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Abstract A prospective observational study comparing mechanical power density (MP normalized to dynamic compliance) with traditional spontaneous breathing indexes (e.g., predicted body weight normalized tidal volume [VT/PBW], rapid shallow breathing index [RSBI], or the integrative weaning index [IWI]) for predicting prolonged weaning failure in 140 tracheotomized patients. We assessed the diagnostic accuracy of these indexes at the start and end of the weaning procedure using ROC curve analysis, expressed as the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). Weaning failure occurred in 41 out of 140 patients (29%), demonstrating significantly higher MP density (6156 cmH2O2/min [4402–7910] vs. 3004 cmH2O2/min [2153–3917], P

It has been widely accepted that the biology of Drapetisca socialis includes a pronounced stratum change of this species from the forest soil into the crowns of beech trees. On old pine trees, however, D. socialis never exceeded its activity range to heights greater than 10 metres. These results lead to an re-examination of existing results, and to a review of several studies on tree-dwelling spiders. A synopsis of all data revealed that D. socialis changes stratum along stems of trees into greater heights in forests, but only very seldom, and then obviously only by chance, reaches high tree crowns. Earlier results of a stratum change into the crowns of old beech are only assumptions. The requirement for studies including samples from the bottom to the top of trees is proposed.

Data are given concerning stratification, phenology, feeding and mating behaviour of the theridiid spider Dipoena torva (THORELL, 1875). The species was found predominantly at heights of around 10 metres on the stems of oaks and pines in Berlin, Germany. The sex ratio was more or less 1:1. Adult spiders were active during summer whereas juveniles were onliy found before and after the main activity period of adults. This species seems to be active during the daytime. The main food consists of ants. The mating behaviour is described. The occurence of D. torva is a result of certain biotic and abiotic factors such as the abundance of ants, the understorey and structural factors.

book review: Bernd Rieken (2003): Arachne und ihre Schwestern

To create the basis for the implementation of the Once-Only-Principle in Switzerland, the Swiss Federal Council launched a program called “National Data Management” in 2019. The Once-Only-Principle aims to reduce the administrative burden on citizens and companies. Instead of having to contact them repetitively for the same information, the responsible authorities should strive to exchange the required data. To enable this, we need to actively work on the data landscape of the Swiss administration. The concept of data stewardship is known to be an efficient tool to promote and ensure a consistent high level of data quality. Nowadays public administrations of many countries strive to embrace the idea of data stewardship. This paper describes the approach we have developed for the Swiss administration.

While the influence of various fabrication parameters during deposition on the ferroelectricity of hafnium oxide has been extensively studied, the effect of different atmospheres on the actual switching process has not yet been investigated. In this work, we characterized the ferroelectric properties of undoped hafnium oxide prepared by reactive sputtering under three different atmospheres: dry oxygen/nitrogen, wet nitrogen, and vacuum conditions. We found a significant correlation between dry and wet atmospheres and resulting polarization. Specifically, we observed a direct effect on ferroelectric switching when the film was exposed to dry atmospheres and vacuum, resulting in a higher electric field necessary to initialize the wake-up effect due to an initial imprint effect. Increasing the amount of wet nitrogen during switching decreased the imprint and lowered the necessary voltage required for the wake up. We present a simple model that explains and discusses the incorporation of moisture and its resulting consequences on the ferroelectric properties of hafnium oxide. Additionally, kinetic Monte Carlo simulations showed that the addition of protons to the oxide thin film leads to a lowering of the potential and to a redistribution of protons and oxygen vacancies, which reduces the initial imprint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A prospective observational study comparing mechanical power density (MP normalized to dynamic compliance) with traditional spontaneous breathing indexes (e.g., predicted body weight normalized tidal volume [VT/PBW], rapid shallow breathing index [RSBI], or the integrative weaning index [IWI]) for predicting prolonged weaning failure in 140 tracheotomized patients. We assessed the diagnostic accuracy of these indexes at the start and end of the weaning procedure using ROC curve analysis, expressed as the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). Weaning failure occurred in 41 out of 140 patients (29%), demonstrating significantly higher MP density (6156 cmH2O2/min [4402–7910] vs. 3004 cmH2O2/min [2153–3917], P < 0.01), lower spontaneous VT/PBW (5.8 mL*kg−1 [4.8–6.8] vs. 6.6 mL*kg−1 [5.7–7.9], P < 0.01) higher RSBI (68 min−1*L−1 [44–91] vs. 55 min−1*L−1 [41–76], P < 0.01) and lower IWI (41 L2/cmH2O*%*min*10−3 [25–72] vs. 71 L2/cmH2O*%*min*10-3 [50–106], P < 0.01) and at the end of weaning. MP density was more accurate at predicting weaning failures (AUROC 0.91 [95%CI 0.84–0.95]) than VT/PBW (0.67 [0.58–0.74]), RSBI (0.62 [0.53–0.70]), or IWI (0.73 [0.65–0.80]), and may help clinicians in identifying patients at high risk for long-term ventilator dependency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potassium–oxygen batteries (KOBs) are a promising energy storage technology with high theoretical energy density, low overpotential and a long cycle life. The cathode microstructure plays a significant role in the electrochemical performance of KOB. In this article, hierarchical porosity was introduced to commercially available carbon paper cathodes by thermal pretreatment in air at different pretreatment times. This pretreatment modifies the properties, such as surface area, defects, oxygen functional groups, etc. The discharge performance was determined at three different current densities, i.e., 0.1 mA/cm2, 0.5 mA/cm2, and 1.0 mA/cm2. It has been found that an increase in specific surface area with the introduction of micropores and mesopores is beneficial for the improvement in the discharge capacity by enabling homogeneous discharge product, KO2 distribution and high degrees of pore filling over the volume of the cathode. A reduction in the discharge overpotentials was observed, which is attributed to the introduction of oxygenic functional groups and defects. Samples treated for the longest pretreatment time of 24 h showed the highest discharge capacity of 5 mAh/cm2 and lowest discharge overpotential of 0.03 V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advancing the synthesis of HfO2 nanocrystals, a refined anhydrous protocol that enables kinetic trapping of the metastable tetragonal phase and modulates twinning defects in anisotropically grown monoclinic nanoprisms is presented. This evolved sol–gel approach examines the role of the capping agent tri‐n‐octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) and introduces a novel heating strategy with sequential growth stages. Replacement of TOPO with triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO) leads to the formation of prismatic hafnia nanocrystals exhibiting pristine {011}‐facets of the monoclinic phase. Furthermore, a hot‐injection inspired heating approach yields sub‐4 nm isotropic HfO2 nanocrystals in the tetragonal phase, bypassing the need for aliovalent cation species. In contrast, a heat‐up approach culminates in the generation of well‐characterized HfO2 nanorods. With sophisticated transmission electron microscopy analysis and the Wulff construction method, insights into the structural nucleation of nanoparticle growth are provided. This synthesis offers exceptional control and facilitates the formation of self‐assemblies akin to liquid crystals, opening the door for new applications with nanocolloidal HfO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gold nanostars (AuNSs) have achieved special relevance for potential biomedical applications, e.g., in theranostics. In relation to this, some authors have explored controlling the conditions that trigger structural and morphological changes in these structures. In this work, we studied conditions that can trigger morphological changes of AuNSs or maintain their stability, such as ligand exchange to nonthiolated and thiolated species. First, the synthesis stabilizing ligand of AuNS, 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazinapropanesulfonic acid (EPPS), was exchanged for nonthiolated species to trigger or prevent morphological changes. One of these species, triphenylphosphine-monosulfonate (TPPMS), generated a stable and unexplored nanostructure even at acidic pH, with interaction mediated mainly by aromatic groups and the phosphine moiety, in comparison to hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and citrate, which are ligands that trigger morphological changes of AuNS. Moreover, TPPMS-coated AuNSs can be exchanged by thiolated species, such as carboxylated poly-(ethylene glycol) (HS-PEG-COOH), offering more versatility through covalent strategies. In addition, properties related to the application of these stabilized AuNSs were explored, such as photothermia and biocompatibility. The photothermal transduction efficiency and cell viability of AuNSs coated with EPPS, TPPMS, and PEG-COOH were evaluated, showing a temperature increment of the colloidal solutions and optimal mitochondrial activity. We believe that this work contributes to understanding the phenomena and conditions that trigger changes in the morphology or stability of AuNSs and that AuNSs coated with TPPMS and PEG-COOH possess optimal properties for potential biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]