bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study Finds Most Older Adults Use Digital Health Technologies, Plus Some Surprises
Authors: Perlis Roy , Schweitzer Kate
Published: February 2025

This Medical News article is an interview with Cornelius A. James, MD, of the University of Michigan Medical School about his recent research examining the use of digital health technologies, including patient portals, among older US adults and how it relates to his own experience in the clinic.
Industry Payments and Sentiments Toward Robotic Surgery Among US Physicians
Authors: Loh Wei San , Ibrahim Andrew M. , Sheskey Sarah , Stone Colleen M. , Sheetz Kyle H.
Published: February 2025

Importance

Given the rapid adoption of robotic surgery and its association with substantial industry payments, objective documentation of physicians’ perceptions toward robotic surgery is important.

Objective

To assess US-based physicians’ sentiments toward robotic surgery and whether industry payments are associated with their perceptions.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study analyzed publicly available posts made from March 19, 2009, to April 1, 2024, by 268 US-based physicians who followed the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons on X (formerly Twitter). Trainees and individuals without validated clinical practices were excluded. Physicians’ specialties were confirmed using the National Provider Identifier Registry.

Exposure

Payments from Intuitive Surgical Inc, a biotechnology company that manufactures robotic products for use in surgery, were identified via the Open Payments website. Among the physicians, 177 (66.0%) received payments and 91 (34.0%) did not.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Polarity and subjectivity scores of social media posts shared by physicians. Polarity was scored from −1 to 1, with higher scores reflecting more positive sentiment, lower scores reflecting more negative sentiment, and 0 indicating neutrality. Subjectivity was scored from 0 to 1, with higher scores reflecting more subjective opinions and lower scores reflecting objective facts.

Results

This study comprised 268 physicians (154 men [57.5%], 68 women [25.4%], and 46 physicians [17.2%] with sex not reported; 113 general surgeons [42.2%] and 155 physicians in surgical subspecialties [57.8%]). The overall sentiment scores ranged from −0.25 to 0.5 (mean [SD] score, 0.1 [0.2]; 95% CI, 0.09-0.13) and subjectivity scores ranged from 0 to 0.9 (mean [SD] score, 0.4 [0.2]; 95% CI, 0.38-0.41), suggesting that posts were relatively objective with occasional personal insights. No significant difference was seen in mean polarity scores between the 177 physicians who received payments and the 91 physicians who did not (mean [SD] score, 0.12 [0.2]; 95% CI, 0.09-0.14 vs 0.1 [0.2]; 95% CI, 0.07-0.14). Physicians posting before and after receiving industry payments showed consistent positive sentiments (median polarity, 0.1 [IQR, 0.03-0.21]) and decreased subjectivity after receiving payment. Physicians in the top 25% of payment distribution had more positive sentiments and increased subjectivity after receiving payments, whereas those in the bottom 75% showed little change.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of US-based physicians, publicly available social media data were used to quantify perceptions of robotic surgery. These findings demonstrate the potential of such data to inform health care practices, guide balanced information dissemination, and uphold the integrity of health information shared by physicians.
Online Flipped Learning
Authors: Kostka Ilka , Marshall Helaine W.
Published: February 2025

Flipped learning originally emerged as a pedagogical model that removed explicit instruction of new material from class sessions to create more time for students to apply course content in class. The approach was developed to meet all students' needs and facilitate interactive student‐centered learning in on‐ground instruction. Nonetheless, it has emerged as a popular approach for online instruction as well, especially during the worldwide COVID‐19 pandemic. When instructors needed to quickly pivot instruction from on‐ground to online learning, many sought a robust method to ensure teaching excellence and provide learners with an engaging and interactive experience. In an online context, the flipped material is completed asynchronously, and in‐class activities are conducted in synchronous sessions. There are benefits and challenges to implementing online flipped learning, as well as implications for English language instructors who teach academic English courses.
Storytelling as Social‐Emotional Learning in Video Production: Insights from TESOL Videographers
Authors: Herrera Luis Javier Pentón , Martínez‐Alba Gilda , Guerrero Judith Cruzado
Published: February 2025

By creating a scenario within a classroom where students get to engage in storytelling, in addition to having the opportunity to become part of a video production, students can really see how their ideas, cultures, and backgrounds are valued. This entry provides educators with tips on how to implement storytelling integrating social‐emotional learning, and a way to make it happen through video production that allows the stories to live on through time, beyond any class or course.
Teacher Education for English Medium Instruction
Authors: Siegel Joseph
Published: February 2025

Teachers and students around the world are engaged in teaching and learning subject content using English, as a second or additional language (L2), or as an instructional language. As more and more higher education institutions adopt English medium instruction (EMI), the need for systematic teacher education grows in tandem. The entry highlights the need for specialized teacher education for EMI and argues against faulty assumptions that EMI is the same as teaching in a first language (L1). EMI teachers and those who provide pedagogic support and teacher training for them would benefit from acknowledging the crucial impact that L2 English proficiency has on classroom teaching and learning. The language proficiency variable relates to both teachers and students. In addition to individual characteristics and broader language policies, L2 English proficiency and confidence levels influence a number of aspects of EMI, including pace, materials selection, expectations of students, and learning outcomes. To account for these factors and support teacher education for EMI, this entry describes a number of competences relevant for EMI instructors that can be fostered through both individual and systematic professional development.
The implementation of knowledge‐based planning with partial OAR contours for prostate radiotherapy
Authors: Osipitan Ositomiwa O. , Wiant David , Liu Han
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Intra‐ and inter‐observer contour uncertainty is a continuous challenge in treatment planning for radiotherapy. Our proposed solution to address this challenge is the use of partial contours for treatment planning, focusing on uninvolved or non‐overlapping portions of the organs‐at‐risk (OARs) with the planning target volume (PTV).

Methods

The partial contours systematically eliminate overlapping regions. The partial contours were evaluated against fully contoured OARs. We incorporated advanced tools like knowledge‐based planning (KBP) to create treatment plans and artificial intelligence (AI) to create auto‐segmented contours. We developed two models, Rapid Plan (RP) and Rapid Plan partial uninvolved (RP_Part_Un), using 70 previous clinically approved volumetric arc therapy (VMAT) plans each prescribed with 70 Gy/28 fractions. From these models, we created three plans, RP, RP_Part_Un, and MIM AI_Part_Un. In this retrospective study, 60 prostate patients were analyzed using the three plans. For determining OAR sparing, Dmax and Dmean along the percent volume receiving a dose over a range (V10 Gy V70 Gy) between each plan were compared. Geometric evaluations, dice similarity coefficient (DSC), and overlay index (OI) between the OAR contours from partial‐contoured manual structure sets and partial‐contoured AI structure sets were analyzed.

Results

When comparing the DSC and OI for full contours to the partial contours, in both groups, all comparisons were significantly increased for both organs. This indicated the partial contours had a higher degree of concordance. In patients with SpaceOAR, RP_Part_Un plans exhibited significantly reduced bladder Dmax and Dmean compared to RP plans, while rectum Dmax and Dmean showed no significant differences. For patients without SpaceOAR, RP_Part_Un significantly lowered rectum Dmean. MIM AI_Part_Un plans demonstrated lower rectum Dmax in both patient groups.

Conclusions

Partial contours, defined at a specified distance from the PTV, yielded dosimetry comparable to fully contoured plans, highlighting their potential efficacy in treatment planning.
Designing Biomimetic Leaves for Solar Spectrum Similarity and Even Multifunction
Authors: Yang Peiyao , Zhang Tong , Wang Yuchao , Ou Houzheng , Zheng Haitao , Zhang Jing , Wang Meng , Deng Danni , Chen Yingbi , Liu Xiangcui , Liu Zhiming , Xiong Xiang , Lei Yongpeng
Published: February 2025

Simulating the characteristics and achieving specific functions of biological systems are stirring but challenging. Developing biomimetic leaves (BLs) with functions such as photosynthesis, transpiration, and solar spectrum similarity receives great attention. With increasingly developed hyperspectral imaging techniques, though BLs for solar spectrum similarity have made significant strides, they are still grappling with low similarity and single function. In this review, first, the tissue and optical path of natural leaves are analyzed. Then, the spectral characteristics of the up‐to‐date pigments for single functional and multifunctional BLs are summarized. The importance of multifunctional BLs is highlighted. Notably, organic–inorganic hybrid pigments with vibrant colors and multifunction, show boundless promise. At last, insights into perspectives and challenges on BLs for solar spectrum similarity are provided. This review contributes profound insights into the biomimetic materials toward natural plants.
Synergistic Macroscopic–Microscopic Regulation: Dual Constraints of the Island Effect and Coffee‐Ring Effect in Printing Efficient Flexible Perovskite Photovoltaics
Authors: Chu Zhaoyang , Fan Baojin , Shi Weijie , Xing Zhi , Gong Chenxiang , Li Jin , Li Linfeng , Meng Xiangchuan , Niazi Muhammad Bilal Khan , Hu Xiaotian , Chen Yiwang
Published: February 2025

The performance of flexible perovskite solar modules (FPSMs) remains inferior to their rigid counterparts, primarily due to poor crystallinity and homogeneity resulting from disordered perovskite colloid transfer during the printing process. Here, the study introduces an Elastic Porous Meniscus (EPM) printing strategy to mitigate the island effect and coffee‐ring effect. By increasing the peak shear rate, the study effectively disperses perovskite islands. The issue of heterogeneous deposition is addressed by controlling shear force and surface tension. Additionally, the Laplace force is regulated to weaken Marangoni flow, enabling the printing of large‐area, high‐quality flexible perovskite films. The results show that the time window for initialized crystallization is greatly extended by a factor of four (from 2.5 to 11 s), enabling the formation of uniform perovskite films with high crystal uniformity. Consequently, the flexible perovskite solar cells (FPSCs) achieve a record‐breaking power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.54% (certified 25.44%) based on 1.01 cm2, with exceptional repeatability. EPM‐printed FPSMs with an active area of 100 cm2 demonstrate a PCE of 16.39% (certified 15.65%), comparable to rigid modules. This advancement significantly enhances the market potential and commercial value of perovskite photovoltaics across diverse applications.
F‐Free Fabrication Novel 2D Mo‐Based MBene Catalyst for Advanced Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Pu Jun , Fan Shanshan , Shen Zihan , Yin Jiasen , Tan Yun , Zhang Kai , Wu Bing , Hong Guo , Yao Yagang
Published: February 2025

An efficient electrocatalytic medium is very important for lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. Herein, as a novel MBene‐based material, 2D MoB is employed to facilitate the catalytic conversion of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs). Instead of the HF etching technology of previous MXene, the accordion‐like MoB‐based MBene adopts a hydrothermal‐assisted process. Its F‐free surface property prevents the harm of negative sulfur cathode from −F terminations. The high charge conductivity and abundant electrocatalytic active sites promote the adsorption‐transfer conversion of LiPSs on the MoB surface and accelerate the redox kinetics. Theoretical calculation, visual detection and in situ Raman results show that the stratified MoB‐coated separator inhibits the “shuttle effect” of soluble LiPSs through the coupling of physical and chemical mechanisms. Therefore, this work achieves a commendable stability of 847 mAh g−1 reversible capacity (2.0 C) and 0.0651% attenuation rate per cycle (4.0 C). The area capacity of 4.93 mAh cm−2 is still obtained under high loading. More importantly, this work has uncovered the great potential of promising 2D MBene as a catalyst for the reaction of sulfur species.
High‐Density Accessible Iron Single‐Atom Catalyst for Durable and Temperature‐Adaptive Laminated Zinc‐Air Batteries
Authors: Lan Liansheng , Wu Yonggan , Pei Yangfan , Wei Yuanhao , Hu Ting , Lützenkirchen‐Hecht Dirk , Yuan Kai , Chen Yiwang
Published: February 2025

Designing single‐atom catalysts (SACs) with high density of accessible sites by improving metal loading and sites utilization is a promising strategy to boost the catalytic activity, but remains challenging. Herein, a high site density (SD) iron SAC (D‐Fe‐N/C) with 11.8 wt.% Fe‐loading is reported. The in situ scanning electrochemical microscopy technique attests that the accessible active SD and site utilization of D‐Fe‐N/C reach as high as 1.01 × 1021 site g−1 and 79.8%, respectively. Therefore, D‐Fe‐N/C demonstrates superior oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity in terms of a half‐wave potential of 0.918 V and turnover frequency of 0.41 e site−1 s−1. The excellent ORR property of D‐Fe‐N/C is also demonstrated in the liquid zinc‐air batteries (ZABs), which exhibit a high peak power density of 306.1 mW cm−2 and an ultra‐long cycling stability over 1200 h. Moreover, solid‐state laminated ZABs prepared by presetting an air flow layer show a high specific capacity of 818.8 mA h g−1, an excellent cycling stability of 520 h, and a wide temperature‐adaptive from −40 to 60 °C. This work not only offers possibilities by improving metal‐loading and catalytic site utilization for exploring efficient SACs, but also provides strategies for device structure design toward advanced ZABs.
A CFD study of the effect of ridge baffles on the hydrodynamic behavior in gas–solid fluidized system
Authors: Jia Zhiyong , Shen Xiankun , Wang Yuelin , Lan Xiaocheng , Wang Tiefeng
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the impact of ridge baffles on the hydrodynamics of cold hydrogenation fluidized bed reactors (FBRs) using Euler–Euler simulations. The model was validated by comparing predicted pressure drops and bed expansion ratios with literature results. A comparative analysis was performed on 3D FBRs with and without ridge baffles in terms of solid holdup, gas–solid velocity distribution, pressure fluctuation, and residence time distribution (RTD). Ridge baffles were found to effectively break up large bubbles and enhance gas–solid contacting efficiency, as demonstrated by visual observations, reduced pressure standard deviations, and increased bubble frequency. Furthermore, baffled FBRs demonstrated a much narrower RTD and shorter tails than the free FBR, indicating the ability to suppress gas‐phase back‐mixing through the inhibition of solid back‐mixing and improvement of stripping efficiency. Based on sensitivity analysis of the number of baffle layers, one single layer of ridge baffles is the optimal design under the current simulation.
Clinical Insights Into Nabais Sá‐De Vries Syndrome due to a Novel SPOP Mutation: Neuromotor, Cognitive, Adaptive, Behavioral, and Neurovisual Features
Authors: Galli Jessica , Loi Erika , Zanardini Federica , Baldoni Giovanna , Novara Francesca , Panigada Serena , Ciccone Roberto , Cutrì Maria Rosa , Bertoletti Alice , Pinelli Lorenzo , Fazzi Elisa
Published: February 2025

Nabais Sá‐De Vries syndrome (NSDVS) is an extremely rare autosomal dominant disorder caused by SPOP mutations. To date, only 10 cases have been described presenting with intellectual disability, neurological signs and symptoms, and a variable association of dysmorphic features. In this article, we report a new case of NSDVS involving a novel pathogenic variant of the SPOP gene. We describe the patient's motor, cognitive, adaptive, behavioral, and neurovisual features, as well as her developmental trajectory. The girl, followed‐up from the first months of life to 11 years of age, presented with a de novo heterozygous missense in Exon 5 of the SPOP gene (NM_001007228.2:c.361C>T, p.Arg121Trp) and, thus, classified as NSDVS Type 1. Along with a global developmental delay, she showed microcephaly, dysmorphic features (such as narrow forehead, highly arched eyebrows, and blepharophimosis), moderate intellectual disability, adaptive difficulties, language disorder, and several neurovisual signs and symptoms (such as refractive errors, strabismus, nystagmus, altered oculomotor functions and deficits of visual acuity, and contrast sensitivity). These findings suggest a predominant involvement of the central nervous system in NSDVS and expand the phenotypic spectrum of this syndrome.
Refining the adriamycin‐induced focal segmental glomerulosclerosis mouse model to improve reproducibility and animal welfare
Authors: Jiang Haochen , Althobaiti Salma , Pinkerton Braeden , Fu Xin , Jia Zhenshan , Foster Kirk W. , Thiele Geoffrey M. , Plumb Troy J. , Wang Dong
Published: February 2025

Background

Reliable animal models are crucial to drug development for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a rare kidney disease. Variability in success rates in literature and significant ethical concerns with animal welfare necessitate further optimization of adriamycin (ADR)–induced FSGS model developed on BALB/c mice.

Methods

High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to assess ADR stability in water and upon light exposure. To identify the optimal ADR level, single intravenous ADR injections with dosing levels from 10 to 17 mg/kg body weight were administered to BALB/c mice to induce FSGS‐like pathology. Body weight and proteinuria of FSGS mice were monitored and analyzed for FSGS model–associated morbidity. Animals were euthanized for hematological and kidney histological assessments 8 weeks post induction. To identify the suitable experiment time frame of the ADR‐induced FSGS mouse model, a longitudinal study was performed, with an 11‐week continuous monitoring of the symptoms.

Results

ADR was found to be unstable in aqueous media and light sensitive. A dosing level of 10.5 mg/kg of ADR was optimal for consistent FSGS mouse model induction on BALB/c strain, characterized by minimal mortality and sustained FSGS‐like symptoms. Findings from the longitudinal study suggest that 6 weeks post ADR induction may represent the peak of FSGS pathology severity in this mouse model. This time frame may be used for FSGS drug development projects.

Conclusion

Based on the outcome from this study, we identified the optimal ADR dosing level and model testing duration. A standard operating procedure (SOP) for the ADR‐induced FSGS mouse model was established to facilitate FSGS basic research and drug development.
Nigral Neuroinflammation and Dopaminergic Neurons in Parkinson's Disease and Atypical Parkinsonisms
Authors: Backman Emmilotta A. , Gardberg Maria , Luntamo Laura , Peurla Markus , Vahlberg Tero , Borghammer Per , Stefanova Nadia , Wenning Gregor , Kaasinen Valtteri
Published: February 2025

Objective

To investigate the role of neuroinflammation in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) across different parkinsonian disorders—Parkinson's disease (PD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and multiple system atrophy (MSA)—by examining SNc dopaminergic neuron counts, neuroinflammatory T cells, and microglial activity.

Methods

Postmortem neuropathological samples were collected from 79 individuals (PD, n = 38; PSP, n = 15; MSA, n = 14; controls, n = 12). The density of SNc tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)‐positive neurons, T cells (CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+), and Iba1 expression (Iba1‐positive microglia/macrophages) were examined in the SNc and crus cerebri. Demographic and clinical data were gathered from patient histories.

Results

PSP patients had 89 to 212% more nigral CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells compared to MSA patients (p < 0.04), 125 to 178% more CD3+ and CD4+ T cells than healthy controls (p < 0.002), and 95% more CD4+ T cells than PD patients (p = 0.001). Iba1 expression in the SNc was higher in PD patients than in MSA patients (p = 0.004), with no significant differences observed across other conditions. There was a negative association between disease duration and SNc CD3+ T cell density (p = 0.002), and a positive correlation between nigral dopaminergic neuron density and CD3+ density, CD8+ density, and Iba1 expression in PD patients.

Interpretation

The study reveals distinctive neuroinflammatory patterns in the SNc, with T cell‐mediated inflammation prominent in PSP and microglia‐mediated inflammation in PD. PSP and MSA show greater SNc dopaminergic neuron loss compared to PD. Increased neuroinflammatory response is seen in earlier disease stages, diminishing with greater neuron loss, which may inform disease progression understanding and therapeutic strategies. ANN NEUROL 2025
KCl Supported by γ‐Al2O3 for Selective Adsorption of Gaseous Oxidized Mercury: Flue Gas Influence and Application
Authors: Tong Jiangyi , Li Haiyang , Jin Rui , Liu Xiaoshuo , Hu Haitao , Duan Yufeng , Ma Xiuyuan , Zhong Li , Han Lipeng
Published: February 2025

The KCl supported by γ‐Al2O3 for selective adsorption of gaseous HgCl2 has demonstrated high selectivity and adsorption capacity, which is crucial for mercury speciation partitioning from flue gas. However, its influence and stability in complex flue gas remains uncertain. Therefore, this paper explores the impact of common flue gas components (HCl, SO2, H2O, CO2, NO, O2) on the adsorption process and elucidates the underlying mechanisms from experiment and DFT view. The experimental results demonstrate that the HgCl2 breakthrough rate increases significantly from 2.119% to 17.921% as the concentration of HCl rises from 0 to 200 ppm. Comparatively, the HgCl2 breakthrough rate affected by SO2 and H2O is less than 8%, weakly reducing the adsorption efficiency of HgCl2, and that by CO2, NO, and O2 is less than 5%, showing negligible effects on the HgCl2 adsorption efficiency. The DFT indicates that HCl competes with HgCl2 at the Top‐Cl site in KCl, thereby reducing the adsorption efficiency of HgCl2, with the adsorption energy decreasing from −87.11 to −43.39 kJ/mol. In contrast, SO2 and H2O exhibit relatively weak interactions with Top‐Cl site of KCl, which exerts little influence on HgCl2 adsorption. The 100‐h running in low‐concentration simulated flue gas test in laboratory and on‐site test in coal‐fired flue gas demonstrate that the KCl/γ‐Al2O3 achieves a very low HgCl2 breakthrough rate of less than 10%, highlighting its superior interference immunity for the complex flue gas components and strong suitability and stability for industrial applications. This study provides solid evidence to support the industrial application of KCl/γ‐Al2O3 for highly selective adsorption of gaseous HgCl2 in coal‐fired power plant.
Exploring Ensemble Learning Techniques for Infant Mortality Prediction: A Technical Analysis of XGBoost Stacking AdaBoost and Bagging Models
Authors: Verma Indu , Prasad Sanjeev Kumar
Published: February 2025

Background

Infant mortality remains a critical public health issue, reflecting the overall health and well‐being of a population. Accurate prediction of infant mortality is crucial, as it enables healthcare providers to identify at‐risk populations and implement targeted interventions. By analyzing factors such as maternal education, prenatal care access, nutrition, and environmental influences, predictions help in designing effective programs aimed at reducing infant deaths.

Methods

This research paper aims to predict infant mortality in India by employing ensemble learning techniques, specifically eXtreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), stacking, adaptive boosting, and bagging. The data for the analysis are sourced from national surveys and demographic studies focusing on infant mortality in India. The collected data underwent rigorous preprocessing steps to prepare it for predictive modeling. Each ensemble learning model is applied to predict infant mortality rates based on the preprocessed data. The XGBoost handles complex and non‐linear relationships within the data, and the stacking model is used for the accurate and robust predictions. The adaptive boosting model iteratively trains multiple weak learners, which makes the predictive model as stronger. The adaptive boosting technique enhances the performance of weak classifiers while effectively addressing class imbalance issues. Further, the bagging approach is implemented to derive the linear and non‐linear relationships of infant mortality. Models were optimized using k‐fold cross‐validation to fine‐tune their hyper parameters. The predictive ability of the ensemble techniques is analyzed by deploying using different performance parameters.

Results

XGBoost attained superior performance results, with a 98.75% accuracy, 98.56% precision, and 98.24% recall. The adaptive boosting model strengthened weak learners and addressed class imbalance issues, while the bagging method captures linear and non‐linear relationships. Ensemble learning models demonstrated effectiveness in predicting infant mortality, with XGBoost excelling in handling complex and non‐linear relationships.

Conclusions

The simulation results revealed that ensemble learning models are highly effective in predicting infant mortality rates in India, with significant regional disparities observed. For example, the Northeast region exhibited the highest predicted infant mortality rates, while the South region recorded the lowest. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions in high‐mortality areas to reduce disparities. The study highlights the efficacy of ensemble learning models, particularly XGBoost, in predicting infant mortality in India. The findings emphasize the critical role of improving maternal education, access to prenatal care, and reducing socioeconomic disparities.
Thermische Vorspannung nachträglich ergänzter Bewehrung – experimentelle Umsetzung an Balken
Authors: Schwarz Yannik , Sanio David , Mark Peter
Published: February 2025

Im Beitrag wird ein Verfahren zur eigengewichtswirksamen Biegeverstärkung statisch bestimmter Stahlbetontragwerke mittels thermisch vorgespannter Zusatzbewehrung vorgestellt. Die in die Zugzone eingeschlitzten und in ein Verfüllmaterial eingebetteten Stäbe werden hierbei gezielt von außen temperiert und damit thermisch gedehnt. Nach dem Stoppen der Wärmezufuhr und dem damit verbundenen Abkühlen verhindert die Verbundwirkung mit dem zwischenzeitlich erhärteten Verfüllmaterial die Rückverformung der Stäbe. Die daraus resultierende Vorspannkraft wirkt der Belastung aus dem Eigengewicht entgegen und entlastet den Bestandsquerschnitt. Damit sind die ergänzten Stäbe für das Eigengewicht wirksam. Der Beitrag zeigt die experimentelle Umsetzung der Verstärkungsmethode an unbelasteten Balken mit messtechnischer Erfassung der Vorspannwirkung sowie Validierung eines für die Verstärkungsmethode hergeleiteten analytischen Berechnungsmodells. Konkurrierend werden Schlitzbreiten von 8 cm und 10 cm bei ansonsten gleichen Randbedingungen untersucht. Zudem werden die wesentlichen Einflussgrößen auf die Wirksamkeit der thermischen Vorspannung diskutiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen die Umsetzbarkeit der thermischen Vorspannung nachträglich ergänzter Bewehrungsstäbe. Es wird eine Vordehnung der ergänzten Stäbe von ca. 0,5 ‰ erreicht. Die gemessene Vorspannwirkung übersteigt dabei sogar das Ergebnis analytischer Berechnungen. Dies ist auf eine zusätzliche Vorspannwirkung des ebenfalls thermisch gedehnten Verfüllmaterials zurückzuführen. Mit größerer Schlitzbreite und damit einer größeren temperierten Fläche reduziert sich infolge des Durchwärmens des Initialquerschnitts die Wirksamkeit der Verstärkung. Zudem reduziert Verbundkriechen die Vorspannwirkung, während das Schwinden des Verfüllmaterials diese sogar steigen lässt.
Ultrastable Gel Polymer Lithium Metal Batteries With Novel Nitro‐Substituted Hexafluoride SEI‐Forming Additive
Authors: Zhang Shuoning , Wang Zichen , Yu Yinuo , Qin Shengyu , Ren Yunxiao , Chen Jiajun , Liu Jiale , Zhang Lanying , Hu Wei , Yang Huai
Published: February 2025

Employing functional additives can facilitate the formation of stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), which has emerged as a promising strategy to improve the electrochemical properties of lithium metal batteries (LMBs). Typical SEI containing inorganic components, such as lithium fluoride (LiF) and lithium nitride (LiNxOy and Li3N), have been confirmed to construct an ideal SEI for LMBs. Here, we designed and synthesized a novel molecule named BTFN to act as an SEI‐forming additive containing fluorine and nitro groups. The strong electron‐withdrawing effect greatly reduces the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy, facilitating its preferential decomposition during the SEI‐forming process. An SEI with rich LiF, LiNxOy, and Li3N forms after its preferential and complete decomposition, greatly enhancing stabilization and uniformity. The lifespan of symmetric LMBs with BTFN significantly increases more than 12 times under the same conditions; the Li/SPE/LFP full batteries cycle more than four times the contrast batteries with a capacity retention of 99.7%. This work provides some experiences and opinions for exploring complex SEI‐forming additives.
Adsorption and the subsequent desorption of lactic acid molecules on zirconium metal‐organic frameworks: An innovative and efficient approach for the recovery of the produced lactic acid from fermentation broth
Authors: Rahimi Mohammad Saeed , Esfahanian Mehri
Published: February 2025

Nowadays, biomass‐derived lactic acid serves as a significant foundational chemical in the pursuit of sustainable production of various materials. Nevertheless, the current fermentation process faces limitations due to the challenging retrieval of the lactic acid product from the fermentation broth, resulting in the production of gypsum waste in stoichiometric quantities. In this work, we demonstrate the efficacy of Zr‐UiO‐66 metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as effective adsorbents in the process of recovery of lactic acid from the fermentation broth. The MOF beads have been manufactured successfully and were applied to recover lactic acid from the solution and the experimental conditions were optimized. The results show that Zr‐UiO‐66 adsorbent has a good ability of up to 98.8% to adsorb the produced lactic acid from its fermentation broth at a pH value of 6.5, adsorbent (MOF) dosage of 0.625 g, an initial concentration of 15 mg/L, temperature of 298 K, within process time of 4 h. The data obtained from the adsorption process demonstrated a satisfactory fit with the Langmuir isotherm model (with a R2 of 0.958), kinetics (with a R2 of 0.970), and thermodynamic results, confirming the spontaneous and exothermic nature of the adsorption process. The regeneration experiment of the MOF beads showed that the adsorption efficiency of Zr‐UiO‐66 remained above 90% even after undergoing seven cycles.
Supercritical water injection into unconventional reservoirs: A comprehensive flow model of an injection well connected to a reservoir
Authors: Yusupov Roman , Turakhanov Aman , Mukhina Elena , Gorlanov Alexey , Cheremisin Alexander , Prochukhan Konstantin , Cheremisin Alexey
Published: February 2025

Supercritical water injection (SCW) is a promising thermal method for enhancing oil recovery from hard‐to‐recover reservoirs. The success of this technique relies heavily on the downhole properties of the injected fluid, particularly under high‐pressure, high‐temperature conditions. In this study, a model of SCW flow through thermally insulated injection tubing, comprising both vertical and horizontal sections, is developed. An engineering code was created to simulate SCW injection, incorporating a simplified reservoir model in the horizontal section as a boundary condition, with reservoir injectivity determined iteratively based on wellhead pressure. Numerical examples illustrate the model's performance by examining the effects of varying injection system parameters. High‐precision correlations were employed to calculate fluid thermodynamic properties, enabling accurate simulations. Key factors such as initial SCW temperature, insulation thermal conductivity, and skin factor were analyzed to assess their impact on pressure, temperature, and specific enthalpy distributions along the tubing. The findings provide insights into optimizing SCW injection parameters, underscoring the potential of this approach for effective thermal recovery in unconventional reservoirs.
Towards a Model of Color Reproduction Difference
Authors: High Gregory , Nussbaum Peter , Green Phil
Published: February 2025

It is difficult to predict the visual difference between cross‐media color reproductions. Typically, visual difference occurs due to the limitations of each output medium's color gamut, the difference in substrate colors, and the gamut mapping operations used to transform the source material. However, for pictorial images the magnitude of the resulting visual difference is also somewhat content dependent. Previously, we created an interval scale of overall visual difference () by comparing gamut mapped images side‐by‐side on a variety of simulated output media. In this paper we use the preexisting visual difference data, together with the known source images, as well as information relating to the output gamuts, to create a model of color reproduction difference which is both output‐gamut and source‐image dependent. The model generalizes well for a range of images, and therefore performs better than mean as a predictor of visual difference. In addition, the inclusion of coefficients derived directly from the source images provides insight into the main drivers of the visual difference.
Comparative Effectiveness of First‐Line Pembrolizumab vs. Chemotherapy in aNSCLC: A Norwegian Population‐Based Cohort Study
Authors: Brant Simon Boge , Børø Siri , Jonasson Christian , Helland Åslaug , Thoresen Steinar
Published: February 2025

The KEYNOTE‐0421,2 trial showed the benefit of treating patients with non‐oncogene addicted advanced NSCLC with PD‐L1 tumor proportion score over 50% with pembrolizumab as monotherapy over platinum‐doublet chemotherapy. To contextualize these results, we undertake a detailed emulation of the inclusion criteria in KEYNOTE‐042 using Norwegian health registry data and discuss both the clinical contexts, as well as the general utility of such registry data for pharmacoepidemiologic research in oncology. Within the population of patients with PD‐L1 tumor proportion score over 50%, an observational analog of an intention‐to‐treat analysis showed similar results to those of the KEYNOTE‐042 study.
Voltage Control of Microgrid Inverter System Based on Improved Sliding Mode Control and Composite Nonlinear Feedback Control
Authors: Xing Zhengzheng , Xiu Chunbo , Xu Guowei
Published: February 2025

To enhance the robustness of the microgrid inverter system in islanded operation mode and speed up the response of the system, a novel voltage control strategy based on improved sliding mode control (SMC) and composite nonlinear feedback control (CNFC) is proposed. This strategy is specifically designed for the microgrid disconnected from the public grid. To achieve a fast system response, an attenuation function is designed to adjust the strength between linear and nonlinear feedback terms in CNFC under different conditions. To improve the anti‐interference ability of the system and suppress the chattering phenomenon, an adaptive reaching law (ARL) is designed by constructing a variable power term and introducing a hyperbolic tangent function, and the convergence of the ARL is proved by the Lyapunov stability analysis method. Furthermore, a collaborative sliding surface is designed to combine the improved SMC and CNFC for regulating the voltage output of the microgrid inverter system. The simulation experiment results show that the ARL has a smaller control error than that of the commonly used sliding mode reaching law, introducing CNFC into SMC can significantly improve the convergence speed of the system, and the steady state performance of SM‐CNFC is also superior to SMC, CNFC, and super twisting SMC methods. Therefore, the novel voltage control strategy can effectively suppress voltage fluctuations caused by load variation and parameter perturbations in the microgrid inverter system and improve the power quality of the microgrid.
Fentanyl and Propofol Misuse: Hair Analysis Provides Significant Evidence in the Death of a Young Doctor
Authors: Burgueño M. José , Bueno José R. , Megía Carmen , Quintela Oscar , Velázquez Sergio , Bravo Begoña
Published: February 2025

An intern doctor was found dead at their home with several signs of venepuncture. A bottle of propofol and a filled syringe appeared at the scene. Their medical history recorded antidepressant treatment and a suicide attempt 1.5 years earlier by massive ingestion of venlafaxine and quetiapine. Toxicological investigation was requested to know previous history of drug use and to clarify the cause of death. A thorough chemical‐toxicological analysis of blood, urine, gastric contents, and syringe contents was performed by GC‐MS and LC‐Q‐TOF. A comprehensive qualitative screening of more than 500 drugs and toxins, as well as quantification of fentanyl, benzodiazepines, and propofol‐glucuronide, was carried out on three 3‐cm hair segments by LC‐MS/MS. A high concentration of fentanyl was found in blood (38 ng/mL), together with nordiazepam (167 ng/mL), propofol (< 500 ng/mL), venlafaxine (630 ng/mL), and O‐desmethylvenlafaxine (510 ng/mL). Results in hair varied from distal to proximal to the root segment: fentanyl increased (43, 56, and 175 pg/mg, respectively); propofol‐glucuronide decreased (239, 73, and 37 pg/mg); and benzodiazepines increased. Venlafaxine and O‐desmethylvenlafaxine were positive in all three segments. These results revealed polydrug use for at least 9 months prior to death and an increase in fentanyl use over this period. Segmental hair analysis uncovers patterns of drug misuse that improve the interpretation of postmortem results. Although death by suicide cannot be totally ruled out, the findings suggest accidental death by overdose of fentanyl in combination with other psychoactive drugs in a propofol and fentanyl abuser.
Rates and controls of nitrogen fixation in postfire lodgepole pine forests
Authors: Heumann Robert E. , Turner Monica G. , Cleveland Cory C.
Published: February 2025

Severe, stand‐replacing wildfire substantially depletes nitrogen (N) stocks in subalpine conifer forests, potentially exacerbating N limitation of net primary productivity in many forested regions where fire frequency is increasing. In lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) forests in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), long‐term data show surface soil and biomass N stocks are replenished during the first few decades following wildfire, but the source(s) of that N are unclear. We measured acetylene reduction rates in multiple cryptic niches (i.e., lichen, moss, pine litter, dead wood, and mineral soil) in 34‐year‐old lodgepole pine stands in the GYE to explore the rates, temporal patterns, and climate controls on cryptic N fixation. Acetylene reduction rates were highest in late May (0.376 nmol C2H4 g−1 h−1) when moisture availability was high compared with early August and mid‐October when moisture was relatively low (0.112 and 0.002 nmol C2H4 g−1 h−1, respectively). We observed modest rates of nitrogenase activity in a few niches following a mid‐summer rain event, suggesting that moisture is an important factor regulating field‐based N fixation rates. In a laboratory experiment, moss responded more strongly to temperature and moisture variation than all other niches. Acetylene reduction rates in dead wood increased with temperature but not moisture content. No other niches showed clear responses to either moisture or temperature manipulation. Together, the field and laboratory results suggest that frequent asynchrony between favorable temperature and moisture conditions may limit N fixation rates in the field. Overall, total annual cryptic N fixation inputs (mean: 0.26; range: 0.07–2.9 kg N ha−1 year−1) represented <10% of the postfire biomass and surface soil N accumulation in the same stands (39.4 kg N ha−1 year−1), pointing to a still unknown source of ecosystem N following fire.
Spatiotemporal Causal Inference With Mechanistic Ecological Models: Evaluating Targeted Culling on Chronic Wasting Disease Dynamics in Cervids
Authors: Mandujano Reyes Juan Francisco , Ma Ting Fung , McGahan Ian P. , Storm Daniel J. , Walsh Daniel P. , Zhu Jun
Published: February 2025

Spatiotemporal causal inference methods are needed to detect the effect of interventions on indirectly measured epidemiological outcomes that go beyond studying spatiotemporal correlations. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) causes neurological degeneration and eventual death to white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Wisconsin. Targeted culling involves removing deer after traditional hunting seasons in areas with high CWD prevalence. The evaluation of the causal effects of targeted culling in the spread and growth of CWD is an important unresolved research and CWD management question that can guide surveillance efforts. Reaction–diffusion partial differential equations (PDEs) can be used to mechanistically model the underlying spatiotemporal dynamics of wildlife diseases, like CWD, allowing researchers to make inference about unobserved epidemiological quantities. These models indirectly regress spatiotemporal covariates on diffusion and growth rates parameterizing such PDEs, obtaining associational conclusions. In this work we develop an innovative method to obtain causal estimators for the effect of targeted culling interventions on CWD epidemiological processes using an inverse‐probability‐of‐treatment‐weighted technique by means of marginal structural models embedded in the PDE fitting process. Additionally we establish a novel scheme for sensitivity analysis under unmeasured confounder for testing the hypothesis of a significant causal effect in the indirectly measured epidemiological outcomes. Our methods can be broadly used to study the impact of spatiotemporal interventions and treatment exposures in the epidemiological evolution of infectious diseases that can help to inform future efforts to mitigate public health implications and wildlife disease burden.
Neuropsychological analysis in sunflower syndrome suggests the involvement of the ventral attention network on right visual dorsal stream
Authors: Mazzone Serena , Landolina Laura , Utili Anna , Belcastro Vincenzo , Striano Pasquale , Cordelli Duccio Maria , Russo Angelo
Published: February 2025

Sunflower syndrome, a rare photosensitive epilepsy characterized by handwaving episodes and fixation on light sources, remains poorly understood, especially regarding its neuropsychological profile. This study provides a detailed cognitive evaluation of two patients, revealing a likely disruption in the visual dorsal stream, with particular involvement of the ventral attention network (VAN). Despite normal overall intellectual functioning, both patients exhibited significant deficits in Processing Speed Index and inhibitory control, indicating selective executive dysfunction. Coupled with EEG anomalies predominantly in the right frontal lobe, these findings suggest right hemisphere involvement, potentially along the VAN pathway. This study highlights the need for further research, particularly functional neuroimaging, to better understand the neurocognitive aspects of sunflower syndrome and its impact on patients' quality of life.
Characterisation of the Key Aroma Compounds in Black and Green Betel Nuts and Their Aroma Synergy
Authors: Yi Fengping , Luo Yifu , Wu Zhenglin , Wu Kaiwen , Yu Genfa , Su Chang , Liao Shengliang , Zhu Guangyong
Published: February 2025

Betel nut possesses a distinctive flavour that appeals to specific consumers, despite the well‐documented risks of oral diseases associated with its use. Understanding the characteristic aroma of betel nut is essential for developing appealing substitutes. In this study, supercritical CO2 fluid extraction was employed to obtain extracts from green and black betel nuts, and the volatile compounds were analysed using headspace solid‐phase microextraction. A total of 30 volatile compounds were identified in green betel nuts and 37 in black betel nuts. Through the odour activity value (OAV) method, 14 key aroma compounds were identified in black betel nuts (FD ≥ 16, OAV ≥ 1). These findings were further validated by aroma reconstitution and omission tests. The aroma synergy of these compounds was also examined using the S‐curve and σ‐τ methods, revealing that smoky compounds significantly masked the perception and intensity of other aroma components. This study provides valuable flavour data for the development of betel nut substitutes, which could contribute to reducing the health risks associated with betel nut consumption.
The Effects of Sudan's Armed Conflict on Economy and Health: A Perspective
Authors: Mohamed Esraa Mahadi Ali , Lucero‐Prisno Don‐Eliseo
Published: February 2025

Sudan's economy has been greatly affected by the armed conflict through 15 different channels at both micro and macro levels. The requested fund to save live of sudanese population is 2.6 billion US$ from which only 33% was allocated. The humanitarian crisis in Sudan has lead to contraction in economy and thus agriculture, health, water supply, education, and bankig which all resulted in increased mortality and morbidity rates, food insecurity, violation in human rights and inflation. There is a rising humanitarian need for assistance, in addition to urgent interventions to stop war and cease fire. International law must be enforced through international organizations, the voice of Sudanese civil society must be coordinated if not united, and several measures must be taken after the conflict resolved to address the impacts of conflict.