bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thermal decomposition analysis and combustion mechanism investigation of biomass‐based polyurethane
Authors: Xu Zhirong , Zhan Jing , Xu Zihui 
Published: December 2024

AbstractStarch phosphate carbamate was synthesized via a one‐pot method using phosphoric acid, urea and starch, and it was added into polyurethane (PU) to replace some polyol. The fire retardancy and thermal stability of the resulting PU system were evaluated by the results of vertical burning test (UL‐94), limiting oxygen index (LOI), cone calorimeter (CONE) test and thermogravimetric analysis. Raman spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to analyze the char layer after the CONE test, and the thermogravimetric–infrared test was used to analyze the gas products at the maximum rate of thermal decomposition. The introduction of 13.7 wt% starch phosphate carbamate (PU‐15) in PU enables the system to pass the V‐0 rating, with LOI reaching 22.8%. The peak heat release rate of PU‐15 decreased by 36.54% compared to PU, and the total heat release of PU‐15 was only 27.87 MJ m−2. Starch phosphate carbamate reduces the generation of combustible small molecules during the combustion of the system, producing a more protective char layer. Raman results indicate that starch phosphate carbamate can increase the stability of the char layer. Integrating the results from various tests, the combustion mechanism of PU with starch phosphate carbamate was explored. Starch phosphate carbamate provides a new approach for preparing high‐performance PU. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Rapid and Deep Prostate‐Specific Antigen Decline is a Prognostic Marker in Metastatic Hormone‐Sensitive Prostate Cancer: A Real‐World Multi‐Intuitional Analysis
Authors: Suzuki Kotaro , Hara Takuto , Watanabe Hiromitsu , Nakane Keita , Takahara Kiyoshi , Naiki Taku , Yasui Takahiro , Shiroki Ryoichi , Koie Takuya , Miyake Hideaki 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundProstate‐specific antigen (PSA) kinetics has been investigated as a prognostic marker in post hoc analyses of clinical trials. This study validated the prognostic value of rapid and deep PSA decline in metastatic hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) using real‐world data.MethodsIn total, 1296 patients with mHSPC were retrospectively reviewed. We assessed the prognostic value of a PSA decline to ≤ 0.2 ng/mL after 12 weeks of treatment and investigated several potential risk factors for a poor PSA response.ResultsOf 1296 patients, 714 (cohort 1: 55.1%) were treated with conventional hormonal therapy, while 582 (cohort 2: 44.9%) received androgen signaling inhibitors. There were significant differences in progression‐free survival and overall survival between patients with PSA decline to ≤ 0.2 ng/mL by 12 weeks of treatment and others (p < 0.001 for each). In addition, patients with an initial PSA ≥ 200 ng/mL, Clinical T4 and Grade Group 5 were less likely to achieve PSA decline to ≤ 0.2 ng/mL by 12 weeks of treatment, with odds ratios of 0.31 (p < 0.001), 0.67 (p = 0.039) and 0.70 (p = 0.043), respectively.ConclusionOur findings suggested that PSA decline to ≤ 0.2 ng/mL by 12 weeks of treatment may be a useful prognostic biomarker for mHSPC in the real‐world setting. The prognostic value of this should be further investigated in a prospective cohort, and identification of an optimal cutoff value is necessary for its application in clinical trial design or clinical practice.
QSP Modeling Shows Pathological Synergism Between Insulin Resistance and Amyloid‐Beta Exposure in Upregulating VCAM1 Expression at the BBB Endothelium
Authors: Wang Zengtao , Veerareddy Vaishnavi , Tang Xiaojiao , Thompson Kevin J. , Krishnan Sunil , Kalari Krishna R. , Kandimalla Karunya K. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), characterized by insulin resistance, is closely associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Cerebrovascular dysfunction is manifested in both T2DM and AD, and is often considered as a pathological link between the two diseases. Insulin signaling regulates critical functions of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), and endothelial insulin resistance could lead to BBB dysfunction, aggravating AD pathology. However, insulin signaling is intrinsically dynamic and involves interactions among numerous molecular mediators. Hence, a mechanistic systems biology model is needed to understand how insulin regulates BBB physiology and the consequences of its impairment in T2DM and AD. In this study, we investigated the pharmacodynamic effect of insulin on the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1), a marker of cerebrovascular inflammation. Intriguingly, normal insulin concentrations selectively activated the PI3K‐AKT pathway, leading to decreased VCAM1 expression. However, exposure to supraphysiological insulin levels, which is present in insulin resistance, activated both PI3K‐AKT and MEK–ERK pathways, and increased VCAM1 expression. We developed a mathematical model that adequately described the dynamics of various insulin signaling nodes and VCAM1 expression. Further, the model was integrated with in vitro proteomics and transcriptomics data from AD patients to simulate VCAM1 expression under pathological conditions. This approach allowed us to establish a quantitative systems pharmacology framework to investigate BBB dysfunction in AD and metabolic syndrome, thereby offering opportunities to identify specific disruptions in molecular networks that will enable us to identify novel therapeutic targets.
From Agri‐Waste to Sustainable Use: A Case Study of Straw Management Reform in Northeast China
Authors: Yu Zhiwei , Li Fan , Si Wei , Zhang Weifeng 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTSustainable agri‐waste utilization is a crucial stage in transforming agricultural production into low‐carbon. Straws, as the primary agricultural waste, are not effectively reused by farmers in developing countries. Burning straws can be widely observed and it is one of the main sources of CO2 and PM2.5 emissions from the agricultural sector. Since 2013, China has reformed its agri‐waste governance to promote sustainable use of straws. However, few studies have analyzed the structural change and field operation of its agri‐waste policies, and limited evidence has been drawn on the effectiveness of these policies. The objective of our article is to investigate the reform of China's straw governance and examine the effectiveness of such reform with a specific focus on farmers in the Northeast China. We used both qualitative and quantitative approaches to investigate how China's straw governance reform was designed and implemented, and how effectiveness of such reforms in addressing the field straw‐burning issue in Northeast China. Field observation shows that the reforms were designed and implemented with two hybrid policy instruments: (a) a command‐and‐control (C&C) measures that used satellite‐based straw‐burning data to evaluate the straw‐burning monitoring performance of local governments and village committees and (b) a market‐based instruments (MBIs) that provide subsidies to the industries and cooperatives for sustainable straw use. The empirical results show that reform significantly decreased farmers' straw burning behavior and increased their straw field returning and straw bailing for power generation.
Direct Hydroxylation of Benzene to Phenols via VOx@HZSM‐5 Catalysts
Authors: Li Guixian , Li Jinlian , Shao Tingna , Zhang Xiaohui , Tian Junying , Zhao Yu , Zhao Xinhong , Dong Peng 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe production of phenol through the direct hydroxylation of benzene has been widely adopted as a green and sustainable chemical process. However, the challenging stabilization of benzene rings and deep oxidation of phenol in this system have always posed significant research obstacles. At the same time, the conventional catalyst, which involves the loading of vanadium metal on a carrier, suffers from the issue of catalyst activity center loss. Therefore, the strategy of encapsulating vanadium nanoparticles into HZSM‐5 zeolite was adopted to prepare the VOx@HZSM‐5 catalyst. This approach takes advantage of the rigid and stable structure of the zeolite crystal, as well as the electrostatic interaction between the added cationic polymer and the anionic vanadium metal, to successfully introduce vanadium nanoparticles into the zeolite crystal. Additionally, the catalyst was successfully synthesized using the low‐flow steam assisted method, resulting in a benzene conversion rate of 38.7% and a phenol selectivity of 99.8%.
An Adhesive Composite Material from Magnetite and a Methacrylate Copolymer with Epoxy and PEG Side Groups
Authors: Görür Mesut , Özel Şahin , Olgun Asim , Tiritoğlu Mehmet 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThis article reports the synthesis, characterization, and adhesive application of poly(GMA‐co‐mPEGMA) copolymers with different monomer feed ratios. 4,4′‐Methylenedianiline (MDA) was used as the hardener. The effects of the presence of mPEG side units in the epoxy copolymer and magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles on the mechanical properties of single‐lap steel joints were investigated in detail. The presence and the percent ratio of oxygen‐rich mPEG side groups in the copolymers promoted the shear Young's moduli and the ultimate strength of their cured counterparts to some extent. On the other hand, the higher ratios of mPEGMA monomer residues compromised the crosslinking density of the cured polymeric networks and, therefore, their shear moduli values. Besides, the ductility of the crosslinked polymers was greatly enhanced with the increasing ratio of mPEGMA in their structures. The optimum ratio of magnetite nanoparticles was found to be 2% (out of the mass of organic solid material). The presence of magnetite nanoparticles markedly increased both the ultimate shear strength and the displacement values of the cured polymers. Besides, they exhibited strain‐induced hardening due to the formation of more ordered structures during the plastic deformation process.
Research Progress in the Preparation and Application of BiOBr‐Based Z‐scheme Heterojunction Composite Photocatalysts
Authors: Chen Shaohua , Zhang Jinhua , Hu Qiangfei , Liu Hui , Chen Xia 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBismuth bromide oxide (BiOBr) photocatalysts suffer from the defects of low light energy utilization, low efficiency, and easy deactivation, which limit their wide applications. BiOBr‐based Z‐scheme heterojunctions have strong redox capabilities due to their unique structure that can improve the separation efficiency of photogenerated electrons and holes. This paper describes the preparation of BiOBr‐based Z‐scheme heterojunctions and analyzes the morphology and structural features of the photocatalytic materials obtained by different preparation methods. The applications of BiOBr‐based Z‐scheme heterojunction composite photocatalysts are discussed, including photocatalytic preparation of hydrogen, degradation of pollutants in wastewater, and carbon dioxide reduction, as well as the analysis of the catalyst's mechanism of action in each degradation process and the calculation of charge transfer paths of the relevant materials by DFT. The results show that the photocatalytic activity of such photocatalyst materials can be improved by constructing BiOBr‐based Z‐scheme heterojunctions to increase the photocarrier separation efficiency and transport capacity. But the photocatalytic mechanism, such as the separation efficiency of interfacial carriers and the transport pathways, needs to be further explored.
Organometallic Photocatalyst‐Promoted Synthesis and Modification of Carbohydrates under Photoirradiation
Authors: Wang Jing , Zhou Fan , Xu Yuping , Zhang Lei 
Published: December 2024

AbstractCarbohydrates are natural, renewable, chemical compounds that play crucial roles in biological systems. Thus, efficient and stereoselective glycosylation is an urgent task for the preparation of pure and structurally well‐defined carbohydrates. Photoredox catalysis has emerged as a powerful tool in carbohydrate chemistry, providing an alternative for addressing some of the challenges of glycochemistry. Over the last few decades, Ir‐ and Ru‐based organometallic photocatalysts have attracted significant interest because of their high stability, high‐energy triplet state, strong visible‐light absorption, long luminescence lifetime, and amenability to ligand modification. This review highlights the recent progress in the organometallic photocatalyst‐promoted synthesis and modification of carbohydrates under photoirradiation, as well as the related benefits and drawbacks.
Clinical year veterinary students are concerned about calving cows and request more real‐life, practical exposure to enhance their confidence
Authors: Orr Jayne , Mihm Carmichael Monika , Kelly Rob 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBackgroundNewly qualified veterinarians are expected to attend emergencies, for example, cow calving, but their clinical exposure to these scenarios before graduation may be limited. This study aimed to investigate what affects veterinary students' confidence and attitudes regarding calving cows.MethodsPaper questionnaires were distributed to veterinary students in their third (n = 240, 2016/2017 and 2017/2018) and fourth years (n = 347, 2016/2017, 2017/2018 and 2018/2019) at one UK university to ascertain their demographic data, confidence regarding calving cows (rated on a scale from 1 to 5) and their concerns and suggestions for improving their confidence.ResultsResponses were received from 156 and 300 consenting third‐ and fourth‐year students, respectively. The mean total calving confidence score was higher in the fourth year (34.3/65) than in the third year (30.8/65, p < 0.05), and students from both years rarely rated themselves as being ‘confident’ or ‘very confident’ in 13 individual calving tasks. Having some previous experience (odds ratio [OR] 3.34), intending to work with cows (OR 3.25), being from Europe (OR 3) or North America (OR 2.72) and in the fourth year (OR 2.3) increased the odds (p < 0.01) of students having some calving confidence. Four main concerns were identified: myself, the task, the animal and the farmer. The students requested more real‐life, practical exposure to improve their confidence.LimitationsStudents were from a single UK veterinary school, and the study relied on self‐reported confidence levels.ConclusionOverall, students lacked confidence in calving cows and were concerned about many aspects of this high‐stakes clinical scenario. Veterinary faculty and extramural study providers need to collaborate to develop students' confidence in this area before graduation.
The effect of solvent, graft density, and actuators‐lubricants on the evaluation of friction and viscosity of slip additives
Authors: Catarino‐Centeno Rafael , García‐Hernández Erwin 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThis work carried out a mesoscopic scale numerical modeling of a polymeric brush system constituted of a heterogeneous mixture of two slip additives erucamide (Eru) and stearyl erucamide (sEru). The polymeric brushes are grafted onto two parallel plates moving under a stationary laminar Couette‐type flow in non‐equilibrium conditions, to evaluate the coefficient of friction (Cof) and the viscosity system. The Cof and viscosity were obtained as a function of the graft concentration, solvent and brush composition, and the fixed number of Eru actuators‐lubricants. It was found that the 2:1 ratio (Eru:sEru) seems to be the most effective in reducing the Cof in all cases, but specifically for the 80%‐air/20%‐humidity solvent composition, the Cof reaches a value of 0.33 keeping the number of Eru actuators‐lubricants fixed at 400. Under the same conditions, viscosity reduction is favored at higher graft concentrations, reaching values of 0.8 and 0.7 respectively. The results indicate that by increasing the amount of Eru actuators‐lubricants, the Cof decreases significantly with a higher concentration of grafts. This could be crucial to optimizing friction properties, impacting various applications such as the plastics and packaging industry, agricultural film production, lubricant, and textile coatings, where these slip additives are commonly used.Highlights
Solvent composition influences the optimization of the Cof and viscosity.
Eru actuators‐lubricants act as lubricating rollers in the solvent.
The mixture of the brushes reduces the Cof between the surfaces.
The molecular mechanism of slip additives is predicted at a mesoscopic scale.
Accelerating Cognitive Economics: Why Now, and How?
Authors: Caplin Andrew 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThis chapter proposes development of an Accelerator for Cognitive Economics to speed to lower these barriers. It invites readers to join in and to speed development of cognitive economics. It invites readers to complete a survey to indicate areas of particular interest. It also invites participation in a series of meet-ups, both virtual and personal. This includes meetings of interdisciplinary teams of researchers with grant officers, policy makers, business leaders, community leaders, and other interested parties.
Work Skills for the Cognitive Economy
Authors: Caplin Andrew 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThis chapter introduces research on how the rise of AI will impact wages as the cognitive revolution unfolds. It sketches recent research suggesting that AI helps those of lower skill to close the productivity and earnings gap with those of higher skill. It introduces new results suggesting that to so benefit requires those of lower skill to have beliefs that are well-calibrated to reality. It outlines the importance of long-run career skills, such as the ability to search effectively for new jobs. It also outlines research showing that one can impact students’ choice of education and career by transmitting more accurate information.
Frank Oates and King Lobengula
Authors: Prior Christopher , Higgins Joseph 
Published: December 2024

AbstractWe focus on how Frank Oates and King Lobengula of the Ndebele experienced one another and how this impacted the nature and understandings of their resulting encounters. Oates’ sense that he had developed an effective, transactional relationship with Lobengula instilled confidence that his journey could be transacted without major difficulty. Furthermore, Oates’ sense that the king’s word was absolute obviated the traveller’s need to seek to understand the broader Ndebele polity. In Oates’ mind, Lobengula provided the traveller with a mental shortcut to the way he could successfully complete his journey. Conversely, Lobengula did not consider this a transactional relationship but primarily as a relationship that had to be navigated with care, weighing up the balances and risks involved. Careful management saw Lobengula manage Oates’ sense of royal authority, even as the monarch was seeking to use the traveller in the development of that authority in the broader Ndebele polity. Lobengula’s interactions with Oates were also determined by Lobengula’s sense of Ndebele concerns arising from disease management and European incursions from the south.
Conclusion
Authors: Prior Christopher , Higgins Joseph 
Published: December 2024

AbstractWe pull together points from across the preceding three chapters to consider pressing matters in imperial historiography. We evaluate the complexities that lay beneath Frank Oates’ racism, as well as the roles played by contingencies and African agency, in explaining the traveller’s sense of the Ndebele and King Lobengula. We also consider the broader implications of this case study for what it tells us about late Victorian British imperialism. We finish by looking to what happened next, with the destruction of an independent Ndebele nation and the coming of empire.
Conclusion and Policy Implications
Authors: Qu Xue , Kojima Daizo , Wu Laping , Ando Mitsuyoshi 
Published: December 2024

AbstractIn the recent years, there is diminishing room to increase food supply by increasing food production due to population growth, scarcity of natural resources, and climate change (Shafiee-Jood and Cai, Environ Sci Technol 50:8432–8443, 2016). An alternative approach to increasing food supply—reducing food loss and waste—has gained significant attention as it can increase food availability without investing additional resource inputs, such as land and water.
Clinical, Ethical, and Legal Considerations Raised by Self-Reported Genital Mutilation Following Voluntary Cosmetic Labiaplasty
Authors: Metaxas Tania , Earp Brian D. , Bader Dina , Ghasemi Sotoudeh , Solari Milena , Abdulcadir Jasmine 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
An increasing number of women are undergoing female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS). Labiaplasty, the most commonly performed FGCS, consists of a surgical procedure to decrease the inner labia size so that no or less tissue protrudes beyond the outer labia. Anatomically, it is similar to female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) Type 2a. Thus, what are the differences and similarities between FGCS and FGM/C? Even though FGCS is not recommended by most scientific societies, it is considered legal, contrary to FGM/C. Most women seeking FGCS have physiologic (neither diseased nor anatomically atypical) genitalia and are reassured by counseling. We recommend counseling, history taking, screening for relevant conditions, and, if surgery is pursued, medical care by a specialist. We present the cases of three patients who reported feeling genitally mutilated after having willingly undergone FGCS. This feeling led these women to seek care at an outpatient clinic that receives migrants, refugees, second-generation, or naturalized patients originating mainly from African countries having experienced FGM/C. We discuss clinical implications, health insurance coverage, legal, ethical, and social implications. Multiple unresolved issues must be carefully addressed by scientific societies, legislators, and anti-FGM/C advocates to ensure equal treatment of all individuals in relation to genital cutting or surgery. Genital modifications experienced as harmful, or that are performed without informed consent, should be studied in relationship to one another and evaluated with consistent principles, regardless of the skin color of the individuals concerned, their cultural, ethnic, or religious background, or the name given to the genital modification they underwent.
Beyond Individual Responsibilisation: How Social Relations are Mobilised in Communication About a Dementia Self-Testing App
Authors: Kapeller Alexandra 
Published: December 2024

AbstractResearch on mobile health (mHealth) applications has investigated how such technologies contribute to a responsibilisation of users/patients. This literature largely focuses on the individual responsibilities constructed by the apps and the neoliberal environments that enable the positioning of the user as responsible. With this focus, this scholarship is less attentive to the role of social relations in responsibilisation. In this article, I demonstrate how relational responsibilities are constructed in the communication of a North American self-testing app for “early changes in cognition”. Through an analysis of qualitative expert interviews and images on the app’s web presence, I show how social relations are, in fact, mobilised in the construction of the responsibilities to support the user in the test situation, to take the test for the sake of others, and to make others take the test. Based on this analysis, I argue that the role of social relations should receive more attention in the literature on responsibilisation, because they lead to additional, sometimes gendered responsibilities that a focus on individual responsibilities would miss.