bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical efficacy and performance evaluation of a bendable remote robot system for a bone tumour surgery: A pilot animal study
Authors: Kim Seungmin , Shin Donghyun , Lee Changhyeon , Yu Daehee , Cho Jongho , Bang Hyunhee , Lee Hyunjoo , Kim Donghyun , Park Ilhyung , Hong Jaesung , Joung Sanghyun
Published: June 2024

Background

Traditional open surgery for bone tumours sometimes has as a consequence an excessive removal of healthy bone tissue because of the limitations of rigid surgical instruments, increasing infection risk and recovery time.

Methods

We propose a remote robot with a 4.5‐mm diameter bendable end‐effector, offering four degrees of freedom for accessing the inside of the bone and performing tumour debridement. The preclinical studies evaluated the effectiveness, clinical scenario, and usability across 12 total surgeries–six phantom surgeries and six bovine bone surgeries. Evaluation criteria included skin incision size, bone window size, surgical time, removal rate, and conversion to open surgery.

Results

Preclinical studies demonstrated that the robotic approach requires significantly smaller incision size and procedure times than traditional open curettage.

Conclusion

This study validated the performance of the proposed system by assessing its preclinical effectiveness and optimising surgical methods using human phantom and bovine bone tumour models.
A pathway for plastic waste in construction materials
Authors: Tul Muntaha Sidra , Keitsch Martina
Published: June 2024

Mass plastic production has exponentially increased plastic waste. The low rate of degradation causes plastic waste to end up in the oceans straining ecosystems globally. Besides pollution avoidance, reusing plastic waste is a currently evolving strategy, for example, in the construction sector, to meet the increasing demand for housing due to rapid urbanization and population growth. The following literature review summarizes the current approaches of plastic waste applications in the construction sector along with their varying compositions and properties to mitigate the environmental impacts of marine plastic pollution. The review indicates that firstly, extended research on reusing plastic waste for applications in building materials is needed to overcome existing challenges and that secondly, policies should be designed in accordance with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to commercialize plastic waste in building materials to approach a circular economy. The article aims at promoting sustainability by raising awareness among stakeholders to reuse plastic waste in construction applications.
31‐2: Progressive Emission Method Using Pulse Width Modulation for Micro‐LED Display
Authors: Xu Shangjun , Gao Shan , Tan Wen , Liao Yisui , Liu Xiaowei
Published: June 2024

In this paper, progressive emission method using pulse width modulation (PWM) for Micro‐LED display was discussed. The group number and period of key signal named ‘SWEEP' were calculated in detail. The results showed that these two parameters had clear value range in a specific panel. Moreover, total emission pulse number in one frame should be set correctly to achieve high efficiency for Micro‐LED device and low power consumption for display panel.
44‐2: Invited Paper: Liquid Crystal Photoalignment by Azodye Nanolayers: New Liquid Crystal Photonics Devices
Authors: Chigrinov Vladimir G. , Neyts Kristaan , Lee Yi-Kuen
Published: June 2024

We consider new LC photonics devices based on photoalignment and photopatterning technology using azodye nanolayers.
55‐1: Invited Paper: Yield and manufacturing challenges for microLED micro‐displays
Authors: Steudel Soeren , Vertommen Johan , Bach Lars
Published: June 2024

In this paper, we discuss microLED display yield and manufacturing challenges related to the CMOS integration as well as epi‐defectivity. Based on those considerations, we show the MICLEDI approach how to address them in a 300mm foundry compatible integration flow.
72‐1: Enhancing the Efficiency of Perovskite Quantum Dot Light‐Emitting Diodes through Surface Engineer with Organic Small Molecule Ligands
Authors: Li Hanming , Yu Lesheng , Wang Yue , Tao Jin , Yang Chunliu , Chen Kai , Tan Fang , Li Ji , Zhou Hang , Zhang Shengdong
Published: June 2024

Developing passivation strategies to achieve highly efficient and stable red quantum dots holds significant importance for the application of perovskite luminescent materials. Here, we introduce a kind of small molecule passivating ligands during the synthesis of perovskite quantum dots, which exhibit stronger anchoring interactions with the quantum dot surface and passivate surface vacancy defects. Based on this, we have achieved CsPbI3 quantum dots with a Photoluminescence Quantum Yield (PLQY) close to 100% and applied them in light‐ emitting diodes (LEDs), resulting in LEDs with an EQE as high as 19.8%.
P‐4.35: Application of Virtual Reality Technology in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Psychological Disorders: An Electroencephalography (EEG)‐Based Approach
Authors: Ma Weizhi , Li Zhengping , Li Tianhao , Zheng Yujia , Wang Lijun
Published: June 2024

In the wake of the incessant evolution of virtual reality (VR) technology, its pervasive integration into an expanding array of sectors, notably the medical field, has become increasingly conspicuous. Amid these developments, post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a prevalent and debilitating mental health condition, has garnered heightened attention from the medical community. The contemporary therapeutic landscape predominantly revolves around psychological interventions, exemplified by exposure therapy and positive thinking therapy. However, a groundbreaking advancement, namely virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET), has emerged as a prominent achievement, effectively intertwining VR technology with medical applications, particularly in the nuanced treatment of PTSD. As the realms of human‐computer interaction and brain‐computer interface undergo continuous and dynamic expansion, electroencephalography (EEG) has surfaced as a pivotal convergence point across diverse disciplines. The confluence of VRET technology with EEG signals holds the promise of enhancing the precision and objectivity of patient diagnoses. Furthermore, leveraging EEG signals enables a more nuanced and individualized approach to treatment within the framework of VRET technology. Despite extant studies that offer comprehensive summaries of VRET technology, the integration with EEG signals has thus far been a relatively unexplored terrain. This research endeavors to direct attention toward recent advancements in VRET technology within the sphere of mental health treatment. A meticulous synthesis and exposition of existing techniques and applications are presented, providing a comprehensive overview of the current landscape. The exploration extends to the developmental trajectory and prospective implications arising from the amalgamation of VRET technology and EEG technology. Furthermore, a rigorous analysis of the tangible contributions and practical significance of EEG signals in the domain of mental health treatment is undertaken, underscoring the potential avenues for their future applications and the transformative impact on the trajectory of therapeutic interventions.
P‐6.9: Research on the technologies of Dual Side Mix GOA to realize the narrow border on the Panel
Authors: HUO Peirong , XU Jingyi , XIE Jianyun , ZUO Xiongcan , TANG Wulijibaier , ZHANG Yongqiang , XIAO Zhenhong , ZHAO Shun , XUE Hailin
Published: June 2024

In this paper, an asymmetric bilateral driving GOA model is proposed. The model is left‐right asymmetric and consists of a GOA output stabilization unit and a GOA output compensation unit. Respectively, which work together to drive and control a row of pixels. The stabilizing and compensating units alternate between left and right, and the two rows of pixels form a cycle, which we call DSMG (dual side mix goa).

The above asymmetric dual‐side drive GOA model can achieve line‐by‐line stable output, and maximize the reduction of the number of TFTs and capacitors, can be compared with the traditional dual‐side symmetric drive GOA circuit to reduce the layout space of at least 50μm, the research has passed the invention of patent applications, and effectively promote the development of the narrow bezel of the display.
P‐6.11: Optimizing AMOLED Product Data Programming via eDP Interface
Authors: Zhang Hufeng , Quan Chenxin , Quan Chuwen
Published: June 2024

This paper studies how to implement Flash data programming for AMOLED display module products through eDP interface. eDP interface is an internal digital interface based on DisplayPort architecture and protocol, which has the advantages of high transmission rate and low power consumption, but is not suitable for transmitting non‐image or video data. Therefore, AMOLED display modules usually need additional interfaces to write key data (such as Demura, Gamma and TCON firmware) into Flash chips, which brings some problems of data transmission interference, unreliability and inefficiency. To solve these problems, this paper proposes a new operation method, which repackages the data to be written, converts them into images, sends them to TCON through eDP interface, and then TCON analyzes the images, extracts the valid data, and starts programming for Flash. This paper divides the whole process into three steps, and verifies the feasibility and effectiveness of the method through experiments. This method effectively solves the problem of data programming, simplifies the production process, and improves the speed and reliability of programming.
P‐6.12: Research on Current Simulation of Relevant Signal Nodes in GOA Circuits
Authors: Chen Gongda , Wang Shijun , Yu Tianjin , Peng Zhou , Chen Xi
Published: June 2024

A simulation study was conducted on the current of GOA related signals for different MNT products using the same GOA model. Research has found that in the GOA unit, CLK and Out have higher currents compared to other signals. The reason is that CLK and Out are gate signals that control the opening of the display area TFT. The connected TFT has the largest size, so the current flowing through CLK and Out is the largest. Comparing the current density of several products flowing through the CLK signal, combined with product performance research, it was found that the product with the highest CLK current density is more prone to through‐hole heating during the process stage. This provides design references for the line width design and via design of various signals in subsequent GOA designs. In the design process, for signals with high current in GOA related signals such as CLK, corresponding design optimizations can be made to their line width and via, such as increasing the line width and number of via, in order to reduce the probability of poor via burning in this signal.
P‐7.3: Numerical modeling of GaN growth by MOCVD on metal substrate
Authors: Fang Xiubo , Pan Kui , Xia Tianwen , Chen Qinzhong , Zhang Ke , Hou Qinglong , Wu Yongsheng , Liu Hengshan , Sun Jie , Yan Qun , Guo Tailiang
Published: June 2024

GaN materials have attracted great interest and have demonstrated remarkable potential in many fields. When growing GaN materials, substrate selection is of great importance. By virtue of their nominally unlimited size, easy removal, and excellent thermal conduction, metal substrates have been suggested as an alternative to the commonly used substrates such as sapphire. GaN growth on metal substrates, however, is still quite rare, and many aspects remain unexplored. This paper uses computational fluid dynamics to perform a three‐dimensional numerical simulation of the GaN‐ MOCVD reaction chamber. We investigated the influence of the graphite containers' rotational velocity and the metal matrix's temperature at various locations. When the pressure within the MOCVD chamber remains constant, increasing the graphite tray's rotational velocity enhances the temperature field distribution within the chamber. However, the flow field becomes unstable when the rotation rate exceeds 1000 rpm. Our findings serve as a crucial benchmark for the future parameter optimization of MOCVD growth of GaN on metals.
P‐8.9: Improved Application of Vector Quantization Algorithm in Demura Data Compression
Authors: yang Pan , Guo Xinglin , chen Lin , zhang Xiao , Tan Xiaoping , Gei Mingwei , Zhu Xiujian
Published: June 2024

As an effective compression technology, vector quantization (VQ) has the outstanding advantages of large compression ratio and simple decoding algorithm, so it has become one of the important technologies of image compression coding. OLED, as a light emitting device, is prone to uneven light and dark phenomenon, that is, mura phenomenon, because of its TFT electrical characteristics. The Demura compensation data is written into SRAM to compensate the pixel driving process of OLED display panel to removing mura. Because the Multi‐Photo of gray need to take, the depth of compensation data generated by each gray level is large, so the total bit of compensation data is huge, data compression is required to meet SRAM requirements. This paper analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of VQ‐LBG quantization algorithm, applies LBG algorithm to demura data compression, and improves the accuracy of code vector by optimizing the "splitting" process of LBG algorithm, and optimizes the coding table after the "splitting" to improve compression rate of the algorithm.
P‐9.12: Study of Fatigue of SSVEP with Partitioned Backlight LCD Display
Authors: Liu Yunhong , Fan Zhaowen , Zhang Xiong , Zhong Xuefei
Published: June 2024

Integration of interactive functions into display is an important trend of display technology. Brain‐computer interfaces enable human‐machine interaction by interpreting electroencephalogram signals, among which Steady‐State Visual Evoked Potential (SSVEP) based on liquid crystal displays is a promising BCI type. Currently, LCD faces the limitation of a mere 240Hz refresh rate. However, this constraint can be surpassed by partitioned backlighting (PB), which effortlessly achieves a refresh rate of 1kHz. Comparing with traditional LCD‐SSVEP, this article studies the brain fatigue of PB‐SSVEP by conducting experiments to measure ophthalmic parameters and EEG. The results indicate that under specific frequency, size, and color conditions, PB‐SSVEP induces lighter visual and brain fatigue to a certain extent.
P‐13.3: Design and preparation of an optical micro‐nano film with adjustable viewing angle effect
Authors: Congchan Li , hu Dou , Lu Wang , Chenhui Shi , Yi Chai , Xinhe Wang , youquan Dan
Published: June 2024

The market has seen an emergence of special viewing angle needs with the development of display devices. For instance, some consumers require displays with adjustable viewing angles to accommodate different scenarios. This paper proposes an optical micro‐nano film with an adjustable viewing angle effect. The rotation angle of liquid crystal molecules is controlled through the reasonable design of the liquid crystal layer's thickness and the voltage magnitude to achieve the control of the viewing angle. The display is best viewed at the center of the display when no voltage is applied. However, the quality of the wide viewing angle display is significantly better after voltage is applied. The simulation results indicate that the brightness in the viewing angle range of ‐27°to ‐23°and 37°to 41°is significantly improved after applying a voltage of 15V, suggesting a broad application prospect for this technology. In addition, the use of this technology reduces the difficulty of process preparation and makes it more universally applicable.
P‐15.19: Investigation into OLED Response Time within Pixel Drive Circuits
Authors: Pang Hui , Li Mengzhen , Liu Bin , Li Baoyu , Wang Hongyu , Song Wonjun
Published: June 2024

This study explores the complexities of achieving rapid response speed in OLED displays, particularly focusing on the challenges introduced by driving circuits and inherent capacitance. The proposed measurement system offers an innovative approach to evaluating response times and matching of RGB OLEDs at the device level, presenting a cost‐effective strategy for image quality issues resolution, especially at lower brightness.
P‐15.33: The Status and Trend of Narrow‐bezel OLED Display
Authors: Wang Jiajun , Liu Guiqi , Du Lingxiao , Zhang Meng , Li Junfeng
Published: June 2024

With the development of display technology, the terminal customer has put forward higher panel specification requirements. As a result, smart phone's panel size becomes bigger and bigger, as well as the screen ratio, which lead to sharp decrease in panel border size. While limited by the space and module structure, how to accomplish narrow bezel is always a hot topic in OLED field. During the past two years, panel makers used LIPO‐Low injection pressure overmolding, technology to make border narrower, and this become standard configuration settings. However, LIPO accounts for little proportion in total panel and module border, it is the reduction for the space between the shell and module. In this paper, we analyze the trend of narrow bezel development, and introduce some new methods which may be used in future, hoping to provide some helpful reference to OLED panel narrow bezel design.
Identification of Novel Thiazolidinedione Based Pancreatic Lipase Inhibitors for the Management of Obesity Using In Silico Approach
Authors: Khator Rakesh , Singh Yogesh , Asati Vivek , Monga Vikramdeep
Published: June 2024

Accumulation of excessive fat in the body is an indication of obesity, which is becoming an alarming health concern around the world. Pancreatic lipase has been found to have a promising role in the digestion of dietary fats thereby inhibition of pancreatic lipase can be a therapeutic strategy for the management of obesity. Literature showed the anti‐pancreatic lipase potential of thiazolidinediones thereby the current study is designed to identify substituted thiazolidinedione‐based molecules as pancreatic lipase inhibitors. A 3D QSAR model with R2 value of 0.7283 and Stability of 0.843 was generated to determine the nature of substitution necessary for the inhibitory activity. Based on the generated 3D QSAR, the activity of 352 novel‐designed molecules was predicted and further screened through pharmacokinetic parameters. These compounds were docked into the binding site of the pancreatic lipase which led to the identification of 14 hit molecules with dock score between −9.523 to −7.604 kcal/mol. The molecular simulation studies and free energy calculation of the hit compounds i. e. 87 and 80 revealed good stability and binding in the active site of pancreatic lipase. The current study provides 14 hit molecules, which can be synthesized and further evaluated to explore their anti‐pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity.
Advancements in the Heterogeneous Catalytic Hydrogenation of Furfural to Downstream Products
Authors: Zhang Wei , Ma Sifang , Yang Jing‐He
Published: June 2024

Furfural is a 5‐membered heterocyclic compound derived from biomass and can be converted into various chemicals and biofuels through hydrogenation. Furfural conversion invariably requires the involvement of catalysts. The performance of these catalysts predominantly hinges on the characteristics of the metal active sites, the properties of the support, and the regulation of reaction conditions. Therefore, the selection of metals and supports, the preparation methods of catalysts, as well as the determination of reaction solvents, temperature, pressure, and catalyst dosage are the factors that researchers need to consider. Based on this, this present review focuses on the production process and heterogeneous catalytic system selection of furfural hydrogenation to prepare downstream products since 2018. It provides a brief introduction to the corresponding catalytic reaction mechanisms, focuses on the effects of different metals and supports on catalytic performance, and provides an outlook on this research direction.
Anthraquinone and its Derivatives as a Recyclable Photocatalyst for Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Rhodamine B in Water under Visible Light
Authors: Su Anqun , Zhang Mayin , Meng Wenyi , Jiang Dabo , Yang Tao , Yang Cheng , Liang Shuting , Zhou Junzuo , Yang Qiangbin , Xu Longjun
Published: June 2024

This study presents findings that suggest it is possible to fine‐tune and enhance the optical properties of anthraquinone (AQ) and its photocatalytic performance in the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) at the molecular level through varying its keleton substituents. Specifically, the electron‐withdrawing substituent demonstrates a more pronounced improvement effect compared to the electron‐donating substituent. Out of the several compounds, 2‐carboxyanthraquinone (AQ−COOH) exhibits the highest photocatalytic activity. This is due to its ionization in water, generating H+ ions that enhance the destruction of RhB through photodegradation. After 30 min of exposure to visible light, the degradation rate of RhB reaches an impressive 99.9 %. It is noteworthy that a hydrochloric acid solution with a concentration of 0.5 mmol ⋅ L−1 has a considerable promoting impact on the photodegradation of RhB catalyzed by AQ−COOH, and that the total degradation of RhB can be accomplished in 15 min. In addition, AQ−COOH also has good applicability for the degradation of tetracycline, methylene blue, and methyl orange. As a recyclable solid catalyst, the catalytic activity of AQ−COOH remained mostly unchanged after being used five times. Additionally, AQ−COOH did not undergo degradation when exposed to visible light, indicating its excellent stability in the process of catalyzing RhB degradation. According to quenching experiments and EPR spectrum characterizations, the photo‐generated active species oxygen vacancies (h+), photogenerated electrons (e−), superoxide free radicals (O2⋅−), singlet oxygen (1O2) and hydroxyl radical (•OH) are involved in the hypothesized photo‐catalytic degradation mechanism.
Thiocarbonyl‐Based Hole Transport Materials with Enhanced Defect Passivation Ability for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Tan Junhong , Tang Rong , Wang Ruiqin , Gao Xing , Chen Kaixing , Liu Xiaorui , Wu Fei , Zhu Linna
Published: June 2024

Organic hole transporting materials (HTMs) are extensively studied in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The HTMs directly contact the underlying perovskite material, and they play additional roles apart from hole transporting. Developing organic HTMs with defect passivation function has been proved to be an efficient strategy to construct efficient and stable PSCs. In this work, new organic molecules with thiocarbonyl (C═S) and carbonyl (C═O) functional groups are synthesized and applied as HTMs (named FN‐S and FN‐O). FN‐S with C═S can be facilely obtained from FN‐O containing C═O. Notably, the C═S in FN‐S results in superior defect passivation ability compared to FN‐O. Moreover, FN‐S exhibits excellent hole extraction/transport capability. Conventional PSCs using FN‐S as HTM show an impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.25%, with excellent long‐term stability and operational stability. This work indicates that simply converting C═O to C═S is an efficient way to improve the device performance by strengthening the defect passivation functionality.
Sustainable Oily Liquid‐Proof Passive Cooling (SOC) Textile for Personal Thermal Management
Authors: Wang Shuai , Li Feiran , Zhao Xuezeng , Pan Yunlu
Published: June 2024

Sweat passive‐cooling textiles with asymmetric wettabilities on different sides offer an effective and low‐energy consumption solution to personal thermal management in extreme thermal environments. However, the sweat‐wicking and the cooling abilities decrease when the textile is contaminated by low‐surface tension oily liquid fouling. The integration of anti‐oily liquid fouling and sweat‐wicking abilities on textile involves resolving the contradiction between hydrophilic and oleophobic properties and seeking eco‐friendly short‐chain fluorides to reduce the surface energy. Herein, a sustainable oily liquid‐proof passive cooling (SOC) textile for personal thermal management is proposed. The SOC textile is obtained by applying a fluoride‐free hydrophobic coating layer to one side of the high thermal conductive superoleophobic/superhydrophilic basal textile, which is fabricated using eco‐friendly short‐chain fluoride. The SOC textile preserves the anti‐oily liquid fouling property even after 2000 abrasion cycles. Experimental test revealed that the SOC textile exhibits a cooling effect of ≈5 °C compared with the cotton textile, and the up to 70% reduction in sweating rate under the constant metabolic heat production rates. The configuration of the SOC textile would inspire the future design of intelligent textiles for personal thermal management, and the proposed strategy have implications for fabrication of eco‐friendly oil‐water separation materials.
Advances in Drug Delivery Systems for the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Wu Xia , Wang Fangfang , Yang Xijing , Gong Yuping , Niu Ting , Chu Bingyang , Qu Ying , Qian Zhiyong
Published: June 2024

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a common and catastrophic hematological neoplasm with high mortality rates. Conventional therapies, including chemotherapy, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), immune therapy, and targeted agents, have unsatisfactory outcomes for AML patients due to drug toxicity, off‐target effects, drug resistance, drug side effects, and AML relapse and refractoriness. These intrinsic limitations of current treatments have promoted the development and application of nanomedicine for more effective and safer leukemia therapy. In this review, the classification of nanoparticles applied in AML therapy, including liposomes, polymersomes, micelles, dendrimers, and inorganic nanoparticles, is reviewed. In addition, various strategies for enhancing therapeutic targetability in nanomedicine, including the use of conjugating ligands, biomimetic‐nanotechnology, and bone marrow targeting, which indicates the potential to reverse drug resistance, are discussed. The application of nanomedicine for assisting immunotherapy is also involved. Finally, the advantages and possible challenges of nanomedicine for the transition from the preclinical phase to the clinical phase are discussed.
Regulating Pseudo‐Graphitic Domain and Closed Pores to Facilitate Plateau Sodium Storage Capacity and Kinetics for Hard Carbon
Authors: Tang Zhi , Jiang Dan , Fu Zhouhao , Zhou Jia , Liu Rui , Zhang Rui , Sun Dan , Dhmees Abdelghaffar S. , Tang Yougen , Wang Haiyan
Published: June 2024

Hard carbon anode demonstrates exceptional potential in sodium‐ion batteries due to their cost‐effectivenss and superior plateau capacity. However, the proximity of the plateau capacity to the cut‐off voltage of battery operation and the premature cut‐off voltage response caused by polarization at high rates greatly limit the exploitation of plateau capacities, raising big concerns about inferior rate performance of high‐plateau‐capacity hard carbon. In this work, a facile pre‐oxidation strategy is proposed for fabricating lignin‐derived hard carbon. Both high‐plateau capacity and sodiation kinetics are significantly enhanced due to the introduction of expanded pseudo‐graphitic domains and high‐speed closed pores. Impressively, the optimized hard carbon exhibits an increased reversible capacity from 252.1 to 302.0 mAh g−1, alongside superior rate performance (174.7 mAh g−1 at 5 C) and stable cyclability over 500 cycles. This study paves a low‐cost and effective pathway to modulate the microstructure of biomass‐derived hard carbon materials for facilitating plateau sodium storage kinetics.
Direct Melt‐Calendaring of Highly Textured (Bi,Sb)2Te3 Thick Films: Superior Thermoelectric and Mechanical Performance via Strain Engineering
Authors: Guo Siming , Zhu Wei , Han Guangyu , Zhang Qingqing , Zhou Jie , Guo Zhanpeng , Bao Shucheng , Liu Yutong , Zhao Shijie , Wang Boyi , Deng Yuan
Published: June 2024

The evolutions of chip thermal management and micro energy harvesting put forward urgent need for micro thermoelectric devices. Nevertheless, low‐performance thermoelectric thick films as well as the complicated precision cutting process for hundred‐micron thermoelectric legs still remain the bottleneck hindering the advancement of micro thermoelectric devices. In this work, an innovative direct melt‐calendaring manufacturing technology is first proposed with specially designed and assembled equipment, that enables direct, rapid, and cost‐effective continuous manufacturing of Bi2Te3‐based films with thickness of hundred microns. Based on the strain engineering with external glass coating confinement and controlled calendaring deformation degree, enhanced thermoelectric performance has been achieved for (Bi,Sb)2Te3 thick films with highly textured nanocrystals, which can promote carrier mobility over 182.6 cm2 V−1 s−1 and bring out a record‐high zT value of 0.96 and 1.16 for n‐type and p‐type (Bi,Sb)2Te3 thick films, respectively. The nanoscale interfaces also further improve the mechanical strength with excellent elastic modules (over 42.0 GPa) and hardness (over 1.7 GPa), even superior to the commercial zone‐melting ingots and comparable to the hot‐extrusion (Bi,Sb)2Te3 alloys. This new fabrication strategy is versatile to a wide range of inorganic thermoelectric thick films, which lays a solid foundation for the development of micro thermoelectric devices.
How to make climate policy more effective? The search for high leverage points by the multidisciplinary Dutch expert team ‘Energy System 2050’
Authors: de Gooyert Vincent , de Coninck Heleen , ter Haar Bernard
Published: June 2024

The Netherlands aims to have a climate‐neutral society in 2050, for which a timely climate neutrality of the energy system is crucial. This is challenging as its geographical location with deep sea harbours and abundant low‐cost natural gas have led to a relatively high energy intensity of its economy as well as vast accumulation of fossil assets in industry. The energy system is strongly intertwined with other systems, and relevant knowledge is spread across scientific disciplines including finance, innovation, geography, governance, economics, and psychology. This is why the Dutch minister for Climate and Energy asked a team of experts from across all these disciplines for advice on how to achieve a climate‐neutral energy system. This study reports on the results of a participative modelling exercise with these experts that was organized to foster a shared understanding of the complexity of the Dutch energy system. The multidisciplinary approach identifies governance, fairness, and trust as high leverage points, and we propose policies that intervene in these variables. We contribute to the literature around climate policy by exhibiting the relevance of understanding the interrelations between the disciplines, leading to recommendations for climate policies that are more effective because they acknowledge and do justice to the interrelated nature of the energy system. Although other articles have proposed similar policies, our study is different because we suggest how the structure of the system can lead to tipping dynamics, thereby providing a new logic of why these policies deserve more attention.
Laser Powder Bed Fusion and Heat Treatment of the Martensitic Age‐Hardenable Steel (1.2709)
Authors: Solanki Keyur , Shah Chirag , Zinn Carolin , Lehmhus Dirk , Gupta Nikhil , von Hehl Axel
Published: June 2024

The primary objective of this study is to clarify the fundamental question of whether, in principle, it is possible to dispense with a prior solution annealing process in favor of a direct aging heat treatment for specimens of maraging stainless steel grade X3NiCoMoTi18‐9‐5 (1.2709) produced by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). The waiver of a solution annealing process would significantly increase the process efficiency and thus support a sustainable and resource‐friendly production of such components. Therefore, the hardness, microstructure, and the present phases of specimens in as‐built + aged condition (AB + A) and solution‐annealed + aged (SOL + A) are examined during this study. Initially, an extended parameter study is performed using a Renishaw AM 250 LPBF system equipped with a pulsed mode laser system to achieve the highest possible apparent density. As test specimens, small cubes are produced for parameter study and are analyzed for porosity by means of optical microscopy. To investigate the relationship between microstructure and hardness in different material states, one series of specimens is aged directly after LPBF processing in the as‐built state (AB + A). For comparison, the other series was solution annealed at 820 °C for 60 min, quenched in water and then aged (SOL + A). A maximum hardness value of 614 HV1.0 is achieved for specimen aged at 490 °C for 120 min in as built condition (AB + A), while 624 HV1.0 was measured for specimen aged at 490 °C for 180 min in conventionally solution annealed + aged (SOL + A) condition. Significant austenite reversion is not observed at aging temperature of 490 °C in both cases. Aging of specimens at temperatures of 540 and 600 °C resulted in reduction of specimen hardness due to higher percentage of austenite reversion. No significant difference between the hardness values of AB + A and SOL + A specimens is observed. It can therefore be concluded that, in principle, conventional solution annealing and ageing can be dispensed with in favor of direct aging. However, as the results are based on small sized specimens, further investigations into the scalability are needed.
Plastid phylogenomics with broad taxon sampling provides insights into the generic delimitation of Paraphlomideae (Lamiaceae)
Authors: Yuan Jing‐Chen , Liu Ang , Takano Atsuko , Maki Masayuki , Hodel Richard G.J. , Chen Ya‐Ping , Xiang Chun‐Lei
Published: June 2024

Paraphlomideae (Lamioideae, Lamiaceae) is a recently established tribe endemic to East and Southeast Asia. It comprises three herbaceous genera: Paraphlomis, Matsumurella, and Ajugoides. Phylogenetic relationships among these genera have not yet been satisfactorily resolved and the monophyly of Paraphlomis was challenged in previous molecular phylogenetic studies. In this study, we performed maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses on complete plastomes and nuclear ribosomal internal and external transcribed spacer sequences to further resolve the generic relationships within Paraphlomideae. All phylogenetic analyses support the monophyly of Paraphlomideae. Contrary to traditional classifications, both Ajugoides and Matsumurella were deeply nested within Paraphlomis, indicating the need to expand Paraphlomis to include Ajugoides and Matsumurella. Hence, six new combinations and one replacement name are proposed. Morphologically, species of the newly defined Paraphlomis share a rhizomatous or stoloniferous habit, plants with simple hairs, nutlets with a truncate apex, and actinomorphic calyces. In addition, widespread incongruence between nuclear and plastid trees may have been caused by hybridization and incomplete lineage sorting after rapid diversification in the re‐circumscribed Paraphlomis.
Leveraging genomics and temporal high‐throughput phenotyping to enhance association mapping and yield prediction in sesame
Authors: Sabag Idan , Bi Ye , Sahoo Maitreya Mohan , Herrmann Ittai , Morota Gota , Peleg Zvi
Published: June 2024

Sesame (Sesamum indicum) is an important oilseed crop with rising demand owing to its nutritional and health benefits. There is an urgent need to develop and integrate new genomic‐based breeding strategies to meet these future demands. While genomic resources have advanced genetic research in sesame, the implementation of high‐throughput phenotyping and genetic analysis of longitudinal traits remains limited. Here, we combined high‐throughput phenotyping and random regression models to investigate the dynamics of plant height, leaf area index, and five spectral vegetation indices throughout the sesame growing seasons in a diversity panel. Modeling the temporal phenotypic and additive genetic trajectories revealed distinct patterns corresponding to the sesame growth cycle. We also conducted longitudinal genomic prediction and association mapping of plant height using various models and cross‐validation schemes. Moderate prediction accuracy was obtained when predicting new genotypes at each time point, and moderate to high values were obtained when forecasting future phenotypes. Association mapping revealed three genomic regions in linkage groups 6, 8, and 11, conferring trait variation over time and growth rate. Furthermore, we leveraged correlations between the temporal trait and seed‐yield and applied multi‐trait genomic prediction. We obtained an improvement over single‐trait analysis, especially when phenotypes from earlier time points were used, highlighting the potential of using a high‐throughput phenotyping platform as a selection tool. Our results shed light on the genetic control of longitudinal traits in sesame and underscore the potential of high‐throughput phenotyping to detect a wide range of traits and genotypes that can inform sesame breeding efforts to enhance yield.
Sirt5 affects the metabolic remodeling of eosinophils by negatively regulating the level of succinylation modification of Pkm2 in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Wu Shun‐Yu , Cai Bo‐Yu , Cao Zhi‐Wen , Wang Tian‐Yu , Liang Cai‐Quan , Xu En‐Hong , Peng Hu , Jianchun‐Liao  , Liu Huan‐Hai
Published: June 2024

Objectives

This study aims to investigate the role of Sirt5 in regulating eosinophil maturation and activation, specifically focusing on primary eosinophils in mice at the genetic level. Additionally, the study aims to elucidate the underlying mechanism of Sirt5 in eosinophilic inflammation metabolism and identify potential drug targets for the treatment of chronic sinusitis. The findings of this study will provide new insights and a solid theoretical basis for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (eCRS).

Methods

Our study investigated the role of Sirt5 gene expression in both non‐eCRS and eCRS. We examined the correlation between Sirt5 gene expression and disease severity as well as eosinophil infiltration. Additionally, we utilized a mouse model of eCRS to assess the impact of Sirt5 gene deletion on the disease. To further understand the underlying mechanisms, we conducted experiments at the single‐cell level using bone marrow‐derived eosinophils. We validated our findings through in vitro culture of eosinophils and intervention experiments. Through these experiments, we aimed to elucidate how Sirt5 regulates target proteins and reshapes their related metabolic pathways.

Results

There is a positive correlation between the severity of eCRS and the expression level of Sirt5 in nasal mucosa. Inhibiting Sirt5 expression can effectively alleviate the abnormal activation of eosinophils and the resulting inflammatory response in eCRS‐affected nasal mucosa. Sirt5 exerts its influence on eosinophil metabolism by negatively regulating the succinylation level of pkm2, a critical gene in the amino acid biosynthesis pathway.

Conclusions

The severity of eCRS is closely associated with the expression level of Sirt5. Sirt5 plays a negative regulatory role in the succinylation level of Pkm2 in eosinophils, thereby influencing metabolic remodeling and functional activation in eCRS. Investigating Sirt5 and its downstream metabolic pathways could offer valuable insights into the disease's pathogenesis and facilitate the development of targeted therapeutic strategies. This research holds significant implications for clinical practitioners involved in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with eCRS.
Small instanton-induced flavor invariants and the axion potential
Authors: Bedi Ravneet , Gherghetta Tony , Grojean Christophe , Guedes Guilherme , Kley Jonathan , Vuong Pham Ngoc Hoa
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Small instantons which increase the axion mass due to an appropriate modification of QCD at a UV scale ΛSI, can also enhance the effect of CP-violating operators to shift the axion potential minimum by an amount, θind, proportional to the flavorful couplings in the SMEFT. Since physical observables must be flavor basis independent, we construct a basis of determinant-like flavor invariants that arise from instanton calculations containing the effects of dimension-six CP-odd operators at the scale "Image missing". This new basis provides a more reliable estimate of the shift θind, that is severely constrained by neutron electric dipole moment experiments. In particular, for the case of four-quark, semi-leptonic and gluon dipole operators, these invariants are then used to provide improved limits on the ratio of scales "Image missing" for different flavor scenarios. The CP-odd flavor invariants also provide a classification of the leading effects from Wilson coefficients, and as an example, we show that a semi-leptonic four-fermion operator is subdominant compared to the four-quark operators. More generally, the flavor invariants, together with an instanton NDA, can be used to more accurately estimate small instanton effects in the axion potential that arise from any SMEFT operator.
Line operators, vortex statistics, and Higgs versus confinement dynamics
Authors: Cherman Aleksey , Jacobson Theodore , Sen Srimoyee , Yaffe Laurence G.
Published: June 2024

Abstract

We study a 2+1D lattice gauge theory with fundamental representation scalar fields which has both Higgs and confining regimes with a spontaneously-broken U(1) 0-form symmetry. We show that the Higgs and confining regimes may be distinguished by a natural gauge invariant observable: the phase Ω of a correlation function of a vortex line operator linking with an electric Wilson line. We employ dualities and strong coupling expansions to analytically explore parameter regimes which were inaccessible in previous continuum calculations, and discuss possible implications for the phase diagram.
Deutsches Zentrum für Kinder- und Jugendgesundheit
Authors: Gärtner Jutta , Berner Reinhard , Debatin Klaus-Michael , Klein Christoph , Körner Antje , Mall Marcus A. , Muntau Ania C. , van den Berg Neeltje
Published: June 2024

Das Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) hat die Ausschreibung zum Aufbau eines Deutschen Zentrums für Kinder- und Jugendgesundheit (DZKJ) im Jahr 2020 veröffentlicht. In einem kompetitiven Auswahlverfahren wurden die Standorte Berlin, Göttingen, Greifswald/Rostock, Hamburg, Leipzig/Dresden, München und Ulm aufgrund ihrer thematischen Konzepte und wissenschaftlichen Exzellenz als Partnerstandorte für das neue Zentrum ausgewählt. Das DZKJ wird innerhalb der bereits bestehenden Deutschen Zentren der Gesundheitsforschung (DZG) die Forschung im Bereich der Kinder- und Jugendgesundheit nachhaltig und international sichtbar stärken. Übergreifendes Ziel des Zentrums ist es, die vorhandenen Expertisen eng zu vernetzen, Forschungsergebnisse schneller in die Praxis zu transferieren, Patient*innen und ihre Vertreter*innen einzubinden, den wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchs zu fördern und damit die gesunde Entwicklung von Kindern und Jugendlichen langfristig zu verbessern. Gemeinsam haben die Partner ein Forschungskonzept erarbeitet, das zur Entwicklung einer neuen Ära der personalisierten, prädiktiven und partizipativen Medizin für Kinder und Jugendliche beiträgt.
Good r-divisions Imply Optimal Amortized Decremental Biconnectivity
Authors: Holm Jacob , Rotenberg Eva
Published: June 2024

We present a data structure that, given a graph G of n vertices and m edges, and a suitable pair of nested r-divisions of G, preprocesses G in $$O(m+n)$$

O
(
m
+
n
)

time and handles any series of edge-deletions in O(m) total time while answering queries to pairwise biconnectivity in worst-case O(1) time. In case the vertices are not biconnected, the data structure can return a cutvertex separating them in worst-case O(1) time. As an immediate consequence, this gives optimal amortized decremental biconnectivity, 2-edge connectivity, and connectivity for large classes of graphs, including planar graphs and other minor free graphs.
Characterization and Abundance of Plasmid-Dependent Alphatectivirus Bacteriophages
Authors: Parra Boris , Lutz Veronika T. , Brøndsted Lone , Carmona Javiera L. , Palomo Alejandro , Nesme Joseph , Van Hung Le Vuong , Smets Barth F. , Dechesne Arnaud
Published: June 2024

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major public health threat, exacerbated by the ability of bacteria to rapidly disseminate antimicrobial resistance genes (ARG). Since conjugative plasmids of the incompatibility group P (IncP) are ubiquitous mobile genetic elements that often carry ARG and are broad-host-range, they are important targets to prevent the dissemination of AMR. Plasmid-dependent phages infect plasmid-carrying bacteria by recognizing components of the conjugative secretion system as receptors. We sought to isolate plasmid-dependent phages from wastewater using an avirulent strain of Salmonella enterica carrying the conjugative IncP plasmid pKJK5. Irrespective of the site, we only obtained bacteriophages belonging to the genus Alphatectivirus. Eleven isolates were sequenced, their genomes analyzed, and their host range established using S. enterica, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas putida carrying diverse conjugative plasmids. We confirmed that Alphatectivirus are abundant in domestic and hospital wastewater using culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches. However, these results are not consistent with their low or undetectable occurrence in metagenomes. Therefore, overall, our results emphasize the importance of performing phage isolation to uncover diversity, especially considering the potential of plasmid-dependent phages to reduce the spread of ARG carried by conjugative plasmids, and to help combat the AMR crisis.
Treatment abandonment in children with Wilms tumor at a national referral hospital in Uganda
Authors: Nanteza Sumayiya , Yap Ava , Stephens Caroline Q. , Kambagu Joyce Balagadde , Kisa Phyllis , Kakembo Nasser , Fadil Geriga , Nimanya Stella A. , Okello Innocent , Naluyimbazi Rovine , Mbwali Fiona , Kayima Peter , Ssewanyana Yasin , Grabski David , Naik-Mathuria Bindi , Langer Monica , Ozgediz Doruk , Sekabira John
Published: June 2024

Introduction

The incidence of pediatric Wilms’ tumor (WT) is high in Africa, though patients abandon treatment after initial diagnosis. We sought to identify factors associated with WT treatment abandonment in Uganda.

Methods

A cohort study of patients < 18 years with WT in a Ugandan national referral hospital examined clinical and treatment outcomes data, comparing children whose families adhered to and abandoned treatment. Abandonment was defined as the inability to complete neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery for patients with unilateral WT and definitive chemotherapy for patients with bilateral WT. Patient factors were assessed via bivariate logistic regression.

Results

137 WT patients were included from 2012 to 2017. The mean age was 3.9 years, 71% (n = 98) were stage III or higher. After diagnosis, 86% (n = 118) started neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 59% (n = 82) completed neoadjuvant therapy, and 55% (n = 75) adhered to treatment through surgery. Treatment abandonment was associated with poor chemotherapy response (odds ratio [OR] 4.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30–17.0) and tumor size > 25 cm (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.05–6.81).

Conclusions

Children with WT in Uganda frequently abandon care during neoadjuvant therapy, particularly those with large tumors with poor response. Further investigation into the factors that influence treatment abandonment and a deeper understanding of tumor biology are needed to improve treatment adherence of children with WT in Uganda.