bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An event‐driven fusion framework with auto‐scaling of edge intelligence for resilient smart applications in developing countries
Authors: Gore Rajasi , Banerjea Shashwati , Tyagi Neeraj
Published: May 2023

Internet of Things has been a popular technology in recent years for deploying a large‐scale, smart environment monitoring application across the country, using fog computing and the cloud. However, most locations of the developing countries suffer from power outages and limited network connectivity. Moreover, varied population in different locations, may lead to either frequent or rare changes in the state of the monitored environment. Due to these stochastic conditions, there may be substantial increase in service time of the application with unnecessary battery and resource consumption of the fog node. For efficient utilization of fog node resources in dynamic environment conditions, an event‐driven information fusion framework is proposed using docker containerization technology and MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) as application layer protocol. The proposed framework provides resilience to the application in the presence of stochastic conditions and auto‐scales edge intelligence with minimum scaling operations. The performance of the framework is validated on a smart sanitation system use‐case application, proposed for autonomous monitoring of restrooms deployed in Indian rural and semi‐urban environment, and the experimental result show deviation of 2.8% in average response time of the application with average accuracy of 98.9%.
Back to basics: A mediation analysis approach to addressing the fundamental questions of integrated care evaluations
Authors: Lugo‐Palacios David G. , Clarke Jonathan M. , Kristensen Søren Rud
Published: May 2023

Health systems around the world are aiming to improve the integration of health and social care services to deliver better care for patients. Existing evaluations have focused exclusively on the impact of care integration on health outcomes and found little effect. That suggests the need to take a step back and ask whether integrated care programmes actually lead to greater clinical integration of care and indeed whether greater integration is associated with improved health outcomes. We propose a mediation analysis approach to address these two fundamental questions when evaluating integrated care programmes. We illustrate our approach by re‐examining the impact of an English integrated care program on clinical integration and assessing whether greater integration is causally associated with fewer admissions for ambulatory care sensitive conditions. We measure clinical integration using a concentration index of outpatient referrals at the general practice level. While we find that the scheme increased integration of primary and secondary care, clinical integration did not mediate a decrease in unplanned hospital admissions. Our analysis emphasizes the need to better understand the hypothesized causal impact of integration on health outcomes and demonstrates how mediation analysis can inform future evaluations and program design.
How does human resource management balance exploration and exploitation? The differential effects of intellectual capital‐enhancing HR practices on ambidexterity and firm innovation
Authors: Pak Jongwook , Heidarian Ghaleh Hossein , Mehralian Gholamhossein
Published: May 2023

After decades, dialogues on human resource management (HRM), intellectual capital (IC), and ambidexterity still continue, mirroring that the role of ambidextrous capability in translating the impact of HRM into superior performance remains unclarified. At this juncture, the current study proposes a novel theoretical framework to extend research on the relationship between IC‐enhancing HR practices and innovation. It is done sophisticatedly by examining how firm exploitative and exploratory capabilities mediate the relationship between different combinations of HR configurations and firm innovation. To this end, we designed rigorous time‐lagged research with three waves of data collection from the Iranian healthcare sector. Our analyses revealed that firm explorative and exploitative capabilities significantly mediate the relationship between human, social, and organizational capital‐enhancing HR configurations and firm innovation. More conspicuously, by unraveling interaction patterns among distinct HR configurations, our study revealed the intricacies of the functioning of IC‐enhancing HR practices in fueling firm ambidexterity. Hence, our study offers design options to navigate through exploitation and exploration in light of the firm's core innovation strategy. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our findings and suggest future research avenues.
Peanut thresholds in peanut‐allergic children are related to dietary composition
Authors: Luiten Daisy , Biezeveld Maarten , van Doorn Olga , Riady Hanae , Yang Ming , Bergsma Femke , van der Plas Atie , Brand Kim , Arends Nicolette , de Bruin Annette , de Vries Jeanne , de Meij Tim , Vlieg‐Boerstra Berber
Published: May 2023

Background

There is no clear explanation for the large variation in threshold levels among peanut‐allergic children. We hypothesized that diet composition can partly explain this variation in thresholds, as nutrients and foods influence the intestinal barrier function and microbiota.

Aim

to explore the relationship between the threshold levels for peanut and nutritional intake and gut microbial composition in peanut‐allergic children.

Methods

In this explorative cross‐sectional study the cumulative threshold levels for peanut were determined by oral food challenge tests. Data on nutrients and foods consumed were obtained from 3‐day food diaries. Microbial composition of faeces and saliva were determined by molecular microbiota detection technique. Multivariable linear regression analysis and multiple logistic regression were used to explore the associations, adjusted for energy and senitization.

Results

Sixty‐five children were included, of whom 32 (49%) (median age 50 months, IQR 28.0–96.5) had a positive oral food challenge. Significant positive associations were found between the intake of total carbohydrates, vitamin A and cumulative threshold levels for peanut, while significant negative associations were found for long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid and omega‐6 fatty acids. No associations were found between threshold levels and microbial composition of faeces and saliva. However, a significant higher abundance of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes in saliva (p = 0.011 and 0.04, respectively) and of Proteobacteria in faeces (p = 0.003) were found in children with a positive peanut challenge compared to children with a negative peanut challenge.

Conclusion

As a novel concept, this study showed that dietary composition is related to threshold levels for peanut.
Prenatal diagnosis of Treacher Collins syndrome: A case report and literature review
Authors: Wang Yin , Wang Yonghua , Yao Mengxia , Chen Le , Wu Suqing , Liu Yanying
Published: May 2023

Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) should be suspected if the triad of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and posterior cleft palate, and deformed external ears are observed during prenatal ultrasonography, excepting Pierre Robin sequence. Visualization of the fetal zygomatic bone and down‐slanting palpebral fissures are conducive to differentiation. Molecular genetics testing can establish a definite diagnosis. A 28‐year‐old pregnant Chinese woman was referred for systematic ultrasound examination at 24 weeks. Two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional ultrasound showed polyhydramnios, micrognathia, absence of nasal bone, microtia, secondary cleft palate, mandibular hypoplasia, glossoptosis, and normal limbs and vertebrae. Pierre Robin sequence was misdiagnosed with the triad of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and posterior cleft palate. Final diagnosis of TCS was confirmed by whole‐exome sequencing. Visualization of the fetal zygomatic bone and down‐slanting palpebral fissures can facilitate a differential diagnosis between Pierre Robin sequence and TCS, with the triad of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and posterior cleft palate.
Interpretations of ambiguous situations in combat veterans with and without post‐traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Vyas Karishma , Murphy Dominic , Greenberg Neil
Published: May 2023

Deployed combat personnel are at increased risk of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). People with PTSD often judge ambiguous information as negative or threatening (interpretation bias). However, this may be adaptive during deployment. The current study aimed to investigate the extent to which interpretation bias in combat personnel is associated with PTSD symptoms, rather than with appropriate situational awareness. Combat veterans with and without PTSD and civilians without PTSD generated explanations for ambiguous situations and judged the likelihood of various possible explanations. They also made judgements about future consequences of worst‐case scenarios, and their coping ability. Veterans with PTSD generated more negative explanations for ambiguous situations, judged negative interpretations as more likely and felt less able to cope with the worst‐case scenario than veteran and civilian controls. Veterans with versus without PTSD judged worst‐case scenarios to have more severe and insurmountable consequences, although they did not differ significantly from civilians. Veteran versus civilian controls rated their coping ability as higher; this was the only difference between control groups. In summary, group differences in interpretation bias were associated with PTSD symptoms rather than combat role. Veterans without PTSD may be particularly resilient when coping with everyday adversity.
Single‐cell rapid identification, in situ viability and vitality profiling, and genome‐based source‐tracking for probiotics products
Authors: Zhang Jia , Ren Lihui , Zhang Lei , Gong Yanhai , Xu Teng , Wang Xiaohang , Guo Cheng , Zhai Lei , Yu Xuejian , Li Ying , Zhu Pengfei , Chen Rongze , Jing Xiaoyan , Jing Gongchao , Zhou Shiqi , Xu Mingyue , Wang Chen , Niu Changkai , Ge Yuanyuan , Ma Bo , Shang Gaishuang , Cui Yunlong , Yao Su , Xu Jian
Published: May 2023

Rapid expansion of the probiotics industry demands fast, sensitive, comprehensive, and low‐cost strategies for quality assessment. Here, we introduce a culture‐free, one‐cell‐resolution, phenome‐genome‐combined strategy called Single‐Cell Identification, Viability and Vitality tests, and Source‐tracking (SCIVVS). For each cell directly extracted from the product, the fingerprint region of D2O‐probed single‐cell Raman spectrum (SCRS) enables species‐level identification with 93% accuracy, based on a reference SCRS database from 21 statutory probiotic species, whereas the C–D band accurately quantifies viability, metabolic vitality plus their intercellular heterogeneity. For source‐tracking, single‐cell Raman‐activated Cell Sorting and Sequencing can proceed, producing indexed, precisely one‐cell‐based genome assemblies that can reach ~99.40% genome‐wide coverage. Finally, we validated an integrated SCIVVS workflow with automated SCRS acquisition where the whole process except sequencing takes just 5 h. As it is >20‐fold faster, >10‐time cheaper, vitality‐revealing, heterogeneity‐resolving, and automation‐prone, SCIVVS is a new technological and data framework for quality assessment of live‐cell products.
Biofabrication of silver nanoparticles using Spirulina platensis: In vitro anti‐coagulant, thrombolytic and catalytic dye degradation activity
Authors: Gul Anum , Ahmed Dania , Fazil Madiha Muhammad , Aslam Tooba , Rashid Marium Abdul , Khan Hanzala , Ali Ayesha , Ali Shaukat
Published: May 2023

Green synthesis of nanoparticles is an emerging field due to it's biosafety and promising results. Biological systems due to their biodiversity are employed in different production processes. In this study Spirulina platensis mediated silver nanoparticles (S‐AgNPs) production was done. The Uv spectra, FTIR and SEM analysis was performed for the characterization of biosynthesized S‐AgNPs. The biocompatibility evaluation of S‐AgNPs was done through hemolysis analysis. S‐AgNPs were also evaluated for anticoagulant and thrombolytic potential. In addition to the medical applications of S‐AgNPs, silver nanoparticles have been known to show potential industrial applications among which one application is the utilization of silver nanoparticles in the degradation of toxic industrial dyes. Therefore, degradation assay of Eosin Y and Methylene Blue dyes was estimated. The SEM analysis of S‐AgNPs showed the particle size of 50–65 nm, whereas the biocompatibility analysis showed that these S‐AgNPs are biocompatible at ≤400 μM concentration. The S‐AgNPs showed good anticoagulant potential and thrombolytic potential and were able to degrade 44% of the thrombus. The S‐AgNPs significantly degraded 76% of Eosin Y within 30 min, whereas Methylene Blue was 80% degraded within 20 min (P‐value ≤ .001). To the best of our knowledge, the dye degradation of Eosin Y, thrombolytic activity and anticoagulant activity of S‐AgNPs produced from the biomass of Spirulina platensis has been reported for the first time. In the current study, we conclude that our biosynthesized S‐AgNPs showed promising medical and industrial applications and these nanoparticles can be further evaluated and upscaled for large scale applications.
Histone deacetylase MrHos3 negatively regulates the production of citrinin and pigments in Monascus ruber
Authors: Liu Qianrui , Zheng Yunfan , Liu Baixue , Tang Fufang , Shao Yanchun
Published: May 2023

Monascus spp. can produce a variety of beneficial metabolites widely used in food and pharmaceutical industries. However, some Monascus species contain the complete gene cluster responsible for citrinin biosynthesis, which raises our concerns about the safety of their fermented products. In this study, the gene Mrhos3, encoding histone deacetylase (HDAC), was deleted to evaluate its effects on the production of mycotoxin (citrinin) and the edible pigments as well as the developmental process of Monascus ruber M7. The results showed that absence of Mrhos3 caused an enhancement of citrinin content by 105.1%, 82.4%, 111.9%, and 95.7% at the 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th day, respectively. Furthermore, deletion of Mrhos3 increased the relative expression of citrinin biosynthetic pathway genes including pksCT, mrl1, mrl2, mrl4, mrl6, and mrl7. In addition, deletion of Mrhos3 led to an increase in total pigment content and six classic pigment components. Western blot results revealed that deletion of Mrhos3 could significantly elevate the acetylation level of H3K9, H4K12, H3K18, and total protein. This study provides an important insight into the effects of hos3 gene on the secondary metabolites production in filamentous fungi.
Impact of surgical site infection on unplanned hospital readmissions, initiation of adjuvant treatment following surgery, and disease‐free survival on patients with upper aerodigestive tract squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Thiagarajan Shivakumar , Kantamani Teja , Sathe Pranav , Shetty Ratan , Deshmukh Anuja , Chaukar Devendra , Biswas Sanjay , Divatia Jigeeshu V. , Srivastav Sharad , Mathur Purva , Myatra Sheila Nainan
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Unplanned hospital readmission (UHR) is an important indicator of the quality of the healthcare system in place. It has various implications for the patients and the healthcare system at large. In this article, we have attempted to understand the various factors influencing UHR and the start of adjuvant treatment following cancer surgery.

Patients & Methods

In this study adult patients above 18 years of age with upper aerodigestive tract squamous cell carcinoma who underwent surgery at our center between July 2019 to December 2019 were included in the study. Various factors influencing UHR and delay in receiving adjuvant treatment were analyzed.

Results

A total of 245 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. Surgical site infection (SSI) was the factor that had the maximum influence on the UHR (p < 0.002, OR: 5.6, 95% CI: [1.911−16.4]) and delaying the start of adjuvant treatment (p = 0.008, OR: 3.786, 95% CI: [1.421−10.086]) on multivariate analysis. Surgery lasting for >4 h and patients who had received prior treatment tended to develop SSI postoperatively. The presence of SSI also seemed to have had a negative influence on disease‐free survival (DFS) as well.

Conclusions

SSI is an important postoperative complication having major implications in terms of increased UHR and delays in starting adjuvant treatment which in turn is reflected as a poorer DFS among patients who develop SSI postoperatively.
Covalent immobilization of tyrosinase on magnetic multi‐walled carbon nanotubes for inhibitor screening
Authors: Li Yue , Jiang Xin‐Xin , Liu Hong‐Mei , Li Xiao‐wei , Luo Xiao‐Jun , Liao Xun , Zhao Yan
Published: May 2023

The inhibition of tyrosinase is considered to be a common therapeutic strategy for some hyperpigmentation disorders. Screening of tyrosinase inhibitors is of great significance to the treatment of pigmentation diseases. In this study, tyrosinase was covalently immobilized on magnetic multi‐walled carbon nanotubes for the first time, and the immobilized tyrosinase was applied for ligand fishing of tyrosinase inhibitors from complex medicinal plants. The immobilized tyrosinase was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, and thermo‐gravimetric analyzer, which indicated that tyrosinase was immobilized onto magnetic multi‐walled carbon nanotubes. The immobilized tyrosinase showed better thermal stability and reusability than the free one. The ligand was fished out from Radix Paeoniae Alba and identified as 1,2,3,4,6‐pentagalloylglucose by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐quadrupole time‐of‐flight high‐resolution mass spectrometry. 1,2,3,4,6‐pentagalloylglucose was found to be a tyrosinase inhibitor with similar half maximal inhibitory concentration values of 57.13 ± 0.91 μM compared to kojic acid (41.96 ± 0.78 μM). This work not only established a new method for screening tyrosinase inhibitors but also holds considerable potential for exploring the new medicinal value of medicinal plants.
Capillary electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry for intact protein analysis: Pharmaceutical and biomedical applications (2018–March 2023)
Authors: Maráková Katarína , Opetová Martina , Tomašovský Radovan
Published: May 2023

Capillary electrophoresis is recognized as a valued separation technique for its high separation efficiency, low sample consumption, good economic and ecological aspects, reproducibility, and complementarity to traditional liquid chromatography techniques. Capillary electrophoresis experiments are generally performed utilizing optical detection, such as ultraviolet or fluorescence detectors. However, in order to provide structural information, capillary electrophoresis hyphenated to highly sensitive and selective mass spectrometry has been developed to overcome the limitations of optical detections. Capillary electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry is increasingly popular in protein analysis, including biopharmaceutical and biomedical research. It is frequently applied for the determination of physicochemical and biochemical parameters of proteins, offers excellent performance for in‐depth characterizations of biopharmaceuticals at various levels of analysis, and has been also already proven as a promising tool in biomarker discovery. In this review, we focus on the possibilities and limitations of capillary electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry for protein analysis at their intact level. Various capillary electrophoresis modes and capillary electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry interfaces, as well as approaches to prevent protein adsorption and to enhance sample loading capacity, are discussed and the recent (2018–March 2023) developments and applications in the field of biopharmaceutical and biomedical analysis are summarized.
Inhibition of Wnt/β‐catenin pathway overcomes therapeutic resistance to abiraterone in castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Atawia Ibrahim M. , Kushwaha Prem P. , Verma Shiv , Lin Spencer , Shankar Eswar , Abdel‐Gawad Osama , Gupta Sanjay
Published: May 2023

Abiraterone acetate has been clinically approved for the treatment of patients with advanced‐stage prostate cancer. It reduces testosterone production by blocking the enzyme cytochrome P450 17 alpha‐hydroxylase. Despite improved survival outcomes with abiraterone, almost all patients develop therapeutic resistance and disease recurrence, progressing to a more aggressive and lethal phenotype. Bioinformatics analyses predicted activation of canonical Wnt/β‐catenin and involvement of stem cell plasticity in abiraterone‐resistant prostate cancer. Increased expression of androgen receptor (AR) and β‐catenin and their crosstalk causes activation of AR target genes and regulatory networks for which overcoming acquired resistance remains a major challenge. Here we show that co‐treatment with abiraterone and ICG001, a β‐catenin inhibitor, overcomes therapeutic resistance and significantly inhibited markers of stem cell and cellular proliferation in abiraterone‐resistant prostate cancer cells. Importantly, this combined treatment abrogated the association between AR and β‐catenin; diminished SOX9 expression from the complex more prominently in abiraterone‐resistant cells. In addition, combined treatment inhibited tumor growth in an in vivo abiraterone‐resistant xenograft model, blocked stemness, migration, invasion, and colony formation ability of cancer cells. This study opens new therapeutic opportunity for advanced‐stage castration‐resistant prostate cancer patients.
Localization degree of 4f electrons in Ce3Pb intermetallic compound: A DFT + DMFT study
Authors: Li Ru‐Song , He Yu‐Song , Dang Hong‐Tao , Cao Ze‐Lin , Zheng Xiao‐Hai
Published: May 2023

A many‐body calculation is implemented on a strongly correlated metal Ce3Pb by density functional theory plus dynamical mean‐field theory, including 4f−4f electron correlation, 4f‐conduction electron hybridization and relativistic effects. Calculation results suggest that j = 5/2 and j = 7/2 manifolds are in partially filled and empty states, respectively. Negligible contributions of 4 f°, 4f2, and 4f3 configurations give the occupation number of 4f electrons n4f about 1.0, indicating the high 4f localization in Ce3Pb above T = 300 K, in accord with the Bader charge analysis, electron localization function and charge density difference. The detailed analysis of the spectra features yields the quasi‐particle peak, Kondo resonance peak as well as Hubbard bands close to Fermi level. Finally, the quasi‐particle band structure is estimated to compare with the potential angle‐resolved photoemission spectrum.
Long‐term safety and efficacy of sublingual asenapine for the treatment of schizophrenia: A phase III extension study with follow‐up for 52 weeks (P06125)—Secondary publication
Authors: Kinoshita Toshihiko , Takekita Yoshiteru , Hiraoka Shuichi , Tamura Fumihiro , Iwama Yasuhiro
Published: May 2023

After completion of a 6‐week double‐blind trial of asenapine sublingual tablets (10 or 20 mg/day) versus placebo in Asian patients with acute exacerbation of schizophrenia, including Japanese patients, this open‐label study evaluated the safety and efficacy of a 52‐week treatment with asenapine at flexible doses. In 201 subjects, including 44 who had received placebo (P/A group) and 157 who had received asenapine (A/A group) in the feeder trial, adverse events occurred at rates of 90.9% and 85.4% and serious adverse events at rates of 11.4% and 20.4%, respectively. One patient in the P/A group died. No clinically significant abnormal measurements of body weight, body mass index, or glycated hemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose, insulin, and prolactin levels were observed. The sustained efficacy rate, as evaluated by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total score and other measures, remained at approximately 50% between 6 and 12 months of treatment. These results suggest that long‐term treatment with asenapine is well tolerated and provides sustained efficacy.
A systematic review of the economic value proposition for commercially available nonsurgical weight‐loss interventions
Authors: Finkelstein Eric A. , Chodavadia Parth A. , Strombotne Kiersten
Published: May 2023

Objective

The study aim was to review the economic evaluation literature of commercially available and effective nonsurgical weight‐loss interventions to investigate whether there is evidence to support claims of cost‐effectiveness (i.e., good value for money) or cost savings (i.e., a positive return on investment).

Methods

Relevant databases were systematically reviewed to identify economic evaluations of commercially available weight‐loss products and services shown to result in clinically significant weight loss. Five weight‐loss medications (orlistat, liraglutide, naltrexone‐bupropion, semaglutide, and phentermine‐topiramate), two meal replacement programs (Jenny Craig, Optifast), and one behavioral intervention (Weight Watchers [WW]) that met inclusion criteria were identified. After screening, 32 relevant comparisons of cost‐effectiveness or cost savings across 20 studies were identified.

Results

Ten of twenty pharmaceutical comparisons showed evidence of cost‐effectiveness based on established thresholds. Four of twelve nonpharmaceutical comparisons provided evidence of cost‐effectiveness, and five made claims of cost savings. However, methodological concerns cast doubt on the robustness of these claims.

Conclusions

Evidence of cost‐effectiveness for commercially available, evidence‐based, nonsurgical weight‐loss interventions is mixed. There is no evidence for cost‐saving weight‐loss medications and only weak evidence for behavioral and weight‐loss interventions. Results provide a call to action to generate more robust evidence of the economic value proposition for these interventions.
Cochlear Implantation in Very Young Children With Single‐Sided Deafness
Authors: Patro Ankita , Holder Jourdan T. , Brown Christine L. , DeFreese Andrea , Virgin Frank , Perkins Elizabeth L.
Published: May 2023

Objective

Cochlear implants (CIs) for single‐sided deafness (SSD) have only been approved for patients 5 years and older despite data supporting that younger children can also benefit from implantation. This study describes our institution's experience with CI for SSD in children 5 years and younger.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary referral center.

Methods

A case series with chart review identified 19 patients up to age 5 years who underwent CI for SSD between 2014 and 2022. Baseline characteristics, perioperative complications, device usage, and speech outcomes were collected.

Results

The median age at CI was 2.8 (range, 1.0‐5.4) years, with 15 (79%) patients being below age 5 at implantation. Etiologies of hearing loss were idiopathic (n = 8), cytomegalovirus (n = 4), enlarged vestibular aqueduct (n = 3), hypoplastic cochlear nerve (n = 3), and meningitis (n = 1). The median preoperative pure‐tone average was 90 (range, 75‐120) and 20 (range, 5‐35) dB eHL in the poor and better hearing ears, respectively. No patients had postoperative complications. Twelve patients achieved consistent device use (average, 9 h/d). Three of the seven who were not consistent users had hypoplastic cochlear nerves and/or developmental delays. The three patients with available preoperative and postoperative speech testing showed significant benefits, and five patients with available postoperative testing demonstrated speech recognition in the implanted ear when isolated from the better ear.

Conclusion

CI can safely be performed in younger children with SSD. Patients and families accept early implantation, as evidenced by consistent device use, and derive notable benefits in speech recognition. Candidacy can be broadened to include SSD patients under age five years, particularly individuals without hypoplastic cochlear nerves or developmental delay.
Flexible microwave absorbing composites based on polydimethylsiloxane filled with hybrid carbonaceous materials: Statistical analysis of the synergistic effect
Authors: Gabino Alessandra A. P. , Soares Bluma G.
Published: May 2023

The effect of the combination of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) on the electromagnetic absorbing properties of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composites was investigated. Samples were prepared by a low‐cost and scalable simple one‐step blending approach. The number of experiments and sample compositions were optimized by design of experiments (DOE) technique, namely, Axial Simplex Centroid. The samples were analyzed concerning rheology, electric conductivity and electromagnetic properties, such as absorptivity (reflection loss – RL). CNT was revealed to be more efficient than GNP in structuring the conductive network of filler particles. On the other hand, the hybrid filler composite with a 1:1 ratio (CNT/GNP = 0.67%:0.67%) presented the highest electric conductivity (3.53 × 10−3 S m−1) and the best overall electromagnetic results, with measured RL reaching −25 dB and effective absorption bandwidth frequency of 4.6 GHz, with sample 2 mm thick. The best calculated RL value for this sample was observed with 2.5 mm with RL value corresponding to −46.8 dB. The special cubic polynomial model was successfully adjusted to the experimental data and statistically proved the synergistic effect of the hybrid on the electromagnetic properties of PDMS composites. Finally, PDMS/CNT/GNP composites were successfully prepared by a simple, fast and inexpensive method.
Roll‐Pressed Silicon Anodes with High Reversible Volumetric Capacity Achieved by Interfacial Stabilization and Mechanical Strengthening of a Silicon/Graphene Hybrid Assembly
Authors: Kim Young Hwan , Choi Song‐Gue , Chung Kyung Yoon , Lee Geon‐Woo , Choi Yong Gil , Kim Kwang‐Bum
Published: May 2023

Application of Si anodes is hindered by severe capacity fading due to pulverization of Si particles during the large volume changes of Si during charge/discharge and repeated formation of the solid‐electrolyte interphase. To address these issues, considerable efforts have been devoted to the development of Si composites with conductive carbons (Si/C composites). However, Si/C composites with high C content inevitably show low volumetric capacity because of low electrode density. For practical applications, the volumetric capacity of a Si/C composite electrode is more important than gravimetric capacity, but volumetric capacity in pressed electrodes is rarely reported. Herein, a novel synthesis strategy is demonstrate for a compact Si nanoparticle/graphene microspherical assembly with interfacial stability and mechanical strength achieved by consecutively formed chemical bonds using 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane and sucrose. The unpressed electrode (density: 0.71 g cm−3) shows a reversible specific capacity of 1470 mAh g−1 with a high initial coulombic efficiency of 83.7% at a current density of 1 C‐rate. The corresponding pressed electrode (density: 1.32 g cm−3) exhibits high reversible volumetric capacity of 1405 mAh cm−3 and gravimetric capacity of 1520 mAh g−1 with a high initial coulombic efficiency of 80.4% and excellent cycling stability of 83% over 100 cycles at 1 C‐rate.
“Dual‐ Engineering” Strategy to Regulate NH4V4O10 as Cathodes for High‐Performance Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries
Authors: Liu Chenfan , Zhang Yu , Cheng Huanhuan , Cai Xuanxuan , Jia Dianzeng , Lin He
Published: May 2023

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) have attracted attention as a promising candidate for secondary battery energy storage due to their safety and environmental benefits. However, the vanadium‐based cathode material NH4V4O10 has the problem of structural instability. In this paper, it is found by density functional theory calculation that excessive NH4+ located in the interlayer will repel the Zn2+ during the process of Zn2+ insertion. This results in the distortion of the layered structure, further affects the diffusion of Zn2+ and reduces the reaction kinetics. Therefore, part of the NH4+ is removed by heat treatment. In addition, the introduction of Al3+ into the material by hydrothermal method is able to further enhance its zinc storage properties. This dual‐engineering strategy shows excellent electrochemical performance (578.2 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1). This study provides valuable insights for the development of high performance AZIBs cathode materials.
Molecular Insertion: A Master Key to Unlock Smart Photoelectric Responses of Covalent Organic Frameworks
Authors: Jiang Qiao‐Qiao , Li Ya‐Jie , Wu Qiong , Liang Ru‐Ping , Wang Xun , Zhang Rui , Wang Ying‐Ao , Liu Xin , Qiu Jian‐Ding
Published: May 2023

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) show potentials in prominent photoelectric responses by judicious structural design. However, from the selections of monomers and condensation reactions to the synthesis procedures, the acquisition of photoelectric COFs has to meet overmuch high conditions, limiting the breakthrough and modulation in photoelectric responses. Herein, the study reports a creative “lock‐key model” based on molecular insertion strategy. A COF with suitable cavity size, TP‐TBDA, is used as the host to load guests. Merely through the volatilization of mixed solution, TP‐TBDA and guests can be spontaneously assembled via non‐covalent interactions (NCIs) to produce molecular‐inserted COFs (MI‐COFs). The NCIs between TP‐TBDA and guests acted as a bridge to facilitate charge transfer in MI‐COFs, unlocking the photoelectric responses of TP‐TBDA. By exploiting the controllability of NCIs, the MI‐COFs can realize the smart modulation of photoelectric responses by simply changing the guest molecule, thus avoiding the arduous selection of monomers and condensation reactions required by conventional COFs. The construction of molecular‐inserted COFs circumvents complicated procedures for achieving performance improvement and modulation, providing a promising direction to construct late‐model photoelectric responsive materials.
Contributions of Light to Novel Logic Concepts Using Optoelectronic Materials
Authors: Jeon Yunchae , Kim Somi , Seo Juhyung , Yoo Hocheon
Published: May 2023

Instead of the current method of transmitting voltage or current signals in electronic circuit operation, light offers an alternative to conventional logic, allowing for the implementation of new logic concepts through interaction with light. This manuscript examines the use of light in implementing new logic concepts as an alternative to traditional logic circuits and as a future technology. This article provides an overview of how to implement logic operations using light rather than voltage or current signals using optoelectronic materials such as 2D materials, metal–oxides, carbon structures, polymers, small molecules, and perovskites. This review covers the various technologies and applications of using light to dope devices, implement logic gates, control logic circuits, and generate light as an output signal. Recent research on logic and the use of light to implement new functions is summarized. This review also highlights the potential of optoelectronic logic for future technological advancements.
Correlation Between Nonmetallic Inclusions and Localized Corrosion of a Low‐Nickel Stainless Steel with Cerium Treatment
Authors: Zhang Lifeng , Zhang Ji , Ren Ying , Huang Riqing , Huang Zaijing , Huang Rong
Published: May 2023

The localized corrosion induced by different kinds of inclusions in low‐nickel stainless steel is studied through immersion tests and first‐principles calculations. The galvanic corrosion between the steel matrix and different kinds of inclusions occurs in the corrosive environment due to the difference in the electron work function of the steel matrix and inclusions. The electron work function of MnS, CeS, and Ce‐O‐S is smaller than that of the steel matrix, thus, these inclusions first dissolve as the anode. However, the electron work function of cerium‐containing oxides is bigger than that of the steel matrix, and the steel matrix dissolves prior to cerium‐containing oxides. The order of the volume expansion rate of pits induced by inclusions is CeS > Si‐Mn(‐Al)‐O > MnS > Ce‐C‐O‐S > Ce‐Si‐Mn(‐Al)‐O > Ce‐O‐S. For cerium‐containing inclusions, the electron work function of inclusions increases with the increase of the O/Ce ratio and the S/Ce ratio of inclusions. The order of the electron work function of cerium‐containing inclusions is cerium oxides > cerium sulfides > cerium oxysulfide.
Low‐Dimensional High‐Entropy Alloys for Advanced Electrocatalytic Reactions
Authors: Tao Lei , Huang Baoyu , Zhao Yitao
Published: May 2023

Low‐dimensional high‐entropy alloy (HEA) nanomaterials are widely employed as electrocatalysts for energy conversion reactions, due to their inherent advantages, including high electron mobility, rich catalytically active site, optimal electronic structure. Moreover, the high‐entropy, lattice distortion, and sluggish diffusion effects also enable them to be promising electrocatalysts. A thorough understanding on the structure‐activity relationships of low‐dimensional HEA catalyst play a huge role in the future pursuit of more efficient electrocatalysts. In this review, we summarize the recent progress of low‐dimensional HEA nanomaterials for efficient catalytic energy conversion. By systematically discussing the fundamentals of HEA and properties of low‐dimensional nanostructures, we highlight the advantages of low‐dimensional HEAs. Subsequently, we also present many low‐dimensional HEA catalysts for electrocatalytic reactions, aiming to gain a better understanding on the structure‐activity relationship. Finally, a series of upcoming challenges and issues are also thoroughly proposed as well as their future directions.
Constructive Decomposition of Any $$\ L^{1}\left( a,b\right) $$ Function as Sum of a Strongly Convergent Series of Integrable Functions Each One Positive or Negative Exactly in Open Sets
Authors: Carlota Clara , Ornelas António
Published: May 2023

Researchers dealing with real functions $$\ f\left( \cdot \right) \in L^{1}\left( a,b\right) $$

f

·

∈

L
1

a
,
b

are often challenged with technical difficulties on trying to prove statements involving the positive $$\ f^{\,+}\left( \cdot \right) $$

f

+

·

and negative $$\ f^{\,-}\left( \cdot \right) $$

f

-

·

parts of these functions. Indeed, the set of points where $$\ f\left( \cdot \right) $$

f

·

is positive (resp. negative) is just Lebesgue measurable, and in general these two sets may both have positive measure inside each nonempty open subinterval of $$\ \left( a,b\right) $$

a
,
b

. To remedy this situation, we regularize these sets through open sets. More precisely, for each zero-average $$\ f\left( \cdot \right) \in L^{\,1}\left( a,b\right) $$

f

·

∈

L

1

a
,
b

, we construct, explicitly, a series of functions $$\ \overset{\frown }{f}_{i}\left( \cdot \right) $$

f
⌢

i

·

having sum $$\ f\left( \cdot \right) $$

f

·

— a.e. and in $$\ L^{1}\left( a,b\right) $$

L
1

a
,
b

— in such a way that, for each $$\ i\in \left\{ \,0,1,2,\ldots \, \right\} $$

i
∈

0
,
1
,
2
,
…

, there exist two disjoint open sets where $$\ \overset{\frown }{f}_{i}\left( \cdot \right) \ge 0$$

f
⌢

i

·

≥
0

a.e. and $$\ \overset{\frown }{f}_{i}\left( \cdot \right) \le 0$$

f
⌢

i

·

≤
0

a.e., respectively, while $$\ \overset{\frown }{f}_{i}\left( \cdot \right) =0$$

f
⌢

i

·

=
0

a.e. elsewhere. Moreover, its primitive $$\ \int ^{t}f\left( \cdot \right) $$

∫
t

f

·

becomes the sum of a strongly convergent series of nice AC functions. Applications to calculus of variations & optimal control appear in our next papers.
Sterbeorte von COVID-19-Patienten: eine Observationsstudie auf Grundlage ausgewerteter Todesbescheinigungen der Stadt Münster (2021)
Authors: Manglus Lukas , Lenz Philipp , Dasch Burkhard
Published: May 2023

Hintergrund

Die Sterbeorte von COVID-19-Patienten wurden in Deutschland bislang nur wenig untersucht.

Methoden

In einer westfälischen Sterbeortstudie wurden in der Stadt Münster anhand sämtlicher Todesbescheinigungen von 2021 statistische Auswertungen durchgeführt. Personen, die mit oder an einer COVID-19-Erkrankung verstorben waren, wurden anhand der ärztlichen Angaben zur Todesursache identifiziert und mit deskriptiv statistischen Verfahren unter Anwendung von SPSS analysiert.

Ergebnisse

Es wurden insgesamt 4044 Todesbescheinigungen ausgewertet. Hierbei wurden 182 verstorbene COVID-19-Patienten identifiziert (4,5 %). Bei 159 Personen (3,9 %) war die COVID-19-Erkrankung todesursächlich, wobei deren Sterbeorte sich wie folgt verteilten: Krankenhaus insgesamt 88,1 % (Intensivstation 57,2 %, Palliativstation 0,0 %), Hospiz 0,0 %, Pflegeheim 10,7 %, zu Hause 1,3 %, sonstiger Ort 0,0 %. Erkrankte < 60 Jahre verstarben zu 100 % im Krankenhaus, über 80-Jährige in 75,4 % der Fälle. Nur 2 COVID-19-Patienten, die jeweils über 80 Jahre alt waren, verstarben zu Hause. Sterbefälle im Pflegeheim (17) betrafen mehrheitlich ältere Frauen. 10 dieser Heimbewohner waren von einem spezialisierten ambulanten Palliativteam am Lebensende betreut worden.

Diskussion

COVID-19-Erkrankte verstarben überwiegend im Krankenhaus. Fulminante Krankheitsverläufe mit hoher Symptomlast und das nicht selten junge Alter der Erkrankten sind hierfür potenzielle Erklärungsansätze. Stationäre Pflegeeinrichtungen spielten als Sterbeort bei lokalen Infektionsausbrüchen eine gewisse Rolle. Erkrankte Personen verstarben nur selten zu Hause. Infektionsschutzmaßnahmen können ein Grund dafür sein, dass keine Patienten in Hospizen oder auf Palliativstationen verstarben.
Der schnellende Finger – Pitfalls und Differenzialdiagnostik
Authors: Cavalcanti Kußmaul A. , Ayache A. , Unglaub F.
Published: May 2023

Die Differenzialdiagnostik des schnellenden Fingers stellt eine klinische Herausforderung dar. Im vorgestellten Fall wird ein 32-jähriger Patient präsentiert, welcher sich mit einem persistierenden Schnappen des rechten Zeigefingers im Metakarpophalangealgelenk ohne lokale Druckschmerzhaftigkeit trotz vorheriger operativer A1-Ringbandspaltung vorstellte. In der CT-Diagnostik konnte ein prominentes Tuberculum articularis nachgewiesen werden. Die MRT-Bildgebung war unauffällig. Durch operative Revision mit begleitender Abtragung des Tuberkulums ließ sich eine volle Funktion des Zeigefingers wieder herstellen.
Information revelation and coordination using cheap talk in a game with two-sided private information
Authors: Ganguly Chirantan , Ray Indrajit
Published: May 2023

We consider a version of the Battle of the Sexes with private information and allow cheap talk regarding the players’ types before the game. We show that a desirable type-coordination property is achieved at the unique fully revealing symmetric equilibrium (when it exists). Type-coordination is also obtained in a partially revealing equilibrium that exists when the fully revealing equilibrium does not. We further prove that truthfully revealed messages, followed by actions that depend meaningfully on these messages, are not equilibrium profiles with one-sided cheap talk. Finally, fully revealing equilibria do not exist under sequential communication either.
The Bulk-Boundary Correspondence for the Einstein Equations in Asymptotically Anti-de Sitter Spacetimes
Authors: Holzegel Gustav , Shao Arick
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we consider vacuum asymptotically anti-de Sitter spacetimes $$( \mathscr {M}, g )$$

(
M
,
g
)

with conformal boundary $$( \mathscr {I}, \mathfrak {g})$$

(
I
,
g
)

. We establish a correspondence, near $$\mathscr {I}$$
I
, between such spacetimes and their conformal boundary data on $$\mathscr {I}$$
I
. More specifically, given a domain $$\mathscr {D} \subset \mathscr {I}$$

D
⊂
I

, we prove that the coefficients $$\mathfrak {g}^{\scriptscriptstyle (0)} = \mathfrak {g}$$

g

(
0
)

=
g

and $$\mathfrak {g}^{\scriptscriptstyle (n)}$$

g

(
n
)

(the undetermined term, or stress energy tensor) in a Fefferman–Graham expansion of the metric g from the boundary uniquely determine g near $$\mathscr {D}$$
D
, provided $$\mathscr {D}$$
D
satisfies a generalised null convexity condition (GNCC). The GNCC is a conformally invariant criterion on $$\mathscr {D}$$
D
, first identified by Chatzikaleas and the second author, that ensures a foliation of pseudoconvex hypersurfaces in $$\mathscr {M}$$
M
near $$\mathscr {D}$$
D
, and with the pseudoconvexity degenerating in the limit at $$\mathscr {D}$$
D
. As a corollary of this result, we deduce that conformal symmetries of $$( \mathfrak {g}^{\scriptscriptstyle (0)}, \mathfrak {g}^{\scriptscriptstyle (n)} )$$

(

g

(
0
)

,

g

(
n
)

)

on domains $$\mathscr {D} \subset \mathscr {I}$$

D
⊂
I

satisfying the GNCC extend to spacetime symmetries near $$\mathscr {D}$$
D
. The proof, which does not require any analyticity assumptions, relies on three key ingredients: (1) a calculus of vertical tensor-fields developed for this setting; (2) a novel system of transport and wave equations for differences of metric and curvature quantities; and (3) recently established Carleman estimates for tensorial wave equations near the conformal boundary.
Impaired extinction of operant cocaine in a genetic mouse model of schizophrenia risk
Authors: Chesworth Rose , Visini Gabriela , Karl Tim
Published: May 2023

Background

Individuals with schizophrenia have high rates of comorbid substance use problems. One potential explanation for this comorbidity is similar neuropathophysiology in substance use and schizophrenia, which may arise from shared genetic risk factors between the two disorders. Here we investigated if genetic risk for schizophrenia could affect drug reward and reinforcement for cocaine in an established mouse model of genetic risk for schizophrenia, theneuregulin 1transmembrane domain heterozygous (Nrg1 TMHET) mouse.

Methods

We examined drug-induced locomotor sensitization and conditioned place preference for several cocaine doses (5, 10, 20, 30 mg/kg) in male adultNrg1 TMHET and wild-type-like (WT) littermates. We also investigated intravenous self-administration of and motivation for cocaine (doses 0.1, 0.5, 1 mg/kg/infusion), as well as extinction and cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine. In a follow-up experiment, we examined self-administration, extinction and cue-induced reinstatement of a natural reward, oral sucrose.

Results

Cocaine preference was similar betweenNrg1 TMHET mice and WT littermates at all doses tested. Locomotor sensitization to cocaine was not affected byNrg1genotype at any dose. Although self-administration and motivation for cocaine was unaffected, extinction of cocaine self-administration was impaired inNrg1 TMHET compared to WT controls, and cue-induced reinstatement was greater inNrg1mutants in the middle of the reinstatement session. Sucrose self-administration and extinction thereof was not affected by genotype, but inactive lever responding was elevated during cue-induced reinstatement for operant sucrose inNrg1 TMHET mice compared to WTs.

Discussion

These results suggest impaired response inhibition for cocaine inNrg1 TMHET mice and suggestsNrg1mutation may contribute to behaviours which can limit control over cocaine use.