bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Keragaman Bentuk dan Struktur Ume Kbubu di Pulau Timor
Authors: Timbulong Aditya Hanggara , Daniel Christopher , Chandra Doni , Putri Yvonne Krisna , Hariyanto Agus Dwi
Published: September 2023

Provinsi NTT merupakan salah satu daerah yang memiliki berbagai suku, beragam rumah tradisional yang menyesuaikan dengan daerah tempat para suku berhuni. Salah satunya adalah suku Atoni yang merupakan penghuni asli pulau Timor yang menempati bagian barat dan bagian tengah pulau Timor. Keturunan dari suku Atoni adalah suku Boti yang mendiami Timor Tengah Selatan, dan juga mendiami desa Maslete dan Kaenbaun yang terletak di Timor Tengah Utara. Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengetahui perbedaan dan persamaan terhadap keaslian Ume Kbubupada desa ketiga melalui analisis bentuk dan struktur. Metode penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif. Pengumpulan data menggunakan metode arsip dengan studi literatur. Data yang sudah dikumpulkan dianalisis lebih dalam dengan membuat model 3D. Adanya perbedaan letak geologis menyebabkan perbedaan bentuk, struktur, dan material Ume Kbubu dari berbagai desa, namun juga terdapat beberapa perjanjian. Perbedaan pada Ume Kbubu di tiga desa berbeda disebabkan oleh sumber daya alam, kebiasaan dan sifat masyarakat yang berbeda-beda.
Kajian Arsitektonik Sense of Place oleh Karl Bötticher pada Pusat Rehabilitasi
Authors: Chandra Doni , Daniel Christopher , Arifin Lilianny Sigit
Published: September 2023

Arsitektonik sense of place menurut Karl Bötticher adalah suatu perwujudan kesan ruang beserta fungsinya yang terbentuk dari keterkaitan antara ontologi dan representasi. Pemahaman ini dipakai untuk menganalisis bagaimana tektonika bangunan dengan kaitannya dalam menciptakan sebuah sense of place sesuai dengan tujuan dan fungsi sebuah pusat rehabilitasi. Metoda pengumpulan data yang digunakan adalah literature review dan metoda analisisnya adalah kualitatif untuk mengaitkan teori pada penerapan di pusat rehabilitasi lalu menvisualisasikan menggunakan model 3D sketchup. Analisis ini mengupas 2 studi kasus, yang pertama pusat kanker Maggie’s Southampton yang mengutamakan desain menyatu dengan alam agar pasien dapat beraktivitas dengan suasana tenang dan juga didesain interaktif sebagai dukungan mental emosional yang dibutuhkan. Lalu yang kedua ada pusat psikomotor Jigiya So yang menangani masalah disabilitas dan integrasi sosial dengan memberikan dukungan terapeutik dan menggunakan konsep melokal untuk meningkatkan kesadaran disabilitas setempat. Kedua bangunan memiliki keunikan dalam mewujudkan sense of place yang sesuai dengan konsepnya masing-masing.
New Cancer Diagnoses Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Decker Kathleen M. , Feely Allison , Bucher Oliver , Czaykowski Piotr , Hebbard Pamela , Kim Julian O. , Pitz Marshall , Singh Harminder , Thiessen Maclean , Lambert Pascal
Published: September 2023

Importance

Disruptions to health care during the COVID-19 pandemic may have led to missed cancer diagnoses. It is critical to evaluate the association between the COVID-19 pandemic and cancer incidence to address public and patient anxiety, inform recovery efforts, and identify strategies to reduce the system’s vulnerability to future disruptions.

Objective

To examine the association between the COVID-19 pandemic and cancer incidence in Manitoba, Canada.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A population-based cross-sectional study design was conducted using data from the Manitoba Cancer Registry and an interrupted time-series analysis. All individuals diagnosed with cancer in Manitoba, Canada, from January 1, 2015, until December 31, 2021, were included. Individuals diagnosed with breast, colon, rectal, or lung cancer were grouped by age as follows: younger than 50 years, 50 to 74 years, and 75 years and older.

Exposures

COVID-19 pandemic.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Age-standardized cancer incidence rates and the estimated cumulative difference between the number of cases in the absence of COVID-19 and observed (fitted) number of cancer cases.

Results

A total of 48 378 individuals were included. The median (IQR) age at diagnosis was 68 (59-77) years and 23 972 participants (49.6%) were female. In April 2020, there was a 23% decrease in overall cancer incidence. Cancer incidence decreased by 46% for breast, 35% for colon, 47% for rectal, 50% for head and neck, 65% for melanoma, and 33% for endocrine cancer diagnoses and increased by 12% for hematological cancer diagnoses and 8% for diagnoses of cancers with an unknown primary site. Lung cancer incidence remained stable until December 2020 when it decreased by 11%. Brain and central nervous system and urinary cancer diagnoses decreased consistently over time from April 2020 to December 2021 by 26% and 12%, respectively. No association was observed with gynecologic (1% increase), other digestive (1% decrease), or pancreatic (7% increase) cancer incidence. As of December 2021, Manitoba had an estimated deficit of 692 (5.3%) cancers. The largest estimated deficits were for breast (273 cases, 14.1% deficit), colon (133 cases, 12.2% deficit), and lung cancers (132 cases, 7.6% deficit).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with an initial decrease in cancer diagnosis incidence followed by a recovery for most cancer sites. However, the cumulative deficit for some cancers with high fatality needs immediate attention.
Penetrating Firearm-Inflicted Injury—The Neglected Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Lazaridis Christos , Das Paramita
Published: September 2023

This Viewpoint discusses penetrating firearm-inflicted brain injury and the current collaborative efforts to perform more penetrating brain injury–specific randomized clinical trials and comparative effectiveness research to identify effective management guidelines.
Epilepsy in a Patient With Brain Herniation Into the Arachnoid Granulation
Authors: Li Jieyu , Bai Jing , Sun Weiping
Published: September 2023

This case report describes epilepsy in a 50-year-old patient with brain herniation into the arachnoid granulation.
Salivary Epigenetic Measures of Body Mass Index and Social Determinants of Health Across Childhood and Adolescence
Authors: Raffington Laurel , Schneper Lisa , Mallard Travis , Fisher Jonah , Vinnik Liza , Hollis-Hansen Kelseanna , Notterman Daniel A. , Tucker-Drob Elliot M. , Mitchell Colter , Harden K. Paige
Published: September 2023

Importance

Children who are socioeconomically disadvantaged are at increased risk for high body mass index (BMI) and multiple diseases in adulthood. The developmental origins of health and disease hypothesis proposes that early life conditions affect later-life health in a manner that is only partially modifiable by later-life experiences.

Objective

To examine whether epigenetic measures of BMI developed in adults are valid biomarkers of childhood BMI and if they are sensitive to early life social determinants of health.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This population-based study of over 3200 children and adolescents aged 8 to 18 years included data from 2 demographically diverse US pediatric cohort studies that combine longitudinal and twin study designs. Analyses were conducted from 2021 to 2022.

Exposures

Socioeconomic status, marginalized groups.

Main Outcome and Measure

Salivary epigenetic BMI, BMI. Analyses were conducted to validate the use of saliva epigenetic BMI as a potential biomarker of child BMI and to examine associations between epigenetic BMI and social determinants of health.

Results

Salivary epigenetic BMI was calculated from 2 cohorts: (1) 1183 individuals aged 8 to 18 years (609 female [51%]; mean age, 13.4 years) from the Texas Twin Project and (2) 2020 children (1011 female [50%]) measured at 9 years of age and 15 years of age from the Future of Families and Child Well-Being Study. Salivary epigenetic BMI was associated with children’s BMI (r = 0.36; 95% CI, 0.31-0.40 to r = 0.50; 95% CI, 0.42-0.59). Longitudinal analysis found that epigenetic BMI was highly stable across adolescence but remained both a leading and lagging indicator of BMI change. Twin analyses showed that epigenetic BMI captured differences in BMI between monozygotic twins. Moreover, children from more disadvantaged socioeconomic status (b = −0.13 to −0.15 across samples) and marginalized racial and ethnic groups (b = 0.08-0.34 across samples) had higher epigenetic BMI, even when controlling for concurrent BMI, pubertal development, and tobacco exposure. Socioeconomic status at birth relative to concurrent socioeconomic status best predicted epigenetic BMI in childhood and adolescence (b = −0.15; 95% CI, −0.20 to −0.09).

Conclusion and Relevance

This study demonstrated that epigenetic measures of BMI calculated from pediatric saliva samples were valid biomarkers of childhood BMI and may be associated with early-life social inequalities. The findings are in line with the hypothesis that early-life conditions are especially important factors in epigenetic regulation of later-life health. Research showing that health later in life is linked to early-life conditions has important implications for the development of early-life interventions that could significantly extend healthy life span.
Years of Life Lost to Firearm Suicide Among Young People in the US
Authors: Garcia Stephanie , Entrup Parker , Hall O. Trent , Deaner Megan , Thomas Arielle , Lim Robert
Published: September 2023

This cross-sectional study examines years of life lost among the top 3 causes of death and compares firearm suicide with other methods of suicide among individuals aged 10 to 24 years in the US.
Association Between Dialysis Facility Ownership and Mortality Risk in Children With Kidney Failure
Authors: Ku Elaine , McCulloch Charles E. , Bicki Alexandra , Lin Feng , Lopez Isabelle , Furth Susan L. , Warady Bradley A. , Grimes Barbara A. , Amaral Sandra
Published: September 2023

Importance

In adults, treatment at profit dialysis facilities has been associated with a higher risk of death.

Objective

To determine whether profit status of dialysis facilities is associated with the risk of death in children with kidney failure treated with dialysis and whether any such association is mediated by differences in access to transplant.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study reviewed US Renal Data System records of 15 359 children who began receiving dialysis for kidney failure between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2019, in US dialysis facilities. The data analysis was performed between May 2, 2022, and June 15, 2023.

Exposure

Time-updated profit status of dialysis facilities.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Adjusted Fine-Gray models were used to determine the association of time-updated profit status of dialysis facilities with risk of death, treating kidney transplant as a competing risk. Cox proportional hazards regression models were also used to determine time-updated profit status with risk of death regardless of transplant status.

Results

The final cohort included 8465 boys (55.3%) and 6832 girls (44.7%) (median [IQR] age, 12 [3-15] years). During a median follow-up of 1.4 (IQR, 0.6-2.7) years, with censoring at transplant, the incidence of death was higher at profit vs nonprofit facilities (7.03 vs 4.06 per 100 person-years, respectively). Children treated at profit facilities had a 2.07-fold (95% CI, 1.83-2.35) higher risk of death compared with children at nonprofit facilities in adjusted analyses accounting for the competing risk of transplant. When follow-up was extended regardless of transplant status, the risk of death remained higher for children treated in profit facilities (hazard ratio, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.35-1.61). Lower access to transplant in profit facilities mediated 67% of the association between facility profit status and risk of death (95% CI, 45%-100%).

Conclusions and Relevance

Given the higher risk of death associated with profit dialysis facilities that is partially mediated by lower access to transplant, the study’s findings indicate a need to identify root causes and targeted interventions that can improve mortality outcomes for children treated in these facilities.
Reference Range of Hydroxychloroquine Blood Levels That Can Reduce Odds of Active Lupus and Prevent Flares
Authors: Garg Shivani , Chewning Betty , Hutson Paul , Astor Brad C. , Bartels Christie M.
Published: September 2023

Objective

Recent data show that lower hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) doses are associated with a two‐ to six‐fold higher risk of lupus flares. Thus, establishing an effective reference range of HCQ blood levels with upper and lower bounds for efficacy may support individualizing HCQ dosing to prevent flares.

Methods

HCQ levels in whole blood and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) were measured during the baseline visit and again during a standard of care routine follow‐up visit. Active cross‐sectional lupus at baseline was defined as SLEDAI ≥6; a within subject flare was defined as a subsequent three‐point increase in SLEDAI with clinical symptoms requiring therapy change. We examined associations between active lupus and HCQ blood levels at baseline and flares and HCQ levels during 6 to 12–month routine lupus follow‐up visits using mixed regression analysis.

Results

Among 158 baseline patient visits, 19% had active lupus. Odds of active lupus were 71% lower in patients with levels within a 750 to 1,200 ng/mL range (adjusted odds ratio 0.29, 95% confidence interval 0.08–0.96). Using convenience sampling strategy during a pandemic, we longitudinally followed 42 patients. Among those patients, 17% flared during their follow‐up visit. Maintaining HCQ levels within 750 to 1,200 ng/mL reduced the odds of a flare by 26% over a nine‐month median follow‐up.

Conclusion

An effective reference range of HCQ blood levels, 750 to 1,200 ng/mL, was associated with 71% lower odds of active lupus, and maintaining levels within this range reduced odds of flares by 26%. These findings could guide clinicians to individualize HCQ doses to maintain HCQ levels within this range to maximize efficacy.

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Capturing Patient Value in an Economic Evaluation
Authors: Koster Fiona , Kok Marc R. , Lopes Barreto Deirisa , Weel‐Koenders Angelique E.A.M.
Published: September 2023

Objective

Economic evaluations predominantly use generic outcomes, such as the Euro Quality of Life‐5 Dimension (EQ‐5D), to assess health status. However, because of the generic nature, they are less suitable to capture the quality of life of patients with specific conditions. Given the transition to patient‐centered (remote) care delivery, this study aims to evaluate the possibility of using disease‐specific measures in a cost‐effectiveness analysis.

Methods

A real‐life cohort from Maasstad Hospital (2020–2021) in the Netherlands, with 772 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), was used to assess the cost‐effectiveness of electronic consultations (e‐consultations) compared with face‐to‐face consultations. The Incremental Cost‐Effectiveness Ratio (ICER), based on the generic EQ‐5D, was compared with ICER's based on RA‐specific measures: the Rheumatoid Arthritis Impact of Disease (RAID) and Health Assessment Questionnaire‐Disability Index (HAQ‐DI). To compare the cost‐effectiveness of these different measures, HAQ‐DI and RAID were expressed in quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALYs) via estimated conversion equations.

Results

Disease‐specific patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) offer a promising alternative for traditional measures in economic evaluations, capturing patient‐relevant domains more comprehensively. Because PROMs are increasingly applied in clinical practice, the next step entails modeling of an RA patient‐wide conversion equation to implement PROMs in economic evaluations.

Conclusion

The conventional ICER (eg, EQ‐5D) indicates that e‐consultations are cost‐effective with cost savings of −€161,000 per QALY gained for a prevalent RA cohort treated in a secondary trainee hospital. RA‐specific measures show similar results, with ICERs of −€163,000 per HAQ‐DI (QALY) and −€223,000 per RAID (QALY) gained. RA‐specific measures capture patient‐relevant domains and offer the opportunity to improve the assessment and treatment of the disease impact.
Comorbidities in Early Psoriatic Arthritis: Data From the Metabolic Disturbances in Psoriatic Arthritis Cohort Study
Authors: Ishchenko Alla , Pazmino Sofia , Neerinckx Barbara , Lories Rik , de Vlam Kurt
Published: September 2023

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of comorbidities and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors (RFs) in treatment‐naive patients with early psoriatic arthritis (ePsA) and to identify factors that contribute to metabolic burden in ePsA.

Methods

This was an observational longitudinal multicenter cohort study. Clinical and demographic characteristics, CV RFs, and comorbidities were compared in patients newly diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and sex‐ and age‐matched controls. In patients with PsA, comorbidities were reevaluated after one year's follow‐up because the disease activity changed.

Results

Sixty‐seven patients with ePsA and 61 healthy volunteers were included. The rate of comorbidities was similar in patients with ePsA and in healthy controls; 82.1% of patients with ePsA had CV RFs at baseline as compared with 62.3% of healthy volunteers (odds ratio [OR] 1.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14–2.0). Patients with ePsA had higher odds of having multiple (two or more) comorbidities (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2–3.0) and multiple CV RFs (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3–3.2) than the controls. Comorbidities or CV RFs in patients with ePsA were not influenced by duration of skin psoriasis. Dyslipidemia was the most prevalent comorbidity in the PsA cohort (64.2% vs 39.3% in controls; OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2–2.5). Patients with ePsA had, on average, above normal body mass index (mean ± SD 28.82 ± 4.5) and a higher rate of obesity (40.3% vs 18.3% in controls; OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.2). After 1 year, although disease activity scores improved, the proportion of patients with comorbidities and CV RFs did not increase or drop.

Conclusion

Our data imply that patients with PsA already have higher comorbidities and CV burden at early stages of the disease, suggesting that these are not only a consequence of long‐lasting disease and chronic systemic inflammation.
Full‐Landscape Condensation Phases for Long‐Lived Excitons in 2D Tellurium: Crystal‐Field Splitting and Finite‐Momentum Excitons
Authors: Xia Yujie , Le Shu  , Zhang Yiming , Chen Ying , Peng Lei , Zhang Juan , Li Ben , Shao Hezhu , Cen Yan , Sui Zhan , Zhu Heyuan , Zhang Hao
Published: September 2023

The realization of high‐temperature exciton macroscopic quantum phases in materials still remains challenging due to strict constraints in thermal stabilities and excitonic lifetimes. In this work, by using first‐principles calculations, the exciton dispersions and macroscopic quantum phase transitions of 2D α‐ and β‐Te are investigated. The excitons with lowest eigen energy for both α‐ and β‐Te are dark restricted by the crystal‐field symmetries. The Bose–Einstein condensation (BEC) transition for α‐ and β‐Te can be realized at 165.4 and 32.8 K with low excitation power densities of 0.42 × 1012 and 1.0 × 1012 cm−2, respectively. Furthermore, the phase transitions from insulating free exciton (FE) gas to conducting electron–hole plasma (EHP) and electron–hole liquid (EHL), as well as that from BEC to superfluidity phases are also predicted. Finally, the authors investigate the microscopic dynamics for bright excitons of 2D tellurium and find that they reach thermal equilibrium at 1–50 fs and excitonic lifetimes can reach 1–40 ns, beneficial for experimental observation of quantum condensate states. The findings in this work not only demonstrate the excellent optoelectronic properties of 2D tellurium allotropes, but also provide a promising platform for experimental realization of high‐temperature excitonic macroscopic quantum condensates.
Performance Enhancement and In Situ Observation of Resistive Switching and Magnetic Modulation by a Tunable Two‐Level System of Mn Dopants in a‐Gallium Oxide‐based Memristor
Authors: Dai Xu , Zhang Xi , Gong Dan , Xiang Gang
Published: September 2023

Purely gallium oxide‐based memristors (GOMRs) show great potentials in resistive random‐access‐memory (RRAM) due to their chemical stability and resistive switching characteristics with Roff/Ron ratios up to 102; indeed, GOMRs with higher Roff/Ron ratios and more functionalities are more expected. In this study, ferromagnetic amorphous gallium oxide (a‐GMO) films with a tunable two‐level system of Mn dopants, i.e., Mn2+ and Mn3+ ions, are prepared by scalable polymer assisted deposition. The Pt/a‐GMO/Pt memristors show a high Roff/Ron ratio of 103, at least one order of magnitude higher than those of previously reported purely GOMRs, thanks to the abundant oxygen vacancies (VOs)‐induced low resistance state and Mn2+‐enhanced high resistance state. Meanwhile, magnetic modulation (MM) is realized electrically in the a‐GOMRs during the RS, through the tuning of bound magnetopolarons (BMPs) by bias voltage‐induced VOs variations, which may be useful for quaternary information coding. Notably, the transition between Mn3+ and Mn2+ions is observed in the GOMRs, which is closely related to the variations of VO concentration and BMP amount, providing an in situ tool to probe the VO‐induced RS and BMP‐dependent MM. The results give insights to Mn‐doped GOMRs and may be useful for design, fabrication, and testing of multifunctional high‐performance RRAMs.
Boosting the Viable Water Harvesting in Solar Vapor Generation: From Interfacial Engineering to Devices Design
Authors: Zhang Panpan , Wang Haiyang , Wang Jing , Ji Zhiyong , Qu Liangti
Published: September 2023

Continuously increasing demand for the life‐critical water resource induces severe global water shortages. It is imperative to advance effective, economic, and environmentally sustainable strategies to augment clean water supply. The present work reviews recent reports on the interfacial engineering to devices design of solar vapor generation (SVG) system for boosting the viability of drinkable water harvesting. Particular emphasis is placed on the basic principles associated with the interfacial engineering of solar evaporators capable of efficient solar‐to‐thermal conversion and resulting freshwater vapor via eliminating pollutants from quality‐impaired water sources. The critical configurations manufacturing of the devices for fast condensation is then highlighted to harvest potable liquid water. Fundamental and practical challenges, along with prospects for the targeted materials architecture and devices modifications of SVG system are also outlined, aiming to provide future directions and inspiring critical research efforts in this emerging and exciting field.
In‐Situ‐Grown Cu Dendrites Plasmonically Enhance Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution on Facet‐Engineered Cu2O
Authors: Zhang Hao , Diao Jiefeng , Liu Yonghui , Zhao Han , Ng Bryan K. Y. , Ding Zhiyuan , Guo Zhenyu , Li Huanxin , Jia Jun , Yu Chang , Xie Fang , Henkelman Graeme , Titirici Maria‐Magdalena , Robertson John , Nellist Peter , Duan Chunying , Guo Yuzheng , Riley D. Jason , Qiu Jieshan
Published: September 2023

Herein, facet‐engineered Cu2O nanostructures are synthesized by wet chemical methods for electrocatalytic HER, and it is found that the octahedral Cu2O nanostructures with exposed crystal planes of (111) (O‐Cu2O) has the best hydrogen evolution performance. Operando Raman spectroscopy and ex‐situ characterization techniques showed that Cu2O is reduced during HER, in which Cu dendrites are grown on the surface of the Cu2O nanostructures, resulting in the better HER performance of O‐Cu2O after HER (O‐Cu2O‐A) compared with that of the as‐prepared O‐Cu2O. Under illumination, the onset potential of O‐Cu2O‐A is ca. 52 mV positive than that of O‐Cu2O, which is induced by the plasmon‐activated electrochemical system consisting of Cu2O and the in‐situ generated Cu dendrites. Incident photon‐to‐current efficiency (IPCE) measurements and the simulated UV–Vis spectrum demonstrate the hot electron injection (HEI) from Cu dendrites to Cu2O. Ab initio nonadiabatic molecular dynamics (NAMD) simulations revealed the transfer of photogenerated electrons (27 fs) from Cu dendrites to Cu2O nanostructures is faster than electron relaxation (170 fs), enhancing its surface plasmons activity, and the HEI of Cu dendrites increases the charge density of Cu2O. These make the energy level of the catalyst be closer to that of H+/H2, evidenced by the plasmon‐enhanced HER electrocatalytic activity.
Multi‐Hydrogen Bonds Enhanced Anchoring Effect Enabling High‐Efficiency Blue Phosphorescence, Single‐Molecule White Light, and Tunable Colorful Emission with Quantitative Energy Transfer
Authors: Xie Yingjie , Wang Zepeng , Yu Peng , Zhang Lan , Geng Yun , Zhao Jianfeng
Published: September 2023

Ultralong organic room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials, especially high‐energy blue emission materials, have attracted tremendous attention but remain difficult to achieve. Here, a strategy based on the multi‐hydrogen bonds enhanced anchoring effect is developed to activate single‐molecule blue phosphorescence emission with the highest efficiency of 29.79%. Specifically, the aromatic electrophilic directing (AED) effect provides a rational explanation for the structural spectral change. The construction of artificial light‐harvesting systems via physical blending achieves on‐demand modulation for afterglow color, including white afterglow. Furthermore, cold‐white emission is also achieved via a structural π‐extension optimization strategy. Moreover, the high transmittance and reversible water‐sensitivity render these polymer films with applicability as smart organic optoelectronic materials.
Self‐Assembled Asymmetric Electrodes for High‐Efficiency Thermogalvanic Cells
Authors: Zhuang Xinyan , Jin Hongrun , Dai Simin , Li Xiaoqiong , Guo Wenhuan , Wang Yan , Wu Jiabin , Huang Liang , Duan Jiangjiang , Zhou Jun
Published: September 2023

The thermogalvanic cell (TGC) is considered a promising thermoelectric device for directly converting low‐grade waste heat into electricity due to its low‐cost and scalable properties. However, the low output and conversion efficiency limit its practical application. Herein, record‐high thermoelectric conversion performances are achieved in the aqueous ferri/ferrocyanide ([Fe(CN)6]3−/[Fe(CN)6]4−) based TGC by using the electrode of cobaltous oxide nanowires array on carbon cloth fiber. Because of the temperature‐dependence reaction activity between CoO with [Fe(CN)6]4−, the asymmetric electrodes of Co2Fe(CN)6 and CoO nanowires array on carbon cloth fiber are constructed at the hot anode and cold cathode, respectively. These self‐assembled asymmetric electrodes exhibit specific catalysis toward electrode reactions at both ends of TGC, leading to a significant reduction in electronic activation energy. It is demonstrated that the electrodes have high catalytic activity and high specific surface area, enabling the construction of a high‐efficiency TGC with a Carnot‐relative efficiency (ηr) of 14.8% and a maximum output power density (Pmax) of 24.5 W m−2. This work offers an asymmetric electrode engineering pathway for the continuous evolution of TGCs.
Impacts of artisanal fishing on the reproductive biology and population structure of tigerfish (Hydrocynus vittatus) in the Ume Basin of Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe
Authors: Magqina Terence , Mudungwe Ashley , Goza David
Published: September 2023

Fisheries studies concerning the related impacts of fishing on the aquatic environment have mostly dealt with industrial fisheries. Concerted large‐scale exploitation can lead to stock declines and potentially species extinction. Hydrocynus vittatus is a piscivore and popular recreational fish species that can grow up to 70 cm fork length and weigh up to 15 kg. Hydrocynus vittatus is also a fish of importance in Lake Kariba as local communities along lake shorelines depend on it for both income and food. There is an insufficient understanding of the impacts of artisanal fishing on tigerfish, H. vittatus population parameters and reproductive biology in Lake Kariba. Hence, this study investigated life history traits and population dynamics of H. vittatus in the Ume Basin of Lake Kariba, north‐eastern Zimbabwe. Scales were used to estimate the age of tigerfish and the Bertalanffy growth curve used to estimate the growth parameters. A gonadal reproductive stage determination index was used to determine sexual maturity and the logistic growth curve was used to estimate size at 50% sexual maturity (L50). Using the gonadal maturation index, the L50 for males was estimated ranging between 120 and 149 mm. On the other hand, L50 reached between 250 and 299 mm in females. Females had a higher average mean length (335 mm), compared to that of males (289 mm). The length‐at‐age data from scales had relatively few outliers and moderate scatter. Parameters for the von Bertalanffy growth curve were (L‐infinity = 641.5, k = 0.517, t0 = 3.07). This study highlighted the negative impacts (male‐biased sex ratio and small size at maturity) that artisanal gillnet fishing has on the population structure and reproductive potential of tigerfish in the Ume Basin of Lake Kariba. These impacts are a direct result of both legal and illegal fishing activities of the fishers operating in the Ume Basin and based at Musamba Fishing Camp. There is, therefore, an urgent need for the regulatory authority, the Matusadona Conservation Trust, to engage the fishers in developing long‐term strategies to reverse the observed unhealthy population status and allow the tigerfish stock to replenish itself.
Combined endoscopic sinus surgery and endonasal septal perforation repair: Symptom outcomes and perforation closure rates
Authors: Leung Sabrina W. , Brar Tripti , Bansberg Stephen F. , Marino Michael J. , Lal Devyani , Taylor Cullen , Miglani Amar
Published: September 2023

Key Points

Combined endoscopic sinus surgery and nasal septal perforation repair is technically feasible.

NOSE‐Perf is a recently developed patient‐reported outcome measure for nasal septal perforation.

The decision to perform combined ESS and NSP repair should be made on a case‐by‐case basis.
Boosting the Proton‐coupled Electron Transfer via Fe−P Atomic Pair for Enhanced Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Authors: Zhang Qiao , Tsai Hsin Jung , Li Fuhua , Wei Zhiming , He Qinye , Ding Jie , Liu Yuhang , Lin Zih‐Yi , Yang Xiaoju , Chen Zhaoyang , Hu Fangxin , Yang Xuan , Tang Qing , Yang Hong Bin , Hung Sung‐Fu , Zhai Yueming
Published: September 2023

Single‐atom catalysts exhibit superior CO2‐to‐CO catalytic activity, but poor kinetics of proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET) steps still limit the overall performance toward the industrial scale. Here, we constructed a Fe−P atom paired catalyst onto nitrogen doped graphitic layer (Fe1/PNG) to accelerate PCET step. Fe1/PNG delivers an industrial CO current of 1 A with FECO over 90 % at 2.5 V in a membrane‐electrode assembly, overperforming the CO current of Fe1/NG by more than 300 %. We also decrypted the synergistic effects of the P atom in the Fe−P atom pair using operando techniques and density functional theory, revealing that the P atom provides additional adsorption sites for accelerating water dissociation, boosting the hydrogenation of CO2, and enhancing the activity of CO2 reduction. This atom‐pair catalytic strategy can modulate multiple reactants and intermediates to break through the inherent limitations of single‐atom catalysts.
Modulating Ligand‐Exchange Dynamics on Metal‐Organic Polyhedra for Reversible Sorting and Hybridization of Miktoarm Star Polymers
Authors: Lai Yuyan , He Xiaofeng , Xue Binghui , Li Mu , Wang Huihui , Huang Wei , Yin Jia‐Fu , Zhang Mingxin , Yin Panchao
Published: September 2023

The precise synthesis of miktoarm star polymers (MSPs) remains one of the great challenges in synthetic chemistry due to the difficulty in locating appropriate structural templates and polymer grafting/growing strategies with high selectivity and efficiency. Herein, ≈2 nm metal‐organic polyhedra (MOPs), constructed from the coordination of isophthalic acid (IPA) and Cu2+, are applied as templates for the precise synthesis of 24‐arm MSPs for their unique logarithmic ligand‐exchange dynamics. Six different polymers are prepared with IPA as an end group and they further coordinated with Cu2+ to afford the corresponding 24‐arm star homo‐polymers. MSPs can be obtained by mixing targeted homo‐arm star polymers in solutions upon thermal annealing. The compositions of MSPs can be facilely and precisely tuned by the recipe of the star polymer mixtures used. Interestingly, the obtained MSPs can be sorted into homo‐arm star polymers through a typical solvent extraction procedure. The hybridization and sorting process can be reversibly conducted through the cycle of thermal annealing and solvent treatment. The complex coordination framework not only opens new avenues for the facile and precise synthesis of MSPs and MOPs with hybrid functionalities, but also provides the capability to design sustainable polymer systems.
Electrosynthesis and Microanalysis in Thin Layer: An Electrochemical Pipette for Rapid Electrolysis and Mechanistic Study of Electrochemical Reactions
Authors: Punchihewa Buwanila T. , Minda Vidit , Gutheil William G. , Rafiee Mohammad
Published: September 2023

Electrochemistry represents unique approaches for the promotion and mechanistic study of chemical reactions and has garnered increasing attention in different areas of chemistry. This expansion necessitates the enhancement of the traditional electrochemical cells that are intrinsically constrained by mass transport limitations. Herein, we present an approach for designing an electrochemical cell by limiting the reaction chamber to a thin layer of solution, comparable to the thickness of the diffusion layer. This thin layer electrode (TLE) provides a modular platform to bypass the constraints of traditional electrolysis cells and perform electrolysis reactions in the timescale of electroanalytical techniques. The utility of the TLE for electrosynthetic applications benchmarked using NHPI‐mediated electrochemical C−H functionalization. The application of microscale electrolysis for the study of drug metabolites was showcased by elucidating the oxidation pathways of the paracetamol drug. Moreover, hosting a microelectrode in the TLE, was shown to enable real‐time probing of the profiles of redox‐active components of these rapid electrosynthesis reactions.
Reversible Solid–Solid Conversion of Sulfurized Polyacrylonitrile Cathodes in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries by Weakly Solvating Ether Electrolytes
Authors: Ma Tao , Ni Youxuan , Li Diantao , Zha Zhengtai , Jin Song , Zhang Weijia , Jia Liqun , Sun Qiong , Xie Weiwei , Tao Zhanliang , Chen Jun
Published: September 2023

Despite carbonate electrolytes exhibiting good stability to sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (SPAN), their chemical incompatibility with lithium (Li) metal anode leads to poor electrochemical performance of Li||SPAN full cells. While the SPAN employs conventional ether electrolytes that suffer from the shuttle effect, leading to rapid capacity fading. Here, we tailor a dilute electrolyte based on a low solvating power ether solvent that is both compatible with SPAN and Li metal. Unlike conventional ether electrolytes, the weakly solvating ether electrolyte enables SPAN to undergo reversibly “solid–solid” conversion. It features an anion–rich solvation structure that allows for the formation of a robust cathode electrolyte interphase on the SPAN, effectively blocking the dissolution of polysulfides into the bulk electrolyte and avoiding the shuttle effect. What's more, the unique electrolyte chemistry endowed Li ions with fast electroplating kinetics and induced high reversibility Li deposition/stripping process from 25 °C to −40 °C. Based on tailored electrolyte, Li||SPAN full cells matched with high loading SPAN cathodes (≈3.6 mAh cm−2) and 50 μm Li foil can operate stably over a wide range of temperatures. Additionally, Li||SPAN pouch cell under lean electrolyte and 5 % excess Li conditions can continuously operate stably for over a month.
Photocatalytic Co‐Reduction of N2 and CO2 with CeO2 Catalyst for Urea Synthesis
Authors: Yang Shuyi , Zhang Wensheng , Pan Guoliang , Chen Jiaying , Deng Jiayi , Chen Ke , Xie Xianglun , Han Dongxue , Dai Mengjiao , Niu Li
Published: September 2023

The effective conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2) into urea by photocatalytic reaction under mild conditions is considered to be a more environmentally friendly and promising alternative strategies. However, the weak adsorption and activation ability of inert gas on photocatalysts has become the main challenge that hinder the advancement of this technique. Herein, we have successfully established mesoporous CeO2‐x nanorods with adjustable oxygen vacancy concentration by heat treatment in Ar/H2 (90 % : 10 %) atmosphere, enhancing the targeted adsorption and activation of N2 and CO2 by introducing oxygen vacancies. Particularly, CeO2‐500 (CeO2 nanorods heated treatment at 500 °C) revealed high photocatalytic activity toward the C−N coupling reaction for urea synthesis with a remarkable urea yield rate of 15.5 μg/h. Besides, both aberration corrected transmission electron microscopy (AC‐TEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy were used to research the atomic surface structure of CeO2‐500 at high resolution and to monitor the key intermediate precursors generated. The reaction mechanism of photocatalytic C−N coupling was studied in detail by combining Density Functional Theory (DFT) with specific experiments. We hope this work provides important inspiration and guiding significance towards highly efficient photocatalytic synthesis of urea.
Design and synthesis of benzofuran‐ and naphthalene‐fused thiazinones as antimycobacterial agents
Authors: Keiff François , Jacques dit Lapierre Thibault J. W. , Bernal Freddy A. , Kloss Florian
Published: September 2023

Benzothiazinones (BTZs) have widely inspired medicinal chemistry and translational research due to their remarkable antitubercular potency and clinical potential. While most structure–activity relationship campaigns have largely focused on lateral chain modifications and substituents on the BTZ core, scaffold hopping strategies have been rarely investigated previously. In this work, we report the first example of ring expansion of the BTZ core toward benzofuran‐ and naphthalene‐fused thiazinones. In vitro testing showed micromolar activity for both compounds, and molecular docking simulations provided insights into their reduced inhibitory capacity toward the enzymatic target (DprE1). Calculated electrochemical potentials revealed a lower susceptibility to reduction as opposed to BTZ drug candidates, in line with the mechanistic requirement for covalent binding.
Sample size planning for multiple contrast tests
Authors: Pöhlmann Anna , Konietschke Frank
Published: September 2023

Sample size calculations for two (independent) samples are well established and applied in (pre‐)clinical research. When planning several samples, which is common in, for example, preclinical studies, sample size planning tools based on analysis of variance methods are available. Since the underlying effect sizes of these methods are often hard to interpret and to provide for the sample size planning, we employ multiple contrast test procedures for sample size computations in both parametric (under normality assumption) and nonparametric designs using Steel‐type tests. Since the exact distributions of the test statistics are unknown under the alternative and variance heterogeneity, we use approximate solutions. Furthermore, since no closed formula for the sample size is available, we use numerical approximations for their computation. Extensive simulation studies are finally conducted to assess the quality of the approximations. It turns out that the methods are accurate in the sense that the multiple contrast test procedures reach the target power to detect the alternative of interest with the sample size computed. The developed procedures are a valuable tool to plan (pre‐)clinical trials with several samples and are easily accessible in publicly available software.
Validation of the Korean version of the Utrecht Grief Rumination Scale and its relationship with COVID‐related hypochondriasis among healthcare workers who witnessed patient deaths
Authors: Kim Jeong Hye , Chung Seockhoon
Published: September 2023

Introduction

This study aimed to examine the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Utrecht Grief Rumination Scale (UGRS) among healthcare workers who witnessed patient deaths. We also examined whether grief rumination may impact the cognitive‐behavioral model of hypochondriasis.

Methods

This study was conducted via an anonymous online survey targeting healthcare workers who had worked at a tertiary hospital and had witnessed patient deaths over the previous 2 years. Demographic data and responses to the UGRS, the Pandemic Grief Scale (PGS) for healthcare workers, the Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemic‐9 (SAVE‐9), the Obsession with COVID‐19 Scale (OCS), and the Coronavirus Reassurance‐Seeking Behaviors Scale (CRBS) were collected by requesting participants to recall their emotional state during the 2 weeks after witnessing a patient's death.

Results

The Korean version of the UGRS is reliable (Cronbach's alpha = 0.941) and valid (comparative fit index = 0.920, Tucker–Lewis index = 0.900, root‐mean‐square‐error of approximation = 0.102, standardized root‐mean‐square residual = 0.050) for measuring grief rumination in healthcare workers. The OCS was predicted by CRBS (β = 0.19, p < 0.001), SAVE‐9 (β = 0.45, p < 0.001), UGRS (β = 0.16, p = 0.010), and PGS (β = 0.16, p = 0.010, adjusted R2 = 0.49, F = 52.9, p < 0.001). In mediation analysis, grief rumination directly influenced coronavirus preoccupation; the relationship was mediated by viral anxiety and coronavirus reassurance‐seeking behavior.

Conclusion

Grief rumination of healthcare workers who witnessed patient death requires further exploration as it may influence hypochondriacal responses.
The impact of longer audit committee chair tenure and board tenure on the level of sustainability disclosure: The moderating role of firm size
Authors: Alodat Ahmad Yuosef , Nobanee Haitham , Salleh Zalailah , Hashim Hafiza Aishah
Published: September 2023

The present research endeavors to examine the moderating effect of firm size on the relationship between the tenure of the audit committee chair and the board of directors with sustainability disclosure. Data from 592 non‐financial firms listed on the ASE from 2014 to 2021 were analyzed. The findings indicated that a longer tenure of a board of directors leads to increased sustainability disclosure, and firm size positively moderates this relationship. Moreover, the research outcomes indicated that the audit committee chair tenure had a positive yet non‐significant correlation with sustainability disclosure, with no moderating effect of firm size on this relationship. This study provides valuable insights for stakeholders, including investors, managers, and regulators, particularly in developing economies, by demonstrating the influence of corporate governance (CG) on sustainable development. The examination of firm size as a moderating factor offers a unique contribution to the existing literature, thus providing a deeper understanding of the indirect impact of CG on sustainability reporting.
The Scent of Change: Sustainable Fragrances Through Industrial Biotechnology
Authors: Michailidou Freideriki
Published: September 2023

Current environmental and safety considerations urge innovation to address the need for sustainable high‐value chemicals that are embraced by consumers. This review discusses the concept of sustainable fragrances, as high‐value, everyday and everywhere chemicals. Current and emerging technologies represent an opportunity to produce fragrances in an environmentally and socially responsible way. Biotechnology, including fermentation, biocatalysis, and genetic engineering, has the potential to reduce the environmental footprint of fragrance production while maintaining quality and consistency. Computational and in silico methods, including machine learning (ML), are also likely to augment the capabilities of sustainable fragrance production. Continued innovation and collaboration will be crucial to the future of sustainable fragrances, with a focus on developing novel sustainable ingredients, as well as ethical sourcing practices.
Delays in transferring patients from prisons to secure psychiatric hospitals: An international systematic review
Authors: Sales Christian P. , Forrester Andrew , Tully John
Published: September 2023

Background

Transfer to a psychiatric hospital of prisoners who need inpatient treatment for a mental disorder is an important part of prison healthcare in the UK. It is an essential factor in ensuring the principle of equivalence in the treatment of prisoners. In England and Wales, delays in transferring unwell prisoners to hospital were identified by the 2009 Bradley Report. There has been no subsequent systematic review of progress in so doing nor a corresponding appraisal of transfer arrangements in other parts of the world.

Aim

To conduct a systematic review of international literature about transfers of mentally unwell individuals from prison to hospital for the treatment of mental disorder since 2009.

Method

Eight databases were searched for data‐based publications using terms for prison and transfer to hospital from 1 January 2009 to 4 August 2022. Inclusion criteria limited transfer to arrangements for pre‐trial and sentenced prisoners going to a health service hospital, excluding hospital orders made on the conclusion of criminal hearing.

Results

In England, four articles were identified, all showing that transfer times remain considerably longer than the national targets of 14 days (range, 14 days to >9 months); one study from Scotland found shorter mean transfer times, but more patients had been transferred to psychiatric intensive care units than to secure forensic hospitals. There were only two studies that investigated prison to hospital transfers for mental disorder from outside the UK and only one reported time‐to‐transfer data.

Conclusions

Findings from this literature review highlight failures to resolve transfer delays in England and provide little evidence about the problem elsewhere. Given the lack of data, it is unclear whether other countries do not have this problem or simply that there has been no research interest in it. A possible confounding factor here is that, in some countries, all treatment for prisoners’ mental disorders occurs in prison. However, the principle that prisons are not hospitals seems important when people need inpatient care. Prospective, longitudinal cohort studies are urgently needed to map transfer times and outcomes.
Transcatheter closure of sinus venosus defect: First‐in‐human implant of a dedicated self‐expanding VB stent system
Authors: Vettukattil Joseph , Subramanian Anand , Barthur Ashita , Mahimarangaiah Jayranganath
Published: September 2023

The paper describes the first‐in‐human use of a dedicated, self‐expandable covered stent system (VB stent) for closure of sinus venosus defects.