bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aluminium, Nitrogen‐Dual‐Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide Co‐Existing with Cobalt‐Encapsulated Graphitic Carbon Nanotube as an Activity Modulated Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Electrochemistry Applications
Authors: Kharabe Geeta Pandurang , Barik Sidharth , Veeranmaril Sudheesh Kumar , Nair Aathira , Illathvalappil Rajith , Yoyakki Athira , Joshi Kavita , Vinod Chathakudath Prabhakaran , Kurungot Sreekumar
Published: April 2024

There is a rising need to create high‐performing, affordable electrocatalysts in the new field of oxygen electrochemistry. Here, a cost‐effective, activity‐modulated electrocatalyst with the capacity to trigger both the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in an alkaline environment is presented. The catalyst (Al, Co/N‐rGCNT) is made up of aluminium, nitrogen‐dual‐doped reduced graphene oxide sheets co‐existing with cobalt‐encapsulated carbon nanotube units. Based on X‐ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) studies, it is established that the superior reaction kinetics in Al, Co/N‐rGCNT over their bulk counterparts can be attributed to their electronic regulation. The Al, Co/N‐rGCNT performs as a versatile bifunctional electrocatalyst for zinc‐air battery (ZAB), delivering an open circuit potential ≈1.35 V and peak power density of 106.3 mW cm−2, which are comparable to the system based on Pt/C. The Al, Co/N‐rGCNT‐based system showed a specific capacity of 737 mAh gZn−1 compared to 696 mAh gZn−1 delivered by the system based on Pt/C. The DFT calculations indicate that the adsorption of Co in the presence of Al doping in NGr improves the electronic properties favoring ORR. Thus, the Al, Co/N‐rGCNT‐based rechargeable ZAB (RZAB) emerges as a highly viable and affordable option for the development of RZAB for practical applications.
Ethylene Glycol‐Choline Chloride Based Hydrated Deep Eutectic Electrolytes Enabled High‐Performance Zinc‐Ion Battery
Authors: Puttaswamy Rangaswamy , Lee Hyocheol , Bae Hyo‐Won , youb Kim Do , Kim Dukjoon
Published: April 2024

Aqueous rechargeable zinc‐ion batteries (ARZIBs) are considered as an emerging energy storage technology owing to their low cost, inherent safety, and reasonable energy density. However, significant challenges associated with electrodes, and aqueous electrolytes restrict their rapid development. Herein, ethylene glycol‐choline chloride (Eg‐ChCl) based hydrated deep‐eutectic electrolytes (HDEEs) are proposed for RZIBs. Also, a novel V10O24·nH2O@rGO composite is prepared and investigated in combination with HDEEs. The formulated HDEEs, particularly the composition of 1 ml of EG, 0.5 g of ChCl, 4 ml of H2O, and 2 M ZnTFS (1‐0.5‐4‐2 HDEE), not only exhibit the lowest viscosity, highest Zn2+ conductivity (20.38 mS cm−1), and the highest zinc (Zn) transference number (t+ = 0.937), but also provide a wide electrochemical stability window (>3.2 V vs ZnǁZn2+) and enabledendrite‐free Zn stripping/plating cycling over 1000 hours. The resulting ZnǁV10O24·nH2O@rGO cell with 1‐0.5‐4‐2 HDEE manifests high reversible capacity of ≈365 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1, high rate‐performance (delivered ≈365/223 mAh g−1 at 0.1/10 mA g−1) and enhanced cycling performance (≈63.10% capacity retention in the 4000th cycle at 10 A g−1). Furthermore, 1‐0.5‐4‐2 HDEE support feasible Zn‐ion storage performance across a wide temperature range (0–80 °C) FInally, a ZnǁV10O24·nH2O@rGO pouch‐cell prototype fabricated with 1‐0.5‐4‐2 HDEE demonstrates good flexibility, safety, and durability.
Precise Layer‐by‐Layer Assembly of Dual Quantum Dots Artificial Photosystems Enabling Solar Water Oxidation
Authors: Su Peng , Li Shen , Xiao Fang‐Xing
Published: April 2024

Quantum dots (QDs) colloidal nanocrystals are attracting enduring interest by scientific communities for solar energy conversion due to generic physicochemical merits including substantial light absorption coefficient, quantum confinement effect, enriched catalytically active sites, and tunable electronic structure. However, photo‐induced charge carriers of QDs suffer from ultra‐short charge lifespan and poor stability, rendering controllable vectorial charge modulation and customizing robust and stable QDs artificial photosystems challenging. Herein, tailor‐made oppositely charged transition metal chalcogenides quantum dots (TMCs QDs) and MXene quantum dots (MQDs) are judiciously harnessed as the building blocks for electrostatic layer‐by‐layer assembly buildup on the metal oxides (MOs) framework. In these exquisitely designed LbL assembles MOs/(TMCs QDs/MQDs)n heterostructured photoanodes, TMCs QDs layer acts as light‐harvesting antennas, and MQDs layer serves as electron‐capturing mediator to relay cascade electrons from TMCs QDs to the MOs substrate, thereby yielding the spatially ordered tandem charge transport chain and contributing to the significantly boosted charge separation over TMCs QDs and solar water oxidation efficiency of MOs/(TMCs QDs/MQDs)n photoanodes. The relationship between interface configuration and charge transfer characteristics is unambiguously unlocked, by which photoelectrochemical mechanism is elucidated. This work would provide inspiring ideas for precisely mediating interfacial charge transfer pathways over QDs toward solar energy conversion.
Competitive Formation Behavior of Calcium Silicate and Calcium Ferrite in Sintering of Iron Ore Fines
Authors: Du Yu , Wei Xin , Guo Xing‐Min
Published: April 2024

Calcium silicate is the undesirable bonding phase in sinter with relatively high melting point and poor reducibility, while the formation mechanism in sinter is ambiguous. Herein, the phase transformation, phase quantification, and morphology evolution of calcium silicate and calcium ferrite in CaO‐SiO2‐Fe2O3‐Al2O3 systems under different n(Fe2O3)/n(CaO) and Al2O3 content are investigated. It is found that with the increase of n(Fe2O3)/n(CaO), the calcium ferrite phases transform from Ca2Fe2O5 (C2F) to complex calcium ferrite, and calcium silicate phases including β‐Ca2SiO4 (β‐C2S) and γ‐Ca2SiO4 (γ‐C2S) are promoted. Moreover, small amount (2%) of Al2O3 can effectively promote the content of silico‐ferrite of calcium and aluminum (SFCA) increasing from 20.95% to 46.69%, whereas inhibiting the β‐C2S from 51.79% to 42.34%. When the content of Al2O3 is over 4%, the Ca2Al(AlSiO7) phase is formed, where both the SFCA and calcium silicate are inhibited. On this base, the competitive mechanism for the formation of calcium silicate and calcium ferrite is revealed, where the Ca2+ and Si4+ are preferred to react with Fe3+ and Al3+ to form liquid phase SFCA, while the amount for β‐C2S or γ‐C2S can be decreased due to the deprivation of Ca2+ and Si4+.
Unveiling the Liquid‐Liquid Phase Separation of Benzene‐1,3,5‐Tricarboxamide in Water
Authors: Kumar Mohit , Hanssen Job. N. S. , Dhiman Shikha
Published: April 2024

The intricate interplay between self‐assembly and phase separation orchestrates biomolecular organization inside cells, thereby dictating the formation of vital structures such as protein assemblies and membraneless organelles (MLOs). However, in the context of supramolecular polymerization, these fundamental processes have traditionally been studied separately. This study reevaluates the supramolecular polymerization process to unveil the presence of phase‐separated droplet state. Utilizing the well‐studied benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxamide (BTA) supramolecular motif, we explore its thermally driven liquid‐liquid phase separation (LLPS). Thermodynamic and kinetic analysis, employing temperature‐dependent spectroscopic and microscopic techniques, elucidates the distinct BTA states and their evolution towards the thermodynamic fiber state. This research sheds light on the existence of hidden phases of supramolecular monomers, emphasizing the delicate balance of non‐covalent interactions among monomers and with solvents in governing self‐assembly vs. phase separation. This is particularly important in comprehending phase separation in the biological realm such as in MLOs, and for applications such as condensate‐modifying therapeutics.
Efficient Rhodamine B removal by photocatalysis using polyacrylonitrile/Ag2S nanofibers prepared by combining electrospinning technology and facile gas–solid reaction
Authors: Thao Vu Dinh , Dung Nguyen Trung , Huy Nguyen Nhat
Published: April 2024

PAN/Ag2S nanofibers prepared by combining conventional electrospinning technology and facile gas–solid reaction were used to activate peroxymonosulfate for Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation by photocatalysis using visible light. The material properties were analyzed by UV–Vis–NIR, XRD, SEM, FTIR, EIS, and BET techniques. The results indicated that Ag2S nanoparticles with a size of ≈10–20 nm were homogeneously attached to the nanofiber surface. The PAN/Ag2S can remove 96.98% RhB (5 mg L−1) after 120 min at pH 7. Through the identification of reactive oxygen species (ROSs) and the calculation of band gap and band potentials, the photocatalytic mechanism was proposed. Results from the identification of ROSs demonstrate that the contribution of the ROSs was in the order of h+ > 1O2 ≈ O2•− ≈ SO4•− > HO• in which h+ has an important role in RhB degradation. The as‐prepared PAN/Ag2S nanofibers with high photocatalytic activity, effective working under visible light, high flexibility, and easy recovery from the aqueous phase, have the potential for practical applications in wastewater treatment.
Research Quality and Dissemination
Authors: Litewka Sergio , Sullivan Sarah
Published: April 2024

This chapter focuses on issues relating to the rigour and quality of research in pandemic contexts, and the dissemination and publication of research findings. Research is indispensable to inform pandemic responses, including the development of new vaccines and therapeutic possibilities. While these studies are badly needed, public health emergencies present profound ethical challenges for the conduct of research. Key questions arise about whether and to what extent research designs should be adapted to pandemic contexts, including which adaptions may be necessary and which are unjustifiable. Where adaptions are needed, their implications for multiple aspects of research require careful consideration, including the quality of research, participant protections, and potential barriers to recruitment and participation. Challenges may also arise with ensuring that consent to research is informed, and that participants can distinguish between research and the early rollout of interventions in rapidly evolving pandemic contexts. Questions also arise about appropriate responses to studies with smaller sample sizes or other methodological flaws, which are proposed to address urgently pandemic priorities. Pressures to urgently contribute to pandemic evidence bases, including issuing pre-publications and press releases about research results prior to peer review, and dramatically accelerating peer-review processes, raise ethical issues about the dissemination and responses to research findings. The publication of poor quality research, including fraudulent research, contributed to the infodemic in COVID-19, and posed significant challenges for researchers, regulators, and policy makers seeking to develop evidence-informed pandemic responses. Accelerated dissemination of research findings prompts consideration of how to promote research integrity and detect research misconduct, and responsibilities to uphold research quality standards and ensure that publications make constructive contributions in challenging pandemic contexts. The five cases in this chapter promote reflection on citizen-scientists undertaking self-experimentation to develop COVID-19 vaccines outside frameworks for ethical and regulatory review of research; researchers proposing and undertaking research of questionable value and quality with vulnerable populations; and responsibilities of researchers, reviewers, journals and other research during accelerated pre-publication and peer-review processes.
Historische Entwicklung der Mindeststeuerinitiative
Authors: Steinmeister Nicolas
Published: April 2024

Die Einführung einer Mindeststeuer beruht auf Entwicklungen, die bereits vor der Jahrtausendwende begannen. Konkret angestrebt wurde diese jedoch erst ab 2018, nachdem im sog. BEPS-Projekt im Jahr 2015 die Frage der Besteuerung der digitalen Wirtschaft zunächst unbeantwortet geblieben war und die hierzu vorgeschlagenen Lösungsansätze, welche sich von einer Fokussierung auf die Digitalwirtschaft zu lösen drohten, nachteilige Entwicklungen für das exportorientierte Deutschland befürchten ließen. Ein Vorschlag zur Einführung eines Mindestbesteuerungsreglements für niedrig besteuerte Auslandsgewinne multinational tätiger Konzern wurde von Deutschland und Frankreich in das sog. Inclusive Framework, eine bei der OECD angesiedelte Arbeitsgemeinschaft aus zuletzt 141 Staaten, eingebracht und führte dort mit Billigung der G7 und G20 im Dezember 2021 zur Veröffentlichung der sog. Modellregeln. Diese sollen in den Teilnehmerstaaten bis 2023 bzw. 2024 in nationales Recht gegossen werden und dann bereits zur Anwendung kommen.
Sinn und Zweck der Mindestbesteuerung
Authors: Steinmeister Nicolas
Published: April 2024

Die Mindeststeuerinitiative verfolgt nach Auffassung des Autors drei primäre Ziele: die Begrenzung des internationalen Steuerwettbewerbs, die Bekämpfung weiterhin bestehender BEPS-Risiken sowie die Verhinderung nationaler Alleingänge und eines Besteuerungschaos. Das Ziel der Begrenzung des internationalen Steuerwettbewerbs kann dabei auf einen Negativtrend in der Entwicklung der Nominal- und Effektivsteuersätze gestützt werden. Ob dieser bereits schädliche Ausmaße erreicht hat oder zu erreichen droht, ist dagegen definitionsabhängig. Das Verständnis scheint sich insofern bei den IF-Mitgliedstaaten gewandelt zu haben; den Staaten ist hier nach Ansicht des Autors ein Beurteilungsspielraum zuzugestehen. Hinsichtlich des zweiten Ziels der Eliminierung verbleibender BEPS-Risiken fehlt es zwar derzeit noch an belastbaren empirischen Daten, welche die nach Umsetzung der BEPS-Empfehlungen weiterhin bestehenden Gewinnverlagerungsmöglichkeiten bestätigen. Die theoretische Betrachtung der bisherigen BEPS-Maßnahmen zeigt jedoch jetzt schon Lücken auf, die von Unternehmen genutzt werden könnten, sodass die Annahme weiteren Handlungsbedarfs tragfähig erscheint. Ein koordiniertes Vorgehen im Rahmen des IF stützt sich dabei richtigerweise auf die Prämisse, dass alternative unilaterale Alleingänge verschiedener Staaten die aktuelle Situation im internationalen Steuerrecht nicht verbessern, sondern ganz im Gegenteil zahlreiche negative Folgen mit sich bringen würden.
Reform der Notfallversorgung und des Rettungswesens
Authors: Berger Elke , Rödiger Hendrikje , Busse Reinhard
Published: April 2024

Entlang des Versorgungspfads gibt der Beitrag zunächst einen Überblick über den Reformbedarf in der Notfallversorgung und dem Rettungswesen. Darauf aufbauend werden internationale Entwicklungen und Studienergebnisse skizziert und aufgezeigt, welche Lösungen in anderen Ländern zum Einsatz kommen, um diesen Problemen zu begegnen. Anschließend werden die Kernelemente der Reformempfehlungen der Regierungskommission für eine moderne und bedarfsgerechte Krankenhausversorgung im Hinblick auf die Notfallversorgung dargestellt und im Kontext internationaler Impulse und projektbasierter Erfahrungen aus Deutschland diskutiert. Abschließend werden die Ergebnisse und Schlussfolgerungen vor dem Hintergrund des aktuellen Stands der Notfallreform zusammengefasst und diskutiert.
Sektorengleiche Vergütungsmodelle zur Ambulantisierung der Versorgung: Kritische Analyse zur Umsetzung des § 115f SGB V
Authors: Arnegger Silke , Hagenlocher Jana , Herberg Ariane , Lembeck Burkhard
Published: April 2024

Die sektorengleiche Versorgung in Deutschland hat trotz langjähriger Diskussionen und Gutachten zur Erweiterung des ambulanten Operierens sowie Krankenhausreformen keine substantielle Veränderung erfahren. Dies steht im Widerspruch zu den international vergleichbaren medizinischen Möglichkeiten, verwehrt Patientinnen und Patienten eine Behandlungsqualität nach Status Quo und verstößt gegen das Wirtschaftlichkeitsgebot des SGB V. In den Jahren 2022 und 2023 hat die Thematik wieder verstärkte Aufmerksamkeit der politischen Akteure und Entscheidungsträger im Gesundheitssektor erlangt, insbesondere im Zusammenhang mit der anvisierten Umsetzung einer sektorengleichen Pauschale gemäß § 115f SGB V sowie der Ausarbeitung eines Referentenentwurfs zu jenem Anliegen. Dennoch bleibt die Frage nach den potenziellen Auswirkungen und Veränderungen, die sich aus diesen Maßnahmen ergeben könnten, weiterhin Gegenstand der Diskussion. Das in diesem Beitrag thematisierte Wiesbadener Modell zur sektorengleichen Versorgung und Vergütung zeigt auf, wie eine umfassende Veränderung implementiert werden könnte, welche Leistungen sich initial hierfür eignen und welche konkreten Versorgungspotenziale sich daraus ergeben.
Krankenhausreform: Warum Level und gut definierte Leistungsgruppen essentiell sind
Authors: Busse Reinhard , Karagiannidis Christian
Published: April 2024

Die Regierungskommission für eine moderne und bedarfsgerechte Krankenhausversorgung hatte einen Reformvorschlag vorgelegt, das aus den drei Kernelementen (1) Einteilung der Krankenhäuser in bundeseinheitliche Versorgungsstufen (Level), (2) Gliederung der Krankenhausleistungen in Leistungsgruppen mit definierten Qualitätsanforderungen und (3) Änderung der Krankenhausvergütung in ein 2-Säulen-Modell durch Hinzufügen einer Vorhaltefinanzierung. In den Bund-Länder-Verhandlungen dazu sind wesentliche Komponenten davon weggefallen (die Level) oder deutlich verändert (die Leistungsgruppen). Der Beitrag gibt einen Überblick, welche Konsequenzen dies hat und wie die Empirie zur Verteilung der Leistungen auf Krankenhausstufen den ursprünglichen Vorschlag stützt.
Ausgestaltung der Vorhalte- und Leistungsvergütung
Authors: Messerle Robert , Schreyögg Jonas
Published: April 2024

Die aktuell geplante Krankenhausreform mit der Einführung pauschalierender Vergütungselemente für Vorhaltekosten soll dazu dienen, die Versorgungssicherheit zu gewährleisten, die Behandlungsqualität zu steigern und zur Entbürokratisierung beizutragen. Ob solche weitreichenden Verbesserungen erreicht werden können, wird auch von der Ausgestaltung im Detail abhängen. Weitere, seit Jahren vorliegende Vorschläge zur Behebung der Fehlanreize der Krankenhausvergütung, die zur Erreichung dieser Ziele beitragen könnten, werden in der aktuellen Diskussion kaum berücksichtigt. In diesem Beitrag werden daher zunächst Vorschläge zu einzelnen Aspekten der Vorhaltevergütung entwickelt. Im Kern geht es dabei um die Frage, ob eine pauschale Vorhaltevergütung für alle Leistungsbereiche sinnvoll ist und in welcher Höhe sie erfolgen sollte. Darüber hinaus wird ein Überblick über die zahlreichen weiteren Reformbaustellen und Lösungsansätze gegeben. Im Ergebnis zeigt sich, dass die Einführung einer pauschalen Vorhaltevergütung gezielt ausgestaltet werden muss, um neue Fehlanreize zu vermeiden, und zwingend von weiteren strukturellen Veränderungen begleitet werden sollte.
Herausforderungen einer Neustrukturierung aus Krankenhaussicht
Authors: Heller Christoph
Published: April 2024

Exogene Schocks stellen auch die deutschen Krankenhäuser vor immense Herausforderungen. Eine angekündigte Reform des Finanzierungssystems auf Bundesebene in Kombination mit angestoßenen Prozessen der Krankenhausplanung in einzelnen Bundesländern stellen komplexe Rahmenbedingungen für eine Neustrukturierung der Krankenhäuser dar. In diesem Beitrag wird anhand des 8-Stufen-Modells nach Kotter aufgezeigt, wie ausgewählte endogene und exogene Faktoren Einfluss auf Veränderungsprozesse nehmen können. Ferner wird anhand eines abstrakten Praxisbeispiels beleuchtet, welche Schritte in der Praxis unternommen werden können, um Veränderungsprozesse strukturiert voranzubringen.
Recent advances in mechanisms ensuring the pairing, synapsis and segregation of XY chromosomes in mice and humans
Authors: Lampitto Matteo , Barchi Marco
Published: April 2024

Sex chromosome aneuploidies are among the most common variations in human whole chromosome copy numbers, with an estimated prevalence in the general population of 1:400 to 1:1400 live births. Unlike whole-chromosome aneuploidies of autosomes, those of sex chromosomes, such as the 47, XXY aneuploidy that causes Klinefelter Syndrome (KS), often originate from the paternal side, caused by a lack of crossover (CO) formation between the X and Y chromosomes. COs must form between all chromosome pairs to pass meiotic checkpoints and are the product of meiotic recombination that occurs between homologous sequences of parental chromosomes. Recombination between male sex chromosomes is more challenging compared to both autosomes and sex chromosomes in females, as it is restricted within a short region of homology between X and Y, called the pseudo-autosomal region (PAR). However, in normal individuals, CO formation occurs in PAR with a higher frequency than in any other region, indicating the presence of mechanisms that promote the initiation and processing of recombination in each meiotic division. In recent years, research has made great strides in identifying genes and mechanisms that facilitate CO formation in the PAR. Here, we outline the most recent and relevant findings in this field. XY chromosome aneuploidy in humans has broad-reaching effects, contributing significantly also to Turner syndrome, spontaneous abortions, oligospermia, and even infertility. Thus, in the years to come, the identification of genes and mechanisms beyond XY aneuploidy is expected to have an impact on the genetic counseling of a wide number of families and adults affected by these disorders.
Patient vulnerability in stereotactic arrhythmia radioablation (STAR): a preliminary ethical appraisal from the STOPSTORM.eu consortium
Authors: Botrugno Carlo , Crico Chiara , Iori Mauro , Blanck Oliver , Blamek Slawomir , Postema Pieter G. , Quesada Aurelio , Pruvot Etienne , Verhoeff Joost J. C. , De Panfilis Ludovica
Published: April 2024

This preliminary ethical appraisal from the STOPSTORM.eu consortium is meant to raise critical points that clinicians administering stereotactic arrhythmia radioablation should consider to meet the highest standards in medical ethics and thus promote quality of life of patients recruited for radiotherapy treatments at a stage in which they experience a significant degree of vulnerability.
Revisiting the countercyclicality of fiscal policy
Authors: Jalles João Tovar , Kiendrebeogo Youssouf , Lam Raphael , Piazza Roberto
Published: April 2024

This paper provides a novel dataset of time-varying measures on the degree of countercyclicality of fiscal policies for advanced and developing economies between 1980 and 2021. The use of time-varying measures of fiscal stabilization, with special attention to potential endogeneity issues, overcomes the major limitation of previous studies and allows the analysis to account for both country-specific as well as global factors. The paper also examines the key determinants of countercyclicality of fiscal policy with a focus on factors as severe crises, informality, financial development and governance. Empirical results show that (i) fiscal policy tends to be more countercyclical during severe crises than typical recessions, especially for advanced economies; (ii) fiscal countercyclicality has increased over time for many economies over the last two decades; (iii) discretionary and automatic countercyclicality are both strong in advanced economies but acyclical (at times procyclical) in low-income countries; (iv) fiscal countercyclicality operates primarily through the expenditure channel, particularly for social benefits; and (v) better financial development, larger government size and stronger institutional quality are associated with larger countercyclical effects of fiscal policy. Our results are robust to various specifications and endogeneity checks.
2-Methoxyestradiol ameliorates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by regulating the expression of GLUT4 and CPT-1B in female rats
Authors: Sobhy Mohamed H. , Ismail Ahmed , Abdel-Hamid Mohammed S. , Wagih Mohamed , Kamel Marwa
Published: April 2024

The clinical usage of doxorubicin (DOX) is hampered due to cardiomyopathy. Studies reveal that estrogen (E2) modulates DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Yet, the exact mechanism is unclear. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the influence of E2 and more specifically its metabolite 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME) on cardiac remodeling and the reprogramming of cardiac metabolism in rats subjected to DOX cardiotoxicity. Seventy-two female rats were divided into groups. Cardiotoxicity was induced by administering DOX (2.5 mg/kg three times weekly for 2 weeks). In some groups, the effect of endogenous E2 was abolished by ovariectomy (OVX) or by using the estrogen receptor (ER) blocker Fulvestrant (FULV). The effect of administering exogenous E2 or 2ME in the OVX group was studied. Furthermore, the influence of entacapone (COMT inhibitor) on induced cardiotoxicity was investigated. The evaluated cardiac parameters included ECG, histopathology, cardiac-related enzymes (creatine kinase isoenzyme-MB (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)), and lipid profile markers (total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)). The expression levels of key metabolic enzymes (glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1B (CPT-1B)) were assessed. Our results displayed that co-treatment of E2 and/or 2ME with DOX significantly reduced DOX-induced cardiomyopathy and enhanced the metabolism of the heart through the maintenance of GLUT4 and CPT-1B enzymes. On the other hand, co-treatment of DOX with OVX, entacapone, or FULV increased the toxic effect of DOX by further reducing these important metabolic enzymes. E2 and 2ME abrogate DOX-induced cardiomyopathy partly through modulation of GLUT 4 and CPT-1B enzymes.

Graphical Abstract
Warming drives phenological changes in coastal zooplankton
Authors: Forsblom Louise , Stoffers Tjardo , Lindén Andreas , Lehtiniemi Maiju , Engström-Öst Jonna
Published: April 2024

Climate warming has led to phenological changes over time, typically displayed as earlier emergence of various organisms in spring or summer in temperate terrestrial and marine systems alike. Similarly, warm conditions can extend seasonal occurrence. Using a time series of zooplankton data from a coastal area in the Gulf of Finland, we calculated the start, end and the length of the season for the occurrence in rotifers and for adult and juvenile stages of three calanoid copepods. We investigated whether the start and end of the season of these taxa have shifted earlier and later, respectively, and whether the season length has increased. We further investigated if potential changes are driven by climate warming. We show that both copepods and rotifers do indeed emerge earlier, but that the pattern in recent years was not conclusive, and that both temperature and ice conditions influenced the seasonal abundance patterns of some taxa. Warmer years led to earlier occurrence of Temora longicornis copepodites. Earlier ice break-up coincided with longer seasons for Acartia and earlier emergence of Eurytemora affinis. The phenological changes in zooplankton demonstrated here may have cascading effects on other trophic levels in the food web. We also demonstrate how decreased sample number influences the ability to capture intra-annual abundance patterns and discuss the implications for monitoring.
To trust or not to trust: evaluating the reliability and safety of AI responses to laryngeal cancer queries
Authors: Ostrowska Magdalena , Kacała Paulina , Onolememen Deborah , Vaughan-Lane Katie , Sisily Joseph Anitta , Ostrowski Adam , Pietruszewska Wioletta , Banaszewski Jacek , Wróbel Maciej J.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

As online health information-seeking surges, concerns mount over the quality and safety of accessible content, potentially leading to patient harm through misinformation. On one hand, the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare could prevent it; on the other hand, questions raise regarding the quality and safety of the medical information provided. As laryngeal cancer is a prevalent head and neck malignancy, this study aims to evaluate the utility and safety of three large language models (LLMs) as sources of patient information about laryngeal cancer.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted using three LLMs (ChatGPT 3.5, ChatGPT 4.0, and Bard). A questionnaire comprising 36 inquiries about laryngeal cancer was categorised into diagnosis (11 questions), treatment (9 questions), novelties and upcoming treatments (4 questions), controversies (8 questions), and sources of information (4 questions). The population of reviewers consisted of 3 groups, including ENT specialists, junior physicians, and non-medicals, who graded the responses. Each physician evaluated each question twice for each model, while non-medicals only once. Everyone was blinded to the model type, and the question order was shuffled. Outcome evaluations were based on a safety score (1–3) and a Global Quality Score (GQS, 1–5). Results were compared between LLMs. The study included iterative assessments and statistical validations.

Results

Analysis revealed that ChatGPT 3.5 scored highest in both safety (mean: 2.70) and GQS (mean: 3.95). ChatGPT 4.0 and Bard had lower safety scores of 2.56 and 2.42, respectively, with corresponding quality scores of 3.65 and 3.38. Inter-rater reliability was consistent, with less than 3% discrepancy. About 4.2% of responses fell into the lowest safety category (1), particularly in the novelty category. Non-medical reviewers' quality assessments correlated moderately (r = 0.67) with response length.

Conclusions

LLMs can be valuable resources for patients seeking information on laryngeal cancer. ChatGPT 3.5 provided the most reliable and safe responses among the models evaluated.
A Novel Investigation for Early Sex Determination in Alive Adult European Seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) Using cyp19a1a, dmrt1a, and dmrt1b Genes Expression in Tail Fin tissues
Authors: El-Zaeem Samy Y. , El-Hanafy Amr , El-Dahhar Alaa A. , Elmaghraby Ayaat M. , Ghanem Sara F. , Hendy Amany M.
Published: April 2024

This study is the first investigation for using sex-related gene expression in tail fin tissues of seabass as early sex determination without killing the fish. The European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) is gonochoristic and lacks distinguishable sex chromosomes, so, sex determination is referred to molecular actions for some sex-related genes on autosomal chromosomes which are well known such as cyp19a1a, dmrt1a, and dmrt1b genes which play crucial role in gonads development and sex differentiation. cyp19a1a is expressed highly in females for ovarian development and dmrt1a and dmrt1b are for testis development in males. In this study, we evaluated the difference in the gene expression levels of studied genes by qPCR in tail fins and gonads. We then performed discriminant analysis (DA) using morphometric traits and studied gene expression parameters as predictor tools for fish sex. The results revealed that cyp19a1a gene expression was significantly higher in future females’ gonads and tail fins (p ≥ 0.05). Statistically, cyp19a1a gene expression was the best parameter to discriminate sex even the hit rate of any other variable by itself could not correctly classify 100% of the fish sex except when it was used in combination with cyp19a1a. In contrast, Dmrt1a gene expression was higher in males than females but there were difficulties in analyzing dmrt1a and dmrt1b expressions in the tail because levels were low. So, it could be used in future research to differentiate and determine the sex of adult fish using the cyp19a1a gene expression marker without killing or sacrificing fish.
A Semi-Supervised Learning Framework for Classifying Colorectal Neoplasia Based on the NICE Classification
Authors: Wang Yu , Ni Haoxiang , Zhou Jielu , Liu Lihe , Lin Jiaxi , Yin Minyue , Gao Jingwen , Zhu Shiqi , Yin Qi , Zhu Jinzhou , Li Rui
Published: April 2024

Labelling medical images is an arduous and costly task that necessitates clinical expertise and large numbers of qualified images. Insufficient samples can lead to underfitting during training and poor performance of supervised learning models. In this study, we aim to develop a SimCLR-based semi-supervised learning framework to classify colorectal neoplasia based on the NICE classification. First, the proposed framework was trained under self-supervised learning using a large unlabelled dataset; subsequently, it was fine-tuned on a limited labelled dataset based on the NICE classification. The model was evaluated on an independent dataset and compared with models based on supervised transfer learning and endoscopists using accuracy, Matthew’s correlation coefficient (MCC), and Cohen’s kappa. Finally, Grad-CAM and t-SNE were applied to visualize the models’ interpretations. A ResNet-backboned SimCLR model (accuracy of 0.908, MCC of 0.862, and Cohen’s kappa of 0.896) outperformed supervised transfer learning-based models (means: 0.803, 0.698, and 0.742) and junior endoscopists (0.816, 0.724, and 0.863), while performing only slightly worse than senior endoscopists (0.916, 0.875, and 0.944). Moreover, t-SNE showed a better clustering of ternary samples through self-supervised learning in SimCLR than through supervised transfer learning. Compared with traditional supervised learning, semi-supervised learning enables deep learning models to achieve improved performance with limited labelled endoscopic images.
Improving personal, social, and life skills in adolescents: a scoping review of key components in interventions
Authors: Aromatario Olivier , Velardo Fanny , Martel Emma , Couralet Delphine , Cambon Linda , Martin-Fernandez Judith
Published: April 2024

Aim

Numerous interventions focus on personal, social, and life skills in adolescents in order to provide them the knowledge required to acquire, apply, and mobilize their skills across various domains and challenges of everyday life and to help them to cope with life challenges and transition to adulthood. While various interventions targeting these skills have been developed, less is known about their key components, particularly the obstacles and levers that can impact the outcome of the intervention. This scoping review aims to bridge this gap by examining literature on the components of interventions that can effectively enhance the personal, social, and life skills of adolescents in various areas.

Methods

A scoping review was undertaken according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines to identify obstacles and levers of interventions targeting adolescents’ skills.

Results

Seventy articles fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected for data extraction. This work identified key elements that may influence the outcome of these interventions. Three main categories emerged: participation and involvement of participants, creation of a safe environment for the intervention, and anchoring change in the lives of adolescents.

Conclusion

Our results highlight the need to robustly present and detail interventions in the literature, including information on the intervention’s objective and mechanisms. Evaluations should therefore focus on the intervention system and on the underlying mechanisms through which it could have an impact, using more comprehensive methodologies.
Artificial neural networks with uniform norm-based loss functions
Authors: Peiris Vinesha , Roshchina Vera , Sukhorukova Nadezda
Published: April 2024

We explore the potential for using a nonsmooth loss function based on the max-norm in the training of an artificial neural network without hidden layers. We hypothesise that this may lead to superior classification results in some special cases where the training data are either very small or the class size is disproportional. Our numerical experiments performed on a simple artificial neural network with no hidden layer appear to confirm our hypothesis.
Triple Helix Dynamics and Hybrid Organizations: An Analysis of Value Creation Processes
Authors: Linton Gabriel
Published: April 2024

The Triple Helix model, focusing on interactions among academia, industry, and government, has been an influential model for promoting innovation and regional development. However, limited research explores the model’s micro-level dynamics, alling for further investigation into its effectiveness. This study seeks to fill this gap by critically examining the micro-level dynamics of the Triple Helix model, with an emphasis on the roles played by a hybrid organization in the value creation process. Utilizing a case study approach, this research examines Robotdalen—a successful Swedish applied research initiative in robotics—to answer the research questions: How do value-creation activities within a Triple Helix model evolve and how do hybrid organizations facilitate and shape value creation throughout the development stages of an organization? The analysis contributes a fine-grained view of value creation and development over time in a large Triple Helix innovation initiative, highlighting the importance of hybrid organizations in facilitating collaboration and coordinating resources among stakeholders. The results identify critical factors such as collaboration, commercialization, innovation, and adaptation. This research contributes new theoretical insights and practical implications for leveraging hybrid organizations within the Triple Helix framework, thereby providing valuable guidance for policymakers, practitioners, and scholars engaged in crafting strategies to stimulate regional growth, innovation, and value creation in today’s dynamic global landscape.
Organic geochemical evaluation of crude oils from some producing fields in the Niger Delta basin, Nigeria
Authors: Onojake Mudiaga Chukunedum , Nkanta Nsikan Edet , Osakwe Joseph Onyekwelu , Akpuluma David Akpoebi , Ohenhen Ikponmwosa , Osuji Leo Chigbu
Published: April 2024

Geochemical and biomarker characteristics of representative crude oil samples from selected fields in southern Nigeria were evaluated to determine the organic matter input, origin of biological material, depositional environment, thermal maturity, and genetic relationship between the oils. Four crude oil samples were obtained from various oil producing fields from Delta, Bayelsa and Abia state in southern Nigeria and labeled Kwale (KW), Kolo creek (KLC), Owaza (OWA1 and OWA2). The crude oil samples were fractionated into saturates, aromatic hydrocarbons and polar compounds using column chromatography on silica gel thereafter, analyzed using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The calculated ratios of normal alkanes, acyclic isoprenoids, carbon preference index (CPI), hopanes, and steranes showed the following results: Pr/Ph (0.34 to 0.89); C29/C27 (0.78 to 1.25); 20S/(20S + 20R)C29sterane (0.28 to 0.66); 22S/(22S + 22R)C32 homohopane (0.17 to 0.23); CPI (0.96 to 0.98); Ts/Ts + Tm (0.46 to 0.50); and sterane/hopane (0.16 to 0.87). The results obtained were used to correlate the crude oils with respect to depositional environment, thermal maturity, and organic matter source. The Pr/Ph ratios of KW and KLC were less than one, and the cross-plot of Pr/nC17 versus Ph/nC18 of KW and KLC suggested that the oils were deposited under anoxic environments, whereas OWA1 and OWA2 indicated oxic conditions with no biodegradation. From the calculated ratios of 22S (22S + 22R)C32 homohopane and CPI, the oils were mature and had entered the generating window. Sample OWA1 is the most mature, while KLC is the least mature. The calculated ratios also showed that the four oil samples were from a shale source rock with both terrestrial and marine inputs.
Assessment of an auto-routing method for topology generation of aircraft power supply systems
Authors: Bielsky Thimo , Kuelper Nils , Thielecke Frank
Published: April 2024

During early phases of aircraft development, overall systems design is performed to estimate relevant system design parameters such as mass, power consumption, and compliance with architectural requirements (redundancy). The GeneSys software framework has been developed for parametric modeling of aircraft on-board systems for overall systems design. To this end, model-based architecture definition, topology generation (components positioning and connections routing), and system sizing are conducted. The topology generation is currently performed using design templates containing knowledge-based heuristics derived from systems topologies of existing aircraft. However, using such design templates limits their generic application to novel aircraft models because exceptions for geometric differences between these models need to be implemented. This especially applies to the topology generation of power supply systems (electric, hydraulic) due to their high number of interfaces to consumer systems. To overcome these limitations, an automated routing method is presented in this paper as a generic approach for topology generation. With this method, the system topology is generated based on a defined routing network, which comprises areas of the aircraft for allowed components positioning and connections routing. Using Dijkstra’s algorithm, the shortest path connections are found within the established routing network. Furthermore, boundary conditions for routing, for instance adding a cost function for power segregation, can be defined. An assessment of the automated routing method applied on the electric power supply system is performed using qualitative parameters such as the capability to adapt the routing network. Quantitative parameters like cable length and system mass are assessed as well.
Gender and Race Differences in Mental Health and Well-Being Among Older Americans During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Xu Dongjuan , Lalani Nasreen , Wang Yitong
Published: April 2024

The objectives of this study were to investigate (1) gender and race differences in mental health and psychological well-being among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) whether there were significant interaction effects between gender and race. This study used the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) and COVID-19 public use data files. It focused on mental health and psychological well-being, including loneliness, no time to yourself, poor sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The sample consisted of 2465 older adults, and multivariate logistic and linear regression models were adopted for the analysis. The results show that approximately two out of five older people (43%) experienced poor sleep, followed by loneliness (35%), anxiety (30%), depression (23%), and no time to themselves (11%). The average PTSD score was 11. Mental health and psychological well-being varied by gender and race. There were significant interaction effects on anxiety and depression between females and Black older adults. Black females reported lower levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms than Black males, although the differences were not statistically significant. Black older adults were more likely to experience PTSD but less likely to feel lonely and have poorer sleep than their White counterparts. Female older adults reported poorer mental health and psychological well-being than males, except for Black females. Black females had the lowest levels of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and highest quality of sleep among all females of different ethnic and racial origins.
Recommendations for the management of myasthenia gravis in Belgium
Authors: De Bleecker Jan L. , Remiche Gauthier , Alonso-Jiménez Alicia , Van Parys Vinciane , Bissay Véronique , Delstanche Stéphanie , Claeys Kristl G.
Published: April 2024

International guidelines on the treatment of myasthenia gravis (MG) have been published but are not tailored to the Belgian situation. This publication presents recommendations from a group of Belgian MG experts for the practical management of MG in Belgium. It includes recommendations for treatment of adult patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) or ocular myasthenia gravis (oMG). Depending on the MG-related antibody a treatment sequence is suggested with therapies that can be added on if the treatment goal is not achieved. Selection of treatments was based on the level of evidence of efficacy, registration and reimbursement status in Belgium, common daily practice and the personal views and experiences of the authors. The paper reflects the situation in February 2024. In addition to the treatment considerations, other relevant aspects in the management of MG are addressed, including comorbidities, drugs aggravating disease symptoms, pregnancy, and vaccination. As many new treatments might potentially come to market, a realistic future perspective on the impact of these treatments on clinical practice is given. In conclusion, these recommendations intend to be a guide for neurologists treating patients with MG in Belgium.
Inter-observer reliability in transect-based observations of environmental waste in greater accra and kisumu: implications for waste management
Authors: Okotto-Okotto J. , Dzodzomenyo M. , Okotto L. , Shaw P. J. , Damkjaer S. , Myers-Hansen G. A. , Boafor E. E. , Wright J.
Published: April 2024

Transect surveys are widely used to quantify mismanaged plastic waste discarded to the environment. However, very few studies have quantified inter-observer reliability in environmental waste surveys. The aim of this study was to assess inter-observer reliability for a set of environmental waste indicators derived from transect surveys in slum areas of two sub-Saharan African cities. Pairs of observers independently recorded counts of scattered waste items, large waste piles, and burnt waste along 64 environmental transects in Kisumu, Kenya, and Greater Accra, Ghana. Concordance correlation coefficients were used to measure inter-observer reliability for derived indicators measuring mismanaged waste density, waste composition, waste origins of policy concern, and waste disposal practices. Evidence across all observers consistently showed that single-use disposable diapers, discarded Personal Protective Equipment, and bagged or bottled water are locally important constituents of mismanaged waste in both cities that should be addressed through urban waste management strategies. In both cities, there was generally excellent inter-observer reliability for density of burnt waste and density of large waste piles (concordance correlation coefficient > 0.9 for all but one observer pair), but weak to moderate inter-observer reliability for scattered waste density and densities of specific waste items such as disposable nappies and discarded Personal Protective Equipment. Our study shows that beach litter survey protocols can be adapted for use in slums. However, to generate robust estimates of scattered waste, its composition, and waste origins of policy concern in slums, assessment of inter-observer reliability should be incorporated into field team training.