bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The (In)Compatibility of the Privation Theory of Evil and the Mere-Difference View of Disability
Authors: Colgrove Nicholas ,   The National Catholic Bioethics Center
Published: July 2022

The privation theory of evil (PTE) states that evil is the absence of some good that is supposed to be present. For example, if vision is an intrinsic good, and if human beings are supposed to have vision, then PTE implies that a human being’s lacking vision is an evil, or a bad state of affairs. The mere-difference view of disability (MDD) states that disabilities like blindness are not inherently bad. Therefore, it would seem that lacking sight is not a bad state of affairs. Thus PTE and MDD seem to be in tension. This essay discusses that apparent tension and explains how it might be resolved without doing violence to either view. Given the prominence of PTE in the history of Christian theology, and the wide support for MDD among disability theorists, it is worth finding a way to harmonize these two views.
Basic characteristics of EEG epileptiform discharges triggered by lindane in a model of experimental prostatitis
Authors: Zubelić Aleksa , Vuletić Jelisaveta , Ašćerić Milivoje , Rašić-Marković Aleksandra , Stanojlović Olivera , Šutulović Nikola , Hrnčić Dragan
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Chronic prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS) is the most commonly diagnosed non-infectious prostatitis in urology. Studies have shown that CP/CPPS can induce neuroinflammation, which may result in CNS hyperexcitability and a tendency to develop epileptic seizures. Spike salvos are ictal EEG graph elements typical for the experimental model of lindane-induced seizures. There are a number of mathematical models for quantitative analysis of EEG, including the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). It transforms the signal from time into the frequency domain, providing information on Power Spectral Densities (PSD). Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the basic characteristics of epileptiform discharges induced by subconvulsive dose of lindane in rats, with experimentally induced CP/CPPS. Material and methods: CP/CPPS was induced by intraprostatic injection of 3% l-carrageenan in male Wistar albino rats. Animals with CP/CPPS were implanted with EEG registration electrodes, and then administered lindane (4 mg/kg, i.p, experimental group, n = 6 per group) or its solvent (DMSO, control group, n = 6 per group). An 8-channel EEG device was used in combination with software developed in the laboratory (NeuroSciLaBG). Ictal EEG epochs were extracted from the original signal and FFT analysis was performed to obtain information taking into account PSD in predefined frequency bands. Results: There was no ictal activity in the EEG of control animals. In experimental animals, ictal activity occurred and the mean duration of the ictal period was 2.06 s. FFT analysis revealed that the Alpha frequency range (7-15 Hz) was markedly dominant during ictal activity. Conclusion: The results of this study showed the characteristics of epileptiform discharges in animals with experimentally induced CP/CPPS. This study and animal model are suitable for future translational studies of the comorbidities of this syndrome.
Desconforto em calçados segundo a percepção do público idoso feminino
Authors: Antunes Ana Cláudia , Reis Alexandre Amorim dos
Published: July 2022

Muitas mulheres idosas apresentam deformações recorrentes nos pés devido à utilização inadequada de calçados e alterações fisiológicas consequentes do envelhecimento. Desta forma, torna-se relevante avaliar a sensação de desconforto em calçados de uso diário por meio da percepção da usuária idosa. A pesquisa experimental consistiu na aplicação de questionário a uma amostra de 135 mulheres idosas, entre 60 a 84 anos, separadas por faixa etária e por classificação socioeconômica, com questões objetivas e campos para comentários, permitindo traçar o perfil da mulher idosa e sua percepção de desconforto relacionada aos calçados. Os resultados apontaram dados significativos na relação entre idade e desconforto no calce e interação com os calçados, sendo possível perceber que a maioria das senescentes expressa alguma dificuldade de interação com o produto e que idosas com idade mais avançada relatam ainda mais queixas, o que reforça a importância do desenvolvimento de calçados com uma abordagem ergonômica direcionada adequadamente ao público feminino idoso.
Use of modern technological devices (photography, mobile phone applications and artificial intelligence) in dermatology
Authors:   University of Pécs Medical School Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Oncodermatology, Bognár Máté , Keresztes Dorottya , Nagy Géza Róbert , Szebényi Júlia , Kemény Lajos , Gyulai Rolland
Published: July 2022

Technology is gaining ground in the field of dermatology. Technological advances, mainly provided by mobile phones, offer almost limitless opportunities for medical applications. Mobile devices make it extremely easy to import and transmit information (e.g. photographs, patient data) for further analysis. However, it is important to note that the handling of health-related information, which is sensitive data, requires particular care - which in many cases is not given due attention. New mobile phone applications are appearing almost daily that can benefit both lay people and doctors in diagnosing and treating skin conditions. Nowadays, the analysis of large amounts of data is carried out by computer systems capable of learning and adapting, i.e. artificial intelligence. In addition to analyzing image data in dermatology, artificial intelligence is now successfully used in prevention, patient management, and even cosmetology. This publication provides a brief overview of the basics of dermatological photography, digital tools, applications, and the current state of the art application of artificial intelligence in dermatology.
Confocal microscopy in dermatology practice: a unique opportunity for non-invasive in vivo imaging at histological level
Authors:   University of Pécs Medical School Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Oncodermatology, Lengyel Zsuzsanna , Varga Erika
Published: July 2022

Among non-invasive in vivo techniques the use of reflectance mode confocal microscopy (RCM) is the most common. In vivo RCM images are horizontal ones similar to dermatoscopy and allow tissue and cellular level analysis almost identical to routine histopathology. In vivo RCM is recommended mainly for the examination of clinically and dermatoscopically equivocal lesions and it can be used to delineate-demark tumor borders prior to surgery, to monitor the results of non-invasive therapies, and to detect recurrent tumors and to diagnose inflammatory skin diseases. In vivo confocal microscopy examination is available at the Department of Dermatology and Allergology of Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Center, University of Szeged and at the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Oncodermatology Medical School, University of Pécs.
Being There. If the Pairing of the Birdwatchers Affects the Pairing of the Birds
Authors: Uskoković Evangelina , Uskoković Theo , Uskokovic Vuk
Published: July 2022

The drives of inter-individual relationships within avian social groups are largely unexplored and relatively poorly understood, including how social landscapes affect the decisions of individuals within these groups. On a modest level, this study undertakes to expand this knowledge with an ornithological observation of temporary groupings among multiple aquatic species in response to the pairing of birdwatchers. More ambitiously, the study presumes the analogy between the social response of an avian community and the subliminal response of the human psyche to spatial stimuli. The number of bird pairs forming in flocks, coverts and rafts was consistently higher when the birds interacted with children teamed up in pairs than when solitary children interacted with the birds. Inadvertent social cues consequential to the extended duration of the focus, vigilance stimulation and subliminal messages affecting the neurological pathways in the brain and the social dynamics pertaining to proxemics are discussed as potential causes of this effect. Lastly, the structure of the paper mimics the lifetime of inventive ideas, which originate from a chaos of amorphous thought, then crystallize into a clarity of logical concepts open to elaboration, and eventually disperse into a similar semantic clutter as that from which they were born.
Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Physical Fitness among Medical Students of Gujarat, India
Authors: Parekh Shaily , Mukkamala Neha , Parmar Lata , Patel Purva
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Body Mass Index (BMI) is commonly used as a marker for adiposity. Physical fitness refers to a series of physical characteristics that are directly related to the ability of an individual to perform physical activity or exercise. Physical fitness tests measure the efficiency of muscular and cardiovascular systems. Aim: To assess the relationship between BMI and physical fitness in college students of a medical university at Gujarat, India. Materials and Methods: This was an observational study, conducted in Sumandeep Vidyapeeth, Gujarat for a duration of four months (September 2019 to January 2020) included 180 participants of which 105 females and 75 males aged 18-30 years. Height and weight were measured and physical fitness tests i.e. push-up test for upper body strength, sit-up test for abdominal strength, queens college step test for cardio respiratory endurance were performed. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test of normality showed the data to be normally distributed. Association between variables was seen using Chi-square test and correlation was found using Pearson’s coefficient. Results: Out of total 180 students, 26.1% people were underweight and 32.2% were of normal weight. The mean age of the participants was 19.7±1.99 years and mean BMI was 21.9±5.14 kg/m2 . There was no statistically significant association between BMI and abdominal strength (p-value=0.64), BMI and upper body strength (p-value=0.75) and BMI and cardiorespiratory endurance (p-value=0.47). Males performed better than females in all the tests although it was statistically significant (p-value=0.001) only for the sit-up test and not for push-up test (p-value=0.16) and queens college step test (p-value=0.47). Conclusion: Performances on fitness tests varied with weight status. Higher BMI was generally associated with lower physical fitness. There is a great need to organize fitness programme in colleges on large scale to overcome the health problems in young age.
OS REGIMES DA IMAGEM E AS RELAÇÕES INTERMIDIÁTICAS NA PRIMEIRA TEMPORADA DA SÉRIE ANNE WITH AN E
Authors: Dos Santos Macedo Oliveira Eliane
Published: July 2022

Este texto tem como finalidade dialogar com as teorias do imaginário e da intermidialidade assentada na análise da série “Anne with an E”, de Miranda de Pencier e Moira Walley-Beckett, produzida em 2017. A produção está disponível na plataforma de streaming Netflix, é baseada na coletânea Anne de Green Gables da escritora Lucy Maud Montgomery de 1908. Busca, por meio de uma análise sensível, expor as transposições e relações intermidiáticas que se evocam na primeira temporada da narrativa, revelando os imaginários que as permeiam e seus personagens. Os diálogos são construídos à luz de autores como Gilbert Durand (1993; 1995; 1996; 1999; 2004; 2008; 2012; 2013) na perspectiva dos regimes da imagem e antropologia do imaginário, Michel Maffesoli (2001; 2012) e sua compreensão formista do imaginário, Clüver (2011) Rajewsky (2012), Higgins (2012) que se dedicam em analisar e compreender os estudos das interartes e relações intermidiáticas, Jost (2018), Silva (2014) e Azubel (2018) que discorrem sobre o desenvolvimento do gênero série televisiva. Nesta incursão foi possível captar a jornada da personagem Anne em uma trajetória marcada por sofrimentos e tentativas de escapar de um trágico destino do abandono, por meio da literatura e do devaneio poético, sendo a síntese e expressão de intermidialidade.
PODCASTS NA EDUCAÇÃO A DISTÂNCIA: POSSIBILIDADES PEDAGÓGICAS E DESAFIOS A PARTIR DA EXPERIÊNCIA
Authors: Corrêa Hércules Tolêdo , Dias Daniela Rodrigues , Prata Nair
Published: July 2022

Tendo como premissa os estudos de Freire (2013); Menezes e Quintanilha (2009); Alves e Lopes (2019) e Avelar, Prata e Martins (2018), que investigaram as dinâmicas envolvendo o podcast e suas aplicações, este trabalho apresenta os resultados de uma pesquisa realizada com alunos da Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, inseridos no contexto de duas disciplinas, modalidade EaD, relacionadas à leitura e produção de textos acadêmicos. A pesquisa buscou analisar a importância do podcast e do videocast para o ensino e aprendizagem. A metodologia adotada foi a pesquisa bibliográfica e survey. Os dados coletados foram analisados de forma descritiva e analítica. Os resultados indicam que grande parte dos alunos assistem a vídeos na internet, e uma parcela menor também ouve podcasts. A pesquisa demonstra a importância dos vídeos na educação, principalmente na integração das TDIC no ensino presencial e/ou o aproveitamento de recursos disponíveis na internet para a educação a distância.
Path Loss Prediction Model for Propagating Radio Wave in Woodland
Authors: Adegoke A. S. , Okpeki U. K. , Green O.
Published: July 2022

This paper presents new empirical prediction models for loss estimation in forest environment. Experimental investigations were carried out on groups of trees in form of woodland and lines of trees at SHF band under different operational contexts. In the experimentations, two major measurement geometries (propagation “into” and propagation “inside” forest) were adopted on site to site basis. Results from all the sites displayed a common trend, in that they all showed a persistent decay in signal power with the depth of vegetation and which is dependent on the measurement geometries.

Using a “Power Law” theory, a new empirical loss prediction model has been proposed for each propagation scenario using parametric equations which are in line with the general formulations of the ITU-R models. These new models were tested with the standard empirical loss prediction models and gave a statistical adherence with the fitted ITU-R model.

It is anticipated that these new models will address the inadequacy in the existing prediction models which have not taken cognizance of the differences in operational contexts of each propagation scenario in their formulations.
TVET Institutions and Industry Collaborative Practices on Electronics Laboratory Training for Skill Acquisition among Technician Trainees in Kenya
Authors: Stella Okemwa K, , Ahmed Ferej , Simon Wanami
Published: July 2022

Aims: To establish if there exist any Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)-industry collaborative practices to aid electronics laboratory training in TVET institutions in Nairobi County, Kenya.

Study Design: Qualitative research design.

Place and Duration of Study: Electrical and Electronics Departments of public Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions in Nairobi County Kenya, between September 2019 and March 2020.

Methodology: Qualitative phenomenological research design was employed. The target population comprised of eight (8) Head of Departments (HODs) and eight (8) electronics experts drawn from electrical and electronics departments in the 8 public TVET institutions in Nairobi County. All HODs were selected for an interview while purposive sampling was used to select experts for a focus group discussion. An interview schedule and a focus group discussion guide were developed and administered face to face. Qualitative data obtained was analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results: Sample sizes for Focus Group Discussion (FGD)and HODs was 8 each. The response rate was 100% and 75% respectively. The findings of study revealed that TVET institutions were aware of the skills needed in the industry although the institutions did not have collaboration with the industry. The institutions had tried to incorporate industry skills in laboratory practice on their own without input from the industry.

Conclusion: It was concluded that TVET institutions had little interest in seeking out collaborations with the industry. It was therefore recommended that TVET institutions should develop collaborations with specific industries for purposes of supporting laboratory instruction.
Employee on Boarding RPA (Robotic Process Automation)
Authors: esh Din , raj Myil , Kumar Ranjith , ravel Singa
Published: July 2022

The topic of employee onboarding robotic process automation, or RPA, in the workplace tends to bean emotive one. Critics cite nightmare scenarios ranging from the loss of back-office jobs to a full-scale dehumanisation of processes. HR is one of the areas now looking seriously at incorporating RPA into its working processes and a lot of the focus is on the onboarding function. The onboarding process equips new joiners with the necessary knowledge, skills and behaviours to prepare them for their new workplace. This process usually begins before the first day and subsequent addition to a company’s payroll and internal databases, and is an essential part of embedding a newly-recruited employee in the organisation. The idea of removing human input from the traditionally core HR activities of recruitment and embedding of new joiners might seem high risk to some, but it’s extremely easy to make the benefits of targeted automation clear.
E-Learning Platform
Authors: Balaji R. , Logesh V. , Thinakaran P. , Menaka S.R.
Published: July 2022

Internet technologies enable us to rethink traditional teaching approaches, which opens the floodgates to educational innovation. The Asynchronous Learning Networks Participatory Examination (APE) approach utilizing Internet technologies to actively engage students online in the entire exam life cycle, which includes letting them create, answer, grade, and dispute exam questions. Our framework allows instructors to become mentors or facilitators instead of the dominant center of attention, as in a traditional class. This process, in turn, could empower students with deep or higher-order thinking and learning processes.
Stock Market Prediction
Authors: Gunalan Gunalan , Kumar Kavin , Surya Surya , Chelvi Kalai
Published: July 2022

Researchers have been investigating various approaches to accurately forecast stock market prices. Trading professionals can gain better insights regarding data, such as potential trends, by using useful prediction tools. Additionally, since the study predicts future market conditions, investors stand to gain significantly. Using machine learning algorithms for predicting is one such approach. The goal of this study is to increase the accuracy of stock market predictions made using stock valuation. Many academics have developed various approaches to address this issue, primarily using conventional approaches up to this point, like artificial neural networks, which are ways to identify hidden patterns in data and classify it for use in stock market prediction. This initiative suggests a fresh approach to stock forecasting
Blockchain for Health Data Management
Authors: Krishnan Hari , Santhosh Santhosh , Vijay Vijay , Yasmin Sabana
Published: July 2022

Medical reports are a vital component of hospital operations and are frequently involved in operations. These days, hospitals have boosted their revenue by integrating pathology and other test labs within the facility for effective and quick reports in addition to more revenue.Operationsin hospitals cover a wide rangeof activities, including patient admission, management, and hospital expense management. This makes operations more complicated and challenging to track, especially when combined with additional services like pathology and pharmacy management.Therefore, with the Hyper ledgerconcept, we leverage block chaintechnology to track every transaction with 100% authenticity. We demonstrate how this results in safe, efficient, and secure management of the entire system by using block chaintechnology to manage the medical records of all patients along with transaction information. Instead than using a centralizedserver, all transactions are encrypted and saved as blocks to ensure their authenticity.Additionally, we employ the hyper ledgeridea to date stamp-associate and store each transaction's accompanying medical documents. This makes it possible to confirm the accuracy of each report, and any tampering will be obvious. As a result, we provide a block chain-based system for managing medical reports that is secure, reliable, effective, and legitimate
Scavenging Tumor‐Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles by Functionalized 2D Materials to Inhibit Tumor Regrowth and Metastasis Following Radiotherapy
Authors: Tu Zhaoxu , Zhu Yuefei , Xiao Yongqiang , Chen Jie , Shannon Sydney , Zhang Fan , Li Zhengwei , Zhou Jie , Hu Hanze , Ho Tzu‐Chieh , Gao Wenlong , Shao Dan , Leong Kam W.
Published: July 2022

Radiotherapy is essential for treating unresectable or metastatic breast cancer, but radiotherapy‐induced tumor cell death generates small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) that promote tumor regrowth and metastasis following treatment. Here cationic nanosheets with a high sEVs‐binding capacity that suppress sEVs‐induced tumor regrowth and metastasis following radiotherapy is developed. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) monolayers are prepared by using lithium ions as intercalation agents, and are functionalized with cationic polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers. The MoS2‐PAMAM particles exhibit a corrugated sheet‐like nanostructure with a larger surface‐to‐volume ratio than spherical PAMAM‐functionalized particles, resulting in greater sEVs binding capacity. Treatment of MDA‐MB‐231 human breast cancer cells with the MoS2‐PAMAM nanosheets reduces sEVs‐induced Toll‐like receptor activation and tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion to a greater extent than treatment with spherical PAMAM nanoparticles. In a mouse 4T1 metastatic breast cancer model, the nanosheets exhibit greater inhibition of tumor regrowth and metastasis after radiotherapy than the spherical nanoparticles, demonstrating the potential of these sEVs‐scavenging nanosheets for improving outcomes for breast cancer radiotherapy patients. The work reveals a pivotal role of the 2D sheet‐like materials in binding sEVs, indicating the significance of nanoscale geometry in developing the next‐generation sEVs‐scavenging biomaterials.
Vacancy‐Rich MXene‐Immobilized Ni Single Atoms as a High‐Performance Electrocatalyst for the Hydrazine Oxidation Reaction
Authors: Zhou Shiqi , Zhao Yunxuan , Shi Run , Wang Yucheng , Ashok Anumol , Héraly Frédéric , Zhang Tierui , Yuan Jiayin
Published: July 2022

Single‐atom catalysts (SACs), on account of their outstanding catalytic potential, are currently emerging as high‐performance materials in the field of heterogeneous catalysis. Constructing a strong interaction between the single atom and its supporting matrix plays a pivotal role. Herein, Ti3C2Tx‐MXene‐supported Ni SACs are reported by using a self‐reduction strategy via the assistance of rich Ti vacancies on the Ti3C2Tx MXene surface, which act as the trap and anchor sites for individual Ni atoms. The constructed Ni SACs supported by the Ti3C2Tx MXene (Ni SACs/Ti3C2Tx ) show an ultralow onset potential of −0.03 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)) and an exceptional operational stability toward the hydrazine oxidation reaction (HzOR). Density functional theory calculations suggest a strong coupling of the Ni single atoms and their surrounding C atoms, which optimizes the electronic density of states, increasing the adsorption energy and decreasing the reaction activation energy, thus boosting the electrochemical activity. The results presented here will encourage a wider pursuit of 2D‐materials‐supported SACs designed by a vacancy‐trapping strategy.
A New Polymer Donor Enables Binary All‐Polymer Organic Photovoltaic Cells with 18% Efficiency and Excellent Mechanical Robustness
Authors: Wang Jingwen , Cui Yong , Xu Ye , Xian Kaihu , Bi Pengqing , Chen Zhihao , Zhou Kangkang , Ma Lijiao , Zhang Tao , Yang Yi , Zu Yunfei , Yao Huifeng , Hao Xiaotao , Ye Long , Hou Jianhui
Published: July 2022

The development of polymerized small‐molecule acceptors has boosted the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of all‐polymer organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells to 17%. However, the polymer donors suitable for all‐polymer OPV cells are still lacking, restricting the further improvement of their PCEs. Herein, a new polymer donor named PQM‐Cl is designed and its photovoltaic performance is explored. The negative electrostatic potential and low average local ionization energy distribution of the PQM‐Cl surface enable efficient charge generation and transfer process. When blending with a well‐used polymer acceptor, PY‐IT, the PQM‐Cl‐based devices deliver an impressive PCE of 18.0% with a superior fill factor of 80.7%, both of which are the highest values for all‐polymer OPV cells. The relevant measurements demonstrate that PQM‐Cl‐based films possess excellent mechanical and flexible properties. As such, PQM‐Cl‐based flexible photovoltaic cells are fabricated and an excellent PCE of 16.5% with high mechanical stability is displayed. These results demonstrate that PQM‐Cl is a potential candidate for all‐polymer OPV cells and provide insights into the design of polymer donors for high‐efficient all‐polymer OPV cells.
Photolithographic High‐Conductivity Transparent Conformal rGO/PEDOT:PSS Electrodes for Flexible Skin‐Like All Solution‐Processed Organic Transistors
Authors: Wang Xue , Zhao Pengfei , Tong Yanhong , Guo Shanlei , Zhao Guodong , Zhang Mingxin , Yu Hongyan , Zhao Xiaoli , Tang Qingxin , Liu Yichun
Published: July 2022

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) electrodes are known to exhibit high transparency, excellent chemical stability, low‐cost solution processability, and good compatibility for use in solution‐processed organic transistors, but they face fundamental challenges in conductivity and conformability for skin‐like electronics. Here, by inserting a poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly‐(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) layer, the photolithographic conformal rGO/PEDOT:PSS electrodes with conductivity as high as 2000 S cm−1 can be achieved. Simultaneously, the rGO/PEDOT:PSS hybrid electrodes exhibit high precision down to 1 µm, high transparency of >90% over the visible spectra (400–700 nm), and imperceptible adherence onto damselfly wing without affecting flying. The resulting all‐solution processed organic transistor array presents the enhanced modulation effect of the gate voltage on current, 5.5‐fold increased mobility, and the on‐state current increased by one order of magnitude compared with the neat rGO electrode device, and shows the good adherence to deforming human skins and stable operation on the 10 mm spherical surface with mobility as high as 2.33 cm2 V−1 s−1. The strategy provides a high‐precision, high‐integration, flexible pattern‐designable, and scalable route to produce the high‐conductive transparent conformal rGO/PEDOT:PSS hybrid electrodes for flexible skin‐like all solution‐processed organic transistor array, showing the outstanding potential for future low‐cost soft electronics.
Parameter Conjugate Gradient with Secant Equation Based Elman Neural Network and its Convergence Analysis
Authors: Fan Qinwei , Zhang Zhiwen , Huang Xiaodi
Published: July 2022

Elman neural network (ENN) is one of the local recursive networks with a feedback mechanism. The parameter conjugate gradient method is a promising alternative to the gradient descent method, due to its faster convergence speed that results from searching for the conjugate descent direction with an adaptive step size (obtained by Wolfe conditions). However, there are still some challenges such as how to avoid the sawtooth phenomenon in gradient algorithms to improve the learning accuracy of the second‐order curvature of an objective function. As such, this paper presents a novel parametric conjugate gradient method that is based on the secant equation for training ENN in an effective way. Strict proof of the theoretical convergence of the proposed algorithm is provided in detail. In particular, the weak convergence and strong convergence of the algorithm, as well as the monotonicity of the error function are proved. Except for the theoretical analysis, the three numerical experiments have been conducted by applying the algorithm to three problems of classification, regression, and function approximation on nine real‐world datasets. The experimental results have demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed algorithm and the correctness of this theoretical analysis.
Colorful Conductive Threads for Wearable Electronics: Transparent Cu–Ag Nanonets
Authors: Tang Yan , Guo Bin , Cruz Mutya A. , Chen Han , Zhou Qicheng , Lin Zefeng , Xu Fuchun , Xu Feiya , Chen Xiaohong , Cai Duanjun , Wiley Benjamin J. , Kang Junyong
Published: July 2022

Electronic textiles have been regarded as the basic building blocks for constructing a new generation of wearable electronics. However, the electronization of textiles often changes their original properties such as color, softness, glossiness, or flexibility. Here a rapid room‐temperature fabrication method toward conductive colorful threads and fabrics with Ag‐coated Cu (Cu‐Ag) nanonets is demonstrated. Cu–Ag core–shell nanowires are produced through a one‐pot synthesis followed by electroless deposition. According to the balance of draining and entraining forces, a fast dip‐withdraw process in a volatile solution is developed to tightly wrap Cu–Ag nanonets onto the fibers of thread. The modified threads are not only conductive, but they also retain their original features with enhanced mechanical stability and dry‐wash durability. Furthermore, various e‐textile devices are fabricated such as a fabric heater, touch screen gloves, a wearable real‐time temperature sensor, and warm fabrics against infrared thermal dissipation. These high quality and colorful conductive textiles will provide powerful materials for promoting next‐generation applications in wearable electronics.
Phonon‐Suppressing Intermolecular Adhesives: Catechol‐Based Broadband Organic THz Generators
Authors: Yoon Ga‐Eun , Seok Jin‐Hong , Puc Uros , Shin Bong‐Rim , Yoon Woojin , Yun Hoseop , Kim Dongwook , Yu In Cheol , Rotermund Fabian , Jazbinsek Mojca , Kwon O‐Pil
Published: July 2022

Solid‐state molecular phonons play a crucial role in the performance of diverse photonic and optoelectronic devices. In this work, new organic terahertz (THz) generators based on a catechol group that acts as a phonon suppressing intermolecular adhesive are developed. The catechol group is widely used in mussel‐inspired mechanical adhesive chemistry. Newly designed organic electro‐optic crystals consist of catechol‐based nonlinear optical 4‐(3,4‐dihydroxystyryl)‐1‐methylpyridinium (DHP) cations and 4‐(trifluoromethyl)benzenesulfonate anions (TFS), which both have multiple interionic interaction capability. Interestingly, compared to benchmark organic crystals for THz generators, DHP‐TFS crystals concomitantly achieve top level values of the lowest void volume and the highest crystal density, resulting in an exceptionally small amplitude of solid‐state molecular phonons. Simultaneously achieving small molecular phonon amplitude, large optical nonlinearity and good phase matching at infrared optical pump wavelengths, DHP‐TFS crystals are capable of generating broadband THz waves of up to 16 THz with high optical‐to‐THz conversion efficiency; one order of magnitude higher than commercial inorganic THz generators.
Introducing Spontaneously Phase‐Separated Heterogeneous Interfaces Enables Low Power Consumption and High Reliability for Phase Change Memory
Authors: Zeng Yuntao , Li Han , Zhu Yunlai , Cheng Xiaomin , Xu Ming , Tong Hao , Miao Xiangshui
Published: July 2022

Phase‐change memory is one of the most promising candidates for the next generation nonvolatile memory, but their high power consumption and low reliability remain bottleneck problems that limit the data storage density and its storage‐class memory application. Here, an innovative phase change material with embedded self‐precipitated interfaces, where the nanoscale grains of phase change material are cut into interconnecting “crystal islands” by thermally stable self‐precipitated material with low thermal conductivity, is proposed. The precipitated material provides both thermal and atomic migration confinements in three dimensions. The thermal confinement enables low power consumption, and the atomic migration confinement enables high device reliability. The devices based on spontaneously phase‐separated O‐doped Sb2Te3 verify the material design, where Sb oxide acts as the precipitated heterogeneous phase and Sb–Te alloy as the phase change material. O‐doped Sb2Te3 device with 250 nm hole diameter shows an ultralow power consumption, down to a few hundreds of femtojoule, which is comparable with those of phase change nanowires. Besides, good thermal stability and low resistivity drift (drift coefficient 0.005) as well as excellent cycle endurance up to 108 times are also obtained at the same time. The doping fabrication process is quite compatible with current semiconductor industry.
Newborn screening for neurodevelopmental diseases: Are we there yet?
Authors: Chung Wendy K. , Berg Jonathan S. , Botkin Jeffrey R. , Brenner Steven E. , Brosco Jeffrey P. , Brothers Kyle B. , Currier Robert J. , Gaviglio Amy , Kowtoniuk Walter E. , Olson Colleen , Lloyd‐Puryear Michele , Saarinen Annamarie , Sahin Mustafa , Shen Yufeng , Sherr Elliott H. , Watson Michael S. , Hu Zhanzhi
Published: July 2022

In the US, newborn screening (NBS) is a unique health program that supports health equity and screens virtually every baby after birth, and has brought timely treatments to babies since the 1960's. With the decreasing cost of sequencing and the improving methods to interpret genetic data, there is an opportunity to add DNA sequencing as a screening method to facilitate the identification of babies with treatable conditions that cannot be identified in any other scalable way, including highly penetrant genetic neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). However, the lack of effective dietary or drug‐based treatments has made it nearly impossible to consider NDDs in the current NBS framework, yet it is anticipated that any treatment will be maximally effective if started early. Hence there is a critical need for large scale pilot studies to assess if and how NDDs can be effectively screened at birth, if parents desire that information, and what impact early diagnosis may have. Here we attempt to provide an overview of the recent advances in NDD treatments, explore the possible framework of setting up a pilot study to genetically screen for NDDs, highlight key technical, practical, and ethical considerations and challenges, and examine the policy and health system implications.
Tug‐of‐War between Two Distinct Catalytic Sites Enables Fast and Selective Ring‐Opening Copolymerizations
Authors: Wang Jianqun , Zhu Yinuo , Li Maosheng , Wang Yanchao , Wang Xianhong , Tao Youhua
Published: July 2022

Ring‐opening copolymerizations have emerged as a powerful approach towards the creation of sustainable polymers. Typical H‐bonding catalysts for ring‐opening are subject to a single catalytic site. Here we describe a H‐bond‐donor/Lewis‐acidic‐boron organocatalyst featuring two distinct catalytic sites in one molecule. The ring‐opening copolymerization of epoxides with anhydride mediated by these modular, and tunable catalysts achieves high selectivity (>99 % polyester selectivity) and markedly higher activity compared to either of the di‐thiourea analogues or any combinations of them. Calculations and experimental studies reveal that the superior catalytic performance arises from tug‐of‐war between two differentiated catalytic sites: thiourea pulls off the propagating chain‐end from boron center, simultaneously enhancing the role of monomer activation and also nucleophilicity of the propagation intermediates.
Nanoelectrochemistry Reveals Selective Interactions of Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) with Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Khan Reem , Andreescu Daniel , Hassan Mohamed H. , Ye Jingyun , Andreescu Silvana
Published: July 2022

Nanoelectrochemistry allows for the investigation of the interaction of per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and the elucidation of the binding behaviour of PFASs to nanoscale surfaces with high sensitivity. Mechanistic studies supported by single particle collision electrochemistry (SPCE), spectroscopic and density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate the capability of polyfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), a representative PFAS, to selectively bind and induce aggregation of AgNPs. Single‐particle measurements provide identification of the “discrete” AgNPs agglomeration (e.g. 2–3 NPs) formed through the inter‐particles F−F interactions and the selective replacement of the citrate stabilizer by the sulfonate of the PFOS. Such interactions are characteristic only for long chain PFAS (‐SO3−) providing a means to selectively identify these substances down to ppt levels. Measuring and understanding the interactions of PFAS at nanoscale surfaces are crucial for designing ultrasensitive methods for detection and for modelling and predicting their interaction in the environment.
H2O2‐Responsive NIR‐II AIE Nanobomb for Carbon Monoxide Boosting Low‐Temperature Photothermal Therapy
Authors: Ma Gongcheng , Liu Zhongke , Zhu Chunguang , Chen Huajie , Kwok Ryan T. K. , Zhang Pengfei , Tang Ben Zhong , Cai Lintao , Gong Ping
Published: July 2022

Low‐temperature photothermal therapy (PTT), which circumvents the limitations of conventional PTT (e.g., thermotolerance and adverse effects), is an emerging therapeutic strategy which shows great potential for future clinical applications. The expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) can dramatically impair the therapeutic efficacy of PTT. Thus, inhibition of HSPs repair and reducing the damage of nearby normal cells is crucial for improving the efficiency of low‐temperature PTT. Herein, we developed a nanobomb based on the self‐assembly of NIRII AIE polymer PBPTV and carbon monoxide (CO) carrier polymer mPEG(CO). This smart nanobomb can be exploded in a tumor microenvironment in which hydrogen peroxide is overexpressed and release CO into cancer cells to significantly inhibit the expression of HSPs and hence improve the antitumor efficiency of the low‐temperature PTT.
Discovery of novel α‐carboline derivatives as glycogen synthase kinase‐3β inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Chen Huanhua , Yu Chong , Liu Wenjie , Zhu Chengze , Jiang Xiaowen , Xu Chang , Liu Wenwu , Huang Yaoguang , Xu Zihua , Zhao Qingchun
Published: July 2022

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disease, characterized by irreversible cognitive impairment, memory loss, and behavioral disturbances, ultimately resulting in death. The critical roles of glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK‐3β) in tau pathology have also received considerable attention. Based on molecular docking studies, a series of novel α‐carboline derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated as GSK‐3β inhibitors for their various biological activities. Among them, compound ZCH‐9 showed the most potent inhibitory activity against GSK‐3β, with an IC50 value of 1.71 ± 0.09 µM. The cytotoxicity assay showed that ZCH‐9 had low cytotoxicity toward the cell lines SH‐SY5Y, HepG2, and HL‐7702. Moreover, Western blot analysis indicated that ZCH‐9 effectively inhibited hyperphosphorylation of the tau protein in okadaic acid‐treated SH‐SY5Y cells. The binding mode between ZCH‐9 and GSK‐3β was analyzed and further clarified throughout the molecular dynamics simulations. In general, these results suggested that the α‐carboline‐based small‐molecule compounds could serve as potential candidates targeting GSK‐3β for the treatment of AD.
Lipophilicity prediction of three photosensitizers by liquid–liquid extraction, HPLC, and DFT methods
Authors: Myrzakhmetov Bauyrzhan , Honorien Jonathan , Arnoux Philippe , Fournet René , Tsoy Irina , Frochot Céline
Published: July 2022

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a method of treating precancerous diseases and malignant neoplasms. The efficacy of PDT depends on different parameters such as light dosimetry, oxygen availability, and photophysical and physical–chemical properties of the photosensitizer. In PDT, a photosensitizer is activated using light to promote oxygen photosensitization and cellular transport plays a key role in the reach of it to the desired tissue. In particular, to know the effectiveness of the drug delivery in PDT and its dosage forms to target damaged organs, along with such characteristics as water solubility, it is important to know the ability of a substance to penetrate through cell membrane or accumulate in it. Lipophilicity is used to quantify the earlier‐described abilities. We evaluated the lipophilicity of three selected photosensitizers (PS) (protoporphyrin IX, pyropheophorbide‐a and photofrin) by means of three different methods: octanol–water distribution methods (shake‐flask), reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and theoretical calculations based on density functional theory (DFT). We describe and compare the results of these various methods.
Systematic review for the prevention and management of falls and fear of falling in patients with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Liu Wen‐Yi , Tung Tao‐Hsin , Zhang Chencheng , Shi Leiyu
Published: July 2022

Objective

To synthesize recent empirical evidence for the prevention and management of falls and fear of falling in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Data source

Database from PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE.

Study design

Systematic review.

Data collection

We searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases for studies published from inception to February 27, 2021. Inclusion criteria were nonreview articles on prevention and management measures related to falls and fall prevention in Parkinson's disease patients.

Principal findings

We selected 45 articles and conducted in‐depth research and discussion. According to the causes of falls in PD patients, they were divided into five directions, namely physical status, pre‐existing conditions, environment, medical care, and cognition. In the cognitive domain, we focused on the fear of falling. On the above basis, we constructed a fall prevention model, which is a tertiary prevention health care network, based on The Johns Hopkins Fall Risk Assessment Tool to provide ideas for the prevention and management of falling and fear of falling in PD patients in clinical practice

Conclusions

Falls and fear of falls in patients with Parkinson's disease can be reduced by effective clinical prevention and management. Future studies are needed to explore the efficacy of treatment and prevention of falls and fear of falls.
A novel injectable fibromodulin‐releasing granular hydrogel for tendon healing and functional recovery
Authors: Xu Xue , Zhang Yulong , Ha Pin , Chen Yao , Li Chenshuang , Yen Emily , Bai Yuxing , Chen Renji , Wu Benjamin M. , Da Lio Andrew , Ting Kang , Soo Chia , Zheng Zhong
Published: July 2022

A crucial component of the musculoskeletal system, the tendon is one of the most commonly injured tissues in the body. In severe cases, the ruptured tendon leads to permanent dysfunction. Although many efforts have been devoted to seeking a safe and efficient treatment for enhancing tendon healing, currently existing treatments have not yet achieved a major clinical improvement. Here, an injectable granular hyaluronic acid (gHA)‐hydrogel is engineered to deliver fibromodulin (FMOD)—a bioactive extracellular matrix (ECM) that enhances tenocyte mobility and optimizes the surrounding ECM assembly for tendon healing. The FMOD‐releasing granular HA (FMOD/gHA)‐hydrogel exhibits unique characteristics that are desired for both patients and health providers, such as permitting a microinvasive application and displaying a burst‐to‐sustained two‐phase release of FMOD, which leads to a prompt FMOD delivery followed by a constant dose‐maintaining period. Importantly, the generated FMOD‐releasing granular HA hydrogel significantly augmented tendon‐healing in a fully‐ruptured rat's Achilles tendon model histologically, mechanically, and functionally. Particularly, the breaking strength of the wounded tendon and the gait performance of treated rats returns to the same normal level as the healthy controls. In summary, a novel effective FMOD/gHA‐hydrogel is developed in response to the urgent demand for promoting tendon healing.
Intraductal papillary carcinoma of breast with invasion: A nomogram and survival from the analysis of the SEER database
Authors: Liu Chenguang , Liu Shiyang , Zhao Lu , Zheng Weihong , Wang Kun , Tian Yao , Gui Zhengwei , Zhang Lin
Published: July 2022

Background

Intraductal papillary carcinoma (IPC) with invasion is a rare type of breast cancer. There have been few studies on its prognosis, and a nomogram that predicts the prognosis of the disease has not been described to date.

Methods

Patients who were diagnosed with invasive IPC were screened from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The screened patients were randomly divided into a training cohort and a verification cohort at 7:3. A Cox proportional hazard regression model was performed to analyze the effects of different variables on the risk of death in invasive IPC. A nomogram was constructed to quantify the possibility of death. The concordance index (C‐index), calibration plots, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and decision curves analysis (DCA) were used to verify the proposed model.

Results

We included a total of 803 patients diagnosed with invasive IPC, including 563 patients in the training cohort and 240 patients in the validation cohort. The median follow‐up times in the training cohort and validation cohort were 63 months (range, 2–155 months) and 61 months (range, 1–154 months), respectively. For all patients, the probability of death with invasive IPC was 1.4% within 5 years and 5.4% within 10 years. In multivariate analysis, sex, race, tumor size, lymph node status, type of treatment, and chemotherapy were related to the prognosis of invasive IPC. We constructed a nomogram to predict the possibility of death in patients with invasive IPC.

Conclusion

Patients with invasive IPC had a high survival rate. The proven nomogram was helpful to both patients and clinical decision makers.
Insight into the Structural Variation and Sodium Storage Behavior of Polyoxometalates Encapsulated within Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Sha Quan , Cao Dongwei , Wang Jiaxin , Hu Hanbin , Li Jiaxin , Chen Wei , He Lei , Newton Graham N. , Song Yu‐Fei
Published: July 2022

The host–guest interaction can remarkably alter the physiochemical properties of composite materials. It is crucial to clarify the mechanism by revealing the influence of the host on the electronic structure of the guest molecules. Herein, we study the structural variation of polyoxometalates (POMs) after being confined in single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT). What we found is that in addition to the reported charge transfer from SWNT to POM, an intramolecular electron transfer within a single POM cluster can be observed in the POM@SWNT composites. Moreover, the charge density on the bridged oxygen of POMs is prominently enhanced. The structural change and electron reconfiguration of POMs upon encapsulation in SWNT significantly speed up electron and ion transport, leading to the improved electrochemical performance for sodium ions storage.