bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A conjoint experiment of three placebo rectal products used with receptive anal sex: results from MTN‐035
Authors: Bauermeister José , Lin Willey , Tingler Ryan , Liu Albert , Chariyalertsak Suwat , Hoesley Craig , Gonzales Pedro , Ho Ken , Kayange Noel , Phillips Thesla Palanee , Johnson Sherri , Brown Elizabeth , Zemanek Jillian , Jacobson Cindy E. , Doncel Gustavo F. , Piper Jeanna ,   the MTN‐035 Protocol Team for the Microbicide Trials Network
Published: March 2024

Introduction

End‐user perspectives are vital to the design of new biomedical HIV prevention products. Conjoint analysis can support the integration of end‐user perspectives by examining their preferences of potential pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) products. The Microbicides Trial Network (MTN) 035 protocol examined three placebo rectal dosage forms (insert, enema and suppository) that could deliver PrEP prior to receptive anal sex (RAS).

Methods

Between April 2019 and July 2020, we enrolled 217 HIV‐negative, cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM; n = 172; 79.3%) and transgender people (n = 47; 20.7%) ages 18–35 into a randomized cross‐over trial across Malawi, Peru, South Africa, Thailand and the United States. Participants used each product prior to RAS over 4‐week periods. Participants completed a conjoint experiment where they selected between random profiles using seven features (dosage form, timing of use before sex, side effects, duration of protection, effectiveness, frequency of use and need for a prescription).

Results

Effectiveness was the strongest determinant of choice (30.4%), followed by modality (18.0%), potential side effects (17.2%), frequency of use (10.8%), duration of protection (10.4%), timing of use before sex (7.4%) and need for a prescription (5.9%). Relative utility scores indicated that the most desirable combination of attributes was a product with 95% efficacy, used 30 minutes before sex, offering a 3‐ to 5‐day protection window, used weekly, having no side effects, in the form of an enema and available over‐the‐counter.

Conclusions

Choice in next‐generation PrEP products is highly desired by MSM and transgender people, as no one‐size‐fits‐all approach satisfies all the preferences. MTN‐035 participants weighed product features differently, recognizing the need for diverse, behaviourally congruent biomedical options that fit the needs of intended end‐users.
Reasons for disengagement from antiretroviral care in the era of “Treat All” in low‐ or middle‐income countries: a systematic review
Authors: Burke Rachael M. , Rickman Hannah M. , Pinto Clarice , Ehrenkranz Peter , Choko Augustine , Ford Nathan
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Disengagement from antiretroviral therapy (ART) care is an important reason why people living with HIV do not achieve viral load suppression become unwell.

Methods

We searched two databases and conference abstracts from January 2015 to December 2022 for studies which reported reasons for disengagement from ART care. We included quantitative (mainly surveys) and qualitative (in‐depth interviews or focus groups) studies conducted after “treat all” or “Option B+” policy adoption. We used an inductive approach to categorize reasons: we report how often reasons were reported in studies and developed a conceptual framework for reasons.

Results

We identified 21 studies which reported reasons for disengaging from ART care in the “Treat All” era, mostly in African countries: six studies in the general population of persons living with HIV, nine in pregnant or postpartum women and six in selected populations (one each in people who use drugs, isolated indigenous communities, men, women, adolescents and men who have sex with men). Reasons reported were: side effects or other antiretroviral tablet issues (15 studies); lack of perceived benefit of ART (13 studies); psychological, mental health or drug use (13 studies); concerns about stigma or confidentiality (14 studies); lack of social or family support (12 studies); socio‐economic reasons (16 studies); health facility‐related reasons (11 studies); and acute proximal events such as unexpected mobility (12 studies). The most common reasons for disengagement were unexpected events, socio‐economic reasons, ART side effects or lack of perceived benefit of ART. Conceptually, studies described underlying vulnerability factors (individual, interpersonal, structural and healthcare) but that often unexpected proximal events (e.g. unanticipated mobility) acted as the trigger for disengagement to occur.

Discussion

People disengage from ART care for individual, interpersonal, structural and healthcare reasons, and these reasons overlap and interact with each other. While HIV programmes cannot predict and address all events that may lead to disengagement, an approach that recognizes that such shocks will happen could help.

Conclusions

Health services should focus on ways to encourage clients to engage with care by making ART services welcoming, person‐centred and more flexible alongside offering adherence interventions, such as counselling and peer support.
Awareness, referral and age at Kasai surgery for biliary atresia in Europe: A survey of the Quality‐of‐Care Task Force of ESPGHAN
Authors: Lacaille Florence , Nicastro Emanuele , Czubkowski Piotr , Gonçalves Cristina Campos , Le Thi Thu Giang , Koletzko Sibylle ,   the ESPGHAN Quality‐of‐Care Task Force
Published: March 2024

Objectives

To identify infants with biliary atresia (BA), European Society of Paediatric Gastroenteroloy and Nutrition (ESPGHAN)/North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenteroloy and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) guidelines recommend measurement of conjugated/direct bilirubin in infants with prolonged jaundice and using a stool colour card (SCC). The ‘Quality of Care’ Task Force of ESPGHAN performed two surveys to assess current case finding for BA and age at Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE).

Methods

The first survey approached 26 European hepatology centres to report age at referral and age at KPE of all infants diagnosed with BA from 2015 to 2019. The second survey targeted paediatricians in France to assess awareness and compliance with the recently introduced SCC.

Results

Data from 785 patients with BA from 18 centres in 15 countries revealed a mean age at referral to tertiary centre of 55 days (median 53, IQR 48–60) (n = 636). The mean age at KPE was 61 days (median 60; IQR 54–67) (n = 772). For 6% of patients, cirrhosis was too advanced for surgery.

Of 392 paediatricians answering the second survey, 53% felt familiar with the target diseases, 80% correctly identified cholestasis and 59% always inquired about the infant's stool colour. If abnormal, 93% would order blood tests and 85% call for advice. The SCC screening was considered helpful for case finding and improving knowledge of cholestatic diseases by 62% and 45% paediatricians, respectively.

Conclusions

Referral of infants for KPE remains late, indicating low adherence to search for cholestasis in icteric infants by age 2−3 weeks. Knowledge and structures need improvement to allow earlier guideline conform case finding, diagnosis and therapy.
Design, Synthesis, and Acid‐Responsive Disassembly of Shell‐Sheddable Block Copolymer Labeled with Benzaldehyde Acetal Junction
Authors: Andrade‐Gagnon Brandon , Casillas‐Popova Sofia Nieves , Jazani Arman Moini , Oh Jung Kwon
Published: March 2024

Smart nanoassemblies degradable through the cleavage of acid‐labile linkages have attracted significant attention because of their biological relevance found in tumor tissues. Despite their high potential to achieve controlled/enhanced drug release, a systematic understanding of structural factors that affect their pH sensitivity remains challenging, particulary in the consruction of effective acid‐degradable shell‐sheddable nanoassemblies. Herein, the authors report the synthesis and acid‐responsive degradation through acid‐catalyzed hydrolysis of three acetal and ketal diols and identify benzaldehyde acetal (BzAA) exhibiting optimal hydrolysis profiles in targeted pH ranges to be a suitable candidate for junction acid‐labile linkage. The authors explore the synthesis and aqueous micellization of well‐defined poly(ethylene glycol)‐based block copolymer bearing BzAA linkage covalently attached to a polymethacrylate block for the formation of colloidally‐stable nanoassemblies with BzAA groups at core/corona interfaces. Promisingly, the investigation on acid‐catalyzed hydrolysis and disassembly shows that the formed nanoassemblies meet the criteria for acid‐degradable shell‐sheddable nanoassemblies: slow degradation at tumoral pH = 6.5 and rapid disassembly at endo/lysosomal pH = 5.0, while colloidal stability at physiological pH = 7.4. This work guides the design principle of acid‐degradable shell‐sheddable nanoassemblies bearing BzAA at interfaces, thus offering the promise to address the PEG dilemma and improve endocytosis in tumor‐targeting drug delivery.
Nonunion scaphoid bone shape prediction using iterative kernel principal polynomial shape analysis
Authors: Zhu Junjun , Zhao Junhao , Luo Xianggeng , Hua Zikai
Published: March 2024

Background

The scaphoid is an important mechanical stabilizer for both the proximal and distal carpal columns. The precise estimation of the complete scaphoid bone based on partial bone geometric information is a crucial factor in the effective management of scaphoid nonunion. Statistical shape model (SSM) could be utilized to predict the complete scaphoid shape based on the defective scaphoid. However, traditional principal component analysis (PCA) based SSM is limited by its linearity and the inability to adjust the number of modes used for prediction.

Purpose

This study proposes an iterative kernel principal polynomial shape analysis (iKPPSA)‐based SSM to predict the pre‐morbid shape of the scaphoid, aiming at enhancing the accuracy as well as the robustness of the model.

Methods

Sixty‐five sets of scaphoid images were used to train SSM and nine sets of scaphoid images were used for validation. For each validation image set, three defect types (tubercle, proximal pole, and avascular necrosis) were virtually created. The predicted shapes of the scaphoid by PCA, PPSA, KPCA, and iKPPSA‐based SSM were evaluated against the original shape in terms of mean error, Hausdorff distance error, and Dice coefficient.

Results

The proposed iKPPSA‐based scaphoid SSM demonstrates significant robustness, with a generality of 0.264 mm and a specificity of 0.260 mm. It accounts for 99% of variability with the first seven principal modes of variation. Compared to the traditional PCA‐based model, the iKPPSA‐based scaphoid model prediction demonstrated superior performance for the proximal pole type fracture, with significant reductions of 25.2%, 24.7%, and 24.6% in mean error, Hausdorff distance, and root mean square error (RMSE), respectively, and a 0.35% improvement in Dice coefficient.

Conclusion

This study showed that the iKPPSA‐based SSM exploits the nonlinearity of data features and delivers high reconstruction accuracy. It can be effectively integrated into preoperative planning for scaphoid fracture management or morphology‐based biomechanical modeling of the scaphoid.
ComBating inter‐site differences in field strength: harmonizing preclinical traumatic brain injury MRI data
Authors: Quach Mara , Ali Idrish , Shultz Sandy R. , Casillas‐Espinosa Pablo M. , Hudson Matthew R. , Jones Nigel C. , Silva Juliana C. , Yamakawa Glenn R. , Braine Emma L. , Immonen Riikka , Staba Richard J. , Tohka Jussi , Harris Neil G. , Gröhn Olli , O'Brien Terence J. , Wright David K.
Published: March 2024

Integrating datasets from multiple sites and scanners can increase statistical power for neuroimaging studies but can also introduce significant inter‐site confounds. We evaluated the effectiveness of ComBat, an empirical Bayes approach, to combine longitudinal preclinical MRI data acquired at 4.7 or 9.4 T at two different sites in Australia. Male Sprague Dawley rats underwent MRI on Days 2, 9, 28, and 150 following moderate/severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) or sham injury as part of Project 1 of the NIH/NINDS‐funded Centre Without Walls EpiBioS4Rx project. Diffusion‐weighted and multiple‐gradient‐echo images were acquired, and outcomes included QSM, FA, and ADC. Acute injury measures including apnea and self‐righting reflex were consistent between sites. Mixed‐effect analysis of ipsilateral and contralateral corpus callosum (CC) summary values revealed a significant effect of site on FA and ADC values, which was removed following ComBat harmonization. Bland–Altman plots for each metric showed reduced variability across sites following ComBat harmonization, including for QSM, despite appearing to be largely unaffected by inter‐site differences and no effect of site observed. Following harmonization, the combined inter‐site data revealed significant differences in the imaging metrics consistent with previously reported outcomes. TBI resulted in significantly reduced FA and increased susceptibility in the ipsilateral CC, and significantly reduced FA in the contralateral CC compared with sham‐injured rats. Additionally, TBI rats also exhibited a reversal in ipsilateral CC ADC values over time with significantly reduced ADC at Day 9, followed by increased ADC 150 days after injury. Our findings demonstrate the need for harmonizing multi‐site preclinical MRI data and show that this can be successfully achieved using ComBat while preserving phenotypical changes due to TBI.
Age‐wise examination of the association of obesity based on body mass index and waist circumference with metabolic diseases in comprehensive health checkup participants
Authors: Yamamoto Yuiko , Ikeue Kentaro , Kanasaki Megumi , Yamakage Hajime , Satoh‐Asahara Noriko , Masuda Izuru , Ishii Kojiro
Published: March 2024

Aim

Body mass index and waist circumference are used for obesity diagnosis and screening of visceral fat; however, their evidence in older adults is insufficient. This study investigated the age‐specific association of body mass index and waist circumference with metabolic diseases, assessing their applicability as diagnostic criteria for individuals aged ≥65 years.

Methods

Analysis included 46,324 individuals aged ≥18 years, categorized into five age groups: 18–44, 45–54, 55–64, 65–74, and ≥75 years. Logistic regression analyses identified associations between obesity and metabolic diseases, stratified by age and sex.

Results

Men with obesity based on body mass index had a significantly high risk of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia across all age groups (all, p < 0.05). Obesity based on waist circumference was significantly positively associated with all metabolic diseases (all, p < 0.05). Women with obesity based on body mass index and waist circumference had a significantly high risk of all metabolic diseases across all age groups (all, p < 0.05), except for diabetes mellitus in individuals aged ≥75 years.

Conclusions

Participants with obesity based on body mass index and waist circumference exhibited a high risk of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia among those aged 18–74 years and men aged ≥75 years. This study contributes to the early prevention and control of metabolic diseases.
On the roles of strain gradient tensors in quasi‐3D nonlinear dynamics of microplate‐type piezoelectric systems of energy harvesting under triangular mechanical actuation
Authors: Fan Fan , Sahmani Saeid , Safaei Babak
Published: March 2024

The small‐scale‐dependent nonlinear dynamical attributes of microplate‐type laminated piezoelectric systems of harvesting energy subjected to a triangular mechanical actuation are explored in the current exploration. The core of harvesting systems is supposed to be made of nanocomposites reinforced by randomly oriented carbon nanotubes (CNTs) having various degrees of agglomeration coated by piezoelectric layers. In this regard, the microplate‐type systems of harvesting energy are modeled via a quasi‐3D plate theory combined with the modified strain gradient elasticity in the presence of various microsize‐dependent strain gradient tensors. Thereafter, the solution of the developed coupled electromechanical size‐dependent nonlinear problem is obtained numerically by utilizing the meshless collocation approach employing incorporation of the polynomial and radial basis functions to remove any feasible singularity for the associated moment matrices. It comes to the conclusion that by elevating the quantity of CNTs disclosed within the clusters, the significance of the microsize dependency in the achieved voltage enhances from 22.06% to 22.73% toward the simply supported bridge‐type context, and from 33.00% to 33.92% toward the clamped bridge‐type context.

Highlights

Development of a microstructural‐dependent quasi‐3D shear flexible energy harvester model.

Incorporating the roles of various strain gradient tensors in the nonlinear dynamics of microharvesters.

Size‐dependent time‐histories of achieved voltage from triangular mechanical‐loaded microharvesters.

Influence of the CNT reinforcement clustering on the nonlinear dynamic performance.
Novel homozygous mutation in the FANCA gene (c.2222G>A) in a Chinese girl of Fanconi anemia
Authors: Xianhao Wen , Hongcheng Qin , Meiling Liao , Xianmin Guan
Published: March 2024

Fanconi anemia is the most common inherited bone marrow failure syndrome. Its clinical manifestations include congenital dysplasia, bone marrow hematopoietic failure and tumor susceptibility. At present, there are 23 related gene abnormalities, among which FANCA is the most common. We report a case of a Chinese girl with bone dysplasia and aplastic anemia. The next‐generation sequencing results showed a homozygous mutation in the FANCA gene (c.2222G > A), which was predicted to be a pathogenic mutation based on protein function. This mutation at this site has not been reported in the previous literature. The diagnosis of Fanconi anemia should be determined with combined clinical, chromosome breakage test and gene sequencing results.
Low‐Power Crystallization Process in In3SbTe2 Phase Change Memory Devices with Thin Oxide Layer
Authors: Pathak Anushmita , Pandey Shivendra Kumar
Published: March 2024

Phase change memory (PCM) technology is a strong contender for the next‐generation memory in today's data‐centric era. In3SbTe2 (IST) phase change material is recently explored due to its good thermal stability, rapid electrical switching, and significant resistance contrast for multibit storage. However, the main concern in PCM devices is the high‐energy usage during the phase switching process. Herein, a thin oxide (HfO2) layer is inserted between the IST active layer and bottom electrode in PCM device. Such a device exhibits amorphous‐to‐crystalline phase switching (crystallization or SET operation) at a lower voltage of (2.1 ± 0.1) V and 66% reduction in energy consumption compared to the device using only IST active layer. Higher temperature of 688 K is acquired in the device with the oxide layer demonstrating that the Joule heat is effectively confined by the oxide layer assisting the crystallization process in the active layer at a less voltage. Such a device also exhibits a significant resistance contrast of ≈2 orders magnitude, allowing for stable data storage. These results reveal that the switching performance of PCM device using IST phase change material is improved by the oxide layer, which is beneficial for energy‐efficient, nonvolatile data storage applications.
Clinical and laboratory diagnosis of Mayaro virus (MAYV): Current status and opportunities for further development
Authors: da Silva Severino Jefferson Ribeiro , Krokovsky Larissa
Published: March 2024

The recent outbreaks related to Mayaro virus (MAYV) infection in the Americas have brought this neglected virus as a potential threat to global public health. Given the range of symptoms that can be associated with MAYV infection, it can be challenging to diagnose individuals based on clinical signs, especially in countries with simultaneous circulation of other mosquito‐borne viruses, such as dengue virus (DENV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV). With this challenge in mind, laboratory‐based diagnosis assumes a critical role in the introduction of measures to help prevent virus dissemination and to adequately treat patients. In this review, we provide an overview of the clinical features reported in infected patients and currently available laboratory tools that are used for MAYV diagnosis, discussing their advances, advantages, and limitations to apply in the field. Moreover, we explore novel point‐of‐care (PoC) diagnostic platforms that can provide de‐centralised diagnostics for use in areas with limited laboratory infrastructure.
High‐Performance Photoinduced Tunneling Self‐Driven Photodetector for Polarized Imaging and Polarization‐Coded Optical Communication based on Broken‐Gap ReSe2/SnSe2 van der Waals Heterojunction
Authors: Pan Yuan , Zheng Tao , Gao Feng , Qi Ligan , Gao Wei , Zhang Jielian , Li Ling , An Kang , Gu Huaimin , Chen Hongyu
Published: March 2024

Novel 2D materials with low‐symmetry structures exhibit great potential applications in developing monolithic polarization‐sensitive photodetectors with small volume. However, owing to the fact that at least half of them presented a small anisotropic factor of ≈2, comprehensive performance of present polarization‐sensitive photodetectors based on 2D materials is still lower than the practical application requirements. Herein, a self‐driven photodetector with high polarization sensitivity using a broken‐gap ReSe2/SnSe2 van der Waals heterojunction (vdWH) is demonstrated. Anisotropic ratio of the photocurrent (Imax/Imin) could reach 12.26 (635 nm, 179 mW cm−2). Furthermore, after a facile combination of the ReSe2/SnSe2 device with multilayer graphene (MLG), Imax/Imin of the MLG/ReSe2/SnSe2 can be further increased up to13.27, which is 4 times more than that of pristine ReSe2 photodetector (3.1) and other 2D material photodetectors even at a bias voltage. Additionally, benefitting from the synergistic effect of unilateral depletion and photoinduced tunneling mechanism, the MLG/ReSe2/SnSe2 device exhibits a fast response speed (752/928 µs) and an ultrahigh light on/off ratio (105). More importantly, MLG/ReSe2/SnSe2 device exhibits excellent potential applications in polarized imaging and polarization‐coded optical communication with quaternary logic state without any power supply. This work provides a novel feasible avenue for constructing next‐generation smart polarization‐sensitive photodetector with low energy consumption.
Pressure‐Induced Defects and Reduced Size Endow TiO2 with High Capacity over 20 000 Cycles and Excellent Fast‐Charging Performance in Sodium Ion Batteries
Authors: Han Meisheng , Zou Zhiyu , Liu Jie , Deng Chengfang , Chu Youqi , Mu Yongbiao , Zheng Kunxiong , Yu Fenghua , Wei Lei , Zeng Lin , Zhao Tianshou
Published: March 2024

Anatase TiO2 as sodium‐ion‐battery anode has attracted increased attention because of its low volume change and good safety. However, low capacity and poor rate performance caused by low electrical conductivity and slow ion diffusion greatly impede its practical applications. Here, a bi‐solvent enhanced pressure strategy that induces defects (oxygen vacancies) into TiO2 via N doping and reduces its size by using mutual‐solvent ethanol and dopant dimethylformamide as pressure‐increased reagent of tetrabutyl orthotitanate tetramer is proposed to fabricate N‐doped TiO2/C nanocomposites. The induced defects can increase ion storage sites, improve electrical conductivity, and decrease bandgap and ion diffuse energy barrier of TiO2. The size reduction increases contact interfaces between TiO2 and C and shortens ion diffuse distance, thus increasing extra ion storage sites and boosting ion diffusion rate of TiO2. The N‐doped TiO2 possesses highly stable crystal structure with a slightly increase of 0.86% in crystal lattice spacing and 3.2% in particle size after fully sodiation. Consequently, as a sodium‐ion battery anode, the nanocomposite delivers high capacity and superior rate capability along with ultralong cycling life. This work proposes a novel pressure‐induced synthesis strategy that provides unique guidance for designing TiO2‐based anode materials with high capacity and excellent fast‐charging capability.
Fluorine‐Containing Poly(Fluorene)‐Based Anion Exchange Membrane with High Hydroxide Conductivity and Physicochemical Stability for Water Electrolysis
Authors: Lim Haeryang , Han Gyeong Ho , Lee Dae Hwan , Shin Giwon , Choi Jinhyuk , Ahn Sang Hyun , Park Taiho
Published: March 2024

Improving the hydroxide conductivity and dimensional stability of anion exchange membranes (AEMs) while retaining their high alkaline stability is necessary to realize the commercialization of AEM water electrolysis (AEMWE). A strategy for improving the hydroxide conductivity and dimensional stability of AEMs by inserting fluorine atoms in the core structure of the backbone is reported, which not only reduces the glass transition temperature of the polymer due to steric strain, but also induces distinct phase separation by inducing polarity discrimination to facilitate the formation of ion transport channels. The resulting PFPFTP‐QA AEM with fluorine into the core structure shows high hydroxide conductivity (>159 mS cm−1 at 80 °C), favorable dimensional stability (>25% at 80 °C), and excellent alkaline stability for 1000 h in 2 m KOH solution at 80 °C. Moreover, the PFPFTP‐QA is used to construct an AEMWE cell with a platinum group metal (PGM)–free NiFe anode, which exhibits the current density of 6.86 A cm−2 at 1.9 V at 80 °C, the highest performance in Pt/C cathode and PGM‐free anode reports so far and operates stably for over 100 h at a constant current of 0.5 A cm−2.
Elevating Operation Voltage and Suppressing Phase Transition for Honeycomb‐Layered Cathodes by a Dual‐Honeycomb Structure Strategy
Authors: Ma Cui , Abulikemu Aierxiding , Li Xun‐Lu , Zhang Ya , Cheng Qian , Fang Yao‐Guo , Bao Jian , Luo Rui‐Jie , Du Chong‐Yu , Zeng Jie , Xu Xuan , Sun Yuan‐He , Gu Yue‐Liang , Uchimoto Yoshiharu , Zhou Yong‐Ning
Published: March 2024

Honeycomb‐layered oxides are a class of cathode materials for sodium‐ion batteries with great potential due to their high voltage and high capacity. However, the structural instability and voltage fading during cycling limit their practical application. Herein, it is revealed that Te substitution into Na3Ni2SbO6 induces a new dual‐honeycomb structure, which can elevate the average discharge voltage of the cathode materials from 3.2 to 3.8 V with improved cycle stability and alleviated voltage decay. Synchrotron operando X‐ray diffraction demonstrates that Te substitution can suppress the O3−P3−O1‐phase transition during charge and discharge processes effectively, benefited from the strong TeO covalent bonds. The resulted Na2.2Ni2Sb0.2Te0.8O6 cathode exhibits a high capacity retention of 70.9% after 1000 cycles at 1C, with an elevated operating voltage of ≈3.8 V. Theoretical calculations reveal that the introduced TeO bonds break the symmetric distribution of charge in Ni/Sb honeycomb structure and elevate the operation voltage by increased valence band width. Proper Te substitution can promote the rate and cycle capability of the cathode by suppressing phase transition and decreasing the bandgap.
An invitation into authentic dialogue about positionality in SoTL
Authors: Santucci Anna , Vaccaro Annemarie
Published: March 2024

This chapter draws upon duoethnographic methodology to invite readers into conversation about the complexity and importance of centering positionality in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). We suggest that self‐reflection towards positional awareness fosters ethically rooted, authentic SoTL practice, and offer related considerations that we hope can help SoTL forward in articulating, and living by, its principles of critically collegial and inclusive co‐creation.
Are we there (yet?): An analysis of SoTL institutionalization at University College Cork
Authors: Thelen Sarah , Santucci Anna
Published: March 2024

This chapter provides an analysis of the institutionalization of SoTL at University College Cork in Ireland, offers some guiding questions to help individuals or groups reflect critically on their own SoTL institutionalization journeys, and suggests implications for further research on how institutionalization processes inform academic identity formation and career development of higher education professionals working in a SoTL institution.
Submaximal clones over a three-element set up to minor-equivalence
Authors: Vucaj Albert , Zhuk Dmitriy
Published: March 2024

We study clones modulo minor homomorphisms, which are mappings from one clone to another preserving arities of operations and respecting permutation and identification of variables. Minor-equivalent clones satisfy the same sets of identities of the form$$f(x_1,\dots ,x_n)\approx g(y_1,\dots ,y_m)$$f(x1,⋯,xn)≈g(y1,⋯,ym), also known as minor identities, and therefore share many algebraic properties. Moreover, it was proved that the complexity of the$${\text {CSP}}$$CSPof a finite structure$$\mathbb {A}$$Aonly depends on the set of minor identities satisfied by the polymorphism clone of$$\mathbb {A}$$A. In this article we consider the poset that arises by considering all clones over a three-element set with the following order: we write$$\mathcal {C}\ {\preceq _{\textrm{m}}}\ \mathcal {D}$$C⪯mDif there exists a minor homomorphism from$$\mathcal {C}$$Cto$$\mathcal {D}$$D. We show that the aforementioned poset has only three submaximal elements.
An approximation of populations on a habitat with large carrying capacity
Authors: Bauman Naor , Chigansky Pavel , Klebaner Fima
Published: March 2024

We consider stochastic dynamics of a population which starts from a small colony on a habitat with large but limited carrying capacity. A common heuristics suggests that such population grows initially as a Galton–Watson branching process and then its size follows an almost deterministic path until reaching its maximum, sustainable by the habitat. In this paper we put forward an alternative and, in fact, more accurate approximation which suggests that the population size behaves as a special nonlinear transformation of the Galton–Watson process from the very beginning.
Age- and sex-specific physiological cardiac remodeling: the search for the Fountain of Youth
Authors: Markwirth Philipp , Haring Bernhard
Published: March 2024

Graphical Abstract

Figure: Concepts of cardiac aging. Abbreviations: E/e’, transmitral early velocity to early diastolic mitral annular velocity; EF, ejection fraction; LV, left ventricular; LVEDD, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter; M/V left, ventricular mass to volume ratio.
A reduced-order computational homogenization framework for locally resonant metamaterial structures
Authors: Russillo Andrea Francesco , Kouznetsova Varvara G. , Failla Giuseppe , Geers Marc G. D.
Published: March 2024

A computational homogenization framework is presented to study the dynamics of locally resonant acoustic metamaterial structures. Modelling the resonant units at the microscale as representative volume elements and building on well-established scale transition relations, the framework brings as a main novelty a reduced-order macroscopic homogenized continuum whose governing equations involve no additional variables to describe the microscale dynamics unlike micromorphic homogenized continua obtained by alternative computational homogenization approaches. This model-order reduction is obtained by formulating the governing equations of the micro- and macroscale problems in the frequency domain, introducing a finite-element discretization of the two problems and performing an exact dynamic condensation of all the degrees of freedom at the microscale. An appropriate inverse Fourier transform approach is implemented on the frequency-domain equations to capture transient dynamics as well; notably, the implementation involves the Exponential Window Method, here applied for the first time to calculate the time-domain response of undamped locally resonant acoustic metamaterial structures. The framework may handle arbitrary geometries of micro- and macro-structures, any transient excitations and any boundary conditions on the macroscopic domain.
Longitudinal assessment of classic and 11-oxygenated androgen concentrations and their association with type 2 diabetes mellitus development: the Tromsø study
Authors: Allaoui Giovanni , Rylander Charlotta , Fuskevåg Ole-Martin , Grimnes Guri , Averina Maria , Wilsgaard Tom , Berg Vivian
Published: March 2024

Aim

We aimed to investigate changes in pre-diagnostic concentrations of classic and 11-oxygenated androgens in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) cases and healthy controls, associations between androgen concentrations and T2DM, and the potential for androgens to improve the prediction of T2DM when considered in combination with established risk factors.

Methods

Androgen concentrations were analysed in serum samples from 116 T2DM cases and 138 controls at 3, pre-diagnostic time-points: 1986/87 (T1), 1994/95 (T2), and 2001 (T3). Generalised estimating equations were used to longitudinally examine androgen concentrations, and logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratios (OR) of T2DM at each time-point. Logistic regression models were also used to calculate area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AROC) from models including established risk factors alone (ERF model) and established risk factors plus each androgen, respectively, which were compared to identify improvements in predictive ability.

Results

For women, no significant associations were observed between any of the investigated androgens and T2DM after adjusting for confounders. For men, after adjusting for confounders, concentrations of all investigated 11-oxygenated androgens were higher in cases than controls at one or several time-points. We observed associations between T2DM and concentrations of 11-ketoandrostenedione (OR: 1.59) and 11-ketotestosterone (OR: 1.62) at T1; and 11-hydroxyandrostenedione (OR: 2.00), 11-hydroxytestosterone (OR: 1.76), 11-ketoandrostenedione (OR: 1.84), 11-ketotestosterone (OR: 1.78) and testosterone (OR: 0.45) at T3 in men. The addition of these androgens (including 11-hydroxytestosterone at T2) to the ERF model resulted in an improved ability to predict T2DM in men (AROC: 0.79–0.82). We did not observe significant differences in changes in androgen concentrations over time between cases and controls in either sex.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that testosterone and 11-oxygenated androgens are associated with T2DM in men before diagnosis and may be potential biomarkers in T2DM risk assessment.
Positionspapier der Deutschen Arbeitsgemeinschaft Krankenhaus-Einsatzplanung (DAKEP e. V.) zur baulichen Planung von Krankenhausneubauten im Kontext Terrorismus, Amok sowie Bündnis- und Landesverteidigung
Authors: Wurmb T. , Scholtes K. , Kolibay F. , Lechleuthner A. , Scholtes G. , Schwarzmann G.
Published: March 2024

Terrorismus, Amok und in zunehmendem Maße auch die mögliche Notwendigkeit der Bündnis- und Landesverteidigung (BV/LV) stellen für Krankenhäuser in Deutschland eine ernst zu nehmende Herausforderung dar, auf die sie aktuell nicht ausreichend und aus baulichen Aspekten gar nicht vorbereitet sind. Für Krankenhausneubauten gibt es keine verbindlichen Normen, um einen Schutz von Personal und Patienten sowie eine Aufrechterhaltung der medizinischen Versorgung bestmöglich sicherzustellen. Es bleibt den Nutzern und Bauherren überlassen, unter Umständen nach persönlichen Präferenzen entsprechende bauliche Schutzkonzepte zu entwickeln, zu planen und umzusetzen. Deren Finanzierung ist nicht geregelt, was einen erheblich hemmenden Faktor für eine Umsetzung und etwaige Baugenehmigungsverfahren und Haushaltsfreigaben darstellt. Die Arbeitsgemeinschaft Krankenhaus-Einsatzplanung (DAKEP e. V.) sieht in diesen Umständen ein erhebliches Defizit, für das dringend Abhilfe geschaffen werden muss. Ziel dieses Positionspapiers ist es, die Hintergründe zu beleuchten und Vorschläge für ein Minimalset an baulichen Maßnahmen zu definieren, die bei Terror und Amok, aber auch BV/LV die Sicherheit an Krankenhäusern für Patienten und Personal erhöhen und speziell die Aufrechterhaltung der medizinischen Versorgung bei BV/LV möglichst verlängern können.
Aging-associated changes of optical coherence tomography-measured ganglion cell-related retinal layer thickness and visual sensitivity in normal Japanese
Authors: Iwase Aiko , Higashide Tomomi , Fujii Makoto , Ohno Yuko , Tanaka Yuki , Kikawa Tsutomu , Araie Makoto
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To report aging-associated change rates in circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (cpRNFLT) and macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer and complex thickness (MGCIPLT, MGCCT) in normal Japanese eyes and to compare the data in linear scaled visual field (VF) sensitivity of central 4 points of Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA) 24-2 test (VF4TestPoints) to that in MGCIPLT in four 0.6-mm-diameter circles corresponding to the four central points of HFA 24-2 adjusted for retinal ganglion cell displacement (GCIPLT4TestPoints).

Study design

Prospective observational study

Methods

HFA 24-2 tests and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) measurements of cpRNFLT, MGCIPLT, MGCCT and GCIPLT4TestPoints were performed every 3 months for 3 years in 73 eyes of 37 healthy Japanese with mean age of 50.4 years. The time changes of SD-OCT-measured parameters and VF4TestPoints were analyzed using a linear mixed model.

Results

The aging-associated change rates were -0.064 μm/year for MGCIPLT and and -0.095 for MGCCT (P=0.020 and 0.017), but could not be detected for cpRNFLT. They accelerated with aging at -0.009μm/year/year of age for MGCIPLT (P<0.001), at 0.011 for MGCCT (P<0.001) and at 0.013 for cpRNFLT(0.031). The aging-associated decline of -82.1 [1/Lambert]/year of VF4TestPoints corresponded to -0.095 μm/year of GCIPLT4TestPoints.

Conclusion

We report that aging-associated change rates of cpRNFLT, MGCIPLT and MGCCT in normal Japanese eyes were found to be significantly accelerated along with aging. Relationship between VF sensitivity decline rates and SD-OCT measured GCIPLT decline rates during physiological aging in the corresponding parafoveal retinal areas are also documented.
Dynamic analysis of resistance in Colombian elite Hevea brasiliensis genotypes as a breeding strategy for enhancing South American leaf blight management under disease non-escape conditions in the Amazon region
Authors: Galindo-Rodríguez Lyda Constanza , Sterling Armando , Muñoz-Ramirez Herminton , Martínez-Moyano Edgar , Fonseca-Restrepo Jesica Andrea , Loaiza-Molina Luis Carlos
Published: March 2024

South American Leaf Blight (SALB) is the primary limitation to the establishment of new rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) crops in Latin America. This study aimed to assess the temporal dynamics of resistance to SALB in 99 elite Colombian genotypes and the IAN 873 cultivar (control) of H. brasiliensis in small-scale clone trials conducted under conditions with a high disease prevalence in the northwestern Colombian Amazon. Resistance monitoring was carried out on a monthly basis and analyzed over five climatic periods. Three variables were recorded: attack severity (AT, ranging from 0 to 4), reaction type (TR, ranging from 1 to 6) and stromal density (ST, ranging from 0 to 4). The maximum scores for TR and ST were used to classify the level of resistance of the genotypes. Highly significant differences in the mean values of AT, TR and ST among the genotypes, across the periods, and in the interaction between genotype and period were found. Over time, an increase in symptoms (AT) and signs (TR and ST) of SALB was observed. During the rainy periods, SALB intensity was highest, resulting in a leaf area affected ranging from 16 to 30%. Eight genotypes showed partial resistance (PR) (TR < 5 and ST < 2), while 16 genotypes demonstrated complete resistance (CR) (TR < 3 and ST = 0), and 76 genotypes were highly susceptible (HS) (TR > 5 or ST > 2). The temporal analysis identified 23 Colombian superior genotypes with varying degrees of SALB resistance, which can be a valuable breeding resource for improving SALB management in the Colombian Amazon region.
Understanding sustainable growth in the face of economic policy uncertainties
Authors: Tiange Xiang , Mirza Sultan Sikandar , Zhang Chengwei , Huang ChengMing
Published: March 2024

This paper investigates the impact of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) in China, measured by a news-based index, on the sustainable growth of 2771 Chinese non-financial A-share firms (including 1674 SMEs and 1097 non-SMEs) from 2010 to 2022. We also analyze how green business practices moderate the impact of EPU on firms' sustainable growth. After implying various econometric models, this study finds that EPU has a significant negative effect on the sustainable growth of Chinese firms, which is more pronounced among non-SMEs. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the negative impact of EPU on CSG is more pronounced in big firms, highly leveraged firms, firms with low liquidity and low financialization in China. We further reveal that this negative impact of EPU stems from trade policy uncertainties. Furthermore, findings reveal that green business activities positively moderate the association between EPU and sustainable growth, and that this moderating impact is more pronounced among SMEs. These findings are consistent with various robustness approaches. This paper provides useful insights for enterprises to improve their sustainable growth in the context of economic policy uncertainties by adjusting their number of employees, board of directors, average age of staffs, financialization level and debt flexibility.
Set Valued Equilibrium Problems Without Linear Structure
Authors: Benedetti Irene , Martellotti Anna
Published: March 2024

In this paper we give several existence results for solutions of equilibrium problems in topological spaces without linear structure. To this end we introduce a new concept of convexity for maps and multivalued maps in spaces without linear structure. The discussion on convexity is enriched with some example useful to compare the new conditions with the existing one in literature. Finally, we apply the existence results obtained to a Nash equilibrium problem and to a maximization of a binary relation.
Quantum Join Ordering by Splitting the Search Space of QUBO Problems
Authors: Nayak Nitin , Winker Tobias , Çalıkyılmaz Umut , Groppe Sven , Groppe Jinghua
Published: March 2024

The join order has a huge impact on the execution time of a query, such that finding an optimal join order plays a crucial role in query optimization. However, join order optimization is known to be NP-hard. Hence, in this paper, we propose an approach for accelerating join order optimization by quantum computers. We extend our previous approach supporting bushy join trees by splitting the search space of possible join orders and solving each of these subspaces on currently available quantum computers to optimize the join of more relations than our previous approach. We have integrated our approach to quantum query optimization in the relational database management system PostgreSQL to conduct studies with real-world queries. In our experiments, we show that we can perform join order optimization up to 7 relations for real-world queries using quantum annealing and up to 8 relations for artificial queries using simulated annealing with a reasonable number of QUBO problems solved by D‑Wave’s Quantum Annealer. Furthermore, we show that our approach can be also used to perform join-order for queries joining five relations on circuit-based quantum computers running the quantum approximate optimization algorithm (QAOA) and variational quantum eigensolver (VQE) approaches.
Alterations of DNA methylation profile in peripheral blood of children with simple obesity
Authors: Ren Yi , Huang Peng , Huang Xiaoyan , Zhang Lu , Liu Lingjuan , Xiang Wei , Liu Liqun , He Xiaojie
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To investigate the association between DNA methylation and childhood simple obesity.

Methods

Genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation was conducted on peripheral blood samples from 41 children with simple obesity and 31 normal controls to identify differentially methylated sites (DMS). Subsequently, gene functional analysis of differentially methylated genes (DMGs) was carried out. After screening the characteristic DMGs based on specific conditions, the methylated levels of these DMS were evaluated and verified by pyrosequencing. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis assessed the predictive efficacy of corresponding DMGs. Finally, Pearson correlation analysis revealed the correlation between specific DMS and clinical data.

Results

The overall DNA methylation level in the obesity group was significantly lower than in normal. A total of 241 DMS were identified. Functional pathway analysis revealed that DMGs were primarily involved in lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, human diseases, among other pathways. The characteristic DMS within the genes Transcription factor A mitochondrial (TFAM) and Piezo type mechanosensitive ion channel component 1(PIEZO1) were recognized as CpG-cg05831083 and CpG-cg14926485, respectively. Furthermore, the methylation level of CpG-cg05831083 significantly correlated with body mass index (BMI) and vitamin D.

Conclusions

Abnormal DNA methylation is closely related to childhood simple obesity. The altered methylation of CpG-cg05831083 and CpG-cg14926485 could potentially serve as biomarkers for childhood simple obesity.
Patent Quality: A Critique of the State of the Discussion
Authors: Liu Li
Published: March 2024

Despite decades of research and debate, the narrative that low-quality patents stifle innovation remains fraught with controversy. It is called into question because the term “patent quality” seems to be a potential misnomer, and reforms to improve patent quality are ineffective. The purpose of this study is to offer a comparative critique of the debate regarding patent quality in the European Union and the United States. It investigates five factors relating to the history of this debate, contested definitions, measurements of quality, proposals that are not implemented, and reforms that are implemented. The main contribution of this paper is to review how the debate has been constructed, indicating that certain arguments seem to talk past each other and consensus is hard to reach, that measurements are flawed, and that proposals and reforms seeking improvement seem to be treating the symptoms but not the disease. The study argues that the debate encounters a conceptual predicament characterized by substantively different conceptions of patent quality, which are influenced by differing normative expectations and assessments of patent systems. It transforms a potentially useful analytical concept into a rabbit hole. Any attempts to break the current impasse must begin with an appreciation of the different senses in which patent quality is used and an assessment of the legitimacy of their underlying normative frameworks.
Hybridisierungstendenzen in Settings der Berufs- und Laufbahnberatung
Authors: Mocigemba Dennis , Unterreiner Laura
Published: March 2024

Der Beitrag analysiert aktuelle Veränderungen der Beratungssettings in der Berufs- und Laufbahnberatung, die durch Mediatisierung und Digitalisierung der Beratung und die Covid-19-Pandemie erheblich forciert wurden und werden. In Anlehnung an bildungswissenschaftliche Überlegungen zu „Hybrid Learning“ werden diese Veränderungen als „Hybridisierungstendenzen“ bezeichnet und als Grenzverschiebungen auf unterschiedlichen Ebenen (räumlich, zeitlich, sozial, institutionell) konzeptualisiert. Auf Basis einer Umfrage unter Bayerischen Berufsberaterinnen und Berufsberatern der Bundesagentur für Arbeit (n = 237) wird dargestellt, welche Hybridisierungstendenzen seit der Pandemie erlebt wurden, welche in der Zukunft erwartet und wie diese bewertet werden.