bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The evolution of pediatric soft‐tissue free flap reconstruction of the lower extremity after oncologic resection: A 30 year experience
Authors: Cohen Zack , Plotsker Ethan , Graziano Francis , Cordeiro Peter , Disa Joseph , Mehrara Babak , Fabbri Nicola , Azoury Saïd C. , Shahzad Farooq 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIntroductionLimb salvage has become the standard of care for lower extremity tumors because of improvements in adjuvant treatments and reconstructive techniques. While there is literature assessing pediatric lower extremity free flap reconstruction in the setting of trauma, there is a paucity of literature that analyzes oncologic free flap reconstruction in this patient population. We report our long‐term experience and evolution of care for lower extremity oncologic free flap reconstruction in pediatric patients.MethodsThis is a retrospective case series of all patients ≤18 years of age who underwent oncologic soft‐tissue microvascular reconstruction of the lower extremity, from 1992 to 2021. Data were collected for patient demographics, oncologic treatment, operative details, and post‐operative outcomes. Functional outcomes were assessed by weight bearing status, ambulation, and participation in activities‐of‐daily‐living (ADLs), and musculoskeletal tumor society (MSTS) scores.ResultsOver the 30‐year study period, inclusion criteria were met by 19 patients (11 males, 8 females) with a mean age of 13.8 years and a mean follow‐up of 5.3 years. At last follow‐up, 13 patients (68.5%) were alive. The most common pathology was osteogenic sarcoma (13 patients, 68.5%). Sites of reconstruction were the hip (n = 1), thigh (n = 5), knee (n = 4), leg (n = 7), and the foot (n = 2). The most commonly used flaps were latissimus dorsi (n = 8), gracilis (n = 4), and anterolateral thigh ± vastus (n = 4). Postoperative complications occurred in nine patients (43%). Overall flap success rate was 95%. At latest follow‐up, ambulation without assistive device was obtained in 11 patients (58%), full weight bearing was achieved by 13 patients (68.5%), and ADLs could be performed independently by 13 patients (68.5%). Mean MSTS score was 23.1/30.ConclusionMicrovascular reconstruction for oncological lower extremity defects in the pediatric population has high limb salvage rates and good functional outcomes.
Atmospheric transmission calculation of diode‐pumped alkali laser energy transfer
Authors: Zhang Le , Xi Fengjie , Liu Qiang , Xu Xiaojun 
Published: October 2023

AbstractWireless power transfer has become a research hotspot in the field of energy transmission, among which laser energy transfer is one of the best approaches for long‐distance wireless transmission. Based on good atmospheric transmittance, especially the wavelengths consistent with the response range of mainstream Si and GaAs photovoltaic cells with relatively high photoelectric efficiency, diode‐pumped alkali laser (DPAL) energy transfer will have huge prospects. To solve the problem of long‐distance laser energy transfer of DPALs, laser atmospheric molecular absorption was calculated by analyzing the atmospheric transmission absorption effects of laser beams with specific wavelengths. The atmospheric transmission of three typical alkalis at different atmospheric modes and altitudes was calculated and compared, and practical suggestions were given.
Availability‐aware virtual network function placement based on multidimensional universal generating functions
Authors: Arakawa Kengo , Oki Eiji 
Published: October 2023

AbstractNetwork function virtualization (NFV) implements network functions as software, which enables flexible, resource‐efficient, and rapid provision of network services. In NFV, network services are realized by the service function chain (SFC), which is a chain of virtual network functions (VNFs) linked in the proper order. Both availability and deployment cost are key concerns for network operators providing network services as SFC. This paper proposes a flexible VNF placement model on a per‐VNF instance basis that minimizes deployment costs while satisfying availability requirements that may be placed on SFC. This paper uses a multidimensional universal generating function (MUGF) method, which is a multistate system analysis method, to compute the availability of a multistate SFC system with multiple VNFs coexisting on a server. The MUGF method calculates the performance of the entire SFC by combining the performance of servers as determined by applying a continuous‐time Markov chain. To reduce the time to compute the SFC availability, we introduce operators to be applied to MUGF and develop an availability computing method. In addition, a heuristic algorithm for determining VNF placement targeting the lowest deployment cost possible while meeting availability requirements is presented. Numerical results show that the proposed model obtains VNF placement with lower cost than the conventional model in all examined cases. The proposed model achieves VNF placement at 58.5%–75.0% of the deployment cost of the conventional model for the same SFC availability requirements.
IncidencePrevalence: An R package to calculate population‐level incidence rates and prevalence using theOMOPcommon data model
Authors: Raventós Berta , Català Martí , Du Mike , Guo Yuchen , Black Adam , Inberg Ger , Li Xintong , López‐Güell Kim , Newby Danielle , de Ridder Maria , Barboza Cesar , Duarte‐Salles Talita , Verhamme Katia , Rijnbeek Peter , Prieto Alhambra Daniel , Burn Edward 
Published: October 2023

AbstractPurposeReal‐world data (RWD) offers a valuable resource for generating population‐level disease epidemiology metrics. We aimed to develop a well‐tested and user‐friendly R package to compute incidence rates and prevalence in data mapped to the observational medical outcomes partnership (OMOP) common data model (CDM).Materials and MethodsWe created IncidencePrevalence, an R package to support the analysis of population‐level incidence rates and point‐ and period‐prevalence in OMOP‐formatted data. On top of unit testing, we assessed the face validity of the package. To do so, we calculated incidence rates of COVID‐19 using RWD from Spain (SIDIAP) and the United Kingdom (CPRD Aurum), and replicated two previously published studies using data from the Netherlands (IPCI) and the United Kingdom (CPRD Gold). We compared the obtained results to those previously published, and measured execution times by running a benchmark analysis across databases.ResultsIncidencePrevalence achieved high agreement to previously published data in CPRD Gold and IPCI, and showed good performance across databases. For COVID‐19, incidence calculated by the package was similar to public data after the first‐wave of the pandemic.ConclusionFor data mapped to the OMOP CDM, the IncidencePrevalence R package can support descriptive epidemiological research. It enables reliable estimation of incidence and prevalence from large real‐world data sets. It represents a simple, but extendable, analytical framework to generate estimates in a reproducible and timely manner.
Staphylococcus aureus selective antimicrobial polymers based on an arginine‐derived monomer
Authors: Braksch Cevin P. , Lehnen Anne‐Catherine , Bapolisi Alain M. , Gurke Johannes , De Breuck Jonas , Leiske Meike N. , Hartlieb Matthias 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe continuous spread of resistance genes among bacterial populations, in particular in hospital setting, threatens the advances of our medical systems and already costs more than 1 million lives per year. Antimicrobial polymers (APs) are a promising type of materials to counteract these developments, as they are non‐susceptible toward resistance development, and even target resistant bacteria. We herein show the synthesis of an arginine‐containing monomer and its polymerization via photo‐induced reversible addition‐fragmentation chain‐transfer polymerization. The synthesis is straightforward, and the macromolecules possess two charged functions (i.e., guanidinium and ammonium) per repeating unit after deprotection. Assessment of the biological activity reveals that polymers inhibit the growth of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) while being relatively inactive against tested Gram‐negative strains. Surprisingly, among the tested polymers, the homopolymer of the arginine‐derived monomer is the best‐performing material, even though it possesses no notable hydrophobic units. Toxicity tests against red blood cells and other mammalian cells show a good biocompatibility of polymers, leading to an overall excellent selectivity. Using membrane models, the mechanism of action was found to be membrane disruption. The good selectivity of the herein presented polymer for MRSA makes them promising materials for the development of therapeutic agents against such infections.
Polyurethanes with open‐ and closed‐cage silsesquioxanes: Effects of organic substituents on materials properties
Authors: Yonezawa Honoka , Hirosawa Yuta , Imoto Hiroaki , Naka Kensuke 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe physical properties of silsesquioxane materials are commonly controlled by varying the proportion of silane coupling agents with different substituents. In contrast, with cage silsesquioxanes (polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane, POSS) that allow for precise molecular design, the material properties can be controlled by isomers, similar to organic materials. In this study, we synthesized polyurethanes with corner‐opened POSS (CO‐POSS) and completely condensed POSS (CC‐POSS) in the main and side chains, respectively. For the substituents on POSS, we used a combination of phenyl and isobutyl groups and investigated their effects on the physical properties by changing this combination. Notably, the thermal and mechanical properties changed in polymers where the substituents of CO‐POSS (main chain) and CC‐POSS (side chain) were interchanged. This demonstrates that the isomeric structure significantly affects the properties of silsesquioxane‐based materials and provides important design guidelines for these materials.
Investigation of γ‐irradiation dependent structural properties of LLM‐105 by ultraviolet‐visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy
Authors: Xiao Qian , Sui Heliang , Wang Jingkai , Ju Xin 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIn this work, different doses of γ‐irradiation were applied to 2,6‐diamino‐3,5‐dinitropyrazine‐1‐oxide (LLM‐105) to examine the way in which their optical properties and electronic structure can be affected. The UV absorption spectrum of LLM‐105 was calculated based on the time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT). The analyses of hole‐electron distribution and charge‐transfer spectra (CTS) revealed the type of electronic transitions and elucidated the nature of each excited state in the LLM‐105 molecule. For the pristine LLM‐105, the band gap (Eg) value of 2.76 eV was obtained using the Kubelka‐Munk model. Moreover, the band gap of LLM‐105 increased with the irradiation dose. The increase in relevant UV‐Vis absorption peak intensity, implying the increase in band gap is due to the formation of a larger conjugated structure in LLM‐105 under γ‐irradiation.
Characterization of thermal decomposition mechanism and combustion performance of 4,4’‐azobis(1,2,4‐triazole)**
Authors: Pan Qi , Guo Xueyong , Nie Jianxin , Zhu Yanli , Li Shenghua 
Published: October 2023

Abstract4,4’‐azobis(1,2,4‐triazole) (ATRZ), as a representative of high‐nitrogen compound, has attracted extensive interests. This work explores the thermal decomposition mechanism and combustion performance of ATRZ. The thermogravimetry‐differential scanning calorimetry‐fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG‐DSC‐FTIR) of ATRZ was carried out at heating rate of 10 °C/min in an argon atmosphere. ATRZ has two peak exothermic temperatures, 110.24 °C and 306.85 °C respectively. The exothermic peak at 110.24 °C is the decomposition of ATRZ tiny debris, and the exothermic peak at 306.85 °C is the decomposition of the main part of ATRZ. The pyrolysis‐gas chromatography mass spectrometry (PY‐GC/MS) of ATRZ was carried out at 350 °C in an argon atmosphere. By combining TG‐DSC‐FTIR and PY‐GC/MS, the thermal decomposition mechanism of ATRZ was speculated. The main reaction in the ATRZ pyrolysis process is the cleavage of two N−N single bonds in the nitrogen bridge, forming a nitrogen molecule and two triazole rings, which is the majority of the first step decomposition reaction. At the same time, a small number of triazole rings break off to form other intermediates. A small amount of nitrogen gas is generated and a large number of CN clusters are formed. Under the same testing conditions, ATRZ has a higher combustion heat (19318 J/g) than other traditional CHNO energetic materials. By comparing the laser ignition combustion of ATRZ and ATRZ+RDX, the combustion temperature of ATRZ+RDX is higher and the combustion duration is longer. The introduction of CHNO type ammonium nitrate explosives promotes the energy release of ATRZ.
Comparison of two‐stage and joint TGI‐OS modeling using data from six atezolizumab clinical studies in patients with metastatic non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Gonçalves Antonio , Marchand Mathilde , Chan Phyllis , Jin Jin Y. , Guedj Jérémie , Bruno René 
Published: October 2023

AbstractTwo‐stage and joint modeling approaches are the two main approaches to investigate the link between longitudinal tumor size data and overall survival (OS) and anticipate clinical trial outcome. We here used a large database composed of one phase II and five phase III clinical trials evaluating atezolizumab (an immunotherapy) in monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapies in 3699 patients with non‐small cell lung cancer to evaluate the differences between both approaches in terms of parameter estimates, magnitude of covariate effects, and ability to predict OS. Although the two‐stage approach may underestimate the magnitude of the impact of tumor growth rate (KG) on OS compared to joint modeling approach (hazard ratios [HRs] of 0.42–2.52 vs. 0.25–2.85, respectively, for individual KG varying from the 5th and 95th percentiles), this difference did not lead into poorer performance of the two‐stage approach to describe the OS distribution in the six clinical studies. Overall, two‐stage and joint modeling approaches accurately predicted OS HR with a median (range) difference with the observed OS HR of 0.02 (0.01–0.18) and 0.03 (0.00–0.19), in all cases considered, respectively (e.g., for IMpower150: 0.80 [0.66–0.95] vs. 0.82 [0.70–0.95], respectively, whereas the observed OS HR was 0.80). In our setting, the two‐stage approach accurately predicted the benefit of atezolizumab on OS. Further work is needed to verify if similar results are achieved using phase Ib or phase II clinical trials where the number of patients and measurements is limited as well as in other cancer indications.
Adaptive fixed‐time neural control of nonlinear time‐varying state‐constrained systems
Authors: Ding Kexin , Chen Qiang , Nan Yurong , Luo Xiaoye 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIn this paper, an adaptive fixed‐time neural control scheme is proposed for a class of nonlinear uncertain systems with full‐state constraints. A novel asymmetric hyperbolic barrier Lyapunov function (AHBLF) is first constructed to handle time‐varying constraints of all the system states. EspecialLy, the AHBLF can not only be applied to unconstrained, symmetric‐constrained and asymmetric‐constrained systems simultaneously, but also the fixed time control can be realized by incorporating the AHBLF into each step of the backstepping method to design controller. The adaptive controller is presented to guarantee that the tracking errors converge into the neighborhood around the equilibrium point in a fixed time and all the system states can be restricted within the predefined time‐varying boundaries. With the proposed control scheme, the singularity problem is avoided without constructing multiple piecewise functions, and no prior knowledge on the bound of gain functions is required in the controller design. Comparative simulations illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Electrochemically‐Assisted in situ Generation of Hydrazonoyl Halides for the Synthesis of 3H‐1,2,4‐Triazol‐3‐ones
Authors: Yavari Issa , Shaabanzadeh Sina , Golmoradi Fateh 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe electrochemical C(sp2)‐H abstraction of hydrazones to produce 1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐ones as an appealing pathway has considerable value. By the patronage of electricity current, instead of unconventional methods, we reveal an electrochemical detour for furnishing 1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐ones by electrochemical activation of hydrazones for further reaction with potassium isocyanate. This method also powers by a new chemical synthetic alternative pathway. This strategy provides a suitable condition for the synthesis of 1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐ones with various functional groups in moderate to good efficiency and amenable to gram‐scale synthesis. The electrochemical and chemical oxidation condition also proves a superb level of selectivity and compatibility with preparing 1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐ones in these highly reactive conditions.
Demand pull versus resource push training approaches to entrepreneurship: A field experiment
Authors: Santamaria Simone , Abolfathi Niloofar , Mahmood Ishtiaq Pasha 
Published: October 2023

AbstractResearch SummaryWe compare the efficacy of two broad approaches to entrepreneurship training: a training prioritizing demand‐side activities versus a training prioritizing resource‐side activities. We do so by running a field experiment inside a 6‐month entrepreneurship program involving 236 early‐stage entrepreneurs. Inspired by our training, the first group invested more time interacting with potential customers and developing a deep understanding of customer needs and problems. The other group, in contrast, spent more time identifying and exploiting their core resources such as their network. Our results reveal that the training prioritizing demand‐side activities is substantially more effective. At the end of the program, the group exposed to the demand‐side training acquired more than twice the number of customers and generated revenues 65% higher than the other group.Managerial SummaryIn this paper, we aim to identify effective practices for supporting nascent entrepreneurs amidst the proliferation of entrepreneurship training programs. In particular, we launched a 6‐month entrepreneurship program involving 236 early‐stage entrepreneurs and exposed them to different training approaches. We discovered that a training approach focused on demand‐side activities, such as identifying customer persona, collecting reliable customer information, and interpreting their feedback, is more effective in improving new venture performance than a training approach focused on resource‐side activities such as helping entrepreneurs identify and leverage their resources and capabilities. Our findings emphasize the importance of developing skills related to customer analysis, market understanding, and collecting customer feedback during the early stages of a startup journey and can provide insights for designing effective entrepreneurship programs.
Amorphous Ni–Fe–Mo Oxides Coupled with Crystalline Metallic Domains for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution by Promoted Lattice‐Oxygen Participation
Authors: Fan Jiayao , Zhang Xinyu , Han Min , Xiang Xing , Guo Cong , Lin Yue , Shi Naien , Xu Dongdong , Lai Yu , Bao Jianchun 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe crystalline/amorphous heterophase nanostructures are promising functional materials for biomedicals, catalysis, energy conversion, and storage. Despite great progress is achieved, facile synthesis of crystalline metal/amorphous multinary metal oxides nanohybrids remains challenging, and their electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance along with the catalytic mechanism are not systematically investigated. Herein, two kinds of ultrafine crystalline metal domains coupled with amorphous Ni–Fe–Mo oxides heterophase nanohybrids, including Ni/Ni0.5‐aFe0.5Mo1.5Ox and Ni‐FeNi3/Ni0.5‐bFe0.5‐yMo1.5Ox, are fabricated through controllable reduction of amorphous Ni0.5Fe0.5Mo1.5Ox precursors by simply tuning the amount of used reductant. Due to the suited component in metal domains, the special structure with dense crystalline/amorphous interfaces, and strong electronic coupling of their components, the resultant Ni‐FeNi3/Ni0.5‐bFe0.5‐yMo1.5Ox nanohybrids show greatly enhanced OER activity with a low overpotential (278 mV) to reach 10 mA cm−2 current density and ultrahigh turnover frequency (38160 h−1), outperforming Ni/Ni0.5‐aFe0.5 Mo1.5Ox, Ni0.5Fe0.5Mo1.5Ox precursors, commercial IrO2, and most of recently reported OER catalysts. Also, such Ni‐FeNi3/Ni0.5‐bFe0.5‐yMo1.5Ox nanohybrids manifest good catalytic stability. As revealed by a series of spectroscopy and electrochemical analyses, their OER mechanism follows the lattice‐oxygen‐mediated (LOM) pathway. This work may shed light on the design of advanced heterophase nanohybrids, and promote their applications in water splitting, metal‐air batteries, or other clean energy fields.
P‐N Heterojunction Embedded CuS/TiO2 Bifunctional Photocatalyst for Synchronous Hydrogen Production and Benzylamine Conversion
Authors: Liu Jianan , Sun Xuemeng , Fan Yuying , Yu Yaoguang , Li Qi , Zhou Jing , Gu Huiquan , Shi Keying , Jiang Baojiang 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe coupling of photocatalytic hydrogen production and selective oxidation of benzylamine is a topic of significant research interest. However, enhancing the bifunctional photocatalytic activity in this context is still a major challenge. The construction of Z‐scheme heterojunctions is an effective strategy to enhance the activity of bifunctional photocatalysts. Herein, a p‐n type direct Z‐scheme heterojunction CuS/TiO2 is constructed using metal‐organic framework (MOF)‐derived TiO2 as a substrate. The carrier density is measured by Mott‐Schottky under photoexcitation, which confirms that the Z‐scheme electron transfer mode of CuS/TiO2 is driven by the diffusion effect caused by the carrier concentration difference. Benefiting from efficient charge separation and transfer, photogenerated electrons, and holes are directedly transferred to active oxidation and reduction sites. CuS/TiO2 also exhibits excellent bifunctional photocatalytic activity without noble metal cocatalysts. Among them, the H2 evolution activity of the CuS/TiO2 is found to be 17.1 and 29.5 times higher than that of TiO2 and CuS, respectively. Additionally, the yields of N‐Benzylidenebenzylamine (NBB) are 14.3 and 47.4 times higher than those of TiO2 and CuS, respectively.
Experimental study on flexural behavior of T‐shaped reinforced concrete laminated beams with defects
Authors: Feng Qingxing , Ye Nihong , Qu Chen , Gong Shunfeng , Lin Huangcheng 
Published: October 2023

AbstractTo study the influence of the defects on the flexural behavior of laminated T‐beams, full‐scale beam tests of three reinforced concrete laminated T‐beams with incomplete bonding and one non‐defective reinforced concrete laminated T‐beam were conducted under monotonic loading. The results showed that the failure modes and crack patterns of the defective beams were similar to those of beams without defects. However, horizontal cracks appeared in these defects. Although the peak loads of the four specimens were relatively close, the difference in the maximum deflection was distinct. The deflection span ratio of each specimen exceeded 1/17, and the displacement ductility ratio exceeded 15. The results indicate that internal defects have only a slight influence on the flexural capacity of laminated beams but significantly influence their ductility.