bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolic shifts during coffee consumption refresh the immune response: insight from comprehensive multiomics analysis
Authors: Ruan Pinglang , Yang Ming , Lv Xinyi , Shen Kai , Chen Yiran , Li Hongli , Zhao Di , Huang Jianhua , Xiao Yang , Peng Weijun , Wu Haijing , Lu Qianjin
Published: June 2024

Coffee, a widely consumed beverage, has shown benefits for human health but lacks sufficient basic and clinical evidence to fully understand its impacts and mechanisms. Here, we conducted a cross‐sectional observational study of coffee consumption and a 1‐month clinical trial in humans. We found that coffee consumption significantly reshaped the immune system and metabolism, including reduced levels of inflammatory factors and a reduced frequency of senescent T cells. The frequency of senescent T cells and the levels of the senescence‐associated secretory phenotype were lower in both long‐term coffee consumers and new coffee consumers than in coffee nondrinking subjects, suggesting that coffee has anti‐immunosenescence effects. Moreover, coffee consumption downregulated the activities of the The Janus kinase/signal transduction and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) and mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathways and reduced systemic proinflammatory cytokine levels. Mechanistically, coffee‐associated metabolites, such as 1‐methylxanthine, 3‐methylxanthine, paraxanthine, and ceramide, reduced the frequency of senescent CD4+CD57+ T cells in vitro. Finally, in vivo, coffee intake alleviated inflammation and immunosenescence in imiquimod‐induced psoriasis‐like mice. Our results provide novel evidence of the anti‐inflammatory and anti‐immunosenescence effects of coffee, suggesting that coffee consumption could be considered a healthy habit.
Stepwise Functional Brain Architecture Correlates with Atrophy in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Authors: Spinelli Edoardo Gioele , Ghirelli Alma , Bottale Ilaria , Basaia Silvia , Canu Elisa , Castelnovo Veronica , Volontè Maria Antonietta , Galantucci Sebastiano , Magnani Giuseppe , Caso Francesca , Cecchetti Giordano , Caroppo Paola , Prioni Sara , Villa Cristina , Josephs Keith A. , Whitwell Jennifer L. , Filippi Massimo , Agosta Federica
Published: June 2024

Background

Stepwise functional connectivity (SFC) detects whole‐brain functional couplings of a selected region of interest at increasing link‐step topological distances.

Objective

This study applied SFC to test the hypothesis that stepwise architecture propagating from the disease epicenter would shape patterns of brain atrophy in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy–Richardson's syndrome (PSP‐RS).

Methods

Thirty‐six patients with PSP‐RS and 44 age‐matched healthy control subjects underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging on a 3‐T scanner. The disease epicenter was defined as the peak of atrophy observed in an independent cohort of 13 cases with postmortem confirmation of PSP pathology and used as seed region for SFC analysis. First, we explored SFC rearrangements in patients with PSP‐RS, as compared with age‐matched control subjects. Subsequently, we tested SFC architecture propagating from the disease epicenter as a determinant of brain atrophy distribution.

Results

The disease epicenter was identified in the left midbrain tegmental region. Compared with age‐matched control subjects, patients with PSP‐RS showed progressively widespread decreased SFC of the midbrain with striatal and cerebellar regions through direct connections and sensorimotor cortical regions through indirect connections. A correlation was found between average link‐step distance from the left midbrain in healthy subjects and brain volumes in patients with PSP‐RS (r = 0.38, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study provides comprehensive insights into the topology of functional network rearrangements in PSP‐RS and demonstrates that the brain architectural topology, as described by SFC propagating from the disease epicenter, shapes the pattern of atrophic changes in PSP‐RS. Our findings support the view of a network‐based pathology propagation in this primary tauopathy. © 2024 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Prophylactic Antibiotic Use in Reconstruction of Nasal Mohs Defects
Authors: Lee Jaclyn , Longino Elizabeth S. , Desisto Nicole G. , Sharma Rahul K. , Stephan Scott J. , Yang Shiayin F. , Patel Priyesh N.
Published: June 2024

Objective

To evaluate the effect of prophylactic antibiotics on outcomes and complications following surgical reconstructions of nasal Mohs defects in the outpatient setting.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Single tertiary care center, July 2021 to June 2023.

Methods

All adult patients who underwent reconstruction of nasal Mohs defects in an outpatient office setting were examined. Patient demographics, surgical details, prophylactic postprocedural antibiotic use, and postprocedural complications (infection, flap or graft necrosis, wound dehiscence) were collected. Outcomes and complications were compared between patients who received and did not receive prophylactic antibiotics using χ2, Kruskal‐Wallis, and multivariable logistic regression.

Results

A total of 211 patients met inclusion criteria. A majority of reconstructions utilized a local flap (70%), followed by a skin or composite graft (22%), then an interpolated flap (8%). Over half of patients (55%) were prescribed prophylactic antibiotics. Postprocedural complications were documented in 16 patients (7.6%), including infection (3.3%) and flap or graft loss or necrosis (1.4%). The rate of complications did not differ based on receipt of antibiotics. The only factors independently associated with the development of complications were history of chemoradiation and reconstruction with skin or composite grafts.

Conclusion

Prophylactic antibiotics after nasal Mohs reconstructions performed in the office setting were not associated with any differences in the rate of postprocedural complications, including surgical site infections.
Outcomes of Immunotherapy in Sinonasal Mucosal Melanoma Patients With Recurrent and Metastatic Disease
Authors: Iyoha Ehiremen M. , Jenkins Sarah M. , Guo Ruifeng , Choby Garret
Published: June 2024

Sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SNMM) is a rare malignancy with poor prognosis and high recurrence rate. In those with recurrence, survival is dismal. Immunotherapy is an emerging area of investigation; however, there is a scarcity of data on immunotherapy outcomes in SNMM patients with recurrence. We report outcomes of immunotherapy in recurrent SNMM patients with distant versus nondistant recurrence. Fifty‐four patients with recurrent SNMM were identified, and 31 (57.4%) had distant recurrence. One‐year overall survival (OS) following recurrence was 47.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 34.0%‐60.9%), with a median survival of 2.8 years (95% CI: 2.0‐5.3). In those with distant recurrence, receipt of immunotherapy was associated with better OS compared to those without immunotherapy (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.29 [95% CI: 0.12‐0.68], P = .004). While patients with nondistant recurrence (n = 23), who received immunotherapy (n = 6) had worse OS compared to those who did not receive immunotherapy (HR = 4.76 [95% CI: 1.36, 15.89], P = .02).

Level of Evidence

Level IV.
Nationwide Prevalence of Video Head Impulse Test Abnormality and its Risk Factors in South Korea
Authors: Suh Myung‐Whan , Shim Dae Bo , Kim Min‐Beom , Park Moo Kyun , Moon Il Joon , Hong Sung Kwang , Oh Kyungwon , Kim Yoonjung , Kim Hyejin , Kim Sung Huhn
Published: June 2024

Objective

To identify the prevalence of and relevant information for video head impulse test (vHIT) abnormality in a large population.

Study Design

A cross‐sectional design.

Setting

Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2021.

Methods

The sample was representative of the Korean population, with 2237 participants aged ≥40 years. A vHIT was performed to evaluate vestibular function. The vestibulo‐ocular reflex (VOR) gain and the presence of reproducible catch‐up saccades was assessed in a vHIT. Participants also completed questionnaires for demographics, socioeconomic status, and basic information regarding systemic diseases and dizziness and underwent hearing tests with automated pure‐tone audiometry.

Results

The prevalence of vHIT abnormality was 22.5%, with unilateral (14.3%) being more common than bilateral (8.2%). The prevalence of vHIT abnormality increased significantly with age, with the highest rate observed in individuals aged >70 years (42.5%). Both hearing and VOR gain deteriorated with age, but the patterns of age‐related progression were different. While hearing loss (HL) deteriorated gradually and progressively throughout adulthood, VOR gain deterioration was markedly evident after 70 years of age.

Conclusion

Considering the high prevalence of vHIT abnormality, appropriate social and medical policies are needed to prevent associated injuries and improve patients' quality of life. The distinct age‐related changes in HL and objective findings of vestibular dysfunction indicate the need for different approaches to address these social problems in aging countries.
Evaluation of Noise Exposure Levels in Pediatric ENT Operating Rooms
Authors: Shakhtour Leyn , Song Sophia , Orobello Nicklas C. , Ambrose Tracey , Rana Md Sohel , Behzadpour Hengameh K. , Reilly Brian K.
Published: June 2024

Objective

Operating room (OR) sounds may surpass noise exposure thresholds and induce hearing loss. Noise intensity emitted by various surgical instruments during common pediatric otolaryngologic procedures were compared at the ear‐level of the surgeon and patient to evaluate the need for quality improvement measures.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Single tertiary care center.

Methods

Noise levels were measured using the RISEPRO Sound Level Meter and SoundMeter X 10.0.4 at the ear level of surgeon and patient every 5 minutes. Operative procedure and instrument type were recorded. Measured noise levels were compared against ambient noise levels and the Apple Watch Noise application.

Results

Two hundred forty‐two total occasions of noise were recorded across 62 surgical cases. Cochlear implantation surgery produces the loudest case at the ear‐level of the patient (91.8 Lq Peak dB; P < .001). The otologic drill was the loudest instrument for the patient (92.1 Lq Peak dB; P < .001), while the powered microdebrider was the loudest instrument for the surgeon (90.7 Lq Peak dB; P = .036). Noise measurements between surgeon and patient were similar (P < .05). Overall agreement between the Noise application and Sound Level Meter was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.8, with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 0.32 to 0.92).

Conclusion

Otolaryngology OR noises can surpass normal safe thresholds. Failure to be aware of this may unwittingly expose providers to noise‐related hearing loss. Mitigation strategies should be employed. Quality improvement measures, including attention to surgical instrument volume settings and periodic decibel measurements with sound applications, can promote long‐term hearing conservation.

Discussion

Otolaryngology OR noises can surpass normal safe thresholds. Failure to be aware of this may unwittingly expose providers to noise‐related hearing loss. The duration, frequency of exposure, and volume levels of noise should be studied further.

Implications for Practice

Mitigation strategies should be employed. Quality improvement measures, including attention to surgical instrument volume settings and periodic decibel measurements with sound applications, can promote long‐term hearing conservation.
Chronic Opioid Prescribing After Common Otolaryngology Procedures in Adults
Authors: Weber Alizabeth , Smith Joshua B. , Simpson Matthew C. , Brinkmeier Jennifer V. , Massa Sean T.
Published: June 2024

Objective

(1) Describe short and long‐term opioid prescribing patterns and variation after common otolaryngologic procedures and (2) assess risk factors for chronic opioid use in this cohort.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort.

Setting

Optum's deidentified Integrated Claims‐Clinical data set.

Methods

An adult cohort of patients undergoing common otolaryngology procedures from 2010 to 2017 was identified. Associations between procedure and other covariates with any initial opioid prescription and continuous opioid prescriptions were assessed with multivariable modeling. Opioid use was defined as continuous if a new prescription was filled within 30 days of the previous prescription. A time‐to‐event analysis assessed continuous prescriptions from the index procedure to end of the last continuous opioid prescription.

Results

Among a cohort of 19,819 patients undergoing predominately laryngoscopy procedures (12,721, 64.2%), 2585 (13.0%) received an opioid prescription with variation in receiving a prescription, daily dose, and total initially prescribed dose varying by procedure, patient demographics, provider characteristics, and facility type. Opioids were prescribed most frequently after tonsillectomy (45.4%) and least frequently after laryngoscopy with interventions (3.9%), which persisted in the multivariable models. Overall rates of continuous use at 180 and 360 days were 0.48% and 0.27%, respectively. Among patients receiving an initial opioid prescription, maintaining continuous prescriptions was associated with tonsillectomy procedures, age (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 0.997 per year, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.993‐0.999), opioid prescriptions 6 months preprocedure (aHR: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.37‐0.47), and nonotolaryngology initial prescribers (aHRs: <1, P < .05).

Conclusion

There is substantial variation in initial prescribing practices and continuous opioid prescriptions after common Otolaryngology procedures, but the overall rate of maintaining a continuous prescription starting after these procedures is very low.

Level of Evidence

Level 3.
Why donors give during emergencies—An institutional analysis on government transparency
Authors: Xiao Hanyu , Wang Xiaohu
Published: June 2024

This study employs an institutional approach to examine and explain donor‐giving to a government during emergencies. Using data from 120 countries during Covid‐19 and other sources, we tested a process transparency explanation against a performance transparency perspective. We find that a donor's decision to give to a government during emergencies is likely influenced by the availability and quality of process‐oriented fiscal information, not past performance or impact information of the government. This result indicates that it is important for governments, especially those without proper transparency institutions and practice, to establish reporting measures in process‐oriented information such as revenue sources, spending directions, and debt levels during emergencies. These insights have significant theoretical and policy implications for countries, especially developing countries, to develop government transparency.
Synthesis of integrated reduced graphene oxide‐polyaniline nanocomposite for enhanced supercapacitor performance
Authors: Salamon J. , Simi A. , Joy Prabu H. , Felix Sahayaraj A. , Kennedy A. Joseph Sagaya , Snowlin V. , Gopi R. R. , Johnson I.
Published: June 2024

The urgent need for sustainable energy storage solutions has spurred research on high‐performance and cost‐effective energy storage technologies. Supercapacitors (SCs) show great potential due to their capacity to provide significant capacitance, energy and power density. This study focused on the enhancement of electrically conductive reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) reinforced with polyaniline (PANI) composites to fabricate the supercapacitors. Various characterization techniques, including SEM, EDAX, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, PXRD, TGA, BET, and CV were employed for the examination of the materials. The findings demonstrate that the rGO/PANI composite displayed nanostructured layers characterized by flaky leaf‐like structures, a trigonal crystal system, and a notable specific capacitance of 410 Fg−1, along with capacitance retention rate of 85 after completion of 1000 cycles. This composite showcases outstanding electrochemical performance leads to the promising material to use in SCs manufacturing.

Highlights

Electrode showed pseudocapacitive behavior, capacitance of 392 F/g.

PXRD pattern confirmed presence of benzenoid and quinonoid groups.

BET analysis showed surface area of 16.850 m2/g, porous nature indicated.

Electrode displayed good reversibility, with a‐b value of 0.6.
Intrinsic performance loss rate: Decoupling reversible and irreversible losses for an improved assessment of photovoltaic system performance
Authors: Quest Hugo , Ballif Christophe , Virtuani Alessandro
Published: June 2024

Solar electricity is set to play a pivotal role in future energy systems. In view of a market that may soon reach the terawatt (TW) scale, a careful assessment of the performance of photovoltaic (PV) systems becomes critical. Research on PV fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) focuses on the automated identification of faults within PV systems through production data, and long‐term performance evaluations aim to determine the performance loss rate (PLR). However, these two approaches are often handled separately, resulting in a notable gap in the field of reliability. Within PV system faults, one can distinguish between permanent, irreversible effects (e.g. bypass diode breakage, delamination and cell cracks) and transient, reversible losses (e.g. shading, snow and soiling). Reversible faults can significantly impact (and bias) PLR estimates, leading to wrong judgements about system or component performance and misallocation of responsibilities in legal claims. In this work, the PLR is evaluated by applying a fault detection procedure that allows the filtering of shading, snow and downtime. Compared with standard filtering methods, the addition of an integrated FDD analysis within PLR pipelines offers a solution to avoid the influence of reversible effects, enabling the determination of what we call the intrinsic PLR (i‐PLR). Applying this method to a fleet of PV systems in the built environment reveals four main PLR bias scenarios resulting from shading losses. For instance, a system with increasing shading over time exhibits a PLR of −1.7%/year, which is reduced to −0.3%/year when reversible losses are filtered out.
Efficient delivery of the herbicide quinclorac by nanosuspension for enhancing deposition, uptake and herbicidal activity
Authors: Cheng Xuejian , Wang Aiping , Cao Lidong , Cao Chong , Zhao Pengyue , Yu Manli , Zheng Li , Huang Qiliang
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND

The presence of barnyardgrass poses a threat to global food security by reducing rice yields. Currently, herbicides are primarily applied for weed management. However, the effectiveness of herbicide deposition and uptake on barnyardgrass is limited as a consequence of the high wax content on leaves, low water solubility and extreme lipophilicity of herbicides. Therefore, it is imperative to develop novel formulations for efficient delivery of herbicides to improve herbicidal activity and reduce dosage.

RESULTS

We successfully prepared nanosuspension(s) (NS) of quinclorac through the wet media milling technique. This NS demonstrates excellent physical stability and maintains nanoscale during dose transfer. The deposition concentration and uptake concentration of NS on barnyardgrass were 3.84–4.47‐ and 2.11–2.58‐fold greater than those traditional formulations, respectively. Moreover, the NS exhibited enhanced herbicidal activity against barnyardgrass at half the dosage required by conventional formulations without compromising rice safety.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that NS can effectively facilitate the delivery of hydrophobic and poorly water‐soluble herbicide active ingredients, thereby enhancing their deposition, uptake and bioactivity. This study expands the potential application of NS in pesticide delivery, which can provide valuable support for optimizing pesticide utilization, improving economic efficiency and mitigating environmental risks. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
ZnMgO Thin Films by Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis: Modulation of Optical and Electrical Properties by Post‐annealing and Magnesium Composition
Authors: El Berjali Wafae , Ould Saad Hamady Sidi , Boulet Pascal , Colas Victor , Gries Thomas , Horwat David , Pierson Jean‐François
Published: June 2024

ZnMgO semiconductor is of major interest in sustainable thin‐film solar cells in order to replace buffer layers based on nonabundant or toxic elements. In addition, it has the potential 1) to allow optimal band alignment with absorbers such as CIGS, CZTS, and Cu2O; 2) to have high transparency; 3) to have adjustable properties for use as a window or buffer layer; and 4) to be deposited using low‐cost and energy‐efficient techniques such as ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. This study focuses on modulating ZnMgO properties with the optimization of the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis and post‐annealing parameters. Optical transmission, X‐ray diffraction, and van der Pauw/Hall effect measurements are used to study the material properties. Thin films with a strong <002> preferred orientation are obtained with large crystallite size (42–80 nm), high transparency (>90%), a bandgap increase from 3.28 to 3.34 eV with magnesium composition and annealing, an optimal Urbach energy of 0.068 eV, and electrical properties modulated by magnesium composition and annealing with resistivity varying from 6.520 Ωcm down to 0.022 Ωcm and a carrier concentration from 4.8 × 1017 up to 1.4 × 1020 cm−3.
Surface Photovoltage Spectroscopy as a Valuable Tool for Evaluating Oxidation Processes in the Microelectronics Industry
Authors: Kolkovsky Vladimir
Published: June 2024

In the present study, the minority carrier diffusion length (MCDL), determined by surface photovoltage spectroscopy measurements, is compared in n‐ and p‐type Si wafers after their oxidation under different conditions using various tools (horizontal and vertical furnaces, atomic layer deposition (ALD), low‐pressure chemical vapor deposition, and plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition). It is shown that MCDL varies significantly depending on the design of furnaces, oxidation temperatures, the type of gases used before and during oxidation, and their flow ratios. The type and crystal growth method of Si wafers used for the oxidation also play a significant role and influence MCDL. Additionally, MCDL after the deposition of alumina layers using ALD techniques is found to be significantly larger compared to that observed after the thermal oxidation of Si. The larger values of MCDL after the ALD of Al2O3 are detected independent of temperature and precursors used for the deposition. The origin of different MCDL values after various oxidation processes, with an emphasis on the formation of electrically active defects in Czochralski (CZ)‐ and float‐zone (FZ)‐grown Si wafers is discussed.
Investigation on New Orthorhombic AuR (R = Ho, Tb, Y) and PdR (R = Eu,Gd,Y) Equiatomic Compounds’ Structural, Vibrational, and Thermal Properties
Authors: Ferroudj Abdelhak , Djaballah Yassine
Published: June 2024

Herein, first‐principles calculations using the planewave pseudopotential technique to assess the structural, elastic, vibrational, and thermal properties of equiatomic intermetallic consisting of rare earth elements (Eu, Gd, Ho, Y, Tb) and noble metals (Au, Pd) are used. This approach involves optimizing novel orthorhombic structures by minimizing the total energy and interatomic forces. The computed structural features for the investigated intermetallics closely align with available experimental data. By evaluating stability criteria using the derived elastic constants, this analysis verifies the stability of these intermetallics in an orthorhombic structure at zero pressure. Furthermore, various mechanical parameters are determined, including (Young's E, bulk B, shear G, Pugh's) modulus, Poisson's ratio, and anisotropy factors. These parameters are derived from the computed single‐crystal elastic constants using the Voigt–Reuss–Hill average method. This investigation delves into the relationship between temperature and variations in heat capacity at constant volume (Cv) and entropy (S), comprehensively exploring these variables.
Clustering by Contour Coreset and Variational Quantum Eigensolver
Authors: Yung Canaan , Usman Muhammad
Published: June 2024

Recent work has proposed solving the k‐means clustering problem on quantum computers via the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) and coreset techniques. Although the current method demonstrates the possibility of quantum k‐means clustering, it does not ensure high accuracy and consistency across a wide range of datasets. The existing coreset techniques are designed for classical algorithms, and there is no quantum‐tailored coreset technique designed to boost the accuracy of quantum algorithms. This study proposes solving the k‐means clustering problem with the variational quantum eigensolver (VQE) and a customized coreset method, the Contour coreset, which is formulated with a specific focus on quantum algorithms. Extensive simulations with synthetic and real‐life data demonstrated that the VQE+Contour Coreset approach outperforms existing QAOA+Coreset k‐means clustering approaches with higher accuracy and lower standard deviation. This research demonstrates that quantum‐tailored coreset techniques can remarkably boost the performance of quantum algorithms compared to generic off‐the‐shelf coreset techniques.
A case of pneumomediastinum complicating immunotherapy associated pneumonitis
Authors: Carrozzi Anthony , Chu Rex , Nigole William , Goldman Hariette , Hope Serena , Li Richard , Archis Con
Published: June 2024

We describe the case of an 87‐year‐old gentleman referred to a metropolitan hospital in Sydney with pneumomediastinum complicating immunotherapy associated pneumonitis and recent bronchoscopic intervention. The contribution of pneumonitis in the setting of interstitial lung disease has been well described to developing pneumomediastinum however this is less clear in the setting of immunotherapy associated pneumonitis and to what extent bronchoscopic intervention compounds this risk.
A multi‐arm multi‐stage platform design that allows preplanned addition of arms while still controlling the family‐wise error
Authors: Greenstreet Peter , Jaki Thomas , Bedding Alun , Harbron Chris , Mozgunov Pavel
Published: June 2024

There is growing interest in platform trials that allow for adding of new treatment arms as the trial progresses as well as being able to stop treatments part way through the trial for either lack of benefit/futility or for superiority. In some situations, platform trials need to guarantee that error rates are controlled. This paper presents a multi‐stage design, that allows additional arms to be added in a platform trial in a preplanned fashion, while still controlling the family‐wise error rate, under the assumption of known number and timing of treatments to be added, and no time trends. A method is given to compute the sample size required to achieve a desired level of power and we show how the distribution of the sample size and the expected sample size can be found. We focus on power under the least favorable configuration which is the power of finding the treatment with a clinically relevant effect out of a set of treatments while the rest have an uninteresting treatment effect. A motivating trial is presented which focuses on two settings, with the first being a set number of stages per active treatment arm and the second being a set total number of stages, with treatments that are added later getting fewer stages. Compared to Bonferroni, the savings in the total maximum sample size are modest in a trial with three arms, <1% of the total sample size. However, the savings are more substantial in trials with more arms.
Generalized single index modeling of longitudinal data with multiple binary responses
Authors: Tian Zibo , Qiu Peihua
Published: June 2024

In health and clinical research, medical indices (eg, BMI) are commonly used for monitoring and/or predicting health outcomes of interest. While single‐index modeling can be used to construct such indices, methods to use single‐index models for analyzing longitudinal data with multiple correlated binary responses are underdeveloped, although there are abundant applications with such data (eg, prediction of multiple medical conditions based on longitudinally observed disease risk factors). This article aims to fill the gap by proposing a generalized single‐index model that can incorporate multiple single indices and mixed effects for describing observed longitudinal data of multiple binary responses. Compared to the existing methods focusing on constructing marginal models for each response, the proposed method can make use of the correlation information in the observed data about different responses when estimating different single indices for predicting response variables. Estimation of the proposed model is achieved by using a local linear kernel smoothing procedure, together with methods designed specifically for estimating single‐index models and traditional methods for estimating generalized linear mixed models. Numerical studies show that the proposed method is effective in various cases considered. It is also demonstrated using a dataset from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging project.
A longitudinal study of the relationships among competency‐based teasing, positivity, and depressive symptoms in Chinese children: Highlighting gender differences
Authors: Liang Zhaoyuan , Huebner E. Scott , Shao Shan , Tian Lili
Published: June 2024

Competency‐based teasing has been identified as a risk factor for children's depressive symptoms. However, the specific psychological mechanisms mediating this relationship are not well understood, especially in the context of Chinese culture. This study examined the relationship between competency‐based teasing, subsequent depressive symptoms, and the possible mediating role of positivity in Chinese children by using parallel process latent growth curve modelling. Gender differences were also explored. A sample of 4376 Chinese children (55.1% boys; age: M = 9.98 years, SD = 0.88) completed measurements of the relevant constructs on five occasions across 2 years, using half‐year intervals. The findings revealed that competency‐based teasing was significantly positively associated with subsequent depressive symptoms in Chinese children. Furthermore, positivity mediated this relationship in girls, but not in boys. The results suggest that positivity‐cultivating and gender‐specific interventions may be effective to reduce the risk of depressive symptoms in Chinese children.
Restructuring of Palladium Nanoparticles during Oxidation by Molecular Oxygen
Authors: Usoltsev Oleg , Stoian Dragos , Skorynina Alina , Kozyr Elizaveta , Njoroge Peter N. , Pellegrini Riccardo , Groppo Elena , van Bokhoven Jeroen A. , Bugaev Aram
Published: June 2024

An interplay between Pd and PdO and their spatial distribution inside the particles are relevant for numerous catalytic reactions. Using in situ time‐resolved X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) supported by theoretical simulations, a mechanistic picture of the structural evolution of 2.3 nm palladium nanoparticles upon their exposure to molecular oxygen is provided. XAS analysis revealed the restructuring of the fcc‐like palladium surface into the 4‐coordinated structure of palladium oxide upon absorption of oxygen from the gas phase and formation of core@shell Pd@PdO structures. The reconstruction starts from the low‐coordinated sites at the edges of palladium nanoparticles. Formation of the PdO shell does not affect the average Pd‒Pd coordination numbers, since the decrease of the size of the metallic core is compensated by a more spherical shape of the oxidized nanoparticles due to a weaker interaction with the support. The metallic core is preserved below 200 °C even after continuous exposure to oxygen, with its size decreasing insignificantly upon increasing the temperature, while above 200 °C, bulk oxidation proceeds. The Pd‒Pd distances in the metallic phase progressively decrease upon increasing the fraction of the Pd oxide due to the alignment of the cell parameters of the two phases.
Bilayer Interphase for Air‐Stable and Dendrite‐Free Lithium Metal Anode Cycling in Carbonate Electrolytes
Authors: Jeon A‐Re , Han Byeol Yi , Kwon Minhyung , Yu Seung‐Ho , Chung Kyung Yoon , Shim Jimin , Lee Minah
Published: June 2024

The intrinsic reactivity of lithium (Li) toward ambient air, combined with insufficient cycling stability in conventional electrolytes, hinders the practical adoption of Li metal anodes in rechargeable batteries. Here, a bilayer interphase for Li metal is introduced to address both its susceptibility to corrosion in ambient air and its deterioration during cycling in carbonate electrolytes. Initially, the Li metal anode is coated with a conformal bottom layer of polysiloxane bearing methacrylate, followed by further grafting with poly(vinyl ethylene carbonate) (PVEC) to enhance anti‐corrosion capability and electrochemical stability. In contrast to single‐layer applications of polysiloxane or PVEC, the bilayer design offers a highly uniform coating that effectively resists humid air and prevents dendritic Li growth. Consequently, it demonstrates stable plating/stripping behavior with only a marginal increase in overpotential over 200 cycles in carbonate electrolytes, even after exposure to ambient air with 46% relative humidity. The design concept paves the way for scalable production of high‐voltage, long‐cycling Li metal batteries.
Antigravity Autonomous Superwettable Pumps for Spontaneous Separation of Oil–Water Emulsions
Authors: Wang Deqi , Huang Haikang , Min Fan , Li Yixuan , Zhou Wenting , Gao Yifeng , Xie Ganhua , Huang Zhongyuan , Dong Zhichao , Chu Zonglin
Published: June 2024

Oil–water separation based on superwettable materials offers a promising way for the treatment of oil–water mixtures and emulsions. Nevertheless, such separation techniques often require complex devices and external energy input. Therefore, it remains a great challenge to separate oil–water mixtures and emulsions through an energy‐efficient, economical, and sustainable way. Here, a novel approach demonstrating the successful separation of oil–water emulsions using antigravity‐driven autonomous superwettable pumps is presented. By transitioning from traditional gravity‐driven to antigravity‐driven separation, the study showcases the unprecedented success in purifying oil/water from emulsions by capillary/siphon‐driven superwettable autonomous pumps. These pumps, composed of self‐organized interconnected channels formed by the packing of superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic sand particles, exhibit outstanding separation flux, efficiency, and recyclability. The findings of this study not only open up a new avenue for oil–water emulsion separation but also hold promise for profound impacts in the field.
A Triboelectric‐Electromagnetic Hybrid Nanogenerator with Magnetic Coupling Assisted Waterproof Encapsulation for Long‐Lasting Energy Harvesting
Authors: Ding Shuai , Zhai Hua , Tao Xinglin , Yang Peng , Liu Zhaoqi , Qin Siyao , Hong Zhanyong , Chen Xiangyu , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: June 2024

Ocean energy harvesting based on a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has great application potential, while the encapsulation of triboelectric devices in water poses a critical issue. Herein, a triboelectric–electromagnetic hybrid nanogenerator (TE‐HNG) consisting of TENGs and electromagnetic generators (EMGs) is proposed to harvest water flow energy. A magnetic coupling transmission component is applied to replace traditional bearing structures, which can realize the fully enclosed packaging of the TENG devices and achieve long‐lasting energy harvesting from water flow. Under the intense water impact, magnetic coupling reduces the possibility of internal gear damage due to excessive torque, indicating superior stability and robustness compared to conventional TENG. At the waterwheel rotates speed of 75 rpm, the TE‐HNG can generate an output peak power of 114.83 mW, corresponding to a peak power density of 37.105 W m−3. After 5 h of continuous operation, the electrical output attenuation of TENG is less than 3%, demonstrating excellent device durability. Moreover, a self‐powered temperature sensing system and a self‐powered cathodic protection system based on the TE‐HNG are developed and illustrated. This work provides a prospective strategy for improving the output stability of TENGs, which benefits the practical applications of the TENGs in large‐scale blue energy harvesting.
Polymeric Cholesteric Superhelix Induced by Chiral Helical Polymer for Achieving Full‐Color Circularly Polarized Room‐Temperature Phosphorescence with Ultra‐High Dissymmetry Factor
Authors: Wang Xujie , Yang Kai , Zhao Biao , Deng Jianping
Published: June 2024

Circularly polarized room‐temperature phosphorescence (CPRTP) simultaneously featuring multiple colors and extremely high dissymmetry factor (glum) is crucial for increasing the complexity of optical characteristics and advancing further development, but such a type of CPRTP is still unprecedented. The present work develops an effective and universal strategy to achieve full‐color CPRTP with ultra‐high glum factors in a polymeric cholesteric superhelix network, which is constructed by cholesteric liquid crystal polymer and chiral helical polymer (CHP). Taking advantage of the high helical twisting power of CHP, the resulting polymeric cholesteric superhelix network exhibits remarkable optical activity. Significantly, by adopting a simple double‐layered architectures consisting of the cholesteric superhelix film and phosphorescent films, blue‐, green‐, yellow‐, and red‐CPRTP emissions are successfully obtained, with maximum |glum| values up to 1.43, 1.39, 1.09 and 0.84, respectively. Further, a multilevel information encryption application is demonstrated based on the multidimensional optical characteristics of the full‐color double‐layered CPRTP architectures. This study offers new insights into fabricating polymeric cholesteric superhelix with considerable CPRTP performance in advanced photonic applications.
Assessment of PD‐L1 Expression in Non‐Small Cell Lung Cancers Using [68Ga]Ga‐DOTA‐WL12 PET/CT
Authors: Wu Yanfei , Xu Dong , Gu Yue , Li Guanglei , Wang Hao , Cao Min , Wei Weijun , Wan Posum , Guan Yihui , Chen Xiaofeng , Xie Fang
Published: June 2024

Assessing programmed death ligand‐1 (PD‐L1) expression in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), particularly in metastatic cases, remains challenging. In this study, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis and [68Ga]Ga‐DOTA‐WL12 micro‐PET/CT imaging are performed. [68Ga]Ga‐DOTA‐WL12 PET/CT and [18F]FDG PET/CT are performed on a cohort of 20 patients with NSCLC. Semi‐quantitative assessments include SUVmax, metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), and target‐to‐background ratio (TBR). DOTA‐WL12 exhibits robust PD‐L1 binding with a KD value of 0.2 nM. Subsequent human studies reveal significant correlations between PD‐L1 expression and the [68Ga]Ga‐DOTA‐WL12 SUVmax in primary and metastatic lesions, surpassing the [18F]FDG results (r = 0.8889, p <0.0001 vs r = 0.0469, p = 0.8127). Notably, [68Ga]Ga‐DOTA‐WL12 imaging discerned SUVmax and TBR differences between PD‐L1 TPS ≤1% and PD‐L1 TPS > 1% groups (p all <0.001). In an NSCLC patient with brain metastases, [68Ga]Ga‐DOTA‐WL12 shows a SUVmean of 0.04 in the brain background, with TBR values of 17 and 23, underscoring its potential for detecting brain metastases. The study provides initial evidence for the clinical utility of [68Ga]Ga‐DOTA‐WL12 PET/CT for lesion detection, immunotherapy selection, and therapeutic efficacy evaluation in PD‐L1‐expressing NSCLC, demonstrating its potential as a valuable tool in NSCLC research and management.
Magnetically Guided Theranostics: Novel Nanotubular Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast System Using Halloysite Nanotubes Embedded with Iron–Platinum Nanoparticles for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treatment
Authors: Chan Ming‐Hsien , Lee Chi‐Yu , Li Chien‐Hsiu , Chang Yu‐Chan , Wei Da‐Hua , Hsiao Michael
Published: June 2024

Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) have a layered structure of clay silicate minerals and a tubular shape, which is suitable for the uniform loading of small substrates and drug molecules. The inner diameter of HNTs with an acidic solvent is selectively etched to increase the loading capacity of magnetic iron–platinum (FePt) nanoparticles. The FePt nanoparticles and etched HNTs (eHNT) are then composited by vacuum decompression. The resulting product is named FePt@eHNT and is used as a contrast agent for T2‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging. According to a comprehensive analysis of the material and its magnetic properties, by adding different proportions of HNTs before and after modification, the saturation magnetization can reach 23.769 emu g−1, which is higher than that of the composite materials studied in previous studies. This is because the tubular structure promotes the orderly displacement of the FePt nanoparticles under three‐dimensional space constraints and the uniform effect of the magnetic field. In addition, the magnetothermal effect of the composite material is observed and its potential as an imaging agent is investigated. In this study, the enhancement of its ferromagnetism and its potential to become a multifunctional composite material for applications in drug delivery, magnetic hyperthermia, and bioimaging is demonstrated.
The Apocynaceae TEN (Taxonomic Expert Network)
Authors: Liede‐Schumann Sigrid
Published: June 2024

Using the Apocynaceae as an example, the present paper demonstrates how the new tool Rhakhis highlights taxonomic problems in a large vascular plant family and, at the same time, invites specialists in the family to solve these problems with the aim of producing an up‐to‐date taxonomy. This taxonomy can then be used to estimate species and genus numbers, thus approaching the goal of completing our picture of the diversity surrounding us and providing a solid basis for science and conservation. The most recent estimates for genus and species number in the Apocynaceae are provided.
My most intense years: An autoethnographic analysis of language teacher identities and emotions of one dissertating (adjunct) language instructor
Authors: Anderson Roger W.
Published: June 2024

Revisiting his dissertation journal, the author undertook an autoethnographic study of that period in his life. As a full‐time student within a U.S. research university, he had funded his studies by teaching international teaching assistants and undergraduates learning French and Arabic. In this study, he used inductive analysis to explore his language teacher identity (De Costa & Norton, 2017) and language teacher emotion (Han et al., 2023). Three identities and two emotions emerged: a challenged time manager (1) and an aspiring professional instructor (2), and the related emotions of pride in observing his former students and efficacy in bridging his teaching undergraduates and grad students. Nonetheless, managing these roles sensitized him to (adjunct) coworkers' cynicism. He started to become a cynic (3), bringing emotion labor (Benesch & Prior, 2023). Findings confirmed language teacher emotion as relational and conjoined to language teacher identity. This study urges the field of Applied Linguistics to rectify its past omissions by acknowledging today's “invisible practitioners”: adjuncted language instructors.
Groundwater health risk assessment of North China Plain based on Monte Carlo model sensitivity analysis and morphological analysis: A case study of Shijiazhuang City
Authors: You Di , Zhou Yahong , Wang Bin , Li Kunyuan , Chang Ji Xuan , Lu Changyu
Published: June 2024

The rapid development of the social economy and the influence of human activities can lead to aggravated groundwater pollution. Groundwater safety is the premise of residents' health. Therefore, studying the sustainable utilization and health risks of groundwater quality is important. The groundwater quality and potential health risks were evaluated in the Shijiazhuang area, which is located in the North China Plain in this paper. Based on 159 groundwater samples collected in the study area, the potential health risks of As, Cr6+, Ni, Pb, F−, and NO3− to humans were evaluated from oral and skin contact. Results of the human health risk assessment showed that the average carcinogenic risk and non‐carcinogenic risk of children are higher than those of adults. According to the spatial distribution of the total risk value, adults and children in the southwest of the study area face higher risks. Because of the uncertainty of USEPA, Monte Carlo simulation was used to calculate the probability of health risk assessment and prioritization of contaminant treatment. The results of the Monte Carlo simulation showed that the acceptable range for children is 6.82%, and the acceptable range for adults is 18.07%. According to the HRWM model, carcinogenic pollutants mainly include As, Cr6+, and Ni. The most important chemical species of As is HAsO42−, followed by H2AsO4−. Similarly, CrO42− and Ni2+ are the main forms of Cr6+ and Ni. The results of this study can provide data support for the protection and management of groundwater quality in the North China Plain.

Practitioner Points

Children are more susceptible to carcinogenic risk than adults.

After calculation, the main influencing elements are Ni and Cr.

Metal morphology analysis was carried out, and the results showed that HAsO42−, CrO42−, and Ni2+ were the main types.
Propagation of elastic waves in fibrous composite with general anisotropy from two families of obliquely inclined fibers
Authors: Sharma M. D.
Published: June 2024

An isotropic elastic solid reinforced with two families of aligned fibres behaves anisotropic to any deformation. For arbitrary orientation of fibres in either family, one set of fibres may be inclined obliquely to the aligned fibres in other family. A plane that contains the two families of aligned fibres becomes the plane of symmetry for composite material to exhibit monoclinic anisotropy. For this fibrous anisotropy, a fourth‐order elastic tensor is derived to define the constitutive relations between stress tensor and strain tensor. Components of this elastic tensor involve two Lame's moduli, eight fibroelastic coefficients and the angular deviation between two obliquely inclined fibre‐families. The velocities of bulk waves are calculated for propagation along general direction in this anisotropic composite. Propagation of surface wave is considered along the stress‐free plane boundary of anisotropic elastic half‐space. In a coordinate system with coordinate planes deviating from the plane boundary of the medium and/or plane of anisotropic symmetry, the fibrous composite is treated as triclinic for mathematical convenience. Mathematical model is derived to calculate the phase velocity of the surface wave, which varies with direction on the plane boundary. Horizontal energy flux at the boundary is calculated to determine the group velocity and ray direction of the surface wave. Effects of fibre‐orientations are analysed, numerically, on the wave velocities and ray direction of surface wave.
On Emotions, Politics and Political Symbols
Authors: Tokdoğan Nagehan
Published: June 2024

This chapter presents a theoretical discussion on the relationship between politics, emotions, and symbols. It describes the intellectual and historical background of the modern tendency in the political science literature to ignore the role of emotion in politics, which was considered an integral phenomenon in classical texts of political philosophy. Based on the claim that emotions are both collective and individual phenomena, this chapter opens the door to a new understanding of emotions in politics and makes it possible to adopt an epistemological position that enables us to deal with the crucial relationship between politics and emotions.