bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Review on Minimization of Polysulfide Shuttle Effect of Lithium–Sulfur Batteries by Using Low‐Dimensional Carbon Composite as the Sulfur Cathode
Authors: Suresh Aishwarya Chalil , Kottam Nagaraju , Hosamane Savitha
Published: December 2024

Owing to the high specific energy density in theories, abundance of resources, and adherence to environmental standards, rechargeable lithium–sulfur batteries (LSB) have drawn an increasing amount of interest. However, the weak conductivity of the sulfur and discharge products, the drastic breakdown and migration of the intermediates of lithium polysulfide (LiPSs) leading to shuttle effect, and the enormous volumetric change of sulfur particles upon cycle substantially hinder their practical uses. Due to the considerable capacity diminishing caused by the shuttle impact corrosion of the lithium metal, LSBs are thought to have significant commercial application challenges. Engineering nanomaterials’ surface structures can increase the affinity between the cathode with the LiPSs while also enabling the redox kinetics of the LiPSs, which results in a low level of LiPSs in the electrolyte that can restrict the shuttle effect. Sulfur and carbon materials, when combined, effectively increase the efficiency of active materials, increase the conductive properties of cathode components, and serve as a barrier against polysulfides. In this review, a thorough analysis is provided on low‐dimensional carbon materials as cathode, by which the electrode modification technique for limiting the shuttle effect of polysulfide in LSBs and forecast future research trends on the same.
Association between consumption of ultra‐processed foods and glycemic self‐monitoring in women with gestational diabetes mellitus and their newborns: A cohort study
Authors: da Silva Amanda Gabriela Araújo , de Oliveira Araújo Maria Eliones , de Lucena Amanda Maria Lira , Fontes Iasmim Leite , De Lima Isabelle Lorena Barbosa , de Souza Pollyana Carvalho , de Araujo Medeiros Santos Cristina Maria , dos Santos Dametto Juliana Fernandes , da Silva Ribeiro Karla Danielly
Published: December 2024

Objective

To evaluate the association between the consumption of ultra‐processed foods (UPFs) and outcomes of self‐monitoring of blood glucose in pregnant woman with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and the occurrence of hypoglycemia in their newborns.

Methods

Prospective cohort study of pregnant woman with GDM who were followed up from the second trimester of pregnancy in high‐risk prenatal care until the immediate postpartum period. Dietary intake was assessed using 24‐h recalls and analyzed according to the Nova Classification. The glycemic profile was assessed by self‐monitoring of fasting and postprandial capillary glycemia (pregnant) and by capillary glycemia in the first 48 h of life (neonate). Multilevel binary logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between increasing UPF intake, considering the highest tertile of UPF consumption, and women's glycemic control and the occurrence of neonatal hypoglycemia.

Results

UPFs provided 15% of calories consumed; 33.3% (n = 30) and 52.3% (n = 45) of the women had hyperglycemia in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, respectively. After adjustment it was observed that UPF consumption had no significant association with maternal glycemic control but it showed a positive association with the occurrence of neonatal hypoglycemia (odds ratio [OR] 1.144, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.037–1.262, p = 0.007).

Conclusion

These data reinforce the need to address food processing during high‐risk prenatal care in order to help reduce the negative impacts of UPF consumption on the mother–infant dyad.
An eMERGEing definition of patient engagement in genetic counseling
Authors: Fung Jacqueline , Rashkin Misha , Barton Claire , Grajales Lizette , Jan Cheng‐Wei , Lara‐Otero Karlena , Narain Anjali , Rios‐Ventura Sonia , Rowe‐Teeter Courtney , Torres Zapata Astrid , Tucker Brianna , Ford James M.
Published: December 2024

The concept of patient engagement has been widely studied for decades in the fields of medicine, nursing, psychology, social science, public health, and policy, and increased levels of patient engagement have been shown to improve health outcomes and strengthen reported experiences of care. Despite this, little research has been done to evaluate what patient engagement looks like within the context of a genetic counseling session. Additionally, there is limited literature from researchers based in the United States that aims to better understand patient engagement in non‐English‐speaking populations. This study is part of a larger protocol entitled “Multilingual Education Research in Genetic counseling Engagement (MERGE),” and it explores the elements that make up patient engagement in the context of pre‐test genetic counseling for hereditary cancer risk among English‐ and Spanish‐speaking patients. Eligible patients were 18 years or older at the time of their genetic counseling visit, had a personal or family history of breast cancer (if English‐speaking) or a personal or family history of any cancer (if Spanish‐speaking), and had not previously been seen for hereditary cancer genetic counseling. Out of 40 enrolled participants, 60% of patients (24/40) were English‐speaking, while 40% of patients (16/40) were Spanish‐speaking. In this study, English transcripts were generated from audio‐recordings of clinical, standard‐of‐care genetic counseling sessions. The transcripts were qualitatively coded by two raters using an inductive approach, allowing for big Q thematic analysis. Six major themes were identified, describing ways in which patients show engagement and participate in decision‐making during a pre‐test genetic counseling session. All data were analyzed collectively, as assessment of differences between the language groups was not a primary analysis question. From the six themes, a definition of patient engagement in genetic counseling is proposed such that it consists of four “components” that together promote shared decision‐making: Application of Education; Expression of Emotions; Feelings of Ownership; and Therapeutic Alliance. This working definition of patient engagement in genetic counseling has overlap with previous research on patient engagement in healthcare and with the Reciprocal‐Engagement Model of genetic counseling. Future research on this topic can investigate methods for measuring and improving patient engagement across different settings and service delivery models.
Efficacy of Ultrasound‐Guided Transverse Abdominal Plane Block for Residual Pain After Pulsed Radiofrequency in Abdominal Acute/Subacute Herpes Zoster‐Related Pain
Authors: Li Shao‐Jun , Tong Sheng‐Xiong , Feng Dan
Published: December 2024

Background

Pulse radiofrequency (PRF) can reduce the persistent pain of herpes zoster (HZ), but some patients still have residual pain and do not achieve satisfactory results. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of PRF combined with transverse abdominal plane (TAP) block for abdominal acute/subacute HZ‐related pain.

Methods

A total of 137 acute/sub‐acute HZ patients with successful PRF treatment were recruited from the Pain Department of Wuhan No. 1 Hospital between January 2018 and January 2020. There were two groups: the transversus abdominis plane group (TAP group, n = 64) and the normal saline group (NS group, n = 60). Pain intensity, sleep quality, and quality of life were quantified using the visual analogue scale (VAS), the five‐item questionnaire and scoring system, and the 36‐item Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36) questionnaire, respectively. Follow‐up assessments were conducted at baseline, 1 day, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the block therapy.

Results

Compared to the NS group, the TAP group showed significantly decreased pain scores 1 day, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after block therapy (P < .05). The sleep quality scores were lower in the TAP group than that in the NS group at 6 months (5.0 ± 2.4 vs 6.3 ± 3.7, p = .042), and 12 months after therapy (3.1 ± 1.8 vs 4.1 ± 2.4, p = .031). For quality of life, in comparison to NS group participants, those in the TAP group exhibited significantly higher scores (p < .05) for quality of life at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months follow‐up. There was a significant decrease in the proportion of pregabalin and analgesic medications in the TAP group and NS group at 6 and 12 months after treatment compared to Baseline (p < .001). Furthermore, the results showed that there was a significant difference in VAS, sleep quality scores (SQS), and quality of life between the PRF + TAP group and pharmacological therapies group before and 12 months after treatment (p < .05).

Conclusion

The TAP block is a promising complementary treatment for acute/subacute HZ patients who have undergone PRF treatment. Combining PRF with the TAP block has the potential to alleviate HZ‐related pain, enhance the patients' quality of life, and improve their sleep quality.
Does the TruBlue Laser Set Microlaryngoscopy Equipment on Fire? A Systematic Evaluation
Authors: Roitman Ariel , Lunga Tadeas , Venkatraman Anumitha , Schroeder Kristopher M , Thibeault Susan L , Dailey Seth H
Published: December 2024

Introduction

The risk of fire during laser microlaryngoscopy is well known. However, limited information is available about fire risk with the novel TruBlue laser. This study systematically evaluates its interactions with common surgical supplies, offering valuable insights into safety considerations for surgeons.

Material and Methods

We used experimental conditions to test the extent to which TruBlue laser energy produces smoke, perforation, or fire in Rüsch®, Medtronic™ and microlaryngeal endotracheal tubes and in surgical pledgets.

Results

Only the Microlaryngeal Tube (MLT) caught fire. Notably, it happened only when the laser fiber shifted on the tube's surface. Smoke emerged solely from the laser fiber applied to the Medtronic™ shaft and only during continuous contact mode. Cuff perforation and smoke emanating from the shaft occurred in three‐quarters of the Rüsch® trials. The pledgets' radiopaque segment exhibited a greater combustibility than other segments (p < 0.01). In many of the pledget trials, faster smoke emission occurred with shorter laser‐to‐target distances (p < 0.05). Water‐soaked pledgets displayed a reduced rate of smoke production (p < 0.01) and string division.

Conclusion

The Medtronic™ tube assures remarkable safety with a nonignitable shaft and low cuff ignition. The MLT poses the highest ignition risk. Cuff perforation risk is mitigated by maintaining a 0.3‐cm distance from the laser fiber tip. Pledget fire risk is mitigated by positioning the radiopaque part away from the laser beam and by soaking the pledget with water. Laser division of the pledgets' string was common.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 2024
The microorganisms associated with doliolids in a productive coastal upwelling system
Authors: Steinman Melissa , Schmid Moritz S. , Cowen Robert K. , Sponaugle Su , Sutherland Kelly R. , Thompson Anne W.
Published: December 2024

Doliolids have a unique ability to impact the marine microbial community through bloom events and filter feeding. Their predation on large eukaryotic microorganisms is established and evidence of predation on smaller prokaryotic microorganisms is beginning to emerge. We studied the association between microorganisms and wild‐caught doliolids in the Northern California Current system. Doliolids were collected during bloom events identified at three different shelf locations with variable upwelling intensity. We discovered doliolids were associated with a range of prokaryotic microbial functional groups, which included free‐living pelagic Archaea, SAR11, and picocyanobacteria. The results suggest the possibility that doliolids could feed on the smallest members of the microbial community, expanding our understanding of doliolid feeding and microbial mortality. Given the ability of doliolids to clear large portions of seawater by filtration and their high abundance in this system, we suggest that doliolids could be an important player in shaping the microbial community structure of the Northern California Current system.
Solutions of Local and Nonlocal Discrete Complex Modified Korteweg–De Vries Equations and Continuum Limits
Authors: Hu Ya‐nan , Shen Shou‐feng , Zhao Song‐lin
Published: December 2024

Cauchy matrix approach for the discrete Ablowitz–Kaup–Newell–Segur equations is reconsidered, where two “proper” discrete Ablowitz–Kaup–Newell–Segur equations and two “unproper” discrete Ablowitz–Kaup–Newell–Segur equations are derived. The “proper” equations admit local reduction, while the “unproper” equations admit nonlocal reduction. By imposing the local and nonlocal complex reductions on the obtained discrete Ablowitz–Kaup–Newell–Segur equations, two local and nonlocal discrete complex modified Korteweg–de Vries equations are constructed. For the obtained local and nonlocal discrete complex modified Korteweg–de Vries equations, soliton solutions and Jordan‐block solutions are presented by solving the determining equation set. The dynamical behaviors of 1‐soliton solution are analyzed and illustrated. Continuum limits of the resulting local and nonlocal discrete complex modified Korteweg–de Vries equations are discussed.
Magnetic resonance image denoising for Rician noise using a novel hybrid transformer‐CNN network (HTC‐net) and self‐supervised pretraining
Authors: Shi Shengjie , Wang Cheng , Xiao Sa , Li Haidong , Zhao Xiuchao , Guo Fumin , Shi Lei , Zhou Xin
Published: December 2024

Background

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a crucial technique for both scientific research and clinical diagnosis. However, noise generated during MR data acquisition degrades image quality, particularly in hyperpolarized (HP) gas MRI. While deep learning (DL) methods have shown promise for MR image denoising, most of them fail to adequately utilize the long‐range information which is important to improve denoising performance. Furthermore, the sample size of paired noisy and noise‐free MR images also limits denoising performance.

Purpose

To develop an effective DL method that enhances denoising performance and reduces the requirement of paired MR images by utilizing the long‐range information and pretraining.

Methods

In this work, a hybrid Transformer‐convolutional neural network (CNN) network (HTC‐net) and a self‐supervised pretraining strategy are proposed, which effectively enhance the denoising performance. In HTC‐net, a CNN branch is exploited to extract the local features. Then a Transformer‐CNN branch with two parallel encoders is designed to capture the long‐range information. Within this branch, a residual fusion block (RFB) with a residual feature processing module and a feature fusion module is proposed to aggregate features at different resolutions extracted by two parallel encoders. After that, HTC‐net exploits the comprehensive features from the CNN branch and the Transformer‐CNN branch to accurately predict noise‐free MR images through a reconstruction module. To further enhance the performance on limited MRI datasets, a self‐supervised pretraining strategy is proposed. This strategy employs self‐supervised denoising to equip the HTC‐net with denoising capabilities during pretraining, and then the pre‐trained parameters are transferred to facilitate subsequent supervised training.

Results

Experimental results on the pulmonary HP 129Xe MRI dataset (1059 images) and IXI dataset (5000 images) all demonstrate the proposed method outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art methods, exhibiting superior preservation of edges and structures. Quantitatively, on the pulmonary HP 129Xe MRI dataset, the proposed method outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art methods by 0.254–0.597 dB in PSNR and 0.007–0.013 in SSIM. On the IXI dataset, the proposed method outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art methods by 0.3–0.927 dB in PSNR and 0.003–0.016 in SSIM.

Conclusions

The proposed method can effectively enhance the quality of MR images, which helps improve the diagnosis accuracy in clinical.
Federated learning for enhanced dose–volume parameter prediction with decentralized data
Authors: Zhang Jiahan , Lei Yang , Xia Junyi , Chao Ming , Liu Tian
Published: December 2024

Background

The widespread adoption of knowledge‐based planning in radiation oncology clinics is hindered by the lack of data and the difficulty associated with sharing medical data.

Purpose

This study aims to assess the feasibility of mitigating this challenge through federated learning (FL): a centralized model trained with distributed datasets, while keeping data localized and private.

Methods

This concept was tested using 273 prostate 45 Gy plans. The cases were split into a training set with 220 cases and a validation set with 53 cases. The training set was further separated into 10 subsets to simulate treatment plans from different clinics. A gradient‐boosting model was used to predict bladder and rectum V30Gy, V35Gy, and V40Gy. The Federated Averaging algorithm was employed to aggregate the individual model weights from distributed datasets. Grid search with five‐fold in‐training‐set cross‐validation was implemented to tune model hyperparameters. Additionally, we evaluated the robustness of the FL approach by varying the distribution of the training set data in several scenarios, including different number of sites and imbalanced data across sites.

Results

The mean absolute error (MAE) for the FL model (4.7% ± 2.9%) is significantly lower than individual models trained separately (6.5% ± 4.9%, p < 0.001) and similar to a traditional centralized model (4.4% ± 2.8%, p = 0.14). The federated model is robust to the number of subsets, showing MAE of 4.7% ± 3.2%, 4.8% ± 3.1%, 4.8% ± 2.9%, 4.5% ± 2.8%, 4.9% ± 3.3%, and 4.8% ± 3.1% for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 subsets, respectively. For the two imbalanced datasets, the FL model achieves MAEs of 4.5% ± 2.9% and 5.6% ± 4.0%, non‐inferior to the balanced data model. For all bladder and rectum metrics, the FL model significantly outperforms 36.7% of individual models.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the potential advantages of implementing a federated model over training individual models: the proposed FL approach achieves similar prediction accuracy as a conventional model without requiring centralized data storage. Even when local models struggle to produce accurate predictions due to data scarcity, the federated model consistently maintains high performance.
Empowering Nursing Practices: Enhancing Patient Care Through Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards Urinary Catheterisation in Taicang City
Authors: Zhang Lihong , Zhang Hong , Wang Yaxuan , Li Hui , Liu Ting , Qian Jingjing , Wang Chi
Published: December 2024

Aim

To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards unnecessary urinary catheterisation among nurses in Taicang City, China.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

This study included nurses from our hospital and was conducted between February 2023 and June 2023.

Data Sources

A self‐administered questionnaire was designed to collect their demographic characteristics and KAP.

Results

A total of 233 valid questionnaires were collected. The mean KAP scores were 13.44 ± 1.62 (possible range: 0–17), 45.28 ± 3.87 (possible range: 10–50) and 43.85 ± 5.98 (possible range: 10–50), which indicated moderate knowledge, positive attitude and proactive practice, respectively. The Pearson's correlation analysis showed positive correlations between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.253, p < 0.001), knowledge and practice (r = 0.279, p < 0.001), as well as attitude and practice (r = 0.441, p < 0.001). Partial correlation analysis adjusted for age, gender, department, working experience and experience in treating patients with catheter‐associated urinary tract infections also showed positive correlations among KAP. A structural equation modelling showed that both knowledge (β = 0.501, p = 0.047) and attitude (β = 0.691, p < 0.001) had direct effect on practice.

Conclusion

This study found moderate knowledge, positive attitude and proactive practice among the participants. Both knowledge and attitude might affect their practice.

Impact

We wanted to know the knowledge, attitude and behaviour of nurses in Taicang City towards unnecessary catheterisation. Moderate knowledge, positive attitude and proactive practice were found among the participants. The findings would provide evidence for policymakers to develop targeted educational intervention to improve nurses’ practice and might improve the outcomes of patients.

Reporting Method

This study was reported to be adhered to the STROBE guideline.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

Targeted educational intervention was needed to improve nurses’ practice.
Users of chronic prescription opioids decrease in the first 12 months following bariatric surgery
Authors: Abbey Enoch J. , Nudotor Richard D. , Khalifa Banda A. A. , Canner Joseph K. , Prokopowicz Gregory P. , Steele Kimberly E. , Mammen Jennifer S.
Published: December 2024

Objective

Obesity is an independent risk factor for chronic pain frequently treated with opioids. Our study investigated the effect of Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) on chronic opioid prescription use.

Methods

Using the IBM MarketScan database (2010–2017), we analyzed adult chronic opioid users who underwent bariatric surgery. Opioid use was measured in morphine milligram equivalents (MME) for 6‐month periods before and after surgery. Changes in MME for each 6‐month interval were compared to preoperative exposure and across the different types of bariatric surgery.

Results

Of the 2197 patients identified, 29% discontinued opioids 6 months post surgery, further decreasing to 23.4% at 12 months. Discontinuation rates were similar for VSG and RYGB. Preoperative opioid exposure did not predict postsurgery discontinuation, but patients with multiple opioid prescription types were less likely to stop. Among those continuing opioid use, average MME increased at 6 months post surgery compared with 6 months pre surgery in both groups (mean [SD], RYGB: 49.4 [347.3]; VSG: 74.9 [533.4]).

Conclusions

Although bariatric surgery reduced the number of chronic opioid users by nearly 25%, persistent users showed increased average opioid exposure after surgery. Further research to track long‐term opioid use should be conducted, and providers should inform patients of these risks and attempt opioid dose reductions before surgery.
Advancing thermo‐oxidative stability in silicone rubber with cerium‐tin complex oxide
Authors: Cong Chuanbo , Yuan Mingyang , Wang Han , Umer Rehan , Peng Daigang , Ouyang Jianglin
Published: December 2024

In order to improve the thermal stability of silicone rubber (SR), cerium‐tin composite oxides (CeSnO‐x) are used as thermo‐oxidative stabilizer in phenyl methyl vinyl silicone rubber (PVMQ). CeSnO‐x are synthesized via the sol–gel method and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, x‐ray diffraction, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showing that tin doping led to more oxygen vacancies in CeSnO‐x compared to CeO2. Through thermogravimetric analyzer, differential scanning alorimetry (DSC) and average activation energy calculation of PVMQ with different thermo‐oxidative stabilizer, it was found that CeSnO‐8 is outperforming CeO2, SnO2, and their mixtures in improving the thermo‐oxidative stability of PVMQ. In mechanical property tests, due to tin doping, CeSnO‐8 exhibit superior performance at all stages during thermo‐oxidative aging comparing the different effects of CeO2 and SnO2 in different aging stages. XPS of PVMQ composites investigate the mechanism by which CeSnO‐8 exhibit different effects. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy characterizing the Si‐C and Si‐O bond changes in PVMQ composite before and after aging and the measurement of Mc explore thermo‐oxidative stabilizers' role during thermo‐oxidative aging of PVMQ. Thermogravimetry‐infrared spectroscopy comparisons between unstabilized PVMQ and CeSnO‐8‐stabilized PVMQ show that CeSnO‐8 effectively quenched radicals produced by the oxidation of the PVMQ side group, but exacerbate degradation caused by molecular chain rearrangement.
Going Back in Time: Prenatal Presentations of Postnatal Genetic Diagnoses Made in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Duyzend Michael , Sud Malika , D’Gama Alissa M. , Poorvu Tabitha , Estroff Judy , Wojcik Monica H.
Published: December 2024

Objectives

Prenatal genetic diagnosis can impact care across the perinatal continuum; however, prenatal suspicion for genetic disorders may be complicated by incomplete knowledge of fetal rare‐disease phenotypes. Here, we describe the prenatal presentations of a cohort of infants with rare genetic conditions who were diagnosed postnatally in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), to characterize prenatal presenting features and evaluate why the diagnosis was not identified prenatally.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of infants born over a 7 year period (2017–2023) who were admitted to a Level IV NICU and received a postnatal genetic diagnosis prior to 1 year of age. We identified which of these infants had been imaged prenatally at our Maternal Fetal Care Center (MFCC) as an opportunity for prenatal genetic diagnosis. Clinical data were abstracted from the medical records.

Results

51 cases met the inclusion criteria. Nine of the 51 infants were not strongly suspected to have a genetic syndrome prenatally when seen at the MFCC, as evidenced by lack of prenatal genetic consultation and lack of documented suspicion for a genetic etiology. These cases largely had absent or uncertain prenatal phenotypes. In most cases (42/51, 82.4%), prenatal diagnostic testing was not pursued even if offered. Overall, postnatal diagnoses, of which there was one dual diagnosis, were made by karyotype/FISH (11/52, 21.1%), microarray (8/52, 15.4%), gene panel/targeted testing (17/52, 32.7%), or exome sequencing (16/52, 30.8%).

Conclusions

Our data illustrate the challenges in fetal phenotyping and support a broad approach to prenatal testing to facilitate early genetic diagnosis, which may meaningfully impact postnatal care.
Highly Efficient Biomass Derived Carbon Quantum Dots as Metal Free Green Photocatalyst for Degradation of Dyes
Authors: Padasalagi Anita. B. , Rabinal Mohammad Hussain Kasim
Published: December 2024

The demand for wastewater treatment for a sustainable future has provoked the development of an ecologically acceptable photocatalytic approach. However, exploration of highly efficient green metal free catalyst for photocatalytic dye degradation under normal light is yet challenging. In this work, the prepared sericin derived carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are presented as green photocatalyst for the degradation of well‐known hazardous dyes namely crystal violet and Rhodamine‐B under normal light. Using several radical scavenging agents, the mechanism involved in photocatalytic activity of CQDs is demonstrated. This novel photocatalyst offers a well alternative for the degradation and mineralization of organic dyes with a good efficiency.
Cover Image, Volume 93, Issue 1
Authors: Prabantu Vasam Manjveekar , Tandon Himani , Sandhya Sankaran , Sowdhamini Ramanathan , Srinivasan Narayanaswamy
Published: December 2024

Front Cover: The cover image is based on the Article The alteration of structural network upon transient association between proteins studied using graph theory by Vasam Manjveekar Prabantu etal., https://doi.org/10.1002/prot.26606.

image
Phenolation Prior to Epoxidation of Kraft Lignin and Their Impacts on Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Adhesive
Authors: Ono Karen Midori , Ito Nathalie Minako , de Sousa Rogerio Ramos , Avelino Francisco , Lomonaco Diego , dos Santos Demetrio Jackson
Published: December 2024

Numerous efforts focus on renewable epoxy resin development, with lignin emerging as a viable green alternative to fossil‐derived resources. Being Earth's second‐most abundant organic molecule, lignin, rich in phenolic groups, shows promise as a substitute for bisphenol A in diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) production. This work successfully modifies Kraft lignin (KL) via one‐step epoxidation (KLE) and phenolation prior to epoxidation (KLPE), significantly increasing oxirane ring content. Characterization via FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy validates the modifications, yielding epoxy equivalent weights of 862.1 and 214.6 g mol−1 for KLE and KLPE, respectively. Incorporating 20 wt% KLE into adhesive maintains tensile and lap shear strength compared to 100 wt% DGEBA adhesives, with an increase in elastic modulus, indicating its potential as a sustainable resin substitute. However, phenolation prior to epoxidation slightly reduces mechanical properties despite higher oxirane ring concentration. These results shed some light on the impact of both modification protocols on the mechanical properties of epoxy adhesives, supporting the development and properties optimization of sustainable epoxy adhesives.
An Efficient One‐Pot Access of Pentoxifylline‐Thiazole Hybrids: Design, Synthesis, and Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Mehariya Jignesh , Pithadiya Umang , Bijani Sabera , Khedkar Vijay , Jain Vicky , Jadeja Yashwantsinh
Published: December 2024

An efficient, facile, and one‐pot route has been utilized for the synthesis of a new series of 3,7‐dimethyl‐1‐(5‐(2‐(4‐substitutedphenylthiazol‐2‐yl)hydrazono)hexyl)‐1H‐purine‐2,6(3H,7H)‐dione (4a–4j). The pentoxifylline (1) as a novel precursor, thiosemicarbazide, and a variety of phenacyl bromides have been employed to generate a newer pentoxifylline‐thiazole adduct using PPA as the green catalyst at reflux conditions to afford a high yield and pure product. All the synthesized compounds were purified using chromatographic methods and characterized by spectroscopic techniques (1H and 13C NMR, MS, and IR). Antioxidant activity was assessed using a DPPH free radical scavenging assay, and it was observed that compounds with cyano functional groups and electron‐donating groups showed notably higher potency, with IC50 values around 400 µM, while those with halogens and nitro functional groups displayed moderate efficacy (IC50 ≈600 µM). These results were compared to the standard ascorbic acid, which had an IC50 of 382.54 ± 5.09 µM. Molecular docking was performed on the myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzyme to explore the mechanistic basis of antioxidant activity, providing valuable insights into the thermodynamic interactions that contribute to binding affinity.
A new procolophonid with complex dentition from the Late Triassic of southwest England
Authors: Meade Luke E. , Butler Richard J. , Jones Marc E. H. , Fraser Nicholas C.
Published: December 2024

Fissure fill deposits from the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic of England and Wales preserve a diverse small tetrapod fauna including procolophonids, an important group of Permian and Triassic parareptiles that radiated across Pangaea following the end‐Permian extinction event. Procolophonids are currently known from two fissure fill sites: incomplete and isolated remains from Ruthin Quarry (Wales) and type and referred material of Hwiccewyrm trispiculum from Cromhall Quarry (southwest England). The age of the Cromhall fissure deposits has been debated but recent radiometric dating suggests a Carnian age for at least some of the fossil assemblages. Here, we present material from several fissure assemblages at Cromhall, which are interpreted as stratigraphically older than the assemblage that yielded Hwiccewyrm. We describe a new species of leptopleuronine procolophonid based on partial remains with unique tooth morphology. Threordatoth chasmatos gen. et sp. nov. is characterized by maxillae with a reduced number of complex tricuspid teeth along with dentaries that bear labiolingually compressed monocuspid teeth and in some cases have a peculiar edentulous tip. These distinct tooth morphologies occlude closely, perhaps facilitated by a flexible dentary symphyseal connection. This unique combination of characters may suggest a high degree of oral food processing of a mode unlike other procolophonids, occurring among the broader leptopleuronine adaptation towards diets of high‐fibre herbivory/omnivory and insectivory. Phylogenetic analysis places the remains of Threordatoth as a derived leptopleuronine, sister taxon to Hwiccewyrm, in a clade with taxa including Soturnia, Hypsognathus, Libognathus and two unnamed leptopleuronines from the southwest USA.
Chemical Composition Optimization and Isothermal Transformation of δ‐Transformation‐Induced Plasticity Steel for the Third‐Generation Advanced High‐Strength Steel Grade
Authors: Okur Onur , Davut Kemal , Palumbo Gianfranco , Nalcaci Burak , Guglielmi Pasquale , Yalcin Mustafa Alp , Calin Recep , Erdogan Mehmet
Published: December 2024

A new low‐manganese transformation‐induced plasticity steel is designed with optimized nickel content to achieve superior strength and ductility while minimizing the use of expensive nickel. The steel is optimized using JMatPro software, then cast, and hot rolled. To assess the effect of intercritical annealing on austenite (martensite at room temperature) volume fraction and carbon content, hot‐rolled steel samples quenched from different annealing temperatures (680–1100 °C) are used. Additionally, hot‐rolled steel coupons are intercritically annealed at about 50% austenite formation temperature (740 °C) and then subjected to isothermal treatments at 300–425 °C for varying times (10–90 min). After optimizing these treatments to maximize retained austenite (RA), tensile specimens are heat‐treated first at 740 °C and then isothermally at 325 °C. Thermodynamic calculations suggest that aluminum combined with silicon may lead to the δ ferrite formation, and even minimal nickel content can stabilize a considerable amount of austenite. In the experimental studies, it is shown that lower‐temperature bainitic holding enhances austenite stability by enriching the carbon content. Optimized two‐stage heat treatments yield up to 25.8% RA, with a tensile strength of 867.2 MPa and elongation of 40.6%, achieving a strength‐elongation product of 35.2 GPa×%, surpassing the third‐generation advanced high‐strength steel grades minimum requirement of 30 GPa×%.
A phylogenetic analysis and new delimitation of the Neotropical genus Werneria (Compositae, Senecioneae)
Authors: Kelloff Carol , Funk Vicki A. , Chan Raymund , Calvo Joel
Published: December 2024

The genus Werneria was first described from six species found in the northern Andes in 1818 by Karl S. Kunth. By 1970 the number of species increased to around 50. Werneria is mostly distributed in the Andean highlands with a single species, W. nubigena, reaching as far as southern Chiapas, Mexico. Today, the genus Werneria encompasses 28 species with its center of diversity located in Peru and Bolivia. It is defined, in part, by having involucral bracts fused at least halfway and lacking a well‐developed calyculus at the base of the head. Further research indicated that there was considerable variability between Werneria species, and several species were transferred into the related genera Anticona, Misbrookea, Senecio, and Xenophyllum. Recently, it has been brought to light that the type of the genus Werneria is W. rigida, an effective lectotypification made by Rockhausen that previous authors working on this group overlooked. Since W. rigida has been accepted so far as a member of the genus Xenophyllum, Rockhausen's typification has resulted in: (1) Xenophyllum a superfluous name for Werneria; (2) Werneria a name to be applied to the species treated thus far as Xenophyllum; and (3) describing the new genus Rockhausenia to place the “traditional” Werneria species. Instead of proposing to conserve the name Werneria to avoid the aforementioned undesirable disruptions in the interest of nomenclatural stability, 30 new combinations have been made. Herein, we present the first comprehensive phylogenetic study based on ITS, trnL, ndhF, matK, and psbA sequence data involving 29 out of the 51 known species of Werneria and Xenophyllum (including the monotypic genus Misbrookea). The results indicate that: (1) the treatment of Misbrookea as a distinct genus is well supported; and (2) Werneria and Xenophyllum are each clearly not monophyletic. This, in addition to the fact that there are no diagnostic morphological synapomorphies to support either of the two genera, suggests treating them as members of a single genus. Moreover, the type of W. subg. Anactis appears to be nested in the genus Senecio. The three species belonging to this subgenus are accordingly transferred to Senecio. Finally, two subgenera are here proposed for facilitating species identification: (1) W. subg. Werneria, including species previously treated under Xenophyllum; (2) W. subg. Rockhausenia comb. & stat. nov., including the “traditional” Werneria species centered around W. nubigena.
Logarithmic doublets in CCFT
Authors: Bissi Agnese , Donnay Laura , Valsesia Beniamino
Published: December 2024

Abstract

We investigate the presence of logarithmic CFT doublets in the soft sector of celestial CFT related with supertranslations. We show that the quantum operator associated with a log u late-time behavior for the asymptotic gravitational shear forms a logarithmic CFT pair of conformal dimension ∆ = 1 with an IR-regulated supertranslation Goldstone current. We discuss this result in connection with previous encounters of log CFT structures in the IR-finite part of celestial OPEs.
Managing singular kernels and logarithmic corrections in the staggered six-vertex model
Authors: Azhari Mouhcine , Klümper Andreas
Published: December 2024

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the spectral properties of the staggered six-vertex model with $$ {\mathcal{Z}}_2 $$

Z
2

symmetry for arbitrary system sizes L using non-linear integral equations (NLIEs). Our study is motivated by two key questions: what is the accuracy of results based on the ODE/IQFT correspondence in the asymptotic regime of large system sizes, and what is the optimal approach based on NLIE for analyzing the staggered six-vertex model?

We demonstrate that the quantization conditions for low-lying primary and descendant states, derived from the ODE/IQFT approach in the scaling limit, are impressively accurate even for relatively small system sizes. Specifically, in the anisotropy parameter range π/4 < γ < π/2, the difference between NLIE and ODE/IQFT results for energy and quasi-momentum eigenvalues is of order $$ \mathcal{O}\left({L}^{-2}\right) $$
O

L

−
2

.

Furthermore, we present a unifying framework for NLIEs, distinguishing between versions with singular and regular kernels. We provide a compact derivation of NLIE with a singular kernel, followed by an equivalent set with a regular kernel. We address the stability issues in numerical treatments and offer solutions to achieve high-accuracy results, validating our approach for system sizes ranging from L = 2 to L = 1024.

Our findings not only validate the ODE/IQFT approach for finite system sizes but also enhance the understanding of NLIEs in the context of the staggered six-vertex model. We hope the insights gained from this study have significant implications for resolving the spectral problem of other lattice systems with emergent non-compact degrees of freedom and provide a foundation for future research in this domain.
Varieties of four-dimensional gauge theories
Authors: Gripaios Ben , Nguyen Khoi Le Nguyen
Published: December 2024

Abstract

We use algebraic geometry to study the anomaly-free representations of an arbitrary gauge Lie algebra for 4-dimensional spacetime fermions. For irreducible representations, the problem reduces to studying the Lie algebras 𝔰𝔲n for n ≥ 3. We show that there exist equivalence classes of such representations that are in bijection with the rational points on a projective variety that are dense in a region on the underlying real variety diffeomorphic to ℝn−3. It follows that the chiral ones overwhelm the non-chiral ones for n ≥ 5. We present an efficient algorithm to find explicit anomaly-free irreducible representations and discuss the generalization to reducible representations.
Cosmological amplitudes in power-law FRW universe
Authors: Fan Bingchu , Xianyu Zhong-Zhi
Published: December 2024

Abstract

The correlators of large-scale fluctuations belong to the most important observables in modern cosmology. Recently, there have been considerable efforts in analytically understanding the cosmological correlators and the related wavefunction coefficients, which we collectively call cosmological amplitudes. In this work, we provide a set of simple rules to directly write down analytical answers for arbitrary tree-level amplitudes of conformal scalars with time-dependent interactions in power-law FRW universe. With the recently proposed family-tree decomposition method, we identify an over-complete set of multivariate hypergeometric functions, called family trees, to which all tree-level conformal scalar amplitudes can be easily reduced. Our method yields series expansions and monodromies of family trees in various kinematic limits, together with a large number of functional identities. The family trees are in a sense generalizations of polylogarithms and do reduce to polylogarithmic expressions for the cubic coupling in inflationary limit. We further show that all family trees can be decomposed into linear chains by taking shuffle products of all subfamilies, with which we find simple connection between bulk time integrals and boundary energy integrals.
Taub-NUT instanton as the self-dual analog of Kerr
Authors: Desai Jash , Herczeg Gabriel , McNutt David , Pezzelle Max
Published: December 2024

Abstract

It was recently conjectured that a certain vacuum Kerr-Schild spacetime, which may be regarded as a self-dual analog of the Kerr metric, is equivalent to the self-dual Taub-NUT instanton. We confirm this conjecture by applying the Cartan-Karlhede algorithm to each metric and showing that for suitable choices of null tetrad, the algorithm leads to the same invariants and linear isotropy groups for both, establishing their equivalence. While it is well-known that the Taub-NUT solution and its self-dual version admit a double Kerr-Schild form, the observation that the self-dual Taub-NUT instanton admits a single Kerr-Schild form has only been made very recently. The two metrics we compare may be regarded as either complex metrics with Lorentzian (1, 3) signature or real metrics with Kleinian (2, 2) signature; here we take the latter view. Significant simplifications occur when the null tetrads are chosen to consist of two pairs of complex conjugate null vectors rather than four real independent ones. As a bonus, our work provides the first example of applying the Cartan-Karlhede algorithm using a null tetrad of this type.
Holographic thermal correlators and quasinormal modes from semiclassical Virasoro blocks
Authors: Jia Hewei Frederic , Rangamani Mukund
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Motivated by its relevance for thermal correlators in strongly coupled holographic CFTs, we refine and further develop a recent exact analytic approach to black hole perturbation problem, based on the semiclassical Virasoro blocks, or equivalently via AGT relation, the Nekrasov partition functions in the Nekrasov-Shatashvili limit. Focusing on asymptotically AdS5 black hole backgrounds, we derive new universal exact expressions for holographic thermal two-point functions, both for scalar operators and conserved currents. Relatedly, we also obtain exact quantization conditions of the associated quasinormal modes (QNMs). Our expressions for the holographic CFT4 closely resemble the well-known results for 2d thermal CFTs on ℝ1,1. This structural similarity stems from the locality of fusion transformation for Virasoro blocks. We provide numerical checks of our quantization conditions for QNMs. Additionally, we discuss the application of our results to understand specific physical properties of QNMs, including their near-extremal and asymptotic limits. The latter is related to a certain large-momentum regime of semiclassical Virasoro blocks dual to Seiberg-Witten prepotentials.
Exotic supergravities and the Swampland
Authors: Montero Miguel , Tartaglia Michelangelo
Published: December 2024

Abstract

In six dimensions, there is an exotic $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= (4, 0) supermultiplet that contains only fields of spin ≤ 2, but no graviton, and that on a circle reduces to 5D $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 supergravity. It has been proposed that, if suitable interactions exist, the (4, 0) theory might provide a consistent alternative UV completion for $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 5D supergravity, realizing a supersymmetric version of asymptotic safety. In this note we argue that any Lorentz-invariant (4, 0) theory (interacting or not) carries an exact global symmetry when compactified on S1, and is therefore incompatible with the Swampland no global symmetries conjecture. Another example of exotic supergravity, the 6D (3, 1) theory, evades our simple criterion. We study the general case and find that the only exotic spin-2 field that reduces to Einsteinian gravity and, in the absence of supersymmetry, potentially has no global symmetries when compactified on a high-dimensional torus is that which appears in the (3, 1) multiplet. All other possibilities either yield several gravitons or have global symmetries.
JNR Skyrmions
Authors: Sutcliffe Paul
Published: December 2024

Abstract

The JNR ansatz provides a simple formula to obtain families of charge N self-dual SU(2) Yang-Mills instantons in four-dimensional Euclidean space, from the free data of N + 1 distinct points with associated positive weights. Here an analogous formula is presented for Skyrme fields in three-dimensional Euclidean space. These families of Skyrme fields include good approximations to a range of Skyrmions, with energies that are typically within a few percent of the numerically computed solutions.
Triboson production in the SMEFT
Authors: Celada Eugenia , Durieux Gauthier , Mimasu Ken , Vryonidou Eleni
Published: December 2024

Abstract

We study the production of three electroweak gauge bosons at the LHC, in the effective field theory of the standard model, at dimension six and next-to-leading order in QCD. We present results for inclusive cross-sections and differential distributions, finding that these QCD corrections are large, often vary across the phase-space and notably differ from those observed in the standard model. We then explore the potential of the recently observed triboson production processes for improving the sensitivity brought by electroweak precision observables and diboson data. The additional sensitivity we observe is dominated by resonant Higgs boson contributions, with decays to photon pairs in particular. A global analysis including Higgs boson data is therefore needed for a fair assessment of the future reach of triboson measurements on heavy new physics.