bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reconstruction of the External Auditory Canal for Spontaneous Temporomandibular Joint Herniation
Authors: Sriram Shreya , Frazier Kaitlyn , Schoo Desi , Boahene Kofi , Ward Bryan K. , Galaiya Deepa
Published: October 2024

Spontaneous herniation of the temporomandibular joint into the external auditory canal is rare and generally results from inflammation or trauma but is rarely documented as a result of osteoradionecrosis. We report the novel surgical management of TMJ herniation by reconstructing the anterior EAC using conchal cartilage and a vascularized pedicled muscle flap in two patients. At follow‐up, both had healing of the ear canal and TM without any evidence of joint herniation, with improved QOL and hearing. TMJ herniation due to an anterior EAC defect from osteoradionecrosis or trauma can be reconstructed with a cartilage graft and vascularized fascia flap. Laryngoscope, 135:1078–1082, 2025
Precision Design of Sequence‐Defined Polyurethanes: Exploring Controlled Folding Through Computational Design
Authors: Samokhvalova Svetlana , Lutz Jean‐François , Coluzza Ivan
Published: October 2024

This study presents the exploration of sequence‐defined polyurethanes (PUs) as a new class of heteropolymers capable of precise conformational control. Utilizing molecular dynamics simulations, the folding behavior of polyurethane chains is investigated of varying lengths (11, 20, and 50 monomers) in both vacuum and aqueous environments. The simulations reveal that the heterogeneous chains systematically refold to approach the designed target structures better than non‐designed chains or chains with artificially disrupted hydrogen‐bond networks. The subsequent synthesis of an optimized 11‐mer sequence (P1) is achieved through solid‐phase chemistry, with thorough characterization via NMR, MS, and SEC confirming the accuracy of the predicted sequence and its controlled chain length. Solubility tests showed favorable results across multiple solvents, highlighting the versatility of the designed polymer. This research underscores the potential of sequence‐defined polyurethanes to emulate the structural and functional attributes of biological macromolecules, opening new pathways for their application in catalysis, drug delivery, and advanced material design. The findings illustrate a promising direction for the development of synthetic polymers with tailored properties, emphasizing the transformative impact of sequence control in polymer chemistry.
Transparent Photochromic Coatings for Smart Windows and Information Storage
Authors: Liu Weining , Tian Yuting , Yong Wanxiong , Xiong Tuodong , Fu Guodong
Published: October 2024

Organic–inorganic composite photochromic coatings receive significant attention in energy utilization and conservation due to their easy application and rapid photoresponse. However, their high sensitivity to moisture limits practical applications. This study fabricates organic–inorganic composite functional coatings using a simple one‐pot method, producing materials with excellent photoresponsive, water resistance, and thermal insulation. Unmodified phosphotungstic acid serves as the inorganic photochromic filler, while methacrylate derivatives act as the polymer matrix, resulting in coatings with high initial transparency (over 85%). After 5 min of UV exposure, the samples shift to nearly non‐transmittable states in the visible range and maintain color depth through 14 coloring‐erasing cycles. Unlike polyvinylpyrrolidone substrates, which absorb moisture and soften quickly, this coating has a static water contact angle of up to 91.7°, showing excellent water resistance. Additionally, the composite material provides effective heat insulation in simulated chamber experiments, lowering the temperature by 15 °C compared to untreated chambers. In summary, this composite coating, with its excellent thermal insulation, rapid light responsiveness, stable cycling performance, and outstanding waterproof capabilities, proves highly suitable for applications such as smart windows, information storage, and building energy efficiency.
Water as Dual‐Function Plasticizer and Cosolvent in Gel Electrolytes for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Goh Z. L. , Farhana N.K. , Kamarulazam Fathiah , Pershaanaa M. , Bashir Shahid , Ramesh K. , Ramesh S.
Published: October 2024

This study presents a novel approach to developing eco‐friendly dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using natural and renewable materials for gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs), reducing reliance on unsustainable solvents. Water is added to polar aprotic solvents, specifically ethylene carbonate/propylene carbonate (EC/PC), across various mass fractions (0:100 to 100:0). An amphiphilic hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) natural polymer is employed to formulate GPEs within this water‐EC/PC cosolvent system, achieving successful gelation up to 50:50 mass fractions. Incorporating water reduced the gel strength and viscosity of the GPEs. Water acted as a plasticizer, enhancing the polymer chains mobility, and creating a more flexible and permeable structure. This increased ion diffusion coefficients and ion mobility, resulting in a maximum ionic conductivity of 18.17 mS cm−1. The highest efficiency achieved in DSSCs using these GPEs is 5.81%, with elevated short‐circuit current density and reduced recombination losses. However, some compositions experienced syneresis, affecting their stability. The GPE with a 40:60 mass fraction exhibited superior long‐term stability because it is free from syneresis, though it achieved a lower efficiency (4.83%), making it the best‐performing sample. This work demonstrates the feasibility and benefits of using gel polymer electrolytes in an aqueous system, improving DSSC efficiency and sustainability.
ERL‐ProLiGraph: Enhanced representation learning on protein‐ligand graph structured data for binding affinity prediction
Authors: Paendong Gloria Geine , Ngnamsie Njimbouom Soualihou , Zonyfar Candra , Kim Jeong‐Dong
Published: October 2024

Predicting Protein‐Ligand Binding Affinity (PLBA) is pivotal in drug development, as accurate estimations of PLBA expedite the identification of promising drug candidates for specific targets, thereby accelerating the drug discovery process. Despite substantial advancements in PLBA prediction, developing an efficient and more accurate method remains non‐trivial. Unlike previous computer‐aid PLBA studies which primarily using ligand SMILES and protein sequences represented as strings, this research introduces a Deep Learning‐based method, the Enhanced Representation Learning on Protein‐Ligand Graph Structured data for Binding Affinity Prediction (ERL‐ProLiGraph). The unique aspect of this method is the use of graph representations for both proteins and ligands, intending to learn structural information continued from both to enhance the accuracy of PLBA predictions. In these graphs, nodes represent atomic structures, while edges depict chemical bonds and spatial relationship. The proposed model, leveraging deep‐learning algorithms, effectively learns to correlate these graphical representations with binding affinities. This graph‐based representations approach enhances the model‘s ability to capture the complex molecular interactions critical in PLBA. This work represents a promising advancement in computational techniques for protein‐ligand binding prediction, offering a potential path toward more efficient and accurate predictions in drug development. Comparative analysis indicates that the proposed ERL‐ProLiGraph outperforms previous models, showcasing notable efficacy and providing a more suitable approach for accurate PLBA predictions.
Chemoinformatics for corrosion science: Data‐driven modeling of corrosion inhibition by organic molecules
Authors: Baskin Igor , Ein‐Eli Yair
Published: October 2024

This paper reviews the application of machine learning to the inhibition of corrosion by organic molecules. The methodologies considered include quantitative structure‐property relationships (QSPR) and related data‐driven approaches. The characteristic features of their key components are considered as applied to corrosion inhibition, including datasets, response properties, molecular descriptors, machine learning methods, and structure‐property models. It is shown that the most important factors determining their choice and application features are: (1) the small or very small size of datasets, (2) the mechanism of corrosion inhibition associated with the adsorption of inhibitor molecules on the metal surface, and (3) multifactorial conditioning and noisiness of response property. On this basis, the application of machine learning to the inhibition of corrosion of materials based on iron, aluminum, and magnesium is considered. The main trends in the development of QSPR and related data‐driven modeling of corrosion inhibition are discussed, the shortcomings and common errors are considered, and the prospects for their further development are outlined.
miRNA interplay: Mechanisms and therapeutic interventions in cancer
Authors: Wang Zehua , Wang Hangxuan , Zhou Shuhan , Mao Jiasheng , Zhan Zhiqing , Duan Shiwei
Published: October 2024

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key molecules that regulate gene expression. miRNAs regulate protein synthesis by binding to mRNA, influencing processes such as cell proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis. They play a pivotal role in cancer development. Current research mainly explores miRNA mechanisms and applications, and the techniques underpinning this research are foundational to both basic science and clinical translation. However, no review has comprehensively examined miRNA mechanisms and applications from a technical perspective, creating a need for this work. Advances in RNA sequencing technology, CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and bioinformatics tools have deepened our understanding of miRNA interactions. miRNA can serve as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, with significant clinical potential. The development of miRNA mimics and inhibitors has brought new hope for cancer treatment, especially in reversing cancer drug resistance. This article reviews the vital role of miRNA interactions in cancer occurrence, development, diagnosis, and treatment, providing new perspectives and strategies for personalized medicine and cancer therapy.
Poly(butylene succinate) Microparticles Prepared Through Green Suspension Polycondensations
Authors: Bentes Jéssica , Dutra Luciana , Sousa‐Batista Ariane de J. , Pinto José Carlos
Published: October 2024

The demand for sustainable polymer particles production is growing, driven by the need for efficient, biocompatible, and biodegradable materials. In this context, the present study explores the production of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) particles in a single step using a green heterogeneous suspension process, using vegetable oil as the suspending medium. Particularly, the effects of oil type (soybean, corn, sunflower), dispersed phase holdup (10–30 wt.%), stabilizers (Span 20, Span 80, Tween 80, Brij 52, Brij 93, Igepal‐co‐520,  Polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR)), reaction time (1–5 h), and temperature (100–160 °C) on the suspension polymerization are investigated. Results indicate that particle size and shape are influenced by the vegetable oil and stabilizer. Additionally, it is shown that the particle size distribution is affected by the use of a sonicator, allowing the manufacture of even smaller microsized particles. Based on the results, a 30 wt.% holdup in corn oil with a blend of surfactants can be recommended, producing spherical particles with an average diameter of 100 µm. Moreover, higher reaction temperatures (160 °C) and longer reaction times (5 h) positively impacted the molar mass of the obtained particles. Finally, cytotoxicity tests using Bone Marrow‐Derived Macrophages cells confirmed the safe use of PBS microparticles at concentrations up to 1000 µg mL⁻¹
Free‐breathing 3D cardiac extracellular volume (ECV) mapping using a linear tangent space alignment (LTSA) model
Authors: Lee Wonil , Han Paul Kyu , Marin Thibault , Mounime Ismaël B. G. , Vafay Eslahi Samira , Djebra Yanis , Chi Didi , Bijari Felicitas J. , Normandin Marc D. , El Fakhri Georges , Ma Chao
Published: October 2024

Purpose

To develop a new method for free‐breathing 3D extracellular volume (ECV) mapping of the whole heart at 3 T.

Methods

A free‐breathing 3D cardiac ECV mapping method was developed at 3 T. T1 mapping was performed before and after contrast agent injection using a free‐breathing electrocardiogram‐gated inversion recovery sequence with spoiled gradient echo readout. A linear tangent space alignment model‐based method was used to reconstruct high‐frame‐rate dynamic images from (k,t)‐space data sparsely sampled along a random stack‐of‐stars trajectory. Joint T1 and transmit B1 estimation were performed voxel‐by‐voxel for pre‐ and post‐contrast T1 mapping. To account for the time‐varying T1 after contrast agent injection, a linearly time‐varying T1 model was introduced for post‐contrast T1 mapping. ECV maps were generated by aligning pre‐ and post‐contrast T1 maps through affine transformation.

Results

The feasibility of the proposed method was demonstrated using in vivo studies with six healthy volunteers at 3 T. We obtained 3D ECV maps at a spatial resolution of 1.9 × 1.9 × 4.5 mm3 and a FOV of 308 × 308 × 144 mm3, with a scan time of 10.1 ± 1.4 and 10.6 ± 1.6 min before and after contrast agent injection, respectively. The ECV maps and the pre‐ and post‐contrast T1 maps obtained by the proposed method were in good agreement with the 2D MOLLI method both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Conclusion

The proposed method allows for free‐breathing 3D ECV mapping of the whole heart within a practically feasible imaging time. The estimated ECV values from the proposed method were comparable to those from the existing method.
Chemical shift–encoded multishot EPI for navigator‐free prostate DWI
Authors: Dong Yiming , Atkinson David , Koolstra Kirsten , van Osch Matthias J. P. , Börnert Peter
Published: October 2024

Purpose

DWI is an important contrast for prostate MRI to enable early and accurate detection of cancer. This study introduces a Dixon 3‐shot‐EPI protocol with structured low‐rank reconstruction for navigator‐free DWI. The aim is to overcome the limitations of single‐shot EPI (ssh‐EPI), such as geometric distortions and fat signal interference, while addressing the motion‐induced phase variations of multishot EPI and simultaneously allowing water/fat separation.

Methods

DWI data were acquired from 7 healthy volunteers using both Dixon 3‐shot EPI and standard fat‐suppressed ssh‐EPI with similar scan times for comparison. Two readers evaluated image quality using a 5‐point Likert scale regarding different aspects. The ADC values were quantitatively compared between protocols. To show feasibility in a clinical setting, the protocol was applied to two patients.

Results

From the reader scores, Dixon 3‐shot EPI significantly reduced geometric distortion compared with ssh‐EPI (p < 0.01), with no significant differences in edge definition, SNR, or overall image quality. There was no significant difference in ADC values between the two protocols. However, the Dixon multishot‐EPI protocol offered advantages such as self‐referenced B0 map–driven distortion correction, greater flexibility in imaging parameters, and superior fat suppression. In the patient data, the lesion could be clearly identified in both protocols and on the associated ADC maps.

Conclusion

The proposed Dixon 3‐shot‐EPI protocol shows promise as an alternative to ssh‐EPI for prostate DWI, providing reduced geometric distortions and improved fat suppression. It addresses common DWI issues based on EPI and enhances scanning flexibility, indicating potential for optimized imaging.
Impact of Health Education Programme on Adherence to Treatment in Knee Osteoarthritis: An Interventional Study on Egyptian Patients
Authors: Ebaid Amany M. , Mortada Mohamed A. , Abd‐Ghani Fadya A. , Ali Somaya A.
Published: October 2024

Aim

To measure the level of adherence of patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (KOA) to an interventional therapeutic and rehabilitation programme and investigate factors that hinder patients' adherence.

Methods

A total of 154 participants with primary knee osteoarthritis (KOA) were divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention protocol included patient education on the nature and treatment of KOA, therapeutic exercise, a weight loss programme for overweight patients, and a physical therapy programme. Participants were followed for 3 months. The Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS‐p), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and knee Kellgren‐Lawrence OA grading were measured before and after the intervention. Additionally, the Morisky adherence questionnaire and the WHO Multidimensional Framework for factors affecting adherence were assessed.

Results

One fifty four participants with KOA were randomly allocated into intervention and control groups. A low level of adherence was detected in both groups (68.8% in the intervention group vs. 84.4% in the control group). Patients who followed the interventional programme were more adherent. Adherence to therapy was associated with a reduction in the Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS‐p) (p = 0.016) and improved function as measured by WOMAC (p = 0.018). Factors primarily associated with patient non‐adherence included unemployment (67.8%), low income (59.3%), no previous response to therapy (58.5%), less frequent follow‐up visits (55.1%), lack of insurance (66.9%), difficult access to services (59.3%), and high cost of services (55.1%).

Conclusion

Adherence to treatment in OA patients is a significant concern and a common problem, appearing to be associated more with socioeconomic factors than with pain and function.
Efficacy of Green and Chemically Synthesized Nano Boron Nitride on Sunflower Germination
Authors: N. Pruthviraj , K. N. Geetha , Kumar G. N. Anil , D. L. Shruthi , A. G. Shankar , S. S. Prakash , Sridhara Shankarappa , Raghu Anjanapura V.
Published: October 2024

This study explores the eco‐friendly synthesis of nanoparticles using natural sources, specifically employing Cassia fistula leaf extract for the production of boron nitride nanoparticles. Characterization of the synthesized nanoparticles was performed using Raman spectroscopy and UV‐visible spectroscopy to identify functional groups. Ab initio studies were conducted to investigate the electronic properties of the boron nitride nanostructures. The structural analysis through powder x‐ray diffraction confirmed a hexagonal configuration of the nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed particle sizes below 100 nm. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that sunflower seeds treated with 1500 ppm of green‐synthesized nano boron nitride achieved the highest germination rate of 98.2%, surpassing other concentrations and chemically synthesized nanoparticles, which reached 93.9% at 2000 ppm. The control treatment yielded a germination rate of 76.2%. The eco‐friendly synthesized nanoparticles exhibited superior efficacy compared to both chemically synthesized nanoparticles and conventional fertilizers.
Agreement between the EWGSOP2 and SDOC consensuses for sarcopenia in patients receiving hemodialysis: Findings of a cross sectional analysis from the SARC‐HD study
Authors: Duarte Marvery P. , Nóbrega Otávio T. , Baião Victor M. , Vieira Fábio A. , Monteiro Jacqueline S. , Pereira Marina S. , Pires Luis F. , Queiroz Gabrielle G. , Silva Mauro J. , Silva Maryanne Z. C. , Costa Fabiana L. , Disessa Henrique S. , Rosa Clara C. , Monteiro Henrique L. , Mondini Dario R. , Medina Luiz R. , Nishimaru Flávio I. , Rosa Maria G. , Uchida Marco C. , Krug Rodrigo R. , Moreira Paulo R. , Sant'Helena Bruna M. , Bundchen Daiana C. , Molin Christine D. , Polo Laura , Bohlke Maristela , Mendes Caroline S. , Almeida Antônia S. , Adamoli Angélica N. , Colling Catiussa , Lima Ricardo M. , Inda‐Filho Antônio J. , Ferreira Aparecido P. , Avesani Carla M. , Vogt Barbara P. , Reboredo Maycon M. , Ribeiro Heitor S. ,   The SARC‐HD Study Group
Published: October 2024

Background

Differences in definitions and operational diagnoses for sarcopenia create difficulties in understanding the epidemiology of the disease. We examined the prevalences of sarcopenia using the revised European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) and the Sarcopenia Definitions and Outcomes Consortium (SDOC) consensuses and analyzed their level of agreement in patients receiving hemodialysis.

Methods

Data from the SARCopenia trajectories and associations with clinical outcomes in patients receiving hemodialysis (SARC‐HD) multicenter study in Brazil were analyzed. Muscle strength was assessed using handgrip strength, muscle mass by calf circumference, and physical performance by the 4‐m gait speed test. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to both the EWGSOP2 (low muscle strength plus low muscle mass) and the SDOC (low muscle strength plus low physical performance). The Cohen kappa statistic was used to determine the level of agreement between the consensuses.

Results

838 patients (57.8 ± 15.0 years; 61% men) from 19 dialysis units were included. We found similar prevalences of sarcopenia between the consensuses (EWGSOP2, n = 128, 15.3%; SDOC, n = 105, 12.5%) but with weak agreement (50 of 233 patients, 21.5%; κ = 0.34, 95% CI 0.25–0.43). Agreement was also weak within age categories (≥60 years, κ = 0.34; <60 years, κ = 0.15; both P < 0.001). Of the 51 patients diagnosed by the EWGSOP2 criterion as having severe sarcopenia, all but 1 (98.0%) met the SDOC criterion for sarcopenia (κ = 0.61, 95% CI 0.52–0.70). Low muscle strength was more frequently diagnosed using the SDOC than with the EWGSOP2 (52.3% vs 25.9%).

Conclusion

We found a weak agreement between the EWGSOP2 and SDOC consensuses for the diagnosis of sarcopenia in patients receiving hemodialysis. Although still weak, agreement was marginally better for older patients. These findings highlight the importance of a global and standardized conceptual diagnosis of sarcopenia.
Pediatric Tracheostomy Education Program Structures, Barriers, and Support: A Nationwide Survey of Children's Hospitals
Authors: Acorda Darlene E. , Van Orne Julie
Published: October 2024

Objective

Safe discharge for children with tracheostomies requires caregivers to be competent in tracheostomy management, including emergency interventions. Inpatient pediatric units are tasked with preparing families for discharge, yet variations exist in the standards of tracheostomy education across institutions. To address this gap, we aimed to describe the inpatient tracheostomy education programs in children's hospitals across the United States.

Study Design

This is a cross‐sectional study conducted between May and July 2022.

Setting

We distributed an online survey to a purposeful sample of representatives from participating children's hospitals.

Methods

The 42‐item survey evaluated various aspects of tracheostomy education, including teaching strategies, timing of education, operational support, and overall program structure. Descriptive statistics were generated, and researchers reviewed open‐ended items to identify themes.

Results

Thirty‐seven institutions participated, 26 of which were free‐standing children's hospitals. All programs surveyed conducted bedside checkoffs, required a rooming‐in period, and provided tracheostomy cardiopulmonary resuscitation and low‐fidelity simulation for emergency teaching. Programs varied in the order of education and the type of support received. Many programs lacked a postdischarge follow‐up structure and the majority evaluated program effectiveness with readmission rates. Lack of private‐duty nursing was the primary barrier to discharge, followed by family availability and reluctance to participate in education.

Conclusion

The program structure and support variations suggest that more investigation is needed in discharge education and postdischarge follow‐up for children with tracheostomies. A national guideline for tracheostomy education and identification of standardized quality metrics for program evaluation would benefit current and emerging programs.
Diagnosis and Management of Retrograde Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction: A Systematic Review
Authors: Malhotra Raj , Khan Hamza , Zaransky Sydney , Celidonio Joseph , Yan Kenneth , Kaye Rachel
Published: October 2024

Objective

Retrograde cricopharyngeal dysfunction (R‐CPD) is a syndrome with rapidly increasing awareness since being first described in March 2019. As such, few cases of R‐CPD are currently reported in the literature. The goal of this study is to provide a comprehensive systematic review of the available literature on R‐CPD, including patient characteristics, diagnosis, and management.

Data Sources

PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE.

Review Methods

A systematic review of the available English literature was conducted using the data sources PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE. Studies with original data of patients experiencing classic symptoms of R‐CPD were included. Independent abstract screening followed by full‐text screening was performed to assess study eligibility. Data extraction of patient demographics, symptoms, treatment, and follow‐up were subsequently performed.

Results

Common presentations of R‐CPD include abelchia (100%), abdominal bloating (83%), and gurgling noises (75%). 554 (86.9%) patients had improved symptoms after initial treatment with BTX. The most common initial dose was 50 units in 204 (37.3%) patients. Subsequent BTX injections resolved symptoms in 40 (80%) patients. Six patients ultimately received CP myotomy for recurrent symptoms, resulting in long‐term resolution in 4 (67%) patients.

Conclusion

R‐CPD is a newly recognized syndrome with effective treatment options including botulinum toxin injections and cricopharyngeal myotomy, where appropriate. Diagnostic modalities including esophageal manometry may aid in the initial work up of R‐CPD, however further studies are required to assess its diagnostic utility.
Investigation of the impact of transient pressure gradients on turbulent channel flow dynamics
Authors: Polasanapalli Sai Ravi Gupta , Klein Marten , Schmidt Heiko
Published: October 2024

The effect of transient pressure gradients, or transient pumping in turbulent channel flow configuration, is investigated. Employing a cost‐efficient reduced‐order stochastic method known as one‐dimensional turbulence (ODT) modeling, simulations explore different signal shapes for the modulation of the prescribed pressure gradient forcing, including sinusoidal modulation, step‐like modulation, and piecewise sinusoidal beating. Various cycle periods and active pumping times are investigated. The simulations are conducted at a frictional Reynolds number of and a molecular Prandtl number of . The study adopts a passive scalar formulation to investigate heat transfer properties. The study quantifies the effects of transient pressure gradients on heat transfer rate, drag, and pumping power. Preliminary ODT predictions suggest that all transient cases exhibit lower heat transfer rates and a higher pumping power requirement than the constant pressure gradient case, with the step‐like modulation yields superior skin‐friction drag and heat transfer rate reductions relative to other signals.
Effect of fiber orientation of adjacent plies on the mode I delamination fracture of carbon fiber reinforced polymer multidirectional laminates
Authors: Liu Zhe , Li Peifeng
Published: October 2024

The extensive use of multidirectional composite laminates requires to understand the delamination behavior at interfaces between plies with different fiber orientations. In this study, double cantilever beam testing was performed to investigate the mode I interlaminar fracture of carbon fiber reinforced polymer laminates with different central interfaces (0//0, 0//+45 and +45//−45). X‐ray microtomography revealed the curved crack front shape that was incorporated to calculate fracture toughness. The fracture toughness varies with the crack length in a typical delamination resistance curve, which can be quantified by an empirical equation. Incorporation of variable fracture toughness into a cohesive zone model can better predict the delamination fracture of the laminate, compared to constant toughness. It was found that the delamination mechanism is independent of central interfaces. However, compared to unidirectional laminates, multidirectional laminates are less resistant to crack initiation, but more resistant to propagation with higher toughness and shorter fiber bridging zone.

Highlights

Mode I interlaminar fracture of CFRP laminates with different central interfaces was investigated experimentally and numerically.

Curved crack front shape was incorporated to calculate fracture toughness.

Incorporation of variable fracture toughness into a cohesive zone model can better predict the delamination fracture of the laminate.

Multidirectional laminates are less resistant to crack initiation but more resistant to propagation with higher toughness and shorter fiber bridging zone.
Unveiling the Potential Bioactive Peptides Derived From Goat Casein Hydrolysates Based on In Silico Analyses
Authors: Bi Xinjian , Gao Yu , Wen Shiyu , Chen Ziyi , Wu Tong , Wang Jiaqi , Hou Yanmei , Peng Xiaoyu , Li Wei , Pan Lina , Wen Li
Published: October 2024

Bioactive peptides (BAPs) have attracted considerable interest in scientific research due to their heterogeneity in sequence and structure, which underpins various biological functionalities. In this context, goat casein, an abundant by‐product of the dairy industry, emerges as a valuable source of BAPs. The present study undertook a meticulous evaluation of the bioactive potentials of goat casein‐derived peptides through an integrated approach combining computational simulations, high‐throughput screening, and molecular docking techniques. The initial phase involved the enzymatic digestion of goat milk casein using trypsin, followed by the identification of peptides via liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), uncovering a total of 597 peptides. Subsequent prioritization using the PeptideRanker algorithm identified 70 peptides exhibiting potential bioactivity, as denoted by scores above 0.8. Advanced screening employing the BIOPEP database and the AutoDock and CAMPR4 tools facilitated the elucidation of 16 antioxidant, 59 hypotensive, 63 hypoglycemic, 70 hypolipidemic, and 25 antimicrobial peptides. Molecular docking studies further elucidated the spontaneous nature of the interactions between the peptides and their respective receptors, predominantly mediated by hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. Four peptides specifying all activities simultaneously were synthesized, and their activities were verified by in vitro experiments. These results not only highlight an effective strategy for the high‐throughput screening of goat casein‐derived peptides but also underscore the potential of utilizing casein as a viable source of functional food ingredients. This study thereby contributes significantly to the expanding field of functional food research, suggesting a sustainable approach to explore the potential of dairy by‐products.
Metabolomics of related C3 and C4 Flaveria species indicate differences in the operation of photorespiration under fluctuating light
Authors: Fu Xinyu , Schlüter Urte , Smith Kaila , Weber Andreas P. M. , Walker Berkley J.
Published: October 2024

C3 photosynthesis can be complemented with a C4 carbon concentrating mechanism (CCM) to minimize photorespiratory losses. C4 photosynthesis is often more efficient than C3 under steady‐state conditions. However, the C4 CCM depends on inter‐cellular metabolite concentration gradients, which must increase following increases in light intensity and could decrease rates of C4 photosynthesis under fluctuating light. Additionally, incomplete flux through photorespiration could prove beneficial to C4 assimilation during light induction of the CCM. Here, we compare metabolic profiles in the closely related C3 Flaveria robusta and C4 Flaveria bidentis during a light transient from low to high light to determine if these non‐steady state accumulation patterns provide insight to the induction of the metabolite gradients needed to drive C4 intermediate transport and if there is incomplete cycling of photorespiratory intermediates. In these C3 and C4 species, metabolite steady‐state pool sizes suggest that C4 transport acids maintain concentration gradients across the bundle sheath and mesophyll cell types under these light fluctuations. However, there was incomplete flux through photorespiration in the C4 F. bidentis, which could reduce photorespiratory CO2 loss via glycine decarboxylation and help maintain higher rates of assimilation during following induction periods.
“We Were Beaten Down”: Parents' Concerns about Children's Digital Media Use
Authors: Agosto Denise E. , Abbas June M. , Feng Yuanyuan , Salib Gabrielle , Cox Evelyn D. , Munyao Moses M.
Published: October 2024

Parents' concerns about children's digital media use were investigated using data from semi‐structured interviews with 17 parents of children ages five to 11 at three branches of a U.S. urban public library system. Data were analyzed using collaborative inductive thematic analysis and analyzed with the lens of culturally‐constructed anxieties about new media. The most common concerns included worries about exposure to inappropriate content, worries about digital media taking up time that children would otherwise spend engaging in more meaningful activities, concerns about safety and privacy, and worries about negative effects on children's behaviors, attitudes, and social skills. Further analysis showed parents' deeper concern for children's healthy development to underlie these narrower concerns. The authors conclude with the recommendation to shift the framing of discourse around parenting with digital media from risk protection to digital media education. Such a shift could raise awareness that framing children and digital media only in terms of risks is overly simplistic, and it could help parents come to understand that children's digital media use is not just risky but also an opportunity for children to derive educational and social benefits, and learn how to operate in a digital media‐dominated information ecosystem.
With a Little Help from Our Friends: Applying a Critical Friends Orientation to Critical Literature Reviews
Authors: Allard Danielle , Oliphant Tami
Published: October 2024

This paper describes how we developed and applied an exploratory critical friends orientation to a critical literature review that explores how feminist theories and approaches have been used in archival studies literature and reports on insights generated by this method. A critical friend is a trusted ally and critic who both values our ideas and can push them forward. Our “critical friends” critical literature review includes two parts; using traditional critical review methods we identify and synthesize how critical feminist approaches have been employed in archival studies literature. Atypically, and in part two, we also pay attention to those scholarly articles that discussed relevant or related concepts but were ultimately excluded from our final literature review corpus during the appraisal process. These peripheral articles act as critical friends to the research area under review. We describe how this approach identifies disciplinary boundaries and traditions and explores areas of overlap across intersecting and adjacent fields. A critical friends approach allows us to generously interpret and analyze the complex concepts of “feminisms” and “archives” across disciplinary fields in order to identify, learn from, and engage across fields that have much in common as well as fundamental differences.
Combating Misinformation on Social Media Using Social Noise and Social Entropy as a Measure of Uncertainty
Authors: Alsaid Manar , Parvathi Panguluri Siva , Hawamdeh Suliman
Published: October 2024

Recent events around the world, including the war in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza have highlighted the effective use of social media as a tool to voice concerns about social issues to create awareness. At the same time, social media has become a fertile ground for spreading misinformation, fake news, and conspiracy theories. Misinformation and conspiracy theories have existed since the existence of mankind. What is new today is the speed by which misinformation can be created, magnified and spread using social media. Efforts to regulate social media and control the widespread spread of misinformation are still lacking due to rapid advances in technology and concerns regarding free speech. One approach to minimizing the impact of misinformation is to focus on social noise as an important factor in magnifying and spreading misinformation. In this paper, we investigate methods of identifying and quantifying social noise using social entropy as a measure of uncertainty and topic modeling. Results from the study have shown a direct relationship between social noise and social entropy. The results have also shown that social noise and social entropy decrease with the use of URLs and rich content (sematic information). Further studies will include the use of machine learning and AI techniques to improve the definition of social news and social entropy.
Infrastructure Development and Donation Culture in the Gaza Strip
Authors: Centivany Alissa
Published: October 2024

Infrastructure consists of interlinked and nested sociotechnical systems, the construction, maintenance, and repair of which requires considerable ongoing outlays of material resources, technical know‐how and throughput, and political will. Building upon “broken world” approaches, this research uses qualitative methods to study infrastructure development, breakdown, and repair through the lens of a particular collaborative humanitarian initiative involving the public health sector in the Gaza Strip. Findings from this research suggest that a lack of donation ethics combined with policies that privilege “service over stuff” enable and exacerbate key infrastructural breakdowns, perpetuate maladaptive behaviors, inhibit meaningful development, and reinforce dominant harmful regimes. The paper concludes by arguing for increased critical and ethical awareness of donation culture and its consequences, a reconsideration of development policies that limit funding support to services rather than material and infrastructure supports, and an emphasis on building local capacity for maintenance and repair work.
Mining, Scraping, Training, Generating: Copyright Implications of Generative AI
Authors: Centivany Alissa
Published: October 2024

Generative AI (GenAI) impacts the ways we create, engage with, and understand creative and intellectual works. These new forms of sociotechnical (inter)action pose challenges for existing legal regimes, ethical frameworks, and social relationships. This research undertakes an in‐depth copyright analysis of GenAI based on U.S. law, focusing on its fair use doctrine and conceptions of transformation. This work finds that courts' characterization of uses as primarily either “expressive” or “mediating” is an important, though often implicit, factor in their decisions. Furthermore, while “transformative use” has dominated fair use decisions for the past thirty years, findings from this research suggest that GenAI may usher in a renewed emphasis on the doctrine's market harms element which, in application, may be dispositive with respect to GenAI outputs. This work concludes by offering recommendations aimed at clarifying that the value of copyright arises from social and relational aspects of creative practice and sociotechnical transformation. Arguments and rationales that (over)emphasize atomization and algorithmic decontextualization of the material properties of creative works are unlikely to attend to the underlying purpose of the Act: “[t]o promote the Progress of Science and the useful Arts”.
“You Are Not Here”: Coordinating Repair under Occupation
Authors: Centivany Alissa
Published: October 2024

This research challenges dominant understandings of ubiquity, mobility, and connectivity and explores the limits ICTs through a qualitative study of a collaborative capacity‐building initiative to localize the repair of medical devices and equipment in the Gaza Strip. Dominant perceptions of ICT affordances rely upon taken‐for‐granted political, economic, and social systems that are neither universal nor guaranteed. Using a thickly descriptive, interpretivist approach, this research shows how ICTs are fundamentally insufficient to support team collaboration and meet the affective and material requisites of collaborative work under conditions of occupation. Digital networked technologies are particularly limited in their ability to create, simulate, and/or foster the interdependent conditions of presence, flow, and coordination required for cooperative work to succeed. Geopolitical borders and concomitant conditions of occupation continuously disrupt the logics of time and space between those living and working in Gaza and the “outside world”. Arbitrary and capricious fluctuations in tolerance, temporality, persistence, and permeability wrought by the ongoing siege of Gaza result in pernicious harms that are difficult or impossible to account for or correct with technical “solutions.”
Comparing Climate Change Content and Comments across Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts and Long Videos
Authors: Duan Yiran , Khoury Christy , Joh Una , Smith Alex O. , Cousin Calvin , Hemsley Jeff
Published: October 2024

Social media plays a vital role as a communication channel for pertinent topics, including climate change. This paper investigates the content and comments of short and long‐format videos on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to compare climate change discourse on these platforms. Eighty videos and their respective 69,135 comments were collected and analyzed using content analysis, statistical analysis, data visualization, and social network analysis. Our findings show that in our dataset, videos in the short‐format (Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts) provide all sorts of content, while YouTube long videos only focus on educational and activism content. The short‐format videos also show different stances towards climate change, such as a climate change denier stance, while YouTube long videos do not. For comments, videos in the short‐format had less engagement compared to YouTube long videos. Our findings inform implications for both researchers and social media platform designers.
Back to the Past: A Systematic Review of Immersive Narrative in Cultural Heritage Conservation
Authors: He Xiaoyang , Wu Dan , Li Xin , Tong Xin
Published: October 2024

Immersive narrative creates a vivid experiential environment that allows users to be participants rather than mere observers, holding immense potential in the field of cultural heritage. However, current research primarily focuses on technological applications and integration, lacking in‐depth exploration of the fusion between technology and content as well as limited user engagement. Following a systematic review methodology, this study conducted searches and two rounds of screening in 7 major databases, resulting in the inclusion of 176 studies on immersive narrative in cultural heritage conservation. The study summarizes and extracts the current state, development trajectory, trends, research methods, and key elements in this field, innovatively categorizing them into 6 core levels of research patterns while proposing corresponding optimization strategies. Additionally, this study identifies research gaps and suggests future directions, aiming to facilitate the enhancement of immersive narrative development and deepen user engagement in the cultural heritage field.
Empowering Users with ChatGPT and Similar Large Language Models (LLMs): Everyday Information Needs, Uses, and Gratification
Authors: Ju Boryung , Stewart J. Brenton
Published: October 2024

Disruptive technologies such as ChatGPT and similar Large Language Models (LLMs) have transformed mundane everyday tasks of information users since their debut in late 2022. In this study, we leverage uses and gratifications theory to test a distinct set of motivations that drive users' satisfaction and continued use intentions of ChatGPT and similar large language models. Data were collected using a national online survey of 323 adults residing in the United States. We conducted data analysis using Partial Least Squares (PLS‐SEM) to investigate both direct and indirect impact of factors on users' gratification, thereby influencing the continued utilization of these tools for everyday information seeking. Results show four motivational factors ‐ social influence, trust, personalization, and perceived usefulness ‐ that positively influence users' satisfaction or sense of gratification, impacting their intentions to continue using these tools. This is one of the few early studies of ChatGPT and other LLMs from an information science perspective.
Generative AI Search Engines as Arbiters of Public Knowledge: An Audit of Bias and Authority
Authors: Li Alice , Sinnamon Luanne
Published: October 2024

This paper reports on an audit study of generative AI systems (ChatGPT, Bing Chat, and Perplexity), which investigates how these new search engines construct responses and establish authority for topics of public importance. We collected system responses using a set of 48 authentic queries for 4 topics over 7 days, and analyzed the data using sentiment analysis, inductive coding, and source classification. Results provide an overview of the nature of system responses across these systems, and provide evidence of sentiment bias based on the queries and topics, and commercial and geographic biases in sources. The quality of sources used to support claims is uneven, relying heavily on News and Media, Business and Digital Media websites. Implications for system users emphasize the need to critically examine Generative AI system outputs when making decisions related to public interest and personal well‐being.
Nostalgia on Twitter: Detection and Analysis of a Large‐Scale Dataset
Authors: Stanley Jothiraj Fiona Victoria , Hong Lingzi , Mashhadi Afra
Published: October 2024

Nostalgia is a self‐conscious social emotion that arises from reminiscence of past memories. Collective nostalgia on social media such as Twitter has been seen as a method to comfort individuals in the status of isolation, fear, and a loss of freedom. In recent years, many studies have focused on offering analysis of nostalgic conversations to understand their impact on various domains including marketing and mental health, but little attention has been given to how to detect such conversations in the first place. This paper offers a novel large‐scale nostalgic tweets dataset. We describe our extensive methodology to create and validate this dataset using natural language processing models and Large Language Models to detect nostalgic conversations on Twitter. We demonstrate the properties of this dataset alongside analysis revealing insight into context and patterns of what/how people reminiscence about. We finish the paper by describing other research studies that our dataset enables.