bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interface diffusion and reaction between Ti layer and Si3N4/Si substrate
Authors: Zhu Yongfa , Wang Li , Yao Wenqing , Cao Lili
Published: September 2002

A Ti layer of thickness 270 nm was deposited successfully on the surface of Si3N4/Si substrate using the d.c. sputtering technique. Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) analysis indicates that the Ti layer reduced the native SiO2 layer that existed on the surface of the Si3N4 film to form TiOx and Si species at the interface during deposition. The interface diffusion and reaction between the Ti layer and Si3N4/Si substrate was promoted significantly by annealing treatments in the temperature range 300–700 °C in a high vacuum. At temperatures below 600 °C, only very little silicide formed. With increasing annealing temperature, TiSi species formed rapidly. When the temperature reached 700 °C, both TiSi and TiSi2 species formed in the interlayer. The formation of TiSi and TiSi2 species was governed mainly by the interface reaction when the annealing time was short. Silicon in the interlayer mainly came from the Si3N4 layer at low temperature or a short annealing time, otherwise it mainly came from the depletion of Si substrate at high temperature or a long annealing time. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐temperature nitridation and oxidation of Ti‐based alloys
Authors: Thongtem Somchai , Thongtem Titipun , McNallan Michael
Published: September 2002

High‐temperature nitridation in nitrogen followed by oxidation in air of Ti–(0.5–20.0)wt.%V and Ti–36.0wt.%Al were studied at 1100–1300 K. The oxidation rate of Ti–(0.5–20.0)wt.%V over 5 h continuously increased with the concentration of vanadium up to 10.0 wt.% V. Above this level, the oxidation rate tended to be constant when the experimental time was sufficient. However, the lowest oxidation rate was found in the case of Ti–36.0wt.%Al. Nitridation can effectively protect the alloys against oxidation. The alloys were characterized by x‐ray diffraction and the results were in agreement with those characterized by a CHNS/O analyser. In addition, the characteristics of the alloys revealed by SEM micrographs were consistent with the oxidation rates in air. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Monte Carlo simulation of low‐energy electron trajectories and energy loss in ZnS phosphor powders
Authors: Greeff A. P. , Swart H. C.
Published: September 2002

During electron beam irradiation of ZnS phosphor powders, a non‐luminescent ZnO layer is formed on the powder due to electron‐beam‐stimulated surface reactions. As the thickness of the oxide layer increases, the energy loss in the ZnS bulk decreases with a subsequent degradation in cathodoluminescence. Using the Monte Carlo technique, the trajectories of low‐energy electrons were simulated in a ZnS phosphor powder with a ZnO overlayer of varying thickness based on recent models describing the energy loss and scattering angles of low‐energy electrons in a solid. A diffusion interface between the ZnO layer and ZnS bulk was simulated by varying the concentration of O and S atoms in the interface. Modelling the interface in this way describes the electron trajectories and energy loss in the interface region, because a sharp interface between two dissimilar layers very seldom exists. In the energy‐loss profiles the transition between ZnO and ZnS corresponds to a sharp increase in energy loss due to the increased rate of energy loss of electrons in ZnS. The diffusion interface has a smoothing effect on this sudden increase. From the electron trajectory data and corresponding energy loss, energy loss profiles were determined indicating the cumulative distribution of all the electron energy losses as a function of the interaction volume depth and thickness of the ZnO layer. When a distribution of incident angles is used, the profile differs from the typical energy‐loss profile seen at normal incident angles. As the thickness of the ZnO layer increases, the total energy loss in the solid decreases due to the increase in the backscattering coefficient of electrons in ZnO. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Causes and prevention of photochemical reduction of hexavalent chromium during x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy
Authors: Kagwade Sanjay V. , Clayton Clive R. , Halada Gary P.
Published: September 2002

We report on the photoreduction of hexavalent chromium during exposure to soft x‐rays used in x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Photoreduction of hexavalent chromium to the tetravalent state in both CrO3 and K2CrO4 was found to involve hydrocarbons adsorbed onto the sample surface during rough pumping with a rotary pump during sample entry. When rough pumping was performed by a Venturi pump and a sorption pump, no photoreduction was observed over a period of 6 h of exposure to soft x‐rays. We also observed that Cr(IV) was stable under soft x‐ray radiation. In the presence of water vapor in the vacuum chamber, Cr(IV) was chemically reduced to Cr(III). The findings of this study bring into question the applicability of current models explaining the photoreduction of high‐valent chromium oxides during XPS, and are also of general interest. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Automated structural analysis of SCR‐style software requirements specifications using PVS
Authors: Kim Taeho , Cha Sungdeok
Published: September 2002

The importance of effective requirements analysis techniques cannot be overemphasized when developing software requiring high levels of assurance. Requirements analysis can be largely classified as either structural or functional. The former investigates whether definitions and uses of variables and functions are consistent, while the latter addresses whether requirements accurately reflect users' needs. Verification of structural properties for large and complex software requirements is often repetitive, especially if requirements are subject to frequent changes. While inspection has been successfully applied to many industrial applications, the authors found inspection to be ineffective when reviewing requirements to find errors violating structural properties. Moreover, current tools used in requirements engineering provide only limited support in automatically enforcing structural correctness of the requirements. Such experience has motivated research to automate straightforward but tedious activities.

This paper demonstrates that a theorem prover, PVS (Prototype Verification System), is useful in automatically verifying structural correctness of software requirements specifications written in SCR (Software Cost Reduction)‐style. Requirements are automatically translated into a semantically equivalent PVS specification. Users need not be experts in formal methods or power users of PVS. Structural properties to be proved are expressed in PVS theorems, and the PVS proof commands are used to carry out the proof automatically. Since these properties are application independent, the same verification procedure can be applied to requirements of various software systems. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Test case selection strategies based on Boolean specifications‡
Authors: Chen T. Y. , Lau M. F.
Published: September 2002

This paper considers test case selection for programs whose specifications are expressed by Boolean algebra. The approach is to select test cases based on Boolean specifications. Three test case selection strategies are proposed that aim at the detection of theliteral insertion faultand theliteral reference fault. Although theMAX‐Bstrategy proposed by Weyukeret al.guarantees detection of these types of faults, the proposed strategies are more effective in the sense that the derived test cases form a subset of those selected by theMAX‐Bstrategy. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
No significant increase in chromosome aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges in cultured human lymphocytes treated with spiramycin
Authors: Rencüzoğulları Eyyüp , İla Hasan Basri , Topaktaş Mehmet , Kayraldız Ahmet , Budak Songül , Arslan Mehmet
Published: September 2002

In this study, the chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) were investigated in human lymphocytes treated with spiramycin antibiotic (trade name, rovamycin). Spiramycin did not induce the CAs and SCEs, and also did not decrease the mitotic index (MI). However, spiramycin decreased the replication index (RI) only at 48 h treatment times. Teratogenesis Carcinog. Mutagen. 22:51–58, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The biosynthesis of acarbose and validamycin
Authors: Mahmud Taifo , Lee Sungsook , Floss Heinz G.
Published: September 2002

The studies reported here have established the biosynthetic origin of the mC7N units of acarbose and validamycin from sedo‐heptulose 7‐phosphate, and have identified 2‐epi‐5‐epi‐valiolone as the initial cyclization product. The deoxyhexose moiety of acarbose arises from glucose with deoxythymidyl‐diphospho‐4‐keto‐6‐deoxy‐D‐glucose (dTDP‐4‐keto‐6‐deoxy‐D‐glucose) as a proximate intermediate. However, despite the identical origin of the aminocyclitol moieties in acarbose and validamycin A, the pathways of their formation seem to be substantially different. Validamycin A formation involves a number of discrete ketocyclitol intermediates, 5‐epi‐valiolone, valienone, and validone, whereas no free intermediates have been identified on the pathway from 2‐epi‐5‐epi‐valiolone to the pseudodisaccharide moiety of acarbose. The stage is now set for unraveling the mechanism or mechanisms by which the two components of the pseudodisaccharide moieties of acarbose and validamycin are uniquely coupled to each other via a nitrogen bridge. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and The Japan Chemical Journal Forum Chem Rec 1: 300–310, 2001
Asymmetric autocatalysis and the origin of chiral homogeneity in organic compounds
Authors: Soai Kenso , Sato Itaru , Shibata Takanori
Published: September 2002

The discovery and development of asymmetric autocatalysis, in which the structures of the chiral catalyst and the chiral product are the same, are described. Chiral 5‐pyrimidyl, 3‐quinolyl, and 5‐carbamoyl‐3‐pyridyl alkanols act as highly enantioselective asymmetric autocatalysts in the enantioselective addition of diisopropylzinc to the corresponding aldehydes, such as pyrimidine‐5‐carbaldehyde. 2‐Alkynyl‐5‐pyrimidyl alkanol with an enantiomeric excess (ee) of >99.5% automultiplies practically perfectly as an asymmetric autocatalyst in a yield of >99% and >99.5% ee. Asymmetric autocatalysis with an amplification of ee has thus been realized. Consecutive asymmetric autocatalysis starting with chiral 2‐alkynylpyrimidyl alkanol of only 0.6% ee amplifies its ee significantly, and yields itself as the product with >99.5% ee. The reaction of pyrimidine‐5‐carbaldehyde and diisopropylzinc in the presence of chiral initiators with low ee’s, such as secondary alcohol, amine, carboxylic acid, mono‐substituted [2.2]paracyclophane, and chiral primary alcohols due to deuterium substitution, regulates the absolute configuration of the resulting pyrimidyl alkanols, and the ee of the resulting pyrimidyl alkanol is much higher than that of the chiral initiator. Leucine and [6]helicene with very low ee’s, which are known to be induced by circularly polarized light (CPL), also serve as chiral initiators to produce pyrimidyl alkanol with higher ee’s. Overall, the process represents the first correlation between the chirality of CPL and an organic compound with very high ee. Chiral inorganic crystals, such as quartz and sodium chlorate, act as chiral inducers in the asymmetric autocatalysis of pyrimidyl alkanol. The process correlates for the first time ever the chirality of inorganic crystals with an organic compound with very high ee. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and The Japan Chemical Journal Forum Chem Rec 1:321–332, 2001
Same school, separate worlds: A sociocultural study of identity, resistance, and negotiation in a rural, lower track science classroom
Authors: Gilbert Andrew , Yerrick Randy
Published: September 2002

This ethnographic study examined how rural, lower track, underrepresented students made sense of their place in school and what role school science played in their cultural reproduction. The objectives of the study were to identify key components of science classroom discourse, analyze means of negotiating these components, and explicate participants' beliefs and roles in defining microcultural identities specific to rural, underrepresented school contexts. Eight students and their teacher participated in this study, which drew heavily upon teacher and student revoicing of common events. Results showed that the quality of science instruction was subverted through a process of negotiation between students and teachers in the context of low expectations and the school culture. Implications for research and practice are discussed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 38: 574–598, 2001
Effects of cadmium on formation of the ventral body wall in chick embryos and their prevention by zinc pretreatment
Authors: Thompson Jennifer , Bannigan John
Published: September 2002

Background

Cadmium (Cd) is an established experimental teratogen whose effects can be reversed by pretreatment with zinc. Mesodermal development is a frequently reported target for Cd teratogenicity. The aim of this study was to examine the mechanisms of Cd induced body wall defects in chick embryos.

Methods

Chick embryos in shell‐less culture were treated with 50 μl of cadmium acetate (8.9 × 10−5 M Cd2+) at 60‐hr incubation (H.‐H. stages 16–17). Controls received equimolar sodium acetate. Other embryos were treated with various concentrations of zinc acetate and then with Cd or NaAc 1 hrs later. Development was evaluated 48 hrs later. Resin‐embedded 1‐μm sections were examined at earlier stages.

Results

Cd caused embryolethality (35%), ventral body wall defect with malpositioned lower limbs (40%), and weight reduction in survivors. After 4‐hr treatment with Cd, breakdown of junctions between peridermal cells with rounding up and desquamation occurred. Shape changes were also seen in the basal layer of the ectoderm. At 4 hr, cell death was evident in lateral plate mesoderm, somites, and neuroepithelium; the lateral plate mesoderm began to grow dorsally, carrying the attached limb buds with it. Zn pretreatment protected against the lethal, teratogenic, and growth‐retarding effects of Cd, as well as ectodermal changes and cell death.

Conclusions

Cd disrupts peridermal cell adhesion and induces cell death in the mesoderm. This may result in abnormal growth of lateral plate mesoderm and in a body wall defect. Zn pretreatment prevents both the gross teratogenic effects and the cellular changes, most likely by competition with Cd. Teratology 64:87–97, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The effect of sympathetic activity on thermal hyperalgesia in capsaicin‐treated skin during body cooling and warming
Authors: Drummond Peter D.
Published: September 2002

An adrenergic mechanism is thought to contribute to pain in conditions that sometimes develop during chronic inflammation and after nerve or tissue injury. There is some doubt, however, about whether adrenergic activity influences nociception in acute inflammation. To investigate this issue, the noncompetitive alpha‐(α) adrenergic antagonist phenoxybenzamine was introduced by iontophoresis into the skin of 16 healthy volunteers either before or after the topical application of capsaicin. When applied before capsaicin, phenoxybenzamine increased thermal hyperalgesia at normal ambient temperatures and during body warming. These findings suggest that phenoxybenzamine blocked an analgesic mechanism when applied before the onset of inflammation. However, this effect disappeared during body cooling. When applied after capsaicin, phenoxybenzamine inhibited thermal hyperalgesia at normal ambient temperatures, and during body warming and cooling. Thus, phenoxybenzamine blocked a hyperalgesic mechanism when applied after the onset of inflammation. It was concluded that the presence of inflammation influences the nociceptive effect of α‐adrenergic blockage, possibly by increasing access to excitatory adrenergic receptors on nociceptive afferents. An excitatory adrenergic influence on nociception may overcome an inhibitory adrenergic influence during inflammation.
A Review of Recent Developments in Research and Theories on Human Contingency Learning
Authors: De Houwer Jan , Beckers Tom
Published: September 2002

Over the past 20 years, human contingency learning has resurfaced as an important topic within experimental psychology. This renewed interest was sparked mainly by the proposal that associative models of Pavlovian conditioning might also apply to human contingency learning—a proposal that has led to many new empirical findings and theoretical developments. We provide a brief review of these recent developments and try to point to issues that need to be addressed in future research.
Taste Aversion after Ingestion of Lithium Chloride: An Associative Analysis
Authors: Loy Ignacio , Hall Geoffrey
Published: September 2002

In five experiments with rats we examined the aversion established by consumption of a solution of lithium chloride (LiCl). Experiment 1 showed that consumption of LiCl established an aversion to saline (NaCl). Experiment 2 showed that the size of the aversion was reduced in rats given pre-exposure to saline (a latent inhibition effect). Experiment 3 showed that experience of a sucrose-saline compound prior to consumption of LiCl generated an aversion to sucrose (a sensory preconditioning effect). Experiments 4 and 5 examined the effects produced by consumption of a sucrose-LiCl compound and demonstrated reciprocal overshadowing between the two tastes. These results confirm that consumption of LiCl establishes an aversion to the taste of this substance. Their implications for the use of orally consumed LiCl as a technique for the control of predatory behaviour are discussed.
Performance of strategic groups in the Greek dairy industry
Authors: Oustapassidis Kostas
Published: September 2002

This paper tests for the presence of differences among the effectiveness of profitability determinants between strategic groups with advertised and unadvertised products by using both the regression analysis and the Chow‐test. Panel data for the 23 Greek dairy firms that operated over the period 1990‐94 are used to examine the determinants of firm profit margins. The results show significant differences for the effects of strategies on profitability between the two strategic groups. Only the firms with nationally branded goods, which are more profitable than the group of producers of unadvertised goods, can effectively apply both the advertising and the diversification strategies to increase profitability
Adding value to service offerings: the case of UK retail financial services
Authors: Devlin James F.
Published: September 2002

This study explores practitioner views regarding which elements of the service offering to emphasise when formulating strategies to add value and, hence, gain competitive advantage in services markets. In particular, the case of retail financial services is emloyed to investigate hypotheses regarding variations in importance of elements of the service offer in adding value due to increased complexity and intangibility of some offerings and the resultant implications for consumer evaluation. Evidence suggests that these issues may be particularly relevant in the context of services and that consequently many of the common prescriptions regarding strategy formulation may be rather more difficult for services organisations to implement. It is found that factors such as image and reputation of the organisation, as well as functional service quality, are perceived to be particularly important in adding value to more complex financial services offerings. More surprisingly, the features and quality of the core service provided are also perceived to be more important in adding value to complex services. In addition, factors such as price, location and recovery are perceived to be significantly more important in adding value to more simple, rather than complex, offerings. Finally, conclusions are presented.
Planning for future leadership of schools: an Australian study
Authors: d’Arbon Tony , Duignan Patrick , Duncan Deirdre J.
Published: September 2002

There is growing evidence of a worldwide shortage of persons willing to apply for vacant principal positions in schools. Reports a study about why more persons are not applying for principal positions in Catholic schools in New South Wales, Australia. An analysis of the career aspirations of those eligible and likely to apply at some stage for a principal position revealed a high level of “unwilling” respondents. Ranks and discusses ten factors identified from a study of their perceptions of issues that would discourage or encourage them to apply. The most significant negative factor is the impact on family and personal life. Others include gender issues and the nature of the selection and interview process. The significant positive factor is that principals have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. Reflections on the findings include addressing the changing nature of school culture, the implications for the principalship and the need to develop a culture of leadership in schools.
BIFURCATION SETS OF SYMMETRICAL CONTINUOUS PIECEWISE LINEAR SYSTEMS WITH THREE ZONES
Authors: FREIRE EMILIO , PONCE ENRIQUE , RODRIGO FRANCISCO , TORRES FRANCISCO
Published: September 2002

Planar symmetrical continuous piecewise linear vector fields with three zones are thoroughly analyzed. Special emphasis is placed on their oscillatory behavior. The study is made by using a Van der Pol canonical form which captures the most interesting dynamics and minimizes the number of parameters to be dealt with. This work is a continuation of a previous paper [Freire et al., 1998] and uses the same approach and techniques.
1 + 1D WAVE EQUATION INVERSE PROBLEM BY CHAOS CONTROL TECHNIQUES
Authors: LEI YANG , WANG YINGHAI , YANG KONGQING , LI YOUMING
Published: September 2002

This paper presents a method of solving partial differential equation (PDE) inverse problem by using chaos control techniques. As an example, the chaos control inversion method of the wave equation inverse problem in tenpoint l + 1 dimensions is shown. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated by the experimental data of the seismic wave inverse problem.
Study Finds People Prefer AI Over Clinician Responses to Questions in the Electronic Medical Record
Authors: Perlis Roy , Collins Nora
Published: January 2025

This Medical News article is an interview with Eleni Linos, MD, DrPH, who coauthored a study on artificial intelligence’s potential to improve patient-clinician communications.
What Does the Rise of GLP-1 Drugs Mean for Bariatric Surgery?
Authors: Schweitzer Kate
Published: January 2025

This Medical News article discusses how the popularity of the antiobesity drugs semaglutide and tirzepatide may affect uptake of bariatric surgery.
Emphasis on Financial vs Nonfinancial Criteria in Employer Benefits’ Measurements
Authors: Pfeffer Jeffrey , Olsen Esther , Singer Sara J.
Published: January 2025

Importance

Few studies have examined the extent to which employers emphasize financial over nonfinancial criteria in measurement, reporting, and decision-making about health care benefits.

Objective

To measure and identify factors associated with financial over nonfinancial emphasis in employer decision-making about health benefits.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A survey was administered to a nationally representative sample of US employers to assess the extent of employers’ emphasis on benefits plans’ costs over member experience, access to care, and equity, and on financial vs other considerations when choosing third-party benefits administrators. The sample included in-company human resources administrators from randomly selected nongovernmental organizations with at least 50 employees. The survey was administered in 2 waves: May 2022 to July 2022 and November 2022 to April 2023.

Exposure

The survey included 41 multipart questions capturing information about the respondent, company, company interactions with benefits consulting firms and benefits administrators, and company approach to managing employee health benefits.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Main outcomes were proportion of financially oriented measures that internal benefits administrators and external benefits consultants use and importance of financial vs other factors in companies’ choice of third-party administrators.

Results

Of 1159 companies sampled, 251 (22%) responded; 30 with less than 50 employees were excluded. Of the 221 remaining companies, 147 (67%) used a benefits consulting firm. The companies and their benefits consultants focused on financial over nonfinancial performance dimensions in decision-making. While 125 companies (74%) tracked trends in health benefits costs and 109 (64%) tracked spending on the highest cost cases, only 14 (8%) tracked time employees spent having questions answered, and 12 (7%) tracked how often employees delayed receiving care because of an insurance company’s actions. This financial focus was largely independent of organizational characteristics and other potential explanatory factors. Of 37 paired differences comparisons in the proportion of financial vs nonfinancial items, only 6 proportions (16%) differed significantly, with differences in proportions of 0.22 or less.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this survey study, US employers emphasized financial over nonfinancial criteria in their measurement and decision-making about health benefits. To improve health plan performance, employer measurement and decision-making must emphasize both nonfinancial and financial criteria.
Persistence of Social Norms Feedback on Postsurgery Opioid Prescribing Behavior
Authors: Zanocco Kyle A. , Wagner Zachary , Mariano Louis T. , Kirkegaard Allison , Yan Xiaowei , Fox Craig R. , Goldstein Noah J. , Brummett Chad M. , Watkins Katherine E.
Published: January 2025

This secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial evaluates the persistence of prescribing guideline-recommended postoperative opioids 1 year after intervention cessation.
Adverse Prehospital Events and Outcomes After Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Maiga Amelia W. , Lin Hsing-Hua Sylvia , Wisniewski Stephen R. , Brown Joshua B. , Moore Ernest E. , Schreiber Martin A. , Joseph Bellal , Wilson Chad T. , Cotton Bryan A. , Ostermayer Daniel G. , Harbrecht Brian G. , Patel Mayur B. , Sperry Jason L. , Guyette Francis X. , Wang Henry E.
Published: January 2025

Importance

While national guidelines recommend avoidance of hypoxia, hypotension, and hypocarbia in the prehospital care of traumatic brain injury (TBI), limited data validate the association of these adverse physiologic events with TBI outcomes.

Objective

To validate the associations of prehospital hypoxia, hypotension, and hypocarbia with TBI outcomes in a US national trauma network.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study examined data from 8 level I trauma centers and their affiliated ground and air emergency medical services (EMS) agencies in the Linking Investigations in Trauma and Emergency Services (LITES) Network from January 1, 2017, to June 30, 2021. Adult patients (aged ≥18 years) with confirmed TBI (head Abbreviated Injury Score [AIS] of 1-6) and Injury Severity Score (ISS) of at least 9 were included. Interfacility transfers and patients who underwent prehospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation were excluded. Data were analyzed between April 20, 2022, and November 27, 2023.

Exposures

Adverse prehospital TBI events, including hypoxia, hypotension, or hypocarbia.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcomes were death in the emergency department (ED), hospital death, and unfavorable discharge disposition. Log-binomial regression models were used to estimate the association between adverse TBI events and outcomes, adjusting for sex, race and ethnicity, age, study site, transport mode, initial Glasgow Coma Scale, ISS, head AIS score, injury mechanism, and multiple trauma.

Results

The analytic cohort included 14 994 patients (median [IQR] age, 47 [31-64] years; 71% male; median [IQR] head AIS, 3 [2-4]). Patients with adverse TBI events included 12% (1577 of 13 604) with hypoxia, 10% (1426 of 14 842) with hypotension, and 61% (650 of 1068) with hypocarbia among those with advanced airway management. Patient outcomes included 2% (259 of 14 939) who died in the ED, 12% (1764 of 14 623) who died in the hospital, and 25% (3705 of 14 623) with an unfavorable discharge disposition. Hypoxia (adjusted relative risk [ARR], 2.24; 95% CI, 1.69-2.97), hypotension (ARR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.54-2.72), and hypocarbia (ARR, 7.99; 95% CI, 2.47-25.85) were associated with increased risks of ED death. Each adverse TBI event exposure was also associated with higher risks of hospital death and unfavorable discharge disposition.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this multicenter cohort study, prehospital hypoxia, hypotension, and hypocarbia were associated with poorer TBI outcomes. These results underscore the importance of optimal oxygenation, ventilation, and perfusion in prehospital TBI care.
Facing the “Cutting Edge:” Edge Site Engineering on 2D Materials for Electrocatalysis and Photocatalysis
Authors: Ying Yiran , Fan Ke , Lin Zezhou , Huang Haitao
Published: January 2025

The utilization of 2D materials as catalysts has garnered significant attention in recent years, primarily due to their exceptional features including high surface area, abundant exposed active sites, and tunable physicochemical properties. The unique geometry of 2D materials imparts them with versatile active sites for catalysis, including basal plane, interlayer, defect, and edge sites. Among these, edge sites hold particular significance as they not only enable the activation of inert 2D catalysts but also serve as platforms for engineering active sites to achieve enhanced catalytic performance. Here it is comprehensively aimed to summarize the state‐of‐the‐art advancements in the utilization of edge sites on 2D materials for electrocatalysis and photocatalysis, with applications ranging from water splitting, oxygen reduction, and nitrogen reduction to CO2 reduction. Additionally, various approaches for harnessing and modifying edge sites are summarized and discussed. Here guidelines for the rational engineering of 2D materials for heterogeneous catalysis are provided.
rGO‐Aluminium Substrates as Broad‐Spectrum Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Functional Materials
Authors: Ojha Deepak Kumar , Polai Balaram , Nasker Sourya Subhra , Mehra Ashwaria , Das Smruti Ranjan , Nayak Saroj K. , Ajayan Pulickel M. , Nayak Sasmita
Published: January 2025

The intractable prevalence of contact‐mediated infections warrants the development of next‐generation antimicrobial materials. Since bare metals like aluminum (Al) are prone to limitations such as microbial contamination and corrosion, it is imperative to develop a sustainable substrate using infinitely recyclable aluminum, with robust antimicrobial activity. This study reports broad‐spectrum antibiofilm and antimicrobial activity of electro‐chemically deposited reduced graphene oxide on aluminum (rGO‐Al) substrates toward clinically important pathogens, Gram‐negative E. coli, Gram‐positive S. aureus, and fungus C. albicans. This further evaluates the knowledge gap by correlating the observed antimicrobial properties of rGO‐Al materials to the possible mechanism(s). Next, measurements of water contact angle and 4‐probe conductivity tests confirm the hydrophobic and conducting nature of the synthesized substrates respectively. In vitro, experimental results show that rGO‐Al substrates can significantly inhibit the growth and viability of test organisms. While scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses confirm contact‐mediated cell membrane damage, fluorescence microscopy reveals potent antibiofilm activity of test substrates. Alterations in membrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production provide further evidence for the antimicrobial activity via microbial membrane disruption. Thus, a perspective mechanism is proposed, where the surface hydrophobicity of rGO‐Al promotes a stable interaction with the microbes. Further, conductivity‐driven‐electron transfer induces ROS production leading to membrane damage. Current research will facilitate the development of high‐performance aluminum‐based nanomaterials that can replace bare Al in the industrial and biomedical sectors. The sustainable nature of rGO‐Al substrates will enhance the longevity and functionality of underneath Al surface by inhibiting microbial colonization and concurrent outcomes.
Approximately 15% of Miscanthus yield is lost at current commercial cutting heights in Iowa
Authors: Petersen Bryan , Emran Shah‐Al , Miguez Fernando , Heaton Emily , VanLoocke Andy
Published: January 2025

Various works have quantitatively characterized the effects of environmental and management factors on Miscanthus giganteus Greef et Deu (mxg) yield and, therefore, anticipated land requirement per unit production. However, little work has addressed the effects of cutting height, which may significantly contribute to the difference between the standing aboveground biomass at harvest (i.e., biological yield) and harvested yield. This study quantitatively characterized the effect of cutting height using a replicated nitrogen trial of a 5‐year‐old mxg stand in southeast Iowa and related this information to observations of cutting height in nearby commercial fields. Nitrogen fertilizer did not significantly change the relationship of the stem segment mass to length, and overall, a 1‐cm stem segment contributes 0.5% of the total stem biomass within the bottom 44 cm of the stem. This results in an average harvest loss of 15% of the aboveground standing biomass when cutting at 30 cm, typically seen in commercial mxg fields in eastern Iowa. Cutting height should be considered when accurately predicting commercial mxg harvest yields and changes in soil organic carbon in a commercial mxg agroecosystem.
Divergent Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Sulfated Ganglio‐Oligosaccharides for Probing Ligand Requirements of Glycan Binding Proteins
Authors: Bunyatov Mehman I. , Wolfert Margreet A. , Boons Geert‐Jan
Published: January 2025

Sulfoglycolipids are an important class of acidic glycosphingolipids that have been implicated in a multitude of biological processes. Little is known about the interactome of sulfated gangliosides, and it is not well understood how a possible interplay between sialylation and sulfation influences molecular recognition. Here, we describe a chemoenzymatic strategy that readily provided a panel of twenty‐one sulfated and sialylated ganglio‐oligosaccharides. It is based on the chemical synthesis of a core tetra‐ and pentasaccharide that are equipped with the orthogonal protecting groups allyloxycarbonate (Alloc), levulinate ester (Lev) and t‐butyldimethylsilyl ether (TBS). Selective removal of one or more protecting groups followed by sulfation of the resulting alcohol(s) and deprotecting gave several ganglio‐oligosaccharides. Compound lacking an internal sialic acid could be prepared by exposing several derivatives to a sialidase. Compounds having an unmodified terminal galactoside could enzymatically be sialylated to give hybrid structures, which could be further extended to provide 2,8‐sialosides. The synthetic glycans were printed as a microarray which was used to examine ligand requirements of a series of glycan‐binding proteins including antibodies, toxins, galectins and siglecs. It was found that sulfation regulates protein binding in complex manners and in general sulfation and sialylation of C‐3 of the terminal Gal influences protein binding in different ways.
Non‐Substituted Aromatic Pyridine N‐Oxide Additives with an Intrinsic N→O Acceptor for Ultra‐Long‐Life Zn||MnO2 Batteries
Authors: Kang Qin , Liang Hongyu , Zhu Zhaomin , Xing Fuxu , Zhu Bingzheng , Li Yuman , Wang Shihao , Tang Shengda , Li Hui , Pan Li , Yang Lijun , Mo Tangming , Bu Yongfeng
Published: January 2025

Various organic and inorganic reagents containing N/O functional groups have been developed as additives to aqueous electrolytes (e.g., ZnSO4, ZS) of zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs). However, finding an additive that can significantly enhance the durability of Zn anodes by inhibiting Zn dendrites and side reactions remains a considerable challenge. Herein, pyridine N‐oxide (PNO), a non‐substituted aromatic compound with a nitrogen positive charge‐induced N→O bond, is explored as ZS additives for highly durable Zn plating/stripping electrolytes (i.e., PNO/ZS). The optimized PNO0.03/ZS mixture demonstrates exceptional stability for Zn anodes, achieving a cycle life exceeding 4200 h and a Coulombic efficiency of 99.9 % at 1 mA cm−2 and 1 mAh cm−2. It maintains over 1000 h of life and a cumulative capacity of 2.5 Ah cm−2, even when subjected to plating/stripping conditions intensified by a factor of 5. Importantly, it enables Zn||α‐MnO2 cells to sustain high‐current charge/discharge cycles for over 5000 cycles, retaining 80 % (125 mAh g−1) of the initial capacity, which is the best performance reported for similar additive systems. This exceptional stability is ascribed to the highly reversible Zn anode plating/stripping, facilitated by the suitable coordination interactions between the N→O acceptor of PNO and the Zn2+/H2O donor, effectively inhibiting side reactions.
Data‐Driven Accelerated Discovery Coupled with Precise Synthesis of Single‐Atom Catalysts for Robust and Efficient Water Purification
Authors: Zhong Keng‐Qiang , Yu Fu‐Yun , Zhang Di , Li Zheng‐Hao , Xie Dong‐Hua , Li Ting‐Ting , Zhang Yun , Yuan Li , Li Hao , Wu Zhen‐Yu , Sheng Guo‐Ping
Published: January 2025

The development of advanced catalysts frequently employs trial‐and‐error methods and is lack of highly controlled synthesis, resulting in unsatisfactory development efficiency and performance. Here we propose a data‐driven prediction coupled with precise synthesis strategy to accelerate the development of single‐atom catalysts (SACs) for efficient water purification. The data‐driven approach enables the rapid screening and prediction of high‐performance SACs from 43 metals‐N4 structures comprising transition and main group metal elements, followed by validation and structural modulation for improved performance through a highly controllable hard‐template method. Impressively, a well‐designed Fe‐SAC with a high loading of Fe‐pyridine‐N4 sites (~3.83 wt %) and highly mesoporous structure, exhibits ultra‐high decontamination performance (rate constant of 100.97 min−1 g−2), representing the best Fenton‐like activities for sulfonamide antibiotics to date. Furthermore, the optimized Fe‐SAC shows excellent robust environmental resistance and cyclic stability with almost 100 % degradation efficiency of sulfonamide antibiotics for 100‐h continuous operation. Density functional theory calculations reveal that Fe‐pyridine‐N4 sites can reduce the energy barrier of intermediate O* formation, the rate‐determining step, resulting in highly selective generation of singlet oxygen. The integration of data‐driven method with precise synthesis strategy provides a novel paradigm for the rapid development of high‐performance catalysts for environmental field as well as other important fields including sustainable energy and catalysis.
Enhancing Predictive Modeling of Chinese Yam Shape Through Bayesian Linear Modeling and Key Diameter Modification
Authors: Zhang Haifeng , Kyo Koki , Hachiya Mitsuru , Noda Hideo
Published: January 2025

In the development of devices for cutting Chinese yams into chunks for use as seeds, accurately measuring the yam's shape with a simple mechanism is crucial. In our prior study, we introduced a statistical approach for predicting the shape of a Chinese yam based on its key diameters. This method involves organizing sample data, estimating diameters at discrete points along the central axis, and constructing a predictive model based on these estimated diameters. However, the initial predictive model relied on separate regression models for each point, potentially leading to instability. In this article, we enhance our previous approach by incorporating a new step that refines the estimation of regression coefficients through Bayesian linear modeling methods. This modification allows for the simultaneous estimation of regression coefficients, ensuring greater stability in the reconstructed model. Additionally, we modify the method for locating key diameters. To validate the performance of the enhanced approach, we apply it to a set of samples and compare the output of the reconstructed model with that of our initial method. The results demonstrate improved stability and performance, highlighting the efficacy of the refined modeling technique.
On Classical Inference of a Flexible Semi‐Parametric Class of Distributions Under a Joint Balanced Progressive Censoring Scheme
Authors: Bhattacharyya Dhrubasish , Kundu Debasis
Published: January 2025

The paper deals with the estimation procedures for the proportional hazard class of distributions under a two‐sample balanced joint progressive censoring scheme. The baseline hazard function is assumed to be piecewise constant, instead of any specific form. This adds flexibility to the proposed model, and the shape of the underlying hazard function is completely data‐driven. Since the complicated form of the likelihood function does not yield closed‐form estimators, we propose a variant of the Expectation‐Maximization algorithm, known as the Expectation Conditional Maximization (ECM) algorithm, for obtaining maximum likelihood estimates of the model parameters. This leads to explicit expressions for the iterative constrained maximization steps of the algorithm. An extension to the case when the cut points are unknown has also been considered for dealing with problems involving real data. Simulation results and illustrations using real data have also been presented.
Redundancy Allocation for Series and Parallel Systems: A Copula‐Based Approach
Authors: Kumar Ravi , Rao T. V. , Naqvi Sameen
Published: January 2025

The allocation of redundant components to a system is a common method for enhancing the system's lifetime. This study explores the optimal allocation of redundancies in series and parallel systems with two components by assuming components and redundancies are dependent. That is, we perform the stochastic comparisons of the series (parallel) systems in the case of two redundancies at the component level. Specifically, we examine the stochastic comparisons across three scenarios: (i) components (and redundancies) have dependent lifetimes but are independent of each other, and components (redundancies) have identical marginal distributions in the two generated systems; (ii) components (and redundancies) have dependent lifetimes and are independent of each other, but the marginal distributions of components (redundancies) are different in the two generated system; and (iii) components and redundancies are interdependent and the marginals of the components (redundancies) in the two generated systems are same. In this study, we model the dependency using the concept of copula and perform the desired stochastic comparisons using generalized distorted distribution functions. Furthermore, we demonstrate our findings through various examples and counterexamples. Finally, we provide a simulation‐based study and a real data analysis to illustrate our findings.
Fluorescence Probe for Detection of Malathion Using Sulfur Quantum Dots@Graphitic‐Carbon Nitride Nanocomposite
Authors: Kumar Jothi Vinoth , Rhim Jong‐Whan
Published: January 2025

A novel fluorescence‐based sensor has been developed for the sensitive detection of malathion, an organophosphorus pesticide, using sulfur‐doped quantum dots (SQDs) embedded within graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C₃N₄) nanosheets. The SQDs were synthesized through a hydrothermal method, whereas the g‐C₃N₄ nanosheets were produced via an exfoliation process. The resulting SQDs@g‐C₃N₄ nanocomposite demonstrated outstanding performance for malathion detection in food samples, exhibiting a wide linear detection range of 10–120 μM and an exceptionally low detection limit of 0.02 μM. This sensitivity allows for accurate and rapid pesticide monitoring at trace levels. The sensor's performance was optimized by varying experimental conditions, ensuring that it provided high sensitivity, excellent stability, and impressive selectivity toward malathion, even in complex food matrices.
Alterations in Protein Phosphorylation and Arginine Biosynthesis Metabolism Confer β‐Phenylethanol Tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Yang Chenghan , Ren Yilin , Zhang Li , Li Yina , Wang Chunxia , Hang Haifeng , Tian Xiwei , Mohsin Ali , Chu Ju , Zhuang Yingping
Published: January 2025

The aromatic compound β‐phenylethanol (2‐PE) is inherently toxic and can inhibit cell activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, making it highly challenging to enhance strain tolerance through rational design due to the lack of reliable connections between tolerance phenotype and genetic loci. This study employed adaptive laboratory evolution strategy to investigate the tolerance characteristics of S. cerevisiae S288C under inhibitory concentrations of 2‐PE. The tolerant mutant SEC4.0 was characterized through comprehensive analysis of whole genome sequence, transcriptome, and phosphoproteome. The findings revealed that the high resistance of SEC4.0 was not primarily due to large‐scale transcriptional upregulation of stress response genes, but rather through alterations in the phosphorylation levels of lipid‐related pathways. PKC1 mutations that affect stress signal transduction and SPT3 mutations that affect arginine biosynthesis have been shown to significantly enhance 2‐PE resistance. This study also investigated the effects of exogenous amino acid addition and synergistic effects with two key mutanted genes on 2‐PE resistance. This study provides a foundation for enhancing yeast tolerance to this aromatic compound through rational design strategies.
Transcatheter Stenting to Restore Cross‐Sectional Area of Extracardiac Fontan Conduits
Authors: Patel Neil D. , Saadat Edris , Sullivan Patrick M. , Cheng Andrew L. , Takao Cheryl , Berman Darren P.
Published: January 2025

Background

Reduction in cross‐sectional area (CSA) of extracardiac Fontan conduits (EFC) is a known complication of the Fontan operation. Relief of obstruction is crucial for optimal Fontan physiology. The aim of this study is to describe technical aspects and outcomes of EFC stenting and short‐term follow‐up.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed of patients who underwent stent implantation in EFCs with reduced CSA from July 2011 to February 2024. The expected conduit CSA was calculated based on the implanted EFC diameter. The minimum CSA before and after stent implantation was calculated. The minimum EFC diameter and CSA were compared pre‐ and post‐intervention. Data are presented as median [interquartile range].

Results

Sixty‐five patients with reduced EFC CSA underwent stent implantation (median age: 13.3 [12.5, 16.8] years, median weight: 49.5 [41.6, 65.4] kg). Forty‐seven (72.3%) catheterizations were performed for routine surveillance. In the 63 patients with a known original EFC size, the median reduction in EFC CSA was 36.0 [29,46] %. The minimum CSA was significantly smaller than the expected CSA (157.2 [133.7, 180.1] mm2 vs. 254.5 [254.5, 254.5] mm2, p < 0.0001). Including all patients the minimum EFC diameter and CSA were 12.5 [11.6, 13.4] mm and 153.8 [133.7, 179.7] mm2, respectively. Following stent placement EFC diameter and CSA improved to 16.8 [16.2, 17.8] mm (p < 0.0001) and 234.8 [223.4, 269.2] mm2 (p < 0.0001), respectively. The EFC CSA was 96.8 [89.2, 108.4] % of the expected CSA based on the original EFC diameter. In 24 (36.9%) patients the EFC CSA following stent placement was greater than the expected CSA. There were nine complications in total, of which two were related to EFC stenting.

Conclusions

Stent implantation can safely and effectively restore EFC CSA. In select cases, conduits can be expanded beyond the stated diameter.