bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interleaved x‐ray imaging: A method for simultaneous acquisition of quantitative and diagnostic digital subtraction angiography
Authors: Whitehead Joseph F. , Hoffman Carson A. , Wagner Martin G. , Minesinger Grace M. , Nikolau Ethan P. , Laeseke Paul F. , Speidel Michael A.
Published: October 2023

Background

Flow altering angiographic procedures suffer from ill‐defined, qualitative endpoints. Quantitative digital subtraction angiography (qDSA) is an emerging technology that aims to address this issue by providing intra‐procedural blood velocity measurements from time‐resolved, 2D angiograms. To date, qDSA has used 30 frame/s DSA imaging, which is associated with high radiation dose rate compared to clinical diagnostic DSA (up to 4 frame/s).

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate an interleaved x‐ray imaging method which decreases the radiation dose rate associated with high frame rate qDSA while simultaneously providing low frame rate diagnostic DSA images, enabling the acquisition of both datasets in a single image sequence with a single injection of contrast agent.

Methods

Interleaved x‐ray imaging combines low radiation dose image frames acquired at a high rate with high radiation dose image frames acquired at a low rate. The feasibility of this approach was evaluated on an x‐ray system equipped with research prototype software for x‐ray tube control. qDSA blood velocity quantification was evaluated in a flow phantom study for two lower dose interleaving protocols (LD1: and LD2: ) and one conventional (full dose) protocol (. Dose was measured at the interventional reference point. Fluid velocities ranging from 24 to 45 cm/s were investigated. Gold standard velocities were measured using an ultrasound flow probe. Linear regression and Bland‐Altman analysis were used to compare ultrasound and qDSA.

Results

The LD1 and LD2 interleaved protocols resulted in dose rate reductions of −67.7% and −85.5%, compared to the full dose qDSA scan. For the full dose protocol, the Bland‐Altman limits of agreement (LOA) between qDSA and ultrasound velocities were [0.7, 6.7] cm/s with a mean difference of 3.7 cm/s. The LD1 interleaved protocol results were similar (LOA: [0.3, 6.9] cm/s, bias: 3.6 cm/s). The LD2 interleaved protocol resulted in slightly larger LOA: [−2.5, 5.5] cm/s with a decrease in the bias: 1.5 cm/s. Linear regression analysis showed a strong correlation between ultrasound and qDSA derived velocities using the LD1 protocol, with a of , a slope of and an offset of  cm/s. Similar values were also found for the LD2 protocol, with a of , a slope of and an offset of  cm/s.

Conclusions

The interleaved method enables simultaneous acquisition of low‐dose high‐rate images for intra‐procedural blood velocity quantification (qDSA) and high‐dose low‐rate images for vessel morphology evaluation (diagnostic DSA).
Neuroanatomical profile of BMI implicates impulsive delay discounting and general cognitive ability
Authors: Xu Hui , Owens Max M. , MacKillop James
Published: October 2023

Objective

Obesity is a disorder of excessive adiposity, typically assessed via the anthropometric density measure of BMI. Numerous studies have implicated BMI with differences in brain structure, but with highly inconsistent findings.

Methods

Machine learning elastic net regression models with cross‐validation were conducted to characterize a neuroanatomical morphometry profile associated with BMI in 1100 participants (22% BMI > 30, n = 242) from the Human Connectome Project Young Adult project.

Results

Using five‐fold cross‐validation, the multiregion neuroanatomical profile substantively predicted BMI (R2 = 10.05%), and this was robust in a held‐out test set (R2 = 8.87%). In terms of specific regions, the neuroanatomical profile was enriched for nodes in the default mode, executive control, and salience networks. The relationship between the morphometry profile and BMI itself was partially mediated by impulsive delay discounting and general cognitive ability.

Conclusions

Taken together, these findings reveal a robust machine learning‐derived neuroanatomical profile of BMI, one that comprises nodes in motivational brain networks and suggests the functional links to obesity are via self‐regulatory capacity and cognitive function.

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A practicable approach for stability analysis in soft robotics: A workspace analysis for a real soft robot
Authors: Seis Robin , de Payrebrune Kristin Miriam
Published: October 2023

Soft robotics is a novel field that has gained importance in recent years. The idea in soft robotics is to use materials with a softness comparable to human tissue. With these materials, soft robots are capable to adapt to their environment without extensive use of a sensor system. This makes them interesting, for example, in rehabilitation or as a surgery tool. Due to their softness, soft robots are typically underactuated, which means that they have a lower number of actuators than degrees of freedom. This softness leads to significant deformation of the initial soft robot configuration when external loads are applied, for example, when carrying a weight. Hence, for practical applications, it is important to determine the workspace of a soft robot especially when the robot carrying an object. For this setup, the deformation of a pneumatically actuated self‐developed soft robot, which carries a weight, was simulated. The workspace was analyzed for different air pressures in the chambers of the soft robot as well as for different applied weights. Analytical equations for the description of the workspace were developed from the results of the simulations. From these equations, the effects of air pressure and weight on the workspace can be efficiently determined. In addition, the influences on different robot configurations (e.g., robots with different lengths) can be directly compared with each other.
An optimal design problem for an anisotropic elastic plate in a dynamic contact with an obstacle
Authors: Bock Igor
Published: October 2023

We deal with an optimal design problem governed by an initial‐boundary value problem for a hyperbolic variational inequality describing the perpendicular vibrations of a simply supported anisotropic elastic plate against a rigid obstacle. A variable thickness of a plate plays the role of a control variable. The admissible set of states for the design problem contains solutions of a state problem gained as limits of the sequences of functions solving penalized problems. We verify the existence of the optimal thickness function using the optimal controls achieved as solutions of optimal design problems connected with penalized state problems.
Hysteresis manifestation of graded rubber
Authors: Do Quoc‐Viet , Yamaguchi Masayuki , Washizu Kensuke , Mabuchi Takahiro , Tada Toshio
Published: October 2023

In the present study, hysteresis loss in the cyclic stress–strain curves of graded styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) was compared with that of homogenously crosslinked SBR. The graded SBR was prepared by vulcanization in a temperature gradient, which provided a gradient of crosslink density in the thickness direction of the sheet. The graded SBR had a higher hysteresis loss ratio than the homogenously crosslinked SBR, even though they had similar Young's moduli. The large energy loss must be attributed to the viscous response of the low‐crosslink‐density side of the rubber sheet. After the unloading process, the graded rubber exhibited a large instantaneous residual strain. However, its actual residual strain was small after waiting for a long time, indicating good rubber elasticity, which was attributed to the elastic response of the high‐crosslink‐density side of the rubber.
Racial and ethnic disparities in acuity of presentation among children with newly diagnosed acute leukemia
Authors: Winestone Lena E. , Getz Kelly D. , Li Yimei , Burrows Evanette , Scheurer Michael E. , Tam Vicky , Gramatges M. Monica , Wilkes Jennifer J. , Miller Tamara P. , Seif Alix E. , Rabin Karen R. , Fisher Brian T. , Aplenc Richard
Published: October 2023

We evaluated disparities in disease burden, organ dysfunction, vital signs, and timing of therapy in children newly presenting with acute leukemia. Among 899 patients with acute leukemia diagnosed at two large children's hospitals, a priori lab‐based definitions of high disease burden, infection risk, renal dysfunction, and coagulopathy were applied to electronic health record data. Black patients with acute myeloid leukemia had increased prevalence of elevated white blood cell count and uric acid; Black patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia demonstrated increased prevalence of coagulopathy. Black patients’ presentation more frequently included multiple lab abnormalities consistent with advanced physiologic dysfunction. No differences were found in days to therapy initiation.
Preparation of continuous carbon fiber‐filled silicone rubber with high thermal conductivity through wrapping
Authors: Zhang Kang , Qiu Jianhui , Sakai Eiichi , Zhang Guohong , Wu Hong , Guo Shaoyun , Zhang Liang , Yamaguchi Hiroyuki , Chonan Yasunori
Published: October 2023

With the development of electronics, there is an increasing demand for high‐performance heat‐dissipation materials in electronic devices. Thermal conductive silicone rubber (SR) has received significant attention in related industries due to its excellent mechanical flexibility and high thermal conductivity. However, the intrinsic thermal conductivity of SR is low, necessitating the addition of thermal conductive fillers to meet the usage requirements. Common thermal conductive fillers typically exist in powder form and require such surface modification and orientation, which increases production costs and poses challenges for large‐scale production. In this study, continuous carbon fibers (CFs) are utilized as fillers. By employing a simple pre‐infiltration and winding method, CFs are uniformly distributed in SR, aligning parallel. The CFs not only serve as thermal conductive pathways but also maintain their orientation distribution within the substrate. Furthermore, by pre‐adding boron nitride (BN) to the SR, the thermal conductivity of SR is enhanced, and BN is distributed along the fibers, further improving the enhancement effect of BN on the thermal conductivity of SR. When CF content reaches 30 vol%, the thermal conductivity of CF/BN/SR composite reaches 2.789 W m−1 K−1. Moreover, by using BN/SR before curing as a coating, it can be applied to the surface of the CF/BN/SR composite. This greatly increases the volume resistivity of the material (>1014 Ω cm) while maintaining the thermal conductivity of the composite. Using continuous fibers as fillers also enables easier implementation of mass production in the preparation of thermal conductive SR.

Highlights

Prepare continuous carbon fiber and boron nitride (BN)‐filled composite through mechanical winding;

The carbon fiber (CF)/BN/silicone rubber (SR) composite exhibits high thermal conductivity;

Improve the enhancement of BN on the TC of SR by aligning the BN along the CF;

BN/SR used as insulating coating by incremental curing.
Engineering internal nanostructure in 3D‐printed materials via polymer molecular weight distribution
Authors: Xiu Yuan , Bobrin Valentin A. , Corrigan Nathaniel , Yao Yin , Zhang Jin , Boyer Cyrille
Published: October 2023

The distribution of molecular weights in polymers, known as the molecular weight distribution (MWD), plays a significant role in dictating the behavior of polymer self‐assembly and influencing the characteristics of the resulting materials. This study investigates how MWD of macromolecular chain‐transfer agents (macroCTAs) impact internal nanostructures in materials prepared by polymerization‐induced microphase separation (PIMS) 3D printing. In the aim of elucidating this relationship, the study initially harnessed the precision offered by narrow‐MWD macroCTAs, which provide precise control over phase separation, as assessed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) measurements. Through systematic variation of macroCTA molecular weights, the dimensions of the distinct domains were precisely tuned from 10 to 90 nanometers and a decrease of materials stiffness was observed with increased domain size. In contrast, the utilization of a broader MWD, achieved by blending two distinct macroCTAs, resulted in increased domain size dispersity and reduced interface sharpness, without significantly affecting the mechanical properties of the 3D‐printed materials. Overall, this approach expands the strategies for manipulating the nanoscale architecture of 3D‐printed PIMS materials, opening new possibilities for printing advanced engineering materials with tailorable properties.
The Oral Health and Dental Care special interest group
Authors: Dowden Angela
Published: October 2023

The Society for Academic Primary Care supports a range of special interest groups (SIGs), including one focusing on dentistry. This article discusses the work of the fledgling Oral Health and Dental Care SIG, which is making strides collaborating with other primary care specialties, and is breaking the mould in academic dentistry, where previously specialists have led the way.
Raising awareness of drug‐micronutrient interactions
Authors: Laight David
Published: October 2023

Vitamin and mineral depletion is an often under‐recognised side‐effect of pharmacotherapy. This article considers a number of common drug‐micronutrient interactions, explores some of their mechanisms and consequences, and discusses how risks may be minimised.
Role of molecular descriptors in quantitative structure‐property relationship analysis of kidney cancer therapeutics
Authors: Mahboob Abid , Rasheed Muhammad Waheed , Hanif Iqra , Amin Laiba , Alameri Abdu
Published: October 2023

A topological index is a numerical parameter that describes the topology of the network. Topological indices are utilized in quantitative structure‐activity relationship (QSAR) research to theoretically estimate the physicochemical characteristics of chemical compounds. In this article, we examine ten degree‐based topological indices for kidney cancer drugs to aid researchers in understanding the physical properties and chemical bonding between them. We also defined two new numerical descriptors named "first terminal Zagreb index" and "second terminal Zagreb index" for the analysis and examination of seven properties of drugs. The boiling point, enthalpy of vaporization, molar volume, flash point, molar refraction, density, polar surface area, and molar weight of kidney medicine are analyzed using several degree‐related topological indices. The linear and quadratic regression models are used to check the predictive power of TIs. The correlation coefficient is used to represent the results by determining the relationship between the estimated and experimental values of kidney cancer drugs. The numerical descriptors are suitable if the values of the correlation coefficients are greater than .7, the F‐statistical values are higher than 2.5, and the ‐values are less than .05. The results in this article fulfill the criteria for being significant. This theoretical approach may allow chemists and other professionals in the healthcare industry to forecast the properties of kidney cancer drugs without doing any tests.
The vapour pressure of saturated solutions of lead nitrate
Authors: Dingemans P.
Published: October 2023

The vapour pressure of saturated solutions of lead nitrate in water was measured at temperatures from 10° C to 130° C.

This system forms a particularly good example of a rule for saturated salt solutions discovered by Miss Korvezee and Dingemans.

Miss A. E. Korvezee and P. Dingemans, Rec. trav. chim. 62, 625 (1943).

. The relative vapour pressure of the saturated solutions (i. e. the vapour pressure of the saturated solution divided by the vapour pressure of pure water at the same temperature) is found to be a purely linear function of the temperature.
Recreational marijuana changes come to campus
Authors: Miles David
Published: October 2023

The times are changing when it comes to the policing of smoking recreational marijuana on college campuses.
Reactions of Alkyl β‐Nitroacrylates with Arenes in Triflic Acid: Synthesis of Oximes of Alkyl 2,3‐Diaryl‐3‐oxopropanoates
Authors: Zhelonkina Yuliya V. , Khoroshilova Olesya V. , Ivanov Alexander Yu. , Boyarskaya Irina A. , Pelipko Vasilii V. , Makarenko Sergey V. , Vasilyev Aleksander V.
Published: October 2023

Methyl or ethyl 3‐nitropropenoates (β‐nitroacrylates) AlkO(O)C1−C2H=C3H−NO2 in reaction with arenes ArH in triflic acid CF3SO3H (TfOH) at room temperature in 1 h give rise to oximes of alkyl 2,3‐diaryl‐3‐oxopropanoates AlkO(O)C−CH(Ar)−C(Ar)=NOH in yields of 42–92 %. The obtained oximes bearing ortho‐methyl substituents in the aryl ring exist as atropoisomers in solutions. The study of protonated forms of β‐nitroacrylates by NMR and DFT calculations has revealed that the reactive electrophiles are species AlkO(HO+)C1−C2H=C3H−N+(O)(OH) protosolvated on the acceptor groups NO2 and CO2R. Plausible reaction mechanism is based on the primary interaction of aromatic nucleophiles with these electrophilic species onto their carbon C2.
Half‐Sandwich, Bent‐Sandwich and Triple‐Decker Molybdenum Complexes of S2N2 – Fluxionality and Metal‐Metal Bond
Authors: Sadik N. K. Mohammed , Jose Linta Mary , De Susmita
Published: October 2023

The instability of the π‐complexes of electron‐rich inorganic aromatics with transition metal fragments, contrary to their conventional aromatic analogues, was investigated by taking the four‐membered 6π‐electron S2N2. Our theoretical investigation based on fragment molecular orbitals and Energy Decomposition Analysis with Natural Orbitals for Chemical Valence (EDA‐NOCV) on the bonding nature of different types of π‐complexes of S2N2 viz. half‐sandwich, bent‐sandwich and triple‐decker type complexes with molybdenum fragment reveals that S2N2 can potentially act as a six π‐electron donor. However, due to the lower energy π* MOs the π‐back donation from metal fragment is stronger than the π‐donation, which might lead to weaking of the overall ring structure and low dissociation energy. The dissociation energy for dissociation of one S2N2 ring increases with the increasing number of S2N2 in the complex. The smaller size of the ring leads to fluxional behaviour in order to attain orbital compatibility between the π‐MOs and the metal orbitals. Also, the triple decker complex depicts an unsymmetric middle deck, where the middle S2N2 ring has been fragmented into two SN units along with a Mo−Mo bond. The higher dissociation energy of triple‐decker complexes can be corroborated well with the report of an isoelectronic triple‐decker complex [Mo2Te12]6+.
Biomineralization‐Inspired Copper Sulfide Decorated Aramid Textiles via In Situ Anchoring toward Versatile Wearable Thermal Management
Authors: Zhao Zhiheng , Song Xudong , Zhang Yang , Zeng Bingbing , Wu Hong , Guo Shaoyun
Published: October 2023

Designing smart textiles for personal thermal management (PTM) is an effective strategy for thermoregulation and energy saving. However, the manufacture of versatile high‐performance thermal management textiles for complex real‐world environments remains a challenge due to the limitations of functional integration, material properties, and preparation procedures. In this study, an aramid fabric based on in situ anchored copper sulfide nanostructure is developed. The textile with excellent solar and Joule heating properties can effectively keep the body warm even at low energy inputs. Meanwhile, the reduced infrared emissivity of the textile decreases the thermal radiation losses and helps to maintain a constant body temperature. Impressively, the textile integrates superb electromagnetic shielding, near‐complete UV protection properties, and ideal resistance to fire and bacteria. This work provides a simple strategy for fabricating multi‐functional integrated wearable devices with flexibility and breathability, which is highly promising in versatile PTM applications.
Automated library mapping approach based on cross‐platform for mobile development programming languages
Authors: Muhammad Ahmad Ahmad , Soliman Abdelrahman , Zayed Hala , Yousef Ahmed H. , Selim Sahar
Published: October 2023

Context

The most popular mobile platforms, Android and iOS, are traditionally developed using native programming languages—Java and Kotlin for Android, and Objective‐C followed by Swift for iOS, respectively. Due to their popularity, there is always a demand to convert applications written for one of these two platforms to another. Cross‐platform mobile development is widely used as a solution where an application is written once and deployed on multiple platforms written in several other programming languages. One common cross‐platform approach that has been used recently by some research groups is the Trans‐Compilation approach. They focus on translating a program written in iOS into Android or vice versa. The main problem with their solutions is that library function mapping is not generalized and usually functions constitute most of the parts of any program.

Objective

This study aims to introduce an automatic library mapping approach for mobile programming languages.

Method

A library function of a source language will be automatically mapped to a corresponding function of the destination language by using the function structure for the two languages. The function structure includes the library to which the function belongs, the return type, parameter types, and the number of parameters. To test our approach, we map from Swift to Java.

Results

The results of our experiments show that our automatic library mapping approach achieves an average accuracy of 83.6% when tested on the most used libraries and outperforms current state‐of‐the‐art mapping techniques in terms of mapping accuracy.

Conclusion

These findings show that our automatic mapping approach is promising and can help to overcome the limitations of the trans‐compilation approaches.
Arsenic‐induced IGF‐1 signaling impairment and neurite shortening: The protective roles of IGF‐1 through the PI3K/Akt axis
Authors: Wisessaowapak Churaibhon , Niyomchan Apichaya , Visitnonthachai Daranee , Leelaprachakul Naphada , Watcharasit Piyajit , Satayavivad Jutamaad
Published: October 2023

We recently reported that arsenic caused insulin resistance in differentiated human neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cells. Herein, we further investigated the effects of sodium arsenite on IGF‐1 signaling, which shares downstream signaling with insulin. A time‐course experiment revealed that sodium arsenite began to decrease IGF‐1‐stimulated Akt phosphorylation on Day 3 after treatment, indicating that prolonged sodium arsenite treatment disrupted the neuronal IGF‐1 response. Additionally, sodium arsenite decreased IGF‐1‐stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of the IGF‐1 receptor β (IGF‐1Rβ) and its downstream target, insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1). These results suggested that sodium arsenite impaired the intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity of IGF‐1Rβ, ultimately resulting in a reduction in tyrosine‐phosphorylated IRS1. Sodium arsenite also reduced IGF‐1 stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor β (IRβ), indicating the potential inhibition of IGF‐1R/IR crosstalk by sodium arsenite. Interestingly, sodium arsenite also induced neurite shortening at the same concentrations that caused IGF‐1 signaling impairment. A 24‐h IGF‐1 treatment partially rescued neurite shortening caused by sodium arsenite. Moreover, the reduction in Akt phosphorylation by sodium arsenite was attenuated by IGF‐1. Inhibition of PI3K/Akt by LY294002 diminished the protective effects of IGF‐1 against sodium arsenite‐induced neurite retraction. Together, our findings suggested that sodium arsenite‐impaired IGF‐1 signaling, leading to neurite shortening through IGF‐1/PI3K/Akt.
Decision making in clinical trials: Interim analyses, innovative design, and biomarkers
Authors: Welsh‐Bohmer Kathleen A. , Kerchner Geoffrey A. , Dhadda Shobha , Garcia Miguel , Miller David S. , Natanegara Fanni , Raket Lars Lau , Robieson Weining , Siemers Eric R. , Carrillo Maria C. , Weber Christopher J.
Published: October 2023

The efficient and accurate execution of clinical trials testing novel treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a critical component of the field's collective efforts to develop effective disease‐modifying treatments for AD. The lengthy and heterogeneous nature of clinical progression in AD contributes to the challenges inherent in demonstrating a clinically meaningful benefit of any potential new AD therapy. The failure of many large and expensive clinical trials to date has prompted a focus on optimizing all aspects of decision making, to not only expedite the development of new treatments, but also maximize the value of the information that each clinical trial yields, so that all future clinical trials (including those that are negative) will contribute toward advancing the field. To address this important topic the Alzheimer's Association Research Roundtable convened December 1–2, 2020. The goals focused around identifying new directions and actionable steps to enhance clinical trial decision making in planned future studies.
Integrated use of organic amendments increased mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) yield and its components compared to inorganic fertilizers
Authors: Diatta André A. , Bassène César , Manga Anicet G. B. , Abaye Ozzie , Thomason Wade , Battaglia Martin , Babur Emre , Uslu Ömer , Min Doohong , Seleiman Mahmoud , Filho Jose F. D. C. Leme , Mbow Cheikh
Published: October 2023

Rainfall variability, low soil organic matter content, and costly inorganic fertilizers are the major agricultural constraints in Sub‐Saharan Africa. Integrated use of compost and manure is essential for sustaining soil fertility and increasing crop productivity. This study was conducted to evaluate the combined effects of compost and animal manure on mungbean growth and yield. The 12 treatments consisted of control, recommended dose of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK), 5 ton ha−1 of compost, 10 ton ha−1 of poultry, 10 ton ha−1 of cattle, and 10 ton ha−1 of sheep manure, and six combinations of organic amendments with 50% of their applied rate alone. These treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with six replications. Application of cattle manure at 10 ton ha−1 significantly increased mungbean seed yield by 66% and 84% compared to the recommended rate of NPK and control treatments, respectively. Similar observations were made on stem diameter, total pod weight, and number of seeds per pod. Plants amended with compost had the highest number of ramifications and number of pods than NPK fertilized plants, which recorded (9±) ramifications and (27±) pods per plant. On average, integrated use of 5 ton ha−1 of poultry manure + 5 ton ha−1 of cattle manure had the highest soil plant analysis development values, though not significantly different from NPK fertilizers. These results suggest that application of organic amendments could be an alternative to costly and inaccessible inorganic fertilizers for improving mungbean productivity under low‐input agriculture systems.
Enhanced performance of eco‐friendly PVC by utilizing halo‐benzothiazole derivatives and glucose/fatty acids esters
Authors: Abdel‐Monem Reham A. , Gaballah Samir T. , Rabie Samira T.
Published: October 2023

Two halo‐benzothiazoles, namely, 2‐amino‐6‐bromo‐benzo[d]thiazole and 2‐amino‐6‐fluoro‐benzo[d]thiazole were utilized to modify poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and gave two modified PVC samples for biomedical applications. Prepared glucose‐fatty acid esters of palmitic, oleic, and octanoic acids were exploited as plasticizers to produce phthalate‐free eco‐friendly antimicrobial PVC. The chemical structures of all prepared compounds were confirmed via Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. The thermal properties of modified PVC was determined using thermo gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry while weight loss and degree of discoloration were used to assess the photostability after UV irradiation whereas references heat and UV absorbers were applied for comparison. The plasticizing effect of each glucose‐fatty acid ester at 20% by weight on the mechanical properties of modified PVC was determined and referenced to diethylhexylphthalate. The results revealed that the mechanical properties as well as the thermal stability of plasticized modified PVCs were enhanced. Plasticizers migration from the polymeric matrix was also determined and the results showed low extent of migration of the prepared plasticizers. So, modified plasticized PVC samples exhibited improved physicochemical properties. Antimicrobial properties of all samples, using disc diffusion agar method, were evaluated against some Gram +ve bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans and Gram −ve bacteria like Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungi strains used were Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus ochraceous. All investigated compounds showed improved antibacterial and antifungal activities.

Highlights

PVC was chemically modified with two halo‐benzothiazoles to obtain antimicrobial PVC.

Glucose‐fatty acids esters were prepared as eco‐friendly plasticizers for PVC.

Halo‐benzothiazoles improved both the thermal‐ and photo‐stability of PVC.

Glucose‐fatty acid plasticizers enhanced the mechanical properties of PVC.

The extent of migration of prepared plasticizers is lower than that of reference plasticizer.
A numerical test of soil layering effects on theoretical and practical Beerkan infiltration runs
Authors: Bagarello Vincenzo , Iovino Massimo , Lai Jianbin
Published: October 2023

With reference to a more compacted and less conductive upper soil layer overlying a less compacted and more conductive subsoil, a simple three‐dimensional (3D) infiltration run is expected to yield more representative results of the upper layer than the subsoil. However, there is the need to quantitatively establish what is meant by more representativeness. At this aim, numerically simulated infiltration was investigated for a theoretically unconfined process under a null ponded head of water (d0H0 setup, with d = depth of ring insertion and H = ponded depth of water) and a practical Beerkan run (d1H1 setup, d = H = 1 cm). The considered layered soils differed by both the layering degree (from weak to strong; subsoil more conductive than the upper soil layer by 2.3–32.4 times, depending on the layering degree) and the thickness of the upper soil layer (0.5–3 cm). It was confirmed that water infiltration should be expected to be more representative of the upper soil layer when this layer is the less permeable since, for a 2‐h experiment, the instantaneous infiltration rates for the layered soil were 1.0–2.1 times greater than those of the homogeneous low‐permeable soil and 1.3–20.7 smaller than those of the homogeneous coarser soil that constituted the subsoil. Similarity with the homogeneous fine soil increased as expected as the upper layer became thicker. For a weak layering condition, the layered soil yielded an intermediate infiltration as compared with that of the two homogeneous soils forming the layered system. For a strong layering degree, the layered soil was more similar to the homogeneous fine soil than to the homogeneous coarse soil. Using the practical setup instead of the theoretical one should have a small to moderate effect on the instantaneous infiltration rates since all the calculated percentage differences between the d1H1 and d0H0 setups fell into the relatively narrow range of −18.8% to +17.4%. A sequential analysis procedure appeared usable to detect layering conditions but with some modifications as compared with the originally proposed procedure. The practical setup enhanced the possibility to recognize the time at which the characteristics of the subsoil start to influence the infiltration process. In conclusion, this investigation contributed to better interpret both the theoretical and the practically established 3D infiltration process in a soil composed of a less conductive upper soil layer overlying a more conductive subsoil and it also demonstrated that modifying the recently proposed sequential analysis procedure only using infiltration data could be advisable to determine the time when layering starts to influence the process.
Engineering of copper sulfide mediated by phototherapy performance
Authors: Wu Dan , Huang Qingqing , Sha Shuang , Xue Fengfeng , Huang Gang , Tian Qiwei
Published: October 2023

Copper sulfide based phototherapy, including photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy, is an emerging minimally invasive treatment of tumor, which the light was converted to heat or reactive oxygen to kill the tumor cells. Compared with conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy, Cu2−xS based phototherapy is more efficient and has fewer side effects. However, considering the dose‐dependent toxicity of Cu2−xS, the performance of Cu2−xS based phototherapy still cannot meet the requirement of the clinical application to now. To overcome this limitation, engineering of Cu2−xS to improve the phototherapy performance by increasing light absorption has attracted extensive attention. For better guidance of Cu2−xS engineering, we outline the currently engineering method being explored, including (1) structural engineering, (2) compositional engineering, (3) functional engineering, and (4) performance engineering. Also, the relationship between the engineering method and phototherapy performance was discussed in this review. In addition, the further development of Cu2−xS based phototherapy is prospected, including smart materials based phototherapy, phototherapy induced immune microenvironment modulation et al. This review will provide new ideas and opportunities for engineering of Cu2−xS with better phototherapy performance.

This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease
“Missing Link”
Authors: Isabekova Gulnaz
Published: October 2023

This book aims to make a theoretical contribution to understanding the interaction between the relevant actors and the impact of that interaction on the sustainability of development assistance for health care. The notion of impact in the research question presumes a causal relationship between interaction and sustainability. This chapter outlines the methodological framework used to identify the possible causal link between these two phenomena. The analysis commences with an in-depth analysis of how each type of relationship identified in the two projects affects the sustainability of health aid by specifying the aspect(s) affected most, be it the continuity of project activities, maintaining benefits, or building the capacity of a recipient community. In this process, the author identified the mechanisms of ownership, learning, recognition, institutionalization, uniformity, “professionalization,” and replacement. Based on these insights, she suggests broader cross-case causal inferences applicable beyond the cases covered in this book, although under the conditions and circumstances identified for each hypothesis. Closing with the methodological limitations of the selected approach and analytical conclusions, this chapter nevertheless vividly demonstrates the missing causal link between stakeholders’ relationships and the sustainability of health aid.
Theorizing Power, Agents, Structures, and Aid Relationships
Authors: Isabekova Gulnaz
Published: October 2023

This chapter discusses relationships among stakeholders in development aid by expanding on the concepts of power, actors, and the types of relationships formed between them. It suggests the presence of conventional and alternative perspectives on power in the literature and provides an analytical framework intended to examine interdependence, the changing nature of power, and stakeholders’ roles in development assistance. This framework commences with a reflection on the meaning of power, its types, and the terms associated with it. Building on the features of the agent-structure approach, the following step discusses the possibilities for stakeholder analysis and outlines the structures pertinent to aid relationships. The third step introduces a project-level analysis as essential to understanding stakeholders’ roles in different phases of aid and examining their potential interdependence as well as the changing nature of power. The final step overviews Haugaard’s (European Journal of Social Theory, 6, 87–113, 2003) seven ways of creating power and how this approach, in combination with the first three steps, may help understand the power dynamics in individual projects. By presenting the types of aid relationships defined by the author of this book, the final step also links the discussion of power dynamics to understanding aid relationships in a broader sense.
The Role of Structural Factors in Selected Health Programs
Authors: Isabekova Gulnaz
Published: October 2023

This chapter explores how the structural factors relevant to aid relationships, namely, aid predictability and flexibility, stakeholders’ capacities, and their dependency on aid, unfold in selected case studies. It makes a compelling argument for the relevance of the organizational structure to the multiyear predictability of aid as well as its contingency on the availability of funds. This chapter also vividly demonstrates the implications of (de)centralized decision-making and increased control over finances on aid flexibility or responsiveness of the assistance to recipients’ changing needs. Furthermore, focusing on the capacities of the aid-recipient civil society organizations and state institutions involved in the selected health care programs, it discusses how specific gender roles, the political situation, and systemic problems affected staff recruitment and retention in these organizations. Differentiating between stakeholders’ dependency on technological and financial assets, this chapter also demonstrates considerable diversity across organizations and sectors. Overall, it provides a necessary background for analyzing aid relationships in the following chapters, along with some curious insights that are new to the studies on health care interventions and may be of interest beyond the selected health programs.
The “Community Action for Health”: The Project Life Cycle
Authors: Isabekova Gulnaz
Published: October 2023

This chapter offers an in-depth analysis of how the interaction between the aid-recipient state institutions, civil society organizations, and funding partners evolved throughout the “Community Action for Health” project. It demonstrates how stakeholders articulated their resources—be it knowledge, skills, assets, or finances—and how the actors’ roles changed throughout the assistance. By zooming into the four phases of the project life cycle, namely, initiation, design, implementation, and evaluation, this chapter provides a compelling case for the actors’ interdependence and interrelation. This in-depth analysis also allows for an understanding of the reasons behind the selection of a pilot area and targets, the development of community-based organizations, and the countrywide expansion of the initiative. It offers a glimpse into a rare practice of involving aid recipients in the evaluation phase, how stakeholders decided on the assessment criteria, and how it evolved beyond the duration of the project.
The Global Fund Grants: Project Life Cycle
Authors: Isabekova Gulnaz
Published: October 2023

This chapter elaborates on the roles of civil society, state, and international organizations involved in the realization of the Global Fund grants to the Kyrgyz Republic. Zooming into the four phases of a project life cycle (initiation, design, implementation, and evaluation) demonstrates the interdependence and interrelation of actors. This chapter also shows that although consonant with national tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS policies, the grants are also shaped by the Global Fund’s recommendations and regulations. These, among others, supported an increase in the share of state co-financing for the activities targeting the two diseases and increased civil society participation in the grants. Overall, the in-depth analysis allows for grasping the conflict, mistrust, and consensus among the actors. In addition, it expands on the grant mismanagement scandal and how the role of a Primary Recipient of grants transferred from state agencies to an international development organization. Overall, systematizing the complexity of processes and stakeholders involved, this chapter provides a comprehensive yet understandable overview of the grant cycle and its realization in practice.
Subcontracting, Repeat Latent Failures and Workplace Disasters
Authors: Quinlan Michael
Published: October 2023

Subcontracting, the subletting of work tasks creating a hierarchy of contractual relationships (especially multi-tiered subcontracting), is a centuries-old form of work organisation but has grown substantially since the mid-1970s, including Uber-type arrangements facilitated by digital surveillance and platforms and global supply chains (Nossar in The regulation and management of workplace health and safety: historical and emerging trends, 100–122, 2020). Evidence that subcontracting arrangements can exacerbate health and safety risks (including injury rates, exposures to harmful substances and worker mental wellbeing) is also not new, being extensively documented by government reports and research from the late nineteenth century (see for example Gregson and Quinlan in Labor Hist. 62:534–550, 2020; Quinlan in Int. J. Health Serv. 43:721–744, 2013; Quinlan et al. in Saf. Sci. 57:283–292, 2013)). This paper focuses on the connection between subcontracting and workplace disasters, how to understand their causation and what remedial measures can be taken to minimise such incidents. To do this, it draws on the Pressure, Disorganisation and Regulatory Failure (PDR) model (Bohle et al. in Work Stress 29:114–127, 2015) and the Ten Pathways framework for analysing death and disaster (Quinlan in Ten pathways to death and disaster: learning from fatal incidents in mines and other high hazard workplaces, Federation Press, Sydney, 2014).
Organisational Lucidity and the Impact of Subcontracting
Authors: Pariès Jean
Published: October 2023

Trying to assess the impact of subcontracting on safety implies grasping how subcontracting can affect the main ingredients of organisational safety. One of these ingredients is what we will call ‘organisational lucidity’: the ability of an organisation to perceive, at its different levels, what really happens within its operation processes. After listing both lucidity enabling and preventing factors, we discuss the impact of subcontracting on these factors, with reference to a study recently undertaken within a major airline concerning the impact of subcontracting on flight safety.
Conclusions
Authors: Bergmann Jonas
Published: October 2023

In this book, I analyzed the extent to which internal migrants and stayers in areas affected by climate change across Peru’s highlands, rainforest, and coastline could meet their needs and how they self-assessed well-being. The former, objective well-being, includes livelihoods, health, education, shelter, social relatedness, among others, while the latter, subjective well-being, encompasses present emotional balance and cognitive satisfaction as well as views of the future. Three characteristic well-being pathways were clustered. First, displaced persons in the coastal zone and trapped people in the highlands experienced a tailspin into severe ill-being. Second, most migrants from the highlands and the trapped people in the rainforest wound up deadlocked in a worsening state of life, while the voluntary stayers in the Andes risked following this path as well. Finally, a small number of migrants from the highlands and the relocatees in the rainforest were able to recover slowly after climate impacts, albeit with taxing and laborious processes. Regarding mechanisms, the analysis shows that well-being impacts of climate (im)mobilities are primarily contingent on the favorability of structural conditions as well as on the nature and impacts of hazards, whereas people’s frequently low levels of agency can moderate the effects only to a limited extent. Transferring these findings beyond Peru, this study cautions that for most poor, undiversified subsistence farmers harmed by severe climate impacts and subjected to serious structural constraints, climate migration and immobility are bound to threaten well-being. In rarer cases when some of these key parameters are relatively favorable, well-being may return to the baseline, stagnate, or rise marginally; however, such recovery or gains tend to be frail. For policy debates, the findings suggest that under prevailing policy and structures, migration does not work as a positive adaptation strategy for many people. The book highlights that moving and staying can be the consequence of, and lead to further, significant loss and damage. Therefore, several actions recommended in this chapter are urgently needed to improve well-being for both movers and stayers. This includes efforts to reduce climate risks; protect and inform stayers; facilitate movement in dignity where needed; as well as safeguard and improve the well-being of migrants. The chapter also discusses the methodological and conceptual implications of the findings and highlights key research needs. Looking ahead, this book cautions that the well-being threats related to climate (im)mobilities could be extensive. Actions taken in this decade will be critical in determining the magnitude of future climate impacts, other shocks, resultant migration and immobility, and their well-being impacts.
Saturating unitarity bounds at U-duality symmetric points
Authors: Bossard Guillaume , Loty Adrien
Published: October 2023

Abstract

It has recently been shown that the leading Wilson coefficient in type II string theory can take (almost) all values allowed by unitarity, crossing symmetry and maximal supersymmetry in D = 10 and D = 9 dimensions. This suggests that string theory might define the unique consistent quantum theory of gravity with maximal supersymmetry. We study the minima of the leading Wilson coefficient in D = 6, 7 and 8 dimensions and find the global minimum at the point in moduli space with maximal symmetry. The minimum value turns out to always be negative for D ≤ 7.
Gender differences in structural and attitudinal barriers to mental healthcare in UK Armed Forces personnel and veterans with self-reported mental health problems
Authors: Trompeter Nora , Rafferty Laura , Dyball Daniel , McKenzie Amber , Greenberg Neil , Fear Nicola T. , Stevelink Sharon A. M.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Structural and attitudinal barriers often hinder treatment-seeking for mental health problems among members of the Armed Forces. However, little is known about potential gender differences in structural and attitudinal barriers among members of the UK Armed Forces. The current study aimed to explore how men and women differ in terms of these barriers to care among a sample of UK Armed Forces personnel and veterans with self-reported mental health problems.

Methods

Currently serving and ex-serving members of the UK Armed Forces who self-reported a mental health problem were invited to participate in a semi-structured phone interview on mental health and treatment-seeking. The final sample included 1448 participants (1229 men and 219 women). All participants reported on their current mental health, public stigma, self-stigma, and barriers to mental healthcare.

Results

Overall, men and women reported similar levels of both structural and attitudinal barriers, with no significant differences detected. The highest scores for both men and women were observed in attitudinal barriers relating to self-stigma domains, which encapsulate internalised attitudes and beliefs about mental illness and treatment.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that anti-stigma campaigns can be targeted simultaneously at both men and women within the Armed Forces. In particular, targeting self-stigma may be beneficial for health promotion campaigns.