bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zur Eignung von H2O—D2O als Testgemisch in Rektifizierkolonnen
Authors: Lentz H. , Wagner H. Gg.
Published: November 2023

Es wird die Eignung von H2O–D2O als Testgemisch für Rektifizierkolonnen untersucht: Ein schnelles und einfaches Ver‐fahren zur Reinigung und Analyse der Wasserproben wird beschrieben, bei dem keine Substanzverluste auftreten. Der bequem zugängliche Testbereich des Systems H2O–D2O liegt bei Normalbedingungen etwa zwischen 5 und 250 Böden.
Die Bestimmung des elektrochemischen Polarisationszustandes einer Germaniumelektrode mit Hilfe der Elektroreflexion
Authors: Gobrecht H. , Thull R. , Hein F. , Schaldach M.
Published: November 2023

Halbleiterbandstrukturuntersuchungen mit Hilfe der Elektroreflexion werden in zunehmendem Maße am Halbleiterelektrolytkontakt durchgeführt. An der Phasengrenze Germanium‐Elektrolyt konnte für den direkten Band‐Band‐Übergang der Zusammenhang zwischen elektrischer Feldstärke in der Elektrodenoberfläche und Elektroreflexionssignal gefunden werden. Umgekehrt kann damit aus dem Elektroreflexionssignal der Polarisationszustand der Germaniumelektrode ermittelt werden. Besondere Bedeutung erlangt dieses Verfahren für Elektrodenpotentialbereiche, in denen Kapazität‐ und Leitfähigkeitsmessungen durch elektrochemische Reaktionen beeinflußt werden. Damit ist es möglich, mit Hilfe der Elektroreflexion auch im thermodynamischen Nichtgleichgewicht die Bandverbiegung und damit die Feldstärke in der Germaniumoberfläche anzugeben. In diesem Zusammenhang werden Meßergebnisse mitgeteilt und diskutiert.
Experiments with Optical Image Reconstruction of High Resolution Electron Micrographs
Authors: Thon F. , Siegel B. M.
Published: November 2023

A light optical image reconstruction apparatus, especially designed for optical filtering of high resolution phase contrast electron micrographs, is described. According to theory, in the case of pure weak phase objects such a subsequent light optical filtering of the micrographs using coherent light is equivalent to filtering in the back focal plane of the electron microscope objective lens. The effectiveness and the reliability of the apparatus was tested by reconstruction experiments using several types of filters including zone correction plates.
Die Strahlenschädigung der Objekte als Grenze für die hochauflösende Elektronenmikroskopie
Authors: Scherzer O.
Published: November 2023

Eine untere Grenze für die Gefährdung organischer Moleküle bei dem Versuch, einzelne ihrer Atome abzubilden, ist dadurch gegeben, daß die Atome bei der elastischen Ablenkung der abbildenden Elektronen einen Rückstoß erfahren, der zum Zerreißen der chemischen Bindungen führen kann. Bei dünnen Objekten hängt diese untere Grenze, außer von der Auflösungsgrenze des Instruments, noch stark ab von den Ordnungszahlen der abzubildenden Atome und des Atoms, für dessen Gefährdung man sich interessiert. Die Strahlengefährdung der Objekte hängt nur wenig da von ab, ob man Elektronen oder Protonen als abbildende Strahlung verwendet und auf welche Energie man diese Teilchen beschleunigt. Sie ist ungefähr gleich groß bei Abbildung im Dunkelfeld und im vollen oder reduzierten Hellfeld. Im Abtast‐Mikroskop werden die Objekte stärker gefährdet.

Um die erforderliche Auflösung zu erhalten, müssen entweder die Objektive sphärisch korrigiert oder die Elektronen durch Protonen ersetzt oder auf mehrere Millionen Volt beschleunigt werden. Die sphärische Korrektur kann entweder durch unrunde Zusatzlinsen oder durch Zonenblenden oder durch nachträgliche rechnerische oder analog‐optische Bild‐Rekonstruktion vorgenommen werden. Sollen Kohlenstoff‐Atome in Objekten abgebildet werden, die empfindlich gegen Bestrahlung und dicker als etwa hundert Atomschichten sind, dann versprechen nur zwei Verfahren Erfolg: die Abbildung durch Phasenkontrast im Hellfeld sphärisch und chromatisch korrigierter Linsen und die Bild‐Rekonstruktion. Durch Kombination beider Verfahren kann die Auswahl der für die Rekonstruktion geeigneten Aufnahmen erleichtert und die Zahl der notwendigen Einzel‐Aufnahmen erheblich vermindert werden. Wie hoch die Objektgefährdung über der angegebenen unteren Grenze liegt, hängt von der Struktur der abzubildenden Moleküle ab.
Abschätzung der Abbildungsparameter für die Auflösung mehrerer nicht‐periodischer Atomschichten in einem Bild
Authors: Niehrs H. , Ruska E.
Published: November 2023

Um in einer elektronenmikroskopischen Aufnahme die Atomorte eines Präparates mit mehreren Atomschichten abzubilden, muß man eine subatomare Auflösung bei großer Schärfentiefe, also bei besonders kleiner Abbildungsapertur erreichen. Die für diese Aufgabe maßgeblichen Abbildungsparameter können übersichtlich als Funktion der Betriebsgrößen Öffnungsfehler 3. Ordnung und Beschleunigungsspannung dargestellt werden. Mit der Zahl der in einer Aufnahme aufzulösenden Atomschichten eines Präparats muß die Auflösung besser, die optimale Abbildungsapertur niedriger, die Beschleunigungsspannung höher, und darf der Öffnungsfehler 3. Ordnung größer bleiben. Wegen der geforderten sehr guten Auflösung müßten solche Elektronenmikroskope starrer als bisher gebaut und ruhiger als bisher aufgestellt werden. Dazu werden Vorschläge gemacht.
Beam and Specimen: Radiation Damage and Image Resolution
Authors: Cosslett V. E.
Published: November 2023

Energy loss of the electron beam in the specimen affects the electron microscopical resolution, owing to chromatic aberration, and causes radiation damage by ionisation, heating and direct ejection of atoms. Measurements recently made of the energy loss in carbonaceous specimens confirm that the effect on image resolution will be negligible in very high resolution microscopy. Additional assumptions are required in order to obtain the rate of ionisation and bond breakage. On the best evidence available, it is estimated that the order of 2 chemical events will be caused during the minimum exposure needed to image an atom. The rate of ejection of atoms from carbonaceous material can be calculated rather more accurately. About 1 atom in 2500–3000 would be ejected in such an exposure, which would probably not seriously degrade a macromolecule.
Die Rolle der Blind‐Komponente bei Präzisions‐Leitfähigkeits‐Messungen
Authors: Kortüm G. , Zahn E. V.
Published: November 2023

Als „Präzisions‐Leitfähigkeits‐Messungen”︁ sollen Messungen bezeichnet werden, deren mittlerer Fehler 0,1% ist.

Leitfähigkeitsmessungen, bei denen die Blind‐Komponente nur kompensiert, aber nicht gemessen wird, können niemals Präzisions‐Leitfähigkeitsmessungen sein. Dies gilt sowohl für die Messungen hoher wie niedriger Leitwerte. Im ersten Fall muß bei der rechnerischen Eliminierung des durch den Polarisationswiderstand verursachten Meßfehlers eine Parallel‐Schaltung in eine Serien‐Schaltung umgerechnet werden. Diese Rechnung ist nur dann fehlerfrei, wenn der Zahlenwert der Blind‐Komponente mit in die Rechnung hineingenommen wird. Im zweiten Fall verfälscht der Blind‐Widerstand der parallel zur Meßstrecke liegenden Elektroden‐Kapazität die Messungen. Die Größe der Fehler kennt man nur, wenn man den Wert der Blind‐Komponente kennt.

Von einer Meßbrücke für Präzisions‐Leitfähigkeits‐Messungen muß daher gefordert werden, daß sie neben der Ohmschen Komponente auch die Blind‐Komponente mißt. Da die Blind‐Komponente von der Meßfrequenz v abhängt, ist ferner zu fordern, daß eine solche Meßbrücke eine möglichst große Variation von v zuläßt, ohne daß sich damit ihre Genauigkeit und Empfindlichkeit ändern. Es wird in dieser Arbeit gezeigt, daß man bei praktischen Leitfähigkeitsmessungen den mittleren Fehler dann und nur dann auf 0,1% drücken kann, wenn man zusätzlich auch die Blind‐Komponente mißt. Ein Unterschreiten dieser Fehlergrenze ist dagegen aus meßtechnischen Gründen nur in Ausnahmefällen möglich.
Pulse Radiolysis and Polarography: Polarograms and Structure of Short‐Lived Free Radicals
Authors: Bansal K. M. , Henglein A. , Sellers R. M.
Published: November 2023

The irreversible oxidation and reduction waves of some 20 radicals have been investigated. They are discussed with respect to the structure of the radicals and the mechanisms of the electrode processes involved. The effects that influence the position and shape of polarographic waves include double bond formation during the electron transfer, protonation of the radicals, differences in the atomic configuration, and solvent interactions between the radicals and their electrochemical products. The observed polarographic waves are also discussed with respect to possible distributions of occupied and unoccupied electronic levels of the systems R → R+ and R → R− (R = radical).
Deviations from Internal Equilibrium in Scales Growing on Metals in Corroding Gases
Authors: Wagner Carl
Published: November 2023

Consequences of deviations from internal equilibrium in oxide or sulfide layers growing on metals in corrosive gases are examined. Under most conditions, only small deviations occur. Thus thermodynamic concepts such as electrochemical potentials of cations, anions and electrons can be used safely.
Die Torsionsscherung nematischer Schichten in elektrischen und magnetischen Feldern
Authors: Fischer F. , Wahl J. , Waltermann T.
Published: November 2023

Die Deformation eines homöotropen nematischen flüssigen Kristalls (MBBA) durch Torsionsscherung in elektrischen und (oder) magnetischen Feldern wird anhand photographierter Interferenzfiguren vorgestellt. Dabei werden auch zeitlich veränderliche Deformationen untersucht, die eine definierte Erzeugung von Instabilitäten sowie von elektrischen und magnetischen Wandstrukturen erlauben. Ferner werden Möglichkeiten zur Bestimmung von Materialkonstanten aus den Interferenzfiguren aufgezeigt.
Zur Dynamik von magnetisch erzeugten Deformationen in nematischen flüssigen Kristallen
Authors: Heppke G. , Schneider F.
Published: November 2023

Es wird die Zeitabhängigkeit der Orientierung des Direktors in einer randorientierten Probe eines nematischen flüssigen Kristalls unter dem Einfluß eines Magnetfeldes theoretisch untersucht. Als experimentelles Anwendungsbeispiel wird die Wanderung von Inversionswänden betrachtet.
Speichereffekte in cholesterinischen Flüssigkeiten mit positiver DK‐Anisotropie
Authors: Walter K. H. , Krüger H. H.
Published: November 2023

Für matrixadressierte, im Zeitmultiplexverfahren betriebene Flüssigkristall‐Anzeigen ist das Vorhandensein einer optischen Speicherung unabdingbar. Die in cholesterinischen Substanzen ausnutzbaren und bekannten Speichereffekte werden kurz beschrieben und einem neuen Effekt (Bistabilitätseffekt), der auf reiner Feldwirkung beruht und relativ kurze Einschreibzeiten aufweist, gegenübergestellt. Dieser neue Bistabilitätseffekt beruht auf den Hystereseeigenschaften des Texturübergangs cholesterinisch‐nematisch bei homöotroper Wandorientierung: In einem bestimmten Feldstärkebereich liegt in Abhängigkeit von der Vorgeschichte entweder die fokal‐konische oder die nematische Textur vor. Elektrooptische Kenndaten des Bistabilitätseffekts werden für ein spezielles Substanzgemisch gegeben.
On the Kinetics of Texture Changes in Electric Field Induced Cholesteric‐to‐Nematic Transitions
Authors: Rega H.‐U. , Sackmann E.
Published: November 2023

The kinetics of dc electric field induced texture changes in cholesteric phases were studied. The rapid changes in the transmission of polarized light, in the optical rotation and in the fluorescence intensity of a (dimethylaminonitro‐stilbene) fluorescence probe were measured. In a parallel static experiment the field induced texture changes as observed with a polarizing microscope were related to the above physical parameters. In addition the pitch was measured as a function of the field strength. The structural changes may be divided into three independent processes: grid deformation (at threshold field Fc1), rotation of the helix axis without change in the pitch (between F < F < 0.75 FCN) and unwinding of helical structure (at the critical field FCN). Hysteresis effects were observed for layer thicknesses comparable to the pitch. The relaxation from the field induced nematic to the planar state occurs in two separated steps characterized by different relaxation times: the retwisting of the helical structure and the rotation of the helix axis.

The rapid transition to the nematic state occurs also in separated steps characterized by different rise times. Judged from the static experiment the first step involves the grid deformation and the second the rotation of the helix axis by 90°. The unwinding of the helix could not be observed by our means.

For optical rotations larger than 90° the transmission transient exhibits oscillatory character. Very rapid rise times of the order od 70 μsec have been found in nematic systems doped with cholesteryl chloride.
Lateral Mobility of Pyrene in Model Membranes of Phospholipids with Different Chain Length
Authors: Galla H.‐J. , Sackmann E.
Published: November 2023

The coefficients of lateral diffusion, Dp, of pyrene in lipid bilayers of several 1,2‐diacyl‐phosphatidyl cholines (distearyllecithin (DSL), di‐palmitoyllecithin (DPL), dimyristoyllecithin (DML) and dilauryllecithin (DLL) above the corresponding lipid phase transition were determined. Dp was obtained from the second order rate constant, ka, of the pyrene excimer formation. It is found that the lateral mobility of an apolar molecule (such as pyrene) in the hydrophobic region of lipid lamella does not depend on the hydrocarbon chain length (Dp ≈︁ 2 · 10−7 cm2/sec at 60°C). The pyren mobility is characterized by an activation energy of ΔEp+ ≈︁ 10 kcal/mol. The experimental data are interpreted in terms of a simple model that is based on the assumption that the hopping frequency of a diffusing particle is determined by the rate of formation of free volume in the hydrocarbon moiety of the membrane. The latter is created by thermal activation of rotational isomers (essentially gtg‐kinks) in the hydrocarbon chains. The hopping frequency of the pyrene molecule is related to the jump frequency of the kinks along the hydrocarbon chains.
Proteomic and metabolomic characterizations of moyamoya disease patient sera
Authors: Guo Qingbao , Wang Qian‐Nan , Li Jingjie , Liu Simeng , Wang Xiaopeng , Yu Dan , Zou Zheng‐Xing , Gao Gan , Zhang Qian , Hao Fang‐Bin , Feng Jie , Yang Ri‐Miao , Wang Minjie , Fu Heguan , Bao Xiangyang , Duan Lian
Published: November 2023

Background

The pathogenesis of moyamoya disease (MMD) is unclear. Inflammation and immune imbalance have been identified as potential factors contributing to the occurrence and progression of MMD. However, the specific proteins and metabolites responsible for triggering this process are yet to be established. The purpose of this study is to identify differentially expressed proteins and metabolites in patients with MMD and perform Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway integration analysis to pinpoint crucial proteins and metabolites involved in the disease.

Methods

We performed untargeted metabolomic and data‐independent acquisition proteomic analyses on the serum samples of individuals with MMD and healthy controls (HC).

Results

In patients with MMD versus HC, 24 proteins and 60 metabolites, including 21 anionic metabolites and 39 cationic metabolites, which were significantly different, were identified. In patients with MMD, several proteins involved in inflammation and immune metabolism, such as tubulin beta‐6 and complement C4, were found to have significantly altered levels. Similarly, many metabolites involved in inflammation and immune metabolisms, such as dimethyl 4‐hydroxyisophthalate, beta‐nicotinamide mononucleotide, 2‐(3‐(4‐pyridyl)‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5‐yl)pyridine, and PC (17:1/18:2), were significantly altered. Intriguingly, these proteins and metabolites are involved in the progression of atherosclerosis through immune and inflammatory pathways, although some have never been reported in MMD. Moreover, integrated proteomics and metabolomics studies were conducted to determine shared pathways involving cholesterol metabolism, vitamin digestion, fat digestion, and absorption pathways of proteins and metabolites, which warrant further investigation.

Conclusions

Significant increases in pro‐inflammatory and immunosuppressive abilities have been observed in patients with MMD, accompanied by significant reductions in anti‐inflammatory and immune regulation. Various metabolites and proteins implicated in these processes have been identified for the first time. These findings hold immense significance for comprehending the pathogenesis of MMD and for the development of future drug therapies.
A phase 2 and pharmacological study of sapanisertib in patients with relapsed and/or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Al‐Kali Aref , Aldoss Ibrahim , Atherton Pamela J. , Strand Carrie A. , Shah Bijal , Webster Jonathan , Bhatnagar Bhavana , Flatten Karen S. , Peterson Kevin L. , Schneider Paula A. , Buhrow Sarah A. , Kong Jianping , Reid Joel M. , Adjei Alex A. , Kaufmann Scott H.
Published: November 2023

Background

Despite recent approval of several new agents, relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains challenging to treat. Sapanisertib (MLN0128/TAK‐228) is an oral TORC1/2 inhibitor that exhibited preclinical activity against ALL.

Methods

We conducted a single‐arm multi‐center Phase II study of sapanisertib monotherapy (3 mg orally daily of the milled formulation for 21 days every 28 days) in patients with ALL through the Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Trials Network (NCI‐9775).

Results

Sixteen patients, 15 of whom were previously treated (median 3 prior lines of therapy), were enrolled. Major grade 3–4 non‐hematologic toxicities included mucositis (3 patients) and hyperglycemia (2 patients) as well as hepatic failure, seizures, confusion, pneumonitis, and anorexia (1 patient each). Grade >2 hematological toxicity included leukopenia (3), lymphopenia (2), thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia (1). The best response was stable disease in 2 patients (12.5%), while only 3 patients (19%) were able to proceed to Cycle 2. Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated drug exposures similar to those observed in solid tumor patients. Immunoblotting in serially collected samples indicated limited impact of treatment on phosphorylation of mTOR pathway substrates such as 4EBP1, S6, and AKT.

Conclusion

In summary, single‐agent sapanisertib had a good safety profile but limited target inhibition or efficacy in ALL as a single agent. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT02484430.
Computational Exploration of Fluorocyclopentenyl‐purines and‐pyrimidines Derivatives as Potential Inhibitors of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) for the Treatment of Breast Cancer
Authors: Abida Ejaz Syeda , Sajjad Bilal Muhammad , Aziz Mubashir , Wani Tanveer A. , Zargar Seema , Fayyaz Ammara , Hassan Sidra , Ahmed Aftab , Al Kahtani Hammad M. , Siddique Farhan
Published: November 2023

The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) is an important therapeutic target for the treatment of a variety of epithelial malignancies, including breast cancer, in which EGFR is aberrantly expressed.The fluorocyclopentenyl‐purine‐pyrimidines derivatives, which have previously been described as powerful compounds against breast cancer, were selected to investigate their potential against EGFR using computational tools in an effort to obtain potent inhibitors with fewer adverse effects. The molecule's chemical reactivity and stability were assessed by determining the HOMO‐LUMO energy gap using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Among all the selected compounds, PU4 displayed a HOMO‐LUMO gap of 0.191 eV. Additionally, molecular docking analysis was performed to assess the binding affinities of PU4 within the active pocket of EGFR‐TK. The compound PU4 showed potent interactions with EGFR exhibiting −32.3 kJ/mol binding energy which was found best as compared to gefitinib i. e., −27.4 kJ/mol which was further validated by molecular dynamics simulations and ADMET analysis. The results of these analyses indicate that the top hits obtained from the virtual screening possess the ability to act as effective EGFR inhibitor. Therefore, it is recommended to further investigate the inhibitory potential of these identified compounds using in vitro and in vivo approaches.
Enzymatic S‐Methylation of Thiols Catalyzed by Different O‐Methyltransferases
Authors: Abdelraheem Eman , Jockmann Emely , Li Jianyu , Günther Stefan , Andexer Jennifer N. , Hagedoorn Peter‐Leon , Hanefeld Ulf
Published: November 2023

S‐Adenosyl‐l‐methionine (SAM)‐dependent methyltransferases (MTs) are highly chemoselective enzymes grouped in C‐, N‐, O‐, S‐ and halide MTs, depending on the (hetero) atom that acts as the methyl group acceptor. So far, OMTs present the largest group, including many well investigated candidates. The catechol OMT from mammals such as from Rattus norvegicus (RnCOMT) is involved in the metabolism of neurotransmitters like dopamine. It is known to methylate the hydroxyl of the catechol ring in the 3 position. There are also reports showing that the regioselectivity of different COMTs can vary leading to different products with methyl groups in the 3 and or 4 positions. Nevertheless, there was only O‐methylation reported for COMTs. Another related MT, the caffeate OMT involved in the lignin biosynthesis of plants has also been reported as a chemoselective enzyme. In nature, S‐methylation is a rare phenomenon with different methyl donors being involved in the methyl transfer onto sulfur atoms. Several SAM‐dependent MTs are identified as S‐methyltransferases (SMTs), these are involved in salvaging pathways and xenobiotic metabolism of cells. Here, we report a new function of three OMTs; RnCOMT, a COMT from Myxococcus xanthus (MxSafC), and a CaOMT from Prunus persica (PpCaOMT) with acceptance towards different aromatic thiol substrates with up to full conversion.
Glycerol Oligomerization over Titania‐Based Catalyst Compositions
Authors: Vlasenko Nina V. , Yanushevska Olena I. , Didenko Olga Z. , Strizhak Peter E.
Published: November 2023

The possibility of using TiO2‐based compositions: individual and sulfated titania, and their composites with carbon nanotubes as catalysts for glycerol oligomerization has been displayed. The effect of modification of TiO2 with sulfur and carbon nanotubes on acid‐base and catalytic characteristics in the glycerol conversion was investigated. The activation of glycerol on the catalysts has been studied using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy. Only the samples based on sulfated titania are active over glycerol transformation, showing up to 58.7 % conversion. This is explained by the presence of strong base sites. Glycerides up to pentaglycerides, both linear and nonlinear structure are formed by glycerol oligomerization over TiO2−S. The addition of nanotubes to the catalyst reduces both the glycerol conversion (up to 10.5 %) and the yield of glycerides. However, the spectrum of the resulting products is significantly narrowed, increasing the selectivity for short‐chain glycerides: the portion of diglycerides reaches 72 %, and triglycerides 21 %. Herewith, glycerides of a linear structure only formed.
Cooperation between p‐Block Elements and Redox‐Active Ligands: Stoichiometric and Catalytic Transformations
Authors: Karnbrock Simon B. H. , Alcarazo Manuel
Published: November 2023

The relevance acquired by redox‐active ligands in modern catalysis stems from their facile delivery and acceptance of electrons, either to the metal they coordinate to, or directly to an incoming substrate that also binds the central metal. Doing that, they generate coordinated radicals and provide access to more than one spin state during the catalytic cycle. As a consequence, the new reaction barriers are reduced when compared to similar processes that are restricted to a single spin surface. The principles that govern this genuine approach to catalyst design are well‐established, and their implementation has allowed the development of synthetically useful catalytic transformations; however, the extension of the concept to species in which p‐block elements take the role of central atoms remains largely underdeveloped. Through discussion of the key achievements and recent progress, this Concept Article highlights this original approach to designing (organo)catalysts, discloses the progress achieved, and also reveals the many shortcomings that still exist in the field.
A Nomogram to Predict Severe Toxicity in DPYD Wild‐Type Patients Treated With Capecitabine‐Based Anticancer Regimens
Authors: Knikman Jonathan E. , Lopez‐Yurda Marta , Meulendijks Didier , Deenen Maarten J. , Schellens Jan H.M. , Beijnen Jos , Cats Annemieke , Guchelaar Henk‐Jan
Published: November 2023

DPYD‐guided dosing has improved the safety of fluoropyrimidine‐based chemotherapy in recent years. However, severe toxicity remains in ~ 23% of patients not carrying DPYD variant alleles treated with capecitabine. Therefore, we developed a predictive model based on patient‐related and treatment‐related factors aimed at estimating the risk of developing severe capecitabine‐related toxicity. The nomogram was developed using data from two large clinical trials (NCT00838370 and NCT02324452). Patients with cancer carrying a DPYD variant allele (DPYD*2A, c.1236G>A, c.2846A>T, and c.1679T>G) were excluded. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression using predetermined predictors based on previous findings, including age, sex, body surface area, type of treatment regimen, and creatinine levels were used to develop the nomogram. The developed model was internally validated using bootstrap resampling and cross‐validation. This model was not externally or clinically validated. A total of 2,147 DPYD wild‐type patients with cancer treated with capecitabine‐based chemotherapy regimens were included of which complete data of 1,745 patients were available and used for the development of the nomogram. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression showed that age, sex, and type of treatment regimen were strong predictors of severe capecitabine‐related toxicity in DPYD wild‐type patients. Internal validation demonstrated a concordance index of 0.68 which indicates a good discriminative ability for prediction of severe capecitabine‐related toxicity. The developed nomogram includes readily available parameters and may be a helpful tool for clinicians to assess the risk of developing severe capecitabine‐related toxicity in patients without known risk DPYD variant alleles treated with capecitabine‐based anticancer regimens.
Study and implementation of a novel high‐efficiency piezoelectric energy harvesting circuit
Authors: Jiang Hong , Li Bo , Zhang Qi , Li Xuewei , Fan Jiaming
Published: November 2023

This paper proposes a self‐powered SSHI piezoelectric energy extraction circuit combined with Modified FOCV‐MPPT technology, which analyzes the electrical characteristics of S‐SSHI operation. The paper demonstrates that the determination of the optimal operating state of S‐SSHI can be determined independently of the open‐circuit voltage. Based on the key parameters obtained from the theoretical analysis, the FOCV‐MPPT strategy is modified, and the corresponding functional circuit is designed. This strategy serves as an intermediate stage between S‐SSHI and the load, addressing the dependence of S‐SSHI output power on the load while avoiding the power supply interruption issue of the traditional FOCV‐MPPT strategy. In addition, the higher output power provided by S‐SSHI improves the utilization of MPPT technology. The correctness of the investigations is verified through the simulation and experiments. By using self‐powered S‐SSHI, the proposed circuit increases the output power of PEH by a factor of 2.46. In the open‐circuit voltage range of 2–7 V, the average maximum power tracking efficiency achieved 90.1%. The maximum tracking efficiency can reach 98%.
Optimal deployment strategy of airships for near‐space communication system using multiobjective advanced evolutionary algorithm
Authors: Alam Md. Sarfraz , Mondal Abhishek
Published: November 2023

This paper presents a near‐space communication system (NSCS) using advanced deployment strategies to gain high throughput. The airships are deployed according to the user's location, assuming robust backbone network characteristics such as signal path loss, fading factor, routing efficiency, and safety issues among bi‐connected airships. Due to the independent flying nature of airships, it is very attractive to deploy them as aerial base stations and construct airborne networks to provide service for on‐ground users. However, it is quite challenging to optimally deploy multiple airships for on‐demand coverage while maintaining the connectivity among airships. A balance between the network parameters, i.e., capacity and coverage area, should be maintained for optimal deployment of the airships. We have derived the maximum throughput of NSCS, including system parameters, as a multiobjective optimization problem subjected to efficient routing protocol and safety constraints. A decomposition‐based advanced multiobjective evolutionary algorithm (AMOEA/D) is adopted to solve the deployment optimization problem. The proposed algorithm is motivated by the non‐dominated solutions that maintain population diversity over the variable space. Two designed test problems, that is, the L‐shaped hotspot problem and nine hotspot problems, are also investigated. Numerical results show that the proposed method improves the system performance compared with benchmark external archive‐guided MOEA/D (EGA‐MOEA/D) and non‐dominated sorted genetic algorithms (NSGA‐II) by 10.46% and 3.84%, respectively.
“I knew I needed to live what I realised was faith in me”: Enacting and transcending religious identity through food aid volunteering
Authors: Wakefield Juliet R. H. , Bowe Mhairi , Kёllezi Blerina , Harkin Lydia J. , Baker Charles W. , Shala Ardiana
Published: November 2023

Volunteering can enhance both help‐recipients’ and volunteers’ lives, so it is important to explore what motivates people to begin and continue volunteering. For instance, research underpinned by the social identity approach recognises that group‐related processes are consequential. Recent quantitative research within this tradition highlighted the potential importance of volunteering as a means of religious identity enactment, but no work has yet explored this idea qualitatively, which means that the richness and complexity of identity enactment as a motive for volunteering remains unexamined. Addressing this, we conducted interviews with volunteers (N = 26) within English religiously motivated voluntary organisations that are responding to an important real‐world issue: growing levels of food insecurity. Theoretically guided reflexive thematic analysis developed four themes showing that volunteering can facilitate enactment of different identities (i.e., religious, volunteer and human), thus illustrating the nuanced and complex nature of identity enactment through volunteering. Theoretical and practical implications are explored.
Electrical energy input efficiency limitations in CO2‐to‐CO electrolysis and attempts for improvement
Authors: Reichbauer Thomas , Schmid Bernhard , Vetter Kim‐Marie , Reinisch David , Martić Nemanja , Reller Christian , Grasruck Alexander , Dorta Romano , Schmid Günter
Published: November 2023

Electrochemical CO2 reduction is a potentially up‐coming technology to convert anthropogenic emitted CO2 into chemical feedstock. Due to alkaline operating conditions of CO2‐electrolyis in gas diffusion electrodes, exothermal hydroxide ion neutralization with the excess of supplied CO2 leads to unavoidable electricity‐to‐heat conversion at the cathode, therefore limiting electrical energy input efficiency. The decomposition reaction of carbonates by protons from water oxidation completes the inherent CO2 transport at the anode. In this work, different production routes to CO are thermodynamically examined and experimentally validated. Using formic acid as an intermediate towards CO the electrical energy input efficiency can rise to 71% on a thermodynamical basis. Additionally, the possibility of altering the mechanism of CO2 reduction under acidic conditions is investigated, which would lead to even larger electrical energy input efficiencies. The concept was investigated by pH series measurements (pH = 0–6) at 50 mA/cm2 where Pb derived from Pb3O4 was used as a CO2 reduction catalyst. The reduction to formic acid under acidic bulk electrolyte pH is stable at FEHCOOH = 70% down to pH 1, while HER is becoming dominant below. Even under such acidic bulk electrolyte conditions no change in reduction mechanism could be forced, which is reflected in invariant cell voltages in the model experiment.
Enrichment characteristics and metallogenic significance of rare elements in Zambia: Based on 1:1,000,000 geochemical mapping
Authors: Sun Hongwei , Ren Junping , Wang Jie , Zuo Libo , Gu Alei , Wu Xingyuan , Xu Kangkang , Mukofu Chipilauka , Dokowe Alphet Phaskani , Cao Shuping , Cheng Xujiang
Published: November 2023

The Sino–Zambian Cooperation Project has filled the gap in Zambia national‐scale geochemical mapping, providing basic geochemical guarantees for Zambia's basic geology, mineral development, environmental protection, agricultural production and other aspects. This article aims to reveal the distribution characteristics of its rare elements (Li, Be, Nb, Rb, Sr). The median value of Li, Be, Nb, Rb and Sr is 4.94 × 10−6, 0.65 × 10−6, 7.50 × 10−6, 33.00 × 10−6 and 21.90 × 10−6, respectively. The median and average values of the Irumide Belt, Zambezi Belt, Choma‐Kalomo Block and Hook Granite Complex are higher than other tectonic belts, showing that rare elements are enriched in those areas. The distribution of element anomaly areas is mainly related to the distribution characteristics of granite type rare metal mineralization occurrences, and a small number of anomaly areas are controlled by salt lake brine‐type mineralization occurrences. A total of five rare metal geochemical anomalies have been delineated respectively based on the 85% cumulative percentage of rare elements (Li, Be, Nb, Rb, Sr). The metallogenic prospective area delineated based on the comprehensive anomaly area of rare elements will provide an important reference for searching for rare metal deposits in this area.
Can I Hold That Thought for You? Dementia and Shared Relational Agency
Authors: Klein Eran , Goering Sara
Published: November 2023

Agency is talked about by many as something that people living with dementia lose, once they've lost much else—autonomy, identity, and privacy, among other things. While the language of loss may capture some of what transpires in dementia, it can obscure how people living with dementia and their loved ones share agency through sharing capacities for memory, language, and decision‐making. We suggest that one consequence of adopting a framework of loss is that it makes the default response to changes in agency the substitution of a family member's agency for the purported lost agency of someone living with dementia. We argue for an alternative framework in which sharing agency is recognized as a central feature of living with dementia. Building on the work of relational theorists, we argue for the value of thinking about agency in dementia as fundamentally shared, and explore potential implications for treatment, caregiver support, and building dementia‐friendly environments.
A Path Forward—and Outward: Repositioning Bioethics to Face Future Challenges
Authors: Ravitsky Vardit
Published: November 2023

This essay explores what the future may hold for bioethics if it continues its evolution toward a field that embraces systemic, collective‐level challenges; has a global scale and focus; emphasizes human flourishing; and seeks to have increased societal impact. As The Hastings Center considers strategic priorities for its research, public engagement, and impact, this essay reflects on where we have been and where we are going. It offers an expansive and inclusive vision for the future of bioethics, in order to invite an open and wide‐ranging conversation about the future of our field and the role that The Hastings Center can and should play within it.
The Pitfalls of Genomic Data Diversity
Authors: Jabloner Anna , Walker Alexis
Published: November 2023

Biomedical research recruitment today focuses on including participants representative of global genetic variation—rightfully so. But ethnographic attention to practices of inclusion highlights how this agenda often transforms into “predatory inclusion,” simplistic pushes to get Black and brown people into genomic databases. As anthropologists of medicine, we argue that the question of how to get from diverse data to concrete benefit for people who are marginalized cannot be presumed to work itself out as a byproduct of diverse datasets. To actualize the equitable translation of genomics, practitioners need to place the impacts of ancestral genetic difference in the scope of much more impactful social determinants. For this to happen, multidisciplinary expertise needs to be leveraged, and current, structurally unequal health care systems ultimately need to transform. As modest steps toward this goal, new models for benefit‐sharing must be developed and implemented to mitigate existing inequality between data donors and the entities profiting from that data.
Trust in Crises and Crises of Trust
Authors: Marks Jonathan H.
Published: November 2023

During times of crisis, institutions tend to focus on maintaining or restoring public trust, as well as on measures to insulate themselves (and their leadership) from potential legal liability. This is because institutions reflexively turn to lawyers, risk managers, crisis consultants, and public relations firms that focus on what they euphemistically call the “optics.” In this essay, I highlight the vital importance of addressing underlying reasons for an institution's loss of public trust—in particular, the loss (or erosion) of its integrity and trustworthiness. Loss of public trust generates one kind of crisis—which I term “opsis.” But there is another kind of institutional crisis that so often remains unrecognized. Just as medical sepsis in the human body is a critical condition that endangers life, the loss of an institution's integrity and trustworthiness constitutes a type of sepsis—ethical sepsis—that poses an existential threat to the institution if unaddressed.
Betraying, Earning, or Justifying Trust in Health Organizations
Authors: Platt Jodyn , Goold Susan Dorr
Published: November 2023

Health care and public health programs increasingly rely on, and often even require, organizational action, which is facilitated, if not dependent on, trust. Case examples in this essay highlight trust, trustworthiness, and distrust in public and private organizations, providing insights into how trust in health‐related organizations can be betrayed, earned, and justified and into the consequences of organizational trust and trustworthiness for the health of individuals and communities. These examples demonstrate the need for holistic assessments of trust in clinicians and trust in organizations and for organizations, public health, and the medical profession to address questions concerning their own trustworthiness. Normative and empirical assessments of trust and trustworthiness that capture the experiences of those treated within the walls of a health care organization, as well as the care of those outside, will contribute to more trustworthy systems of care.
Securing the Trustworthiness of the FDA to Build Public Trust in Vaccines
Authors: Rand Leah Z. , Carpenter Daniel P. , Kesselheim Aaron S. , Bhaskar Anushka , Darrow Jonathan J. , Feldman William B.
Published: November 2023

The Covid‐19 pandemic highlighted the need to examine public trust in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) vaccine approval process and the role of political influence in the FDA's decisions. Ensuring that the FDA is itself trustworthy is important for justifying public trust in its actions, like vaccine approvals, thereby promoting public health. We propose five conditions of trustworthiness that the FDA should meet when it reviews vaccines, even during emergencies: consistency with rules, proper expert or political decision‐makers, proper decision‐making and noninterference, connection to public preference, and transparency of both reasons and procedures. The five conditions provide a road map of procedural and substantive requirements, which the FDA has variably implemented, focused on ensuring appropriate influence of political interests. While being a trustworthy agency cannot guarantee the public's trust, implementing these conditions builds a groundwork for public trust.
The Public Performativity of Trust
Authors: Creary Melissa , Gerido Lynette Hammond
Published: November 2023

Building trust between academic medical centers and certain communities they depend on in the research process is hard, particularly when those communities consist of minoritized or historically marginalized populations. Some believe that engagement activities like the creation of advisory boards, town halls, or a research workforce that looks more like community members will establish or reestablish trust between academic medical centers and racialized communities. However, without systematic approaches to dismantle racism, those well‐intended actions become public performativity, and trust building will fail. In this essay, we draw upon foundational ethical principles of trust, distrust, and trust building; apply the concept of bounded justice to performative trust acts; and center the works of Black and Indigenous feminist bioethicists to revisit some of the wisdom and valuable lessons they have contributed. Rebuilding trust is hard to do because people and institutions are often not honest about how hard it is and there is no simple box‐checking task that can disentangle our society's injustices, but there are steps to take in this direction. Individuals and institutions can recognize valuable relevant work that has already been written, partake in critical reflection, and then apply insights gained to take both small and sustainable steps toward transformational change and deeper trust.
The role of negative pressure wound therapy in the treatment of poststernotomy mediastinitis in Asians: A single‐center, retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wang Wei‐Ting , Lee Jui‐Min , Chiang Kuan‐Ju , Chiou Shih‐Hwa , Wang Chin‐Tien , Wu Szu‐Hsien
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Poststernotomy mediastinitis (PSM) is a critical and life‐threatening complication that can arise after cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the outcomes of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and conventional methods in the management of mediastinitis following heart surgery with a focus on Asian populations.

Methods

For this retrospective study, we included and evaluated a total of 34 patients who had undergone cardiac operations between January 2011 and September 2021 and developed PSM. The patients were divided into two groups, the NPWT group (n = 16, 47.1%) and the conventional treatment group (n = 18, 52.9%), and compared.

Results

The two groups showed no significant differences in terms of patient characteristics, PSM wound classification based on the El Oakley classification, and wound closure methods, but there was a higher incidence of diabetes mellitus in the NPWT group. With regard to mediastinal cultures, a higher prevalence of Staphylococcus epidermidis was observed in the NPWT group. However, we found no significant differences between the two groups regarding the time interval from diagnosis to wound closure, hospitalization duration, and re‐exploration rate. Notably, the NPWT group exhibited a significantly higher in‐hospital mortality rate than the conventional treatment group (p = 0.024).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the use of NPWT might not lead to improved medical outcomes for patients with PSM when compared to conventional treatment methods. As a result, it becomes imperative to exercise great care when choosing patients for NPWT. To obtain more definitive and conclusive results and identify the most appropriate cases for NPWT, conducting larger randomized clinical trials is necessary.
Anticoagulant treatment and COVID‐19 mortality among older adults living in nursing homes in Sweden
Authors: Kananen Laura , Molnár Christian , Ansker Fredrik , Kozlowska Daria Julianna , Hägg Sara , Jylhävä Juulia , Religa Dorota , Raaschou Pauline
Published: November 2023

Background

Anticoagulants (AC) were introduced in March 2020 as standard of care in nursing home (NH) residents affected with COVID‐19 in the Stockholm region, Sweden. ACs are proven to reduce the risk of complications and mortality from COVID‐19 among patients of other ages and settings, but there is limited scientific evidence underpinning this practice in the NH setting.

Methods

This matched cohort study included 182 NH residents in the Stockholm Region diagnosed with COVID‐19 in March–May 2020. The main exposure was any AC treatment. Exposed (n = 91), 49% prevalent (pre‐COVID‐19 diagnosis) AC and 51% incident AC were compared with unexposed controls (n = 91). The outcome was 28‐days all‐cause mortality after COVID‐19 infection. The mortality odds ratios (OR) were assessed using logistic regression, adjusted for age, sex, multimorbidity, and mobility, also stratified by incident or prevalent AC‐type, age group, and sex.

Results

Of the 182 individuals diagnosed with COVID‐19 (median age 88 years, 68% women), 39% died within 28 days after diagnosis. Use of either incident or prevalent AC was associated with a reduced, adjusted 28‐day mortality (OR[95% CI]: 0.31[0.16–0.62]). In stratified analyses, the association was significant in both age groups: 70–89 (OR: 0.37 [0.15–0.89]) and 90–99 years of age (OR: 0.22 [0.07–0.65]. In sex‐stratified analysis, the AC‐lowering effect was significant in women only (OR: 0.28[0.11–0.67]). In the analyses stratified by AC type, the mortality‐lowering effect was observed for both prevalent AC (OR: 0.35[0.12–0.99]) and incident AC (OR: 0.29[0.11–0.76]).

Conclusions

Both prevalent and incident use of ACs in prophylactic dosing was associated with reduced 28‐day mortality among older individuals with COVID‐19 in a NH setting. The effect was seen across age‐strata and in women. The findings present new insight in best practice for individuals diagnosed with COVID‐19 in the NH setting.