bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ALK‐negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma, null type with aberrant expression of PAX5 and CD138: A diagnostic pitfall
Authors: Salyana Muhammad Atif , Khan Shahbaz , Zhang Xinmin
Published: July 2021

A 72‐year‐old man was found to have generalized lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase. Fine‐needle aspiration and core needle biopsy of a cervical lymph node revealed a large lymphoid cell proliferation with features suggestive of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). However, immunophenotypically, the neoplastic cells expressed PAX5 and CD138 in addition to CD30, CD45, MUM‐1 and were negative for T‐cell markers, B‐cell markers, CD15, ALK‐1, HHV‐8, EBER, kappa, lambda, and pancytokeratin. The ambiguous phenotype triggered further workup. Subsequent molecular studies demonstrated T‐cell receptor gene rearrangement and lack of immunoglobulin gene rearrangement. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of ALK‐negative ALCL, null type with aberrant expression of PAX5 and CD138, was rendered. The patient received palliative care due to his poor condition and died of the disease. This case presents a diagnostic pitfall and highlights the importance of cytological evaluation and complete workup in the diagnosis of unconventional lymphomas.
Sodium Danshensu inhibits the progression of lung cancer by regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway
Authors: Wang Miao , Tang Weihua , Gong Nianjin , Liu Peijun
Published: July 2021

Sodium Danshensu, extracted from the root of the Salvia miltiorrhiza, has pleiotropic effects including anti‐oxidation, anti‐inflammation and anti‐tumor. However, whether Sodium Danshensu has an anti‐cancer effect in lung cancer remains to be elucidated. The present study aimed to illustrate the effects of Sodium Danshensu on lung cancer cells and the potential molecular mechanisms. BEAS‐2B, A549, and NCI‐H1299 cells were stimulated with 25, 50, and 100 μM Sodium Danshensu for 24, 48, and 72 h, and then cell viability, apoptosis, migration and invasion were determined using 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), flow cytometry and Transwell assays, respectively. Moreover, the levels of Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), B‐cell lymphoma‐2 (Bcl‐2) associated X (Bax), Bcl‐2, phosphorylated (p)‐phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K), and p‐Protein kinase B (AKT) in lung cancer cells were evaluated using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and/or Western blot assays. We observed that Sodium Danshensu suppressed cells viability, migration, and invasion, as well as promoted cells apoptosis in A549 and NCI‐H1299 cells in a dose‐dependent manner, while Sodium Danshensu had no cytotoxic effect on the proliferation activity of BEAS‐2B cells. Moreover, the expression of PCNA, MMP9, Bcl‐2 were decreased, but Bax was up‐regulated in Sodium Danshensu‐treated A549 and NCI‐H1299 cells. Our findings also revealed that Sodium Danshensu inhibited PI3K/AKT pathway in A549 and NCI‐H1299 cells. In conclusion, our study provided the first evidence that Sodium Danshensu suppressed the malignant biological behaviors of lung cancer cells, indicating that Sodium Danshensu might be a latent candidate for lung cancer therapy.
Enrolling Children in Clinical Trials for Genetic Neurodevelopmental Conditions: Ethics, Parental Decisions, and Children's Identities
Authors: Turbitt Erin , Newson Ainsley J. , Biesecker Barbara B. , Wilfond Benjamin S.
Published: July 2021

Knowledge of genetic mechanisms contributing to neurodevelopmental conditions is advancing. This is informing development of new drugs to treat or ameliorate these conditions, through targeting underlying genetic pathways. Drugs are tested in clinical trials, necessitating parents to engage with decisions about whether to enroll their child. In this article, we consider important ethical issues to anticipate as clinical research opportunities in genetic neurodevelopmental conditions arise. For example, genetic pathways targeted by the drugs may interact with valued character and personality traits. It is essential that recruitment and consent processes are optimized for families who will grapple with whether these novel drug treatments interact with their child's personality and authentic identity. We call for focused social science research and further normative analysis so that parents are better supported to make informed choices. Additionally, clinical research regulators should have a sound understanding of the contextual experiences regarding how this population of parents engages with decisions.
The toughest animals of the Earth versus global warming: Effects of long‐term experimental warming on tardigrade community structure of a temperate deciduous forest
Authors: Vecchi Matteo , Kossi Adakpo Laurent , Dunn Robert R. , Nichols Lauren M. , Penick Clint A. , Sanders Nathan J. , Rebecchi Lorena , Guidetti Roberto
Published: July 2021

Understanding how different taxa respond to global warming is essential for predicting future changes and elaborating strategies to buffer them. Tardigrades are well known for their ability to survive environmental stressors, such as drying and freezing, by undergoing cryptobiosis and rapidly recovering their metabolic function after stressors cease. Determining the extent to which animals that undergo cryptobiosis are affected by environmental warming will help to understand the real magnitude climate change will have on these organisms. Here, we report on the responses of tardigrades within a five‐year‐long, field‐based artificial warming experiment, which consisted of 12 open‐top chambers heated to simulate the projected effects of global warming (ranging from 0 to 5.5°C above ambient temperature) in a temperate deciduous forest of North Carolina (USA). To elucidate the effects of warming on the tardigrade community inhabiting the soil litter, three community diversity indices (abundance, species richness, and Shannon diversity) and the abundance of the three most abundant species (Diphascon pingue, Adropion scoticum, and Mesobiotus sp.) were determined. Their relationships with air temperature, soil moisture, and the interaction between air temperature and soil moisture were tested using Bayesian generalized linear mixed models. Despite observed negative effects of warming on other ground invertebrates in previous studies at this site, long‐term warming did not affect the abundance, richness, or diversity of tardigrades in this experiment. These results are in line with previous experimental studies, indicating that tardigrades may not be directly affected by ongoing global warming, possibly due to their thermotolerance and cryptobiotic abilities to avoid negative effects of stressful temperatures, and the buffering effect on temperature of the soil litter substrate.
Metabarcoding gillnets to assess unaccounted catch depredation or escape
Authors: de Bruyn Mark , Barbato Matteo , Broadhurst Matt K.
Published: July 2021

Gillnets are the world's most common net‐based fishing gear, comprising walls of light mesh designed to entangle fish. Gillnets are often retrieved with holes in the netting, which means some animals escape or are depredated unseen, but with some mortality. To effectively manage fisheries around the world, information is required on not only the harvested and discarded mortalities, but also problematic interactions and mortalities caused by the fishing gear and especially those involving protected species. This study sought to assess a novel method for determining such interactions by sampling five adjacent pieces of netting around each of ten holes in two bather‐protection polyethylene gillnets for environmental DNA or “eDNA”. Here we show that eDNA correctly identified all previously entangled‐and‐landed species. Also, eDNA from three uncaptured taxa were recorded: bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas, white shark, Carcharodon carcharias and dolphins (Delphindae), illustrating the potential to reveal previously cryptic gillnet interactions. We propose that as scientific methods evolve and autonomous real‐time DNA surveillance becomes routine, eDNA testing of fishing gears and vessels could provide a novel, complementary fishery‐monitoring tool.
Spinal cord stimulation in severe cases of complex regional pain syndrome: A retrospective cohort study with long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Eriksen Linda Elise , Terkelsen Astrid Juhl , Blichfeldt‐Eckhardt Morten Rune , Sørensen Jens Christian H. , Meier Kaare
Published: July 2021

Background

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a debilitating pain condition often resistant to standard treatment modalities. In these cases, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) can be an option, but the effect on CRPS remains disputed. We aimed to assess the long‐term effect of SCS on CRPS.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed 51 CRPS patients implanted with an SCS system at the University Hospitals in Aarhus or Odense, Denmark, with a median follow‐up time of 4.4 years. Primary outcomes were pain intensity on a numeric rating scale (NRS) and the Patients’ Global Impression of Change (PGIC). Secondary outcomes were patient satisfaction, work status, consumption of pain medication, the Major Depression Inventory (MDI), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) and quality of life (QoL) measured using the Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐36). For each outcome measure, baseline data were compared to the latest collected data point.

Results

A significant pain relief was found with a mean reduction in NRS score of 2.4 (95% CI: 1.7–3.0, p < 0.0001). 68.8% reported ‘much improved’ or ‘very much improved’ on the PGIC scale. 87.5% would choose SCS again for the same outcome. A significant beneficial impact was found on MDI score, PCS, SF‐36 summary scores and consumption of tricyclic antidepressants, antiepileptic drugs and opioids. No statistical effect was found on work status.

Conclusion

Pain intensity, depression, pain catastrophizing, pain medication use and QoL were significantly improved after SCS implantation, with high patient satisfaction rates in CRPS patients. This study supports the continued use of SCS in the treatment of severe CRPS.

Significance

This study presents detailed data from a large, well‐characterized cohort of Danish CRPS patients treated with SCS, analyzing several outcome measures. The results serve to document SCS as an effective treatment for severe CRPS and expands the cumulative level of evidence in favor of its use. Additionally, analysis of preoperative patient characteristics suggests that SCS treatment should not be withheld in patients with a high degree of psychological distress or high consumption of analgesics.
Are you one of us: Investigating cultural differences in determining group membership
Authors: Nam Yeseul , Chen Jacqueline M.
Published: July 2021

Social Identity Theory (SIT) proposes that people divide the world into ingroups and outgroups to maximize similarities among ingroup members. Because US Americans view self‐attributes as stable and relationships as variable, we reasoned that they would exhibit a collective social identity that emphasizes similarities between ingroup members. Because South Koreans view self‐attributes as variable and relationships as stable, we reasoned that they would exhibit a relational social identity that emphasizes one's connections and relationships with other ingroup members. Two preregistered studies (Study 1: n = 255, Study 2: n = 819) conducted in the USA and South Korea found that, when participants perceived shared relationships with an ambiguous target, they were more likely to include the target into their ingroup. Only South Koreans exhibited ingroup favoritism, liking targets more if they were ingroup members. We also did not replicate the ingroup overexclusion effect (i.e., that highly identified individuals are less likely to categorize targets as ingroup) in either culture.
Exploring new methods to analyse spatial impact distributions on debris‐flow fans using data from south‐western British Columbia
Authors: Zubrycky Sophia , Mitchell Andrew , McDougall Scott , Strouth Alex , Clague John J. , Menounos Brian
Published: July 2021

Predicting the spatial impact of debris flows on fans is challenging due to complex runout behaviour. Debris flow mobility is highly variable and flows can sporadically avulse the channel. For hazard and risk assessments, practitioners typically base the probability of spatial impact or avulsion on their experience and expert judgement. To support decision‐making with empirical observations, we studied spatial impact distributions on 30 active debris‐flow fans in south‐western British Columbia, Canada. We mapped 146 debris‐flow impact areas over an average observation period of 74 years using orthorectified airphotos, satellite imagery, topographic base maps, LiDAR data, orthophotos, and field observations. We devised a graphical method to convert our geospatial mapping into spatial impact heat maps normalized by fan boundaries, enabling comparison of runout distributions across different fans. About 90% of the mapped debris flows reached beyond the mid‐points of fans, while less than 10% avulsed more than half‐way across the fan relative to the previous flow path. Most avulsions initiated at distances of 20% to 40% of the maximum fan length from the fan apex and upstream of the fan intersection point. Large volume events tend to be more mobile in the down‐fan direction, but the relation between volume and cross‐fan runout (e.g., avulsions) is more complex. Differences in spatial impact distributions can be explained, in part, by the degree of fan incision and whether a fan is truncated at its toe by a river or lake. There were no significant differences in spatial impact distributions based on the geology of the source area, sediment supply condition, or hydrogeomorphic process classification.
Design and performance test of variable diameter threshing drum of combine harvester
Authors: Su Zhan , Ding Zhao , Tian Liquan , Lin Xue , Wang Zhiming
Published: July 2021

During the rice harvesting process of combine harvester, it is necessary to adjust the working parameters of the threshing device in time according to working conditions to ensure operational efficiency and performance. This paper designs a variable diameter threshing drum, develops a device for diameter regulation with self‐locking function, and its installation process and working principle are introduced in detail. A force analysis and modal analysis were carried out on the device for diameter adjustment of variable diameter threshing drum. It aims to ensure that the design dimensions of the constant speed spiral disc and claws in the device for diameter adjustment are in compliance with the self‐locking conditions, and effectively ensure the reliability of the device for diameter adjustment. A field experiment was carried out to check the reliability of the developed system. A regression analysis model takes the feeding rate, threshing gap and drum speed as influencing factors. The grain separation loss rate and damage rate as performance indexes were established, and calculations for multiple target optimization were performed. The experimental results showed that the threshing gap could be adjusted in real time according to the different feeding rates of the variable diameter threshing drum.
Classification of type 2 diabetes mellitus with or without cognitive impairment from healthy controls using high‐order functional connectivity
Authors: Chen Yuna , Zhou Zhen , Liang Yi , Tan Xin , Li Yifan , Qin Chunhong , Feng Yue , Ma Xiaomeng , Mo Zhanhao , Xia Jing , Zhang Han , Qiu Shijun , Shen Dinggang
Published: July 2021

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with cognitive impairment and may progress to dementia. However, the brain functional mechanism of T2DM‐related dementia is still less understood. Recent resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging functional connectivity (FC) studies have proved its potential value in the study of T2DM with cognitive impairment (T2DM‐CI). However, they mainly used a mass‐univariate statistical analysis that was not suitable to reveal the altered FC “pattern” in T2DM‐CI, due to lower sensitivity. In this study, we proposed to use high‐order FC to reveal the abnormal connectomics pattern in T2DM‐CI with a multivariate, machine learning‐based strategy. We also investigated whether such patterns were different between T2DM‐CI and T2DM without cognitive impairment (T2DM‐noCI) to better understand T2DM‐induced cognitive impairment, on 23 T2DM‐CI and 27 T2DM‐noCI patients, as well as 50 healthy controls (HC). We first built the large‐scale high‐order brain networks based on temporal synchronization of the dynamic FC time series among multiple brain region pairs and then used this information to classify the T2DM‐CI (as well as T2DM‐noCI) from the matched HC based on support vector machine. Our model achieved an accuracy of 79.17% in T2DM‐CI versus HC differentiation, but only 59.62% in T2DM‐noCI versus HC classification. We found abnormal high‐order FC patterns in T2DM‐CI compared to HC, which was different from that in T2DM‐noCI. Our study indicates that there could be widespread connectivity alterations underlying the T2DM‐induced cognitive impairment. The results help to better understand the changes in the central neural system due to T2DM.
Exploiting epigenetic dependencies in ovarian cancer therapy
Authors: Coughlan Aisling Y. , Testa Giuseppe
Published: July 2021

Ovarian cancer therapy has remained fundamentally unchanged for 50 years, with surgery and chemotherapy still the frontline treatments. Typically asymptomatic until advanced stages, ovarian cancer is known as “the silent killer.” Consequently, it has one of the worst 5‐year survival rates, as low as 30%. The most frequent driver mutations are found in well‐defined tumor suppressors, such as p53 and BRCA1/2. In recent years, it has become clear that, like the majority of other cancers, many epigenetic regulators are altered in ovarian cancer, including EZH2, SMARCA2/4 and ARID1A. Disruption of epigenetic regulators often leads to loss of transcriptional control, aberrant cell fate trajectories and disruption of senescence, apoptotic and proliferation pathways. These mitotically inherited epigenetic alterations are particularly promising targets for therapy as they are largely reversible. Consequently, many drugs targeting chromatin modifiers and other epigenetic regulators are at various stages of clinical trials for other cancers. Understanding the mechanisms by which ovarian cancer‐specific epigenetic processes are disrupted in patients can allow for informed targeting of epigenetic pathways tailored for each patient. In recent years, there have been groundbreaking new advances in disease modeling through ovarian cancer organoids; these models, alongside single‐cell transcriptomic and epigenomic technologies, allow the elucidation of the epigenetic pathways deregulated in ovarian cancer. As a result, ovarian cancer therapy may finally be ready to advance to next‐generation treatments. Here, we review the major developments in ovarian cancer, including genetics, model systems and technologies available for their study and the implications of applying epigenetic therapies to ovarian cancer.
“My goal is to do the best that I can in this class”: Relevance of potential‐based achievement goals for intrinsic motivation and course performance
Authors: Daumiller Martin , Zarrinabadi Nourollah
Published: July 2021

Goals are a core aspect of motivation. Elliot et al. (2015) introduced potential‐based goals as a type of self‐based goals that are conceptualised as seeking to do as well as one possibly could (potential approach goals) or seeking to avoid doing worse than one possibly could (potential avoidance goals). We follow up on this construct by examining its factorial structure and investigating its associations with intrinsic motivation and performance. We assessed 436 Iranian university students' potential‐based goals at the beginning of an English course, intrinsic motivation during the semester and end‐of‐course performance. Results attested factional separability similar to the original work, supporting generalisability concerning more collectivistic contexts. Potential approach goals were positively associated with intrinsic motivation and performance, while potential avoidance goals were negatively associated with performance, also after controlling for demographics. Overall, this affirms the relevance of potential‐based goals for a comprehensive understanding of how goals motivate individuals.
Osteoblastic response to biomaterials surfaces: Extracellular matrix proteomic analysis
Authors: Graeff Marcia Sirlene Zardin , Tokuhara Cintia Kazuko , Sanches Mariana Liessa Rovis , Buzalaf Marília Afonso Rabelo , Rocha Luis Augusto , de Oliveira Rodrigo Cardoso
Published: July 2021

The cellular response to surfaces is mediated, among other factors, by the extracellular matrix (ECM). However, little is known about the ECM proteome during mineralization. Our objective was to compare the ECM composition formed by osteoblast on different materials surfaces with proteomic analysis. Three types of biomaterial surfaces (pure titanium, anodized titanium, and zirconia) were used. Osteoblasts (MC3T3 linage) cells were cultivated on the biomaterials for 7, 14, and 21 days with the osteogenic medium. For the proteomic analysis, the specimens were washed, decellularized, and the ECM was collected. The majority of the typical ECM proteins, out of a total of 24 proteins identified, was expressed and regulated equally on the three biomaterials tested. Alpha‐1,4 glucan phosphorylase was found to be down‐regulated on zirconia on the seventh day, while at the same time, glycogen phosphorylase brain form was up‐regulated on anodized titanium, both when compared with pure titanium (ratio: 1.06 and 0.97, respectively). And after 14 days of culture, glycogen phosphorylase brain form was downregulated on zirconia when compared with pure titanium (ratio: 0.90), suggesting the influence of material surface roughness and chemical composition on energy metabolism. Proteins related to bone development like Transforming growth factor beta‐3 and Fibroblast growth factor 8 were found exclusively on pure titanium on the 21st day. Altogether, our results show a possible influence of material surfaces on the composition of ECM.
Rational design of pincer‐nickel complexes for catalytic cyanomethylation of benzaldehyde: A systematic DFT study
Authors: Dutta Moumita , Srivastava Hemant Kumar , Kumar Akshai
Published: July 2021

The current study dwells upon the efforts to computationally probe a phosphine‐free pincer‐nickel complex that would demonstrate an efficiency better than the reported phosphine‐based pincer‐nickel complex (iPr2POCNEt2)Ni(CH2CN) for cyanomethylation reaction. For this purpose, the mechanism of cyanomethylation of benzaldehyde was studied quantum mechanically for a series of 11 pincer‐nickel complexes. The energetics of various intermediates and transition states involved in the catalytic cycle for each catalyst was compared with the corresponding energetics of the Miller's catalyst (iPr2POCNEt2)Ni(CH2CN) that is reported to accomplish the cyanomethylation at room temperature. While pincer complexes (iPr4NNN)Ni(CH2CN) and (iPr4NCN)Ni(CH2CN) containing strong σ‐donating amines were found to fare poorly, pincer‐nickel complexes (iPr2NCN)Ni(CH2CN) and (dmPheboxNCN)Ni(CH2CN) based on weaker σ‐donating imines had energetics more favorable than the reported efficient catalyst (iPr2POCNEt2)Ni(CH2CN). While strong trans‐influencing C as the pincer central atom was found to be pivotal for lowering the cyanomethylation kinetics, presence of a poor trans‐influencing N proved to be detrimental on the overall energetics.
Exploring mindfulness and artworks/drawings to predict dental students’ performance
Authors: Grazziotin‐Soares Renata , Ardenghi Diego Machado
Published: July 2021

Purpose/Objectives

To explore and assess self‐reported trait mindfulness and artwork/drawings as tools to predict students’ performance.

Methods

This longitudinal study explored whether year 2 dental students’ artwork/drawings produced during the first week of a preclinical endodontics course and Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) scores could be used as a predictor of performance (grades/rank) at the end of the course. A convergent design of mixed methods approaches was used to integrate the quantitative and qualitative datasets. Qualitative analysis consisted of a multilayered process of thematic analysis of artwork/drawings that was used to generate codes, categories, and themes—according to lower and higher students’ grades. Quantitative analysis consisted of statistical correlation between mindfulness scores and final grades. Findings were independently analyzed and further merged to answer our research question.

Results

The bivariate analysis found nonsignificant relationship between students’ grades/rank and mindfulness scores: Pearson's correlation r = –0.097 (p = 0.578) and Spearman's correlation rho = 0.120 (p = 0.494). Codes, categories, and themes resulting from graphical data collected from the artwork/drawings strongly suggested that the higher students’ grades group depicted solutions to deal with negative feelings/emotions and presented traits of confidence to reach goals. Artworks produced from students with lower grades left questions, such as in relation to competency in dentistry, unanswered, but at the same time, they seemed to perceive everything as emotion related. Upon merging the findings, we recognized more image components suggestive of positive feelings exuding from the artworks/drawings of higher grades group; but an increase in mindfulness was not associated with increase (or decrease) in final grade.

Conclusion

Feelings/emotions represented in the artwork/drawings produced in the beginning of the course predicted students’ performance at the end of the course; however, self‐reported trait mindfulness was not correlated with performance.
Students’ perception of 3D video microscope use in preclinical fixed prosthodontics: A comparative study
Authors: Sadid‐Zadeh Ramtin , Li Rui , Arany Hema , Deluca Joseph
Published: July 2021

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine how students perceived the use of a 3D video microscope (3D VM), in comparison to conventional methods, for providing instruction on fixed prosthodontics procedures and issuing feedback on student performance.

Methods

From May until December of 2020, University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine's second‐year students were introduced to fixed prosthodontics. During May and June, a 3D VM was used to live‐stream psychomotor skill demonstrations via a web‐based software. After each procedure, students were asked to complete a short survey regarding their experience with the training. From August until December 2020, students received feedback via: 1. The conventional method, in which faculty use magnification loupes to assess student's perfromance. 2. A 3D VM. Irrespective of the method used, feedback was given following the same defined rubrics. At the conclusion of the semester, students completed a survey comparing their experiences in receiving instruction and feedback. The data were gathered and analyzed descriptively. The chi‐square test (α = .05) was used to gauge if students’ gender had an impact on their perception of feedback methods.

Results

More than 94% of students participated in the surveys. The majority of students had a positive reaction toward the use of the 3D VM for live web‐based training. In regard to receiving feedback, 63% opined that the 3D VM was more effective than the conventional method. Additionally, 80% of students felt that the 3D VM was effective in maintaining physical distance during skill evaluations.

Conclusion

This study examined the use of a 3D VM for teaching psychomotor skills and providing student feedback and compared it to the conventional method. It was found that the use of the 3D VM was perceived positively by students. Gender had no significant impact on students’ attitudes toward the teaching and feedback methods.
Bringing HIV services to key populations and their communities in Tanzania: from pilot to scale
Authors: Maruyama Haruka , Franks Julie , Laki Damian , Msumi Omari , Makyao Neema , Rwabiyago Oscar E , Rabkin Miriam , Kagashe Magreth J , El‐Sadr Wafaa M
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Despite the global scale‐up of HIV testing, prevention and treatment, these services remain inaccessible to groups most vulnerable to HIV. Globally, most new HIV infections are concentrated among members of key populations (KP), including female sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender people, people who inject drugs and their sexual partners. These populations lag in access to HIV prevention and antiretroviral therapy (ART) and have less favourable HIV outcomes compared to the general population. Intersecting behavioural and structural factors contribute to these gaps in service access for at‐risk KP and those living with HIV; corresponding comprehensive approaches to improving service delivery for KP are urgently needed. Differentiated service delivery (DSD) models tailor HIV programmes to the needs and preferences of specific groups but are rarely implemented at scale for KP. We describe the FIKIA Project, which implemented innovative approaches to scaling up DSD models to reach and engage KP in Tanzania.

Methods

The FIKIA Project worked with diverse KP communities in Tanzania to tailor HIV services to their needs and to pair healthcare workers with trained peer educators and expert client counsellors to expand uptake of community‐based HIV testing and ART services. We analysed routine aggregate project data from 2016 to 2020 to describe project implementation, outcomes and best practices.

Results and discussion

The FIKIA Project conducted 1,831,441 HIV tests in community settings; of the 98,349 (5.4%) individuals with new HIV diagnoses, 89,640 (91.1%) initiated ART. The project reached substantial numbers of KP: 203,233 received HIV tests, 28,830 (14.2%) received a new HIV diagnosis and 25,170 KP (87.3%) initiated ART at the point of diagnosis. Over time, HIV testing increased by 1.6 times overall (2.3 times among KP), HIV diagnoses increased by 8.7 times (10.9 times among KP) and ART initiation at the point of diagnosis increased from 80.0% to 95.9% overall (from 69.6% to 94.9% among KP).

Conclusions

Over four years, the FIKIA Project scaled up HIV testing, diagnosis and treatment by using DSD principles to design services that meet the needs of KP and their communities.
Internet of things platform for energy management in multi‐microgrid system to enhance power quality: ARBFNOCS technique
Authors: Vinjamuri Usha Rani , Burthi Loveswara Rao
Published: July 2021

This manuscript proposes an Internet of Things (IoT) platform for energy management (EM) in multi‐microgrid (MMG) system to enhance the power quality with hybrid method. The proposed method is the consolidation of opposition based crow search optimizer (OCSO) and radial basis functional neural network (RBFNN), hence it called RBFNOCS technique. The main aim of this manuscript is to optimally managing the power and resources of distribution system (DS) by constantly track the data from IoT‐based communication framework. In the proposed work, every devices of home is interfaced with data acquisition module (DAM) that is IoT object along unique IP address resultant in large mesh wireless network. Here, the IoT‐based communication framework is used for facilitating the development of a demand response (DR) energy management system (EMS) for distribution system. The transmitted data is processed by RBFNOCS technique. By utilizing the RBFNOCS method, the active with reactive power processing for optimal capacity unbalance compensation smart VSIs share the obtainable neutral current (NC). Likewise, the DS IoT framework enhances these networks flexibility and gives feasible use of obtainable resources. Moreover, the RBFNOCS method is responsible for satisfying the total supply with energy demand. The proposed model is activated in MATLAB/Simulink site and the performance is compared with existing models, namely improved artificial bee colony, squirrel search algorithm and gravitational search algorithm based artificial neural network (SOGSNN), GOAPSNN, fruit fly optimization, and FORDF technique. When compared with the existing methods, the efficiency of the RBFNOCS method is 93.4501%.
Modeling and performance evaluation of antennas coated using monolayer graphene in the millimeter and sub‐millimeter wave bands
Authors: Gatte Mohammed Taih , Soh Ping Jack , Kadhim Rasim Azeez , Abd Haider J. , Ahmad R. Badlishah
Published: July 2021

In the applications of millimeter and sub‐millimeter wave, the conductivity of metal parts in electronic devices can easily degrade when conventional metals like copper are employed. Furthermore, oxidation may arise when such devices are utilized in severe environmental conditions. To avoid this, conventional conductors such as copper can be coated with other non‐active materials to inhibit this problem. Monolayer graphene is used in this study as a coating layers for copper in millimeter‐wave antennas. Two types of graphene coatings are investigated: non‐doped and doped monolayer graphene. These coatings can either be used as the patch, ground or both conducting layers of a microstrip patch antenna. Results showed that coating using doped graphene improves the performance of antenna in terms of gain, radiated power and radiation efficiency by 11.81%, 8.48%, and 11.48%, respectively, compared to antennas made using copper and coated using gold and non‐doped graphene at millimeter‐wave frequencies. Meanwhile, at sub‐millimeter wave frequencies, the metal (copper and gold)‐based antenna showed worse performance compared to millimeter waves. Furthermore, coating of the conducting elements for the sub‐millimeter wave antenna using doped and non‐doped graphene improved gain, radiated power and radiation efficiency by 33.94%, 32.73%, and 32.01%, respectively, for the coating with doped graphene, and about 14.87%, 16.56%, and 15.72% for the coating with non‐doped graphene. This indicates the suitability of graphene‐based antennas in both frequency bands and the expected levels of improvements for different parameters when these antenna elements are coated with doped and non‐doped graphene.
Bias‐corrections on aridity index simulations of climate models by observational constraints
Authors: Yu Haipeng , Zhang Qiang , Wei Yun , Liu Chenxi , Ren Yu , Yue Ping , Zhou Jie
Published: July 2021

Aridity Index (AI) indicates the balance between water supply and water demand on the atmosphere–land interface. Despite continuous improvements, coupled climate models still have significant systematic errors in simulating AI in terms of temporal and spatial variabilities. One of the approaches to bias‐correct simulations is extracting the linear relationship between historical observations and model outputs by utilizing the empirical orthogonal function (EOF). In this study, the methodology of ensemble EOF‐based bias‐correction by observational constraints is developed based on previous bias‐correction approach, with the improvement on seeking the optimal combinations of the leading modes with sensitivity test and replacing the certain correction with the ensemble means of optimal members. In verification, the ensemble mean of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5‐EM) is bias‐corrected towards the CPC/GLDAS observations, and the extracted leading modes present high correlations with internal climate variability. By cross‐validation and posteriori independent validation of hindcasts over the historical period (1948–2005), the ensemble EOF‐based bias‐correction could better present spatial patterns compared to the CMIP5‐EM after systematic bias‐correction, as indicated by the anomaly correlation and the root mean square error. The verifications also indicate that the temporal variability in aridity over different dryland regions is much closer to that in the observations and that the dryland subtype changes are improved significantly by bias‐corrections. Besides, another observational dataset of UDel/CRU is applied to assess the uncertainty on different datasets and the improvement on skill scores is robust. The above results verify that the ensemble EOF‐based bias‐corrections provide better reference for assessing and projecting global aridity changes by climate models.
Recognize and Refer? Differences by Gender, Ethnicity, and Help‐Seeking History
Authors: Kalkbrenner Michael T. , Arroyos Elsa C. , Mims Tiffany D.
Published: July 2021

Little is known about demographic differences in college students’ engagement in peer‐to‐peer mental health support (i.e., recognize and refer). To this end, we examined demographic differences in responses to encountering a peer in mental distress among undergraduate students (N = 813) from two separate universities. Results revealed numerous demographic differences in students’ responses to encountering a peer in mental distress. Implications for practice, including how college counselors can enhance the inclusiveness of peer‐to‐peer mental health support initiatives, are discussed.
Sensitivity of the stress field of the proximal femur predicted by CT‐based FE analysis to modeling uncertainties
Authors: Youssefian Sina , Bressner Jarred A. , Osanov Mikhail , Guest James K. , Zbijewski Wojciech B. , Levin Adam S.
Published: July 2021

Proximal femur anatomy and bone mineral density vary widely among individuals, precluding the use of one predefined finite element (FE) model to determine the stress field for all proximal femurs. This variability poses a challenge in current prosthetic hip design approach. Given the numerous options for generating computed tomography (CT)‐based FE models, selecting the best methods for defining the mechanical behavior of the proximal femur is difficult. In this study, a combination of computational and experimental approaches was used to explore the susceptibility of the predicted stress field of the proximal femur to different combinations of density–elasticity relationships, element type, element size, and calibration error. Our results suggest that FE models with first‐order voxelized elements generated by the Keyak and Falkinstein density–elasticity relationship or quadratic tetrahedral elements generated by the Morgan density–elasticity relationship lead to accurate estimations of the mechanical behavior of human femurs. Other combinations of element size, element type, and mathematical relationships produce less accurate results, especially in the cortical bone of the femoral neck and calcar region. The voxelized model was more susceptible to variation of element size and density–elasticity relationships than FE models with quadratic tetrahedral elements. Regardless of element type, the stress fields predicted by the Keyak and Falkinstein and the Morgan relationships were the most robust to calibration error when deriving material density from CT‐generated Hounsfield data. These results provide insight into the implementation of a robust platform for designing patient‐specific implants capable of maintaining or modifying the stress in bones.
Computational modeling, fabrication, and characterization of the deep eutectic solvent‐based green molecular cage for selective metronidazole extraction from plasma followed by UHPLC with diode array detector determination
Authors: Sanjari Raheleh , Kazemipour Maryam , Zeidabadinejad Leila , Ansari Mehdi
Published: July 2021

Four ternary deep eutectic solvents were computationally designed and synthesized, being used as candidate functional monomers in metronidazole molecular imprinting polymer synthesis, allowing selective extraction and determination by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. In terms of metronidazole selective extraction, the best results were obtained by (deep eutectic solvent)2:(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate)11, in which deep eutectic solvent is the functional monomer constructed by combining three components in 6:6:2 ratios of choline chloride:ethylene glycol:methacrylic acid. The effects of different parameters on molecular imprinted solid‐phase extraction of metronidazole were thoroughly explored through screening design and response surface methodology. The adsorption mechanism findings show that the adsorption data are primarily fitted on the Freundlich model based on higher correlation coefficient. Kinetic experiments have shown that the mechanism of adsorption fits the pseudo‐second‐order model. The best extraction recovery (96.5%) was obtained in 25‐min elution time, desorption temperature of 40°C, and 1.0 mL ACN as eluent. Metronidazole was measured by a validated ultra high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection method. The calibration of the method was linear in the range of 0.1–10 μg/mL with limits of detection and quantification of 0.03 and 0.1 μg/mL, respectively. The method was successfully applied for the determination of metronidazole in human plasma.
Kinetics and mechanism of self‐decomposition/reduction of oxo bis (peroxo) pyridine chromium(VI) in nonaqueous solvents
Authors: Toofan Jahansooz , Vessal Behnam
Published: July 2021

Kinetics of oxidation of phenylmethanol, as a model by the oxo bis (peroxo) pyridine chromium(VI), OPPC, has been studied in different nonaqueous solvents. Decomposition of oxidant in solvents is studied and explained. The probable mechanism of the reaction is expounded and is related to the kinetics data. Furthermore, the data show a hydride abstraction by η2‐peroxo, forming a terminal oxo plus hydroxo ligand. The effects of solvent dielectric constant on the reaction rates are then considered. A formal potential (0.87 V) decomposition of OPPC on the Pt electrode is measured, which is accompanied by a one‐electron transition in determining the reaction. In addition, thermodynamic parameters are calculated and discussed based upon the proposed reaction mechanism.
Trends and Health Care Outcomes Among Living Liver Donors: Are We Ready to Expand the Donor Pool With Living Liver Donations?
Authors: Jalil Sajid , Black Sylvester M. , Washburn Ken , Rangwani Neil , Hinton Alice , Kelly Sean G. , Conteh Lanla , Hanje James , Michaels Anthony , Mumtaz Khalid
Published: July 2021

We studied the trends and various outcomes, including the readmission rates, health care utilization, and complications among living liver donors (LLDs) in the United States. We queried the National Database for data from 2010 to 2017 for all LLDs. The primary outcomes were 30‐day and 90‐day readmission rates. The secondary outcomes included health care use (length of stay [LOS], cost of care), index admission, and calendar‐year mortality. Logistic regression models were fit for various outcomes. A total of 1316 LLDs underwent hepatectomy during the study period. The median donor age was 35.0 years (interquartile range, 27.4‐43.6), and donors were predominantly women (54.2%). The trend of LLD surgeries remained stable at large medical centers (85.3%). The 30‐day and 90‐day readmission rates were low at 5% and 5.9%, respectively. Older age (50 years and older; 8%; confidence interval [CI], 0.6%‐15.9%; P = 0.03) and hepatectomy at small to medium‐sized hospitals were associated with increased index LOS (13.4%; 95% CI, 3.1%‐24.7%; P = 0.01). Moreover, older age of donor (−11.3%; 95% CI, −20.3% to −1.4%; P = 0.03), Elixhauser score ≥3 (17%; 95% CI, 1.2%‐35.3%; P = 0.03), and Medicaid insurance (24.5%; 95% CI, 1.2%‐53.1%; P = 0.04) were also associated with increased cost. The overall rate of any complications during index admission was 42.8%. Male sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.63; 95% CI, 1.19‐2.23) was an independent predictor of post‐LLD complications. There was no index admission or calendar‐year mortality reported during the study period. This is the largest national report of LLDs to date, showing that the trend of LLD surgeries is stable in the United States. With established safety, fewer complications, and less health care utilization, LLDs can be a potential source of continuation of liver transplantation in the context of changing liver allocation policies in the United States.
The multifaceted involvement of exosomes in tumor progression: Induction and inhibition
Authors: Gu Wen‐Jie , Shen Yi‐Wen , Zhang Li‐Jun , Zhang Hong , Nagle Dale G. , Luan Xin , Liu San‐Hong
Published: July 2021

As key performers in intercellular communication, exosomes released by tumor cells play an important role in cancer development, including angiogenesis, cancer‐associated fibroblasts activation, epithelial‐mesenchymal transformation (EMT), immune escape, and pre‐metastatic niche formation. Meanwhile, other cells in tumor microenvironment (TME) can secrete exosomes and facilitate tumor progression. Elucidating mechanisms regarding these processes may offer perspectives for exosome‐based antitumor strategies. In this review, we mainly introduce the versatile roles of tumor or stromal cell derived exosomes in cancer development, with a particular focus on the biological capabilities and functionalities of their diverse contents, such as miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs. The potential clinical application of exosomes as biomarkers in cancer diagnosis and prognosis is also discussed. Finally, the current antitumor strategies based on exosomes in immunotherapy and targeted delivery for chemotherapeutic or biological agents are summarized.
The feasibility of ultrasound‐assisted endovascular laser thrombolysis in an acute rabbit thrombosis model
Authors: Singh Rohit , Jo Janggun , Riegel Matthew , Forrest M. Laird , Yang Xinmai
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aimed to test the feasibility of combined ultrasound and laser technique, namely, ultrasound‐assisted endovascular laser thrombolysis (USELT), for thrombolysis by conducting in vivo tests in a rabbit thrombosis model.

Materials and methods

An acute thrombus was created in the right jugular vein of rabbit and then was treated with ultrasound only, laser only, and USELT to dissolve the blood clot. A total of 20 rabbits were used. Out of which, the first three rabbits were used to titrate the laser and ultrasound parameters. Then, five rabbits were treated with ultrasound only, five rabbits were treated with laser only, and seven rabbits were treated with USELT. During USELT, 532‐nm laser pulses were delivered endovascularly directly to the clot through a fiber optic, and 0.5 MHz ultrasound pulses were applied noninvasively to the same region. A laser fluence of 4 to 12 mJ/cm2 and ultrasound amplitude of 1 to 2 MPa were used. Recanalization of the jugular vein was assessed by performing ultrasound Doppler imaging immediately after the treatment. The maximum blood flow speed after the treatment as compared to its value before the treatment was used to calculate the blood flow recovery in vessel.

Results

The blood flow was fully recovered (100%) in three rabbits, partially recovered in two rabbits (more than 50% and less than 100%) with mean percentage recovery of 69.73% and poorly recovered in two rabbits (<50%) with mean percentage recovery of 6.2% in the USELT group. In contrast, the treatment group with ultrasound or laser alone did not show recanalization of vein in any case, all the five rabbits were poorly/not recovered with a mean percentage recovery of 0%.

Conclusions

The USELT technology was shown to effectively dissolve the blood clots in an acute rabbit jugular vein thrombosis model.