bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and synthesis of vancomycin‐functionalized ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles as an effective antibacterial agent against methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Akbari Minoo , Rezayan Ali Hossein , Rastegar Hossein , Alebouyeh Mahmoud , Yahyaei Mohammad
Published: January 2024

The emergence of antibiotic‐resistant bacterial infections is a principal threat to global health. Functionalization of nanomaterial with antibiotics is known as a useful method for increasing the effectiveness of existing antibiotics. In this study, vancomycin‐functionalized ZnFe2O4 nanocomposite (ZnFe2O4@Cell@APTES@Van) was synthesized, and its functional groups and particle size were characterized using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscopy. The antibacteria activity of the synthesized nanocomposite was evaluated using minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Cytotoxicity assay was done by 2,3‐bis‐(2‐methoxy‐4‐nitro‐5‐sulfophenyl)‐2H‐tetrazolium‐5‐carboxanilide method. Characterization analyses of synthesized nanocomposite confirmed the binding of vancomysin on the surface of ZnFe2O4@Cell@APTES. Nanocomposite exhibited an aggregated semi‐spherical structure with hydrodynamic radii of ∼382 nm. In vitro antibacterial activity test showed that vancomycin and vancomycin functionalized ZnFe2O4 have no antibacterial effect against E. coli. S. aureus was sensitive to vancomycin and ZnFe2O4@Cell@APTES@Van NPs and ZnFe2O4 NPs did not improve vancomycin antibacterial activity against these bacteria. MRSA is resistant to vancomycin while ZnFe2O4@Cell@APTES@Van NPs was efficient in inhibiting MRSA growth. In summary, this study showed that attachment of vancomycin to ZnFe2O4 NPs was increased its antibacterial activity against MRSA.
Participant Misrepresentation in Online Focus Groups: Red Flags and Proactive Measures
Authors: Andrew Lesley , Gizzarelli Emily , Estai Mohamed , Wallace Ruth
Published: January 2024

Covid‐19 public health measures prompted a significant increase in online research. This approach has several benefits over face‐to‐face data‐collection methods, including lower cost and wider geographical reach of participants. Yet when the online data‐collection instrument is a survey, there are also well‐documented drawbacks of participant misrepresentation and related data‐authenticity issues. However, the scholarly literature has not looked at participant misrepresentation in online focus‐group empirical research. This case study communicates a concerning situation that arose during our research project: dishonest participant behavior threatened the integrity and validity of our data collected through online focus‐group sessions as well as e‐surveys. We describe the study context, initial red flags alerting us to the issue, subsequent investigations, and implications for research ethics, funding, and data quality. We conclude with a discussion of potential steps to safeguard future online focus‐group research against similar issues.
The “Young Athlete Body Project”—A pilot study evaluating the acceptability of and results from an eating disorder prevention program for adolescent athletes
Authors: Sundgot‐Borgen Christine , Wisting Line , Sundgot‐Borgen Jorunn , Steenbuch Karoline , Skrede Jenny Vik , Nilsen Karoline , Stice Eric , Mathisen Therese Fostervold
Published: January 2024

Background

The high frequency of eating disorders (EDs) in sports speaks of a need for early‐stage preventive measures.

Objectives

This study evaluated the acceptability of an age, sex, and sports adapted version of the “Body Project” and changes in mental health symptoms.

Methods

This noncontrolled pilot study included a class of athletes from 18 sports (N = 73, 13–14 years) at a sport‐specialized junior high school in six small‐group workshops. We interviewed 34 athletes on program acceptability, and all athletes responded to questionnaires at pretest, posttest, and 6‐month follow‐up including the Body Appreciation Scale 2–Children, Social Attitudes towards Appearance Questionnaire‐4 revised, Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire Short form‐12 modified, and questions about body appearance pressure (BAP).

Results

Athletes found the program acceptable and beneficial, but some missed physically oriented activities or did not identify with the focus, particularly boys. There were acceptable levels in mental health constructs before the workshops. There were temporary changes in the percentage of boys experiencing “BAP in society” by −14.8% points (95% CI: −.6 to .0, p = .04), % in total group experiencing “BAP at school” by +11% points (95% CI: .0–.2, p = .05), thinness idealization by girls (g = .6, p = .002) and total group (g = .4, p = .006), and muscularity idealization by boys (g = .3, p = .05) and total group (g = .23, p = .04).

Discussion

Athletes experienced benefits from the Young Athlete Body Project. Seeing stabilization in outcomes may mean a dampening of the otherwise expected worsening in body appreciation and ED symptoms over time.

Public Significance

Adolescent athletes are at risk for developing EDs. Due to lack of prevention programs for this group, we adapted and evaluated a well‐documented effective program, the Body Project, to fit male and female athletes <15 years. The athletes accepted the program and experienced participation benefits, with stronger acceptance among girls. Our promising findings encourage larger scaled randomized controlled trials to further evaluate a refined version this program among very young athletes.
CRISPR‐based environmental DNA detection for a rare endangered estuarine species
Authors: Nagarajan Raman P. , Sanders Leigh , Kolm Natalie , Perez Alejandro , Senegal Taylor , Mahardja Brian , Baerwald Melinda R. , Schreier Andrea D.
Published: January 2024

Environmental DNA (eDNA) methods complement traditional aquatic monitoring surveys and are especially advantageous for rare and listed species to detect spatial and temporal distribution patterns. However, improvements in ease of use and portability could increase the utility of eDNA methods, leading to more widespread application, including expanding its role in management decision‐making processes. We describe the development of an eDNA detection assay for delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus), an endangered fish in the San Francisco Estuary, using SHERLOCK (Specific High‐Sensitivity Enzymatic Reporter Unlocking). SHERLOCK is a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)‐based diagnostic tool with the ability to detect species‐specific genetic variants, making it ideal for genetic‐based taxonomic identification of any organism. Because of its high sensitivity and specificity, SHERLOCK is adaptable to eDNA detection in water samples. Here, we describe adaptation of a delta smelt SHERLOCK assay for use with estuarine water eDNA samples. This version of the assay exhibits increased sensitivity compared to the original delta smelt SHERLOCK protocol (new limit of detection approximately three copies per reaction compared to ~300 in original assay) and successfully detected delta smelt eDNA in both experimental and natural contexts. Overall, our results demonstrate that SHERLOCK eDNA detection offers managers an alternative, isothermal methodology, and highlights some challenges for detection of rare, endangered species at low abundance.
Mixed‐Valence Manganese Carboxylate Clusters, {MnIII6MnII4}, {MnIII7MnII5Na}, and {MnIII7MnII5}, Derived from the Combined Use of Di‐2‐pyridyl Ketone with Selected Aliphatic Diols
Authors: Skordi Katerina , Alexandropoulos Dimitris I. , Fournet Adeline D. , Panagiotou Nikos , Perlepes Spyros P. , Christou George , Tasiopoulos Anastasios J.
Published: January 2024

Three new polynuclear clusters with the formulae [Mn10O4(OH)(OMe){(py)2C(O)2}2{(py)2C(OMe)(O)}4(MeCO2)6](ClO4)2 (1), Na[Mn12O2(OH)3(OMe){(py)2C(O)2}6{(py)2C(OH)(O)}2(MeCO2)2(H2O)10](ClO4)8 (2) and [Mn12O4(OH)2{(py)2C(O)2}6{(py)2C(OMe)(O)}(MeCO2)3(NO3)3(H2O)(DMF)2](NO3)2 (3) were prepared from the combination of di‐2‐pyridyl ketone, (py)2CO, with the aliphatic diols (1,3‐propanediol (pdH2) or 1,4‐butanediol (1,4‐bdH2)) in Mn carboxylate chemistry. The reported compounds do not include the aliphatic diols employed in this reaction scheme; however, their use is essential for the formation of 1–3. The crystal structures of 1–3 are based on multilayer cores which, to our knowledge, are reported for the first time in Mn cluster chemistry. Direct current (dc) magnetic susceptibility studies showed the presence of dominant antiferromagnetic exchange interactions within 1–3. Alternating current (ac) magnetic susceptibility studies revealed the presence of out‐of‐phase signals below 3.0 K for 2 and 3 indicating the slow relaxation of the magnetization vector, characteristic of single‐molecule magnets; the Ueff value of 2 was found to be 23 K and the preexponential factor τ0 ~7.6×10−9 s.
Synthesis and Photochemical Characterization of Indolizine Fluorophores Obtained by a Multicomponent Palladium Iodide−Catalyzed Oxidative Aminocarbonylation Approach
Authors: Ziccarelli Ida , Amuso Roberta , Mancuso Raffaella , Maggiore Antonio , Lamberti Giuseppe , Vitale Paola , Maiorano Vincenzo , Veltri Lucia , Gabriele Bartolo
Published: January 2024

A catalytic carbonylative method for the direct, multicomponent synthesis of indolizine fluorophores has been developed. The process is based on the PdI2/KI‐catalyzed oxidative aminocarbonylation of 2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)pent‐4‐yn‐1‐carbonyl compounds leading to the corresponding 2‐ynamide intermediates, followed in situ by 5‐exo‐dig cyclization (by amine‐promoted conjugate addition of the pyridine ring nitrogen) and aromatization, to give the finally isolated N,N‐disubstituted 2‐(indolizin‐3‐yl)acetamides. Reactions are carried out under relatively mild conditions (100 °C under 20 atm of a 4 : 1 mixture CO−air for 6–15 h) in MeCN as the solvent and with a low catalyst loading (0.33 mol% PdI2), in the presence of 0.5 equiv. of KI and 3 equiv. of a secondary amine. The optical properties of representative 2‐(indolizin‐3‐yl)acetamide products have also been investigated.
Improving sulfur transformation of lean electrolyte lithium–sulfur battery using nickel nanoparticles encapsulated in N‐doped carbon nanotubes
Authors: Zhang Ze , Xu Yuqing , Xiong Donggen , Yu Ji , Cai Jianxin , Huang Yizhong , Yang Zhenyu
Published: January 2024

Efficient redox reactions of lean electrolyte lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries highly rely on rational catalyst design. Herein, we report an electrocatalyst based on N‐doped carbon nanotubes (CNT)‐encapsulated Ni nanoparticles (Ni@NCNT) as kinetics regulators for Li–S batteries to propel the polysulfide‐involving multiphase transformation. Moreover, such a CNT‐encapsulation strategy greatly prevents the aggregation of Ni nanoparticles and enables the extraordinary structural stability of the hybrid electrocatalyst, which guarantees its persistent catalytic activity on sulfur redox reactions. When used as a modified layer on a commercial separator, the Ni@NCNT interlayer contributes to stabilizing S cathode and Li anode by significantly retarding the shuttle effect. The corresponding batteries with a 3.5 mg cm−2 sulfur loading achieve the promising cycle stability with ∼85% capacity retention at the electrolyte/sulfur ratios of 5 and 3 μL mg−1. Even at a high loading of 12.2 mg cm−2, the battery affords an areal capacity of 7.5 mA h cm−2.
On the relative importance of saltation and suspension for aeolian snow mass transport
Authors: Wang Zhengshi , Li Zhi , Jia Shuming
Published: January 2024

Snow transport affects various hydrological processes significantly through reshaping the glacial landscapes. Snow particles that are transported in a turbulent flow are typically classified under the saltation and suspension states based on the inertia of the particles relative to the strength of the turbulence. In this study, snow transport in the turbulent boundary layer was simulated using the large‐eddy simulation with Lagrangian particle tracking method. Contrary to most previous studies in which saltation and suspension are defined by a specified critical height or particle size, hop time ratio Rt and particle Stokes number St were adopted to judge the state of saltating snow particles, and the contributions of pure saltation, modified saltation, short‐ and long‐term suspension particles were quantified appropriately. A threshold value of St≈5 for pure saltation was proposed through the particle trajectory comparison. The results show that the St criterion measures pure saltation particle appropriately but fails to diagnose long‐term suspension particles. Furthermore, although there are hardly any pure saltation particles in natural snow transport, the contribution of modified saltation cannot be neglected in the lowest centimetres of the atmosphere, which may also dominate the overall mass flux at the near surface under larger friction velocities. Rather, considerable short‐ and long‐term suspended particles spread over the entire vertical dimension of the snow cloud, contributing a major proportion of the overall mass flux, even within the saltation layer. Based on this, the suspension layer should be defined as the entire vertical dimension of the particle cloud. The results can improve our understanding of the motion dynamics of transported snow particles and further provide new ideas in modelling this process.
Mapping long‐term terrace change in the Chinese Loess Plateau: A new approach by decision tree model with digital elevation model (DEM) and land use
Authors: Shi Yu , Wei Wei
Published: January 2024

Human‐created terraces are distributed extensively in the Chinese Loess Plateau, which play key roles in soil conservation, agricultural production and sustainable development. However, large‐scale and long‐term terrace mapping remains a big challenge due to the complexity of topography, land cover and the deficiency of high‐quality historical spatial data. Facing this task, our study aims to develop a new approach for capturing 30 years (from 1990 to 2020) of terrace patterns at macroscales (the whole Loess Plateau, with an area of 6.4 × 105 km2). The decision tree model (DTM) was integrated with digital elevation model (DEM) and land use data to detect terrace change, and terraced samples were extracted from existing findings for spatial validation. Our study confirmed that this new approach can work successfully on identifying cultivated and grassy terraces, as evidenced by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under curve (AUC) values. More notably, a decreasing trend was detected in cultivated terraces with continued uneven distribution from 1990 to 2020, while the areas of grassy terraces increased markedly with more‐concentrated larger patches. This finding indicated that huge areas of terrace abandonment may have already occurred in this region. More attention thus should be paid to the rising risks of cropland utilization and food security. Since it is the first time to get long‐term reliable terrace maps on the Loess Plateau, our efforts can help to better take stock of terrace resources for wiser land use managements and agricultural policy adjustments, finally benefiting socio‐ecological sustainability.
Numerical analysis of demolition waste‐based thermal energy storage system for concentrated solar power plants
Authors: Koçak Burcu , Paksoy Halime
Published: January 2024

Thermal energy storage (TES) is an enabling system that provides uninterrupted energy from concentrated solar power (CSP) plants. Packed‐bed TES systems have great opportunity to significantly enhance the cost‐effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of CSP plants by employing an affordable and sustainable packing material. The objective of this study is to design a demolition waste‐based packed bed TES system with a maximum storage capacity of 40 kWh, specifically tailored to store heat within the temperature range of 290°C to 565°C using solar salt as heat transfer fluid (HTF), thereby making it suitable for integration into CSP plants. Performance and thermal behavior of demolition waste‐based packed‐bed TES system was assessed through numerical analysis. The results demonstrate that a high discharging efficiency of 76.0% was achieved when the HTF flow rate was set at 100 kgh−1. However, it is important to note that at lower HTF flow rate, heat loss increases, leading to a decrease in discharging efficiency to 70%. The experiment also revealed a uniform thermal gradient within the packed‐bed TES system, up to a fluid flow rate of 300 kgh−1. It is worth mentioning that lower flow rates can further improve the stratification effect; however, they may also result in increased heat loss and reduced storage capacity. Based on these findings, an optimal flow rate range of 100 to 200 kgh−1 is recommended to achieve the best performance for the packed‐bed TES system.
Social determinants of health disparities in Staten Island compared with Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx: Contribution to COVID‐19 outcomes
Authors: Kolesnikova Masha , Abdelmajid Haram , Kohlhoff Stephan , Smith‐Norowitz Tamar A.
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Social determinants of health (SDH) negatively affected Coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) outcomes within the five boroughs of New York City. The goal of this study was to determine whether differences in social demographics within the borough of Staten Island, compared with the other four boroughs, may have contributed to poor COVID‐19 outcomes in Staten Island.

Methods

Data were obtained from public data sources. Social demographics obtained included age, household income, poverty status, and education level. COVID‐19 infection, hospitalization, and death rates reported from Staten Island were compared with rates from Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx (February 29, 2020–October 31, 2022). Mean differences in case rates of COVID‐19 were higher in Staten Island compared to all four boroughs.

Results

Mean differences in hospitalization and death rates were higher than Manhattan but similar to the other four boroughs. Within Staten Island, case rates were highest in zip codes 10306 and 10309. Hospitalization and death rates were highest in Staten Island zip code 10304. We found that the zip codes of Staten Island with poorer COVID‐19 outcomes had more individuals with less than a high school degree, lower mean household income, higher proportion of households earning less than $25,000 a year, and a greater proportion of individuals using public transportation.

Conclusion

Differences in COVID‐19 infection, hospitalization, and death rates exist between the five boroughs and between the 12 zip codes within Staten Island. These differences in COVID‐19 outcomes can be attributed to different SDH.
A maximum likelihood bunching estimator of the elasticity of taxable income
Authors: Aronsson Thomas , Jenderny Katharina , Lanot Gauthier
Published: January 2024

This paper develops a maximum likelihood (ML) bunching estimator of the elasticity of taxable income (ETI). Our structural approach provides a natural framework to simultaneously account for unobserved preference heterogeneity and optimization errors and for measuring their relative importance. We characterize the conditions under which the parameters of the model are identified and show that the ML estimator performs well in terms of bias and precision. The paper also contains an empirical application using Swedish data, showing that both the ETI and the standard deviation of the optimization friction are precisely estimated, albeit relatively small.
Comparison of postoperative clinical outcome in medial‐pivotal and gradually reducing radius design cruciate‐retaining total knee arthroplasty—A multicenter analysis of propensity‐matched cohorts
Authors: Takahashi Tsuneari , Hatayama Kazuhisa , Nishino Masahiro , Hai Hironari , Yamada Yuichiro , Suzuki Kosuke , Takeshita Katsushi
Published: January 2024

Purpose

To clarify differences in surgery duration, postoperative knee range of motion (ROM), anterior and posterior (AP) laxity, and Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) in patients undergoing medial‐pivot (MP) and GRADIUS cruciate‐retaining (CR) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgeries.

Methods

We examined patients who underwent either MP or CR TKA at six different Japanese centres. Patients were propensity score matched for age, sex, and preoperative hip‐knee angle (HKA). We compared the groups' average surgery duration, postoperative knee ROM, AP laxity, and FJS 1 year after surgery.

Results

There were 86 study patients: 43 MP and 43 CR TKA matched for age, sex, and preoperative HKA. The MP group enjoyed a significantly shorter surgery duration (89.1 ± 10.9 mins vs. 95.7 ± 12.0 mins, p = 0.0091) and significantly better postoperative knee flexion than the CR group (123.7 ± 9.1° vs. 115.3 ± 12.4°, p < 0.001). The MP had significantly smaller postoperative AP laxity with 30° of knee flexion than the CR group (3.4 ± 1.3 vs. 5.6 ± 2.2 mm, p < 0.001). Conversely, postoperative AP laxity with 90° of knee flexion was significantly larger for the MP group (3.6 ± 1.3 vs. 2.7 ± 1.9 mm, p = 0.0098). There were no between‐group differences in postoperative FJS.

Conclusions

The MP group showed better postoperative knee flexion, midrange AP knee stability, and shorter surgery duration.

Level of Evidence

Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Treatment of functional bowel disorders in an integrative medicine clinic resulting in improved digestive tract symptoms
Authors: Wagner Leigh E , Bridges Kristina M , Hinman Jill M , He Jianghua , Buckles Daniel , Dunn Winnie , Drisko Jeanne , Sullivan Debra K , Carlson Susan E
Published: January 2024

Background and Aim

Functional bowel disorders (FBDs), including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and others, are conditions without a physically identifiable etiology that, as a result, are difficult to treat. Alternatives to traditional medical interventions are needed because IBS patients require more of physician time and higher healthcare spending. The goal of this study was to determine the efficacy of alternative lifestyle interventions for patients with FBDs seen in an integrative medicine (IM) clinic at an academic medical center.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review to determine whether patients with FBDs had improvement in symptoms following predominantly nutrition‐based IM interventions that included recommendations for dietary supplements and elimination diets. We measured symptoms before and after intervention (average time between measurements 8.75 months) using a medical symptoms questionnaire (MSQ) commonly used to quantify symptom change in IM clinics.

Results

Digestive tract symptoms, as measured by the MSQ, improved significantly in patients (n = 57) with FBDs following IM intervention. The MSQ Digestive Tract subtotal for FBD patients decreased from 10.2 (SD, 5.4) to 7.2 (SD, 5.2) (P < 0.001) after IM intervention.

Conclusions

Patients in an IM clinic had improved digestive tract symptoms scores following IM intervention. Because nutrition‐based interventions were the primary intervention recommended by IM providers, primary care physicians and gastroenterologists may wish to consider referring FBD patients to registered dietitian‐nutritionists (RDNs) skilled in implementing elimination diets.
Multiuser immersive virtual reality simulation for interprofessional sepsis recognition and management
Authors: Zackoff Matthew W. , Cruse Bradley , Sahay Rashmi D. , Zhang Bin , Sosa Tina , Schwartz Jerome , Depinet Holly , Schumacher Daniel , Geis Gary L.
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Sepsis is a leading cause of pediatric mortality. While there has been significant effort toward improving adherence to evidence‐based care, gaps remain. Immersive multiuser virtual reality (MUVR) simulation may be an approach to enhance provider clinical competency and situation awareness for sepsis.

Methods

A prospective, observational pilot of an interprofessional MUVR simulation assessing a decompensating patient from sepsis was conducted from January to June 2021. The study objective was to establish validity and acceptability evidence for the platform by assessing differences in sepsis recognition between experienced and novice participants. Interprofessional teams assessed and managed a patient together in the same VR experience with the primary outcome of time to recognition of sepsis utilizing the Situation Awareness Global Assessment Technique analyzed using a logistic regression model. Secondary outcomes were perceived clinical accuracy, relevancy to practice, and side effects experienced.

Results

Seventy‐two simulations included 144 participants. The cumulative odds ratio of recognizing sepsis at 2 min into the simulation in comparison to later time points by experienced versus novice providers were significantly higher with a cumulative odds ratio of 3.70 (95% confidence interval: 1.15–9.07, p = .004). Participants agreed that the simulation was clinically accurate (98.6%) and will impact their practice (81.1%), with a high degree of immersion (95.7%–99.3%), and the majority of side effects were perceived as mild (70.4%–81.4%).

Conclusions

Our novel MUVR simulation demonstrated significant differences in sepsis recognition between experienced and novice participants. This validity evidence along with the data on the simulation's acceptability supports expanded use in training and assessment.
Characterizing the acute antibody response of monkeypox and MVA‐BN vaccine following an Australian outbreak
Authors: Asquith Will , Hueston Linda , Dwyer Dominic , Kok Jen , Ko Danny , Fennel Michael , Rockett Rebecca , Rai Neela Joshi , Li Ying , Sriramoju Shirisha , Sutor Allison , O'Sullivan Matthew
Published: January 2024

In response to the emergence of the monkeypox virus (MPXV) in Australia in May 2022, we developed and evaluated indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFA) for MPXV and Vaccinia virus (VACV) IgG and IgM antibodies using serum samples from patients with nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT)‐confirmed mpox and uninfected unvaccinated controls. Additionally, 47 healthcare workers receiving two doses of the third‐generation smallpox vaccine Modified Vaccinia Ankara‐Bavarian Nordic (MVA‐BN) undertook serial serum collection to describe the serological response to vaccination. MPXV antibodies were detected in 16/18 individuals with NAAT‐confirmed mpox (sensitivity 0.89, specificity 1.00), and VACV antibodies were detected in 28/29 individuals who received two doses of MVA‐BN vaccine (sensitivity 0.97, specificity 1.00). Detectable antibody in subjects historically vaccinated with early‐generation vaccines against smallpox was found in 7/7 subjects, at a median of 48 years following vaccination. MPXV NAAT‐positive patients with serum samples collected within the first 14 days after rash onset had detectable IgG and IgM in 9/12 and 5/12 of patients, respectively, with maintenance of IgG and disappearance of IgM titers after 60 days. While specificity was high when testing unvaccinated and uninfected subjects, significant cross‐reactivity between MPXV and VACV antibodies was observed.
Exploring the impact of ursodeoxycholic acid therapy on COVID‐19 in a real‐world setting
Authors: Corpechot Christophe , Verdoux Marie , Frank‐Soltysiak Marie , Duclos‐Vallée Jean‐Charles , Grimaldi Lamiae
Published: January 2024

Recent data suggest that ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) therapy may reduce susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection and even improve clinical outcomes when coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) was diagnosed. However, clinical evidence of UDCA's ability to prevent severe forms of COVID‐19 remains limited and contradictory. We evaluated the association between UDCA exposure and the risk of hospitalization for COVID‐19 in a large multicenter population of patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) followed during the pandemic period before vaccination. An exposed/unexposed cohort study and a nested case–control study were performed. The primary endpoint was severe COVID‐19, defined as SARS‐CoV2 infection requiring hospitalization. The secondary endpoint was COVID‐19‐associated intensive care unit (ICU) admission or death. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and their confidence intervals (CI) were determined after controlling for age, gender, comorbidities at risk for COVID‐19, severity of CLD, and prior hospitalizations. A total of 10 147 patients, including 1322 exposed and 8825 not exposed to UDCA, totaling 21 867 person‐years of follow‐up, were included in the cohort analysis, while 88 patients hospitalized for COVID‐19 and 840 matched controls were eligible for the nested case–control analysis. In both analyses, exposure to UDCA was not associated with a significant reduction in the risk of hospitalization for COVID‐19, with aOR (95% confidence interval) values of 0.48 (0.20–1.19) and 0.93 (0.26–3.29), respectively. Furthermore, there was no significant reduction in the risk of ICU admission or death. In this large population of patients with CLD, UDCA exposure was not associated with a reduced risk of severe COVID‐19.
The influence of Antarctic sea‐ice loss on Northern Hemisphere cold surges and associated compound events
Authors: Su Tianhua , Chen Jie , Li Lu , Toniazzo Thomas , Mooney Priscilla
Published: January 2024

The synoptic cold surge is a weather event that frequently occurs in the Northern Hemisphere, often causing severe damage accompanied with intense winds and precipitation. It is reported that the Arctic Oscillation and the North Atlantic Oscillation can affect the cold surge. However, on interacting with tropical circulation, the cold surge potentially links to the Antarctic sea‐ice loss with influence extending to Tropics. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the potential link between Antarctic sea‐ice loss and Northern Hemisphere cold surges and corresponding wind–precipitation compound events. To study this link, twin numerical experiments using a physically based atmosphere model with a prescribed 30% Antarctic sea‐ice loss scenario were used. The results show that the cold surge occurs more frequently in most regions of the world, except for central North America and central Eurasia. In Europe, the cold surges occur closer to the lower latitudes in the Antarctic sea‐ice loss scenario. Additionally, the Antarctic sea‐ice loss can result in intensified wind and precipitation extremes within compound events. The intensified precipitation extremes are caused by increased moisture transportation by tropical easterlies and higher local temperature after the cold surge occurrence, providing more moisture available for precipitation in East Asia and East North America, respectively. Overall, the results of the numerical experiments provide evidence that Antarctic sea‐ice loss influences cold surges in Northern Hemisphere through atmospheric teleconnections. It is important to continue investigating the link between Antarctic sea‐ice loss and weather events like cold surges, as this research can help improve our understanding of the impacts of polar climate change on lower latitudes.
Controlled posterior condylar milling technique for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty minimises tibia resection during gap balancing: Short‐term clinical results
Authors: Koh Jeong‐Hyun , Lim Sumin , Park Jae‐Young , Chung Jun Young , Jin Yong Jun , Yun Hee‐Woong , Noh Sujin , Park Do Young
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the clinical utility of controlled posterior condylar milling (CPCM) in gap balancing while minimally resecting the tibia during fixed‐bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA).

Methods

This study is a retrospective cohort study. Patients who underwent medial UKA for isolated medial compartment osteoarthritis with a minimum follow‐up of 2 years were included. The patients were divided into two groups: the conventional group (n = 56) and the CPCM group (n = 66). In the CPCM group, the proximal tibia was resected at the level of the distal end of the subchondral bone. If the flexion gap was tighter than extension, the posterior condyle was additionally milled to adjust gap tightness. Standing knee X‐ray and scanogram were used to evaluate alignment and tibia resection amount. Range of motion (ROM) and Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores were used to evaluate clinical outcomes.

Results

The CPCM group showed significantly smaller tibia resection (3.6 ± 1.9 mm) compared to the conventional group (5.2 ± 2.7 mm) (p < 0.001). Postoperative ROM (133.0 ± 8.3°, 135.2 ± 7.2°, n.s.) and WOMAC (19.3 ± 13.6, 23.6 ± 17.7, n.s.) were not significantly different between the two groups. Postoperative periprosthetic fractures occurred in two patients in conventional group, while the CPCM group had no periprosthetic fractures.

Conclusion

The CPCM technique may be a simple and useful intraoperative technique that can achieve minimal tibia resection and promising clinical outcomes while easily adjusting gap tightness between flexion and extension during medial fixed‐bearing UKA.

Level of Evidence

Level III.
Vascularized Tissue to Reduce Fistula After Salvage Total Laryngectomy: A Network Meta‐analysis
Authors: Williamson Andrew , Shah Faizan , Benaran Irene , Paleri Vinidh
Published: January 2024

Objective

Salvage laryngectomy is more predisposed to complications than primary operations, with pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) being among the most challenging to manage. Vascularized flaps are increasingly employed during salvage laryngectomy, with a previous review finding a PCF incidence of 31.2% and 22.2% after primary and flap‐assisted closure respectively. We aim to better define the role of vascularized flaps after salvage laryngectomy by performing an updated review comparing the rate of PCF in those undergoing primary or vascularized flap‐assisted closure.

Data Sources

Pubmed/Medline, CINAHL, and CENTRAL.

Review Methods

An updated literature review was conducted of English language literature from 2003 to 2023. A random effects and network meta‐analysis of odds ratios (OR) and pooled proportions were conducted.

Results

Literature search found 31 studies, including seven from the previous review. Overall random effects pooled PCF rate was 25% (95% CI 0.21; 0.30, I2 = 72%, p = <0.01), whereas incidence in primary closure was 37% (95% CI 0.32; 0.43, I2 = 60%, p = <0.01) and 19% (95% CI 0.12; 0.20, I2 = 47%, p = <0.01) after flap closure. Pooled OR was 0.39 (95% CI 0.28; 0.55, I2 = 36%, p = 0.04) in favor of vascularized tissues. The number needed to treat was 6.5. The rate of PCF was lower after free and pedicled flaps, and on‐lay and patch closure compared to primary closure techniques. Network meta‐analysis found all combinations of closure techniques and vascularized tissue were superior to primary closure.

Conclusion

The updated analysis has demonstrated a widening in the rates of PCF between primary and vascularized flap‐assisted closure. Surgeons should strongly consider the use of free or pedicled flaps in any salvage laryngectomy procedure. Laryngoscope, 134:2991–3002, 2024
Study and application on the optimal quantile forecast of precipitation in an ensemble forecast system
Authors: Chen Lianglyu , Xia Yu
Published: January 2024

Quantiles of precipitation are widely used in ensemble forecast systems. At present, the common practice is to provide precipitation amounts corresponding to different quantiles to users directly, which will make it difficult for users to extract reliable forecast information. Therefore, this study investigates the statistically optimal (using threat score (TS) as a metric) quantiles of precipitation in an ensemble forecast system constructed using the WRF V4.0 model. The main conclusions are as follows: The threat‐score‐optimal quantiles for light rain, moderate rain, heavy rain, rainstorm, and heavy rainstorm forecasts are 40%–60%, 60%–70%, 60%–80%, 70%–80%, and 80%, respectively. Overall, the optimal quantile increases with the rise in precipitation magnitude or the extension of forecast lead time. All the optimal quantile forecast products have higher TS than the corresponding control forecast, ensemble mean forecast, and probability‐matched ensemble mean forecast products. The merged threat‐score‐optimal quantile forecast product formed by combining the optimal quantile forecasts of different precipitation magnitudes shows obvious advantages over other products in statistical verification and case studies, and it shows good potential to be operationally implemented in the future.
Cultivating the uncultured: Harnessing the “sandwich agar plate” approach to isolate heme‐dependent bacteria from marine sediment
Authors: Zhang Jing , Liang Qi‐Yun , Mu Da‐Shuai , Lian Fengbai , Gong Ya , Ye Mengqi , Chen Guan‐Jun , Ye Yuqi , Du Zong‐Jun
Published: January 2024

In the classical microbial isolation technique, the isolation process inevitably destroys all microbial interactions and thus makes it difficult to culture the many microorganisms that rely on these interactions for survival. In this study, we designed a simple coculture technique named the “sandwich agar plate method,” which maintains microbial interactions throughout the isolation and pure culture processes. The total yield of uncultured species in sandwich agar plates based on eight helper strains was almost 10‐fold that of the control group. Many uncultured species displayed commensal lifestyles. Further study found that heme was the growth‐promoting factor of some marine commensal bacteria. Subsequent genomic analysis revealed that heme auxotrophies were common in various biotopes and prevalent in many uncultured microbial taxa. Moreover, our study supported that the survival strategies of heme auxotrophy in different habitats varied considerably. These findings highlight that cocultivation based on the “sandwich agar plate method” could be developed and used to isolate more uncultured bacteria.
Miniaturized IPD bandpass filter design with high out‐of‐band rejection for 5G applications
Authors: Xu Mingzhao , Cao Yazi , Cao Yuhan , Qi Yanzhu , Yuan Bo , Wang Gaofeng
Published: January 2024

This letter proposes a miniaturized integrated passive device (IPD) bandpass filter (BPF) design with high out‐of‐band rejection for 5G applications. In this design, a novel topology based on the modified high‐pass filter cascaded with the modified low‐pass filter is introduced with two pairs of transmission zeros (TZs) at high and low frequencies. In addition, one grounded capacitor at the input is added to improve the suppression at high frequency end. The proposed BPF design is fabricated on silicon substrate. The measured insertion loss is around 3 dB and the return loss is <16 dB in the whole frequency range from 3.3 to 4.2 GHz for 5G applications. This proposed BPF achieves more than 20 dB sideband suppression at both stop bands from DC to 2.69 GHz and from 5.3 to 14 GHz. The fabricated device has a size of only 1 × 0.7 × 0.2 mm.
Does choice of anesthesia during stage 1 sacral neuromodulation testing influence outcomes?
Authors: Waldoch Brendan T. , Anderson Danyon J. , Narveson Sydney A. , O'Connor R. Corey , Guralnick Michael L.
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Staged sacral neuromodulation (SNM) testing has been shown to have a high rate of progression to permanent implantation for the management of voiding dysfunction. Stage 1 lead placement (SNM‐I) can be performed under monitored anesthesia care (MAC) or general anesthesia (GA). MAC allows for interpretation of sensory and motor responses to optimize lead placement while GA only permits for motor assessment. However, patient discomfort and movement can make lead placement challenging during MAC. Herein we evaluate whether the anesthesia type impacts the progression rate to permanent implantation (SNM‐II).

Materials and Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed for patients who underwent SNM‐I in the operating room for wet overactive bladder between 2005 and 2023. Patients were divided into two groups based on the type of anesthesia used, MAC or GA. Clinical variables and progression to SNM‐II were compared between cohorts. Progression to SNM‐II was based on ≥50% symptomatic improvement during a 1−2 week trial period following SNM‐I.

Results

Of 121 patients included in the study, 95 (79%) underwent MAC and 26 (21%) GA for SNM‐I. No difference in the progression rate to SNM‐II was noted between groups (MAC, 68/95 patients, 72%; GA, 19/26, 73%; p = 0.39). We also found no difference when comparing the GA group to the 26 most recent MAC patients (MAC, 20/26 patients, 77%; GA, 19/26, 73%; p = 0.48).

Conclusion

Types of anesthesia for SNM‐I did not affect rate of progression to SNM‐II. The result lends support to the reliance on motor responses alone for lead placement during SNM‐I.
Study on morphological, mechanical, thermal, barrier, rheological, and biodegradation properties of poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate)/thermoplastic starch/poly(propylene carbonate)‐g‐polyurethane biodegradable films
Authors: Wang Zepeng , Tian Hanlin , Yu Jinshuo , Zheng Gaofei , Yan Xiangyu , Bian Junjia , Pan Hongwei , Zhang Huiliang , Tan Zhiyong
Published: January 2024

Bioplastic films with excellent physical properties and barrier properties were successfully prepared from poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT), thermoplastic starch (TPS), and poly(propylene carbonate)‐g‐polyurethane (PPCU). The rheological, mechanical, barrier, dynamic mechanical properties, and microstructure of the PBAT/TPS/PPCU blend films were studied. The proportion of PPCU controlled the morphology and continuous development of PBAT/TPS/PPCU blends. The increase of PPCU led to the formation of different phase morphologies of the PBAT/TPS/PPCU blends, including “island‐sea,” “quasi‐co‐continuous,” and “co‐continuous” structures. This phase transformation of PPCU emerges as a pivotal driver in the improvement of mechanical properties, resulting in a substantial enhancement from 23.4/24.7 MPa to 37.7/35.6 MPa. Furthermore, the addition of 40%PPCU led to a remarkable 29.6% reduction in the water vapor permeability of the PBAT/TPS/PPCU film. Finally, the increase of PPCU can improve the aging resistance of PBAT/TPS/PPCU films. The films exhibit good mechanical properties and barrier performance, indicating PBAT/TPS/PPCU film potential as environmentally viable substitutes for conventional plastics in the packaging domain.
Thermo‐mechanical performance of wolframite mineral reinforced siloxane‐modified epoxy‐based intumescent coating for structural steel
Authors: Lee Yuan Xien , Ahmad Faiz , Karuppanan Saravanan , Sumby Christopher , Shahed Chowdhury Ahmed , Ramli Siti Haslina
Published: January 2024

This study investigated the effects of wolframite on the fire resistance and adhesion strength of intumescent fire‐retardant coating (IFRC) using a siloxane‐modified epoxy binder. The modification of bisphenol A epoxy was confirmed via Hydrogen‐Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Analysis. The IFRC samples were developed with wolframite (0.25–2.0 wt%) and evaluated for Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), fire resistance test, furnace fire test for char expansion, morphology and chemical composition, adhesion test and water immersion test. This study identified a coating formulation containing 2.0 wt% of wolframite that showed 57.2% improvement in the residual weight, substrate temperature of 176.7°C and produced a compact char. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy showed that the addition of wolframite reduced pore size thereby increasing the char strength. X‐ray diffraction identified iron neodymium compounds in the char layers, which lowered the pore size resulting in lower substrate temperature. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that the antioxidant capability and the carbon content were increased by 6.9% and 50.3% respectively. The adhesion strength was reduced, however, was within the industrial standards of 2.07 MPa. The water immersion test showed a maximum 66.7% reduction (WF2.0) in the water permeation through the coating.
Bi‐stable cured shape of CFRP variant structures with asymmetric layup: Rapid prediction and inverse design
Authors: Sun Lishuai , Liu Chuang , Zhao Zhiyong , Wang Junbiao
Published: January 2024

This study aims to produce variant composite structures that can precisely maintain equilibrium after changing stable states. A rapid and precise prediction method for the cure‐induced bi‐stable warping was developed, and the inverse design for the required part's structural and material parameters was investigated. Firstly, the mechanism causing the warping was investigated. Then, in order to acquire basic data for a data‐driven model to achieve rapid and accurate warping prediction, a finite element analysis (FEA) was developed, with most of the prediction deviations being under 10%. Additionally, deformation forms of variant parts with various layups and shapes were studied to offer guidance for the different shape requirements. The structural and material parameters were analyzed using the response surface methodology and sensitivity analysis. After removing parameters like all rubbery properties with low influence, basic data from the parameterized FEA was utilized to build a precise proxy model. Finally, for the variant structures requiring reasonable shape forms, the inverse design of the material, layup, and sizes can be achieved using the proxy model and the non‐dominated sorting genetic algorithm II. All optimization results were validated using FEA or experiments. The deformation form in the two steady states of each case meets the specifications. The shape difference between the produced part and the required shape is less than 5 mm, and the design deviation for the maximum deformation is less than 10%. Consequently, the rapid prediction and inverse design methods for the bi‐stable shape of variant composite parts were effective and accurate.

Highlights

All the rubbery properties are almost uncorrelated to the bi‐stable warping.

The proxy model can rapidly and precisely predict the bi‐stable shape.

The inverse design can be achieved for a part requiring proper bi‐stable shapes.

The design part can precisely maintain equilibrium with the required shapes.
An analytical study on low velocity impact resistance behaviors of general bio‐inspired helicoidal composite plates
Authors: Rao Yanni , Xiong Tao , Yao Song , Zhao Han , Wang Kui
Published: January 2024

Through evolutionary processes, helicoidal structures have been proven to exhibit exceptional load‐carrying capacity and impact resistance performance. To date, extensive experimental and numerical studies have been carried out on their impact behaviors, while few relevant analytical studies have been reported even though it is urgently needed for the preliminary assessment of structure design and optimization. In this work, based on the first shear deformation theory (FSDT) and the improved linearized Hertzian contact method, an analytical model for low velocity impact (LVI) performances of helicoidal laminates with arbitrary layups is developed. Therein, the post‐impact damage is taken into account according to continuum damage mechanics (CDM). Comparisons of load‐carrying capacity and energy‐absorbed performance between the proposed model prediction and the existing experimental data\numerical results have been made for verification. Besides, LVI behaviors of conventional laminates with unidirectional distribution andcross‐ply arrangement are discussed. Moreover, the role of rotation angle, impact velocity and the plate dimension on helicoidal laminates' LVI performances are analyzed quantitatively. There is evidence that helical layouts are better able to absorb energy and delay the in‐plane damage.

Highlights

The LVI responses of bio‐inspired single‐helicoidal (SH) and double‐helicoidal (DH) composite laminate are studied.

An effective model to predict the LVI responses considered the post‐impact damage is developed.

A comparison of the LVI performance of single‐helicoidal structures with various lay‐up schemes is carried out.

DH structure has better low velocity impact resistance than SH structure when the rotation angle shares the same.