bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Achieving High‐Performance Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation on Ni(OH)2 with Optimized Intermediate Binding Energy Enabled by S‐Doping and CeO2‐Interfacing
Authors: Chen Xiang , Xu Xinyue , Cheng Yuwen , Liu He , Li Dongdong , Da Yumin , Li Yongtao , Liu Dongming , Chen Wei
Published: October 2023

The adsorption energy of the reaction intermediates has a crucial influence on the electrocatalytic activity. Ni‐based materials possess high oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance in alkaline, however too strong binding of *OH and high energy barrier of the rate‐determining step (RDS) severely limit their OER activity. Herein, a facile strategy is shown to fabricate novel vertical nanorod‐like arrays hybrid structure with the interface contact of S‐doped Ni(OH)2 and CeO2 in situ grown on Ni foam (S‐Ni(OH)2/CeO2/NF) through a one‐pot route. The alcohol molecules oxidation reaction experiments and theoretical calculations demonstrate that S‐doping and CeO2‐interfacing significantly modulate the binding energies of OER intermediates toward optimal value and reduce the energy barrier of the RDS, contributing to remarkable OER activity for S‐Ni(OH)2/CeO2/NF with an ultralow overpotential of 196 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and long‐term durability over 150 h for the OER. This work offers an efficient doping and interfacing strategy to tune the binding energy of the OER intermediates for obtaining high‐performance electrocatalysts.
Nanomedicine for Maternal and Fetal Health
Authors: Carter Davell , Better Marina , Abbasi Saed , Zulfiqar Fareeha , Shapiro Rachel , Ensign Laura M.
Published: October 2023

Conception, pregnancy, and childbirth are complex processes that affect both mother and fetus. Thus, it is perhaps not surprising that in the United States alone, roughly 11% of women struggle with infertility and 16% of pregnancies involve some sort of complication. This presents a clear need to develop safe and effective treatment options, though the development of therapeutics for use in women's health and particularly in pregnancy is relatively limited. Physiological and biological changes during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy impact biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy, further complicating the process of administration and delivery of therapeutics. In addition to the complex pharmacodynamics, there is also the challenge of overcoming physiological barriers that impact various routes of local and systemic administration, including the blood–follicle barrier and the placenta. Nanomedicine presents a unique opportunity to target and sustain drug delivery to the reproductive tract and other relevant organs in the mother and fetus, as well as improve the safety profile and minimize side effects. Nanomedicine‐based approaches have the potential to improve the management and treatment of infertility, obstetric complications, and fetal conditions.
Size‐Dependent Penetration of Nanoparticles in Tumor Spheroids: A Multidimensional and Quantitative Study of Transcellular and Paracellular Pathways
Authors: Chen Wenjing , Wang Wenqian , Xie Zhouzun , Centurion Franco , Sun Bin , Paterson David J. , Tsao Simon Chang‐Hao , Chu Dewei , Shen Yansong , Mao Guangzhao , Gu Zi
Published: October 2023

Tumor penetration of nanoparticles is crucial in nanomedicine, but the mechanisms of tumor penetration are poorly understood. This work presents a multidimensional, quantitative approach to investigate the tissue penetration behavior of nanoparticles, with focuses on the particle size effect on penetration pathways, in an MDA‐MB‐231 tumor spheroid model using a combination of spectrometry, microscopy, and synchrotron beamline techniques. Quasi‐spherical gold nanoparticles of different sizes are synthesized and incubated with 2D and 3D MDA‐MB‐231 cells and spheroids with or without an energy‐dependent cell uptake inhibitor. The distribution and penetration pathways of nanoparticles in spheroids are visualized and quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, two‐photon microscopy, and synchrotron X‐ray fluorescence microscopy. The results reveal that 15 nm nanoparticles penetrate spheroids mainly through an energy‐independent transcellular pathway, while 60 nm nanoparticles penetrate primarily through an energy‐dependent transcellular pathway. Meanwhile, 22 nm nanoparticles penetrate through both transcellular and paracellular pathways and they demonstrate the greatest penetration ability in comparison to other two sizes. The multidimensional analytical methodology developed through this work offers a generalizable approach to quantitatively study the tissue penetration of nanoparticles, and the results provide important insights into the designs of nanoparticles with high accumulation at a target site.
Halide Ordering Enables Superior Charge Transport in 3D (NMPDA)Pb2I4Br2 Perovskitoid Single Crystal
Authors: He Biqi , Kuang Kuan , Tong Guoliang , Tang Junjie , Cao Sheng , Yu Zixian , Li Mingkai , He Yunbin , Chen Junnian
Published: October 2023

Halide composition engineering has been demonstrated as an effective strategy for optical and electronic properties modulation in 3D perovskites. While the impact of halide mixing on the structural and charge transport properties of 3D perovskitoids remains largely unexplored. Herein, it is demonstrated that bromine (Br) mixing in 3D (NMPDA)Pb2I6 (NMPDA = N‐methyl‐1,3‐propane diammonium) perovskitoid yields stabilized (NMPDA)Pb2I4Br2 with specific ordered halide sites, where Br ions locate at the edge‐sharing sites. The halide ordered structure enables stronger H‐bonds, shorter interlayer distance, and lower octahedra distortion in (NMPDA)Pb2I4Br2 with respect to the pristine (NMPDA)Pb2I6. These attributes further result in high ion migration activation energy, low defect states density, and enhanced carrier mobility‐lifetime product (µτ), as underpinned by the electrical properties investigation and DFT calculations. Remarkably, the parallel configured photodetector based on (NMPDA)Pb2I4Br2 single crystal delivers a high on/off current ratio of 3.92 × 103, a satisfying photoresponsivity and detectivity of 0.28 A W−1 and 3.05 × 1012 Jones under 10.94 µW cm−2 irradiation, superior to that of (NMPDA)Pb2I6 and the reported 3D perovskitoids. This work sheds novel insight on exploring 3D mixed halide perovskitoids toward advanced and stable optoelectronic devices.
Dual‐Programmable Semiconducting Polymer NanoPROTACs for Deep‐Tissue Sonodynamic‐Ferroptosis Activatable Immunotherapy
Authors: Wang Fengshuo , Dong Guoqiang , Ding Mengbin , Yu Ningyue , Sheng Chunquan , Li Jingchao
Published: October 2023

Proteolysis‐targeting chimeras (PROTACs) can provide promising opportunities for cancer treatment, while precise regulation of their activities remains challenging to achieve effective and safe therapeutic outcomes. A semiconducting polymer nanoPROTAC (SPNFeP) is reported that can achieve ultrasound (US) and tumor microenvironment dual‐programmable PROTAC activity for deep‐tissue sonodynamic‐ferroptosis activatable immunotherapy. SPNFeP is formed through a nano‐precipitation of a sonodynamic semiconducting polymer, a ferroptosis inducer, and a newly synthesized PROTAC molecule. The semiconducting polymers work as sonosensitizers to produce singlet oxygen (1O2) via sonodynamic effect under US irradiation, and ferroptosis inducers react with intratumoral hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to generate hydroxyl radical (·OH). Such a dual‐programmable reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation not only triggers ferroptosis and immunogenic cell death (ICD), but also induces on‐demand activatable delivery of PROTAC molecules into tumor sites. The effectively activated nanoPROTACs degrade nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase (NAMPT) to suppress tumor infiltration of myeloid‐derived suppressive cells (MDSCs), thus promoting antitumor immunity. In such a way, SPNFeP mediates sonodynamic‐ferroptosis activatable immunotherapy for entirely inhibiting tumor growths in both subcutaneous and 2‐cm tissue‐covered deep tumor mouse models. This study presents a dual‐programmable activatable strategy based on PROTACs for effective and precise cancer combinational therapy.
Regulating the Oxygen Vacancy and Electronic Structure of NiCo Layered Double Hydroxides by Molybdenum Doping for High‐Power Hybrid Supercapacitors
Authors: Ding Yingjie , Yan Zhaoxiong , Wang Guosheng , Sang Hongqian , Xu Zhihua , Li Wenhui
Published: October 2023

Amelioration of nickel‐cobalt layered double hydroxides (NiCo‐LDH) with a high specific theoretical capacitance is of great desire for high‐power supercapacitors. Herein, a molybdenum (Mo) doping strategy is proposed to improve the charge‐storage performance of NiCo‐LDH nanosheets growing on carbon cloth (CC) via a rapid microwave process. The regulation of the electronic structure and oxygen vacancy of the LDH is consolidated by the density functional theory (DFT) calculation, which demonstrates that Mo doping narrows the band gap, reduces the formation energy of hydroxyl vacancies, and promotes ionic and charge transfer as well as electrolyte adsorption on the electrode surface. The optimal Mo‐doped NiCo‐LDH electrode (MoNiCo‐LDH‐0.05/CC) has an amazing specific capacity of 471.1 mA h g−1 at 1 A g−1, and excellent capacity retention of 84.8% at 32 A g−1, far superior to NiCo‐LDH/CC (258.3 mA h g−1 and 76.4%). The constructed hybrid supercapacitor delivers an energy density of 103.3 W h kg−1 at a power density of 750 W kg−1 and retains the cycle retention of 85.2% after 5000 cycles. Two assembled devices in series can drive thirty LED lamps, revealing a potential application prospect of the rationally synthesized MoNiCo‐LDH/CC as an energy‐storage electrode material.
Fluorine Induced In Situ Formation of High Valent Nickel Species for Ultra Low Potential Electrooxidation of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural
Authors: Zhang Baolong , Li Zijian , Zhou Yushang , Yang Zhaohui , Xue Zhimin , Mu Tiancheng
Published: October 2023

The Nickel‐based catalysts have a good catalytic effect on the 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural electrooxidation reaction (HMFOR), but limited by the conversion potential of Ni2+/Ni3+, 1.35 V versus RHE, the HMF electrooxidation potential of nickel‐based catalysts is generally greater than 1.35 V versus RHE. Considering fluorine has the highest Pauling electronegativity and similar atomic radius of oxygen, the introduction of fluorine into the lattice of metal oxides might promote the adsorption of intermediate species, thus improving the catalytic performance. F is successfully doped into the lattice structure of NiCo2O4 spinel oxide by the strategy of hydrothermal reaction and low‐temperature fluorination. As is confirmed by in situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, the introduction of F weakens the interaction force of metal‐oxygen covalent bonds of the asymmetric MT‐O‐MO backbone and improves the valence of Ni in tetrahedra structure, which makes it easier to be oxidized to higher valence active Ni3+ under the action of electric field and promotes the adsorption of OH−, while the decrease of Co valence enhances the adsorption of HMF with the catalyst. Combining the above reasons, F‐NiCo2O4 shows superb electrocatalytic performance with a potential of only 1.297 V versus RHE at a current density of 20 mA cm−2, which is lower than the most catalyst.
Stabilized Li‐Rich Layered Oxide Cathode by a Spontaneously Formed Yb and Oxygen‐Vacancy Rich Layer on the Surface
Authors: Li Quan , Wang Hong , Wang Guan , Xia Fanjie , Zeng Weihao , Peng Haoyang , Ma Ganggang , Guo Anan , Dong Ruifeng , Wu Jinsong
Published: October 2023

Li‐rich layered oxides (LLOs) are among the most promising cathode materials with high theoretical specific capacity (>250 mAh g−1). However, capacity decay and voltage hysteresis due tostructural degradation during cycling impede the commercial application of LLOs. Surface engineering and element doping are two methods widely applied tomitigate the structural degradation. Here, it is found that trace amount lanthanide element Yb doping can spontaneously form a surficial Yb‐rich layer with high density of oxygen vacancy on the LLO‐0.3% Yb (Li1.2Mn0.54Co0.13‐xYbxNi0.13O2 where x = 0.003) cathodes, which mitigating lattice oxygen loss and the non‐preferred layered‐to‐spinel‐to‐rock salt tri‐phase transition. Meanwhile, there are also some Yb ions doped into the lattice of LLO, which enhance the binding energy with oxygen and stabilize the lattice in grain interior during cycling. The dual effects of Yb doping greatly mitigate the structure degradation during cycling, and facilitate fast diffusion of lithium ions. As a result, the LLO‐0.3% Yb sample achieves significantly improved cycling stability, with a capacity retention of 84.69% after 100 cycles at 0.2 C and 84.3% after 200 cycles at 1 C. These finding shighlight the promising rare element doping strategy that can have both surface engineering and doping effects in preparing LLO cathodes with high stability.
Corner‐Sharing Tetrahedrally Coordinated W‐V Dual Active Sites on Cu2V2O7 for Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation
Authors: Huang Zheng‐Yi , Chen Yi‐Ying , Hao Le‐Yang , Hua Ying‐Jie , Lei Bing‐Xin , Liu Zhao‐Qing
Published: October 2023

The sluggish four‐electron oxygen evolving reaction is one of the key limitations of photoelectrochemical water decomposition. Optimizing the binding of active sites to oxygen in water and promoting the conversion of *O to *OOH are the key to enhancing oxygen evolution reaction. In this work, W‐doped Cu2V2O7 (CVO) constructs corner‐sharing tetrahedrally coordinated W‐V dual active sites to induce the generation of electron deficiency active centers, promote the adsorption of ─OH, and accelerate the transformation of *O to *OOH for water splitting. The photocurrent obtained by the W‐modified CVO photoanode is 0.97 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V versus RHE, which is much superior to that of the reported CVO. Experimental and theoretical results show that the excellent catalytic performance may be attributed to the formation of synergistic dual active sites between W and V atoms, and the introduction of W ions reduces the charge migration distance and prolongs the lifetime of photogenerated carriers. Meanwhile, the electronic structure in the center of the d‐band is modulated, which leads to the redistribution of the electron density in CVO and lowers the energy barrier for the conversion of the rate‐limiting step *O to *OOH.
“Live” Nanomaterials Process Biomimetic Recognition and Assembly In Vivo
Authors: Zhang Kuo , Li Yuan , Huang Bo , Cao Hui , Wang Lei , Wang Hao
Published: October 2023

The biomimetic strategy has been widely used in multiple fields, and provides huge convenience to human life. For biomedical application in vivo, the importance of biomimetic materials lies on mimicking the natural process/behavior as well as mimicking the structure/ingredient. Herein, recent advances of materials processing biomimetic recognition and assembly behavior for in vivo applications, including the natural source materials and artificial materials, are summarized. The biological processes are divided as recognition and assembly as well as recognition and self‐amplifying assembly. Finally, to conclude, the application of recognition and assembly process‐biomimetic materials in vivo in the future is discussed.
Relaxation of Stress Propagation in Alloying‐Type Sn Anodes for K‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Kang Hyokyeong , Kang Hyuk , Piao Junji , Xu Xieyu , Liu Yangyang , Xiong Shizhao , Lee Seunggyeong , Kim Hun , Jung Hun‐Gi , Kim Jaekook , Sun Yang‐Kook , Hwang Jang‐Yeon
Published: October 2023

Alloying‐type metallic tin is perceived as a potential anode material for K‐ion batteries owing to its high theoretical capacity and reasonable working potential. However, pure Sn still face intractable issues of inferior K+ storage capability owing to the mechanical degradation of electrode against large volume changes and formation of intermediary insulating phases K4Sn9 and KSn during alloying reaction. Herein, the TiC/C–carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is prepared as an effective buffer matrix and composited with Sn particles (Sn–TiC/C–CNTs) through the high‐energy ball‐milling method. Owing to the conductive and rigid properties, the TiC/C–CNTs matrix enhances the electrical conductivity as well as mechanical integrity of Sn in the composite material and thus ultimately contributes to performance supremacy in terms of electrochemical K+ storage properties. During potassiation process, the TiC/C–CNTs matrix not only dissipates the internal stress toward random radial orientations within the Sn particle but also provides electrical pathways for the intermediate insulating phases; this tends to reduce microcracking and prevent considerable electrode degradation.
Infrared barriers as a detection tool to reduce human–elephant conflicts
Authors: Montero‐Botey María , Perea Ramón
Published: October 2023

Elephant incursions into farms represent an important challenge for local communities and farmers living around protected areas, but also for the long‐term conservation of elephants. Early detection of elephants is a promising technique to reduce elephant presence in farms and human settlements reducing human–elephant interactions. In this study we investigated the potential of infrared barriers to detect African savannah elephants Loxodonta africana. We designed and tested battery‐operated photoelectric beam sensors in 12 locations of southern Tanzania and assessed the elephant detection accuracy through camera trapping for a total of 246 days. We obtained 1803 recordings of wildlife crossing the barriers range (30 different species of mammals and several bird and bat species). Our results show that infrared barriers, when located at 1.75–2.2 m high, detect 100% of adult elephants and ∼ 29% of subadult elephants. Giraffes were the only other wildlife species detected by the barriers. Interestingly, large vehicles were also detected, which might be helpful to prevent motorized poaching. Given the gregarious behaviour of elephant families, and the limited access for vehicles, infrared barriers may represent an interesting and cost‐effective detection system for early warning strategies in elephant‐dominated areas of Africa and Asia or for other large‐sized visitors.
Families Living with Anticipatory Grief; How Can We Both Understand and Explain?
Authors: Grasaasen Anne
Published: October 2023

Illness as a phenomenon consists of both physiological conditions and narratives. When children have serious illnesses and death becomes the frame of family life, systemic perspectives can expand causal explanations by providing descriptions of illness within a frame of relational values. In encounters with parents dealing with anticipatory grief, therapists must attempt to create alliance also with scientific discourses. Only then can we offer the best care to families who need us to both explain and understand. Social constructionism as a scientific theoretical perspective offers dialogue and philosophical ideas about how to create an interdisciplinary practice. Cooperation across disciplines can also improve our ability to be relationally engaged with those we are to help.
Symmetry TFTs and anomalies of non-invertible symmetries
Authors: Kaidi Justin , Nardoni Emily , Zafrir Gabi , Zheng Yunqin
Published: October 2023

Abstract

It is known that the ’t Hooft anomalies of invertible global symmetries can be characterized by an invertible TQFT in one higher dimension. The analogous statement remains to be understood for non-invertible symmetries. In this note we discuss how the linking invariants in a non-invertible TQFT known as the Symmetry TFT (SymTFT) can be used as a diagnostic for ’t Hooft anomalies of non-invertible symmetries. When the non-invertible symmetry is non-intrinsically non-invertible, and hence the SymTFT is a Dijkgraaf-Witten model, the linking invariants can be computed explicitly. We illustrate this proposal through the examples of the abelian Higgs model in 2d, as well as adjoint QCD and $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 super Yang-Mills in 4d. We also comment on how the ’t Hooft anomalies of non-invertible symmetries impose new constraints on the dynamics.
When tadpoles matter: one-loop corrections for spectator Higgs in inflation
Authors: Glavan Dražen , Prokopec Tomislav
Published: October 2023

Abstract

We consider the classical attractor regime of the spectator Abelian Higgs model in power-law inflation, and compute the one-loop corrections to its evolution. For computations we utilize dimensional regularization and the propagators in the unitary gauge. The corrections to both the scalar condensate and the energy-momentum tensor exhibit secular ultraviolet contributions, that tend to slow down the rolling of the scalar down its potential, and drive it away from the classical attractor. These corrections need not be suppressed if the U(1) charge is much larger than the scalar self-coupling, which is seen already in flat space. In addition, at late times the secular corrections necessarily invalidate the perturbative loop expansion. We find the late time secular corrections to be captured by the renormalization group, which opens up the possibility to resum them past the breakdown of perturbativity.
Shooting null geodesics into holographic spacetimes
Authors: Kinoshita Shunichiro , Murata Keiju , Takeda Daichi
Published: October 2023

Abstract

We find, in the AdS/CFT, a source on the boundary which generates one wave packet drawing a null geodesic inside the bulk. Once such a wave packet dives into the bulk, it comes back to the boundary after a specific time, at which the expectation value of the corresponding boundary operator finally stands up. Since this behavior strongly reflects the existence of the holographic spacetime, our technique will be helpful in identifying holographic materials.
Entwicklung der Analytik im Neugeborenen-Screening – Von der Guthrie-Karte zur Genetik
Authors: Janzen Nils , Sander Johannes
Published: October 2023

Seit mehr als 5 Jahrzehnten wird allen Neugeborenen in Deutschland eine Vorsorgeuntersuchung zur Früherkennung angeborener behandelbarer Krankheiten angeboten. Seit Beginn sind so etwa 35 Mio. Kinder untersucht worden.

Anfangs ging es nur um die Früherkennung der Phenylketonurie, die ohne frühzeitige Behandlung zu nicht mehr korrigierbarer geistiger Behinderung führt. Der bakteriologische Guthrie-Test erlaubte den Nachweis erhöhter Konzentrationen von Phenylalanin. Die heute eingesetzten Methoden sind das Ergebnis einer über Jahrzehnte verlaufenden Entwicklung. Hinzugekommen sind Tests zur Bestimmung von Enzymaktivitäten, Immunoassays zur Früherkennung wichtiger hormoneller Störungen wie der angeborenen Schilddrüsenunterfunktion sowie Hochdruck-Flüssigkeits-Chromatografie zur Identifizierung pathologischer Hämoglobine. Die sehr anspruchsvolle Tandem-Massenspektrometrie ermöglicht die gleichzeitige Erfassung von Aminosäuren und Derivaten organischer Säuren und Fettsäuren. Auch Steroide können damit identifiziert werden. Die Spezifität lässt sich durch Kombination mit chromatografischer Vortrennung noch erhöhen. In den letzten Jahren wurden die chemisch-analytischen Untersuchungen ergänzt durch gendiagnostische Verfahren, wie beispielsweise quantitative oder qualitative Polymerasekettenreaktion (PCR).

Der Stand der Labortechnik ist keineswegs endgültig. Sowohl die klassische Analytik als auch besonders die genetischen Verfahren stehen vor einer weiteren rasanten Entwicklung. Während die Ausweitung des Screenings auch eine Folge der technischen Entwicklung ist, hängt die Einbeziehung weiterer angeborener Erkrankungen grundsätzlich von einer jeweiligen Therapie ab. Aber gerade hier werden gegenwärtig viele Neuerungen erprobt. Im Vordergrund des Interesses steht dabei die Gentherapie.
Keep trusting! A plea for the notion of Trustworthy AI
Authors: Zanotti Giacomo , Petrolo Mattia , Chiffi Daniele , Schiaffonati Viola
Published: October 2023

A lot of attention has recently been devoted to the notion of Trustworthy AI (TAI). However, the very applicability of the notions of trust and trustworthiness to AI systems has been called into question. A purely epistemic account of trust can hardly ground the distinction between trustworthy and merely reliable AI, while it has been argued that insisting on the importance of the trustee’s motivations and goodwill makes the notion of TAI a categorical error. After providing an overview of the debate, we contend that the prevailing views on trust and AI fail to account for the ethically relevant and value-laden aspects of the design and use of AI systems, and we propose an understanding of the notion of TAI that explicitly aims at capturing these aspects. The problems involved in applying trust and trustworthiness to AI systems are overcome by keeping apart trust in AI systems and interpersonal trust. These notions share a conceptual core but should be treated as distinct ones.
Criteria to Evaluate Tumor Enlargement During the Active Surveillance of High‐Risk Thyroid Nodules: Which is Better, Diameter or Volume?
Authors: Liu Chunhao , Zhao Hao , Lu Ying , Xia Yu , Cao Yue , Zhang Liyang , Zhao Ya , Gao Luying , Liu Ruifeng , Liu Yuewu , Liu Hongfeng , Meng Zhilan , Li Xiaoyi
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Tumor enlargement is the most common parameter identifying disease progression during active surveillance, but the value and significance of the changes in tumor diameter and volume in the evaluation of tumor growth have not been compared.

Methods

This cohort study included 468 patients with high‐risk thyroid nodule, in whom nodule size change was monitored using ultrasound, to compare the changes in tumor diameter and volume in assessing tumor growth.

Results

A total of 569 high‐risk thyroid nodules were found in the 468 patients. A total of 14 nodules (2.5%) showed a diameter increase ≥ 3 mm. The number of nodules with a peak volume change exceeding 50% and 100% was 185 (32.5%) and 86 (15.1%), respectively. Among the 555 stable nodules, the number of nodules with volume fluctuations exceeding 50% and 100% was 171 (30.8%) and 72 (13.0%), respectively. Among 212 stable nodules at the baseline and in the first three follow‐up, the percentage of peak volume fluctuations exceeding 50% (48.5% vs. 28.5%, p = 0.004) and 100% (26.5% vs. 8.3%, p < 0.001) in the nodules with the sum of three diameters (SOTDs) ≤ 1 cm was significantly higher than that of nodules with SOTDs > 1 cm. A statistically significant difference was also found in the range distribution of SOTDs ≤ 1 cm and SOTDs > 1 cm (p = 0.007).

Conclusions

Volume is not an appropriate method for determining tumor growth. Tumor diameter measurement alone serves as a better surrogate for disease progression in sonographically high‐risk thyroid nodules than volume.
Evaluation of the FY-3E microwave temperature sounding data assimilation on forecasting Typhoon Chanthu (2021)
Authors: Huang Yu , Li Juan , Qin Zhengkun
Published: October 2023

Fengyun-3E is the first early-morning-orbit polar-orbiting satellite launched by China, which carries the third generation of Microwave Temperature Sounder (MWTS-3). This instrument has 17 channels and it can provide rich atmospheric temperature observation information at different altitudes. To explore the application value of the MWTS-3 data in assimilation, we selected Typhoon Chanthu in 2021 in this study to evaluate the effect of the MWTS-3 data assimilation on the forecasts of typhoons affecting China. The results show that the simultaneous assimilation of the conventional data and MWTS-3 data can effectively correct the westward error of the typhoon track forecasted by the experiments without assimilation and well predict the track of Typhoon Chanthu along the east coast of China and its stay on the ocean area east of Shanghai. Therefore, the characteristics of the heavy rainfall caused by the typhoon only affecting Shanghai and northeastern Zhejiang are also well reproduced. Compared with the conventional data assimilation, the assimilation of the Fengyun-3E MWTS-3 data provides a more noticeable improvement in the typhoon intensity forecasts, thus allowing better forecasts of the spiral rain belt of the typhoon. The results of the rolling test also proved that MWTS-3 data assimilation has a stable improvement effect on typhoon track forecasts and the forecast skill of precipitation heavier than 5 mm.
Toward digital inclusion of older adults in e-health: a case study on support for physical activity
Authors: Revenäs Åsa , Ström Lars , Cicchetti Antonio , Ehn Maria
Published: October 2023

Older adults are a heterogeneous population for which many e-health innovations are inaccessible. Involving older adults in user-centered design (UCD) with a specific focus on inclusive design is important to make e-health more accessible to this user group. This case study aimed to explore the feasibility of a new UCD approach aiming to minimize bias in the design phase of a digital support for older adults’ physical activity (PA). The study used mixed methods and applied UCD principles in a four-iteration design phase followed by an evaluation phase where 11 and 15 older adults participated, respectively. The users’ gender, PA level and technology experience (TE) were considered in recruitment, data analysis and prioritization of improvement efforts. In the design phase, users with different gender, PA level and TE participated and contributed with feedback, which was prioritized in the development. The adaptation included improving readability, simplifying layout and features, clarifying structure, and making the digital content more inclusive and relevant. The evaluation showed that the users had a positive experience of the prototype and could use it with some help. The study demonstrated that adopting e-health to assure digital inclusion among older adults must address several aspects. The UCD approach was feasible for amending user bias and for confirming that users of both genders and with varied PA- and TE level shaped the design. However, evaluation of the method with larger samples is needed. Moreover, further research on methods to involve digitally excluded populations in UCD is needed.
Health literacy and shared decision-making in predictive medicine — professionals’ perceptions and communication strategies
Authors: Harzheim Laura , Lorke Mariya , Schulz Sabine , Jünger Saskia
Published: October 2023

Aim

This contribution empirically analyses and theoretically reflects health literacy (HL) and shared decision-making (SDM) in the context of predictive medicine, taking in the perspective of healthcare professionals (HCPs). The aim is to identify ways to promote HL of persons dealing with disease risk, and to support SDM in predictive consultations.

Methods

The perspectives of HCPs consulting patients at early prediction centers and advising them with respect to preventive therapies or further diagnostic procedures were examined using semi-structured, qualitative expert interviews and a complementary survey.

Results

The data reveal resources and challenges regarding risk communication and the empowerment of patients for informed and health-literate decisions upon their disease risk. They also show potentially useful communication strategies and prerequisites for demand-oriented decision-making in the predictive setting. Furthermore, the findings highlight that risk communication and patient information in predictive medicine are considered to be underrepresented in medical education and training. Therefore, this contribution provides implications and suggestions for educational concepts and practical tools for medical education and predictive practice.

Conclusion

We emphasize communication and interaction between HCPs and patients as crucial for health-literate decision-making in the specific context of predictive medicine. This study’s results indicate relevant aspects of social and communicational skills that need to be considered in consultation guides and integrated into medical education and training, to provide individual-sensitive consultation and HL promotion for people at risk.
You just want a break from the hatred of failure: the lived experience of being a student physiotherapist perfectionist and considerations for educators
Authors: McKay Jane , Williams Kim , Stewart Jennie
Published: October 2023

Perfectionism is a personality orientation associated with mental health and adjustment problems. Recent evidence demonstrates that perfectionism is widespread among students and on the rise, with recent generations of students placing increasingly more importance on perfection. Whilst the extant literature is vast, it tends to focus on psychopathology and identification of perfectionism correlates rather than the experience of student perfectionism. Furthermore, the education literature is scant and there is a need to understand the deeper processes and nuances of perfectionism, particularly within health professions education where intense study demands, competition to gain entry to educational programmes, and professional cultures may nurture the problem. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of ten physiotherapy students as they wrestled with perfectionism in the various facets of their studies. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken, and participants completed log sheets to document perfectionism-related experiences. Idiographic profiles were composed and interview transcripts were analysed, drawing upon features of both phenomenological and thematic analysis. Perfectionism was found to have toxic consequences for the learning experience. Harmful phenomenological experiences included perpetual and excessive achievement striving, punitive self-criticism and health and wellbeing difficulties. A range of sabotaging learning behaviours such as self-handicapping and feedback avoidance was also illuminated, and cultural and organisational influences perceived to foster perfectionism emerged. Findings are discussed in relation to underlying processes and implications for educators. The prospect of findings transferring to other educational contexts is highlighted.
How active/passive social network usage relates to academic performance among high school students in Taiwan
Authors: Cheng Wen , Nguyen Pham Ngoc Thien , Nguyen Nhan Duc
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to explore the effects of active social network usage (ASNU) and passive social network usage (PSNU) on academic performance. Using a survey sample of 621 high school students in Taiwan, the results showed that PSNU did not associate with learning results, whereas ASNU may have its function on students’ learning. Specifically, ASNU interacted with PSNU to predict high school students’ academic performance. Moreover, ASNU undermined the academic performance of those with high PSNU, but not of those with low or medium PSNU. Additionally, for individuals with high PSNU and high ASNU, their performance mostly suffered. The results supported the work–life conflict theory, revealing that excessive social network sites (SNS) use, especially ASNU, might distract students from studying and, therefore, negatively impact their learning performance. The findings may contribute to the clinical and educational fields regarding adolescents’ SNS-using behaviors and psychological development.
Employment Instability and Childbirth over the Last 20 Years in Italy
Authors: Scherer Stefani , Brini Elisa
Published: October 2023

Family formation is fostered by circumstances of plannability and economic and social stability. Conversely, as documented in previous literature, employment instability can hamper fertility decisions. Based on data from the Italian Labour Force Survey, this paper examines the association between employment-related instability and the likelihood of having a first or additional child from 2000 to 2020 in Italy, covering a period characterised by increasing labour market deregulation. Our results show that individual employment instability, such as temporary employment or unemployment, negatively influences the likelihood of having a first and second child, while the progression to higher parities is less affected by employment situations. Building upon previous research, we demonstrate how the negative association between fertility and employment instability has intensified over recent decades, especially for women. The large sample size also allowed for the examination of specific differences by educational levels and both partners’ employment situation. In contrast to traditional views about gender roles, the employment situation of one’s partner seems to matter less for women than for men.
The Evolution from “I think it plus three” Towards “I think it is always plus three.” Transition from Arithmetic Generalization to Algebraic Generalization
Authors: Torres María D. , Moreno Antonio , Vergel Rodolfo , Cañadas María C.
Published: October 2023

This paper is part of broader research being conducted in the area of algebraic thinking in primary education. Our general research objective was to identify and describe generalization of a 2nd grade student (aged 7–8). Specifically, we focused on the transition from arithmetic to algebraic generalization. The notion of structure and its continuity in the generalization process are important for this transition. We are presenting a case study with a semi-structured interview where we proposed a task of contextualized generalization involving the function y = x + 3. Special attention was given to the structures evidenced and the type of generalization expressed by the student in the process. We noted that the student identified the correct structure for the task during the interview and that he evidenced a factual type of algebraic generalization. Due to the student’s identification of the appropriate structure and the application of it to other different particular cases, we have observed a transition from arithmetic thinking to algebraic thinking.
Irish Traveller Children’s Play: A Scoping Review
Authors: Bergin Michelle , Boyle Bryan , Lilja Margareta , Prellwitz Maria
Published: October 2023

Irish Traveller children, an ethnic indigenous minoritized community in Ireland are identified in Ireland’s play policy as at higher risk of exclusion from realising their right to play, alongside a reported absence of research on indigenous children’s play. This scoping review aimed to identify the breadth and scope of available research on representations of Irish Traveller children’s play and the factors influencing play opportunities. Applying the updated Joanna Briggs Institute methodological guidance, a systematic search was completed of nine databases. Thirty-five peer reviewed studies met the inclusion criteria, descriptive study information was charted and summarised and enabling and restricting factors influencing Irish Traveller children’s play were identified using an existing conceptual model. The scoping review findings revealed a limited focus within research on Irish Traveller children’s play. Included studies however, provided evidence of; the importance of feeling a sense of belonging and safety to enable Irish Traveller children’s access to preferred play opportunities, involving real life activities, physical play outdoors and play with others; Irish Traveller parents value and facilitation of play; and the significant restricting influence of racism on Irish Traveller children’s play .Limited knowledge on Irish Traveller children’s own perspectives on play and the need to address racism as a restricting influence on play in school and community environments are considered in relation to practice and further research. Discourses representing Irish Traveller children as marginalised, were problematized as reflective of culturist assumptions, and a shift towards understanding the situated nature of Irish Traveller children’s play, as a capability is proposed.
A Broken FEEC Framework for Electromagnetic Problems on Mapped Multipatch Domains
Authors: Güçlü Yaman , Hadjout Said , Campos Pinto Martin
Published: October 2023

We present a framework for the structure-preserving approximation of partial differential equations on mapped multipatch domains, extending the classical theory of finite element exterior calculus (FEEC) to discrete de Rham sequences which are broken, i.e., fully discontinuous across the patch interfaces. Following the Conforming/Nonconforming Galerkin (CONGA) schemes developed in Campos Pinto and Sonnendrücker (Math Comput 85:2651–2685, 2016) and Campos Pinto and Güçlü (Broken-FEEC discretizations and Hodge Laplace problems. arXiv:2109.02553, 2022), our approach is based on: (i) the identification of a conforming discrete de Rham sequence with stable commuting projection operators, (ii) the relaxation of the continuity constraints between patches, and (iii) the construction of conforming projections mapping back to the conforming subspaces, allowing to define discrete differentials on the broken sequence. This framework combines the advantages of conforming FEEC discretizations (e.g. commuting projections, discrete duality and Hodge–Helmholtz decompositions) with the data locality and implementation simplicity of interior penalty methods for discontinuous Galerkin discretizations. We apply it to several initial- and boundary-value problems, as well as eigenvalue problems arising in electromagnetics. In each case our formulations are shown to be well posed thanks to an appropriate stabilization of the jumps across the interfaces, and the solutions are extremely robust with respect to the stabilization parameter. Finally we describe a construction using tensor-product splines on mapped cartesian patches, and we detail the associated matrix operators. Our numerical experiments confirm the accuracy and stability of this discrete framework, and they allow us to verify that expected structure-preserving properties such as divergence or harmonic constraints are respected to floating-point accuracy.
The relationship between thyroid and human-associated microbiota: A systematic review of reviews
Authors: Virili Camilla , Stramazzo Ilaria , Bagaglini Maria Flavia , Carretti Anna Lucia , Capriello Silvia , Romanelli Francesco , Trimboli Pierpaolo , Centanni Marco
Published: October 2023

In recent years, a growing number of studies have examined the relationship between thyroid pathophysiology and intestinal microbiota composition. The reciprocal influence between these two entities has been proven so extensive that some authors coined the term "gut-thyroid axis". However, since some papers reported conflicting results, several aspects of this correlation need to be clarified. This systematic review was conceived to achieve more robust information about: 1)the characteristics of gut microbiota composition in patients with the more common morphological, functional and autoimmune disorders of the thyroid; 2)the influence of gut microbial composition on micronutrients that are essential for the maintenance of thyroid homeostasis; 3)the effect of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics, some of the most popular over-the-counter products, on thyroid balance; 4)the opportunity to use specific dietary advice. The literature evaluation was made by three authors independently. A five steps strategy was a priori adopted. After duplicates removal, 1106 records were initially found and 38 reviews were finally included in the analysis. The systematic reviews of reviews found that: 1) some significant variations characterize the gut microbiota composition in patients with thyroid disorders. However, geographical clustering of most of the studies prevents drawing definitive conclusions on this topic; 2) the available knowledge about the effect of probiotics and synbiotics are not strong enough to suggest the routine use of these compounds in patients with thyroid disorders; 3) specific elimination nutrition should not be routine suggested to patients, which, instead have to be checked for possible micronutrients and vitamins deficiency, often owed to gastrointestinal autoimmune comorbidities.
Trojan Asteroid Satellites, Rings, and Activity
Authors: Noll Keith S. , Brown Michael E. , Buie Marc W. , Grundy William M. , Levison Harold F. , Marchi Simone , Olkin Catherine B. , Stern S. Alan , Weaver Harold A.
Published: October 2023

The Lucy mission will encounter five Jupiter Trojans during its mission with three of the five already known to be multiple systems. These include a near-equal-mass binary, a small and widely separated satellite, and one intermediate-size satellite system. This chapter reviews the current state of knowledge of Trojan asteroid satellites in the context of similar satellite systems in other small body populations. The prospects for the detection of additional satellites as well as other near-body phenomena are considered. The scientific utility of satellites makes their observation with Lucy an important scientific priority for the mission.
Spatial joint models through Bayesian structured piecewise additive joint modelling for longitudinal and time-to-event data
Authors: Rappl Anja , Kneib Thomas , Lang Stefan , Bergherr Elisabeth
Published: October 2023

Joint models for longitudinal and time-to-event data simultaneously model longitudinal and time-to-event information to avoid bias by combining usually a linear mixed model with a proportional hazards model. This model class has seen many developments in recent years, yet joint models including a spatial predictor are still rare and the traditional proportional hazards formulation of the time-to-event part of the model is accompanied by computational challenges. We propose a joint model with a piecewise exponential formulation of the hazard using the counting process representation of a hazard and structured additive predictors able to estimate (non-)linear, spatial and random effects. Its capabilities are assessed in a simulation study comparing our approach to an established one and highlighted by an example on physical functioning after cardiovascular events from the German Ageing Survey. The Structured Piecewise Additive Joint Model yielded good estimation performance, also and especially in spatial effects, while being double as fast as the chosen benchmark approach and performing stable in an imbalanced data setting with few events.
Leveraging Transfer Learning in LSTM Neural Networks for Data-Efficient Burst Detection in Water Distribution Systems
Authors: Glynis Konstantinos , Kapelan Zoran , Bakker Martijn , Taormina Riccardo
Published: October 2023

Researchers and engineers employ machine learning (ML) tools to detect pipe bursts and prevent significant non-revenue water losses in water distribution systems (WDS). Nonetheless, many approaches developed so far consider a fixed number of sensors, which requires the ML model redevelopment and collection of sufficient data with the new sensor configuration for training. To overcome these issues, this study presents a novel approach based on Long Short-Term Memory neural networks (NNs) that leverages transfer learning to manage a varying number of sensors and retain good detection performance with limited training data. The proposed detection model first learns to reproduce the normal behavior of the system on a dataset obtained in burst-free conditions. The training process involves predicting flow and pressure one-time step ahead using historical data and time-related features as inputs. During testing, a post-prediction step flags potential bursts based on the comparison between the observations and model predictions using a time-varied error threshold. When adding new sensors, we implement transfer learning by replicating the weights of existing channels and then fine-tune the augmented NN. We evaluate the robustness of the methodology on simulated fire hydrant bursts and real-bursts in 10 district metered areas (DMAs) of the UK. For real bursts, we perform a sensitivity analysis to understand the impact of data resolution and error threshold on burst detection performance. The results obtained demonstrate that this ML-based methodology can achieve Precision of up to 98.1% in real-life settings and can identify bursts, even in data scarce conditions.