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Using antiferromagnets as active elements in spintronics requires the ability to manipulate and read-out the Néel vector orientation. Here we demonstrate for Mn 2 Au, a good conductor with a high ordering temperature suitable for applications, reproducible switching using current pulse generated bulk spin-orbit torques and read-out by magnetoresistance measurements. Reversible and consistent changes of the longitudinal resistance and planar Hall voltage of star-patterned epitaxial Mn 2 Au(001) thin films were generated by pulse current densities of ≃10 7  A/cm 2 . The symmetry of the torques agrees with theoretical predictions and a large read-out magnetoresistance effect of more than ≃6% is reproduced by ab initio transport calculations. The zero net moment of antiferromagnets makes them insensitive to magnetic fields and enables ultrafast dynamics promising for novel spintronics. Here the authors achieved pulse current induced Néel vector switching in Mn 2 Au(001) epitaxial thin films, which is associated with a large magnetoresistive effect allowing simple read-out.

Very low-calorie ketogenic diets (VLCKD) are an effective and increasingly used tool for weight loss. Traditionally considered high protein, ketogenic diets are often looked at with concern by clinicians due to the potential harm they pose to kidney function. We herein evaluated the efficacy and safety of a VLCKD in patients with obesity and mild kidney failure. A prospective observational real-life study was conducted on ninety-two patients following a VLCKD for approximately 3 months. Thirty-eight had mild kidney failure and fifty-four had no renal condition and were therefore designated as control. Anthropometric parameters, bioelectrical impedance and biochemistry data were collected before and at the end of the dietary intervention. The average weight loss was nearly 20% of initial weight, with a significant reduction in fat mass. We report an improvement of metabolic parameters and no clinically relevant variation regarding liver and kidney function. Upon stratification based on kidney function, no differences in the efficacy and safety outcomes were found. Interestingly, 27.7% of patients with mild renal failure reported normalization of glomerular filtrate after dietary intervention. We conclude that, when conducted under the supervision of healthcare professionals, a VLCKD is an effective and safe treatment for weight loss in patients with obesity, including those affected by mild kidney failure.

As a class of mycotoxins with regulatory and public health significance, aflatoxins (e.g., aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2) have attracted unparalleled attention from government, academia and industry due to their chronic and acute toxicity. Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites of various Aspergillus species, which are ubiquitous in the environment and can grow on a variety of crops whereby accumulation is impacted by climate influences. Consumption of foods and feeds contaminated by aflatoxins are hazardous to human and animal health, hence the detection and quantification of aflatoxins in foods and feeds is a priority from the viewpoint of food safety. Since the first purification and identification of aflatoxins from feeds in the 1960s, there have been continuous efforts to develop sensitive and rapid methods for the determination of aflatoxins. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview on advances in aflatoxins analysis and highlights the importance of sample pretreatments, homogenization and various cleanup strategies used in the determination of aflatoxins. The use of liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), solid phase extraction (SPE) and immunoaffinity column clean-up (IAC) and dilute and shoot for enhancing extraction efficiency and clean-up are discussed. Furthermore, the analytical techniques such as gas chromatography (GC), liquid chromatography (LC), mass spectrometry (MS), capillary electrophoresis (CE) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) are compared in terms of identification, quantitation and throughput. Lastly, with the emergence of new techniques, the review culminates with prospects of promising technologies for aflatoxin analysis in the foreseeable future.

Degenerative spine disease can result in loss of cervical lordosis. It may lead to spine misalignment, which can be evaluated using quantitative measurements of the Cobb and Harrison back (posterior tangent angle, PTA) angles. Our objective was to investigate the relationship between cervical curvature and the application of wedge-shaped allografts with a predetermined inclination angle in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery in patients with cervical degenerative disease. Additionally, we aimed to evaluate the advantages of this technique in restoring cervical lordosis. During a two-year study at a single institution, we performed one-level ACDF on 60 patients using a wedge-shaped fixed-angle allograft with a preplanned inclination angle of 7°. We analyzed changes in the preoperative and postoperative Cobb and PTA angles with standard statistics. Cobb angle values of the entire cervical segment were increased in 75% of patients after the surgery. Half of the patients had PTA values increased after surgery. There was a significant difference in the mean Cobb and PTA values before and after surgery. Considering the findings of this study, an ACDF using a fixed lordotic angle wedge-shaped carbon allograft consistently restores the physiological alignment of the cervical spine and reestablishes cervical lordosis.

Nanoscale metallic crystals have been shown to follow a ‘smaller is stronger’ trend. However, they usually suffer from low ductility due to premature plastic instability by source-limited crystal slip. Here, by performing in situ atomic-scale transmission electron microscopy, we report unusual room-temperature super-elongation without softening in face-centred-cubic silver nanocrystals, where crystal slip serves as a stimulus to surface diffusional creep. This interplay mechanism is shown experimentally and theoretically to govern the plastic deformation of nanocrystals over a material-dependent sample diameter range between the lower and upper limits for nanocrystal stability by surface diffusional creep and dislocation plasticity, respectively, which extends far beyond the maximum size for pure diffusion-mediated deformation (for example, Coble-type creep). This work provides insight into the atomic-scale coupled diffusive–displacive deformation mechanisms, maximizing ductility and strength simultaneously in nanoscale materials. In situ atomic-scale imaging of deformation in silver nanocrystals reveals that it is possible to achieve deformability and high strength, attributed to a coupling mechanism between crystal slip and surface diffusional creep.

Traditional safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage often prioritizes the preservation of craftsmanship, while allocating less attention to the innovation and activation of derivatives. This investigation extracts the identifiable intellectual property from Chinese woodblock New Year pictures, establishes a design framework to transition from two-dimensional to three-dimensional elements, and integrates generative design to examine the viability and adaptability of generative Design methods. Specifically, employing Chinese woodcut New Year pictures as a pivotal case, design constituents are elicited through interval questionnaires and on-site surveys. Subsequently, employing a comprehensive experiential approach and user journey mapping, a compendium of generative Design methods is distilled. Augmenting this, recommendations are formulated by considering generative design as a variable. Conclusively, through a dependent sample T-test, it is discerned that generative design effectively enhances both the quantity and caliber of design propositions. This inquiry dissects the plausibility of the generative Design approach for Chinese woodblock New Year pictures, extrapolating a blueprint for said derivatives and unearthing three-dimensional design concepts within the methodological framework. Ultimately, this endeavor facilitates the dynamic preservation and widespread propagation of intangible cultural heritage, concurrently bridging the chasm between planar and three-dimensional realms through innovative paradigms.

Fatal opioid overdose is a pressing public health concern in the United States. Addressing barriers and augmenting facilitators to take-home naloxone (THN) access and administration could expand program reach in preventing fatal overdoses. THN access (i.e., being prescribed or receiving THN) was assessed in a Baltimore, Maryland-based sample of 577 people who use opioids (PWUO) and had a history of injecting drugs. A sub-analysis examined correlates of THN administration among those with THN access and who witnessed an overdose (N = 345). Logistic generalized estimating equations with robust standard errors were used to identify facilitators and barriers to accessing and using THN. The majority of PWUO (66%) reported THN access. In the multivariable model, decreased THN access was associated with the fear that a person may become aggressive after being revived with THN (aOR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.35-0.85), police threaten people at an overdose event (aOR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.36-1.00), and insufficient overdose training (aOR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.28-0.68). Enrollment in medication-assisted treatment, personally experiencing an overdose, and graduating from high school were associated with higher access. About half (49%) of PWUO with THN access and who had witnessed an overdose reported having administered THN. THN use was positively associated with \"often\" or \"always\" carrying THN (aOR: 3.47, 95% CI: 1.99-6.06), witnessing more overdoses (aOR:5.18, 95% CI: 2.22-12.07), experiencing recent homelessness, and injecting in the past year. THN use was reduced among participants who did not feel that they had sufficient overdose training (aOR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.32-0.96). THN programs must bolster confidence in administering THN and address barriers to use, such as fear of a THN recipient becoming aggressive. Normative change around carrying THN is an important component in an overdose prevention strategy.

In Learn-As-you-GO (LAGO) adaptive studies, the intervention is a complex multicomponent package, and is adapted in stages during the study based on past outcome data. This design formalizes standard practice in public health intervention studies. An effective intervention package is sought, while minimizing intervention package cost. In LAGO study data, the interventions in later stages depend upon the outcomes in the previous stages, violating standard statistical theory. We develop an estimator for the intervention effects, and prove consistency and asymptotic normality using a novel coupling argument, ensuring the validity of the test for the hypothesis of no overall intervention effect. We develop a confidence set for the optimal intervention package and confidence bands for the success probabilities under alternative package compositions. We illustrate our methods in the Better-Birth Study, which aimed to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes among 157,689 births in Uttar Pradesh, India through a multicomponent intervention package.

Purpose Symptomatic lumbar spondylolisthesis is usually treated with fusion surgery when conservative methods fail. However, traditional open decompression and fusion involves a large skin incision and muscle detachment. Therefore, minimally invasive techniques have been developed to reduce tissue damage, potentially leading to less postoperative pain and earlier resumption of activities. The purpose of this study was to compare percutaneous versus open pedicle screw placement in patients receiving lumbar midline decompression due to symptomatic lumbar spondylolisthesis focusing on short-term low back pain. Methods A randomised controlled trial was conducted in 2 Dutch hospital from 2015 to 2020. Participants with spondylolytic or degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis were randomised into percutaneous pedicle screw placement with a mini-open decompression (mini-open), or conventional open surgery with instrumented fusion (open). The primary outcome measure was short-term low back pain after 2 weeks, measured by a visual analogue scale. Leg pain, disability and quality of life were recorded at 2 and 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months and 1 year. Surgical variables, including complications, were recorded. Analyses were performed in the intention-to-treat population. Results In total, 169 participants were included and randomised to mini-open ( n  = 81) or standard open surgery ( n  = 88). No statistically or clinically significant differences were found between groups in terms of primary or secondary outcomes. Surgery duration, blood loss, hospital stay, and complications were also similar between groups. Conclusions This study detected no difference in outcome between mini-open compared to open surgery in patients with spondylolisthesis. The hypothetical advantage of reduced short-term low back pain, less blood loss and better clinical outcome could not be confirmed.