bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Multifunctional Flexible Tactile Sensor Based on Resistive Effect for Simultaneous Sensing of Pressure and Temperature
Authors: Zhu Haodong , Luo Hongyu , Cai Min , Song Jizhou
Published: December 2023

Flexible tactile sensors with multifunctional sensing functions have attracted much attention due to their wide applications in artificial limbs, intelligent robots, human‐machine interfaces, and health monitoring devices. Here, a multifunctional flexible tactile sensor based on resistive effect for simultaneous sensing of pressure and temperature is reported. The sensor features a simple design with patterned metal film on a soft substrate with cavities and protrusions. The decoupling of pressure and temperature sensing is achieved by the reasonable arrangement of metal layers in the patterned metal film. Systematically experimental and numerical studies are carried out to reveal the multifunctional sensing mechanism and show that the proposed sensor exhibits good linearity, fast response, high stability, good mechanical flexibility, and good microfabrication compatibility. Demonstrations of the multifunctional flexible tactile sensor to monitor touch, breathing, pulse and objects grabbing/releasing in various application scenarios involving coupled temperature/pressure stimuli illustrate its excellent capability of measuring pressure and temperature simultaneously. These results offer an effective tool for multifunctional sensing of pressure and temperature and create engineering opportunities for applications of wearable health monitoring and human‐machine interfaces.
Interface Welding via Thermal Pulse Sintering to Enable 4.6 V Solid‐State Batteries
Authors: Yao Xiangming , Chen Shiming , Wang Changhong , Chen Taowen , Li Jiangxiao , Xue Shida , Deng Zhikang , Zhao Wenguang , Nan Bowen , Zhao Yiqian , Yang Kai , Song Yongli , Pan Feng , Yang Luyi , Sun Xueliang
Published: December 2023

NASICON‐type Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 (LATP) is one of the most promising solid‐state electrolytes (SSEs) to achieve high‐energy‐density solid‐state batteries (SSBs) due to its high ionic conductivity, high‐voltage stability, and low cost. However, its practical application is constrained by inadequate interfacial compatibility with cathode materials and significant incompatibility with lithium metal. In this work, a cost‐effective interface welding approach is reported, utilizing an innovative thermal pulse sintering (TPS) to fabricate LATP‐based solid‐state batteries. Initially, the rapid thermal pulses enhance the ionic conductivity of LATP SSE by inducing selective growth of LATP nanowires, effectively occupying interparticle voids. Additionally, this process results in the formation of a dense layer (GCM) comprising graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, and MXene with a controlled Li+ transport pathway, facilitating lithium stripping and plating processes. Moreover, these thermal pulses facilitate the interfacial fusion between LATP and cathode materials, while avoiding undesired phase diffusion. As a result, SSBs with a LiCoO2 cathode deliver favorable cycle stability at 4.6 V, marking significant progress. This facile interface welding strategy represents a substantial step toward high‐energy‐density SSB development.
Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of Cs4PbBr6/WS2 Hybrid Nanocomposite
Authors: Immanuel Philip Nathaniel , Huang Song‐Jeng , Taank Pravrati , Goldreich Achiad , Prilusky Jonathan , Byregowda Archana , Carmieli Raanan , Shalom Hila , Leybovich Avigail , Zak Alla , Aggarwal Naresh , Adarsh K. V. , Yadgarov Lena
Published: December 2023

Photocatalytic processes are among the prime means for mitigating the pollution caused by toxic effluents. In this context, photocatalysis presents a promising path and is undergoing rapid evolution. Halide perovskite‐nanocrystals (HP‐NCs) are excellent candidates due to their negative conduction band minimum and low work function, essential for photocatalysis. Yet, HP‐NCs face limitations within this domain because they are prone to chemical degradation when exposed to external factors like high temperature, polar solvents, oxygen, and light. A practical approach toward stabilizing HP‐NCs involves hybridizing them with a chemically inert material that can provide steric stabilization and act as a cocatalyst. Transition‐metal dichalcogenides emerge as outstanding candidates to sterically stabilize the HPs as they are stable, chemically inert, and can serve as co‐catalysts, enabling suppressed charge recombination. Herein, the photocatalytic performance of Cs4PbBr6/WS2‐nanocomposites towards organic dye degradation in polar solvents under visible light illumination is investigated. We found that the presence of WS2 nanostructures significantly stabilizes the HP‐NCs and promotes dye degradation rate compared to pristine Cs4PbBr6‐NCs. Using transient absorption measurements, we found that the WS2‐nanostructures act as an electron transport channel, effectively reducing charge recombination in the NCs. These findings pave the way for implementing Cs4PbBr6/WS2‐nanocomposites as stable and superior photocatalysts.
Hollow Cathode Gas Flow Sputtering of Nickel Oxide Thin Films for Hole‐Transport Layer Application in Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Vinoth Kumar Sri Hari Bharath , Muydinov Ruslan , Maticiuc Natalia , Alktash Nivin , Rusu Marin , Seibertz Bertwin Bilgrim Otto , Köbler Hans , Abate Antonio , Unold Thomas , Lauermann Iver , Szyszka Bernd
Published: December 2023

Nickel oxide (NiO1+δ) is a versatile material used in various fields such as optoelectronics, spintronics, electrochemistry, and catalysis which is prepared with a wide range of deposition methods. Herein, for the deposition of NiO1+δfilms, the reactive gas flow sputtering (GFS) process using a metallic Ni hollow cathode is developed. This technique is distinct and has numerous advantages compared to conventional sputtering methods. The NiO1+δfilms are sputtered at low temperatures (100 ºC) for various oxygen partial pressures during the GFS process. Additionally, Cu‐incorporated NiO1+δ(CuxNi1−xO1+δ) films are obtained with 5 and 8 at% Cu. The thin films of NiO1+δare characterized and evaluated as a hole‐transporting layer (HTL) in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The NiO1+δdevices are benchmarked against state‐of‐the‐art self‐assembled monolayers (SAM) ([2‐(3,6‐dimethoxy‐9H‐carbazol‐9‐yl)ethyl]phosphonic acid (also known as MeO2PACz)‐based PSCs. The best‐performing NiO1+δPSC achieves an efficiency (η) of ≈16% without a passivation layer at the HTL interface and demonstrates better operational stability compared to the SAM device. The findings suggest that further optimization of GFS NiO1+δdevices can lead to higher‐performing and more stable PSCs.
Grain Boundary Tailors the Local Chemical Environment on Iridium Surface for Alkaline Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Hou Liqiang , Li Zijian , Jang Haeseong , Kim Min Gyu , Cho Jaephil , Liu Shangguo , Liu Xien
Published: December 2023

Even though grain boundaries (GBs) have been previously employed to increase the number of active catalytic sites or tune the binding energies of reaction intermediates for promoting electrocatalytic reactions, the effect of GBs on the tailoring of the local chemical environment on the catalyst surface has not been clarified thus far. In this study, a GBs‐enriched iridium (GB−Ir) was synthesized and examined for the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Operando Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that a local acid‐like environment with H3O+ intermediates was created in the GBs region owing to the electron‐enriched surface Ir atoms at the GBs. The H3O+ intermediates lowered the energy barrier for water dissociation and provided enough hydrogen proton to promote the generation of hydrogen spillover from the sites at the GBs to the sites away from the GBs, thus synergistically enhancing the hydrogen evolution activity. Notably, the GB−Ir catalyst exhibited a high alkaline HER activity (10 mV @ 10 mA cm−2, 20 mV dec−1). We believe that our findings will promote further research on GBs and the surface science of electrochemical reactions.
Copper‐Catalyzed α‐Arylation of Nitroalkanes with (Hetero)aryl Bromides/Iodides
Authors: Huang Jianqiang , Li Taian , Lu Xiaobiao , Ma Dawei
Published: December 2023

α‐Aryl substituted nitroalkanes are valuable synthetic building blocks that can be easily converted into α‐aryl substituted aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, as well as amines. Herein, an efficient Cu/oxalamide‐catalyzed coupling between nitroalkanes and (hetero)aryl halides (Br, I) was developed to direct access highly diverse α‐aryl substituted nitroalkanes. Compared with the current state of art, this protocol is more environmentally friendly and practical for synthetic chemists. This approach is characterized by a broad substrate scope on both nitroalkane part (primary nitroalkanes and nitromethane) and sp2 halide part ((hetero)aryl bromides/iodides and alkenyl bromides/iodides). The excellent functional group tolerance was observed, which would enable real world synthetic applications. More importantly, TON of current transformation reached to 3640, when some aryl iodides were used as coupling partners. This represents currently the highest catalyst turnover for transition‐metal catalyzed α‐arylation of nitroalkanes. Furthermore, the successful application in late‐stage modification of complex molecules and synthesis of a known retinoid X receptor (RXR) antagonist exemplified its synthetic potential.
Synthesis, characterization, molecular docking, and cytotoxicity study of ruthenium (II/III) polypyridyl complexes
Authors: Julius Lebogang G. , Mapolelo Daphne T. , Demissie Taye B. , Nareetsile Florence M. , Koobotse Moses O. , Nkwe David O. , Matshwele James T. P.
Published: December 2023

A new polypyridyl ligand 4‐(4‐nitrophenoxy)‐N,N‐bis (pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)aniline (L1) and its three ruthenium (II/III) complexes, [Ru (Cl)3L1] (C1), [Ru(L1)2]Cl (C2), and [RuCl (dpa)L1] (C3) where dpa = 2,2‐dipyridylamine, have been successfully synthesized and characterized using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), elemental analysis, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), high‐resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR‐ESI‐MS), thermal analysis (thermogravimetric analysis [TGA] and differential scanning calorimetry [DSC]), UV/Vis absorption, and magnetic susceptibility. The structures of the ligand and the complexes were optimized, and the structural characteristics were determined by density functional theory (DFT) using the B3LYP‐GD3/6‐311G++(d,p) method. Optimized FTIR vibrational frequencies and 1H NMR chemical shifts agreed well with the corresponding experimental FTIR and 1H NMR data. In vitro cytotoxicity of the ligand and the complexes were evaluated against the MCF‐7 breast cancer cell line. Ligand L1 was the most potent with an IC50 of 38.45 μM, followed by C2 with an IC50 of 45.23 μM. However, the ligand and the complexes showed low antiproliferative activity compared to cisplatin, which had an IC50 of 9.67 μM. To predict the reactivity trend of L1 and the complexes, frontier molecular orbital (FMO) analysis was performed. The FMO energy gap (Eg = ELUMO − EHOMO) for C2 was found to be 1.675 eV, which was the lowest among all the complexes or L1. In addition, molecular docking studies were carried out so as to predict the binding capacity of L1 and the complexes to estrogen receptor alpha (ER‐α). The results showed that C2 has the most negative binding energy score (−9.63 kcal/mol), which indicates more stable adducts with the key amino acid residues at the active sites of ER‐α. Furthermore, C2 displayed the lowest inhibition constant (Ki) of 0.09 μM compared to all the complexes or L1. These results are very promising and show that the novel complex C2 may help in the development of anticancer drugs.
Progress in the decarboxylative deuteration reaction of alkyl carboxylic acids
Authors: Dong Dao‐Qing , Yang Hao , Wang Yan‐Li , Zhou Meng‐Yu , Wei Ze‐Hui , Gao Jia‐Hui , He Ling , Wang Zu‐Li
Published: December 2023

The application of deuterated compounds is increasingly expanding across various fields, making the development of novel deuterium labeling techniques for obtaining deuterated compounds a burgeoning research focus. Carboxylic acids and their derivatives are widely utilized as cost‐effective and readily available materials for obtaining deuterated compounds due to their stable properties. This article presents a comprehensive and concise summary of the research progress in decarboxylative deuteration reactions over the past 20 years.
Characterization of food emulsions and dispersions based on nonlinear friction dynamics
Authors: Sekine Ryota , Kikuchi Minami , Nonomura Yoshimune
Published: December 2023

Many foods are emulsions or dispersions containing lipids. The friction properties of foods are evaluated because they affect food texture and processability. Here, we evaluated the friction characteristics of 55 liquid or semisolid foods using a sinusoidal motion friction evaluation system to classify them based on friction dynamics. The contact surface was made to resemble a biological surface using agar gel, which exhibited a fractal structure, and the movement of the contact probe mimicked living movement by sinusoidal motion. The change in average friction coefficient (Δμ), static friction coefficient (Δμs) in a round trip, delay time (Δδ), and friction profile depended on the condition and rheological properties. Principal component analysis showed that all the friction parameters of Δμ, Δμs, Δδ, and the appearance ratio of the profile were involved in the principal components, Z1 and Z2 which are composite variables obtained by the contraction of many friction parameters in a principal component analysis. In addition, the foods were classified into three groups by cluster analysis using Z1 and Z2. The condition of the foods, rheological properties, and the presence or absence of lipids was the factors that defined each group.
Formulation of jaggery based sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seed spread using response surface methodology: A novel alternative for consumers
Authors: Gojiya Devanand , Gohil Vanraj , Dabhi Mukesh , Dhamsaniya Navnitkumar
Published: December 2023

The aim of this study was to develop a jaggery based sesame seed spread. A central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was employed with various parameters: roasting temperatures (Y1: 110–170°C), roasting time period (Y2:10–30 min), Hydrogenated vegetable oil (Y3: 3%–7%), and jaggery level (Y4: 4%–20%) to optimize its process. The evaluation of the sesame spread involved analyzing its texture attributes (adhesiveness, cohesiveness, hardness, and viscosity) and its sensory characteristics (taste, color and appearance, spreadability, aroma, and overall acceptability). The results revealed that the roasting temperatures exerted the highest influence among the tested variables, followed by the roasting time period, jaggery content, and hydrogenated vegetable oil. Optimum sesame spread quality attributes were obtained with roasting temperatures (147°C), roasting time period (27.30 min.), hydrogenated vegetable oil (6.20%), and jaggery content (9.50%). The successful incorporation of jaggery for producing a high‐quality sesame spread resulted in a noteworthy improvement in the quality profile of the sesame spread.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel benzenesulfonamide incorporated thiazole–triazole hybrids as antimicrobial and antioxidant agents
Authors: Monika  , Chander  , Sharma Deepansh , Sharma Pawan K. , Ram Sita
Published: December 2023

A library of 20 novel benzenesulfonamide incorporating thiazole tethered 1,2,3‐triazoles 1–4a–e was synthesized and screened for their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxicity studies. Amoxicillin and fluconazole were used as reference antibacterial and antifungal drugs, respectively. Further, energies of frontier molecular orbitals were calculated for all the synthesized target compounds 1–4a–e to correlate electronic parameters with the observed biological results. Global reactivity descriptors, including highest occupied molecular orbitals‐lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals energy gap, electronegativity, chemical hardness, chemical softness, and electrophilicity index, were also calculated for the synthesized molecules. All the tested compounds possessed moderate to excellent antibacterial potency; however, 3d and 4d exhibited the overall highest antibacterial effect (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] values 5–11 µM) while 2c showed the highest antifungal effect (MIC value 6 µM). Compound 3c exhibited the highest antioxidant activity with a % radical scavenging activity value of 95.12. The cytotoxicity of the compounds 1–4a–e was also checked against an animal cell line and a plant seed germination cell line, and the compounds were found to be safe against both the tested cell lines.
Practical Evaluation of Anionic Redox in Li‐rich Cathode: An Electrochemical Study
Authors: Wu Haichuan , Zeng Linhui , Zhang Yiming , Wang Lingling , Luo Shiyu , Fang Yuan , Wu Yi , Qu Yuteng , Huang Huaijin , Li Suluo , Zhang Baodan , Qiao Yu , Sun Shi‐Gang
Published: December 2023

Lithium‐rich (Li‐rich) manganese‐based layered oxide materials are promising candidates for positive electrode materials due to their high energy density. However, challenges such as transition metal cation migration and irreversible anionic redox hinder their application. This study employs various electrochemical methods to systematically investigate three types of cathode materials: LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2(NCM622), Li1.12Ni0.39Mn0.49O2(Li1.12), and Li1.2Ni0.2Mn0.6O2(Li1.2). The findings indicate that an increase in lithium content leads to higher participation of anions in Anion Redox Reactions (ARRs), resulting in an augmented capacity. However, this also brings about significant polarization. The activation process of Li‐rich materials triggers the ARRs mechanism, resulting in a sharp increase in resistance. Voltage drops during shelving and cycling are closely tied to the ARRs occurring at high potentials in Li‐rich materials. To make the best use of the additional capacity associated with ARRs, it is essential to adjust the formation/cycling voltage in accordance with the characteristics of positive electrode materials with varying lithium contents. This study offers valuable insights for the design and utilization of Li‐rich materials.
Rescue strategies for valproic acid overdose poisoning: Case series and literature review
Authors: Liu Renzhu , Xiao Lu , Hu Yixiang , Yan Qingzi , Liu Xiang
Published: December 2023

Key Clinical Message

Valproic acid (VPA) is a wide‐ranging anti‐epileptic medication that primarily affects bipolar disorder, mania, and migraine. The leading causes of mortality associated with acute poisoning from VPA are nervous system toxicity, drug‐induced shock due to encephalopathy from hyperammonemia, as well as acute liver and kidney failure, and respiratory depression that contribute to hemodynamic instability. Treatment of acute VPA poisoning primarily involves in vitro elimination methods, including hemoperfusion (HP), hemodialysis, and hemofiltration, as well as drug remedies such as L‐carnitine and meropenem. Nonetheless, there are conflicting opinions regarding drug usage. This article details the three cases of acute poisoning from VPA. The fundamental approach to treatment employs HP assisted by blood concentration monitoring to alleviate shock and stabilize hemodynamics. This investigation presents guidance for the treatment and management of acute poisoning with VPA in clinical settings.
Intracranial intricacies: Comprehensive analysis of rare skull base meningiomas—A single‐center case series
Authors: Nadeem Abdullah , Khan Afsheen , Habib Ashna , Tariq Rabeea , Ahsan Areeba , Basaria Areeba Aamir Ali , Raufi Nahid , Chughtai Abir
Published: December 2023

Key Clinical Message

This study paper's main goal is to report rare cases of skull base meningiomas that exemplify the complexities of diagnosis, therapy, and postoperative care. By describing these rare cases, we hope to advance knowledge of the clinical signs, difficulties, and prognoses of skull base meningiomas in a challenging anatomical setting. In the posterior cranial fossa, our investigation reveals a unique example of skull base meningioma that involved numerous cranial nerves and complex vasculature. A variety of visual abnormalities were present in the patient's clinical presentations, highlighting the wide range of symptoms that these tumors might cause depending on their precise positions. These cases highlight the critical importance of preoperative imaging, including high‐resolution MRI and angiography, as well as the diagnostic difficulties these tumors pertain. By reporting these instances, our research adds to the body of knowledge about skull base meningiomas and offers insightful information about the nuances of their therapies. Our findings highlight the importance of individualized treatment plans, interdisciplinary cooperation, and the demand for continued study to better comprehend these convoluted tumors. Such studies are essential for advancing our knowledge of these enigmatic tumors, guiding clinical judgment, and eventually improving patient outcomes. These findings are important because they can fill information gaps, improve treatment plans, and encourage additional research in neuro‐oncology.

This study presents a series of three rare cases of skull base meningiomas, emphasizing the complexities in diagnosis, treatment, and postoperative care. The patients' clinical presentations and imaging highlighted the diverse symptoms and challenges associated with these tumors, found in intricate anatomical locations. The cases underscore the crucial role of preoperative high‐resolution imaging and angiography in diagnostic accuracy. Surgical intervention, guided by a multidisciplinary approach, is pivotal in managing these demanding cases. Histopathological examinations confirmed atypical meningiomas. The postoperative phases involved meticulous care to ensure optimal recovery and functional outcomes. Our findings contribute to the understanding of skull base meningiomas, emphasizing the need for personalized treatment plans and ongoing research to improve patient outcomes in neuro‐oncology.
Negative myoclonus as a manifestation of cefepime neurotoxicity
Authors: Umemoto Daichi , Kuroda Hirokazu , Nishioka Hiroaki
Published: December 2023

Key Clinical Message

Negative myoclonus may present in the early stages of cefepime neurotoxicity. Cefepime neurotoxicity typically presents as reduced consciousness, myoclonus, and seizures; however, negative myoclonus is uncommon. This video shows an older woman with cefepime neurotoxicity that presented as a negative myoclonus of the upper limbs.
Ab initio molecular dynamics of solvation effects and reactivity at the interface between water and ascorbic acid covered anatase TiO2 (101)
Authors: Ritacco Ida , Gatta Gianluca , Caporaso Lucia , Farnesi Camellone Matteo
Published: December 2023

In this work, we present a detailed study of the interaction between ascorbic acid (L‐asc) and anatase TiO2 (101) surface both in gas phase and in contact with water by using density functional theory and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. In gas phase, L‐asc strongly binds the TiO2(101) surface as a dianion (L‐asc2−), adopting a bridging bidentate coordination mode (BB), with the two acid protons transferred to two surface 2‐fold bridging oxygens (O2c). AIMD simulations show that the interaction between the organic ligand and the anatase surface is stable and comparable to the vacuum one despite the possible solvent effects and/or possible structural distortions of the ligand. In addition, during the AIMD simulations hydroxylation phenomena occur forming transient H3O+ ions at the solid‐liquid interface. For the first time, our results provide insight into the role of the ascorbic acid on the electronic properties of the TiO2 (101), the influence of the water environment on the ligand‐surface interaction and the nature of the solid‐liquid interface.
An explainable machine learning model of cognitive decline derived from speech
Authors: Chandler Chelsea , Diaz‐Asper Catherine , Turner Raymond S. , Reynolds Brigid , Elvevåg Brita
Published: December 2023

INTRODUCTION

Traditional Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) screening lacks the sensitivity and timeliness required to detect subtle indicators of cognitive decline. Multimodal artificial intelligence technologies using only speech data promise improved detection of neurodegenerative disorders.

METHODS

Speech collected over the telephone from 91 older participants who were cognitively healthy (n = 29) or had diagnoses of AD (n = 30) or amnestic MCI (aMCI; n = 32) was analyzed with multimodal natural language and speech processing methods. An explainable ensemble decision tree classifier for the multiclass prediction of cognitive decline was created.

RESULTS

This approach was 75% accurate overall—an improvement over traditional speech‐based screening tools and a unimodal language‐based model. We include a dashboard for the examination of the results, allowing for novel ways of interpreting such data.

DISCUSSION

This work provides a foundation for a meaningful change in medicine as clinical translation, scalability, and user friendliness were core to the methodologies.

Highlights

Remote assessments and artificial intelligence (AI) models allow greater access to cognitive decline screening.

Speech impairments differ significantly between mild AD, amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and healthy controls.

AI predictions of cognitive decline are more accurate than experts and standard tools.

The AI model was 75% accurate in classifying mild AD, aMCI, and healthy controls.
Advances in flexible inorganic thermoelectrics
Authors: Shi Xiao‐Lei , Cao Tianyi , Chen Wenyi , Hu Boxuan , Sun Shuai , Liu Wei‐Di , Li Meng , Lyu Wanyu , Hong Min , Chen Zhi‐Gang
Published: December 2023

Solid‐state bismuth telluride‐based thermoelectric devices enable the generation of electricity from temperature differences and have been commercially applied in various fields. However, in many scenarios, the surface of the heat source is not flat. Therefore, it is crucial to develop flexible thermoelectric materials and devices to efficiently utilize heat sources and expand their applications. Compared with organic thermoelectric materials and devices, inorganic flexible thermoelectric materials and devices have much higher thermoelectric performance and stability. Considering the rapid development in this research field, we carefully summarize the design principles, structures, and thermoelectric properties of inorganic flexible materials and their devices reported in the recent 3 years, including sulfides, selenides, tellurides, and composite materials designed based on these inorganics. The structural designs of flexible thermoelectric devices based on micro‐sized bulk materials are also carefully summarized. Additionally, we overview the mechanical stability and methods for reducing internal resistance for designs of inorganic flexible thermoelectric devices. In the end, we provide outlooks on future research directions for inorganic flexible thermoelectric materials and devices. This review will help guide thermoelectric researchers, beginners, and students.
Cardiorespiratory fitness and risk of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Kokkinos Peter , Faselis Charles , Pittaras Andreas , Samuel Immanuel Babu Henry , Lavie Carl J. , Vargas Jose D. , Lamonte Michael , Franklin Barry , Assimes Themistocles L. , Murphy Rayelynn , Zhang Jiajia , Sui Xuemei , Myers Jonathan
Published: December 2023

Aims

Preventive strategies for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) include pharmacotherapies and lifestyle modifications. However, the association between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) assessed objectively by a standardized exercise treadmill test (ETT) and the risk of HFpEF has not been evaluated. Thus, we evaluated the association between CRF and HFpEF incidence.

Methods and results

We assessed CRF in US Veterans (624 551 men; mean age 61.2 ± 9.7 years and 43 179 women; mean age 55.0 ± 8.9 years) by a standardized ETT performed between 1999 and 2020 across US Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. All had no evidence of heart failure or myocardial infarction prior to completion of the ETT. We assigned participants to one of five age‐ and gender‐specific CRF categories (quintiles) based on peak metabolic equivalents (METs) achieved during the ETT and four categories based on CRF changes in those with two ETT evaluations (n = 139 434) ≥1.0 year apart. During a median follow‐up of 10.1 years (interquartile range 6.0–14.3 years), providing 6 879 229 person‐years, there were 16 493 HFpEF events with an average annual rate of 2.4 events per 1000 person‐years. The adjusted risk of HFpEF decreased across CRF categories as CRF increased, independent of comorbidities. For fit individuals (≥10.5 METs) the hazard ratio (HR) was 0.48 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.46–0.51) compared with least fit (≤4.9 METs; referent). Being unfit carried the highest risk (HR 2.88, 95% CI 2.67–3.11) of any other comorbidity. The risk of unfit individuals who became fit was 37% lower (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.57–0.71), compared to those who remained unfit.

Conclusions

Higher CRF levels are independently associated with lower HFpEF in a dose–response manner. Changes in CRF reflected proportional changes in HFpEF risk, suggesting that the HFpEF risk was modulated by CRF.
Asymmetric Organocatalyzed Synthesis of α‐Aminophosphinates via Thiourea Anion‐Binding Catalysis
Authors: Niland Cáoimhe J. , Ruddy Joseph J. , O'Fearraigh Martin P. , McGarrigle Eoghan M.
Published: December 2023

Thioureas catalyze the reaction of phosphonites with in situ‐generated isoquinolinium salts to give C and P‐stereogenic α‐aminophosphinates in high enantioselectivity (up to 96 %) and yield (up to 95 %). Low diastereoselectivity was obtained and this is rationalized in the context of a mechanistic proposal involving anion‐binding catalysis of the P−C bond formation step followed by uncatalyzed Arbuzov collapse. The scope of the reaction, including a g‐scale example, was demonstrated.
Energy efficiency analysis of cooperative spectrum sensing: A malicious user's perspective on Byzantine attack
Authors: Liang Haoyu , Wu Jun , Wang Cong , Su Mingkun , Bao Jianrong , Gan Jipeng , Cao Weiwei
Published: December 2023

As wireless communication technology advances rapidly, spectrum resource scarcity has become a major challenge for wireless devices and applications. To address the issue of spectrum resource scarcity, cognitive radio (CR) technology was developed. Its objective is to utilize spectrum sensing to detect the state of the authorized/primary user (PU), allowing the unauthorized/secondary users (SUs) to dynamically access the spectrum resources. Furthermore, cooperative spectrum sensing (CSS) is designed to increase the PU signal's detection accuracy but also suffers from Byzantine attack from malicious users (MUs). To acquire a more profound insight of the detrimental effects of a Byzantine attack on CSS, we establish a probabilistic model that characterizes malicious actions in an infrastructure‐based cognitive radio network (CRN). Building upon this new perspective of MUs, we conduct a comprehensive analytical study to investigate the achievable throughput, energy consumption (EC) of spectrum sensing and data transmission in the CSS process. Moreover, the close‐formed expressions of energy efficiency (EE) with respect to the attack parameters are derived and the impact analysis of Byzantine attack on EE are also provided under the four scenarios. Finally, a series of numerical simulation results demonstrate that provides a guideline for a more secure and robust Byzantine defense strategy in the future.
Partial identification and inference in duration models with endogenous censoring
Authors: Sakaguchi Shosei
Published: December 2023

This paper studies identification and inference in transformation models with endogenous censoring. Many kinds of duration models, such as the accelerated failure time model, proportional hazard model, and mixed proportional hazard model, can be viewed as transformation models. We allow the censoring of a duration outcome to be arbitrarily correlated with observed covariates and unobserved heterogeneity. We impose no parametric restrictions on either the transformation function or the distribution function of the unobserved heterogeneity. In this setting, we develop bounds on the regression parameters and the transformation function, which are characterized by conditional moment inequalities involving U‐statistics. Subsequently, we provide inference methods for them by constructing an inference approach for conditional moment inequality models in which the sample analogs of moments are U‐statistics. We apply the proposed inference methods to evaluate the effect of unemployment insurance on duration of joblessness using data from the Current Population Survey's Displaced Workers Supplements.
Inefficacy of dietary test substance administration in Amphibian Metamorphosis Assay (AMA) studies
Authors: Fort Douglas J. , Wolf Jeffrey C. , Langsch Angelika , Fast Beate , Junker Markus , Otter Rainer
Published: December 2023

Traditionally, the Amphibian Metamorphosis Assay (AMA; OECD TG 231) is performed by exposing Xenopus laevis tadpoles to test substances dissolved in laboratory water. Recently, the use of dietary administration has been proposed to combat poorly soluble test substances in ecotoxicologically‐based regulatory endocrine disruption (ED) studies, specifically the AMA warranting an investigation into the efficacy of dietary administration. An efficacy study comprised of two phases: 1) evaluation of the physical influence of the loading process via solvent and 10, 1, and 0.1 mg/l test substance or surrogate (sunflower oil, SFO) on the Sera® Micron Nature (SMN) diet, and 2) performance of a modified AMA in which Nieuwkoop and Faber (NF) stage 51 X. laevis larvae were exposed to dechlorinated tap water using one concentration of the SFO in the diet for 21 days, was performed. In phase 1, the addition of acetone or acetone with bis(2‐propylheptyl) phthalate (DPHP) or SFO to SMN with subsequent solvent purge altered the diet reducing the density of the liquified diet and dietary pellet size following centrifugation indicative of alteration of the physical properties of the diet. Treatments used in the modified AMA were acetone alone and 0.1 mg/l SFO dissolved in acetone. These treatments were evaluated against an SMN benchmark using standard AMA endpoints. Both the acetone‐treated SMN and 0.1 mg/l SFO‐treated diets significantly reduced survival rates, 67 and 70% relative to the SMN benchmark (100%), decreased developmental stage distribution and snout‐vent length‐normalized hind limb length relative to the SMN benchmark, and slightly increased the prevalence and severity of thyroid follicular cell hypertrophy. Although the acetone‐treated diets may have impacted the hypothalamo‐pituitary‐thyroid axis, clinical signs of gastrointestinal impaction and tail flexure were also observed in the acetone‐treated diets, but not the SMN diet alone. Ultimately, test substance exposure via the diet in an AMA study can produce results that may confound data interpretation, which suggests that the traditional aqueous exposure route is generally more appropriate.
Design of TiO2/ZIF‐8 heterojunction with enhanced visible‐light photocatalytic activity under mild conditions
Authors: Zhong Wan‐Ling , Ma Bin‐Bin , Han Jian , Chen Liang‐Yu , Jing‐Jing Sun , Zhang Gang‐Sheng , Lei Cai‐Xia
Published: December 2023

The development of new composite materials is of great significance to improve the photocatalytic degradation efficiency. In this article, the TiO2/ZIF‐8 composite materials (TZCM) have been designed via the combination of hydrothermal‐assisted liquid phase deposition and the simple coprecipitation method. The experimental results indicate that the TiO2 and ZIF‐8 nanoparticles can be tightly bonded together by chemical bonds. Moreover, the TZCM also exhibit a significantly increased specific surface area and a reduced band gap width, which would provide more active sites and realize the visible‐light response during the photocatalytic process. The photodegradation rate and the corresponding first‐order reaction rate of methylene blue within 24 min by TiO2/ZIF‐8 composite material (e.g., sample TZCM‐3) is 93.36% and 0.1376 min−1, which is 31 times and 17 times that of pristine TiO2 and ZIF‐8, respectively. According to the photoelectrochemical experiments, the separation efficiency of photogenerated electrons and holes in TZCM sample during the photocatalytic process could be significantly enhanced.
An analysis of the relationship between rental housing and adoption of self‐generating energy sources in Brazil using matching methodology
Authors: Marques Maria Laura Victória , Uhr Daniel de Abreu Pereira , Benevit Bruno , Uhr Júlia Gallego Ziero
Published: December 2023

We examine the effect of household tenure choice on adopting self‐generation energy technologies in Brazil. We employ microdata from the Household Budget Survey (POF) dataset for 2017 and 2018 from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) and matching methodology to evaluate various hypotheses regarding occupancy status, credit availability, purchasing power and life cycle theory. We also use placebo treatments, propensity score weighting, entropy balancing and Rosenbaum's sensitivity analysis to evaluate the robustness of our findings. Results show that leasing a residence negatively and significantly affects families' adoption of self‐generating technologies with an estimated probability reduction of around 62%, with greater effects when considering credit, wages and life cycle.
Association of Pathological Features and Multiparametric MRI‐Based Radiomics With TP53‐Mutated Prostate Cancer
Authors: Chen Ruchuan , Zhou Bingni , Liu Wei , Gan Hualei , Liu Xiaohang , Zhou Liangping
Published: December 2023

Background

TP53 mutations are associated with prostate cancer (PCa) prognosis and therapy.

Purpose

To develop TP53 mutation classification models for PCa using MRI radiomics and clinicopathological features.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

388 patients with PCa from two centers (Center 1: 281 patients; Center 2: 107 patients). Cases from Center 1 were randomly divided into training and internal validation sets (7:3). Cases from Center 2 were used for external validation.

Field Strength/Sequence

3.0T/T2‐weighted imaging, dynamic contrast‐enhanced imaging, diffusion‐weighted imaging.

Assessment

Each patient's index tumor lesion was manually delineated on the above MRI images. Five clinicopathological and 428 radiomics features were obtained from each lesion. Radiomics features were selected by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and binary logistic regression (LR) analysis, while clinicopathological features were selected using Mann–Whitney U test. Radiomics models were constructed using LR, support vector machine (SVM), and random forest (RF) classifiers. Clinicopathological‐radiomics combined models were constructed using the selected radiomics and clinicopathological features with the aforementioned classifiers.

Statistical Tests

Mann–Whitney U test. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and area under the curve (AUC). P value <0.05 indicates statistically significant.

Results

In the internal validation set, the radiomics model had an AUC of 0.74 with the RF classifier, which was significantly higher than LR (AUC = 0.61), but similar to SVM (AUC = 0.69; P = 0.422). For the combined model, the AUC of RF model was 0.84, which was significantly higher than LR (0.64), but similar to SVM (0.80; P = 0.548). Both the combined RF and combined SVM models showed significantly higher AUCs than the radiomics models. In the external validation set, the combined RF and combined SVM models showed AUCs of 0.83 and 0.82.

Data Conclusion

Pathological‐radiomics combined models with RF, SVM show the association of TP53 mutations and pathological‐radiomics features of PCa.

Evidence Level

3

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Effects of systematic predictor selection for statistical downscaling of rainfall in Hawai'i
Authors: Sanfilippo Kristen , Timm Oliver Elison , Frazier Abby G. , Giambelluca Thomas W.
Published: December 2023

While there has been rapid advancement in the development and application of statistical downscaling methods for climate projection, determining the best predictive large‐scale climate information for the targeted local climate variable remains a challenge. The choice of predictor variables is one of the most influential steps of model development and has the potential to lead to varying results, contributing to the total uncertainty of future projections. Despite being a well‐known problem, predictor selection often does not receive adequate attention and the development of a straightforward and feasible prescreening process is needed to provide guidance to simple (e.g., linear regression) and complex (e.g., machine learning) modeling tools alike. In this project, Akaike information criterion (AIC) and leave one out cross validation are used to evaluate sets of predictor variables common in statistical downscaling models of precipitation (e.g., temperature, geopotential height, moisture transport). Because thousands of predictor sets were found to be competitive in their statistical skill in projecting rainfall, results suggest that an ensemble of predictor sets should be used to account for the resulting variance associated with predictor selection. This ensemble approach is applied to make improvements to the most recent statistical downscaling model developed for rainfall projection in Hawai'i. An ensemble validation study is performed by projecting future wet season rainfall in Hawai'i for scenario RCP4.5 using 17 CMIP5 GCMs with ensembles of highly ranked and poorly ranked predictor sets. Results show significantly less variance and improved agreement in the projected sign of precipitation change for the highly ranked predictor set ensemble. In conclusion, it is recommended that statistical downscaling models are run in an ensemble‐mode with multiple combinations of predictors instead of using a single model, allowing for additional quantification of model uncertainty and a “safety net” for when the true physically best‐suited predictor set is unknown.
Impact of preoperative clinical state on 2‐year clinical outcomes following degenerative lumbar scoliosis surgery
Authors: Yuan Lei , Liu Yinhao , Zeng Yan , Chen Zhongqiang , Li Weishi
Published: December 2023

To assess the preoperative clinical state's impact on clinical outcomes after surgery for degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) based on the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Preoperative and follow‐up (FU) scores in each Scoliosis Research Society‐22 (SRS‐22) domain were compared with age‐ and sex‐matched normative references. At baseline, patients were classified by differences from normative values in four groups: Worst, Severe, Poor, and Moderate. At 2 years postoperative FU, patients were divided into four groups (Worst Severe Poor Asymptomatic) based on the difference in MCID between postoperative and normal values. The changes in MCID were considered as the criterion for surgical efficacy. In addition, we calculated the classification of preoperative and FU clinical symptom severity in each domain in same patient. The distinction among curve types was also performed based on the SRS‐Schwab classification. A total of 123 patients were included. During FU, patients with more severe preoperative clinical symptoms were more likely to achieve clinical changes (>1 MCID, p < 0.05), but the rate of reaching “asymptomatic” was lower (p < 0.05). Kendall's tau‐b correlation analysis found that preoperative clinical severity was correlated with clinical changes category in Activity (Tau‐b = 0.252; p = 0.002), Pain (Tau‐b = 0.230; p = 0.005), Appearance (Tau‐b = 0.307; p < 0.001), and Mental (Tau‐b = 0.199; p = 0.016), and it also was correlated with FU clinical severity in Activity (Tau‐b = 0.173; p = 0.023), Pain (Tau‐b = 0.280; p < 0.001), and Mental (Tau‐b = 0.349; p < 0.001). There was a correlation between preoperative clinical severity and FU SRS‐22 score outcomes. Patients with severe preoperative clinical symptoms can experience better treatment outcomes during FU, but it is also more difficult to recover to the normal reference.
Impact of autotransfusion on recurrence of colorectal cancer liver metastasis: Long‐term follow‐up of patients undergoing curative intent hepatectomy
Authors: Wehrle Chase J. , Perlmutter Breanna , Hong Hanna , Chang Jenny , Stackhouse Kathryn A. , Naples Rob , Shanaz Hossain M. , Joyce Daniel , Simon Robert , Kim Jaekeun , Naffouje Samer A. , Aucejo Federico , Kwon David C. H. , Walsh R. Matthew , Augustin Toms
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) occurs in upto 50% of cases and drives patient outcomes. Up‐front liver resection is the treatment of choice in resectable cases. There is no consensus yet established as to the safety of intraoperative autotransfusion in liver resection for CRLM.

Methods

Patients undergoing curative‐intent hepatectomy for CRLM at a single quaternary‐care institution from 1999 to 2016 were included. Demographics, surgical variables, Fong Clinical Risk Score (FCRS), use of intraoperative auto and/or allotransfusion, and survival data were analyzed. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed accounting for allotransfusion, extent of hepatectomy, FCRS, and systemic treatment regimens.

Results

Three‐hundred sixteen patients were included. The median follow‐up was 10.4 years (7.8–14.1 years). The median recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in all patients were 1.6 years (interquartile range: 0.63–6.6 years) and 4.4 years (2.1–8.7), respectively.  Before PSM, there was a significantly reduced RFS in the autotransfusion group (0.96 vs. 1.73 years, p = 0.20). There was no difference in OS (4.11 vs. 4.44 years, p = 0.118). Patients in groups of FCRS 0–2 and 3–5 both had reduced RFS when autotransfusion was used (p = 0.005). This reduction in RFS was further found when comparing autotransfusion versus no autotransfusion within the FCRS 0–2 group and within the FCRS 3–5 group (p = 0.027). On Cox‐regression analysis, autotransfusion (hazard ratio = 1.423, 1.028–2.182, p = 0.015) remained predictive of RFS. After PSM, there were no differences in FCRS (p = 0.601), preoperative hemoglobin (p = 0.880), allotransfusion (p = 0.130), adjuvant chemotherapy (p = 1.000), immunotherapy (p = 0.172), tumor grade (p = 1.000), use of platinum‐based chemotherapy (p = 0.548), or type of hepatic resection (p = 0.967). After matching, there was a higher rate of recurrence with autotransfusion (69.0% vs. 47.6%, p = 0.046). There was also a reduced time to recurrence in the autotransfusion group compared with the group without (p = 0.006). There was no difference in OS after PSM (p = 0.262).

Conclusion

Autotransfusion may adversely affect recurrence in liver resection for CRLM. Until further studies clarify this risk profile, the use of intraoperative autotransfusion should be critically assessed on a case‐by‐case basis only when other resuscitation options are not available.