bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental Evaluation of the Performance Degradation of a Solar PV Plant Operating in a Sahelian Climate
Authors: Boubacar Maikano Abdoulaye , Sani Dan Nomaoua Harouna , Boukar Makinta , Madougou Saidou
Published: February 2023

Niger, a Sahelian country, is known for its extreme climatic conditions and its wealth of solar deposits. In Niger, the average duration of sunshine is 8.5 hours per day and its average level is estimated at about 5 to 7 kW/m² per day. However, the rate of access to electricity in Niger remains very low. To address this problem, a 7MW solar photovoltaic power plant has been built by the authorities in the town of Malbaza (13°58.54 N and 13°58.54 E). It has a capacity of 7 MW and is composed of monocrystalline photovoltaic solar panels. In this study, we propose a method for analysing the degradation of a solar photovoltaic power plant under its operating conditions. The study will help to assess the performance and efficiency of PV systems installed in this geographical area. For this study, we use annual energy production data, recorded at the site, from 2019 to 2021. The method is based on the performance ratio values measured during these three years of operation. An hourly IR energy production index was introduced to study the degradation and reliability of the system. The performance ratio values obtained from the measurements in 2019, 2020 and 2021 are 73.22, 72.73 and 70.84 respectively; the calculated hourly energy production index values are 0.921, 0.914 and 0.891 respectively. The PVsyst software was used to estimate the value of the performance ratio. The value obtained is 79.50%. Thus, a degradation of 1% per year over the three years of operation is estimated. Finally, a comparison was made with other studies.
The Impact of E-SPT, E-Filing, E-Billing, and Taxpayer Attitude Toward Tax Compliance on Individual Taxpayers of Micro, Small, and Medium Business in Surabaya
Authors: Kusumawardhani Adhityawati , Laurianto Jessica Jennie , Santoso Evelyn Antonia
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this study is to examine the conceptual framework of the influence of e-SPT, e-Filing, e-Billing, and Taxpayer Attitudes towards Tax Compliance on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) Taxpayers in Surabaya. The quantitative research method used is a survey with stratified sampling. The survey was given to 241 private MSME owners in Surabaya, and the data were analyzed with multiple regression in SPSS. This study shows that e-SPT, e-Filing, e-Billing, and Taxpayer Attitudes have a significant effect on Tax Compliance. This investigation may enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the current electronic method for tax payments. In addition, this study supports the theory of planned behavior, which suggests that when taxpayers believe they are producing positive results, they will behave obediently, and the technology acceptance model, which states that acceptance of an information technology will explain taxpayer attitudes toward accepting information technology (e.g. -SPT, e-Filing and e-Billing).
Implementation of a Multimodal Knowledge-Exchange Platform to Provide Trauma Critical Care Education During the Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine
Authors: Rovati Lucrezia , Zec Simon , Dziuba Dmytro , Masoodi Anna , Tekin Aysun , Zambrano Claudia Castillo , Brown Meghan , Khavryuchenko Oleksiy , Bugay Oleksandr , Khytryi Grygorii , Loskutov Oleg , Dong Yue , Gajic Ognjen , Niven Alexander S.
Published: February 2023

Importance

The conflict in Ukraine has forced civilian hospitals with limited trauma and battlefield medicine experience to care for casualties of war, placing significant strain on the health care system. Using the Checklist for Early Recognition and Treatment of Acute Illness and Injury (CERTAIN) program, a multimodal trauma critical care knowledge-exchange platform was created for clinicians practicing in these institutions.

Objectives

To describe the development and implementation of the CERTAIN for Ukraine program and to evaluate the reach of this intervention, together with participant engagement and satisfaction.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This quality improvement study included clinicians caring for critically ill patients during the ongoing Ukrainian conflict who were part of a community developed using a messaging app. The program was implemented by a group of international trauma and critical care experts in collaboration with critical care leaders from the Shupyk National Healthcare University in Kyiv, Ukraine. This study evaluates data collected from the CERTAIN for Ukraine program from its launch on April 9, 2022, to August 31, 2022.

Interventions

The initiative comprised a longitudinal series of interactive tele-education sessions, a webpage containing the CERTAIN approach and current trauma critical care guidelines translated into Ukrainian and Russian, and a private messaging chat for asynchronous discussion.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Participant engagement and satisfaction were tracked using multimedia analytics and a post-session survey.

Results

Since program launch, 838 participants have joined the messaging group, and 6 tele-education sessions have been delivered, with 1835 total views. The CERTAIN website has had 3527 visits, mainly from Ukraine (1378 [39%]) and the United States (1060 [30%]). Of the 74 completed postsession surveys, 65 respondents (88%) rated the course content excellent or very good, and 73 (99%) recommended it to others.

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this quality improvement study indicate that, using widely available and low-cost platforms, knowledge was shared rapidly and efficiently to a large community of clinicians practicing in a wartime environment with broad-based engagement and a high level of learner satisfaction.
MR‐linac daily semi‐automated end‐to‐end quality control verification
Authors: Malkov Victor N. , Winter Jeff D. , Mateescu Dan , Létourneau Daniel
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Adaptive radiation therapy (ART) on the integrated Elekta Unity magnetic resonance (MR)‐linac requires routine quality assurance to verify delivery accuracy and system data transfer. In this work, our objective was to develop and validate a novel automated end‐to‐end test suite that verifies data transfer between multiple software platforms and quantifies the performance of multiple machine subcomponents critical to the ART process.

Methods

We designed and implemented a software tool to quantify the MR and megavoltage (MV) isocenter coincidence, treatment couch positioning consistency, isocenter shift accuracy for the adapted plan as well as the MLC and jaw position accuracy following the beam aperture adaptation. Our tool employs a reference treatment plan with a simulated isocenter shift generated on an MR image of a readily available phantom with MR and MV visible fiducials. Execution of the test occurs within the standard adapt‐to‐position (ATP) clinical workflow with MV images collected of the delivered treatment fields. Using descriptive statistics, we quantified uncertainty in couch positioning, isocentre shift as well as the jaw and MLC positions of the adapted fields. We also executed sensitivity measurements to evaluate the detection algorithm's performance.

Results

We report the results of 301 daily testing instances. We demonstrated consistent tracking of the MR‐to‐MV alignment with respect to the established value and to detect small changes on the order of 0.2 mm following machine service events. We found couch position consistency relative to the test baseline value was within 95% CI [–0.31, 0.26 mm]. For phantom shifts that form the basis for the plan adaptation, we found agreement between MV‐image‐detected phantom shift and online image registration, within ± 1.5 mm in all directions with a 95% CI difference of [–1.29, 0.79 mm]. For beam aperture adaptation accuracy, we found differences between the planned and detected jaw positions had a mean value of 0.27 mm and 95% CI of [–0.29, 0.82 mm] and –0.17 mm and 95% CI of [–0.37, 0.05 mm] for the MLC positions. Automated fiducial detected accuracy was within 0.08 ± 0.20 mm of manual localization. Introduced jaw and MLC position errors (1–10 mm) were detected within 0.55 mm (within 1 mm for 15/256 instances for the jaws). Phantom shifts (1.3 or 5 mm in each cardinal direction) from a reference position were detected within 0.26 mm.

Conclusions

We have demonstrated the accuracy and sensitivity of a daily end‐to‐end test suite capable of detecting errors in multiple machine subcomponents including system data transfer. Our test suite evaluates the entire treatment workflow and has captured system communication issues prior to patient treatment. With automated processing and the use of a standard vendor‐provided phantom, it is possible to expand to other Unity sites.
Movies: A recovery resource
Authors: de Miranda John
Published: February 2023

In my teaching preparing counselors to work in addiction treatment, I have often used clips from feature films to provide some realism and, of course, entertainment. For example, scenes from Reefer Madness, Sinatra in The Man with the Golden Arm and The Lost Weekend can assist in understanding concepts such as diagnostic criteria, withdrawal and patient placement protocols. Equally important, at least in my courses, film can capture the social construction of drug problems as it shifts over time and in different political and cultural contexts. For example, it's possible to see the roots of our recent drug war policies embedded in the craziness of Doped Youth: Victims of Marihuana, another title for Reefer Madness.
A One‐Stone‐Two‐Birds Strategy for Osteochondral Regeneration Based on a 3D Printable Biomimetic Scaffold with Kartogenin Biochemical Stimuli Gradient
Authors: Wei Wenying , Liu Wenbin , Kang Haifei , Zhang Xiangke , Yu Ran , Liu Jiawei , Huang Kai , Zhang Yiqian , Xie Mingsheng , Hu Yihe , Dai Honglian
Published: February 2023

Osteochondral defect (OCD) regeneration remains challenging because of the hierarchy of the native tissue including both the articular cartilage and the subchondral bone. Constructing an osteochondral scaffold with biomimetic composition, structure, and biological functionality is the key to achieve its high‐quality repair. In the present study, an injectable and 3D printable bilayered osteochondral hydrogel based on compositional gradient of methacrylated sodium alginate, gelatin methacryloyl, andβ‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP), as well as the biochemical gradient of kartogenin (KGN) in the two well‐integrated zones of chondral layer hydrogel (CLH) and osseous layer hydrogel (OLH) is developed. In vitro and subcutaneous in vivo evaluations reveal that apart from the chondrogenesis of the embedded bone mesenchymal stem cells induced by CLH with a high concentration of KGN, a low concentration of KGN withβ‐TCP in the OLH synergistically achieves superior osteogenic differentiation by endochondral ossification, instead of the intramembranous ossification using OLH with onlyβ‐TCP. The biomimetic construct leveraging KGN as the only biochemical inducer can facilitate cartilage and subchondral bone restoration in the in vivo osteochondral defect. This one‐stone‐two‐birds strategy opens up a new facile approach for OCD regeneration by exploiting the biological functions of the bioactive drug molecule KGN.
Finger Flexion and Extension Driven by a Single Motor in Robotic Glove Design
Authors: Liu Hao , Wu Changchun , Lin Senyuan , Chen Yonghua , Hu Yong , Xu Tinghan , Yuan Wenbo , Li Yunquan
Published: February 2023

Pneumatic and tendon‐driven actuators are widely used in soft robotic glove design. Tendon‐driven robotic gloves are generally better in controllability, dexterity, and force output, but they are less comfortable than pneumatic ones. Most soft gloves focus on only one actuation mode where either motor‐driven tendon or pump‐driven pneumatic transmission is used. Herein, a double‐acting soft actuator (DASA) that provides both tendon‐driven flexion and pneumatic extension of fingers by a single motor is presented. This is achieved by a smart pulley and bellow system. The kinematic model of the tendon‐driven flexion and the torque model of the fabric‐based pneumatic extension actuator (FPEA) are developed to analyze the DASA performance. The bending angle of the index finger actuated by the tendon and the FPEA extension torque of a joint are characterized by experimental studies. A cycle test of the DASA is conducted 3000 times, demonstrating its high repeatability. A prototype soft glove (68 g) based on the proposed DASA with a control box (835 g) is fabricated to demonstrate finger flexion and extension assistance. Based on electromyography signals, the performance of the robotic glove is evaluated by a squeezing sponge test.
Bioionic Liquids: Enabling a Paradigm Shift Toward Advanced and Smart Biomedical Applications
Authors: Kanjilal Baishali , Zhu Yangzhi , Krishnadoss Vaishali , Unagolla Janitha M. , Saemian Parnian , Caci Alessia , Cheraghali Danial , Dehzangi Iman , Khademhosseini Ali , Noshadi Iman
Published: February 2023

Ionic liquids (ILs) exhibit unique properties of good ionic conductivity, electrochemical and thermal stability, and nonflammability, which make them promising candidates for biomedical applications. The limitations of their cytocompatibility are enhanced by using bioionic liquids (BILs) derived from biological molecules such as amines, sugars, and organic acids. BILs can be synthesized using tailorable chemistries that enable their immobilization onto biopolymers. For example, the cholinium ion and its derivatives have found significant interest in tissue engineering and drug delivery systems. Ion‐doped BIL‐functionalized polymers and their composites can also be used to design pH and electrical responsive actuators and sensors. The cytocompatibility and low immunogenicity of BIL‐functionalized polymers enable the possibilities of their use for power storage devices as well as implantable devices. These devices are gaining recognition and importance in nucleic acid delivery and molecular medicine. This review focuses on the recent advances of BILs in biomedical applications. Specifically, the review explores BILs as agents for biopolymer functionalization and highlights BILs as solvents for supermolecular ionic networks.
Systemic artery to pulmonary artery aneurysm malformations associated with variants at MCF2L
Authors: Mitchell S. E. , Martin R. P. , Terry P. , Drant S. E. , Valle D. , Dietz H. , Sobreira N.
Published: February 2023

Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are characterized by abnormal vessels connecting arteries and veins resulting in a disruption of normal blood flow. Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is the most common cause of pulmonary AVM characterized by a right to left shunt. Here we describe a distinct malformation where the flow of blood was from a systemic artery to the pulmonary artery (PA) resulting in a left to right shunt instead of the right to left shunt seen in individuals with HHT. This distinct malformation was identified in seven probands, one from a multiplex family containing 10 affected individuals from five generations. To identify the molecular basis of this distinct malformation, we performed exome sequencing (ES) on the seven probands and the affected paternal female cousin from the multiplex family. PhenoDB was used to prioritize candidate causative variants along with burden analysis. We describe the clinical and radiological details of the new systemic artery to PA malformation with or without pulmonary artery aneurysm (SA‐PA(A)) and recommend distinct treatment techniques. Moreover, ES analysis revealed possible causative variants identified in three families with variants in a novel candidate disease gene, MCF2L. Further functional studies will be necessary to better understand the molecular mechanisms involved on SA‐PA(A) malformation, however our findings suggest that MCF2L is a novel disease gene associated with SA‐PA(A).
Promotion of Joint Degeneration and Chondrocyte Metabolic Dysfunction by Excessive Growth Hormone in Mice
Authors: Zhu Shouan , Liu Huanhuan , Davis Trent , Willis Craig R. G. , Basu Reetobrata , Witzigreuter Luke , Bell Stephen , Szewczyk Nathaniel , Lotz Martin K. , Hill Marcheta , Fajardo Roberto J. , O'Connor Patrick M. , Berryman Darlene E. , Kopchick John J.
Published: February 2023

Objective

Many patients with acromegaly, a hormonal disorder with excessive growth hormone (GH) production, report pain in joints. We undertook this study to characterize the joint pathology of mice with overexpression of bovine GH (bGH) or a GH receptor antagonist (GHa) and to investigate the effect of GH on regulation of chondrocyte cellular metabolism.

Methods

Knee joints from mice overexpressing bGH or GHa and wild‐type (WT) control mice were examined using histology and micro–computed tomography for osteoarthritic (OA) pathologies. Additionally, cartilage from bGH mice was used for metabolomics analysis. Mouse primary chondrocytes from bGH and WT mice, with or without pegvisomant treatment, were used for quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Seahorse respirometry analyses.

Results

Both male and female bGH mice at ~13 months of age had increased knee joint degeneration, which was characterized by loss of cartilage structure, expansion of hypertrophic chondrocytes, synovitis, and subchondral plate thinning. The joint pathologies were also demonstrated by significantly higher Osteoarthritis Research Society International and Mankin scores in bGH mice compared to WT control mice. Metabolomics analysis revealed changes in a wide range of metabolic pathways in bGH mice, including beta‐alanine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, lysine degradation, and ascorbate and aldarate metabolism. Also, bGH chondrocytes up‐regulated fatty acid oxidation and increased expression of Col10a. Joints of GHa mice were remarkably protected from developing age‐associated joint degeneration, with smooth articular joint surface.

Conclusion

This study showed that an excessive amount of GH promotes joint degeneration in mice, which was associated with chondrocyte metabolic dysfunction and hypertrophic changes, whereas antagonizing GH action through a GHa protects mice from OA development.
Enzymatic Substrate Inhibition in Metal Free Catecholase Activity
Authors: Pal Kuntal , Barman Souvik , Bag Jayanta
Published: February 2023

The catecholase activities were routinely modeled using transition metal complexes as catalyst and in some case basic pH were used as a reaction condition. In this article, the catalytic aerobic oxidation of proxy substrate 3,5‐di‐tert‐butylcatechol (DTBC) in methanol using triethylamine/diethylamine as catalyst was demonstrated as a functional mimic of catecholase activity. The kinetic manifestation of DTBC oxidation was explained as enzymatic substrate inhibition pattern in Michaelis‐Menten kinetic model. The mechanistic insight of the aerobic oxidation of DTBC was further validated using various spectroscopic techniques and DFT methods.
Gas Holdup and Flow Regimes in a Thin‐Gap Bubble Column with Newtonian and Non‐Newtonian Liquid Phase
Authors: Haydar Abdallah , Blel Walid , Marec Hélène , Gentric Caroline
Published: February 2023

The influence of confinement and rheological properties of the liquid phase on the gas holdup and flow regimes in a 2 mm gap bubble column intended as an intensified photobioreactor at high cell concentration is investigated. The results indicate that at a given superficial gas velocity (UGsup), the gas holdup is higher with viscous or non‐Newtonian (nN) fluids than in water and also in a thin‐gap column than in an unconfined one. This behavior increases when confinement ratio increases. Regime transitions occur at lower UGsup for nN fluids compared to water and for a thin‐gap column compared to classical columns. This information constitutes a first step toward the identification of optimal operating conditions for efficient operation of microalgae culture.
Comparison of in vivo pharmacokinetic behaviors of R‐ and S‐flurbiprofen after intravenous injection of flurbiprofen axetil
Authors: He Yan , Qin Mengdi , Li Mo , Zhi Defu , Tian Baocheng , Qin Feng
Published: February 2023

Flurbiprofen axetil (FA) is a prodrug of flurbiprofen (FP), and it is hydrolyzed to the active FP by carboxylesterase in plasma after intravenous injection. The pharmacological action of FP is closely related to its chirality, and S‐FP shows better analgesic effects than R‐FP. Therefore, it is of great significance to compare the in vivo pharmacokinetic behaviors of R‐FP and S‐FP. In this study, we designed a sensitive high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method and used CHIRALPAK‐IG3 column for chiral separation to quantify the concentrations of R‐FP and S‐FP in rat plasma. The results show that this method can accurately and effectively analyze the contents of R‐FP and S‐FP in plasma. In addition, the systemic exposure was approximately 3.09‐folds for the S‐FP compared with the R‐FP following intravenous administration of the FA to rats at a single dose of 4.5 mg/kg. More importantly, the clearance rate of S‐FP is significantly smaller than that of R‐FP. Therefore, the development of S‐FA injectable emulsion for clinical treatment of postoperative pain is very necessary.
Self‐assembly of chiral diketopyrrolopyrrole chromophores giving supramolecular chains in monolayers and twisted microtapes
Authors: Humphreys Joshua , Killalea C. Elizabeth , Pop Flavia , Davies E. Stephen , Siligardi Giuliano , Amabilino David B.
Published: February 2023

Chiral diketopyrrolopyrroles appended with enantiomeric ethyl lactate functions through an ether linkage to the aryl backbone of the chromophore were synthesized via the Mitsunobu reaction. The molecules have good solubility and excellent optical properties, high molar absorption coefficients, and fluorescence quantum yields. Helical aggregates with circular dichroism arising from the supramolecular arrangement are seen in both solution and thin films, and the aggregates also display circularly polarized luminescence (glum ≈ ±0.1). The molecules assemble to give monolayers on graphite and precipitate from solution forming supramolecular twisted tapes hundreds of microns long.
Debottlenecking of an In Vitro Enzyme Cascade Using a Combined Model‐ and Experiment‐Based Approach
Authors: Siedentop Regine , Dziennus Marlon , Lütz Stephan , Rosenthal Katrin
Published: February 2023

Designing a feasible in vitro enzyme cascade is a challenging task that is often preceded by optimization steps. Computational methods can increase the efficiency of the optimization process by providing a deeper insight into the system. In this study, bottlenecks of a farnesyl pyrophosphate‐producing in vitro enzyme cascade were determined by a combination of in silico modeling and wet‐lab experiments. ATP and the precursor‐isomerizing enzyme isopentenyl diphosphate δ‐isomerase were identified as limitations of the in vitro enzyme cascade.
Gas‐ und Flüssigkeitsanalysatoren auf der ACHEMA 2022
Authors: Fabinski Walter , Finken Ferdinand , Högenauer Dominik
Published: February 2023

Auf der ACHEMA als weltgrößte Fachmesse für Mess‐ und Automatisierungstechnik in der industriellen Produktion wurden auch diesmal wieder Neuigkeiten aus dem Gebiet der Gas‐ und Flüssigkeitsanalyse gezeigt. Wegen der Pandemie gab es einen Rückgang bei der Zahl der Aussteller von 41 % und bei den Besuchern von 56 % bezogen auf 2018. Auffallend war, dass zwei große Namen der Branche mit eigenen Ständen fehlten: ABB und Siemens. Die Veranstalter der ACHEMA teilten mit, dass die Aussteller mit der Messe und den Besucherkontakten zufrieden gewesen seien; die nächste ACHEMA wird im Juni 2024 stattfinden. In diesem Bericht wird über die beobachteten Trends und Produktneuheiten informiert.
AAP urges immediate treatment for childhood overweight and obesity
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: February 2023

For the first time in 15 years the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued comprehensive guidance on overweight and obesity, and recommends “immediate, intensive treatment for children and teens who are at or above the 85th percentile of body mass index (BMI) for their age and sex.”
Diet can alter the cost of resistance to a natural parasite in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Jiranek Juliana , Gibson Amanda
Published: February 2023

Resistance to parasites confers a fitness advantage, yet hosts show substantial variation in resistance in natural populations. Evolutionary theory indicates that resistant and susceptible genotypes can coexist if resistance is costly, but there is mixed evidence that resistant individuals have lower fitness in the absence of parasites. One explanation for this discrepancy is that the cost of resistance varies with environmental context. We tested this hypothesis using Caenorhabditis elegans and its natural microsporidian parasite, Nematocida ironsii. We used multiple metrics to compare the fitness of two near‐isogenic host genotypes differing at regions associated with resistance to N. ironsii. To quantify the effect of the environment on the cost associated with these known resistance regions, we measured fitness on three microbial diets. We found that the cost of resistance varied with both diet and the measure of fitness. We detected no cost to resistance, irrespective of diet, when fitness was measured as fecundity. However, we detected a cost when fitness was measured in terms of population growth, and the magnitude of this cost varied with diet. These results provide a proof of concept that, by mediating the cost of resistance, environmental context may govern the rate and nature of resistance evolution in heterogeneous environments.
Occupational exposure to diesel engine exhaust and serum levels of microRNAs in a cross‐sectional molecular epidemiology study in China
Authors: Hu Wei , Wong Jason Y. Y. , Dai Yufei , Ren Dianzhi , Blechter Batel , Duan Huawei , Niu Yong , Xu Jun , Fu Wei , Meliefste Kees , Zhou Baosen , Yang Jufang , Ye Meng , Jia Xiaowei , Meng Tao , Bin Ping , Rahman Mohammad L. , Dean Hosgood H. , Vermeulen Roel C. , Silverman Debra T. , Zheng Yuxin , Lan Qing , Rothman Nathaniel
Published: February 2023

Diesel engine exhaust (DEE) is an established lung carcinogen, but the biological mechanisms of diesel‐induced lung carcinogenesis are not well understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that play a potentially important role in regulating gene expression related to lung cancer. We conducted a cross‐sectional molecular epidemiology study to evaluate whether serum levels of miRNAs are altered in healthy workers occupationally exposed to DEE compared to unexposed controls. We conducted a two‐stage study, first measuring 405 miRNAs in a pilot study of six DEE‐exposed workers exposed and six controls. In the second stage, 44 selected miRNAs were measured using the Fireplex circulating miRNA assay that profiles miRNAs directly from biofluids of 45 workers exposed to a range of DEE (Elemental Carbon (EC), median, range: 47.7, 6.1–79.7 μg/m3) and 46 controls. The relationship between exposure to DEE and EC with miRNA levels was analyzed using linear regression adjusted for potential confounders. Serum levels of four miRNAs were significantly lower (miR‐191‐5p, miR‐93‐5p, miR‐423‐3p, miR‐122‐5p) and one miRNA was significantly higher (miR‐92a‐3p) in DEE exposed workers compared to controls. Of these miRNAs, miR‐191‐5p (ptrend = .001, FDR = 0.04) and miR‐93‐5p (ptrend = .009, FDR = 0.18) showed evidence of an inverse exposure–response with increasing EC levels. Our findings suggest that occupational exposure to DEE may affect circulating miRNAs implicated in biological processes related to carcinogenesis, including immune function.
Structural Control and Optimization Schemes of Silicon‐Based Anode Materials
Authors: Ma Zeping , Zhu Jiping , Zeng Fuhao , Yang ZhiQiang , Ding Yuan , Tang Weihao
Published: February 2023

Rechargeable lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) are today's best performing and most promising energy storage devices. Silicon‐based anode materials with ultrahigh specific capacity are expected to help LIBs play a more significant role in practical applications. However, the irreversible volume expansion of silicon during charge and discharge, which makes the material devastatingly shattered, and the unstable solid electrolyte intermediate film have greatly affected the LIB cycle stability and slowed the commercialization of silicon‐based anode LIBs. In recent years, various approaches have been tried to reduce the adverse effects of bulk effects, and nanosizing is a widely recognized and practical approach. Still, it has also reached a bottleneck in development. This work provides a comprehensive review of the recent progress in improving the electrochemical performance of silicon‐based anode LIBs. The development of mainstream silicon‐based compounds is described, the role of various structural control means for the improvement of silicon‐based anodes is elaborated, as well as other optimization schemes, and a view on the future development of silicon‐based anodes is presented.
Evaluating a woman's leadership journey and impact by adapting contribution mapping and analysis tools
Authors: Garcia Diaz Villamil Alejandra , Santos Legaspi Rodrigo , Akoto Ophelia Delali A.
Published: February 2023

Complexity manifests in no clearer arena than women's political leadership and overall empowerment. The nature of the leadership journey, comprised of multiple events and milestones, paired with environmental factors like COVID‐19, adds to this complexity. This chapter tackles the challenges of measuring program impact in advancing women's leadership by discussing the Vital Voices Global Partnership (VVGP) approach. Using an adapted contribution mapping and analysis tool, VVGP identified contributions at three levels: programmatic, individual, and community. The tool allowed VVGP to collect evidence about VVGP's contributions to improved political leadership and the overall VVGP model's theory of change (TOC).
Made in Africa: Understanding Indigenous African approaches to democracy, human rights, and governance evaluation through the study of proverbs
Authors: Badjo Sîm‐Yassah Awilêlo
Published: February 2023

The African Evaluation Association (AfrEA) plays a unique role as the pan‐Africa umbrella organization of African Voluntary Organizations for Professional Development (VOPEs). This chapter is in a self‐interview format with the former Chief of AfrEA Secretariat and discusses an AfrEA initiative calledMade in Africa Evaluation(MAE). Part of MAE considers how Indigenous African proverbs contribute to improved evaluation practices in the African context. This interview discusses the approach to the use of proverbs with reference to democracy assistance, human rights, and governance programs (DRG).
“Politics is more difficult than physics”: Complexity and the challenge of democracy, human rights, and governance program evaluation
Authors: Oakley Alysson Akiko
Published: February 2023

What is democracy, human rights, and governance (DRG) program evaluation? This chapter defines the subfield, outlines major challenges to undertaking evaluation in highly politicized programming environments, and orients its current state with respect to its historical trajectory. The author describes the pendulum swings DRG evaluation has undergone in methodology, paradigms, and interests, organized into four generations: the Cowboys, the Technocratic Disenchantment, the Messy Middle, and the Complexity Crew. The chapter describes how the concept of complexity came to dominate the subfield, emerging out of the importance placed in context and contextual relevance for programs focused on political goals. The author puts forward a framework for operationalizing complexity more consistently within the DRG evaluation sector and concludes with a discussion of current issues and debates in the field.
Artificial intelligence biosensors for continuous glucose monitoring
Authors: Jin Xiaofeng , Cai Andrew , Xu Tailin , Zhang Xueji
Published: February 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms in combination with continuous monitoring technologies have the potential to revolutionize chronic disease management. The recent innovations in both continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and the closed‐loop highlight the far‐reaching potential of AI biosensors for individual healthcare. This review summarizes some of the most advanced progress made in CGM biosensing. We will focus on three main applications of AI algorithms in diabetes management: closed‐loop control algorithms, glucose predictions, and calibrations. The challenges and opportunities of AI technologies for CGM in individualized and proactive medicine will also be discussed.
Covalent organic frameworks as electrode materials for rechargeable metal‐ion batteries
Authors: Wu Manman , Zhou Zhen
Published: February 2023

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), as a class of crystalline porous polymers, featuring designable structures, tunable frameworks, well‐defined channels, and tailorable functionalities, have emerged as promising organic electrode materials for rechargeable metal‐ion batteries in recent years. Tremendous efforts have been devoted to improving the electrochemical performance of COFs. However, although significant achievements have been made, the electrochemical behaviors of developed COFs are far away from the desirable performance for practical batteries owing to intrinsic problems, such as poor electronic conductivity, the trade‐off relationship between capacity and redox potential, and unfavorable micromorphology. In this review, the recent progress in the development of COFs for rechargeable metal‐ion batteries is presented, including Li, Na, K, and Zn ion batteries. Various research strategies for improving the electrochemical performance of COFs are summarized in terms of the molecular‐level design and the material‐level modification. Finally, the major challenges and perspectives of COFs are also discussed in the aspect of large‐scale production and electrochemical performance improvements.
Creating a common discourse on practitioner inquiry as stance
Authors: Buelow Stephanie , Koja Cassandra , Tom Matthew , Bacon Heidi R.
Published: February 2023

Practitioner Inquiry (PI) is the systematic, intentional study of one's professional practice. It makes reflective teaching visible and actionable. In this article, we reflect on our experiences as practitioner researchers across elementary, secondary, and teacher education and engage in critical conversations with one another to present a common discourse around the complexities of PI. We elucidate the ways that PI positions literacy educators as self‐directed learners, agents of change, and storytellers to recenter literacy teaching and learning.
Effectiveness of Sufentanil‐Based Patient‐Controlled Analgesia Regimen in Children and Incidence of Adverse Events Following Major Congenital Structure Repairs
Authors: Xie Deying , Liu Fei , Zuo Yunxia
Published: February 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate postoperative analgesia effectiveness and patient‐controlled analgesia (PCA)‐related adverse events. The children who received sufentanil‐based PCA following major surgery to repair congenital hip dislocation and hypospadias were divided into 3 groups: sufentanil 4 µg/kg + tramadol 10 mg/kg (ST; n = 301), sufentanil 4 µg/kg (S4; n = 211), and sufentanil 5 µg/kg (S5; n = 451). Analgesics with granisetron 0.2 mg/kg were diluted in 0.9% saline to 100 mL and infused continuously at a basal infusion rate of 1 mL/h. A total of 963 children whose average age was 4 years were investigated. The incidence of moderate to severe postoperative pain during rest was significantly lower in the S5 group (0.2%) and ST group (0.3%) compared with the S4 group (3.3%) within 72 hours after surgery (P < .05), and the incidence of moderate to severe pain during activity within 72 hours was also significantly lower in the S5 group (3.5%) compared with the other 2 groups (ST, 21.9%; S4, 33.2%; P < .001). A significant difference was identified among the 3 groups in the total number of PCA administrations, but there was no statistical difference of total usage of opioids among the 3 groups. In terms of PCA‐related adverse events, the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting in the S5 group was lower compared with the ST group within 72 hours after surgery (P < .001), and there was no significant difference compared with the S4 group (P = .254). There was also no significant difference in the incidence of pruritus and dizziness among the 3 groups. Sufentanil‐based PCA can be effectively and safely used in children after major congenital structural malformation repair surgeries. The sufentanil 5 µg/kg dosage in the PCA regimen is superior to sufentanil 4 µg/kg alone or combined with tramadol in lowering moderate to severe pain.
Characterizing Australia's east coast cyclones (1950–2019)
Authors: Gray Jessie L. , Verdon‐Kidd Danielle C. , Jaffrés Jasmine B. D. , Hewson Michael G. , Clarke John M. , Sharma Krishneel K. , English Nathan B.
Published: February 2023

East coast cyclones (ECCs) provide an essential reprieve from dry periods across eastern Australia. They also deliver flood‐producing rains with significant economic, social and environmental impacts. Assessing and comparing the influence of different types of cyclones is hindered by an incomplete understanding of ECC typology, given their widely variable spatial and temporal characteristics. This study employs a track‐clustering method (probabilistic, curve‐aligned regression model) to identify key cyclonic pathways for ECCs from 1950 to 2019. Six spatially independent clusters were successfully distinguished and further sub‐classified (coastal, continental and tropical) based on their genesis location. The seasonality and long‐term variability, intensity (maximum Laplacian value ± 2 days) and event‐based rainfall were then evaluated for each cluster to quantify the impact of these lows on Australia. The highest quantity of land‐based rainfall per event is associated with the tropical cluster (Cluster 6), whereas widespread rainfall was also found to occur in the two continental clusters (clusters 4 and 5). Cyclone tracks orientated close to the coast (clusters 1, 2 and 3) were determined to be the least impactful in terms of rainfall and intensity, despite being the most common cyclone type. In terms of interannual variability, sea surface temperature anomalies suggest an increased cyclone frequency for clusters 1 (austral winter) and 4 (austral spring) during a central Pacific El Niño. Furthermore, cyclone incidence during IOD‐negative conditions was more pronounced in winter for clusters 1, 2, 3— and clusters 4 and 5 in spring. All cyclones also predominantly occurred in SAM‐positive conditions. However, winter ECCs for clusters 1 and 3 had a higher frequency in SAM‐negative. This new typology of ECCs via spatial clustering provides crucial insights into the systems that produce extreme rainfall across eastern Australia and should be used to inform future hazard management of cyclone events.
Analysis of follicular fluid and serum markers of oxidative stress in women with unexplained infertility by Raman and machine learning methods
Authors: Depciuch Joanna , Paja Wiesław , Pancerz Krzysztof , Uzun Özgur , Bulut Huri , Tarhan Nevzat , Guleken Zozan
Published: February 2023

Oocytes are surrounded by a fluid called follicular fluid, which provides an essential microenvironment for developing oocytes in human fertility. Various molecules exist in antral follicles, including proteins, steroid hormones, polysaccharides, metabolites, reactive oxygen species, and antioxidants. Oxidative stress is involved in the etiology of defective oocyte development or poor oocyte and embryo quality. Raman spectroscopy, a noninvasive method, can be used for biological diagnostics and direct chemical identification of follicular fluid. Therefore, we measured the oxidative index of follicular fluids and then attempted Raman spectroscopy on the follicular fluids combined with machine learning techniques to identify, detect, and quantify follicular fluid of unexplained infertility‐diagnosed women as a safe and effective tool to use as adjacent for clinical studies. This was a retrospective study set in an academic hospital where the patients were selected from an unexplained infertility‐diagnosed population in the in vitro fertilization (IVF) center. Raman spectra of 128 follicular fluid samples (n = 63 control; and 65 unexplained infertility) were obtained. To profile Raman‐based results of follicular fluid, oxidative load measurements, multivariate analysis, correlation tests, and six machine learning methods were used. Raman bands associated with oxidative load and amide III and lipids differed significantly. Classification using stacks of Raman signals was applied by random forest, C5.0 decision tree algorithm, k‐nearest neighbors, deep neural networks, support vector machine, and XGBoost trees algorithms achieved an overall accuracy of 92.04% to 99.17% in assigned correctly. Group has an oxidative load in their follicle fluids consistent with clinical results and biochemical measurements and performing testing based on Raman spectra validated by kNN clustering and SVM object vector separation machine learning methods. The study suggests that Raman spectroscopy can detect changes in follicle fluid in unexplained infertility.
Bistable All‐Optical Devices Based on Nonlinear Epsilon‐Near‐Zero (ENZ) Materials
Authors: Gosciniak Jacek , Hu Zibo , Thomaschewski Martin , Sorger Volker J. , Khurgin Jacob B.
Published: February 2023

Nonlinear and bistable optical systems are a key enabling technology for the next generation optical networks and photonic neural systems with many potential applications in optical logic and information processing. Here, a novel bistable resonator‐free all‐optical waveguide device based on indium tin oxide as nonlinear epsilon‐near‐zero material providing a cost‐efficient and high‐performance binarity photonic platform is proposed. The salient features of the proposed device are compatibility with silicon photonics, enabling sub‐picosecond operation speeds with moderate switching power. The device can act as an optical analogue of memristor or thyristor and can become an enabling element of photonic neural networks not requiring OEO conversions.
The effect of immediate lymphatic reconstruction on the post‐operative drain output after axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer: A retrospective comparative study
Authors: Lin Ying‐Sheng , Kuan Chen‐Hsiang , Tsai Li‐Wei , Wu Chien‐Hui , Huang Chieh‐Huei , Yeong Eng‐Kean , Tai Hao‐Chih , Huang Chiun‐Sheng
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for breast cancer has been considered to be associated with a variety of complications, such as excessive postoperative wound drainage, prolonged drain placement, or seroma formation in the short term, or arm lymphedema in the long run. Immediate lymphedema reconstruction (ILR) has been proposed to reduce the occurrence of arm lymphedema by anastomosing the transected arm lymphatics to nearby branches of the axillary vein immediately after ALND. This study aims to demonstrate that ILR can also reduce the postoperative drainage amount.

Patients and Methods

Between April 2020 and January 2022, a total of 76 breast cancer patients receiving ALND were reviewed. Forty four of them also received ILR immediately after ALND. The assignment of ILR surgery was non‐random, based on patients' willingness and plastic surgeons' availability. The lymphatic vessels in the axillary wound were anastomosed with nearby terminal branches of the axillary vein under surgical microscope. Patients' characteristics, including age, body mass index (BMI), neoadjuvant therapy, type of breast surgery, the occurrence of seroma formation, number of removed lymph nodes, number of positive nodes, and the drainage amount from the operative wounds were compared between ILR and non‐ILR groups.

Results

No statistically significant difference was noted between groups in terms of age (56.5 ± 9.8 vs. 60.9 ± 10.7, p = .09), BMI (22.6 ± 3.7 vs. 23.7 ± 3.8, p = .27), type of breast surgery (p = .32), the occurrence of seroma formation (p = 1.0), the likelihood of receiving neoadjuvant therapy (p = .12), number of lymph nodes removed (17.5 ± 7.6 vs. 17.4 ± 8.3, p = .96), or number of positive nodes on final pathology (3.7 ± 5.4 vs. 4.8 ± 8.5, p = .53) except the ILR group had statistically significantly less drainage amount than non‐ILR group (39.3 ± 2.6 vs. 48.3 ± 3.7, p = .046).

Conclusion

For breast cancer patients receiving ALND, the immediate lymphatic reconstruction can reduce the postoperative drainage amount from the operative wound.
Global existence of strong solutions to the 3D isentropic compressible Navier–Stokes equations with density‐dependent viscosities
Authors: Yu Haibo
Published: February 2023

We consider the Cauchy problem to the three‐dimensional isentropic compressible Navier–Stokes system with density‐dependent viscosities. Under the condition that the lower bound of initial density is sufficiently large, we prove that strong solutions exist globally in time. The initial data can be arbitrarily large.
Ultra‐high dose rate FLASH radiation therapy for cancer
Authors: Kim Michele M. , Zou Wei
Published: February 2023

Conformality has been a key requirement in radiation therapy for cancer to minimize normal tissue toxicity while maintaining tumor control. Since 2014, there has been great interest in ultra‐high dose rate (UHDR), “FLASH,” radiation therapy to enhance this therapeutic window. In multiple pre‐clinical studies, it was seen that normal tissue demonstrated less damage due to radiation of various modalities when the same dose was delivered at ultra‐high mean dose rates exceeding ∼40 Gy/s while tumor control remained indifferent to changes in dose rate. The scientific community has large‐scale interdisciplinary studies to investigate this potentially breakthrough technique to enhance treatment options for cancer. FLASH studies have been performed using a number of modalities and delivery techniques for many pre‐clinical models. There have been several studies reporting evidence of the FLASH effect as well as technological developments relating to UHDR studies. There is sustained interest and motivation for this topic as well as many questions that are yet to be answered. We provide a short overview to highlight some of the major work and challenges to advance research in FLASH radiotherapy.