bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multifilament Collagen Fiber Bundles with Tendon‐like Structure and Mechanical Performance
Authors: Yaghoobi Hessameddin , Clarke Alison , Kerr Gavin , Frampton John , Kreplak Laurent
Published: June 2023

Collagen multifilament bundles comprised of thousands of monofilaments are prepared by multipin contact drawing of an entangled polymer solution consisting of collagen and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). The multifilament bundles are hydrated in graded concentrations of PEO and phosphate buffered saline (PBS) to promote assembly of collagen fibrils within each monofilament while preserving the structure of the multifilament bundle. Multiscale structural characterization reveals that the hydrated multifilament bundle contains properly folded collagen molecules packed in collagen fibrils containing microfibrils, staggered by exactly one‐sixth of the microfibril D‐band spacing to produce a periodicity of 11 nm. Sequence analysis predicts that in this structure, phenylalanine residues are close enough within and between microfibrils to become ultraviolet C (UVC) crosslinked. In agreement with this analysis, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and Young's modulus of the hydrated collagen multifilament bundles crosslinked by UVC radiation increase nonlinearly with total UVC energy to reach values in the range of native tendons without damage to the collagen molecules. This fabrication method recapitulates the structure of a tendon across multiple length scales and offers tunability in tensile properties using only collagen molecules and no other chemical additives in addition to PEO, which is almost entirely removed during the hydration process.
Progress in Photocurable 3D Printing of Photosensitive Polyurethane: A Review
Authors: Fei Jianhua , Rong Youjie , Zhu Lisheng , Li Huijie , Zhang Xiaomin , Lu Ying , An Jian , Bao Qingbo , Huang Xiaobo
Published: June 2023

In recent years, as a class of advanced additive manufacturing (AM) technology, photocurable 3D printing has gained increasing attention. Based on its outstanding printing efficiency and molding accuracy, it is employed in various fields, such as industrial manufacturing, biomedical, soft robotics, electronic sensors. Photocurable 3D printing is a molding technology based on the principle of area‐selective curing of photopolymerization reaction. At present, the main printing material suitable for this technology is the photosensitive resin, a composite mixture consisting of a photosensitive prepolymer, reactive monomer, photoinitiator, and other additives. As the technique research deepens and its application gets more developed, the design of printing materials suitable for different applications is becoming the hotspot. Specifically, these materials not only can be photocured but also have excellent properties, such as elasticity, tear resistance, fatigue resistance. Photosensitive polyurethanes can endow photocured resin with desirable performance due to their unique molecular structure including the inherent alternating soft and hard segments, and microphase separation. For this reason, this review summarizes and comments on the research and application progress of photocurable 3D printing of photosensitive polyurethanes, analyzing the advantages and shortcomings of this technology, also offering an outlook on this rapid development direction.
Increased Frequency of Self‐Reported Obsessive‐Compulsive Symptoms in Patients with Functional Movement Disorders
Authors: Nováková Lucia , Anýž Jiří , Forejtová Zuzana , Rošíková Tereza , Věchetová Gabriela , Sojka Petr , Růžička Evžen , Serranová Tereza
Published: June 2023

Background

Functional movement disorders (FMD) are associated with a high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities.

Objective

To assess the frequency of obsessive‐compulsive symptoms (OCS) in FMD.

Methods

A total of 167 consecutive patients with clinically definite FMD (mean age = 44.4 years, standard deviation [SD] = 12.0, 119 females) and 145 healthy controls (mean age = 43.2 years, SD = 11.8, 103 females) completed the Obsessive‐Compulsive Inventory‐Revised (OCI‐R), which is a widely used tool for assessing OCS. The cutoff score ≥21 is indicative of clinically significant obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD). Motor symptom severity was assessed using the Simplified FMD Rating Scale (S‐FMDRS). All subjects completed questionnaires for depression, anxiety, pain, fatigue, cognitive complaints, health‐related quality of life, and childhood trauma. Personality traits were assessed using the Big Five questionnaire.

Results

FMD patients had higher mean OCI‐R score and higher proportion of individuals with OCI‐R ≥ 21 42%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = (30.2, 54.6) versus 16%, 95% CI = (8.2, 28.2) in controls, P < 0.001. Patients had higher scores in three domains: checking, ordering, and obsessing (P < 0.001). FMD patients with OCI‐R score ≥21 had higher depression, anxiety, cognitive complaints, and lower quality of life compared to those with score <21 (P < 0.001). No correlation between OCI‐R and S‐FMDRS scores was found.

Conclusions

FMD patients reported higher rates of OCS compared to controls, along with higher rates of non‐motor symptoms and lower quality of life. This finding may have clinical implications and raises the possibility of shared risk factors and common pathophysiological mechanisms in FMD and OCD.
Microscopy based methods for characterization, drug delivery, and understanding the dynamics of nanoparticles
Authors: Gupta Priyamvada , Rai Nilesh , Verma Ashish , Gautam Vibhav
Published: June 2023

Nanomedicine is an emerging field that exploits nanotechnology for the development of novel therapeutic and diagnostic modalities. Researches are been focussed in nanoimaging to develop noninvasive, highly sensitive, and reliable tools for diagnosis and visualization in nanomedical field. The application of nanomedicine in healthcare requires in‐depth understanding of their structural, physical and morphological properties, internalization inside living system, biodistribution and localization, stability, mode of action and possible toxic health effects. Microscopic techniques including fluorescence‐based confocal laser scanning microscopy, super‐resolution fluorescence microscopy and multiphoton microscopy; optical‐based Raman microscopy, photoacoustic microscopy and optical coherence tomography; photothermal microscopy; electron microscopy (transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope); atomic force microscopy; X‐ray microscopy and, correlative multimodal imaging are recognized as an indispensable tool in material research and aided in numerous discoveries. Microscopy holds great promise in detecting the fundamental structures of nanoparticles (NPs) that determines their performance and applications. Moreover, the intricate details that allows assessment of chemical composition, surface topology and interfacial properties, molecular, microstructure, and micromechanical properties are also elucidated. With plethora of applications, microscopy‐based techniques have been used to characterize novel NPs alongwith their proficient designing and adoption of safe strategies to be exploited in nanomedicine. Consequently, microscopic techniques have been extensively used in the characterization of fabricated NPs, and their biomedical application in diagnostics and therapeutics. The present review provides an overview of the microscopy‐based techniques for in vitro and in vivo application in nanomedical investigation alongwith their challenges and advancement to meet the limitations of conventional methods.
Long hours, excessive work contribute to workers' MH decline
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: June 2023

More than one‐third of U.S. workers report that their mental health has taken a turn for the worse, according to a news release from The Conference Board, a non‐profit research group organization. What's the culprit? Survey respondents said, among other factors, long hours and excessive workloads. For example, the survey found that nearly half of those workers who reported decreased mental health worked more than 50 hours per week.
Computer‐aided design of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3 inhibitors: Promising compounds among trifluoromethyl containing hexahydropyrimidinones/thiones
Authors: Nyporko Alex , Tsymbalyuk Olga , Voiteshenko Ivan , Starosyla Sergiy , Protopopov Mykola , Bdzhola Volodymyr
Published: June 2023

The new high selective mAChRs M3 inhibitors with IC50 in nanomolecular ranges, which can be the prototypes for effective COPD and asthma treatment drugs, were discovered with computational approaches among trifluoromethyl containing hexahydropyrimidinones/thiones. Compounds [6‐(4‐ethoxy‐3‐methoxy‐phenyl)‐4‐hydroxy‐2‐thioxo‐4‐(trifluoromethyl)hexahydropyrimidin‐5‐yl]‐phenyl‐methanone (THPT‐1) and 5‐benzoyl‐6‐(3,4‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐4‐hydroxy‐4‐(trifluoromethyl)hexahydropyrimidin‐2‐one (THPO‐4) have been proved to be a highly effective (with IC50 values of 1.62 ⋅ 10−7 M and 3.09 ⋅ 10−9 M, respectively) at the same concentrations significantly competitive inhibit the signal conduction through mAChR3 in comparison with ipratropium bromide, without significant effect on mAChR2, nicotinic cholinergic and adrenergic receptors.
Estimating the differences between inter‐operator contrast enhancement in cerebral CT angiography
Authors: Sugimoto Kohei , Fujiwara Yuta , Oita Masataka , Kuroda Masahiro
Published: June 2023

Background

Computed tomography (CT) angiography (CTA) is a non‐invasive imaging method used to detect arteries and examine various brain diseases. When CTA is performed for follow‐up or postoperative evaluation, reproducibility of vessel delineation is required. A reproducible and stable contrast enhancement can be achieved by manipulating the factors affecting it. Previous studies have investigated several factors that alter the contrast enhancement of arteries. However, no reports establishing the effect of different operators on contrast enhancement exist.

Purpose

To assess the differences between inter‐operator arterial contrast enhancement in cerebral CTA using Bayesian statistical modeling.

Methods

Image data were obtained using a multistage sampling method from the cerebral CTA scans of patients who underwent the process between January 2015 and December 2018. Several Bayesian statistical models were developed, and the objective variable was the mean CT number of the bilateral internal carotid arteries after contrast enhancement. The explanatory variables were sex, age, fractional dose (FD), and the operator's information. The posterior distributions of the parameters were computed via Bayesian inference using the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method, with the Hamiltonian Monte Carlo method employed as the algorithm. The posterior predictive distributions were computed using the posterior distributions of the parameters. Finally, the differences between inter‐operator arterial contrast enhancement on the CT number in cerebral CTA were estimated.

Results

The posterior distributions showed that all parameters representing the difference between operators included zero at the 95% credible intervals (CIs). The maximum mean difference between inter‐operator CT number in the posterior predictive distribution was only 12.59 Hounsfield units (HUs).

Conclusions

The Bayesian statistical modeling results suggest that contrast enhancement of cerebral CTA examination between operator‐to‐operator differences in postcontrast CT number was small compared to those within‐operator differences resulting from factors not considered in the model.
Validity and reliability of visual assessment of orofacial muscle ultrasound images using a modified Heckmatt scale
Authors: Lagarde Marloes L. J. , van den Engel‐Hoek Lenie , Geurts Alexander C. H. , van Alfen Nens
Published: June 2023

Introduction/Aims

Orofacial muscle ultrasound images can be evaluated quantitatively or using a visual grading system. Quantitative muscle ultrasound (QMUS) is currently the most sensitive technique to detect pathology, but can be time‐consuming. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of two visual grading systems (the original Heckmatt scale or a modified 3‐point version) for the optimal grading of orofacial muscle images.

Methods

A retrospective, comparative, reliability and validity study was performed. Ultrasound images of the digastric, geniohyoid, masseter, temporalis muscles, and intrinsic muscles of the tongue of healthy participants and of patients (suspected of) having a neuromuscular disease were included. QMUS was used as the “gold standard.” Two expert raters and one inexperienced rater rated all ultrasound images using both visual grading systems.

Results

A total of 511 ultrasound images were included. Criterion validity showed Spearman rho correlation coefficients of >0.59. Construct validity analysis showed strong to very strong associations between the visual grading systems and mastication and/or swallowing. Inter‐ and intrarater reliability of the original Heckmatt scale and the modified scale were good and comparable. Rater experience had a beneficial effect on the interrater reliability of both scales.

Discussion

Both the original Heckmatt and the modified Heckmatt scale are valid and reliable tools for the visual grading of orofacial ultrasound images. The modified Heckmatt scale, with only three grades and including an “uncertain” category, is considered easier to use in clinical practice.
Node based compact formulations for the Hamiltonian p‐median problem
Authors: Barbato Michele , Canas Francisco , Gouveia Luís , Pesneau Pierre
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we introduce, study and analyze several classes of compact formulations for the symmetric Hamiltonian ‐median problem (HMP). Given a positive integer and a weighted complete undirected graph with weights on the edges, the HMP on is to find a minimum weight set of elementary cycles partitioning the vertices of . The advantage of developing compact formulations is that they can be readily used in combination with off‐the‐shelf optimization software, unlike other types of formulations possibly involving the use of exponentially sized sets of variables or constraints. The main part of the paper focuses on compact formulations for eliminating solutions with less than cycles. Such formulations are less well known and studied than formulations which prevent solutions with more than cycles. The proposed formulations are based on a common motivation, that is, the formulations contain variables that assign labels to nodes, and prevent less than cycles by stating that different depots must have different labels and that nodes in the same cycle must have the same label. We introduce and study aggregated formulations (which consider integer variables that represent the label of the node) and disaggregated formulations (which consider binary variables that assign each node to a given label). The aggregated models are new. The disaggregated formulations are not, although in all of them new enhancements have been included to make them more competitive with the aggregated models. The two main conclusions of this study are: (i) in the context of compact formulations, it is worth looking at the models with integer node variables, which have a smaller size. Despite their weaker LP relaxation bounds, the fewer variables and constraints lead to faster integer resolution, especially when solving instances with more than 50 nodes; (ii) the best of our compact models exhibit a performance that, overall, is comparable to that of the best methods known for the HMP (including branch‐and‐cut algorithms), solving to optimality instances with up to 226 nodes within 1 h. This corroborates our message that the knowledge of the inequalities for preventing less than cycles is much less well understood.
A new method to interpolate POD reduced bases–Application to the parametric model order reduction of a gas bearings supported rotor
Authors: Goutaudier Dimitri , Nobile Fabio , Schiffmann Jürg
Published: June 2023

The proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) is successfully employed in a variety of projection‐based methods for parametric model order reduction (pMOR) of large dynamical systems. It extracts the most energetic modes describing the dynamics of a system from time snapshots of the solution. In practice, these snapshots are computed at user‐defined parameters of the system with a high fidelity model. Then either all the snapshots are concatenated to extract a global POD basis, or a different POD basis is extracted for each parameter value. In the latter case, for unseen target parameters, the POD bases need to be adapted with a dedicated technique. An established method addressing this task is the interpolation on the tangent space to the Grassmann manifold (ITSGM). It interpolates the linear subspaces spanned by the known POD bases, discarding by construction the knowledge on the modes ordering by energy levels. In this paper, we formalize an ordered reduced basis interpolation (ORBI) technique which preserves such ordering. This approach improves the adaptation accuracy of the resulting POD basis as more information is taken into account in the construction of the interpolation operator. Numerical investigations are conducted on the parametric reduced order model of a dynamical system representing a small‐scale gas‐bearings supported rotor. Results show that the proposed method is more accurate than the ITSGM method at a similar computation cost. Trained at only three points of the parameters space, the developed hyper reduced order model (h‐ROM) performs to faster simulations with satisfactory accuracy, even far from the training points.
Nurses' preparedness to respond to COVID‐19 and associated factors after the outbreak in China
Authors: Han Jing , Liu Yuping , Gu Feng , Li Jinmei , Wang Dan , Zhang Yao , Tang Ruijin , Zhang Li
Published: June 2023

Aim

Nurses are key staff in the response to the COVID‐19 epidemic. The aim of present study was to assess Chinese clinical nurses' preparedness levels for COVID‐19 after the outbreak, as well as the associated demographic factors.

Design

The design was a cross‐sectional survey.

Methods

We distributed an online questionnaire to nurses from five eastern coastal area hospitals. The questionnaire collected demographic information, and included the nurses' preparedness to respond to COVID‐19 questionnaire (NPR COVID‐19).

Results

The total mean NPR COVID‐19 score was 200.99 (standard deviation = 33.60), and the psychological approaches subscale had the lowest mean score. Education and training were positively associated with the NPR COVID‐19 score. Nurses' characteristics, such as seniority, job category and educational level, were entered into the NPR COVID‐19 regression model, and seniority (≤5 years) showed the strongest negative association with NPR COVID‐19 scores (standard coefficient = −0.20).

Conclusions

Chinese nurse's preparedness to respond to COVID‐19 was adequate. Nurses with less than 5 years of work experience, nursing researchers and diploma‐educated nurses reported feeling a low preparedness to respond to COVID‐19. These nurses should receive specific training.
Association between Social Determinants of Health and Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Gutierrez Jorge A. , Durrant Frederick G. , Nguyen Shaun A. , Chapurin Nikita , Schlosser Rodney J. , Soler Zachary M.
Published: June 2023

Objective

Some previous studies have shown an increased prevalence of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) among young, black patients with poor access to health care; however, results have been mixed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between social determinants of health and AFRS.

Data Sources

PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL.

Review Methods

A systematic review was performed searching for articles published from date of inception to September 29, 2022. English language articles describing the relationship   between social determinants of health (i.e., race, insurance status) and AFRS as compared to chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) were selected for inclusion. A Meta‐analysis of proportions with comparison (Δ) of weighted proportions was conducted.

Results

A total of 21 articles with 1605 patients were selected for inclusion. The proportion of   black patients among AFRS, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), and chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) groups was 58.0% [45.3%‐70.1%], 23.8% [14.1%‐35.2%], and 13.0% [5.1%‐24.0%], respectively. This was significantly higher among the AFRS population compared to both the CRSwNP population (Δ34.2% [28.4%‐39.6%], p < .0001) and the CRSsNP population (Δ44.9% [38.4%‐50.6%], p < .0001). The proportion of patients who were either uninsured or covered by Medicaid among the AFRS, CRSwNP, and CRSsNP populations was 31.5% [25.4%‐38.1%], 8.6% [0.7%‐23.8%], and 5.0% [0.3%‐14.8%], respectively. This was significantly higher among the AFRS group than the CRSwNP group (Δ22.9% [15.3%‐31.1%], p < .0001) and the CRSsNP group (Δ26.5% [19.1%‐33.4%], p < .0001).

Conclusion

This study confirms that AFRS patients are more likely to be Black and either uninsured or on subsidized insurance than their CRS counterparts.
Shoulder structures and strength in competitive preadolescent swimmers: A longitudinal ultrasonographic study
Authors: Özçadırcı Aykut , Doğan Yahya , Öztürk Ferhat , Cinemre Şükrü Alpan , Coşkun Gürsoy , Özçakar Levent
Published: June 2023

Background

Repetitive shoulder movements during competitive training may cause changes in the strength of periarticular shoulder structures in preadolescent swimmers.

Objective

To prospectively determine the effects of training on shoulder periarticular structures and muscle strength in preadolescent swimmers.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Community‐based natatorium.

Participants

Twenty‐four preadolescent swimmers aged 10–12 years.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Measurements were repeated in three periods as preseason, midseason, and postseason. Ultrasonographic measurements (supraspinatus tendon thickness, humeral head cartilage thickness, deltoid muscle thickness, and acromiohumeral distance) were performed using a portable device and a linear probe. Shoulder (flexion, extension, abduction, internal and external rotation) and back (serratus anterior, lower, and middle trapezius) isometric muscle strength were measured with a handheld dynamometer.

Results

Supraspinatus tendon thickness and acromiohumeral distance were similar in all periods (all p > .05); however, deltoid muscle and humeral head cartilage thicknesses increased throughout the season (p = .002, p = .008, respectively). Likewise, whereas shoulder muscle strength increased (all p < .05), back muscle strength was similar in all periods (all p > .05).

Conclusions

In preadolescent swimmers, acromiohumeral distance and supraspinatus tendon thickness seem to not change; but humeral head cartilage and deltoid muscle thicknesses as well as shoulder muscle strength increase throughout the season.
Synthesis and Greenish‐Yellow Luminescence Properties of Li6AlGd(BO3)4: Tb3+ Phosphors for Solid State Lighting
Authors: Netheti Venkata Surya Bhagavan , Jamalaiah Bungala Chinna , Rasool Shaik Nayab , Saranya Pidaparthy Lalitha
Published: June 2023

The Li6AlGd(1−x)(BO3)4:xTb3+ (0 ≤ x ≤ 4.0 mol%) phosphors are fabricated via solid‐state reaction process. The structural investigations are carried out through powder X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared techniques. The morphology is examined using high‐resolution scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. The temperature‐dependent luminescence properties are completed at 378 nm excitation. The photoluminescence excitation analysis is carried out by controlling the emission at 545 nm corresponding to Tb3+:5D4 → 7F5 transition. The suitable excitation wavelength is selected as 378 nm for efficient emission by studying the emission spectra at several excitation wavelengths. The emission spectra show two groups of emission bands through Tb3+:5D3 → 7FJ and Tb3+:5D4 → 7FJ transitions. The concentration‐dependent investigations reveal the optimum Tb3+ions concentration as 2.0 mol% for intense luminescence. Upon 378 nm excitation, they produce greenish‐yellow luminescence of color purity 60% with CIE color coordinates (0.286, 0.572) close to the standard European Broadcasting Union Green Illuminant and they found suitability in the design of solid‐state lighting devices.
Adsorption and Degradation of Methylene Blue Aqueous Solution by Fe‐based Amorphous Alloy
Authors: Li Chunyan , Zhai Wenzheng , Tian Lin , Lu Yu , Zhai Jianshu , Wang Yonghui , Li Xiaocheng , Kou Shengzhong
Published: June 2023

Fe‐based amorphous ribbons with the brand name 1K101 can adsorb methylene blue (MB) solution. The adsorption reaction is multilayer adsorption, in which chemical adsorption plays a major role. There are also some processes like physical adsorption, liquid phase diffusion, and internal diffusion of particles. The adsorption reaction is exothermic and spontaneous, which is more favorable at low temperatures. During the adsorption process, the entropy value decreases, the degree of disorder and freedom of the solution decreases, and the structure also changes. What's more, H2O2, pH, ribbons's dosage, dye's concentration, and temperature affect the degradation performance of 1K101 on MB. Degradation reactions are mainly controlled by surface chemical reactions, including chemical reduction reactions and adsorption. When c(H2O2) is 15 mm, pH is 2, ribbons’ dosage is 0.9 g, c(MB) is 20 mg L−1, temperature is 338 K, the degradation effect is the best. The optimal conditions with lowest overall cost obtained under the orthogonal experiment are: c(H2O2) = 20 mm, pH = 2, ribbons's dosage = 0.7 g, c(MB) = 20 mg L−1, and T = 338 K. Overall, 1K101 amorphous ribbon can be utilized to treat MB solution, and its degradation effect is better than adsorption effect, which can provide new ideas for the reuse of waste amorphous ribbon and the treatment of azo dye wastewater.
Introduction to special issue: Value, values, and anthropology
Authors: Souleles Daniel Scott , Archer Matthew , Thaning Morten Sørensen
Published: June 2023

Anthropologists have spent tremendous effort developing value theory. We might generally understand value theory as a form of social theory concerned with what groups of people find important or worthwhile in life; how those groups of people, via their relationships, identify, seek, and create that which is valuable; how ideas of value and worth inhere in people and things; and how those people and things then circulate and meet other universes of value. This introduction specifically, and this special issue more generally, seeks to build on this bedrock conception of value theory to offer a series of implications and considerations one should take on board when thinking about value. We suggest that these considerations will allow social researchers to more ably understand the pressing issues that motivate their investigations.
In‐situ Electrochemical Strategy for Preparing Concentrated Electrolytes in Inorganic Mineral Frameworks by Exhausting Solvent Molecules
Authors: Kang Hongfei , Li Yan , Long Jifa , Huang Suping , Xiao Qi
Published: June 2023

Concentrated electrolytes are attracting attention because of superior electrochemical stability. A typical method to prepare concentrated electrolytes is by adding additional expensive lithium salts to the diluent electrolytes. Herein, a novel quasi‐solid electrolyte, “concentrated electrolyte‐in‐mineral frameworks” (CEIMF), was prepared by in‐situ exhausting solvent molecules. The obtained electrolyte showed an outstanding lithium‐ion transference number of 0.936 and Li‐ion conductivity of 3.85×10−4 S cm−1 at room temperature, and exhibited excellent electrochemical stability (corresponding to the oxidation voltage of 5.2 V). The LiFePO4//Li cells assembled with CEIMF displayed superior long‐term cycle stability with an initial discharge specific capacity of 92.7 mA h g−1 and capacity retention of 72.4 % after 1100 cycles at 1 C. In addition, the cycle performance of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2//Li batteries was improved by the use of CEIMF as electrolytes. This work provides a novel in‐situ strategy to construct hybrid electrolytes for advanced lithium‐ion batteries.
Core–Shell Tandem Catalysis Coupled with Interface Engineering For High‐Performance Room‐Temperature Na–S Batteries
Authors: Fang Daliang , Ghosh Tanmay , Huang Shaozhuan , Wang Ye , Qiu Jianbei , Xu Xuhui , Yang Hui Ying
Published: June 2023

The sluggish redox kinetics and shuttle effect seriously impede the large application of room‐temperature sodium–sulfur (RT Na–S) batteries. Designing effective catalysts into cathode material is a promising approach to overcome the above issues. However, considering the multistep and multiphase transformations of sulfur redox process, it is impractical to achieve the effective catalysis of the entire S8→Na2Sx→Na2S conversion through applying a single catalyst. Herein, this work fabricates a nitrogen‐doped core–shell carbon nanosphere integrated with two different catalysts (ZnS‐NC@Ni‐N4), where isolated Ni–N4 sites and ZnS nanocrystals are distributed in the shell and core, respectively. ZnS nanocrystals ensure the rapid reduction of S8 into Na2Sx (4 < x ≤ 8), while Ni–N4 sites realize the efficient conversion of Na2Sx into Na2S, bridged by the diffusion of Na2Sx from the core to shell. Besides, Ni–N4 sites on the shell can also induce an inorganic‐rich cathode–electrolyte interface (CEI) on ZnS‐NC@Ni‐N4 to further inhibit the shuttle effect. As a result, ZnS‐NC@Ni‐N4/S cathode exhibits an excellent rate‐performance (650 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1) and ultralong cycling stability for 2000 cycles with a low capacity‐decay rate of 0.011% per cycle. This work will guide the rational design of multicatalysts for high‐performance RT Na–S batteries.
Localized Electron Density Regulation Effect for Promoting Solid–Liquid Ion Adsorption to Enhance Areal Capacitance of Micro‐Supercapacitors
Authors: Zhao Zhiwei , Wang Zixi , Yu Yingsong , Hu Yi
Published: June 2023

The development of flexible microelectronic systems requires the construction of high‐energy‐output planar micro‐supercapacitors (MSCs). Herein, the localized electron density, by introducing graphene quantum dots (GQDs) on the surface of electrodes, is regulated. The enhanced local field intensity promotes ion electrostatic adsorption at the solid–liquid interface, which significantly improves the energy density of MSCs in the confined space. Local electronic structure has been investigated from the perspective of the topological analysis of the electron localization function (ELF) and the electron density. Impressively, the edges of the simulated structure exhibit a higher electron density distribution than the CC skeleton. This finding indicates that the introduced GQDs reinforce the intrinsic electrical double‐layer capacitance (EDLC) and the oxygen‐bearing functional groups at the edge, further increasing the pseudocapacitance performance. Moreover, the edge electron aggregation effect enables the all‐carbon‐based symmetric MSCs to exhibit ultra‐high areal capacitance (21.78 mF cm−2) and excellent cycle stability (86.74% retention after 25 000 cycles). This novel surface local charge regulation strategy is also applied for intensifying ion electrostatic adsorption on Zn‐ion hybrid MSCs (polyvalent metal ions) and ion‐gel electrolyte MSCs (non‐metallic ions). With excellent planar integration, this device demonstrates excellent flexibility and has potential applications in timing and environmental monitoring.
Seasonal migration cues differ for dual-spawning Atlantic Sturgeon in the Great Pee Dee River
Authors: Denison Colby D. , Cottrell Amy , Farmer Troy M. , Fox Dewayne A. , Hood David M. , Post William C. , Sorg Gregory , Waldrop Ellen , Peoples Brandon K.
Published: June 2023

Objective

We investigated environmental variables associated with spawning migration behavior for a dual-spawning population of endangered Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus in the Great Pee Dee River, South Carolina.

Methods

From 2016 to 2021, 147 Atlantic Sturgeon were captured, implanted with acoustic transmitters, and monitored using a stationary array of 40 receivers located every 5–20 km along a 302-km section of the Great Pee Dee River from the river mouth at Winyah Bay to the first movement barrier at Blewett Falls Dam, North Carolina.

Result

We observed 47 Atlantic Sturgeon attempting 74 spring migrations and 39 Atlantic Sturgeon attempting 76 fall migrations across 4 years of telemetry observations (2018–2021). Mixed-effects models indicated that discharge interacted with water temperature to affect both migration initiation and upriver movement, and these interactions differed between the spring and fall runs. Spring runs were cued by rising temperatures and high river discharge, whereas fall runs were cued by falling temperatures and low discharge. Within migrations, spring-run fish migrated further upriver when discharge was falling, and fall-run fish moved further upriver when discharge was rising. Overall, fall-run sturgeon migrated significantly further upriver than spring-run sturgeon.

Conclusion

Differences in migratory behavior between the two runs suggest potentially unique adaptations to ambient river conditions during the respective spawning seasons. Identifying the environmental factors that drive—and thereby limit—Atlantic Sturgeon migrations in the Great Pee Dee River informs regional recovery efforts and highlights the importance of studying and managing this species at the population level.
A short review of recent discoveries in montmorillonite‐based photocatalysts for organic dye water pollutant degradation
Authors: Chellapandi Thangapandi , Madhumitha Gunabalan
Published: June 2023

Organic dye pollutants are the most common type of pollutant found in water and wastewater as a result of various industrial activities. In particular, one of the largest contributors is the textile industry, which uses a lot of organic dyes to produce its goods. Organic dyes that remain in the effluents are typically permanent and difficult to detoxify using traditional wastewater treatment strategies. Photocatalysis using semiconductors have emerged as an attractive wastewater treatment method for resolving the major drawbacks of traditional methods. Montmorillonite has been presented as a conceivable dye adsorbent. When a semiconductor is incorporated, its adsorptive capability assists in imposing heterogeneous photoactivity. It is widely employed in a variety of applications due to fundamental characteristics such as high flexibility, swelling, ion exchange ability, acidity, usage in catalytic amounts, milder reaction conditions, benefit in reusability, selectivity, high yield, cheap cost, and so on. In this review, we specifically describe the last 3 years' development of dye degradation employing recently developed montmorillonite (MMT)‐based materials, as well as their preparation methods. In addition, the photocatalytic degradation of various types of organic dye pollutants, such as anionic and cationic dyes, was also studied in this review. The findings reveal that MMT‐based materials have a wide range of applications in the photocatalytic degradation of contaminants existing in the environment.
Influence of three different closure techniques on leakage pressures and leakage location following partial cystectomies in normal dogs
Authors: Haas Jason M. , Duffy Daniel J. , Kendall Allison , Chang Yi‐Jen , Moore George E.
Published: June 2023

Background

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the most common neoplasia affecting the canine urinary bladder. Partial cystectomy, when used adjuctively with medical management, has been shown to meaningfully extend medial survival time. Surgical stapling devices have a wide variety of uses and advantages over traditional closure methods and, to date, investigation into their use in canine partial cystectomies has not been documented.

Objective

To determine the influence of three closure techniques on ex vivo leakage pressures and leakage location following canine partial cystectomy.

Methods

Specimens were assigned to one of three closure techniques: simple continuous appositional closure with 3‐0 suture, closure with a 60 mm gastrointestinal stapler with a 3.5 mm cartridge, and placement of a Cushing suture to augment the stapled closure, with each group containing 12 specimens. Mean initial leakage pressure (ILP), maximum leakage pressure (MLP), and leakage location at the time that ILP was recorded were compared between groups.

Results

Oversewn stapled constructs leaked at significantly higher ILP (28.5 mmHg) than those in the sutured (17 mmHg) or stapled (22.8 mmHg) group, respectively. MLP was greater in the oversewn stapled construct group compared to other groups. Leakage was detected in 97% partial cystectomies, with leakage occurring from the needle holes in 100% of the sutured closure group, from the staple holes in 100% of the stapled only group, and from the incisional line in 83% and from bladder wall rupture in 8% of the augmented staple closure group. All closure methods withstood normal physiologic cystic pressures.

Conclusions

Placement of a Cushing suture to augment stapled closures improved the ability of partial cystectomies to sustain higher intravesicular pressures compared with sutured or stapled bladder closures alone. Further in vivo studies are required to determine the clinical significance of these findings and the role of stapling equipment for partial cystectomy, as well as the clinical significance of suture penetration through the urinary bladder mucosa during closure.
Outcomes in dogs with congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts treated with surgical ligation or medical management
Authors: Beardall Rebecca L. , Sumner Julia P. , Menard Jenna V. , Parry Stephen A.
Published: June 2023

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate differences in outcomes in dogs treated for extrahepatic portosystemic shunts (EHPSS) by either complete suture ligation, partial suture ligation or medical management.

Study design

This wasa retrospective, single institutional study.

Sample population

Dogs (n = 152) with EHPSS treated with suture ligation (n = 62), surgery with no ligation (n = 2), or medical management (n = 88).

Methods

Medical records were reviewed for data on signalment, treatment variables, complications, and outcome. Kaplan–Meier plots were generated to assess survival across groups. Cox's proportional hazard models were used to assess the relationship between survival times and multiple predictor variables. For outcomes of interest, backwards, stepwise regression was performed (p < 0.05).

Results

Complete suture ligation was possible in 46/64 (71.9%) of dogs where surgical attenuation was attempted. One dog was euthanized following partial suture ligation due to suspected portal hypertension. Dogs with complete suture ligation of the EHPSS had a significantly longer median survival time (MST) compared to the medical management group (MST not reached vs. 1730 days [p < 0.001]). Complete resolution of clinical signs (without the need for further medical treatment or dietary changes) was achieved in 16/20 (80.0%) dogs with complete suture ligation and 4/10 (40.0%) dogs with partial suture ligation of their EHPSS.

Conclusion

Suture ligation (complete or partial) for the treatment of EHPSS, where clinically possible, yielded the best clinical outcome and increased longevity compared to medical management in this study.

Clinical Significance

While medical management for the treatment of EHPSS in dogs is a valid treatment option, better clinical outcomes are achieved with surgical intervention.
Recursive Polish spaces
Authors: Arant Tyler
Published: June 2023

This paper is concerned with the proper way to effectivize the notion of a Polish space. A theorem is proved that shows the recursive Polish space structure is not found in the effectively open subsets of a space $${\mathcal {X}}$$
X
, and we explore strong evidence that the effective structure is instead captured by the effectively open subsets of the product space $$\mathbb {N}\times {\mathcal {X}}$$

N
×
X

.
Applying genomics in regulatory toxicology: a report of the ECETOC workshop on omics threshold on non-adversity
Authors: Gant Timothy W. , Auerbach Scott S. , Von Bergen Martin , Bouhifd Mounir , Botham Philip A. , Caiment Florian , Currie Richard A. , Harrill Joshua , Johnson Kamin , Li Dongying , Rouquie David , van Ravenzwaay Ben , Sistare Frank , Tralau Tewes , Viant Mark R. , van de Laan Jan Willem , Yauk Carole
Published: June 2023

In a joint effort involving scientists from academia, industry and regulatory agencies, ECETOC’s activities in Omics have led to conceptual proposals for: (1) A framework that assures data quality for reporting and inclusion of Omics data in regulatory assessments; and (2) an approach to robustly quantify these data, prior to interpretation for regulatory use. In continuation of these activities this workshop explored and identified areas of need to facilitate robust interpretation of such data in the context of deriving points of departure (POD) for risk assessment and determining an adverse change from normal variation. ECETOC was amongst the first to systematically explore the application of Omics methods, now incorporated into the group of methods known as New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), to regulatory toxicology. This support has been in the form of both projects (primarily with CEFIC/LRI) and workshops. Outputs have led to projects included in the workplan of the Extended Advisory Group on Molecular Screening and Toxicogenomics (EAGMST) group of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and to the drafting of OECD Guidance Documents for Omics data reporting, with potentially more to follow on data transformation and interpretation. The current workshop was the last in a series of technical methods development workshops, with a sub-focus on the derivation of a POD from Omics data. Workshop presentations demonstrated that Omics data developed within robust frameworks for both scientific data generation and analysis can be used to derive a POD. The issue of noise in the data was discussed as an important consideration for identifying robust Omics changes and deriving a POD. Such variability or “noise” can comprise technical or biological variation within a dataset and should clearly be distinguished from homeostatic responses. Adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) were considered a useful framework on which to assemble Omics methods, and a number of case examples were presented in illustration of this point. What is apparent is that high dimension data will always be subject to varying processing pipelines and hence interpretation, depending on the context they are used in. Yet, they can provide valuable input for regulatory toxicology, with the pre-condition being robust methods for the collection and processing of data together with a comprehensive description how the data were interpreted, and conclusions reached.
A Unified Approach to Shape and Topological Sensitivity Analysis of Discretized Optimal Design Problems
Authors: Gangl P. , Gfrerer M. H.
Published: June 2023

We introduce a unified sensitivity concept for shape and topological perturbations and perform the sensitivity analysis for a discretized PDE-constrained design optimization problem in two space dimensions. We assume that the design is represented by a piecewise linear and globally continuous level set function on a fixed finite element mesh and relate perturbations of the level set function to perturbations of the shape or topology of the corresponding design. We illustrate the sensitivity analysis for a problem that is constrained by a reaction–diffusion equation and draw connections between our discrete sensitivities and the well-established continuous concepts of shape and topological derivatives. Finally, we verify our sensitivities and illustrate their application in a level-set-based design optimization algorithm where no distinction between shape and topological updates has to be made.
Immunogenicity and efficacy of pembrolizumab and doxorubicin in a phase I trial for patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Egelston Colt A. , Guo Weihua , Yost Susan E. , Ge Xuan , Lee Jin Sun , Frankel Paul H. , Cui Yujie , Ruel Christopher , Schmolze Daniel , Murga Mireya , Tang Aileen , Martinez Norma , Karimi Misagh , Somlo George , Lee Peter P. , Waisman James R. , Yuan Yuan
Published: June 2023

Currently there is a limited understanding for the optimal combination of immune checkpoint inhibitor and chemotherapy for patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC). Here we evaluate the safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity of a phase I trial for patients with mTNBC treated with pembrolizumab plus doxorubicin. Patients without prior anthracycline use and 0–2 lines of prior systemic chemotherapies received pembrolizumab and doxorubicin every 3 weeks for 6 cycles followed by pembrolizumab maintenance until disease progression or intolerance. The primary objectives were safety and objective response rate per RECIST 1.1. Best responses included one complete response (CR), five partial responses (PR), two stable disease (SD), and one progression of disease (PD). Overall response rate was 67% (95% CI 13.7%, 78.8%) and clinical benefit rate at 6 months was 56% (95% CI 21.2%, 86.3%). Median PFS was 5.2 months (95% CI 4.7, NA); median OS was 15.6 months (95% CI 13.3, NA). Grade 3–4 AEs per CTCAE 4.0 were neutropenia n = 4/10 (40%), leukopenia n = 2/10 (20%), lymphopenia n = 2/10 (20%), fatigue n = 2/10 (20%), and oral mucositis n = 1/10 (10%). Immune correlates showed increased frequencies of circulating CD3 + T cells (p = 0.03) from pre-treatment to cycle 2 day 1 (C2D1). An expansion of a proliferative exhausted-like PD-1 + CD8 + T cell population was identified in 8/9 patients, and exhausted CD8 + T cells were significantly expanded from pre-treatment to C2D1 in the patient with CR (p = 0.01). In summary, anthracycline-naïve patients with mTNBC treated with the combination of pembrolizumab and doxorubicin showed an encouraging response rate and robust T cell response dynamics.

Trial registration: NCT02648477.
A review on customer segmentation methods for personalized customer targeting in e-commerce use cases
Authors: Alves Gomes Miguel , Meisen Tobias
Published: June 2023

The importance of customer-oriented marketing has increased for companies in recent decades. With the advent of one-customer strategies, especially in e-commerce, traditional mass marketing in this area is becoming increasingly obsolete as customer-specific targeting becomes realizable. Such a strategy makes it essential to develop an underlying understanding of the interests and motivations of the individual customer. One method frequently used for this purpose is segmentation, which has evolved steadily in recent years. The aim of this paper is to provide a structured overview of the different segmentation methods and their current state of the art. For this purpose, we conducted an extensive literature search in which 105 publications between the years 2000 and 2022 were identified that deal with the analysis of customer behavior using segmentation methods. Based on this paper corpus, we provide a comprehensive review of the used methods. In addition, we examine the applied methods for temporal trends and for their applicability to different data set dimensionalities. Based on this paper corpus, we identified a four-phase process consisting of information (data) collection, customer representation, customer analysis via segmentation and customer targeting. With respect to customer representation and customer analysis by segmentation, we provide a comprehensive overview of the methods used in these process steps. We also take a look at temporal trends and the applicability to different dataset dimensionalities. In summary, customer representation is mainly solved by manual feature selection or RFM analysis. The most commonly used segmentation method is k-means, regardless of the use case and the amount of data. It is interesting to note that it has been widely used in recent years.