bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Power of Digitalization in the Life Sciences and Diagnostics Sectors with art image enhancement
Authors: Li Shuo , Jianjun Li
Published: August 2022

The traditional image enhancement processing method is limited by the contrast between image background and enhancement object when processing, which leads to poor image enhancement processing effect and low processing efficiency. With the development of technology, the application of digital electronics is expanding. In order to solve the above problems, the application of digital electronics in image enhancement is explored by studying the method of Chinese character art image enhancement based on digital electronics. Digital coding and Chinese character information processing of Chinese character art images using digital electronics. Retinex enhancement algorithm is improved by using PLIP model to realize Chinese character art image enhancement process. The simulation results demonstrate that the studied image enhancement method can effectively improve the processing efficiency by about 50%, and the image enhancement process is more effective.
Education and humanitarian work of women in Prizren in the 19th and 20th century
Authors: Vidosavljević Milena
Published: August 2022

For many years, the role of women in Serbia was in an unenviable position. Serbian women often faced numerous limitations and challenges, including the inability to educate, participate in the public sphere, and decide to lead their own lifestyles. However, with the social changes in Serbia, in the middle of the 19th century, the emancipation of women began. Despite being slow, often insufficiently organized, the first steps towards changing the role of women helped women, over time, to be more encouraged, motivated and united. The situation was similar in all cities, including in Prizren. Starting from the founding of the first private women's schools all the way to women's craft schools, young girls were given the opportunity to be educated and develop various skills. Apart from schools, women in Prizren also acquired knowledge in women's humanitarian associations, which were the main gathering places for women's activism in the 19th and 20th century. In this regard, the aim of the paper is to provide an overview of the general position of women in Serbia in the mentioned period, to present the education of female children in Prizren, as well as to point out the existence of two influential women's associations - Women's Charity Society "Srpkinja" and the Circle of Serbian Sisters, which are mostly responsible for education, humanitarian work, participation in city activities and the overall development of female generations in Prizren.
Digital Cybernarrative: "The Brain Opera" by Todd Mahover
Authors: Bezmenov Vadim
Published: August 2022

The article is devoted to the application of new technologies of the digital era in modern opera. The phenomenon of cybernarrative is analyzed, which creates special forms of representation of a conditional plot in an opera theater, or representation of the main idea. As a special form of cybernarrative, an analysis of the instrumentation and fundamental ideas of the Brain Opera by American composer and inventor Tod Mahover is proposed. This experimental composition combines both conceptual ideas of comprehending the basics of human thinking and attempts to present brain impulses as musical material that makes up the stochastic variable composition of the opera. Special attention is paid to interactivity, in which the listener pre–communicates with various interfaces - electronic toys that allow him to develop his creative energy and see it as an element of composition in the Opera of the Brain.    The conclusion from the conducted research is that the idea of a cybernarrative has become fundamental for the project, which has received a cybernarrative representation. The treatise of the famous cognitive scientist Marvin Minsky "Community of the Mind" and the element of creative energy of the recipient – visitor of the sound installation serve as the basis of the narrative, while the plot of the libretto itself is conditional and it is hardly read through the journey through the so–called "wilds of the mind". Modern opera uses cybernarrative as a communication system, in the field of which all the latest technologies are included. At the same time, the content of the opera is blurred, which turns out to be variable. There are both positive and negative sides to this: the involvement of the public in the creative process, which Tod Mahover strongly encourages in his concept of the Brain Opera, helps to overcome passive perception, however, the composition ceases to be a complete form and turns into an open work – work in progress.
Energy demands in high-intensity intermittent taekwondo specific exercises
Authors: Bartel Charles , Coswig Victor S. , Protzen Gabriel V. , Del Vecchio Fabricio B.
Published: August 2022

Background

Taekwondo is an intermittent Olympic combat sport, which shows an aerobic predominance in matches and high participation of alactic metabolism for actions that determine competitive success. However, there is no information on energetic contribution systems in different high-intensity intermittent exercises for metabolic conditioning with specific movements. The study aimed to measure the physiological demands, mainly the energy expenditure, in taekwondo-specific high-intensity intermittent exercises (HIIE).

Methods

This study recruited ten male black belt athletes with a mean age of 20.2 ± 4 years, body mass of 62.8 ± 10.5 kg and height of 170.6 ± 7.8 cm, and total practice time of 11.8 ± 5.4 years. Subjects performed an incremental specific test and three different HIIE protocols on nonconsecutive days, and all comprised three 2-min rounds and 1 min of recovery between rounds. Heart rate, oxygen consumption, and blood lactate were measured. Energetic expenditure of aerobic, alactic, and lactic metabolisms was estimated through oxygen consumption, excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, and peak blood lactate after each round.

Results

For the mean of the three rounds, the TKDtest100 resulted in higher absolute and relative contribution from the aerobic metabolism (52.4 ± 4%; p = 0.01) and lower than the 35:5 relative alactic contribution (48.7 ± 5.4%; p = 0.03).

Conclusion

The mean of the three rounds for 35:5 and 15:10:5 presented similar absolute and relative contributions of aerobic and alactic metabolisms, whereas the TKDtest100 was a predominantly aerobic activity. We emphasize that aerobic metabolism was predominant from the second round in the 15:10:5 and 100%TKDtest protocols and in the last round of the 35:5 protocol.
Knowledge of Hand Hygiene among Ophthalmologists in Northern India: A Cross-sectional Survey
Authors: Dhasmana Renu , Dhillon Hennaav Kaur , Narnoli Prasansha , Rawat Darshika
Published: August 2022

Introduction: Hands of health care workers act as the most common vehicle for the transmission of healthcare associated infections. A good practice of hand hygiene reduces the incidence of these nosocomial infections. There is a dearth of precise data about the awareness of hand hygiene practice amongst Ophthalmologists in India. Aim: To assess the knowledge of hand hygiene amongst the Ophthalmologists and trainees in Uttarakhand and surrounding regions of Northern India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted by Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences , Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India amongst Ophthalmologists attending a three days long annual ophthalmology conference in Uttarakhand in October 2019, after taking due approval from the Ethics Committee of the Institute. All the 150 participants which were included in the study filled the World Health Organisation (WHO) hand hygiene questionnaire comprising of 10 multiple-choice questions. The respondents were asked to tick the most appropriate choices and scores were given out of a maximum score of 25. Mann Whitney test was used for statistical analysis in the study. Results: A total of 150 subjects participated in the survey among which 70 were females and 80 were males. Of all, 60% of the participants were practicing surgeons while 60 (40%) were postgraduate students. About 126 (84%) reported having received a formal training on hand hygiene. Hands of the health care workers were reported to be the commonest route of cross transmission of germs between the patients and healthcare facilities. The average total score of the participants in the survey was 16 (64%) and there was no significant difference between the scores of participants based on gender and training. Conclusion: The study shows that majority of the Ophthalmologists have formal training and fair knowledge on the basics of hand hygiene, but lacked the in-depth knowledge, which needs to be addressed in order to reduce the incidence of hospital acquired infections.
TRABALHO EM TRANSFORMAÇÃO: reflexões sobre as categorias de trabalho e comunicação e suas implicações para um conceito decompetência na educação profissional
Authors: Markertin Werner
Published: August 2022

A discussão atual sobre competência demonstra ainda uma grande inconsistência sobre seus fundamentos teórico-metodológicos. Para evitar que esse conceito tenha unicamente uma vertente tecnicista e contribua somente para a conformação da subjetividade dos trabalhadores à nova ideologia progressista do capital, pretendemos desenvolver uma análise das categorias trabalho e comunicação, no sentido de Marx e Habermas, a qual volta-se para um conceito integral de competência. Objetivamos mostrar que, nas perspectivas universais de trabalho e de comunicação, identificam-se as raízes do desenvolvimento universal de produção e da competência do sujeito. Finalmente, discutimos critérios para um conceito pedagógico integral de competência, que pretendem refletir a relação prático-pedagógica da temática. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Competência, trabalho, comunicação, formação profissional WORK UNDERGOING CHANGES: thoughts on Work and Communications categories and their implications regarding the concept of competence in the vocational education A discussion about the new concept of competence demonstrates a great theoretical and methodological inconsistence. To avoid a vision technician, we intend to discuss the categories work and comunication (Marx and Habermas) to elaborate a integrate and universal concept of competence. The analisis is including reflections about a pedagogical vision of competence. KEYWORDS: Competence, work, communication, and professional qualification Publicação Online do Caderno CRH: http://www.cadernocrh.ufba.br
TRABALHANDO E APRENDENDO: aquisição da qualificação em uma refinaria de petróleo no Brasil
Authors: Fartes Vera Lúcia
Published: August 2022

O texto ora apresentado trata da análise dos processos de aquisição da qualificação de trabalhadores num segmento da indústria – o complexo petróleopetroquímica – que, além de central à dinâmica da região, tem sido tradicionalmente afeito a características hoje consideradas próprias aos chamados “novos paradigmas de uso e gestão do trabalho”, em vista das estratégias governamentais e empresariais. Para isso, a pesquisa procura identificar os loci de aquisição da qualificação dos operadores de três unidades de processamento de petróleo, distintas pela idade tecnológica e importância no processo produtivo do setor da refinaria a que pertencem. Os resultados da pesquisa indicam que, embora as influências societais e os conhecimentos adquiridos no processo de escolarização geral e profissional sejam importantes fatores na aquisição da qualificação, o local de trabalho sobressai como instância principal na qualificação dos operadores de processo, independentemente da unidade investigada. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Educação, qualificação, treinamento, reestruturação produtiva WORKING AND LEARNING: professional qualification acquisition in a petroleum refinery in Brazil The present thesis consists of a study focused on the analysis of processes of qualification acquisition experienced by industrial workers in the field of petroleum – petrochemicals. The issue is highly significant for the economic dynamics of the region (Bahia/Brazil), and it has been traditionally linked to certain features currently considered to be a part of the so–called “new paradigms for the use and management of work”. This study aims to understand and explain how, where and when the workers acquire their qualification. In a petroleum refinery, the researcher identified the loci of qualification acquisition for operatives working in three distinct oil process units, each unit differing from the other in terms of technological advancement and importance to the production process. A major finding of the study is that the place of work represents the main source of qualification for oil process operatives, independently of the unit investigated. Social milieu influences and knowledge acquired through school and professional education also proved to be important for the qualification process. KEYWORDS: Education, qualification, training, productive structural reorganization Publicação Online do Caderno CRH: http://www.cadernocrh.ufba.br
BRASIL: REESTRUTURAÇÃO PRODUTIVA E CONDIÇÕES SOCIAIS
Authors: Moreira Inaiá Maria
Published: August 2022

Este artigo aborda a reestruturação produtiva que marcou o Brasil nos anos 90, analisando os seus efeitos sociais. Reconhecendo como essa reestruturação está associada à inserção do país na dinâmica da economia globalizada e à implementação de um conjunto de políticas recomendadas pelos organismos multilaterais, o texto assinala como as transformações decorrentes dessas políticas vêm se traduzindo em, a) baixos níveis de crescimento econômico; b) uma deterioração das condições de trabalho e renda da maioria da população; c) uma acentuação das desigualdades sociais e espaciais ;e d) uma reorientação profunda e regressiva das políticas e do sistema de proteção social. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Reestruturação produtiva, condições ocupacionais, direitos de cidadania, políticas sociais BRAZIL: PRODUCTIVE RE-STRUCTURE AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS This paper approaches the productive restructure that marked Brazil in the 90s, analyzing its social effects. It recognizes how this restructure is associated with the insertion of the country in the dynamics of the globalized economy and with the implementation of a new set of policies recommended by multilateral organism. The text calls attention to the form that the transformations that originated from these policies have been translated as: a) low levels of economical growth: b) worsening of work and income conditions for most of the population; c) stressing social and spatial inequalities; and d) a profound and regressive reorientation of the policies and of the social protection system. KEY WORDS: Productive restructure, occupational conditions, citizenship rights, social policies. Publicação Online do Caderno CRH: http://www.cadernocrh.ufba.br
Política regional e produção acadêmica
Authors: Leão Ilza Araújo
Published: August 2022

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DIVERSIDADE E SOLIDARIEDADE: uma introdução à pesquisa sobre opinião pública
Authors: Pinderhughes Dianne M.
Published: August 2022

O artigo introduz a literatura sobre opinião pública afro-americana, apresentando as contribuições desenvolvidas por cientistas políticos negros, especialmente a partir dos anos 1980. A autora discute a questão da diversidade interna nas atitudes políticas, ao mesmo tempo em que chama a atenção para a importância da identidade racial na configuração das opiniões dos negros norte-americanos, em relação a tópicos, tais como Estado, partidos e liderança política. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Opinião pública, afro-americanos, identificação racial, diversidade, heterogeneidade. DIVERSITY AND SOLIDARITY: an introduction to the public opinion poll Dianne Pinderhughes The article introduces literature on Afro-American public opinion poll presenting the contributions developed by black political scientists, especially from the 80’s on. The author discusses the internal diversity issue in political attitudes, calling the attention to the importance of the racial identity in shaping the Afro-Americans’ opinion as far as the State, parties and political leadership are concerned. KEYWORDS: Public poll, Afro-Americans, racial identification, diversity, and heterogeneity Publicação Online do Caderno CRH: http://www.cadernocrh.ufba.br
Movimento Negro no Brasil: novos e velhos desafios
Authors: Carneiro Sueli
Published: August 2022

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MOVIMENTO NEGRO DE BASE RELIGIOSA: a Irmandade do Rosário dos Pretos
Authors: De Cássia Taynar
Published: August 2022

Entende-se por movimentos negros, no Brasil, as várias formas que historicamente têm tomado a reação organizada por parte dos negros em face de uma ordem estabelecida racista. Neste caso, a Irmandade do Rosário dos Pretos do Pelourinho, em Salvador, configura-se como uma das formas assumidas pelos movimentos negros ao longo de sua história de resistência. Constituindo-se enquanto grupo organizado, as irmandade religiosas leigas compostas por negros em muito serviram como canal de acesso ao meio social brasileiro, bem como um espaço de reconstrução da identidade étnico-racial. Por isso, ainda hoje, a Igreja do Rosário dos Pretos do Pelourinho, onde se firmou a Irmandade do Rosário, apresenta-se como um dos lugares ou territórios no qual são revividas experiências culturais negras, constituindo-se fator de identificação para os movimentos negros, hoje. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Movimento negro, Igreja, catolicismo, Irmandade Rosário dos Pretos BLACK MOVEMENT WITH A RELIGIOUS FOUNDATION: the Brotherhood of Our Lady of the Rosary of the Blacks Taynar de Cássia In Brazil, the reactions organized by Blacks to fight against an established racist order are considered Black Movements. Thus, the Brotherhood of Our Lady of the Rosary of the Blacks of Pelourinho, in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, adopted one of the configurations of the black movements throughout its history of resistance. As an organized group, the religious brotherhood formed by black laymen often played the role of an access channel to the social Brazilian class, fostering the reconstruction of the ethnical and racial identity. Moreover, the Church of the Our Lady of the Rosary of the Blacks of Pelourinho, where the Brotherhood of the Rosary of the Blacks was created, is still the milieu where the cultural black experiences are revived, thus becoming an identification factor for the present black movements. KEY WORDS: Black movement, church, catholicism, and brotherhood of the Rosary of the Blacks. : Publicação Online do Caderno CRH: http://www.cadernocrh.ufba.br
AÇÕES AFIRMATIVAS À BRASILEIRA: EM BUSCA DO CONSENSO
Authors: Benedito Vera Lúcia
Published: August 2022

Este texto chama atenção para a necessidade de se estabelecer um consenso em torno das políticas de promoção da igualdade de oportunidades, destacando-se as ações afirmativas e as políticas de diversidade. Enquanto as primeiras se materializam através do Estado, as segundas emanam do setor privado. A partir do histórico da implantação dessas políticas no contexto norte-americano, a autora enfatiza os desvios conceituais do debate, assim como ressalta a ambigüidade teórica e prática da adoção dessas políticas Brasil. Ao final, o texto indica questões que devem ser levadas em conta, na intervenção do Estado para garantir a igualdade de oportunidades. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Ação afirmativa, políticas de diversidade, racismo, discriminação racial, ambigüidade, Brasil. AFFIRMATIVE ACTIONS THE BRAZILIAN WAY: IN SEARCH OF CONSENSUS Vera Lúcia Benedito This text calls attention to the need of establishing a consensus around the policies of equality of opportunity , highlighting the affirmative actions and the policies of diversity. While the former policies are materialized through the State, the later emanate from the private sector. From the historic confirmation of differences in the implantation of these policies in the North-American context, the author emphasizes the conceptual deviations and discusses these policies in Brazil, resorting to the examples observed in employment and education areas. At the end of the text, some suggestions for forwarding policies of promotion of equality of opportunities are presented and also for eliminating social-racial discriminations in the public and private sectors. KEY WORDS: Affirmative action, diversity policies, racism, racial discrimination, ambiguity and Brazil Publicação Online do Caderno CRH: http://www.cadernocrh.ufba.br
A Subjetividade Operária: algumas considerações iniciais
Authors: Santos Misael de Sousa
Published: August 2022

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Coronary Artery Calcium Test for Heart Disease Risk Assessment
Authors: Greenland Philip , Lloyd-Jones Donald M.
Published: August 2022

This Patient Page describes what it means to have coronary heart calcium, why a clinician may recommend testing for it, and the benefits and risks of knowing your coronary heart calcium score.
The Need to Standardize Our Language Around Dual Antiplatelet Therapy—A Call to Action
Authors: Ferro Enrico G. , Capodanno Davide , Yeh Robert W.
Published: August 2022

This Viewpoint summarizes the complexity of the existing terminology used for dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and the need to standardize the terminology for use in clinical cardiology and scientific research.
Association of Risk of Incident Venous Thromboembolism With Atopic Dermatitis and Treatment With Janus Kinase Inhibitors
Authors: Chen Tai-Li , Lee Ling-Ling , Huang Huei-Kai , Chen Li-Yu , Loh Ching-Hui , Chi Ching-Chi
Published: August 2022

Importance

The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), especially when receiving treatment with Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, is unclear.

Objective

To determine the association of AD with incident VTE and evaluate the risk of incident VTE among patients with AD who were receiving treatment with JAK inhibitors.

Data Sources

The MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched with no restrictions on language nor geographic locations from their respective inception to February 5, 2022.

Study Selection

Cohort studies examining the association of AD with incident VTE and randomized clinical trials (RCTs) reporting VTE events in participants with AD receiving JAK inhibitors were included. Around 0.7% of initially identified articles met the selection criteria.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline was followed. The risk of bias of included cohort studies and RCTs was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2, respectively. A random-effects model meta-analysis was conducted to calculate the pooled hazard ratio (HR) and risk difference for incident VTE.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The HRs for incident VTE associated with AD and risk difference for incident VTE between participants with AD who were receiving treatment with JAK inhibitors and controls receiving placebo or dupilumab.

Results

Two cohort studies and 15 RCTs with a total of 466 993 participants were included. The meta-analysis found no significant association of AD with incident VTE (HR, 0.95; 95% CI 0.62-1.45; incidence rate of VTE, 0.23 events/100 patient-years). Overall, 3 of 5722 patients with AD (0.05%) who were receiving treatment with JAK inhibitors experienced VTE compared with 1 of 3065 patients with AD (0.03%) receiving placebo or dupilumab (Mantel-Haenszel risk difference, 0; 95% CI, 0-0). The incidence rate of VTE was 0.15 and 0.12 events per 100 patient-years in participants with AD receiving JAK inhibitors and placebo, respectively. The findings were similar in 4 unique JAK inhibitors (abrocitinib, baricitinib, upadacitinib, and SHR0302).

Conclusions and Relevance

The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that the currently available evidence does not detect an increased risk of VTE associated with AD or treatment with JAK inhibitors. These findings may provide a reference for clinicians in prescribing JAK inhibitors for patients with AD.
Integrin β1 transduces the signal for LY6D‐induced macropinocytosis and mediates senescence‐inducing stress‐evoked vacuole formation via FAK
Authors: Nakagawa Keitaro , Nagano Taiki , Katasho Ryoko , Iwasaki Tetsushi , Kamada Shinji
Published: August 2022

Cellular senescence is a highly stable cell‐cycle arrest induced by DNA damage and various cellular stresses. Recently, we have revealed that lymphocyte antigen 6 complex, locus D (LY6D) is responsible for senescence‐inducing stress‐evoked vacuole formation through induction of Src family kinase (SFK)‐mediated macropinocytosis. However, the signaling molecule(s) transducing the macropinocytosis signal from extracellular LY6D to the cytoplasmic SFK are unknown. In this study, we identified integrin β1, a transmembrane signaling protein, as an interactor of LY6D by proteomic analysis and co‐immunoprecipitation assays. Inhibition of integrin β1 impaired LY6D‐induced macropinocytosis, and integrin β1 activated SFK through focal adhesion kinase to mediate macropinocytosis. These results indicate that integrin β1 is a crucial mediator of the LY6D‐induced vacuole formation in senescent cells.
Failure modes and downtime of radiotherapy LINACs and multileaf collimators in Indonesia
Authors: Peiris Gregory Sadharanu , Pawiro Supriyanto Ardjo , Kasim Muhammad Firmansyah , Sheehy Suzie Lyn
Published: August 2022

Background and purpose

The lack of equitable access to radiotherapy (RA) linear accelerators (LINACs) is a substantial barrier to cancer care in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). These nations are expected to bear up to 75% of cancer‐related deaths globally by 2030. State‐of‐the‐art LINACs in LMICs experience major issues in terms of robustness, with mechanical and electrical breakdowns resulting in downtimes ranging from days to months. While existing research has identified the higher failure frequency and downtimes between LMICs (Nigeria, Botswana) compared to high‐income countries (HICs, the UK), there has been a need for additional data and study particularly relating to multileaf collimators (MLCs).

Materials and methods

This study presents for the first time the analysis of data gathered through a dedicated survey and workshop including participants from 14 Indonesian hospitals, representing a total of 19 LINACs. We show the pathways to failure of radiotherapy LINACs and frequency of breakdowns with a focus on the MLC subsystem.

Results

This dataset shows that LINACs throughout Indonesia are out of operation for seven times longer than HICs, and the mean time between failures of a LINAC in Indonesia is 341.58 h or about 14 days. Furthermore, of the LINACs with an MLC fitted, % of all mechanical faults are due to the MLC, and % of cases requiring a replacement component are related to the MLC.

Conclusion

These results highlight the pressing need to improve robustness of RT technology for use in LMICs, highlighting the MLC as a particularly problematic component. This work motivates a reassessment of the current generation of RT LINACs and demonstrates the need for dedicated efforts toward a future where cancer treatment technology is robust for use in all environments where it is needed.
Reducing stray radiation with a novel detachable lead arm support in percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Fukuda Atsushi , Ichikawa Nao , Hayashi Takuma , Lin Pei‐Jan P. , Matsubara Kosuke
Published: August 2022

Background

Placing radioprotective devices near patients reduces stray radiation during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a promising technique for treating coronary artery disease. Therefore, lead arm support may effectively reduce occupational radiation dose to cardiologists.

Purpose

We aimed to estimate the reduction of stray radiation using a novel detachable lead arm support (DLAS) in PCI.

Materials and methods

A dedicated cardiovascular angiography system was equipped with the conventional 0.5‐mm lead curtain suspended from the table side rail. The DLAS was developed using an L‐shaped acrylic board and detachable water‐resistant covers encasing the 0.5‐, 0.75‐, or 1.0‐mm lead. The DLAS was placed adjacent to a female anthropomorphic phantom lying on the examination tabletop at the patient entrance reference point. An ionization chamber survey meter was placed 100 cm away from the isocenter to emulate the cardiologist's position. Dose reduction using the L‐shaped acrylic board, DLAS, lead curtain, and their combination each was measured at five heights (80–160 cm in 20‐cm increments) when acquiring cardiac images of the patient phantom with 10 gantry angulations, typical for PCI.

Results

Median dose reductions of stray radiation using the L‐shaped acrylic board were 9.0%, 8.8%, 12.4%, 12.3%, and 6.4% at 80‐, 100‐, 120‐, 140‐, and 160‐cm heights, respectively. Dose reduction using DLAS with a 0.5‐mm lead was almost identical to that using DLAS with 0.75‐ and 1.0‐mm leads; mean dose reductions using these three DLASs increased to 16.2%, 45.1%, 66.0%, 64.2%, and 43.0%, respectively. Similarly, dose reductions using the conventional lead curtain were 95.9%, 95.5%, 83.7%, 26.0%, and 19.6%, respectively. The combination of DLAS with 0.5‐mm lead and lead curtain could increase dose reductions to 96.0%, 95.8%, 93.8%, 71.1%, and 47.1%, respectively.

Conclusions

DLAS reduces stray radiation at 120‐, 140‐, and 160‐cm heights, where the conventional lead curtain provides insufficient protection.
Model‐free adaptive control based on switching mechanism for multi‐input multi‐output wet flue gas desulfurization system
Authors: Liu Jian , Li Xiaoli , Wang Kang
Published: August 2022

The wet flue gas desulfurization (WFGD) process is a complex controlled system with nonlinear and time‐varying characteristics. There are a variety of external disturbances in the desulfurization process, which can easily cause a jump in system parameters and even structure. In response to this problem, a model‐free adaptive control scheme based on a switching mechanism is proposed, and the convergence analysis is given. In the scheme, firstly, the operating conditions of the WFGD system are divided into n kinds based on multiple external disturbances, and the mathematical models of the multi‐input multi‐output WFGD system under different operating conditions are established. Then the MFA controllers of the WFGD system under multiple operating conditions are established, respectively. Finally, a switching index function is designed to switch the controller of the WFGD system according to different operating conditions, so that the desulfurization system is always controlled by the most appropriate controller. In the simulation experiment, according to the actual data of the WFGD system of a 1000 MW coal‐fired power station in Beijing, the modeling test and algorithm simulation of the WFGD system under three operating conditions are carried out. The simulation results show that this method can effectively reduce the transient error of the WFGD system output and improve the desulfurization effect.
Injectable Amphipathic Artesunate Prodrug‐Hydrogel Microsphere as Gene/Drug Nano‐Microplex for Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapy
Authors: Li Chao , Du Yawei , Lv Hongzhi , Zhang Jun , Zhuang Pengzhen , Yang Wu , Zhang Yingze , Wang Juan , Cui Wenguo , Chen Wei
Published: August 2022

Artemisinin and its derivatives (artemisinins) are first‐line chemotherapeutic agents of lethal malaria, which also showed tremendous value in many other diseases including chronic inflammation. Unfortunately, almost all artemisinins are rapid‐acting medicines with an extremely short half‐life in vivo, which significantly limits their clinical application for these new adaptation diseases. In this study, a locally injectable long‐acting gene/artemisinin co‐delivery nano‐microplex consisting of a biodegradable hyaluronic acid (HA) microsphere and releasable gene/artemisinin co‐delivery nano‐lipoplex is developed first, to obtain an improved efficacy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Briefly, a cationic multicomponent drug‐embedded liposome with pharmacological activity is first reported based on two novel artemisinin derivatives (dAPC and dACC), which possess mimic phospholipids and cationic lipids, respectively. A cationic artemisinin‐embedded lipoplex is first reported as a medicative gene carrier here. An in situ injectable TNF‐α siRNA/artemisinin co‐delivery nano‐microplex (MTAsi@MG) is further prepared by immobilization of TNF‐α siRNA/lipoplex on porous microfluidic HA microspheres. Using this nano‐microplex for intra‐articular injection, the sustaining activity of gene therapy and artemisinin efficacy for RA long‐term treatment is first realized. Undoubtedly, this intra‐articular injectable TNF‐α siRNA/artemisinin co‐delivery nano‐microplex based on dAPC/dACC lipoplex and microfluidic microspheres would be one of the most potent gene/drug co‐delivery systems for RA therapy.
Coherent Precipitates with Strong Domain Wall Pinning in Alkaline Niobate Ferroelectrics
Authors: Zhao Changhao , Gao Shuang , Kleebe Hans‐Joachim , Tan Xiaoli , Koruza Jurij , Rödel Jürgen
Published: August 2022

High‐power piezoelectric applications are predicted to share approximately one‐third of the lead‐free piezoelectric ceramic market in 2024 with alkaline niobates as the primary competitor. To suppress self‐heating in high‐power devices due to mechanical loss when driven by large electric fields, piezoelectric hardening to restrict domain wall motion is required. In the present work, highly effective piezoelectric hardening via coherent plate‐like precipitates in a model system of the (Li,Na)NbO3 (LNN) solid solution delivers a reduction in losses, quantified as an electromechanical quality factor, by a factor of ten. Various thermal aging schemes are demonstrated to control the average size, number density, and location of the precipitates. The established properties are correlated with a detailed determination of short‐ and long‐range atomic structure by X‐ray diffraction and pair distribution function analysis, respectively, as well as microstructure determined by transmission electron microscopy. The impact of microstructure with precipitates on both small‐ and large‐field properties is also established. These results pave the way to implement precipitate hardening in piezoelectric materials, analogous to precipitate hardening in metals, broadening their use cases in applications.
Improved Endurance of Ferroelectric HfxZr1–xO2 Integrated on InAs Using Millisecond Annealing
Authors: Athle Robin , Blom Theodor , Irish Austin , Persson Anton E. O. , Wernersson Lars‐Erik , Timm Rainer , Borg Mattias
Published: August 2022

Ferroelectric HfxZr1–xO2 (HZO) is typically achieved by crystallization of an amorphous thin film via rapid thermal processing (RTP) at time scales of seconds to minutes. For integration on III–V semiconductors, this approach can severely degrade the sensitive HZO/III–V interface. To evaluate whether a reduced thermal budget can improve the interface quality, millisecond duration thermal anneals are utilized using a flash lamp annealer (FLA) on HZO/InAs capacitors. Through thorough electrical characterization such as polarization hysteresis, endurance, and capacitance‐voltage measurements, as well as synchrotron‐based chemical interface characterization, the FLA and RTP treatments are compared and the FLA results are found in lower interface defect density and higher endurance, but also have generally lower remanent polarization (Pr) compared to RTP. Additionally, ways to achieve high Pr and low interface defect density using multiple lower energy flashes, as well as by pre‐crystallization during the ALD growth step are investigated. Using FLA, Pr exceeding 20 µC cm−2 is achieved, with extended endurance properties compared to RTP treatment and a considerably decreased defect density, indicative of a higher quality HZO/InAs interface. This work presents valuable insight into the successful integration of ferroelectric HZO on low thermal budget III–V semiconductors.
Stereoactive Metallic Vanadium Oxide Barriers to Boost Silicon‐Based Lithium‐Ion Storage
Authors: Huang Aoming , Zhang Xiaomin , Zhang Qiao , Zhang Yao , Ma Zhongyuan , Lin Huijuan , Huang Xiao , Rui Kun , Zhu Jixin
Published: August 2022

Despite the intensive efforts devoted to confining silicon (Si)‐based materials with heteromatrices for high‐energy‐density lithium‐ion batteries, addressing practical issues with rationally incorporated stereoactive matrix is still a significant challenge. This study presents an electrochemical‐active, metallic matrix for boosting Si‐based lithium‐ion storage. By employing a straightforward strategy involving mechanical ball‐milling and controllable phase transformation, spatially confined Si‐based composites enabled by metallic vanadium oxide (VO0.9) barriers can be readily achieved. The scalable interface engineering allows for expanded transportation channels and maintained structural integrity, which can be well established in both SiOx and Si cases. Endowed with promoted electron conduction as well as fast lithium‐ion diffusion, the optimal Si‐based composite electrodes demonstrate remarkable lithium storage performance, that is, an initial Coulombic efficiency of 81%, and a high specific capacity of 1249 mAh g−1 at 500 mA g−1 after 100 cycles. Notably, full cells coupled with a commercial LiCoO2 cathode are demonstrated, affording impressive specific energy of 440 Wh kg−1 at high mass loading. This work provides a cost‐effective approach to promoting the practical application of Si‐based anodes, which also holds promise for extension towards energy‐related applications and beyond.
Ambient‐Stable Near‐Infrared Organic Photodetectors with Ultrahigh Detectivity and Ultrafast Response for Biometric Monitoring
Authors: Yu Yang‐Yen , Liu Chao‐I , Peng Yan‐Cheng , Jiang Bing‐Huang , Su Yu‐Wei , Liu Song‐Jhe , Chen Chih‐Ping
Published: August 2022

PM6:Y6 is adopted as the active layer to prepare highly efficient organic photodetectors (OPDs), which is applied to realize a biometric sensor for real‐time heart‐rate monitoring. Here, the effects of the device structure, thickness, deposition process, and solvent on the subsequent performance of the OPDs are examined. Through judicious choice of the fabrication conditions, an OPD is obtained displaying a dark current density of less than 8.77 × 10−10 A cm−2, a responsivity of greater than 0.516 A W−1, and a high detectivity of 3.1 × 1013 Jones, measured at bias of −2 V (870 nm). This OPD featured a wide linear dynamic range (LDR, 530 nm) of 104 dB at −2 V, an ultrahigh cutoff frequency (750 kHz) and rise/fall times of less than 220 ns under a reverse bias of −2 V. This sub‐microsecond response and high detectivity is comparable with, and in some cases better than, those of the state‐of‐the‐art perovskite‐PDs and Si‐PDs. The OPD displays consistent responses, good repeatability, and stability [ambient: 50% humidity, 25 °C)]. The air‐stable and portable OPD‐based photoplethysmogram system provides clear signal resolution, potentially benefitting its applicability to blood pressure monitoring.
Evaluation of five C4 forage grasses in the tall Fescue Belt
Authors: Keyser Pat , Zechiel Katelynn E. , Bates Gary , Ashworth Amanda J. , Nave Renata , Rhinehart Justin , McIntosh David Weston
Published: August 2022

Across much of the eastern United States, tall fescue [TF; Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.], a cool‐season (i.e., C3) perennial grass, is the primary forage for pasture systems, thereby leaving producers vulnerable to reduced summer forage production and drought. Warm‐season (i.e., C4) forages can complement existing production systems by supplementing summer forage production and drought resiliency. Therefore, our objective was to compare five, C4 forage options in a grazing trial: switchgrass (SW; Panicum virgatum L.), eastern gamagrass (EG; Tripsacum dactyloides L.), a big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) and indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans L. Nash) blend (BBI), bermudagrass (BG; Cynodon dactylon L. Pers), and crabgrass (CG; Digitaria sanguinalis L. Scop.). Research was conducted 2014–2016 at two locations in Tennessee. Weaned beef heifers (237–242 kg initial weight) grazed 1.2‐ha pastures with three replications per species and location. Average daily gains (kg d−1) (0.62 [BBI], 0.41 [BG], 0.44 [CG], 0.42 [EG], 0.51 [SW]), grazing days (d ha−1) (412 [BBI], 459 [BG], 455 [CG], 664 [EG], 617 [SW]), and total gain (kg ha−1) (259 [BBI], 186 [BG], 200 [CG], 276 [EG], 315 [SW]) all varied among forages (P < .001). Similarly, forage nutritive values differed (P < .001) among forages: season‐long crude protein ranged from 94 (BG) to 115 (CG and EG) g kg−1, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 601 (CG)–680 (SW) g kg−1, and acid detergent fiber (ADF) 379 (BG)–417 (EG) g kg−1. These forage options should be evaluated in the context of TF pastures to establish a broader understanding of their contribution within an overall forage system.
Multistate Circularly Polarized Luminescence Switching through Stimuli‐Induced Co‐Conformation Regulations of Pyrene‐Functionalized Topologically Chiral [2]Catenane
Authors: Wang Yu , Gong Jiacheng , Wang Xianwei , Li Wei‐Jian , Wang Xu‐Qing , He Xiao , Wang Wei , Yang Hai‐Bo
Published: August 2022

Aiming at the construction of novel circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) switches with multiple switchable emission states and high dissymmetry factors (glum), topologically chiral [2]catenanes were employed as the key platform to construct a novel multistate CPL switching system. Taking advantage of the precise co‐conformation regulations of the resultant pyrene‐functionalized [2]catenanes under different external stimuli, reversible transformations between three emission states with different CPL performances, i.e. the initial “closed” form with a |glum| value of 0.012, the “open” form with an almost complete turn‐off of CPL emission, and the “protonated” form with a boosted |glum| value of 0.022, were successfully realized. This study demonstrates the successful construction of not only the first topological chirality‐based CPL switch, but also a novel bidirectional CPL switch, thus providing a promising platform for the construction of novel chiral materials.
Human Cyclophilin B Nuclease Activity Revealed via Nucleic Acid‐Based Electrochemical Sensors
Authors: Clark Vincent , Waters Kelly , Orsburn Ben , Bumpus Namandjé N. , Kundu Nandini , Sczepanski Jonathan T. , Ray Partha , Arroyo‐Currás Netzahualcóyotl
Published: August 2022

Human cyclophilin B (CypB) is oversecreted by pancreatic cancer cells, making it a potential biomarker for early‐stage disease diagnosis. Our group is motivated to develop aptamer‐based assays to measure CypB levels in biofluids. However, human cyclophilins have been postulated to have collateral nuclease activity, which could impede the use of aptamers for CypB detection. To establish if CypB can hydrolyze electrode‐bound nucleic acids, we used ultrasensitive electrochemical sensors to measure CypB's hydrolytic activity. Our sensors use ssDNA and dsDNA in the biologically predominant d‐DNA form, and in the nuclease resistant l‐DNA form. Challenging such sensors with CypB and control proteins, we unequivocally demonstrate that CypB can cleave nucleic acids. To our knowledge, this is the first study to use electrochemical biosensors to reveal the hydrolytic activity of a protein that is not known to be a nuclease. Future development of CypB bioassays will require the use of nuclease‐resistant aptamer sequences.
Advances in lubricated polydimethylsiloxane surfaces for polyurethane foam molding
Authors: Guerrero‐Vaca Guillermo , Rodríguez‐Alabanda Óscar , Ibáñez‐Ibáñez Pablo Francisco , Rodríguez‐Valverde Miguel Ángel
Published: August 2022

Adhesion problems are currently a challenge in the manufacture of molded polyurethane (PUR) foam products. Here, a novel solution has been proposed by infusing a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix with a liquid lubricant to obtain slippery liquid‐infused porous surfaces (SLIPS). These surfaces have been evaluated when PUR foam is molded on them. The level of adhesion, determined by tensile peel tests, helped to understand the relationship between adhesion phenomena, coating deformability and hysteresis contact angle. A wide variability of hydrophobicity and hardness was obtained among the tested samples. The percentage of oil infused and the way it is integrated into the coating matrix determine the coating performance. The adhesion strength has been significantly reduced thanks, on the one hand, to the lubricating layer generated from the infiltrated oil and, on the other hand, to a porous system capable of self‐healing the altered SLIPS surface after demolding. An optimal balance between the elasticity and hydrophobicity of the surface has been obtained; the best surfaces with the least adherence and the greatest durability have been identified for obtaining the foam.
Characteristic comparison of lignocellulose nanofibrils from wheat straw having different mechanical pretreatments
Authors: Yan Ming , Wu Ting , Ma Jinxia , Lu Hailong , Zhou Xiaofan
Published: August 2022

Wheat straw (WS) was considered the most abundant agricultural residue in China. Therefore, it was meaningful to explore the effective utilization of WS. Thus far, WS has been considered a potential raw material to produce lignocellulose nanofibrils (LCNFs) with the rapid development of nanotechnology. Unfortunately, the existing methods of LCNFs preparation directly from WS still faced some hurdles. Herein, screw extrusion and ball milling considered the common mechanical pretreatments were employed to directly prepare LCNFs from WS. The different impacts of screw extrusion and ball milling pretreatments on the properties of LCNFs were revealed by systematically comparing physicochemical analyses. The results showed that the crystalline and chemical structure of samples was little affected by the mechanical pretreatment. However, the mechanical pretreatment caused a change in the morphology, yield, and chemical composition of LCNFs. LCNFs prepared by screw extrusion with a high yield of 73% had the narrowest diameter distribution (0 ~ 80 nm), the most cellulose content (51.1%), and the maximum crystallinity degree (44.7%). LCNF samples all exhibited good thermal stability. This work could not only offer theoretical guidance on the preparation of LCNFs by mechanical pretreatments but also expand the high‐value application of WS in polymer composites.
Effects of acrylate monomers with different alkyl chain structure on the electro‐optical properties and microstructure of polymer dispersed liquid crystals
Authors: Yu Meina , Xu Jianjun , Wang Tianyang , Zhang Luoning , Wei Huiyun , Zou Cheng , Gao Yanzi , Yang Huai
Published: August 2022

Polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) have shown great potential in applications, such as displays and smart windows. However, the driving voltage and contrast ratio are still far from requirement. In this work, acrylate monomers with different alkyl chains were applied to prepare PDLC films. Then the electro‐optical performance and microstructure were characterized and compared. Results show that the contrast ratio can be improved by nearly 50% through adjusting the alkyl chain length. Meanwhile, the slightly increased driving voltages can be compensated by introducing branched chains. Contrarily, isomeric structure with more branched chains but short chain length would not contribute much. The chain structure can affect the phase separation process and furtherly the interaction between polymer matrix and liquid crystal droplets. Finally, an optimized PDLC film with high contrast ratio over 100 was demonstrated, which showed two distinct states: highly transparent state with transmittance over 87% at a 0.52 V μm−1 electric field and strong scattering state with transmittance less than 1% in the absence of an electric field. It is anticipated that the research can provide more design choices from material perspective and pave the way for further industrial utilizations of PDLC films.