bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermal decomposition temperature-dependent bonding performance of Ag nanostructures derived from metal–organic decomposition
Authors: Wang Chuncheng , Tatsumi Hiroaki , Nishikawa Hiroshi
Published: October 2024

In wide-bandgap semiconductor power device packaging, die bonding refers to attaching the die to substrate. Thereby, the process temperature of Ag sintering for the die bonding should be low to prevent damage to fragile dies. Herein, an organic-free strategy using Ag nanostructures derived from the thermal decomposition of metal–organic decomposition (MOD) was proposed to achieve low-temperature bonding. Significant effects on bonding performance were determined by the thermal decomposition temperature, which in turn determined the organic content and sintering degree of Ag nanostructures. At a low thermal decomposition temperature of 160 °C, incomplete decomposition resulted in high organic content in the Ag nanostructures, causing large pores inside the Ag joints owing to the generation of gaseous products. Owing to the Ag particles with naked surfaces and wide size distribution, the Ag nanostructure obtained at 180 °C showed an excellent bonding performance, resulting in a high shear strength of 31.1 MPa at a low bonding temperature of 160 °C. As the thermal decomposition temperature was 200 °C, sintering among Ag particles increased the particle size, resulting in a reduction of surface energy and driving force for sintering. We think that uncovering this underlying mechanism responsible for the bonding performance will promote the application of Ag MOD in the die bonding of WBG power devices.

Graphical abstract
Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in American Indian and Alaska Native Adolescents
Authors: Price James H. , Khubchandani Jagdish
Published: October 2024

American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) have consistently exhibited suicide rates that surpass all other racial and ethnic groups in the United States. However, not much has been published regarding the epidemiology of AI/AN youth suicides. The objectives of this study on AI/AN adolescents were to assess the prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors by age and gender, assess the number of years of life lost to suicide before the age of 80, and assess the most common methods used to commit suicide by AI/AN adolescents. Data utilized for this study were from the national Youth Risk Behavior Surveys and the Web-Based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System. We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive analysis of the suicide-related data from years 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021. We found AI/AN adolescents averaged one in four contemplated suicides, one in five planned suicides, and one in six attempted suicides. A total of 257 adolescents committed suicide during the study period where the majority (62.5%) were observed in males and suicides were more common in older adolescents. AI/AN adolescents had the highest crude suicide death rate of any racial or ethnic group and the most common methods used to commit suicide were suffocation (57.5%) and firearms (35.5%). AI/ AN adolescents lost almost 16,000 years of potential life during the four years of the study and the majority were lost by males. Professionals and policymakers desiring to reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors among AI/AN adolescents need to focus more of their efforts on providing youths with resilience factors to establish sufficient ego strength in them to deal with all types of stressors. Concurrently, federal, state, and tribal leaders need to work together to improve the social and economic circumstances faced by many AI/AN families and children.
Stationary scattering for the nonlinear Schrödinger equation with point-like obstacles: exact solutions
Authors: Mirón M. , Sadurní E.
Published: October 2024

We solve the Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation (NLSE) in 1D in presence of one, two and several Dirac delta potentials. With the help of an equivalent central force problem we obtain the analytical solutions in terms of a biparametric family containing the Jacobi functions. Elliptic Jacobi functions are already reported in the literature but they have not been used in the context of a scattering problem under causal boundary conditions. In the simplest examples of one or two Dirac deltas we analyze how the nonlinear term of the equation affects the modulus and phase profiles of the wave function. We also study the transmission curves under the nonlinear modification of the tunneling behavior for the first time. For a Fabri-Perot configuration made of two deltas, we obtain the effect of nonlinear coupling in the positions of the local maxima (resonances). We lay the foundations for nonlinear Anderson localization of 1D BECs in a speckle field. Upon redefinition of parameters these novel results describe the dynamics of a stationary Higgs field in 1D. Finally, we discuss the conditions for soliton formation under the influence of a Dirac comb potential, giving rise to fully correlated locations and intensities of the defects.
Digital adoption and human capital upscaling: a regional study of the manufacturing sector
Authors: Moncada Roberto , Carbonero Francesco , Geuna Aldo , Riso Luigi
Published: October 2024

We study the effect of the diffusion of digitalization, measured as the level of expenditures in digital technologies, on labor demand within the manufacturing sector. We exploit unique information from a focus study of the quarterly survey of Unioncamere Piemonte (one of Italy’s most industrialized and technologically advanced regions) to measure the extent to which planned digital technologies investments impact hiring propensity, differentiated by educational level. Based on a representative sample of non-micro firms, our findings suggest a positive relationship between digital investments and the probability of hiring highly educated workers, mainly driven by the demand for individuals with a post-secondary technical institute (ITS) diploma and post-MSc qualifications or a PhD in STEM fields. Conversely, we also find that digital investments negatively influence the probability of hiring low-educated individuals, primarily referring to the demand for workers with secondary education. Our results reveal firms’ human capital upscaling dynamics powered by digitalization processes.
What the States of Truthmaker Semantics Could (Not) Be
Authors: Silva Francisca
Published: October 2024

Developments in truthmaker semantics for the most part stay clear of the metaphysical issue of what sort of entities serve as the truthmakers and falsitymakers for sentences. It is assumed that perhaps facts or states of affairs (Fine 2017a; Jago 2020), with these taken sometimes as concrete particulars (Hawke 2018) could serve for the job, but nonetheless that some such entities would do. In this paper I take a closer look at the issue of what entities could or could not play the role of truthmakers and falsitymakers in standard truthmaker semantics (Fine 2016, 2017a, b; Fine and Jago 2019), based on desiderata imposed by metaphysical and semantic considerations.
Genetic assessment of productive and reproductive traits in Friesian, native, and crossbred cattle in Egypt
Authors: Ghazy Abdullah Ali , El-Enin Abdelhamid Saeed Abo , Badr Anas Abd El-Salam Abou El-Anine , El-Awady Hassan Ghazy , El-Naser Ibrahim Atta Mohammed Abu
Published: October 2024

This study utilized a dataset comprising 3023 lactation records for Friesian cows, 596 records for Native cows (Baladi), and 1189 records for Crossbred cows spanning from 1994 to 2015. The objective was to estimate and assess genetic and phenotypic parameters and breeding values for 305-day milk yield (305-DMY), lactation period (LP), calving interval (CI), and days open (DO) within the Egyptian dairy context. The motivation for this research stemmed from the need to understand the genetic potential of different cattle genotypes in Egypt and identify opportunities for enhancing dairy production. Data were analyzed using the linear mixed model least squares and maximum likelihood (LSMLMW) and multiple-trait derivative-free restricted maximum likelihood (MTDFREML) programs. The analytical model included fixed effects such as season and year of calving, parity, and genotype groups, while random effects included animal and error. Unadjusted means for 305-DMY, LP, CI, and DO were calculated for each genotype group. Genotype groups significantly impacted all studied traits. Heritability estimates varied across genotype groups, with higher estimates observed in Crossbred (0.32, 0.26, 0.25, 0.23) and Native cows (0.26, 0.28, 0.28) compared to Friesian cows (0.24, 0.22, 0.16, 0.17) for productive and reproductive traits, respectively. Genetic correlations among traits ranged from 0.10 to 0.86 for the three genotype groups, while corresponding phenotypic correlations were generally small to moderate and positive. Regarding breeding values, the accuracy estimates suggested that both sires and cows could contribute to genetic improvement. This indicates the potential for enhancing dairy production through selective breeding strategies.
Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells and Modules Enabled by Tailoring Additive Distribution According to the Film Growth Dynamics
Authors: Ma Mengen , Zhang Cuiling , Ma Yujiao , Li Weile , Wang Yao , Wu Shaohang , Liu Chong , Mai Yaohua
Published: October 2024

Gas quenching and vacuum quenching process are widely applied to accelerate solvent volatilization to induce nucleation of perovskites in blade-coating method. In this work, we found these two pre-crystallization processes lead to different order of crystallization dynamics within the perovskite thin film, resulting in the differences of additive distribution. We then tailor-designed an additive molecule named 1,3-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)thiourea to obtain films with fewer defects and holes at the buried interface, and prepared perovskite solar cells with a certified efficiency of 23.75%. Furthermore, this work also demonstrates an efficiency of 20.18% for the large-area perovskite solar module (PSM) with an aperture area of 60.84 cm2. The PSM possesses remarkable continuous operation stability for maximum power point tracking of T90 > 1000 h in ambient air.
Sustainable operation of large scale heat pumps in cogeneration dominated district heating networks
Authors: Hurst Georg , Jentsch Andrej , Blesl Markus
Published: October 2024

Large scale heat pumps (LSHP) have seen a rapid proliferation in recent years, with projects and initiatives aimed at integrating electrically driven LSHP into existing district heating networks (DHN). The financial advantages have driven most LSHP installations to be powered by electricity generated by on-site cogeneration (CHP), given CHP’s dominant role in DHN. This LSHP + CHP combination poses the question, to what extent ecological improvements, measured as a reduction in specific CO2 emissions through LSHP operation can be achieved, contingent on the source of electricity and heat source employed. In this paper, the LSHP + CHP combination was generally analysed under usage of exergy analysis and a 2nd law derived method is presented. This method allows to evaluate the magnitude of CO2 reduction through LSHP operation across all common heat sources in 1st to 4th generation DHNs in conjunction with CHP. Results show, that in LSHP + CHP combination, heat from LSHP using either of the 2 heat sources ambient air or surfaced water, inevitably comes with higher specific CO2 emissions over the CHP heat. Only when using a sufficiently hot and emissions-free heat source, the LSHP heat from a LSHP + CHP combination can yield to an annual best case of half the CO2 emissions of the CHP. Importantly, the choice of power source has a far more significant impact, as LSHP powered by electricity from renewable energy sources achieve more than an eight-fold reduction in emissions compared to the LSHP + CHP combination. Therefore, power consumption with sufficiently low specific CO2 emissions out of external source is imperative to fully realize the ecological benefit of LSHP in DHN, underlining that the successful heat transition through LSHP relies heavily on the transformation of the electricity supply.

Graphical Abstract
ConceptualizingMano Durain Latin America
Authors: Cutrona Sebastian , Dammert Lucia , Rosen Jonathan D.
Published: October 2024

Latin American governments are increasingly adoptingmano durainitiatives to combat gangs, organized crime, and insecurity. Whilemano durahas been a concept of increasing empirical interest, there seems to be limited conceptual clarity about the wide spectrum of strategies developed to combat crime and associated fear. This article proposes a definition ofmano durathat has three different dimensions, each of them containing specific elements. The form ofmano duradepends on formal, informal, and rhetorical practices. Drawing on 46 scholarly works in the social sciences, we develop our definition anchored in the knowledge of Latin American policing strategies, contributions on responses to crime in the region, and the conceptual development literature. With the purpose of supplementing our effort to standardize the usage of the term with the need to retain a degree of conceptual differentiation, we also offer a stylized model to better classify policing strategies in Latin America. In our stylized model, the numerous ways policies and narratives as well as their implementation (or not) interact can be grouped into four broad categories:full mano dura,institutional mano dura,performative mano dura, andcovert mano dura.
Xenophobia in Juror Decision-Making
Authors: Huang Li
Published: October 2024

With the upsurge of anti-globalizing ideologies and politics, the increasing institutionalization of xenophobia within the legal system has emerged as a pressing concern. Existing law and social science research has underexplored xenophobic bias in the US legal system. This article conceptualizes xenophobic bias as consisting of racism and nationalism. It investigates whether mock jurors reach different verdicts on defendant companies from foreign countries of origin (Japan, France, and China) compared to domestic (US) companies. Using a test simulating a patent lawsuit, the research finds no evidence of general xenophobic bias in juror liability verdict decisions, yet there is a specific bias against the Chinese company when granting damage awards. The similarity-leniency effect that has been established in the previous literature is corroborated in this article. Additionally, political views moderate the effects of the company’s country of origin on juror decisions. This research offers a more nuanced conceptual framework of xenophobic bias in juror decision-making for future law and social science research and informs judicial policies seeking to improve jury instructions and jury selection to reduce xenophobic bias.
Influence of N- and/or P-restriction on bone metabolism in young goats
Authors: Zillinger Luisa S. , Liesegang Annette , Hustedt Karin , Schnepel Nadine , Sauerwein Helga , Schmicke Marion , Schwennen Cornelia , Muscher-Banse Alexandra S.
Published: October 2024

Ruminants can recycle nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), which are essential for vital body processes. Reduced N- and P-intake in ruminants is desirable for economic and ecologic reasons. Simultaneous modulation of mineral homoeostasis and bone metabolism occurs in young goats. This study aimed to investigate potential effects of dietary N- and/or P-restriction on molecular changes in bone metabolism. The twenty-eight young male goats were fed a control diet, an N-reduced diet, a P-reduced diet or a combined N- and P-reduced diet for 6–8 weeks. The N-restricted goats had lower plasma Ca concentration and higher plasma osteocalcin (OC) and CrossLaps concentrations. The P-restricted goats had reduced plasma inorganic phosphate (Pi) concentrations and increased plasma Ca concentrations. Due to the initiation of a signalling pathway that inhibits the fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) expression, this was lower with P-restriction. Consequently, lower Pi concentrations were the main factor influencing the reduction in FGF23. The changes in mineral homoeostasis associated with P-restriction led to a reduction in OC, bone mineral content and mineral density. Simultaneously, bone resorption potentially increased with P-restriction as indicated by an increased receptor activator of NF-κB ligand/osteoprotegerin (OPG) ratio and an increase in OPG mRNA expression. Additionally, the increased mRNA expression of the calcitonin receptor during P-restriction points to a higher number of osteoclasts. This study demonstrates an impairment of bone remodelling processes in young goats by N- or P-restriction. With P-restriction, bone mineralisation rate was potentially reduced and bone quality impaired, while with N-restriction, bone remodelling increased.
Occurrence of antimicrobial resistance and class 1 integrons in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bovine mastitis in China
Authors: Zhang Limei , Liu Kai , Deng Jianming , Xu Hui , Wang Juyu , Wang Kuan , Qu Weijie , Liu Gang , Gu Xiaolong
Published: October 2024

Integrons are important genetic elements that allow easy acquisition and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes. Studies reporting occurrence of integrons in Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) isolated from bovine mastitis in large dairy farms across China are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of class 1 integrons (intI1), antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and associated genes in S. aureus isolated from bovine mastitis and their associations. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined to evaluate the AMR phenotypes, whereas PCR was carried out to assess the occurrence of AMR genes and intI1. In addition, index cluster analysis was used to estimate associations between AMR phenotype, genotype and intI1 in 103 isolates. Overall, 83% of S. aureus were intI1-positive and 5 types of gene cassettes were detected. Susceptibility against single antimicrobial agents ranged from 0% (erythromycin), 12% (ampicillin) and 16% (penicillin G) to 96% (gentamicin). Most isolates (64%) were intermediate-resistant against erythromycin, whereas resistance against ceftriaxone (22%), clindamycin (4%), cefotaxime (2%), tetracycline (1%) and ciprofloxacin (1%) were relatively uncommon. The predominant resistant gene was blaZ gene (n = 88, 85%) followed by tetD gene (n = 85, 83%). With an estimated prevalence of 12% of the mecA gene, methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates had higher MIC50 and MIC90 for majority of antimicrobials than methicillin-susceptible S. aureus isolates. Presence of the ermC gene was associated with erythromycin resistance. Ampicillin, erythromycin and penicillin G resistance were associated with intI1. The data presented in our study indicated that class 1 integron-mediated resistance possibly plays an important role in dissemination of AMR in S. aureus isolated from bovine mastitis.
Seeing Again: On Erin Pineda's Seeing Like an Activist
Authors: Balfour Lawrie
Published: October 2024

Seeing Like an Activist is a profound—and profoundly political—book. Skillfully distilling complex historical evidence into a vivid narrative and advancing a compelling theoretical argument, Pineda unsettles conventional accounts of the civil rights movement to ask what we can learn about the nature and limits of civil disobedience “by reconsidering the example we already think we know so well” (3). One of the book's key contributions is its analysis of political practices that constituted the “short civil rights movement”—the decade of southern protest bookended by the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955–56 and the Selma March in 1965. “The civil rights movement (and its multitude of activists),” Pineda observes, “operates between the lines of theory as an object lesson—a ready-made example that proves the moral purchase of the theory, rather than a live source of novel theoretical insights and political claims” (48). As object lesson, the movement is often recruited to police or criticize forms of protest that are said to fall short of the disciplined nonviolence of the past. This view of history, Pineda contends, enables theorists of civil disobedience like John Rawls to use the example of civil rights activism to affirm the liberal constitutional order. Offering incisive critiques of Rawls, Michael Walzer, and Hugo Bedau, Pineda exposes the unearned ease with which political theories that do not take racial injustice as a central concern or focus on Black theoretical practices have conscripted the civil rights movement in service of their arguments.
Broadening the “Problem-Space” of Political Theory
Authors: Grattan Laura
Published: October 2024

Pineda's book is an original and imaginative reconstruction of activist strategy and political theory, upending the orthodox account of civil disobedience during the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Against liberal and democratic theorists who domesticate civil disobedience in the United States, with the aim of legitimizing the nation's constitutional democracy as “nearly just,” or in need of reform rather than revolution, Pineda argues that civil rights activists “theorized and deployed” civil disobedience as “decolonizing praxis” (16). She traces the decades-long history in which Black activists in the United States crafted their strategy of civil disobedience through embodied spaces, relationships, and practices of “imaginative transit” with revolutionaries in India, South Africa, and Ghana. These networks of transit enabled activists to diagnose segregation and colonialism as sites of a “shared, global condition” (59) of white supremacy, “operating with a common, reinforcing logic” of economic, political, and psychological domination (89). As a decolonizing praxis, civil disobedience combined an “inward-facing politics” of self-emancipation with an “outward-facing politics” (16) of disruption and disclosure—aimed not at reforming aberrations in constitutional democracy, but at “transforming the psychological, structural, and relational bases of white supremacy” (59).
Frequency, perceptual salience, and semantic complexity: The acquisition of possessor inflection in Northern East Cree
Authors: Henke Ryan E.
Published: October 2024

This paper engages longstanding questions regarding how children acquire morphology in polysynthetic languages. It examines the roles of frequency, perceptual salience, and semantic complexity for morphemes in the acquisition of Northern East Cree possessive inflection, where prefixes and suffixes interact to encode possessors. Two studies analyze naturalistic video recordings of one adult and two children. Study 1 describes the frequency, salience, and complexity of possessor-encoding morphemes in the input. Study 2 traces the acquisition of these morphemes in child speech. Results indicate the acquisition of possessor inflection involves a combination of factors whose influences shift over time. Perceptual salience plays a key role in early noun production, but frequency later corresponds more clearly to acquisitional order for high-frequency morphemes. Complexity is hard to isolate from frequency, although neither factor clearly determines acquisitional order for low-frequency morphemes. The paper concludes by considering implications for science and potential applications for Cree communities.
Characterization of patients with major psychiatric disorders with AMPA receptor positron emission tomography
Authors: Hatano Mai , Nakajima Waki , Tani Hideaki , Uchida Hiroyuki , Miyazaki Tomoyuki , Arisawa Tetsu , Takada Yuuki , Tsugawa Sakiko , Sano Akane , Nakano Kotaro , Eiro Tsuyoshi , Abe Hiroki , Suda Akira , Asami Takeshi , Hishimoto Akitoyo , Nagai Nobuhiro , Koizumi Teruki , Nakajima Shinichiro , Kurokawa Shunya , Ohtani Yohei , Takahashi Kie , Kikuchi Yuhei , Yatomi Taisuke , Honda Shiori , Jinzaki Masahiro , Hirano Yoji , Mitoma Ryo , Tamura Shunsuke , Baba Shingo , Togao Osamu , Kosaka Hirotaka , Okazawa Hidehiko , Kimura Yuichi , Mimura Masaru , Takahashi Takuya
Published: October 2024

Synaptic phenotypes in living patients with psychiatric disorders are poorly characterized. Excitatory glutamate α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptor (AMPAR) is a fundamental component for neurotransmission. We recently developed a positron emission tomography (PET) tracer for AMPAR, [11C]K-2, the first technology to visualize and quantify AMPARs density in living human brain. In this study, we characterized patients with major psychiatric disorders with [11C]K-2. One hundred forty-nine patients with psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, n = 42; bipolar disorder, n = 37; depression, n = 35; and autism spectrum disorder, n = 35) and 70 healthy participants underwent a PET scan with [11C]K-2 for measurement of AMPAR density. We detected brain regions that showed correlation between AMPAR density and symptomatology scores in each of four disorders. We also found brain areas with significant differences in AMPAR density between patients with each psychiatric disorder and healthy participants. Some of these areas were observed across diseases, indicating that these are commonly affected areas throughout psychiatric disorders. Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and autism spectrum disorder are uniquely characterized by AMPAR distribution patterns. Our approach to psychiatric disorders using [11C]K-2 can elucidate the biological mechanisms across diseases and pave the way to develop novel diagnostics and therapeutics based on the synapse physiology.
The who, when, and why of pacifier use
Authors: Mitev Kaloyan , Frewin Kelsey L. , Augustinova Maria , Niedenthal Paula M. , Rychlowska Magdalena , Vanderwert Ross E.
Published: October 2024

Background

Social and familial consequences of pacifier use remain poorly understood. The present study attempts to shed more light on the characteristics of parents using pacifiers with their infants and to explore how pacifier use affects perceptions of infant emotionality, maternal stress, and parental efficacy.

Methods

The study sample consisted of 428 mothers (range: 17–49 years) of infants (0–36 months) who completed a comprehensive questionnaire assessing infant and parent characteristics as well as parenting practices and pacifier use. We compared attitudes toward pacifiers, parenting stress, children’s levels of reactivity and self-regulation, and maternal efficacy among Pacifier Users, Never-Users, and families that Tried-Pacifiers.

Results

The reported results reveal benefits of pacifier use for the family relationships, namely reduced parenting stress (p = 0.018), better parent-child dynamics (p < 0.001), and more positive perceptions of child’s affectivity (p = 0.006), which are all important aspects of infant development.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight developmental benefits of pacifier use, a practice that is known to have both positive and negative long-term consequences for healthy child development. It is, therefore, important for health professionals to have discussions about the pros and cons of pacifier use with parents.

Impact

The study provides novel insights into how and why mothers use pacifiers and into the psychological consequences of this practice.

We found pacifier use is associated with less maternal stress, better mother-child dynamics, and more positive perceptions of child’s affectivity.

Our findings document developmental benefits of pacifier use adding a new perspective to the debate on pacifiers.

Doctors, health visitors, pediatric nurses, and midwives may consider this evidence when advising parents on pacifier use.
Outcomes of a 3-day transparent film dressing protocol after hypospadias repair
Authors: Indriasari Vita , Evila Yodya , Diposarosa Rizki , Syukriani Yoni F. , Rachmadi Dedi
Published: October 2024

This study aimed to evaluate a 3-day transparent film dressing protocol after hypospadias repair. A retrospective observational study was conducted in boys with hypospadias who were operated in our institution between 2022 and 2023. Postoperatively, the penis was wrapped with a transparent film dressing, which was removed after 3 days. Postoperative complications were observed until postoperative day 14. The associations of age, meatal location, and type of procedure were analyzed using Chi square, Fisher exact, Mann Whitney, and Kruskall Wallis test (p < 0.05 = significant). Sixty-five patients were studied. Median age was five years, the majority had proximal meatus (58.5%), and underwent urethroplasty (76.9%). After dressing removal, positive bacterial culture was found in 43.1%, mild penile edema in 33.8%, bleeding in 10.8%, and SSI in 49.2% of cases, with pus formation (10.8%), dehiscence (9.2%), and urethrocutaneous fistula (10% after urethroplasty procedure). Surgical site infection and positive culture were significantly higher in patients with proximal meatus compared to distal (p = 0.031, p = 0.019; respectively). A 3-day transparent film dressing prevented penile edema and bleeding in most cases. However, the rate of SSI and positive wound culture was high, and was associated with proximal meatal location.
Generation of patterns and higher harmonics in 1D quantum droplets in tilted and driven quasi-periodic confinements
Authors: Pathak Maitri R. , Bera Jayanta , Roy Utpal , Nath Ajay
Published: October 2024

The generation of patterns by breaking the spatial symmetry in external confinement is a captivating area of physics. The emergence of patterns is a fundamental inquiry spanning various disciplines such as nonlinear optics, condensed matter physics, and fluid dynamics. The article investigates the generation of a variety of patterns in a one-dimensional binary mixture of Bose–Einstein condensate forming quantum droplets. By solving the extended Gross–Pitaevskii equation in the presence of tilted and driven engineered bi-chromatic optical lattices (BOL), the out-of-equilibrium dynamics of droplets under strong dc and ac fields are illustrated. Under the influence of a dc field, a stripe-like pattern emerges in the temporal domain, while the scenario with ac fields demonstrates temporal periodic and bi-periodic oscillations of density waves. The width and period of formed patterns are directly correlated with the strength of ac and dc fields. Moreover, temporal modulation of the BOL potential depth yields various harmonics in the oscillations of the condensate density pattern. Through Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis, it is confirmed that these harmonics encompass multiple and combinational frequencies, suggesting potential applications in generating desired frequency combs within quantum droplets. We have also carried out a thorough numerical stability check of the obtained solutions and found them sufficiently stable.
Design, synthesis and mechanistic study of N-4-Piperazinyl Butyryl Thiazolidinedione derivatives of ciprofloxacin with Anticancer Activity via Topoisomerase I/II inhibition
Authors: Aziz Hossameldin A. , El-Saghier Ahmed M. , badr Mohamed , Elsadek Bakheet E. M. , Abuo-Rahma Gamal El-Din A. , Shoman Mai E.
Published: October 2024

A new group of thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives of ciprofloxacin having butyryl linker 3a-l was synthesized via an alkylation of thiazolidine-2,4-diones with butyryl ciprofloxacin with yield range 48–77% andfully characterized by various spectroscopic and analytical tools. Anti-cancer screening outcomes indicated that 3a and 3i possess antiproliferative activities against human melanoma LOX IMVI cancer cell line with IC50 values of 26.7 ± 1.50 and 25.4 ± 1.43 µM, respectively, using doxorubicin and cisplatin as positive controls with an IC50 of 7.03 ± 0.40 and 5.07 ± 0.29 µM, respectively. Additionally, compound 3j showed promising anticancer activity against human renal cancer A498 cell line with IC50 value of 33.9 ± 1.91 µM while doxorubicin and cisplatin showed IC50 values of 3.59 ± 0.20 and 7.92 ± 0.45, respectively. On the other hand, compound 3i did not show considerable anti-bacterial activity against S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa, and only moderate activity against K. pneumoniae with only a tenth of the activity of ciprofloxacin, confirming the cytotoxicity observed. Mechanistically, compound 3i inhibited both topoisomerase I and II with IC50 of 4.77 ± 0.26 and 15 ± 0.81 µM. Furthermore, it induced cell cycle arrest at S phase in melanoma LOX IMVI cells. Moreover, 3i provoked substantial levels of early, late apoptosis and necrosis in melanoma LOX IMVI cell line comparable to that induced by doxorubicin. Furthermore, compound 3i increased the expression level of active caspase-3 by 49 folds higher in LOX IMVI cell, increased protein expression level of Bax more than the control by 3 folds and inhibited PARP-1by 33% in LOX IMVI. All results were supported by theoretical docking studies on both tested enzymes confirming potential cytotoxicity for the synthesized hybrids.
Modular soft pneumatic actuator mimics elephant trunk locomotion
Authors: Elchrif Ahmad R. , Awad Mohammed I. , Maged Shady A. , Ramzy Amna
Published: October 2024

Robots support and facilitate tasks in all life fields. Soft robots specifically have the advantages of inherent compliance, safe interaction and flexible deformability. Soft pneumatic network (Pneu-Net) is a soft pneumatic actuator (SPA) composed of network of chambers that is actuated by pneumatic power. Soft Pneu-Net fits the human interface applications perfectly. In this paper, a bio-inspired modular based design for Pneu-Net actuator is developed. The actuator mimics the elephant trunk curling to be employed for rehabilitation of human hand fingers. The actuator is an integrated four Pneu-Net modules actuator which is attached to hand’s finger. The main introduced advantages in the new developed actuator are: providing four degrees of freedom (DoF) essential for finger’s motion by single compound actuator and developing a methodology for a modular soft Pneu-Net actuator that is efficiently reproducible. The actuator’s design is developed using computer aided design (CAD) software SOLIDWORKS. The design is simulated using finite element modeling (FEM) software ABAQUS. Fabrication process uses 3D printed molds. Soft material is molded in the 3D printed molds, forming actuator’s modules. Actuator’s modules are integrated by adhesion using the soft material. A proposed non-standard hyper-elastic material biaxial tension test is introduced as a quick material properties identification method that can produce a test table used for material identification in the FEM. Enhanced version for the actuator uses reinforcement fibers. Results show advances for the reinforced actuator, as it limits the unwanted actuator’s strain and deformation. The reinforced actuator shows improved energy efficiency reaches to 46%.
Understanding the role of soluble proteins and exosomes in non-invasive urine-based diagnosis of preeclampsia
Authors: Kim Taewoon , Choodinatha Harshitha Kallubhavi , Kim Kwang Sik , Shin Kyusoon , Kim Hyeon Ji , Park Jee Yoon , Hong Jong Wook , Lee Luke P.
Published: October 2024

Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy that can lead to stillbirth and preterm birth if not treated promptly. Currently, the diagnosis of preeclampsia relies on clinical symptoms such as hypertension and proteinuria, along with invasive blood tests. Here, we investigate the role of soluble proteins and exosomes in noninvasive diagnosing preeclampsia non-invasively using maternal urine and urine-derived exosomes. We quantified the levels of particles and the presence of TSG101 and CD63 in urine and urinary exosomes via the biologically intact exosome separation technology (BEST) platform. Then, we obtained higher levels of soluble proteins such as fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF) from urine as it was than urinary exosomes. Compared to commercial blood tests, the sensitivity of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was found to be 4.0 times higher in urine tests and 1.5 times higher in tests utilizing urine-derived exosomes. Our findings offer promising possibilities for the early and non-invasive identification of high-risk individuals at risk of preeclampsia, allowing for comprehensive preventive management.
LncRNA LYPLAL1, miR-204-5p, and SIRT1: novel signatures for risk assessment of diabetic macrovascular complications
Authors: Mobasher Maysa A. , Shabana Marwa A. , Germoush Mousa O. , Abuzinadah Najlaa Yousef , Abd-elhameed Amir , Baioumy Shereen A. , ElKot Moataz A. , Esawy Marwa M.
Published: October 2024

Long-term, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus can lead to micro- and macrovascular problems. The protective function of lncRNA LYPLAL1 is to reduce endothelium cell inflammation by upregulating sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and reducing microRNA (miR)-204-5p. This work attempted to examine the lncRNA LYPLAL1/miR-204-5p/SIRT1 molecules as diagnostic biomarkers for diabetic MVC and to assess their clinical correlations. The study enrolled 32 controls, 32 patients with diabetes alone, and 32 patients with diabetic MVC. RT-qPCR, or quantitative real-time PCR, was utilized to determine the expression levels of lncRNA and miR. SIRT1 was measured by ELISA. When comparing cases with MVC to those without MVC, the lncRNA LYPLAL1 and SIRT1 values were significantly lower. Conversely, patients with MVC had significantly higher miR-204-5p levels than those without MVC. The LncRNA LYPLAL1 performed best in terms of detecting MVC. It attained 90.6% specificity and 96.9% sensitivity. A combination of three markers (lncRNA LYPLAL1, miR-204-5p, and SIRT1) yielded the best accuracy at 98.4%. LYPLAL1 expression appeared to be an independent MVC predictor. Adjusted OR for LYPLAL1 expression was 405 (95% CI: 1.4–1200) (p = 0.039). When we compared cases with MVC to those without MVC, the lncRNA LYPLAL1 and SIRT1 values were significantly lower. Patients with MVC had significantly higher miR-204-5p levels than those without MVC. LYPLAL1 LncRNA demonstrated the best performance characteristics. LncRNA LYPLAL1 expression is an independent predictor of MVC.
Sources of seismic noise in an open-pit mining environment
Authors: Diaz J. , Torne M. , Schimmel M. , Rodríguez S. , Martí D. , Ruiz M. , Seivane H. , Sánchez-Pastor P. , Davoise D.
Published: October 2024

We present the characterization of the sources of vibration in the open-pit Riotinto mine (southern Spain), based on the data recorded by a dense seismic network of 30 stations located along a 1-km long segment of a tailings dam. We describe the most common transient signals detected, including local and distant earthquakes, blasting and vehicles. The time variations in the amplitude of the 10–40 Hz frequency band are then used to define three phases of activity during the recording period. The phase with the highest seismic amplitudes is observed during a time interval of five weeks, coinciding with the civil works carried out for the regrowth of the dam, necessary to correctly capture the continuously increasing amount of tailings. In the last three months of operation of our network, the seismic noise is dominated by the deposition of tailings into the pond, enabling the use of seismic data to monitor into detail the evolution of the deposition process.
Low-valent group 6 metals/Al(C6F5)3 donor–acceptor systems for CO2 activation and cleavage
Authors: Escomel Léon , Le Dé Quentin , Benonie Maxime , Vendier Laure , Simonneau Antoine
Published: October 2024

Donor–acceptor systems for CO2 activation combining a formally zero-valent group 6 metal as the donor with the Lewis acid Al(C6F5)3 (AlCF) are reported.
Chelation-assisted and steric-controlled selectivity in the Pd-catalyzed C–H/C–H oxidative coupling of indoles
Authors: Vijaykumar Muniyappa , Pradhan Chandini , Gonnade Rajesh G. , Punji Benudhar
Published: October 2024

This manuscript describes the first regioselective C2–C7 oxidative coupling of indoles using a palladium catalyst through the strategic installation of N-pyridinyl and C3-carbonyl, which delivers diverse biorelevant 2–7-biindoles.
Nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dot-intensified tungsten oxide nanosheets as a SERS substrate for antibiotics detection
Authors: Tan Lu , Lu Xuanzhao , Yue Shuzhen , Cao Yue , Zhou Yang , Jin Baokang , Zhu Jun-Jie
Published: October 2024

Tungsten oxide nanosheets loaded with nitrogen-doped graphene oxide quantum dots (NGQDs/WO3 NSs) were fabricated as SERS substrates.
Emerging two-dimensional ferromagnetic semiconductors
Authors: Kong Denan , Zhu Chunli , Zhao Chunyu , Liu Jijian , Wang Ping , Huang Xiangwei , Zheng Shoujun , Zheng Dezhi , Liu Ruibin , Zhou Jiadong
Published: October 2024

The atomic structures, physical properties, preparation methods, growth mechanisms, magnetism modulation techniques, and potential applications of emerging 2D ferromagnetic semiconductors are investigated.
A nanofluidic exchanger for harvesting saline gradient energy
Authors: Sripriya Saranath , Picard Cyril , Larrey Vincent , Fournel Frank , Charlaix Elisabeth
Published: October 2024

Optimising, by tailored flows, the coupled ion transport in the proximity of selective nanopores multiplies by 300 the recovered osmotic power.
Diversity Analysis of Asian Clam Collected from Selected Rivers in Kelantan
Authors: Ab Wahab Norlaila-Liyana , Ramli Mohd-Zharif , MZ Norhazlini , Eh Rak Aweng
Published: October 2024

The phylogenetic study was conducted to reveal the types of Corbicula species located on a selected river in Kelantan. The morphotypes and morphometric features were used to analyse the phenotypic analysis, and genotypes were examined exploiting the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b (cytb) gene. A unique morphotype round (R) was discovered for every examined sample. Furthermore, there were significant differences (p<0.05) in the morphometric features (umbo length, UL; shell width, SW; and shell height, SH) between the C. fluminea populations. The mtDNA cytb sequences are used in the genotyping analysis to confirm that the assessed Corbicula is C. fluminea. Three genotypes were identified in the mtDNA cytb phylogenetic tree. In geographically isolated populations, phylogenetic trees showed polymorphism and minimal genetic variability, which aligned with the phenotypic characterisation. The results clarify the differences among C. fluminea and imply that Corbicula sp. in Kelantan originated from a single species. These findings are significant not only for biologists or those involved in ecology and ecosystems but also for the fisheries sector as it serves as the basis for breeding purposes, overcome the extinction, and enhancing the economy of the inland fishermen in Kelantan.
TRIPOLI-4® calculations of neutron multiplicity counting rates of3He array detectors and verification tests of an automatic MCNP-to-TRIPOLI conversion tool for recent ICSBEP subcritical experiments
Authors: Lee Yi-Kang
Published: October 2024

TRIPOLI-4® is a general-purpose Monte Carlo radiation transport code developed at CEA Paris-Saclay center. It uses continuousenergy nuclear data to simulate neutron transport for diverse nuclear engineering fields. Neutron multiplication calculations of subcritical systems are important for application areas including criticality safety, reactor ex-core monitoring, and non-proliferation of nuclear materials. Subcritical experiments were performed by the LANL teams to improve subcritical simulation capabilities of MCNP code and to validate 3He based array detectors. Three of these experimental series based on Ni, W, and Cu reflected Pu spheres and related MCNP calculations were published on 2020 ICSBEP handbook. New automation conversion tool of MCNP geometries to TRIPOLI-4® ones has been available. In this study, the traditional manual modelling of above Pu-W and Pu-Cu cases (17 configurations including Cu and polyethylene reflectors) was first prepared. The MCNP/TRIPOLI-4® converted ones were secondly set for Pu-Cu cases. Finally the singles counting rate R1 (cts/s) in a single NPOD detector for Pu-W cases and in two NoMAD detectors for Pu-Cu cases were calculated. Generally, a good agreement of R1 was obtained between the TRIPOLI-4® calculations and the ICSBEP reported results. When using the polyethylene reflector layers in some Pu-Cu experiments, a difference of 5 to 16 % for R1 was observed between TRIPOLI-4 (Converted) results and the ICSBEP measured ones.
Neck Lift to Treat Platysma Bands and Defining Cervical Angle: A Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis
Authors: Cambiaso-Daniel Janos , Giordano Salvatore , Agnelli Benedetta , Bella Ludovico La , Gualdi Alessandro
Published: October 2024

Many surgical techniques have been proposed to address the submental–cervical angle in neck lift. Despite the several advances, obstacles persist when dealing with platysma bands and redefinition of the obtuse cervical angle. The aim of this study was to quantify platysma bands recurrence, any neurovascular damage, and other complications following neck lift procedures involving platysma muscle. After the approval and registration on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), the systematic review was performed in accordance with the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). A series of specific keywords and predefined MeSH terms were utilized in different search engines (Medline, PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane library databases). Primary outcome was the recurrence of platysma bands; secondary outcomes included any postoperative complications, including any nerve damage. Pooled analysis was performed using a random effects model. Twelve articles, encompassing 2,106 patients, were relevant to this issue and included data on neck lift surgery with any platysma transection outcomes. Twenty-six patients had a recurrence of platysma bands during the follow-up, with a pooled rate of 1.4%. The pooled overall nerve damage rate was 0.9%. At the reported follow-up, the pooled hematoma percentage was 1.8%, and the pooled sialoma rate was 0.3%. Even less common complications were long-lasting edema, dehiscence of the submental suspension, and skin necrosis. Cervicomental angle redefinition remains a controversial and complicated procedure, which can be approached with different maneuvers. However, more long-term outcome reports as well as standardized complication outcomes are warranted in order to compare different and new techniques.

Level of Evidence III
Enhanced Understanding of Facial Nerve Anatomy and Arborization in the Indian Population: Implications for Surgical Procedures
Authors: Gulati Sneha , Tripathy Satyaswarup , Gupta Tulika , Gaba Sunil , Mohapatra Devi Prasad
Published: October 2024

The anatomy and arborization patterns of the extraparotid facial nerve show considerable variation among different populations, impacting surgical approaches in plastic, head and neck, and ENT surgeries. This study focuses on the Indian population to provide a detailed understanding of these variations, specifically highlighting the Davis type IV arborization pattern's prevalence and its clinical relevance. We conducted a comprehensive dissection of 16 formalin-preserved Indian cadaveric hemifaces. The study meticulously mapped the facial nerve trunk (FNT), its furcation points, and branches. Key anatomical landmarks for locating these nerve structures were identified, including the tip of the mastoid process, the angle of the mandible, and a novel line between the lateral palpebral fissure and otobasion superioris. The most common arborization pattern observed was Davis type IV (31.3%). The study provided precise measurements for locating the FNT and its branches, using identifiable landmarks. These findings facilitate more accurate surgical planning, crucial for procedures involving nerve repair or grafting. This research offers vital insights into the facial nerve anatomy specific to the Indian population, with significant implications for surgical precision and patient outcomes. By establishing reliable anatomical landmarks and elucidating the predominant arborization pattern, the study enhances the understanding of facial nerve behavior during surgical interventions, particularly in the context of facial paralysis treatment and reconstructive surgeries. Due to the small sample size, however, this study only acts as a pilot for further research.