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Background: Current clinical trials indicate that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is effective in reducing drug‐resistant neuropathic pain (NP). However, there is a lack of studies evaluating the long‐term feasibility and clinical efficacy of rTMS in large patient cohorts in real‐world conditions. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we analysed 12 years of clinical data to assess the long‐term analgesic effects of 20 Hz rTMS over the primary motor cortex in patients with NP. Subgroup analyses were conducted to identify predictive factors and assess the potential role of epidural motor cortex stimulation (eMCS) as a sustained solution. Results: In total, 193 patients completed test period of 4 rTMS sessions and 42% of them reported a pain relief (PR) greater than 30%, with concurrent improvement in their most disabling symptom. Iterative rTMS sessions maintained analgesic effects over 10 years in certain patients identified as responders (≥10% PR) without adverse effects. Success probability was higher in patients with central NP compared to peripheral NP (OR = 2.03[1.04;4.00]), and among those with central post‐stroke pain, this probability was higher in ischemic versus hemorrhagic strokes (OR = 3.36[1.17;10.05]). PR obtained with iterative rTMS sessions was an excellent predictor of eMCS efficacy. Conclusions: While rTMS shows promise as a therapeutic option for some patients with drug‐resistant NP, it does not benefit all patients. Efficacy varies by NP aetiology, aiding patient selection. For responders, eMCS may offer a permanent solution. These findings support a tailored approach to rTMS in NP management, while recognizing both its potential and limitations across diverse patient profiles. Significance Statement: Multiple rTMS sessions demonstrate long‐term efficacy and safety in treating drug‐resistant neuropathic pain. Extending session numbers for the test period can enhance responder identification, especially in patients with initial low pain relief. This identification refines patient selection for neurosurgery, reducing non‐responders. Central neuropathic pain shows higher success rates than peripheral. For post‐stroke central pain, patients with ischemic stroke are more likely to respond than those with hemorrhagic stroke. These results support integrating rTMS into clinical practice for managing neuropathic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The prevention of uncontrollable growth of zinc dendrites on the zinc electrodes is one of the key challenges, hindering the widespread commercialization of zinc‐based energy storage technologies. Herein, we report a facile method to mitigate dendrite growth on a copper surface by an initial in situ coating of a Cu–Zn alloy layer, before zinc deposition. During further zinc deposition, the initially formed Cu–Zn alloy layer provides uniform nucleating sites and promotes homogeneous zinc deposition. A symmetrical cell, assembled using a Cu–Zn/Cu electrode could be stably cycled for over 1000 cycles in ZnSO4 solution, at a current density of 30 mA/cm2 and a coulombic efficiency of 99.9%. A zinc–air cell, assembled using Zn@Cu–Zn/Cu as the anode and rGO/Co3O4 composite as the cathode, exhibited a very stable performance at a high current density of 50 mA/cm2 and coulombic efficiency of ~93%, for over 400 cycles. After cycling experiments, the X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and the X‐ray diffraction analysis confirmed the formation of the Cu–Zn alloy layer. Hence, the present method provides an easy route for fabricating a dendrite‐free zinc electrode, for a wide range of zinc anode‐based batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

With the recent publication of "Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis," Robert Putnam, renowned social scientist, exposed the new class divide as an urgent issue, based upon new quantitative and qualitative data (2015). Research shows that students from struggling backgrounds have little likelihood of graduating from colleges and universities--in fact, the brightest students from families without resources are less likely to graduate than less bright students of privileged backgrounds. In this article, we suggest how technology can be the greatest bridge, as a positive resource, in class divisions. Like Putnam's argument that people do not see the many obstacles in existence when students face a lack of opportunities and resources, everywhere, our moral luck and educational technology premise are students learn their "place" when educational tools, social media, and netiquette are not available for them in many ways. We suggest the ideology of connections, inclusion, and experiences through technology as ways to counter this alarming divide that exists for many disadvantaged students and the subsequent reflections in their struggling schools. more...

Our study uses an interdisciplinary theoretical lens to understand the complexity of community building as a precursor to restorative practices. Key to these measures is that offenders take responsibility for their actions and undergo reintegration into the school community. Yet, until these students feel they belong to the school community in the first place, "re"integration is moot. Thus, we interviewed 14 adults who had been school offenders, asking them what might have been done to make them feel a part of school, and then we focused analytically on the symbolic interactions they described. We first present their stories as vignettes using their own words to make illustrative points. Weaving interview data throughout fictional research writing (FRW), we conclude with classroom dialogical groups and restorative circles that illustrate how educators could develop communities where our participants could have seen themselves in others. (Contains 1 table.) more...

Solar energy is used worldwide for generating electricity or desalting seawater. Photothermal membrane distillation (PMD), an emerging thermal‐driven process for seawater desalination, combines interfacial heating with membrane distillation (MD) technology to address the energy consumption issues of conventional MD. However, it is still a great challenge to develop a cost‐effective and scalable membrane, which hampers the practical use of PMD. Herein, a dual‐layer carbon black (CB)/PVDF membrane is prepared via direct electrospraying on a commercial PVDF membrane. With the introduction of a functional layer, a photothermal effect is imparted to the bare membrane, thus significantly increasing the water production rate and solar utilization efficiency (SUE) during exposure to artificial sunlight (≈57% enhancement and 72% SUE under 1 sun). In addition to the outstanding photothermal properties, this functional layer also served as a passivation coating to synergistically reduce the crystallization rate and physical binding of inorganic salts on the modified membrane without adding hazardous chemicals or using laborious steps. This multifunctional coated membrane and fast‐growing solar desalination technology provides a promising solution to the water crisis, especially in off‐grid areas where energy and resources are both relatively insufficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Discussion of faculty's subscription demands at academic libraries focuses on an analysis of journal citations from a decade of social science theses at the library of California State University at Long Beach that was conducted to supply quantifiable data to support decisions for journal purchases, cancellations, and placement in storage. (Author/LRW) more...

People who were president of a state or regional library association from 1985 through 1994 were surveyed. Issues of gender and ethnicity are explored as well as the forms of support available from associations, employers, and families. Recommendations focus on the ways in which individuals can better prepare themselves for a presidential role, and the manner in which employers and associations can nurture leaders. (Author/AEF) more...

The technology scores for the faculty of a small Southern Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) on its familiarity and use of technology is reported. Furthermore, the study focuses on how the college administrators addressed technology issues on campus over a 3-year period following the initial faculty technology survey. more...