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It has been claimed that the HR "profession" suffers from a chronic shortage of social legitimacy. In this article, we advance the idea that HR is also to some extent subject to public stigmatization for being immoral. In other words, we maintain that certain aspects of contemporary HR work can be conceptualized as morally dirty work. We provide empirical support for this contention by analyzing a set of 28 films portraying HR practitioners at work. The research results comprise both task‐related and method‐related filmic representations of HR work as immoral, thus furnishing a comprehensive and nuanced picture of the moral issues that can affect the HR profession. Furthermore, the results show that some of the HR characters analyzed—typically those who hold a role as (co‐)protagonists in the story—realize the immorality affecting their work and decide to distance themselves from it by either exiting the role, trying to reform it, or openly raising resistance against their employer. These research results suggest the need to integrate dirty work scholarship into study of the HR profession, while they provide important indications in terms of future HR research, practice and education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this multicenter study was to retrospectively investigate the prognostic significance of the tumor microenvironment, in relation to survival in a large cohort of patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), using the method proposed by the International TILs Working Group in breast cancer. Methods: All consecutive patients with biopsy‐proven LSCC who underwent total laryngectomy (TL) between January 2014 and January 2023 were retrospectively included in the study. A retrospective review of medical records including surgical, pathological and follow‐up reports was performed. The density of TILs was determined according to the recommendations of the International TILs Working Group. Results: The study group included 186 patients with LSCC. High TILs were statistically correlated with reduced size and extension of primary tumor (pT stage) with a statistically significant value (S: p = 0.01; P: p = 0.0003) and without needs of salvage therapy (S: p = 0.03; P: p = 0.004). Low TILs were indicative of worse prognosis. Conclusions: Our study confirmed the protective value of TILs and the prognostic role of the tumor microenvironment in LSCC; furthermore, our results showed that the score proposed by the International TILs Working Group for breast cancer can be applied to LSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Over the past few decades, advances in medical research and diagnostic tools have shed light on some aspects of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG). Nevertheless, the multifactorial etiology, pathogenesis, and optimal management strategies for PG need to be further investigated. To address these knowledge gaps and contribute to a better understanding of this complex dermatological disorder, we collected epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of a case series of PG patients occurring in our department over the past 10 years. Methods: We performed a single‐centered, retrospective, observational study analyzing all cases with a diagnosis of PG observed at the Dermatology clinic of the Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS Catholic University from January 1, 2013, to January 1, 2023. For each case, we retrieved demographic data, the presence of other skin and systemic conditions, and the histopathological and clinical characteristics of PG, such as clinical variant, number of lesions, disease localization, previous therapy, response to treatment, and occurrence of relapse. Results: We included 35 patients, 22 females and 13 males with a mean age of 40.0 years. Twenty patients (57.1%) had multiple localizations of disease, and the most commonly involved site was the lower limbs (85.7%). The lesions were mainly associated with inflammatory bowel diseases (51.4%) and hidradenitis suppurativa (37.1%). Clinical resolution with complete re‐epithelialization was achieved in 25 patients (71.4%) with an average time of 20.8 months. On average, patients who underwent therapy with biological drugs had better outcomes. Conclusions: PG is a severe, rare, and pleomorphic disease associated with a broad spectrum of conditions. Corticosteroids remain the primary first‐line approach for severe forms, but using biological immunosuppressants is promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we investigated the dynamics of OER activity of NiFe (90/10) catalysts over 1000 potential sweep cycles as a function of their mass loading. Over twenty different films with mass loading in the 10 ng/cm2–30 μg/cm2 range were deposited by Supersonic Cluster Beam Deposition (SCBD), allowing to study the progress of OER in sub‐monolayer, monolayer and multilayer regimes. Upon prolonged potential sweeps the electrocatalytic performances of multilayers decreased, while those of monolayers were significantly improved. The best balance in terms of catalytic efficiency and stability in working conditions is found for mass loadings corresponding to a NiFe monolayer, corresponding to a mass loading around 1 μg/cm2 and a thickness of about 3 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Neurogenic muscle hypertrophy (NMH) is a rare condition characterized by focal muscle hypertrophy caused by chronic partial nervous injury. Given its infrequency, underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Inspired by two clinical cases, we conducted a systematic review to gain insights into the different aspects of NMH. Methods: We systematically searched online databases up until May 30, 2023, for reports of muscle hypertrophy attributed to acquired neurogenic factors. We conducted an exploratory analysis to identify commonly associated features. We also report two representative clinical cases. Results: Our search identified 63 reports, describing 93 NMH cases, to which we added our two cases. NMH predominantly affects patients with compressive radiculopathy (68.4%), negligible muscular weakness (93.3%), and a chronic increase in muscle bulk. A striking finding in most neurophysiological studies (60.0%) is profuse spontaneous discharges, often hindering the analysis of voluntary traces. Some patients exhibited features consistent with more significant muscle damage, including higher creatine phosphokinase levels, muscle pain, and inflammatory muscle infiltration. These patients are sometimes referred to in literature as "focal myositis." Treatment encompassed corticosteroid, Botulinum Toxin A, decompressive surgery, antiepileptic medications, and nerve blocks, demonstrating varying degrees of efficacy. Botulinum Toxin A yielded the most favorable response in terms of reducing spontaneous discharges. Interpretation: This systematic review aims to provide a clear description and categorization of this uncommon presentation of an often‐overlooked neurological disorder. Though questions remain about the underlying mechanism, evidence suggests that aberrant fiber overstimulation along with increased workload that promotes focal damage may result in muscle hypertrophy. This may serve as a guide for therapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porphyrins are promising multifunctional units particularly interesting for the realization of molecular nanodevices. Their structural variety allows to create precursors suitable for the on‐surface polymerization of porphyrin blocks. The corresponding increased stability and improved transport properties of the formed polymerized molecular nanostructures make them practically worthwhile. For the case of 2D porphyrin materials, the effect of polymerization on the magnetic properties of transition metal ions has not been reported yet. Therefore, details on the properties of an extended covalent nickel tetraphenylporphyrin network formed via Ullmann coupling on the Cu(111) surface are reported. By using photoelectron and absorption spectroscopies together with density functional theory calculations, it is systematically evolving how the functional properties of the Ni centers are changed within a polymerized molecular structure in comparison to single‐molecule nickel tetraphenylporphyrin derivatives that build the 2D molecular network. A model that explains the differences in the electronic and magnetic properties observed for the Ni centers in both structures based on the additional rigidity characteristic of the molecular layer after polymerization is drawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes continue to raise increasing interest for the encouraging results in several biomedical areas. Considering their vast chemical‐physical repertoire, in particular the possibility to switch from the sensitization of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to ROS‐scavenging abilities by tuning the nature of their ligands, it is therefore surprising that their potential as antioxidants has not been largely investigated so far. Herein, we explored the antioxidant behaviour of the novel ruthenium compound [Ru(dbpy)(2,3‐DAN)Cl]PF6 (Ru1), featuring a benzoxazole derivative (dpby=2,6‐bis(4‐methyl‐2‐benzoxazolyl)pyridine) and the non‐innocent 2,3‐diamminonaftalene (2,3‐DAN) ligand, along with the reference tpy‐containing analogue [Ru(tpy)(2,3‐DAN)Cl]PF6 (Ru2) (tpy=2,2':6',2"‐terpyridine). Following the synthesis and the electrochemical characterization, chemical antioxidant assays highlighted the beneficial role of dpby for the ROS‐scavenging properties of Ru1. These data have been corroborated by the highest protective effect of Ru1 against the oxidative stress induced in SH‐SY5Y human neuroblastoma, which exerts pro‐survival and anti‐inflammatory actions. The results herein reported highlight the potential of Ru1 as pharmacological tool in neurodegenerative diseases and specially prove that the antioxidant properties of such compounds are likely the result of a non‐trivial synergetic action involving the bioactive ligands in their chemical architectures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Materials and Methods Results Conclusions To assess the risk of venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) and bleeding with or without thromboprophylaxis during neoadjuvant chemotherapy in bladder cancer patients scheduled for radical cystectomy.We conducted a retrospective cohort study in 4886 patients with non‐metastatic bladder cancer undergoing cystectomy across 28 centres in 13 countries between 1990 and 2021. Inverse probability weighting analyses were performed to estimate the effect of thromboprophylaxis on VTE and bleeding.In 147 patients (3%) VTEs were recorded within the first year. These occurred a median (interquartile range [IQR]) of 127 (82–198) days after bladder cancer diagnosis. Bleeding events occurred in 131 patients (3%) within the first year. These occurred a median (IQR) of 101 (83–171) days after cancer diagnosis. In inverse probability weighting analyses, compared to patients without thromboprophylaxis during chemotherapy, patients with thromboprophylaxis had not only a lower risk of VTE (hazard ratio [HR] 0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.12–0.81; P = 0.016) but also a lower bleeding risk (HR 0.03, 95% CI 0.09–0.12; P <0.0001). The retrospective nature of the study was its main limitation.In this retrospective analysis, the benefit of thromboprophylaxis during neoadjuvant chemotherapy before cystectomy is in line with data from randomised trials in other malignancies. Our data suggest thromboprophylaxis is protective against VTEs and should be the standard of care during neoadjuvant chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population aging, reduced economic capacity, and neglecting the treatments for oral pathologies, are the main causal factors for about 3 billion individuals who are suffering from partial/total edentulism or alveolar bone resorption: thus, the demand for dental implants is increasingly growing. To achieve a good prognosis for implant‐supported restorations, adequate peri‐implant bone volume is mandatory. The Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR) technique is one of the most applied methods for alveolar bone reconstruction and treatment of peri‐implant bone deficiencies. This technique involves the use of different types of membranes in association with some bone substitutes (autologous, homologous, or heterologous). However, time for bone regeneration is often too long and the bone quality is not simply predictable. This study aims at engineering and evaluating the efficacy of modified barrier membranes, enhancing their bioactivity for improved alveolar bone tissue regeneration. We investigated membranes functionalized with chitosan (CS) and chitosan combined with the peptide GBMP1α (CS + GBMP1α), to improve bone growth. OsseoGuard® membranes, derived from bovine Achilles tendon type I collagen crosslinked with formaldehyde, were modified using CS and CS + GBMP1α. The functionalization, carried out with 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3 dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide and sulfo‐N‐Hydroxysuccinimide (EDC/sulfo‐NHS), was assessed through FT‐IR and XPS analyses. Biological assays were performed by directly seeding human osteoblasts onto the materials to assess cell proliferation, mineralization, gene expression of Secreted Phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) and Runt‐Related Transcription Factor 2 (Runx2), and antibacterial properties. Both CS and CS + GBMP1α functionalizations significantly enhanced human osteoblast proliferation, mineralization, gene expression, and antibacterial activity compared to commercial membranes. The CS + GBMP1α functionalization exhibited superior outcomes in all biological assays. Mechanical tests showed no significant alterations of membrane biomechanical properties post‐functionalization. The engineered membranes, especially those functionalized with CS + GBMP1α, are suitable for GBR applications thanks to their ability to enhance osteoblast activity and promote bone tissue regeneration. These findings suggest a potential advancement in the treatment of oral cavity problems requiring bone regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new ligand 3,3′‐bis(((2‐(3,6,9‐triaza‐1(2,6)‐pyridinacyclodecaphane‐6‐yl)ethyl)amino)methyl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐2,2′‐diol (L) has been synthesized and characterized. It contains two pyridinacyclophane macrocycles spaced by a 2,2’‐biphenol moiety. The acid‐base behaviour of L as well as its binding properties towards Zn2+ ion have been investigated. This work is inserted in the field of fluorescent ditopic receptors, formed by two polyamines spaced by a aromatic fragments. This ligand represents a new example of a peculiar case of polyamine fluorescent receptor in which the interaction with Zn2+ is translated into a deactivation of the emission. Enough data to describe and explain this unusual behaviour was obtained through potentiometric, UV‐Vis, fluorescence and NMR titrations as well as theoretical calculations. This studies have shown that the metal cation is indirectly affecting the emission favouring a conformation in which the fluorophore is at stacking distance from the electron poor pyridine moieties. This gives rise to an oxidative photoinduced electron transfer from the excited state of the fluorophore to the electron‐poor Zn2+ coordined pyridine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The increasing use of complex and high dose‐rate treatments in radiation therapy necessitates advanced detectors to provide accurate dosimetry. Rather than relying on pre‐treatment quality assurance (QA) measurements alone, many countries are now mandating the use of in vivo dosimetry, whereby a dosimeter is placed on the surface of the patient during treatment. Ideally, in vivo detectors should be flexible to conform to a patient's irregular surfaces. Purpose: This study aims to characterize a novel hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a‐Si:H) radiation detector for the dosimetry of therapeutic x‐ray beams. The detectors are flexible as they are fabricated directly on a flexible polyimide (Kapton) substrate. Methods: The potential of this technology for application as a real‐time flexible detector is investigated through a combined dosimetric and flexibility study. Measurements of fundamental dosimetric quantities were obtained including output factor (OF), dose rate dependence (DPP), energy dependence, percentage depth dose (PDD), and angular dependence. The response of the a‐Si:H detectors investigated in this study are benchmarked directly against commercially available ionization chambers and solid‐state diodes currently employed for QA practices. Results: The a‐Si:H detectors exhibit remarkable dose linearities in the direct detection of kV and MV therapeutic x‐rays, with calibrated sensitivities ranging from (0.580 ± 0.002) pC/cGy to (19.36 ± 0.10) pC/cGy as a function of detector thickness, area, and applied bias. Regarding dosimetry, the a‐Si:H detectors accurately obtained OF measurements that parallel commercially available detector solutions. The PDD response closely matched the expected profile as predicted via Geant4 simulations, a PTW Farmer ionization chamber and a PTW ROOS chamber. The most significant variation in the PDD performance was 5.67%, observed at a depth of 3 mm for detectors operated unbiased. With an external bias, the discrepancy in PDD response from reference data was confined to ± 2.92% for all depths (surface to 250 mm) in water‐equivalent plastic. Very little angular dependence is displayed between irradiations at angles of 0° and 180°, with the most significant variation being a 7.71% decrease in collected charge at a 110° relative angle of incidence. Energy dependence and dose per pulse dependence are also reported, with results in agreement with the literature. Most notably, the flexibility of a‐Si:H detectors was quantified for sample bending up to a radius of curvature of 7.98 mm, where the recorded photosensitivity degraded by (−4.9 ± 0.6)% of the initial device response when flat. It is essential to mention that this small bending radius is unlikely during in vivo patient dosimetry. In a more realistic scenario, with a bending radius of 15–20 mm, the variation in detector response remained within ± 4%. After substantial bending, the detector's photosensitivity when returned to a flat condition was (99.1 ± 0.5)% of the original response. Conclusions: This work successfully characterizes a flexible detector based on thin‐film a‐Si:H deposited on a Kapton substrate for applications in therapeutic x‐ray dosimetry. The detectors exhibit dosimetric performances that parallel commercially available dosimeters, while also demonstrating excellent flexibility results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present relative astrometric and photometric measurements of visual double stars made in 2016–2017, with PISCO2 installed at the 76‐cm refractor of Côte d'Azur Observatory in Nice (France). Our observing list contains orbital couples as well as double stars whose motion is still uncertain. Three different techniques were used for obtaining measurements: Lucky Imaging, Speckle Interferometry and the direct vector autocorrelation (DVA) method. From our observations of 1,510 multiple stars, we obtained 2,918 new measurements with angular separations in the range 0″.1–20″ and an average accuracy of 0.019$$ 0.019 $$. The mean error on the position angles is 1°.1. Most of the position angles were determined without the usual 180° ambiguity with the application of the DVA technique and/or by inspection of the Lucky images or the long integration files. We managed to routinely monitor faint systems (mV≈9−12$$ {m}_V\approx 9-12 $$) with large magnitude differences (up to ΔmV≈4.5$$ \Delta {m}_V\approx 4.5 $$). We have thus been able to measure six systems containing red dwarf stars that had been poorly monitored since their discovery, from which we estimated the stellar masses thanks to Gaia measurements. We also measured the magnitude difference of the two components of 593 double stars with a mean error of 0.1 mag. Thanks to good seeing images and with the use of high‐contrast numerical filters, we have also been able to obtain 46 measurements with an angular separation smaller than the diffraction limit of our instrumentation. Except for a few objects that have been discussed, our measurements are in good agreement with the ephemerides computed with published orbital elements, even for the double stars whose separation is smaller than the diffraction limit. We also report the measurements of 205 new double stars that we found in the files obtained during the observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The majority of inguinal hernias are usually paucisymptomatic, so are restored electively. The main purpose of this study is to assess the trends in hernia repair surgery before and during the pandemic period, analyzing an Italian hospital series of 390 patients, in an attempt to quantify the negative impact regarding social costs derived from the Covid‐19 outbreak. Moreover, we want to focus on the concept of apparently minor pathology as hernioplasty which could represent a life‐threatening condition for patients. Methods: The study population consisted of all patients operated for inguinal hernia in a General Surgery Unit from 2019 to 2021, divided into a pre‐pandemic and a pandemic period. Results: The Covid‐19 pandemic increased urgent operations in a complicated setting. A statistically significant difference was found regarding the trend of hospitalization length as well as a strong positive correlation between the severity of hernia and the hospitalization length. Conclusions: During the pandemic, it has been registered a mishandling of inguinal hernias to the detriment of both the healthcare system and patients, due to multifactorial issues and, in particular, to the restrictions imposed by the regional government that erroneously declassed hernia pathology as a minor problem for public health. We do believe that patients, after diagnosis of inguinal hernia, should learn the Taxis maneuver for its feasibility and ease of execution, in order to reduce access to emergencies in many cases and likewise to better pain and discomfort perceived, even in the event of unexpected worldwide healthcare scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the relationship between osteopontin (OPN) and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation in elderly patients with severe sepsis. The study found that levels of NETs and OPN were correlated and increased with markers of patient frailty. Higher levels of NETs were associated with increased mortality in elderly septic patients. The findings suggest that NETs and OPN could potentially be used as biomarkers to predict poor outcomes in sepsis. The article also discusses the role of OPN in sepsis and its influence on immune functions. Further research is needed to understand the signaling pathway between OPN and NET formation and how the septic environment affects neutrophil activation. [Extracted from the article]

Typically catalysed by transition metals, alkene isomerisation is a powerful methodology for preparation of internal olefins. In contrast, the use of more earth abundant main group reagents is limited to activated substrates, requiring high temperatures and excess stoichiometric amounts. Opening a new avenue for progressing this field, here we report applications of bulky sodium amide NaTMP (TMP=2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidide) when partnered with tridentate Lewis donor PMDETA (N,N,N′,N′′,N"‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine) in catalytic alkene isomerisation of terminal olefins under mild reaction conditions. An array of distinct olefins could successfully be isomerised, including unactivated olefins, allylamines, and allylethers, showing the high activity of this partnership. In‐depth mechanistic insights provided by X‐ray crystallography, real‐time nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) monitoring, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations have unveiled the crucial role of in situ‐generated TMP(H) in facilitating efficient isomerisation, and the choice of alkali‐metal. Additionally, theoretical studies shed light on the observed E/Z selectivity, particularly accounting for the selective formation of Z‐vinyl ethers. The versatility of our method is further demonstrated through the isomerisation of unactivated cycloalkenes, which undergo hydrogen isotope exchange to produce deuterated compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a model to address the overlooked problem of node clustering in simple hypergraphs. Simple hypergraphs are suitable when a node may not appear multiple times in the same hyperedge, such as in co‐authorship datasets. Our model generalizes the stochastic blockmodel for graphs and assumes the existence of latent node groups and hyperedges are conditionally independent given these groups. We first establish the generic identifiability of the model parameters. We then develop a variational approximation Expectation‐Maximization algorithm for parameter inference and node clustering, and derive a statistical criterion for model selection. To illustrate the performance of our R package HyperSBM, we compare it with other node clustering methods using synthetic data generated from the model, as well as from a line clustering experiment and a co‐authorship dataset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios (δ13C and δ15N) of marine plankton record biogeochemical processes at the base of the food web. In the Southern Ocean, such data, predominantly from summer, have been used to infer surface CO2 concentrations and the potential for biological carbon export. However, variability in plankton δ13C and δ15N remains poorly understood, with the lack of seasonal measurements from the Southern Ocean emerging as a particular limitation. Here, we investigate the δ13C and δ15N of suspended particulate matter (SPM) and zooplankton collected from the Subantarctic Ocean in winter, summer, and autumn. The low summertime δ13CSPM and δ15NSPM can be explained by strong diatom reliance on nitrate supplied during winter mixing. A subsequent increase in δ13CSPM and decrease in δ15NSPM by autumn is consistent with iron limitation in mid‐ to late‐summer favoring diatom succession by nano‐phytoplankton that consume mainly recycled ammonium. By winter, bacterial decomposition of biomass outpaces new biomass production, decreasing δ13CSPM and raising δ15NSPM. The δ13C and δ15N of contemporaneously sampled zooplankton generally reflect the variability in δ13CSPM and δ15NSPM, with one autumn mismatch suggesting that in situ SPM is not always the dominant zooplankton food source. Our study shows how nutrient dynamics and phytoplankton community composition shape the seasonality of the Subantarctic's isotopic baselines, emphasizing a key role for iron availability. This work has implications for isotope‐based food web studies, highlighting the need to consider seasonal variability in δ13CSPM and δ15NSPM, as well as the different turnover times of phytoplankton (i.e., SPM) vs. zooplankton biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods used for wind field prediction can be time‐consuming, limiting architectural creativity in the early‐stage design process. Deep learning models have the potential to significantly speed up wind field prediction. This work introduces a convolutional neural network (CNN) approach based on the U‐Net architecture, to rapidly predict wind in simplified urban environments, representative of early‐stage design. The process of generating a wind field prediction at pedestrian level is reformulated from a 3D CFD simulation into a 2D image‐to‐image translation task, using the projected building heights as input. Testing on standard consumer hardware shows that our model can efficiently predict wind velocities in urban settings in less than 1 ms. Further tests on different configurations of the model, combined with a Pareto front analysis, helped identify the trade‐off between accuracy and computational efficiency. The fastest configuration is close to seven times faster, while having a relative loss, which is 1.8 times higher than the most accurate configuration. This CNN‐based approach provides a fast and efficient method for pedestrian wind comfort (PWC) analysis, potentially aiding in more efficient urban design processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large language models (LLMs) have been touted to enable increased productivity in many areas of today's work life. Scientific research as an area of work is no exception: The potential of LLM‐based tools to assist in the daily work of scientists has become a highly discussed topic across disciplines. However, we are only at the very onset of this subject of study. It is still unclear how the potential of LLMs will materialize in research practice. With this study, we give first empirical evidence on the use of LLMs in the research process. We have investigated a set of use cases for LLM‐based tools in scientific research and conducted a first study to assess to which degree current tools are helpful. In this position paper, we report specifically on use cases related to software engineering, specifically, on generating application code and developing scripts for data analytics and visualization. While we studied seemingly simple use cases, results across tools differ significantly. Our results highlight the promise of LLM‐based tools in general, yet we also observe various issues, particularly regarding the integrity of the output these tools provide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the long-term safety of alginate-poly-L-ornithine microcapsules, which were used to envelop human islet allografts in nonimmunosuppressed patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. The study involved four patients with long-standing type 1 diabetes who received the microencapsulated islets via gravity delivery into the peritoneal cavity. The results showed successful graft function, improved biochemical parameters, and no adverse effects during or after the procedure. The researchers concluded that the microencapsulated islet allografts were a safe procedure, despite the finite functional lifespan of the graft. [Extracted from the article]

Summary The commemoration of the 70th anniversary of rapid eye movement sleep discovery offers a unique possibility to reassess the peculiar organic condition of agrypnia excitata. Agrypnia excitata is characterized by a severe loss of sleep leading to a complete derangement of physiological sleep–wake cycle and body homeostasis. Agrypnia excitata is a definite clinico‐neurophysiological condition characterized by: (1) slow‐wave sleep loss with disruption of sleepwake cycle; (2) a 24‐hr motor and autonomic overactivity; and (3) peculiar episodes of oneiric stupor. Agrypnia excitata may happen within different pathophysiologies, such as delirium tremens, Morvan's syndrome and fatal familial insomnia, suggesting some general reflections on the composition and function of the cerebral neuronal network generating wake and sleep behaviour and regulating body homeostasis, with a focus on rapid eye movement sleep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary In today's global markets, the constant arrival of new products represents a challenge for the food industry to offer distinct choices to consumers, primarily due to the parallel sensory attributes and pricing structures of the available food options. Innovators must employ methodologies beyond traditional sensory analysis to ensure the product's success. Researchers must, therefore, explore the entire product experience to understand its influence on consumer behaviours. Food choices are multifaceted, influenced by various factors, including individual physiological and psychological characteristics and intrinsic and extrinsic product attributes. As a result, consumers' decisions are shaped by the multisensory information derived from products they encounter in supermarkets. This review aims to comprehensively examine the factors influencing consumer food choices, from initial product encounters to consumption. The review explores the impact of repetitive tasting on the consumer's attitudes and intentions towards novel products. Additionally, the review investigates which extrinsic attributes capture consumer attention in supermarket settings. It also delves into the effects of extrinsic product attributes on both explicit and implicit emotions and expectations raised about the sensory properties of the product and, ultimately, their purchasing behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The normalization of X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) spectra is required for comparing spectral features and extracting quantitative information in analytical techniques such as linear combination analysis, principal component analysis and multivariate curve resolution. Most published data are normalized to the edge‐jump, but normalization to the spectral area has also been applied. The latter is particularly attractive if only a small energy range around the absorption can be recorded reliably. Here, the two normalization methods are compared at the L3‐edge of Pt, Pd and Rh, and at the Ni K‐edge using experimental and calculated spectra. Normalization to the spectral area is found to be a viable approach if the range for the area normalization is sufficiently large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To report on the surgical safety and quality of pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) in patients treated with radical cystectomy (RC) and PLND for muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) after neoadjuvant chemo‐immunotherapy. Patients and Methods: The Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK) 06/17 was an open‐label single‐arm phase II trial including 61 cisplatin‐fit patients with clinical stage (c)T2–T4a cN0–1 operable urothelial MIBC or upper urinary tract cancer. Patients received neoadjuvant cisplatin/gemcitabine and durvalumab followed by surgery. Prospective quality assessment of surgeries was performed via central review of intraoperative photographs. Postoperative complications were assessed using the Clavien–Dindo Classification. Data were analysed descriptively. Results: A total of 50 patients received RC and PLND. All patients received neoadjuvant chemo‐immunotherapy. The median (interquartile range) number of lymph nodes removed was 29 (23–38). No intraoperative complications were registered. Grade ≥III postoperative complications were reported in 12 patients (24%). Complete nodal dissection (100%) was performed at the level of the obturator fossa (bilaterally) and of the left external iliac region; in 49 patients (98%) at the internal iliac region and at the right external iliac region; in 39 (78%) and 38 (76%) patients at the right and left presacral level, respectively. Conclusion: This study supports the surgical safety of RC and PLND following neoadjuvant chemo‐immunotherapy in patients with MIBC. The extent and completeness of protocol‐defined PLND varies between patients, highlighting the need to communicate and monitor the surgical template. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People surviving COVID‐19 may experience social stigma related to their condition even after clinical recovery. This study aimed to: (1) investigate COVID‐19‐related experienced discrimination and internalized stigma, and (2) explore their association with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and insomnia. We conducted an online survey of people who survived COVID‐19. Perception of stigma was assessed using the COVID‐19 Experienced Discrimination Scale and the COVID‐19 Internalized Stigma Scale. Depression, anxiety, and insomnia were assessed using, respectively, the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9, the General Anxiety Disorder Scale‐7, and the Insomnia Severity Index. Multivariable logistic regression analyses for each psychopathological domain were performed. A total of 579 participants participated in this study. Overall, 25% reported some degree of experienced discrimination, and 23% reported some degree of internalized stigma. Adjusted odds ratio showed that scoring higher on internalized stigma related significantly to higher symptoms of depression (2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35–3.39), anxiety (2.30; 95% CI, 1.48–3.59), and insomnia (2.54; 95% CI, 1.64–3.95), whereas experienced discrimination was associated to anxiety (1.55; 95% CI, 1.06–2.28) and insomnia (1.82; 95% CI, 1.24–2.69). Experiences of social stigmatization are frequent among people surviving COVID‐19 and seem to be associated with levels of psychological disturbances. Further research is required to elucidate the direction of these relationships to implement effective treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transmission of color experience has become a central concern in the development of devices for blind and visually impaired individuals. Several techniques have been implemented, taking into consideration other sensory modalities, in an attempt to find the most suitable solution to intersemiotically translate this visual information. The primary objective of this paper is to investigate various approaches to convey chromatic information for individuals with low vision or blindness and emphasize the importance of multi‐modal integration and cross‐modal interaction among different senses. This research brings together a wide variety of strategies utilized to translate color codes, such as patterns, temperatures, scents, music, and vibrations, with the aim of uncovering the advantages and disadvantages of each technique. A review of the existing literature suggests that interaction between multiple sensory channels is more effective in compensating for lack of vision. As a particularly relevant case study, attention will be paid to the enjoyment of art by people with visual impairments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes a new theoretical framework of employer association (EA) adaptive innovation, a strategic organizational response to challenging environments facing EAs and/or relevant firms. Through adaptive innovation, EAs can enlarge their span of service offerings beyond collective, selective and elective goods, services typically explained by Olson‐inspired, market‐transactional theorizing. We identify, explain and conceptualize EA shifts into also offering common goods as community‐building, relational types of collective action. Territorial ecosystems are one prominent new domain for this type of strategic adaptive intervention. In our illustrative case, this involves collectively organizing an open innovation ecosystem beyond an EA's own walls. Ostrom's theorizing on the governance of the commons better explains these initiatives than Olson's. Our new framework, therefore, integrates Ostrom's with Olson's theories. In broadening the field's understanding of EA strategic opportunities, this article also opens prominent lines of inquiry for future EA research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess the long‐term glycaemic outcomes, with additional metrics, in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) using the Tandem t:slim X2 with Control‐IQ technology advanced hybrid closed‐loop (AHCL) system. Methods: This was a single‐centre, retrospective study involving 56 T1D patients who transitioned to the Tandem t:slim X2 with Control‐IQ system. The primary and secondary endpoints consisted of variations in time in tight range (TiTR; 70‐140 mg/dL) and the glycaemia risk index (GRI), respectively. Additional standardized continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) metrics, mean sensor glucose, coefficient of variation, the glucose management indicator (GMI), HbA1c and insulin daily dose, were also evaluated. Variables were measured at baseline and at 15 days, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after Tandem t:slim X2 Control‐IQ initiation. Glucose outcomes are expressed as mean (standard deviation). Results: Use of Tandem t:slim X2 with Control‐IQ over 1 year was associated with an increase in mean TiTR, from 38.11% (17.05%) to 43.10% (13.20%) (P =.059), and with a decline in the GRI, from 41.03 (25.48) to 28.55 (16.27) (P =.008). CGM metrics, including time in range and time above range, showed consistent improvements. Mean sensor glucose, the GMI and HbA1c decreased significantly over time. After an initial increase, insulin daily dose remained stable throughout the 12 months. Conclusions: The results highlight the sustained effectiveness of Tandem t:slim X2 with Control‐IQ in improving glycaemic outcomes over 1 year and support the use of this technology for the management of T1D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of flapless procedure alone or in combination with enamel matrix derivatives (EMD) in the treatment of deep intrabony defects. Materials and Methods: Forty‐six patients re‐evaluated after non‐surgical therapy were randomly assigned to the test (flapless with EMD) or control group (flapless alone). Clinical measurements were recorded pre‐surgery and at 6 and 12 months after surgery, and radiographic measurements were taken pre‐surgery and after 12 months. Results: Forty‐six patients completed the study. Improvements were observed in both groups at 12 months for mean clinical attachment level (CAL) gain, with significant differences between test (3.9 ± 1.1 mm) and control groups (3.0 ± 1.2) (p =.017). Probing pocket depth (PPD) reduction (4.0 ± 0.7 vs. 3.3 ± 1.4 mm) was also near to statistical significance (p =.051). Also, more sites achieved successful composite outcome measure (final PPD ≤ 4 mm and CAL gain ≥3 mm) for the regenerative treatment in the flapless + EMD group (82.6% vs. 52.2%; p =.028). In terms of radiographic outcomes, EMD yielded a greater defect bone fill than flapless treatment alone (3.0 ± 1.0 mm vs. 1.8 ± 1.5 mm; p <.001). Conclusions: The additional application of EMD during the flapless procedure for intrabony defects slightly improved clinical and radiographic outcomes. ClinicalTrials.gov identification number: NCT05456555. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human genetic variation (polymorphisms) in genes coding proteins involved in the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (ADME) of drugs can have a strong effect on drug exposure and downstream efficacy and safety outcomes. Vamorolone, a dissociative steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), primarily undergoes oxidation by CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 and glucuronidation by UDP‐glucuronosyltransferases. This work assesses the pharmacokinetics (PKs) of vamorolone and sources of interindividual variability (IIV) in 81 steroid‐naïve boys with DMD aged 4 to <7 years old considering the genetic polymorphisms of CYPS3A4 (CYP3A4*22, CYP3A4*1B), CYP3A5 (CYP3A5*3), and UGT1A1 (UGT1A1*60) utilizing population PK modeling. A one‐compartment model with zero‐order absorption (Tk0, duration of absorption), linear clearance (CL/F), and volume (V/F) describes the plasma PK data for boys with DMD receiving a wide range of vamorolone doses (0.25‐6 mg/kg/day). The typical CL/F and V/F values of vamorolone were 35.8 L/h and 119 L, with modest IIV. The population Tk0 was 3.14 h yielding an average zero‐order absorption rate (k0) of 1.16 mg/kg/h with similar absorption kinetics across subjects at the same vamorolone dose (i.e., no IIV on Tk0). The covariate analysis showed that none of the genetic covariates had any significant impact on the PKs of vamorolone in boys with DMD. Thus, the PKs of vamorolone is very consistent in these young boys with DMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an established procedure for the treatment of several complications of portal hypertension (PH), including non‐neoplastic portal vein thrombosis (PVT). Selection criteria for TIPS in PVT are not yet well established. Despite anecdotal, cases of thromboembolic events from paradoxical embolism due to the presence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) after TIPS placement have been reported in the literature. Therefore, we aimed at describing our experience in patients with non‐neoplastic splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT) who underwent TIPS following PFO screening. Methods: We conducted a single‐centre retrospective study, including consecutive patients who underwent TIPS for the complications of cirrhotic and non‐cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) and having SVT. Results: Of 100 TIPS placed in patients with SVT, 85 patients were screened for PFO by bubble‐contrast transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) with PFO being detected in 22 (26%) cases. PFO was more frequently detected in patients with non‐cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) (23% in the PFO group vs. 6% in those without PFO, p =.04) and cavernomatosis (46% in the PFO group vs. 19% in those without PFO, p =.008). Percutaneous closure was effectively performed in 11 (50%) after multidisciplinary evaluation of anatomical and clinical features. No major complications were observed following closure. Conclusions: PFO screening and treatment may be considered feasible for patients with SVT who undergo TIPS placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present direct evidence, for the first time, for the flash‐induced generation of crystal defects in single‐crystal cubic zirconia. The defects are characterized by multiple techniques. The crystals were flashed and then cooled down to ambient temperature in Ar atmosphere to preserve the electronic conductivity from the steady state of flash. Transmission electron microscopy revealed colonies of defects. The crystal structure, the non‐stoichiometry, and the electronic structure of oxygen ions within these colonies were characterized. They consist of oxygen‐depleted compositions. Selected area electron diffraction revealed the structure of these zirconia suboxides to be epitaxially coherent with the parent cubic structure but with a smaller lattice parameter. Electron energy loss spectroscopy spectra showed the peak near 25 mV to shift toward metallic zirconium. The electronic conductivity of the flashed cubic zirconia is attributed to this suboxide phase. The phase also gave rise to new peaks in Raman spectroscopy. A surprising finding was the presence of a distinct, ∼30 nm thick layer of the suboxide on the surface of the crystal. The surface layer showed a high degree of oxygen deficiency. It was also epitaxial, but with an even smaller lattice parameter than the defect colonies underneath the surface. Mechanical polishing of the crystal to remove this surface layer gave a broad view of the interconnected network of defects across the entire specimen; the length scale of this network was about 0.2 mm. Recent work, where an overlay of a magnetic field caused the flash to migrate from a flashing surface into a free‐standing workpiece, suggests the presence of evanescent plasma, which may have a connection to this surface layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanical response of granular materials, exemplified by frictional grain interactions, is characterized by a critical state in which deformation occurs without change of material volume or stresses when subjected to large shear deformation. In this work, a granular micromechanics approach (GMA) based continuum model is used to investigate the emergence of such a critical state. The continuum description is constructed through mechanical concepts based upon elastic and dissipation energies defined for a generic grain‐pair interaction. A hemivariational principle provides the basis for considering the evolution of damage and plasticity phenomena comprising grain‐pair contact loss and irreversible deformation. As a consequence, the Karush–Kuhn–Tucker (KKT)‐type conditions are derived, which give the evolution equations for the irreversible phenomena. Notably, in this derivation there is no invocation of flow rules and other similar assumptions of classical phenomenological continuum damage and plasticity. Further, Piola's ansatz is elaborated to kinematically connect granular micromechanics of grain‐pair to the continuum description. While the concept of critical state analysis has been handled with either phenomenological approaches or discrete numerical frameworks, in the present paper this concept is examined within a micromechanics‐based continuum description. The constitutive model is established and the coupled damage and plastic irreversible quantities are assessed. The critical state is shown to emerge as grain‐pair related damage and plastic evolution in a competitive/collaborative manner during the imposed loading path. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is increasingly being used in younger patients and those with lower peri‐procedural risk, meaning more patients will live long enough to experience structural valve deterioration (SVD) of the bioprosthesis, indicating repeated TAVI. Experience of repeated TAVI—transcatheter heart valve (THV) implantation into an index THV is limited. This registry aims to assess the peri‐procedural and short‐term safety, efficacy and durability of repeated TAVI. Methods: The ReTAVI Prospective observational registry is an investigator‐initiated, multicentre, international, prospective registry of patients undergoing repeated TAVI using balloon‐expandable SAPIEN prosthesis to evaluate procedural and short‐term safety, efficacy and durability as well as anatomical and procedural factors associated with optimal results. The registry will enrol at least 150 patients across 60 high‐volume centres. Patients must be ≥18 years old, have had procedural success with their first TAVI, have index THV device failure, intend to undergo repeated TAVI and be considered suitable candidates by their local Heart Team. All patients will undergo a 30‐day and 12‐month follow‐up. The estimated study completion is 2025. Conclusions: The registry will collect pre‐, peri‐, postoperative and 12‐months data on patients undergoing repeated TAVI procedures with THVs for failure of the index THV and determine VARC‐3‐defined efficacy and safety at 30 days and functional outcome at 12 months. The registry will expand existing data sets and identify patient characteristics/indicators related to complications and clinical benefits for patients with symptomatic severe calcific degenerative aortic stenosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a factor accelerating the degradation of LDL receptors, was associated with a gender‐dependent risk for cardiovascular (CV) events in the general population and with all‐cause and CV mortality in two relatively small studies in black Africans and South Korean haemodialysis patients. The effect modification by gender was untested in these studies. Methods: The study enrolled 1188 dialysis patients from the Prospective Registry of The Working Group of Epidemiology of Dialysis Region Calabria (PROGREDIRE) cohort. PCSK9 was measured by colorimetric enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The primary outcomes were all‐cause and CV mortality. Statistical analysis included Cox regression analysis and effect modification analysis. Results: During a median 2.9‐year follow‐up, out of 494 deaths, 278 were CV‐related. In unadjusted analyses, PCSK9 levels correlated with increased all‐cause (HRfor1ln unit increase: 1.23, 95% CI 1.06–1.43, p =.008) and CV mortality (HRfor1ln unit increase: 1.26, 95% CI 1.03–1.54, p =.03). After multivariate adjustment, these associations were no longer significant (all‐cause mortality, HRfor 1 ln unit increase: 1.16, 95% CI.99–1.36, p =.07; CV mortality, HRfor1ln unit increase: 1.18, 95% CI.95–1.46, p =.14). However, in fully adjusted interaction analyses, a doubling in the risk of this outcome in women was registered (Women, HRfor1ln unit increase: 1.88, 95% CI 1.27–2.78, p =.002; Men, HRfor1ln unit increase: 1.07, 95% CI.83–1.38, p =.61; p for effect modification:.02). Conclusions: PCSK9 levels are unrelated to all‐cause mortality in haemodialysis patients but, like in studies of the general population, independently of other risk factors, entail a doubling in the risk of CV events in women in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the impact of COVID‐19 pandemic among a sample of Italian dentists in terms of infection, strategies for infection control, organization of the dental clinic, attitude, and behavior. Material and Methods: This was a cross‐sectional survey. The sample consisted of 8000 Italian dentists selected among 63,375 using a computerized random sampling method. An electronic informed consent had to be signed. The questionnaire categories were on demographic, infection risk management, organization, and dentists' attitude and behavior. Geographic macro‐areas were used for subgroup analysis. Results: Among 8000 invited dentists, 2443 agreed to participate to the survey (30.6%). Mean age was 51.2 years, women were 34.5%. A total of 6.1% self‐reported COVID‐19 experience and higher rate of infection was reported in north Italy compared to the south (p < 0.05). FFP2/FFP3 respirators (97.1%) and visors (97.4%) were used by almost all dentists. While, natural ventilation and mouthwashes were the most frequent approaches used to reduce the infection risk. Most of the dentists reported positive attitude, nevertheless 83.6% felt an increased responsibility. Conclusion: The self‐reported COVID‐19 prevalence was 6.1% with some differences among geographic areas. COVID 19 had a deep impact on preventive strategies, dental office organization, and behavior within this sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common female cancers and there is currently no routine screening strategy for early detection. An altered abundance of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) and other RNA classes have the potential as early cancer biomarkers. We analyzed circulating RNA levels using small RNA sequencing, targeting RNAs in the size range of 17–47 nucleotides, in EC patients with samples collected prior to diagnosis compared to cancer‐free controls. The analysis included 316 cases with samples collected 1–11 years prior to EC diagnosis, and 316 matched controls, both from the Janus Serum Bank cohort in Norway. We identified differentially abundant (DA) miRNAs, isomiRs, and small nuclear RNAs between EC cases and controls. The top EC DA miRNAs were miR‐155‐5p, miR‐200b‐3p, miR‐589‐5p, miR‐151a‐5p, miR‐543, miR‐485‐5p, miR‐625‐p, and miR‐671‐3p. miR‐200b‐3p was previously reported to be among one of the top miRNAs with higher abundance in EC cases. We observed 47, 41, and 32 DA miRNAs for EC interacting with BMI, smoking status, and physical activity, respectively, including two miRNAs (miR‐223‐3p and miR‐29b‐3p) interacting with all three factors. The circulating RNAs are altered and show temporal dynamics prior to EC diagnosis. Notably, DA miRNAs for EC had the lowest q‐value 4.39–6.66 years before diagnosis. Enrichment analysis of miRNAs showed that signaling pathways Fc epsilon RI, prolactin, toll‐like receptor, and VEGF had the strongest associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research about innovation management explores how the future is created—who is creating it (organizations, collaborations, etc.), for what aims (customer satisfaction, market performance, etc.), and with what broader effects (social, environmental, etc.). With this extended essay, we explore the potential futures of innovation management research in three ways. First, we briefly review the history of past research agendas and priorities published in the Journal of Product Innovation Management (JPIM), highlighting three broad topic areas (technological, social/environmental, and organizational) that have emerged over time and their potential disruptive implications for innovation management research. Second, we describe the outcome of a gathering of leading scholars in innovation management tasked with the challenge of identifying critical research paths for our field. This collaboration resulted in five "deep dive" essays into areas ripe for innovation management research in the years ahead: liquid innovation, artificial intelligence in innovation, business model innovation, public value innovation, and responsible innovation. Third, we reflect on this expansive effort and offer a discussion of implications (tensions, challenges, and opportunities) for future innovation management scholarship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prediction accuracy of ductile damage models is subject to a sound calibration strategy, which normally involves the execution of complex multiaxial tests and requires dedicated facilities. In addition, finite element (FE) analysis is mandatory to retrieve the stress and strain states at the critical point, which cannot be directly measured from experiments. To overcome this complexity, a minimal set of simple multiaxial tests is selected, and an analytical‐numerical approach is proposed to evaluate, without resorting to FE, both the stress evolution with plastic deformation and the fracture strain, under any different loading condition of each test. This is achieved from the sole knowledge of the material bilinear stress–strain relation and of the applied test displacement at fracture. The obtained results are compared with a traditional testing and calibration methodology, and the robustness of the approach is proved on a 17‐4PH steel, an X65 steel, and a Ti6Al4V alloy. Highlights: Ductile damage models are calibrated by an analytical approach based on multiaxial tests.Local stress and strain in tests can be calculated from experiments without resort to FEM.Uniaxial and different shear‐tension stress states are investigated.The method works on a wide range of alloys; only test displacement at failure is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypersensitivity reactions (HR) are common in mastocytosis. However, little is known about triggers and risk factors. The registry of the European Competence Network on Mastocytosis (ECNM) enables reliable studies in a larger cohort of mastocytosis patients. We assessed prevalence, triggers and risk factors of HR in adults with mastocytosis in the ECNM registry. Methods: Data were collected in 27 ECNM centers. We analyzed potential triggers (Hymenoptera venoms, food, drug, inhalant and others) and risk factors at diagnosis and during follow‐up. The study group consisted of 2485 adults with mastocytosis, 1379 women (55.5%) and 1106 men (44.5%). Median age was 48.2 years (range 18–91 years). Results: Nine hundred and forty eight patients (38.1%) reported one or more HR'. Most common triggers were Hymenoptera venoms in cutaneous mastocytosis (CM) and indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM), whereas in advanced SM (advSM), most common elicitors were drugs, including nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory agents and penicillin. In multivariate analyses, tryptase level < 90 ng/mL, <15% infiltration by mast cells in bone marrow biopsy‐sections, and diagnosis of ISM were identified as independent risk factors for HR. For drug‐induced HR, prominent risk factors were advSM and high tryptase levels. New reactions were observed in 4.8% of all patients during 4 years follow‐up. Conclusions: HR are mainly triggered by Hymenoptera venoms in patients with CM and ISM and by drugs in patients with advSM. Tryptase levels <90 ng/mL, mast cell bone marrow infiltration <15%, and WHO category ISM are predictors of HR. New HR occur in 4.8% of all patients within 4 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Persistent bacteria are subset of cells capable of surviving bactericidal treatments longer. They originate in response to environmental stressors and show a longer lag phase compared to the rest of the population they are part of. Impact of persistent cells on food safety and role of common food preservation techniques in their formation are still unclear. This study aims to investigate whether osmotic stress induces formation of persistent cells in Listeria monocytogenes capable of resisting longer during cooking cycle of pork sausages. Lag‐phase duration at single‐cell level of a strain grown in 6%‐NaCl broth using image processing software was first investigated. Then, trend of the strain inactivation curve was evaluated in experimentally contaminated pork sausages cooked at 65 °C for 11 min. Results showed that salt triggers the formation of persistent cells characterised by a longer lag phase and increased heat resistance, posing a concern especially for ready‐to‐eat foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated reference electrodes allow to deconvolute voltage contributions of anode and cathode and contribute to a better understanding of CO2 electrolyzers. However, in zero‐gap cell configurations, this integration can be challenging and obtaining error‐free data with such a setup is a non‐trivial task. This study compares five different methods to integrate a reference electrode into an alkaline zero‐gap CO2 electrolysis cell. Sources of error and measures to circumvent them are investigated and finite‐element simulation is used to gain a better understanding of observed effects. Placing a reference electrode into the inactive area of the cell is found to be a reliable method, as long as the placement of electrodes is sufficiently controlled. Sandwiching a wire quasi‐reference electrode between two membranes is especially useful for electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; however, it can affect the overall cell performance. Contacting the catalyst layer from the backside with a salt‐bridge is promising for localized measurements if sufficient reproducibility can be ensured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Objectives Methods Results Conclusions Hand eczema (HE) is a common skin disease with a negative impact on patients' quality of life in occupational and non‐occupational settings. Up‐to‐date, data on HE in Italian patients referred for patch testing are lacking.To characterise the profile in terms of demographics, aetiology and patch test results of Italian patients affected by HE referred for patch testing.A retrospective descriptive study on consecutive patients affected by HE who underwent patch testing from 2016 to 2023 in eight dermatology clinics was performed. HE patients were divided into two groups according to the exclusive (HE‐only group) and not‐exclusive (HE+ group) hand involvement, and compared to patients with eczema localised in body areas other than hands (NHE group).One thousand five hundred and ninety‐seven patients were affected by HE (35.3% males; mean age 42.7 years), 60.2% belonging to the HE‐only group and 39.8% to the HE+ group. Occupational dermatitis was diagnosed in 33.2% of HE‐only patients, 25.0% of HE+ patients and 5.2% of NHE patients (p < 0.001). HE‐only patients presented: Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD), Irritant Contact Dermatitis (ICD), atopic HE in 48.1%, 47.5% and 7.1%, respectively; hyperkeratotic palmar, acute recurrent vesicular and nummular clinical subtypes in 52.2%, 43.9% and 11.9%, respectively; relevant positive patch test reactions in 48.1% (nickel sulphate 18.9%, methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone 10.6%, methylisothiazolinone 8.6%, p‐phenylenediamine 6.0% and potassium dichromate 4.7%).HE patients, and particularly those with exclusive hand involvement, show a particular profile in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics, etiologies and relevant positive patch test reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a protocol for the on‐surface synthesis of polyboroxine molecules derived from boroxine molecules precursors. This process is promoted by oxygen species present on the Au(111) surface: oxygen atoms facilitate the detachment of naphthalene units of trinaphthyl‐boroxine molecules and bridge two unsaturated boroxine centers to form a boroxine‐O‐boroxine chemical motif. X‐ray spectroscopic characterization shows that, as the synthesis process proceeds, it progressively tunes the electronic properties of the interface, thus providing a promising route to control the electron level alignment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]