bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing moose harvest success and hunter effort in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Luymes Nick W. , Northrup Joseph M. , Patterson Brent R.
Published: July 2024

The management of big game harvest is important for maintaining viable populations and providing recreational opportunities to hunters. There are numerous strategies used by management agencies to achieve these goals, but they are complicated by variation in factors that are difficult to control, such as harvest success rates. For harvest management decisions to have the desired effect on big game populations, the mechanisms affecting factors like harvest success rates need to be properly understood. We used Bayesian hierarchical survival models to explore the factors influencing spatial and temporal variation in moose (Alces alces) harvest success rates in Ontario, Canada. We estimated harvest success rates from hunter reports from 59 Wildlife Management Units from 2000–2019. Overall, harvest success rates were primarily influenced by variables under the control of management agencies, such as season length and tag allocations, but they were also affected by external factors like moose density and weather. Season length, while positively related to harvest success for shorter seasons (e.g., <25 days), exhibited limited influence for longer seasons (>25 days). Our results were largely consistent across spatial and temporal scales, with a similarly strong positive effect of moose density and negative effect of tag allocation between management units and across years. This study emphasizes the need for managers to recognize the inherent uncertainty in harvest outcomes beyond their control and the importance of open communication with hunters in achieving effective harvest management, while offering concrete pathways for influencing harvest success.
Nonlinear Melt Rheology of Lamellae Forming Polystyrene‐b‐Poly‐2‐Vinylpyridine Diblock Copolymers
Authors: Heck Matthias , Wilhelm Manfred
Published: July 2024

Lamellae forming polystyrene‐b‐poly‐2‐vinylpyridine diblock copolymer melts are investigated with linear shear rheology and Fourier transformation rheology (FT rheology) to quantify their nonlinear behavior under oscillatory shear via mechanical higher harmonic contributions such as I3/1(ω1, γ0). The determination of the zero‐shear nonlinearity () by a variation of γ0 is hindered by the increasing domain alignment at increasing γ0. Thus, an approach for determining 3Q0(T) by a variation of the temperature is developed and used. This approach allows obtaining insights on the nonlinear behavior directly at temperature‐dependent phase transitions, such as at the order‐disorder transition temperature TODT of block copolymers. The maximum of 3Q0 is found to be close to TODT. The nonlinearity originating from the connection of the unequal polymer blocks is shown to dominate the overall nonlinearity, and the maximum of 3Q0(T) correlates to  domain alignment for T < TODT.
High Dielectric Thermal Conductivity Polyvinylidene Fluoride Composites Based on Surface‐Modified Graphene Nanosheets and Aluminum Nitride
Authors: Zhao Mengen , Wang Haijun , Liu Kun , Wu Yao , Yuan Chunlei
Published: July 2024

This article provides reports on the method of surface functionalization modification of graphene nanosheets (GNPs) and aluminum nitride (AlN) through polydopamine and silane coupling agents, respectively. This modification achieves excellent dielectric performance of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) composites by ensuring the uniform dispersion of fillers within the matrix. The synergistic effect between surface‐modified GNPs and AlN is conducive to increasing polar PVDF crystals and promoting interface polarization. The prepared PVDF/GNPs/AlN composites exhibit a dielectric constant as high as 45 with a dielectric loss of only 0.044. Meanwhile, the enhanced interface compatibility of composite materials, to a certain extent, reduces interface thermal resistance and forms an effective thermal conduction network, which enhances the heat dissipation capability of electronic devices and presents potential application in the dielectric energy storage.
About Polycondensation, Disproportionation, and Cyclization of Acetylated Poly(L‐Lactide) Esters
Authors: Kricheldorf Hans R. , Weidner Steffen M. , Meyer Andreas
Published: July 2024

L‐lactide (LA) is polymerized with ethyl L‐lactate or trifluoroethanol as initiators (LA/In = 30/1), and the resulting poly(L‐lactide) esters are acetylated with acetic anhydride. The acetylated PLA esters are mixed with SnOct2, dibutyltin bis(4‐chlorophenoxide), or dibutyltin bis(pentafluorophenoxide) in solution and crystallized at 120 °C. The doped crystals are annealed at 140 °C or at 160 °C for 7, 14, and 28 days, and the chemical modifications that occurred in the solid state are monitored by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI TOF) mass spectrometry, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. All catalysts promoted polycondensation, while no significant formation of cycles is observed. However, in the presence of SnOct2, disproportionation of chains occurred upon annealing at 120 or 140 °C, and crystallites consisting of extended chains with Mn values ≈3500 – 3600 and low dispersities (Ð < 1.5) are formed.
Impressive insults: How do consumers respond to self‐deprecating advertisements?
Authors: Kale Vaishnavi , Sayin Eda
Published: July 2024

Most advertisements highlight a product's positive attributes to attract consumers. Yet, some brands deliberately criticize themselves by employing self‐deprecation within their communications, such as Carlsberg's “Probably not the best beer in the world” campaign. This research examines whether, when, and why consumers react more favorably to self‐deprecating advertisements. In six experiments, we demonstrate that when the self‐deprecated attribute holds less importance to consumers, self‐deprecating (vs. self‐promoting) advertisements enhance brand trust by elevating the brand's social attractiveness and diminishing consumer skepticism. Importantly, self‐deprecation in advertisements also lowers consumers' tendency to avoid them. We empirically rule out several alternative explanations (i.e., consumer engagement, sentiment, nonconformity, and novelty) for these effects. Our research builds on prior studies in impression management and social psychology, contributing to the literature on advertising, self‐deprecation, and consumer skepticism by promoting the strategic use of self‐deprecating advertisements to bolster brand trust and reduce advertising avoidance. We offer actionable insights for managers and practitioners, highlighting how self‐deprecation can effectively address the challenges of building trust in diverse consumer‐facing marketing contexts.
Design, Synthesis, and Theoretical Studies on the Benzoxadiazole and Thienopyrrole Containing Conjugated Random Copolymers for Organic Solar Cell Applications
Authors: Karakurt Oguzhan , Oral Pelin , Hacioglu Serife Ozdemir , Yılmaz Eda Alemdar , Haciefendioğlu Tuğba , Bicer Umran Isil , Ozcelik Egemen , Ozsoy Gonul Hizalan , Yildirim Erol , Toppare Levent Kamil , Cirpan Ali
Published: July 2024

In this study, six different donor‐π‐acceptor1‐π‐donor‐acceptor2 type random co‐polymers containing benzodithiophene as a donor, benzooxadiazole (BO), and thieno[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione (TPD) as acceptor, have been synthesized and characterized. In addition to the acceptor core ratio at different values, the effect of aromatic bridge structures on the optical, electronic, and photovoltaic properties of six different random co‐polymers is investigated by using thiophene and selenophene structures as aromatic bridge units. To investigate how the acceptor unit ratio and replacement of aromatic bridge units impact the structural, electronic, and optical properties of the polymers, density functional theory (DFT) calculations are carried out for the tetramer models. The open‐circuit voltage (VOC), which is strongly correlated with the HOMO levels of the donor material, is enhanced with the increasing ratio of the TPD moiety. On the other hand, the short‐circuit current (JSC), which is associated with the absorption ability of the donor material, is improved by the increasing ratio of BO moiety with the π‐bridges. BO moiety dominant selenophene π‐bridged co‐polymer (P4) showed the best performance with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.26%, a JSC of 11.44 mA cm2, a VOC of 0.80 V, and a fill factor (FF) of 68.81%.
Biomedical applications of stimuli‐responsive nanomaterials
Authors: Chen Xiaojie , Wu Di , Chen Zhong
Published: July 2024

Nanomaterials have aroused great interests in drug delivery due to their nanoscale structure, facile modifiability, and multifunctional physicochemical properties. Currently, stimuli‐responsive nanomaterials that can respond to endogenous or exogenous stimulus display strong potentials in biomedical applications. In comparison with conventional nanomaterials, stimuli‐responsive nanomaterials can improve therapeutic efficiency and reduce the toxicity of drugs toward normal tissues through specific targeting and on‐demand drug release at pathological sites. In this review, we summarize the responsive mechanism of a variety of stimulus, including pH, redox, and enzymes within pathological microenvironment, as well as exogenous stimulus such as thermal effect, magnetic field, light, and ultrasound. After that, biomedical applications (e.g., drug delivery, imaging, and theranostics) of stimuli‐responsive nanomaterials in a diverse array of common diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, neurological disorders, inflammation, and bacterial infection, are presented and discussed. Finally, the remaining challenges and outlooks of future research directions for the biomedical applications of stimuli‐responsive nanomaterials are also discussed. We hope that this review can provide valuable guidance for developing stimuli‐responsive nanomaterials and accelerate their biomedical applications in diseases diagnosis and treatment.
The gut microbiota–brain axis in neurological disorders
Authors: You Mingming , Chen Nan , Yang Yuanyuan , Cheng Lingjun , He Hongzhang , Cai Yanhua , Liu Yating , Liu Haiyue , Hong Guolin
Published: July 2024

Previous studies have shown a bidirectional communication between human gut microbiota and the brain, known as the microbiota–gut–brain axis (MGBA). The MGBA influences the host's nervous system development, emotional regulation, and cognitive function through neurotransmitters, immune modulation, and metabolic pathways. Factors like diet, lifestyle, genetics, and environment shape the gut microbiota composition together. Most research have explored how gut microbiota regulates host physiology and its potential in preventing and treating neurological disorders. However, the individual heterogeneity of gut microbiota, strains playing a dominant role in neurological diseases, and the interactions of these microbial metabolites with the central/peripheral nervous systems still need exploration. This review summarizes the potential role of gut microbiota in driving neurodevelopmental disorders (autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder), neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease), and mood disorders (anxiety and depression) in recent years and discusses the current clinical and preclinical gut microbe‐based interventions, including dietary intervention, probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation. It also puts forward the current insufficient research on gut microbiota in neurological disorders and provides a framework for further research on neurological disorders.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline a work in progress during two‐year anniversary
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: July 2024

In the two years since the implementation of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, more than 10 million texts, calls and chats followed, according to U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) leaders who marked the event with a press call on July 16. The Biden‐Harris administration, they said, provided more than $1.5 billion in total investment for the crisis line.
Report: Missouri violated ADA in relying on nursing home placement
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: July 2024

Missouri officials face the possibility of a future federal lawsuit over the placement of individuals with mental disabilities in skilled nursing facilities, following the release of a report last month from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Awareness, familiarity with 988 remains steady since Oct. 2023
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: July 2024

At least 67% of Americans said they are aware of 988, which means they've at least heard of it, according to a new poll released by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) on the eve of the second anniversary of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Only 23% said they are at least somewhat familiar with 988. The poll is just one of two new resources, including a legislative brief, that highlight crucial steps policymakers should take to help people struggling with a mental health crisis.
Mental Health Weekly wins 2024 APEX Award of Excellence
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: July 2024

Mental Health Weekly has won an award for publication excellence in the Writing/Topics — Mental Health/Mental Illness category in the APEX 2024 Awards — the 36th Annual Awards for Publication Excellence. Congratulations to publishing editor Valerie A. Canady, contributing editor Gary Enos, copy editor Donna Petrozzello, and production editor Douglas Devaux. The APEX Awards, announced last week, are based on excellence in graphic design and editorial content and the ability to achieve overall communications excellence. The competitive award program received more than 1,100 entries. The full list of winners can be viewed at https://apexawards.com/winners‐2024.
Reinforcement learning‐based anatomical maps for pancreas subregion and duct segmentation
Authors: Amiri Sepideh , Vrtovec Tomaž , Mustafaev Tamerlan , Deufel Christopher L. , Thomsen Henrik S. , Sillesen Martin Hylleholt , Brandt Erik Gudmann Steuble , Andersen Michael Brun , Müller Christoph Felix , Ibragimov Bulat
Published: July 2024

Background

The pancreas is a complex abdominal organ with many anatomical variations, and therefore automated pancreas segmentation from medical images is a challenging application.

Purpose

In this paper, we present a framework for segmenting individual pancreatic subregions and the pancreatic duct from three‐dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) images.

Methods

A multiagent reinforcement learning (RL) network was used to detect landmarks of the head, neck, body, and tail of the pancreas, and landmarks along the pancreatic duct in a selected target CT image. Using the landmark detection results, an atlas of pancreases was nonrigidly registered to the target image, resulting in anatomical probability maps for the pancreatic subregions and duct. The probability maps were augmented with multilabel 3D U‐Net architectures to obtain the final segmentation results.

Results

To evaluate the performance of our proposed framework, we computed the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) between the predicted and ground truth manual segmentations on a database of 82 CT images with manually segmented pancreatic subregions and 37 CT images with manually segmented pancreatic ducts. For the four pancreatic subregions, the mean DSC improved from 0.38, 0.44, and 0.39 with standard 3D U‐Net, Attention U‐Net, and shifted windowing (Swin) U‐Net architectures, to 0.51, 0.47, and 0.49, respectively, when utilizing the proposed RL‐based framework. For the pancreatic duct, the RL‐based framework achieved a mean DSC of 0.70, significantly outperforming the standard approaches and existing methods on different datasets.

Conclusions

The resulting accuracy of the proposed RL‐based segmentation framework demonstrates an improvement against segmentation with standard U‐Net architectures.
Design and characterization of a hybrid PET detector with DOI capability
Authors: He Wen , Zhao Yangyang , Zeng Honghao , Huang Wenjie , Yang Hang , Zhao Xin , Wang Qiang , Wang Lu , Niu Ming , Zhang Lei , Ren Qiushi , Gu Zheng
Published: July 2024

Background

Monolithic or semi‐monolithic detectors are attractive for positron emission tomography (PET) scanners with depth‐of‐interaction (DOI) capability. However, they often require complicated calibrations to determine the interaction positions of gamma photons.

Purpose

We introduce a novel hybrid detector design that combines pixelated and semi‐monolithic elements to achieve DOI capability while simplifying the calibrations for positioning.

Methods

A prototype detector with eight hybrid lutetium–yttrium oxyorthosilicate (LYSO) layers having dimensions of 25.8 × 12.9 × 15 mm3 was constructed. The energy‐weighted and energy‐squared weighted averages were used for estimating the x‐ (pixelated direction) and y‐positions (non‐pixelated direction). Pseudo‐pixels were defined as discrete areas on the flood image based on the crystal look‐up table (LUT). The intrinsic spatial resolutions in the pixelated and non‐pixelated directions were measured. The ratio of the maximum to the sum of the multipixel photon counter (MPPC) signals was used to estimate the DOI positions. The coincidence timing resolution (CTR) was measured using the average and energy‐weighted average of the earliest n time stamps. Two energy windows of 250–700 and 400–600 keV were applied for the measurements.

Results

The pattern of the flood images showed discrete event clusters, demonstrating that simple calibrations for determining the x‐ and y‐positions of events could be achieved. Under 400–600 keV energy window, the average intrinsic spatial resolutions were 1.15 and 1.34 mm for the pixelated and non‐pixelated directions; the average DOI resolution of the second row of pseudo‐pixels was 5.1 mm in full width at half maximum (FWHM); when using the energy‐weighted average of the earliest four‐time stamps, the best CTR of 350 ps was achieved. Applying a broader energy window of 250–700 keV only slightly degrades the DOI resolution while maintaining the intrinsic resolution; the best CTR degrades to 410 ps.

Conclusions

The proposed hybrid detector concept was verified, and a prototype detector showed high performance for 3D positioning and timing resolution. The novel detector concept shows promise for preclinical and clinical PET scanners with DOI capability.
A theoretical model for brisk walking‐ and running‐induced lower urinary tract symptoms (BRUTS) and the development of the BRUTS‐questionnaire (BRUTS‐Q): A focus group and Delphi study
Authors: Klahsen Olena , Thibault‐Gagnon Stéphanie , McLean Linda
Published: July 2024

Aims

Existing questionnaires provide limited information on the nature, severity and context surrounding lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) experienced during running, jogging and brisk walking. The aims of this study were to develop a theoretical model of the experience of LUTS by females participating in gait‐based exercise activities and to use this model to generate a questionnaire to evaluate the presence, symptoms and bother associated with LUTS experienced by females during gait‐based activities.

Methods

A theoretical model was developed through a review of the literature and refined through a focus group consultation including pelvic health physiotherapists, females who experienced leakage during exercise and academic researchers who studied female LUTS. A draft questionnaire was developed using key constructs identified in the model by the focus group. A new expert panel was recruited, which included physiotherapists, women with self‐reported gait‐induced LUTS and urogynecologists. This panel followed a DELPHI process to evaluate the relevance and completeness of the constructs within the questionnaire.

Results

Two rounds of consultation were required to reach consensus on the completeness of included constructs as well as the inclusion and wording of questions. The resulting questionnaire contains questions related to five key constructs: physical activity characteristics, symptoms of urgency, urgency urinary incontinence, stress urinary incontinence experienced during exercise and management/mitigation strategies adopted by respondents.

Conclusions

The content validity of the brisk walking‐ and running‐induced lower urinary tracts symptoms questionnaire has been established. The next steps are to ensure that the questionnaire has adequate comprehensibility, followed by adequate measurement properties.
The association between triglyceride ‐glucose index and stress urinary incontinence in adult American women: A population‐based study
Authors: Pu YangPeng , Feng YouGang , Zhao WenCai
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This investigation seeks to determine the triglyceride glucose (TyG) index's link to stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in American females of adult age.

Methods

The investigation relied on data acquired via the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted over the period from 2011 to 2018. The independent relationship between TyG index and SUI was tested using multivariate logistic regression analysis. We applied a smooth curve fitting approach to analyze the interrelation of them. In addition, subgroup analysis was conducted and interaction experiments were conducted.

Results

Among 4459 female participants aged 20 and above, TyG index and SUI demonstrated a favorable correlation. Model 3 indicated that with every single‐unit rise in the TyG index, the incidence of SUI increases by 18% [1.18 (1.01, 1.38)]. In contrast to individuals in the lowest tertile, subjects within the highest tertile of the TyG index exhibited a 68% increase in SUI incidence [1.68 (95% CI: 1.26, 2.23), 0.0004]. By using smooth curve fitting, a nonlinear positive evidence of an interconnection of the TyG index to SUI was identified.

Conclusions

Women exhibiting increased TyG index levels are at a heightened risk of SUI. TyG index displays a stronger correlation than that observed with BMI. According to our findings, the TyG index is viewed as a potential tool for identifying SUI in women, and monitoring the value of TyG index may be helpful for predicting the occurrence of SUI.
The pudendal syndrome: A photo essay of nerve compression damage visualized at neurolysis in patients with chronic neuropathic pelvic pain
Authors: Antolak Stanley J.
Published: July 2024

Aims

(1) To use intraoperative photographs to visualize and explain pudendal nerve compressions and anatomical variations of compression sites in patients with chronic pelvic pain. (2) To emphasize the diagnostic importance of sensory examination with a safety pin at the six pudendal nerve branches in all patients with chronic pelvic pain; the dorsal nerves (penis or clitoris; the perineal nerves; and the inferior rectal nerves).

Methods

Between 2003 and 2014, “definite” pudendal neuropathy was diagnosed by examination and with two neurophysiologic tests. Neurolysis, via a transgluteal approach, was recommended only after 14 weeks of conservative care failed to adequately improve symptoms and validated symptom scores. Photographs of surgical findings were culled for their educational impact. An illustration of each photo clarifies the surgical anatomy.

Results

The transgluteal incision permits access to pudendal anatomy and compression sites from the subpiriformis area through the interligamentary space and the pudendal canal (Alcock canal). Compressions were acquired or congenital and severity varied significantly. Pinprick sensory testing diagnoses pudendal neuropathy in 92% of both genders. Mid‐nerve compression occurred commonly between the sacrotuberous and sacrospinous ligaments less frequently in the Alcock canal, but also at aberrant pathways, for example, between layers of the sacrotuberous ligament; a separate inferior rectal nerve passing through the sacrospinous ligament; at an anomalous lateral pathway posterior to the ischial spine. The results of international surgeons are discussed.

Conclusions

Decompression surgery was recommended in approximately 35% of patients in this practice, when pudendal neuropathy (pudendal syndrome), did not respond to two conservative levels of treatment: (1) nerve protection and medications and, (2) a series of three pudendal nerve perineural injections given at 4‐week intervals. Significant nerve compression is consistently observed. Pathophysiology includes axonopathy from ischemia and demyelination. Neuropathy is readily diagnosed using a pinprick sensory examination of six pudendal nerve branches. Monitoring with the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index records cures >13 years.
Influential factors associated with core competencies of diabetes specialist nurses and correlation with self‐directed learning ability: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Gao Yuan , Zhou Min , Liu Yan Yan , Ma Jun Yang , Tian Pei Shan , Qin Man Fen
Published: July 2024

Aims and Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the current status of the core competencies and self‐directed learning ability of diabetes specialist nurses and to explore the relationship between these core competencies and their self‐directed learning ability.

Design

A cross‐sectional survey design was used.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was conducted via a web‐based questionnaire platform in China from January 14 to April 24, 2023. The survey included a general information questionnaire, a diabetes specialist nurses' core competencies self‐assessment scale, and a nursing staff's self‐directed learning ability evaluation scale. The data was collected online. Descriptive, correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted using SPSS 26.0 software.

Results

118 diabetes specialist nurses from 11 cities participated in this study. A positive correlation was observed between the core competencies of diabetes specialist nurses and their self‐directed learning ability. The characteristics affecting the core competencies of diabetes specialist nurses included age, participation in external learning and communication and self‐directed learning.

Conclusions

The training of diabetes specialist nurses can focus on core competencies, and the ability to self‐direct learning can be used as an entry point to customize feasible theoretical and practical courses. The training system can further improve diabetes specialist nurses' core competencies and self‐directed learning abilities.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

A reference can be established that nursing managers and nursing educators can use to develop training programs for specialist nurses by validating the link between their core competencies and self‐directed learning skills.

Patient or Public Contribution

Participants were involved solely in the data collection process. No participant contributions were required for the study's design, outcome measurement or implementation.
The technology and current applications of continuous fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic composites
Authors: Li Jing , Huang Qing , Yin Yajun , Xu Jigang , Jiang Yimin , Du Wenjie
Published: July 2024

Because of its inherent properties, the use of thermoplastic composites is expanding in a number of industries, including aerospace, rail transportation, and wind power generation. However, the development of 2D and 3D reinforced thermoplastic composite structures is hampered by the high viscosity and poor wetting of thermoplastic matrices, resulting in their application being mainly limited to nonload‐bearing components. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the technology and current applications of thermoplastic composites, covering materials, preform structures, manufacturing methods, process parameters, performance, and applications. It also provides an outlook on their future development.

Highlights

Thermoplastic composite has economic and environmental benefits.

Summarized the current technology and application of thermoplastic composites.

The manufacturing difficulty is the thermoplastic polymers wet fibers.

One promising approach to the issue is prepreg technology.

Prepreg technology make 3D thermoplastic composites become possible.
Pseudo‐ductility behavior of carbon/glass hybrid composites with unidirectionally arrayed chopped strands: Experimental and numerical research
Authors: Hu Junfeng , Ma Jingxuan , Jin Kefan , Huang Yinyuan , Zhang Xutong , Zheng Xikun , Lu Wenlong , Zhao Jianping , Chen Dingding
Published: July 2024

Although lightweight fiber‐reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are widely used in various engineering fields due to their high specific strength and modulus, the mutual exclusion of strength and toughness is one of the bottlenecks in the field of FRP design because of the inherent brittleness of fiber themselves. In this research, discontinuous fiber structures with vertical and bi‐angled slits are introduced into the thin‐ply carbon fiber prepreg. The fracture energy and delamination degree of the center carbon fiber layer could be controlled by adjusting the structural parameters to design the pseudo‐ductility of carbon/glass (C/G) hybrid laminates and obtain the higher pseudo‐yield stress. The hybrid specimens with 20 mm slits exhibit obvious pseudo‐ductility, and the pseudo‐ductility strain increases as the C/G ratio increases, while the plateau stress decreases. The larger slit distance provides sufficient propagation space for the delamination damage, which dissipates tensile energy and results in a smoother plateau area of the stress–strain curve. The stress–strain curve of the specimen with a smaller slit exhibits a noticeable rapid load decrease caused by the transient propagation of delamination damage. The peak stress of hybrid laminate with bi‐angled slits shows the highest pseudo‐yield stress. The present finite element model successfully analyzed the pseudo‐ductile damage propagation of C/G hybrid laminates with vertical slits, and the results are in good agreement with the experiments.

Highlights

Revealed the pseudo‐ductility behavior of carbon/glass hybrid composites.

The pseudo‐ductility of carbon/glass hybrid composites is controllable.

The pseudo‐ductility strain increases with the increase of C/G ratio.
Lignin‐based polyurethane composites enhanced with hydroxyapatite for controlled drug delivery and potential cellular scaffold applications
Authors: Nugroho Roshid Adi , Saputra Ozi Adi , Pradita Agung Lucky , Fajar Al Bukhori Nur , Wibowo Fajar Rakhman
Published: July 2024

Polymer technology has rapidly advanced across diverse domains, particularly in biomedical applications. Among various polymers, polyurethane (PU) hold great potential in developing biomaterials such as biomedical scaffold and drug delivery. In this study, we have innovatively engineered eco‐friendly polyurethane using lignin, a sustainable bio‐polyol derived from oil palm empty fruit bunches. To enhance the physicochemical properties of the PU, we have incorporated hydroxyapatite (HA) into the composites. The inclusion of HA has led to notable improvements in crucial properties such as density, porosity, and water absorption, making these composites ideal candidates for tissue regeneration scaffolds. Furthermore, to assess their biomedical applicability in drug delivery and cell scaffolding, we have employed the quercetin drug model. The results revealed a sustained kinetic release behavior within the polyurethane/hydroxyapatite (PU/HA) composites, showcasing their potential for controlled drug delivery applications. Moreover, cytotoxicity assays conducted using neuro‐2a cell models demonstrated the non‐cytotoxic nature of both PU and PU/HA composites. This finding holds significant implications for biomedical applications, indicating that these composites offer biocompatible platforms for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine endeavors. The ability of these composites to support cell viability underscores their potential for a wide range of biomedical applications, including neural tissue engineering and drug delivery systems targeting brain diseases. These findings pave the way for the development of innovative and sustainable biomaterials with diverse biomedical applications.

Highlights

An eco‐friendly polyurethane has been engineered by harnessing liginin‐derived oil palm empty fruit bunches.

Incorporation of hydroxyapaptite enhance the physical properties of polyurethane.

Controlled kinetic drug release is one of polyurethane/hydroxyapatite (PU/HA) composites features.

The PU/HA composites has low cytotoxicity against neuro‐2a cells.
Hereditary Amyloidosis: Insights Into a Fibrinogen A Variant Protein
Authors: Cattaneo Elizabeth R. , Gisonno Romina A. , Abba Martín C. , Santana Marianela , Rosú Silvana A. , Nucifora Elsa , Aguirre María A. , Giordani María C. , Tricerri M. Alejandra , Ramella Nahuel A.
Published: July 2024

Amyloidosis are a group of diseases in which soluble proteins aggregate and deposit in fibrillar conformation extracellularly in tissues. The effectiveness of therapeutic strategies depends on the specific protein involved, being crucial to accurately determine its nature. Moreover, following the diagnosis, the search for the mutation within relatives allows the clinical advice. Here we report the precise diagnosis and explored the possible reasons of the structural pathogenicity for a renal amyloidosis related to a fibrinogen Aα‐chain variant. Whole‐exome sequencing and GATK calling pipeline were leveraged to characterize the protein variant present in a patient with kidney failure. Bioinformatics strategies were applied to suggest potential explanations of the variants aggregation. Our pipeline allowed the identification of a single‐point variant of fibrinogen Aα‐chain, which opened the possibility of curative transplantation. In silico structural analysis suggested that the pathogenicity of the variant may be attributed to a heightened susceptibility to yield a peptide prone to deposit as an oligomer with a β‐sheet structure. Exploiting the comprehensive coverage of whole‐genome sequencing, we managed to fill a vacant stage in the diagnosis of hereditary amyloidosis and to stimulate the advancement in biomedicine.
Total astragalus saponins attenuate primary sclerosing cholangitis in mice by upregulation of TGR5
Authors: Zhou Qun , Gao Siqi , Yu Xiaohan , Zhang Linzhang , Zhang Zheng , Fu Yadong , Liu Wei , Mu Yongping , Zhang Hua , Liu Ping , Chen Jiamei
Published: July 2024

Total astragalus saponins (TAS) are the main active components of astragali radix, and have potent anti‐hepatic fibrosis effect. However, the therapeutic efficacy of TAS and their potential mechanisms in the treatment of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) remain unclear. In this study, two mouse models of PSC, including 3,5‐Diethoxycarbonyl‐1,4‐Dihydro‐2,4,6‐Collidine (DDC)‐induced PSC and Mdr2−/− spontaneous PSC, and the Tgr5−/− mice were used to investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanisms of TAS. Treatment with TAS, particularly with a dose of 56 mg/kg, significantly ameliorated the PSC‐related liver injury, cholestasis, collagen deposition, ductular reaction (DR), and fibrosis in the DDC‐induced and Mdr2−/−spontaneous PSC mice. Furthermore, treatment with TAS significantly mitigated the PSC‐related inflammatory responses in vivo and HIBEpiC cells by inhibiting the expression of TNF‐α, IL‐6, and IL‐1β. Mechanistically, treatment with TAS rescued the PSC‐decreased hepatic TGR5 expression to attenuate the NF‐κB p65 phosphorylation. Notably, the therapeutic efficacy of TAS on PSC in DDC‐induced mice was abrogated in Tgr5−/− mice, suggesting the anti‐PSC effect of TAS may depend on enhancing TGR5 expression. In conclusion, TAS ameliorated DR, inflammation and liver fibrosis in both models of PSC mice by rescuing TGR5 expression. Our findings may aid in the design of new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of PSC.
A Novel Gelatin Binder with Helical Crosslinked Network for High‐Performance Si Anodes in Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zeng Xuejian , Dai Shiyuan , Huang Fei , Chen Chao , Liu LiChun , Hong Soon Hyung
Published: July 2024

Silicon (Si) is a promising anode material for lithium‐ion batteries, but its large volume expansion during cycling poses a challenge for the binder design. In this study, a novel gelatin binder is designed and prepared with a helical crosslinked network structure. This gelatin binder is prepared by enzymatic crosslinking and immersion in Hofmeister salt solution, which induces the formation of network and helical secondary structures. The helical crosslinked network structure can be analogous to a spring group system to effectively dissipate the stress and strain caused by the Si expansion. The gelatin binder is further partially carbonized by low‐temperature pyrolysis, which improves its conductivity and stability. The Si anode with the optimized gelatin binder exhibits high initial coulombic efficiency, excellent rate performance, and long‐term cycling stability. This study provides an innovative approach for the preparation of high‐performance Si anodes, namely by controlling the molecular configuration of the binder to significantly improve the cycle stability, which can also be applied to other high‐capacity anode materials that suffer from large volume changes during cycling.
International Dimension of the Polish Hydrogen Strategy. Conditions and Potential for Future Development
Authors: Smoleń Michał , Żelisko Wojciech
Published: July 2024

Poland is the third-largest producer of hydrogen in the EU, with around 1 million tonnes generated every year. This grey hydrogen is made almost exclusively from steam methane reforming, based on fossil gas as a feedstock, and utilised primarily by the chemical and petrochemical sectors for ammonia production and for various processes in refineries, respectively. In 2021, the Polish Hydrogen Strategy (PHS) was published as the first official government strategy for low-carbon hydrogen economy development. The document presents an optimistic and ambitious approach, with a focus on domestic production and use of hydrogen in multiple sectors. However, the cost-effective generation of low-carbon hydrogen in Poland can face significant challenges, such as the relatively low availability of clean electricity, reliance on natural gas imports and limited experience with carbon capture technologies. The aspects regarding the emerging global hydrogen market are largely omitted in the PHS. This chapter analyses the possible background of this fact and the factors influencing the future Polish position in this market. Even though Poland is not likely to be a frontrunner in these developments, it is believed to become a pragmatic participant. In fact, several Polish companies, including those state-owned, have already launched some cooperative initiatives at the European level.
Italian Hydrogen Policy: Drivers, Constraints and Recent Developments
Authors: Prontera Andrea
Published: July 2024

Italy presents, potentially, some important comparative advantages in the emerging clean hydrogen economy. However, unlike other large EU countries, Italy has not yet issued a comprehensive strategy on hydrogen nor has it developed a coherent hydrogen diplomacy. It was only with the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, launched in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, that Italy upgraded its measures for promoting green hydrogen and related activities. The main players in the Italian hydrogen landscape are national industrial actors, especially state-owned energy companies. This leading role can be an important asset to overcome the problems related to an industrial system otherwise composed of small and medium companies, which can suffer competition from hydrogen frontrunners. Externally, Italy has supported all the European and multilateral initiatives on hydrogen. The main focus of the Italian international approach, however, is linked to the hydrogen hub concept, which targets the MENA region and is also supported by its national energy companies. This concept has received a further push after the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Yet, its practical realization is very problematic because of domestic and external challenges.
Reconsidering Cross-Border Interactions: Balancing the Scales
Authors: Tomka Béla
Published: July 2024

This chapter considers four major aspects of globalization in state socialist East Central Europe, which also serve as a basis for assessing the soundness of new and older mainstream interpretations: trade, capital movements, information flows, and the movement of people. The East Central European state socialist countries achieved a relatively low level of globalization between World War II and the period of regime changes, which is evident in all the aspects surveyed. At the same time, there is no empirical evidence to support the claim that globalization in the region decreased in the two decades leading up to the regime changes. On the contrary, during the latter period, globalization advanced slowly but steadily in the East Central European countries. The gradual increase in openness was facilitated by the growing complexity of their economies, growing consumer demands, and the ongoing globalization of the world at large, as well as by rapid technological change, such as the spread of new information and communication technologies. From the 1970s onwards, the region also experienced internal divergence: the international openness of Poland and Hungary increased more significantly than that of Czechoslovakia.
The Role of 1989: Dedramatization at Its Extreme?
Authors: Tomka Béla
Published: July 2024

This chapter focuses on the role of the year 1989 in the globalization of East Central Europe, a pivotal theme in related debates. Contrary to claims in recent literature that refer to 1989 as a ‘de-globalizing moment’, this study provides evidence that regime changes played a crucial role in fostering globalization in the region. Globalization in East Central Europe progressed slowly after Stalinism, but 1989 marked a breakthrough in this respect, affecting most social, economic, and cultural spheres significantly. Following this watershed moment, both foreign direct investment and the activities of transnational corporations increased dramatically. The same clear pattern can be demonstrated regarding the region's integration into the global telecommunications network. Moreover, the regime changes catalysed a substantial surge in international travel to and from the region, including intercontinental journeys. East Central Europe emerged as an important hub and destination within the international migration network, even though in terms of migration, globalization in the region after the regime changes was significantly less dynamic, especially when compared to other aspects of globalization in the region, and the trajectory observed in Western European countries.
Conclusions: Limitations of the Old and New Mainstream Narratives
Authors: Tomka Béla
Published: July 2024

While earlier historical interpretations emphasized the relative isolation of European state socialist countries after World War II, a significant body of recent research challenges this view, suggesting instead that these countries were much more global than previously assumed. This line of research claims that their extensive relations with the Global South largely compensated for their muted ties with the West. Revisionist studies also question the impact of regime changes on globalization in the region, emphasizing the continuities between the pre-1989 and the post-communist periods. In this context, the book explores how East Central European state socialist countries fit into the general trend of globalization after World War II, focusing on foreign trade, capital and information flows, and the movement of people. Conceptual problems are also addressed, such as the value of recently introduced terms like ‘alternative globalization’ and ‘socialist protoglobalization’ for understanding state socialist globalization. In doing so, the study strikes a balance between traditional and new mainstream interpretations. It acknowledges that East Central European societies experienced significant globalization during the state socialist era. However, based on empirical evidence, this study proposes other notions, including fragmentation, selectivity, and unevenness to conceptualize this process, rather than ‘alternative’ or ‘proto-’ globalization.
A new pairwise boost quantum number from celestial states
Authors: Alessio Francesco , Arzano Michele
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Infrared effects in the scattering of particles in gravity and electrodynamics entail an exchange of relativistic angular momentum between pairs of particles and the gauge field. Due to this exchange particles can carry an asymptotically non-vanishing “pairwise” boost-like angular momentum proportional to the product of their couplings to the field. At the quantum level this asymptotic angular momentum suggests the existence of a new quantum number carried by multi-particle states. We argue that such quantum number is related to a modification of the action of the generators of Lorentz transformations on multi-particle states. We derive such a modification using a group-theoretic argument based on the little group of the conformal primary basis for asymptotic states. The corresponding representation is an extension of the ordinary multi-particle Fock representation of the Poincaré group. The new multi-particle states belonging to such representation no longer factorize into tensor products of one-particle states. Viewed from a gravitational point of view, our results provide evidence for a universal breakdown of the description of multi-particle sates in terms of tensor products of one-particle states due to infrared back-reaction.
Preconditioned flow as a solution to the hierarchical growth problem in the generalized Lefschetz thimble method
Authors: Nishimura Jun , Sakai Katsuta , Yosprakob Atis
Published: July 2024

Abstract

The generalized Lefschetz thimble method is a promising approach that attempts to solve the sign problem in Monte Carlo methods by deforming the integration contour using the flow equation. Here we point out a general problem that occurs due to the property of the flow equation, which extends a region on the original contour exponentially to a region on the deformed contour. Since the growth rate for each eigenmode is governed by the singular values of the Hessian of the action, a huge hierarchy in the singular value spectrum, which typically appears for large systems, leads to various technical problems in numerical simulations. We solve this hierarchical growth problem by preconditioning the flow so that the growth rate becomes identical for every eigenmode. As an example, we show that the preconditioned flow enables us to investigate the real-time quantum evolution of an anharmonic oscillator with the system size that can hardly be achieved by using the original flow.
Higher-spin self-dual General Relativity: 6d and 4d pictures, covariant vs. lightcone
Authors: Neiman Yasha
Published: July 2024

Abstract

We study the higher-spin extension of self-dual General Relativity (GR) with cosmological constant, proposed by Krasnov, Skvortsov and Tran. We show that this theory is actually a gauge-fixing of a 6d diffeomorphism-invariant Abelian theory, living on (4d spacetime)×(2d spinor space) modulo a finite group. On the other hand, we point out that the theory respects the 4d geometry of a self-dual GR solution, with no backreaction from the higher-spin fields. We also present a lightcone ansatz that reduces the covariant fields to one scalar field for each helicity. The field equations governing these scalars have only cubic vertices. We compare our lightcone ansatz to Metsaev’s lightcone formalism. We conclude with a new perspective on the lightcone formalism in (A)dS spacetime: not merely a complication of its Minkowski-space cousin, it has a built-in Lorentz covariance, and is closely related to Vasiliev’s concept of unfolding.