bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Onasemnogene abeparvovec gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy: A cohort study from the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Mundada Vivek , Narayan Omendra , Arora Siddharth , Beri Nidhi , Abusamra Rania , Mullasery Deepak , Parashar Deepak
Published: August 2024

Introduction/Aims

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) manifests with progressive motor neuron degeneration, leading to muscle weakness. Onasemnogene abeparvovec is a US Food and Drug Administration‐approved gene replacement therapy for SMA. This study aimed to present short‐term data of children in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) treated with onasemnogene abeparvovec, particularly in the context of children requiring invasive ventilatory support via tracheostomy.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on 60 children who received onasemnogene abeparvovec. All these children received corticosteroids. They were followed up for up to 3 months. Motor function assessments were performed before and after the gene therapy. Comprehensive clinical evaluations, including pulmonary functions, were performed at baseline and the 3‐month mark.

Results

Forty‐three percent were male, and the mean age at the time of infusion was 29.6 months (SD ± 17.2). The mean weight was 10.1 kg (SD 2.6). All children demonstrated marked improvements in motor function within 3 months of gene therapy administration. No adverse effects attributable to corticosteroid therapy were observed. Positive clinical outcomes, including increased ventilator‐free intervals, reduced antibiotic dependency, and fewer hospital admissions, were reported among children with invasive ventilation via tracheostomy.

Discussion

This study demonstrates the favorable tolerability and promising responses to onasemnogene abeparvovec in invasively ventilated pediatric patients. Early improvements in motor function, as observed within 3 months post‐treatment, suggest its potential as a viable therapeutic option for this vulnerable patient population.
Very‐long T2‐weighted imaging of the non‐lesional brain tissue in multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Bontempi Pietro , Marangoni Sabrina , Cazzoletti Lucia , Bajrami Albulena , Giometto Bruno , Farace Paolo , Rozzanigo Umberto
Published: August 2024

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that T2‐weighted imaging with very long echo time (TE > 300 ms) can provide relevant information in neurodegenerative/inflammatory disorder. Twenty patients affected by relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis with stable disease course underwent 1.5 T 3D FLAIR, 3D T1‐weighted, and a multi‐echo sequence with 32 echoes (TE = 10–320 ms). Focal lesions (FL) were identified on FLAIR. T1‐images were processed to segment deep gray matter (dGM), white matter (WM), FL sub‐volumes with T1 hypo‐intensity (T1FL), and dGM volumes (atrophy). Clinical‐radiological parameters included Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), disease duration, patient age, T1FL, and dGM atrophy. Correlation analysis was performed between the mean signal intensity (SI) computed on the non‐lesional dGM and WM at different TE versus the clinical‐radiological parameters. Multivariable linear regressions were fitted to the data to assess the association between the dependent variable EDSS and the independent variables obtained by T1FL lesion load and the mean SI of dGM and WM at the different TE. A clear trend is observed, with a systematic strengthening of the significance of the correlation at longer TE for all the relationships with the clinical‐radiological parameters, becoming significant (p < 0.05) for EDSS, T1FL volumes, and dGM atrophy. Multivariable linear regressions show that at shorter TE, the SI of the T2‐weighted sequences is not relevant for describing the EDSS variability while the T1FL volumes are relevant, and vice versa, at very‐long TEs (around 300 ms); the SI of the T2‐weighted sequences significantly (p < 0.05) describes the EDSS variability. By very long TE, the SI primarily originates from water with a T2 longer than 250 ms and/or free water, which may be arising from the perivascular space (PVS). Very‐long T2‐weighting might detect dilated PVS and represent an unexplored MR approach in neurofluid imaging of neurodegenerative/inflammatory diseases.
Inflammatory Profile of Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyp Patients in Brazil: Multicenter Study
Authors: Romano Fabrizio R. , Valera Fabiana C. P. , Fornazieri Marco A. , Lopes Natália M. D. , Miyake Marcel M. , Dolci Ricardo L. L. , Nakanishi Marcio , Freire Gustavo S. M. , Sakano Eulália , Toro Mariana D. C. , Kosugi Eduardo M. , Gregorio Luciano L. , dos Santos Marco C. J. , Murata Juliana , Fernandes Atilio M. , Moras Luis L. , Avelino Melissa A. G. , Camargo Leandro A. , Lessa Marcus M. , Almeida Laiana do C. , Roithmann Renato , Redeker Nicole , Tepedino Miguel S. , Vianna Pedro M. , Piltcher Otávio B. , Meotti Camila D. , Bezerra Thiago F. P. , Voegels Richard L. , de Mendonça Pilan Renata R. , Batista Murashima Adriana de A. , da Silva Lilian E. C. M. , Arruda Eurico , Garcia Denny M. , Tamashiro Edwin , Anselmo‐Lima Wilma
Published: August 2024

Objectives

To determine the inflammatory profile of CRSwNP in Brazil and characterize the subgroups of CRSwNP patients in this population through cluster analysis.

Study Design

Multicenter cross‐sectional study involving 15 centers representing different regions of Brazil.

Subjects and Methods

Clinical data of 166 patients and 80 controls, aged 18 to 70 years old, number of surgeries for CRS, history of asthma and aspirin sensitivity, and Lund‐Mackay scores on CT scans. During nasal endoscopy, we obtained the Lund‐Kennedy scores and collected 2 samples of nasal polyps: one for eosinophil and neutrophil tissue counts and one to quantify different cytokines.

Results

79.6% of our patients had 10 or more eosinophils/HPF. CRSwNP groups exhibited significantly lower concentrations of TNF‐alpha and significantly higher concentrations of IFN‐gamma, CCL11/Eotaxin, CCL24/Eotaxin‐2/MPIF‐2, and CCL26/Eotaxin‐3 versus the control group (Kruskal‐Wallis test). Comparison between CRSwNP groups (≥10 vs <10 eosinophils/HPF) showed no difference in cytokine concentration (Mann‐Whitney test). Hierarchical clustering and PCA according to cytokine concentrations revealed 2 main Clusters, with a significantly higher concentration of all cytokines in Cluster 1 (n = 35) than in Cluster 2 (n = 121), except IL‐6 and IL‐33 (Mann‐Whitney test). According to ROC curve analysis the best cut‐off to differentiate the 2 clusters was 43 eosinophils/HPF. The group with ≥43 presented a higher prevalence of men and a higher Lund‐Mackay score (Mann‐Whitney test).

Conclusions

CRSwNP patients in Brazil present mixed inflammation, with 2 distinct groups (high and low inflammatory pattern) that can be distinguished by tissue eosinophilia of ≥43 eosinophils/HPF cut‐off in nasal polyps.
Concomitant Wilms tumor and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
Authors: Fleming Andrew M. , Gehle Daniel B. , Perrino Melissa R. , Graetz Dylan E. , Bissler John J. , McCarville Beth , Krasin Matthew J. , Brennan Rachel C. , Zhang Jinghui , Yang Wentao , Sapkota Yadav , Hudson Melissa M. , Davidoff Andrew M. , Green Daniel M. , Murphy Andrew J.
Published: August 2024

Background

Concomitant Wilms tumor (WT) and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is exceedingly rare, presenting a diagnostic and technical challenge to pediatric surgical oncologists. The simultaneous workup and management of these disease processes are incompletely described.

Procedure

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients treated at our institution with concomitant diagnoses of WT and ADPKD. We also review the literature on the underlying biology and management principles of these conditions.

Results

We present three diverse cases of concomitant unilateral WT and ADPKD who underwent nephrectomy. One patient had preoperative imaging consistent with ADPKD with confirmatory testing postoperatively, one was found to have contralateral renal cysts intraoperatively with confirmatory imaging post nephrectomy, and one was diagnosed in childhood post nephrectomy. All patients are alive at last follow‐up, and the patient with longest follow‐up has progressed to end‐stage kidney failure requiring transplantation and dialysis in adulthood. All patients underwent germline testing and were found to have no cancer predisposition syndrome or pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants for WT.

Conclusion

Concomitant inheritance of ADPKD and development of WT are extremely rare, and manifestations of ADPKD may not present until late childhood or adulthood. ADPKD is not a known predisposing condition for WT. When ADPKD diagnosis is made by family history, imaging, and/or genetic testing before WT diagnosis and treatment, the need for extensive preoperative characterization of cystic kidney lesions in children and increased risk of post‐nephrectomy kidney failure warrant further discussion of surgical approach and perioperative management strategies.
Pediatric TAFRO syndrome: A multi‐institution case series illustrating clinical challenges and excellent outcomes
Authors: Johnson Amanda K. , Goteti Sasidhar , Devald Bar , Mestnik Shelby , Ghosh Taumoha , Williams Robin , Doughty Elizabeth S. , Linden Michael A. , Beckman Amy , Williams Todd , Richardson Kelsey , Martinelli Marie
Published: August 2024

A rare lymphoproliferative disorder involving thrombocytopenia (T), anasarca (A), fever (F), reticulin fibrosis (R), renal dysfunction (R), and organomegaly (O), called TAFRO syndrome, was first reported in 2010. Considered a variant of idiopathic multicentric Castleman's disease, the recent discovery and rarity of this syndrome pose challenges to diagnosis and management. Herein, we review three pediatric cases, including an infant, that illustrate the heterogeneity of TAFRO syndrome. Despite differences in presentation and treatment responses, all patients experienced excellent outcomes. This multi‐institutional case series highlights the need to work toward earlier diagnosis and improved long‐term management recommendations for patients with TAFRO syndrome.
Characterization of loading, relaxation, and recovery behaviors of high‐density polyethylene using a three‐branch spring‐dashpot model
Authors: Shi Furui , Jar P.‐Y. Ben
Published: August 2024

This paper presents an analysis of the stress evolution of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) at loading, relaxation, and recovery stages in a multi‐relaxation‐recovery (RR) test. The analysis is based on a three‐branch spring‐dashpot model that uses the Eyring's law to govern the viscous behavior. The spring‐dashpot model comprises two viscous branches to represent the short‐ and long‐term time‐dependent stress responses to deformation, and a quasi‐static branch to represent the time‐independent stress response. A fast numerical analysis framework based on genetic algorithms was developed to determine values for the model parameters so that the difference between the simulation and the experimental data could be less than 0.08 MPa. Using this approach, values of the model parameters were determined as functions of deformation and time so that the model can simulate the stress response at loading, relaxation, and recovery stages of the RR test. The simulation also generated 10 sets of model parameter values to examine their consistency. The study concludes that the three‐branch model can serve as a suitable tool for analyzing the mechanical properties of HDPE, and values for the model parameters can potentially be used to characterize the difference among PEs for their mechanical performance.

Highlights

Developed computer programs to determine parameter values automatically.

Explained the unusual stress drop during stress recovery after unloading.

Evaluated the statistical range of the parameter values for the good fitting.
Epoxy resin composites reinforced with upcycled fabrics: Mechanical, thermal, and morphological analysis
Authors: Al Mahmud Md. Zobair , Chowdhury Md. Shakil , Rayhan Md. Thohid , Sarker Md. Abdul Hannan , Reja Rafiqul Islam , Hossain Nazmul , Rabbi S. M. Fazle , Mobarak Md Hosne , Hossain Nayem
Published: August 2024

The mechanical, thermal, and morphological characteristics of epoxy resin composites reinforced using repurposed textiles are examined in this work. This study investigates reusing textile waste to produce composite materials using sustainable alternatives. This study shows how epoxy resin may be improved by mixing recycled materials with powdered coconut shells. 10% of the total weight, or the powdered coconut shell, was combined with fabric and epoxy resin in a 2:1 ratio with hardener. After the mixture was put into molds, it was given a 72‐h cure. Two samples were then ready to be tested for their mechanical, morphological, and thermal characteristics. Tensile, bending, impact, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests were used to evaluate performance. The force obtained in the tensile test was 1236.705 N, the bending test produced 86.76 N, and the impact test produced 3.33 J. The fabric and resin were found to have strong binding by SEM examination, and the TGA investigation indicated a notable heat absorption capability. The study offers insightful information on improving material performance through sustainable methods, which benefits the building, automobile, and aerospace sectors—industries where durability and environmental responsibility are critical.

Highlights

Used textiles enhance epoxy resin in composite materials.

Tensile tests reveal structural integrity and longevity.

Impact tests show resistance to dynamic loads.

TGA and SEM analyses clarify thermal stability and bonding.
A case of pleural and pericardium amyloidosis with effusion associated with multiple myeloma relapse
Authors: Ishibashi Naoya , Sugawara Takafumi , Ashino Yugo , Yabe Ryuga , Nonomura Ryo , Oshima Yutaka , Sasaki Takanobu
Published: August 2024

An 80‐year‐old man with a history of Bence‐Jones potein (BJP) λ‐type multiple myeloma (MM), which had been in remission for 16 years, was examined for shortness of breath and was found to have bilateral pleural and pericardial effusions. A pleural fluid test and a pleural biopsy under local anaesthesia performed by a previous physician failed to make the diagnosis. Despite diuretic therapy, his condition necessitated frequent thoracentesis. The patient was referred to our hospital and thoracoscopic pleural and pericardial biopsies performed under general anaesthesia revealed λ‐type AL amyloidosis, indicating a relapse of MM. Despite drug therapy for MM, the patient died from aspiration pneumonia. The case underscores the importance of considering amyloidosis in differential diagnoses for refractory effusions, especially in patients with a history of MM, even after long‐term remission.
Role of immune cells in the establishment of implantation and maintenance of pregnancy and immunomodulatory therapies for patients with repeated implantation failure and recurrent pregnancy loss
Authors: Saito Shigeru
Published: August 2024

Background

Immune cells play an important role in the establishment of pregnancy, and abnormalities in the immune system can cause implantation failure and miscarriage.

Methods

Previous papers have been summarized and the role of immune cells in reproduction is reviewed.

Results

The immune environment in the uterus changes drastically from before implantation to after pregnancy to maintain pregnancy. In allogeneic pregnancies, immature dendritic cells (DCs) that induce immune tolerance from outside the uterus flow into the uterus, and mature DCs that remain in the uterus express programmed cell death ligand 2, which suppresses the immune response. Macrophages are classified into M1‐macrophages, which induce inflammation, and M2‐macrophages, which suppress inflammation; M1‐macrophages are required for luteinization, and M2‐macrophages induce the differentiation of endometrial epithelial cells to enable implantation. Regulatory T cells, which suppress rejection, are essential for the implantation and maintenance of allogeneic pregnancies. Implantation failure and fetal loss are associated with decreased numbers or qualitative abnormalities of DCs, macrophages, and regulatory T cells. The clinical usefulness of immunomodulatory therapies in patients with repeated implantation failure and recurrent pregnancy loss has been reported.

Conclusion

The provision of individualized medical care in cases of implantation failure or miscarriage may improve clinical outcomes.
Optimal output feedback control for networked control systems with dual multi‐memoryless channels
Authors: Li Xueyang , Han Chunyan , Wang Wei , Xu Juanjuan
Published: August 2024

This paper delves into the output feedback control of systems with dual multi‐memoryless channels, where the data packets transmitted from the sensor to the controller (S/C) and from the controller to the actuator (C/A) are suffered from two different multi‐parallel Markovian fading channels. Two new multi‐state Markovian chains are introduced, by which the multiple fading channels system is transformed into a new jumping parameter system. Then a stochastic maximum principle is given along with an optimal state feedback controller for the case that the state is known. When the state is unknown, a Markov jump linear estimator is designed by using the completing square method. In this case, an output feedback controller is obtained by substituting the real system state with its estimation. Meanwhile, the separation principle is shown. Finally, the validity of these methods is verified by simulation examples.
The Complex Relationship between Teachers' Instructional Practices and Students' Reading Amount
Authors: Tegmark Mats , Vinterek Monika , Alatalo Tarja , Winberg Mikael
Published: August 2024

The purpose of this study is to develop understanding of the relation between instructional practices and students' reading amount. As part of a larger mixed‐methods study of reading practices across the curriculum in Swedish compulsory school, a selection of 14 classes from Grades 6 and 9 were observed over a total of 59 lessons. The data generated were coded and analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The results reveal a great variation in teachers' instructional practices which is shown to have both direct and more indirect consequences for students' reading amount. By combining the results from quantitative and qualitative analyses in the light of Self‐Determination Theory, the study shows that most reading is done in classrooms where teachers manage to fulfill students' need for competence, relatedness, and autonomy while maintaining classroom structure and ensuring lesson time for reading. The findings are discussed considering previous research on instructional practices in relation to students' reading motivation and reading amount, adding to our understanding of what makes students read in everyday classrooms. Limitations of the study, directions for further research, and implications for practice are also discussed.
Three‐in‐One: Molecular Engineering of D–A–π–A Featured Type I and Type II Near‐Infrared AIE Photosensitizers for Efficient Photodynamic Cancer Therapy and Bacteria Killing
Authors: Quan Yun‐Yun , Pan Tingting , Zhang Zhongda , Wang Shihua , Wang Guiyun , Yu Lichao , Wang Ye , Zang Xu‐Feng , Zhang Fangjun , Ye Xiaoxia , Pan Xuebo , Huang Zu‐Sheng
Published: August 2024

Bacterial infections are closely correlated with the genesis and progression of cancer, and the elimination of cancer‐related bacteria may improve the efficacy of cancer treatment. However, the combinatorial therapy that utilizes two or more chemodrugs will increase potential adverse effects. Image‐guided photodynamic therapy is a highly precise and potential therapy to treat tumor and microbial infections. Herein, four donor–acceptor–π‐bridge–acceptor (D–A–π–A) featured near‐infrared (NIR) aggregation‐induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) (TQTPy, TPQTPy, TQTC, and TPQTC) with type I and type II reaction oxygen species (ROS) generation capabilities are synthesized. Notably, TQTPy shows mitochondria targeted capacity, the best ROS production efficiency, long‐term tumor retention capacity, and more importantly, the three‐in‐one fluorescence imaging guided therapy against both tumor and microbial infections. Both in vitro and in vivo results validate that TQTPy performs well in practical biomedical application in terms of NIR‐fluorescence imaging‐guided photodynamic cancer diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, the amphiphilic and positively charged TQTPy is able to specific and ultrafast discrimination and elimination of Gram‐positive (G+) Staphylococcus aureus from Gram‐negative (G−) Escherichia coli and normal cells. This investigation provides an instructive way for the construction of three‐in‐one treatment for image‐guided photodynamic cancer therapy and bacteria elimination.
Sequencing‐Dependent Impact of Carbon Coating on Microstructure Evolution and Electrochemical Performance of Pre‐lithiated SiO Anodes: Enhanced Efficiency and Stability via Pre‐Coating Strategy
Authors: Yi Si , Yan Zhilin , Xiao Yiming , Wang Zhen , Ye Cuicui , Zhang Jingwen , Qiu Huangjie , Ning Pengpeng , Yang Deren , Du Ning
Published: August 2024

Silicon monoxide (SiO) has attracted considerable interest as anode material for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). However, their poor initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) and conductivity limit large‐scale applications. Prelithiation and carbon‐coating are common and effective strategies in industry for enhancing the electrochemical performance of SiO. However, the involved heat‐treatment processes inevitably lead to coarsening of active silicon phases, posing a significant challenge in industrial applications. Herein, the differences in microstructures and electrochemical performances between prelithiated SiO with a pre‐coated carbon layer (SiO@C@PLi) and SiO subjected to carbon‐coating after prelithiation (SiO@PLi@C) are investigated. A preliminary carbon layer on the surface of SiO before prelithiation is found that can suppress active Si phase coarsening effectively and regulate the post‐prelithiation phase content. The strategic optimization of the sequence where prelithiation and carbon‐coating processes of SiO exert a critical influence on its regulation of microstructure and electrochemical performances. As a result, SiO@C@PLi exhibits a higher ICE of 88.0%, better cycling performance and lower electrode expansion than SiO@PLi@C. The pouch‐type full‐cell tests demonstrate that SiO@C@PLi/Graphite||NCM811 delivers a superior capacity retention of 91% after 500 cycles. This work provides invaluable insights into industrial productions of SiO anodes through optimizing the microstructure of SiO in prelithiation and carbon‐coating processes.
Crack‐Resistant Si‐C Hybrid Microspheres for High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Battery Anodes
Authors: Shen Liao , Wang Pengcheng , Fang Chenxi , Lin Zhongfeiyu , Zhao Guiying , Li Shaoyuan , Lin Yingbin , Huang Zhigao , Li Jiaxin
Published: August 2024

To effectively solve the challenges of rapid capacity decay and electrode crushing of silicon‐carbon (Si‐C) anodes, it is crucial to carefully optimize the structure of Si‐C active materials and enhance their electron/ion transport dynamic in the electrode. Herein, a unique hybrid structure microsphere of Si/C/CNTs/Cu with surface wrinkles is prepared through a simple ultrasonic atomization pyrolysis and calcination method. Low‐cost nanoscale Si waste is embedded into the pyrolysis carbon matrix, cleverly combined with the flexible electrical conductivity carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and copper (Cu) particles, enhancing both the crack resistance and transport kinetics of the entire electrode material. Remarkably, as a lithium‐ion battery anode, the fabricated Si/C/CNTs/Cu electrode exhibits stable cycling for up to 2300 cycles even at a current of 2.0 A g−1, retaining a capacity of ≈700 mAh g−1, with a retention rate of 100% compared to the cycling started at a current of 2.0 A g−1. Additionally, when paired with an NCM523 cathode, the full cell exhibits a capacity of 135 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 1.0 C. Therefore, this synthesis strategy provides insights into the design of long‐life, practical anode electrode materials with micro/nano‐spherical hybrid structures.
Thermally Stable Perovskite Solar Cells with Fluoropolymer Coating
Authors: Fujita Yuki , Semba Dai , Purev‐Ochir Badamgarav , Nakamura Nozomi , Bhim Raju Telugu , Matsushima Toshinori , Adachi Chihaya
Published: August 2024

Halide perovskites are promising as the light absorbers of solar cells with efficient solar power conversion. However, why the degradation of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), especially at high temperatures, happens has not been completely understood to date. Herein, it is shown that evaporation of 4‐tert‐butylpyridine (4‐tBP) from the hole transport layer (HTL) of 2,2',7,7'‐tetrakis(N,N‐di‐p‐methoxyphenylamino)‐9,9'‐spirobifluorene (spiro‐OMeTAD) is one of possible degradation mechanisms in PSCs at a high temperature of 85 °C. In fresh PSCs, the chemical doping of the spiro‐OMeTAD HTL with lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) is not so efficient because of the formation of a LiTFSI:4‐tBP complex in the HTL. When PSCs are placed at 85 °C, 4‐tBP gradually evaporates from the HTL, resulting in the dissociation of the LiTFSI:4‐tBP complex. This 4‐tBP evaporation enhances the chemical doping of spiro‐OMeTAD by LiTFSI and makes the hole transport level of the spiro‐OMeTAD HTL deeper, thereby impeding hole extraction at the perovskite/spiro‐OMeTAD/Au interfaces. Herein, the 4‐tBP evaporation by covering PSCs with a fluoro‐polymer CYTOP layer, significantly improving the high‐temperature durability of PSCs, is suppressed. The basic understanding obtained in this study would help promote the spread of more thermally durable PSC products in the future.
Advancements and Challenges in Wide‐Bandgap Perovskite Solar Cells: From Single Junction to Tandem Solar Cells
Authors: Liu Lu , Zheng Dexu , Du Minyong , Liu Jishuang , Liu Jieqiong , Li Zhipeng , Dong Xinrui , Xu Chang , He Yiyang , Wang Kai , Liu Shengzhong (Frank)
Published: August 2024

The exceptional optoelectronic performance and cost‐effectiveness of manufacturing have propelled organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) into the spotlight within the photovoltaic community. Currently, the single‐junction PSCs have achieved a certified power conversion efficiency surpassing 26%, edging closer to the illustrious Shockley–Queisser theoretical limit. To further enhance device performance, researchers are currently directing their attention toward the integration of wide‐bandgap (WBG) perovskites (Eg > 1.60 eV) as top subcells in conjunction with narrow‐bandgap materials, such as perovskite, crystalline silicon, and copper indium gallium selenium, to construct multijunction tandem devices that maximize solar spectral utilization and minimize thermal losses. However, WBG perovskites encounter challenges associated with suboptimal crystal quality, high defect density, and severe phase separation, leading to significant voltage losses and inferior performance. In this regard, extensive research has been conducted, yielding significant findings. This review article summarizes the advancements in composition engineering, additive engineering, and interface engineering of WBG PSCs. Furthermore, the applications of WBG PSCs in various tandem solar cells and their development are discussed. Finally, future prospects for the development of WBG PSCs are outlined.
Prediction Model for Grain Growth During Austenitization Process of 1800 MPa Ultrahigh Strength Steel
Authors: Liu Shuang , Yang Fan , Peng Jun , Zhang Fang , Wang Yongbin , Chang Hongtao , An Shengli
Published: August 2024

This article focuses on the influences of austenitizing temperature and holding time on the grain sizes of 1800 MPa ultrahigh strength steel (UHS‐1800). When the austenitizing temperature increases from 900 to 990 °C and the holding time is 5 min, the austenite grain size increases from 12.60 to 20.88 μm. When the austenitizing temperature is 930 °C and the holding time increases from 3 to 9 min, the grain size increases from 13.52 to 17.22 μm. When the austenitizing temperature increases from 900 to 990 °C and the holding time is 5 min, the radiuses of the second‐phase particles increase from 15.23 to 25.36 nm. When the austenitizing temperature is 930 °C and the holding time increases from 3 to 9 min, the radius of the second‐phase particle increases from 15.72 to 20.50 nm. On this basis, a prediction model for austenite grain growth suitable for UHS‐1800 hot stamping process is proposed. The growth model of the austenite grain can accurately predict the grain growth behavior during the hot stamping process, with a maximum error of 5.35% compared to experiments.
Frame Analysis: Erving Goffman and the Sociocognitive Organization of Experience
Authors: Zerubavel Eviatar
Published: August 2024

This paper revisits Erving Goffman's Frame Analysis fifty years after its publication. The paper first situates this book within the context of its intellectual precursors, namely Georg Simmel's 1917 essay “Sociability,” Alfred Schutz's 1945 article “On Multiple Realities,” and Gregory Bateson's 1955 paper “A Theory of Play and Fantasy.” It then examines the book's three main themes, namely framing, keying, and disattention.
Promoting social justice through dramatizing children's literature: Lessons from EFL classrooms in Türkiye
Authors: Yılmaz Adnan , Hart Deniz Ortaçtepe , Sönmez Necati
Published: August 2024

Social justice language education (SJLE) explores the ways in which language classrooms can be transformed to disrupt the existing oppressive policies and practices in schools and the society at large (Ortaçtepe Hart & Martel, 2020; Ortaçtepe Hart, 2023; Ortega, 2021). As an approach within SJLE, dramatizing children's literature can raise the awareness of learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) of social injustices across the world, help them voice their own experiences in the class, and contribute to their language development (Caldas, 2018; García‐Mateus, 2021; Gualdron & Castillo, 2018; Koss & Daniel, 2018). Focusing on the intersections of drama, children's literature, and SJLE, this qualitative case study explored a) a preservice EFL teacher's trajectory as a social justice educator, and b) the affordances of dramatizing children's literature on developing young learners' English language skills and awareness of social justice issues. Three picture storybooks, Paper Bag Princess, William's Doll, and Amazing Grace, were chosen and scripted for drama. Data were elicited through preservice teachers' observation notes and reflections as well as through semi‐structured interviews with students. The results showed that dramatizing children's literature helped EFL young learners challenge their stereotypical beliefs regarding gender roles, gender inequalities, and racism. It also fostered their language development, especially in pronunciation (e.g., producing sounds), speaking (e.g., pitch and melody), and vocabulary by creating an entertaining and safe environment in which they could engage in contextualized language use. The study provides pedagogical implications in relation to how dramatizing children's literature can help disrupt social and educational injustices, transform students' stereotypical beliefs and biases, and promote empathy and critical awareness at large.
Determinants of parcel locker adoption for last‐mile deliveries in urban and suburban areas
Authors: Encarnación Trilce , Amaya Johanna
Published: August 2024

This study investigates the factors influencing consumers' adoption of parcel lockers for last‐mile deliveries. Attitudinal data on parcel locker adoption were collected from individuals in the United States, and structural equation models were estimated to assess consumers' intention to use the lockers as a delivery method. The study is grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model, evaluating perceived ease of use, usefulness, risks, and location preferences. Consumer attitudes indicate that parcel lockers are perceived as easy to use and useful, offering efficient and fast delivery times. Moreover, consumers generally regard these facilities as safe. However, perceived risks include concerns about privacy and the potential loss of packages. The results show that urban residents are less likely to use parcel lockers than suburban residents. Additionally, consumers show a preference for parcel lockers located near their workplaces. The modeling results provide critical implications for service providers, highlighting the features that users value when considering this delivery alternative, thereby aiding in evaluating potential parcel locker implementations.
Predictive capacity of fetal pancreatic circumference for gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Gilboa Y. , Geron Y. , Perlman S. , Drukker L. , Ofir K. , Ellert A. , Bardin R. , Achiron R. , Kivilevitch Z.
Published: August 2024

Objective

To assess the capacity of fetal pancreatic size, before standard blood glucose testing for screening and diagnosis, to predict maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of low‐risk pregnant women recruited during routine second‐trimester fetal anatomical screening at 20–25 weeks' gestation at two ultrasound units in Israel between 2017 and 2020. The predictive performance of fetal pancreatic circumference ≥ 80th and ≥ 90th centiles and glucose challenge test (GCT) was examined for the outcome of GDM. The independent‐samples t‐test was used to compare mean pancreatic circumference centile between pregnancies with GDM and those without GDM. Diagnostic performance was evaluated with 2 × 2 contingency tables and receiver‐operating‐characteristics (ROC) curves.

Results

Overall, 195 women were selected for statistical analysis. Twenty‐four (12.3%) women were diagnosed subsequently with GDM. The mean ± SD fetal pancreatic circumference centile was significantly higher in the GDM group compared with the non‐GDM group (82.4 ± 14.6 vs 62.8 ± 27.6; P < 0.001). The pancreatic circumference centile was correlated positively with the estimated fetal weight centile (Pearson's coefficient, 0.243; P = 0.001). The 80th centile cut‐off for pancreatic circumference had the highest sensitivity (70.8%) and positive predictive value (23.3%) for future maternal GDM, with the best trade‐off between sensitivity and specificity achieved at the 75th centile cut‐off (sensitivity, 79%; specificity, 60%). The GCT had better specificity (90.2%) and negative predictive value (97.9%) compared with both cut‐offs in pancreatic circumference. The area under the ROC curve was higher for pancreatic circumference compared with GCT (0.71 vs 0.64) and only the former was statistically significant (P = 0.001).

Conclusions

Fetal pancreatic circumference has a higher positive predictive capacity compared with GCT. Measuring pancreatic circumference can identify pregnancies at high risk for maternal GDM, thereby promoting earlier diagnosis and treatment, decreasing the time period during which the fetus is exposed to high maternal glucose levels and improving infant outcome. © 2024 The Author(s). Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Financing and Distributing Television Drama: Economic Networks
Authors: Krauß Florian
Published: August 2024

This chapter follows on from Chapter 4’s overview of current broadcasters and platforms by first explaining the networks they form to finance and distribute series. The second part goes into more detail on approaches to transnational co-productionand co-financing, which have gained new momentum within Europe since the 2010s, but which practitioners also regard as a challenge for screenwriting and storytelling. This chapter also deals with opportunities and challenges by taking a closer look at the economic interplay between the commissioning broadcaster or platform and the production company. Due to the increasing number of distributors, the relationships between the two sides and the ways of financing and initiating television drama have changed. Increasingly, practitioners are calling into question the model of “100 percent financing by broadcaster”, which has dominated for years, and they are likewise beginning to scrutinise the associated “total buyout” model, where the broadcaster receives all rights from the production company and the lead creatives. New economic practices point towards an expanded agency of the production company and certain key creatives. In some cases, however, tendencies towards the studio model can be observed, when commissioners take over large parts of the production in addition to distribution.
State of the Art of Factors Affecting Times of Ships in Container Ports: Characteristics Identification of Port Generations
Authors: Russo Francesco , Musolino Giuseppe
Published: August 2024

Several classifications of ports were proposed in the literature, but there is no single established or accepted framework or taxonomy due to the complexity and diversity of the port entities. UNCTAD introduced a classification based on the definition of port-generation, according to which a prevalent port’s characteristics could be associated to each port, the so-called generation. UNCTAD fully defined the characteristics of three generations of ports, while the fourth-generation of ports was less specified. Later, several researchers criticized the definition of port-generation and proposed new elements of classification, mainly of qualitative nature. Today five generations of ports may be identified. The paper proposes a set of characteristics to identify each port-generation. Several ports were object, in the time, of a process of hybridization. They were born with specific characteristics and, later, they evolved in acquiring new ones. The paper de-build the hybridization offering the possibility to identify the operative single generation. The paper introduces a set of material and immaterial characteristics to identify the port generation and then the correct tools to support planning and evaluation activities.
Deep Migration Learning-Based Detection of Structural Diseases in Railway Tunnel Lining Structures
Authors: Wei Zheng , Zhou Jianqiang , Wang Kexin , Hu Xiaowen
Published: August 2024

It is difficult to quickly and accurately detect defects such as voids, voids, and non compactness in the lining structure of formed railway tunnels. We have conducted in-depth research on the propagation law of ground penetrating radar electromagnetic waves in tunnel lining structures and intelligent detection methods based on deep learning. The finite difference method was applied to numerically simulate the propagation process of electromagnetic waves in tunnel lining structures with different diseases. B-scan radar images were obtained, and the characteristics of voids, voids, and non dense images were summarized. On this basis, a sample library composed of numerical simulation and real radar images was established, and a deep migration method for detecting railway tunnel lining structural defects was proposed. Automatically learning complex disease features and updating network model parameters overcomes the limitations of limited real disease sample sets for tunnel lining structures. The experimental results show that the network after transfer learning can accurately detect defect bodies in actual tunnel lining structures, verifying the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method.
Electrochemical Corrosion Study of 20MnTiB High Strength Bolt Under the Simulation of Humid Climate in Chongqing
Authors: Wen Juan , Gao Xianping , Deng Yuehua , Zhang Fanglin
Published: August 2024

High strength bolts for steel structure bridges have been used in humid environment for a long time, and are prone to corrosion and failure under the combined action of corrosion environment and load. The electrochemical corrosion performance of 20MnTiB high strength bolt was studied by simulating the humid climate in Chongqing. The results were shown that under the same condition, the corrosion resistance was increased both with the increase of pH and the increase of corrosion time. According to the EDS and XRD results, after immersion at different pH values for 168 h, the main corrosion products are Fe2O3, Fe3O4 and FeOOH. All the results demonstrated that after immersion at different pH values for 168 h, the sample corrosion resistance was improved, and was significantly increased with the increase of pH value, which is closely related to the corrosion product film on the sample surface.
Study on the Axial Hysteresis Performance of X Node Reinforced by Upward Grooved Ring Plate
Authors: Xia Junwu , Meng Lingyuan , Zhou Chunbo , Yang Nianxu , Xu Hang
Published: August 2024

To address the challenge of being unable to observe damage in the main branch area with the existing reinforcement method, a new method of relocating the slotted ring flange was proposed. Through full-scale axial reciprocating loading tests, a comparative analysis of two damage modes, the ring flange corner plate and the slotted ring flange relocation reinforcement, was conducted. The study also investigated the axial hysteresis performance of the slotted ring flange's X-shaped nodes.
Non-perturbative renormalisation and improvement of non-singlet tensor currents in Nf = 3 QCD
Authors: Chimirri Leonardo , Fritzsch Patrick , Heitger Jochen , Joswig Fabian , Panero Marco , Pena Carlos , Preti David
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Hadronic matrix elements involving tensor currents play an important rôle in decays that allow to probe the consistency of the Standard Model via precision lattice QCD calculations. The non-singlet tensor current is a scale-dependent (anomalous) quantity. We fully resolve its renormalisation group (RG) running in the continuum by carrying out a recursive finite-size scaling technique. In this way ambiguities due to a perturbative RG running and matching to lattice data at low energies are eliminated. We provide the total renormalisation factor at a hadronic scale of 233 MeV, which converts the bare current into its RG-invariant form.

Our calculation features three flavours of O(a) improved Wilson fermions and tree-level Symanzik-improved gauge action. We employ the (massless) Schrödinger functional renormalisation scheme throughout and present the first non-perturbative determination of the Symanzik counterterm cT derived from an axial Ward identity. We elaborate on various details of our calculations, including two different renormalisation conditions.
One-loop five-parton amplitudes in the NMRK limit
Authors: Byrne Emmet P.
Published: August 2024

Abstract

We analyse the real part of one-loop five-parton amplitudes in the next-to-multi-Regge kinematic (NMRK) limit, to leading power, and to finite order in the dimensional regularisation parameter. To leading logarithmic (LL) accuracy, it is known that five-parton amplitudes in this limit are given to all-orders by a single factorised expression, in which the pair of partons which are not well-separated in rapidity are described by a two-parton emission vertex. In this study, we investigate the one-loop amplitudes at next-to-leading logarithmic (NLL) accuracy, and find that is has a more complex structure. In particular, it is found that the purely gluonic amplitudes are compatible with an analogous factorisation of individual colour structures. From the one-loop amplitudes we extract one-loop two-parton emission vertices, which are functions of a subset of the momenta of the amplitude. In the multi-Regge kinematic (MRK) limit, the vertices themselves factorise into the known one-loop single-parton emission vertices and Lipatov vertex, with rapidity dependence governed by the one-loop gluon Regge trajectory, as required by compatibility with the known MRK limit of amplitudes. The one-loop two-parton emission vertices are necessary ingredients for the construction of the next-to-next-to leading order (NNLO) jet impact factors in the BFKL framework.
Fourier feature network for 3D vessel reconstruction from biplane angiograms
Authors: Wu Sean , Kaneko Naoki , Liebeskind David S. , Scalzo Fabien
Published: August 2024

3D reconstruction of biplane cerebral angiograms remains a challenging, unsolved research problem due to the loss of depth information and the unknown pixelwise correlation between input images. The occlusions arising from only two views complicate the reconstruction of fine vessel details and the simultaneous addressing of inherent missing information. In this paper, we take an incremental step toward solving this problem by reconstructing the corresponding 2D slice of the cerebral angiogram using biplane 1D image data. We developed a coordinate-based neural network that encodes the 1D image data along with a deterministic Fourier feature mapping from a given input point, resulting in a slice reconstruction that is more spatially accurate. Using only one 1D row of biplane image data, our Fourier feature network reconstructed the corresponding volume slices with a peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) of 26.32 ± 0.36, a structural similarity index measure (SSIM) of 61.38 ± 1.79, a mean squared error (MSE) of 0.0023 ± 0.0002, and a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.0364 ± 0.0029. Our research has implications for future work aimed at improving backprojection-based reconstruction by first examining individual slices from 1D information as a prerequisite.
Accelerating breast MRI acquisition with generative AI models
Authors: Okolie Augustine , Dirrichs Timm , Huck Luisa Charlotte , Nebelung Sven , Arasteh Soroosh Tayebi , Nolte Teresa , Han Tianyu , Kuhl Christiane Katharina , Truhn Daniel
Published: August 2024

Objectives

To investigate the use of the score-based diffusion model to accelerate breast MRI reconstruction.

Materials and methods

We trained a score-based model on 9549 MRI examinations of the female breast and employed it to reconstruct undersampled MRI images with undersampling factors of 2, 5, and 20. Images were evaluated by two experienced radiologists who rated the images based on their overall quality and diagnostic value on an independent test set of 100 additional MRI examinations.

Results

The score-based model produces MRI images of high quality and diagnostic value. Both T1- and T2-weighted MRI images could be reconstructed to a high degree of accuracy. Two radiologists rated the images as almost indistinguishable from the original images (rating 4 or 5 on a scale of 5) in 100% (radiologist 1) and 99% (radiologist 2) of cases when the acceleration factor was 2. This fraction dropped to 88% and 70% for an acceleration factor of 5 and to 5% and 21% with an extreme acceleration factor of 20.

Conclusion

Score-based models can reconstruct MRI images at high fidelity, even at comparatively high acceleration factors, but further work on a larger scale of images is needed to ensure that diagnostic quality holds.

Clinical relevance statement

The number of MRI examinations of the breast is expected to rise with MRI screening recommended for women with dense breasts. Accelerated image acquisition methods can help in making this examination more accessible.

Key Points

Accelerating breast MRI reconstruction remains a significant challenge in clinical settings.

Score-based diffusion models can achieve near-perfect reconstruction for moderate undersampling factors.

Faster breast MRI scans with maintained image quality could revolutionize clinic workflows and patient experience.