bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The association between erector spinae muscle content and chronic heart failure and its severity
Authors: Zhang Hao , Hu Weiwei , Yuan Mengxuan , Lu Dasheng , Gao Yang , Dai Qiming
Published: July 2023

Aims

Previous studies have shown a significant reduction in skeletal muscle content in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). The present study focused on the erector spinae muscle (ESM) to determine whether ESM content is associated with the development and severity of CHF.

Methods and results

A total of 652 patients were included in this trial for the study. According to the diagnostic criteria of CHF, 652 patients were divided into two groups, namely, the control group (268 patients) and the CHF group (384 patients). Meanwhile, to assess whether the ESM is associated with the severity of CHF, patients in the CHF group were divided into two groups according to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) values: heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF, LVEF ≥50%, 256 patients) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, LVEF ≤40%, 68 patients). Receiver operating curve analysis was performed to assess whether ESM content could predict CHF and determine its severity. Compared with the control group, the patients in the CHF group were older, the prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and atrial fibrillation was higher, the colour ultrasound results showed that LVEF decreased significantly, and the left ventricular end‐diastolic internal diameter and left ventricular end‐systolic internal diameter increased significantly. Besides, patients in the CHF group had significantly lower ESM content, and ESM is an independent predictor of heart failure, with an odds ratio of 0.713 (CHF group vs. control group, 95% confidence interval 0.626–0.811, P < 0.001). Compared with the HFpEF group, the HFrEF group has a lower prevalence of CHD, LVEF decreased significantly, the left ventricular end‐diastolic internal diameter and left ventricular end‐systolic internal diameter increased significantly, also patients in the HFrEF group had significantly lower ESM content compared with patients in the HFpEF group, and ESM is an independent predictor of the severity of heart failure, with an odds ratio of 0.514 (HFrEF group vs. HFpEF group, 95% confidence interval (0.418–0.633, P < 0.05). The results of receiver operating curve analysis showed that the sensitivity and specificity of ESM content for the diagnosis of CHF were 65.6% and 71.6%, respectively, while the sensitivity and specificity of ESM content for predicting the severity of CHF were 47.1% and 89.1%, respectively.

Conclusions

The ESM is of great value in predicting the onset and severity of CHF.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Activity of a Cubic [Mo3S4Pd] Cluster Bearing Bulky Cyclopentadienyl Ligands
Authors: Izu Hitoshi , Bhave Devashish Girish , Matsuoka Yuto , Sameera W. M. C. , Tanifuji Kazuki , Ohki Yasuhiro
Published: July 2023

A cubic metal‐sulfur cluster containing three Mo ions and a Pd ion, [CpSiEt33Mo3S4Pd]Cl (Mo3Pd, CpSiEt3=C5Me4SiEt3), was synthesized by the incorporation of the Pd ion into a Mo3S4 cluster [CpSiEt33Mo3S4] (Mo3). Mo3Pd was characterized by 1H NMR, UV‐vis, X‐ray crystallography, and cyclic voltammetry measurements. The electrochemical measurements demonstrated reversible one‐ and two‐electron reduction processes for Mo3Pd, which suggested potential catalytic activity for two‐electron substrate reductions such as hydrogen evolution reaction. Controlled potential electrolysis in the presence of Mo3Pd and trifluoroethanol in THF solvent displayed H2 formation with a constant current over 60 min. The amount of generated H2 by Mo3Pd was two times higher than Mo3, indicating the catalytic activity facilitated by the Pd center. The mechanism of the catalytic cycle was determined by density functional theory.
Single‐Source Precursors for the Chemical Vapor Deposition of Iron Germanides
Authors: Büttner Thomas , Janka Oliver , Huch Volker , Dhara Debabrata , Jana Anukul , Scheschkewitz David
Published: July 2023

Binary iron‐germanium phases are promising materials in magnetoelectric, spintronic or data storage applications due to their unique magnetic properties. Previous protocols for preparation of FexGey thin films and nanostructures typically involve harsh conditions and are challenging in terms of phase composition and homogeneity. Herein, we report the first example of single source chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of FexGey films. The appreciable volatility of [Ge[Fe2(CO)8]2], [Cl2GeFe(CO)4]2 and Me₂iPr₂NHC ⋅ GeCl2 ⋅ Fe(CO)4 allowed for their application as precursors under standard CVD conditions (Me₂iPr₂NHC=1,3‐diisopropoyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazol‐2‐ylidene). The thermal decomposition products of the precursors were characterized by TGA and powder XRD. Deposition experiments in a cold‐wall CVD reactor resulted in dense films of FexGey. During the optimization of synthetic conditions for precursor preparation the new iron‐germanium cluster Cl2Ge[Fe2(CO)8]Ge[Fe2(CO)8] was obtained in experiments with a higher stoichiometric ratio of GeCl2 ⋅ 1,4‐dioxane vs. Fe2(CO)9.
Julia‐Kocienski Olefination in the Synthesis of Trisubstituted Alkenes: Recent Progress
Authors: Ouzounthanasis Konstantinos A. , Rizos Stergios R. , Koumbis Alexandros E.
Published: July 2023

Julia‐Kocienski olefination, a coupling reaction between a carbonyl component and a sulfone partner, has emerged as a powerful synthetic tool in the preparation of several organic compounds. A number of interesting examples involving particularly the preparation of trisubstituted alkenes along with important observations regarding the stereoselectivity of those reactions have been recently reported. This reviewing work covers the literature for the period 2016–2022 and describes in a comprehensive way the progress and developments of Julia‐Kocienski olefination application in the synthesis of trisubstituted alkenes which serve as precursors of natural products and their analogs as well of pharmaceutically interesting/biologically important compounds. Moreover, key methodology results dealing with the investigation of the optimum conditions and stereoselectivities and new modifications and approaches are discussed.
Seismic control of multidegree‐of‐freedom structures using a concentratedly arranged tuned viscous mass damper
Authors: Kang Jianfei , Ikago Kohju
Published: July 2023

Connecting a flexible supporting element to an inerter arranged in parallel with a viscous element yields a tuned‐mass damper‐like system, designated as a tuned viscous mass damper (TVMD). The advantage of a TVMD is that it exploits the flexibility of the supporting member, which is usually considered to compromise the energy‐dissipating performance, and the inerter and soft spring form a supplemental oscillator to enhance the damping performance with resonance to the primary structure. The fixed‐point method for the optimal design of a single‐degree‐of‐freedom structure containing a TVMD is further expanded to a multidegree‐of‐freedom structure, in which a TVMD is arranged concentratedly. Furthermore, approximated closed‐form formulae for a concentratedly arranged TVMD are derived under the assumption that the primary structure is undamped, remains in an elastic range, and the target mode dominates the response of the structure. An analytical example illustrates that installing a TVMD spanning three stories in a concentrated manner based on the proposed design methods ensures the efficiency of the damping system, which demonstrates a damping effect similar to that of stiffness‐proportionally distributed TVMDs with less demand for inertance and total control force, thus resulting in a lower cost.
Evaluation of baking qualities, functional and physicochemical properties of wheat supplemented with cassava and mung bean flour blends for bread making
Authors: Anosike Francis C. , Chinwendu Okwuowulu R. , Nnaemeka Nwigboji A. , Nneka Mofunanya G. , Inyang Paul , Ikechukwu Chinaka , Blessing Onye‐Chinedu C. , Onyeji Gertrude N. , Prince‐Osuji Emeka C.
Published: July 2023

The present study evaluated the baking qualities and physicochemical properties of bread produced from wheat flour supplemented with cassava and mung bean flour blends at different levels of inclusion to assess its suitability to be used in bread production. Standard methods were used to carry out the baking qualities and physicochemical properties of the flour blends while 20 semitrained panelists were recruited for the sensory evaluation. The result showed that the gluten content of the flour blends ranged from 3.61% to 24.19%. Sample A (90% wheat:5% cassava:5% mung bean) flour blend had the highest gluten content while sample D (60% wheat:20% cassava:20% mung bean) flour blend recorded the lowest value of gluten content. The viscosity of the flour blends was found to decrease significantly (p ≥ 0.05) with an increase in temperature while the functional properties of the flour blends and physical properties of the bread varied among samples. Sample B (80% wheat:5% cassava:5% mung bean) was found to be highest in bulk density, loaf volume, and specific volume with values 0.73 g/mL, 7.86 cm3, and 0.05 cm3/g, respectively, with enhanced baking quality. Results of the chemical composition showed that fiber and protein content increased with an increase in substitution levels. Sample D had the highest value 0.43% and 27.65% while sample E (100% wheat) had the lowest value 0.38% and 12.60% for fiber and protein content respectively. Carbohydrate content decreased with an increase in substitution levels. Sample E had the highest value 48.88% while sample D had the lowest value 25.32%. Values for moisture, ash, fat, crude fiber, and energy content varied among samples and substitution levels. Sensory evaluation of the various attributes rated on 9 points hedonic scale showed a decrease in the mean score as the level of substitution increased. Sample E was rated high in all sensory attributes and was also found to be significantly different (p ≥ 0.05) among samples although in general acceptability sample E was found to be the same as sample A. The result showed that bread made from 90% wheat:5% cassava:5% mung bean flour blend (sample A) compare favorably with bread made from 100% wheat flour (control) but in baking quality sample B was found to be the best.
High‐order curvilinear Lagrangian finite element methods for shallow water hydrodynamics
Authors: Zhang Jiexing , Han Ruoyu , Ni Guoxi
Published: July 2023

We propose a high‐order curvilinear Lagrangian finite element method for shallow water hydrodynamics. This method falls into the high‐order Lagrangian framework using curvilinear finite elements. We discretize the position and velocity in continuous finite element spaces. The high‐order finite element basis functions are defined on curvilinear meshes and can be obtained through a high‐order parametric mapping from a reference element. Considering the variational formulation of momentum conservation, the global mass matrix is independent of time due to the use of moving finite element basis functions. The mass conservation is discretized in a pointwise manner which is referred to as strong mass conservation. A tensor artificial viscosity is introduced to deal with shocks, meanwhile preserving the symmetry property of solutions for symmetric flows. The generic explicit Runge–Kutta method could be adopted to achieve high‐order time integration. Several numerical experiments verify the high‐order accuracy and demonstrate good performances of using high‐order curvilinear elements.
Ephemeral prediction of aerosol optical depth associated with precipitation: A data‐driven approach
Authors: Muruganandam Niveditha , Narayanan Ramsundram , Kabilan Vengatesh
Published: July 2023

The study investigates the influence of aerosol optical depth (AOD) in coastal areas where the aerosols have an extensive range owing to wind movements together with precipitation, for a period from June 2016 to Dec 2020. Therefore, the consequences of climate change at the microscale are determined in this research using AOD for the southern coastal area, while the studies are more prevalent only in the Indo‐Gangetic Plain. The entire investigation used data from NASA's VIIRS Deep Blue Aerosol satellite. The study examined whether precipitation played a role in AOD prevalence analysis. Four models with variables, namely AOD550, AOD ocean, precipitation, temperature and sea surface temperature, were implemented in this study. Machine learning algorithms were adopted for the prediction analysis, namely artificial neural network (ANN) and support vector machine (SVM) including Polykernel, Radial Basis kernel Function and Pearson VII Universal Kernel (PUK). The results show that precipitation (−0.03) had a negative correlation with AOD550 land but a positive relationship with AOD ocean (0.554). The main conclusions were that ANN does not agree well with the AOD prediction, although R2 and RMSE performed better than average, ANN proved to overperform during the testing phase of all the ratio splits of 60–40%, 70–30%, 80–20%, 90–10%, 98–2% and 99–1%. However, SVM offers more reliability with fewer data variability than ANN thus providing a better result for 98–2% (31 days) and 99–1% (16 days) prediction. The PUK function outperformed the overall SVM function for all 4 models with an RMSE of ±0.005 during training and ±0.0035 during testing, whose R2 value was also around ±0.90 during training and 1 during testing.
Prophylactic effect of chronic immunosuppression in a mouse model of CSF‐1 receptor‐related leukoencephalopathy
Authors: Chitu Violeta , Biundo Fabrizio , Oppong‐Asare Jude , Gökhan Şölen , Aguilan Jennifer T. , Dulski Jaroslaw , Wszolek Zbignew K. , Sidoli Simone , Stanley E. Richard
Published: July 2023

Mutations leading to colony‐stimulating factor‐1 receptor (CSF‐1R) loss‐of‐function or haploinsufficiency cause CSF1R‐related leukoencephalopathy (CRL), an adult‐onset disease characterized by loss of myelin and neurodegeneration, for which there is no effective therapy. Symptom onset usually occurs in the fourth decade of life and the penetrance of disease in carriers is high. However, familial studies have identified a few carriers of pathogenic CSF1R mutations that remain asymptomatic even in their seventh decade of life, raising the possibility that the development and severity of disease might be influenced by environmental factors. Here we report new cases in which long‐term glucocorticoid treatment is associated with asymptomatic status in elder carriers of pathogenic CSF‐1R mutations. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the link between chronic immunosuppression initiated pre‐symptomatically and resistance to the development of symptomatic CRL, in the Csf1r+/− mouse model. We show that chronic prednisone administration prevents the development of memory, motor coordination and social interaction deficits, as well as the demyelination, neurodegeneration and microgliosis associated with these deficits. These findings are in agreement with the preliminary clinical observations and support the concept that pre‐symptomatic immunosuppression is protective in patients carrying pathogenic CSF1R variants associated with CRL. Proteomic analysis of microglia and oligodendrocytes indicates that prednisone suppresses processes involved in microglial activation and alleviates senescence and improves fitness of oligodendrocytes. This analysis also identifies new potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
An evaluation of negative reinforcement to increase self‐feeding and self‐drinking for children with feeding disorders
Authors: Haney Sarah D. , Ibañez Vivian F. , Kirkwood Caitlin A. , Piazza Cathleen C.
Published: July 2023

Self‐feeding with utensils represents an important step in a child's progression toward age‐typical eating and emerges in the absence of intervention for most children. In contrast, children with feeding disorders may lack the skill or motivation to self‐feed, which impedes progress toward age‐typical eating. In the current study, experimenters used a multielement design to evaluate negative reinforcement in the form of meal termination to transition six participants with a feeding disorder from caregiver‐fed to self‐fed bites and drinks. Caregivers conducted meals in which they fed the participant or prompted them to self‐feed. During self‐fed meal‐termination sessions, participants had the opportunity to end the meal contingent on self‐feeding the presented bite(s) or drink(s). Self‐feeding increased during meal‐termination sessions for all participants. The experimenters discuss these results relative to their potential to inform interventions for children with feeding disorders that progress the child toward age‐typical eating.
Circ‐DTL sponges miR‐758‐3p to accelerate cervical cancer malignant progression by regulating DCUN1D1 expression
Authors: Luo Xiaoning , Liu Jiewen , Wang Xiangcai , Yuan Jun , Zhang Yu
Published: July 2023

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play important roles in regulating various cancer progression. However, the function and clinical significance of circ‐denticleless E3 ubiquitin proteinligase homolog (DTL) in cervical cancer (CC) have not been studied. The present work explored the function and mechanism of circ‐DTL in CC development. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was performed to examine the expression of circ‐DTL, miR‐758‐3p, and DCUN1D1. Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK‐8) and 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine (EdU) assays were used to detect cell proliferation. Cell cycle and cell apoptosis were investigated by flow cytometry. Wound‐healing assay and transwell assay were conducted to assess cell migration and cell invasion. Western blot assay was carried out to determine protein expression. Dual‐luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay were used to identify the relationship between miR‐758‐3p and circ‐DTL or DCUN1D1. Xenograft mouse model assay was conducted to explore the role of circ‐DTL in CC progression in vivo. Circ‐DTL and DCUN1D1 expression were upregulated in CC tissues and CC cells, but miR‐758‐3p expression was downregulated. Knockdown of circ‐DTL inhibited CC cell growth, migration, and invasion and promoted cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis. Circ‐DTL could sponge miR‐758‐3p to modulate CC cell progression. Moreover, miR‐758‐3p inhibited CC malignant development by suppressing DCUN1D1 expression. In addition, circ‐DTL knockdown repressed CC cell tumor properties in vivo. Circ‐DTL acted as a tumor promoter in CC development by regulating the miR‐758‐3p/DCUN1D1 pathway.
Are we well? A post‐pandemic snapshot of dental educator wellness, well‐being, and fulfillment
Authors: Singh Amisha , Sarmiento Mónica , Truong Christina , Carrasco Gladys , Dugarte Alba , Quinn Barry , Panagakos Foti
Published: July 2023

Introduction

The COVID‐19 pandemic brought unprecedented changes to oral care and dental education delivery. To date, the vast majority of studies focus on the impact COVID‐19 had on the well‐being and wellness of patients, practitioners, and students; however, limited literature addresses the pandemic's impact on dental educators.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the wellness, well‐being, and fulfillment of dental educators in the years following the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

Following Institutional Review Board approval, an anonymous electronic Qualtrics survey was emailed to full‐time and adjunct faculty across five (5) dental education institutions in the US. Faculty self‐reported on their wellness, general well‐being, physical well‐being, mental well‐being, fulfillment, and work–life balance. Group differences were examined using analysis of variance and the Tukey–Kramer test for multiple comparisons at the p < 0.05 level.

Results

The results revealed females and younger dental faculty members reported statistically significantly lower levels of wellness (F2, 123 = 11.16, p < 0.001, F3, 121 = 8.53, p < 0.001), physical (F2, 123 = 11.53, p < 0.001, F3, 121 = 5.54, p = 0.001) and mental well‐being (F2, 123 = 12.49, p < 0.001, F3, 121 = 8.63, p < 0.001), fulfillment (F3, 121 = 5.01, p < 0.003), and higher levels of burnout (F2, 123 = 5.53, p = 0.005, F3, 121 = 4.85, p < 0.003). Those who expressed higher levels of burnout also had statistically lower mean well‐being scores (F4, 119 = 10.54, p < 0.001). Females also reported a significantly lower work–life balance score compared to male respondents (F2, 121 = 10.37, p < 0.002).

Conclusion

Despite the social and environmental challenges faced over the last couple of years post‐pandemic, dental educators demonstrate a quick ability to adapt, however, disproportional differences in gender and age groups were identified as being significantly correlated to dental educators’ self‐reports on wellness, well‐being, and fulfillment. Insight into these variables can help inform strategies in the academic setting to help support and strengthen the academic workforce.
Morphological and molecular changes in the Harderian gland of streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats
Authors: Romano Maria Zelinda , Boccella Serena , Venditti Massimo , Maione Sabatino , Minucci Sergio
Published: July 2023

Using a rat model of type 1 diabetes (T1D) obtained by treatment with streptozotocin, an antibiotic that destroys pancreatic β‐cells, we evaluated the influence of subsequent hyperglycemia on the morphology and physiology of the Harderian gland (HG). HG is located in the medial corner of the orbit of many terrestrial vertebrates and, in rodents, is characterized by the presence of porphyrins, which being involved in the phototransduction, through photo‐oxidation, produce reactive oxygen species activating the autophagy pathway. The study focused on the expression of some morphological markers involved in cell junction formation (occludin, connexin‐43, and α‐tubulin) and mast cell number (MCN), as well as autophagic and apoptotic pathways. The expression of enzymes involved in steroidogenesis [steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), and 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β‐HSD)] and the level of lipid peroxidation by thiobarbituric acid reactive species assay were also evaluated. The results strongly indicate, for the first time, that T1D has a negative impact on the pathophysiology of rat HG, as evidenced by increased oxidative stress, morphological and biochemical alterations, hyperproduction and secretion of porphyrins, increased MCN, reduced protein levels of StAR and 3β‐HSD, and, finally, induced autophagy and apoptosis. All the combined data support the use of the rat HG as a suitable experimental model to elucidate the molecular damage/survival pathways elicited by stress conditions.
Multiomics analyses reveal pathological mechanisms of HBV infection and integration in liver cancer
Authors: Guo Mengbiao , Zhao Linghao , Jiang Chen , Jia Chang‐chang , Liu Hui , Zhou Weiping , Songyang Zhou , Xiong Yuanyan
Published: July 2023

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and integration are important for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) initiation and progression, while disease mechanisms are still largely elusive. Here, we combined bulk and single‐cell sequencing technologies to tackle the disease mechanisms of HBV‐related HCC. We observed high HBV mutation rate and diversity only in tumors without HBV integration. We identified human somatic risk loci for HBV integration (VIMs). Transcription factors (TFs) enriched in VIMs were involved in DNA repair and androgen receptor (AR) signaling. Aberration of AR signaling was further observed by single‐cell regulon analysis in HBV‐infected hepatocytes, which showed remarkable interactions between AR and the complement system that, together with the X‐linked ZXDB regulon that contains albumin (ALB), probably contribute to HCC male predominance. Complement system dysregulation caused by HBV infection was further confirmed by analyses of single‐cell copy numbers and cell–cell communications. Finally, HBV infection‐associated immune cells presented critical defects, including TXNIP in T cells, TYROBP in NK cells, and the X‐linked TIMP1 in monocytes. We further experimentally validated our findings in multiple independent patient cohorts. Collectively, our work shed light on the pathogenesis of HBV‐related HCC and other liver diseases that affect billions of people worldwide.
Pharmacist ambulatory pain services for a chronic non‐cancer pain clinic: a descriptive study
Authors: Maleki Sam , Szmerling Jeremy , Thiruvasagan Mahisha , Seah Gloria , Gu Galahad
Published: July 2023

Background

Patients presenting to specialist pain clinics are often prescribed complex and high‐risk analgesic regimens. In this setting, pharmacists can help identify at risk patients and provide valuable clinical input to improve patient outcomes.

Aim

To evaluate the role of a clinical pharmacist in improving the triage, assessment and management of patients presenting to ambulatory pain clinics.

Method

This descriptive study enrolled patients from two chronic noncancer pain clinics from July to December 2021. A new clinical pharmacist service was devised, which operated as telehealth one day per week. The pharmacist was responsible for accepting referrals, triaging based on clinic criteria and updating them with prescription risk factors, in line with SafeScript's traffic light system. Pharmacist clinical services included completion of medication histories, drug dose interventions and patient education. This project received departmental ethical approval from the Eastern Health Office of Research and Ethics prior to commencement (Approval No: QA21‐068).

Results

The pharmacist assessed 253 patients and identified prescription risk factors for 68 patients; of which 11 (16%) had received opioids from ≥4 prescribers, 10 (15%) were issued a monitored prescription from ≥4 pharmacies, seven (10%) were on high‐risk drug combinations, 25 (37%) had an Oral Morphine Equivalent Daily Dose (OMEDD) of 50–100 mg, and 26 (38%) with OMEDD >100 mg. The pharmacist completed 67 medication histories and provided 22 accepted drug intervention recommendations to clinic physicians, including seven recommendations for dose adjustments, six to cease a medicine and nine to start a new medicine.

Conclusion

The pharmacist incorporated SafeScript in the clinics' triage processes and provided valuable clinical interventions complementing the care provided by the pain physicians and the allied health staff.
Kinetics of bis(2‐methyl) butylene carbonate by transesterification of dimethyl carbonate with 1,4‐butanediol
Authors: Zhao Yanfang , Pei Tingting , Liang Rihui , Zhao Guoliang , Yang Zhongkai
Published: July 2023

The kinetic behavior of bis(2‐methyl) butylene carbonate (BMBC) by the transesterification of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) with 1,4‐butanediol (BDO) was investigated experimentally and theoretically. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIRs) test confirmed that the BMBC was successfully synthesized. The optimum preparation process of BMBC was investigated at atmospheric pressure, where Zn(Ac)2∙2H2O was the best catalyst for this transesterification reaction, and the optimal concentration was 0.3 wt%. The conversion was determined by measuring the amount of methanol produced during the reaction by refractometric method. A kinetic model was proposed according to the experimental results. The results showed that the transesterification reaction was a pseudo‐first‐order reaction. The apparent activation energy (Ea) significantly decreased with the increase of catalyst concentration from 0.1 wt% to 0.5 wt%. The Ea of the reaction was 102.13, 84.36, and 70.18 kJ mol−1, respectively, when the catalyst concentration was 0.1 wt%, 0.3 wt%, and 0.5 wt%. Furthermore, the parameters of the optimal heating curve in the batch reactor was obtained according to the optimal model.
Histologic Examination of Vocal Fold Mucosal Wave and Vibration
Authors: Chung Hye Rhyn , Reddy Neha K. , Manzoor Daniel , Schlegel Patrick , Zhang Zhaoyan , Chhetri Dinesh K.
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Despite gross anatomic and histologic differences between human and canine vocal folds, similar wave patterns have been described yet not fully characterized. We reconstructed vocal fold (VF) vibration in a canine hemilarynx and performed histologic examination of the same vocal fold. We demonstrate comparable wave patterns while exploring the importance of certain anatomic architectures.

Methods

An in vivo canine hemilarynx was phonated against a glass prism at low and high muscle activation conditions. Vibration was captured using high‐speed video, and trajectories of VF medial surface tattooed landmarks were 3D‐reconstructed. The method of empirical eigenfunctions was used to capture the essential dynamics of vibratory movement. Histologic examination of the hemilarynx was performed.

Results

Oscillation patterns were highly similar between the in vivo canine and previous reports of ex vivo human models. The two most dominant eigenfunctions comprised over 90% of total variance of movement, representing opening/closing and convergent/divergent movement patterns, respectively. We demonstrate a vertical phase difference during the glottal cycle. The time delay between the inferior and superior VF was greater during opening than closing for both activation conditions. Histological examination of canine VF showed not only a thicker lamina propria layer superiorly but also a distinct pattern of thyroarytenoid muscle fibers and fascicles as described in human studies.

Conclusions

Histologic and vibratory examination of the canine vocal fold demonstrated human vocal fold vibratory patterns despite certain microstructural differences. This study suggests that the multilayered lamina propria may not be fundamental to vibratory patterns necessary for human‐like voice production.

Level of Evidence

NA (Basic science study) Laryngoscope, 134:264–271, 2024
Late laryngeal dysfunction in head and neck cancer survivors
Authors: Almas Sarah , Jeffery Caroline C.
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Head and neck cancer (HNC) survivorship issues are areas of increasing research interest. Laryngeal dysfunction in HNC patients is particularly important given the importance of the larynx in voice, swallowing, and airway protection. The objective of our study is to characterize late laryngeal dysfunction in a cohort of long‐term HNC survivors.

Methods

HNC survivors who were at least 2 years post‐treatment were recruited prospectively for standard collection of videolaryngoscopy findings, videofluoroscopic swallowing studies, and assessment of clinical outcomes. Descriptive statistics were performed and clinical presentation and outcomes were compared between survivors >10 years and <10 years post‐treatment. Additional factor analysis to correlate clinical outcomes with clinical variables was performed.

Results

Thirty participants were analyzed with a mean age of 66 years. The majority were male (80%) patients treated for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (67%). Within the cohort, 43% underwent primary chemoradiation therapy and had 13% radiation alone. Common presenting symptoms included swallowing dysfunction (83%), voice change (67%), and chronic cough (17%). Laryngeal findings on video laryngoscopy include vocal fold motion abnormalities (VFMA) in over half of participants (61%) and mucosal changes in 20%. A weak correlation was found between time since treatment and laryngeal dysfunction (r = .182, p = .34), and no correlation was found between age, sex, time since treatment, or primary site and the presence or absence of VFMA, G‐tube status, or tracheostomy‐tube status.

Conclusion

Late laryngeal dysfunction in HNC survivors contributes to significant morbidity, is difficult to treat, and remains static decades after treatment for their original cancer.

Lay Summary

The voice‐box, or the larynx, plays an important role in voice, swallowing and airway protection. It is particularly vulnerable to radiation‐related damage and changes. This study demonstrates the sequelae of long‐term damage of the larynx in head and cancer survivors.

Level of Evidence

IV.
“WHO LIVES, WHO DIES, WHO TELLS YOUR STORY…”
Authors: Fullhart Randal D.
Published: July 2023

The author is a now‐retired, longstanding leader in the United States Air Force. He relates the leadership of Frances Hesselbein to the lyrics and title of music in the Broadway hit show, Hamilton, about Alexander Hamilton, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. The author writes: “What might be impossible to document is the ripple outward of her impact and example to the hundreds of thousands…no, millions of people she impacted through simple words, consistently spoken and lived, over the century‐plus of her life.”
REMEMBERING FRANCES HESSELBEIN: A GREAT AMERICAN SPIRIT
Authors: Hale Patric
Published: July 2023

The author, CEO of Consultex Ltd., a socio‐economic consulting and research firm, and a long‐standing publishing executive, recounts his friendship with Frances Hesselbein, which began when Frances was 98 years old. He notes that he learned right away “one of Frances’ secrets to a long, happy, and engaging life—your age has nothing to do with it; what matters is the enthusiasm and joy you find and put into every day you wake up! She didn’t tell me this—she showed me this—and everyone else who ever was fortunate enough to enter into her realm of being!” He writes that “the more I got to know her and the more we spoke together she epitomized a beautiful spirit that embodied all that was good about America.”
SELFLESS SERVICE AND THE CHOICE OF INCLUSION
Authors: Ryan Diane M.
Published: July 2023

The author, the Associate Dean for Programs and Administration in the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University, first met Frances Hesselbein as Academy Professor, Director of the Eisenhower Leader Development Program, and Deputy Department Head in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership at the United States Military Academy, West Point: “Frances arrived at West Point on a bright autumn day to speak with cadets and local Girl Scout troops on the meaning of service and I was the lucky one assigned to be her personal escort… I’d heard about truly transformational leaders who have a special quality of making every individual they encounter feel like the most important person in the room. This is exactly how Frances treated everyone she met regardless of title or status. I felt like a 4‐star general that day and many times since.”
DEFINING LEADERSHIP: FRANCES HESSELBEIN’S GIFT TO US
Authors: Clair Guy St.
Published: July 2023

The author, a writer and editor and pioneer in the field known as knowledge services, writes about his friendship with Frances Hesselbein. “She liked,” the author writes, “that my career was in knowledge services – as a consultant, author, and teacher – and she liked connecting that with her work in leadership.” The author is a longtime educator, and “Frances had strong expectations about how young people move into their roles as our future leaders. As a result, she had a passionate interest in working with young people simply because it was how she thought.” She suggested, in 2016, that she and the author would do a conference, “Leadership Imperatives for Millennials,” about leadership and knowledge for the students, held at Frances’ New York office. She was the keynote speaker, and the students’ “reactions were nothing short of phenomenal (in fact, the word ‘mesmerizing’ came up many times as they described the conference).”
First‐time application of droplet digital PCR for methylation testing of the 11p15.5 imprinting regions
Authors: Schlaich Elia , Hubens Wouter H. G. , Eggermann Thomas
Published: July 2023

Background

Beckwith‐Wiedemann syndrome and Silver‐Russel syndrome are two imprinting disorders caused by opposite molecular alterations in 11p15.5. With the current diagnostic tests, their molecular diagnosis is challenging due to molecular heterogeneity and mosaic occurrence of the most frequent alterations. As the determination of precise (epi)genotype of patients is relevant as the basis for a personalized treatment, different approaches are needed to increase the sensitivity of diagnostic testing of imprinting disorders.

Methods

We established methylation‐specific droplet digital PCR approaches (MS‐ddPCR) for the two imprinting centers in 11p15.5, and analyzed patients with paternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 11p15.5 (upd(11)pat) and other imprinting defects in the region. The results were compared to those from MS‐MLPA (multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification) and MS‐pyrosequencing.

Results

MS‐ddPCR confirmed the molecular alterations in all patients and the results matched well with MS‐MLPA. The results of MS‐pyrosequencing varied between different runs, whereas MS‐ddPCR results were reproducible.

Conclusion

We show for the first time that MS‐ddPCR is a reliable and easy applicable method for determination of MS‐associated changes in imprinting disorders. It is therefore an additional tool for multimethod diagnostics of imprinting disorders suitable to improve the diagnostic yield.
NCMHR advocates for key legislative MH priorities in D.C.
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: July 2023

Earlier this month, a coalition of advocates and organizations representing people with mental health diagnoses from around the country descended on Capitol Hill to advocate for a recovery‐focused mental health system that prevents crises, protects rights and promotes social justice, wellness, economic empowerment and social inclusion.
Survey of new applications of geometric algebra
Authors: Hitzer Eckhard , Kamarianakis Manos , Papagiannakis George , Vašík Petr
Published: July 2023

This survey introduces 101 new publications on applications of Clifford's geometric algebras (GAs) newly published during 2022 (until mid‐January 2023). The selection of papers is based on a comprehensive search with Dimensions.ai, followed by detailed screening and clustering. Readers will learn about the use of GA for mathematics, computation, surface representations, geometry, image, and signal processing, computing and software, quantum computing, data processing, neural networks, medical science, physics, electric engineering, control and robotics.
Effectiveness of Platelet‐Rich Plasma for COVID‐19‐Related Olfactory Dysfunction: A Controlled Study
Authors: Lechien Jerome R. , Saussez Sven , Vaira Luigi A. , De Riu Giacomo , Boscolo‐Rizzo Paolo , Tirelli Giancarlo , Michel Justin , Radulesco Thomas
Published: July 2023

Objective

To investigate the effectiveness of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) injection into the olfactory clefts of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) patients with persistent olfactory dysfunction (OD).

Study Design

Controlled study.

Setting

Multicenter study.

Methods

From March 2022 to November 2022, COVID‐19 patients with persistent OD were recruited from three European hospitals to undergo PRP injections into the olfactory clefts. Olfactory function was evaluated at baseline and 10 weeks postinjection with the Olfactory Disorder Questionnaire (ODQ) and threshold, discrimination, and identification (TDI) test. Data were compared with a control group of untreated patients.

Results

Eighty‐one patients who underwent PRP injection and 78 controls were included. Sixty‐five PRP patients (80.3%) experienced subjective smell improvement after a mean duration of 3.4 ± 1.9 weeks. The parosmia, life quality statement, and ODQ sub‐ and total scores significantly decreased from pre‐ to 10‐week postinjection in the PRP group. The TDI sub‐ and total scores significantly increased 10 weeks postinjection. In controls, the ODQ score did not change over time, while the discrimination, identification, and total TDI scores significantly increase after 10 weeks of follow‐up. The 10‐week TDI and ODQ scores were significantly better in the PRP group compared with the controls.

Conclusion

Patients who underwent PRP injection reported better 10‐week subjective and objective smell outcomes than controls. Future randomized‐controlled studies using saline injection into the olfactory cleft of controls are needed to determine the superiority of PRP over placebo.
Heparin‐guided binding of vascular endothelial growth factor to supramolecular biomaterial surfaces
Authors: Schmitz Moniek G. J. , Ibrahim Dina M. , Bartels Paul A. A. , Twisk Simone A. E. , Smits Anthal I. P. M. , Bouten Carlijn V. C. , Dankers Patricia Y. W.
Published: July 2023

Growth factors can steer the biological response to a biomaterial post implantation. Heparin is a growth factor binding molecule that can coordinate growth factor presentation to cells and therefore is able to regulate many biological processes. One way to functionalize biomaterials with heparin and growth factors is via a supramolecular approach. Here, we show a proof‐of‐concept study in which a supramolecular approach based on ureido‐pyrimidinone (UPy) was used, which allows for modular functionalization. PCLdiUPy was functionalized with a UPy‐modified heparin binding peptide (UPy‐HBP) to facilitates binding of heparin, which in turn can bind vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) via its heparin binding domain. The adsorption of both heparin and VEGF were studied in two different functionalization approaches (pre‐complex and two‐step) and at different molecular ratios. Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation energy adsorption data showed that VEGF and pre‐complexed heparin:VEGF adsorbed non‐specifically, with no distinguish between non‐specific adsorption and heparin guided‐adsorption. On the biological side, heparin guided‐adsorption of Heparin:VEGF enhanced HUVECs surface coverage as compared to non‐specific adsorption. These results provide a detailed insight on the molecular sandwich which is useful for new design strategies of supramolecular biomaterials with well‐controlled immobilization of different growth factors.
Crisis management and ethical expertise: The role of ethics advice during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Germany
Authors: Sommer Theresa , Strassheim Holger , Wenzel Lars
Published: July 2023

The COVID‐19 crisis posed challenges for policy‐makers, experts, and citizens alike. Current research often focuses on the interlinkage between scientific expertise and political decision‐making, but ethical expertise remains largely overlooked. This paper argues that multiple logics of science‐policy interaction and ethics advice exist, especially in times of crisis. It contributes to the debate on crisis management by explaining why ethical expertise is sometimes described as a technocratic development and other times as a political instrumentalization of science. We argue that these seemingly diametrically opposed claims are not necessarily a contradiction but that they can be explained by understanding the underlying logics of how ethics advice is formulated and used to advise policy‐makers. The paper focuses on the role of ethics and expertise in pandemic governance in Germany, based on an analysis of policy documents and workshops with ethical experts and members of organizations relevant to the German COVID response. The aim is to understand how epistemic and ethical claims are linked, reconstruct the underlying political and temporal logics, and identify when ethical dilemmas and controversies arise and become (in)visible. A clearer understanding of these logics is needed to improve national crisis response and governance during future crises.
A Ramsey–Turán theory for tilings in graphs
Authors: Han Jie , Morris Patrick , Wang Guanghui , Yang Donglei
Published: July 2023

For a ‐vertex graph and an ‐vertex graph , an ‐tiling in is a collection of vertex‐disjoint copies of in . For , the ‐independence number of , denoted , is the largest size of a ‐free set of vertices in . In this article, we discuss Ramsey–Turán‐type theorems for tilings where one is interested in minimum degree and independence number conditions (and the interaction between the two) that guarantee the existence of optimal ‐tilings. Our results unify and generalise previous results of Balogh–Molla–Sharifzadeh [Random Struct. Algoritm.
49 (2016), no. 4, 669–693], Nenadov–Pehova [SIAM J. Discret. Math. 34 (2020), no. 2, 1001–1010] and Balogh–McDowell–Molla–Mycroft [Comb. Probab. Comput. 27 (2018), no. 4, 449–474] on the subject.
Nonparametric clustering of RNA‐sequencing data
Authors: Lozano Gabriel , Atallah Nadia , Levine Michael
Published: July 2023

Identification of clusters of co‐expressed genes in transcriptomic data is a difficult task. Most algorithms used for this purpose can be classified into two broad categories: distance‐based or model‐based approaches. Distance‐based approaches typically utilize a distance function between pairs of data objects and group similar objects together into clusters. Model‐based approaches are based on using the mixture‐modeling framework. Compared to distance‐based approaches, model‐based approaches offer better interpretability because each cluster can be explicitly characterized in terms of the proposed model. However, these models present a particular difficulty in identifying a correct multivariate distribution that a mixture can be based upon. In this manuscript, we review some of the approaches used to select a distribution for the needed mixture model first. Then, we propose avoiding this problem altogether by using a nonparametric MSL (maximum smoothed likelihood) algorithm. This algorithm was proposed earlier in statistical literature but has not been, to the best of our knowledge, applied to transcriptomics data. The salient feature of this approach is that it avoids explicit specification of distributions of individual biological samples altogether, thus making the task of a practitioner easier. We performed both a simulation study and an application of the proposed algorithm to two different real datasets. When used on a real dataset, the algorithm produces a large number of biologically meaningful clusters and performs at least as well as several other mixture‐based algorithms commonly used for RNA‐seq data clustering. Our results also show that this algorithm is capable of uncovering clustering solutions that may go unnoticed by several other model‐based clustering algorithms. Our code is publicly available on Github at
https://github.com/Matematikoi/non_parametric_clustering
Exploring the role of the belt and road initiative in promoting sustainable and inclusive development
Authors: Zhu Haiyang , Chen Shiyu , Irfan Muhammad , Hu Mingjun , Hu Jin
Published: July 2023

Sustainable and inclusive development aims to achieve long‐term economic growth while ensuring environmental and social sustainability. This study investigates the significance of the Belt and Road Initiative (B&R) in promoting sustainable and inclusive development in Chinese provinces along its route, considering it a quasi‐natural experiment. To assess the effects, we construct an index system that captures critical dimensions of sustainable and inclusive development. The results reveal that the B&R has positively influenced sustainable and inclusive development in the Chinese provinces along the route. This impact is facilitated through transmission mechanisms such as technological innovation and upgrading industrial structures. However, variations exist between provinces along the Silk Road Economic Belt and those along the Maritime Silk Road, with the former experiencing more pronounced effects. These findings provide a valuable foundation for the government to leverage the B&R and develop comprehensive sustainable, and inclusive development strategies. Furthermore, this study offers insights into promoting high‐quality development in an open economy context.