bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Empirical Research on Audit Report Timeliness
Authors: Hendi Hendi , Sitorus Riksen
Published: April 2023

Timeliness is an accounting principle that reflects economic value and relevance. Time­liness in releasing financial statements can provide relevant information and can influence decisions. This empirical study aims to examine the effect of company and audit characteristics on the timeliness of audit reports. This study uses a panel regression analysis methodology on 115 Indonesian companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange from 2017-2021. This study concludes that company characteristics have a significant effect on the timeliness of audit reports. Based on the results of empirical testing, larger audit complexity, firm size, and debt-equity lead to shorter audit delays, on the other hand, negative profits and ownership concentration cause longer delays. The implications lead to more timely reporting and an appropriate decision-making process.
An Unusual Cause of ST-Segment Elevation in the Right Precordial Leads—A Clue From the Humble Waves
Authors: Chen Yan , Chen Gujiang , Zhang Yuan
Published: April 2023

This case report describes a patient in their late teens who presented to the outpatient department stating that they had felt the implanted cardioverter defibrillator deliver a shock 3 times within the past 6 months.
Dexamethasone for Inpatients With COVID-19 in a National Cohort
Authors: Mourad Ahmad , Thibault Dylan , Holland Thomas L. , Yang Siyun , Young Allison R. , Arnold Egloff Shanna A. , Thomas Laine E.
Published: April 2023

Importance

Limited effective therapeutics are available to hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Clinical trials and observational studies have shown varying effects of systemic corticosteroids, including dexamethasone, in hospitalized patients with COVID-19, with limited descriptions of important patient subgroups.

Objective

To examine the clinical use of dexamethasone for hospitalized patients with COVID-19 respiratory illness and to explore the heterogeneity of treatment outcomes across different subgroups.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This is a retrospective, propensity score–weighted cohort study of adult patients hospitalized for at least 48 hours for COVID-19 respiratory illness between July 1, 2020, and October 31, 2021, at a large health care network of 156 hospitals across the US. Data analysis was performed from March 2022 to February 2023.

Exposures

Systemic dexamethasone administered within 48 hours of either admission or escalation in oxygen support.

Main Outcomes and Measures

All-cause in-hospital mortality or discharge to hospice.

Results

A total of 80 699 patients who met the eligibility criteria were identified (median [IQR] age, 64 [52-76] years; 37 606 women [46.6%]); 13 230 patients (16.4%) identified as Black, 49 222 (60.9%) as White, 18 247 (22.6%) as other race, and 20 340 (25.2%) as Hispanic ethnicity. Of these patients, 13 040 (16.2%) did not require supplemental oxygen within 48 hours of admission, 56 368 (69.8%) required supplemental oxygen, 7618 (9.4%) required noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV), and 3673 (4.6%) required mechanical ventilation (MV) and/or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). After adjustment by propensity score overlap weighting, early use of dexamethasone was associated with reduction in a composite outcome of in-hospital mortality or discharge to hospice for patients receiving supplemental oxygen (aOR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.86-0.98) and MV and/or ECMO (aOR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.68-0.99). In contrast, all-cause inpatient mortality or discharge to hospice was not lower for patients who received dexamethasone in the no supplemental oxygen group (aOR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.78-1.03) and in the NIPPV group (aOR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.73-1.04). Importantly, patients with more comorbidities had greater benefit from dexamethasone use.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this national multicenter cohort study of inpatients with COVID-19, early administration of dexamethasone was associated with significantly reduced odds of mortality or discharge to hospice in those requiring supplemental oxygen or MV and/or ECMO but not in those requiring no supplemental oxygen or NIPPV. These results support the continued use of systemic dexamethasone in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
Life Support System for the Fetonate and the Ethics of Speculation
Authors: De Bie Felix R. , Flake Alan W. , Feudtner Chris
Published: April 2023

This Viewpoint discusses ethical issues surrounding the use of artificial womb technology for extremely premature infants.
Identifying temporal dynamics in post‐release survival of a restored large ungulate
Authors: Pero Ellen M. , Chitwood M. Colter , Hildreth Aaron M. , Keller Barbara J. , Sumners Jason A. , Hansen Lonnie P. , Isabelle Jason L. , Millspaugh Joshua J.
Published: April 2023

Wildlife translocation is an important conservation tool for restoring species and reducing global biodiversity decline; however, this practice is challenging for wildlife, and translocated individuals must adjust to their release landscapes for restoration success. The period following release is a vulnerable time for wildlife and determining when animals acclimate following translocation improves long‐term estimates of population dynamics and allows researchers to efficiently tailor translocation design and post‐release management to each population's needs.

We evaluated demographic acclimation and investigated changes in post‐release survival of a population of 106 elk Cervus canadensis translocated to Missouri, USA, in 2011–2013 using generalized survival modelling. We defined the acclimation period as the duration of time prior to stabilization in mortality risk relative to time from release, and we evaluated acclimation duration from flexible plots of estimated mortality hazards across time. We simultaneously investigated factors contributing to post‐release survival and compared survival rates and mortality sources observed during acclimation and post‐acclimation periods.

Elevated mortality risk for translocated elk spanned a 5‐month acclimation period following release, with an additional 1‐year period reflecting reduced, but still elevated, mortality hazards. Baseline hazards during the initial 5‐month acclimation period were approximately four times higher than the subsequent 4.4 years following release.

Release cohort, but not age class or sex, was associated with post‐release mortality risk, and mortality sources within the acclimation period tended to be undetermined with greater frequency relative to mortalities occurring after the acclimation period.

Our results highlight the utility of flexible modelling approaches to evaluate dynamic post‐release responses of translocated populations. Translocated elk demonstrated a pronounced demographic acclimation period that spanned 5 months following release. Changes in mortality sources and the timing of stabilization in mortality hazards suggest that demographic acclimation in translocated elk was associated with adjustments in physiological stress and movement rates which stabilized over a similar post‐release duration. Improving post‐release monitoring and assessment of restored populations by evaluating temporal dynamics of manifold biological and ecological responses as translocated animals acclimate to their new landscapes is vital to successful restoration efforts.
A Scalable, Robust Polyvinyl‐Butyral‐Based Solid Polymer Electrolyte with Outstanding Ionic Conductivity for Laminated Large‐Area WO3–NiO Electrochromic Devices
Authors: Wang Xueqi , Yang Ye , Jin Qiongya , Lou Qicun , Hu Qizhao , Xie Ziling , Song Weijie
Published: April 2023

Polyvinyl butyral (PVB) is a well‐established polymer interlayer material that has been used in laminated safety glass panels for over 80 years. However, its intrinsically poor ionic conductivity (σ) severely restricts its widespread application as a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) for laminated WO3–NiO electrochromic devices (ECDs). Here, a new strategy for significantly improving the σ of PVB via a cross‐linking reaction with 3‐glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH560) is presented. The cross‐linked PVB‐SPE with 10 wt.% KH560 exhibits the highest room‐temperature σ value among the investigated samples (1.51 × 10−4 S cm−1), which is also higher than that of previously reported PVB‐based SPEs (10−5–10−7 S cm−1). Additionally, the prepared SPE exhibits comprehensive optical, mechanical, and thermal performances, including a high visible transmittance (>91%), relatively high adhesive strength (2.13 MPa), and superior thermal stability (up to 150 °C). Laminated WO3–NiO ECDs with dimensions of 5 × 5 cm2 and 20 × 20 cm2, fabricated by leveraging the aforementioned properties of the electrolyte, operate stably at temperatures ranging from −20 to 80 °C, underscoring the potential of the PVB‐SPE for realizing commercially viable large‐area ECDs.
All‐Organic Smart Textile Sensor for Deep‐Learning‐Assisted Multimodal Sensing
Authors: Zhao Pengfei , Song Yilin , Xie Peng , Zhang Fan , Xie Tao , Liu Gang , Zhao Jiyu , Han Su‐Ting , Zhou Ye
Published: April 2023

Smart textile for sensor is identified as a superior platform with greatly improved convenience and comfort for wearable bioelectronics. However, most reported textile‐based sensors cannot fully demonstrate the inherent advantages of textiles, such as comfortability, breathability, biocompatibility, and environmental friendliness, mainly due to the intrinsic limitation of non‐textile or inorganic components. Here, an all‐textile, all‐organic, washable, and breathable sensor with discriminable pressure, proximity, and temperature sensing function is first reported. Multiple sensing functions and outstanding washability are demonstrated. The all‐textile sensor can also be seamlessly integrated into diverse types of fabrics to realize wide‐range sensing of human activities and noncontact stimuli without sacrificing biocompatibility and comfortability. Additionally, by combining with the deep‐learning technique, an all‐textile sensing system is established to recognize object shape, contactless trajectory, and even environmental temperature. These results open a new avenue for designing low‐cost, washable, comfortable, and biocompatible green textile electronics, providing a meaningful guideline in intelligent textiles.
Inhibition of Ion Migration for Highly Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhong Yang , Yang Jia , Wang Xueying , Liu Yikun , Cai Qianqian , Tan Licheng , Chen Yiwang
Published: April 2023

In recent years, organic‐inorganic halide perovskites are now emerging as the most attractive alternatives for next‐generation photovoltaic devices, due to their excellent optoelectronic characteristics and low manufacturing cost. However, the resultant perovskite solar cells (PVSCs) are intrinsically unstable owing to ion migration, which severely impedes performance enhancement, even with device encapsulation. There is no doubt that the investigation of ion migration and the summarization of recent advances in inhibition strategies are necessary to develop “state‐of‐the‐art” PVSCs with high intrinsic stability for accelerated commercialization. This review systematically elaborates on the generation and fundamental mechanisms of ion migration in PVSCs, the impact of ion migration on hysteresis, phase segregation, and operational stability, and the characterizations for ion migration in PVSCs. Then, many related works on the strategies for inhibiting ion migration toward highly efficient and stable PVSCs are summarized. Finally, the perspectives on the current obstacles and prospective strategies for inhibition of ion migration in PVSCs to boost operational stability and meet all of the requirements for commercialization success are summarized.
Dyslexia‐Related Hearing Loss Occurs Mainly through the Abnormal Spontaneous Electrical Activity of Spiral Ganglion Neurons
Authors: Hong Guodong , Fu Xiaolong , Chen Xin , Zhang Liyan , Han Xuan , Ding Shuqin , Liu Ziyi , Bi Xiuli , Li Wen , Chang Miao , Qiao Ruifeng , Guo Siwei , Tu Hailong , Chai Renjie
Published: April 2023

Dyslexia is a reading and spelling disorder due to neurodevelopmental abnormalities and is occasionally found to be accompanied by hearing loss, but the reason for the associated deafness remains unclear. This study finds that knockout of the dyslexia susceptibility 1 candidate 1 gene (Dyx1c1−/−) in mice, the best gene for studying dyslexia, causes severe hearing loss, and thus it is a good model for studying the mechanism of dyslexia‐related hearing loss (DRHL). This work finds that the Dyx1c1 gene is highly expressed in the mouse cochlea and that the spontaneous electrical activity of inner hair cells and type I spiral ganglion neurons is altered in the cochleae of Dyx1c1−/− mice. In addition, primary ciliary dyskinesia‐related phenotypes such as situs inversus and disrupted ciliary structure are seen in Dyx1c1−/− mice. In conclusion, this study gives new insights into the mechanism of DRHL in detail and suggests that Dyx1c1 may serve as a potential target for the clinical diagnosis of DRHL.
The Importance of Structural Uniformity and Chemical Homogeneity in Cobalt‐Free Lithium Excess Nickel Manganese Oxide Cathodes
Authors: Burke Sven , Whitacre Jay F.
Published: April 2023

This study explores the relationships between material quench rate during processing and the resulting structural and electrochemical properties of Li[Ni0.25Li0.167Mn0.583]O2. Samples of this lithium‐rich material are prepared with highly contrasting postfiring cooling methods: a rapid water emersion quench or closed‐door oven cooling. The contrasting approaches result in samples with different structural, chemical, and electrochemical behaviors; after cycling the rapidly quenched material yields greater capacity, greater stability, and initially lower, but more stable voltages than the slower cooled samples. Through the use of scanning tunneling electron microscopy, X‐Ray Diffraction (XRD), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) it is demonstrated that rapidly quenched powders are more structurally uniform and chemically homogenous before cycling. By comparing these precycling sample to postcycling samples, it is then examined how this increased structural uniformity and chemical homogeneity leads to the superior electrochemical properties of the rapidly quenched samples.
Picosecond Time‐Scale Resistive Switching Monitored in Real‐Time
Authors: Csontos Miklós , Horst Yannik , Olalla Nadia Jimenez , Koch Ueli , Shorubalko Ivan , Halbritter András , Leuthold Juerg
Published: April 2023

The resistance state of filamentary memristors can be tuned by relocating only a few atoms at interatomic distances in the active region of a conducting filament. Thereby the technology holds promise not only in its ultimate downscaling potential and energy efficiency but also in unprecedented speed. Yet, the breakthrough in high‐frequency applications still requires the clarification of the dominant mechanisms and inherent limitations of ultra‐fast resistive switching. Here bipolar, multilevel resistive switchings are investigated in tantalum pentoxide based memristors with picosecond time resolution. Cyclic resistive switching operation due to 20 ps long voltage pulses of alternating polarity are experimentally demonstrated. The analysis of the real‐time response of the memristor reveals that the set switching can take place at the picosecond time‐scale where it is only compromised by the bandwidth limitations of the experimental setup. In contrast, the completion of the reset transitions significantly exceeds the duration of the ultra‐short voltage bias, demonstrating the dominant role of thermal diffusion and underlining the importance of dedicated thermal engineering for future high‐frequency memristor circuit applications.
A Capacitive Pressure Sensor with Linearity and High Sensitivity over a Wide Pressure Range using Thermoplastic Microspheres
Authors: Tagawa Yusaku , Lee Sunghoon , Someya Takao , Yokota Tomoyuki
Published: April 2023

A flexible pressure sensor with a linear response over a wide pressure range with high sensitivity is extremely desirable for high‐pressure applications, such as monitoring body weight and plantar pressure distributions. As a promising candidate to achieve the high sensitivity, a porous structure in capacitive pressure sensors is essential. However, this structure invokes the early saturation of sensitivity owing to a low compression modulus. In this study, thermoplastic microspheres (TPM) as porous materials are utilized, and demonstrate a solution‐processed simple structure that is highly sensitive (3.1 × 10−3 kPa−1) over a wide pressure range (1 MPa) with linearity (R2 = 0.996). The TPM‐containing pressure sensor responds within 100 ms and can withstand a 10 000 times cyclic test under 150 kPa. The linearity may be attributed to the rigid characteristics of the TPM‐containing membrane. These results show that the TPM‐containing pressure sensor has sufficient sensitivity and linearity to reduce the need for complex system calibrations and has potential applications in pressure distribution and weight monitoring.
Configurable NbOx Memristors as Artificial Synapses or Neurons Achieved by Regulating the Forming Compliance Current for the Spiking Neural Network
Authors: Han Chuan Yu , Fang Sheng Li , Cui Yi Lin , Liu Weihua , Fan Shi Quan , Huang Xiao Dong , Li Xin , Wang Xiao Li , Zhang Guo He , Tang Wing Man , Lai P. T. , Liu Jia , Wan Xianjie , Yu Zhou , Geng Li
Published: April 2023

For the first time, a configurable NbOx memristor is achieved that can be configured as an artificial synapse or neuron after fabrication by controlling the forming compliance current (FCC). When the FCC ≤ 2 mA, the memristors exhibit the resistive‐switching (RS) property, enabling multiple types of synaptic plasticity, including short‐term potentiation, paired‐pulse facilitation, short‐term memory, and long‐term memory. When the FCC ≥ 3 mA, the memristors can be electroformed and exhibit the threshold switching (TS) property with excellent endurance (>1012), thus achieving various biological neuron characteristics, such as threshold‐triggering, strength‐modulation of spike frequency, and leaky integrate‐and‐fire. This enables the successful implementation of a spiking Pavlov's dog that employs the spikes as information carrier by connecting an RS NbOx memristor as artificial synapse and a TS memristor as artificial neuron in series. Furthermore, a fully NbOx memristors‐based single‐layer spiking neural network is simulated. It is first found that, due to the forgetting property of synapse, the recognition accuracy for the Modified National Institute of Standards and Technology handwritten digits is increased from 85.49% to 91.45%. This study provides a solid foundation for the development of neuromorphic machines based on the principles of the human brain.
Integrated Memristor Network for Physiological Signal Processing
Authors: Cai Lei , Yu Lianfeng , Yue Wenshuo , Zhu Yihang , Yang Zhiyu , Li Yuqi , Tao Yaoyu , Yang Yuchao
Published: April 2023

Humans are complex organisms made by millions of physiological systems. Therefore, physiological activities can represent physical or mental states of the human body. Physiological signal processing is essential in monitoring human physiological features. For example, non‐invasive electroencephalography (EEG) signals can be used to reconstruct brain consciousness and detect eye movements for identity verification. However, physiological signal processing requires high resolution, high sensitivity, fast responses, and low power consumption, hindering practical hardware design for physiological signal processing. The bionic capability of memristor devices is very promising in the context of building physiological signal processing hardware and they have demonstrated a handful of advantages over the traditional Von Neumann architecture system in accelerating neural networks. Memristor networks can be integrated as a hardware system for physiological signal processing that can deliver higher energy efficiency and lower latency compared to traditional implementations. This review paper first introduces memristor characteristics, followed by a comprehensive literature study of memristor‐based networks. Physiology signal processing applications enabled by these integrated memristor networks are also presented in this review. In summary, this paper aims to provide a new perspective on physiological signal processing using integrated memristor networks.
Cognitive, adaptive and behavioral profile in Sotos syndrome children with 5q35 microdeletion or intragenic variants
Authors: Siracusano Martina , Riccioni Assia , Frattale Ilaria , Arturi Lucrezia , Dante Caterina , Galasso Cinzia , Gialloreti Leonardo Emberti , Conteduca Giuseppina , Testa Barbara , Malacarne Michela , Coviello Domenico , Mazzone Luigi
Published: April 2023

Sotos syndrome (SoS) is a congenital overgrowth syndrome with variable degree of intellectual disability caused in the 90% of cases by pathogenetic variants of the Nuclear receptor binding SET Domain protein1 (NSD1) gene. NSD1 gene functions can be abrogated by different genetic alterations (i.e., small intragenic pathogenic variants like deletions/insertions, nonsense/missense pathogenic variants, partial gene deletions and whole deletions or microdeletion of 5q35 chromosomal region). Therefore, correlation of the genotype–phenotype with a possible contribution of more implicated genes to the medical, cognitive and behavioral profile is a topic of great interest. Although a more severe learning disability has been described in individuals with 5q35 microdeletion when compared to individuals with NSD1 intragenic pathogenic variants a fully delineated cognitive and behavioral phenotype has not been described yet. The importance of providing clinical characterization in relation to the genotype comes from the necessity to early identify children more at risk of developing psychopathological disorders. We characterize the cognitive, adaptive and behavioral phenotype of a pediatric sample of 64 individuals affected by SoS, performing a standardized neuropsychological evaluation. Secondly, we compare cognitive‐behavioral profiles of SoS individuals carrying and not carrying the 5q35 microdeletion. SoS participants were characterized by a mild cognitive impairment of both Intellectual Quotient and adaptive skills in association to borderline symptoms of attention deficit. Our results suggest that the 5q35 microdeletion is associated with lower scores specifically concerning the cognitive, adaptive functioning and behavioral domains. However, longitudinal studies are necessary to confirm these findings and delineate a developmental trajectory of SoS.
Digital Microfluidics and Magnetic Bead‐Based Intact Proteoform Elution for Quantitative Top‐down Nanoproteomics of Single C. elegans Nematodes
Authors: Leipert Jan , Kaulich Philipp T. , Steinbach Max K. , Steer Britta , Winkels Konrad , Blurton Christine , Leippe Matthias , Tholey Andreas
Published: April 2023

While most nanoproteomics approaches for the analysis of low‐input samples are based on bottom‐up proteomics workflows, top‐down approaches enabling proteoform characterization are still underrepresented. Using mammalian cell proteomes, we established a facile one‐pot sample preparation protocol based on protein aggregation on magnetic beads and intact proteoform elution using 40 % formic acid. Performed on a digital microfluidics device, the workflow enabled sensitive analyses of single Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes, thereby increasing the number of proteoform identifications compared to in‐tube sample preparation by 46 %. Label‐free quantification of single nematodes grown under different conditions allowed to identify changes in the abundance of proteoforms not distinguishable by bottom‐up proteomics. The presented workflow will facilitate proteoform‐directed analysis on samples of limited availability.
Expanding Linker Dimensionality in Metal‐organic Frameworks for sub‐Ångstrom Pore Control for Separation Applications
Authors: Macreadie Lauren K. , Idrees Karam B. , Smoljan Courtney S. , Farha Omar K.
Published: April 2023

Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of porous materials with high surface areas, which are acquiring rapid attention on an exponential basis. A significant characteristic of MOFs is their ability to act as adsorbents to selectively separate component mixtures of similar size, thereby addressing the technological need for an alternative approach to conventional distillation methods. Recently, MOFs comprising a 3‐Dimensional (3D) linker have shown outstanding capabilities for difficult separations compared to the parent 2‐Dimensional (2D) analogue. 3D‐linkers with a polycyclic core are underrepresented in the MOF database due to the widespread preferred use of 2D‐linkers and the misconceived high‐cost of 3D linkers. We summarize the recent research of 3D‐linker MOFs and highlight their beneficial employment for selective gas and hydrocarbon adsorption and separation. Furthermore, we outline forecasts in this area to create a platform for widespread adoption of 3D‐linkers in MOF synthesis.
A study on microwave absorption properties of polyaniline/nitrile rubber/graphene/Fe3O4 composites with a thickness of 0.7 mm and high flexibility
Authors: Rezazadeh Nader , Kianvash Abbas , Zhao Chao , Koh Amanda
Published: April 2023

The genotoxic effect of microwave radiation on humans is one of the leading causes of some diseases like cancer. Despite many reported materials for microwave absorption, there is still a demand for a super‐thin and flexible microwave absorber. In the present work, we synthesized Fe3O4/graphene/polyaniline/nitrile butadiene rubber composites with a thickness of 0.7 mm using a melt mixing method. Then, we comprehensively studied the electromagnetic and microwave absorption properties of the composites from 8 to 12 GHz. The composite with 38 wt% Fe3O4 and 6 wt% graphene exhibited the highest microwave absorption of more than 8 dB in the entire range of 8–12 GHz, with a minimum reflection loss of −14 dB at 10.3 GHz. By increasing the weight content of Fe3O4 and graphene, the imaginary part of dielectric permeability and magnetic permeability initially went up and then declined, resulting in poor impedance matching. Hence, we precisely controlled the weight content of the fillers to reach the highest impedance matching and attenuation constant. Consequently, this work opened up a unique way for developing super‐thin, lightweight, flexible microwave‐absorbing materials.
Pilot‐scale demonstration of novel tandem coating process: Combining dispersion and extrusion coating with enhanced barrier properties
Authors: Toriseva Juuso , Lahti Johanna , Kuusipalo Jurkka
Published: April 2023

Increasing environmental and legislative demands have accelerated the development of new packaging materials and processes toward more sustainable alternatives. Furthermore, barrier properties of the packaging have become increasingly important, as food waste creates environmental problems. Nowadays, multilayer structures are typically used to create required barrier properties to the packages. The aim of the study was to combine dispersion and extrusion coating into consecutive tandem process to produce two‐layer structure with enhanced barrier properties. By combining two processing steps into one, time and resources are saved. The study presents demonstration of the tandem coating in pilot‐scale. The process was tested with several different materials and combinations and the processing conditions were optimized to produce optimal layer structure and properties. The properties of samples were analyzed with microscopy imaging, pinhole measurement and barrier measurements including oxygen, water vapor and grease permeation. Single layer of dispersion coatings could not produce continuous film, but the extrusion coatings filled the pinholes and enabled low permeation values. The permeabilities of the tandem coated structures were promising and generally lower than the sum of two individual layers. Moreover, the tandem coated structures produced with sustainable alternatives, performed better than traditional materials in oxygen and grease permeation measurements.
Fabrication of b‐Oriented MFI Zeolite Membranes by a Printing‐Transfer Seed Layer Procedure
Authors: Yang Yanwei , Lu Xiaofei , Zhang Huayu , Yu Xingtong , Zheng Qiancheng , Wang Zhengbao
Published: April 2023

Highly b‐oriented MFI zeolite (abbreviated as BOMZ) membranes are attractive due to less grain boundary defects and straight channels normal to the substrate, enhancing selectivity and flux in membrane separation. Herein, we demonstrate a novel, effective and easily‐amplified printing‐transfer oriented‐seed‐layer technique to manufacture uniform BOMZ seed monolayer on porous supports. Furthermore, a facile and effective approach for the synthesis of highly BOMZ membranes by introducing poly(hexamethylene biguanide) hydrochloride as a twin crystal inhibitor during seeded growth is demonstrated. Well‐intergrown BOMZ membranes (∼650 nm thick) obtained on porous Al2O3 supports show a flux of 2.8 kg m−2 h−1 with a separation factor as high as 71 for pervaporation in the 60 °C feed of EtOH/H2O (5 wt%), which is much higher than those of random membranes. The developed seed assembly technique on porous supports underlines great potential for facile preparation of oriented seed layers on porous supports.
Uniform pricing and subsidy coordination mechanism in a two‐tier healthcare system under a co‐payment policy
Authors: Chen Wuhua
Published: April 2023

Recently, the lengthy waiting time in public hospitals (called the public system) under the free healthcare policy has become a serious problem. To address this issue, motivated by the Japanese healthcare system, this paper investigates a two‐tier co‐payment healthcare system under a uniform pricing and subsidy coordination mechanism. In such a setting, the public system and the private system (i.e., the private hospitals) compete for market share with different objectives, whereas the government uniformly sets the service price and the subsidy rate to maximize social welfare under a total budget constraint. Compared with two free healthcare policy cases implemented in the Canadian and Australian healthcare systems respectively in terms of social welfare, the results show that when the market demand (or the patient service quality sensitivity) is sufficiently high (sufficiently low), the uniform pricing and subsidy coordination mechanism is better and worse otherwise; and when the patient's waiting sensitivity (or the total government budget) is in an appropriate middle range (sufficiently low or high), the mechanism can outperform than the free policy cases.
Proxy quality control of biomass particles using thermogravimetric analysis and Gaussian process regression models
Authors: Watts Jordan , Potter Adam , Mohan Vidyut , Kumari Pratima , Thengane Sonal K. , Sokhansanj Shahabaddine , Cao Yankai , Kung Kevin S.
Published: April 2023

The temperature experienced by reactants during preparation in a reactor is a key component in determining the yield and homogeneity of usable chemical products such as biomass particles. Thermocouples with sensors can be used to monitor spatial temperature gradients within reactors but these sensors are often too expensive and/or invasive. The present work proposes a strategy to identify optimal machine learning models to infer the maximum effective temperature experienced by particles during oxidative biomass torrefaction using key thermochemical combustion parameters. The maximum rate of weight loss, the corresponding temperature, and fixed carbon content on a dry‐ash‐free basis are used as literature‐based predictor variables obtained from thermogravimetric analysis. The evaluation of 24 machine‐learning models using the standard tenfold cross‐validation method suggests that the exponential Gaussian process regression (GPR) model is the most effective, followed by other GPR models. These high‐performing GPR models were also utilized to predict the effective preparation temperature distribution of reactor‐produced biomass particles under eight conditions of varying residence time and air‐to‐biomass ratio. The effective preparation temperature and residence time of individual biomass particles were then encoded into the torrefaction severity factor and used to estimate the energy yield of the reactor output as a novel quality control method. © 2023 The Authors.Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefiningpublished by Society of Industrial Chemistry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
A governance approach to stakeholder engagement in sustainable enterprises—Evidence from B Corps
Authors: She Chaoyuan , Michelon Giovanna
Published: April 2023

Sustainable enterprises face a risk for which the pressure over financial sustainability “crowds out” their impact mission. Corporate governance mechanisms can play an important role in managing the tensions between the two objectives, by steering and driving stakeholder engagement processes. At the same time, the rise of social media has provided firms with a platform for undertaking stakeholder engagement on a large scale. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine how the governance mechanisms of sustainable enterprises affect engagement with stakeholders on social media. Specifically, we identify three distinctive mechanisms for a governance approach to stakeholder engagement in sustainable enterprises: The legal purpose beyond profit maximization, directors' commitment to purpose, and the adoption of purpose‐specific accountability mechanisms. We argue that each of them matters for the extent to which sustainable enterprises engage with stakeholders on social media, as well as the quality of this engagement. By scraping and classifying nonfinancial tweets posted by 1074 U.S. B Corps between 2014 and 2018 and those posted by stakeholders towards the firm, we find that the legal and ethical mechanisms are positively related to the quality of engagement while the accountability mechanism is related to both the extent and quality of engagement. Our study sheds light on the implications of governance mechanisms in steering social media stakeholder engagement in sustainable enterprises.
Learn how leadership coaching can boost your department's success
Authors: Denzine Gypsy M.
Published: April 2023

If you want your college athletics department to be the most effective and successful that it can be, then it's time to consider expanding your coaching staff to include leadership coaches (also referred to as executive coaches). Leadership coaches can foster success, help to reduce liability, and serve as a tool for addressing some employment matters within your athletics department.
Prepare to file new, expanded attestation form to the NCAA in time for May deadline
Authors: O'Brien Timothy
Published: April 2023

The NCAA adopted its Campus Sexual Violence Policy in 2017 and amended it several times, most recently in April 2021. The policy was the final step in numerous initiatives by the NCAA since 2010 that were designed to address issues associated with campus‐based sexual violence. The objective of these efforts was to encourage athletics departments to act in a proactive and responsible manner to address sexual violence on each campus.
Chemotaxonomic Differentiation of Pinus Species Based on n‐Alkane and Long‐Chain Alcohol Profiles of Needle Cuticular Waxes
Authors: João Gaspar Maria , Nunes Juliana , Rodrigues Miguel , Ferreira Luis
Published: April 2023

n‐Alkane and long‐chain alcohol (LCOH) profiles of needle cuticular waxes of nine provenances of three Pinus species (P. taeda. P. pinaster and P. pinea) were determined and their chemotaxonomic importance was studied. n‐Alkanes concentrations were very low in all Pinus spp. A lack of ability of these compounds to differentiate Pinus spp. and their provenances was observed. LCOH concentrations were much higher, being nonacosan‐10‐ol (10‐C29‐OH) the most abundant one in all Pinus spp. Total LCOH concentrations varied (P<0.001) between Pinus spp. with P. taeda presenting the highest (P<0.05) value and P. pinea the lowest one. Differences in LCOH profiles were large (P<0.001) and allowed separation of Pinus spp. in the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Although a noticeable separation of individuals was not observed. cluster analysis on LCOH concentrations allowed a clear distinction between species, indicating their potential to be used as chemotaxonomic markers to differentiate provenances of different Pinus spp.
A unique case of high‐grade myofibroblastic sarcoma initially presenting with oral symptoms
Authors: Harada Takeshi , Togawa Takeshi , Miyamoto Hiroki , Matsushita Yutaka , Hatachi Yukimasa
Published: April 2023

High‐grade myofibroblastic sarcoma is a rare mesenchymal tumor with a high recurrence and metastatic rate. Few cases of high‐grade myofibroblastic sarcomas have been reported. Herein, we report a rare case of undifferentiated, high‐grade myofibroblastic sarcoma with an unclear primary site, initially presenting with oral symptoms. High‐grade myofibroblastic sarcoma was diagnosed following an excisional biopsy of a gingival tumor. After this excisional biopsy, systemic imaging revealed multiple metastases in the tonsil, lung, liver, kidney, and eye. The patient underwent two cycles of chemotherapy (doxorubicin). During follow‐up, the tumor progressed rapidly and metastasized to the skin of the head and neck. The patient expired three months after the initial examination.
High‐Performance Mn2O3‐Na2WO4/SiO2‐TiO2 Catalyst for the Oxidative Coupling of Methane: TiO2‐Modulated MnTiO3 Formation for Enhanced Low‐Temperature Performance
Authors: Zhang Qiaofei , Wang Jifen , Wang Lijun , Wang Pengwei
Published: April 2023

As a direct conversion route for the production of ethylene from methane, the oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) is highly promising. The Mn2O3‐Na2WO4/SiO2 catalyst doped with 44 μm anatase‐TiO2, consisting of 5 wt% TiO2, 5 wt% Mn2O3, 8 wt% Na2WO4 and balance SiO2 was prepared, achieving ∼22 % CH4 conversion with ∼72 % selectivity towards C2−C3 hydrocarbons even at the relatively low temperature of 700 °C. This catalyst was found to run stably for at least 300 h without signs of deactivation, which provides promising and comparable low‐temperature activity and selectivity but a more cost‐effective alternative to the previously‐reported Mn2O3‐Na2WO4/Ti‐MWW catalyst containing expensive Ti‐MWW zeolite. XRD and Raman analyses revealed that the in situ formation of MnTiO3 in the TiO2‐doped catalyst is responsible for the gains in low‐temperature OCM activity. In addition, TPR and TPO results also indicated that MnTiO3 activates O2 more readily at ∼650 °C, while three‐step switchover experiments clearly demonstrated that MnTiO3 could trigger facile redox behavior at low reaction temperatures. Thus, the MnTiO3‐induced redox cycle for O2 activation enables this TiO2‐doped catalyst to provide superior CH4 conversion at 700 °C.
Ni‐Catalyzed Photochemical C−N Coupling of Amides with (Hetero)aryl Chlorides
Authors: Song Geyang , Li Qi , Nong Ding‐Zhan , Song Jiameng , Li Gang , Wang Chao , Xiao Jianliang , Xue Dong
Published: April 2023

This paper reports a photochemical C−N coupling of abundant, but less reactive aryl chlorides, with structurally diverse primary and secondary amides by Ni‐mediated without an external photocatalyst. Under the irradiation of light (390–395 nm) with a soluble organic amine as the base, the reaction allows for the successful transformation of (hetero)aryl chlorides to a wide range of N‐aryl amides. More than 60 examples are shown, demonstrating the feasibility and applicability of this protocol in organic synthesis. Mechanic studies indicate that this amidation proceeds via a Ni(I)‐Ni(III) catalytic cycle.
Remote Electronic Effect of Chiral N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyst on an Asymmetric Benzoin Reaction
Authors: Inokuma Tsubasa , Hashimoto Kentaro , Fujiwara Tatsuya , Sun Chunzhao , Kuwano Satoru , Yamada Ken‐ichi
Published: April 2023

A remote electronic effect of chiral aminoindanol‐derived N‐heterocyclic carbene catalyst on an asymmetric benzoin reaction was investigated. The catalyst bearing remote electron‐withdrawing substituents increased enantioselectivity of the reaction at the cost of the reaction rate. DFT calculations rationalized the increased enantioselectivity.
Modulating the Shape of Short Metal‐Mediated Heteroleptic Tapes of Porphyrins
Authors: Vidal Alessio , Rossato Daniel , Iengo Elisabetta , Balducci Gabriele , Alessio Enzo
Published: April 2023

In view of developing artificial light‐responsive complex systems, the preparation of discrete and robust heteroleptic assemblies of different chromophores in precisely defined positions is of great value since they would allow to investigate directional processes unavailable in symmetrical architectures. Here we describe the preparation, through a modular stepwise approach, and characterization of four novel and robust metal‐mediated heteroleptic 4+3 porphyrin tapes, labeled D4−T4−D4, D3−T4−D3, D4−T3−D4, and D3−T3−D3, where a central meso‐tetrapyridylporphyrin (either 3′‐TPyP=T3 or 4′‐TPyP=T4) is connected to two equal cis‐dipyridylporphyrins (either 3′cisDPyMP=D3 or 4′cisDPyMP=D4) through four {t,c,c‐RuCl2(CO)2} fragments. Whereas D4−T4−D4 is flat, the tapes containing at least one 3′PyP, i. e. D3−T4−D3, D4−T3−D4, and D3−T3−D3, have unprecedented – and well defined – 3D geometries, and each exists in solution as a pair of stereoisomers in slow conformational equilibrium. The X‐ray molecular structures of two such conformers, the C‐shaped (D3−T4−D3)C and the z‐shaped (D4−T3−D4)z, were determined and are fully consistent with the solution NMR findings.
Sunlight Induced and Alternative Sc(OTf)3 Catalyzed Remote C−H Halogenation of Indoles
Authors: Liu Shanshan , Zhou Xianying , Jiao Lin‐Yu , Li Chao , Wang Zheng
Published: April 2023

A mild and catalyst‐free sunlight induced protocol for the remote meta bromination of electron‐deficient indoles is described for the first time. Herein, N‐bromosaccharin is activated by sunlight irradiation. Alternately, a synergistic activation model (Sc(OTf)3/HFIP) has also been developed for the activation of haloniums, complementary to the light induced strategy. In addition, the cascade C6‐H bromination and benzylic C−H oxidation under photocatalytic conditions was also discussed. High regio‐and chem‐selectivity, mild reaction conditions, and scalability demonstrate great potential of the developed methods in practical applications and further functionalization.
Influence of depression on breast cancer treatment and survival: A Kentucky population‐based study
Authors: Lei Feitong , Vanderpool Robin C. , McLouth Laurie E. , Romond Edward H. , Chen Quan , Durbin Eric B. , Tucker Thomas C. , Tai Eric , Huang Bin
Published: April 2023

Background

Depression is common among breast cancer patients and can affect concordance with guideline‐recommended treatment plans. Yet, the impact of depression on cancer treatment and survival is understudied, particularly in relation to the timing of the depression diagnosis.

Methods

The Kentucky Cancer Registry data was used to identify female patients diagnosed with primary invasive breast cancer who were 20 years of age or older in 2007–2011. Patients were classified as having no depression, depression pre‐cancer diagnosis only, depression post‐ cancer diagnosis only, or persistent depression. The impact of depression on receiving guideline‐recommended treatment and survival was examined using multivariable logistic regression and Cox regression, respectively.

Results

Of 6054 eligible patients, 4.1%, 3.7%, and 6.2% patients had persistent depression, depression pre‐diagnosis only, and depression post‐diagnosis only, respectively. A total of 1770 (29.2%) patients did not receive guideline‐recommended cancer treatment. Compared to patients with no depression, the odds of receiving guideline‐recommended treatment were decreased in patients with depression pre‐diagnosis only (odds ratio [OR], 0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54–1.04) but not in patients with post‐diagnosis only or persistent depression. Depression post‐diagnosis only (hazard ratio, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.24–1.83) and depression pre‐diagnosis only (hazard ratio, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.99–1.59) were associated with worse survival. No significant difference in survival was found between patients with persistent depression and patients with no depression (p > .05).

Conclusions

Neglecting depression management after a breast cancer diagnosis may result in poorer cancer treatment concordance and worse survival. Early detection and consistent management of depression is critical in improving patient survival.
Ultrafast Photophysics of Regioisomeric Triphenylamine Dyes Having Dipolar D‐π‐A‐A and Octupolar D‐(π‐A‐A)3 Character with a Benzothiazole Unit in Matched or Mismatched Orientation
Authors: Petropoulos Vasilis , Georgoulis Ioannis , Vourdaki Chrisovalantou , Hrobárik Peter , Sigmundová Ivica , Nociarová Jela , Maiuri Margherita , Cerullo Giulio , Fakis Mihalis
Published: April 2023

Benzothiazole is among prominent electron‐withdrawing heteroarene moieties used in a variety of π‐conjugated molecules. Its relative orientation with respect to the principal dipole vector(s) of chromophores derived thereof is crucial, affecting photophysical and nonlinear optical properties. Here we compare the photophysics and ultrafast dynamics of dipolar and octupolar molecules comprising a triphenylamine electron‐donating core, ethynylene π‐conjugated linker(s) and benzothiazole acceptor(s) having the matched or mismatched orientation (with respect to the direction of intramolecular charge transfer), while a carbaldehyde group is attached as an auxiliary acceptor. Among chromophores without the auxiliary acceptor, stronger fluorescence solvatochromism and faster excited state dynamics are exhibited for the derivatives with the mismatched geometry. On the contrary, introduction of the auxiliary acceptor to the benzothiazole unit enhances the intramolecular charge transfer ICT (featuring ultrafast dynamics of the excited state) for the matched geometry. The data confirm the crucial role of the relative orientation of asymmetric heteroaromatic unit (regioisomeric effect) in dipolar as well as in multipolar molecules in tuning linear and nonlinear optical properties as well as excited state dynamics.
Reentrant 2D Nanostructured Liquid Crystals by Competition between Molecular Packing and Conformation: Potential Design for Multistep Switching of Ionic Conductivity
Authors: Hamaguchi Kazuma , Lu Huanjun , Okamura Shota , Kajiyama Satoshi , Uchida Junya , Sato Shunsuke , Watanabe Go , Ishii Yoshiki , Washizu Hitoshi , Ungar Goran , Kato Takashi
Published: April 2023

The front cover artwork is provided by Takashi Kato at the University of Tokyo. The image shows three assembled structures of smectic liquid crystals that show reentrant behavior. Read the full text of the Research Article at 10.1002/cphc.202200927.