bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arctic stratospheric dehydration – Part 2: Microphysical modeling
Authors: Engel I. , Luo B. P. , Khaykin S. M. , Wienhold F. G. , Vömel H. , Kivi R. , Hoyle C. R. , Grooß J.-U. , Pitts M. C. , Peter T.
Published: October 2013

Abstract. Large areas of synoptic-scale ice PSCs (Polar Stratospheric Clouds) distinguished the Arctic winter 2009/2010 from other years and revealed unprecedented evidence of water redistribution in the stratosphere. A unique snapshot of water vapor repartitioning into ice particles was observed under extremely cold Arctic conditions with temperatures around 183 K. Balloon-borne, aircraft and satellite-based measurements suggest that synoptic-scale ice PSCs and concurrent reductions and enhancements in water vapor are tightly linked with the observed de- and rehydration signatures, respectively. In a companion paper (Part 1), water vapor and aerosol backscatter measurements from the RECONCILE (Reconciliation of essential process parameters for an enhanced predictability of Arctic stratospheric ozone loss and its climate interactions) and LAPBIAT-II (Lapland Atmosphere-Biosphere Facility) field campaigns have been analyzed in detail. This paper uses a column version of the Zurich Optical and Microphysical box Model (ZOMM) including newly developed NAT (Nitric Acid Trihydrate) and ice nucleation parameterizations. Particle sedimentation is calculated in order to simulate the vertical redistribution of chemical species such as water and nitric acid. Accounting for small-scale temperature fluctuations along the trajectory is essential to reach agreement between simulated optical cloud properties and observations. Whereas modeling only homogeneous nucleation causes the formation of ice clouds with particle radii too small to explain the measured vertical redistribution of water, we show that the use of recently developed heterogeneous ice nucleation parameterizations allows the model to quantitatively reproduce the observed signatures of de- and rehydration.
Using ice-flow models to evaluate potential sites of million year-old ice in Antarctica
Authors: Van Liefferinge B. , Pattyn F.
Published: October 2013

Abstract. Finding suitable potential sites for an undisturbed record of million-year old ice in Antarctica requires slow-moving ice (preferably an ice divide) and basal conditions that are not disturbed by large topographic variations. Furthermore, ice should be thick and cold basal conditions should prevail, since basal melting would destroy the bottom layers. However, thick ice (needed to resolve the signal at sufficient high resolution) increases basal temperatures, which is a conflicting condition for finding a suitable drill site. In addition, slow moving areas in the center of ice sheets are also low-accumulation areas, and low accumulation reduces potential cooling of the ice through vertical advection. While boundary conditions such as ice thickness and accumulation rates are relatively well constrained, the major uncertainty in determining basal thermal conditions resides in the geothermal heat flow (GHF) underneath the ice sheet. We explore uncertainties in existing GHF data sets and their effect on basal temperatures of the Antarctic Ice Sheet, and propose an updated method based on Pattyn (2010) to improve existing GHF data sets in agreement with known basal temperatures and their gradients to reduce this uncertainty. Both complementary methods lead to a better comprehension of basal temperature sensitivity and a characterization of potential ice coring sites within these uncertainties. The combination of both modeling approaches show that the most likely oldest ice sites are situated near the divide areas (close to existing deep drilling sites, but in areas of smaller ice thickness) and across the Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains.
Regional climate model simulations for Europe at 6 k and 0.2 k yr BP: sensitivity to changes in anthropogenic deforestation
Authors: Strandberg G. , Kjellström E. , Poska A. , Wagner S. , Gaillard M.-J. , Trondman A.-K. , Mauri A. , Birks H. J. B. , Bjune A. E. , Davis B. A. S. , Fyfe R. , Giesecke T. , Kalnina L. , Kangur M. , Kaplan J. O. , van der Knaap W. O. , Kokfelt U. , Kuneš P. , Latałowa M. , Marquer L. , Mazier F. , Nielsen A. B. , Smith B. , Seppä H. , Sugita S.
Published: October 2013

Abstract. This study aims to evaluate the direct effects of anthropogenic deforestation on simulated climate at two contrasting periods in the Holocene, ~6 k BP and ~0.2 k BP in Europe. We apply RCA3, a regional climate model with 50 km spatial resolution, for both time periods, considering three alternative descriptions of the past vegetation: (i) potential natural vegetation (V) simulated by the dynamic vegetation model LPJ-GUESS, (ii) potential vegetation with anthropogenic land cover (deforestation) as simulated by the HYDE model (V + H), and (iii) potential vegetation with anthropogenic land cover as simulated by the KK model (V + K). The KK model estimates are closer to a set of pollen-based reconstructions of vegetation cover than the HYDE model estimates. The climate-model results show that the simulated effects of deforestation depend on both local/regional climate and vegetation characteristics. At ~6 k BP the extent of simulated deforestation in Europe is generally small, but there are areas where deforestation is large enough to produce significant differences in summer temperatures of 0.5–1 °C. At ~0.2 k BP, simulated deforestation is much more extensive than previously assumed, in particular according to the KK model. This leads to significant temperature differences in large parts of Europe in both winter and summer. In winter, deforestation leads to lower temperatures because of the differences in albedo between forested and unforested areas, particularly in the snow-covered regions. In summer, deforestation leads to higher temperatures in central and eastern Europe since evapotranspiration from unforested areas is lower than from forests. Summer evaporation is already limited in the southernmost parts of Europe under potential vegetation conditions and, therefore, cannot become much lower. Accordingly, the albedo effect dominates also in summer, which implies that deforestation causes a decrease in temperatures. Differences in summer temperature due to deforestation range from −1 °C in south-western Europe to +1 °C in eastern Europe. The choice of anthropogenic land cover estimate has a significant influence on the simulated climate, but uncertainties in palaeoclimate proxy data for the two time periods do not allow for a thorough comparison with climate model results.
Investigation of superstorm Sandy 2012 in a multi-disciplinary approach
Authors: Kunz M. , Mühr B. , Kunz-Plapp T. , Daniell J. E. , Khazai B. , Wenzel F. , Vannieuwenhuyse M. , Comes T. , Elmer F. , Schröter K. , Fohringer J. , Münzberg T. , Lucas C. , Zschau J.
Published: October 2013

Abstract. At the end of October 2012, Hurricane Sandy moved from the Caribbean Sea into the Atlantic Ocean and entered the United States not far from New York. Along its track, Sandy caused more than 200 fatalities and severe losses in Jamaica, The Bahamas, Haiti, Cuba, and the US. This paper demonstrates the capability and potential for near-real-time analysis of catastrophes. It is shown that the impact of Sandy was driven by the superposition of different extremes (high wind speeds, storm surge, heavy precipitation) and by cascading effects. In particular the interaction between Sandy and an extra-tropical weather system created a huge storm that affected large areas in the US. It is examined how Sandy compares to historic hurricane events, both from a hydro-meteorological and impact perspective. The distribution of losses to different sectors of the economy is calculated with simple input-output models as well as government estimates. Direct economic losses are estimated about USD 4.2 billion in the Caribbean and between USD 78 and 97 billion in the US. Indirect economic losses from power outages is estimated in the order of USD 16.3 billion. Modelling sector-specific dependencies quantifies total business interruption losses between USD 10.8 and 15.5 billion. Thus, seven years after the record impact of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Hurricane Sandy is the second costliest hurricane in the history of the United States.
Precursory pattern of tidal triggering of earthquakes in six regions of China: the possible relation to the crustal heterogeneity
Authors: Li Q. , Xu G.-M.
Published: October 2013

Abstract. We found the possible correlation between the precursory pattern of tidal triggering of earthquakes and the crustal heterogeneities, which is of particular importance to the researchers in earthquake prediction and earthquake hazard prevention. We investigated the connection between the tidal variations and earthquake occurrence in the Liyang, Wunansha, Cangshan, Wenan, Luquan and Yaoan regions of China. Most of the regions show a higher correlation with tidal triggering in several years preceding the large or destructive earthquakes compared to other times, indicating that the tidal triggering may inherently relate to the nucleation of the destructive earthquakes during this time. In addition, the analysis results indicate that the Liyang, Cangshan and Luquan regions, with stronger heterogeneity, show statistically significant effects of tidal triggering preceding the large or destructive earthquakes, while the Wunansha, Wenan and Yaoan regions, with relatively weak heterogeneity, show statistically insignificant effects of it, signifying that the precursory pattern of tidal triggering of earthquakes in these six regions is possibly related to the heterogeneities of the crustal rocks. The above results suggest that when people try to find the potential earthquake hazardous areas or make middle–long-term earthquake forecasting by means of precursory pattern of the tidal triggering, the crustal heterogeneity in these areas has to be taken into consideration for the purpose of increasing the prediction efficiency. If they do not consider the influence of crustal heterogeneity on the tidal triggering of earthquakes, the prediction efficiency might greatly decrease.
Decadal changes from a multi-temporal glacier inventory of Svalbard
Authors: Nuth C. , Kohler J. , König M. , von Deschwanden A. , Hagen J. O. , Kääb A. , Moholdt G. , Pettersson R.
Published: October 2013

Abstract. We present a multi-temporal digital inventory of Svalbard glaciers with the most recent from the late 2000s containing 33 775 km2 of glaciers covering 57% of the total land area of the archipelago. At present, 68% of the glacierized area of Svalbard drains through tidewater glaciers that have a total terminus width of ~ 740 km. The glacierized area over the entire archipelago has decreased by an average of 80 km2 a−1 over the past ~ 30 yr, representing a reduction of 7%. For a sample of ~ 400 glaciers (10 000 km2) in the south and west of Spitsbergen, three digital inventories are available from the 1930/60s, 1990 and 2007 from which we calculate average changes during 2 epochs. In the more recent epoch, the terminus retreat was larger than in the earlier epoch, while area shrinkage was smaller. The contrasting pattern may be explained by the decreased lateral wastage of the glacier tongues. Retreat rates for individual glaciers show a mix of accelerating and decelerating trends, reflecting the large spatial variability of glacier types and climatic/dynamic response times in Svalbard. Lastly, retreat rates estimated by dividing glacier area changes by the tongue width are larger than centerline retreat due to a more encompassing frontal change estimate with inclusion of lateral area loss.
Forecasting and Capacity Planning for Nogales Port of Entry
Authors: Xue Liangjie , Maltz Arnold , Villalobos René
Published: October 2013

Trade between the United States and Mexico continues to grow, and has nearly returned to pre-recession levels. Hence, concerns as to the capacity of ports of entry are now returning to transportation planners' agendas. This article illustrates the formulation of a forecasting process to produce short- and long-range freight forecasts for border-crossing truck volumes even when seasonality is a concern. This forecasting process depends on relatively few input variables and thus should serve as a useful tool for border transportation and infrastructure planners. The article covers the choice of forecasting model, the selection of input variables, and scenario applications, using actual data from the Mariposa Port of Nogales, Arizona, to drive our choices and validate the forecasting model. The article closes with suggestions for improving both inputs to the forecasting model and the model itself, as well as drawing implications for more detailed investigations on overall drivers of border-crossing volumes.
The Ordered Network Structure and its Prediction for the Big Floods of the Changjiang River Basins
Authors: Men Ke-Pei , Zhu Shu-Dan
Published: October 2013

According to the latest statistical data of hydrology, a total of 21 floods took place over the Changjiang (Yangtze) River Basins from 1827 to 2012 and showed an obvious commensurable orderliness. In the guidance of the information forecasting theory of Wen-Bo Weng, based on previous research results, combining ordered analysis with complex network technology, we focus on the summary of the ordered network structure of the Changjiang floods, supplement new information, further optimize networks, construct the 2D- and 3D-ordered network structure and make prediction research. Predictions show that the future big deluges will probably occur over the Changjiang River Basin around 2013 - 2014, 2020 - 2021, 2030, 2036, 2051, and 2058.
Serotonin: The Anti-SuddenDeathAmine?
Authors: Richerson George B.
Published: October 2013

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is an exceptionally difficult condition to study in humans. Therefore, translational research in animal models has been very important in defining pathophysiological mechanisms of death and identifying potential treatments. These models are helping define whether the primary mechanism of death is cardiac or respiratory. They have also identified a link to the serotonergic system of the brainstem; this, in turn, led to recognition that SUDEP and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) may share a common final pathway in the sequence of events that lead to death.
Hybrid-Actuated Finger Prosthesis with Tactile Sensing
Authors: Low Cheng Yee , Kasim M. Amlie A. , Koch Torben , Dumitrescu Roman , Yussof Hanafiah , Jaafar Roseleena , Jaffar Ahmed , Aqilah Ahsana , Ng Kok Mun
Published: October 2013

Finger prostheses are devices developed to emulate the functionality of natural human fingers. On top of their aesthetic appearance in terms of shape, size and colour, such biomimetic devices require a high level of dexterity. They must be capable of gripping an object, and even manipulating it in the hand. This paper presents a biomimetic robotic finger actuated by a hybrid mechanism and integrated with a tactile sensor. The hybrid actuation mechanism comprises a DC micromotor and a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wire. A customized test rig has been developed to measure the force and stroke produced by the SMA wire. In parallel with the actuator development, experimental investigations have been conducted on Quantum Tunnelling Composite (QTC) and Pressure Conductive Rubber (PCR) towards the development of a tactile sensor for the finger. The viability of using these materials for tactile sensing has been determined. Such a hybrid actuation approach aided with tactile sensing capability enables a finger design as an integral part of a prosthetic hand for applications up to the transradial amputation level.
Modelling and Fuzzy Control of an Efficient Swimming Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite Actuated Robot
Authors: Shen Qi , Wang Tianmiao , Wen Li , Liang Jianhong
Published: October 2013

In this study, analytical techniques and fuzzy logic methods are applied to the dynamic modelling and efficient swimming control of a biomimetic robotic fish, which is actuated by an ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC). A physical-based model for the biomimetic robotic fish is proposed. The model incorporates both the hydrodynamics of the IPMC tail and the actuation dynamics of the IPMC. The comparison of the results of the simulations and experiments shows the feasibility of the dynamic model. By using this model, we found that the harmonic control of the actuation frequency and voltage amplitude of the IPMC is a principal mechanism through which the robotic fish can obtain high thrust efficiency while swimming. The fuzzy control method, which is based on the knowledge of the IPMC fish's dynamic behaviour, successfully utilized this principal mechanism. By comparing the thrust performance of the robotic fish with other control methods via simulation, we established that the fuzzy controller was able to achieve faster acceleration compared with what could be achieved with a conventional PID controller. The thrust efficiency during a steady state was superior to that with conventional control methods. We also found that when using the fuzzy control method the robotic fish can always swim near a higher actuation frequency, which could obtain both the desired speed and high thrust efficiency.
Agent Control for Reconfigurable Open Kinematic Chain Manipulators
Authors: Sluga Janez , Zaletelj Viktor , Žemva Andrej
Published: October 2013

This paper presents a method for the autonomous control of differently structured open kinematic chains based on multi-agent system technology. The appropriate level of distributing local autonomy (agents) to a manipulative structure is defined, which makes it possible to dynamically change the number, type and structure of manipulative components without modifying their behavioural logic. To achieve fast reconfigurable and scalable manipulative systems, a new multi-agent method is developed for controlling the manipulator kinematics. The new method enables independent manipulator structure from the control system because of its structural and system modularity. The proposed method consists of kinematic equations for use in an agent environment, agent motion-planning algorithms, evaluation functions, agent control logic and kinematic algorithms. The results of simulations and real-world experiments demonstrate the usefulness of the approach for different non-redundant and redundant manipulation structures.
Research on the Cross-Coupling of a Two Axes Gimbal System with Dynamic Unbalance
Authors: Abdo Maher , Vali Ahmad Reza , Toloei Alireza , Arvan Mohammad Reza
Published: October 2013

The aim of the gimballed stabilization system is to stabilize the sensor's line of sight towards a target by isolating the sensor from the disturbance induced by the operating environment, such as various disturbance torques and body motions. This paper presents a two axes gimbal assembly. The torque relationships are derived considering the angular motion of the base body and the dynamic unbalance. The stabilization loops for the two axes gimbal system are constructed and related to each other with a cross-coupling unit. Next, the overall model is simulated using two approaches and the obtained results are compared to show the correction of the model proposed. Finally, numerous tests are applied to evaluate the model's performance and investigate the effects of torque disturbance considered in this research.
Who and What Really Matters to the Firm: Moving Stakeholder Salience beyond Managerial Perceptions
Authors: Tashman Pete , Raelin Jonathan
Published: October 2013

We develop the concept of stakeholder salience to account for stakeholders who should matter to the firm, even when managers do not perceive them as important. While managers are responsible for attributing salience to stakeholders, they can overlook or ignore stakeholder importance because of market frictions that affect managerial perceptions or induce opportunism. When this happens, corporate financial and social performance can suffer. Thus, we propose that the perceptions of organizational and societal stakeholders should also codetermine the salience of the focal stakeholder to the firm. We also propose that stakeholder dialogue can reduce the impacts that market frictions can have on managerial perceptions of stakeholder interests that should matter to the firm. Finally, we discuss how the refined conceptualization of stakeholder salience might have better predictive validity, be more normative, and make instrumental and normative stakeholder theory more convergent.
West African pholcid spiders: an overview, with descriptions of five new species (Araneae, Pholcidae)
Authors: Huber Bernhard A. , Kwapong Peter
Published: October 2013

This paper summarizes current knowledge about West African pholcids. West Africa is here defined as the area south of 17°N and west of 5°E, including mainly the Upper Guinean subregion of the Guineo-Congolian center of endemism. This includes all of Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo and Benin. An annotated list of the 14 genera and 38 species recorded from this area is given, together with distribution maps and an identification key to genera. Five species are newly described: Anansus atewa sp. nov., Artema bunkpurugu sp. nov., Leptopholcus kintampo sp. nov., Spermophora akwamu sp. nov., and S. ziama sp. nov. The female of Quamtana kitahurira is newly described. Additional new records are given for 16 previously described species, including 33 new country records. Distribution patterns of West African pholcids are discussed, as well as possible explanations for relatively low West African pholcid species diversity as compared to Central and East Africa.
Representations of dementias in the press (2001-2010)
Authors: Torres Eduardo Cintra
Published: October 2013

In the first year of the 21st century, the World Health Organisation added itsweight toWorld Mental Health Day, with a view to stimulating interest in mentaldisorders, particularly through media coverage. This paper presents the resultsof a quantitative study on representations of types of dementia in threePortuguese daily newspapers between 2001 and 2010. The author did not wantto limit the study to the articles in the health sections and therefore looked at thewhole of the newspapers. This revealed a regular coverage of the topic in every section of the papers, especially with regard to Alzheimer’s disease, and with alarge variety of sources, protagonists and specific subjects. It also demonstratedthe existence of an inclusive attitude that is concomitant with an objective handlingof the topic. As a whole, Portuguese printed media news about dementias isfree of negative stereotypes and tends to give readers enough information andto include dementia among the themes that are both consensual in and importantto the public space.
The intellectual engagé of the social movements
Authors: De Medeiros Pilar Damião
Published: October 2013

By taking into account the social, historic, political and cultural continuities and discontinuities,aswell as the permanent metamorphosis of the public sphere, this articleaims at a comparative analysis of the multidimensional impact of the intellectual critiqueof the 60’s and 70’s and that of the first decade of the 2000’s. This article therefore aspiresat understanding if some of the nuances of the intellectuals’ engagement of the60’s and 70’s social movements still persist today as regards the role of the contemporaryintellectual when facing the emerging cultural, social, political and economic crisis,which — although caused by different publics, interests and contexts — tend tohave some characteristics and contours in common. Thiswork aims at understanding(1) if intellectuals have reclaimed their voice, so far silent, in the public sphere, (2) ifthey have been contributing with social, cultural and political alternatives and even (3)if they have been fostering communication forums with the objective of instigating alternativesto the alternative imposed by the system.
Someone Has to Be Around to Put Out the Lights
Authors: Yager Joel
Published: July 2024

In this narrative medicine essay, a retired psychiatrist emulates his father who in his sunset years helped many of his friends, family members, and loved ones navigate end-of-life illnesses and death.
What Is Polymyalgia Rheumatica?
Authors: Lall Malvika , Jackson Christopher D.
Published: July 2024

This JAMA Patient Page describes polymyalgia rheumatica and its signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Data on the US Economy—A Model for Health Data?
Authors: Liu Cristian , Sharfstein Joshua M.
Published: July 2024

This JAMA Forum discusses 3 key steps for restructuring the acquisition of health data to enable more timely access to the data and more timely public health action, similar to the successes seen with the COVID-19 pandemic response in the US.
Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, Cardiovascular Disease Risk, and Mortality in China
Authors: Chen Liang , Chen Shi , Bai Xueke , Su Mingming , He Linkang , Li Guangyu , He Guangda , Yang Yang , Zhang Xiaoyan , Cui Jianlan , Xu Wei , Song Lijuan , Yang Hao , He Wenyan , Zhang Yan , Li Xi , Hu Shengshou
Published: July 2024

Importance

Limited evidence supports the association between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and mortality across different atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk stratifications.

Objective

To explore the associations between LDL-C levels and mortality and to identify the optimal ranges of LDL-C with the lowest risk of mortality in populations with diverse ASCVD risk profiles.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The ChinaHEART project is a prospective cohort study that recruited residents aged 35 to 75 years from 31 provinces in mainland China between November 2014 and December 2022. Participants were categorized into low-risk, primary prevention, and secondary prevention cohorts on the basis of their medical history and ASCVD risk. Data analysis was performed from December 2022 to October 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary end point was all-cause mortality, and secondary end points included cause-specific mortality. Mortality data were collected from the National Mortality Surveillance System and Vital Registration. The association between LDL-C levels and mortality was assessed by using Cox proportional hazard regression models with various adjusted variables.

Results

A total of 4 379 252 individuals were recruited, and 3 789 025 (2 271 699 women [60.0%]; mean [SD] age, 56.1 [10.0] years) were included in the current study. The median (IQR) LDL-C concentration was 93.1 (70.9-117.3) mg/dL overall at baseline. During a median (IQR) follow-up of 4.6 (3.1-5.8) years, 92 888 deaths were recorded, including 38 627 cardiovascular deaths. The association between LDL-C concentration and all-cause or cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality was U-shaped in both the low-risk cohort (2 838 354 participants) and the primary prevention cohort (829 567 participants), whereas it was J-shaped in the secondary prevention cohort (121 104 participants). The LDL-C levels corresponding to the lowest CVD mortality were 117.8 mg/dL in the low-risk group, 106.0 mg/dL in the primary prevention cohort, and 55.8 mg/dL in the secondary prevention cohort. The LDL-C concentration associated with the lowest all-cause mortality (90.9 mg/dL vs 117.0 mg/dL) and CVD mortality (87 mg/dL vs 114.6 mg/dL) were both lower in individuals with diabetes than in individuals without diabetes in the overall cohort.

Conclusions and Relevance

This study found that the association between LDL-C and mortality varied among different ASCVD risk cohorts, suggesting that stricter lipid control targets may be needed for individuals with higher ASCVD risk and those with diabetes.
Neoadjuvant Exercise Therapy in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Jones Lee W. , Moskowitz Chaya S. , Lee Catherine P. , Fickera Gina A. , Chun Su S. , Michalski Meghan G. , Stoeckel Kurtis , Underwood Whitney P. , Lavery Jessica A. , Bhanot Umeshkumar , Linkov Irina , Dang Chau T. , Ehdaie Behfar , Laudone Vincent P. , Eastham James A. , Collins Anne , Sheerin Patricia T. , Liu Lydia Y. , Eng Stefan E. , Boutros Paul C.
Published: July 2024

Importance

Observational data have shown that postdiagnosis exercise is associated with reduced risk of prostate cancer death. The feasibility and tumor biological activity of exercise therapy is not known.

Objective

To identify recommended phase 2 dose of exercise therapy for patients with prostate cancer.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This single-center, phase 1a dose-finding trial was conducted at a tertiary cancer center using a patientcentric, decentralized platform and included 53 inactive men with treatment-naive localized prostate cancer scheduled to undergo surgical resection between June 2019 and January 2023. Data were analyzed in June 2024.

Intervention

Six escalated exercise therapy dose levels ranging from 90 to 450 minutes per week of individualized, moderate-intensity treadmill walking, allocated using adaptive continual reassessment. All exercise therapy sessions were conducted remotely with real-time monitoring.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Feasibility was evaluated by relative exercise dose intensity (REDI). A dose level was considered feasible if 70% or more of patients achieved an REDI of 75% or greater. Activity end points were changes in tumor cell proliferation (Ki67) and plasma prostate-specific antigen levels between pretreatment and postintervention. Safety and changes in patient physiology were also assessed.

Results

A total of 53 men were enrolled (median [IQR] age, 61 [56-66] years). All dose levels were feasible (≥75% REDI). The mean (95% CI) changes in Ki67 were 5.0% (–4.3% to 14.0%) for 90 minutes per week, 2.4% (–1.3% to 6.2%) for 150 minutes per week, –1.3% (–5.8% to 3.3%) for 225 minutes per week, –0.2% (–4.0% to 3.7%) for 300 minutes per week, –2.6% (–9.2% to 4.1%) for 375 minutes per week, and 2.2% (−0.8% to 5.1%) for 450 minutes per week. Changes in prostate-specific antigen levels were 1.0 ng/mL (–1.8 to 3.8) for 90 minutes per week, 0.2 ng/mL (–1.1 to 1.5) for 150 minutes per week, –0.5 ng/mL (–1.2 to 0.3) for 225 minutes per week, –0.2 (–1.7 to 1.3) for 300 minutes per week, –0.7 ng/mL (–1.7 to 0.4) for 375 minutes per week, and –0.9 ng/mL (–2.4 to 0.7) for 450 minutes per week. No serious adverse events were observed. Overall, 225 minutes per week (approximately 45 minutes per treatment at 5 times weekly) was selected as the recommended phase 2 dose.

Conclusions and Relevance

The results of this nonrandomized clinical trial suggest that neoadjuvant exercise therapy is feasible and safe with promising activity in localized prostate cancer.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03813615
Gallium‐Based Liquid‐Metal Alloys: Challenges and Risk Management in High‐Humidity Environments
Authors: Meyyappan Karumbu , Arrington Kyle , Tadayon Pooya , Murtagian Gregorio , Lin Ziyin , Ouvarov‐Bancalero Valery , Tran Donald , Nekkanty Srikant
Published: July 2024

Gallium‐based liquid‐metal (LM) alloys, due to their high electrical and thermal conductivity, find many applications in the semiconductor industry. Despite the promise to disrupt existing markets or enable new ones, there is little information in the area of intrinsic reliability risks. In this article, key risks for successfully enabling gallium‐based LM alloys in high temperature and high‐humidity conditions are focused on. All gallium‐based alloys are expected to be susceptible to this risk, but the failure probability can be modulated by the alloy formulation, the way it is packaged and expected use condition. In this article, the risk for two markets, thermals, and interconnects is explored, by varying humidity and temperature stress conditions to establish life degradation models. In addition, in this article, possible solutions to mitigate the risk in extreme use conditions are discussed.
Improved Corrosion Resistance of Ni‐Based Alloys by B‐Induced Passivation Behavior
Authors: Wang Ruochong , Qiu Tianxu , Luo Yaofeng , Li Na , Cao Yuankui , Hu Haixia , Zhou Rui , Liu Yong
Published: July 2024

Nickel‐based alloys exhibit excellent mechanical properties, but the corrosion resistance when exposed to NaCl solution needs to be improved, thus limiting their widespread applications. In this study, it is demonstrated that a moderate addition of boron, specifically 3.5 wt%, can effectively enhance both the tribological properties and corrosion resistance of Ni‐based alloys. The microstructures evolution and corrosion mechanism of Ni–Cu–xB (0–5 wt%) alloys have been comprehensively investigated through the experimental characterization and phase diagram calculations. The improvements in corrosion resistance can be primarily attributed to the formation of continuous and dense passivation films. Additionally, the dissolved B fixes chloride ions to hinder the breakdown of passivation films. However, an excessive addition of boron can have a detrimental effect on corrosion resistance. While improving the formation of dense passivation films, the excessive presence of boron also prompts the precipitation of a Cu‐rich phase that is highly susceptible to corrosion by chloride ions, thereby exacerbating the corrosion process in the alloy.
The Rise of HgTe Colloidal Quantum Dots for Infrared Optoelectronics
Authors: Sergeeva Kseniia A. , Zhang Huichen , Portniagin Arsenii S. , Bossavit Erwan , Mu Ge , Kershaw Stephen V. , Ithurria Sandrine , Guyot‐Sionnest Philippe , Keuleyan Sean , Delerue Christophe , Tang Xin , Rogach Andrey L. , Lhuillier Emmanuel
Published: July 2024

Among materials produced as colloidal quantum dots (CQDs), HgTe has a special status being the only material covering the whole infrared range from the visible to the THz (0.7–100 µm). This unique property resulting from its electronic structure, combined with an air stability and a capacity for charge conduction has generated consistent and massive efforts to produce and improve HgTe CQDs over the past two decades. Meanwhile, HgTe CQDs offer an infrared platform more advanced than any other colloidal alternatives in the mid‐wave infrared regarding their integration into advanced photonic and optoelectronic applications. Here, the latest developments of HgTe CQDs relative to the material's growth, electron structure modelling, its integration into photonic structures and its transfer as the active material from single element devices toward complex sensors and infrared imagers are reviewed. Finally, a discussion about the potential of this material for industry, rising new challenges beyond economical and production considerations at low technological readiness level, relative to the material and device design, is also included.
Janus Grotthuss‐Vehicle Mechanism Enhances Fast OH− Transport for Ultralong Lifetime Flexible Zinc–Air Battery
Authors: Yang Hao , Sun Xiaohong , Li Xueyan , Liu Qingju , Hu Wanbiao , Zhang Longzhou
Published: July 2024

The flexible zinc–air battery has garnered ever‐growing attentions in the current decade taking advantages of the high efficiency, environmentally friendliness, and safety features. However, the sluggish ion transport and poor mechanical property hinder its realistic and mass application. To address these challenges, this study proposes a Janus strategy which combines the Grotthuss and Vehicle mechanism for OH− transport in the gel by assembling the dual network gel with LDH (layer double hydroxides) in the gel's pores. The gel can sustain 530% strain and 0.19 MPa stress without significant plastic deformation and the as‐prepared battery exhibits the high ionic conductivity as 145.93 mS cm−1 and long lifetime over 160 h. The further simulation reveals that the Grotthuss mechanism plays the determine role in the ion transport, contributing to the fast OH− transport and highly efficient flexible zinc–air battery.
Efficient and Reliable Wireless Power Transfer Stent Rectenna System for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Surveillance
Authors: Abdin Zain Ul , Basir Abdul , Shah Syed Ahson Ali , Shah Izaz Ali , Cho Youngdae , Yoo Hyoungsuk
Published: July 2024

This study presents an innovative wirelessly powered stent rectenna system for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), targeting abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) treatment. The system includes an on‐body flexible transmitter (Tx) antenna and an in‐body rectifier‐integrated stent receiver (Rx) antenna, operating in the industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band of 868 MHz. The Rx stent antenna, made from a biocompatible nylon‐coated metallic wire, ensures mechanical stretchability, biocompatibility, and precise current distribution. The flexible Tx antenna is designed for wearable use. A miniaturized rectifier on flexible polyimide, coated with biocompatible polydimethylsiloxane, converts received power into DC energy. The EVAR stent system's performance is validated through measurements using a saline‐filled American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) phantom. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatibility studies using Sim4Life simulations assess potential heating and image artifacts, confirming the proposed stent's MRI suitability. Wireless power transfer experiments demonstrate reliable power delivery to the Rx in various real‐world scenarios, achieving a power transfer efficiency of 3.6% at 18 cm inside the phantom. The flexible rectifier shows a peak efficiency of 87% at 15 dBm input power. The proposed system's exceptional performance and efficiency highlight its potential for effectively wirelessly powering advanced AAA stents.
Electro‐Responsive Nanotherapeutics for Tumor Therapy by Manipulating Accidental and Regulated Cell Death Pathway
Authors: Qu Chang , Shao Xinyue , Li Yuling , Jia Ran , Wang Jinping , An Hailong
Published: July 2024

In recent years, the development of electro‐responsive nanomaterials has attracted significant attention in the field of cancer therapy. By incorporating these smart nanomaterials into therapeutic approaches, researchers explored many novel strategies to selectively induce cell death in tumor tissues while minimizing damage to healthy cells. This comprehensive review highlights the current state of research on electro‐responsive nanomaterials and their ability to manipulate accidental and regulated cell death for effective tumor therapy. The scope includes the biomechanisms of electro‐responsive nanotherapeutics inducing tumor cell death and their various detailed applications in cancer treatments. The review is concluded with deliberations on the key challenges and future outlooks of electro‐responsive nanotherapeutics for tumor therapy.
Carbon Dots: A Review with Focus on Sustainability
Authors: Ren Junkai , Opoku Henry , Tang Shi , Edman Ludvig , Wang Jia
Published: July 2024

Carbon dots (CDs) are an emerging class of nanomaterials with attractive optical properties, which promise to enable a variety of applications. An important and timely question is whether CDs can become a functional and sustainable alternative to incumbent optical nanomaterials, notably inorganic quantum dots. Herein, the current CD literature is comprehensively reviewed as regards to their synthesis and function, with a focus on sustainability aspects. The study quantifies why it is attractive that CDs can be synthesized with biomass as the sole starting material and be free from toxic and precious metals and critical raw materials. It further describes and analyzes employed pretreatment, chemical‐conversion, purification, and processing procedures, and highlights current issues with the usage of solvents, the energy and material efficiency, and the safety and waste management. It is specially shown that many reported synthesis and processing methods are concerningly wasteful with the utilization of non‐sustainable solvents and energy. It is finally recommended that future studies should explicitly consider and discuss the environmental influence of the selected starting material, solvents, and generated byproducts, and that quantitative information on the required amounts of solvents, consumables, and energy should be provided to enable an evaluation of the presented methods in an upscaled sustainability context.
Unlocking Performance: The Transformative Influence of Single Atom Catalysts on Advanced Lithium‐Sulfur Battery Design
Authors: Maiti Sandip , Curnan Matthew T. , Kim Keonwoo , Maiti Kakali , Kim Jin Kon
Published: July 2024

Theoretically, lithium–sulfur (Li‐S) batteries are highly promising candidates for renewable energy applications, given their scalable energy density and low cost. However, their current practical performance is limited below theoretical expectations, despite attempts to accommodate volumetric expansion and improve electrical conductivity with porous S‐anchoring supports. Battery performance is primarily rate‐limited by the sluggish redox and conversion reaction kinetics of lithium polysulfides (LiPS), which respectively transform into lithium sulfide (Li2S) and elemental S through charging and discharging galvanostatic cycles. Given their strong electrocatalytic performance and other pertinent benefits, recent research highlights single‐atom catalysts (SACs) as candidates for enhancing Li‐S batteries. Thus, this review summarizes contemporary advancements regarding SAC implementation in Li‐S batteries, primarily emphasizing catalyst morphology, battery performance, and mechanistic elucidation. More specifically, separators and cathodes can be engineered via SACs to better anchor LiPS and improve their reductive kinetics, thereby inhibiting the “shuttle effect” known to impact Li‐S batteries. In addition, SACs can be modulated with functional groups to synergistically improve performance, enabling higher S loadings and redistributing transferred charge. Overall, SACs conspicuously boost Li‐S battery performance, justifying further research toward their implementation in Li‐S batteries.
Dual–Acceptor Engineering in Pyrene‐Based Covalent Organic Frameworks for Boosting Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Liu Nengyi , Xie Shuailei , Huang Yuxing , Lu Jiaping , Shi Hongjie , Xu Shumeng , Zhang Guigang , Chen Xiong
Published: July 2024

The integration of electron donor (D) and acceptor (A) units into covalent organic frameworks (COFs) has received increasing interest due to its potential for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen (H2) evolution from water. Nevertheless, the advancement of D–A COFs is still constrained by the limited investigations on acceptor engineering, which enables the highly effective charge transfer pathways in COFs to deliver photoexcited electrons in a preferential orientation to enhance photocatalytic performance. Herein, two systems with D–A and D–A–A configurations based on the acceptor molecular engineering strategy are proposed to construct three distinct COFs. Specifically, TAPPy‐DBTDP‐COF merging one pyrene‐based donor and two benzothiadiazole acceptors realized an average H2 evolution rate of 12.7 mmol h−1 g−1 under visible light, among the highest ever reported for typical D–A‐type COF systems. The combination of experimental and theoretical analysis signifies the crucial role of the dual‐acceptor arrangement in promoting exciton dissociation and carrier migration. These findings underscore the significant potential of D–A–A structural design, which is conducive to the efficient separation of photoexcited electrons and holes resulting in superior photocatalytic activities.
Evolution of Lithium Metal Anode Along Cycling in Working Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Bi Chen‐Xi , Zhu Yu‐Jie , Li Zheng , Zhao Meng , Zhang Xue‐Qiang , Li Bo‐Quan , Huang Jia‐Qi
Published: July 2024

The cycling lifespan of high‐energy‐density lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries is dominantly limited by the rapid failure of Li metal anodes. Herein, the evolution of Li metal anode along cycling is systematically investigated in Li–S batteries to clarify the Li plating and stripping behaviors, the generation and accumulation of inactive Li, and the failure mechanism of Li metal anodes. Concretely, plated Li strips preferentially than bulk Li to leave massive stripping Li shells during initial discharge, and the stripping Li shells are refilled by plated Li during the subsequent charge to generate thick Li dendrites. During the following cycles, inactive Li generates and accumulates on top of bulk Li due to solid electrolyte interphase formation and incomplete removal of plated Li. Eventually, the accumulation of inactive Li hinders the diffusion of Li ions through the inactive Li layer to induce cell polarization at the end of the second discharge plateau and rapid decay of discharge capacity. This work elucidates the detailed evolution mechanism of Li metal anode along cycling in working Li–S batteries and highlights the reactivation of inactive Li as an effective strategy to prolong the cycling lifespan of Li–S batteries.
Estimates of late Early Cretaceous atmospheric CO2 from Mongolia based on stomatal and isotopic analysis of Pseudotorellia
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqing , Royer Dana L. , Shi Gongle , Ichinnorov Niiden , Herendeen Patrick S. , Crane Peter R. , Herrera Fabiany
Published: July 2024

Premise

The Aptian–Albian (121.4–100.5 Ma) was a greenhouse period with global temperatures estimated as 10–15°C warmer than pre‐industrial conditions, so it is surprising that the most reliable CO2 estimates from this time are <1400 ppm. This low CO2 during a warm period implies a very high Earth‐system sensitivity in the range of 6 to 9°C per CO2 doubling between the Aptian‐Albian and today.

Methods

We applied a well‐vetted paleo‐CO2 proxy based on leaf gas‐exchange principles (Franks model) to two Pseudotorellia species from three stratigraphically similar samples at the Tevshiin Govi lignite mine in central Mongolia (~119.7–100.5 Ma).

Results

Our median estimated CO2 concentration from the three respective samples was 2132, 2405, and 2770 ppm. The primary reason for the high estimated CO2 but with relatively large uncertainties is the very low stomatal density in both species, where small variations propagate to large changes in estimated CO2. Indeed, we found that at least 15 leaves are required before the aggregate estimated CO2 approaches that of the full data set.

Conclusions

Our three CO2 estimates all exceeded 2000 ppm, translating to an Earth‐system sensitivity (~3–5°C/CO2 doubling) that is more in keeping with the current understanding of the long‐term climate system. Because of our large sample size, the directly measured inputs did not contribute much to the overall uncertainty in estimated CO2; instead, the inferred inputs were responsible for most of the overall uncertainty and thus should be scrutinized for their value choices.