bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance assessment of a dual‐axis solar tracker for concentrator photovoltaic systems
Authors: Badr Farouk , Radwan Ali , Ahmed Mahmoud , Hamed Ahmed M.
Published: May 2022

Enhancing the performance of a concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) system by integrating a solar tracker to concentrate the solar irradiance on the target area is important. Thus, a dual‐axis elliptic solar tracker is designed, fabricated, and experimentally evaluated. The altitude and solar azimuth angles of the tracker are adjusted based on governing equations to track the sun. The tracker's error is measured using a series of light‐dependent resistors. Then, the tracker is used to assess the CPV system's performance at a solar concentration ratio of 50. The results indicated that the maximum error in solar azimuth and altitude angles equals 0.5°. Furthermore, the measured errors are independent of dust and cloudy weather. By integrating the concentrator PV system and solar tracker, the direct normal irradiance slightly varies throughout the day from 750 to 980 W/m2. At this condition, the maximum measured solar cell temperature is approximately 42°C with a maximum attained electric power of 1.08 W for a solar cell area of 1.012 cm2.
Structural and electrochemical properties of mesoporous FeVO4 as a negative electrode for lithium‐ion battery
Authors: Kakarla Ashok Kumar , Narsimulu D. , Patnam Harishkumar Reddy , Shanthappa R. , Yu Jae Su
Published: May 2022

The approach to accomplishing long cycle solidity usually depends on the electrode materials in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, mesoporous FeVO4 (MFVO) nanostructures (NSs) were prepared via a simple hydrothermal method and post‐calcination using different concentrations of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) chelating agent. The morphology, microstructure, and mesoporous nature of the as‐prepared samples were characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller analyses, respectively. The as‐obtained MFVO NSs were examined as a negative material for LIBs. The enhanced MFVO‐2 (0.2 g of EDTA) electrode provides an initial charge/discharge capacity of 2880 mA h g−1/2707 mA h g−1 at 0.1 A g−1. Even after 100 cycles, it displays a superior specific discharge capacity of 906 mA h g−1. Furthermore, the MFVO‐2 electrode exhibits a high‐rate performance with a steady reversible capacity. As a result, the porosity and density of nanorod‐like morphologies are significant factors in their electrochemical performances. The outstanding electrochemical effects of MFVO NSs may be suggested as a prospective anode material for enhanced LIBs.
A novel long term solar photovoltaic power forecasting approach using LSTM with Nadam optimizer: A case study of India
Authors: Sharma Jatin , Soni Sameer , Paliwal Priyanka , Saboor Shaik , Chaurasiya Prem K. , Sharifpur Mohsen , Khalilpoor Nima , Afzal Asif
Published: May 2022

Solar photovoltaic (PV) power is emerging as one of the most viable renewable energy sources. The recent enhancements in the integration of renewable energy sources into the power grid create a dire need for reliable solar power forecasting techniques. In this paper, a new long‐term solar PV power forecasting approach using long short‐term memory (LSTM) model with Nadam optimizer is presented. The LSTM model performs better with the time‐series data as it persists information of more time steps. The experimental models are realized on a 250.25 kW installed capacity solar PV power system located at MANIT Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. The proposed model is compared with two time‐series models and eight neural network models using LSTM with different optimizers. The obtained results using LSTM with Nadam optimizer present a significant improvement in the forecasting accuracy of 30.56% over autoregressive integrated moving average, 47.48% over seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average, and 1.35%, 1.43%, 3.51%, 4.88%, 11.84%, 50.69%, and 58.29% over models using RMSprop, Adam, Adamax, SGD, Adagrad, Adadelta, and Ftrl optimizer, respectively. The experimental results prove that the proposed methodology is more conclusive for solar PV power forecasting and can be employed for enhanced system planning and management.
Small‐scale assessment method for the fire resistance of historic plaster system and timber structures
Authors: Liblik Johanna , Just Alar
Published: May 2022

The primary protection against the charring of timber is ensured by protection materials. Today, there are only a limited number of materials given in design codes as fire protection materials for timber. Historic surface finish materials such as plasters have rarely been studied with respect to fire; no design values exist in the current fire part of Eurocode 5. Full‐scale fire testing is costly to assess the fire performance of material combinations, thus this study presents a useful tool that is specifically tailored to evaluate the fire protection ability of materials in small‐scale. A review of conducted tests demonstrate that the cone heater of a cone calorimeter is a dependable device to estimate the charring performance of protected timber specimens as the test results approximate the ones obtained from furnace tests. This work contributes to the assessment of fire resistance performance of various combinations and types of plaster systems found in existing timber buildings that often require an individual approach for an adequate fire risk analysis and design decisions to meet current fire safety regulations with respect to the load‐bearing capacity and compartmentation of building structures. Increased knowledge on the fire protection performance of traditional plasters is believed to facilitate their wider use in timber buildings, primarily to preserve their significance as part of the cultural built heritage.
Process optimization and antioxidative activity of polyphenols derived from different seaweed species Sargassum Miyabei, Undaria Pinnatifida Suringar, and Sargassum Thunbergii
Authors: He Shan , Zhang Yang , Yuan Yang , Farooq Muhammad Adil , Fayyaz Muhammad Shoaib , Su Dongxiao , Zeng Qinzhu , Rahaman Abdul
Published: May 2022

The aim of this study was to extract the polyphenols from three major seaweed species such as Sargassum miyabei, Undaria pinnatifida suringar, and Sargassum thunbergii, which are found in the coastal province (Guangdong), a longest coastal line in China. It was found that the Sargassum thunbergii produced more polyphenols (34.99 mg) as compared to Sargassum miyabei (23.26 mg) and Undaria pinnatifida suringar (25.34 mg), respectively. The orthogonal method was used for the extraction of phenolic compounds and extraction condition of each seaweed species was optimized. The antioxidant activity of extracted polyphenols from all three species stated that the polyphenols extracted from Undaria pinnatifida suringar demonstrated the highest antioxidative activity. Furthermore, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) was used for qualitative analysis of polyphenols, which revealed that the major components of polyphenols extracted from Undaria pinnatifida suringar were gallic acid and arbutin followed by syringate in Sargassum miyabei and phloretin in Sargassum thunbergii.
Effects of subanesthesia dose S‐ketamine induction on postoperative psychiatric complications after gynecological surgery
Authors: Zhang Fan , Ding Jun , Luo Man , Luo Hao‐Hua , Sun Xiao‐Lin , Fang Xu , Chen Lei , Tao Jun , Zhu Zhao‐Qiong
Published: May 2022

Ketamine may become an important drug for multimodal analgesia regime again because of its strong analgesic effects and retaining the advantage of spontaneous breathing. The present study was designed to explore the influences of different dosages of S‐ketamine anesthesia induction regimes on psychiatric complications and postoperative prognosis in patients undergoing gynecological operations. In this prospective, triple‐blinded, randomized, controlled study, patients undergoing elective gynecological surgery were randomized to one of three treatment groups: low‐dose S‐ketamine (LDSK) group (a 0.3 mg/kg bolus for anesthesia induction), minimal‐dose S‐ketamine (MDSK) group (a 0.2 mg/kg bolus for anesthesia induction), and placebo (CON) group (a saline bolus for anesthesia induction). The main outcome measures were as follows: intraoperative vital signs, extubation time, anesthesia recovery time and postanesthesia care unit (PACU) stay duration, incidence of psychiatric complications, Ramsay sedation scale (RSS) 1, 2, 24, and 48 h, postoperatively, and overall prognosis. One hundred and eighty female participants were finally included in this study from April 2021 to December 2021. Significant differences were not observed in age, height, weight, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification, or history of mental illness between the groups. No statistically significant differences were discovered with regard to intraoperative vital signs, extubation time and PACU stay duration, incidence of psychiatric complications, and RSS scores at 1, 2, 24, and 48 h postoperatively in the three groups. However, the visual analog scale (VAS) scores of the CON group at 10 min after extubation and at the time point leaving PACU were much higher than that of the LDSK and MDSK groups. The VAS scores at 48 h after surgery in the MDSK group were also lower than that of the CON group and the CON group had received more analgesic drug treatment in the surgical wards consequently. Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) occurrence at 24 and 48 h, postoperatively, increased sharply in the CON group than in the other two experimental groups, which led to an increase in the use of postoperative antiemetic drugs in this group. According to the postoperative satisfaction survey, patients in the CON group had lower medical satisfaction. Our data demonstrate that a small dosage of S‐ketamine anesthesia induction can reduce postoperative pain and the incidence of PONV without increasing hemodynamic fluctuations or psychiatric complications.
Retinal microvascular impairment in COVID‐19 patients: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Suzhen , Wang Jie , Hu Jianbin , Wang Ningli
Published: May 2022

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), has led to a global pandemic in an unprecedented time frame. Systemic vascular involvement in COVID‐19 has been identified, and SARS‐CoV‐2 has also been found to cause multiple organ ischemia and posterior ocular segment disease in mammals, raising concerns about the human retinal microvascular involvement in SARS‐CoV‐2.

Objective

To objectively assess the presence of retinal microvascular impairment in COVID‐19 patients by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), so as to facilitate the clinical system management of COVID‐19 patients.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Ovid, CBM to collect eligible studies. The main outcomes included the vessel density (VD), area or perimeter of foveal avascular zone (FAZ), central foveal thickness (CFT), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT) in our meta‐analysis.

Results

We eventually included five studies with a total of 401 participants. Our meta‐analysis showed that nonacute infectious COVID‐19 or post‐COVID‐19 patients presented significantly lower foveal VD of deep capillary plexus (WMD = −4.22, 95% CI [−8.00, −0.43]) and thinner SCT (WMD = −10.33, 95% CI [−19.08, −1.57]) than healthy controls. The foveal VD and parafoveal VD of superficial capillary plexus, parafoveal VD of deep capillary plexus, CFT, area, and perimeter of FAZ showed no significant differences between the groups.

Conclusion

The patients of nonacute infectious COVID‐19 or post‐COVID‐19 displayed alterations in the retinal microvasculature and choroidal vessels, including a significantly lower foveal VD in deep capillary plexus and thinner SCT. The impairment may be a medium to long‐term process. Close ophthalmic surveillance is necessary for COVID‐19 patients or post‐COVID‐19 patients.
Persistence of immune responses to the Sinopharm/BBIBP‐CorV vaccine
Authors: Jeewandara Chandima , Aberathna Inoka Sepali , Pushpakumara Pradeep Darshana , Kamaladasa Achala , Guruge Dinuka , Wijesinghe Ayesha , Gunasekera Banuri , Ramu Shyrar Tanussiya , Kuruppu Heshan , Ranasinghe Thushali , Dayarathna Shashika , Dissanayake Osanda , Gamalath Nayanathara , Ekanayake Dinithi , Jayamali Jeewantha , Jayathilaka Deshni , Dissanayake Madushika , Jayadas Tibutius Thanesh , Mudunkotuwa Anushika , Somathilake Gayasha , Harvie Michael , Nimasha Thashmi , Danasekara Saubhagya , Wijayamuni Ruwan , Schimanski Lisa , Rijal Pramila , Tan Tiong K. , Dong Tao , Townsend Alain , Ogg Graham S. , Malavige Gathsaurie Neelika
Published: May 2022

Background

To determine the kinetics and persistence of immune responses following the Sinopharm/BBIBP‐CorV, we investigated immune responses in a cohort of Sri Lankan individuals.

Methods

SARS‐CoV‐2 specific total antibodies were measured in 20–39 years (n = 61), 40–59 years (n = 120) and those >60 years of age (n = 22) by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, 12 weeks after the second dose of the vaccine. Angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor blocking antibodies (ACE2R‐Ab), antibodies to the receptor‐binding domain (RBD) of the ancestral virus (WT) and variants of concern, were measured in a sub cohort. T cell responses and memory B cell responses were assessed by ELISpot assays.

Results

A total of 193/203 (95.07%) of individuals had detectable SARS‐CoV‐2 specific total antibodies, while 67/110 (60.9%) had ACE2R‐Ab. A total of 14.3%–16.7% individuals in the 20–39 age groups had detectable antibodies to the RBD of the WT and variants of concern, while the positivity rates of those ≥60 years of age was <10%. A total of 14/49 (28.6%) had Interferon gamma ELISpot responses to overlapping peptides of the spike protein, while memory B cell responses were detected in 9/20 to the S1 recombinant protein. The total antibody levels and ACE2R‐Ab declined from 2 to 12 weeks from the second dose, while ex vivo T cell responses remained unchanged. The decline in ACE2R‐Ab levels was significant among the 40–59 (p = .0007) and ≥60 (p = .005) age groups.

Conclusions

Antibody responses declined in all age groups, especially in those ≥60 years, while T cell responses persisted. The effect of waning of immunity on hospitalization and severe disease should be assessed by long term efficacy studies.
Effects of Astragalus membranaceus on systemic lupus erythematosus in a mouse model of pregnancy
Authors: Chen Hong‐Qing , Zhang Na , Li Cai‐Xia , Zhang Hong‐Xia
Published: May 2022

Background

This study used astragalus membranaceus (AM) to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) model mice during pregnancy, aiming to explore the role of AM in Helper T cell 17 (Th17) differentiation and SLE during pregnancy.

Methods

We used lipopolysaccharide to constructed the SLE mouse model. AM decoction given by intragastric administration lasted from the eighth week of the mouse age until the mouse was killed. We estimated the messenger RNA  levels of IL‐17a and Rorc, counted the Th17 cell number and examined the levels of cytokines including interleukin (IL)‐12, tumor necrosis factor α, interferon gamma, IL‐17A in mouse serum. Periodic acid‐Schiff staining and renal glomerular/tubulointerstitial (TI) score were used to evaluate the progression of lupus nephritis (LN).

Results

AM treatment improved the conception rate and increased the number and average weight of fetuses in SLE mice. It significantly decreased the urinary albumin/creatinine ratios and reduced the glomerular scores and TI scores in the pregnant SLE mice. AM gavage significantly decreased the weight of spleen, mesenteric lymph node, total splenocytes and T cells, and the expression of proinflammatory factors. Furthermore, AM treatment reduced the ratio of Th17 cells and the expression levels of RORγt and IL‐17A.

Conclusion

AM significantly improved pregnancy outcomes and inhibited lupus nephritis during pregnancy in SLE mice.
Artesunate, imatinib, and infliximab in COVID‐19: A rapid review and meta‐analysis of current evidence
Authors: Amani Bahman , Zareei Sara , Amani Behnam , Zareei Mahsa , Zareei Neda , Shabestan Rouhollah , Akbarzadeh Arash
Published: May 2022

Background and Objective

Despite the pervasive vaccination program against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), fully vaccinated people are still being infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, making an effective and safe therapeutic intervention a crucial need for the patients' survival. The purpose of the present study is to seek available evidence for the efficacy and safety of three promising medications artesunate, imatinib, and infliximab against COVID‐19.

Methods

A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, medRxive, and Google Scholar up to January 2022. Furthermore, the clinical trial databases were screened to find more citations. The Cochrane Collaboration tool and Newcastle–Ottawa scale were used to assess the included studies. Meta‐analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4.1.

Results

Five published studies were identified as eligible. Meta‐analysis showed that there was no significant difference between the infliximab and control groups in terms of mortality rate (risk ratio [RR]: 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.40–1.07; p = 0.09). However, a significant difference was observed between the two groups for the hospital discharge (RR: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.04–1.80; p = 0.03). No remarkable clinical benefit was observed in favor of using imatinib for COVID‐19 patients. Artesunate showed significant improvement in patients with COVID‐19.

Conclusion

In the present, limited evidence exists for the efficacy and safety of artesunate, imatinib, and infliximab in patients with COVID‐19. The findings of WHO's Solidarity international trial will provide further information regarding these therapeutic interventions.
Epidemiology of rhinovirus under the COVID‐19 pandemic in Guangzhou, China, 2020
Authors: Lu Jianyun , Wu Tiantian , Zeng Qing , Chen Yiyun , Liu Yanhui , Wu Di
Published: May 2022

Background

To analyze the epidemic characteristics of the human rhinovirus (HRV) outbreaks in Guangzhou, China, in 2020.

Methods

Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the HRV‐related outbreaks in Guangzhou, 2020.

Results

Seventeen outbreaks were reported in 2020 during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic in Guangzhou, a total of 465 patients (290 males and 175 females) were enrolled, with a median age of 10. A total of 223 (47.96%) had been tested for HRV, 89 (39.91%) of which were positive; 344/465 (73.98%) had a fever, 138/465 (29.68%) had a runny nose, 139/465 (29.89%) had a sore throat, 86/465 (18.49%) had a cough, 41/465 (8.82%) had a headache, and 37/465 (7.96%) had a sneeze. Patients at age of 13–15 had the highest rate of sore throat and runny nose, patients aged 11–12 had the highest rate of sneezing, and patients at age of 12–14 had the highest rate of positive rate. Patients tested positive had a higher rate of fever (χ2 = 11.271, p = .001), cough (χ2 = 6.987, p = .008), runny nose (χ2 = 7.980, p = .005), and sneeze (χ2 = 4.676, p = .031).

Conclusion

The HRV was restored during the fighting of the COVID‐19 pandemic. The conventional COVID‐19 control measures were not effective enough in preventing rhinovirus. More appropriate control measures should be used to control HRV.
Assessment of inhalation toxicity of cigarette smoke and aerosols from flavor mixtures: 5‐week study in A/J mice
Authors: Wong Ee Tsin , Luettich Karsta , Cammack Lydia , Chua Chin Suan , Sciuscio David , Merg Celine , Corciulo Maica , Piault Romain , Ashutosh Kumar , Smith Cameron , Leroy Patrice , Moine Fabian , Glabasnia Anneke , Diana Pierrick , Chia Cecilia , Tung Ching Keong , Ivanov Nikolai , Hoeng Julia , Peitsch Manuel , Lee Kyeonghee Monica , Vanscheeuwijck Patrick
Published: May 2022

Most flavors used in e‐liquids are generally recognized as safe for oral consumption, but their potential effects when inhaled are not well characterized. In vivo inhalation studies of flavor ingredients in e‐liquids are scarce. A structure‐based grouping approach was used to select 38 flavor group representatives (FGR) on the basis of known and in silico‐predicted toxicological data. These FGRs were combined to create prototype e‐liquid formulations and tested against cigarette smoke (CS) in a 5‐week inhalation study.

Female A/J mice were whole‐body exposed for 6 h/day, 5 days/week, for 5 weeks to air, mainstream CS, or aerosols from (1) test formulations containing propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerol (VG), nicotine (N; 2% w/w), and flavor (F) mixtures at low (4.6% w/w), medium (9.3% w/w), or high (18.6% w/w) concentration or (2) base formulation (PG/VG/N). Male A/J mice were exposed to air, PG/VG/N, or PG/VG/N/F‐high under the same exposure regimen. There were no significant mortality or in‐life clinical findings in the treatment groups, with only transient weight loss during the early exposure adaptation period. While exposure to flavor aerosols did not cause notable lung inflammation, it caused only minimal adaptive changes in the larynx and nasal epithelia. In contrast, exposure to CS resulted in lung inflammation and moderate‐to‐severe changes in the epithelia of the nose, larynx, and trachea. In summary, the study evaluates an approach for assessing the inhalation toxicity potential of flavor mixtures, thereby informing the selection of flavor exposure concentrations (up to 18.6%) for a future chronic inhalation study.
Extracellular acidosis stimulates breast cancer cell motility through aryl hydrocarbon receptor and c‐src kinase activation
Authors: Miret Noelia V. , Zárate Lorena V. , Erra Díaz Fernando , Leguizamón M. Agustina , Pontillo Carolina A. , Chiappini Florencia A. , Ceballos Leandro , Geffner Jorge , Randi Andrea S.
Published: May 2022

A reduction in extracellular pH (pHe) is a characteristic of most malignant tumors. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcription factor localized in a cytosolic complex with c‐Src, which allows it to trigger nongenomic effects through c‐Src. Considering that the slightly acidic tumor microenvironment promotes breast cancer progression in a similar way to the AhR/c‐Src axis, our aim was to evaluate whether this pathway could be activated by low pHe. We examined the effect of pHe 6.5 on AhR/c‐Src axis using two breast cancer cell lines (MDA‐MB‐231 and LM3) and mammary epithelial cells (NMuMG) and found that acidosis increased c‐Src phosphorylation only in tumor cells. Moreover, the presence of AhR inhibitors prevented c‐Src activation. Low pHe reduced intracellular pH (pHi), while amiloride treatment, which is known to reduce pHi, induced c‐Src phosphorylation through AhR. Analyses were conducted on cell migration and metalloproteases (MMP)‐2 and ‐9 activities, with results showing an acidosis‐induced increase in MDA‐MB‐231 and LM3 cell migration and MMP‐9 activity, but no changes in NMuMG cells. Moreover, all these effects were blocked by AhR and c‐Src inhibitors. In conclusion, acidosis stimulates the AhR/c‐Src axis only in breast cancer cells, increasing cell migration and MMP‐9 activity. Although the AhR activation mechanism still remains elusive, a reduction in pHi may be thought to be involved. These findings suggest a critical role for the AhR/c‐Src axis in breast tumor progression stimulated by an acidic microenvironment.
Trajectories of childhood social isolation in a nationally representative cohort: Associations with antecedents and early adulthood outcomes
Authors: Thompson Katherine N. , Odgers Candice L. , Bryan Bridget T. , Danese Andrea , Milne Barry J. , Strange Lily , Matthews Timothy , Arseneault Louise
Published: May 2022

Background

This study examined early life antecedents of childhood social isolation, whether these factors accounted for poor outcomes of isolated children, and how these associations varied according to patterns of stability and change in childhood isolation.

Methods

Participants included 2232 children from the Environmental Risk (E‐Risk) Longitudinal Twin Study. We conducted growth mixture modelling (GMM) on combined parent and teacher reports of children's social isolation when children were 5, 7, 10 and 12 years, and we assessed associations with age‐5 antecedents and age‐18 outcomes using regression analyses.

Results

We identified three linear developmental trajectories of increasing (4.75%), decreasing (5.25%) and low stable (90.00%) social isolation. Age‐5 attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, emotional problems, prosocial behaviours, maternal personality (openness) and size of school were associated with the decreasing trajectory of social isolation. When controlling for these antecedents, increasingly isolated children were still more likely to experience ADHD symptoms, loneliness, lower job optimism and lower physical activity at age 18.

Conclusions

Isolated children follow distinct patterns of change over childhood and isolation seems most detrimental to health at the time it is experienced. Social isolation can be a valuable indicator of co‐occurring problems and provide targets for mental health intervention in young people.
A preliminary investigation of schedule parameters on cocaine abstinence in contingency management
Authors: Regnier Sean D. , Strickland Justin C. , Stoops William W.
Published: May 2022

Contingency management (CM) interventions are the most effective psychosocial interventions for substance use disorders. However, further investigation is needed to create the most robust intervention possible. This study investigated the effects of 1) reinforcer magnitude; and 2) fixed and escalating and resetting incentives on cocaine abstinence in an outpatient trial. In this analysis, 34 treatment‐seeking individuals with Cocaine Use Disorder received either high or low value incentives for providing a benzoylecgonine‐negative urine sample or were in a control condition and received incentives for providing a urine sample regardless of the results. Participants received either escalating and resetting incentives, wherein the value of each incentive increased with consecutive negative samples and reset to the initial level upon a positive sample (Experiment 1), or fixed incentives, wherein they received the same value incentive for each negative urine sample they provided (Experiment 2). Large incentives produced more abstinence, although escalating and resetting reinforcer values did not have a differential effect. Large, fixed incentives promoted abstinence faster than other reinforcers, whereas smaller incentives resulted in poor abstinence and took many visits to achieve initial abstinence. Future research comparing different schedules on cocaine abstinence in a randomized control trial with a larger sample size is required.
Timing of primary three‐dose hepatitis B vaccination and postvaccination serologic testing among a large cohort of healthy adults
Authors: Koc Özgür M. , van Oorschot Eva , Brandts Lloyd , Oude Lashof Astrid
Published: May 2022

This study evaluated the optimal timing of a primary three‐dose hepatitis B vaccination and postvaccination serologic testing (PVST) among a large group of healthy naïve adults in the Netherlands. Data were collected from the Ease Travel Clinic hepatitis B vaccination database. The study population consisted of 22,997 adults who received three hepatitis B vaccinations. Seroprotection was attained in 97.3% individuals. When compared with PVST performed at 1–2 months (98.2%) after the final dose, lower seroprotection rates were observed with <1 (97.3%, p = 0.128), 3–6 (90.6%, p < 0.001), and ≥7 (88.4%, p < 0.001) months after vaccination. Among the subpopulation with a PVST 1–2 months, no statistically significant difference was observed for the various intervals between the first and second vaccination (<1, 1–2, 3–4, or ≥5 months). When compared with 4–5 months between the second and third vaccine dose, lower seroprotection rates were observed with <4 (odds ratio [OR]: 0.29, p = 0.020) and ≥12 (OR: 0.22, p < 0.001) months, although comparable rates were observed with 6–11 months interval (OR: 0.85, p = 0.262). Our data indicate that PVST should be obtained 1–2 months after the last vaccination and a delayed PVST was the major determinant of a lower seroprotection rate after primary three‐dose hepatitis B vaccination schedule. Based on our data, the hepatitis B vaccination also leaves room for flexibility for the second dose and the third dose without the necessity of restarting the vaccination series or confirmation of the immune response to the vaccine.
Structure and properties of gelatin edible film modified using oxidized poly(2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate) with multiple aldehyde groups
Authors: Liu Baohua , Wang Jian , Zhang Yin , Liu Dayu , Zhang Yunfeng
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

Pure gelatin film usually exhibits characteristics of being brittle and hydrophilic, which limit its wide use in food packing fields. In this study gelatin/oxidized poly(2‐hydroxyethylacrylate) (G/OP) composite films were prepared using casting techniques, the aim of this research was to investigate the effects of OP on the structures and properties of the G/OP composite films.

RESULTS

The Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy results indicated that the G/OP films retained their original secondary structure and random coiled conformation. However, the surface and cross‐sectional morphologies of the G/OP films were rougher than those of pure gelatin films, cracks and agglomerates appeared with increasing OP dosage. The remarkable transparency of the G/OP film at 280 nm indicated excellent ultraviolet (UV) light barrier properties of the film, which inhibited UV‐light‐induced food oxidation. Moreover, the addition of OP decreased the water content and water solubility and considerably increased the water contact angle of pure gelatin films from 78.8° to 116.2° (a maximum increase of 37.5°). This suggested that OP modification improved the hydrophobicity of gelatin films. Furthermore, the inclusion of OP significantly promoted the flexibility of gelatin films, thereby improving their brittleness.

CONCLUSIONS

The UV light barrier properties, hydrophobicity, and flexibility of gelatin films were improved via OP modification, thus the produced G/OP composite films have the potential to be used in food packaging. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Pediatric Bronchoscopy for Airway Foreign Bodies in the ACS NSQIP‐P: Morbidity and Mortality 2014–2019
Authors: Powers Kristina F. , Reese Alyssa D. , Carr Michele M.
Published: May 2022

Objective

Examine morbidity and mortality associated with bronchoscopy for pediatric airway foreign body (AFB). Identify factors associated with adverse events.

Methods

A retrospective analysis from 2014 to 2019 using the multicenter public data set from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program‐ Pediatric. Patients under 18 who underwent bronchoscopy for AFB were identified. Demographics, comorbidities, perioperative events, length of stay, and complications were collected. Regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with adverse events.

Results

2302 patients were included; 1427 (62%) males and 875 (38%) females. Mean age was 3.9 years. (95% CI 3.7–4.1). 2025 (88%) retained AFB as the postoperative diagnosis. Comorbidities included structural pulmonary abnormalities in 234 (10.5%), asthma in 149 (6.5%), and impaired cognitive status in 134 (5.8%). Most common complications were pneumonia in 19 (0.8%) and reintubation in 10 (0.4%). 10 (0.4%) had a prolonged LOS >30 days. Nine (0.4%) children died within 30 days of surgery; 7 (78%) were ventilated and 6 (67%) had CPR prior to surgery. 18 (0.8%) returned to OR and 15 (0.7%) were readmitted for related reasons. Linear regression showed an association between ASA class (β = 0.708, p < 0.001), operative time (β = 0.015, p = 0.013) and reintubation (β = 10.5, p < 0.001) with LOS. Time in the OR was associated with return to OR (β = .008, p = 0.004) through logistic regression.

Conclusion

Morbidity is low in children with AFB and mortality is usually associated with preoperative lifesaving maneuvers.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 133:689–693, 2023
Salt Partitioning in Cationic Thermoresponsive Hydrogels for Model‐Seawater Desalination
Authors: Jangizehi Amir , Seiffert Sebastian
Published: May 2022

Charged hydrogels partially reject salt ions during swelling in a salt solution reservoir. This feature suggests applicability for the separation of salt ions from saline water for water desalination in a membrane‐free forward osmosis process. In this work, model charged cationic and thermoresponsive hydrogels are prepared and their potential for desalination of model seawater containing both monovalent and divalent ions with concentrations of 0.11–3.5 wt% is investigated. The recovery of adsorbed water, after partial salt rejection, is achieved by heating the hydrogels. The salt rejection increases upon increase of the charge density of the hydrogels and diminishes by increase of the concentration of the salt solution. In addition, the salt rejection during deswelling of the hydrogels is in the opposite of the overall process target, adding another challenge on the efficiency of the approach. Besides the experimental results, equations based on the Donnan theory are derived to predict the salt rejection of hydrogels during swelling and deswelling processes. While the theoretical values deviate from the experimental ones, the theory predict the overall trend well. Both experimental and theoretical results confirm that this approach has considerable potential for the desalination of saline water at low concentrations such as brackish waters.
Melt Electrowriting of a Photo‐Crosslinkable Poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐Based Material into Tubular Constructs with Predefined Architecture and Tunable Mechanical Properties
Authors: Pien Nele , Bartolf‐Kopp Michael , Parmentier Laurens , Delaey Jasper , De Vos Lobke , Mantovani Diego , Van Vlierberghe Sandra , Dubruel Peter , Jungst Tomasz
Published: May 2022

Melt electrowriting (MEW) is an additive manufacturing process that produces highly defined constructs with elements in the micrometer range. A specific configuration of MEW enables printing tubular constructs to create small‐diameter tubular structures. The small pool of processable materials poses a bottleneck for wider application in biomedicine. To alleviate this obstacle, an acrylate‐endcapped urethane‐based polymer (AUP), using a poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) (molar mass: 20 000 g mol−1) (AUP PCL20k) as backbone material, is synthesized and utilized for MEW. Spectroscopic analysis confirms the successful modification of the PCL backbone with photo‐crosslinkable acrylate endgroups. Printing experiments of AUP PCL20k reveal limited printability but the photo‐crosslinking ability is preserved post‐printing. To improve printability and to tune the mechanical properties of printed constructs, the AUP‐material is blended with commercially available PCL (AUP PCL20k:PCL in ratios 80:20, 60:40, 50:50). Print fidelity improves for 60:40 and 50:50 blends. Blending enables modification of the constructs' mechanical properties to approximate the range of blood vessels for transplantation surgeries. The crosslinking‐ability of the material allows pure AUP to be manipulated post‐printing and illustrates significant differences in mechanical properties of 80:20 blends after crosslinking. An in vitro cell compatibility assay using human umbilical vein endothelial cells also demonstrates the material's non‐cytotoxicity.
Saudi Arabian CML patient with a novel four‐way translocation at t(9;22;5;2)(q34;q11.2;p13;q44)
Authors: Dridi Walid , Kanfar Solaf , Sleiman Patrick M. A. , Liu Yichuan , Hakonarson Hakon , Rammah Hayaal , Matrouk Alia
Published: May 2022

Background

The vast majority of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients have a single translocation t(9;22)(q34;q11), BCR/ABL1 fusion genes, which is regarded as the hallmark of CML. However, around 5 to 10% of CML patients exhibit the involvement of a third chromosome. In some very rare cases a fourth or even fifth chromosome can be involved with the t(9;22).

Methods

This case report is based on a 40‐year‐old Saudi Arabian male patient, diagnosed with CML in lymphoid blast crisis, and observed to have a four‐way 46 XY, t(9;22;5;2)(q34;q11.2;p13;q44) translocation. The BCR/ABL1 fusion was identified by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Additionally, the BCR/ABL1 p210 mRNA fusion transcripts were identified by a molecular test.

Results

The clinical and prognostic impact of additional partner chromosomes to t(9;22) remains unknown. The CML patient with this novel four‐way translocation t(9;22;5;2) progressed to blast crisis and was resistant to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI) therapy. Therefore, this case is more in alignment with the negative impact of additional partner chromosomes to the translocation at t(9;22).

Conclusion

Here we report for the first time a novel four‐way translocation at t(9;22;5;2)(q34;q11.2;p13;q44).
Frequency‐selective rasorber with two wide absorption bands and two transmission zeros
Authors: Xing Qijun , Wu Weiwei , Yan Yuchen , Zhang Ximeng , Yuan Naichang
Published: May 2022

This article presents a frequency selective absorber (FSR) with a selective passband and two wide absorption bands. The structure is composed of a resistive layer and a bandpass frequency selective surface (FSS) layer. The resistive layer is a combination of a metallic ring with loaded resistors and meander‐line elements, which generates parallel resonances. Multiple metallic square loops are designed in the bandpass FSS to produce series and parallel resonances. The simulation results show that the 3 dB transmission band ranges from 6.55 to 8.39 GHz, and the minimum insertion loss of 0.5 dB is at 7.47 GHz. The dual‐polarized FSR realizes two transmission zeros on both sides of the passband. The reflection coefficient lower than −10 dB is from 3.68 to 13.67 GHz. Moreover, the FSR is manufactured and measured.
Feasibility study of fast intensity‐modulated proton therapy dose prediction method using deep neural networks for prostate cancer
Authors: Wang Wei , Chang Yu , Liu Yilin , Liang Zhikai , Liao Yicheng , Qin Bin , Liu Xu , Yang Zhiyong
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Compared to the pencil‐beam algorithm, the Monte‐Carlo (MC) algorithm is more accurate for dose calculation but time‐consuming in proton therapy. To solve this problem, this study uses deep learning to provide fast 3D dose prediction for prostate cancer patients treated with intensity‐modulated proton therapy (IMPT).

Methods

A novel recurrent U‐net (RU‐net) architecture was trained to predict the 3D dose distribution. Doses, CT images, and beam spot information from IMPT plans were used to train the RU‐net with a five‐fold cross‐validation. However, predicting the complicated dose properties of the IMPT plan is difficult for neural networks. Instead of the peak‐monitor unit (MU) model, this work develops the multi‐MU model that adopted more comprehensive inputs and was trained with a combinational loss function. The dose difference between the prediction dose and Monte Carlo (MC) dose was evaluated with gamma analysis, dice similarity coefficient (DSC), and dose‐volume histogram (DVH) metrics. The MC dropout was also added to the network to quantify the uncertainty of the model.

Results

Compared to the peak‐MU model, the multi‐MU model led to smaller mean absolute errors (3.03% vs. 2.05%, p = 0.005), higher gamma‐passing rate (2 mm, 3%: 97.42% vs. 93.69%, p = 0.005), higher dice similarity coefficient, and smaller relative DVH metrics error (clinical target volume (CTV) D98%: 3.03% vs. 6.08%, p = 0.017; in Bladder V30: 3.08% vs. 5.28%, p = 0.028; and in Bladder V20: 3.02% vs. 4.42%, p = 0.017). Considering more prior knowledge, the multi‐MU model had better‐predicted accuracy with a prediction time of less than half a second for each fold. The mean uncertainty value of the multi‐MU model is 0.46%, with a dropout rate of 10%.

Conclusion

This method was a nearly real‐time IMPT dose prediction algorithm with accuracy comparable to the pencil beam (PB) analytical algorithms used in prostate cancer. This RU‐net might be used in plan robustness optimization and robustness evaluation in the future.
Synthesis and Antimalarial Activities of New Hybrid Atokel Molecules
Authors: Li Youzhi , Loureiro Anthony , Nguyen Michel , Laurent Marion , Bijani Christian , Benoit‐Vical Françoise , Robert Anne , Liu Yan , Meunier Bernard
Published: May 2022

The currently spreading resistance of the malaria parasitePlasmodium falciparumto artemisinin‐based combination therapies makes an urgent need for new efficient drugs. Aiming to kill artemisinin‐resistantPlasmodium, a series of novel hybrid drugs named Atokels were synthesized and characterized. Atokels are based on an 8‐amino‐ or 8‐hydroxyquinoline entity covalently bound to a 1,4‐naphthoquinone through a polyamine linker. These drugs have been designed to target the parasite mitochondrion by their naphthoquinone moiety reminiscent of the antimalarial drug atovaquone, and to trigger a damaging oxidative stress due to their ability to chelate metal ions in order to generate redox active complexes in situ. The most effective Atokel drug shown a promising antimalarial activity (IC50=622 nmon an artemisinin‐resistantP. falciparumstrain) and no cytotoxicity at 50 μmindicating a specific antiplasmodial mode of action.
Species diversity enhances perceptions of urban coastlines at multiple scales
Authors: Fairchild Tom P. , Weedon Jasmine , Griffin John N.
Published: May 2022

Biodiversity is increasingly understood as an important mediator of human aesthetic appreciation of scenes and landscapes, with implications for cultural services and well‐being. However, the generality of biodiversity effects across affective emotions, scales and habitats remains unclear.

Urban coastal intertidal habitats on seawalls and other artificial structures are expanding worldwide. Despite growing calls to prioritise biodiversity in urban coastal planning and management, the potential co‐benefits determined by people's responses to biodiversity in these novel intertidal communities are unexplored.

We investigated, using image‐based questionnaires, how several facets of biodiversity influence how people perceive urban coastal structures at both landscape and close‐up scales.

Species richness strongly enhanced people's ratings of images for aesthetic appeal, interest and calming potential at both scales, but was more pronounced at the close‐up scale. Species evenness also increased ratings at the close‐up scale, while functional diversity (Rao'sQ) was associated with a decline in aesthetic appeal and interest at the close‐up scale, indicating that people can disfavour scenes dominated by species with contrasting traits.

Analysis of free‐text assessments showed that people strongly and positively valued scenes that were perceived to be ‘diverse’, a response that was much more common when viewing scenes with high species richness. The underlying structure type also clearly affected appraisals, with more obviously engineered structures being perceived to be less natural and thus less desirable.

Our results show that biodiversity's effects on aesthetic appreciation extend to multiple affective emotions and to unfamiliar urban intertidal habitats, suggesting that managing these environments for biodiversity may simultaneously support aesthetic, educational and well‐being benefits. Nevertheless, the sensitivity of responses to the facet of biodiversity and viewing scale in our results underlines the context dependency and complexity of people's perceptions of urban environments.

Read the freePlain Language Summaryfor this article on the Journal blog.
Effect of carbon fiber addition on the tribological properties of polyoxymethylene composites
Authors: Li Yi , Wu Yue , Liang Mei , Zhang Hao , Zou Huawei , Zhou Shengtai
Published: May 2022

This study focuses on the effect of carbon fibers (CFs) addition on the tribological properties of both polyoxymethylene (POM) and POM/polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) blends. Two kinds of CFs with different fiber length (i.e., 40 μm and 1 mm) were compared. Results showed that the addition of longer CFs could effectively reduce the wear rate of pure POM and POM/PTFE composites. Both high P × V friction coefficient and mass wear rate of POM/PTFE particle/CF composites were significantly reduced when compared with the POM/PTFE particle counterparts, which is related to the easier formation of transfer film on the sliding countersurface and better load transfer of CFs. This study provides a new perspective for improving the tribological properties of engineering plastics by tailoring the geometry of functional fillers.
Sacroiliac joint pain in adolescents: Diagnostic and treatment challenges
Authors: Cucchiaro Giovanni , Francis Christopher , Householder Kymberly , Fernandez Allison
Published: May 2022

The aim of this review was to assess diagnostic and treatment challenges of adolescents with SI joint pain. We diagnosed 13 of the patients who were referred to our chronic pain clinic because of low back pain (30%) with SI joint pain based on provocative tests response. We performed SI joint steroid infiltration. Six patients (46%) felt better immediately after the procedure and 1 (8%) patient had a one‐side only pain relief after a bilateral block. Four of these patients (31%) did not experience any further episode of pain during the follow‐up and three patients reported recurring pain on average 2 months after the initial procedure. The 2nd procedure was successful in two patients and the third one experienced pain again 12 months later, requiring a third successful infiltration. Six patients (46%) experienced pain again within a few hours or days after the infiltration and their pain score were unchanged compared with what they had reported prior to the procedure. We were unable to place the needle within the joint under fluoroscopy in 1 patient; however, we were successful repeating the procedure under CT guidance. One patient experienced a motor and sensory block in the distribution of the sciatic nerve immediately after the procedure, which resolved within 24 and 48 hours, respectively. SI joint pain is a distinctive pathology that can be present in children and adolescents and is often overlooked by practitioners. Its diagnosis and management are challenging in this population as it is in adults. SI joint steroids injections may play a role in the management of these patients.