bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beyond the “Point of No Return”
Authors: Hommels Anique , Egyedi Tineke M.
Published: September 2012

This paper analyzes the role of ‘irreversibility’ in the decision-making process for a standard for the national Dutch emergency communication network. In the late 1980s, ETSI, the European Telecommunication Standards Institute, started the development of the so-called Tetra standard. Tetra is a standard for digital radio communication and is mostly applied in emergency communication (for police, ambulance, and fire brigade). In the early 1990s, several European governments decided to replace their analogue radio equipment for emergency communication by advanced digital communication systems. The Dutch involvement in Tetra started around 1992, but it took until November 2001 before the official governmental decision to launch the national C2000 network was taken. This paper argues that at that moment the ‘point of no return’ of the C2000 project had already passed (in the mid 1990s). We explain this using the concept of ‘constructed irreversibility’. We analyze a number of core decisions and choices of the Dutch government in the C2000 project that resulted in irreversibility. We conclude by discussing the disadvantages and the advantages of irreversibility in this innovation project.
Community-Driven Specifications
Authors: Wilson Scott
Published: September 2012

This paper explores the issues and opportunities for specifications that develop outside of the traditional governance processes of industry consortia or formal standards organisations through a discussion and comparison of three specifications developed in the education sector: XCRI (eXchanging Course-Related Information), SWORD (Simple Web service Offering Repository Deposit), and LEAP2.0 (Learner Portfolios 2.0). In each case study, there are challenges, opportunities, and accomplishments, and the experiences of each project are compared to identify commonalities and differences. Based on these case studies, the paper applies the framework developed by Wilson and Velayutham (2009) to position the specifications against similar specifications from established consortia and formal standards. Finally, the topic of incubating specifications is discussed, with implications for funding agencies with an interest in supporting interoperability.
An Integrated Approach for the Enforcement of Contextual Permissions and Pre-Obligations
Authors: Elrakaiby Yehia , Cuppens Frédéric , Cuppens-Boulahia Nora
Published: September 2012

Pre-obligations denote actions that may be required before access is granted. The successful fulfillment of pre-obligations leads to the authorization of the requested access. Pre-obligations enable a more flexible enforcement of authorization policies. This paper formalizes interactions between the obligation and authorization policy states when pre-obligations are supported and investigates their use in a practical scenario. The main advantage of the presented approach is that it gives pre-obligations both declarative semantics using predicate logic and operational semantics using Event-Condition-Action (ECA) rules. Furthermore, the presented framework enables policy designers to easily choose to evaluate any pre-obligation either (1) statically (an access request is denied if the pre-obligation has not been fulfilled); or (2) dynamically (users are given the possibility to fulfill the pre-obligation after the access request and before access is authorized).
A Proposal for Enhancing the Mobility Management in the Future 3GPP Architectures
Authors: Penhoat Joel , Guillouard Karine , Bonjour Servane , Seïté Pierrick
Published: September 2012

The management of the mobility between radio networks composed of heterogeneous radio technologies, called inter-access mobility management, provides the capability to tie together heterogeneous radio networks into an integrated network. The 3GPP architectures with well-designed inter-access mobility management capabilities are a part of the solution to cope with the growth of the mobile data traffic. This paper reviews the 3GPP architectures to highlight those with these capabilities. In order to evaluate if the mobility management is well-designed into these architectures, the authors describe the phases making up the management of the mobility and design an evaluation grid to assess the integration of these phases into the highlighted architectures. Since the assessment shows the existence of loopholes in the design of the inter-access mobility management, this paper proposes to enhance the 3GPP architectures by implementing a method called Hierarchical and Distributed Handover.
Reducing Network Overhead with Common Junction Methodology
Authors: Bhushan Shashi , Dave Mayank , Patel R.B.
Published: September 2012

In structured and unstructured Peer-to-Peer (P2P) systems, frequent joining and leaving of peer nodes causes topology mismatch between the P2P logical overlay network and the physical underlay network. This topology mismatch problem generates high volumes of redundant traffic in the network. This paper presents Common Junction Methodology (CJM) to reduce network overhead by optimize the overlay traffic at underlay level. CJM finds common junction between available paths, and traffic is only routed through the common junction and not through the conventional identified paths. CJM does not alter overlay topology and performs without affecting the search scope of the network. Simulation results show that CJM resolves the mismatch problem and significantly reduces redundant P2P traffic up to 87% in the best case for the simulated network. CJM can be implemented over structured or unstructured P2P networks, and also reduces the response time by 53% approximately for the network.
Fundamentals of Higher Order Neural Networks for Modeling and Simulation
Authors: Gupta Madan M. , Bukovsky Ivo , Homma Noriyasu , Solo Ashu M. G. , Hou Zeng-Guang
Published: September 2012

In this chapter, the authors provide fundamental principles of Higher Order Neural Units (HONUs) and Higher Order Neural Networks (HONNs) for modeling and simulation. An essential core of HONNs can be found in higher order weighted combinations or correlations between the input variables and HONU. Except for the high quality of nonlinear approximation of static HONUs, the capability of dynamic HONUs for the modeling of dynamic systems is shown and compared to conventional recurrent neural networks when a practical learning algorithm is used. In addition, the potential of continuous dynamic HONUs to approximate high dynamic order systems is discussed, as adaptable time delays can be implemented. By using some typical examples, this chapter describes how and why higher order combinations or correlations can be effective for modeling of systems.
City Manager Compensation and Performance
Authors: Zhang Jean X.
Published: September 2012

This chapter proposes a nonlinear artificial Higher Order Neural Network (HONN) model to study the relation between manager compensation and performance in the governmental sector. Using a HONN simulator, this study analyzes city manager compensation as a function of local government performance, and compares the results with those from a linear regression model. This chapter shows that the nonlinear model generated from HONN has a smaller Root Mean Squared Error (Root MSE) of 0.0020 as compared to 0.06598 from a linear regression model. This study shows that artificial HONN is an effective tool in modeling city manager compensation.
STEM Learning Communities
Authors: Kelley Bernadette , McClelland Lisa
Published: September 2012

This chapter presents a case study involving the fictional Coastal University’s move to the next level of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) student achievement by applying a holistic approach to educating the STEM student using a learning community. Learning communities are designed to improve retention rates, increase student learning and achievement, increase faculty engagement, and lessen the feelings of isolation some students feel on large campuses. This case discusses the various components that were utilized to enhance the learning community including cluster courses, seminars, branch activities, academic progress assessments, and meetings. The challenges with the implementation of the learning community and the engagement in interdisciplinary activities will be discussed as will recommendations for the future.
Using Second Life to Support Student Teachers’ Socio-Reflective Practice
Authors: Burgess Melissa
Published: September 2012

Two congruent, yet converging phenomena are taking place in teacher preparation programs. The first centers on the integration and use of social technologies in collaborative learning, and the second focuses on the shifting of student-teacher reflective practices from private activities to interactive and social practices. The catalytic nature of social technologies provides opportunities to explore relationships between discourse and interactivity. Our global society pleads for educational institutions to prepare teachers who can navigate between cultures, deal with uncertainty, and share and question real-life issues toward structured dialogues, which, in turn, will elicit critical reflection. This mixed-methods analysis fuses social technology use with the Multi User Virtual Environment (MUVE), Second Life, with the social practice of reflection among student teachers during their field experience placements.
Energizing Interdisciplinarity
Authors: Keith Bruce
Published: September 2012

The U.S. military is the largest single consumer of energy in the United States. Global attention to the management of energy resources will require the Department of Defense (DoD) to address its energy consumption. Prompted by a DoD directive on environmental sustainability, this chapter provides a case study on West Point’s potential to assist the Army with the problem of energy consumption through its participation in the DoD’s Net Zero Energy initiative. To be successful, West Point must transform its largely compartmentalized curriculum into one with interdisciplinary potential. Although its mission—to develop commissioned leaders of character for the Army—has changed very little during the past two centuries, its approach to leader development has shifted from a pedagogical orientation on attrition to development. This pedagogical model, when coupled with the energy initiative, is positioned to transform undergraduate education at West Point with an enhanced sense of urgency and action.
Development of Interdisciplinary Problem-Solving Strategies through Games and Computer Simulations
Authors: Cabo Candido , Lansiquot Reneta D.
Published: September 2012

The purpose of this chapter is to provide two case studies examining how games and computer simulations can be used to link different disciplines in the setting of a college education for underrepresented, urban undergraduate students. The first case study illustrates how researchers from different disciplines collaborate to advance our understanding of the physiology of normal and diseased hearts. Computer simulations provide a link between an understanding of biological systems at different scale levels, from molecules to organs, making it possible to create a superior systemic (non-reductionist) representation. Problems in science and engineering require interdisciplinary thinking, so it is crucial that the next generation of researchers/professionals develop an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving. The second case study shows how computer games can be used to develop programming problem-solving and narrative skills by linking English composition with computer programming courses.
Information Hiding for Audio Signals
Authors: Nishimura Akira , Kondo Kazuhiro
Published: September 2012

This chapter provides a general overview of audio data hiding. The general issues are discussed first, followed by the basic techniques used to hide data in audio signals, including bit stealing, spread spectrum methods, echo methods, and quantization index modulation. This is followed by a brief description of the recent proposals presented at the Institute of Electronics, Information, and Communication Engineers of Japan (IEICE) Multimedia Information Hiding (MIH) Technical Group Meetings.
Enhancement of Speech Quality in Telephony Communications by Steganography
Authors: Aoki Naofumi
Published: September 2012

Steganography can transmit supplementary data without changing conventional data formats. The concept of high value-added communications is drawn from this advantage of steganography. As a specific application of the concept, this chapter describes two topics about the enhancement of the speech quality in telephony communications by steganography. A packet loss concealment technique and a band extension technique are explained. These techniques employ steganography for transmitting side information for improving the performance of signal processing. In addition, this chapter describes an efficient steganography technique devised for G.711, the most common codec for telephony speech standardized by ITU-T. The proposed technique, named selective LSB replacement technique, outperforms the conventional one in order to decrease the degradation caused by embedding side information into speech data by steganography.
The Selection and Deployment of System in Gulf Private School
Authors: Fayez Ahmad
Published: September 2012

The high academic posture of Gulf Private School (GPS) and its outstanding students’ performance in the gulf region is a translation of its vision to be the leading school in the region. Technology applications were always viewed by GPS as tools to leverage change and drive continuous improvement, and thus, the utilization of Information Technology applications was weaved into GPS strategy to maintain its high ranking among private schools in terms of the delivery of quality education and the provision of distinguished services to students and parents. This positive attitude to new technologies explains why GPS is always on the lookout for the latest advancements in educational technology aids and tools to support its functions and processes. This case reflects on the ups and downs associated with GPS decision to implement an ERP system with a promise for major business gains that can help GPS to reinstate its position in the leaders’ quadrant.
A biomarker record of Lake El'gygytgyn, far east Russian Arctic: investigating sources of organic matter and carbon cycling during marine isotope stages 1–3
Authors: Holland A. R. , Petsch S. T. , Castañeda I. S. , Wilkie K. M. , Burns S. J. , Brigham-Grette J.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Paleoenvironmental archives in Arctic regions serve as sensitive recorders of past climate change where summer temperatures hover near freezing and small climate variations may exhibit strong threshold-crossing environment responses. Lake El'gygytgyn (Far East Russian Arctic) is a high-latitude crater impact lake that contains a continuous sediment record influenced by neither glaciation nor glacial erosion since the time of impact at 3.58 Ma. Prior research on sediments collected from Lake El'gygytygyn suggest times of permanent ice cover and anoxia corresponding to global glacial intervals, during which the sediments are laminated and are characterized by the co-occurrence of high total organic carbon, microscopic magnetite grains that show etching and dissolution, and negative excursions in bulk sediment organic matter carbon isotope (δ13C) values. Here, we investigate the abundance and carbon isotopic characteristics of lipid biomarkers recovered from Lake El'gygytygn sediments spanning marine isotope stages 1–3, to identify key sources of organic matter (OM) to lake sediments, to establish which compounds and thus OM sources drive the negative δ13C excursion exhibited by bulk sediment OM, and to explore if there are molecular and isotopic signatures of anoxia in the lake during glaciation. We find that during marine isotope stages 1–3, direct evidence for water column anoxia is lacking. A ∼4‰ negative excursion in bulk sediment δ13C values during the local Last Glacial Maximum (LLGM) is accompanied by more protracted, higher magnitude negative excursions in n-alkanoic acid and n-alkanol δ13C values that begin 20 kyr in advance of the LLGM. In contrast, n-alkanes and the C30 n-alkanoic acid do not exhibit a negative δ13C excursion at this time. Our results indicate that the C24, C26 and C28 n-alkanoic acids do not derive entirely from terrestrial OM sources, while the C30 n-alkanoic acid at Lake El'gygytgyn is a robust indicator of terrestrial OM contributions. Overall, our results strongly support the presence of a nutrient-poor water column, which is mostly isolated from atmospheric carbon dioxide during glaciation at Lake El'gygytgyn.
Expression Analysis of Cytokine and Chemokine Genes during the Natural Course of Murine Experimental Autoimmune Uveoretinitis
Authors: Hashida Noriyasu , Ohguro Nobuyuki , Nishida Kohji
Published: September 2012

C57BL/6 mice were immunized with human interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein peptides to induce experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU). From the day of immunization to 30 days later, RNA was isolated daily from the mouse eyes. Dynamic changes in gene expression during the pathogenesis of EAU were analyzed by TaqMan gene expression assay that contained most chemokines/cytokines and their receptors, and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) family genes, using beta-actin as the endogenous control. Gene clusters based on their expression profiles were analyzed to determine the candidate genes for the pathogenesis of inflammation. Hierarchical cluster analysis showed gene expression during EAU development in seven clustering patterns. Hierarchical cluster analysis also identified four distinct phases in daily expression: entrance, acceleration, deceleration, and remission. Gene expression changes in the EAU active phase showed synergetic upregulation ofTh1-type genes(IFN-gammaandCXCL10/IP-10) with elevatedTh2-type genes (CCL17/TARCandIL-5). Sequential expression changes ofSTAT1,STAT6, andSTAT3genes represented the dynamic changes ofTh1, Th2, andTh17-type inflammatory genes, respectively. The expression pattern ofSTAT1was representative of many gene movements. Our results suggested that coordinated action ofTh1, Th2, andTh17genes andSTATfamily genes are involved in EAU development and resolution.
Configuration of the McKibben Muscles and Action Intention Detection for an Artificial Assistant Suit
Authors: Zhao Huailin , Wang Bei
Published: September 2012

The artificial assistant suit is a kind of assistant equipment, which is actuated by McKibben muscles and can be put on the human upper body to help the upper limbs act. It can detect the action intention of the human's upper limb automatically and output definite force complying with the intention. The configuration of the McKibben muscles is introduced in detail. How to detect the action intention by the surface electromyography signal is discussed deeply and the related experiments and their results are given.
Real-Time Obstacle Avoidance for Telerobotic Systems Based on Equipotential Surface
Authors: Li Xin , Song Aiguo , Li Huijun , Lu Wei , Mao Chen
Published: September 2012

Redundant manipulators offer a dual advantage of flexibility and dexterity and can be used in many civilian and military areas. However, operating such systems by teleoperation is challenging because of the redundancy and unstructured task environment, which result in the human operator suffering a huge burden when telemanipulator is facing the complicated obstacles. The existing methods usually use some off-line algorithms to solve the problem of obstacle avoidance. It is difficult for them to meet the requirements of real-time teleoperation in some unknown environment. This paper presents an on-line method for a telerobotic system to take advantage of redundancy to avoid obstacle, which is based on real-time sensor information. With this method, the human operator can focus attention on the end-effector operation regardless of the obstacle avoidance of other parts. The effectiveness and advantage of the method are well demonstrated by experiments.
Small Teleoperated Robot for Nuclear Radiation and Chemical Leak Detection
Authors: Qian Kui , Song Aiguo , Bao Jiatong , Zhang Huatao
Published: September 2012

In order to meet the actual requirements of nuclear radiation and chemical leak detection, and emergency response, a new small teleoperated robot for nuclear radiation and chemical detection is proposed. A small-size robot is manufactured according to technical requirements and the overall structure and control system is described. Meanwhile, based on the principles of human-robot interaction, a user-friendly human-robot interaction interface is designed to provide a good telepresence for the operator, helping the operator to perceive and judge the robot's situation to better assist in making the right decisions and in giving timely operation instructions. The experiment results show the robot system operates reliably and meets the technical requirements.
Human Gait Feature Extraction Including a Kinematic Analysis toward Robotic Power Assistance
Authors: Chacon-Murguia Mario I. , Sandoval-Rodriguez Rafael , Arias-Enriquez Omar
Published: September 2012

The present work proposes a method for human gait and kinematic analysis. Gait analysis consists of the determination of hip, knee and ankle positions through video analysis. Gait kinematic for the thigh and knee is then generated from this data. Evaluations of the gait analysis method indicate an acceptable performance of 86.66% for hip and knee position estimation, and comparable findings with other reported works for gait kinematic. A coordinate systems assignment is performed according to the DH algorithm and a direct kinematic model of the legs is obtained. The legs' angles obtained from the video analysis are applied to the kinematic model in order to revise the application of this model to robotic legs in a power assisted system.
Les contributions de la pédagogie comportementale à l’éducation spécialisée
Authors: Forget Jacques
Published: September 2012

La pédagogie comportementale est apparue au début du 20e siècle avec les travaux d’Edward Lee Thorndike, Frederick Lister Burk et Sidney Pressey. Il faudra cependant attendre l’ouvrage de B.F. Skinner, The technology of teaching, publié en 1968, pour que cette conception de l’enseignement trouve une place appréciable parmi les modèles pédagogiques disponibles dans les écoles. Combiné à l’émergence de nombreuses techniques d’analyse de tâche, d’orientation comportementale ou cognitive, l’enseignement programmé et ses variantes se sont développés de manière importante au cours des années 60 et 70. La technologie de l’instruction est alors devenue un domaine de recherche et une orientation pédagogique légitimes. Dix ans plus tard, l’arrivée d’une conception cognitive « globaliste » de l’apprentissage a rapidement dominé la pensée didactique. Quinze ans plus tard, cette orientation s’est transformée en didactique socioconstructivisme, la version pédagogique du postmodernisme qui se situe aux antipodes de la tradition empirique et du doute rationaliste en attribuant, dans sa version radicale, comme celle de von Glasersfeld (2009), la même valeur épistémologique à toutes les formes de connaissances, qu’elles soient scientifiques, intuitives ou mythiques. L’approche soutient aussi que toutes les compétences d’un enfant, qu’elles soient disciplinaires ou transversales, ne peuvent provenir que de sa propre construction subjective. Mais au-delà de ces transformations, l’enseignement programmé a masqué l’apport de nombreux travaux de recherche qui furent développés dans le contexte de l’éducation spécialisée et de projets d’intégration scolaire et qui donnèrent lieu au développement de modèles et de méthodes d’enseignement s’appuyant sur la psychologie comportementale. Le présent article vise à faire un survol de ces principaux modèles. À la fin de ce panorama, quelques expériences réalisées au Canada français au cours des 50 dernières années sont brièvement présentées.
Développement socioaffectif d’enfants immigrants de pays en développement : impact du programme ÉgALIté
Authors: Côté Dominique , Reid Luc , Guay Marie-Claude
Published: September 2012

L’objectif de cette étude est d’évaluer l’impact d’un programme de stimulation cognitive, soit le programme ÉgALIté, sur le développement socioaffectif d’enfants d’âge préscolaire, issus de familles immigrantes de pays en développement. Quarante-huit enfants provenant de ces pays, accompagnés par leurs parents, ont été assignés aléatoirement au groupe ÉgALIté ou à un groupe en liste d’attente. Les parents ont complété, avant et après le programme, un questionnaire qui mesure le développement socioaffectif des enfants d’âge préscolaire, soit le Profil socio-affectif (PSA, Dumas, Lafrenière, Capuano, & Durning, 1995). Les résultats montrent que les enfants ayant bénéficié du programme ÉgALIté diminuent leurs problèmes intériorisés et améliorent leur adaptation générale. Des mesures de maintien des acquis ont été prises quatre mois après la fin du programme. On ne relève toutefois plus de différence entre les groupes. Cependant, l’attrition élevée des participants commande la plus grande prudence dans l’interprétation de ces résultats.
Firearm Policy in the Hospital Setting—Recognizing Health Care as a “Sensitive Place”
Authors: Romero Joshua B. , Aaron Daniel G. , Saver Richard S. , Blocher Joseph
Published: June 2024

Importance

Hospitals are hot zones of the US gun injury epidemic. To shelter these facilities from the dangers of gun violence, state legislatures have enacted laws to reduce the carrying of firearms on hospital premises. However, these efforts currently face serious Second Amendment challenges in federal courts. The ongoing legal battles, which have wide-ranging implications for patient and clinician safety as well as public health generally, are setting the stage for a Supreme Court case that may decide the fate of firearm regulations in US hospitals. A permissible pathway for advancing sensible gun regulation in hospitals is urgently needed.

Observations

Since the Supreme Court established a new constitutional test for firearm laws in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v Bruen (2022), states now face unprecedentedly high barriers to enacting health-protecting legislation regarding firearms. Post-Bruen, the Supreme Court requires that laws be consistent with “this Nation’s historical tradition of firearms regulation.” This means that states hoping to enact laws barring public carry of firearms in hospitals must demonstrate that hospitals are a “sensitive place” as a historical matter (ie, analogous to a location where firearms were traditionally restricted). By reasoning from analogy, it is clear several historical comparators exist for regulating firearms in hospitals. Although the hospital (as understood today) did not exist in the 1700s, it is sufficiently analogous to asylums and schools, to name a few examples. These settings all share a common denominator with the modern-day hospital: serving vulnerable populations or individuals who may be at heightened risk of misusing firearms.

Conclusions and Relevance

The Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Second Amendment right to bear arms is threatening democratically enacted laws seeking to shelter hospitals from firearm violence. However, it is clear that hospitals and other health care settings are a sensitive place with compelling historical analogies. Policymakers’ strategic deployment of the sensitive places designation, along with its rightful judicial recognition in the hospital setting, are critical to upholding laws that protect health care facilities, patients, and professionals from firearm violence—a conclusion consistent with the US Constitution, history, medical ethics, and common sense.
Treatment of Pyoderma Gangrenosum With Vilobelimab
Authors: Himed Sonia , Tawfik Hoda , Kaffenberger Benjamin H.
Published: June 2024

This case report describes a man in his 20s with psoriasis who was receiving stable treatment with adalimumab for 3 years and was diagnosed with pyoderma gangrenosum and was referred for a 6-month history of multiple inflammatory ulcers on the right dorsal foot and ankle.
Recurrence Rate of Small Melanoma In Situ on Low-Risk Sites Excised With 5-mm Excisional Margin
Authors: Sun Cong , Lim Alvin , De’Ambrosis Brian , Yong-Gee Simon , Pool Louis , Muir James
Published: June 2024

Importance

The incidence of melanoma in situ (MIS) has increased significantly over the past decades, and traditional guidelines for treatment of MIS have been excision with a 5-mm clinical margin; however, current Australian and other guidelines now recommend 5- to 10-mm margins. This changed recommendation was largely driven by the outcomes of studies using Mohs micrographic surgery, and recent studies using Mohs micrographic surgery are advocating for even wider excisions up to 18 mm for clearance.

Objective

To assess the rate of recurrence of MIS excised with a 5-mm margin.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This case series studied all MIS lesions from a single private dermatology clinic between January 1, 2011, and November 30, 2018. The criteria for inclusion were a documented 5-mm excisional margin on operation report and more than 5 years of site-specific follow-up after wide local excision. Lesions were excluded if the excisional margin was more than 5 mm or undocumented, there was less than 5 years of follow-up, or they required more than 1 wide local excision. Data analysis was performed January 30 to February 25, 2024.

Intervention

Wide local excision with 5-mm margin.

Results

A total of 351 MISs were identified from 292 patients (mean [SD] age, 60.3 [11.8] years; 162 females [55.5%]). Superficial spreading melanoma was the most common subtype diagnosed (177 lesions [50.4%]), followed by lentigo maligna (107 lesions [30.5%]) and lentiginous MIS (67 lesions [19.1%]). The trunk was the most common location of lesions (168 lesions [47.9%]), followed by upper limb (96 lesions [27.4%]) and lower limb (59 lesions [16.8%]). Scalp was the least common location (2 lesions [0.6%]). Most of the lesions were small, with 274 lesions (78.1%) having a length less than 10 mm and 312 lesions (88.9%) having a width less than 10 mm. A total of 348 lesions (99.1%) did not have clinical recurrence after excision with a 5-mm clinical margin following then current guidelines. A total of 3 lesions (0.9%) experienced local recurrence with no metastatic spread.

Conclusions and Relevance

This case series found that excision with a 5-mm margin for MIS of smaller size (<10 mm) on low-risk body sites had a low rate of recurrence. Conservative 5-mm excisional margin is likely to be suitable for small MIS on lower-risk body sites.
Volumetric imaging of the tumor microvasculature reflects outcomes and genomic states of clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Kaneko Yuta , Masuda Tsukasa , Takamatsu Kimiharu , Mikami Shuji , Nakamura Kohei , Nishihara Hiroshi , Mizuno Ryuichi , Tanaka Nobuyuki , Oya Mototsugu
Published: June 2024

Tumor structure is heterogeneous and complex, and it is difficult to obtain complete characteristics by two‐dimensional analysis. The aim of this study was to visualize and characterize volumetric vascular information of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) tumors using whole tissue phenotyping and three‐dimensional light‐sheet microscopy. Here, we used the diagnosing immunolabeled paraffin‐embedded cleared organs pipeline for tissue clearing, immunolabeling, and three‐dimensional imaging. The spatial distributions of CD34, which targets blood vessels, and LYVE‐1, which targets lymphatic vessels, were examined by calculating three‐dimensional density, vessel length, vessel radius, and density curves, such as skewness, kurtosis, and variance of the expression. We then examined those associations with ccRCC outcomes and genetic alteration state. Formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tumor samples from 46 ccRCC patients were included in the study. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses revealed the associations between blood vessel and lymphatic vessel distributions and pathological factors such as a high nuclear grade, large tumor size, and the presence of venous invasion. Furthermore, three‐dimensional imaging parameters stratified ccRCC patients regarding survival outcomes. An analysis of genomic alterations based on volumetric vascular information parameters revealed that PI3K‐mTOR pathway mutations related to the blood vessel radius were significantly different. Collectively, we have shown that the spatial elucidation of volumetric vasculature information could be prognostic and may serve as a new biomarker for genomic alterations. High‐end tissue clearing techniques and volumetric immunohistochemistry enable three‐dimensional analysis of tumors, leading to a better understanding of the microvascular structure in the tumor space.
Borates: Solid‐State Chemistry
Authors: Huppertz Hubert , Keszler Douglas A.
Published: June 2024

This article deals with the solid‐state chemistry of borates, starting with the general bond relationships between oxygen and boron, leading to the fundamental structural borate units, whose combination opens up a rich structural family of compounds. The syntheses of these borates and also their properties are described exemplarily.
Aluminyl Anions
Authors: Coles Martyn P.
Published: June 2024

In 2018, a new class of low‐valent aluminum compound was introduced to the chemical literature. Aluminyl anions [Al
(I)
(L
2
)]
−
consist of an Al(I) center supported by a range of (predominantly chelating) dianionic ligand scaffolds, [L
2
]
2−
. The resulting negative charge is balanced by a group 1 metal cation with examples spanning all of the stable alkali metals Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs. The nature and extent of cation···anion interactions can be controlled, affording three distinct structural types classified as a contacted dimeric pair (CDP), a monomeric ion pair (MIP), or a separated ion pair (SIP). The chemistry of these systems has proven to be very diverse, primarily driven by the oxidation of the aluminum to a more stable Al(III) center. Researchers have been able to harness this thermodynamically favored process to promote a number of different reactions. This article describes the oxidative addition reactions of X–Y sigma bonds to aluminyl anions, to form the corresponding aluminate products [Al
(III)
(L
2
)(X)(Y)]
−
, containing examples of new (AlH, AlB, AlC, AlN, AlO, AlF, AlSi, and AlP) bonds. The oxidation of aluminyl anions has been expanded to access compounds with new aluminum–element multiple bonds including examples of AlCR
2
‐, AlO‐, AlS‐, AlSe‐, AlTe‐, and AlNR‐containing compounds. These terminal bonds react via [2+2] cycloaddition with unsaturated substrates to form new products, demonstrating a preference to react through formally double AlX bonds. Finally, a brief description of the application of aluminyl anions for the reductive coupling of small molecules is included. Examples involving the homocoupling of P
4
; the homologation of CO; and the dimerization of ketones, isocyanides, and diazomethane are provided. Under favorable conditions, these couplings have been recently extended to include examples of heterocoupling of substrates, demonstrating a high degree of control of product formation.
Online Social Networking
Authors: Haythornthwaite Caroline
Published: June 2024

Social networking refers to the creation and maintenance of relationships. Online, the term has become all but synonymous with the use of major social media platforms. These platforms connect known and unknown participants around the globe in great numbers. Estimates of monthly active users are in the billions for Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and WeChat; in the multimillions for X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and LinkedIn; and over 100 million for many other platforms, such as question and answer sites like Quora, or programming support sites like Stack Exchange. While these sites capture most attention, online social networking also occurs on a smaller scale through sites where membership is restricted to a named set of participants, for example in organizational networks or online learning environments. The larger platforms also contain smaller, defined internal networks, for example in Facebook groups or Reddit subreddits, which facilitate social networking on topics of shared interest.
Unravelling the Capacity Degradation Mechanism of Thick Electrodes in Lithium‐Carbon Dioxide Batteries via Visualization and Quantitative Techniques
Authors: Zhang Zhuojun , Xiao Xu , Yan Aijing , Zhang Zijun , Tan Peng
Published: June 2024

Lithium‐carbon dioxide batteries (LCBs) require a thick cathode electrode to fulfill their theoretical energy density and high areal capacity (mAh cm−2). However, understanding the design of thick porous electrodes in LCBs is challenging because of the complexity of coupled multispecies transport. Herein, a link is established between the microscopic behaviors of thick electrodes and macroscopic electrochemical performance through a spatio‐temporal resolution technique, filling the gap in knowledge on the degradation mechanism of thick electrodes. Surprisingly, the worst utilization site with the least product deposition is in the central part of the electrode rather than the traditionally presumed separator face. The secondary structure and reaction pathway of solid products exhibit a clear tendency toward spatial growth (on the electrode surface or in the interior). Combined with quantitative modeling, a critical current density shifting the dominance is found from CO2 to Li+ ions, thereby reversing the gradient of the product distribution. Finally, a hotspot map of failure mechanisms with different operating protocols is provided, serving as a guideline for the future design of thick electrodes. This work breaks the knowledge of multi‐field coupling within porous thick electrodes and can be extended to advanced Na (Li)‐CO2 (O2) battery design.
On‐Demand Peroxynitrite Overproduction Reprograms Systemic Immune Function for Augmented Sono‐Immunotherapy against Tumor
Authors: Qiu Luping , Liang Jing , Xue Liyun , Qiao Xiaohui , Xu Huning , Xiang Huijing , Chen Yu , Ding Hong
Published: June 2024

The undesirable efficacy of immunotherapy in cancer patients is associated with the inactivation of immune responses in tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment (TIME). The pivotal roles of nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite (ONOO−) in immunoregulation can augment anticancer immunotherapy. Here, ultrasound (US)‐responsive nanoparticles (NPs), denoted as Cu‐PG NPs, are elaborately constructed to achieve incremental NO release for gas therapy and controlled generation of superoxide anion (O2•−) for sonodynamic therapy (SDT), thereby leading to synergistic in situ ONOO− generation and TIME reprogramming. In vitro and in vivo experimental results collectively confirm that US‐activated Cu‐PG NPs effectively regulate immune circulation, which involves multiple steps to ameliorate compromise immunogenicity without systemic toxicity. These steps comprise the initiation of immunogenic cell death in cancer cells, induction of dendritic cells maturation, promotion of cytotoxic T lymphocytes infiltration, and polarization of macrophages toward the pro‐inflammatory M1 phenotype. Importantly, this therapeutic approach reinforces systemic immunity and elicits immune memory to inhibit the proliferation of distant tumors, particularly integration with anti‐PD‐L1 antibodies. This work proposes the synergistic gas therapy and SDT strategy for generating ONOO−, which holds enormous potential in potentiating immunotherapy sensitivity by further facilitating the coordinated remodeling of TIME.
A Sprayable Janus Hydrogel as an Effective Bioadhesive for Gastrointestinal Perforation Repair
Authors: Wang Zihan , Xu Jie , Wu Xiaoqi , Han Mingying , Peng Ruijun , Zhao Rui , Qin Maoyu , Li Ting , Yin Junfeiyang , Yu Liu , Li Yinmu , Wu Haoxu , Lin Zhuosheng , Wang Ling , Hu Yanfeng , Wu Yaobin
Published: June 2024

Advancements in hydrogel bioadhesives for sealing gastrointestinal perforations (GP) face challenges due to weak mechanical properties, causing leakage, especially on uneven wound surfaces. Herein, a Janus hydrogel is introduced featuring a two‐step cross‐linking process, designed to serve as an efficient bioadhesive using a sprayable method. This Janus hydrogel formulation is achieved by modifying a photocurable hyaluronic acid hydrogel with dopamine (DA) and phenylboronic acid (PBA) groups, enabling reversible boronate ester bonds. These dynamic cross‐linking bonds facilitate shear‐thinning and self‐healing abilities, ensuring secure adhesion to complex wounds. A subsequent photocurable irreversible cross‐linking stage results in the formation of a hydrogel barrier with asymmetric adhesive properties, imparting inherent mechanical strength for postoperative anti‐adhesion. To enhance the clinical practicality of this hydrogel, an integrated sprayer device is further developed, enabling the efficient delivery of hydrogel at any angle and over long distances under minimally invasive conditions. Therefore, the HADP hydrogel, integrated with the sprayer device, successfully addressed the limitations associated with hydrogel bioadhesives in clinical applications concerning angles and terrains. This integrated approach presents a compelling solution for repairing gastrointestinal perforations in clinical settings. Moreover, it demonstrates significant potential for diverse applications in repairing complex wound surfaces.
Uniform, Fully Connected, High‐Quality Monocrystalline Freestanding Perovskite Oxide Films Fabricated from Recyclable Substrates
Authors: An Hang , Zhang Qiang , Lei Jingchao , Sun Yaxing , Zhang Yiming , Lu Di
Published: June 2024

Releasing epitaxial perovskite oxide films from their native oxide substrates produces high quality, 2D‐material‐like monocrystalline freestanding oxide membranes, as potential key components for the next‐generation electronic devices. Two major obstacles still limit their practical applications: macroscopic material defects (mainly cracks) that lowers uniformity and yield, and the high cost of the consumed oxide substrates. Here, a two‐step film transfer method and a substrate recycling method enable repetitive fabrication of millimeter‐scale, fully‐connected freestanding oxide films of various chemical compositions from the same substrates; arrays of capacitor and resistor devices based on these oxides transferred on silicon indicate high uniformity, low sample‐to‐sample variation, and satisfactory electrical connectivity. The two‐step transfer suppresses crack formation by avoiding buckling‐delamination‐type relaxation of epitaxial strain, and the key point to achieve substrate reuse is to remove the residual Al species bonded to the substrate surfaces. The mitigation of such long‐lasting issues in freestanding oxide fabrication techniques may eventually pave roads toward future industrial‐grade devices, as well as enabling many research opportunities in fundamental physics.
Doxofylline: Advancing and Empowering Equitable Asthma and COPD Management Beyond Tradition
Authors: Cazzola Mario , Page Clive P. , Calzetta Luigino , Rogliani Paola , Matera Maria Gabriella
Published: June 2024

Doxofylline, a newer methylxanthine derivative, has garnered increasing attention for its distinct pharmacological properties and therapeutic advantages over traditional agents such as theophylline. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the pharmacological characteristics and clinical efficacy of doxofylline, elucidating why it represents a significant advancement in methylxanthine therapy. Moreover, attention is given to the economic considerations surrounding its utilization, particularly in low‐ and medium‐income countries where access to healthcare resources is limited. The affordability, improved tolerability, and dosing convenience of doxofylline make it a promising candidate for addressing the substantial burden of asthma and COPD in resource‐constrained settings.
MXene Inks for High‐Throughput Printing of Electronics
Authors: Abdolhosseinzadeh Sina , Schneider René , Jafarpour Mohammad , Merlet Céline , Nüesch Frank , Zhang Chuanfang (John) , Heier Jakob
Published: June 2024

MXene inks are promising alternatives for conventional conductive inks in printing electronics. However, the formulation of MXene inks is challenging due to the physicochemical properties of the few solvents in which MXenes can be dispersed. Furthermore, conventional MXene dispersions form high‐viscosity gels at low concentrations, making their ink formulation even more difficult. Here, a novel co‐solvent‐based approach is reported for dispersing MXenes in polar organic solvents that have excellent physicochemical properties as a carrier solvent for ink formulation but are not suitable for dispersing MXenes. Water is used as a dispersing agent and the second component of the co‐solvent system. The surfactant‐like role of water in dispersing MXenes in such solvents is also confirmed using molecular dynamics simulations. Using this strategy, the sol‐gel transition is significantly upshifted, enabling the formulation of highly concentrated inks with single‐ or few‐layered large‐flake MXenes. Numerous types of electronic components such as interconnects, resistors, transparent flexible conductive electrodes, and micro‐supercapacitors are fabricated using high‐throughput coating and printing techniques such as gravure printing, showcasing the immense potential of MXene inks for room‐temperature printing of electronics.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Cascade Cyclization and Alkynylation of 2‐Alkynylphenols with Bromoalkynes
Authors: Feng Yu , Zhang Jiangjie , Ying Jun , Lv Yue , Tang Keqi , Luo Junfei
Published: June 2024

A palladium‐catalyzed cascade cyclization and alkynylation of 2‐alkynylphenols with bromoalkynes to the synthesis of 3‐alkynylbenzofuran scaffolds has been developed. A variety of 3‐alkynylbenzofuran derivatives were prepared in good yields under mild conditions. Notably, this protocol was applied to the late‐stage modification of bioactive molecule.
Highly Efficient Nitrogen Reduction to Ammonia through the Cooperation of Plasma and Porous Metal–Organic Framework Reactors with Confined Water
Authors: Guo Shoujun , Zhang Jiangwei , Fan Guilan , Shen Ao , Wang Xiaosong , Guo Yan , Ding Junfang , Han Chenhui , Gu Xiaojun , Wu Limin
Published: June 2024

While the ambient N2 reduction to ammonia (NH3) using H2O as hydrogen source (2N2+6H2O=4NH3+3O2) is known as a promising alternative to the Haber–Bosch process, the high bond energy of N≡N bond leads to the extremely low NH3 yield. Herein, we report a highly efficient catalytic system for ammonia synthesis using the low‐temperature dielectric barrier discharge plasma to activate inert N2 molecules into the excited nitrogen species, which can efficiently react with the confined and concentrated H2O molecules in porous metal–organic framework (MOF) reactors with V3+, Cr3+, Mn3+, Fe3+, Co2+, Ni2+ and Cu2+ ions. Specially, the Fe‐based catalyst MIL‐100(Fe) causes a superhigh NH3 yield of 22.4 mmol g−1 h−1. The investigation of catalytic performance and systematic characterizations of MIL‐100(Fe) during the plasma‐driven catalytic reaction unveils that the in situ generated defective Fe−O clusters are the highly active sites and NH3 molecules indeed form inside the MIL‐100(Fe) reactor. The theoretical calculation reveals that the porous MOF catalysts have different adsorption capacity for nitrogen species on different catalytic metal sites, where the optimal MIL‐100(Fe) has the lowest energy barrier for the rate‐limiting *NNH formation step, significantly enhancing efficiency of nitrogen fixation.