The Superconducting Mechanism in BiS-Based Superconductors: A Comprehensive Review with Focus on Point-Contact Spectroscopy.

The family of BiS-based superconductors has attracted considerable attention since their discovery in 2012 due to the unique structural and electronic properties of these materials. Several experimental and theoretical studies have been performed to explore the basic properties and the underlying mechanism for superconductivity. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of pairing symmetry in BiS-based superconductors and particularly the role of point-contact spectroscopy in unravelling the mechanism underlying the superconducting state.

Syngas enhancement for Fischer-Tropsch integration via solid oxide electrolyzer cell co-electrolysis with or without methane.

The transition toward a sustainable energy framework requires developing innovative methods for fuel generation that utilize renewable resources and decrease carbon footprints. Thus, the review overviews current advancements in solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) technology, specifically focusing on its application in co-electrolysis processes to produce syngas with different H:CO ratios, essential for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. It emphasizes the potential of integrating partial methane oxidation reaction into the electrolysis process.

Management of human epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors-related acneiform rash: A position paper based on the first Europe/USA Delphi consensus process.

Background: There is a need for unified guidance in the management of acneiform rash induced by epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRi) among dermatologists.

Objective: To establish unified international guidelines for the management of acneiform rash caused by EGFR inhibitors, based on an experts' Delphi consensus.

Methods: The initiative was led by five members of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Task Force 'Dermatology for Cancer Patients' who developed a questionnaire that was circulated to a group of 32 supportive oncodermatology experts in Europe, Canada, Argentina, the US States and Asia.

Comparative analysis of upper body kinematics in stroke, Parkinson's disease, and healthy subjects: An observational study using IMU-based targeted box and block test.

Background: The Box and Block Test (BBT) is an essential and widely used test in rehabilitation for the assessment of gross unilateral manual dexterity. Although it is a valid, simple, and ecological instrument, it does not provide a quantitative measure of the upper limb trajectories during the test.

Research Question: The study introduces a new motion-capture-based method (using ecological Inertial Measurement Units - IMUs) to evaluate upper body kinematics while performing a targeted version of BBT (tBBT).

Optimization of rare earth magnet recovery processes using oxalic acid in precipitation stripping: Insights from experimental investigation and statistical analysis.

Recycling the valuable metals found in spent permanent magnets (REPMs) poses a significant global challenge for the future. This study examines the efficiency of back extraction of rare earth elements (REEs) by oxalic acid solution from di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) in recycling REPMs. To evaluate the efficiency of this process, several experiments were carried out using designed BOX-Behnken methodology to investigate the effects of various operational and chemical parameters, including stripping solution to loaded organic phase volume ratio (in the range of 1.

Culturable yeast community associated with grape must and honey bees sampled from apiaries located in the vineyards.

Aim: In this study, we investigated culturable yeast community, present in grape must sampled from vineyards with apiaries on the borders, and in honey bees collected in these apiaries.

Methods And Results: To this aim, yeasts isolated from spontaneously fermented grapes randomly collected in two vineyards (P1 and P2) with apiaries on the borders (A1 and A2) were compared to those isolated from spontaneously fermented grapes collected from a vineyard without apiary (P4). At the same time, yeast community was analyzed on bees collected in each apiary placed in the vineyards, in comparison to yeasts isolated from an apiary (A3) located far from the vineyards.

Preliminary investigation on the potential involvement of an ABC-like gene in Halomicronema metazoicum (Cyanobacteria) tolerance to low seawater pH in an ocean acidification scenario.

Decreasing ocean surface pH, called ocean acidification (OA), is among the major risks for marine ecosystems due to human-driven atmospheric pCO increase. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of adaptation enabling marine species to tolerate a lowered seawater pH could support predictions of consequences of future OA scenarios for marine life. This study examined whether the ATP-binding cassette (ABC)-like gene slr2019 confers tolerance to the marine cyanobacterium Halomicronema metazoicum to low seawater pH conditions (7.

Liver Transplantation from Elderly Donors (≥85 Years Old).

Background: Despite the ongoing trend of increasing donor ages in liver transplantation (LT) setting, a notable gap persists in the availability of comprehensive guidelines for the utilization of organs from elderly donors. This study aimed to evaluate the viability of livers grafts from donors aged ≥85 years and report the post-LT outcomes compared with those from "ideal" donors under 40 years old.

Methods: Conducted retrospectively at a single center from 2005 to 2023, this study compared outcomes of LTs from donors aged ≥85 y/o and ≤40 y/o, with the propensity score matching to the recipient's gender, age, BMI, MELD score, redo-LT, LT indication, and cause of donor death.

Element mobility during basalt-water-CO interaction: observations in natural systems vs. laboratory experiments and implication for carbon storage.

Today, carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere is the most ambitious challenge to mitigate climate changes. Basalt rocks are abundant on the Earth's surface (≈ 10%) and very abundant in the ocean floors and subaerial environments. Glassy matrix and minerals constituting these rocks contain metals (Ca, Mg, Fe) that can react with carbonic acid to form metal carbonates (CaCO, MgO and FeCO3).

Complex Hepatectomy Under Total Vascular Exclusion of the Liver Preserving the Caval Flow with Portal Hypothermic Perfusion and Temporary Portacaval Shunt: A Proof of Concept.

Background: Hypothermic liver perfusion decreases ischemia/reperfusion injury during hepatectomy under standard total vascular exclusion (TVE) of the liver. This surgery needs venovenous bypass and is hampered by high morbi-mortality. TVE preserving the inferior vena cava (IVC) flow is hemodynamically well tolerated but remains limited in duration when performed under liver normothermia.

Multilayer WS for low-power visible and near-infrared phototransistors.

Mechanically exfoliated multilayer WS flakes are used as the channel of field effect transistors for low-power photodetection in the visible and near-infrared (NIR) spectral range. The electrical characterization as a function of the temperature reveals devices with n-type conduction and slightly different Schottky barriers at the drain and source contacts. The WS phototransistors can be operated in self-powered mode, yielding both a current and a voltage when exposed to light.

Liver resection versus radiofrequency ablation or trans-arterial chemoembolization for early-stage (BCLC A) oligo-nodular hepatocellular carcinoma: meta-analysis.

Background: The 2022 Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) algorithm does not recommend liver resection (LR) in BCLC A patients with oligo-nodular (two or three nodules ≤3 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This sharply contrasts with the therapeutic hierarchy concept, implying a precise treatment order exists within each BCLC stage. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of LR versus radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in BCLC A patients.

Extending deterministic transport capabilities for very-high and ultra-high energy electron beams.

Focused Very-High Energy Electron (VHEE, 50-300 MeV) and Ultra-High Energy Electron (UHEE, > 300 MeV) beams can accurately target both large and deeply seated human tumors with high sparing properties, while avoiding the spatial requirements and cost of proton and heavy ion facilities. Advanced testing phases are underway at the CLEAR facilities at CERN (Switzerland), NLCTA at Stanford (USA), and SPARC at INFN (Italy), aiming to accelerate the transition to clinical application. Currently, Monte Carlo (MC) transport is the sole paradigm supporting preclinical trials and imminent clinical deployment.

Improving the Safety of Computed Tomography Through Automated Quality Measurement: A Radiologist Reader Study of Radiation Dose, Image Noise, and Image Quality.

Objectives: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services funded the development of a computed tomography (CT) quality measure for use in pay-for-performance programs, which balances automated assessments of radiation dose with image quality to incentivize dose reduction without compromising the diagnostic utility of the tests. However, no existing quantitative method for assessing CT image quality has been validated against radiologists' image quality assessments on a large number of CT examinations. Thus to develop an automated measure of image quality, we tested the relationship between radiologists' subjective ratings of image quality with measurements of radiation dose and image noise.

Fraisinib: a calixpyrrole derivative reducing A549 cell-derived NSCLC tumor acts as a ligand of the glycine-tRNA synthase, a new molecular target in oncology.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death in both men and women, constituting a major public health problem worldwide. Non-small-cell lung cancer accounts for 85%-90% of all lung cancers. We propose a compound that successfully fights tumor growth by targeting the enzyme GARS1.

The host Rab9a/Rab32 axis is actively recruited to the Trypanosoma cruzi parasitophorous vacuole and benefits the infection cycle.

Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease is a protozoan parasite that infects phagocytic and non-phagocytic mammalian cells. At early stages of infection, trypomastigotes, the infective forms of this parasite, localize in a vesicular compartment called the T. cruzi parasitophorous vacuole until the exit of parasites to the host cell cytoplasm where continue their infective cycle.

Point-Contact Spectroscopy in Bulk Samples of Electron-Doped Cuprate Superconductors.

Point-contact spectroscopy was performed on bulk samples of electron-doped high temperature superconductor NdCeCuO. The samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy equipped with a wavelength-dispersive spectrometer and an electron backscatter diffraction detector. Samples with Ce content x = 0.

Improving hospital quality risk-adjustment models using interactions identified by hierarchical group lasso regularisation.

Background: Risk-adjustment (RA) models are used to account for severity of illness in comparing patient outcomes across hospitals. Researchers specify covariates as main effects, but they often ignore interactions or use stratification to account for effect modification, despite limitations due to rare events and sparse data. Three Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) hospital-level Quality Indicators currently use stratified models, but their variable performance and limited interpretability motivated the design of better models.