bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brief communication: Post-seismic landslides, the tough lesson of a catastrophe
Authors: Xu Qiang , Fan Xuanmei , Scaringi Gianvito
Published: October 2017

Abstract. The rock avalanche that destroyed the village of Xinmo in Sichuan, China, on June 24th, 2017, brought the issue of landslide risk and disaster chain management in highly seismic regions back into the spotlight. The long-term post-seismic behaviour of mountain slopes is complex and hardly predictable. Nevertheless, the integrated use of field monitoring, remote sensing and real-time predictive modelling can help to set-up effective early warning systems, provide timely alarms, optimize rescue operations and perform secondary hazard assessments. We believe that a comprehensive discussion on post-seismic slope stability and on its implications for policy makers can no longer be postponed.
Aplicaciones didácticas del lenguaje "Soundpainting" en diferentes ámbitos educativos: una herramienta para la creación en tiempo real
Authors: Vidal Belda Oscar , Morant Navasquillo Remigi
Published: October 2017

El objetivo de esta investigación ha sido analizar y describir cómo se ha aplicado el lenguaje Soundpainting en tres ámbitos educativos diferentes. Partiendo de la metodología cualitativa se seleccionaron un conservatorio, un centro de educación primaria y una escuela de música como estudio de caso colectivo. Las diferentes sesiones fueron grabadas en vídeo, revisadas y codificadas con la ayuda de programas de análisis cualitativo. Posteriormente se realizó una entrevista semiestructurada a cada uno de los profesores. Los resultados muestran que aplicando el lenguaje Soundpainting desde la perspectiva del juego y haciendo un uso didáctico de los gestos se facilitó el desarrollo de las capacidades musicales y personales en los alumnos de los tres ámbitos educativos observados, tal y como se describe en las conclusiones.
El sentido de la educación musical en una educación concebida como motor de la economía del conocimiento: una propuesta de marco filosófico
Authors: Fernández-Jiménez Antonio , Jorquera-Jaramillo María-Cecilia
Published: October 2017

Los cambios producidos por la Sociedad y la Economía del Conocimiento están presentes también en las políticas educativas que reducen la importancia de las enseñanzas artísticas y la música en los currículos. En este artículo se revisa la bibliografía sobre la educación musical actual, encontrándose dos enfoques contrapuestos: económico y ciudadano. El segundo se incluye en una educación que pretende desarrollar las múltiples facetas del ser humano para participar en la sociedad actual. La música contribuye a este enfoque ciudadano, pero para ello se necesita elaborar un pensamiento filosófico sobre educación musical capaz de fundamentarla y que responda a temas relevantes, generando conocimiento y acción a través de la música para producir cambios.
Job Satisfaction of Academic Staff in the Higher Education: Evidence from Private Universities in UAE
Authors: Jawabri Adnan
Published: October 2017

Job satisfaction in a work place is a feeling of contentment that a n employee derive from his role and responsibilities in the workplace and is dependent upon a number of factors, pertaining to personal, organizational and environmental factors. Considering the job profile and the demand for quality education among universities, the job satisfaction of academic staff in higher education is also affected. This paper aims to examine the job satisfaction of academic staff in higher education as well as private universities in UAE.This study adopts a quantitative research methodology using survey according to 5-point Likert scale instrument. The survey has been divided into ten internal and external factors to determine job satisfaction of academic staff. The data obtained from the survey has been analysed by using statistical and regression analysis.The study concludes that the academic staff of the private universities in UAE has been significantly satisfied with their jobs. It also found that only few factors have positively influenced job satisfaction, especially, supervisor support, promotion and support from colleagues. On the other hand, the study found that recognition and rewards for work done had a negative impact on job satisfaction of academic staff.This study has important implications for higher education management in the development of job satisfaction of academic staff in the UAE. The authors determined that the selected factors, with few exceptions, behaved accordingly to what was expected.
Over-Valuation: Avoid Double Counting when Retaining Dividends in the FCFE Valuation
Authors: Silva Joao Marques , Pereira Jose Azevedo
Published: October 2017

Valuation based on DCF (Discounted Cash Flow) has been the dominant valuation procedure during the last decades. In spite of this dominance, enterprise valuation using the discounted FCF (Free Cash Flow) model has some practical drawbacks, since there is often some confusion on how to effectively use it. Commonly, the valuation procedures start by estimating future FCF figures from historical data, such as mean FCF, growth and retention ratio, alongside many other variables. These FCF forecasts are discounted at the cost of equity (FCFE – FCF to Equity) or the Weighted Average Cost of Capital WACC (FCFF – FCF to Firm). Implicit in the above mentioned valuation procedures is the expectation that the company puts the retained free cash that is generating to good use, yielding a value capable of rewarding appropriately the level of risk inherent in the way it used. Some poorly performed valuation studies however tend to double count (Damodaran, 2006a) the retained cash’s interest in subsequent values of FCF, or include the accumulated cash build-up in the Terminal Value. This paper discusses how these two common double-counting mistakes are made and evaluates their weight in the final valuation figure for the particular case of retained FCFE (the case for the FCFF is analogous, but we focus on FCFE for simplicity) using projected figures.
The Effect of Branchless Banking Strategy on the Financial Performance of Commercial Banks in Kenya
Authors: Dzombo Gift Kimonge , Kilika James M. , Maingi James
Published: October 2017

The Banking sector acts as the life blood of modern trade and economic development. Commercial banks influence, facilitate and integrate the economic activities like resources mobilization, poverty elimination, production, and distribution of public finance. The financial performance of commercial banks has great implications in the financial sector and in the country at large, and will still remain an important subject of concern by all the stakeholders in the banking industry. In the last two decades, a lot of banking innovation has taken place in order to improve commercial banks financial performance. Branchless banking which involves the use of agency banking and electronic banking channels in the distribution of banking products and services is one such innovation. This study purpose was to evaluate the effect of branchless banking on the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to analyze the individual effects of agency banking and electronic banking channels on the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya and the combined effect of both agency and electronic banking on the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The study adopted an exploratory research design. A survey of all the 42 licensed commercial banks in Kenya was done. Both primary and secondary data on branchless banking and financial performance of banks was obtained from the individual commercial banks, Central Bank of Kenya banking annual supervision reports respectively. Return on Assets (ROA) was used as the main indicator of commercial banks financial performance. The amount of investment in agency and electronic banking was used as indicator for agency and electronic banking. Data analysis was done using SPSS and STATA statistical softwares. Descriptive statistics, diagnostic tests and tests of hypothesis were done. Data was presented using tables and charts. Study findings indicated that when used in isolation; both agency and electronic banking had a significant negative effect on the financial performance of commercial banks at 5 percent significance level. However, when agency and electronic banking channels were used together as a multichannel strategy, they had a significant positive effect on bank’s financial performance at 5 percent significance level. The study recommends that for positive returns, commercial banks should invest in both agency and electronic banking as a multichannel strategy since these channels are complimentary to each other.
The effects of intervention on the quality of life, sense of coherence and daily activities of frequent attenders
Authors: Hirsikangas Sari , Kanste Outi , Korpelainen Juha , Bloigu Risto , Kyngäs Helvi
Published: October 2017

Background and objective: When FAs with chronic disease and various needs are able to keep up their psychological and physical wellbeing, perform daily activities and maintain control of their life, they are able to live an active life and take care of themselves longer, and this has an impact on their quality of life. The role of community matron is to assess an individual’s problems and needs for health services and improve the self-care of FAs by providing a needs-based education.  The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of nurse-led intervention on the quality of life, sense of coherence and daily activities of frequent attenders (FAs).Methods: This study is an intervention trial, with a two-year follow-up, including intervention and control groups. The intervention group received nurse-led intervention that included the assessment of FAs care needs, an individualized care plan, support for self-management and service coordination. The FAs in the control group received traditional care, including patient education and support. Self-reported instruments were used to collect data from adult frequent attenders, including the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI), Sense of Coherence (SOC) and 15D, to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Follow-ups measurements were taken after one year and after two years between 2008 and 2011.Results: The study shows a significant correlation between sense of coherence and quality of life (p < .0005) and quality of life and amount of daily activities performed (p < .0005) in both groups. The intervention group had statistically significantly better sense of coherence at every stage of the study. The activities of daily living statistically significantly weakened in the intervention group (p = .001) from baseline to two years despite intervention, whereas in the control group it remained unchanged. In the control group, a statistically significant correlation was found between sense of coherence and FAs feeling satisfaction with their current life (p = .019). The HRQoL did not differ between the groups during the study.Conclusions: These results indicate a correlation between sense of coherence and quality of life and also between quality of life and amount of daily activities among FAs. Intervention did not improve the quality of life of FAs or their daily functioning. More research is needed to demonstrate the effects of community matron model on FAs care, the role of ehealth needs to be strongly involved.
EFL Teachers’ Perceptions of Strategy Deficiency Syndrome: A Grounded Theory Study
Authors: Ostovar-Namaghi Seyyed Ali , Ahmadabadi-Tak Bahareh
Published: October 2017

Strategy-deficient language learners struggle to develop their language proficiency through limiting and inappropriate strategies. This study aims at exploring experienced teachers’ perceptions of strategy deficiency syndrome among EFL learners. To this end, the perspectives of a purposive sample of experienced teachers teaching in private language schools of Tehran, the capital city of Iran, were theoretically sampled based on the principles and procedures of grounded theory. The final conceptualization of teachers’ perspectives yielded “learners’ limiting strategies” and “teachers proposed alternatives” as the major categories. The findings suggest that curriculum developers and language teachers merge strategy training and language teaching to remedy the strategy deficiency syndrome among EFL learners in the contexts of this study and other similar contexts where the banking model of education marginalizes strategy training and focuses exclusively on language teaching.
The Impact of the Audit Committees' Properties on the Quality of the Information in the Banking Financial Reports: A Survey on Saudi Commercial Banks
Authors: Rabab’ah Mwafag , Al-Sir Omar , Alzoubi Ali A.
Published: October 2017

This study aims to identify the impact of the audit committees' properties on the quality of the information of the banking financial reports in the Saudi commercial banks by identifying the effect of identifying tasks and duties, independence, accounting and banking experience and efficiency of the audit committee on achieving the quality of the Saudi banking and financial reports. 110 questionnaires were distributed on the research sample and 105 questionnaires were received and analyzed through ANOVA. Results indicate that the availability of the audit committees' properties affect increasing the quality of the financial reports in the Saudi banking at the level of properties as a whole where the (P) probable value was (0.000 ), which is less than 0.05. It represents the functions and duties of the audit committee, the committee's independence in banks, the availability of the accounting and banking experience for the members of the audit committee and the efficiency of the audit committees at banks. The study recommends more emphasis on the diversity of the experiences of the members of the audit team and thus; the committee can performs its functions in a more efficient and effective way.
A Review of Competitive Repertoire-Action-Based Competitive Advantage
Authors: Lee Jay
Published: October 2017

A series of strategic management researches in the competitive dynamics are introduced to tackle on the question of how certain firms are processed to the effective strategies and the ways to sustain their market leadership positions. From the individual action-response dyads (Smith, Grimm, & Gannon, 1992) to the entire repertoire of competitive actions, researchers have developed theoretical framework how competitive repertoire can explain firm’s sustainable competitiveness. Competitive repertoire is all started as a way to find out the staging of strategic processes, that are the sequence and speed of actions. And it is shaped by the interplay of multiple competitive actions carried out by the attacking firm and perhaps punctuated by one or more competitive responses made by rivals (Ferrier, 2001). In sum, competitive repertoire can be one of the promising action-based constructs that may be possible to gain a predictive power as well as a more profound understanding of sustaining competitive advantage in the hypercompetitive environment.
Household Debt and Housing Price: An Empirical Study across 36 Countries
Authors: Lai Fujun , Chan Sze Nam , Shum Wai Yan , Zhou Nan
Published: October 2017

This paper investigates the effect of the change of household debt ratio (household debt to GDP) on national housing price by using unbalanced panel data in 36 countries during 1981-2015. We employ Two Stage Least Square and GMM method to analyze the fixed effect model, after controlling the demand, supply, other assets prices and endogeneity. Our findings are that household debt ratio and housing price are positively significantly related. Household debt ratio promotes the growth rate of housing prices. The findings remain robust by separating countries into two groups, European countries and non-European countries, and using nominal housing price as explanatory variable.
The Moderating Role of Organizational Identification on the Relationship between Perceived Organizational Career Management and Intention to Leave
Authors: Taskiran Erkan
Published: October 2017

The available literature suggests that perceived organizational career management is seen as an antecedent of intention to leave and organizational identification is considered to be superior in predicting employees’ turnover intentions. Thus, this study aims at investigating the effect of perceived organizational career management on intention to leave and to determine the moderating role of organizational identification in this relation. The data was collected from 256 employees from the banking sector in the city of Istanbul, Turkey. Hierarchical regression analysis was employed to the gathered data to test the hypotheses developed for the study. The results indicated that perceived organizational career management correlated negatively with intention to leave. It was also found out that organizational identification served as a moderator for the relationship between POCM and intention to leave. Thus, the results point out that the effect of employees’ perceived organizational career management on their intention to leave varies when they identify themselves with their organizations.
Fãs de canais femininos: dádiva e ambiguidade no YouTube
Authors: Coruja Paula
Published: October 2017

Este artigo é uma reflexão sobre aspectos particulares do fandom de youtubers e quais os sentidos que o dom adquire através das dinâmicas e práticas culturais dessas comunidades. Queremos demonstrar como o dom é um termo central dentro das dinâmicas observadas nos canais de fãs e nas disputas presentes nas caixas de comentários dos vídeos postados pela youtuber. Da mesma forma, mostrar sua polissemia através dessas mesmas dinâmicas.Fans de canales femeninos: donación y ambigüedad en YouTubeResumen: Este artículo es una reflexión sobre los aspectos particulares de los fanaticos por youtubers y que detecta los significados que lo don adquiere a través de las prácticas dinámicas y culturales de estas comunidades. Queremos demostrar cómo el don es un término central en la dinámica observada en los canales e esas controversias en los cuadros de comentarios de videos publicados por youtubers. Del mismo modo, mostrar su polisemia a través de estas mismas dinámicas.Palabras clave: don, YouTube, estudios de aficionados, 5incominutos, fandom.Female channel fans: donation and ambiguity on YouTubeAbstract: This article reflects on particular aspects of fandom youtubers and which senses that the gift get through the dynamic and cultural practices of these communities. It aims to demonstrate how the gift is a central term in the dynamics observed in fans channels and the disputes in the comment boxes of videos posted by the youtuber. Similarly, shows their polysemy through those same dynamics.Keywords: gift, YouTube, fan studies, 5incominutos, fandom.
As estratégias discursivas e mercadológicas da Folha de S. Paulo para captação de leitores
Authors: Muller Fabrise De Oliveira , Fossá Maria Ivete Trevisan
Published: October 2017

A midiatização traz à tona uma nova postura do leitor diante da produção jornalística e o objetivo deste trabalho é analisar os contratos de comunicação estabelecidos pela Folha de S. Paulo na ambiência midiatizada. Os resultados indicam que os contratos de comunicação são firmados por meio de uma valorização da marca, do conteúdo do jornal e na tentativa de interação com o leitor. Palavras-chave: Estratégias Discursivas. Marketing. Contratos de Comunicação. Leitor. Midiatização. Análise de Discurso.Las estrategias discursivas y mercadológicas de La Folha de S. Paulo para la captación de lectoresResumem: La mediación trae a la superficie una nueva postura del lector frente a la producción periodística y el objetivo de este trabajo es analizar los contratos de comunicación establecidos por la Folha de S. Paulo en el ambiente mediático. Los resultados indican que los contratos de comunicación son firmados por medio de una valorización de la marca, del contenido del periódico y en el intento de interacción con el lector.Palabras clave: Estrategias Discursivas. Marketing. Contratos de Comunicación. Lector. Midiatización. Análisis de Discurso.Discursive and market strategies of Folha de S. Paulo in prospecting readersAbstract: Media coverage brings up a new attitude from readers concerning journalistic production, considering the proposals, the following research aims to analyze the communication contracts established by the Folha de S. Paulo in media environment to prospect readers. The results indicate that communication contracts are signed by a brand valuation and newspaper content, attempting to interact with the reader.Keywords: Discursive strategies. Marketing. Communication Contracts. Reader. Media Coverage. Discourse Analysis
Decreased quality of life and treatment satisfaction in patients with latent autoimmune diabetes of the adult
Authors: Granado-Casas Minerva , Martínez-Alonso Montserrat , Alcubierre Nuria , Ramírez-Morros Anna , Hernández Marta , Castelblanco Esmeralda , Torres-Puiggros Joan , Mauricio Didac
Published: October 2017

Objectives

Our main aim was to assess the quality of life (QoL) and treatment satisfaction (TS) of subjects with LADA (latent autoimmune diabetes of the adult) and compare these measures with those of patients with other diabetes types, i.e., type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study with a total of 48 patients with LADA, 297 patients with T2DM and 124 with T1DM. The Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality of Life (ADDQoL-19) questionnaire and the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (DTSQ) were administered. Relevant clinical variables were also assessed. The data analysis included comparisons between groups and multivariate linear models.

Results

The LADA patients presented lower diabetes-specific QoL (p = 0.045) and average weighted impact scores (p = 0.007) than the T2DM patients. The subgroup of LADA patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) who were treated with insulin had a lower ADDQoL average weighted impact score than the other diabetic groups. Although the overall measure of TS was not different between the LADA and T2DM (p = 0.389) and T1DM (p = 0.091) groups, the patients with LADA showed a poorer hyperglycemic frequency perception than the T2DM patients (p < 0.001) and an improved frequency of hypoglycemic perception compared with the T1DM patients (p = 0.021).

Conclusions

The current findings suggest a poorer quality of life, especially in terms of DR and insulin treatment, among patients with LADA compared with those with T1DM and T2DM. Hyperglycemia frequency perception was also poorer in the LADA patients than in the T1DM and T2DM patients. Further research with prospective studies and a large number of patients is necessary.
Market acceptability of dried dates at the unripe “Bisr” stage in United Arab Emirates
Authors: Degefa Berhanu Adenew , Muhammad Safdar , Fathelrahman Eihab
Published: October 2017

The dates produce form of dates fruit considered in this study is called “Bisr”, which is unripe fruit that can be harvested and dried to capture several sensory and economic value-added advantages compared to the ripe date. In this study, the product’s sensory characteristics are added to the socio-economic characteristics of consumers to understand the factors or independent variables that affect the changes in the dependent variable, willingness to pay (WTP) of consumers. The objective of the analysis is to explore the consumers' perception, acceptance and their attitude towards the “Bisr” and to identify the characteristics of the final product that are important to the overall marketability of the product. The survey data shows that over two-third or 70% of the 276 respondents have reported that they would buy “Bisr” if the commodity becomes commercially available. Overall marketability is affected by both respondents’ socio-economic characteristics and their responses to the sensory questionnaire. The result showed the presence of an opportunity to develop a “Bisr” by adding economic value to date and diversify the sources of benefits for both producers and consumers from date production in the UAE.
Margin derivation from intrafraction patient motion of multi‐target, single isocentre, brain stereotactic radiosurgery treatments
Authors: Caloz Misael , Tran Sébastien , Gau Max , Romano Edouard , Koutsouvelis Nikolaos , Tsoutsou Pelagia G.
Published: October 2024

Background

Brain metastases are the most common intracranial malignancy and remain a substantial source of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. Linear accelerator based stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is widely used and is frequently delivered by hypo‐fractionnated volumetric modulated arc therapy using non‐coplanar beams, where geometric accuracy and planning margins are a major concern.

Purpose

To give a practical analysis of intrafraction patient motion for multi‐target, single isocentre, brain SRS treatments and to derive adapted GTV‐to‐PTV margins.

Methods

Data of 154 lesions, spread over 85 fractions from 56 patients treated in our institution with the Varian HyperArc  SRS solution was processed. Intrafraction patient motion were recorded using an Optical Surface Monitoring System during irradiation. The present study focuses on small tumor volumes, roughly equal or inferior to 1.5 , and frameless mask‐based immobilization. For each treatment session, a tumor displacement vector matrix was calculated from the patient drifts as a function of time. Data were combined together into a representative treatment scenario and the dosimetric impact of GTV displacement was calculated.

Results

Recommended margins due to patient motion range between 0.3 and 1 mm, depending on the distance tumor‐isocentre, and the desired GTV edge dose coverage. Those values should be added quadratically with other sources of uncertainty, such as mechanical isocentre and kV‐MV misalignment.

Conclusion

Thorough analysis of intrafraction patient motion was performed, the dosimetric impact was calculated for different scenarios, and adequate GTV‐to‐PTV margins were derived. These values vary according to the distance isocentre‐to‐GTV, as well as the desired dose coverage, and should be chosen adequately.
Improving Identification of At‐Risk Behaviors in Adolescents With Rheumatic Disease
Authors: Ciaglia Kristina , Lau May , Jo Chan‐hee , Nassi Lorien
Published: October 2024

Objective

Many adolescent patients view their rheumatologist as their primary physician, and therefore it is important to screen youth for sexual activity and substance use as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. We implemented an electronic social history questionnaire (SHQ) and alert system to identify at‐risk behaviors in adolescents with rheumatic disease.

Methods

The SHQ was administered to adolescents 14 years and older with a goal to survey patients’ sexual activity and alcohol, tobacco, and drug use. The SHQ was given via tablet at each rheumatology outpatient visit. A positive response triggered a best practice advisory (BPA) alert when the chart was opened to remind the clinician to discuss these results privately.

Results

A total of 877 unique patients were surveyed. Ninety patients (12%) reported being sexually active, and sexually active patients were significantly older than those who were not (17.2 vs 15 years; P < 0.001). Seventy‐two percent of patients were female, and the mean age was 15.8 years. Sexually active patients were more likely to be smokers, to drink alcohol, and to use other drugs (P < 0.001). Strong associations were observed between alcohol use and male sex (P = 0.0227), White race (P = 0.0052), and public insurance (P = 0.0021).

Conclusion

Overall, 12% of patients reported being sexually active, underscoring the need to screen adolescents for sexual activity given many rheumatology patients take teratogenic medication. A smaller proportion used substances. Implementing an electronic medical record–based SHQ can help identify patients most at risk, and the BPA serves as a useful tool to remind clinicians to discuss the SHQ privately.
COMPA Symposium brings together New York OTPs to focus on new rules
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: October 2024

The finalized rules for opioid treatment programs (OTPs) issued in February were required as of this month. The COMPA Symposium was the perfect time for OTPs to gather to answer the question, at least in New York, about how to decide what the take‐home dose should be when there are no longer the 8‐point criteria (see ADAW https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adaw.20209). Patients must no longer be stable to get 28 days of take‐homes, but it's up to the OTP to decide how many doses a patient can get.
Problems faced filling buprenorphine prescriptions detailed
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: October 2024

A viewpoint, “Addressing the Escalating Problems That Patients Encounter When Filling Buprenorphine Prescriptions,” published last week underscores the problems patients have getting buprenorphine prescriptions filled. Clinicians report that they can't find pharmacies who are willing to fill buprenorphine prescriptions. And the authors note that patients need these prescriptions filled immediately, or they risk relapse to street drugs including illicit fentanyl which is deadly.
California Medicaid to cover traditional healing
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: October 2024

Last week California announced that Medi‐Cal, the state's Medicaid program, will pay for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment with “traditional health care practices in use since time immemorial,” according to a press release from Gov. Gavin Newsom. The two types of treatment covered include those used by Native Americans.
Changes are good for OTPs and patients
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: October 2024

Not for the first time, the changes opioid treatment programs (OTPs) must make to comply with new regulations have been praised by OTPs themselves. Mark Parrino, president of the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence told ADAW last week that most of the states' OTPs are already in compliance. Patti Juliana, Ph.D., who heads the federal Division of Pharmacologic Therapies at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, told him that 44 states are in alignment and compliance with the new rules. She meets with the State Opioid Treatment Authorities regularly. We caught up with Parrino at the COMPA Symposium in Schenectady, New York this month.
MBene Nanosheets with DNA Adsorbability for Circulating Tumor DNA Assay via Fluorescence Biosensing and Paper‐Based Microfluidic POCT
Authors: Yang Siyi , Zhu Jiajia , Zhao Liangyi , Yang Liyu , Fa Huanbao , Wang Yongzhong , Huo Danqun , Hou Changjun , Zhong Daidi , Yang Mei
Published: October 2024

The detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in blood is significant for non‐invasive cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Herein, MBene nanosheets is synthesized and compared with MXene via Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations and fluorescence kinetic evaluations, for first time, revealing MBene's exceptional DNA adsorbability and discrimination to single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA) and double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA). Then, a sensitive fluorescence biosensor for ctDNA detection is developed, demonstrating impressive performance. To facilitate point‐of‐care testing (POCT) ctDNA, a paper‐based microfluidic chip incorporated a delay area and a mixing channel is designed. The constricted‐expanded structure channel optimization is guided by numerical simulations and experiments. A WeChat mini program named “ctDNA Detection” is designed for readout assay. Furthermore, cell and mice serum samples are analyzed, with Magnetic Bead@Graphene Oxide (MB@GO) and clutch probes for magnetic pre‐enrichment. The results accuracy is confirmed by its consistency with standard qPCR results (AUC = 1). The successful detection of ctDNA in post‐surgery mouse models underscored the biosensor's potential for cancer treatment monitoring. Thus, this research not only advanced the understanding of the MBene‐DNA interaction in biosensing, but also can pave the way for novel applications in bioimaging and nanopore‐based nucleic acid sequencing, leveraging the digital transformation of DNA base‐MBene adsorption differences.
New Strategies for High Efficiency and Precision Bioprinting by DOE Technology and Machine Learning
Authors: Dai Chuyan , Sun Yazhou , Zhang Hangqi , Yuan Zikai , Zhang Bohan , Xie Zhenwei , Li Peixun , Liu Haitao
Published: October 2024

Extrusion‐based 3D printing technology is currently demonstrating considerable potential in the field of tissue engineering scaffolds, enabling the construction of in vitro models with complex structures and functions using a wide range of biomaterials and cells at a low cost. In recent years, researchers have spent considerable effort developing novel bio‐inks and employing a greater variety of cell sources to enhance biological compatibility and functionality. However, the majority of current bio‐ink materials are unprintable due to their low viscosity and long curing time, as well as insufficient shape fidelity before the secondary cross‐linking process. The study aims to bridge this gap by optimizing the material ratios and predicting the printing process before work. This article presents new strategies for the design, fabrication, and analysis of a new composite bio‐ink material. The optimal ink ratios are verified by a design of experiments (DOE) experimental design and evaluation metrics for printing printability (Pr) values. A machine learning model is used to predict the ink printing area and determine the printing process parameters. The influence mechanism of ink materials with different concentrations of poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) ratios on printed fibers is investigated. Finally, the optimal results are used as an example to demonstrate the printability of multilayer stents. Thus, the design approach allows for the rapid and cost‐effective exploration of novel ink ratios, while also providing higher fidelity and more accurate process metrics for the fabrication of tissue structures with multidimensional variables.
Multidimensional Manipulation of Circular Polarization Airy Beam in Microwave Band‐Based on an Anisotropic Holographic Impedance Metasurface
Authors: Zhang Song , He Sitong , Zhao Shihao , Xue Hao , Han Jiaqi , Liu Haixia , Li Long
Published: October 2024

Non‐diffraction Airy beams with self‐accelerating properties have many potential applications in the microwave band, such as providing a viable solution to bypass obstacles for microwave‐based wireless power transfer (WPT) and communication. However, most of the recent work on Airy beams exhibits singular functionality and operates solely in linear polarization, with complex generation setups, which will constrain the applications of the beam in the microwave band. In this paper, based on the anisotropic holographic impedance metasurface (AHIM) with low complexity, a new method is proposed to manipulate Airy beams in multiple dimensions, including circularly polarization state, number of beams, direction of acceleration, and launch position of beam. The underlying principle is the combination of plane coordinate transformation, anisotropy of AHIM, and impedance superposition theory. Further, to validate the proposed method, an AHIM prototype for simultaneously generating two Airy beams with orthogonal circular polarization, different directions of acceleration, and different spatial distribution is designed, simulated, and measured. The proposed method based on AHIM for manipulating the Airy beams multidimensionally in the microwave band offers an efficient strategy to control the energy coverage and polarization state of the beam in different WPT scenarios.
Robust Ultrablack Coating for Omnidirectional Broadband Light Absorption
Authors: Wang Xiao , Wang Yalan , Xiao Youhua , Li Chaolong , Piao Mingxing , Shi Haofei
Published: October 2024

Developing robust ultrahigh light absorption coatings has been a significant challenge, limited by the absorption‐adhesion tradeoff. Herein, a robust carbon‐based coating with omnidirectional broadband high absorption is designed and fabricated using a one‐step spray method. A novel rapidly cross‐linking resin is utilized as the binder to enhance adhesion. Beyond leveraging the intrinsic optical properties of carbon absorbents, the construction of a micro‐nano multi‐scale trapping structure is crucial for achieving high absorption efficiency in the coating. Innovatively, an inorganic matting agent is introduced to further diminish reflection by scattering incident light. The resulting ultrablack coating demonstrates good adhesion and an exceptionally high integral light absorption of 99.34% within the wavelength range of 1500–1800 nm, marking the highest reported value for binder‐incorporated spray coatings to date. This robust coating also exhibits outstanding thermal stability and resistance to vacuum thermal cycling and vibration. Furthermore, the application of the ultrablack coating via spraying is scalable and can be readily adapted to the surfaces or interiors of complex structural components made from diverse materials. The coating shows remarkable potential for solar energy harvesting and target stealth. This study presents a simple and efficient approach for developing robust ultrablack coatings suitable for widespread practical applications.
Mass Transportation Facilitated Porous Fe/Co Dual‐Site Catalytic Cathodes for Ultrahigh‐Power‐Density Al–Air Fuel Cells
Authors: Chen Kai , Liang Yiqi , Pan Duo , Huang Junheng , Gao Jiyuan , Lu Zhiwen , Liu Xi , Chen Junxiang , Zhang Hao , Hu Xiang , Wen Zhenhai
Published: October 2024

The development of oxygen‐dependent fuel cells is frequently hindered by the high cost of cathode materials and the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). It is thus crucial to explore low‐cost and high‐activity catalysts with accelerated mass transport. Here, a high‐throughput screening method is developed by integrating an explicit solvation model with machine learning potential‐based molecular dynamics simulations, which enables the efficient evaluation of a vast array of diverse diatomic combinations and ultimately identifying Fe–Co dual‐atomic sites as the optimal ORR electrocatalysts. The superior electrocatalytic performance of the diatomic Fe/Co sites loaded on 3D‐interconnected ordered macroporous carbon (FeCo‐3DMNC) is experimentally verified, achieving high ORR activity with half‐wave potentials of 0.806 V in acidic and 0.905 V in alkaline environments. Additionally, innovative hybrid acid/alkali aluminum–air fuel cells (hA/A‐AAFCs) incorporating FeCo‐3DMNC as the cathode catalyst demonstrate a notably high open‐circuit voltage of 2.72 V and a record‐breaking power density of 827 mW cm−2, significantly outperforming conventional alkaline aluminum–air fuel cells. This work marks a significant advancement by combining cutting‐edge computational screening with rigorous experimental validation to develop promising electrocatalysts, potentially paving the way for the advanced energy storage and conversion technologies.
Temperature‐controlled radiofrequency treatment of the nasal valve in nasal airway obstruction patients with septal deviation
Authors: Tang Dennis M. , Chen Philip G. , Wu Arthur W. , Yao William C.
Published: October 2024

Key Points

Nasal valve treatment with TCRF results in NAO symptom improvement in the presence of septal deviation.

Severe septal deviation does not impact the beneficial effect of TCRF nasal valve treatment.

Symptoms improve with TCRF nasal valve treatment even if septal deviations involve the nasal valve.
Clemastine Induces Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Pool Exhaustion and Senescence in the Context of Chronic Demyelination in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Cooper James J. M. , Muthaiah Rupadevi , Frost Jon R. , Buck Gregory T. , Ravichandar Roopa , Gadelkarim Farah , Raymond Faye D. , Sim Fraser J.
Published: October 2024

Objectives

Clemastine has emerged as a promising therapy for the restoration of neurologic function in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, clemastine and other agents with prodifferentiative effects on oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) in rodent models have underperformed in clinical trials. We hypothesized that the preclinical studies showed more robust effects because of the abundance of OPCs in rodent models. To better examine the therapeutic potential of clemastine, we examined its effect on demyelinated white matter lesions in rabbits, which exhibit progenitor densities and limited remyelination more closely matching those found in tissues from patients with MS.

Methods

We used lysolecithin to induce demyelination in white matter of New Zealand rabbits and then administered oral clemastine (10mg/kg/day) for various periods before assessing the OPC and oligodendrocyte (OL) populations in these lesions.

Results

Daily administration of clemastine for the full study period (56 days) increased oligodendrogenesis in white matter lesions. However, shorter durations of treatment failed to increase overall OL density despite enhancing OPC‐to‐OL differentiation. This effect was due to exhaustion of the OPC pool, as the differentiating progenitors were not replaced because of reduced OPC proliferation. Notably, delayed administration of clemastine led to an accumulation of activated OPCs expressing markers of senescence.

Interpretation

Although capable of driving OL differentiation, clemastine treatment in rabbits hampered progenitor pool replenishment, induced senescence, and promoted conversion of microglia/macrophages to a proinflammatory phenotype. Whether these effects would also occur in humans or with other prodifferentiative therapies should be studied further, but our data suggest the need to carefully consider progenitor dynamics in the treatment of MS. ANN NEUROL 2025;97:116–133
Recent Developments in Degenerate Higher Order Scalar Tensor Theories
Authors: Lazanu Andrei
Published: October 2024

Degenerate Higher Order Scalar Tensor (DHOST) theories are the most general scalar‐tensor theories whose Lagrangian depends on the metric tensor and a single scalar field and its derivatives up to second order. They propagate only one scalar degree of freedom, without being plagued by Ostrogradsky instabilities. This is achieved through certain degeneracies of the functions forming their Lagrangian. They generalize the Horndeski and beyond‐Horndeski theories. Originally proposed to describe the late‐time acceleration of the expansion of the universe, generalizing the cosmological constant, they can also be used to build models of the early universe, to describe inflation or alternatives to standard inflation. In the late universe, they modify the standard Vainstein screening mechanism from Horndeski theories (which can have observable consequences) and are suited to build black hole models, featuring non‐stealth Kerr black hole solutions. In this work, their phenomenology is reviewed, looking at their basic properties, their parameterizations and classifications, focusing on solutions in the early and the late universe and at cosmological and astrophysical constraints.
Structurally Compact Penta(N,N‐diphenylamino)corannulene as Dopant‐free Hole Transport Materials for Stable and Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhang Xue‐Peng , Wang Luyao , Zhang Wen‐Xin , Chen Zuo‐Chang , Yang Chunming , Xu Si‐Yi , Du Peng , Chen Bin‐Wen , He Qunyang , Tian Han‐Rui , Zhu Xuejie , Li Meng , Wang Shan‐Shan , Deng Lin‐Long , Chen Si‐Hao , Zhang Qianyan , Xie Su‐Yuan , Zheng Lan‐Sun
Published: October 2024

Hole transport materials (HTMs) are essential for improving the stability and efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this study, we have designed and synthesized a novel organic small molecule HTM, cor‐(DPA)5, characterized by a bowl‐shaped core with symmetric five diphenylamine groups. Compared to already‐known HTMs, the bowl‐shaped and relatively compact structure of cor‐(DPA)5 facilitates intermolecular π–π interactions, promotes film formations, and enhances charge transport. Consequently, the cor‐[DPA(2)]5 HTM exhibits high charge mobility, exceptional hydrophobicity, and a significantly elevated glass transition temperature. Superior to previously reported HTMs such as spiro‐OMeTAD and cor‐OMePTPA, our newly synthesized cor‐(DPA)5 HTM is free from any ionic dopants. As a result, the dopant‐free cor‐[DPA(2)]5‐based PSC demonstrates an impressive efficiency of 24.01 %, and exhibits outstanding operational stability. It retains 96 % after continuous exposure to 1 sun irradiation for 800 hours under MPP (maximum power point) tracking in ambient air. These findings present a structurally compact novel HTM and exemplify a new approach to the molecular design of HTM for the development of stable and effective PSCs.
Enantioselective Synthesis of Axially Chiral Allylic Nitriles via Nickel‐Catalyzed Desymmetric Cyanation of Biaryl Diallylic Alcohols
Authors: Li Can , Song Jian , Wang Ting , Fang Xianjie
Published: October 2024

Axially chiral nitriles are common motifs in organic photoelectric materials, biological compounds, and agrochemicals. Unfortunately, the limited synthetic approaches to axially chiral nitriles have impeded their availability. Herein, we report the first nickel‐catalyzed desymmetric allylic cyanation of biaryl allylic alcohols for the synthesis of axially chiral nitrile structures in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 90 % yield and >99 % ee). This process enables the synthesis of a diverse range of axially chiral allylic nitriles bearing β,γ‐unsaturated alcohol moieties. Leveraging the allylic alcohol and cyano groups as versatile functionalization handles allow for further derivatization of these axially chiral frameworks. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that both steric and electronic interactions play crucial roles in determining the enantioselectivity of this transformation. Moreover, this mild and facile protocol is also applicable for gram‐scale preparation of the chiral nitriles.
Diversity Oriented Strategy (DOS) for the Efficient Synthesis of Benzofuro[2,3‐b]pyridine Derivatives with Anticancer Activity
Authors: Ereje Reymark , Yahuafai Jantana , Jaroenchuensiri Theeranuch , Supakijjanusorn Patcharaporn , Unson Sukanya , Toopradab Borwornlak , Rungrotmongkol Thanyada , Pianwanit Somsak , Aonbangkhen Chanat , Khotavivattana Tanatorn
Published: October 2024

Benzofuropyridines (BFP) are polycyclic compounds with known applications in neuronal diseases. However, its derivatization patterns and anticancer potential remains unexplored. Leveraging the idea of diversity‐oriented synthesis (DOS), we developed a highly efficient synthetic route for BFP, to increase the library of available analogs producing three compounds in one reaction set up, including the 2O‐, 6O‐, and the 1 N‐substituted species, also synthesizing the unusual 2‐pyridone derivatives. Key bromination reaction of the BFP moiety was successfully described which can widen the available variation in the compound's structure. The cytotoxic activity of the compounds was assessed against SH‐SY5Y (neuroblastoma), HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma), Kb (human oral epidermoid), HeLa (cervical) and MCF‐7 (breast) cancer cell lines. In the series, the m‐bromobenzyl (5 b), methylcyano (5 g) and propargyl (5 h) 2O‐derivatives demonstrated good selectivity against cancer cells with selectivity index (SI) of >71 for 5 g against HeLa over the normal cells, as compared to the standard drug, Doxorubicin (SI=6.7). The quantitative structure‐activity relationship (QSAR) analysis revealed an impressive correlation of the defined descriptors with the bioactivity having an R2 value of 0.971 and 0.893 for Kb and HeLa respectively. Altogether, our work highlighted new information on the synthesis of BFP derivatives with potent cytotoxic activity.