bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SHAHAR AGLOMERATSIYALARINING IJTIMOIY-IQTISODIY AHAMIYATI
Authors: MURODOV Xamid
Published: February 2025

Ushbu maqola “Shahar aglomeratsiyalarining ijtimoiy-iqtisodiy ahamiyati” mavzusiga bag‘ishlangan bo‘lib, shahar aglomeratsiyalarining ijtimoiy va iqtisodiy hayotdagi markaziy o‘rnini tahlil qiladi. Maqolada shahar aglomeratsiyalarining rivojlanishi, ularning ijtimoiy-iqtisodiy tizimlarga ta'siri va barqaror rivojlanish uchun ahamiyati ko‘rib chiqilgan.
CORRELATION BETWEEN VISUAL FIELD LOSS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING IN GLAUCOMA PATIENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Authors: Manzoor Iqra , Tahira Batool  , Ubaidullah Jan  , Sobia Yousif  , Hamna Ahmad  , Aleeza Naeem  , Rabia Akram  , Asma Irshad  , Khalid Mahmood
Published: February 2025

Background: Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness, primarily affecting visual function, particularly the visual field. While significant attention is given to the physical consequences of the disease, its psychological effects, including anxiety, depression, and diminished quality of life, remain underexplored. The progressive loss of vision impacts daily functioning and mental well-being, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to patient care that integrates both visual and psychological health management.
Objective: To examine the correlation between visual field loss and psychological well-being in glaucoma patients, focusing on anxiety, depression, and quality of life.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 53 glaucoma patients at a tertiary care hospital. Patient history was documented using a structured proforma, and visual field loss was assessed using the Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer. Psychological well-being was evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), while quality of life was measured using the Glaucoma Quality of Life-15 (GQL-15) questionnaire. Pearson correlation analysis was applied to determine the associations between visual field impairment, anxiety, depression, and quality of life.
Results: A significant positive correlation was found between visual field loss and anxiety (r = 0.647, p = 0.000), as well as between visual field loss and depression (r = 0.565, p = 0.000). Additionally, a strong inverse correlation was observed between visual field loss and quality of life (r = -0.798, p = 0.000), indicating that greater visual impairment was associated with lower quality of life scores.
Conclusion: Greater visual field loss in glaucoma patients was significantly associated with increased anxiety and depression, alongside a decline in quality of life. These findings highlight the necessity of comprehensive treatment strategies that address both the functional limitations and psychological burden of glaucoma, ensuring improved overall patient well-being.
Reading Authors/Authors Reading: Navigating Textual Worlds through Rainbow Rowell's Carry On
Authors: Gopal Anagha
Published: February 2025

This paper examines the possibilities of theorizing the emerging author-reader relationship in the Young-Adult (YA) Fantasy genre, with reference to Rainbow Rowell’s Carry On (2015) and its fan community on Tumblr. The paper offers the changing parameters of reading as an entry-point into exploring the textuality of participatory web-based interfaces like Tumblr. While studying author-reader power dynamics, the paper marks the problematics of using the terms ‘author’ and ‘reader.’ It points out that not only do consumers/fans re-imagine the published text through fan-work, but the authorial-industrial complex also re-works the trends and concepts observed in consumer productions. The paper further argues that the politics of such ‘re-use’ can be extended to fan scholarship itself, and analyses the interpretive scope of primarily affect-based fan-work. A text at a precarious position between professionally published fiction and fan-works, Carry On provides a point of convergence to study navigations on media-interfaces.
Misplacing Heads, Textual Formation, and Reformation: Somadeva’s Kathā Sarit Sāgara, Thomas Mann’s The Transposed Heads, and Girish Karnad’s Hayavadana
Authors: Siddiqui Mehvish
Published: February 2025

Vetala, the daemon, tests King Vikramaditya’s wisdom by telling him tales and making him solve a riddle at the end of each tale. This premise forms the structure of Somadeva’s 11 th century collection of Indian folktales retold in Sanskrit—the Kathasaritasagara. One of the tales in the book is about a woman who accidentally switches the head of her husband with that of her brother. Drawing from this 11 th century tale, Thomas Mann published a novella in 1940, The Transposed Heads, which further inspired Girish Karnad’s 1972 play Hayavadana. This paper explores the textual trajectory of the aforementioned tale and attempts to study the “sameness” and the “otherness” of the tale in its variations.
Toward a Dialogic Reception in Adaptation Studies: Bundle Theory and Fidelity Discourse in Contemporary Adaptations of Macbeth
Authors: Puckett William
Published: February 2025

Exploring the limitations of fidelity discourse with regard to adaptation studies, this essay explores the possibility(s) of a plurality of engagement across media, that will promote a dialogue between source text and adaptation which moves beyond the prescribed 1:1 relationship that fidelity criticism is wont to qualify for any filmic relationship to a literary source. Building on Michael Losonsky’s renewed thoughts on Bundle Theory, this essay argues against the current subjugation of adaptation studies that prioritizes a center-peripheral dialectic comparing any adaptation to the perceived center of a primal literary subject, thus, arguing in its stead for a dialogue across borders—an overlap of media.
Mercado de armas de fogo no Brasil: construção social de um mercado contestado
Authors: Vieira Mateus Tobias
Published: February 2025

Esta obra analisa a sociogênese da indústria de armas de fogo pequenas e leves no Brasil, entendendo como este mercado emerge e se consolida, sempre atuando em simbiose com o Estado. Ainda, busca compreender os diferentes momentos do mercado interno de armas de fogo e como se dinamizam as contestações morais que, em alguns momentos, foram capazes de propor inclusive o banimento do mercado nacional. A pesquisa ainda a influência exercida pelo Estado brasileiro na fabricação de convenções cognitivas sobre o tema de armas de fogo no Brasil contemporâneo servindo-se dos estudos de Pierre Bourdieu sobre o Estado e do conceito de convenção social, de Mary Douglas. Para tanto, selecionamos alguns contenciosos empíricos particularmente marcantes, entendendo não só o impacto de cada mudança, mas o modo como se operaram.
The Drosophila EGF domain protein Uninflatable sets the switch between wrapping glia growth and axon wrapping instructed by Notch
Authors: Baldenius Marie , Kautzmann Steffen , Kottmeier Rita , Klämbt Christian
Published: February 2025

In the peripheral nervous system, sensory and motor axons are generally covered by wrapping glial cell processes. This neuron-glia interaction requires an intricate coordination of glial growth and differentiation. How this is controlled molecularly is largely unknown. At the example of Drosophila larval nerves, we show that glial growth is initially triggered by the FGF-receptor tyrosine kinase Heartless (Htl). In a screen for genes acting downstream of activated FGF-receptor, we identified the large membrane protein Uninflatable (Uif), which supports the formation of plasma membrane domains but not axon wrapping. Uif is also known to inhibit Notch. Surprisingly, we find that Notch signaling is required in postmitotic wrapping glia. While compromised
Notch
signaling results in a reduced wrapping efficiency, gain of
Notch
activity in wrapping glial cells leads to a hyperwrapping phenotype. Thus, Notch signaling is both necessary and sufficient for glial wrapping in Drosophila larvae. In addition,
Notch
suppresses both
uif
and
htl
function and thus stabilizes the switch between growth and differentiation. Given the general conservation of signaling mechanisms controlling glia development in mice and flies, similar mechanisms may act in the mammalian nervous system to control final glial differentiation.
New Cardiovascular Disease Risk Calculator Could Eliminate the Need for Statins for Millions
Authors: Larkin Howard
Published: June 2024

This Medical News article discusses a recent study in JAMA Internal Medicine that estimated statin eligibility using the new PREVENT equations compared with the older equations.
Racial and Ethnic and Rural Variations in Access to Primary Care for Veterans Following the MISSION Act
Authors: Rosen Amy K. , Beilstein-Wedel Erin , Shwartz Michael , Davila Heather , Gurewich Deborah
Published: June 2024

Importance

The 2018 Veterans Affairs Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (VA MISSION) Act was implemented to increase timely access to care by expanding veterans’ opportunities to receive Veterans Affairs (VA)–purchased care in the community (community care [CC]). Because health equity is a major VA priority, it is important to know whether Black and Hispanic veterans compared with White veterans experienced equitable access to primary care within the VA MISSION Act.

Objective

To examine whether utilization of and wait times for primary care differed between Black and Hispanic veterans compared with White veterans in rural and urban areas after the implementation of the VA MISSION Act.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study used VA and CC outpatient and consult data from the VA’s Corporate Data Warehouse for fiscal years 2021 to 2022 (October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2022). Separate fixed-effects multivariable models were run to predict CC utilization and wait times. Each model was run twice, once comparing Black and White veterans and then comparing Hispanic and White veterans. Adjusted risk ratios (ARRs) were calculated for Black and Hispanic veterans compared with White veterans within rurality status for both outcomes.

Main Outcomes and Measures

VA and CC primary care utilization as measured by primary care visits (utilization cohort); VA and CC primary care access as measured by mean wait times (access cohort).

Results

A total of 5 046 087 veterans (994 517 [19.7%] Black, 390 870 [7.7%] Hispanic, and 3 660 700 [72.6%] White individuals) used primary care from fiscal years 2021 to 2022. Utilization increased for all 3 racial and ethnicity groups, more so in CC than VA primary care. ARRs were significantly less than 1 regardless of rurality status, indicating Black and Hispanic veterans compared with White veterans were less likely to utilize CC for primary care. There were 468 246 primary care consultations during the study period. The overall mean (SD) wait time was 33.3 (32.4) days. Despite decreases in wait times over time, primary care wait times remained longer in CC than in VA. Black veterans compared with White veterans had significantly longer wait times in CC (ARRs >1) but significantly shorter wait times in VA (ARRS <1) regardless of rurality status in VA and CC. CC wait times for Hispanic veterans compared with White veterans were longer in rural areas only and in VA rural and urban areas (ARRs >1).

Conclusion and Relevance

The results of this cross-sectional study suggest that additional research should explore the determinants and implications of utilization differences among Black and Hispanic veterans compared with White veterans. Efforts to promote equitable primary care access for all veterans are needed so that policy changes can be more effective in ensuring timely access to care for all veterans.
A Self-Guided Internet-Based Intervention for the Reduction of Gambling Symptoms
Authors: Rolvien Lara , Buddeberg Lisa , Gehlenborg Josefine , Borsutzky Swantje , Moritz Steffen
Published: June 2024

Importance

Most individuals with problem gambling or gambling disorder remain untreated due to barriers to treatment. Limited research exists on alternative treatments.

Objective

To investigate the efficacy of a self-guided internet-based intervention for individuals with gambling problems and to identify potential outcome moderators.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This single-center randomized clinical trial was conducted from July 13, 2021, to December 31, 2022, at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf. Participants were recruited across Germany for 2 assessments (before intervention [t0] and 6 weeks after intervention [t1]). Eligible participants were individuals aged 18 to 75 years with gambling problems, internet access, German proficiency, and willingness to participate in 2 online assessments.

Intervention

The self-guided internet-based intervention was based on cognitive behavioral therapy, metacognitive training, acceptance and commitment therapy, and motivational interviewing.

Main Outcome and Measures

The primary outcome was change in gambling-related thoughts and behavior as measured with the pathological gambling adaption of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. Secondary outcomes were change in depressive symptoms, gambling severity, gambling-specific dysfunctional thoughts, attitudes toward online interventions, treatment expectations, and patient satisfaction.

Results

A total of 243 participants (154 [63.4%] male; mean [SD] age, 34.73 [10.33] years) were randomized to an intervention group (n = 119) that gained access to a self-guided internet-based intervention during 6 weeks or a wait-listed control group (n = 124). Completion at t1 was high (191 [78.6%]). Results showed a significantly greater reduction in gambling-related thoughts and behavior (mean difference, −3.35; 95% CI, −4.79 to −1.91; P < .001; Cohen d = 0.59), depressive symptoms (mean difference, −1.05; 95% CI, −1.87 to −0.22; P = .01; Cohen d = 0.33), and gambling severity (mean difference, −1.46; 95% CI, −2.37 to −0.54; P = .002; Cohen d = 0.40) but not in gambling-specific dysfunctional thoughts (mean difference, −1.62; 95% CI, −3.40 to 0.15; P = .07; Cohen d = 0.23) favoring the intervention group. Individuals in the intervention group who had a positive treatment expectation and more severe gambling-specific dysfunctional thoughts and gambling symptoms benefited more on the primary outcome relative to the control group.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this randomized clinical trial, the effectiveness of a self-guided internet-based intervention for individuals with self-reported problematic gambling behavior was demonstrated when measured 6 weeks after start of the intervention. The study’s findings are particularly relevant given the increasing need for accessible and scalable solutions to address problematic gambling.

Trial Registration

bfarm.de Identifier: DRKS00024840
Advances in Vascular Diagnostics using Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) for Blood Circulation Assessment
Authors: Pacheco Marisa O , Gerzenshtein Isabelle K , Stoppel Whitney L , Rinaldi‐Ramos Carlos M
Published: June 2024

Rapid and accurate assessment of conditions characterized by altered blood flow, cardiac blood pooling, or internal bleeding is crucial for diagnosing and treating various clinical conditions. While widely used imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and ultrasound offer unique diagnostic advantages, they fall short for specific indications due to limited penetration depth and prolonged acquisition times. Magnetic particle imaging (MPI), an emerging tracer‐based technique, holds promise for blood circulation assessments, potentially overcoming existing limitations with reduction in background signals and high temporal and spatial resolution, below the millimeter scale. Successful imaging of blood pooling and impaired flow necessitates tracers with diverse circulation half‐lives optimized for MPI signal generation. Recent MPI tracers show potential in imaging cardiovascular complications, vascular perforations, ischemia, and stroke. The impressive temporal resolution and penetration depth also position MPI as an excellent modality for real‐time vessel perfusion imaging via functional MPI (fMPI). This review summarizes advancements in optimized MPI tracers for imaging blood circulation and analyzes the current state of pre‐clinical applications. This work discusses perspectives on standardization required to transition MPI from a research endeavor to clinical implementation and explore additional clinical indications that may benefit from the unique capabilities of MPI.
Effective Self‐Powered Semimetal TaTe2 Photodetector with the Thermal Localization Photothermoelectric Effect from Ultraviolet to Mid‐Infrared Range
Authors: Xia Cong , Yu Tong , Liu Jianying , Li Xin , Wang Jiajia , Ma Shihui , Yang Guangsai , Qiu Hailong , Hu Zhanggui , Ye Ning , Wang Jiyang , Wu Yicheng
Published: June 2024

Ultra‐broadband photodetectors based on semimetal crystals have recently become popular because of their gapless band structures. In particular, semimetal crystals have large carrier mobility or high Seebeck coefficient; this almost eliminates the possibility of using semimetal crystals as photodetectors. In addition, a larger temperature gradient can cause photocurrent generation based on the photothermoelectric effect. Surprisingly, the TaTe2 crystal has a huge absorption coefficient (≈104 cm−1), a minimal specific heat (≈0.172 J g−1 K−1), and a low thermal conductivity (0.3 W m−1 K−1), which is beneficial for generating a high photothermal conversion efficiency of 30.2%, despite its small Seebeck coefficient, and achieving a large temperature gradient occurs for the heat generated by external illumination. Herein, the possibility of photoresponse based on the TaTe2 detector is explored, which has a low carrier mobility (≈10 cm2 V−1 s−1) and a small Seebeck coefficient (≈7.1 µV K−1). The self‐powered TaTe2 photodetector can also provide a competitive photoresponse range from 355 to 2715 nm and exhibit a maximum responsivity of 1.1 mA W−1 with a detectivity of 4.7 × 108 Jones at 455 nm. This study provides a new design scheme and operating mechanism for semimetal photodetectors and enriches semimetal crystal photodetectors.
Stabilization of Quantum‐Confined Anisotropic CsPbI3 Nanoplatelets by Solid‐Phase Metal Iodide Crude Reaction for Color‐Pure Red Emission
Authors: Solari Simon F. , Wieczorek Alexander , Marcato Tommaso , Wörle Michael , Krumeich Frank , Li Yen‐Ting , Chiu Yu‐Cheng , Siol Sebastian , Shivarudraiah Sunil B. , Shih Chih‐Jen
Published: June 2024

Quantum‐confined CsPbI3 perovskite nanoplatelets (NPLs) are highly desirable for optoelectronic applications owing to their anisotropic electronic properties that substantially boost the light outcoupling efficiency in light‐emitting diodes (LEDs). However, the structural instability of the emissive CsPbI3 phases makes it degrade rapidly to the non‐emissive δ‐phase under ambient conditions. Here, the study presents a synthetic approach to produce spectrally stable CsPbI3 nanoplatelets (NPLs) through solid‐phase crude reactions with metal iodide powders, MI2 (M2+ = Mn2+ or Zn2+). The synthesized NPLs exhibit narrow and color‐pure red emission with high photoluminescence (PL) quantum yields (QYs, ηPL) of up to 85%. Systematic investigations into the surface chemistry of NPLs reveal that metal iodide treatment stabilizes anisotropic CsPbI3 NPLs via surface passivation with metal and halide ions, substantially hindering from the formation of non‐emissive yellow phase. The anisotropic NPLs display signatures of spontaneous self‐assembly in spin‐casted films, which yield strong emission anisotropy, with up to 82% of the transition dipoles being horizontally oriented with respect to the substrate, as revealed by the back focal plane (BFP) imaging. The results presented here shed light on solid‐phase approaches for the preparation of quantum‐confined nanocrystals (NCs) with desirable geometry, which boost the light outcoupling efficiency in LEDs.
Assembly of Functionalized 3,4‐Fused Tricyclic Benzosultams via Radical‐Promoted Cascade Reactions
Authors: Reddy Chada Raji , Kumari Ankita , Sagar Banoth Karuna , Patil Amol D.
Published: June 2024

A tandem oxidative radical functionalization/annulation of N‐acryloyl amino saccharin is disclosed. This strategy allows the facile construction of diversely functionalized 3,4‐fused tricyclic benzosultams that previously have not been reported. A wide range of functionalities were installed through the formation of C−C, C−S and C−P bond enabled by the respective radicals.
Bacterial Influence on Pharmacokinetics of Tacrolimus and Sulfasalazine through Regulation of Host Metabolism
Authors: Cooper David A. , Bhushan Abhinav
Published: June 2024

The unpredictable oral bioavailability of established drugs like tacrolimus and sulfasalazine presents a significant clinical challenge. This variability can lead to either toxicity or insufficient therapeutic effect. It is known that alterations in drug transporters and metabolic enzymes influence drug bioavailability. Recent evidence suggests that the indirect metabolism by gut microbes could influence transporters and enzymes which can affect the bioavailability of oral drugs. In this study, the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus and sulfasalazine are modeled under varying host colonic conditions induced by the bacteria E. coli Nissle 1917 and Bifidobacterium adolescentis. Insight is provided into the sensitivity of pharmacokinetics to the bacterial influence on expression of intestinal drug transporters and cytochrome p450 enzymes. Our findings demonstrate that bacterial modulation reduces tacrolimus peak blood concentration compared to healthy renal transplant patients. Conversely, bacterial presence leads to a two‐fold increase in sulfasalazine's peak plasma concentration compared to healthy subjects. These results suggest that incorporating the gut bacteria's influence on colonic transporters and enzymes can improve the explanation of pharmacokinetic variability. This approach has the potential to refine pharmacokinetic models and ultimately address the challenge of variable oral drug bioavailability.
Ultrasound Speckle Decorrelation Analysis‐Based Velocimetry for 3D‐Velocity‐Components Measurement Using a 1D Transducer Array
Authors: Wang Yongchao , He Yetao , Chen Wenkai , Tan Jiyong , Tang Jianbo
Published: June 2024

Ultrasound velocimetry has been widely used for blood flow imaging. However, the flow measurements are constrained to resolve the in‐plane 2D flow components when using a 1D transducer array. In this work, an ultrasound speckle decorrelation analysis‐based velocimetry (3C‐vUS) is proposed for 3D velocity components measurement using a 1D transducer array. The 3C‐vUS theory is first derived and validated with numerical simulations and phantom experiments. The in vivo testing results show that 3C‐vUS can accurately measure the blood flow 3D‐velocity‐components of the human carotid artery at arbitrary probe‐to‐vessel angles throughout the cardiac cycle. With such capability, the 3C‐vUS will alleviate the requirement of operators and promote disease screening for blood flow‐related disorders.
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Membrane‐Camouflaged Liposomes for Biomimetic Delivery of Cyclosporine A for Hepatic Ischemia‐Reperfusion Injury Prevention
Authors: Chen Haitian , Yin Wen , Yao Kang , Liang Jinliang , Cai Jianye , Sui Xin , Zhao Xuegang , Zhang Jiebin , Xiao Jiaqi , Li Rong , Liu Qiuli , Yao Jia , You Guohua , Liu Yasong , Jiang Chenhao , Qiu Xiaotong , Wang Tingting , You Qiang , Zhang Yingcai , Yang Mo , Zheng Jun , Dai Zong , Yang Yang
Published: June 2024

Hepatic ischemia‐reperfusion injury (HIRI) is a prevalent issue during liver resection and transplantation, with currently no cure or FDA‐approved therapy. A promising drug, Cyclosporin A (CsA), ameliorates HIRI by maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis but has systemic side effects due to its low bioavailability and high dosage requirements. This study introduces a biomimetic CsA delivery system that directly targets hepatic lesions using mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) membrane‐camouflaged liposomes. These hybrid nanovesicles (NVs), leveraging MSC‐derived proteins, demonstrate efficient inflammatory chemotaxis, transendothelial migration, and drug‐loading capacity. In a HIRI mouse model, the biomimetic NVs accumulated at liver injury sites entered hepatocytes, and significantly reduced liver damage and restore function using only one‐tenth of the CsA dose typically required. Proteomic analysis verifies the protection mechanism, which includes reactive oxygen species inhibition, preservation of mitochondrial integrity, and reduced cellular apoptosis, suggesting potential for this biomimetic strategy in HIRI intervention.
Synthesis of Naphtho[1′,2′4,5]imidazo[2,1‐b]thiazoles via CuCl‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling of Ethynylimidazothiazoles With N‐tosyl Hydrazones and Their Antitubercular Activity
Authors: Chirra Nagaraju , Shanigarapu Varshitha , Sridhar Balasubramanian , Kantevari Srinivas
Published: June 2024

Described herein is a tandem reaction involving a copper chloride‐catalyzed cross‐coupling and an allene‐mediated cyclization of substituted ethynylimidazo[2,1‐b]thiazoles with aromatic N‐tosylhydrazones, producing naphtho[1′,2′4,5]imidazo [2,1‐b]thiazoles in very good yields. This protocol offers the advantages of one‐pot conversion from stable and readily available substrates as well as good functional group compatibility to prepare polycyclic N‐fused heteroaromatic systems. Moreover, the new compounds exhibited promising antitubercular activity.
Recent Advances in Aptamer‐Based Sensors for In Vitro Detection of Small Molecules
Authors: Mu Yueru , Chen Zhenzhen , Zhan Jiayin , Zhang Jingjing
Published: June 2024

Sensitive and accurate detection of small molecules from complex matrix has aroused increasing interest in many fields, yet remains an open challenge. Recent years have witnessed a considerable advance of aptasensors for diagnostic assay development towards diverse small molecules because aptamer is one of the most powerful classes of molecular receptors with advanced affinity and specificity. Herein, we reviewed the small‐molecule aptasensors in the past five years, focusing on the principles to specific applications in clinical diagnosis, food safety, and environmental monitoring. The first introductory section on the development of aptasensors in historical view and its analytical features contextualizes essential health‐related small molecules. The second part highlights the basic components of aptasensor and the detection principles of different sensors based on signal output modes. The subsequent part systematically discusses various small‐molecule sensing platforms by interfacing aptamers with diverse signal amplification strategies. Finally, challenges and perspectives for improving the aptasensor performance are also discussed. By describing biochemical and analytical procedures, this review highlights the optimal use of aptamers in the detection, quantification, and imaging of important health‐related small molecules and presents new insights, technical advances, and engineering strategies for practical applications.
Auslaugungsinduzierte Bewehrungskorrosion in wasserführenden Trennrissen
Authors: Pollner Toni , Rahimi Amir , Dauberschmidt Christoph
Published: June 2024

Werden Trennrisse oder Arbeitsfugen von Wasser durchströmt, kommt es zur Auslaugung des Zementsteins und zu einem Alkalitätsverlust. Wie bei der Carbonatisierung führt dieser Verlust zum Abbau der Passivschicht, die sich jedoch auf den angrenzenden Bereich beschränkt. Der Korrosionsfortschritt kann von der Wasseraustauschrate abhängen. In der hier vorgestellten Arbeit wird daher der Einfluss der Wasserdruckhöhe an Prüfkörpern mit Rissbreiten zwischen 0,20 und 0,25 mm (Mittelwerte) auf den Beginn der Depassivierung und die Korrosionsrate untersucht. Die Prüfkörper wurden bei einem hydrostatischen Druck von 0,04 bar, 0,20 bar oder 1,00 bar mit demineralisiertem Wasser beaufschlagt – die Korrosion wurde elektrochemisch erfasst. Wenige Tage nach Beginn der Beaufschlagung fließen bei allen Prüfkörpern hohe Makroelementströme. Infolge Selbstheilung kommt es bei 0,04 bar im späteren Verlauf zum Erliegen des Durchflusses, verbunden mit einem deutlichen Abfall der Makroelementströme. Dagegen führt der zwar verringerte, aber stetige Durchfluss bei 0,20 und 1,00 bar zu einem kontinuierlichen Korrosionsfortschritt. Während eine geplante längere Unterbrechung der Wasserzufuhr in der Repassivierung des Stahls resultiert, hat eine erneute Beaufschlagung sowohl einen erheblichen Anstieg der Durchfluss‐ als auch der Korrosionsrate zur Folge. Die Auslaugung äußert sich in einem Anstieg des pH‐Werts des ausströmenden Wassers und in einer verringerten Calciumkonzentration im Rissbereich.
Matching Together Living Cells and Prototissues: Will There Be Chemistry?
Authors: Valente Stefano , Galanti Agostino , Maghin Edoardo , Najdi Nahid , Piccoli Martina , Gobbo Pierangelo
Published: June 2024

Scientific advancements in bottom‐up synthetic biology have led to the development of numerous models of synthetic cells, or protocells. To date, research has mainly focused on increasing the (bio)chemical complexity of these bioinspired micro‐compartmentalized systems, yet the successful integration of protocells with living cells remains one of the major challenges in bottom‐up synthetic biology. In this review, we aim to summarize the current state of the art in hybrid protocell/living cell and prototissue/living cell systems. Inspired by recent breakthroughs in tissue engineering, we review the chemical, bio‐chemical, and mechano‐chemical aspects that hold promise for achieving an effective integration of non‐living and living matter. The future production of fully integrated protocell/living cell systems and increasingly complex prototissue/living tissue systems not only has the potential to revolutionize the field of tissue engineering, but also paves the way for new technologies in (bio)sensing, personalized therapy, and drug delivery.
Emerging Battery Systems with Metal as Active Cathode Material
Authors: Xue Kaiming , Wang Huimin , Yu Denis Y. W.
Published: June 2024

The high‐cost and limited availability of raw materials for lithium‐ion batteries hinder their future development and urge researchers to explore alternative battery systems. Among them, batteries utilizing the electrochemical redox reaction of metals such as Cu, Fe, Sn, etc. as the cathode to reversibly store and release energy are attractive because their raw materials are common and abundant. This review examines this type of novel battery system, introduces its basic mechanism and problems, analyses the strategies that are used to improve its reversibility and cycling stability and also proposes some possible future directions of investigations.
Regression trees for interval‐censored failure time data based on censoring unbiased transformations and pseudo‐observations
Authors: Yang Ce , Li Xianwei , Diao Liqun , Cook Richard J.
Published: June 2024

Interval‐censored data arise when a failure process is under intermittent observation and failure status is only known at assessment times. We consider the development of predictive algorithms when training samples involve interval censoring. Using censoring unbiased transformations and pseudo‐observations, we define observed data loss functions, which are unbiased estimates of the corresponding complete data loss functions. We show that regression trees based on these loss functions can recover the tree structure and yield good predictive accuracy. An application is given to a study involving individuals with psoriatic arthritis where the aim is to identify genetic markers useful for the prediction of axial disease within 10 years of a baseline assessment.
A Prognostic Model Based on Nutritional Indexes for Patients With Pan‐Cancer: A Real‐World Cohort Study
Authors: Zheng Lin , Yu Qian‐Qian , Ruan Wen‐Bin , Chen Jin , Deng Qing‐Hua , Zhang Ke , Jiang Xu‐Li , Jiang Wen‐Jun , Cai Dan‐Na , He Chen‐Jie , Wang Yu‐Feng , Jiang Shen‐Li , Ye Rui‐Zhi , You Guang‐Xian , Ying Rong‐Biao , Zhou Zhi‐Rui
Published: June 2024

Background

The aim was to identify the nutritional indexes, construct a prognostic model, and develop a nomogram for predicting individual survival probability in pan‐cancers.

Methods

Nutritional indicators, clinicopathological characteristics, and previous major treatment details of the patients were collected. The enrolled patients were randomly divided into training and validation cohorts. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) regression cross‐validation was used to determine the variables to include in the cox regression model. The training cohort was used to build the prediction model, and the validation cohort was used to further verify the discrimination, calibration, and clinical effectiveness of the model.

Results

A total of 2020 patients were included. The median OS was 56.50 months (95% CI, 50.36–62.65 months). In the training cohort of 1425 patients, through Lasso regression cross‐validation, 13 characteristics were included in the model. Cox proportional hazards model was developed and visualized as a nomogram. The C‐indexes of the model for predicting 1‐, 3‐, 5‐, and 10‐year OS were 0.848, 0.826, 0.814, and 0.799 in the training cohort and 0.851, 0.819, 0.814, and 0.801 in the validation cohort. The model showed great calibration in the two cohorts. Patients with a score of less than 274.29 had a better prognosis (training cohort: HR, 6.932; 95% CI, 5.723–8.397; log‐rank p < 0.001; validation cohort: HR, 8.429; 95% CI, 6.180–11.497; log‐rank p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The prognostic model based on the nutritional indexes of pan‐cancer can divide patients into different survival risk groups and performed well in the validation cohort.
Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer inGhana
Authors: Nartey Yvonne , Amo‐Antwi Kwabena , Hill Philip C. , Dassah Edward T. , Asmah Richard H. , Nyarko Kofi M. , Agambire Ramatu , Konney Thomas O. , Yarney Joel , Damale Nelson , Cox Brian
Published: June 2024

Background

The major burden of cervical cancer occurs in low‐ and middle‐income countries. In Ghana, it is the second most common cancer among women. Infection with high‐risk human papilloma virus (HPV) has been established as the cause of cervical cancer. As such, it is important to identify risk factors that may affect progression from HPV infection to cancer.

Aims

We assessed the risk factors assocaited with cervical cancer in Ghana.

Methods

To identify the risk factors for cervical cancer, we conducted an unmatched case–control study in two hospitals in Ghana where most cervical cancer cases are diagnosed. Women with histologically confirmed cervical cancer were the cases, whereas women without cancer seeking care at the two hospitals were controls. A structured questionnaire was administered to the women, after which cervical samples were sent for HPV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing.

Results

Overall, 206 cases and 230 controls were recruited. After adjusting for possible confounders, women with the highest educational level had a significantly lower risk of cervical cancer than those with no or little formal education. Parity was a major risk factor (odd ratio [OR] for five or more children = 7.9; 95% CI: 2.3–27.6), with risk increasing with increasing parity (pfor trend <0.001). Women reporting the use of a homemade sanitary towel during menstruation also had an increased risk of cervical cancer compared with women who used a pad (OR: 7.3; 95% CI: 2.5–22.0).

Conclusion

In this Ghanaian population, high parity and poor personal hygienic conditions were the main contributing factors to the risk of cervical cancer after adjustment for the presence of high‐risk HPV genotypes.
Comparative analysis of plasma affinity depletion methods: Impact on protein composition and phosphopeptide abundance in human plasma
Authors: Nikhil Pallaprolu , Aishwarya Dande , Dhingra Sameer , Pandey Krishna , Ravichandiran V. , Peraman Ramalingam
Published: June 2024

Affinity‐based protein depletion and TiO2 enrichment methods play a crucial role in detection of low‐abundant proteins and phosphopeptides enrichment, respectively. Here, we assessed the effectiveness of HSA/IgG (HU2) and Human 7 (HU7) depletion methods and their impact on phosphopeptides coverage through comparative proteome analysis, utilizing in‐solution digestion and nano‐LC‐Orbitrap mass spectrometry (MS). Our results demonstrated that both HU2 and HU7 affinity depletion significantly decreased high‐abundant proteins by 1.5–7.8‐fold (p < 0.001). A total of 1491 proteins were identified, with 48 proteins showing significant expression in the depleted groups. Notably, cadherin‐13, neutrophil defensin 1, APM1, and desmoplakin variant protein were exclusively detected in the HU2/HU7‐depleted groups. Furthermore, study on effect of depletion on phosphopeptides revealed an increase in tandem MS spectral counts with notable decrease (∼50%) in peptide spectrum matching in depleted groups, which was attributed to significant reduction in protein counts. Our post translation modification workflow for phosphoproteomics detected 42 phosphorylated peptides, corresponding to 12 phosphoproteins with unique peptide match ≥2 (high false discovery rates confidence). Among them, 10 phosphorylated proteins are highly expressed in depleted groups. Overall, these findings offer valuable insights in selection of protein depletion methods for comprehensive plasma proteomics analysis.
Improved Capacitive Performance of High‐Voltage Electric Double‐Layer Capacitors by Electrolyte Optimization Using Hierarchically Porous Carbon Electrodes
Authors: Joseph Jithu , Kannan Sreekala Kunchi , Surendran Krishnendu K , Hareendrakrishnakumar Haritha , Joseph Mary Gladis
Published: June 2024

Advancement of the voltage window with stringent safety concerns is an imperative strategy to enhance the energy densities and output power delivery of electrical double‐layer capacitors (EDLCs). Solid‐state, water‐in‐salt (WIS), and ionic liquid‐based electrolytes are attractive and ideal choices for high‐voltage EDLCs due to their superior voltage window, electrochemical performance, and predominant safety aspects. Mindful of this, the current report demonstrates the electrochemical performance of new nanoporous carbon electrodes derived from waste dry leaves of Swietenia macrophylla with a high specific surface area (SSA) (1834 m2 g−1) in polymer–gel, WIS, and ionic liquids‐based electrolytes. Symmetric EDLC devices are fabricated using polymer gel solid‐state (PVA–Na2SO4), ionic liquids (EMIMBF4), and WIS (21 m LiTFSI) electrolytes with the electrochemical stability windows of (ESW) 2, 2.5, and 2 V, respectively. The assembled devices with Na2SO4/PVA, EMIMBF4, and 21 m LiTFSI (WIS) electrolytes‐based devices exhibit high energy densities of 40, 31, and 25 Wh kg−1 at 0.5 A g−1 and good output power delivery of 5, 6.23, and 3 kW kg−1 at 5 A g−1 with better cyclability features. Self‐discharging studies and systematic evaluation of high‐voltage EDLCs offer a sustainable method to develop high‐performance aqueous and diverse electrolyte‐based supercapacitors.
MXene Promotes the Electrochemical Performance of V6O13 Cathode toward Advanced Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Chai Dianhong , Liu Juan , Li Xiaocheng , Zhao Xiaoyu , Li Haozhen , Xiao Pengbo , Yuan Qionghua
Published: June 2024

Vanadium oxides with high theoretical capacity have been regarded as the most auspicious cathodic materials for high‐performance aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) while their practical applications in ZIBs are limited by their low electrical conductivity and collapsible structure‐induced poor cyclability. As an important vanadium oxide, the theoretical capacity of V6O13 can reach 417 mAh g−1 but its actual capacity is low. In this study, V6O13/MXene composite is prepared via a facile one‐step hydrothermal method with the highly conductive MXene as substrate. The resulting V6O13/MXene composite can deliver a maximum capacity of 379.7 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and good rate capability (207 mAh g−1 at a high current density of 10 A g−1). The V6O13/MXene composite also demonstrates outstanding cyclability and can deliver a high capacity of the 194 mAh g−1 with a high capacity retention of 81% after 4800 cycles at 5 A g−1. The enhanced electrochemical performance of the V6O13/MXene over V6O13 is closely related to the decrease of the Rct value at the electrode–electrolyte interface due to the introduction of highly conductive MXene and the flower‐like morphology of the V6O13 on MXene surface which possesses high specific surface area and numerous active sites toward Zn2+ storage.
Influence of Crucible Types on Thermal Stability Analysis of Li‐Ion Battery Components by Thermogravimetric Analysis–Differential Scanning Calorimetry
Authors: Bracht Christian , Preitschopf Tobias , Schöneich Michael , Neff Tobias , Kallfaß Christoph , Finze Maik
Published: June 2024

Lithium‐ion batteries are widely used in various industrial and consumer applications. One key point is the thermal stability of these batteries regarding safety. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) are ideal methods to study the thermal properties of differently charged electrode materials without safety issues associated with thermal runaway tests of the complete cell. This study shows a significant relationship between state of charge (SOC) and power released by the electrode material during the heating process. For the utilized cathode material LixCoO2, a linear relationship is apparent between the decomposition temperature and the decomposition energy, enabling estimation of the SOC. The decomposition temperature of differently charged anode material strongly correlates with the selected heating rate. This study reveals substantial dependencies of the measured power on the utilized crucibles, providing a systematic approach to benchmark the impact of crucible type on observed DSC signals during battery component analysis.
The Simulation and Analysis of Leakage, Diffusion Behavior, and Risk Mitigation Measures in a Hydrogen‐Refueling Station
Authors: Wang Lin , Lyu Xuefeng , Zhang Shucheng , Zhang Jiayu , Li Xiangbin , Chen Jialei , Song Qingyao , Lin Jiancheng , Ma Tie
Published: June 2024

As an component of hydrogen energy utilization, hydrogen‐refueling stations require considerable attention regarding their safety. In this study, the influence of wind conditions is analyzed, specifically no wind and 10 m s−1 wind speed, on hydrogen diffusion characteristics following a 70 MPa hydrogen‐filling machine leakage. In the results, it is suggested that, during the initial stage of leakage, hydrogen exists in the form of an under‐expanded jet, later transitioning to diffusion dominated by buoyancy and wind conditions after moving upward for a certain distance. When there is no wind, hydrogen is significantly affected by buoyancy and obstacles, which leads to the formation of flammable clouds. In windy conditions, the volume fraction of hydrogen in the station is smaller than that in the no‐wind condition at the same leakage time, but the flammable clouds still predominantly distribute in the direction of the hydrogen jet. In this study, risk mitigation measures based on the distribution of flammable clouds are proposed. In the results, it is shown that after implementing these measures, the volume of flammable clouds is reduced from0.135 to 0.014 m3, manifesting the effectiveness of risk mitigation measures and minimizing the risk of hydrogen explosion.
Assessment of forecasting hydrate blockage in foam drainage gas recovery wellbore
Authors: Zhang Aoyang , Wei Na , Cai Meng , Li Haitao , Zhao Jinzhou , Zhang Liehui , Wang Xiaoran , Li Cong , Wang Xinwei , Wu Jiang
Published: June 2024

Hydrate formation in foam drainage gas recovery wells and the shut in accidents caused by plugging have become an important problem that restricts the safe production of natural gas. The blockage and accumulation of hydrates is a gradual problem. This research goes beyond predicting the formation of hydrates and delves deeper into examining the rate of hydrate formation and the degree of pipeline blockage at different wellbore locations. First, the temperature model, pressure model, multiphase flow model, and hydrate plugging model of hydrate formation process are established from the equations of mass conservation, energy conservation, and momentum conservation. Second, an iterative approach is employed to solve the model, with a maximum error of 6.86% in model validation. Finally, sensitivity analysis shows that wellhead temperature, wellhead pressure, and foam viscosity have different effects on hydrate formation, maximum plugging position, and plugging degree. At the same time, combined with the actual drainage and gas production process, and the characteristics of hydrate blockage, proposed hydrate prevention measures can be taken to achieve safe production of natural gas. The research results indicate that a decrease in temperature signifies an increase in undercooling, resulting in an accelerated rate of hydrate formation and an elevated risk of hydrate blockage. The decrease in wellhead pressure leads to a decrease in the rate of hydrate formation and an increase in production, which is beneficial for the hydrate prevention. However, larger pressure differences and gas production rates will put higher requirements on equipment such as well control devices. An increase in foam viscosity will lead to increased pressure, foam compression, reduced drainage capacity, and intensified hydrate generation. Therefore, foam viscosity should be kept as small as possible to keep the foam stable.
What is the force required to treat trismus in patients undergoing oral cavity free flap reconstruction?
Authors: Charters Emma , Loy Jamie , Cheng Kai , Dunn Masako , Manzie Timothy , Wan Boyang , Tumuluri Vinay , Clark Jonathan R.
Published: June 2024

Background

Trismus therapy is often delayed after jaw reconstruction to avoid hardware failure or non‐union. The aim of this study is to document the forces that have been applied to patients undergoing free flap reconstruction of the oral cavity in the 12 months following oral cavity reconstruction, and to analyze the associations between force and maximal interincisal opening (MIO) over time.

Methods

Participants with trismus after free flap reconstruction of the oral cavity completed a 10‐week jaw stretching program using Restorabite™. Primary outcome measures included the minimum and maximal force applied by a trismus device during rehabilitation, MIO, bone union, and health‐related quality of life outcomes up to 12 months postoperatively.

Results

A mean of 20.6 Newtons (N) was used during passive exercises and 38.9 N during active exercises was used during trismus therapy. The mean increase in MIO for the 45 participants after 10 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months of therapy was 8.4 mm (p < 0.001), 12.6 mm (p < 0.001), 12.7 mm (p < 0.001), respectively. There was no significant difference in the mean minimal (p = 0.37) or mean maximal (p = 0.08) force applied between those who underwent osseous free flap reconstruction compared to fasciocutaneous only, respectively. In patients who underwent osseous reconstruction, 25 (67.6%) had complete bone union and 12 (32.4%) had partial union at 12 months postsurgery.

Conclusions

In participants undergoing osseous free flap reconstruction, there was no association between the force applied to the rates of bone union. Further research to define safe and optimal loading may benefit patients undergoing jaw reconstruction.