bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whole‐body magnetic resonance neurography in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Authors: Fathi Davood , Naraghi Ali , White Lawrence M. , Dodig Dubravka , Barnett‐Tapia Carolina , Breiner Ari , Bril Vera , Katzberg Hans D.
Published: May 2024

Introduction/Aims

Whole‐body magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) is an imaging modality that shows peripheral nerve signal change in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). We aimed to explore the diagnostic potential of whole‐body MRN and its potential as a monitoring tool after immunotherapy in treatment‐naïve CIDP patients.

Methods

Whole‐body MRN using coronal 3‐dimensional short tau inversion recovery (STIR) sampling perfection with application‐optimized contrasts by using different flip angle evolution (SPACE) techniques was performed in patients being investigated for CIDP and in healthy controls. Baseline clinical neuropathy scales and electrophysiologic parameters were collected, and MRN findings were compared before and after CIDP treatment.

Results

We found highly concordant symmetrical thickening and increased T2 signal intensities in the brachial/lumbosacral plexus, femoral, or sciatic nerves in five of the eight patients with a final diagnosis of CIDP and none of the healthy controls. There were no treatment‐related imaging changes in five patients with CIDP who completed a follow‐up study. Diffuse, symmetrical thickening, and increased T2 signal in root, plexus, and peripheral nerves were found in two patients ultimately excluded due to a diagnosis of polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, skin changes (POEMS) syndrome in addition to signal changes in the muscles, bony lesions, organomegaly, and lymphadenopathy.

Discussion

Whole‐body MRN imaging shows promise in detecting abnormalities in proximal nerve segments in patients with CIDP. Future studies evaluating the role of MRN in assessing treatment response should consider follow‐up scans after treatment durations of more than 4 months.
Organizing logic multiplicity in hybrid organizations: The role of organizational culture
Authors: Pinz Alexander , Englert Benedikt , Helmig Bernd
Published: May 2024

Hybrid organizations must deal with institutional complexity and find ways to manage conflicting demands in their organizational environment to engage in their required, day‐to‐day activities. The objective of this qualitative research is to elaborate on the mechanisms that hybrid organizations use to mitigate the destabilizing effects of such institutional logic multiplicity in their value creation processes. By combining value configuration analyses and the hybrid organizing concept as a theoretical background, the authors conduct a case study with 14 nonprofit microfinance organizations (MFOs) that illustrates the importance of an integrative organizational culture as a core foundation that can align and integrate social and economic demands. Successful nonprofit MFOs align competing institutional logics in a hierarchy of goals, explicitly defining their means and objectives. Independent of the type of logic multiplicity they face, they use the hierarchy to define their organizational identity and transfer it to a corresponding organizational culture that can balance diverse institutional demands. From a theoretical perspective, this study advances institutional logic approaches; it also identifies effective mechanisms hybrid organizations can use to cope with logic multiplicity by applying a value configuration perspective.
A review of the emerging approaches for developing multi‐scale filler‐reinforced epoxy nanocomposites with enhanced impact performance
Authors: Shelly Daksh , Singhal Varun , Nanda Tarun , Mehta Rajeev , Aepuru Radhamanohar , Lee Seul‐Yi , Park Soo‐Jin
Published: May 2024

Fiber‐reinforced polymer composites (FRPCs) are utilized for myriad applications owing to their exceptional characteristics like high specific strength and stiffness. However, the low‐to‐moderate impact strength of these materials is a major constraint restricting their usage in fields requiring high‐impact performance. To ensure the reliable performance of FRPCs throughout the intended life span, a combination of good static mechanical properties and high impact resistance is crucial. Recent advancements in this field have yielded a breakthrough by developing novel materials that overcome this limitation. This groundbreaking achievement was realized by processing epoxy‐based GFRPs containing a synergistic blend of surface‐modified nano‐clay and compatibilized polymeric fiber micro‐reinforcement. This review provides an overview of advancements in the development of FRPCs, starting from the single‐filler to multi‐scale filler‐reinforced materials. The review elaborates on the effect of reinforcement of various thermoplastic fibers (polyethylene, para‐aramid, and spandex) on the mechanical performance of FRPCs. The necessity of filler compatibilization to enhance interfacial bonding constituents is also discussed. It can be concluded that the choice of surface treatment for a given thermoplastic fiber is governed by its chemical composition, the functional groups to be added on its surface through a specific compatibilization treatment, and the chemical nature of other constituents of the composite system with which the treated fiber surface interacts. Further, the greater the elasticity and ductility of the reinforced thermoplastic fiber, the higher the impact strength of the resulting epoxy‐based GFRPs. Finally, the review brings forth the potential opportunities for future research in this area.

Highlights

Discussed recent advancements in epoxy‐based GFRPs with multi‐scale filler reinforcement.

Multi‐scale filler‐reinforced epoxy‐based GFRPs have myriad applications in aviation, automobile, marine, sports, etc.

Nano‐/micro‐fillers in their pristine state degrade the mechanical performance of epoxy‐based GFRPs.

Filler compatibilization is essential for achieving superior mechanical performance in epoxy‐based GFRPs.

Reinforcing compatibilized soft/ductile thermoplastic fibers resulted in a notable increase in impact strength while maintaining tensile properties.
Characterization of effective, simple, and low‐cost precipitation methods for depleting abundant plasma proteins to enhance the depth and breadth of plasma proteomics
Authors: Rice Shawn J. , Belani Chandra P.
Published: May 2024

Plasma is an abundant source of proteins and potential biomarkers to aid in the detection, diagnosis, and prognosis of human diseases. These proteins are often present at low levels in the blood and difficult to identify and measure due to the large dynamic range of proteins. The goal of this work was to characterize and compare various protein precipitation methods related to how they affect the depth and breadth of plasma proteomic studies. Abundant protein precipitation with perchloric acid (PerCA) can increase protein identifications and depth of plasma proteomic studies. Three acid‐ and four solvent‐based precipitation methods were evaluated. All methods tested provided excellent plasma proteomic coverage (>600 identified protein groups) and detected protein in the low pg/mL range. Functional enrichment analysis revealed subtle differences within and larger changes between the precipitant groups. Methanol‐based precipitation outperformed the other methods based on identifications and reproducibility. The methods’ performance was verified using eight lung cancer patient samples, where >700 protein groups were measured and proteins with an estimated plasma concentration of ∼10 pg/mL were detected. Various protein precipitation agents are amenable to extending the depth and breadth of plasma proteomes. These data can guide investigators to implement inexpensive, high‐throughput methods for their plasma proteomic workflows.
Effective Carrier Lifetime in Ultrashort Pulse Laser Hyperdoped Silicon: Sulfur Concentration Dependence and Practical Limitations
Authors: Schäfer Sören , Liu Xiaolong , Mc Kearney Patrick , Paulus Simon , Radfar Behrad , Vähänissi Ville , Savin Hele , Kontermann Stefan
Published: May 2024

Charge carrier lifetime is a crucial material parameter in optoelectronic devices and knowing the dominant recombination channels points the way for improvements. The effective carrier lifetime τeff of surface‐passivated hyperdoped (hSi) and nonhyperdoped “black” (bSi) silicon by quasi‐steady‐state photoconductance decay (QSSPC) measurements and its evolution upon controlled wet‐chemical etching are studied. Sample preparation involves the irradiation of Si by numerous ultrashort laser pulses either in SF6 for hSi or ambient atmosphere for bSi. Findings suggest that the hSi is composed of a double layer: 1) an amorphous resolidified top layer with about 92% of the total incorporated sulfur that accounts for the sub‐bandgap absorptance and 2) a crystalline layer underneath in which sulfur concentration tails off toward the Si substrate. The effective lifetime is deconstructed by a 1D simulation to quantify the impact of the local lifetime of the defect‐rich top layer, τtop. It is found that by the QSSPC method, a maximum τtop for 1) can be estimated. For 2), τtop between 2 and 8 ns is estimated. The bSi sample shows a faster lifetime recovery upon etching which suggests that in hSi samples purely laser‐induced defects are not limiting the carrier lifetime compared to sulfur‐related defects.
Electron ionization mass spectrometry feature peak relationships combined with deep classification model to assist similarity algorithm for fast and accurate identification of compounds
Authors: Zhang Jiajiang , Li Junhui , Ding Binbin , Qiao Qusheng , Wang Haixing , Liang Yanchao , Song Peihong , Wu Yong , Wang Chenlu , Tang Keqi , Yu Jiancheng
Published: May 2024

Rationale

Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) combines chromatography and MS, providing full play to the advantages of high separation efficiency of GC, strong qualitative ability of MS, and high sensitivity of detector. In GC–MS data processing, determining the experimental compounds is one of the most important analytical steps, which is usually realized by one‐to‐one similarity calculations between the experimental mass spectrum and the standard mass spectrum library. Although the accuracy of the algorithm has been improved in recent years, it is still difficult to distinguish structurally similar mass spectra, especially isomers. At the same time, the library capacity is very large and increasing every year, and the algorithm needs to perform large numbers of calculations with irrelevant compounds in the library to recognize unknown compounds, which leads to a significant reduction in efficiency.

Methods

This work proposed to exclude a large number of irrelevant mass spectra by presearching, perform preliminary similarity calculations using similarity algorithms, and finally improve the accuracy of similarity calculations using deep classification models. The replica library of NIST17 is used as the query data, and the master library is used as the reference database.

Results

Compared with the traditional recognition algorithm, the preprocessing algorithm has reduced the time by 4.2 h, and by adding the deep learning models 1 and 2 as the final determination, the recognition accuracy has been improved by 1.9% and 6.5%, respectively, based on the original algorithm.

Conclusions

This method improves the recognition efficiency compared to conventional algorithms and at the same time has better recognition accuracy for structurally similar mass spectra and isomers.
Proof of concept evidence that stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur may identify individual kittiwakes breeding in different colonies
Authors: Furness Robert W. , Furness Euan N.
Published: May 2024

Rationale

Carbon, nitrogen and sulphur stable isotopes in feathers grown by seabirds while breeding reflect the local isoscape and diet in the vicinity of the colony, so may make it possible to discriminate individual birds from different colonies.

Methods

Black‐legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla inner primary feathers from two colonies about 350 km apart in the North Sea were used to test whether δ13C, δ15N and δ34S differed between individuals from the two colonies. Feather tips cut from breeding birds caught at nests were compared with tips of moulted feathers (grown 1 year earlier) found on the ground.

Results

Isotopic compositions showed no overlap between the two colonies in δ13C, δ15N or δ34S in tips of newly‐grown feathers sampled from breeding adult kittiwakes. There was some overlap in δ13C, δ15N and δ34S from moulted feathers, but discriminant analysis allowed >90% of individuals to be assigned to their colony. In five of six comparisons, mean isotopic compositions were the same in new and moulted feathers but not for δ34S at one of the two colonies.

Conclusions

This study has demonstrated for the first time that stable isotopes in inner primary feathers of kittiwakes can allow accurate identification of the breeding colony of individual birds from two different colonies within the North Sea. Further research is required to determine if this method can be applied with greater spatial resolution and to a larger number of colonies.
Sexuality in the era of transhumanism: A point of view
Authors: Arias‐Castillo Liliana , González‐Arboleda Andrés Augusto , García‐Perdomo Herney Andrés
Published: May 2024

Several technological and scientific developments have arisen to enhance the human condition. Transhumanism is an intellectual movement that gathers different knowledge sectors to attain a physical and psychological fullness state, with capacities that surpass a human as is known today. These advances have led to a remarkable development in human–robot interaction, an interaction science that studies how technology could influence human behavior. Social robots are part of this science, looking to improve the interaction between robots and the general population in everyday contexts. Sex robots, being part of social robots, have gained a lot of importance in the industry. But, does any relationship exist between transhumanism and sexuality? Some authors have proposed beneficial sex robots in sexual dysfunctions and older adults. However, several contradictors state that sex robots will not be helpful, but they may aggravate these conditions. Further studies are needed to assess the real impact of these devices on sexual dysfunctions, as lack of evidence prevents firmly recommending them as part of treatment protocols.
Learning optimal biomarker‐guided treatment policy for chronic disorders
Authors: Yang Bin , Guo Xingche , Loh Ji Meng , Wang Qinxia , Wang Yuanjia
Published: May 2024

Electroencephalogram (EEG) provides noninvasive measures of brain activity and is found to be valuable for the diagnosis of some chronic disorders. Specifically, pre‐treatment EEG signals in the alpha and theta frequency bands have demonstrated some association with antidepressant response, which is well‐known to have a low response rate. We aim to design an integrated pipeline that improves the response rate of patients with major depressive disorder by developing a treatment policy guided by the resting state pre‐treatment EEG recordings and other treatment effects modifiers. First, we design an innovative automatic site‐specific EEG preprocessing pipeline to extract features with stronger signals than raw data. We then estimate the conditional average treatment effect (CATE) using causal forests and use a doubly robust technique to improve efficiency in the estimation of the average treatment effect. We present evidence of heterogeneity in the treatment effect and the modifying power of the EEG features, as well as a significant average treatment effect, a result that cannot be obtained with conventional methods. Finally, we employ an efficient policy learning algorithm to learn an optimal depth‐2 treatment assignment decision tree and compare its performance with Q‐Learning and outcome‐weighted learning via simulation studies and an application to a large multi‐site, double‐blind, randomized controlled clinical trial, EMBARC.
Circulating Tumor Cell Phenotype Detection and Epithelial‐Mesenchymal Transition Tracking Based on Dual Biomarker Co‐Recognition in an Integrated PDMS Chip
Authors: Xu Hao , Zuo Yingchun , Gao Shuai , Liu Yuping , Liu Tingting , He Shiyu , Wang Mengjiao , Hu Lili , Li Chenglin , Yu Yanyan
Published: May 2024

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are widely considered as a reliable and promising class of markers in the field of liquid biopsy. As CTCs undergo epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), phenotype detection of heterogeneous CTCs based on EMT markers is of great significance. In this report, an integrated analytical strategy that can simultaneously capture and differentially detect epithelial‐ and mesenchymal‐expressed CTCs in bloods of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLS) patients is proposed. First, a commercial biomimetic polycarbonate (PCTE) microfiltration membrane is employed as the capture interface for heterogenous CTCs. Meanwhile, differential detection of the captured CTCs is realized by preparing two distinct CdTe quantum dots (QDs) with red and green emissions, attached with EpCAM and Vimentin aptamers, respectively. For combined analysis, a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chip with simple structure is designed, which integrates the membrane capture and QDs‐based phenotype detection of CTCs. This chip not only implements the analysis of the number of CTCs down to 2 cells mL−1, but enables EMT process tracking according to the specific signals of the two QDs. Finally, this method is successfully applied to inspect the correlations of numbers or proportions of heterogenous CTCs in 94 NSCLS patients with disease stage and whether there is distant metastasis.
Oxygen‐Evolving Radiotherapy‐Radiodynamic Therapy Synergized with NO Gas Therapy by Cerium‐Based Rare‐Earth Metal‐Porphyrin Framework
Authors: Lin Jinyan , He Yueyang , Li Yang , Chen Jianwu , Liu Xiaolong
Published: May 2024

The efficacy of traditional radiotherapy (RT) has been severely limited by its significant side effects, as well as tumor hypoxia. Here, the nanoscale cerium (Ce)‐based metaloxo clusters (Ce(IV)6)‐porphyrin (meso‐tetra (4‐carboxyphenyl) porphyrin, TCPP) framework loaded with L‐arginine (LA) (denoted as LA@Ce(IV)6‐TCPP) is developed to serve as a multifarious radio enhancer to heighten X‐ray absorption and energy transfer accompanied by O2/NO generation for hypoxia‐improved RT‐radiodynamic therapy (RDT) and gas therapy. Within tumor cells, LA@Ce(IV)6‐TCPP will first react with endogenous H2O2 and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) to produce O2 and NO to respectively increase the oxygen supply and reduce oxygen consumption, thus alleviating tumor hypoxia. Then upon X‐ray irradiation, LA@Ce(IV)6‐TCPP can significantly enhance hydroxyl radical (•OH) generation from Ce(IV)6 metaloxo clusters for RT and synchronously facilitate singlet oxygen (1O2) generation from adjacently‐coordinated TCPP for RDT. Moreover, both the •OH and 1O2 can further react with NO to generate more toxic peroxynitrite anions (ONOO−) to inhibit tumor growth for gas therapy. Benefitting from the alleviation of tumor hypoxia and intensified RT‐RDT synergized with gas therapy, LA@Ce(IV)6‐TCPP elicited superior anticancer outcomes. This work provides an effective RT strategy by using low doses of X‐rays to intensify tumor suppression yet reduce systemic toxicity.
Highly Flexible and Superelastic Graphene Nanofibrous Aerogels for Intelligent Sign Language
Authors: Pang Kai , Ma Jingyu , Song Xian , Liu Xiaoting , Zhang Chengqi , Gao Yue , Li Kaiwen , Liu Yingjun , Peng Yuxin , Xu Zhen , Gao Chao
Published: May 2024

Highly flexible and superelastic aerogels at large deformation have become urgent mechanical demands in practical uses, but both properties are usually exclusive. Here a trans‐scale porosity design is proposed in graphene nanofibrous aerogels (GNFAs) to break the trade‐off between high flexibility and superelasticity. The resulting GNFAs can completely recover after 1000 fatigue cycles at 60% folding strain, and notably maintain excellent structural integrity after 10000 cycles at 90% compressive strain, outperforming most of the reported aerogels. The mechanical robustness is demonstrated to be derived from the trans‐scale porous structure, which is composed of hyperbolic micropores and porous nanofibers to enable the large elastic deformation capability. It is further revealed that flexible and superelastic GNFAs exhibit high sensitivity and ultrastability as an electrical sensors to detect tension and flexion deformation. As proof, The GNFA sensor is implemented onto a human finger and achieves the intelligent recognition of sign language with high accuracy by multi‐layer artificial neural network. This study proposes a highly flexible and elastic graphene aerogel for wearable human‐machine interfaces in sensor technology.
N‐methyl Formamide Electrolyte Additive Enabling Highly Reversible Zn Anodes
Authors: Chimtali Peter Joseph , Yang Xiya , Zhou Quan , Wei Shiqiang , Mohamed Zeinab , Akhtar Hassan , Al‐Mahgari Aad , Zhou Yuzhu , Xu Hanchen , Zhang Zijun , Cao Dengfeng , Chen Shuangming , Zhu Kefu , Guo Xin , Shou Hongwei , Wu Xiaojun , Wang Changda , Song Li
Published: May 2024

Parasitic side reactions and dendrites formation hinder the application of aqueous zinc ion batteries due to inferior cycling life and low reversibility. Against this background, N‐methyl formamide (NMF), a multi‐function electrolyte additive is applied to enhance the electrochemical performance. Studied via advanced synchrotron radiation spectroscopy and DFT calculations, the NMF additive simultaneously modifies the Zn2+ solvation structure and ensures uniform zinc deposition, thus suppressing both parasitic side reactions and dendrite formation. More importantly, an ultralong cycling life of 3115 h in the Zn||Zn symmetric cell at a current density of 0.5 mA cm−2 is achieved with the NMF additive. Practically, the Zn||PANI full cell utilizing NMF electrolyte shows better rate and cycling performance compared to the pristine ZnSO4 aqueous electrolyte. This work provides useful insights for the development of high‐performance aqueous metal batteries.
Freestanding Penta‐Twinned Palladium Nanosheets
Authors: Ahn Hojin , Ahn Hochan , Goo Bon Seung , Kwon Yongmin , Kim Yonghyeon , Wi Dae Han , Hong Jong Wook , Lee Seunghoon , Lee Young Wook , Han Sang Woo
Published: May 2024

Control over the morphology of nanomaterials to have a 2D structure and manipulating the surface strain of nanostructures through defect control have proved to be promising for developing efficient catalysts for sustainable chemical and energy conversion. Here a one‐pot aqueous synthesis route of freestanding Pd nanosheets with a penta‐twinned structure (PdPT NSs) is presented. The generation of the penta‐twinned nanosheet structure can be succeeded by directing the anisotropic growth of Pd under the controlled reduction kinetics of Pd precursors. Experimental and computational investigations showed that the surface atoms of the PdPT NSs are effectively under a compressive environment due to the strain imposed by their twin boundary defects. Due to the twin boundary‐induced surface strain as well as the 2D structure of the PdPT NSs, they exhibited highly enhanced electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction compared to Pd nanosheets without a twin boundary, 3D Pd nanocrystals, and commercial Pd/C and Pt/C catalysts.
Synergistic Cathode Design for High‐Performance Dual‐Salt Magnesium/Lithium‐Ion Batteries Using 2D/2D 1T/2H‐MoS2@Ti3C2Tx MXene Nanocomposite
Authors: Rahmatinejad Jalal , Liu Xudong , Raisi Bahareh , Ye Zhibin
Published: May 2024

Magnesium‐ion batteries (MIBs) and dual‐salt magnesium/lithium‐ion batteries (MLIBs) have emerged as promising contenders for next‐generation energy storage. In contrast to lithium metal anode in lithium metal batteries, magnesium metal anode in MIBs and MLIBs presents a safer alternative due to the limited dendrite growth and higher volumetric capacity, along with higher natural abundance. This study explores a MLIB configuration with a novel cathode design by employing a 2D/2D nanocomposite of 1T/2H mixed phase MoS2 and delaminated Ti3C2Tx MXene (1T/2H‐MoS2@MXene) to address challenges associated with slow kinetics of magnesium ions during cathode interactions. This cathode design takes advantage of the high electrical conductivity of Ti3C2Tx MXene and the expanded interlayer spacing with enhanced conductivity of the 1T metallic phase in 1T/2H mixed phase MoS2. Through a designed synthesis method, the resulting nanocomposite cathode maintains structural integrity, enabling the stable and reversible storage of dual Mg2+ and Li+ ions. The nanocomposite cathode demonstrates superior performance in MLIBs compared to individual components (253 mAh g−1 at 50 mA g−1, and 36% of capacity retention at 1,000 mA g−1), showcasing short ion transport paths and fast ion storage kinetics. This work represents a significant advancement in cathode material design for cost‐effective and safe MLIBs.
Accelerated Li Penetration and Crack Propagation Due to Mechanical Degradation of Sulfide‐Based Solid Electrolyte
Authors: Diaz Megan , Mohayman Zakariya , Shozib Imtiaz , Tu Howard Qingsong , Kushima Akihiro
Published: May 2024

This work presents quantitative investigations into the relationships between lithium dendrite growth in the defects of Li6PS5Cl (LPSCl) solid electrolyte (SE), crack nucleation and propagation in the SE, and the associated mechanical forces driving these dendrites and cracks. Two different growth modes for lithium dendrites are identified by ex situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation: longitudinal cracking inside pores in the SE and lateral penetration along boundaries of the SE particles. These in situ TEM tests reveal that concentrated Li plating in a nano‐sized defect on the LPSCl surface will lead to the nucleation and propagation of cracks into the LPSCl under a stress much smaller than the expected mechanical strength of the LPSCl material. This unexpected mechanical degradation is caused by a reduction in the mechanical strength of LPSCl during electrochemical charge/discharge cycling, resulting from a disorder in the crystal structure of LPSCl as revealed by DFT simulations. Due to this mechanical degradation of LPSCl, the threshold force necessary to initiate crack growth is much lower than the previously expected force to drive dendrite growth.
Multiple RNA Rapid In Situ Imaging Based on Cas9 Code Key System
Authors: Hu Ruiwei , Yang Wei , Li Jia , Jiang Lanxin , Li Menghan , Zhang Mengxuan , Kang Yuexi , Cheng Xiaoxue , Zhu Shasha , Zhao Lina , He Wen , Guo Minghui , Ding Shijia , Wu Haiping , Cheng Wei
Published: May 2024

Existing RNA in situ imaging strategies mostly utilize parallel repetitive nucleic acid self‐assembly to achieve multiple analysis, with limitations of complicated systems and cumbersome steps. Here, a Cas9 code key system with key probe (KP) encoder and CRISPR/Cas9 signal exporter is developed. This system triggers T‐protospacer adjacent motif (T‐PAM structural transitions of multiple KP encoders to form coding products with uniform single‐guide RNA (sgRNA) target sequences as tandem nodes. Only single sgRNA/Cas9 complex is required to cleave multiple coding products, enabling efficient “many‐to‐one” tandem signaling, and non‐collateral cleavage activity‐dependent automatic signaling output through active introduction of mismatched bases. Compared with conventional parallel multiple signaling analysis model, the proposed system greatly simplifies reaction process and enhances detection efficiency. Further, a rapid multiple RNA in situ imaging system is developed by combining the Cas9 code key system with a T‐strand displacement amplification (T‐SDA) signal amplifier. The constructed system is applied to tumor cells and clinicopathology slices, generating clear multi‐mRNA imaging profiles in less than an hour with just one step. Therefore, this work provides reliable technical support for clinical tumor typing and molecular mechanism investigation.
Surfactant‐Free, Size‐Controllable, and Scalable Green Synthesis of ZIF‐8 Particles with Narrow Size Distribution by Tuning Key Reaction Parameters in Water Solvent
Authors: Kim Donggyun , Park Jinhyeon , Park Jisoo , Jang Jieun , Han Minsu , Lim Si‐Hyung , Ryu Du Yeol , You Jungmok , Zhu Wenkai , Yamauchi Yusuke , Kim Jeonghun
Published: May 2024

The chemical/physical properties and reliable performance of nanoporous materials are strongly influenced by the particle size and corresponding distribution. Among many types of MOFs, ZIF‐8, is still widely used and many studies have been conducted to control the particle size and uniformity of ZIF‐8 using surfactants and organic solvents. However, the use of surfactants and organic solvents process is expensive and may cause environmental pollution. For the first time, in this paper, a surfactant‐free, size‐controllable, and scalable green synthesis method of ZIF‐8 particles is reported using four reaction parameters (temperature, concentration, pouring time, and reactant ratio) that affect the formation of nuclei and growth of ZIF‐8 crystals. The as‐synthesized ZIF‐8 nanoparticles show great uniformity and controllable particle sizes in the wide range of 147–915 nm. In addition, a 2 L large‐scale synthesis of ZIF‐8 with narrow size distribution is developed by finely tuned particle size in water without any additives. To demonstrate the efficient utilization of nanopores according to the particle size and size distribution, an adsorption test is conducted on the ZIF‐8 nanoparticles. This study will support the synthesis of size‐controlled ZIF‐8 with narrow size distribution and their composites for achieving high performance in the emerging applications.
Multifunctional Hydroxylamine‐O‐Sulfonic Acid as Additives for Highly Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Aziguli Haibibu , Lu Tao , Zhao Haiyang , Liu Menglong , Li Renjie , Wu Qiang , Liu Yuhang , Hou Juan
Published: May 2024

Despite the rapid development of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), defects in the devices continue to impede further improvements in power conversion efficiency and operational stability. In this work, the use of hydroxylamine‐O‐sulfonic acid as a bifunctional molecule to enhance the performance of PSCs is described. Strong coordination exists between the sulfonic acid group and uncoordinated Pb2+ of perovskite, while the NH bond on amino group interacts with uncoordinated I−. Thus, due to the synergistic contribution of sulfonic acid group and amino groups, the high‐quality perovskite film with good crystallinity and low defect density is achieved. As a result, the optimal devices exhibit an enhanced efficiency of 23.33%, which is much higher than that of the control device (21.53%). Notably, the optimized target device exhibits excellent long‐term operational stability, retaining over 90% of its initial efficiency after 480 h at 65 °C, over 93% after a continuous illumination test for 650 h, and over 96% after nearly 1400 h of air storage. In contrast, the control device demonstrates poorer stability. In these results, it is suggested that selecting a dual‐functional additive is a promising approach to enhance efficiency and maintain stability in PSCs.
Navigating socio‐emotional risk through comfort‐building in physics teacher professional development: A case study
Authors: Mahmood Maggie S. , Talafian Hamideh , Shafer Devyn , Kuo Eric , Lundsgaard Morten , Stelzer Tim
Published: May 2024

In teacher professional development (PD), grouping teachers with varying levels of experience can be a productive and empowering way to stimulate the exchange and co‐generation of content and pedagogical knowledge. However, less experienced teachers can face socio‐emotional risks when engaging in collaborative science content reasoning tasks with more experienced colleagues, and these risks may impact the collaborative experience of both parties and the learning environment in teacher PD. This exploratory case study examines the process of productively navigating socio‐emotional risks and interpersonal tensions encountered by a veteran and pre‐service physics teacher during one episode of discussing physics content. We use a single term, comfort‐building, to encapsulate discursive moves that result in increased feelings of comfort and safety by the participants. Comfort‐building includes moves that serve to mitigate social risk, ease tension, and avoid discomfort, as well as those geared toward finding common ground and co‐navigating challenges. These moves can carve out conversational space for teachers to more confidently face risks associated with being accountable to the physics content knowledge and engage in discipline‐based conversations more deeply. The presented case was followed by video‐stimulated individual interviews to determine how consciously the teachers connected their participation to explicit risk and comfort. This case study highlights an affective dimension for consideration in the continued study and facilitation of science teacher PD, especially programs that bring together teachers with a variety of backgrounds and skill sets.
SoTL as a catalyst for the development of medical educator scholar identity
Authors: Amorelli Delores , Parker Jordan Moberg
Published: May 2024

This chapter explores the experiences of undergraduate medical educators with the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) and the impact it has had on their educator identity and practice.
Impact of anesthesia‐related genes on prognosis and tumor microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma: A comprehensive analysis
Authors: Xu Xia , Hu Lihong
Published: May 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), renowned for its bleak prognosis and high recurrence rates, necessitates innovative strategies for prognosis assessment and therapeutic intervention. In this pursuit, we systematically investigated the influence of anesthesia‐related genes (ANARGs) on HCC outcomes. Leveraging data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), our study scrutinized RNA sequencing data and clinical profiles from 374 HCC patients alongside 50 non‐tumor liver samples to unravel ANARG expression patterns and their clinical relevance. Employing consensus clustering, we segregated HCC samples into two distinct subtypes based on ANARG profiles, unveiling significant survival disparities between them. Further differential expression analysis pinpointed pivotal genes and pathways distinguishing these subtypes, notably implicating lipid metabolism and the MTOR signaling pathway in HCC pathogenesis. A prognostic model, comprising five key ANARGs (DAGLA, CYP26B, HAVCR, G6PD and AKR1B), exhibited robust predictive capability for patient outcomes, validated across independent patient cohorts. Furthermore, immune infiltration analysis uncovered a nuanced interplay between ANARG expression and the tumor immune microenvironment, spotlighting variations in immune cell infiltration and function across the identified HCC subtypes. This comprehensive analysis underscores not only the prognostic significance of ANARGs in HCC but also their potential to modulate the tumor microenvironment, providing novel insights for tailoring anesthetic management and therapeutic strategies in HCC care. Our findings advocate for a more integrative approach to HCC management, amalgamating molecular profiling with traditional clinical parameters to refine patient stratification and personalize treatment strategies.
In Situ Observation of Collision Between Exogenous and Endogenous Inclusions on Steel Melts for Active Steel Filtration
Authors: Schröder Christina , Wei Xingwen , Fischer Undine , Schmidt Gert , Volkova Olena , Aneziris Christos G.
Published: May 2024

Investigations at the high-temperature confocal laser scanning microscope (HT-CLSM) allow observing the interaction of non-metallic particles in terms of potential filter material with endogenous particles of molten steel in the high-temperature range. The respective particle velocities are determined from the particle movements and conclusions are drawn about the attractive forces of the particles. The interactions of exogenous Al2O3 particles, MgO and MgAl2O4 spinel particles, and CA6 calcium aluminate particles with endogenous constituents of molten steel X15CrNiSi25-20 are analyzed in the present work. Accompanying experiments were performed in a heating microscope on the interaction between steel and MgO and steel and CA6. Scanning electron microscopy SEM/EDX/EBSD studies reveal not only the interactions of the non-metallic inclusions with each other, but also reactions of the molten steel with the exogenous particles that affect the agglomeration behavior. While exogenous and endogenous Al2O3 particles exhibit high attractive forces and almost no react with the molten steel, a liquid reaction layer forms around the magnesia particles, which leads to a reduction of the attractive forces. After dissolution of the reaction layer, the attractive forces increase. Spinel particles are surrounded by a strong meniscus in the observed steel melt. Endogenous particles moving toward the spinel do not adhere to the particle. Reactions were also observed when CA6 particles came into contact with molten steel. In this process, the calcium aluminate is depleted of calcium. Only loose connections of the exogenous Ca-depleted CA6 with endogenous Al2O3 particles have been detected.
Ceramic Filter Materials and Filter Structures with Active and Reactive Functional Pores for the Aluminum Melt Filtration
Authors: Voigt Claudia , Wetzig Tony , Hubálková Jana , Gehre Patrick , Brachhold Nora , Aneziris Christos G.
Published: May 2024

The application of ceramic foam filters is state of the art in the casting of aluminum melt. Despite their industrial use since the 1960s, the filtration mechanisms are not fully understood. The Collaborative Research Center 920 investigated the influence of the filter surface chemistry and wetting between filter and melt on the filtration efficiency. The investigated filter surfaces based on Al2O3, MgAl2O4, 3Al2O3·2SiO2and TiO2 showed differences in the filtration efficiency and the wetting behavior whereby a good correlation for inclusions smaller than 110 µm was found–the larger the contact angle the higher the filtration efficiency. The results raised the question whether the intrinsic contact angle or the different roughness of the materials caused the changes in the filtration efficiency. A filtration trial at the Hydro pilot filtration line revealed a strong influence of the filter surface roughness on the filtration efficiency. A filter coated with Nano-Al2O3, with a divergent intrinsic contact angle compared to be Al2O3 reference filter, showed no improvement of the filtration behavior indicating no influence of the intrinsic contact angle on the filtration.
Numerical Simulation of Continuous Steel Casting Regarding the Enhancement of the Cleanliness of Molten Steel
Authors: Neumann Sebastian , Asad Amjad , Schwarze Rüdiger
Published: May 2024

Research results of this chapter show a great potential to improve inclusion removal from steel melts using active and reactive exchangeable filtration systems in steelmaking. This contribution investigates numerically the performance and the efficiency of the reactive cleaning and active filtration in continuous casting tundishes. For this purpose, a Euler–Lagrange model of the disperse two-phase flow of steel melt and non-metallic inclusions has been developed. Here, implicit large eddy simulations have been employed to resolve the large-scale turbulent structures in the tundish flows. By means of multiphase flow simulations, two prototype tundish configurations (laboratory one-strand tundish, industrial-scale two-strand tundish) were researched with alumina-coated, carbon-bonded ceramic foam hybrid filters. The research aimed the investigation of the effect of the filtration system, e.g. filter position, filter shapes and filter size on inclusion removal. The results of the numerical simulations indicated the high cleaning efficiencies obtained by using a reactive filter system, where reactively generated carbon monoxide bubbles carried a high amount of inclusions to the slag. Moreover, it was concluded from the results that the contribution of active filtration to inclusion removal by the deposition of inclusions on filter surfaces was neglectable compared to the contributions of reactive cleaning.
Structural and Thermodynamic Properties of Filter Materials: A Raman and DFT Investigation
Authors: Kraus Jakob , Brehm Simon , Himcinschi Cameliu , Kortus Jens
Published: May 2024

The contribution focuses on the accurate prediction of heat capacities for intermetallics, the estimation of reaction paths for coated and uncoated alumina foam filters in contact with metallic melts, and the investigation of thermally induced changes in various filters and filtercomponents. Density functional theory (DFT) was able to provide isobaric heat capacities for Al–Fe and Al–Fe-Si systems that outclassed the empirical Neumann–Kopp rule and matched the experimental values over a wide temperature range. Moreover, DFT calculations clarified that the formation of hercynite at the interface between alumina filters and steel melt was the result of a solid-state reaction involving high concentrations of FeO. Ex-situ Raman spectroscopy was used to compare carbon-bonded alumina filters using different bindersfrom Carbores®P to environmentally friendly lactose/tannin, as a function of heat treatment. For these carbon-bonded filters, the prominent D and G bands were used to confirm the existence of graphitization processes and determine the size of graphite clusters resulting from these processes. In order to investigate the pyrolysis processes occurring in selected binder constituents of the lactose/tannin filters, the evolution of Raman spectra with temperature was analyzed via in-situ measurements. Wherever it was appropriate, experimental Raman data were compared with DFT-simulated spectra. Further, Raman spectroscopy was used to study the thermally induced formation of metastable alumina, helping to understand the structural changes that take place during the transformation of boehmite (γ-AlO(OH)) to corundum (α-Al2O3) via metastable transition phases: γ-Al2O3, δ-Al2O3, and θ-Al2O3.
Escaping the Routine: Virtual Escape Rooms in Online Hospitality Courses
Authors: Berezina Katerina , Ciftci Olena , Talebi Mahsa , Mahdavi Rasoul
Published: May 2024

Virtual escape rooms (VER) are online educational games that place learners in the scenario of being locked in a specified environment and require them to collect clues, answer questions, or solve puzzles in exchange for an escape code. This paper documents the process of designing a VER for an online hospitality course using Google Workspace tools (i.e., Google Sites, Slides, and Forms). The paper walks the readers through the VER design process, which includes identifying the purpose of creating a VER, creating a storyline, preparing clues (e.g., puzzles and activities for students to solve), setting up an escape code, and collecting student feedback. This process may be followed by online instructors to create VERs that will meet the needs of their courses. The same process may be applied when developing VERs in other environments (e.g., Microsoft products, mobile apps, or metaverse). Based on the feedback of 21 students who participated in the VER described in this paper, the experience was engaging, fun, enjoyable, and helped them learn and understand the class material. This paper may be useful for hospitality and tourism instructors, industry training professionals, and instructional designers.
Hospitality in the Cyborg Age: The Power of Brain-Computer Interfaces in a Field-Experiment
Authors: Kiess Alexander , Schmidt Alexander Lennart
Published: May 2024

This paper explores the emerging role of Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) in the hospitality industry. BCI technology allows users to control devices with their thoughts, potentially transforming guest experiences. The study investigates how guests perceive BCI-enhanced experiences compared to traditional ones. Drawing from service and human-computer interaction literature, the paper conducts a quasi-field pre-study, where participants interact with a BCI-equipped waitress. Surprisingly, participants perceived the BCI-equipped waitress as superior and warmer, resulting in an improved service experience.

The research contributes in two ways: it advances understanding of how people perceive BCI-augmented interactions in hospitality and explores the use of BCIs in addressing service failures, improving efficiency in handling customer complaints. The paper outlines plans for larger-scale field studies and online experiments across different hospitality contexts. This research offers insights into the evolving landscape of human-computer interaction in hospitality, with practical implications for the industry’s future.
Hot Topics in Travel Digital Transformation: A Swiss Perspective
Authors: Inversini Alessandro , Chen Meng-Mei , Keller Amélie , Schegg Roland
Published: May 2024

The advance of technologies has profoundly changed customers’ expectation and behaviors, as well as companies’ business processes and business models. Given the critical importance of digital transformation, surprisingly, there is scarce research documenting and sharing the knowledge, experience, and insights from digital transformation practitioners, especially in the tourism domain. This research aims to understand the perspectives and actions of Swiss tourism stakeholders in pursuing the digital transformation process. The research data was collected through interviews with tourism stakeholders. The interviews were analyzed through both theme identification and human synthesis. The findings are tourism stakeholders conduct digital transformation for better customer experiences, operation efficiency and profitability, and data collection for better management. Digital transformation needs technology as the tool and data as input and output while keeping in mind that all decisions should be customer-centric. The challenges include data ownership, various data formats, data analysis, and data sharing. Yet, stakeholders are optimistic about the future of digital transformation and willing to collaborate. Both technology and the right digital mindset are required to succeed in digital transformation. Technology can be used to save employees from repetitive tasks and focus on human interactions to create customer-centric experiences. Nevertheless, technology should never replace the human aspect of hospitality.
Artificial Intelligence and Hospitality: A Challenging Relationship
Authors: Khlusevich Alesia , Inversini Alessandro , Schegg Roland
Published: May 2024

The study employs a qualitative research methodology, involving interviews with experts and hoteliers to explore their understanding and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the hospitality industry. The interviews focused on the participants’ perception of IT adoption, the benefits and challenges of adopting AI technologies, and the factors influencing AI adoption. The data analysis was carried out with deductive coding following the literature review and interpreted using the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework. This framework helped classify the factors influencing AI adoption into technological, organizational, and environmental factors. The study reveals a mismatch between experts and hoteliers’ understanding of AI and indicates a need for a comprehensive and targeted approach to educating hoteliers about AI's benefits, challenges, strategic and operational implications, and providing a clear roadmap for its integration into existing systems and processes. This study underscores the critical gap in the industry's ability to fully leverage available technologies without external assistance and the necessity to bridge this gap to facilitate AI adoption in the hospitality sector.