bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Otosclerosis and the evolution of stapes surgery: A historical and otopathological study
Authors: Rajan Dilshan , Cureoglu Sebahattin , Adams Meredith E. , Monsanto Rafael
Published: December 2024

Objective

To explore the historical evolution of surgical techniques for otosclerosis treatment, viewed through the lens of human temporal bone pathology to aid in understanding the disease and refining surgical interventions.

Data sources

A review of historical literature on otosclerosis, surgical techniques, and otopathological findings was conducted. Eight temporal bone specimens from the Paparella Otopathology & Pathogenesis Laboratory, University of Minnesota, and one from the University of California, Los Angeles, were analyzed.

Review methods

We selected two temporal bones from donors who underwent four different types of surgical procedures for otosclerosis: stapes mobilization, fenestration, stapedectomy, and stapedotomy. One successful and one complication case was selected for each procedure. Histopathological analysis was performed to assess the outcomes and complications associated with each technique.

Results

The study chronicles the progression of otosclerosis surgery from the stapes mobilization to modern stapedectomy and stapedotomy techniques. Initial procedures, like stapes mobilization and fenestration, yielded limited and temporary results with significant complications. The introduction of stapedectomy marked a significant improvement, with better long‐term outcomes. Histopathological analysis revealed insights into the causes of surgical failures and complications.

Conclusion

Otosclerosis surgery has evolved significantly, driven by advances in otopathology and surgical technology. While earlier techniques offered limited success, modern procedures like stapedectomy and stapedotomy provide improved outcomes and fewer complications. Ongoing research promises further advancements in the field, improving patient care and surgical efficacy.

Level of evidence

NA.
Dynamic B0 field shimming for improving pseudo‐continuous arterial spin labeling at 7 T
Authors: Ji Yang , Woods Joseph G. , Li Hongwei , Okell Thomas W.
Published: December 2024

Purpose

B0 field inhomogeneity within the brain‐feeding arteries is a major issue for pseudo‐continuous arterial spin labeling (PCASL) at 7 T because it reduces the labeling efficiency and leads to a loss of perfusion signal. This study aimed to develop a vessel‐specific dynamic B0 field shimming method for 7 T PCASL to improve the labeling efficiency by correcting off‐resonance within the arteries in the labeling region.

Methods

We implemented a PCASL sequence with dynamic B0 shimming at 7 T that compensates for B0 field offsets in the brain‐feeding arteries by updating linear shimming terms and adding a phase increment to the PCASL RF pulses. Rapidly acquired vessel‐specific B0 field maps were used to calculate dynamic B0 shimming parameters. We evaluated both 2D and 3D variants of our method, comparing their performance against the established global frequency offset and optimal encoding scheme‐based corrections. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) maps were quantified before and after corrections, and CBF values from different methods were compared across the whole brain, white matter, and gray matter regions.

Results

All off‐resonance correction methods significantly recovered perfusion signals across the brain. The proposed vessel‐specific dynamic B0 shimming method improved the labeling efficiency while maintaining optimal static shimming in the imaging region. Perfusion‐weighted images demonstrated the superiority of the 3D dynamic B0 shimming method compared to global or 2D‐based correction approaches. CBF analysis revealed that 3D dynamic B0 shimming significantly increased CBF values relative to the other methods.

Conclusion

Our proposed dynamic B0 shimming method offers a significant advancement in PCASL robustness and effectiveness, enabling full utilization of 7 T ASL high sensitivity and spatial resolution.
Investigation of diffusion time dependence of apparent diffusion coefficient and intravoxel incoherent motion parameters in the human kidney
Authors: Stabinska Julia , Thiel Thomas Andreas , Zöllner Helge Jörn , Benkert Thomas , Wittsack Hans‐Jörg , Ljimani Alexandra
Published: December 2024

Purpose

To characterize the diffusion time (Δeff) dependence of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and intravoxel incoherent motion–related parameters in the human kidney at 3 T.

Methods

Sixteen healthy volunteers underwent an MRI examination at 3 T including diffusion‐weighted imaging at different Δeff ranging from 24.1 to 104.1 ms. The extended mono‐exponential ADC and intravoxel incoherent motion models were fitted to the data for each Δeff and the medullary and cortical ADC, (pseudo‐)diffusion coefficients (D* and D) and flow‐related signal fraction (f) were calculated.

Results

When all the data were used for fitting, a significant trend toward higher ADC with increasing Δeff was observed between 24.1 and 104.1 ms (median and interquartile range: 2.38 [2.19, 2.47] to 2.84 [2.36, 2.90] × 10−3 mm2/s for cortex, and 2.28 [2.18, 2.37] to 2.82 [2.58, 3.11] × 10−3 mm2/s for medulla). In contrast, no significant differences in ADC were found when only the data acquired at b‐values higher than 200 s/mm2 were used for fitting. When the intravoxel incoherent motion model was applied, cortical and medullary f increased significantly (cortex: 0.21 [0.15 0.27] to 0.37 [0.32, 0.49] × 10−3 mm2/s; medulla: 0.15 [0.13 0.29] to 0.41 [0.36 0.51] × 10−3 mm2/s). No significant changes in cortical and medullary D and D* were observed as diffusion time increased.

Conclusion

Renal perfusion and tubular flow substantially contribute to the observed increase in ADC over a wide range of Δeff between 24 and 104 ms.
Comparison of Nurse Work Hours and Nursing Activities Between High‐ and Low‐Staffed General Wards: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Seong Jiyeong , Cho Sung‐Hyun , Yoon Hyo‐Jeong , Sim Won‐Hee , Kim Moon‐Sook
Published: December 2024

Aim

To compare nurse work hours and nursing activities between high‐staffed and low‐staffed general wards to examine the effects of increased staffing on nurse workload and nursing care.

Design

A secondary analysis was conducted using cross‐sectional data collected at a tertiary teaching hospital in South Korea in January 2020.

Methods

Nursing activities provided by 350 nurses were observed every 10 min during their shifts for three observation days in four high‐ and four low‐staffed wards. Nurse‐to‐patient ratios, nurse work hours, nursing activities and the composition of nursing hours (direct care, indirect care and associated work) were analysed.

Results

After excluding non‐productive personal time, nurses in the low‐staffed wards worked 9.28 h, which indicates 1.28 h of overtime work on average, while the high‐staffed wards recorded 7.90 h of productive work time. The nurse‐to‐patient ratio in the high‐staffed wards was 1:4.73, whereas that in the low‐staffed wards was 1:8.87. The proportion of direct care hours out of nurse work hours was higher in the low‐staffed wards (30.9%) than in the high‐staffed wards (25.7%). Nurses in the low‐staffed wards provided a greater number of direct care hours, and the largest difference in direct care hours between the two groups was found on night shifts. Nurses in the high‐staffed wards spent more time communicating with patients and charting, whereas nurses in the low‐staffed wards spent more time on vital signs and medications.

Conclusion

Improved staffing had positive impacts on patients and nurses. Patients benefited from better staffing through increased communication with nurses. Better staffing also reduced overtime work and activities conducted during night shifts.

Implications for the Profession and Patient Care

Adequate staffing is essential to improve patient care quality and reduce nurse workload. Nursing activities must be prioritised and redesigned to maximise the benefits of increased staffing on patient and nurse outcomes.

Reporting Method

We have adhered to the STROBE reporting guidelines.

No Patient or Public Contribution

The aim of this study was to compare nurse work hours and nursing activities between high‐staffed and low‐staffed wards.
Can Pregnancy Experience Predict Birth Experience, Postpartum Depression and Anxiety? A Prospective Descriptive Study
Authors: Moniri Monireh , Mirghafourvand Mojgan , Meedya Shahla , Ghanbari‐Homaie Solmaz
Published: December 2024

Aim

A positive pregnancy experience can be a good start for healthy motherhood. This study aimed to investigate Iranian women's pregnancy experience and how self‐reported hassles and uplifts influence birth experience, postpartum depression and anxiety, and the association between childbirth experience and postpartum mental health.

Design

A prospective descriptive study.

Methods

A prospective descriptive study was conducted among 228 pregnant women from health centres in Tabriz, Iran. From the 28th to 36th weeks of pregnancy, participants completed the Pregnancy Experience Scale. Then, the mothers were followed up until 4–6 weeks postpartum, and Childbirth Experience Questionnaires version 2.0, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression and the short form of Specific Postpartum Anxiety Scales were completed. The data were analysed using the general linear model.

Results

After adjusting for possible confounding variables, there was no statistically significant association between women's pregnancy and childbirth experiences. However, the mean scores of postpartum depression and anxiety were significantly higher in women who felt unhappy about the discomforts that they experienced during pregnancy (β [95% CI] = 0.01 [0.01–0.02]; p < 0.001, 0.22 [0.09–0.35]; p = 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

There was a significant statistical reverse association between childbirth experience and postpartum anxiety and depression. The study demonstrated a significant association between women's pregnancy, birth experiences and postpartum psychological outcomes. Implementing interventions that create a positive pregnancy experience will likely have an impact on reducing the prevalence of postpartum depression and anxiety.

Patient or Public Contribution

Pregnant women participated solely in the data collection by responding to the questionnaires. No participant contributions were required for the study's design, outcome measurement or implementation.
On the Essential Spectrum of Operator Pencils
Authors: Wilson Mitsuru , Khelif Hassen , Trunk Carseten
Published: December 2024

For a closed densely defined linear operator and a bounded linear operator on a Banach space whose essential spectrums are contained in disjoint sectors, we show that the essential spectrum of the associated operator pencil is contained in a sector of the complex plane whose boundaries are determined purely by the angles that define the two sectors, which contain the essential spectrums of and .
Artificial Intelligence‐Based Detection of Local Spots in Network Materials Prone to Mechanical Failure
Authors: Bachhav Bhagyashri , Wu Zhao , Markert Bernd , Bamer Franz
Published: December 2024

Predicting the failure of a noncrystalline solid such as silica glass is challenging due to the complex fracture phenomenon. Failure originates from particular local zones where the atomic structure is highly susceptible to local rearrangement. The local yield stress (LYS) method predicts such locations of plastic events during external deformation. Despite the precise prediction accuracy of the location of the failure initiation, the LYS method requires substantial computational resources as it evaluates each local zone separately for rearrangement and is time‐consuming. Owing to new age development in artificial neural networks, a relation can be established between the plastic events and the atomic structure. In this study, a neural network is trained to identify this relation and, hence, predict the locations of atomic rearrangements. This approach results in a heatmap indicating soft spots that highly correlate with elementary events of fracture and allows for reliable incorporation of structural identification to coarser mechanical frameworks that need local information for a physically meaningful description. The advantage of this method is that it can be trained on a specific material and can predict the local soft spots for unseen structural information without the need for multiple time‐consuming molecular simulations.
Servicesheds connect people to the landscapes upon which they depend
Authors: Zhang Yiyi , Thierry Hugo , Cornejo Lara , Parrott Lael , Poulin Monique , Sherren Kate , Van Proosdij Danika , Robinson Brian
Published: December 2024

Ecosystem services (ES) are benefits people receive from nature. To sustain these benefits, we need to spatially connect communities benefitting from specific ES with landscape features that generate the ES. A variety of process‐based models support ES assessments by estimating the biophysical supply of ES that comes from landscapes. However, less attention has been given to how ES flow from landscapes to beneficiary groups.

A ‘serviceshed’ is defined as the spatial area that provides an ecosystem service to beneficiaries at a specific location—thus connecting people to the landscapes and seascapes upon which they depend through ES flows. In this article, we propose a general framework to empirically define serviceshed boundaries. Using publicly available data, we apply this framework to two provisioning and two regulating services (1) agricultural and fishing livelihoods and (2) pollination and coastal flood control, respectively, in Canada.

We find that agricultural fields of different types and sizes contribute livelihood value to 85% of the communities in the agricultural landscape, and fishing grounds of different sizes contribute to 24% of the communities in the fishing study area. On average, communities with a lower proportion of agricultural labour are associated with larger fields, whilst larger fishing grounds were associated with communities with a greater percentage of their population in fisheries, showing how different ES can have varied relationships with beneficiary communities.

For regulating services, we find 66% of pollinator‐supplying areas are within the serviceshed of farming communities. Natural habitats and agricultural land account for 72% and 28% of this serviceshed area, respectively. Our models suggest also that 26% of saltmarshes are within the serviceshed of flood‐prone communities and most coastal communities in our study area benefit from saltmarshes, especially from those without dykes.

We demonstrate how serviceshed mapping, when integrating social and ecological information, can be useful in multiple decision contexts. Servicesheds can help planners and managers better design zoning restrictions, restoration activities to benefit communities, or subsidy programmes to replace the value of ES lost due to climate change or land use development.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Human colonic organoids for understanding early events of familial adenomatous polyposis pathogenesis
Authors: Laborde Nolwenn , Barusseaud Alexandre , Quaranta Muriel , Rolland Corinne , Arrouy Amélie , Bonnet Delphine , Kirzin Sylvain , Sola‐Tapias Nuria , Hamel Dimitri , Barange Karl , Duffas Jean‐Pierre , Gratacap Marie‐Pierre , Guillermet‐Guibert Julie , Breton Anne , Vergnolle Nathalie , Alric Laurent , Ferrand Audrey , Barreau Frédérick , Racaud‐Sultan Claire , Mas Emmanuel
Published: December 2024

Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) harbor mutations in the APC gene and will develop adenoma and early colorectal cancer. There is no validated treatment, and animal models are not sufficient to study FAP. Our aim was to investigate the early events associated with FAP using the intestinal organoid model in a single‐center study using biopsies from nonadenomatous and adenomatous colonic mucosa of FAP patients and from healthy controls (HCs). We analyzed intestinal stem cell (ISC) activity and regulation through organoid development and expression of mRNA and proteins, as well as within colonic crypts. We used several compounds to regulate the signaling pathways controlling ISCs, such as WNT, EGFR, PI3K‐AKT, TGF‐β, yes‐associated protein (YAP), and protease‐activated receptors. In addition to their high proliferative capacity, nonadenomatous and adenomatous organoids were characterized by cysts and cysts with buds, respectively, suggesting abnormal maturation. Adenomatous organoids were enriched in the stem cell marker LGR5 and dependent on EGF and TGF‐β for their growth. Downstream of EGFR, AKT, β‐catenin, and YAP were found to be activated in the adenomatous organoids. While the p110β isoform of PI3K was predominant in adenomatous organoids and essential for their growth, p110α was associated with the immature state of nonadenomatous organoids. We conclude that organoids offer a relevant model for studying FAP, and this work highlights abnormal behaviors of immature cells in both nonadenomatous and adenomatous mucosa of FAP patients, which could be targeted therapeutically. © 2024 The Author(s). The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Fetal Phenotyping and Whole Exome Sequencing for 12 Egyptian Families With Serine Biosynthesis Defect: Novel Clinical and Allelic Findings With a Founder Effect
Authors: El‐Dessouky Sara H. , Sharaf‐Eldin Wessam E. , Aboulghar Mona M. , Ebrashy Alaa , Senousy Sameh M. , Elarab Ahmed Ezz , Gaafar Hassan M. , Ateya Mohamed I. , Abdelfattah Ahmed N. , Saad Ahmed K. , Zolfokar Dalia S. , Fouad Mona M. , Abdella Rana M. , Sharaf Marwa F. , Issa Mahmoud Y. , Matsa Lova S. , Aref Haissam , Soliman Samar H. , Al‐Bellehy Muhamed A. , Abdel‐Aziz Nahla N. , ElHodiby Mohamed E. , Abdou Haitham K. , Eid Maha M. , Zaki Maha S. , Abdalla Ebtesam M.
Published: December 2024

Objective

The purpose of this study was to improve our understanding of severe serine biosynthesis defects through a comprehensive description of prenatal, and postnatal manifestations and the mutational spectrum in a new cohort of 12 unrelated Egyptian Families.

Methods

Detailed fetal ultrasound examination, postnatal assessment, and whole exome sequencing (WES) were performed in a cohort of 12 fetuses with suspected Neu–Laxova syndrome (NLS), the most severe expression of serine biosynthesis defects. Additionally, a comprehensive review of the literature was conducted by merging the data from all the molecularly‐confirmed cases with ours to gain a better understanding of the clinical variability of NLS.

Results

Novel clinical manifestations including intrauterine convulsions, hemivertebrae, natal teeth, holoprosencephaly, and rhombencephalosynapsis were observed. Molecular analysis identified 7 and 2 likely disease‐causing variants in the PSAT1 and PHGDH genes, respectively. Four of them were novel, including the c.734G>A missense variant in PSAT1, which has been proposed to be a founder variant among Egyptians.

Conclusion

The present cohort expands the spectrum of serine biosynthesis disorders. Moreover, it illuminates the role of prenatal exome sequencing in lethal conditions constituting the most severe end of already‐known human diseases.
From theory to practice: Designing a European basic income
Authors: Bollain Julen , Arcarons Jordi , Raventós Daniel , Torrens Lluís
Published: December 2024

Basic income, a periodic cash payment unconditionally delivered to all accredited residents on an individual basis, has garnered a great deal of attention in recent years driven by rising inequalities, the failure of minimum income schemes, labor market transformations, and diverse basic income pilot projects worldwide. However, the successful implementation of a basic income requires a comprehensive and sustained effort. This research contributes to this endeavor by providing an unprecedented microsimulation analysis of the economic feasibility of a European Basic Income (EBI), demonstrating that it can be financed sustainably and equitably without reducing existing tax revenues. The proposed EBI, financed through a reform of the personal income tax and the introduction of common European wealth and greenhouse gas emissions taxes, ensures the material existence of all Europeans and fosters a more egalitarian European Union through its redistributive effects.
Comparison of Prognosis and Health‐Related Quality of Life Between Robot‐Assisted Radical Prostatectomy Versus High‐Dose‐Rate Brachytherapy Combined With External Beam Radiation Therapy and Hormone Therapy for High‐Risk Prostate Cancer
Authors: Iwahashi Yuya , Wakamiya Takahito , Kawabata Hiroki , Deguchi Ryusuke , Muraoka Satoshi , Inagaki Takaya , Noda Yasutaka , Yamashita Shimpei , Kohjimoto Yasuo , Sonomura Tetsuo , Hara Isao
Published: December 2024

Background

We compare the oncological outcomes and health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in men with high‐risk prostate cancer after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) versus that after high‐dose‐rate brachytherapy + external beam radiotherapy + hormone therapy (hereafter: “HDR+”).

Methods

We included 233 men who underwent RARP and 179 men who underwent HDR+ for high‐risk prostate cancer at our hospital. We investigated the following oncologic outcomes: time to biochemical recurrence, time to development of castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), cancer‐specific survival, and overall survival. HRQOL was assessed using SF‐8 and Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment. Propensity score matching was performed to adjust the background of the two treatment groups.

Results

The HDR+ group had a significantly lower rate of biochemical recurrence than the RARP group (p ≤ 0.01). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the time to CRPC, in cancer‐specific survival, or in overall survival. The two groups had similar HRQOL, according to SF‐8. The urinary domain of EPIC was significantly worse in the RARP group at 3 and 6 months postoperatively than in the HDR+ group (p ≤ 0.01). Urinary function and urinary incontinence were significantly worse in the RARP group than in the HDR+ group at all time points postoperatively (p ≤ 0.01), while urinary irritation/obstruction was significantly worse in the HDR+ group at 12 months than in the RARP group (p ≤ 0.01). Bowel function was similar between the two groups.

Conclusions

Both RARP and HDR+ were considered to be effective treatments for patients with high‐risk prostate cancer in terms of oncological outcomes. Our RARP group had more postoperative urinary incontinence than our HDR+ group, while the HDR+ group had more frequent urination as a symptom of late genitourinary toxicity than the RARP group.
Knockout BR‐C induces premature expression of E93 thus triggering adult differentiation under larval morphology
Authors: Liu Chang , Wu Mian‐Zhi , Zheng Zi‐Jing , Fan Shu‐Ting , Tan Jin‐Fang , Jiao Yaoyu , Palli Subba Reddy , Zhu Guan‐Heng
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND

Holometabolan pupal‐specifier broad‐complex (BR‐C) and adult specifier ecdysone‐induced protein 93F (E93) are essential for metamorphosis; however, their interaction and effects on programmed cell death and cell differentiation during pupation remain unclear.

RESULTS

Here, multiple single‐guide RNA (sgRNA)‐mediated mosaic knockout of BR‐C induced a deformed larva/pupa intermediate phenotype in Spodoptera frugiperda. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis showed that the adult specifier E93 was prematurely expressed in the BR‐C mutants during the penultimate and last instar larval stages. Additionally, histological observation and TUNEL assay showed that apoptosis in the fat body and midgut was activated in the larval tissues; astonishingly, the adult midgut appeared in the pupae of BR‐C mutants.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the results demonstrated that the premature expression of E93 induced by lack of BR‐C triggers adult differentiation during the larval stages, which revealed the inhibitory effect of BR‐C on E93 during metamorphosis in S. frugiperda. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Bergapten Ameliorates Psoriatic Skin Lesions and IL‐17A‐Induced Activation of the NF‐κB Signaling Pathway via the Downregulation of CYP1B1
Authors: Zhu Shengjie , Cheng Linyan , Chen Teng , Liu Xin , Zhang Chen , Aji Abudula , Guo Wanjun , Zhu Jianyong , Chu Yuxia , Guo Dongjie , Li Fulun
Published: December 2024

Bergapten (BP) is a plant‐derived furocoumarin that has a wide range of pharmacological effects. BP serves as a candidate amplifier in phototherapy against skin inflammation, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. However, the anti‐inflammatory role of BP remains elusive. We utilized IL‐17A‐stimulated keratinocyte line and imiquimod‐challenged BALB/c mice to imitate psoriasis‐like inflammation. Inflammatory phenotypes were determined by expressions of inflammatory genes and cytokines, histopathological changes and activities of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) pathway. An RNA‐seq analysis of rodent skin was performed to explore possible mechanism lying behind. SiRNAs and antagonist (TMS) against cytochrome P450 family 1 subfamily B member 1 (CYP1B1) were subsequently used to determine the role of CYP1B1 in psoriasis pathogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of CYP1B1 with lentivirus further validate therapeutic effect of BP. BP significantly suppressed activation of the NF‐κB pathway by inhibiting p65 phosphorylation and improved the inflammatory phenotype both in vitro and in vivo. We revealed the key role of CYP1B1 in regulating the activation of the NF‐κB signaling pathway. Knock‐down with siRNAs significantly reduce the expression of inflammatory genes and cytokines. An intraperitoneal injection of TMS partially remediated IMQ‐induced inflammation, mainly in terms of skin thickness. Overexpression of Cyp1b1 led to increased expression of the CYP1B1 protein and rescued the therapeutic effect of BP in vitro. This study revealed that BP suppressed expression of Cyp1b1 in keratinocytes and inhibited the activation of NF‐κB signaling pathway by blocking the phosphorylation of p65.
Mesoporous TiO2/Celite‐Supported Hydrolysis/Decarboxylation of Benzyl Meldrum's Acid Derivatives: Application to the Synthesis of Hydrocinnamic Acid Derivatives
Authors: Suresh Muthiah , Kumari Anusueya , Prakash Preet , Singh Raj Bahadur
Published: December 2024

This study describes a method for transforming benzyl Meldrum's acid (BMA) derivatives into aryl propionic acid (hydrocinnamic acid) derivatives using TiO2 P25 or Celite surfaces under mild conditions. This selective decarboxylation and hydrolysis process is particularly effective for enolizable Meldrum's acid derivatives. A key feature of this transformation is its chemooselectivity, particularly with acetylated BMA derivatives, which yield the corresponding aryl propionic acids. The method offers several advantages, including compatibility with a wide range of structurally diverse aryl propionic acids, reliance on inexpensive materials, elimination of bases and neutralizing agents, and a simplified work‐up procedure.
Additive‐Free Sequential Thermal Evaporation of Near‐Intrinsic Pb‐Sn Perovskites
Authors: van der Poll Lara M. , van Silfhout Niels , Nespoli Jasmeen , van der Meer Maartje , Boekhoff Reinder K. , Bannenberg Lars J. , Smets Arno H.M. , Savenije Tom J.
Published: December 2024

To boost the efficiency of perovskite solar cells beyond the limit of a single‐junction cell, tandem cells are employed, requiring low bandgap materials. This is realized by partially substituting lead(II) (Pb2+) with tin(II) (Sn2+) in the perovskite structure. In this work, a scalable method is presented to produce formamidinium lead tin iodide (FAPb0.5Sn0.5I3) films by sequential thermal evaporation (sTE) of PbSnI4, which is an alloy of SnI2 and PbI2, and FAI, in vacuum. Annealing at 200 °C yields a highly oriented and crystalline layer comprising grains over 1 µm on average. Photoconductance measurements reveal carrier lifetimes exceeding 2 µs and mobilities ≈100 cm2/(Vs). Structural analysis confirms that, while interdiffusion is abundant even at room temperature, the complete conversion requires high temperatures. Although the incorporation of Cs+ into the A‐site of the perovskite increases the grain size, charge carrier dynamics are reduced. A comparison between the sTE films and spin‐coated samples of the same composition demonstrates the superior photoconductance of the sTE films, without the need for any additives. Overall, this study showcases the potential of sTE for producing high‐quality low band gap (LBG) perovskite materials.
Regulating Oxides Enhances the Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Martensitic Stainless Steel
Authors: Zhao Teng , Li Yiyang , Yin Gang , Wu Lingzhi , Sun Ruixia , Zhang Cong , Zhang Ruijie , Wang Yongwei , Khan Dil Faraz , Yin Haiqing , Qu Xuanhui
Published: December 2024

Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), a subset of additive manufacturing, is used increasingly to produce martensitic stainless steels (MSSs) for aerospace and medical devices. However, excessive oxygen content in MSS powder generally impairs the mechanical properties of parts produced via LPBF. To investigate the effect of oxides on additively manufactured MSS, this study utilizes powders with various oxygen contents and printed numerous samples under different parameters. This article systematically analyzes the source, morphology, and distribution of oxides in MSS samples and their effects on the microstructure and mechanical properties. It is found that MSS samples printed with high‐oxygen powder exhibit higher strength and hardness. The average hardness of high‐oxygen powder‐printed samples increases by 14.2 HV3 over low‐oxygen samples. Additionally, their average tensile and yield strengths of 1025.97 and 809.18 MPa show increases of 3.36% and 17.33%, respectively. This provides a reference for regulating oxides in additively manufactured MSS and potentially benefiting from them.
The Developing Brain and the Law
Authors: Schleim Stephan
Published: December 2024

In this chapter, we analyze recent legislative changes in the Netherlands, USA and Germany in which brain development played a role. In the Netherlands, the possibility of applying juvenile criminal law was extended up to and including the age of 22. The legislative initiative, which began in 2012 and came into force in 2014, drew extraordinary links between neurobiology and responsible behavior. In the USA, the maximum possible sentences for underage offenders were restricted by the Supreme Court. And in Germany, adults were allowed to grow and possess cannabis, but still with various age-related restrictions.
Testing quantum gravity with primordial gravitational waves
Authors: Calcagni Gianluca , Modesto Leonardo
Published: December 2024

Abstract

We propose a testable alternative to inflation directly built in a very general class of ultraviolet complete theories of quantum gravity enjoying Weyl invariance. After the latter is spontaneously broken, logarithmic quantum corrections to the action make both the primordial tensor spectrum (from graviton fluctuations) and the scalar spectrum (from thermal fluctuations) quasi scale invariant. We predict a scalar spectral index ns which only depends on two parameters and is consistent with observations, a tensor index nt = 1 − ns > 0, and, if the fundamental energy scale of the theory Λ* = MPl is of order of the Planck mass, a tensor-to-scalar ratio r0.05 ≈ 0.01 detectable by BICEP Array and LiteBIRD in the immediate or near future, respectively, and a blue-tilted stochastic gravitational-wave background observable by DECIGO in the further future. From the observational constraint r0.05 < 0.036, we also find the lower bound Λ* > 8.5 × 1010 GeV, much stronger than any previous one for this class of theories.
NLO friction in symmetry restoring phase transitions
Authors: Azatov Aleksandr , Barni Giulio , Petrossian-Byrne Rudin
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Interactions between bubbles/domain walls and the surrounding medium are a topic of active research, particularly as they apply to friction effects on accelerated expansion during first-order phase transitions. In this paper, we analyse for the first time friction pressure on relativistic walls in phase transitions where gauge symmetry is restored, particularly motivated by the observation that this pressure can, in principle, be negative at leading order, since some particles lose mass by definition as they cross into the new phase. We find, however, that at NLO, the soft emission of vectors from a charged current leads to positive pressure scaling as the wall’s Lorentz boost factor γw, similar to the case of gauge symmetry breaking. Contrary to the latter case, we find that the dominant contribution in single emission is safe from IR divergences and exhibits a much stronger dependence on the wall shape. Finally, we argue that in any phase transition, no multi-particle process on the wall can impart negative pressure greater than the leading order result, in the asymptotic limit of large γw.
Howe Duality and Dynamical Weyl Group
Authors: Dalipi Rea , Felder Giovanni , Gurenkova Anfisa
Published: December 2024

We give a fermionic formula for R-matrices of exterior powers of the vector representations of $$U_q(\widehat{ \mathfrak {gl}}_N)$$

U
q

(

gl
^

N

)

and relate it to the dynamical Weyl group of Tarasov–Varchenko and Etingof–Varchenko, via a Howe ($$\mathfrak {gl}_N,\mathfrak {gl}_M)$$

gl
N

,

gl
M

)

-duality. In the limit $$N\rightarrow \infty $$

N
→
∞

we obtain R-matrices for Fock spaces. As a consequence of our result we obtain a dynamical action of the Weyl group on integrable $$U_q\mathfrak {gl}_M$$

U
q

gl
M

-modules, extending the known action on zero weight spaces. In an Appendix by Anfisa Gurenkova it is shown that the latter property also holds if we replace $$\mathfrak {gl}_M$$

gl
M

by a general symmetrizable Kac–Moody algebra.
Verletzungen der BWS und LWS bei Kindern unter 16 Jahre – Versorgungsrealität im deutschsprachigen Raum: eine Registerstudie
Authors: Rüther Hauke , Alayesh Saleh , Heyde Christoph-E. , Wiersbicki Dina , Youssef Yasmin , Bolte Julia , Brecht Pia , Disch Alexander Carl , Jarvers Jan-Sven ,   Arbeitsgruppe Wirbelsäulentrauma im Kindesalter der Sektion Wirbelsäule der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie (DGOU)
Published: December 2024

Hintergrund

Wirbelsäulenverletzungen im Kindesalter stellen eine Seltenheit dar. Für den deutschsprachigen Raum gibt es wenige aussagekräftige Daten.

Fragestellungen/Ziel der Arbeit

Auswertung der Registerdaten der Deutschen Wirbelsäulengesellschaft (DWG) im Hinblick auf die Versorgungsrealität von thorakolumbalen Verletzungen im Kindesalter.

Material und Methoden

Diese retrospektive Studie wurde durch die Arbeitsgruppe Wirbelsäulentrauma im Kindesalter der Sektion Wirbelsäule der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie (DGOU) initiiert. Eingeschlossen wurden alle operierten Patienten unter 16 Jahren, die vom 01.01.2017 bis zum 31.06.2023 eingepflegt wurden. Hierbei erfolgte eine anonymisierte Auswertung der demografischen Daten im Hinblick auf Alter, Geschlecht, Verletzungshöhe, neurologische Beeinträchtigung, Klassifikation sowie durchgeführte Therapie mit intra- und postoperativen Komplikationen. Als Informationsgrundlage diente die vorgegebene Dokumentation im Wirbelsäulenregister. Bezüglich der Alterseinteilung wurde die Alterseinteilung in 3 Gruppen verwendet: I: 0 bis 6, II: 7 bis 9, III: 10 bis 16 Jahre.

Ergebnisse

Daten von 83 Kindern mit 150 Verletzungen im Bereich der BWS und LWS mit einem mittleren Alter von 11,4 (± 3,45) Jahren wurden analysiert. Es zeigten sich 78 (52%) thorakale und 72 (48%) lumbale Verletzungen. Am häufigsten traten Typ-A-Verletzungen (n = 89; 59,2%) auf. Typ-B-Verletzungen zeigten sich in 32,2% (n = 48) und traten v. a. in Gruppe III auf. Gemäß der AO Neurologic Injury Classification zeigten 18 (21%) Patienten inkomplette, 4 (4,8%) Patienten komplette Querschnittslähmungen. Zur operativen Therapie wurden verschiedene Operationsmethoden eingesetzt, am häufigsten war die dorsale Stabilisierung (n = 73; 87,9%). Die Mehrheit der Operationen verlief komplikationslos (n = 75; 90,4%).

Diskussion

Es wurden laut Registerdaten 83 Kinder mit akzeptabler Komplikationsrate operativ versorgt. Ältere Kinder und Jugendliche (Gruppe III) wiesen eine signifikant höhere Verletzungsschwere im Vergleich zu jüngeren Kindern auf. Wie bei den meisten Registeruntersuchungen lassen auch hier nur begrenzte Schlussfolgerungen über chirurgische Strategien, Indikationen und Techniken ziehen.
Hamburger Sterbefälle unter häuslicher Verwahrlosung vor und während der COVID-19-Pandemie
Authors: Laudien Caroline , Püschel Klaus , Friedrich Peter , Ondruschka Benjamin
Published: December 2024

Hintergrund

Ziel der Studie war es, demografische Informationen zu einer bislang wenig beachteten Gruppe Verstorbener zu erfassen und zu analysieren, inwiefern die COVID-19-Pandemie ihr Leben und Sterben beeinflusst hat.

Methode

Menschen, die 2019 und 2021 in Hamburg in verwahrlosten Verhältnissen zu Hause verstarben, wurden anhand der Ermittlungsakten des Landeskriminalamtes Hamburg identifiziert. Diese Fälle wurden in Bezug auf Alter, Geschlecht, Nationalität, Auffindungsumstände, Wohnsituation, Leichenzustand, Substanzabusus und ärztliche Behandlung verglichen.

Ergebnisse

Die Einschlusskriterien der Studie erfüllten 468 Verstorbene; von ihnen waren 77,1 % männlich, das Durchschnittsalter lag mit 64 Jahren deutlich unter der durchschnittlichen Lebenserwartung der deutschen Bevölkerung. Alleinlebend waren 90,6 % der Personen, 36,9 % zeigten Hinweise auf Substanzabusus, und nur 33,8 % wiesen Anzeichen medizinischer Versorgung auf.

Die COVID-19-Pandemie zeigte hier keinen wesentlichen Einfluss auf die Betroffenen, wobei Arztkontakte und damit verbundene ärztliche Behandlungen während der Pandemie seltener verzeichnet wurden.

Diskussion

Der geringe pandemiebedingte Einfluss erklärt sich durch die bereits vor den Lockdowns und Quarantänemaßnahmen vorherrschende soziale Isolation dieser Gruppe. Die Ergebnisse werfen jedoch grundlegende Fragen zu Identifikation und Erreichbarkeit dieser Gruppe sowie zu möglichen Interventionsstrategien auf. Eine enge und produktive Zusammenarbeit von sozialpsychiatrischem Dienst, Sozialbehörde, Polizei und Rechtsmedizin könnte hier von relevanter Bedeutung sein.

Fazit

Die Studie beleuchtet eine isolierte, zahlenmäßig bedeutsame Personengruppe, die unter unwürdigen Bedingungen und oft zu früh in einer deutschen Großstadt stirbt.
Neurodegeneration in the cortical sulcus is a feature of chronic traumatic encephalopathy and associated with repetitive head impacts
Authors: Nicks Raymond , Shah Arsal , Stathas Spiro Anthony , Kirsch Daniel , Horowitz Sarah M. , Saltiel Nicole , Calderazzo Samantha M. , Butler Morgane L. M. D. , Cormier Kerry A. , Aytan Nurgul , Tu-Zahra Fatima , Mathias Rebecca , Faheem Farwa , Marcus Suzie , Spurlock Elizabeth , Fishbein Lucas , Esnault Camille D. , Boden Alexandra , Rosen Grace , Xia Weiming , Daley Sarah , Meng Gaoyuan , Martin Brett R. , Daneshvar Daniel H. , Nowinski Christopher J. , Alosco Michael L. , Mez Jesse , Tripodis Yorghos , Huber Bertrand R. , Alvarez Victor E. , Cherry Jonathan D. , McKee Ann C. , Stein Thor D.
Published: December 2024

Neurodegeneration is a seminal feature of many neurological disorders. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is caused by repetitive head impacts (RHI) and is characterized by sulcal tau pathology. However, quantitative assessments of regional neurodegeneration in CTE have not been described. In this study, we quantified three key neurodegenerative measures, including cortical thickness, neuronal density, and synaptic proteins, in contact sport athletes (n = 185) and non-athlete controls (n = 52) within the sulcal depth, middle, and gyral crest of the dorsolateral frontal cortex. Cortical thickness and neuronal density were decreased within the sulcus in CTE compared to controls (p’s < 0.05). Measurements of synaptic proteins within the gyral crest showed a reduction of α-synuclein with CTE stage (p = 0.002) and variable changes in PSD-95 density. After adjusting for age, multiple linear regression models demonstrated a strong association between the duration of contact sports play and cortical thinning (p = 0.001) and neuronal loss (p = 0.032) within the sulcus. Additional regression models, adjusted for tau pathology, suggest that within the sulcus, the duration of play was associated with neuronal loss predominantly through tau pathology. In contrast, the association of duration of play with cortical thinning was minimally impacted by tau pathology. Overall, CTE is associated with cortical atrophy and a predominant sulcal neurodegeneration. Furthermore, the duration of contact sports play is associated with measures of neurodegeneration that are more severe in the cortical sulcus and may occur through tau-dependent and independent mechanisms.
Space–Time Isogeometric Analysis of NREL 5MW wind turbine rotor and tower aerodynamics
Authors: Liu Yang , Otoguro Yuto , Takizawa Kenji , Tezduyar Tayfun E.
Published: December 2024

We present the Space–Time Isogeometric Analysis (ST-IGA) of wind turbine rotor and tower aerodynamics, with the rotor geometry of the NREL 5MW offshore baseline wind turbine. The computation is with a given wind speed and a specified rotor speed. The computational challenges include accurate representation of the rotor geometry, multiscale nature of the unsteady flow, the fast, rotational relative motion between the rotor and tower, and the IGA mesh generation for the complex geometry. In addressing the computational challenges, the ST-IGA is used together with the ST Variational Multiscale (ST-VMS) method, which is a core computational method, and the ST Slip Interface (ST-SI) and Complex-Geometry IGA Mesh Generation (CGIMG) methods, which are complementary general-purpose methods. These are the methods of the ST Computational Flow Analysis in this case. The ST-discretization feature provides higher-order accuracy compared to standard discretization methods. The VMS feature addresses the computational challenges associated with the multiscale nature of the unsteady flow. The moving-mesh feature of the ST framework enables high-resolution computation near the blades. The ST-SI enables high-fidelity moving-mesh computations even over meshes made of patches with nonmatching meshes at the interfaces between those patches. The mesh covering the rotor rotates with it, and the SI between the rotating mesh and the rest of the mesh accurately connects the two sides of the solution. The ST-IGA, with IGA basis functions in space, enables more accurate representation of the rotor geometry and increased accuracy in the flow solution. With IGA basis functions in time, it enables more accurate representation of the rotor and mesh rotations. The CGIMG makes it easier in IGA mesh generation to deal with the complex geometry. The computation presented shows that the ST-IGA and the accompanying methods are successful in addressing the challenges and bringing high-fidelity computational analysis to wind turbine rotor and tower aerodynamics.
Vulnerable groups' access to agroforestry ecosystem services in north-eastern mountains in Tanzania and its implication on special needs inclusivity
Authors: Kimaro Oforo Didas , Lyamtane Eugene , Kimaro Didas Nahum , Darr Dietrich , Feger Karl-Heinz , Vancampenhout Karen
Published: December 2024

Mountainous environments are particularly vulnerable to land degradation due to steep slopes, fragile soils, increasing population, severe shortages of pastureland, and climate change. This situation results in a loss of ecosystem services (ES), which unequally affects vulnerable groups who rely on access to ES closer to their homes. This study assesses the extent to which vulnerable groups access agroforestry systems’ ES in the Northern Mountains of Tanzania. A socioeconomic survey and descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to identify individual households with vulnerabilities and analyze their attributes and access to ES. Correlation analysis was employed to determine the relationships between the different types and levels of vulnerability and access to different ES from agroforestry. The results showed that the main types of vulnerabilities identified were single-headed households, including female-headed households, widowed-headed households, and households with one or more people living with a cognitive or physical disability. The results revealed that across the studied agroforestry systems, female-headed households are facing problems in accessing food (92%), timber (86%) and energy (75%). People living with disabilities indicated that they were problematic in accessing food (90%) and energy (76%). Among the studied Agroforestry systems, female-headed households in Miraba faced more difficulties in accessing the most important ES, that is, food (60%), timber (53%), and energy (50%). Our study can be of interest to future policy interventions for vulnerable groups, including special needs inclusivity in society. Finally, we discuss the potential implications of social support and welfare programmes in the northern mountainous environments of Tanzania.
Projections of future ambient dose rates in a mountainous area in the Fukushima evacuation zone, Japan
Authors: Shozugawa Katsumi , Hori Mayumi , Johnson Thomas E. , Ishigaki Yo , Matsumoto Yoshinori
Published: December 2024

We measured ambient dose rates in a mountainous area in the evacuation zone (Namie town, Fukushima prefecture, Japan) to predict ambient dose rates several decades ahead based on collected data. The survey was conducted on a ridge in a mountainous area that had not been previously decontaminated. Future ambient dose rate projections based on observed dose rates suggest a faster dose rate decline than those based on the physical decay of radiocesium. Specifically, the projections based on observed data indicate that the Japanese decontamination threshold in the area would be reached 15 years earlier than predicted based on physical decay.
111In-hydroxyapatite nanoparticles: sorption studies
Authors: Rosskopfová Oľga , Bugriová Martina , Viglašová Eva , Hupian Marek , Galamboš Michal
Published: December 2024

This research examines the ability of hydroxyapatite to adsorb and desorb 111In under various conditions. High crystallinity hydroxyapatite showed rapid 111In sorption within just 3 min, with consistent pH levels. Adsorption remained stable over a broad pH range, and the results were well-fitted by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, with maximum capacities of 0.437 and 0.605 mmol g−1. Organic ligands maintained high sorption while competitive ions like Fe3+ and Al3+ reduced 111In sorption efficiency significantly. Oxalic acid and carbonate ions proved most effective for desorption of 111In, highlighting hydroxyapatite´s potential as a sorbent for this radioisotope.
Transition from Internal to External Oxidation in Binary Fe–Cr Alloys Around 900 °C
Authors: Chyrkin A. , Froitzheim J. , Quadakkers W. J.
Published: December 2024

The transition from external to internal oxidation of a binary Fe-10Cr alloy has been investigated in Fe/FeO Rhines pack (RP) and H2/H2O between 850 and 900 °C. Internal oxidation is facilitated by increasing temperature and presence of water vapor. A classical Wagnerian diffusion analysis predicts external oxidation for ferritic (BCC) Fe-10Cr and internal oxidation for austenitic (FCC) Fe-10Cr. The α-to-γ transformation is demonstrated to be the primary factor promoting internal oxidation in Fe–Cr around 900 °C. Water vapor is believed to promote internal oxidation due to a higher reactivity of H2O compared to O2 and higher preferential adsorption of the H2O molecule.