bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic departure pushback control at airports: Part A—Linear penalty‐based algorithms and policies
Authors: Desai Jitamitra , Lian Guan , Srivathsan Sandeep
Published: April 2024

Airport surface congestion can lead to significantly long taxi‐out times, thus resulting in increased fuel‐burn costs as well as excessive emissions of greenhouse gases. To curtail this undesirable syndrome, in this article, we propose a new penalty‐based dynamic departure pushback control (PDPC) strategy, which employs a linear penalty function dependent not only on the taxiway queue limit but also on the current queue length to ration the pushback frequency at airports, and trades taxiway queueing times with gate‐hold delays to minimize the total operational cost (fuel‐burn and gate‐hold costs). Using data from Beijing Capital International (PEK) airport, four different departure pushback control policies, namely: (i) no‐control (baseline case); (ii) traditional ‐control; (iii) PDPC with a constant taxiway limit; and (iv) PDPC with varying taxiway limits; are compared. Detailed Monte Carlo simulations, which showcase the sensitivity of the total cost function to various problem parameters are presented, and our results indicate that deploying the PDPC policy results in a 42% reduction in total operational costs and a 68% reduction in fuel‐burn (kg) as compared to the baseline case. To analytically reinforce these simulation results, an iterative Markov chain‐based optimization algorithm is also developed to estimate the optimal values of the pushback rate and taxiway queue limit that minimize the total cost function. Such an analytical framework is very useful in the absence of reliable airport data as it only requires estimates of the historical pushback request rates and service times at the taxiway, while yet retaining the capability to closely mirror the simulation results. Our Monte Carlo simulations as well as the Markov chain optimization model validate the strength and impact of the proposed PDPC policy, and demonstrate its practical efficacy in reducing airport surface congestion when applied using data from PEK airport.
A sense of coherence (SOC) among the fathers of children with chronic illnesses
Authors: Haraguchi Masahiro , Takeuchi Tomoko
Published: April 2024

Aim

This study focuses on the fathers of children with chronic illnesses in an effort to clarify how the stressor and the father’s sense of coherence (SOC) influence their mental health and how the father’s SOC is associated with the social support.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

We conducted a self‐reported questionnaire survey of 137 respondents (51 fathers of children with chronic illnesses, 86 fathers of healthy children) were statistically using ANOVA.

Results

The fathers’ stressor was significantly related to their SOC. Furthermore, the SOC of the fathers majorly influenced their mental health, while having a buffering effect on the stressor with respect to depression. And their SOC was significantly positively associated with the social support. Our findings underscore that father's SOC has a buffering effect on self‐mental health and is important for maintaining mental health and enhancing SOC to reduce the stressors of these fathers with respect to depression.
Interindividual differences of dietary fat‐inducible Mest in white adipose tissue of C57BL/6J mice are not heritable
Authors: Anunciado‐Koza Rea Victoria P. , Yin Haifeng , Bilodeau Crystal L. , Cooke Diana , Ables Gene P. , Ryzhov Sergey , Koza Robert A.
Published: April 2024

Objective

Differences in white adipose tissue (WAT) expression of mesoderm‐specific transcript (Mest) in C57BL6/J mice fed a high‐fat diet (HFD) are concomitant with and predictive for the development of obesity. However, the basis for differences in WAT Mest among mice is unknown. This study investigated whether HFD‐inducible WAT Mest, as well as susceptibility to obesity, is transmissible from parents to offspring.

Methods

WAT biopsies of mice fed an HFD for 2 weeks identified parents with low and high WAT Mest for breeding. Obesity phenotypes, WAT Mest, hepatic gene expression, and serum metabolites were determined in offspring fed an HFD for 2 weeks.

Results

Offspring showed no heritability of obesity or WAT Mest phenotypes from parents but did show hepatic and serum metabolite changes consistent with their WAT Mest. Importantly, retired male breeders showed WAT Mest expression congruent with initial WAT biopsies even though HFD exposure occurred early in life.

Conclusions

Disparity of HFD‐induced Mest in mice is not heritable but, rather, is reestablished during each generation and remains fixed from an early age to adulthood. Short‐term HFD feeding reveals variation of WAT Mest expression within isogenic mice that is positively associated with the development of obesity.
The impact of mindfulness training on the attention to facial expressions among undergraduates
Authors: Bi Taiyong , Qiye Li , Li Xue , He Yuxia , Xie Qinhong , Kou Hui
Published: April 2024

The improvements in attention by mindfulness training have been proved. However, the effects of mindfulness training on attention to emotional stimuli were mixed. We employed a randomized, controlled design to investigate the effects of mindfulness training on attention to emotional expressions, and investigated whether baseline levels of dispositional mindfulness and emotional intelligence would moderate the intervention effects. Forty participants received 8‐week mindfulness training, and another forty participants attended two lectures about mindfulness. All participants completed the visual search task, the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, and the Emotional Intelligence Scale at both pre‐training and post‐training. The results showed that the improvements in search efficiencies were larger in the mindfulness group than those in the control group for sad and angry faces, but not for happy faces. In addition, baseline emotional intelligence but not dispositional mindfulness played a significant moderating role in the relationship between mindfulness training and emotional attention to sadness and anger. The search efficiencies of negative emotions (i.e., anger and sadness) but not positive emotions (i.e., happiness) were significantly improved by mindfulness training. Individuals with a high level of baseline emotional intelligence showed significant improvement in search efficiencies relative to those with a low level of emotional intelligence.
Room Temperature Quantum Control of N‐Donor Electrons at Si/SiO2Interface
Authors: Chakraborty Soumya , Samanta Arup
Published: April 2024

The manuscript theoretically discusses various important aspects for donor atom based single qubit operations in silicon (Si) quantum computer architecture at room temperature using a single nitrogen (N) deep‐donor close to the Si/SiO2interface. Quantitative investigation of room temperature single electron shuttling between a single N‐donor atom and the interface is the focus of attention under the influence of externally applied electric and magnetic field. To apprehend the realistic experimental configurations, central cell correction along with effective mass approach is adopted throughout the study. Furthermore, a detailed discussion currently explores the significant time scales implicated in the process and their suitability for experimental purposes. Theoretical estimates are also provided for all the external fields required to successfully achieve coherent single electron shuttling and their stable maintenance at the interface as required. The results presented in this work offer practical guidance for quantum electron control using N‐donor atoms in Si at room temperature.
SQUWALS: A Szegedy QUantum WALks Simulator
Authors: Ortega Sergio A. , Martin‐Delgado Miguel A.
Published: April 2024

Szegedy's quantum walk is an algorithm for quantizing a general Markov chain. It has plenty of applications, such as many variants of optimizations. In order to check its properties in an error‐free environment, it is important to have a classical simulator. However, the current simulation algorithms require a great deal of memory due to the particular formulation of this quantum walk. In this paper, a memory‐saving algorithm is proposed that scales as with the size of the graph. Additional procedures are provided for simulating Szegedy's quantum walk over mixed states and also the Semiclassical Szegedy walk. With these techniques, a classical simulator in Python called SQUWALS (Szegedy QUantum WALks Simulator) has been built. It is shown that the simulator scales as in both time and memory resources. This package provides some high‐level applications for algorithms based on Szegedy's quantum walk, as for example the quantum PageRank.
Mind the gap, exploring the expectation gap in political leadership in disasters: An Australian case study
Authors: Ewart Jacqui , Cook Margaret
Published: April 2024

This article uses expectation gap theory to explore news coverage of the leadership performance of a national political leader in a major bushfire disaster in Australia. It does so to identify the types of behaviors and leadership that leader enacted and embodied during these events and what fire‐affected communities expected that politician to do in that disaster. Using a case study approach to the Black Summer bushfires that occurred in Australia in late 2019 and early 2020, it highlights the way Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison engaged with affected individuals and communities during and after that disaster. We draw on news media coverage as the disaster unfolded and in the months that followed to analyze his leadership and what others expected of him in those events. We find that in this disaster there was a significant gap between the Australian Prime Minister's leadership and community expectations of that leadership. Our article highlights how the expectation gap played out in news coverage of the fires and why the expectation gap matters.
Continuous Hydrogenation of Nitriles to Primary Amines with High Selectivity in Flow by Using Raney Cobalt
Authors: Yu Hongbo , Ming Weixing , Zhang Qi , Wei Wei , Ji Lu , An Tingwang , Sun Wenxuan , Li Shulong , Yan Dongmao
Published: April 2024

Primary amines produced by selective catalytic hydrogenation of cyano compounds are widely used as basic chemicals, but due to the complexity of the hydrogenation mechanism and the inefficient mass transfer of the intermittent reaction, the process tends to produce secondary and tertiary amines as undesirable by‐products. In this research, a continuous hydrogenation system employing a micropacked‐bed reactor (μPBR) was established for the catalytic hydrogenation of 3‐ethylaminopropionitrile (3‐EAPN) to synthesize N‐ethyl‐1,3‐propanediamine (3‐EAPA). Under optimal experimental conditions using Raney cobalt as a catalyst, complete conversion of 3‐EAPN was achieved, and a high selectivity of 99.6 % for the primary amine (3‐EAPA) was obtained. On this basis, the system was extended with other cyano compounds of different structures as hydrogenation substrates, demonstrating the general applicability of this continuous hydrogenation system by using Raney cobalt as a catalyst in a μPBR for the hydrogenation of various nitriles.
Thermal Behavior of the “α‐Diimine‐NiII‐Catecholate” Chromophores
Authors: Pashanova Kira I. , Lazarev Nikolay M. , Zolotukhin Alexey A. , Kovylina Tatyana A. , Petrov Boris I. , Piskunov Alexandr V.
Published: April 2024

Study of the thermal behavior were performed for the first time for a series of ligand‐to‐ligand charge transfer complexes of “α‐diimine‐NiII‐catecholate” type: NiII(3,6‐Cat)(bipy) (1), NiII(3,6‐Cat)(bipytBu) (2) and NiII(3,6‐Cat)(DADdipp) (3), where 3,6‐Cat is 3,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐catecholate, bipy and bipytBu are 2,2′‐bipyridine and its 4,4′‐di‐tert‐butyl‐substituted analog, DADdipp is 1,4‐bis(2,6‐di‐iso‐propylphenyl)‐1,4‐diaza‐1,3‐butadiene. The phase transition behavior, vapor phase composition, volatility, and thermodynamics of the sublimation process (enthalpy and entropy calculations) of chromophores 1–3 were examined using DSC, TGA, EI‐MS, and the Knudsen effusion method with weight registration of the sublimated substance. The Hirshfeld surface analysis was implemented to establish a relationship between the characteristics of the crystal packing, and the thermal properties. The compounds 1–3 are distinguished by the high thermal stability and good volatility, as well as the completeness of the transition to the gas phase under low pressure conditions. An increase in ligand's bulkiness leads to a “rarefaction” of the crystal packing of the chromophore, and a corresponding rise of volatility in the order 1≤2<3.
Nucleoside‐Based Drug Target with General Antimicrobial Screening and Specific Computational Studies against SARS‐CoV‐2 Main Protease
Authors: Kawsar Sarkar M. A. , Hossain Md. Ahad , Saha Supriyo , Abdallah Emad M. , Bhat Ajmal R. , Ahmed Sumeer , Jamalis Joazaizulfazli , Ozeki Yasuhiro
Published: April 2024

This review article aims to significantly advance the scientific community's efforts to develop effective nucleoside‐based drugs for treating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and other emerging infectious diseases. This study concentrates on the main viral protease (Mpro) and explores nucleoside‐based compounds as potential therapeutic agents. This investigation investigated the impact of acylation‐induced modifications on the nucleoside hydroxyl group and subsequent properties. Nucleoside analogs, which are recognized for their diverse biochemical properties, were synthesized and rigorously screened to evaluate their antimicrobial efficacy. In the domain of pharmaceutical research, computational pharmacokinetics has emerged as a critical tool, especially in the pursuit of nucleoside analogs as potential therapeutics. In silico methods aid in predicting pharmacokinetic traits, interactions with crucial enzymes, and the stability of these analogs in biological environments, thereby streamlining drug design and reducing experimental costs. Concurrently, computational studies revealed the intricate interactions between the analogs and the active site of the main protease. The amalgamation of experimental screening and computational insights underscores the emergence of potent nucleoside candidates with inhibitory activity against SARS‐CoV‐2 Mpro. Additionally, this review integrates computational studies that provide valuable insights into the interactions between nucleoside analogs and the main protease of SARS‐CoV‐2.
The Power of Lichens: New Eco‐Friendly Corrosion Inhibitors from Nature
Authors: Mendili Mohamed , Lahbib Hana , Saoudi Mohamed Marouane , Khadhri Ayda , Aschi‐Smiti Samira , Ben Amor Yasser
Published: April 2024

This research explores an environmentally friendly alternative: lichens, which produce natural compounds with antioxidant effects. This study focuses on the inhibition of corrosion by lichens, which has not been previously explored for this purpose. The anti‐corrosion potential of methanol extracts of Parmotrema hypoleucinum, Roccella phycopsis, and Xanthoria parietina was examined. The electrochemical impedance and weight loss methods were used to examine the corrosion inhibition process of mild steel XC48 in 1 M HCl by three lichen extracts.
Boosting Spatial Charge Storage in Ion‐Compatible Pores of Carbon Superstructures for Advanced Zinc‐Ion Capacitors
Authors: Liu Pingxuan , Song Ziyang , Miao Ling , Lv Yaokang , Gan Lihua , Liu Mingxian
Published: April 2024

Capacitive carbon cathodes deliver great potential for zinc‐ion hybrid capacitors (ZHCs) due to their resource abundance and structural versatility. However, the dimension mismatch between the micropores of carbons and hydrated Zn2+ ions often results in unsatisfactory charge storage capability. Here well‐arranged heterodiatomic carbon superstructures are reported with compatible pore dimensions for activating Zn2+ ions, initiated by the supramolecular self‐assembly of 1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4,6‐triamine and cyanuric acid via in‐plane hydrogen‐bonds and out‐of‐plane π–π interactions. Flower‐shaped carbon superstructures expose more surface‐active motifs, continuous charge‐transport routes, and more importantly, well‐developed pores. The primary subnanopores of 0.82 nm are size‐exclusively accessible for solvated Zn2+ ions (0.86 nm) to maximize spatial charge storage, while rich mesopores (1–3 nm) allow for high‐kinetics ion migration with a low activation energy. Such favorable superstructure cathodes contribute to all‐round performance improvement for ZHCs, including high energy density (158 Wh kg−1), fast‐charging ability (50 A g−1), and excellent cyclic lifespan (100 000 cycles). An anion−cation hybrid charge storage mechanism is elucidated for superstructure cathode, which entails alternate physical uptake of Zn2+/CF3SO3− at electroactive pores and bipedal chemical binding of Zn2+ to electronegative carbonyl/pyridine motifs. This work expands the design landscape of carbon superstructures for advanced energy storage.
A Novel Induction‐Type Pressure Sensor based on Magneto‐Stress Impedance and Magnetoelastic Coupling Effect for Monitoring Hand Rehabilitation
Authors: Zhu Zihao , Estevez Diana , Feng Tangfeng , Chen Yanlin , Li Yunlong , Wei Huijie , Wang Yuchen , Wang Yunfei , Zhao Lizhong , Jawed Syed Arsalan , Qin Faxiang
Published: April 2024

Visualization of training effectiveness is critical to patients’ confidence and eventual rehabilitation. Here, an innovative magnetoinductive pressure sensor is proposed for monitoring hand rehabilitation in stroke hemiplegic patients. It couples the giant magneto and stress‐impedance effects of a square spiral amorphous wire with the giant magnetoelastic effect of a polymer magnet (NdFeB@PDMS). The addition of the magnetoelastic layer results in a sensitivity improvement of 178%, a wide sensing range (up to 1 MPa), fast response/recovery times (40 ms), and excellent mechanical robustness (over 15 000 cycles). Further integration with an LC oscillation circuit enables frequency adjustment into the MHz range resulting in a sensitivity of 6.6% kPa−1 and outstanding linearity (R2 =  0.99717) over a stress range of up to 100 kPa. When attached to a commercial split‐fingerboard, the sensor is capable of dynamically monitoring the force in each finger, providing a reading of the rehabilitation process. Unlike conventional inductive sensors, the sensor is based on an inductive force‐responsive material (amorphous wire), which significantly boosts the sensitivity. The approach also demonstrates the potential of magnetoelasticity in static pressure sensing, which is highly sensitive to dynamic pressure only through electromagnetic induction. This makes it more suitable for long‐term and continuous human health monitoring.
Inhibiting Photo‐Oxidation and Enhancing Visible‐Light‐Driven Photocatalytic Water Oxidation over Covalent Organic Frameworks Through the Coordination of Cobalt with Bipyridine
Authors: Li Xinyu , Yang Qing , Yuan Yiqi , Shama Yongguo , Yan Hongjian
Published: April 2024

Photocatalytic water splitting using covalent organic frameworks (COFs) is a promising approach for harnessing solar energy. However, challenges such as slow kinetic dynamics in the photocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and COFs' self‐oxidation hinder its progress. In this study, an enamine‐based COF coordinated is introduced with cobalt dichloride, CoCl2 (CoCl2‐TpBPy). The coordination of cobalt ions with bipyridines in CoCl2‐TpBPy enhances charge‐carrier separation and migration, leading to effective photocatalytic OER. Under visible light irradiation, CoCl2‐TpBPy achieves a notable OER rate of up to 1 mmol·g−1·h−1, surpassing the reported organic semiconductor analogs. Additionally, CoCl2‐TpBPy shows minimal nitrogen evolution compared to TpBPy and ethanol‐treated TpBPy (E‐TpBPy), indicating cobalt plays a pivotal role in improving charge utilization and minimizing photo‐oxidation. In situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analyses revealed that Co(IV) species are key to the high OER efficiency. This work highlights Co(IV) species in the efficient OER and inhibiting photo‐oxidation of CoCl2‐TpBPy.
Phase‐Change Material‐Integrated Hybrid Gels for Solar Steam Generation Under Solar Fluctuations
Authors: Lei Shijun , Li Zhaoxin , Xu Hongsheng , Liu Jiajia , Cai Wei , Song Lei , Hu Yuan
Published: April 2024

Solar‐driven steam generation by heat localization has proven to be one of the most promising technologies for broad water‐related applications to relieve global water shortage and pollution due to the excellent interfacial water evaporation ability demonstrated both experimentally and theoretically. However, solar power changes fast in practical, such fluctuations on solar energywould invalidate conventional solar evaporator, leave a challenge on sustaining an efficient thermal evaporation. Herein, a mitigating‐solar‐fluctuation hybrid gel material (MHG) with chemical integrating of phase‐change material to achieve efficient steam generation under solar fluctuations is reported. By storing solar energy when it is surplus and providing thermal energy to sustain evaporation when it is insufficient, the MHGs solar evaporator under solar fluctuations achieves optimized water evaporation rate of 1.7 ± 0.02 kg m−2 h−1 for the high period of 0.8 sun and 1.3 ± 0.06 kg m−2 h−1 for the low period of 0.5 sun. The MHGs also exhibit outstanding solar desalination performance with good stability and demonstrate an effective brine desalination during round‐the‐clock desalination process with an average high evaporation rate of 1.24 kg m−2 h−1 d−1. This new material design provides a feasible strategy for solar evaporator to mitigate damage from solar fluctuations.
Hot Compression Behavior of 18Cr–11Mn–0.06Ni–0.19N High‐Mn Ultralow Nickel Duplex Stainless Steel under Large Deformation
Authors: Wu Shiyu , Yang Yinhui , Yang Qing , Qi Yu , Li Yacheng , Chen Xiaoyu , Xia Gaoling
Published: April 2024

To enhance the rolling production efficiency of high‐manganese low‐nickel duplex stainless steel (DSS) and optimize hot compression parameters, hot compression with a range of 0.01–10 s−1/850–1150 °C and deformations of 70% is used to investigate the hot deformation behavior of 18Cr–11Mn–0.06Ni–0.19 N DSS, which reveals the differences in the recrystallization mechanism of two phases and their thermoplastic properties. The results show that strain partitioning and softening occur first in the ferrite phase, with the austenite phase undergoing complex and incomplete softening. Most ferrite experiences continuous dynamic recrystallization and develops a <001>//ND texture when deformed at 0.1–10 s−1/950 °C, with higher temperatures facilitating the merging of high‐angle grain boundaries. A deformation‐induced phase transformation from δ to γ occurs in ferrite when deformed at 0.01 s−1/850–950 °C. However, austenite softening is dominated by discontinuous dynamic recrystallization, enhanced by twinning‐induced strain‐induced boundary migration when deformed at 0.1 s−1/950 °C; dynamic recovery controlled by dislocations is enhanced when deformed at 0.1 s−1/1150°C and 10 s−1/950 °C. A strain‐compensated constitutive model with an average absolute relative error value of 7.8% is established to better predict the flow stresses. Experimental DSS displays optimal hot workability in the parameter ranges of 0.1 s−1/950–1050 °C.
Sustainable development of electroencephalography materials and technology
Authors: Xiong Ling , Li Nannan , Luo Yi , Chen Lei
Published: April 2024

Electroencephalogram (EEG) is one of the most important bioelectrical signals related to brain activity and plays a crucial role in clinical medicine. Driven by continuously expanding applications, the development of EEG materials and technology has attracted considerable attention. However, systematic analysis of the sustainable development of EEG materials and technology is still lacking. This review discusses the sustainable development of EEG materials and technology. First, the developing course of EEG is introduced to reveal its significance, particularly in clinical medicine. Then, the sustainability of the EEG materials and technology is discussed from two main aspects: integrated systems and EEG electrodes. For integrated systems, sustainability has been focused on the developing trend toward mobile EEG systems and big‐data monitoring/analyzing of EEG signals. Sustainability is related to miniaturized, wireless, portable, and wearable systems that are integrated with big‐data modeling techniques. For EEG electrodes and materials, sustainability has been comprehensively analyzed from three perspectives: performance of different material/structural categories, sustainable materials for EEG electrodes, and sustainable manufacturing technologies. In addition, sustainable applications of EEG have been presented. Finally, the sustainable development of EEG materials and technology in recent decades is summarized, revealing future possible research directions as well as urgent challenges.
Beyond bias: Aggregate approaches to conflicts of interest research and policy in biomedical research
Authors: Graham S. Scott , Harrison Kimberlyn R. , Edward Jade C. Shiva , Majdik Zoltan P. , Barbour Joshua B. , Rousseau Justin F.
Published: April 2024

Considerable efforts have been devoted to addressing the problem of conflicts of interest (COI) in health research, policy, education, and practice. An overwhelming body of evidence demonstrates that conflicts associate with deleterious outcomes for the biomedical research enterprise. Nevertheless, little has changed for research, specifically, since the Institute of Medicine's landmark Conflicts of Interest in Medical Research, Practice, and Education was published over a decade ago. In this article, we draw on interdisciplinary research on manufactured controversies in science‐policy deliberation to argue that the development of meaningful COI policy has been stymied through argumentative “wedges” designed to delay consensus and policy formation. Argumentative wedges disrupt policy formation by mischaracterizing the evidence base, continuously redefining the terms of the debate and/or recommending overly narrow criteria for who should be allowed to participate in policy deliberation. In this article, we argue researchers and policymakers interested in better addressing the harmful effects of COI can improve their efforts through strategic efforts designed to disrupt the wedges of manufactured controversy. Additionally, we argue that efforts to address COI can be further enhanced through embracing a broader framework for COI inquiry. Specifically, we argue that aggregate approaches to COI can help to disrupt these wedges and provide a strong foundation for future policy.
Barriers to the safe preservation of the traditional herbal practice in Ghana
Authors: Clay Benjamin
Published: April 2024

The preservation of the culturally important traditional herbal medicine practice in Ghana is threatened by the growth of allopathic medicine. It is argued that two main factors comprise this threat: significant safety concerns over many traditional herbal preparations, and a conflict in therapeutic frameworks which provides a substrate for the production of misinformation regarding allopathic medicine. Poorly enforced regulation of the commercial herbal market and a total lack of regulation of the traditional herbal market have led to prevalent contamination of herbal preparations with pathogenic bacteria and an unacceptable risk of pharmacological toxicity due to inconsistent production methods and understanding of the active components in these preparations. Simultaneously, misinformation spread by traditional herbal practitioners about allopathic medicine has caused significant morbidity and mortality in Ghana. Evidence from the literature and experience from clinical practice in a hospital in the Eastern region of Ghana are used to explore these factors and provide recommendations. First, thorough regulation of the herbal practice is needed to allay safety concerns. Second, the overall healthcare landscape will have to change to resolve the current tensions between practices. One solution would be the formation of a cooperative healthcare system which incorporates both the allopathic and herbal practices with well‐defined, nonoverlapping scopes of practice. However, such a novel landscape may be unrealistic, with the potential for traditional herbal practices being relegated to secondary role, mainly providing pharmacologically inert preparations while continuing to benefit patients through spiritual, cultural and pastoral interventions.
Erratum to: The ABJM Amplituhedron
Authors: He Song , Huang Yu-tin , Kuo Chia-Kai
Published: April 2024

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP09(2023)165
Isolation and characterization of novel Staphylococcus aureus bacteriophage Hesat from dairy origin
Authors: Turchi Barbara , Campobasso Claudia , Nardinocchi Arianna , Wagemans Jeroen , Torracca Beatrice , Lood Cédric , Di Giuseppe Graziano , Nieri Paola , Bertelloni Fabrizio , Turini Luca , Ruffo Valeria , Lavigne Rob , Di Luca Mariagrazia
Published: April 2024

A novel temperate phage, named Hesat, was isolated by the incubation of a dairy strain of Staphylococcusaureus belonging to spa-type t127 with either bovine or ovine milk. Hesat represents a new species of temperate phage within the Phietavirus genus of the Azeredovirinae subfamily. Its genome has a length of 43,129 bp and a GC content of 35.11% and contains 75 predicted ORFs, some of which linked to virulence. This includes (i) a pathogenicity island (SaPln2), homologous to the type II toxin-antitoxin system PemK/MazF family toxin; (ii) a DUF3113 protein (gp30) that is putatively involved in the derepression of the global repressor Stl; and (iii) a cluster coding for a PVL. Genomic analysis of the host strain indicates Hesat is a resident prophage. Interestingly, its induction was obtained by exposing the bacterium to milk, while the conventional mitomycin C–based approach failed. The host range of phage Hesat appears to be broad, as it was able to lyse 24 out of 30 tested S. aureus isolates. Furthermore, when tested at high titer (108 PFU/ml), Hesat phage was also able to lyse a Staphylococcus muscae isolate, a coagulase-negative staphylococcal strain.

Key points

• A new phage species was isolated from a Staphylococcus aureus bovine strain.

• Pathogenicity island and PVL genes are encoded within phage genome.

• The phage is active against most of S. aureus strains from both animal and human origins.
Production and characterization of sustainable biocompatible PLA/walnut shell composite materials
Authors: Karagöz İdris
Published: April 2024

Various treatments, such as alkaline and silane treatments, are commonly applied to natural fillers before production to enhance their quality, thermal stability, and water absorption capacity and improve the fiber–matrix interface properties. However, these processes are not environmentally friendly and may escalate the production cost of composites due to the need for additional processing steps in mass production. This study delves into the impact of untreated walnut shell (WS) filler material, employed in varying ratios (ranging from 10 to 40%) as a filler, on the mechanical, thermal, morphological, and physical properties of environmentally friendly polylactic acid (PLA) matrix composites. The experimental results highlight a significant decrease in tensile modulus by 28%, tensile strength ranging from 32 to 65%, a decrease in flexural modulus by 22%, and flexural strength ranging from 24 to 58% with varying WS filler ratios. Time-dependent water absorption and increased density were observed. FT-IR analysis indicates structural similarities, while DSC results show minimal effects on glass transition temperature and crystallinity. TGA results reveal reduced thermal stability with increasing WS content. SEM microstructure imaging demonstrates homogeneous WS particle distribution, but higher WS content leads to increased brittleness and diminished resistance properties. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of balancing sustainability through WS filler ratios while preserving mechanical performance.
Molekularpathologische Untersuchungen im Wandel der Zeit
Authors: Walker Maria , Mayr Eva-Maria , Koppermann Mai-Lan , Terron Ana , Wagner Yoko , Kling Charlotte , Pfarr Nicole
Published: April 2024

Hintergrund

Molekularpathologische Untersuchungen von Tumorproben umfassen ein weites Spektrum an diagnostischen Analysen. Besonders in den letzten Jahren rückten eine Vielzahl neuer Biomarker in den Vordergrund, deren Analyse für Therapieentscheidungen von großer Bedeutung sind.

Fragestellung

Innerhalb der Molekularpathologie haben die NGS-basierten (Next Generation Sequencing) Anforderungen in den vergangenen Jahren einen massiven Zuwachs erfahren. Um diesen Bedarf abzudecken, werden molekularpathologische Methoden stetig angepasst und weiterentwickelt. Wie dieser Trend zustande kommt und welche Analysen an Bedeutung gewinnen, soll in den folgenden Abschnitten beleuchtet werden.

Material und Methode

Der Artikel gibt einen Überblick der wesentlichen Techniken Nukleinsäure-basierter Analysen aus dem Bereich der massiven Parallelsequenzierung. Es wird in die Terminologie der DNA- und RNA-basierten Diagnoseverfahren sowie die zugehörigen Analysemethoden eingeführt. Der Fokus liegt hierbei auf deren Einsatz in der molekularpathologischen Routinediagnostik.

Ergebnisse

Die Breite der genomischen Sequenzierung nimmt in den letzten Jahren stetig zu, was insbesondere dem Ausbau im Bereich der personalisierten Medizin sowie den steigenden Neuzulassungen von zielgerichteten Therapeutika geschuldet ist. Dadurch wird u. a. die Analyse neuer Biomarker erforderlich. Die Diagnostik im Rahmen eines interdisziplinären molekularen Tumorboards (MTB) erfordert mittlerweile den Einsatz von großen Genpanels (> 1 Megabase). Darüber hinaus wurde durch das Modellvorhaben Genomsequenzierung § 64e erstmalig ein Gesetz erlassen, welches für (austherapierte) onkologische Patienten eine Ganzexom- bzw. Ganzgenomsequenzierung vorsieht. In Hinblick auf diese Entwicklungen liegt es nahe, dass zukünftige Analysen die Integration weiterer Omics-Felder wie der Ganztranskriptomanalyse, des Epigenoms sowie des Proteoms erfordern.

Schlussfolgerung

Die Herausforderungen der personalisierten Medizin sowie die Notwendigkeit des Nachweises einer Vielzahl neuer Biomarker setzen die Implementierung und Umsetzung neuer Techniken in der Molekularpathologie voraus, die eine immer höhere Komplexität aufweisen.
Prevalence of elevated lipoprotein(a) in cardiac rehabilitation patients — results from a large-scale multicentre registry in Germany
Authors: Altmann Christoph , Burlacu Nelu-Adrian , Preuss Thomas , Hlousek Annett , Eddicks Stephan ,   on behalf of the MEDIAN Medical Board Cardiology, Altmann Christoph , Brezger Marc , Eddicks Stephan , Gjermeni Erind , Hintz Petra , Schueller Per Otto , Schueth Stefan , Slezakova Tatiana , Toepel Gerhard , Valenta Anna , Bellmann Barbara , Friederichs Bernd , Fru Chi Ira , Otto Jürgen , Rahbarian Shirin , Severin Raik , Stancu Oana , Turovets Oleg , Golenia Laura
Published: April 2024

Background

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is an independent risk factor for myocardial infarction and aortic valve stenosis. European guidelines recommend assessing it at least once in a lifetime, particularly in premature atherosclerotic heart disease.

Methods

A non-interventional registry was conducted at MEDIAN rehabilitation facilities in Germany to assess the frequency of Lp(a) testing in referring acute care hospitals and the prevalence of elevated Lp(a) levels in aortic valve stenosis or premature myocardial infarction. All consecutive patients referred after coronary intervention or aortic valve surgery were included in four cohorts: aortic valve intervention (cohort 1), current/previous myocardial infarction at < 60 years of age (cohorts 2a/2b), and myocardial infarction at ≥ 60 years of age (control).

Results

The analysis included 3393 patient records (cohort 1, n = 1063; cohort 2a, n = 1351; cohort 2b, n = 381; control, n = 598). Lp(a) had been determined at the referring hospital in 0.19% (cohort 1), 4.96% (cohort 2a), 2.36% (cohort 2b), and 2.01% (control) of patients. Lp(a) levels were > 50 mg/dL or > 125 nmol/L in 28.79% (cohort 1), 29.90% (cohort 2a), and 36.48% (cohort 2b; p < 0.001) compared to 24.25% (control). Family history of premature cardiovascular disease was reported in 13.45% (cohort 1), 38.56% (cohort 2a), and 32.81% (cohort 2b) compared to 17.89% (control; p < 0.05 for each comparison).

Conclusions

Lp(a) had been rarely assessed in acute management of aortic valve stenosis or premature myocardial infarction despite expanding scientific evidence and guideline recommendation. Given the above-average incidence of elevated Lp(a) levels, awareness for Lp(a) has to increase substantially to better identify and manage high-risk patients.

Graphical Abstract
Which parameters influence cognitive, psychiatric and long-term seizure outcome in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy after selective amygdalohippocampectomy?
Authors: Jud Judith , Stefanits Harald , Gelpi Ellen , Quinot Valérie , Aull-Watschinger Susanne , Czech Thomas , Dorfer Christian , Rössler Karl , Baumgartner Christoph , Kasprian Gregor , Watschinger Clara , Moser Doris , Brugger Jonas , Pataraia Ekaterina
Published: April 2024

Background

We aimed to analyze potentially prognostic factors which could have influence on postoperative seizure, neuropsychological and psychiatric outcome in a cohort of patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) due to hippocampal sclerosis (HS) after selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SAHE) via transsylvian approach.

Methods

Clinical variables of 171 patients with drug-resistant MTLE with HS (88 females) who underwent SAHE between 1994 and 2019 were evaluated using univariable and multivariable logistic regression models, to investigate which of the explanatory parameters can best predict the outcome.

Results

At the last available follow-up visit 12.3 ± 6.3 years after surgery 114 patients (67.9%) were seizure-free. Left hemispheric MTLE was associated with worse postoperative seizure outcome at first year after surgery (OR = 0.54, p = 0.01), female sex—with seizure recurrence at years 2 (OR = 0.52, p = 0.01) and 5 (OR = 0.53, p = 0.025) and higher number of preoperative antiseizure medication trials—with seizure recurrence at year 2 (OR = 0.77, p = 0.0064), whereas patients without history of traumatic brain injury had better postoperative seizure outcome at first year (OR = 2.08, p = 0.0091). All predictors lost their predictive value in long-term course. HS types had no prognostic influence on outcome. Patients operated on right side performed better in verbal memory compared to left (VLMT 1-5 p < 0.001, VLMT 7 p = 0.001). Depression occurred less frequently in seizure-free patients compared to non-seizure-free patients (BDI-II Z = − 2.341, p = 0.019).

Conclusions

SAHE gives an improved chance of achieving good postoperative seizure, psychiatric and neuropsychological outcome in patients with in MTLE due to HS. Predictors of short-term outcome don’t predict long-term outcome.
An enhanced deep learning approach for vascular wall fracture analysis
Authors: Tragoudas Alexandros , Alloisio Marta , Elsayed Elsayed S. , Gasser T. Christian , Aldakheel Fadi
Published: April 2024

This work outlines an efficient deep learning approach for analyzing vascular wall fractures using experimental data with openly accessible source codes (https://doi.org/10.25835/weuhha72) for reproduction. Vascular disease remains the primary cause of death globally to this day. Tissue damage in these vascular disorders is closely tied to how the diseases develop, which requires careful study. Therefore, the scientific community has dedicated significant efforts to capture the properties of vessel wall fractures. The symmetry-constrained compact tension (symconCT) test combined with digital image correlation (DIC) enabled the study of tissue fracture in various aorta specimens under different conditions. Main purpose of the experiments was to investigate the displacement and strain field ahead of the crack tip. These experimental data were to support the development and verification of computational models. The FEM model used the DIC information for the material parameters identification. Traditionally, the analysis of fracture processes in biological tissues involves extensive computational and experimental efforts due to the complex nature of tissue behavior under stress. These high costs have posed significant challenges, demanding efficient solutions to accelerate research progress and reduce embedded costs. Deep learning techniques have shown promise in overcoming these challenges by learning to indicate patterns and relationships between the input and label data. In this study, we integrate deep learning methodologies with the attention residual U-Net architecture to predict fracture responses in porcine aorta specimens, enhanced with a Monte Carlo dropout technique. By training the network on a sufficient amount of data, the model learns to capture the features influencing fracture progression. These parameterized datasets consist of pictures describing the evolution of tissue fracture path along with the DIC measurements. The integration of deep learning should not only enhance the predictive accuracy, but also significantly reduce the computational and experimental burden, thereby enabling a more efficient analysis of fracture response.
Leaders as the targets of workplace bullying - prevalence and outcomes
Authors: Nielsen Morten Birkeland , Evensen Mariama Cham , Parveen Sana , Finne Live Bakke
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Bullying of leaders is an underexplored topic in organizational research. To fill this knowledge gap, the aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of bullying of leaders and to examine whether holding a formal leadership position influences the relationships between exposure to bullying and the outcomes job satisfaction and depression.

Methods

Data from two separate surveys were employed: (1) A cross-sectional occupation specific sample comprising 678 Norwegian child welfare social workers; (2) A nationally representative probability sample of 1,608 Norwegian employees with two time-points (6 months’ time-lag).

Results

Analyzing multiple indicators of workplace bullying, holding a formal leadership position had no impact on the initial risk of being bullied. Analyses of prospective data showed that leaders report a somewhat stronger increase in levels of bullying over time compared to non-leaders, although the effect size was small. With exception of a small buffering effect on the cross-sectional association between exposure to bullying behaviors and job satisfaction in the second sample, holding a leadership position had no effect on the strength of the association between bullying and outcomes.

Conclusion

The findings show that leaders have the same risk of being bullied and are influenced by bullying in roughly the same manner as non-leaders. Organizational measures and interventions against bullying should therefore consider leaders as a risk group in line with other employees.
zDHHC3-mediated S-palmitoylation of SLC9A2 regulates apoptosis in kidney clear cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Xiuyun , Hou Junpeng , Zhou Guangyuan , Wang Haixia , Wu Zeang
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Kidney clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) has a poor prognosis, high morbidity and mortality rates, and high invasion and metastasis rate, and effective therapeutic targets are lacking. zDHHC3 has been implicated in various cancers, but its specific role in KIRC remains unclear.

Methods

In this study, we performed a pan-cancer analysis, bioinformatics analysis, and cell experiment to detect the role of zDHHC3 in KIRC.

Results

zDHHC3 was significantly down-regulated in KIRC, and that its high expression was associated with favorable patient outcomes. We identified 202 hub genes that were most relevant to high zDHHC3 expression and KIRC, and found that they were involved mainly in ion transport and renal cell carcinoma. Among these hub genes, SLC9A2 was identified as a downstream gene of zDHHC3. zDHHC3 suppression led to decreased expression and S-palmitoylation of SLC9A2, which further inhibited the apoptosis of Caki-2 cells.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that zDHHC3 plays an important role in KIRC, due partly to its regulation of SLC9A2 S-palmitoylation. The targeting of the zDHHC3–SLC9A2 axis may provide a new option for the clinical treatment of KIRC.
Combination of a Failure Index and a Dilatancy-Dependent Permeability Model in Hydro-Mechanically-Coupled Numerical Simulations of Argillaceous Rock Formations of the Callovo-Oxfordian (COx)
Authors: Radeisen Eike , Shao Hua , Pitz Michael , Hesser Jürgen , Kolditz Olaf , Wang Wenqing
Published: April 2024

Hydraulic-mechanical coupling in claystone is of great importance for repository research, as claystone is considered a possible host rock and hydraulic-mechanical coupled processes can affect the integrity of the barrier. Of particular importance in this context are excavation damage zones and hydraulically-induced microcracks and fractures. In this work, two constitutive equations developed for these hydraulic-mechanical coupled processes are combined in a novel way. The approach exploits the different dominant stress states that prevail in the respective processes. This approach is applied in several numerical simulations for validation and compared with experimental data. The measured data were obtained during gas-injection tests in the scope of the PGZ experiment in the underground laboratory of Bure, France, where the hydraulic-mechanical coupling of the is the Nabla operator claystone was investigated. Five numerical models were calculated, each with a different model configuration, to simulate the excavation damage zone and dilatancy-controlled flow during gas-injection tests. The numerical results show that the developed approach can first satisfactorily predict the extent and behaviour of the excavation damage zone under different stress conditions and the subsequent dilatancy-dependent permeability due to the increased gas pressure.
Turning asynchronicity into an opportunity: asynchronous communication for shared understanding with vision videos
Authors: Nagel Lukas , Karras Oliver , Amiri Seyed Mahdi , Schneider Kurt
Published: April 2024

The success of software projects depends on developing a system that satisfies the stakeholders’ wishes and needs according to their mental models of the intended system. However, stakeholders may have misaligned mental models of the same system, resulting in conflicting requirements. For this reason, a shared understanding of the project vision is essential for the success of software projects. While it is already challenging to achieve shared understanding in synchronous contexts, such as meetings, it is even more challenging when only asynchronous contexts, like messaging services, are possible. When multiple stakeholders are involved from different locations and time zones, primarily asynchronous communication occurs. The use of asynchronous communication tools for the development of a shared understanding has hardly been analyzed. In this paper, we look to turn the potential detriment of having to discuss a project vision asynchronously into an opportunity for stakeholders to achieve a shared understanding. For this purpose, we give an overview of common challenges of asynchronous communication. We also propose five concepts designed to minimize the impact of these challenges. We examine categories of asynchronous communication tools and assess their adaptability to our concepts. In a workshop, we chose three most suited representatives to include in our main experiment. In this experiment, we evaluate the adapted representatives and a prototype of our own with 30 participants. Our results show the suitability of our concepts. Participants using our concepts were able to achieve a higher level of shared understanding.