bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Steady‐State Inverse‐Temperature Crystallization Enabling Low Defect Perovskite Single Crystal and Efficient X‐Ray Detectors
Authors: Yu Fan , Song Yilong , Wang Lixiang , Yang Yang , Wang Jing , Shen Xiaonan , Jin Bowen , Song Haichuan , Fang Yanjun , Dong Qingfeng
Published: November 2024

Organic–inorganic halide perovskite single crystals (SCs) have shown great potential in radiation detection applications due to their large radiation stopping power and excellent carrier transport properties. The spatial‐confined inverse‐temperature crystallization (ITC) method has been widely adopted to obtain large‐sized SCs. However, they usually face the problems of uneven stress distribution and high defect density due to the limited crystal growth space and varied growth rate with the increase in temperature, making it difficult to fabricate highly sensitive and stable radiation detectors. In this study, the steady‐state inverse‐temperature crystallization method (SS‐ITC) is developed to regulate the growth process of SCs by controlling the growth speed precisely to achieve a constant rate of growth as the temperature increases. Compared with the conventional ITC‐grown samples, the lattice spacing of SCs prepared by the SS‐ITC method is reduced by 1.2% due to tensile stress relaxation, resulting in a lower defect density of 7.93 × 109 cm−3 and a remarkable uniformity over a large area. As a result, the co‐planar X‐ray detectors based on these high‐quality SCs exhibit a high sensitivity of 1.67 × 105 µC Gyair−1 cm−2, representing the best performing MAPbBr3‐based X‐ray detectors reported to date.
Heterogeneous‐Gradient Supercell Metasurfaces for Independent Complex Amplitude Control over Multiple Diffraction Channels
Authors: Wu Tong , Zhang Xueqian , Xu Quan , Wang Lehui , Li Yao , Jiang Xiaohan , Wang Qingwei , Zhang Weili , Han Jiaguang
Published: November 2024

The ability to achieve independent complex amplitude control across multiple channels can significantly increase the information capacity of photonic devices. Diffraction inherently holds numerous channels, which are good candidates for dense light manipulation in angular space. However, no convenient method is currently available for attaining this. Here, a flexible interference approach utilizing silicon‐based transmission‐type heterogeneous‐gradient supercell metasurfaces is proposed. By simply designing the phases of the meta‐atoms’ radiations within a supercell, the complex amplitude of each diffraction channel can be individually and analytically controlled. Crucially, the complex amplitudes of multiple diffraction channels can be simultaneously controlled in a non‐interleaved manner, where the number of channels is determined by the number of effective adjusting degrees of freedom (DoF). As a proof‐of‐concept validation, several meta‐devices are experimentally demonstrated in the terahertz regime, which can generate multiple vortex beams, focal points, and splitting beams in different desired diffraction angles. This advancement heralds a new pathway for the development of multifunctional photonic devices with enhanced channel capacity, offering significant potential for both research and practical applications in photonics.
Achieving Dendrite‐Free Lithium Metal Batteries by Constructing a Dense Lithiophilic Cu1.8Se/CuO Heterojunction Tip
Authors: Yang Yunfei , Wang Kun , Gao Xuehui , Jiang Muxi , Wu Chengkai , Ling Min , Chen Zhongwei
Published: November 2024

Lithium (Li) metal batteries (LMBs) have garnered widespread attention due to their high specific capacity. However, the growth of lithium dendrite severely limits their practical applications. Herein, a novel strategy is proposed to regulate the overall potential strength and lithium ions (Li+) concentration on the surface of the current collector by utilizing densely distributed tip effects. This concept is exemplified through the construction of lithiophilic Cu1.8Se/CuO heterojunction needle array on the Cu foil, ultimately achieving dendrite‐free lithium deposition. Based on the simulation in COMSOL multiphysics and experimental research, this design is demonstrated to enrich Li+ on the current collector surface, delay the formation of space charge regions, and mitigate the growth of lithium dendrites. Additionally, a built‐in electric field (BIEF) triggered by the heterointerface between Cu1.8Se and CuO further alleviates the Li+ concentration gradient on the electrode surface, achieving uniform bottom‐up deposition of Li within the array structure. Consequently, the symmetrical cell exhibits an ultra‐long cycle life of 2400 h (1 mA cm−2, 1 mAh cm−2) with an extremely low overpotential of 13 mV. Furthermore, full batteries using LiFePO4 as the cathode exhibit superior cycle stability and rate performance. This study presents a promising approach for designing dendrite‐free current collectors in LMBs.
Expanding Chemical Space in the Synthesis of Gold Bipyramids
Authors: Sánchez‐Iglesias Ana , Grzelczak Marek
Published: November 2024

Gold bipyramids (AuBPs), despite having superior properties compared to their spectroscopically similar counterparts, gold nanorods, have found comparatively limited applications. This discrepancy is primarily due to the lack of protocols to tailor their dimensions. Typically, the concentration of Au seeds is virtually the sole factor that determines the aspect ratio and thus, the optical properties of AuBPs. As a result, varying the volumes of AuBPs while incurring minimal changes to their optical spectra remains a synthetically non‐trivial task. Here, the chemical space in the seeded growth of AuBPs, is expanded by exploiting the interplay between bromide, silver ions, and seed concentration for tuning the final dimensions and optical properties of AuBPs. Specifically, a 6 fold change in volumes of AuBPs is achieved while maintaining the fixed plasmon band position. Further overgrowth of as‐prepared bipyramids broadens the realizable dimensions without compromising quality and initial morphology. Overall, the results expand the chemical toolbox in the wet‐chemistry synthesis of anisotropic gold nanoparticles, which is relevant for health, colorimetric sensors, and energy applications.
Metal Single Atom‐Hydroxyl Incorporation in Poly(heptazine imide) to Create Active Sites for Photocatalytic Water Oxidation
Authors: Hu Wenxuan , Li Aifeng , Li Haiping , Wang Yu , Fan Zhenke , Deng Quanhua , Wang Guoan , Xia Yuguo , Hou Wanguo
Published: November 2024

Poly(heptazine imide) (PHI) salts are extensively researched crystalline carbon nitride photocatalysts, but their photocatalytic water oxidation (PWO) performance is scarcely researched because of the difficulty in creating efficient active sites. Interference of metal ion (e.g., Na+ and K+) loss from the PHI salts in their PWO research has hardly been considered. Herein, metal single atom─OH (e.g., Co─OH) groups are incorporated into PHI to create efficient PWO active sites, via simple ion metathesis, hydrolysis, and deprotonation. The Co─OH modified PHI exhibits 9.3‐fold higher PWO (oxygen evolution) activity than PHI, with an external quantum yield reaching 0.44% even at 600 nm. Excluding interference of the metal ion loss, the function of the Co─OH incorporation is evidenced mainly to facilitate the oxygen evolution reaction, as well as to promote photogenerated charge separation and raise visible light absorption, with the role of the OH especially revealed. Moreover, it is discovered that Na+ loss from sodium PHI will decrease its PWO activity, protonation of PHI has a detrimental effect on its PWO performance, and some other metal single atom─OH incorporation in PHI can also enhance its PWO activity. Overall, this work provides a general way to create PWO active sites in PHI.
Analyzing the Correlation Between Toxic Comments and Code Quality
Authors: Sayago‐Heredia Jaime , Sailema Gustavo Chango , Pérez‐Castillo Ricardo , Piattini Mario
Published: November 2024

Software development has a relevant human side, and this could, for example, imply that developers' feelings have an impact on certain aspects of software development such as quality, productivity, or performance. This paper explores the effects of toxic emotions on code quality and presents the SentiQ tool, which gathers and analyzes sentiments from commit messages (obtained from GitHub) and code quality measures (obtained from SonarQube). The SentiQ tool we proposed performs a sentiment analysis (based on natural language processing techniques) and relates the results to the code quality measures. The datasets extracted are then used as the basis on which to conduct a preliminary case study, which demonstrates that there is a relationship between toxic comments and code quality that may affect the quality of the whole software project. This has resulted in the drafting of a predictive model to validate the correlation of the impact of toxic comments on code quality. The main implication of this work is that these results could, in the future, make it possible to estimate code quality as a function of developers' toxic comments.
Effective Steady‐State Recombination Decay Times in Comparison to Time‐Resolved Photoluminescence Decay Times in Halide Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Dreessen Chris , Gil‐Escrig Lidón , Hülsbeck Markus , Sessolo Michele , Bolink Henk J. , Kirchartz Thomas
Published: November 2024

One of the key topics in perovskite solar cells is the reduction of charge carrier recombination, with the aim of increasing power conversion efficiency. The recombination lifetime is a commonly used tool, as it directly affects the current–voltage curve via the diffusion length. The lifetime is often estimated using time‐domain measurement methods such as time‐resolved photoluminescence. However, two obstacles emerge when applying the transiently measured decay times to the steady‐state theory. In general, the decay time depends on the charge carrier concentration, and it is often not clear under which conditions the transient measurement must be conducted to be comparable with the steady‐state performance of the device. Furthermore, diffusion and capacitive effects due to charge injection and extraction can influence transient techniques and cause the measured decay time to deviate from the sought‐after recombination lifetime. Voltage‐dependent steady‐state photoluminescence measurements can be used to estimate the internal voltage during device operation and allow the extraction of collection efficiencies and effective steady‐state decay times that are independent of transport and capacitive effects. Here, the differences between the steady‐state and transient decay times are identified and discussed, and the losses in the current–voltage curve caused by extraction issues are quantified.
Harnessing the Potential of Graphene Quantum Dots for Multifunctional Biomedical Applications
Authors: Han Yujia , Hao Hongyan , Zeng Haixiang , Li Hongxia , Niu Xiaohui , Qi Wei , Zhang Deyi , Wang Kunjie
Published: November 2024

The existing and emerging demand for materials for life and health has contributed to the cultivation and development of respective markets. Nevertheless, the current generation of biomedical materials has yet to fully satisfy the clinical requirements of the market, which is still in its relative infancy. Research and development in this area must be prioritized in light of the pivotal role of new life and health materials in the biological field. Among many life and health materials, GQDs, an emerging nanomaterial, exhibit considerable promise in the biomedical field, primarily due to their exceptional properties. Furthermore, the direct preparation and functionalization of GQDs have facilitated the development of specific functional composites based on GQDs. The biological applications of GQDs are undergoing rapid growth, which makes it necessary to publish a review article presenting the latest advances in this field. This review provides an overview of the significant advances in synthesizing GQDs, the techniques employed for structural characterizations, and the properties that have been elucidated. Furthermore, it presents recent findings on applying GQDs in antimicrobial, anticancer, biosensing, drug delivery, and bioimaging applications. Finally, it explores the potential of GQDs in biomedicine and biotechnology, highlighting the current challenges that remain to be addressed.
The Chinese Herbal Medicine Li Qi Huo Xue Di Wan Ameliorates Ischemia or Hypoxia‐Induced Cardiac Injury and Remodeling in the Heart Through a Mechanism Involving Reduction of Necroptosis
Authors: Zhang Yi‐Yue , Tang Can , Dou Ya‐Qi , Luo Xiu‐Ju , Pu Jian , Peng Jun
Published: November 2024

Li Qi Huo Xue Di Wan (LQHXDW), a Chinese herbal medicine, is commonly used to treat symptoms such as palpitations, chest tightness, chest pain, and shortness of breath. However, its potential to reduce ischemia or hypoxia‐induced cardiac injury and remodeling, along with the precise mechanisms involved, remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of LQHXDW on cardiac injury and remodeling induced by ischemia or hypoxia, both in vivo and in vitro, and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. The mouse heart was subjected to ischemia for 14 days, showing evident myocardial injury and notable cardiac remodeling, accompanied by a reduction in cardiac function; these phenomena were reversed in the presence of LQHXDW. In the cultured cardiomyocyte exposed to hypoxia, incubation with LQHXDW increased the cell viability and reduced lactate dehydrogenase release. Mechanistically, LQHXDW exerted inhibitory effect on the phosphorylation levels of RIPK1, RIPK3, and MLKL as well as oxidative stress in the mice hearts suffered ischemia and the cultured cardiomyocytes exposed to hypoxia. Using the methods of ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography‐quadrupole time‐of‐flight‐mass spectrometry, network pharmacology, and cellular thermal shift assay, phenethyl caffeate and isoliquiritigenin were identified as the potential active compounds in LQHXDW that counteract necroptosis. Based on these observations, we conclude that LQHXDW protects the heart against ischemia or hypoxia‐induced cardiac injury and remodeling through suppression of the RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL pathway‐dependent necroptosis and oxidative stress.
Effect of Processed Coffee Husk on Feed Intake, Nutrient Digestibility, Body Weight Changes and Economic Feasibility of Bonga Sheep Fed on Natural Pasture Hay as a Basal Diet
Authors: Marew Lidya , Meheret Fentahun , Asmare Bimrew
Published: November 2024

Background

Ethiopia is one of the world's coffee producers, generating about 192,000 metric tonnes of coffee husks annually as by‐products. The material can be used for ruminant diets to improve the nutrient utilisation of animals. However, coffee husk has toxic compounds, which can be minimised through different processing methods. Though the above techniques can minimise the toxicity level of coffee husk and increase the bioavailability of nutrients, there is scanty information on the comparative efficacy of these techniques, especially in ruminant nutrition.

Objective

The study was conducted to examine the effect of processed coffee husk on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, body weight changes and profitability of Bonga rams based on natural pasture hay.

Methods

In the experiment, 24 rams were used, and the rams were grouped into six blocks based on initial body weight (mean BW 21.5 ± 1.01 kg). The rams were quarantined for 21 days, and each ram was randomly assigned to one of the experimental feed treatments in a randomised complete block design (RCBD). The experimental treatment feeds include 400 g conventional concentrate mix (CM) containing Noug seed cake and wheat bran (T1); 200 g boiled coffee husk + 200 g CM (T2); 200 g roasted coffee husk + 200 g CM (T3) and 200 g raw coffee husk + 200 g CM (T4). The CM was made in the ratio of 1:1. The data collected from the 90‐day experimental period were: dry matter and nutrient intakes, initial body weight, final body weight and body weight changes. After the growth experiment, a 7‐day digestibility trial was followed by collecting faeces using a harness bag. The data were managed using Microsoft (MS) Excel 2010 and analysed using R software (v. 4.3.2). The chemical compositions of the CM had maximum crude protein (22%), followed by boiled coffee husk (14.74%), which was higher than natural pasture hay (6.91%) and raw coffee husk (12.4%).

Results

The total dry matter intake (p < 0.05), metabolisable energy, and total nutrient intakes of rams were significantly (p < 0.001) maximised when rams fed on boiled coffee husk (T2) than raw (T4) and roasted (T4) coffee husk, except for NDF and organic matter intakes. The apparent digestibility of nutrients and feed conversion efficiency were maximised for rams assigned to T2. There was maximum daily body weight gain (p < 0.001) when rams were supplemented with boiled coffee husk (T2). Also, body weight changes of rams were significantly (p < 0.001) higher for rams supplementation with boiled coffee husk.

Conclusion

Therefore, the boiled coffee husk as an alternative feed resource can be replaced by about half of the commercial CM without adverse effects of anti‐nutritional factors and enhance the income of smallholder farmers in the coffee crop‐livestock production system.
Synthesis and Reactivity of Bis[2,6‐Bis(Diphenylphosphino) Phenyl]Antimony Chloride Towards Mercury Chlorides Unexpected. Transmetallation and Sb−Sb Bond Formation
Authors: Meyer Fabio , Lork Enno , Hupf Emanuel , Beckmann Jens
Published: November 2024

The reaction of the lithium reagent 2,6‐(Ph2P)2C6H3Li with SbCl3 provided the diarylantimony chloride [2,6‐(Ph2P)2C6H3]2SbCl (1) as sole product. The reaction of 1 with an equimolar mixture of HgCl2 and Hg2Cl2 proceeded with partial transmetallation and provided [2,6‐(Ph2P)2C6H3SbCl]2 (2) and [2,6‐(Ph2P)2C6H3]2Hg ⋅ 2 HgCl2 (3). The molecular structure of 2 reveals a dinuclear arrangement and the unexpected formation of a central Sb−Sb single bond (2.7862(4) Å). The molecular structure of 3 exhibits a trinuclear mercury string arrangement comprised of two symmetry equivalent mercurophilic Hg ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ Hg interactions (3.2632(3) Å).
The Limits of Universities’ Strategic Capacity for Steering Research
Authors: Borlaug Siri B. , Jungblut Jens
Published: November 2024

Today’s universities are under pressure from multiple directions. The massive growth in students and staff has led to, among others, a high competition between individual academics and universities for external funding. Studies highlight that the quest for external funding has led to a narrowing down of research topics in terms of breadth and scope, and some call for universities to more actively use their strategic capacity and leadership to create environments that also provide scholars with incentives for scholarly renewal, innovation, and research beyond what is in high demand from external funders. However, the definition of strategic capacity, challenges related to it, and how universities and their leadership may use it are not always clearly defined. This chapter addresses these issues.
The effect of resummation on retarded Green’s function and greybody factor in AdS black holes
Authors: Amado Julián Barragán , Chakrabortty Shankhadeep , Maurya Arpit
Published: November 2024

Abstract

We investigate the retarded Green’s function and the greybody factor in asymptotically AdS black holes. Using the connection coefficients of the Heun equation, expressed in terms of the Nekrasov-Shatashvili (NS) free energy of an SU(2) supersymmetric gauge theory with four fundamental hypermultiplets, we derive asymptotic expansions for both the retarded Green’s function and the greybody factor in the small horizon limit. Furthermore, we compute the corrections to these asymptotic expansions resulting from the resummation procedure of the instanton part of the NS function.
Wilson line-based action for gluodynamics at the loop level
Authors: Kakkad Hiren , Kotko Piotr , Stasto Anna
Published: November 2024

Abstract

We develop quantum corrections to the Wilson line-based action which we recently derived through a transformation that eliminates triple gluon vertices from the Yang-Mills action on the light-cone. The action efficiently computes high multiplicity tree-level split-helicity amplitudes with the number of diagrams following the Delannoy number series. However, the absence of the triple gluon vertices results in missing loop contributions. To remedy this, we develop two equivalent approaches using the one-loop effective action method to systematically incorporate loop contributions to our action. In one approach there are solely Yang-Mills vertices in the loop whereas the other uses the interaction vertices of our action along with the kernels of the solution of our transformation in the loop. In addition to demonstrating the equivalence of both approaches, we validated the quantum completeness of the former by computing all 4-point one-loop amplitudes which could not be previously computed. Both of our approaches are easily extendable to develop quantum corrections to other reformulations of the Yang-Mills theory obtained via non-linear classical field transformations eliminating interaction vertices.
Plaque-Charakterisierung und individualisierte Risikoeinschätzung
Authors: Brendel J. M. , Nikolaou K. , Foldyna B.
Published: November 2024

Klinisches/methodisches Problem

Risikoeinschätzung und genaue Plaque-Charakterisierung sind der Schlüssel für die individuelle Prognose der koronaren Herzkrankheit (KHK).

Radiologische Standardverfahren

Standardverfahren ist die kardiale Computertomographie (CT), einschließlich des nativen Kalziumscorings und der Computertomographie-Koronarangiographie (CCTA). Die Befundung erfolgt mittels CAD-RADS-Klassifikation (Coronary Artery Disease—Reporting and Data System).

Methodische Innovationen

Neue Entwicklungen umfassen die CT-basierte fraktionale Flussreserve (CT-FFR) sowie die Plaque-Quantifizierung (virtuelle Histologie).

Leistungsfähigkeit

Ein Kalziumscore von 0 bedeutet ein Ereignisrisiko < 1 % über 10 Jahre hinweg [7, 17]. Die CAD-RADS-Klassen 1 bis 5 erlauben eine Risikobewertung im Vergleich zu Patienten ohne koronare Plaques [2]. Die CT-FFR hat eine hohe Genauigkeit („area under the curve“ [AUC] 0,90; 95 % Konfidenzintervall [KI] 0,87–0,94) in der Beurteilung der hämodynamischen Stenosenrelevanz im Vergleich zur invasiven Koronarangiographie [25]. Mittels Plaque-Quantifizierung wurde festgestellt, dass ein Anteil von über 4 % an nekrotischem Kern das 5‑Jahres-Ereignis-Risiko fast verfünffacht [29].

Bewertung

Das Vorhandensein einer obstruktiven KHK (Stenose > 50 %) ist ein starker prognostischer Faktor. Die Evaluation der hämodynamischen Relevanz 40–90 %iger Stenosen mittels CT-FFR oder anderer funktioneller Tests ist in den USA bereits leitliniengerecht, jedoch noch nicht in Deutschland. Quantitative Ansätze zur Messung von Volumina und Zusammensetzung der Plaques gewinnen zunehmend an Bedeutung in der Forschung und werden voraussichtlich auch in der klinischen Praxis relevant werden.

Empfehlung für die Praxis

Die Beurteilung des KHK-Ausmaßes sollte durch die CAD-RADS 2.0‑Klassifikation erfolgen, die auch Therapieempfehlungen gibt.
When deviants talk: the role of Dark Triad traits and moral reasoning in whistleblowing
Authors: Oelrich Sebastian , Chwolka Anne
Published: November 2024

Whistleblowing is an effective means to uncover fraud and other misconduct in organizations. However, it is puzzling why some employees come forward despite numerous disadvantages, severe retaliation, and negative social perceptions of the whistleblower within and outside the firm. Understanding whistleblowing as an act of deviance can enrich explanations for whistleblowing in such dilemmas. Drawing on psychology literature, we look at the moderating effect of the Dark Triad (Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy), as well as moral reasoning on the factors behind the whistleblowing process. We surveyed 375 economics and business majors and found that both forms of deviance influence the decision process, making internal whistleblowing more likely. Dark Triad personalities are less influenced by adverse subjective norms and their attitude toward the consequences of whistleblowing. The negative impact of perceived retaliation on whistleblowing intention is lessened by high moral reasoning. Both types of deviations from the norm may foster whistleblowing, making it ex-post challenging to distinguish different types of whistleblowers. Importantly, we argue that specific policies, such as protection, may only serve one kind of whistleblower, disregarding the important influence of subjective norms, which may foster a more desirable type of whistleblower. Our research shows that deviant personality characteristics can counteract insufficient protection or negative cultural views on whistleblowing. These findings have direct practical implications for whistleblowing systems, corporate governance policies, and policymakers. Moreover, we contribute to an emerging stream of research that moves away from a purely pro-social view and toward a more comprehensive understanding of whistleblowing by introducing a holistic concept of whistleblowing as deviance.
Smartcard: an integrated approach for contaminant monitoring, from field to laboratory
Authors: Geballa-Koukoula Ariadni , Willemsen Linda , Beij Erik , van Hoof Richard , Elferink Alexander , Geballa-Koukoulas Khalil , Peters Jeroen , Blokland Marco H. , Salentijn Gert IJ.
Published: November 2024

Effective food safety monitoring requires a multi-step approach from farm to fork, involving different methods, ranging from convenient screening devices to sophisticated laboratory confirmatory testing. However, sample transportation to routine laboratories is time-consuming and expensive. Simplified on-site sampling followed by laboratory analysis offers a potential solution. Dried blood spot (DBS) cards ensure stability and ease of sample transportation and are used in clinical testing. However, the applicability of such an approach could be broader and include the storage of dried extract from more complex (solid) matrices. Therefore, a simplified approach is presented here, using DBS cards for on-site sampling and subsequent laboratory confirmation for food contaminants. To achieve this, an analytical tool (Smartcard) was designed using 3D-printing technology. As a proof of concept, the approach was applied to detect the pesticide fipronil, which is widely used in ornamental flower production to limit pests and on poultry farms. The Smartcard can securely store the sample extracts on a DBS card (dried extract spot (DExS) card), incorporate the lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) and immediately provide an estimate of contamination levels. After simplified in-syringe extraction of the sample, the LFIA allows direct screening of fipronil (half maximum inhibitory concentration of 6.5 µg/l with calibration standards), and the same sample extract can be directly applied to the DExS card for storage and transport to the laboratory, where analyte re-extraction and instrumental analysis is performed using ultra high-pressure liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) detecting fipronil down to 0.8 µg/kg.

Graphical Abstract
Surface monitoring of L. monocytogenes by real-time fluorescence and colorimetric LAMP
Authors: Abalo Maruxa , Lamas Alexandre , Teixeira Carla , Prado Marta , Garrido-Maestu Alejandro
Published: November 2024

Listeria monocytogenes is a major foodborne pathogen affecting developing, and developed countries. The analysis of food contact surfaces in food industries is key for better controlling this pathogen. The current study focused on the development, optimization, and evaluation of a rapid and simple method for the detection of L. monocytogenes on stainless steel surfaces, suitable for decentralized setups, taking advantage of Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). This was accomplished using a general pre-enrichment broth (TSB), with a simple DNA extraction based on a chelating resin, and final isothermal amplification. Two different detection strategies were tested, real-time fluorescence and naked-eye colorimetric, which were evaluated after 5, 7, and 24 h of pre-enrichment. Regardless the detection chemistry selected, after 5–7 h of pre-enrichment, 103–104 CFU/cm2 were needed to obtain a positive result, while after 24 h, it was possible to detect concentrations below 10 CFU/cm2. Within each given time, all the performance parameters calculated, relative sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy, reached values higher than 80–90%; likewise, a Cohen’s k of concordance with a culture-based approach higher than 0.8. Overall, the most sensitive assay can be performed in roughly 25 h. This time-to-result outperforms commercial kits with the added value of specifically detecting L. monocytogenes instead of Listeria spp.

Key points

• Real-time fluorescence and naked-eye colorimetric, were compared for the novel assay.

• An LOD50 of 3.4 CFU/cm2 and 4.2 CFU/cm2 was calculated for the two assays.

• Three pre-enrichment times were compared providing 24 h better results.
EANM expert opinion: How can lessons from radiobiology be applied to the design of clinical trials? Part I: back to the basics of absorbed dose–response and threshold absorbed doses
Authors: Pouget Jean-Pierre , Gabina Pablo Minguez , Herrmann Ken , Deandreis Desirée , Konijnenberg Mark , Taieb David , van Leeuwen Fijs W. B. , Kurth Jens , Eberlein Uta , Lassmann Michael , Lückerath Katharina ,   For the EANM Radiobiology Working Group
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study by the EANM radiobiology working group aims to analyze the efficacy and toxicity of targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) using radiopharmaceuticals approved by the EMA and FDA for neuroendocrine tumors and prostate cancer. It seeks to understand the correlation between physical parameters such as absorbed dose and TRT outcomes, alongside other biological factors.

Methods

We reviewed clinical studies on TRT, focusing on the relationship between physical parameters and treatment outcomes, and applying basic radiobiological principles to radiopharmaceutical therapy to identify key factors affecting therapeutic success.

Results

The analysis revealed that mean absorbed dose alone is insufficient to predict treatment response or toxicity. For absorbed doses below a certain threshold, outcomes are unpredictable, while doses above this threshold improve the likelihood of biological responses. However, even at higher absorbed doses, response plateaus indicate the need for additional parameters to explain outcome variability, including heterogeneity in target expression, anatomical disease location, (epi)genetics, DNA repair capacity, and the tumor microenvironment, aspects that will be discussed in Part II of this analysis.

Conclusion

Understanding radiobiology is crucial for optimizing TRT. More dosimetric data is needed to refine treatment protocols. While absorbed dose is critical, it alone does not determine TRT outcomes. Future research should integrate biological parameters with physical dosimetry to enhance efficacy and minimize toxicity.
Towards the clinical translation of a silver sulfide nanoparticle contrast agent: large scale production with a highly parallelized microfluidic chip
Authors: Mossburg Katherine J. , Shepherd Sarah J. , Barragan Diego , O Nathaniel H. , Berkow Emily K. , Maidment Portia S. N. , Rosario Berrios Derick N. , Hsu Jessica C. , Siedlik Michael J. , Yadavali Sagar , Mitchell Michael J. , Issadore David , Cormode David P.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Ultrasmall silver sulfide nanoparticles (Ag2S-NP) have been identified as promising contrast agents for a number of modalities and in particular for dual-energy mammography. These Ag2S-NP have demonstrated marked advantages over clinically available agents with the ability to generate higher contrast with high biocompatibility. However, current synthesis methods for inorganic nanoparticles are low-throughput and highly time-intensive, limiting the possibility of large animal studies or eventual clinical use of this potential imaging agent.

Methods

We herein report the use of a scalable silicon microfluidic system (SSMS) for the large-scale synthesis of Ag2S-NP. Ag2S-NP produced using this system were compared to bulk synthesis and a commercially available microfluidic device through characterization, contrast generation, in vivo imaging, and clearance profiles.

Results

Using SSMS chips with 1 channel, 10 parallelized channels, and 256 parallelized channels, we determined that the Ag2S-NP produced were of similar quality as measured by core size, concentration, UV–visible spectrometry, and in vitro contrast generation. Moreover, by combining parallelized chips with increasing reagent concentration, we were able to increase output by an overall factor of 5,100. We also found that in vivo imaging contrast generation was consistent across synthesis methods and confirmed renal clearance of the ultrasmall nanoparticles. Finally, we found best-in-class clearance of the Ag2S-NP occurred within 24 h.

Conclusions

These studies have identified a promising method for the large-scale production of Ag2S-NP, paving the way for eventual clinical translation.
Vector-borne disease outbreak control via instant releases
Authors: Almeida Luis , Bellver-Arnau Jesús , Privat Yannick , Rebelo Carlota
Published: November 2024

This paper is devoted to the study of optimal release strategies to control vector-borne diseases, such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya and malaria. Two techniques are considered: the sterile insect one (SIT), which consists in releasing sterilized males among wild vectors in order to perturb their reproduction, and the Wolbachia one (presently used mainly for mosquitoes), which consists in releasing vectors, that are infected with a bacterium limiting their vectorial capacity, in order to replace the wild population by one with reduced vectorial capacity. In each case, the time dynamics of the vector population is modeled by a system of ordinary differential equations in which the releases are represented by linear combinations of Dirac measures with positive coefficients determining their intensity. We introduce optimal control problems that we solve numerically using ad-hoc algorithms, based on writing first-order optimality conditions characterizing the best combination of Dirac measures. We then discuss the results obtained, focusing in particular on the complexity and efficiency of optimal controls and comparing the strategies obtained. Mathematical modeling can help testing a great number of scenarios that are potentially interesting in future interventions (even those that are orthogonal to the present strategies) but that would be hard, costly or even impossible to test in the field in present conditions.
Evidence synthesis of medical cannabis research: current challenges and opportunities
Authors: Senator Ben , Pardal Mafalda , Vandam Liesbeth
Published: November 2024

As a wide group of medicines, the effectiveness and safety of ‘medical cannabis’ products is likely to vary in relation to product-specific dimensions such as potency, dosage, route of administration, and cannabinoid composition. Systematic reviews can perform a crucial role in analysing and synthesising the outcomes of medical cannabis interventions found in empirical research. We analysed 23 contemporary systematic reviews on the effectiveness and safety of medical cannabis to discern the extent to which this body of work aimed to capture, and ultimately captured, the differing outcomes of medical cannabis products by product-specific dimensions of treatment. We further highlighted the methodological reasons given by authors for an inability to describe this granular level of information. We found that a minority of systematic reviews explicitly aimed to perform a subgroup analysis to determine differences in treatment outcomes by product-specific dimensions of medical cannabis, with even fewer subsequently doing so. Authors’ stated reasons for this concerned either overly large or overly small levels of variation in the characteristics, compositions, and administrations of medical cannabis products used, rendering subgroup analyses methodologically inappropriate or inapplicable. Furthering systematic reviews’ abilities to capture granular information on medical cannabis treatment outcomes in relation to product-specific dimensions of treatments will require further standardisation of treatments in empirical studies.
Results of a German nationwide survey on perioperative cardiac management in vascular surgery
Authors: Dovzhanskiy Dmitriy I. , Bischoff Moritz S. , Passek Karola , Böckler Dittmar
Published: November 2024

Because of the lack of specific recommendations concerning cardiac risk stratification before vascular surgery, appropriate decisions remain individual. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the perioperative cardiac management in vascular surgery in Germany.

Methods

This article is based on a survey from 2018 of heads of German vascular surgical departments or units regarding their experience with perioperative cardiac management. The questionnaire asked about the experience with preoperative cardiac evaluation and its extension, awareness of perioperative myocardial ischemia, the art of postoperative monitoring and the routine use of the best medical treatment.

Results

In total, 62% of responders agreed that perioperative myocardial ischemia is a relevant postoperative problem in their clinic after open abdominal aortic surgery, while 47% stated the same after vascular surgery (VS) like carotid endarterectomy, peripheral arterial surgery or EVAR. Preoperative cardiological evaluations are performed routinely by 87% of responders before open abdominal aortic surgery and by 42% before VS. Preoperative cardiac evaluation included cardiac echography in 92% and stress diagnostics (stress echography, stress ECG) in 38%. Routine preoperative cardiac catheterisation is performed in 4% before OAS and only 0.5% before VS. In addition, 79% of participants initiate acetylsalicylic acid routinely and 68% use statins preoperatively. The serum troponin diagnostic test in asymptomatic patients was routinely applied by 19% of responders after OAS and by 6% after VS.

Conclusion

Perioperative myocardial ischemia is considered a relevant problem, primarily after aortic surgery. The preoperative cardiac stress diagnostics among vascular surgeons does not seem to be sufficiently widespread. The preoperative initiation of acetylsalicylic acid and statins is not routine in 30% of hospitals.
Intracellular cAMP signaling-induced Ca2+ influx mediated by calcium homeostasis modulator 1 (CALHM1) in human odontoblasts
Authors: Kimura Maki , Nomura Sachie , Ouchi Takehito , Kurashima Ryuya , Nakano Rei , Sekiya Hinako , Kuroda Hidetaka , Kono Kyosuke , Shibukawa Yoshiyuki
Published: November 2024

In odontoblasts, intracellular Ca2+ signaling plays key roles in reactionary dentin formation and generation of dentinal pain. Odontoblasts also express several Gs protein-coupled receptors that promote production of cyclic AMP (cAMP). However, the crosstalk between intracellular cAMP and Ca2+ signaling, as well as the role of cAMP in the cellular functions of odontoblasts, remains unclear. In this study, we measured intracellular cAMP levels and intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). We also investigated the effect of intracellular cAMP on mineralization by the odontoblasts. In the presence of extracellular Ca2+, the application of forskolin (adenylyl cyclase activator) or isoproterenol (Gs protein-coupled beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist) increased intracellular cAMP levels and [Ca2+]i in odontoblasts. The [Ca2+]i increases could not be observed by removing extracellular Ca2+, indicating that cAMP is capable to activate Ca2+ entry. Forskolin-induced [Ca2+]i increase was inhibited by a protein kinase A inhibitor in odontoblasts. The [Ca2+]i increase was sensitive to Gd3+, 2APB, or Zn2+ but not verapamil, ML218, or La3+. In immunofluorescence analyses, odontoblasts were immunopositive for calcium homeostasis modulator 1 (CALHM1), which was found close to ionotropic ATP receptor subtype, P2X3 receptors. When CALHM1 was knocked down, forskolin-induced [Ca2+]i increase was suppressed. Alizarin red and von Kossa staining showed that forskolin decreased mineralization. These findings suggest that activation of adenylyl cyclase elicited increases in the intracellular cAMP level and Ca2+ influx via protein kinase A activation in odontoblasts. Subsequent cAMP-dependent Ca2+ influx was mediated by CALHM1 in odontoblasts. In addition, the intracellular cAMP signaling pathway in odontoblasts negatively mediated dentinogenesis.
Investigating the effect of cognitive load on the intentionality bias
Authors: Eisenkoeck A. E. , de Fockert J. W. , Moore J. W.
Published: November 2024

According to Rosset’s dual-process model of intention attribution, our judgements of intentionality can be guided either by an automatic process leading to intentional explanations of behaviour or by a higher-level and cognitively more demanding process enabling unintentional explanations of behaviour. Based on this model, under conditions of compromised cognitive capacity, individuals should judge more behaviour to be intentional rather than unintentional. This prediction was tested in one lab-based experiment and one online experiment. Specifically, we investigated whether increased working memory load would lead to higher intentionality endorsement of ambiguous action when controlling for individual differences in working memory. Results of both experiments indicated no effect of working memory load on intentionality endorsement. The implications of these results for the dual-process model of intention attribution are discussed.
Interactions involved in the adsorption of ethylene glycol and 2-hydroxyethoxide on the Au(111) surface: a Density Functional Theory study
Authors: Avelar Joana , Hernández-Esparza Raymundo , Garza Jorge , Vargas Rubicelia
Published: November 2024

Context: The monolayers of ethylene glycol and 2-hydroxyethoxide on gold surfaces have been used in hybrid materials as biosensors. In this article, the adsorption of ethylene glycol and 2-hydroxyethoxide on the Au(111) surface was analyzed. For the first system, ethylene glycol on Au(111), there are Au$$\cdot \cdot \cdot $$

·
·
·

O and Au$$\cdot \cdot \cdot $$

·
·
·

H interactions. To the best of our knowledge, the Au$$\cdot \cdot \cdot $$

·
·
·

H interaction has been overlooked until now. However, in this work, there is strong evidence that this interaction is important to stabilize the system. For the second system, the atomic interactions mentioned previously are also predicted, although there is an additional interaction between 2-hydroxyethoxide molecules. Such an interaction induces the link -O-H-O-, with high values of the electron density at the critical points of the corresponding bond path of the O-H interaction. These links suggest the forming of ethylene glycol chains. Methods: The calculations were performed using two exchange-correlation functionals: BEEF-vdW and C09$$_{x}$$

x

-vdW; both functionals incorporate dispersion effects within the Kohn-Sham approach in Density Functional Theory as implemented in GPAW code and ASE computational packages. The contacts between the molecules considered in this article and the Au(111) surface were analyzed through the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules implemented in GPUAM code.
Combined fractional CO2 laser with topical tioconazole versus Q-switched Nd-YAG laser in the treatment of onychomycosis; a randomized comparative trial
Authors: Sayed Khadiga , Khaled Manar , Gad Abdallah , Elbendary Amira
Published: November 2024

Treatment of onychomycosis includes topical and systemic agents. However, prolonged use of oral treatment could cause adverse effects and topical antifungal agents have limited penetration. To compare the clinical efficacy and the safety of fractional CO2 laser combined with topical tioconazole nail solution versus Q-switched 1064 Nd: YAG laser in the treatment of fingernail onychomycosis. This randomized comparative clinical trial was conducted on 13 patients (47 nails) with fingernail onychomycosis. Patients were randomized to receive either fractional CO2 laser combined with topical tioconazole or Q-Switched Nd: YAG 1064 nm laser every 2 weeks for 3 months followed by a 1-month follow up assessment. Onychomycosis severity index (OSI) score, Dermatology life Quality Index (DLQI) score, patient satisfaction score, dermoscopic evaluation and KOH examination were used for assessment of improvement. OSI showed improvement after treatment in both arms (from 16.17 to 10.92 in fractional CO2 arm (
p

 = 0.026) and 23.13 to 22.43 (
p

 = 0.92)). When comparing both groups OSI score significantly reduced in the fractional CO2 laser combined with tioconazole more than the Q-switched laser group (p = 0.002). The mean DLQI score significantly improved in both groups but no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Significant improvement in patient satisfaction score was noted in both groups. Mycological cure using KOH examination was detected in both groups (44.4% in the CO2 group and 56.5% in the Q-switched group) with no significant difference (P value < 0.05). Ruin pattern keratosis found to be the most dermoscopic pattern to be associated with poor OSI score improvement. Fractional CO2 laser combined with topical tioconazole is more efficient in treatment of onychomycosis than Q-Switched Nd: YAG 1064 nm laser group as regards clinical improvement but both have comparable effect on mycological cure. Their use as adjuvant treatment rather than alone is recommended to ensure mycological cure in onychomycosis.
Extended formulations for binary optimal control problems
Authors: Buchheim Christoph
Published: November 2024

Extended formulations are an important tool in polyhedral combinatorics. Many combinatorial optimization problems require an exponential number of inequalities when modeled as a linear program in the natural space of variables. However, by adding artificial variables, one can often find a small linear formulation, i.e., one containing a polynomial number of variables and constraints, such that the projection to the original space of variables yields a perfect linear formulation. Motivated by binary optimal control problems with switching constraints, we show that a similar approach can be useful also for optimization problems in function space, in order to model the closed convex hull of feasible controls in a compact way. More specifically, we present small extended formulations for switches with bounded variation and for dwell-time constraints. For general linear switching point constraints, we devise an extended model linearizing the problem, but show that a small extended formulation that is compatible with discretization cannot exist unless P = NP.
Geodesic loops on tetrahedra in spaces of constant sectional curvature
Authors: Borisenko A. , Miquel V.
Published: November 2024

Geodesic loops on tetrahedra were studied only for the Euclidean space and it was known that there are no simple geodesic loops on regular tetrahedra. Here we prove that: 1) In the spherical space, there are no simple geodesic loops on tetrahedra with internal angles

$$\pi/3 < a_i<\pi/2$$

π
/
3
<

a
i

<
π
/
2

or regular tetrahedra with

$$a_i=\pi/2$$

a
i

=
π
/
2

, and there are three simple geodesic loops for each vertex of a tetrahedra with

$$a_i > \pi/2$$

a
i

>
π
/
2

and the lengths of the edges

$$a_i>\pi/2$$

a
i

>
π
/
2

. 2) We obtain also a new theorem on simple closed geodesics: If the angles

$$a_i$$

a
i

of the faces of a tetraedron satisfy

$$\pi/3 < a_i<\pi/2$$

π
/
3
<

a
i

<
π
/
2

and all faces of the tetrahedron are congruent, then there exist at least

$$3$$

3

simple closed geodesics.
3) In the hyperbolic space, for every regular tetrahedron

$$T$$

T

and every pair of coprime numbers

$$(p,q)$$

(
p
,
q
)

, there is one simple geodesic loop of type

$$(p,q)$$

(
p
,
q
)

through every vertex of

$$T$$

T

.
The geodesic loops that we have found on the tetrahedra in the hyperbolic space are also quasi-geodesics.