bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A practical guide to the implementation of artificial intelligence in orthopaedic research—Part 2: A technical introduction
Authors: Zsidai Bálint , Kaarre Janina , Narup Eric , Hamrin Senorski Eric , Pareek Ayoosh , Grassi Alberto , Ley Christophe , Longo Umile Giuseppe , Herbst Elmar , Hirschmann Michael T. , Kopf Sebastian , Seil Romain , Tischer Thomas , Samuelsson Kristian , Feldt Robert ,   ESSKA Artificial Intelligence Working Group
Published: May 2024

Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) present a broad range of possibilities in medical research. However, orthopaedic researchers aiming to participate in research projects implementing AI‐based techniques require a sound understanding of the technical fundamentals of this rapidly developing field. Initial sections of this technical primer provide an overview of the general and the more detailed taxonomy of AI methods. Researchers are presented with the technical basics of the most frequently performed machine learning (ML) tasks, such as classification, regression, clustering and dimensionality reduction. Additionally, the spectrum of supervision in ML including the domains of supervised, unsupervised, semisupervised and self‐supervised learning will be explored. Recent advances in neural networks (NNs) and deep learning (DL) architectures have rendered them essential tools for the analysis of complex medical data, which warrants a rudimentary technical introduction to orthopaedic researchers. Furthermore, the capability of natural language processing (NLP) to interpret patterns in human language is discussed and may offer several potential applications in medical text classification, patient sentiment analysis and clinical decision support. The technical discussion concludes with the transformative potential of generative AI and large language models (LLMs) on AI research. Consequently, this second article of the series aims to equip orthopaedic researchers with the fundamental technical knowledge required to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration in AI‐driven orthopaedic research.

Level of Evidence

Level IV.
Thermotolerance in S. cerevisiae as a model to study extracellular vesicle biology
Authors: Logan Curtis John , Staton Claire C. , Oliver Joshua Thomas , Bouffard Jeff , Kazmirchuk Thomas David Daniel , Magi Melissa , Brett Christopher Leonard
Published: May 2024

The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a proven model organism for elucidating conserved eukaryotic biology, but to date its extracellular vesicle (EV) biology is understudied. Here, we show yeast transmit information through the extracellular medium that increases survival when confronted with heat stress and demonstrate the EV‐enriched samples mediate this thermotolerance transfer. These samples contain vesicle‐like particles that are exosome‐sized and disrupting exosome biogenesis by targeting endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) machinery inhibits thermotolerance transfer. We find that Bro1, the yeast ortholog of the human exosome biomarker ALIX, is present in EV samples, and use Bro1 tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP) to track EV release and uptake by endocytosis. Proteomics analysis reveals that heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) family proteins are enriched in EV samples that provide thermotolerance. We confirm the presence of the HSP70 ortholog stress‐seventy subunit A2 (Ssa2) in EV samples and find that mutant yeast cells lacking SSA2 produce EVs but they fail to transfer thermotolerance. We conclude that Ssa2 within exosomes shared between yeast cells contributes to thermotolerance. Through this work, we advance Saccharomyces cerevisiae as an emerging model organism for elucidating molecular details of eukaryotic EV biology and establish a role for exosomes in heat stress and proteostasis that seems to be evolutionarily conserved.
Liebig review: The role of mineral nutrients in the development of Pseudomonas syringae diseases—Lessons learned and implications for disease control in woody plants
Authors: Soethe Nathalie , Hulin Michelle T. , Balasus Antje , Preston Gail , Geilfus Christoph‐Martin
Published: May 2024

Background

The plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae (Ps) causes diseases in a broad range of hosts including important cash crops from several climate zones. In particular for woody crops, effective and environmentally friendly disease control strategies are not available. Although there is increasing evidence of a link between plant nutritional status and disease susceptibility, optimization of plant nutrition is often neglected in efforts to control Ps diseases. This review brings current knowledge on this topic together with the aim of facilitating the development of treatment recommendations in specific contexts.

Literature review

The article consists of three parts. First, we compiled data on the impact of mineral nutrients on Ps disease severity in woody and herbaceous species. Next, we discuss how nutrients may be related to plant defense and/or Ps virulence. Last, we consider these findings in the context of woody hosts and give suggestions for future research.

Conclusions

We encourage a research focus on typical nutrient imbalances (deficiencies and surpluses) in specific orchard regions; testing the role of foliar fertilizers in spring (the period of highest infection risk); analyses of the interaction between nutrient supply and the microbiome in the phyllosphere; investigating the interaction between nutrient supply and other control measures, and the impact of nutrient supply on Ps diseases in the presence of other stress factors.
Near‐field communication integration into in‐cell touch thin‐film‐transistor liquid‐crystal display
Authors: Feng Boshi , Chen Xiuyun , Wang Guangquan , Liu Yujie , Long Feng , Cai Site , Shao Xibin
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we demonstrated the front NFC card swipe and touch display in Touch and Display Driver Integration (TDDI) liquid crystal display (LCD) through the technologies shown later. A new NFC sampling and noise reduction algorithm was used to reduce the generation of the ghost position and touch failure. The touch/NFC part‐time driving was applied to optimize the noise interference when NFC works. Meanwhile, we integrated the NFC antenna in the TDDI LCD and added a new display signal filter circuit and VCOM driver signal. In the NFC in‐cell demo, front NFC swiping distance of 60 mm is achieved.
High‐luminance and Highly Reliable Tandem OLED Display Including New Intermediate Connector Designed for Photolithography Applications
Authors: Fukuzaki Shinya , Sasaki Toshiki , Nowatari Hiromi , Oe Yuko , Yamada Yui , Ohsawa Nobuharu , Yamazaki Shunpei
Published: May 2024

We achieved a high‐luminance and highly reliable tandem organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) designed for photolithography applications by developing a new intermediate connector with high resistance to water and atmospheric elements. We succeeded in fabricating a red, green, and blue (RGB) side‐by‐side (SBS) tandem OLED display without a fine metal mask using our SBS pixel‐patterning method involving organic layer etching via photolithography.
Research on reconfigurable waveguide devices based on liquid crystal on silicon
Authors: Sun Ren , Shi Yujian , Zhao Xianyu , Long Zhen , Li Qing
Published: May 2024

Due to the limitation of materials, PIC cannot achieve large magnitude phase modulation in a small size, and lacks the reconfigurable ability. Because of its birefringence characteristic, liquid crystal can be used in the liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) device to achieve a large amount of phase modulation in a small size and has the capacity of reconstruction. Based on the experimental results of LCoS devices and basic liquid crystal waveguide devices, the liquid crystal waveguide device is prepared. While retaining the LCoS spatial optical phase modulation capability, the liquid crystal waveguide and phase modulation capability are realized. The beam splitter, optical switch, and Mach–Zehnder interferometer structure are constructed, which verifies the feasibility of the liquid crystal waveguide phase modulator.
Immunotherapy associated Sweet syndrome in a patient with metastatic melanoma: A case report
Authors: Barry Rory , Murray Gregg , McGrath Sally , Kilgallen Clive , Eustace Karen
Published: May 2024

Immunotherapy agents are now widely used in the treatment of metastatic melanoma. Immune‐related adverse events (irAEs) may occur, including cutaneous pathologies in 50% of patients. We report a case of Sweet syndrome (SS) in a patient who was prescribed ipilimumab and nivolumab for metastatic melanoma.
Medial‐pivot total knee arthroplasty enhances tibiofemoral axial rotation stability in weight‐bearing mid‐range flexion compared to posterior‐stabilised system
Authors: Yu Wanxin , Zou Diyang , Tan Jiaqi , Zheng Nan , Ma Xin , Cheng Rongshan , Chen Yunsu , Tsai Tsung‐Yuan
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) stands as a primary intervention for severe knee ailments, yet concerns remain regarding postoperative patient satisfaction and flexion instability. This study aims to evaluate the in‐vivo kinematics of medial‐pivot (MP) and posterior‐stabilised (PS) designs during step‐up activity, in comparison to the kinematics of the nonoperated contralateral knee.

Methods

Sixteen patients with PS‐TKA and 14 with MP‐TKA were retrospectively examined. Clinical outcomes were assessed using patient‐completed questionnaires. Motion during step‐up was captured using a dual fluoroscopic system. Statistical analysis was applied to evaluate the in‐vivo tibiofemoral six‐degree‐of‐freedom kinematics and articular contact positions between the two groups.

Results

Despite being older, patients in the MP group reported higher postoperative subjective scores for weight‐bearing functional activities. The axial rotation centres of MP‐TKA located on the medial tibial plateau exhibited less variance compared to PS‐TKA and contralateral knees. Compared to the contralateral knee (contralateral to medial‐pivot [C‐MP] or contralateral to posterior‐stabilised [C‐PS]), the MP group exhibited limited range of motion in terms of anteroposterior translation (MP: 3.6 ± 1.3 mm vs. C‐MP: 7.4 ± 2.5 mm, p < 0.01) and axial rotation (MP: 6.6 ± 1.9° vs. C‐MP: 10.3 ± 4.9°, p = 0.02), as well as in the PS group for anteroposterior translation (PS: 3.9 ± 1.7 mm vs. C‐PS: 7.2 ± 3.7 mm, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The MP group with better postoperative ratings demonstrated a more stable MP axial rotation pattern during step‐up activity compared to the PS group, underscoring the pivotal role of prosthetic design in optimising postoperative rehabilitation and functional recovery.

Level of Evidence

Level III.
Three Things to Do When You Finish Reading This
Authors: Wich Scott
Published: May 2024

Each month, Management Report offers varying guidance on ways to maintain your desired union‐free status. The articles provide valuable pieces of advice that, taken together, will help an employer avoid unionization of their workplace. Some of these items represent long‐term initiatives, and some of them require an investment of time and money.
Global existence and blowup of solutions for nonlinear Love equation
Authors: Dung Dao Bao , Tran Vu Ngo
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we are concerned with the nonlinear Love equation, which describes some sort of “propagation process” in physics. Firstly, we establish the local existence and uniqueness of the solution by using the contraction mapping principle and the regularity theory for the elliptic problem. Secondly, we construct a family of potential wells to obtain a threshold for the existence of global solutions and blowup in a finite time of the solution in both cases with subcritical and critical initial energy. Additionally, we provide the decay rate of the global solution and estimate the lifespan of a blow‐up solution. Moreover, at the supercritical initial energy level, we provide a sufficient condition for initial data leading to blow‐up results. This paper, along with the previous work of A. N. Carvalho, J. Cholewa, Local well‐posedness, asymptotic behavior, and asymptotic bootstrapping for a class of semilinear evolution equations of the second order in time, Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 361 (5) (2009) 2567‐2586, provides us with a comprehensive and systematic study of the dynamic behavior of the solution to the nonlinear Love equation.
Nutritional Strategies for Muscle Atrophy: Current Evidence and Underlying Mechanisms
Authors: Shen Yuntian , Zhang Chen , Dai Chaolun , Zhang Yijie , Wang Kexin , Gao Zihui , Chen Xin , Yang Xiaoming , Sun Hualin , Yao Xinlei , Xu Lingchi , Liu Hua
Published: May 2024

Skeletal muscle can undergo detrimental changes in various diseases, leading to muscle dysfunction and atrophy, thus severely affecting people's lives. Along with exercise, there is a growing interest in the potential of nutritional support against muscle atrophy. This review provides a brief overview of the molecular mechanisms driving skeletal muscle atrophy and summarizes recent advances in nutritional interventions for preventing and treating muscle atrophy. The nutritional supplements include amino acids and their derivatives (such as leucine, β‐hydroxy, β‐methylbutyrate, and creatine), various antioxidant supplements (like Coenzyme Q10 and mitoquinone, resveratrol, curcumin, quercetin, Omega 3 fatty acids), minerals (such as magnesium and selenium), and vitamins (such as vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E), as well as probiotics and prebiotics (like Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and 1‐kestose). Furthermore, the study discusses the impact of a combined approach involving nutritional support and physical therapy to prevent muscle atrophy, suggests appropriate multi‐nutritional and multi‐modal interventions based on individual conditions to optimize treatment outcomes, and enhances the recovery of muscle function for patients. By understanding the molecular mechanisms behind skeletal muscle atrophy and implementing appropriate interventions, it is possible to enhance the recovery of muscle function and improve patients' quality of life.
Comparative assessment of established and deep learning‐based segmentation methods for hippocampal volume estimation in brain magnetic resonance imaging analysis
Authors: Wang Hsi‐Chun , Chen Chia‐Sho , Kuo Chung‐Chin , Huang Teng‐Yi , Kuo Kuei‐Hong , Chuang Tzu‐Chao , Lin Yi‐Ru , Chung Hsiao‐Wen ,   for the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: May 2024

In this study, our objective was to assess the performance of two deep learning‐based hippocampal segmentation methods, SynthSeg and TigerBx, which are readily available to the public. We contrasted their performance with that of two established techniques, FreeSurfer‐Aseg and FSL‐FIRST, using three‐dimensional T1‐weighted MRI scans (n = 1447) procured from public databases. Our evaluation focused on the accuracy and reproducibility of these tools in estimating hippocampal volume. The findings suggest that both SynthSeg and TigerBx are on a par with Aseg and FIRST in terms of segmentation accuracy and reproducibility, but offer a significant advantage in processing speed, generating results in less than 1 min compared with several minutes to hours for the latter tools. In terms of Alzheimer's disease classification based on the hippocampal atrophy rate, SynthSeg and TigerBx exhibited superior performance. In conclusion, we evaluated the capabilities of two deep learning‐based segmentation techniques. The results underscore their potential value in clinical and research environments, particularly when investigating neurological conditions associated with hippocampal structures.
Prospective validation of the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria for identifying malnutrition in hospitals: A protocol and feasibility pilot study
Authors: Roberts Shelley , Nucera Romina , Dowd Tobias , Turner Kyleigh , Langston Keanne , Keller Heather , Bell Jack , Angus Rebecca L.
Published: May 2024

Background

The aim of this study was to pilot a protocol for prospective validation of the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria in hospital patients and evaluate its feasibility and patient acceptability.

Methods

The validation protocol follows the GLIM consortium's rigorous methodological guidance. Protocol feasibility was assessed against criteria on recruitment (≥50%) and data collection completion (≥80%); protocol acceptability was assessed via patient satisfaction surveys and interviews. Adult inpatients in a tertiary hospital underwent four nutrition assessments (each by a different assessor); two Subjective Global Assessments (SGAs) and two GLIM assessments. All five GLIM criteria were assessed with bioelectrical impedance analysis used for muscle mass. Interrater reliability, criterion validity, and predictive validity were reported to detect trends.

Results

All primary feasibility criteria were met (consent rate 76%; data for GLIM criterion validity collected on 83% participants). Of predictive outcome data, 100% of hospital‐related data, 82% of 6‐month mortality data, and 39% of 6‐month health‐related quality of life data were collected. The mean (SD) age of participants was 61.0 ± 16.2 years, and 51.5% were male. The median (interquartile range) length of stay and body mass index were 7 (4–15) days and 25.6 (24.2–33.0) kg/m2, respectively. GLIM criteria diagnosed 70% of the patients as malnourished vs 55% with SGA. Most patients found the data collection acceptable with minimal burden.

Conclusion

The methods outlined in this rigorous GLIM validation protocol are feasible to undertake in hospitals and acceptable to patients. This paper provides practical methodological guidance for future prospective GLIM validation studies.
Convergence of the block Lanczos method for the trust‐region subproblem in the hard case
Authors: Feng Bo , Wu Gang
Published: May 2024

The trust‐region subproblem (TRS) plays a vital role in numerical optimization, numerical linear algebra, and many other applications. It is known that the TRS may have multiple optimal solutions in the hard case. In [Carmon and Duchi, SIAM Rev., 62 (2020), pp. 395–436], a block Lanczos method was proposed to solve the TRS in the hard case, and the convergence of the optimal objective value was established. However, the convergence of the KKT error as well as that of the approximate solution are still unknown for this method. In this paper, we give a more detailed convergence analysis on the block Lanczos method for the TRS in the hard case. First, we improve the convergence speed of the approximate objective value. Second, we derive the speed of the KKT error tends to zero. Third, we establish the convergence of the approximation solution, and show theoretically that the projected TRS obtained from the block Lanczos method will be close to the hard case more and more as the block Lanczos process proceeds. Numerical experiments illustrate the effectiveness of our theoretical results.
Fabrication of in situ polymerized polyaniline‐based functional nanofibrous structures for flexible electromechanical devices
Authors: Khedewy Amira T. , Abd El‐Baky Marwa A. , Hassan Mohamed A. , Shaker A.
Published: May 2024

Recently, flexible electromechanical devices (EMDs) emerged as alternatives to rigid electronics, promoting polymeric materials over traditional semiconductors. This study develops EMDs using conductive nanofibrous membranes of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyaniline (PANI), and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in various structures. The fabrication technique included the combination of electrospinning and in situ polymerization to create random and aligned conductive membranes. Morphological, mechanical, thermomechanical, and electrical characterizations were conducted to assess their potential in EMDs applications. Mechanical testing revealed that, in comparison to aligned pure TPU mats, aligned TPU/PANI and TPU/MWCNTs/PANI membranes exhibited maximum strains of 26% and 19%, respectively. Meanwhile, randomly oriented mats, TPU/PANI and TPU/MWCNTs/PANI demonstrated maximum strains of 18% and 27%, respectively. Moreover, incorporating PANI and/or MWCNTs increased the Young's modulus. Thermogravimetric analysis showed thermal stability up to 250°C for all mats, with TPU/PANI mats demonstrating superior stability. Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed that PANI incorporation increased the storage modulus from 119 and 180 MPa to 2012 and 1367 MPa for aligned and random mats, respectively, compared with pure TPU mats. The combination of MWCNTs and PANI yielded moduli of 1501 and 1096 MPa, respectively. All conductive mats exhibited symmetric ohmic behavior, with conductivities varying based on orientation and composition. Specifically, TPU/PANI and TPU/MWCNTs/PANI mats exhibited conductivities of 0.83 and 1.78 S/cm for aligned mats, and 0.35 and 0.67 S/cm for random mats, respectively. Pure TPU, on the other hand, displayed a conductivity of 1.8 × 10−10 S/cm, indicating a significantly lower conductivity compared with the other mats.
Fluorescent nanocomposites of Ag nanoclusters grown in anionic polymer layers grafted to plastic substrate: Preparation, characterization and evaluation in Hg2+ sensing and white light generation
Authors: Gorbachev Alexander A. , Tretinnikov Oleg N.
Published: May 2024

Fluorescent noble metal nanoclusters (NCs) are emerging optical nanomaterials with properties similar to those of quantum dots. Their applications can be expanded by combining them with polymer matrices to obtain flexible and transparent light‐emitting nanocomposites. However, achieving highly fluorescent nanocomposites of this type remains challenging due to phase separation and aggregation of NCs in polymer hosts leading to a strong reduction in fluorescence efficiency. We address this key issue by covalently grafting a layer of a specifically selected matrix polymer onto a transparent plastic film and photochemically synthesizing the fluorescent metal NCs directly in the grafted layer. The surface‐grafted matrix polymer effectively captures the noble metal (Ag) ions, photo‐reduces them to atoms, acts as a capping ligand for the growing Ag NCs, and immobilizes them on the substrate surface. The Ag NCs were produced by both wet and dry synthesis, and effects of synthesis method, reaction time, and matrix polymer layer thickness on the fluorescence properties of the resulting nanocomposites were investigated and discussed. Importantly, the fluorescence intensity of these nanocomposite films is sensitive to submicromolar concentrations of aqueous Hg2+ that makes them useful as fluorescent sensing materials for selective and ultrasensitive detection of Hg2+ ions in water. Besides, the nanocomposite films obtained by the dry synthesis of NCs exhibit an intensive emission covering the whole green to red range of the visible spectrum and, hence, produce bright white light under illumination with a blue LED that makes them attractive as down‐conversion materials in one‐phosphor‐converted white LEDs.
Mechanical improvement of carbon fiber/epoxy composites by sizing functionalized carbon nanotubes on fibers
Authors: Liu Jiaan , Yang Tian , Wang Bo , Yu Zerun , Yang Yanchao , Sun Guixun
Published: May 2024

A sizing agent mainly consisting of polyethersulfone and acidified multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) was developed for surface modification of carbon fibers (CF) to enhance the interfacial bond and to form carbon fiber‐carbon nanotube (CF‐MWCNT) multiscale reinforcements. To prepare the modified carbon fiber/epoxy resin composites (CFRP), a vacuum molding technique was used in this study. The effects of the MWCNT‐containing sizing agent on the morphology and chemical structure of the CF surface were observed by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The influence of MWCNT length and content on the mechanical properties of CFRP were also studied. The experimental results showed that the strength of the CFRP decreased with the increase of MWCNT length, and the MWCNT with a content of 0.05 wt% had a good reinforced effect on the CFRP. After the sizing treatment, the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of the CFRP is increased. These enhancements are attributed to the improved mechanical bonding and chemical bonding between CF and resin matrix. The MWCNT provides nanosized rough surface to CF and these acidified MWCNTs attached to the surface of CF with polar oxygen‐containing functional groups improve the compatibility with reinforcement and resin matrix.

Highlights

Carbon fiber was modified by a sizing agent mainly consisting of polyethersulfone and acidified carbon nanotube (CNT).

CNTs enhance the interfacial chemical bonding and mechanical bonding.

The CNT length affects the mechanical properties of the carbon fiber/epoxy resin composites (CFRP).

The modified carbon fiber has enhanced the mechanical properties of the CFRP.
Study of frictional wear and desorption of nanoparticle‐rubber blend modified UHMWPE composites
Authors: Xiaobao Zheng , Gui Gao , Bugong Sun , Honggang Wang , Yuan Qi
Published: May 2024

To address the issues of abrasive wear, impact wear, and soil adhesion that can lead to wear failure and excessive operational resistance in agricultural soil touching parts during farming. This study focuses on UHMWPE composites, modified by filling Nano‐SiC as a hard phase filler and XNBR as an elastic filler. These fillers were dispersed into the UHMWPE matrix through melt blending technology to create a high‐performance composite material for the surface protective material of soil touching parts. The study discovered that by adding hard and elastic fillers to the UHMWPE matrix, the density, hardness, flexural modulus and thermal stability of the materials were all increased. Specifically, the density increased by 5.67% and the flexural modulus increased by 107%. In the block on ring wear test the volumetric wear rate decreased by 98%, while in the mortar wear test the mass wear rate decreased by 64.64%. Additionally, the contact angle on the surface of the specimen after mortar erosion and wear increased to 102.76°, 18% higher than that of pure UHMWPE. These results demonstrate that the modified fillers can improve the abrasion and plastic deformation resistance and hydrophobic desorption of UHMWPE. UHMWPE composite material, serving as the surface protection for soil touching parts, resolves the issues of abrasion of soil abrasive particles and excessive soil adhesion resistance on these parts. This significantly prolongs the service life of soil touching parts of agricultural machinery and improves the operational efficiency and economy.

Highlights

Research on nanoparticles and elastomer‐modified composite materials.

Research has shown the enhancement of UHMWPE composite materials by Nano‐SiC.

XNBR improves the plastic deformation resistance of UHMWPE composites.

Effects of Nano‐SiC and XNBR on the desorption behavior of composite materials.

UHMWPE composites reduce soil contact wear and soil adhesion.
Oxygenated moiety enhanced thermal stabilization, mechanical, and thermomechanical performance of polyacrylonitrile/single wall carbon nanotubes films
Authors: Chandel Nishant , Kapurderiya Mahesh P. , Kanse Akash C. , Rohini Rani , Sreekumar Thaliyil Veedu
Published: May 2024

Thermo‐oxidative stabilization of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)‐copolymer and PAN/single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) composite films were studied in the presence of oxygenated entities which may act as an internal oxygen supplier. The oxygenated moiety exhibited dual behavior, enhancing the stabilization efficiency of PAN while also improving the dispersion of SWCNT. The addition of oxygenated moiety treated SWCNT to PAN resulted in a significant reduction in activation energy from 118 kJ/mol to 99 kJ/mol, owing to a more stable oxidation reaction. Thermogravimetric analysis showed weight loss due to stabilization, and polymer chain degradation was lower in treated SWCNT composite films, resulting in an approximate 6% increase in residual weight. Mechanical testing showed a significant increase in tensile strength to 54.15 MPa and tensile modulus to 2.53 GPa with elongation at break of 13.2%, which is attributed to the enhanced interfacial shear strength resulting from the improved dispersion of oxygenated moiety‐treated nanotubes. Furthermore, thermomechanical analysis studies showed improvement in dimension stability with oxygenated moiety treated SWCNT composite films, attributed to better dispersion and increased interfacial strength between the polymer and filler.

Highlights

Oxygenated entities stabilize PAN and improve SWCNT dispersion.

Activation energy was reduced from 118 to 99 kJ/mol with Tween‐80.

Residual weight increased by 6% with treated SWCNT in TGA.

Improved tensile strength (54.14 MPa), modulus (2.53 GPa) with modified SWCNT.

Dimension stability is enhanced by interfacial strength with modified SWCNT.
Association between pathological narcissism and emotion regulation: The role of self‐mentalizing?
Authors: Blay Martin , Bouteloup Margaux , Duarte Miguel , Hasler Roland , Pham Eleonore , Nicastro Rosetta , Jan Marlène , Debbané Martin , Perroud Nader
Published: May 2024

Pathological narcissism (PN) is a common psychopathological issue leading to maladaptive strategies to cope with self‐esteem threats, including self‐enhancement and exploitation (grandiose strategies) or internalized shame, depression, and social withdrawal (vulnerable strategies). Mentalizing is a key process for regulating self and other representations and their associated emotions. Patients with PN further struggle with emotion dysregulation (ED), which during development is intertwined with the growing capacity to mentalize. We seek to contribute to emerging empirical data documenting the associations between PN and ED and between PN and mentalizing, and to provide information on the nature of their mutual relationships. In the present study, we assessed PN, ED, and three mentalizing dimensions (mentalizing self, other, and motivation to mentalize) in 183 patients consulting in our outpatient unit specialized in ED. We found that narcissistic vulnerability was negatively associated with self‐mentalizing and positively associated with overall ED, both even after adjustment for borderline and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. However, the association with ED was not maintained after further adjustment for self‐mentalizing or overall‐mentalizing, which suggests that mentalizing may play a mediating role in this relationship. On the other hand, narcissistic grandiosity was positively associated with other‐mentalizing and ED and negatively associated with self‐mentalizing in bivariate analyses, but these last two associations were not maintained after adjustment for comorbid borderline and/or ADHD symptomatology. This study provides new information on the link between PN and ED and on key mentalizing dimensions meaningfully relating to PN, notably through a potential role of self‐mentalizing processes between PN and ED.
Reliability evaluation for Weibull distribution with heavily Type II censored data
Authors: Liu Mengyu , Zheng Huiling , Yang Jun
Published: May 2024

The lifetime data collected from the field are usually heavily censored, in which case, getting an accurate reliability evaluation based on heavily censored data is challenging. For heavily Type‐II censored data, the parameters estimation bias of traditional methods (i.e., maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) and least squares estimation (LSE)) are still large, and Bayesian methods are hard to specify the priors in practice. Therefore, considering the existing range of shape parameter for Weibull distribution, this study proposes two novel parameter estimation methods, the three‐step MLE method and the hybrid estimation method. For the three‐step MLE method, the initial estimates of shape and scale parameters are first respectively derived using MLE, then are updated by the single parameter MLE method with the range constraint of shape parameter. For the hybrid estimation method, the shape parameter is estimated by the LSE method with the existing range constraint of shape parameter, then the scale parameter estimate can be obtained by MLE. On this basis, two numerical examples are performed to demonstrate the consistency and effectiveness of the proposed methods. Finally, a case study on turbine engines is given to verify the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed methods.
Uncorrected and subcutaneous fat‐corrected echo intensities are similarly associated with magnetic resonance imaging per cent fat
Authors: Rush Benjamin , Garlapati Sujay , Lortie Jevin , Osterbauer Katie , Colgan Timothy J. , Tamada Daiki , Campbell Toby C. , Traynor Anne , Leal Ticiana , Lee Kenneth , Reeder Scott B. , Kuchnia Adam J.
Published: May 2024

Background

Establishing interchangeable biomedical imaging‐based measures to assess myosteatosis clinically may lead to the prevention of muscle wasting, yet neither a consensus measure nor a conversion between measures exists. Ultrasound echo intensity (EI) potentially assesses myosteatosis, but subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) thickness and user force application have been shown to influence EI. Although correction factors exist to adjust EI for SAT thickness, they are modelled against poor or no reference measures. Modelling EI corrections against a robust reference measure of myosteatosis, like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐based proton density fat fraction (PDFF), is necessary for EI's clinical application.

Methods

Healthy young adults, healthy older adults, and older adults undergoing treatment for lung cancer (n = 10 per group with 50% females) had PDFF and EI at 0, 5, 10, and 15 N measured on their right rectus femoris (RF). We compared EI, SAT thickness, and RF thickness between forces and groups and assessed the relationships between EI adjusted by four different correction factors and PDFF.

Results

The mean age of our sample was 48.63 ± 19.68 years and had a body mass index of 25.21 ± 5.19 kg/m2. The correlation between PDFF and raw EI was r = 0.59 (P < 0.001) with negligible increases by previously published correction factors (Young: 0.62, P < 0.001; Neto Müller: 0.61, P < 0.001). EI, SAT thickness, and RF thickness did not significantly differ between forces (χ2 = 0.31, P = 0.957; χ2 = 2.39, P = 0.496; and χ2 = 7.75, P = 0.051, respectively). EI and PDFF were significantly lower among young healthy adults compared with older adult groups (χ2 = 12.88, P = 0.002, and χ2 = 9.13, P = 0.010, respectively).

Conclusions

EI is correlated with PDFF regardless of force with no improvement from previously published correction factors. Our results suggest that EI is clinically useful and influenced by fat content, yet correction factors must account for more than SAT thickness alone and require further investigation.
Open source robot localization for nonplanar environments
Authors: Rico Francisco Martín , Hernández José Miguel Guerrero , Pérez‐Rodríguez Rodrigo , Peña‐Narvaez Juan Diego , Gómez‐Jacinto Alberto García
Published: May 2024

The operational environments in which a mobile robot executes its missions often exhibit nonflat terrain characteristics, encompassing outdoor and indoor settings featuring ramps and slopes. In such scenarios, the conventional methodologies employed for localization encounter novel challenges and limitations. This study delineates a localization framework incorporating ground elevation and incline considerations, deviating from traditional two‐dimensional localization paradigms that may falter in such contexts. In our proposed approach, the map encompasses elevation and spatial occupancy information, employing Gridmaps and Octomaps. At the same time, the perception model is designed to accommodate the robot's inclined orientation and the potential presence of ground as an obstacle, besides usual structural and dynamic obstacles. We provide an implementation of our approach fully working with Nav2, ready to replace the baseline Adaptative Monte Carlo Localization (AMCL) approach when the robot is in nonplanar environments. Our methodology was rigorously tested in both simulated environments and through practical application on actual robots, including the Tiago and Summit XL models, across various settings ranging from indoor and outdoor to flat and uneven terrains. Demonstrating exceptional precision, our approach yielded error margins below 10 cm and 0.05 radians in indoor settings and less than 1.0 m in extensive outdoor routes. While our results exhibit a slight improvement over AMCL in indoor environments, the enhancement in performance is significantly more pronounced when compared to three‐dimensional simultaneous localization and mapping algorithms. This underscores the considerable robustness and efficiency of our approach, positioning it as an effective strategy for mobile robots tasked with navigating expansive and intricate indoor/outdoor environments.
Selective flotation separation of gypsum and quartz using dodecyl amine hydrochloride as collector: Mechanism and application
Authors: Qi Mengyao , Peng Weijun , Wang Wei , Cao Yijun , Fan Guixia , Huang Yukun
Published: May 2024

The selective flotation separation of gypsum and quartz in phosphogypsum (PG) is an urgent problem that is very important for the high‐value utilization of PG. In the work, dodecyl amine hydrochloride (DH) was introduced as a collector for the selective flotation separation of gypsum and quartz. The flotation property and selective mechanism of DH on the surface of gypsum and quartz were researched by single mineral flotation experiments, Fourier transform attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy analyzer, zeta potential analyzer, X‐ray photoelectron spectrum, molecular dynamic (MD) simulation, etc. Additionally, H+ was introduced into the mineral‐water system simulated by MD to take into account the effect of acidic conditions on the adsorption of DH. The pre‐adsorption of H+ on the quartz surface under strongly acidic conditions hindered the electrostatic force adsorption of DH on the quartz surface. Furthermore, DH was adopted as a collector in the direct flotation recovery of gypsum from PG, and the gypsum concentrates with productivity of 69.85%, CaSO4·2H2O content of 96.33%, and whiteness of 55.00% were obtained. The SiO2 content in the gypsum concentrate decreased from 9.08% to 0.616%. It suggested that DH could serve as a promising collector in the selective separation of gypsum and quartz in PG via flotation.
Controlled Synthesis of Bead‐like Pt as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Electrocatalytic Ammonia Oxidation
Authors: Tang Han , Gu Yufeng , Luo Jiabing , Zhang Wei , Zhang Jun , Zhou Yan
Published: May 2024

Promoting electrocatalytic ammonia oxidation reaction (AOR) holds the key to develop efficient direct ammonia fuel cells (DAFCs) and ammonia‐mediated hydrogen production (AMHP). Recent investigations indicated that Pt with the exposure of (100) facet has a moderate *N intermediate bonding strength, resulting in the highest AOR electrocatalytic activity among others. Therefore, maximizing the exposure of (100) planes with high active surface area is highly desired for efficient electrocatalysts. In this paper, Pt catalyst composed of directional alignment of nanoparticles around 50 nm (Pt‐100/C) were synthesized by hydrothermal method in the presence of KOH. The KOH concentration was found to modulate the one‐dimensional alignment of nanoparticles. The electrocatalyst showed the largest electrochemically active areas and the highest peak current density (3.14 mA cm−2), and the catalyst exhibited high stability after 500 cycles. A series of electrochemical tests and structural characterizations show that unique bead‐structured Pt combines the excellent activity of nanoparticles with the structural stability of nanowires. A scheme for “exchanging electrodes” has been proposed to solve the problem of catalyst poisoning caused by AOR in AMHP.
Bright Bifacial White‐Light Illumination by Highly Deformable Electroluminescent Devices Based on Transparent Ionic‐Hydrogel Electrodes and Quantum‐Dot Color Conversion
Authors: Zhu Yijie , Hong Ahyoung , Yoon SukYoung , Park Jeongbin , Yang Heesun , Kwak Jeonghun , Yoon Jinhwan
Published: May 2024

Deformable alternating‐current electroluminescent (ACEL) devices are of increasing interest because of their potential to drive innovation in soft optoelectronics. Despite the research focus on efficient white ACEL devices, achieving deformable devices with high luminance remains difficult. In this study, this challenge is addressed by fabricating white ACEL devices using color‐conversion materials, transparent and durable hydrogel electrodes, and high‐k nanoparticles. The incorporation of quantum dots enables the highly efficient generation of red and green light through the color conversion of blue electroluminescence. Although the ionic‐hydrogel electrode provides high toughness, excellent light transmittance, and superior conductivity, the luminance of the device is remarkably enhanced by the incorporation of a high‐k dielectric, BaTiO3. The fabricated ACEL device uniformly emits very bright white light (489 cd m−2) with a high color‐rendering index (91) from both the top and bottom. The soft and tough characteristics of the device allow seamless operation in various deformed states, including bending, twisting, and stretching up to 400%, providing a promising platform for applications in a wide array of soft optoelectronics.
Integrating Sulfur Doping with a Multi‐Heterointerface Fe7S8/NiS@C Composite for Wideband Microwave Absorption
Authors: Chen Yikun , Wang Yan , Li Chenchen , Wang Wei , Xue Xu , Pan Hongge , Che Renchao
Published: May 2024

Heterointerface engineering is presently considered a valuable strategy for enhancing the microwave absorption (MA) properties of materials via compositional modification and structural design. In this study, a sulfur‐doped multi‐interfacial composite (Fe7S8/NiS@C) coated with NiFe‐layered double hydroxides (LDHs) is successfully prepared using a hydrothermal method and post‐high‐temperature vulcanization. When assembled into twisted surfaces, the NiFe‐LDH nanosheets exhibit porous morphologies, improving impedance matching, and microwave scattering. Sulfur doping in composites generates heterointerfaces, numerous sulfur vacancies, and lattice defects, which facilitate the polarization process to enhance MA. Owing to the controllable heterointerface design, the unique porous structure induced multiple heterointerfaces, numerous vacancies, and defects, endowing the Fe7S8/NiS@C composite with an enhanced MA capability. In particular, the minimum reflection loss (RLmin) value reached −58.1 dB at 15.8 GHz at a thickness of 2.1 mm, and a broad effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) value of 7.3 GHz is achieved at 2.5 mm. Therefore, the Fe7S8/NiS@C composite exhibits remarkable potential as a high‐efficiency MA material owing to the synergistic effects of the polarization processes, multiple scatterings, porous structures, and impedance matching.
On quantifying heterogeneous treatment effects with regression‐based individualized treatment rules: Loss function families and bounds on estimation error
Authors: Gorczyca Michael T. , Kang Chaeryon
Published: May 2024

Heterogeneity in response to treatment is a pervasive problem in medicine. Many researchers have proposed individualized treatment rule methods for this problem, which personalize treatment recommendations based on an individual's recorded covariates. A challenge with using these methods in practice is that they determine a treatment rule, rather than quantify treatment benefit. This can be problematic, as a recommended treatment could be burdensome and have negligible improvements in outcome for some individuals. With the aim of helping practitioners make informed modelling choices, we identify two families of loss functions to use with individualized treatment rule methods. Under the assumption of correct model specification, estimation with a loss function from one family ensures that the model's treatment recommendations can be interpreted in terms of the risk difference, while the other family of loss functions ensures that the model's treatment recommendations can be interpreted in terms of the risk ratio. We also derive two upper bounds for a model's error in risk difference and risk ratio estimation. Each upper bound can be calculated using observed data and can provide insight to practitioners regarding model error in estimating treatment effects. We illustrate our contributions with simulation studies as well as with data from the ACTG‐175 AIDS study.
Wirklich nur ein Würfel? Fassade des Ronald O. Perelman Centers of Performing Arts in New York
Authors: Engelmann Michael , Wolf Gerold , Ott Stefan
Published: May 2024

Ein neues New Yorker Wahrzeichen – das Ronald O. Perelman Center of Performing Arts – erhebt sich in steinerner Eleganz neben dem World Trade Center. Eine einzigartige Fassade von 7200 m2 Fläche umhüllt das asketisch würfelförmige Bauwerk, getragen von zweifach gestoßenen, insgesamt 36 m langen Stahlpfosten, welche mit versenkten Schraubverbindungen gesichert und am Dach montiert sind, um der architektonischen Absicht gerecht zu werden. Alle Laschenstöße zeigen sich an der Grenze machbarer Randabstände und ohne erhabene Konturen, um dem dramatischen Toleranzsprung zwischen gewaltigem Haupttragwerk und filigraner Fassade gerecht zu werden. Doch welche Fragen stellen sich beim Planen und Fertigen einer solchen exponierten Gebäudehülle? Das Team musste zur Stahlfertigung nicht nur bürokratische Hürden zwischen DIN und ASTM/AWS überwinden, sondern auch höchste Anforderungen an die Montagequalität einhalten, da alle Flächen im Sichtbereich erbarmungslos exponiert sind. Zur realitätsnahen Einschätzung half ein erster Probeaufbau in Deutschland. Das dabei erkannte Lochspiel konnte in der Konstruktion mit bemerkenswerter Präzision und Liebe zum Detail eliminiert werden. Dank diesem Aufwand erreichten fast 5000 Einzelscheiben auf Mega‐Panels ihre individuellen und vorab geplanten Endpositionen auf der Gebäudeoberfläche – eine Logistikkette vom Steinbruch bis auf die Baustelle. Wo der Teufel im Detail eines so architektonisch anspruchsvollen Projekts liegt, zeigt der nun folgende Aufsatz.
Development of functional architectures for cyber‐physical systems using interconnectable models
Authors: Eichmann Oliver C. , Lamm Jesko G. , Melzer Sylvia , Weilkiens Tim , God Ralf
Published: May 2024

Cyber‐physical Systems (CPSs) are characterized by entities in both the physical and the virtual space, thus enabling an immersion of the physical world into the cyberspace. Connectivity via the cyberspace allows CPS cooperation for new services in product service systems (PSS). In consequence, cooperating CPSs act as actors with interest in the CPS in focus. Considering the needs of human actors and cooperating CPSs is a challenging task in CPS development because of many actors, interdepending CPS functions, and multiple CPS interfaces. For systems, the known Functional Architectures for Systems (FAS) method offers a solution approach for deriving functional system architectures from system use cases originating from human actors. For CPS development, this publication presents an expansion of the FAS method for developing functional architectures based on use cases originating from human actors as well as from cooperating CPSs and offers a model‐based approach based on the method description. In the authors’ opinion, interconnectable CPSs and models of cooperating CPSs can be integrated and interconnected with each other into a unifying aggregated model to represent the joint behavior of CPSs in an aggregated system. The paper explains this novel approach through a CPS functional architecture development example related to the prediction of remaining boarding time in an aircraft. The result is an approach that allows the consideration of initial CPS functions and new aggregated system functions, that pays special attention to the interconnectivity of CPSs and the required interfaces, and enables the systematic analysis of functions for the identification of redundancies.