bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent Advances in the Fabrication and Performance Optimization of Polyvinyl Alcohol Based Vascular Grafts
Authors: Liu Yixuan , Gao Zichun , Yu Xinrong , Lin Wenjiao , Lian He , Meng Zhaoxu
Published: May 2024

Cardiovascular disease is one of the diseases with the highest morbidity and mortality rates worldwide, and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a fast and effective treatment. More researchers are investigating in artificial blood vessels due to the limitations of autologous blood vessels. Despite the availability of large‐diameter vascular grafts (Ø > 6 mm) for clinical use, small‐diameter vascular grafts (Ø < 6 mm) have been a challenge for researchers to overcome in recent years. Vascular grafts made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and PVA‐based composites have excellent biocompatibility and mechanical characteristics. In order to gain a clearer and more specific understanding of the progress in PVA vascular graft research, particularly regarding the preparation methods, principles, and functionality of PVA vascular graft, this article discusses the mechanical properties, biocompatibility, blood compatibility, and other properties of PVA vascular graft prepared or enhanced with different blends using various techniques that mimic natural blood vessels. The findings reveal the feasibility and promising potential of PVA or PVA‐based composite materials as vascular grafts.
Hot corrosion behavior of Mo–9.0Si–8.0B
Authors: Beck Katharina , König Till , Case Abigail , Oskay Ceyhun , Galetz Mathias C.
Published: May 2024

In recent years, interest in Mo‐based alloys has increased significantly due to their promising high‐temperature behavior and their possible uses for industrial high‐temperature applications such as within turbines. An important corrosion mechanism in turbines is the sulfate salt‐induced attack of the structural materials, known as hot corrosion. Therefore, the Type I and II hot corrosion behavior of Mo–9.0Si–8.0B was investigated at 700°C and 900°C for 24 and 100 h. The Mo‐based alloy showed severe degradation, but not by sulfates. Thus, the underlying hot corrosion mechanism through molybdate fluxing, which is accompanied by Mo oxide evaporation, is discussed in detail. At the higher temperature, the MoO3 evaporation becomes predominant, leaving behind a Si‐glass with molybdate inclusions.
Avengers assemble: Avenger philanthropy as the new gift opportunity for nonprofit organizations
Authors: Mitchell Sarah‐Louise
Published: May 2024

This conceptual paper extends theories of gift giving behavior through identifying and defining the emerging phenomenon of Avenger Philanthropy. This manifests when people make individual monetary donations to nonprofit organizations (NPOs) to achieve a collective sense of moral grandstanding, usually underpinned by humor. For the first time, the paper makes sense of this phenomenon theoretically through drawing on a wide range of literature including gift giving, game theory and consumer psychology, and as a result, identifies seven distinctive hallmarks. The paper maps the importance of public expression of personal values, amplified through social media, together with risks for the NPO that benefits from the donations. Emotion underpins the giving behavior, both moral outrage and humor. This investigation contributes to the gift giving literature by identifying, mapping and anchoring current actions that potentially have far reaching consequences for future research and for nonprofit practice.
COVID‐19 and credit risk variation across banks: International insights
Authors: Acheampong Albert , Ibeji Ngozi , Danso Albert
Published: May 2024

This paper focuses on utilizing non‐performing loans (NPLs) as the primary indicator of credit risk to analyze how various bank and country‐level characteristics influence changes in credit risk within and between banks across China, Europe, and the U.S. during the COVID‐19 period. Over 4,959 bank‐quarter observations (from Q4 2019 to Q4 2021), it becomes evident that COVID‐19 significantly contributes to the variation in NPLs, underscoring its adverse impact on credit risk. This pattern is consistent across all countries; however, Chinese banks exhibit more robust capabilities in managing credit risk exposure compared to their European and U.S. counterparts. These findings offer significant implications for policymakers, investors, and regulators who are concerned about the repercussions of global pandemics on financial institutions.
Enhancing synergistic performance through implicit incentive contracts: Addressing the “talent dilemma” in the public sector
Authors: Guo Jiayuan , Du Jianbo , Li Ming , Chen Xu , Bian Yijie
Published: May 2024

Because of the conflict between the traditional public sector values of egalitarianism and new public management, talent management (TM) in the public sector is more difficult to implement under resource constraints. Equity and efficiency in China's public sector are squeezed out of each other under egalitarianism, resulting in the “ talent dilemma” in which talent works more but does not get more. The “talent dilemma” leads to the fact that it is very attractive for talents to hide their abilities and reduce their efforts in the public sector. In this paper, from the perspective of the “talent dilemma”, we study the contract design problem of the coexistence of heterogeneous talent's adverse selection and moral hazard in the public sector. Specifically, an incentive model combining exclusive and inclusive TM factors under information asymmetry is constructed. The optimal incentive contract is designed to motivate heterogeneous talents to display true information about their abilities and to maintain a maximized level of effort. The results of the study show that the optimal incentive contract can realize the role of information screening and break the “talent dilemma”. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the reform of incentive mechanisms in the public sector.
Business model platformization drives social value—A configuration research based on the technology‐organization‐environment framework
Authors: Zhang Yamin , Jiang Junfeng , Shang Yanying
Published: May 2024

Data connectivity is driving a shift in corporate business models toward social responsibility and stakeholder orientation, but existing research has focused on the significant increase in business value from business model platformization and has failed to answer the question of “what kind of business model platformization creates high social value in what contexts.” Business model platformization features are decomposed into three‐dimensional components of technology, architecture, and capability, and the external environment in which the business model creates value is segmented in terms of demand evolution and peer competition. This paper develops a technology–organization–environment (TOE) configurational framework, adopts fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), collects data from 42 enterprises with business model platformization, and analyzes what combinations of digital intelligence technology, platform architecture, dynamic capability, demand evolution, and peer competition constitute a high social value configuration. The study suggests that four configurations of the three main types, resource‐driven, demand‐driven, and total factor‐driven, constitute equivalent paths to high social value. With the help of the TOE framework to identify the configurations of business model platformization to create high social value, this paper provides theoretical support for enterprises aiming to create high social value in the face of peer competition and joint changes in the demand environment to choose the appropriate path of business model platformization from their own point of view.
Increased CSF DOPA Decarboxylase Correlates with Lower DaT‐SPECT Binding: Analyses in Biopark and PPMI Cohorts
Authors: Khosousi Shervin , Sturchio Andrea , Appleton Ellen , Paslawski Wojciech , Ta Michael , Nalls Michael , Singleton Andrew B. , Iwaki Hirotaka , Svenningsson Per
Published: May 2024

Background

Recent studies identified increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) DOPA decarboxylase (DDC) as a promising biomarker for parkinsonian disorders, suggesting a compensation to dying dopaminergic neurons. A correlation with 123I‐FP‐CIT‐SPECT (DaT‐SPECT) imaging could shed light on this link.

Objective

The objective is to assess the relationship between CSF DDC levels and DaT‐SPECT binding values.

Methods

A total of 51 and 72 Parkinson's disease (PD) subjects with available DaT‐SPECT and CSF DDC levels were selected from the PPMI and Biopark cohorts, respectively. DDC levels were analyzed using proximity extension assay and correlated with DaT‐SPECT striatal binding ratios (SBR). All analyses were corrected for age and sex.

Results

CSF DDC levels in PD patients correlated negatively with DaT‐SPECT SBR in both putamen and caudate nucleus. Additionally, SBR decreased with increased DDC levels over time in PD patients.

Conclusion

CSF DDC levels negatively correlate with DaT‐SPECT SBR in levodopa‐treated PD. © 2024 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Change blindness, reward bias, negative affective priming: Exploring individual‐level associations between depression/anxiety symptoms and cognition
Authors: Balogh Annamaria , Lewis Glyn , Shafran Roz , Robinson Oliver J.
Published: May 2024

Cognitive biases are thought to contribute to depression/anxiety. In addition to self‐reported measures, cognitive tasks could potentially be integrated with clinical practice as more precise measures of cognitive biases. In a large online study we explored the individual‐level association between depression/anxiety symptoms and performance on (1) reward bias, (2) negative affective priming, and (3) change blindness tasks. Participants completed tasks alongside depression/anxiety symptom questionnaires. We used regression analyses to test for associations between task performance and questionnaire scores. We conducted a replication study of the change blindness task, and performed a mega‐analysis of the two studies. Faster reaction time in the change blindness task was associated with higher depression score (B = −27, p = 0.034) in the first study (N = 545) and higher depression and anxiety scores (depression: B = −15, p = 0.045; anxiety: B = −17, p = 0.022) in the replication study (N = 616). These effects were significant in the mega‐analysis but did not withstand adjusting for age in either the original and replication studies or the mega‐analysis. We found no association between depression/anxiety and reward bias (N = 504) and negative affective priming (N = 539). Our results provide preliminary evidence that individuals with more severe depressive/anxious symptoms may be faster at identifying changes in the change blindness task. Contrary to previous findings, neither reward bias nor negative affective priming was associated with depression/anxiety.
On some Robin–transmission problems for the Brinkman system and a Navier–Stokes type system
Authors: Albişoru Andrei F. , Kohr Mirela , Papuc Ioan , Leopold Wendland Wolfgang
Published: May 2024

The aim of this paper is twofold. The first goal is to give well‐posedness results for a Robin–transmission problem and a Robin–Dirichlet problem for the Brinkman system in bounded Lipschitz domains in
. The Robin–Dirichlet problem appears as a special limit case of the Robin–transmission problem. This aim is achieved by employing the layer potential theoretical methods. The second goal is to provide a well‐posedness result for a Robin–transmission problem and an existence result for the Robin–Dirichlet problem for a Navier–Stokes type system in bounded Lipschitz domains in
. Again, the Robin–Dirichlet problem appears as a special limit case of the Robin–transmission problem. This aim is achieved by using the well‐posedness results in the linear case combined with a fixed point argument. In order to illustrate our theoretical results, we also consider a special case of boundary value problems of Robin–Dirichlet type, which models a fluid flow in a porous square cavity. We solve numerically this problem.
A three‐point compact LOD‐FDTD method for solving the 2D scalar wave equation
Authors: Pereda José A. , Grande Ana
Published: May 2024

This letter introduces an unconditionally stable finite‐difference time‐domain (FDTD) method, based on the locally one‐dimensional (LOD) technique, for the solution of the two‐dimensional scalar wave equation (WE) in homogeneous media. The second spatial derivatives in the WE are discretized by using a three‐point compact (implicit) finite‐difference formula with a free parameter. This formula has second‐order accuracy and becomes fourth‐order by properly selecting the parameter value. Moreover, the resulting algorithm only involves tridiagonal matrices, as when using standard (explicit) second‐order finite differences. Additionally, a stability analysis is performed and the numerical dispersion relation of the method is derived. The proposed compact LOD‐WE‐FDTD technique has been applied to the calculation of resonant frequencies in a metallic ridge cavity. The accuracy of the results obtained has been studied as a function of the parameter value.
Management of immune‐mediated necrotizing myopathy
Authors: Suh Joome , Amato Anthony A.
Published: May 2024

The immune‐mediated necrotizing myopathies (IMNM) are autoimmune myositides clinically characterized by proximal predominant weakness and elevated creatine kinase (CK). They may be associated with autoantibodies (anti‐HMGCR, anti‐SRP), triggered by statin use (e.g., anti‐HMGCR myopathy), associated with cancer, or may be idiopathic. Immunotherapy is required to improve strength and decrease the CK level, but no therapies are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of IMNM. The optimal treatment strategy for IMNM is currently unknown and wide practice variation exists in the management of this condition. However, observational studies and expert opinion suggest that certain therapies may be more effective for the different serological subtypes of IMNM. HMGCR IMNM often responds favorably to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) even as monotherapy. Signal recognition peptide and seronegative IMNM typically require combination immunotherapy, most often consisting of an oral immunosuppressant, corticosteroids, and IVIG or rituximab. Patients often remain on immunotherapy for years and relapse is common during tapering of immunotherapy. Further studies are needed to guide the optimal management of these patients.
Experimental and numerical analysis of dielectric polarization effects in near‐surface earth materials in the 100 Hz–10 MHz frequency range: First interpretation paths
Authors: Tabbagh A. , Souffaché B. , Jougnot D. , Maineult A. , Rejiba F. , Adler P. M. , Schamper C. , Thiesson J. , Finco C. , Mendieta A. , Rembert F. , Guérin R. , Camerlynck C.
Published: May 2024

The recent developments of electromagnetic induction and electrostatic prospection devices dedicated to critical zone surveys in both rural and urban contexts necessitate improving the interpretation of electrical properties through complementary laboratory studies. In a first interpretation step, the various experimental results obtained in the 100 Hz–10 MHz frequency range can be empirically fitted by a simple six‐term formula. It allows the reproduction of the logarithmic decrease of the real component of the effective relative permittivity and its corresponding imaginary component, the part associated with the direct current conductivity, one Cole–Cole relaxation and the real and imaginary components of the high‐frequency relative permittivity. For elucidating physical phenomena contributing to both the logarithmic decrease and the observed Cole–Cole relaxation, we first consider the Maxwell–Wagner–Sillars polarization. Using the method of moments, we establish that this continuous medium approach can reproduce a large range of relaxation characteristics. At the microscopic scale, the possible role of the rotation of the water molecules bound to solid grains is then investigated. In this case, contrary to the Maxwell–Wagner–Sillars approach, the relaxation parameters do not depend on the external medium properties.
Design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing of a composite gun barrel
Authors: Uyanık Mehmet Sinan , Soydan Ali Murat , Yılmaz Alpay , Ata Ali
Published: May 2024

User expects his weapon to be light and reliable and to perform multiple times firing per unit time at the same time. In today's technology, the maximum number of firings can be made per unit time with steel barreled weapons, but in composite barrels; many problems occur due to overheating, strength and reliability. Meeting these opposite demands is an engineering problem. In this study, the design of a composite‐steel combination light gun barrel is studied. Firstly, pressure distribution through the barrel has been calculated using Vallier‐Heydenreich method. According to the calculations, analysis has been conducted using both steel barrel and composite barrel. After the analysis, a composite barrel has been manufactured and testing has been conducted on an all‐steel barrel and the manufactured composite barrel. Composite is carbon fiber and resin is epoxy resin. In composite material, carbon fiber is preferred at the rates of 50% and 60%, the material of the steel barrel is AISI 416R stainless steel. The manufactured steel barrels have the same outer diameter but different wall thickness ratios, firing tests were conducted in such a way that the number of shots per unit time was the same.

Highlights

Stress distribution within a gun barrel was calculated using Vallier‐Heydenreich method.

Design and finite element analysis analysis for an all‐steel gun barrel and a composite gun barrel was conducted.

A composite gun barrel was manufactured; by using composite materials, the barrel was lightened by 24.8%.

The manufactured composite gun barrel and an all‐steel gun barrel were tested by firing over 2500 shots.
Rapid quality assessment and traceability of ginger powder from Northeast India and Indian market based on near infrared spectroscopic fingerprinting
Authors: Naskar Sirsha , Sing Dilip , Banerjee Subhadip , Shcherbakova Anastasiia , Bandyopadhyay Amitabha , Kar Amit , Haldar Pallab Kanti , Sharma Nanaocha , Mukherjee Pulok Kumar , Bandyopadhyay Rajib
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) varies widely due to varying concentrations of phytochemicals and geographical origin. Rapid non‐invasive quality and traceability assessment techniques ensure a sustainable value chain.

Objective

The objective of this study is the development of suitable machine learning models to estimate the concentration of 6‐gingerol and check traceability based on the spectral fingerprints of dried ginger samples collected from Northeast India and the Indian market using near‐infrared spectrometry.

Methods

Samples from the market and Northeast India underwent High Performance Liquid Chromatographic analysis for 6‐gingerol content estimation. Near infrared (NIR) Spectrometer acquired spectral data. Quality prediction utilized partial least square regression (PLSR), while fingerprint‐based traceability identification employed principal component analysis and t‐distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t‐SNE). Model performance was assessed using RMSE and R2 values across selective wavelengths and spectral fingerprints.

Results

The standard normal variate pretreated spectral data over the wavelength region of 1,100–1,250 nm and 1,325–1,550 nm showed the optimal calibration model with root mean square error of calibration and R2C (coefficient of determination for calibration) values of 0.87 and 0.897 respectively. A lower value (0.24) of root mean square error of prediction and a higher value (0.973) of R2P (coefficient of determination for prediction) indicated the effectiveness of the developed model. t‐SNE performed better clustering of samples based on geographical location, which was independent of gingerol content.

Conclusion

The developed NIR spectroscopic model for Indian ginger samples predicts the 6‐gingerol content and provides geographical traceability‐based identification to ensure a sustainable value chain, which can promote efficiency, cost‐effectiveness, consumer confidence, sustainable sourcing, traceability, and data‐driven decision‐making.
Phytic acid modified polyacrylonitrile nanofiber membranes: Fabrication, characterization, and optimization for Pb2+ adsorption
Authors: Li Hongzhang , Liu Xinhua , Chi Eryan , Xu Guocai
Published: May 2024

Phytic acid (PA) modified polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber membranes for heavy metal adsorption were fabricated using electrospinning for the first time, and its mechanical properties and heavy metal adsorption under various conditions were tested. The results demonstrated that PA modification improved the mechanical properties of PAN nanofiber membranes at low modification ratio due to increased intermolecular hydrogen bonds and cross‐linking. The highest breaking strength and elongation at break were 70.1% and 31.5% over PAN without modification when the PA:PAN ratio was close to 1:5. The Pb2+ absorption tests in the water solutions demonstrated that the optimal PA:PAN ratio was 1:1, the optimal temperature was 30°C, and the optimal pH was 7. With the optimal parameters, the adsorption capacity reached the maximum and equilibrium after 4 h. The adsorption capacities increased with higher initial Pb2+ concentrations. The highest adsorption capacity in this study was approximately 240.1 mg g−1 at the initial Pb2+ concentration of 750.72 mg L−1. In addition, after de‐adsorption process, the 1:1 PA modified membranes maintained 91.9% re‐adsorption capacities compared to primary adsorption. Consequently, the PA‐modified PAN nanofiber membranes showed promising potentials of metal ion adsorption in wastewater treatment.

Highlights

Phytic acid modified polyacrylonitrile nanofiber membranes were fabricated.

Low ratio modification improved the mechanical properties.

The optimal modification ratio for Pb2+ adsorption is 1:1.

The maximum Pb2+ adsorption capacity was 240.1 mg g−1 in this study.

The membranes maintained 91.9% capacities at re‐adsorption tests.
Proton transfer theoretical study catalyzed by 5‐chlorouracil
Authors: Cheng Liangyue
Published: May 2024

In this study, the density functional M06‐2X/6‐311++G(3df,3pd) method was employed to investigate the mutual isomerization reaction mechanism of 5‐chlorouracil from diketone to diol under the catalysis of water, methanol, formic acid, and an electric field. Parameters such as reaction enthalpy, activation energy, activation Gibbs free energy, and proton transfer reaction rate were obtained. The computational results show that under the same conditions, formic acid demonstrates the best catalytic effect, while the influence of electric field catalysis on the reaction barrier is minimal.
A rising tide that lifts all boats: Long‐term effects of the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend on poverty
Authors: Berman Matthew
Published: May 2024

Although not designed as a social program to redistribute income, the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) has been reducing poverty by providing equal annual payments to nearly all state residents for over 40 years. We examine direct effects of the PFD on Alaska poverty rates since 1990, using US Census and American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample records to adjust for under‐reporting of children's PFD income in official statistics. We estimate that the PFD reduced the number of Alaskans with incomes below the US poverty threshold by 20%–40%. We measure only a small effect on income distribution: a 0.02 reduction in the Gini coefficient. The effect of the PFD has been even larger for vulnerable populations. The PFD has reduced poverty rates of rural Indigenous Alaskans from 28% to less than 22%, and has played an important role in alleviating poverty among seniors and children. Aside from the special case of 2020, up to 50% more Alaska children—15% instead of 10%—would be living in poor families without PFD income. The poverty‐ameliorating effects of the PFD have lessened somewhat since 2000, as dividend amounts adjusted for inflation have been declining.
Evaluating the impact of the government loan program on farms in Vietnam: An application of fuzzy regression discontinuity design
Authors: Le Dao Van , Tran Tuyen Quang
Published: May 2024

This study examines the role of a government loan program on the performance of agricultural, forestry, and fishery farms in Vietnam, utilizing a fuzzy regression discontinuity design. The results of the study indicate that: (i) the government loan program decreases the total revenue of participating farms and (ii) the heterogeneous impact of the loan program depends on the type of farm (e.g., nonlivestock farms tend to receive more positive effects from the loan program). Notably, the study reveals some mechanisms explaining why having government loans can reduce farm efficiency; specifically, farms that use more pesticides and do not engage in e‐commerce activities tend to suffer from the government loan program. The results of the study have important implications for future research, particularly in improving the effectiveness of government loan programs and promoting formal e‐commerce activities in the future.
The use of health services by women living homeless in Madrid, Spain
Authors: Lenta Malena , Panadero Sonia , Di Iorio Jorgelina , Vázquez José J.
Published: May 2024

Women living homeless make up a particularly vulnerable and significantly invisible collective, about which there is little information regarding the use of health services. The purpose of this study is to examine the use of health services by a sample of women living homeless in Madrid, Spain (n = 138). The information was compiled using structured interviews. Results show that women living homeless largely make use of health services (e.g., emergency care, hospitalization, and out‐patient treatment) and tend to feel satisfied with them. However, a significant percentage of women living homeless did not hold a National Health Insurance Card, expressed dissatisfaction with the health services, and said that they did not receive medical care at a time when they considered it necessary. Some of the issues affected, to a greater extent, older women living homeless, foreign women, and those who had abused drugs at some point in their lives.
Native dynamics and allosteric responses in PTP1B probed by high‐resolution HDX‐MS
Authors: Woods Virgil A. , Abzalimov Rinat R. , Keedy Daniel A.
Published: May 2024

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is a validated therapeutic target for obesity, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. In particular, allosteric inhibitors hold potential for therapeutic use, but an incomplete understanding of conformational dynamics and allostery in this protein has hindered their development. Here, we interrogate solution dynamics and allosteric responses in PTP1B using high‐resolution hydrogen‐deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX‐MS), an emerging and powerful biophysical technique. Using HDX‐MS, we obtain a detailed map of backbone amide exchange that serves as a proxy for the solution dynamics of apo PTP1B, revealing several flexible loops interspersed among more constrained and rigid regions within the protein structure, as well as local regions that exchange faster than expected from their secondary structure and solvent accessibility. We demonstrate that our HDX rate data obtained in solution adds value to estimates of conformational heterogeneity derived from a pseudo‐ensemble constructed from ~200 crystal structures of PTP1B. Furthermore, we report HDX‐MS maps for PTP1B with active‐site versus allosteric small‐molecule inhibitors. These maps suggest distinct and widespread effects on protein dynamics relative to the apo form, including changes in locations distal (>35 Å) from the respective ligand binding sites. These results illuminate that allosteric inhibitors of PTP1B can induce unexpected changes in dynamics that extend beyond the previously understood allosteric network. Together, our data suggest a model of BB3 allostery in PTP1B that combines conformational restriction of active‐site residues with compensatory liberation of distal residues that aid in entropic balancing. Overall, our work showcases the potential of HDX‐MS for elucidating aspects of protein conformational dynamics and allosteric effects of small‐molecule ligands and highlights the potential of integrating HDX‐MS alongside other complementary methods, such as room‐temperature X‐ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations, to guide the development of new therapeutics.
External validation of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center preoperative nomogram predicting lymph node invasion in a cohort of high‐grade prostate cancer patients
Authors: Touma Nawar , Larose Maxence , Ouellet Jade , Bédard‐Tremblay Daphnée , Singbo Narcisse , Hovington Hélène , Neveu Bertrand , Archambault Louis , Pouliot Frédéric
Published: May 2024

Background

Commonly used preoperative nomograms predicting clinical and pathological outcomes in prostate cancer (PCa) patients have not been yet validated in high‐grade only PCa patients. Our objective is to perform an external validation of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) preoperative nomogram as a predictor of lymph node invasion (LNI) in a cohort of high‐grade PCa patients.

Methods

We included patients with high‐grade PCa (Gleason ≥8) treated at our institution between 2011 and 2020 with radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection without receiving neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) was used to quantify the accuracy of the model to predict LNI. A calibration plot was used to evaluate the model's precision, and a decision curve analysis was computed to evaluate the net benefit associated with its use. This study was approved by our institution's ethics board.

Results

A total of 242 patients with a median age of 66 (60−71) years were included. LNI was observed in 70 (29%) patients with a mean of 16 (median = 15; range = 2−42) resected nodes. The MSKCC nomogram discriminative accuracy, as evaluated by the AUC‐ROC was 79.0% (CI: [0.727−0.853]).

Conclusion

The MSKCC preoperative nomogram is a good predictor of LNI and a useful tool associated with net clinical benefit in this patient population.
Impact of comorbidities on prostate cancer‐specific mortality: A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Tiruye Tenaw , Roder David , FitzGerald Liesel M. , O'Callaghan Michael , Moretti Kim , Caughey Gillian E. , Beckmann Kerri
Published: May 2024

Aim

To assess the impact of comorbidities on prostate cancer mortality.

Methods

We studied 15,695 South Australian men diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2003 and 2019 from state‐wide administrative linked data sets. Comorbidity was measured 1‐year before prostate cancer diagnosis using Rx‐Risk, a medication‐based comorbidity index. Flexible parametric competing risk regression was used to estimate the independent association between comorbidities and prostate cancer‐specific mortality. Specific common comorbidities within Rx‐Risk (cardiac disorders, diabetes, chronic airway diseases, depression and anxiety, thrombosis, and pain) were also assessed to determine their association with mortality. All models were adjusted for sociodemographic variables, tumor characteristics, and treatment type.

Results

Prostate cancer‐specific mortality was higher for patients with a Rx‐Risk score ≥3 versus 0 (adjusted sub‐hazard ratio (sHR) 1.34, 95% CI: 1.15–1.56). Lower comorbidity scores (Rx‐Risk score 2 vs. 0 and Rx‐Risk score 1 vs. 0) were not significantly associated with prostate cancer‐specific mortality. Men who were using medications for cardiac disorders (sHR 1.31, 95% CI: 1.13–1.52), chronic airway disease (sHR 1.20, 95% CI: 1.01–1.44), depression and anxiety (sHR 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02–1.35), and thrombosis (sHR 1.21, 95% CI: 1.04–1.42) were at increased risk of dying from prostate cancer compared with men not on those medications. Use of medications for diabetes and chronic pain were not associated with prostate cancer‐specific mortality. All Rx‐Risk score categories and the specific comorbidities were also associated with increased risk of all‐cause mortality.

Conclusion

The findings showed that ≥3 comorbid conditions and specific comorbidities including cardiac disease, chronic airway disease, depression and anxiety, and thrombosis were associated with poor prostate cancer‐specific survival. Appropriate management of these comorbidities may help to improve survival in prostate cancer patients.
Diagnosis and management of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) in sickle cell disease: A review
Authors: Hersi Kadija , Ramani Gautam V. , Law Jennie Y. , Sadek Ahmed S. , Vaidya Anjali , Gladwin Mark T. , Cassady Steven J.
Published: May 2024

Pulmonary hypertension in sickle cell disease (SCD) is a complex phenomenon resulting from multiple overlapping etiologies, including pulmonary vasoconstriction in the setting of chronic hemolytic anemia, diastolic dysfunction, and chronic thromboembolic disease. The presence of pulmonary hypertension of any cause in SCD confers a significant increase in mortality risk. Evidence to guide the management of patients with sickle cell disease and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is scant and largely the realm of case reports and small case series. Centered on a discussion of a complex young patient with hemoglobin hemoglobin SC who ultimately underwent treatment with pulmonary thromboendarterectomy, we review the available literature to guide management and discuss and overview of treatment of CTEPH in SCD, considering the unique considerations and challenges facing patients suffering from this multisystem disease.
Flux‐gradient relations and their dependence on turbulence anisotropy
Authors: Mosso Samuele , Calaf Marc , Stiperski Ivana
Published: May 2024

Monin–Obukhov similarity theory (MOST) is used in virtually all Earth System Models to parametrize the near‐surface turbulent exchanges and mean variable profiles. Despite its widespread use, there is high uncertainty in the literature about the appropriate parametrizations to use. In addition, MOST has limitations in very stable and unstable regimes, over heterogeneous terrain and complex orography, and has been found to represent the surface fluxes incorrectly. A new approach including turbulence anisotropy as a non‐dimensional scaling parameter has recently been developed and has been shown to overcome these limitations and generalize the flux‐variance relations to complex terrain. In this article, we analyze the flux‐gradient relations for five well‐known datasets, ranging from flat and homogeneous to slightly complex terrain. The scaling relations show substantial scatter and highlight the uncertainty in the choice of parametrization even over canonical conditions. We show that, by including information on turbulence anisotropy as an additional scaling parameter, the original scatter becomes well bounded and new formulations can be developed that drastically improve the accuracy of the flux‐gradient relations for wind shear () in unstable conditions and for temperature gradient () in both unstable and stable regimes. This analysis shows that both and are strongly dependent on turbulence anisotropy and allows us finally to settle the extensively discussed free convection regime for , which clearly exhibits a power law when anisotropy is accounted for. Furthermore, we show that the eddy diffusivities for momentum and heat and the turbulent Prandtl number are strongly dependent on anisotropy and that the latter goes to zero in the free convection limit. These results highlight the necessity to include anisotropy in the study of near‐surface atmospheric turbulence and lead the way for theoretically more robust simulations of the boundary layer over complex terrain.
Research on double resonant excitation in a triangular electrode ion trap with asymmetric geometry
Authors: Zhu Huijun , Xu Kai , Qiu Junwei , Yao Rujiao , Zhang Shuo , Lu Xinxin , Li Xiaoxu
Published: May 2024

Rationale

The triangular electrode linear ion trap with asymmetric geometry has been reported to possess a high ion unidirectional ejection efficiency and a reasonable mass resolution. To further improve its performance, a double resonant excitation method involving a dipolar and a quadrupolar resonant excitation was applied here.

Methods

The dipolar excitation method was carried out by applying a supplementary alternating voltage out of phase to one pair of the electrodes, whereas the quadrupolar excitation (QE) method was carried out by adding a supplementary alternating voltage in phase to another pair of electrodes. Numerical simulations were performed to explore the impact of the frequency difference between the alternating current (AC) and the QE voltage (∆ω), the frequency of the AC voltage (ωAC), and the QE voltage amplitude (VQE).

Results

The mass resolution could be improved to ~4700 , which was approximately twice compared to that with only dipolar resonant excitation, and the ion unidirectional ejection efficiency could be improved to 97%. Even with a high scan rate of 6000 Da/s, there was minimal loss of mass resolution caused by increased scan rate in double resonant excitation mode.

Conclusions

By employing the double resonant excitation method, the mass resolution could be further increased while maintaining a considerably high ion unidirectional ejection efficiency, which might be a simple and practical approach for developing a high‐performance miniature ion trap mass analyzer.
Stability analysis and integral extension of sub‐optimal nonlinear damping control
Authors: Efimov Denis , Ruderman Michael
Published: May 2024

The problems of robustness with respect to external inputs and of convergence rate estimation are considered for the so‐called sub‐optimal nonlinear damping control. To this end, existence of solutions is justified, a strict Lyapunov function is found and its properties are investigated. The hyperexponential convergence of the unperturbed sub‐optimal nonlinear damping control is demonstrated. Moreover, an integral extension is proposed to complement the controller with capability of compensation for static errors. The results are illustrated by numeric simulations and the control experiments.
Passage through a fishway entrance at different velocities—results from flume experiments with small non‐salmonids
Authors: Schütz Cornelia , Czerny Rebekka , Herbst Marcus , Henning Martin , Pitsch Matthias
Published: May 2024

A challenge in the design of fishways especially for large rivers is the trade‐off between attraction and passability of the entrance. High flow velocities in the entrance slot generate a strong attraction flow and tend to have better attraction efficiency for upstream migration. However, these velocities may also prevent small‐bodied species or juvenile fish from entering the fishway. With our experiment, we reproduced fish swimming behaviour and passage of a fishway entrance for small‐bodied fish under realistic hydraulic conditions. At an entrance slot with 0.4 m width four velocities 0.8, 1.2, 1.5 and 1.8 ms−1 were investigated. In total, 326 juvenile roach (Rutilus rutilus (Linnaeus, 1758)), gudgeons (Gobio gobio (Linnaeus, 1758)) and spirlins (Alburnoides bipunctatus (Bloch, 1782)) were tested. The passage rates of the three tested species were altogether higher than would have been predicted from reported swimming capacities. They increased from gudgeons to roach and (significantly) to spirlins and we could show how passage rates of the three species decreased with increasing flow velocities, suggesting species‐specific critical slot velocities. Still, these velocities are lower than those currently proposed to generate sufficient attraction flow, which may have implications for fishway design.
Tumor Microenvironment Specific Regulation Ca‐Fe‐Nanospheres for Ferroptosis‐Promoted Domino Synergistic Therapy and Tumor Immune Response
Authors: Chu Xu , Hou Hua‐Ying , Duan Meng‐Die , Zhang Yu‐Juan , Zhu Yu‐Ying , Liu Yi , Li Shu‐Lan
Published: May 2024

Reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐mediated emerging treatments exhibit unique advantages in cancer therapy in recent years. While the efficacy of ROS‐involved tumor therapy is greatly restricted by complex tumor microenvironment (TME). Herein, a dual‐metal CaO2@CDs‐Fe (CCF) nanosphere, with TME response and regulation capabilities, are proposed to improve ROS lethal power by a multiple cascade synergistic therapeutic strategy with domino effect. In response to weak acidic TME, CCF will decompose, accompanied with intracellular Ca2+ upregulated and abundant H2O2 and O2 produced to reverse antitherapeutic TME. Then the exposed CF cores can act as both Fenton agent and sonosensitizer to generate excessive ROS in the regulated TME for enhanced synergistic CDT/SDT. In combination with calcium overloading, the augmented ROS induced oxidative stress will cause more severe mitochondrial damage and cellular apoptosis. Furthermore, CCF can also reduce GPX4 expression and enlarge the lipid peroxidation, causing ferroptosis and apoptosis in parallel. These signals of damage will finally initiate damage‐associated molecular patterns to activate immune response and to realize excellent antitumor effect. This outstanding domino ROS/calcium loading synergistic effect endows CCF with excellent anticancer effect to efficiently eliminate tumor by apoptosis/ferroptosis/ICD both in vitro and in vivo.
High Safety Electrolyte Design for Enabling High Energy‐Density System of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2//Phosphorus by Simultaneously Adjusting Dual Electrode/Electrolyte Interfaces
Authors: Fang Siyu , Han Chengyu , Zhang Shaojie , Cao Yu , Ma Kang , Zhang Yiming , Han Xinpeng , Wang Juan , Sun Jie
Published: May 2024

The demand for state‐of‐the‐art high‐energy‐density lithium‐ion batteries is increasing. However, the low specific capacity of electrode materials in conventional full‐cell systems cannot meet the requirements. Ni‐rich layered oxide cathodes such as Li(Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1)O2 (NCM811) have a high theoretical specific capacity of 200 mAh g−1, but it is always accompanied by side reactions on the electrode/electrolyte interface. Phosphorus anode possesses a high theoretical specific capacity of 2596 mAh g−1, but it has a huge volume expansion (≈300%). Herein, a highly compatible and secure electrolyte is reported via introducing an additive with a narrow electrochemical window, Lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate (LiDFOB), into 1 m LiPF6 EC/DMC with tris (2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl) phosphate (TFEP) as a cosolvent. LiDFOB participates in the formation of organic/inorganic hybrid electrode/electrolyte interface layers at both the cathode and anode sides. The side reactions on the surface of the NCM811 cathode and the volume expansion of the phosphorus anode are effectively alleviated. The NCM811//RP full cell in this electrolyte shows high capacity retention of 82% after 150 cycles at a 0.5C rate. Meanwhile, the electrolyte shows non‐flammability. This work highlights the importance of manipulating the electrode/electrolyte interface layers for the design of lithium‐ion batteries with high energy density.
Sulfur Modified Carbon‐Based Single‐Atom Catalysts for Electrocatalytic Reactions
Authors: Li Yinqi , Wei Zihao , Sun Zhiyi , Zhai Huazhang , Li Shenghua , Chen Wenxing
Published: May 2024

Efficient and sustainable energy development is a powerful tool for addressing the energy and environmental crises. Single‐atom catalysts (SACs) have received high attention for their extremely high atom utilization efficiency and excellent catalytic activity, and have broad application prospects in energy development and chemical production. M‐N4 is an active center model with clear catalytic activity, but its catalytic properties such as catalytic activity, selectivity, and durability need to be further improved. Adjustment of the coordination environment of the central metal by incorporating heteroatoms (e.g., sulfur) is an effective and feasible modification method. This paper describes the precise synthetic methods for introducing sulfur atoms into M‐N4 and controlling whether they are directly coordinated with the central metal to form a specific coordination configuration, the application of sulfur‐doped carbon‐based single‐atom catalysts in electrocatalytic reactions such as ORR, CO2RR, HER, OER, and other electrocatalytic reaction are systematically reviewed. Meanwhile, the effect of the tuning of the electronic structure and ligand configuration parameters of the active center due to doped sulfur atoms with the improvement of catalytic performance is introduced by combining different characterization and testing methods. Finally, several opinions on development of sulfur‐doped carbon‐based SACs are put forward.
An approach for serious game design and development based on iterative evaluation
Authors: Ben Amara Besma , Mhiri Sellami Hedia , Ben Said Lamjed
Published: May 2024

Serious games (SGs) are valuable tools for learning, training, and improving skills in various domains because they engage and motivate players to achieve planned processes to reach objectives. Several works provided methods, models, and frameworks to support SG development. However, designers, developers, teachers, and researchers face challenges in creating SG with entertainment and learning balance, and many designed games still do not fulfill the main intended objectives. This paper introduces an approach, called SGDA‐IE with phases and steps to follow during the entire SG design process. It was built on literature review and SG design challenges designers need to consider from the early stages when creating SG. The proposed approach is founded on three perspectives: software engineering best practices, video game industry practices, and SG success factors and provides means to overcome the investigated design challenges. These are characteristics taxonomy model, requirements specification approach, and artifacts iterative evaluation by designer, domain expert, and players. To assess our approach efficacy, we conceived a health, safety, and environment (HSE) training SG for workers on fuel storage sites and petroleum installations. The feedback received is positive and indicates a favorable specification method of the SG, effective participatory design, and control over requirements evolution. The SG playtesting reveals a significant involvement of participants and efficient tracking of the knowledge acquisition.
Phase‐Stabilized Nickel–Molybdenum Electrocatalyst by Samarium Doping for Hydrogen Evolution in Alkaline Water Electrolysis
Authors: Wang Aoqi , Chen Jun , An Xiurui , Chi Haibo , Yao Tingting , Li Can
Published: May 2024

Although the nickel–molybdenum electrocatalyst exhibits excellent activity in the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), its stability is poor mainly due to molybdenum leaching. This work reports that doping samarium into nickel–molybdenum electrocatalyst effectively suppresses molybdenum leaching by forming a stable phase consisting of Sm, Mo, and O elements. The resulting electrode displays no noticeable activity degradation during the long‐term testing (> 850 h) under a current density of 500 mA cm−2 in 1 м KOH. This enhanced stability is ascribed to the formation of a robust phase within the HER potential windows in alkaline electrolytes, as evidenced by the Pourbaix diagram. Furthermore, the samarium‐modified electrocatalyst exhibits increased activity, with the overpotential decreasing by ≈59 mV from 159 to 100 mV at 500 mA cm−2 compared to the unmodified counterpart. These remarkable properties stem from samarium doping, which not only facilitates the formation of a stable phase to inhibit molybdenum leaching but also adjusts the electronic properties of molybdenum to enhance water dissociation.