bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethical Aspects of Physician Decision-Making for Deprescribing Among Older Adults With Dementia
Authors: Norton Jonathan D. , Zeng Chan , Bayliss Elizabeth A. , Shetterly Susan M. , Williams Nicole , Reeve Emily , Wynia Matthew K. , Green Ariel R. , Drace Melanie L. , Gleason Kathy S. , Sheehan Orla C. , Boyd Cynthia M.
Published: October 2023

Importance

Physicians endorse deprescribing of risky or unnecessary medications for older adults (aged ≥65 years) with dementia, but there is a lack of information on what influences decisions to deprescribe in this population.

Objective

To understand how physicians make decisions to deprescribe for older adults with moderate dementia and ethical and pragmatic concerns influencing those decisions.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A cross-sectional national mailed survey study of a random sample of 3000 primary care physicians from the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile who care for older adults was conducted from January 15 to December 31, 2021.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The study randomized participants to consider 2 clinical scenarios in which a physician may decide to deprescribe a medication for older adults with moderate dementia: 1 in which the medication could cause an adverse drug event if continued and the other in which there is no evidence of benefit. Participants ranked 9 factors related to possible ethical and pragmatic concerns through best-worst scaling methods (from greatest barrier to smallest barrier to deprescribing). Conditional logit regression quantified the relative importance for each factor as a barrier to deprescribing.

Results

A total of 890 physicians (35.0%) returned surveys; 511 (57.4%) were male, and the mean (SD) years since graduation was 26.0 (11.7). Most physicians had a primary specialty in family practice (50.4% [449 of 890]) and internal medicine (43.5% [387 of 890]). A total of 689 surveys were sufficiently complete to analyze. In both clinical scenarios, the 2 greatest barriers to deprescribing were (1) the patient or family reporting symptomatic benefit from the medication (beneficence and autonomy) and (2) the medication having been prescribed by another physician (autonomy and nonmaleficence). The least influential factor was ease of paying for the medication (justice).

Conclusions and Relevance

Findings from this national survey study of primary care physicians suggests that understanding ethical aspects of physician decision-making can inform clinician education about medication management and deprescribing decisions for older adults with moderate dementia.
Ayurvedic preparations of Raudra Rasa inhibit agonist‐mediated platelet activation and restrict thrombogenicity without affecting cell viability
Authors: Chaurasia Susheel Nidhi , Singh Vipin , Ekhlak Mohammad , Dash Manoj Kumar , Joshi Namrata , Dash Debabrata
Published: October 2023

Ayurveda is considered to be one of the most ancient forms of medicine still practiced. The Ayurvedic preparation Raudra Rasa and its derivatives have been widely employed against cancer since the 12th century, but the effect of these traditional formulations on platelet function and signaling has not previously been examined. Here we demonstrate that Raudra Rasa and its derivatives significantly reduce thrombin‐induced integrin activation and granule secretion in platelets, as observed by reduced PAC‐1 binding and P‐selectin externalization, respectively. These formulations also inhibited thrombin‐stimulated phosphatidylserine exposure, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation, and mitochondrial transmembrane potential in platelets. Consistent with the above, Raudra Rasa significantly reduced thrombin‐induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the platelet proteins, as well as phosphorylation of the enzymes AKT and GSK‐3β. In summary, Raudra Rasa inhibits agonist‐mediated platelet activation without affecting cell viability, suggesting it may have therapeutic potential as an anti‐platelet/anti‐thrombotic agent.
HIF‐1α Contributes to Hypoxia‐induced VSMC Proliferation and Migration by Regulating Autophagy in Type A Aortic Dissection
Authors: Huang Ben , Chen Nan , Chen Zhenhang , Shen Jinqiang , Zhang Hao , Wang Chunsheng , Sun Yongxin
Published: October 2023

Type A aortic dissection (AD) is a catastrophic cardiovascular disease. Hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) and autophagy are reported to be upregulated in the AD specimens. However, the interaction between HIF‐1α and autophagy in the pathogenesis of AD remains to be explored. HIF‐1α and LC3 levels are evaluated in 10 AD and 10 normal aortic specimens. MDC staining, autophagic vacuoles, and autophagic flux are detected in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) under hypoxia treatment. CCK‐8, transwell, and wound healing assay are used to identify proliferation and migration under hypoxia treatment. Furthermore, 3‐MA is used to inhibit autophagy in hypoxia‐treated HASMCs. This study reveals that AD tissues highly express HIF‐1α and the LC3. Autophagy is induced under hypoxia in a time‐dependent manner, and autophagy is positively related to HIF‐1α in HASMCs. Moreover, the proliferation and migration of HASMCs are enhanced by hypoxia, whereas the knockdown of HIF‐1α attenuates this effect. Additionally, inhibiting autophagy with 3‐MA ameliorates hypoxia‐induced proliferation and migration of HASMCs. In summary, the above results indicate that HIF‐1α facilitates HASMC proliferation and migration by upregulating autophagy in a hypoxic microenvironment. Thus, inhibition of autophagy may be a novel therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of AD.
An almost globally stable adaptive phase‐locked loop for synchronization of a voltage source converter to a weak grid
Authors: Zonetti Daniele , Bobtsov Alexey , Ortega Romeo , Nikolaev Nikolay , Gomis‐Bellmunt Oriol
Published: October 2023

In this article, we are interested in the problem of adaptive synchronization of a voltage source converter with a possibly weak grid with unknown angle and frequency. To guarantee a suitable synchronization with the angle of the three‐phase grid voltage we design an adaptive observer for such a signal requiring measurements only at the point of common coupling. Then we propose an alternative certainty‐equivalent, adaptive phase‐locked loop that ensures the angle estimation error goes to zero for almost all initial conditions. Although well‐known, for the sake of completeness, we also present a PI controller with feedforward action that ensures the converter currents converge to an arbitrary desired value. Relevance of the theoretical results and their robustness to variation of the grid parameters are thoroughly discussed and validated in the challenging scenario of a converter connected to a grid with low short‐circuit‐ratio.
Review of Separator Modification Strategies: Targeting Undesired Anion Transport in Room Temperature Sodium–Sulfur/Selenium/Iodine Batteries
Authors: Xu Jing , Qiu Yashuang , Yang Jianhao , Li Haolin , Han Pingan , Jin Yang , Liu Hao , Sun Bing , Wang Guoxiu
Published: October 2023

Rechargeable sodium–sulfur/selenium/iodine (Na–S/Se/I2) batteries are regarded as promising candidates for large‐scale energy storage systems, with the advantages of high energy density, low cost, and environmental friendliness. However, the electrochemical performances of Na–S/Se/I2 batteries are still restricted by several inherent issues, including the “shuttle effect” of polysulfides/polyselenides/polyiodides (PSs/PSes/PIs), sluggish kinetics of the conversion reactions at the cathodes, and Na dendrite growth at the anodes. Among these challenges, uncontrolled “shuttle effect” of PSs/PSes/PIs is a major contributing factor for the irreversible loss of active cathode materials and severe side reactions on Na metal anodes, leading to rapid failure of the batteries. Separator modification has been demonstrated to be an effective strategy to suppress the shuttling of PSs/PSes/PIs. Herein, the latest achievement in modifying separators for high‐performance Na–S/Se/I2 batteries is comprehensively reviewed. The reaction mechanisms of each battery system are first discussed. Then, strategies of separator modification based on the different functions for regulating the transportation of PSs/PSes/PIs are summarized, including applying electrostatic repulsive interaction, introducing conductive layers, improving sieving effects, enhancing chemisorption capability, and adding efficient electrocatalysts. Finally, future perspectives on the practical application of modified separators in high‐energy rechargeable batteries are provided.
Bone Hierarchical Structure: Heterogeneity and Uniformity
Authors: Rodriguez‐Palomo Adrian , Østergaard Maja , Birkedal Henrik
Published: October 2023

Bone has a complex hierarchical structure with structural integration from nm to cm. The understanding of bone structure is developing rapidly due to improvements in available methodologies that allow unravelling structures across several length scales. These methods include advances in electron microscopy, in particular, focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB‐SEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy techniques, X‐ray imaging, X‐ray diffraction tomography (XRD‐CT), and tensor tomography (small angle X‐ray scattering tensor tomgraphy, SAXS‐TT and wide angle X‐ray scattering tensor tomgraphy, WAXS‐TT). Special emphasis is placed on the latter X‐ray techniques that are emerging into powerful tools. Through a review of selected recent results on the structure of the bone matrix as well as the lacuno‐canalicular network housing the osteocyte cells of bone, it is proposed that bone is more heterogeneous than typically described and that local variation in composition and crystallography may play a significant role in bone biology in health and disease.
A Review on Knitted Flexible Strain Sensors for Human Activity Monitoring
Authors: Liu Lu , Liang Xinhua , Wan Xiaoqian , Kuang Xiaoju , Zhang Zhenfang , Jiang Gaoming , Dong Zhijia , Chen Chaoyu , Cong Honglian , He Haijun
Published: October 2023

The recent surge in using wearable personalized devices has made it increasingly important to flexible textile‐based sensors that can be worn comfortably and can sense various body strains. Among them, the knit‐based flexible strain sensors (KFSS) show growing promise for human activity monitoring applications due to its processing flexibility, low cost, wearing comfortability, large strain performance, and high elastic recovery rate. Herein, five sensing mechanisms of knitted flexible strain sensors containing contact resistance, length resistance, tunneling effect, micro‐crack propagation, and disconnection mechanism are summarized, which can be used on different human activity strain conditions, e.g., physiological activities and limb activities. The main fabrication approaches, including knitting techniques, post‐processing techniques, embroidery, and sewing techniques are discussed. Six crucial parameters with corresponding calculation formulas for evaluating sensing performance and review specific applications of KFSS for human limb activity and physiological activity monitoring in healthcare, motion tracking, safety protection, and human–machine interaction are also described. Finally, the tough challenges and prospects of KFSS with the aim of providing meaningful guidance and direction for future research are critically analyzed.
How to Consider the Interfacial Phenomenon in All‐Solid‐State Batteries? – Quantitative Analysis using µ‐Cavity Electrode
Authors: Yun Ji‐Su , Mukhan Orynbassar , Cho Woosuk , Yu Ji‐Sang , Munakata Hirokazu , Kanamura Kiyoshi , Kim Sung‐Soo
Published: October 2023

Understanding the intrinsic properties of cathode active particles is required to understand how they depend on the charge transfer resistance at solid–liquid or solid‐solid interfaces. Depth‐of‐discharge (DOD)‐dependent charge transport occurs when lithium ions move from the bulk electrolyte to the cathode active particles. However, composite electrodes consist of unevenly distributed active material, conductive additives, and polymeric binder, which complicates the electron/ion conduction path; hence, estimating the DOD‐dependent charge transfer resistance is difficult. However, micro‐sized spherical cathode active particles can be arranged into a cylindrical cavity trap on a microelectrode to evaluate the interfacial behavior of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) cathode active particles in liquid and solid electrolyte systems. The electrochemical parameters calculated from the resultant Tafel plot can encourage meaningful discussions and demonstrate the reliability of the measurement technique.
A Hundreds‐Milliampere‐Hour‐Scale Solid‐State Aluminum–Sulfur Pouch Cell
Authors: Huang Zheng , Li Shijie , Wang Zhe , Wang Wei , Lei Haiping , Jiao Shuqiang
Published: October 2023

Aluminum‐sulfur (Al–S) batteries are exploited as an ideal power source for grid‐scale energy storage due to the abundant Al and S resources and superior safety. However, the short lifespan and lack of appropriate current collectors for positive electrodes have restricted the large‐size manufacture and practicability of Al–S batteries. Here a solid‐state electrolyte and current collector‐free positive electrode are demonstrated to construct a large‐size solid‐state Al–S pouch cell. The ionic liquid‐impregnated metal–organic‐framework solid electrolytes are filled into the gel polymer electrolyte to achieve the large‐size production of composite solid‐state electrolyte (MSE@GPE). Meanwhile, the MSE@GPE electrolytes, serving as the binder and ionic conductor, are introduced into sulfur‐anchored cobalt/nitrogen co‐doped graphene to prepare an all‐in‐one composite sulfur‐positive electrode without a current collector. The as‐assembled Al–S pouch cell delivers a reversible capacity of 288 mAh and a cell‐level energy density of >90 Wh kg−1. Furthermore, the cycle life of this Al–S pouch cell can reach over 400 times with capacity retention of 80%, benefiting from the significant inhibiting effect of MSE@GPE electrolyte on the shuttle effect of polysulfide. The results provide a path for fabricating practical Al–S batteries, narrowing the gap between their high theoretical specific energy and the realization in practical operation.
Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) photosynthetic and water use efficiency response to dairy‐amended biochar
Authors: Laan Maggi , Kayler Zachary E. , Huerta Jamie , Strawn Daniel G.
Published: October 2023

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was grown in a greenhouse under a combination of treatments that tested the effects of two types of biochar amended with fermentation solids and dairy lagoon effluent at high and low levels of phosphorus fertilization. We hypothesized that a modified biochar dosed with iron in combination with a dairy amendment would yield the greatest photosynthetic assimilation rates of CO2 and water use efficiency. Furthermore, we hypothesized that these rates may differ between photosynthate demand represented by plant developmental stages, specifically the tillering, stem elongation, and heading stages. We found that photosynthetic assimilation was greatest at the tillering stage. Plant water use efficiency increased with commercially available fertilizer. Plant biomass at harvest was greatest among the chemical fertilizer (high and low levels of phosphorus fertilization) and low‐level fertilization of dairy lagoon, fermentation solid, and an iron dosed biochar. The results suggest that while the dairy‐amended biochar can maintain plant growth, it is not necessarily achieved through improved photosynthesis or water use.
Chitosan and cyanobacterial biomass accounting physiological and biochemical development of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under nutrient stress conditions
Authors: Molnár Zoltán , Lamnganbi Mutum , Solomon Wogene , Janda Tibor
Published: October 2023

In the spirit of getting back to nature and using science to increase crop productivity without posing any threat to the environment, researchers are paying attention to making natural products alternative sources of nutrients for plants at affordable prices. On top of this, chitosan and cyanobacteria have become popular in agriculture as metabolic enhancers, biofertilizers, and antimicrobial properties. Cyanobacteria are known to possess biostimulating properties while chitosan is well known for its inherent biological properties. With the aim of minimizing the application of nitrogen, this experiment was conducted for the first time to check if the application of chitosan, microalgae, or both with 50% nitrogen can balance the nutrient requirement for different physiological and biochemical development as effectively as a 100% nitrogen dose. The data were recorded only for the early vegetative stages, as the seeds were non‐vernalized. The basic parameters recorded were hexose content, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total phenol content, and relative water content (RWC). In most of the parameters, comparable results were found between the control (with a 100% nitrogen recommended dose) and other treatments (where either microalga, chitosan, or both were added), whereas it was clearly shown that 50% of recommended nitrogen doses reduce the hexose, chlorophyll, and RWCs. Thus, the treatments were effective in supplementing the developmental requirements. Therefore, the combined use of chitosan and cyanobacteria on crops significantly lowers nitrogen fertilization, increases photosynthesis, enhances resistance to water stress, and enhances antioxidant activity in modern agriculture.
Evaluation of karst spring water quality in northeast Tennessee using water quality indices
Authors: Fashina Lukman , Luffman Ingrid , Nandi Arpita , Joyner Timothy Andrew
Published: October 2023

Ensuring access to safe drinking water to protect public health in communities underserved or unserved by centralized water systems requires regular water quality testing and reporting. However, households depending on unregulated water systems like wells and springs, which are less routinely tested, may be unaware of their water quality. Access to easy‐to‐comprehend water quality information may be challenging. Therefore, this study utilized multiple water quality parameters to determine karst spring water quality using two water quality index (WQI) methods. This approach aggregates and summarizes water quality data into a single value or index characterizing the general health status of water at a given location in an easy‐to‐understand way. In situ measurements of physicochemical parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, turbidity, conductivity, specific conductance, total dissolved solids, and oxidation–reduction potential) were taken at 50 karst springs in east Tennessee during summer 2021. Water samples were analyzed for microbial (fecal coliform and Escherichia coli), nutrients (nitrate and nitrite), and radiological (radon) constituents using standard analytical methods. WQI method 1 (Brown et al. Water Quality Index) rated 12% of springs as “very poor” water quality and 88% as “unfit for drinking.” WQI method 2 (National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index) rated 4% of the sampled springs as “good,” 92% as “moderate,” and 4% as “bad.” Given the prevalence of fecal contamination in the sampled springs, even springs rated good should be properly treated before consumption. Overall, these findings demonstrate the importance of selecting appropriate WQI for the end water use, and for water quality information that is easily understandable by water users.
One‐Step Generation of Energy‐Time‐Polarization‐Hyper‐Entangled W‐Class Triphotons: Nonlinear and Linear Optical Responses
Authors: Zhang Siqiang , Tang Haitian , Wei Jiajia , Wei Jiaxuan , Ahmed Irfan , Zhang Yanpeng
Published: October 2023

Nonclassical multiphoton have attracted extensive attention to serve as entangled resources for quantum information technology. Here, the continuous‐mode hyper‐entangled W‐class triphotons are theoretically generated through spontaneous six‐wave mixing (SSWM) in 85Rb. In nonlinear optical response, Zeeman sub‐states are high‐dimensionally quantized by polarized dressing. High‐dimensional entanglement is structured via atomic non‐Hermitian nature. Through linear optical response, the temporal correlations are shaped via diverse polarized dressing. SSWM‐based triphoton is a genuine triphoton possessing non‐Gaussian tripartite entanglement. The high production rate is due to co‐action of three strong input fields, electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) protection, and slow light effect. Non‐Hermitian nature endows the system with sensitive adjustability around exceptional points (EP). Eventually, the results demonstrate multiple SSWMs causing oscillations with multiple periods in three‐photon temporal correlations for the nonlinear region, build a high‐dimensional three‐body entangled quantum network and transform multifarious profiles of the three‐photon temporal correlations for the linear region. Especially, both high‐dimensional and hyper entanglements are obtained, contributing to high quantum information capacity. Further, the system is switched among multiple states when non‐Hermitian nature is manipulated by polarized dressing. The research opens a broad prospect for generating the hyper‐entangled multiphoton with potential application in adjustable quantum networks of high information capacity.
Spectral Structure and Doublon Dissociation in the Two‐Particle Non‐Hermitian Hubbard Model
Authors: Longhi Stefano
Published: October 2023

Strongly‐correlated systems in non‐Hermitian models are an emergent area of research. Herein, a non‐Hermitian Hubbard model is considered, where the single‐particle hopping amplitudes on the lattice are not reciprocal, and provide exact analytical results of the spectral structure in the two‐particle sector of Hilbert space under different boundary conditions. The analysis unveils some interesting spectral and dynamical effects of purely non‐Hermitian nature and that deviate from the usual scenario found in the single‐particle regime. Specifically, a spectral phase transition of the Mott‐Hubbard band on the infinite lattice is predicted as the interaction energy is increased above a critical value, from an open to a closed loop in complex energy plane, and the dynamical dissociation of doublons, i.e., instability of two‐particle bound states, in the bulk of the lattice, with a sudden revival of the doublon state when the two particles reach the lattice edge. Particle dissociation observed in the bulk of the lattice is a clear manifestation of non‐Hermitian dynamics arising from the different lifetimes of single‐particle and two‐particle states, whereas the sudden revival of the doublon state at the boundaries is a striking burst edge dynamical effect peculiar to non‐Hermitian systems with boundary‐dependent energy spectra, here predicted for the first time for correlated particles.
Escape from Hydrofunctionalization: Palladium Hydride‐Enabled Difunctionalization of Conjugated Dienes and Enynes
Authors: Zhang Ziyan , Gevorgyan Vladimir
Published: October 2023

Palladium hydrides are traditionally employed in hydrofunctionalization (i.e. monofunctionalization) of conjugated dienes and enynes, owning to its facile protic hydropalladation of electron‐rich (or neutral) unsaturated bonds. Herein, we report a mild PdH‐catalyzed difunctionalization of conjugated dienes and enynes. This protocol is enabled by the chemoselectivity switch of the initial hydropalladation step achieved by visible light enhancement of hydricity of PdH species. This method allows for cascade annulation of dienes and enynes with various easily available and abundant substrates, such as acrylic acids, acrylic amides, and Baylis–Hillman adducts, toward a wide range of alkenyl or alkynyl lactones, lactams, and tetrahydrofurans. This protocol also provides an easy access to complex spiro‐fused tricyclic frameworks.
Highly Recyclable and Tough Elastic Vitrimers from a Defined Polydimethylsiloxane Network
Authors: Luo Jiancheng , Zhao Xiao , Ju Hao , Chen Xiangjun , Zhao Sheng , Demchuk Zoriana , Li Bingrui , Bocharova Vera , Carrillo Jan‐Michael Y. , Keum Jong K. , Xu Sheng , Sokolov Alexei P. , Chen Jiayao , Cao Peng‐Fei
Published: October 2023

Despite intensive research on sustainable elastomers, achieving elastic vitrimers with significantly improved mechanical properties and recyclability remains a scientific challenge. Herein, inspired by the classical elasticity theory, we present a design principle for ultra‐tough and highly recyclable elastic vitrimers with a defined network constructed by chemically crosslinking the pre‐synthesized disulfide‐containing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chains with tetra‐arm polyethylene glycol (PEG). The defined network is achieved by the reduced dangling short chains and the relatively uniform molecular weight of network strands. Such elastic vitrimers with the defined network, i.e., PDMS‐disulfide‐D, exhibit significantly improved mechanical performance than random analogous, previously reported PDMS vitrimers, and even commercial silicone‐based thermosets. Moreover, unlike the vitrimers with random network that show obvious loss in mechanical properties after recycling, those with the defined network enable excellent thermal recyclability. The PDMS‐disulfide‐D also deliver comparable electrochemical signals if utilized as substrates for electromyography sensors after the recycling. The multiple relaxation processes are revealed via a unique physical approach. Multiple techniques are also applied to unravel the microscopic mechanism of the excellent mechanical performance and recyclability of such defined network.
Structural optimization and flow field simulation of gas distribution device in desulfurization tower
Authors: Hou Bo , Chen Ou , Wang Yongzheng , Wang Feng , Lu Guangjie
Published: October 2023

In order to comply with ultra‐low emission requirements and further reduce the concentration of SO2 emissions from coal‐fired power plants, a novel distributor has been proposed to enhance the uniformity of fluid distribution in the desulfurization tower. The distributor ensures that the inlet flue gas comes into even contact with the slurry droplets ejected from the nozzle, thereby improving the removal efficiency of SO2. The research focuses on a circular desulfurization tower using ammonia‐based desulfurization. To study the enhancement of non‐empty tower desulfurization efficiency, a CFD‐DPM model based on the Euler–Lagrange method has been established. The accuracy of the model has been verified through comparison with experimental or validated data, ensuring its reliability in predicting the performance of the proposed distributor in enhancing desulfurization efficiency in the circular desulfurization tower. The simulation results demonstrate that the addition of the new inflow gas distributor leads to a significantly thinner flue gas escape zone in the circular desulfurization tower. The flue gas flow velocity at the wall side of the tower, above the distributor, increases by only about 1 m/s with the rise of the horizontal cross section, and there is hardly any flue gas escape zone observed. The addition of the distributor increases the pressure drop in the local area, while optimizing the flow field in other areas and reducing the turbulent dissipation energy, which in turn reduces the full tower pressure drop from 701 to 474 Pa. Additionally, the flue gas at the outlet of the distributor is uniformly dispersed, with gas velocity distribution unevenness values of 0.558, 0.587, and 0.601, respectively, which are 15.9%, 14.0%, and 14.0% lower than the unevenness value of the empty tower spraying, at a depth of 1 m below each spray layer. These improvements in gas flow distribution and pressure drop contribute to better control of ammonia escape and aerosol phenomenon, while also enhancing the desulfurization efficiency.
Enhanced desalination performance and arsenate removal using semi‐aromatic polyamide‐based pervaporation membranes by modifying with amino‐acids via interfacial polymerization
Authors: Pham Xuan Minh , Nguyen Nguyen Thi , Van Bui Thang , Nguyen Nhu Huynh Thi , Nguyen Thao Minh , Bui Pha Ngoc , Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Thi , Phong Mai Thanh , Nguyen Van‐Huy , Tran Le‐Hai
Published: October 2023

In this study, the semi‐aromatic polyamide membranes were synthesized by the interfacial polymerization between piperazine (PIP) monomers in the water phase and Benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarbonyl chloride in the organic phase. To further modify the semi‐aromatic pervaporation membrane, the two amino acids, glycine, and l‐lysine, were mixed with PIP monomers for interfacial polymerization. The morphology and physicochemical properties of the synthesized membranes were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE‐SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), and contact angle measurements. The results show that the semi‐aromatic polyamide membranes modified by the two amino acids possess a higher hydrophilic surface and lower thickness compared to the unmodified membrane. Additionally, the permeation flux of the semi‐aromatic polyamide membranes was improved by 18.6% and 38.5% as modified with glycine and l‐lysine, respectively, at the operating temperature of 70°C when the rejection of both NaCl and arsenic are higher than 99.8%. Furthermore, the operating temperature significantly influenced the permeation flux, while the salt rejections were insignificantly affected. The permeation flux increases by 3.2‐ and 4.0‐folds for glycine and lysine‐modified membranes, respectively, when elevating the feed temperature from 40°C to 70°C. The highest permeation flux of 29.5 kg m−2 h−1 with a 5 wt% NaCl rejection of 99.8% was obtained at 70°C by using 0.3 wt% l‐lysine modified polyamide (PA) membrane. For elimination of 1.5 mg L−1 As solution at the feed temperature of 70°C, such l‐lysine modified PA membrane exhibited the permeation flux of 30.5 kg m−2 h−1 and As rejection of 99.6%, respectively. This work provides a cost‐saving, facile, and eco‐friendly preparation method for effectively improving the permeation flux while not sacrificing the high rejection of salts of the modified membranes.
Adaptive tracking control under quantized observations and observation uncertainty with unbounded variance
Authors: Kong Chuiliu , Wang Ying , Zhao Yanlong
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we present a matrix‐type adaptive tracking control scheme for a stochastic regression system with multi‐threshold quantized observations and observation uncertainty. This observation uncertainty is described by an additive random noise, whose variance could be a polynomial‐type rate of increase and tends to infinity. Our method, first, to handle simultaneously parameter uncertainty, quantized observation, and observation uncertainty, incorporates an online stochastic approximation‐type parameter identification algorithm. Second, based on the above identification algorithm, we construct a matrix‐type adaptive tracking control law by the certainty equivalence principle. In addition, under suitable conditions, the above identification algorithm and matrix‐type adaptive tracking control law in the mean square sense can ensure that the estimations of the unknown parameters converge to the true values and achieve asymptotically optimal tracking of the periodic reference signal, respectively. To characterize the effect of observation uncertainty on the convergence speed of the identification algorithm in the mean square sense, a quantitative relationship between observation uncertainty and the convergence speed is proposed. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed matrix‐type adaptive tracking control scheme is verified through a simulation.
A reinforcement learning algorithm for trading commodities
Authors: Giorgi Federico , Herzel Stefano , Pigato Paolo
Published: October 2023

We propose a reinforcement learning (RL) algorithm for generating a trading strategy in a realistic setting, that includes transaction costs and factors driving the asset dynamics. We benchmark our algorithm against the analytical optimal solution, available when factors are linear and transaction costs are quadratic, showing that RL is able to mimic the optimal strategy. Then we consider a more realistic setting, including non‐linear dynamics, that better describes the WTI spot prices time series. For these more general dynamics, an optimal strategy is not known and RL becomes a viable alternative. We show that on synthetic data generated from WTI spot prices, the RL agent outperforms a trader that linearizes the model to apply the theoretical optimal strategy.
Behavioral and neural measures of infant responsivity increase with maternal multisensory input in non‐irritable infants
Authors: Neel Mary Lauren , Jeanvoine Arnaud , Key Alexandra , Stark Ann R. , Norton Elizabeth S. , Relland Lance M. , Hay Krystal , Maitre Nathalie L.
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Parents often use sensory stimulation during early‐life interactions with infants. These interactions, including gazing, rocking, or singing, scaffold child development. Previous studies have examined infant neural processing during highly controlled sensory stimulus presentation paradigms.

Objective

In this study, we investigated infant behavioral and neural responsiveness during a mother–child social interaction during which the mother provided infant stimulation with a progressive increase in the number of sensory modalities.

Methods

We prospectively collected and analyzed video‐coded behavioral interactions and electroencephalogram (EEG) frontal asymmetry (FAS) from infants (n = 60) at 2–4 months born at ≥ 34 weeks gestation. As the number of sensory modalities progressively increased during the interaction, infant behaviors of emotional connection in facial expressiveness, sensitivity to mother, and vocal communication increased significantly. Conversely, infant FAS for the entire cohort did not change significantly. However, when we accounted for infant irritability, both video‐coded behaviors and EEG FAS markers of infant responsiveness increased across the interaction in the non‐irritable infants. The non‐irritable infants (49%) demonstrated positive FAS, indicating readiness to engage with, rather than to withdraw from, multisensory but not unisensory interactions with their mothers.

Results

These results suggest that multisensory input from mothers is associated with greater infant neural approach state and highlight the importance of infant behavioral state during neural measures of infant responsiveness.
Do foreign directors reinforce better waste management? The moderating role of eco‐innovation
Authors: Uyar Ali , Al‐Shaer Habiba , Kuzey Cemil , Karaman Abdullah S.
Published: October 2023

Prior studies have reported an association between corporate waste management practices and certain board attributes, but none have focused on foreign directors. Therefore, we examine foreign directors' contributions to firms' waste management by exclusively focusing on waste reduction and recycling. Furthermore, we explore an important channel through which foreign directors spur better waste management, namely, eco‐innovation. Drawing on 6891 observations affiliated with 9 sectors and 46 countries, we execute country, industry and year fixed‐effects regression analysis. We find that while foreign directors on the board are negatively associated with waste generation, they are positively associated with waste recycling. Furthermore, while the eco‐innovativeness of firms negatively moderates the association between foreign directors on the board and waste generation, it positively moderates the association between foreign directors on the board and waste recycling. Further channel analyses reveal more insights concerning polluting versus non‐polluting and poor versus strong regulatory environments.
Effects of omega‐3 supplementation on psychological symptoms in men with prostate cancer: Secondary analysis of a double‐blind placebo‐controlled randomized trial
Authors: Savard Josée , Moussa Hanane , Pelletier Jean‐François , Julien Pierre , Lacombe Louis , Tiguert Rabi , Caumartin Yves , Dujardin Thierry , Toren Paul , Pouliot Frédéric , Lodde Michele , Fradet Yves , Robitaille Karine , Fradet Vincent
Published: October 2023

Background

In the general population, a higher omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids intake is associated with lower levels of several psychological symptoms, especially depression. However, the existing evidence in cancer is equivocal.

Methods

This phase IIB double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial was aimed at comparing the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid monoacylglyceride (MAG‐EPA) supplementation and high oleic acid sunflower oil (HOSO; placebo) on depression levels (primary outcome) and other symptoms (anxiety, fear of cancer recurrence, fatigue, insomnia, perceived cognitive impairments; secondary outcomes). Participants, recruited in a prostate cancer clinic, were randomized to MAG‐EPA (3.75 g daily; n = 65) or HOSO (3.75 g daily; n = 65) for 1 year post‐radical prostatectomy (RP), starting 4–10 weeks before surgery. Patients completed self‐report scales at baseline (before RP) and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Fatigue Symptom Inventory (FSI), and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—Cognitive Function (FACT‐Cog).

Results

Analyses showed significant reductions in HADS‐depression, HADS‐anxiety, FCRI, ISI, FSI‐number of days, and FACT‐Cog‐impact scores over time. A significant group‐by‐time interaction was obtained on FACT‐Cog‐Impact scores only; yet, the temporal change was significant in HOSO patients only.

Conclusions

Several symptoms significantly decreased over time, mainly within the first months of the study. However, MAG‐EPA did not produce greater reductions than HOSO. Omega‐3 supplementation does not seem to improve psychological symptoms of men treated with RP.
Early death from childhood cancer: First medical record‐level analysis reveals insights on diagnostic timing and cause of death
Authors: Lind Katherine T. , Molina Elizabeth , Mellies Amy , Schneider Kami Wolfe , Daley William , Green Adam L.
Published: October 2023

Background

Approximately 7.5% of pediatric cancer deaths occur in the first 30 days post diagnosis, termed early death (ED). Previous database‐level analyses identified increased ED in Black/Hispanic patients, infants, late adolescents, those in poverty, and with specific diagnoses. Socioeconomic and clinical risk factors have never been assessed at the medical record level and are poorly understood.

Methods

We completed a retrospective case–control study of oncology patients diagnosed from 1995 to 2016 at Children's Hospital Colorado. The ED group (n = 45) was compared to a non‐early death (NED) group surviving >31 days, randomly selected from the same cohort (n = 44). Medical records and death certificates were manually reviewed for sociodemographic and clinical information to identify risk factors for ED.

Results

We identified increased ED risk in central nervous system (CNS) tumors and, specifically, high‐grade glioma and atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor. There was prolonged time from symptom onset to seeking care in the ED group (29.4 vs. 9.8 days) with similar time courses to diagnosis thereafter. Cause of death was most commonly from tumor progression in brain/CNS tumors and infection in hematologic malignancies.

Conclusions

In this first medical record‐level analysis of ED, we identified socioeconomic and clinical risk factors. ED was associated with longer time from first symptoms to presentation, suggesting that delayed presentation may be an addressable risk factor. Many individual patient‐level risk factors, including socioeconomic measures and barriers to care, were unable to be assessed through record review, highlighting the need for a prospective study to understand and address childhood cancer ED.
Enabling connections: Counsellor creativity and therapeutic practice
Authors: Rouse Alison , Armstrong Joe , McLeod John
Published: October 2023

Aims

To understand how counsellors' personal creativity informs their professional work with clients.

Method

Grounded theory methodology was employed alongside arts‐based research methods. Ten experienced counsellors, active in some form of expressive arts, participated in semi‐structured interviews prior to and following an experiential creative task that involved representing what creativity meant to them, and kept a reflective log throughout the process.

Findings

Creativity was viewed by the participants as an important, potentially transformational aspect of their therapeutic work. Creativity was experienced as a relational process that contributed to moment‐by‐moment responsiveness and as a means of establishing meaning and coherence through integrating different forms of experience. The personal creativity of participants was understood as a contribution to their professional creativity in the role of therapist.

Conclusion

The study highlights the value of enhancing counsellor and psychotherapist understanding and confidence in respect of ways in which personal creativity can be combined with counselling theory and experience. Limitations of the research are also considered.
Helpful and unhelpful aspects of counselling following breast cancer: A qualitative analysis of post‐sessionHelpfulAspects ofTherapy forms
Authors: Morgan Carol , Cooper Mick
Published: October 2023

Aim

To investigate what clients found helpful and unhelpful in counselling following breast cancer.

Method

Fourteen women with a diagnosis of primary breast cancer were asked to complete aHelpfulAspects ofTherapy (HAT) form (Llewelyn, 1988) following each of their counselling sessions at a branch of aUKbreast cancer charity, and these were analysed using grounded theory.

Findings

Participants identified six core helpful aspects of counselling, which were focusing on self, expressing and exploring feelings, problem solving, experiencing a helpful therapeutic relationship, experiencing relief and gaining reassurance, and understanding other(s). Unhelpful aspects of counselling identified were experiencing unwanted thoughts/feelings/behaviours, and the therapist trying something that did not fit/work for the client.

Conclusions

Participants indicated that counselling following breast cancer helped them to get back in touch with themselves, process strong emotions and resolve specific problems. By identifying a range of helpful processes, the analysis supports a pluralistic model of therapeutic change.
The role of clinical judgment in integration of indicators of outcome in psychotherapy research
Authors: Yasky Jaime , King Robert , O'Brien Tom
Published: October 2023

Background

Evaluation of psychotherapy impact and effect has advanced substantially in the last half century. The development of reliable standardised measures has been especially important. However, several issues remain controversial. One such issue is the extent to which standardised measures adequately capture change and their integration with normal clinical practice. A second is how to deal with the not uncommon situation where one outcome measure indicates change and another does not. Finally, researchers are often confronted with cases where standardised measures are used, but some participants quit therapy without completing them.

Aim

In this study, we present and discuss an outcome assessment method developed in the context of a naturalistic, mixed‐methods study of 22 treatments of psychosomatic patients.

Methodology

This multimodal, multi‐informant method involved a thorough and individualised analysis of transcripts, questionnaires and other clinical data, the consideration of patient and therapist's opinions about outcome, and the use of clinical judgment to integrate different indicators and classify outcome, with the aid of two auditors reviewing the process.

Findings

Eight cases improved, six deteriorated, and eight did not change. Three case vignettes illustrate the application of the method, and some possible sources of bias of patient and therapist's opinion about outcome are identified.

Implications

Clinical judgment can help integrate results from standardised measures and other data sources into outcome assessment normally practised by clinicians. This method, besides its high cost in time and resources, can also be useful in research to rescue outcome assessment when collection of outcome measures fails.
Promoting recovery from suicidal ideation through the development of protective factors
Authors: Surgenor Paul W.G.
Published: October 2023

Background

The important message of engendering hope in clients with suicidal ideation has frequently been obscured by the prevalence of a negative risk factors perspective and by a general lack of empirical support for intervention models based on developing protective factors.

Aim

This research aimed to explore recovery from suicidal ideation in the six months following engagement in a protective factors‐based therapeutic intervention.

Method

Recovery was ascertained by the change in levels of positive and negative outlook, as measured by the PHQ‐9, the single‐item self‐esteem indicator, and the positive and negative suicide ideation inventory. This involved administering a questionnaire to clients pre‐therapy (n = 376) and again to the same clients one month (n = 147), three months (n = 130) and six months (n = 107) post‐therapy. All participants were over 18 years old and presented to a suicide intervention charity for therapy due to suicidal ideation.

Findings

Results showed an overall significant effect for engaging in therapy. Comparisons revealed statistically significant decreases in levels of negative outlook and increases in positive outlook, with the largest differences observed in pre‐therapy and six‐month post‐therapy comparisons.

Implications

Results provide support for the efficacy of intervention models that develop a client's protective factors and for the ability of a client to recover from suicidal ideation. Findings may also encourage therapists to reconsider reliance on the traditional negative model of suicide intervention and to explore intervention methods that enhance clients’ protective factors in line with the positive psychology perspective.
Hydrophobic Interfacing of Fluorescent Membrane Probes
Authors: Bayard Felix , Chen Xiao‐Xiao , García‐Arcos Juan Manuel , Roux Aurelien , Sakai Naomi , Matile Stefan
Published: October 2023

Fluorescent flippers have been introduced as small‐molecule probes to image membrane tension in living systems. While the hydrophilic headgroup region has been modified extensively for intracellular targeting, little is known about the hydrophobic interfacing with the surrounding membrane. To tackle this challenge, the design, synthesis and evaluation of a glutamine‐derived flipper collection is reported. Considering the importance of tension‐induced phase separation for tension imaging, this study is focused on how to modulate the distribution of functional flippers between ordered and disordered microdomains. Also of interest was control over intermembrane transfer without loss of function for the specific labeling of plasma and intracellular membranes. Evidence is presented for a two‐step insertion mechanism through more accessible disordered domains into better matching ordered domains. This process also explains differences between partition coefficients and bioimaging. It is further demonstrated that interdomain and intermembrane distribution can be regulated by hydrophobic interfacing to control brightness in fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy and responsiveness to membrane tension. Irreversible partitioning inhibits intermembrane transfer and coincides with internalization into cells. These results demonstrate that hydrophobic interfacing can improve probe performance and provide guidelines on how to proceed.