bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermal and Electrical Performance of Silicone Gel Insulation With Encapsulated Phase Change Material Additives
Authors: Kasitz Joshua , Ghufran Muhammad , Huitink David
Published: November 2023

Electronics are continuing to trend toward reduced size and increased power density. This creates a lot of thermal management challenges within systems leading to reliability concerns. To avoid component failure due to high thermal gradients, often present in new designs, multiple cooling technologies need to be combined to achieve an optimal thermal solution for each package. Passive cooling architectures are beneficial complimentary systems because they can provide thermal gradient mitigation without requiring input power to operate. Phase change materials are one such technology that use their phase transitions to absorb and store thermal energy while maintaining an isothermal temperature in the surrounding system. These have been well studied, but are difficult to implement due to the need to enclose the liquid phase effectively. Encapsulated phase change materials attempt to solve this by covering the core PCM material with a protective shell. The resulting particles can be nano to micro sized and allow the PCM to melt without needing a component to contain the liquid phase. These particles are useful for imbedding in other materials to form composites with thermal hot spot mitigation ability. Silicone gels are often used to as encapsulant materials in modules to protect the components from contamination and to provide electrical insulation. This study proposes creating a new composite with silicone gel and EPCMs to use as encapsulant. This new composite would provide hot spot mitigation and energy storage while remaining useful as an encapsulant. This study has demonstrated the increase in thermal energy storage of the new composites with increased loading of the EPCMs and has characterized the loss in dielectric strength of the composite as a function of EPCM loading percentage.
Functional Circuit Performance of Printable Formable Inks for In-Mold Electronics Applications
Authors: Lall Pradeep , Narangaparambil Jinesh , Soni Ved , Miller Scott
Published: November 2023

The process of in-mold electronics (IME) is an innovative technology that integrates printed electronics with film insert molding to produce plastic components that contain electronics. The process involves the combination of printing, thermoforming, and injection molding to create complex and customized electronic devices. This technology has found numerous applications in various industries, including automobile components, household appliances, and consumer electronics, where customized user interfaces are required to manage or monitor the system. A customized user interface is required for a variety of applications in automotive, industrial electronics, and consumer technology to manage or monitor the system. Knobs, pressure and toggle switches, analog instruments, and flat-screen technology with touch sensor capabilities are also options. The key advantage of IME technology is its ability to create flexible and stretchable electronic devices capable of functioning under strain when bent, stretched, and deformed. Despite its potential, the IME process faces several challenges. One of the critical factors affecting the performance of IME products is the electrical resistance of the printed circuit, which changes during thermoforming. This presents a significant design challenge, as over-deformation of printed circuits can lead to poor performance and reliability issues. In this study, we have developed new design strategies and methods to optimize the performance of the IME process. This includes the use of electrically conductive adhesives to attach components in their undeformed state and later subject to thermoforming. This approach helps to maintain the integrity of the printed circuit and improve the performance of the interconnects. To evaluate the performance of the IME process, we have employed the OrCAD software to build and simulate a digital circuit. The performance of the inverting circuit was compared and evaluated against the tolerance limits of the COTs.
Compact Modeling and Thermal Analysis of Immersion Based Hybrid Cooled Server
Authors: Simon Vibin Shalom , Mandadi Bhavana Reddy , Shahi Pardeep , Modi Himanshu , Bansode Pratik Vithoba , Agonafer Dereje
Published: November 2023

In recent years there has been a phenomenal development in cloud computing, networking, virtualization, and storage, which has increased the demand for high performance data centers. The demand for higher CPU (Central Processing Unit) performance and increasing Thermal Design Power (TDP) trends in the industry needs advanced methods of cooling systems that offer high heat transfer capabilities. Maintaining the CPU temperature within the specified limitation with air-cooled servers becomes a challenge after a certain TDP threshold. Among the equipments used in data centers, energy consumption of a cooling system is significantly large and is typically estimated to be over 40% of the total energy consumed. Advancements in Dual In-line Memory Modules (DIMMs) and the CPU compatibility led to overall higher server power consumption. Recent trends show DIMMs consume up to or above 20W each and each CPU can support up to 12 DIMM channels. Therefore, in a data center where high-power dense compute systems are packed together, it demands efficient cooling for the overall server components. In single-phase immersion cooling technology, electronic components or servers are typically submerged in a thermally conductive dielectric fluid allowing it to dissipate heat from all the electronics. The broader focus of this research is to investigate the heat transfer and flow behavior in a 1U air cooled spread core configuration server with heat sinks compared to cold plates attached in series in an immersion environment. Cold plates have extremely low thermal resistance compared to standard air cooled heatsinks. Generally, immersion fluids are dielectric, and fluids used in cold plates are electrically conductive which exposes several problems. In this study, we focus only on understanding the thermal and flow behavior, but it is important to address the challenges associated with it. The coolant used for cold plate is 25% Propylene Glycol water mixture and the fluid used in the tank is a commercially available synthetic dielectric fluid EC-100. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model is built in such a way that only the CPUs are cooled using cold plates and the auxiliary electronic components are cooled by the immersion fluid. A baseline CFD model using an air-cooled server with heat sinks is compared to the immersion cold server with cold plates attached to the CPU. The server model has a compact model for cold plate representing thermal resistance and pressure drop. Results of the study discuss the impact on CPU temperatures for various fluid inlet conditions and predict the cooling capability of the integrated cold plate in immersion environment.
Effects of Pores on Crack Propagation in Sintered-Silver Die Attach: A Baseline Model
Authors: Arriola Emmanuel , Lu Guo-Quan , Ubando Aristotle
Published: November 2023

Innovations in semiconductor devices are rapidly increasing, allowing electronic devices to operate at higher temperatures and frequencies for improved performance and efficiency. Sintered silver is a promising interconnection technology that provides excellent electrical and thermal connections for high junction temperatures. However, sintered silver bond-lines are porous, typically containing 15% to 20% volume fraction. This study aims to investigate the effects of these pores on the mechanical reliability of the bond-line. The simulations were conducted using ANSYS software with the SMART algorithm. Results of the baseline model indicate that the presence of pores reduces stress concentration on the crack tip. The location of the pore relative to the initial direction of the crack tip influences crack growth path and stress distribution. These findings from the baseline model can be used to design a more complex simulation which includes the actual interconnection geometry with its normal operating conditions.
Indoor Impact Event Localization via Velocity and Energy Ratio Mapping Function in Dispersive Media
Authors: Gothard Andrew T. , Anton Steven R.
Published: November 2023

In this study, a new algorithm is proposed to improve impact event localization for vibration-based smart building applications. Vibration-based smart building systems, which use floor-mounted accelerometers, have the potential to be a less intrusive way to monitor building occupants. Vibration-based localization algorithms typically use a time or energy-based approach or a combination of the two. Time-based approaches rely on time-difference-of-arrival (TDOA) calculations and can have large errors due to the variability of the wave velocity through the floor. The variability in wave velocity is caused by the dispersive properties of concrete, wave reflections from walls, and discontinuities in the floor structure such as beams under the floor. Energy-based localization methods have been shown to overcome the problem of variable wave velocity by using an exponential decay model of the generated wave energy to predict the location of an impact. Previous energy-based methods have been shown to give sub-meter accuracy for measurement systems with accelerometers mounted on the surface of the floor as well as systems with accelerometers mounted under the floor. However, available energy-based methods are limited to exponential decay models, which are only applicable to homogeneous floor structures. Supporting floor structures, such as beams, and walls create inhomogeneities, which cause the wave to decay differently in each direction and require a more complex model to describe. This work proposes a new velocity and energy ratio mapping (VERM) localization algorithm to overcome this limitation. The VERM algorithm computes ratios of response energy between pairs of sensors for impact locations across the floor structure to be monitored and uses the resulting energy ratio maps to find potential impact locations. The VERM algorithm predicts a final impact location using velocity maps to compare estimated TDOA values to the TDOA value of the measured signal. Experimental validation of the method is performed by collecting hammer impact data from 70 locations in a classroom within the Lab Science Commons Building at Tennessee Technological University from three under-floor-mounted sensors and creating the energy ratio maps. Results of this study show that the VERM algorithm has an accuracy, average distance error, and maximum distance error of 77.14%, 1.89 ft, and 12.34 ft, respectively. Additionally, the results show that the algorithm produces a set of potential locations where at least one potential location is correct 90% of the time showing the algorithm can be improved to have higher accuracy.
Vortex Intensification of a Triboelectric Nanogenerator Array for Water Energy Harvesting
Authors: Li Zhongjie , Wang Chenyu , Gong Ying , Zhou Yuan , Wang Biao
Published: November 2023

As a promising renewable energy source in nature, water wave energy in oceans is abundant but hard to scavenge. Toward harvesting water wave energy efficiently, this paper reports a cylinder array structure with triboelectric nanogenerators for any position. Each array element is composed of a cylinder, a cantilever beam, and an energy conversion unit. When the cylinder is in water flow field, the vortex shedding occurs, leading to vibration of the cylinder. The vibration is amplified by the cantilever and transferred to the energy conversion unit. The relative motion of a sliding block along a guide rail to the frame of a case in the energy conversion unit achieves energy harvesting via triboelectric effect. With an appropriate arrangement of the array, vortex resonance occurs in the device and the vortex intensification effect shredded from the upstream cylinder elicits the resonance of the downstream cylinders to a higher degree. The finite element analysis is conducted to explain the vortex resonance and vortex intensification effect for the device. Besides, the influence diameters of the cylinder, the array arrangement and water flow speed on the displacement response and converted power for the structure is elaborately elucidated. Compared to the single cylinder, the upstream wake flow intensification effect increases the converted power of downstream cylinder in 6-2 array up to 2.6 W (163% higher) at the flow speed of 0.6 m/s. This work provides a novel angle for vortex-induced vibration energy harvesting based on array-type triboelectric nanogenerators.
Polymeric Ionic Electrolytes Vs. Liquid Ionic Electrolytes in Thin-Film Supercapacitors Integrated in Highly Complex Aerospace Structures
Authors: Geier Sebastian , Petersen Jan , Krasmann Christian , Ray Apurba , Saruhan Bilge
Published: November 2023

The latest fear of energy shortage drives the research of highly efficient energy storage and applications with the lowest possible consumption. A lot of research is currently done to develop more powerful and efficient batteries. However, due to the chemical storage processes their lifetime is limited to less than 30000 cycles. In contrast, supercapacitors, as a second way of energy storage, use reversable physical processes for energy storage, allowing more than 1 million cycles. Therefore, they can be considered as maintenance-free and are ideal candidates for being integrated within composite structures.

In this publication, semi-finished thin-film supercapacitors are integrated into fiber reinforced plastics composites by autoclave processing. The supercapacitors are manufactured using aluminum collectors with activated carbon. As standard ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide is used on the one hand as liquid and on the other hand as part of a polymeric electrolyte. Intensive electro-mechanical characterizations of the multifunctional composites are carried out. The reduction of parasitic masses and reproducible results are aims of this screening. It can be shown that the electrical conductivity of the supercapacitor and the ionic conductivity between the electrodes play decisive roles. Furthermore, the exact processing of the polymeric electrolyte avoiding leakage into the composite is especially challenging.
Efforts to Standardize Uniaxial Tensile Testing of Well-Preserved Human Tissue
Authors: Fuentes Garcia Miguel A. , Wohlfert Abigail J. , Vranish Jennifer R. , Anton Steven R.
Published: November 2023

The ability of traditional tensile tests to determine mechanical properties of human tissue can be affected by several factors, which may include failure within the clamping area of standard clamp designs. The use of custom-designed 3D printed clamps seems to provide success in preventing tissue failure and minimizing slippage during testing. Additionally, due to the nonhomogeneous characteristics of tissue, the mechanical properties often vary along the length of specimens, therefore a full-field measurement technique is required to capture the complete behavior of the tissue. Non-contact imaging techniques can be used to quantify full-field deformation during the test, allowing behavior to be quantified in different regions of the sample. Digital image correlation (DIC) is investigated in this work and is able to calculate strain by comparing successive images taken during the sample deformation. In order to measure changes in the pictures, the analyzed surface must have a well-defined high-contrast random pattern. Currently, methods for tensile testing of human tissues combined with DIC typically use an airbrush to create a random pattern on the tissue surface. Replication of this existing technique can be challenging based on the lack of control of the paint applied by the airbrush. This work presents an approach for tensile testing of well-preserved human tissue using 3D printed clamps and DIC. The samples investigated in this work include plantar fascia and Achilles tendons to analyze the performance of the proposed clamp design in thin and thick human tissue. The failure of thin and thick well-preserved human tissue was reached with a maximum load of 1124.9 N and 2167.08 N, respectively. The 3D printed clamps showed signs of clamping-related failure during the test even after increasing the infill percentage and adjusting the clamp layer orientation. The samples were dyed in methylene blue and painted with a user-defined random pattern. A custom resin roller generated by OpenSCAD was used to paint the surface of the plantar fascia allowing standardization of the creation of a random pattern on the sample surface. However, the curvature of the Achilles tendon in the most distal region where it attaches to the calcaneus bone (i.e. heel bone) precluded use of the roller. Therefore, a random pattern was hand-painted instead. The hand-painted random pattern had a performance similar to the pattern made by the resin roller which followed commercial roller characteristics. Results of this study can be used in the future to help standardize tensile testing techniques for mechanical evaluation of human tissue.
Programmable Bandgaps in Meta-Structures With Dynamic Vibration Resonators
Authors: Chavan Shantanu , Malladi Vijaya V. N. Sriram
Published: November 2023

Elastic wave propagation is controlled using meta-structures with dynamic vibration resonators (DVRs). These meta-structures exhibit bandgaps whose location is determined by the attributes of the DVRs, especially their resonant frequency. However, in passive meta-structures, the bandgap location is fixed, which limits their ability to attenuate vibrations over a wide frequency range. To overcome this limitation, this study introduces a novel approach to achieve a wide programmable bandgap using a DVR with two states: high-frequency and low-frequency states.

A new n-bit nomenclature for the meta-structure is introduced to absorb vibrations over a wide frequency bandwidth by switching between various n-bit configurations. The programmability of these meta-structures is assessed, and the results are validated with experiments. This novel approach allows for a wide programmable bandgap, which significantly improves the effectiveness of meta-structures in attenuating vibrations and acoustics over a broad frequency range. In conclusion, this study presents a new approach to achieving programmable bandgap meta-structures with dynamic vibration resonators, which can significantly improve their ability to mitigate vibrations and sound in various applications, including transportation, buildings, and machinery. This innovation has the potential to address several engineering challenges and contribute to the development of more efficient and effective NVH systems.
Parametric-FEEL Algorithm: Developing a Parametric Vectorfitting Model for Event Localization in Calibrated Structures
Authors: Gupta Samikhshak , Gosavi Hrishikesh , Malladi Vijaya V. N. Sriram
Published: November 2023

For smart structures, especially in the context of human activity, the force exerted and the location it happened is of significant relevance. This paper revisits and improves the performance in localizing and characterizing an input force with pre-calibrated structures through vibration measurement. The Force Estimation and Event Localization (FEEL) Algorithm have been discussed as a means of calculating the force of an impact and pinpointing its location. Unlike other time-of-flight approaches, FEEL does not require time synchronization, instead using transfer functions between possible impact locations and sensor locations to estimate force and localize impact. However, this approach is limited to locations where transfer functions are available. To overcome this limitation, a rowing hammer test was used to determine Frequency Response Functions (FRFs) at various points on a beam with a uniform rectangular cross-section. The Vector-Fitting algorithm was then used to improve the FRF approximation by moving poles to more advantageous locations, enhancing convergence, and lowering noise. Using the curve fitting approach, residues and FRFs were interpolated for additional locations. The extended FEEL algorithm was then used to localize impacts and estimate forces at these additional locations. This method can be used in applications such as tracking customer movement in retail establishments, detecting falls, tracking rehabilitation progress, and estimating building occupancy.
The dual role of TonB genes in turnerbactin uptake and carbohydrate utilization in the shipworm symbiont
Teredinibacter turnerae
Authors: Naka Hiroaki , Haygood Margo G.
Published: November 2023

Teredinibacter turnerae
is an intracellular bacterial symbiont that resides in the gills of shipworms, wood-eating bivalve mollusks. This bacterium produces a catechol siderophore, turnerbactin, required for the survival of this bacterium under iron-limiting conditions. The turnerbactin biosynthetic genes are contained in one of the secondary metabolite clusters conserved among
T. turnerae
strains. However, Fe(III)-turnerbactin uptake mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we show that the first gene of the cluster,
fttA
, a homolog of Fe(III)-siderophore TonB-dependent outer membrane receptor genes, is indispensable for iron uptake via the endogenous siderophore, turnerbactin, as well as by an exogenous siderophore, amphi-enterobactin, ubiquitously produced by marine vibrios. Furthermore, three TonB clusters containing four
tonB
genes were identified, and two of these genes,
tonB1b
and
tonB2
, functioned not only for iron transport but also for carbohydrate utilization when cellulose was a sole carbon source. Gene expression analysis revealed that none of the
tonB
genes and other genes in those clusters were clearly regulated by iron concentration while turnerbactin biosynthesis and uptake genes were upregulated under iron-limiting conditions, highlighting the importance of
tonB
genes even in iron-rich conditions, possibly for utilization of carbohydrates derived from cellulose.

IMPORTANCE

This study highlights diversity in iron acquisition and regulation in bacteria. The mechanisms of iron acquisition and its regulation in
Teredinibacter turnerae
, as well as its connection to cellulose utilization, a hallmark phenotype of
T. turnerae
, expand the paradigm of bacterial iron acquisition. Two of the four TonB genes identified in
T. turnerae
exhibit functional redundancy and play a crucial role in siderophore-mediated iron transport. Unlike typical TonB genes in bacteria, none of the TonB genes in
T. turnerae
are clearly iron regulated. This unusual regulation could be explained by another important finding in this study, namely, that the two TonB genes involved in iron transport are also essential for cellulose utilization as a carbon source, leading to the expression of TonB genes even under iron-rich conditions.
Supplemental Material: Slowly deforming megathrusts within the continental lithosphere: a case from Italy
Authors: Lavecchia Giusy , Pietrolungo Federico , Bello Simone , Talone Donato , Pandolfi Claudia , Andrenacci Carlo , Carducci Andrea , de Nardis Rita
Published: November 2023

Figures S1-S8: Additional seismic activity models. Data Set S1: Catalog of high-quality hypocenter data.
Experiences and perspectives of healthcare professionals, patients and caregivers toward the serious illness conversation guide: protocol for a qualitative meta-synthesis
Authors: Yang Liu , Zhu Nanxi , Wang Xianlin , Tan Jin , Chen Liuliu , Su Cui , Dong Tiaoxia , Long Bingjie , Qiu Yeyin , Deng Renli
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Exploring the experiences and perspectives of healthcare professionals, patients and caregivers toward serious illness conversations based on the Serious Illness Care Program is vital for improving communication with patients who are seriously ill, as has been shown in previous studies. However, few studies have carried out a systematic review to examine common themes, strengthen conclusions and identify gaps in the literature, the findings of which could help steer further research, policies and practice to improve more timely and person-centred conversations about the values and priorities of patients with serious illnesses. The objective of this qualitative meta-synthesis is to explore how healthcare professionals, patients and caregivers described their own experiences of the processes of serious illness communication through a secondary analysis of published qualitative data.

Methods and analysis

Meta-aggregation will be used to conduct a systematic review of qualitative studies. We conducted an initial search on 10 October 2023; papers published in English will be searched using electronic databases, including PubMed (MEDLINE), Web of Science, Embase, Ovid and CINAHL. Studies that satisfy the eligibility criteria will be evaluated for methodological quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research. The meta-aggregative review will consist of the following: (1) extraction of findings of all included studies; (2) categorisation of the findings, with at least two findings per category; and (3) synthesis of one or more findings from at least two categories. Study eligibility screening, data extraction, analysis and JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation-Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research assessments will be undertaken independently by two authors.

Ethics and dissemination

Secondary data analysis of published literature does not require ethical approval. The results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and presented in conference papers and elsewhere.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022330859.
Self-reported and parent-reported mental health in children from low-income families in Agder, Norway: results from baseline measurements of New Patterns project participants
Authors: Bøe Tormod , Ostojic Helene Angelica , Haraldstad Kristin , Abildsnes Eirik , Wilson Philip , Vigsnes Kristine , Mølland Eirin
Published: November 2023

Background

Poverty may pose risks to child and adolescent mental health, but few studies have reported on this association among children and adolescents in low-income families in Norway.

Methods

Based on a sample participating in an intervention for low-income families in Norway, we report data from the survey administered at the start of the intervention. Mental health problems were measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ; self-report (SR) n = 148; parent/proxy-report (PR) n = 153, mean age = 10.8). Demographic and family characteristics were obtained from parent reported data. Results are presented by gender and migration background. Regression analysis was used to investigate the relative contribution of background factors to mental health symptoms. The distribution of scores is compared to UK norms.

Results

Participants reported relatively high scores on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) Total Difficulties Scale (parent/proxy-report, PR mean=10.7; self-report, SR mean=10.1). Participants with non-immigrant backgrounds scored considerably higher on the Total Difficulties Scale (PR mean difference=2.9; SR 5.3) and on most other domains measured with the SDQ compared with their peers with immigration backgrounds. Participants generally scored higher than or equal to UK norms.

Conclusion

Participants in the current study had many symptoms of mental health problems, with large differences between those with and without a migrant background. Interventions for low-income families should be based on detailed knowledge about differences in family risks, resources and needs.
Colonisation of Group BStreptococcusand its effects on pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women in Guangzhou, China: a retrospective study
Authors: Liu Yanxia , Liu Weiling , Zhuang Guiying , Liu Weiqi , Qiu Cuiqing
Published: November 2023

Objectives

This study was to investigate the colonisation rate of Group BStreptococcus(GBS) during pregnancy, and to evaluate the influence of GBS colonisation on pregnancy outcomes.

Design

A retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Data of 47 380 pregnant women from 2016 to 2022 were collected from the Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Huadu District, Guangzhou City, China.

Participants

A total of 15 040 pregnant women were eligible for this study, of which 32 340 were excluded due to non-native pregnant women, in vitro fertilization infants, malformed fetuses, habitual abortion, abortions due to poor reproductive or obstetrical history, artificial insemination, umbilical cord torsion, and other diseases during pregnancy.

Primary outcome measures

The incidence rates of GBS colonisation and premature delivery, fetal distress, premature rupture of membranes (PROM), low birth weight (LBW), abortion and stillbirth.

Results

Of the 15 040 pregnant women included in this study, 1445 developed GBS colonisation, with a prevalence of 9.61% (95% CI, 9.15 to 10.09). Advanced maternal age (≥35 years) predisposed women to GBS colonisation, and the occurrence of GBS colonisation varied among different ethnic groups. Our data revealed that fetal distress, PROM and LBW were more common in pregnant women colonised with GBS than in pregnant women not colonised with GBS. The incidence for premature delivery, fetal distress, PROM and LBW in infants of pregnant women colonised with GBS was 41.0% (OR=1.410, 95% CI, 1.134 to 1.753), 282.5% (OR=3.825, 95% CI, 3.185 to 4.593), 14.9% (OR=1.149, 95% CI, 1.005 to 1.313), and 29.7% (OR=1.297, 95% CI, 1.010 to 1.664), respectively.

Conclusions

GBS colonisation was relatively low in pregnant women in Guangzhou. Women of advanced maternal age were more prone to GBS colonisation, and pregnant women colonised with GBS were more predisposed to fetal distress, PROM and LBW.
Nebulised 3% hypertonic saline versus 0.9% saline for treating patients hospitalised with acute bronchiolitis: protocol for a randomised, double-blind, multicentre trial
Authors: Szupieńko Sara , Buczek Aleksandra , Szymański Henryk
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Bronchiolitis is an acute viral infection of the lower respiratory tract. It is most commonly caused by respiratory syncytial virus. Being a common reason for hospitalisation, it affects 13–17% of all hospitalised children younger than 2 years. Only supportive therapy, including suctioning nasal secretions, water–electrolyte balance maintenance and oxygen supplementation when needed, is recommended. However, non-evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, including the use of inhaled bronchodilators, nebulised epinephrine, and nebulised and systemic steroids, are common. The inhalation of 3% hypertonic saline is not recommended in bronchiolitis management. However, a recently published meta-analysis revealed that the inhalation of hypertonic saline can reduce the risk of hospitalisation for outpatients with bronchiolitis, while resulting in a shorter length of hospital stay and reduced severity of respiratory distress for inpatients, although the evidence is of low certainty. We aim to assess the efficacy of nebulised hypertonic saline for the treatment of children hospitalised with bronchiolitis.

Methods and analysis

This will be a randomised, double-blinded, parallel-group, controlled trial. Children younger than 2 years who are hospitalised due to bronchiolitis will be recruited from at least three paediatric departments in Poland. Bronchiolitis is defined as an apparent viral respiratory tract infection associated with airway obstruction that is manifested by at least one of following symptoms: tachypnoea, increased respiratory effort, crackles and/or wheezing. A total of 140 children will be randomised (1:1) to receive either hypertonic saline nebulisation (5 mL, three times a day) or normal saline at the same dose. The primary outcome measure will be the duration of hospitalisation.

Ethics and dissemination

The Bioethics Committee of the Lower Silesia Medical Chamber in Wroclaw approved the study protocol (4/PNDR/2023). Caregivers will receive oral and written information about the study and written informed consent will be obtained by the study physicians. The findings of the study will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal, and abstracts will be submitted to relevant national and international conferences.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT06069336).
The Reconsideration of IFRS Adoption and Audit Fees: Evidence from UK Private Firms
Authors: Hsu Yu-Lin , Chen Ni-Yun
Published: November 2023

Synopsis

The research problem

This paper examined whether firms’ decision to switch from the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) to the new Generally Accepted Accounting Practice in the United Kingdom (New UK GAAP) affects their audit fees.

Motivation

The New UK GAAP was introduced by the UK regulators to enhance the comparability of financial reports and to reduce the high financial reporting costs associated with IFRS. We aimed to provide evidence on whether the reduced frameworks of IFRS, like the New UK GAAP, are a more cost-effective option. Furthermore, only very few studies analyzed the impact of abandoning IFRS on audit fees, and these found inconsistent results using the public firm data. We aimed to extend the current literature by using the private firm data.

The test hypotheses

Our first set of hypotheses considered whether the switch from IFRS to the New UK GAAP is associated with audit fees. Our second hypothesis tested whether there is a difference in any such association between larger and smaller firms.

Target population

We focused on the UK private (i.e., nonlisted) firms that have previously voluntarily adopted the IFRS.

Adopted methodology

We used regression analyses, difference-in-differences (DID) analyses, various matching methods for robustness, and analyses of firms’ financial reports.

Analyses

Using the UK private (i.e., nonlisted) firm data for the period 2014–2019, we examined the impact of switching from IFRS to the New UK GAAP on audit fees. The data for regression and DID analyses were obtained from the FAME database. We also downloaded the financial reports of two firms from Companies House to analyze the differences in their reports before and after the switch to the New UK GAAP.

Findings

We found that firms’ decision to switch from IFRS to the New UK GAAP significantly reduced their audit fees, with larger firms experiencing an additional reduction in their audit fees following the switch. Through examining the real examples of firms’ financial reports, we found consistent evidence that firms turning away from IFRS did take advantage of the disclosure exemptions contained within the New UK GAAP, resulting in reduced disclosure, which may explain the reduced audit fees. Overall, our findings suggest that using full IFRS may still be burdensome for the sampled firms that previously voluntarily adopted the IFRS. The findings also imply that an accounting standard consistent with IFRS but requiring less disclosure, such as the New UK GAAP or the IFRS for Small and Medium-sized Entities, may be welcomed by practitioners and represents a useful alternative for standard setters.
Mutated Leader Optimisation Algorithm-Based Microclimate Modelling on Greenhouse Concerning Flower Plant Growth
Authors: Chimankare Renuka Vinod , Das Subra , Kaur Karmjeet , Magare Dhiraj B.
Published: November 2023

Microclimate modelling in a greenhouse is complicated due to the model’s irregularity and uncertainty of variable parameters. Evaluating the greenhouse’s changing climate is challenging since the conditions are always changing. As a result, it is necessary to determine the best way to manage the microclimate for the healthy development of growing plants. In order to maximise the growth of blooming plants, a modified leader optimisation algorithm (MLA) is created in this study to control the inside environment of a greenhouse. The implementation is done using greenhouses with a double-span structure located in Punjab and Mohali in India. The recommended approach analyses a number of characteristics, including carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, temperature, and humidity, to keep track of the greenhouse’s environment. The humidity, temperature and CO2 content of flowering plants are studied using the proposed method implemented using MATLAB tool. The evaluated parameters are compared to conventional techniques like Battle Royale Optimisation (BRO), Particle Swarm Optimisation Algorithm (PSO), and BAT algorithm (BAT). Cost and energy consumption are also calculated for both proposed and existing models. Additionally, for the microclimatic parameters, error metrics, including Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Maximum Absolute Error (MaxAE), Mean Square Error (MSE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and Standard Deviation (STD) are analysed and compared with the conventional approaches. The comparative outcomes highlight the minimal error metrics of a suggested MLA for temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels in blooming plants. The result analysis proves that the proposed MLA model is better than the previous models for predicting the proper range of CO2 concentration, suitable temperature, and perfect humidity for flowering plants. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed MLA approach compared to the established methods for developing blooming plants.
Emodin ameliorates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by inhibiting ferroptosis through the remodeling of gut microbiota composition
Authors: Hu Songqing , Zhou Jiedong , Hao Jinjin , Zhong Zuoquan , Wu Haowei , Zhang Peipei , Yang Juntao , Guo Hangyuan , Chi Jufang
Published: November 2023

This study demonstrated for the first time the protective effect of emodin against DIC and verified by FMT that its cardioprotective effect was achieved by remodeling gut microbiota composition, resulting in attenuation of ferroptosis. Furthermore, we demonstrated that these effects were mediated by the redox-related gene Nrf2.
Production of Biodiesel from Nonedible Parkia biglobosa Oil under Acidic Condition
Authors: Kipkoech Rogers , Takase Mohammed
Published: November 2023

In this study, biodiesel was produced from Parkia biglobosa oil via optimization of transesterification reaction conditions, (methanol to oil ratio, catalyst concentration, reaction temperature, and reaction time) under sulphuric acid catalyst (H2SO4). The oil was first extracted from Parkia biglobosa seeds using the Soxhlet extraction method. The physicochemical properties of the biodiesel were analysed and then compared to international standards. Subsequently, the oil was then used to produce biodiesel at optimized transesterification reaction conditions. The free fatty acid (FFA) content of the oil was 1.61% w/w, while the saponification value (mgKOH/g) was 191.65. The maximum yield (percentage weight) of the biodiesel produced was 93.4% at the maximum transesterification conditions of methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 6 : 1, sulphuric acid catalyst amount of 3 wt%, reaction temperature of 65°C, and reaction time of 1.5 h. The biodiesel produced was within the limits of international standards as per the specification by ASTM D6751 (American standard), EN 14241 (European standard), and Ghana Standard Authority. It was therefore recommended that biodiesel from Parkia biglobosa seed oil under acidic catalytic condition is a potential new substitute for petroleum diesel for commercialization purposes.
Study on Short‐Term Load Combination Forecasting Model Considering Historical Data Interval Construction
Authors: Yan Laiqing , Li Zhenwen , Zhang Chuhan , Yan Zutai , Liu Xiaojia , Ma Ning
Published: November 2023

In response to the insufficient accuracy of load forecasting in power system and the wide range of intervals, a combined short‐term power load forecasting model considering the interval construction of historical data is proposed. First, the data are decomposed into relatively stable subsequences using extreme‐point symmetric mode decomposition (ESMD), and the adaptive dispersion entropy (DE) of C–C algorithm is proposed to recombine similar subsequences. Then, periodicity and correlation analysis are used to determine the input set of each reconstructed component, and the hybrid strategy improved equilibrium optimizer (HSIEO) is proposed to optimize the output weights of the deep extreme learning machine (DELM) to obtain the prediction values of different components and the historical data errors, and the historical data intervals are constructed based on the errors of each component. Then, based on the upper and lower bound estimation method (LUBE), the proposed improved objective function is optimized using the HSIEO‐DELM to obtain the component prediction intervals, and the optimal prediction intervals are obtained after superposition. Finally, the experimental comparison shows that the proposed algorithm has higher accuracy and better quality of model prediction intervals.
Prevalence and Determinants of Geohelminthiasis among School-Age Children in Jimma City, Ethiopia
Authors: Zeynudin Ahmed , Degefa Teshome , Suleman Sultan , Abamecha Abdulhakim , Hajikelil Zuber , Wieser Andreas
Published: November 2023

School-age children (SAC) are at a higher risk of geohelminth or soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections due to their practice of walking and playing barefoot, lack of adequate sanitary facilities, and poor personal hygiene. In Ethiopia, periodic deworming has been implemented since 2013 with the aim of interrupting the transmission of STH in children by 2025. To evaluate the likely success of such a control program, it is crucial to monitor the transmission of STH, especially in peri-urban settings where environmental sanitation is modest. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of STH infections among SAC in peri-urban areas of Jimma City, Southwestern Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in five peri-urban Kebeles of Jimma City from July to September, 2021. Systematic random sampling was used to select 522 households with at least one child, and 478 children (5–15 years old) were recruited randomly from the households. Data on sociodemographic and potential risk factors were collected using a structured questionnaire. Stool samples from each study participant were collected and examined microscopically using the Kato–Katz technique. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify risk factors associated with STH infections. The prevalence of any STH among SAC was 23.4%, with Ascaris lumbricoides being the predominant STH species (15.7%), followed by Trichuris trichiura (9%) and hookworm (2.1%). Most (86.6%) of the STH-positive SAC had a single infection and a light infection intensity (88.2%), with a mean intensity of 367.4 eggs per gram. Location of Kebele (AOR = 2.73; 95% CI: 1.21–6.16,

p
=
0.016

), lack of hand washing after defecation (AOR = 6.39; 95% CI: 3.16–12.95,

p
<
0.001

), untrimmed fingernails (AOR = 2.65; 95% CI: 1.56–4.51,

p
<
0.001

), and lack of previous deworming (AOR = 2.90; 95% CI: 1.47–5.74,

p
=
0.002

) were significant predictors for STH infections among SAC. In conclusion, the study revealed that STH infections are significant health problem in the peri-urban areas of Jimma City. Strengthening periodic deworming and improving children’s hygiene through health education are required to reduce the transmission.
Supplementary Figure S1 from Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Efficacy of Trastuzumab Deruxtecan with Concomitant Ritonavir or Itraconazole in Patients with HER2-Expressing Advanced Solid Tumors
Authors: Takahashi Shunji , Karayama Masato , Takahashi Masato , Watanabe Junichiro , Minami Hironobu , Yamamoto Noboru , Kinoshita Ichiro , Lin Chia-Chi , Im Young-Hyuck , Achiwa Issei , Kamiyama Emi , Okuda Yasuyuki , Lee Caleb , Bang Yung-Jue
Published: November 2023

Figure S1 Study flow diagram. aIncludes dose reductions and study discontinuations.
T-DXd, trastuzumab deruxtecan
Supplementary Appendix from Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Efficacy of Trastuzumab Deruxtecan with Concomitant Ritonavir or Itraconazole in Patients with HER2-Expressing Advanced Solid Tumors
Authors: Takahashi Shunji , Karayama Masato , Takahashi Masato , Watanabe Junichiro , Minami Hironobu , Yamamoto Noboru , Kinoshita Ichiro , Lin Chia-Chi , Im Young-Hyuck , Achiwa Issei , Kamiyama Emi , Okuda Yasuyuki , Lee Caleb , Bang Yung-Jue
Published: November 2023

Supplementary Appendix (text only)
Data from Organoids Derived from Neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX Patients Recapitulate Therapy Resistance in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Farshadi Elham Aida , Chang Jiang , Sampadi Bharath , Doukas Michail , Van 't Land Freek , van der Sijde Fleur , Vietsch Eveline E. , Pothof Joris , Koerkamp Bas Groot , van Eijck Casper H.J.
Published: November 2023

AbstractPurpose:
We investigated whether organoids can be generated from resected tumors of patients who received eight cycles of neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy before surgery, and evaluated the sensitivity/resistance of these surviving cancer cells to cancer therapy.
Experimental Design:
We generated a library of 10 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) organoid lines: five each from treatment-naïve and FOLFIRINOX-treated patients. We first assessed the histologic, genetic, and transcriptional characteristics of the organoids and their matched primary PDAC tissue. Next, the organoids' response to treatment with single agents—5-FU, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin—of the FOLFIRINOX regimen as well as combined regimen was evaluated. Finally, global mRNA-seq analyses were performed to identify FOLFIRINOX resistance pathways.
Results:
All 10 patient-derived PDAC organoids recapitulate histologic, genetic, and transcriptional characteristics of their primary tumor tissue. Neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX-treated organoids display resistance to FOLFIRINOX (5/5), irinotecan (5/5), and oxaliplatin (4/5) when compared with treatment-naïve organoids (FOLFIRINOX: 1/5, irinotecan: 2/5, oxaliplatin: 0/5). 5-Fluorouracil treatment responses between naïve and treated organoids were similar. Comparative global transcriptome analysis of treatment-naïve and FOLFIRINOX samples—in both organoids and corresponding matched tumor tissues—uncovered modulated pathways mainly involved in genomic instability, energy metabolism, and innate immune system.
Conclusions:
Resistance development in neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX organoids, recapitulating their primary tumor resistance, suggests continuation of FOLFIRINOX therapy as an adjuvant treatment may not be advantageous for these patients. Gene-expression profiles of PDAC organoids identify targetable pathways involved in chemoresistance development upon neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX treatment, thus opening up combination therapy possibilities.
Supplemental Figure 2 from SIX4 Controls Anti-PD-1 Efficacy by Regulating STING Expression
Authors: Liang Beiyuan , Zhang Evan H. , Ye Zhen , Storts Hayden , Jin Wei , Zheng Xinru , Hylton Hannah , Zaleski Olivia , Xing Xuanxuan , Miles Wayne , Wang Jing J.
Published: November 2023

Supplemental Figure 2 shows the quantification of western blots shown in Figure 2A and 2B.
Supplemental Figure 1 from SIX4 Controls Anti-PD-1 Efficacy by Regulating STING Expression
Authors: Liang Beiyuan , Zhang Evan H. , Ye Zhen , Storts Hayden , Jin Wei , Zheng Xinru , Hylton Hannah , Zaleski Olivia , Xing Xuanxuan , Miles Wayne , Wang Jing J.
Published: November 2023

Supplemental Figure 1 shows the quantification of western blots shown in Figure 1A and 1B.