coles Simon , Frontera Antonio , Gomila Rosa M. , Caltagirone Claudia
Published: January 2025

A novel isopthalamide based receptor H2L2 featuring two p‐benzoic acid units has been synthesised and its anion binding properties analysed by 1H‐NMR spectroscopy in DMSO‐d6/0.5 % H2O. As expected, in the presence of tetrabutylammonium (TBA) fluoride the deprotonation of the carboxylic acid moieties was observed. However, the deprotonated receptor L22− was able to bind the in situ formed HF2− via the formation of H‐bonds with the amide NHs. When H2L2 was dissolved in THF and 4 equivalents of TBAF were added in CH3CN a unique sol‐gel transition occurred giving rise to a stable thixotropic supramolecular gel. Theoretical calculations elucidated the gelation mechanism and strongly support the findings observed experimentally.
Influence of clay metal minerals on the products of microwave pyrolysis of oil sludge
Authors: Wang Ruixuan , Shi Liang , Hu Shihong , Chen Xingyuan , Su Wentao
Published: January 2025

Oil sludge is a solid organic waste generated during the extraction and transport of petroleum resources. In this paper, initially, the types of oil sludge and the potential hazards of oil sludge are discussed. On this basis, the disposal process of microwave pyrolysis of oil sludge for generating three‐phase products (gas, light oil, and residual carbon) for recycling is put forward, through which the oil sludge is recycled and reused, and the pollution to the environment is decreased. To elevate the reaction rate of microwave pyrolysis of oil sludge and raise the yields of gas and liquid oil, four catalysts (montmorillonite‐Ca‐based, montmorillonite‐Na‐based, kaolinite, chlorite) were introduced to experimentally dissect the heating rate, oil production rate, and gas production rate of microwave pyrolysis. The results demonstrated that the reaction rate of microwave pyrolysis was prominently enhanced after adding the catalysts, and the contents of pyrolysis oil and pyrolysis gas also increased conspicuously. The combustible gas content in pyrolysis gas (H2 + CH4 + CO) increased by 17.624 wt.% (montmorillonite Na‐based), 9.511 wt.% (chlorite), 12.28 wt.% (kaolinite), and 15.164 wt.% (montmorillonite Ca‐based), respectively, compared to that of the blank group. The clay–metal mineral catalysts, particularly montmorillonite Na‐based, facilitated the sludge decomposition, augmented the content of low‐carbon number straight‐chain hydrocarbons and alcohols, and improved the quality of pyrolysis oil products.
Assessing the Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Warfarin and Rivaroxaban for Cancer Associated Thrombosis: Experience From a Resource Limited Setting
Authors: Tasamma Abel Tenaw , Bukate Tsegab Alemayehu , Mehadi Abdulrahim , Handiso Bereket Tagesse , Kassa Beniam Yohannes , Hassen Eman Omer , Ayalew Zekarias Seifu , Tegegne Dawit Habtie , Azibte Gebeyehu Tessema , Zewdie Tigest Abebaw , Shihur Tinsaye Zergaw , Geremamo Yonas Degelo , Mesfin Yeabsira Dessalegne , Alemayehu Rediet M. , Asefa Amanuel Kassu , Abdela Fozia , Melkie Addisu
Published: January 2025

Background

Thromboembolic events are a common cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer. While direct‐acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been established as the preferred agents of anticoagulation in most patients with cancer, data in resource‐limited settings is limited.

Aims

The study aims to assess the comparative efficacy and safety of warfarin and rivaroxaban for cancer‐associated thrombosis (CAT) in a resource‐limited setting.

Methods and results

A single‐center retrospective cohort study was conducted on 201 patients who were on follow‐up from September 2021 to August 2023. The patients were categorized into two groups (1) warfarin and (2) rivaroxaban. They were then retrospectively followed for 12 months. The primary endpoint was a composite of recurrence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), major bleeding event, or all‐cause mortality. The Cox regression model was used to compare the outcome of the two groups. The baseline mean (standard deviation) age of the patients was 48.4 (15.0) and 140 (69.7%) of them were female. 41.3% of the participants had one or more comorbidities, and the most common types of cancer were gynecologic (28.9%), hematologic (21.4%), and intra‐abdominal (16.9%). The most common type of thrombosis was deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (77.1%). The primary composite outcome of VTE recurrence, major bleeding event, and all‐cause mortality occurred in 25 (24.3%) patients in the warfarin group and 11 (11.2%) in the rivaroxaban group (hazard ratio (HR), 0.48; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.24–0.97; p = 0.041).

Conclusion

Rivaroxaban was found to be more efficacious and safer than warfarin for patients with CAT in a resource‐limited setting. This finding is congruent with reports from resource‐abundant countries and recommendations from major international societies.
Effect of Food Intake or Coadministration With an Acid‐Reducing Agent on Lenacapavir Pharmacokinetics Following Oral Administration
Authors: Singh Renu , Shelton Mark , Olson Isabel , Ling John , West Steve , Levy Jeffrey A. , Rhee Martin S. , Girish Sandhya , Palaparthy Ramesh
Published: January 2025

Lenacapavir is a potent, long‐acting HIV‐1 capsid inhibitor used in combination with other antiretrovirals to treat HIV‐1 infection. The pharmacokinetics of orally administered drugs may be affected by food intake or coadministration of acid‐reducing agents (ARA). Two Phase 1 studies were conducted on healthy participants to evaluate the effect of food and the impact of the histamine H2‐receptor antagonist famotidine in parallel cohorts. In Study 1, oral lenacapavir (300 mg) was administered under fasting conditions, after a standardized high‐fat meal, and after a low‐fat meal (n = 8/cohort). In Study 2, lenacapavir 300 mg was administered alone (n = 27) and 2 hours after famotidine (40 mg; n = 25), each under fasting conditions. For the high‐fat meal versus fasted comparison, the percentage geometric least‐squares mean (%GLSM) ratios for the lenacapavir area under the curve to infinity (AUCinf) and maximum concentration (Cmax) were 115.2 and 145.2, respectively. For the low‐fat meal, the %GLSM ratios for lenacapavir AUCinf and Cmax were 98.6 and 115.8, respectively, versus the fasted state. In the famotidine study, the %GLSM ratio for lenacapavir AUC from time zero to the last quantifiable concentration was 137.4, and for Cmax was 100.6. Based on available clinical safety data, the exposure increases observed in these studies were not expected to be clinically relevant. Overall, these data support the dosing of oral lenacapavir without regard to food intake or coadministration with ARAs.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Supply Chain Efficiency: A Study on Chinese Enterprises
Authors: Zhang Kai , Wang Yijie , Zhang Weikun , Liu Dongyuan
Published: January 2025

As sustainability challenges, such as environmental pollution, become increasingly severe, businesses must balance stakeholder interests while achieving economic objectives. Applying stakeholder theory, this study finds that active participation in corporate social responsibility (CSR) significantly improves supply chain efficiency (SCE), with an indirect effect through mechanisms such as green technology innovation and information sharing. Heterogeneity experiments reveal that CSR has a greater effect on SCE in nonstate‐owned businesses, companies with highly competitive positions, strong media attention, and regions with lower market segmentation. These findings offer practical insights for businesses aiming to integrate CSR into supply chain strategies, providing a new perspective on the economic effects of CSR under varying market and competitive conditions.
Elevated temperature effects on swelling pressure of compacted bentonite
Authors: He Linhua , Sedighi Majid , Mosleh Mojgan Hadi , Jivkov Andrey , Liu Jiangfeng
Published: January 2025

Understanding the effects of temperature on the hydro‐mechanical behavior of compacted bentonite is important for performance assessments of bentonite‐based buffer, backfill, and sealing systems in deep geological disposal of high‐level radioactive wastes. Motivated by such applications, most past experimental studies were focused on highly compacted and high‐quality bentonite. Such degrees of dry densities may not be economically or technically feasible for other emerging applications, including as an alternative material to cement in plugging and abandonment of wells. A bespoke high‐pressure high‐temperature constant rate of strain (CRS) apparatus was developed for the work reported here to conduct a series of tests for evaluating the hydro‐mechanical response of compacted bentonite to elevated temperatures. Experiments were performed with bentonite specimens with high impurity contents at a range of dry densities (1.1, 1.4, and 1.7 Mg/m3) and temperatures between 20 and 80°C. The results show that temperature increase leads to the decrease of swelling pressure for all studied densities. Larger reductions of swelling pressure were observed with increasing dry densities, suggesting the possibility of a larger exchange of pore water in the microstructure system of the clay. The transfer of water from micropores to macropores at elevated temperatures is shown to be a key controlling process at high‐density compacted bentonite by which temperature affects the swelling pressure and hydraulic conductivity.
INSIGHT: Combining Fixation Visualisations and Residual Neural Networks for Dyslexia Classification From Eye‐Tracking Data
Authors: Svaricek Roman , Dostalova Nicol , Sedmidubsky Jan , Cernek Andrej
Published: January 2025

Current diagnostic methods for dyslexia primarily rely on traditional paper‐and‐pencil tasks. Advanced technological approaches, including eye‐tracking and artificial intelligence (AI), offer enhanced diagnostic capabilities. In this paper, we bridge the gap between scientific and diagnostic concepts by proposing a novel dyslexia detection method, called INSIGHT, which combines a visualisation phase and a neural network‐based classification phase. The first phase involves transforming eye‐tracking fixation data into 2D visualisations called Fix‐images, which clearly depict reading difficulties. The second phase utilises the ResNet18 convolutional neural network for classifying these images. The INSIGHT method was tested on 35 child participants (13 dyslexic and 22 control readers) using three text‐reading tasks, achieving a highest accuracy of 86.65%. Additionally, we cross‐tested the method on an independent dataset of Danish readers, confirming the robustness and generalizability of our approach with a notable accuracy of 86.11%. This innovative approach not only provides detailed insight into eye movement patterns when reading but also offers a robust framework for the early and accurate diagnosis of dyslexia, supporting the potential for more personalised and effective interventions.
Breeding Partners Have Dissimilar Foraging Strategies in a Long‐Lived Arctic Seabird
Authors: Gousy‐Leblanc Marianne , Patterson Allison , Gilchrist H. Grant , Friesen Vicki L. , Elliott Kyle H.
Published: January 2025

For long‐lived species with biparental care, coordination and compatibility in the foraging behavior of breeding mates may be crucial to successfully raise offspring. While high foraging success is clearly important to reproductive success, it might be equally important that the mate has a complementary foraging strategy. We test whether breeding partners have similar or dissimilar foraging strategies in a species where both partners share breeding responsibilities and exhibit high mate fidelity (thick‐billed murre; Uria lomvia). To examine whether thick‐billed murres showed complementary in foraging strategies, we attached GPS accelerometers to both partners within 40 thick‐billed murre chick‐rearing pairs. Individuals within a breeding pair were dissimilar in their foraging trip distance and in their number of dives during foraging trips compared to randomized pairs. Breeding partners were also more similar in wing length than randomized pairs. This result could be related to individual quality as individuals select similar sized partners or select sites that lead to similar sized partners. We conclude that foraging strategy diversity could be maintained in this population either because individuals prefer partners with foraging strategies complementary to their own, or because partners diverge in foraging strategies over multiple breeding season together.
Continuous Stem Water Potential Measurements of a Diffuse‐Porous Tree Species Offer New Insights Into Tree Water Relations
Authors: Haberstroh Simon , Scarpa Fabio , Seeger Stefan , Christen Andreas , Werner Christiane
Published: January 2025

Water potential is a crucial parameter for assessing tree water status and hydraulic strategies. However, methods for measuring water potential, such as the Scholander pressure chamber, are destructive, discontinuous and difficult to perform in tall forests. Consequently, important dynamics in water potentials, particularly during short‐term drought, are difficult to capture. Recent advancements have introduced low‐maintenance sensors capable of measuring continuous, high‐resolution stem water potentials.

We evaluated these sensors in a temperate, diffuse‐porous species (Carpinus betulus) over a growing season marked by dry‐down periods and heat. Measurements of leaf water potential, sap flow and environmental factors (air temperature, vapour pressure deficit and soil water content) were conducted. Midday stem water potentials of C. betulus reached minimum values of −3.39 ± 0.10 MPa and exhibited pronounced seasonal fluctuations, mirroring changes in environmental conditions and sap flow.

Stem water potentials correlated well with Scholander‐type measurements during predawn (R2 = 0.98) but demonstrated an offset in absolute values during midday (R2 = 0.71) and diurnal measurements. Minimum stem water potentials and maximum sap flow in the stem expressed a time lag and showed a distinct hysteresis. In this first assessment, the agreement with Scholander‐type measurements, sap flow and environmental parameters suggests the tested water potential sensors yield reliable data, especially during predawn, but need further validation during midday conditions. If applicable to other tree species, these sensors could significantly advance our understanding of tree water relations and their role in forest drought responses.
Modelling the Influence of Vegetation on the Stochastic Dynamics of Coastal Dunes
Authors: Adhithya Ramakrishnan Kiran , Duran Vinent Orencio
Published: January 2025

Coastal dunes are the highest natural features on a barrier island, where they protect beach communities, infrastructure and low‐energy back‐barrier ecosystems from flooding and erosion during storms and other high‐water events. Their formation, and poststorm recovery, is a result of a subtle competition between the physical and biological processes controlling the initial stages of dune growth. Vegetation colonises a barren back‐beach and traps wind‐driven (aeolian) sand to form dunes, but at low enough elevation, plants can be eroded by water‐driven transport during random flooding events, which slows down or prevents dune formation. This competition has been previously investigated using both process‐based and analytical models. However, the effect of finite vegetation recovery times together with the precise stochastic nature of flooding events has not been taken into account before. A recent stochastic dune model assumed that vegetation grows and recovers instantaneously, whereas an existing process‐based dune model, the Coastal Dune Model (CDM), did not properly resolve the stochastic flooding events. Here, we address this knowledge gap by adding a much more realistic description of high‐water events of the stochastic model to CDM and investigate the role of vegetation growth and recovery times in dune formation. We first replicate the stochastic model predictions assuming instantaneous vegetation growth. We then define the vegetation colonisation time and relate it to the initial dune formation time. Since dune formation requires the presence of vegetation, a finite colonisation time leads to an expected lag in dune formation and recovery. Depending on the competition between vegetation growth and aeolian erosion, we find that dune dynamics can be divided into two regimes: one with a stable (static) vegetated dune and another one with a mobile, partially vegetated, dune propagating landward. Within the stable dune regime, the influence of vegetation on dune recovery is solely controlled by the relation between the vegetation colonisation time, the dune growth time after plant colonisation and the return period of high‐water events flooding the back‐beach. We introduce two control parameters based on these times and use them to describe a simplified phase space of the dune state. We then find a simple analytical expression for the transition from a ‘high’ state with mature dunes to a ‘low’ state devoid of dunes based on the competition between dune recovery time controlled by vegetation and the flooding frequency. Finally, we use the transition threshold to propose a vulnerability indicator for dune recovery as the minimum elevation after an overwash required for vegetation to recover.
Canopy complexity drives positive effects of tree diversity on productivity in two tree diversity experiments
Authors: Fahey Catherine , Choi Dennis , Wang Jianmin , Domke Grant M. , Edwards Joseph D. , Fei Songlin , Kivlin Stephanie N. , LaRue Elizabeth A. , McCormick Melissa K. , McShea William J. , Phillips Richard P. , Pullen Jamie , Parker John D.
Published: January 2025

Forest canopy complexity (i.e., the three‐dimensional structure of the canopy) is often associated with increased species diversity as well as high primary productivity across natural forests. However, canopy complexity, tree diversity, and productivity are often confounded in natural forests, and the mechanisms of these relationships remain unclear. Here, we used two large tree diversity experiments in North America to assess three hypotheses: (1) increasing tree diversity leads to increased canopy complexity, (2) canopy complexity is positively related to tree productivity, and (3) the relationship between tree diversity and tree productivity is indirect and driven by the positive effects of canopy complexity. We found that increasing tree diversity from monocultures to mixtures of 12 species increases canopy complexity and productivity by up to 71% and 73%, respectively. Moreover, structural equation modeling indicates that the effects of tree diversity on productivity are indirect and mediated primarily by changes in internal canopy complexity. Ultimately, we suggest that increasing canopy complexity can be a major mechanism by which tree diversity enhances productivity in young forests.