bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Wafer Cleaning and Annealing on Glass/Silicon Wafer Direct Bonding
Authors: Min Hong-Seok , Joo Young-Chang , Song Oh-Sung
Published: April 2004

We studied cleaning and annealing effects in glass/Si direct bonding using 4 inch Pyrex glass and silicon wafers. SPM cleaning (sulfuric-peroxide mixture, H2SO4:H2O2=4:1,120°C), RCA cleaning (NH4OH:H2O2:H2O=1:1:5,80°C), and combinations of these two methods were examined to investigate the wafer cleaning effect. When wafers were cleaned by RCA after SPM cleaning, maximal bonding quality at room temperature was gained. Surface roughness, as measured by AFM (atomic force microscope), was found to correspond with bonding quality at room temperature. Bonding strength increased as the annealing temperatures increased to 400°C, but debonding occurred at 450°C. The difference in thermal expansion coefficients of the glass and the Si wafer used led to this debonding. When wafers bonded at room temperature were annealed at 300 or 400°C, the bonding strength increased for 28 hours, and then it decreased with further annealing. The decrease in bonding strength caused by further annealing was due to sodium ion drift through the glass/Si interface.
Analysis of Interfacial Cracking in Flip Chip Packages With Viscoplastic Solder Deformation
Authors: Heffes M. J. , Nied H. F.
Published: April 2004

This paper examines the modeling of viscoplastic solder behavior in the vicinity of interfacial cracking for flip chip semiconductor packages. Of particular interest is the relationship between viscoplastic deformation in the solder bumps and any possible interface cracking between the epoxy underfill layer and the silicon die. A 3-D finite element code, developed specifically for the study of interfacial fracture problems, was modified to study how viscoplastic solder material properties would affect fracture parameters such as strain energy release rate and phase angle for nearby interfacial cracks. Simplified two-layer periodic symmetry models were developed to investigate these interactions. Comparison of flip chip results using different solder material models showed that viscoplastic models yielded lower stress and fracture parameters than time independent elastic-plastic simulations. It was also found that adding second level attachment greatly increases the magnitude of the solder strain and fracture parameters. As expected, the viscoplastic and temperature dependent elastic-plastic results exhibited greater similarity to each other than results based solely on linear elastic properties.
Parallel tabu search approaches for two-dimensional cutting
Authors: Błażewicz Jacek , Moret-Salvador Adrian , Walkowiak Rafał
Published: April 2004

A tabu search based approach is studied as a method for solving in parallel the two-dimensional irregular cutting problem. We use and compare different, variants of the method and various parallel computing systems. Systems used are based on message passing or shared memory paradigm. Parallel algorithms using both methods of communication are proposed. The efficiency of computer system utilization is discussed in the context of unpredictable time requirements of parallel tasks. We present results for different variants of the method together with efficiency measures for parallel implementations, where IBM SP2 and CRAY T3E systems, respectively, have been used.
WORK-EFFICIENT ALGORITHMS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF LENGTH-LIMITED HUFFMAN CODES
Authors: KARPINSKI MAREK , LARMORE LAWRENCE , NEKRICH YAKOV
Published: April 2004

We present an algorithm for parallel construction of Huffman codes in [Formula: see text] time with p processors, where p>1, improving the previous result of Levcopoulos and Przytycka. We also show, that a greedy Huffman tree can be constructed in [Formula: see text] time with n processors.
VIRTUAL FACTORY SIMULATOR FRAMEWORK FOR LINE PROTOTYPING
Authors: CHOI BYOUNGKYU , PARK BUMCHUL , RYU HO YEOL
Published: April 2004

Presented in the paper is a virtual factory simulator (VFS) framework as a 3D solid-based factory simulator to be used as a line prototyping tool for an AMS (automated manufacturing system). The VFS framework supports a 3D resource & factory layout modeling, a physical emulation, and a performance simulation: the physical emulation is used for the kinematics simulation, interference check between resources, and the generation & verification of device program; and the performance simulation is used for the material flow & control logic evaluation and system performance evaluation. The proposed VFS framework supports a fully integrated graphical modeling environment for emulation scenario modeling and material flow & control logic modeling. Therefore, the proposed VFS meets the modeling requirements of high modeling power, ease of model building & validation, and ease of communication with stakeholders compared to other commercial system. Based on the VFS framework, a virtual factory simulator named VM-Factory® has been developed in C++ with OpenGL and a DEVS engine, and its validity was demonstrated by applying it in constructing a virtual factory of an FMS (flexible manufacturing system).
PORT DESIGN OPTIMIZATION USING CFD ANALYSIS
Authors: CHO SU K. , KORIVI VAMSHI M.
Published: April 2004

Shape of ports that are part of an engine cylinder head is vital to engine performance and emissions. The advance of CFD (Computation Fluid Dynamics) analysis technology helps designers run the simulation to improve the port design and to provide the better model for a flow bench test. This paper presents the automation of design optimization process integrating CAD modeling, mesh generation and CFD simulation.
ORTHOGONAL MOMENTS AND THEIR APPLICATION TO MOTION DETECTION IN IMAGE SEQUENCES
Authors: SHEN JUN , SHEN WEI , SHEN DANFEI , WU YOUFU
Published: April 2004

Motion detection is one of the most important subjects in modern information acquisition systems for dynamic scenes. In this paper, we address motion detection in image sequences by the use of smoothed orthogonal Gaussian-Hermite moments. After introducing the orthogonal moments, with their fast calculations and the analysis on their behavior, we present a new method of motion detection in image sequences by the use of temporal Gaussian-Hermite moments. Experimental results are presented and are compared with the other methods, which shows the good performance of smoothed orthogonal Gaussian-Hermite moments for motion detection.
GEOMETRIC TOPOLOGY FOR INFORMATION ACQUISITION BY MEANS OF SMART SENSOR WEB
Authors: SZU HAROLD
Published: April 2004

The geometric topology of a point per event written in the higher dimensional μ-space of data (e.g. 6W's: who, where, when, what, how, and why) can help in the design of information acquisition (IA) systems. Measurement intensity of each W's sensor, or the number of words used to describe a specific W's attribute, represents the length of each vector dimension. Then, N concurrent reports of the same event become a distribution set of N points scattered all over μ-space. To discover the statistically independent components, an unsupervised or unbiased Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) methodology called Independent Component Analysis (ICA) can be used to reveal a new subspace called the feature space. The major and minor axes of the subspace correspond to highly precise and efficient combinations of old attributes (e.g. 2-D feature domains consisting of "where-who-when" and "what-how-why" could be good choices for Internet search indices). Thus, one realizes that the communication of an event is not just the address-where: but who and when are equally important attributes. In principle, the number of new sensors can be reduced (e.g. from 6 W's to 2 features), provided that they are physically realizable. In the combined space of 6N-dimensional Γ-space, one point can represent all N concurrent measurements; the flow of these generates the event behavior in time. The time flow over the reduced 2N feature space generates invariant features called knowledge.

For surveillance against terrorists, legacy electrical power line communication (PLC) will offer a useful relay for the last mile of mobile communications for a Surveillance Sensor Web (SSW) employing ANN: there is no need for "where" addressing for switching because of smart coding and decoding of "who-when." After reviewing Auto-Regression (AR), we generalize AR to a supervised ANN implementation of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) (Appendix A) learning toward unsupervised learning ANN for ICA (Appendix B). This is possible non-statistically because the classical-closed information theory (CIT) of the maximum Shannon entropy S of a closed system must be generalized for open brain information theory (BIT) having non-zero energy exchange E at the minimum Helmholtz free energy H = E - T o S at isothermal equilibrium ( T o =37° C ). For such an open BIT system, we prove the Lyaponov convergence theorem. We compute the ICA features of image textures in order to measure the ICA classifier information content.
MEMS FOR CELLULAR FORCE MEASUREMENTS AND MOLECULAR DETECTION
Authors: SUN YU , NELSON BRADLEY J.
Published: April 2004

MEMS technology and devices have proven their importance in facilitating single cell studies by providing quantitative information on cellular and sub-cellular levels. This paper reviews existing techniques for cellular and sub-cellular force measurement and molecular detection using MEMS-based devices. Literature on these techniques and sample devices is reviewed. The significance and limitations of various approaches are analyzed.
A Recurrent Connectionist Model of Person Impression Formation
Authors: Van Overwalle Frank , Labiouse Christophe
Published: April 2004

Major findings in impression formation are reviewed and modeled from a connectionist perspective. The findings are in the areas of primacy and recency in impression formation, asymmetric diagnosticity of ability-and morality-related traits, increased recall for trait-inconsistent information, assimilation and contrast in priming, and discounting of trait inferences by situational information. The majority of these phenomena are illustrated with well-known experiments and simulated with an autoassociative network architecture with linear activation update and using the delta learning algorithm for adjusting the connection weights. All of the simulations successfully reproduced the empirical findings. Moreover the proposed model is shown to be consistent with earlier algebraic models of impression formation (Anderson, 1981; Busemeyer 1991; Hogarth & Einhorn, 1992). The discussion centers on how our model compares to other connectionist approaches to impression formation and how it may contribute to a more parsimonious and unified theory of person perception.
Social Consequences of Disparagement Humor: A Prejudiced Norm Theory
Authors: Ford Thomas E. , Ferguson Mark A.
Published: April 2004

In this article we introduce a “prejudiced norm theory” that specifies the social-psychological processes by which exposure to disparagement humor uniquely affects tolerance of discrimination against members of groups targeted by the humor. Our theory posits that a norm of tolerance of discrimination implied by disparagement humor functions as a source of self-regulation for people high in prejudice. For people high in prejudice, this norm regulates the effect of exposure to disparagement humor on tolerance of subsequently encountered discriminatory events. Our theory contributes to the literature on prejudice and discrimination by delineating the processes by which disparagement humor creates a normative climate of tolerance of discrimination, as well as variables that accentuate and attenuate its effects.
Time-Varying Travel Times in Vehicle Routing
Authors: Fleischmann Bernhard , Gietz Martin , Gnutzmann Stefan
Published: April 2004

Models and algorithms for vehicle routing are usually based on known constant travel times between all relevant locations, an assumption that is far from reality, particularly for urban areas. But the consideration of travel times that vary with the time of day poses two serious problems: the adaptation of the algorithms and the procurement of reliable data about the behavior of the travel times in the road network. This article describes the derivation of travel time data from modern traffic information systems. It presents a general framework for the implementation of time-varying travel times in various vehicle-routing algorithms. Finally, it reports on computational tests with travel time data obtained from a traffic information system in the city of Berlin.
Designing Distribution Networks: Formulations and Solution Heuristic
Authors: Lapierre Sophie D. , Ruiz Angel B. , Soriano Patrick
Published: April 2004

The fast development of transport activities and the introduction of shipment consolidation have considerably changed the logistics context over the last three decades. Consolidation terminals, also called transshipment centers (TC) or hubs, have justified their presence by improving the loading of trucks in terms of both volume and weight. In addition, the possibility of using external carriers, exclusively or in coordination with a private fleet, can reduce costs and increase customer service. The right combination of these strategies can dramatically impact the cost of transport. However, the complexity of the decisions has also increased and existing models have to be improved to tackle these new challenges. In this paper, after discussing the different formulations for distribution networks with transshipment centers existing in the literature, we present a new model and an efficient metaheuristic that determines the number and the location of TCs as well as the best transportation alternative—LTL, FTL, Parcel, or own fleet—on each segment accounting for both weight and volume metrics. The ability of our heuristic to solve this complex problem comes from a judicious combination of tabu search and variable neighborhood search. The performance of this approach is evaluated on several test data problems generated with real cost structures published by a U.S. carrier. The heuristic solutions are compared to optimal ones obtained by an exact method for small-sized instances of the simpler problems. Finally, we address issues in carrier price structure to achieve efficient shipment practices.
Two-Player Noncooperative Games over a Freight Transportation Network
Authors: Castelli Lorenzo , Longo Giovanni , Pesenti Raffaele , Ukovich Walter
Published: April 2004

A game between two players acting on the same road transportation network is considered in this paper. The first player aims at minimizing the transportation costs, whereas the second player aims at maximizing her profit (or, in general, her utility) that is proportional to the flow passing through the arcs under her control. We introduce bilevel linear programming formulations for this problem. We derive conditions of existence and properties of the equilibrium points and propose an algorithm finding a local optimal solution. Finally, we present an application of the model to a real system involving trucks travelling through Europe from a Middle Eastern country.
The Best Shape for a Crossdock
Authors: Bartholdi John J. , Gue Kevin R.
Published: April 2004

Within both retail distribution and less-than-truckload transportation networks crossdocks vary greatly in shape. Docks in the shape of an I, L, or T are most common, but unusual ones may be found, including those in the shape of a U, H, or E. Is there a best shape? We show that the answer depends on the size of the facility and on the pattern of freight flows inside. Our results suggest that many large crossdocks in practice suffer from poor design that increases labor costs on the dock.
Two Instruments to Determine Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time: Implications for Heparin Monitoring
Authors: Taylor Charles T. , Petros William P. , Ortel Thomas L.
Published: April 2004

Study Objective. To measure the difference in therapeutic ranges of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) between two laboratory devices.

Design. Prospective, controlled laboratory study.

Setting. University‐affiliated hospital.

Patients. Thirty inpatients receiving intravenous unfractionated heparin for treatment of myocardial infarction, unstable angina, deep venous thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism.

Interventions. Therapeutic APTT ranges were determined by a portable (whole blood assay) and a central laboratory device (plasma assay) based on heparin serum concentrations. They were compared with APTT ranges equivalent to 1.5–2.5 times the mean normal determination.

Measurements and Main Results. The central laboratory and portable devices produced therapeutic ranges of 61–93 and 56–73 seconds, respectively. Both differed from conventional therapeutic ratios of 1.5–2.5 times the mean normal (41–68 sec). Mean absolute APTT differences between instruments were statistically significant (12 ± 20 sec, p<0.006), and 58% of paired APTT values differed by more than 10 seconds.

Conclusion. A fixed APTT ratio as a goal for monitoring unfractionated heparin may result in significant underanticoagulation. Individual therapeutic APTT ranges must be reported for each instrument if more than one is used for heparin monitoring.
Quality of Life as a Treatment Outcome in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Munzenberger Paul J. , Van Wagnen Catherine A. , Abdulhamid Ibrahim , Walker Paul C.
Published: April 2004

We attempted to determine the responsiveness and validity of the Quality of Well‐Being (QWB) scale in 20 consecutive children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis. The QWB score was determined for 6‐day periods immediately before and after hospital admission, and at 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up. With the instrument's scale of zero‐1, responsiveness was indicated by significant changes in QWB score (0.09), physical (0.019), social (0.021), and symptom‐problem complexes (0.04) domains, and all pulmonary function tests from before to after treatment of an acute exacerbation. Only the symptom‐problem complex domain significantly changed from after treatment to 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up. Validity was shown by significant correlations between before and after QWB scores and forced vital capacity (r=0.476), residual volume total lung capacity ratio (r=0.452), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (r=0.358), and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity (r=0.35).
The Outcome of Very Low Dosages of Simvastatin in Patients with Hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Rindone Joseph P.
Published: April 2004

A retrospective study evaluated the success of dosages of simvastatin lower than the 10–20 mg/day recommended by the manufacturer in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Records of 95 patients enrolled in a pharmacist‐managed lipid clinic receiving stable dosages of simvastatin were reviewed. Data collected were demographics, number of simvastatin refills, dosage distribution, baseline and posttreatment lipid profiles, and proportion of patients with low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) levels below target as recommended by the National Cholesterol and Education Program. Dosages for 62% of patients were less than 20 mg/day. Percentages of patients at goal LDL were 98%, 89%, and 83% for patients taking 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/day, respectively. Patients taking 40 mg/day were least likely to be below the goal. There was an even distribution of patients taking each dosage. No statistical difference in compliance was noted among dosages based on prescription refills. Most patients taking less than the recommended initial dosage of the agent had satisfactory lipid control.
Is Drug Use by the Elderly with Cognitive Impairment Influenced by Type of Dementia?
Authors: Gambassi Giovanni , Landi Francesco , Lapane Kate L. , Sgadari Antonio , Mor Vincent , Bernabei Roberto
Published: April 2004

Patterns of drug use among the elderly vary greatly depending on level of cognitive function, yet no systematic evaluation of drug use by type of dementia has been performed. We compared patterns of drug use among patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) to examine their relation to cognitive impairment. We used a population‐based data set with over 350,000 residents admitted between 1992 and 1995 to all Medicare‐Medicaid‐certified nursing homes in five states. After excluding patients with a history of mental disorders or retardation, we identified 23,073 patients age 65 years and over with a diagnosis of AD and 76,087 with VaD. We examined over 350 resident data items (demographic, diagnostic, clinical, treatment) collected with the federally mandated Minimum Data Set, drug data (brand name, dosage, route and frequency of administration for all drugs), and Medicare hospital claims. Cognitive status was measured with a 7‐point cognitive performance scale. Estimates of drug use were adjusted for age, gender, race, and prevalence of respective disease. Patients with AD were younger and had more severe cognitive impairment than those with VaD. The latter had more comorbid clinical conditions (3.1 ± 1.9 vs 2.3 ± 1.7 for patients with AD) and received a greater number of total drugs (6.1 ± 4.6 vs 5.3 ± 4.3). Overall use of cardiovascular, anti‐Parkinson, pulmonary, antineoplastic, and nutritional agents was less frequent among patients with AD than those with VaD. Results were consistent across different levels of cognitive impairment. Thus, patients with AD have fewer associated diseases and appear to be less intensively medically treated.
Effect of Gender on the Pharmacokinetics of Ofloxacin
Authors: Sowinski Kevin M. , Abel Steven R. , Clark William R. , Mueller Bruce A.
Published: April 2004

Study Objectives. To assess the influence of gender on the pharmacokinetics of ofloxacin.

Design. Open‐label study.

Setting. Academic medical center.

Patients. Five healthy men and seven healthy women volunteers.

Interventions. Subjects received a single oral dose of ofloxacin 400 mg, and serial blood samples were collected for 24 hours. Plasma concentrations of ofloxacin were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography and pharmacokinetic parameters were determined. Statistical comparisons between genders were made with the Wilcoxon rank sum test.

Measurements and Main Results. Median volume of distribution at steady state/systemic bioavailability (Vss/F) was significantly smaller in women than in men, although when normalized for total body weight there were no differences. Except for terminal elimination half‐life, which was 10% shorter in women, no other pharmacokinetic values were significantly different between genders. Median peak concentrations, although not statistically different, were 28% higher in women.

Conclusion. Ofloxacin Vss/F values were smaller in women than in men, explained by gender‐related differences in weight.
Affinities of Brompheniramine, Chlorpheniramine, and Terfenadine at the Five Human Muscarinic Cholinergic Receptor Subtypes
Authors: Yasuda Sally Usdin , Yasuda Robert P.
Published: April 2004

Anticholinergic effects are presumed to be the mechanism for the efficacy of chlorpheniramine in symptomatic relief of the common cold. Terfenadine, a second‐generation antihistamine, reportedly lacks anticholinergic side effects. We evaluated affinities of two commonly used over‐the‐counter antihistamines, brompheniramine and chlorpheniramine, as well as terfenadine in comparison with atropine at the five human muscarinic cholinergic receptor subtypes using CHO cells stably transfected with the individual subtypes. Atropine was more potent than all three drugs at m1–m5 (p<0.01). No significant difference was observed between chlorpheniramine and brompheniramine. Atropine, brompheniramine, and chlorpheniramine could not discriminate between m1–m5. Terfenadine demonstrated subtype selectivity at m3. In vitro comparisons in human muscarinic receptor subtypes could potentially be used to predict clinical anticholinergic effects of antihistamines and to target receptor‐specific effects of such agents.
Impact of Trauma Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis Guidelines on Drug Cost and Frequency of Major Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Authors: Devlin John W. , Claire Karen S. , Dulchavsky Scott A. , Tyburski James G.
Published: April 2004

Trauma patients are routinely prescribed stress ulcer prophylaxis despite evidence suggesting such therapy be limited to patients with identifiable risk factors for bleeding. With surgeons' consensus, we developed and implemented trauma stress ulcer prophylaxis guidelines, and measured the impact of clinical pharmacists on implementing the guidelines and the effect of the guidelines on drug cost and frequency of major gastrointestinal bleeding. Two groups of 150 consecutive patients admitted with multiple trauma were evaluated before and after guideline implementation and stratified by Injury Severity Score (ISS) to minor (ISS < 9) or moderate to severe (ISS ≥ 9) trauma groups. The number of patients prescribed stress ulcer prophylaxis, length and cost of this therapy, and number of patients experiencing major gastrointestinal bleeding (decrease in consecutive hemoglobin ≥ 2 g/dl in conjunction with coffee‐ground emesis, hematemesis, melena, or hematochezia) were measured. All pharmacist interventions pertaining to stress prophylaxis were collected. Fewer patients were prescribed stress ulcer prophylaxis after guideline implementation (105/150, 70% vs 39/150, 26%, p<0.0001), leading to a decrease in total drug cost of $4558. Use decreased more in patients with minor (40/54, 74% vs 9/59, 15%, p<0.0001) than moderate to severe (65/96, 68% vs 30/91, 33%, p<0.0001) trauma. Neither length of therapy nor agent of choice (> 95% cimetidine) differed between groups. Fifteen (38%) of 38 postguideline prophylaxis orders were determined by the pharmacist not to meet guideline criteria. Recommendations to discontinue therapy were accepted in 9 (60%) of 15 instances. The frequency of major gastrointestinal bleeding remained unchanged between groups (1/150 vs 0/150, p=1.0). Implementation of trauma stress ulcer prophylaxis guidelines limiting therapy to patients with risk factors for bleeding led to a 80% decrease in drug cost and did not affect the frequency of major gastrointestinal bleeding.
Methadone Withdrawal when Starting an Antiretroviral Regimen Including Nevirapine
Authors: Heelon Mark W. , Meade Lauren B.
Published: April 2004

Antiretrovirals from three drug classes, nucleoside analogs, nonnucleoside analogs, and protease inhibitors, can be combined to achieve viral suppression. The nonnucleoside analog nevirapine is an inducer of cytochrome P450 3A4 liver metabolism and has interactions with protease inhibitors and oral contraceptives. Methadone has two roles in human immunodeficiency viral infection: pain management and treatment of opioid abuse. A drug‐drug interaction may result in decreased methadone blood levels when administered with nevirapine. A patient experienced methadone withdrawal symptoms when combining these agents.
Undiagnosed Cirrhosis and Hepatic Encephalopathy in a National Cohort of Veterans With Dementia
Authors: Bajaj Jasmohan S. , Silvey Scott G. , Rogal Shari , O’Leary Jacqueline G. , Patton Heather , Morgan Timothy R. , Kanagalingam Gowthami , Gentili Angela , Godschalk Michael , Patel Nilang
Published: January 2024

Importance

Dementia and hepatic encephalopathy (HE) are challenging to distinguish clinically. Undiagnosed cirrhosis in a patient with dementia can lead to missed opportunities to treat HE.

Objective

To examine the prevalence and risk factors of undiagnosed cirrhosis and therefore possible HE in veterans with dementia.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A retrospective cohort study was conducted between 2009 and 2019 using data from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and 2 separate validation cohorts from the Richmond Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Data analysis was conducted from May 20 to October 15, 2023. Participants included 177 422 US veterans with a diagnosis of dementia at 2 or more clinic visits, no prior diagnosis of cirrhosis, and with sufficient laboratory test results to calculate the Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score.

Exposures

Demographic and clinical characteristics.

Main Outcomes and Measures

An FIB-4 score (>2.67 suggestive of advanced fibrosis and >3.25 suggestive of cirrhosis), capped at age 65 years even for those above this cutoff who were included in the analysis.

Results

Among 177 422 veterans (97.1% men; 80.7% White; mean (SD) age, 78.35 [10.97] years) 5.3% (n = 9373) had an FIB-4 score greater than 3.25 and 10.3% (n = 18 390) had an FIB-4 score greater than 2.67. In multivariable logistic regression models, FIB-4 greater than 3.25 was associated with older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; 95% CI, 1.06-1.09), male gender (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.26-1.61), congestive heart failure (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.43-1.54), viral hepatitis (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.66-1.91), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test score (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.44-1.68), and chronic kidney disease (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.04-1.17), and inversely associated with White race (OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.73-0.85), diabetes (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.73-0.84), hyperlipidemia (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.79-0.89), stroke (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.79-0.91), tobacco use disorder (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.70-0.87), and rural residence (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.87-0.97). Similar findings were associated with the FIB-4 greater than 2.67 threshold. These codes were associated with cirrhosis on local validation. A local validation cohort of patients with dementia showed a similar percentage of high FIB-4 scores (4.4%-11.2%).

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this cohort study suggest that clinicians encountering patients with dementia should be encouraged to screen for cirrhosis using the FIB-4 score to uncover reversible factors associated with cognitive impairment, such as HE, to enhance outcomes.
Timing to First Whole Blood Transfusion and Survival Following Severe Hemorrhage in Trauma Patients
Authors: Torres Crisanto M. , Kenzik Kelly M. , Saillant Noelle N. , Scantling Dane R. , Sanchez Sabrina E. , Brahmbhatt Tejal S. , Dechert Tracey A. , Sakran Joseph V.
Published: January 2024

Importance

Civilian trauma centers have revived interest in whole-blood (WB) resuscitation for patients with life-threatening bleeding. However, there remains insufficient evidence that the timing of WB transfusion when given as an adjunct to a massive transfusion protocol (MTP) is associated with a difference in patient survival outcome.

Objective

To evaluate whether earlier timing of first WB transfusion is associated with improved survival at 24 hours and 30 days for adult trauma patients presenting with severe hemorrhage.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study used the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program databank from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020, for adult patients presenting to US and Canadian adult civilian level 1 and 2 trauma centers with systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg, with shock index greater than 1, and requiring MTP who received a WB transfusion within the first 24 hours of emergency department (ED) arrival. Patients with burns, prehospital cardiac arrest, deaths within 1 hour of ED arrival, and interfacility transfers were excluded. Data were analyzed from January 3 to October 2, 2023.

Exposure

Patients who received WB as an adjunct to MTP (earlier) compared with patients who had yet to receive WB as part of MTP (later) at any given time point within 24 hours of ED arrival.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Primary outcomes were survival at 24 hours and 30 days.

Results

A total of 1394 patients met the inclusion criteria (1155 male [83%]; median age, 39 years [IQR, 25-51 years]). The study cohort included profoundly injured patients (median Injury Severity Score, 27 [IQR, 17-35]). A survival curve demonstrated a difference in survival within 1 hour of ED presentation and WB transfusion. Whole blood transfusion as an adjunct to MTP given earlier compared with later at each time point was associated with improved survival at 24 hours (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.22-0.73; P = .003). Similarly, the survival benefit of earlier WB transfusion remained present at 30 days (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.22-0.45; P < .001).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study, receipt of a WB transfusion earlier at any time point within the first 24 hours of ED arrival was associated with improved survival in patients presenting with severe hemorrhage. The survival benefit was noted shortly after transfusion. The findings of this study are clinically important as the earlier timing of WB administration may offer a survival advantage in actively hemorrhaging patients requiring MTP.
Terephthalic Acid, Dimethyl Terephthalate, and Isophthalic Acid
Authors: Tomás Rogério A.F. , Bordado João C.M. , Gomes João F.P. , Sheehan Richard J.
Published: January 2024

The article contains sections titled:

1
Introduction

2
Physical Properties

3
Production

3.1
Routes from Biobased Feedstocks

3.2
Amoco Oxidation

3.3
Amoco Purification

3.4
Multistage Oxidation

3.5
Dynamit Nobel (Witten) Process

3.6
Esterification of Terephthalic Acid

3.7
Hydrolysis of Dimethyl Terephthalate

3.8
Alternative and Past Technologies

3.9
Recovery from PET Resins

4
Environmental Protection

5
Quality Specifications

6
Storage and Transportation

7
Uses

8
Economic Aspects

9
Toxicology and Occupational Health

References
Hierarchical Dendritic Photonic Crystal Beads for Efficient Isolation and Proteomic Analysis of Multiple Cell Types
Authors: Chang Wenya , Li Yu , Cai Yuhan , Wang Shu , Song Xiaorong , Sun Jie , Deng Dawei , Gu Zhongze , Xie Zhuoying
Published: January 2024

Cell types with different morphology, and function collaborate to maintain organ function. As such, analyzing proteomic differences and connections between different types of cells forms the foundation for establishing functional connectomes and developing in vitro organoid simulation experiments. However, the efficiency of cell type isolation from organs is limited by time, equipment, and cost. Here, hierarchical dendritic photonic crystal beads (HDPCBs) featuring high‐density functional groups via the self‐assembly of dendritic mesoporous structure SiO2 nanoparticles (DM‐SiO2) and grafting dendrimers onto the surface of dendritic mesoporous photonic crystal beads (DMPCBs) is developed. This platform integrates multitype cell separation with in situ protein cleavage processes. Efficient simultaneous isolation of Kupffer cells and Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial cells (LSECs) from liver, with high specificity and convenient operation in a short separation time are demonstrated. The results reveal 2832 and 3442 unique proteins identified in Kupffer cells and LSECs using only 50 HDPCBs, respectively. 764 and 629 over‐expressed proteins associated with the function of Kupffer cells and LSECs are found, respectively. The work offers a new method for efficiently isolating multiple cell types from tissues and downstream proteomic analysis, ultimately facilitating the identification of primary cell compositions and functions.
An Advanced Bioconjugation Strategy for Covalent Tethering of TGFβ3 with Silk Fibroin Matrices and its Implications in the Chondrogenesis Profile of Human BMSCs and Human Chondrocytes: A Paradigm Shift in Cartilage Tissue Engineering
Authors: Majumder Nilotpal , Seit Sinchan , Bhabesh Neel Sarovar , Ghosh Sourabh
Published: January 2024

The transforming growth factor‐β class of cytokines plays a significant role in articular cartilage formation from mesenchymal condensation to chondrogenic differentiation. However, their exogenous addition to the chondrogenic media makes the protocol expensive. It reduces the bioavailability of the cytokine to the cells owing to their burst release. The present study demonstrates an advanced bioconjugation strategy to conjugate transforming growth factor‐β3 (TGFβ3) with silk fibroin matrix covalently via a cyanuric chloride coupling reaction. The tethering and change in secondary conformation are confirmed using various spectroscopic analyses. To assess the functionality of the chemically modified silk matrix, human bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) and chondrocytes are cultured for 28 days in a chondrogenic differentiation medium. Gene expression and histological analysis reveal enhanced expression of chondrogenic markers with intense Safranin‐O and Alcian Blue staining in TGFβ3 conjugated silk matrices than where TGFβ3 is exogenously added to the media for both hBMSCs and chondrocytes. Therefore, this study successfully recapitulates the native niche of TGFβ3 and the role of the silk as a growth factor stabilizer. When cultured over TGFβ3 conjugated silk matrices, hBMSCs display increased proteoglycan secretion and maximum chondrogenic trait with attenuation of chondrocyte hypertrophy over human chondrocytes.
Cell Chirality of Micropatterned Endometrial Microvascular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Zambuto Samantha G. , Jain Ishita , Theriault Hannah S. , Underhill Gregory H. , Harley Brendan A.C.
Published: January 2024

Chirality is an intrinsic cellular property that describes cell polarization biases along the left–right axis, apicobasal axis, or front–rear axes. Cell chirality plays a significant role in the arrangement of organs in the body as well as in the orientation of organelles, cytoskeletons, and cells. Vascular networks within the endometrium, the mucosal inner lining of the uterus, commonly display spiral architectures that rapidly form across the menstrual cycle. Herein, the role of endometrial‐relevant extracellular matrix stiffness, composition, and soluble signals on endometrial endothelial cell chirality is systematically examined using a high‐throughput microarray. Endometrial endothelial cells display marked patterns of chirality as individual cells and as cohorts in response to substrate stiffness and environmental cues. Vascular networks formed from endometrial endothelial cells also display shifts in chirality as a function of exogenous hormones. Changes in cellular‐scale chirality correlate with changes in vascular network parameters, suggesting a critical role for cellular chirality in directing endometrial vessel network organization.
A Cellulose/Chitosan Dual Cross‐Linked Multifunctional and Resilient Hydrogel for Emergent Open Wound Management
Authors: Lu Shengchang , Wu Hui , Ge Shengbo , Huang Liulian , Chen Lihui , Connor Chris , Guo Zhanhu , Jiang Yunhong , Xu Ben Bin , Peng Wanxi
Published: January 2024

Adhesive hydrogel holds huge potential in biomedical applications, such as hemostasis and emergent wound management during outpatient treatment or surgery. However, most adhesive hydrogels underperform to offer robust adhesions on the wet tissue, increasing the risk of hemorrhage and reducing the fault tolerance of surgery. To address this issue, this work develops a polysaccharide‐based bioadhesive hydrogel tape (ACAN) consisting of dual cross‐linking of allyl cellulose (AC) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS). The hygroscopicity of AC and CMCS networks enables ACAN to remove interfacial water from the tissue surface and initializes a physical cross‐link instantly. Subsequently, covalent cross‐links are developed with amine moieties to sustain long‐term and robust adhesion. The dual cross‐linked ACAN also has good cytocompatibility with controllable mechanical properties matching to the tissue, where the addition of CMCS provides remarkable antibacterial properties and hemostatic capability. Moreover, compared with commercially available 3 M film, ACAN provides an ultrafast wound healing on tissue. The ACAN hybrid hydrogels have advantages such as biocompatibility and antibacterial, hemostatic, and wound healing properties, shedding new light on first‐aid tape design and advancing the cellulose‐based materials technology for high‐performance biomedical applications.
Chemical Circularity in 3D Printing with Biobased Δ‐Valerolactone
Authors: Yue Liang , Su Yong‐Liang , Li Mingzhe , Yu Luxia , Sun Xiaohao , Cho Jaehyun , Brettmann Blair , Gutekunst Will R. , Ramprasad Rampi , Qi H. Jerry
Published: January 2024

Digital Light Processing (DLP) is a vat photopolymerization‐based 3D printing technology that fabricates parts typically made of chemically crosslinked polymers. The rapidly growing DLP market has an increasing demand for polymer raw materials, along with growing environmental concerns. Therefore, circular DLP printing with a closed‐loop recyclable ink is of great importance for sustainability. The low‐ceiling temperature alkyl‐substituted δ‐valerolactone (VL) is an industrially accessible biorenewable feedstock for developing recyclable polymers. In this work, acrylate‐functionalized poly(δ‐valerolactone) (PVLA), synthesized through the ring‐opening transesterification polymerization of VL, is used as a platform photoprecursor to improve the chemical circularity in DLP printing. A small portion of photocurable reactive diluent (RD) turns the unprintable PVLA into DLP printable ink. Various photocurable monomers can serve as RDs to modulate the properties of printed structures for applications like sacrificial molds, soft actuators, sensors, etc. The intrinsic depolymerizability of PVLA is well preserved, regardless of whether the printed polymer is a thermoplastic or thermoset. The recovery yield of virgin quality VL monomer is 93% through direct bulk thermolysis of the printed structures. This work proposes the utilization of depolymerizable photoprecursors and highlights the feasibility of biorenewable VL as a versatile material platform toward circular DLP printing.
Large‐Sized Hydrogel Sheet Incorporated with Dual Physical Crosslinkers for Enhanced Mechanical and Adhesive Properties
Authors: Nam Kibeom , Park Ju Hyang , Kim Eon Ji , Kim Jong Ryeol , Min Yuho , Hyun Dong Choon , Lee Dong Yun
Published: January 2024

This work reports the fabrication of a large‐sized hydrogel sheet with enhanced mechanical and adhesive properties. The fabrication involves the introduction of carboxymethyl‐modified cellulose nanofibers (m‐CNFs) and solid silica nanoparticles (SSNs) as physical cross‐linkers into acrylic acid monomer (AA), followed by bar coating and photopolymerization. The addition of the nanomaterials to the monomer solution renders it viscous, enabling the fabrication of A4‐sized hydrogel sheets with uniform thickness and enhanced mechanical and adhesive properties. Interestingly, the combined incorporation of both the nanomaterials generates a synergistic effect to improve the properties much more, which results from the hierarchical rupture of the multiple hydrogen‐bonded interactions among the poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) matrix, m‐CNFs, and SSNs. Under optimal conditions, the hydrogel sheet incorporated with the dual crosslinkers exhibits a sevenfold higher toughness and a sixfold increased peel strength than plain PAA, together with good biocompatibility. Furthermore, when mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) with active agent loading into their pores are incorporated instead of SSNs, the active agent can be released from the hydrogel sheet in a sustained or temperature‐sensitive manner, indicating that the system is potentially applicable to transdermal drug delivery system with no additional adhesive.
Polarization Vector Canting in Croconic Acid Ferroelectric Nanoscopic Regions
Authors: Mohapatra Sambit , Weber Wolfgang , Gobaut Benoit , Bowen Martin , Boukari Samy , Da Costa Victor
Published: January 2024

Croconic acid is reported to be the organic ferroelectric with the highest above‐room‐temperature saturation polarization in its crystal form, at a value on par with that of commonly used inorganic ferroelectrics. Owing to its organic nature, high polarization value, and small coercive field, Croconic acid is considered as a potential candidate in energy‐efficient and environmentally benign composite multiferroic heterostructures. However, understanding the magnetoelectric mechanism at the ferroelectric/ferromagnetic interface in these structures requires a detailed understanding of the orientation of the polarization vector in its thin film form. To maximize the magnetoelectric effect, the polarization vector should point out of the film plane, yet the polarization in ultra‐thin Croconic acid films is predicted to lie in the film plane. Nevertheless, polycrystalline films show some promise in this direction. In this article, by combining in situ piezoreponse force microscopy imaging with nanoscopic polarization reversal spectroscopy, the authors qualitatively analyze the polarization switching and its orientation in polycrystalline Croconic acid films and show that it is canted with respect to the film plane, with a component along the out‐of‐plane direction.
Smart Responsive Organic Emitters: Intrinsic Mechanisms and Versatile Applications
Authors: Yan Yu , Liu Chengfang , Fan Jianzhong , Li Yusheng , Li Junfeng , Li Xiangchun , Lai Wen‐Yong
Published: January 2024

Smart responsive organic emitters, which exhibit tunable emission properties in response to external stimuli, can serve as a new generation of intelligent optoelectronic materials because of their versatile applications, such as multicolor displays, information encryption, visual sensing, and matter detection. In recent years, significant advancements have been made in the development of smart responsive organic emitters. However, there is still a lack of a systematic review that provides a comprehensive insight into smart responsive organic emitters from the perspectives of intrinsic mechanisms and versatile applications. Hence, this review concentrates on analyzing the intrinsic mechanisms, which can clarify the relationships between material systems and tunable emission behaviors. This process can provide helpful design principles for smart responsive organic emitters. Furthermore, versatile smart applications have been highlighted to deepen the understanding of the practical values of such smart responsive emitters. This work summarizes the state‐of‐the‐art progress of smart responsive emitters and highlights the existing challenges and future development directions. It aims to provide inspiration and guidelines for the construction of novel smart responsive organic emitters, thereby broadening and stimulating their prominent applications in various fields such as electronic information and flexible electronics.
Mechanochemical Synthesis of Arylsilanes via Barbier‐Type Reaction between Aryl Halides and Chlorosilanes with Magnesium
Authors: Zong Lianze , Sun Ruizhi , Hu Xixi , Zhang Jiarui , Luan Yanbin , Xu Zhengbao. , Xie Caixia , Li Xinjin , Sun Feng‐Gang , Liu Hui , Liu Zhong‐Quan , Zhao Zengdian , Zhang Lizhi
Published: January 2024

The reaction of chlorosilanes with organometallic reagents is an old and well‐developed approach to organosilicon compounds, however, its application was limited due to the sensitivity of organometallic reagents to air, water. Here we display a mechanochemical access to arylsilanes via Barbier‐type reaction of chlorosilanes with aryl halide with magnesium. By treatment of the two halides with Mg powder under electromagnetic milling, a series of arylsilanes are obtained within 15 minutes. Taking the advantages of the electromagnetic milling, this protocol features transition‐metal free, good functional group tolerance, air stable and mild conditions.