bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bone‐targeting polyphosphodiesters that promote osteoblastic differentiation
Authors: Kiyono Kenjiro , Mabuchi Shun , Otaka Akihisa , Iwasaki Yasuhiko
Published: January 2023

Polymers for pharmaceutical use have been attractive in medical treatments because of the conjugation of multifunctional components and their long circulation time in the blood stream. Bone‐targeted drug delivery systems are also no exceptional, and several polymers have been proposed for the treatment of bone diseases, such as cancer metastasis and osteoporosis. Herein, we report that polyphosphodiesters (PPDEs) have a potential to enhance osteoblastic differentiation, and they have a targeting ability to bone tissues in vivo. Two types of PPDEs, poly (ethylene sodium phosphate) (PEP•Na) and poly (propylene sodium phosphate) (PPP•Na), have been synthesized. Regardless of the alkylene structure in the main chain of PPDEs, the gene expression of osteoblast‐specific transcription factors and differentiation markers of mouse osteoblastic‐like cells (MC3T3‐E1 cells) cultured in a differentiation medium was significantly upregulated by the addition of PPDEs. Moreover, it was also clarified that the signaling pathway related to cytoplasmic calcium ions was activated by PPDEs. The mineralization of MC3T3‐E1 cells has a similar trend with its gene expression and is synergistically enhanced by PPDEs with β‐glycerophosphate. The biodistribution of fluorescence‐labeled PPDEs was also determined after intravenous injection in mice. PPDEs accumulated well in the bone through the blood stream, whereas polyphosphotriesters (PPTEs) tended to be excreted from the kidneys. Hydrophilic PEP•Na showed a superior bone affinity as compared with PPP•Na. PPDEs could be candidate polymers for the restoration of bone remodeling and bone‐targeting drug delivery platforms.
Examining holistically the experiences of mentors in school‐based programs: A logic analysis
Authors: Bufali Maria Vittoria , Connelly Graham , Morton Alec
Published: January 2023

The article presents a Logic Analysis of the Scottish MCR (“Motivation, Commitment and Resilience”) Pathways school‐based mentoring scheme. MCR Pathways provides vulnerable secondary school students with one‐to‐one support, helping them realize their full potential through education. The perceptions of 12 mentors were explored through interviews, thematically analyzed and mapped to derive the program's Theory of Change as regards the volunteers themselves. This model was then assessed against the evidence base yielded from prior studies. The evaluation highlighted a mismatch between mentors' outcome expectations and what they actually gained from the experience. Furthermore, some themes (e.g., being driven by community concerns) turned out to be more prominent in the context of this specific scheme than in the wider literature, as opposed to other ones (e.g., developing friendships). The study generates insights into the ways to attract and retain growing numbers of volunteers, as well as to advance scientific knowledge.
Time Course Changes of Synthetic Relaxation Time During Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer: The Optimal Parameter for Treatment Response Evaluation
Authors: Zhao Ruimeng , Du Siyao , Gao Si , Shi Jing , Zhang Lina
Published: January 2023

Background

Synthetic MRI (syMRI) has enabled quantification of multiple relaxation parameters (T1/T2 relaxation time [T1/T2], proton density [PD]), and their longitudinal change during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) promises to be valuable parameters for treatment response evaluation in breast cancer.

Purpose

To investigate the time course changes of syMRI parameters during NAC and evaluate their value as predictors for pathological complete response (pCR) in breast cancer.

Study Type

Retrospective, longitudinal.

Population

A total of 129 women (median age, 50 years; range, 28–69 years) with locally advanced breast cancer who underwent NAC; all performed multiple conventional breast MRI examinations with added syMRI during NAC.

Field Strength/Sequence

A 3.0 T, T1‐weighted dynamic contrast enhanced and syMRI acquired by a multiple‐dynamic, multiple‐echo sequence.

Assessment

Breast MRI was set at four time‐points: baseline, after one cycle, after three or four cycles of NAC and preoperation. SyMRI parameters and tumor diameters were measured and their changes from baseline were calculated. All parameters were compared between pCR and non‐pCR. Interaction between syMRI parameters and clinicopathological features was analyzed.

Statistical Tests

Mann–Whitney U tests, random effects model of repeated measurement, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, interaction analysis.

Results

Median synthetic T1/T2/PD and tumor diameter generally decreased throughout NAC. Absolute T1 at early‐NAC, T1, and PD at mid‐NAC were significantly lower in the pCR group. After early‐NAC, the T1 change was significantly higher in the pCR (median ± IQR, 18.17 ± 11.33) than the non‐pCR group (median ± IQR, 10.90 ± 10.03), with the highest area under the ROC curves (AUC) of 0.769 (95% CI, 0.684–0.838). Interaction analysis showed that histological grade III patients had higher odds ratio (OR) (OR = 1.206) compared to grade II patients (OR = 1.067).

Data Conclusion

Synthetic T1 changes after one cycle of NAC maybe useful for early evaluating NAC response in breast cancer during whole treatment cycles. However, its discriminative ability is significantly affected by histological grade.

Evidence Level

4

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2.
Assessment of atrial conduction times in patients with frequent premature ventricular complex
Authors: Kahraman Erkan , Keles Nursen , Parsova Kemal Emrecan , Bastopcu Murat , Karatas Mesut
Published: January 2023

Background

Premature ventricular complex (PVC) is a frequent finding in the general population. The atrial conduction time (ACT) is the period between the electrocardiographic P wave and the atrial mechanical contraction, and its prolongation indicates an atrial electromechanical delay (EMD). In our study, we compared atrial conduction parameters by echocardiographic methods between patients with frequent PVC and healthy control subjects.

Methods

The study included 54 patients with PVC and 54 healthy volunteers. Atrial conduction parameters were measured with echocardiographic examination. The time difference between the p wave and the Am wave was measured in the septal, lateral, and tricuspid annulus regions. The interatrial EMD, left atrial intra‐atrial delay, and the right atrial intra‐atrial delay were calculated from these measurements. The groups were compared for demographic and electrocardiographic features and echocardiographic parameters.

Results

Left intra‐atrial EMD, right intra‐atrial EMD, and interatrial EMD were significantly longer in the patient group (p = .001, p < .001, p < .001, respectively). PA lateral, PA septal, and PA tricuspid durations were significantly prolonged in the patient group (all p < .001). All ACT parameters were significantly prolonged in patients with PVC QRS duration of 150 ms and above (all p < .001). All ACT parameters were prolonged in PVCs of right ventricular origin than those of left ventricular origin (all p < .001). ACT parameters were prolonged in patients with a coupling interval time below 485 ms (all p < .001).

Conclusions

Atrial conduction times are prolonged in patients with frequent PVC.
Influence of different configurations of western North Pacific anticyclone and Siberian high on spring climate over China
Authors: Zeng Zixuan , Sun Jianqi
Published: January 2023

This study analyses the spring climate anomalies under different configurations of western North Pacific anticyclone (WNPA) and Siberian high (SH). Compared to the WNPA alone with increased precipitation over southern China, the out‐of‐phase configuration (strong‐WNPA–weak‐SH) can enhance the WNPA‐related southwesterlies over eastern China, favouring increased precipitation with larger amplitude over southern China and southern Northeast China. Differently, the in‐phase configuration (strong‐WNPA–strong‐SH) decreases and confines WNPA‐related southwesterlies over southern China, causing decreased precipitation over eastern Southwest China; additionally, the WNPA‐related southwesterlies converge with SH‐related northwesterlies over the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, causing increased precipitation there. For surface air temperature, the WNPA alone induces warming over western Southwest China through changing heat flux, while the SH alone induces cooling over northern China through changing temperature advection, and over Northwest and southern China through changing heat flux. In the out‐of‐phase configuration, warming expands into Northern China due to the cooperation of weakening SH. In the in‐phase configuration, SH‐related cooling mainly occurs to the north of the Yangtze River because of the obstruction of WNPA. Further analysis indicates the eastern Pacific (EP) and central Pacific (CP) El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO), European low and Ural high contribute to the different configurations of WNPA and SH. The EP ENSO‐related zonal overturning circulation intensifies the WNPA and European low‐induced warm advection weakens the SH, resulting in the out‐of‐phase configuration. The CP ENSO‐related zonal overturning circulation intensifies the WNPA with a northeast–southwest tilt and Ural high‐induced cold advection intensifies SH, resulting in the in‐phase configuration.
Spatio‐temporal variations of wet and dry spells in Iran and their association with large‐scale climatic indices
Authors: Mahbod Mehdi , Mashayekhi Sajad , Rafiee Mohammad Rafie , Parnian Amir
Published: January 2023

The spatial and temporal variations of wet and dry spells may be related to large‐scale climatic indices. To date, no comprehensive study has been conducted on Iran's spatial and temporal variations of wet and dry spells. To fill this gap, 14 wet/dry spell indices were calculated for 512 rain gauges across Iran from 1985 to 2016. The modified non‐parametric Mann–Kendall test was then used to examine the temporal variations of wet and dry spell indices. Whether any relationships between spell indices and 13 large‐scale climatic indicators existed was determined. The maps showing the degree of correlation between wet/dry spell indices and two climatic indicators that reflect short‐ and long‐term El Niño oscillation were presented. The results demonstrated that precipitation typically occurs in bursts of 1 or 2 days in length, with most of the annual precipitation coming from a few exceptionally heavy or extreme events. Most dry spells in Iran occur from 6 to 27 days or longer. The length, frequency, and intensity of wet spells declined in southern Iran while expanding in northern Iran. However, extreme wet spells have intensified significantly across the country. When El Niño occurs, Iran experiences wetter weather. However, long‐term oscillations in sea‐surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean are found to be significantly correlated with wet/dry spells, outperforming those obtained for shorter periods. A smaller portion of the country showed a significant correlation in extreme spell indices, though.
Characteristics and antioxidant properties of Harpadon nehereus protein hydrolysate‐xylose conjugates obtained from the Maillard reaction by ultrasound‐assisted wet heating in a natural deep eutectic solvents system
Authors: Ren Shao‐tian , Fu Jing‐jing , He Fan‐yu , Chai Ting‐ting , Yu‐ting Liu , Jin Dan‐li , Chen Yue‐wen
Published: January 2023

Background

Harpadon nehereus is a high‐protein marine fish. A valuable way to add value to H. nehereus is to convert it into protein hydrolysate. The Maillard reaction is an effective way to improve the functional properties of peptides and proteins, which are affected by many factors such as reactant concentration, water activity, pH, temperature, and heating time. However, the traditional Maillard reaction method is inefficient. The purpose of this study was therefore to explore the effect of the ultrasound‐assisted wet heating method on the Maillard reaction of H. nehereus protein hydrolysate (HNPH) in a new‐type green solvent – a natural hypereutectic solvent (NADES).

Results

Harpadon nehereus protein hydrolysate‐xylose (Xy) conjugates were prepared via a Maillard reaction in a NADES system using an ultrasound‐assisted wet heating method. The effects of different treatment conditions on the Maillard reaction were studied. The optimized glycation degree (DG) of HNPH‐Xy conjugates was obtained with a water content of 10%, a reaction temperature of 80 °C, a reaction time of 35 min, and an ultrasonic power level of 300 W. Compared with HNPH, the structure of HNPH‐Xy conjugates were significantly changed. Moreover, the functional properties and antioxidant activity of HNPH‐Xy were all superior to the HNPH.

Conclusions

An ultrasound‐assisted wet‐heating Maillard reaction between HNPH and Xy in the NADES system could be a promising way to improve the functional properties of HNPH. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Computed tomography‐based preoperative muscle measurements as prognostic factors for anastomotic leakage following oncological sigmoid and rectal resections
Authors: van Kooten Robert T. , Ravensbergen Cor J. , van Büseck Sophie C. D. , Grootjans Willem , Peeters Koen C. M. J. , Holman Fabian A. , Heemskerk Jan W. T. , Wouters Michel W. J. M. , Navas Cañete Ana , Tollenaar Rob A. E. M.
Published: January 2023

Background

Oncological sigmoid and rectal resections are accompanied with substantial risk of anastomotic leakage. Preoperative risk assessment and patient selection remain difficult, highlighting the importance of finding easy‐to‐use parameters. This study evaluates the prognostic value of contrast‐enhanced (CE) computed tomography (CT)‐based muscle measurements for predicting anastomotic leakage.

Methods

Patients that underwent oncological sigmoid and rectal resections in the LUMC between 2016 and 2020 were included. Preoperative CE‐CT scans, were analyzed using Vitrea software to measure total abdominal muscle area (TAMA) and total psoas area (TPA). Muscle areas were standardized using patient's height into: psoas muscle index (PMI) and skeletal muscle index (SMI) (cm2/m2).

Results

In total 46 patients were included, of which 13 (8.9%) suffered from anastomotic leakage. Patients with anastomotic leakage had a significantly lower PMI (22.1 vs. 25.1, p < 0.01) and SMI (41.8 vs. 46.6, p < 0.01). After adjusting for confounders (age and comorbidity), lower PMI (odds ratio [OR]: 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.71–0.99, p = 0.03) and SMI (OR: 0.93, 95%CI 0.86–0.99, p = 0.02) were both associated with anastomotic leakage.

Conclusion

This study showed that lower PMI and SMI were associated with anastomotic leakage. These results indicate that preoperative CT‐based muscle measurements can be used as prognostic factor for risk stratification for anastomotic leakage.
One‐Pot, Open‐Air Synthesis of Flexible and Degradable Multifunctional Polymer Composites with Adhesion, Water Resistance, Self‐Healing, Facile Drug Loading, and Sustained Release Properties
Authors: Huang Wen , Yang Guang , Xu Qingbo , Zhan Meixiao , Yao Lijuan , Li Honghui , Xiao Fengfeng , Chen Zirun , Zhao Xiaoguang , Li Wenting , Zhao Wei , Zhang Fujun , Li Yong , Lu Ligong
Published: January 2023

Developing proper wound management via wound dressings represents a global challenge. Ideal wound dressings shall encompass multiple integrated functionalities for variable, complex scenarios; however, this is challenging due to the complex molecular design and synthesis process. Herein, polymer composites, cross‐linked poly(styrene oxide‐co‐hexaphenylcyclotrisiloxane)/crosslinked poly(hexaphenylcyclotrisiloxane) (cP(SO‐co‐HPCTS)/cPHPCTS) with multiple functionalities are prepared by a one‐step, open‐air method using catalytic ring‐opening polymerization. The introduction of a mobile polymer cP(SO‐co‐HPCTS) endows the composite with good flexibility and self‐healing properties at human body temperature. The hydrophobic groups in the main chain provide hydrophobicity and good water resistance, while the hydroxyl groups contained in the end groups enable good adhesion properties. Drugs can be efficiently loaded by blending and then sustainably release from the polymer composite. The material can rapidly degrade in a tetrahydrofuran solution of tetrabutylammonium fluoride due to its SiOSi bonds. The facile, one‐step, open‐air synthesis procedure and multiple functional properties integrated into the composites provide good prospects for their extensive application and batch production as wound dressing materials.
The Genetic Etiology of Parkinson's Disease Does Not Robustly Affect Subthalamic Physiology
Authors: Weill Caroline , Gallant Akiva , Baker Erdman Halen , Abu Snineh Muneer , Linetsky Eduard , Bergman Hagai , Israel Zvi , Arkadir David
Published: January 2023

Background

It is unknown whether Parkinson's disease (PD) genetic heterogeneity, leading to phenotypic and pathological variability, is also associated with variability in the unique PD electrophysiological signature. Such variability might have practical implications for adaptive deep brain stimulation (DBS).

Objective

The aim of our work was to study the electrophysiological activity in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) of patients with PD with pathogenic variants in different disease‐causing genes.

Methods

Electrophysiological data from participants with negative genetic tests were compared with those from GBA, LRRK2, and PRKN‐PD.

Results

We analyzed data from 93 STN trajectories (GBA‐PD: 28, LRRK2‐PD: 22, PARK‐PD: 10, idiopathic PD: 33) of 52 individuals who underwent DBS surgery. Characteristics of β oscillatory activity in the dorsolateral motor part of the STN were similar for patients with negative genetic tests and for patients with different forms of monogenic PD.

Conclusions

The genetic heterogeneity in PD is not associated with electrophysiological differences. Therefore, similar adaptive DBS algorithms would be applicable to genetically heterogeneous patient populations. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Terminal value problem for Riemann‐Liouville fractional differential equation in the variable exponent Lebesgue space Lp(.)$$ {L}^{p(.)} $$
Authors: Refice Ahmed , Souid Mohammed Said , Guirao Juan L. G. , Günerhan Hatira
Published: January 2023

In this manuscript, the existence, uniqueness, and stability of solutions to the terminal value problem of Riemann‐Liouville fractional equations are established in the variable exponent Lebesgue spaces
. We convert the variable exponent Lebesgue spaces
to the Lebesgue spaces using the generalized intervals and piece‐wise constant function. Further, the Banach contraction principle is used, the Ulam‐Hyers‐stability is examined, and finally, we construct an example.
Beam shaping for magnetoelectric transverse electromagnetic horn by using gradient refractive index lens
Authors: Yang Guangyao , Zhang Naibo , Song Ruiliang , Ye Shengbo , Ji Yicai , Fang Guangyou
Published: January 2023

This paper presents a new type of flat gradient index lens used for the beam shaping of a miniaturized magnetoelectric transverse electromagnetic (ME‐TEM) horn antenna. Novel metamaterial unit cells with variable sizes are proposed to achieve high refractive index distribution. After applying the novel meta‐lens to the modified transverse electromagnetic horn, the inherent E‐plane beam squint of the low‐profile ME‐TEM horn is corrected. The radiation patterns in E‐plane and H‐plane are focused and the peak gain at 4 GHz is improved to 17.3 dBi. The  dB matching bandwidth of 0.4–4 GHz is achieved while the measured is a little poor at 0.8 GHz. The length of the total antenna is still shorter than half of the largest wavelength. The application potential of the gradient index meta‐lens in the low‐frequency band is verified.
Modeling linear accelerator (Linac) beam data by implicit neural representation learning for commissioning and quality assurance applications
Authors: Liu Lianli , Shen Liyue , Yang Yong , Schüler Emil , Zhao Wei , Wetzstein Gordon , Xing Lei
Published: January 2023

Background

Linear accelerator (Linac) beam data commissioning and quality assurance (QA) play a vital role in accurate radiation treatment delivery and entail a large number of measurements using a variety of field sizes. How to optimize the effort in data acquisition while maintaining high quality of medical physics practice has been sought after.

Purpose

We propose to model Linac beam data through implicit neural representation (NeRP) learning. The potential of the beam model in predicting beam data from sparse measurements and detecting data collection errors was evaluated, with the goal of using the beam model to verify beam data collection accuracy and simplify the commissioning and QA process.

Materials and Methods

NeRP models with continuous and differentiable functions parameterized by multilayer perceptrons (MLPs) were used to represent various beam data including percentage depth dose (PDD) and profiles of 6 MV beams with and without flattening filter. Prior knowledge of the beam data was embedded into the MLP network by learning the NeRP of a vendor‐provided “golden” beam dataset. The prior‐embedded network was then trained to fit clinical beam data collected at one field size and used to predict beam data at other field sizes. We evaluated the prediction accuracy by comparing network‐predicted beam data to water tank measurements collected from 14 clinical Linacs. Beam datasets with intentionally introduced errors were used to investigate the potential use of the NeRP model for beam data verification, by evaluating the model performance when trained with erroneous beam data samples.

Results

Linac beam data predicted by the model agreed well with water tank measurements, with averaged Gamma passing rates (1%/1 mm passing criteria) higher than 95% and averaged mean absolute errors less than 0.6%. Beam data samples with measurement errors were revealed by inconsistent beam predictions between networks trained with correct versus erroneous data samples, characterized by a Gamma passing rate lower than 90%.

Conclusion

A NeRP beam data modeling technique has been established for predicting beam characteristics from sparse measurements. The model provides a valuable tool to verify beam data collection accuracy and promises to simplify commissioning/QA processes by reducing the number of measurements without compromising the quality of medical physics service.
The effects of RF coils and SAR supervision strategies for clinically applicable nonselective parallel‐transmit pulses at 7 T
Authors: Herrler Jürgen , Williams Sydney N. , Liebig Patrick , Ding Belinda , McElhinney Paul , Allwood‐Spiers Sarah , Meixner Christian R. , Gunamony Shajan , Maier Andreas , Dörfler Arnd , Gumbrecht Rene , Porter David A. , Nagel Armin M.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

To investigate the effects of using different parallel‐transmit (pTx) head coils and specific absorption rate (SAR) supervision strategies on pTx pulse design for ultrahigh‐field MRI using a 3D‐MPRAGE sequence.

Methods

The PTx universal pulses (UPs) and fast online‐customized (FOCUS) pulses were designed with pre‐acquired data sets (B0, B1+ maps, specific absorption rate [SAR] supervision data) from two different 8 transmit/32 receive head coils on two 7T whole‐body MR systems. For one coil, the SAR supervision model consisted of per‐channel RF power limits. In the other coil, SAR estimations were done with both per‐channel RF power limits as well as virtual observation points (VOPs) derived from electromagnetic field (EMF) simulations using three virtual human body models at three different positions. All pulses were made for nonselective excitation and inversion and evaluated on 132 B0, B1+, and SAR supervision datasets obtained with one coil and 12 from the other. At both sites, 3 subjects were examined using MPRAGE sequences that used UP/FOCUS pulses generated for both coils.

Results

For some subjects, the UPs underperformed when simulated on a different coil from which they were derived, whereas FOCUS pulses still showed acceptable performance in that case. FOCUS inversion pulses outperformed adiabatic pulses when scaled to the same local SAR level. For the self‐built coil, the use of VOPs showed reliable overestimation compared with the ground‐truth EMF simulations, predicting about 52% lower local SAR for inversion pulses compared with per‐channel power limits.

Conclusion

FOCUS inversion pulses offer a low‐SAR alternative to adiabatic pulses and benefit from using EMF‐based VOPs for SAR estimation.
Two‐region flow caused by pumping at a partial penetration well in a leaky confined aquifer
Authors: Feng Qinggao , Zhan Hongbin
Published: January 2023

An analytical model for depicting two‐region flow caused by constant‐rate pumping at a partially penetrating well in a leaky confined aquifer is established. The two‐region flow is described by the radial Izbash non‐Darcy flow in the vicinity of the abstraction well and Darcy flow away from the abstraction well in the pumped aquifer. The model considers the effects of aquitard storage, wellbore storage, and wellbore skin. The semi‐analytical solutions of drawdown are developed by means of a linearization procedure combined with Laplace transform and separation of variables. The time‐domain drawdowns are then obtained by using the Stehfest method for numerical Laplace inversion. The solutions encompass previous solutions for one or two‐region flow to a partially penetrating well in a (non‐)leaky confined aquifer. The drawdown response in the abstraction well, non‐Darcy region, and Darcy region is investigated, and sensitivity analysis is made to assess the impact of various controlling parameters. The results demonstrate that the intermediate and late‐stage drawdowns in the abstraction well and non‐Darcy region for the two‐region flow model are larger than the corresponding values for the non‐Darcy flow model. The drawdown in the Darcy region for the two‐region flow model is larger than that for the Darcy flow model throughout the pumping duration. The results of sensitivity analysis show that the drawdowns in the abstraction well, non‐Darcy region, and Darcy region are most sensitive to the non‐Darcy constant n, and is very sensitive to the well configuration, and horizontal hydraulic conductivity of the Darcy region.
Patient perceptions of care quality and discharge information following same‐day cardiac catheterization laboratory procedures: A mixed‐methods study
Authors: Hames Kate , White Kevin , Ockerby Cherene , Williams Ruth , Hutchinson Alison M.
Published: January 2023

Aims

To examine patients' perceptions of care quality following a same‐day procedure in the cardiac catheterization laboratory and understand the extent to which they were prepared for discharge.

Design

Single‐centre, mixed‐methods study.

Methods

Postdischarge, online survey of patients who underwent a same‐day procedure in the cardiac catheterization laboratory (n = 150) and one‐on‐one interviews with 13 of these patients.

Results

Survey responses were positive with mean scores between 4.39–4.83 out of five and 63.3% of respondents (n = 95) extremely likely to recommend the service to others. Interview data analysis identified three themes: the care experience, information and education for safe discharge, and follow‐up needs. Participants spoke highly of their interactions with clinicians and were satisfied with their care experience. Mode and content of information delivered varied, with some participants lacking guidance about postdischarge health management and clarity about follow‐up plans.

Patient or public contribution

Participants were patients.
Perigenual anterior cingulate cortex and its structural covariance as predictors for future body fat gain in young adults
Authors: Yang Yingkai , Wang Junjie , Qiu Jiang , Feng Tingyong , He Qinghua , Lei Xu , Chen Hong
Published: January 2023

Objective

This study aimed to examine whether baseline gray matter (GM) volume and structural covariance patterns could predict body fat gain over 1 to 2 years in a relatively large sample.

Methods

Voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) analysis was applied to examine the association between baseline GM volume and body fat gain in 502 participants over 1 to 2 years. Furthermore, this study tested whether the structural covariances between the regions identified as seeds from VBM analysis and the rest of the brain were associated with future body fat gain.

Results

A significant positive association was observed between baseline GM volume in the perigenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC) and body fat gain over 1 to 2 years. Furthermore, relative to those with lower future body fat gain, pgACC covaried more extensively with the middle frontal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus, and cerebellum in participants with higher future body fat gain.

Conclusions

Using VBM and structural covariance network analysis, the current study revealed that higher GM volume of pgACC and its increased structural covariances with specific brain regions were associated with future weight gain, which may guide the development of more effective prevention and treatment interventions for obesity.
Performance of a cell‐free DNA prenatal screening test, choice of prenatal procedure, and chromosome conditions identified during pregnancy after low‐risk cell‐free DNA screening
Authors: Scarff Katrina L. , Flowers Nicola , Love Clare J. , Archibald Alison D. , Hunt Clare E. , Giouzeppos Olivia , Elliott Justine , Delatycki Martin B. , Pertile Mark D.
Published: January 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the performance of cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) screening for common fetal aneuploidies, choice of prenatal procedure, and chromosome conditions identified during pregnancy after low‐risk cfDNA screening.

Method

A single‐center prenatal cfDNA screening test was employed to detect trisomies 21, 18, and 13 (T21, T18, T13) and sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs). Test performance, choice of prenatal procedure, and cytogenetic results in pregnancies with low‐risk cfDNA screening were reviewed.

Results

CfDNA screening of 38,289 consecutive samples identified 720 (1.9%) pregnancies at increased risk for aneuploidy. Positive predictive values (PPVs) for high‐risk singleton pregnancies were 98.5% (T21), 92.5% (T18) and 55.2% (T13). PPVs for SCAs ranged from 30.6% to 95.2%. Most women elected chorionic villus sampling for prenatal diagnosis of T21, T18 and T13; amniocentesis and/or postnatal testing were commonly chosen for SCAs. Cytogenetic tests from 616 screen‐negative pregnancies identified 64 cases (12.7%) with chromosome conditions not detected by cfDNA screening, including triploidy (n = 30) and pathogenic and likely pathogenic copy number variants (n = 34). A further 15 (0.04%) false‐negative common aneuploidy results were identified.

Conclusions

CfDNA screening was highly accurate for detecting fetal aneuploidy in this general‐risk obstetric population. Fetal ultrasound and prenatal diagnostic testing were important in identifying chromosome conditions in pregnancies screened as low‐risk.
A bibliography of the literature on process capability indices (PCIs): 2010–2021, Part I: Books, review/overview papers, and univariate PCI‐related papers
Authors: Yum Bong‐Jin
Published: January 2023

This is the author's second bibliography on process capability indices (PCIs) and contains approximately 1080 journal papers and books for the period 2010–2021. The related literature is classified into six major categories, namely, books, review/overview papers, theory‐ and method‐related papers, special applications, software packages, and papers omitted in the author's previous bibliography. Theory‐ and method‐related papers are further classified into univariate, multivariate, and functional PCI‐related papers. Special applications include acceptance sampling, control charts, supplier selection, and tolerance design and other optimizations. The present bibliography consists of two parts. Part I contains books, review/overview papers, and univariate PCI‐related papers, while Part II includes multivariate and functional PCI‐related papers, special applications, software packages, and papers omitted in the author's previous bibliography.
Treatment of Sugar Industry Wastewater by Using Subcritical Water as a Reaction Media
Authors: Orak Ceren , Öcal Bulutcem , Yüksel Aslı
Published: January 2023

The sugar industry is one of the most wastewater‐producing industries and it contains high content of organic and inorganic substances. Treating and reusing wastewater has significant importance because sugar industry needs to use a high volume of water. In this study, sugar industry wastewater was treated under subcritical conditions and the impacts of reaction temperature and duration over TOC removal percentage were investigated. Additionally, the impact of NaOH concentration over TOC removal percentage was examined. The highest TOC removal was obtained almost 95 % in the presence of 0.1 M of NaOH at 240 °C for 90 min of reaction duration. Treatment of sugar industry wastewater by subcritical water oxidation followed the second‐order reaction kinetic model and the activation energy was found as 11.41 kJ/mol. Furthermore, the intermediate products were identified via GC‐MS.
Electricity‐Wettability Controlled Fast Transmission of Dopamine in Nanochannels
Authors: Fang Yuan , Xu Weiwei , Yang Lei , Qu Haonan , Wang Wenqian , Zhang Siyun , Li Haibing
Published: January 2023

Achieving fast transmembrane transmission of molecules in organisms is a challenging problem. Inspired by the transport of Dopmine (DA) in organisms, the DA transporter (DAT) binds to DA in a way that has a ring recognition (the recognition group is the tryptophan group). Herein, D‐Tryptophan‐pillar[5]arene (D‐Trp‐P5) functionalized conical nanochannel is constructed to achieve fast transmission of DA. The D‐Trp‐P5 functionalized nanochannel enables specific wettability recognition of DA molecules and has great cycle stability. With the controlling of voltage to wettability, the transport flux of DA is up to 499.73 nmol cm−2 h−1 at −6 V, 16.88 times higher than that under positive voltages. In response to these results, a high‐throughput DA transport device based on controlled electricity‐wettability is provided.
Mosaic Patterned Surfaces toward Generating Hardly‐Volatile Capsular Droplet Arrays for High‐Precision Droplet‐Based Storage and Detection
Authors: Jiao Long , Wu Yixiao , Hu Yanjun , Guo Qianqian , Wu Huaping , Yu Huiyao , Deng Longqiang , Li Dongliang , Li Lin
Published: January 2023

Precise detection involving droplets based on functional surfaces is promising for the parallelization and miniaturization of platforms and is significant in epidemic investigation, analyte recognition, environmental simulation, combinatorial chemistry, etc. However, a challenging and considerable task is obtaining mutually independent droplet arrays without cross‐contamination and simultaneously avoiding droplet evaporation‐caused quick reagent loss, inaccuracy, and failure. Herein, a strategy to generate mutually independent and hardly‐volatile capsular droplet arrays using innovative mosaic patterned surfaces is developed. The evaporation suppression of the capsular droplet arrays is 1712 times higher than the naked droplet. The high evaporation suppression of the capsular droplet arrays on the surfaces is attributed to synergistic blocking of the upper oil and bottom mosaic gasproof layer. The scale‐up of the capsular droplet arrays, the flexibility in shape, size, component (including aqueous, colloidal, acid, and alkali solutions), liquid volume, and the high‐precision hazardous substance testing proves the concept's high compatibility and practicability. The mutually independent capsular droplet arrays with amazingly high evaporation suppression are essential for the new generation of high‐performance open‐surface microfluidic chips used in COVID‐19 diagnosis and investigation, primary screening, in vitro enzyme reactions, environmental monitoring, nanomaterial synthesis, etc.
Carbonized Polymer Dots with Controllable N, O Functional Groups as Electrolyte Additives to Achieve Stable Li Metal Batteries
Authors: Wang Wen‐Chen , Song Yi‐Han , Yang Guo‐Duo , Jiao Rui , Zhang Jia‐Yu , Wu Xing‐Long , Zhang Jing‐Ping , Li Yan‐Fei , Tong Cui‐Yan , Sun Hai‐Zhu
Published: January 2023

Electrolyte additive is an effective strategy to inhibit the uncontrolled growth of Li dendrites for lithium metal batteries (LMBs). However, most of the additives are complex synthesis and prone to decompose in cycling. Herein, in order to guide the homogeneous deposition of Li+, carbonized polymer dots (CPDs) as electrolyte additives are successfully designed and synthesized by microwave (M‐CPDs) and hydrothermal (H‐CPDs) approaches. The controllable functional groups containing N or O (especially pyridinic‐N, pyrrolic‐N, and carboxyl group) enable CPDs to keep stable in electrolytes for at least 3 months. Meanwhile, the clusters formed between CPDs and Li+ through electrostatic interaction effectively guide the uniform Li dispersion and limit the “tip effect” and dendrite formation. Moreover, as lithiophilic groups increase, the strong electrostatic interference for the solvation effect of Li+ in the electrolyte is formed, which induces faster Li+ diffusion/transfer. As expected, H‐CPDs achieve the ultra‐even Li+ transfer. The corresponding Li//LiFePO4 full cell delivers a high capacity retention rate of 93.8% after 200 cycles, which is much higher than that of the cells without additives (61.2%) and with M‐CPDs (83.7%) as additives. The strategy in this work provides a theoretical direction for CPDs as electrolyte additives used in energy storage devices.
PLAGL2 promotes the stemness and is upregulated by transcription factor E2F1 in human lung cancer
Authors: Lin Yijian , Lin Peihuang , Guo Weifeng , Huang Junling , Xu Xiaoting , Zhuang Xibin
Published: January 2023

This study mainly focuses on revealing the role of PLAGL2 in lung cancer stemness. In vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of PLAGL2 on lung cancer cell stemness. Mechanistic analysis using luciferase reporter and ChIP assays were implemented to reveal the underlying mechanisms. The transcriptional factor E2F1 transcriptionally activated PLAGL2 expression via directly binding to PLAGL2 promoter in lung cancer cells. Moreover, PLAGL2 promoted the stemness of lung cancer cells dependent on E2F1‐mediated transcriptional activation. This study provides a potential target for lung cancer progression.
Corncob biochar supplementation improves nutrient digestibility, fattening performance and carcass characteristics of fattening sheep
Authors: Keba Dereje , Tolemariam Taye , Demeke Solomon , Alkhtib Ashraf
Published: January 2023

Background

Corncob is a cheap source for biochar in developing countries. No studies reported on use of biochar as sheep fattening supplement.

Objectives

The goal of this study is to determine the effect of corncob biochar supplementation on growth performance and carcass characteristics of sheep.

Methods

Twenty‐four Horro yearling rams (18.6 ± 0.938 kg live weight) were randomly distributed to four groups, control (300 g/day concentrate + local hay ad libitum), BC1.5 (control +1.5 g/day biochar), BC3 (control +3 g/day biochar) and BC4.5 (control +4.5/day biochar). The experimental concentrate consisted of 200 g/day wheat bran and 100 g/day Noug cake. The study consisted of a growth trial of 111 days followed by a digestibility trial of 10 days. Carcass characteristics for all rams were recorded at the end of the trial.

Results

Dry matter intake, crude protein intake, dry matter digestibility and acid detergent fibre digestibility of BC1.5 were significantly higher than the control. Corncob biochar supplementation significantly improved daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio of the rams. Supplementation sheep with corncob biochar improved significantly dressing percentage, hindquarters weight, forequarters weight, ribs weight, brisket weigh and rib eye muscle area. There was a significant effect of the dietary treatment on weight of internal organs; however, they were all within the normal range of sheep.

Conclusions

Corncob biochar supplementation would be recommended at a level of 1.5 g/day to improve growth performance and carcass characteristics of sheep.
Identification of next-generation International Humic Substances Society reference materials for advancing the understanding of the role of natural organic matter in the Anthropocene
Authors: Chin Yu-Ping , McKnight Diane M. , D’Andrilli Juliana , Brooks Nicole , Cawley Kaelin , Guerard Jennifer , Perdue E. Michael , Stedmon Colin A. , Tratnyek Paul G. , Westerhoff Paul , Wozniak Andrew S. , Bloom Paul R. , Foreman Christine , Gabor Rachel , Hamdi Jumanah , Hanson Blair , Hozalski Raymond M. , Kellerman Anne , McKay Garrett , Silverman Victoria , Spencer Robert G. M. , Ward Collin , Xin Danhui , Rosario-Ortiz Fernando , Remucal Christina K. , Reckhow David
Published: January 2023

Many challenges remain before we can fully understand the multifaceted role that natural organic matter (NOM) plays in soil and aquatic systems. These challenges remain despite the considerable progress that has been made in understanding NOM’s properties and reactivity using the latest analytical techniques. For nearly 4 decades, the International Humic Substances Society (IHSS, which is a non-profit scientific society) has distributed standard substances that adhere to strict isolation protocols and reference materials that are collected in bulk and originate from clearly defined sites. These NOM standard and reference samples offer relatively uniform materials for designing experiments and developing new analytical methods. The protocols for isolating NOM, and humic and fulvic acid fractions of NOM utilize well-established preparative scale column chromatography and reverse osmosis methods. These standard and reference NOM samples are used by the international scientific community to study NOM across a range of disciplines from engineered to natural systems, thereby seeding the transfer of knowledge across research fields. Recently, powerful new analytical techniques used to characterize NOM have revealed complexities in its composition that transcend the “microbial” vs. “terrestrial” precursor paradigm. To continue to advance NOM research in the Anthropocene epoch, a workshop was convened to identify potential new sites for NOM samples that would encompass a range of sources and precursor materials and would be relevant for studying NOM’s role in mediating environmental and biogeochemical processes. We anticipate that expanding the portfolio of IHSS reference and standard NOM samples available to the research community will enable this diverse group of scientists and engineers to better understand the role that NOM plays globally under the influence of anthropogenic mediated changes.
Double-edged sword: persistent effects of Communist regime affiliations on well-being and preferences
Authors: Otrachshenko Vladimir , Nikolova Milena , Popova Olga
Published: January 2023

During Communism, party members and their relatives were typically privileged elites in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the former Soviet Union (FSU). At the same time, secret police informants were often coerced to spy and report on their fellow citizens. After the fall of Communism, CEE countries and the Baltics underwent decommunization, unlike most FSU countries. This paper is the first to empirically distinguish between these two Communist party regime affiliations and study their long-term implications for the well-being and preferences of affiliated individuals and their relatives. In the FSU, we find that individuals connected to the former Communist party are more satisfied with their lives, but those linked to secret police informants seem to have lower life satisfaction than those without such ties. The life satisfaction benefit of having former Communist regime party connections in the FSU is, on average, equivalent to one month’s household income. Simultaneously, the psychological costs of being an informant can amount to two monthly household incomes. In CEE countries, having informant connections is not associated with life satisfaction, but having links to the former Communist party is negatively correlated with subjective well-being. Formal and informal decommunization efforts are an important mechanism behind our findings. We also show that those connected to the former regimes differ from those without such connections in their preferences for democracy and market economy, levels of optimism, and risk tolerance, which provides suggestive evidence for the mechanisms underpinning our findings. Our results underscore that the former Communist regimes produced winners and losers based on the trustee status of their collaborators that decommunization efforts further shaped and solidified. Future decommunization efforts in the FSU may thus have important welfare implications.
Parameters affecting the quality of friction drilled holes and formed thread in austenitic stainless steel AISI 304
Authors: Bassiouny Nada Abdelmoneim , Al-Makky Mohammad , Youssef Helmi
Published: January 2023

The main purpose of this research paper is to improve the quality of the friction-drilled holes and formed thread by investigating the influence of the input working parameters that have not been investigated yet on the quality of the produced bores. Due to lack of research related to the hardness macro- and microstructure of formed threads, experiments were conducted to investigate these important issues. Finally, a tension test was performed to compare the performance of the form tapped thread with the conventionally cut thread. The experiments were conducted on difficult-to-cut material AISI 304 stainless steel workpieces with (2 and 3 mm) wall thicknesses. Tungsten carbide friction drills with diameters (Ø9.2, Ø7.3, and Ø4.5 mm) were used to perform the experiments. The effects of the ratio of workpiece thickness (t) to tool diameter (dT), rotational speed (N), and feed speed (f) on the hole diametral oversize (U), cylindricity error, and collar height were studied. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the t/d ratio was the most significant factor affecting the mean cylindricity error and the collar height. By comparing the performance of the three tools, it was noticeable that the friction drill Ø7.3 realized better results in terms of mean hole diametral oversize and mean cylindricity error. The elevated temperature associated with high plastic deformation during the processes resulting in fine grains with high hardness values were observed at the heat-affected zone. The longer effective thread length of the formed thread realized higher strength values than the cut thread.

Graphical abstract