bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Financial hardship among siblings of long‐term survivors of childhood cancer: A Childhood Cancer Survivor Study report
Authors: Ohlsen Timothy J. D. , Wang Huiqi , Buchbinder David , Huang I‐Chan , Desai Arti D. , Zheng Zhiyuan , Kirchhoff Anne C. , Park Elyse R. , Krull Kevin , Conti Rena M. , Yasui Yutaka , Leisenring Wendy , Armstrong Gregory T. , Yabroff K. Robin , Nathan Paul C. , Chow Eric J.
Published: December 2023

Background

Siblings of children with cancer may experience adverse household economic consequences, but their financial outcomes in adulthood are unknown.

Methods

A total of 880 siblings (aged 18–64 years) of adult‐aged childhood cancer survivors were surveyed to estimate the prevalence of financial hardship by three established domains (behavioral, material, and psychological). For individual financial hardship items matching the contemporaneous National Health Interview Survey or Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, siblings were compared with the general population by calculating adjusted prevalence odds ratios (ORs) to sample‐weighted responses. Multivariable logistic regression models examined associations between sibling characteristics and each hardship domain and between sibling hardship and survivors’ cancer/treatment characteristics.

Results

Behavioral, material, and psychological hardship was reported by 24%, 35%, and 28%, respectively. Compared with national survey respondents, siblings were more likely to report worries about medical bills (OR, 1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–1.22), difficulty affording nutritious foods (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.54–2.07), and forgoing needed medical care (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.10–1.73), prescription medications (OR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.99–3.20), and dental care (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.15–1.57) because of cost. Sibling characteristics associated with reporting financial hardship in one or more domains included female sex, older age, chronic health conditions, lower income, not having health insurance, high out‐of‐pocket medical expenditures, and nonmedical/nonhome debt. No survivor cancer/treatment characteristics were associated with sibling financial hardship.

Conclusions

Adult siblings of childhood cancer survivors were more likely to experience financial hardship compared with the general population. Childhood cancer may adversely affect entire households, with potentially lasting implications.
Survival outcomes of patients with HER2/neu‐positive breast cancer with germline BRCA mutations
Authors: Akkoc Mustafayev Fatma Nihan , Shukla Mihir Amitabh , Lanier Amanda , Milton Denái R. , Gutierrez Angelica M. , Gruschkus Stephen K. , Lewis John E. , Murthy Rashmi K. , Arun Banu K.
Published: December 2023

Background

Breast cancer (BC) with germline BRCA1/2 mutations and their association with triple‐negative BC has been thoroughly investigated. However, some carriers of BRCA1/2 mutations have human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu)‐positive BC, which has a different targeted therapy approach, and data are scarce for this patient population. The authors sought to characterize the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with HER2/neu‐positive BC who had germline BRCA1/2 mutations.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of data from 1099 patients diagnosed with HER2/neu‐positive BC who were screened for germline BRCA mutations between 1996 and 2022. Clinicopathologic features and survival rates were analyzed by BRCA mutation status. Univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze the association between clinical variables and outcomes.

Results

Of 1099 patients with HER2/neu‐positive BC, 73 (6.6%) tested positive for BRCA1/2 mutations. Age, race, and tumor characteristics did not differ between BRCA noncarriers and carriers. At a median follow‐up of 78.6 months, the 5‐year recurrence‐free survival rate was 85% in BRCA carriers and 87% in noncarriers (p = .79), and the 5‐year overall survival rate was 94% in BRCA carriers and 94% in noncarriers (p = .78). In a multivariable model, BRCA was not associated with recurrence‐free survival (hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.51–1.90; p = .96) or overall survival (hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.33–2.07; p = .69).

Conclusions

BRCA1/2 mutations occurred in 6.6% of patients with HER2/neu‐positive BC and did not affect survival outcomes. Assessing the potential benefits of new treatment strategies, such as combining anti‐HER2/neu therapies with poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase inhibitors, may lead to enhanced outcomes for these patients.
Intelligent lighting design of cloud computing platform based on digital twin historic landscape blocks—Take Yu Garden commercial street in Shanghai as an example
Authors: Wei Zhen , Nie Jinghuan , Zhang Wei
Published: December 2023

In recent years, with the development of the Digital Revolution, information technologies such as digital twins and virtual reality are gradually penetrating people's daily learning and living environment. The digital twin historic landscape street has the performance advantages of virtual reality integration, real‐time interaction, independent iteration, and dynamic perception. Taking the historical district of Yu Garden in Shanghai as an example, this paper builds a travel simulation model of the historical district based on the basic elements of the scene service of the digital twin district under the empowerment of “cloud, data and intelligence”. With the digital twin lamps as the physical entity, the passenger flow dynamic simulation data model is constructed. The effectiveness of the model was verified through simulation of the impact of passenger flow changes on passenger flow, and improvements and enhancements were made to smart lighting fixtures in the block. This study explores the rich application scenarios of digital twin historic blocks and creates a scenario‐based service model, which will fully activate various online and offline elements of historic landscape blocks, bringing users a brand‐new immersive experience.
Optimal D2D power for secure D2D communication with random eavesdropper in 5G‐IoT networks
Authors: Chandra Saurabh , Arya Rajeev , Singh Maheshwari Prasad
Published: December 2023

In the rapidly evolving landscape of fifth generation Internet of Things (5G‐IoT) networks, Device‐to‐Device (D2D) communication has emerged as a promising paradigm to enhance secrecy transmission rate (STR) and connectivity. However, the security of D2D communications in the presence of eavesdroppers remains a critical challenge. This article investigates the problem of optimizing D2D transmit power to achieve secure D2D communication while considering the presence of random eavesdroppers in 5G‐IoT networks. We propose a novel secrecy‐based power control approach (SRMWPCA) approach to model the random distribution of eavesdroppers in the network, taking into account their varying distances from D2D pairs and deliberately increasing interference at the eavesdropper's link. By leveraging tools from stochastic geometry, we derive an analytical expression for the secrecy transmission probability (STP), which quantifies the probability of eavesdroppers successfully decoding the D2D transmission. In this analysis, we have incorporated practical considerations such as channel fading, path loss, and interference from other devices. To enhance the security of D2D communication, we formulate an optimization problem to determine the optimal transmit power levels for D2D pairs, subject to constraints on the secrecy transmission probability and interference to the cellular network. We propose an efficient algorithm to find the power allocation that maximizes the secrecy outage performance while meeting these constraints. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in achieving secure D2D communication in 5G‐IoT networks with random eavesdroppers. The performance of the proposed SRMWPCA approach improved by 23.25% and 20.9% compared with standard approaches in terms of the secrecy rate and throughput of the users from malicious attacks.
Adsorption of Organic Pollutants on Carbonaceous Adsorbents Prepared by Direct Activation of Sweet Cherry Stones
Authors: Nowicki Piotr , Kaźmierczak Magdalena , Wiśniewska Małgorzata
Published: December 2023

The main objective of this study was to assess the usefulness of the sweet cherry stones for the production of carbonaceous adsorbents by means of direct physical activation method, using conventional and microwave variant of heating. The adsorbents were characterized in terms of textural parameters, acidic‐basic character of the surface, electrokinetic properties and their suitability for drinking water purification. Adsorption tests were carried out against three organic compounds – Triton X‐100 (surfactant), bovine serum albumin (protein) and methylene blue (synthetic dye). Depending on the variant of heating applied during activation procedure, the obtained activated biochars differed significantly in terms of the elemental composition, acidic‐basic properties as well as degree of specific surface development and the type of porous structure generated. Adsorption tests have showed that the efficiency of organic pollutants removal from aqueous solutions depends significantly not only on the type of the adsorbent and adsorbate applied, but also on the temperature and pH of the system. The sample prepared by microwave‐assisted direct activation proved to be very effective in terms of all tested organic pollutants adsorption. The maximum sorption capacity toward Triton X‐100, bovine serum albumin and methylene blue reached the level of 86.5, 23.4 and 81.1 mg/g, respectively.
Deaths related to antipsychotics associated with higher doses
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: December 2023

For children aged 5–17 years, 100 mg or less of chlorpromazine equivalents was not associated with increased risk of death, but for doses greater than 100 mg, young adults aged 18–24 years had significantly increased risk of death, according to a study published online November 29, 2023 in JAMA Psychiatry. The conclusion — that mortality from antipsychotic medications is related to the dose — applies to children as well as young adults — the researchers said.
OD deaths more than tripled in 35–44 year‐olds in pregnant and postpartum women
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: December 2023

Overdose deaths tripled among 35 to 44‐year‐old pregnant and postpartum women from 2018–2021 and rose markedly in all pregnant and postpartum girls and women ages 10 to 44, a new study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has found.
Optimization and Formulation of Different Hole‐Transporting Materials (HTMs) for the Performance of Eco‐Friendly Cs2TiBr6‐ Based Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Saha Prithick , Halder Prolay , Singh Sangeeta , Bhattacharya Sanjib
Published: December 2023

Lead‐based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) exhibit limited commercialization due to toxicity and stability issues. These problems may have a workable solution in Ti‐based all‐inorganic perovskite solar cells. A novel lead‐free compound Cs2TiBr6 based photovoltaic device is the present proposal in this study with a structure as FTO (fluorine‐doped tin oxide)/TiO2 (titanium oxide)/ Cs2TiBr6 (cesium titanium bromide)/ P3HT (poly3‐hexylthiophene)/Au (Gold) in an adjustment and construction of each layer using SCAPS‐1D (solar cell capacitance simulator) software for maximum power‐conversion efficiency. For the proposed solar cell, thorough adjustments of the thickness of the absorber layer, the defect density of the absorber layer, different hole transporting materials (HTMs), and the thickness of the hole transporting layer (HTL) are of the prime objectives. Experimentally development of fine MoO3 layer may explore the nature of theoretically HTL. Present work explores the formation of bound states of electron/polaron of as‐developed fine MoO3. For this reason, higher conductivity of MoO3 may interpret the conduction of holes. The results of the final optimized device module show a maximum power‐conversion efficiency of up to 17.68%. We consequently think that our findings may pave the way for the development of lead‐free, extremely efficient perovskite solar devices.
Does adolescent academic achievement predict future parenting?
Authors: McAnally H. M. , Iosua E. , Belsky J. , Sligo J. L. , Letcher P. , Greenwood C. J. , Spry E. , Thomson K. C. , Macdonald J. A. , Bolton A. E. , Olsson C. A. , Hancox R. J.
Published: December 2023

The effects of academic achievement may extend beyond economic success to influence social functioning, including future parenting. To evaluate whether adolescent academic achievement forecasts future parenting (both positive and negative) and the family home environment of parents. We used prospectively gathered intergenerational data from a population‐based birth cohort born in 1972/1973 in Dunedin, New Zealand, including data from Generation 1 (parents of the birth cohort), the birth cohort (Generation 2; G2), and G2's children (Generation 3). Adolescent academic achievement in G2 was used to predict observed and reported parenting outcomes when offspring (G3) were aged 3 years after controlling for a range of covariates, including G2's adolescent wellbeing, early childhood socioeconomic status (collected from G1), and G2's age at child's birth. We also evaluated 2‐way interactions between academic achievement and G2 parent sex, G3 child behaviour, and G2 adolescent wellbeing. Greater G2 academic achievement, net of controls, predicted more positive and less negative parenting (for mothers only), and a more positive home environment. For the home environment outcome, the effect of adolescent academic achievement was moderated by wellbeing. Adolescent academic achievement may positively influence parenting behaviour and the quality of the home environment.
A single center retrospective study: Comparison between centrifugal separation plasma exchange with ACD‐A and membrane separation plasma exchange with heparin on acute liver failure and acute on chronic liver failure
Authors: Zhu Xin‐Fang , Li Jia‐Qiang , Liu Tian‐Tian , Wang Yuan , Zhong Yao , Gao Qing‐Mei , Zhang Qi , Yu Kang‐Kang , Huang Chong , Li Ning , Lu Qing , Zhang Wen‐Hong , Zhang Ji‐Ming , Xia Rong , Zheng Jian‐Ming
Published: December 2023

The purpose of this retrospective study is to compare the efficacy and safety of the centrifugal separation therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) using citrate anticoagulant (cTPEc) with membrane separation TPE using heparin anticoagulant (mTPEh) in liver failure patients. The patients treated by cTPEc were defined as cTPEc group and those treated by mTPEh were defined as mTPEh group, respectively. Clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups. Survival analyses of two groups and subgroups classified by the model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score were performed by Kaplan–Meier method and were compared by the log‐rank test. In this study, there were 51 patients in cTPEc group and 18 patients in mTPEh group, respectively. The overall 28‐day survival rate was 76% (39/51) in cTPEc group and 61% (11/18) in mTPEh group (P > .05). The 90‐day survival rate was 69% (35/51) in cTPEc group and 50% (9/18) in mTPEh group (P > .05). MELD score = 30 was the best cut‐off value to predict the prognosis of patients with liver failure treated with TPE, in mTPEh group as well as cTPEc group. The median of total calcium/ionized calcium ratio (2.84, range from 2.20 to 3.71) after cTPEc was significantly higher than the ratio (1.97, range from 1.73 to 3.19) before cTPEc (P < .001). However, there was no significant difference between the mean concentrations of total calcium before cTPEc and at 48 h after cTPEc. Our study concludes that there was no statistically significant difference in survival rate and complications between cTPEc and mTPEh groups. The liver failure patients tolerated cTPEc treatment via peripheral vascular access with the prognosis similar to mTPEh. The prognosis in patients with MELD score < 30 was better than in patients with MELD score ≥ 30 in both groups. In this study, the patients with acute liver failure (ALF) and acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) treated with cTPEc tolerated the TPE frequency of every other day without significant clinical adverse event of hypocalcemia with similar outcomes to the mTPEh treatment. For liver failure patients treated with cTPEc, close clinical observation and monitoring ionized calcium are necessary to ensure the patients' safety.
Intrinsic factors behind long COVID: III. Persistence of SARS‐CoV‐2 and its components
Authors: El‐Baky Nawal Abd , Amara Amro A. , Uversky Vladimir N. , Redwan Elrashdy M.
Published: December 2023

Considerable research has been done in investigating SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, its characteristics, and host immune response. However, debate is still ongoing over the emergence of post‐acute sequelae of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection (PASC). A multitude of long‐lasting symptoms have been reported several weeks after the primary acute SARS‐CoV‐2 infection that resemble several other viral infections. Thousands of research articles have described various post‐COVID‐19 conditions. Yet, the evidence around these ongoing health problems, the reasons behind them, and their molecular underpinnings are scarce. These persistent symptoms are also known as long COVID‐19. The persistence of SARS‐CoV‐2 and/or its components in host tissues can lead to long COVID. For example, the presence of viral nucleocapsid protein and RNA was detected in the skin, appendix, and breast tissues of some long COVID patients. The persistence of viral RNA was reported in multiple anatomic sites, including non‐respiratory tissues such as the adrenal gland, ocular tissue, small intestine, lymph nodes, myocardium, and sciatic nerve. Distinctive viral spike sequence variants were also found in non‐respiratory tissues. Interestingly, prolonged detection of viral subgenomic RNA was observed across all tissues, sometimes in multiple tissues of the same patient, which likely reflects recent but defective viral replication. Moreover, the persistence of SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA was noticed throughout the brain at autopsy, as late as 230 days following symptom onset among unvaccinated patients who died of severe infection. Here, we review the persistence of SARS‐CoV‐2 and its components as an intrinsic factor behind long COVID. We also highlight the immunological consequences of this viral persistence.
Empirical evidence on the relationship between migrants' remittances and private investment in Burkina Faso: A dynamic simultaneous equation model
Authors: Yoda Abdoul Hadirou , Diendere Achille Augustin
Published: December 2023

This research explores the channels through which migrant remittances can promote private investment. The research method favours a dynamic simultaneous equation model estimated using a combination of the bootstrap method and the three‐stage least squares estimator to account for the interdependence between remittances and private investment. The study area is Burkina Faso, and the period of analysis covers the period 1985–2021. One of the main findings is that the level of corruption risk and the demographic dependency ratio are important transmission channels. Findings suggest creating an institutional framework that enhances the level of transparency and accountability and accelerates the demographic transition process.
Evaluation of renal markers and liver enzymes in patients infected with the Chikungunya virus
Authors: Soares Anderson Pereira , de Lima Neto Daniel Ferreira , Pour Shahab Zaki , Passos Saulo Duarte , Cunha Marielton dos Passos , Zanotto Paolo Marinho de Andrade
Published: December 2023

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arbovirus (Togaviridae family, Alphavirus genus) that was first identified in 1953 in Tanzania. In 2014, the Asian and East/Central/South/African (ECSA) genotypes were identified in Brazil, although the genotype that spread the most in the following years across the Brazilian territory was the ECSA. The clinical symptoms associated with the infection caused by CHIKV include mainly fever, myalgia, headache, and arthralgia. In infections caused by other arboviruses (such as the ones caused by Dengue and West Nile viruses), changes in biochemical markers are often observed. This study aims to evaluate the biochemical markers profile of kidney and liver injury in acute patients infected with CHIKV. Two groups of correlations were found between the variables analyzed, namely, one between liver enzymes (r = 0.91), and another for kidney markers (r = 0.54–0.66). A significant elevation in the percentage of altered creatinine in CHIKV‐infected patients was observed, followed by uric acid and AST. Altogether, in 8 different comparisons, it was possible to observe statistically significant differences between the levels of the markers when compared to the manifestation of symptoms (presence and absence). These noticeable changes in marker measurements could potentially be connected to the range of clinical symptoms seen in the disease.
Stability of pathogens on banknotes and coins: A narrative review
Authors: Meister Toni Luise , Kirchhoff Lisa , Brüggemann Yannick , Todt Daniel , Steinmann Joerg , Steinmann Eike
Published: December 2023

For the prevention of infectious diseases, knowledge about potential transmission routes is essential. Pathogens can be transmitted directly (i.e. respiratory droplets, hand‐to‐hand contact) or indirectly via contaminated surfaces (fomites). In particular, frequently touched objects/surfaces may serve as transmission vehicles for different clinically relevant bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens. Banknotes and coins offer ample surface area and are frequently exchanged between individuals. Consequently, many concerns have been raised in the recent past, that banknotes and coins could serve as vectors for the transmission of disease‐causing microorganisms. This review summarizes the latest research on the potential of paper currency and coins to serve as sources of pathogenic viral, bacterial, and fungal agents. In contrast to the current perception of banknotes and coins as important transmission vehicles, current evidence suggests, that banknotes and coins do not pose a particular risk of pathogen infection for the public.
A study of search strategy availability statements and sharing practices for systematic reviews: Ask and you might receive
Authors: Neilson Christine J. , Premji Zahra
Published: December 2023

The literature search underpins data collection for all systematic reviews (SRs). The SR reporting guideline PRISMA, and its extensions, aim to facilitate research transparency and reproducibility, and ultimately improve the quality of research, by instructing authors to provide specific research materials and data upon publication of the manuscript. Search strategies are one item of data that are explicitly included in PRISMA and the critical appraisal tool AMSTAR2. Yet some authors use search availability statements implying that the search strategies are available upon request instead of providing strategies up front. We sought out reviews with search availability statements, characterized them, and requested the search strategies from authors via email. Over half of the included reviews cited PRISMA but less than a third included any search strategies. After requesting the strategies via email as instructed, we received replies from 46% of authors, and eventually received at least one search strategy from 36% of authors. Requesting search strategies via email has a low chance of success. Ask and you might receive—but you probably will not. SRs that do not make search strategies available are low quality at best according to AMSTAR2; Journal editors can and should enforce the requirement for authors to include their search strategies alongside their SR manuscripts.
Factors Predicting Discharge Disposition Following Head and Neck Free Flap Reconstruction
Authors: Chandna Megha , Kumar Ayan , Crippen Meghan , Sakkal Marah , Guler Meryam , Garg Neha , Tekumalla Sruti , Barbarite Eric , Krein Howard , Heffelfinger Ryan
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Patients undergoing head and neck free flap reconstruction (HNFFR) may have significant change to their baseline functional status requiring inpatient rehabilitation (IPR) after discharge. We sought to identify patient/procedure characteristics predictive of discharge destination.

Methods

Patients undergoing elective HNFFR between July 2017 and July 2022 were reviewed for discharge destination. Those discharged to IPR versus home were compared across patient/procedure characteristics and physical/occupational therapy metrics. Significance was assessed via bivariate and multivariable analyses.

Results

Of the 531 patients, 102 (19.2%) required IPR postoperatively. Patients discharged to IPR versus home were significantly older (70.1 [11.6] vs. 64.1 [13.1] years; p < 0.001) and more likely to lack family assistance (26.5% vs. 8.6%; p < 0.001), require baseline assistance for activities of daily living (ADLs) (31.4% vs. 9.8%; p < 0.001), have baseline cognitive dysfunction (15.7% vs. 6.1%; p = 0.001), were more likely to have neoplasm as the surgical indication for HNFFR (89.2% vs. 80.0%; p = 0.033) and more likely to have a tracheostomy postop (62.7% vs. 51.7%), and had a significantly longer length of stay (11.2 [8.0] vs. 6.8 [8.3] days; p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in gender, donor site, use of tube feeds, and use of assistive devices between the two groups. Following logistic regression, the strongest predictors of discharge to IPR include lack of family assistance (OR = 3.8; p < 0.001) and baseline assistance for ADLs (OR = 4.0, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Certain patient factors predict the need for discharge to rehab after HNFFR. Perioperative identification of these factors may facilitate patient counseling and discharge planning with potential to reduce hospital length of stay and further optimize patient care.

Level of Evidence

III Laryngoscope, 134:2721–2725, 2024
Dietary linoleic acid lowering alone does not lower arachidonic acid or endocannabinoids among women with overweight and obesity: A randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Courville Amber B. , Majchrzak‐Hong Sharon , Yang Shanna , Turner Sara , Wilhite Breanne , Ness Shipley Katherine , Horneffer Yvonne , Domenichiello Anthony F. , Schwandt Melanie , Cutler Roy G. , Chen Kong Y. , Hibbeln Joseph R. , Ramsden Christopher E.
Published: December 2023

The linoleic acid (LA)‐arachidonic acid (ARA)‐inflammatory axis suggests dietary LA lowering benefits health because it lowers ARA and ARA‐derived endocannabinoids (ECB). Dietary LA reduction increases concentrations of omega‐3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and DHA derived ECB. The aim of this study was to examine targeted reduction of dietary LA, with and without EPA and DHA, on plasma EPA and DHA and ECB (2‐arachidonoyl glycerol [2‐AG], anandamide [AEA], and docosahexaenoyl ethanolamide [DHA‐EA]). Healthy, pre‐menopausal women (n = 62, BMI 30 ± 3 kg/m2, age 35 ± 7 years; mean ± SD) were randomized to three 12‐week controlled diets: (1) high LA, low omega‐3 EPA and DHA (H6L3); (2) low LA, low omega‐3 EPA and DHA (L6L3); or (3) low LA, high omega‐3 EPA and DHA (L6H3). Baseline plasma fatty acids and ECB were similar between diets. Starting at 4 weeks, L6L3 and L6H3 lowered plasma LA compared to H6L3 (p < 0.001). While plasma ARA changed from baseline by 8% in L6L3 and −8% in L6H3, there were no group differences. After 4 weeks, plasma EPA and DHA increased from baseline in women on the L6H3 diet (ps < 0.001) and were different than the H6L3 and L6L3 diets. No differences were found between diets for AEA or 2‐AG, however, in L6L3 and L6H3, AEA increased by 14% (ps < 0.02). L6H3 resulted in 35% higher DHA‐EA (p = 0.013) whereas no changes were seen with the other diets. Lowering dietary LA did not result in the expected changes in fatty acids associated with the LA‐ARA inflammatory axis in women with overweight and obesity.
Fellowship program teaches youths the mechanics of mental health research
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: December 2023

For some students in California school districts, being surveyed about their mental well‐being has become much more than a passive exercise. A fellowship program implemented by a center housed at the Stanford Graduate School of Education is maximizing student input on the topics they want to know about most, with some students serving as the research investigators themselves.
Kennedy Forum receives grant to support MH movement
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: December 2023

The Kennedy Forum, a national effort to transform the way mental health and substance use disorder are treated in this country's health care system, announced last week the receipt of a significant grant that will aid in its next steps to move its mental health movement forward.
College‐level MH support effort expands to high schools
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: December 2023

A nonprofit foundation that has focused on expanding mental health awareness among college student‐athletes plans to introduce its mental health learning support series to high school students in Alabama.
Output regulation for the reaction‐diffusion equation with time‐varying disturbances and non‐collocated observation
Authors: Liu Jun‐Jun , Li Yi‐Jing
Published: December 2023

The present article focuses on the output regulation problem for uncertain 1‐d reaction‐diffusion equation(RDE), in which the disturbance inputs are located at both the interior of the equation and uncontrolled end. Both the reference signal and the disturbances signal are specified due to an exosystem of time‐varying coefficients. The difficulty of the problem is that the control end is noncollocated with the regulated output. The so‐called feedforward control is designed by introducing an regulator, which is determined by infinite‐dimensional equation. A state observer is proposed based on the measurement output to recover the original and the external systems. The suitable feedback control has to be integrated by replacing the states in the expression of feedforward control law. As a result, exponential convergence of the error between the reference signal and the output, and the closed‐loop stability are established. Numerical results are performed the effectiveness of the results.
Insights and improvements in correspondence between axonal volume fraction measured with diffusion‐weighted MRI and electron microscopy
Authors: Papazoglou Sebastian , Ashtarayeh Mohammad , Oeschger Jan Malte , Callaghan Martina F. , Does Mark D. , Mohammadi Siawoosh
Published: December 2023

Biophysical diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) models are increasingly used in neuroscience to estimate the axonal water fraction (
), which in turn is key for noninvasive estimation of the axonal volume fraction (
). These models require thorough validation by comparison with a reference method, for example, electron microscopy (EM). While EM studies often neglect the unmyelinated axons and solely report the fraction of myelinated axons, in DWI both myelinated and unmyelinated axons contribute to the DWI signal. However, DWI models often include simplifications, for example, the neglect of differences in the compartmental relaxation times or fixed diffusivities, which in turn might affect the estimation of
. We investigate whether linear calibration parameters (scaling and offset) can improve the comparability between EM‐ and DWI‐based metrics of
. To this end, we (a) used six DWI models based on the so‐called standard model of white matter (WM), including two models with fixed compartmental diffusivities (e.g., neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging, NODDI) and four models that fitted the compartmental diffusivities (e.g., white matter tract integrity, WMTI), and (b) used a multimodal data set including ex vivo diffusion DWI and EM data in mice with a broad dynamic range of fibre volume metrics. We demonstrated that the offset is associated with the volume fraction of unmyelinated axons and the scaling factor is associated with different compartmental
and can substantially enhance the comparability between EM‐ and DWI‐based metrics of
. We found that DWI models that fitted compartmental diffusivities provided the most accurate estimates of the EM‐based
. Finally, we introduced a more efficient hybrid calibration approach, where only the offset is estimated but the scaling is fixed to a theoretically predicted value. Using this approach, a similar one‐to‐one correspondence to EM was achieved for WMTI. The method presented can pave the way for use of validated DWI‐based models in clinical research and neuroscience.
Menopause at work—An organisation‐based case study
Authors: Cronin Camille , Abbott Joanne , Asiamah Nestor , Smyth Susan
Published: December 2023

Aim

The aim of the study was to explore and understand the organizational culture of a workplace in terms of support and well‐being for staff experiencing perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms at work.

Design

It is widely acknowledged that perimenopause and menopause symptoms are experienced by a large percentage of the female workforce. There is a lack of research into how nurses are supported through menopause (Cronin et al. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 42, 2021, 541–548). The perimenopause and menopause transition can be a challenging time where many may require symptom management and support (RCN, The Menopause and Work: Guidance for RCN Representatives, 2020). This paper presents a case study research (CSR) approach to examine one healthcare organization.

Methods

CSR design was used: A survey distributed to all staff employed, a review of the available documentation on menopause and interviews with managers from different levels of the organization. The COREQ consolidated criteria was used for reporting the qualitative research reported this study.

Results

The case study generated both quantitative and qualitative data using surveys, interviews and documentation. Data from the organization (n = 6905) showed a majority female workforce of 81.9% with 40.6% aged between 41 and 55 years old, meaning a third of the organization working through perimenopause and menopause. Survey responses (n = 167) collected biographical and psychometric data on the prevalence of perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms. Seven managers were interviewed highlighting two themes: Access to support and culture of menopause and 13 documents from the organization on menopause were analysed for content. The study design permitted an iterative approach to data collection and providing an in‐depth understanding of the needs and support for those experiencing perimenopause and menopause. The findings help healthcare organizations to understand their workforce and take in to account the larger numbers of female employees particularly nurses with the need to provide person‐centred support mechanisms and an organizational approach for all employees.
Ti3C2Tx MXene as Intriguing Material for Electrochemical Capacitor
Authors: Koudahi Masoud Foroutan , Frąckowiak Elżbieta
Published: December 2023

This study provides meaningful insight into the charge storage in Ti3C2Tx MXene (M‐transition metal, X‐carbon, T‐Cl, F, O) for electrochemical capacitor (EC) application. The experiments show that this 2D material is especially adapted for the hydrogen electrosorption under negative polarization. It is found that hydrogen bonding to the Ti3C2Tx surface occurs through interactions of various strength. Different mechanisms are suggested to explain the nature of H stored at the electrode/electrolyte interface depending on pH and potential range. For the negative potentials, both capacitive and faradaic currents are involved, and the electrode can operate in a relatively wide range. On the other hand, the narrow range of positive potentials limits whole voltage of EC. Such charge disproportion has a major impact on the performance failure of symmetric MXene‐based ECs. New design of MXene cells with a wide operating voltage is introduced. To equalize the charge storage of both electrodes, the positive Ti3C2Tx electrode is replaced by the porous carbon (BP2000) with a wide working potential and a good capacitive response. Thus, EC operating voltage is considerably expanded to 1.3, 1.4, 2 V in acidic, basic, neutral medium, respectively. During cycling tests at 1 A g−1, the asymmetric cell MXene/BP2000 maintains 80% of initial capacitance after 22 000 cycles.
Chemically‐Induced Lipoprotein Breakdown for Improved Extracellular Vesicle Purification
Authors: Iannotta Dalila , A. Amruta , Lai Andrew , Nair Soumyalekshmi , Koifman Na'ama , Lappas Martha , Salomon Carlos , Wolfram Joy
Published: December 2023

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanosized biomolecular packages involved in intercellular communication. EVs are released by all cells, making them broadly applicable as therapeutic, diagnostic, and mechanistic components in (patho)physiology. Sample purity is critical for correctly attributing observed effects to EVs and for maximizing therapeutic and diagnostic performance. Lipoprotein contaminants represent a major challenge for sample purity. Lipoproteins are approximately six orders of magnitude more abundant in the blood circulation and overlap in size, shape, and density with EVs. This study represents the first example of an EV purification method based on the chemically‐induced breakdown of lipoproteins. Specifically, a styrene‐maleic acid (SMA) copolymer is used to selectively breakdown lipoproteins, enabling subsequent size‐based separation of the breakdown products from plasma EVs. The use of the polymer followed by tangential flow filtration or size‐exclusion chromatography results in improved EV yield, preservation of EV morphology, increased EV markers, and reduced contaminant markers. SMA‐based EV purification enables improved fluorescent labeling, reduces interactions with macrophages, and enhances accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity to detect EV biomarkers, indicating benefits for various downstream applications. In conclusion, SMA is a simple and effective method to improve the purity and yield of plasma‐derived EVs, which favorably impacts downstream applications.
Ultrathin NiV Layered Double Hydroxide for Methanol Electrooxidation: Understanding the Proton Detachment Kinetics and Methanol Dehydrogenation Oxidation
Authors: Wu Zhaohui , Bai Sha , Shen Tianyang , Liu Guihao , Song Ziheng , Hu Yihang , Sun Xiaoliang , Zheng Lirong , Song Yu‐Fei
Published: December 2023

Electrochemical methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) is regarded as a promising pathway to obtain value‐added chemicals and drive cathodic H2 production, while the rational design of catalyst and in‐depth understanding of the structure‐activity relationship remains challenging. Herein, the ultrathin NiV‐LDH (u‐NiV‐LDH) with abundant defects is successfully synthesized, and the defect‐enriched structure is finely determined by X‐ray adsorption fine structure etc. When applied for MOR, the as‐prepared u‐NiV‐LDH presents a low potential of 1.41 V versus RHE at 100 mA cm−2, which is much lower than that of bulk NiV‐LDH (1.75 V vs RHE) at the same current density. The yield of H2 and formate is 98.2% and 88.1% as its initial over five cycles and the ultrathin structure of u‐NiV‐LDH can be well maintained. Various operando experiments and theoretical calculations prove that the few‐layer stacking structure makes u‐NiV‐LDH free from the interlayer hydrogen diffusion process and the hydrogen can be directly detached from LDH laminate. Moreover, the abundant surface defects upshift the d‐band center of u‐NiV‐LDH and endow a higher local methanol concentration, resulting in an accelerated dehydrogenation kinetics on u‐NiV‐LDH. The synergy of the proton detachment from the laminate and the methanol dehydrogenation oxidation contributes to the excellent MOR performance of u‐NiV‐LDH.
Ionic Liquid Modified Polymer Intermediate Layer for Improved Charge Extraction toward Efficient and Stable Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Solar Cells
Authors: Sun Yinqing , Mao Lin , Yang Tian , Zhang Hao , Shi Jianhua , Tan Qichuan , Li Faming , Zeng Peng , Gong Jue , Liu Zhengxin , Liu Mingzhen
Published: December 2023

Monolithic perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells have been attracted much attention in recent years. Despite their high performances, the stability issue of perovskite‐based devices is recognized as one of the key challenges to realize industrial application. When comes to the perovskite top subcell, the interface between perovskite and electron transporting layers (usually C60) significantly affects the device efficiency as well as the stability due to their poor adhesion. Here, different from the conventional interfacial passivation using metal fluorides, a hybrid intermediate layer is proposed—PMMA functionalized with ionic liquid (IL)—is introduced at the perovskite/C60 interface. The application of PMMA essentially improves the interfacial stability due to its strong hydrophobicity, while adding IL relieves the charge accumulation between PMMA and the perovskite. Thus, an optimal wide‐bandgap perovskite solar cells achieves power conversion efficiency of 20.62%. These cells are further integrated as top subcells with silicon bottom cells in a monolithic tandem structure, presenting an optimized PCE up to 27.51%. More importantly, such monolithic perovskite/silicon cells exhibit superior stability by maintaining 90% of initial efficiency after 1200 h under continuous illumination.
First Demonstration of Yttria‐Stabilized Hafnia‐Based Long‐Retention Solid‐State Electrolyte‐Gated Transistor for Human‐Like Neuromorphic Computing
Authors: Jin Dong‐Gyu , Yu Hyun‐Yong
Published: December 2023

Electrolyte‐gated transistors have strong potential for high‐performance artificial synapses in neuromorphic bio‐interfaces owing to their outstanding synaptic characteristics, low power consumption, and human‐like mechanisms. However, the short retention time is a hurdle to overcome owing to the natural diffusion of protons. Here, a novel modulation technique of ionic conductivity is proposed with yttria‐stabilized hafnia for the first time to enhance the retention characteristic of a solid‐state electrolyte‐gated transistor‐based artificial synapse. With the optimization of the ionic conductivity in yttria‐stabilized hafnia, a high retention time of over 300 s and remarkable synaptic characteristics are accomplished by regulating channel conductance with precise modulation of the strength of the proton‐electron coupling intensity along the input signals. Furthermore, pattern recognition simulation is conducted based on the measured synaptic characteristics, exhibiting 94.41% of operation accuracy, which implies a promising solution for neuromorphic in‐memory computing systems with a high operation accuracy and low power consumption.
Doping of ZnO Electron Transport Layer with Organic Dye Molecules to Enhance Efficiency and Photo‐Stability of the Non‐Fullerene Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Hu Lin , Han Liangjing , Quan Jianwei , Wu Feiyan , Li Wei , Zhou Dan , Zhang Lin , Jin Yingzhi , Yin Xinxing , Song Jiaxing , Su Zhen , Li Zaifang , Chen Lie
Published: December 2023

The solution‐processed zinc oxide (ZnO) electron transport layer (ETL) always exhibits ubiquitous defects, and its photocatalytic activity is detrimental for the organic solar cell (OSC) to achieve high efficiency and stability. Herein, an organic dye molecule, PDINN‐S is introduced, to dope ZnO, constructing a hybrid ZnO:PDINN‐S ETL. This hybrid ETL exhibits improved electron mobility and conductivity, particularly post‐light exposure. The catalytic activity of ZnO is also effectively suppressed.Consequently, the efficiency and photo‐stability of inverted non‐fullerene OSCs are synergistically enhanced. The devices based on PM6:Y6/PM6:BTP‐eC9 active layer with ZnO:PDINN‐S as ETL give impressive power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 16.78%/17.59%, significantly higher than those with pure ZnO as ETL (PCEs = 15.31%/16.04%). Moreover, ZnO:PDINN‐S‐based device shows exceptional long‐term stability under continuous AM 1.5G illumination (T80 = 1130 h) , overwhelming the reference device (T80 = 455 h). In addition, Incorporating PDINN‐S into ZnO alleviate mechanical stress within the inorganic lattice, making ZnO:PDINN‐S ETL more suitable for the fabrication of flexible devices. Overall, doping ZnO with organic dye molecules offers an innovative strategy for developing multifunctional and efficient hybrid ETL of the non‐fullerene OSCs with excellent efficiency and photo‐stability.
Effect of ultra‐high performance concrete repair layer thickness on the behavior of concrete columns
Authors: Tolentino Lucas Dezotti , dos Santos Vinicius Brother , Poncetti Bernardo Lopes , Enami Rodrigo Mazia , Krahl Pablo Augusto , Vanderlei Romel Dias
Published: December 2023

The use of ultra‐high‐performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) to repair or rehabilitate old concrete structures has been shown to be appropriate due to its properties, such as higher compressive strength, ductility, and durability than conventional concretes. One of the studied strengthening techniques is the reinforced concrete columns jacketing by UHPFRC. Some recent research evaluated some parameters, such as the repair thickness and the volumetric ratio of stirrups. However, other important parameters, such as UHPFRC jacketing thickness in different column cross‐sections and the concrete core compressive strength, need to be addressed. In addition, the analytical models presented in the literature are restricted to only one concrete grade. The present study aims to evaluate the behavior of short reinforced concrete columns strengthened with UHPFRC subjected to centered compression. Numerical analyses of three‐dimensional models were performed using the finite element method, validated, and calibrated using experimental results. The influence of the concrete core compressive strength, the UHPFRC jacketing thickness, and the shape of the cross‐section were evaluated. Numerical simulations concluded that the lower concrete core compressive strength columns showed the best relative increase performance. Moreover, the concrete core strength was inversely proportional to the resistance capacity of the repair system. In addition, the increase in repair thickness contributes to the axial strength of the column. Furthermore, the cross‐section influences the distribution of stresses and strains, showing the best performance for circular sections. Finally, regardless of cross‐section type, the proposed equations accurately predicted the numerical results.
Multinational and exporter wage premia: evidence from southeastern Europe and a panel multiple-treatments approach
Authors: Egger Peter H. , Gunes Pinar Kaynak , Zoller-Rydzek Benedikt
Published: December 2023

We explore how the type of global market entry affects wage premia, classifying firms into four categories: domestic only, domestic exporters, non-exporting multinationals, and exporting multinational enterprises. Using firm-level panel data for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Slovenia for the years 2007–2017 and a multivariate endogenous treatment model based on the approach of Wooldridge (J Econom 68(1):115–132, 1995), we find that the multinational wage premia are mainly driven by the export status of multinational firms. Specifically, domestic exporters and exporting multinationals pay on average higher wages than non-exporting firms, whereas non-exporting multinationals tend to pay lower wages than domestic-only firms.