bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimal regularity results in spaces of Hölder continuous functions for some infinite dimensional Ornstein–Uhlenbeck semigroup
Authors: Da Prato Giuseppe
Published: March 2010

We consider the elliptic equation

λ φ – Lφ = f

where

λ > 0

,

f

is

θ

-Hölder continuous and

L

is an Ornstein−Uhlenbeck operator in a Hilbert space

H

. We show that the mapping

D^2φ

(with values in the space of Hilbert−Schmidt operators on

H

) is

θ

-Hölder continuous.
New classes of entire solutions for semilinear elliptic problems in $ℝ^n$
Authors: Malchiodi Andrea
Published: March 2010

The goal of this paper is to describe some new results concerning entire solutions of semilinear elliptic equations in

ℝ^n

with non trivial asymptotic behavior at infinity. We describe in particular the (focusing, subcritical) nonlinear Schrödinger equation and the Allen–Cahn equation, which enjoy some common features but also present rather different aspects.
The ‘‘ergodic limit’’ for a viscous Hamilton−Jacobi equation with Dirichlet conditions
Authors: Porretta Alessio
Published: March 2010

We study the limit, when

λ

tends to

0

, of the solutions

u_λ

of the Dirichlet problem

\begin{cases}
-∆u + λu + |∇u|^q = f(x) \text{ in }Ω,\\
u = 0 \text{ on } ∂ Ω,
\end{cases}

when

1 < q ≤ 2

and

f

is bounded. In case the limit problem does not have any solution, we prove that

u_λ

has a complete blow-up

(u_λ → -∞)

and its behaviour is described in terms of the corresponding ergodic problem with state constraint conditions. In particular,

λu_λ

converges to the ergodic constant

c_0

and

u_λ + \Vert u_λ\Vert_∞

converges to the boundary blow-up solution

ν_0

of the ergodic problem associated to the stochastic optimal control with state constraint.
Recent results on the stability of time dependent sets and their application to bifurcation problems
Authors: Salvadori Luigi , Visentin Francesca
Published: March 2010

In the first part of the paper we give a short review of our recent results concerning the relationship between conditional and unconditional stability properties of time dependent sets, under smooth differential systems in

\mathbf R^n

. More precisely, let

M

be an ‘‘

s

-compact’’ invariant set in

\mathbf R \times \mathbf R^n

and let

Φ

be a smooth invariant set in

\mathbf R \times \mathbf R^n

containing

M

. It is assumed that

M

is uniformly asymptotically stable with respect to the perturbations lying on

Φ

. The unconditional stability properties of

M

depend on the stability properties of

Φ

‘‘near

M

’’. This dependence has been analyzed in general, and, in the periodic case, complete characterizations are obtained. In the second part, the above results have been applied to bifurcation problems for periodic differential systems. Some our previous statements on the matter are revisited and enriched.
Underrepresentation of Women in Revascularization Trials
Authors: Yong Celina M. , Fearon William F.
Published: May 2024

This Viewpoint discusses the unequal representation of women in coronary revascularization trials in the US, its negative effects on the cardiovascular health of both sexes, and potential mechanisms to ensure appropriate representation of women moving forward.
Ventricular Arrhythmias After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for STEMI
Authors: Rymer Jennifer A. , Wegermann Zachary K. , Wang Tracy Y. , Li Shuang , Smilowitz Nathaniel R. , Wilson B. Hadley , Jneid Hani , Tamis-Holland Jacqueline E.
Published: May 2024

Importance

Currently, mortality risk for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with an uncomplicated postprocedure course is low. Less is known regarding the risk of in-hospital ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF).

Objective

To evaluate the risk of late VT and VF after primary PCI for STEMI.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study included adults aged 18 years or older with STEMI treated with primary PCI between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2018, identified in the US National Cardiovascular Data Registry Chest Pain–MI Registry. Data were analyzed from April to December 2020.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the risk of late VT (≥7 beat run of VT during STEMI hospitalization ≥1 day after PCI) or VF (any episode of VF≥1 day after PCI) associated with cardiac arrest and associations between late VT or VF and in-hospital mortality in the overall cohort and a cohort with uncomplicated STEMI without prior myocardial infarction or heart failure, systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg, cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest, reinfarction, or left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less than 40%.

Results

A total of 174 126 eligible patients with STEMI were treated with primary PCI at 814 sites in the study; 15 460 (8.9%) had VT or VF after primary PCI, and 4156 (2.4%) had late VT or VF. Among the eligible patients, 99 905 (57.4%) at 807 sites had uncomplicated STEMI. The median age for patients with late VT or VF overall was 63 years (IQR, 55-73 years), and 75.5% were men; the median age for patients with late VT or VF with uncomplicated STEMI was 60 years (IQR, 53-69 years), and 77.7% were men. The median length of stay was 3 days (IQR, 2-7 days) for the overall cohort with late VT or VF and 3 days (IQR, 2-4 days) for the cohort with uncomplicated STEMI with late VT or VF. The risk of late VT or VF was 2.4% (overall) and 1.7% (uncomplicated STEMI). Late VT or VF with cardiac arrest occurred in 674 patients overall (0.4%) and in 117 with uncomplicated STEMI (0.1%). LVEF was the most significant factor associated with late VT or VF with cardiac arrest (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] for every 5-unit decrease ≤40%: 1.67; 95% CI, 1.54-1.85). Late VT or VF events were associated with increased odds of in-hospital mortality in the overall cohort (AOR, 6.40; 95% CI, 5.63-7.29) and the cohort with uncomplicated STEMI (AOR, 8.74; 95% CI, 6.53-11.70).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, a small proportion of patients with STEMI treated with primary PCI had late VT or VF. However, late VT or VF with cardiac arrest was rare, particularly in the cohort with uncomplicated STEMI. This information may be useful when determining the optimal timing for hospital discharge after STEMI.
Bodenbildung: Faktor – Prozess – Merkmal
Authors: Stahr Karl
Published: May 2024

Böden entstehen aus Gestein und Streu. Die Faktoren Klima, Relief, Flora, Fauna, Mensch und Technik sowie Zeit steuern die Entwicklung von außen. Verschiedene Prozesse der Gruppen Akkumulationen, Verarmungen, Transformationen, Translokationen/Verlagerungen, Turbationen entscheiden über die Richtung und das Ausmaß der Veränderung. Beobachtete oder gemessene Merkmale lassen den augenblicklichen Zustand eines Bodens erkennen.
Significant Enhancement of Electrocaloric Effect in Ferroelectric Polycrystalline Ceramics Through Grain Boundary Barrier Engineering
Authors: Xiao Wenrong , Zhang Chao , Gong Xuetian , Qiu Shiyong , Wang Junya , Zhang Haibo , Luo Wei , Jiang Shenglin , Li Kanghua , Zhang Guangzu
Published: May 2024

A key challenge currently for the new ferroelectric refrigeration with high efficiency and environmental friendliness lies in the urgent demand for ferroelectric materials with huge electrocaloric effects (ECE). Ferroelectric polycrystalline ceramics with high ECE stand out as one of the most promising candidates for electrocaloric cooling applications. However, the grain boundary network, as a barrier for the cross‐transmission of charged carriers, widely exists in electrocaloric polycrystalline ceramics and is often neglected in favor of focusing more on composition regulation and structural design. Herein, a grain boundary barrier engineering is proposed that regulates the Schottky barrier at the grain boundary network in the Ba0.8Zr0.2TiO3 ceramics by a maneuverable annealing process and clarifies its critical role in enhancing the ECE of polycrystalline ceramics. As a result, a substantial enhancement of the EC performance (from 0.68 to 1.63 K at 50 °C and 80 kV cm−1, ≈2.4 times) has been achieved in the annealed Ba0.8Zr0.2TiO3 ceramics with a lower Schottky barrier. The microstructural and electrical characterization reveals that the lower Schottky barrier in the grain boundary network facilitates the domain switching and electronic transition, hence resulting in enhanced polarization response and EC performance.
A Vacancy‐Engineering Ferroelectric Nanomedicine for Cuproptosis/Apoptosis Co‐Activated Immunotherapy
Authors: Du Yaqian , Zhao Xudong , He Fei , Gong Haijiang , Yang Jiani , Wu Linzhi , Cui Xianchang , Gai Shili , Yang Piaoping , Lin Jun
Published: May 2024

Low efficacy of immunotherapy due to the poor immunogenicity of most tumors and their insufficient infiltration by immune cells highlights the importance of inducing immunogenic cell death and activating immune system for achieving better treatment outcomes. Herein, ferroelectric Bi2CuO4 nanoparticles with rich copper vacancies (named BCO‐VCu) are rationally designed and engineered for ferroelectricity‐enhanced apoptosis, cuproptosis, and the subsequently evoked immunotherapy. In this structure, the suppressed recombination of the electron–hole pairs by the vacancies and the band bending by the ferroelectric polarization lead to high catalytic activity, triggering reactive oxygen species bursts and inducing apoptosis. The cell fragments produced by apoptosis serve as antigens to activate T cells. Moreover, due to the generated charge by the ferroelectric catalysis, this nanomedicine can act as “a smart switch” to open the cell membrane, promote nanomaterial endocytosis, and shut down the Cu+ outflow pathway to evoke cuproptosis, and thus a strong immune response is triggered by the reduced content of adenosine triphosphate. Ribonucleic acid transcription tests reveal the pathways related to immune response activation. Thus, this study firstly demonstrates a feasible strategy for enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy using single ferroelectric semiconductor‐induced apoptosis and cuproptosis.
Evaluation of Anti‐inflammatory Activity of Garlic Extracts in 3D Bioprinted Skin Equivalents
Authors: Kang Moon Sung , Jang Hee Jeong , Kim Jeong Min , Jo Hyo Jung , Park Kyung Min , Chung Young‐Hwa , Han Dong‐Wook
Published: May 2024

Ongoing obstacles in preclinical drug testing have raised significant concerns within the pharmaceutical industry. Recently, utilizing the potential of three‐dimensional (3D) bioprinting offers a solution for creating tissue models for screening of the effectiveness and safety of new drugs. In this study, the anti‐inflammatory potential of garlic extracts is assessed, specifically N‐Benzyl‐N‐methyl‐dodecan‐1‐amine (BMDA), using a 3D bioprinted artificial skin model. Comprehensive physicochemical characterization and immunocytochemical analysis demonstrate that the 3D bioprinted skin model exhibits structures and functions resembling human skin. BMDA treatment in a prepared skin model reveals its capacity to mitigate H2O2‐induced oxidative stress and trigger anti‐inflammatory responses. Notably, BMDA reduces the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and chemokines by downregulating NF‐κB and mitogen‐activated protein kinase inflammatory signaling pathways. In summary, our findings highlight the potential of an artificial skin model as a robust platform for the development of new drugs.
Assembly of π‐Conjugated [B3O6] Units by Mer‐Isomer [YO3F3] Octahedra to Design a UV Nonlinear Optical Material, Cs2YB3O6F2
Authors: Wu Hongping , Wei Zhijun , Hu Zhanggui , Wang Jiyang , Wu Yicheng , Yu Hongwei
Published: May 2024

Achieving the extreme balance of the key performance requirements is the crucial to breakthrough the application bottleneck for nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. Herein, by assembly of the π‐conjugated [B3O6] functional species with the aid of structure‐directing property of mer‐isomer [YO3F3] octahedra, a new ultraviolet (UV) NLO material, Cs2YB3O6F2 with aligned arrangement of coplanar [B3O6] groups has been synthesized. The polar material exhibits the rare coexistence of the largest second harmonic generation response of 5.6×KDP, the largest birefringence of 0.091 at 532 nm, the shortest Type I phase‐matching down to 200.5 nm and deep‐ultraviolet transparency among reported acentric rare‐earth borates with [B3O6] groups. Remarkably, benefiting from the enhanced bonding force among functional units [B3O6], a firm three‐dimensional framework is constructed, which facilitates the growth of large crystals. This can be proved by a block shape crystal with dimensional of 6×5×4 mm3, indicating that it was a promising UV NLO crystal. This work provides a powerful strategy to design UV NLO materials with good performances.
Phase Engineering of High‐Entropy Alloy for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia
Authors: Zhang Rong , Zhang Yaqin , Xiao Bo , Zhang Shaoce , Wang Yanbo , Cui Huilin , Li Chuan , Hou Yue , Guo Ying , Yang Tao , Fan Jun , Zhi Chunyi
Published: May 2024

Directly electrochemical conversion of nitrate (NO3−) is an efficient and environmentally friendly technology for ammonia (NH3) production but is challenged by highly selective electrocatalysts. High‐entropy alloys (HEAs) with unique properties are attractive materials in catalysis, particularly for multi‐step reactions. Herein, we first reported the application of HEA (FeCoNiAlTi) for electrocatalytic NO3− reduction to NH3 (NRA). The bulk HEA is active for NRA but limited by the unsatisfied NH3 yield of 0.36 mg h−1 cm−2 and Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 82.66 %. Through an effective phase engineering strategy, uniform intermetallic nanoparticles are introduced on the bulk HEA to increase electrochemical active surface area and charge transfer efficiency. The resulting nanostructured HEA (n‐HEA) delivers enhanced electrochemical NRA performance in terms of NH3 yield (0.52 mg h−1 cm−2) and FE (95.23 %). Further experimental and theoretical investigations reveal that the multi‐active sites (Fe, Co, and Ni) dominated electrocatalysis for NRA over the n‐HEA. Notably, the typical Co sites exhibit the lowest energy barrier for NRA with *NH2 to *NH3as the rate‐determining step.
Interlayer Structure Manipulation of FeOCl/MXene with Soft/Hard Interface Design for Safe Water Production Using Dechlorination Battery Deionization
Authors: Lei Jingjing , Zhang Xiaochen , Wang Junce , Yu Fei , Liang Mingxing , Wang Xinru , Bi Zhuanfang , Shang Guangyi , Xie Haijiao , Ma Jie
Published: May 2024

Suffering from the susceptibility to decomposition, the potential electrochemical application of FeOCl has greatly been hindered. The rational design of the soft‐hard material interface can effectively address the challenge of stress concentration and thus decomposition that may occur in the electrodes during charging and discharging. Herein, interlayer structure manipulation of FeOCl/MXene using soft‐hard interface design method were conducted for electrochemical dechlorination. FeOCl was encapsulated in Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets by electrostatic self‐assembly layer by layer to form a soft‐hard mechanical hierarchical structure, in which Ti3C2Tx was used as flexible buffer layers to relieve the huge volume change of FeOCl during Cl− intercalation/deintercalation and constructed a conductive network for fast charge transfer. The CDI dechlorination system of FeOCl/Ti3C2Tx delivered outstanding Cl− adsorption capacity (158.47 ± 6.98 mg g−1), rate (6.07 ± 0.35 mg g−1 min−1), and stability (over 94.49 % in 30 cycles), and achieved considerable energy recovery (21.14 ± 0.25 %). The superior dechlorination performance was proved to originate from the Fe2+/Fe3+ topochemical transformation and the deformation constraint effect of Ti3C2Tx on FeOCl. Our interfacial design strategy enables a hard‐to‐soft integration capacity, which can serve as a universal technology for solving the traditional problem of electrode volume expansion.
Converting Carbon Dioxide into Carbon Nanotubes by Reacting with Ethane
Authors: Yuan Yong , Huang Erwei , Hwang Sooyeon , Liu Ping , Chen Jingguang G.
Published: May 2024

The urgency to mitigate environmental impacts from anthropogenic CO2 emissions has propelled extensive research efforts on CO2 reduction. The current work reports a novel approach involving transforming CO2 and ethane into carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using earth‐abundant metals (Fe, Co, Ni) at 750 °C. This route facilitates long‐term carbon storage via generating high‐value CNTs and produces valuable syngas with adjustable H2/CO ratios as byproducts. Without CO2, direct pyrolysis of ethane undergoes rapid deactivation. The participation of CO2 not only enhances the durability of the catalyst, but also contributes about 30 % of the CNTs production, presenting a viable solution to CO2 challenges. The CNT morphology depends on the catalyst used. Co‐ and Ni‐based catalysts produce CNT with a 20 nm diameter and micrometer length, whereas Fe‐based catalysts yield bamboo‐like structures. This work represents a pioneering effort in utilizing CO2 and ethane for CNT production with potential environmental and economic benefits.
Intrarenal pH‐Responsive Self‐Assembly of Luminescent Gold Nanoparticles for Diagnosis of Early Kidney Injury
Authors: Zhao Zhipeng , He Kui , Liu Ben , Nie Wenyan , Luo Xiaoxi , Liu Jinbin
Published: May 2024

Metabolic acidosis‐induced kidney injury (MAKI) is asymptomatic and lack of clinical biomarkers in early stage, but rapidly progresses to severe renal fibrosis and ultimately results in end‐stage kidney failure. Therefore, developing rapid and noninvasive strategies direct responsive to renal tubular acidic microenvironment rather than delayed biomarkers are essential for timely renoprotective interventions. Herein, we develop pH‐responsive luminescent gold nanoparticles (p‐AuNPs) in the second near‐infrared emission co‐coated with 2,3‐dimethylaleic anhydride conjugated β‐mercaptoethylamine and cationic 2‐diethylaminoethanethiol hydrochloride, which showed sensitive pH‐induced charge reversal and intrarenal self‐assembly for highly sensitive and long‐time (~24 h) imaging of different stages of MAKI. By integrating advantages of pH‐induced intrarenal self‐assembly and enhanced interactions between pH‐triggered positively charged p‐AuNPs and renal tubular cells, the early‐ and late‐stage MAKI could be differentiated rapidly within 10 min post‐injection (p.i.) with contrast index (CI) of 3.5 and 4.3, respectively. The corresponding maximum CI could reach 5.1 and 9.2 at 12 h p.i., respectively. Furthermore, p‐AuNPs were demonstrated to effectively real‐time monitor progressive recovery of kidney injury in MAKI mice after therapy, and also exhibit outstanding capabilities for drug screening. This pH‐responsive strategy showed great promise for feedback on kidney dysfunction progression, opening new possibilities for early‐stage diagnosis of pH‐related diseases.
Microbial and insect oils: A sustainable approach to functional lipid
Authors: Aondoakaa Ityotagher P. , Akoh Casimir C.
Published: May 2024

The increasing global population, coupled with the effects of climate change on agricultural activities has spurred a demand for sustainable food production to meet human needs. In response to this, there has been a growing interest in sustainable food production initiatives. One of such initiatives is harnessing microbial and insect lipids as valuable ingredients to address increase in demand for lipids across various sectors, including functional food, nutritional supplements, and biodiesel production. Over the last decades, there has been increasing scientific investigations exploring lipid from algae, microbes, and insects as alternatives to traditional agro‐ and marine‐based sources. This review, therefore, presents progress made in microbial and insect oils production, with emphasis on sustainability. Emerging extraction techniques, regulatory and safety requirements, and challenges that exist in the production and utilization of these new lipids are also discussed. The review shows that lipids from a wide range of oleaginous microorganisms and insect species have the potential to serve as a valuable ingredient for healthful food preparation. However, challenges such as cultural acceptance, lack of standardized regulations, high cost, and low yield associated with most emerging environmentally friendly extraction technologies continue to hinder widespread use or adoption of microbial and insect lipids on a global scale. These challenges call for innovations to reduce cost of production and improve lipids yield. So far, a substantial progress has been made in the utilization of readily available feedstocks such as industrial food wastes and sugar‐rich industrial wastewater to grow insects and microorganisms which will significantly reduce the processing costs.
Development and in vitro antiviral activity of ivermectin liposomes as a potential drug carrier system
Authors: Kocas Meryem , Comoglu Tansel , Ozkul Aykut
Published: May 2024

This study aimed to assess and compare diverse formulations of ivermectin‐loaded liposomes, employing lipid film hydration and ethanol injection methods. Three lipids (DOPC, SPC, and DSPC) were used in predetermined molar ratios. A total of 18 formulations were created, and a factorial design determined the optimal formulation based on particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency. The average mean particle size, PDI and zeta potential of the selected formulations (F1, F2, F7, F9, and F11) was, respectively, 196.40 ± 44.60 nm, 0.39 ± 0.09, and −40.24 ± 9.17. The encapsulation efficiency exceeded 80%, with a mean loading capacity of 4.00 ± 1.70%. In vitro studies included transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, drug release, and antiviral activity assessments against SARS‐CoV‐2. The liposomal formulations demonstrated superior antiviral activity compared to free ivermectin, as indicated by lower IC50 values. The results of this study emphasize the effectiveness of ivermectin‐loaded liposomes in inhibiting viral activity, highlighting their potential as promising candidates for antiviral therapy. The findings suggest that the strategic use of liposomes as drug carriers can significantly modulate and improve the antiviral properties of ivermectin, offering a novel approach to harnessing its full therapeutic potential. Collectively, these results provide a robust foundation for further exploration of ivermectin as a viral protection tool and optimization of its delivery mechanisms.
The Complete Assessment of Small Molecule and Peptidomimetic Inhibitors of Sortase A Towards Antivirulence Treatment
Authors: Hintzen Jordi C. J. , Abujubara Helal , Tietze Daniel , Tietze Alesia A.
Published: May 2024

This review covers the most recent advances in the development of inhibitors for the bacterial enzyme sortase A (SrtA). Sortase A (SrtA) is a critical virulence factor, present ubiquitously in Gram‐positive bacteria of which many are pathogenic. Sortases are key enzymes regulating bacterial adherence to host cells, by anchoring extracellular matrix‐binding proteins to the bacterial outer cell wall. By targeting virulence factors, effective treatment can be achieved, without inducing antibiotic resistance to the treatment. This is a potentially more sustainable, long‐term approach to treating bacterial infections, including ones that display multiple resistance to current therapeutics. There are many promising approaches available for SrtA inhibition, some of which have the potential to advance into further clinical development, with peptidomimetic and in vivo active small molecules being among the most promising. There are currently no approved drugs on the market targeting SrtA, despite its promise, adding to the relevance of this review article, as it extends to the pharmaceutical industry additionally to academic researchers.
Lower time bounds for parallel solving of the subset sum problem by a dynamic programming algorithm
Authors: Kolpakov Roman , Posypkin Mikhail
Published: May 2024

In the paper, we compute some lower bounds on time of parallel solving of the subset sum problem on a big number of processors by several versions of dynamic programming algorithm Balsub proposed before by Pisinger. Based on these lower bounds, we propose a version of Balsub which could be possibly effectively parallelized.
Simple, fast, cost‐efficient, reliable, and highly automated DNA content analysis of cells in adherent cultures
Authors: Čížková Jana , Filipová Alžběta , Carrillo Anna , Ehrlichová Marie , Spálenková Alžběta , Magdolenová Alžbeta , Hájek Miroslav , Horák Pavel , Erbenova Aneta , Šinkorová Zuzana
Published: May 2024

The most commonly used flow cytometric (FCM) analysis of cellular DNA content relies on ethanol fixation followed by RNA digestion and propidium iodide (PI) intercalation into double‐stranded DNA. This is a laborious and time‐consuming procedure that is subject to systematic errors due to centrifugation and washing steps associated with sample preparation. It can adversely affect the reliability of the results. Here, we present a modified concept of DNA quantification in adherent cell lines by FCM that involves neither ethanol fixation nor any washing and cell transferring steps. Our high throughput assay of adherent cell lines reduces sample‐processing time, requires minimal workload, provides a possibility for automation, and, if needed, also allows a significant reduction in the size of individual samples. Working with a well‐proven commercial tool—The BD Cycletest™ Plus DNA Reagent Kit—primarily designed for cell cycle analysis and aneuploidy determination in experimental and clinical samples, we suggest a novel, very efficient, and robust approach for DNA research in adherent cell cultures.
Vocal expression of emotions discriminates dementia with Lewy bodies from Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Kobayashi Masatomo , Yamada Yasunori , Shinkawa Kaoru , Nemoto Miyuki , Ota Miho , Nemoto Kiyotaka , Arai Tetsuaki
Published: May 2024

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), the two most common neurodegenerative dementias, both exhibit altered emotional processing. However, how vocal emotional expressions alter in and differ between DLB and AD remains uninvestigated. We collected voice data during story reading from 152 older adults comprising DLB, AD, and cognitively unimpaired (CU) groups and compared their emotional prosody in terms of valence and arousal dimensions. Compared with matched AD and CU participants, DLB patients showed reduced overall emotional expressiveness, as well as lower valence (more negative) and lower arousal (calmer), the extent of which was associated with cognitive impairment and insular atrophy. Classification models using vocal features discriminated DLB from AD and CU with an AUC of 0.83 and 0.78, respectively. Our findings may aid in discriminating DLB patients from AD and CU individuals, serving as a surrogate marker for clinical and neuropathological changes in DLB.

Highlights

DLB showed distinctive reduction in vocal expression of emotions.

Cognitive impairment was associated with reduced vocal emotional expression in DLB.

Insular atrophy was associated with reduced vocal emotional expression in DLB.

Emotional expression measures successfully differentiated DLB from AD or controls.
Improvement of the oxidative stability of edible oils through enzymatic esterification with hydroxytyrosol‐rich extract
Authors: Fotiadou Renia , Vougiouklaki Despina , Houhoula Dimitra , Stamatis Haralambos
Published: May 2024

Oxidative degradation is a common issue of commercial edible oils that results in rancidity, downgrading the organoleptic characteristics of food matrices. The aim of this study was the enzymatic modification of common vegetable oils (pomace olive and sunflower oil) with polyphenolic extract to prepare functional oils enriched with bioactive phenolipids. Under that scope, an agro‐industrial effluent, olive mill wastewater, was used as source to recover phenolic compounds. The recovery of hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol reached up to 81.2% ± 0.3% and 98.3% ± 0.2%, respectively. Further, immobilized lipase was used to catalyze the one‐step acylation of these phenolic antioxidants into the oils with the aim of enhancing their stability under accelerated oxidation conditions. The optimum parameters of the bioconversion were found to be 0.1% (w/w) immobilized lipase, 24h of incubation at 50°C under orbital shaking reaching high conversion yields for both phenolic compounds (≥94%). The results also highlighted that the extract‐modified oils presented notable thermooxidative stability at 60°C for 28 days compared to the control and synthetic antioxidant‐enriched oils, as demonstrated by several analytical (conjugated dienes, thiobarbituric reactive substances), chromatographic (solid‐phase microextraction gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy), and spectroscopic (fluorescence, attenuated total reflectance) techniques, giving new insights regarding the preservation of edible oils.

Practical Application: Htyr has recently gained much attention as an active ingredient of food matrices for industrial applications due to its high antioxidant/antiradical activity. A major drawback of Htyr exploitation is the high market price and its solubility. Meanwhile, several edible oils are prone to autooxidation during transport, stock management, and household storage. The proposed one‐step biocatalytic process aims to enhance the lipophilicity and bioactivity of Htyr in bulk oil systems, making the use of this potent antioxidant compound feasible. This approach shows promise in extending the shelf life of common oils and highlights the advantages of by‐product management. Moreover, these functional oils can be applied for the preparation of sauces, bakery products, food supplements, and so on, as the bioactive ingredients that are present in them can delay the oxidative cascade reactions and, thus, the spoilage of the products, whereas the whole process meets the requirements of circular economy and green chemistry.
Hydrothermal Synthesis of (NH4)2V7O16/Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite with Enhanced Storage Performance for Aqueous Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Ma Yining , Zhou Huaijuan , Meng Xinyu , Xu Tongxiang , Jin Xiaodong , Ji Shidong , Cao Xun
Published: May 2024

Herein, a facile hydrothermal method is utilized to prepare a (NH4)2V7O16/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composite. In an aqueous electrolyte, the obtained (NH4)2V7O16/rGO exhibits superior lithium storage characteristics compared to pure (NH4)2V7O16 in both the three‐electrode configuration and full cell. This improvement can be ascribed to the synergistic effects of incorporation of defective oxygen and rGO modification. The present study proposes a feasible strategy for enhancing the electrochemical properties of (NH4)2V7O16 and demonstrates the potential of the (NH4)2V7O16/rGO composite for aqueous rechargeable lithium‐ion batteries.
Saving face: Leveraging artificial intelligence‐based negative feedback to enhance employee job performance
Authors: Pei Jialiang , Wang Hongli , Peng Qiuping , Liu Shanshi
Published: May 2024

Negative performance feedback is vital for stimulating employees to enhance their performance despite resulting in stress and adverse work outcomes. Fortunately, artificial intelligence (AI)‐enabled automated agents have gradually assumed certain functions led by human leaders, such as providing feedback. Drawing from regulatory focus theory, we propose that AI‐based feedback systems can serve as a “remediation” tool, effectively mitigating employees' apprehensions about receiving negative feedback. In two studies, we found that for employees who fear losing face, AI‐based negative feedback motivates promotion‐focused cognition—motivation to learn—representing a learning mechanism to promote job performance and impedes their prevention‐focused cognition—interpersonal rumination—reducing the depletion needed for job performance. These findings present novel perspectives on using AI in performance feedback.
The association between enteral nutrition with survival of critical patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Gholamalizadeh Maryam , Salimi Zahra , Mobarakeh Khadijeh Abbasi , Mahmoudi Zahra , Tajadod Shirin , Mousavi Mele Mahdi , Alami Farkhondeh , Bahar Bojlul , Doaei Saeid , Khoshdooz Sara , Rahvar Masoume , Gholami Somayeh , Pourtaleb Masoume
Published: May 2024

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) results in several complications and mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Limited studies have investigated the effect of enteral nutrition (EN) on the survival of COVID‐19 patients in the ICU. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of EN with biochemical and pathological indices associated with mortality in ICU patients with COVID‐19.

Methods

This case–control study was conducted on 240 patients with COVID‐19 hospitalized in the ICU including 120 eventual nonsurvived as the cases and 120 survived patients as the controls. All of the patients received EN as a high protein high volume or standard formula. Data on general information, anthropometric measurements, and the results of lab tests were collected.

Results

The recovered patients received significantly more high protein (60.8% vs. 39.6%, p = .004) and high volume (61.6% vs. 42.3%, p = .005) formula compared to the nonsurvived group. Mortality was inversely associated with high volume (odds ratio [OR]: 0.45 confidence interval [CI]95%, p = .008) and high protein (OR: 0.42 CI95%, p = .003) formula. The results remained significant after adjusting for age and sex. Further adjustment for underlying diseases, smoking, body mass index, and the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score did not change the results.

Conclusion

The findings of the study showed that there was a significant inverse association between mortality and high volume and high protein formula in patients with COVID‐19. Further investigation is warranted.
Does financial stability communication affect financial asset prices? Evidence from the Bank of England's communication experiment
Authors: Jbir Hamdi
Published: May 2024

This paper examines the Bank of England's (BoE) communication on financial stability between 2013 and 2018. We apply an event study to determine the communication effect on financial institutions' stock market returns. We find that the BoE's announcements generate negative average abnormal returns for non‐banking and banking systems, including the Global Systemically Important Banks. The same effect emerges when we consider the communication's tone. Furthermore, we construct a macroprudential decision communication index and show that the negative impact of the BoE's tone is significant only when the decision communication index value is above average. Moreover, we find evidence that negative abnormal returns tend to appear after the Brexit referendum, while we find positive abnormal returns before that date. Besides, we do not identify a noticeable effect related to communication practices.
Investigating the healthcare‐seeking behaviors of mobile phone users to improve cervical cancer screening in rural Uganda
Authors: Mwandacha Nelly , Dau Hallie , AboMoslim Maryam , Naguti Priscilla , Sheehan Mia , Booth Amy , Smith Laurie , Orem Jackson , Ogilvie Gina , Nakisige Carolyn
Published: May 2024

Objective

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer in low‐ and middle‐income countries, despite being preventable. Uganda, which lacks an effective screening program, has one of the highest global cervical cancer incidence rates. Mobile health (mHealth) technology has the potential to improve healthcare‐seeking behaviors and access. The present study describes the connection between mobile phone access and healthcare‐seeking behaviors in rural Uganda.

Methods

Women were eligible for this cross‐sectional study if they had no prior screening or treatment for cervical cancer in the past 5 years, were aged 30 to 49 years old, and were residents of the South Busoga Forest reserve. Survey data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi‐square tests.

Results

Of the 1434 participants included in the analysis, 91.4% reported having access to a mobile phone. Most respondents were aged 30–40 years, had a partner, had ≤primary education, and were farmers. Participants with mobile phone access were significantly more likely to report attending a healthcare outreach visit (access = 87.3%, no access = 72.6%, P < 0.001) or visiting a health center (access = 96.9%, no access = 93.5%, P < 0.001). Participants in both groups had largely positive attitudes around and good knowledge of cervical cancer screening.

Conclusion

While attendance to healthcare services was high amongst participants, those with mobile phone access were more likely to seek healthcare services. Further inquiry into this association between mobile phone access and healthcare‐seeking behavior is needed to optimize the improvements to cervical cancer screening when implementing interventions such as mHealth technology.
An efficient method by combining different basis sets and SAPT levels
Authors: Deng Zhihao , Liu Chang , Li Zhongwei , Zhang Yingsheng
Published: May 2024

In symmetry‐adapted perturbation theory (SAPT), accurate calculations on non‐covalent interaction (NCI) for large complexes with more than 50 atoms are time‐consuming using large basis sets. More efficient ones with smaller basis sets usually result in poor prediction in terms of dispersion and overall energies. In this study, we propose two composite methods with baseline calculated at SAPT2/aug‐cc‐pVDZ and SAPT2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ with dispersion term corrected at SAPT2+ level using bond functions and smaller basis set with MP2 corrections respectively. Benchmark results on representative NCI data sets, such as S22, S66, and so forth, show significant improvements on the accuracy compared to the original SAPT Silver standard and comparable to SAPT Gold standard in some cases with much less computational cost.
The effect of different irrigation activation methods on the penetration of the irrigation solution into the dentinal tubules in teeth with calcium hydroxide applied and oval‐shaped canals: Confocal laser scanning microscope analysis
Authors: Er Karaoğlu Gamze , Aydın Zeliha Uğur
Published: May 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different irrigation techniques including standard needle irrigation (SNI), passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), EndoActivator (EA), XP‐Endo Finisher (XPF), photon‐induced photoacoustic streaming (PIPS), and shock wave enhanced emission photo‐acoustic streaming (SWEEPS) systems on the penetration of irrigation solutions into dentinal tubules in teeth with calcium hydroxide (CH) applied and oval‐shaped canals by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). Ninety mandibular incisor teeth with oval‐shaped canals were included in this study. After the preparation of teeth using Resiproc Blue R25 (VDW, Munich, Germany) canals were filled with a paste based on CH. The teeth were stored in 100% humidity at a temperature of 37°C for 14 days. According to the irrigation activation systems, the teeth were divided into six groups (n = 15); SNI, PUI, EA, XPF, PIPS, and SWEEPS. In each group, 3 irrigation/activation cycles of 20 s of irrigation and 20 s of activation were performed with the relevant activation method. The root canals were filled with fluorescein sodium (Sigma, Alldrich Co., St. Louis, MO, USA) and activated with the relevant activation method for 30 s. Specimens were sectioned horizontally to 1 ± 0.1 mm at 2, 5, and 8 mm from the apex and then examined under the CLSM. Maximum penetration depth, maximum penetration area and penetration percentage were measured by using Image J software. Data were analyzed using a two‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and posthoc Tukey tests (p = .05). No difference was found between the activation systems in terms of maximum penetration depth and maximum penetration area of irrigation solutions in the apical section (p > .05). The penetration percentage of irrigation solutions was higher in PUI and PIPS compared with EA and XPF at the apical section (p < .05). No difference was found between SNI, PUI, PIPS, and SWEEPS in terms of the penetration percentage of irrigation solutions in all sections (p > .05). The penetration percentage of irrigation solutions was higher in the middle and coronal sections compared to the apical section in EA and XPF (p < .05). Tubule penetration of irrigation solutions in SNI was similar between sections. The Tubule penetration area of irrigation solutions in PUI, EA, XPF, PIPS, and SWEEPS was lower in the apical section than in the middle and coronal sections.

Research Highlights

The tubule penetration depth and area of the irrigation solutions were similar between the activation systems tested in the apical sections.

The Tubule penetration area of irrigation solutions in middle and coronal sections was higher in PUI and PIPS than in SNI.
Assessment of Hypoxia in Breast Cancer: Emerging Functional MR Imaging and Spectroscopy Techniques and Clinical Applications
Authors: Daimiel Naranjo Isaac , Bhowmik Arka , Basukala Dibash , Lo Gullo Roberto , Mazaheri Yousef , Kapetas Panagiotis , Eskreis‐Winkler Sarah , Pinker Katja , Thakur Sunitha B.
Published: May 2024

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer affecting women worldwide. Hypoxia, a condition characterized by insufficient oxygen supply in tumor tissues, is closely associated with tumor aggressiveness, resistance to therapy, and poor clinical outcomes. Accurate assessment of tumor hypoxia can guide treatment decisions, predict therapy response, and contribute to the development of targeted therapeutic interventions. Over the years, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) techniques have emerged as promising noninvasive imaging options for evaluating hypoxia in cancer. Such techniques include blood oxygen level‐dependent (BOLD) MRI, oxygen‐enhanced MRI (OE) MRI, chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI, and proton MRS (1H‐MRS). These may help overcome the limitations of the routinely used dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE) MRI and diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) techniques, contributing to better diagnosis and understanding of the biological features of breast cancer. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the emerging functional MRI and MRS techniques for assessing hypoxia in breast cancer, along with their evolving clinical applications. The integration of these techniques in clinical practice holds promising implications for breast cancer management.

Evidence Level

5

Technical Efficacy

Stage 1
Self‐media information disclosure and firm productivity
Authors: Huang Yongjian , Zhou Yiqing , Mou Luyao , Li Haolin , Zhang Yining
Published: May 2024

Using Sina Weibo data obtained through crawler technologies from 2013 to 2021, this study investigates the relationship between self‐media information disclosure and firm productivity. We find that self‐media information disclosure promotes firm productivity, a conclusion that withstands various robustness and endogeneity tests. Particularly, original microblogs exhibit a more significant impact. Further analysis reveals that the promoting effect is more pronounced in listed companies with lower annual retweets, small companies, and those with lower turnover. Finally, a mechanism analysis indicates that self‐media information disclosure enhances enterprise productivity by alleviating financing constraints, enhancing corporate innovation, and strengthening corporate governance.
Asymptotic analysis for the homogeneous model of wind‐driven oceanic circulation in the small viscosity limit
Authors: Wang Xiang , Wang Ya‐Guang
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we study the asymptotic expansion for the homogeneous model of wind‐driven oceanic circulation with the nonslip boundary condition when both of the beta‐plane parameter and the Reynolds number go to infinity. By asymptotic analysis under certain constraints on wind tensor, we derive a formal expansion including the geophysical boundary layer in the large beta‐plane parameter and high Reynolds number limit, from which one sees that the external force, wind tensor, has an important effect on the behavior of the boundary layers. Moreover, when the external force and initial data satisfy certain constraints, to exclude the appearance of strong boundary layers, we construct approximate solutions with steady boundary layers to the homogeneous model of wind‐driven oceanic circulation in the large beta‐plane parameter and high Reynolds number limit. By using an energy method, we obtain the
‐stability of small perturbation around this approximate solutions, which verifies the validity of the asymptotic expansion of weak boundary layers in the large beta‐plane parameter and high Reynolds number limit.
Fast magnetization transfer saturation imaging of the brain using MP2RAGE T1 mapping
Authors: Rowley Christopher D. , Nelson Mark C. , Campbell Jennifer S. W. , Leppert Ilana R. , Pike G. Bruce , Tardif Christine L.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Magnetization transfer saturation (MTsat) mapping is commonly used to examine the macromolecular content of brain tissue. This study compared variable flip angle (VFA) T1 mapping against compressed‐sensing MP2RAGE (csMP2RAGE) T1 mapping for accelerating MTsat imaging.

Methods

VFA, MP2RAGE, and csMP2RAGE were compared against inversion‐recovery T1 in an aqueous phantom at 3 T. The same 1‐mm VFA, MP2RAGE, and csMP2RAGE protocols were acquired in 4 healthy subjects to compare T1 and MTsat. Bloch‐McConnell simulations were used to investigate differences between the phantom and in vivo T1 results. Ten healthy controls were imaged twice with the csMP2RAGE MTsat protocol to quantify repeatability.

Results

The MP2RAGE and csMP2RAGE protocols were 13.7% and 32.4% faster than the VFA protocol, respectively. At these scan times, all approaches provided strong repeatability and accurate T1 times (< 5% difference) in the phantom, but T1 accuracy was more impacted by T2 for VFA than for MP2RAGE. In vivo, VFA estimated longer T1 times than MP2RAGE and csMP2RAGE. Simulations suggest that the differences in the T1 measured using VFA, MP2RAGE, and inversion recovery could be explained by the magnetization‐transfer effects. In the test–retest experiment, we found that the csMP2RAGE has a minimum detectable change of 2.3% for T1 mapping and 7.8% for MTsat imaging.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that MP2RAGE can be used in place of VFA T1 mapping in an MTsat protocol. Furthermore, a shorter scan time and high repeatability can be achieved using the csMP2RAGE sequence.
Better off by risk adjustment? Socioeconomic disparities in care utilization in Sweden following a payment reform
Authors: Anell Anders , Dackehag Margareta , Dietrichson Jens , Ellegård Lina Maria , Kjellsson Gustav
Published: May 2024

Reducing socioeconomic health inequalities is a key goal of most health systems. A challenge in this regard is that healthcare providers may have incentives to avoid or undertreat patients who are relatively costly to treat. Due to the socioeconomic gradient in health, individuals with low socioeconomic status (SES) are especially likely to be negatively affected by such attempts. To counter these incentives, payments are often risk adjusted based on patient characteristics. However, empirical evidence is lacking on how, or if, risk adjustment affects care utilization. We examine if a novel risk adjustment model in primary care affected socioeconomic differences in care utilization among individuals with a chronic condition. The new risk adjustment model implied that the capitation—the monthly reimbursement paid by the health authority to care providers for each enrolled patient—increased substantially for chronically ill low‐SES patients. Yet, we do not find any robust evidence that their access to primary care improved relative to patients with high SES, and we find no effects on adverse health events (hospitalizations). These results suggest that the new risk adjustment model did not reduce existing health inequalities, indicating the need for more targeted incentives and interventions to reach low‐SES groups.