bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surrogate gating strategies for the Elekta Unity MR‐Linac gating system
Authors: Rusu Samuel D. , Smith Blake R. , St‐Aubin Joel J. , Shaffer Nathan , Hyer Daniel Ellis
Published: November 2024

Purpose

MRI‐guided adaptive radiotherapy can directly monitor the anatomical positioning of the intended target during treatment with no additional imaging dose. Elekta has recently released its comprehensive motion management (CMM) solution that enables automatic radiation beam‐gating on the Unity MR‐Linac. Easily visualized targets that are distinct from the surrounding anatomy can be used to drive automatic gating decisions from the MRI cine imaging. However, poorly visualized targets can compromise the tracking and gating capabilities and may require surrogate tracking structures. This work presents strategies to generate robust tracking surrogates for a variety of treatment sites, enabling a wider application of CMM.

Methods

Surrogate tracking strategies were developed from a cohort of patients treated using the CMM system on the Unity MR‐Linac for treatment sites of the lung, pancreas, liver, and prostate. These sites posed challenging visualization or tracking of the primary target thereby compromising the tracking accuracy. Surrogate structures were developed using site‐specific strategies to improve the imaging textured detail within the tracking volume while avoiding the dynamic overwhelming hypo‐ or hyper‐intense anatomical structures. These surrogate volumes were applied within the anatomical positioning monitoring system as a proxy that drove the CMM gating decisions on the treatment unit.

Results

Robust site‐specific surrogate structures were developed. Surrogate tracking structures for centrally located thoracic targets were created by expanding the target peripherally away from the heart and great vessels and into the lung. Pancreas surrogates required a vertically expanded column intersecting with the inferior liver edge. For the liver and prostate, surrogate structures consisted of a uniform expansion of the target, with liver surrogates intersecting the proximal liver edge or diaphragm while avoiding nearby ribs.

Conclusion

These surrogate strategies have enabled the gating of complex moving targets among different treatment sites at our institution.
Anomaly Detection Method for Hybrid Workpieces Using Dynamic Time Warping
Authors: Denkena Berend , Bergmann Benjamin , Klemme Heinrich , Handrup Miriam
Published: November 2024

Hybrid components consist of multiple materials, enabling the material distribution to be tailored to locally varying loads during the use phase. By selectively applying materials with high strength and density only to areas of a component that will be subjected to high local loads, the overall weight can be reduced. Hybrid components are manufactured through joining, forming, and subsequent machining. Material defects such as cavities or cracks, which can occur during joining and forming, significantly reduce the component's lifetime. These defects can be detected by monitoring the process signals of the machine tool. However, unavoidable deviations in the axial position of the material transition zone cause temporal shifts in the signals, impairing the performance of established monitoring methods. To monitor material defects in hybrid workpieces, this article proposes a new anomaly detection method based on dynamic time‐warping barycenter averaging that is robust against time shifts. For training, time series containing varying temporal shifts are used. The sensitivity and robustness of the new method when applied to hybrid workpieces are evaluated and compared to confidence limits that are common in industrial applications. Using the new method, over 97% of all material defects can be detected with no false alarms occurring.
Water‐Stable Magnetic Lipiodol Micro‐Droplets as a Miniaturized Robotic Tool for Drug Delivery
Authors: Ren En , Hu Jing , Mei Ziyang , Lin Lin , Zhang Qian , He Pan , Wang Junqing , Sheng Tao , Chen Hu , Cheng Hongwei , Xu Tiantian , Pang Shiyao , Zhang Yang , Dai Qixuan , Gao Xing , Liu Hui , Li Hongjun , Zhao Yang , Gu Zhen , Yan Xiaohui , Liu Gang
Published: November 2024

Magnetic microrobots, designed to navigate the complex environments of the human body, show promise for minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment. However, their clinical adoption faces hurdles such as biocompatibility, precise control, and intelligent tracking. Here a novel formulation (referred to water‐stable magnetic lipiodol micro‐droplets, MLMD), integrating clinically approved lipiodol, gelatin, and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) with a fundamental understanding of the structure‐property relationships is presented. This formulation demonstrates multiple improved properties including flowability, shape adaptability, efficient drug loading, and compatibility with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) imaging in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. This enables the MLMD as a versatile tool for image‐guided therapy, supported by a close‐looped magnetic navigation system featuring artificial intelligence (AI)‐driven visual feedback for autonomous control. The system effectively performs navigational tasks, including pinpointing specific locations of MLMD, recognizing and avoiding obstacles, mapping and following predetermined paths, and utilizing magnetic fields for precise motion planning to achieve visual drug delivery. The MLMD combines magnetic actuation with an AI‐directed close‐looped navigation, offering a transformative platform for targeted therapeutic delivery.
Stabilizing Metal Coating on Flexible Devices by Ultrathin Protein Nanofilms
Authors: Zhang Yingying , Ren Hao , Linghu Changhong , Zhang Jiqing , Gao Aiting , Su Hao , Miao Shuting , Qin Rongrong , Hu Bowen , Chen Xiaojie , Deng Miaoran , Liu Yongchun , Yang Peng
Published: November 2024

The significant modulus difference between a metal coating and a polymer substrate leads to interface mismatches, seriously affecting the stability of flexible devices. Therefore, enhancing the adhesion stability of a metal layer on an inert polymer substrate to prevent delamination becomes a key challenge. Herein, an ultrathin protein nanofilm (UPN), synthesized by disulfide‐bond‐reducing protein aggregation, is proposed as a strong adhesive layer to enhance adhesion between polymer substrate and metal coating. Unlike traditional biopolymer adhesives with micrometer‐scale thicknesses, the UPN layer is minimized to nanometer/single‐molecular scale. Such UPN thereby effectively enhances the interfacial adhesive strength and reduces the cohesion contribution in the entire adhesion system by directly connecting two interfaces with a nearly single‐molecular thickness. Using UPN as the adhesive layer, a multifunctional metal coating could be reliably adhered on flexible polymer substrates by ion sputtering, delivering unprecedented adhesion stability even under repetitive mechanical deformation. Applications of this design include reversible transparency control, tension‐responsive encryption, reusable optical sensing, and wearable capacitive touch sensors. This work highlights UPN's potential to create strong bonding strength between flexible polymers and metal coatings, offering a biocompatible solution with high surface activity and low cohesion, facilitating the development of hybrid devices with stable metal nano‐coating.
Differentiated Intra‐Ligand Charge Transfer Boosting Multicolor Responsive MOF Heterostructures as Robust Anti‐Counterfeiting Labels
Authors: Lv Yuanchao , Lin Chenwei , Liu Xinming , Liang Jiashuai , Li Yunbin , Yao Zizhu , Xiang Shengchang , Chen Banglin , Zhang Zhangjing
Published: November 2024

Metal–organic framework (MOF) heterostructures with hybrid architectures and abundant functional sites possess great potential applications in advanced information security, yet still suffer from the harsh stimuli mechanisms with restrained emission control. Herein, the differentiated design strategy on intra‐ligand charge transfer is first reported to realize smart‐responsive multicolor MOF heterostructures as robust anticounterfeiting labels. Designed similar MOF blocks with the differentiated intra‐ligand charge transfer are integrated via time‐dependent epitaxial growth to form multicolor MOF heterostructures. Different numbers of electron‐donating groups in MOF blocks offer distinct space regulation on the torsion of charge transfer ligands, which trigger the diverse responsive emissions under the same mild stimuli, thus generating multiple tunable color patterns in heterostructures. These spatial‐resolved MOF heterostructures with stable multicolor responsive modes permit the encoding of fingerprint information, which further functions as robust anti‐counterfeiting labels with high‐security convert states. These results offer a promising route for the function‐oriented exploitation of smart‐responsive MOF heterosystems for advanced information anticounterfeiting.
A Simple Route for Open Fluidic Devices with Particle Walls
Authors: Liu Heng , Pang Xianglong , Duan Mei , Yang Zhujun , Russell Thomas P. , Li Xiaoguang
Published: November 2024

Open fluidics, allowing liquid in a flow channel to interact with the external environment, is a revolutionary concept. However, fabricating a highly stable open fluidic device of arbitrary complexity, while maintaining reconfigurability, is still a challenge. This is achieved by the use of a patterned substrate and liquids that are covered with functional, readily available hydrophobic particles, providing great flexibility in the construction and use of open fluidic structures. Decorated with a coating of modified carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to encapsulate the fluids, the study capitalizes on the photothermal characteristics of CNTs to fabricate a device to probe the effects of temperature on tumor chemotherapy. The strategy substantially increases the availability and potential use of open fluidic devices.
X‐Ray Real‐Time Imaging and Delayed Imaging from Lead‐Free Perovskite Scintillators
Authors: Mu Dedan , Wang Tianchi , Yuan Junheng , Han Lulu , Song Hao , Yao Shuyi , Meng Bin , Wang Ting , Xu Xuhui
Published: November 2024

X‐ray detection is vital in various fields such as medical imaging, security screening, and materials analysis. However, to meet the diverse detection requirements across different scenarios, current scintillators used for X‐ray detection encounter challenges in both immediate and delayed radiation detections. In this work, flexibly controlling trap distribution through extra ions doping into Cs2NaTbCl6 lead‐free perovskites presents a promising avenue for addressing these challenges and advancing X‐ray dose detection capabilities across diverse scientific domains. By doping Sb3+ ions into the Cs2NaTbCl6 host, the traps are significantly passivated through improved crystallinity, resulting in the suppression of afterglow behaviors and endowing the high‐resolution real‐time dynamic X‐ray detection. Additionally, the incorporation of Mn2+ into the Cs2NaTbCl6 matrix causes significant lattice distortion, leading to increased concentrations of both shallow and deep traps, effectively boosting delayed X‐ray detection efficiency. This work may provide an effective strategy for constructing efficient scintillators for the realization of multi‐environmental X‐ray imaging.
Spontaneously Blinkogenic Probe for Wash‐Free Single‐Molecule Localization‐Based Super‐Resolution Imaging in Living Cells
Authors: Qiao Qinglong , Song Aoxuan , An Kai , Xu Ning , Jia Wenhao , Ruan Yiyan , Bao Pengjun , Tao Yi , Zhang Yinchan , Wang Xiang , Xu Zhaochao
Published: November 2024

Single‐molecule localization super‐resolution fluorescence imaging relies on the fluorescence ON/OFF switching of fluorescent probes to break the diffraction limit. However, the unreacted or nonspecifically bound probes cause non‐targeted ON/OFF switching, resulting in substantial fluorescence background that significantly reduces localization precision and accuracy. Here, we report a blinkogenic probe HM‐DS655‐Halo that remains blinking OFF until it binds to HaloTag, thereby triggering its self‐blinking activity and enabling its application in direct SMLM imaging in living cells without wash‐out steps. We employed the ratio of the duty cycle before and after self‐blinking activation, termed as the parameter “RDC” to characterize blinkogenicity. The covalent binding to HaloTag induces HM‐DS655‐Halo to transition from a fluorescent OFF state to a fluorescence blinking state. This transition also leads to a change in the RDC value, which is calculated to be 12, ensuring super blinkogenicity to effectively suppress background signals in living cells. HM‐DS655‐Halo was successfully applied in dynamic SMLM imaging of diverse intracellular sub‐structures with minimal background noise, including mitochondrial fission and contact, cell migration, and pseudopod growth.
Declined S1 but Constant T1 Energy: Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence with Triplet Blocking Effect
Authors: Song Shihong , Ge Fangqing , Panariti Daniele , Zhao Anping , Yu Shuhan , Wang Zhijia , Geng Hua , Zhao Jianzhang , Barbon Antonio , Fu Hongbing
Published: November 2024

Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) molecules have been widely investigated in organic light emitting diodes (OLED), organic lasing, etc. Small singlet‐triplet energy gap (ΔEST) and high radiative rate constants (kF) are highly desired to utilize triplet excitons efficiently and are beneficial to reduce efficiency roll‐off of devices of OLED devices. The prevalent TADF molecules are via donor‐acceptor molecular design, for which the decreasing of the ΔEST is often at the expense of reducing the kF. Herein, we demonstrated a new ΔEST modulation approach to construct TADF with high kF, based on triplet blocking effect, i.e., the extension of π‐conjugation of a triplet constrainer (IB) leads to a gradually red‐shifted S1 but a constant T1 energy and therefore reduced ΔEST controlled from monomer (IB), monomer‐linker (IB‐BF2), to dimer of IB‐BF2‐IB. The natural transition orbital analysis indicates that S1 state is delocalized while T1 state is localized as confirmed by time resolved electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Therefore, the ΔEST is reduced from 0.60 eV, 0.46 eV to 0.25 eV, while keeping faster radiation rate (around 108 s−1) than that of conventional donor‐acceptor molecules (106∼107 s−1). As a result, the emission mechanisms are regulated from fluorescence for IB, phosphorescence/TADF dual emissions for IB‐BF2 to TADF for IB‐BF2‐IB. This paper proposed a new approach of ΔEST modulation and a new type of TADF molecule with high radiation rate, which is crucial for fundamental photophysics as well as material science.
Schwere Pentaisopropylcyclopentadienyltriylene und deren heterobimetallische Komplexe
Authors: Bischoff Inga‐Alexandra , Morgenstern Bernd , Zimmer Michael , Schäfer André
Published: November 2024

Es wird eine Serie von Triylenen der schweren Gruppe 13 Elemente Gallium, Indium und Thallium, mit dem Pentaisopropylcyclopentadienylliganden, berichtet. Die Verbindungen wurden in Lösung und im Festkörper charakterisiert und in Hinblick auf ihre Fähigkeiten als Donorliganden in heterobimetallischen Komplexen untersucht, wobei eine Serie von Wolframcarbonylkomplexen isoliert wurde. Zudem wird eine neue Syntheseroute für das vor Kurzem berichtete Lithium‐Aluminum heterobimetallische Dimetallocen beschrieben, welche auch die Isolierung eines heterobimetallischen Polydeckers, bestehend aus Lithium und Gallium, ermöglichte.
Programmed Charge Transfer in Conjugated Polymers with Pendant Benzothiadiazole Acceptor for Simultaneous Photocatalytic H2O2 Production and Organic Synthesis
Authors: Li Sizhe , Ma Rong , Tu Chuanjun , Zhang Weijie , Li Run , Zhao Yan , Zhang Kai A. I.
Published: November 2024

While being important candidate for heterogeneous photocatalyst, conjugated polymer typically exhibits random charge transfers between the alternating donor and acceptor units, which severely limits its catalytic efficiency. Herein, inspired by natural photosystem, the concept of guiding the charge migration to specific reaction sites is employed to significantly boost photocatalytic performance of linear conjugated polymers (LCPs) with pendant functional groups via creating programmed charge‐transfer channels from the backbone to its pendant moiety. The pendant benzothiadiazole, as revealed in both in situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, can act as electron “reservoir” that aggregates electrons at the active sites. Moreover, the presence of charge‐transfer channels, evidenced by transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS), accelerates the electron transfer, preventing the recombination of electrons and holes. As a result, in this elaborately‐designed architecture, the photogenerated electron can move smoothly towards the reduction sites, facilitating the reduction of O2 into H2O2, while remaining holes are directed to oxidation centers, simultaneously oxidizing furfuryl alcohol to furoic acid. The optimized photocatalyst LCP‐BT demonstrates a competitive catalytic performance with H2O2 productivity of 868.3 μmol L−1 h−1 (9.8 times higher than conventional random charge‐transfer polymer LCP‐1) and furfuryl alcohol conversion over 95 % after 6 h.
The BRICS Nations Framework for Curbing Carbon Emissions: Evidence From Energy Intensity, Renewable Energy, and Environmental Policy
Authors: Zhu Xuying , Hussain Hadi , Fang Song
Published: November 2024

In the pursuit of sustainable development, the escalating challenges of global environmental pollution and the imperative to mitigate energy intensity stand as paramount concerns. As a result, this study aims to construct a comprehensive framework that acknowledges the interplay between energy intensity, the stringency of environmental policies, and the integration of renewable energy within BRICS nations. Utilizing a panel dataset covering the years 1991–2021, this study employs a range of econometric methods such as cross‐sectional dependence tests, second‐generation unit root tests, and panel co‐integration analysis. The results reveal the pivotal roles of energy intensity, the integration of renewable energy sources, and the enforcement of stringent environmental policies in mitigating carbon emissions. Additional analysis indicates that the impact of energy intensity in lowering carbon emissions is strengthened when institutional quality and research and development capabilities reach a certain threshold, thereby offsetting the impact of openness. In accordance, the present study suggests adopting a versatile and inclusive policy approach to effectively decrease carbon emissions, providing insights for policymakers in crafting climate change mitigation strategies and fostering sustainable development.
Singular Electromagnetics: From Phase Singularities to Optical Skyrmions and Beyond
Authors: Yang Jie , Jiang Juanna , Wang Jiafu , Zheng Xuezhi
Published: November 2024

Singular electromagnetics, also known as singular optics in the visible spectrum, is a branch of modern electromagnetics/optics that studies the solutions with nontrivial topological features to Maxwell's equations under different boundary conditions. These nontrivial topological features are called optical singularities, which can be viewed as topological defects of electromagnetic (EM) fields, including phase singularities in complex scalar fields, polarization singularities in complex vector fields, 3D topological defects (such as optical skyrmions, merons, hopfions, knots, links, and Möbius strips), and even higher‐dimensional optical singularities. In this manuscript, the definitions, the topological invariants, and the geometric representations of these optical singularities are reviewed. Along the way of the discussion, it is emphasized that how symmetries can impact optical singularities (for phase, polarization and spatiotemporal singularities). Very importantly, it is demonstrated that how a very complex optical singularity (e.g., a skyrmion) can be constructed based on simpler “building block” singularities (e.g., phase and polarization singularities), so that a hierarchical picture on the many diverse topics in singular electromagnetics is built up. This review can be considered a tutorial‐cum‐review article, which can provide a clear and concise physical picture for constantly emergent topics in singular electromagnetics.
Protein‐Based 2D Nanoarchitectures Constructed by Heterochiral π‐Stacking Dimerization of Helical Foldamers
Authors: Li Wencan , Ge Yunpeng , Wang Zhenzhu , Zhang Chenyang , Zhang Changqing , Chen Jiaxin , Dong Zeyuan
Published: November 2024

In this study, we focus on the designability and controllability of the interaction interface between secondary structures, and discover an important interface interaction between helical secondary structures by non‐covalent synthesis along the helical axis. The formation of discrete heterochiral dimers consisting of left‐handed helix and right‐handed helix not only helps to discover nonclassical supramolecular chirality phenomena, but also enables controllable protein assembly. Highly ordered nanostructures were thus constructed using π‐stacking dimerization of helical foldamers to control tetrameric avidin proteins. The designable and modifiable primitives of artificial folded molecules enable the modification of secondary structure interfaces through non‐covalent interactions, leading to the generation of unique structures and functions. These findings are of fundamental importance to the understanding of the precise assembly process of helical foldamers and can provide insights to facilitate the rational design of abiotic protein‐like tertiary structures and further functionalization.
Beyond Accretion Limits: The Rise of Pulsating Gems
Authors: Israel Gian Luca , Amato Roberta , Imbrogno Matteo , Pinciroli Vago Nicoló Oreste ,   a Larger Team
Published: November 2024

The discovery of several ultraluminous X‐ray sources exhibiting fast and rapidly evolving X‐ray pulsations unequivocally associates these sources with accreting neutron stars orbiting relatively massive companion stars (> 8M). Among these ULXs, the brightest pulsating ULX (PULX), NGC 5907 ULX‐1, displays a peak luminosity (~2 × 1041 erg s−1) that exceeds its Eddington limit by ~1000 times. These discoveries have raised several key questions, the most urgent of which include: what physical process (or processes) is driving the observed luminosities? What is the nature of compact objects in the still non‐pulsating ULXs, and how can we unambiguously ascertain it? Why are PULXs so rare and elusive, and how can we identify more members of this class? In this contribution, a brief overview of the ULX class is provided focusing on PULXs, presenting the most recent results obtained for NGC 5907 ULX‐1, NGC 7793 P13, M82 X‐2 and M51 ULX‐7. How current‐generation X‐ray missions are already providing (and can continue to do so in the next years) a wealth of information to address the aforementioned questions is also outlined.
Recent Advances in Non‐Carbon Dense Sulfur Cathodes for Lithium–Sulfur Battery with High Energy Density
Authors: Phuong Nguyen Viet , Lee Seung‐Mo
Published: November 2024

The seemingly advantageous features of carbon‐based materials, such as large pore volume and lightweight structure, could actually lead to low tap density for the sulfur cathode and excessive electrolyte consumption, potentially significantly decreasing the energy density of lithium–sulfur battery. Recently, non‐carbon‐based materials composed of inorganic matter have emerged as promising candidates for creating dense sulfur cathodes and reducing electrolyte intake. Additionally, inorganic matter exhibits strong interactions with lithium polysulfides, which can address the intrinsic problems of the severe shuttling effect and poor reaction kinetics. In this review, we first discuss the relationship between the tap density of the sulfur cathode and the energy density of lithium–sulfur battery. Subsequently, we systematically summarize recent advances in non‐carbon‐based materials as sulfur hosts. Finally, we propose future research directions and perspectives for sulfur host materials to inspire the realization of practical lithium–sulfur battery with high energy density.
Surface Sulfurization of Cubic Cu2O to Form Cu2S Nanostructure‐Decorated Catalysts for Light‐Enhanced Electrocatalytic H2 Evolution and Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction
Authors: Meng Weiting , Yang Hongran , Zhang Weibin , Li Yuying , Zheng Yuying , Zhu Ting
Published: November 2024

Developing highly efficient bifunctional catalysts for electrocatalysis and photocatalysis suffers from sluggish charge transfer and poor photo‐to‐electric conversion rate. Herein, micro‐sized Cu2O cubes were initially prepared for subsequent transformation into Cu2O@Cu2S core‐shell structures by a slight surface sulfurization. The formation of nanostructured Cu2S thin layer at Cu2O surface can endow an immediate charge separation and migration under light irradiation, leading to high surface photovoltages (SPV, 18–30 mV). As a result, the as‐prepared Cu2O@Cu2S catalysts exhibited reduced overpotentials (η, only 86 mV is required for the optimized sample to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm−2) for H2 evolution with good cycling stability in electrocatalytic water splitting. Meanwhile, a high methane (CH4) production rate of 30.3 μmol h−1 g−1 can be delivered from the optimized Cu2O@Cu2S sample when used for photocatalytic CO2 reduction. This work has provided a strategy to prepare bifunctional catalysts with improved photoelectric properties for photo/electrocatalytic applications.
Enhanced Efficiency and Intrinsic Stability of Wide‐Bandgap Perovskite Solar Cells Through Dimethylamine‐Based Cation Engineering
Authors: Dong Tianhe , Tan Li , Li Ze , Li Jiashun , Li Hongyu , Liao Jing , Chen Xu , Zhang Wenfeng , Li Haijin
Published: November 2024

High efficiency and stable wide‐bandgap (WBG) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are crucial for the development of perovskite‐based tandem solar cells. However, the efficiency and stability of WBG PSCs are compromised by significant phase segregation and surface defects. In this study, we introduce a cation engineering strategy for WBG perovskite, employing a two‐step sequential method that incorporates dimethylamine hydroiodide (DMAI) into the lead halide complex during the initial step. The addition of DMAI modifies the crystal structure and grain growth of the perovskite film, leading to improved crystal quality, reduced photo‐induced halide segregation, decreased defect density, and enhanced charge carrier mobility. Consequently, we achieved a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.9 % for 1.68 eV WBG PSCs. Furthermore, the stability of PSCs based on DMA‐doped perovskite was significantly improved. After 1500 hours of exposure to ambient air, the unencapsulated device retained an impressive 80.6 % of its initial efficiency. This result highlights the substantial potential for stable and efficient WBG PSCs.
Evolution Enhances Kemp Eliminase Activity by Optimizing Oxyanion Stabilization and Conformational Flexibility
Authors: Doustmohammadi Hiva , Sanchez Janet , Ram Mahato Dhani , Osuna Sílvia
Published: November 2024

The base‐promoted Kemp elimination reaction has been used as a model system for enzyme design. Among the multiple computationally designed and evolved Kemp eliminases generated along the years, the HG3‐to‐HG3.17 evolutionary trajectory is particularly interesting due to the high catalytic efficiency of HG3.17 and the debated role of glutamine 50 (Gln50) as potential oxyanion stabilizer. This study aims to elucidate the structural and dynamic changes along the evolutionary pathway from HG3 to HG3.17 that contribute to improved catalytic efficiency. In particular, we evaluate key variants along the HG3 evolutionary trajectory via molecular dynamics simulations coupled to non‐covalent interactions and water analysis. Our computational study indicates that HG3.17 can adopt a catalytically competent conformation promoted by a water‐mediated network of non‐covalent interactions, in which aspartate 127 (Asp127) is properly positioned for proton abstraction and Gln50 and to some extent mutation cysteine 84 (Cys84) contribute to oxyanion stabilization. We find that HG3.17 exhibits a rather high flexibility of Gln50, which is regulated by the conformation adopted by the active site residue tryptophan 44 (Trp44). This interplay between Gln50 and Trp44 positioning induced by distal active site mutations affects the water‐mediated network of non‐covalent interactions, Gln50 preorganization, and water content of the active site pocket.
Pharmacokinetics and Bioequivalence of Two Formulations of Montelukast Sodium Tablets in Healthy Chinese Volunteers Under Fasting and Fed Conditions
Authors: Rao Xiali , Wu Xinghong , Hu Jiawei , Huang Zhaoming
Published: November 2024

Montelukast sodium is a leukotriene type 1 receptor antagonist that can be used for the prophylaxis and treatment of asthma. However, the pharmacokinetics of montelukast sodium tablets (10 mg) remain unclear in healthy Chinese subjects. Here, a single‐dose randomized, open‐label, 2‐sequence, and 2‐period crossover (7‐day washout period between treatments) study was performed to compare the pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence between the test products and the reference at a single dose of 10 mg among healthy Chinese subjects under fasting and fed conditions. Blood samples were collected at specified time points to analyze the plasma concentrations of montelukast by a validated liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method. The results showed that the 90% confidence interval values of the geometric mean ratio of test/reference for the maximum plasma drug concentration, area under the concentration‐time curve from time 0 to the end, and area under the concentration‐time curve from time 0 to infinity were within the range of 80%‐125%. Moreover, both the test and reference formulations were safe and well tolerated, with no occurrence of severe adverse events. These results demonstrate that both the test montelukast sodium tablets and the reference showed similar bioequivalence, safety, and tolerability among healthy Chinese subjects under fasting and fed conditions.
Green Synthesis of Urea from Carbon Dioxide and Ammonia Catalyzed by Ultraporous Permanently Polarized Hydroxyapatite
Authors: Arnau Marc , Sanz Júlia , Turon Pau , Alemán Carlos , Sans Jordi
Published: November 2024

The sustainable synthesis of urea from ammonia (NH3) and carbon dioxide (CO2) using ultraporous permanently polarized hydroxyapatite (upp‐HAp) as catalyst has been explored as an advantageous CO2‐revalorization strategy. As the simultaneous activation of N2 and CO2 (single‐step) demands an increase of the reaction conditions, we have re‐visited the industrial two‐step Bazarov reaction. upp‐HAp has been designed as a stable multifunctional catalyst capable of promoting both CO2 and NH3 adsorption for their subsequent C−N bond formation. Herein we report the synthesis of 1 mmol/gcat of urea with a selectivity of 97 % under strictly mild conditions (95–120 °C and 1 bar of CO2; without applying any electrical currents or UV irradiation) which represents an efficiency of ~2 % and ~30 % with respect to the NH3 and CO2 content, respectively. The study of the NH3 content, products adsorbed in the catalyst, presence of intermediates and temperature of the reaction allows unveiling the great potential of upp‐HAp as a green catalyst for sustainable Bazarov reactions. Results suggest that the double‐step approach could be more advantageous for both synthesizing urea and as a CO2‐revalorization strategy, which in turn promotes the development of specific technologies for the independent synthesis of green NH3.
Hyponatremia Associated with the Use of Common Antidepressants in the All of Us Research Program
Authors: Mo Huan , Channa Yamna , Ferrara Tracey M. , Waxse Bennett J. , Schlueter David J. , Tran Tam C. , Awan Anas H. , Goleva Slavina B. , Williams Ariel , Babbar Anav , Stubblefield Onajia , Keaton Jacob M. , Larson Eric A. , Wilke Russell A. , Denny Joshua C.
Published: November 2024

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), serotonin‐norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), and norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NRI) antidepressants can cause hyponatremia through syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). This study assesses the differential risks of hyponatremia associated with commonly prescribed SSRIs (fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, citalopram, escitalopram), SNRIs (duloxetine, venlafaxine) and NRI (bupropion), as well as omeprazole as a reference, with a retrospective observational cohort study in the All of Us Research Program, a national multicenter research cohort containing de‐identified electronic health records (EHR). Participants who had been prescribed monotherapy with any of eight common antidepressants were included, with each drug considered as a separate arm indexed with a start date. Events were defined as the first occurrence of a low plasma sodium measurement or a clinical diagnosis recorded for either hyponatremia or SIADH. Those who did not have events were censored at their last plasma sodium measurement. A total of 17,439 individuals were exposed to one of the eight antidepressants as monotherapy. The overall incidences for hyponatremia were 0.87% in the first 30 days and 10.5% in the first 3 years in the antidepressant arms. Compared to sertraline, duloxetine (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.37 [1.19–1.58]) and escitalopram (HR = 1.16 [1.01–1.33]) were associated with the highest overall risk of hyponatremia, and bupropion (HR = 0.83 [0.73–0.94]) and paroxetine (HR = 0.78 [0.65–0.93]) were associated with the lowest risk. The risks were unchanged after adjusting for comorbidity and polypharmacy. Such information could help guide providers in managing patients and their risks of hyponatremia when on common antidepressants.
Landscape use by prey: Bottom‐up regulation prevails under reduced predation risk
Authors: Rocha Filipe , Chicomo Milcíades , Lages Fernanda , Monterroso Pedro
Published: November 2024

Resource specialist herbivores may suppress antipredator strategies to access scarcely available key resources, while proactive antipredator behaviors should be favored by generalists or when resources are abundant. We quantified the relative effects of predation‐ (top‐down) and resource‐driven (bottom‐up) constraints on spatiotemporal patterns of landscape use by a prey community in a dynamic system under low predator abundance, and investigated how prey manage the risk posed by predators with different hunting strategies. We fitted Royle–Nichols co‐abundance models to camera‐trapping data collected between 2017 and 2019 in Bicuar National Park (Angola), to assess spatial association/segregation across predator–prey dyads, while accounting for the effects of water and food availability during dry and wet seasons. We further estimated pairwise seasonal differences in diel activity overlap between predator and prey. We failed to detect spatiotemporal proactive antipredator responses either toward the cursorial or ambush predator. The community‐wide predator–prey association patterns we found support that predation pressure is insufficient to displace prey from their preferred habitats or to adjust their endogenous clock, and support predominantly bottom‐up regulated behaviors. We suggest that, in landscapes where predator density is low, limited perception of risk may prevent the employment of proactive antipredator behavior.
Women's rugby as a catalyst for advancing female‐specific science and safety in sport
Authors: Saynor Zoe L. , Hassan Amal , Wilson Fiona
Published: November 2024

Women's rugby is experiencing unprecedented growth and professionalisation, yet the research underpinning player welfare and performance remains significantly underdeveloped. This special issue of the European Journal of Sport Science addresses the critical need for evidence‐based practices tailored to female rugby players. Current literature is predominantly male‐focused, despite known sex differences impacting training, injury mechanisms and health outcomes. In particular, the underrepresentation of female‐specific studies presents risks to player safety and performance optimisation. This issue presents cutting‐edge research, from world‐leading interdisciplinary experts and applied practitioners, on three main themes: female‐specific injury and illness surveillance and education, tackle safety and performance, and intersectional research agendas. Contributions include insights into female‐specific health domains, such as breast and pelvic floor health, emphasising the need for tailored care pathways and interventions. Additionally, the importance of gender‐responsive coaching and tackle skill acquisition is highlighted, advocating for progressive, context‐specific training frameworks. Moreover, an intersectional approach to research is proposed, to address the broader social and material contexts affecting marginalised women and girls in rugby. These findings aim to drive interdisciplinary, inclusive research, ensuring that the professionalisation of women's rugby is matched by advancements in scientific understanding and applied practice. This special issue not only celebrates the progress made, but also calls for ongoing efforts to bridge the knowledge gap, ensuring holistic support for female rugby players from participation, through to retirement and beyond.
Development and Characterization of Mikania, Kapok, Wool, Sugarcane, and Pineapple Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composite
Authors: Anan Rafid , Al Mahmud Hasan , Khan Tabriz Ahnaf , Sakib Md Sakib Ul Alam , Hossain Md Shahadhat
Published: November 2024

This study utilizes plant‐derived fibers including Mikania, wool, kapok, sugarcane, and pineapple as strengthening additions to fabricated and tested reinforced polyester mixtures. This study aimed to examine the mechanical qualities and potential applications of these natural materials in boosting the effectiveness of polyester composites. The composites were formed by including natural fibers into a polyester base using a hand lay‐up preparation method. The finished samples received a complete assessment, covering tensile and impact testing as well as SEM analysis. The findings showed that incorporating natural materials like Mikania vines, wool, kapok fuzz, sugarcane fibers, and pineapple leaves had a notably positive effect on the mechanical features of the plastic composites. The tensile strength of the material combined pineapple was particularly high, achieving a maximum stress of 42.4822 N/mm2 and a maximum stretch of 4.27950%. Similarly, that same composite exhibited a maximum stretch of 3.75753% and a maximum stress of 77.4922 N/mm2 during the bending experiment. The substances exhibiting the strongest impact endurance, as determined by the impact assessment, included kapok, Mikania, wool, pineapple, and sugarcane. The kapok provided an impact toughness of 1.2 N m, which was somewhat elevated. This research offers a precious understanding of using natural fibers as strengthening additives in polyester composites, demonstrating their flexible perspective for many uses. The discoveries present hopeful possibilities for additional examination and progression in composite materials, consequently advancing the development of sustainable materials.
Geology of Mudstones Atop the Sangonghe Formation, Shuixigou Group, Turpan‐Hami Basin: New Insights and Their Implications for Petroleum Geology
Authors: Wang Weiming , Hu Meishuo , Chen Xuan , Liu Qingguo , La Weihao , Zhang Hua , Yang Yuzhong , Miao Changsheng , Li Tingting
Published: November 2024

As the exploration of deep‐seated oil and gas resources in the Turpan‐Hami Basin intensifies, there is an urgent need to thoroughly depict the geological characteristics of newly uncovered, underexplored strata in sub‐sag centers. This study undertakes the inaugural systematic geochemical analysis of mudstones atop the Sangonghe Formation, including palynological identification, maceral identification, biomarker analysis, total organic carbon (TOC) analysis, and pyrolysis. The findings reveal that the mudstone sequence, as the target layer, was deposited in a warm and moist paleoclimate and a weakly reducing to weakly oxidising saline water environment, fostering the growth of prolific algae and bacteria, thus ensuring substantial foundational materials for source rock formation. The organic matter in the mudstone sequence displays pronounced laminar accumulation. Despite the overall modest abundance, the organic matter features notable hydrocarbon‐generating potential per unit of organic carbon and favourable types. Humic‐sapropelic kerogens (type II1) are found in the mudstones, with organic matter generally reaching a mature to highly mature stage. These characteristics establish the mudstones as effective source rocks, furthermore, the hydrocarbon expulsion in the Xishanyao Formation precedes that of the Sangonghe Formation and that both formations constitute a sequential process in terms of hydrocarbon generation and expulsion timing and hydrocarbon contribution. Reanalyzing this mudstone sequence not only revises prior geological understanding of it as direct cap rocks, but also facilitates the reclassification of deep‐seated strata into three distinct petroleum systems. Centered around this source rock layer, dual modes, namely the “lower‐source rock and upper‐reservoir” and the “ lower‐reservoir and upper‐source rock” modes can be formed. These new insights will offer profound implications for hydrocarbon resource evaluation and future hydrocarbon exploration endeavours in the Shuixigou Group within the Taibei sag.
Health Insurance Coverage Changes Under the Affordable Care Act Among High Housing Cost Households, 2010–18
Authors: Cao Yu , Su Yuxin , Wang Guan , Zhang Chengcheng
Published: November 2024

This study examines the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on health insurance coverage among rent‐burdened households—those spending more than 30% of their income on rent—and non‐rent‐burdened households. Using data from American Community Survey, we find that Medicaid take‐up rate increased 8.88 percentage points (pp) among rent‐burdened households and 7.54 pp among non‐rent‐burdened households in expansion states. Conditional on household income and demographic characteristics, rent‐burdened households exhibit a 1.5 pp higher likelihood of Medicaid enrollment, with an additional decline of 0.7 pp in employer‐sponsored insurance and 1.0 pp in directly purchased insurance enrollment. These effects were more pronounced among individuals aged over 26 and those in states without state‐run exchanges. The findings show the importance of tailored Medicaid policies to assist households facing housing burdens, especially for those ineligible for housing vouchers.
Fertility treatment and risk of ovarian cancer in a large nationwide cohort of infertile Danish women
Authors: Jensen Allan , Guleria Sonia , Albieri Vanna , Nøhr Bugge , Frederiksen Kirsten , Kjær Susanne K.
Published: November 2024

Whether fertility treatment increases the risk of ovarian cancer has been a concern for many decades, but previous research has yielded conflicting findings. We therefore investigated this association within a large population‐based cohort study of infertile women aged 20–45 years and living in Denmark between 1995 and 2017, as identified in the Danish Infertility Cohort (n = 146,110). The study cohort was linked to nationwide registers to obtain information on fertility drug use, cancer diagnoses, covariates, emigration, and vital status was. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) with adjustment for potential confounders for ovarian cancer overall and for serous ovarian cancer were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models. During a median 10.3 years of follow‐up, 114 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer of which 65 had serous ovarian cancer. Our results showed that the rate of serous ovarian cancer (HR 1.92; 95% CI 1.16–3.17) was increased after every use of progesterone but the association was not affected by increased follow‐up time since first use or with increased cumulative dose. We performed a secondary analysis adding less extensive data from 1971 through 1994 from the Danish Infertility Cohort. In this study cohort, 332 women developed ovarian cancer of which 192 had serous ovarian cancer. The overall results were similar, including the association between every use of progesterone and serous ovarian cancer (HR 2.05: 95% CI: 1.31–3.21). In conclusion, the novel finding that use of progesterone is associated with an increased rate of serous ovarian cancer warrants further investigation.
Navigating antibiotic therapy in acute cholangitis: Best practices and new insights
Authors: Masuda Sakue , Imamura Yoshinori , Jinushi Ryuhei , Kimura Karen , Ryozawa Shomei , Koizumi Kazuya
Published: November 2024

Globally, antibiotic resistance is linked to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs, which necessitates further research on optimal antibiotic usage. Acute cholangitis (AC), a common cause of community‐acquired bacteremia, often requires antimicrobial therapy. Therefore, studying the appropriate use of antibiotics for AC is considered crucial for suppressing the emergence of resistant bacteria and reducing adverse antibiotic‐associated events. The Tokyo Guidelines 2018 (TG18) recommend 4–7 days of antibiotics post‐biliary drainage. However, this lacks strong evidence and is based primarily on various evidence and expert opinions. Recent retrospective studies advocate for a shorter 1–3‐day antibiotic course for AC, thereby prompting a need to reassess the treatment duration to balance therapeutic efficacy and minimize resistance and adverse effects. Choosing the appropriate duration and antibiotics based on susceptibility to pathogens causing cholangitis is important. Awareness of local resistance patterns and understanding patients' risks of resistant pathogens are prerequisite for effective treatment. We must explore the applicability of these guidelines in specific scenarios such as severe AC, positive blood cultures, fever, or hilar biliary obstructions due to malignancy. This comprehensive review considers both the duration and type of antibiotics and aims to enhance treatment outcomes while reducing the risk of resistant bacterial infections.
Improvement in the Low Temperature Prediction Skill During Cold Winters Over the Mid–High Latitudes of Eurasia in CFSv2
Authors: Xiong Kaiguo , Zhao Junhu , Yang Jie , Zhou Jie , Qiao Shaobo , Feng Guolin
Published: November 2024

Regional cold winters have occurred frequently in Eurasia since the beginning of the 21st century, increasing the interannual variability in winter temperatures and increasing the difficulty of prediction. In this study, we evaluate the performance of Climate Forecast version 2 (CFSv2) of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) in predicting winter temperature anomalies over the Northern Hemisphere and find that CFSv2 has significantly lower temperature prediction ability for cold winters in the mid–high latitudes of Eurasia since the 21st century. This is mainly due to the stronger response to global warming and the weaker response to sea ice anomalies in the preceding autumn in CFSv2 than the in reanalysis. Accordingly, two targeted correction methods have been developed to improve the prediction ability, with the first method removing the linear temperature trend of CFSv2 predictions and the second method considering the effects of autumn Arctic Sea ice anomalies via a dynamical–statistical correction approach (DSCA). Both methods can effectively improve the prediction ability of winter temperature anomalies in the mid–high latitudes of Eurasia, especially in cold winters. The anomaly correlation coefficient (ACC) increased from −0.03 to 0.13 before and after the modification by the DSCA, and from −0.12 to 0.25 for cold winters. The DSCA significantly reduced the root mean square error (RMSE) of the CFSv2 predictions by approximately 10%.