bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advanced practice occupational therapy led triage and treatment clinic for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome in an Irish public hospital
Authors: O’Donnell Michelle , Eadie Patricia , Dorairaj Jemima , Stapleton Tadhg
Published: February 2023

Introduction

A pilot CTS Triage and Treat clinic led by an Advanced Practice Occupational Therapist was established to address the CTS wait list at a large urban hospital. The aims of this pilot were to develop a clinical triage and screening protocol to inform the stratification of patients for suitable treatment options and to reduce waiting time.

Methods

A cross sectional study with follow up was conducted, patients on the wait list at time of commencement of the pilot and subsequent referrals over a 1‐year period were recruited. Triage consisted of tests of sensibility, self‐rating measures, provocative tests and detailed patient to inform the subsequent treatment stratification, conservative, injection, surgery, or further investigation. Nonparametric analyses were used to test relationships between the test scores and to complete subgroup comparisons.

Results

Eighty‐nine patients were triaged over the pilot period, 62 (70%) had a positive Phalen's at triage. Following triage 48 (54%) patients were stratified for conservative management, injection (n = 23, 26%) and surgery/differential diagnosis (n = 18, 20%). Statistically significant differences in BCTQ (SSS and FSS) and Q‐DASH scores were noted across the three outcome groups, with lower scores among those commenced on conservative management. BCTQ (SSS) scores were aligned with the Semmes Weinstein Monofilaments sensibility thresholds. Wait times showed a marked decrease from 10 to 2 months over the period of the pilot.

Discussion

Findings highlight the positive impact of occupational therapy led triage and treat approach in the reduction of wait time for assessment and treatment for patients with CTS.
Sex differences in response to lifestyle intervention among children and adolescents: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Mast Alexis , Peña Armando , Bolch Charlotte A. , Shaibi Gabriel , Vander Wyst Kiley B.
Published: February 2023

Objective

Little is known about sex differences in response to lifestyle interventions among pediatric populations. The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate sex differences in adiposity following lifestyle interventions among children and adolescents with overweight or obesity aged 6 to 18 years old.

Methods

Searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and MEDLINE (from inception to March 2021), and references from included articles were examined. Eligibility criteria included children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years with overweight or obesity, randomization to a lifestyle intervention versus a control group, and assessment of at least one adiposity measure. Corresponding authors were contacted to obtain summary statistics by sex (n = 14/49).

Results

Of 89 full‐text articles reviewed, 49 (55%) were included, of which 33 (67%) reported statistically significant intervention effects on adiposity. Only two studies (4%) evaluated sex differences in response to lifestyle intervention, reporting conflicting results. The results of the meta‐regression models demonstrated no significant differences in the treatment effect between male and female youth for weight (beta = −0.05, SE = 0.18, z = −0.28, p = 0.8), BMI (beta = 0.03, SE = 0.14, z = 0.19, p = 0.85), BMI z score (beta = −0.04, SE = 0.18, z = −0.23, p = 0.82), percentage body fat (beta = −0.11, SE = 0.16, z = −0.67, p = 0.51), and waist circumference (beta = −0.30, SE = 0.25, z = −1.18, p = 0.24).

Conclusions

The meta‐analysis revealed that youth with overweight or obesity do not demonstrate a differential response to lifestyle intervention in relation to adiposity‐related outcomes.
Correlation between partial thromboplastin time and thromboelastography in adult critically ill patients requiring bivalirudin for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Buckley Mitchell S. , Benanti Grace E. , Meckel Jordan , Tekle Luwam A. , Gilbert Brian , Puebla Neira Daniel , McNierney Dakota A. , Korkames Grace , Yerondopoulos Melanie , Park Andrew , O'Hea Jennifer A. , MacLaren Robert
Published: February 2023

Study Objective

Thromboelastography (TEG) offers a more dynamic assessment of hemostasis over activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). However, the clinical utility of TEG in monitoring bivalirudin during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between aPTT and TEG in adult ECMO patients anticoagulated with bivalirudin.

Design

Multicenter, retrospective, cohort study conducted over a 2‐year period.

Setting

Two academic university medical centers (Banner University Medical Center) in Phoenix and Tucson, AZ.

Patients

Adult patients requiring ECMO and bivalirudin therapy with ≥1 corresponding standard TEG and aPTT plasma samples drawn ≤4 h of each other were included. The primary endpoint was to determine the correlation coefficient between the standard TEG reaction (R) time and bivalirudin aPTT serum concentrations.

Measurements and Main Results

A total of 104 patients consisting of 848 concurrent laboratory assessments of R time and aPTT were included. A moderate correlation between TEG R time and aPTT was demonstrated in the study population (r = 0.41; p < 0.001). Overall, 502 (59.2%) concurrent assessments of TEG R time and aPTT values showed agreement on whether they were sub‐, supra‐, or therapeutic according to the institution's classification for bivalirudin. The 42.2% (n = 271/642) discordant TEG R times among “therapeutic” aPTT were almost equally distributed between subtherapeutic and supratherapeutic categories.

Conclusions

Moderate correlation was found between TEG R time and aPTT associated with bivalirudin during ECMO in critically ill adults. Further research is warranted to address the optimal test to guide clinical decision‐making for anticoagulation dosing in ECMO patients.
Study on Mechanical Improvement of CL‐20 Energetic Co‐Crystals Based PBX by Surface Modification
Authors: Zeng Chengcheng , Yang Zongwei , Liu Jiahui , Ding Ling , Hao Shilong , Gong Feiyan , Yang Zhijian
Published: February 2023

Low melting point compound MTNP was usually adopt to form co‐crystal explosive with CL‐20 to reduce sensitivity, and the co‐crystal may have the potential of green engineering application. Improving mechanical properties of co‐crystals explosive is one of the effective ways to broaden its practical application. In this work, CL‐20/MTNP energetic co‐crystal was selected to be coated by polydopamine (PDA) and neutral bonding agent (NBA), with enhanced mechanical properties and developed interfacial strength between crystal and binder. The TG‐DSC curve showed that thermal decomposition of co‐crystal explosives divided into two steps, and the melting point delayed to 210 °C compared with that of MTNP. After surface modification, the storage modulus of PBX was increased by more than 20 % at the temperature range of (25–120) °C, and creep strain was also effectively reduced. The Brazilian and compressive strength of PDA coating samples increased by 69.89 % and 210.53 % respectively, as well as improved elongation, leading to increased fracture toughness. Here, the highlighted modification on the surface of CL‐20/MTNP co‐crystal can be used as a reference insight to improve the mechanical properties of new explosives.
Constant domain polymorphisms influence monoclonal antibody stability and dynamics
Authors: Warrender Annmaree K. , Pan Jolyn , Pudney Chris R. , Arcus Vickery L. , Kelton William
Published: February 2023

The constant regions of clinical monoclonal antibodies are derived from a select number of allotypes found in IgG subclasses. Despite a long‐term acknowledgment that this diversity may impact both antibody function and developability, there is a lack of data on the stability of variants carrying these mutations. Here, we generated a panel of IgG1, IgG2, and IgG3 antibodies with 32 unique constant region alleles and performed a systematic comparison of stability using red edge excitation shift (REES). This technique exploits the fluorescent properties of tryptophan residues to measure antibody structural dynamics which predict flexibility and the propensity to unfold. Our REES measurements revealed broad stability differences between subclasses with IgG3 possessing the poorest overall stability. Further interrogation of differences between variants within each subclass enabled the high‐resolution profiling of individual allotype stabilities. Crucially, these observed differences were not found to be linked to N297‐linked glycan heterogeneity. Our work demonstrates diverse stabilities (and dynamics) for a range of naturally occurring constant domain alleles and the utility of REES as a method for rapid and sensitive antibody stability profiling, requiring only laboratory spectrophotometry equipment.
N,N‐dimethyltryptamine affects electroencephalography response in a concentration‐dependent manner—A pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analysis
Authors: Eckernäs Emma , Timmermann Christopher , Carhart‐Harris Robin , Röshammar Daniel , Ashton Michael
Published: February 2023

N,N‐dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a psychedelic substance and is being used as a research tool in investigations of the neurobiology behind the human consciousness using different brain imaging techniques. The effects of psychedelics have commonly been studied using electroencephalography (EEG) and have been shown to produce suppression of alpha power and increase in signal diversity. However, the relationship between DMT exposure and its EEG effects has never been quantified. In this work, a population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analysis was performed investigating the relationship between DMT plasma concentrations and its EEG effects. Data were obtained from a clinical study where DMT was administered by intravenous bolus dose to 13 healthy subjects. The effects on alpha power, beta power, and Lempel‐Ziv complexity were evaluated. DMT was shown to fully suppress alpha power. Beta power was only partially suppressed, whereas an increase in Lempel‐Ziv complexity was observed. The relationship between plasma concentrations and effects were described using effect compartment models with sigmoidal maximum inhibitory response or maximum stimulatory response models. Values of the concentration needed to reach half of the maximum response (EC50,e) were estimated at 71, 137, and 54 nM for alpha, beta, and Lempel‐Ziv complexity, respectively. A large amount of between‐subject variability was associated with both beta power and Lempel‐Ziv complexity with coefficients of variability of 75% and 77% for the corresponding EC50,e values, respectively. Alpha power appeared to be the most robust response, with a between‐subject variability in EC50,e of 29%. Having a deeper understanding of these processes might prove beneficial in choosing appropriate doses and response biomarkers in the future clinical development of DMT.
Aqueous extract ofCeratonia siliquaL. leaves elicits antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, andAChEinhibiting effects in amyloid‐β42‐induced cognitive deficit mice: Role ofα7‐nAChRin modulating Jak2/PI3K/Akt/GSK‐3β/β‐catenin cascade
Authors: El Sayed Nesrine S. , Abidar Sara , Nhiri Mohamed , Hritcu Lucian , Ibrahim Weam W.
Published: February 2023

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder attributed to several etiological factors including cholinergic dysregulation, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, β‐amyloidogenesis, and tauopathy. This demands the search for multitarget drugs, especially of natural sources owing to their pleiotropic activities and low adverse effects. The present study was conducted to investigate the cognitive‐improving potential ofCeratonia siliquaL. (Cs) extract compared with donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, on AD‐like pathological alterations induced by single intracerebroventricular amyloid‐β42 (Aβ42) injection in mice. Aβ42‐injected mice were treated with Cs (100 mg/kg/day, po) with or without methyllycaconitine (MLA; 1 mg/kg/day, ip), an α7‐nAChR antagonist. Aβ42‐injected animals demonstrated an elevation of hippocampal Aβ42, p‐Tau, and acetylcholinesterase. They also showed a decline in phosphorylated levels of Jak2, PI3K, Akt, and GSK‐3β, leading to induction of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Noteworthy, Cs improved the histopathological and behavioral variables in addition to mitigating AD hallmarks. It also exerted neuroprotection by reducing NF‐κBp65 and TNF‐α, while elevating Nrf2 and HO‐1, along with stabilizing β‐catenin under the impact of Jak2/PI3K/Akt/GSK‐3β signaling. These beneficial effects of Cs were abrogated by MLA co‐administration signifying the α7‐nAChR involvement in Cs‐mediated effects. Therefore, Cs can ameliorate Aβ42‐induced neurodegeneration by modulating Jak2/PI3K/Akt/GSK‐3β/β‐catenin axis in an α7‐nAChR‐dependent manner.
Enablers and barriers of COVID‐19 vaccination efforts in Nepal
Authors: Chhetri Sunit , Manandar Srista , Chhetri Sunny , Acharya Astha , Regmi Swapnil , Gurudhami Dil Bahadur , Dorji Thinley
Published: February 2023

Nepal, a landlocked country with a population of 29.1 million faced great socioeconomic, financial, and social hardships during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Nepal had increasing cases of COVID‐19 despite multiple lockdowns and travel restrictions. Nepal reported 1,000,775 cases and 12,019 deaths till early November 2022. Timely government decisions, strategic political diplomacy, flexible vaccine policy, and multiple loan deals helped Nepal secure the COVID‐19 vaccine from India in a commendable time frame. With the existing structure of the primary health care settings and experience of having implemented childhood vaccination campaigns, Nepal rolled out the COVID‐19 vaccines across the nation on 27 January 2021. However, the delta wave was a devastating blow to South Asia with a high number of hospitalizations and deaths and a complete disruption of the COVID‐19 vaccine supply from India. The government ran a relentless effort in COVID‐19 vaccination and provided full vaccination to 33% of the total population by the end of 2021 and 81.1% by May 2022. The booster doses were administered beginning in 2022, but the campaign efforts have been lethargic with a coverage of only 29.2% and a lack of keen support from the public. The emergence of new variants of the virus continues to pose a challenge in controlling the disease and reopening the country to pre‐pandemic levels of socioeconomic activities.
Agricultural and municipal organic waste amendments to increase soil organic carbon: How much, how often, and to what end?
Authors: Parton William J. , Kelly Robin H. , Hartman Melannie D. , Revallier Agathe , de Faria Ana Barbara Bisinella , Naves‐Maschietto Gabriela , Orvain Marie , Houot Sabine , Albuquerque Maria , Kech Sebastian
Published: February 2023

A new version of the Century ecosystem model, modified to better represent chemically and physically recalcitrant organic amendments by allowing the addition of organic waste products (OWP) as a mixture of plant material and surface slow soil organic matter (SOM) controlled by the Indicator of Residual Organic Carbon (IROC), and field observations from a 16‐year wheat corn rotation experiment near Paris, France, were used to assess the long‐term impacts of applying agricultural and municipal organic waste products (OWP) on soil carbon (C) sequestration, grain C and nutrient content, and soil nutrient status. Sixteen years of observed grain C, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) and soil C and nutrient data were used to calibrate and validate the performance of IROC‐Century. A suite of future management scenarios, simulated using this calibrated model, explored multiple frequencies of applications of OWP and fertilizer to evaluate their long‐term impacts on grain C and nutrient content, soil C sequestration, and NO3− leaching. The model effectively simulated the impact of biennial additions of four OWP types on soil C, N, P, and K during the 16‐year experiment. Measured and simulated OWP +fertilizer resulted in higher soil C (highest for well‐decomposed [55%] vs. less‐decomposed [37%] OWP) and N content, while total soil accumulation of N, P, and K was determined by the content of the OWP, regardless of IROC, and OWP greatly reduced the need to add chemical fertilizer while increasing crop production and N, P, and K uptake by the crop. Simulation scenarios using IROC‐Century for future management suggest that the optimal cropping management system to maintain high corn and wheat production and reduce NO3− leaching is to apply OWP biennially for 12 years along with fertilizer and then reduce OWP to every fourth year while continuing to add fertilizer to the wheat crop only. However, reducing the number of OWP additions in these scenarios did decrease the rate of soil carbon sequestration.
Self‐Propelled Ultrasmall AuNPs‐Tannic Acid Hybrid Nanozyme with ROS‐Scavenging and Anti‐Inflammatory Activity for Drug‐Induced Liver Injury Alleviation
Authors: Zhou Chunyu , Zhang Liang , Xu Zhongsheng , Sun Tao , Gong Mingfu , Liu Yun , Zhang Dong
Published: February 2023

Developing nanomedicines with superior reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capability has emerged as a promising strategy in treating ROS‐related diseases, for example, drug‐induced liver injury. However, designing nanoscavengers with the self‐propelling ability to scavenge ROS actively remains challenging. Here, a self‐propelled silica‐supported ultrasmall gold nanoparticles‐tannic acid hybrid nanozyme (SAuPTB) is designed that can effectively alleviate acetaminophen (APAP)‐induced liver injury by scavenging excessive ROS and regulating inflammation. SAuPTB exhibits multienzyme activity and displays significantly enhanced diffusion under hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). This in vitro research shows that SAuPTB can effectively eliminate ROS, increasing the viability of H2O2‐stimulated cells and reducing the cytotoxicity of APAP/H2O2‐treated AML12 cells. The in vivo studies show that SAuPTB can accumulate at inflammatory sites in mouse liver, resulting in the decrease of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and ROS, reduction in pro‐inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, hence reduced hepatocyte necrosis, liver injury, and mortality. Furthermore, SAuPTB activates the nuclear erythroid 2‐related factor 2 pathway to upregulate antioxidative genes and reduce oxidative stress. Finally, the liver shows decreased high mobility group box 1 and F4/80+macrophages, suggesting an anti‐inflammatory response. This work provides a novel design strategy of nanozymes for ROS‐related disease treatment.
Oral Metal‐Free Melanin Nanozymes for Natural and Durable Targeted Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Authors: Huang Qiong , Yang Yuqi , Zhu Yan , Chen Qiaohui , Zhao Tianjiao , Xiao Zuoxiu , Wang Mingyuan , Song Xiangping , Jiang Yitian , Yang Yunrong , Zhang Jinping , Xiao Yang , Nan Yayun , Wu Wei , Ai Kelong
Published: February 2023

Oral antioxidant nanozymes bring great promise for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment. To efficiently eliminate reactive oxygen species (ROS), various metal‐based nanozymes have been developed for the treatment of IBD but their practical applications are seriously impaired by unstable ROS‐eliminating properties and potential metal ion leakage in the digestive tract. Here, the authors for the first time propose metal‐free melanin nanozymes (MeNPs) with excellent gastrointestinal stability and biocompatibility as a favorable therapy strategy for IBD. Moreover, MeNPs have extremely excellent natural and long‐lasting characteristics of targeting IBD lesions. In view of the dominant role of ROS in IBD, the authors further reveal that oral administration of MeNPs can greatly alleviate the six major pathological features of IBD: oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, apoptosis, inflammation, gut barrier disruption, and gut dysbiosis. Overall, this strategy highlights the great clinical application prospects of metal‐free MeNPs via harnessing ROS scavenging at IBD lesions, offering a paradigm for antioxidant nanozyme in IBD or other inflammatory diseases.
Synthesis of Phase Junction Cadmium Sulfide Photocatalyst under Sulfur‐Rich Solution System for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Zheng Xinlong , Song Yiming , Liu Yuhao , Li Jing , Yang Yingjie , Wu Daoxiong , Liu Weifeng , Shen Yijun , Tian Xinlong
Published: February 2023

Photocatalyst with excellent semiconductor properties is the key point to realize the efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (PHE). As a representative binary metal sulfide (BMS) semiconductor, cadmium sulfide (CdS) possesses suitable bandgap of 2.4 eV and negative conduction band potential, which has a great potential to realize efficient visible‐light PHE performance. In this work, CdS with unique cubic/hexagonal phase junction is facilely synthesized through a sulfur‐rich butyldithiocarbamate acid (BDCA) solution process. The results illustrate that the phase junction can efficiently enhance the separation and transfer of photogenerated electron–hole pairs, resulting in an excellent PHE performance. In addition, the sulfur‐rich property of BDCA solution leads to the absence of additional sulfur sources during the synthesis of CdS photocatalyst, which greatly simplifies the fabrication process. The optimal PHE rate of the BDCA‐synthesized phase junction CdS photocatalyst is 7.294 mmol g–1 h–1 and exhibits a favorable photostability. Moreover, density function theory calculations indicated that the apparent redistribution of charge density in the cubic/hexagonal phase junction regions gives a suitable hydrogen adsorption capacity, which is responsible for the enhanced PHE activity.
A Rare‐Earth Selenite with Unexpectedly Well‐Balanced Ultraviolet Nonlinear Optical Functionality, Sc(HSeO3)3
Authors: Bai Zhiyong , Lee Jihyun , Kim Heewon , Kuk Yunseung , Choi Myung‐Ho , Hu Chun‐Li , Ok Kang Min
Published: February 2023

Establishing high performance ultraviolet (UV) nonlinear optical (NLO) selenite crystals with well‐balanced properties is very challenging attributable to their strong absorption for UV light. Here a rare‐earth selenite, Sc(HSeO3)3, with excellent UV NLO properties is introduced. Sc(HSeO3)3 crystallizing in the polar NCS space group, Cc, features a 3D archetiture built up by interconnected ScO6 octahedra and HSeO3 groups. The crystal exhibits remarkably well‐balanced UV‐NLO functionality, namely, the shortest absorption edge (214 nm) among NLO‐active selenites, wide bandgap (5.28 eV), large phase‐matchable SHG response (5 × KDP), and sufficiently large birefringence (cal. 0.105 @1064 nm). Detailed DFT calculations have been performed to elucidate the structure–property relationships. This work provides a new example of discovering novel UV NLO selenite materials.
3D Printed Graphene‐Based Metamaterials: Guesting Multi‐Functionality in One Gain
Authors: Du Junjie , Fu Gangwen , Xu Xi , Elshahawy Abdelnaby M. , Guan Cao
Published: February 2023

Advanced functional materials with fascinating properties and extended structural design have greatly broadened their applications. Metamaterials, exhibiting unprecedented physical properties (mechanical, electromagnetic, acoustic, etc.), are considered frontiers of physics, material science, and engineering. With the emerging 3D printing technology, the manufacturing of metamaterials becomes much more convenient. Graphene, due to its superior properties such as large surface area, superior electrical/thermal conductivity, and outstanding mechanical properties, shows promising applications to add multi‐functionality into existing metamaterials for various applications. In this review, the aim is to outline the latest developments and applications of 3D printed graphene‐based metamaterials. The structure design of different types of metamaterials and the fabrication strategies for 3D printed graphene‐based materials are first reviewed. Then the representative explorations of 3D printed graphene‐based metamaterials and multi‐functionality that can be introduced with such a combination are further discussed. Subsequently, challenges and opportunities are provided, seeking to point out future directions of 3D printed graphene‐based metamaterials.
Charge Carrier Lifetime Determination in Graded Absorber Solar Cells Using Time‐Resolved Photoluminescence Simulations and Measurements
Authors: Bothwell Alexandra M. , Reich Carey L. , Danielson Adam H. , Onno Arthur , Holman Zachary C. , Sampath Walajabad S. , Kuciauskas Darius
Published: February 2023

Thin‐film photovoltaic device efficiencies are limited by carrier recombination, thus understanding recombination mechanisms is critical for performance improvements. Bulk minority carrier lifetime (τbulk) is a critical parameter for solar cells but is difficult to determine in P–N junction devices, especially for high doping. As doping ≥1016 cm−3is required for efficient drift‐charge‐carrier‐collection devices, a method forτbulkdetermination in doped P–N junction devices is necessary. This work utilizes time‐resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) simulations to quantify bulk and interface recombination properties in highly doped, graded absorber CdSeTe structures. The two methods developed here forτbulkdetermination include utilization of an instantaneous lifetime representation to guide TRPL fitting and direct comparison between measured and simulated decays. Simulations verified that both methods are valid for state‐of‐the‐art device architectures which include graded bandgap absorbers, graded doping, and graded lifetimes. Shifts in the dominant recombination mechanism are identified for sufficiently longτbulk, where front and back interface quality plays a more prominent role. Evaluation of surface recombination velocities and conduction band offset illustrate electro‐optical advantages of a positive conduction band offset and highlight the necessity of improved interfaces as bulk quality in photovoltaic devices improves.
Space‐ and Post‐Flight Characterizations of Perovskite and Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Reb Lennart K. , Böhmer Michael , Predeschly Benjamin , Grott Sebastian , Weindl Christian L. , Ivandekic Goran I. , Guo Renjun , Spanier Lukas V. , Schwartzkopf Matthias , Chumakov Andrei , Dreißigacker Christoph , Gernhäuser Roman , Roth Stephan V. , Meyer Andreas , Müller-Buschbaum Peter
Published: February 2023

Perovskite and organic solar cells are promising for space applications for enabling higher specific powers or alternative deployment systems. However, terrestrial tests can only mimic space conditions to a certain extent. Herein, a detailed analysis of irradiation‐dependent photovoltaic parameters of perovskite and organic solar cells exposed to space conditions during a suborbital flight is presented. In orbital altitudes, perovskite and organic solar cells reach power‐conversion efficiencies of more than 13% and 6%, respectively. Based on postflight grazing‐incidence small‐angle and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering, the active layer morphology and crystalline structure of the returned space solar cells are studied and compared to those of reference solar cells that stayed in an inert atmosphere. Minor changes in the active layer morphology are induced by the sole transport, without causing significant performance loss. For the space solar cells, morphological changes are attributed to the flight experiment that includes rocket launch, spaceflight, and reentry, as well as short‐terrestrial environment exposure before and after launch. In contrast, no significant changes to the crystalline phase are observed. The notable performance during flight and high active layer stability, especially of perovskite solar cells, are promising results for further steps toward an orbital demonstration.
A Wide‐Temperature Adaptive Aqueous Zinc‐Air Battery‐Based on Cu–Co Dual Metal–Nitrogen‐Carbon/Nanoparticle Electrocatalysts
Authors: Feng Jinxiu , Zheng Dong , Yin Ruilian , Niu Xinxin , Xu Xilian , Meng Shibo , Ma Suli , Shi Wenhui , Wu Fangfang , Liu Wenxian , Cao Xiehong
Published: February 2023

Zinc‐air batteries (ZABs) are promising electrochemical energy storage devices, but the inherent semi‐open configuration and catalytically dependent working principle make their performance vulnerable to temperature. Herein, a tunable multi‐site electrocatalyst is manufactured as the cathode for wide‐temperature adaptive aqueous ZABs, comprising Cu–Co dual metal–nitrogen–carbon‐coupled with metal nanoparticles (CuCo‐NC/NPs). The multi‐components synergistically optimize the electronic structure of active sites in CuCo‐NC/NPs, which endows them with low apparent activation energy (Ea) and high activity for oxygen reduction reaction. Moreover, the CuCo‐NC/NPs‐based aqueous ZABs demonstrate satisfactory stability over 540 h, and a high specific capacity of 806 mAh gzn−1 at 10 mA cm−2 at room temperature, outperforming that of Pt/C and many recent report catalysts based ZABs. Even at −30 and 60 °C, the assembled ZABs can deliver more than 88.1% and 95.5% of its room‐temperature specific capacity, as well as superior cycling stability, paving the way for practical applications of aqueous ZABs under extreme conditions.
Stabbündelstützen mit hochfestem Bewehrungsstahl
Authors: Röß Rudolf , Ameri Shaghayegh , Mensinger Martin , Zehfuß Jochen
Published: February 2023

Im Rahmen des AiF‐Projekts „Stabbündelstützen mit hochfestem Bewehrungsstahl“ wurde das Tragverhalten von Stabbündelstützen bei Raumtemperatur und im Brandfall untersucht. Stabbündelstützen sind eine neue Art von Verbundstützen. Hierzu wird ein Bündel aus hochfesten Bewehrungsstäben mit einer Streckgrenze von 670 MPa in ein Stahlrohr eingestellt und anschließend mit Mörtel verpresst. Das Bündel kann aus 1, 3, 7 oder 19 Stäben bestehen. Um das Tragverhalten zu analysieren, wurden relevante Materialparameter im Kalt‐ und im Brandfall bestimmt. Anschließend wurden großmaßstäbliche Knickversuche unter Raumtemperatur und im Brandfall durchgeführt. Unter Berücksichtigung der erzielten Ergebnisse wurde ein FE‐Modell erstellt und kalibriert. Auf dieser Basis wurde ein Bemessungskonzept ausgearbeitet.
Locating illness behavior as a social practice among women in Jammu city
Authors: Sharma Swati , Mishra Anindya J.
Published: February 2023

This paper seeks to understand the patterns of social experiences of women patients by means of an empirical study undertaken in the Jammu region of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir in India. Social factors play an immense role in determining the onset and management of lifestyle diseases among South Asian women. These social factors entail some peculiar entities that require detailed investigation. Data were collected in Government Medical College Hospital, Jammu, and its allied hospitals. Results show that for women, social factors and their impact on illness patterns have a strong bearing on their care‐seeking behavior. Care‐seeking behavior of women in this part of the country is determined by their social status and is determined by the meanings that are provided to these illness experiences. Therefore, physical pain and related symptoms were not found to impact these women as much as changes in their socio‐familial status due to the onset of lifestyle diseases. These diseases can broadly be categorized into three categories, namely, socially stigmatising diseases, socially irrelevant diseases, and socio‐economically burdensome diseases. However, these categories are not fixed for a particular disease. As the experiences of the women undergo change, so does the categorization of the disease. Hence, diabetes may be a socially irrelevant disease at one point of time. Nevertheless, as the condition of the patient deteriorates, diabetes becomes a socio‐economically burdensome disease. That is why lifestyle diseases keeps circulating from one category to another every time a patient encounters a new result arising from a lifestyle disease.
Drell-Yan production in third-generation gauge vector leptoquark models at NLO+PS in QCD
Authors: Haisch Ulrich , Schnell Luc , Schulte Stefan
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Motivated by the long-standing hints of lepton-flavour non-universality in the b → cℓν and b → sℓ+ℓ− channels, we study Drell-Yan ditau production at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). In the context of models with third-generation gauge vector leptoquarks (LQs), we calculate the complete $$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
(αs) corrections to the pp → τ+τ− process, achieving next-to-leading order (NLO) plus parton shower (NLO+PS) accuracy using the POWHEG method. We provide a dedicated Monte Carlo code that evaluates the NLO QCD corrections on-the-fly in the event generation and use it to study the numerical impact of NLO+PS corrections on the kinematic distributions that enter the existing experimental searches for non-resonant ditau final states. Based on our phenomenological analysis we derive NLO accurate constraints on the masses and couplings of third-generation gauge vector LQs using the latest LHC ditau search results corresponding to an integrated luminosity of around 140 fb−1 of proton-proton collisions at $$ \sqrt{s} $$

s

= 13 TeV. The presented NLO+PS generator allows for an improved signal modelling, making it an essential tool for future ATLAS and CMS searches for vector LQs in τ+τ− final states at LHC Run III and beyond.
On two-body and three-body spin correlations in leptonic $$ t\overline{t}Z $$ production and anomalous couplings at the LHC
Authors: Rahaman Rafiqul
Published: February 2023

Abstract

We study the anomalous $$ t\overline{t}Z $$
t

t
¯

Z
couplings in the $$ t\overline{t}Z $$
t

t
¯

Z
production in leptonic final state at the 13 TeV LHC. We use the polarizations of top quarks and Z boson, two-body and three-body spin correlations among the top quarks and Z boson, and the cross section to probe the anomalous couplings. We estimate one parameter and simultaneous limits on the couplings of the effective vertex as well as the effective operators for a set of luminosities 150 fb−1, 300 fb−1, 1000 fb−1, and 3000 fb−1. The polarizations and the spin correlations are found to be helpful on top of the cross section to better constrain the anomalous couplings.
Loop corrections in Minkowski spacetime away from equilibrium. Part II. Finite-time results
Authors: Chaykov Spasen , Agarwal Nishant , Bahrami Sina , Holman R.
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Loop corrections to finite-time correlation functions in quantum field theories away from equilibrium can be calculated using the in-in path integral approach. In this paper, we calculate the unequal-time two-point correlator for different massless self-interacting scalar quantum field theories on a Minkowski background, starting the field evolution at an arbitrary initial time. We find the counterterms that need to be added to UV-renormalize the result, including usual in-out counterterms in the dynamics and additional initial state counterterms that are required to cancel all UV divergences. We find that the late-time limit of the renormalized correlation function exhibits a linear or logarithmic growth in time, depending on whether the interaction strength is dimension-one or dimensionless, respectively. The late-time correlations match those obtained in our companion paper and, as shown there, the divergences do not indicate a real IR issue, consistent with what one would expect in Minkowski.
Phase and stability of black strings in Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet theory at large D
Authors: Suzuki Ryotaku , Tomizawa Shinya
Published: February 2023

Abstract

The phase and stability of black strings in the Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet (EGB) theory are investigated by using the large D effective theory approach. The spacetime metric and thermodynamics are derived up to the next-to-leading order (NLO) in the 1/D expansion. We find that the entropy current defined by the Iyer-Wald formula follows the second law. As in the Einstein theory, the entropy difference from the total mass produces an entropy functional for the effective theory. Including the NLO correction, we find that for the large Gauss-Bonnet coupling constant αGB, the Gregory-Laflamme instability of uniform black strings needs longer wavelength. Moreover, we show that the critical dimension, beyond which non-uiform black strings becomes more stable than uniform ones, increases as αGB becomes large, and approaches to a finite value for αGB→ ∞.
Ultraviolet completion of pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone dark matter with a hidden U(1) gauge symmetry
Authors: Liu Dan-Yang , Cai Chengfeng , Jiang Xue-Min , Yu Zhao-Huan , Zhang Hong-Hao
Published: February 2023

Abstract

We propose an ultraviolet completion model for pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone dark matter with a hidden U(1) gauge symmetry. Compared to previous studies, this setup is simpler, introducing less interactions. Dark matter scattering off nucleons is highly suppressed by the ultraviolet scale and direct detection constraints can be easily evaded. The kinetic mixing between the hidden U(1) and the U(1)Y gauge fields would lead to dark matter decays. We find that the current bound on the dark matter lifetime implies that the ultraviolet scale should be higher than 1010 GeV. The phenomenological constraints from the 125 GeV Higgs measurements, the dark matter relic density, and indirect detection of dark matter annihilation are also investigated.
Stable cohomology of graph complexes
Authors: Felder Matteo , Naef Florian , Willwacher Thomas
Published: February 2023

We study three graph complexes related to the higher genus Grothendieck–Teichmüller Lie algebra and diffeomorphism groups of manifolds. We show how the cohomology of these graph complexes is related, and we compute the cohomology as the genusgtends to$$\infty $$∞. As a byproduct, we find that the Malcev completion of the genusgmapping class group relative to the symplectic group is Koszul in the stable limit, partially answering a question of Hain.
Chemotherapie ± Androgenrezeptorantagonisten beim metastasierten hormonsensitiven Prostatakarzinom
Authors: Wenzel Mike , Hoeh Benedikt , Chun Felix K. H. , Mandel Philipp
Published: February 2023

Hintergrund

Nachdem die alleinige Androgendeprivationstherapie (ADT) lange Zeit die Goldstandardbehandlung des metastasierten hormonsensitiven Prostatakarzinoms (mHSPC) war, wurde diese in den letzten Jahren durch Doublet-Kombinationstherapien aus ADT + erweiterte Hormontherapie (ARTA, „androgen receptor targeted agent“) oder ADT + Docetaxel-Chemotherapie abgelöst. Erstmals stehen nun Daten aus Triplet-Kombinationstherapien aus ADT + ARTA (Abirateron/Darolutamid) + Docetaxel-Chemotherapie zur Verfügung.

Fragestellung

Welcher mHSPC-Patient profitiert von einer „Doublet“- vs. „Triplet-Kombinationstherapie“ und welches Nebenwirkungsspektrum ist jeweils zu erwarten?

Ergebnisse

Die aktuellen Triplet-Therapien (ADT + Docetaxel + Abirateron/Darolutamid) zeigen eine Verlängerung des Gesamtüberlebens gegenüber der Doublet-Therapie aus ADT + Docetaxel aller mHSPC (ARASENS) bzw. primär metastasierten „High-volume-“ (PEACE-1) mHSPC-Patienten. Im Setting des High-volume-mHSPC zeigt sich dieser positive Gesamtüberlebenseffekt explizit für die Triplet-Kombination aus ADT + Docetaxel + Abirateron. Beim Low-volume-mHSPC zeigt sich dieser Effekt lediglich für das progressionsfreie Überleben – jedoch nicht für das Gesamtüberleben. Ähnliche Darolutamid‑/Triplet-Kombinationstherapie’ Daten (High- vs. Low-volume-mHSPC) liegen aktuell nicht vor. Die Nebenwirkungsraten von „Triplet- vs. Doublet-Kombinationstherapie“ sind nur leicht erhöht und v. a. auf typische Chemotherapie-assoziierte (Neutropenie) und Androgenrezeptorantagonisten (ARTA)-spezifische Nebenwirkungen (Abirateron) zurückzuführen.

Die ADT-Mono- und die „Doublet-Kombinationstherapie“ aus ADT + Docetaxel sollten in der Erstlinientherapie beim mHSPC keine Rolle mehr spielen. Bis zum Vorliegen weiterführender Daten über den Zusatznutzen der „Triplet-Kombinationstherapie“ in relevanten Subgruppen, stellen die Kombinationstherapien aus ADT + ARTA bzw. ADT + ARTA + Docetaxel in Abhängigkeit patientenspezifischer Charakteristika (Alter, ECOG [Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group], Metastasenlast, primäre/sekundäre Metastasierung) die aktuelle primären Therapieoptionen dar.
3XOR Games with Perfect Commuting Operator Strategies Have Perfect Tensor Product Strategies and are Decidable in Polynomial Time
Authors: Bene Watts Adam , Helton J. William
Published: February 2023

We consider 3XOR games with perfect commuting operator strategies. Given any 3XOR game, we show existence of a perfect commuting operator strategy for the game can be decided in polynomial time. Previously this problem was not known to be decidable. Our proof leads to a construction, showing a 3XOR game has a perfect commuting operator strategy iff it has a perfect tensor product strategy using a 3 qubit (8 dimensional) GHZ state. This shows that for perfect 3XOR games the advantage of a quantum strategy over a classical strategy (defined by the quantum-classical bias ratio) is bounded. This is in contrast to the general 3XOR case where the optimal quantum strategies can require high dimensional states and there is no bound on the quantum advantage. To prove these results, we first show equivalence between deciding the value of an XOR game and solving an instance of the subgroup membership problem on a class of right angled Coxeter groups. We then show, in a proof that consumes most of this paper, that the instances of this problem corresponding to 3XOR games can be solved in polynomial time.
Diverse Microbial Hot Spring Mat Communities at Black Canyon of the Colorado River
Authors: Moreno Ivan J. , Brahamsha Bianca , Donia Mohamed S. , Palenik Brian
Published: February 2023

The thermophilic microbial mat communities at hot springs in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, thought to harbor the protistan human pathogen Naegleria fowleri, were surveyed using both culture-independent and -dependent methods to further understand the ecology of these hot spring microbiomes. Originating from Lake Mead source water, seven spring sites were sampled, varying in temperature from 25 to 55 °C. Amplicon-based high-throughput sequencing of twelve samples using 16S rRNA primers (hypervariable V4 region) revealed that most mats are dominated by cyanobacterial taxa, some but not all similar to those dominating the mats at other studied hot spring systems. 18S rRNA amplicon sequencing (V9 region) demonstrated a diverse community of protists and other eukaryotes including a highly abundant amoebal sequence related to Echinamoeba thermarum. Additional taxonomic and diversity metric analyses using near full-length 16S and 18S rRNA gene sequencing allowed a higher sequence-based resolution of the community. The mat sequence data suggest a major diversification of the cyanobacterial orders Leptolyngbyales, as well as microdiversity among several cyanobacterial taxa. Cyanobacterial isolates included some representatives of ecologically abundant taxa. A Spearman correlation analysis of short-read amplicon sequencing data supported the co-occurrences of populations of cyanobacteria, chloroflexi, and bacteroidetes providing evidence of common microbial co-occurrences across the Black Canyon hot springs.
Class II two-peptide lanthipeptide proteases: exploring LicTP for biotechnological applications
Authors: Barbosa Joana C. , Mösker Eva , Faria Raquel , Süssmuth Roderich D. , Mendo Sónia , Caetano Tânia
Published: February 2023

The enzymatic machinery involved in the biosynthesis of lantibiotic is an untapped source of proteases with different specificities. Lanthipeptide biosynthesis requires proteolysis of specific target sequences by known proteases, which are encoded by contiguous genes. Herein, the activity of lichenicidin A2 (LicA2) trimming proteases (LicP and LicT) was investigated in vivo. Firstly, the impact of some residues and the size of the peptide were evaluated. Then followed trials in which LicA2 leader was evaluated as a tag to direct production and secretion of other relevant peptides. Our results show that a negatively charged residue (preferably Glu) at cleavage site is important for LicP efficacy. Some mutations of the lichenicidin hexapeptide such as Val-4Ala, Asp-5Ala, Asn-6Ser, and the alteration of GG-motif to GA resulted in higher processing rates, indicating the possibility of improved lichenicidin production in Escherichia coli. More importantly, insulin A, amylin (non-lanthipeptides), and epidermin were produced and secreted to E. coli supernatant, when fused to the LicA2 leader peptide. This work aids in clarifying the activity of lantibiotic-related transporters and proteases and to evaluate their possible application in industrial processes of relevant compounds, taking advantage of the potential of microorganisms as biofactories.

Key points

• LicM2 correct activity implies a negatively charged residue at position -1.

• Hexapeptide mutations can increase the amount of fully processed Bliβ.

• LicA2 leader peptide directs LicTP cleavage and secretion of other peptides.

Graphical abstract
Multimorbidity status and annual healthcare expenditures of rheumatoid arthritis patients: a Dutch hospital-centered versus population-based comparison
Authors: Koster Fiona , Bakx Pieter L. H. , Kok Marc R. , Barreto Deirisa Lopes , Weel-Koenders Angelique E. A. M.
Published: February 2023

The prevalence of multimorbidity among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is increasing and associated with worse outcomes. Therefore, management of multimorbid patients requires a multidisciplinary approach. However, healthcare systems consist of mono-disciplinary subsystems, which limits collaboration across subsystems. To study the importance of a multidisciplinary, integrated approach, associations between expenditures and multimorbidity are assessed in real-life data. Retrospective data on RA patients from a Dutch single-hospital are analyzed and compared to the Dutch RA population data. The Elixhauser index is used to measure the multimorbidity prevalence. Regression analyses were conducted to derive the relationship between multimorbidity, healthcare costs and self-reported quality of life (e.g. EQ-5D). When analyzing the impact of multimorbidity within RA patients in context of a single-hospital context, multimorbidity is only partially captured: 13% prevalence versus 24% of the Dutch population. Multimorbidity is associated with higher care expenditures. Depending on the type of multimorbidity, expenditures are €43–€5821 higher in a single-hospital and from €2259–€9648 in population data. Finally, medication use associated with chronic diseases and self-reported aspects of well-being are associated with similar increases in healthcare expenditures as multimorbidity based on hospital care. Within RA, a single-hospital approach underestimates the association between multimorbidity and healthcare expenditures as 43% of healthcare utilization and expenditures are missed. To overcome a single-provider perspective in healthcare and efficiently coordinate multimorbid patients, besides providing holistic care, professionals also need to use data providing comprehensive pictures of patients.