bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alternating and Pulsed Current Electrolysis for Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization
Authors: De Bon Francesco , Vaz Simões Alexandre , Serra Armenio C. , Coelho Jorge F. J.
Published: December 2024

This concept focuses on the application of alternating current (AC) and pulsed electrolysis in Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) for polymer synthesis. AC electrolysis, which oscillates between reduction and oxidation, can be tuned to increase selectivity for a specific reaction pathway, minimize side reactions, and improve product selectivity and reagent conversion. Pulsed electrolysis can also be used to sustain electrochemical reactions in ATRP. The challenges and limitations associated with AC electrolysis are discussed along with an outlook on future developments in polymer synthesis and related applications. A concise overview of recent developments in electro‐organic synthesis using AC electrolysis will be provided.
What lessons, if any, do students infer from their studies of the Holocaust?
Authors: Nuttall Dan
Published: December 2024

This paper reports on a study analysing the lessons that 15 A Level (aged 17–18) students inferred from their studies of the Holocaust. All the participants had studied the Holocaust at an advanced level. The participants were interviewed in small groups (three to five participants), with the transcriptions of those interviews being iteratively coded, adopting an inductive grounded theory approach. Results were highly varied, with many different types of lessons being considered, though the most common concerned antiracist lessons, lessons about state systems and lessons about human nature. There was a tendency amongst participants to focus less on moral/deontological lessons from the Holocaust, and more on ontological lessons. Participants independently identified the types of lessons that Holocaust education organisations (IHRA, 2022) and some theorists (Short, 1999, 2003) suggested/hoped that they might. The small sample size and dominance of certain participants should be noted as barriers to the generalisability of the findings reported here.
Flow cytometry‐based method to detect and separate Mycoplasma hyorhinis in cell cultures
Authors: Liu Chunzhuo , Wang Hui , Liu Shan , Li Mengyuan
Published: December 2024

Mycoplasma hyorhinis is a frequently observed contaminant in cell cultures, and its detection and purification pose considerable challenges. Fragments or other cell components are similar in size to those of Mycoplasma; therefore, distinguishing them is difficult. In this study, we used Hoechst staining in combination with carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) to label Mycoplasma. The trigger threshold was set in the Hoechst Blue channel rather than in the default forward scatter channel, utilizing the differences in DNA content between Mycoplasma and fragments. Subsequently, we identified and isolated it at single‐cell resolution via flow cytometry and successfully sorted infectious Mycoplasma in cell culture. Simultaneously, we validated the accuracy and feasibility of this approach using polymerase chain reaction, fluorescence confocal microscopy, and cryo‐electron microscopy. This methodology enabled the diagnosis of Mycoplasma at extremely low concentrations, significantly enhancing the detection efficiency and facilitating the isolation and purification of parasitic Mycoplasma in cell culture instead of pure Mycoplasma culture in artificial media for subsequent studies.
Diuretic efficiency of a single dose of subcutaneous versus oral furosemide after heart failure hospitalization across diuretic resistance strata: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Keshvani Neil , Rizvi Syed , Segar Matthew W. , Miller James W. , Coellar Juan David , Patel Kershaw V. , Roehm Bethany , Tang W.H. Wilson , Pandey Ambarish
Published: December 2024

Aims

Diuretic resistance (DR) in heart failure (HF) is associated with worse outcomes. Furoscix®, a self‐administered subcutaneous (sc) furosemide injection administered via on‐body infusor, is approved for HF congestion relief. However, its efficacy in patients with DR post‐HF hospitalization remains unknown.

Methods and results

In this open‐label pilot randomized controlled trial, 70 participants were randomized within 14 days post‐HF hospitalization to receive a single dose of 80 mg sc furosemide or home oral dose furosemide. Enrolment was stratified by presence of DR (admission BAN‐ADHF score ≥12) with a 2:1 enrolment of those with versus without DR. Key outcomes included diuretic efficiency, the total urine output per mg of diuretic administered, and peak urine sodium within 8 h of dose administration. Treatment effects were calculated as the difference in estimated marginal means across study groups and DR strata using linear mixed‐effect models. Overall, 70 participants were enrolled (57 years, 27% female, 70% Black, 79% with HF with reduced ejection fraction). Participants with DR (n = 46) had worse kidney function, higher N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide, and higher home diuretic dose. Among participants with DR, sc furosemide versus oral furosemide led to significantly greater diuretic efficiency (34.0 vs. 22.6 ml/mg, p = 0.002) and peak urine sodium (100 vs. 83 mmol/L, p = 0.029), while participants without DR had similar diuretic efficiency (29.8 vs. 30.1 ml/mg, p = 0.94) and peak urine sodium (96 vs. 95 mmol/L, p = 0.93) across both treatments. DR significantly modified the effect of sc versus oral furosemide on diuretic efficiency (pinteraction: treatment × diuretic resistance = 0.022).

Conclusion

Single‐dose sc furosemide was associated with greater diuretic efficiency and peak urine sodium than oral furosemide in participants with DR discharged following recent HF hospitalization.
Amorphous Metal Metaphosphate for Oxygen Reduction
Authors: Zhou Min , Guo Jinghui , Lu Ruihu , Li Jiantao , Lee Sungsik , Han Chunhua , Liao Xiaobin , Luo Ping , Zhao Yan , Wang Zhaoyang
Published: December 2024

Efficient and cost‐effective catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are crucial for the commercialization of metal‐air batteries. In this study, we utilized theoretical calculations to guide the material synthesis strategy for preparing catalysts. Using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we systematically explored the ORR performance of metal metaphosphates (A‐M(PO3)2, B‐M(PO3)2, M = Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn) with both amorphous and crystalline structures. Amorphous A‐Mn(PO3)2 showed optimal adsorption energy and the lowest ORR overpotential of 0.32 eV. Phytic acid was employed as a phosphorus source, and the chelating structure of phytic acid molecules and metal ions was broken through the “metal ion pre‐adsorption and spatial confinement strategy” of carbon materials with electron‐rich centers. Following high‐temperature calcination, we successfully prepared a series of amorphous metal metaphosphate composite catalysts for the first time. In 0.1 M KOH electrolyte, both amorphous Mn(PO3)2‐C/C3N4/CQDs (carbon quantum dots) and Mn(PO3)2‐C/C3N4/CNTs (carbon nanotubes) exhibited excellent ORR catalytic activity, with half‐wave potentials of 0.85 V and 0.80 V, respectively. A linear correlation between theoretical overpotentials and experimental half‐wave potentials was discovered through comparison. This work could open a new avenue to the discovery of highly efficient non‐precious metal‐based catalysts with amorphous structures.
Serotype‐Specific Dengue Virus IgG Assay Using EDIII‐Based Recombinant Proteins and Its Application in an Endemic Population in Northeast Brazil
Authors: Pereira Samuel Santos , Machado Rafael Rahal Guaragna , Farias Jéssica Pires , Adreata‐Santos Robert , Rodrigues‐Jesus Mônica Josiane , Fogaça Mayanna Moreira Costa , Souza Milena Silva , Martins Eduardo Gimenes , Romano Camila Malta , Durigon Edison Luiz , Amorim Jaime Henrique , Ferreira Luís Carlos de Souza
Published: December 2024

Dengue is the most prevalent arboviral disease globally, with Brazil currently experiencing a significant rise in cases. Dengue virus (DENV) typically co‐circulates with other clinically and antigenically similar flaviviruses, such as Zika virus (ZIKV). The clinical diagnosis is difficult and accurate serological analysis represents an unmet challenge. Traditionally, serological analysis of DENV infection focuses on the acute phase via detection of NS1 or IgM. Developing IgG DENV‐specific assays has been defiant due to the co‐circulation of four antigenically distinct serotypes and a strong cross‐reactivity with other arboviruses, particularly with ZIKV. The goal of this study was to produce recombinant domain III of the Envelope (EDIII) proteins of each DENV serotype and ZIKV and evaluate the ability to detect specific IgG antibodies. The antigens were tested on the ELISA platform to measure DENV‐specific IgG in mice and patients infected with ZIKV and DENV. The assay differentiated serotype‐specific IgG responses in susceptible mice (AG129) experimentally infected with DENV or ZIKV. In addition, the test demonstrated a robust performance achieving 87.8% sensitivity and 91.4% specificity when tested against 648 well‐characterized sera collected from humans infected with DENV and/or ZIKV. The test was further applied to serum samples collected from 318 healthy individuals from an endemic region in Northwest/Central Brazil, without a previous diagnosis of DENV, and revealed that 65% of the samples reacted with at least one DENV serotype antigen, including 123 monotypic samples (88 for DENV‐1) and 90 samples reacting with multiple antigens. Collectively, these results indicate that the IgG DENV‐EDIII ELISA is a valuable tool for assessing the serological status of populations in endemic areas, particularly in regions where other flaviviruses, particularly ZIKV, co‐circulate and offer support to establish public health policies against the disease.
Rapid Characterization of the Constituents in Shenhua Tablets by UHPLC‐Q‐Orbitrap‐LTQ‐MS
Authors: Wang Mengmeng , Li Ping , Yin Fengting , Liu Huiqiang , Sun Hui , Zheng Ying , Liu Chang , Wang Yuhang , Chen Xiangmei , Guan Shihan , Wang Xijun
Published: December 2024

Shenhua Tablet (SHT), a Chinese herbal medicine comprising seven crude drugs, is utilized in the treatment of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). However, due to its complex composition, the chemical constituents of SHT in vitro are still incompletely known, which has restricted the comprehensive development and utilization of SHT in clinical practice. In the present study based on ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography‐quadrupole‐orbitrap‐linear ion trap mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐Q‐Orbitrap‐LTQ‐MS) in data dependent acquisition mode, combining the accurate mass and structural information, the profiling and characterization of chemical constituents in SHT were carried out. The automated spectral matching (of experimental MS2 spectra against library spectra of mzCloud) method with a high mass accuracy (within 5 ppm) was used for the rapid identification of compounds. A total of 183 compounds, consisting of 64 flavonoids, 52 terpenoids, 37 organic acids, 6 phenylpropanoids, 5 phenols, and 19 other phytochemicals, were successfully characterized. In addition, the fragmentation pathways and characteristic fragments of some representative compounds were elucidated. The results offered clear insights into its chemical profile, thereby facilitating quality control and advancing pharmacological research.
Digital light processing printed resin based conductive composites with CF@Ag and HGMs@Ag as fillers for metamaterial absorbers
Authors: Li Chenyang , Wang Quandai , He Senao , Zhang Jize , Zhu Bingyang , Yuan Qilong , Li Shujuan
Published: December 2024

An integrated fabrication process based on multi‐material Digital Light Processing (DLP) technique for metamaterial absorbers (MMAs) is proposed. Considering the requirements of the DLP process for the rheological properties and photocuring properties of the slurry, a photopolymer resin slurry was developed using silver‐plated carbon fiber (CF@Ag) and silver‐plated hollow glass microspheres (HGMs@Ag) as conductive fillers. To meet the conductivity requirements of resistive films in MMAs, the study systematically investigated the influence of material parameters and DLP process parameters on the conductivity and precision of the fabricated patterns. Optimized DLP parameters for isotropic photocurable conductive composites with high conductivity and low percolation thresholds were obtained. Additionally, a MMAs was designed to achieve effective absorption in the wavelength range of 7 to 28 GHz. The absorber utilized a resistive film with a thickness of 30 μm and an average surface resistivity of 23 ohm/sq., prepared using a photocurable resin filled with a total mass fraction of 35 wt% CF@Ag and HGMs@Ag in a 2:1 mass ratio. This work shows that it is feasible to fabricate resistive film patterns with prescribed surface resistivity and geometric shapes through DLP printing directly without sintering, providing a promising process for the integrated manufacturing of high‐performance MMAs.

Highlights

Developed a conductive slurry using the synergy between CF@Ag and HGMs@Ag.

Proposed the preparation process of resistance controllable resistive film.

The first demonstration of manufacturing resistive film‐type MMAs via DLP.
Preparation and characterization of PA66 composites by waste printed circuit board non‐metallic fractions
Authors: Ning Yue , Li Yugang , Yuan Wenyi , Song Xiaolong , Guan Chuanjin , Huang Qing
Published: December 2024

With the rapid advancement of contemporary technology, there has been a significant increase in electronic waste (e‐waste). The recycling of waste printed circuit board (WPCB) plays a crucial role in this context. The non‐metallic fractions (NMFs) derived from waste PCBs primarily consist of cured resin and fiber. In this study, NMF material from a PCB was ground into a powder and incorporated into a matrix of PA66 to produce PCB‐NMFs‐modified PA66. NMFs treated with inorganic acids are designated as I‐NMFs, while those treated with decanoic acid are referred to as DA‐NMFs. The results indicated that the use of reactive compatibilizers, specifically POE‐g‐MAH (15 parts), significantly enhances the properties of the composites. Among the chemical treatments applied to the NMFs, decanoic acid and n‐heptanoic acid were found to most effectively improve the impact strength of PA66 composites. In this study, decanoic acid was selected as the organic reagent for the treatment of NMFs, with an application amount of 6% relative to the mass of the NMFs. Notably, when DA‐NPCB was filled with 20% and the particle size was reduced to below 100 mesh, its impact strength reached 92.73 kJ/m2, representing an increase of 103.36%. Overall, utilizing PCB‐NMFs as a modifier for PA66 presents a promising and sustainable approach that not only reduces the processing costs associated with electronics but also enhances the performance of the plastic.

Highlights

PP‐g‐MAH can increase the bending and tensile stresses of composites.

POE‐g‐MAH improves toughness and impact strength of composites.

Twice as much increase in impact strength of decanoic acid‐treated composites.

Realization of circuit board non‐metallic fractions resource utilization.

Modifying and enhancing the properties of PA66 composites.
Incorporation of Bimetallic Nanoparticles in Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework‐67 (ZIF‐67) for Use as a Catalyst for Ethanol Oxidation
Authors: Bhavani Kalli Sai , Anusha Tummala , Shareef Shaik Nagul , Babu Mattupalli Bujji
Published: December 2024

Recently, direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) have been attaining a crucial role in energy resources and transportable devices. Many of the researchers in DEFCs has begin to engage considerable focus due to their high electrocatalytic activity, enormous stability, portability, and inexpensive. In this study, we present an anchoring of bimetallic Pd‐Cu nanoparticles supported ZIF‐67 catalyst (Pd‐Cu@ZIF‐67) for high‐performance electro‐oxidation of ethanol for direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) applications. Structural, morphological, and elemental composition of the proposed catalyst were examined by using UV–vis spectroscopy, XRD, FE‐SEM, and EDX. Further, the electrochemical properties of Pd‐Cu@ZIF‐67 catalyst for ethanol oxidation in basic media were explored by using various electrochemical techniques. According to the results, the suggested catalyst showed maximum ECSA (128.7 m2g−1), higher current density (894.06 mA cm−2), durability (750s), and improved long‐term stability (230 cycles) than the other controlled catalysts towards ethanol oxidation reaction. This enhanced of the Pd‐Cu@ZIF‐67 catalyst is to the synergistic effects of Pd‐Cu nanoparticles and outstanding support material (ZIF‐67). These findings highly suggest the Pd‐Cu@ZIF‐67 catalyst as an anodic potential material in fuel cell applications.
Glacium flavum‐Derived Phytochemical Compounds and Their Molecular Interactions with SIRT1
Authors: Aytar Erdi Can
Published: December 2024

This study investigates the antioxidant activity, phenolic content, and phytochemical components of Glacium flavum root extract. The DPPH radical scavenging activity was found to be 87.01 µg/mL ± 4.98, iron chelating activity 7.49 mg/mL ± 0.36, total phenolic content 594.39 mg GAE/g extract ± 17.90, and total flavonoid content 44.30 mg QE/g extract ± 4.76. These results indicate that G. flavum root extract possesses significant antioxidant properties and rich phytochemical components. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis identified 11 biologically active components. Fatty acid composition analysis revealed lauric acid (1.26%), myristic acid (1.20%), palmitic acid (14.58%), stearic acid (3.40%), oleic acid (4.41%), linoleic acid (20.00%), and alpha‐linolenic acid (41.43%). Molecular docking studies demonstrated significant binding interactions of alpha‐linolenic acid and ethyl oxirane‐2‐carboxylate with the SIRT1 catalytic domain (4I5I), with binding energies of −4.5 kcal/mol and −4.2 kcal/mol, respectively. Additionally, (2S)‐2‐hydroxybutanedioic acid and butane‐2,3‐diol also exhibited notable interactions. Toxicity profiles showed that alpha‐linolenic acid and butane‐2,3‐diol have lower toxicity, while 2‐ethyl oxirane‐2‐carboxylate and (2S)‐2‐hydroxybutanedioic acid displayed moderate toxicity. Drug‐likeness evaluations indicate that the compounds meet various medicinal chemistry criteria, each facing development challenges. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive overview of the antioxidant potential, biologically active components, and toxicological characteristics of G. flavum root extract.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Adsorption Performance of (Mg0.4Co0.4Mn0.2)Fe2−2xSmxSnxO4 Nanoparticles for the Removal of Heavy Metal Ions and Water Treatment
Authors: Moussa Rola , Aridi Amani , AlHajjar Nour , Awad Ramadan , Naoufal Daoud
Published: December 2024

Water contamination by heavy metal ions poses a significant environmental threat. This study investigates (Mg0.4Co0.4Mn0.2)Fe2−2xSmxSnxO4 (0.000 ≤ x ≤ 0.050) ferrite nanoparticles (NPs) as eco‐friendly adsorbents for Cu(II), Cr(III), Fe(III), and Zn(II). X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) confirmed sample purity, with crystallite size decreasing from 20.28 to 13.31 nm as x increased. Scanning and transmission electron microscopies revealed irregular morphology, whereas energy‐dispersive X‐ray showed successful dopant incorporation into the ferrite lattice. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis indicated a surface area increase from 76.5 to 91.4 m2/g with doping. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy identified oxidation states, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the spinel structure. Doping also increased the direct bandgap energy from 3.224 to 3.245 eV and decreased Urbach energy from 0.374 to 0.352 eV. The NPs achieved high removal efficiencies for Cr(III) at 93.3%, Fe(III) at 98.8%, and Zn(II) at 80.6%, though removal of Cu(II) was minimal. The optimal adsorption performance was observed at x = 0.050. Adsorption followed second‐order kinetics and fit the Langmuir isotherm.
Designing and implementing the IDEAL Study: A randomized clinical trial of APOE genotype disclosure for late‐onset Alzheimer's disease in an urban Latino population
Authors: Wetmore John B. , Rodriguez Sophia , Diaz Caro Daniela , Cabán María , Uhlmann Wendy , Goldman Jill , Leu Cheng‐Shiun , Godinez Jonathan D. , Camarillo Itzel A. , Ferber Rebecca , Blasco Drew , Lantigua Rafael A. , Abraído‐Lanza Ana , Chung Wendy K. , Roberts J. Scott , Siegel Karolynn , Ottman Ruth
Published: December 2024

INTRODUCTION

The Información de la Enfermedad de Alzheimer para Latinos (IDEAL) Study is a randomized clinical trial investigating the psychosocial, behavioral, and cognitive impacts of apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype disclosure for late‐onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) among Latinos.

METHODS

We used address‐based sampling to recruit English‐ and Spanish‐speaking Latinos aged 40–64 living in northern Manhattan for a community‐based Baseline Survey about their knowledge and opinions about AD. Participants eligible for the clinical trial were invited to complete an Introductory Session, including AD and genetics education and informed consent, before undergoing genotyping for APOE. Participants were then randomized to learn their risk of AD by age 85 (range: 21%–55%) based on either Latino ethnicity and family history alone, or the same factors and their APOE genotype. Risk information is provided in a semi‐structured genetic counseling session. Psychological impacts, health‐related behavioral changes, and cognitive performance are evaluated 6 weeks, 9 months, and 15 months later via surveys and qualitative interviews. To promote cultural competence, study materials were developed by a multidisciplinary team including bilingual and bicultural staff, Latinx content experts, and genetic counselors.

RESULTS

We sent invitations to 91,433 households; 5542 (6.1%) responded, 2120 completed the Baseline Survey (78.5% online; 21.5% via computer‐assisted telephone interview), and 2087 were deemed eligible, yielding a response rate of 2.3%. Many participants expressed appreciation for the opportunity to contribute to AD research. We randomized 374 participants for the clinical trial.

DISCUSSION

We describe the study design, recruitment and retention strategies, and interventions employed in the IDEAL Study. Our design provides a framework for future studies using rigorous mixed methods. Our findings may facilitate the development of culturally‐sensitive educational materials about AD and genetic testing, as well as genetic counseling protocols, to improve coping and adjustment in response to receiving risk information.

Highlights

The Información de la Enfermedad de Alzheimer para Latinos (IDEAL) Study investigates apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype disclosure among Latinos using mixed methods.

We recruited adults 40–64 years of age without Alzheimer's disease (AD) for a community‐based survey and randomized trial.

Trial participants receives AD risk estimates with or without APOE genotypes.

Psychosocial, behavioral, and cognitive impacts are assessed over 15 months.

Findings may inform AD educational materials and genetic counseling protocols.
Outflowing of a high potential vorticity air mass and enhanced convection near South Asia in August 2022
Authors: Takemura Kazuto
Published: December 2024

In August 2022, high potential vorticity (PV) air masses significantly outflowed near South Asia along the southern periphery of the intensified Tibetan high in the upper troposphere, contributing to enhanced convection near South Asia through intensified thermodynamically unstable conditions. Convective activities near South Asia have relationships with the upper‐level PV and the advection over the region. The upper‐level northward divergent wind anomalies from South Asia due to the enhanced convection cross the Asian jet, contributing to the intensified Tibetan high. This suggests a feedback process between the intensified Tibetan high and enhanced convection near South Asia through the high PV intrusion.
All Mixed Up: Investigating Mortuary Practice and Processes of Disarticulation Through Integrated Histotaphonomic Analysis at the Knowe of Rowiegar, Neolithic Chambered Cairn, Orkney, UK
Authors: Tudor Tierney , Crozier Rebecca , Madgwick Richard
Published: December 2024

The Neolithic site of the Knowe of Rowiegar chambered cairn, Orkney, was excavated in 1937 as part of a campaign that saw the excavation of various chamber cairns on the island of Rousay, Orkney (Davidson & Henshall, 1989). Osteological and isotope research undertaken in recent years has reignited interest in the site. The research presented here focuses on mortuary practices, principally through histotaphonomic analysis. Human remains at Rowiegar were characterised by disarticulation, disorder and fragmentation (Hutchison et al., Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 145, 41–86, 2015), as is commonly observed in Neolithic Orkney. In recent years, histological analysis has become more widely used in reconstructing mortuary treatment. This relies on the degree and nature of bacterial attack, often termed bioerosion, and other modifications to bone microstructure as a proxy for early post-mortem treatment. Histological analysis was undertaken on 13 of the 28 individuals from the Rowiegar site. The results presented diverse patterns of bioerosion in the bone microstructure suggesting different mortuary practices. Furthermore, these results suggest that remains were placed in the chambered cairn at different stages of decomposition, with some individuals buried immediately after death and others likely subject to a more complex, multi-stage mortuary rite. There remains uncertainty about the origins of bacterial bioerosion in bone, and future experimental work may necessitate interpretative revision. However, based on current understanding, the research provides a new perspective on mortuary practice at Rowiegar, evidencing diverse, and sometimes complex, pre-depositional mortuary practices.
Complexity of linearized quadratic penalty for optimization with nonlinear equality constraints
Authors: Bourkhissi Lahcen El , Necoara Ion
Published: December 2024

In this paper we consider a nonconvex optimization problem with nonlinear equality constraints. We assume that both, the objective function and the functional constraints, are locally smooth. For solving this problem, we propose a linearized quadratic penalty method, i.e., we linearize the objective function and the functional constraints in the penalty formulation at the current iterate and add a quadratic regularization, thus yielding a subproblem that is easy to solve, and whose solution is the next iterate. Under a new adaptive regularization parameter choice, we provide convergence guarantees for the iterates of this method to an

$$\epsilon $$

ϵ

first-order optimal solution in

$${\mathcal {O}}({\epsilon ^{-2.5}})$$

O
(

ϵ

-
2.5

)

iterations. Finally, we show that when the problem data satisfy Kurdyka–Lojasiewicz property, e.g., are semialgebraic, the whole sequence generated by the proposed algorithm converges and we derive improved local convergence rates depending on the KL parameter. We validate the theory and the performance of the proposed algorithm by numerically comparing it with some existing methods from the literature.
Study of Cooling Performance of Liquid-Cooled EV Battery Module According to the TIM Compression Ratio
Authors: Gu Jahun , Kim Heung-Kyu , Jang Siyoul
Published: December 2024

This study examines the coolant and heat flows in electric vehicle (EV) battery pack that employs a thermal interface material (TIM). The overall temperature distribution of the battery pack that consists of many battery modules is precomputed based on the cooling circuit design, and the battery module that is most strongly influenced by cooling circuit is selected. To investigate the detailed effects of the TIM’s performance, we measure its thermal conductivity based on its compression ratio and consider the detailed shape of the battery cell module for incorporating the TIM’s thermal conductivity in the battery assembly. The TIM, which functions as part of the cooling system within the confined space of the battery cell module, is included in the CFD analysis to assess the effect of thermal conductivity variation resulting from the compression ratio of the TIM on the cooling performance of the battery pack. Various cases of confined spaces in the battery module are compared to optimize the cooling efficiency of the EV battery pack.
Association between cardiovascular risk and diastolic blood pressure in older adults with systolic blood pressure less than 130mmHg: a prospective cohort study from 2014 to 2022
Authors: Hou Jingjing , Zhao Song , Liu Jie , Xi Xiaoxia , Xu Yawei , Shi Shengfeng , Yu Shikai , Zhang Yi ,   on behalf of the Northern Shanghai Study investigators
Published: December 2024

Background

The 2017 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) guideline lowered the diagnostic threshold for hypertension to a systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) of 130/80 mmHg. However, the predictive value of DBP for cardiovascular (CV) risk assessment diminishes with aging. The study aimed to explore whether the new diagnostic threshold for diastolic hypertension is associated with increased risk of CV organ damage and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in older adults.

Methods

1181 individuals aged 65 years or older with SBP < 130 mmHg were enrolled a prospective cohort study. They were classified into Low (< 70 mmHg), Optimal (70 to < 80 mmHg), and High (80 to < 90 mmHg) DBP groups. Cardiac, vascular, and renal organ damage were measured at baseline. The endpoint of the study was MACEs.

Results

Among 1181 participants (average age 71.9 years, 44.8% men), 172 MACEs were observed during an average follow-up of 6.4 years. We found no significant differences in CV organ damage or MACEs rates (Log-rank P = 0.73) among three groups. In multivariable Cox regression, compared to the Optimal DBP group, no significant increase in CV risk was observed in the Low DBP group (hazard ratio [HR] 1.02, [95% CI 0.68–1.52], P = 0.93) or the High DBP group (HR 1.04, [95% CI 0.72–1.49], P = 0.85). Propensity score matching showed consistent results.

Conclusion

In older adults with SBP < 130 mmHg, DBP values 80–89 mmHg were not associated with higher risk of CV organ damage, events or mortality.
Was ist neu in der systemischen Behandlung des frühen Mammakarzinoms?
Authors: Trapp Elisabeth Katharina
Published: December 2024

Das Mammakarzinom ist weltweit das häufigste Malignom der Frau mit geschätzt 2,3 Mio. Neuerkrankungen und 665.000 Todesfällen im Jahr 2022. Dank eines multimodalen Therapiekonzepts bestehend aus systemischer, operativer und Radiotherapie konnte die Prognose des Mammakarzinoms in den letzten Jahrzehnten stetig verbessert werden, wobei die Prognose vom Stadium und Subtyp abhängt. Entsprechend der Tumormolekularbiologie haben sich unter Bestimmung der Steroidhormon- und HER2-Rezeptoren vier prognostisch und therapeutisch relevante Subgruppen etabliert: das „luminal A-like“ Hormonrezeptor-positive frühe Mammakarzinom, welches aufgrund des niedrigen Rezidivrisikos keiner Chemotherapie, wohl aber einer operativen, endokrinen und Radiotherapie bedarf, das „luminal B-like“ Hormonrezeptor-positive Mammakarzinom, welches von allen Therapiebausteinen profitiert, das HER2-positive frühe Mammakarzinom, welches einer Chemotherapie mit zielgerichteter Therapie neben Operation und Radiotherapie bedarf, und das triple-negative Mammakarzinom ohne spezifische Therapietargets, das vor allem durch Systemtherapie in Kombination mit operativer Therapie und adjuvanter Radiotherapie behandelt wird. Um für jede Patientin individuell die Prognose und den absoluten Therapieeffekt verbessern zu können, stützen sich neue Therapiekonzepte auf postneoadjuvante Add-on-Therapien in der Hochrisikosituation und Therapieeinsparung bei Ansprechen auf neoadjuvante Induktionstherapien. Hierbei werden vor allem Substanzen wie CDK4/6- und PARP-Inhibitoren, Immuntherapie und „antibody drug conjugates“ als „Add-ons“ verwendet und in naher Zukunft beim frühen Mammakarzinom Einzug in die Klinik halten.
Sex differences in the association between sarcopenia index and sarcopenia: a cross-sectional study from a Chinese community-based population
Authors: Yang Hong , Huang Yunda , Jiang Guihua , Duan Zhiping , Du Runfen , Hao Yinan , Huang Wei , Liu Xiaoling
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The sarcopenia index (SI) is a convenient method to screen for sarcopenia, but few studies have analysed whether there are sex differences. The aim of this study was to analyse sex differences in the relationship between SI and sarcopenia in a Chinese community-based population.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included participants from 2011 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. The SI was defined as 100 × creatinine / cystatin C. Diagnosis of sarcopenia based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 consensus. Logistic regression model, linear regression model, and natural spline model were used to analyze the association between SI and sarcopenia.

Results

A total of 7,118 participants with a mean age of 60.6 ± 10.1 were included, 53.4% females. In males, the prevalence of sarcopenia decreased by 25% for every 10 increase in SI, and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) increased by 0.04, odds ratio (OR), β, and 95% confidence interval (CI) were 0.75 (0.65–0.87), 0.04 (0.02–0.05), both P < 0.001. In females, the SI was not significantly associated with sarcopenia, OR and 95% CI were 0.99 (0.9 ~ 1.08), P = 0.775; for every 10 increase in SI, the SMI in females decreased by 0.03, β and 95% CI were -0.03 (-0.04 ~ -0.01), P = 0.001.

Conclusion

In the Chinese community, the SI is negatively associated with sarcopenia in males and has moderate diagnostic test performance. It was not associated with sarcopenia in females, and using the SI to screen for sarcopenia in females may not be a reliable method.
Artificial intelligence at the bench: Legal and ethical challenges of informing—or misinforming—judicial decision-making through generative AI
Authors: Socol de la Osa David Uriel , Remolina Nydia
Published: December 2024

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has gained significant popularity in recent years. It is being integrated into a variety of sectors for its abilities in content creation, design, research, and many other functionalities. The capacity of GenAI to create new content—ranging from realistic images and videos to text and even computer code—has caught the attention of both the industry and the general public. The rise of publicly available platforms that offer these services has also made GenAI systems widely accessible, contributing to their mainstream appeal and dissemination. This article delves into the transformative potential and inherent challenges of incorporating GenAI into the domain of judicial decision-making. The article provides a critical examination of the legal and ethical implications that arise when GenAI is used in judicial rulings and their underlying rationale. While the adoption of this technology holds the promise of increased efficiency in the courtroom and expanded access to justice, it also introduces concerns regarding bias, interpretability, and accountability, thereby potentially undermining judicial discretion, the rule of law, and the safeguarding of rights. Around the world, judiciaries in different jurisdictions are taking different approaches to the use of GenAI in the courtroom. Through case studies of GenAI use by judges in jurisdictions including Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and India, this article maps out the challenges presented by integrating the technology in judicial determinations, and the risks of embracing it without proper guidelines for mitigating potential harms. Finally, this article develops a framework that promotes a more responsible and equitable use of GenAI in the judiciary, ensuring that the technology serves as a tool to protect rights, reduce risks, and ultimately, augment judicial reasoning and access to justice.
The ethics at the intersection of artificial intelligence and transhumanism: a personhood-based approach
Authors: Chimakonam Amara Esther
Published: December 2024

In this article, I will consider the moral issues that might arise from the possibility of creating more complex and sophisticated autonomous intelligent machines or simply artificial intelligence (AI) that would have the human capacity for moral reasoning, judgment, and decision-making, and (the possibility) of humans enhancing their moral capacities beyond what is considered normal for humanity. These two possibilities raise an urgency for ethical principles that could be used to analyze the moral consequences of the intersection of AI and transhumanism. In this article, I deploy personhood-based relational ethics grounded on Afro-communitarianism as an African ethical framework to evaluate some of the moral problems at the intersection of AI and transhumanism. In doing so, I will propose some Afro-ethical principles for research and policy development in AI and transhumanism.
Signalling and rich trustworthiness in data-driven healthcare: an interdisciplinary approach
Authors: Goodman Jonathan R. , Milne Richard
Published: December 2024

Discussions of the development and governance of data-driven systems have, of late, come to revolve around questions of trust and trustworthiness. However, the connections between them remain relatively understudied and, more importantly, the conditions under which the latter quality of trustworthiness might reliably lead to the placing of ‘well-directed’ trust. In this paper, we argue that this challenge for the creation of ‘rich’ trustworthiness, which we term the Trustworthiness Recognition Problem, can usefully be approached as a problem of effective signalling, and suggest that its resolution can be informed by a multidisciplinary approach that relies on insights from economics and behavioural ecology. We suggest, overall, that the domain specificity inherent to the signalling theory paradigm offers an effective solution to the TRP, which we believe will be foundational to whether and how rapidly improving technologies are integrated in the healthcare space. We suggest that solving the TRP will not be possible without taking an interdisciplinary approach and suggest further avenues of inquiry that we believe will be fruitful.
Assessing design process knowledge in project-based learning: a comparative study in introductory engineering and junior manufacturing courses
Authors: Ejichukwu Emmanuella , Tolbert Smith DeLean , Ayoub Georges
Published: December 2024

Project-based learning (PBL) has gained widespread acceptance as a cutting-edge teaching approach in universities, particularly for imparting engineering design skills. PBL allows students to showcase their design skills and put into practice the theoretical concepts acquired through instruction. Throughout the various phases of the design process and project execution, students prepare design artifacts, which serve as tangible indicators of their design skills – an essential competency for engineers. The objective of this research is to evaluate and compare the application of engineering design skills among first-year and third-year engineering students as evidenced by their design artifacts. This comparative analysis aims to pinpoint areas of strength and opportunities for growth, thereby offering a holistic view of student development in design proficiency throughout their undergraduate education. Employing a standardized rubric to evaluate these artifacts allows for an unbiased assessment of the students’ design process acumen. The findings offer insights into the design skill proficiency of two student groups at different points in the design process. It is imperative for engineering educators to strategically highlight every aspect of the design process within PBL, ensuring the comprehensive development of design competencies.
Absent the Silently Invisible: Rethinking Model Victimhood under the “Comfort Women” System
Authors: Eriksson Anna-Karin
Published: December 2024

(Re)visiting the testimony exhibition part of Women’s Active Museum on War and Peace in Tokyo, I focus on one testimony in particular. This testimony was given by a survivor of the “comfort women” system, a state-sponsored regime of military sexual exploitation and core institution in the Empire of Japan’s expansion 1932–1945. The testimony was then withheld before the exhibition opened. I approach this “withheld testimony” as an invocation of rupture to the time, space, and positionalities informing the museum narrative. The paper interrogates the interplay of the survivor’s act of withholding her testimony, the curatorial decision to represent the absence that followed on the withholding, and the disruption to the museum narrative that the withholding prompts. By exploring the withheld testimony as a speaking silence, visible emptiness, and present absence, the paper offers a rethinking of model victimhood under the comfort women system.
Passion and Oppression under the Patriarchal Society of Qing China: The Extraordinary Bond between Li Ti (1805–1829) and Huang Xunying (1788–1829) and Their Double Suicide
Authors: Li Xiaorong
Published: December 2024

This paper explores the intense bond formed between two Qing women, Li Ti and Huang Xunying, as well as their double suicide. The sheer survival of the rich personal and family narratives (in both poetry and prose) surrounding their relationship and suicides represents a startling discovery. By actively resisting the restrictions imposed by the patriarchal family and social order and explicitly defining an unbreakable union marked by moral commitment to and spiritual connection with each other, Li Ti and Huang embody the concept of queerness in today’s usage. The two women’s double suicide, furthermore, posed an extreme form of social protest and an individual quest for freedom. Despite being historically conditioned and ideologically mediated, the excavated primary sources, such as Li Ti’s own poems, challenge not only the norms of their time and place, but also our scholarly consensus about women’s lives in China’s past.
Reference map technique for Lagrangian exploration of coherent structures
Authors: Hayat Imran , Black Ryan T. , Park George Ilhwan
Published: December 2024

We explore the application of the reference map technique, originally developed for Eulerian simulation of solid mechanics, in Lagrangian kinematics of turbulent flows. Unlike traditional methods based on explicit particle tracking, the reference map facilitates the calculation of flow maps and gradients without the need for particles. This is achieved through an Eulerian update of the reference map, which records the take-off positions of fluid particles. This approach is found to be mathematically equivalent to the work of Leung (J. Comput. Phys., vol. 230, issue 9, 2011, pp. 3500–3524), who computed the flow map of simple two-dimensional flows using an Eulerian approach. We discuss important modifications necessary for its first application to complex three-dimensional turbulent flows, including the conservative, low-dissipation update of the flow map and the treatment of periodic boundary conditions. We first demonstrate the accuracy of finite-time Lyapunov exponent (FTLE) calculations based on the reference map against the standard particle-based approach in a two-dimensional Taylor–Green vortex. Then we apply it to turbulent channel flow at

$Re_\tau =180$

, where Lagrangian coherent structures identified as ridges of the backward-time FTLE are found to bound vortical regions of flow, consistent with Eulerian coherent structures from the

$Q$

-criterion. The reference map also proves suitable for material surface tracking despite not explicitly tracking particles. This capability can provide valuable insights into the Lagrangian landscape of turbulent momentum transport, complementing Eulerian velocity field analysis. The evolution of initially wall-normal material surfaces in the viscous sublayer, buffer layer and log layer sheds light on the Reynolds stress-generating events from a Lagrangian perspective.
Is ‘Contribution to Theory’ an Unhealthy Obsession for Management Research? A Response to Zhang and Chen
Authors: Davis Gerald F.
Published: December 2024

The early months of the COVID pandemic prompted a flood of research aimed at illuminating all facets of the disease and its spread. Scholars sought to create and assess practical interventions that ranged from vaccines to government lockdown policies to workplace practices. To date, there are nearly a half-million publications on the pandemic, and more are in process.
Science, Stories, and Impact: A Response to Zhang and Chen
Authors: Friedman Ray
Published: December 2024

As I read Zhang and Chen's (2024) perspective paper, I was impressed with the authors' flexibility moving into the medical field and the impact of their research. Moreover, I agreed wholeheartedly with their call to learn by working across fields and with their assessment of how differently management and healthcare scholarship is created, disseminated, and used. Yet I was quite stumped by the editor's request that I suggest some ‘urgent and pressing’ issues that might help management scholars achieve the kind of practical relevance of medical researchers.
A REMARK ON FUJINO’S WORK ON THE CANONICAL BUNDLE FORMULA VIA PERIOD MAPS
Authors: KIM HYUNSUK
Published: December 2024

Fujino gave a proof for the semi-ampleness of the moduli part in the canonical bundle formula in the case when the general fibers are K3 surfaces or abelian varieties. We show a similar statement when the general fibers are primitive symplectic varieties. This answers a question of Fujino raised in the same article. Moreover, using the structure theory of varieties with trivial first Chern class, we reduce the question of semi-ampleness in the case of families of K-trivial varieties to a question when the general fibers satisfy a slightly weaker Calabi–Yau condition.
SOME CASES OF OORT’S CONJECTURE ABOUT NEWTON POLYGONS OF CURVES
Authors: PRIES RACHEL
Published: December 2024

This paper contains a method to prove the existence of smooth curves in positive characteristic whose Jacobians have unusual Newton polygons. Using this method, I give a new proof that there exist supersingular curves of genus

$4$

in every prime characteristic. More generally, the main result of the paper is that, for every

$g \geq 4$

and prime p, every Newton polygon whose p-rank is at least

$g-4$

occurs for a smooth curve of genus g in characteristic p. In addition, this method resolves some cases of Oort’s conjecture about Newton polygons of curves.
The effect of acute stress response on conspiracy theory beliefs
Authors: Pisl Vojtech , Nefes Turkay , Simsa Benjamin , Kestlerova Daniela , Kubíček Pavel , Linka Vojtech , Martynova Tatana , Sajdlova Rachel , Sejrek David , Vevera Jan
Published: December 2024

The endorsement of conspiracy theories may be increased by subjectively perceived stress. Yet, it is not known whether this correlation is caused by the effects of the acute stress reaction on the brain or other psychological, social, or methodological factors. The effect of an experimentally induced acute stress reaction on conspiracy thinking was tested on a sample (n = 115) of students of medicine. Although the stress procedure caused a substantial increase in salivary cortisol, there was no significant effect on endorsing conspiracy theories or adopting conspiracy interpretations of novel information. The results confirmed no effect of the acute stress reaction on conspiracy thinking, suggesting it may be absent or weaker than expected. The study demonstrated the viability of psychophysiological experimental design in conspiracy research and may inspire further examination of the physiological mechanisms underlying susceptibility to conspiracy theories.