bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Director Interlocks: Information Transfer in Board Networks
Authors: Ma Ziqi , Shi Linna , Yu Katherine (Kexin) , Zhou Nan
Published: January 2024

Director interlocks occur when a board member or an executive of a firm sits on the board of directors of another firm. As an essential social network application in the business world, interlocking directorates are documented to be non-trivial from the 1930s and continue to gain popularity thereafter. Corporate information and business practices can be transferred to another firm through an interlocking director sitting on both companies’ boards. Such information dissemination leads to changes in an interlocking firm’s decision-making processes. Existing business research attempts to decipher the underlying reasons why board interlocks become prevalent, how and what information is being transferred through this channel, and the intended or unintended consequences to firm strategic, governance, financing, and accounting practices. We first introduce theoretical research on board interlocks in management and then follow up with empirical evidence in finance and accounting. Since extant studies have not reached a consensus on various consequences of board interlocks, we contribute to the literature by summarizing the findings from multi-business disciplines, discussing their advantages and disadvantages, and calling for more research on the topic.
Continuous Eddy Simulation vs. Resolution-Imposing Simulation Methods for Turbulent Flows
Authors: Fagbade Adeyemi , Heinz Stefan
Published: January 2024

The usual concept of simulation methods for turbulent flows is to impose a certain (partial) flow resolution. This concept becomes problematic away from limit regimes of no or an almost complete flow resolution: discrepancies between the imposed and actual flow resolution may imply an unreliable model behavior and high computational cost to compensate for simulation deficiencies. An exact mathematical approach based on variational analysis provides a solution to these problems. Minimal error continuous eddy simulation (CES) designed in this way enables simulations in which the model actively responds to variations in flow resolution by increasing or decreasing its contribution to the simulation as required. This paper presents the first application of CES methods to a moderately complex, relatively high Reynolds number turbulent flow simulation: the NASA wall-mounted hump flow. It is shown that CES performs equally well or better than almost resolving simulation methods at a little fraction of computational cost. Significant computational cost and performance advantages are reported in comparison to popular partially resolving simulation methods including detached eddy simulation and wall-modeled large eddy simulation. Characteristic features of the asymptotic flow structure are identified on the basis of CES simulations.
Real-World Data Study on Risk Factors Associated with Acute Kidney Damage in Patients Treated with Anti-MRSA Antibiotics
Authors: Maray Ivan , Álvarez-Asteinza Cristina , Macía-Rivas Lola , Fernández-Laguna Clara Luz , Alaguero-Calero Miguel , Valledor Pablo , Fernández Javier
Published: January 2024

The objective was to evaluate the incidence of nephrotoxicity related to vancomycin and other anti-MRSA antibiotics (linezolid and daptomycin). Patients receiving any of these drugs between July 2014 and December 2020 at a tertiary hospital were included. Renal failure was evaluated using the acute renal injury (AKIN) system. Univariate analysis was conducted on the 5806 patients who were included. Among them, 1023 patients (17.62%) developed renal failure. The renal damage incidence was 14.74% (496/3365) for vancomycin, 19.13% (367/1918) for linezolid, and 30.59% (160/523) for daptomycin. Patients with lower basal glomerular filtration had a higher risk of AKIN. In the vancomycin group, the risk factors were high creatinine and urea serum basal values, duration of treatment (DOT), body mass index (BMI), ICU stay, age, and low CKDEPI and albumin levels. In the linezolid group, AKIN was linked to high creatinine and urea levels, BMI, age, and ICU stay and to low CKDEPI levels; for daptomycin, AKIN was associated with low CKDEPI and albumin levels and a long DOT. Patients with AKIN showed higher mortality rates. Vancomycin-associated nephrotoxicity remains a great concern. However, linezolid and daptomycin could also cause nephrotoxicity. Bearing in mind risk factors that may prompt nephrotoxicity in hospitalized patients taking anti-staphylococcal antibiotics will result in better pharmacotherapeutic management.
Is ChatGPT a Good Geospatial Data Analyst? Exploring the Integration of Natural Language into Structured Query Language within a Spatial Database
Authors: Jiang Yongyao , Yang Chaowei
Published: January 2024

With recent advancements, large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT and Bard have shown the potential to disrupt many industries, from customer service to healthcare. Traditionally, humans interact with geospatial data through software (e.g., ArcGIS 10.3) and programming languages (e.g., Python). As a pioneer study, we explore the possibility of using an LLM as an interface to interact with geospatial datasets through natural language. To achieve this, we also propose a framework to (1) train an LLM to understand the datasets, (2) generate geospatial SQL queries based on a natural language question, (3) send the SQL query to the backend database, (4) parse the database response back to human language. As a proof of concept, a case study was conducted on real-world data to evaluate its performance on various queries. The results show that LLMs can be accurate in generating SQL code for most cases, including spatial joins, although there is still room for improvement. As all geospatial data can be stored in a spatial database, we hope that this framework can serve as a proxy to improve the efficiency of spatial data analyses and unlock the possibility of automated geospatial analytics.
Comparison Study of the k − kL − ω and γ − Reθ Transition Model in the Open-Water Performance Prediction of a Rim-Driven Thruster
Authors: Liu Bao , Vanierschot Maarten , Buysschaert Frank
Published: January 2024

The present work examines the capabilities of two transition models implemented in ANSYS Fluent in the open-water performance prediction of a rim-driven thruster (RDT). The adopted models are the three-equation k−kL−ω and the four-equation γ−Reθ models. Both of them are firstly tested on a ducted propeller. The numerical results are compared with available experimental data, and a good correlation is found for both models. The simulations employing two transition models are then carried out on a four-bladed rim-driven thruster model and the results are compared with the SST k−ω turbulence model. It is observed that the streamline patterns on the blade surface are significantly different between the transition and fully turbulent models. The transition models can reveal the laminar region on the blade while the fully turbulent model assumes the boundary layer is entirely turbulent, resulting in a considerable difference in torque prediction. It is noted that unlike the fully turbulent model, the transition models are quite sensitive to the free-stream turbulence quantities such as turbulent intensity and turbulent viscosity ratio, as these quantities determine the onset of the transition process. The open-water performance of the studied RDT and resolved flow field are also presented and discussed.
Efficacy of Conventional and Biorational Insecticides against the Invasive Pest Thrips parvispinus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) under Containment Conditions
Authors: Ataide Livia M. S. , Vargas German , Velazquez-Hernandez Yisell , Reyes-Arauz Isamar , Villamarin Paola , Canon Maria A. , Yang Xiangbing , Riley Simon S. , Revynthi Alexandra M.
Published: January 2024

In 2020, the invasive Thrips parvispinus (Karny) was first detected in Florida, United States. In response to the implemented regulatory restrictions, we conducted laboratory experiments under containment conditions. Thrips larvae and adults were exposed to 32 products (conventional and biorational insecticides) either directly or indirectly. Direct exposure was performed using a Spray Potter Tower, while indirect exposure was conducted by evaluating residue toxicity against the thrips. Water served as a control. We assessed mortality and leaf-feeding damage 48 h post-treatment. Among the conventional insecticides, chlorfenapyr, sulfoxaflor-spinetoram, and spinosad caused high mortality across all stages in both direct and residue toxicity assays. Pyridalyl, acetamiprid, tolfenpyrad, cyclaniliprole-flonicamid, acephate, novaluron, abamectin, cyantraniliprole, imidacloprid, cyclaniliprole, spirotetramat, and carbaryl displayed moderate toxicity, affecting at least two stages in either exposure route. Additionally, chlorfenapyr, spinosad, sulfoxaflor-spinetoram, pyridalyl, acetamiprid, cyclaniliprole, cyclaniliprole-flonicamid, abamectin, and acephate inhibited larvae and adult’s leaf-feeding damage in both direct and residue toxicity assays. Regarding biorational insecticides, mineral oil (3%) and sesame oil caused the highest mortality and lowest leaf-feeding damage. Greenhouse evaluations of spinosad, chlorfenapyr, sulfoxaflor-spinetoram, and pyridalyl are recommended. Also, a rotation program incorporating these products, while considering different modes of action, is advised for ornamental growers to avoid resistance and to comply with regulations.
Amyloid Burden Correlates with Electrocardiographic Findings in Patients with Cardiac Amyloidosis—Insights from Histology and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Duca Franz , Rettl René , Kronberger Christina , Poledniczek Michael , Binder Christina , Dalos Daniel , Koschutnik Matthias , Donà Carolina , Beitzke Dietrich , Loewe Christian , Nitsche Christian , Hengstenberg Christian , Badr-Eslam Roza , Kastner Johannes , Bergler-Klein Jutta , Kammerlander Andreas Anselm
Published: January 2024

Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is associated with several distinct electrocardiographic (ECG) changes. However, the impact of amyloid depositions on ECG parameters is not well investigated. We therefore aimed to assess the correlation of amyloid burden with ECG and test the prognostic power of ECG findings on outcomes in patients with CA. Consecutive CA patients underwent ECG assessment and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), including the quantification of extracellular volume (ECV) with T1 mapping. Moreover, seven patients underwent additional amyloid quantification using immunohistochemistry staining of endomyocardial biopsies. A total of 105 CA patients (wild-type transthyretin: 74.3%, variant transthyretin: 8.6%, light chain: 17.1%) were analyzed for this study. We detected correlations of total QRS voltage with histologically quantified amyloid burden (r = −0.780, p = 0.039) and ECV (r = −0.266, p = 0.006). In patients above the ECV median (43.9%), PR intervals were significantly longer (p = 0.016) and left anterior fascicular blocks were more prevalent (p = 0.025). In our survival analysis, neither Kaplan–Meier curves (p = 0.996) nor Cox regression analysis detected associations of QRS voltage with adverse patient outcomes (hazard ratio: 0.995, p = 0.265). The present study demonstrated that an increased amyloid burden is associated with lower voltages in CA patients. However, baseline ECG findings, including QRS voltage, were not associated with adverse outcomes.
Obesity in Hypertensive Patients Is Characterized by a Dawn Phenomenon in Systolic Blood Pressure Values and Variability
Authors: Lipski Dawid , Marzyńska Dorota , Sytek Paulina , Rzesoś Patrycja , Rabiza Agnieszka , Żurek Sebastian , Radziemski Artur , Stryczyński Łukasz , Tykarski Andrzej , Uruski Paweł
Published: January 2024

One of the causes of hypertension is excess weight gain, which can also affect the course of this disease. Both the diagnosis and management of hypertension commonly use ambulatory blood pressure monitoring; the results of which correlate more strongly with cardiovascular diseases and cardiovascular death than office blood pressure monitoring. We evaluated blood pressure values and their variability from hour to hour to see if and when they differed between hypertensive patients with and without obesity. The study included 1345 patients who underwent 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and then were divided into groups according to body mass index and waist circumference. The obtained data were analyzed according to the subjects’ wake-up time, and short-term blood pressure variability parameters were calculated as the mean of the absolute values of the differences between consecutive measurements. The systolic blood pressure in obese subjects was significantly higher between 1 and 5 h before waking than in normal-weighted individuals. In turn, the variability in systolic and diastolic blood pressure was higher with increasing body mass index. The difference in systolic blood pressure values and blood pressure variability was most prominent in the last 5 h of sleep in obese patients.
Altered Sexual Response-Related Functional Connectivity and Morphometric Changes Influenced by Sex Hormones across Menopausal Status
Authors: Moon Chung Man , Heo Suk Hee , Yoon Woong , Baek Byung Hyun , Shin Sang Soo , Kim Seul Kee , Lee Yun Young
Published: January 2024

Our study retrospectively investigated differential patterns of the functional connectivity (FC) of core brain regions synchronous with morphometric changes associated with sexual dysfunction in menopausal women, and their correlations with sexual hormones. Twenty-three premenopausal women (mean age: 41.52 ± 7.38 years) and 21 menopausal women (mean age: 55.52 ± 2.80 years) underwent sex hormone level measurements with high-resolution T1 and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during rest, neutral, and sexual arousal conditions. Analysis of covariance adjusted for age was used to compare the FC and gray matter (GM) volume between the two groups. Menopausal women showed lower GM volumes in the superior frontal gyrus (SFG), superior temporal pole, parahippocampal gyrus (PHG), hippocampus (Hip), amygdala (Amg), and cerebellum (Cb) compared to premenopausal women (p < 0.05). In addition, compared to premenopausal women, menopausal women showed decreased FC of seed regions involved in the SFG, frontal eye fields, and Amg, as well as target regions involved in the PHG, Hip, inferior frontal gyrus, Cb, and vermis (p < 0.005). Furthermore, the FC between the right Amg and right Cb and between the left Amg and right Cb during sexual arousal in both groups was positively correlated with total estrogen and estradiol levels, respectively (p < 0.01). The GM volume values in the right Amg and right Cb were positively correlated with total estrogen and estradiol levels (p < 0.05). Our study demonstrated an association between menopause-related differential FC and GM volume variations and fluctuating sex hormones. Our findings highlight that overlapping brain regions with functional alterations and morphometric changes are closely linked with menopausal symptom-related decreases in sexual arousal and hormone levels.
Security Attack Behavioural Pattern Analysis for Critical Service Providers
Authors: Seid Elias , Popov Oliver , Blix Fredrik
Published: January 2024

Identifying potential system attacks that define security requirements is crucial to building secure cyber systems. Moreover, the attack frequency makes their subsequent analysis challenging and arduous in cyber–physical systems (CPS). Since CPS include people, organisations, software, and infrastructure, a thorough security attack analysis must consider both strategic (social and organisational) aspects and technical (software and physical infrastructure) aspects. Studying cyberattacks and their potential impact on internal and external assets in cyberspace is essential for maintaining cyber security. The importance is reflected in the work of the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), which receives IT incident reports from essential service providers mandated by the NIS directive of the European Union and Swedish government agencies. To tackle this problem, a multi-realm security attack event monitoring framework was proposed to monitor, model, and analyse security events in social(business process), cyber, and physical infrastructure components of cyber–physical systems. This paper scrutinises security attack patterns and the corresponding security solutions for Swedish government agencies and organisations within the EU’s NIS directive. A pattern analysis was conducted on 254 security incident reports submitted by critical service providers. A total of five critical security attacks, seven vulnerabilities (commonly known as threats), ten attack patterns, and ten parallel attack patterns were identified. Moreover, we employed standard mitigation techniques obtained from recognised repositories of cyberattack knowledge, namely, CAPEC and Mitre, in order to conduct an analysis of the behavioural patterns
Preparation, Characterization and Evaluation of Polyamide-Reduced Graphene Oxide as Selective Membranes for Water Purification
Authors: Alshahrani Ahmed A. , El-Habeeb Abeer A. , Almutairi Arwa A. , Almuaither Dimah A. , Abudajeen Sara A. , Hassan Hassan M. A. , Alsohaimi Ibrahim Hotan
Published: January 2024

Amidst the ongoing advancements in membrane technology, a leading method has come to the forefront. Recent research has emphasized the substantial influence of surface attributes in augmenting the effectiveness of thin-film membranes in water treatments. These studies reveal how surface properties play a crucial role in optimizing the performance of these membranes, further establishing their prominence in the field of membrane technology. This recognition stems from the precise engineering of surfaces, ensuring they meet the demanding requirements of advanced separation processes. This study utilizes polyamide as a discerning layer, applied atop a polysulfone support sheet through interfacial polymerization (IP) for membrane fabrication. The amounts in the various membranes were created to vary. The membrane’s permeability to water with significant salt rejection was enhanced, which improved its effectiveness. The polyamide (PA) membrane comprising graphene oxide (rGO, 0.015%) had a water permeability of 48.90 L/m2 h at 22 bar, which was much higher than the mean permeability of polyamide membranes (25.0 L/m2 h at 22 bar). On the other hand, the PA–rGO/CHIT membranes exhibited the lowest water permeability due to their decreased surface roughness. However, the membranes’ effectiveness in rejecting salts ranged from 80% to 95% for PA–rGO and PA–rGO/CHIT membranes.
Progesterone Hypersensitivity in Assisted Reproductive Technologies: Implications for Safety and Efficacy
Authors: Sandru Florica , Dumitrascu Mihai , Petca Aida , Petca Razvan-Cosmin , Roman Alexandra-Maria
Published: January 2024

The global rise in the age of childbirth, influenced by changing sociodemographic patterns, has had a notable impact on fertility rates. Simultaneously, assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) have become increasingly prevalent due to advancements in reproductive medicine. The paper explores the intersection between the surge in ARTs and the rising number of iatrogenic autoimmune progesterone dermatitis (APD). Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis, commonly known as progesterone hypersensitivity, manifests itself as a mucocutaneous hypersensitivity syndrome. It is characterized by a wide range of dermatological symptoms, with urticaria and maculopapular rashes being the most prominent signs. Concurrently, systemic symptoms, such as fever, angioedema, and, in severe instances, anaphylaxis, may ensue. This dermatologic condition poses a significant challenge to women of childbearing age. This intricate syndrome frequently manifests itself in conjunction with menstruation or pregnancy as a reaction to physiological fluctuations in endogenous progesterone. However, given that exposure to exogenous progesterone is an integral component of various modern therapies, secondary APD has also been described. Our findings unveil a heightened likelihood of developing secondary progesterone hypersensitivity in ART patients that is attributed to the administration of exogenous progesterone through intramuscular, intravaginal, and oral routes. The study also explores available therapeutic interventions for facilitating viable pregnancies in individuals grappling with autoimmune progesterone dermatitis within the context of ARTs. This comprehensive analysis contributes valuable insights into the intricate relationship between reproductive technologies, dermatological challenges, and successful pregnancy outcomes.
Mapping Soil Organic Carbon Stock and Uncertainties in an Alpine Valley (Northern Italy) Using Machine Learning Models
Authors: Agaba Sara , Ferré Chiara , Musetti Marco , Comolli Roberto
Published: January 2024

In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the spatial distribution of soil organic carbon stock (SOC stock) and the associated uncertainties in two soil layers (0–10 cm and 0–30 cm; SOC stock 10 and SOC stock 30, respectively), in Valchiavenna, an alpine valley located in northern Italy (450 km2). We employed the digital soil mapping (DSM) approach within different machine learning models, including multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), random forest (RF), support vector regression (SVR), and elastic net (ENET). Our dataset comprised soil data from 110 profiles, with SOC stock calculations for all sampling points based on bulk density (BD), whether measured or estimated, considering the presence of rock fragments. As environmental covariates for our research, we utilized environmental variables, in particular, geomorphometric parameters derived from a digital elevation model (with a 20 m pixel resolution), land cover data, and climatic maps. To evaluate the effectiveness of our models, we evaluated their capacity to predict SOC stock 10 and SOC stock 30 using the coefficient of determination (R2). The results for the SOC stock 10 were as follows: MARS 0.39, ENET 0.41, RF 0.69, and SVR 0.50. For the SOC stock 30, the corresponding R2 values were: MARS 0.45, ENET 0.48, RF 0.65, and SVR 0.62. Additionally, we calculated the root-mean-squared error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), the bias, and Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (LCCC) for further assessment. To map the spatial distribution of SOC stock and address uncertainties in both soil layers, we chose the RF model, due to its better performance, as indicated by the highest R2 and the lowest RMSE and MAE. The resulting SOC stock maps using the RF model demonstrated an accuracy of RMSE = 1.35 kg m−2 for the SOC stock 10 and RMSE = 3.36 kg m−2 for the SOC stock 30. To further evaluate and illustrate the precision of our soil maps, we conducted an uncertainty assessment and mapping by analyzing the standard deviation (SD) from 50 iterations of the best-performing RF model. This analysis effectively highlighted the high accuracy achieved in our soil maps. The maps of uncertainty demonstrated that the RF model better predicts the SOC stock 10 compared to the SOC stock 30. Predicting the correct ranges of SOC stocks was identified as the main limitation of the methodology.
Redefining the Axillary Aesthetic: Surgical Management of Axillary Tissue Hypertrophy
Authors: Tanna Neil , Barnett Sarah , Aiello Christopher , Boehm Lucas M. , Calobrace M. Bradley
Published: January 2024

Background and Objectives: Axillary tissue hypertrophy consists of ectopic breast tissue and occurs in up to six percent of women. Women complain of pain, interference with activity, and dissatisfaction with appearance. While it is recommended that accessory breast tissue be removed via surgical excision, there is lack of consensus on the best technique for the surgical management of axillary tissue hypertrophy. In this study, the senior authors (BC and NT) review outcomes and complications as they pertain to the surgical treatment of axillary tissue hypertrophy and axillary contouring. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of all patients (n = 35), from two separate institutions, who presented with axillary tissue hypertrophy between December 2019 and August 2021 was conducted. All patients underwent a technique that included direct crescentic dermato-lipectomy and glandular excision with axillary crease obliteration. Tissue was sent for histological analysis after removal. During a six-month follow-up period, all patient outcomes were recorded. Results: The authors treated 35 women with axillary tissue hypertrophy. All patients complained of aesthetic deformity with significant discomfort leading to the desire for surgery. Histologically, all specimens contained benign breast and adipose tissue. Hypertrophic scarring, seroma, and axillary cording were noted complications. Conclusions: Detailed is the surgical management and optimal technique that can be used to treat both adipose and fibroglandular axillary tissue hypertrophy while simultaneously providing a favorable axillary aesthetic.
Left Ventricular Mass Index Predicts Renal Function Decline in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Lacquaniti Antonio , Ceresa Fabrizio , Campo Susanna , Patané Francesco , Monardo Paolo
Published: January 2024

Background and Objectives: Several studies revealed a relation between abnormal cardiac remodeling and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decline, but there are limited data regarding echocardiographic changes in chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study evaluated the abnormal cardiac structures characterizing patients with CKD, assessing the independent association between echocardiographic parameters and the risk of decline in renal function. Materials and Methods: In total, 160 patients with CKD were studied. All patients underwent an echocardiographic exam and 99mTc-DTPA renal scintigraphy to measure the GFR. After the baseline assessments, patients were followed prospectively for 12 months, or until the endpoint achievement, defined as a worsening in renal function (doubling of baseline serum creatinine, GFR decline ≥25%, the start of dialysis). Results: Patients with GFR values of 34.8 ± 15 mL/min, identifying stages III–IV of CKD, were associated with high levels of left ventricular mass index (LVMi) (101.9 ± 12.2 g/m2), which was related to proteinuria, systolic blood pressure, and pulmonary artery systolic pressure in a multiple regression model. During the observational period, 26% of patients reached the endpoint. Regression analysis revealed LVMi as a predictor of change in renal function after adjusting for kidney and cardiac risk factors. Multiple Cox regression indicated that an increase in LVMi was associated with a 12% increased risk of kidney disease progression (HR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.04–1.16; p = 0.001). Conclusions: In patients with CKD, high LVMi represents an independent predictor of the progressive decline of the renal function, until the start of renal replacement therapy. Echocardiography can help identify patients at high risk for renal disease worsening in patients with CKD independently of clinical cardiac involvement.
Urolithiasis in Kidney Transplant Patients: A Multicenter KSER Research Series
Authors: Shim Kang Hee , Choi Kwi Bok , Kim Woong Bin , Yang Seung Woo , Kim Do Kyung , Choo Min Soo , Chung Doo Yong , Jung Hae Do , Lee Sin Woo , Kim Bum Soo , Jeon Seung Hyun , Kang Seok Ho , Paick Sunghyun , Lee Joo Yong
Published: January 2024

Background and Objectives: Urolithiasis occurrence is uncommon in kidney transplantation patients, though it has serious implications, including acute kidney injury in the transplanted kidney. This study investigates the leading causes of urolithiasis in kidney transplantation patients, the diagnostic process, and the outcomes of multimodal management. Materials and Methods: Data collection spanned from January 1997 to December 2021, involving kidney transplantation patients with urolithiasis from the database of the Korean Society of Endourology and Robotics (KSER) research committee. Analysis encompassed factors triggering urolithiasis, the diagnostic process, stone attributes, treatment methods, and outcomes. Results: Our analysis included 58 kidney transplantation patients with urolithiasis from eight medical centers. Of these patients, 37 were male and 4 had previous urolithiasis diagnoses. The mean age was 59.09 ± 10.70 years, with a mean duration from kidney transplantation to diagnosis of 76.26 ± 183.14 months. The most frequent method of stone detection was through asymptomatic routine check-ups (54.7%). Among the 58 patients, 51 underwent stone treatment. Notably, 95.3% of patients with ureter stones received treatment, a significantly higher rate than the 66.7% of patients with renal stones (p = 0.010). Success rates showed no significant differences between renal (70%) and ureter stone (78.0%) groups (p = 0.881). Conclusions: Urolithiasis in transplanted kidneys constitutes an acute condition requiring emergency intervention. Endo-urological interventions are effective for kidney transplantation patients with urolithiasis. To ensure prevention and early detection, diligent follow-up and routine imaging tests are necessary.
Co-Precipitation of Metal Oxalates from Organic Leach Solution Derived from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs)
Authors: Schmitz Dominik , Prasetyo Hariaman , Birich Alexander , Yeetsorn Rungsima , Friedrich Bernd
Published: January 2024

Recent studies in hydrometallurgy are focused on developing eco-friendly and selective leach agents such as organic acids. These agents can extract metal ions, which are usually separated through precipitation methods. When traditional methods are used, the separation is complex and time-consuming, and each metal cation is required to be isolated separately. Moreover, extracted metal salts are subsequently recombined in the regeneration of cathode materials. To simplify this, a novel simultaneous precipitation approach has been developed, allowing the separation of metal salts that can directly contribute to regenerating novel cathode materials, bypassing the need for separate isolation. This study aimed to recover cobalt, nickel, and manganese from the organic leach solution of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) through co-precipitation of metal oxalates. The investigation includes the selection of organic acids and the best parameters for the leaching process, as well as testing different molar ratios of the metals M2+ (M = Co, Ni, Mn) to oxalic acid (1:3, 1:4.5, 1:6, and 1:7.5) to examine the effects of the precipitating agent on the recovery percentages of the metals. The findings indicate that 2 M citric acid and 4 vol% H2O2 is the optimal parameter in the leaching process. Meanwhile, in the co-precipitation process, an increase in the molar ratio leads to a corresponding rise in the resulting metal recoveries. At the ratio of 1:7.5, cobalt, nickel, and manganese were recovered to the extent of 99.26%, 98.93%, and 94.01%, respectively. Nevertheless, at the increased molar ratio, the co-extraction of lithium and aluminum was observed, resulting in reduced selectivity and decreased precipitate purity.
Residual Stress Evolution during Slot Milling for Repair Welding and Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing of High-Strength Steel Components
Authors: Wandtke Karsten , Becker Amadeus , Schroepfer Dirk , Kromm Arne , Kannengiesser Thomas , Scharf-Wildenhain Ronny , Haelsig André , Hensel Jonas
Published: January 2024

High-strength steels offer potential for weight optimization due to reduced wall thicknesses in modern constructions. Additive manufacturing processes such as Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) enable the resource-efficient production of structures. In the case of defects occurring in weld seams or WAAM components due to unstable process conditions, the economical solution is local gouging or machining and repair welding. It is important to understand the effects of machining steps on the multiaxial stress state in conjunction with the design-related shrinkage restraints. Research into how welding and slot milling of welds and WAAM structures affects residual stresses is still lacking. For this reason, component-related investigations with high-strength steels with yield strengths ≥790 MPa are carried out in our research. In-situ digital image correlation (DIC) and ex-situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to analyze the stresses and strains induced on specimens during and after milling. The systematic analyses revealed a significant interaction of the stiffness and microstructure of the specimens with the initial residual stresses induced by welding. Subsequent repair welds can result in significantly higher residual stresses.
Research on the Temperature and Thermal Stress of the Roll Quenching Process of Thin Plates
Authors: Wang Jianhui , Li Xuetong , Yi Kesong , Elmi Sahal Ahmed
Published: January 2024

The roll quenching process can be approximated as a high-pressure jet impinging on a high-temperature moving steel plate. The process can greatly improve the strength and overall mechanical properties of the steel plate. However, the cooling uniformity and other factors lead to the problem of poor plate shape after quenching. It is found that in the roll quenching process, the roller conveyor speed has a large influence on the temperature field and stress field. This paper establishes a roll quenching mechanism model, iterates the convective heat transfer coefficient on the steel plate surface through the inverse heat transfer method, and performs a numerical simulation. Through the numerical simulation of the roll quenching process in the high-pressure zone of the steel plate, the temperature and equivalent force change rule of the transient of each position of the steel plate in the thick direction are obtained. It is found that the plate does not reach its maximum value when it is in the quenching zone, but there is some hysteresis that becomes more pronounced as it gets closer to the core. These findings are valuable for regulating the roll-hardening process and maintaining optimal strip surface quality in industrial production environments.
An Overview of Estimations for the High-Cycle Fatigue Strength of Conventionally Manufactured Steels Based on Other Mechanical Properties
Authors: Motte Robin , De Waele Wim
Published: January 2024

Due to the time-consuming and costly nature of high-cycle fatigue experiments, correlations between fatigue strength and mechanical properties obtained through more simple and fast experiments can be interesting from an economic perspective. This review article aims to provide an overview of such relations established in the open literature from the 1980s to 2023 for conventionally manufactured steel grades. The majority of these models relate fatigue strength at a given fatigue life (often termed “fatigue limit” or “endurance limit”) to ultimate tensile strength, yield strength (both static and cyclic), hardness, elongation, reduction in area, and Charpy impact energy. Relations taking flaws such as nonmetallic inclusions into account are also discussed. Additionally, models predicting S–N curves are provided. The various estimations are presented in tables, together with the materials and test conditions for which they were established.
Novichok Nerve Agents as Inhibitors of Acetylcholinesterase—In Silico Study of Their Non-Covalent Binding Affinity
Authors: Madaj Rafal , Gostyński Bartłomiej , Chworos Arkadiusz , Cypryk Marek
Published: January 2024

In silico studies were performed to assess the binding affinity of selected organophosphorus compounds toward the acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE). Quantum mechanical calculations, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) with molecular mechanics Generalized–Born surface area (MM/GBSA) were applied to assess quantitatively differences between the binding energies of acetylcholine (ACh; the natural agonist of AChE) and neurotoxic, synthetic correlatives (so-called “Novichoks”, and selected compounds from the G- and V-series). Several additional quantitative descriptors like root-mean-square fluctuation (RMSF) and the solvent accessible surface area (SASA) were briefly discussed to give—to the best of our knowledge—the first quantitative in silico description of AChE—Novichok non-covalent binding process and thus facilitate the search for an efficient and effective treatment for Novichok intoxication and in a broader sense—intoxication with other warfare nerve agents as well.
Grafting of Amine End-Functionalized Side-Chain Polybenzimidazole Acid–Base Membrane with Enhanced Phosphoric Acid Retention Ability for High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Liu Guoliang , Pan Hongfei , Zhao Shengqiu , Wang Yadong , Tang Haolin , Zhang Haining
Published: January 2024

A high phosphoric acid uptake and retention capacity are crucial for the high performance and stable operation of phosphoric acid/polybenzimidazole (PA/PBI)-based high-temperature proton exchange membranes. In this work, amine end-functionalized side-chain grafted PBI (AGPBI) with different grafting degrees are synthesized to enhance both the phosphoric acid uptake and the acid retention ability of the accordingly formed membranes. The optimized acid–base membrane exhibits a PA uptake of 374.4% and an anhydrous proton conductivity of 0.067 S cm−1 at 160 °C, with the remaining proton conductivity percentages of 91.0% after a 100 h stability test. The accordingly fabricated membrane electrode assembly deliver peak power densities of 0.407 and 0.638 W cm−2 under backpressure of 0 and 200 kPa, which are significantly higher than 0.305 and 0.477 W cm−2 for the phosphoric acid-doped unmodified PBI membrane under the same conditions.
An Investigation of the Influence of Tyrosine Local Interactions on Electron Hopping in a Model Protein
Authors: Gibbs Curtis A. , Ghazi Nikta , Tao Jody , Warren Jeffrey J.
Published: January 2024

Multi-step electron transfer reactions are important to the function of many cellular systems. The ways in which such systems have evolved to direct electrons along specific pathways are largely understood, but less so are the ways in which the reduction–oxidation potentials of individual redox sites are controlled. We prepared a series of three new artificial variants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin where a tyrosine (Tyr109) is situated between the native Cu ion and a Ru(II) photosensitizer tethered to a histidine (His107). Arginine, glutamine, or methionine were introduced as position 122, which is near to Tyr109. We investigated the rate of CuI oxidation by a flash-quench generated Ru(III) oxidant over pH values from 5 to 9. While the identity of the residue at position 122 affects some of the physical properties of Tyr109, the rates of CuI oxidation are only weakly dependent on the identity of the residue at 122. The results highlight that more work is still needed to understand how non-covalent interactions of redox active groups are affected in redox proteins.
Anomalous Dispersion in Reflection and Emission of Dye Molecules Strongly Coupled to Surface Plasmon Polaritons
Authors: Chowdhury Md Golam Rabbani , Hesami Leila , Khabir Kanij Mehtanin , Howard Shamaar R. , Rab Md Afzalur , Noginova Natalia , Noginov Mikhail A.
Published: January 2024

We have studied dispersion of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) in the Kretschmann geometry (prism/Ag/dye-doped polymer) in weak, intermediate, and ultra-strong exciton–plasmon coupling regimes. The dispersion curves obtained in the reflection experiment were in good agreement with the simple model predictions at small concentrations of dye (Rhodamine 590, Rh590) in the polymer (Poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA). At the same time, highly unusual multi-segment “staircase-like” dispersion curves were observed at extra-large dye concentrations, also in agreement with the simple theoretical model predicting large, small, and negative group velocities featured by different polariton branches. In a separate experiment, we measured angular dependent emission of Rh590 dye and obtained the dispersion curves consisting of two branches, one nearly resembling the SPP dispersion found in reflection and the second one almost horizontal. The results of our study pave the road to unparalleled fundamental science and future applications of weak and strong light—matter interactions.
Special Issue Physiological and Molecular Responses of Plants to Engineered Nanomaterials
Authors: Marmiroli Marta , Maestri Elena
Published: January 2024

Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), by definition materials with a size between 1 and 100 nm, are becoming an important part of the economy and thanks to their many fields of applications, from photovoltaic cells to fertilizers, are increasingly coming into contact with plants and with the environment in general [...]
Influence of γ-Irradiation on the Electronic Structure and the Chemical and Mechanical Properties of Poly(hydroxybutyrate-valerate)/Poly(caprolactone) Blends: Insights from Experimental Data and Computational Approaches
Authors: Rosario Francisco , Almirão de Jesus João Paulo , Casarin Suzan Aline , La Porta Felipe de Almeida
Published: January 2024

In this study, we investigated the influence of γ-irradiation (0, 50, and 100 kGy) doses on the chemical and mechanical properties of biodegradable poly(hydroxybutyrate-valerate)/poly(caprolactone) (PHBV/PCL) polymer blends rich in low-molar-mass PCL, which were prepared using a co-rotating twin-screw extruder. In parallel, the density functional theory (DFT) and the time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) methods were used together with a model containing four monomer units to provide an insight into the electronic structure, chemical bonds, and spectroscopic (such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis)) properties of PHBV and PCL blend phases, which are critical for predicting and designing new materials with desired properties. We found that an increase in γ-irradiation doses caused splitting instead of crosslinks in the polymer chains, which led to evident deformation and an increase in tensile strength at break of 2.0 to 5.7 MPa for the PHBV/PCL blend. Further, this led to a decrease in crystallinity and proved the occurrence of a more favorable interaction between the blend phases.
Effectiveness of Bioactive Toothpastes against Dentin Hypersensitivity Using Evaporative and Tactile Analyses: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Alonso Roberta Caroline Bruschi , Oliveira Letícia de , Silva Jaqueline Alves Batista , Santos Williane Bernadete Bezerra dos , Ferreira Lúria Ribeiro de Souza Laranja , Guiraldo Ricardo Danil , Vilhena Fabiano Vieira , D’Alpino Paulo Henrique Perlatti
Published: January 2024

The objective of this study was to investigate and compare the effectiveness of toothpastes containing bioactives to relieve dentin hypersensitivity with that of a commercial desensitizing toothpaste containing REFIX technology, associated or not with a calcium booster. In this double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, multi-center clinical trial, thirty-two volunteers diagnosed with dentin hypersensitivity and qualified to participate were randomized into four groups: (1) Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief; (2) Sensodyne Repair & Relief; (3) Regenerador Sensitive; and (4) Regenerador Sensitive, associated with a calcium booster. Evaporative and tactile tests were used to check for dentin hypersensitivity in the test subjects. The participants brushed their teeth with one of the toothpastes, and dentin hypersensitivity was immediately tested using a visual analogue scale (VAS), in which the pain was rated on a scale of 0 to 10. Dentin hypersensitivity was measured after one week and after one month of the subjects continuing to use the toothpaste three times per day. Data were statistically analyzed with a non-parametric Friedman test for dependent data (α = 0.05). All toothpastes reduced dentin hypersensitivity. In the evaporative test, Sensodyne Protect & Repair and Regenerador Sensitive, associated with the calcium booster, exhibited faster and more effective results in reducing pain caused by dentin hypersensitivity, even after the first use. Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief was effective only after one week of use. All toothpastes performed well in the tactile test for treating dentin hypersensitivity, and their performance improved over time. Sensodyne Repair & Protect presented the highest overall pain remission after one month (84.6%). The bioactive toothpastes reduced, to a different extent, the tooth hypersensitivity reported by the volunteers. Sensodyne Repair & Relief and Regenerador Sensitive, associated or not with a calcium booster, presented faster and more effective results in reducing pain caused by dentin hypersensitivity.
Melatonin Derivative-Conjugated Formulations of Pd(II) and Pt(II) Thiazoline Complexes on Mesoporous Silica to Enhance Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis against HeLa Cells
Authors: Estirado Samuel , Díaz-García Diana , Fernández-Delgado Elena , Viñuelas-Zahínos Emilio , Gómez-Ruiz Santiago , Prashar Sanjiv , Rodríguez Ana B. , Luna-Giles Francisco , Pariente José A. , Espino Javier
Published: January 2024

The search for alternatives to cisplatin has led to the development of new metal complexes where thiazoline derivatives based on platinum(II) and palladium(II) stand out. In this sense, the Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes coordinated with the thiazoline derivative ligand 2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)imino-N-(2-thiazolin-2-yl)thiazolidine (TdTn), with formula [PtCl2(TdTn)] and [PdCl2(TdTn)], have previously shown good results against several cancer lines; however, in this work, we have managed to improve their activity by supporting them on mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN). The incorporation of metal compounds with a melatonin derivative (5-methoxytryptamine, 5MT), which is a well-known antioxidant and apoptosis inducer in different types of cancer, has been able to increase the cytotoxic activity of both MSN-supported and isolated complexes with only a very low amount (0.35% w/w) of this antioxidant. The covalently functionalized systems that have been synthesized are able to increase selectivity as well as accumulation in HeLa cells. The final materials containing the metal complexes and 5MT (MSN-5MT-PtTdTn and MSN-5MT-PdTdTn) required up to nine times less metal to achieve the same cytotoxic activity than their corresponding non-formulated counterparts did, thus reducing the potential side effects caused by the use of the free metal complexes.
Religious Diversity, Minorities and Human Rights: Gaps and Overlaps in Legal Protection
Authors: Ruiz Vieytez Eduardo
Published: January 2024

The legal protection of religious diversity is strewn with difficulties and uncertainties. The re-emergence of religiously motivated demands points to the need to better define the relationship between the legal protection of human rights and religious diversity. The current applicable laws and regulations come from different historical or national contexts, which presents a confusing landscape that calls for a better definition of the protection afforded by the different rights at stake. This article uses a general normative analysis to propose extending the scope of religious minorities to any religious affiliation that does not represent the majority of the population of a given state. This involves shifting from a paradigm of specific protection for certain minorities to one in which all minorities are protected through the universally recognized rights of freedom of religion and nondiscrimination.