bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the waiting-time process in a single-line queue with repeated calls
Authors: Falin G. I.
Published: April 2006

Waiting time in a queueing system is usually measured by a period from the epoch when a subscriber enters the system until the service starting epoch. For repeated orders queueing systems it is natural to measure the waiting time by the number of repeated attempts, R, which have to be made by a blocked primary call customer before the call enters service. We study this problem for the M/M/1/1 retrial queue and derive expressions for mean, variance and generating function of R. Limit theorems are stated for heavy- and light-traffic cases.
A quasi-likelihood approach to estimating parameters in diffusion-type processes
Authors: Heyde C. C.
Published: April 2006

Estimation of parameters in diffusion models is usually handled by maximum likelihood and involves the calculation of a Radon–Nikodym derivative. This methodology is often not available when minor changes are made to the model. However, these complications can usually be avoided and results obtained under more general conditions using quasi-likelihood methods. The basic ideas are explained in this paper and are illustrated through discussion of the Cox–Ingersoll–Ross model and a modification of the Langevin model.
Reward processes with nonlinear reward functions
Authors: Soltani A. Reza
Published: April 2006

Based on a semi-Markov process J(t), t ≧ 0, a reward process Z(t), t ≧ 0, is introduced where it is assumed that the reward function, p(k, x) is nonlinear; if the reward function is linear, i.e. ρ (k, x) = kx, the reward process Z(t), t ≧ 0, becomes the classical one, which has been considered by many authors. An explicit formula for E(Z(t)) is given in terms of the moments of the sojourn time distribution at t, when the reward function is a polynomial.
Restrictions on the saddle-point solution in the game of teamball
Authors: Cowan Richard , Yu Philip L. H. , Ferguson Thomas S.
Published: April 2006

Cowan (1992) has addressed the question of how a team should allocate its players to achieve the optimal balance between offence and defence. He posed a simple territorial game called ‘Teamball' and derived a saddle-point solution under conditions which are claimed to be fairly general. In this paper we find that some restrictions are indeed required, leading to an interesting analysis.
Incidence and Factors Associated With Second Primary Invasive Melanoma in Norway
Authors: Ghiasvand Reza , Green Adele C. , Veierød Marit B. , Robsahm Trude E.
Published: February 2024

Importance

Patients diagnosed with a primary melanoma are at high risk of subsequent melanomas. Understanding the risk of second primary invasive melanoma and associated factors is crucial to optimize patient follow-up.

Objective

To assess the incidence rate of second primary invasive melanoma and time between the first and second primary invasive melanoma in the Norwegian population.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This population-based cohort study included data from deidentified records of all invasive melanomas diagnosed in Norway in 2008 to 2020, obtained from the Cancer Registry of Norway. Data were from adults aged 18 years or older diagnosed with a first primary melanoma. Data analysis was performed from March to August 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcome was the incidence rate of second primary invasive melanoma at least 30 days after the first. Accelerated failure time models were fitted to examine potential associations with patient and tumor characteristics. Median time between first and second primary melanomas and 95% CIs were calculated. The likelihood of, and median interval for, second primary melanomas on the same or different site as the first primary were calculated.

Results

A total of 19 196 individuals aged 18 years or older were diagnosed with a first primary melanoma. The mean (SD) age at diagnosis of the first primary melanoma was 62 (16) years (range, 18-104 years), and 9763 (51%) were female. The incidence rate in the year following diagnosis was 16.8 (95% CI, 14.9-18.7) per 1000 person-years, which decreased to 7.3 (95% CI, 6.0-8.6) during the second year and stabilized thereafter. Median time between first and second primaries decreased with advancing age and was 37 months (95% CI, 8-49) in patients younger than 40 years, 18 (95% CI, 13-24) in patients aged 50 to 59 years, and 11 (95% CI, 7-18) in patients aged 80 years or older. The second primary was on the same site as their first primary for 47% (359 patients), and on a different site for 53% (407 patients). The median interval until second melanoma on the same site as the initial melanoma was 12 (95% CI, 7-19) months in men and 22 (95% CI, 11-35) months in women.

Conclusions and Relevance

Older age and male sex were associated with an increased risk, suggesting that increased surveillance intensity may be considered for men, especially those older than 50 years, for at least 3 years after their initial diagnosis, regardless of the characteristics of their first invasive melanoma.
Geographic and Demographic Differences in the Proportion of Individuals Living in Households With a Firearm, 1990-2018
Authors: Morral Andrew R. , Smart Rosanna , Schell Terry L. , Vegetabile Brian , Thomas Emma
Published: February 2024

Importance

Measures of the proportion of individuals living in households with a firearm (HFR), over time, across states, and by demographic groups are needed to evaluate disparities in firearm violence and the effects of firearm policies.

Objective

To estimate HFR across states, years, and demographic groups in the US.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this survey study, substate HFR totals from 1990 to 2018 were estimated using bayesian multilevel regression with poststratification to analyze survey data on HFR from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and the General Social Survey. HFR was estimated for 16 substate demographic groups defined by gender, race, marital status, and urbanicity in each state and year.

Exposures

Survey responses indicating household firearm ownership were analyzed and compared with a common proxy for firearm ownership, the fraction of suicides completed with a firearm (FSS).

Main Outcome and Measure

HFR, FSS, and their correlations and differences.

Results

Among US adults in 2018, HFR was significantly higher among married, nonurban, non-Hispanic White and American Indian male individuals (65.0%; 95% credible interval [CI], 61.5%-68.7%) compared with their unmarried, urban, female counterparts from other racial and ethnic groups (7.3%; 95% CIs, 6.0%-9.2%). Marginal HFR rates for larger demographic groups also revealed important differences, with racial minority groups and urban dwellers having less than half the HFR of either White and American Indian (39.5%; 95% CI, 37.4%-42.9% vs 17.2%; 95% CI, 15.5%-19.9%) or nonurban populations (46.0%; 95% CI, 43.8%-49.5% vs 23.1%; 95% CI, 21.3%-26.2%). Population growth among groups less likely to own firearms, rather than changes in ownership within demographic groups, explains 30% of the 7 percentage point decline in HFR nationally from 1990 to 2018. Comparing HFR estimates with FSS revealed the expected high overall correlation across states (r = 0.84), but scaled FSS differed from HFR by as many as 20 percentage points for some states and demographic groups.

Conclusions and Relevance

This survey study of HFR providing detailed, publicly available HFR estimates highlights key disparities among individuals in households with firearms across states and demographic groups; it also identifies potential biases in the use of FSS as a proxy for firearm ownership rates. These findings are essential for researchers, policymakers, and public health experts looking to address geographic and demographic disparities in firearm violence.
Refining Asymmetric Low‐Coordinated Fe‐N3 Motif to Boost Catalytic Ozonation Activity
Authors: Qu Wei , Tang Su , Tang Zhuoyun , Zhong Tao , Zhao Huinan , Tian Shuanghong , Shu Dong , He Chun
Published: February 2024

In the quest to boost the intrinsic activity of single‐atom catalysts (SACs), optimizing the electronic properties of metal centers and maximizing active sites play a pivotal role. Here, a facile surface molten salt‐assisted approach for fabricating porous iron‐nitrogen‐carbon catalysts enriched with catalytically accessible single‐atom motifs is reported. Multiple characterization analyses prove that abundant intrinsic defects are generated at the edge sites, resulting in the formation of thermally stable unstitched Fe‐N3 motif. Theoretical investigations unveil that the transition from Fe‐N4 to Fe‐N3 induces structural alteration, resulting in the convergence of Fe‐3d orbital energy to Fermi energy. The low‐coordinated Fe‐N3 motif exhibits higher activation ability, reinforcing its interaction with O3 and weakening the O‐O bond. This leads to a reduction in the reactivity of surface atomic oxygen barriers (O3‐to‐*O/*OO), ultimately achieving efficient catalytic oxidation of methyl mercaptan and its intermediates, achieving performance 20‐fold higher than intact Fe‐N4 catalysts and 625‐fold higher than commercial MnO2. These findings present a comprehensive approach for synthesizing SACs with fully accessible active sites and boosted electronic configurations to advance catalytic ozonation activity.
An Approach for Fabricating Hierarchically Porous Cell‐Laden Constructs Utilizing a Highly Porous Collagen‐Bioink
Authors: Koo YoungWon , Kim GeunHyung
Published: February 2024

In bioprinting procedures, bioinks typically comprise hydrogels, necessitating a balance between printability and bioactivity. Achieving good printability requires a relatively high hydrogel viscosity, but this can reduce bioactivity due to poor cell‐to‐cell interactions of the encapsulated cells. Therefore, developing hydrogels with excellent printability and bioactivity is a significant challenge in bioprinting. Here, a collagen‐based bioink with excellent printability and bioactivity is developed. The bioink is prepared through a two‐step process: first, by subjecting the bioink to whipping to create a non‐homogeneous porous structure, and subsequently, by employing centrifugation to refine this porous structure into a uniform and relatively smaller microscale porous structure (with a specific diameter of 15.7 ± 9.2 µm). Using the designed bioink, a hierarchical porous structure is fabricated without any special equipment or supporting/sacrificing materials. To demonstrate the feasibility of the collagen bioink laden with human adipose stem cells, a hierarchical cell construct is fabricated using a bioprinter. The construct exhibits significantly enhanced cellular activities and superior osteogenic differentiation compared to the bioprinted cell constructs using normal collagen bioink. These findings suggest that collagen‐based bioinks, which are both printable and bioactive, hold significant promise for extensive utilization in a variety of tissue regeneration applications.
Immunoengineering Biomaterials for Musculoskeletal Tissue Repair across Lifespan
Authors: Han Jin , Rindone Alexandra N. , Elisseeff Jennifer H.
Published: February 2024

Musculoskeletal diseases and injuries are among the leading causes of pain and morbidity worldwide. Broad efforts have focused on developing pro‐regenerative biomaterials to treat musculoskeletal conditions; however, these approaches have yet to make a significant clinical impact. Recent studies have demonstrated that the immune system is central in orchestrating tissue repair and that targeting pro‐regenerative immune responses can improve biomaterial therapeutic outcomes. However, aging is a critical factor negatively affecting musculoskeletal tissue repair and immune function. Hence, understanding how age affects the response to biomaterials is essential for improving musculoskeletal biomaterial therapies. This review focuses on the intersection of the immune system and aging in response to biomaterials for musculoskeletal tissue repair. The article introduces the general impacts of aging on tissue physiology, the immune system, and the response to biomaterials. Then, it explains how the adaptive immune system guides the response to injury and biomaterial implants in cartilage, muscle, and bone and discusses how aging impacts these processes in each tissue type. The review concludes by highlighting future directions for the development and translation of personalized immunomodulatory biomaterials for musculoskeletal tissue repair.
Anisotropic Morphing in Bistable Kirigami through Symmetry Breaking and Geometric Frustration
Authors: Qiao Chuan , Agnelli Filippo , Pokkalla Deepak Kumar , D'Ambrosio Nicholas , Pasini Damiano
Published: February 2024

Shape morphing in bistable kirigami enables remarkable functionalities appealing to a diverse range of applications across the spectrum of length scale. At the core of their shape shifting lies the architecture of their repeating unit, where highly deformable slits and quasi‐rigid rotating units often exhibit multiple symmetries that confer isotropic deployment obeying uniform scaling transformation. In this work, symmetry breaking in bistable kirigami is investigated to access geometric frustration and anisotropic morphing, enabling arbitrarily scaled deployment in planar and spatial bistable domains. With an analysis on their symmetry properties complemented by a systematic investigation integrating semi‐analytical derivations, numerical simulations, and experiments on elastic kirigami sheets, this work unveils the fundamental relations between slit symmetry, geometric frustration, and anisotropic bistable deployment. Furthermore, asymmetric kirigami units are leveraged in planar and flat‐to‐3D demonstrations to showcase the pivotal role of shear deformation in achieving target shapes and functions so far unattainable with uniformly stretchable kirigami. The insights provided in this work unveil the role of slit symmetry breaking in controlling the anisotropic bistable deployment of soft kirigami metamaterials, enriching the range of achievable functionalities for applications spanning deployable space structures, wearable technologies, and soft machines.
Coherent‐Resonance Enhancement of Sensing at the Exceptional Points
Authors: Chen Jingming , Xie Qinnan , Zhang Jingjing , Li Zhuo , Cui Tie Jun , Luo Yu
Published: February 2024

The branch point singularities in the Riemann surface of the parameter space are known as the exceptional points (EPs), at which two or more eigenvalues and their associated eigenvectors simultaneously coalesce. The abrupt bifurcation property around an EP shows a strong spectral response to external perturbations, and hence, is exploited as a new approach to ultrasensitive sensors. Recently, an intriguing proposal for implementing second‐order EPs in optical resonators with external perturbations has shown the superiority of non‐Hermitian degeneracies in the enhancement of sensing. Of particular importance is further improving the sensitivity to even greater extents. To this end, a novel physical mechanism is proposed, namely introducing extra resonances of external Rayleigh scatterers to accomplish strong‐coupling augmentation in sensing. The results, grounded by both theoretical coupled‐mode‐theory calculations and experimental spectral‐domain measurements, show that the EP‐based sensor working at the coherent resonance equips simultaneously substantial perturbation strength and azimuth sensitivity even subjected to extremely weak perturbations. This work paves the way to a new class of highly functional tunable sensors for applications in optics, microwave and acoustics.
Triggering Long Persistent Luminescence From Functionalizable Carbon Dots‐in‐Carbon Nitrides Composites Via Production of Deep‐Traps
Authors: Feng Linger , Jiang Kai , Xu Yixuan , Tong Xinyuan , Zhou Zuxu , Li Fengshi , Wang Xiaomeng , Zhang Yi , Lin Hengwei
Published: February 2024

Dispersible and functionalizable long persistent luminescent (LPL) materials are highly desired for flexible use of LPL in various fields. However, synthesizing metal‐free LPL systems with stable long‐lived intermediates and reactive surface groups, which are key requirements for robust LPL and the ability to be functionalized, has proven to be challenging. Herein, the microwave‐assisted preparation of carbon dots (CDs)‐based LPL materials is demonstrated with abundant surface amino groups via in situ embedding of CDs into carbon nitrides (CNs). The incorporation of CDs leads to the formation of deep traps and promotes exciton transmission between CDs and trap states, contributing to the generation of LPL. By varying the embedded CDs, tunable LPL ranging from blue to yellow can be achieved, with a duration exceeding 10 min. Due to the covalent bonding between CDs and CNs, the materials (named CDs@CNs) exhibit robust LPL under ambient conditions and evenly dispersed in water through ultrasonic treatment. Furthermore, the surface amino groups serve as sites for further modification, allowing for on‐demand performance design and control, such as adjustable hydrophilicity–hydrophobicity for various applications. This work provides new insights into designing superior flexible CDs‐based LPL materials and expanding the domain of metal‐free LPL materials.
Quantile Correlation‐Based Sufficient Variable Screening by Controlling False Discovery Rate
Authors: Qiu Han , Chen Jiaqing , Yuan Zihao
Published: February 2024

Sufficient variable screening (SVS) with the false discovery rate (FDR) controlled rapidly reduces dimensionality with high probability in high dimensional modeling. By using quantiles, this paper proposes a new SVS procedure by controlling the FDR based on two‐stage Pearson's goodness testing with Chi‐square statistics for high dimensional data, abbreviated as QC‐SVS‐FDR. Without any specified distribution of the actual model, the QC‐SVS‐FDR method screens important predictors by a series of testing procedures combined with the adaptive composite of Pearson's chi‐square statistics. The quantile correlation‐based sufficient utility is sensitive to capture the subtle correlations under different quantile levels and is easy to implement with computational efficiency. Asymptotic results and sufficient screening properties of the proposed methods are obtained under mild conditions. Numerical studies including simulation studies and real data analysis demonstrate the advantages of the proposed method in practical settings.
Gasdermin‐E‐Dependent Non‐Canonical Pyroptosis Promotes Drug‐Induced Liver Failure by Promoting CPS1 deISGylation and Degradation
Authors: Ouyang Shen‐Xi , Zhu Jia‐Hui , Cao Qi , Liu Jian , Zhang Zhen , Zhang Yan , Wu Jing‐Wen , Sun Si‐Jia , Fu Jiang‐Tao , Chen Yi‐Ting , Tong Jie , Liu Yi , Zhang Jia‐Bao , Shen Fu‐Ming , Li Dong‐Jie , Wang Pei
Published: February 2024

Drug‐induced liver injury (DILI) is a significant global health issue that poses high mortality and morbidity risks. One commonly observed cause of DILI is acetaminophen (APAP) overdose. GSDME is an effector protein that induces non‐canonical pyroptosis. In this study, the activation of GSDME, but not GSDMD, in the liver tissue of mice and patients with APAP‐DILI is reported. Knockout of GSDME, rather than GSDMD, in mice protected them from APAP‐DILI. Mice with hepatocyte‐specific rescue of GSDME reproduced APAP‐induced liver injury. Furthermore, alterations in the immune cell pools observed in APAP‐induced DILI, such as the replacement of TIM4+ resident Kupffer cells (KCs) by monocyte‐derived KCs, Ly6C+ monocyte infiltration, MerTk+ macrophages depletion, and neutrophil increase, reappeared in mice with hepatocyte‐specific rescue of GSDME. Mechanistically, APAP exposure led to a substantial loss of interferon‐stimulated gene 15 (ISG15), resulting in deISGylation of carbamoyl phosphate synthetase‐1 (CPS1), promoted its degradation via K48‐linked ubiquitination, causing ammonia clearance dysfunction. GSDME deletion prevented these effects. Delayed administration of dimethyl‐fumarate inhibited GSDME cleavage and alleviated ammonia accumulation, mitigating liver injury. This findings demonstrated a previously uncharacterized role of GSDME in APAP‐DILI by promoting pyroptosis and CPS1 deISGylation, suggesting that inhibiting GSDME can be a promising therapeutic option for APAP‐DILI.
Single‐Layered Imine‐Linked Porphyrin‐Based Two‐Dimensional Covalent Organic Frameworks Targeting CO2 Reduction
Authors: Arisnabarreta Nicolás , Hao Yansong , Jin Enquan , Salamé Aude , Muellen Klaus , Robert Marc , Lazzaroni Roberto , Van Aert Sandra , Mali Kunal S. , De Feyter Steven
Published: February 2024

The reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) using porphyrin‐containing 2D covalent organic frameworks (2D‐COFs) catalysts is widely explored nowadays. While these framework materials are normally fabricated as powders followed by their uncontrolled surface heterogenization or directly grown as thin films (thickness >200 nm), very little is known about the performance of substrate‐supported single‐layered (≈0.5 nm thickness) 2D‐COFs films (s2D‐COFs) due to its highly challenging synthesis and characterization protocols. In this work, a fast and straightforward fabrication method of porphyrin‐containing s2D‐COFs is demonstrated, which allows their extensive high‐resolution visualization via scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) in liquid conditions with the support of STM simulations. The as‐prepared single‐layered film is then employed as a cathode for the electrochemical reduction of CO2. Fe porphyrin‐containing s2D‐COF@graphite used as a single‐layered heterogeneous catalyst provided moderate‐to‐high carbon monoxide selectivity (82%) and partial CO current density (5.1 mA cm−2). This work establishes the value of using single‐layered films as heterogene ous catalysts and demonstrates the possibility of achieving high performance in CO2 reduction even with extremely low catalyst loadings.
Identification of the factor affecting learning curves of laparoscopic gastrectomy through the experience at a Japanese high‐volume center over the last decade
Authors: Izumi Daisuke , Nunobe Souya , Ishizuka Naoki , Yagi Taisuke , Hayami Masaru , Makuuchi Rie , Ohashi Manabu , Watanabe Masayuki , Sano Takeshi
Published: February 2024

Background

Though laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) has become the gold standard for gastric cancer treatment according to the Japanese treatment guidelines, its learning curve remains steep. Decreasing numbers of surgeons and transitions in the work environment have changed LG training recently. We analyzed LG training over the last decade to identify factors affecting the learning curve.

Study Design

Laparoscopic distal and pylorus‐preserving gastrectomies conducted between 2010 and 2020 were included. We assessed learning curves based on the standard operation time (SOT) defined by analysis of covariance. Then we divided the trainees into two groups based on the length of the learning curve and examined the factors affecting the learning curve with linear regression analysis.

Results

Among 2335 LGs, 960 cases treated by 27 trainees and 1301 cases treated by six attending surgeons were analyzed. The operation time was prolonged (p = 0.009) and postoperative morbidity rates were lower (p = 0.0003) for cases treated by trainees. Trainees experienced 38 (range, 9–81) cases as scopists and nine (range, 0–41) cases as first assistants to the first operator. The learning curve was approximately 30 cases. The SOT was calculated based on gender, body mass index, tumor location, reconstruction, and lymph node dissection. Trainees who had shorter learning curves had more experience (51–100 cases) with any laparoscopic surgery before LG training than the others (11–50 cases, p = 0.017).

Conclusion

Sufficient experience with laparoscopic surgery before starting LG training might contribute to the efficiency of LG training and shorten the learning curve.
Religious minority identity associates with stress and psychological health among Muslim and Hindu women in Bangladesh and London
Authors: Dornisch S. J. , Sievert L. L. , Sharmeen T. , Begum K. , Muttukrishna S. , Chowdhury O. , Bentley G. R.
Published: February 2024

Objectives

This study examined the association of minority religious identification (Hindu or Muslim) with self‐reported stress and psychological symptoms among sedentee and immigrant Bangladeshi women.

Methods

Women, aged 35–59 (n = 531) were drawn from Sylhet, Bangladesh and London, England. Muslim immigrants in London and Hindu sedentees in Sylhet represented minority religious identities. Muslim sedentees in Sylhet and Londoners of European descent represented majority religious identities. In bivariate analyses, minority religious identity was examined in relation to self‐reported measures of stress, nervous tension, and depressed mood. Logistic regression was applied to examine the relationship between these variables while adjusting for marital status, parity, daily walking, and perceived financial comfort.

Results

In bivariate analyses, religious minorities reported more stress than religious majorities in all group comparisons (p < .05), and minority Muslims reported more nervous tension and depressed mood than majority Muslims (p < .05). In logistic regression models, minority Muslims had greater odds of high stress than majority Muslims (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.18–3.39). Minority Muslims had greater odds of stress (OR 3.05, 95% CI 1.51–6.17) and nervous tension (OR 3.37, 95% CI 1.66–6.87) than majority Londoners. Financial comfort reduced odds of stress and symptoms in all models.

Conclusions

Socioeconomic situation, immigration history, and minority ethnicity appear to influence the relationship between religious identity and psychosomatic symptoms in Bangladeshi women. Attention to personal and socioeconomic context is important for research examining the association between religion and mental health.
Photoresponsive Covalent Organic Frameworks: Visible‐Light Controlled Conversion of Porous Structures and Its Impacts
Authors: Feng Yu , Wang Guangtong , Liu Ruoyang , Ye Xingyao , Tao Shanshan , Addicoat Matthew A. , Li Zhongping , Jiang Qiuhong , Jiang Donglin
Published: February 2024

Covalent organic frameworks are a novel class of crystalline porous polymers that enable molecular design of extended polygonal skeletons to attain well‐defined porous structures. However, construction of a framework that allows remote control of pores remains a challenge. Here we report a strategy that merges covalent, noncovalent, and photo chemistries to design photoresponsive frameworks with reversibly and remotely controllable pores. We developed a topology‐guided multicomponent polycondensation system that integrates protruded tetrafluoroazobenzene units as photoresponsive sites on pore walls at predesigned densities, so that a series of crystalline porous frameworks with the same backbone can be constructed to develop a broad spectrum of pores ranging from mesopores to micropores. Distinct from conventional azobenzene‐based systems, the tetrafluoroazobenzene frameworks are highly sensitive to visible lights to undergo high‐rate isomerization. The photoisomerization exerts profound effects on pore size, shape, number, and environment, as well as molecular uptake and release, rendering the system able to convert and switch pores reversibly and remotely with visible lights. Our results open a way to a novel class of smart porous materials with pore structures and functions that are convertible and manageable with visible lights.
Extended Enrichment for Ultrasensitive Detection of Low‐Frequency Mutations by Long Blocker Displacement Amplification
Authors: Si Yunpei , Wang Xiawen , Su Xinglei , Weng Zhi , Hu Qiongzheng , Li Qian , Fan Chunhai , Zhang David Yu , Wang Yunshan , Luo Shihua , Song Ping
Published: February 2024

Detecting low‐frequency DNA mutations hotspots cluster is critical for cancer diagnosis but remains challenging. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) is constrained by sensitivity, and allele‐specific PCR is restricted by throughput. Here we develop a long blocker displacement amplification (LBDA) coupled with qPCR for ultrasensitive and multiplexed variants detection. By designing long blocker oligos to perfectly match wildtype sequences while mispairing with mutants, long blockers enable 14–44 nt enrichment regions which is 2‐fold longer than normal BDA in the experiments. For wild template with a specific nucleotide, LBDA can detect different mutation types down to 0.5 % variant allele frequency (VAF) in one reaction, with median enrichment fold of 1,000 on 21 mutant DNA templates compared to the wild type. We applied LBDA‐qPCR to detect KRAS and NRAS mutation hotspots, utilizing a single plex assay capable of covering 81 mutations and tested in synthetic templates and colorectal cancer tissue samples. Moreover, the mutation types were verified through Sanger sequencing, demonstrating concordance with results obtained from next generation sequencing. Overall, LBDA‐qPCR provides a simple yet ultrasensitive approach for multiplexed detection of low VAF mutations hotspots, presenting a powerful tool for cancer diagnosis and monitoring.
Selective Electrochemical Modification and Degradation of Polymers
Authors: Hughes Rhys W. , Marquez Joshua D. , Young James B. , Garrison John B. , Zastrow Isabella S. , Evans Austin M. , Sumerlin Brent S.
Published: February 2024

We demonstrate that electrochemical‐induced decarboxylation enables reliable post‐polymerization modification and degradation of polymers. Polymers containing N‐(acryloxy)phthalimides were subjected to electrochemical decarboxylation under mild conditions, which led to the formation of transient alkyl radicals. By installing these redox‐active units, we systematically modified the pendent groups and chain ends of polyacrylates. This approach enabled the production of poly(ethylene‐co‐methyl acrylate) and poly(propylene‐co‐methyl acrylate) copolymers, which are difficult to synthesize by direct polymerization. Spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques reveal these transformations are near‐quantitative on several polymer systems. Electrochemical decarboxylation also enables the degradation of all‐methacrylate poly(N‐(methacryloxy)phthalimide‐co‐methyl methacrylate) copolymers with a degradation efficiency of >95 %. Chain cleavage is achieved through the decarboxylation of the N‐hydroxyphthalimide ester and subsequent β‐scission of the backbone radical. Electrochemistry is thus shown to be a powerful tool in selective polymer transformations and controlled macromolecular degradation.
Anticancer activity and morphological analysis of Pt (II) complexes: Their DFT approach, docking simulation, and ADME‐Tox profiling
Authors: Rossi Arianna , Stagno Claudio , Piperno Anna , Iraci Nunzio , Panseri Silvia , Montesi Monica , Feizi‐Dehnayebi Mehran , Bassi Giada , Di Pietro Maria Letizia , Micale Nicola
Published: February 2024

A consistent series of Pt (II) polypyridyl complexes (i.e., LDP‐10–25), previously obtained and characterized by our research group, underwent extensive biological investigations to verify their activity profile as target‐based anticancer agents. Preliminary in vitro screening at 10 μM against three tumor cell lines known to overexpress DNA G‐4 (MDA‐MB 231, U87, and U2‐OS) pointed out that four of them, namely, LDP‐15, LDP‐16, LDP‐24, and LDP‐25, had promising cytotoxic activity compared with cisplatin. Therefore, these four compounds were selected for continuous assays against the same three cell lines and morphological analyses on U2‐OS cells that showed IC50 values in the micromolar range and remarkable changes in nuclei shape and cytoskeleton integrity, respectively. Docking studies supported the idea that the antiproliferative activity of the complexes could be attributed to their interaction via a hybrid binding mode with the intended molecular target, DNA G‐4. In addition, in silico ADME‐Tox profiling studies showed no risk of tumorigenic, irritant, or reproductive effects for the title compounds. DFT calculations were used to verify the structural characteristics of the four selected compounds and to investigate their electronic behavior. Overall, the results obtained, both experimentally and theoretically, indicate that LDP‐15, LDP‐16, LDP‐24, and LDP‐25 complexes could be useful for further study as potential therapeutic agents.
Alternative during‐growth chlorination of sputtered CdTe films and their implementation as activating layers in CdS/CdTe solar cells
Authors: Calderón‐Martínez Abraham Israel , Jiménez‐Sandoval Omar , Rodríguez‐Melgarejo Francisco , Hernández‐Landaverde Martín Adelaido , Flores‐Ruiz Francisco Javier , Jiménez‐Sandoval Sergio Joaquín
Published: February 2024

Cadmium telluride is an efficient light absorbing material successfully used in solar cell technology. The efficiency of such photovoltaic devices is strongly dependent on post‐deposition thermal treatments in the presence of chlorine. The benefits of this process on the absorbing layer include removal of intragrain defects, grain growth enhancement, and grain boundaries passivation. The absorber chlorination is a crucial step for which CdCl2 is the most common choice. Its use, however, has been overshadowed by the toxicity of Cd‐ and Cl‐containing vapors and residues. In this work, chlorine was incorporated in CdTe films during growth using sputtering targets with different chloride compounds: CdCl2, TeCl4, BaCl2, CaCl2, or LiCl. After characterizing these films, CdTe:CdCl2 and CdTe:TeCl4 were selected as feasible absorbers for testing their performance in photovoltaic devices. Efficiencies near 7% were obtained in as‐grown unoptimized cells in which the absorber consisted of two layers: pristine CdTe and CdTe:CdCl2 or CdTe:TeCl4. The chlorinated layers acted as Cl sources for the adjacent CdTe and CdS, which produced a homogeneous distribution of chlorine throughout the cell. In the during‐growth activating‐layer (DG‐AL) method used here, the chlorine diffusion during growth had a doping effect, passivated grain boundaries and defects, improved the back contact characteristics by reducing the CdTe work function, and lowered the pinhole formation probability by producing a compact chlorinated CdTe layer.
Unlocking High‐Current Performance in Silicon Anode: Synergistic Phosphorus Doping and Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Encapsulation to Enhance Lithium Diffusivity
Authors: Firdaus Arief Muhammad , Hawari Naufal Hanif , Adios Celfi Gustine , Nasution Paramadina Masihi , Peiner Erwin , Wasisto Hutomo Suryo , Sumboja Afriyanti
Published: February 2024

The silicon (Si) offers enormous theoretical capacity as a lithium‐ion battery (LIB) anode. However, the low charge mobility in Si particles hinders its application for high current loading. In this study, ball‐milled phosphorus‐doped Si nanoparticles encapsulated with nitrogen‐doped carbon (P−Si@N−C) are employed as an anode for LIBs. P‐doped Si nanoparticles are first obtained via ball‐milling and calcination of Si with phosphoric acid. N‐doped carbon encapsulation is then introduced via carbonization of the surfactant‐assisted polymerization of pyrrole monomer on P‐doped Si. While P dopant is required to support the stability at high current density, the encapsulation of Si particles with N‐doped carbon is influential in enhancing the overall Li+ diffusivity of the Si anode. The combined approaches improve the anode's Li+ diffusivity up to tenfold compared to the untreated anode. It leads to exceptional anode stability at a high current, retaining 87 % of its initial capacity under a large current rate of 4000 mA g−1. The full‐cell comprising P−Si@N−C anode and LiFePO4 cathode demonstrates 94 % capacity retention of its initial capacity after 100 cycles at 1 C. This study explores the effective strategies to improve Li+ diffusivity for high‐rate Si‐based anode.
Pedagogical tact in the English language teacher education programme
Authors: Arslan Sezen
Published: February 2024

This study fills a major gap in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teacher education by examining the integration of pedagogical tact (PT) in an EFL teacher education programme in Turkey. Through an in‐depth examination of the programme and semi‐structured interviews, this study investigated to what extent PT, including empathising with and motivating learners, effective classroom management, differentiated instruction and support for meaningful decision‐making, is integrated. The qualitative content analysis of the programme demonstrated that many courses in the EFL teacher education programme are consistent with aspects of PT. However, there were a few areas where the programme could be further enhanced to better include all aspects of PT. This includes offering courses on effective communication and decision‐making. The interviews conducted with 21 pre‐service EFL teachers also revealed that most of them acknowledged that the programme is based on their potential teaching needs and challenges. However, they offered suggestions to improve the programme such as adding more technology courses and practice‐based implementations. Throughout the study, recommendations are provided regarding how EFL teacher education programmes could be developed and implemented with more emphasis on PT. Hence, the study's findings have important implications for teacher education programme developers in Turkey and international contexts.
A Review on the Chemical Properties, Plant Sources, Anti‐shock Effects, Pharmacokinetics, Toxicity, and Clinical Applications of Anisodamine
Authors: Xia Qiurui , Pingcuo Raoji , Yang Ce , Xiong Wei , Peng Xiaoyuan , Xia Jing , Wang Wenxiang , Hai Meirong
Published: February 2024

Alkaloids are natural products that occur widely in many herbal plants. Anisodamine, widely present in the Solanaceae family, is an alkaloid extracted from the roots of the Anisodus tanguticus Maxim. It is an antagonist to M‐choline receptors and exhibits diverse pharmacological effects, such as cholinolytic effect, calcium antagonist effect, anti‐oxygenation effect. Anisodamine, a prominent constituent of the tropine alkaloid family, exhibits a range of pharmacological effects akin to those of atropine and scopolamine. owing to its low toxicity and moderate efficacy in clinical to wide applications, especially for varieties of shock treatment. However, there remains a dearth of research regarding the in vivo pharmacokinetics, mechanism of action, and toxicity of anisodamine. Consequently, this paper provides a comprehensive review of the anti‐shock effects, toxicity, and pharmacokinetic characteristics of anisodamine to increase the understanding of its medicinal value, and provide reference and inspiration for the clinical application and further in‐depth research of anisodamine.
Application of Hydrogen‐Bonded Organic Frameworks with Redox‐Active Imide Units as Cathode‐Active Materials in Lithium‐ and Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wakamatsu Katsuhiro , Yamaguchi Yoshihiko , Furuno Soichiro , Wang Heng , Yoshikawa Hirofumi
Published: February 2024

Hydrogen‐bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) have been widely researched and used in industrial fields owing to their relatively low weight and high pore volume. Furthermore, HOFs with redox‐active units have recently gained attention as electrode‐active materials for energy storage devices as well as other porous organic polymers. This study focuses on N,N‐bis(2‐isophthalicacid)naphthalenediimide (ECUT‐HOF‐30), which exhibits good redox and mechanical properties owing to the redox‐active imide units in heterocyclic compounds, and 1,3,6,8‐tetrakis(4‐carboxyphenyl)pyrene (PFC‐1) and 3,3’,5,5’‐tetrakis‐(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐1,1’‐biphenyl (TCBP) without imide units as relatively lightweight HOFs. We evaluated the battery performance using three HOFs with and without redox‐active imide units as cathode active materials for rechargeable lithium‐ion and sodium‐ion batteries (LIBs and SIBs). The HOFs maintained their cycle stability and battery capacities even by HOF formation and ECUT‐HOF‐30 with redox‐active imide units particularly exhibited good battery performance. These results imply the potential of rigid HOFs with redox‐active imide units for realizing high‐performance energy storage devices.
Chimeric Amphiphilic Disinfectants: Quaternary Ammonium/Quaternary Phosphonium Hybrid Structures
Authors: Leatherbury Moneya S. , Thierer Laura M. , Sanchez Christian A. , Vargas‐Cuebas Germán G. , Petersen Ashley A. , Amoo Lauren E. , Bezold Elise L. , Washington Keshyne C. , Mistrot M. Brody , Zdilla Michael J. , Wuest William M. , Minbiole Kevin P. C.
Published: February 2024

Cationic biocides play a crucial role in the disinfection of domestic and healthcare surfaces. Due to the rise of bacterial resistance towards common cationic disinfectants like quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), the development of novel actives is necessary for effective infection prevention and control. Toward this end, a series of 15 chimeric biscationic amphiphilic compounds, bearing both ammonium and phosphonium residues, were prepared to probe the structure and efficacy of mixed cationic ammonium‐phosphonium structures. Compounds were obtained in two steps and good yields, with straightforward and chromatography‐free purifications. Antibacterial activity evaluation of these compounds against a panel of seven bacterial strains, including two MRSA strains as well as opportunistic pathogen A. baumannii, were encouraging, as low micromolar inhibitory activity was observed for multiple structures. Alkyl chain length on the ammonium group was, as expected, a major determinant of bioactivity. In addition, high therapeutic indexes (up to 125‐fold) for triphenyl phosphonium‐bearing amphiphiles were observed when comparing antimicrobial activity to mammalian cell lysis activity.
Research Progress on the Composite Methods of Composite Electrolytes for Solid‐State Lithium Batteries
Authors: Wang Xu , Huang Sipeng , Peng Yiting , Min Yulin , Xu Qunjie
Published: February 2024

In the current challenging energy storage and conversion landscape, solid‐state lithium metal batteries with high energy conversion efficiency, high energy density, and high safety stand out. Due to the limitations of material properties, it is difficult to achieve the ideal requirements of solid electrolytes with a single‐phase electrolyte. A composite solid electrolyte is composed of two or more different materials. Composite electrolytes can simultaneously offer the advantages of multiple materials. Through different composite methods, the merits of various materials can be incorporated into the most essential part of the battery in a specific form. Currently, more and more researchers are focusing on composite methods for combining components in composite electrolytes. The ion transport capacity, interface stability, machinability, and safety of electrolytes can be significantly improved by selecting appropriate composite methods. This review summarizes the composite methods used for the components of composite electrolytes, such as filler blending, embedded framework, and multilayer bonding. It also discusses the future development trends of all‐solid‐state lithium batteries (ASSLBs).
Rectifier load modeling and zero voltage switching design of inductive power transfer system with S‐type topology on the secondary side
Authors: Shen Haomin , Sun Pan , Wang Yuxiao , Wang Xiaona , Wang Lei , Liang Yan
Published: February 2024

Rectifier load in inductive power transfer system has nonlinear characteristics. However, the traditional analysis method equates it to a pure resistor, which leads to a certain deviation between the theoretical analysis and the actual circuit. This will reduce the accuracy of the inductive power transfer (IPT) system model and affect the soft switching operation of the inverter. In this paper, the IPT system with S‐type topology on the secondary side is studied. Firstly, the resistance–inductance characteristics of the rectifier load are analyzed by simulation, and then a second‐order circuit response model is established to solve the time‐domain expression of voltage and current. Then, the fundamental component of voltage and current is extracted by Fourier transform to calculate the impedance value of the rectifier load, and the mathematical calculation model of the rectifier load is established. On this basis, the influence of the inductive component of the rectifier load on the input impedance of the IPT system is analyzed. Then, a parameter design method for zero voltage switching is proposed for S‐S and LCC‐S topologies. Finally, an experimental platform of S‐S and LCC‐S IPT system is built. The correctness and effectiveness of the theoretical analysis and the proposed parameter design method are verified by experiments.
Electrochemical capacitance and hydrogen adsorption behavior of activated carbon derived from cattail fiber
Authors: Achayalingam Ramesh , Basu Sourabh , Rao Prins Kumar , Pandey Jyotsana , Selvaraj Nivetha , Selvam Jayachitra , Hudson M. Sterlin Leo
Published: February 2024

In this paper, we have reported the synthesis of activated carbon (AC) from biomass cattail fiber through hydrothermal carbonization, followed by chemical activation, and its electrochemical capacitance and hydrogen storage properties. The AC exhibits a Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) surface area (SBET) of 1597.5 m2g−1, determined from the low‐pressure N2 adsorption isotherm at 77 K using a BET‐multipoint plot. The AC sample shows a reversible hydrogen adsorption capacity of 0.25 wt.% H2 (1.25 mmol H2 g−1) at 293 K and 74 atm. The capacitance performance of AC was investigated with various conductive additives such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon black (CB), and reduced graphene‐oxide (rGO). From galvanostatic charge discharge (GCD) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements, the as‐derived AC with polymer binder exhibits a specific capacitance (Cs) of 245.2 F g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 and 158.1 F g−1 at 5 mV s−1. Among the investigated conductive additives, AC with CNTs in KOH electrolyte exhibit highest Cs of 326 F g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 and 173 F g−1 at 5 mV s−1. Furthermore, the symmetrical two‐electrode device fabricated using AC with CNTs (as a conductive additive) in 1 M aq. Na2SO4 electrolyte shows a Cs of 97.2 F g−1 at 0.1 A g−1. The energy and power densities of the two‐electrode device were observed to be 28 kW kg−1 and 2.64 Wh kg−1, respectively.
A smart and intelligence based controlling algorithms for maximum power extraction and effective battery management in EV systems
Authors: Nambi P. Arun , Muthubalaji S. , Srinivasan S. , Subramani Mohanraj Bellie
Published: February 2024

An economically appealing alternative to the use of fossil fuels in many nations is the electric vehicle (EV). Commercial EVs have a battery that powers the motor while also being charged by solar photovoltaic (PV). The original contribution of this research work is to implement a smart and advanced methodologies for accomplishing the objectives of MPPT control and battery management in EVs. Here, a novel spotted hyena optimized (SHO)‐MPPT controlling algorithm is applied to get the most out of the electricity generated by PV panels to meet EV energy requirements. A modified high gain super‐lift Luo converter has been implemented to improve and regulate the output voltage of PV for optimal battery charging and motor control. Then, an adaptive dynamic encoded network controller is designed to improve the voltage regulation and boosting performance of the DC‐DC converter. Consequently, a Henry gas solubility optimization is deployed to perform an effective battery management in EVs by optimally estimating the state of charge, which helps to increase the charging efficiency of EVs. Moreover, a three‐phase voltage source inverter has also been used to lower harmonic levels and deliver high‐quality output power to the EV motor. The results of the proposed MPPT controlling, converter controlling, and battery management strategies are verified in this study using a complete simulation and comparison analysis, where the parameters such as IV‐PV characteristics, motor torque, speed, total harmonic distortions (THDs), and so forth are taken into account for performance validation. By using the proposed controlling methodology, the THD is reduced to 1.09% with the improved vehicle speed of 3000 rpm, and overall performance efficiency of 99%.