bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Broadband ridge waveguide to rectangular waveguide transition design in D‐band
Authors: Xu Jingsong , Yang Qian , Guo Cheng , Wang Zhen , Shi Guanghua , Zhang Anxue 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis article presents a D‐band (110–170 GHz) double ridge waveguide (WG) to standard rectangular WG transition with an E‐bend near the WG end. The transition incorporates metal ridge steps as impedance transformers, resulting in a compact total size of 3.53 mm × 1.95 mm × 1 mm. Fabricated using micro metal additive manufacturing with copper in a monolithic back‐to‐back configuration, the transition demonstrates a bandwidth of 50% (105–175 GHz) with an average insertion loss of 0.72 dB and return loss better than 15 dB, respectively. Measurement results align closely with simulation expectations, with deviations attributed to fabrication and assembly errors.
Coupled finite element analysis of the dynamics of poroelastic media considering the relative fluid acceleration
Authors: Xu Jiawei , Uzuoka Ryosuke , Ueda Kyohei 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis paper mainly discusses the dynamics of poroelastic media using the finite element analysis based on the u‐v‐p full formulation, where , , and p denote the solid displacement, relative fluid velocity with respect to solid velocity, and pore fluid pressure. It incorporates the effect of relative fluid acceleration with respect to solid acceleration on soil dynamic response. The ‐‐p formulation is first verified through the comparison with the analytical solution. After that, the response of one‐dimensional saturated soil column and two‐dimensional partially saturated soil layer subjected to vertical loading with different combinations of soil permeability and loading frequency are investigated using the analyses with the ‐‐p and ‐p formulations, based on which the effect of relative pore fluid motion is discussed and the differences in the soil response between two kinds of analysis approaches are examined. Results reveal that the rapid fluid flow has a pronounced effect on soil dynamics and the soil with a greater degree of saturation is more sensitive to the increase of loading frequency and soil permeability. The soil dynamic response can basically be divided into two main categories that represent insignificant and significant flow motion depending on loading frequency and soil permeability. Furthermore, despite vertical loading, horizontal soil response can also be affected by the large relative pore fluid flow when loading frequency and soil permeability are large. In addition, the simplified formulation can still be applicable to predict dynamics of poroelastic media in cases with high loading frequency and low soil permeability.
Effect of wettability on the void formation during liquid infusion into fibers
Authors: Turner Jared , Lippert Daniel , Seo Dongjin , Grasinger Matthew , George Andy 
Published: July 2024

AbstractLiquid composite molding (LCM) is a promising option for low‐cost manufacturing of high‐performance composites compared to traditional prepreg‐autoclave methods. Void formation may be the most significant roadblock to such adaptation of LCM. In this article, the hypothesis that higher wettability, that is, lower contact angles of liquid on solids, would lead to lower void content for LCM is tested. First, a theory that calculates the energy required to form a bubble with varying contact angles is formulated by considering interfacial energy differences of a system with and without it. To experimentally prove this hypothesis, six different carbon fiber reinforcement samples were prepared each with a different fiber surface treatment. The wettability from the surface treatments was evaluated with contact angle measurements based on capillary rise between two fiber yarns. Void formation in situ during infusion was evaluated by a series of 1D infusion experiments using the same six surface modifications. Of the six samples, the reinforcements coated with fluorinated alkane and aminosilane showed the highest wettability and lowest void content, confirming that a lower contact angle can reduce the formation of voids during the infusion process.Highlights
Higher wettability was correlated with less bubble (void) formation.
Theoretical model and LCM experimental confirmation.
Various surface modifications of carbon fibers tested.
Potential application: enhancement of properties from LCM manufactured parts.
Effect of respiratory microflorae colonization on short and long‐time outcomes of respiratory syncytial virus infection in children: A scoping review
Authors: Gan Lidan , Liu Enmei , Deng Yu 
Published: July 2024

AbstractRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an essential cause of lower respiratory tract infection in children under 2 years of age, especially under 6 months. In decades, studies have shown that the respiratory tract microflorae with RSV infection were related to disease severity and played a role in the development of recurrent wheezing, but the effect of respiratory microflorae on RSV infection are still underestimated. This study aims to conclude the effect of respiratory microflorae colonization on RSV infectious disease severity and recurrent wheezing and provide suggestions for future research directions from the perspective of respiratory tract florae. We conducted a scoping review. Studies were eligible if they reported on the effect of microflorae on RSV infectious diseases among children. We exacted the following information: title, publication time, first author's country, and article type. We finally included 33 articles in this scoping review. The number of studies rapidly increased since 2013 and the highest number of hospitalizations were reported in children <2 years. More than half (69.70%) were conducted in America and most studies are original studies (57.58%). The Review highlighted that the respiratory microflorae played an important role in RSV infectious disease severity and recurrent wheezing. We found that Streptococcus pneumoniae (S.pn), Haemophilus influenza (HI), Moraxella catarrhalis (M.ca), and Staphylococcus aureus (SA) were the dominant profiles in children with RSV infection. Understanding the respective role of respiratory microflorae on RSV infection and its mechanisms would improve prevention and treatment strategies from the perspective of microflorae.
Weathering the storm: Effect of climate change on acute stroke care and stroke rehabilitation
Authors: Jones Erica M. , Venkatachalam Aardhra M. , Ifejika Nneka L. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractClimate change has deleterious effects on stroke recovery, disproportionately affecting populations with increased stroke incidence. These effects start prior to the acute care hospitalization, precipitated by environmental etiologies and are sustained throughout the life course of stroke survivors. Health care practitioners play a critical role in identifying these concerns and mitigating their impact through effective strategies at the patient level, interventions at the community level, and advocacy at the state and federal level. As the experts on improvement in function, quality of life, and the mitigation of disability, physiatrists have the opportunity to lead efforts in this space for stroke survivors and their caregivers.
Effects of combined anodal transcranial direct current stimulation and motor control exercise on cortical topography and muscle activation in individuals with chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled study
Authors: Sornkaew Kanphajee , Thu Khin Win , Silfies Sheri P. , Klomjai Wanalee , Wattananon Peemongkon 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundAberrant movement in chronic low back pain (CLBP) is associated with a deficit in the lumbar multifidus (LM) and changes in cortical topography. Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a‐tDCS) can be used to enhance cortical excitability by priming the neuromuscular system for motor control exercise (MCE), thereby enhancing LM activation and movement control. This study aimed to determine the effects of a 6‐week MCE program combined with a‐tDCS on cortical topography, LM activation, movement patterns, and clinical outcomes in individuals with CLBP.MethodsTwenty‐two individuals with CLBP were randomly allocated to the a‐tDCS group (a‐tDCS; n = 12) or sham‐tDCS group (s‐tDCS; n = 10). Both groups received 20 min of tDCS followed by 30 min of MCE. The LM and erector spinae (ES) cortical topography, LM activation, movement control battery tests, and clinical outcomes (disability and quality of life) were measured pre‐ and post‐intervention.ResultsSignificant interaction (group × time; p < 0.01) was found in the distance between LM and ES cortical locations. The a‐tDCS group demonstrated significantly fewer discrete peaks (p < 0.05) in both ES and LM and significant improvements (p < 0.05) in clinical outcomes post‐intervention. The s‐tDCS group demonstrated a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the number of discrete peaks in the LM cortical topography. No significant changes (p > 0.05) in LM activation were observed in either group; however, both groups demonstrated improved movement patterns.DiscussionOur findings suggest that combined a‐tDCS with MCE can separate LM and ES locations over time while s‐tDCS (MCE alone) reduces the distance. Our study did not find superior benefits of adding a‐tDCS before MCE for LM activation, movement patterns, or clinical outcomes.
Novel Pharmaceuticals in Appetite Regulation: Exploring emerging gut peptides and their pharmacological prospects
Authors: Rubinić Igor , Kurtov Marija , Likić Robert 
Published: July 2024

AbstractObesity, a global health challenge, necessitates innovative approaches for effective management. Targeting gut peptides in the development of anti‐obesity pharmaceuticals has already demonstrated significant efficacy. Ghrelin, peptide YY (PYY), cholecystokinin (CCK), and amylin are crucial in appetite regulation offering promising targets for pharmacological interventions in obesity treatment using both peptide‐based and small molecule‐based pharmaceuticals. Ghrelin, a sole orexigenic gut peptide, has a potential for anti‐obesity therapies through various approaches, including endogenous ghrelin neutralization, ghrelin receptor antagonists, ghrelin O‐acyltransferase, and functional inhibitors. Anorexigenic gut peptides, peptide YY, cholecystokinin, and amylin, have exhibited appetite‐reducing effects in animal models and humans. Overcoming substantial obstacles is imperative for translating these findings into clinically effective pharmaceuticals. Peptide YY and cholecystokinin analogues, characterized by prolonged half‐life and resistance to proteolytic enzymes, present viable options. Positive allosteric modulators emerge as a novel approach for modulating the cholecystokinin pathway. Amylin is currently the most promising, with both amylin analogues and dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists (DACRAs) progressing to advanced stages of clinical trials. Despite persistent challenges, innovative pharmaceutical strategies provide a glimpse into the future of anti‐obesity therapies.
Boric acid toxic sugar bait suppresses male Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae): wing beat frequency and amplitude, flight activity, fecundity, insemination, and mate‐finding Allee effect
Authors: Chiu Meng‐Chieh , Huang In‐Bo , Yu Jin‐Jia , Liao Yi‐Chang , Chareonviriyaphap Theeraphap , Neoh Kok‐Boon 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDControlling the spread of arboviral diseases remains a considerable challenge due to the rapid development of insecticide resistance in Aedes mosquitoes. This study evaluated the effects of boric acid‐containing toxic sugar bait (TSB) on field populations of resistant Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. In addition, this study examined the flight activity and wing beat frequency and amplitude of males and the flight activity, fecundity, and insemination of females after pairing with males exposed to TSB. The population dynamics of Aedes mosquitoes under imbalanced sex ratios were examined to simulate realistic field conditions for male suppression under the effect of TSB.RESULTSThe mortality of male mosquitoes was consistently high within 24 h after exposure. By contrast, the mortality of female mosquitoes was inconsistent, with over 70% mortality observed at 168 h. The flight activity and wing beat amplitude of treated males were significantly lower than those of controls, but no significant difference in wing beat frequency was detected. The fecundity and insemination of treated female mosquitoes were lower than those of controls. A simulation study indicated that considerably low male population densities led to mating failures, triggering a mate‐finding Allee effect and resulting in persistently low population levels.CONCLUSIONBoric acid‐containing TSB could effectively complement current chemical intervention approaches to control resistant mosquito populations. TSB is effective in reducing field male populations and impairing male flight activity and female‐seeking behavior, resulting in decreased fecundity and insemination. Male suppression due to TSB potentially results in a small mosquito population. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Sample Size Estimation Using a Partially Clustered Frailty Model for Biomarker‐Strategy Designs With Multiple Treatments
Authors: Dinart Derek , Rondeau Virginie , Bellera Carine 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTBiomarker‐guided therapy is a growing area of research in medicine. To optimize the use of biomarkers, several study designs including the biomarker‐strategy design (BSD) have been proposed. Unlike traditional designs, the emphasis here is on comparing treatment strategies and not on treatment molecules as such. Patients are assigned to either a biomarker‐based strategy (BBS) arm, in which biomarker‐positive patients receive an experimental treatment that targets the identified biomarker, or a non‐biomarker‐based strategy (NBBS) arm, in which patients receive treatment regardless of their biomarker status. We proposed a simulation method based on a partially clustered frailty model (PCFM) as well as an extension of Freidlin formula to estimate the sample size required for BSD with multiple targeted treatments. The sample size was mainly influenced by the heterogeneity of treatment effect, the proportion of biomarker‐negative patients, and the randomization ratio. The PCFM is well suited for the data structure and offers an alternative to traditional methodologies.
ϵ$$ \epsilon $$‐Nash equilibrium of non‐cooperative Lagrangian dynamic games based on the average sub‐gradient robust integral sliding mode control
Authors: Hernandez Sanchez Alejandra , Poznyak Alexander , Chairez Isaac 
Published: July 2024

SummaryIn non‐cooperative multi‐player games, an average sub‐gradient (ASG) strategy for finding an ‐Nash equilibrium. For convex (but not necessarily strictly convex) individual cost functions, the function convergence of the multi‐player game is demonstrated. Applying Tanaka's formula that characterizes the Nash equilibrium leads to finding the strategy for each player. A min‐max formulation defines the corresponding solution for each player. The main result is proving the reachability of the desired regime, obtaining an explicit upper bound for Tanaka's function decrement. Detailed analyses for two‐player and multi‐player games are developed. For a class of two‐player games with a convex performance function, a set of numerical studies shows the applicability of the proposed method. So, the tracking of the arm in 3‐links robot is considered as an illustrative example.
Event‐triggered consensus tracking strategy for data‐driven multi‐agent systems under DoS attacks
Authors: Liu Jinliang , Liu Yipeng , Zha Lijuan , Tian Engang , Xie Xiangpeng 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIn this article, the event‐triggered data‐driven consensus problem is studied for multi‐agent systems (MASs) with switching topologies under denial‐of‐service (DoS) attacks. Based on the model‐free adaptive control (MFAC) approach, the controller is only correlated with the input/output (I/O) data of agents instead of the specific system model. First, the pseudo partial derivative (PPD) is employed to dynamically linearize the system model. Second, to save network bandwidth, an event‐triggered scheme is introduced according to the I/O measurement and the output estimated error. Third, an attack compensation mechanism is adopted for the purpose of reducing the influence of DoS attacks. Then, a data‐driven controller is designed to make the agents approach the desired trajectory on the basis of the estimation value of PPD. Moreover, by utilizing the Lyapunov stability theory, the tracking error is demonstrated to be convergent and the reliability of the controller is investigated. Finally, an example is simulated to verify the effectiveness of the consensus tracking strategy.
Literary reading as a socially responsive practice: Implications for literature pedagogy at higher education
Authors: Nkealah Naomi , Prozesky Maria 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAs university teachers of literature, we tend to accept the rhetoric that students lack the capacity to interpret texts meaningfully, without questioning our own biases about the kinds of meaning we expect them to elicit from texts. Often, these are meanings that have little relevance to students' own social or professional lives. In this article, we report on a research project on literary reading at a South African university in which we set out to find out how our second‐year English literature student teachers were reading or making sense of Shakespearean plays and how in turn their readings inform new thinking about literary reading. We found that our students were interpreting Shakespeare's Macbeth in ways that both explicate social problems in present‐day South Africa and offer possible solutions to remedying these problems. Therefore, our knowledge contribution in this article is the proposition of socially responsive literary reading as a relevant, empowering and viable approach to literary reading that has potential to decolonise literature education in African universities.
Venture capital exit after venture IPO
Authors: Li Yong , Chi Tailan , Lan Sai , Wang Qing 
Published: July 2024

AbstractResearch SummaryVenture capital firms (VCs) sometimes continue to hold significant equity stakes in entrepreneurial ventures after venture IPO. The information economics view suggests that retaining equity signals VC commitment and venture quality. This study conceptualizes retaining equity as holding an exchange option, the option to exchange VCs' own valuation of IPO ventures for the market's valuation. Holding this option allows VCs to benefit from the ventures' upside potential. Since exit amounts to giving up the option, the option value represents an opportunity cost of exit. VCs may delay exit if this option is sufficiently valuable. The study examines two key conditions that interact to increase the value of this option: uncertainty and positive private information. This study contributes to research on VC exit and real options.Managerial SummaryWhen do VCs retain equity rather than exit after venture IPO? Researchers have addressed the impact of signaling, cash constraints, human capital constraints, blockholding, VC fund performance, portfolio diversification and institutional features. We identify a previously unrecognized driver: to retain the opportunity to benefit from an IPO venture's upside potential that is yet to be fully recognized or realized. We submit that VCs' incentive to retain equity increases with uncertainty in the venture's industry, and VCs' positive private information as indicated by venture patent applications and positive market surprises in the venture's industry. We find largely supportive evidence for the positive joint effect of uncertainty and private information on the decision to retain equity within the first year or even two years after IPO lockup expiration.
Magnetic/Acoustic Dual‐Controlled Microrobot Overcoming Oto‐Biological Barrier for On‐Demand Multidrug Delivery against Hearing Loss
Authors: Yi Xinyang , Guo Lifang , Zeng Qi , Huang Suling , Wen Dingsheng , Wang Chu , Kou Yuwei , Zhang Ming , Li Huaan , Wen Lu , Chen Gang 
Published: July 2024

AbstractMultidrug combination therapy in the inner ear faces diverse challenges due to the distinct physicochemical properties of drugs and the difficulties of overcoming the oto‐biologic barrier. Although nanomedicine platforms offer potential solutions to multidrug delivery, the access of drugs to the inner ear remains limited. Micro/nanomachines, capable of delivering cargo actively, are promising tools for overcoming bio‐barriers. Herein, a novel microrobot‐based strategy to penetrate the round window membrane (RWM) is presented and multidrug in on‐demand manner is delivered. The tube‐type microrobot (TTMR) is constructed using the template‐assisted layer‐by‐layer (LbL) assembly of chitosan/ferroferric oxide/silicon dioxide (CS/Fe3O4/SiO2) and loaded with anti‐ototoxic drugs (curcumin, CUR and tanshinone IIA, TSA) and perfluorohexane (PFH). Fe3O4 provides magnetic actuation, while PFH ensures acoustic propulsion. Upon ultrasound stimulation, the vaporization of PFH enables a microshotgun‐like behavior, propelling the drugs through barriers and driving them into the inner ear. Notably, the proportion of drugs entering the inner ear can be precisely controlled by varying the feeding ratios. Furthermore, in vivo studies demonstrate that the drug‐loaded microrobot exhibits superior protective effects and excellent biosafety toward cisplatin (CDDP)‐induced hearing loss. Overall, the microrobot‐based strategy provides a promising direction for on‐demand multidrug delivery for ear diseases.
One‐Pot Direct Mechanochemical Silicon Replacement of Sodium Fluorosilicate into Sodium Fluorozirconate and Functionalization of Graphite for Enhanced Sodium‐Ion Storage
Authors: Jang Boo‐Jae , Zhao Qiannan , Baek Jae‐Hoon , Jeon Jong‐Pil , Lee Jae Seong , Kim Seung‐Hyeon , Han Gao‐Feng , Baek Jong‐Beom 
Published: July 2024

AbstractEfficient sodium ion storage in graphite is as yet unattainable, because of the thermodynamic instability of sodium ion intercalates–graphite compounds. In this work, sodium fluorozirconate (Na3ZrF7, SFZ) functionalized graphite (SFZ‐G) is designed and prepared by the in situ mechanochemical silicon (Si) replacement of sodium fluorosilicate (Na2SiF6, SFS) and functionalization of graphite at the same time. During the mechanochemical process, the atomic Si in SFS is directly replaced by atomic zirconium (Zr) from the zirconium oxide (ZrO2) balls and container in the presence of graphite, forming SFZ‐G. The resulting SFZ‐G, working as an anode material for sodium ion storage, shows a significantly enhanced capacity of 418.7 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C‐rate, compared to pristine graphite (35 mAh g−1) and simply ball‐milled graphite (BM‐G, 200 mAh g−1). In addition, the SFZ‐G exhibits stable sodium‐ion storage performance with 86% of its initial capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 2.0 C‐rate.