Search

Nanofibrous membranes were developed by combining chitosan (CS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and calcium chloride (CC) to incorporate curcumin (CCM) through a co‐axial electro‐spinning method to improve CCM bioavailability. The optimal parameters were PVA/CS ratio of 7:3 v/v, PVA/CCM ratio of 8:2 v/v, CC amount of 0.5 g, fiber collection distance of 15 cm, voltage value of 18 kV, and injection flow of 0.1 mL/h (both core and shell layer). The prepared PVA/CCM@CS/PVA/CC nanofiber showed smooth surfaces and uniform bead‐free morphology with core‐shell structure. The average fiber diameter was 301.55 ± 76.77 nm with a narrow distribution. Using the Korsmeyer‐Peppas kinetic release model, the nanofiber membrane effectively released ∼85% CCM at pH 7.4 over 96 h via Fickian diffusion transport mechanism. In vitro antibacterial tests demonstrated that the membrane was efficient against both Gram‐positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram‐negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria. When compared to free CCM, the membrane improved cell survival due to its nontoxic and cytobiocompatible features. In vivo tests found that the membrane significantly improved healing in incised‐wound rats, reducing inflammation, fibroblast proliferation, and collagen deposition. These findings indicate that the novel PVA/CCM@CS/PVA/CC nanofiber membrane, which has numerous biological functions, could be a promising candidate for wound dressing therapeutic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) play a crucial role in conserving threatened wildlife species such as Bos gaurus. ART requires a large number of mature oocytes, and small antral follicles (SAFs) in the ovary are often used to obtain abundant sources of bovine oocytes. However, oocytes from SAFs often experience difficulty completing maturation and obtaining high quality and quantity of blastocyst formation compared to fully grown oocytes. This study aimed to increase the number of high‐quality mature oocytes and improve their potential for ART applications in cloned and interspecies intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) embryos by utilising L‐ascorbic acid (LAA) in pre in vitro maturation (pre‐IVM) culture. First, oocytes isolated from SAFs were cultured with the duration of pre‐IVM 0, 6, 8, 10 h and different concentrations of LAA to determine good conditions for oocyte maturation. Then, mature oocytes were assessed for their developmental competence through parthenogenesis, cloned and interspecies ICSI embryos. The results showed that 8‐h pre‐IVM with 50 μg/mL LAA improved the maturation rate and developmental competence of parthenogenetic and clone embryos, especially, improving the high blastocyst quality by increasing cell number and expression of histone acetylation at lysine 9 (H3K9ac). In addition, the culture process improved the nuclear reprogramming of somatic cells after nuclear transfer into mature oocytes, resulting in an increased hatching rate of cloned embryos. It also enhanced the activation and the pronuclear formation rate of Gaurus‐Taurus zygotes. Overall, the established pre‐IVM culture method enhanced the meiotic and developmental competence of embryos. This procedure opened hope for the preservation of endangered species and other applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/Introduction: Blood glucose meters are commonly used at the bedside, but most of the meters used in Hung Vuong Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam) are built for self‐monitoring and might not be suitable for determining glucose levels in patients. In this study, we aimed to validate the performance of six frequently used meters in our hospital using the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) standard, and investigate the hematocrit impact on the accuracy of these meters. Materials and Methods: A total of 135 pregnant women who underwent a 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test consented to participate in the study at Hung Vuong Hospital. Whole blood glucose levels were measured in duplicate using meters, and hematocrit levels were measured using an Alinity h‐series analyzer. Within 5 min, plasma glucose levels were measured twice in a row using the Cobas c502 reference analyzer. For accuracy and precision, the hematocrit effect was assed using CLSI POCT12‐A3. Results: Out of six evaluated meters, three meters qualified. For CLSI criterion at glucose concentration of 5.55 mmol/L, Accu‐Chek Inform II, Accu‐Chek Performa and OneTouch VerioVue achieved 97.31%, 98.08% and 99.62%, respectively. For CLSI criterion at 4.17 mmol/L, these three achieved 100%. Accu‐Chek Inform II and Accu‐Chek Performa showed an inverse correlation between glucose level and hematocrit with slopes of −0.500 (95% confidence interval −0.678 to −0.322) and −0.396 (95% confidence interval −0.569 to −0.224), whereas OneTouch VerioVue was not affected by hematocrit, with a slope of 0.207 (95% confidence interval −0.026 to 0.440). Conclusions: Blood glucose meters' measurements can be affected by hematocrit, and might provide readings not within an acceptable bias. Medical organizations need to verify or validate before using on patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key issue in the transition to decarbonized energy sources with constant power sources is inaccurate current sharing and voltage quality. The main reason which causes these issues is the inevitable system impedance mismatches. This study addresses this issue by proposing an enhanced power‐sharing strategy that regulates adjustable resistance and compensates for voltage drops across the line impedance at the output of distributed generation converters. The control approach involves analyzing the mathematical relationship between system impedance mismatches and voltage drops in DC residential systems. Utilizing low‐computation proportional‐integral controllers, the secondary current sharing and load voltage controllers regulate converter outputs to compensate for mismatched resistance and voltage, ensuring proper current sharing and load voltage quality across various load conditions. Through the implementation of the proposed scheme incorporating adjustable resistance and voltage shifting terms, both the current‐sharing error and load voltage deviation are gradually reduced to negligible values, while maintaining stable performance in steady‐state conditions, without the need for prior knowledge of system parameters. Simulations and experimental studies are both conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports the pair distribution function (PDF) analysis of combined wide‐ and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS/SAXS) profiles of poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PSSA) grafted poly(ethylene‐co‐tetrafluoroethylene) polymer electrolyte membranes (ETFE‐PEMs) within a wide grafting degree (GD) of 0%–117%. The PDF analysis of WAXS profiles (from Cu‐Kα1 radiation) provides a measure in size of the crystallite domains (5.1–8.7 nm). The extension of the PDF analysis for only SAXS profiles shows the distances of crystallite layers of 25.1–32 nm. In particular, SAXS‐PDF analysis is effective in showing the existence of newly generated graft domains with distances ≈60–64 nm, which can not be determined previously by the conventional SAXS analysis. The high similarity in local and higher‐order structures observed for polystyrene grafted ETFE films and ETFE‐PEMs suggests that the hierarchical structures including the spatial arrangement of large amorphous contents in the membranes can be determined at the graft polymerization step. Note that the presence of newly generated PSSA graft domains at large dimension can explain well the comparable or higher proton conductivity of ETFE‐PEMs as compared with commercial Nafion membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study focuses on enhancing the antibacterial properties of packaging films derived from Pectin and Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) by incorporating silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Pectin and CMC were sourced from grapefruit peels to utilize agricultural by‐products and introduce sustainable alternatives to petroleum‐based packaging films. A comprehensive characterization of the films was conducted to assess their morphology, functionality, and physical/mechanical attributes. The Pectin/CMC/AgNPs composite exhibits superior mechanical properties, achieving a peak tensile strength of 33.01 MPa and an elongation at a break of 22.93 %. The antibacterial efficacy against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and the Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) strains of Pectin/CMC and Pectin/CMC/AgNPs films was examined. In addition, the preservation efficacy of green grapes using those films was evaluated over 10 days, focusing on maintaining grape weight, organic acid, and vitamin C content. Results demonstrate that all films possess notable mechanical durability, with the Pectin/CMC/AgNPs film demonstrating superior antibacterial activity. Green grapes preserved with the Pectin/CMC/AgNPs film exhibit the highest fruit weight retention, and the highest maintenance in acid, and vitamin C content, underscoring the remarkable enhancement achieved by incorporating AgNPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyses the spatio‐temporal variability of heatwave characteristics and their association with large‐scale climate drivers across seven climatic sub‐regions in Vietnam, including the Northwest (R1), Northeast (R2), Red River Delta (R3), North Central (R4), South Central (R5), Central Highlands (R6) and the South (R7). The analysis is based on observed daily maximum temperatures from 102 meteorological stations, spanning the period 1980–2020. The obtained results reveal diverse heatwave patterns across the country. Amongst the seven climatic sub‐regions of Vietnam, the R3 and R4 sub‐regions experienced more frequent heatwaves and a higher number of heatwave days, but shorter durations. In contrast, other sub‐regions had fewer heatwave events and heatwave days but experienced longer‐lasting heatwaves. The intensity of heatwave events varies amongst sub‐regions, with the highest value in the R4 sub‐region, and the lowest in R7. Notably, the R1–R5 sub‐regions are affected by heatwaves over larger areas, compared to others. Additionally, the findings confirm that the lagged influence of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the primary climatic driver of heatwave characteristics in Vietnam. Generally, heatwaves tend to occur more frequently in the years following El Niño events than after La Niña events. This observation provides opportunities for developing a system of seasonal predictions of heatwaves in Vietnam. The impact of ENSO on the number of heatwave events and heatwave days is evident in five out of seven sub‐regions, with less impact in the R2 and R7 sub‐regions. However, it does not significantly affect heatwave intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Methods Results Conclusion Adolescents and young adults are vulnerable to suicidality, especially those at high risk such as young people who use drugs (YPUD). This study aimed to assess the prevalence and related factors of suicide risk among this population.We conducted a descriptive, cross‐sectional study on YPUD aged 16–24 in the community in Hanoi, Vietnam. Data on socio‐demographic characteristics, drug use, and adverse childhood experiences were collected using face‐to‐face questionnaires by research assistants. YPUD were screened by psychiatrists for depression, psychotic symptoms, and suicide risk, using the MINI questionnaire.Three hundred‐seven YPUD (250 males, 57 females) participated in the study; of those, 86 (28.0%) were at risk of suicide. Gender (female), adverse childhood experiences, depression, and psychosis were relevant factors.The prevalence of suicide risk among young people using drugs was high. Therefore, suicide risk should be screened and monitored in the clinical assessment of this population. In addition, the intervention efforts to detect and intervene in adverse events during childhood may be one way to prevent mental health and suicide in later life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production via oxygen (O2) reduction reaction (ORR) in pure water (H2O) through graphitic carbon nitrides (g‐C3N4)‐based piezo‐photocatalysts is an exciting approach in many current studies. However, the low Lewis‐acid properties of g‐C3N4 limited the catalytic performance because of the low O2 adsorption efficacy. To overcome this challenge, the interaction of g‐C3N4 precursors with various solvents are utilized to synthesize g‐C3N4, possessing multiple nitrogen‐vacant species via thermal shocking polymerization. These results suggest that the lack of nitrogen in g‐C3N4 and the incident introduction of oxygen‐functional groups enhance the Lewis acid‐base interactions and polarize the g‐C3N4 lattices, leading to the enormous enhancement. Furthermore, the catalytic mechanisms are thoroughly studied, with the formation of H2O2 proceeding via radical and water oxidation pathways, in which the roles of light and ultrasound are carefully investigated. Thus, these findings not only reinforce the potential view of metal‐free photocatalysts, accelerating the understanding of g‐C3N4 working principles to generate H2O2 based on the oxygen reduction and water oxidation reactions, but also propose a facile one‐step way for fabricating highly efficient and scalable photocatalysts to produce H2O2 without using sacrificial agents, pushing the practical application of in situ solar H2O2 toward real‐world scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs), synthesized through controlled microplasma treatment of orange juice, exhibit unique luminescent characteristics. The impact of synthesis time on particle size was investigated. Deconvoluted emission spectra displayed broad bands, peaking at an excitation wavelength of 350 nm for CQD sizes of 2.06, 2.4, and 3.09 nm, indicating multiple fluorescence peaks. This suggests a mixture of CQDs with different excitation energies on their surfaces. Luminescence kinetics unveiled three exponential decay components with time constants of 2.73, 4.61, and 3.27 ns, indicating multiple luminescent centers. Emission behavior affected by excitation wavelengths ranging from 350 to 490 nm suggests that quantum transition probabilities are influenced by impurities or defects. These findings emphasize the size‐dependent optical properties and exciton self‐trapping (EST) emission of CQDs. The calculation of the Huang‐Rhys factor S values underscores the profound influence of carrier‐phonon coupling and the Huang‐Rhys factor on the emergence of ESTs within CQDs. Understanding these interactions is crucial for fully utilizing the capabilities of CQDs in applications spanning optoelectronics, sensors, bioimaging, and various technological fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Realizing the use of biogas as fuel or a gas engine, it is needed to upgrade to natural gas standards when it comes to pure biomethane, meaning impurities must be removed to a certain low concentration. Among these tasks, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) removal steadfastly gets the most attention. In the present work, partial catalytic oxidation was used to convert H2S to less harmful forms. Adsorbents/catalysts applied to this process were prepared from the sludge of a groundwater treatment plant using a simple combination of drying and calcination methods. As a relevant result, the as‐prepared sample (dried at 105°C for 24 h) exhibited high activity, with 90 ± 2% H2S conversion after 120 min of reaction time, while the sample calcined at about 500°C for 5 h (TP‐500) showed the highest H2S conversion (96 ± 2%); the lowest 28 ± 1% belonged to the case of TP‐700. The main compositions of the TP‐500 sample were crystalline calcite and amorphous iron oxides. The average size of calcite crystallites was ~45 nm, with a specific surface area of ~76 m2/g. Moreover, the presence of oxygen in the catalytic process and the "self‐outflow process" of sulfur desorption were the vital keys that allowed the partial H2S oxidation to take place continuously. After a reaction time of 2 h, the adsorption capacity of the best sample was 460.8 mg/g. Thus, it is obvious that inexpensive catalysts derived from sludge precursors can be effectively used for H2S removal from mixtures with air, supporting the treatment of raw biogas in the coming time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, scalp tissues from Korean adults between 20 and 80 without skin disease were used. Scalp tissues were processed, and hair follicles were isolated and cultured with different treatments (including Bioscalp, Ultra Exo Booster, and Ultra S Line Plus) from Ultra V company. Over 12 days, observations and measurements of hair follicle characteristics were recorded at intervals (Days 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12). The study assessed the impact of these substances on hair follicle growth and morphology. Bioscalp, combined with Ultra Exo Booster and Ultra S Line Plus, showed significant hair elongation in ex vivo. Preservation of hair bulb diameter was observed, indicating potential for sustained hair growth by exosome‐based products. The hair growth cycle analysis suggested a lower transition to the catagen stage in test products from Ultra V compared to non‐treated groups. The research findings indicated that the tested formulations, especially the combination of Bioscalp, Ultra Exo Booster, and Ultra S Line Plus, demonstrated significant effectiveness in promoting hair growth, maintaining the integrity of the hair bulb, and reducing the transition to the catagen stage. The study suggests promising alternative treatments for hair loss, illustrating results that were as good as those of the conventional testing product groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raman spectroscopy offers a rapid and nondestructive method for qualitatively and quantitatively analyzing the molecular structure of substances. Herein, a facile and cost‐effective approach for the preparation of three‐dimensional (3D) surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates is proposed, in which pyramid structures are fabricated using silicon anisotropic wet etching and silver dendrites are decorated on these silicon pyramid (PSi) substrates by immersing them in a mixture of hydrofluoric acid and silver nitrate for several minutes. The 3D SERS substrates, based on PSi coated with Ag dendrites, reveal high‐performance SERS enhancement (with an analytical enhancement factor reaching 3.54 × 1010) and can detect rhodamine 6G (R6G) in the presence of chemical enhancer (lithium chloride) at low concentrations down to 10−11 m. For glucose detection, 2‐thienylboronic acid is employed to faciliate glucose attachment to the substrate surface, achieving a detection limit as low as 10−6 m. The substrate exhibits good repeatability with a relative standard deviation of 11.223%, as well as reusability and long‐term stability for detection. The results also highlight the excellent sensitivity of the PSi‐based SERS substrate, which is expected to be instrumental in biochemical analysis and holds significant potential for developing noninvasive glucose sensor for diabetic patients using saliva samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hypertension is the single most important leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Vietnamese population and remains poorly controlled by the current conventional care model. Objectives: To evaluate whether pharmacist‐led interventions can improve hypertension knowledge, medication adherence, and blood pressure (BP) control in Vietnamese patients with hypertension. Methods: A multi‐center, randomized, controlled trial was conducted in three hospitals in Vietnam from October 2021 to May 2022. The educational interventions included direct counseling, printed material, and educational videos for smartphones. The primary outcome was hypertension knowledge assessed by the Hypertension Knowledge‐Level Scale (HK–LS). Secondary outcomes were medication adherence as assessed by the Morisky Green Levine Adherence Scale (MGL) and changes in systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) at week 12. Results: A total of 381 patients were included in the study, with 190 and 191 patients in the intervention and control groups, respectively. At week 12, patients in the intervention group had a significantly higher mean HK–LS than the control group (18.97 ± standard deviation [SD] 2.10 vs. 14.98 ± SD 3.55, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly higher medication adherence was observed in the intervention group than in the control group (MGL score of 3.76 ± 0.52 vs. 3.20 ± 0.87, respectively; p < 0.001). Patients in the intervention group had a significant reduction in mean SBP/DBP (−6.15/−2.58 mmHg) compared with the control group (−0.98/−0.92 mmHg; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Pharmacist‐led interventions resulted in a significant improvement in disease knowledge, medication adherence, and BP control in the Vietnamese context of practice and health system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Anthrax is reported with frequency but poorly understood in Southeast Asian countries including Vietnam. In Vietnam, anthrax surveillance is national. However, case detection, prevention, and control are implemented locally at the provincial level. Here, we describe the epidemiological characteristics, identify spatial clusters of human anthrax, and compare the variation in livestock anthrax vaccine coverage to disease incidence in humans and livestock using historical data in Son La province, Vietnam (2003–2020). Methods and Results: Most human cases occurred between April and September. Most of the patients were male, aged 15–54 years old. The human cases were mainly reported by public district hospitals. There was a delay between disease onset and hospitalization of ~5 days. We identified spatial clusters of high–high incidence communes in the northern communes of the province using the local Moran's I statistic. The vaccine coverage sharply decreased across the study period. The province reported sporadic human anthrax outbreaks, while animal cases were only reported in 2005 and 2022. Conclusions: These results suggest underreporting for human and livestock anthrax in the province. Intersectoral information sharing is needed to aid livestock vaccination planning, which currently relies on reported livestock cases. The spatial clusters identify areas for targeted surveillance and livestock vaccination, while the seasonal case data suggest prioritizing vaccination campaigns for February or early March ahead of the April peak. A regional approach for studying the role of livestock trading between Son La and neighbouring provinces in anthrax occurrence is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Striped catfish are one of the main aquaculture species in Asia. However, the low level of omega‐3 fatty acids in its body makes this species less attractive compared with marine fish. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different oils on growth performance, body composition, and fatty acids in striped catfish juveniles. A basal diet (T0) was formulated to contain no oil, while four other diets (T1, T2, T3, and T4) were supplemented at 4% with different oils, including salmon oil (SALO), soybean oil (SBO), linseed oil (LSO), and rapeseed oil (RSO). Catfish juveniles with initial body weight (23–24 g/fish) were randomly stocked in 500‐L fiberglass tanks, divided into five treatments, three replicates for each, and fed the experimental diets for 60 days. Results from this study revealed that fish fed the LSO‐supplemented diet had significantly (p < 0.05) improved whole body omega‐3 (alpha‐linoleic acid, 18:3n3) fatty acid levels (7.86%), total n‐3 fatty acids (9.12%), and higher growth than those fed the other diets. In conclusion, the findings suggest that linseed oil can be used to improve growth, omega‐3 fatty acid, C18:3–3 (ALA), and total n‐3 PUFA deposition in the whole body of striped catfish juveniles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer waste in the environment is a more and more serious problem for nature. Therefore, the industry is increasingly interested in the use of materials that are biodegradable. Polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) belongs to the group of biodegradable polymers, but this polymer often does not have the desired properties for many uses. Therefore, this polymer is often mixed with other biodegradable polymers to form blends with suitable properties. An alternative is, to change the polymer's properties with the addition of fibers. The aim of the present work is to use lyocell fibers to improve the mechanical properties of PBAT. Lyocell is an eco‐friendly cellulose fiber that is biodegradable. The lyocell fibers were embedded into a PBAT matrix in the form of a woven fabric, with different orientations of the fabric warp yarns to the long axis of composites. Consequently, composites with a warp yarn orientation of 0°, ±22.5°, ±45°, ±67.5°, and 90° were prepared. The mechanical properties were characterized by quasi‐static tensile testing and also by dynamic mechanical analysis. The elastic modulus as a function of warp yarn orientation was modeled with the modified rule‐of‐mixture theory and with the theory of elasticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic neuropathy is one of the most serious and common complications of diabetes with a wide spectrum, affecting 30–50% of diabetic patients. However, the current treatments of this disorder, mainly based on controlling blood glucose level, show an inadequate clinical outcome. Better approaches are needed. In this fashion, it is noted that promoting nerve regeneration and preventing nerve degeneration should be focused on equally and appropriately. In this mini review, how more effective approaches are in targeting PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK pathways in the treatment of peripheral diabetic neuropathy is discussed. Future treatment of peripheral diabetic neuropathy should consider these approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Unhealthy dietary patterns are a major contributor to obesity worldwide, leading to various adverse metabolic effects such as elevated liver enzyme levels and increased cholesterol concentrations. This study investigates the potential of cascara kombucha as a functional beverage to provide health benefits in both in vitro and in vivo models. Our results indicate that kombucha fermentation enhances the bioactive compounds in cascara, including polyphenols and flavonoids. The in vitro study found that cascara kombucha effectively decreased free radicals (DPPH and ABTS) levels, α‐amylase, and lipase activity, suggesting its potential to act as an antioxidant and modulate carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. In a mouse model, oral administration of cascara kombucha at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight for 28 days successfully decreased fasting blood glucose levels, improved liver health by reducing aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase levels, and lowered serum cholesterol content induced by a fat‐enriched diet compared to the untreated group. The levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase, suppressed by the fat‐enriched diet, were restored to normal. Additionally, cascara kombucha downregulated genes associated with inflammation induced by a fat‐enriched diet, including tnf‐α, IL‐6, IL‐1β, and cox‐2. It also positively affected the balance of intestinal microflora in mice by reducing coliform density and enhancing probiotic populations. These findings highlight the potential of cascara kombucha as a promising approach to addressing health issues caused by poor dietary habits and metabolic imbalances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HCV RNA test determines current active infection and is a requirement prior to initiating HCV treatment. We investigated trends and factors associated with post‐diagnosis HCV RNA testing rates prior to HCV treatment, and risk factors for first positive HCV RNA among people living with HIV (PLHIV) with HCV in the Asia‐Pacific region. PLHIV with positive HCV antibody and in follow‐up after 2010 were included. Patients were considered HCV‐antibody positive if they ever tested positive for HCV antibody (HCVAb). Repeated measures Poisson regression model was used to analyse factors associated with post‐diagnosis HCV RNA testing rates from positive HCVAb test. Factors associated with time to first positive HCV RNA from positive HCVAb test were analysed using Cox regression model. There were 767 HCVAb positive participants included (87% from LMICs) of whom 11% had HCV RNA tests. With 163 HCV RNA tests post positive HCVAb test, the overall testing rate was 5.05 per 100 person‐years. Factors associated with increased testing rates included later calendar years of follow‐up, HIV viral load ≥1000 copies/mL and higher income countries. Later calendar years of follow‐up, ALT >5 times its upper limit of normal, and higher income countries were associated with shorter time to first positive HCV RNA test. Testing patterns indicated that uptake was predominantly in high income countries possibly due to different strategies used to determine testing in LMICs. Expanding access to HCV RNA, such as through lower‐cost point of care assays, will be required to achieve elimination of HCV as a public health issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This paper presents an ultrahigh input impedance, low noise, and wide bandwidth four‐channels analog front‐end (AFE) for low‐power neural recording systems. To achieve high input impedance, the buffer channels are placed between the electrodes and the main amplifier stage of the AFE. The buffer is designed with low noise and low power consumption to obtain high input impedance of overall AFE while maintaining low input‐referred noise and low power consumption. A chopper capacitively coupled chopper instrumentation amplifier (CCIA) is placed after the buffer as the main amplifier stage of the AFE to improve the common mode rejection ratio (CMRR) and the input‐referred noise of the overall AFE design. A new chopper stabilization control technique is proposed and used in the CCIA stage to reduce the charge injection and clock feedthrough and consequently the high‐frequency ripple of the AFE output signal. A programmable gain amplifier (PGA) is designed as the third stage to adjust the overall gain of the AFE. Benefiting from PGA, the AFE can adapt its gain with both action potential and local field potential signals. To reduce the number of the electrode to be implanted and reduce the impedance mismatch that causes the degradation on overall CMRR performance, two AFE channels shared a reference electrode followed by a reference buffer. The proposed AFE is designed and simulated using a standard 180 nm CMOS process and operates in a wide frequency band of 2.1 to 2500 Hz with low input‐referred noise of 1.6 μVrms and a CMRR over 80 dB at 2.1 Hz. The total power consumption is lower than 4.3 μW per channel. With the proposed structure of AFE, the input impedance is 35 GΩ @ 21 Hz and the minimum impedance over operational bandwidth is 75 MΩ @ 2.5 kHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives Methods Results Conclusions Surgical deroofing is an essential part of ongoing management of Hidradenitis Suppurativa, including persistent lesions non‐responsive to medical therapy. The variables associated with delayed wound healing after surgical deroofing are contradictory within the literature due to the inclusion of heterogeneous surgical intervention methods. We aimed to assess the predictors of time to wound healing after surgical deroofing in HS.Patients who underwent in‐office surgical deroofing between 2020 and 2024 at a single tertiary HS referral centre were included in analysis. Demographic, disease and blood variables were collected as per standard of care. Statistical analysis was performed using univariate correlation, with multiple regression performed to explore the interactions between variables and identify variables predictive of time to wound healing.A total of 270 individuals were included in the analysis. The median time to wound healing was 9.6 weeks with a range from 4 to 22 weeks. Kaplan–Meier curves demonstrated significant differences with the log rank test when comparing biologic use versus no use, normal versus abnormal CRP and normal versus abnormal haemoglobin. Cox regression analysis identified biologic use with a significant hazard ratio compared to no biologic therapy (HR = 2.512, p < 0.0001) along with baseline CRP (HR = 0.968, p < 0.0001) and baseline haemoglobin (HR = 1.052, p < 0.001).Time to wound healing after in‐office deroofing can be decreased with prior biologic therapy and markers of systemic inflammation in blood are also significantly associated with delays in healing. This correlates well with the existing literature promoting concurrent medical and surgical therapy to improve patient outcomes in HS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cationic starch (CatS) coating of cellulose fabrics enables salt‐free reactive dyeing. However, the relation of the degree of substitution and CatS concentration in the dyeing procedure are open issues. Accordingly, three cationic starches of increasing degree of substitution were used at different concentrations for the coating of cotton fabrics. Fabrics were evaluated for stiffness, dye uptake, dye exhaustion, wash fastness and nitrogen content. With an increasing degree of substitution coating solutions become more viscous, resulting in increased wet pick‐up and less stiff coated fabrics. These fabrics show increasing dye absorption and color generation. Due to the molecular size of the cationic starch, yarn/fiber ring dyeing is supposed present. Specifically, color generation can be adjusted by initial cationic starch coating concentration. Above 5 % CatS concentration ceases to have an increasing coloration effect. Pre‐treating a cellulose fabric with approximately 2.2 % CatS (Ds=0.7) enables similar coloration to a standard reactive dyeing protocol. Light fastness is reduced by 1–1.5 compared to salt‐based reactive dyeing. Rub fastness decreases by 1–2 only for higher substituted cationic starches (Ds=0.7). Nitrogen analysis reveals that a share of the CatS elutes off the fabrics into the dye bath. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Methods Results Conclusion Unplanned readmissions in general surgery are an important quality indicator of patient care and are associated with increased costs to healthcare services. This study aims to implement a multidisciplinary protocol in a single institution in a tertiary referral hospital to monitor and reduce unplanned readmission rates.A prospective cohort study using an institution‐based protocol was conducted over an 18‐month period including patients undergoing a general surgical procedure. The protocol included: (i) implementation of a surgical readmissions nurse–patient liaison; (ii) access to a surgical walk‐in clinic; and (iii) early post‐discharge phone contact. Data included demographic details, index procedure, hospital length of stay (LOS), and whether contact between patient/nurse occurred upon discharge. The primary outcome was the cause and rate of 30‐day readmissions. Secondary outcomes were mortality, use of surgical clinic, emergency department presentations, and complications.After protocol implementation, 874 patients underwent a general surgical procedure, with 354 (49%) being male and an overall median age of 53.0 years (interquartile range: 36.0–67.0). The overall readmission rate was 5.6% (n = 49), with a median LOS after readmission of 4 days. Compared with historical pre‐protocol ACS‐NSQIP data, this reflects a 30% reduction compared to that of readmission rate of 7.9%, P = 0.03.The multidisciplinary protocol was efficacious in significantly reducing unplanned readmissions. Continued audits and monitoring of factors associated with readmissions are required to help design targeted projects that may lead to improved outcomes, lower costs, increased patient satisfaction, and better efficiency within our healthcare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the impact of three different principles of surface activation techniques for polyamide fibers on the formation of conductive percolation during the subsequent electroless copper deposition process was investigated. The techniques used are (1) polyamide complexation using a solution mixture of calcium chloride, ethanol and water, (2) atmospheric plasma surface treatment and (3) grafting of 2‐hydroxyethylmethacrylate by radical induced polymerization. As a result, the percolation threshold was shifted to lower copper contents. The copper content required to form conductive structures was reduced ranged between 59% and 89%, depending on the activation techniques. Furthermore, the deposition time was reduced by 37%–57%, resulting in a faster build‐up of the percolation on the fabric. Changes in wetting behavior and substrate surface topography were identified to be the main reasons for these observations. While all applied surface activation techniques led to higher copper contents compared to unmodified reference, the atmospheric plasma modification led to the highest copper contents during the deposition process and a more uniform appearance of the metallised layer. Highlights: Three different fiber surface activation methods are evaluated.Fiber surface activation increases wetting and polymer‐metal adhesion.Activated polymer surface leads to faster copper deposition and percolation.Atmospheric plasma modification is the most efficient technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building upon recent calls for the integration of abolition into psychology, we develop and validate a measure of Abolitionist Ideology. In two studies with abolitionist leaning (N = 201, abolitionist‐identifying n = 58) and nationally representative (N = 350) samples, we identify and confirm a three‐factor, 26‐item measure including subscales of Alternatives to State Violence, Revolutionary Abolitionism, and Abolitionist Identity. The Abolitionist Ideology Scale demonstrates convergent validity with measures including support for Black Lives Matter, critical consciousness, openness to experience, radical imagination, and attribution of violence to the state. The scale demonstrates divergent validity from measures including social dominance orientation (SDO) and political conservatism. Finally, the scale predicted activism tenacity above and beyond a related measure of carceral system justification. The Abolitionist Ideology Scale demonstrates initial reliability and validity and will be useful for those aiming to engage abolition in liberatory theory, research, and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Elsinoe contains many aggressive pathogens of a wide range of plants, many of which are economically important. These fungal pathogens cause serious scab diseases affecting various plant parts, impacting plant vigour, yield and market value. While studies on Elsinoe species have predominantly focused on their taxonomy, there is a conspicuous gap in knowledge of these fungi from a plant pathology perspective. In this review, we draw together and critically evaluate the existing, but rather fragmented, research on the taxonomic status, phylogenetic relationships, host range, as well as the biology and epidemiology of Elsinoe species. Our aim is primarily to augment the existing understanding of the global significance of Elsinoe species, and furthermore, to shed light on the escalating prominence of scab diseases caused by species in a fungal genus that has been known for over 100 years but remains relatively poorly understood and somewhat enigmatic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactions of 2,6‐dipicolinoylbis(N,N‐diethylthiourea) (H2LEt) with common tellurium(IV) starting materials such as PhTeBr3 or TeBr4 yield various tellurium(IV) and tellurium(II) compounds depending on the conditions applied. Equimolar amounts of H2LEt and PhTeBr3 give the 1 : 1 complex [PhTeIVBr3(H2LEt)], while with an excess of H2LEt, the tellurium compound is partially reduced and a {PhTeII}+ building block coordinates to both sulfur atoms of H2LEt under the formation of the ion pair [PhTeII(H2LEt)][PhTeIVBr4]. Similar reactions between H2LEt and TeBr4 give the neutral monomer [TeIIBr2(H2LEt)] or the coordination polymer [TeIIBr2(H2LEt)]∞. The latter compound is also formed with the assistance of Pb2+ ions. While the lead ions do not appear in the isolated product, similar reactions with transition metal ions such as Ni2+, Mn2+, or Co2+ result in the formation of heterobimetallic complexes, in which Te(II) building blocks are directed to the sulfur atoms of the deprotonated ligand {H2LEt2‐S,S}2−, while the transition metal ions occupy central coordination positions between two of the organic ligands using the pyridine nitrogen atom, carbonyl oxygen atom(s) and/or the nitrogen atoms of the thiourea units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy sources (RESs) have become a prominent trend in the development of energy systems in many countries. To manage RESs, microgrids have emerged as an efficient and optimal solution. However, a microgrid might occasionally have problems like overloading and voltage sag. To address this problem, this paper proposes a technique that combines a consensus algorithm and a dual active bridge (DAB) to transfer energy between two different microgrids. A detection technique for overloading and voltage sag is part of the proposed control approach. In these circumstances, the DAB facilitates consensus adjustments to the stable microgrid current to bring it into balance with the overloaded current. By applying this proposed control method, voltage drops are significantly reduced, leading to an improvement in the power system quality. The simulation results of the microgrid and a scaled‐down laboratory system are conducted to verify the feasibility of the proposed control scheme. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID‐19‐Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network (COVID‐NET) was established in March 2020 to monitor trends in hospitalizations associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. COVID‐NET is a geographically diverse population‐based surveillance system for laboratory‐confirmed COVID‐19‐associated hospitalizations with a combined catchment area covering approximately 10% of the US population. Data collected in COVID‐NET includes monthly counts of hospitalizations for persons with confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection who reside within the defined catchment area. A Bayesian modeling approach is proposed to estimate US national COVID‐associated hospital admission rates based on information reported in the COVID‐NET system. A key component of the approach is the ability to estimate uncertainty resulting from extrapolation of hospitalization rates observed within COVID‐NET to the US population. In addition, the proposed model enables estimation of other contributors to uncertainty including temporal dependence among reported COVID‐NET admission counts, the impact of unmeasured site‐specific factors, and the frequency and accuracy of testing for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Based on the proposed model, an estimated 6.3 million (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 5.4–7.3 million) COVID‐19‐associated hospital admissions occurred in the United States from September 2020 through December 2023. Between April 2020 and December 2023, model‐based monthly admission rate estimates ranged from a minimum of 1 per 10,000 population (95% UI 0.7–1.2) in June of 2023 to a highest monthly level of 16 per 10,000 (95% UI 13–19) in January 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copepods are one of the most abundant invertebrate groups in the seas and oceans and are a significant food source for marine animals. Copepods are also particularly sensitive to elevated temperatures. However, it is relatively unknown how the internal microbiome influences copepod susceptibility to warming. We addressed this fundamental knowledge gap by assessing key life history traits (survival, development, and reproduction) and changes in the internal microbiome in the tropical calanoid copepod Acartia sp. in response to warming (26°C, 30°C, and 34°C). Copepod microbiomes were analyzed using high throughput DNA sequencing of V1–V9 of 16S rRNA hypervariable regions. Copepod performance was better at 30°C than at 26°C, as indicated by faster development, a higher growth rate, and fecundity. However, these parameters strongly decreased at 34°C. We recorded 1,262,987 amplicon sequence reads, corresponding to 392 total operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at 97% similarity. Warming did not affect OTU numbers and the biodiversity indices, but it substantially changed the relative abundance of three major phyla: Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidota. The thermophilic and opportunistic Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota increased under extreme temperatures (34°C) while Actinobacteria abundance was strongly reduced. Changes in the relative abundance of these bacteria might be related to reduced copepod growth, survival, and reproduction under extreme temperatures. Profiling the functional role of all internal bacterial groups in response to the temperature change will fundamentally advance our mechanistic understanding of the performance of tropical copepods and, more generally, marine invertebrates to a warming climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Failure to rescue (FTR), defined as death after a major complication, is increasingly being used as a surrogate for assessing quality of care following major cancer resection. The aim of this paper is to determine the failure to rescue (FTR) rate after oesophagectomy and explore factors that may contribute to FTR within Australia. Methods: A retrospective review of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database from 2015 to 2023 at five Australian hospitals was conducted to identify patients who underwent an oesophagectomy. The primary outcome was FTR rate. Perioperative parameters were examined to evaluate predictive factors for FTR. Secondary outcomes include major complications, overall morbidity, mortality, length of stay and 30‐day readmissions. Results: A total of 155 patients were included with a median age of 65.2 years, 74.8% being male. The FTR rate was 6.3%. In total, 50.3% of patients (n = 78) developed at least one postoperative complication with the most common complication being pneumonia (20.6%) followed by prolonged intubation (12.9%) and organ space SSI/anastomotic leak (11.0%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine any factors that were predictive for FTR however none reached statistical significance. Conclusion: This study is the first to evaluate the FTR rates following oesophagectomy within Australia, with FTR rates and complication profile comparable to international benchmarks. Integration of multi‐institutional national databases such as ACS NSQIP into units is essential to monitor and compare patient outcomes following major cancer surgery, especially in low to moderate volume centres. Failure to rescue (FTR), defined as death after a major complication, is increasingly being used as a surrogate for assessing quality of care following major cancer resection. This study is the first to evaluate the FTR rates following oesophagectomy within Australia. FTR rates and complication profiles were comparable to international benchmarks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hemostasis following large‐bore femoral vein access remains a challenge. Manual compression has been the standard of care but requires bedside staff, prolonged bed rest, and longer length of stay. The LockeT is an external compression device that attempts to address these issues while achieving venous hemostasis. Objectives: We evaluate postprocedural hemostasis and vascular closure outcomes after using LockeT following cardiac electrophysiologic procedures. Methods: We performed a single‐center, observational study of patients who underwent vascular closure for electrophysiology procedures using LockeT. Postprocedural outcomes were subsequently analyzed. Results: We studied 102 patients (N) for whom LockeT was used to close 182 separate vascular access sites (n). Common procedures were atrial fibrillation ablation (56.9%, N = 58) and left atrial appendage occlusion (28.4%, N = 29). Most often, 8‐Fr [48.3% (n = 126)], 11‐Fr [27.2% (n = 71)], and 8.5‐Fr [16.9% (n = 44)] sheaths were used, with an average procedure time of 82.1 ± 29.4 min. Hemostasis was achieved in 97.8% (n = 187) of all LockeT cases. Time to ambulation and discharge were 3.93 ± 1.10 h and 8.1 ± 4.4 h, respectively. No major complications were noted. Postprocedurally, 52% (N = 53) of patients were discharged on the same day. There were no differences in hemostasis (p =.859) or ambulation times (p =.202) between procedure types. Conclusion: The LockeT can effectively close venous access sites with no major complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the natural tetramic acids with a decalinoyl part, signermycin B is unique because it contains a cis‐decalin. In this paper, we demonstrate that the cis‐decalin section of signermycin B can be accessed by an anionic oxy‐Cope rearrangement. The substrate, a tricyclic dienol was prepared by an intramolecular Diels‐Alder reaction of a masked ortho‐benzoquinone, generated by oxidation of an α‐methoxyphenol in presence of cis‐2‐hexenol. After a superfluous bromine on the cycloadduct was removed, reaction of the tricyclic ketone with isopropenylmagnesium bromide led to the tricyclic trienol that underwent the oxy‐Cope rearrangement to a cis‐decalinone. While we could show, that introduction of the 4‐ethyl substituent (signermycin B numbering) is possible by enolate alkylation, the 4‐epi‐isomer was formed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, no CCC‐NHC pincer complexes of Re have been reported in the literature. The first CCC‐NHC pincer complex of Re is reported. It was fully characterized by 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X‐ray crystallographic methods to determine the molecular structure. It was synthesized via transmetallation from an isolated Zr precursor and was found to be air stable. The catalytic activity of the CCC‐NHC Re(I) pincer complex was demonstrated for the borrowing hydrogen coupling reaction between benzylic ketones and primary alcohols to generate a new C–C bond in an environmentally friendly catalysis requiring no activating groups for the alcohol functionality. This borrowing hydrogen coupling reaction produced a stoichiometric amount of water as the only by‐product and did not require the conversion of the primary alcohol to a leaving group. A broad range of substrates was examined, and isolated yields from 53% to 92% were obtained. A catalytic cycle for the CCC‐NHC Re(I) pincer complex catalyzed borrowing hydrogen coupling reaction is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Classic galactosemia (CG) is an inborn error of galactose metabolism caused by mutations in the GALT gene. Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a later complication that affects 80% of women with CG due to a significant decline in ovarian reserve (primordial follicle pool). The definite mechanisms underlying the early onset of POI in CG patients are not fully understood. Methods: In this study, we performed single‐nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA‐seq) and spatial transcriptomics on ovary tissue biopsies from prepubertal girls diagnosed with CG to investigate dynamic changes in gene expression and altered signalling pathways in granulosa cells, oocytes, and stromal cells. Results: We generated single‐nucleus and spatial transcriptomics atlas of human ovaries from prepubertal girls diagnosed with and without CG. snRNA‐seq profiling of the paediatric ovary revealed a diverse ovarian microenvironment with seven distinct major cell types. Our transcriptomic analysis revealed an increase in the expression of several endoplasmic reticulum stress and oxidative stress associated genes, which can promote apoptosis of granulosa cells in CG. PTEN/PI3K/AKT signalling, which is crucial for primordial follicle activation and survival was dysregulated as supported by upregulated PTEN transcripts and a significant reduction in phospho‐AKT levels in the granulosa cells and oocytes. We also found a marked increase in expression of phospho‐H2A.X, LC3A/B and CASP9 in the primordial follicles of CG ovaries suggesting DNA damage, autophagy, and accelerated follicular atresia. Furthermore, we noticed genes participating in extracellular matrix organisation, integrin and gap junction signalling, essential for structural support of the ovarian stroma were profoundly altered. Conclusions: Our findings provide molecular insights into the dysregulated cellular signalling pathways essential for primordial follicle growth and survival that can explain the etiology of POI in CG patients. This study has implications in the development of future therapeutic interventions to preserve ovarian function and promote female reproductive health. Highlights: Created a comprehensive single‐nucleus transcriptomic atlas and spatial landscape of paediatric ovary tissue from prepubertal girls diagnosed with classic galactosemia (CG).Our transcriptomic analysis revealed activation of genes associated with ER‐stress signalling, oxidative stress response and ATM signalling/DNA damage response as shown by significant increase in expression of p‐EIF2A, p‐H2A.X and LC3A/B in the primordial follicles of CG ovary.PTEN/PI3K/AKT signalling pathways was dysregulated evidenced by a significant reduction in phospho‐AKT expression in the primordial follicles of CG ovary, suggesting impaired follicle activation and survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) methods are applicable to statistical models specified by generative processes with analytically intractable likelihoods. These methods try to approximate the posterior density of a model parameter by comparing the observed data with additional process‐generated simulated data sets. For computational benefit, only the values of certain well‐chosen summary statistics are usually compared, instead of the whole data set. Most ABC procedures are computationally expensive, justified only heuristically, and have poor asymptotic properties. In this article, we introduce a new empirical likelihood‐based approach to the ABC paradigm called ABCel. The proposed procedure is computationally tractable and approximates the target log posterior of the parameter as a sum of two functions of the data—namely, the mean of the optimal log‐empirical likelihood weights and the estimated differential entropy of the summary functions. We rigorously justify the procedure via direct and reverse information projections onto appropriate classes of probability densities. Past applications of empirical likelihood in ABC demanded constraints based on analytically tractable estimating functions that involve both the data and the parameter; although by the nature of the ABC problem such functions may not be available in general. In contrast, we use constraints that are functions of the summary statistics only. Equally importantly, we show that our construction directly connects to the reverse information projection and estimate the relevant differential entropy by a k‐NN estimator. We show that ABCel is posterior consistent and has highly favorable asymptotic properties. Its construction justifies the use of simple summary statistics like moments, quantiles, and so forth, which in practice produce accurate approximation of the posterior density. We illustrate the performance of the proposed procedure in a range of applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the effects of environmental regulations on the profitability and value of Korean listed firms, exploiting the first phase of the Korean Emissions Trading System (ETS) as an exogenous shock. While previous studies have mainly focused on environmental regulations in developed countries, often yielding inconclusive results, emerging markets like South Korea remain less explored. Using data on Korean listed firms from 2011 to 2017, we explore the effects of the 2015 Korean ETS on environmental and financial performance in treated firms. We find that treated firms did not reduce their carbon emissions, but their environmental ratings improved. Moreover, the ETS slightly increased profitability but significantly decreased firm value. Treated firms also exhibited a higher systematic risk, indicating that investors account for future carbon risks. In summary, the Korean ETS has not effectively incentivized firms to reduce emissions and has diminished their long‐term value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reusability of thermosets and their composites is challenging due to their robust crosslinked network structures, which underrate them as eco‐friendly materials and severely damage the ecosystem. Here, a novel biomass‐derived cellulose long filament (CLF)‐reinforced vanillyl alcohol epoxy (VAE) composite is fabricated that exhibited outstanding flexural strength of 232.2 ± 7.7 MPa and modulus of 26.9 ± 2.8 GPa compared to the previously reported bio‐mass derived composites. The green CLF‐VAE composite demonstrates good thermal stability and hydrophobic behavior due to the robust interaction between the hydroxyl (─OH) groups of CLFs and functional groups in the lignin‐derived VAE resin. Further, the chemical degradation behavior of the neat VAE thermoset and the green CLF‐VAE composite is studied in a nitric acid solution, and the recycled extract of the thermoset and its composite is used again for producing the 2nd generation CLF‐VAE composite. The optimized 2.5 wt.% loading of the recycled extract in the 2nd generation VAE thermoset and green CLF‐VAE composite demonstrated superior flexural strength and modulus compared to the 1st generation thermoset and composite. The recyclability, along with good thermal and mechanical properties of the biomass‐derived green CLF‐VAE composite, shows its potential for high‐performance structural applications, merging sustainability with circular economy for green solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we enhance the optical properties of hydrogenated silicon nitride (SiNx:H) thin film by optimization of deposition conditions using plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). Specifically, the impact of varying NH3:SiH4 gas ratios (GRs) on the optical and structural properties of the SiNx:H film has been investigated. A ratio of 1.2 results in an optimal refractive index of 2.05, a thickness of 75.60 nm, and a deposition rate of 1.01 nm s−1, achieving the highest optical transmittance of 92.63% at 350 °C. Lower ratios, such as 0.5, produce higher refractive indices up to 2.43 but with reduced transmittance and thinner films (53.67 nm at 84.43% transmittance). The bandgap of GR 1.2 at 350 °C is also calculated as 3.23 eV using Tauc's plot. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis shows significant variations in SiH hydrogen bonding configurations at different temperatures, affecting SiH and SiNH bond densities. These are crucial for understanding the films' electronic and optical behaviors, with the highest hydrogen content for SiH noted at 3.30 × 1022 cm−3 at 350 °C. This research provides a detailed understanding of how precise control over GRs during PECVD can fine‐tune SiNx film properties, offering guidelines for producing high‐quality SiNx:H layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study utilizes Quokka3, an advanced solar cell simulation program, specifically tailored for interdigitated back‐contact (IBC) crystalline silicon (c‐Si) solar cells. Through meticulous Quokka3 simulations, the influence of several geometric and wafer characteristics of the solar cell backside on current–voltage (I–V) performance has been scientifically explored for IBC c‐Si solar cells. The investigation encompasses parameters such as wafer thickness, bulk lifetime, resistivity, emitter and back surface field area fraction, and front‐ and rear‐surface passivation. Optimal values for these parameters have been proposed to enhance the efficiency of IBC solar cells. These recommendations contain an emitter percentage of 70%, a wafer thickness ranging from 200 μm, a wafer resistivity of 1 Ω cm, and a wafer bulk lifetime of at least 10 ms. Moreover, under conditions where the cell is not short‐circuited, the potential for achieving higher cell efficiency, up to 26.64%, has been shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Group‐hunting animals have been shown to engage their prey in long pursuits (kms) to increase capture success, but the evidence for this is limited to a few terrestrial species. This predation strategy may be effective in the open‐ocean, where group‐hunts are characterised by large predator–prey size ratios and there are few places for prey to hide.However, recording the attack rates, capture rates and capture success probabilities of grouping predators during long‐distance pursuits through the open ocean, remains a significant challenge.Here we use a combination of underwater and aerial video to assess the attack and capture behaviour of striped marlin, Kajikia audax, in relation to the movement of their schooling prey ('stationary' and 'mobile' movement states) during group hunts.We found that the attack rate was higher when the prey school was 'stationary' and, during these times, individual marlin could make longer sequences of uninterrupted attacks on the prey school, effectively monopolising the prey resource for short periods over conspecifics.When the prey school was 'mobile', the attack pattern changed and individual marlin alternated their attacks on the prey school more frequently. Capture success probability (likelihood of capture per attack) was not affected by prey movement state. However, attacks on 'mobile' schools resulted in more prey fish becoming isolated from the school, and these isolated prey were easily captured—not by the attacker but by conspecifics swimming nearby.The likelihood of a prey becoming isolated from a 'mobile' school was predicted by prey school speed, with a 0.1 m s−1 increase leading to an 18.01% increase in the chance of isolation.Altogether this meant the capture rate at the group level was highest when the prey school was 'mobile' rather than 'stationary' because the predators that were pursuing the 'mobile' prey school had an increased availability of isolated and easy to capture prey.This mechanism provides evidence for a by‐product mutualism selecting for conspecific group formation and we discuss our findings in consideration of the social structure of the hunting group and the type of prey. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Fermented foods, such as kombucha, have gained popularity due to their rich content of beneficial bioactive compounds. Papaya leaves, known for their abundance of bioactive substances such as alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds, have garnered attention for their potential to improve immune function by neutralising free radicals. This study investigates the suitability of papaya leaves and petioles as substrates for kombucha fermentation. Our findings indicate that papaya leaves and petioles were suitable substrates for kombucha fermentation, indicated by the SCOBY mass accumulation during fermentation. The gradual decrease in brix and pH values over a 14 days fermentation period corresponds to sugar metabolism and the accumulation of acetic acid. Additionally, fermentation increases total polyphenol (PPK: 250.07 ± 3.00 mg/L, PLK: 330.87 ± 15.56 mg/L) and total flavonoid content (PPK: 26.67 ± 6.31 mg/L, PLK: 34.44 ± 5.55 mg/L). Moreover, papaya‐derived kombucha demonstrates enhanced antibacterial properties and inhibits ⍺‐amylase linked to diabetes. Sensory evaluations confirm that papaya kombucha achieves a well‐balanced and appealing sensory profile, catering to diverse palates. In summary, papaya leaves and petiole exhibit promise as substrates for kombucha production, offering elevated nutritional value and potential health advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]