bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Martinize2 and Vermouth: Unified Framework for Topology Generation
Authors: Kroon PC , Grunewald F , Barnoud J , van Tilburg M , Souza PCT , Wassenaar TA , Marrink SJ
Published: August 2023

Ongoing advances in force field and computer hardware development enable the use of molecular dynamics (MD) to simulate increasingly complex systems with the ultimate goal of reaching cellular complexity. At the same time, rational design by high-throughput (HT) simulations is another forefront of MD. In these areas, the Martini coarse-grained force field, especially the latest version ( i.e. v3), is being actively explored because it offers enhanced spatial-temporal resolution. However, the automation tools for preparing simulations with the Martini force field, accompanying the previous version, were not designed for HT simulations or studies of complex cellular systems. Therefore, they become a major limiting factor. To address these shortcomings, we present the open-source vermouth python library. Vermouth is designed to become the unified framework for developing programs, which prepare, run, and analyze Martini simulations of complex systems. To demonstrate the power of the vermouth library, the martinize2 program is showcased as a generalization of the martinize script, originally aimed to set up simulations of proteins. In contrast to the previous version, martinize2 automatically handles protonation states in proteins and post-translation modifications, offers more options to fine-tune structural biases such as the elastic network, and can convert nonprotein molecules such as ligands. Finally, martinize2 is used in two high-complexity benchmarks. The entire I-TASSER protein template database as well as a subset of 200,000 structures from the AlphaFold Protein Structure Database are converted to CG resolution and we illustrate how the checks on input structure quality can safeguard HT applications.
Ukraine's Potential Accession to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement: What are the Pros and Cons?
Authors: Malolitneva Vesta
Published: August 2023

The present paper is dedicated to the problem of accession to the WTO Agreement on Government procurement (GPA) for Ukraine as well as for other acceding countries and the existing Parties of this Agreement. In the light of the recent decision of Ukraine to join GPA, the paper gives an appraisal of its opportunities concerning the accession to the Agreement and puts forward the critical assessment of such decision. Special attention is given to current Ukrainian legislation on government procurement and the main obstacles to Ukraine’s accession to the GPA. The article presents an in-depth analysis of problems and threats in the WTO public procurement system which may affect the functioning of thepublic procurement market of Ukraine as well as other acceding countries, especially domestic manufactures, and may cause the imbalances in the world trading system. Furthermore, the present article provides the latest statistics, provisional estimates, and framework for WTO Members considering accession.
A Psychological Perspective Comparing the Views of Dai Zhen (戴 震) and Zhu Xi (朱 熹) On Human Nature
Authors: Far Ali
Published: August 2023

The objective of this paper is to provide a psychological perspective on Zhu Xi (ZX) and Dai Zhen (DZ) views about human nature, by comparing the potential implications of their views on an agent’s moral cultivation. To help frame this objective, I will ask and answer the following question: if one commits to ZX who holds the view that human nature is innately good, although obscured, versus if one holds DZ’s view that while human nature has the potential for good but it is unformed or unknown (i.e., no original nature) then what are some of the possible implications for self love, sympathy, hope, forgiveness, and spontaneity that are relevant considerations, some of which have been noted by ZX and DZ, for the advance of an agent’s moral cultivation.

The implications of ZX’s commitment to human nature being innately good could entail the following: despite an agent’s obscurities, because his nature is good, he is lovable and he can be hopeful that he can shed off his obscurities via proper moral cultivation. Spontaneity is encouraged as an integral part of an agent’s moral self-cultivation. His self-responsibility, hinges on his ability to use the instrumentality of moral cultivation, for which he would need the assistance of a moral teacher. There is a greater capacity for forgiveness because of the presumption that the human nature is inherently good. He can sympathize and extend concern for others, in part, because others’ nature is also good. ZX’s view may potentially carry a risk of excess and a risk of expecting mainly the good, but not the unknown.

Alternatively, implications for DZ’s commitment to no original human nature, entails the following: DZ’s view is likely more conducive to expecting and embracing the unknown, which potentially makes DZ’s philosophy more practical, because we live in a world where we often encounter unknowns and unfamiliar people. Self-love is a prerequisite to know love before one can love others. A moral agent can be hopeful because his potential is good, and it will not be a lost opportunity in light of the constitutive essence of moral cultivation. Despite DZ appearing to be against spontaneity, he is only against the kind of spontaneity that could be hurtful to others as does ZX. Lastly, I argue that DZ’s view could result in a broader and more practical commitment to sympathy. Compared to ZX, I argue that DZ’s view could have a potential risk of lower self-responsibility and risk of resistance to self-forgiveness, which does not arise out of DZ’s views about the human nature per se, but rather stems from DZ’s bias towards externalized morality.
Unstable Sense of Agency under Consistent Force Feedback
Authors: Slobodenyuk Nadiya
Published: August 2023

The present study undertakes an ecological approach to haptic interfaces grounded in the sense of agency that accompanies human action. The study had two aims. The first aim was to investigate the effect of two top-down cues (perceived initiation of action and presence of action options) on sense of agency in haptic interfaces. The second aim was to investigate the consistency of the sense of agency and answer the question whether consistent force feedback (bottom-up cue) is sufficient to grant stable experience of agency. The results of the study suggest that while high number of action options can be associated with stronger agency, low numbers of action options are unlikely to produce such effect, and that the cue of task completion might be critical for the sense of agency. The study also showed that sense of agency was relatively inconsistent, with the main source of uncertainty being computer-attributed agency. The discussion addresses issues of joint human-computer agency and the contribution of multiple sources of information to agency experience.
A Racial/Ethnic Performance Disparity on the Facial Recognition Test
Authors: Edward Fouty H. , Weitzner Daniel S. , Sanchez Hanny C. , Brandon Brianna M. , Mills Rachel A. , Bologna Estefany S. , Guzman Daniel , Ailes Erica L. , Brown Katelyn D. , Smith Cassandra R. , Briceno Karen Y.
Published: August 2023

The Facial Recognition Test is a widely used psychometric instrument for assessing visuoperceptual functioning. Only two prior studies have examined the effects of race/ethnicity on this test. Given that the United States has become more culturally diverse since the creation of the test, it is important to re-visit the effects of this demographic variable on performance. Participants were 75 males and 75 females between the ages of 18 and 43 years (M = 21.91, SD = 5.33). Racial/ethnic categories utilized by the U.S. Census Bureau were equally represented. No gender differences were observed. The race/ethnicity main effect was significant. The gender x race/ethnicity interaction was not significant. The data revealed a clear racial/ethnic performance disparity on the Facial Recognition Test.
Conceptuality of Unreflective Actions in Flow: McDowell-Dryfus Debate
Authors: Far Ali
Published: August 2023

The objective of this paper is to supplement Gottlieb’s challenge to Dryfus who claims that concepts are not operative in expert’s unreflective actions. First, concepts that an agent develops over time with practice, starting from the stage of novelty, become deeply rooted and persist through his expertise stage, according to common sense. It is unlikely that such rooted concepts become inoperative just when it is time for the agent to put them to use during the time that he is in the zone (i.e., in flow). Second, an expert's inability to remember reasons behind his actions while he is in the zone is insufficient to prove that concepts are inoperative when he is acting in the zone. For an agent to not remember reasons as such could more likely be a consequence of the adequacy of his minimized reflections on his maximized (i.e. expert level) concepts, while he is in such a state. Moreover, not recalling every reason behind every step of an agent’s actions in the zone could be a consequence of his maximum concentration on successful processing and coordination of the task at hand, as opposed to committing his finite mental capacities to memorizing the reasons behind his step-by-step actions when he is performing an expert level action in the zone. Third, I point out to the prevalence of examples when experts or observers provide testimony about use of concepts to strategize or review actions before, during, and after their ‘in the zone’ actions (e.g., review of video replays of a game or a tournament on sports channels), which supports the operations and conceptuality of unreflective actions in flow.
In Support of Theory of Appearing: Defending Langsam against Djukic’s Critique
Authors: Far Ali
Published: August 2023

The purpose of this paper is to defend Langsam’s Theory of Appearing (TA) against Djukic et al’s critique. In strengthening Langsam’s defense of TA, I adopt some of Le Morvan's arguments in defending Direct Realism. TA states that experiences are relations between material object and mind, and that phenomenal features are appearances of relations held between material objects and mind. Djukic objects to TA on three grounds of Hallucination, Causal Principle (CP), and Time-Gap: First, Djukic objects to TA on the ground that perception and hallucinations are phenomenally indistinguishable, thus phenomenal features (or properties) instantiated in perception may not be relations either, and thus TA could fail. In defending TA, Langsam argues that indistinguishability does not entail that perception and hallucination instantiate the same appearance. Moreover, disjunctivist conception of experience supports TA in that phenomenal features are either a relation between a material object and mind, or it is something else (as in cases of hallucination). I aim to show that sense-data (or like) theories of perception, that Djukic favors as being superior, would fail Djukic's own scrutiny in cases of hallucination in addition to being against common-sense. Second objection is that perception and hallucination must have the same-cause because they are indistinguishable, and also CP requires that same-causes to produce the same-effects. But hallucination and perception are different experiences, and hence TA fails CP. Responding to CP objection, “same-cause same-effect” only applies to intrinsic changes and intrinsic changes are changes in intrinsic properties and relations between intrinsic properties. Third, TA is opposed because for a given Time-Gap we cannot experience objects as they are (were) at the time of our perception. TA defeats this objection because it does not claim that “we can now (experience) the no-longer existent object as it is now, but only that we can now (experience) the once-existent object as it used to be. Fourth, to further strengthen TA, I will raise objections to TA including from the vantage point of Durability, Perceptual Relativity, Illusion, and Partial Perception arguments, and respond to such objections accordingly. To explicate TA, I argue from the vantage points of common sense, realistic physical biological considerations, and non-miraculous expectations from any theory of perception, including from TA.
Inventory Management Model Integrating Lean and FLD to Increase Service Level in an Automotive Retail: An Empirical Research in Peru
Authors: Galindo-Alvarez Katia , Trigueros-Evaristo Rossy , Quiroz-Flores Juan , Collao-Díaz Martín , Flores- Pérez Alberto
Published: August 2023

The automotive industry has had large participation in the Peruvian economy, as well as a large market penetration; however, there is not optimal retention of these customers, since there is a knowledge gap regarding loyalty strategies, which could impact the level of service offered. It is essential to have good inventory planning and a good distribution of the workshop to meet agreed dates. Also, correct execution of the service, which integrates quality control to avoid problems attributed to defects. This case study proposes a model that integrates Lean Manufacturing, Facility Layout Design, and ABC inventory management, intending to achieve an improvement in the current service. After the implementation of the model, on-time service was increased by 30.55%, reprocessed vehicles were reduced by 6.50%, labor efficiency was increased by 16.66%, open work orders were reduced by 13.79%, and transfer times were reduced by 20.90%.
Impact of Dexmedetomidine Infusion during Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Fernandes Sarita , Ramchandani Pooja , Harde Minal
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) requires a surgical field with minimal bleeding, and numerous pharmacological agents have been used to achieve this. Dexmedetomidine has been widely used as a sedative, analgesic, and as a supplement to general anaesthesia. It has been found to decrease norepinephrine release, thereby decreasing heart rate (HR) and blood pressure. These properties, along with its opioid-sparing analgesic effects, make it an attractive drug to use during FESS. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine if dexmedetomidine infusion during FESS improves the visibility of the surgical field, provides stable haemodynamics, and alters the consumption of sevoflurane and other anaesthetic agents. Materials and Methods: This randomised, double-blinded controlled trial was conducted at the Otorhinolaryngology Operation Theatre, BYL Nair Charitable Hospital, Mumbai, India, from July 2018 to December 2019. The study included 100 patients of either sex, with American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) I and II classification, aged 18-55 years, who were randomly divided into two groups. Group D received a dexmedetomidine infusion (0.5 mcg/kg/hour), while group C (control group) received a saline infusion. Haemodynamic parameters, Minimum Alveolar Concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane, surgeon’s grading of the operative field, and the requirement of additional hypotensive agents were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s unpaired t-test to evaluate the significance of normally distributed variables, Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test for ordinal data and categorical variables. Results: The groups were comparable with respect to age, weight, gender, and ASA grade. The average mean MAC of sevoflurane at various time intervals was 1.135±0.664635 in group D and 1.9675±0.438 in group C, which was statistically significant. The surgeon’s grading of the surgical field using the Fromme and Boezaart scale was significantly better in group D (1.53±0.45625 versus 2.907±0.5835 in the control group). Although not statistically significant, more number of patients in group C needed additional drugs to lower HR and blood pressure. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine infusion during FESS is effective in maintaining stable haemodynamics with a lesser need for additional agents to lower HR and Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP). It improves the visibility of the surgical field and decreases the MAC of sevoflurane required to maintain anaesthesia.
Effects of Dietary Supplements of DHA-enriched Micro Algae Diet on Physical and Technological Properties of Dairy Cow Milk Fat
Authors: Issa-Zacharia Abdulsudi
Published: August 2023

This study examined the effect of dietary supplementation of DHA-enriched micro algae diet on physical and technological properties of dairy milk fat in terms of the dynamic crystallization and melting behaviour. Two dairy cows were subjected to feeding regime of DHA-enriched micro algae diet and control diet. The experiment was carried out during 21-d to determine the normal (control) and DHA-enriched micro algae diet modified milk fat that were taken for further analysis. The melting and crystallization behaviour of the milk fat from the cows fed control and DHA-enriched micro algae diets was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Q1000 (TA Instruments, New Castle, DE, United States). DHA-enriched micro algae supplementation strongly affected the melting and crystallization properties of milk fat. Generally, the onset temperature (°C) of milk fat crystallization was significantly lower in DHA-enriched milk fat as compared to the control. The quantity of heat released by fat crystallization expressed as J/g (peak area) was significantly lower in enriched milk fat. DHA-enriched milk fat also had a lower peak maximum temperature as compared to control in all samples investigated. All melting curves displayed two peaks (lower melting and higher melting peaks) and for melting peaks, DHA-enriched milk fat melted at significantly lower temperature as compared to the control indicating an increase in the degree of unsaturation of milk fat. Melting offset temperature was significantly lower for DHA-enriched milk fat as compared to the control. It can be concluded that from the results of this study, micro algae supplementation significantly altered the milk fat composition and positively affected melting and crystallization behaviour of milk fat.
Geriatric Population Dependency in India: An Analytical Review
Authors: Amit Kumar , Mishra Shubham
Published: August 2023

The present study examines the dependency among the elderly population of India, the distribution of dependency in the elderly population across states in India and the causes that are responsible for the dependency among elderly population in India. The study analyses the various data points present on the elderly population enumerated in the Population Census 2011 and the report “Elderly in India” [1] published by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India [2]. The focus of the paper is on analyzing the status, distribution and the causes of old age dependency in India. A few government measures that have been taken in recent times to reduce the old age dependency in the country have also been included as a part of the research. In the end some suggestions how to improve the situation of the elderly population and therefore reduce dependency and promote a better quality of life to them have been provided.
Influence of Fruit Bagging on the Physical Qualities and Shelf Life of Mango cv. Alphonso under Ultra-High-Density Planting
Authors: Samy S. Aravinda , Muthuvel I. , Soman P. , Shanmugasundaram K. A. , Senthil A. , Johnson I.
Published: August 2023

The present experiment was conducted to study the effect of preharvest fruit bagging on the physical parameters and shelf life of mango cv. Alphonso during 2023. Mango fruits were bagged 35 days after the fruit set with various types of bags viz: T1: Brown paper bag; T2: Double layered bag; T3: Transparent bag; T4: Non-woven bag; T5: Butter paper bag; T6: Control (no bagging). The experiment was conducted in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with six treatments and four replications. The result indicated that preharvest fruit bagging had a significant effect on physical parameters, shelf life and days required for harvest after bagging. Bagging with Double layered bag increased fruit retention (75.03%), fruit length (9.35cm), fruit weight (295.36g), pulp weight (228.30g), shelf life (18.5 days) and decreased physiological loss of weight (8.16%). Therefore, preharvest fruit bagging improved fruit retention, physical parameters and shelf life in mango cv. Alphonso.
Evaluation of Different Hybrids of Chilli in Prayagraj Agro-Climatic Condition
Authors: Kumar Shivam , Bahadur Vijay , Topno Samir Ebson , Prasad V. M. , Kerketta Anita
Published: August 2023

The present investigation entitled “Evaluation of different hybrids of chilli in prayagraj agro-climatic condition” was conducted from July 2022- January 2023. The experiment was laid out in a Randomised Block Design with 3 replications and 10 hybrids viz., LHC-Diya, LHC-4010, Beauty, NS-1101, Deva, NS-1701 DG, VNR-305, Chushul, Pushkar, Sonali. Experiment was done to understand the plant growth, fruit yield, quality and economics of Chilli using different hybrids under Allahabad agro-climatic conditions at the experimental field of the Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute (NAI), Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS), Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. From the above experimental findings it is concluded that, all the characters viz., growth parameters, earliness parameters, yield parameters and qualitative parameters varied significantly. Further, while studying the plant height (F1-Sonali) was found best, highest number of branches, maximum average fruit weight and maximum ascorbic acid was found in (F1-NS-1701 DG), days to first flowering and days to 50% flowering was found minimum in (F1- Pushkar), maximum number of fruits per plant, maximum fruit length and fruit girth was found in (F1- VNR-305), highest yield per plant, highest yield per hectare and highest profit and maximum benefit cost ratio were found in (F1-NS-1101), maximum TSS was found in (F1- Beauty).
Screening Chickpea Genotypes against Fusarium Wilt Disease under Controlled Conditions
Authors: Yadav Rakesh Kumar , Tripathi Manoj Kumar , Tiwari Sushma , Asati Ruchi , Chauhan Shailja , Paliwal Shruti , Mandloi Saloni , Parihar Prerana , Singh Purnima , Tripathi Niraj , Yasin Mohammad
Published: August 2023

Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Ciceris is one of the economical important vascular root diseases affecting chickpea which can cause up to 90% yield loss during crop growth stages. In the present investigation, 71 chickpea genotypes including two controls viz., JG315 (highly resistant) and JG 62 (highly susceptible) were screened by artificial inoculation of pathogen causing Fusarium wilt under controlled conditions in poly house using Completely Randomized Design with two replications during Rabi 2022 with intention to identify potentially wilt resistant genotype (s). Disease incidence was evaluated across distinct developmental phases, specifically the seedling and reproductive stages, employing the metric of percent disease incidence. At the seedling stage, out of the 71 entries, 24 genotypes displayed resistance to the disease, 38 genotypes exhibited moderate resistance, five genotypes found to be moderately susceptible, three susceptible, and only one genotype showed high susceptibility. Upon reaching the reproductive stage, the disease reactions changed drastically as only one genotype was found resistant, 14 genotypes moderate resistance, 17 moderately susceptible, 25 susceptible and 14 highly susceptible.
Association between Type of School, Level of Study and Learning Preferences of Nursing Students in Schools of Nursing in Anambra State, Nigeria
Authors: Agbapuonwu Noreen , Ochi Jovita , Makata Ngozi
Published: August 2023

Learning preference in this study is the way student nurses in Anambra State Schools of Nursing prefer to learn with their sensory modalities. Visual is preference for graphic information, Aural is for information that is heard, Read/Write preference refers to information that is displayed as words while Kineasthetic preference is linked to the use of experience or practice. These preferences are important in the learning of the students. The study assessed the association between type of school, level of study and learning preferences among nursing students in Schools of Nursing in Anambra state. In this study, descriptive cross-sectional survey was used. About 342 respondents whom were selected by Random Sampling Technique. Instrument used for online data collection was Visual, Aural, Read/Write, Kineasthetic questionnaire version 8.01 and the researcher’s demographic questionnaire. The respondents filled the questionnaire online based on their levels of study. Data were analyzed using Visual, Aural, Read/Write, Kineasthetic standard algorithm, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 25. Descriptive statistics was presented in frequency tables and percentages. Chi-square was used to test the hypotheses at p-value < 0.05 significance level. Findings showed that type of school had significant association χ2=37.95; p<0.001with learning preferences of the students while level of study had no significant association χ2=7.33; p=0.12 with their learning preferences. Assessing the learning preferences of the students has been able to bring about a great value in the training of nurses. The knowledge most likely will help educators to formulate a good teaching methods that will be based on learning preferences; the use of diverse teaching methods that address different learning preferences of the students would boost learning and improve their academic performance. Preparation of Nursing Curriculum that utilizes more active strategies to accommodate the diverse learning preferences of the students in their different levels of study is recommended.
Constraints Faced by Fruit Nursery Growers in District Kulgam of Jammu and Kashmir, India
Authors: Farooq Farah , Kubrevi Syed Shafat , Peer Quadri Javeed Ahmad , Ganaie Nazir Ahmad , Ali Angrej , Wani Fehim Jeelani
Published: August 2023

The main purpose of this study was to analyse the constraints faced by fruit nursery growers in district Kulgam of Jammu and Kashmir. The study is based on personal interview with 218 fruit nursery growers of the district. The study found that the constraints faced by the fruit nursery growers include non-availability of seedlings/planting materials, lack of training facilities, inadequate funds, electricity/power cuts and irrigation under production and potential buyers unaware of existing nurseries, less margin/ low profit, low sales, price fluctuation and instability of policies on seedling production under marketing. Government should come up with different programmes and policies in order to support and help fruit nursery growers by providing them with different subsidies. The agriculture and horticulture departments should develop close linkages with fruit nursery growers and provide timely guidance to them relating to their problems
İNGİLTERE’NİN İRAN’DAKİ PETROL MUHAFIZ TEŞKİLATI: GÜNEY POLİSİ
Authors: Akbaba Tolga
Published: August 2023

İran, Nasıreddin Şah’ın 1901 yılında kuzeydeki beş eyalet hariç ülkenin tamamında petrol arama ve satma imtiyazını İngiltere vatandaşı D’Arcy’ye vermesi ile birlikte, İngiltere’nin ekonomik nüfuz alanına dahil olmuştur. Petrolün bilinirliği ile ekonomik ve stratejik değeri arttıkça, D’Arcy’nin elde ettiği şahsi imtiyaza müdahil olan İngiltere, İran’daki ekonomik çıkarlarını korumak amacıyla kendi yerel silahlı gücünü oluşturma gayreti içerisine girmiştir. İran’da merkez-çevre ilişkisinin zayıf olduğu ve merkezi hükümet otoritesinin büyük eyaletler hariç taşrada hissedilmediği bir dönemde İran petrollerinin büyük oranda sahibi olan İngiltere, petrol havzalarını korumak için silahlı milis desteğine ihtiyaç duymuştur. Bu düşünceden hareketle İngiltere, zamanla kurumsal kimliğe kavuşacak olan Güney Polisi isimli yerel güvenlik teşkilatının da ilk adımını atmıştır. Genel manada araştırma eserlerinden ve dönemin ana kaynaklarından istifade edilerek hazırlanan bu çalışmanın amacı, İngiltere’nin İran’da kurmuş olduğu silahlı gücün hedefi, teşkilat yapısı ve karşılaştığı muhalefet sürecine mercek tutmaktır.
Affirmative Action Ruled Unconstitutional
Authors: Adashi Eli Y. , Gruppuso Philip A. , Cohen I. Glenn
Published: August 2023

This Viewpoint reviews how the recent US Supreme Court decision regarding affirmative action affects extant medical school admission policies seeking to enhance diversity of the national medical student body and its derivative national health care workforce.
The Supreme Court Decision on Affirmative Action—Fewer Black Physicians and More Health Disparities for Minoritized Groups
Authors: Montgomery Rice Valerie , Elks Martha L. , Howse Mark
Published: August 2023

This Viewpoint discusses the US Supreme Court’s June 2023 ruling on affirmative action and its repercussions for Black physicians and health equity for racial and ethnic minority groups.
Telehealth and In-Person Mental Health Service Utilization and Spending, 2019 to 2022
Authors: Cantor Jonathan H. , McBain Ryan K. , Ho Pen-Che , Bravata Dena M. , Whaley Christopher
Published: August 2023

This cohort study assesses trends in monthly telehealth vs in-person utilization and spending rates for mental health services among commercially insured US adults before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gout Flares and Mortality After Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitor Treatment for Gout and Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Wei Jie , Choi Hyon K. , Dalbeth Nicola , Li Xiaoxiao , Li Changjun , Zeng Chao , Lei Guanghua , Zhang Yuqing
Published: August 2023

Importance

Recurrent flares are the hallmark of clinical manifestation of gout. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have been associated with a lower risk of incident gout; however, their association with recurrent flares is unknown.

Objective

To examine the association of SGLT2i vs active comparators (ie, glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor agonists [GLP-1 RA] or dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors [DPP-4i]) with the risk of recurrent gout flares and all-cause mortality among patients with gout and type 2 diabetes.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This population-based retrospective cohort study was performed from January 1, 2013, to March 31, 2022, using a UK primary care database. Participants included patients with gout and type 2 diabetes with visits to their general practitioners.

Exposures

Initiation of treatment with SGLT2i or active comparators.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was the number of recurrent gout flares ascertained using recorded codes and prescription records. Secondary outcomes were the first recurrent gout flare and all-cause mortality. The association of SGLT2i compared with active comparators for the risk of recurrent flares, the first recurrent flare, and all-cause mortality was assessed using Poisson regression or the Cox proportional hazards model with propensity score overlap weighting.

Results

Of a total of 5931 patients included in the analysis (mean [SD] age, 66.0 [11.6] years; 4604 [77.6%] men), 1548 initiated SGLT2i treatment and 4383 initiated treatment with active comparators during the study period. The relative rate of the recurrent flares with SGLT2i vs active comparators was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.65-0.97). Similar results were observed in the association of SGLT2i with the rate of recurrent flares when compared with DPP-4i or GLP-1 RA. For the first recurrent flare for SGLT2i vs active comparators, rate difference was −8.8 (95% CI, −17.2 to −0.4) per 1000 person-years and the hazard ratio was 0.81 (95% CI, 0.65-0.98). All-cause mortality per 1000 person-years was 18.8 for SGLT2i and 24.9 for active comparators, with rate difference of −6.1 (95% CI, −10.6 to −1.6) per 1000 person-years and hazard ratio of 0.71 (95% CI, 0.52-0.97).

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this cohort study suggest that SGLT2i were associated with a lower risk of recurrent gout flares and mortality than their active comparators in patients with gout and type 2 diabetes. These findings further suggest that SGLT2i could help reduce the burden of recurrent gout flares and could also narrow the mortality gap between patients with gout and the general population.
Magnetically Controllable Two‐Dimensional Spin Transport in a 3D Crystal
Authors: Dowinton Oliver , Maryenko Denis , Belosludov Rodion Vladimirovich , Yang Bohm‐Jung , Bahramy Mohammad Saeed
Published: August 2023

2D phases of matter have become a new paradigm in condensed matter physics, bringing in an abundance of novel quantum phenomena with promising device applications. However, realizing such quantum phases has its own challenges, stimulating research into non‐traditional methods to create them. One such attempt is presented here, where the intrinsic crystal anisotropy in a “fractional” perovskite, EuxTaO3 (x = 1/3 − 1/2), leads to the formation of stacked layers of quasi‐2D electron gases, despite being a 3D bulk system. These carriers possess topologically non‐trivial spin textures, indirectly controlled by an external magnetic field via proximity effect, making it an ideal system for spintronics, for which several possible applications are proposed. An anomalous Hall effect with a non‐monotonic dependence on carrier density is shown to exist, signifying a shift in band topology with carrier doping. Furthermore, quantum oscillations in charge conductivity and oscillating thermoelectric properties are examined and proposed as routes to experimentally demonstrate the quasi‐2D behavior.
Atomic‐Scale Transition Zones Determined Coercivity in Samarium‐Cobalt Based Permanent Magnets
Authors: Liu Bingjie , Wang Hui , Xu Hao , Liu Jinghua , Jiang Chengbao
Published: August 2023

SmCo‐based permanent magnets with nanocellular structure exhibit significant advantage for high‐temperature applications. Due to the lack of experimental intrinsic magnetic parameters and unclear nanocellular interface, a fully understanding on coercivity mechanism is still limited. Here the intrinsic magnetic properties of designed two single‐phase alloys representing nanocellular structure at various temperatures are acquired. Using 3D atom probe and high‐angle annular dark‐field scanning transmission electron microscopy, the existence of the nanoscale transition zones located at nanocellular interface is revealed. Moreover, the transition zones exhibiting high magnetocrystalline anisotropy is found to contribute dominantly to the coercivity. The calculated coercivity via micromagnetic simulation considering transition zones agrees well with the tested coercivity at various temperatures. This knowledge deepens the fundamental understanding on coercivity mechanism.
Frequency Selectivity via Inner Boundary Conditions for A Self‐Powered Multiresonant Acoustic Sensing Array with Broad Bandwidth
Authors: Lee Soyeon , Kim Wheejae , Park No‐Cheol , Park Jin‐Woo
Published: August 2023

This study investigates and proposes innovative approaches to achieve frequency selectivity within a limited space. Traditional multiresonant acoustic devices use individual sensing elements of varying sizes to achieve resonance frequency (fr), leading to an inability to sense focused acoustic waves, unlike the human ear. A miniaturized, self‐powered artificial basilar membrane that incorporates multiresonant features is introduced. Multiple fr of the diaphragms are developed using inner boundary conditions (iBCs) defined by an adjustable micropatterned elastomeric support (µ‐support) and a porous nanofiber (NF) mat. This new approach offers the advantage of all‐in‐one fabrication, eliminating the need for device area variation or an additional rigid frame typically required in conventional multiresonant acoustic devices. The efficacy of the iBCs in shifting fr within the vocal frequency ranges is verified via a laser Doppler vibrometer, simulation, and triboelectric output. With its self‐powering capabilities based on triboelectric principles, this artificial basilar membrane holds promise for accurately recognizing musical and vocal signals with specific frequency characteristics. With four different iBCs in a total device area of 23 × 23 mm2, a tunable four‐channel system with fr ranging from 400 to 3000 Hz is achieved. This advancement enables the sensing of focused acoustic waves, simulating the functionality of an artificial human ear model.
Nucleus Pulposus‐Targeting Nanocarriers Facilitate Mirna‐Based Therapeutics for Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Authors: Chen Zhonghui , Liao Zhong , Liu Ming , Lin Fengfei , Chen Shunyou , Wang Geng , Zheng Zhong , Liu Boling , Li Chaoxiong , Wang Zheqiang , Chen Tianlai , Huang Hongzhe , Liao Qi , Cui Weiliang
Published: August 2023

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a common cause of low back pain. Understanding its molecular mechanisms is the basis for developing specific treatment. To demonstrate that miR‐22‐3p is critical in the regulation of IDD, miRNA microarray analyses are conducted in conjunction with in vivo and in vitro experiments. The miR‐22‐3p knockout (KO) mice show a marked decrease in the histological scores. Bioinformatic analysis reveals that miR‐22‐3p plays a mechanistic role in the development of IDD by targeting SIRT1, which in turn activates the JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway. This is confirmed by a luciferase reporter assay and western blot analysis. Therapeutically, the delivery of miR‐22‐3p inhibitors and mimics through the synthesized nanoparticles in the IDD model alleviates and aggravates IDD, respectively. The nanocarriers enhance transportation of miR‐22‐3p to nucleus pulposus cells, thus enabling the in vivo inhibition of miR‐22‐3p for therapeutic purposes and consequently promoting the development of miRNA‐specific drugs for IDD.
Non‐Pore Dependent and MMP‐9 Responsive Gelatin/Silk Fibroin Composite Microparticles as Universal Delivery Platform for Inhaled Treatment of Lung Cancer
Authors: Gou Shuangquan , Wang Gangyang , Zou Yanan , Geng Wenbo , He Tingting , Qin Zizhen , Che Lingbin , Feng Qian , Cai Kaiyong
Published: August 2023

Developing a drug delivery platform that possesses universal drug loading capacity to meet various requirements of cancer treatment is a challenging yet interesting task. Herein, a self‐assembled gelatin/silk fibroin composite (GSC) particle based drug delivery system is developed via microphase separation followed by desolvation process. Thanks to its preassembled microphase stage, this GSC system is suitable for varying types of drugs. The desolvation process fix drugs inside GSC rapidly and densify the GSC structure, thereby achieving efficient drug loading and providing comprehensive protection for loaded drugs. Actually, the size of this brand‐new non‐pore dependent drug delivery system can be easily adjusted from 100 nm to 20 µm to fit different scenarios. This work selects GSC with 3 µm diameter as the universal inhaled drug delivery platform, which shows an excellent transmucosal penetration and lung retention ability. Additionally, the MMP‐9 sensitive degradation property of GSC enhances the targeted efficiency of drugs and reduces side effects. Intestinally, GSC can self‐amplify the regulation of innate immunity to reverse the cancerous microenvironment into an antitumor niche, significantly improving the therapeutic effect of drugs. This study of GSC universal drug platform provides a new direction to develop the next‐generation of drug delivery system for lung cancer.
Secondary Spin Current Driven Efficient THz Spintronic Emitters
Authors: Agarwal Piyush , Yang Yingshu , Medwal Rohit , Asada Hironori , Fukuma Yasuhiro , Battiato Marco , Singh Ranjan
Published: August 2023

Femtosecond laser‐induced photoexcitation of ferromagnet (FM)/heavy metal (HM) heterostructures has attracted attention by emitting broadband terahertz frequencies. The phenomenon relies on the formation of an ultrafast spin current, which is primarily attributed to the direct photoexcitation of the FM layer. However, during the process, the FM layer also experiences a secondary excitation led by the hot electrons from the HM layer that travel across the FM/HM interface and transfer additional energy in the FM. Thus, the generated secondary spins enhance the total spin current formation and lead to amplified spintronic terahertz emission. These results emphasize the significance of the secondary spin current, which even exceeds the primary spin currents when FM/HM heterostructures with thicker HM are used. An analytical model is developed to provide deeper insights into the microscopic processes within the individual layers, underlining the generalized ultrafast superdiffusive spin‐transport mechanism.
Synthesis of Tetrahydronaphthoazetidinones, 2,5‐Dioxo‐1,4‐methanobenzoazepines and 3‐Hydroxypyrrolidinones Through Copper‐Assisted Post‐Ugi Reactions
Authors: Gómez‐Ayuso Javier , Lezcano Mario , Carreira‐Barral Israel , González‐Saiz Beatriz , Quesada Roberto , García‐Valverde María
Published: August 2023

Copper‐assisted post‐Ugi reactions enable access to different heterocyclic systems, tetrahydronaphthoazetidinone, 2,5‐dioxo‐1,4‐methanobenzoazepine and 3‐hydroxypyrrolidinone derivatives. The described process affords complex scaffolds from readily available acyclic precursors using simple protocols.
Engineering Plasmonic Hybridization toward Advanced Optical Sensors
Authors: Sarkar Swagato , König Tobias A. F.
Published: August 2023

The requirements for an optical sensor are high: the sensor should be reliable, quick, and simple, and all these features must be provided at ultralow fabrication costs. The requirements go even further, as the sensor may operate without an energy source, and nowadays, the sensor components should be recyclable. Today existing plasmonic concepts and advances in nanofabrication can meet these requirements. This review article describes the available nanoscale components and discusses their reasonable layout to obtain the sensing requirements. It is shown that combining photonic and plasmonic properties helps to get high sensitivity at low losses, where these hybrid modes with simple optical concepts are introduced. The current state of the art in developing lithographic nanostructuring and directed self‐assembly to pave the way for future refractive index sensors is also used. By providing a guideline for advanced sensors, how the individual optical components can be used to create hybrid properties that can be realized cost‐effectively are shown. The review article ends with a discussion on the perspectivs for plasmonic hybridization sensors.
Current‐Driven Switching of Néel Vector of an Antiferromagnetic Insulator Thin Film
Authors: Ajejas Fernando , Torres Felipe , Basaran Ali C. , Salev Pavel , Schuller Ivan K.
Published: August 2023

Manipulation of antiferromagnetic (AFM) materials as active elements provides a crucial combination of electrical, thermal, and magnetic properties for spintronics. This study shows how the spin current generated in heavy metal is induced by spin‐orbit torque into an adjacent AFM insulator. The bulk unpinned spins of the AFM layer drive a spin current that is transmitted to the top ferromagnet. This mechanism allows the electrical control of the exchange bias, coercive field, and blocking temperature of the system. Further support is provided by a model calculation that quantitatively describes the effect of the spin current injection into the AFM.
12.3% Efficient Low Voc Loss Pure Sulfide Kesterite Solar Cells from DMSO Solution via Cadmium Alloying
Authors: Pan Xiangyu , Li Xinyu , Yang Yuntian , Xiang Chunxu , Xu Aoqi , Liu Hongkun , Yan Weibo , Huang Wei , Xin Hao
Published: August 2023

Cd alloying has been theoretically proved to be an effective strategy to suppress Cu‐Zn antisite defects and related defect cluster for improving device performance of pure sulfide kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin film solar cells. However, the potential of Cd alloying has not been fully realized by solely doping without further post heat‐treatment. Here, Cd alloying CZTS (Cu2(Zn,Cd)SnS4, CZCTS) is reported through dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solution and how alloying concentration affects reaction path, grain growth, and electronic properties of the CZCTS absorbers is investigated. This study found that Cd can be incorporated into CZTS through direct phase transformation grain growth, which sufficiently suppresses band tailing. High quality CZCTS absorber films and efficient solar cells are fabricated within a wide range of alloy concentration. A champion CZCTS device with a power conversion efficiency of 12.3% is achieved at 35% Cd concentration without any post heat treatment, improved by over 70% compared to 7.0% of CZTS. This device exhibits a high VOC gain to the Shockley–Queisser (Voc/VocSQ = 59.7%), the lowest VOC deficit achieved in pure sulfide kesterite solar cells. The results demonstrate the importance of the Cd alloying strategy for mitigating band tailing and achieving high efficiency pure sulfide kesterite solar cells.
Revolutionizing Infection Risk Scoring: An Ensemble “From Weak to Strong” Deduction Strategy and Enhanced Point‐of‐Care Testing Tools
Authors: Chen Haoman , Ye Hui , Chen Fanxuan , Shi Yi , Li Jiahe , Li Yuhang , Wei Chaoyi , Zhang Chengxi , Jin Jinhao , Zhang Quanyue , Pan Shuo , Chen Dong , Quan Shichao , Xu Xiaowei , Yang Zongxing , Xu Lijun , Zhang Yungui , Wang Yi , Zhou Yunlong , Liu Ou , Jiang Xiaoming , Liu Liyu , He Qingzu , Hu Xiaoqu , Pan Jingye , Shuai Jianwei , Su Feifei
Published: August 2023

The COVID‐19 pandemic exacerbates challenges faced by human immunodeficiency virus patients, who are at heightened risk for infection due to compromised immune systems. This study aims to develop a reliable, home‐based point‐of‐care testing (POCT) tool for early screening of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) coinfected with Talaromyces marneffei infection. Employing a “From weak to strong” deduction strategy for feature selection, data from 464 AIDS patients across four cohorts between February 5th, 2014, and January 8th, 2022, are analyzed. The top three features consistently observed are D‐dimer, cluster of differentiation 4+, and aspartate transaminase. Based on these features, the simplest risk‐scoring model is constructed, with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values of 0.91, 0.80, and 0.69 in the hold‐out cohort, external cohort 1, and external cohort 2, respectively. This “From weak to strong” deduction strategy identifies advantageous clinical features, enabling the development of simplified clinical risk scores with multiple biomarkers. To facilitate practical implementation, enhanced POCT tools are introduced, specifically a strip with segmented testing capabilities that demonstrates sensitivity and strong correlation with clinical scoring models. Furthermore, an open‐access website and a free Android mobile app are created to support community utilization. The findings underscore the effectiveness of the innovative deduction strategy and enhanced test strips, which enable bedside measurements without laboratory dependency.