bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Therapist engagement in measurement‐based care: The association between client outcomes and therapist viewing frequency
Authors: Bugatti Matteo , Owen Jesse , Richardson Zachary , Rasmussen Wendy , Newton Douglas
Published: December 2023

Engagement in measurement‐based care (MBC) has been shown to be an effective practice for optimizing psychotherapy outcomes. Best practices for MBC suggest that it is crucial for therapists to consistently review scores. However, the exact impact of this practice on MBC's effectiveness has yet to be fully elucidated. The current study examined the association between the frequency of therapists reviewing clients' depression scores and client psychotherapy outcomes. The sample consisted of 6182 clients diagnosed with depression who sought treatment from 2248 therapists through a practice research group. Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9) was administered prior to sessions, and therapists could access the scores via their therapist portal. The results based on multilevel modelling revealed that how often therapists view their clients' PHQ‐9 results was not a significant predictor of therapy outcomes. However, therapists who, across their caseloads, viewed client PHQ‐9 scores more frequently facilitated better treatment outcomes. These results suggest that therapists who routinely engage in MBC facilitate better therapy outcomes. Implications for practice and research are provided.
circRARS synergises with IGF2BP3 to regulate RNA methylation recognition to promote tumour progression in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Liu Yuenan , Chen Kailei , Shou Yi , Li Sen , Wang Jun , Zhang Qingyang , Huang Ziwei , Xu Jiaju , Li Mingfeng , Liu Di , Liang Huageng , Yang Hongmei , Zhang Xiaoping
Published: December 2023

As the most prominent RNA modification, N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) participates in the regulation of tumour initiation and progression. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) also play crucial roles in ubiquitous life processes. Whether circRNAs are required for m6A regulation in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains unclear. Meta‐analysis and bioinformatics identified that IGF2BP3 was upregulated in RCC and indicated a worse prognosis. IGF2BP3 significantly promoted RCC progression in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, circRARS bound to KH1–KH2 domains of IGF2BP3 to enhance m6A modification recognition. A 12‐nt sequence (GUCUUCCAGCAA) was proven to be the IGF2BP3‐binding site of circRARS. Additionally, CAPN15, CD44, HMGA2, TNRC6A and ZMIZ2 were screened to be the target genes regulated by the IGF2BP3/circRARS complex in an m6A‐dependent manner. Stabiliser proteins, including HuR, Matrin3 and pAbPC1, were recruited by circRARS, thereby increasing the mRNA stability of the forementioned five target genes. Consequently, the IGF2BP3/circRARS complex facilitated the lipid accumulation of RCC cells and promoted sunitinib resistance via target genes. circRARS synergised with IGF2BP3 to facilitate m6A recognition, thereby promoting RCC progression. Thus, IGF2BP3 could be a potential biomarker for RCC diagnosis and prognosis and a therapeutic target.
Exploring the potential of radiolabeled duramycin as an infection imaging probe
Authors: Kumar Anuj , Mitra Jyotsna Bhatt , Khatoon Elina , Pramanik Aparna , Sharma Rohit K. , Chandak Ashok , Rakshit Sutapa , Mukherjee Archana
Published: December 2023

The continuous pursuit of designing an ideal infection imaging agent is a crucial and ongoing endeavor in the field of biomedical research. Duramycin, an antimicrobial peptide exerts its antimicrobial action on bacteria by specific recognition of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) moiety present on most bacterial membranes, particularly Escherichia coli (E. coli). E. coli membranes contain more than 60% PE. Therefore, duramycin is an attractive candidate for the formulation of probes for in situ visualization of E. coli driven focal infections. The aim of the present study is to develop 99mTc labeled duramycin as a single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)‐based agent to image such infections. Duramycin was successfully conjugated with a bifunctional chelator, hydrazinonicotinamide (HYNIC). PE specificity of HYNIC‐duramycin was confirmed by a dye release assay on PE‐containing model membranes. Radiolabeling of HYNIC–duramycin with 99mTc was performed with consistently high radiochemical yield (>90%) and radiochemical purity (>90%). [99mTc]Tc‐HYNIC‐duramycin retained its specificity for E. coli, in vitro. SPECT and biodistribution studies showed that the tracer could specifically identify E. coli driven infection at 3 h post injection. While 99mTc‐labeled duramycin is employed for monitoring early response to cancer therapy and cardiotoxicity, the current studies have confirmed, for the first time, the potential of utilizing 99mTc labeled duramycin as an imaging agent for detecting bacteria. Its application in imaging PE‐positive bacteria represents a novel and promising advancement.
Performance evaluation and optimization of solar dish concentrator in the upper Egypt region
Authors: Mohammed Ahmed H. , Shmroukh Ahmed N. , Ghazaly Nouby M. , Kabeel Abd Elnaby
Published: December 2023

The goal of this study is to optimize and examine the effect of different rim angles and focus lengths on the performance of a solar parabolic dish. To achieve these goals, a solar parabolic dish concentrator was constructed with different focus point positions and tested under the climatic conditions of the Upper Egypt region in Qena city, with the location of (Latitude: 26.16°, Longitude: 32.71°). The preliminary experimental days started on 18th and lasted on 20th of September 2022, and the tested rim angles were 70°, 80°, and 60°. The results showed that the performance of the proposed solar parabolic dish concentrator was enhanced when the rim angle was between 60° and 70°, otherwise, the performance was regressed when the rim angle was between 70° and 80°. To optimize the rim angle, another available rim angle was selected to increase the performance of the solar dish fixed at 65°, and this angle was tested on 21st of September 2022. The results demonstrated that the thermal efficiency of the solar parabolic dish with rim angle of 65° was higher than that of 70°, 80°, and 60°, and the recorded thermal efficiency reached up to 79.5%, 39.4%, 5.84%, and 28.4%, respectively, under the tested rim angles.
Energy, exergy, economic, exergoeconomic, exergoenvironment, and enviroeconomic (6E) analysis of solar stills—A critical review
Authors: Maurya Ashish , Kumar Ravinder , Gupta Aveek , Ahmadi Mohammad Hossein , Al‐Bahrani Mohammed
Published: December 2023

Drinking water is a crucial need for human survival and solar stills (SSs) have emerged as a cost‐effective solution to meet this need from an economic point of view. In this work, the working of various SSs, their productivity factors, and various devices that can be integrated to improve their efficiency have been studied. The conversion of saline water into freshwater water using SSs has the potential to address the issue of drinking water. This study highlights the importance of SSs as a viable and sustainable solution for drinking water access. On the basis of various parameters correlating to the performance of the SSs, energy, exergy, economics, exergoeconomics, exergoenvironment, and enviroeconomics analysis has been analyzed in this study. To improve the performance and sustainability of SSs, various combinations were studied. These combinations include SSs with different nanoparticle coatings, phase‐change materials, photovoltaic modules, external condensers, wick materials, and reflectors. It is concluded that a comprehensive framework that integrates thermodynamic, economic, and environmental criteria can guide the development of more efficient and sustainable SS technologies.
Fabricating Quasiperiodic Tilings with Thermal‐Scanning Probe Lithography
Authors: Chandler Liam , Barker Oliver J. , Wright Alexander J. , O'Brien Liam , Coates Sam , McGrath Ronan , Lifshitz Ron , Sharma Hem Raj
Published: December 2023

We outline an approach to fabricate nanoscale artificial quasiperiodic tilings with thermal‐scanning probe lithography. Quasiperiodic tilings such as the Ammann‐Beenker, Square Fibonacci tiling, and Penrose are fabricated and imaged with thermal‐conductance feedback microscopy, followed by electron microscopy. The design implementation, chemical, and physical challenges involved in fabricating such artificial systems using nanolithography are discussed. Additionally, the potential applications of fabricated quasiperiodic tilings are explored.
U.S. economic uncertainty shocks and extreme capital flows episodes: An empirical analysis of emerging and developing economies
Authors: Du Xinqian , Pu Tian
Published: December 2023

We use the two‐way fixed‐effect panel logit model to examine the impact of U.S. economic uncertainty shocks on the probability of extreme capital flow episodes based on quarterly data from 71 emerging and developing economies from 1998Q1 to 2022Q4. According to the findings, U.S. economic uncertainty shocks has a negative effect on the probability of gross capital surges, gross capital flight, and net capital surges, and has a positive effect on the probability of gross capital sudden stops, gross capital retrenchment, and net capital sudden stops. Moreover, we find differences in the factors affecting net and gross capital flows, which are usually more closely related to earnings factors dominated by real economic growth rates. Additionally, the sample's heterogeneity is analysed in accordance with the exchange rate regimes. Our results differ from traditional views, as floating exchange rates do not act as a buffer against extreme capital flows. Finally, capital flows are classified into direct investment, other investment, and portfolio investment, and it is found that U.S. economic uncertainty shocks have a significant impact on the extreme flow episodes of other and portfolio investment.
Time‐varying causality between investor sentiment and oil price: Does uncertainty matter?
Authors: Nakhli Mohamed Sahbi , Mokni Khaled , Youssef Manel
Published: December 2023

While the oil market‐investors sentiment (IS) has been considerably investigated, almost all studies have focused on the assumption of a constant relationship, and no attention has been given to the causality analysis in a time‐varying approach. To fill this gap, this study investigates the predictive power between IS and oil price based on a time‐varying Granger causality test. Using data over the period 1987–2020, we find evidence of significant bidirectional asymmetric time‐varying causal influences between investor sentiment and oil prices, suggesting that oil prices may predict investor sentiment and vice versa. Besides, the results suggest that bearish (bullish) investor sentiment has positive (negative) influences on oil prices during major economic and political events. In contrast, oil price exerts an influence on the sentiment which switches between positive and negative from one period to another. Further analysis shows that uncertainty related to the oil and equity markets can be a driver of the predictive power of oil prices on the bearish IS.
Clinical applications of fibroblast activation protein‐targeted theranostics in oncologic and nononcologic disease: Current status and future directions
Authors: Fu Hao , Guo Wei , Huang Jingxiong , Wu Hua , Chen Haojun
Published: December 2023

Quinoline‐based fibroblast activation protein (FAP) inhibitor (FAPI)‐based positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and radioligand therapy (RLT) are being investigated for use in a wide variety of diseases, and recent results have been promising. This review summarizes the current status of FAPI radiopharmaceuticals in PET imaging of malignant tumors and benign conditions and compares their diagnostic efficacy with 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose. In addition, we summarize the previously published FAP‐targeted RLT data and discuss its current clinical use and future potential. Our qualitative summary can inform future research directions, medical guidelines, and optimal clinical decision‐making.
HbA1c of 5.8% or higher as the most useful indicator for recommendation of ultrasonography to detect nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Tatsuta Miwa , Ono Masafumi , Kimura Shungo , Zuigyo Kaori , Sato Yudai , Tomida Akemi , Kobayashi Mitsuyoshi , Yoshikawa Ritsuko , Murao Satoshi , Tani Joji , Morishita Asahiro , Kobara Hideki , Himoto Takashi , Maeta Tsuyoshi , Mori Yoshihiro , Kohi Fumikazu , Masaki Tsutomu
Published: December 2023

Background and Aim

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely associated with metabolic syndrome. This study was performed to examine the association between NAFLD and each factor of metabolic syndrome and to identify the factors that are most strongly associated with NAFLD in participants undergoing health checkups.

Methods

We studied 6538 participants who underwent a health checkup from 2017 to 2018 in our institution. Participants with alcohol intake exceeding 20 g/day or with other chronic liver diseases were excluded. Fatty liver was detected by ultrasonography.

Results

In total, 4310 participants were enrolled, and 28.4% had fatty liver (NAFLD). The prevalence of NAFLD was highest in the diabetes mellitus (DM)‐only group than in the dyslipidemia‐only or hypertension‐only group. The DM‐only group was the only group whose prevalence of NAFLD was >50% in the overall study and in males. The prevalence of NAFLD was higher in males than in females in the DM‐only, hypertension‐only, and dyslipidemia‐only groups. The prevalence of NAFLD was >70% in the dyslipidemia and DM combined group. Multivariate analysis showed that gender and HbA1c were the independent factors most strongly associated with NAFLD. The cutoff value for HbA1c by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was 5.8% (sensitivity, 57.9%; specificity, 72.6%; area under the curve, 0.70).

Conclusion

NAFLD was most strongly associated with DM, among the various components of metabolic syndrome. We strongly recommend abdominal ultrasonography to detect NAFLD in patients with an HbA1c of ≥5.8% in general practice and during health checkups.
Shatianyu dietary fiber (Citrus grandis L. Osbeck) promotes the production of active metabolites from its flavonoids during in vitro colonic fermentation
Authors: Deng Mei , Ye Jiamin , Zhang Ruifen , Zhang Shuai , Dong Lihong , Huang Fei , Jia Xuchao , Su Dongxiao , Ma Qin , Zhao Dong , Zhang Mingwei
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

Recent studies reveal that dietary fiber (DF) might play a critical role in the metabolism and bioactivity of flavonoids by regulating gut microbiota. We previously found that Shatianyu (Citrus grandis L. Osbeck) pulp was rich in flavonoids and DF, and Shatianyu pulp flavonoid extracts (SPFEs) were dominated by melitidin, obviously different from other citrus flavonoids dominated by naringin. The effects of Shatianyu pulp DF (SPDF) on the microbial metabolism and bioactivity of SPFEs is unknown.

RESULTS

An in vitro colonic fermentation model was used to explore the effects of SPDF on the microbial metabolism and antioxidant activity of SPFEs in the present study. At the beginning of fermentation, SPDF promoted the microbial degradation of SPFEs. After 24 h‐fermentation, the supplemented SPFEs were almost all degraded in SPFEs group, and the main metabolites detected were the dehydrogenation, hydroxylation and acetylation products of naringenin, the aglycone of the major SPFEs components. However, when SPFEs fermented with SPDF for 24 h, 60.7% of flavonoid compounds were retained, and SPFEs were mainly transformed to the ring fission metabolites, such as 3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid, 3‐phenylpropionic acid and 3‐(3‐hydroxy‐phenyl) propionic acid. The fermentation metabolites of SPFEs showed stronger antioxidant activity than the original ones, with a further increase in SPDF supplemented group. Furthermore, SPFEs enriched microbiota participating in the deglycosylation and dehydrogenation of flavonoids, while co‐supplementation of SPDF and SPFEs witnessed the bloom of Lactobacillaceae and Lactobacillus, contributing to the deglycosylation and ring fission of flavonoids.

CONCLUSION

SDPF promote SPFEs to transform to active metabolites probably by regulating gut microbiota. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Patterning of RAFT Polymer Networks by Laser Deactivation
Authors: Bainbridge Chris William Anderson , Neradt Max , Avzalova Albina , Broderick Neil , Jin Jianyong
Published: December 2023

Reversible addition‐fragmentation chain‐transfer (RAFT) polymer networks grow in interest due to their living and tunable characteristics. An essential step toward exploiting these characteristics is the production of precise patterns for growth. Herein, a novel, straightforward strategy to produce patterns to control growth on RAFT‐based living polymer networks (LPNs) is presented. A 405 nm laser is used to degrade the RAFT agents in selected regions, generating a pattern. This occurs through homolytic photocleavage at the C─S bond, leading to the typical RAFT equilibrium state with the R‐group radical and a thiyl radical species, followed by irreversible loss of CS2 to produce a Z‐group derived thiol. Using this technique, both “on/off” patterns and more detailed greyscale patterns are produced using images of varying complexity. Post production growth then shows that these patterns are visually retained after iniferter growth with a fluorescent monomer. Due to the deactivation of selected RAFT agents, the authors are able to perform discriminate growth with network‐wide irradiation. This selective degradation technique serves as an alternative technique for producing patterns on RAFT LPNs.
Spatio‐temporal risk analysis of agriculture and meteorological droughts in rainfed Potohar, Pakistan, using remote sensing and geospatial techniques
Authors: Goheer Muhammad Arif , Aftab Bibi , Farah Humera , Hassan Sher Shah
Published: December 2023

Droughts of various types are considered as a major threat to rainfed agriculture, because agricultural production is dependent on the spatio‐temporal distribution of rainfall. The rainfed regions of Pakistan, such as Potohar, have experienced several instances of drought since 2000. The most drought‐affected staple crop of the region is wheat, which ultimately affects regional food security. In this study, we examine the agricultural and the meteorological droughts in the Potohar region during 2000–2020, to create a drought risk map. This region comprises four districts, namely Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum and Rawalpindi. First, the agricultural and meteorological drought severity maps were created using rainfall data (meteorological data) and vegetation indices for three different periods (i.e., drought year, moderate drought year and normal year). The agricultural drought patterns and intensity were identified and evaluated using the MODIS products MOD09A1 and MOD11A2, while the meteorological droughts were identified using CHRIPS rainfall data. Afterwards, a combined drought risk map was generated by integrating the agricultural and meteorological adrought severity maps using a weighted overlay analysis. This drought risk map showed that Attock and Rawalpindi were expeiencing slight to no drought conditions, whereas the southwestern and central parts of Chakwal showed moderate drought conditions. Similarly, the western parts of Jhelum faced moderate drought conditions. Thus, the combined drought risk map may be a useful guide for decision makers in the local and provincial government. Using this map, they can identify adaptation practices in the drought‐prone areas of this region for enhancing agricultural productivity.
High‐throughput experimental techniques for corrosion research: A review
Authors: Ren Chenhao , Ma Lingwei , Zhang Dawei , Li Xiaogang , Mol Arjan
Published: December 2023

High‐throughput experimental techniques can accelerate and economize corrosion evaluation, and thus, have great potential in the development of new materials for corrosion protection such as corrosion‐resistant metals, corrosion inhibitors, and anticorrosion coatings. This concise review highlights high‐throughput experimental techniques that have been recently applied for corrosion research, including (i) the high‐throughput preparation of metal samples in the form of thin films or bulk materials, (ii) high‐throughput experiments based on corrosive solutions with independent or gradient parameters, (iii) high‐throughput evaluation of changes in physicochemical properties, and (iv) high‐throughput corrosion evaluation by electrochemical methods. To advance automated and intelligent corrosion research, future directions for the development of the high‐throughput corrosion experimental and characterization techniques are also discussed.
Evaluating methods of detecting and determining the type of urinary incontinence in adults after stroke: A systematic review
Authors: Gordon Clare , Davidson Catherine Emma , Roffe Christine , Clegg Andrew , Booth Joanne , Lightbody Catherine Elizabeth , Harris Catherine , Sohani Amin , Watkins Caroline
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Urinary incontinence (UI) affects over half of people with stroke. It is unclear which methods are accurate in assessing presence and type of UI to inform clinical management. Diagnosis of UI based on inaccurate methods may lead to unnecessary interventions. The aims of this systematic review were to identify, for adults with stroke, clinically accurate methods to determine the presence of UI and type of UI.

Method

We searched seven electronic databases and additional conference proceedings. To be included, studies had to be primary research comparing two or more methods, or use a reference test.

Results

We identified 3846 studies with eight eligible for inclusion. We identified 11 assessment methods within the eight studies. Only five studies had sufficient comparator data for synthesis. Due to heterogeneity of data, results on the following methods were narratively synthesized: Core Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Score (CLSS), clinical history and physical examination, Barthel Activities of Daily Living Index, International Consultation Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICiQ‐SF) and urodynamic studies (UDS). Most studies were small and of low to medium quality. All reported differences in sensitivity, and none compared the same assessment methods.

Conclusion

Current evidence is insufficient to support recommendations on the most accurate UI assessment for adults with stroke. Further research is needed.
Evaluation of new treatments for benign prostatic obstruction: ICI‐RS 2023
Authors: Hashim Hashim , Tarcan Tufan , Acar Omer , Malde Sachin , Wein Alan , Abrams Paul
Published: December 2023

Aims

To address how invasive therapies for benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) have been evaluated, what their effect is on BPO, if they can prevent progression to BPO and how new therapies need to be evaluated before implementation into clinical practice.

Methods

The think tank conducted a literature review and looked at the previous and current American Urological Association, European Association of Urology and the International Consultation on Urological Diseases guidelines to see what procedures have been used to treat BPO. They then assessed whether trials have been conducted before implementation of the procedures and whether they have been compared to a “gold” standard treatment. The use of urodynamics has also been addressed in the think tank in relation the clinical trials as well as terminology.

Results

Guidelines vary in the use of terminology when it comes to BPO with some continuing to use the term benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). There are several procedures for example, TUNA, which have become obsolete although continues to be mentioned in the guidelines until recently. Majority of procedures have been introduced without comparing to “gold” standard treatment and without any long‐term data. There continues to be many unknowns with regard to the success of some of the BPO procedures and why some of the adverse events develop.

Conclusion

There needs to be more robust long‐term clinical trials conducted of new BPO therapies, with men who have both lower urinary tract symptoms and urinary retention, before introduction into clinical practice.
The effects of one‐time soft tissue therapy on pelvic floor muscle electromyographic signals in women with urinary incontinence: A randomized intervention trial
Authors: Kasper‐Jędrzejewska Martyna , Starzec‐Proserpio Małgorzata , Paprocka‐Borowicz Małgorzata , Kawka Szymon , Halski Tomasz , Ptaszkowski Kuba
Published: December 2023

Aims

To investigate the effects of one‐time soft tissue therapy (STT) on pelvic floor muscle (PFM) electromyographic signals in women with stress and/or mixed urinary incontinence.

Methods

An intervention study conducted with 63 women with stress and/or mixed urinary incontinence. Participants were randomly assigned to either the one‐time STT group (experimental group) or the control group. The same teaching model for voluntary contraction and relaxation of the PFM was used for all participants. Electromyographic signals from the PFM during functional tasks were the primary clinical outcome measures at baseline and immediately after the intervention. Electromyographic signals were analyzed using root mean square amplitude.

Results

There was no significant difference between groups in electromyographic PFM signals in prebaseline rest (mean difference: −0.146 [95% confidence interval (CI): −0.44 to 0.148; p = 0.470]), phasic contractions (mean difference: 0.807 [95% CI: 0.123–1.491; p = 0.459]), tonic contractions (mean difference: 1.06 [95% CI: 0.255–1.865; p = 0.302]), endurance contractions (mean difference: 0.896 [95% CI: 0.057–1.735; p = 0.352]) and postbaseline rest (mean difference: −0.123 [95% CI: −0.406 to 0.16; p = 0.591]) immediately after the one‐time STT intervention.

Conclusion

A one‐time STT intervention does not appear to effectively alter electromyographic signal of the PFM in women with urinary incontinence. Due to the limitations of the study, further research is needed to confirm these results.
Distributed model predictive control based on the alternating directions method of multipliers applied to voltage and frequency control in power systems
Authors: Göbel Jens , Mendes Paulo Renato Da Costa , Wirsen Andreas , Damm Tobias
Published: December 2023

We present a straightforward way to solve a model predictive control problem for a power network system given as a nonlinear differential‐algebraic equation (DAE) in a distributed way using the consensus alternating directions method of multipliers (consensus ADMM) algorithm. While no convergence‐ or stability results are available for fully nonlinear DAE models, this gives unprecedented experimental evidence that power network systems of the presented structure allow to be controlled in this way, unlocking the numerous combined advantages of distributed and predictive control schemes in the context of energy distribution networks, as well as broadening the field of use for the consensus ADMM algorithm to nonlinear DAE models.
Giant anteaters as bad omens: Determinants and implications of wildlife superstitions
Authors: Catapani Mariana L. , Desbiez Arnaud L. J. , Morsello Carla
Published: December 2023

Superstitious beliefs threaten wildlife species, yet they have received limited attention in the scientific literature.

Through a mixed‐method approach, including 259 face‐to‐face interviews, we explored the factors influencing superstitions about giant anteaters in the Brazilian Pantanal and their implications for both people and the species.

Our results indicated that bad omen superstitions about giant anteaters could be explained by the psychological discomfort felt from the species' peculiarities, social influence, misconceptions about their biology and behaviour, and the frequency of the species' sightings. Age, gender and schooling did not influence superstitious adherence.

Interviewees holding superstitious beliefs of bad luck reported worry, distress and anxiety in trigger situations. Most engage in superstitious behaviours to ward off bad luck. While some acts were harmless, others threatened people and giant anteaters.

By explaining misconceptions and demystifying unique species characteristics that evoke psychological discomfort, conservationists might foster better coexistence between people and species historically associated with misfortune.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Research on the influencing factors of hysteresis heat of rubber roller in battery pole piece calendering
Authors: He Hong , Xing Yu , Yan Ruichen , Li Fanzhu
Published: December 2023

The calendering process of pole piece is a key step affecting the performance of the power battery. In the calendaring process, rubber roller materials will produce hysteresis heat, resulting in rolling resistance, which will lead to energy loss. The thermo‐mechanical coupling model for calendering rubber roller has been established and the effects of materials, calendering speeds, and roller structure shape on the viscoelastic temperature rise of rubber roller were analyzed. Solution‐polymerized styrene–butadiene rubber (SSBR) materials with different fillers have the greatest impact on temperature rise, followed by the roller shape, and calendering speed is smaller. The loss modulus of SSBR filled with white carbon black studied was smaller, and the temperature rise at high speed was 14.5°C higher than that at low speed. The optimized roller shape has a temperature rise of 10.4°C lower than the original shape. The research results could provide reference for the calendering rubber roller design of pole piece and similar processing.

Highlights

A thermo‐mechanical coupling model of calendering rubber roller was established.

The rubber roller made of SSBR‐VN3 has a lower temperature rise.

Optimized structure reduced contact pressure by 28.1% and temperature rise by 10.4°C.
Prostatectomy postoperative urinary incontinence: From origin to treatment
Authors: Jing Quan , Gu Jijia , Li Ziwei , Sun Xuan , Chen Qiuyang , Li Shanhong , Xu Weizhang
Published: December 2023

Prostate cancer is a common malignant tumor at present, and there are still adverse reactions after radical prostatectomy. As many as 30% of patients complain of urinary incontinence (UI). This review begins with the pathophysiological basis of post‐prostatectomy urinary incontinence (PPUI) and describes the maintenance of normal urine control function, anatomical changes, and urodynamic maintenance of PPUI. Then, we talk about the various influencing factors of UI, for example, the differences caused by the basic condition of the patient, the length of the membranous urinary tract, the level of prostate‐specific antigen before operation, the method and technique of operation, and so on. Last, we introduce all kinds of treatments of PPUI in detail. It includes noninvasive conservative treatment, traditional surgical treatment, emerging stem cell therapy treatment, and postoperative psychotherapy of PPUI. The present situation of the treatment of UI after prostatectomy is summarized, and the prospect of the technology is put forward.
A significance score for protein–protein interaction models through random docking
Authors: McCoy Katherine Maia , Ackerman Margaret E. , Grigoryan Gevorg
Published: December 2023

Comparing accuracies of structural protein–protein interaction (PPI) models for different complexes on an absolute scale is a challenge, requiring normalization of scores across structures of different sizes and shapes. To help address this challenge, we have developed a statistical significance metric for docking models, called random‐docking (RD) p‐value. This score evaluates a PPI model based on how likely a random docking process is to produce a model of better or equal accuracy. The binding partners are randomly docked against each other a large number of times, and the probability of sampling a model of equal or greater accuracy from this reference distribution is the RD p‐value. Using a subset of top predicted models from CAPRI (Critical Assessment of PRediction of Interactions) rounds over 2017–2020, we find that the ease of achieving a given root mean squared deviation or DOCKQ score varies considerably by target; achieving the same relative metric can be thousands of times easier for one complex compared to another. In contrast, RD p‐values inherently normalize scores for models of different complexes, making them globally comparable. Furthermore, one can calculate RD p‐values after generating a reference distribution that accounts for prior information about the interface geometry, such as residues involved in binding, by giving the random‐docking process access the same information. Thus, one can decouple improvements in prediction accuracy that arise solely from basic modeling constraints from those due to the rest of the method. We provide efficient code for computing RD p‐values at https://github.com/Grigoryanlab/RDP.
Quantum chemical calculation, topological analysis, biological evaluation and molecular docking of allo‐ocimenol against breast cancer
Authors: Chandran Kaliraj , Zochedh Azar , Sukumaran Sureba , Sultan Asath Bahadur , Kathiresan Thandavarayan
Published: December 2023

The main aim of this study is to identify the structural stability of allo‐ocimenol and its molecular reactivity against breast cancer‐associated proteins to confirm its anti‐cancer capability using density function theory and molecular docking analysis. The structural optimization was carried out via the DFT/B3LYP technique with a 6‐311++G (d,p) basis set. The molecular geometry and vibrational assignments of the Allo‐Ocimenol molecule were analyzed through density functional theory (DFT). Through optimized molecular structure, the vibrational frequencies (FT‐IR and FT‐Raman) were assigned and related with experimentally observed vibrational frequencies and the UV spectrum was computed and experimentally confirmed. The allo‐ocimenol's reactive activity was further analyzed through a computed molecular electrostatic potential surface. Utilizing the HOMO‐LUMO energies and molecular electrostatic potential energy gap, the reactivity and molecular stability of the allo‐ocimenol molecule was calculated. Mulliken and natural population analyses were used to determine the charge distribution across the allo‐ocimenol atoms. The natural bond orbitals were used to demonstrate the bioactivity of the titled molecule. RDG evaluation was used to examine the weak interactions of the allo‐ocimenol molecule. ELF and LOL analyses were utilized to investigate the topology of the allo‐ocimenol molecule. Thermodynamic evaluation has been utilized to acquire values and asses the thermodynamic parameters that reveal the thermal stability of the title molecule. Allo‐Ocimenol's anti‐microbial activity was assessed through an in‐vitro disc diffusion method, and its tumor inhibitory and pharmacokinetic properties were evaluated through an in‐silico approach using molecular docking and ADMET investigation. Zones of clearance were seen in anti‐microbial analyses at various concentrations, and the breast cancer target protein NAMPT established the greatest binding potential, with a docking value of −7.4 Kcal mol−1.
A General Approach to Dropout in Quantum Neural Networks
Authors: Scala Francesco , Ceschini Andrea , Panella Massimo , Gerace Dario
Published: December 2023

In classical machine learning (ML), “overfitting” is the phenomenon occurring when a given model learns the training data excessively well, and it thus performs poorly on unseen data. A commonly employed technique in ML is the so called “dropout,” which prevents computational units from becoming too specialized, hence reducing the risk of overfitting. With the advent of quantum neural networks (QNNs) as learning models, overfitting might soon become an issue, owing to the increasing depth of quantum circuits as well as multiple embedding of classical features, which are employed to give the computational nonlinearity. Here, a generalized approach is presented to apply the dropout technique in QNN models, defining and analyzing different quantum dropout strategies to avoid overfitting and achieve a high level of generalization. This study allows to envision the power of quantum dropout in enabling generalization, providing useful guidelines on determining the maximal dropout probability for a given model, based on overparametrization theory. It also highlights how quantum dropout does not impact the features of the QNN models, such as expressibility and entanglement. All these conclusions are supported by extensive numerical simulations and may pave the way to efficiently employing deep quantum machine learning (QML) models based on state‐of‐the‐art QNNs.
Aeration strength analysis of overflow weir in siphon well based on numerical simulation of water–air two‐phase flow
Authors: Liu Da , Lin Hui , Huang Bensheng , Cheng Xiangju , Sun Lubin
Published: December 2023

The phenomenon of water aeration is serious after the overflow weir in the siphon well at the cooling water circulation system of coastal power plants. At present, designing special hydraulic structures is an effective way to reduce the intensity of aeration. In this paper, three engineering structure schemes were designed, and the three‐dimensional Realizable k–ε turbulence model was used. The volume of fluid method was introduced to capture the free water surface, and the unstructured grid was used to construct the two‐phase turbulent flow field. The aeration concentration and pressure distribution, obtained by numerical simulation, were basically consistent with the physical model test results. The results showed that the flow field at the orifice plates of cases 1 and 2 changed drastically, and the turbulent kinetic energy downstream of the orifice plate decreased with the increase of the number of holes. As for case 3, it showed that the high‐speed water flow fell into the water cushion pool, tumbling and sucking up a lot of air, and the turbulent kinetic energy and Reynolds stress were significantly greater than the other two cases. The hydraulic structure changed the cavitation characteristics of the downflow water, and the sequence of aeration concentration of the horizontal section was case 3 > case 1 > case 2. The aeration concentration was only 9.18%–17.86% in case 2. The aeration concentration at stable time is expressed as a function of the relative water depth y/y90 and the turbulent diffusion coefficient D. The distribution formula of aeration concentration was established, and its validity was verified by literatures. The results of this study will provide a certain reference for in‐depth analysis of water–air mixing motion characteristics, and simultaneously, it will have a guiding significance for the design of siphon well defoaming engineering.
The significance of morphometric analysis of Shimsha River, Karnataka, India to understand the hydrological and morphological characteristics
Authors: Gautam Pawan K.
Published: December 2023

Morphometric analysis is crucial for advancing in various fields, including geomorphology, hydrology, environmental sciences, and geological studies. The objective of the present study is to understand the hydrological and morphological characteristics of the Shimsha River, which flows through the fluvial deltaic plain in the semiarid environment of Karnataka. Remote sensing and geographic information system have been used as mapping and efficient tools for drainage basin morphometry. The emphasis is laid on geological, geomorphological, hydrological, and fluvial features under linear, aerial, shape, relief, geometric, morphotectonic, and social morphometric parameters. The basin area is about 8741 km2, with a dendritic to subdendritic pattern. The sinuosity index is 1.6, which indicates meandering in nature. Areal parameters suggest that the drainage basin has a moderate surface permeability, homogenous lithology, run‐off, erodibility, low relief conditions, infiltration rate, and a well‐developed drainage network. Shape parameter indicates that the basin is subelongated with flatted peak flow and longer duration. Relief factor indicated low relief and intermediate stage of the incision rate. The river has an asymmetry factor is 38.65 and it shows that the channel has shifted southwest. The river shows a perfectly graded profile, with a considerable amount of incision and deposition along its profile showing tectonically unstable, based on the spatial distribution of the potential groundwater zone of about (5260 km2), other waterbody masks covered (285 km2). Standard visual interpretation techniques were applied to recognize and interpret the land use and land cover patterns. A basin rich in clay‐rich soil may lead to a massive flood. Essentially, physiographical and structural conditions controlled the stream order of the basin. The increase in the stream length ratio from lower to a higher order. That indicates a mature geomorphic stage of the study area. Rainfall and local lithology impact the development of segments of the stream.
Unlocking the Antibacterial Potential of Xanthone from Calophyllum Species: Inhibition of Nucleic Acid Synthesis
Authors: Heilman Dayang Nurul Anisa Abang , Hui Audrey Yong Chee , Mian Vivien Jong Yi , Ahmad Fasihuddin Badruddin , Cee Lim Pei , Stanslas Johnson , Zamakshshari Nor Hisam
Published: December 2023

Plants are valuable resources for the development of novel pharmaceutical products. The increasing threat to global health caused by antibiotic resistance remains a serious concern, driven a need to discover and evaluate novel anti‐bacterial agents. Calophyllum species are known for having excellent biological activity due to its secondary metabolites, such as xanthone. Numerous xanthones have been found to possess anti‐bacterial properties that are effective against plant pathogens, hence can be applied to fight human pathogens. Topoisomerase enzymes (DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV) are DNA metabolism enzymes that possess distinct roles as unlinking enzymes during DNA replication. Nucleic acid synthesis inhibition reduces bacteria proliferation through the inhibition of topoisomerase enzymes that are essential for bacterial growth. The xanthone isolated from Calophyllum and its anti‐bacterial were discussed in this review. Besides, molecular docking simulations were applied to explore the potential binding mode of xanthones to DNA metabolism enzymes. The docking study displayed that biscaloxanthone is a good topoisomerase enzymes inhibitor compared to their co‐cystalize ligand, novobiocin and BDBM50198240. The complied information and molecular docking simulations suggested that xanthone isolated possesses potential anti‐bacterial agents inhibiting nucleic acid synthesis. Besides, it suggested that the anti‐microbial activity of xanthone contributes from the topoisomerase enzyme‘s inhibition.
Improved Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Performance of g‐C3N4 via CoB‐Modified Cocatalysts
Authors: Xu Tong , Liu Dongmei , Gu Dazhang , Shi Lei
Published: December 2023

Using g‐C3N4 as semiconductor carrier, CoB particles were loaded onto the surface of g‐C3N4 to prepare CoB/g‐C3N4 photocatalyst, which exhibited improved the photocatalytic water splitting to hydrogen production performance. By comparison, it was found that bare g‐C3N4 did not produce H2, all as‐prepared CoB/g‐C3N4 photocatalysts could produce H2, and the loaded mass of CoB cocatalyst was 15 %, CoB/g‐C3N4 photocatalyst showed the highest hydrogen evolution activity. The results of work function, electrochemistry and photoelectric conversion indicated that Schottky junction was formed between CoB and g‐C3N4, which could improve the separated rate of photoinduced charge, meanwhile, loaded CoB lowed the hydrogen production overpotential of g‐C3N4. Hence, this study provides more possibilities for the application of photocatalysis.
Bulk Nanostructured Silicide Thermoelectric Materials by Reversible Hydrogen Absorption–Desorption
Authors: Dirba Imants , Ablets Yevhen , Skokov Konstantin , Adabifiroozjaei Esmaeil , Molina‐Luna Leopoldo , Gutfleisch Oliver
Published: December 2023

The production of bulk nanostructured silicide thermoelectric materials by a reversible hydrogen absorption–desorption process is demonstrated. Here, high‐pressure reactive milling under 100 bar hydrogen is used to decompose the Ca2Si phase into CaH2and Si. Subsequent vacuum heat treatment results in hydrogen desorption and recombination of the constituents into the original phase. By changing the heat treatment temperature, recombination into Ca2Si or Ca5Si3can be achieved. Most importantly, the advanced synthesis process enables drastic and simple microstructure refinement by more than two orders of magnitude, from a grain size of around 50 µm in the initial ingot to 100–200 nm after the hydrogen absorption–desorption process. Fine precipitates with sizes ranging from 10–50 nm are forming coherently inside the grains. Thus, the route is promising and can be used for reducing thermal conductivity due to phonon scattering from grain boundaries as well as through nanostructuring with second‐phase precipitates. Moreover, the process is environmentally friendly since hydrogen is reversibly absorbed, desorbed, and can be fully recovered.
Stretchable Electronics with Strain‐Resistive Performance
Authors: Hou Sihui , Chen Cong , Bai Libing , Yu Junsheng , Cheng Yuhua , Huang Wei
Published: December 2023

Stretchable electronics have attracted tremendous attention amongst academic and industrial communities due to their prospective applications in personal healthcare, human‐activity monitoring, artificial skins, wearable displays, human‐machine interfaces, etc. Other than mechanical robustness, stable performances under complex strains in these devices that are not for strain sensing are equally important for practical applications. Here, a comprehensive summarization of recent advances in stretchable electronics with strain‐resistive performance is presented. First, detailed overviews of intrinsically strain‐resistive stretchable materials, including conductors, semiconductors, and insulators, are given. Then, systematic representations of advanced structures, including helical, serpentine, meshy, wrinkled, and kirigami‐based structures, for strain‐resistive performance are summarized. Next, stretchable arrays and circuits with strain‐resistive performance, that integrate multiple functionalities and enable complex behaviors, are introduced. This review presents a detailed overview of recent progress in stretchable electronics with strain‐resistive performances and provides a guideline for the future development of stretchable electronics.
S‐Nitrosylated CuS Hybrid Hydrogel Patches with Robust Antibacterial and Repair‐Promoting Activity for Infected Wound Healing
Authors: Jia Pengpeng , Zou Yu , Jiang Jiang
Published: December 2023

Development of wound dressing with robust antibacterial and repair‐promoting activity has always been an urgent biomedical task during the past years. The therapeutic effect of current hydrogel dressings containing single bioactive agent like nanoparticle or gas is still unsatisfactory for the treatment of infected wound. Herein, a CuS/NO co‐loaded hydrogel (CuS/NO Gel) is proposed, which is constructed by sequential polymerization, reduction, and S‐nitrosylation of CuS hybrid hydrogel with disulfide bonds. These CuS/NO Gel patches show good mechanical stability, high photothermal activity and excellent biocompatibility. When being applied to treat infected wound, CuS/NO Gel can not only eliminate infection effectively by the synergistic effect of mild photothermal heating and boosted NO release in infection phase, but also promote vascularization and collagen deposition due to the synchronous supply of Cu ion nutrients and low concentration NO signaling molecules in wound repair phase. Compared to hydrogel dressings with individual active agent (CuS Gel or NO Gel), CuS/NO Gel exhibits better antibacterial and repair‐promoting activity both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, this CuS/NO Gel holds great promise in the future clinical treatment against infected wound.