Separation Time of Aluminothermic Reduction Products for Sustainable Silicon Production.

Background: This work was carried out within the framework of the SisAl Pilot project, which is devoted to the environmentally friendly production of silicon. This new method relies on the aluminothermic reduction of quartz in slag, offering a more sustainable alternative to the traditional reduction of silica with carbon in submerged arc furnaces.

Methods: The process takes place in a rotary kiln producing silicon (Si) and alumina slag (actually, a CaO - Al O slag), which must be separated at the end to extract the silicon.

Direct measurement of three different deformations near the ground state in an atomic nucleus.

Atomic nuclei serve as prime laboratories for investigations of complex quantum phenomena, where minor nucleon rearrangements cause significant structural changes. Pb is the heaviest known neutron-deficient Pb isotope that can exhibit three distinct shapes: prolate, oblate, and spherical, with nearly degenerate excitation energies. Here we report on the combined results from three state-of-the-art measurements to directly observe these deformations in Pb.

River co-learning arenas: principles and practices for transdisciplinary knowledge co-creation and multi-scalar (inter)action.

This paper develops the methodological concept of river co-learning arenas (RCAs) and explores their potential to strengthen innovative grassroots river initiatives, enliven river commons, regenerate river ecologies, and foster greater socio-ecological justice. The integrity of river systems has been threatened in profound ways over the last century. Pollution, damming, canalisation, and water grabbing are some examples of pressures threatening the entwined lifeworlds of human and non-human communities that depend on riverine systems.

The Economic Analysis of the Overlooked Recurrent Low Back Pain: Three Years Retrospective Observational Study.

Purpose: Recent redefinitions of pain emphasize the importance of the previously overlooked recurrent low back pain (LBP). Understanding the direct medical cost for recurrent LBP cases based on the cost per visit is crucial economically. We aimed to compare the cost per visit for LBP and recurrent LBP, including the impact of gender and type of medical service, estimating the approximate annual cost of recurrent LBP.

Impact of gold nanoparticle size and coating on radiosensitization and generation of reactive oxygen species in cancer therapy.

Radiation therapy is a common cancer treatment but often damages surrounding healthy tissues, leading to unwanted side effects. Despite technological advancements aimed at improving targeting, minimizing exposure to normal cells remains a major challenge. High-Z nanoparticles, such as gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), are being explored as nano-radiosensitizers to enhance cancer treatment through physical, biological, and chemical mechanisms.

Global, regional, and national trends in drug use disorder mortality rates across 73 countries from 1990 to 2021, with projections up to 2040: a global time-series analysis and modelling study.

Background: Drug use disorder (DUD) poses a major public health crisis globally, necessitating immediate attention to global trends and future projections to develop effective health policies and interventions. Thus, we aimed to estimate the global trends in DUD mortality rates from 1990 to 2021 and future projections of DUD deaths until 2040 across 73 countries.

Methods: In this time-series analysis and modelling study, we investigated the global trends in DUD mortality rates from 1990 to 2021 using the WHO Mortality Database and forecasted future trends through 2040.

Patellofemoral arthroplasty provides similar long-term survival rate and complications with better clinical outcomes compared to facetectomy for the treatment of isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyse the clinical outcomes and survival of patellofemoral arthroplasty (PFA) in treating isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis (IPFOA) at our centre. The secondary objective was to compare these results with a historical cohort treated with partial lateral facetectomy plus Insall realignment (PLFIR). We hypothesised that clinical outcomes and survival with PFA are superior to PLFIR and comparable to the literature.

GNCnn: A QuPath extension for glomerulosclerosis and glomerulonephritis characterization based on deep learning.

The digitalization of traditional glass slide microscopy into whole slide images has opened up new opportunities for pathology, such as the application of artificial intelligence techniques. Specialized software is necessary to visualize and analyze these images. One of these applications is QuPath, a popular bioimage analysis tool.

Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing Compared to Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Septal Pacing: Mid-term Results and Learning Curve.

Our study evaluated the efficacy and feasibility of left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) compared to right ventricular outflow tract septal pacing (RVOSP). We conducted a prospective, single-center, observational study involving 200 consecutive patients who required pacemaker implantation. The patients were divided into two groups (LBBAP and RVOSP), with 100 patients in each group.

Functional conservation and divergence of arabidopsis VENOSA4 and human SAMHD1 in DNA repair.

The human deoxyribonucleoside triphosphatase (dNTPase) Sterile alpha motif and histidine-aspartate domain containing protein 1 (SAMHD1) has a dNTPase-independent role in repairing DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) by homologous recombination (HR). Here, we show that VENOSA4 (VEN4), the probable ortholog of SAMHD1, also functions in DSB repair by HR. The loss-of-function mutants showed increased DNA ploidy and deregulated DNA repair genes, suggesting DNA damage accumulation.

Visual image reconstructed without semantics from human brain activity using linear image decoders and nonlinear noise suppression.

In recent years, substantial strides have been made in the field of visual image reconstruction, particularly in its capacity to generate high-quality visual representations from human brain activity while considering semantic information. This advancement not only enables the recreation of visual content but also provides valuable insights into the intricate processes occurring within high-order functional brain regions, contributing to a deeper understanding of brain function. However, considering fusion semantics in reconstructing visual images from brain activity involves semantic-to-image guide reconstruction and may ignore underlying neural computational mechanisms, which does not represent true reconstruction from brain activity.

Post-testicular spermatozoa of a marine teleost can conduct cytoplasmic and mitochondrial translation.

Translational silence of spermatozoa has long been considered the norm in animals. However, studies in mammals have shown that the mitochondrial ribosomal machinery is selectively activated during capacitation in the female reproductive tract, while cytosolic ribosomes remain inactive. Here, using quantitative proteomics in a piscine model species, we show that proteins involved in mRNA processing and cytoplasmic translation are predominantly accumulated in immature spermatozoa within the extratesticular excurrent ducts, while those related to flagellar motility are enriched in ejaculated (mature) sperm.

Changes in Cardiovascular Health at Midlife and Subsequent Cardiovascular Outcomes in Individuals With Diabetes.

Background: Whether improvements in cardiovascular health (CVH) in midlife mitigate cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in patients with diabetes remains underexplored.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine the relationships between changes in CVH during midlife and subsequent risks of CVD events and all-cause mortality among individuals with and without diabetes.

Methods: The study utilized data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

Burden of diabetes in correctional facilities: A global systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Diabetes mellitus presents significant public health challenges worldwide. While its prevalence and management in the general population have been extensively studied, comprehensive research on diabetes among incarcerated individuals is lacking. This study aims to conduct a systematic review and -analysis to determine the prevalence of diabetes within the prison population.

Immunotherapy against glioblastoma using backpack-activated neutrophils.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represent new therapeutic candidates against glioblastoma multiforme (GBM); however, their efficacy is clinically limited due to both local and systemic immunosuppressive environments. Hence, therapeutic approaches that stimulate local and systemic immune environments can improve the efficacy of ICIs. Here, we report an adoptive cell therapy employing neutrophils (NE) that are activated via surface attachment of drug-free disk-shaped backpacks, termed Cyto-Adhesive Micro-Patches (CAMPs) for treating GBM.

SGLT2i and Primary Prevention of Cancer Therapy-Related Cardiac Dysfunction in Patients With Diabetes.

Background: Specific cancer treatments can lead to cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD). Sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) can potentially prevent these cardiotoxic effects.

Objectives: This study sought to determine whether SGLT2i use is associated with a lower incidence of CTRCD in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cancer, exposed to potentially cardiotoxic antineoplastic agents, and without a prior documented history of cardiomyopathy or heart failure.

Real-World Treatment Outcomes of an Artificial Tear Containing Arabinogalactan, Hyaluronic Acid and Trehalose Among Subjects with Dry Eye.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy, adherence, and tolerability of a new artificial tear based on arabinogalactan, hyaluronic acid, and trehalose in a population with dry eye disease (DED).

Methods: A retrospective, real-world, post-marketing study identified 96 adult patients (aged 18-80 years) with signs and symptoms of dry eye. These patients received fixed combination therapy with eye drops containing arabinogalactan, hyaluronic acid, and trehalose at various dosing schedules.

Decoupling many-body interactions in the CeO(111) oxygen vacancy structure with statistical learning and cluster expansion.

Oxygen vacancies (V's) are of paramount importance in influencing the properties and applications of ceria (CeO). Yet, comprehending the distribution and nature of V's poses a significant challenge due to the vast number of electronic configurations and intricate many-body interactions among V's and polarons (Ce ions). In this study, we established a cluster expansion model based on first-principles calculations and statistical learning to decouple the interactions among the Ce ions and V's, thereby circumventing the limitations associated with sampling electronic configurations.

Impact of Daytime and Nighttime Blood Pressure and Nocturnal Blood Pressure Fall on Heart Failure Risk in Treated Hypertension.

Background: To evaluate the impact of daytime, nighttime and nocturnal blood pressure (BP) fall on heart failure (HF).

Methods: We analyzed data of five cohorts including 15,526 treated hypertensive patients, experiencing 625 HF events, by study-level meta-analysis. The pooled hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for 1-SD increase in BP parameters or per group were calculated.

Psychometric properties of the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) in adult Mexican cancer patients with chronic pain.

Background: Pain is a frequent symptom in cancer patients (CP), and its multidimensional assessment is essential for a comprehensive approach and to establish clinical prognoses. The Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) is an internationally recognized tool for the multidimensional assessment of pain, both in clinical and research settings. However, no studies have been reported in Latin America that determine its psychometric properties in CP and chronic pain.

How Do Psychiatry Residents View Their Training in Spain? A Mixed-Method Survey.

Background: Efforts to improve psychiatry training must incorporate residents' assessment of their training. This study sought to collect the opinion of residents about the program that has been in force in Spain since 2008, until the current transition to a new plan.

Methods: The authors conducted an online survey of psychiatry residents in Spain, asking about their formative and working conditions.

Evolution of Well-Being and Associated Factors during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic was a global public health crisis with an unparalleled impact worldwide, presenting a significant challenge for both physical and mental health. The main objective of this study was to analyze the risk of depression during the COVID-19 pandemic and how this was affected by sociodemographic factors, pandemic fatigue, risk perception, trust in institutions, and perceived self-efficacy.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Region of Murcia through two online surveys completed by 1000 people in June 2021 (Round 1) and March 2022 (Round 2).

Disgust and Other Negative Emotions in the Relationship between Mental Contamination and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review.

Background: Mental contamination (MC) refers to feelings of internal filthiness associated with contamination obsessions. Ego-dystonic memories and thoughts can trigger MC, although it can also be activated by trauma, which is associated with the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research shows that MC, negative emotions and PTSD can occur simultaneously.