bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pesquisa sobre empresas juniores em instituições de ensino superior do Distrito Federal: estudo de caso com foco no Centro Universitário IESB
Authors: Medeiros Matheus da Costa , Miranda Roberto Campos da Rocha
Published: April 2019

Busca-se apresentar as características de empresas juniores instaladas em Instituições de Ensino Superior [IES], constituídas prioritariamente por discentes com o auxílio e gestão de docentes, para atender às necessidades do mercado e auxiliar no desenvolvimento da economia local e regional, capacitando os alunos e possibilitando experiências práticas, profissionais e oportunidades para obterem conhecimentos complementares fora das salas de aulas, bem como aumentar a visibilidade dos cursos das IES que aderirem ao modelo. Trata-se de pesquisa exploratória e bibliográfica, aplicada às IES localizadas no Distrito Federal, que possuem empresas juniores federadas ou qualquer outro modelo que se assemelhe. Foram realizadas entrevistas com os gestores das empresas juniores e aplicados questionários a uma amostra de alunos do curso de Administração de uma IES específica. Foram identificados, em documentos das empresas juniores, os erros mais comuns e as medidas frequentemente adotadas para corrigi-los ou evitá-los. Espera-se que as IES e os alunos que tenham a intenção de criar uma empresa universitária, possam utilizar os resultados auferidos no estudo para se orientarem, a fim de se obter melhores resultados no desempenho das empresas durante os seus primeiros anos de funcionamento.
Proposing a New Form of Fuzzy Sets and Its Properties
Authors: Salehi Einallah
Published: April 2019

In this paper, a new form of fuzzy sets is defined, in which algebraic operations and some of their properties are different from algebraic operations on ordinary fuzzy sets. The definition provided enables us to examine the properties of fuzzy sets that are not possible using ordinary fuzzy sets.
Potentiality of Some Egyptan Cotton Varieties under Drought Stress Conditions
Authors: Dewdar M. D. H.
Published: April 2019

This study aimed to investigate the performance of three cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) genotypes as affected by drought stress at three irrigation regimes; 14 (S-0), 21(S-1) and 28 (S-2) days that were started after the first irrigation. To achieve this goal, a field experiment was conducted as split block design at the Experimental Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, El-Fayoum Univ. The results indicated that the irrigation regimes mean squares of combined data were highly significant for earliness traits, also as well as yield and yield components.  Most of fiber properties were not affected by water stress conditions. Significant differences were found among the non- stress (S-0) and the stress treatments (S-1 and S-2) for mean performances of the three earliness traits. Treatment S-2 led to significant decrease in yield and yield components compared to S-0. The results showed that Giza 85 variety gave the highest fiber length, fiber strength and was finer cultivars having the lower micronaire values. The interaction between genotypes and stress treatments was significant for most traits.G1,G2 and G3 cotton varieties  exhibited highest seed cotton yield kg ha-1 (yield potential) in the non- stress treatment (S-0).  Giza 90 variety outyielded the other two varieties under stress treatment (S-2) compared to those of Giza 85 and Giza 83. The superiority of Giza 90 variety could be attributed to its high yield components., while Giza 90 was relatively stress susceptible and similar trend of those obtained using data of relative productivity (%) which confirm that the genotype Giza 83 and Giza 85 are more drought tolerance and could be used as sources of drought stress tolerance in breeding programs and tolerance to water stress conditions.
Biosorption Studies of Cr(VI) Ion from Aqueous Solution using Unmodified and Oxalic Acid Modified African Yam Bean Pod and Groundnut Shell
Authors: N. Ekeh Humphrey , Odoemelam Stevens A. , U. Sonde Christopher
Published: April 2019

This study examines the removal of Cr6+ from aqueous solutions using unmodified and oxalic acid modified African yam bean (AYB) pod and groundnut (G’NUT) shell as adsorbents. The effects of time, pH, temperature, and metal ion concentration were investigated. The amount of metal ions adsorbed increased as the initial concentration increased; groundnut shell gave a better adsorption capacity. Maximum uptake was recorded at pH of 6.0 whereas uptake level decreased at pH greater than 6.0. Kinetic studies showed that the physisorption reaction rates could be described better by a pseudo-second order model with R2 values close to 1. Various thermodynamic parameters such as ∆Go, ∆So, and ∆Ho were calculated. The values obtained for ∆Go were all negative for both adsorbents; indicating that the sorption processes investigated was spontaneous. Findings showed that an increase in temperature results in a lower metal loading per unit weight of the adsorbents, suggesting exothermic nature of the process. The process was also examined in terms of Freundlich adsorption model which showed R2 values between 0.6952 and 0.9956. From the parameters considered, it was revealed that the modification of the adsorbents with oxalic acid enhanced their adsorption capacity.
Effect of Watering Regimes on Yield and Agronomic Traits of Exotic Groundnut Genotypes in Tanzania
Authors: Philipo Mashamba , Nchimbi-Msolla Susan
Published: April 2019

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) production in rain fed regions of Africa is mostly affected by intermittent drought of different duration and intensity. Improvement of groundnuts for drought tolerance could increase production in drought prone areas. Therefore, this study aimed at (i) determining the effect of Watering regimes on yield and agronomic traits of exotic Groundnut genotypes and (ii) identifying drought tolerant genotypes as source material for breeding and drought tolerant varieties. Thirty groundnut genotypes were evaluated for drought tolerance under well watered and water stress conditions in the screen house at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Tanzania. A split plot design with four replications was used whereby the watering regimes were the main plots with varieties planted as subplots Data were recorded on plant height, number of pod/plant and pod yield/plant. Results showed that drought significantly reduced pod yield, number of pods/plant and plant height. Eleven genotypes namely; ICG 2106, ICR 48, ICGS 44, ICG 3053, ICG 11088, ICGV-SM 87003, ICG 12235, ICG 13723, ICGV 02271, ICGV 97182 and ICGV 91114 gave better pod yield and number of pods/plants in water stress conditions and are recommended for use in breeding program as drought tolerant varieties and sources for breeding materials.
Next Generation of Artificial Heart: Permanent Maglev LVAD or TAH under 10k USDs
Authors: Jing Teng , Qian Kun-Xi
Published: April 2019

The main obstacle of artificial heart in extending its applications in clinic has been its over high price rather than technical property. The new generation of artificial heart must enable the patients to be able to afford it. The author's permanent maglev pumps, both VAD (ventricular assist device) and TAH (total artificial heart), reduce their price to lower than 10 USDs, ca.1/10 of the third generation of artificial heart electric maglev pump. Moreover, the permanent maglev pump not only retains all the advantages of the electric maglev pump, but also has many innovations: its impeller vane was designed according to the streamlines in the pump, so that the blood damage was reduced as low as possible; It can produce either nonpulsatile or pulsatile flow; It can be made in LVAD or TAH, as wish. Besides, it needs no rotor position detector, no electric magnetic push and pull device for rotor suspension, and no feed-back controller for levitation. This is why its costs can remarkably reduced. Animal experiments for up to two months and clinical trial lasted 43 hours of permanent maglev LVAD demonstrated that the performances were excellent and perfect.
Promoting the Resilience of Health Care Information Systems—The Day Hospitals Stood Still
Authors: Kramer Daniel B. , Fu Kevin
Published: November 2024

This Viewpoint describes health care disruption owing to a global computer system outage and advocates for preventive methods to avoid future IT events disrupting the health care sector.
Launch and Postlaunch Price Developments of New Drugs in the US, Germany, and Switzerland
Authors: Laube Yannic , Serra-Burriel Miquel , Glaus Camille C. E. G. , Vokinger Kerstin N.
Published: November 2024

Importance

High prices of new drugs are concerning. What remains to be understood are price developments after entering the market because not only initial prices, but also postlaunch prices, contribute to drug spending.

Objective

To analyze launch and postlaunch price developments of new drugs in the US, Germany, and Switzerland.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study used the public databases of the US Food and Drug Administration, European Medicines Agency, and Swissmedic to identify all new drugs approved between January 2011 and December 2022. Data were collected and analyzed between January 2024 and September 2024. During the revision process in October 2024, SSR data were also analyzed. Drugs for which price data were available were included in the study cohort. Launch prices and postlaunch price developments in the US, Germany, and Switzerland were calculated from 2011 until 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Standard statistics (mean, median, and IQR) were applied to analyze launch drug prices and postlaunch drug price developments over time in the US, Germany, and Switzerland.

Results

The cohort study included 254 drugs in the US, 298 in Germany, and 235 in Switzerland. In the US, mean (SD) launch prices increased from $31 699 ($36 439) in 2011 to $228 658 ($571 252) in 2022, with an average increase of 19.7% per year. In Germany, mean (SD) launch prices increased from $77 237 ($228 672) to $146 072 ($306 091), with an average increase of 6.0% per year. In Switzerland, mean launch prices increased from $29 211 ($41 919) to $41 399 ($39 697), with an average increase of 3.2% per year. Post launch, trimmed mean prices of included drugs in the study cohort increased −0.6% at 3 years, 2.4% at 5 years, and 4.1% at 10 years post launch in the US. A larger increase of postlaunch prices was observed for cancer drugs compared with noncancer drugs. In Germany, trimmed mean drug prices decreased −30.9% at 3 years, −33.4% at 5 years, and −45.2% at 10 years post launch. In Switzerland, trimmed mean drug prices decreased −9.3% at 3 years, −13.5% at 5 years, and −29.5% at 10 years post launch. In Switzerland and Germany, postlaunch price developments were similar for cancer and noncancer drugs, but treatment costs of cancer drugs remained substantially higher compared with noncancer drugs.

Conclusions and Relevance

The results of this cohort study suggest that, in contrast to Germany and Switzerland, prices of cancer drugs increased substantially post launch in the US. When developing solutions how drug prices can be decreased, launch as well as postlaunch prices require attention from policymakers.
Race and Ethnicity, Gender, and Promotion of Physicians in Academic Medicine
Authors: Clark Lauren , Shergina Elena , Machado Nathalia , Scheuermann Taneisha S. , Sultana Nasrin , Polineni Deepika , Shih Grace H. , Simari Robert D. , Wick Jo A. , Richter Kimber P.
Published: November 2024

Importance

The ranks of academic physicians do not reflect the diversity of the US population. To create a diverse and effective medical workforce, it is important to know the extent to which gender, race and ethnicity, and the intersection of these factors are associated with career advancement.

Objective

To assess whether race and ethnicity and gender are associated with appointment to or promotion within academic medicine.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study used Association of American Medical Colleges data on graduates of all US MD-granting medical schools from 1979 to 2019 merged with faculty appointment data since 2000. Data for this study are based on a February 19, 2021, snapshot. The analysis was performed from March 8, 2021, to May 5, 2023.

Exposure

Gender and race and ethnicity among physician graduates.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcome was full-time faculty appointments and promotions to the ranks of instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, full professor, and department chair. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the differences in likelihood of appointment and promotion for racial and ethnic minority men and women compared with White men.

Results

The analytic sample included 673 573 graduates (mean [SD] age at graduation, 28.1 [3.2] years; 59.7% male; and 15.2% identifying as Asian, 6.1% as Black, and 69.6% as White). White men accounted for the largest subgroup of graduates (43.8%). Asian men, Asian women, Black women, and White women were more likely than White men to be appointed to entry-level positions. Among physicians graduating both before and after 2000, White men were more likely to be promoted to upper ranks compared with physicians of nearly every other combination of gender and race and ethnicity. Among physicians graduating prior to 2000, Black women were 55% less likely (HR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.41-0.49) to be promoted to associate professor (n = 131 457) and 41% less likely (HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.51-0.69) to be promoted to full professor (n = 43 677) compared with White men. Conversely, Black men (HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.03-1.61) were more likely to be appointed as department chair (n = 140 052) than White men.

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings indicate that preferential promotion of White men within academic medicine continues to persist in the new millennium, with racially and ethnically diverse women experiencing greater underpromotion. To achieve a workforce that reflects the diversity of the US population, this study suggests that academic medicine needs to transform its culture and practices surrounding faculty appointments and promotions.
Selection of Patients With Early-Stage Breast Cancer for Extended Endocrine Therapy
Authors: van ’t Veer Laura J. , Meershoek-Klein Kranenbarg Elma , Duijm-de Carpentier Marjolijn , Van de Velde Cornelis J. H. , Kleijn Miranda , Dreezen Christa , Menicucci Andrea R. , Audeh William , Liefers Gerrit-Jan
Published: November 2024

Importance

There is a need for biomarkers that predict late recurrence risk and extended endocrine therapy (EET) benefit among patients with early-stage breast cancer (EBC). MammaPrint, a 70-gene expression risk-of-recurrence assay, has been found to project significant EET benefit in patients with assay-classified low-risk tumors.

Objective

To determine the test’s utility in identifying which patients with EBC in the IDEAL (Investigation on the Duration of Extended Adjuvant Letrozole) trial could benefit from 5-year vs 2.5-year letrozole treatment.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This secondary analysis of the IDEAL randomized clinical trial evaluated postmenopausal women with hormone receptor–positive EBC who were assigned to either 2.5 or 5 years of EET, with 10 years of follow-up after randomization. A 70-gene assay was used to classify tumors as high, low, or ultralow risk. Adverse event (AE) frequency and treatment compliance were evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed from April 2022 to September 2024.

Interventions

After 5 years of endocrine therapy, patients were randomized to 2.5 or 5 years of EET with letrozole.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Primary end point was distant recurrence (DR). Cox proportional hazard regression models and likelihood ratios tested the interaction between treatment and gene expression assay.

Results

Among 515 women included (mean [SD] age at randomization, 59.9 [9.5] years), 265 were in the 2.5-year treatment arm and 250 in the 5-year treatment arm. Of these patients, 223 (43.3%) patients with 70-gene assay–classified low-risk tumors had a significant absolute benefit of 10.1% for DR (hazard ratio, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.12-0.87; P = .03). Treatment interaction was not significant for DR. Of patients with either 70-gene assay–classified high-risk tumors (259 [50.3%]) or ultralow risk tumors (33 [6.4%]), 5 years vs 2.5 years of EET was not associated with improved benefit for DR. As expected, rates of AEs and treatment discontinuation were comparable among the different 70-gene assay risk groups in each treatment arm.

Conclusions and Relevance

This secondary analysis of the IDEAL trial found that the 70-gene assay identified patients with low-risk tumors who could benefit from 5-year vs 2.5-year EET. These findings suggest that this gene expression assay could go beyond guiding neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy decisions to informing the optimal duration of adjuvant endocrine therapy.

Trial Registration

EU Clinical Trials Register Eudra CT: 2006-003958-16
Language Preference, Surgical Wait Time, and Outcomes Among Older Adults With Hip Fracture
Authors: Reppas-Rindlisbacher Christina , Boblitz Alexa , Podolsky Sho , Fowler Robert A. , Lapointe-Shaw Lauren , Sheehan Kathleen A. , Stukel Therese A. , Stall Nathan M. , Rochon Paula A.
Published: November 2024

Importance

Patients with a non–English language preference served within English-dominant health care settings are at increased risk of adverse events that may be associated with communication barriers and inequitable access to care.

Objective

To investigate the association of non–English language preference with surgical wait time and postoperative outcomes in older patients undergoing hip fracture repair.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This population-based, retrospective cohort study was conducted using linked databases to measure surgical wait time and postoperative outcomes among older adults (aged ≥66 years) in Ontario, Canada, who underwent hip fracture surgery between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2022. Propensity-based overlap weighting accounting for baseline patient characteristics was used to compare primary and secondary outcomes.

Exposure

Non–English language preference.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was surgical delay beyond 24 hours. Secondary outcomes included time to surgery, surgical delay beyond 48 hours, postoperative medical complications, length of stay, discharge destination, 30-day mortality, and 30-day hospital readmission.

Results

Among 35 238 patients who underwent hip fracture surgery, 28 815 individuals (81.8%) were English speakers (mean [SD] age, 84.4 [8.0] years; 19 965 female [69.3%]) and 6423 individuals (18.2%) were non-English speakers (mean [SD] age, 85.5 [7.0] years; 4556 female [70.9%]). The median (IQR) wait time for surgery was similar for English (24 [16-41] hours) and non-English (25 [16-42] hours) speakers. There was no significant difference in surgical delay beyond 24 hours between English-speaking and non–English-speaking patients (3321 patients [51.7%] vs 14 499 patients [50.3%]; adjusted relative risk [aRR], 1.00; 95% CI, 0.98-1.03). Compared with English speakers, patients with a non–English language preference had increased risk of delirium (4207 patients [14.6%] vs 1209 patients [18.8%]; aRR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.03-1.17), myocardial infarction (150 patients [0.5%] vs 43 patients [0.7%]; aRR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.04-2.22), longer length of stay (median [IQR], 10 [6-17] vs 11 [7-20] days; aRR per 1-day increase, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.06-1.15), and more frequent discharge to a nursing home (1814 of 26 673 patients surviving to discharge [6.8%] vs 413 of 5903 patients surviving to discharge [7.0%]; aRR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.01-1.27).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study of older adults with hip fracture, non–English language preference was associated with increased risk of delirium, myocardial infarction, longer length of stay, and discharge to a nursing home. These findings suggest inequities in hip fracture care for patients with a non–English language preference.
Crosstalk between gut microbiota and tumor: tumors could cause gut dysbiosis and metabolic imbalance
Authors: Zhang Siyuan , Wen Haimei , Chen Ying , Ning Jingya , Hu Di , Dong Yujiao , Yao Chenyu , Yuan Bo , Yang Shuanying
Published: November 2024

Gut microbiota has a proven link with the development and treatment of cancer. However, the causality between gut microbiota and cancer development is still unknown and deserves exploration. In this study, we aimed to explore the alterations in gut microbiota in murine tumor models and the crosstalk between the tumor and the gut microbiota. The subcutaneous and intravenous murine tumor models using both the colorectal cancer cell line MC38 and lung cancer cell line LLC were constructed. Then fecal samples before and after tumor inoculation were collected for whole metagenomics sequencing. Both subcutaneous and metastatic tumors markedly elevated the α‐diversity of the gut microbiota. Relative abundance of Ligilactobacillus and Lactobacillus was reduced after subcutaneously inoculating tumor cells, whereas Bacteroides and Duncaniella were reduced in metastatic tumors, regardless of tumor type. At the species level, Lachnospiraceae bacterium was enriched after both subcutaneous and intravenous tumors inoculation, whereas levels of Muribaculaceae bacterium Isolate‐110 (HZI), Ligilactobacillus murinus and Bacteroides acidifaciens reduced. Metabolic function analysis showed that the reductive pentose phosphate cycle, urea cycle, ketone body biosynthesis, ectoine biosynthesis, C4‐dicarboxylic acid cycle, isoleucine biosynthesis, inosine 5′‐monophosphate (IMP), and uridine 5′‐monophosphate (UMP) biosynthesis were elevated after tumor inoculation, whereas the cofactor and vitamin biosynthesis were deficient. Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) showed that subcutaneous and metastatic tumors partially shared the same effect patterns on gut microbiota. Furthermore, fecal microbiota transplantation revealed that this altered microbiota could influence tumor growth. Taken together, this study demonstrated that both colorectal cancer (MC38) and non‐colorectal cancer (LLC) can cause gut dysbiosis and metabolic imbalance, regardless of tumor type and process of tumor inoculation, and this dysbiosis influenced the tumor growth. This research gives novel insights into the crosstalk between tumors and the gut microbiota.
Lightweight Double‐Layered Polylactic Acid‐Based Nanocomposite Foams for Highly Absorption‐Dominated Electromagnetic Shielding
Authors: Wei Quanyou , Li Xueyun , Ren Qian , Chen Xuezhe , Cao Yu , Wang Long , Zheng Wenge
Published: November 2024

Lightweight polymer nanocomposites with efficient electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding properties play a crucial role in mitigating pollution caused by electromagnetic radiation. In this work, a combination of melt mixing and supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) is used to fabricate lightweight, high‐performance polylactic acid (PLA)‐based conductive nanocomposite foams, with absorption as the dominant shielding mechanism. The addition of carbon nanostructures (CNS) significantly improves the rheological and foaming properties of the PLA‐based nanocomposites. Notably, when the CNS content is 1 wt%, the expansion ratio of the PLA‐based nanocomposite foam reaches its peak at ≈43.5. Additionally, with 4 wt% CNS, the specific electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of the foam reaches up to 179.0 dB cm−2 g−1. To further enhance the absorption of electromagnetic waves, the shielding mechanism of the double‐layer structure consisting of 1% and 6% is absorption‐dominated with an absorption coefficient of 0.67. The specific electromagnetic shielding effectiveness reaches up to 150.7 dB cm−2 g−1. This work offers a straightforward and eco‐friendly approach for the facile preparation of lightweight electromagnetic interference shielding material.
Ultrasensitive and Breathable Hydrogel Fiber‐Based Strain Sensors Enabled by Customized Crack Design for Wireless Sign Language Recognition
Authors: Yao Dijie , Wang Weiyan , Wang Hao , Luo Yibing , Ding Haojun , Gu Yiqun , Wu Hongjing , Tao Kai , Yang Bo‐Ru , Pan Shaowu , Fu Jun , Huo Fengwei , Wu Jin
Published: November 2024

Wearable strain sensors, capable of continuously detecting human movements, hold great application prospects in sign language gesture recognition to alleviate the daily communication barriers of the deaf and mute community. However, the unsatisfactory strain sensing performance (such as low sensitivity, narrow detection range, etc.) and wearing discomfort severely hinder their practical application. Here, high‐performance breathable hydrogel strain sensors are proposed by introducing an adjustable localized crack in a closed‐loop connected hydrogel fiber encapsulated by porous elastomer films. Upon loading/unloading of external strain, the dynamic opening/closing of the pre‐cut crack causes a rapid switching in the hydrogel conductive path, resulting in sharp changes in resistance and a high sensitivity. Consequently, the hydrogel‐based crack‐effect strain sensor exhibits a superb sensitivity (GF up to 3930), a broad detection range (from 0.02% to 80%), fast response/recovery time (78/52 ms), repeatability, and structural stability. Based on the capability to accurately detect various strains across the full range of human movements, a wireless sign language recognition system is developed to achieve a high recognition accuracy of 98.1% by encoding and decoding various sign language gestures with the assistance of machine learning, providing a robust platform for efficient sign language intelligibility and barrier‐free communication.
HUVECs’ Expressway Based on Magnesium Ion Doped Hierarchical Scaffold for Rapid Angiogenesis and Bone Ingrowth
Authors: Yu Peng , Yu Fan‐Yuan , Li Fei‐Fei , Wu Jia‐Yi , Zhang Zheng‐Min , Tian Yun‐Fei , Qian Zhi‐Yong
Published: November 2024

Delayed union or nonunion remains an extremely challenging predicament even after the application of currently available engineering scaffolds for the treatment of critical‐sized bone defects. The angiogenesis throughout the artificial bone repair scaffold to achieve “angiogenic‐osteogenic coupling” is regarded as an effective approach to solving this issue. The newly formed blood vessels can accelerate the supply of oxygen and nutrients, thereby triggering subsequent bone regeneration. Therefore, scaffolds featuring an angiogenic microenvironment that promotes cell adhesion and migration should be designed for superior bone repair. Herein, a magnesium ion‐doped hierarchical scaffold is fabricated using a polymer blend system of chitosan/polyethyleneimine with inherent micro‐phase separation and complexation. Due to the microscopic sea‐island structure and the stable doped magnesium ions, the cell adhesion behavior underwent a significant transformation. Meanwhile, the pathways related to cell adhesion, migration, and angiogenesis are activated, and the critical target thrombospondin 1 is upregulated. Consequently, the cell adhesion capacity is augmented, 6 times the cell migration rate is attained, and the angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells is significantly expedited. Eventually, rapid bone ingrowth and satisfactory bone defect repair are approximated in vivo, making the composite scaffold a promising clinical candidate for bone engineering.
The Evolution of Underwater Microelectronic Encapsulation: An Universal Marine Wearable Hydrogel
Authors: Hu Jiafei , Liu Yan , Yang Chengxiu , Wu Shaowei , Wang Haomiao , Qin Yuhang , Yong Yuchen , Liu Lihui , Li Xu , Gu Shijie , Hu Yueguo , Li Peisen , Huang Jian , Zhang Qi , Pan Mengchun
Published: November 2024

Long‐term access to undersea information is of critical importance for undersea sensing. However, the paramount challenge in marine wearable technology lies in achieving durable and stable adhesion, coupled with biocompatibility, for devices submerged in the saline conditions of the ocean. Here, a self‐healing, seawater‐resistant hydrogel is reported that exhibits robust adhesion to diverse biotic and abiotic surfaces. Remarkably, the presented hydrogel is augmented with octopus sucker‐inspired microstructures, a feature that markedly improves its capability of organism adhesion underwater. The hydrogel exhibits robust mechanical properties in water, with over 20‐fold elongation in a fully swollen state, and a mechanical healing efficiency exceeding 90% after healing for 30 min. The hydrogel is applied toward several representative undersea scenes. Specifically, the hydrogels equipped with flexible pressure sensors are reliably affixed to fish and turtles for sensing hydraulic pressure for more than 20 days, while the hydrogels featuring a compact camera are mounted on corals and crabs for constant monitoring of surroundings. Furthermore, the hydrogel is molded into a mesh structure for integrating multiple sensors, functioning as multi‐node marine wearable platforms. The underwater hydrogel, with its broad applicability, introduces an approach to real‐time undersea monitoring and non‐invasive marine life internet construction.
Aromaticity‐Dependent Memristive Switching
Authors: Cechosz Ewelina , Alluhaibi Lulu , Mazur Tomasz , Sławek Andrzej , Pandurangan Nanjan , Szaciłowski Konrad
Published: November 2024

In recent years, memristors have drawn attention as non‐volatile memory devices for advanced computing engineering. The features of memristors, such as hysteresis, high resistance state to low resistance state ratio, retention time, etc., are determined by the material, structure of the device, the switching mechanism, and the kinetics resulting from the characteristics of the materials. Here, a resistive switching is proposed based on the aromaticity change of the material. A device has been built based on tetracyclone that undergoes the transition from an antiaromatic to an aromatic state upon applied potential. This phenomenon results in the presence of two distinguishable, and more importantly, stable resistive states of the memristor. On the basis of theoretical and experimental investigation, it is demonstrated that the working principle of the device depends on the redox change of the molecules. This study provides the foundation for a new kind of memristive switching mechanism: the formation of virtual conductivity paths. They can be a key to improving the performance of semiconductor memory devices in crucial factors such as stability, reversibility, and nonvolatility because these paths are related to electron delocalization and do not involve any significant structural changes in the device (e.g., diffusion).
Route Planning Process by the Endangered Black Lion Tamarin in Different Environmental Contexts
Authors: Bufalo Felipe , Kaisin Olivier , de Almeida e Silva Anne‐Sophie , Amaral Rodrigo Gonçalves , Messaoudi Yness , Alcolea Mirela , Zanette Eduardo M. , Sabino Gabriel Pavan , Börger Luca , Culot Laurence
Published: November 2024

Daily, primates take a variety of decisions to establish why, when, and where to move. However, little is known about the factors influencing and shaping primate daily routes. We investigated the decision‐making processes linked to route planning in four groups of black lion tamarins (BLT—Leontopithecus chrysopygus). We studied these endangered platyrrhines within four distinct environmental contexts across their natural distribution (i.e., a continuous forest, a 500‐ha forest fragment, a 100‐ha forest fragment, and a riparian forest). We used the Change Point Test to identify the points of significant direction change (CPs), which can be considered travel goals along BLT daily trajectories and are key components of travel planning. Considering the high importance of fruits and gum in BLT's diet, we predicted that feeding trees would be the main factor shaping their paths (feeding CPs‐FCPs). Also, given previous evidence that platyrrhines use landmarks (i.e., characteristic features from the terrain) as nodes in route network systems (i.e., points of intersection connecting habitual route segments), we expected part of CPs to be located close to the intersection points and to be associated with “locomotion” behavior (LCPs). Analyzing 61 daily paths in four forest fragments, our results showed that BLTs planned routes to reach feeding trees, which primarily determined path orientation. As hypothesized, locomotion was the most frequent behavior observed in CPs, but only in the continuous and riparian forests, with LCPs located as close to intersections as FCPs. Interestingly, these two areas presented the most extreme values (i.e., higher and lower values, respectively) in terms of used area, richness of resources and distances traveled between fruit‐feeding trees. Our results suggest that BLTs plan daily routes conditional on the environmental context to reach travel goals, likely to maximize route efficiency to reach out of sight feeding trees.
Fundamental research on phase equilibrium concerning hydrogen storage process with liquid organic hydrogen carriers
Authors: Shi Qinchuan , Wang Shiyuan , Li Peiya , Lu Shuhan , Wang Bo , Wang Jiahui , Wang Bin , Yang Fusheng , Fang Tao
Published: November 2024

Liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) technology stands as a pivotal solution to the challenges of hydrogen storage and transportation. However, the efficiency of its hydrogenation process has yet to meet the stringent requirements for practical applications. Consequently, an in‐depth understanding of hydrogen equilibrium concentration determination within LOHCs is crucial for optimizing the hydrogenation process. This work leverages the PE 2000 software to simulate literature data on the solubility of hydrogen in LOHCs, yielding comprehensive phase equilibrium data for hydrogen across various LOHCs. Cubic equations of state along with diverse mixing rules were employed to correlate the phase equilibrium data, calculating the corresponding binary interaction parameters and generating phase diagrams accordingly. The simulation outcomes were meticulously discussed to identify the optimal thermodynamic model for each system. Ultimately, a rational simulation methodology was established that accurately correlates experiment data of H2 and LOHCs, offering a valuable reference for future studies in this domain.
Decoding the acidity effect of Pt‐based dehydrogenation catalysts on their dehydrogenation performance
Authors: Zhang Haijuan , Piao Xilin , Mingming Zhao , Haotian Chi , Mingyuan Lou , Yuan Gao , Chang Yuanhao
Published: November 2024

Propane dehydrogenation (PDH) has become a significant method for propylene production. However, the systematic effects of catalyst acidity on dehydrogenation performance remain unclear. In this study, Pt‐based dehydrogenation catalysts with different acidities were prepared using n‐nonane modification, and their dehydrogenation performance was evaluated and compared. The synergistic interactions between the catalyst's acidity and its metallic functionality were thoroughly investigated. The results demonstrate that the relationship between the acidity of the PDH catalyst, the selectivity for propylene, and catalyst coke deposition follows a volcano‐shaped curve. An optimal acidity exists that allows Pt‐based dehydrogenation catalysts to achieve efficient performance. Specifically, the desorption of the target product, propylene, necessitates the combined action of acidic and metallic sites. Excessive acidic sites affect the desorption of propylene on acidic sites, while insufficient acidic sites affect the desorption of propylene on metallic sites. This study provides theoretical guidance for the design of PDH catalyst systems.
Plastic‐to‐Treasure: Innovative advances in photo/electro‐catalytic upcycling technologies for commodity chemicals and fuels
Authors: Leiu Yu Xuan , Lim Ke Ming , Chiah Zi‐Jing , Mah Elton Song‐Zhe , Ong Wee‐Jun
Published: November 2024

Plastics are one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century that bring convenience to mankind. Owing to the commercialization of plastics, plastic pollution has become a petrifying environmental issue as the demand for plastic products overwhelms plastic recycling rates. However, the conventional methods (i.e., pyrolysis and gasification) require high pressure and temperature to treat waste plastic, resulting in ineluctably energy‐waste and secondary pollution. On the contrary, selective catalylic technologies provide a green approach to degrade plastics whilst also reforming them into value‐added chemicals and fuels. In this review, innovative green approaches, including photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and photoelectrocatalysis, have been comprehensively reviewed from the perspective of sustainable use of resources. Distinctive emphasis is placed on highlighting the merits of each technology and enlightening the state‐of‐the‐art modification strategies that strengthen the pillars of catalytic activities. The transformation of plastics with the above techniques is also elaborated in terms of the reaction conditions and products from various plastic waste as substrates. With a feasibility breakdown for each technology displayed in this study, insights on the challenges and prospects of innovative green technologies for plastic upcycling are underscored as well to facilitate the society moving toward a plastic circular economy.
A discrete choice experiment: Understanding patient preferences for managing chronic non‐cancer pain
Authors: Campbell Gabrielle , Settumba Stella , Hopkins Ria , Nielsen Suzanne , Larance Briony , Bruno Raimondo , Cohen Milton , Degenhardt Louisa , Shanahan Marian
Published: November 2024

Background

The management of chronic non‐cancer pain (CNCP) is complex. Concerns about adverse effects associated with opioid pain medications and a lack of funding for holistic programs present challenges for decision‐making among clinicians and patients. Discrete choice experiments (DCE) are one way of assessing and valuing patient treatment preferences.

Method

DCE attributes and levels were generated through qualitative research and included number of medicines, side effects from medicines, pain interference, care management, risk of addiction, activity goals, preferred source of information on pain management and willingness to pay. The survey was administered to participants with CNCP recruited through an existing cohort study (n = 442) and a sample of people living with CNCP recruited through Australia's leading pain advocacy body (Painaustralia) (n = 256).

Results

The median age of participants was 58 years (SD 12.0), the majority were female. The analysis revealed two latent demographic classes: a younger group with higher levels of private health insurance and an older group with lower levels of private health insurance coverage. There were notable differences in preference. The younger cohort exhibited a greater willingness‐to‐pay to reduce pain interference, whereas the older group prioritized GP management, preferred more medicines and expressed fewer addiction concerns.

Conclusion

Patients' treatment preferences diverged based on age and insurance status, underscoring the importance of understanding patient perspectives in treatment communication and care coordination. These findings provide insight into patient decision‐making, which is important for promoting access to quality healthcare and engagement with evidence‐based treatment of CNCP.

Significance Statement

A discrete choice experiment identified two groups: younger, with more private insurance, and older, with less private health insurance, each with unique pain management preferences. Clinicians should be aware that age and private health insurance may have an impact on a patient's preferences for CNCP management.
Explaining and Predicting Momentum Performance Shifts Across Time and Sectors
Authors: Mamais Konstantinos , Thomakos Dimitrios , Vlamis Prodromos
Published: November 2024

In this paper, we analyze the momentum of the NASDAQ and its major sectoral components across an extended period of key economic events, which include recessions, expansions, wars, financial crises, and the Covid‐19 health crisis. We seek to explain how momentum works as an investment strategy during different economic conditions and whether understanding how it works in‐sample can contribute to the out‐of‐sample forecasting of future financial performance. The novelty of our approach rests in the identification and exploitation of momentum characteristics that lead to the ranking of sectors depending on the period of economic activity that we are in. These rankings are tested and found to be robust for the in‐sample and the out‐of‐sample forecasting of financial performance, thus leading us to surmise that one can use the identification of past economic conditions to extrapolate for investing accordingly in the future. Our results indicate that this suggested approach works very well in practice and is, thus, a viable and fully interpretable investment strategy.
The Effect of glna Loss on the Physiological and Pathological Phenotype of Parkinson's Disease C. elegans
Authors: Liang Qifei , Zhao Guangrong
Published: November 2024

Background

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease. Glutamate(Glu) excitotoxicity is one of the main pathogenesis of PD. Glutaminase (Gls) is an enzyme primarily responsible for catalyzing the hydrolysis and deamidation of glutamine (Gln) to produce Glu and ammonia. Inhibiting the function of Gls may have a beneficial effect on the treatment of PD by reducing the production of Glu. The homologous gene of Gls in C. elegans is glna.

Aims

To explore the effects of glna loss on physiological and pathological phenotype of PD C. elegans, and to provide new ideas and references for the research and treatment of PD.

Materials & Methods

We used PD C. elegans UA44 and QIN27 to detect development and lifespan, behavior, degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, lipid levels, ROS levels, expression levels of common amino acids.

Results

Glna loss had no significant impact on the development and lifespan of PD C. elegans. Glna loss saved part of the decline of motor function, including the head thrash frequency and the body bend frequency, and the difference was significant. There was a trend of improvement in some motor behaviors, such as the ethanol avoidance experiment, while no improvement was observed in other experiments. Glna loss slowed down the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. Glna loss increased the lipid levels and ROS levels in C. elegans. Glna loss decreased Glu content and increased Gln content in C. elegans.

Discussion

The effect of glna loss on PD C. elegans may be the result of multiple factors, such as the tissue types of α‐syn expression in C. elegans, the PD C. elegans model used, the adverse effects of glna loss on other systems, and the changes in ROS levels in C. elegans. The specific mechanisms causing these phenomena are still unclear and need to be further explored.

Conclusion

Glna loss has a certain protective effect on dopaminergic neurons in PD C. elegans, while the improvement effect on movement and behavior is limited.
Glycoengineered extracellular vesicles released from antibacterial hydrogel facilitate diabetic wound healing by promoting angiogenesis
Authors: Wang Kewei , He Qin , Yang Mengmeng , Qiao Qincheng , Chen Jun , Song Jia , Zang Nan , Hu Huiqing , Xia Longqing , Xiang Yingyue , Yan Fei , Hou Xinguo , Chen Li
Published: November 2024

Diabetic wounds have become a global healthcare burden owing to impaired angiogenesis and persistent infections. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) can improve diabetic wounds, though their targeting ability is limited. In this study, we investigated the performance of a novel hydrogel dressing comprised of gelatin methacryloyl, glycoengineered EVs, and polylysine in treating infected diabetic wounds. High‐throughput single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) and immunofluorescence staining revealed that E‐selectin (SELE) levels were higher in diabetic wounds than in non‐diabetic wounds. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) were transfected with a lentivirus containing fucosyltransferase VII (FUT7) and a CD63‐P19‐Nluc vector to enhance the expression of sialyl Lewis X (sLeX), the ligand of E‐selectin, on the surface of EVs (s‐EVs) derived from transfected MSCs (s‐MSCs). s‐EVs can target human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) under lipopolysaccharide stimulation and promote the function of stimulated HUVECs in vitro. To promote and sustain the release of s‐EVs, we fabricated a gelatin methacryloyl (Gel)/poly‐L‐lysine methacryloyl (PL)‐5 hydrogel with good antibacterial ability, biocompatibility and mechanical properties. In a mouse experiment, s‐EV@Gel/PL‐5 exhibited excellent angiogenesis and anti‐inflammatory abilities and further promoted the healing of infected diabetic wounds. Our findings demonstrated the potential of the s‐EV@Gel/PL‐5 hydrogel in the clinical treatment of diabetic infectious wounds.
Coherent Control of Relativistic Electron Dynamics in Plasma Nanophotonics
Authors: Dulat Ankit , Rakeeb Sk , Dam Sagar , Lad Amit D. , Ved Yash M. , Kruk Sergey , Kumar G. Ravindra
Published: November 2024

Intense femtosecond laser pulses interacting with solids can drive electrons to relativistic energies, enabling miniaturized particle accelerators and bright extreme‐UV light sources. In‐situ space‐time control of these electrons is crucial for developing next‐generation laser‐based accelerators but remains extremely challenging. A novel approach is presented to achieve such control by manipulating the local fields driving these electrons using a nanoengineered dielectric nanopillar target. Via experiments and simulations, it is demonstrated that this sub‐femtosecond and nanometer‐scale control enables enhanced electron acceleration and control of the directionality of relativistic electrons over a wide angular range and predicts the coherent formation of sub‐femtosecond electron bunches from the nanopillars. This research bridges nanophotonics and strong‐field plasma physics, offering new opportunities for in‐situ control of high‐energy particles and advancements in plasma technology.
Electrospinning of Cellulose Benzyl Carbamates for Enantioselective Membrane Filtration
Authors: Nono‐Tagne Steve , Heinze Thomas , Gericke Martin , Otsuka Issei
Published: November 2024

Electrospun nanofibrous membranes made of chiral selectors (CSs) have shown their potential for efficient chiral resolutions via filtrations. It is thus of great importance to expand the number of electrospun membranes made of various CSs for the resolution of a wide range of chiral compounds. Here, the electrospinning of two benzyl carbamate derivatives of cellulose, namely cellulose benzyl carbamate (CBzC) and cellulose 4‐chlorobenzyl carbamate (CCBzC), to form a new type of enantioselective membranes for chiral resolutions of racemic compounds, is reported. The morphology of the electrospun membranes is studied by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy in relation to the electrospinning process parameters. Liquid‐liquid permeation experiments of the racemic compounds, (R,S)‐1‐(1‐naphthyl)ethanol ((R,S)‐NET), (R,S)‐1,1′‐bi‐2‐naphtol ((R,S)‐BNP), (R,S)‐naproxen ((R,S)‐NAP), and (R,S)‐benzoin ((R,S)‐BNZ) through the membranes demonstrate preferable permeations of (R)‐ or (S)‐enantiomers depending on the combinations between the CSs and the racemates. Molecular docking simulations indicate the differences in the binding type, number, and free energies between the CSs and the enantiomers.