bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlates of burnout in predoctoral dental students in the United States
Authors: Joseph Alex , Finkelman Matthew D. , Khoynezhad Shirin , Bordin Thaisa Barizan
Published: April 2023

Objective

The purpose of this research was to investigate correlates of burnout among predoctoral dental students in the United States.

Methods

All 66 dental schools in the US were invited to distribute a survey on topics such as demographics, year of dental school, and burnout to their predoctoral students. Burnout was assessed via the Maslach Burnout Inventory‐Human Services Survey, which has three subscales: emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal accomplishment (PA). Multivariable modeling was conducted via generalized linear models using the lognormal distribution to adjust for confounding.

Results

The survey was completed by 631 students from 21 dental schools. When adjusting for confounding, students identifying as African American/Black (Non‐Hispanic) (regression coefficient [95% CI]: −0.13 (−0.23, −0.02]) or Asian/Pacific Islander (−0.08 [−0.13, −0.02]) reported feeling significantly lower PA than students identifying as white. Students identifying as female reported feeling significantly greater EE (0.18 [0.10, 0.26]), but significantly less DP (−0.26 [−0.44, −0.09]), than students identifying as male. Third‐ (0.28 [0.07, 0.50]) and fourth‐year (0.40 [0.17, 0.63]) students reported significantly higher EE than first‐year students, while second‐ (0.40 [0.18, 0.62]), third‐ (1.06 [0.59, 1.53]), and fourth‐year (1.31 [0.82, 1.81]) students reported significantly higher DP than first‐year students.

Conclusions

Risk indicators for burnout among US predoctoral dental students may depend on the dimension of burnout. Identifying those at higher risk of burnout can facilitate the implementation of counseling and other effective intervention strategies. Such identification can also provide insight into how the dental school environment might be contributing to the marginalization of those at higher risk.
Convection and extracellular matrix binding control interstitial transport of extracellular vesicles
Authors: Sariano Peter A. , Mizenko Rachel R. , Shirure Venktesh S. , Brandt Abigail K. , Nguyen Bryan B. , Nesiri Cem , Shergill Bhupinder S. , Brostoff Terza , Rocke David M. , Borowsky Alexander D. , Carney Randy P. , George Steven C.
Published: April 2023

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) influence a host of normal and pathophysiological processes in vivo. Compared to soluble mediators, EVs can traffic a wide range of proteins on their surface including extracellular matrix (ECM) binding proteins, and their large size (∼30‐150 nm) limits diffusion. We isolated EVs from the MCF10 series—a model human cell line of breast cancer progression—and demonstrated increasing presence of laminin‐binding integrins α3β1 and α6β1 on the EVs as the malignant potential of the MCF10 cells increased. Transport of the EVs within a microfluidic device under controlled physiological interstitial flow (0.15‐0.75 μm/s) demonstrated that convection was the dominant mechanism of transport. Binding of the EVs to the ECM enhanced the spatial concentration and gradient, which was mitigated by blocking integrins α3β1 and α6β1. Our studies demonstrate that convection and ECM binding are the dominant mechanisms controlling EV interstitial transport and should be leveraged in nanotherapeutic design.
The orobasal organ (of Ackerknecht): A bizarre structure of the mammalian oral cavity
Authors: Stäber Moritz , Storsberg Silke D. , Schumann Sven
Published: April 2023

Vestigial organs are considered to have lost most or all of their functions through evolution. However, these structures can give insights into the phylogenetic history of species. Additionally, vestigial organs can be of clinical importance, since these structures might be confused with pathologies. The orobasal organ of Ackerknecht was discovered by and named after the veterinary anatomist Eberhard Ackerknecht. In 1912, he described morphologically highly variable epithelial invaginations behind the lower medial incisors in different mammalian species. The orobasal organ is considered a rudimentary structure without physiological function, but the evolutionary history of the orobasal organ remains unknown, so far. In this review, we sum up the actual knowledge about the orobasal organ and discuss possible origins of this structure. With this review, we hope to increase awareness of this anatomical structure, and thereby decrease the risk of confusion with a pathological condition like oral cancer.
Quantification of Endometrial Fibrosis Using Noninvasive MRI T2 Mapping: Initial Findings
Authors: Zhou Nan , Zhu Hui , Jiang Peipei , Hu Qing , Feng Yongjing , Chen Weibo , Zhou Kefeng , Hu Yali , Zhou Zhengyang
Published: April 2023

Background

Endometrial fibrosis may cause infertility. Accurate evaluation of endometrial fibrosis helps clinicians to schedule timely therapy.

Purpose

To explore T2 mapping for assessing endometrial fibrosis.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

Ninety‐seven women with severe endometrial fibrosis (SEF) and 21 patients with mild to moderate endometrial fibrosis (MMEF), diagnosed by hysteroscopy, and 37 healthy women.

Field Strength/Sequence

3T, T2‐weighted turbo spin echo (T2‐weighted imaging) and multi‐echo turbo spin echo (T2 mapping) sequences.

Assessment

Endometrial MRI parameters (T2, thickness [ET], area [EA], and volume [EV]) were measured by N.Z. and Q.H. (9‐ and 4‐years' experience in pelvic MRI) and compared between the three subgroups. A multivariable model including MRI parameters and clinical variables (including age and body mass index [BMI]) was developed to predict endometrial fibrosis assessed by hysteroscopy.

Statistical Tests

Kruskal–Wallis; ANOVA; Spearman's correlation coefficient (rho); area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC); binary logistic regression; intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). P value <0.05 for statistical significance.

Results

Endometrial T2, ET, EA, and EV of MMEF patients (185 msec, 8.2 mm, 168 mm2, and 2181 mm3) and SEF patients (164 msec, 6.7 mm, 120 mm2, and 1762 mm3) were significantly lower than those of healthy women (222 msec, 11.7 mm, 316 mm2, and 3960 mm3). Endometrial T2 and ET of SEF patients were significantly lower than those of MMEF patients. Endometrial T2, ET, EA, and EV were significantly correlated to the degree of endometrial fibrosis (rho = −0.623, −0.695, −0.694, −0.595). There were significant strong correlations between ET, EA, and EV in healthy women and MMEF patients (rho = 0.850–0.908). Endometrial MRI parameters and the multivariable model accurately distinguished MMEF or SEF from normal endometrium (AUCs >0.800). Age, BMI, and MRI parameters in univariable analysis and age and T2 in multivariable analysis significantly predicted endometrial fibrosis. The reproducibility of MRI parameters was excellent (ICC, 0.859–0.980).

Data Conclusion

T2 mapping has potential to noninvasively and quantitatively evaluate the degree of endometrial fibrosis.

Evidence Level: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2
Immunodominant SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell responses elicited by inactivated vaccines in healthy adults
Authors: Ning Jie , Wang Qinjin , Chen Ying , He Taojun , Zhang Fang , Chen Xingchi , Shi Liang , Zhai Aixia , Li Bin , Wu Chao
Published: April 2023

Safety profiles and humoral responses to inactivated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) vaccines have been previously assessed, but cellular immune responses to inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines remain understudied. Here, we report the comprehensive characteristics of SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell responses elicited by the BBIBP‐CorV vaccine. A total of 295 healthy adults were recruited, and SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific T‐cell responses were detected after stimulation with overlapping peptide pools spanning the entire length of the envelope (E), membrane (M), nucleocapsid (N), and spike (S) proteins. Robust and durable CD4+ (p < 0.0001) and CD8+ (p < 0.0001) T‐cell responses specific to SARS‐CoV‐2 were detected following the third vaccination, with an increase in specific CD8+ T‐cells, compared to CD4+ T‐cells. Cytokine profiles showed that interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor‐α were predominantly expressed with the negligible expression of interleukin (IL)‐4 and IL‐10, indicating a Th1‐ or Tc1‐biased response. Compared to E and M proteins, N and S activated a higher proportion of specific T‐cells with broader functions. The predominant frequency of the N antigen (49/89) was highest for CD4+ T‐cell immunity. Furthermore, N19–36 and N391–408 were identified to contain dominant CD8+ and CD4+ T‐cell epitopes, respectively. In addition, N19–36‐specific CD8+ T‐cells were mainly effector memory CD45RA cells, whereas N391–408‐specific CD4+ T‐cells were mainly effector memory cells. Therefore, this study reports comprehensive features of T‐cell immunity induced by the inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine BBIBP‐CorV and proposes highly conserved candidate peptides which may be beneficial in vaccine optimization.
Physical activity and mental health among patients with atopic dermatitis or chronic spontaneous urticaria: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Wiis M. A. B. , Heilskov S. , Sørensen J. A. , Egekvist H. , Deleuran M. , Thomsen S. F. , Vestergaard C.
Published: April 2023

Background

Physical and mental health are cogently enhanced through exercise. Atopic dermatitis (AD) and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) are two common inflammatory skin diseases greatly impacting lives of affected patients. Yet, little is known about physical activity and its implications among patients with these diseases.

Objectives

To investigate physical exercise among patients with AD and CSU, exacerbation of the diseases through exercise, and associations with mental health, life quality measures, and disease severity.

Methods

We performed a cross‐sectional questionnaire study in Denmark on adult AD and CSU patients from two university hospitals and two private dermatology clinics. Included patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) were Physical Activity Scale 2 (PAS 2), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), 9‐item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐9), 7‐item Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD‐7), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire: General Health (WPAI:GH), Urticaria Control Test (UCT), Urticaria Activity Score over 7 days (UAS7), and Patient‐Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM). AD severity was measured with Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI). Data were non‐normally distributed and analysed with non‐parametric statistics. REDCap and Stata for Macintosh (Apple Inc., USA) were used for management and analysis of data.

Results

In the AD cohort, any amount of exercise was associated with less symptoms of depression (p < 0.001), anxiety (p = 0.043), and insomnia (p < 0.001). Exacerbation of AD through exercise did not affect PROMs. Exercising CSU patients did not differ concerning any PROMs. Concurrent cholinergic urticaria (CholU) was associated with more symptoms of depression (p = 0.006) and anxiety (p = 0.035) and daily activity impairment (p = 0.015).

Conclusions

Exercise was associated with improved life quality measures among AD patients but not among CSU patients. Exacerbation of skin disease through exercise did not affect AD patients but was associated with impairment of mental health among CSU patients.
The lncRNA HOTAIR attenuates pyroptosis of diabetic cardiomyocytes by recruiting FUS to regulate SIRT3 expression
Authors: Xiong Jing , Zhou Qing
Published: April 2023

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious cardiovascular complication of diabetes that severely affects the quality of life of diabetic patients. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in the pathogenesis of DCM. However, the role of the lncRNA homeobox transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) in the progression of DCM remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the role of HOTAIR in high glucose (HG)‐induced pyroptosis in cardiomyocytes. The expression of the lncRNA HOTAIR, FUS, and SIRT3 in H9C2 cardiomyocytes was detected by RT–qPCR. Western blotting was used to evaluate the expression of FUS and SIRT3 as well as that of pyroptosis‐ and inflammation‐related proteins. RT–qPCR and ELISA were used to determine the expression and secretion of IL‐1β and IL‐18. RNA pulldown and RIP experiments were used to validate the binding relationship among HOTAIR, FUS, and SIRT3. Flow cytometry was performed to detect pyroptosis. HG induced pyroptosis and elevated the expression of proteins associated with pyroptosis and inflammation (NLRP3, GSDMD‐N, cleaved caspase‐1, IL‐1β, and IL‐18) in cardiomyocytes. HOTAIR and SIRT3 levels were decreased in HG‐exposed H9C2 cells. Additionally, overexpression of HOTAIR inhibited the HG‐induced pyroptosis and inflammatory response in cardiomyocytes. HOTAIR upregulated SIRT3 expression in H9C2 cells by targeting FUS. Moreover, SIRT3 upregulation suppressed HG‐mediated pyroptosis of cardiomyocytes. Notably, SIRT3 depletion reversed the inhibitory effect of HOTAIR on HG‐triggered pyroptosis in cardiomyocytes. Our research indicates that HOTAIR alleviates pyroptosis in diabetic cardiomyocytes through the FUS/SIRT3 axis, providing a potential marker for the diagnosis and treatment of DCM.
High Thermal Conductivity Polymer Composites Fabrication through Conventional and 3D Printing Processes: State‐of‐the‐Art and Future Trends
Authors: Vijaybabu T. R. , Ramesh T. , Pandipati Suman , Mishra Sujit , Sridevi G , Raja C Pradeep , Mensah Rhoda Afriyie , Das Oisik , Misra Manjusri , Mohanty Amar , NB Karthik Babu
Published: April 2023

The lifespan and the performance of flexible electronic devices and components are affected by the large accumulation of heat, and this problem must be addressed by thermally conductive polymer composite films. Therefore, the need for the development of high thermal conductivity nanocomposites has a strong role in various applications. In this article, the effect of different particle reinforcements such as single and hybrid form, coated and uncoated particles, and chemically treated particles on the thermal conductivity of various polymers are reviewed and the mechanism behind the improvement of the required properties are discussed. Furthermore, the role of manufacturing processes such as injection molding, compression molding, and 3D printing techniques in the production of high thermal conductivity polymer composites is detailed. Finally, the potential for future research is discussed, which can help researchers to work on the thermal properties enhancement for polymeric materials.
Behavior of an exponential difference equations system
Authors: Ibrahim Tarek Fawzi , Khan Abdul Qadeer
Published: April 2023

We examine the unboundedness, persistence, boundedness, uniqueness, and existence of non‐negative equilibrium of an exponential difference equations system. Furthermore, we will discuss asymptotic global and local stability and the convergence rate of this system. Ultimately, to check our theoretical results, we set out some numerical explanations.
Ti3SiC2 MAX phase for generating mode‐locked pulses in 1.5 µm wavelength region
Authors: Sahib Muhammad A. A. B , Zakaria Rozalina , Zulkipli Nur Farhanah , Rosol Ahmad H. A. , Yasin Moh , Harun Sulaiman W.
Published: April 2023

This letter demonstrates the application of MAX phase material as saturable absorber (SA) for mode‐locking in Erbium‐doped fiber laser (EDFL). Here, we use titanium silicon carbide (Ti3SiC2) compound to make thin film in polyvinyl alcohol host polymer. The fabricated composite film exhibits a saturable absorption of 51% and it produces mode‐locked pulses at 1559 nm in an extended 106 m long EDFL's cavity. The EDFL generates ultrashort pulses with repetition frequency of 1.88 MHz and pulse width of 3.03 ps when the pump is adjusted within 123.7–181.1 mW. At 181.1 mW, the laser achieves the pulse energy of 6.0 nJ and the peak power of 2.0 kW. Overall, the Ti3SiC2 SA establishes a compact and straightforward approach for mode‐locking.
Dynamic analysis of an infinite beam resting on layered transversely isotropic saturated media subjected to moving harmonic loads
Authors: Ai Zhi Yong , Wang Xiao Ming , Ye Zi , Yang Jun Jie
Published: April 2023

This paper investigates the dynamic behavior of an infinite beam on layered transversely isotropic (TI) poroelastic media due to moving harmonic loads. Based on the Euler‒Bernoulli beam theory and Biot theory, the governing equations of the beam and the layered TI poroelastic media are established. By introducing the compatibility conditions at the beam‐subgrade interface, the equivalent stiffness of the layered TI saturated media is derived via the extended precise integration method (PIM) in the wavenumber domain. By means of the inverse Fourier transform algorithm, the physical solutions for the beam‐saturated soil system are obtained after introducing the equivalent stiffness. Then, the accuracy of the proposed method is verified. Several numerical examples are presented to discuss the influences of the moving speed, beam bending rigidity, stratification, and soil anisotropy on the dynamic behavior of beams.
A novel three sub‐step explicit time integration method for wave propagation and dynamic problems
Authors: Wen Weibin , Wu Lang , Liu Tianhao , Deng Shanyao , Duan Shengyu
Published: April 2023

A novel explicit time integration method is formulated with sub‐step strategy and Cubic B‐spline interpolation method. Theoretical and numerical analysis are conducted to obtain optimized algorithm properties including algorithm accuracy, spectral stability and numerical dissipation/dispersion. A demonstrative dispersion analysis for wave propagation is presented to acquire optimal algorithm parameter value for finite element analysis of wave propagation problems. Numerical tests demonstrate that new method show desirable algorithm accuracy and convergence for dynamic problems. Especially, for highly nonlinear problems, the new method can provide very accurate and stable solutions.
Relationship between moral sensitivity of nurses and quality of nursing care for patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Darzi‐Ramandi Mahdi , Sadeghi Amir , Tapak Leili , Purfarzad Zahra
Published: April 2023

Aim

This study aimed to: (1) assess the level of moral sensitivity of nurses and the quality of nursing care for patients with COVID‐19 in Iran; and (2) identify the relationship between the moral sensitivity of nurses and the quality of nursing care for patients with COVID‐19 in Iran.

Design

This study was designed as a descriptive, cross‐sectional, and correlational research.

Method

A total of 211 nurses working in four hospitals affiliated with the Hamadan University of Medical Sciences in Iran from December 2021 to April 2022 were selected via the stratified proportional random sampling method. Demographic information, a moral sensitivity questionnaire, and the Good Nursing Care Scale were used for data collection. The data were analysed by SPSS 24 based on descriptive and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression).

Results

Results revealed that 188 of the nurses (89.1%) had a moderate level of moral sensitivity. Furthermore, 160 of the participants (75.8%) reported a relatively low level of the quality of nursing care. The results of the Pearson correlation coefficient test indicated that there was an inverse and significant relationship between the moral sensitivity of nurses and the quality of nursing care (r = −0.528, p < 0.001). The results of multiple regression indicated that the model of moral sensitivity components explained 27.9% of the variance in the quality of nursing care. The components of moral sensitivity, including relation (β = −0.246, p < 0.001), meaning (β = −0.188, p = 0.003), conflict (β = −0.170, p = 0.008), benevolence (β = −0.153, p = 0.012), and rules (β = −0.144, p = 0.019) had inverse and significant effects on the quality of nursing care.

Conclusion

Since higher mean scores of moral sensitivity reflect lower moral sensitivity, it can be stated that with the increase in moral sensitivity of nurses, the quality of nursing care for patients with COVID‐19 grows.
Focal versus craniospinal radiation for disseminated atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor following favorable response to systemic therapy
Authors: Aridgides Paul D. , Mahajan Anita , Eaton Bree , Wang Dongliang , Timmerman Beate , Früwald Michael C. , Nemes Karolina , Deck Jared , Yamasaki Kai , Von Hoff Katja , Lafay‐Cousin Lucie , Reddy Alyssa , Lo Andrea C.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Radiotherapy (RT) is associated with improved survival in atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (ATRT); however, optimal RT delivery is unknown. A meta‐analysis was conducted for disseminated (M+) ATRT receiving focal or craniospinal radiation (CSI).

Methods

After abstract screening, 25 studies (1995–2020) contained necessary patient, disease, and radiation treatment information (N = 96). All abstract, full text, and data capture were independently double‐reviewed. The corresponding author was contacted for cases of insufficient information. Response to pre‐radiation chemotherapy (N = 57) was categorized as complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD), and progressive disease (PD). Univariate and multivariate statistics were performed to investigate survival correlation. Patients with M4 disease were excluded.

Results

The 2‐ and 4‐year overall survival (OS) was 63.8% and 45.7%, respectively, with a median follow‐up of 2 years (range 0.3–13.5). The median age was 2 years (range 0.2–19.5), and 96% received chemotherapy. On univariate analysis, gross total resection (GTR, p = .0007), pre‐radiation chemotherapy response (p < .001), and high‐dose chemotherapy with stem cell recuse (HDSCT, p = .002) correlated with survival. On multivariate analysis, pre‐radiation chemotherapy response (p = .02) and GTR (p = .012) retained survival significance as compared to a trend for HDSCT (p = .072). Comparisons of focal RT (vs. CSI) and greater than or equal to 5400 cGy primary dose were nonsignificant. Following CR or PR, a statistical trend favored focal radiation (p = .089) over CSI.

Conclusion

Chemotherapy response prior to RT and GTR correlated with improved survival on multivariate analysis for ATRT M+ receiving RT. No benefit was observed for CSI compared to focal RT among all patients and following favorable chemotherapy response, inviting further study of focal RT for ATRT M+.
Vincristine/irinotecan/temsirolimus upfront window treatment of high‐risk hepatoblastoma: A report from the Children's Oncology Group AHEP0731 Study Committee
Authors: Thompson Patrick A. , Malogolowkin Marcio H. , Furman Wayne L. , Piao Jin , Krailo Mark D. , Chung Nadia , Brock Lindsay , Towbin Alexander J. , McCarville Elizabeth B. , Finegold Milton J. , Ranganathan Sarangarajan , Dunn Stephen P. , Langham Max R. , McGahren Eugene D. , Tiao Gregory M. , Weldon Christopher B. , O'Neill Allison F. , Rodriguez‐Galindo Carlos , Meyers Rebecka L. , Katzenstein Howard M.
Published: April 2023

Background

Survival for children with metastatic hepatoblastoma (HB) remains suboptimal. We report the response rate and outcome of two courses of vincristine/irinotecan/temsirolimus (VIT) in children with high‐risk (HR)/metastatic HB.

Procedures

Patients with newly diagnosed HB received HR window chemotherapy if they had metastatic disease or a serum alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) level less than 100 ng/mL. Patients received vincristine (days 1 and 8), irinotecan (days 1–5), and temsirolimus (days 1 and 8). Cycles were repeated every 21 days. Responders had either a 30% decrease using RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) criteria OR a 90% (>1 log10 decline) AFP decline after two cycles. Responders received two additional cycles of VIT intermixed with six cycles of cisplatin/doxorubicin/5‐fluorouracil/vincristine (C5VD). Nonresponders received six cycles of C5VD alone.

Results

Thirty‐six eligible patients enrolled on study. The median age at enrollment was 27 months (range: 7–170). Seventeen of 36 patients were responders (RECIST and AFP = 3, RECIST only = 4, AFP only = 10). The median AFP at diagnosis was 222,648 ng/mL and the median AFP following two VIT cycles was 19,262 ng/mL. Three‐year event‐free survival was 47% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 30%–62%), while overall survival was 67% (95% CI: 49%–80%).

Conclusion

VIT did not achieve the study efficacy endpoint. Temsirolimus does not improve the response rate seen in patients treated with vincristine and irinotecan (VI) alone as part of the initial treatment regimen explored in this study. Additionally, AFP response may be a more sensitive predictor of disease response than RECIST in HB.
Enhanced electrical and electromagnetic interference shielding performance of immiscible poly(vinylidene chloride)/poly(lactic acid)/multi‐walled carbon nanotube composites via constructing filler‐wrapped porous structure
Authors: Li Yilong , Nie Cong , Song Danyang , Liu Yujie , Jia Yunchao , Zheng Hongjuan
Published: April 2023

Herein, immiscible poly(vinylidene fluoride)/poly(lactic acid) (PVDF/PLA) blends filled with multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were fabricated by a facile solution flocculation method. A co‐continuous structure was formed at the blend ratio of 50v/50v. By extracting PLA, MWCNTs were found wrapped on the surface of porous PVDF. The electrical percolation threshold of porous composites is 0.25 wt.%, which is much lower than compact composites (2 wt.%). By comparing the electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) between compact and porous composites, the EMI SE of compact composites containing 15 wt.% MWCNT is ca. 30 dB, whereas 60 dB for the porous composites at the same filler loading. The enhanced shielding performance is derived from the porous structure and densely packed MWCNT on the PVDF surface that facilitates the multiple reflections of electromagnetic waves. This work provides a new thought in fabricating high performance EMI material by effectively tuning filler distribution in polymer blends.
Electronic tissue technologies for seamless biointerfaces
Authors: Minev Ivan R.
Published: April 2023

Bioelectronic interfaces establish a communication channel between a living system and an electrical machine. The first examples emerged in the 18th century when batteries were used to “galvanize” muscles and nerves. Today bioelectronic interfaces underpin key medical technologies such as the cardiac pacemaker and emerging ones such as neuroprostheses and brain‐machine interfaces. Despite compelling applications in living systems, bioelectronic interfaces employ materials from microelectronics that are rigid, impermeable to water and bioinert. In contrast, electrical phenomena in soft tissues such as muscle and nerve are mediated by ions and molecules solvated in water. This disparity leads to missed opportunities for achieving seamless interfaces and communication that extends beyond electrical stimulation and recording. In this perspective, I discuss opportunities presented by hydrogel materials for building bioelectronic interfaces. This will require new types of hydrogels that support both ionic and electronic conductivity combined with key functions of the extracellular matrix.
Control of Polarity of AlN Grown on Sapphire Substrate and Growth with Both Al‐ and N‐Polarities
Authors: Tanigawa Shunsuke , Sakoyama Takuya , Kurai Satoshi , Okada Narihito , Yamada Yoichi
Published: April 2023

AlN with both Al‐ and N‐polarities in the c‐axis direction has attracted attention as a second‐harmonic generation device with a quasi‐phase‐matching structure in the ultraviolet wavelength region. Herein, N‐polar AlN on patterned AlN is regrown by metal–organic vapor‐phase epitaxy, and AlN lateral polar structures (LPSs) are fabricated without the simultaneous growth of Al‐ and N‐polar AlN layers. A 1 μm thick Al‐polar AlN layer is grown on sapphire, followed by the fabrication of a striped pattern. Subsequently, N‐polar AlN is regrown on an exposed sapphire substrate. In the first experiment, the sidewalls after reactive ion etching are not vertical, and voids are formed when N‐polar AlN is regrown. KOH wet etching is performed to overcome this problem and improve the verticality of sidewalls. Consequently, a perfect AlN LPS with a minimum period of 2 μm is fabricated. The verticality of the sidewalls in the LPS and the regrowth conditions of N‐polar AlN with a very low V/III ratio are crucial to the fabrication of AlN LPSs with highly vertical interfaces.
Connection Between Intrinsic Interfacial Frozen Spins and Exchange Bias Effect in Core@Shell Iron@Iron‐Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Bai Hong , Hu Chenglong , Shen Xiaochen , Ji Lianze , Liu Yang , Daoud Jamal , Li Yixing , Zhang Jian , Zhao Rongzhi , Zhang Xuefeng
Published: April 2023

Exchange bias is a common phenomenon that appears at the interfaces between ferromagnetic and ferrimagnetic materials due to the presence of frozen spins. However, systematic quantification of their intrinsic correlation remains to be a challenge. Herein, the exchange bias induced by frozen spins is assumed as the synergy of an effective static magnetic field and an effective anisotropy, and thus the effect of intrinsic frozen spins at core@shell interfaces of iron@iron‐oxide nanoparticles is estimated. It is confirmed that the shift of the hysteresis loop is 2322 Oe and the coercivity increases from 360 to 1590 Oe. Using micromagnetic simulations, such a hysteresis loop is reconstructed by introducing an effective static magnetic field of 7360 Oe and an effective anisotropy of 45 × 103 J m−3. Therefore, a connection between the intrinsic interfacial frozen spins and the exchange bias effect is established from a mesoscale perspective, mediated by the effective magnetic field and effective anisotropy. The results can provide an understanding of exchange bias effect and promote applications of ferromagnetic/ferrimagnetic heterostructures.
A sample holder for the X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of multiple mini‐traction machine ball samples
Authors: Morgan David J.
Published: April 2023

A simple sample holder has been developed for the K‐alpha and Nexsa range of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy instruments that allows for the rapid throughput analysis of the ball sections of mini‐traction machine, the analysis of which can be useful in understanding of, for example, surface scuffing and other phenomena in mini‐traction machine instruments.
Ultrasound‐Activated Piezoelectric MoS2 Enhances Sonodynamic for Bacterial Killing
Authors: Wang Chaofeng , Sun Wenchan , Xiang Yiming , Wu Shuilin , Zheng Yufeng , Zhang Yu , Shen Jie , Yang Lei , Liang Chunyong , Liu Xiangmei
Published: April 2023

Bacterial infections are a serious public health issue that threatens the lives of patients because of their ability to induce other lethal complications without prompt treatment. Conventional antibiotic therapy can cause bacterial resistance and other adverse effects. It is highly desirable to develop effective and antibiotic‐independent therapeutic strategies to treat various kinds of bacterial infections. Herein, sonodynamic‐enhanced piezoelectric materials MoS2 and Cu2Oheterostructure that responds to exogenous ultrasound (US) and generates reactive oxygen for Staphylococcus aureus elimination are developed. It is shown in the results that the polariton charge induced by piezoelectric MoS2 nanosheets under US irradiation can accelerate the transfer of electric in Cu2O. Furthermore, US irradiation induces valence conversion from Cu(I) to Cu(II), which can accelerate glutathione oxidation significantly and destroy the bacterial antioxidant defense system. Hence, the as‐prepared piezoelectric‐enhanced sonosensitizer possesses a highly effective antibacterial efficacy of 99.85% against S. aureus under US irradiation for 20 min, with good biocompatibility. Herein, effective ultrasonic piezocatalytic therapy is offered through constructing heterogeneous interfaces with ultrasonic piezoelectric response.
Optically Controlled Development of a Waveguide from a Reservoir of Microparticles
Authors: Karpinski Pawel , Sznitko Lech , Wisniewska‐Belej Monika , Miniewicz Andrzej , Antosiewicz Tomasz J.
Published: April 2023

Light can be guided without diffraction in prefabricated structures: optical fibers and waveguides or in actively created spatial solitons in optically nonlinear media. Here, an approach in which a self‐stabilized optical waveguide develops from a reservoir of building blocks—spherical polymer microparticles (MPs)—and is pushed through an optically passive medium—water—is presented. The optical waveguide, formed by a chain of these microparticles and one microsphere wide, is self‐stabilized and propelled by the guided light, while its geometrical and dynamical properties depend on the diameter‐to‐wavelength ratio. The smallest investigated particles, 500 nm in diameter, form single‐mode waveguides up to tens of micrometers long, with the length limited only by optical losses. In contrast, waveguides constructed of larger MPs, 1 and 2.5 µm in diameter, are limited in length to only a few particles due to interference of different modes and beating of light intensity.
Low Dose of Ti3C2 MXene Quantum Dots Mitigate SARS‐CoV‐2 Infection
Authors: Yilmazer Açelya , Alagarsamy Keshav Narayan , Gokce Cemile , Summak Gokce Yagmur , Rafieerad Alireza , Bayrakdar Fatma , Ozturk Berfin Ilayda , Aktuna Suleyman , Delogu Lucia Gemma , Unal Mehmet Altay , Dhingra Sanjiv
Published: April 2023

MXene QDs (MQDs) have been effectively used in several fields of biomedical research. Considering the role of hyperactivation of immune system in infectious diseases, especially in COVID‐19, MQDs stand as a potential candidate as a nanotherapeutic against viral infections. However, the efficacy of MQDs against SARS‐CoV‐2 infection has not been tested yet. In this study, Ti3C2 MQDs are synthesized and their potential in mitigating SARS‐CoV‐2 infection is investigated.  Physicochemical characterization suggests that MQDs are enriched with abundance of bioactive functional groups such as oxygen, hydrogen, fluorine, and chlorine groups as well as surface titanium oxides. The efficacy of MQDs is tested in VeroE6 cells infected with SARS‐CoV‐2. These data demonstrate that the treatment with MQDs is able to mitigate multiplication of virus particles, only at very low doses such as 0,15 µg mL−1. Furthermore, to understand the mechanisms of MQD‐mediated anti‐COVID properties, global proteomics analysis are performed and determined differentially expressed proteins between MQD‐treated and untreated cells. Data reveal that MQDs interfere with the viral life cycle through different mechanisms including the Ca2+ signaling pathway, IFN‐α response, virus internalization, replication, and translation. These findings suggest that MQDs can be employed to develop future immunoengineering‐based nanotherapeutics strategies against SARS‐CoV‐2 and other viral infections.
Efficient Liquid–Solid Coregulation Engineering in Mixed‐Cation Lead Mixed‐Halide Perovskite for Photovoltaic Performance Improvement
Authors: Liu Zhen , Li Hui , Chang Bohong , Wang Lian , Wu Yutong , Pan Lu , Yin Longwei
Published: April 2023

Mixed‐cation lead mixed‐halide perovskite have attracted extensive attention due to their application potential in tandem devices and favorable stability. However, the crystallization of mixed‐component perovskite usually suffers from more complicated phase‐transition processes, making it difficult to prepare high‐quality perovskite films. Herein, it is demonstrated that rhodamine 110 chloride (RC110) additive, a commonly used fluorescent dye, plays significant roles in improving the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). It is shown that the defects can be remarkably reduced by interactions between the defects and the functional groups, the interaction between the RC110 and halogen ions in precursor solution can exert significant effects on the coordination level of lead–halogen octahedral frameworks, and thereby augments the colloidal size in the precursor solution. Leveraging these benefits, the liquid–solid coregulation engineering endows high‐quality perovskite films with enhanced crystallinity, lower defects density, reduced nonradiative recombination, and prolonged carrier lifetime. Consequently, the RC110‐treated planar devices deliver a champion efficiency of 21.02% with negligible hysteresis and exhibit excellent stability. Briefly, this defect passivation strategy based on colloidal coordination engineering provides a novel and feasible route to promote the potential commercialization of PSCs.
Development of Spectral Imaging Cytometry
Authors: Vorobjev Ivan A. , Kussanova Aigul , Barteneva Natasha S.
Published: April 2023

Spectral flow cytometry is a new technology that enables measurements of fluorescent spectra and light scattering properties in diverse cellular populations with high precision. Modern instruments allow simultaneous determination of up to 40+ fluorescent dyes with heavily overlapping emission spectra, discrimination of autofluorescent signals in the stained specimens, and detailed analysis of diverse autofluorescence of different cells—from mammalian to chlorophyll-containing cells like cyanobacteria. In this paper, we review the history, compare modern conventional and spectral flow cytometers, and discuss several applications of spectral flow cytometry.
Acacia-Bonsai: A Modern Implementation of Downset-Based LTL Realizability
Authors: Cadilhac Michaël , Pérez Guillermo A.
Published: April 2023

We describe our implementation of downset-manipulating algorithms used to solve the realizability problem for linear temporal logic (LTL). These algorithms were introduced by Filiot et al. in the 2010s and implemented in the tools Acacia and Acacia+ in C and Python. We identify degrees of freedom in the original algorithms and provide a complete rewriting of Acacia in C++20 articulated around genericity and leveraging modern techniques for better performance. These techniques include compile-time specialization of the algorithms, the use of SIMD registers to store vectors, and several preprocessing steps, some relying on efficient Binary Decision Diagram (BDD) libraries. We also explore different data structures to store downsets. The resulting tool is competitive against comparable modern tools.
Probabilistic Program Verification via Inductive Synthesis of Inductive Invariants
Authors: Batz Kevin , Chen Mingshuai , Junges Sebastian , Kaminski Benjamin Lucien , Katoen Joost-Pieter , Matheja Christoph
Published: April 2023

Essential tasks for the verification of probabilistic programs include bounding expected outcomes and proving termination in finite expected runtime. We contribute a simple yet effective inductive synthesis approach for proving such quantitative reachability properties by generating inductive invariants on source-code level. Our implementation shows promise: It finds invariants for (in)finite-state programs, can beat state-of-the-art probabilistic model checkers, and is competitive with modern tools dedicated to invariant synthesis and expected runtime reasoning.
Competition on Software Verification and Witness Validation: SV-COMP 2023
Authors: Beyer Dirk
Published: April 2023

The 12th edition of the Competition on Software Verification (SV-COMP 2023) is again the largest overview of tools for software verification, evaluating 52 verification systems from 34 teams from 10 countries. Besides providing an overview of the state of the art in automatic software verification, the goal of the competition is to establish standards, provide a platform for exchange to developers of such tools, educate PhD students on reproducibility approaches and benchmarking, and provide computing resources to developers that do not have access to compute clusters. The competition consisted of 23 805 verification tasks for C programs and 586 verification tasks for Java programs. The specifications include reachability, memory safety, overflows, and termination. This year, the competition introduced a new competition track on witness validation, where validators for verification witnesses are evaluated with respect to their quality.
2LS: Arrays and Loop Unwinding
Authors: Malík Viktor , Nečas František , Schrammel Peter , Vojnar Tomáš
Published: April 2023

2LS is a C program analyser built upon the CPROVER infrastructure that can verify and refute program assertions, memory safety, and termination. Until now, one of the main drawbacks of 2LS was its inability to verify most programs with arrays. This paper introduces a new abstract domain in 2LS for reasoning about the contents of arrays. In addition, we introduce an improved approach to loop unwinding, a crucial component of the 2LS’ verification algorithm, which particularly enables finding proofs and counterexamples for programs working with dynamic memory.
Specifying and Verifying Higher-order Rust Iterators
Authors: Denis Xavier , Jourdan Jacques-Henri
Published: April 2023

In Rust, programs are often written using iterators, but these pose problems for verification: they are non-deterministic, infinite, and often higher-order, effectful and built using adapters. We present a general framework for specifying and reasoning with Rust iterators in first-order logic. Our approach is capable of addressing the challenges set out above, which we demonstrate by verifying real Rust iterators, including a higher-order, effectful . Using the Creusot verification platform, we evaluate our framework on clients of iterators, showing it leads to efficient verification of complex functional properties.
Opportunistic Monitoring of Multithreaded Programs
Authors: Soueidi Chukri , El-Hokayem Antoine , Falcone Yliès
Published: April 2023

We introduce a generic approach for monitoring multithreaded programs online leveraging existing runtime verification (RV) techniques. In our setting, monitors are deployed to monitor specific threads and only exchange information upon reaching synchronization regions defined by the program itself. They use the opportunity of a lock in the program, to evaluate information across threads. As such, we refer to this approach as opportunistic monitoring. By using the existing synchronization, our approach reduces additional overhead and interference to synchronize at the cost of adding a delay to determine the verdict. We utilize a textbook example of readers-writers to show how opportunistic monitoring is capable of expressing specifications on concurrent regions. We also present a preliminary assessment of the overhead of our approach and compare it to classical monitoring showing that it scales particularly well with the concurrency present in the program.
Feature-Guided Analysis of Neural Networks
Authors: Gopinath Divya , Lungeanu Luca , Mangal Ravi , Păsăreanu Corina , Xie Siqi , Yu Huafeng
Published: April 2023

Applying standard software engineering practices to neural networks is challenging due to the lack of high-level abstractions describing a neural network’s behavior. To address this challenge, we propose to extract high-level task-specific features from the neural network internal representation, based on monitoring the neural network activations. The extracted feature representations can serve as a link to high-level requirements and can be leveraged to enable fundamental software engineering activities, such as automated testing, debugging, requirements analysis, and formal verification, leading to better engineering of neural networks. Using two case studies, we present initial empirical evidence demonstrating the feasibility of our ideas.
JavaBIP meets VerCors: Towards the Safety of Concurrent Software Systems in Java
Authors: Bliudze Simon , van den Bos Petra , Huisman Marieke , Rubbens Robert , Safina Larisa
Published: April 2023

We present “Verified JavaBIP”, a tool set for the verification of JavaBIP models. A JavaBIP model is a Java program where classes are considered as components, their behaviour described by finite state machine and synchronization annotations. While JavaBIP guarantees execution progresses according to the indicated state machines, it does not guarantee properties of the data exchanged between components. It also does not provide verification support to check whether the behaviour of the resulting concurrent program is as (safe as) expected. This paper addresses this by extending the JavaBIP engine with run-time verification support, and by extending the program verifier VerCors to verify JavaBIP models deductively. These two techniques complement each other: feedback from run-time verification allows quicker prototyping of contracts, and deductive verification can reduce the overhead of run-time verification. We demonstrate our approach on the “Solidity Casino” case study, known from the VerifyThis Collaborative Long Term Challenge.
Duals of Cesàro sequence vector lattices, Cesàro sums of Banach lattices, and their finite elements
Authors: Gönüllü Uğur , Polat Faruk , Weber Martin R.
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we study the ideals of finite elements in special vector lattices of real sequences, first in the duals of Cesàro sequence spaces $${\text {ces}}_p$$

ces
p

for $$p\in \{0\}\cup [1,\infty )$$

p
∈
{
0
}
∪
[
1
,
∞
)

and, second, after the Cesàro sum $${\text {ces}}_{p}{(\mathfrak {X})}$$

ces
p

(
X
)

of a sequence of Banach spaces is introduced, where $$p=\infty $$

p
=
∞

is also allowed, we characterize their duals and the finite elements in these sums if the summed up spaces are Banach lattices. This is done by means of a remarkable extension of the corresponding result for direct sums.
Social pathways to care: how community-based network ties shape the health care response of individuals with mental health problems
Authors: Green Harold D. , Pescosolido Bernice A.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Mental health research has powerfully documented inequities related to characteristics, such as ethnicity and gender. Yet how and where disparities like unmet need occur have been more elusive. Drawing from a now modest body of research that deployed the Network Episode Model (NEM), we examine how individuals create patterns of response to mental health problems, influenced by the culture and resources embedded in their social networks.

Methods

The Person-to-Person Health Interview Study (P2P; N ~ 2,700, 2018–2021) provides representative, community-based, NEM-tailored data. Both descriptive, latent class and multinomial regression analyses mark mental health care-seeking patterns, including individuals consulted and activities used, as well as the influence of the structure and cultural content of social networks.

Results

Latent class analysis detected five pathways with good fit statistics. The Networked General Care Path (37.0%) and The Kin General Care Path (14.5%) differ only in whether friends are activated in using the general care sector. The Networked Multi-Sector Care Path (32.5%) and The Saturated Path (12.6%) involve family, friends, and both general and specialty care with only the latter expanding consultation to coworkers and clergy. The Null Path (3.3%), or no contacts, is not used as perceived problem severity increases. Network size and strength are associated with the more complex pathways that activate ties, respectively. Trust in doctors is associated with pathways that include specialty providers but not others at work or church. Race, age, and rural residence have specific pathway effects, while gender has no significant impact.

Conclusions

Social networks propel individuals with mental health problems into action. Tie strength and trust produce care responses that are fuller and more targeted. Considering the nature of homophily, results also suggest that majority status and college education are clearly implicated in networked pathways. Overall, findings support community-targeted rather than individually based efforts to increase service use.