bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of Sodium ION Battery Characteristics of High-Capacity, High-Efficiency Composite ANODE Material Composed of Tin and Hard Carbon
Authors: Han Songyi , Choi Young Kuk , Kim Jeoung-Kyu , Lee Wang-Geun
Published: December 2024

Secondary batteries, unlike primary batteries, have experienced rapid growth as batteries that can be recharged and reused after discharge, such as those used in electric vehicles. As the market grows, the increasing prices of rare metals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which are key raw materials for lithium secondary batteries, are putting significant pressure on battery manufacturers and automobile manufacturers. Sodium, the fourth most abundant element on Earth, is gaining attention for its potential to increase price competitiveness and enable the recycling of materials without emitting carbon dioxide in sodium-ion batteries. In this study, we fabricated secondary battery electrodes composed of metal-carbon using a composite anode material consisting of tin and hard carbon, and evaluated the electrochemical properties of these electrodes. The metal-hard carbon composite material exhibited a high discharge capacity of 559.6 mAh/g and an initial Coulombic efficiency of 90.74% after one cycle. Compared to electrodes using only hard carbon, the discharge capacity increased by approximately 200%, while maintaining a Coulombic efficiency of 90% without degradation. Even after 100 cycles of charging and discharging at a current density of 0.4 mA/cm², the long life performance of maintaining 90% or more of C.R. compared to the initial stage was stably operated. Also, Hard carbon has a volume capacity of 1.5mAh/cm², but Metal-hard carbon composite material has a volume capacity of 2.1~2.4mAh/cm², hence increasing the energy density of the sodium battery. The metal-hard carbon composite material produced in this study is considered suitable for application as a sodium battery anode material due to its excellent Coulombic efficiency, high capacity characteristics, and outstanding long-term stability.

Keywords: Tin, Hard carbon, metal-carbon, metal composite, sodium battery, sodium ion, Na, secondary battery
Verifying the Effect of Organic Additives in Aqueous Zinc Batteries Via Operando Imaging Technology
Authors: Lee Sungmin , Huh Sung-Ho , Yu Seung-Ho
Published: December 2024

Aqueous zinc batteries (AZBs) have emerged as an alternative of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their potential for high energy density, safety, and cost-effectiveness. However, the long-term stability of zinc metal anode has been hindered by hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), dendrite growth, and byproduct formation (Zn4(OH)6SO4·xH2O, zinc basic sulfate). To stabilize the zinc metal anode, various strategies such as surface coating and electrolyte design have been studied. In particular, electrolyte additives are regarded as practical strategies owing to low cost and simple methods.

To improve the stability of zinc metal anode, organic additive was introduced. During the plating/stripping process, the enormous dendrites were observed in blank electrolyte via side-view operando X-ray imaging. Furthermore, a number of H2 bubbles were generated at the electrode surface. On the contrary, when the organic additive was added into electrolyte, the smooth surface with homogeneous deposition was confirmed and the formation of hydrogen gas was rarely observed. In addition, the uniform Zn deposition with organic additive was also verified through top-view operando optical imaging, whereas the black spots were formed on the surface without the additive, which represent the Zn dendrite formation. Based on the superior stability, the Zn||Cu half-cell with the organic additive maintained the steady voltage profile over 1600 h at 1 mA cm-2, while the short circuit occurred after 100 h without the additive.

Figure 1
Fluoride-Free Sonochemical Exfoliation of Titanium Aluminium Carbide to Few-Layered Titanium Carbide Nanosheets
Authors: Meichandiran Balasubramaniam , Kennedy Tadhg
Published: December 2024

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides and carbonitrides, also known as MXenes, possess a unique blend of hydrophilic surfaces and excellent electrical conductivity,[1] characteristics seldom found in other 2D nanostructures like graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides. Particularly, titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) and its composites have garnered increasing attention across diversified fields such as catalysis,[2] energy conversion and storage,[3] membrane separation,[4] photothermal conversion,[5] and field-effect transistors.[6]

Thus far, chemical etching of aluminium (Al) layers from titanium aluminium carbide (Ti3AlC2) remains the predominant method to synthesize Ti3C2Tx.[7] However, fluoride-based synthetic procedures remain a hindrance to the practical applications of these promising materials. Despite the identification of various etching conditions, current state-of-the-art strategies involve handling hazardous hydrofluoric acid or fluoride-based compounds such as LiF/HCl, NaHF2, KHF2 and NH4HF2, resulting in highly toxic liquid waste and surface functionalization of Ti3C2Tx with fluorine and oxygen-containing terminations.[8] Achieving selective removal of Al layers while preserving the 2D structure of Ti3C2Tx necessitates careful design of electrolytes.

Hence, in this work, we present an efficient, fluoride-free sonochemical approach for the etching and delamination of Ti3AlC2 using aqueous tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH) solution. During the sonochemical exfoliation, ultrasound waves facilitate penetration of solvent ions through Ti3AlC2 to selectively etch out Al, forming few-layered Ti3C2Tx nanosheets. In this particular study, the effect of sonication time and effect of TMAOH concentration is explored.

References:

[1] P. Zhang, F. Wang, M. Yu, X. Zhuang, X. Feng, Chem. Soc. Rev. 2018, 47, 7426-7451.

[2] J. Ran, G. Gao, F. T. Li, T. Y. Ma, A. Du, S. Z. Qiao, Nat. Commun. 2017, 8, 13907.

[3] H. Li, Y. Hou, F. Wang, M. R. Lohe, X. Zhuang, L. Niu, X. Feng, Adv. Energy Mater. 2017, 7, 1601847.

[4] L. Ding, Y. Wei, Y. Wang, H. Chen, J. Caro, H. Wang, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 1825-1829; Angew. Chem. 2017, 129, 1851-1855.

[5] R. Li, L. Zhang, L. Shi, P. Wang, ACS Nano 2017, 11, 3752-3759.

[6] B. Xu, M. Zhu, W. Zhang, X. Zhen, Z. Pei, Q. Xue, C. Zhi, P. Shi, Adv. Mater. 2016, 28, 3333-3339.

[7] P. Srivastava, A. Mishra, H. Mizuseki, K. R. Lee, A. K. Singh, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2016, 8, 24256-24264.

[8] Sheng Yang, Panpan Zhang, Faxing Wang, Antonio Gaetano Ricciardulli, Martin R. Lohe, Paul W. M. Blom, Xinliang Feng, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018, 57, 15491-15495; Angew. Chem. 2018, 130, 15717-15721.
Sustainable Production and Application of Heterosite FePO4 As a Positive Electrode for Sodium Secondary Batteries
Authors: Nozaki Fumiyasu , Hwang Jinkwang , Matsumoto Kazuhiko
Published: December 2024

To address the growing societal need for environmentally friendly and cost-effective secondary batteries, sodium secondary batteries are emerging as a promising solution. This is attributed to the abundance and widespread distribution of sodium resources, which makes them highly attractive for sustainable energy storage applications.1

Triphylite NaFePO4 is one of the promising positive electrode materials for sodium ion batteries (SIBs) because of its structural stability with polyanionic structure, relatively high theoretical capacity, and abundance of constituting elements. Despite this, the direct synthesis of triphylite NaFePO4 is challenging because of its thermodynamic metastability. Hence, it is generally produced from triphylite LiFePO4, the analogous structure to triphylite NaFePO4.2 Our group reported a chemical delithiation method using Cl2 to prepare heterosite FePO4 from triphylite LiFePO4.3

In this study, we report a sustainable routine to prepare heterosite FePO4 from triphylite LiFePO4 via the chemical delithiation using O2 in acetic acid aqueous solution. At the same time, the lithium source is recovered as lithium acetate (CH3COOLi) during the delithiation process, and LiFePO4 is then resynthesized from the recovered lithium acetate using the solid-state method. This approach enables a closed-loop lithium recovery system and makes the production of heterosite FePO4 more cost-effective. Moreover, the electrochemical performances of the heterosite FePO4 positive electrode are investigated for SIBs.

References

1. J. Hwang, S. Myung, and Y. Sun, Chem. Soc. Rev.
46, 3529 (2017).

2. P. Moreau, D. Guyomard, J. Gaubicher, and F. Boucher, Chem. Mater.
22, 41268 (2010).

3. F. Nozaki, S. Shomura, J. Hwang, K. Matsumoto, and R. Hagiwara, ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng.
11, 1037 (2023).
Regulating Interfacial Chemistry with Amphiphilic Copolymer for Durable Zinc Metal Anodes
Authors: Chen Xiujuan , Gao Peiyuan , Li Wei , Thieu Nhat Anh , Grady Zane , Akhmedov Novruz , Sierros Kostas , Velayutham Murugesan , Khramtsov Valery , Reed David M , Li Xiaolin , Liu Xingbo
Published: December 2024

Although rechargeable aqueous zinc-metal batteries offer conspicuous advantages for grid-scale energy storage, their application is impeded by the insufficient reversibility of the Zn anode. Irreversible processes, such as dendrite growth and parasitic water-induced side reactions, contribute to the instability of the anode/electrolyte interface. In this study, we demonstrate amphiphilic Pluronic triblock copolymers comprising hydrophobic poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) and hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) segments as a new class of electrolyte additives for stabilizing Zn metal anodes. Theoretical calculations reveal preferential affinity of PPO segments to the Zn metal surface and stronger interactions of PEO segments with Zn2+ ions than with PPO segments. This unique amphiphilic property of Pluronic copolymers establishes a hydrodynamic molecular interphase between the Zn metal and aqueous media, modulating Zn electrode interface chemistry. PPO segments adsorbed onto the Zn surface create a localized water-shielding environment, mitigating water-induced side reactions, while PEO segments ensure uniform Zn2+ ion flux within the interfacial region. The synergistic interfacial regulation by the Pluronic additive is related to its molecular structure, PEO/PPO composition, and block length. With its harmonized hydrophilic-hydrophobic attributes, Pluronic F127 demonstrates notably effective interface modulation. Impressively, the incorporation of F127 into the electrolyte results in a significantly enhanced lifespan of over 9300 h at 1 mA cm–2 and 3100 h at 5 mA cm–2 in Zn symmetric cells. Zn||VO2 full cells exhibit exceptional capacity retention after long-term cycling across a wide range of current densities. This study offers pivotal insights into realizing highly reversible Zn metal anodes through interfacial chemistry regulation.
Polyacrylamide-Based Hydrogel Electrolyte for Modulating Water Activity in Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries
Authors: Rakhman Damira , Konarov Aishuak , Bakenov Zhumabay
Published: December 2024

The limitations of lithium-ion battery systems, including lithium scarcity, demanding assembly conditions, and safety risks associated with flammable organic electrolytes, underscore the need for renewable, cost-effective, and safe alternatives. While zinc-ion or hybrid aqueous battery systems have garnered interest, challenges such as undesired side reactions, limited electrochemical stability, and electrolyte leakage persist, hindering large-scale adoption. Among electrolyte engineering approaches, hydrogel electrolytes have emerged as promising solutions, offering improved stability and relatively high ionic conductivity while mitigating leakage risks. Additionally, the modification opportunities of the hydrogel electrolytes present great potential for various applications.

Here, we synthesized a dual-function hydrogel electrolyte based on polyacrylamide and poly(ethylene dioxythiophene):polystyrene. This electrolyte effectively reduces water content and enhances stability by minimizing undesired side reactions. Moreover, the polymer network and its functional groups promote controlled ion transport. Swelling in a binary solution of ethylene glycol and water (EG 10%) further enhances the stability of the assembled battery system. The developed hydrogel exhibits relatively good ionic conductivity (1.6 * 10-3 S cm-1) and excellent electrochemical stability, surpassing 2.5 V on linear sweep voltammetry tests (Figure 1). An assembled aqueous lithium-ion hybrid battery with a zinc anode demonstrates high capacity (119.2 mAh g-1), close to 100% columbic efficiency, and good cycle stability, retaining 67.6% capacity after more than 380 cycles. This study highlights the potential of polyacrylamide-based hydrogel electrolytes with dual functionality as the electrolyte and separator, inspiring further development in hydrogel electrolytes for aqueous battery systems.

Acknowledgement

BR21882402 "Development of new material technologies and energy storage systems for a green economy" from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Figure 1
Challenges on Developing Room-Temperature Rechargeable Magnesium Batteries with Oxide Cathodes
Authors: Ichitsubo Tetsu , Li Hongyi , Shimokawa Kohei , Ye Xiatong
Published: December 2024

Constructing sustainable energy systems requires rechargeable batteries with high safety, long cycle life and low production costs. Rechargeable magnesium batteries (RMBs) have been expected to be a promising candidate owing to low resource constraints compared to the commercial Li-based batteries. However, the development of RMBs have been stagnated after the first report of a prototype system, which consists of a Chevrel phase cathode, Mo6S8, and a Cl-based electrolyte.[1] The development of high potential oxide cathodes and non-corrosion Cl-free electrolyte encounters significant difficulties. Specifically, for oxide cathodes, the strong Coulomb interaction between Mg2+ and host structures usually inhibits the solid-state diffusion, causing a significant low discharge capacity compared to the theoretical value and rapid capacity loss during cycling.[2] Besides, non-corrosion electrolytes usually passivate Mg metal anodes and/or induce side reactions on oxide cathodes,[3] where remarkably decreases the cell voltage and accelerates the decomposition of electrolytes and active materials.

In this presentation, we introduce our efforts to construct room-temperature RMBs with oxide cathodes and Cl-free electrolytes combining both the experimental and computational approaches. To explore suitable host structures for the topotactic Mg2+ intercalation, we revealed the phase transformation pathways and evaluated cathode properties of various transition oxide cathodes (e.g. MnO2 polymorphs) at both elevated temperature (150℃) and room temperature.[3-6] Moreover, to assess the electrolyte compatibility, we discovered the connection between the solvation environment and the reaction behavior on both the oxide cathodes and Mg metal anodes.[3,7] These findings pave the way for room-temperature RMBs using oxide cathodes.

[1] D. Aurbach et al, Nature
407, 724 (2000)

[2] T. Ichitsubo et al, J. Mater. Chem. A
21, 11764 (2011)

[3] X. Ye, H. Li, T. Ichitsubo et al, ACS Mater. Interfaces
14, 56685 (2022)

[4] S. Okamoto, T. Ichitsubo et al, Adv. Sci.
2, 1500072 (2015)

[5] K. Shimokawa, T. Ichitsubo et al, Adv. Mater.
33, 2007539 (2021)

[6] T. Hayakeyama, H. Li, T. Ichitsubo et al, Chem. Mater.
33, 6983 (2021)

[7] X. Ye, H. Li, T. Ichitsubo et al, submitted.
Antenatal steroids enhance long-term neonatal lung outcomes and are associated with placental alterations in experimental chorioamnionitis
Authors: Netsanet Adom , Seedorf Gregory J. , Abman Steven H. , Taglauer Elizabeth S.
Published: December 2024

We performed parallel neonatal lung and placental analyses in a preclinical model to characterize the impact of antenatal betamethasone in experimental chorioamnionitis. Antenatal steroids improved long-term respiratory outcomes and were associated with concurrent structural and molecular changes in the placenta. This study establishes an important model system for future analyses to evaluate mechanistic links determining whether the long-term impact of antenatal steroids on lung development may be through alteration of placental function.
Causes and Impacts of Recurring Employer Requirement Changes in Public Building Construction Projects: A Case of Jimma Town, Ethiopia
Authors: Alemayehu Kibremoges Tesfaye , Warati Getachew Kebede , Hassen Sali Suleman , Yohannes Kiya Samson
Published: December 2024

Background: Employer requirements play a fundamental role in the successful delivery of any building construction project. These requirements serve as essential inputs for the design and specification of the project to be constructed. However, recurring changes in these requirements often lead to project delays and budget overruns. Thus, this study aims to investigate the root causes and impacts of recurring changes in employer’s requirements in public building construction projects.

Methods: Employing a descriptive research design, for this study the data collected through questionnaires from various construction stakeholders. The study population comprised ongoing public building construction projects in Jimma Town, Ethiopia. Purposive sampling was employed to select participants. The data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel, Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) 25, and R statistical software. Descriptive statistics were utilized to calculate frequencies, percentages, and rankings of variables based on mean values.

Results: Through mean value analysis, the top 10 causes of requirement changes identified and ranked encompassing as: lack of careful checking and correcting planning documents; ineffective risk management, planning, and monitoring structures; poor project management and planning skills; and inadequate preconstruction study and review of design documents. Furthermore, this study assessed the impacts of requirement changes, highlighting increase the cost of the project, claim, and dispute between contracting parties and delay in completion/delivery as the most significant outcomes. The findings of this research offer valuable insights for project managers and stakeholders, enabling them to enhance requirement management practices in building construction projects. By mitigating the identified causes and impacts, construction professionals can effectively manage changes in employer requirements. The efficient management of requirement changes is essential for the successful delivery of sustainable and resilient infrastructure (SRI) projects, aligning with the broader goals of sustainability, cost‐effectiveness, stakeholder satisfaction, and long‐term resilience.
Energy Consumption Prediction Model for Electric Buses Considering Actual Quantifiable Features
Authors: Zhu Guowei , Shi Miao , He Jia
Published: December 2024

Accurate prediction of electric bus energy consumption is a key step to realize the orderly planned charging of electric buses. Meanwhile, to address the problem that the current electric bus energy consumption prediction model is not conducive to realistic application, this paper proposes an energy consumption prediction model that considers actual electric bus operation data to predict trip energy consumption. First, based on the operation data of six routes in Beijing, the influencing factors of electric bus energy consumption are summarized, including route name, travel direction, weekday and nonweekday, operation time, vehicle number, and driver’s name. Secondly, the energy consumption influencing factors were used to extract trip energy consumption features, including departure moment features, vehicle performance features, and driver attribute features. A new simple method is proposed to deal with un‐ordered characteristic data to solve the problem of quantifying the influencing factors. The energy consumption prediction model considering actual quantifiable features utilizes the concept of distance to identify several historical trips that have characteristics most similar to the predicted trip in terms of energy consumption. The new prediction model is essentially a machine learning model based on k‐means clustering algorithm, which leverages feature extraction and data analysis to make predictions. Finally, the real data are used to predict the energy consumption of different routes and different driving directions on weekdays, respectively. The energy consumption prediction error is as low as 7.112%, and the prediction results are compared with other traditional prediction models, and the model accuracy is high.
Involvement of the Ipsilateral Tongue, an Intraoral Structure of Referred Pain due to Entrapment of the Greater Occipital Nerve
Authors: Son Byung-chul
Published: December 2024

This study reports a rare case of referred pain in the trigeminal nerve distribution caused by entrapment of the greater occipital nerve (GON). Notably, the pain extended to the ipsilateral tongue, an unusual intraoral involvement. GON entrapment can lead to sensitization in secondary nociceptive neurons within the trigeminocervical complex (TCC), which receives signals from both trigeminal and occipital nerves, causing referred facial pain. A 55‐year‐old female presented with chronic left temporo‐occipital pain, along with pain in her left periorbital area, ear canal, gum, and a 20‐year history of atypical facial pain on her left tongue and lower lip. Following GON decompression, her temporo‐occipital pain and facial symptoms improved, with a significant reduction in burning pain on her tongue and resolution of lip tingling. The TCC, comprising convergent inputs from trigeminal and occipital nerves, is the anatomical basis of referred craniofacial pain. Chronic GON entrapment can sensitize second‐order neurons in the TCC and medullary dorsal horn, explaining this unusual referred pain to the intraoral structures.
The Complexity Behavior in B2B Platform Ecosystem With Revenue Sharing
Authors: Xiao Jianli , Xiao Hanli , Li Changrong
Published: December 2024

The prevalence of B2B platform ecosystem has led to the emergence of revenue‐sharing contracts as the dominant business model adopted by manufacturers and retailers on these platforms. This paper establishes a dynamic game model of B2B platform ecosystem, comprising one manufacturer and one retailer, where the manufacturer engages in technological investments and the retailer engages in consumption investments, both exhibiting bounded rationality. Through a comprehensive analysis of complex behaviors, the results reveal the following: (1) Adjustment speed of the manufacturer influences the stability of the platform ecosystem, with higher adjustment speeds leading to greater instability. In a stable state of the B2B platform ecosystem, an actor with lower costs tends to make higher investments. (2) Higher investment costs contribute to a more stable B2B platform ecosystem. When the ecosystem stabilizes, increasing investment costs will reduce manufacturers’ investment levels. (3) The retailer revenue sharing parameter exacerbates the instability of the B2B platform ecosystem. This unequal distribution not only impairs manufacturers’ earnings but also disrupts B2B platform ecosystem equilibrium. (4) Market expansion results in B2B platform ecosystem imbalance. As the market size increases, investment levels rise, but this also leads to system instability. Therefore, managers must strike a balance between market expansion and system stability objectives. (5) We incorporate the time‐delayed feedback control (TDFC) method to regulate intricate phenomena. The TDFC method proves effective in mitigating chaotic behaviors within B2B platform ecosystem.
Blue Hydrogen Production Through Partial Oxidation: A Techno‐Economic and Life Cycle Assessment
Authors: Khallaghi Navid , Ghiami Shamsoddin , Jeswani Harish , Nabavi Seyed Ali , Anthony Edward J.
Published: December 2024

Partial oxidation (POx) as a hydrogen production method has not received comprehensive exploration as the resulting syngas has a relatively low H2/CO ratio compared to established techniques like steam methane reforming (SMR). As a result, this study aims to comprehensively investigate the feasibility of a low‐carbon hydrogen production process using POx from both technical‐economic and environmental standpoints. To achieve this, the Aspen Plus® software is employed to model a hydrogen production plant with carbon capture integration, referred to as POx‐CCS (carbon capture and storage). The research reveals that the overall energy efficiency of the POx‐CCS process is around 73%. Moreover, the economic evaluation indicates that the levelised cost of hydrogen (LCOH) is €1.8/ kgH2, given a fuel price of €5.7 per GJ. This cost competitiveness positions POx‐CCS in line with conventional hydrogen production methods. From an environmental perspective, the impact of climate change on hydrogen production through the POx‐CCS process is assessed to be 1.1 kg CO2 eq./kgH2. This impact is reduced by 69% compared to SMR with CCS.
Robust Allocation and Scheduling of Electric Parkings and Wind Resources in Distribution Networks Using Information Gap Decision Theory and Improved Flow Direction Algorithm
Authors: Arabahmadi Neda , Ebrahimi Reza , Ghanbari Mahmood
Published: December 2024

This paper proposes a robust scheduling approach for electric parking lots (EPLs) integrated with battery storage and wind power sources in distribution networks, aiming to minimize the cost‐to‐revenue function. The method is based on information gap decision theory with a risk aversion strategy (IGDT‐RAS) and takes into account uncertainties in network load and wind power. In deterministic scheduling, decision variables include the location and capacity of the EPLs and wind resources in the network, while in robust scheduling, the maximum uncertainty radius (UR) is determined using an improved flow direction optimization algorithm (IFDA), enhanced by an opposition learning strategy (OLS). The proposed method is applied to the 33‐ and 45‐bus networks. The deterministic approach results in a lower cost‐to‐revenue ratio, reduced energy losses, and improved reliability compared to traditional FDA, whale optimization algorithm (WOA), and particle swarm optimizer. In robust scheduling, for the 33‐bus network, the largest UR for load and wind power is 8.70% and 17.06%, respectively, while for the 45‐bus network, it is 8.45% and 32.36%, respectively. The robustness of the network against the worst‐case uncertainty scenario is demonstrated in the robust scheduling, and the superior performance of IGDT‐RAS over Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) is confirmed in achieving a reliable cost level.
High Prevalence of Unrecorded Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease in Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, and Spain: The Multinational, Observational REVEAL‐CKD Study
Authors: Pecoits-Filho Roberto , Lim Kean-Seng , Castro Maria Cristina Ribeiro de , Cebrian Ana , Santamaria Rafael , Kanumilli Naresh , Alvarez Christian S. , Arnold Matthew , Barone Salvatore , Chen Hungta , Järbrink Krister , Tangri Navdeep
Published: December 2024

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health concern, affecting approximately 850 million people worldwide. Guidelines recommend early identification and management of CKD to mitigate disease progression and delay the onset of complications. Recording a CKD diagnosis in medical records is associated with improved kidney function and blood pressure monitoring, better use of disease‐modifying therapy, and reduced risk of CKD progression. REVEAL‐CKD is a multinational, observational study that aims to estimate the prevalence of stage 3 CKD which is unrecorded in administrative databases.

Methods: Data were extracted from country‐specific databases of patient medical records in Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, and Spain. Included patients (aged ≥ 18 years) had two consecutive estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) measurements between 30 and < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 taken 91–730 days apart. Patients were considered to have unrecorded CKD if they had no CKD diagnosis code (any stage) at any time before and up to 6 months after study index (date of second qualifying eGFR).

Results: Across countries, median age was 72–78 years, median eGFR was 46.5–53.5 mL/min/1.73 m2, and availability of urinary albumin—creatinine ratio testing ranged from 4.9% (Brazil) to 53.5% (Canada). The prevalence of unrecorded stage 3 CKD was 90.0% (1002/1113 patients) in Australia, 97.0% (10,925/11,262) in Brazil, 92.0% (42,226/45,914) in Canada, 56.9% (84,237/148,153 in England, and 84.8% (27,035/31,866) in Spain.

Conclusions: More than half of the patients with laboratory evidence of stage 3 CKD lacked a CKD diagnosis code in all countries examined. Substantial intercountry variations in rates of CKD recording and testing were observed. International sharing of best practice guidance, systematic changes to improve data quality, and increased awareness of the importance of timely coding among healthcare professionals will help to improve accurate recording of stage 3 CKD.

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04847531.
Sustainable Supply Chain Management Practice of Ethiopian Textile and Apparel Manufacturing Industry
Authors: Minbale Eyob , Bizuneh Berihun , Seife Haile Wendosen , Sharew Shalemu , Asfaw Tinsaye , Mekonnen Saba , Tadesse Ruth , Getachew Lioul , Bitew Kumlachew
Published: December 2024

Next to the oil industry, the apparel industries are strongly criticized for their negative impact on the ecosystem. Due to the current global trend, manufacturing industries are expected to consider sustainability issues beyond conventional business goals. In this regard, the study investigates the Ethiopian apparel and textile manufacturing industries’ sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices. A descriptive research design methodology using a cross‐sectional survey was used. Data were collected through self‐administered questionnaires. A simple random sampling technique to decide sample size and a purposive sampling technique to select respondents were employed. A total of 71 participants provided a valid response. The metrics for the survey were developed from different literature, and structural equation modeling was used for data analysis. The results demonstrated that the state of the implementation of SSCM practices by the fashion manufacturing industry in Ethiopia is still in its promising stages. The hypotheses test results showed that SSCM practices positively impact SSCM performance and competitiveness at p values of 0.05, except environmental practices with economic performance. The study provides additional insight into the growing field of literature that examines the relationships among SSCM practices, performance, and competitiveness. The findings offer insight for industrial policymakers to improve sustainability for global competitiveness. The Ethiopian government is making significant efforts to boost the manufacturing sector through the “Let Ethiopia Produce” campaign, and sustainability is among the significant necessities for the global competitiveness of the Ethiopian manufacturing industry.
Prediction of 30‐Day Mortality by the Harborview Risk Score in Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Song Qingpeng , Wang Maohua , Zhou Zhengtong , Huo Zhengkun , Cong Bi , Wang Chuanle , Guo Hao , Guo Yifan , Wu Xuejun
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA) is a very severe condition with 17.4%–45.1% 30‐day mortality rates. The 30‐day death prediction model for patients with RAAA is one of the most significant models developed by Harborview Medical Center (HMC). The Harborview Risk Score (HRS) was calculated using the following four preoperative factors: minimum systolic blood pressure, age, Pondus Hydrogenii (pH), and creatinine (Cr). The objective was to evaluate the validity and dependability of the HMC model for predicting 30‐day mortality with a large data sample.

Methods: The medical subject heading (MeSH) was used to search the electronic database. Four key indicators, the 30‐day mortality rate, and the HRS score were among the data that were retrieved. The inclusion criteria include RAAA patients, applying the HMC prediction model and with baseline data, and the exclusion criteria include other prediction models and studies with incomplete baseline data from patients.

Results: There were 2931 participants in total throughout 7 trials; 1536 of these patients came from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database, and the other patients came from single center in each project. Thirty‐day mortality was 34.9% (95% CI: 0.27–0.33) on average. The majority of the patients (n = 2616, 89.25%) had an HRS score of 0–2. All patients who had a score of 4 died, no matter which single center they were in. Furthermore, with every extra point that a patient with a score of 0–3 received, their death rate rose by around 15%–20%.

Conclusion: The HMC prediction model is a trustworthy prediction model that can more simply and accurately predict 30‐day postoperative mortality through the use of age, pH, Cr, and minimum systolic blood pressure. It also provides more preoperative counsel and assessment to the patient, family, and physician.
Selenoprotein O Promotes Melanoma Metastasis and Regulates Mitochondrial Complex II Activity
Authors: Nascentes Melo Luiza Martins. , Sabatier Marie , Ramesh Vijayashree , Szylo Krystina J. , Fraser Cameron S. , Pon Alexandra , Mitchell Evann C. , Servage Kelly A. , Allies Gabriele , Westedt Isa V. , Cansiz Feyza , Krystkiewicz Jonathan , Kutritz Andrea , Schadendorf Dirk , Morrison Sean J. , Ubellacker Jessalyn M. , Sreelatha Anju , Tasdogan Alpaslan
Published: December 2024

Evolutionarily conserved selenoprotein O (SELENOO) catalyzes a post-translational protein modification known as AMPylation that is essential for the oxidative stress response in bacteria and yeast. Given that oxidative stress experienced in the blood limits survival of metastasizing melanoma cells, SELENOO might be able to impact metastatic potential. However, further work is needed to elucidate the substrates and functional relevance of the mammalian homologue of SELENOO. Here, we revealed that SELENOO promotes cancer metastasis and identified substrates of SELENOO in mammalian mitochondria. In patients with melanoma, high SELENOO expression was correlated with metastasis and poor overall survival. In a murine model of spontaneous melanoma metastasis, SELENOO deficiency significantly reduced metastasis to distant visceral organs, which could be rescued by treatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine. Mechanistically, SELENOO AMPylated multiple mitochondrial substrates, including succinate dehydrogenase subunit A, one of the four key subunits of mitochondrial complex II. Consistently, SELENOO-deficient cells featured increased mitochondrial complex II activity. Together, these findings demonstrate that SELENOO deficiency limits melanoma metastasis by modulating mitochondrial function and oxidative stress.
Spatiotemporal Profiling Defines Persistence and Resistance Dynamics During Targeted Treatment of Melanoma
Authors: Rubinstein Jill C. , Domanskyi Sergii , Sheridan Todd B. , Sanderson Brian , Park SungHee , Kaster Jessica , Li Haiyin , Anczukow Olga , Herlyn Meenhard , Chuang Jeffrey H.
Published: December 2024

Resistance of BRAF-mutant melanomas to targeted therapy arises from the ability of cells to enter a persister state, evade treatment with relative dormancy, and repopulate the tumor when reactivated. A better understanding of the temporal dynamics and specific pathways leading into and out of the persister state is needed to identify strategies to prevent treatment failure. Using spatial transcriptomics in patient-derived xenograft models, we captured clonal lineage evolution during treatment. The persister state showed increased oxidative phosphorylation, decreased proliferation, and increased invasive capacity, with central-to-peripheral gradients. Phylogenetic tracing identified intrinsic and acquired resistance mechanisms (e.g., dual specific phosphatases, reticulon-4, and CDK2) and suggested specific temporal windows of potential therapeutic susceptibility. Deep learning-enabled analysis of histopathological slides revealed morphological features correlating with specific cell states, demonstrating that juxtaposition of transcriptomics and histological data enabled identification of phenotypically distinct populations from using imaging data alone. In summary, this study defined state change and lineage selection during melanoma treatment with spatiotemporal resolution, elucidating how choice and timing of therapeutic agents will impact the ability to eradicate resistant clones.
DOT1L mediates stem cell maintenance and represents a therapeutic vulnerability in cancer
Authors: Kurani Hetakshi P. , Slingerland Joyce M.
Published: December 2024

Tumor-initiating cancer stem cells (CSC) pose a challenge in human malignancies since they are largely treatment resistant and can seed local recurrence and metastasis. Epigenetic mechanisms governing cell fate decisions in embryonic and adult stem cells are deregulated in CSCs. This review focuses on the methyltransferase DOT1L, which methylates H3K79 and is a key epigenetic regulator governing embryonic organogenesis and adult tissue stem cell maintenance. DOT1L is overexpressed in many human malignancies, and dysregulated H3K79 methylation is pathogenic in acute myeloid leukemia and several solid tumors. DOT1L regulates core stem cell genes governing CSC self-renewal, tumorigenesis, and multidrug resistance. Recent work has situated DOT1L as an attractive stem cell target in cancer. These reports showed that DOT1L is overexpressed and its protein activated specifically in malignant stem cells compared to bulk tumor cells, making them vulnerable to DOT1L inhibition in vitro and in vivo. While early DOT1L inhibitor clinical trials were limited by inadequate drug bioavailability, accumulating preclinical data indicate that DOT1L critically regulates CSC self-renewal and might be more effective when given with other anticancer therapies. The appropriate combinations of DOT1L inhibitors with other agents and the sequence and timing of drug delivery for maximum efficacy warrant further investigation.
Association between Arterial Stiffness, Carbamylation, and Mortality in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography with No or Mild Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Daschner Clara , Kleber Marcus E. , Stach Ksenija , Yuecel Goekhan , Husain-Syed Faeq , Ayasse Niklas , Berg Anders H. , März Winfried , Krämer Bernhard K. , Yazdani Babak
Published: December 2024

Introduction: The processes of atherosclerosis, inflammation, and carbamylation are closely linked in cardiovascular (CV) disease, but the potential of carbamylation burden as a CV mortality predictor is unclear, especially in patients with no or mild chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study aimed to investigate whether elevated carbamylated albumin (C-Alb), as a surrogate marker for carbamylation burden, is associated with mortality and arterial stiffness/atherosclerotic burden in patients with no or mild CKD, using pulse pressure (PP) as a marker for arterial stiffness. Methods: We measured C-Alb in 3,193 participants of the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health study who had been referred for coronary angiography and followed up for 10 years. Results: The mean age was 62.7 years, and 30.4% were female. Mean blood pressure was 141/81 mm Hg, and mean C-Alb was 5.54 mmol/mol. Increase in C-Alb levels was associated with older age; female sex; increased PP, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and interleukin-6 levels; and increased incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral artery disease (PAD), and carotid stenosis. In contrast, BMI, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), albumin, and the proportion of active smokers decreased with increasing C-Alb levels. In particular, C-Alb showed a highly significant correlation with CAD severity: Friesinger (Pearson correlation coefficient [r] = 0.082, p < 0.001) and Gensini score (r = 0.066, p < 0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) for all-cause mortality prediction by the European Society of Cardiology Heart Score (ESC-HS) significantly improved from 0.719 to 0.735, and the AUC for CV mortality prediction based on C-Alb increased from 0.726 to 0.750 in patients without previously known CV disease. C-Alb correlated directly and significantly with PP (r = 0.062, p < 0.001), which was consistently the strongest predictor of mortality across all C-Alb tertiles. The hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality per 10 mm Hg increase (or 1,000 mm Hg/min increase for double product [DP]) in the 1st tertile of C-Alb were 1.18, 1.13, 1.11, and 1.11 for PP, mean arterial pressure (MAP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and DP, respectively, but the HR for DBP did not reach significance. In the 3rd tertile of C-Alb, the HRs were 1.13, 1.05, and 1.09, for PP, SBP, and DP, respectively, but the HR for MAP did not reach significance. Conclusion: C-Alb may be a valuable biomarker for assessing CV risk and improving mortality prediction even in patients with no or mild CKD. The findings support the notion of a crosslink between carbamylation, inflammation, atherosclerosis, and mortality. While these results are promising, further research is needed to fully elucidate the role of C-Alb in CV disease progression and risk stratification.
Outcomes of Symptomatic Intracranial Large Artery Stenoses: A Prospective Cohort Study from the Asian Registry of Intracranial Atherosclerosis
Authors: Navarro Jose C. , Pandian Jeyaraj D. , Suwanwela Nijasri C. , Lee Tsong-Hai , Tan Kay Sin , Venketasubramanian Narayanaswamy
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Intracranial large artery atherosclerosis (ICAS) is a common cause of stroke in Asia. Prior epidemiological publications on ICAS have largely been single-country reports. This collaborative study involving several Asian countries aims to investigate the characteristics and outcomes of patients with stroke attributable to ICAS. Methods: This is an international, multicenter, observational, prospective cohort study of patients admitted with acute ischemic stroke secondary to ICAS to stroke centers in six Asian countries. Stroke due to ICAS was diagnosed when there was a ≥50% intracranial large artery stenosis ipslateral to a non-lacunar infarct, without significant ipsilateral extracranial stenosis, cardiac cause or other mechanism found for the stroke. Data were collected on patient demographics, vascular risk factors, stroke location, and severity. Outcomes of interest were stroke recurrence and mortality at 12-month follow-up. Results: A total of 356 patients were recruited. Mean age was 62.7 ± 13.8 years, and 39.9% were females. Mean NIHSS on admission was 9 ± 8, with majority of patients having mild (39.3%) or moderate (37.9%) strokes. Stroke recurrence was 6.7% (95% CI: 4.4–9.9%) while mortality rate was 13.2% (95% CI: 9.9–17.2%) within 1 year. The risk of stroke recurrence was associated with increasing age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.04, 95% CI: 1–1.06, p = 0.05) and hypertension (OR: 3.23, 95% CI: 1.09–9.61, p = 0.035). Mortality was associated with age (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01–1.08, p = 0.006) and NIHSS (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.07–1.17, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This multicenter Asian study demonstrates a high risk of stroke recurrence and mortality among patients with acute stroke due to ICAS. They are associated with age (both), as well as hypertension (for recurrence) and NIHSS (for mortality). Better treatment modalities are needed to reduce the frequency of adverse outcomes in symptomatic ICAS.
Descolonizando la ciencia y la tecnología: resistencias de jóvenes mayas en la universidad
Authors: González-González Roger Jesús , Cisneros - Cohernour Edith Juliana
Published: December 2024

(analytical)This research study explores the presence of dominant structures, modernity and colonialism in scientific and technological higher education in Mexico's Maya region, as well as their impact on indigenous youth trajectories. Through an interpretive case study that uses the techniques of document analysis, interviews and focus groups, the authors identified four main categories: the construction of Mayan identities in higher education; community empowerment; socioeconomic challenges,and; mobility/emotional challenges. The research reveals that the presence of Mayan young people in these spaces constitutes an act of epistemic resistance and contributes to the decolonization of scientific knowledge. The results of this study evidence the need for educational policies that recognize cultural diversity, strengthen dialogue between different types of knowledge and ensure the provision of comprehensive support that takes into account family and community contexts.
Juventudes y redes sociales: una apropiación espacial del mundo virtual
Authors: Alegría-Morán José
Published: December 2024

(analítico)Los jóvenes de hoy experimentan las redes sociales con una intensidad diferente a la de generaciones anteriores, estableciendo unabrecha de comprensión entre el mundo juvenil y mundo adulto. Esto lleva a preguntarse: ¿cómo se relacionan los jóvenes con sus redes sociales? Para la investigación se realizaron entrevistas abiertas semidirectivas a un grupo de jóvenes chilenos de la región metropolitana, que al momento de la entrevista tenían entre 18 y 22 años. Los hallazgos muestran que los jóvenes en sus relatos describen su experiencia con el mundo virtual contextualizándose espacialmente. Los jóvenes descubren lo virtual por medio del juego y lo disputan con otros sujetos. La espacialidad de las redes sociales las vuelve habitables, lo que implica que puede afectar a la construcción social de los sujetos.
Placental Pathology and Blood Pressure at Age 7: A Longitudinal Discordant Twin Analysis
Authors: Freedman Alexa A. , Miller Gregory E. , Franklin Andrew D. , Keenan-Devlin Lauren S. , Gilman Stephen E. , Borders Ann , Khan Sadiya S. , Ernst Linda M.
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND:

Evidence suggests that the intrauterine environment shapes offspring cardiovascular disease risk. Although placental dysfunction may be an important pathophysiologic pathway, numerous parental and pregnancy characteristics that influence offspring blood pressure are strong confounders of the mechanistic role of the placenta in observational analyses of singletons. Therefore, we leverage twin- and sibling-based comparison designs to determine whether placental pathology is associated with offspring blood pressure at age 7 while mitigating major sources of confounding.

METHODS:

Data are from pregnant participants and their offspring in the Collaborative Perinatal Project, a longitudinal pregnancy cohort conducted from 1959 to 1965 in the United States. After delivery, placentas were systematically examined for lesions indicative of maternal vascular malperfusion (MVM) and acute inflammation. Blood pressure was assessed at a follow-up research visit when the offspring were 7 years old. Linear fixed-effects models were used to estimate associations between within-twin or sibling discordance in placental pathology and differences in blood pressure at age 7.

RESULTS:

Overall, 193 twin pairs were eligible for inclusion, and 23.3% had placentas discordant for MVM. In a fixed-effect analysis, a twin with high-grade MVM had a higher systolic blood pressure
Z
score by 0.56 SDs than their co-twin without MVM (95% CI, 0.06–1.05) or a 5.7-mm Hg difference (95% CI, 0.6–10.8). Associations were consistent in a sensitivity analysis restricted to dichorionic twins and in a secondary analysis of 759 MVM-discordant sibling pairs. Acute placental inflammation was not associated with blood pressure at age 7.

CONCLUSIONS:

MVM in the placenta is associated with higher offspring blood pressure in mid-childhood, independent of parental and pregnancy characteristics that twins have in common. The findings support the role of the placenta and the intrauterine environment in the developmental origins of cardiovascular health.