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Treat to Target in Gout Management:A Critical Reappraisal of Current Strategies
Get PDFGout management strategies remain a topic of debate, particularly regarding the efficacy of treat-to-target (T2T) and treat-to-avoid-symptoms (T2S) approaches. T2T, endorsed by major rheumatology societies, involves systematic serum urate (sUA) monitoring and urate-lowering therapy (ULT) dose escalation to maintain sUA below a predefined threshold. In contrast, T2S, which focuses on symptom relief rather than routine sUA monitoring, is supported by alternative guidelines. Despite the widespread adoption of T2T in other chronic diseases, its clinical benefits beyond biochemical parameters, such as serum urate reduction, remain uncertain in gout. This study evaluates current evidence on T2T and T2S, analyzing data from a pragmatic multicenter trial comparing both strategies. Findings suggest that while T2T is effective in reducing sUA levels, its superiority in preventing flares and improving patient-reported outcomes remains inconclusive. Some studies report reduced tophus burden and better adherence with T2T, whereas others find negligible differences in pain relief and functional improvement between the two strategies. The lack of high-quality comparative trials underscores the need for further investigation. Future research should prioritize long-term, patient-centered outcomes and pragmatic implementation strategies
The impact of surface cracks and surface roughness in the performance of hard chromium coatings in cold rolling applications
Get PDFHard chrome plating is widely utilized in industrial applications due to its high hardness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and low friction. However, the mechanisms responsible for its exceptional tribological performance and strip cleanliness in cold rolling remain insufficiently understood, posing a challenge to the development of viable alternatives. To design future effective alternatives, it is crucial to first comprehend why chromium coatings are so effective. This study investigates the effect of hard chromium plating on steel surface topography and its correlation with lubrication performance in cold rolling applications using oil-in-water emulsions. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal microscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) are employed to analyze the microstructural and topological characteristics of chrome-plated surfaces. The findings challenge the conventional assumption that surface cracks in hard chrome coatings can serve as oil reservoirs that would significantly enhance lubrication in the roll bite of a cold rolling mill with the help of exact crack width measurement and plate out test. Additionally, Power Spectral Density (PSD) analysis indicates that chrome plating reduces high-frequency roughness while preserving average roughness and larger wavelength features. Dynamic surface wetting experiments using a state-of-the-art droplet analyzer link this reduction in high-frequency roughness to enhanced wettability and faster lubricant spreading on chrome-plated surfaces compared to uncoated steel. These findings highlight the critical role of surface topography in lubrication performance and provide valuable insights to guide the development of future alternatives to hard chrome plating in cold rolling applications.</p
DREAM: Processing Complex Matrices: Description, Reaction-Separation, Modelling
Get PDFThis is a poster about the DREAM project. This interdisciplinary project aims to develop new methodologies to study the conversion of complex matrices like biomass and, in doing so, contribute to the development of breakthrough technology. This consortium is unique because philosophers of science collaborate with chemists and chemical engineers to achieve the aim. Through this collaboration, the project extends beyond disciplinary boundaries
Digital twins for trans people in healthcare:queer, phenomenological and bioethical considerations
Get PDFHealthcare is one of the domains in which artificial intelligence (AI) is already having a major impact. Of interest is the idea of the digital twin (DT), an AI-powered technology that generates a real-time representation of the patient's body, offering the possibility of more personalised care. Our main thesis in this paper is that the DT does not merely represent the patient's body but produces a specific body. We argue, from a philosophical perspective and an ethical-phenomenological approach, that the virtual body created by the DT has a major impact on one's self-understanding, having consequences for gender expression and identification, and for health. This has deep implications for people who do not conform to gender normativity, for example, trans individuals. We advocate that, with thoughtful development, DT technology can and should be empowering, contributing to better addressing the diversity of bodies and facilitating trans people's experience in healthcare contexts.</p
Manipulation of crystallization, optical properties and phase distribution of two-dimensional metal halide perovskite through solution-based method
Get PDFTwo-dimensional (2D) metal halide perovskite has attracted great attention with regards to solving the instability issue of the three-dimensional (3D) counterpart due to the use of hydrophobic cations. However, the natural quantum confinement effect and mismatched dielectric coefficient determine that the 2D perovskite comprises multiple microstructural domains with different orientations and distributions. In this thesis, systematic studies of different model systems were implemented, in terms of large organic spacers (Ruddlesden-Popper type, Dion-Jacobson type, Alternating-Cations-in-the-Interlayer type, mixed spacers), small cations (methylammonium, formamidinium), in order to manipulate the crystal orientation and phase distribution (normal gradient, reversed gradient) of the 2D perovskite thin film fabricated through spin-coating, which is a common solution-based fabrication method. Different processing methods (solvent engineering, additive doping, hot-casting, anti-solvent) were carried out for both internal and external control, in order to improve surface morphology and vertical grain alignment. Additionally, patterns and textures were also created by nanoimprinting lithography in both top-down and bottom-up manners, in order to induce light trapping and coupling and to tune the optical properties of 2D perovskite (e.g. to control the light absorption and reflection). The take-home message of this thesis is that the crystallization, optical properties and phase distribution of 2D and quasi-2D perovskite thin films can be controlled and regulated by different solution-based manipulation strategies and processing methods, a combination of which is usually used to make a difference. The comprehensive understanding of crystallization behaviour of 2D perovskites and the innovative highlight of spacer mixing shed light on building a promising future of highly efficient and stable devices such as 2D/3D perovskite solar cells, tandem solar cells
ASO Visual Abstract:Magnetic Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Early Breast Cancer Patients: An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis of Tracer Uptake
Get PDFClinical added value of 3D printed patient-specific guides in orthopedic surgery (excluding knee arthroplasty):A systematic review
Get PDFIntroduction: Patient-specific guides (PSGs) provide customized solutions and enhanced precision. However, the question remains: does clinical evidence support the added value of PSGs? This study critically appraises, summarizes, and compares the literature to assess the clinical value of PSGs in orthopedic surgery. Materials and methods: PubMed and Embase were used to search for studies reporting on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the use of PSGs with a control group for an orthopedic intervention, excluding knee arthroplasty. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (RoB 2). The clinical value was expressed as patient reported outcome measures (PROMs), complications, accuracy, surgery duration, blood loss, and radiation exposure. Relative and absolute differences were determined, and whether these were negative or positive for using PSGs. Results: From 6310 studies, 27 RCTs were included, covering various interventions. The studies' heterogeneity prevented meta-analysis. Six (22.2%) of the included articles scored low risk of bias. Significant differences in the benefit of PSGs were reported across all included metrics: 32.2% in PROMs, 22.7% in complications, 69.8% in accuracy, 42.1% in surgery duration, 46.7% in blood loss, and 93.3% in radiation exposure. No significant negative differences were found in any of the studies. Conclusion: PSGs generally show superior outcomes for accuracy and radiation exposure across multiple intervention types, while the reduction in complications was primarily significant in spinal fusion surgery. For PROMs, complications in other treatments, surgery duration, and blood loss, there may be clinical added value but future well-designed RCTs are needed to provide stronger evidence.</p
Enhancing ecosystems conservation through earth observation solutions, capacity development and co-design
No full textPEOPLE-ECCO (Enhancing Ecosystems Conservation through Earth Observation Solutions, Capacity Development and Co-design) is a project funded by ESA under the Earth Observation Science for Society (EO4Society) programme. The project answers to critical needs identified by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) striving to improve evidence-based ecosystem conservation. The project aims to develop and demonstrate innovative Earth Observation (EO)-integrated methods and tools to 1) monitor protected areas conditions and management effectiveness, and 2) identify high-priority areas to be protected. PEOPLE-ECCO follows a co-design and user-centred approach. This means we develop the tools together with conservation CSOs/NGOs and provide tailored capacity development enabling them to integrate these EO methodologies in their operational practices. PEOPLE-ECCO commenced in October 2024 and will run for two years. In this presentation we will outline our overall approach which consists of two interacting parts: a user-focused part dedicated to user engagement, requirement consolidation and capacity development, and a technology-focused part focussing on EO-integrated methods and tools testing, development and demonstration. A central role is reserved for six NGOs/CSOs active in conservation actions with an interest in taking up EO solutions. These “Early Adopters” will jointly contribute to the development of actionable and relevant EO-integrated methods and tools. The Early Adopters in PEOPLE-ECCO (African Parks, Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds, Lebanon Reforestation Initiative, IUCN Vietnam, Prince Edwards Island Watershed Alliance and Reef Check Malaysia) are distributed over four continents, and the ecosystems they jointly manage cover a range of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Outputs of PEOPLE-ECCO aim to contribute to the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), especially to GBF Target 3 (Conserve 30 percent of land, water and seas) and Target 20 (Strengthen Capacity-Building, Technology Transfer, and Scientific and Technical Cooperation for Biodiversity)
Making trauma ecological momentary assessment studies FAIR:review of design considerations and data procedures
Get PDFBackground: Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) involves collecting data from people in their everyday lives one or more times per day over the course of days, weeks, or months. EMA has been used in the traumatic stress field to better understand how trauma-relevant symptoms, experiences, and behaviours occur under naturalistic conditions and in relation to one another. The FAIR principles specify that data should be Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable to maximise the knowledge gained from individual research studies. However, it is unclear how EMA design decisions and data procedures might affect the implementation of these principles.Objective: We articulate key design considerations and data procedures when performing trauma EMA research and outline some challenges and recommendations for implementing the FAIR data principles in trauma EMA research.Method and Results: Using examples from existing trauma EMA studies, we discuss the decisions made when preparing a trauma EMA study; data processing and analytic procedures performed following data collection; and challenges that exist for their implementation, as well as practices that trauma EMA researchers can incorporate into their research to promote FAIR data.Conclusions: Implementing the FAIR data principles in trauma EMA research is critical to advancing scientific knowledge. Researchers should deposit their data in reputable repositories and include documentation detailing design decisions and the steps taken to clean and prepare data. Many challenges remain for the implementation of these practices including balancing privacy concerns and efforts to make trauma EMA data readily shareable.</p
Mixed-phase enabled high-rate copper niobate anodes for lithium-ion batteries
Get PDFThe advancement of rapid-response grid energy storage systems and the widespread adoption of electric vehicles are significantly hindered by the charging times and energy densities associated with current lithium-ion battery technology. In state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries, graphite is employed as the standard negative electrode material. However, graphite suffers from polarization and deteriorating side-reactions at the high currents needed for fast charging. Transition metal-oxide anodes are attractive alternatives due to their enhanced power density. However, often these anodes make use of toxic or scarce elements, significantly limiting their future potential. In this work, we propose a new, facile solid-state synthesis method to obtain non-toxic, abundant, mixed-phase copper niobate (CuxNbyOz) anodes for lithium-ion batteries. The material consists of various phases working synergistically to deliver high electrochemical capacities at exceptional cycling rates (167 mA h g−1 at 1C, 95 mA h g−1 at 10C, 65 mA h g−1 at 60C and 37 mA h g−1 at 250C), large pseudocapacitive response (up to 90%), and high Li+ diffusion coefficient (1.8 × 10−12 cm2 s−1), at a stable capacity retention (99.98%) between cycles. Compared to graphite, at a comparable energy density (470 W h L−1), the composite material exhibits a 70 times higher power density (27 000 W L−1). These results provide a new perspective on the role of non-toxic and abundant elements for realizing ultrafast anode materials for future energy storage devices.</p