bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Earthquake response prediction of seismically isolated buildings based on the response spectrum method considering changes in characteristics of lead rubber bearings due to repeated deformations
Authors: Kobayashi Masahito , Sato Keita , Sato Kazunori
Published: August 2023

In 2016, a countermeasure was announced against the Nankai Trough long‐period and long‐duration ground motions (LPGMs) in Japan. However, the response spectrum method (RSM), indicated by the Ministry of Construction notification Vol. 2009 (MCN), was out of the countermeasure. An RSM considering characteristic changes due to repeated deformations has also been proposed. However, since the damping correction formula of MCN was used, its applicability to LPMGs has not been sufficiently investigated. In this paper, a method is proposed to evaluate the influence of characteristic changes due to repeated deformations using RSM for LPGMs and seismically isolated buildings using the lead plug‐inserted laminated rubber (LRB).
Limitations of social prescribing to help prevent isolation and loneliness
Authors: Uchihira Takayuki , Nakajima Kazunori
Published: August 2023

In this study, a web‐based questionnaire was sent to residents of the Kinki region in the westside of Japan (N = 1053), and a multinomial logit analysis was conducted according to their isolation and loneliness status to examine social prescriptions that would presumably contribute to the prevention of isolation and loneliness. By comparing the marginal effects of social prescriptions on those with four types of isolation and loneliness status through the discrete choice model, we discovered that social prescriptions that contribute to the prevention of isolation and loneliness differ according to individuals by isolation and loneliness status. For example, for those who are not isolated but lonely, an effective strategy would be to encourage involvement in social contribution activities in the community and form high‐quality human relationships expecting to alleviate loneliness. The results also showed that residents in isolated situations tend to be indifferent to social contribution activities and social prescriptions to encourage involvement in such activities have limitations.
Understanding political polarization using language models: A dataset and method
Authors: Gode Samiran , Bare Supreeth , Raj Bhiksha , Yoo Hyungon
Published: August 2023

Our paper aims to analyze political polarization in US political system using language models, and thereby help candidates make an informed decision. The availability of this information will help voters understand their candidates' views on the economy, healthcare, education, and other social issues. Our main contributions are a dataset extracted from Wikipedia that spans the past 120 years and a language model‐based method that helps analyze how polarized a candidate is. Our data are divided into two parts, background information and political information about a candidate, since our hypothesis is that the political views of a candidate should be based on reason and be independent of factors such as birthplace, alma mater, and so forth. We further split this data into four phases chronologically, to help understand if and how the polarization amongst candidates changes. This data has been cleaned to remove biases. To understand the polarization, we begin by showing results from some classical language models in Word2Vec and Doc2Vec. And then use more powerful techniques like the Longformer, a transformer‐based encoder, to assimilate more information and find the nearest neighbors of each candidate based on their political view and their background. The code and data for the project will be available here: “https://github.com/samirangode/Understanding_Polarization”
On safe and usable chatbots for promoting voter participation
Authors: Muppasani Bharath , Pallagani Vishal , Lakkaraju Kausik , Lei Shuge , Srivastava Biplav , Robertson Brett , Hickerson Andrea , Narayanan Vignesh
Published: August 2023

Chatbots, or bots for short, are multimodal collaborative assistants that can help people complete useful tasks. Usually, when chatbots are referenced in connection with elections, they often draw negative reactions due to the fear of mis‐information and hacking. Instead, in this work, we explore how chatbots may be used to promote voter participation in vulnerable segments of society like senior citizens and first‐time voters. In particular, we have built a system that amplifies official information while personalizing it to users' unique needs transparently (e.g., language, cognitive abilities, linguistic abilities). The uniqueness of this work are (a) a safe design where only responses that are grounded and traceable to an allowed source (e.g., official question/answer) will be answered via system's self‐awareness (metacognition), (b) a do‐not‐respond strategy that can handle customizable responses/deflection, and (c) a low‐programming design‐pattern based on the open‐source Rasa platform to generate chatbots quickly for any region. Our current prototypes use frequently asked questions (FAQ) election information for two US states that are low on an ease‐of‐voting scale, and have performed initial evaluations using focus groups with senior citizens. Our approach can be a win‐win for voters, election agencies trying to fulfill their mandate and democracy at large.
Cognitive determinants of decisional capacity in neurodegenerative disorders
Authors: Portley Makayla , Sherer Carolyn , Wu Tianxia , Farren Jennifer , Danielian Laura E. , Scholz Sonja W. , Traynor Bryan J. , Ward Michael E. , Haselhuhn Taryn , Snyder Allison , Kwan Justin Y.
Published: August 2023

Objective

Cognitive contributions to decisional capacity are complex and not well understood. Capacity to consent for research has been linked to executive function, but executive function assessment tools are imperfect. In this study, we examine the relationship between decisional capacity and a newly developed executive function composite score and determine whether cognitive performance can predict impaired decisional capacity.

Methods

This is a cross sectional study of participants at the National Institutes of Health with frontotemporal dementia‐amyotrophic lateral sclerosis spectrum disorders enrolled between 2017 and 2022. A structured interview tool was used to ascertain research decisional capacity. Study participant Uniform Data Set (v3.0) executive function (UDS3‐EF) composite score, Clinical Dementia Rating Scale©, and Neuropsychiatric Inventory was determined.

Results

A decrease in UDS3‐EF composite score significantly increased the odds of impaired decisional capacity (OR = 2.92, 95% CI [1.66–5.13], p = 0.0002). Executive function was most impaired in frontotemporal dementia (−2.86, SD = 1.26) and least impaired in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (−0.52, SD = 1.25) participants. The UDS3‐EF composite score was also strongly correlated to the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale©.

Interpretation

Decisional capacity is intrinsically related to executive function in neurodegenerative disorders, and executive dysfunction may predict a lack of decisional capacity alerting investigators of the need for additional scrutiny during the informed consent process.
Insulating Electrets Converted from Organic Semiconductor for High‐Performance Transistors, Memories, and Artificial Synapses
Authors: Li Dongfan , An Ning , Tan Kai , Ren Yurong , Wang Hong , Li Shengtao , Deng Qian , Song Jianwei , Bu Laju , Lu Guanghao
Published: August 2023

Electrets are commonly used charged insulators that generate a quasi‐permanent electric field. However, when conventional electrets come into direct contact with semiconductors, the energy level mismatch at the interface results in low memory speed and high energy consumption of electret devices due to both charge injection and storage being non‐conducive. To address this, the n‐type semiconductor N,N′‐dioctyl‐3,4,9,10‐perylene tetracarboxylic diimide (C8‐PTCDI) is converted to C8‐PTCDI (D) via oxygen degradation. The resulting C8‐PTCDI (D) electrets, when charged using an electric field and/or light, retain the energy level of the n‐type semiconductors to facilitate charge trapping. They also exhibit deeper trap energy levels and increased trap density, thereby enhancing the sheet charge density of C8‐PTCDI (D) electrets (7.47 × 1012 cm−2). As a result, devices based on n‐type electrets demonstrate lower operation voltage (2 V) of transistors, lower operation voltage (20 V) of memories, and lower energy consumption (3.5 fJ per spike) of artificial synapses compared to those without n‐type electrets.
Carbon Dots‐Assisted Rapid Synthesis of Polypyrrole with High Uniformity for Efficient Solar‐Driven Water Evaporation
Authors: Ye Ziang , Zhang Yiqiang , Tian Zheyu , Chang Qing , Li Ning , Xue Chaorui , Hao Caihong , Yang Jinlong , Hu Shengliang
Published: August 2023

Solar‐driven water evaporation is considered one of the most promising technologies to simultaneously address the energy crisis and freshwater scarcity. Developing efficient evaporators is highly sought after. Here, a strategy to realize the rapid polymerization of pyrrole and the uniform deposition of carbon dots‐polypyrrole (CDs‐PPy) on Balsa substrate is reported by using CDs solution obtained from the exfoliation of coal pitch with HCOOH/H2O2 as the trigger. This unreacted HCOOH/H2O2 in CDs solution, which gets well reused, can act as the oxidant to oxidize pyrrole, and also play a certain role in removing unstable hemicellulose from Balsa that produces more pores on cell walls. This method also avoids the formation of large PPy aggregates and enables CDs to be incorporated into the polymeric PPy. The obtained Balsa supported CDs‐PPy (CDs‐PPy/Balsa) with high uniformity well preserves the interconnected microporous structure of Balsa. Compared to Balsa supported PPy (PPy/Balsa) synthesized via the conventional polymerization method of pyrrole using ammonium persulfate as an oxidant in HCl aqueous medium, the obtained CDs‐PPy/Balsa evaporator with high physicochemical stability and salt resistance ability shows superior solar‐driven water evaporation performance. These favorable features can lead CDs‐PPy/Balsa to a greater use in practical solar‐driven water evaporation applications.
High‐Density Lipoprotein Engineering for Eye‐Drop Treatment of Age‐Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Fukuda Ryosuke , Mahmuda Nargis , Kasirawat Sawangrat , Kawakami Ryo , Shima Rumina , Mizukami Yu , Shibukawa Shiori , Tada Yuki , Kawanishi Fumitake , Ogura Masatsune , Matsuki Kota , Nagai Yoshinori , Nakano Eri , Suda Kenji , Tsujikawa Akitaka , Murakami Tatsuya
Published: August 2023

Eye‐drop treatments of age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) are desirable; however, no clinically approved eye drop has been reported to date. This study aim to evaluate the therapeutic activity of eye‐drop instillation of a high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) variant bearing a cell‐penetrating peptide and neovasculature‐targeted peptide (AsnGlyArg [NGR] peptide) in a mouse model at a dose of 0.6–0.85 µg protein/eye drop. The results reveal that the activity of the abovementioned variant was >10‐fold higher than that of the previous variant lacking an NGR peptide. In addition, the anti‐inflammatory activity, cholesterol‐efflux capacity, and antiangiogenic activity of reconstituted HDL are significantly augmented by the attachment of these two peptides. The mechanism underlying this dramatic improvement is likely the expression of CD13, an NGR peptide receptor, on the cornea and conjunctiva in mice. CD13 mRNA/protein expression is also detected in cultured human corneal and conjunctival cells. These results demonstrate that NGR peptide is an unprecedented class of an absorption enhancer on the eye surface. Thus, HDL engineering is a potential strategy for developing eye drops to treat neovascular AMD by enhancing the ocular surface absorption and HDL functionalities.
Multifunctional Carbon Nanodot‐Based Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics
Authors: Kapat Kausik , Semwal Nitesh , Chillarge Anjali , Aswani Arja
Published: August 2023

Carbon nanodots (CNDs) are an emerging class of zero dimensional (0D) carbon nanomaterials that accumulated immense interest from researchers in the past two decades due to their facile synthesis and unique photo‐physical and ‐chemical properties. In particular, their long wavelength fluorescence emission, enhanced tissue penetration depth, excellent water dispersibility, tunable surface chemistry, charge transfer properties, and biocompatibility have unveiled newer avenues for advanced application in therapeutics, diagnostics, theranostics, and tissue regeneration. The review typically emphasizes CNDs, excluding the other members of the carbon dots (CDs) family, which has not been covered before. After introducing CNDs in the carbon nanomaterial hierarchy, their synthesis, general properties, functionalization, and characterization are subsequently discussed. The following section elaborates on mechanisms of CNDs fluorescence, quenching, and associated factors based on the latest theories and models. The diagnostic, theranostic, and therapeutic applications of red/NIR‐emitting CNDs are thoroughly reviewed to cover the latest developments, including in vitro/in vivo bioimaging, thermoelectric and piezoelectric biosensing, and various soft and hard tissue regeneration. Overall, this work will enlighten passionate readers about the present status and futuristic aspects of CNDs in healthcare management, besides reported toxicities and challenges associated with their bench‐to‐bedside translation.
Recycled, Contaminated, Crumpled Aluminum Foil‐Driven Triboelectric Nanogenerator
Authors: Son Jin‐ho , Cha Kyunghwan , Chung Seh‐Hoon , Heo Deokjae , Kim Sunghan , Choi Moonhyun , Park In Soo , Hong Jinkee , Lee Sangmin
Published: August 2023

With rapid urbanization and global population growth, the amount of wasted aluminum foil is significantly increasing. Most deformed and contaminated foil is difficult to recycle; hence, it is landfilled or incinerated, causing environmental pollution. Therefore, using aluminum foil waste for electricity may be conducive to addressing environmental problems. In this regard, various literatures have explored the concept of energy generation using foil, while a crumple ball design for this purpose has not been studied. Thus, a recycled foil‐based crumpled ball triboelectric nanogenerator (RFCB‐TENG) is proposed. The crumpled ball design can minimize the effects of contamination on foil, ensuring efficient power output. Moreover, owing to novel crumpled design, the RFCB‐TENG has some outstanding characteristics to become a sustainable power source, such as ultralight weight, low noise, and high durability. By introducing the air‐breakdown model, the RFCB‐TENG achieved an output peak voltage of 648 V, a current of 8.1 mA cm3, and an optimum power of 162.7 mW cm3. The structure of the RFCB‐TENG is systemically optimized depending on the design parameters to realize the optimum output performance. Finally, the RFCB‐TENG operated 500 LEDs and 30‐W commercial lamps. This work paves the guideline for effectively fabricating the TENG using waste‐materials while exhibiting outstanding characteristics.
Surface Tension and Neuronal Sorting in Magnetically Engineered Brain‐Like Tissue
Authors: Perez Jose E. , Jan Audric , Villard Catherine , Wilhelm Claire
Published: August 2023

Engineered 3D brain‐like models have advanced the understanding of neurological mechanisms and disease, yet their mechanical signature, while fundamental for brain function, remains understudied. The surface tension for instance controls brain development and is a marker of cell‐cell interactions. Here, 3D magnetic brain‐like tissue spheroids composed of intermixed primary glial and neuronal cells at different ratios are engineered. Remarkably, the two cell types self‐assemble into a functional tissue, with the sorting of the neuronal cells toward the periphery of the spheroids, whereas the glial cells constitute the core. The magnetic fingerprint of the spheroids then allows their deformation when placed under a magnetic field gradient, at a force equivalent to a 70 g increased gravity at the spheroid level. The tissue surface tension and elasticity can be directly inferred from the resulting deformation, revealing a transitional dependence on the glia/neuron ratio, with the surface tension of neuronal tissue being much lower. The results suggest an underlying mechanical contribution to the exclusion of the neurons toward the outer spheroid region, and depict the glia/neuron organization as a sophisticated mechanism that should in turn influence tissue development and homeostasis relevant in the neuroengineering field.
Printing Three‐Dimensional Refractory Metal Patterns in Ambient Air: Toward High Temperature Sensors
Authors: Yu Jichuan , Hu Chuxiong , Wang Ze , Wei Yuankong , Liu Zhijin , Li Qingang , Zhang Lei , Tan Qiulin , Zang Xining
Published: August 2023

Refractory metals offer exceptional benefits for high temperature electronics including high‐temperature resistance, corrosion resistance and excellent mechanical strength, while their high melting temperature and poor processibility poses challenges to manufacturing. Here this work reports a direct ink writing and tar‐mediated laser sintering (DIW‐TMLS) technique to fabricate three‐dimensional (3D) refractory metal devices for high temperature applications. Metallic inks with high viscosity and enhanced light absorbance are designed by utilizing coal tar as binder. The printed patterns are sintered into oxidation‐free porous metallic structures using a low‐power (<10 W) laser in ambient environment, and 3D freestanding architectures can be rapidly fabricated by one step. Several applications are presented, including a fractal pattern‐based strain gauge, an electrically small antenna (ESA) patterned on a hemisphere, and a wireless temperature sensor that can work up to 350 °C and withstand burning flames. The DIW‐TMLS technique paves a viable route for rapid patterning of various metal materials with wide applicability, high flexibility, and 3D conformability, expanding the possibilities of harsh environment sensors.
Effect on water quality, growth performance and economics of giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii with partial feed in biofloc system
Authors: Islam Md. Amirul , Islam Shikder Saiful , Bir Joyanta , Debnath Prosenjit , Ullah Md. Rahamat , Huq Khandaker Anisul
Published: August 2023

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the water quality, growth performance, body composition, length–weight relationship, condition factors and benefit–cost analysis of giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) cultured with biofloc system in pond conditions. The experiment was conducted in twelve (12) experimental ponds, each measuring 240 m2. The control group was cultured without any biofloc (T1), and biofloc‐based three treatments were biofloc with 100% feed (T2), biofloc with 90% feed (T3) and biofloc with 80% feed (T4). The biofloc‐based treatments showed significantly higher floc volume, total suspended solids, total heterotrophic bacteria and plankton density than the control (p < 0.05). All the growth parameters were significantly higher in biofloc‐based treatments (T2, T3 and T4) than in the control (T1). The lowest feed conversion ratio was found lowest in T4 (1.40 ± 0.02) and highest in T1 (2.13 ± 0.04), which was significantly different among the treatments (p < 0.05). The significantly highest production was obtained 939.02 ± 6.61 kg/ha in T2, and the lowest was 779.67 ± 7.50 kg/ha in T1. The length–weight relationship indicated positive allometric growth in all treatments. The condition factor ranged from 0.95 to 1.07, showing that the prawns were in good health throughout all treatments. The results of the present study indicated that M. rosenbergii can adapt to a biofloc‐based aquaculture system, and the conventional feeding rations can be reduced up to 20% without affecting the growth and production.
Food companies' productivity dynamics: Exploring the role of intangible assets
Authors: Nakatani Ryota
Published: August 2023

Food insecurity has risen amid economic recovery from the COVID‐19 pandemic. Food companies' productivity dynamics can be driven by intangible assets, financing, economies of scale, lifecycle, and technological convergence. We confront this by studying productivity drivers for detailed food manufacturing industries using cross‐country firm‐level panel data. The results show that intangible assets nonlinearly and heterogeneously affect productivity growth, and countries with fewer product market regulations demonstrate higher productivity benefits from asset intangibility. Intangible assets do not play a major role for start‐up companies, while technological convergence drives productivity growth as they learn new technology in the food markets. Regarding the industrial differences, the bakery sector benefits the most from asset intangibility because of its brand images. Financing is particularly important for the meat/fish and dairy sectors, where capital equipment is necessary, and leverage effects are larger for countries with more access to financial institutions. Economies of scale are a vital productivity enhancer in the grain and starch sector for lowering fixed costs. Industrial policies to (i) raise the quality of intangible assets, (ii) promote financial access, and (iii) utilize scale economies are critical for improving the productivity of food manufacturers [EconLit Citations: D24, G32, L66, O34].
Numerical investigation of the reactive gas–solid characteristics in biomass fast pyrolysis of conical spouted reactor equipped with draft tube
Authors: Sun Haoran , Bao Guirong , Yang Shiliang , Hu Jianhang , Wang Hua
Published: August 2023

Biomass fast pyrolysis is a promising technology to produce available char and high‐value gas due to its green and sustainable ability. In the current work, the biomass fast pyrolysis in draft tube spouted bed has been numerically investigated via the multiphase particle‐in‐cell model. In this model, gas turbulence is calculated via large eddy simulation and particles are individually tracked in the Lagrangian manner. This model is successfully validated against experimental data. The particle‐scale information of sand and biomass feedstock has been discussed, and the influence of draft tube configuration on the pyrolysis performance has been studied. The results show that the equipment of draft tube prevents gas leakage from spout to annulus, leading to large axial gas flux in the spout. Biomass particles in the spout and freeboard have high temperature and heat‐transfer coefficient. Some biomass particles move along the outer wall of draft tube, indicating that the equipment of draft tube can avoid back‐mixing by preventing direct contact of particles in the spout and annulus. Increasing the height of draft tube results in larger axial gas flux and higher sand heat‐transfer coefficient, while decreases biomass temperature in the spout. The simulation results can offer valuable insights into comprehending intricate reactive gas–solid characteristics and conducting operation and design optimization of spouting apparatus.
Cox proportional hazards deep neural network identifies peripheral blood complete remission to be at least equivalent to morphologic complete remission in predicting outcomes of patients treated with azacitidine—A prospective cohort study by the AGMT
Authors: Pleyer Lisa , Vaisband Marc , Drost Manuel , Pfeilstöcker Michael , Stauder Reinhard , Heibl Sonja , Sill Heinz , Girschikofsky Michael , Stampfl‐Mattersberger Margarete , Pichler Angelika , Hartmann Bernd , Petzer Andreas , Schreder Martin , Schmitt Clemens A. , Vallet Sonia , Melchardt Thomas , Zebisch Armin , Pichler Petra , Zaborsky Nadja , Machherndl‐Spandl Sigrid , Wolf Dominik , Keil Felix , Hasenauer Jan , Larcher‐Senn Julian , Greil Richard
Published: August 2023

The current gold standard of response assessment in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is morphologic complete remission (CR) and CR with incomplete count recovery (CRi), both of which require an invasive BM evaluation. Outside of clinical trials, BM evaluations are only performed in ~50% of patients during follow‐up, pinpointing a clinical need for response endpoints that do not necessitate BM assessments. We define and validate a new response type termed “peripheral blood complete remission” (PB‐CR) that can be determined from the differential blood count and clinical parameters without necessitating a BM assessment. We compared the predictive value of PB‐CR with morphologic CR/CRi in 1441 non‐selected, consecutive patients diagnosed with MDS (n = 522; 36.2%), CMML (n = 132; 9.2%), or AML (n = 787; 54.6%), included within the Austrian Myeloid Registry (aMYELOIDr; NCT04438889). Time‐to‐event analyses were adjusted for 17 covariates remaining in the final Cox proportional hazards (CPH) model. DeepSurv, a CPH neural network model, and permutation‐based feature importance were used to validate results. 1441 patients were included. Adjusted median overall survival for patients achieving PB‐CR was 22.8 months (95%CI 18.9–26.2) versus 10.4 months (95%CI 9.7–11.2) for those who did not; HR = 0.366 (95%CI 0.303–0.441; p < .0001). Among patients achieving CR, those additionally achieving PB‐CR had a median adjusted OS of 32.6 months (95%CI 26.2–49.2) versus 21.7 months (95%CI 16.9–27.7; HR = 0.400 [95%CI 0.190–0.844; p = .0161]) for those who did not. Our deep neural network analysis‐based findings from a large, prospective cohort study indicate that BM evaluations solely for the purpose of identifying CR/CRi can be omitted.
Increased risk of sleep problems according to employment precariousness among paid employees in Korea
Authors: Gong Seong Chan , Park Sungjin
Published: August 2023

Background

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between precarious employment (PE) and sleep problems among wage workers in Korea.

Methods

Data from 29,437 wage workers were obtained from the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey. PE was defined based on four dimensions: employment temporariness, irregularity, lack of protection, and economic vulnerability. A PE index indicating employment precariousness was derived. The outcome variables were three sleep problems experienced over the past year: difficulty initiating asleep; difficulty maintaining sleep' and fatigue upon waking. Multiple logistic regression was performed after adjusting for age, educational level, occupation, job tenure, company size, and working hours, to estimate the association between PE and sleep problems.

Results

For both sexes, the risk of all sleep problems significantly increased as the precariousness of employment increased, showing a dose–response relationship.

Conclusion

An increased risk of sleep problems is evident as employment becomes more precarious. These findings could help improve the health of workers with PE by addressing sleep problems.
Evaluation of narrow‐band imaging in the diagnosis of sinonasal inverted papilloma
Authors: Benchetrit Liliya , Thomson Evan , Paz‐Lansberg Marianella , Platt Michael P. , Brook Christopher D.
Published: August 2023

Key Points

Narrow‐band imaging (NBI) can be used to differentiate benign sinonasal lesions

NBI can be used in the preoperative identification of sinonasal inverted papilloma

Future studies can focus on NBI for recurrent inverted papilloma and surgical margin guidance
Reconstructing Hydrogen Bond Network Enables High Voltage Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Supercapacitors
Authors: Hu Zhiyu , Song Zirui , Huang Zhaodong , Tao Shusheng , Song Bai , Cao Ziwei , Hu Xinyu , Wu Jiae , Li Fengrong , Deng Wentao , Hou Hongshuai , Ji Xiaobo , Zou Guoqiang
Published: August 2023

High‐voltage aqueous rechargeable energy storage devices with safety and high specific energy are hopeful candidates for the future energy storage system. However, the electrochemical stability window of aqueous electrolytes is a great challenge. Herein, inspired by density functional theory (DFT), polyethylene glycol (PEG) can interact strongly with water molecules, effectively reconstructing the hydrogen bond network. In addition, N, N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) can coordinate with Zn2+, assisting in the rapid desolvation of Zn2+ and stable plating/stripping process. Remarkably, by introducing PEG400 and DMF as co‐solvents into the electrolyte, a wide electrochemical window of 4.27 V can be achieved. The shift in spectra indicate the transformation in the number and strength of hydrogen bonds, verifying the reconstruction of hydrogen bond network, which can largely inhibit the activity of water molecule, according well with the molecular dynamics simulations (MD) and online electrochemical mass spectroscopy (OEMS). Based on this electrolyte, symmetric Zn cells survived up to 5000 h at 1 mA cm−2, and high voltage aqueous zinc ion supercapacitors assembled with Zn anode and activated carbon cathode achieved 800 cycles at 0.1 A g−1. This work provides a feasible approach for constructing high‐voltage alkali metal ion supercapacitors through reconstruction strategy of hydrogen bond network.
The implications of the Madonna/Whore Constellation: A common fantasy underlying misogyny?
Authors: Japko Debra
Published: August 2023

The Madonna/Whore Constellation of fantasies often underlies well‐recognized and pervasive misogynistic attitudes in our culture. These common and disturbing ideas about women serve to validate continued societal acceptance of the degradation of those people who are identified as female. The author suggests that there is a dynamic connection between the often‐unconscious Madonna/Whore complex of fantasies and consciously recognized misogyny. The author suggests that this set of fantasies is driven, in part, by overwhelming (i.e., traumatic) annihilation anxiety. It is argued in this paper that men who have felt overstimulated by women both emotionally and sexually as they develop are likely to feel helpless, anxious, and powerless in relation to women as adults. To defend against these feelings, some men wish for omnipotent control and place women into the binary, dichotomous categories of Madonna or Whore. These fantasies serve to solidify masculine identity and a male sense of superiority. The author proposes that the prevailing norms in our culture that reflect male supremacy not only reflect shared patriarchal beliefs but also function to justify these particularly dangerous hateful beliefs ‐ as if they were appropriate and even necessary to maintaining superior male status.
Overnight urinary melatonin levels in women with and without HIV: An observational cohort study
Authors: Burgess Helen J. , Weber Kathleen M. , Morack Ralph , Yohannes Tsion , Xing Jiaqian , Xue Xiaonan , Gustafson Deborah , Sharma Anjali , Daubert Elizabeth , Rogando Andrea C. , French Audrey L.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Despite significant improvements in longevity and quality of life associated with antiretroviral therapy, individuals with HIV still suffer from a higher burden of sleep and circadian disruption and inflammatory‐based diseases than individuals without HIV. While melatonin is a hormone that has a role in sleep and circadian regulation and has anti‐inflammatory properties, the overnight concentration of the urinary melatonin metabolite has not yet been reported in people with HIV.

Methods

The aim of this study was to compare the overnight urinary melatonin metabolite levels in women aged 35–70 years with HIV (n = 151) to a well‐matched comparison group of women without HIV (n = 147). All women wore a wrist actigraphy monitor and completed daily diaries documenting sleep timing and use of medications and drugs or alcohol for 10 days. Participants collected their overnight urine near the end of the monitoring period.

Results

Melatonin levels did not differ between women with or without HIV, but more than 40% of women had low levels of melatonin. Higher body mass index predicted lower levels of melatonin, and lower levels of melatonin were associated with lower sleep efficiency as assessed with wrist actigraphy.

Conclusion

These data lay the foundation for exploration of the longitudinal consequences of endogenous melatonin levels for inflammatory‐based diseases in aging women with and without HIV. Future studies should consider the use of supplemental melatonin to improve sleep in women with lower levels of melatonin.
No reduction in motor‐evoked potential amplitude during the rubber hand illusion
Authors: Reader Arran T. , Coppi Sara , Trifonova Victoria S. , Ehrsson H. Henrik
Published: August 2023

Introduction

In the rubber hand illusion (RHI), touches are applied to a fake hand at the same time as touches are applied to a participant's real hand that is hidden in a congruent position. Synchronous (but not asynchronous) tactile stimulation of the two hands may induce the sensation that the fake hand is the participant's own. As such, the illusion is commonly used to examine the sense of body ownership. Some studies indicate that in addition to the subjective experience of limb ownership reported by participants, the RHI can also reduce corticospinal excitability (e.g., as reflected in motor‐evoked potential [MEP] amplitude) and alter parietal‐motor cortical connectivity in passive participants. These findings have been taken to support a link between motor cortical processing and the subjective experience of body ownership.

Methods

In this study, we tried to replicate the reduction in MEP amplitude associated with the RHI and uncover the components of the illusion that might explain these changes. As such, we used single‐pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation to probe the excitability of the corticospinal motor system as participants experienced the RHI.

Results

Despite participants reporting the presence of the illusion and showing shifts in perceived real hand position towards the fake limb supporting its elicitation, we did not observe any associated reduction in MEP amplitude.

Conclusion

We conclude that a reduction in MEP amplitude is not a reliable outcome of the RHI and argue that if such effects do occur, they are unlikely to be large or functionally relevant.
Vav1‐dependent Rac1 activation mediates hypoxia‐induced gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells through upregulation of HIF‐1α expression
Authors: Zhu Congyuan , Hu Hao , Ma Ye , Xiong Shuming , Zhu Dongming
Published: August 2023

Hypoxia has been shown to induce gemcitabine (GEM) resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells, however, the underlying mechanisms remain to be clarified. In the present study, we investigated whether activation of Vav1/Rac1/HIF‐1α axis is responsible for hypoxia‐induced GEM resistance in PDAC cells. Our results showed that Rac1 activation contributed to hypoxia‐induced GEM resistance in PANC‐1 cells. Hypoxia treatment led to an increased expression level of Vav1, which was responsible for Rac1 activation and GEM resistance in PDAC cells. Furthermore, Rac1 mediated hypoxia‐induced GEM resistance by upregulating HIF‐1α in PDAC cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that hypoxia induces GEM resistance in PDAC cells by activating the Vav1/Rac1/HIF‐1α signaling pathway.
Prevalence of psychiatric disorders among sentenced prisoners in a medium security prison in Ghana: Implications for mental health assessment and service
Authors: Donnir Gordon M. , Asare‐Doku Winifred
Published: August 2023

Background

Extant literature has shown that there is a higher prevalence of mental disorders among prisoners compared to the general population. These findings have, however, mostly been from high‐income and westernised cultures. In Ghana, little is known about the extent of psychiatric disorders among prisoners, as is consistent with the dearth of scholarly work in low and middle‐income countries.

Aims

Our aim was to determine the prevalence of common mental disorders among sentenced prisoners in the second largest prison in Ghana.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey research design was used in one prison. The Mini International Neuro‐Psychiatric Interview questionnaire was used to collect data from men and women serving prison sentences who volunteered for the study. Socio‐demographic characteristics and criminal history data were collected using a questionnaire designed by the researchers.

Results

Five hundred prisoners participated. Nearly half (246, 49.8%) had at least one psychiatric disorder. The most prevalent disorders were major depression and a range of anxiety disorders (145, 29%, 132, 26% respectively). A smaller proportion recorded high scores on the antisocial personality disorder scale (13%); just 50 (10%) reported using substances in the 12 months before interview, but this is a minimum estimate of such problems as many were already in prison during that time. None of these prisoners, regardless of disorder, had been screened, diagnosed, or treated in prison.

Conclusions

This study contributes to the gap in scholarly literature in low‐ and middle‐income countries on psychiatric disorders in the prison population. It will be important to explore further the extent to which the internationally recognised screening tools used led to under‐estimation of psychiatric disorders. The findings are of immediate practical importance nationally as they highlight the need to implement reforms anticipated by the new mental health legislation of 2012 and strategies for interagency working to improve health services and their uptake in the criminal justice system.
Long‐term follow‐up after endovascular treatment of aortic coarctation with bare and covered Cheatham platinum stents
Authors: Schleiger Anastasia , Al Darwish Nadim , Meyer Michael , Kramer Peter , Berger Felix , Nordmeyer Johannes
Published: August 2023

Background

Endovascular treatment of aortic coarctation (CoA) in children and adults frequently requires stent implantation. The aim of this study was to analyze long‐term results after CoA treatment with bare and covered Cheatham‐PlatinumTM (CP) stents in our institution and to derive recommendations for the differential use of these stent types.

Methods

In this retrospective single institution study, 212 patients received endovascular CoA treatment with bare (n = 71) and covered (n = 141) CP stents between September 1999 and July 2021, respectively. The indications for treatment were native CoA in 110/212 patients (51.9%) and re‐coarctation after primary surgical or interventional treatment in 102/212 patients (48.1%). Median patient age at endovascular CoA treatment was 18.8 years [IQR 11.9; 35.8]. Long‐term follow‐up was available in 158/212 patients (74.5%) with a median follow‐up of 7.3 years [IQR 4.3; 12.6].

Results

Procedural success was achieved in 187/212 (88.2%) patients. Survival rate was 98.1% after 5, and 95.6% after 10 and 15 years, respectively. The probability of freedom from re‐intervention was 93.0% after 5, 82.3% after 10 and 77.8% after 15 years, respectively. Freedom from re‐interventions (44/158, 27.8%) did not differ between patients who received bare or covered CP stents (p = 0.715). Multivariable risk factor analysis identified previous CoA surgery (HR: 2.0, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1–3,9, p = 0.029), postdilatation (HR: 2,9, 95% CI: 1.1–6.3, p = 0.028) and age at intervention (HR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94–0.99, p = 0.002) as independent risk factors for re‐intervention. Peri‐procedural complications occurred in 15/212 (7.1%) patients (dissection/thrombosis of vascular access vessel: n = 9; bleeding: n = 1; stent dislocation: n = 2; aortic dissection/aortic wall rupture: n = 3). Long‐term complications were observed in 36 patients and included stent fracture (n = 19), aneurysm formation (n = 14), endoleak (n = 1) and subclavian artery stenosis (n = 2). Peri‐procedural and long‐term complications did not differ between patients who received CoA treatment with bare or covered CP stents (all p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Endovascular treatment of CoA using bare or covered CP stents can be performed safely and effectively with excellent long‐term results. Survival, re‐intervention and complication rate did not significantly differ between both stent types. However, individual stent selection is advisable with regard to CoA morphology and severity as well as patient age.
Lyme neuroborreliosis: A case report
Authors: Sayad Babak , Babazadeh Arefeh , Barary Mohammad , Hosseinzadeh Rezvan , Ebrahimpour Soheil , Afshar Zeinab Mohseni
Published: August 2023

Key Clinical Message

Lyme neuroborreliosis is the manifestation of Lyme borreliosis that impacts the nervous system. It gives rise to various neurological and psychiatric conditions, and its diagnosis is challenging. The timely administration of antibiotics is effective.

A male patient, aged 55, was admitted to the emergency department due to the sudden onset of tonic–clonic seizures. All standard laboratory examinations yielded unremarkable outcomes, except a favorable Wright and 2‐mercaptoethanol test. The examination of cerebrospinal fluid revealed the presence of 380 white blood cells per milliliter. The protein level was also elevated, while the glucose level was within the normal range. The results of the serologic tests indicated the presence of both IgG and IgM antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi. Following the administration of ceftriaxone, a significant improvement was observed in the patient's medical status, and he was subsequently discharged. Lyme neuroborreliosis is the manifestation of Lyme borreliosis that impacts the nervous system. It gives rise to various neurological and psychiatric conditions, and its diagnosis is challenging. The timely administration of antibiotics is effective in treating patients.
Trigeminal trophic syndrome associated with neuralgia after ischemic stroke—a case report
Authors: Rybak‐d′Obyrn Joanna , Alicja Lewandowska Julia , Joanna Machoń Natalia , Agnieszka Owczarczyk‐Saczonek , Waldemar Placek
Published: August 2023

Trigeminal trophic syndrome (TTS) is a rare condition resulting from self‐manipulation of the skin after an injury to the trigeminal nerve. We describe the case of a 70‐year‐old woman who was hospitalized because of erythema, ulceration, and crusts on the right side of her face, accompanied by itching, burning, and irritation forcing self‐manipulation of the skin. She had been previously repeatedly treated with antibiotics, acyclovir, and topical medications without any improvement. Her medical history revealed an episode of ischemic stroke in 2016, after which a deformation and partial atrophy of the right ala nasi appeared. Trigeminal neuropathy was confirmed by a neurological consultation. Diagnosis and treatment of TTS requires a multidisciplinary approach. Awareness of this disease should be raised to enable proper diagnosis and management of difficult‐to‐treat facial ulcers that cannot be explained by common causes.
Enhanced Dry Reforming of Methane Catalysis by Ni at Heterointerfaces between Thin MgAlOx and Bulk ZrO2
Authors: Wang Jin , Kayode Gbolade O. , Hirayama Yuki , Shpasser Dina , Ogino Isao , Montemore Matthew M. , Gazit Oz M.
Published: August 2023

The catalytic performance of supported metals is greatly influenced by the interaction with the support material. The role of the support becomes even more important when dealing with metal nanoparticles and high reaction temperatures. Herein, we show that interfacial sites between two metal oxides, MgAlOx and ZrO2 can bestow high stability as well as enhanced reactivity to nickel (Ni) nanoparticles. We use the MgAlOx as thin oxides on an underlying bulk ZrO2. We demonstrate the effect of the metal‐support interactions (MSI) in different support locations on the performance in dry reforming of methane (DRM). We find that the rate of DRM catalysis produces a concave‐down trend with respect to Ni loading with a maximum at ~0.8–1.1 % wt Ni. Measuring the Ni2p3/2 binding energy (BE), we find a similar concave‐down trend whereas for the Mg2p BE we find a concave‐up trend with respect to the Ni loading both with the maximum and minimum centered at 0.8–1.1 % wt Ni, respectively. These trends were correlated with the stability of Ni calculated by DFT. Overall, our results suggest that heterointerfacial sites can be used to tailor moderate MSI, which can be used in the design of DRM catalyst with significantly increased activity and high stability.
Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Chiral Building Blocks Based on the Kinetic Resolution of Glycerol‐Derived Cyclic Carbonates
Authors: Terazzi Constanza , Spannenberg Anke , von Langermann Jan , Werner Thomas
Published: August 2023

The biocatalytic kinetic resolution of cyclic carbonates derived from glycerol is reported. A selection of 26 esterases and lipases was tested for the asymmetric hydrolysis of the model substrate (epichlorohydrin carbonate) in aqueous medium. Among them, Pig Liver Esterase and Novozym® 435 showed the best selectivity with E=38 and 49, respectively. Both enzymes were employed for the conversion of 12 glycerol derivatives under optimized conditions. The resolution of halogenated carbonates afforded the unconverted enantiomer in up to >99 : 1 er. Furthermore, Novozym® 435 was successfully recycled 10 times without significant loss of activity. Upscaling and isolation of the chiral carbonate was also demonstrated. Subsequent conversion of this chiral building block allowed the direct one‐pot synthesis of (S)‐Guaifenesin, (S)‐Mephenesin and (S)‐Chlorphenesin in up to 89 % yield and 94 : 6 er.
Visible Light and Triselenium Dicyanide (TSD): New Horizons in the Synthesis of Organic Selenocyanates
Authors: Anghinoni João M. , Ferreira Sabrina S. , Piquini Paulo C. , Iglesias Bernardo A. , Perin Gelson , Penteado Filipe , Lenardão Eder J.
Published: August 2023

Herein, we describe a new method for the synthesis of α‐carbonyl selenocyanates by reacting triselenium dicyanide (TSD) and styrenes under blue light irradiation and O2 atmosphere. The reactions are triggered by the formation of Se‐centered radical species, followed by the addition/oxidation of the styrene π‐bond. α‐Carbonyl selenocyanates and α‐hydroxy selenocyanates were obtained in moderate to excellent yields from aryl‐ and alkyl‐substituted alkenes, respectively. It was demonstrated that α‐carbonyl selenocyanates could be used as a synthetic platform in a multicomponent reaction strategy to prepare 2‐phenylimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine derivatives, which were evaluated for their photophysical properties. Overall, this new method provides a useful tool for synthesizing α‐carbonyl selenocyanates, and demonstrates their potential for use in the synthesis of other compounds, thus giving new synthetic opportunities to construct organic selenocyanate compounds.