bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxidization and Chain‐Branching Reaction for Recycling HDPE and Mixed HDPE/PP with In‐situ Compatibilization by Ozone‐Induced Reactive Extrusion
Authors: Wei Shi‐Yi , Wang Chun‐Yan , Guo Chao , Zhu Ya‐Nan , Cao Xian‐Wu , Kuang Qing‐Lin , He Guang‐Jian
Published: September 2023

High‐density polyethylene (HDPE) and isotactic polypropylene (iPP) are widely used in industrial and residential applications due to their low cost and chemical stability, thus their recycling process can contribute to a circular economy. However, both polymers are non‐polar materials, and the incompatibility with most other materials leads to substantially inferior properties of blends. In this work, we propose a flexible compatibilization strategy to improve the compatibility of HDPE/iPP blends. Ozone is adopted to induce reactive extrusion for rapid oxidation of HDPE and chain‐branching reactions for both HDPE and HDPE/iPP blends. During extrusion process, ozone oxidizes HDPE effectively in a short time and introduces oxygen‐containing groups such as carbonyl and ester groups, which improves the hydrophilicity. The addition of trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) could promote branching reaction and facilitate the formation of HDPE‐g‐iPP copolymers, which improved the compatibility for HDPE/iPP. As a result, the impact strength of ozone‐modified HDPE and HDPE/iPP blends increased by 22 % and 82 %, respectively, and the tensile strength also increased. This strategy would have potential applications in the field of sorting‐free and solvent‐free recycling of waste polyolefin plastics.
C2DD—An omnidirectional receiver based on single‐coil transmitter
Authors: Tian Zijian , Guo Bochao , Chen Wei , Guo Ni , Yu Ting
Published: September 2023

In this paper, the omnidirectional receiver (Rx) of wireless power transfer (WPT) system is proposed, making any transmitter (Tx) into omnidirectional Tx. The omnidirectional Rx is composed of the quadrature double‐D (DD) coils and circular coil in series (C2DD). The C2DD Rx can utilize the toroidal magnetic field (TMF) and the linear magnetic field (LMF). The paper presents the circuit diagram model of WPT system. Based on the analysis of circuit model, the smooth mutual inductance of system is responsible for stable transmission performance during C2DD Rx movement. The result of numerical calculation and magnetic field simulation verifies the omnidirectional capability of the C2DD Rx with circular Tx as an example. Experiment shows that the C2DD Rx receives power in any direction. The C2DD Rx can receive maximum transmission power of 7.1 W with maximum transmission efficiency of 59%.
What the research can tell us about student success predictors
Authors: Hamblet Elizabeth C.
Published: September 2023

Many Disability Services offices go beyond providing accommodations and services and endeavor to support students in reaching their goals, in part by directing them to additional strategies and supports that can help. How can they identify what works?
Practice these tips to get promoted
Authors: Hodges Dawn Z.
Published: September 2023

Next month I will have been retired for five years. It really seems unbelievable to me. Since I retired, the world has experienced a pandemic, and I have had quite a few never‐before experiences. I was hospitalized for coronavirus disease, and my brother‐in‐law was hospitalized with COVID and died of a brain bleed. My older sister fell in her home and shattered both ankles, both knees, and a femur. My mother had a heart attack two days after my brother‐in‐law died and was diagnosed with vascular dementia; she died a year later. My husband and I opened and closed a small business. He has had open‐heart surgery, an injury that resulted in spinal fusion, and two hand surgeries. My youngest granddaughter started middle school! We’ve endured an eight‐month renovation of our home. Whew! It's just hard to fathom all that in five years.
Plugging the leaks: antibiotic resistance at human–animal interfaces in low‐resource settings
Authors: Nadimpalli Maya L , Stegger Marc , Viau Roberto , Yith Vuthy , de Lauzanne Agathe , Sem Nita , Borand Laurence , Huynh Bich‐tram , Brisse Sylvain , Passet Virginie , Overballe‐Petersen Søren , Aziz Maliha , Gouali Malika , Jacobs Jan , Phe Thong , Hungate Bruce A , Leshyk Victor O , Pickering Amy J , Gravey François , Liu Cindy M , Johnson Timothy J , Le Hello Simon , Price Lance B
Published: September 2023

Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest public health challenges of our time. International efforts to curb resistance have largely focused on drug development and limiting unnecessary antibiotic use. However, in areas where water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure is lacking, we propose that bacterial flow between humans and animals can exacerbate the emergence and spread of resistant pathogens. Here, we describe the consequences of poor environmental controls by comparing mobile resistance elements among Escherichia coli recovered from humans and meat in Cambodia, a middle‐income country with substantial human–animal connectivity and unregulated antibiotic use. We identified identical mobile resistance elements and a conserved transposon region that were widely dispersed in both humans and animals, a phenomenon rarely observed in high‐income settings. Our findings indicate that plugging leaks at human–animal interfaces should be a critical part of addressing antibiotic resistance in low‐ and especially middle‐income countries.
Unlocking the anti‐diabetic potential of Gymnema sylvestre, Trigonella foenum‐graecum, and their combination thereof: An in‐vivo evaluation
Authors: Kashif Muhammad , Nasir Amar , Gulzaman  , Rafique Muhammad Kamran , Abbas Mazhar , ur Rehman Aziz , Riaz Muhammad , Rasool Ghulam , Mtewa Andrew G.
Published: September 2023

The current study aimed to explore the anti‐diabetic effect of aqueous extracts of Gymnema sylvestre, Trigonella foenum‐graecum and mixture of both the plants in alloxan‐induced diabetic rabbits. A total of 30 rabbits were grouped into six equal groups as: normal control, diabetic control, diabetic treated with 300 mg/kg body weight (bw) G. sylvestre, diabetic treated with 300 mg/kg bw T. foenum‐graecum, diabetic treated with 300 mg/kg bw mixture of both the plants and diabetic treated with 500 mg/kg bw metformin for 4 weeks. Diabetes was induced to all the study group animals except normal control by intravenous administration of alloxan monohydrate (80 mg/kg bw). Blood glucose was measured by glucometer and other biochemical parameters were determined through various kit methods. Serum insulin was measured through ELISA kit method. Results showed that both the plants and metformin significantly (p < .05) decreased the fasting blood glucose. Hypoglycemic activity of aqueous extract of G. sylvestre and metformin was found slightly higher than aqueous extract of T. foenum‐graecum and the mixture of both the plants. However, a significant (p < .05) rise in insulin secretion was observed in studied plants extract treated rabbits. Serum urea, creatinine, and liver enzymes were found reduced significantly (p < .05) in treated rabbits whereas packed cell volume was also returned to normal in treated animals as compared to control group. The study concluded that G. sylvestre and T. foenum‐graecum extracts have comparable effects with metformin in normalizing the blood glucose level and have more pronounced effect than metformin in restoring the serum biochemical parameters to normal levels. Hence, these plants may be the good alternative medicine in managing the diabetes mellitus.
Safety as a Factor in Reaction Development: Considerations of Sensitization Potential with Amide Bond Forming Reagents
Authors: George David T. , Williams Michael J. , Beutner Gregory L.
Published: September 2023

In response to an increased awareness of sensitization issues with amide bond forming agents, a detailed toxicological analysis of this broad family of reagents was undertaken which led to a quantitative ranking of the sensitization potential of these commonly used compounds. This data enables occupational toxicologists to guide the safer use of these reagents in the laboratory, but it also provides an opportunity for chemists working on reaction development, optimization and scale‐up. To illustrate this, one of the strongest sensitizers, EDAC, is compared with the performance of one of the weakest, TCFH, showing the potential of this data for minimizing risks for researchers when using this family of reagents.
Crisis and bias: Exploring ethnic prejudice among Chinese‐Dutch children before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Yang Yiran , Emmen Rosanneke A. G. , de Bruijn Ymke , Mesman Judi
Published: September 2023

Interethnic prejudice in children has been studied mostly among White and Black populations in the United States, but less among East Asian populations and Europe. Given that interethnic prejudice is sensitive to populations and contexts, research on previously neglected groups is needed. In the current study, interethnic prejudice is examined among Chinese‐Dutch children aged 7–11 years (N = 80, 42 girls and 38 boys), focusing on their preference for and rejection of East Asian, White, Southwest Asian and North African, and Black peers. In addition, interethnic prejudice is examined in relation to the COVID‐19 pandemic, a global crisis that has led to anti‐Asian racism. The results revealed that Chinese‐Dutch children evaluated their ethnic ingroup and the White outgroup most positively, and the Black outgroup least positively. Moreover, stronger ingroup affinity (in terms of lower ingroup rejection) among Chinese‐Dutch children was found during than before the COVID‐19 pandemic, highlighting the importance of situational influences on children's interethnic prejudice.
Anesthesia and postpartum pain management for placenta accreta spectrum: The patient perspective and recommendations for care
Authors: Bartels Helena C. , Lalor Joan G. , Walsh Don , Nieto‐Calvache Albaro José , Terlizzi Kristen , Cooney Naomi , Palacios‐Jaraquemada José Miguel , O'Flaherty Doireann , MacColgain Siaghal , ffrench‐O'Carroll Robert , Brennan Donal J.
Published: September 2023

Objective

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is a high‐risk complication of pregnancy, which often requires complex surgical intervention. There is limited literature on the patient experience during the perioperative period and postpartum pain management for PAS. Therefore, this study aims to explore the patient perspective of anesthesia care.

Methods

Ethical approval was granted by the hospital ethics committee (EC02.2023). This was a descriptive survey study, including women with a history of pregnancy complicated by PAS who were members of two patient advocacy groups. The survey, consisting of both open and closed questions, was performed over a 6‐week period between January and March 2023. Content analysis was performed on qualitative data to identify themes, and recommendations for care are suggested.

Results

A total of 347 participants responded to the survey; 76% (n = 252) had a cesarean hysterectomy (n = 252), and general anesthesia was the most common primary mode of anesthesia (39%, n = 130). We identified two overarching themes: experiences of anesthesia and experience of postpartum pain management. Under experiences of anesthesia, three subthemes were identified, namely “communication with the anesthesiologist”, “deferring to the expertise of the team”, and “consequences of decision around the mode of anesthesia.” Under postpartum pain management, two subthemes emerged: “support of specialist PAS team” and “poor pain management following PAS surgery”.

Conclusions

Women want to be involved in decisions around their care, but do not always understand the consequences of their decision‐making, such as missing the birth of their child. An antenatal anesthesiology consultation is important to provide women with information, explore preferences, and develop a plan of care for the birth.
Compact portable higher harmonic generation microscopy for the real time assessment of unprocessed thyroid tissue
Authors: Kok S. D. , Schaap P. M. Rodriguez , van Dommelen L. , van Huizen L. M. G. , Dickhoff C. , Dijkum E. M. Nieveen‐van , Engelsman A. F. , van der Valk P. , Groot M. L.
Published: September 2023

During thyroid surgery fast and reliable intra‐operative pathological feedback has the potential to avoid a two‐stage procedure and significantly reduce health care costs in patients undergoing a diagnostic hemithyroidectomy (HT). We explored higher harmonic generation (HHG) microscopy, which combines second harmonic generation (SHG), third harmonic generation (THG), and multiphoton excited autofluorescence (MPEF) for this purpose. With a compact, portable HHG microscope, images of freshly excised healthy tissue, benign nodules (follicular adenoma) and malignant tissue (papillary carcinoma, follicular carcinoma and spindle cell carcinoma) were recorded. The images were generated on unprocessed tissue within minutes and show relevant morphological thyroid structures in good accordance with the histology images. The thyroid follicle architecture, cells, cell nuclei (THG), collagen organization (SHG) and the distribution of thyroglobulin and/or thyroid hormones T3 or T4 (MPEF) could be visualized. We conclude that SHG/THG/MPEF imaging is a promising tool for clinical intraoperative assessment of thyroid tissue.
Pericyte dysfunction is a key mediator of the risk of cerebral ischemia
Authors: Whitehead Bailey , Karelina Kate , Weil Zachary M.
Published: September 2023

Pericytes are critical yet understudied cells that are a central component of the neurovascular unit. They are connected to the cerebrovascular endothelium and help control vascular contractility and maintain the blood–brain barrier. Pericyte dysfunction has the potential to mediate many of the deleterious vascular consequences of ischemic stroke. Current therapeutics are designed to be administered after stroke onset and limit damage, but there are few options to target vascular risk factors pre‐ischemia which likely contribute to stroke outcomes. Here, we focus on the role of pericytes in health and disease, and discuss how pericyte dysfunction can increase the risk of ischemic injury. Additionally, we note that despite the importance of pericytes in cerebrovascular disease, there are relatively few current therapeutic options that target pericyte function.
An application of computable biomedical knowledge to transform patient centered scheduling
Authors: Azad Namita , Armstrong Carolyn , Depue Corinne , Crimmins Timothy J. , Touson Jonathan C.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Efficient appointment scheduling in the outpatient setting is challenged by two main factors: variability and uncertainty leading to undesirable wait times for patients or physician overtime, and events such as no‐shows, cancellations, or walk‐ins can result in physician idle time and under‐utilization of resources. Some methods have been developed to optimize scheduling and minimize wait and idle times in the inpatient setting but are limited in the outpatient setting.

Methods

People and Organization Development, an internal group of organizational developers, led the development of a solution that selects the optimal group of appointments for a patient that minimizes the time between associated procedures as well as lead time built using a linear integer program. This program takes appointment requests, availability of resources, order constraints, and time preferences as inputs, and provides a list of the most optimal groupings as an output. Included in the methodology is the technical infrastructure necessary to deploy this within an electronic medical record system.

Implementation and Test Plan

A pilot has been designed to run this algorithm in a single department. The pilot will include training staff on the new workflow, and conducting informal interviews to gather qualitative data on performance. Key performance indicators such as schedule utilization, resource idle time, patient satisfaction, average appointment lead time, and average waiting time will be closely monitored.

Discussion

The model is limited in accounting for variability in appointment length potentially resulting in inaccurate schedules for healthcare providers and patients. Future states would incorporate certain visit types starting through machine learning techniques. Additionally expanding our data pipeline and processing, developing greater communication software, and expanding our research to include other departments and subspecialties, will enhance the accuracy and flexibility of the algorithm and enable healthcare providers to provide better care to their patients.
Strike while the iron is hot: Temperature affects consumers' appetite for risk
Authors: Lundberg Josh , Craig Adam , Peloza John
Published: September 2023

Many consumer decisions—from trying a new brand to trying a new recipe—involve risk. However, although consumers' appetite for risk has received over 50 years of investigation, the impact of situational variables (e.g., atmospherics) on consumer decision‐making involving risk remains relatively unexplored. To address this gap, the current work examines the influence of temperature, a ubiquitous situational influence, on consumers' inclination toward risk. Across four studies, we find evidence for a positive relationship between temperature and risk‐taking, using multiple operationalizations of temperature and measurements of risk. Evidence suggests that this effect is driven by warm temperature engaging the Behavioral Activation System, which in turn heightens risk‐taking.
Use of super‐thin anterolateral thigh flap in intra‐oral reconstruction of soft tissue defects
Authors: Dave Aniket , Priyadarshini Pratyusha , Wadhwani Kamlesh , Laxmidhar Murtuza , Vanjarapu Ravi Naga Vijay Kumar
Published: September 2023

Background

Traditional sub‐fascial anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps are bulky and often give unsatisfactory outcomes in several head and neck reconstructions where thin pliable flaps are required. As a result, despite high incidence of donor site complications, radial forearm flap is still commonly used for tongue, buccal mucosa and lip defects where a traditional ALT flap would be too bulky. The objective of this report was to evaluate the usefulness of super‐thin ALT flap as an alternative to radial forearm flap for intra‐oral reconstruction.

Patients and methods

Retrospective evaluation was done of all head and neck reconstructions performed by a single surgeon between December 2021 and May 2022. Twenty‐two patients who had undergone super‐thin ALT flaps for intra‐oral reconstruction of soft tissue defects were included in the report. These included buccal mucosa (n = 11), tongue (n = 8), and buccal mucosa with neck skin defects (n = 3). All patients had undergone wide excision of oral squamous cell carcinoma, and had history of chewing tobacco. Average age of patients was 54 years, 16 were males and 6 were females. Mean BMI of the patients was 25.2 kg/m2 (Range: 20.5–31.0 kg/m2). Super‐thin ALT flap was elevated in the plane of superficial fascia of the thigh, thus leaving behind the deeper fat. The flaps were shaped as per the measurements obtained from the specimen as well as the defect and intra‐oral inset was done prior to vascular anastomosis.

Results

Mean flap dimension was 8.3 × 6.7 cm (range: 6 × 5 to 20 × 7 cm). Mean flap thickness was 9 mm (range: 4–20 mm). Mean flap elevation time was 70.9 min (Range: 48–105 min). None of the flaps needed a re‐exploration. All flaps survived completely. One patient had surgical site infection at the flap donor site which was managed conservatively. Mean follow up was 5 months (range: 3–10 months). All patients were able to take soft oral diet at the last follow up.

Conclusions

Super‐thin ALT flaps raised in superficial fascia plane are reliable and provide thin, pliable tissue for head and neck reconstruction. Unlike other thin flaps, these are not limited by donor site morbidity and flap dimension.
Pumping scheme for Holmium‐doped fiber amplifiers using traditional 1480 nm pumps exploiting cascaded lasers implemented using fiber Bragg gratings
Authors: Kanwal Benish , Atieh Ahmad , Ghafoor Salman , Sajid Muhammad , Mirza Jawad
Published: September 2023

Diversity in design is an important factor that enables developers to explore techniques aiming to reduce cost, complexity, and manufacturability. The optical window around 2000 nm is attracting rapid research considerations for the next generation optical networks as a continuation of C‐, L‐, and U‐bands. Optical amplifier is considered to be one of the major research directions in this optical window. Holmium‐doped fiber amplifier is an appropriate component to amplify signals in this optical window. But, the major issue is the pump laser for pumping the Holmium‐doped fiber (HDF) is that it is costly and not readily procurable. In a pioneering design, the authors introduced a method to pump the HDF using traditional 1480 nm pump diode by taking the advantage of cascaded lasers which were made of Erbium‐doped fiber (EDF) and Thulium‐doped fiber (TDF). In this paper, we propose an alternate method for pumping the HDF using commercially available 1480 nm pump diode by exploiting cascaded lasers implemented using two pairs of reflective fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) and pieces of EDF and TDF. The EDF in the first laser is excited with a standard 1480 nm pump diode to create 1610 nm continuous wave (CW) laser which is used to excite the TDF in the second laser to generate 1950 nm CW laser that is used to pump the HDF. Peak gain of 40.5, 36, and 23 dB can be attained corresponding to –30, –15, and 0 dBm signal powers, respectively at 2055.6 nm signal wavelength. Output powers of 10.5, 21, and 23 dBm are obtained for –30, –15, and 0 dBm signal powers, respectively at 2055.6 nm signal wavelength. Noise figures (NFs) of 5, 4.2, and 4 dB are observed at signal wavelength of 2066.7 nm for signal powers of −30, −15, and 0 dBm, respectively. Penalty of 4.5 dB has been observed both in peak gain and power at 2055.6 nm signal wavelength for signal power of −15 dBm considering the pair induced quenching. Finally, the proposed alternate pumping scheme is compared with the previous pumping scheme in terms of 3 dB gain bandwidth and NF. It has been observed that 88% increase in 3 dB gain bandwidth and 19% decrease in NF at a signal wavelength of 2044.4 nm for signal power of –30 dBm is noticed in the proposed pumping scheme.
A good beam quality Ho:GdVO4 laser pumped by thulium‐doped fiber laser at 1940 nm
Authors: Yang Chao , Li Xin , Zheng Bowen , Li Yongliang , Ju Youlun
Published: September 2023

We demonstrate a Ho:GdVO4 solid‐state laser pumped by a thulium (Tm)‐doped fiber laser at 1940nm. In continuous wave mode, a maximum output power of 6.1 W was obtained under the absorbed pump power of 31.9 W with the slope efficiency of 24.3% at the temperature of 18°C. The wavelength of output laser was 2048.53 nm with full width at half maximum of 0.2 nm. In Q‐switched mode, a maximum single pulse energy of 0.94 mJ was obtained with a minimum pulse duration of 7.3 ns at the pulse repetition frequency of 5 kHz, corresponding to a peak power of 129 kW and an average output power of 4.7 W. The beam quality factor of M2 was 1.01 under the maximum absorbed pump power. To the best of our knowledge, 0.94 mJ is the highest single pulse energy in single holmium (Ho) doped GdVO4 laser pumped by Tm‐doped fiber laser at 1940 nm, and 1.01 is the best beam quality factor of M2 in Ho:GdVO4 laser pumped by a Tm‐doped fiber laser.
Advancing earlier transdiagnostic identification of mental health risk: A pragmatic approach at the transition to toddlerhood
Authors: Wiggins Jillian Lee , Ureña Rosario Ana , Zhang Yudong , MacNeill Leigha , Yu Qiongru , Norton Elizabeth , Smith Justin D. , Wakschlag Lauren S.
Published: September 2023

Objectives

In light of the youth mental health crisis, as 1 in 5 children have a mental disorder diagnosis by age 3, identification of transdiagnostic behavioral vulnerability prior to impairing psychopathology must occur at an earlier phase of the clinical sequence. Here, we lay the groundwork for a pragmatic irritability measure to identify at‐risk infant‐toddlers.

Methods

Data comprised N = 350 diverse infant‐toddlers and their mothers assessed at ∼14 months old for irritability (Multidimensional Assessment Profiles‐ Temper Loss‐Infant/Toddler (MAPS‐TL‐IT) and impairment (Early Childhood Irritability‐Related Impairment Interview, E‐CRI; and Family Life Impairment Scale (FLIS). Bimonthly follow‐up surveys assessed impairment (FLIS) over the following year.

Results

Stepwise logistic regression indicated that 5 MAPS‐TL‐IT items were most informative for differentiating concurrent impairment on the FLIS: “frustrated about small things”; “hit, bite, or kick during tantrums”; “trouble cheering up when grumpy”; “grumpy during fun activities” and “tantrums in public”. With this summed score, Receiver Operating Characteristics analysis differentiating concurrent impairment on the E‐CRI indicated good classification accuracy for (Area under the curve = 0.755, p < 0.05), with a cutoff of 5 maximizing sensitivity (71.4%) and specificity (70.6%). Elevated irritability on this MAPS‐TL‐IT clinically optimized screener increased likelihood of persistently elevated FLIS impairment trajectories over the following year more than fourfold (OR = 4.37; Confidence intervals = 2.40–7.97, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our findings represent the first step toward a pragmatic tool for screening for transdiagnostic mental health risk in toddlers, optimized for feasibility in clinical care. This has potential to strengthen resilience pathways via earlier identification of mental health risk and corollary prevention in toddlers.
Charting the solid‐state NMR signals of polysaccharides: A database‐driven roadmap
Authors: Zhao Wancheng , Debnath Debkumar , Gautam Isha , Fernando Liyanage D. , Wang Tuo
Published: September 2023

Solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) measurements of intact cell walls and cellular samples often generate spectra that are difficult to interpret due to the presence of many coexisting glycans and the structural polymorphism observed in native conditions. To overcome this analytical challenge, we present a statistical approach for analyzing carbohydrate signals using high‐resolution ssNMR data indexed in a carbohydrate database. We generate simulated spectra to demonstrate the chemical shift dispersion and compare this with experimental data to facilitate the identification of important fungal and plant polysaccharides, such as chitin and glucans in fungi and cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectic polymers in plants. We also demonstrate that chemically distinct carbohydrates from different organisms may produce almost identical signals, highlighting the need for high‐resolution spectra and validation of resonance assignments. Our study provides a means to differentiate the characteristic signals of major carbohydrates and allows us to summarize currently undetected polysaccharides in plants and fungi, which may inspire future investigations.
Investigation of bituminized waste products swelling behavior due to water uptake under free leaching conditions: Experiments and modeling
Authors: Chen Yujiong , Champenois Jean‐Baptiste , Dangla Patrick , Granet Sylvie , Lautru Joseph , Leclerc Arnaud , Melot Geoffroy
Published: September 2023

Bituminized waste products (BWPs) were produced by conditioning in bitumen the co‐precipitation sludge resulting from industrial reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel. Underground geological disposal is a solution for the long‐term disposal of some intermediate level long‐lived (ILW‐LL) categorized BWPs in France. After one or several hundred thousand years, the water from the host rock will fully saturate the disposal cells. By an osmotic phenomenon enabled by the semi‐permeable capacity of the bituminous matrix, water in direct contact with BWPs could cause them to swell, which would lead to pressure on the host rock and may damage the disposal facility. Therefore, the BWPs’ swelling behavior has to be taken into account in safety studies for disposal facilities. This paper presents an experimental and numerical investigation of BWPs’ swelling behavior due to water uptake. Experimentally, water uptake, swelling and released salts were monitored for about 4 years during free leaching tests of simplified BWPs. The numerical model presented is extended from an existing one that incorporates transport mechanisms (diffusion, permeation, osmosis) with mechanics via Maxwell's viscoelastic model. An original coupled homogenization of transport terms is proposed to better capture the role of the semi‐permeable membrane played by the bitumen and the porosity dependency of coupled transport coefficients during water uptake. The presented numerical model is able to reproduce the experimental results of free leaching tests and shows its validity for the entire leaching process.
A coupled finite element formulation for the modeling of freezing processes within the Theory of Porous Media using a discontinuous approximation for the volume fraction ice
Authors: Koßler Marvin , Schwarz Alexander , Bluhm Joachim , Schröder Jörg
Published: September 2023

This work presents a multi‐phase approach to model freezing processes within a coupled finite element formulation using the Theory of Porous Media (TPM), see also [1]. The focus of the study is to enhance the numerical stability for the volume fraction ice as is it highly sensitive to phase discontinuities. To address this issue, a discontinuous approximation is employed for the volume fraction ice while the remaining degrees of freedom are still continuously approximated. As a result, the corresponding degrees of freedom are independently solved for each element, as the element nodes are not interconnected with other elements. Academic examples are provided within a standard Galerkin procedure to highlight the optimization effect, comparing the results obtained with a continuous and discontinuous approximation for the volume fraction ice. Additionally, the implementation of the discontinuous approximation allows for the application of static condensation, resulting in reduced computation time.
Approximate controllability of a 2D linear system related to the motion of two fluids with surface tension
Authors: Court Sébastien
Published: September 2023

We consider a coupled system of partial differential equations describing the interactions between a closed free interface and two viscous incompressible fluids. The fluids are assumed to satisfy the incompressible Navier‐Stokes equations in time‐dependent domains that are determined by the free interface. The mean curvature of the interface induces a surface tension force that creates a jump of the Cauchy stress tensor on both sides. It influences the behavior of the surrounding fluids, and therefore the deformation of this interface via the equality of velocities. In dimension 2, the steady states correspond to immobile interfaces that are circles with all the same volume. Considering small displacements of steady states, we are lead to consider a linearized version of this system. We prove that the latter is approximately controllable to a given steady state for any time by the means of additional surface tension type forces, provided that the radius of the circle of reference does not coincide with a scaled zero of the Bessel function of first kind.
Toupin–Mindlin first strain‐gradient elasticity for cubic and isotropic materials at small scales
Authors: Lazar Markus , Agiasofitou Eleni
Published: September 2023

The Toupin–Mindlin anisotropic first strain‐gradient elasticity is a generalized continuum field theory valid at small scales. The field theoretical framework, the constitutive tensors, and the material parameters are given for anisotropic, cubic, and isotropic materials in first strain gradient elasticity. Since the characteristic lengths are in the unit‐range of Ångström, first strain‐gradient elasticity leads to Ångström mechanics, in a straightforward manner.
Content moderation through removal of service: Content delivery networks and extremist websites
Authors: Looney Seán
Published: September 2023

Considerable attention has been paid by researchers to social media platforms, especially the ‘big companies’, and increasingly also messaging applications, and how effectively they moderate extremist and terrorist content on their services. Much less attention has yet been paid to if and how infrastructure and service providers, further down ‘the tech stack’, deal with extremism and terrorism. Content Delivery Networks (CDN) such as Cloudflare play an underestimated role in moderating the presence of extremist and terrorist content online as it is impossible for these websites to operate without DDoS protection. This is evidenced by the takedown of a wide range websites such as The Daily Stormer, 8chan, a variety of Taliban websites and more recently the organised harassment site Kiwifarms following refusal of service by Cloudflare. However, it is unclear whether there is any formal process of content review conducted by the company when it decides to refuse services. This article aims to first provide an analysis of what extremist and terrorist websites make use of Cloudflare's services as well as other CDNs, and how many of them have been subject to takedown following refusal of service. Following this the article analyses CDNs' terms of service and how current and upcoming internet regulation applies to these CDNs.
Safety and tolerability of continuous inhaled iloprost in critically ill pediatric pulmonary hypertension patients: A retrospective case series
Authors: Colglazier Elizabeth , Ng Angelica J. , Parker Claire , Woolsey David , Holmes Raymond , Dsouza Allison , Becerra Jasmine , Stevens Leah , Nawaytou Hythem , Keller Roberta L. , Fineman Jeffrey R.
Published: September 2023

Inhaled iloprost (iILO) has shown efficacy in treating patients with hypoxic lung disease and pulmonary hypertension, inducing selective pulmonary vasodilation and improvement in oxygenation. However, its short elimination half‐life of 20–30 min necessitates frequent intermittent dosing (6–9 times per day). Thus, the administration of iILO via continuous nebulization represents an appealing method of drug delivery in the hospital setting. The objectives are: (1) describe our continuous iILO delivery methodology and safety profile in mechanically ventilated pediatric pulmonary hypertension patients; and (2) characterize the initial response of iILO in these pediatric patients currently receiving iNO. Continuous iILO was delivered and well tolerated (median 6 days; range 1–94) via tracheostomy or endotracheal tube using the Aerogen® mesh nebulizer system coupled with a Medfusion® 400 syringe pump. No adverse events or delivery malfunctions were reported. Initiation of iILO resulted in an increase in oxygen saturation from 81.4 ± 8.6 to 90.8 ± 4.1%, p < 0.05. Interestingly, prior iNO therapy for >1 day resulted in a higher response rate to iILO (as defined as a ≥ 4% increase in saturations) compared to those receiving iNO <1 day (85% vs. 50%, p = 0.06). When the use of iILO is considered, continuous delivery represents a safe, less laborious alternative and concurrent treatment with iNO should not be considered a contraindication. However, given the retrospective design and small sample size, this study does not allow the evaluation of the efficacy of continuous iILO on outcomes beyond the initial response. Thus, a prospective study designed to evaluate the efficacy of continuous iILO is necessary.
Native mass spectrometry interrogation of complexes formed during targeted protein degradation
Authors: Ahmed Ikhlas M. M. , Beveridge Rebecca
Published: September 2023

Rationale

Protein degraders are small molecules that promote cellular degradation of a target protein. Degraders simultaneously bind to their target and an E3 ligase, bringing them into close spatial proximity, but the formation of this ternary complex is difficult to measure with many biophysical techniques.

Methods

Native mass spectrometry (nMS) is an effective label‐free technique to identify the complexes formed by proteolysis‐targeting chimeras (PROTACs). It can monitor the formation of ternary E3–PROTAC–target complexes and detect intermediate binary species. Experiments are described using a Synapt G2Si (Waters) equipped with a nano‐electrospray ionisation source.

Results

The protocol describes nMS experiments for measuring the complexes formed by PROTAC molecules. It also describes how to investigate differences in the affinity of PROTAC complexes, whether a PROTAC shows specificity for a given target and whether a PROTAC shows cooperative behaviour.

Conclusions

Here, we provide step‐by‐step instructions for the sample preparation of PROTAC complexes and their nMS interrogation to obtain optimal information on their binding modes.
Complementary spectroscopic and electrochemical analysis of the sealing of micropores in hexamethyldisilazane plasma polymer films by Al2O3 atomic layer deposition
Authors: Xie Xiaofan , Zanders David , Preischel Florian , de los Arcos Teresa , Devi Anjana , Grundmeier Guido
Published: September 2023

In the present study, the effects of oxygen plasma treatment and subsequent 2 nm thin Al2O3 film deposition by atomic layer deposition on about 30 nm thick hexamethyldisilazane polymer layers are investigated by using a combination of spectroscopic and electrochemical analysis. The investigations focus on the microporosity of the corresponding films and their structural changes. Upon oxygen plasma treatment, the surface near region of the films is converted into SiOx, and the microporosity is increased. Atomic layer deposition of Al2O3 on the plasma oxidized films leads to the decrease of pore sizes and an effective sealing. A correlation between the film microporosity and the change of hydroxyl groups of the films with the adsorption of water was established by ellipsometric porosimetry and in situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Moreover, electrochemical analysis provided complementary information on the electrolyte up‐take in the differently conditioned thin films.
Prenatal detection of orofacial clefts in Denmark from 2009 to 2018
Authors: Sander F. H. , Jørgensen D. S. , Jakobsen L. P. , Jensen A. N. , Lousen T. , Sandager P. , Sperling L. , Vogel I. , Petersen O. B. , Vedel C. ,   Collaborators
Published: September 2023

Objective

To investigate the overall and type‐specific prenatal detection rates (DRs) of orofacial clefts in a national cohort in Denmark.

Methods

This study was based on data from the Danish Fetal Medicine Database and included all fetuses and children from singleton pregnancies diagnosed with an orofacial cleft prenatally and/or postnatally between 2009 and 2018. The types of cleft included unilateral, bilateral or median cleft lip (CL); unilateral, bilateral or median cleft lip with secondary cleft palate (CLP); and cleft palate (CP). The clefts were grouped as cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL(P)) or as all clefts (including CP). All cases with discordance between prenatal and postnatal diagnoses were validated in the local patient files (Astraia). Cases without prenatal validation of the postnatal diagnosis were marked as undetected. Postnatally diagnosed cases with a strong prenatal suspicion of a cleft but without an International Classification of Diseases‐10 code were registered as prenatally detected. Termination of pregnancy and intrauterine death were registered as true positives even if no autopsy could be performed. Liveborn cases with a prenatal diagnosis but without a postnatal validation were excluded.

Results

A total of 994 cases were included in the study, of which 933 were liveborn. The prevalence of orofacial cleft was 1.6 per 1000 live births. There were no differences in the baseline characteristics between detected and undetected cases. The DR for CL(P) was 71.7% (95% CI, 64.8–78.9%), with an increase from 60.0% in 2009 to 73.0% in 2018 (P = 0.018). The type‐specific DRs for the entire period were 56.4% (95% CI, 45.0–67.6%) for unilateral CL; 76.6% (95% CI, 71.7–82.9%) for unilateral CLP; 70.5% (95% CI, 52.1–87.6%) for bilateral CL; 82.3% (95% CI, 70.6–93.6%) for bilateral CLP; 0% (0/6) for median CL; 75.0% (3/4) for median CLP; and 3.3% (95% CI, 0.6–5.7%) for CP. A total of 20.9% (208/994) of the cases had associated findings, of which 33.2% (69/208) were genetic aberrations.

Conclusions

The DR for CL(P) has improved in Denmark over the last decade. The DR for CLP is high, with the highest DR for bilateral CLP. However, prenatal detection of CP remains a challenge. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Evaluation of the differences in proteomics of high‐quality bovine colostrum and low‐quality bovine colostrum
Authors: Kaçar Yiğit , Batmaz Hasan
Published: September 2023

Background

Although there are studies on colostrum and milk proteomics of different species in the literature, there is no published report about different quality bovine colostrums’ proteomics.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare the proteome content of high‐ and low‐quality bovine colostrums for the first time.

Methods

Colostrum samples were collected from 32 Holstein cows from the same farm that had just calved. Brix% levels of colostrums were measured, and then, those with a Brix% value of ≥27% were classified as high‐quality and those with a Brix% value of <22% as low‐quality. Three samples from high‐quality and low‐quality colostrums were selected and proteomic analyses were performed by pooling separately.

Results

Totally 95 proteins were identified in the colostrums, and 19 of them showed significant changes between high‐ and low‐quality colostrums. Expressions in colostrum of glycosylation‐dependent cell adhesion molecule‐1, cofilin‐1, alpha‐S2‐casein, alpha‐lactalbumin, alpha‐1B‐glycoprotein, actin_cytoplasmic‐1, nucleobindin‐1, cathelicidin‐4, inter‐alpha‐trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4, chitinase‐3‐like protein 1 and monocyte differentiation antigen CD14 were lower, whereas tetranectin, secreted frizzled‐related protein‐1 (SFRP1), perilipin‐2, coatomer subunit epsilon (COPE), butyrophilin subfamily 1 member A1, polyubiquitin‐B, lactadherin and albumin levels were higher in high‐quality colostrum than low‐quality colostrum. Moreover, SFRP1, COPE and cathelicidin‐4 proteins were identified for the first time in bovine colostrum. In high‐quality colostrum, the most prominently down‐regulated proteins were cathelicidin‐4 (26.01‐fold) and cofilin‐1 (17.42‐fold), and the most prominently up‐regulated proteins were COPE (3.37‐fold) and tetranectin (3.07‐fold).

Conclusions

It was detected that the proteome contents of high‐ and low‐quality bovine colostrums were different from each other. As new functions are added to the protein databases regarding these proteins detected in colostrums, the interactions of proteins with each other and with other molecules will be detailed and the effects of high‐quality colostrums on passive transfer immunity and calf health will be understood in full detail.
Serum vitamin D in sanctuary chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in range countries: A pilot study
Authors: Feltrer‐Rambaud Yedra , Moresco Anneke , Ange‐van Heugten Kimberly , Pizarro Andrea , Tomeo‐Martín Beatriz , Carrasco Pesquera Lara , Moresco Natalie , Atencia Rebeca
Published: September 2023

Background

Vitamin D is essential for skeletal health, calcium homeostasis and general health. The major and more stable form of vitamin D in circulation is 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25‐OH‐D); this is the most valuable indicator of vitamin D status. There are studies on laboratory and zoo‐housed chimpanzees; however, serum vitamin D status has not been documented in chimpanzees in range countries.

Objectives

(1) Determine the range of circulating 25‐OH‐D concentrations in chimpanzees in range countries. (2) Assess the influence of age, sex, and sun exposure on 25‐OH‐D serum concentrations.

Methods

Opportunistic blood samples were obtained from 127 clinically healthy chimpanzees. Serum 25‐OH‐D concentration was measured with a commercially available competitive ELISA.

Results

The median overall 25‐OH‐D concentration for chimpanzees in range countries was 46.24 nmol/L (range: 17.10–109.23 nmol/L). Males had a significantly lower concentration (40.15 nmol/L) than females (49.61 nmol/L), and infants (37.99 nmol/L) had a significantly lower concentration than adults (46.04 nmol/L). Concentrations of 25‐OH‐D in chimpanzees in sunnier habitats were significantly higher compared to thick tropical forest habitat.

Conclusion

The present constitutes a large dataset of serum 25‐OH‐D concentrations in range country sanctuary chimpanzees and contributes to document normal ranges. Age, sex, and sun exposure influenced serum concentrations of 25‐OH‐D in sanctuary chimpanzees.
Vorstellung LArS-Modul A: Einstiegsphase
Authors: Filler Simon , Gronostay Dorothee
Published: September 2023

Der Beitrag stellt die Konzeption, Inhalte und fachdidaktischen Hintergründe des Modulteils A von LArS.nrw vor. Modulteil A fokussiert auf die Einstiegsphase sozialwissenschaftlichen Unterrichts, nimmt unterschiedliche fachtypische Unterrichtsmedien und –methoden in den Blick (Karikatur, Zeitung, Zitate, Schulbuch) und regt zum Vergleichen und Reflektieren der Einstiege auf Basis von fachdidaktischen Prinzipien (Schüler*innenorientierung, Problemorientierung) und der politikdidaktischen Perspektive an.
Thermomanagement in Elektrofahrzeugen
Authors: Heimes Heiner Hans , Kampker Achim , Offermanns Christian , Kehrer Mario , Maltoni Francesco , Löbberding Hendrik
Published: September 2023

Das Thermomanagement muss sich einer Vielzahl von Anforderungen stellen, um sowohl den Komfort für Passagiere gewährleisten zu können als auch die maximale Sicherheit bei der Reichweitenoptimierung zu erzielen. Daraus entstehende Herausforderungen im Energie- und Thermomanagement von Elektrofahrzeugen gilt es mit interdisziplinären Thermomanagementsystemen zu lösen. Es geht dabei nicht nur um die Gewährleistung thermischer Behaglichkeit im Innenraum wie im Verbrennungskraftfahrzeug, sondern auch darum, die Systeme des Antriebsstrangs innerhalb der Betriebstemperaturgrenzen zu halten. Durch die unterschiedlichen Anforderungen an die genannten Betriebstemperaturen, die wechselnde Richtung der Wärmeströme, geringe Temperaturgradienten und die Relevanz für die Systemsicherheit kann das Thermomanagementsystem von Elektrofahrzeugen nur mit Hilfe interdisziplinärer Ansätze konsequenter Innovation gemeistert werden.
Lade- und Ladeinfrastruktur-Technologie
Authors: Hecht Christopher , Figgener Jan , Sauer Dirk Uwe
Published: September 2023

Je nach Anwendungsfall können bei der Ladung von Elektrofahrzeugen sehr unterschiedliche Technologien zum Einsatz kommen. Abb. 24.1 zeigt eine Übersicht der gängigen Anwendungsszenarien sowie der zugehörigen Technologien. Bei der Ladung zu Hause kommen langsame AC-Ladungen mit typischerweise bis zu 11 kW zum Einsatz, die auf vergleichsweise schlanke Systeme ohne viele IT-Schnittstellen setzen. Im öffentlichen Raum werden an AC-Ladern hingegen mittelgroße Leistungen von 11 kW oder 22 kW abgegeben. Diese Installationen müssen außerdem über verschiedene Kommunikations- und Authentifizierungsmöglichkeiten verfügen. DC-Schnelllader mit Ladeleistungen oberhalb von 50 kW sind aufgrund der hohen Leistungen generell deutlich teurer und erfordern ähnliche IT-Standards wie auch die AC-Lader. Die verschiedenen in Abb. 24.1 dargestellten technischen Komponenten werden in den folgenden Unterkapiteln genauer beleuchtet.