bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of cell‐free non‐invasive prenatal testing in pregnancies affected by placental mosaicism
Authors: Lund Ida Charlotte Bay , Becher Naja , Lildballe Dorte , Andreasen Lotte , Horsholt Thomsen Simon , Vestergaard Else Marie , Vogel Ida
Published: March 2024

Objective

To evaluate cell‐free non‐invasive prenatal testing (cfNIPT) in pregnancies affected by mosaicism.

Method

We assessed paired cfNIPT and chorionic villus sample (CVS) results from the same pregnancies in a case series of mosaicism detected in Central and North Denmark Regions from April 2014 to September 2018. Indications for the clinically obtained CVS, pregnancy markers and outcome were retrieved from The Danish Fetal Medicine Database.

Results

Mosaicisms in CVS involved common aneuploidy, n = 14; sex chromosomal aneuploidies, n = 14; rare autosomal trisomies (RATs), n = 16 and copy number variants (CNVs) >5Mb, n = 9. Overall, 24/53 (45.3%; CI 95%: 31.8%–59.4%) of cases with mosaicism were detected by cfNIPT; highest for RATs (56%) and lowest for CNVs (22%). CfNIPT more commonly detected high‐level than low‐level mosaic cases (p = 0.000). CfNIPT detected 7/16 (43.8%; CI 95%: 21%–69%) clinically significant mosaic cases, either true fetal mosaicism or confined placental mosaicisms with adverse pregnancy outcome. There was a trend toward a higher risk for adverse outcome in pregnancies where mosaicism was detected by cfNIPT compared to pregnancies where mosaicism was not detected by cfNIPT (p = 0.31).

Conclusion

CfNIPT has a low detection rate of mosaicism, including pregnancies with clinically significant mosaicism. However, abnormal cfNIPT results may be a predictor of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Optimization of mechanical and electromagnetic interference shielding properties of expanded graphite/polyurethane composite foams
Authors: Oraby Hussein , Darwish Mohammad , Senna Magdy H. , Tantawy Hesham Ramzy
Published: March 2024

The expanded graphite (EG) was used as a filler in EG/polyurethane (PU) composite foams for electromagnetic interference shielding (EMI). The EG/PU composite foams were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and SEM. The shielding effectiveness (SE) of the EG/PU composite form containing 5 wt% EG was −24 dB at 5 wt% in the 8–12 GHz range. The optimal EG loading was 3 wt% and the corresponding EG/PU composite foam had a total SE of −18.9 dB and fairly good mechanical characteristics (compressive strength: 13.43 MPa and compressive modulus: 4.95 MPa). These attributes position the EG/PU composite foam as a promising candidate for diverse EMI SE applications.

Highlights

Synthesis by thermal exfoliation and characterization by x‐ray diffraction, Raman and SEM of EG.

Preparation of EG/PU foams for enhanced EMI SE.

Optimization of the EG loading with regard to SE and mechanical properties of the EG/PU foams.
Social determinants of health and COVID‐19 recovery after inpatient rehabilitation
Authors: Martin Hannah , Lewis Christopher , Dreyer Sean , Couri Juliana , Sen Sanchita , Jayabalan Prakash
Published: March 2024

Background

Neighborhoods with more social determinants of health (SDOH) risk factors have higher rates of infectivity, morbidity, and mortality from COVID‐19. Patients with severe COVID‐19 infection can have long‐term functional deficits leading to lower quality of life (QoL) and independence measures. Research shows that these patients benefit greatly from inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRF) admission, but there remains a lack of studies investigating long‐term benefits of rehabilitation once patients are returned to their home environment.

Objective

To determine SDOH factors related to long‐term independence and QoL of COVID‐19 patients after IRF stay.

Design

Multisite cross‐sectional survey.

Setting

Two urban IRFs.

Main Outcome Measures

Primary outcome measures were Post‐COVID Functional Status Scale (PCFS) and Short Form‐36 (SF‐36) scores. Secondary outcomes were quality indicator (QI) scores while at IRF and a health care access questionnaire. Results were analyzed using analysis of variance and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results

Participants (n = 48) who were greater than 1 year post‐IRF stay for severe COVID‐19 were enrolled in the study. Higher SF‐36 scores were associated with male gender (p = .002), higher income (≥$70,000, p = .004), and living in the city (p = .046). Similarly, patients who were of the male gender (p = .004) and had higher income (≥$70,000, p = .04) had a greater odds of a 0 or 1 on the PCFS. Age was not associated with differences. Women were more likely to seek follow‐up care (p = .014). Those who sought follow‐up care reported lower SF‐36 overall and emotional wellness scores, p = .041 and p = .007, respectively. Commonly reported barriers to health care access were financial and time constraints.

Conclusions

Patients with SDOH risk factors need to be supported in the outpatient setting to maintain functional gains made during IRF stays. Female gender, income, and urban setting are potential predictors for long‐term QoL and independence deficits after rehabilitation for COVID‐19 infection. Low emotional wellness is an indicator for patients to seek out care as far out as 1 year from their rehabilitation stay.
Trajectories of illness perceptions in paediatric cancer patients and their parents and associations with health‐related quality of life: Results of a prospective‐longitudinal study
Authors: Herzog Kristina , Schepper Florian , Kamm‐Thonwart Remo , Herrmann Jessy , Budich Mihaela , Weiler‐Wichtl Liesa , Pletschko Thomas , Suttorp Meinolf , Christiansen Holger , Martini Julia
Published: March 2024

Objective

In paediatric oncology, little is known about trajectories of illness perceptions and their longitudinal associations with health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate changes in illness perceptions in children and parents over a one‐year‐period and to investigate predictive value of child's and parent's illness perceptions during acute treatment for child's HRQoL 1 year later.

Methods

N = 65 child‐parent‐dyads participated in a longitudinal study (retention rate: 80.2%). Children were 4–18 years of age and underwent acute cancer treatment at baseline. Children and parents reported on their own illness perceptions (Illness‐Perception‐Questionnaire‐Revised), as well as on the child's HRQoL (KINDL‐R) at baseline and one‐year‐follow‐up. Paired‐samples t‐tests were calculated to investigate changes over time. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed to investigate predictive value of child's and parent's illness perceptions for child's HRQoL.

Results

Child's HRQoL t(63) = −6.73, p < 0.001, their perceptions of coherence (i.e. understanding; t(54) = −2.36, p = 0.022) and consequences of their illness (t(54) = 2.86, p = 0.006), and parent's perception of cyclical trajectory (t(61) = 2.06, p = 0.044) improved from baseline to 1‐year‐follow‐up. All other illness perceptions remained stable. Exploratory post‐hoc analyses showed differences in the pattern of change in age‐, gender‐, and diagnosis‐specific subgroups. After controlling for baseline levels of HRQoL, child's perceptions of symptoms and consequences were independent predictors of their HRQoL 1 year later (R2 = 0.396, F(2,52) = 10.782, p < 0.001), whereas no parent's illness perceptions added predictive value.

Conclusion

In paediatrics, child's and parent's illness perceptions should be assessed. Our findings highlight the importance of illness perceptions as potential modifiable variables in interventions to improve child's HRQoL.
Quasi‐atomic layer etching of silicon with surface chlorination and removal using Ar or He plasmas
Authors: Kim Namgun , Kim Whan Kyun , Shin Dongjun , Kim Jong Kyu , Lee Chan Min , Yoon Kuk Han , Ko Youngju , Chae Heeyeop
Published: March 2024

A comparative study of argon (Ar) and helium (He) plasmas is conducted in quasi‐atomic layer etching (ALE) processes for silicon (Si). The ALE window is identified to be between 35 and 55 V for Ar and 25–45 V for He, with an etch per cycle of 6.0 Å/cycle for Ar and 7.5 Å/cycle for He. Thirty percent thicker chlorination layers are observed with Cl2/He ALE than with Cl2/Ar ALE in the chlorination step. The penetration depth of He ions is twice that of Ar ions, with a standard deviation of 4.5 times greater. This study demonstrates that He ions in the removal steps considerably affect the subsequent modification steps in Si ALE.
Prediction of ionic liquids toxicity using machine learning models for application to gas hydrate
Authors: Abdullah Nurul Hannah , Zaini Dzulkarnain , Lal Bhajan
Published: March 2024

Ionic liquids (ILs) are highly favored in the oil and gas industry as gas hydrate inhibitors due to their dual functionality as thermodynamic inhibitor and kinetic hydrate inhibitor. Though known as the “green alternatives,” concerns about the effects of ILs in the environment are rising such that ILs can stabilize in water systems. Furthermore, there are insufficient data on the toxicity of ILs, limiting the use of ILs for industrial applications. Ridge, LASSO, decision tree, random forest, extra tree, gradient boost, and support vector regressions were used to develop IL toxicity predictive models. Random forest yielded the strongest predictive performance, scoring the highest R2 value of 0.86, with mean absolute error and root mean square error values of 0.32 and 0.43, respectively. Feature selections were conducted to investigate the contributions of the five molecular descriptors involved in developing regression models in this work. Descriptor MSDC was found to contribute the highest at 67% in predicting the toxicity of ILs, followed by SNarA and MAXDPC, demonstrating contributions of 15.2% and 14.1%, respectively. Further quantitative structure–activity relationship model validations were executed; the use of three descriptors resulted in a 2% increase in predictive performance for decision tree regression, whereas R2 values remained the same for random forest, extra tree, and gradient boosting.
Gut microbiota metagenomics and mediation of phenol degradation in Bactrocera minax (Diptera, Tephritidae)
Authors: Cao Shuai , Ren Xueming , Zhang Guijian , Wang Haoran , Wei Bingbing , Niu Changying
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND

Gut microbiota mediating insect–plant interactions have many manifestations, either by provisioning missing nutrients, or by overcoming plant defensive reactions. However, the mechanism by which gut microbiota empower insects to survive by overcoming a variety of plant secondary metabolites remains largely unknown. Bactrocera minax larvae develop in immature citrus fruits, which present numerous phenolic compounds that challenge the larvae. To explore the role of gut microbes in host use and adaptability, we uncovered the mechanisms of phenol degradation by gut microbes using metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses, and verified the degradation ability of isolated and cultured bacteria. Research on this subject can help develop potential strain for the environmental friendly pest management operations.

RESULTS

We demonstrated the ability of gut microbes in B. minax larvae to degrade phenols in unripe citrus. After antibiotic treatment, coniferyl alcohol and coumaric aldehyde significantly reduced the survival rate, body length and body weight of the larvae. The metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses in B. minax provided evidence for the presence of genes in bacteria and the related pathway involved in phenol degradation. Among them, Enterococcus faecalis and Serratia marcescens, isolated from the gut of B. minax larvae, played critical roles in phenol degradation. Furthermore, supplementation of E. faecalis and S. marcescens in artificial diets containing coniferyl alcohol and coumaric aldehyde increased the survival rate of larvae.

CONCLUSION

In summary, our results provided the first comprehensive analysis of gut bacterial communities by high‐throughput sequencing and elucidated the role of bacteria in phenol degradation in B. minax, which shed light on the mechanism underlying specialist insect adaption to host secondary metabolites via gut bacteria. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Progress of Carrageenan‐Based Films and Coatings for Food Packaging Applications
Authors: Wang Xiuchao , Guo Chuanyan , Guo Hongge
Published: March 2024

As a polysaccharide extracted from marine red algae, carrageenan has the advantages of biodegradability, nontoxicity and water solubility over petroleum‐based plastics for use as films and coatings for keeping food fresh. Aqueous solutions of carrageenan can be cast into films on plates and then made into food packaging bags, as well as coated directly onto food surfaces, all of which are referred to as ‘wraps’. To overcome the inherent limitations of carrageenan as a packaging material, physical and chemical modifications have been studied. The mechanical, thermal, barrier and antibacterial properties of modified carrageenan make it widely applicable for extending the shelf life of food products and monitoring its freshness. The research progress of carrageenan‐based wraps in recent years has been reviewed in terms of preparation methods, physicochemical properties, gelation mechanisms and applications, and the factors affecting the drying rate of them have been analysed. Finally, applications and future research directions of carrageenan are summarized and discussed to provide useful guidelines for further research.
Tailoring the donor moieties in TPA‐based organic dyes for efficient photovoltaic, optical and nonlinear optical response properties
Authors: Bibi Shamsa , Imtiaz Aamna , Muhammad Shabbir , urRehman Shafiq , Chaudhry Aijaz Rasool , Al‐Sehemi Abdullah G. , Alqurashy Bakhet Ahmad , Gilani Mazhar Amjad
Published: March 2024

The current study reports tailoring the electronic donor structures of organic dyes to modify their optical and nonlinear optical (NLO) response properties. Five (5) tri‐phenyl amine (TPA) based Donor‐π‐Acceptor (D‐π‐A) organic dyes with the codes ICAA1, ICAA2, ICAA3, ICAA4, and ICAA5 were designed and investigated for their optical and NLO properties using quantum chemical methods. Optical and NLO properties of these dyes were studied by CAM‐B3LYP method and 6‐311G* basis set. The focus has been on the impact of adding secondary donors and shifting their substitutions at ortho (o), meta (m) and para (p) positions. Among all designed compounds, ICAA4 showed the highest amplitude of average third‐order NLO polarizability <γ>, which is calculated to be 1316 × 10−36 esu. Time‐dependent Density Functional Theory (TD‐DFT) method was used to determine how a change in the position of the donor affected the excitation energy (Eg) and NLO response properties. The findings showed that changing the position of the secondary donor results in a red shift among absorption spectra as well as the increase in their NLO responses. Complete process of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) has been investigated in terms of different optical parameters such as frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs), molecular electrostatic potentials (MEPs), transition density matrix (TDMs), density of states (DOS), electron density difference (EDD), and natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. Our calculations for study of ICT process indicate that p‐position of methoxy group performs better among all other positions and even it has better NLO response properties than the compound with three collective methoxy groups. The calculated Voc values of all designed molecules range from 1.09 to 1.30, all of them are positive while their ΔGinject is found to be in the range of −0.87 to −1.79 eV indicating their decent potential for photovoltaic applications. The studied optical, NLO and photovoltaic parameters illustrated that ICAA1 to ICAA5 are appropriate molecules not only for NLO applications but also for efficient photovoltaic purposes.
Parallel Flagged Fault‐tolerant Error Correction for Stabilizer Codes of Distance 5
Authors: Du Chao , Ma Zhi , Liu Yiting , Duan Qianheng , Fei Yangyang
Published: March 2024

Flagged fault‐tolerant error correction schemes have attracted a lot of attention for their low qubit overhead, but usually require a high circuit depth. One way to reduce the depth is to develop parallel flagged syndrome extraction circuits. This study investigates parallel syndrome extraction circuits for Calderbank‐Shor‐Steane codes with distance 5. A simple algorithm for finding parallel flagged syndrome extraction circuits is provided. Using this algorithm, the parallel flagged circuits of the [[17,1,5]] and [[19,1,5]] color codes are constructed precisely. The error pseudo‐thresholds for code schemes are also precisely simulated and calculated. The parallel scheme in this study, based on the [[17,1,5]] and [[19,1,5]] color codes, outperforms traditional flagged schemes, particularly when the idle location error rate is high.
Framework for Engineering of Spin Defects in Hexagonal Boron Nitride by Focused Ion Beams
Authors: Hennessey Madeline , Whitefield Benjamin , Gale Angus , Kianinia Mehran , Scott John A. , Aharonovich Igor , Toth Milos
Published: March 2024

Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is gaining interest as a wide bandgap van der Waals host of optically active spin defects for quantum technologies. Most studies of the spin‐photon interface in hBN focus on the negatively charged boron vacancy (VB−) defect, which is typically fabricated by ion irradiation. However, the applicability and wide deployment of VB− defects is limited by VB− fabrication methods which lack robustness and reproducibility, particularly when applied to thin flakes (≲10 nm) of hBN. Here, two key factors are elucidated that underpin the formation and quenching of VB− centers by ion irradiation—density of defects generated in the hBN lattice and recoil‐implantation of foreign atoms into hBN. Critically, it is shown that the latter is extremely efficient at inhibiting the generation of optically‐active VB− centers. This is significant because foreign atoms such as carbon are commonplace on both the top and bottom surfaces of hBN during ion irradiation, in the form of hydrocarbon contaminants, polymer residues from hBN transfer methods, protective capping layers and substrates. Recoil implantation must be accounted for when selecting ion beam parameters such as ion mass, energy, fluence, incidence angle, and sputter/span yield, which are discussed in the context of a framework for VB− generation by high‐resolution focused ion beam (FIB) systems.
Facile Fabrication of an SnSx‐SnO2‐Decorated Cobalt Sulfide Film as an Effective Counter Electrode for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Shi Yaning , Li Pengju , Luo Huiming , Han Chaohan , Wu Yue , Pan Yiting , Su Yuan , Liu Lei , Jiang Qing‐Song
Published: March 2024

Metal sulfide stands out as one of the novel and promising platinum‐free counter electrode (CE) materials for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this work, SnSx‐SnO2‐decorated CoSx films were designed and synthesized by a low‐temperature fabrication process. The small clusters of nanoparticles create a large amount of catalytic active sites, resulting in superior electrocatalytic activity for triiodide reduction. The DSSC with SnSx‐SnO2‐decorated CoSx film has achieved an impressive power conversion efficiency of 4.57 %, which is close to the efficiency of the DSSC with platinum CE (4.82 %). Furthermore, regarding the attenuation of the photovoltaic performance for the DSSC with SnSx‐SnO2‐decorated CoSx film, negligible change was observed after a prolonged storage under ambient condition for five days. Therefore, it is worthwhile to expect the explorations of novel fabricate technique for synthesizing cost‐effective metal sulfide films with long‐term stability in DSSCs.
Study on the Synthesis and Photocatalytic Performance of Modified TiO2 Supported by G‐C3N4 in the Degradation of 2,4‐Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid
Authors: Lan Phung Thi , Hao Nguyen Hoang , Cam Le Minh
Published: March 2024

The impact of alkaline hydrothermal treatment on the structure and morphology of Degussa P25 was evaluated. The modification results in a larger surface area, which improves 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) adsorption capacity and has a remarkable effect on the 2,4‐D photocatalytic degradation. The 30 % mod. TiO2/g‐C3N4 and 50 % mod.TiO2/g‐C3N4 composites were made by combining the treated Degussa P25 with g‐C3N4 at mass ratios of 30 % and 50 %. Using XRD, SEM, EDX, BET, UV‐vis DRS, and PL, the synthesized materials were physically characterized. When compared to their pure components, the composites show a longer “lifetime” of charge carriers and a reduced energy band gap. The 2,4‐D degradation under visible light irradiation (λ>400 nm) was used to assess their photocatalytic activity. The influence of pH and 2,4‐D initial concentration were investigated. The enhanced 2,4‐D degradation efficiency of more than 80 % is ascribed to the cooperative photocatalytic action of mod.TiO2 and g‐C3N4. Both ⋅OH, O2⋅− radicals and h+ were the ROS dominating the degradation of 2,4‐D under investigated experimental circumstances. The 2,4‐D photocatalytic degradation follows pseudo‐first order kinetics. The findings of this work indicate that Degussa P25/g‐C3N4‐based photocatalysts may be employed, depending on the pH conditions, in the wastewater treatment.
A Facile Zinc(II) Chloride Assisted Desulfurization of High‐Nitrogen Heterocycles
Authors: Zuckerman Jake E. , Zeller Matthias , Piercey Davin G.
Published: March 2024

High‐nitrogen heterocycles are important to fields as diverse as pharmaceuticals and energetic materials. However, their synthesis can often be inconvenient or involve toxic precursors. In this work, we synthesize 1‐substituted‐5H‐tetrazoles via the desulfurization of readily available 1‐substituted‐1H‐tetrazole‐5‐thiones via a zinc chloride assisted desulfurization providing a new, safe, and efficient process with higher yields than the traditional desulfurization methods.
Synthesis of CoMn‐LDH@MXene Hybrid Materials as Flame Retardant to Effectively Improve the Fire Safety of Thermoplastic Polyurethane
Authors: Liu Haitao , Liu Wen , Yu Xiaojiao , Qian Yi , Li Long
Published: March 2024

In recent years, MXene 2D materials have shown good performance in enhancing the flame retardant properties of composite materials, but it is still tricky to improve the compatibility with the polymer matrix. This work explores a simple method for the synthesis of MXene based nanohybrids (CoMn‐LDH@MXene) by hydrothermal synthesis using MXene and layered double hydroxides (CoMn‐LDH) to construct a flame retardant system with excellent performance. The results show that the MXene nanosheets are less built up and more dispersed in the TPU collective due to the inclusion of LDH, giving the TPU composites excellent flame retardant and smoke suppressant properties. Compared to TPU without flame retardant, TPU composites with 2 wt% CoMn‐LDH@MXene reduced PHRR by 33.7 % and THR by 28.7 %. The TPU/2wt %CoMn‐LDH@MXene composites also showed better flame and smoke suppression performance, PSPR, TSP, PCO and PCO2 were reduced by 44.4 %, 22.7 %, 37.7 % and 27.2 % respectively, the production of Hydrocarbons and HCN were also reduced. Barrier effect of transition metal oxide catalysed carbon layer formation, combustion blocking effect of hybrid material nanosheets, cooling effect of water vapour from thermal decomposition of LDH and the gas phase dilution effect are the main reasons for the increased fire safety of TPU composites.
Unraveling Bulk versus Surface Passivation Effects in Highly Efficient p–i–n Perovskite Solar Cells Using Thiophene‐Based Cations
Authors: Pica Giovanni , Montecucco Riccardo , Zanetta Andrea , Oranskaia Aleksandra , Faini Fabiola , Pancini Lorenzo , Mrkyvkova Nada , Siffalovic Peter , Dally Pia , Pirota Valentina , Ledinsky Martin , De Bastiani Michele , De Wolf Stefaan , Doria Filippo , Schwingenschlögl Udo , Grancini Giulia
Published: March 2024

Defect passivation is nowadays considered a must‐have route for high‐efficiency perovskite solar cells. However, a general rule that correlates the choice of passivating agents with performance enhancements is still missing. Herein, two different thiophene salts that are used as passivating agents are compared, namely thiophene methylammonium chloride and thiophene ethylammonium chloride (TEACl), which are used for the passivation of bulk and surface defects in triple‐cation‐based metal halide perovskites. First, it is observed that the surface passivation method leads to better device performances reaching a power conversion efficiency of 23.56%, with reduced voltage losses and increased fill factor when compared with the reference. Second, it is demonstrated that the chemical structure of the cation dictates its capability either in passivating bulk defects effectively or to form a superficial two‐dimensional/three‐dimensional heterostructure, which happens only for the TEACl case. The chemical composition and the cation dimension are responsible for device performance enhancement as observed by a joint spectroscopic and density functional theory simulations study, providing rational guidelines for further smart device design.
A Novel Bismuth‐Rich Bi3O4Cl/BixOyIz Composite with Intensified Photocatalytic Internal Electrical Field for Photocatalytic Degradation of Antibiotics
Authors: Xing Qingzeng , Ren Shaoshi , Liu Nianhua , Tong Shuang , Nkudede Emmanuel , Dong Jintao , Di Jun , Ji Mengxia , Yin Sheng , Xia Jiexiang
Published: March 2024

The enhancement of photocatalytic semiconductor degradation performance through a bismuth‐rich strategy and heterojunction engineering is considered a very effective approach. Herein, the bismuth‐rich Bi3O4Cl/BixOyIz composites are synthesized through a simple solvothermal reaction. The composites have an internal electric field because of their specific layered structure. Due to the difference between their covalent [BixOy]2+ layer and exchangeable halogen ion layer, the enhanced internal electric field facilitates electron transfer at the high‐quality interface of the semiconductor. The trace presence of Bi3O4Cl/BixOyIz (0.1 g L−1) can achieve an 88% removal of tetracycline (20 mg L−1) from the solution phase under visible light illumination in 120 min. The photocatalytic activity is much higher than that of pure BiOCl and BiOI. Furthermore, the material also exhibits high photocatalytic degradation performance for bisphenol A, doxycycline hydrochloride, etc. The excellent results further confirm the application range of the prepared photocatalysts. The superior photocatalytic activity of Bi3O4Cl/BixOyIz is attributed to the formation of a heterojunction and the generation of an internal electric field, which enhances charge separation and oxidation ability. Photoelectrochemical characterization can confirm the above views. Free radical trapping experiments and electron spin resonance show that heterojunctions can produce abundant •O2− and •OH under visible light irradiation.
Influence of Cell Structure on Yield Strength and Strain‐Hardening Behavior in Additively Manufactured H13 Hot Work Tool Steel
Authors: Kim Sung‐Ho , Cho Yeonggeun , Kim Sung‐Joon
Published: March 2024

Mechanical properties including yield strength, hardness, and strain hardening are superior in additively manufactured H13 hot work tool steel (AMH) compared to conventional H13 (CMH), which are correlated with microstructural characteristics. Comprehensive microstructural analysis reveals that the strain is highly localized in the cell structure with retained austenite in AMH. Quenching and tempering (QT) heat treatment removes the cell structure and retains austenite from AMH, resulting in a microstructure and mechanical properties similar to CMH after QT. The constitutive equation for yield strength shows that retained austenite with sufficient amount of dislocation density in martensite contributes to higher yield strength in AMH than CMH and identical strengthening mechanism between AMH and CMH after QT. Furthermore, microstructural changes during plastic deformation are investigated to find the origin of high strain‐hardening rate in AMH. The relationship between hardness and indentation depth yields the higher statistically stored dislocation density in AMH than CMH. In addition to higher dislocation accumulation, transformation of retained austenite to α′ martensite results in transformation‐induced plasticity effect, which contributes to strain hardening.
Rapid detection of major enterotoxin genes and antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from raw milk in the Yazd province, Iran
Authors: Forouzani‐Moghaddam Mohamad Javad , Habibi Sina , Hosseini‐Safa Ahmad , Khanaliha Khadijeh , Mokarinejad Roya , Akhoundzadeh Fatemeh , Oshaghi Mojgan
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Raw milk is a nutrient‐rich food, but it may harbour harmful bacteria, such as enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), which can cause staphylococcal food poisoning. Antibiotic resistance of S. aureus in raw milk can increase the risk of such infections, particularly among susceptible individuals.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of enterotoxin genes a, d, g, i and j and the antibiotic resistance of S. aureus isolated from raw milk samples.

Methods

During a 6‐month sampling period, 60 raw milk specimens were obtained from diverse locations in Yazd province, Iran. Antibiogram profiling was conducted via the disc diffusion method. In addition, staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) genes a, d, g, i, and j were detected through real‐time PCR analysis.

Results

Bacteriological assays confirmed the presence of S. aureus in 11 samples (18.3%). All isolates demonstrated 100% resistance to penicillin G but exhibited sensitivity to vancomycin, while resistance to other antibiotics ranged from 36.4% to 45.5%. The prevalence of enterotoxin genes in these strains showed variable distribution, with sea being the predominant SE (45.5%), followed by sed (36.4%), seg (18.2), sej and sei (9.1% each).

Conclusions

This study discovered the presence of multiple enterotoxins in S. aureus strains obtained from raw milk samples. These strains also demonstrated resistance to a variety of antibiotics. Since enterotoxigenic S. aureus is known to cause human food poisoning, monitoring food hygiene practices, especially during raw milk production, is critical.
Pharmacokinetic behaviour and pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic integration of doxycycline in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) after intravascular, intramuscular and oral administrations
Authors: Altan Feray , Corum Orhan , Durna Corum Duygu , Uney Kamil , Terzi Ertugrul , Bilen Soner , Sonmez Adem Yavuz , Elmas Muammer
Published: March 2024

Objective

Doxycycline (DO) has been used in fish for a long time, but there are some factors that have not yet been clarified regarding its pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) properties. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the PK and PK/PD targets of DO after 20 mg/kg intravascular (IV), intramuscular (IM) and oral (OR) gavage administration in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Methods

Plasma samples were collected at specific time points and subsequently analysed by HPLC‐ultraviolet. The PK/PD indices were calculated based on the MIC90 (Aeromonas hydrophila and Aeromonas sobria) values obtained for the respective bacteria and the PK parameters obtained for DO following both IM and OR administration.

Results

After IV administration, the elimination half‐life (t1/2ʎz), area under the concentration vs. time curve (AUC), apparent volume of distribution at steady‐state and total body clearance of DO were 34.81 h, 723.82 h µg/mL, 1.24 L/kg and 0.03 L/kg/h, respectively. The t1/2λz of the DO was found to be 37.39 and 39.78 h after IM, and OR administration, respectively. The bioavailability was calculated 57.02% and 32.29%, respectively, after IM and OR administration. The MIC90 of DO against A. hydrophila and A. sobria was 4 µg/mL. The PK/PD integration showed that DO (20 mg/kg dose) for A. hydrophila and A. sobria with MIC90 ≤4 µg/mL achieved target AUC/MIC value after IM administration.

Conclusions

These results suggest that when rainbow trout was treated with 20 mg/kg IV and IM administered DO, therapeutically effective concentrations were reached in the control of infections caused by A. hydrophila and A. sobria.
Evaluating alternative temperature measurement sites in cats within a home environment: A comparison with rectal temperature
Authors: Polat Dogukan , Yanmaz Latif Emrah
Published: March 2024

Objective

This study aimed to compare rectal temperature (RT) with temperatures measured in the pinna, cornea, medial canthus, gingiva, metacarpal pad and axillary region of cats in a home environment.

Animals Studied

Five healthy mixed‐breed cats (two females and three males) owned by a veterinarian were used.

Procedures

All temperature measurements were conducted by the owner by using an infrared camera in the same room and initiated with the pinna, followed by the cornea, medial canthus, gingiva and metacarpal pad. Subsequently, axillary temperature (AT) and RT were recorded by a digital thermometer, respectively. The time taken for a single AT and RT measurements was recorded.

Results

The average measurement time for RT was 17.34 ± 0.89 s, with a range of 8–32 s, whereas AT measurements took an average of 46.72 ± 1.16 s, with a range of 29–69 s. AT emerged as a superior alternative measurement site compared to others, exhibiting the lowest bias and the highest proportion of readings within the limits of clinical agreement. The mean difference between RT and AT, with 95% limits of agreement for the differences, was −0.26 (−1.13 to 0.61).

Conclusions

Anatomical regions were not all interchangeable with the rectum for assessing body temperature (BT), with AT recording the highest level of agreement with RT. When RT is not possible, AT could be considered as an alternative for monitoring BT in clinically healthy cats that live in a home environment.
Molecular characterization of Pasteurella multocida from cats and antibiotic sensitivity of the isolates
Authors: Ziagham Ali , Gharibi Darioush , Mosallanejad Bahman , Avizeh Reza
Published: March 2024

Background

Companion animals, including dogs and cats, are frequently identified as sources of Pasteurella multocida, a bacterium that can be transmitted to humans and cause infections.

Objectives

This survey defines the prevalence, antibiotic sensitivity, capsular types, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) types and virulence factors of P. multocida isolated from cats.

Methods

A total of 100 specimens from various cat breeds were collected. P. multocida was characterized using both biochemical tests and PCR. Genotypes of isolates were determined using capsular and LPS typing methods. Additionally, virulotyping was performed by detecting the presence of 12 virulence‐associated genes. Disk diffusion was used to determine the antibiotic sensitivity of the isolates.

Results

The prevalence of P. multocida in cats was 29%. Among the isolates, the majority were capsular type A (96.5%) and type D (3.4%), with a predominant presence of type A. Twenty‐six of the isolates (89.66%) belonged to LPS genotype L6, whereas three isolates (10.3%) belonged to genotype L3. Among the 12 virulence genes examined, sodC, oma87, ptfA, nanB and ompH showed remarkable prevalence (100%). The toxA gene was detected in four isolates (13.8%). Variations were observed in other virulence genes. The nanH gene was present in 93.1% of the isolates, whereas the pfhA gene was detected in 58.6% of the isolates. The exbD‐tonB, hgbB, sodA and hgbA genes showed prevalence rates of 96.5%, 96.5%, 96.5% and 82.8%, respectively. Additionally, particular capsule and LPS types were associated with specific virulence genes. Specifically, the toxA and pfhA genes were found to be more prevalent in isolates with capsular type A and LPS genotype L6. Most isolates were resistant to ampicillin, clindamycin, lincomycin, streptomycin and penicillin.

Conclusions

According to this epidemiological and molecular data, P. multocida from cats possess several virulence‐associated genes and are resistant to antimicrobial medicines commonly used in humans and animals. Thus, it is crucial to consider the public health concerns of P. multocida in humans.
Lumpy jaw caused by Nocardia farcinica in a Holstein cow
Authors: Shokrpoor Sara , Darabian Aghdas Reza , Ziafati Kafi Zahra , Abdollahi Mostafa , Ashrafi Tamai Iradj
Published: March 2024

A 3‐year‐old Holstein cow was examined in an intensive system due to unilateral swelling in the mandible. A right mandibular mass was associated with painful mastication and Ptyalism. In palpation, the mass was raised, ulcerated, attached to the mandible bone and firm, approximately 17 × 12 × 10 cm3 in size. The lesion was sampled, and after routine bacteriology and histopathology procedures, the occurrence of lumpy jaw caused by Nocardia farcinica was confirmed. The bacterium was analysed using genome sequencing and new strain called Najm 114. Due to the risk of zoonosis of the isolated agent, the cow was euthanized. This is the first report of lumpy jaw caused by N. farcinica in a cow. This study showed that N. farcinica should be considered a possible etiological agent for lumpy jaw in cattle.
A method for treatment of deep and superficial enteroatmospheric fistulas in an open abdomen, ChimneyVAC: Ten years experience
Authors: Seternes Arne , Rekstad Lars Cato , Lossius William , Wasmuth Hans H.
Published: March 2024

Background

Leakage of intestinal fluid is a challenging event when it appears in an open abdomen (OA) and surgical deviation does not seem possible. Intestinal contents in the abdominal cavity maintain inflammation and drainage is there for essential. We have developed a method, ChimneyVAC, to treat both deep and superficial enteroatmospheric fistulas (EAF)

Aims

To describe this innovative surgical technique and our 10‐year experience.

Material & Methods

This single‐center observational cohort study included all 16 consecutive patients treated with ChimneyVAC. Seven women and 9 men; median age: 47; (interquartile range [IQR]:39–63) years, 15 with a small bowel fistula and 1 with a large bowel fistula. All except of the colonic fistula were classified as a high output fistula; 14 were deep and 2 superficial. In this technique, a negative‐pressure source is applied directly above the fistula opening, in addition to negative pressure wound therapy for the OA. This controls the leakage of intestinal fluid by direct drainage into a vacuum system, thereby avoiding contamination of the abdomen. A controlled enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) then forms as the traction from the ChimneyVAC brings the fistula opening to skin level.

Results

In 14 patients, an ECF formed after a median of 42 (IQR:28–55) days and 12 (IQR:7–16) dressing changes. The median length of hospitalization was 103 (IQR:58–143) days. Two patients died of multiorgan failure and 14 initially survived.

Discussion

This study showed that 14 out of 16 patients survived the initial treatment for enteric leakage with the ChimneyVAC method. The outcome of ChimneyVAC treatment is a controlled ECF, which was then corrected after a median of six months. However, hospitalization is lengthy, the patients undergo several dressing changes and many needs additional parenteral nutrition until intestinal continuity is reestablished.

Conclusion

ChimneyVAC is a feasible method for treatment of EAF in an OA, with favorable survival.
Applications of lubrication approximation theory in the analysis of the roll‐coating using a tangent hyperbolic fluid model
Authors: Atif Hafiz Muhammad , Zaka Iffat , Radwan Neyara , Javed Muhammad Asif , Nazeer Mubbashar , Saleem Salman
Published: March 2024

In this study, the process of roll‐over‐web coating for a tangent hyperbolic fluid is theoretically examined. Fundamental laws of fluid mechanics are used to set up the flow equations and then simplified through lubrication approximation theory (LAT). The governing differential equations are solved with the help of the perturbation method in conjunction with the Runge–Kutta method. The outcomes of the study are presented through the graphs and tables. Study shows that enhancing the Weissenberg number upsurges the velocity and pressure while decreasing the pressure gradient. It is also noted that force shows an increasing trend while power is decreasing for bigger values . Results further depict that for a bigger value of the power law index , pressure gradient, pressure, force, and power decrease, and the coating thickness increases. It is worth mentioning here that for the shear thinning case, the tangent hyperbolic model predicts less pressure in the nip region when compared to the Newtonian model.
Gauging non-invertible symmetries: topological interfaces and generalized orbifold groupoid in 2d QFT
Authors: Diatlyk Oleksandr , Luo Conghuan , Wang Yifan , Weller Quinten
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Gauging is a powerful operation on symmetries in quantum field theory (QFT), as it connects distinct theories and also reveals hidden structures in a given theory. We initiate a systematic investigation of gauging discrete generalized symmetries in two-dimensional QFT. Such symmetries are described by topological defect lines (TDLs) which obey fusion rules that are non-invertible in general. Despite this seemingly exotic feature, all well-known properties in gauging invertible symmetries carry over to this general setting, which greatly enhances both the scope and the power of gauging. This is established by formulating generalized gauging in terms of topological interfaces between QFTs, which explains the physical picture for the mathematical concept of algebra objects and associated module categories over fusion categories that encapsulate the algebraic properties of generalized symmetries and their gaugings. This perspective also provides simple physical derivations of well-known mathematical theorems in category theory from basic axiomatic properties of QFT in the presence of such interfaces. We discuss a bootstrap-type analysis to classify such topological interfaces and thus the possible generalized gaugings and demonstrate the procedure in concrete examples of fusion categories. Moreover we present a number of examples to illustrate generalized gauging and its properties in concrete conformal field theories (CFTs). In particular, we identify the generalized orbifold groupoid that captures the structure of fusion between topological interfaces (equivalently sequential gaugings) as well as a plethora of new self-dualities in CFTs under generalized gaugings.
Gauge independent logarithms from inflationary gravitons
Authors: Glavan D. , Miao S. P. , Prokopec T. , Woodard R. P.
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Dependence on the graviton gauge enters the conventional effective field equations because they fail to account for quantum gravitational correlations with the source which excites the effective field and with the observer who measures it. Including these correlations has been shown to eliminate gauge dependence in flat space background. We generalize the technique to de Sitter background for the case of the 1-loop graviton corrections to the exchange potential of a massless, minimally coupled scalar.
New Results on the Robust Coloring Problem
Authors: Garijo Delia , Márquez Alberto , Robles Rafael
Published: March 2024

Many variations of the classical graph coloring model have been intensively studied due to their multiple applications; scheduling problems and aircraft assignments, for instance, motivate therobust coloring problem. This model gets to capture natural constraints of those optimization problems by combining the information provided by two colorings: a vertex coloring of a graph and the induced edge coloring on a subgraph of its complement; the goal is to minimize, among all proper colorings of the graph for a fixed number of colors, the number of edges in the subgraph with the endpoints of the same color. The study of the robust coloring model has been focused on the search for heuristics due to its NP-hard character when using at least three colors, but little progress has been made in other directions. We present a new approach on the problem obtaining the first collection of non-heuristic results for general graphs; among them, we prove that robust coloring is the model that better approaches the equitable partition of the vertex set, even when the graph does not admit a so-calledequitable coloring. We also show the NP-completeness of its decision problem for the unsolved case of two colors, obtain bounds on the associated robust coloring parameter, and solve a conjecture on paths that illustrates the complexity of studying this coloring model.
A symmetry result for fully nonlinear problems in exterior domains
Authors: Stolnicki David
Published: March 2024

We study an overdetermined fully nonlinear problem driven by one of the Pucci’s Extremal Operators in an external domain. Under certain decay assumptions on the solution, we extend Serrin’s symmetry result, i.e, every domain where the solution exists must be radial.
Surface roughness optimization of hybrid PBF-LB/M-built Inconel 718 using in situ high-speed milling
Authors: Sommer David , Hornung Simon , Esen Cemal , Hellmann Ralf
Published: March 2024

We report on the optimization of the surface roughness of hybrid additive manufactured Ni superalloys, combining a conventional laser powder bed fusion process with in situ high-speed milling. This remarkable hybrid approach has only recently been applied to different steel types and barely to Ni superalloys which opposite to steel appear to be challenging for milling processes, particularly within the powderbed of laser powder bed fusion. Different influencing factors on the surface roughness are varied in this study, following the Taguchi method. Their effect is evaluated with respect to the average surface roughness and the maximum surface roughness. The signal-to-noise ratio for the varied parameters infeed, z-pitch, feed rate, and spindle speed is calculated, determining their relevance on the surface roughness, and defining an optimal parameter combination. As the surface quality is optimized to $$\varvec{R_a=0.47\, \mu m}$$

R
a

=
0.47

μ
m

, the definition of the optimal parameter combination is of the highest relevance for the application of this novel manufacturing approach for Inconel. Using linear regression, the resulting surface roughness of these parameters is predicted, getting validated by the experimental evaluation. Due to a further analysis, including EDX analysis and a quantitative element analysis at different positions of the flank of the milling cutter, wear characteristics as well as the dissipation of the coating of the milling cutter are detected. The flank wear and the resulting breakage of the cutting edge are defined as the main reasons of a rising surface roughness.