bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of overnight 1 mg dexamethasone on vascular function in patients with nonfunctioning adrenal adenomas
Authors: Kishimoto Shinji , Maruhashi Tatsuya , Kajikawa Masato , Mizobuchi Aya , Yamaji Takayuki , Harada Takahiro , Nakano Yukiko , Goto Chikara , Yusoff Farina Mohamad , Nakashima Ayumu , Higashi Yukihito
Published: November 2023

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of administration of overnight 1 mg dexamethasone on vascular function in patients with nonfunctioning adrenal adenomas (NFA). Flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation (NID) were measured to assess vascular function in 22 patients with NFA who had hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus (DM) and 272 patients without adrenal incidentalomas who had hypertension and/or DM (control patients with hypertension and/or DM). FMD and NID were measured in the morning before and after administration of 1 mg of dexamethasone at 2300 h in 18 patients with NFA. There were no significant differences in FMD and NID between control patients with hypertension and/or DM and patients with NFA who had hypertension and/or DM (3.4 ± 2.8% vs. 2.9 ± 1.9% and 11.5 ± 5.7% vs. 11.4 ± 4.3%, P = 0.46, and P = 0.99, respectively). There were no significant differences in vascular function between control patients with hypertension and/or DM and patients with NFA who had hypertension and/or DM even after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors. Overnight 1 mg dexamethasone increased FMD from 2.4 ± 1.9% to 5.3 ± 3.2% (P < 0.01) and increased NID from 12.1 ± 4.2% to 14.0 ± 2.8% (P < 0.01) in patients with NFA. The overnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test does not impair FMD and NID in patients with NFA. Decreases in circulating levels of cortisol may improve vascular function.

Clinical Trial Registration: This study was approved by principal authorities and ethical issues in Japan (URL for Clinical Trial: http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm Registration Number for Clinical Trial: UMIN000039512).
Fabrication of conductive Ag/AgCl/Ag nanorods ink on Laser-induced graphene electrodes on flexible substrates for non-enzymatic glucose detection
Authors: Bagheri Rana , Alikhani Saeid , Miri-Moghaddam Ebrahim
Published: November 2023

An unusual strategy was designed to fabricate conductive patterns for flexible surfaces, which were utilized for non-enzymatic amperometric glucose sensors. The Ag/AgCl/Ag quasi-reference ink formulation utilized two reducing agents, NaBH$$_{4}$$

4

and ethylene glycol. The parameters of the ink, such as sintering time and temperature, NaBH$$_{4}$$

4

concentration, and layer number of coatings on flexible laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrodes were investigated. The conductive Ag/AgCl/Ag ink was characterized using electrochemical and surface analysis techniques. The electrocatalytic activity of Ag/AgCl/Ag NRs can be attributed to their high surface area, which offer numerous active sites for catalytic reactions. The selectivity and sensitivity of the electrodes for glucose detection were investigated. The XRD analysis showed (200) oriented AgCl on covered Ag NRs, and with the addition of NaBH$$_{4}$$

4

, the intensity of the peaks of the Ag NRs increased. The wide linear range of non-enzymatic sensors was attained from 0.003 to 0.18 mM and 0.37 to 5.0 mM, with a low limit of detection of 10 $$\upmu$$
μ
M and 20 $$\upmu$$
μ
M, respectively.The linear range of enzymatic sensor in real sample was determined from 0.040 to 0.097 mM with a detection limit of 50 $$\upmu$$
μ
M. Furthermore, results of the interference studies demonstrated excellent selectivity of the Ag/AgCl/Ag NRs/LIG electrode. The Ag/AgCl/Ag NRs on the flexible LIG electrode exhibited excellent sensitivity,long-time stablity,and reproducibility. The efficient electroactivity were deemed suitable for various electrochemical applications and biosensors.
The influence of spinal venous blood pressure on cerebrospinal fluid pressure
Authors: Taylor Z. , English C. , Cramberg M. , Young B. A.
Published: November 2023

In Alligator mississippiensis the spinal dura is surrounded by a venous sinus; pressure waves can propagate in the spinal venous blood, and these spinal venous pressures can be transmitted to the spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This study was designed to explore pressure transfer between the spinal venous blood and the spinal CSF. At rest the cardiac-related CSF pulsations are attenuated and delayed, while the ventilatory-related pulsations are amplified as they move from the spinal venous blood to the spinal CSF. Orthostatic gradients resulted in significant alterations of both cardiac- and ventilatory-related CSF pulsations. Manual lateral oscillations of the alligator’s tail created pressure waves in the spinal CSF that propagated, with slight attenuation but no delay, to the cranial CSF. Oscillatory pressure pulsations in the spinal CSF and venous blood had little influence on the underlying ventilatory pulsations, though the same oscillatory pulsations reduced the ventilatory- and increased the cardiac-related pulsations in the cranial CSF. In Alligator the spinal venous anatomy creates a more complex pressure relationship between the venous and CSF systems than has been described in humans.
Adaptive laboratory evolution under acetic acid stress enhances the multistress tolerance and ethanol production efficiency of Pichia kudriavzevii from lignocellulosic biomass
Authors: Dolpatcha Sureeporn , Phong Huynh Xuan , Thanonkeo Sudarat , Klanrit Preekamol , Yamada Mamoru , Thanonkeo Pornthap
Published: November 2023

Second-generation bioethanol production using lignocellulosic biomass as feedstock requires a highly efficient multistress-tolerant yeast. This study aimed to develop a robust yeast strain of P. kudriavzevii via the adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) technique. The parental strain of P. kudriavzevii was subjected to repetitive long-term cultivation in medium supplemented with a gradually increasing concentration of acetic acid, the major weak acid liberated during the lignocellulosic pretreatment process. Three evolved P. kudriavzevii strains, namely, PkAC-7, PkAC-8, and PkAC-9, obtained in this study exhibited significantly higher resistance toward multiple stressors, including heat, ethanol, osmotic stress, acetic acid, formic acid, furfural, 5-(hydroxymethyl) furfural (5-HMF), and vanillin. The fermentation efficiency of the evolved strains was also improved, yielding a higher ethanol concentration, productivity, and yield than the parental strain, using undetoxified sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate as feedstock. These findings provide evidence that ALE is a practical approach for increasing the multistress tolerance of P. kudriavzevii for stable and efficient second-generation bioethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass.
Evaluation of tornadic environments and their trends and projected changes in Japan
Authors: Kawazoe Sho , Inatsu Masaru , Fujita Mikiko , Sugimoto Shiori , Okada Yasuko , Watanabe Shingo
Published: November 2023

Tornadoes are responsible for several high-impact weather disasters in Japan. However, little is known about how these events have changed over the last several decades or how they may change in future climates. This study examines environmental conditions associated with tornados in Japan using pseudo-soundings from the high-resolution fifth-generation ECMWF reanalysis. We first determine appropriate discriminators of F2+ tornadoes using thermodynamic (convective available potential energy, convective inhibition, lifting condensation level, and the K-index), kinematic (bulk wind difference and storm-relative helicity), and multivariate tornado parameters (energy helicity index, K-helicity index, and the significant tornado parameter), and confirm that F2+ tornadoes occur in environments with higher instability and helicity, but are better distinguished using multivariate parameters. Recent trends indicate that F2+ environments have increased significantly in some regions over the last four decades. We also examined future changes for each parameter using a large ensemble 2-K warming experiment. Robust increases in strong tornado environments are depicted in many regions in Japan, particularly on the Sea of Japan side and the Kanto region. This indicates that despite projected decreases in bulk wind difference and higher convective inhibition, significant increases in atmospheric instability compensate, leading to more days with F2+ tornado potential.
Polphylipoprotein-induced autophagy mechanism with high performance in photodynamic therapy
Authors: Taninaka Atsushi , Kurokawa Hiromi , Kamiyanagi Mayuka , Ochiai Takahiro , Arashida Yusuke , Takeuchi Osamu , Matsui Hirofumi , Shigekawa Hidemi
Published: November 2023

Polphylipoprotein (PLP) is a recently developed nanoparticle with high biocompatibility and tumor selectivity, and which has demonstrated unprecedentedly high performance photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photodynamic diagnosis. On the basis of these discoveries, PLP is anticipated to have a very high potential for PDT. However, the mechanism by which PLP kills cancer cells effectively has not been sufficiently clarified. To comprehensively understand the PLP-induced PDT processes, we conduct multifaceted experiments using both normal cells and cancer cells originating from the same sources, namely, RGM1, a rat gastric epithelial cell line, and RGK1, a rat gastric mucosa-derived cancer-like mutant. We reveal that PLP enables highly effective cancer treatment through PDT by employing a unique mechanism that utilizes the process of autophagy. The dynamics of PLP-accumulated phagosomes immediately after light irradiation are found to be completely different between normal cells and cancer cells, and it becomes clear that this difference results in the manifestation of the characteristic effect of PDT when using PLP. Since PLP is originally developed as a drug delivery agent, this study also suggests the potential for intracellular drug delivery processes through PLP-induced autophagy.
Guided principal component analysis (GPCA): a simple method for improving detection of a known analyte
Authors: Gardner Benjamin , Haskell Jennifer , Matousek Pavel , Stone Nicholas
Published: November 2023

Here we propose Guided PCA, a simple approach to ensure the spectrum of a key target moiety is consistly provided in a high ranking principal component.
Advanced manufacturing of nanoparticle formulations of drugs and biologics using microfluidics
Authors: Shen Yingnan , Gwak Hogyeong , Han Bumsoo
Published: November 2023

Scaled-up production of nano-formulations is challenging. Find out how microfluidic manufacturing simultaneously meets the requirements for quality and throughput.
Room temperature cost-effective synthesis of carbon quantum dots for fluorescence pattern recognition of metal ions
Authors: Lu Yifan , Yu Wenbang , Shi Guoyue , Zhang Min
Published: November 2023

A type of low-consuming carbon quantum dot (CD) has been synthesized at room temperature for the development of a label-free florescent sensor array to discriminate metal ions.
Electronic structure engineering on Co-based metal–organic frameworks for concurrent electrocatalytic hydrogen generation and formate electrosynthesis
Authors: Liu Mengying , Zhou Qingsong , Ren Tianlun , Yu Hongjie , Deng Kai , Wang Ziqiang , Wang Hongjing , Wang Liang , Xu You
Published: November 2023

Electronic structure engineering of Co-based metal–organic frameworks via in situ incorporation of Ir cations could afford enhanced electrocatalytic performance for both hydrogen evolution and glucose-to-formate oxidation.
Organophotocatalytic α-deuteration of unprotected primary amines via H/D exchange with D2O
Authors: Meng Xiang , Dong Yue , Liu Qiangqiang , Wang Wei
Published: November 2023

Harnessing the α-amino radical reactivity enables achieving a direct H/D exchange reaction with unmasked primary amines for cost-effective synthesis of α-deuterated products.
Reductive cyclodimerization of chalcones: exploring the “self-adaptability” of galvanostatic electrosynthesis
Authors: Garbini Mauro , Brunetti Andrea , Pedrazzani Riccardo , Monari Magda , Marcaccio Massimo , Bertuzzi Giulio , Bandini Marco
Published: November 2023

The “self-adaptability” of galvanostatic electrolysis was shown to assist a multistage unprecedented chemo- and diastereoselective electrochemically promoted cyclodimerization of chalcones.
XANES analysis of phosphate glasses melted with Tb4O7 and SnO: evaluating the impact of valence states on structural, thermal, and luminescent properties
Authors: Jiménez José A. , Hayes Dugan , Antolini Cali , Reinhart Benjamin J.
Published: November 2023

Barium phosphate glasses were prepared with 0.5 mol% Tb4O7 added alongside SnO up to 5 mol% with the purpose of evaluating the resulting terbium and tin oxidation states and their impact on glass structural, thermal, and luminescent properties.
Single-atom iron doped BiOCl atomic layers to promote efficient CO2 electroreduction towards formate
Authors: Tian Fengwu , Tang Tian , Di Xixi , Guo Xiaosha , Liu Dong , Shi Yixuan , Shen Zheng , Yu Xiaohu , Shao Xianzhao
Published: November 2023

The electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction to valuable fuels is a promising strategy to simultaneously tackle the crises of fossil fuel shortage and carbon emission.
Uncertainties in mitigating aviation non-CO2 emissions for climate and air quality using hydrocarbon fuels
Authors: Lee David S. , Allen Myles R. , Cumpsty Nicholas , Owen Bethan , Shine Keith P. , Skowron Agnieszka
Published: November 2023

The effects of aviation's non-CO2 emissions on climate and air quality are complex and relatively poorly understood. Mitigation measures need to be very carefully considered so that perverse outcomes do not result.
Emerging consensus on net energy paves the way for improved integrated assessment modeling
Authors: Delannoy Louis , Auzanneau Matthieu , Andrieu Baptiste , Vidal Olivier , Longaretti Pierre-Yves , Prados Emmanuel , Murphy David J. , Bentley Roger W. , Carbajales-Dale Michael , Raugei Marco , Höök Mikael , Court Victor , King Carey W. , Fizaine Florian , Jacques Pierre , Heun Matthew Kuperus , Jackson Andrew , Guay-Boutet Charles , Aramendia Emmanuel , Wang Jianliang , Le Boulzec Hugo , Hall Charles A.S.
Published: November 2023

Extracting, processing, and delivering energy requires energy itself, which reduces the net energy available to society and yields considerable socioeconomic implications.
An acid-free process for selective REE recovery from spent NdFeB magnets by room-temperature electrolysis
Authors: Zhihan Zhang , Zhi Wang , Dong Wang , Rui Min , Wanhai Xiao , Yong Lin , Guobiao Li
Published: November 2023

An acid-free electrochemical process has been developed for the selective recovery of REEs from EOL NdFeB magnets at room temperature. Fe2+ produced by NdFeB was oxidized at and hydrolyzed to Fe(OH)3in situ to separate from REEs. Subsequently, the recycling of ZnCl2 electrolyte was realized.
Effects of transition metals and earth alkaline metals in the ionic honeycomb monolayer sodium bromide towards spintronic applications
Authors: Van On Vo , Guerrero-Sanchez J. , Hoat D. M.
Published: November 2023

A stable NaBr monolayer is functionalized for spintronic applications by vacancy engineering and doping with transition metals and earth alkaline metals.
Insight into the electron transfer and anti-thermal quenching of europium doped Li4SrCa(SiO4)2
Authors: Hu Jieqi , Smet Philippe F. , Van Deun Rik , Van der Heggen David
Published: November 2023

Photo-induced reversible electron transfer between Eu2+ and Eu3+ in inequivalent sites and the energy transfer between inequivalent Eu2+ have been confirmed in Li4SrCa(SiO4)2. The temperature-dependency of these two processes is also investigated.
Characterizing induced pluripotent stem cells and derived cardiomyocytes: insights from nano scale mass measurements and mechanical properties
Authors: Turnbull Irene C. , Gaitas Angelo
Published: November 2023

Our study reveals that the nano-mechanical measures of elasticity and cell mass change significantly through induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) differentiation to cardiomyocytes, providing a reliable method to evaluate such processes.
Nitrate anions embedded in rigid and cationic 3D energetic MOFs constructed by the chelating ligand towards insensitive energetic materials
Authors: Wang Qin , Yan Yun-Fan , Weng Jiao-Lin , Huang Ying , Yang Fu , Xie Hao-Hui , Tan Fei , Zheng Fa-Kun , Xu Jian-Gang
Published: November 2023

A rigid cationic 3D EMOF was prepared by a simple hydrothermal method using a nitrogen-rich chelating ligand, and a strong hydrogen bond interaction was formed to stabilize NO3− anions with high energy and low mechanical stimulation.
Correction: A facile synthesis of a MoS2/soluble g-C3N4/CdS ternary composite for high efficiency photocatalytic hydrogen production
Authors: Zheng Hui-Qin , Zhang Wen-Li , Yin Ming-Cai , Fan Yao-Ting
Published: November 2023

Correction for ‘A facile synthesis of a MoS2/soluble g-C3N4/CdS ternary composite for high efficiency photocatalytic hydrogen production’ by Hui-Qin Zheng et al., New J. Chem., 2023, https://doi.org/10.1039/d3nj03888b.
Photoinduced force microscopy as a novel method for the study of microbial nanostructures
Authors: Davies-Jones Josh , Davies Philip R. , Graf Arthur , Hewes Dan , Hill Katja E. , Pascoe Michael
Published: November 2023

A detailed comparison of the capabilities of electron microscopy and nano-infrared (IR) microscopy for imaging microbial nanostructures has been carried out for the first time.
Flexible, humidity- and contamination-resistant superhydrophobic MXene-based electrospun triboelectric nanogenerators for distributed energy harvesting applications
Authors: Sardana Sagar , Sharma Vaishali , Beepat Kevin Gurbani , Sharma Davinder Pal , Chawla Amit Kumar , Mahajan Aman
Published: November 2023

Superhydrophobic MXene-based electrospun triboelectric nanogenerators for distributed energy harvesting applications are fabricated.
Generalised coupled-dipole model for core-satellite nanostructures
Authors: Glukhova Stefania , Le Ru Eric C. , Auguié Baptiste
Published: November 2023

Comparison of the satellite absorbance spectra calculated with T-matrix and GCDM methods for the Au core surrounded by Ag satellites.
Facile preparation of polycyclic halogen-substituted 1,2,3-triazoles by using intramolecular Huisgen cycloaddition
Authors: Kobayashi Kazuki , Kasakura Nozomi , Kikukawa Seiya , Matsumoto Shota , Karasawa Satoru , Hata Takeshi
Published: November 2023

1-(ω-Azidoalkyl)-2-(2,2-dihalovinyl)arenes afforded tricyclic 5-halo-1,2,3-triazoles via intramolecular Huisgen cycloaddition. Based on the remaining bromo groups, carbon elongation gave polycyclic compounds and a pentacyclic fluorescent compound.
Recent advances in [4 + 4] annulation of conjugated heterodienes with 1,4-dipolar species for the synthesis of eight-membered heterocycles
Authors: Wang Yahui , Jin Zefeng , Zhou Liejin , Lv Xin
Published: November 2023

Eight-membered heterocycles are important but their synthesis is usually challenging. This review summarizes the recent advances in [4 + 4] annulation of conjugated heterodienes with 1,4-dipolar species for assembling eight-membered heterocycles.
Synthesis and charge-transport properties of novel π-conjugated polymers incorporating core-extended naphtho[2,1-b:3,4-b′]dithiophene diimides
Authors: Zhao Lingli , Cao Yanyan , Qin Hanwen , He Xi , Zhao Zhiyuan , Guo Yunlong , Chen Huajie
Published: November 2023

A novel family of core-extended mellophanic diimide derivatives, named 2,7-dibromobenzo[2,1-b:3,4-b′]dithiophene diimides, are synthesized for engineering polymeric semiconductors, which show a fine-tunable hole-transporting behavior.
Practical photocatalytic and sonophotocatalytic reduction of nitroarenes in water under blue LED irradiation using β-CD modified TiO2 as a green nest photocatalyst
Authors: Ghasemi Leila , Ahmadi Ayub , Abedini Raheleh , Kazemi Foad , Kaboudin Babak
Published: November 2023

Photocatalysis using natural photosynthesis is a green technology that is gaining popularity in a number of industries due to its potential for environmental applications and the use of solar energy.
Discovery, synthesis, and cytotoxic evaluation of isoquinolinequinones produced by Streptomyces albidoflavus derived from lichen
Authors: Jin Ying , Wang Zixuan , Aobulikasimu Nuerbiye , Hu Yixuan , Zhang Zengguang , Lv Hang , Mu Yu , Jiang Yi , Han Li , Huang Xueshi
Published: November 2023

Mansouramycin derivatives caused S phase cell cycle arrest and induced apoptosis in MBA-MB-231 cells，and a piperazine moiety introduced into the amino group at C-7 could improve the activities of mansouramycins.
NIR-II photothermal conversion and imaging based on a cocrystal containing twisted components
Authors: Li Tao , Liu Jia-Chuan , Liu En-Ping , Liu Bai-Tong , Wang Jing-Yu , Liao Pei-Yu , Jia Jian-Hua , Feng Yuanning , Tong Ming-Liang
Published: November 2023

we incorporated redox-active tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and tetrachloroperylene dianhydride (TCPDA) into a cocrystal and its effective NIR-II photothermal which results from the twisted conformation was characterized and analysed.
Plasmon-mediated dehydrogenation of the aromatic methyl group and benzyl radical formation
Authors: Zhou Jianghao , Guo Jing , Ghimire Govinda , Mebel Alexander M. , Chang Shuai , He Jin
Published: November 2023

A plasmon-driven deprotonation reaction of the aromatic methyl group can occur in aqueous solution under the illumination of red light. The reaction produces a benzyl radical and anion, and dimers through a self-reaction.
Nature-inspired sustainable solar evaporators for seawater desalination
Authors: Song Xiang , Jia Lianghao , Wei Zhengen , Xiang Tao , Zhou Shaobing
Published: November 2023

This paper presents an overview of the preparation, application and role of biomimetic structures in solar evaporators with improved evaporation rate and lifetime.
Synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon nanoboxes with pore structure derived from zeolite and their excellent performance in capacitive deionization
Authors: Li Keyang , Zhu Shaoqing , Zhao Shunan , Gong Ming , Zhao Xiaohuan , Liang Jie , Gan Jianning , Huang Yilun , Zhao Ming , Zhuang Daming , Gong Qianming
Published: November 2023

Synthesis of nitrogen-doped porous hollow carbon nanoboxes (HCNBs) with abundant hierarchical pores derived from zeolite for high performance capacitive deionization (CDI) applications.
Sperm induce a secondary increase in ATP levels in mouse eggs that is independent of Ca2+ oscillations
Authors: Ikie-Eshalomi Cindy , Aliyev Elnur , Hoehn Sven , Jurkowski Tomasz P. , Swann Karl
Published: November 2023

Egg activation at fertilization in mouse eggs is caused by a series of cytosolic Ca2+ oscillations that are associated with an increase in ATP concentrations driven by increased mitochondrial activity. We have investigated the role of Ca2+ oscillations in these changes in ATP at fertilization by measuring the dynamics of ATP and Ca2+ in mouse eggs. An initial ATP increase started with the first Ca2+ transient at fertilization and then a secondary increase in ATP occurred ∼1 h later and this preceded a small and temporary increase in the frequency of Ca2+ oscillations. Other stimuli that caused Ca2+ oscillations such as PLCz1 or thimerosal, caused smaller or slower changes in ATP that failed to show the distinct secondary rise. Sperm-induced Ca2+ oscillations in the egg also triggered changes in the fluorescence of NADH which followed the pattern of Ca2+ spikes in a similar pattern to oscillations triggered by PLCz1 or thimerosal. When eggs were loaded with low concentrations of the Ca2+ chelator BAPTA, sperm triggered one small Ca2+ increase, but there were still extra phases of ATP increase that were similar to control fertilized eggs. Singular Ca2+ increases caused by thapsigargin were much less effective in elevating ATP levels. Together these data suggest that the secondary ATP increase at fertilization in mouse eggs is not caused by increases in cytosolic Ca2+. The fertilizing sperm may stimulate ATP production in eggs via both Ca2+ and by another mechanism that is independent of PLCz1 or Ca2+ oscillations.
Clinical Observations in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis–Related Diabetes and Self-Reported Ototoxicity Symptoms
Authors: Nichols Nicole , Rubenstein Ronald C. , Kelly Andrea , Vachhani Jay J. , Echaluse Ma Vida , Garinis Angela Constance
Published: November 2023

Purpose:

Persons with cystic fibrosis (PwCF) are at high risk for ototoxicity due to the routine use of intravenous aminoglycoside (IV-AG) antibiotics in respiratory infection management. Additionally, factors that contribute to ototoxicity-related symptom development and severity in PwCF are unknown. Given the increased risk of ototoxicity in people with diabetes, we explored the association between cystic fibrosis–related diabetes (CFRD) and self-reported ototoxicity symptoms (tinnitus and vestibular problems) in PwCF treated with aminoglycosides.

Method:

PwCF (
N
= 39; 25 females, 14 males;
M
age
= 30.1 years,
SD
= 10.3) were recruited from the Cystic Fibrosis Care Center at Oregon Health & Science University. Patients completed the validated questionnaires to ascertain their experiences with ototoxicity-related symptoms of tinnitus and balance function. The diagnosis of CFRD, including oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT), insulin treatment, hemoglobin A1c, and cumulative IV-AG treatment history, was obtained through a medical chart review. Participants were classified into three groups based on their medical diagnoses via OGTT: normal glucose tolerance (NGT; control;
n
= 16), abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT;
n
= 9), and CFRD (
n
= 14). Participants in each group were further classified based on survey outcomes for ototoxicity-related symptoms.

Results:

There was a trend toward a higher proportion of patients with CFRD reporting tinnitus compared to the AGT and NGT groups, but did not meet statistical significance (
X
2
= 2.24,
p
= .13). Approximately, 43% of patients with CFRD reported experiencing clinically significant tinnitus lasting > 3 min compared to 11% in the AGT group and 13% in the NGT group (
X
2
= 3.751,
p
= .05). Cumulative IV-AG exposure tended to be higher in CFRD compared to other groups. High balance function was generally reported in all groups.

Conclusions:

Patients with CFRD have greater ototoxicity-related symptoms. Further investigation of the relationship between CF-related comorbidities and the risk of developing ototoxicity-related symptoms is warranted to improve the detection and management of ototoxicity in PwCF.
Single image dehazing via decomposition and enhancement
Authors: Gu Bo , Yao Haohan , Sun Yanjun , Duan Zhonghang
Published: November 2023

Hazy images suffer from two problems. The low contrast can be enhanced by estimating a transmission layer, and the colour cast can be restored by estimating an airlight. These two variables, together with the albedo layer, are the constitutive elements of a hazy image. The resulting quality of dehazed images is inextricably linked to the accurate estimation of these components. However, it is ill‐posed to decompose these variables from a single image. As such, this paper presents an innovative algorithm intended to facilitate the optimal decomposition of a hazy image. Using the Markov random field model, an optimal framework is established that allows the simultaneous estimation of the three components across the three‐colour channels. To improve the visual quality, three improvements are proposed in the variational solution for the optimal components. The dehazed result is recomposed from the components with the transmission enhanced to circumvent any potential artefacts or information loss. Extensive experiments on natural images corroborate that the proposed algorithm outperforms state‐of‐the‐art dehazing methods, both qualitatively and quantitatively.
Study of the decoupling magnetic integrated high‐frequency transformer for DC/DC converter
Authors: Chen Dezhi , Zhang Shichong , Bai Baodong , Zhang Zhixiang , Yang Zhaoning
Published: November 2023

The isolated DC/DC converter plays an irreplaceable role in the development of the DC microgrid. However, the multiple discrete high‐frequency transformers occupy considerable volume in power converters due to the connection of multiple isolated converters. In order to reduce the number of discrete transformers and increase the power density as well as the reliability of the power converter, a three‐port isolated DC/DC converter with a decoupling magnetic integrated high‐frequency transformer (DMIHFT) is proposed for the DC microgrid in this paper. The semiconductor count of the proposed converter is reduced by combining one DAB converter and two LLC converters. Three discrete transformers are integrated into a single common core, and magnetic decoupling is achieved among each transformer by rational design at the same time. In addition, the magnetic circuit model derivation process of the proposed DMIHFT and the operation principles of the converter are described in detail. The design guidance of the proposed DMIHFT is present. And then, a 15 kW/20 kHz DMIHFT is designed based on the design guideline, and the simulation is carried out. Finally, a 15 kW/20 kHz DMIHFT prototype is fabricated, and the effectiveness of the proposed DMIHFT is verified by experimental results.
GN-z11: Witnessing the formation of second-generation stars and an accreting massive black hole in a massive star cluster
Authors: D’Antona F. , Vesperini E. , Calura F. , Ventura P. , D’Ercole A. , Caloi V. , Marino A. F. , Milone A. P. , Dell’Agli F. , Tailo M.
Published: November 2023

We explore the possibility of the N-rich young proto-galaxy GN-z11, recently observed at z = 10.6 by JWST, being the result of the formation of second generation stars from pristine gas and asymptotic giant branch (AGB) ejecta in a massive globular cluster or nuclear star cluster. We show that a second generation forming out of gas polluted by the ejecta of massive AGB stars and mixed with gas of a standard composition accounts for the unusually large N/O in the GN-z11 spectrum. The timing of the evolution of massive (4–7.5 M⊙) AGBs also provides a favorable environment for the growth of a central stellar mass black hole to the AGN stage observed in GN-z11. According to our model, the progenitor system was born when the age of the Universe was ≃260 − 380 Myr, well within the bounds of the pre-reionization epoch.
The effect of heating temperature on the physical and mechanical characteristics of plybamboo prepared from betung bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper)
Authors: Alfareza Muna , Suwanda Astri Aulia , Febrina Melany , Asagabal Meezan Ardhanu , Taher Tarmizi , Maulana Sena
Published: November 2023

This research was conducted to evaluate the effect of heating temperature on the physical and mechanical characteristics of plybamboo boards as an effort to reduce the use of wood and develop composite products as a wood substitute material. The material used was betung bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper) processed using PVAc adhesive. Hygrothermal treatment was carried out at 150 °C, 160 °C, and 170 °C for one hour on bamboo strips. Subsequently, the bamboo strips were assembled into three layers perpendicular to the fibers, and adhesive was applied and compressed using cold pressing. The physical and mechanical properties of plybamboo boards were evaluated according to JAS 234: 2003 standards. The test results showed that hygrothermal treatment tended to affect the physical and mechanical properties of plybamboo boards. The hygrothermal treatment at 160 °C had the best impact, producing values closest to JAS: 234 standards, resulting in reduced moisture content, water absorption, thickness expansion, and delamination. Additionally, the heat treatment at 160 °C also provided the best improvement in density, MOR, and MOE of plybamboo boards. According to JAS:003 (2003) standards, the properties of plyboard did not yet meet the criteria as a wood substitute material.
Realizing ferromagnetic semiconductors in SrRu1−xZrxO3 alloys
Authors: Xu Sheng , Gu Yanni , Bian Jun , Wu Xiaoshan
Published: November 2023

Using first principle calculations, we study the structural, electric and magnetic properties of SrRu1−xZrxO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1). The spin-polarization calculations present that SrRu1−xZrxO3 is a ferromagnetic metal at x = 0, a ferromagnetic semiconductor at x = 0.125, 0.25, an antiferromagnetic semiconductor at x = 0.5 and a nonmagnetic insulator at x = 1, which is in agreement with available experiments. As increasing Zr contents, the lattice parameters and band gaps of SrRu1−xZrxO3 increase while the energy difference between antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic states decreases. Through Ru-O and Zr-O bonds, hybridization between Ru 4d and Zr 4d states near the Fermi level becomes strong. As a result, Ru 4d states split and then metal-insulator transition occurs at x = 0.125 due to Zr. Ferromagnetic semiconductors are first predicted in SrRu1−xZrxO3 alloys, which may have potential applications in spintronic devices.
Evaluation of radiation dose and establishment of local DRLs for adult during abdominopelvic CT scan imaging for university hospital centers, Morocco
Authors: Semghouli S. , El Hamidi L. , Aabid M. , Amaoui B.
Published: November 2023

Objective: In this study, we have planned to establish the local Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) for the five University Hospital Centers in Morocco and to propose a national DRL for abdominopelvic CT examinations for adult patients.

Materials and methods: Data were collected using a specially designed form, which included patient demographics, exposure parameters and dosimetric indicators such as dose-length product (DLP) and CT volume dose index (CTDIvol). The establishment of local and national DRL in terms of CTDIvol and DLP was carried out in accordance with the methodology described in Report 135 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). The effective dose was assessed using the DLP and the dose conversion factor appropriate for this location.

Results: A total of 300 patients undergoing abdominopelvic examinations at the five Moroccan university hospitals were collected for this study. Patients' mean age, weight and BMI were (50.97 ± 15.05) years (67.94 ± 11.41) Kg and (25.71 ± 3.03) Kg/m2 respectively. The local DRL, in terms of DLP were 551.56, 2293.33, 709.02, 843.52 and 1059.62 mGy-cm and in terms of CTDIvol were 11,05, 46,40, 13,14, 12,01, 9,88 mGy respectively for UHC-1, UHC-2, UHC-3, UHC-4 and UHC-5 hospitals. The proposed National DRL, defined as a single value for the 75th percentile on the aggregation of data from the five centers, for abdominopelvic scan CT was 773.20 mGy.cm and 12.05 mGy for DLP and CTDIvol, respectively.

Conclusion: The Moroccan DRL was comparable to those of other countries, ranking 10th among 21 countries. However, we are still seeking to reduce and optimize radiation dose while maintaining good image quality for reliable diagnosis, and this can be achieved by enhancing radiographers' and radiologists' knowledge of radiation protection, protocol justification, and optimization through rigorous hospital radiation audits at national level.
Sucht: Verhaltensstörung und/oder Krankheit?
Authors: Schleiffer Roland
Published: November 2023

Im Umgang mit süchtigen Personen stellt sich immer wieder die Frage: Ist Sucht als Krankheit aufzufassen, bei der folglich eine Therapie angezeigt ist? Oder ist es eher eine Verhaltensstörung, die psychosozialer Hilfe bedarf? Als Antwort darauf wird vorgeschlagen, Suchtkrankheit als vorläufigen Endpunkt einer Entwicklung anzusehen, die als Verhaltensstörung beginnt und der spätestens mit der Phase des schädlichen Gebrauchs Krankheitswert attestiert werden kann.
Role of Serum Procalcitonin in Prediction of Severity in Patients with Acute Cholangitis
Authors: Bilal Mir , Shaheena Parveen , Chauhan Ashish , Syed Mushfiq , Tahir Majeed , Mir Nadeem , Najar Rameez , Acharya Kalpana
Published: November 2023

Background Cholangitis is one of the commonest emergencies encountered by gastroenterologists that may warrant drainage of biliary system. Serum procalcitonin (PCT) is an important biomarker of cholangitis with a potential to guide early therapeutic decision.

Materials and Methods We did a retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained data of patients admitted in the hospital from March 2018 to September 2020 with a diagnosis of acute cholangitis based on Tokyo 18 guidelines (TG-18). All the demographic parameters, biochemical and hematological parameters, and the result were recorded.

Results One-hundred two patients were admitted to our hospital with a mean age of 51.07 ± 7.99 years, among which 58.5% (59/102) were females with most common etiology being choledocholithiasis (64%). Fever, jaundice, and abdominal pain were seen in 78% (80/102), 73.3% (74/102), and 76.9% (78/102) of patients, respectively. Organ failure was seen in 29.3% (29/102) of patients with most common organ failure being acute kidney injury. Mild, moderate, and severe cholangitis as per TG-13 was seen in 43.9, 26.8, and 29.3% of patients, respectively. Elevated PCT levels were associated with severe disease (76.7 vs. 26.5%, p < 0.05). Forty-three percent (44/102) patients were managed with delayed biliary drainage, while the majority of remaining specifically with raised PCT levels needed early endoscopic intervention.

Conclusion In this retrospective analysis, we showed that most common etiology of cholangitis in was choledocholithiasis. Raised serum PCT levels were significantly associated with increased severity of cholangitis.
Early is Better: Report of a Cowden Syndrome
Authors: Di Nora A. , Pellino G. , Di Mari A. , Scarlata F. , Greco F. , Pavone P.
Published: November 2023

In the clinical practice, it is not common for pediatricians to visit children with overgrowth phenotype. When it happens, it is important to focus on the age of manifestations and research the pathogenic causes using appropriate genetic test. Cowden syndrome is one of these rare causes; it is an autosomal dominant genodermatosis characterized by multiple hamartomas of ectodermal, mesodermal, and endodermal origin. It is caused by loss of function mutations in the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene located on chromosome 10q23.1 Loss of function of the PTEN gene contributes to overgrowth and risk for a variety of cancers including breast, thyroid, endometrium, skin, kidneys, and colon. The early diagnosis of Cowden disease allows a careful monitoring of the patients who are facing the risk of cancer transformation, which is the principal complication of the condition.
Does the Belt and Road Initiative promote international innovation cooperation?
Authors: Xiao Weiwei , Xue Qihang , Yi Xing
Published: November 2023

International innovation cooperation is crucial to the enhancement of national technological innovation capabilities in the context of globalization. Does the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), as a major international initiative, promote innovation cooperation between China and BRI partner countries? Taking the top 80 global countries in innovation capability as the research sample, this paper uses the DID method to answer this question. The empirical results show that the BRI indeed promoted innovation cooperation between them to a certain extent. Specifically, it significantly increased the proportion of their cooperative patents in China’s total patents, and the promotion effect was more obvious for countries with better economic foundations. Furthermore, the mechanism tests indicate that shortening the institutional distance, strengthening the exchange of scientific and technological talents, and stimulating cultural differences were important mechanisms promoting their innovation cooperation. Although the BRI did not significantly increase the proportion of cooperative patents in BRI partner countries’ total patents, it effectively improved their innovation foundations and capabilities.
Reduction of phosphorus diffusion in bulk germanium via argon/phosphorus co-implantation and RTA annealing
Authors: Goldstone Alexander B. , Dhar Nibir K. , Avrutin Vitaliy , Vail Owen , Rao Mulpuri V.
Published: November 2023

Germanium has received increased research interest for use in next-generation CMOS technology as its high carrier mobilities allow for enhanced device performance without further device scaling. Fabrication of high-performance NMOS Ge devices is hindered by high diffusivity and low activation of n-type implanted dopants. While the high solid solubility of P in Ge makes it an ideal dopant, its diffusion mechanism is poorly understood and results in heavy tradeoffs between implanted dopant diffusion and electrical activation. In this study, we demonstrate the suppression of in-diffusion of implanted P via a co-implantation with Ar. Diffusivity of implanted P species and their activation is investigated over a wide range of annealing temperatures and times. P diffusion was explored by secondary-ion-mass-spectrometry and the diffusivity of P was extracted by solving the 2D diffusion equation using the Crank–Nicolson method, and the dopant electrical activation was extracted from the Hall effect measurements. The co-implantation of P with Ar entirely suppresses P in-diffusion up to annealing temperatures as high as 700 °C but at the cost of its reduced electrical activation. Extracted diffusivity reveals a highly correlated exponential relationship with annealing. P activation energy was extracted from Arrhenius behavior. A 450 °C/10 min annealing of P implant shows negligible in-diffusion of P with the activation as high as 70%. RTA processing of the Ar/P co-implanted sample at 750 °C for 1 min results in a negligible P in-diffusion and an electrical activation of 20%.
Research on the coupling relationship between metal particles in lubricating oil and inductive coils based on self-excitation single coil
Authors: Tao Hui , Zhong Yong , Qian KangWei , Feng Wei
Published: November 2023

Characterizing the operational wear status of mechanical equipment based on online monitoring of metal particles in lubricating oil plays a significant role in the effect of equipment fault diagnosis technology. According to the theoretical analysis of the electromagnetic induction principle and Biot–Savart’s law, combined with the finite element simulation analysis, systematic study and analysis were conducted on the distribution of magnetic field inside a single inductance coil, the coupling relationship between metal particles in lubricating oil, and the inductance coil. This paper analyzed the effects of four important design parameters that were the excitation frequency, the inside diameter of the coil, the turns number of the coil, and the length of the coil. On magnetic field uniformity and monitoring sensitivity, experiments demonstrated that: the correlation between the uniformity of the magnetic field on the testing surface of the sensor inductance coil and the coil radius and length is the highest, followed by the correlation with the number of coil turns. The correlation with the excitation frequency can be ignored in a negligible manner. In addition, experimental results indicated that if the ratio between the inside diameter of the inductance coil and the length of the coil (R/L) was less than 0.41, the magnetic field uniformity would reach over 91%. Meanwhile, results showed that the sensitivity of the sensor to ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic particles increased with the decrease in the coil inner diameter and inductance and increased with the increase in the excitation frequency. There is a specific length that can make the sensor coil monitoring, which is the most sensitive.
On the design of low phase noise and flat spectrum optical parametric frequency comb
Authors: Cai Yijia , Sohanpal Ronit , Luo Yuan , Heidt Alexander M. , Liu Zhixin
Published: November 2023

Optical frequency combs (OFCs) have become increasingly pervasive in recent years, with their advantageous frequency coherence properties enabling significant developments in numerous fields, such as optical communications, spectroscopy, and microwave signal processing. Recent interest in OFC development emphasizes minimizing and mitigating phase noise of individual comb lines for high-quality signal generation, processing, and detection. Cavity-less electro-optic combs and parametric combs are attractive sources for these applications in that they permit flat spectra, tunable tone spacing, and robustness to temperature variations. Although previous research has demonstrated broadband parametric OFC generation, the scaling of the phase noise has not been systematically investigated. Here, we demonstrate a 25 GHz-spacing cavity-less parametric OFC generator and investigate the interaction between electronic and optical noise sources that affect its phase noise and linewidth. In addition, we study the optimal design of a nonlinear amplified loop mirror based pulse shaper with a focus on the impact of pump power on the signal-to-pedestal power ratio, which ultimately influences the spectral flatness and the optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) after the parametric expansion. Notably, we design the OFC using all polarization-maintaining (PM) components, demonstrating the performance of PM highly nonlinear fibers in parametric comb generation. This results in a PM cavity-less comb with <9 dB power variation over 110 nm, >0 dBm power per tone, <10 kHz linewidth, and >23 dB OSNR. These characteristics make it highly desirable for application in communication and signal processing.
Simultaneous measurements of volume, pressure, optical images, and crystal structure with a dynamic diamond anvil cell: A real-time event monitoring system
Authors: Kim Minju , Kim Yong-Jae , Cho Yong Chan , Lee Sooheyong , Kim Seongheun , Liermann Hanns-Peter , Lee Yun-Hee , Lee Geun Woo
Published: November 2023

The dynamic diamond anvil cell (dDAC) technique has attracted great interest because it possibly provides a bridge between static and dynamic compression studies with fast, repeatable, and controllable compression rates. The dDAC can be a particularly useful tool to study the pathways and kinetics of phase transitions under dynamic pressurization if simultaneous measurements of physical quantities are possible as a function of time. We here report the development of a real-time event monitoring (RTEM) system with dDAC, which can simultaneously record the volume, pressure, optical image, and structure of materials during dynamic compression runs. In particular, the volume measurement using both Fabry–Pérot interferogram and optical images facilitates the construction of an equation of state (EoS) using the dDAC in a home-laboratory. We also developed an in-line ruby pressure measurement (IRPM) system to be deployed at a synchrotron x-ray facility. This system provides simultaneous measurements of pressure and x-ray diffraction in low and narrow pressure ranges. The EoSs of ice VI obtained from the RTEM and the x-ray diffraction data with the IRPM are consistent with each other. The complementarity of both RTEM and IRPM systems will provide a great opportunity to scrutinize the detailed kinetic pathways of phase transitions using dDAC.
Biaxial strain tuning of exciton energy and polarization in monolayer WS2
Authors: Kourmoulakis G. , Michail A. , Paradisanos I. , Marie X. , Glazov M. M. , Jorissen B. , Covaci L. , Stratakis E. , Papagelis K. , Parthenios J. , Kioseoglou G.
Published: November 2023

We perform micro-photoluminescence and Raman experiments to examine the impact of biaxial tensile strain on the optical properties of WS2 monolayers. A strong shift on the order of −130 meV per % of strain is observed in the neutral exciton emission at room temperature. Under near-resonant excitation, we measure a monotonic decrease in the circular polarization degree under the applied strain. We experimentally separate the effect of the strain-induced energy detuning and evaluate the pure effect coming from the biaxial strain. The analysis shows that the suppression of the circular polarization degree under the biaxial strain is related to an interplay of energy and polarization relaxation channels as well as to variations in the exciton oscillator strength affecting the long-range exchange interaction.