bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Internet‐based family training with telephone coaching to promote mental health treatment initiation among veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: A pilot study
Authors: Kuhn Eric , Sayers Steven L. , Babusci Christina , Conroy Catherine , Erbes Christopher R.
Published: December 2022

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common among military veterans, yet many affected veterans do not seek treatment. Family members of these veterans often experience compromised well‐being and a desire for the veteran to receive mental health care. The Veterans Affairs (VA)–Community Reinforcement and Family Training (VA‐CRAFT) for PTSD is an internet‐based intervention intended to teach veterans’ family members skills to encourage veterans to initiate mental health care. This study assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of VA‐CRAFT with telephone coaching in a sample of 12 spouses and intimate partners of veterans with PTSD. Participants completed the intervention over 12 weeks and were assessed pre‐ and posttreatment. For feasibility, 75.0% (n = 9) of participants completed the intervention and reported few difficulties and ease of use. Supporting acceptability, all nine completers had mostly favorable impressions of the intervention and perceived it as helpful. Finally, six (50.0%) participants got the PTSD‐affected veteran to engage in mental health care; however, aside from potentially increasing treatment talk frequency, outcome expectancy, and self‐efficacy, ds = 0.60–1.08, no apparent improvements were observed for any well‐being outcomes, ds = 0.01–0.40. Although the findings are promising, given the study limitations, future research is required to evaluate this approach in a full‐scale randomized controlled trial.
Forehead lifting with hyaluronic acid filling: A new technique called ‘Crown Lift’
Authors: Bravo Bruna S. F. , Elias Mariana C. , Bastos Julien T. de , Penedo Laís B. de M. , Carvalho Raquel de M.
Published: December 2022

Background

The forehead is an important region to be evaluated in the treatment of facial rejuvenation and knowledge of techniques, the anatomy of the region and aesthetic norms are essential for patient treatment. The present study aims to demonstrate a new filling technique with hyaluronic acid for elevation and lifting effect of the entire forehead region, repositioning and rising the eyebrow with satisfactory and lasting results.

Methods

A prospective, 30‐day follow‐up, open‐label, quasi‐experimental (before‐after) single‐centre study was conducted with 10 patients.

Results

The new technique support the frontal musculature, in its upper portion, producing a lifting effect of the entire frontal region, repositioning and elevating the eyebrow.

Conclusion

Analysis of the vectors provided by the comparison of D0 and D30 images revealed a significant lifting effect on the face corroborating with the results of GAIS and PGAIS.
Human Albumin‐Based Hydrogels for Their Potential Xeno‐Free Microneedle Applications
Authors: Rong Xiaona , Mehwish Nabila , Niu Xueming , Zhu Niteng , Lee Bae Hoon
Published: December 2022

Nowadays, hydrogels‐based microneedles (MNs) have attracted a great interest owing to their outstanding qualities for biomedical applications. For the fabrication of hydrogels‐based microneedles as tissue engineering scaffolds and drug delivery carriers, various biomaterials have been tested. They are required to feature tunable physiochemical properties, biodegradability, biocompatibility, nonimmunogenicity, high drug loading capacity, and sustained drug release. Among biomaterials, human proteins are the most ideal biomaterials for fabrication of hydrogels‐based MNs; however, they are mechanically weak and poorly processible. To the best of the knowledge, there are no reports of xeno‐free human protein‐based MNs so far. Here, human albumin‐based hydrogels and microneedles for tissue engineering and drug delivery by using relatively new processible human serum albumin methacryloyl (HSAMA) are engineered. The resultant HSAMA hydrogels display tunable mechanical properties, biodegradability, and good biocompatibility. Moreover, the xeno‐free HSAMA microneedles display a sustained drug release profile and significant mechanical strength to penetrate the model skin. In vitro, they also show good biocompatibility and anticancer efficacy. Sustainable processible human albumin‐based biomaterials may be employed as a xeno‐free platform in vivo for tissue engineering and drug delivery in clinical trials in the future.
Corrosion of Hastelloy‐N and Hastelloy‐G35 from vapors generated from FLiNaK salt with addition of 5% oxygen in argon atmosphere
Authors: Ramu Ambati , Pavlik Viliam , Sillikova Veronika , Matselko Oksana , Boca Miroslav
Published: December 2022

This study investigates the corrosion of Hastelloy‐N and Hastelloy‐G35 alloys in an environment of vapors generated from FLiNaK (LiF–NaF–KF: 46.5–11.5–42.0 mol%) salt in an argon and partial (5%) oxygen at 800°C for 48 h. The result of the experiment showed that Hastelloy‐N and Hastelloy‐G35 experienced corrosion in the salt vapor/oxygen environment, causing an increase in the final weight of the samples. The corroded layer had fluorides and oxygen‐bearing compounds in the Hastelloy‐N samples, and oxide‐containing compounds in the Hastelloy‐G35 samples. The elemental mappings of the surface area, of a line across the surface (line scan) and of a cross‐section of the Hastelloy‐N samples showed Mo‐deficient areas and Mo‐rich areas, which reacted differently with the corrosive environment in the case of Hastelloy‐N samples. On the other hand, the elemental mappings of Hastelloy‐G35 samples showed a significant amount of chromium and iron oxides, as chromium had diffused out to the surface and reacted preferentially with oxygen (rather than fluoride) to form part of the corroded layer.
Performance dependency of LSTM and NAR beamformers with respect to sensor array properties in millimeter‐wave V2I scenario
Authors: Kumar Ravi , Singh Hardeep
Published: December 2022

Interference prediction is a challenging problem in millimeter‐wave V2I scenarios. The implementation of a practical V2I network is limited because of the interference due to the random nature of the wireless channel. This paper proposes an adaptive beamforming technique for mitigation of interference in V2I networks. In this work, long short‐term memory (LSTM) and nonlinear autoregressive (NAR)‐based regressors have been employed to predict the angles between the RSU and UE. Advance prediction of transmit and receive signals enables reliable V2I communication. Instead of predicting the beamforming matrix directly, we predict the main features using LSTM for learning dependencies in the input time series where complex variables were taken as input states and the final beamformed signal was the output. Simulation results have confirmed that the proposed LSTM model achieves comparable performance in terms of system throughput compared to the NAR method implemented as an artificial neural network.
A superstrate and FSS‐loaded high gain circularly polarized twist waveguide array
Authors: Chandra Avinash , Kumar Rajkishor , Mishra Naveen , Patil Hemprasad Y.
Published: December 2022

In this article, a superstrate and arrow‐shaped frequency selective surfaces (FSSs) embedded twist aperture array has been presented. In this article, a single arrow‐shaped FSS is kept in the E‐plane and the superstrate is kept above the aperture to form a circularly polarized twist waveguide array. Optimization and analysis have been carried out by commercially available software Ansys HFSS 15.0. The presented waveguide array has an input reflection coefficient ranging from 8.6 to 9.62 GHz and an axial ratio ranging from 8.7 to 9.37 GHz. Additionally, the presented array provides higher gain as compared to the conventional open‐ended WR‐90 twist waveguide.
A low‐profile dual‐polarized heterogeneous MIMO antenna arrays with uniform beamwidth
Authors: Zhou Xing , He Dongling , Chen Yikai
Published: December 2022

In this work, a heterogeneous 6 × 4 dual‐polarized MIMO antenna array was developed to achieve antenna elements with uniform 10 dB‐beamwidth (120° ± 10°). To constrain the 10 dB‐beamwidth, two types of antenna elements are designed and properly placed in the antenna array according to the nonuniform electromagnetic coupling environment. A nonuniform aperiodic metasurface with equivalent capacitance loading effect is then proposed to compensate the inductance of the heterogeneous antenna array. It results in a low‐profile height of 0.17λL and good impedance matching over 40% bandwidth. The unit cells in the metasurface are arranged with non‐uniform spacing to achieve uniform 10 dB‐beamwidth of the antenna elements in an antenna array environment. Both simulation and measurement results validate that the proposed design achieves stable radiation patterns and uniform 10 dB‐beamwidth (120° ± 10°) over a wide frequency band of 1.8–2.7 GHz. Because of these attractive features, the proposed antenna array becomes a promising candidate for massive multiple‐input and multiple‐output base station antennas.
Maximum weight perfect matching problem with additional disjunctive conflict constraints
Authors: Akyüz M. Hakan , Altınel İ. Kuban , Öncan Temel
Published: December 2022

We focus on an extension of the maximum weight perfect matching problem with additional disjunctive conflict constraints in conjunction with the degree and binary restrictions. Given a simple graph with a nonnegative weight associated with each edge and a set of conflicting edges, the perfect matching problem with conflict constraints consists of finding a maximum weight perfect matching without any conflicting edge pair. Unlike the well‐known ordinary maximum weight perfect matching problem this one is strongly ‐hard. We propose two branch‐and‐bound algorithms for the exact solution of the problem. The first one is based on an equivalent maximum weight stable set formulation with an additional cardinality restriction obtained on the graph representing conflict relations and uses the information coming from its maximal stable sets. The second one is essentially a recursive depth first search scheme that benefits from simple upper bounds incorporated with a fast infeasibility detection procedure to prune the branch‐and‐bound tree. According to the extensive computational tests it is possible to say that they are both very efficient.
Imaging of pediatric spine and spinal cord tumors: A COG Diagnostic Imaging Committee/SPR Oncology Committee/ASPNR White Paper
Authors: Rogers Samuel N. , Udayasankar Unni , Pruthi Sumit , Lai Hollie A. , Kadom Nadja , Guerin Julie , Malinzak Michael , Shulkin Barry L. , Poussaint Tina Y. , Patay Zoltan , Bag Asim K.
Published: December 2022

Childhood spinal tumors are rare. Tumors can involve the spinal cord, the meninges, bony spine, and the paraspinal tissue. Optimized imaging should be utilized to evaluate tumors arising from specific spinal compartments. This paper provides consensus‐based recommendations for optimized imaging of tumors arising from specific spinal compartments at diagnosis, follow‐up during and after therapy, and response assessment.
Prenatal detection of aortic coarctation in a well‐organized screening setting: Are we there yet?
Authors: Zwanenburg Fleur , Ten Harkel Arend D. J. , Snoep Maartje C. , Bet Bo B. , Linskens Ingeborg H. , Knobbe Ingmar , Pajkrt Eva , Blom Nico A. , Clur Sally‐Ann B. , Haak Monique C.
Published: December 2022

Objective

We aimed to assess current prenatal detection rate (DR) of aortic coarctation (CoA) and its impact on neonatal outcome in the Netherlands to evaluate the efficacy of the Dutch screening protocol in which the cardiac four‐chamber view, outflow tracts and three‐vessel view are compulsory.

Methods

All prenatally and postnatally diagnosed CoA cases between 2012 and 2021 were extracted from our PRECOR‐registry. Annual DRs were calculated with a focus on the trend over time and attributing factors for detection. Postnatal outcome was compared between prenatally detected and undetected cases.

Results

49/116 cases (42.2%) were detected prenatally. A higher chance of detection was found for cases with extracardiac malformations (71.4%; p = 0.001) and the more severe cases with an aortic arch hypoplasia and/or ventricular septal defect (63.2%; p = 0.001). Time‐trend analysis showed no improvement in DR over time (p = 0.33). Undetected cases presented with acute circulatory shock in 20.9% and were more likely to have severe lactic acidosis (p = 0.02) and impaired cardiac function (p < 0.001) before surgery.

Conclusion

Even in a well‐organized screening program, the DR of CoA still requires improvement, especially in isolated cases. The increased risk of severe lactic acidosis in undetected cases stresses the need for urgent additions to the current screening program, such as implementation of the three‐vessel trachea view and measurement of outflow tracts.
Economical Polypropylene‐Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Self‐Powered Biomechanical Sensor Application
Authors: Sagade Muktar Ahmed Rumana Farheen , Kumbarakkara Gangadharan Abhishek , Amini Sebghatullah , Belur Mohan Sankarshan , Madanahalli Ankanathappa Sangamesha , Ankanahalli Shankaregowda Smitha , Sannathammegowda Krishnaveni
Published: December 2022

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) as self‐powered devices are a promising solution for powering sensors of the ever‐expanding Internet of things. However, this potential will be fulfilled only if robust and efficient TENGs are fabricated with economical materials. Herein, a simple and facile approach for fabricating flexible, economical polypropylene‐based TENGs (PP‐TENGs) using readily accessible, inexpensive, and robust material is proposed. The “arch” and “sandwich” shaped structural designs are configured, and their comparative electrical characteristics are studied. The arch shape PP‐TENG is modeled to simulate the potential distribution and the charge transfer mechanism between the frictional layers. The PP‐TENGs are activated by hand tapping, and their electrical characteristics, such as open‐circuit voltage, short‐circuit current, and output power, are studied. To demonstrate their practical utility, PP‐TENG is used to charge capacitors and power light‐emitting diodes. Further, the stored energy of a capacitor is utilized to power an electronic smartwatch and a digital calculator. In addition, the arch‐shaped PP‐TENG is employed as a self‐powered biomechanical sensor, that is, capable of tracking signals induced by different human body motions. Thus, the present work demonstrates the simple fabrication and cost‐effectiveness of PP‐TENG for futuristic applications in battery‐free portable electronics and biomechanical sensors.
A Review on Conversion of Biomass to Liquid Fuels and Methanol through Indirect Liquefaction Route
Authors: Gupta Pavan K. , Kumar Vineet , Maity Sudip , Datta Sudipta , Kishore Gupta Goutam
Published: December 2022

Global urbanization and industrialization are energy‐intensive processes. Among different energy resources, fossil fuels meet more than 80 % of the energy demand. The factors such as the depletion of fossil fuel reserves, the unstable price of fossil fuels, and the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) due to the burning of fuels draw researchers’ attention towards the development of renewable and sustainable fuels. In this context, biomass may fill the gap between energy demand and petroleum availability in the foreseeable future. Moreover, half of this bioenergy comes from conventional uses of biomass, primarily in cooking and heating, as well as within small‐scale industries (such as charcoal kilns and brick kilns). The Biomass‐to‐Liquid (BTL) technology using Fischer‐Tropsch synthesis (FTS) and the Methanol process offers advantages over the traditional use of biomass. The FT/Methanol process is a propitious route to produce carbon‐neutral, ultra‐clean fuels that generate regulated emissions, including NOx, SOx, and PM. In this article, we have reviewed the processes of biomass gasification, syngas cleaning and conditioning, FTS and methanol synthesis.
Exquisite use of Selenoesters as Recyclable Acyl Donors for Lipases‐catalyzed Kinetic Resolution
Authors: Zugman Tay , da Silva Durigon Maria Clara , Campos Suelem Kluconski , da Silva Rodolfo Rodrigues , da Silva Thiago Sabino , de Oliveira Alfredo Ricardo Marques , Piovan Leandro
Published: December 2022

Lipase‐catalyzed enantioselective synthetic reactions employing enol esters, activated esters, anhydrides, and oximes as acyl donors is a well‐consolidated strategy towards enantiopure compounds. However, lipases can also cleave the C−S bond of thioesters, proving that other classes of substances can be used as acyl donors in lipase‐catalyzed transformations. Herein we describe the application of selenoesters as a new class of acyl donors in enzymatic kinetic resolution of chiral alcohols. A series of selenoesters was successfully employed in the resolution of chiral primary and secondary alcohols, demonstrating that lipases can also cleave the C−Se bond. Assays using selenoesters as acyl donors in lipase‐catalyzed reactions furnished enantiopure compounds (e.e.>99 %) and enantiomeric ratio (E>200). We also observed that the enzymatic reaction is accelerated in an oxygen atmosphere and performing a preparative scale reaction could demonstrate how simple and easy the purification process is to recover the diselenide formed during the resolution.
Copper Mediated Direct Amination: Synthesis of 1,2,3,15 a‐tetrahydro‐14H‐pyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinazolino[3,2‐c]quinazolin‐14‐onederivatives via 2‐(2‐bromophenyl)quinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones
Authors: Reddy Potuganti Gal , Kandula Aravind , Vashishtha Kirti , Reddy Indukuri Divakar , Alla Manjula
Published: December 2022

A convenient one pot method developed for synthesisof fused pyrroloquinazolinone and amino quinazolinone derivatives starting from 2‐bromo benzaldehyde, anthranilamide through in situ formation of2‐(2‐bromophenyl)quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one and subsequent reaction withdifferent amino acids/cyclic secondary amines under aerobic conditions. The multicomponent protocol mediated by copper (II) salt involves direct amination with 2‐(2‐bromophenyl)quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one, decarboxylation and cyclization to obtain polycyclic fused quinazolinone or aminated quinazolinone derivatives with the acceptable yields.
Silk fibroin hydrogels for biomedical applications
Authors: Zhang Hui , Xu Dongyu , Zhang Yong , Li Minli , Chai Renjie
Published: December 2022

Silk fibroin hydrogels occupy an essential position in the biomedical field due to their remarkable biological properties, excellent mechanical properties, flexible processing properties, as well as abundant sources and low cost. Herein, we introduce the unique structures and physicochemical characteristics of silk fibroin, including mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Then, various preparation strategies of silk fibroin hydrogels are summarized, which can be divided into physical cross‐linking and chemical cross‐linking. Emphatically, the applications of silk fibroin hydrogel biomaterials in various biomedical fields, including tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wearable sensors, are systematically summarized. At last, the challenges and future prospects of silk fibroin hydrogels in biomedical applications are discussed.
Measuring the Bandgap of Ambipolar 2D Semiconductors using Multilayer Graphene Contact
Authors: Park Sam , Hong Sungjae , Lim June Yeong , Yu Sanghyuck , Kim Jungcheol , Cheong Hyeonsik , Im Seongil
Published: December 2022

The bandgaps of monolayers and few layers in 2D semiconductors are usually measured by optical probing such as photoluminescence (PL). However, if their exfoliated thickness is as large as a few nanometers (multilayer over ≈5 L), PL measurements become less effective and inaccurate because the optical transition of a 2D semiconductor often changes from direct to indirect mode. Herein, a simple method to approximately estimate the bandgap of multilayer 2D van der Waals (vdW) semiconductors is introduced; that is utilizing a field‐effect transistor (FET) as a platform. Multilayer graphene (multi‐LG) contact for multilayer van der Waals channels in the FET is used, because multi‐LG contact would secure ambipolar behavior and somewhat enable Schottky barrier modulation in contact with vdW channels. As a result, the bandgaps of multilayer transition‐metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) and black phosphorus in unknown thicknesses are approximated through measuring the temperature‐dependent transfer curve characteristics. The bandgaps are confirmed with photoelectric responsivity measurements, which evidences the validity of the multi‐LG‐induced approximation.
Nanocellulose: Recent Advances Toward Biomedical Applications
Authors: Ong Xuan-Ran , Chen Adrielle Xianwen , Li Ning , Yang Yi Yan , Luo He-Kuan
Published: December 2022

Sustainable materials are key to the continual improvement of living standards on this planet with minimal environmental impacts. Nanocellulose combines the fascinating features of nanomaterials with favorable properties of the abundantly available cellulose biopolymer, which in recent years has gained much attention toward biomedical applications by virtue of its unique surface chemistry, remarkable physical features, and inherent biological attributes. Herein, the recent advances in nanocellulose‐based biomedical materials, with foci on biomolecule immobilization, drug delivery, cell culture and tissue engineering (TE), antimicrobial strategy, wound healing, and biomedical implants are summarized. Each topic is elaborated with representative examples to present the significance of nanocelluloses in their respective material design principles utilizing different sub‐types, including cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), and bacterial nanocellulose (BNC). The current state of large‐scale production of nanocellulose and accelerated development by artificial intelligence and machine learning are also briefly discussed, before ending with its future prospects and potential challenges.
Capturing and Quantifying Particle Transcytosis with Microphysiological Intestine‐on‐Chip Models
Authors: Delon Ludivine C. , Faria Matthew , Jia Zhengyang , Johnston Stuart , Gibson Rachel , Prestidge Clive A. , Thierry Benjamin
Published: December 2022

Understanding the intestinal transport of particles is critical in several fields ranging from optimizing drug delivery systems to capturing health risks from the increased presence of nano‐ and micro‐sized particles in human environment. While Caco‐2 cell monolayers grown on permeable supports are the traditional in vitro model used to probe intestinal absorption of dissolved molecules, they fail to recapitulate the transcytotic activity of polarized enterocytes. Here, an intestine‐on‐chip model is combined with in silico modeling to demonstrate that the rate of particle transcytosis is ≈350× higher across Caco‐2 cell monolayers exposed to fluid shear stress compared to Caco‐2 cells in standard “static” configuration. This relates to profound phenotypical alterations and highly polarized state of cells grown under mechanical stimulation and it is shown that transcytosis in the microphysiological model is energy‐dependent and involves both clathrin and macropinocytosis mediated endocytic pathways. Finally, it is demonstrated that the increased rate of transcytosis through cells exposed to flow is explained by a higher rate of internal particle transport (i.e., vesicular cellular trafficking and basolateral exocytosis), rather than a change in apical uptake (i.e., binding and endocytosis). Taken together, the findings have important implications for addressing research questions concerning intestinal transport of engineered and environmental particles.
Constitutive Equation for the Hot Deformation and Microstructure Evolution of 12Cr‐F/M Steel
Authors: Tong Yue , Lin Gaoyong , Wu Yu , Pan Qianfu , Zhuo Hong , Liu Huiqun
Published: December 2022

Ferrite/martensite steel is an important material candidate for nuclear reactor claddings owing to its excellent mechanical properties and radiation resistance. In particular, the hot deformation behavior of 12Cr‐ferritic/martensitic (12Cr‐F/M) steel is crucial for the fabrication of cladding tubes, and experiments performed in a wide temperature range could reveal the possible thermal deformation behavior of 12Cr‐F/M steel during tube fabrication. Herein, hot compression experiments of 12Cr‐F/M steel are conducted with strain rates and deformation temperatures ranging from 0.005 to 5 s−1and 750 to 1200 °C, respectively. According to the thermal deformation flow and thermal expansion curves of the alloy, the Arrhenius‐type constitutive equations before and after the phase transformation of 12Cr‐F/M steel are established, taking 950 °C as the critical point. The results show that for a strain rate of 0.5 s−1, the cooling intensity increases gradually with the deformation temperature. The ferrite transforms into a mixed structure of ferrite and pearlite and finally transforms into martensite. At 950 °C, the degree of austenitization of the alloy increases with the strain rate, and the texture changes from cubic to brass.
Design criteria for model discrimination in factorial experiments with potential failing runs
Authors: Motavaze Mohsen , Talebi Hooshang
Published: December 2022

In this study, we considered the problem of design for model discrimination in factorial experiments, while there is potential to miss runs. Under such a situation, we questioned the reliability of the superior selected design based on the existing design criteria for model discrimination. In other words, any selected design may miss its efficiency in discriminating between models in the presence of failing runs. To this end, we assumed the missing probability of the runs based on some available information parameters and developed a new design criterion for model discrimination. The proposed Bayesian criterion makes allowance for counting the missing probabilities of runs. The Bayesian framework also takes into account the intercorrelation between the factorial effects. The numerical examples demonstrate the superiority of the obtained criterion to the existing ones in differentiating the rival design for model discrimination. We also considered the problem of design robustness to missing observations and suggested a ratio criterion for selecting the robust design. It was found that a robust design is not necessarily the most efficient in model discrimination and vice versa. Moreover, we also pointed to the estimation efficiency of the designs and gave a compound dual‐task design criterion.
Synthesis, characterization and catalytic activities of Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes supported by unsymmetrical aryl thiourea ligands
Authors: Banerjee Indrani , Bhattacharjee Jayeeta , Kumar Ravi , Pal Kuntal , Panda Tarun K.
Published: December 2022

We report a series of Zn(II) and Cd(II) metal complexes [L12(ZnCl2)] (1), [L12(ZnBr2)] (2), [L12(CdCl2)] (3), [L12(CdI2)] (4), [L22(ZnCl2)] (5), [L22(ZnBr2)] (6), [L22(ZnI2)] (7), [L22(CdCl2)] (8), [L32(CdCl2)] (9) and [L42(ZnBr2)] (10), synthesized using various unsymmetrical aryl thiourea ligands: 1‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐3‐phenylthiourea (L1), 1‐mesityl‐3‐phenylthiourea (L2), 1‐(2‐fluorophenyl)‐3‐phenylthiourea (L3) and symmetrical 1,3‐bis(2‐fluorophenyl)thiourea (L4). The ligands and metal complexes were characterized by1H,13C{1H} NMR, FT‐IR analysis. Solid‐state structures of the zinc and cadmium metal complexes (1–8) were established using the single‐crystal diffraction analysis technique. Furthermore, the catalytic activities of the Zn(II) complexes towards hydroboration of aldehydes and ketones (‐C=O) as substrates were studied. Excellent yields of the corresponding boronate esters were achieved.
Synthesis of Donor‐Stabilized Organogallium Complexes En Route to a Gallene
Authors: Bourque Jeremy L. , Baines Kim M.
Published: December 2022

The synthesis of a compound with a gallium‐carbon double bond, a gallene, was targeted. A series of organogallium compounds stabilized by an N‐heterocyclic carbene, 1,3‐diisopropyl‐4,5‐dimethyl‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene (MeIiPr) or 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) was synthesized from Li[GaCl2FlMes] (1; Mes=2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl, Fl=fluorenyl), including MeIiPr→GaClFlMes (3) and DMAP→GaClFlMes (4) and their triflate (7, 9, respectively) and fluoride (8, 10, respectively) derivatives through pseudohalide exchange or nucleophilic substitution at the gallium centre. Treatment of 8 with tBuLi followed by the addition of tolualdehyde gave 11, a 1‐galla‐2,6‐dioxacyclohexane which can reasonably be formed by the sequential addition of two equivalents of the aldehyde to a transient gallene, a compound containing a Ga−C double bond.
Identifying optimal candidates for post-TIPS patients with HCC undergoing TACE: a multicenter observational study
Authors: Fan Wenzhe , Zhu Bowen , Yue Shufan , Zheng Xinlin , Yuan Guosheng , Yu Lei , Huang Wanchang , Huang Shugui , Wei Wenjiang , Li Fuliang , Huang Zhen , Tang Rong , Fan Huishuang , Li Zhuoyong , Qiao Liangliang , Huang Fuxi , Cheng Yu , Zhang Yingqiang , Wu Yanqin , Zou Xinhua , Xue Miao , Wang Hongyu , Li Jiaping
Published: December 2022

Objective

To develop a prognostic model for post-transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) beyond the Milan criteria treated by transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Design

Between January 2013 and January 2020, 512 patients with HCC beyond the Milan criteria who underwent TACE after TIPS were retrospectively recruited from 15 tertiary centers. Patients were randomly sorted into a training set (n = 382) and a validation set (n = 130). Medical data and overall survival were assessed. A prediction model was developed using multivariate Cox regression analyses. Predictive performance and discrimination were evaluated and compared with other prognostic models.

Results

Vascular invasion, log10(AFP), 1/creatinine, extrahepatic spread, and log10(ALT) were the most significant prognostic factors of survival. These five parameters were included in a new VACEA score. This score was able to stratify patients in the training set into four distinct risk grades whose median overall survival were 25.2, 15.1, 8.9, and 6.2 months, respectively. The 6-month, 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year AUROC values and C-index of the VACEA model were 0.819, 0.806, 0.779, 0.825, and 0.735, respectively, and higher than those of other seven currently available models in both the training and validation sets, as well as in different subgroups.

Conclusion

The VACEA score could stratify post-TIPS patients with HCC beyond the Milan criteria treated by TACE and help to identify candidates who benefit from this treatment.

Key Points

• Vascular invasion, AFP, creatinine, extrahepatic spread, and ALT were independent significant prognostic factors of survival for HCC patients who underwent TACE after TIPS.

• Our new model, named VACEA score, can accurately predict prognosis at the individual level and stratify patients into four distinct risk grades.

• The VACEA model showed better prognostic discrimination and calibration than other current TACE-/TIPS-specific models
Recent advances and challenges in potato improvement using CRISPR/Cas genome editing
Authors: Chincinska Izabela Anna , Miklaszewska Magdalena , Sołtys-Kalina Dorota
Published: December 2022

Main conclusion

Genome editing using CRISPR/Cas technology improves the quality of potato as a food crop and enables its use as both a model plant in fundamental research and as a potential biofactory for producing valuable compounds for industrial applications.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plays a significant role in ensuring global food and nutritional security. Tuber yield is negatively affected by biotic and abiotic stresses, and enzymatic browning and cold-induced sweetening significantly contribute to post-harvest quality losses. With the dual challenges of a growing population and a changing climate, potato enhancement is essential for its sustainable production. However, due to several characteristics of potato, including high levels of heterozygosity, tetrasomic inheritance, inbreeding depression, and self-incompatibility of diploid potato, conventional breeding practices are insufficient to achieve substantial trait improvement in tetraploid potato cultivars within a relatively short time. CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing has opened new possibilities to develop novel potato varieties with high commercialization potential. In this review, we summarize recent developments in optimizing CRISPR/Cas-based methods for potato genome editing, focusing on approaches addressing the challenging biology of this species. We also discuss the feasibility of obtaining transgene-free genome-edited potato varieties and explore different strategies to improve potato stress resistance, nutritional value, starch composition, and storage and processing characteristics. Altogether, this review provides insight into recent advances, possible bottlenecks, and future research directions in potato genome editing using CRISPR/Cas technology.
Longitudinal associations between digital media use and ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents: a systematic literature review
Authors: Thorell Lisa B. , Burén Jonas , Ström Wiman Johanna , Sandberg David , Nutley Sissela B.
Published: December 2022

Previous reviews have often shown a link between digital media ADHD symptom levels. However, longitudinal studies are needed to find stronger evidence of a causal effect as well as to determine the direction of effects. The aim of the present review (PROSPERO CRD42021262695) was therefore to provide a systematic review of studies meeting the following inclusion criteria: (1) include longitudinal data investigating associations between digital media (i.e., gaming and social media) and later ADHD symptoms or vice versa, (2) be published within the past 10 years (i.e., 2011 until June 2021), (3) be published in a peer-reviewed journal in English, and (4) include children or adolescents (age 0–17 years). After a systematic search in the Web of Science and PsycInfo databases, we included 28 studies, all with adequate or high quality. Results showed support for reciprocal associations between digital media and ADHD symptoms, with associations being more consistent for problematic use of digital media than for screen time. Thus, children with ADHD symptoms appear more vulnerable to developing high or problematic use of digital media (i.e., selection effects), and digital media also have effects on later ADHD symptom levels, either because of specific characteristics of digital media or because of indirect effects on, for example, sleep and social relations (i.e., media effects). However, it should be emphasized that further studies investigating potential moderators and mediators are needed if we are to better understand the complex associations between digital media and ADHD symptom levels.
Correlation of aluminum doping and lithiation temperature with electrochemical performance of LiNi1-xAlxO2 cathode material
Authors: Välikangas Juho , Laine Petteri , Hietaniemi Marianna , Hu Tao , Selent Marcin , Tynjälä Pekka , Lassi Ulla
Published: December 2022

This article presents a process for producing LiNi1-xAlxO2 (0 <  ×  < 0.05) cathode material with high capacity and enhanced cycle properties of 145 mAh/g after 600 cycles. The LiNi1-xAlxO2 (0 <  ×  < 0.05) cathode material is prepared by mixing coprecipitated Ni(OH)2 with LiOH and Al(OH)3, followed by lithiation at temperature range of 650–710 °C, after which any residual lithium from lithiation is washed from the particle surfaces. Electrochemical performance was studied within full-cell and half-cell application; in addition, different material characterization methods were carried out to explain structure changes when certain amount of aluminum is introduced in the LiNi1-xAlxO2 structure. Surface analyses were carried out to demonstrate how washing process changes the chemical environment of the LiNi1-xAlxO2 secondary particle surface. The results demonstrate how Al doping, lithiation temperature, and the washing process affect the performance of the LiNi1-xAlxO2 cathode material.
Photobiomodulation enhanced endogenous pain modulation in healthy volunteers
Authors: Oono Yuka , Kono Ryoko , Kiyohara Yuki , Takagi Saori , Ide Yasuo , Nagasaka Hiroshi , Kohase Hikaru
Published: December 2022

To examine the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) in healthy volunteers using photonic stimulation of acupuncture points on conditioned pain modulation (CPM), temporal summation of pain (TSP), and offset analgesia (OA), which reflect some aspects of endogenous pain modulation. We included 15 men and 15 women (age, 31.5 [27.3–37.0], body mass index, 25.7 [24.4–27.1], Fitzpatrick skin typing, II: 20, III: 8, IV: 2). CPM, TSP, and OA were evaluated after a sham procedure (control session) and after acupuncture point stimulation (LI4 and LI10 on the non-dominant forearm) using linear polarized near-infrared light irradiation (LPNILI; wavelengths peaked at approximately 1000 nm, output: 1.4 W/cm2, spot diameter: 10 mm, spot size: 1.02 cm2, maximum temperature: 40.5 °C, pulse width: 1 s, frequency: 0.2 Hz) (PBM session). Differences in CPM, TSP, and OA between the two sessions were evaluated by the paired t-test and Fisher’s exact test (statistical significance: p < 0.05). Values indicate median [interquartile range]. LPNILI significantly increased CPM in all participants (control session: 12.1 [−4.5–37.4], PBM session: 23.9 [8.3–44.8], p < 0.05) and women (control session: 16.7 [−3.4–36.6], PBM session: 38.7 [24.6–52.1], p < 0.05). The CPM effect increment was significantly higher in women than in men (p = 0.0253). LPNILI decreased TSP in participants with higher TSP ratios (p = 0.0219) and increased OA in participants with lower OA scores (p = 0.0021). LPNILI enhanced endogenous pain modulation in healthy volunteers, particularly in women, as evaluated using CPM. CPM, TSP, and OA evaluations are potentially useful for discriminating PBM responders from non-responders.
Epistemology in Practice: Ernst Mach’s Experiments on Shock Waves and The Place of Philosophy
Authors: Guzzardi Luca
Published: December 2022

The present paper studies Ernst Mach’s experimental work with “spark waves” and other types of shock waves, which brought him to the 1887–88 famous schlieren photographs of supersonic phenomena triggered by bullets shot at high speed. Against what it is traditionally argued, I show (1) that Ernst Mach’s visualization attempts do not depend on his commitment to any particular philosophical doctrine about the role of sensations as the foundation of empirical science, and (2) that his inclination toward experimental research may have crucially contributed to the development of his epistemological and ontological views.
Observation and research of deep underground multi-physical fields—Huainan −848 m deep experiment
Authors: Wang Yun , Yang Yaxin , Sun Heping , Xie Chengliang , Zhang Qisheng , Cui Xiaoming , Chen Chang , He Yongsheng , Miao Qiangqiang , Mu Chaomin , Guo Lianghui , Teng Jiwen
Published: December 2022

Compared with the surface, the deep environment has the advantages of allowing “super-quiet and ultra-clean”-geophysical field observation with low vibration noise and little electromagnetic interference, which are conducive to therealization of long-term and high-precision observation of multi-physical fields, thus enabling the solution of a series of geoscience problems. In the Panyidong Coal Mine, where there are extensive underground tunnels at the depth of 848 m belowsea level, we carried out the first deep-underground geophysical observations, including radioactivity, gravity, magnetic, magne-totelluric, background vibration and six-component seismic observations. We concluded from these measurements that (1) the background of deep subsurface gravity noise in the long-period frequency band less than 2 Hz is nearly two orders ofmagnitude weaker than that in the surface observation environment; (2) the underground electric field is obviously weaker thanthe surface electric field, and the relatively high frequency of the underground field, greater than 1 Hz, is more than two orders of magnitude weaker than that of the surface electric field; the east-west magnetic field underground is approximately the same asthat at the surface; the relatively high-frequency north-south magnetic field underground, below 10 Hz, is at least one order ofmagnitude lower than that at the surface, showing that the underground has a clean electromagnetic environment; (3) in additionto the high-frequency and single-frequency noises introduced by underground human activities, the deep underground spacehas a sig-nificantly lower background vibration noise than the surface, which is very beneficial to the detection of weakearthquake and gravity signals; and (4) the underground roadway support system built with ferromagnetic material interferesthe geomagnetic field. We also found that for deep observation in the “ultra-quiet and ultra-clean” environment, the existinggeophysical equipment and observation technology have problems of poor adaptability and insufficient precision as well asdata cleaning problems, such as the effective separation of the signal and noise of deep observation data. It is also urgent tointerpret and comprehensively utilize these high-precision multi-physics observation data.
Psychological Well-Being during the COVID-19 Lockdown: Labour Market and Gender Implications
Authors: Escudero-Castillo Israel , Mato-Díaz Fco. Javier , Rodríguez-Alvarez Ana
Published: December 2022

In the Spring of 2020, a great number of countries introduced different restrictive measures in order to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. This article examines the labour market transitions of individuals brought about by some of those measures, and the effect of such transitions on psychological well-being. The fact that it has been possible to distinguish between unemployment transitions before the pandemic began and those resulting from the lockdowns is worth highlighting. Evidence is provided showing that unemployment due to the lockdown had a greater negative impact on psychological well-being than furloughs and teleworking. Gender differences confirm that women experienced greater adverse effects as compared to men. Specifically, women working at home exhibited greater negative effects when compared with those on furlough, probably due to a combination of work disruption and increased family obligations. Finally, on the contrary to men, women living in areas with more rigorous restrictions show a reduced probability of worse PWB when compared to those residing in areas without restrictions. This finding suggests that women are willing to sacrifice freedom of movement as long as restrictions protect their at-risk relatives.
Progress in the mechanism of acupuncture intervention on pain emotion and pain cognition mediated by limbic system
Authors: Ma Cui , Zou Yichun , Ye Yujuan , Cao Mengqi , Yan Xingke
Published: December 2022

Pain is a complex physiological and psychological activity, involving at least three dimensions, including pain sensation, pain emotion, and pain cognition. Acupuncture can clearly relieve the pain sensation of patients and improve pain emotion and pain cognition induced by pain; acupuncture participates in the multi-dimensional regulation of pain through brain regions of the limbic system such as anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), amygdala (AMY), and hippocampus. By analyzing relevant literature, it has been found that the regulation of acupuncture on pain emotion is mainly related to the activation of pertinent opioid receptors in the ACC, the decrease of the expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and the promotion of the expression of glutamic acid (Glu) A1, metabotropic glutamate receptor-1 (mGluR1), and γ-aminobutyric acid aminobutyric acid (GABA) B2 protein in the AMY. The regulation of acupuncture on pain cognition is mainly related to the elevation of the expression of protein kinase A (PKA) and phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (phospho-p38 MAPK) and the inhibition of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/PKA/cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway in the ACC.
Efficient practical Byzantine consensus using random linear network coding
Authors: Braun Michael , Wiesmaier Alexander , Alnahawi Nouri
Published: December 2022

Using random linear network coding (RLNC) in asynchronous networks with one-to-many information flow has already been proven to be a valid approach to maximize the channel capacities. Message-based consensus protocols such as practical Byzantine fault tolerance (pBFT) adhere partially to said scenario. Protocol phases with many-to-many communication, however, still suffer from quadratic growth in the number of required transmissions to reach consensus. We show that an enhancement in the data transmission behavior in the quadratic phases is possible through combining RLNC with pBFT as one hybrid protocol. We present several experiments conducted on random network topologies. We conclude that using RLNC-based data transmission offers a significantly better performance under specific circumstances, which depend on the number of participating network nodes and the chosen coding parameters. Applying the same approach to other combinations of message-based consensus and network coding protocols promises not only a gain in performance, but may also improve robustness and security and open up new application scenarios for RLNC, e.g., running it on the application layer.
Enrichment and Conflict Between Work and Health Behaviors: New Scales for Assessing How Work Relates to Physical Exercise and Healthy Eating
Authors: Sonnentag Sabine , Kottwitz Maria U. , Koch Theresa J. S. , Völker Jette
Published: December 2022

Studies suggest a mutual influence between work and health behaviors (physical exercise, healthy eating). To advance research on this phenomenon, we developed and validated short scales that capture enrichment and conflict experiences between work and health behaviors. Building on the work-family literature, we developed items assessing enrichment and conflict between (1) work and physical exercise and (2) work and healthy eating. In Study 1, we examined construct validity of the new scales, using confirmatory factor analysis. In Study 2, we refined the items, relying on expert ratings. In Study 3, we tested construct validity of the revised measures and examined their nomological net. We replicated the factor structure across Study 1 and Study 3. Analysis of the nomological net showed that enrichment experiences mainly correlate with job rewards, organizational health behavior climate, high exercise identity, high healthy-eater identity, physical exercise behavior, consumption of fruits and vegetables, and low body mass index (BMI). Conflict experiences mainly correlate with a high amount of effort invested into work, low exercise identity, low healthy-eater identity, no or limited physical exercise behavior, and the consumption of less fruits and vegetables.
Discrete Quantum Walks on Graphs and Digraphs
Authors: Godsil Chris , Zhan Hanmeng
Published: December 2022

Discrete quantum walks are quantum analogues of classical random walks. They are an important tool in quantum computing and a number of algorithms can be viewed as discrete quantum walks, in particular Grover's search algorithm. These walks are constructed on an underlying graph, and so there is a relation between properties of walks and properties of the graph. This book studies the mathematical problems that arise from this connection, and the different classes of walks that arise. Written at a level suitable for graduate students in mathematics, the only prerequisites are linear algebra and basic graph theory; no prior knowledge of physics is required. The text serves as an introduction to this important and rapidly developing area for mathematicians and as a detailed reference for computer scientists and physicists working on quantum information theory.