bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of epicardial adipose tissue on cardiac function and morphology in patients with diastolic dysfunction
Authors: Schulz Alexander , Backhaus Sören J. , Lange Torben , Evertz Ruben , Kutty Shelby , Kowallick Johannes T. , Hasenfuß Gerd , Schuster Andreas
Published: March 2024

Aims

This study aimed to identify the impact of increased epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and its regional distribution on cardiac function in patients with diastolic dysfunction.

Methods and results

Sixty‐eight patients with exertional dyspnoea (New York Heart Association ≥II), preserved ejection fraction (≥50%), and diastolic dysfunction (E/e′ ≥ 8) underwent rest and stress right heart catheterization, transthoracic echocardiography, and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). EAT volumes were depicted from CMR short‐axis stacks. First, the impact of increased EAT above the median was investigated. Second, the association of ventricular and atrial EAT with myocardial deformation at rest and during exercise stress was analysed in a multivariable regression analysis. Patients with high EAT had higher HFA‐PEFF and H2FPEFF scores as well as N‐terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide levels (all P < 0.048). They were diagnosed with manifest heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) more frequently (low EAT: 37% vs. high EAT: 64%; P = 0.029) and had signs of adverse remodelling indicated by higher T1 times (P < 0.001). No differences in biventricular volumetry and left ventricular mass (all P > 0.074) were observed. Patients with high EAT had impaired atrial strain at rest and during exercise stress, and impaired ventricular strain during exercise stress. Regionally increased EAT was independently associated with functional impairment of the adjacent chambers.

Conclusions

Patients with diastolic dysfunction and increased EAT show more pronounced signs of diastolic functional failure and adverse structural remodelling. Despite similar morphological characteristics, patients with high EAT show significant cardiac functional impairment, in particular in the atria. Our results indicate that regionally increased EAT directly induces atrial functional failure, which represents a distinct pathophysiological feature in HFpEF.
Advances in CO2 recycle to alcohols and ethers through hydrogenation
Authors: Boretti Alberto
Published: March 2024

This paper addresses the urgent challenge of CO2 emissions and the need for sustainable energy sources. It emphasizes CO2 hydrogenation as a promising solution for large‐scale long‐term energy storage, converting CO2 into valuable fuels using green hydrogen generated from renewable sources. The study concentrates on exploring pathways leading to oxygenated compounds, such as alcohols or ethers, for their utilization as sustainable fuels. The investigation encompasses methanol, dimethyl ether, ethanol, and higher alcohols. The paper investigates catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation, ranging from traditional metal‐based to advanced materials, aiming to identify efficient and stable catalysts for synthesizing oxygenated compounds. Catalysts are indispensable in CO2 hydrogenation for the synthesis of oxygenated compounds, contributing to improved reaction kinetics, selectivity, economic viability, reduced environmental impact, and the overall sustainability of the process. The goal is to contribute to a fully renewable, carbon‐neutral system powered by excess solar and wind electricity, where recycled CO2 and green hydrogen are used to produce fuels, to be stored and then used to produce energy, electricity, heat, or mechanical energy, on demand, with the capture of the CO2, in a system which is overall carbon neutral. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Postnatal growth failure of very low‐birth‐weight infants in Southwest Iran: A descriptive analytical study
Authors: Dehdashtian Masoud , Aramesh Mohammad‐Reza , Malakian Arash , Aletayeb Seyyed Mohammad Hassan , Rasti Amene
Published: March 2024

Background and Aims

Preterm infants are more prone to poor growth and neurodevelopment. The first few weeks of life play an important role in the growth and neurodevelopment of very‐low‐birth‐weight (VLBW) infants. The Vermont Oxford Network, evaluating the postnatal growth of preterm newborns, considers growth failure as body weight <10th percentile for postmenstrual age. This study aims to assess the frequency of postnatal growth failure in VLBW infants in Southwest Iran.

Methods

This descriptive analytical study was performed on VLBW infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Imam Khomeini Hospital (Ahvaz, Iran) from September 2019 to August 2020. Growth failure was confirmed when a newborn's weight at discharge was smaller than the 10th percentile corrected age (≤−1.28 Z‐score), based on the Fenton growth chart as a standard. This study was performed on 353 infants. Intrauterine growth retardation was detected in 29% of female and 10.6% of male newborns, who were born at a gestational age of 32 and 31 weeks or higher respectively. Upon hospital discharge, postnatal growth failure was detected in all newborn girls, except for those born at 32 weeks of gestation, and all newborn boys, except for those born at a gestational age of 33–34 weeks.

Conclusion

Postnatal growth retardation in VLBW infants born in our NICU was much higher than that of other centers. Overcrowding, short length of hospitalization, low nurse‐to‐patient ratio, and untrained nurses were among the reasons for poor postnatal growth in our center.
Multieffect bioconvective transport of oxytactic microorganisms with thermal radiation, Lorentz force, heat source, and chemical reaction over a flexible cylinder
Authors: Chowdhury Sandip , Rao Pentyala Srinivasa , Prakash Om , Gorai Debasish
Published: March 2024

The multieffect bioconvective heat transfer in porous media is essential for many technological applications. However, the literature governing practical applications is very scarce. The bioconvective transport of magnetohydrodynamic cross nanofluid carrying oxytactic microorganisms across a flexible cylinder with velocity slip, viscous dissipation, thermal radiation, and chemical reaction with a heat source in Darcy–Forchheimer porous medium is predicted in this piece of work. The random movement and thermophoresis processes are revealed by the Buongiorno model. Using a suitable similarity transformation and boundary layer approximation, the simplified model equations are converted into coupled highly nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The resulting ODEs are dealt with numerically utilizing the BVP4C and the shooting method with predetermined thermal radiation, heat source, chemical reaction, and so forth parameters. The velocity field is inversely influenced by the Forchheimer number and porosity parameter. The Sherwood number is significantly influenced by chemical reactions. For heat source parameter (S) and increasing radiation parameter (Rd), the Nusselt number increases and convection is shown for the value of Rd near about 3. Overall, this study will help researchers in science and engineering to understand the intricate and multieffective dynamic system and industrial applications like microbiology, and biodynamical systems, biological tissues, biofilms, soil, or filter media.
Determinants of the degree of fiscal sustainability
Authors: Afonso António , Alves José , Coelho José Carlos
Published: March 2024

We assess the link between fiscal sustainability coefficients, namely the responses of the primary government balance and the global government balance to the debt‐to‐GDP ratio, and the response of government revenues to government expenditures. For 22 OECD developed countries we use annual data between 1950 and 2019. Other determinants of fiscal responses are also studied in the context of quantile regressions. We find that the output gap contributes to increasing fiscal sustainability by positively influencing the responsiveness of the primary and global government balances; and the responses of the primary and global government balances to the debt ratio and the response of government revenues to government expenditures depend on the level of the debt ratio. In addition, from the quantile analysis, the influence of the response of government revenues to government expenditures is negative and increasing over the deciles, confirming the existence of a negative cross‐relationship between the fiscal sustainability coefficients.
A statistical analysis of human talar shape and bone density distribution
Authors: Stolle Jordan , Harper Christine M. , Voegele Kristyn K. , Najafi Ahmad R. , Taheri Mehrangiz , MacBain Joshua , Siegler Sorin
Published: March 2024

The shape of the talus, its internal structure, and its mechanical properties are important in determining talar behavior during loading, which may be significant for the design of surgical tools and implants. Although recent studies using statistical shape modeling have described quantitative talar external shape variation, no similar quantitative study exists to describe the density distribution of internal talar structure. The goal of this study is to quantify statistical variation in talar shape and density to benefit the design of talar implants. To this end, weight‐bearing computed tomography (CT) scans of the ankle were collected in neutral, bilateral standing posture, and three‐dimensional models were generated for each talus. Local density derived from the Hounsfield unit of each CT voxel was extracted. A weighted spherical harmonic analysis was performed to quantify the talar external shape. One hundred and seventy‐nine volumes of interest were placed in the same relative position within each talus to quantify the talar density. Additionally, a finite element analysis (FEA) was conducted on a talus with both heterogeneous and homogeneous material properties to observe the effect of these properties on the stress and strain response. Significant differences were found in the talar density in sex and age, as well as in the stress and strain response between homogeneous and heterogeneous FEA. These differences show the importance of considering heterogeneity when examining the load response of tarsal bones.
Easy‐Amanida: An R Shiny application for the meta‐analysis of aggregate results in clinical metabolomics using Amanida and Webchem
Authors: Llambrich Maria , Satorra Pau , Correig Eudald , Gumà Josep , Brezmes Jesús , Tebé Cristian , Cumeras Raquel
Published: March 2024

Meta‐analysis is a useful tool in clinical research, as it combines the results of multiple clinical studies to improve precision when answering a particular scientific question. While there has been a substantial increase in publications using meta‐analysis in various clinical research topics, the number of published meta‐analyses in metabolomics is significantly lower compared to other omics disciplines. Metabolomics is the study of small chemical compounds in living organisms, which provides important insights into an organism's phenotype. However, the wide variety of compounds and the different experimental methods used in metabolomics make it challenging to perform a thorough meta‐analysis. Additionally, there is a lack of consensus on reporting statistical estimates, and the high number of compound naming synonyms further complicates the process. Easy‐Amanida is a new tool that combines two R packages, “amanida” and “webchem”, to enable meta‐analysis of aggregate statistical data, like p‐value and fold‐change, while ensuring the compounds naming harmonization. The Easy‐Amanida app is implemented in Shiny, an R package add‐on for interactive web apps, and provides a workflow to optimize the naming combination. This article describes all the steps to perform the meta‐analysis using Easy‐Amanida, including an illustrative example for interpreting the results. The use of aggregate statistics metrics extends the use of Easy‐Amanida beyond the metabolomics field.
A case of transdisciplinarity and collaborative decision making: the co‐construction of Gendered Food Product Profiles
Authors: Forsythe Lora , Olaosebikan Olamide , Teeken Béla , Ngoh Newilah Gérard , Mayanja Sarah , Nanyonjo Ann Ritah , Iragaba Paula , Okoye Benjamin , Marimo Pricilla , Kenneth Akankwasa , Adinsi Laurent , Kendine Vepowo Cedric , Sounkoura Adetonah , Tinyiro Samuel Edgar , Bouniol Alexandre , Dufour Dominique , Akissoé Noel , Madu Tessy
Published: March 2024

Crop breeding in sub‐Saharan Africa has made considerable gains; however, postharvest and food‐related preferences have been overlooked, in addition to how these preferences vary by gender, social difference and context. This context is changing as participatory approaches using intersectional gender and place‐based methods are beginning to inform how breeding programmes make decisions. This article presents an innovative methodology to inclusively and democratically prioritise food quality traits of root, tuber and banana crops based on engagement with food systems actors and transdisciplinary collaboration. The outcome of the methodology is the Gendered Food Product Profile (GFPP) – a list of prioritised food quality characteristics – to support breeders to make more socially inclusive decisions on the methods for trait characterisation to select genotypes closer to the needs of food system actors. This article reviews application of the methodology in 14 GFPPs, presents illustrative case studies and lessons learned. Key lessons are that the transdisciplinary structure and the key role of social scientists helped avoid reductionism, supported co‐learning, and the creation of GFPPs that represented the diverse interests of food system actors, particularly women, in situ. The method partially addressed power dynamics in multidisciplinary decision making; however, effectiveness was dependent on equitable team relations and supportive institutions committed to valuing plural forms of knowledge. Actions to address power asymmetries that privilege particular types of knowledge and voices in decision making are crucial in techno‐science projects, along with opportunities for co‐learning and long‐term collaboration and a transdisciplinary structure at higher level. © 2024 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Folic acid‐decorated astrocytes‐derived exosomes enhanced the effect of temozolomide against glioma
Authors: Liu Hong‐Ming , Zhang Ye
Published: March 2024

A direct strategy to achieve specific treatments and reduce side effects is through cell type‐specific drug delivery. Exosomes (Exos) can be modified with folic acid (FA) to prepare drug delivery systems targeting tumor cells that highly express FA receptors. This study aimed to produce an exo drug delivery system with FA decoration and temozolomide (TMZ) loading to improve the sustained TMZ release and targeting. We used DSPE‐PEG2000‐FA to modify exos derived from astrocyte U‐87 to prepare FA‐modified exos (Astro‐exo‐FA). TMZ was encapsulated into Astro‐exo‐FA or Astro‐exo through electroporation to produce TMZ@Astro‐exo and TMZ@Astro‐exo‐FA. In vitro drug release was examined using the dialysis bag method. Through cell experiments in vitro and mouse glioma models in vivo, the effect of TMZ@Astro‐exo‐FA on U‐87 cells was determined. Exo properties were not affected by FA modification and TMZ loading. The drug release rate of TMZ@Astro‐exo‐FA was slower. TMZ@Astro‐exo‐FA uptake by U‐87 cells was higher compared to TMZ@Astro‐exo, indicating that TMZ@Astro‐exo‐FA has a stronger targeting toward U‐87 cells. TMZ@Astro‐exo‐FA remarkably reduced U‐87 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion compared with TMZ@Astro‐exo and free TMZ. Treatment with TMZ@Astro‐exo‐FA reduced the side effects of TMZ (minimal change in body weight), prolonged survival, and inhibited tumor growth in mouse glioma models, and its efficacy was stronger than that of TMZ@Astro‐exo and free TMZ. TMZ@Astro‐exo‐FA could enhance the effect of TMZ against glioma, providing novel ideas for drug targeting delivery and exploring exos as drug carriers against glioma.
Fluorescently labeled prey surrogates in combination with fluorescence‐activated cell sorting successfully discriminate actively feeding mixotrophs in a lake water sample
Authors: Florenza Javier , Divne Anna‐Maria , Bertilsson Stefan
Published: March 2024

Mixotrophic protists are capable of acting both as primary producers and primary consumers at the base of the aquatic food web, thus constituting key organisms in ecosystems where they are abundant. However, their identity, abundance, ecological dynamics, and biogeochemical impact in aquatic ecosystems remain understudied in comparison to classically demarcated autotrophs or heterotrophs. In this study, we make use of fluorescently labeled prey and fluorescence‐activated cell sorting to taxonomically identify actively‐feeding individual mixotrophic flagellates from lake water. Replicated experiments were carried out to assess the performance of three different fluorescently labeled prey types and a fluorescent dye targeting food vacuoles. In the experiments, water from an oligotrophic lake was exposed independently to each type of reporter and cells were individually sorted based on fluorescent signals for predation and chlorophyll a. A total of 927 individual single cells were successfully recovered, with all fluorescent reporters exhibiting high sensitivity for putative mixotrophic taxa: overall, 87% of the occurrences could be assigned to dictyochophytes, 9% to chrysophytes, and 3% to dinoflagellates. As a result, we were able to detect cryptic diversity within pedinellid algae and report a Prorocentrum‐like freshwater occurrence. We argue that this procedure can be a valuable tool to uncover relevant and unexpected active mixotrophic species in a wider range of aquatic environments, and could easily be coupled to other techniques to describe the finer details of the trophic status of aquatic microbial communities.
Wideband circularly polarized antenna loaded with π‐shaped dipole for millimeter‐wave applications
Authors: Zheng Yikai , Han Ke , Jiang Zhuoxi , Yan Ze
Published: March 2024

This paper presents a novel wideband circularly polarized antenna that is fed by substrate‐integrated waveguide. Based on the design of placing a pair of chamfered semicircular patches above a slot, a ‐shaped radiator is introduced between the semicircular patches. Multiple resonance points are generated by the combination of the entire radiating structure and a dumbbell‐shaped slot, resulting in improved impedance bandwidth and axial ratio (AR) bandwidth. The proposed element exhibits a wide impedance bandwidth of 50.5% (24.5–41.1 GHz) and an AR bandwidth of 44.2% (25.1–39.3 GHz) with a 44.2% overlapped bandwidth. Then, a 4 × 4 antenna array adopting the sequential rotation technique is constructed. The measured results demonstrate that a 40.6% overlapped bandwidth and a peak gain of 19.1 dBic are achieved. The proposed antenna array shows excellent performance, making it a good candidate for applications in millimeter‐wave wireless communication systems.
Cochlear Implantation in Neurofibromatosis Type 2‐Related Schwannomatosis: Long‐Term Hearing Outcomes
Authors: Grenier Baptiste , Mosnier Isabelle , Ferrary Evelyne , Nguyen Yann , Sterkers Olivier , Kalamarides Michel , Lahlou Ghizlene , Daoudi Hannah
Published: March 2024

Objective

To evaluate long‐term hearing outcomes following cochlear implantation in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 and ipsilateral vestibular schwannoma.

Study Design

Retrospective study.

Setting

Tertiary general hospital.

Methods

Twenty‐two patients undergoing cochlear implantation between 2004 and 2018 with at least 1 year of follow‐up were included. Patients were categorized as “users” or “nonusers” of their cochlear implant (CI). For users, speech perception (disyllabic words) without lip‐reading was assessed in quiet conditions 1‐year postimplantation, and annually thereafter. CI users were classified into 2 groups on the basis of speech intelligibility (≥40% or <40%). Demographic data, treatment options, and tumor size were also recorded.

Results

One year after implantation, 16 (73%) patients used their CI daily. Twelve of these patients had a speech intelligibility ≥40% (mean: 74 ± 21.9%). Three had a Koos stage IV tumor. At the last visit (mean duration of follow‐up: 6 ± 5 years), 12 of these 16 patients were still using their implant daily, and 6 had a speech intelligibility ≥40%. No predictive factors for good performance at 1 year or performance stability were identified.

Conclusion

Neurofibromatosis type 2 is a complex disease profoundly affecting patient quality of life, and cochlear implantation should always be considered on a case‐by‐case basis. In some individuals, cochlear implantation can provide good speech intelligibility for extended periods, even posttreatment or in cases of large tumors.
Bearing strength performance: A study on the influence of AWJ drilling and delamination of GF/Al‐mesh reinforced polymer composites
Authors: Alansari A. , Seif Amr , Fathy A. , Megahed A. A.
Published: March 2024

Fiber‐reinforced composites acquire widespread use in the technologically advanced sectors on account of their lightweight and outstanding strength. Considering the significant connection between component quality and durability, bearing strength is a critical factor in the mechanically assembled parts during the manufacturing process. Therefore, in this paper, an experimental study was performed on hybrid glass fiber/aluminum‐mesh composites to assess the impact of abrasive water jet (AWJ) drilling on delamination and bearing strength. The samples were drilled, and the delamination damage was assessed. Finally, the bearing test was conducted on the sample in conformity with ASTM D5961M. The impact of stress distribution on the specimen's failure patterns was studied. Experimental outcomes reveal that the GFA specimen had a 2.9% higher average bearing strength than the AGF specimen. The drilling‐induced damage was determined to be the primary factor responsible for a 27% reduction in bearing strength. The optimization of operational parameters yields improved bearing load and lower damage. A significant level of conformity was detected by the regression accuracy and validation test results with a residual error of less than 10%.

Highlights

A comparison of two hybrid composites utilizing various layouts for damage and load bearing.

Delamination damage is a key factor in predicting the efficiency of bolted connections.

Using optimized operation parameters enhances drilling output response significantly.
Effect of temperature aging of thermoset UD prepregs on inter‐ply friction behavior and formability in prepreg compression molding process
Authors: Zhang Yu , Han Xia , Liu Rui , Li Ruiqi , Zhong Yucheng , Cao Dongfeng , Li Shuxin , Chen Hongda , Hu Haixiao
Published: March 2024

Limited material out‐life of thermoset prepregs is unavoidable attributed to the slow crosslinking reaction between molecules and curing agents. Previous studies have explored the effects of temperature aging on the final mechanical properties of composites, but have been limited by the processing mismatch in compression molding. The research primarily focuses on the effects of forming temperature and ply angle of prepreg on inter‐ply friction behavior at various aging levels. The importance of inter‐ply friction on the forming quality is further discussed through the L‐shaped specimens forming with prepreg compression molding (PCM) process. Firstly, a comprehensive influence of aging on the properties of resin including cure kinetics, gel point, glass transition temperature (Tg) and viscosity of UD prepreg are characterized and discussed. And then, the influence of factors including resin aging, forming temperature and prepreg ply orientation on the inter‐ply friction are discussed. It can be found that the aging of prepreg reduce 26.47% of inter‐ply friction resistance under room temperature, and the increase of temperature can reduce inter‐ply friction resistance by 79.31%. Finally, the effect of aging on the forming quality is researched by PCM formed L‐shaped components. Results indicated that fresh prepreg with 20°C and prepreg with an aging level of 0.4 performed at 95°C exhibited poor formability, while prepreg with aging level of 0.2 at 95°C exhibited the best forming property. In general, this study provides a basic explain and a practical suggestion to the reuse of room temperature aging thermoset prepregs in PCM process.

Highlights

A comprehensive of basic properties of aged resin were characterized, as the basic principle for inter‐ply friction behavior analysis.

The gel point and final mechanical properties of prepreg were tested, for judging the aged materials whether could be used continuously.

The inter‐ply friction behaviors of aged prepregs under various forming temperatures were investigated.

The influence of layup orientations on the inter‐ply frictional performance with various aging levels were explored.

The effect of aging and forming temperature on the PCM formability were studied and a practical suggestion to the reuse of aged thermoset prepregs in PCM process was given.
Impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the rate of lower limb amputation in Veterans
Authors: Falbo Kierra J. , Walker Nicole R. , Wacek Amber L. , Cave Juan E. , Sauerbrey Matthew D. , Gravely Amy A. , Matsumoto Mary E. , Looft John M.
Published: March 2024

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic led to changes in health care, including postponement of nonurgent appointments. These changes, combined with overall decreased activity levels, may have placed individuals with vascular disease at increased risk for skin ulceration and amputation.

Objective

To determine the rates of lower limb amputation in Veterans due to complications of diabetes and/or vascular disease in the year following onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic (March 2020–March 2021) compared to the previous 3 years (March 2017–March 2020).

Design

Retrospective chart review.

Setting

Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System.

Participants

Veterans with a vascular consult appointment note between March 1, 2017, and February 28, 2021.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Primary outcome was lower limb amputation rate in the year following onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic compared to the previous 3 years. Secondary outcome was the rate of lower limb wounds in the same time frame. We hypothesized that rates of lower limb amputation and wounds increased during the pandemic.

Results

Vascular consult appointments (n = 4183) were reviewed between March 1, 2017, and February 28, 2021. Significantly higher rates of amputation (7.52% vs. 5.19%; p = .006) and wound presence (16.77% vs. 11.66%; p < .001) were found 1 year postpandemic compared to the previous 3 years. Amputation and wound rates did not significantly increase between pairs of consecutive years prior to the pandemic but significantly increased between the year preceding the pandemic and the first year of the pandemic (amputation p = .047; wound p = .004).

Conclusions

Increased rates of amputation and wounds in Veterans following the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic are likely due to disruption of care, lifestyle changes, and other pandemic‐related factors. Awareness of COVID‐19‐related negative health effects is imperative for health care providers to ensure appropriate allocation of resources and alternate models for care delivery for amputation and preventative care as part of disaster response.
Theoretical investigation of substituted end groups in thiophene‐phenyl‐thiophene (TPT) derivatives for high efficiency organic solar cells
Authors: Sadiq Sonia , Khera Rasheed Ahmad , Tawfeek Ahmed M. , Ibrahim Mahmoud A. A. , Abbas Faheem , Ali Sajjad , Mahal Ahmed , Meitao Duan , Waqas Muhammad
Published: March 2024

The field of organic solar cells has witnessed notable advancements in the past few years, mostly due to the development of novel materials for the active layer. The current investigations reveal the potential of nine previously unexplored molecules (TP1–TP9) designed by end group modification of TPT4F molecule. These molecules were investigated at MPW1PW91/6‐31G (d, p) with DFT and TD‐DFT approach to study the various photovoltaic and geometrical parameters. The results obtained through computations indicated improvement in the investigated parameters. The terminal group modification shifted the absorption maximum towards longer wavelength in the UV‐visible region. Highly conjugated modified acceptors reduced the band gap. The lower excitation energies increased the rate of charge transfer. The designed molecules showed improved excited state lifetime in comparison to the reference. The open circuit voltage was determined using the PTB7 polymer, which exhibited a noticeable improvement, especially in TP1 (1.70 eV), TP3 (1.75 eV), TP4 (1.68 eV), TP6 (1.85 eV), and TP7 (1.75 eV) when compared with reference (1.59 eV). Moreover, charge transfer investigations of designed molecules with PTB7 complex were performed by analyzing the concentration of charge transfer over molecular orbitals, that is, HOMO to LUMO. All of the preceding investigations targeted to achieve high‐efficiency organic cells reveal that the altered molecules can be considered effective candidates to tackle future energy problems.
Understanding CYP3A4 and P‐gp mediated drug–drug interactions through PBPK modeling – Case example of pralsetinib
Authors: Bowman Christine , Dolton Michael , Ma Fang , Cheeti Sravanthi , Kuruvilla Denison , Sane Rucha , Kassir Nastya , Chen Yuan
Published: March 2024

Pralsetinib, a potent and selective inhibitor of oncogenic RET fusion and RET mutant proteins, is a substrate of the drug metabolizing enzyme CYP3A4 and a substrate of the efflux transporter P‐gp based on in vitro data. Therefore, its pharmacokinetics (PKs) may be affected by co‐administration of potent CYP3A4 inhibitors and inducers, P‐gp inhibitors, and combined CYP3A4 and P‐gp inhibitors. With the frequent overlap between CYP3A4 and P‐gp substrates/inhibitors, pralsetinib is a challenging and representative example of the need to more quantitatively characterize transporter‐enzyme interplay. A physiologically‐based PK (PBPK) model for pralsetinib was developed to understand the victim drug–drug interaction (DDI) risk for pralsetinib. The key parameters driving the magnitude of pralsetinib DDIs, the P‐gp intrinsic clearance and the fraction metabolized by CYP3A4, were determined from PBPK simulations that best captured observed DDIs from three clinical studies. Sensitivity analyses and scenario simulations were also conducted to ensure these key parameters were determined with sound mechanistic rationale based on current knowledge, including the worst‐case scenarios. The verified pralsetinib PBPK model was then applied to predict the effect of other inhibitors and inducers on the PKs of pralsetinib. This work highlights the challenges in understanding DDIs when enzyme‐transporter interplay occurs, and demonstrates an important strategy for differentiating enzyme/transporter contributions to enable PBPK predictions for untested scenarios and to inform labeling.
Crop‐ and weather‐dependent yield and wind erosion benefits from a conservation practices system
Authors: Scott Drew A. , Liebig Mark A. , Saliendra Nicanor Z. , Toledo David , DeGreef Michael , Kobilansky Chantel , Feld Justin
Published: March 2024

Wind erosion and variable weather challenge crop production in the northern Great Plains. Management that increases residue cover might mitigate wind erosion during the cash crop growing season. We evaluated horizontal sediment flux (modified Wilson and Cooke samplers) and cash crop yield across a single rotation of corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.)–spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in paired fields with contrasting management. One field included cover crops and retained spring wheat straw (aspirational), while the other excluded both conservation practices over the 3‐year rotation (business‐as‐usual). Horizontal sediment flux rapidly decreased with days after cash crop planting (increasing crop canopy), regardless of management treatment. In 2 years (2020 corn and 2022 spring wheat), there was greater horizontal sediment flux, lower cash crop grain yield, and lower cash crop aboveground biomass in the aspirational versus business‐as‐usual field. In 2021 soybean, there was lower horizontal sediment flux, greater cash crop yield, and greater cash crop aboveground biomass in the aspirational versus business‐as‐usual field. Higher yield and lower horizontal sediment flux responses corresponded with the management treatment that produced the higher cash crop aboveground biomass. Additionally, our short‐term study indicated that in drought years, cover crops worsened the adverse effects of abnormally low precipitation on yield and biomass of 2020 corn but not 2021 soybean.
Challenges in quantifying Pt concentrations in Pd alloys by using secondary ion mass spectrometry: Strong grain orientation effects
Authors: Holme Børge , Håkonsen Silje Fosse , Waller David
Published: March 2024

Palladium–platinum alloys were analysed by dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) to investigate grain orientation effects that gave differences of up to 400% in the Pt/Pd count rate ratios, even within the same grain upon small rotations of a Pd sample with 1 wt% Pt. The sample had been homogenized by annealing, and the homogeneity was confirmed by X‐ray analysis in scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Grain orientations were determined by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Crater depths were measured by white light interferometry (WLI). SEM images from the bottom of SIMS craters made in the same grain after small rotations around the sample surface normally showed different patterns of microfaceting for some rotation angles, probably exposing low‐index crystallographic planes. A complete understanding of the observed grain orientation effect is still lacking. However, factors such as ion mass, sputter rate, ion channelling, ion focusing, preferential sputtering, surface height, crater microfaceting and/or angle‐dependent sputtering seem to play a role. For these Pd–Pt alloys, the strong grain orientation effect adds another level of complexity when attempting to quantify concentrations and obtain depth profiles by SIMS. Without proper sampling and/or averaging, one could reach very wrong conclusions when comparing results from different samples.
Highly Reactive Graphene Dispersant and Its Effective Reinforcement for Phase Change Coatings
Authors: Cui Junshuo , Liu Shiyi , Li Wenkang , Wang Xiyu , Zhen Li , Xiong Ying
Published: March 2024

High efficient dispersant that meanwhile possesses additional functions is highly desirable for the fabrication of graphene‐based composite. In this paper, a new reactive dispersant, multi‐silanols grafted naphthalenediamine (MSiND), is synthesized, which shows superiority compared with conventional dispersants. It can not only stabilize graphene in water at a high concentration of up to 16 mg mL−1, but also simultaneously be applicable for ethanol medium, in which the graphene concentration can be as high as 12 mg mL−1 at the weight ratio of 1:1 (MSiND:graphene). The dispersion is compatible with multi‐matrixes and affinity to various substrates. In addition, MSiND exhibits excellent reactivity due to the existence of high‐density silanol groups. Tough graphene coatings are constructed on glass slides and non‐woven fabric simply by direct painting and dip‐coating. Moreover, with the assistance of MSiND, graphene‐doped phase‐change coatings on hydrophobic non‐woven fabric (e.g., functional mask) are prepared via the spray method. The composite coatings show enhanced mechanical strength and excellent energy storage performance, exhibiting great potential in heat preservation and thermotherapy.
In Situ Implanting ZrW2O7(OH)2(H2O)2 Nanorods into Hierarchical Functionalized Metal–Organic Framework via Solvent‐Free Approach for Upgrading Catalytic Performance
Authors: Ye Gan , Shi Guangming , Wang Hanlu , Zeng Xingye , Wu Lei , Zhou Jun , Zhang Qiuli , Wei Jinshan , Li Zhiming , Nie Long , Wang Jin
Published: March 2024

Host–guest catalyst provides new opportunities for targeted applications and the development of new strategies for preparing host–guest catalysts is highly desired. Herein, an in situ solvent‐free approach is developed for implanting ZrW2O7(OH)2(H2O)2 nanorods (ZrW‐NR) in nitro‐functionalized UiO‐66(Zr) (UiO‐66(Zr)‐NO2) with hierarchical porosity, and the encapsulation of ZrW‐NR enables the as‐prepared host–guest catalyst remarkably enhanced catalytic performance for both for oxidative desulfurization (ODS) and acetalization reactions. ZrW‐NR@UiO‐66(Zr)‐NO2 can eliminate 500 ppm sulfur within 9 min at 40 °C in ODS, and can transform 5.6 mmol benzaldehyde after 3 min at room temperature in acetalization reaction. Its turnover frequencies reach 72.3 h−1 at 40 °C for ODS which is 33.4 times higher than UiO‐66(Zr)‐NO2, and 28140 h−1 for acetalization which is the highest among previous reports. Density functional theory calculation result indicates that the W sites in ZrW‐NR can decompose H2O2 to WVI‐peroxo intermediates that contribute to catalytic activity for the ODS reaction. This work opens a new solvent‐free approach for preparing MOFs‐based host–guest catalysts to upgrade their redox and acid performance.
Effect of Dew Point on the Selective Oxidation and Reactive Wetting of DP980 Steel during Hot‐Dip Galvanizing
Authors: Ni Lingling , Lu Jun , Wang Shuize , Chen Jiangfeng , Han En‐Hou , Mao Xinping
Published: March 2024

The hot‐dip galvanizing behavior of an advanced high‐strength steel DP980 is investigated, focusing on selective oxidation and reactive wetting, as compared with interstitial‐free (IF) steel. The steels are annealed with varying dew points of −50, −25, and 0 °C, and then immersed in a galvannealing bath containing 0.13 wt% dissolved Al. The results show that higher concentrations of Mn and Si elements in DP980 steel result in an increase of nonwettable Mn2SiO4/MnSiO3. The increase in dew point does not promote the internal oxidation of alloying elements in DP980 as in IF steel, and DP980 displays the lowest external oxidation at −50 °C. After galvanizing, Mn and Si oxides are observed above the inhibition layer, which is due to the oxide cracking caused by the mismatch of thermal expansion coefficient between the surface oxides and the steel, and then the oxide flaking and incorporation are caused by the interfacial infiltration through cracks and the formation of intermetallic crystals of Fe–Al and subsequent Fe–Zn. Therefore, IF steel maintains good wetting in the presence of external oxides, while DP980 steel exhibits more external film oxides and poor coating quality at high dew points.
Zusammenfassung
Authors: Hauswald Rico
Published: March 2024

Ich habe den Begriff einer epistemischen Autorität über den der epistemischen Superiorität bestimmt. Epistemische Superiorität eines Subjekts gegenüber einer anderen Person kann es bezüglich einer Domäne D in mehreren epistemischen Dimensionen geben: etwa im Hinblick auf die Kenntnis zu D gehörender propositionaler Wahrheiten oder im Hinblick auf das Verstehen von D. Wenn ein Subjekt Bedarf an epistemischen Gütern hat, die eine Autorität besitzt, dann hat es unterschiedliche Herausforderungen zu bewältigen.
Die Identifikation pluraler epistemischer Autoritäten
Authors: Hauswald Rico
Published: March 2024

Im vorigen Kapitel haben wir uns mit der Frage auseinandergesetzt, welche Faktoren dafür verantwortlich sind, dass eine Pluralität einen zuverlässigen epistemischen Output zu generieren imstande ist, während andere Pluralitäten es nicht sind. Ob diese Faktoren in einem konkreten Fall vorliegen und wirksam sind, ist aber nicht unbedingt offensichtlich. Ein Subjekt, das sich in seiner Überzeugungsbildung auf eine plurale epistemische Autorität stützen will, steht vor diesem Hintergrund vor der Herausforderung, einzuschätzen, wann eine Pluralität eine echte epistemische Autorität darstellt und wann nicht.
Zur Deferenz gegenüber pluralen epistemischen Autoritäten
Authors: Hauswald Rico
Published: March 2024

In den letzten Kapiteln stand das Identifikationsproblem im Mittelpunkt. In diesem Kapitel möchte ich noch auf das Deferenzproblem eingehen, d. h. die Frage, wie man sich einer pluralen epistemischen Autorität gegenüber verhalten sollte, sobald man sie – und die relevanten Wahrheitsindikatoren – identifiziert hat. Ich hatte im Zuge meiner Überlegungen zur Deferenzproblematik in Teil II zum einen gegen die Auffassung argumentiert, dass totale Deferenz gegenüber epistemischen Autoritäten immer rational geboten ist, und gezeigt, dass etwas, was ich rationale persistierende Dissense mit epistemischen Autoritäten genannt habe, möglich sind; zum anderen hatte ich mich gegen verschiedene Spielarten des Präemptionismus gewandt.
Stages of Growth Models
Authors: Coad Alex , Bornhäll Anders , Daunfeldt Sven-Olov , McKelvie Alexander
Published: March 2024

Stages of growth models are important for understanding scale-ups. One of the differences between scale-ups and HGFs is that research on HGFs does not take growth stages into account, as long as growth is fast enough. This chapter presents Steve Blank’s 4-stage model of firm growth, where scaling up is stage 3. Hence, scaling-up does not occur directly at birth, among the youngest firms, but preparation is needed before scaling up. Differences between scaling up and so-called blitz-scaling are also discussed.
Integrable coupled bosonic massive Thirring model and its nonlocal reductions
Authors: Basu-Mallick B. , Sinha Debdeep
Published: March 2024

Abstract

A coupled bosonic massive Thirring model (BMTM), involving an interaction between the two independent spinors, is introduced and shown to be integrable. By incorporating suitable reductions between the field components of the coupled BMTM, five novel integrable models with various type of nonlocal interactions are constructed. Lax pairs satisfying the zero curvature condition are obtained for the coupled BMTM and for each of the related nonlocal models. An infinite number of conserved quantities are derived for each of these models which confirms the integrability of the systems. It is shown that the coupled BMTM respects important symmetries of the original BMTM such as parity, time reversal, global U(1)-gauge and the proper Lorentz transformations. Similarly, all the nonlocal models obtained from the coupled BMTM remain invariant under combined operation of parity and time reversal transformations. However, it is found that only one of the nonlocal models is invariant under proper Lorentz transformation and two other models are invariant under global U(1)-gauge transformation. By using ultralocal Poisson bracket relations among the elements of the Lax operator, it is shown that the coupled BMTM and one of the nonlocal models are completely integrable in the Liouville sense.
Characterizing the ambiguity in topological entanglement entropy
Authors: Li Yingcheng
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Topological entanglement entropy (TEE), the sub-leading term in the entanglement entropy of topological order, is the direct evidence of the long-range entanglement. While effective in characterizing topological orders on closed manifolds, TEE is model-dependent when entanglement cuts intersect with physical gapped boundaries. In this paper, we study the origin of this model-dependence by introducing a model-independent picture of partitioning the topological orders with gapped boundaries. In our picture, the entanglement boundaries (EBs), i.e. the virtual boundaries of each subsystem induced by the entanglement cuts, are assumed to be gapped boundaries with boundary defects. At this model-independent stage, there are two choices one has to make manually in defining the bi-partition: the boundary condition on the EBs, and the coherence between certain boundary states. We show that TEE appears because of a constraint on the defect configurations on the EBs, which is choice-dependent in the cases where the EBs touch gapped boundaries. This choice-dependence is known as the ambiguity in entanglement entropy. Different models intrinsically employ different choices, rendering TEE model-dependent. For D(ℤ2) topological order, the ambiguity can be fully characterized by two parameters that respectively quantifies the EB condition and the coherence. In particular, calculations compatible with the folding trick naturally choose EB conditions that respect electric-magnetic duality and set specific parameter values.
Curves whose curvature depends on their position and null curves
Authors: Pacheco R. , Santos S. D.
Published: March 2024

We show that, apart from degeneracies, determining a plane curve whose curvature depends on its position essentially consists of determining a null curve in the Lorentzian 3-space when the null tangent direction depends on its position. We use this point of view to investigate the intrinsic equations for the n-elastic curves. We show how the problem of prescribed null tangent direction in terms of the position can be solved by quadratures when the prescription exhibits sufficient symmetries. This problem is formalized in terms of a convenient contact 3-form.
Imperative Process Algebra and Models of Parallel Computation
Authors: Middelburg Cornelis A.
Published: March 2024

Studies of issues related to computability and computational complexity involve the use of a model of computation. Central in such a model are computational processes. Processes of this kind can be described using an imperative process algebra based on ACP (Algebra of Communicating Processes). In this paper, it is investigated whether the imperative process algebra concerned can play a role in the field of models of computation. It is demonstrated that the process algebra is suitable to describe in a mathematically precise way models of computation corresponding to existing models based on sequential, asynchronous parallel, and synchronous parallel random access machines as well as time and work complexity measures for those models.