bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Instability intervals of the Ince and Hill equations
Authors: Volkmer Hans
Published: July 2006

The paper investigates the length
Inequalities for the hyperbolic tangent
Authors: Vorhauer Ulrike M. A.
Published: July 2006

In this paper we determine the ranges for which the inequalities (1.2) below hold.
Uniqueness polynomials for entire curves into complex projective space
Authors: Tan Tran Van
Published: July 2006

In this article we find a new class of uniqueness polynomials for entire curves into complex projective space. Moreover, we also prove that the zero set of every polynomial in the above-mentioned class is a hyperbolic hypersurface in the sense of Kobayashi and has the arithmetic finiteness property.
Conformal measures for non-entire functions with critical values eventually mapped onto infinity
Authors: Kotus Janina
Published: July 2006

This paper is a continuation of our earlier works [7] and [9] on the fractal structure of expanding and subexpanding meromorphic functions of the form
Accent on Privilege: English Identities and Anglophilia in the U.S.
Authors: Taaffe Thomas , Stewart Ann E.
Published: July 2006

Accent on Privilege: English Identities and Anglophilia in the U.S. Katharine W. Jones. Philadelphia. Temple University Press. 2001. 284 pages. ISBN 1566399017 (paper).
Until Death Do Us Part? The Impact of Differential Access to Marriage on a Sample of Urban Men
Authors: Green Adam Isaiah
Published: July 2006

To date, lesbian- and gay-themed research has identified exclusion from marriage as a dimension of the homosexual experience, yet little research has treated marriage as an explicitly problematic feature of homosexual biography. This article presents a comparison of the life histories of a sample of urban heterosexual and homosexual men to examine the impact of differential access to the institution of marriage on the sexual career. Like the opposite poles of a compass, inclusion in and exclusion from marriage provide contrasting navigational reference points, propelling heterosexual men into career trajectories characterized by decreasing sexual exploration and growing investment in monogamous dyadic forms and, homosexual men into career trajectories characterized by increasing sexual exploration, dyadic innovation, and reevaluation of the value of monogamy. Still, despite the contrasting structural positions that heterosexual and homosexual men occupy, the narratives of both sets of study participants reveal shared ambivalences stemming from structured life paths that permit the satisfaction of some desires while frustrating or precluding altogether the realization of others. That is, the life histories of these men reveal patterned crisis tendencies around intimacy and commitment that transcend categories of sexual orientation and are perhaps endemic to late modernity.
Boredom during Day Activity Programs in Rehabilitation Centers
Authors: Bracke Piet , Bruynooghe Kevin , Verhaeghe Mieke
Published: July 2006

Day structuring while providing meaningful activities for persons with chronic mental health problems is a key goal of day activity programs in rehabilitation centers. Nevertheless, research has seldom investigated organizational characteristics promoting the experience of meaningfulness in clients. This study explores these organizational determinants using information gathered from 646 clients of fifty-three rehabilitation centers providing day activity programs in the Flemish region of Belgium. Describing boredom as a feeling of anxiety about the lack of meaningfulness of an activity or a situation, the study relies on multilevel analysis to predict the prevalence of boredom among several features of the rehabilitation settings. The experience of boredom is prone to the presence of routinized activities lacking intrinsic meaning and lacking emphasis on task completion. In larger centers, the emphasis on task completion functions as a mechanism to create meaning. To obtain the same goal in smaller centers, the staff provides clients with nonroutinized, intrinsically rewarding activities.
Removal of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Compounds in Biological Treatment of Municipal Wastewater in Israel
Authors: Brenner Asher
Published: July 2006

In Israel, the water shortage, on the one hand, and the concern for water resource quality on the other, have led to the awareness that a national wastewater reclamation program must be developed. Such a program could cover a major part of the agricultural water demand, and may enable disposal of effluents without any health hazard or environmental nuisance. Recent regulations issued by the Ministry of the Environment and by The Water Commission require stringent quality standards for treated wastewater destined for agricultural irrigation or for disposal into rivers. These include the requirement to apply processes for nitrogen removal (nitrification—denitrification) and for phosphorus removal. In Israel, there is only limited experience in the application of biological wastewater treatment processes for nitrification and denitrification. Treatment plants designed for nitrogen removal (such as the Shafdan and Netanya treatment plants) have demonstrated partial success only. Moreover, the requirement for phosphorus removal has not been studied or applied in Israel. It is therefore necessary to study and develop proper guidelines for nitrogen and phosphorus removal for municipal wastewater treatment in Israel. Pioneering results supported by a sophisticated mathematical model were obtained in this study. It has been shown that N and P removal can be easily achieved in Activated Sludge systems if designed and operated properly. Interpretation of results and their analysis for design purposes require the use of a mathematical model.
Photocatalysis by Composite Particles Containing Inert Domains
Authors: Avraham‐Shinman Arit , Paz Yaron
Published: July 2006

Titanium dioxide is a well‐known photocatalyst for the treatment of air and water. The use of structures comprised of photocatalytic sites and high capacity adsorption sites may improve the TiO2 photoefficiency, in cases where the contaminnants do not adsorb well onto the photocatalyst. In this work, composite particles composed of activated carbon, partially coated with sol‐gel‐made titanium dioxide, were prepared and characterized. It was found that chelating the titanium tetraiso‐propoxide, used as a precursor, with acetylacetone is crucial for obtaining reasonable loading (up to 12–15% in weight). High content of water or humidity tends to form thick films that might bridge over the pores of the activated carbon, thus reducing the available surface area.

The photocatalytic activity of the composite particles was tested by following the rate of production of carbon dioxide during the photodegradation of Rhodamine 6G in an aqueous solution. Enhanced mineralization rates relative to sol‐gel‐made titanium dioxide particles (by ˜30%) were observed. This enhancement is attributed to the adsorption of the contaminants in the vicinity of the photoactive sites. It was further found that the composite particles produced relatively less of the toxic by‐product carbon monoxide, than sol‐gel‐made titanium dioxide or the commercially available Degussa P25. The reason for this effect is yet to be determined.
Hydrodenitrification with PdCu Catalysts: Catalyst Optimization by Experimental and Quantum Chemical Approaches
Authors: Efremenko Irena , Matatov‐Meytal Uri , Sheintuch Moshe
Published: July 2006

A continuous process for nitrate and nitrite abatement from drinking water by catalytic hydrogenation has been developed in our lab. We describe the experimental process development procedure, and support it with semiempirical quantum chemical methods. Comparisons of activated carbon (ACC) and silica glass fiber (GFC) cloths as supports for mono‐ and bimetallic Pd‐Cu catalysts show the former to be 45‐fold and 15‐fold more active for nitrite and nitrate hydrogenation, respectively, than the latter. Catalysts prepared by selective deposition of Cu on Pd/ACC led to better activity for nitrate hydrogenation than catalysts prepared by co‐impregnation or ion exchange methods. The optimal Cu:Pd atomic ratio was found to be 1:2. The computational results show the following: (i) The dispersion of Pd catalysts supported on ACC is much higher than that on GFC due to the larger surface area and higher density of adsorption sites, and that accounts for the higher activity of PdCu/ACC; (ii) Nanosized Pd particles supported on ACC have a semispherical shape and possess preferentially close‐packed triangular surfaces, while Pd/GFC particles are extended in the direction parallel to the support surface and show both fcc (100) and (111) planes; (iii) The interaction of Cu atoms with both supports is stronger than that of Pd; adsorbed Cu atoms show a greater ability to form monometallic than bimetallic bonds and that should result in poor mixing of the metal upon co‐impregnation, as was observed experimentally; (iv) Cu atoms in bimetallic PdCu particles admit a significant positive charge; the experimentally measured solubility of metal atoms correlates with their calculated charges.

The best catalyst (2 wt%Pd‐0.6 wt%Cu/ACC) was employed in a novel continuous flow reactor for nitrate hydrogenation in distilled and tap water. The advantages of the reactor investigated over a conventional packed bed reactor are discussed, suggesting a potential for further process intensification.
High Nitrification Rate at Low pH in a Fluidized Bed Reactor with either Chalk or Sintered Glass as the Biofilm Carrier
Authors: Green Michal , Beliavski Michael , Denekamp Nadav , Gieseke Armin , De Beer Dirk , Tarre Sheldon
Published: July 2006

A nitrification process using a fluidized bed reactor with chalk (solid calcium carbonate) as the biomass carrier and the only buffer agent was studied. The pH established in the reactor varied between 4.5 to 5.5, with lower pH obtained at higher nitrification rates. In spite of the low pH, high rate nitrification was observed with the nitrification kinetic parameters in the chalk reactor similar to those of biological reactors operating at pH > 7. Results from microsensor measurements refuted the possibility that favorable pH micro‐conditions prevailed on the chalk particles and contributed to high reactor performance. In addition, identification of the major bacterial species in the low pH chalk reactors revealed well‐known nitrifying bacteria. Based on these results, the performance of a fluidized bed reactor with porous sintered glass particles as the carrier for the biofilm (instead of chalk particles) was tested at similar low pH for comparison purposes. In contrast to the common knowledge of the nitrifers high sensitivity to low pH, the results from the non‐chalk biofilm reactor showed that well‐known nitrifying bacteria have the ability to nitrify at a high rate at low pH in a biofilm reactor using an inert (sintered glass) carrier.
Sonolytic Destruction of Trihalomethanes by Ultrasonic Irradiation
Authors: Shemer Hilla , Narkis Nava
Published: July 2006

Ultrasonic irradiation was employed for the degradation of trihalomethanes (THMs) CHCl3, CHBrCl2, CHBr2Cl, CHBr3, and CHI3. The effects of various reaction and sonication conditions on the sonodegradation of THMs were examined and explained by the principles of sonochemistry. Batch experiments were conducted at an ultrasonic frequency of 20 kHz and power of 18.4 W. The sonodegradation rate of the THMs increased with increasing the solution temperature or the acoustic intensity, whereas aqueous solution pH, solute concentration up to 10 mg/L, and water quality did not affect the sonolytic destruction of the THMs. Ultrasonic removal of CHCl3, CHBrCl2, CHBr2Cl, and CHBr3 was not affected by the presence of other compounds as a mixture in the aqueous solution, while CHI3 sonolysis was enhanced. Hydrogen peroxide, nitrate, chloride, bromide, and iodide were identified and quantified as the reaction inorganic products. Degradation rates and efficiencies followed the decreasing order of: CHCl3 > CHBrCl2 > CHBr2Cl > CHBr3 > CHI3, while the electrical energy consumed per liter of contaminated aqueous solution treated was found to be in inverse order.
Scale Control in Saline and Wastewater Desalination
Authors: Hasson David , Semiat Raphael
Published: July 2006

This paper briefly reviews current understanding of basic phenomena involved in scale formation, outlines current scale control techniques, and indicates some promising research directions.
Toxins and Biologically Active Secondary Metabolites of Microcystis sp. isolated from Lake Kinneret
Authors: Beresovsky Dina , Hadas Ora , Livne Alex , Sukenik Assaf , Kaplan Aaron , Carmeli Shmuel
Published: July 2006

For many years cyanobacteria were considered a minor, negligible component of the phytoplankton population in Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee, Israel). However, during the last decade several new species invaded the lake and other, more common species were present more frequently and in higher concentrations. Recently, we isolated two Microcystis sp. strains from Lake Kinneret. Both produced an array of hepatotoxic microcystins. In a bioassay‐guided study we identified in exudates of one of the Microcystis strains (MB‐K) that allelopathic activity was attributed to a novel metabolite, microcarbonin A (1). Subsequently, two other novel metabolites, micropeptin KT946 (2) and anabaenopeptin KT864 (3), were isolated from the hydrophilic extract of the cultured (MB‐K) strain, based on their protease inhibition activity. Homo‐ and heteronuclear‐2D‐NMR techniques, as well as HRMS, determined the gross structure of the three compounds. The relative and absolute stereochemistry of 2 and 3 was deduced from a combination of spectral data and Marfey's method for HPLC.
Damage modelling of lightweight high-strength concrete under impact
Authors: Le* J. L. , Koh*† C. G. , Wee* T. H.
Published: July 2006

Within the framework of continuum damage mechanics, a new strain-rate-dependent damage model is developed for lightweight high-strength concrete (LWHSC). The damage model is implemented as a material subroutine to established finite element software for numerical analysis. The numerical models are substantiated by a comprehensive experimental investigation programme involving both static and impact tests on different types of LWHSC. Existing experimental results for normal-weight concrete (NWC) under various loading conditions are also used to verify the proposed model. Comparison of numerical and experimental results indicates that the proposed damage model captures well the constitutive relation of LWHSC as well as NWC under both static and dynamic loading conditions.
Membrane action in isotropic patch-loaded unrestrained slabs
Authors: Eyre J. R.
Published: July 2006

The increased strength of concrete slabs resulting from the compressive membrane action produced by in-plane restraint at the slab perimeter is very sensitive to the stiffness of that restraint. Even when there is no perimeter restraint the benefits are worth considering. This is especially so where complete failure mechanisms occur well within the slab perimeter, as is the case for interior bays of suspended slabs and for ground-bearing slabs. An upper bound plastic yield line analysis is used in this paper to identify the mechanics of an isotropic slab yielding under an interior (non-edge) concentrated load. Monitoring the neutral axis variation illustrates that at low stiffnesses there is a qualitative change in the mode of failure from collapse at a peak value of load to punching at the transition to catenary action. The pattern of load–deflection behaviour is described for mechanisms having restraint stiffnesses ranging from zero to infinite.
Strain of heated concrete during two thermal cycles. Part 1: strain over two cycles, during first heating and at subsequent constant temperature
Authors: Khoury G. A.
Published: July 2006

This paper presents the strain behaviour of three nuclear reactor type plain unsealed (50–60 N/mm2) concretes exposed under 0% and 20% compressive loads to a 14-day two-thermal-cycle test (test temperatures ranging from 100°C to 600°C). A generic approach is taken for wider application and for the in-depth understanding of the behaviour of heated concrete in general. Concrete during the two thermal cycles experiences both expansive and contractive strains. The former includes ‘thermal expansion’, cracking expansion and chemically induced expansion. The latter includes drying shrinkage, load-induced thermal strain (LITS) during virgin heating, ‘delayed’ LITS at constant temperature and time-dependent creep. The overall strains during heating, at constant temperature and during cooling reflect both contractive and expansive influences. LITS is absent during cooling and a second heat cycle. A summary of the influences of material and environmental factors upon the thermal strain and LITS of concrete is given indicating first-order, second-order and negligible influences. The role of the thermal instability of concrete depends upon the constituents, and specifically the aggregate type. It is found to be very significant, manifesting itself in crack development and large expansive strains and is most evident when heating/cooling without load to temperatures above 300–400°C. A five-day period at constant temperature following the thermal transient (1°C/min) reveals shrinkage, creep and expansive strains dependent upon temperature–load level and concrete type, emanating from continuation of physico-chemical transformations. The largest strain contribution at constant temperature is from the end of the heating ramp (up to 10 h) to about one day after start of heating. The test regime provided a wider insight into the nature of heated concrete.
Microwave-Assisted Chemistry – A Stock Taking
Authors: Ondruschka Bernd , Bonrath Werner
Published: July 2006

In 1986 Gedye and Giguere published the first important articles on the influence of microwaves (2.45 GHz) on syntheses undertaken in household ovens. Over the past 20 years there have been various developments in different directions reflecting a steadily growing interest in this innovative
field. This mini-overview focuses on selected details of reaction engineering in microwave chemistry.
How Machine Learning Might Help Improve Cardiac Imaging
Authors: Anderer Samantha , Hswen Yulin
Published: March 2024

In this Medical News interview, University of California, San Francisco, cardiologist Rima Arnaout, joins JAMA Editor in Chief Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo to discuss the transformative potential of AI on cardiac imaging.
Anatomic Subtype Differences in Extramammary Paget Disease
Authors: Kibbi Nour , Owen Joshua L. , Worley Brandon , Wang Jake X. , Harikumar Vishnu , Aasi Sumaira Z. , Chandra Sunandana , Choi Jennifer N. , Fujisawa Yasuhiro , Iavazzo Christos , Kim John Y. S. , Lawrence Naomi , Leitao Mario M. , MacLean Allan B. , Ross Jeffrey S. , Rossi Anthony M. , Servaes Sabah , Solomon Michael J. , Alam Murad
Published: March 2024

Importance

Extramammary Paget disease (EMPD) is a rare, highly recurrent cutaneous malignant neoplasm of unclear origin. EMPD arises most commonly on the vulvar and penoscrotal skin. It is not presently known how anatomic subtype of EMPD affects disease presentation and management.

Objective

To compare demographic and tumor characteristics and treatment approaches for different EMPD subtypes. Recommendations for diagnosis and treatment are presented.

Data Sources

MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Reviews CENTRAL from December 1, 1990, to October 24, 2022.

Study Selection

Articles were excluded if they were not in English, reported fewer than 3 patients, did not specify information by anatomic subtype, or contained no case-level data. Metastatic cases on presentation were also excluded.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Abstracts of 1295 eligible articles were independently reviewed by 5 coauthors, and 135 articles retained. Reporting was in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. The analysis was cunducted in August 2019 and updated in November 2022.

Findings

Most vulvar EMPD cases were asymptomatic, and diagnosis was relatively delayed (mean, 25.1 months). Although most vulvar EMPD cases were intraepidermal (1247/1773 [70.3%]), radical surgeries were still performed in almost one-third of cases. Despite this aggressive surgical approach, 481 of 1423 (34%) recurred, commonly confined to the skin and mucosa (177/198 [89.4%]). By contrast, 152 of 1101 penoscrotal EMPD cases (14%) recurred, but more than one-third of these recurrences were regional or associated with distant metastases (54 of 152 [35.5%]). Perianal EMPD cases recurred in one-third of cases (74/218 [33.9%]), with one-third of these recurrences being regional or associated with distant metastasis (20 of 74 [27.0%]). Perianal EMPD also had the highest rate of invasive disease (50% of cases).

Conclusions and Relevance

The diagnosis and treatment of EMPD should differ based on anatomic subtypes. Considerations for updated practice may include less morbid treatments for vulvar EMPD, which is primarily epidermal, and close surveillance for local recurrence in vulvar EMPD and metastatic recurrence in perianal EMPD. Recurrences in penoscrotal subtype were less common, and selective surveillance in this subtype may be considered. Limitations of this study include the lack of replication cohorts and the exclusion of studies that did not stratify outcomes by anatomic subtype.
Virtual Reality and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: van ’t Wout-Frank Mascha , Arulpragasam Amanda R. , Faucher Christiana , Aiken Emily , Shea M. Tracie , Jones Richard N. , Greenberg Benjamin D. , Philip Noah S.
Published: March 2024

Importance

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common psychiatric disorder that is particularly difficult to treat in military veterans. Noninvasive brain stimulation has significant potential as a novel treatment to reduce PTSD symptoms.

Objective

To test whether active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) plus virtual reality (VR) is superior to sham tDCS plus VR for warzone-related PTSD.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted among US military veterans enrolled from April 2018 to May 2023 at a secondary care Department of Veterans Affairs hospital and included 1- and 3-month follow-up visits. Participants included US military veterans with chronic PTSD and warzone-related exposure, recruited via referral and advertisement. Patients in psychiatric treatment had to be on a stable regimen for at least 6 weeks to be eligible for enrollment. Data were analyzed from May to September 2023.

Intervention

Participants were randomly assigned to receive 2-mA anodal tDCS or sham tDCS targeted to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, during six 25-minute sessions of standardized warzone VR exposure, delivered over 2 to 3 weeks.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The co–primary outcomes were self-reported PTSD symptoms, measured via the PTSD checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), alongside quality of life. Other outcomes included psychophysiological arousal, clinician-assessed PTSD, depression, and social/occupational function.

Results

A total of 54 participants (mean [SD] age, 45.7 [10.5] years; 51 [94%] males) were assessed, including 26 in the active tDCS group and 28 in the sham tDCS group. Participants in the active tDCS group reported a superior reduction in self-reported PTSD symptom severity at 1 month (t = −2.27, P = .02; Cohen d = −0.82). There were no significant differences in quality of life between active and sham tDCS groups. Active tDCS significantly accelerated psychophysiological habituation to VR events between sessions compared with sham tDCS (F5,7689.8 = 4.65; P < .001). Adverse effects were consistent with the known safety profile of the corresponding interventions.

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings suggest that combined tDCS plus VR may be a promising strategy for PTSD reduction and underscore the innovative potential of these combined technologies.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03372460
Tumor-Associated Lymphocytes and Breast Cancer Survival in Black and White Women
Authors: Newman Lisa A. , Chen Yalei , Martini Rachel , Demaria Sandra , Formenti Silvia , Elemento Olivier , Davis Melissa B.
Published: March 2024

This case series evaluates whether differences in immune filtration are associated with breast cancer risk in Black vs White women.
Robotic Technology in Emergency General Surgery Cases in the Era of Minimally Invasive Surgery
Authors: Lunardi Nicole , Abou-Zamzam Aida , Florecki Katherine L. , Chidambaram Swathikan , Shih I-Fan , Kent Alistair J. , Joseph Bellal , Byrne James P. , Sakran Joseph V.
Published: March 2024

Importance

Although robotic surgery has become an established approach for a wide range of elective operations, data on its utility and outcomes are limited in the setting of emergency general surgery.

Objectives

To describe temporal trends in the use of laparoscopic and robotic approaches and compare outcomes between robotic and laparoscopic surgery for 4 common emergent surgical procedures.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A retrospective cohort study of an all-payer discharge database of 829 US facilities was conducted from calendar years 2013 to 2021. Data analysis was performed from July 2022 to November 2023. A total of 1 067 263 emergent or urgent cholecystectomies (n = 793 800), colectomies (n = 89 098), inguinal hernia repairs (n = 65 039), and ventral hernia repairs (n = 119 326) in patients aged 18 years or older were included.

Exposure

Surgical approach (robotic, laparoscopic, or open) to emergent or urgent cholecystectomy, colectomy, inguinal hernia repair, or ventral hernia repair.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was the temporal trend in use of each operative approach (laparoscopic, robotic, or open). Secondary outcomes included conversion to open surgery and length of stay (both total and postoperative). Temporal trends were measured using linear regression. Propensity score matching was used to compare secondary outcomes between robotic and laparoscopic surgery groups.

Results

During the study period, the use of robotic surgery increased significantly year-over-year for all procedures: 0.7% for cholecystectomy, 0.9% for colectomy, 1.9% for inguinal hernia repair, and 1.1% for ventral hernia repair. There was a corresponding decrease in the open surgical approach for all cases. Compared with laparoscopy, robotic surgery was associated with a significantly lower risk of conversion to open surgery: cholecystectomy, 1.7% vs 3.0% (odds ratio [OR], 0.55 [95% CI, 0.49-0.62]); colectomy, 11.2% vs 25.5% (OR, 0.37 [95% CI, 0.32-0.42]); inguinal hernia repair, 2.4% vs 10.7% (OR, 0.21 [95% CI, 0.16-0.26]); and ventral hernia repair, 3.5% vs 10.9% (OR, 0.30 [95% CI, 0.25-0.36]). Robotic surgery was associated with shorter postoperative lengths of stay for colectomy (−0.48 [95% CI, −0.60 to −0.35] days), inguinal hernia repair (−0.20 [95% CI, −0.30 to −0.10] days), and ventral hernia repair (−0.16 [95% CI, −0.26 to −0.06] days).

Conclusions and Relevance

While robotic surgery is still not broadly used for emergency general surgery, the findings of this study suggest it is becoming more prevalent and may be associated with better outcomes as measured by reduced conversion to open surgery and decreased length of stay.
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Use and Residual Gastric Content Before Anesthesia
Authors: Sen Sudipta , Potnuru Paul P. , Hernandez Nadia , Goehl Christina , Praestholm Caroline , Sridhar Srikanth , Nwokolo Omonele O.
Published: March 2024

Importance

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) use is rapidly increasing in the US, driven by its expanded approval for weight management in addition to hyperglycemia management in patients with type 2 diabetes. The perioperative safety of these medications, particularly with aspiration risk under anesthesia, is uncertain.

Objective

To assess the association between GLP-1 RA use and prevalence of increased residual gastric content (RGC), a major risk factor for aspiration under anesthesia, using gastric ultrasonography.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study prospectively enrolled patients from a large, tertiary, university-affiliated hospital from June 6 through July 12, 2023. Participants followed preprocedural fasting guidelines before an elective procedure under anesthesia. Patients with altered gastric anatomy (eg, from previous gastric surgery), pregnancy, recent trauma (<1 month), or an inability to lie in the right lateral decubitus position for gastric ultrasonography were excluded.

Exposure

Use of a once-weekly GLP-1 RA.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was the presence of increased RGC, defined by the presence of solids, thick liquids, or more than 1.5 mL/kg of clear liquids on gastric ultrasonography. Analysis was adjusted for confounders using augmented inverse probability of treatment weighting, a propensity score–based technique. Secondarily, the association between the duration of drug interruption and the prevalence of increased RGC was explored.

Results

Among the 124 participants (median age, 56 years [IQR, 46-65 years]; 75 [60%] female), the prevalence of increased RGC was 56% (35 of 62) in patients with GLP-1 RA use (exposure group) compared with 19% (12 of 62) in patients who were not taking a GLP-1 RA drug (control group). After adjustment for confounding, GLP-1 RA use was associated with a 30.5% (95% CI, 9.9%-51.2%) higher prevalence of increased RGC (adjusted prevalence ratio, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.23-4.97). There was no association between the duration of GLP-1 RA interruption and the prevalence of increased RGC (adjusted odds ratio, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.65-1.14).

Conclusions and Relevance

Use of a GLP-1 RA was independently associated with increased RGC on preprocedural gastric ultrasonography. The findings suggest that the preprocedural fasting duration suggested by current guidelines may be inadequate in this group of patients at increased risk of aspiration under anesthesia.
Evaluation of Osteoarthritis Disease Burden in China During 1990–2019 and Forecasting Its Trend Over the Future 25 Years
Authors: Chen Haowei , Zhang Lei , Shi Xiaorui , Zhou Zhounan , Fang Xiaofeng , Yang Hao , Hunter David J. , Ding Changhai , Zhu Zhaohua
Published: March 2024

Objective

This study aimed to estimate the temporal trend of osteoarthritis (OA) burden in China by age, sex, and joint sites from 1990 to 2019 and predict the long‐term trend over the next 25 years.

Methods

Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019, we estimated incident cases, prevalent cases, disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs) of OA, and DALYs of OA attributed to high body mass index (BMI), as well as corresponding age‐standardized rates (ASRs) for aforementioned indicies. Estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) and Nordpred age‐period‐cohort model were used to describe temporal trend changes and predict future disease burden.

Results

From 1990 to 2019, the ASR of OA incidence increased from 472.53 per 100,000 to 509.84 per 100,000 people (EAPC: 0.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.29–0.44); the ASR of OA prevalence increased from 5,880.58 per 100,000 to 6,330.06 per 100,000 people (EAPC 0.35, 95% CI 0.28–0.42); the ASR of OA DALYs increased from 206.38 per 100,000 to 224.78 per 100,000 people (EAPC 0.40, 95% CI 0.32–0.48). The ASR of OA DALYs attributed to high BMI increased rapidly, especially in men and patients with hip OA. Projections suggest an increasing trend in the incidence, prevalence, and DALYs of OA from 2019 to 2044, with the prevalent cases and DALYs of OA in China expected to increase by approximately 1.5 times over the next 25 years.

Conclusion

The disease burden of OA has increased in China over the past 30 years and is expected to continue rising over the next 25 years.
Having More Tender Than Swollen Joints is Associated With Worse Function and Work Impairment in Patients With Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Meng Charis F. , Lee Yvonne , Schieir Orit , Valois Marie‐France , Butler Margaret , Boire Gilles , Hazlewood Glen , Hitchon Carol , Keystone Edward , Tin Diane , Thorne Carter , Bessette Louis , Pope Janet , Bartlett Susan , Bykerk Vivian
Published: March 2024

Objective

Patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may present with more tender than swollen joints, which can persist. Elevated tender‐swollen joint difference (TSJD) is often challenging, because there may be multiple causes and it may contribute to overestimating disease activity. Little is known about the phenotype and impact of TSJDs on patient function. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of TSJD on functional outcomes in early RA and to see whether associations vary by joint size.

Methods

Data were from patients with active, early RA (≤12 months) enrolled in the Canadian Early Arthritis Cohort, who completed assessments of general function (Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire [MDHAQ]), upper extremity (UE) function (Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders [Neuro‐QoL] UE scale), and work/activity impairment (Work Productivity and Activity Impairment RA) over their first year of follow‐up. A total of 28 joint counts were performed. TSJDs were calculated. Adjusted associations between TSJDs and functional outcomes were estimated in separate multivariable linear mixed effects models. Separate analyses were performed for large‐ versus small‐joint TSJD.

Results

Patients (N = 547) were 70% female, mean age 56 (SD 15) years, mean disease duration 5.3 (SD 2.9) months. At baseline, 287 (52%) had TSJD >0 (43% involved large joints and 34% small joints), decreasing to 32% at 12 months. A one‐point increase in TSJD was significantly associated with worse function (MDHAQ: adjusted mean change 0.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.08–0.13; Neuro‐QoL UE function T score: adjusted mean change −0.59, 95% CI −0.76 to −0.43; and greater work impairment: adjusted mean change 1.95%, 95% CI 0.85%–3.05%). Higher large‐joint TSJDs were associated with the worst functional outcomes.

Conclusion

Having more tender than swollen joints is common in early RA and is associated with worse function, most notably when involving large joints. Early identification and targeted intervention strategies may be needed.
The Creep‐Induced Micro‐ and Nanostructural Evolution of a Eutectic Mo–Si–Ti Alloy at 1200 °C
Authors: Thota Hemanth , Schliephake Daniel , Kauffmann Alexander , Wu Huichao , Pundt Astrid , Heilmaier Martin , Eggeler Yolita M.
Published: March 2024

In the present study, the creep deformation mechanisms of a eutectic Mo–Si–Ti alloy (comprising a body‐centered solid solution and a hexagonal silicide) are verified. The microstructural changes occurring at the various microstructural length scales are correlated to the nature of the creep curve. The creep curve exhibits a transient strain‐hardening region followed by a distinct minimum and then creep rate accelerates after that. The formation of a high fraction of disperse (Ti,Mo)5Si3 precipitates in the solid solution lead to significant strengthening in the transient creep regime. By the simultaneous decrease of the initially high dislocation density in the solid solution, diffusional creep contributes to effective creep behavior. At the minimum, the load and strain are also carried by the silicide phase which undergoes plastic deformation. Continuous coarsening of precipitates and loss of precipitation strengthening in the solid solution and dynamic recovery in the silicide phase lead to creep acceleration.
Platinum Nanoparticles‐Enhanced Ferritin–Mn2+ Interaction for Magnetic Resonance Contrast Enhancement and Efficient Tumor Photothermal Therapy
Authors: Liu Shuangqing , Tian Liya , Mu Mengyao , Liu Ziyan , Dong Mengzhen , Gong Yufang , Liu Hui , Wang Ximing , Meng Qingwei , Zhang Haidong , Sun Xiao
Published: March 2024

Nanoplatforms with high Mn2+ coordination can display efficient T1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast enhancement. Herein, an earth gravity‐like method for enhanced interaction between Ferritin (Fn) and Mn2+ by the growth of platinum nanoparticles (PNs) in Fn's cage structure via a biomineralization method is first proposed. Fn has good biocompatibility and can provide a suitable growth site for PNs. PNs with negative charge have certain attraction to Mn2+ with positive charge, improving Fn's loading capacity of Mn2+ by attraction force; and thus, achieving efficient MRI contrast enhancement. In addition, PNs can be applied for efficient photothermal therapy (PTT) under near infrared ray (NIR) irradiation. Systemic delivery of this nanoplatform shows obvious MRI contrast enhancement and tumor progression inhibition after NIR irradiation, as well as no obvious side effects. Therefore, this nanoplatform has the potential to contribute to nanotheranostic for clinical transformation.
Supramolecular Heterodimer Peptides Assembly for Nanoparticles Functionalization
Authors: Mathieu Clélia , Ghosh Shayamita , Draussin Julien , Gasser Adeline , Jacquot Guillaume , Banerjee Mainak , Gupta Tanushree , Schmutz Marc , Mirjolet Céline , Tillement Olivier , Lux François , Klymchenko Andrey S. , Donzeau Mariel , Pivot Xavier , Harlepp Sébastien , Detappe Alexandre
Published: March 2024

Nanoparticle (NP) surface functionalization with proteins, including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), mAb fragments, and various peptides, has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance tumor targeting specificity and immune cell interaction. However, these methods often rely on complex chemistry and suffer from batch‐dependent outcomes, primarily due to limited control over the protein orientation and quantity on NP surfaces. To address these challenges, a novel approach based on the supramolecular assembly of two peptides is presented to create a heterotetramer displaying VHHs on NP surfaces. This approach effectively targets both tumor‐associated antigens (TAAs) and immune cell‐associated antigens. In vitro experiments showcase its versatility, as various NP types are biofunctionalized, including liposomes, PLGA NPs, and ultrasmall silica‐based NPs, and the VHHs targeting of known TAAs (HER2 for breast cancer, CD38 for multiple myeloma), and an immune cell antigen (NKG2D for natural killer (NK) cells) is evaluated. In in vivo studies using a HER2+ breast cancer mouse model, the approach demonstrates enhanced tumor uptake, retention, and penetration compared to the behavior of nontargeted analogs, affirming its potential for diverse applications.
Scale‐Up Preparation of Manganese‐Iron Prussian Blue Nanozymes as Potent Oral Nanomedicines for Acute Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Hu Chengyun , Yuan Xue , Zhao Ronghua , Hong Biao , Chen Chuang , Zhu Qingjun , Zheng Yanmin , Hu Jinming , Yuan Yue , Wu Zhengyan , Zhang Jia , Tang Chaoliang
Published: March 2024

Prussian blue (PB) nanozymes are demonstrated as effective therapeutics for ulcerative colitis (UC), yet an unmet practical challenge remains in the scalable production of these nanozymes and uncertainty over their efficacy. With a novel approach, a series of porous manganese‐iron PB (MnPB) colloids, which are shown to be efficient scavengers for reactive oxygen species (ROS) including hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion, and hydrogen peroxide, are prepared. In vitro cellular experiments confirm the capability of the nanozyme to protect cells from ROS attack. In vivo, the administration of MnPB nanozyme through gavage at a dosage of 10 mg kg−1 per day for three doses in total potently ameliorates the pathological symptoms of acute UC in a murine model, resulting in mitigated inflammatory responses and improved viability rate. Significantly, the nanozyme produced at a large scale can be achieved at an unprecedented yield weighting ≈11 g per batch of reaction, demonstrating comparable anti‐ROS activities and treatment efficacy to its small‐scale counterpart. This work represents the first demonstration of the scale‐up preparation of PB analog nanozymes for UC without compromising treatment efficacy, laying the foundation for further testing of these nanozymes on larger animals and promising clinical translation.
Tumor Microenvironment Remodeling‐Mediated Sequential Drug Delivery Potentiates Treatment Efficacy
Authors: Xu Yajun , Lv Jianlin , Liu Fuyao , Wang Jinqiang , Liu Ya , Kong Chaoying , Li Yanran , Shen Na , Gu Zhen , Tang Zhaohui , Chen Xuesi
Published: March 2024

Toll‐like receptor 7/8 agonists, such as imidazoquinolines (IMDQs), are promising for the de novo priming of antitumor immunity. However, their systemic administration is severely limited due to the off‐target toxicity. Here, this work describes a sequential drug delivery strategy. The formulation is composed of two sequential modules: a tumor microenvironment remodeling nanocarrier (poly(l‐glutamic acid)‐graft‐methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)/combretastatin A4, termed CA4‐NPs) and an immunotherapy nanocarrier (apcitide peptide‐decorated poly(l‐glutamic acid)‐graft‐IMDQ‐N3 conjugate, termed apcitide‐PLG‐IMDQ‐N3). CA4‐NPs, as a vascular disrupting agent, are utilized to remodel the tumor microenvironment for enhancing tumor coagulation and hypoxia. Subsequently, the apcitide‐PLG‐IMDQ‐N3 could identify and target tumor coagulation through the binding of surface apcitide peptide to the GPIIb‐IIIa on activated platelets. Afterward, IMDQ is activated selectively through the conversion of “‐N3” to “‐NH2” in the presence of hypoxia. The biodistribution results confirm their high tumor uptake of activated IMDQ (22.66%ID/g). By augmenting the priming and immunologic memory of tumor‐specific CD8+ T cells, 4T1 and CT26 tumors with a size of ≈500 mm3 are eradicated without recurrence in mouse models.
Femtosecond Electron Diffraction Reveals Local Disorder and Local Anharmonicity in Thermoelectric SnSe
Authors: Li Jingjun , Qi Yingpeng , Yang Qing , Yue Luye , Yao Changyuan , Chen Zijing , Meng Sheng , Xiang Dao , Cao Jianming
Published: March 2024

In addition to long‐range periodicity, local disorder, with local structures deviating from the average lattice structure, dominates the physical properties of phonons, electrons, and spin subsystems in crystalline functional materials. Experimentally characterizing the 3D atomic configuration of such a local disorder and correlating it with advanced functions remains challenging. Using a combination of femtosecond electron diffraction, structure factor calculations, and time‐dependent density functional theory molecular dynamics simulations, the static local disorder and its local anharmonicity in thermoelectric SnSe are identified exclusively. The ultrafast structural dynamics reveal that the crystalline SnSe is composed of multiple locally correlated configurations dominated by the static off‐symmetry displacements of Sn (≈0.4 Å) and such a set of locally correlated structures is termed local disorder. Moreover, the anharmonicity of this local disorder induces an ultrafast atomic displacement within 100 fs, indicating the signature of probable THz Einstein oscillators. The identified local disorder and local anharmonicity suggest a glass‐like thermal transport channel, which updates the fundamental insight into the long‐debated ultralow thermal conductivity of SnSe. The method of revealing the 3D local disorder and the locally correlated interactions by ultrafast structural dynamics will inspire broad interest in the construction of structure–property relationships in material science.
Viscoelasticity‐Controlled Relaxation in Wrinkling Surface for Multistage Time‐Resolved Optical Information Encryption
Authors: Feng Dengchong , Guo Qi , Huang Zhenjie , Zhou Baiyang , Gong Li , Lu Shaolin , Yang Yuzhao , Yu Dingshan , Zheng Zhikun , Chen Xudong
Published: March 2024

As counterfeit techniques continue to evolve, ensuring the security of conventional “static” encryption methods becomes increasingly challenging. Here, the viscoelasticity‐controlled relaxation is introduced for the first time in a bilayer wrinkling system by regulating the density of hydrogen bond networks in polymer to construct a “dynamic” encryption material. The wrinkling surface can manipulate light during the dynamic relaxation process, exhibiting three stages with frosted glass, structural color, and mirror reflection. By regulating the viscoelasticity of skin layer through UV irradiation, the wavelength and the relaxation rate of the wrinkles can be controlled. As a result, dynamic wrinkling anti‐counterfeiting patterns and time‐resolved multistage information encryption are achieved. Crucially, the encryption material is developed as an anti‐counterfeiting label for packing boxes in daily applications, allowing the encrypted information to be activated manually and identified by naked eyes, surpassing the existing time‐resolved encryption materials in utilization potential. Besides, the dynamic hydrogen bond networks are extended to various dynamic interaction networks, demonstrating the versatility of the dynamic encryption strategy. This work not only provides an additional dimension for dynamic information encryption in daily practical use, but also offers theoretical guidance for the development of advanced optical anti‐counterfeiting and smart display materials in the future.
Clay Sculpture‐Inspired 3D Printed Microcage Module Using Bioadhesion Assembly for Specific‐Shaped Tissue Vascularization and Regeneration
Authors: Fang Huimin , Ju Jingyi , Chen Lifeng , Zhou Muran , Zhang Guo , Hou Jinfei , Jiang Wenbin , Wang Zhenxing , Sun Jiaming
Published: March 2024

3D bioprinting techniques have enabled the fabrication of irregular large‐sized tissue engineering scaffolds. However, complicated customized designs increase the medical burden. Meanwhile, the integrated printing process hinders the cellular uniform distribution and local angiogenesis. A novel approach is introduced to the construction of sizable tissue engineering grafts by employing hydrogel 3D printing for modular bioadhesion assembly, and a poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA)‐gelatin‐dopamine (PGD) hydrogel, photosensitive and adhesive, enabling fine microcage module fabrication via DLP 3D printing is developed. The PGD hydrogel printed micocages are flexible, allowing various shapes and cell/tissue fillings for repairing diverse irregular tissue defects. In vivo experiments demonstrate robust vascularization and superior graft survival in nude mice. This assembly strategy based on scalable 3D printed hydrogel microcage module could simplify the construction of tissue with large volume and complex components, offering promise for diverse large tissue defect repairs.
Will artificial intelligence and machine learning change agriculture: A special issue
Authors: Clay David E. , Brugler Skye , Joshi Bhavna
Published: March 2024

In agriculture, important unanswered questions about machine learning and artificial intelligence (ML/AI) include will ML/AI change how food is produced and will ML algorithms replace or partially replace farmers in the decision process. As ML/AI technologies become more accurate, they have the potential to improve profitability while reducing the impact of agriculture on the environment. However, despite these benefits, there are many adoption barriers including cost, and that farmers may be reluctant to adopt a decision tool they do not understand. The goal of this special issue is to discuss cutting‐edge research on the use of ML/AI technologies in agriculture, barriers to the adoption of these technologies, and how technologies can affect our current workforce. The papers are separated into three sections: Machine Learning within Crops, Pasture, and Irrigation; Machine Learning in Predicting Crop Disease; and Society and Policy of Machine Learning.