bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation, characterization and thermal properties of nitrographene coated aluminum powder
Authors: Ding Xiaoyong , Fang Yitong , Emu Ayimu , Cao Yidan , Liu Qiangqiang , Chen Baili , Liu Yingle , Tan Yingxin
Published: August 2024

Aluminum powder is commonly used as a metal fuel additive in composite solid propellants. However, its tendency to agglomerate during combustion can lead to two‐phase flow losses, negatively impacting its energy performance. To address this issue and enhance the combustion performance of aluminum powder, nitrated graphene oxide (NGO) was developed to improve aluminum dispersion and optimize its energy characteristics. Various analytical techniques were employed to examine its properties, including Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), elemental analysis (EA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). Al/NGO composite was prepared using a solution‐assisted method in N, N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) and characterized by SEM, XPS and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The ignition characteristics and heat of combustion of Al/NGO powder were measured using a laser igniter and an oxygen bomb calorimetry. The appropriate mass ratios of NGO coating had positive effects on the ignition and combustion of Al. Specially, 4 % NGO coating reduced Al ignition energy by 46.5 % and increased the Al combustion efficiency by 22.0 %. Moreover, the catalytic effect of Al/NGO on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) was investigated using differential thermal analysis (DTA). Results showed that two‐stage pyrolysis paths of AP tended to merge into a single pyrolysis process when Al/NGO4 % was added. The most favorable catalytic effect on AP′s thermal decomposition process was produced with the addition of 10 % Al/NGO4 %, reducing the activation energy by Kissinger equation for high‐temperature decomposition to 107.7 kJ mol−1. These findings may provide valuable insight for enhancing the performance of aluminum powder in energetic materials through NGO modification.
Fabrication and performance characterization of NTO/HMX spherical composite explosives with improved safety performance.
Authors: Wu Wenyu , Li Xiaodong , Liu Wenjie , Kang Penglin , Fan Dongqian , Xu Lu , Hu Shuangqi
Published: August 2024

Improving the energy density and safety of explosives are crucial for developing composite energetic materials. In this study, a facile and continuous spray drying granulation technique was used to obtain NTO/HMX composite explosives with insensitive NTO as coating material. The micro‐morphology, particle size, crystallographic structure, exothermic decomposition, impact sensitivity, and detonation performance of NTO/HMX composite explosives with different NTO contents were investigated by various experimental methods. The test results indicate that the higher the NTO content, the better the crystal integrity of HMX and the lower the mechanical sensitivity of NTO/HMX composite explosives. When the mass ratio of NTO and HMX is 25 : 75, NTO/HMX composite explosives have a good spherical density structure formed by the aggregation of nanoparticles, small particle sizes with a median size of 1.22 μm, and a uniform distribution of particle sizes in the range of 0.3–2.8 μm. The addition of NTO not only enhances the thermal decomposition of HMX but also significantly decreases mechanical sensitivity. The composite explosives had not altered the raw NTO and HMX crystallographic structures (β‐type). With the same ratio (25 : 75), NTO/HMX composite explosives (25 : 75) possess higher impact energy and friction force, better safety, and better thermal stability than physical mixtures. Additionally, the high‐energy insensitive composite microspheres preserve the important high‐energy properties of HMX while effectively enhancing its safety characteristics, which have the advantages of controllable crystallographic micromorphology, high energy, and excellent impact sensibility and could be broadly applicable in the field of munitions.
Combustible cartridge case material characteristics evaluation
Authors: Jehličková Eliška , Zůbek Vojtěch , Konečný Pavel , Kubát Karel
Published: August 2024

Combustible cartridge cases are parts of modular charges used in modern artillery systems. Some types of combustible cartridge case materials have exhibited problems during pyrostatic measurements caused by their difficult ignition. This article explores the possibility of testing the combustible cartridge case material mixed with a propellant of known ballistic properties and then separating the influence of that propellant using methods of mathematical analysis. The aim of this work is to create methodology for closed vessel tests of combustible cartridge case material. Outcome involves the characterization of combustible cartridge case material ballistic properties, including its burn rate parameters. Calculations described in this paper could potentially be modified to be applicable to other cases of mixture of two propellants.
Simulation and fabrication of reactive metamaterials for controllable energy response
Authors: Ichiyama Robert T. , Stanisha Madeleine , Scarpelli Noah P. , Smith James L. , Stewart D. Scott , Oxley Jimmie C.
Published: August 2024

Simulations and experiments were conducted to control the shock‐to‐detonation transition by energy trapping in localized regions of nitromethane that contained arrays of embedded dense particles (tantalum rods). The localizations were additively manufactured and designed with simulations carried out with ALE3D, that used the ignition and growth reactive flow model for the explosive. Modelling demonstrated enhanced reactivity when the tantalum rods were present, leading to a detonation that otherwise did not occur for the same strength shock without rods. Experiments that confirmed predictions of the simulation were conducted using Fritz plane wave lenses to drive various input shocks into the system. Photon doppler velocimetry was the primary diagnostic used to measure shock input and reaction progression. These results suggest that it is possible design explosives to localize sensitivity to shock loading within an insensitive material increasing the overall safety of fielded energetic materials.
Coupling enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli heat‐stable peptide toxin with 8‐arm PEG enhances immunogenicity
Authors: Zegeye Ephrem Debebe , Chaukimath Pooja , Diaz Yuleima , Visweswariah Sandhya S. , Puntervoll Pål
Published: August 2024

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains, which produce the heat‐stable enterotoxin (ST) either alone or in combination with the heat‐labile enterotoxin, contribute to the bulk of the burden of child diarrheal disease in resource‐limited countries and are associated with mortality. Developing an effective vaccine targeting ST presents challenges due to its potent enterotoxicity, non‐immunogenicity, and the risk of autoimmune reaction stemming from its structural similarity to the human endogenous ligands, guanylin, and uroguanylin. This study aimed to assess a novel synthetic vaccine carrier platform employing a single chemical coupling step for making human ST (STh) immunogenic. Specifically, the method involved cross‐linking STh to an 8‐arm N‐hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester‐activated PEG cross‐linker. A conjugate of STh with 8‐arm structure was prepared, and its formation was confirmed through immunoblotting analysis. The impact of conjugation on STh epitopes was assessed using ELISAs with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies targeting various epitopes of STh. Immunization of mice with the conjugate induced the production of anti‐STh antibodies, exhibiting neutralizing activity against STh.
Characterization and High‐Frequency Applications of Barium Antimonide Thin Films for Voltage‐Controlled Negative Capacitance and 6G Technology
Authors: Qasrawi Atef Fayez
Published: August 2024

Herein, films of barium antimonides (BaSb) are fabricated by a thermal deposition technique under a vacuum pressure of 10−5 mbar. BaSb films exhibit orthorhombic lattice. Over a wide range of scans, the films are mostly stoichiometric, displaying atomic contents of 50.17 and 49.83 at% for Ba and Sb, respectively. Morphological analyses of these films show the growth of large grains with sizes ranging from 1.64 to 4.14 μm. Dynamic electrical measurements on Ag/BaSb/Ag films are conducted in the frequency domain of 0.01–1.80 GHz. The films display features of voltage‐controlled negative capacitance source (VCNC) and resonance–antiresonance peaks at a critical frequency of 1.64 GHz. Lorentz models spectral analyses on these peaks indicate that they correspond to a high‐frequency capacitance value of 2.8 nF, a density of oscillators of 4 × 1010 cm−3, and a scattering time constant of τ = 100 ns. Additionally, Ag/BaSb/Ag films show a wide variety in the cutoff frequency spectra, making them suitable for high‐frequency applications. The cutoff frequency varies from 2.6 GHz to 1.0 THz as driving frequency increases from 1.0 to 1.64 GHz. The features of VCNC sources, resonance–antiresonance behavior, and high cutoff frequency make BaSb thin films promising for thin‐film transistors and 6 G technology applications.
Improved Temperature Sensitivity of the Microwave and Radiofrequency Properties of the Ceramic Matrix Li2LaNbTiO7
Authors: Gurgel Kaio Jonathas Alencar , Alves Nogueira Francisco Enilton , de Freitas Daniel Barros , Costa do Nascimento João Paulo , Abreu Tallison Oliveira , de Oliveira Silva Paulo Maria , do Carmo Felipe Felix , Santos da Silva Marcelo Antonio , Santos da Silva Ronaldo , Sombra Antonio Sergio Bezerra
Published: August 2024

This study presents experimental investigations and numerical simulations of the microwave (MW) dielectric and evaluation of the electrical properties in the radiofrequency region (RF). The ceramic matrix Li2LaNbTiO7 (LLNT) is obtained through the solid‐state reaction method. The synthesis of LLNT is confirmed using the X‐ray diffraction technique. In the complex impedance spectroscopy study, permittivity (ε′r) and loss tangent (tanδ) values are analyzed at room temperature. The study of the conductivity spectrum at different temperatures demonstrates that the conduction process is thermally activated, presenting a value of 0.65 eV for the activation energy. Numerical simulations are employed to evaluate the behavior of the LLNT matrix as dielectric resonator antennas (DRA), whereas this ceramics demonstrated a reflection coefficient of less than −10 dB at the resonant frequency, achieving a gain of 3.71 dBi, a bandwidth of 144 MHz and a radiation efficiency greater than 97%. The results indicate that the LLNT matrix would be a promising candidate for RF and MW operating devices.
Fisetin disrupts mitochondrial homeostasis via superoxide dismutase 2 acetylation in pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ding Yimin , Xie Dafei , Xu Chengjie , Hu Wenyi , Kong Binyue , Jia Shengnan , Cao Liping
Published: August 2024

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal malignant tumors with an urgent need for precision medicine strategies. The present study seeks to assess the antitumor effects of fisetin, and characterize its impact on PDAC. Multi‐omic approaches include proteomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses. Further validation includes the assessment of mitochondria‐derived reactive oxygen species (mtROS), mitochondrial membrane potential, as well as ATP generation. Molecular docking, immunoprecipitation, and proximity ligation assay were used to detect the interactions among fiseitn, superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), and sirtuin 2 (SIRT2). We showed that fisetin disrupted mitochondrial homeostasis and induced SOD2 acetylation in PDAC. Further, we produced site mutants to determine that fisetin‐induced mtROS were dependent on SOD2 acetylation. Fisetin inhibited SIRT2 expression, thus blocking SOD2 deacetylation. SIRT2 overexpression could impede fisetin‐induced SOD2 acetylation. Additionally, untargeted metabolomic analysis revealed an acceleration of folate metabolism with fisetin. Collectively, our findings suggest that fisetin disrupts mitochondrial homeostasis, eliciting an important cancer‐suppressive role; thus, fisetin may serve as a promising therapeutic for PDAC.
Transportation Vibration Effects on Apple Bruising
Authors: Keyhan Sarvenaz , Shirzad Khadijeh , Almenar Eva , Joodaky Amin
Published: August 2024

Vibrations during transportation often cause mechanical damage to fresh produce. Addressing or mitigating this damage requires efficient packaging solutions that maintain fresh produce integrity during transit, thereby preserving produce quality and market value. This study investigates the effects of various transportation profiles and packaging designs on apple bruising using simulated truck vibrations. Two apple varieties, Fuji and Jonagold, were packaged in corrugated paperboard boxes with paper pulp trays, plastic crates with paper pulp trays, corrugated paperboard boxes with volume packing and plastic crates with volume packing, all commercial apple packaging. The packaged apples were exposed to two random vibration profiles: leaf spring and air ride suspensions, both set at four different intensities ranging from 0.2 to 0.7 Grms for 1, 3 and 5 h. The findings revealed that both packaging type and vibration parameters significantly influenced apple bruising. Especially, plastic crates with paper pulp trays led to the most severe bruising, whereas corrugated paperboard boxes with volume packing afforded the most protection. Regardless of the packaging design, leaf spring suspension resulted in more apple bruising compared to air ride suspension. The findings of this study provide practical insights for packaging engineers to mitigate the apple bruising during transportation.
Investigating the Convertibility and Barrier Performance of a Novel Suberin Dispersion Coating During the Paperboard Creasing Process
Authors: Lev Roman , Lyytikäinen Johanna , Matthews Sami , Koppolu Rajesh , Tanninen Panu , Leminen Ville
Published: August 2024

Packaging plastics are being substituted by more sustainable materials to satisfy modern‐life requirements. For example, utilisation of biocoated paperboards for packaging is one of the options; however, certain challenges exist in maintaining the integrity of the coated surface. In this study, the barrier formation and convertibility properties of a novel suberin dispersion coating were examined and compared with those of six commercial coatings by measuring their oil and grease resistance and using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) before and after creasing. Even before creasing, SEM revealed deep cavities on the coated surfaces, with the potential to impair the material barrier properties. Furthermore, finite element modelling provided evidence that creasing stresses emerged under the rules and in nearby areas. These outer stresses with internal fibre structure realignment caused the formation of surface defects such as grazes, microcracks and coating ruptures. The deepest defects, which critically reduce the barrier properties, were oriented parallel to the machine direction of the materials. In contrast, the cross‐machine direction‐oriented defects were bridged by the substrate fibres and did not penetrate that deeply into the coating thickness. The amount and severity of the surface damage revealed by SEM were correlated with the actual oil resistance measured for each material. The results indicate that the suberin dispersion exhibits promising barrier performance as a paperboard coating but requires further development to enhance its resistance to the conversion stresses.
Drug interactions and pain control
Authors: Lam Y. W. Francis
Published: August 2024

Opioid analgesics such as codeine, hydrocodone, and tramadol undergo metabolism that is mediated by the polymorphic CYP2D6 isoenzyme, and research has shown that a CYP2D6 genotype‐guided approach to pain control can optimize effectiveness and/or minimize adverse drug reactions associated with these analgesics in patients with different CYP2D6 genotypes (Smith et al., 2019).
Nonlinearity‐Induced Enhancement of Entanglement in Quantum Walk
Authors: Ye Biao‐Liang , Fei Shao‐Ming
Published: August 2024

The quantum entanglement between the coin state and the position in nonlinear quantum walks is investigated. This study reveals that the nonlinearity of the quantum walk has a significant impact on the enhancement of quantum entanglement in an initially separable bipartite system. It is demonstrated that by selecting appropriate nonlinear parameters the initial separable states may turn to be entangled, and even approach to maximal entangled states.
Critical Sensing with a Single Bosonic Mode Without Boson–Boson Interactions
Authors: Chen Ken , Lü Jia‐Hao , Zhu Xin , Zhang Hao‐Long , Ning Wen , Yang Zhen‐Biao , Zheng Shi‐Biao
Published: August 2024

Critical phenomena of quantum systems are useful for enhancement of quantum sensing. However, experimental realizations of criticality enhancement are confined to very few systems, owing to the stringent requirements, including the thermodynamical or scaling limit, and fine control of interacting quantum subsystems or particles. Here, a simple critical quantum sensing scheme is proposed that requires neither of these conditions. The critical system is realized with a single parametrically‐driven bosonic mode involving many non‐interacting bosons. The quantum Fisher information is calculated, which confirms the criticality‐enabled enhancement. The response of one of the quadratures to the variation of the control parameter is further detailed. The numerical results reveal that its inverted variance exhibits a diverging behavior at the critical point. Based on the presently available control techniques of parametric driving, it is expected that scheme can be realized in different systems, e.g., ion traps and superconducting circuits.
Formal institutions, informal institutions, and firms' environmental innovation: An application of the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis method
Authors: Liao Zhongju , Wu Yuhan
Published: August 2024

The institutional environment is an important component of the business environment, and it has a significant impact on firms' strategic decision‐making. Based on institutional theory, this study explores the specific paths by which four types of formal institutions, and two types of informal institutions, jointly affect firms' environmental innovation. Thirty provinces in China were selected as the research sample, and the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis method was used to analyze the data. The results indicate four paths of high‐level environmental innovation and two paths of non‐high‐level environmental innovation in institutional combinations. Based on the core conditions of each path, the results can be divided into five types of institutional combinations; formal institutions are found to play an irreplaceable role in the overall institutional environment. The study findings provide a reference for the government to optimize formal and informal institutions to promote firms' environmental innovation.
Disentangling audiences' reactions to creative content and creative packaging
Authors: Orazi Davide C. , Mannucci Pier Vittorio
Published: August 2024

Research Summary

This research addresses the tension of audiences often rejecting creative products despite creativity being foundational to organizational success. To better understand this issue, we take an abductive approach to disentangle the effects of creative content (how creative the core concept is) and creative packaging (how creatively the core concept is presented and visualized) while accounting for audiences' different expertise levels. Across two archival studies and a pre‐registered experiment, we find that both experts and general audiences react positively to creative content. However, reactions to creative packaging display greater variability: on average, experts react positively whereas general audiences react negatively. We find no interaction between the two variables. We discuss the theoretical implications of these findings for the literature.

Managerial Summary

While creativity is foundational to organizational success, audiences often reject creative products. Across two archival studies and an experiment, we show how the effect of creativity on different audience's reception can be better understood when disentangling creative content (how creative the core concept is) from creative packaging (how creatively the core concept is presented and visualized). Our results suggest that companies should (a) invest more resources in developing products high in creative content—products that break current norms and are different from others—and (b) acknowledge that heavy investments into novel and visually groundbreaking packaging lend diminishing returns, particularly for general audiences: for the same level of quality a traditional (vs. creative) packaging yields more advantages.
Investigation of H∞$$ {\mathcal{H}}_{\infty } $$‐Tuned Individual Pitch Control for Wind Turbines
Authors: Henry Aoife , Pusch Manuel , Pao Lucy
Published: August 2024

Large wind turbines experience amplified asymmetrical loads at particular harmonics of the rotational frequency. Individual pitch control (IPC) has emerged as a potential controls solution to this problem.
 control, which facilitates robust, multivariable controller synthesis in the frequency domain, is a candidate approach to IPC design for several reasons. First, the objectives of asymmetrical load attenuation can be readily described in the frequency domain. Second, the IPC signals and loads in orthogonal directions are known to be coupled, which necessitates a multivariable controller approach. Third,
 synthesis is a method that can explicitly impose constraints on the robustness of the closed‐loop system. A downside of IPC is the significant increase in blade‐pitch travel incurred, which introduces additional loading on the blade‐pitch bearings over time. We investigate strategies to constrain the blade‐pitch travel in the controller tuning procedure. A comprehensive study is thus presented for a range of
‐synthesized IPCs to attenuate asymmetrical loads on large rotors at harmonics of the rotational frequency while reducing blade‐pitch travel. All developed controllers are validated and compared using a 25‐MW fixed‐bottom offshore wind turbine model via (a) linear analysis of the response of the closed‐loop system to input and output disturbances, (b) nonlinear analysis in terms of structural load power spectra and damage‐equivalent loads (DELs), and (c) the actuator duty cycle (ADC) of the blade‐pitch actuator.
Maneuver-Level Cooperation of Automated Vehicles
Authors: Nichting Matthias , Heß Daniel , Köster Frank
Published: August 2024

Cooperative behavior of automated vehicles at the maneuver level is of utmost importance for the efficient and safe use of traffic space. This chapter discusses a vehicle-to-vehicle communication-based negotiation and cooperation method for maneuver cooperation. The method is based on the negotiation about explicitly defined reservation areas on the road for the exclusive use of a particular traffic participant. It covers all standard traffic situations occurring on regular streets and thus achieves universal applicability. The evaluation of simulations and driving tests shows the suitability of the method for effective maneuver cooperation in various traffic situations. Furthermore, based on this method, the planning and execution of cooperative maneuvers in emergency situations are investigated. Simulations show that collisions can be avoided in relevant cases by this method. Moreover, further simulations and driving tests show that joint maneuvers can avoid sharp braking maneuvers in many situations. In addition, research on a methodology for implicit maneuver cooperation is presented. Based on reinforcement learning methods, partially cooperative decision-making functions are studied in a setting that benefits from cooperative behavior. The evaluation shows that cooperative behaviors of road participants can be achieved using this technique.
Hierarchical Motion Planning for Consistent and Safe Decisions in Cooperative Autonomous Driving
Authors: Eilbrecht Jan , Stursberg Olaf
Published: August 2024

The immersion of autonomous cars in continuously changing environments of on-road traffic requires procedures for decision-making with fast adaptation as well as guarantees on safe motion and collision-avoidance. This contribution proposes a three-layer hierarchic decomposition of the task of automatically steering the autonomous car along a designated route in cooperation with neighbored vehicles. The upper layer of the hierarchy identifies cooperative groups of those vehicles which are involved in a joint scenario for a phase of the planning horizon. The medium layer employs set-based computations of the free space for any vehicle of a joint scenario together with constrained optimal control to determine optimized motion plans. These plans are used on the lower layer as reference signals for tracking control in order to realize motion trajectories. The architecture ensures consistency of the vehicle motion with respect to safety for given assumptions, as well as relatively small computation times by combining offline with online computation.
AutoKnigge—Modeling, Evaluation and Verification of Cooperative Interacting Automobiles
Authors: Kehl Christian , Kloock Maximilian , Kusmenko Evgeny , Eckstein Lutz , Alrifaee Bassam , Kowalewski Stefan , Rumpe Bernhard
Published: August 2024

The development of cooperative driving functions to optimize traffic systems shows high potential to improve individual autonomous driving systems with respect to topics like traffic flow, vehicle safety and user comfort. The core concept of the presented solutions is the Local Traffic System (LTS). Following the messages defined in European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) G5 for Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) cooperation we introduce concepts and implementations to intelligently group vehicles based on the exchanged V2X data with respect to the individual vehicle capability for cooperation. Based on the determined grouping, we present algorithms for cooperative trajectory planning. We develop a verification method for the cooperatively planned trajectories within a LTS. The verification guarantees collision avoidance and deadlock-freeness in real-time. Finally we introduce a model language based on MontiArc to enable a systematic representation and description of the presented concepts for grouping, cooperation and interaction.
Robust Local and Cooperative Perception Under Varying Environmental Conditions
Authors: Gamerdinger Jörg , Volk Georg , Teufel Sven , von Bernuth Alexander , Müller Stefan , Hospach Dennis , Bringmann Oliver
Published: August 2024

Robust perception of the environment under a variety of ambient conditions is crucial for autonomous driving. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) achieve high accuracy for vision-based object detection, but are strongly affected by adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow, and fog, as well as soiled sensors. We propose physically correct simulations of these conditions for vision-based systems, since publicly available data sets lack scenarios with different environmental conditions. In addition, we provide a data set of real images containing adverse weather for evaluation. By training CNNs with augmented data, we achieve a significant improvement in robustness for object detection. Furthermore, we present the advantages of cooperative perception to compensate for limited sensor ranges of local perception. A key aspect of autonomous driving is safety; therefore, a robustness evaluation of the perception system is necessary, which requires an appropriate safety metric. In contrast to existing approaches, our safety metric focuses on scene semantics and the relevance of surrounding objects. The performance of our approaches is evaluated using real-world data as well as augmented and virtual reality scenarios.
Prioritized Trajectory Planning for Networked Vehicles Using Motion Primitives
Authors: Scheffe Patrick , Pedrosa Matheus V. A. , Flaßkamp Kathrin , Alrifaee Bassam
Published: August 2024

The computation time required to solve nonconvex, nonlinear optimization problems increases rapidly with their size. This poses a challenge in trajectory planning for multiple networked vehicles with collision avoidance. In the centralized formulation, the optimization problem size increases with the number of vehicles in the networked control system (NCS), rendering the formulation unusable for experiments. We investigate two methods to decrease the complexity of networked trajectory planning. First, we approximate the optimization problem by discretizing the vehicle dynamics with an automaton, which turns it into a graph-search problem. Our search-based trajectory planning algorithm has a limited horizon to further decrease computation complexity. We achieve recursive feasibility by design of the automaton which models the vehicle dynamics. Second, we distribute the optimization problem to the vehicles with prioritized distributed model predictive control (P-DMPC), which reduces the problem size. To counter the incompleteness of P-DMPC, we propose a framework for time-variant priority assignment. The framework expands recursive feasibility to every vehicle in the NCS. We present two time-variant priority assignment algorithms for road vehicles, one to improve vehicle progress and one to improve computation time of the NCS. We evaluate our approach for online trajectory planning of multiple networked vehicles in simulations and experiments.
Clinical Cognitive Sciences
Authors: Pluck Graham , Ariyabuddhiphongs Kris
Published: August 2024

Clinical sciences involved with the mind and brain, including neurology, psychiatry, endocrinology and clinical psychology all frequently deal with cognitive symptoms, side effects, and risk factors. Consequently, there has long been some interaction between those clinical fields and traditional cognitive sciences, focused on computationalist and embodied approaches to understanding natural and machine cognition. Examples include the advances made in understanding the normal cognitive architecture made by studying its breakdown in disease, as well as the enhanced methods of defining and measuring cognitive disorders stemming from understanding the healthy state. Nevertheless, the fields currently fail to fully exploit the potential for mutual advancement. Here we explore the interactions between traditional clinical and cognitive sciences and highlighted strengths of the relationship, and areas that could benefit from greater multidisciplinary emphasis. We argue that original fields of cognitive science (philosophy, linguistics, computer science, anthropology, psychology and neuroscience) remain the core of the multidisciplinary cognitive sciences, but that they can all be applied fruitfully to clinical issues. We explore this in one sample disorder—voice hearing in schizophrenia, showing the potential for clinically applied cognitive sciences. It is our contention that greater achievement is possible, in both academic and applied fields dealing with cognition, if we can foster a mutually symbiotic relationship between the clinical and cognitive sciences.
Stressful life events and tinnitus
Authors: McKenna Laurence , Vogt Florian
Published: August 2024

The role of life events has not been extensively studied in the context of tinnitus. There is, however, evidence about the psychological impact of tinnitus and about the influence of psychological processes as mediators of the tinnitus experience. On the basis of this evidence, the possibility that stressful life events can act as a trigger for tinnitus is discussed; although the evidence is fragmentary and indirect, the possibility cannot be discounted. It is argued that the onset of tinnitus and the associated clinical encounters can constitute an acute stressful life event, and the ongoing experience of tinnitus can be regarded as a chronic stressful life event. Interactions between ongoing tinnitus and other life events are discussed. Possible mechanisms in terms of stress influencing predictive processing and signal detection judgments are considered.
A novel pharmacological strategy using nanoparticles with glutathione and virgin coconut oil to treat gentamicin-induced acute renal failure in rats
Authors: Sabra Mahmoud S. , Allam Essmat A. H. , El-Aal Mohamed Abd , Hassan Nessma H. , Mostafa Al-Hassan Mohammed , Ahmed Ahmed A. N.
Published: August 2024

In acute renal failure (ARF), the glomerular filtration rate is reduced, and nitrogenous waste products accumulate persistently, which can last anywhere from a few hours to several days. There is hope for a reversal of the rapid loss of renal function caused by this condition. This study, with gentamicin-induced acute ARF as a prospective setting, sets out to examine the reno-protective benefits of virgin coconut oil (VCO) and GSH. Furthermore, the study evaluated the effect of medication nanoparticle compositions on several kidney function markers. The induction of ARF is achieved with the intraperitoneal injection of gentamicin. To assess renal function, rats underwent 24 h of dehydration and hunger before their deaths. The study examined various aspects, including kidney function tests, markers of oxidative stress, histology of kidney tissue, inflammatory cytokines, immunohistochemistry expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and specific biomarkers for kidney tissue damage, such as kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin (NGAL). The results of our study indicated that the combination of VCO and GSH, using both regular and nanoparticle formulations, had a better protective impact on the kidneys compared to using either drug alone. The recovery of renal tissue and serum markers, which are symptomatic of organ damage, indicates improvement. This was also demonstrated by the reduction in tubular expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, KIM-1, and NGAL. The immunohistochemical studies showed that the combination therapy, especially with the nanoforms, greatly improved the damaged cellular changes in the kidneys, as shown by higher levels of NF-κB. The study shows that VCO and GSH, when administered individually or combined, significantly improve ARF in a gentamicin-induced rat model, highlighting potential therapeutic implications. Notably, the combined nanoparticulate formulations exhibit substantial effectiveness.
Monopolar versus bipolar transurethral resection of bladder Tumour: post-hoc analysis of a prospective trial
Authors: Wong Chris Ho-Ming , Lim Joycelyn Yung-Yung , Ko Ivan Ching-Ho , Leung David Ka-Wai , Yuen Steffi Kar-Kei , Yip Siu-Ying , Ng Chi-Fai , Teoh Jeremy Yuen-Chun , Chan Eddie Shu-Yin
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Previously, in a randomised trial we demonstrated bipolar transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) could achieve a higher detrusor sampling rate than monopolar TURBT. We hereby report the long-term oncological outcomes following study intervention.

Methods

This is a post-hoc analysis of a randomized phase III trial comparing monopolar and bipolar TURBT. Only patients with pathology of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) were included in the analysis. Per-patient analysis was performed. Primary outcome was recurrence-free survival (RFS). Secondary outcomes included progression-free survival (PFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

From the initial trial, 160 cases were randomised to receive monopolar or bipolar TURBT. 24 cases of non-urothelial carcinoma, 22 cases of muscle-invasive bladder cancer, and 9 cases of recurrences were excluded. A total of 97 patients were included in the analysis, with 46 in the monopolar and 51 in the bipolar group. The median follow-up was 97.1 months. Loss-to-follow-up rate was 7.2%. Regarding the primary outcome of RFS, there was no significant difference (HR = 0.731; 95%CI = 0.433–1.236; P = 0.242) between the two groups. PFS (HR = 1.014; 95%CI = 0.511–2.012; P = 0.969), CSS (HR = 0.718; 95%CI = 0.219–2.352; P = 0.584) and OS (HR = 1.135; 95%CI = 0.564–2.283; P = 0.722) were also similar between the two groups. Multifocal tumours were the only factor that was associated with worse RFS.

Conclusion

Despite the superiority in detrusor sampling rate, bipolar TURBT was unable to confer long-term oncological benefits over monopolar TURBT.
Repeat length in spinocerebellar ataxia type 4 (SCA4) predicts age at onset and disease severity
Authors: Dalski Andreas , Pauly Martje G. , Hanssen Henrike , Hagenah Johann , Hellenbroich Yorck , Schmidt Christian , Strohschehn Jassemien , Spielmann Malte , Zühlke Christine , Brüggemann Norbert
Published: August 2024

Background

Recently, an exonic GGC repeat expansion (RE) was identified by long-read genome sequencing in the ZFHX3 gen, causing spinocerebellar ataxia type 4 (SCA4), a dominant form of ataxia with sensory neuropathy. However, the analysis of larger cohorts of patients remained demanding, resulting in a challenge to diagnose patients and leaving the question of anticipation in SCA4 unanswered.

Objectives

We aimed to develop a GGC repeat test for clinical SCA4 screening and to apply this test to screen two large German SCA pedigrees and samples of unrelated patients collected over the last 25 years.

Methods

We modulated a commercial GGC-RE kit (Bio-Techne AmplideX® Asuragen® PCR/CE FMR1 Reagents) with ZFHX3-specific primers and adapted PCR conditions. The test was applied to patients and 50 healthy controls to determine the exact repeat number. Clinical data were revised and correlated with the expanded allele sizes and an exploratory analysis of structural MRI was performed.

Results

Repeat size, determined by our protocol for (GGC)n RE analysis shows a strong inverse correlation between repeat length and age at onset and anticipation in subsequent generations. The phenotype also appears to be more strongly expressed in carriers of longer RE. Clinical red flags were slowed saccades, sensory neuropathy and autonomic dysfunction.

Conclusion

Our protocol enables cost-effective and robust screening for the causative SCA4 RE within ZFHX3. Furthermore, detailed clinical data of our patients gives a more precise view on SCA4, which seems to be more common among patients with ataxia than expected.
In steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome that meets the strict definition, monogenic variants are less common than expected
Authors: Ichikawa Yuta , Sakakibara Nana , Nagano China , Inoki Yuta , Tanaka Yu , Ueda Chika , Kitakado Hideaki , Kondo Atsushi , Ishimori Shingo , Horinouchi Tomoko , Iijima Kazumoto , Nozu Kandai
Published: August 2024

Background

In patients with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS), the presence of monogenic variants influences therapeutic strategies. Large cohort studies reported the detection of monogenic variants in approximately 30% of patients with SRNS. However, these cohorts included many patients, such as those with symptomatic proteinuria, who did not meet the strict diagnostic criteria for pediatric nephrotic syndrome (NS). Therefore, we investigated the proportion of causative monogenic variants detected in patients who strictly met the diagnostic criteria of SRNS and explored their clinical characteristics.

Methods

We examined pediatric SRNS cases with genetic analysis conducted in our hospital. Cases satisfying all of the following criteria were included: (1) age at onset 1–18 years, (2) serum albumin at onset ≤ 2.5 g/dl, (3) persistent heavy proteinuria, and (4) no complete remission after 4 weeks of steroid monotherapy.

Results

The proportion of detected monogenic variants was 12% (22/185) among all patients. The proportion was only 7% (9/129) in patients with edema at disease onset compared with 38% (9/24) in those without (p < 0.0001). Monogenic variants were rare in patients with acute kidney injury associated with NS (1% (1/11)) or a history of complete remission (4% (2/51)).

Conclusions

Our study revealed a monogenic cause in 12% of individuals with strictly defined SRNS, a much smaller proportion than previously reported. The presence or absence of edema at the onset was an important factor to distinguish SRNS with monogenic cause from SRNS without. Our results provide further evidence of the SRNS types attributable to monogenic causes.

Graphical abstract
Evidence for the clinical effectiveness of decongestive lymphoedema treatment for breast cancer–related arm lymphoedema, a systematic review
Authors: Jeffs Eunice , Ream Emma , Taylor Cath , Purushotham Arnie , Bick Debra
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Early treatment is advised for breast cancer–related arm lymphoedema (BCRL), a common sequelae of breast cancer treatment. Expert guidance recommends two-phase decongestive lymphoedema treatment (DLT), although evidence is lacking for current treatment protocols and UK women are routinely offered self-treatment with hosiery.

This systematic review considered evidence regarding treatment of early BCRL, that is, within 12 months of developing BCRL.

Methods

A systematic review of evidence for clinical effectiveness of DLT for women with less than 12-month BCRL duration (early BCRL) was undertaken using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) method. Studies included women with < 12-month or mean < 9-month BCRL duration; some studies reported only one eligible group. The original search was conducted in 2016 and updated in 2018 and 2022. Methodological quality of identified studies was assessed using JBI critical appraisal instruments. Outcomes of interest were extracted with eligible results displayed in narrative and tabular format. Strength of evidence was rated using the GRADE system.

Results

Seven trials and three descriptive studies provided weak evidence (grade B) for effectiveness of DLT for early BCRL. Heterogeneous protocols limited comparison of findings. There was no evidence for the most effective treatment or treatment combination or optimal frequency or duration of treatment.

Conclusion

There is no evidence to justify change in current lymphoedema treatment, whether self-treatment with hosiery (UK) or two-phase DLT (other countries). Further research for the early BCRL population is required.

Implications for cancer survivors

Women with early BCRL require early and effective treatment although this updated review shows there is still no evidence for what that treatment should be.
Unveiling the hidden dangers: a review of non-apoptotic programmed cell death in anesthetic-induced developmental neurotoxicity
Authors: Sun Haiyan , Yisi Shan  , Cao Liyan , Wu Xiping , Chen Jiangdong , Yuan Rong , Qian Min
Published: August 2024

Anesthetic-induced developmental neurotoxicity (AIDN) can arise due to various factors, among which aberrant nerve cell death is a prominent risk factor. Animal studies have reported that repeated or prolonged anesthetic exposure can cause significant neuroapoptosis in the developing brain. Lately, non-apoptotic programmed cell deaths (PCDs), characterized by inflammation and oxidative stress, have gained increasing attention. Substantial evidence suggests that non-apoptotic PCDs are essential for neuronal cell death in AIDN compared to apoptosis. This article examines relevant publications in the PubMed database until April 2024. Only original articles in English that investigated the potential manifestations of non-apoptotic PCD in AIDN were analysed. Specifically, it investigates necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and parthanatos, elucidating the signaling mechanisms associated with each form. Furthermore, this study explores the potential relevance of these non-apoptotic PCDs pathways to the pathological mechanisms underlying AIDN, drawing upon their distinctive characteristics. Despite the considerable challenges involved in translating fundamental scientific knowledge into clinical therapeutic interventions, this comprehensive review offers a theoretical foundation for developing innovative preventive and treatment strategies targeting non-apoptotic PCDs in the context of AIDN.
Drivers of Digital Realities for Ongoing Teacher Professional Learning
Authors: Trevisan O. , Christensen R. , Drossel K. , Friesen S. , Forkosh-Baruch A. , Phillips M.
Published: August 2024

In an era marked by the widespread use of digital technology, educators face the need to constantly learn and develop their own new literacies for the information era, as well as their competencies to teach and apply best practices using technologies. This paper underscores the vital role of ongoing teacher professional learning (OTPL) with a focus on reflective practices and pedagogical reasoning and action (PR&A) in shaping education quality and equity. Examining three key drivers of educational transformation—big data and learning analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and shifting teacher identities—the paper explores their overall impact on teacher practices. This paper emphasizes technology as a crucial boundary object, a catalyst of educational transformation, when used to foster communication and professional growth. To this end, three boundary objects are identified, namely dashboards, AI-driven professional learning environments, and digital communities of practice. These tools illustrate technology’s capacity to mediate relationships between transformative educational drivers and teacher practices, offering a pathway to navigate shifting perspectives on OTPL. With a theoretical foundation in equitable education, the paper provides insights into the intricate relationship between boundary objects and evolving educational dynamics. It highlights technology's pivotal role in achieving both quality and equitable education in the contemporary educational landscape. It presents a nuanced understanding of how specific tools may contribute to effective OTPL amid rapid educational transformations.
Some properties of totients
Authors: Haukkanen Pentti
Published: August 2024

A arithmetical function f is said to be a totient if there exist completely multiplicative functions $$f_t$$

f
t

and $$f_v$$

f
v

such that$$ f=f_t*f_v^{-1}, $$

f
=

f
t

∗

f
v

-
1

,

where $$*$$

∗

is the Dirichlet convolution. Euler’s $$\phi $$
ϕ
-function is an important example of a totient. In this paper we find the structure of the usual product of two totients, the usual integer power of totients, the usual product of a totient and a specially multiplicative function and the usual product of a totient and a completely multiplicative function. These results are derived with the aid of generating series. We also provide some distributive-like characterizations of totients involving the usual product and the Dirichlet convolution of arithmetical functions. They give as corollaries characterizations of completely multiplicative functions.