bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Participatory Causal Loop Diagrams Building for Supporting Decision‐Makers Integrating Flood Risk Management in an Urban Regeneration Process
Authors: Coletta Virginia R. , Pagano Alessandro , Pluchinotta Irene , Zimmermann Nici , Davies Michael , Butler Adrian , Fratino Umberto , Giordano Raffaele
Published: January 2024

Several modeling tools commonly used for supporting flood risk assessment and management are highly effective in representing physical phenomena, but provide a rather limited understanding of the multiple implications that flood risk and flood risk reduction measures have on highly complex systems such as urban areas. In fact, most of the available modeling tools do not fully account for this complexity—and related uncertainty—which heavily affects the interconnections between urban systems evolution and flood risk, ultimately resulting in an ineffective flood risk management. The present research proposes an innovative methodological framework to support decision‐makers involved in an urban regeneration process at a planning/strategic level, accounting for the multi‐dimensional implications of flood risk and of different flood risk management strategies. The adopted approach is based on the use of System Thinking principles and participatory System Dynamics modeling techniques, and pursues an integration between scientific and stakeholder knowledge. Reference is made to one of the case studies of the CUSSH and CAMELLIA projects, namely Thamesmead (London), a formerly inhospitable marshland currently undergoing a process of urban regeneration, and perceived as being increasingly vulnerable to flooding. It represents an interesting opportunity for building a replicable modeling approach to integrate urban development dynamics with flood risk, ultimately supporting policy and decision‐makers in identifying mitigation/prevention measures and understanding how they could help achieve multi‐dimensional benefits (e.g., environmental, social and economic).
A Decade of Short‐Period Earthquake Rupture Histories From Multi‐Array Back‐Projection
Authors: Vera Felipe , Tilmann Frederik , Saul Joachim
Published: January 2024

Teleseismic back‐projection imaging has emerged as a powerful tool for understanding the rupture propagation of large earthquakes. However, its application often suffers from artifacts related to the receiver array geometry. We developed a teleseismic back‐projection technique that can accommodate data from multiple arrays. Combined processing of P and pP waveforms may further improve the resolution. The method is suitable for defining arrays ad‐hoc to achieve a good azimuthal distribution for most earthquakes. We present a catalog of short‐period rupture histories (0.5–2.0 Hz) for all earthquakes from 2010 to 2022 with MW ≥ 7.5 and depth less than 200 km (56 events). The method provides automatic estimates of rupture length, directivity, speed, and aspect ratio, a proxy for rupture complexity. We obtained short‐period rupture length scaling relations that are in good agreement with previously published relations based on estimates of total slip. Rupture speeds were consistently in the sub‐Rayleigh regime for thrust and normal earthquakes, whereas a tenth of strike‐slip events propagated at supershear speeds. Many rupture histories exhibited complex behaviors, for example, rupture on conjugate faults, bilateral propagation, and dynamic triggering by a P wave. For megathrust earthquakes, ruptures encircling asperities were frequently observed, with downdip, updip, and balanced patterns. Although there is a preference for short‐period emissions to emanate from central and downdip parts of the megathrust, emissions updip of the main asperity are more frequent than suggested by earlier results.
Dose modification dynamics of ponatinib in patients with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML) from the PACE and OPTIC trials
Authors: Jabbour Elias , Apperley Jane , Cortes Jorge , Rea Delphine , Deininger Michael , Abruzzese Elisabetta , Chuah Charles , DeAngelo Daniel J. , Hochhaus Andreas , Lipton Jeffrey H. , Mauro Michael , Nicolini Franck , Pinilla-Ibarz Javier , Rosti Gianantonio , Rousselot Philippe , Shah Neil P. , Talpaz Moshe , Vorog Alexander , Ren Xiaowei , Kantarjian Hagop
Published: January 2024

Ponatinib, the only approved all known-BCR::ABL1 inhibitor, is a third-generation tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI) designed to inhibit BCR::ABL1 with or without any single resistance mutation, including T315I, and induced robust and durable responses at 45 mg/day in patients with CP-CML resistant to second-generation TKIs in the PACE trial. However, cardiovascular toxicities, including arterial occlusive events (AOEs), have emerged as treatment-related AEs within this class of TKIs. The OPTIC trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of ponatinib using a novel, response-based, dose-reduction strategy in patients with CP-CML whose disease is resistant to ≥2 TKIs or who harbor T315I. To assess the dose-response relationship and the effect on the safety of ponatinib, we examined the outcomes of patients with CP-CML enrolled in PACE and OPTIC who received 45 mg/day of ponatinib. A propensity score analysis was used to evaluate AOEs across both trials. Survival rates and median time to achieve ≤1% BCR::ABL1IS in OPTIC were similar or better than in PACE. The outcomes of patients with T315I mutations were robust in both trials. Patients in OPTIC had a lower exposure-adjusted incidence of AOEs compared with those in PACE. This analysis demonstrates that response-based dosing for ponatinib improves treatment tolerance and mitigates cardiovascular risk.
The effect of aromatherapy with Lavender-Neroli oil and music in management of pediatric dental anxiety: a randomized control trial
Authors: Abdalhai Rama , Kouchaji Chaza , Alkhatib Rasha
Published: January 2024

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of aromatherapy with Lavender-Neroli essential oil combined with background music in reducing dental anxiety and pain during anesthesia in children.

Materials and methods

A total of 56 children aged 6–10 years old who needed dental treatment with inferior alveolar nerve injection (IANB) were randomly divided into two groups: Group 1 (Experimental, n = 28) aromatherapy with music group, and Group 2 (Control, n = 28) the placebo group. Children in the group 1 were asked to inhale the aromatic blend of Lavender-Neroli essential oil using a nasal mask similar to one that is used for nitrous oxide after modifying it by adding a 3D printed box on its circle hole and listening to their favorite music as a background before 5 min and during anesthesia, meanwhile in the placebo group children were asked to wear an empty nasal mask. Anxiety and pain were been assessed before and after anesthesia using the self-report anxiety scale Facial image scale (FIS), Observational pain assessment scale Face-Legs-Activity-Cry-Consolability (FLACC), heart rate, SPO2 saturation, diastolic and systolic blood pressure.

Results

Dental anxiety and vital signs except SPO2 saturation were significantly lower in the aromatherapy with music group when compared to the control group (p < 0.05), with no differences in pain perception between groups (p = 0.176).

Conclusions

Aromatherapy with Lavender-Neroli oil combined with music seems to be a useful and safe non-pharmacologic technique for managing dental anxiety in children.
Utility of the refined EBMT diagnostic and severity criteria 2023 for sinusoidal obstruction syndrome/veno-occlusive disease
Authors: Ichikawa Hiroya , Yakushijin Kimikazu , Kurata Keiji , Tsuji Takahiro , Takemoto Naoko , Joyce Miki , Okazoe Yuri , Takahashi Ruri , Matsumoto Sakuya , Sakai Rina , Kitao Akihito , Miyata Yoshiharu , Saito Yasuyuki , Kawamoto Shinichiro , Yamamoto Katsuya , Ito Mitsuhiro , Murayama Tohru , Matsuoka Hiroshi , Minami Hironobu
Published: January 2024

Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome/veno-occlusive disease (SOS/VOD) is a life-threatening complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Early diagnosis of SOS/VOD is associated with improved clinical outcomes. In 2023, the refined European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation diagnostic and severity criteria (refined EBMT criteria 2023) have been advocated. The revision has introduced new diagnostic categories, namely; probable, clinical, and proven SOS/VOD. In addition, the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score has been newly incorporated into the SOS/VOD severity grading. We performed a retrospective analysis to evaluate the utility of these criteria. We analyzed 161 cases who underwent allogeneic HSCT. We identified 53 probable, 23 clinical, and 4 proven SOS/VOD cases. Probable SOS/VOD was diagnosed a median of 5.0 days earlier (interquartile range: 2–13 days, P < 0.001) than that of clinical SOS/VOD. The development of probable SOS/VOD alone was associated with a significantly inferior survival proportion compared to non-SOS/VOD (100-day survival, 86.2% vs. 94.3%, P = 0.012). The SOFA score contributed to the prediction of prognosis. Consequently, the refined EBMT criteria 2023 demonstrated the utility of SOS/VOD diagnosis and severity grading. Further investigations and improvements in these criteria are warranted.
Electrically induced cancellation and inversion of piezoelectricity in ferroelectric Hf0.5Zr0.5O2
Authors: Lu Haidong , Kim Dong-Jik , Aramberri Hugo , Holzer Marco , Buragohain Pratyush , Dutta Sangita , Schroeder Uwe , Deshpande Veeresh , Íñiguez Jorge , Gruverman Alexei , Dubourdieu Catherine
Published: January 2024

HfO2-based thin films hold huge promise for integrated devices as they show full compatibility with semiconductor technologies and robust ferroelectric properties at nanometer scale. While their polarization switching behavior has been widely investigated, their electromechanical response received much less attention so far. Here, we demonstrate that piezoelectricity in Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 ferroelectric capacitors is not an invariable property but, in fact, can be intrinsically changed by electrical field cycling. Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 capacitors subjected to ac cycling undergo a continuous transition from a positive effective piezoelectric coefficient d33 in the pristine state to a fully inverted negative d33 state, while, in parallel, the polarization monotonically increases. Not only can the sign of d33 be uniformly inverted in the whole capacitor volume, but also, with proper ac training, the net effective piezoresponse can be nullified while the polarization is kept fully switchable. Moreover, the local piezoresponse force microscopy signal also gradually goes through the zero value upon ac cycling. Density functional theory calculations suggest that the observed behavior is a result of a structural transformation from a weakly-developed polar orthorhombic phase towards a well-developed polar orthorhombic phase. The calculations also suggest the possible occurrence of a non-piezoelectric ferroelectric Hf0.5Zr0.5O2. Our experimental findings create an unprecedented potential for tuning the electromechanical functionality of ferroelectric HfO2-based devices.
Utility of long-read sequencing for All of Us
Authors: Mahmoud M. , Huang Y. , Garimella K. , Audano P. A. , Wan W. , Prasad N. , Handsaker R. E. , Hall S. , Pionzio A. , Schatz M. C. , Talkowski M. E. , Eichler E. E. , Levy S. E. , Sedlazeck F. J.
Published: January 2024

The All of Us (AoU) initiative aims to sequence the genomes of over one million Americans from diverse ethnic backgrounds to improve personalized medical care. In a recent technical pilot, we compare the performance of traditional short-read sequencing with long-read sequencing in a small cohort of samples from the HapMap project and two AoU control samples representing eight datasets. Our analysis reveals substantial differences in the ability of these technologies to accurately sequence complex medically relevant genes, particularly in terms of gene coverage and pathogenic variant identification. We also consider the advantages and challenges of using low coverage sequencing to increase sample numbers in large cohort analysis. Our results show that HiFi reads produce the most accurate results for both small and large variants. Further, we present a cloud-based pipeline to optimize SNV, indel and SV calling at scale for long-reads analysis. These results lead to widespread improvements across AoU.
Critical role of slags in pitting corrosion of additively manufactured stainless steel in simulated seawater
Authors: Sen-Britain Shohini , Cho Seongkoo , Kang ShinYoung , Qi Zhen , Khairallah Saad , Rosas Debra , Som Vanna , Li Tian T. , Roger Qiu S. , Morris Wang Y. , Wood Brandon C. , Voisin Thomas
Published: January 2024

Pitting corrosion in seawater is one of the most difficult forms of corrosion to identify and control. A workhorse material for marine applications, 316L stainless steel (316L SS) is known to balance resistance to pitting with good mechanical properties. The advent of additive manufacturing (AM), particularly laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), has prompted numerous microstructural and mechanical investigations of LPBF 316L SS; however, the origins of pitting corrosion on as-built surfaces is unknown, despite their utmost importance for certification of LPBF 316L SS prior to fielding. Here, we show that Mn-rich silicate slags are responsible for pitting of the as-built LPBF material in sodium chloride due to their introduction of deleterious defects such as cracks or surface oxide heterogeneities. In addition, we explain how slags are formed in the liquid metal and deposited at the as-built surfaces using high-fidelity melt pool simulations. Our work uncovers how LPBF changes surface oxides due to rapid solidification and high-temperature oxidation, leading to fundamentally different pitting corrosion mechanisms.
RNA polymerase II pausing is essential during spermatogenesis for appropriate gene expression and completion of meiosis
Authors: Kaye Emily G. , Basavaraju Kavyashree , Nelson Geoffrey M. , Zomer Helena D. , Roy Debarun , Joseph Irene Infancy , Rajabi-Toustani Reza , Qiao Huanyu , Adelman Karen , Reddi Prabhakara P.
Published: January 2024

Male germ cell development requires precise regulation of gene activity in a cell-type and stage-specific manner, with perturbations in gene expression during spermatogenesis associated with infertility. Here, we use steady-state, nascent and single-cell RNA sequencing strategies to comprehensively characterize gene expression across male germ cell populations, to dissect the mechanisms of gene control and provide new insights towards therapy. We discover a requirement for pausing of RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) at the earliest stages of sperm differentiation to establish the landscape of gene activity across development. Accordingly, genetic knockout of the Pol II pause-inducing factor NELF in immature germ cells blocks differentiation to spermatids. Further, we uncover unanticipated roles for Pol II pausing in the regulation of meiosis during spermatogenesis, with the presence of paused Pol II associated with double-strand break (DSB) formation, and disruption of meiotic gene expression and DSB repair in germ cells lacking NELF.
Semi-supervised integration of single-cell transcriptomics data
Authors: Andreatta Massimo , Hérault Léonard , Gueguen Paul , Gfeller David , Berenstein Ariel J. , Carmona Santiago J.
Published: January 2024

Batch effects in single-cell RNA-seq data pose a significant challenge for comparative analyses across samples, individuals, and conditions. Although batch effect correction methods are routinely applied, data integration often leads to overcorrection and can result in the loss of biological variability. In this work we present STACAS, a batch correction method for scRNA-seq that leverages prior knowledge on cell types to preserve biological variability upon integration. Through an open-source benchmark, we show that semi-supervised STACAS outperforms state-of-the-art unsupervised methods, as well as supervised methods such as scANVI and scGen. STACAS scales well to large datasets and is robust to incomplete and imprecise input cell type labels, which are commonly encountered in real-life integration tasks. We argue that the incorporation of prior cell type information should be a common practice in single-cell data integration, and we provide a flexible framework for semi-supervised batch effect correction.
Switchable unidirectional emissions from hydrogel gratings with integrated carbon quantum dots
Authors: Dai Chenjie , Wan Shuai , Li Zhe , Shi Yangyang , Zhang Shuang , Li Zhongyang
Published: January 2024

Directional emission of photoluminescence despite its incoherence is an attractive technique for light-emitting fields and nanophotonics. Optical metasurfaces provide a promising route for wavefront engineering at the subwavelength scale, enabling the feasibility of unidirectional emission. However, current directional emission strategies are mostly based on static metasurfaces, and it remains a challenge to achieve unidirectional emissions tuning with high performance. Here, we demonstrate quantum dots-hydrogel integrated gratings for actively switchable unidirectional emission with simultaneously a narrow divergence angle less than 1.5° and a large diffraction angle greater than 45°. We further demonstrate that the grating efficiency alteration leads to a more than 7-fold tuning of emission intensity at diffraction order due to the variation of hydrogel morphology subject to change in ambient humidity. Our proposed switchable emission strategy can promote technologies of active light-emitting devices for radiation control and optical imaging.
Nature of charge density wave in kagome metal ScV6Sn6
Authors: Lee Seongyong , Won Choongjae , Kim Jimin , Yoo Jonggyu , Park Sudong , Denlinger Jonathan , Jozwiak Chris , Bostwick Aaron , Rotenberg Eli , Comin Riccardo , Kang Mingu , Park Jae-Hoon
Published: January 2024

Recently, kagome lattice materials have emerged as a new model material platform for discovering and engineering novel quantum phases of matter. In this work, we elucidate the driving mechanism of the $$\sqrt{{{3}}}$$

3

×$$\sqrt{{{3}}}$$

3

charge order in a newly discovered kagome metal ScV6Sn6. Through multimodal investigations combining angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, phonon dispersion calculations, and phase diagram study, we identify the central role of unstable planar Sn and Sc phonon modes, while the electronic instability and van Hove singularities originating from the V kagome lattice have a marginal influence. Our results highlight that the $$\sqrt{{{3}}}$$

3

×$$\sqrt{{{3}}}$$

3

charge order in ScV6Sn6 is fundamentally distinguished from the electronically driven 2 × 2 charge order in the canonical kagome system AV3Sb5, uncovering a new mechanism to induce symmetry-breaking phase transition in kagome lattice materials.
Iatrogenic Alzheimer’s disease in recipients of cadaveric pituitary-derived growth hormone
Authors: Banerjee Gargi , Farmer Simon F. , Hyare Harpreet , Jaunmuktane Zane , Mead Simon , Ryan Natalie S. , Schott Jonathan M. , Werring David J. , Rudge Peter , Collinge John
Published: January 2024

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized pathologically by amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition in brain parenchyma and blood vessels (as cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA)) and by neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau. Compelling genetic and biomarker evidence supports Aβ as the root cause of AD. We previously reported human transmission of Aβ pathology and CAA in relatively young adults who had died of iatrogenic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (iCJD) after childhood treatment with cadaver-derived pituitary growth hormone (c-hGH) contaminated with both CJD prions and Aβ seeds. This raised the possibility that c-hGH recipients who did not die from iCJD may eventually develop AD. Here we describe recipients who developed dementia and biomarker changes within the phenotypic spectrum of AD, suggesting that AD, like CJD, has environmentally acquired (iatrogenic) forms as well as late-onset sporadic and early-onset inherited forms. Although iatrogenic AD may be rare, and there is no suggestion that Aβ can be transmitted between individuals in activities of daily life, its recognition emphasizes the need to review measures to prevent accidental transmissions via other medical and surgical procedures. As propagating Aβ assemblies may exhibit structural diversity akin to conventional prions, it is possible that therapeutic strategies targeting disease-related assemblies may lead to selection of minor components and development of resistance.
SSFVEP as a potential electrophysiological examination for evaluating visual function of fundus diseases with vitreous hemorrhages: a clinical study
Authors: Yan Weiming , He Qiurui , Chen Meizhu , Zhang Sheng , Chen Tao , Zhang Lei , Wang Haiyan
Published: January 2024

To investigate the sensitivity and potential application of steady-state flash visual evoked potentials (SSFVEP) in assessing the visual function of fundus diseases with vitreous hemorrhage. 18 patients diagnosed with monocular vitreous hemorrhages in the fundus were examined the flash visual evoked potentials (FVEP) and SSFVEP in both eyes. The difference in the P2-wave amplitude of FVEP and the average amplitude of SSFVEP waveform between the diseased eyes and those without vitreous hemorrhage were statistically compared. There was no significant difference in the waveform of FVEP between both eyes. The amplitude of P2-wave from FVEP of the diseased eye was slightly lower than that without vitreous hemorrhage. However, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.111). The waveform of SSFVEP in the eye without vitreous hemorrhage showed a towering shape, while that of the diseased eye was flat. The average amplitude of SSFVEP in the diseased eye was statistically lower than that without vitreous hemorrhage (P = 0.036). The difference ratio of SSFVEP amplitude between both eyes was significantly greater than that of FVEP amplitude (P = 0.028). In some fundus diseases with vitreous hemorrhage, SSFVEP had a higher sensitivity than FVEP, providing a novel potential application for visual function assessment.
Phase II prefusion non-stabilised Covid-19 mRNA vaccine randomised study
Authors: Puthanakit Thanyawee , Prompetchara Eakachai , Gatechompol Sivaporn , Ketloy Chutitorn , Thitithanyanont Arunee , Jongkaewwattana Anan , Buranapraditkun Supranee , Ubolyam Sasiwimol , Kerr Stephen J. , Sophonphan Jiratchaya , Apornpong Tanakorn , Kittanamongkolchai Wonngarm , Siwamogsatham Sarawut , Sriplienchan Somchai , Patarakul Kanitha , Theerawit Tuangtip , Promsena Pathariya , Nantanee Rapisa , Manomaisantiphap Siwaporn , Chokyakorn Sarun , Hong Lina , Samija Mijo , Montefiori David C. , Gao Hongmei , Eaton Amanda , Wijagkanalan Wassana , Alameh Mohamad-Gabriel , Weissman Drew , Ruxrungtham Kiat ,   ChulaVac001-Phase 2 study team, Tawan Monta , Sutjarit Aungsumalin , Meepuksom Thutsanun , Athipunjapong Jitthiwa , Jupimai Thidarat , Moonwong Juthamanee , Nadsasarn Rachaneekorn , Khamthi Sasiprapha , Nuncharoen Pornpavee , Chanpoom Yanisar , Khamkhen Phattharapa , Narupan Nirunya , Thongthip Siriwan , Soisoongnern Konsiri , Shanyip Chomnid , Rachpradit Thanakan , Sriphraram Kanipha , Somhanwong Wassana , Boondamnern Timporn , Boonnak Nittaya , Chomchey Nitiya , Tipsuk Somporn , Puttamaswin Suwanna , Yewande Siriyapat , Lertarom Plengsri , Uanithirat Anuntaya , Anuchadbut Anongnart , Chanthaburanun Sararut , Tarawat Katawut , Mahanontharit Apicha , Sinthon Wanida , Plakunmonthonw Sasitorn , Wongmueang Suwat , Dalodom Theera , Sopa Bunruan , Phongam Nuchthida , Sri-Arunsak Anchisa , Chobkarching Umaporn , Bouko Channuwat , Junseeha Sukanya , Phuphalicho Boonsri , Pingthaisong Palida , Khlaiphuengsin Apichaya , Pararit Patcharee , Eamyoung Patcharin , Somjit Thitiporn , Iampornsin Thatri , Thongchomphunut Dutmanee , Manopwisedjaroen Suwimon , Laopanupong Thanida , Ekronarongchai Supanuch , Srisaowakarn Chanya , Jantraphakorn Yuparat , Srisutthisamphan Kanjana , Grandin Ponsuk Visudhipan
Published: January 2024

ChulaCov19 mRNA vaccine demonstrated promising phase 1 results. Healthy adults aged 18–59 years were double-blind randomised 4:1 to receive two intramuscular doses of ChulaCov19 50 µg or placebo. Primary endpoints were safety and microneutralization antibody against-wild-type (Micro-VNT50) at day 50. One hundred fifty adults with median (IQR) age 37 (30–46) years were randomised. ChulaCov19 was well tolerated, and most adverse events were mild to moderate and temporary. Geometric mean titres (GMT) of neutralizing titre against wild-type for ChulaCov19 on day 50 were 1367 IU/mL. T-cell IFN-γ-ELISpot showed the highest responses at one week (Day29) after dose 2 then gradually declined. ChulaCov19 50 µg is well tolerated and elicited high neutralizing antibodies and strong T-cell responses in healthy adults.

Trial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT04566276, 28/09/2020.
Repurposing antibiotic resistance surveillance data to support treatment of recurrent infections in a remote setting
Authors: Cuningham Will , Perera Shalinie , Coulter Sonali , Wang Zhiqiang , Tong Steven Y. C. , Wozniak Teresa M.
Published: January 2024

In northern Australia, a region with limited access to healthcare and a substantial population living remotely, antibiotic resistance adds to the complexity of treating infections. Focussing on Escherichia coli urinary tract infections (UTIs) and Staphylococcus aureus skin & soft tissue infections (SSTIs) captured by a northern Australian antibiotic resistance surveillance system, we used logistic regression to investigate predictors of a subsequent resistant isolate during the same infection episode. We also investigated predictors of recurrent infection. Our analysis included 98,651 E. coli isolates and 121,755 S. aureus isolates from 70,851 patients between January 2007 and June 2020. Following an initially susceptible E. coli UTI, subsequent recovery of a cefazolin (8%) or ampicillin (13%) -resistant isolate during the same infection episode was more common than a ceftriaxone-resistant isolate (2%). For an initially susceptible S. aureus SSTI, subsequent recovery of a methicillin-resistant isolate (8%) was more common than a trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-resistant isolate (2%). For UTIs and SSTIs, prior infection with a resistant pathogen was a strong predictor of both recurrent infection and resistance in future infection episodes. This multi-centre study demonstrates an association between antibiotic resistance and an increased likelihood of recurrent infection. Particularly in remote areas, a patient’s past antibiograms should guide current treatment choices since recurrent infection will most likely be at least as resistant as previous infection episodes. Using population-level surveillance data in this way can also help clinicians decide if they should switch antibiotics for patients with ongoing symptoms, while waiting for diagnostic results.
The impact of environmentally friendly supramolecular coordination polymers as carbon steel corrosion inhibitors in HCl solution: synthesis and characterization
Authors: Eissa M. , Etaiw S. H. , El-Waseef E. E. , El-Hossiany A. , Fouda A. S.
Published: January 2024

Two 3D-supramolecular coordination polymers (SCP1 & SCP2) have been synthesized and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. In a solution of 1.0 M HCl, SCPs were used to prevent corrosion of carbon steel (CS). The inhibition productivity (%η) rises as the synthetic inhibitor dose rises, and the opposite is true as the temperature rises. The study was carried out using chemical (mass loss, ML) and electrochemical ( potentiodynamic polarization, PDP and electrochemical impedance microscopy, EIS) techniques, which showed %η reached to 93.1% and 92.5% for SCP1 & SCP2, respectively at 21 × 10−6 M, 25 °C. For the polarization results, SCPs behave as mixed-type inhibitors. With increasing doses of SCPs, the charge transfer resistance grew and the double layer's capacitance lowered. The creation of a monolayer on the surface of CS was demonstrated by the finding that the adsorption of SCPs on its surface followed the Henry adsorption isotherm. The parameters of thermodynamics were computed and explained. The physical adsorption of SCPs on the surface of CS is shown by the lowering values of free energy (∆Goads < − 20 kJ mol−1) and increasing the activation energy (E*a) values in presence of SCP1 & SCP2 than in their absence. Atomic force microscope (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated the development of a protective thin film of SCPs precipitated on the surface of CS. There is a strong matching between results obtained from experimental and theoretical studies. Results from each approach that was used were consistent.
Condition-based opportunistic maintenance strategy for multi-component wind turbines by using stochastic differential equations
Authors: Su Hongsheng , Cao Qian , Li Yuqi
Published: January 2024

The components of wind turbines are complex in structure and the working environment is harsh, which makes wind turbines face problems such as high failure rates and high maintenance costs. In this paper, the stochastic differential equation model has been established for the harsh operating environment of wind turbines, and used Brownian motion to simulate random disturbances; aiming at the problem of high failure rate of wind turbines, based on Weibull distribution, a new model has been established by combining operating time and equipment state to calculate the failure rate; in the analysis of monitoring data, the Higher-Order Moment method and Bayesian method were used to solve the parameters. The opportunity maintenance threshold curve and preventive maintenance threshold curve were obtained by analyzing Time-Based Maintenance and Condition-Based Maintenance. Therefore, the Condition-Based Opportunistic Maintenance strategy was obtained. The effectiveness of the proposed method was finally verified by arithmetic examples.
Controlling viscous fingering instabilities of complex fluids
Authors: Pouplard Alban , Tsai Peichun Amy
Published: January 2024

Despite their aesthetic elegance, wavy or fingering patterns emerge when a fluid of low viscosity pushes another immiscible fluid of high viscosity in a porous medium, producing an incomplete sweep and hampering several crucial technologies. Some examples include chromatography, printing, coating flows, oil-well cementing, as well as large-scale technologies of groundwater and enhanced oil recovery. Controlling such fingering instabilities is notoriously challenging and unresolved for complex fluids of varying viscosity because the fluids’ mobility contrast is often predetermined and yet the predominant drive in determining a stable, flat or unstable, wavy interface. Here we show, experimentally and theoretically, how to suppress or control the primary viscous fingering patterns of a common type of complex fluids (of shear-thinning with a low yield stress) using a radially tapered cell of linearly varying gap thickness, h(r). Experimentally, we displace a complex viscous (PAA) solution with gas under a constant flow rate (Q), varied between 0.02 and 2 slpm (standard liter per minute), in a radially converging cell with a constant gap-thickness gradient, $$\alpha = dh/dr < 0$$

α
=
d
h
/
d
r
<
0

. A stable, uniform interface emerges at low Q and in a steeper cell (i.e., greater $$|\alpha |$$

|
α
|

) for the complex fluids, whereas unstable fingering pattern at high Q and smaller $$|\alpha |$$

|
α
|

. Our theoretical predictions with a simplified linear stability analysis show an agreeable stability criterion with experimental data, quantitatively offering strategies to control complex fluid-fluid patterns and displacements in microfluidics and porous media.
Impact of medical technologies may be predicted using constructed graph bibliometrics
Authors: Jiang Lawrence , Raza Ashir , El Ariss Abdel-Badih , Chen David , Danaher-Garcia Nicole , Lee Jarone , He Shuhan
Published: January 2024

Scientific research is driven by allocation of funding to different research projects based in part on the predicted scientific impact of the work. Data-driven algorithms can inform decision-making of scarce funding resources by identifying likely high-impact studies using bibliometrics. Compared to standardized citation-based metrics alone, we utilize a machine learning pipeline that analyzes high-dimensional relationships among a range of bibliometric features to improve the accuracy of predicting high-impact research. Random forest classification models were trained using 28 bibliometric features calculated from a dataset of 1,485,958 publications in medicine to retrospectively predict whether a publication would become high-impact. For each random forest model, the balanced accuracy score was above 0.95 and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was above 0.99. The high performance of high impact research prediction using our proposed models show that machine learning technologies are promising algorithms that can support funding decision-making for medical research.
Preparation and characterization of high-performance ceramic proppant from recycling utilization of oil-based drilling cuttings pyrolysis residues
Authors: Yang Yuanyi , Li Hui , Lei Zhenghuan , Liu Hongwu , Zeng Mingyou , Yang Tingting , Chen Keming , Duan Yi
Published: January 2024

Oil-based drilling cutting pyrolysis residues (ODCPRs), bauxite, and sintering additives were applied to manufacture ceramic proppants with low density and high strength in this work. The effect of ODCPRs ratio, sintering temperature, holding time, and the content of additives on the performance of the proppants was comprehensively investigated, respectively. And the sintering mechanism of proppants was also discussed according to the phase, microstructure, and thermal behavior analyses. The results revealed that at the best sintering condition (1280 °C, holding for 60 min), and a mass ratio (ODCPRs: bauxite: MnO2 at 3:7:0.1), the well-developed granular corundum and acicular mullite formed inside the proppants and interspersed with each other to form a dense structure. The proppants presented low density and high strength as the bulk density of 1.48 g/cm3, the apparent density of 2.94 g/cm3, a breakage ratio of 5.25% under 52 MPa closed pressure, and the acid solubility of 4.80%, which could well meet the requirement of the standards of SY/T 5108-2014. This work provided a new pathway for recycling ODCPRs and the fabrication of high-performance proppants.
Work motivation and factors associated with it among health professionals in Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital
Authors: Tegegne Eniyew , Deml Yikeber Argachew , Yirdaw Getasew , Bewket Yenewa
Published: January 2024

Motivation is the level of a person's willingness to put forth and maintain an effort in support of organizational goals. However, motivation towards task execution is affected by the organization and individual goals. For instance, low morale among the staff can damage the quality of service delivery. Hence, this study was intended to assess the working motivation status and factors associated with it among health professionals at Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was employed. Stratified sampling techniques were used to extract sample from each job category proportionally. To make the distribution fair, all health workers were grouped according to their job title and selected by using the lottery method from each group. A standardized, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was checked, coded, and entered into EpiData 3.1 and exported for analysis into SPSS 25. Variable in the multivariable logistic regression model with a p value of < 0.05 at 95% CI were taken as significantly associated to motivation status. A total of 319 people were involved, with a 100% response rate. 20.4% of health professionals were motivated at Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Job satisfaction (AOR 6.46, 95% CI 1.72, 24.35), the presence of adequate medical supplies (AOR 5.01, 95% CI 1.23, 25.37), work place security (AOR 6.78, 95% CI 1.498, 30.72), and the presence of training opportunities in health facilities (AOR 2.23, 95% CI 1.01, 4.96) were significant factors associated with motivation status. The proportion of motivated health professionals was very low compared to previous studies in Ethiopia. The presence of security at work, adequate medical equipment, drugs, and supplies, job satisfaction, and the presence of training opportunities were predominant motivational factors. The hospital administration needs to give priority and work to safeguard security, ensure adequate medical supplies, and offer training to improve their satisfaction and motivation.
Selection of suitable reference genes for gene expression studies in HMC3 cell line by quantitative real-time RT-PCR
Authors: Fazzina Martina , Bergonzoni Matteo , Massenzio Francesca , Monti Barbara , Frabetti Flavia , Casadei Raffaella
Published: January 2024

Microglia represent the primary immune defense system within the central nervous system and play a role in the inflammatory processes occurring in numerous disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). PD onset and progression are associated with factors considered possible causes of neuroinflammation, i.e. genetic mutations. In vitro models of microglial cells were established to identify specific molecular targets in PD through the analysis of gene expression data. Recently, the Human Microglial Clone 3 cell line (HMC3) has been characterized and a new human microglia model has emerged. Here we perform RT-qPCR analyses to evaluate the expression of ten reference genes in HMC3, untreated or stimulated to a pro-inflammatory status. The comparative ∆CT method, BestKeeper, Normfinder, geNorm and RefFinder algorithms were used to assess the stability of the candidate genes. The results showed that the most suitable internal controls are HPRT1, RPS18 and B2M genes. In addition, the most stable and unstable reference genes were used to normalize the expression of a gene of interest in HMC3, resulting in a difference in the statistical significance in cells treated with Rotenone. This is the first reference gene validation study in HMC3 cell line in pro-inflammatory status and can contribute to more reliable gene expression analysis in the field of neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory research.
A pancancer analysis of the clinical and genomic characteristics of multiple primary cancers
Authors: Zhang Baiwen , He Lina , Zhou Cong , Cheng Xiaojiao , Li Qingli , Tang Yao , Li Fuli , Huang Tinglei , Tu Shuiping
Published: January 2024

Multiple primary cancer (MPC) denotes individuals with two or more malignant tumors occurring simultaneously or successively. Herein, a total of 11,000 pancancer patients in TCGA database (1993–2013) were divided into MPC or non-MPC groups based on their history of other malignant tumors. The incidence of MPC has risen to 8.5–13.1% since 2000. Elderly individuals, males, early-stage cancer patients, and African Americans and Caucasians are identified as independent risk factors (p < 0.0001). Non-MPC patients exhibit significantly longer overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) (p = 0.0038 and p = 0.0014). Age (p < 0.001) and tumor staging at initial diagnosis (p < 0.001) contribute to this difference. In our center, MPC was identified in 380 out of 801 tumor events based on SEER criteria. The peak occurrence of secondary primary was about 1–5 years after the first primary tumor, with a second small peak around 10–15 years. Multiple tumors commonly occur in the same organ (e.g., breast and lung), constituting 12.6%. Certain cancer types, notably skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM), exhibit significantly higher tumor mutational burden (TMB) in the MPC group (17.31 vs. 6.55 mutations/MB, p < 0.001), with high TMB associated with improved survival (p < 0.001). High TMB in MPC may serve as a predictor for potential immunotherapy application.
A careful look at lipid nanoparticle characterization: analysis of benchmark formulations for encapsulation of RNA cargo size gradient
Authors: Schober Gretchen B. , Story Sandra , Arya Dev P.
Published: January 2024

With the recent success of lipid nanoparticle (LNP) based SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines, the potential for RNA therapeutics has gained widespread attention. LNPs are promising non-viral delivery vectors to protect and deliver delicate RNA therapeutics, which are ineffective and susceptible to degradation alone. While food and drug administration (FDA) approved formulations have shown significant promise, benchmark lipid formulations still require optimization and improvement. In addition, the translatability of these formulations for several different RNA cargo sizes has not been compared under the same conditions. Herein we analyze “gold standard” lipid formulations for encapsulation efficiency of various non-specific RNA cargo lengths representing antisense oligonucleotides (ASO), small interfering RNA (siRNA), RNA aptamers, and messenger RNA (mRNA), with lengths of 10 bases, 21 base pairs, 96 bases, 996 bases, and 1929 bases, respectively. We evaluate encapsulation efficiency as the percentage of input RNA encapsulated in the final LNP product (EEinput%), which shows discrepancy with the traditional calculation of encapsulation efficiency (EE%). EEinput% is shown to be < 50% for all formulations tested, when EE% is consistently > 85%. We also compared formulations for LNP size (Z-average) and polydispersity index (PDI). LNP size does not appear to be strongly influenced by cargo size, which is a counterintuitive finding. Thoughtful characterization of LNPs, in parallel with consideration of in vitro or in vivo behavior, will guide design and optimization for better understanding and improvement of future RNA therapeutics.
In vitro and in vivo anti-colorectal cancer effect of the newly synthesized sericin/propolis/fluorouracil nanoplatform through modulation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway
Authors: Diab Shaimaa E. , Tayea Nourhan A. , Elwakil Bassma H. , Elshewemi Salma S. , Gad Abir Abd El Mageid , Abdulmalek Shaymaa A. , Ghareeb Doaa A. , Olama Zakia A.
Published: January 2024

The present work aimed to assess the potential effect of sericin/propolis/fluorouracil nanoformula against colorectal cancer (CRC) (the fourth most common cause of cancer-related mortalities). A novel anti-cancerous formula of the synthesized sericin/propolis nanoparticles was developed and tested both in vitro (using Caco-2 cell line) and in vivo (in experimentally induced colorectal cancer animal models). The combination index of the prepared nanoformula proved that the combination between sericin/propolis nanoparticles and 5-fluorouracil demonstrated the highest synergistic effect (0.86), with dose reduction index (DRI) of the chemotherapeutic drug reaching 1.49. The mechanism of action of the prepared nanoformula revealed that it acts through the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and consequently inhibiting cancerous cells proliferation. Treatment and prophylactic studies of both sericin and propolis showed increased TBARS (Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substance) formation, downregulated BCL2 (B-cell lymphoma 2) and activated BAX, Caspase 9 and Caspase 3 expression. The prepared nanoformula decreased the ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) production in vivo owing to PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibition and FOXO-1 (Forkhead Box O1) activation that resulted in autophagy/apoptosis processes stimulation. The potent anticancer effect of the prepared nanoformula was further emphasized through the in vivo histopathological studies of experimentally induced tumors. The newly formulated sericin/propolis/fluorouracil nanoparticles exhibited clear-cut cytotoxic effects toward tumor cells with provided evidence for the prophylactic effect.
Prognostic DNA mutation and mRNA expression analysis of perineural invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Kuk Su Kyung , Kim Kitae , Lee Jae Il , Pang KangMi
Published: January 2024

This study analyzed oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) genomes and transcriptomes in relation to perineural invasion (PNI) and prognosis using Cancer Genome Atlas data and validated these results with GSE41613 data. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes were conducted. We identified 22 DNA mutations associated with both overall survival (OS) and PNI. Among them, TGFBR1 and RPS6KA4 mRNAs were overexpressed, while TYRO3 and GPR137 mRNAs were underexpressed in PNI patients. Among the 141 mRNA genes associated with both OS and PNI, we found overlap with PNI-related DNA mutations, including ZNF43, TEX10, TPSD1, and PSD3. In GSE41613 data, TGFBR1, RPS6KA4, TYRO3, GPR137, TEX10 and TPSD1 mRNAs were expressed differently according to the prognosis. The 22 DNA-mutated genes clustered into nervous system development, regulation of DNA-templated transcription, and transforming growth factor beta binding. GSEA analysis of mRNAs revealed upregulation of hallmarks epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), TNFα signaling via NF-κB, and IL2 STAT5 signaling. EMT upregulation aligned with the TGFBR1 DNA mutation, supporting its significance in PNI. These findings suggest a potential role of PNI genes in the prognosis of OSCC, providing insights for diagnosis and treatment of OSCC.
Design and hydrologic performance estimation of highway filter drains using a novel analytical probabilistic model
Authors: Essien Aniekan E. , Guo Yiping , Khafagy Mohamed , Dickson‐Anderson Sarah E.
Published: January 2024

Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are nature-based methods of managing urban stormwater runoff. Although they are widely used, some SuDS, such as highway filter drains (HFDs), are understudied with respect to sizing and performance. For the first time, we developed an analytical probabilistic model (APM) that can be used to design and estimate the hydrologic performance of HFDs. Unlike the conventionally used design-storm based or continuous simulation approaches, our APM can directly calculate the runoff capture ratios of HFDs using closed-form analytical equations. Validation of the APM presented here shows that it is robust and reliable. The relative differences between the APM-estimated and continuous simulation-determined runoff capture ratios for all the simulated design cases are less than 8.5%.
Pathogenic/likely pathogenic mutations identified in Vietnamese children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder using high-resolution SNP genotyping platform
Authors: Bui Duyen T. , Ton Anh N. V. , Nguyen Chi T. D. , Nguyen Son H. , Tran Hao K. , Nguyen Xuan T. , Nguyen Hang T. , Pham Giang L. T. , Tran Dong S. , Harrington Jillian , Pham Hiep N. , Pham Tuyen N. V. , Cao Tuan A.
Published: January 2024

Among the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is highly diverse showing a broad phenotypic spectrum. ASD also couples with a broad range of mutations, both de novo and inherited. In this study, we used a proprietary SNP genotyping chip to analyze the genomic DNA of 250 Vietnamese children diagnosed with ASD. Our Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) genotyping chip directly targets more than 800 thousand SNPs in the genome. Our primary focus was to identify pathogenic/likely pathogenic mutations that are potentially linked to more severe symptoms of autism. We identified and validated 23 pathogenic/likely pathogenic mutations in this initial study. The data shows that these mutations were detected in several cases spanning multiple biological pathways. Among the confirmed SNPs, mutations were identified in genes previously known to be strongly associated with ASD such as SLCO1B1, ACADSB, TCF4, HCP5, MOCOS, SRD5A2, MCCC2, DCC, and PRKN while several other mutations are known to associate with autistic traits or other neurodevelopmental disorders. Some mutations were found in multiple patients and some patients carried multiple pathogenic/likely pathogenic mutations. These findings contribute to the identification of potential targets for therapeutic solutions in what is considered a genetically heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder.