bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Terlipressin‐induced skin necrosis in cirrhotic patients—A case report and comprehensive literature review
Authors: Ahmed Ashraf I. , Kaleem Muhammad Zain , Abbarh Shahem , Barjas Haider Hussein , Ismail Abdellatif , Albuni Mhd Kutaiba , Sawaf Bisher
Published: September 2024

Key Clinical Message

The occurrence of terlipressin‐induced skin necrosis in cirrhotic patients is a rare but serious adverse event that warrants further investigation. Clinicians should be aware of this potential complication in cirrhotic patients receiving terlipressin therapy and closely monitor for any signs of skin necrosis. Early recognition and prompt intervention are crucial in preventing further complications and improving patient outcomes. Further research is needed to better understand the risk factors associated with terlipressin‐induced skin necrosis and to develop effective preventive strategies. Overall, healthcare providers should exercise caution when prescribing terlipressin to cirrhotic patients, weighing the potential benefits against the risks of this rare but significant adverse event.

Terlipressin is commonly used to manage conditions related to portal hypertension, such as hepatorenal syndrome and esophageal variceal bleeding. Despite its therapeutic benefits, terlipressin can rarely lead to severe ischemic complications involving the skin vasculature, known as terlipressin‐induced skin necrosis. We present a 50‐year‐old male with cirrhosis and acute variceal bleeding who developed skin necrosis following terlipressin administration. We performed a comprehensive review of the literature by analyzing 18 case reports/case series comprising 22 cirrhotic patients with terlipressin‐induced skin necrosis. Among these individuals, we found a mean age of 51 years with a male predominance (78%). Further analysis showed that the onset of skin necrosis ranged from 2 to 5 days post‐terlipressin initiation, with bolus administration being predominant (85.7%). The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of terlipressin‐induced skin ischemia are still elusive but primarily attributed to the vasoconstrictive and thrombogenic effects. Management involves terlipressin discontinuation and supportive care. Physicians should be aware of this potential complication in patients receiving terlipressin and closely observe for any signs of skin rash.
Kinetic and Parametric Studies on Oleic Acid Esterification Catalyzed by Purolite CT151
Authors: İlgen Oğuzhan , Baytaş Elif
Published: September 2024

In this study, the impact of reaction parameters, reaction kinetics, and mechanism on the esterification of oleic acid with methanol using Purolite CT151 as a heterogeneous catalyst was investigated. The effects of molar ratio, reaction time, and catalyst amount were examined. The highest oleic acid conversion of 84 % was achieved under the following conditions: methanol/oleic acid molar ratio of 12:1, 20 wt. % catalyst amounts, a reaction time of 7 h, and a reaction temperature of 67 °C. The surface characterization was performed with FTIR and scanning electron microscope analysis. The proposed reaction model was based on the Eley–Rideal mechanism, where methanol adsorbed onto the catalyst surface reacted with oleic acid before water desorption.
Evaluation of Classical Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (CLS‐DA) as a Novel Supervised Pattern Recognition Technique
Authors: Zade Somaye Vali , Abdollahi Hamid
Published: September 2024

Multivariate calibration techniques and machine learning algorithms are inextricably linked within the realm of chemometrics and data analysis. Classical least squares (CLS) modeling, a fundamental multivariate regression approach, has traditionally been utilized for quantitative analysis tasks, establishing relationships between predictor variables (e.g., spectroscopic data) and response variables (e.g., chemical concentrations). However, a unique feature of CLS is its ability to handle scenarios with partial knowledge of the independent variable matrix, making it an intriguing candidate for qualitative pattern recognition and discriminant analysis applications. This study proposes a novel approach, Classical Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (CLS‐DA), which combines the principles of CLS modeling with discriminant analysis objectives. The performance of CLS‐DA is comprehensively evaluated using two real‐world datasets: chemical analysis of three wine cultivars and mid‐infrared spectroscopy of minced meat samples (pork, chicken, and turkey). The results are compared against the well‐established Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS‐DA) method, a widely adopted technique for classification tasks in chemometrics. For both sets of experimental data, CLS‐DA and PLS‐DA showed comparable efficiency. For the classification of three types of wine, the accuracy of the proposed method was 94.3%, while the accuracy of the reference method was 98.1%. For the classification of minced meat samples, the accuracies of CLS‐DA and PLS‐DA were 97.2% and 94%, respectively for all three groups. The findings demonstrate the potential of CLS‐DA as a straightforward and interpretable supervised pattern recognition technique, exhibiting comparable classification performance to PLS‐DA. The study highlights the advantages of CLS‐DA, including its ability to operate within the original data space and its flexibility in accommodating partial knowledge scenarios. The proposed CLS‐DA approach presents a promising alternative for discriminant analysis, offering new perspectives on the applications of classical least squares modeling in chemometrics.
Carbon Black sicher verpacken
Authors: Pohl Sebastian
Published: September 2024

Das Absacken von Carbon Black zählt zu den anspruchsvollsten Verpackungsprozessen. Traditionelle Methoden stoßen an ihre Grenzen, wenn es darum geht, das ultraleichte Pulver mit niedrigem Schüttgewicht und hohem Lufthaltevermögen zu verpacken. Insbesondere die Kontrolle der Staubemissionen stellt eine besondere Herausforderung dar. Bei Birla Carbon wird der leitfähige Zusatzstoff auf Carbon‐Black‐Basis für Lithium‐Ionen‐Batterien durch die präzise Abstimmung von Produkt, Anlage und Verpackung verpackt.
Delaminierung von Talksuspensionen
Authors: Wolff Fabris Felipe , Schober Wilhelm , Leuteritz Andreas , Kühnert Ines
Published: September 2024

Talk wird in großen Mengen in Farben, Lacken und Kunststoffbauteilen zur Verbesserung der Deckkraft, Witterungsbeständigkeit sowie mechanischen Eigenschaften eingesetzt. Das Aspektverhältnis der plättchenförmigen Partikel (Länge des Teilchens zu Dicke) spielt dabei eine zentrale Rolle. Ein Aspektverhältnis von mehr als 100:1 konnte erstmalig auch für marktübliche weiße Talkausgangsprodukte erreicht werden. In dieser Studie lag der Fokus auf der Entwicklung eines Verfahrens zur Talkdelaminierung mittels Nassmahlen in Kombination mit dem Einsatz spezifischer Additive.
Catalytic Selective Functionalization of Poly(organoborons)†
Authors: Zhao Jia‐Hui , Chen Ang , Zou Xi‐Zhang , Ji Chong‐Lei , Feng Huang‐Di , Gao De‐Wei
Published: September 2024

Comprehensive Summary

Organoborons are commonly used building blocks for rapidly increasing molecular complexity. Although significant progress has been made in the selective functionalization of mono‐organoborons, the site‐selective functionalization of poly(organoborons) has attracted substantial interest in organic synthesis, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals due to the presence of multiple potential reaction sites. This review discusses various activation modes of the target C–B bond, with diverse transformations being achieved in both a selective and efficient manner. Recent advances in the catalytic selective transformations of 1,n‐diboronates through ionic and radical pathways are highlighted. Furthermore, we summarize the existing challenges and future research directions in this field.

Key Scientists

In 1993, Suzuki, Miyaura and coworkers developed a pioneering example of selective arylation towards cis‐1,2‐bis(boryl) alkenes, marking the inception of this field. The Morken group has made significant contributions to the asymmetric diboration of alkenes and realized elegant catalytic functionalization of these compounds since 2004. In 2016, Fernández and colleagues achieved the selective arylation of the internal C–B bond of tri(boronates). Since 2019, the Aggarwal group has developed efficient Giese‐type addition and selective arylation at the more substituted C–B bond of 1,2‐bis(boronic) esters through photoredox catalysis. The controllable regiodivergent alkynylation of 1,3‐bis(boronic) esters was developed by Gao and coworkers in 2023. Recently, Qin conducted elegant research on the programmable late‐stage functionalization of bridge‐substituted bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (BCP) bis‐boronates. Since 2013, catalytic stereoselective transformations have been developed by several groups, including those led by Morken and Chen. This review summarizes the latest and most significant developments in this field since 1993.
Conformational Changes and Coordination Stability of Flexible Tripeptides During Ni(II)‐mediated Self‐assembly
Authors: Zhang Dapeng , Kishimoto Naoki , Miyake Ryosuke
Published: September 2024

The rational design of artificial supramolecular structures with specific properties and functions hinges the comprehensive understanding of the coordination and noncovalent interactions driving self‐assembly. Herein, the self‐assembly of supramolecular systems through octahedral coordination between Ni(II) ions and a flexible tripeptide was theoretically investigated using quantum chemical calculations. These calculations utilized the B3LYP functional with the polarizable continuum model. Our results indicate that tridentate sites have a greater propensity for coordination, and that the presence of chloride anions and conformational shifts enhance bidentate and monodentate coordination. Insights into the effect of counter anions on the stability of octahedral coordination and the prerequisites for self‐assembly were gained by determining the stable conformation and potential reaction pathways of the tripeptide before and after adding chloride anions through an efficient automated conformational search. The formation of intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions during the conformational changes was also studied using model calculations. Possible processes for initial self‐assembly of tripeptide were proposed. This study enhances the fundamental understanding of the conformational behavior of building blocks during supramolecular formation and advance the potential for constructing future bioinspired complexes.
The Effect of Electrolyte pH and Impurities on the Stability of Electrolytic Bicarbonate Conversion
Authors: Burgers Iris , Jónasson Jón , Goetheer Earl , Kortlever Ruud
Published: September 2024

Electrolytic bicarbonate conversion holds the promise to integrate carbon capture directly with electrochemical conversion. Most research has focused on improving the faradaic efficiencies of the system, however, the stability of the system has not been thoroughly addressed. Here, we find that the bulk electrolyte pH has a large effect on the selectivity, where a higher pH results in a lower selectivity. However, the bulk electrolyte pH has no effect on the stability of the system. A decrease in CO selectivity of 30 % was observed within the first three hours of operation in an optimized system with 3 M KHCO3 and gap between the membrane and electrode. Single‐pass electrolyte experiments at various constant pH values (8.5, 9.0, 9.5, and 10.0), show that only at a pH of 10 the CO selectivity was stable during three hours, reaching a faradaic efficiency toward CO of only 18 % as compared to an initial 55 % at pH 8.5. Trace metal impurities present in the electrolyte were found to be the cause of the decrease in stability as these deposit on the electrode surface. By complexing the trace metal ions with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), the metal deposition was avoided and a stable CO selectivity was obtained.
Converting Waste Polyethylene Terephthalate to High Value Monomers by Synergistic Catalysts
Authors: Wu Junyan , Yang Fan , Shi Diandian , Miao Zhen , Wang Jue , Wang Dianyu , Zhang Yadong
Published: September 2024

Waste plastics accumulation, such as commonly used polyethylene terephthalate (PET), has caused serious environmental pollution and resource squander. Glycolysis is a reliable closed‐loop PET recycling method, which limited by the high cost and complex catalysts preparation processes. Here we report a simple synergistic catalytic strategy by premixing zinc acetate and cheap alkalis in ethylene glycol, which could achieve complete glycolysis at 180 °C within 2 hours, and a bis(hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) yield of 86.4 %. This may be attributed to the free hydroxide ions not only enhancing the nucleophilicity of oxygen in ethylene glycol and making it easy to attack carbonyl groups, but also accelerating the swelling and dissolution of PET. Meanwhile, the in‐situ generated Zn‐glycolate and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) activated the oxygen in the carbonyl group, making the carbon cations more electropositive. Further recycling experiments and techno‐economic analysis indicated that our synergistic strategy significantly reduced industrial costs and expected to achieve large‐scale industrial applications.
Multifunctional and Hierarchical Porous ZIF‐8: Amine and Thiol Tagged via Mixed Multivariate Ligand Strategies for Enhanced CO2 and Iodine Adsorption
Authors: Nguyen Que Thi , Lee Jun Young , Bae Yejin , Lee Yu‐Ri , Song Younghan , Kim Sang Hoon , Baek Kyung‐Youl , Na Jongbeom
Published: September 2024

This study demonstrated a simple and innovative way of using the direct de novo synthesis to fabricate the mesoporous structure and diverse functionality of ZIF‐8 for environmental cleanup and gas storage applications. By introducing different ligands, we have developed a version of ZIF‐8 that could better capture carbon dioxide (CO2) and iodine. The ZIF‐8 was successfully designed to have the hierarchical and mesoporous structure with the functional groups of amine and thiol groups by adjusting the pKa values (from 8 to 12) of ligand instead of the original ligand, 2‐methyl imidazole (Hmim, pKa~14.2). The modulation of ZIF‐8 particle size, porosity, and functional characteristics was achieved through varied ligands and their concentrations, streamlined into a single and room‐temperature synthesis condition. The resulting ZIF‐8 materials exhibit intricate hierarchical architectures and a high density of functional groups, significantly enhancing molecular diffusion and accessibility. Among the developed materials, ZIF‐8‐AS, featuring both amine and thiol groups, demonstrates the fastest adsorption kinetics and a twofold increase in iodine adsorption capacity (qm=1101.5 mg g−1) compared to ZIF‐8 (qm=514.3 mg g−1). Furthermore, the hierarchical mesoporosity of ZIF‐8‐A‐10.1 improves CO2 adsorption to 1.0 mmol g−1 at 298 K, which is 1.3 times higher than that of the microporous ZIF‐8.
Eight‐Month‐Old Infants Are Susceptible to the Auditory Continuity Illusion
Authors: Mugitani Ryoko , Kashino Makio
Published: September 2024

The real world is full of noise and constantly overlapping sounds. However, our auditory system provides a solution to this, that is, the continuity illusion; when we hear a sound stream that is partially replaced by high‐level noise, we can restore missing sound information and “fill in” the information as if it were smooth and continuous even against a background of noise. In the present study, we tested the preferences for familiar and novel melodies of 8‐month‐old infants after a 2‐month memory retention interval following 1‐week exposure to a specific melody. A preference for familiarity was seen not only when the melody was presented intact but also when it was periodically replaced by high‐level noise, which elicits the continuity illusion in adults (Experiment 1). However, a trend toward preference for a novel melody was observed for stimuli periodically replaced by low‐level noise that did not satisfy the ecological constraints for the elicitation of the illusion (Experiment 2). For the first time, this study showed that infants as young as 8 months of age are susceptible to the auditory continuity illusion. The study also revealed that the infants could recognize the melody they heard 2 months previously.
Cellularity Defects Are Not Ubiquitous in the Brains of Fetuses With Down Syndrome
Authors: Emili Marco , Stagni Fiorenza , Bonasoni Maria Paola , Guidi Sandra , Bartesaghi Renata
Published: September 2024

Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic pathology characterized by various developmental defects. Unlike other clinical problems, intellectual disability is an invariant clinical trait of DS. Impairment of neurogenesis accompanied by brain hypotrophy is a typical neurodevelopmental phenotype of DS, suggesting that a reduction in the number of cells forming the brain may be a key determinant of intellectual disability. Previous evidence showed that fetuses with DS exhibit widespread hypocellularity in brain regions belonging to the temporal lobe memory systems, which may account for the typical explicit memory impairment that characterizes DS. In the current study, we have examined the basal ganglia, the insular cortex (INS), and the cingulate cortex (CCX) of fetuses with DS and age‐matched controls (18–22 weeks of gestation), to establish whether cellularity defects involve regions that are not primarily involved in explicit memory. We found that fetuses with DS exhibit a notable hypocellularity in the putamen (−30%) and globus pallidus (−35%). In contrast, no cellularity differences were found in the INS and CCX, indicating that hypocellularity is not ubiquitous in the DS brain. The hypocellularity found in the basal ganglia, which are critically implicated in the control of movement, suggests that such alterations may contribute to the motor abnormalities of DS. The normal cytoarchitecture of the INS and CCX suggests that the alterations exhibited by people with DS in functions in which these regions are involved are not attributable to neuron paucity.
Environmental DNA Metabarcoding Detects Predators at Higher Rates Than Electrofishing
Authors: Bonk Eric A. , Hanner Robert H. , Bartlett Adrienne J. , Tetreault Gerald R.
Published: September 2024

There are numerous downsides and risks associated with electrofishing; hence, environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is becoming increasingly common in aquatic ecological studies. Generally, researchers agree that eDNA metabarcoding is more sensitive than electrofishing, and that eDNA metabarcoding is better at detecting rare species. As predatory species tend to be rarer than prey species, eDNA metabarcoding should hypothetically detect more predator species than electrofishing. Instead of supporting the notion that eDNA must replace electrofishing, or that eDNA and electrofishing must display the same results, the current study aims to establish the strengths and weaknesses of eDNA metabarcoding when compared to electrofishing. eDNA metabarcoding and electrofishing data were collected on three sampling dates at four experimental sites. A RV coefficient analysis confirmed that the eDNA metabarcoding data (RV = 0.395, p = 0.057) are statistically different from the electrofishing data. A paired Wilcoxon signed rank test revealed that eDNA data collection techniques detect more predatory species than electrofishing (p = 0.041). When the analysis was conducted for prey species a statistically significant difference did not occur (p = 0.661). Overall, the results of the study suggest that eDNA metabarcoding does not display the same results as electrofishing due to eDNA metabarcoding detecting predatory species at higher rates. The combined use of eDNA alongside electrofishing can help mitigate electrofishing's bias against predatory species, while electrofishing can address reliability concerns associated with eDNA. This collaborative approach ultimately enhances the accuracy of fish community assessments.
Delamination of Perovskite Solar Cells in Thermal Cycling and Outdoor Tests
Authors: Erdil Ulas , Khenkin Mark , Bernardes de Araujo Wander Max , Emery Quiterie , Lauermann Iver , Paraskeva Vasiliki , Norton Matthew , Vediappan Sudhakar , Kumar D. Kishore , Gupta Ritesh Kant , Visoly‐Fisher Iris , Hadjipanayi Maria , Georghiou George E. , Schlatmann Rutger , Abate Antonio , Katz Eugene A. , Ulbrich Carolin
Published: September 2024

For the commercialization of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), detection of associated degradation mechanisms and mitigation of their effect is of paramount importance. The former requires outdoor and indoor stability tests to detect these mechanisms under real operation conditions and to accelerate them under controlled environments. Herein, the thermomechanical stability of encapsulated PSCs in outdoor tests at three locations coupled with indoor thermal cycling tests is investigated. Results show that encapsulant‐induced partial delamination can occur in outdoor and indoor tests, leading to disruption in device integrity and substantial loss in the cell active area and short‐circuit current. The findings suggest that delamination involves C60 and SnO2 layers as the mechanically weakest point in the device stack. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first demonstration of delamination in encapsulated PSCs under real operation conditions. While partial delamination emerged on some of the cells exposed in Israel and Cyprus in just a few weeks, it did not occur in Germany over 2.5 years of outdoor exposure. This highlights the importance of multiclimate outdoor testing to validate the significance of failure modes observed through accelerated indoor testing.
Efficient and spectrally stable pure blue light‐emitting diodes enabled by phosphonate passivated CsPbBr3 nanoplatelets with conjugated polyelectrolyte‐based energy transfer layer
Authors: Park Jinu , Cho Hyunjin , Kim Joonyun , Huang Yu‐Ching , Kim Nakyung , Park Seoyeon , Kim Yunna , Lee Sukki , Kwon Jiyoung , Lee Doh C. , Shin Byungha
Published: September 2024

Lead halide perovskites exhibit a very wide color gamut due to their extremely narrow emission spectra, typically characterized by a full‐width at half‐maximum (FWHM) of less than 20 nm. Significant advancements have been made in developing highly efficient and stable green, red, and near‐infrared perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs). However, achieving efficient and stable pure blue‐emitting PeLEDs remains a significant challenge. In this work, we successfully synthesized monoanionic octyl‐phosphonate capped CsPbBr3 nanoplatelets (OPA‐NPLs) using a combination of octyl‐phosphonic acid and oleylamine at room temperature, diverging from common approaches that necessitate complex high‐temperature methods, such as hot injection, to accommodate short‐chain ligands. The OPA‐NPLs exhibit pure blue photoluminescence at 462 nm with a FWHM of 14 nm. Compared with CsPbBr3 nanoplatelets synthesized using oleic acid, OPA‐NPLs demonstrate significantly improved thermal stability and higher photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 90%. Additionally, we introduced Poly[(9,9‐bis(3′‐((N,N‐dimethyl)‐N‐ethylammonium)‐propyl)‐2,7‐fluorene)‐alt‐2,7‐(9,9‐dioctylfluorene)]dibromide (PFN‐Br), a conjugated polyelectrolyte material, as a hole transport layer. This facilitated energy transfer between PFN‐Br and the CsPbBr3 nanoplatelets. The resulting device demonstrated an electroluminescence peak at 462 nm, an extremely narrow FWHM of 14 nm, and a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 4%. Notably, the device maintained pure blue emission without spectral peak shift even during degradation caused by excess joule heating.

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Peripartum seizures in women with epilepsy and multidisciplinary considerations as to how they can be prevented
Authors: Nana Melanie , Nanda Surabhi , Nightingale Jennifer , Butchers Maryann , Banerjee Anita , Clarke Sonji , Williamson Catherine , Stern William , Nelson‐Piercy Catherine
Published: September 2024

Objective

Seizures during labor are reported in 3.5% of women with epilepsy (WWE) and can result in both maternal and fetal morbidity. In response to an anecdotal increase in WWE developing seizures in labor or peripartum (up to 24 h post‐partum), a review of patients managed in our service was undertaken to define the incidence of peripartum seizures and determine learning points.

Methods

A retrospective review of all cases of WWE having peripartum seizures from 2017 to 2022 in our institution was undertaken. Each case was reviewed by the multidisciplinary team (MDT) and common themes identified.

Results

In total, 106 WWE received pregnancy care in the study period, of whom 8/106 (7.5%) had a seizure in the peripartum period. The MDT‐agreed learning points included importance of pre‐pregnancy counseling, prompt up‐titration of antiepileptic drugs where indicated and recommendations for the management in the peripartum period.

Significance

We concluded that the peripartum period remains a high‐risk time for seizures in WWE. There is little evidence to support guidelines for the management of WWE in the peripartum period. In the absence of this evidence, sharing experience may help those managing such women to improve care and reduce risk during this vulnerable time.
Effect of superheat degree on the performance of an organic Rankine cycle system that utilizes a wet working fluid
Authors: Hsieh Jui‐C. , Hsieh Yi‐C. , Chen Yen‐H.
Published: September 2024

Limited experimental research has been conducted on organic Rankine cycle (ORC) systems that use wet working fluids. Therefore, the present study examined how the performance of an ORC system that uses a wet working fluid (R134a) was affected by the superheat degree ratio (SDR) under various scroll rotation speeds. The SDR is the dimensionless ratio between superheat degree and evaporation temperature at a given heat source temperature. Experimental results indicated that at scroll rotation speeds of 900, 1350, and 1800 rpm, the maximum output power of the aforementioned system was 1103, 1464, and 1537 W, respectively, with SDRs of 0.49, 0.49, and 0.54, respectively. The maximum net efficiencies at these speeds were 5.87%, 5.91%, and 5.32%, respectively, which occurred at SDRs of 0.61, 0.49, and 0.48, respectively. This level of system performance was attributable to the high enthalpy at the expander inlet and the high mass flow rate at the high evaporation pressure under an SDR of approximately 0.5. Although increasing the SDR did not enhance the scroll expander's isentropic efficiency, this efficiency decreased considerably when the SDR fell below 0.2. These findings emphasize the importance of optimizing the SDR of ORC systems to improve their performance.
Robust joint multiple resources allocation algorithm for cooperative underwater acoustic communication networks
Authors: Han Song , Li Aijia , Jiang Xiaotong , Li Xinbin , Liu Zhixin , Yan Lei , Zhang Tongwei
Published: September 2024

In this article, a joint relay selection, power control and time allocation problem is studied to maximize the energy efficiency for the cooperative underwater acoustic communication networks. The joint optimization problem is full of challenges due to the strong coupling of multiple resources and the uncertain characteristics of the underwater acoustic communication scenario. To address this issue, the worst‐case method is employed to transform an original uncertain problem into a deterministic problem. Furthermore, we propose the block coordinate descent‐based method to decouple the strongly coupling multi‐resource allocation problem into three relatively independent sub‐problems. The coupling of multiple resources is completely decoupled, thereby greatly reducing the solving difficulty. In addition, given that the sub‐problems with the fractional objective function are still non‐convex and hard to solve, the Dinkelbach‐based method is proposed to transform the fractional objective function into a subtractive form. At last, the relay selection sub‐problem is transformed into a integer programming problem, and the time allocation sub‐problem is transformed into a linear programming problem, whose optimal solutions can be obtained by some well‐established solution methods. The power allocation problem is transformed into a convex optimization problem, which can be solved by the Lagrangian dual method. Finally, in the proposed iteration structure, the three sub‐problems are alternatingly solved until convergence. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the efficiency and robustness of the proposed algorithm.
Crimes Against Food: Characteristics, Health Risk, and Regulations
Authors: Pacholczyk‐Sienicka Barbara
Published: September 2024

Food safety is paramount for human life as it prevents foodborne illnesses, protects public health, supports economic growth, and ensures compliance with regulatory standards. However, in recent years, various incidents of crimes against food and their significant public health consequences have been observed, seriously damaging consumer confidence. This article explores the emerging scientific discipline of food safety, which focuses on assessing the health status of food and ensuring that it is safe for consumption. It provides a thorough analysis of crimes committed against the food industry and the regulatory measures implemented to safeguard both the industry and consumers. Regulatory requirements and competent bodies play a crucial role in ensuring compliance and maintaining consumer confidence. However, challenges such as adulteration, lack of consistent definitions, and dispersion in food inspection supervision still persist. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach, including consistent guidelines, improved communication, and enhanced employee training. Additionally, there is a need for guidelines and legislation regulating the development and validation of nontargeted methods for quality control in the food sector. By addressing these issues, we can further enhance the food safety practices and protect the health of individuals and communities.
Preparation of Fe/S Modified Biochar Cathode and Its Mechanism for Promoting Ceftriaxone Sodium Removal in an Electro‐Fenton System
Authors: Shi Yanhui , Niu Liping , Deng Xinyu , Wang Jingjing , Jiang Qing , Tang Hongwei , Zhou Xiaoyu , Liu Shujuan , Xue Jianliang
Published: September 2024

The efficient cathode material helps to improve the removal of antibiotics in the electro‐Fenton (EF) system. The simultaneous doping of transition metals and heterogeneous non‐metallic elements in biochar electrodes can enhance the performance of EF systems, but the catalytic mechanism for EF needs to be further explored. In this study, novel Fe/S‐doped biochar cathodes derived from marine algae (MA) were prepared to investigate the removal rate of ceftriaxone sodium (CS) and the underlying mechanisms. The results indicated that the Fe/S modified MA (Fe/S/MA) biochar cathode showed the highest CS removal rate (71.23%) in the EF system when treating 20 mg/L CS solution containing 8 mg/L Fe2+ at pH 4. Scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses revealed that this cathode provided more iron and sulfur active sites for catalyzing the oxygen reduction reaction to produce H2O2, enhanced surface porosity, and improved CS removal rate. Electrochemical tests demonstrated this cathode possessed high electrocatalytic capacity, rapid charge transfer capability, and low electrode resistance. This suggested that it can provide more oxygen reduction reaction sites to promote ∙OH generation and enhance Fe2+ regeneration for improving CS removal. This study demonstrates the Fe/S/MA biochar cathode in the EF system shows great potential for the removal of antibiotics.
Tumor Microenvironment‐Based Risk Stratification of Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Almangush Alhadi , Jouhi Lauri , Haglund Caj , Hagström Jaana , Mäkitie Antti A. , Leivo Ilmo
Published: September 2024

Background

Evaluation of the prognostic impact of tumor microenvironment (TME) has received attention in recent years. We introduce a TME‐based risk stratification for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).

Material and Methods

A total of 182 patients treated for OPSCC at the Helsinki University Hospital were included. TME‐based risk stratification was designed combining tumor‐stroma ratio and stromal tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes assessed in hematoxylin and eosin‐stained sections.

Results

In multivariable analysis, TME‐based risk stratification associated with poor disease‐free survival with a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.68 (95% CI 1.11–6.48, p = 0.029). In addition, the proposed risk stratification was associated with poor disease‐specific survival (HR 2.687, 95% CI 1.28–5.66, p = 0.009) and poor overall survival (HR 2.21, 95% CI 1.23–3.99, p = 0.008).

Conclusion

Our TME‐based risk stratification provides a powerful prognostic tool that can be used in daily treatment planning of OPSCC together with tumor‐related prognostic markers.
The outcome of embryo transfer after three different procedures for laparoscopic correction of hydrosalpinx
Authors: Wang Juan , Liao Simi , Luo Yanfen , Pang Xiaofeng , Li Rirong , Mehmood Arshad
Published: September 2024

Objective

To compare the effect of three different surgical approaches: simple terminal salpingostomy, bilateral proximal tubal ligation plus terminal salpingostomy, and bilateral salpingectomy.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 292 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for hydrosalpinx and embryo transfer within 2 years postoperatively from January 2018 to August 2021. The patients were divided into three groups: Group A (68 cases) underwent simple terminal salpingostomy, Group B (199 cases) underwent ligation plus terminal salpingostomy, and Group C (25 cases) underwent bilateral salpingectomy.

Results

Age, body mass index, surgical time, intraoperative bleeding, length of hospital stay, and infertility type showed no significant differences among the different surgical groups (P > 0.05), except for the age 30–39 group, which showed statistically significant differences in surgical time (P < 0.001) and length of hospital stay (P < 0.001); the age 40 or above group showed statistically significant differences in intraoperative bleeding (P = 0.008). A total of 336 oocyte retrievals and 451 embryo transfers were successfully performed in the 292 patients within 2 years postoperatively.

Conclusion

The choice of surgical approach for hydrosalpinx does not affect pregnancy rates after embryo transfer within the same age group.
The effect of social anxiety, impulsiveness, self‐esteem on non‐suicidal self‐injury among college students: A conditional process model
Authors: Zou Hongyu , Tang Dengfang , Chen Zhangyi , Wang Elly Cheng , Zhang Wei
Published: September 2024

Non‐suicidal self‐injury (NSSI) is an emerging concern in the field of public health. The objective of this study is to develop a conditional process model to investigate the relationship between social anxiety and NSSI, and the role of impulsiveness and self‐esteem in this relationship. A convenience sample of 2717 university students (Mage = 19.81, 22.49% male) from Southern China was recruited. The age range of the participants is between 18 and 25 years. The data were analysed using Spearman correlation analysis, mediation analysis and moderation analysis. The study revealed a positive correlation between social anxiety and NSSI, with impulsiveness serving as a mediating factor in this association. The relationship between social anxiety and NSSI, impulsiveness and social anxiety, impulsiveness and NSSI were all found to be moderated by self‐esteem. The prevalence of NSSI among college students exhibited a strong association with social anxiety and impulsiveness. The present investigation additionally demonstrated that there was no significant association between social anxiety, impulsivity and NSSI when high self‐esteem was included. This finding implies that self‐esteem plays a crucial role in safeguarding against NSSI.
Electrochemical ammonia oxidation reaction: From mechanistic understanding to practical applications
Authors: Fan Lei , Jiang Rui , Da Yumin , Xiao Yukun , Jin Hongqiang , Chen Xiang , Chen Wei
Published: September 2024

Electrochemical ammonia oxidation reaction (AOR) presents a promising avenue for realizing sustainable nitrogen cycling in various energy and environmental applications. However, sluggish catalytic activity, catalyst poisoning effects, and low stability pose significant challenges. Developing efficient electrocatalysts with high activity and stability necessitates a thorough understanding of the complex mechanisms and various reaction intermediates. In this review, we first discuss the AOR mechanism and the operando/in‐situ characterization techniques employed for elucidating the reaction mechanisms. Subsequently, we summarize the development of AOR electrocatalysts, including noble‐metal‐based catalysts, non‐noble‐metal‐based catalysts, and homogeneous catalysts. We also highlight the primary practical applications of AOR in energy, environment and chemical production fields, including direct ammonia fuel cells, chemical production of nitrates, nitrites, hydrogen, and wastewater treatment. Finally, based on the progress in electrochemical AOR, we discuss the challenges and propose future directions for advancing this field.
The role of diagnostic tools in modern weather forecasting
Authors: Kurz M
Published: September 2024

An important task in modern weather forecasting is the evaluation and interpretation of the output of the operationally used numerical models. For this task the forecaster needs diagnostic tools enabling him or her to understand ‐ at least qualitatively ‐ the processes which are going on in the atmosphere now and which are simulated in the numerical forecasts. This paper describes three different forms of the quasi‐geostrophic diagnostics used in the Deutscher Wetterdienst for this purpose. Besides the conventonal form, in which vorticity and temperature advection are considered as forcing functions for vertical motions and cyclogenetic or anticyclogenetic effects connected with them, Q‐vector diagnostics are used. They are of special advantage since they allow not only a definite estimation of the omega forcing but also a diagnosis of frontogenetic (or frontolytic) effects in the geostrophic wind field and the transverse circulations released by them. As regards the onset of cyclogenesis, the monitoring of positive anomalies of the isentropic potential vorticity near the tropopause is a very effective diagnostic tool. All these parameters can be easily derived and presented on modern workstations where they can be compared with observations and satellite and radar data. Altogether, a better understanding of atmospheric processes can be reached and, resulting from that, a better transposition of numerical output into weather forecasts.
The role of TREM‐1 in septic myocardial pyroptosis and septic cardiomyopathy in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Chen Yongxia , Mao Lixia , Liu Songtao , Huang Shunyi , Lin Qiuyun , Zeng Man , Huang Huiyi , Sun Xiaocong , Chen Hongpeng , Huang Jiahao , Zhou Gaosheng , Deng Liehua
Published: September 2024

Septic cardiomyopathy (SCM) is an acute cardiac dysfunction involving myocardial cell pyroptosis. TREM‐1 is a known receptor on cell membrane that can amplify the inflammatory response. Our previous studies have shown that TREM‐1 in cardiomyocytes is involved in the activation of NLRP3 through the SMC4/NEMO pathway. Here, we aimed to use Trem‐1 and Nlrp3 knockout mice to verify the effect of TREM‐1 through NLRP3 on cardiac function in septic mice. The results showed that TREM‐1 knockout resulted in a decrease in the release of downstream cell signals, including SMC4 and NLRP3, resulting in a decrease in cytokine release and improvement of cardiac dysfunction. Knockout of NLRP3 also reduced cardiomyocyte pyroptosis and increased survival rate. The therapeutic targeting of TREM‐1 activation of NLRP3 and its pathway may contribute to the treatment or prevention of SCM.
Enhancing clinical outcomes: Point of care ultrasound in the precision diagnosis and Management of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in emergency medicine: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Shaban Eman E. , Yigit Yavuz , Alkahlout Baha , Shaban Ahmed , Shaban Amira , Ponappan Benny , Abdurabu Mohammed , Zaki Hany A.
Published: September 2024

This meta‐analysis evaluates the efficacy of point‐of‐care ultrasound (POCUS) in diagnosing abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in the emergency department (ED). A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Google Scholar identified studies published until July 2024. Nine studies were included, revealing that POCUS is highly accurate in diagnosing AAA, with a pooled sensitivity of 98.33% and specificity of 99.84%. Additionally, data from three studies indicated that 24.5% of patients with positive AAA scans were diagnosed with ruptured AAAs. The results suggest that emergency physicians can accurately detect and manage AAA using POCUS, even with limited training.
The cross‐sectional morphology of the proximal femoral diaphysis is defined by the anteversion angle
Authors: Endo Daisuke , Nishi Keita , Imamura Takeshi , Saiki Kazunobu , Ogami‐Takamura Keiko , Murai Kiyohito , Tsurumoto Toshiyuki
Published: September 2024

Osteoporosis in postmenopausal women is one of the causes of femoral fractures and is prevented by the administration of bisphosphonates. Individual morphologies are considered to increase the risk of atypical fractures associated with long‐term administration. To evaluate cortical bone morphology quantitatively, we established a method to measure the distance from the center point of a cross‐section to the external and internal borders based on CT images. Using this method, 44 sides of a female femoral skeleton specimen were examined and areas of protrusion and thickening in the medial anterior and lateral posterior regions just below the lesser trochanter were identified. These positions strongly correlated with the anteversion angle, suggesting the involvement of the distribution of the load received from body weight defined by the angle. The finite element method was used to examine the relationships between the positions of these areas with compressive and tensile stress distribution areas in the one‐legged standing condition. The medial anterior region and lateral posterior region protruded and thickened in response to compressive and tensile stress, respectively. In addition, a hierarchical relationship was observed between the anteversion angle, tensile stress distribution, protrusion, and thickening in femurs with thinning of cortical bone, indicating that morphogenesis occurs adaptively to loading. The present results demonstrate the usefulness of this method in considering the formation mechanism and function of the femoral diaphysis and suggest that bone remodeling is necessary to maintain adaptability.
Machine learning model outperforms the ACS Risk Calculator in predicting non‐home discharge following primary total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Bacevich Blake M. , Chen Tony Lin‐Wei , Buddhiraju Anirudh , Shimizu Michelle R. , Seo Henry H. , Kwon Young‐Min
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Despite the increase in outpatient total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedures, many patients are still discharged to non‐home locations following index surgery. The ability to accurately predict non‐home discharge (NHD) following TKAs has the potential to promote a reduction in associated adverse events and excess healthcare costs. This study aimed to evaluate whether a machine learning (ML) model could outperform the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Risk Calculator in predicting NHD following TKA, using the same set of clinical variables. We hypothesised that the ML model would outperform the ACS Risk Calculator.

Methods

Data from 365,240 patients who underwent a primary TKA between 2013 and 2020 were extracted from the ACS‐National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database and used to develop an artificial neural network (ANN) to predict discharge disposition following primary TKA. The ANN and ACS calculator were assessed and compared using discrimination, calibration and decision curve analysis.

Results

Age (>68 years), BMI (>35.5 kg/m2) and ASA Class (≥2) were found to be the most important variables in predicting NHD following TKA. When compared to the ACS calculator, the ANN model demonstrated a significantly superior ability to distinguish the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) among NHD patients and provided probability predictions well aligned with the true outcomes (AUCANN = 0.69, AUCACS = 0.50, p = 0.002, slopeANN = 0.85, slopeACS = 4.46, interceptANN = 0.04, and interceptACS = 0.06).

Conclusion

Our findings support the hypothesis that machine learning models outperform the ACS Risk Calculator in predicting non‐home discharge after TKA, even when constrained to the same clinical variables. Our findings underscore the potential benefits of integrating machine learning models into clinical practice for improving preoperative patient risk identification, optimisation, counselling and clinical decision‐making.

Level of Evidence

III
Efficacy of Posterior Pharyngeal Wall Injection for Velopharyngeal Dysfunction in Adults
Authors: Arora Nikhil , Young VyVy N. , Schneider Sarah L. , Ma Yue , Rosen Clark A. , Crosby Tyler W.
Published: September 2024

Objective(s)

Posterior pharyngeal wall (PPW) injection is often employed to treat velopharyngeal deficiency (VPD). We sought to analyze the impact of PPW injection on severity of dysphagia and dysphonia.

Methods

Retrospective chart review was conducted of patients undergoing PPW injection from 2018 to 2023 at a tertiary laryngology center. Effects on Voice Handicap Index‐10 (VHI‐10), Eating Assessment Tool‐10 (EAT‐10), soft palate closure on modified barium swallow, and auditory‐perceptual measures of hypernasality and audible nasal air emission were analyzed.

Results

67 PPW injections were performed in 29 patients (11 female). Mean age was 59.4 ± 17.0 years. Etiologies were head and neck cancer (n = 23) and neurologic conditions (n = 6). 30 PPW injections were performed concurrent with intervention on the upper esophageal sphincter (25 dilations, 3 myotomies, 2 botulinum toxin injections), and 8 with a glottic procedure (6 vocal fold injections, 2 thyroplasties). Change scores were 3.87 (−6.85 to −0.89, p = .012) for VHI‐10 and −3.00 (−4.75 to −1.25, p = 0.001) for EAT‐10. These were statistically different from 0 for the whole cohort but not in the subset of patients undergoing concurrent voice and/or swallow surgery. Soft palate closure scores tended to be better (but not statistically significant) on MBS after PPW injection. Hypernasality and audible nasal air emission both improved after injection.

Conclusion

PPW injection appears to have a therapeutic effect on dysphagia/dysphonia in patients with VPD; however, many patients have multifactorial impairment. Additional study is needed to determine benefit of PPW when performed in conjunction with other procedures in this complex patient population.

Level of Evidence

4 (Case series) Laryngoscope, 135:605–613, 2025