bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical simulation on dynamic damage evolution of high pure copper with different grain sizes
Authors: Lin Qian , Xie Pu-Chu , Hu Jian-Bo , Zhang Feng-Guo , Wang Pei , Wang Yong-Gang ,   Key Laboratory of Impact and Safety Engineering, Ministry of Education of China, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China,   Key Laboratory of Shock Wave and Detonation Physics, Institute of Fluid Physics, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China,   Institute of Applied Physics and Computational Mathematics, Beijing 100094, China
Published: October 2021

High-purity (HP) copper targets with grain sizes of 50, 130 and 200 μm are constructed by using the Voronoi method. Damage nucleation points are randomly prefabricated at the grain boundaries. A two-dimensional axisymmetric finite element model is established to simulate the spallation experiment of HP copper target. The effects of grain size and loading stress on the macro- mechanical response and meso-damage evolution of HP copper spallation are studied and compared with the relevant experimental results. Based on the analysis of free surface velocity profiles, the effects of grain size on the location of pull back velocity rebound point, velocity rebound slope and velocity rebound amplitude are revealed. It is demonstrated that the spalling strength corresponds to the peak value of tensile stress in the damage zone, which essentially represents the critical stress of micro damage nucleation or early growth. Based on the characteristic analysis of damage evolution nephogram, the evolution process of localized plastic strain field around the micro-voids in the growth and coalescence process is reproduced, and the strong dependence of micro-void coalescence behavior on grain size is clarified. The loading stress amplitude has little effect on the location of pull back velocity rebound point, but has a significant effect on the growth and coalescence behavior of micro-voids. The slope and amplitude of pull back velocity rebound increase with loading stress increasing, which is consistent with the relevant experimental result. With the increase of the loading stress, the micro-voids grow from independent growth to coalescence, thus forming spalling surface. The physical process of damage evolution determines the wave oscillation characteristics after the pull-back rebound point. The numerical simulation results reproduce the physical process of damage evolution and its influence on the macroscopic mechanical response, which is of great significance for further understanding spall damage evolution mechanism and theoretical model construction.
Duox-generated reactive oxygen species activate ATR/Chk1 to induce G2 arrest in Drosophila tracheoblasts
Authors: Kizhedathu Amrutha , Chhajed Piyush , Yeramala Lahari , Sain Basu Deblina , Mukherjee Tina , Vinothkumar Kutti R , Guha Arjun
Published: October 2021

Progenitors of the thoracic tracheal system of adult Drosophila (tracheoblasts) arrest in G2 during larval life and rekindle a mitotic program subsequently. G2 arrest is dependent on ataxia telangiectasia mutated and rad3-related kinase (ATR)-dependent phosphorylation of checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) that is actuated in the absence of detectable DNA damage. We are interested in the mechanisms that activate ATR/Chk1 (Kizhedathu et al., 2018; Kizhedathu et al., 2020). Here we report that levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are high in arrested tracheoblasts and decrease upon mitotic re-entry. High ROS is dependent on expression of Duox, an H2O2 generating dual oxidase. ROS quenching by overexpression of superoxide dismutase 1, or by knockdown of Duox, abolishes Chk1 phosphorylation and results in precocious proliferation. Tracheae deficient in Duox, or deficient in both Duox and regulators of DNA damage-dependent ATR/Chk1 activation (ATRIP/TOPBP1/claspin), can induce phosphorylation of Chk1 in response to micromolar concentrations of H2O2 in minutes. The findings presented reveal that H2O2 activates ATR/Chk1 in tracheoblasts by a non-canonical, potentially direct, mechanism.
Magnetic Resonance Image Characterization of Knee Meniscus Signal Intensity using Crue’s Approach: Results from a Multi-centre Evidence
Authors: Erim Akwa E. , Udoh Benjamin E. , Agweye Pius , Ukweh Ofonime , C. Ugwu Anthony
Published: October 2021

This study aimed to characterize knee meniscus signal-intensity using magnetic resonance imaging. Our research included knee MR images of 138 subjects from multi-centres in Nigeria, between September 2016 and December 2017. Knee images were retrieved from patients' folder of MRI scanners and transfered to a DICOM workstation (Onis 2.6) for image analysis. Knee meniscus was characterized into 0, 1, 2 & 3 grades using Crue’s grading approach. Our research revealed 58% incidence of meniscal lesion. Study yielded a significant relationship between meniscal lesion and gender (p <.005) with a greater proportion of these lesions in women than in men. Meniscal lesions showed significant association with osteoarthritis (OA) (p < 0.05). Grade 3 lesions (actual tears) were largely of horizontal configuration.
Study of the Effect of Health System Reform Plan Administration on the Satisfaction Level among Medical Doctors and Nurses in Tabriz State Hospitals, East Azerbaijan, Iran
Authors: Jodi Saeed , Mahmoudi Hossein , Majidi Vahid
Published: October 2021

Having three orientations, the Health System Reform Plan (HSRP) has been administered to financially support and protect people, provide fair health services and promote the quality of health services. To be unsatisfied about health and medical services brings undesirable outcomes. The present investigation aimed to study the effect of Health System Reform Plan (HSRP) on the satisfaction level among medical doctors and nurses of Tabriz state hospitals, East Azerbaijan province, Iran in a period from 21th February; 2015 to 22th June; 2015. Statistical population included those patients who referred to Tabriz state hospitals. We used stratified sampling method. To collect data we used questionnaire being presented to the samples after assessing its validity and reliability. We also utilized descriptive and inferential statistics in a way that we used descriptive method to classify, summarize and interpret of obtained data. Then after demonstrating the abnormality of data by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test we used linear and multiple regressions to test research hypothesis and effect from the perspective of inferential method. Obtained results confirmed the research hypothesis and explained that the administration of HSRP affected medical doctors’ level of satisfaction. Also, according to the results of multiple regression tests, doctors and nurses’ satisfaction level was placed at the top of most affected issues from HSRP.
Students’ interprofessional workplace learning in clinical placement
Authors: Bivall Ann-Charlotte , Lindh Falk Annika , Gustavsson Maria
Published: October 2021

Students’ learning in the workplace during their clinical placements is an important part of their education to become healthcare professionals. Despite the number of studies of student interprofessional learning in clinical placements, little is still known about the significance of interprofessional learning and how it is facilitated and arranged for to occur. This article aims to investigate interprofessional learning between students collaborating in a workplace-driven arrangement integrated into a clinical placement. A focused ethnographic research approach was applied, comprising observations of ten students participating in the arrangement organised by clinical supervisors on a medical emergency ward at a Swedish university hospital, followed by group interviews. Using a boundary-crossing lens, the article analyses the workplace arrangement, in which students’ learning across professional boundaries and their negotiations around a boundary object were prerequisites to coordinate their interprofessional knowledge and manage emerging challenges while being in charge of care on the ward.
Abusive language detection in youtube comments leveraging replies as conversational context
Authors: Ashraf Noman , Zubiaga Arkaitz , Gelbukh Alexander
Published: October 2021

Nowadays, social media experience an increase in hostility, which leads to many people suffering from online abusive behavior and harassment. We introduce a new publicly available annotated dataset for abusive language detection in short texts. The dataset includes comments from YouTube, along with contextual information: replies, video, video title, and the original description. The comments in the dataset are labeled as abusive or not and are classified by topic: politics, religion, and other. In particular, we discuss our refined annotation guidelines for such classification. We report a number of strong baselines on this dataset for the tasks of abusive language detection and topic classification, using a number of classifiers and text representations. We show that taking into account the conversational context, namely, replies, greatly improves the classification results as compared with using only linguistic features of the comments. We also study how the classification accuracy depends on the topic of the comment.
WIN 55,212-2 shows anti-inflammatory and survival properties in human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes infected with SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Aragão Luiz Guilherme H. S. , Oliveira Júlia T. , Temerozo Jairo R. , Mendes Mayara A. , Salerno José Alexandre , Pedrosa Carolina S. G. , Puig-Pijuan Teresa , Veríssimo Carla P. , Ornelas Isis M. , Torquato Thayana , Vitória Gabriela , Sacramento Carolina Q. , Fintelman-Rodrigues Natalia , da Silva Gomes Dias Suelen , Cardoso Soares Vinicius , Souza Letícia R. Q. , Karmirian Karina , Goto-Silva Livia , Biagi Diogo , Cruvinel Estela M. , Dariolli Rafael , Furtado Daniel R. , Bozza Patrícia T. , Borges Helena L. , Souza Thiago M. L. , Guimarães Marília Zaluar P. , Rehen Stevens K.
Published: October 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which can infect several organs, especially impacting respiratory capacity. Among the extrapulmonary manifestations of COVID-19 is myocardial injury, which is associated with a high risk of mortality. Myocardial injury, caused directly or indirectly by SARS-CoV-2 infection, can be triggered by inflammatory processes that lead to damage to the heart tissue. Since one of the hallmarks of severe COVID-19 is the “cytokine storm”, strategies to control inflammation caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection have been considered. Cannabinoids are known to have anti-inflammatory properties by negatively modulating the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Herein, we investigated the effects of the cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,212-2 (WIN) in human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) infected with SARS-CoV-2. WIN did not modify angiotensin-converting enzyme II protein levels, nor reduced viral infection and replication in hiPSC-CMs. On the other hand, WIN reduced the levels of interleukins six, eight, 18 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) released by infected cells, and attenuated cytotoxic damage measured by the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Our findings suggest that cannabinoids should be further explored as a complementary therapeutic tool for reducing inflammation in COVID-19 patients.
Universidade e desenvolvimento local: o caso da UNIPAMPA
Authors: De Los Santos Aline Correa , Troian Alessandra , Troian Alexandre
Published: October 2021

A educação superior assume importante papel no processo de desenvolvimento na medida em que contribui para uma maior interação entre os atores locais. O presente estudo objetiva analisar a contribuição da extensão universitária para o desenvolvimento local. Para tanto foram analisados projetos de extensão desenvolvidos pela Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Campus Santana do Livramento, nos cinco anos entre 2014 e 2018. Os projetos estão disponíveis junto ao Sistema de Informação de Projetos de Pesquisa, Ensino e Extensão (SIPPEE). A pesquisa é qualitativa e as técnicas utilizadas foram revisão de literatura e análise documental. Os resultados mostram que a UNIPAMPA, por meio de diferentes cursos de graduação e pós-graduação, realizou 116 ações de extensão no período analisado. Destaque-se que 48% foram categorizadas na área da educação. As ações de extensão desenvolvidas pela UNIPAMPA têm contribuído no processo de desenvolvimento regional, sobretudo, no que se refere à educação e à difusão de conhecimento, à melhora da qualidade de vida e ao bem-estar social, à cooperação, à valorização da cultura e à identidade local.
Mercado de trabalho na indústria de transformação no Norte do Paraná
Authors: Ferrarini Angel Dos Santos Fachinelli
Published: October 2021

Este artigo tem por objetivo verificar mudanças no emprego formal da indústria de transformação, na mesorregião Norte Central Paranaense, em comparação com o restante do Paraná, em dois períodos: 2006-2010 e 2010-2015. Será que a indústria de transformação da mesorregião Norte Central manteve as atividades produtivas dinâmicas e com vantagens comparativas em relação ao restante do Paraná? Para captar possíveis alterações na dinâmica do mercado de trabalho, este estudo se utilizou do método shift-share. Os resultados mostram diferenças entre os períodos de análise e indicam a relevância das políticas macroeconômicas do primeiro período em detrimento das políticas no segundo período. No primeiro período de análise, os setores que apresentaram vantagem competitivas foram Vestuário, Acessórios e Couros, Metalurgia, Máquinas e Equipamentos, e Transporte. No segundo momento houve aumento nas perdas de emprego no Norte Central do Paraná, com avanços de desvantagens competitivas em setores que antes obtinham vantagens competitivas. No entanto, algumas atividades industriais avançaram, como a Indústria Química, Farmacêutica e de Plástico, que passaram a apresentar vantagem competitiva especializada.
Prática religiosa e criminalidade: um estudo de caso
Authors: Shikida Pery Francisco Assis , Nickel Helena , Amaral Josineide Aquino da Silva
Published: October 2021

O objetivo principal deste estudo é analisar quais variáveis influenciaram a prática religiosa de pessoas que cometeram delitos e suas motivações para o crime, a partir da aplicação de questionários e entrevistas, junto a condenados com penas alternativas, na cidade de Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná. Além da pesquisa de campo e análise descritiva dos dados, este estudo faz uso de uma regressão logística como modelagem econométrica. Os resultados indicam que as variáveis do modelo que influenciaram a prática religiosa das pessoas que cometeram delitos, antes de terem sido presas, foram: “harmonia familiar”, “tem filhos”, “religião católica” e “religião evangélica” – relação positiva; “ensino superior completo”, “amasiado”, “uso de bebida alcoólica” e “uso de drogas” – relação negativa. Este estudo de caso permite inferir que a pessoa religiosa praticante, com característica considerada dissuasória, não distinguiu valores ou princípios quando seu interesse financeiro prevaleceu em um ato ilegal.
A eficácia da gestão fiscal em escala subnacional no Brasil
Authors: Nascimento Araújo Maria Rosicleide , Rocha Silva Mônica Aparecida , Rodrigues Waldecy
Published: October 2021

Considerando o arcabouço teórico de governança pública para resultados, o objetivo deste artigo é demonstrar em que medida os agentes fazendários percebem a eficácia da metodologia de avaliação Maturidade e Desempenho da Gestão Fiscal (MD-GEFIS) enquanto instrumento de governança da gestão fiscal subnacional brasileira. Aplicou-se questionários para verificar o entendimento dos agentes fazendários quanto às caraterísticas de governança pública e de ferramenta de gestão. Com base na análise de conteúdo das respostas obtidas, concluiu-se que a maioria considera a metodologia eficaz, na medida em que seus resultados podem contribuir para a melhoria da transparência da gestão fiscal, o aumento da arrecadação e o melhor uso dos recursos públicos. Contudo, para que seus resultados sejam críveis, fidedignos e aceitáveis, fazem-se necessárias: a correta coleta dos indicadores, a consideração das especificidades das unidades avaliadas e que sua aplicação não seja caracterizada como autoavaliação, cabendo que esta seja conduzida por especialistas externos às unidades.
Segurança alimentar e mudanças no clima: o contexto internacional e o paradoxo brasileiro
Authors: Carvalho Karina De Paula , Montenegro Rosa Livia Gonçalves
Published: October 2021

Este trabalho aborda os danos provocados pelo sistema alimentar global de base industrial à sociobiodiversidade e à sustentabilidade ambiental. O objetivo foi apontar o panorama global da problemática que leva a um conjunto de estratégias e ações com vistas a mitigar e reduzir possíveis danos. No passo dessa problematização, buscou-se questionar o conflito presente na agenda política brasileira para o setor agrícola. De um lado, há um amplo reconhecimento internacional das políticas transversais de proteção dos direitos sociais, em conjunto com a preocupação ambiental e climática. De outro, reconhece-se este setor como o maior consumidor de agroquímicos no mundo. Este contrassenso parece desafiar a segurança alimentar da população e a promoção de sistemas alimentares mais saudáveis. Para discutir essas questões realizou-se uma análise descritiva do sistema alimentar global e de seus danos à sociobiodiversidade. As considerações finais trazem os desafios e as alternativas para a sustentabilidade ambiental, econômica e social dos sistemas alimentares no Brasil e no mundo.
Analysis of Santolo Beach Tourism Management, Pamalayan Village, Cikelet District, Garut Regency
Authors: Ibrahim Riduwan , Rizal Achmad , Rochima Emma , Anna Zuzy
Published: October 2021

The tourism sector in Indonesia is up-and-coming and is still in the process of development and development. Santolo Beach has coral reefs and coastal land that can be used for tourism. Many strategies can be used to develop Santolo Beach. This research was conducted using a qualitative descriptive method. The research was conducted at Santolo Beach, Pamalayan Village, Cikelet District, Garut Regency, in August 2021. The data used in this research is primary. Primary data was conducted by interview using purposive sampling technique and questionnaire using an accidental sampling technique Data analysis was carried out using SWOT and QSPM analysis. The results show the value of the IFE 3.58 and EFE 3.98 matrices, showing that Santolo Beach tourism management is in cell one, which supports developing and building strategies. Some strategies that can be carried out are developing coastal tourism areas by managers in collaboration with the government, private institutions, and the community, supervising and maintaining existing facilities in the Santolo beach area, collaborating with the government or tourism institutions to develop their potential. Santolo Beach, improving the quality of professional workforce to manage and maintain to reduce physical damage to the beach, and structuring the area with a zoning system for tourism and fishery activities.
Effect of Plant density and Fertilizer Application Rates on Growth, Fruit Yield and Quality of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in Greenhouse Condition
Authors: Hai Chau Mai , Xuan Chinh Ngo
Published: October 2021

Plant density and fertilization are key practices for improving the fruit quality and yield of vegetables grown in greenhouses. The experiment was performed to investigate the effects of density and fertilization on the fruit yield and quality, economic efficiency of Solanum lycopersicum L. at Duc Trong district of Lam Dong province. The density (50,000; 33,000; 25.000 plants ha-1) and the fertilizer rates (240N – 100P2O5 – 275K2O; 300N – 125P2O5 – 344K2O; 360N – 150P2O5 – 413K2O kg and 420N – 175P2O5 – 482K2O kg ha-1) were studied in a completely randomised split plot design with three blocks. The fertilizer rate (420N – 175P2O5 – 482K2O kg ha-1) was produced the highest height (562.39 cm), fruit setting rate (69.87%), number of fruit per plant (95.65 fruits), average fruit weight (106.37 g), fruit yield (441.11 tons ha-1) and marketable fruit yield (204.31 tons ha-1). The density (25,000 plants ha-1) gave the highest fruit setting rate (75.35%), number of fruit per plant (94.84 fruits), average fruit weight (113.24 g), individual fruit yield (10.02 kg per plant) and fruit yield (501.17 tons ha-1). The combination of density (25,000 plants ha-1) and fertilizer rate (420N – 175P2O5 – 482K2O kg ha-1) have the highest fruit yield (613.5 tons ha-1), marketable fruit yield (223.91 tons ha-1) and rate of return (2.44). In addition, this combination was the best density and fertilizer level management strategy for greenhouse-grown Lahay 334 tomato cultivar in Lam Dong province, Vietnam.
Some Aspects of Using Clinoptilolite in Calves Feeding
Authors: Zelenchenkova Alyona Anatolyevna , Nekrasov Roman Vladimirovich , Chabaev Magomed Gazievich , Ostrenko Konstantin Sergeevich
Published: October 2021

The use of clinoptilolite is an effective means of increasing the gain and live weight of calves. The application does not cause difficulties in the methods of introducing the additive to calves. Natural clinoptilolites of various deposits are presented in a wide range on the feed additives market.

Aims: The objective of the work was to study the effectiveness of natural mineral clinoptilolite on physiological and zootechnical indicators of growth and development of calves.

Methodology: The study was carried out on 39 clinically healthy Holsteinized black-and-white calves selected at random, 13 animals per group. For 85 days, the calves of the experimental group received a basic diet enriched with natural mineral clinoptilolite to increase the efficiency of growth and development at a dosage of 25-50 and 50-100 g / head / day. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein at the end of the supplement feeding (n = 5) for physiological, biochemical and immunological studies.

Results: In the course of the study, it was found that in the experimental groups there were higher gains in live weight by 7.3 and 4.7% in comparison the control, and low feed costs per 1 kg of gain. Feeding clinoptilolite promoted an increase in the concentration of Ca in the blood of calves of the dairy period by 14.2% (p <0.05), an increase in phagocytic activity by 4.87 (p <0.05), the phagocytic number was higher by 0.20 (p < 0.05) units.

Conclusion: The totality of the information presented confirms the physiological adequacy for calves to the introduction of natural mineral clinoptilolite in the indicated dosages.
Pharmaceutical Standardization and Drug Dosage Modification of Laghu Sudarshan Churna with Comparative Assessment of its Antipyretic and Analgesic Activities in Albino Rats
Authors: Chunchuwar Manasi D. , Rathi Bharat , Wanjari Anita , Rathi Renu
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Laghu Sudarshan Churna is a Churna mentioned by Yogratnakar indicated in the treatment of all types of Jwara and its action is Tridoshanashak. Fever is bodys natural defense mechanism against infectious agents which can damage the tissue. Some studies have suggested that raising temperature may be harmful. Therefore, in clinical practices in which fever associated risk benefits, antipyretic treatment is necessary.

Aim and Objective: Drug dosage modification and pharmaceutical standardization of Laghu Sudarshana Churna to Laghu Sudarshana Vati with comparative Assessment of its Antipyretic & Analgesic activities in albino rats.

Materials and Methods: To evaluate antipyretic & analgesic activities of test drugs the most commonly employed method to induce fever in animals is brewers yeast induced pyrexia, Tail flick test & Hot plate test for analgesic in animal models.

Observation and Results: Observation will be done on the basis of Physicochemical & Organoleptic characteristics of Laghu Sudarshan churna & Laghu Sudarshan vati. Results will be drawn on the basis of observations & applying suitable test. It will be noted & presented in the form of table, charts & graphs etc.

Conclusion: If this Antipyretic & Analgesic study is successful then this data will be used in another clinical study for intervention of Antipyretic & Analgesic studies, as it is Herbal medicine so it will show no any toxic effect in animal models. Hence, it will be easily used in humans also.
A Review on Multifunctional Excipients with Regulatory Considerations
Authors: Swami Arti , Chavan Prajakta , Chakankar Shivani , Tagalpallewar Amol
Published: October 2021

The practice of multifunctional excipients is gaining more and more attention as it simplifies the process of drug formulation by substituting the necessity of using mixture of many excipients. The multifunctional excipients are the class of excipients which includes pre-–processed and co-processed excipients and it provides added functionalities to the formulation. Functionality of an excipient is a useful property which helps in manufacturing and improves quality as well as applicability of the material. Researchers have identified that single component excipients may not always give the required results during development and manufacturing of definite API, hence they are concentrating to develop multifunctional excipients which will have improved quality that will fulfil the requirements of the formulation experts in terms of cost. The cost of new excipient development is very high as it demands toxicity studies, hence the industry is now focusing on co-processing of approved materials. The demand for directly compressible co-processed excipients has also increased due to the availability of high-speed tableting machines, time saving in Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA), simplified validation and stability of active ingredients. The intention of this review article is to highlight applicability and increasing attention focusing the benefits of co-processed excipients. Their advantages over conventional blend of excipients include development methods, testing and also highlighting their regulatory consideration.
Private-Sector Readmissions for Inpatient Surgery in Veterans Health Administration Hospitals
Authors: Vaughan Sarrazin Mary , Gao Yubo , Jacobs Carly A. , Jacobs Michael A. , Schmidt Susanne , Davila Heather , Hadlandsmyth Katherine , Strayer Andrea L. , Cashy John , Wehby George , Shireman Paula K. , Hall Daniel E.
Published: December 2024

Importance

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) reports multiple indicators of hospital surgical performance, including hospital risk-standardized 30-day readmission rates (RSRRs). Currently, most routinely reported measures do not include readmissions that occur outside VHA hospitals. The impact of readmissions outside the VHA on hospital RSRR is not known.

Objective

To measure the impact of including non-VHA readmissions on VHA hospital performance rankings for 30-day readmission.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study included patients aged at least 65 years from 2013 to 2019 from the Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program linked to patient-level data from the VHA and Medicare. Data were limited to patients with VHA and Medicare enrollment during the year prior to surgery. Data were analyzed from November 2023 through July 2024.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcome was readmissions to acute care VHA or non-VHA hospitals within 30 days of discharge. VHA hospital–level RSRRs were estimated using separate generalized linear mixed-effects risk adjustment models that alternatively included VHA-only or VHA plus non-VHA readmissions. VHA hospitals were then stratified into quintiles based on RSRRs derived using VHA-only or VHA plus non-VHA readmissions. Changes in hospital performance quintiles with the addition of non-VHA readmissions were calculated, and characteristics of VHA hospitals most impacted by including non-VHA readmissions were evaluated.

Results

The eligible cohort included 108 265 patients (mean [SD] age, 72.2 [6.5] years; 105 661 [97.6%] male) who underwent surgery in 104 VHA hospitals. The combined readmission rate was 14.0%. The proportion of readmissions occurring outside the VHA ranged from 0% to 55.3% across the 104 VHA hospitals (median, 20.9%). Using VHA and non-VHA readmissions, 24 VHA hospitals (23.1%) improved performance and 23 hospitals (22.1%) worsened performance, defined as a decrease or increase, respectively, of 1 or more RSRR quintiles. Improvements in hospital performance rank were associated with larger surgical volume (−7.48; 95% CI, −11.33 to 03.64; P < .001), urban location, greater surgical complexity (−9.86; 95% CI, −16.61 to −3.11; P = .005), and lower proportion of readmissions outside the VHA (−8.15; 95% CI, −12.75 to −3.55; P < .001).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study, VHA hospitals whose readmission performance metric improved by including non-VHA readmissions had higher patient volume, higher complexity, and lower proportion of care outside the VHA. Thus, improving continuity of care may have a paradoxical effect of worsening VHA performance metrics.
Sociodemographic Factors and Utilization of Pediatric Oncology Satellite Clinics in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Chiu Maria , Ali Abbas , Leung Felicia , Dong Chaoran , Pechlivanoglou Petros , Hodgson David , Gibson Paul
Published: December 2024

Importance

Pediatric cancer care services in high-income nations are mainly centralized in metropolitan cities. To allow treatments closer to home, patients across Ontario, Canada, a geographically large province, are offered decentralized care via satellite clinics; however, it is unclear whether the utilization of these pediatric oncology satellite clinics differs by area-level sociodemographic factors.

Objective

To examine whether sociodemographic factors, such as area-level income and rurality, are independently associated with the odds of satellite clinic visit and the hazards of time to first visit among pediatric oncology patients receiving cancer treatment.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This is a retrospective population-based cohort study of patients aged 0 to 17 years with cancer living in a satellite catchment area in Ontario, Canada (from 2015 to 2022, with follow-up through 2023). The Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario Networked Information System cancer registry (containing age, sex, diagnosis type, and year information) was linked to satellite, OpenStreetMap, and postal-code databases to ascertain rural or urban dwelling, neighborhood-based income, and driving time saved.

Exposures

Age, sex, rural or urban dwelling, and neighborhood-level income quintiles.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcomes were the odds of satellite clinic attendance within 1 year of diagnosis and the hazards of first clinic visit after starting systemic therapy, derived from multivariable logistic and Cox proportional hazards models, respectively.

Results

Among the 1280 eligible patients (median [IQR] age, 7.0 [3.0-13.0] years; 753 male [58.8%]), 844 (65.9%) visited a satellite clinic within 1 year of diagnosis with a median (IQR) of 39 (14-67) days to first visit. Driving time saved (>60 minutes) was the factor most associated with satellite use, followed by diagnostic type (with patients with central nervous system tumors least likely to visit). Rural (vs urban) patients had significantly lower odds of satellite visit within a year of diagnosis (odds ratio, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.31-0.74; P = .001) and lower instantaneous likelihood of visiting after start of treatment (hazard ratio, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.53-0.81; P < .001). Living in a lower-income (vs middle-income) area was also associated with significantly lower utilization (odds ratio, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.35-0.80; P = .009; hazard ratio, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.60-0.89; P = .002).

Conclusions and Relevance

This population-based study of pediatric oncology patients found that satellite clinics, despite being designed to reduce transportation and financial burdens, were disproportionately underutilized by patients living in rural and lower-income areas. Monitoring area-level social determinants of health can help inform interventions to improve timely and equitable access to childhood cancer care closer to home.
Head and Neck Cancer Mortality in the Appalachian Region
Authors: Burus Todd , Hull Pamela C. , Lang Kuhs Krystle A.
Published: December 2024

This cross-sectional study analyzes whether different head and neck cancer mortality trends exist among the Appalachian population.
Selective Photocatalysis of Benzyl Alcohol Valorization by Cocatalyst Engineering Over Zn2In2S5 Nanosheets
Authors: Wang Ran , Shi Li , Konysheva Elena Yu. , Xu Xiaoxiang
Published: December 2024

Photocatalytic conversion of benzyl alcohol (BA) is a promising means to coproduce H2 with value‐added chemicals. However, there is a lack of an efficient strategy to regulate the selectivity of the BA conversion products. Here, by a simple cocatalyst engineering technique, the selective conversion of BA over Zn2In2S5 nanosheets (ZIS) is maneuvered. Two types of cocatalysts, i.e., Pt and Cd, are photo‐deposited onto ZIS that can shift the selectivity to diverse products, namely, Pt to benzaldehyde (BAD) and Cd to the carbon‐carbon (C─C) coupling compounds. Mechanistic studies indicate that Cd has a high reducing capacity to convert BAD back to the ketyl radical (C𝛼 radical), favoring the construction of the C─C bonds. Pt, however, facilitates the generation of C𝛼 radicals but is energetically unfavorable for their coupling reactions, resulting in the generation of BAD as the main product. Theoretical calculation reveals that the distinct catalytic behaviors of Pt and Cd stem from their different electronic structures that govern the adsorption strength to the reaction intermediates and the reaction energy barriers of the C─C coupling step. This work not only addresses the challenge of selectivity regulation for BA conversion but also brings fresh mechanistic insights into the role of the cocatalysts.
Flaky Li‐Doped High‐Entropy Oxide Enables PEO‐Based Composite Solid Electrolyte with Extended Suitability for Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Liu Weijie , Liu Jiaxing , Yang Zhihao , Liu Meiling , Sang Shangbin , Liu Hongtao
Published: December 2024

Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as a solid‐state electrolyte faces critical limitations, including low ionic conductivity, a narrow electrochemical window, and poor mechanical strength. To address these issues, flaky lithium‐doped high‐entropy oxides (LHEO‐f) with abundant surface oxygen vacancies are synthesized via a facile microwave‐assisted deep eutectic solvent (DES) method and incorporated into PEO‐based composite solid electrolytes (CSEs). The flaky LHEO‐f fillers morphology increases the continuous contact surface area with polymer chains, while oxygen vacancies enhance interfacial interactions. This synergy diminishes polymer deformation and enhances the mechanical strength of the CSEs. Moreover, the surface defects of LHEO‐f improve interactions with the oxygen‐containing groups of the polymer matrix, facilitating Li‐ion migration. All‐solid‐state lithium metal batteries (ASSLMBs) with these CSEs demonstrate excellent high‐rate capacity and cycling stability. These findings reveal that the incorporation of LHEO‐f significantly bolsters the performance of PEO‐based CSEs, showcasing their potential for further advancement and practical application in the realm of solid‐state batteries.
Solvent‐Induced Polyelectrolyte Conjugation for Fluorescence‐Dependence Solvent Detection
Authors: Shi Yueqin , Shao Jiawei , Wang Jianxiang , Guo Rui , Li Zhengjun , Li Ning , Zhang Qi , Chu Liang
Published: December 2024

Solvated assembly and fluorescence are two distinct features of conjugated polyelectrolytes for remarkable optoelectronic properties. However, the essential correlation between solvated assembly and fluorescence properties is still undiscovered. Here, two homopolymers based on benzotriazole (BTz) backbones with pyridinium cation‐pendants (PBTz‐PyrBr) and quaternary amine cation‐pendants (PBTz‐TMABr) are designed to distinguish fluorescence response in polar solvents, which evokes a novel application in fluorescence‐dependence solvent detection. The conjugated backbones offer orderly aligned electron‐rich nitrogen atoms to chemically react with the quaternary amine cation‐pendants for creating a space conjugation, serving as a fluorescence sensing site in polar solvents. In low‐polarity solvents, conjugated chains tend to twist and aggregate, accompanied by the space‐conjugation enhancement. This behavior increases the fluorescence performance by suppressing both inter‐ and intra‐molecular charge transfer. Furthermore, a theoretical linear‐correlation is established between fluorescence and solvent polarity/concentration to elucidate the experimental rule, giving a robust opportunity for solvent detection.
Sub‐Nanometer Porous Carbon Materials for High‐Performance Supercapacitors Using Carbon Dots as Self‐templated Pore‐Makers
Authors: Zhang Xi‐Rong , Song Tian‐Bing , He Tian‐Le , Ma Qian‐Li , Wu Zhao‐Fan , Wang Yong‐Gang , Xiong Huan‐Ming
Published: December 2024

Customizable porous carbon structures are critical for high‐performance electrode materials, and the modulation of the pore parameters at different levels remains a great challenge. For supercapacitors, the preferred carbon materials should own high specific capacitance, nice rate performance, large density, low self‐discharge, and high mass‐loading, which could be accomplished by sub‐nanometer pores (0.5–1.0 nm). Herein, a new method of using carbon dots (CDs) as self‐templates is reported to produce porous carbon with uniform pore diameters of 0.64–0.80 nm. As a result, the optimal sample with a high packing density (0.81 g cm−3) displays outstanding capacitances (gravimetric 515.5 F g−1, areal 5.16 F cm−2, and volumetric 417.6 F cm−3 respectively at 1 A g−1) at the commercial‐level mass‐loading of 10 mg cm−2. The assembled high‐loading symmetric supercapacitor shows a high energy density of 22.3 Wh kg−1 at 3500 W kg−1, as well as a long cycle stability (99.9% of retention rate after 10 000 cycles at 2 A g−1) in an ultrawide voltage range of 1.4 V with aqueous electrolytes. This work suggests a micropore‐forming strategy for the preferred porous carbon, which can be applied in supercapacitors, batteries, filters, adsorbents, and catalysts.
Vacancy Engineering on MnSe Cathode Enables High‐Rate and Stable Zinc‐Ion Storage
Authors: Zhong Wenping , Zhao Rui , Zhu Yirong , Xu Yuting , Chen Wenhao , Peng Chao
Published: December 2024

Manganese selenide (MnSe), as a newly emerged manganese‐based chalcogenide, has recently been considered as a potential cathode for aqueous Zn‐based energy storage due to its many merits. Nevertheless, its unsatisfactory kinetic performance and cycling stability, along with its controversial energy storage mechanism, hinder its commercial application. Herein, the MnSe microspheres with Se‐rich vacancies (VSe‐MnSe) are synthesized, and employed as a cathode for Zn‐ion batteries/capacitors (ZIBs/ZICs) for the first time. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and kinetic analyses illustrate that vacancy engineering of MnSe enhances the active sites, improves the electronic conductivity and ion transport, and reduces the adsorption energy and diffusion energy barriers of H+ and Zn2+, endowing the VSe‐MnSe cathode of ZIBs with significantly enhanced specific capacity, rate capability, and cycling stability. Interestingly, ex situ tests confirm the stable existence of VSe‐MnSe during the whole charge/discharge process and store energy with the first H+ insertion and subsequent H+/Zn2+ co‐insertion. More encouragingly, the VSe‐MnSe//porous carbon (PC) ZICs exhibit an ultrahigh energy density (178.0 Wh kg−1), a high power density (10 kW kg−1), and eminent cyclic stability (up to 10000 cycles). This research offers an efficient strategy for designing and developing high‐performance manganese‐based chalcogenides and sheds new insights into their energy storage mechanisms.
A Three‐In‐One Heptamethine Cyanine Dye Induces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Apoptosis in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Park Yoonbin , Yang Juhui , Kim Moon Suk , Hyun Hoon
Published: December 2024

One of the most significant challenges for image‐guided cancer‐targeted therapy is to develop multifunctional optical contrast agents enabling simultaneous targeting and therapy. Herein, a feasible strategy is based on the incorporation of therapeutic moieties into the non‐delocalized structure of polymethine indocyanines, known as the “structure‐inherent targeting” concept. By possessing a rigid chloro‐cyclohexenyl ring in the heptamethine cyanine backbone, a new type of multifunctional near‐infrared fluorescent dye, Ph790H, that targets tumor without the need for additional targeting ligands is synthesized. Armed with a phthalimide pharmacophore holding a prominent position in medicinal chemistry, Ph790H simultaneously induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress to exert targeted therapeutic effects on HT‐29 colorectal cancer xenografts. In terms of molecular mechanism, the lipophilic cationic Ph790H can be actively internalized into HT‐29 cells through clathrin‐mediated endocytosis. Consequently, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction further induces activation of ER stress, demonstrated by increased ROS concentration and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, which contributes to cell apoptosis and inhibition of tumor growth. Overall, Ph790H represents an effective “three‐in‐one” agent for the integration of cancer targeting, imaging, and therapy, which may provide a practical strategy to develop multifunctional small molecule theranostic agents for simultaneous cancer diagnosis and therapy.
4D Bioprinted Self‐Folding Scaffolds Enhance Cartilage Formation in the Engineering of Trachea
Authors: Chiesa Irene , Esposito Alessio , Vozzi Giovanni , Gottardi Riccardo , De Maria Carmelo
Published: December 2024

4D bioprinting is a cutting‐edge approach for manufacturing active scaffolds able to shape‐morph in a predefined way after the application of an environmental stimulus, thus enabling to mimic the dynamics of native tissues. This study develops a self‐folding gelatin‐based bilayer scaffold for trachea engineering exploiting the 4D bioprinting approach. Starting from a 2D flat configuration, upon hydration, the scaffold automatically forms a closed tubular structure. An analytical model, based on Timoshenko's beam thermostats, is developed and validated to predict the radius of curvature of the scaffold. The 4D bioprinted structure is tested with airway fibroblast, lung endothelial cells, and cartilage progenitor cells (CPCs) toward the development of a tissue‐engineered trachea. Cells are seeded on the scaffold in its initial flat configuration, maintain their position after the scaffold actuation, and proliferate over or inside it. The ability of CPCs to differentiate toward mature cartilage is evaluated. Interestingly, real‐time PCR reveals that differentiating CPCs on the 4D bioprinted scaffold promotes healthier cartilage formation, if compared with CPCs cultured on 2D static flat scaffold. Thus, CPCs can perceive scaffold folding and its final curvature and react to it, toward the formation of mature cartilage for the airway.
Cordless Miniature Robots from Centimeter to Nanometer Scale: Recent Progress and Future Challenges in Biomedicine Field
Authors: Wang Xiaowen , Gao Yingnan , Liu Changyou , Wang Yaping , Liu Anqin , Yang Wenguang
Published: December 2024

The use of robots in healthcare holds promise for improving the quality of life. The miniaturization of robots enables them to work in complex liquid environments in narrow areas of human body. Cordless robots have strong mobility and can reach inaccessible areas; so, they are of great significance in precision and personalized medicine fields. Miniature robots can be divided into two categories: one is robots with millimeter to centimeter size, which are slightly larger in size. It can be equipped with control, monitoring, communication, and other functional modules, realizing imaging monitoring, targeted drug delivery, and other functions. The other is robots with nanometer to micrometer size, which are generally driven by external physical fields due to small size. They are mainly used in imaging, diagnosis, surgery, and drug delivery. However, when miniature robots are used in clinical applications, problems such as power, longevity, and security still need to be considered. This article reviews the driving mechanisms and position technology of miniature robots. In addition, possible solutions to the current clinical challenges are proposed, exploring structures and functions required for future development. This article provides a reference for robots and development of precision medicine.
Highly Dissymmetric Circularly Polarized Luminescence via Multimode Chirality Enhancement in Hierarchically Ordered Liquid Crystal Films
Authors: Pawlak Mateusz , Pierzchała Adam , Benchimol Elie , Tessarolo Jacopo , Rebholz Lukas , Krstić Marjan , Zerulla Benedikt , Fernandez‐Corbaton Ivan , Jávorfi Tamás , Siligardi Giuliano , Clever Guido H. , Rockstuhl Carsten , Lewandowski Wiktor
Published: December 2024

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) in purely organic materials is limited by the almost exclusively electric nature of electronic transitions. Resolving this problem is possible through structuring organic materials at dimensions comparable to the wavelength of visible light. Here, the study explores the use of thin films made of chiral organic nanotubes for the enhanced induction of CPL. The study first performs multi‐scale modeling of the chiroptical properties of organic nanotubes using the T‐matrix method. Combined with chiroptical measurements, including Mueller matrix polarimetry, the study discusses the chiroptical properties of organic materials within the frames of their multi‐scale structuring. When embedding aggregation‐induced fluorogens (AIEgens) into the structured films, composites featured with gigantic glum factors reaching ≈10−1 are obtained. Importantly, a series of control experiments is performed to exclude common parasitic effects that can lead to the apparent CPL signals. The enhanced chiroptical properties of the composite films of organic nanotubes and AIEgens enable visual discrimination of their handedness both in the absorption and emission realms. The uncovered multi‐mode enhancement of CPL directs future endeavors for anticounterfeiting or holography applications.
Lanthanide‐Tetradentate Schiff Base‐PMMA Composite Films for Tunable White Light Emission
Authors: Sarkar Uttam , Singh Manjeet , Adak Mrinal K. , Bhattacharya Sagarika
Published: December 2024

Multicolor emissive Schiff base lanthanide Poly(methyl methylacrylate) [PMMA] composite films are fabricated for white light generation. Three isostructural lanthanides (III) complexes [EuIII2(L)2(NO3)2(dmf)2 (1), TbIII2(L)2(NO3)2(dmf)2 (2) and GdIII2(L)2(NO3)2(dmf)2 (3)] are synthesized, characterized from the ligand obtained by 1:1 condensation of salicylaldehyde and 2‐(2‐Aminoethoxy)ethanol, H2L. The photoluminescent studies revealed pure blue, green, and red color emissions from GdIIIL, TbIIIL, and EuIIIL complexes, although the central metal centers have identical dodecahedron geometry. Intensified ligand emission  is attested for the blue emitter‐GdIIIL complex while the “antenna effect” is witnessed for green TbIIIL and red EuIIIL complexes. Co‐doping these multicolor luminescent emitters into the PMMA polymer the intensity of luminescence improved. A conscientious combination of red‐EuIIIL with green‐TbIIIL Lanthanide metal Schiff base complexes in a specified concentration, distinct white light is accomplished for the first time with Commission Internationale de I’Éclairage (CIE) values of 0.33, 0.30, very close to the ideal white emitter. The newly developed lanthanide‐Schiff base‐PMMA composite films are transparent and highly desired materials in optoelectronics, microscopy, and sensing.