bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptive differentiation on serpentine soil in diploid versus autotetraploid populations of Biscutella laevigata (Brassicaceae)
Authors: Bürki Tala , Pulver Valentin , Grünig Sandra , Čertner Martin , Parisod Christian
Published: November 2023

Serpentine soils exhibit extreme properties (e.g. high magnesium content) influencing plant growth and survival, and have been repeatedly documented to promote adaptive edaphic differentiation in plants. Individuals from four pairs of nearby diploid and autotetraploid populations of Biscutella laevigata sampled on serpentine versus non‐serpentine soils in a factorial design are used to assess the genetic and phenotypic changes associated with edaphic origin and ploidy level. Individual samples from natural populations were subjected to soil elemental analysis and genotyping using restriction site‐associated DNA sequences (RAD‐seq) to link genetic variation with contrasting soils and ploidy levels. In diploids, genetic variation was consistent with demographic contraction and a pattern of isolation by environment with respect to the ratio of calcium/magnesium concentrations, whereas tetraploids presented evidence of expansion with limited edaphic differentiation. The genetic basis of tolerance and adaptation to serpentine was further assessed experimentally on seed‐grown individuals from all populations subjected to high (serpentine‐like) versus low (control) concentrations of magnesium in hydropony. Fitness‐related phenotypic traits under experimental cultivation were consistent with adaptive differentiation among diploid ecotypes but not among the tetraploids that similarly grow in both habitats and consistently present higher investment in roots. Further work comparing experimentally resynthesized polyploids to natural diploids and polyploids would help to tease the role of whole genome duplication apart from the effects of post‐polyploidy evolution.
Erector spinae plane blocks: A narrative update
Authors: Bosenberg Adrian
Published: November 2023

The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is perhaps one of the most interesting of the tissue plane blocks described recently. There has been an exponential increase in the number of publications for both adults and children over the past 5 years. Single‐shot, intermittent bolus, and continuous infusion techniques have been used effectively. Both the efficacy and safety of the procedure are widely accepted, but the exact mechanism by which the local anesthetic spreads from the tip of the transverse process to block the dorsal and ventral rami of the spinal nerves is controversial and needs clarification. Anatomical differences in children, particularly in neonates and infants, may explain the spread in this age group. In most pediatric studies, erector spinae plane block was opioid sparing, and noninferiority was observed when compared with other regional techniques.
Differential efficacy with epidural blood and fibrin patches for the treatment of post‐dural puncture headache
Authors: López‐Millán José M. , Fernández Antonio Ordóñez , Fernández Jorge Muriel , Dueñas Díez José L.
Published: November 2023

Background

Accidental dural puncture (ADP) is the most frequent major complication when performing an epidural procedure in obstetrics. Consequently, loss of pressure in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leads to the development of post‐dural puncture headache (PDPH), which occurs in 16%–86% of cases. To date, the efficacy of epidural fibrin patches (EFP) has not been evaluated in a controlled clinical trial, nor in comparative studies with epidural blood patches (EBP).

Methods

The objective of the present study was to compare the efficacy of EFP with respect to EBP for the treatment of refractory accidental PDPH. This prospective, randomized, open‐label, parallel, comparative study included 70 puerperal women who received an EBP or EFP (35 in each group) after failure of the conventional analgesic treatment for accidental PDPH in a hospital.

Results

A higher percentage of women with EFP than EBP achieved complete PDPH relief after 2 (97.1% vs. 54.3%) and 12 h (100.0% vs. 65.7%) of the patch injection. The percentage of patients who needed rescue analgesia was significantly lower with EFP after 2 (2.9% vs. 48.6%) and 12 h (0.0% vs. 37.1%). After 24 h, PDPH was resolved in all women who received EFP. The recurrence of PDPH was reported in one woman from the EBP group (2.9%), who subsequently required a second patch. The mean length of hospital stay was significantly lower with EFP (3.9 days) than EBP (5.9 days). Regarding satisfaction, the mean value (Likert scale) was significantly higher with EFP (4.7 vs. 3.0).

Conclusions

EFP provided better outcomes than EBP for the treatment of obstetric PDPH in terms of efficacy, safety, and patient satisfaction.
Same but different — pseudo‐pectin in the charophytic alga Chlorokybus atmophyticus
Authors: Rapin Marie N. , Murray Lorna , Sadler Ian H. , Bothwell John H. , Fry Stephen C.
Published: November 2023

All land‐plant cell walls possess hemicelluloses, cellulose and anionic pectin. The walls of their cousins, the charophytic algae, exhibit some similarities to land plants’ but also major differences. Charophyte ‘pectins’ are extractable by conventional land‐plant methods, although they differ significantly in composition. Here, we explore ‘pectins’ of an early‐diverging charophyte, Chlorokybus atmophyticus, characterising the anionic polysaccharides that may be comparable to ‘pectins’ in other streptophytes. Chlorokybus ‘pectin’ was anionic and upon acid hydrolysis gave GlcA, GalA and sulphate, plus neutral sugars (Ara≈Glc>Gal>Xyl); Rha was undetectable. Most Gal was the l‐enantiomer. A relatively acid‐resistant disaccharide was characterised as β‐d‐GlcA‐(1→4)‐l‐Gal. Two Chlorokybus ‘pectin’ fractions, separable by anion‐exchange chromatography, had similar sugar compositions but different sulphate‐ester contents. No sugars were released from Chlorokybus ‘pectin’ by several endo‐hydrolases [(1,5)‐α‐l‐arabinanase, (1,4)‐β‐d‐galactanase, (1,4)‐β‐d‐xylanase, endo‐polygalacturonase] and exo‐hydrolases [α‐ and β‐d‐galactosidases, α‐(1,6)‐d‐xylosidase]. ‘Driselase’, which hydrolyses most land‐plant cell wall polysaccharides to mono‐ and disaccharides, released no sugars except traces of starch‐derived Glc. Thus, the Ara, Gal, Xyl and GalA of Chlorokybus ‘pectin’ were not non‐reducing termini with configurations familiar from land‐plant polysaccharides (α‐l‐Araf, α‐ and β‐d‐Galp, α‐ and β‐d‐Xylp and α‐d‐GalpA), nor mid‐chain residues of α‐(1→5)‐l‐arabinan, β‐(1→4)‐d‐galactan, β‐(1→4)‐d‐xylan or α‐(1→4)‐d‐galacturonan. In conclusion, Chlorokybus possesses anionic ‘pectic’ polysaccharides, possibly fulfilling pectic roles but differing fundamentally from land‐plant pectin. Thus, the evolution of land‐plant pectin since the last common ancestor of Chlorokybus and land plants is a long and meandering path involving loss of sulphate, most l‐Gal and most d‐GlcA; re‐configuration of Ara, Xyl and GalA; and gain of Rha.
Mapping of subcellular local pH in the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Authors: Shimakawa Ginga , Yashiro Emi , Matsuda Yusuke
Published: November 2023

Diatoms are one of the most important phytoplankton on Earth. They comprise at least ten thousand species and contribute to up to 20% of the global primary production. Because of serial endosymbiotic events and horizontal gene transfers, diatoms have developed a “secondary plastid” bounded by four membranes containing a large phase‐separated compartment, termed the pyrenoid. However, the physiological significance of this unique chloroplast morphology is poorly understood. Characterization of fundamental physiological parameters such as local pH in various subcellular compartments should facilitate a greater understanding of the physiological roles of the unique structure of the secondary plastid. A promising method to estimate local pH is the in situ expression of the pH‐sensitive green fluorescent protein. Here, we first developed the molecular tool for the mapping of in situ local pH in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum by heterologously expressing pHluorin2 in the cytosol, periplastidal compartment (PPC; the space in between two sets of outer and inner chloroplast envelopes), chloroplast stroma, and the pyrenoid matrix. Our data suggested that PPC and the pyrenoid matrix are more acidic than the adjacent areas, the cytosol and the chloroplast stroma. Finally, absolute pH values at each compartment were estimated from the ratiometric fluorescence of a recombinant pHluorin2 protein, giving pH values of approximately 7.9, 6.8, 8.0, and 7.5 respectively, for the cytosol, PPC, stroma, and pyrenoid of the P. tricornutum cells, indicating the occurrence of pH gradients and the associated electrochemical potentials at their boundary.
An unusual case of iatrogenic central venous injury
Authors: Singh Vishal , Dabas Ajay Kumar , Singh Pulkit , S Sreenivasa , Dogra Pavitra Manu , Ghosh Indranil
Published: November 2023

Central venous catheter (CVC) provides ready vascular access and is widely used for the performance of hemodialysis. The use of CVC is associated with many complications and one life‐threatening complication is central venous injury. We describe an unusual case of central venous injury in a 69‐year‐old lady with a poorly functioning left internal jugular vein catheter, which was in situ at the time of attempting insertion of a replacement right internal jugular catheter. The management included initial stabilization, urgent hemodialysis, imaging, and an endovascular approach to mitigate the iatrogenic venous injury. The case highlights many learning points. The operator needs to be vigilant for anatomical abnormalities like stenosis in patients who have had previous CVC. In those with central venous perforation, the CVC should be left in situ till a definitive management plan is formulated. An endovascular approach, when feasible, is a minimally invasive effective management strategy.
Characteristics of multilineage‐differentiating stress‐enduring cell clusters in different culture conditions
Authors: Ning Jing , Cao Yan‐Yun , Zhang Ru‐Zhi , Li Yue
Published: November 2023

Objective

To observe the morphological characteristics of clusters of Muse cells from normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) under different culture conditions.

Methods

Muse cells were sorted by magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) from NHDFs, and were evaluated by flow cytometry. Muse cells were cultured in suspension and in adherent conditions to obtain Muse cell clusters (M‐clusters), which were further characterized by alkaline phosphatase (AP) staining, immunofluorescence (IF) staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The M‐clusters were further cultured on Lando artificial dermal regeneration matrix (LADRM) for analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and IF staining of frozen sections.

Results

The proportion of SSEA3 and CD105 double‐positive cells obtained by MACS was 87.4%. The sorted cells rapidly formed M‐clusters after suspension culture, and showed internal characteristics of stem cells under TEM. After adherent culture, M‐clusters stained positively for AP, SSEA‐3 and OCT‐4. Each M‐cluster on the surface of the LADRM displayed an outer membrane of amorphous materials under SEM. Frozen sections and fluorescence staining of LADRM loaded with M‐clusters showed an uneven fluorescence intensity of SSEA‐3 within the clusters.

Conclusions

Muse cells sorted by MACS from NHDFs could generate M‐clusters, which included cells of different stemness and are wrapped in membrane‐like structures.
Steep uncountable groups
Authors: Corson Samuel M. , Olshanskii Alexander , Varghese Olga
Published: November 2023

We produce a simple group of cardinality which is Artinian (every strictly descending chain of subgroups is finite), satisfies a Burnside law and such that for each uncountable subset there exists a natural number for which every element of may be expressed as a product of length at most of elements in . In particular this group is Jónsson (every proper subgroup is of strictly smaller cardinality) and strongly bounded (every abstract action on a metric space has bounded orbits); this is the first example of an uncountable group having both of these properties, which is constructed without using the continuum hypothesis. The group can also be made so that all subgroups are simple and all non‐trivial subgroups are malnormal in .
Biblioteca en casa, un programa de educación inclusiva
Authors: Duque-Cardona Natalia , Espejo-Pérez Natalia Andrea
Published: November 2023

Se presentan algunos resultados de la sistematización de Biblioteca en casa, programa de extensión bibliotecaria para personas con discapacidad (PcD). El método usado fue la sistematización de experiencias. Propone un modelo para abordar la discapacidad en la biblioteca alrededor de la educación inclusiva. Expone experiencias de las familias usuarias del programa y desarrolla conceptos claves para su implementación. Cierra presentando una propuesta de evaluación de indicadores de impacto para el programa. Concluye que la educación inclusiva para PcD se potencializa ampliando la oferta formativa en espacios no institucionalizados, como la biblioteca, que contribuyen al acceso a derechos humanos y culturales de las PcD.
Presentación del dossier. Investigar la educación inclusiva en el mundo actual: tensiones, opacidades y contingencias
Authors: Ocampo-González Aldo , Ponce-Naranjo Genoveva
Published: November 2023

La mejor frase que describe los propósitos del presente dossier es: “A menudo descubro que, aunque estoy trabajando en una idea sin saber exactamente qué es lo que pienso, estoy pensando una idea que lucha para que yo la piense” (Bollas, 1997, p. 26). Sin duda alguna, el territorio imaginativo denominado educación inclusiva encarna un singular disenso crítico, esto es, aquello que define lo político de su naturaleza. Lo político alude al conjunto de tensiones que cristalizan un determinado conflicto en la sociedad (Mouffe, 2007), mientras que la política se imbrica en los más diversos ejes de funcionamiento de las estructuras institucionales. La educación inclusiva en sus propios términos es un complejo político, que no siempre proporciona respuestas estables para quienes disfrutan de este tipo de interacciones.
Sound scattering and radiation suppression by pressurized spherical shells
Authors: Godin Oleg A.
Published: November 2023

Thin-shell models offer important insights into the complex process of sound-structure interaction but are found to be inconsistent with the rigorous thick-shell theory for fluid-loaded spherical shells. Here, linearized equations of motion of fluid-loaded, thin, spherical shells are re-derived from the first principles. The shell may be prestressed due to the difference in the static pressures in the internal and external fluids. Differences in the fluid-loading terms from previously proposed ad hoc models are identified and their significance is analyzed. Analytic solutions are derived of the problems of spherical sound wave scattering by a fluid-filled, prestressed spherical shell and resonant vibrations of the shell. The results reduce to a number of known exact and asymptotic solutions in appropriate limiting cases. The mathematical model of the shell vibrations is applied to characterize the influence of the shell's material properties and the prestress on passive suppression of low-frequency underwater sound radiation due to diffraction on an acoustically compliant sphere, such as an encapsulated gas bubble. Using soft rubber as the encapsulating membrane is found to preserve the sound suppression qualities of the free gas bubble.
Particle-phase accretion forms dimer esters in pinene secondary organic aerosol
Authors: Kenseth Christopher M. , Hafeman Nicholas J. , Rezgui Samir P. , Chen Jing , Huang Yuanlong , Dalleska Nathan F. , Kjaergaard Henrik G. , Stoltz Brian M. , Seinfeld John H. , Wennberg Paul O.
Published: November 2023

Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) is ubiquitous in the atmosphere and plays a pivotal role in climate, air quality, and health. The production of low-volatility dimeric compounds through accretion reactions is a key aspect of SOA formation. However, despite extensive study, the structures and thus the formation mechanisms of dimers in SOA remain largely uncharacterized. In this work, we elucidate the structures of several major dimer esters in SOA from ozonolysis of α-pinene and β-pinene—substantial global SOA sources—through independent synthesis of authentic standards. We show that these dimer esters are formed in the particle phase and propose a mechanism of nucleophilic addition of alcohols to a cyclic acylperoxyhemiacetal. This chemistry likely represents a general pathway to dimeric compounds in ambient SOA.
Bimolecularly passivated interface enables efficient and stable inverted perovskite solar cells
Authors: Liu Cheng , Yang Yi , Chen Hao , Xu Jian , Liu Ao , Bati Abdulaziz S. R. , Zhu Huihui , Grater Luke , Hadke Shreyash Sudhakar , Huang Chuying , Sangwan Vinod K. , Cai Tong , Shin Donghoon , Chen Lin X. , Hersam Mark C. , Mirkin Chad A. , Chen Bin , Kanatzidis Mercouri G. , Sargent Edward H.
Published: November 2023

Compared with the n-i-p structure, inverted (p-i-n) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) promise increased operating stability, but these photovoltaic cells often exhibit lower power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) because of nonradiative recombination losses, particularly at the perovskite/C
60
interface. We passivated surface defects and enabled reflection of minority carriers from the interface into the bulk using two types of functional molecules. We used sulfur-modified methylthio molecules to passivate surface defects and suppress recombination through strong coordination and hydrogen bonding, along with diammonium molecules to repel minority carriers and reduce contact-induced interface recombination achieved through field-effect passivation. This approach led to a fivefold longer carrier lifetime and one-third the photoluminescence quantum yield loss and enabled a certified quasi-steady-state PCE of 25.1% for inverted PSCs with stable operation at 65°C for >2000 hours in ambient air. We also fabricated monolithic all-perovskite tandem solar cells with 28.1% PCE.
A highly efficient solid-state heat pump
Authors: Tušek Jaka
Published: November 2023

The high efficiency of a newly developed electrocaloric device brings theory closer to reality
In Other Journals
Authors: Vignieri Sacha , Lempriere Sarah A. , Ray L. Bryan , Stern Peter , Suleymanov Yury , Szuromi Phil , Smith Keith T.
Published: November 2023

Editors’ selections from the current scientific literature
Deal to build pint-size nuclear reactors is canceled
Authors: Cho Adrian
Published: November 2023

NuScale Power’s small modular reactors promised cheaper nuclear power, but costs soared and utilities balked
Australian science agency faces scrutiny over industry influence
Authors: Kurmelovs Royce
Published: November 2023

Lawsuit related to 2010
Deepwater Horizon
oil spill reveals documents that suggest oil firm BP reviewed CSIRO studies
Plasmid genomic epidemiology of
bla
KPC
carbapenemase-producing
Enterobacterales
in Canada, 2010–2021
Authors: Lerminiaux Nicole , Mitchell Robyn , Bartoszko Jessica , Davis Ian , Ellis Chelsey , Fakharuddin Ken , Hota Susy S. , Katz Kevin , Kibsey Pamela , Leis Jerome A. , Longtin Yves , McGeer Allison , Minion Jessica , Mulvey Michael , Musto Sonja , Rajda Ewa , Smith Stephanie W. , Srigley Jocelyn A. , Suh Kathryn N. , Thampi Nisha , Tomlinson Jen , Wong Titus , Mataseje Laura ,   on behalf of the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program
Published: November 2023

Carbapenems are considered last-resort antibiotics for the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant
Enterobacterales
, but carbapenem resistance due to acquisition of carbapenemase genes is a growing threat that has been reported worldwide.
Klebsiella pneumoniae
carbapenemase (
bla
KPC
) is the most common type of carbapenemase in Canada and elsewhere; it can hydrolyze penicillins, cephalosporins, aztreonam, and carbapenems and is frequently found on mobile plasmids in the Tn
4401
transposon. This means that alongside clonal expansion,
bla
KPC
can disseminate through plasmid- and transposon-mediated horizontal gene transfer. We applied whole genome sequencing to characterize the molecular epidemiology of 829
bla
KPC
carbapenemase-producing isolates collected by the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program from 2010 to 2021. Using a combination of short-read and long-read sequencing, we obtained 202 complete and circular
bla
KPC
-encoding plasmids. Using MOB-suite, 10 major plasmid clusters were identified from this data set which represented 87% (175/202) of the Canadian
bla
KPC
-encoding plasmids. We further estimated the genomic location of incomplete
bla
KPC
-encoding contigs and predicted a plasmid cluster for 95% (603/635) of these. We identified different patterns of carbapenemase mobilization across Canada related to different plasmid clusters, including clonal transmission of IncF-type plasmids (108/829, 13%) in
K. pneumoniae
clonal complex 258 and novel repE(pEh60-7) plasmids (44/829, 5%) in
Enterobacter hormaechei
ST316, and horizontal transmission of IncL/M (142/829, 17%) and IncN-type plasmids (149/829, 18%) across multiple genera. Our findings highlight the diversity of
bla
KPC
genomic loci and indicate that multiple, distinct plasmid clusters have contributed to
bla
KPC
spread and persistence in Canada.
Gut microbes modulate (p)ppGpp during a time-restricted feeding regimen
Authors: Ontai-Brenning Amy , Hamchand Randy , Crawford Jason M. , Goodman Andrew L.
Published: November 2023

Mammals exhibit daily fasting and feeding patterns that produce a fluctuating environment in the gut. By colonizing germfree mice with
Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron
and examining gene expression through a time-restricted feeding cycle, we demonstrate that this prominent gut commensal exhibits gene expression patterns characteristic of a stringent response and increases ppGpp levels during the host-fasting phase of the feeding regimen. Mutants unable to produce (p)ppGpp fail to produce this transcriptional response, exhibit unrestrained chromosomal replication, and cannot maintain population size during the host-fasting phase. Additionally,
B. thetaiotaomicron
requires (p)ppGpp to utilize host glycans both
in vitro
and
in vivo
, and mutants unable to produce (p)ppGpp display deficiencies in mucus layer colonization during the host-fasting phase. Complete gut microbial communities from mice and humans also increase ppGpp levels in this manner, demonstrating that this response appears to be general across species and conserved across mammalian gut communities. Together, these results identify an intracellular signal that allows gut microbes to coordinate their physiology with a time-restricted feeding regimen of their host.

IMPORTANCE

Mammals do not eat continuously, instead concentrating their feeding to a restricted portion of the day. This behavior presents the mammalian gut microbiota with a fluctuating environment with consequences for host-microbiome interaction, infection risk, immune response, drug metabolism, and other aspects of health. We demonstrate that in mice, gut microbes elevate levels of an intracellular signaling molecule, (p)ppGpp, during the fasting phase of a time-restricted feeding regimen. Disabling this response in a representative human gut commensal species significantly reduces colonization during this host-fasting phase. This response appears to be general across species and conserved across mammalian gut communities, highlighting a pathway that allows healthy gut microbiomes to maintain stability in an unstable environment.
Supplemental Material: Paleocene oceanic island basalt-type magmatism in the Lhasa Block attests a to decoupled mantle-crust deformation during Indian-Asian collision
Authors: Zeng Yunchuan , al. et
Published: November 2023

The analytical methods and results of the geochemical data used in this study are present in the Supplemental Text and Tables, respectively. The Supplemental Figure shows the relationship between selective elements and Zr.
Intravascular imaging guided versus coronary angiography guided percutaneous coronary intervention: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Khan Safi U , Agarwal Siddharth , Arshad Hassaan B , Akbar Usman Ali , Mamas Mamas A , Arora Shilpkumar , Baber Usman , Goel Sachin S , Kleiman Neal S , Shah Alpesh R
Published: November 2023

Objective

To assess the absolute treatment effects of intravascular imaging guided versus angiography guided percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with coronary artery disease, considering their baseline risk.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases up to 31 August 2023.

Study selection

Randomized controlled trials comparing intravascular imaging (intravascular ultrasonography or optical coherence tomography) guided versus coronary angiography guided percutaneous coronary intervention in adults with coronary artery disease.

Main outcome measures

Random effect meta-analysis and GRADE (grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation) were used to assess certainty of evidence. Data included rate ratios and absolute risks per 1000 people for cardiac death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, target vessel revascularization, and target lesion revascularization. Absolute risk differences were estimated using SYNTAX risk categories for baseline risks at five years, assuming constant rate ratios across different cardiovascular risk thresholds.

Results

In 20 randomized controlled trials (n=11 698), intravascular imaging guided percutaneous coronary intervention was associated with a reduced risk of cardiac death (rate ratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.39 to 0.72), myocardial infarction (0.81, 0.68 to 0.97), stent thrombosis (0.44, 0.27 to 0.72), target vessel revascularization (0.74, 0.61 to 0.89), and target lesion revascularization (0.71, 0.59 to 0.86) but not all cause death (0.81, 0.64 to 1.02). Using SYNTAX risk categories, high certainty evidence showed that from low risk to high risk, intravascular imaging was likely associated with 23 to 64 fewer cardiac deaths, 15 to 19 fewer myocardial infarctions, 9 to 13 fewer stent thrombosis events, 28 to 38 fewer target vessel revascularization events, and 35 to 48 fewer target lesion revascularization events per 1000 people.

Conclusions

Compared with coronary angiography guided percutaneous coronary intervention, intravascular imaging guided percutaneous coronary intervention was associated with significantly reduced cardiac death and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease. The estimated absolute effects of intravascular imaging guided percutaneous coronary intervention showed a proportional relation with baseline risk, driven by the severity and complexity of coronary artery disease.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42023433568.
Effects of 24/7 palliative care consultation availability on the use of emergency department and emergency medical services resources from non-oncological patients: a before-and-after observational cohort study
Authors: Valenti Danila , Gamberini Lorenzo , Allegri Davide , Tartaglione Marco , Moggia Fabrizio , Del Giudice Donatella , Baroni Raffaella , Di Mirto Cristian Vincenzo Francesco , Tamanti Jacopo , Rosa Silvia , Paoletti Serena , Bruno Luigi , Peterle Chiara , Cuomo Anna Maria Rita , Bertini Alessio , Giostra Fabrizio , Mengoli Francesca
Published: November 2023

Objectives

The non-oncological population is relatively under-represented among end-of-life (EOL) patients managed by palliative care (PC) services, and the effects of different PC delivery models are understudied in this population.

This retrospective observational study on routinely collected data aimed at evaluating the effects of the extension from workday-only to 24/7 mixed hands-on and advisory home PC service on emergency department (ED) access and emergency medical services (EMS) interventions needed by non-oncological patients during their last 90 days of life, and their probability to die in hospital.

Methods

A before-and-after design was adopted comparing preimplementation and postimplementation periods (2018–2019 and 2021–22).

We used a difference-in-differences approach to estimate changes in ED access and EMS intervention rates in the postintervention period through binomial negative regression. The oncological population, always exposed to 24/7 PC, was used as a control. A robust Poisson regression model was adopted to investigate the differences regarding hospital mortality. The analyses were adjusted for age, sex and disease grouping by the system involved. Results were reported as incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and ORs.

Results

A total of 2831 patients were enrolled in the final analysis.

After the implementation of 24/7 home PC, both ED admissions (IRR=0.390, p<0.001) and EMS interventions (IRR=0.413, p<0.001) dropped, as well as the probability to die in hospital (OR=0.321, p<0.001).

Conclusions

The adoption of a 24/7 mixed hands-on and advisory model of home PC could have relevant effects in terms of ED access and EMS use by non-oncological EOL patients under PC.

Trial regisration number

NCT05640076.
Quality of cancer treatment care before and after a palliative care pathway: bereaved relatives’ perspectives
Authors: van der Padt - Pruijsten Annemieke , Leys Maria BL , Oomen-de Hoop Esther , van der Rijt Carin C D , van der Heide Agnes
Published: November 2023

Objective

Appropriate communication between healthcare providers and patients and their families is an essential part of good (palliative) care. We investigated whether implementation of a standardised palliative care pathway (PCP) facilitated communication, that is, aspects of shared decision-making (SDM), including advance care planning (ACP) conversations and satisfaction with care as experienced by bereaved relatives of patients with advanced cancer.

Methods

We conducted a prospective preintervention and postintervention study in a hospital. Questionnaires were sent to relatives of patients who died between February 2014 and February 2015 (pre-PCP period) or between November 2015 and November 2016 (post-PCP period). Relatives’ perceptions on communication and satisfaction with care were assessed using parts of the Views of Informal Carers—Evaluation of Services and IN-PATSAT32 Questionnaires.

Results

195 (46%) and 180 (42%) bereaved relatives completed the questionnaire in the pre-PCP and post-PCP period, respectively. The majority of all patients in both the pre-PCP period and the post-PCP period had been told they had an incurable illness (92% and 89%, respectively, p=0.544), mostly in the presence of a relative (88% and 85%, respectively, p=0.865) and had discussed their preferences for end-of-life (EOL) treatment (82% and 76%, respectively, p=0.426). Bereaved relatives were reasonably satisfied with the received hospital care in both groups.

Conclusions

We found no overall effect of the PCP on the communication process and satisfaction with EOL care of bereaved relatives. Before the use of the PCP bereaved relatives already reported favourably about the EOL care provided.
Micro-ECDM Performances Analysis Using Fuzzy Logic and ANFIS During Micro-Channel Fabrication on Silica Glass
Authors: Mondal Krishnendu , Mallick Bijan , Hameed Azzam Sabah , Mahato Jayanta , Dutta Pijush
Published: November 2023

Higher accuracy and meticulousness are highly demandable in modern industrial field during micro-machining performances by electrochemical discharge machining (ECDM) process. The paper deals with the experimental fuzzy logic control (FLC) analysis as well as artificial neural network (ANN) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) analysis during micro-channel fabrication on silica glass. A comparative analysis of FLC, ANN as well as ANFIS has been performed and experimental error prediction has been propounded to estimate minimum error possibilities such as mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE) and regression value (R). Computational time training dataset, minimum sample size and prediction time are also illustrated in this paper. In this paper, ANN, FLC and ANFIS models are analyzed for tool wear rate (TWR) and heat-affected zone (HAZ). 3D Rule Viewer and regression analysis as well as validation of test results and characteristics graph between performances with number of epochs of ANN model also are included in this paper for TWR and HAZ. Influence of process parameters like voltage, duty ratio, pulse frequency and electrolyte concentration on Surface Viewer of TWR and HAZ is also illustrated. It is found that ANFIS has great effectiveness of prediction of error during micro-ECDM process.
Maximum Thinning Rate Prediction of Friction Heat Single-Point Incremental Forming for AZ31B Magnesium Alloy Based on BP Neural Network
Authors: Jiang Xu , Zhou Liuru , Li Panpan
Published: November 2023

The purpose of this project is to build an accurate prediction model for the maximum thinning rate of the truncated cone made of magnesium alloy AZ31B by single-point incremental forming. A truncated cone’s thickness distribution is analyzed using ABAQUS. Orthogonal experiments and supplementary data were performed as training samples within the maximum refinement rate obtained from the finite element (FE) results. Back-propagation (BP) neural network is established by taking into account tool diameter, initial sheet thickness, and forming angle as input responses, and maximum thinning rate as output responses, and nine hidden layers are involved. The results showed that the incidence of process parameters on the maximum thinning rate of the truncated cone is in the order of forming angle, initial thickness of sheet, and diameter of tool from large to small; The correlation coefficient of BP neural network model training [Formula: see text]. The test results and FE results contrast, and the average error rate of the maximum thinning rate is only 0.97%. The results indicate that the model is reliable and accurate for the prediction of incremental forming, and it is a useful reference value.
Multi-Objective Optimization of Welding Processes Using Modified Rao Algorithms
Authors: Venkata Rao Ravipudi , Araya Alok
Published: November 2023

The welding community faces a challenging problem in choosing the best welding methods since they are multi-input processes. Modern manufacturing industries have requirements to get fast and optimum process parameters to utilize complete resources in an optimum way. This work attempts to improve the performance of submerged arc welding (SAW), friction welding (FW), and gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) processes by optimizing their parameters. The newly developed Rao algorithms and their modified versions known as quasi-oppositional Rao (QO Rao), self-adaptive multi-population elite Rao (SAMPE Rao), and improved Rao (I-Rao) are used. This paper contains four multi-objective optimization case studies of SAW, FW, and GTAW processes. A weighted approach is employed to tackle the multi-objective optimization problems effectively. The outcomes achieved using the Rao, QO Rao, SAMPE Rao, and I-Rao algorithms are compared with those obtained by the established optimization algorithms such as accelerated cuckoo optimization algorithm (ACCOA), cuckoo optimization algorithm (COA), plant propagation algorithm (PPA), teaching–learning-based optimization (TLBO) algorithm, Jaya algorithm, quasi-oppositional Jaya (QO Jaya) algorithm, genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, and heat transfer search (HTS) algorithm. The effectiveness of the Rao algorithms and their modified versions has been clearly demonstrated as these algorithms have provided superior solutions while requiring fewer generations to achieve them.
Economic Production Quantity Model Considering Rework of Imperfect Goods under Stock, Advertisement, Selling Price and Replacement Period-Dependent Demand
Authors: Narang Pankaj , De Pijus Kanti
Published: November 2023

An economic production quantity (EPQ) system with an imperfect production model in which demand is affected by advertisement frequency, selling price, stock level and product replacement time is discussed in this paper. It is unavoidable to produce only perfect quality goods in a manufacturing operation due to real-life issues like labor problems, machinery faults, etc. Therefore, we consider the production system imperfect and manufacture a fraction of imperfect goods that depend on the production rate. All produced goods are continuously shifted to the screening center, where perfect goods are directly sold to the consumers. After the screening period, the imperfect goods are transferred to the reworking center, where some imperfect goods are reworked at a price. The remaining defective products are sold as a single lot. A profit function is developed for this proposed production inventory model, which is highly nonlinear. The total profit is maximized using the graphical method to get the optimal production quantity and total business time. The profit function’s concavity is shown graphically by using the Mathematica software. To demonstrate the model’s feasibility, numerical examples are provided. Sensitivity analysis is carried out to highlight the findings of the suggested production inventory system and depict the managerial insights.
Wi-Cyclops: Room-Scale WiFi Sensing System for Respiration Detection Based on Single-Antenna
Authors: Zhang Youwei , Han Feiyu , Yang Panlong , Feng Yuanhao , Yan Yubo , Guan Ran
Published: November 2023

Recent years have witnessed the emerging development of single-antenna wireless respiration detection that can be integrated into IoT devices with a single transceiver chain. However, existing single-antenna-based solutions are all limited by the short sensing range within 2-4 m due to noise interference, which makes them difficult to be adopted in most room-scale scenarios. To deal with this dilemma, we propose a room-scale, noise-resistance, and accurate respiration monitoring system, named
Wi-Cyclops
,

1

which captures CSI changes induced by respiratory movements only via one antenna on commercial WiFi devices. To push the limits of effective sensing distance, we innovatively supply a new perspective to review the CSI samples along the sub-carrier dimension. From this dimension, we find that the interrelationship between sub-carriers with different timestamps still shows a high correlation even though the SNR decreases. Based on that, we analyze the noise characteristics along the sub-carrier dimension and correspondingly design a series of denoising schemes. Specifically, we carefully design a PCA-based denoising method to filter out ambient noises. After that, considering the low distribution densities of the AGC-induced noise, we then remove it by optimizing the DBSCAN denoising method with the K-Means-based adaptive radius search. Extensive experiments demonstrate that our system can work effectively in three typical family scenarios.
Wi-Cyclops
can achieve 98% accuracy even when the person is 7 m away from the transceiver pair. Compared with the start-of-art single-antenna-based approaches in real scenarios,
Wi-Cyclops
can improve the sensing range from 3 m to 7 m, which can meet the requirements of room-scale respiration monitoring. Additionally, to show the high compatibility with smart home devices,
Wi-Cyclops
is deployed on seven commercial IoT devices and still achieves a low average absolute error with 0.41 bpm.
Eco-Friendly Elaborated Clay-Supported Reduced Graphene Oxide for the Determination of Antibacterial Ciprofloxacin in Wastewater, Urine, and Drug Samples
Authors: Azriouil M. , Chhaibi B. , Hrioua A. , Laghrib F. , Farahi A. , Bakasse M. , Lahrich S. , EL Mhammedi M. A.
Published: November 2023

The accumulation of pharmaceutical residues in the environment can indeed lead to a wide range of environmental problems which can have a negative impact on human health through various pathways. For this reason, it is of great importance to develop a rapid and sensitive strategy to monitor the accumulation of pharmaceutical residues, ultimately safeguarding both the environment and human health. In this article, the development of a carbon paste electrode modified by clay-supported reduced graphene oxide (rGO-Clay-CPE) is described. This sensor was used for the electrochemical detection of ciprofloxacin (Cipro). The rGO-Clay material was synthesized based on the thermal reduction of GO. Then, it was characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), the prepared electrode shows high electrochemical performance towards the oxidation of Cipro. Under the optimized conditions, the DPV at the rGO-Clay sensor showed that the electro-analytical signal of Cipro is linearly related to the concentration in the range of 0.08–2.0–50.0 μM with a sensitivity of 11.24 μA μM−1 cm−2 and a limit of detection (LOD) of 7.7 nM. The developed sensor has successfully been applied for Cipro monitoring in wastewater, urine, and drug samples with acceptable outcomes.
Zirconium Oxide Nanostructure Integrated Screen-Printed Mirabegron Voltammetric Sensors
Authors: Snari Razan M. , Alharbi Arwa , Munshi Alaa M. , Al-Ahmed Zehbah A. , Aljuhani Enas , Alluhaybi Ahmad A. , Althagafi Ismail , El-Metwaly Nashwa M.
Published: November 2023

The present study introduced the fabrication and electroanalytical characterization of a novel mirabegron (MIR) voltammetric screen-printed sensor. The sensing platform was based on zirconium oxide nanoparticles (ZrO2NPs) integrated printing carbon ink with enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards the electrooxidation of the MIR molecule at the electrode surface. Under the optimum measuring parameters, MIR exhibited an irreversible oxidation peak at 0.922 V with a diffusion-controlled reaction and the participation of one electron/proton in the electrooxidation process. The zirconium oxide nanoparticles based screen-printed electrodes (ZrO2NPs/SPEs) showed improved performance within the linear MIR concentration ranged from 10.0 to 261.8 ng ml−1 and limit of detection (LOD) value of 2.72 ng ml−1. The introduced ZrO2NPs/SPEs offered higher sensitivity with the possibility of mass production and miniaturization compared with other MIR sensors. Based on the achieved selectivity, the presented electrodes can be applied for the simultaneous differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) monitoring of MIR in the presence of various degradation contaminates and excipients. Furthermore, the presented electroanalytical approach was tested for the sensitive quantification of MIR in biological samples and pharmaceutical formulations with acceptable recovery values in agreement with the official method.
Combined changes in temperature and pH mimicking exercise result in decreased efficiency in muscle mitochondria
Authors: Flensted-Jensen Mathias , Kleis-Olsen Ann-Sofie , Hassø Rasmus Kinimond , Lindtofte Søren , Corral Pérez Juan , Ortega-Gómez Sonia , Larsen Steen
Published: November 2023

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the effects of combined changes in temperature and pH, mimicking intramuscular alterations during exercise. Our findings suggest that mitochondrial efficiency is impaired during exercise of moderate to high intensity, which could be a possible mechanism contributing to the decline in exercise efficiency at intensities above the lactate threshold.
Thromboxane-induced cerebral microvascular rarefaction predicts depressive symptom emergence in metabolic disease
Authors: Halvorson Brayden D. , Bao Yuki , Singh Krishna K. , Frisbee Stephanie J. , Hachinski Vladimir , Whitehead Shawn N. , Melling C. W. James , Chantler Paul D. , Goldman Daniel , Frisbee Jefferson C.
Published: November 2023

With clinical studies linking vascular disease risk to depressive symptom emergence, we used obese Zucker rats, a model of chronic metabolic disease, to identify potential mechanistic links between these two negative outcomes. Depressive symptom severity correlated with the extent of cerebrovascular rarefaction, after increased vascular oxidant stress/inflammation and TxA2 production. Anti-TxA2 interventions prevasculopathy blunted rarefaction and depressive symptoms, while biosimulation indicated that cerebrovascular rarefaction increased hypoxia within capillary networks as a potential contributing mechanism.
Novel application of in vivo microdialysis in a rat Achilles tendon acute injury model
Authors: Newton Joseph B. , Nuss Courtney A. , Weiss Stephanie N. , Betts Rebecca L. , Soslowsky Louis J.
Published: November 2023

This study adapts a novel application of microdialysis to rat tendon models, offering a minimally invasive avenue for longitudinal tendon assessment. Successfully detecting changes in tendon healing after acute injury, it showcases strong correlations between extracellular fluid and dialysate concentrations. The results highlight the potential of microdialysis as a direct measure of tendon metabolism, biology, and inflammation, bypassing the need for animal euthanasia and tissue destruction.
Anthropogenic Sources and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Mine Soils: A Case Study of Bontesso in Amansie West District of Ghana
Authors: Baah Douglas Siaw , Gikunoo Emmanuel , Arthur Emmanuel Kwesi , Agyemang Frank Ofori , Foli Gordon , Koomson Bennetta , Opoku Philipa
Published: November 2023

Contamination of the environmental receptors with heavy metals due to mining is a major topical environmental issue in Ghana. This research investigates the possible ecological and human health risks of heavy metal impacts due to mining in the Amansie West District in Ghana. A total of 18 soil samples were taken from the Bontesso illegal mining site in the district and analyzed for the levels of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). From principal component analysis, cluster analysis, and correlation coefficient analysis, the metals are derived from multiple sources, with substantial levels of correlations. Using geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), degree of contamination (Cd), pollution load index (PLI), ecological risk index (Er), and noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, respectively, the impacts of As (12.2 mg/kg) and Cd (1.3 mg/kg) are above the WHO stipulated limit. Findings for pollution indices indicate moderate contamination, while HQ < 1 for inhalation and dermal exposure route, except for ingestion which is HQ > 1. Based on the USEPA standard, the carcinogenic risk of the pollutants for humans is higher than the range of 1 × 10−6 to 1 × 10−4. Furthermore, the ingestion route represents the highest contributor to cancer risk with arsenic posing the greatest risk. The results so far suggest that chemical components gradually accumulate and thus emphasize the importance of implementing the necessary mitigation methods to minimize the impacts of illegal mining activities in the study area.