bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementing Lattice and Energy Level Matching to Optimize Buried Interfaces for High‐Performance Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Sun Yapeng , Zhang Jiankai , Yu Bo , Yu Huangzhong
Published: October 2024

In n‐i‐p type perovskite solar cells (PSCs), mismatches in energy level and lattice at the buried interface is highly detrimental to device performance. Here, thin PbS interconnect layer in situ coating on the SnO2 surface is grown. The function of PbS at the interface is different from the commonly used function of crystalline seeds in perovskite bulk. The theoretical calculation show that it helps construct an interconnect structure of SnO2/PbS/Perovskite with matched energy level and lattice. This not only increases conductivity of SnO2, but also upshifts Fermi energy levels (EF) of both SnO2 and buried perovskite due to charge transfer and perovskite's internal defect changes. Such a suitable energy level arrangement ensures a better energy level match at the interface, favoring efficient charge transfer and less open circuit voltage (Voc) loss. Additionally, in situ PL reveals that the template effect of PbS enable perovskite grain to grow bottom‐up because of their highly matched lattice parameters. This growth mode optimizes buried interface contact and crystallinity of perovskite. Ultimately, after PbS modification, a remarkable power conversion efficiency (PCE) exceeding 24% and better device stability are obtained. This work demonstrates an effective interconnect layers strategy to realize ideal interface contact toward high‐performance PSCs.
Wheat Germ Agglutinin‐Modified “Three‐in‐One” Multifunctional Probe Driven Broad‐Spectrum and Flexible Immunochromatographic Diagnosis of viruses With High Sensitivity
Authors: Wu Ting , Liu Yun , Zhou Sihai , Li Jiaxuan , Sun Guohui , Gu Bing , Wang Chongwen
Published: October 2024

The conventional lateral flow assay (LFA) fails to the demands for the accurate screening of viruses as a result of its low sensitivity of colorimetric signal output and poor universality limited by antibody pairs. Here, a magnetically assisted dual‐signal output LFA platform is developed for the ultrasensitive, universal, and flexible detection of viruses. A “three‐in‐one” multifunctional probe (MAuDQD) is prepared using a 180 nm Fe3O4 core to load numerous Au nanoparticles (NPs) and two layers of QDs, which can substantially improve the sensitivity of LFA through coupling with the effects of magnetic enrichment and colorimetric/fluorescent enhancement. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)‐modified MAuDQD attained the broad‐spectrum capture viral membrane proteins and the colorimetric/fluorescent dual‐mode detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and monkeypox virus (MPXV) on the LFA strip. In the colorimetric mode, the target viruses detected directly, with the visual sensitivity reaching 0.1–0.5 ng mL−1 and the fluorescent mode supported quantitative analysis of SARS‐CoV‐2/MPXV with limits of detection decreasing to pg mL−1 level. Practicability of the MAuDQD@WGA‐LFA is verified through the detection of 33 real clinical samples, showing the proposed assay has a great potential to become a sensitive, accurate, and universal tool for on‐site monitoring of viral infections.
Neural Network‐Enabled Multiparametric Impedance Signal Templating for High throughput Single‐Cell Deformability Cytometry Under Viscoelastic Extensional Flows
Authors: Jarmoshti Javad , Siddique Abdullah‐Bin , Rane Aditya , Mirhosseini Shaghayegh , Adair Sara J. , Bauer Todd W. , Caselli Federica , Swami Nathan S.
Published: October 2024

Cellular biophysical metrics exhibit systematic alterations during processes, such as metastasis and immune cell activation, which can be used to identify and separate live cell subpopulations for targeting drug screening. Image‐based biophysical cytometry under extensional flows can accurately quantify cell deformability based on cell shape alterations but needs extensive image reconstruction, which limits its inline utilization to activate cell sorting. Impedance cytometry can measure these cell shape alterations based on electric field screening, while its frequency response offers functional information on cell viability and interior structure, which are difficult to discern by imaging. Furthermore, 1‐D temporal impedance signal trains exhibit characteristic shapes that can be rapidly templated in near real‐time to extract single‐cell biophysical metrics to activate sorting. We present a multilayer perceptron neural network signal templating approach that utilizes raw impedance signals from cells under extensional flow, alongside its training with image metrics from corresponding cells to derive net electrical anisotropy metrics that quantify cell deformability over wide anisotropy ranges and with minimal errors from cell size distributions. Deformability and electrical physiology metrics are applied in conjunction on the same cell for multiparametric classification of live pancreatic cancer cells versus cancer associated fibroblasts using the support vector machine model.
Performance Degradation Mechanism of the Si@N, S‐Doped Carbon Anode in Sulfide‐Based All‐Solid‐State Batteries
Authors: Sun Feng , Ma Zhihui , Xin Shenghai , Fu Yidi , Li Ping , Li Jianbin , Wan Qi , Qu Xuanhui
Published: October 2024

Silicon (Si) anode is a promising anode material for all‐solid‐state lithium batteries with ultra‐high theoretical specific capacity and low lithium dendrite risk. However, the inevitable vast volume expansion of Si anode during charge/discharge is recognized as a major limitation preventing its commercial application. Herein, an N, S self‐doped amorphous carbon layer coated on porous micron‐sized Si (p‐mSi@C) is designed to construct an electron/ion conducting network while ensuring structural and interfacial stability. Uneven distribution of von mises stresses during p‐mSi lithiation leads to irregular volume expansion and even fragmentation. Meanwhile, the growth of by‐products at the interface between p‐mSi and electrolyte contact leads to a rapid capacity decay. Compared to p‐mSi anode, p‐mSi@C reduces the risk of fragmentation thanks to the stress‐absorbing effect of amorphous carbon, delivering excellent electrochemical performance (2679.65 mAh g−1 at 0.2 mA cm−2 with initial coulombic efficiency of 84%). More importantly, the chemical failure mechanisms of p‐mSi and p‐mSi@C composite anodes are revealed through structural characterization, chemical analysis, and simulation, which provides the necessary theoretical guidance for practicalization.
How Connected Cars Could Capture Cloud Dynamics for Solar Forecasting—Evidence from Two Simulation Scenarios
Authors: Veihelmann Tobias , Reitz Philipp , Lübke Maximilian , Franchi Norman
Published: October 2024

The rapidly increasing share of fluctuating electricity from photovoltaics calls for accurate approaches to estimate cloud motion, the primary source for the varying power supply. While local sensor networks are prominent in targeting forecast horizons too short for image‐based methods, they have minimal spatial coverage. This work presents the first step towards expanding those approaches to spatially scalable sensor networks: With the motivation of using automotive light sensors as a sensor network, two excerpts from a microscopic traffic simulation serve as simulative sensor networks. A fractal‐based cloud shadow pattern passes the sensor network areas with defined velocities and directions, which shall be estimated using the cumulative mean absolute error method. The evaluation results indicate that the more extensive observation areas compensate for the dynamics in the sensor network when compared to a reference work with a static sensor grid. Furthermore, this work shows how the estimates deteriorate with lower vehicle penetration rates (PR) and longer building shadows due to a lower solar elevation angle. At a penetration rate of 40%, the root mean square errors for both sensor networks are still below 5 ms−1. In conclusion, the spatiotemporal characteristics of a vehicle network offer a potential for estimating cloud movements.
Supramolecular Systems Chemistry Based on the Interplay Between Peptides and Porphyrins
Authors: Fu Yue , Zhang Lian , Yan Xuehai , Liu Kai
Published: October 2024

The functions of living organisms are emergent from networks of biomolecules. In this review, we discuss the creation of synthetic life‐like systems based on the interplay of peptides and porphyrins in the supramolecular chemical systems. In particular, we focus on the spatiotemporal control of self‐assembly processes, which allows for the development of hierarchical structures for biomimetic catalysis and adaptive dynamics for stimulus‐responsive structural transformations. Notably, when operating in a nonequilibrium regime–characterized by kinetic traps, feedback loops, and dissipative conditions–the structural landscape expands and system‐level properties emerge, including transient catalysis, metabolic self‐replication, and Darwinian‐like evolution. Controlling these systems at the biointerface would facilitate intelligent therapeutic interventions in the anti‐tumor phototherapy. Supramolecular systems chemistry provides a valuable framework for exploring new physicochemical spaces of peptides and porphyrins, and may offer distinct advantages and extensive applications across diverse fields.
“Girl Power”‐ing over obstacles: Montgomery College's Shinta Hernandez is embracing new challenges as online dean
Authors: Arnett Autumn A.
Published: October 2024

In even a very short conversation with the new Dean of MC Online and Academic Support at Montgomery College Maryland, it is immediately clear that Shinta Hernandez isn›t the type to consider what she can’t do.
Pregaming normalizes culture of drinking, drug use
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: October 2024

Pregaming, tailgating, or other party activities revolving around alcohol before athletic events on college campuses can have dire and long‐lasting effects on students, according to a recent study from Texas A&M University.
Surgical management of chronic pancreatitis: A narrative review
Authors: Dankha Rimon , Sparrelid Ernesto , Gilg Stefan , Löhr J.‐Matthias , Ghorbani Poya
Published: October 2024

Chronic pancreatitis is a severe disabling disease with persistent pain as the most prominent symptom often leading to significant quality of life (QoL) reduction. Current international guidelines propagate a step‐up approach in which surgery should only be considered as a last resort in patients with failure of both medical and endoscopic interventions. Accumulating evidence, however, suggests that surgery is superior to endoscopic therapy and that early surgical intervention is beneficial in terms of pain relief, pancreatic function and QoL. Several surgical procedures are available with low morbidity and mortality rates, providing excellent long‐term results. The purpose of this review was to present an overview of the surgical treatment options for chronic pancreatitis with a focus on the timing of surgery.
Liver lobe herniation into the caval foramen in a dog treated surgically by intercostal thoracotomy
Authors: Thibaud Jennyfer , Cuddy Laura , Merino Gutierrez Virginia
Published: October 2024

Liver herniation into the caval foramen is a rare condition that can be encountered in dogs and cats. An 8‐year‐old, male neutered, Bichon frise was presented for chronic episodes of inappetence and lethargy. Thoracic and abdominal computed tomography revealed a thoracic mass originating from the liver protruding into the caval foramen. Surgical excision of the liver lobe was performed via an intercostal thoracotomy, and histopathology of the mass was consistent with that of normal hepatic tissue. The dog fully recovered with complete resolution of clinical signs at 2‐week and 6‐month recheck. The present case highlights the first reported case of a liver lobe herniation into the caval foramen treated by intercostal thoracotomy in a dog.
Toward Sustainable Water Governance? Taking Stock of Paradigms, Practices, and Sustainability Outcomes
Authors: Bilalova Shahana , Newig Jens , Villamayor‐Tomas Sergio
Published: October 2024

Governance is key to ensuring the sustainability of water systems in the long run. With the recognition of the complexities inherent in governing water resources, new and diverse governance models have started to emerge and be diffused to various contexts. This systematic review explores 223 cases from 165 studies on water governance and sustainability. We assess the cases based on water governance paradigms and how these paradigms relate to governance characteristics, water‐related problématiques, and sustainability outcomes. Our results indicate a lack of knowledge cumulation and patterns connecting problématiques (e.g., “groundwater exploitation in agriculture”) and paradigms (e.g., “community‐based management”). We found that the “integrated approach to water management” was the most common paradigm, and paradigms might manifest with various governance characteristics, some of which may not fully align with the paradigm's fundamental principles. While certain paradigms, such as “integrated approach to water management,” “participatory and collaborative governance,” and “community‐based management,” are mostly associated with better sustainability outcomes, these successes should be interpreted cautiously due to the context‐sensitive nature of paradigms and potential biases in the reviewed studies. These findings provide a basis for further diagnostic work and suggest the need for more nuanced approaches to water governance and sustainability.
Current Status and Future Perspectives for Mobility Options Toward Sustainable Transportation With a Focus on Fuel Cells
Authors: Farooq Adil , Cora Ömer Necati
Published: October 2024

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of five different vehicle technologies with a particular emphasis on fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) in comparison to conventional gasoline and diesel ICEs, hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), and electric vehicle (EV) technologies. Key parameters in comparison included greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), social cost of carbon (SCC), energy efficiency, fuel consumption, fuel price, driving range, and total cost of ownership (TCO). A normalization approach is employed to rank the technologies across parameters, providing valuable insights for sustainable transportation decision‐making. FCV technology showed the highest average performance (5.343/10) followed by EV technology (4.760/10). The paper also presents current and anticipated hydrogen demand and supply centers, accompanied by a brief overview of commercially available fuel cell technologies. Finally, the sustainability of FCV technology as well as economic, legal, and infrastructural limitations associated with the widespread adoption are also discussed.
Chlormequat inhibits Vallisneria natans growth and shapes the epiphytic biofilm microbial community
Authors: Ma Zihang , Ai Dan , Ge Zuhan , Wu Tao , Zhang Jibiao
Published: October 2024

Submerged macrophytes can overgrow and negatively affect freshwater ecosystems. This study aimed to investigate the use of chlormequat (CQ) to regulate submerged Vallisneria natans growth as well as its impact on the microbial community of epiphytic biofilms. V. natans height under CQ dosages of 20, 100, and 200 mg/L decreased within 21 days by 12.57%, 30.07%, and 44.62%, respectively, while chlorophyll content increased by 1.94%, 20.39%, and 38.83%. At 100 mg/L, CQ reduced the diversity of bacteria in the biofilm attached to V. natans leaves but increased the diversity of the eukaryotic microbial community. CQ strongly inhibited Cyanobacteria; compared with the control group, the treatment group experienced a significant reduction from 36.54% to 2.61%. Treatment significantly inhibited Gastrotricha and Rotifera, two dominant phyla of eukaryotes in the leaf biofilm, reducing their relative abundances by 17.41% and 6.48%, respectively. CQ significantly changed the leaf biofilm microbial community correlation network. The treatment group exhibited lower modularity (2.012) compared with the control group (2.249); however, the central network of the treated group contained a higher number of microbial genera (13) than the control group (4), highlighting the significance of eukaryotic genera in the network. The results obtained from this study provide invaluable scientific context and technical understanding pertinent to the restoration of submerged macrophytes within aquatic ecosystems.

Practitioner Points

Chlormequat reduced the plant height but increased leaf chlorophyll content.

Chlormequat reduced biofilm bacterial diversity but increased eukaryotic diversity.

Chlormequat affected the bacterial‐fungal association networks in biofilms.
Unveiling patterns in pediatric appendectomy: A comparative study on healthcare resource capacity and surgical decisions in Brazil
Authors: Moreira Melo Paulo Henrique , Telles Luiza , Rangel Ayla Gerk , Marrazzo Enzzo Barrozo , Carroll Madeleine , Ferreira Roseanne , Mooney David P. , Schnitman Gabriel
Published: October 2024

Background

Appendicitis is the most prevalent surgical emergency in children. This study examined hospital infrastructure, surgical techniques, patient demographics, and hospitalization parameters to assess the provision of safe and adequate care within the Brazilian public healthcare system.

Methods

Pediatric hospitalizations for acute appendicitis in 2022 were extracted from the Brazilian national database. We included all hospitalizations for patients aged 0–16 years with a primary ICD‐10 diagnosis of acute appendicitis who underwent an operation. Parameters of interest were the type of surgical approach, mortality, and total cost of hospitalization. Facilities were defined as basic‐facility, full‐facility, and pediatric according to the level of pediatric resources available.

Results

In 2022, there were 29,983 pediatric appendectomies due to acute appendicitis. Of these, 90.2% were open appendectomies. Most occurred in basic‐facility general hospitals (53.0%), followed by full‐facility (35.2%) and pediatric hospitals (11.8%). Full‐facility hospitals had a higher median cost (USD126.3, IQR 99.5–154.4) compared to basic (USD96.8, IQR 87.6–130.1) and pediatric hospitals (USD103.0, IQR 91.9–117.5), though the cost difference between basic and pediatric was not significant (p = 0.367). Death was a rare event across all levels of hospital infrastructure and for all types of procedures performed.

Conclusions

The majority of hospitalizations for acute appendicitis occurred in hospitals with minimal pediatric infrastructure. Open appendectomies remain the most predominant procedure across all hospital types.
Introduction
Authors: Mariani Ilaria , Mortati Marzia , Rizzo Francesca , Deserti Alessandro
Published: October 2024

This chapter serves as the introduction to this comprehensive study on enhancing e-participation through design thinking (DT) principles. It sets the stage by examining the evolving role of technology in public engagement, the persistent barriers to effective e-participation, and how DT can serve as a transformative tool to overcome these challenges. This chapter outlines the book’s scope, establishing the critical importance of integrating DT to foster a more inclusive and effective public discourse. It aims to bridge the theoretical frameworks with practical applications, offering a robust groundwork for the subsequent detailed exploration of DT’s application in public sector innovation and citizen engagement.
The Theoretical Background of Design Thinking for Public Sector Innovation
Authors: Mariani Ilaria , Mortati Marzia , Rizzo Francesca , Deserti Alessandro
Published: October 2024

This chapter delves into the theoretical foundations of Design Thinking (DT) for public sector innovation, highlighting its capacity to impact organisational culture, strategic innovation, and operational processes. Emphasising a user-centric approach, the chapter explores how DT principles like abductive reasoning, prototyping, and co-design can transform public services by aligning them more closely with user needs and expectations.
Nonleptonic B-meson decays to next-to-next-to-leading order
Authors: Egner Manuel , Fael Matteo , Schönwald Kay , Steinhauser Matthias
Published: October 2024

Abstract

We compute next-to-next-to-leading order QCD corrections to the partonic processes b →

$$ c\overline{u}d $$

c

u
¯

d

and b →

$$ c\overline{c}s $$

c

c
¯

s

, which constitute the dominant decay channels in standard model predictions for B-meson lifetimes within the heavy quark expansion. We consider the contribution from the four-quark operators O
1 and O
2 in the ∆B = 1 effective Hamiltonian. The decay rates are obtained from the imaginary parts of four-loop propagator-type diagrams. We compute the corresponding master integrals using the “expand and match” approach which provides semi-analytic results for the physical charm and bottom quark masses. We show that the dependence of the decay rate on the renormalization scale is significantly reduced after including the next-to-next-to-leading order corrections. Furthermore, we compute next-to-next-to-leading order corrections to the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa-suppressed decay channels b →

$$ u\overline{c}s $$

u

c
¯

s

and b →

$$ u\overline{u}d $$

u

u
¯

d

.
Bounds on ALP-mediated dark matter models from celestial objects
Authors: Klangburam Tanech , Pongkitivanichkul Chakrit
Published: October 2024

Abstract

We have studied the signals from axion-like particles (ALPs) as dark matter mediators from celestial objects such as neutron stars, brown dwarfs or white dwarfs. We consider the accumulation of dark matter inside the celestial objects using the multiscatter capturing process. The production of ALP from the dark matter annihilation can escape the celestial object and decay into gamma-rays and neutrinos before reaching the Earth. We investigate our model using gamma-ray observations from Fermi and H.E.S.S. and neutrino observations from IceCube and ANTARES. The effective Lagrangian approach allows us to place constraints on the ALP-photon and ALP-fermion couplings. In the gamma-ray channel, our results are able to rule out the existence of ALP with mass up to ~ $$ \mathcal{O} $$

O
(10) GeV. On the other hand, the neutrino observations can be used to probe a higher mass range with ALP mass up to ~ $$ \mathcal{O} $$

O
(100) GeV.
Galilean fluids from non-relativistic gravity
Authors: Hartong Jelle , Mehra Aditya , Musaeus Jørgen
Published: October 2024

Abstract

The 1/c-expansion of general relativity appropriately sourced by matter can be used to derive an action principle for Newtonian gravity. The gravitational part of this action is known as non-relativistic gravity (NRG). It is possible to source NRG differently and in such a way that one can construct solutions that are not described by Newtonian gravity (as they do not admit a notion of absolute time). It is possible to include a negative cosmological constant such that NRG admits a non-relativistic AdS solution. This non-relativistic AdS vacuum has Killing vectors that form the Galilean conformal algebra and a boundary that admits a conformal class of Newton-Cartan geometries. This begs the question of whether there exists an analogue of the fluid/gravity correspondence for NRG. In this paper we derive a non-relativistic AdS brane solution of NRG and confirm that it corresponds to the 1/c2-expansion of the AdS black brane geometry. We perform a Galilean boost of the non-relativistic AdS brane and derive the associated boundary energy-momentum tensor. We then show that this is the energy-momentum tensor of a massless Galilean fluid and explain how this is linked to the conformal isometries of the boundary. Along the way, we also present several new results for the theory of non-relativistic gravity itself. In particular we present a rewriting that greatly shortens and simplifies the equations of motion of the NRG action.
Proof of An AGT conjecture at β = 1
Authors: Yuan Qing-Jie , Hu Shao-Ping , Huang Zi-Hao , Zhang Kilar
Published: October 2024

Abstract

AGT conjecture reveals a connection between 4D $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 gauge theory and 2D conformal field theory. Though some special instances have been proven, others remain elusive and the attempts on its full proof never stop. When the Ω background parameters satisfy −ϵ1/ϵ2 ≡ β = 1, the story can be simplified a bit. A proof of the correspondence in the case of A1 gauge group was given in 2010 by Mironov et al., while the An extension is verified by Matsuo and Zhang in 2011, with an assumption on the Selberg integral of n + 1 Schur polynomials. Then in 2020, Albion et al. obtained the rigorous result of this formula. In this paper, we show that the conjecture on the Selberg integral of Schur polynomials is formally equivalent to their result, after applying a more complicated complex contour, thus leading to the proof of the An case at β = 1. To perform a double check, we also directly start from this formula, and manage to show the identification between the two sides of AGT correspondence.
Kink-antikink collisions in hyper-massive models
Authors: Hahne F. M. , Klimas P.
Published: October 2024

Abstract

We study topological kinks and their interactions in a family of scalar field models with a double well potential parametrized by the mass of small perturbations around the vacua, ranging from the mass of the ϕ4 Klein-Gordon model all the way to the limit of infinite mass, which is identified with a non-analytic potential. In particular, we look at the problem of kink-antikink collisions and analyze the windows of capture and escape of the soliton pair as a function of collision velocity and model mass. We observe a disappearance of the capture cases for intermediary masses between the ϕ4 and non-analytic cases. The main features of the kink-antikink scattering are reproduced in a collective coordinates model, including the disappearance of the capture cases.
Spirituelle Kompetenzen von Gesundheitspersonal in der Notfall- und Intensivversorgung – eine prospektive Fragebogenstudie
Authors: Schwartz J. , Tenge T. , Lanhenke K. , Meier S. , Schallenburger M. , Batzler Y.-N. , Roser T. , Wetzchewald D. , Neukirchen M.
Published: October 2024

Hintergrund

In der Intensiv- und Notfallversorgung werden Patient:innen und ihre Zugehörigen mit möglicherweise existenziellen Krisen konfrontiert. Hier kann Spiritual Care eine zusätzliche Versorgungsressource sein. Für das Erkennen und Adressieren dieser Bedürfnisse sind spirituelle Kompetenzen des Gesundheitspersonals notwendig.

Ziel der Arbeit (Fragestellung)

Wie sind die spirituellen Kompetenzen von Gesundheitspersonal der Intensiv- und Notfallversorgung ausgeprägt? Gibt es Unterschiede zwischen den Professionen und Geschlechtern? Was sind Einflussfaktoren für spirituelle Kompetenzen?

Material und Methoden

In der prospektiven Fragebogenstudie wurden Ärzt:innen aus multizentrischen Kliniken, die an den Kursen für Intensiv- und Notfallmedizin in Arnsberg teilnahmen, sowie Pflegefachkräfte der Intensiv- und Notfallversorgung am Standort Düsseldorf eingeschlossen. Mittels Selbsteinschätzung im Spiritual Care Competence Questionnaire (SCCQ) wurden spirituelle Kompetenzen in den folgenden Bereichen erfasst: Wahrnehmungskompetenz, Teamspirit, Dokumentationskompetenz, Selbsterfahrung und proaktive Öffnung, Wissen über andere Religionen, Gesprächsführungskompetenz und proaktive Empowerment-Kompetenz.

Ergebnisse

Von den Befragten waren 465 Ärzt:innen (50 % weiblich, Berufsjahre: MW = 4,0; SA = 3,5) und 86 Pflegefachkräfte (80 % weiblich, Berufsjahre: MW = 12,7; SA = 10,7). Die durchschnittliche SCC betrug im Mittel 2,3 (SA = 0,4) von maximal 4 Punkten, wobei spirituelle und gläubige Befragte eine höhere spirituelle Kompetenz aufwiesen. Unterschiede in spezifischen Kompetenzen zeigten sich zwischen den Professionen und Geschlechtern. Frauen gaben eine höhere Kompetenz im Bereich Wahrnehmung und Gesprächsführung an, Ärzt:innen in der Dokumentationskompetenz.

Diskussion

Insgesamt wird ein Schulungsbedarf bei Gesundheitspersonal im Bereich der Intensiv- und Notfallmedizin deutlich.
Tooth loss during long-term periodontal therapy in specialized practices – a retrospective cohort study from a periodontal practice-based research network (Perio-PBRN)
Authors: Rieger Steffen , Walker Helena , Mittelhamm Felix , Frisch Eberhard , Peikert Stefanie A. , Kruse Anne B. , Liedtke Nils B. , Ratka-Krueger Petra , Vach Kirstin , Woelber Johan P.
Published: October 2024

Objectives

To investigate tooth-specific, clinical tooth-, and patient-related factors associated with tooth loss (TL) in patients with mild to severe periodontitis treated in a periodontal practice-based research network (Perio-PBRN) over at least 5 years.

Materials and methods

The Perio-PBRN consists of five German periodontal practices where clinical data were collected regarding patient age, tooth type, bleeding on probing (BOP), pocket probing depth (PPD), furcation involvement (FI), number of attended appointments, and other variables of interest. The data were evaluated regarding factors influencing TL.

Results

Data from 687 patients (aged 54.5 ± 11.1 years) with mild (N = 23, 3.35%), moderate (N = 247, 35.95%) or severe (N = 417, 60.70%) periodontitis and 15,931 teeth over a mean observation period of 6.83 ± 1.40 years per patient were gathered via the Perio-PBRN. In this period, a total of 657 teeth were lost (4.12%, overall TL: 0.14 ± 0.22 teeth/patient/y). The risk of TL was significantly increased for teeth with persistent PPD ≥ 6 mm (hazard ratio: 6.81 [95% confidence interval: 5.07–9.15] in comparison to PPD < 4 mm. Additionally, BOP (3.90 [2.46–6.19]), furcation involvement, jaw, age and tooth type showed a significant influence on TL, while number of visits were not significantly associated with TL.

Conclusions

Periodontal care of patients with moderate to severe disease in specialized practices was associated with a low rate of TL. Known tooth-related prognostic factors were confirmed. However, the results must be interpreted cautiously without knowledge of risk factors such as smoking and diabetes.

Clinical relevance

PBRNs can help gather large amounts of periodontal practice-level data.

Trial registration

The study was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS 00011448).
Effects of wearing a surgical face mask on cognitive functioning and mood states: a randomised controlled trial in young adults
Authors: Nasrollahi Neda , Jowett Tim , Machado Liana
Published: October 2024

Despite significant public concerns voiced about wearing face masks and reports from healthcare workers of adverse effects on cognition, research into potential adverse effects remains limited. The present trial investigated the effects of wearing a surgical face mask for prolonged periods on cognitive functioning and mood. We tested 42 university students (18–36 years old) using a controlled counterbalanced crossover design that involved a mask session and a control session, separated by 1 week. The two sessions were identical except that on the day of the mask session, participants were asked to wear a surgical mask for at least 8 h and to continue wearing it while visiting our laboratory, during which cognitive performance and mood were assessed as per the control session. Results showed that participants reported feeling less happy and more tense during the mask session compared to no-mask control. Additionally, cognitive performance differed between the two sessions for a selective attention task, reflecting slower response latencies during the mask session, which for the most part appeared to be driven by those who felt anxious wearing the mask. Although significant differences emerged for only two of six mood scales and one of eight cognitive tests, the evidence of adverse effects in a university population signals a need for research investigating vulnerable populations. Individuals with elevated anxiety may be particularly important to target.

Trail Registration: This randomized controlled trial was retrospectively registered (ACTRN12620001215910). Date registered: 16/11/2020, retrospectively registered.
Chemosensory function of Varroa gnathosoma: transcriptomic and proteomic analyses
Authors: Nganso Beatrice T. , Eliash Nurit , Mani Kannan , Sela Noa , Villar-Briones Alejandro , Osabutey Angelina Fathia , Rafaeli Ada , Mikheyev Alexander S. , Soroker Victoria
Published: October 2024

In this study, we evaluated the role of the gnathosoma (mouthparts) in chemosensing of the most devastating honey bee parasite, Varroa destructor mite. Through transcriptomic analysis, we compared the expression of putative chemosensory genes between the body parts containing the main chemosensory organs (the forelegs), gnathosoma and the rest of the body devoid of these two body parts. Furthermore, we checked the presence of chemosensory-related transcripts in the proteome of the gnathosoma. Our comparative transcriptomic analysis revealed the presence of 83 transcripts with known characteristic conserved domains belonging to eight chemosensory gene families in the three Varroa transcriptomes. Among these transcripts, 11 were significantly upregulated in the mite’s forelegs, compared to 8 and 10 in the gnathosoma and body devoid of both organs, respectively. Whilst the gnathosoma and the forelegs share similar expression of some putative lipid carrier proteins, membrane-bound receptors, and associated proteins, they also differ in the expression profiles of some transcripts belonging to these protein families. This suggests two functional chemosensory organs that may differ in their chemosensory function according to specific characteristics of compounds they detect. Moreover, the higher expression of some chemosensory transcripts in the body devoid of forelegs and gnathosoma compared to the gnathosoma alone, may suggest the presence of additional function of these transcripts or alternatively presence of additional external or internal chemosensory organs. Insights into the functional annotation of a highly expressed gustatory receptor present in both organs using RNA interference (RNAi) are also revealed.
Quantum search algorithm for binary constant weight codes
Authors: Yukiyoshi Kein , Ishikawa Naoki
Published: October 2024

A binary constant weight code is a type of error-correcting code with a wide range of applications. The problem of finding a binary constant weight code has long been studied as a combinatorial optimization problem in coding theory. In this paper, we propose a quantum search algorithm for binary constant weight codes. Specifically, the search problem is formulated as a polynomial binary optimization problem and Grover adaptive search is used for providing the quadratic speedup. Focusing on the inherent structure of the problem, we derive an upper bound on the minimum of the objective function value and a lower bound on the exact number of solutions. By exploiting these two bounds, we successfully reduced the constant overhead of the algorithm, although the overall query complexity remains exponential due to the NP-complete nature of the problem. In our algebraic analysis, it was found that this proposed algorithm is capable of reducing the number of required qubits, thus enhancing the feasibility. Additionally, our simulations demonstrated that it reduces the average number of classical iterations by 63% as well as the average number of total Grover rotations by 31%. The proposed approach may be useful for other quantum search algorithms and optimization problems.
Documenting the First Three U.S. Aircraft Discovered in Truk Lagoon from Operation Hailstone (February, 1944)
Authors: Moline Mark A. , Colbourn Colin , Pietruszka Andrew , Davis Dan , White Erik , Breece Mathew W. , Character Leila , Terrill Eric , Hess Robert
Published: October 2024

Operation Hailstone, conducted on 17–18 February 1944, was a major battle between the United States fast carrier Task Force 58 against the forward operating naval base of the Imperial Japanese Navy at Truk Lagoon (modern-day Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia). The battle saw devastating losses for the Japanese forces with over 4500 casualties, over 50 ships sunk and over 250 planes lost. Because the battle losses were so skewed, the United States losses are often understated or overlooked. Thirty-five U.S. service members were killed with as many as 17 aircraft lost, with further losses in subsequent attacks. Despite Truk Lagoon’s status as a premier dive destination since the mid-1960s, no American aircraft from this battle or subsequent raids on the Chuuk atoll have been located in the lagoon prior to the surveys reported here. In an effort to locate remains of American service members still missing in action from this battle (35 from Operation Hailstone and as many as 225 from subsequent attacks and bombing missions on the atoll), we applied both knowledge from historical archives and advanced underwater robotics to survey large sections of the lagoon for these lost aircraft. With over 75 km2 surveyed, we located three American aircraft lost in Truk Lagoon during Operation Hailstone; two Douglas SBD-5 Dauntlesses and either a Grumman TBF or TBM Avenger. Here, we document these sites and link each to the detailed historical accounts of their loss. Each of these aircraft is known to have been crewed by service members still missing in action. This work underscores the American losses during Operation Hailstone and sheds light on the more than 72,000 service members still missing in action from World War II.
Supply and Demand of Processed Potato Products in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda: Variety Requirements of Processing Companies and Implications for Trait Prioritization for Breeding
Authors: Naziri Diego , Devaux André , Hareau Guy , Wauters Pieter
Published: October 2024

The potato processing industry in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda is expanding rapidly. This study assesses the current situation and outlook of the local industrial potato processing sector and the alignment of the industry’s variety requirements with the priorities set by breeders. Currently, potato processing companies in the three countries use both varieties selected locally from public international germplasm and varieties introduced by Dutch seed companies, and their suitability for processing is discussed as well. Overall, the processing industry pays high attention to traits affecting processing efficiency and consumers’ acceptance while breeders, in spite of being aware of the characteristics required for processing varieties, are more focused on traits related to production and disease resistance. As the processing sector develops further, breeders will have to pay increased attention to the progressively stricter requirements of the industry, striking the right balance between farmers’ and processors’ variety requirements. While their opinions on the farmers’ acceptability of processing varieties diverge, breeders and industry agree about the challenges represented by the limited access to quality seed and poor business linkages between value chain actors in securing the supply of varieties suitable for processing. Based on these findings, it is recommended to pay more attention to both the development of dual-purpose varieties and the strengthening of the potato value chain through the improvement of business linkages between seed producers, farmers, and processing companies.
The essential role of combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation in the osteoporosis scenario in italy: Expert opinion paper
Authors: Carugo Stefano , Vescini Fabio , Giusti Andrea , Mauro Giulia Letizia , Tafaro Laura , Festuccia Francescaromana , Muraca Lucia , Menè Paolo , Rossini Maurizio
Published: October 2024

An Italian multidisciplinary working group discussed the current Italian scenario of osteoporosis management during a meeting and highlighted the essential role of calcium and vitamin D supplementation in the prevention of fragility fractures.

Purpose

This paper aims to review and discuss data on calcium and vitamin D requirements and the role of combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation in the treatment of patients with osteoporosis.

Methods

The discussion of the experts covered literature data on calcium and vitamin D supplementation, gaps in the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis, and the role of the primary care physician in identifying and treating patients with osteoporosis. Articles for consideration were identified through PubMed searches using different combinations of pertinent keywords.

Results

The discussion highlighted that insufficient calcium or vitamin D intake increases the risk of fragility fractures. The experts also drew attention to the essential role of calcium and vitamin D supplementation in achieving an anti-fracture effect and supporting the efficacy of anti-osteoporotic agents without increasing nephrolithiasis and cardiovascular risks. In addition, the discussion underlined the role of the primary care physician in the initial clinical approach to patients with osteoporosis.

Conclusions

The experts believe that efficient treatment for patients with osteoporosis should include calcium and vitamin D supplementation to achieve adequate levels that are able to inhibit the parathyroid hormone and bone resorption.
Risk of first hip fracture under treatment with zoledronic acid versus alendronate: a NOREPOS cohort study of 88,000 Norwegian men and women in outpatient care
Authors: Riska Brit Solvor Lyse , Gunnes Nina , Finnes Trine E. , Meyer Haakon E. , Hoff Mari , Omsland Tone K. , Holvik Kristin
Published: October 2024

We aimed to investigate the risk of hip fracture associated with zoledronic acid treatment compared to alendronate on a population level. The risk of hip fracture was lower in women using zoledronic acid and higher in women who had discontinued treatment. The findings support the effectiveness of intravenous bisphosphonate.

Purpose

To investigate whether zoledronic acid (ZOL) was associated with a lower risk of the first hip fracture than alendronate (ALN) in Norway using real-world data.

Methods

Nationwide data on drugs dispensed in outpatient pharmacies were individually linked with all hospital-treated hip fractures. Individuals aged 50–89 years without previous hip fracture were included at their first filling of a prescription for ALN or ZOL during 2005–2016. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for first hip fracture by time-varying exposure to ZOL versus ALN were estimated in sex-stratified flexible parametric survival analyses. Covariates included time-varying accumulated ALN exposure and comorbidity level expressed by the prescription-based Rx-Risk Comorbidity Index, marital status, education, and residential urbanity.

Results

Of 75,250 women who initiated treatment, 72,614 (96.5%) were exposed to ALN and 6366 (8.5%) to ZOL. Of 12,739 men who initiated treatment, 12,311 (96.6%) were exposed to ALN and 784 (6.2%) to ZOL. In women, the HR for first hip fracture was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.61–0.91) for ZOL versus ALN. In men, the corresponding HR was 0.59 (95% CI: 0.32–1.07). Discontinued treatment was associated with increased risk compared with current ALN treatment in women (HR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.24–1.42, men: HR 1.13 (95% CI: 0.95–1.35)).

Conclusions

In women, the risk of first hip fracture when treated with ZOL was 25% lower than when treated with ALN. Discontinued treatment was associated with a 33% increase in hip fracture risk. Similar, albeit statistically non-significant, results were observed in men.
Second-order strongly nonlinear impulsive coupled systems
Authors: Minhós Feliz , Rodrigues Gracino
Published: October 2024

This paper presents sufficient conditions for the solvability of a second-order coupled system, composed of two differential equations involving different laplacians applied to fully discontinuous nonlinearities, two-point boundary conditions, and generalized impulsive effects. Applying the lower and upper solutions technique and Schauder’s fixed point theorem, it is obtained an existence and localization theorem, based on local monotone properties on the nonlinearities and the impulsive functions.
Evolving Treatment Landscape for Advanced Esophageal and Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wheless Margaret C. , Comer Margaret , Gibson Michael K.
Published: October 2024

Purpose of Review

This review highlights advances and recent changes in the treatment paradigm for advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (GEJAC).

Recent Findings

Chemotherapy remains the backbone of treatment for advanced EAC/GEJAC. New targets/agents include immunotherapy, HER-2, claudin18.2, and FGFR2b, with various mechanisms (CAR-T, bispecific mAB, ADCs) altering the treatment landscape against these targets.

The approaches to these targets may act together, in sequence, and even synergistically to improve outcomes. Herein, we review the state of the field, including highlighting ongoing clinical trials and additional emerging agents and approaches.
Clinical outcomes after post-operative radiotherapy for breast cancer patients presenting with ipsilateral supraclavicular metastasis: considerations on the cranial border of irradiation field
Authors: Wang Xiaofang , Zhang Xiaomeng , Zhang Li , Meng Jin , Shi Wei , Chen Xingxing , Yang Zhaozhi , Mei Xin , Yu Xiaoli , Zhang Zhen , Shao Zhimin , Guo Xiaomao , Ma Jinli
Published: October 2024

Background

Disease recurrence at lower neck adjacent to ipsilateral supraclavicular (SCV) region represents a concern in locally advanced breast cancer patients presenting with SCV metastasis at diagnosis. This study aims to report the outcomes following post-operative radical radiation therapy and discuss the reasonable cranial border of the irradiation field for N3c patients.

Methods

Between July 2016 and January 2022, a total of 268 patients were eligible for analysis. The endpoints included in-field and out-field cervical failures, local–regional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS), SCV recurrence-free survival (SRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), relapse-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS).

Results

During a median follow-up of 37 months (range 3–89 months), 17 patients (6.3%) developed local–regional recurrence as the first recurrence event, with 13 having concomitant distant-metastasis (DM); 56 patients (20.9%) had DM alone. The 3-year rates of LRRFS, SRF, DMFS, RFS, and OS were 92.3%, 94.5%, 74.5%, 73.0%, and 90.0%, respectively. 89.2% of patients received RT with the cranial border at the top of hyoid bone, and 95.1% of patients received a boost not exceeding the level of cricoid cartilage. A total of 11 patients (4.1%) developed ipsilateral SCV failure, and 3 patients (1.1%) experienced cervical failure, including 2 in-field failures and 1 out-field failure. Neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) was administered to 234 patients (87.3%). In the multivariate analysis, non-ypN0, triple-negative subtype and cT4 at diagnosis were predictors of worse SRFS and RFS in NST subgroup.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that radical RT with cranial border of irradiation field at the hyoid bone level lead to excellent local–regional control, and out-field cervical failure was rare. The irradiation field might not extend to mastoid process.
Overexpression of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 9 (ADAM9) in relation to poor prognosis of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wu Shuangjiang , Cheng Lang , Luo Tao , Makeudom Anupong , Wang Lei , Krisanaprakornkit Suttichai
Published: October 2024

This study investigates the expressions of ADAM9, CDCP1 and t-PA in OSCC and their impacts on patient prognosis. Previous research has demonstrated the overexpression of ADAM9 and activation of plasminogen activator in OSCC, but CDCP1's role remains unexplored. While these biomolecules are known to contribute to lung cancer metastasis, their concurrent expressions in OSCC have not been thoroughly examined. Our aim is to assess the expressions of ADAM9, CDCP1, and t-PA in OSCC specimens, compare them with normal oral tissues, and explore their correlation with OSCC's clinicopathological features and patient survival outcomes.