bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The help that hinders? A meta‐analysis of reactions to affirmative action
Authors: Greig Samantha M. , Coundouris Sarah P. , Fletcher Genevieve L. , Henry Julie D. , Hippel Courtney von
Published: September 2023

Many organizations use affirmative action to increase diversity in their workforce. Although these programmes are well intentioned, previous research suggests there may be negative consequences that undermine or reduce their benefits. This three‐level meta‐analysis investigates responses to affirmative action by integrating 437 effect sizes from 78 studies. The results show that affirmative action elicits small to moderate negative effects. These negative reactions are moderated by three key factors: (1) the age of the study, with negative effects diminished in more recent studies; (2) the strength of affirmative action, with policies that provide more preferential treatment to their recipients regarded more negatively and (3) the outcome being measured, with judgments regarding fairness showing the largest negative effects. Notably, behavioural and intrapersonal outcomes, as well as tiebreak affirmative‐action policies, do not appear to result in negative reactions. Although beneficiary status did not moderate the effect, subgroup analyses suggest that responses of non‐beneficiaries were more unfavourable than those of beneficiaries. Analysis of possible publication bias and study quality suggest acceptable evidentiary value of the overall effect. Finally, the meta‐analysis identifies important gaps that need to be addressed in future research to inform and optimize diversity, equity and inclusion policies and practices.
TransitionED: A protocol for Co‐designing and implementing Canadian practice guidelines for transitions for youth with eating disorders
Authors: Dimitropoulos Gina , Singh Manya , Mushquash Christopher , Kimber Melissa , Hutt‐MacLeod Daphne , Moore Elder Kerrie , Perri Andrea , Webb Cheryl , Norman Lia , Sauerwein Jessica , Nicula Maria , Couturier Jennifer
Published: September 2023

Objective

Limited guidelines inform the transition from paediatric to adult healthcare for youth and young adults (YYA) with eating disorders (EDs). This study will develop, implement, and evaluate Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines for ED transition, including identifying the relevant measurement and evaluation tools for transition readiness and continuity of care.

Methods

This study consists of three phases. Phase 1 involves conducting a scoping review of the evidence on transition interventions, outcomes, and measurement tools for YYA with EDs, along with guideline development using the modified Delphi method. Phase 2 identifies the contextual/cultural factors relevant to guideline implementation and co‐designing an implementation protocol with governance committees and research partners. Phase 3 involves the application and evaluation of the proposed guide lines using the implementation protocol, and assessing the acceptability and feasibility of a prototype transition intervention in two Canadian paediatric ED programs.

Conclusions

Results will provide the knowledge needed to enhance the lives of YYA, improve the effectiveness of the ED care system, and support the scale of the transition guidelines across Canada. These guidelines will have international relevance by potentially informing the field on how to support young people with EDs transitioning in similar funding structures and systems of care.
Longitudinal investigation of patients receiving involuntary treatment for extremely severe anorexia nervosa
Authors: Abry Florent , Gorwood Philip , Hanachi Mouna , Di Lodovico Laura
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Involuntary treatment may be a life‐saving option for extremely severe anorexia nervosa (AN) in the context of life‐threatening conditions and refusal of care. The long‐term outcomes of patients undergoing involuntary treatment for AN are poorly understood. This study aims to explore quality of life, long‐term outcomes and attitudes towards involuntary treatment in patients involuntarily treated for extremely severe AN.

Methods

23 patients involuntarily admitted for extremely severe AN (I‐AN), and 25 voluntarily admitted patients (V‐AN) were compared for body mass index (BMI), residual symptoms, quality of life, and attitudes towards treatment almost four years after discharge. In I‐AN, clinical variables were also compared between admission and follow‐up.

Results

At follow‐up, weight restoration was higher in V‐AN (p = 0.01), while differences in quality of life, BMI, and mortality rates were not significant between I‐AN and V‐AN (p > 0.05). In I‐AN, BMI increased and weight‐controlling strategies decreased at follow‐up (p < 0.05). Despite negative experiences of involuntary treatment, the perception of the necessity of treatment increased from admission to follow‐up (p < 0.01) and became comparable to V‐AN (p > 0.05).

Discussion

Involuntary treatment for AN does not appear to be a barrier to weight gain and clinical improvement, nor to long‐term attitudes towards treatment.
Developing a thermodynamic model for the circulating air using an opaque system
Authors: Dhaundiyal Alok , Toth Laszlo
Published: September 2023

The paper focuses on energy modelling that involves a concatenated structure of a linear time‐invariant system. A block‐structured (BS) technique was adopted for a nonlinear system identification. Using the superimposition principle, the model mapped the thermodynamic state variables as an indirect function of time to the output function. The available energy and degradation of solar radiation are determined through a black box model. For testing and validation purposes, a solar collector with recirculating air was considered. The basic principle is to establish a relation between state variables and the performance parameters, without invoking the conventional thermodynamic relationship between them. The output of the model was compared with the validation data to ensure whether or not there was any affinity between them. The sigmoidal, wavenet, and polynomial forms of nonlinearity provided a good fit to the experimental dataset. The mean absolute percentage error encountered while estimating the collector efficiency was noticed to vary from −4.85 × 10−03% to 1.22 × 10−03%. Similarly, it falls in the domain of −4.73 × 10−04% to 7.78 × 10−02% for the second law efficiency. The maximum heat loss rate (BS model) obtained across the first and second passages of the solar air collector was 235.41 and 218.19 W at the air mass flow rate of 8.10 g/s, which is congruent to the validation dataset.
Influence of dilution parameters on the internal flow field and dilution ratio of a particulate matter sampling diluter
Authors: Xiao Hongliang , Xiao Yonggang , Geng Limin , Chen Hao
Published: September 2023

Dilution sampling systems are crucial for obtaining accurate measurements of engine exhaust particulate mass and number. The system design requires a comprehensive understanding of the impact of dilution parameters on its internal flow field and dilution ratio. In this study, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of an ejector diluter was established. This CFD model was validated based on results of experiments conducted on a diesel engine with the self‐designed partial flow sampling system. The discrepancies between the simulation and experimental results of the dilution ratio were acceptable (average error of 7.42% and a minimum error of 0.72%). These errors indicated that the model was suitable for performing numerical simulations. The effects of the dilution parameters, including exhaust gas velocity, exhaust gas temperature, and air velocity, on the internal flow field and dilution ratio of the diluter system were investigated. The results showed that an increase in the exhaust velocity from 0.542 to 1.489 m/s decreased the dilution ratio from 41.31 to 15.98 when the air velocity and pressure were constant at 9.147 m/s and 200 kPa, respectively. A 100 K increase in exhaust temperature increased the dilution ratio by 1.62 on average. When the air velocity was increased from 4.333 to 28.405 m/s, the dilution ratio significantly increased from 10.55 to 64.66 when the exhaust velocity and pressure were constant at 1.083 m/s and 90 kPa, respectively.
A comprehensive review into the effects of different parameters on the hydrogen‐added HCCI diesel engine
Authors: Das Shyamal , Debnath Biplab Kumar , Negi Sushant , Das Biplab , Safari Sadegh , Reddy Bale V. , Debbarma Sumita , Ehyaei Mehdi A.
Published: September 2023

The current study presents research investigations and developments related to the homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine.  Research investigations and recent advances, including the role of various operating conditions on HCCI engine combustion phenomena, emissions, and performance, are discussed. There is growing research interest in investigating HCCI engines with diesel fuel to study combustion, emissions, and performance characteristics due to their association with low NOx emissions. In the published literature, research investigations are also conducted with different fuels ranging from biomass to diesel to gasoline in the HCCI engine showing its capability for utilizing various fuels in coming years. The challenges associated with HCCI combustion are reviewed, and the details of excessive carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbon emissions are discussed. The major parameters affecting the hydrogen addition in HCCI diesel engines are also discussed. Overall, adding hydrogen to a diesel‐fueled HCCI engine improves combustion phasing and can potentially increase thermal efficiency while lowering emissions. In addition, the strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threat analysis is provided and discussed thoroughly.
PAQR3 facilitates the ferroptosis of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma via the regulation of LDLR‐mediated PI3K/AKT pathway
Authors: Song Xiangxiang , Zhang Weiming , Yu Nasha , Zhong Xing
Published: September 2023

Progesterone and adiponectin receptor 3 (PAQR3) has been found to regulate tumor progression by mediating cell ferroptosis. However, whether PAQR3 mediates ferroptosis in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) needs further investigation. The mRNA and protein levels of PAQR3 and low‐density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) were assessed by qRT‐PCR and WB assays. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay and EdU assay. Shrunken mitochondria was counted under transmission electron microscope. Cell ferroptosis was evaluated by measuring the levels of malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species, glutathione, Fe2+, and the protein expression of ferroptosis‐related markers. PAQR3 and LDLR interaction was confirmed by RIP assay and pull‐down assay. Our study showed that PAQR3 was underexpressed, while LDLR was overexpressed in DLBCL tissues and cells. Functionally, PAQR3 overexpression or LDLR knockdown restrained DLBCL cell proliferation and enhanced ferroptosis. Mechanistically, PAQR3 reduced LDLR expression by inhibiting its mRNA stability. Meanwhile, LDLR overexpression reversed PAQR3‐mediated the promoting on DLBCL cell ferroptosis, and LY294002 (PI3K/AKT inhibitor) eliminated the inhibiting effects of LDLR overexpression on DLBCL cell ferroptosis. Additionally, excessive PAQR3 reduced DLBCL tumor growth by enhancing tumor cell ferroptosis through LDLR‐mediated PI3K/AKT pathway. In conclusion, our data suggested that PAQR3 restrained DLBCL progression by aggravating ferroptosis, which was achieved by inhibiting LDLR expression to repress PI3K/AKT pathway.
A qualitative study evaluating provider perceptions of implementing warfarin patient self‐management in the United States healthcare system
Authors: Wilson Aaron S. , Slager Stacey , Jones Aubrey E. , Vazquez Sara R. , Barnes Geoffrey D. , Sylvester Katelyn , Chan Linh , Ragheb Bishoy , Witt Daniel M.
Published: September 2023

Background

Despite consensus guideline recommendations, the use of warfarin patient self‐management (PSM) in the US healthcare system remains small in comparison to European countries.

Objectives

To gain understanding of the barriers and facilitators to warfarin PSM in US healthcare systems through exploration of the opinions of select US anticoagulation management service providers.

Methods

Focus group discussions were conducted at five geographically diverse sites. Grounded theory analysis was performed on focus group transcriptions using the consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR) to identify facilitators and barriers to PSM implementation within the US healthcare system.

Results

A total of 29 providers participated in eight focus group sessions. Five major themes emerged from the interviews: (1) “Ideal” PSM candidates possess identifiable characteristics (CFIR domain “Characteristics of Individuals”); (2) Providers harbor fears and lack familiarity with PSM facts and principles (CFIR domains “Characteristics of Individuals”; “Inner Setting”; and “Outer Setting”); (3) Providers mistrust patients' capability to engage in PSM (CFIR domains “Characteristics of Individuals”; “Inner Setting”; “Outer Setting”; and “Process”); (4) Despite acknowledging PSM advantages many providers cite workflow issues as barriers to implementation (CFIR domains “Intervention Characteristics”; “Inner Setting”; “Outer Setting”; and “Process”); and (5) Providers differed on how to best train patients to do PSM (CFIR domains “Intervention Characteristics”; and “Inner Setting”).

Conclusions

Provider concern for patient safety contributes to hesitancy to relinquish control and mistrust of patients' ability to participate in PSM. Education and implementation strategies will be key to overcoming barriers to PSM in the United States.
Adolescents' social interaction skills on social media versus in person and the correlations to well‐being
Authors: Lamash Liron , Fogel Yael , Hen‐Herbst Liat
Published: September 2023

Introduction

High‐quality social interactions with peers could protect adolescents' mental health, resilience, and well‐being. Assessing their social interaction skills (SIS) is essential to enhancing them. However, few instruments provide information about SIS in in‐person and social media environments. The SIS Questionnaire (SISQ) was developed to fill this gap, spotlighting adolescents' viewpoints on SIS in both environments. This study aimed to describe the SISQ development and psychometric properties, differences in adolescents' SIS in both environments, and relationships between the adolescents' SIS and subjective well‐being.

Methods

A total of 214 typically developed adolescents aged 12–18 (M = 15.3 years, SD = 1.77; 61.2% girls) completed online questionnaires (demographic, SISQ, and Five Well‐Being Index). We used exploratory factor analysis for construct validity, Cronbach's alpha for internal reliability, t‐tests for differences in SIS, Cohen's d for effect sizes, and Pearson correlations and hierarchical regression for relationships between SIS and well‐being.

Results

The SISQ has content validity and a monofactorial scale construct validity with very good internal reliability. Participants rated their in‐person SIS significantly higher than on social media, t(213) = −5.24, p < 0.001, d = 0.36, and the in‐person environment as more important, t(213) = −11.57, p < 0.001, d = 0.79, than the social media environment. A significant correlation was found between both in‐person SIS (r = 0.41, p < 0.001) and social media (r = 0.34, p < 0.01) and well‐being.

Conclusion

The SISQ is a valid, reliable tool for assessing adolescents' SIS, essential to promoting these skills in this unique environment.
School bullying and self‐efficacy in adolescence: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Liu Yanxi , Yu Xiaohong , An Fusen , Wang Yiji
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Given that literature has examined the relation between school bullying and self‐efficacy, findings have been mixed. This meta‐analysis aimed to clarify whether school bullying is associated with adolescents' self‐efficacy, a key component of social information processing essential for the evaluation of potential behavioral responses. We further examined moderators associated with heterogeneity in the above relation, including participant roles, types of school bullying, types of self‐efficacy, and demographic factors (e.g., age, gender, and cultural background).

Method

This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses Statement for searching, identifying, and screening eligible articles. A total of 53 articles (N = 71,661; Mage = 12.69 years) were included (50 in English and 3 in Chinese). Articles were coded by two graduate‐level coders independently with a high inter‐rater reliability (97.12%).

Results

The results showed that (1) school bullying was negatively associated with self‐efficacy (r = −.07, p < .001) among adolescents, and (2) the above relation varied by participant role (e.g., bullies, victims, bully‐victims, and defenders), types of school bullying (e.g., traditional bullying, cyberbullying, and both), and types of self‐efficacy (e.g., general and domain‐specific self‐efficacy).

Findings

The findings highlight that school bullying is associated with disruptive cognitive processing in adolescence, low self‐efficacy in particular, and the heterogeneity should be considered to fully understand the association between school bullying and self‐efficacy among adolescents.
The how and the why of study choice processes in higher education: The role of parental involvement and the experience of having an authentic inner compass
Authors: Vermote B. , Soenens B. , Vansteenkiste M. , Coenye J. , Verschueren K. , Beyers W.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Late adolescents differ in the degree to which they are thoroughly engaged in the study choice process and in the degree to which their choices are autonomous in nature. This study examined the unique and interactive roles of (a) parental involvement in the study choice process and (b) late adolescents' sense of having an authentic inner compass (AIC) in predicting their study choice decision‐making.

Method

A cross‐sectional questionnaire study was conducted among 331 12th‐grade adolescents from the Flemish part of Belgium (68.3% female; Mage = 18.04, SD = 0.48) in the spring of 2017 and 2018.

Results

Results of the latent sum and difference models revealed that late adolescents experiencing a stronger AIC and more need‐supportive parental involvement showed more engagement in and autonomous regulation of the study choice process. In contrast, when experiencing more controlling parental involvement or uninvolvement, late adolescents showed more controlled regulation, with parental control also being linked to less commitment. Although mothers were perceived to be more involved than fathers, maternal and paternal involvement were equally strongly related to the study choice tasks.

Conclusion

Overall, late adolescents' sense of having an AIC and parental involvement were related independently to the outcomes, with sense of having an AIC yielding the strongest associations.
Insights on biotic and abiotic 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid degradation by anaerobic iron‐cycling bacteria
Authors: Stevenson Zackry , Tong Hui , Swanner Elizabeth D.
Published: September 2023

The use of the phenoxy herbicide 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) has been steadily increasing in recent years due to its selectivity against broad‐leafed weeds and use on genetically modified crops resistant to 2,4‐D. This increases the likelihood of 2,4‐D persisting in agriculturally impacted soils, sediments, and aquatic systems. Aerobic microorganisms are capable of degrading 2,4‐D enzymatically. Anaerobic degradation also occurs, though the enzymatic pathway is unclear. Iron‐reducing bacteria (FeRB) have been hypothesized to augment anaerobic degradation through the production of a chemically reactive Fe(II) adsorbed to Fe(III) oxyhydroxides. To test whether this iron species can catalyze abiotic degradation of 2,4‐D, an enrichment culture (BLA1) containing a photosynthetic Fe(II)‐oxidizing bacterium (FeOB) "Candidatus Chlorobium masyuteum" and the FeRB "Candidatus Pseudopelobacter ferreus", both of which lacked known 2,4‐D degradation genes was investigated. BLA1 produces Fe(II)‐adsorbed to Fe(III) oxyhydroxides during alternating photoautotrophic iron oxidation and dark iron reduction (amended with acetate) cycles. No 2,4‐D degradation occurred during iron oxidation by FeOB Ca. C. masyuteum or during iron reduction by FeRB Ca. P. ferreus under any incubation conditions tested (i.e., +/−Fe(II), +/−cells, and +/−light), or due to the presence of Fe(II) adsorbed to Fe(III) oxyhydroxides. Our results cast doubt on the hypothesis that the mineral‐bound Fe(II) species augments the anaerobic degradation of 2,4‐D in anoxic soils and waters by iron‐cycling bacteria, and further justify the need to identify the genetic underpinnings of anaerobic 2,4‐D degradation.
Reliability of simulating internal precipitation variability over multi‐timescales using multiple global climate model large ensembles in China
Authors: Liu Jiahe , Chen Jie , Zhang Xunchang J.
Published: September 2023

Single model initial‐condition large ensembles (SMILEs) are valuable means to study the role of internal climate variability (ICV) in climate change. However, the ability of SMILEs to represent the multi‐timescale ICV is not fully understood, especially in the region of China. The main objective of this work is to assess the ability of six advanced SMILEs with ensemble members ranging from 30 to 100 in simulating ICV of precipitation at various timescales in China, using a set of observational datasets as the benchmark. To have a first insight into the selected models, the mean states and trends of annual precipitation were evaluated at the very beginning. The ICV of precipitation was then calculated at multiple timescales by two widely used methods of representing temporal variability and intermember variability. The minimum required ensemble size for each climate model to robustly capture the true value of ICV is investigated at last. The results show that the multiple SMILEs can capture the basic spatial distribution pattern of ICV across timescales. However, the ICV represented by temporal variability underestimates observed ICV in most regions across timescales. The ICV represented by intermember variability is similar to that represented by temporal variability at the interannual and interdecadal timescales, but significantly larger at the multidecadal timescales. Within ±10% error limit, 20–30 members are sufficient for all climate models at the interannual timescale while ensemble sizes of 74% or more of the full sizes for each climate model are needed at multidecadal timescales.
Artificial intelligence in marketing research and future research directions: Science mapping and research clustering using bibliometric analysis
Authors: Thakur Jyoti , Kushwaha Bijay Prasad
Published: September 2023

The marketing environment has experienced significant advancements due to the transformative influence of technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, decision sciences, and robotics. These innovations have entirely reshaped the fundamental marketing principles as we know them. This study uses bibliometric analysis to conduct a systematic literature review of research on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in marketing and provides future research directions. It also aims to identify the most influential and productive contributors and progression of research on AI in marketing. The bibliographic data of 317 documents on artificial intelligence in marketing research was extracted from the Scopus database. The bibliometric analysis is performed to comprehensively understand the most influential and productive articles, authors, sources, and the top contributing countries and institutions towards the discipline of AI in marketing research. The results and the publication trend show exponential growth yearly in AI in marketing research. Furthermore, it discovered four main thematic clusters: Data mining and deep learning in decision support systems, big data and generative AI in marketing, AI‐enabled commerce, and chatbots and marketing Tech that represent the recent research being carried out under AI in marketing. The trending topics recognized are marketing algorithms for decision‐making, AI‐enabled marketing, the Internet of Things (IoT) and marketing, natural language processing and customer service, robotic services, and chatbots. This study also emphasizes potential future research areas, building upon the established thematic clusters.
Assessment of refeeding syndrome definitions and 30‐day mortality in critically ill adults: A comparison study
Authors: Naik Nimish Manoj , Li Jianhua , Seres David , Freedberg Daniel E.
Published: September 2023

Background

Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are at high risk for refeeding syndrome (RFS), yet there is uncertainty regarding how RFS should be operationalized in the ICU. We evaluated different definitions for RFS and tested how they associated with patient‐centered outcomes in the ICU.

Methods

This was a retrospective comparison study. Patients age ≥18 years were eligible if they were newly initiated on enteral feeding while hospitalized in the ICU. Eight definitions for RFS were operationalized, including that from the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN), all based on electrolyte levels from immediately before until up to 5 days after the initiation of enteral nutrition. Patients were followed for death or for ICU‐free days, a measure of healthcare utilization.

Results

In all, 2123 patients were identified, including 406 (19.1%) who died within 30 days of ICU admission and 1717 (80.9%) who did not. Prevalence of RFS varied from 1.5% to 88% (ASPEN definition) depending on the RFS definition used. The excess risk for death associated with RFS varied from 33% to 92% across definitions. The development of RFS based on the ASPEN definition was associated with a greater decrease in ICU‐free days compared with other definitions, but the relationship was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Eight definitions for RFS were evaluated, none of which showed strong associations with death or ICU‐free days. It may be challenging to achieve a standardized definition for RFS that is based on electrolyte values and predicts mortality or ICU‐free days.
Identification of novel antioxidant collagen peptides for preventing and treating H2O2‐induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells through in vitro and in silico approaches
Authors: Du Bowei , Zhang Chao , Deng Guiya , Zhang Shuai , Wang Shiqi , Guan Yuepeng , Huang Yaqin
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND

Nowadays, the prevalence of oxidative stress‐related chronic diseases is increasing. The identification of novel antioxidant collagen peptides to counteract oxidative stress for individuals' health has gained significant attention.

RESULTS

In this study, collagen peptides with antioxidant activities were separated and identified by ion chromatography, reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The identified antioxidant collagen peptides were further screened by molecular docking for Keap1‐targeted peptide inhibitors and their theoretical interaction mechanisms were investigated. Four novel antioxidant collagen peptides, GPAGPIGPVG, GPAGPpGPIG, ISGPpGPpGPA and IDGRPGPIGPA, with high binding affinity to Keap1 were selected. Molecular docking results demonstrated that the putative antioxidant mechanism of the four antioxidant collagen peptides contributed to their blockage of Keap1–Nrf2 interactions. The results of antioxidant activity of the four antioxidant collagen peptides proved that IDGRPGPIGPA exerted a high scavenging capacity for DPPH and ABTS free radicals, while GPAGPpGPIG improved the resistance of cells to hydrogen peroxide‐induced oxidative damage by promoting the activation of intracellular antioxidant enzymes and the production of reduced glutathione in human hepatoma (HepG2) cells.

CONCLUSION

The antioxidant collagen peptides (GPAGPIGPVG, GPAGPpGPIG, ISGPpGPpGPA and IDGRPGPIGPA) will be developed as novel functional food for human health in the near future. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Atopic dermatitis, systemic inflammation and subsequent dementia risk
Authors: Vingeliene Snieguole , Hiyoshi Ayako , Carlberg Michael , Garcia‐Argibay Miguel , Lentjes Marleen , Fall Katja , von Kobyletzki Laura , Montgomery Scott
Published: September 2023

Background

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease and inflammation has been implicated in development of other chronic diseases, but few studies have examined the relationship with dementia.

Objectives

This study examines associations of atopic dermatitis (AD) and systemic inflammation in adolescence measured using erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), as well as AD diagnosed in adulthood, with dementia risk.

Methods

We used three Swedish register‐based cohorts. Cohort I (N = 795,680) comprised men, born in 1951–1968, who participated in the military conscription examinations with physician‐assessed AD and ESR; Cohort II (N = 1,757,600) included men and women, born in 1951–1968; and Cohort III (N = 3,988,783) included all individuals in Sweden, born in 1930–1968. We used Cox regression, estimating hazard ratios (HR), with the follow‐up from 50 years of age to dementia diagnosis, date of emigration, death, or 31 December 2018, whichever occurred first. Further, we used a sibling comparison design to adjust for unmeasured confounders shared among siblings.

Results

Cohort I: 1466 dementia events were accrued during follow‐up of 7.8 years, with a crude rate of 21.6 [95% confidence interval (CI): 20.6, 22.8] per 100,000 person‐years. Cohort II: 3549 dementia events were accrued during follow‐up of 7.4 years, with a crude rate of 23.7 (95% CI: 22.9, 24.5) per 100,000 person‐years. Cohort III: 120,303 dementia events were accrued during follow‐up of 23.7 years, with a crude rate of 180.3 (95% CI: 179.3, 181.3) per 100,000 person‐years. In multivariable analysis using Cohort I, there was no association between AD and dementia [HR 0.68 (95% CI 0.32, 1.43)], nor with moderate [HR 0.71 (95% CI: 0.46, 1.10)] or high [HR 1.23 (95% CI: 0.87, 1.75)] ESR. AD was not associated with dementia risk in Cohort II [HR 1.28 (0.97, 1.71)] or Cohort III [HR 1.01 (0.92, 1.11)].

Conclusions

AD was not associated with dementia risk, neither was systemic inflammation measured by ESR in adolescence.
Psoriasis on both saphenectomized lower limbs: Bilateral Brodell syndrome
Authors: Ruocco Eleonora
Published: September 2023

A 52‐year‐old woman presented with typical patches of psoriasis restricted to the lower limbs that had been saphenectomized 16 years before. Saphenectomy uniformly destroys the cellophane‐like walls of the major lymphatic vessel running adjacent to the saphenous vein, thus creating an obstacle to the local lymph drainage and changes in local immune response. The involved immunocompromised district may be more susceptible to develop immune‐related disorders.
Students bridging the diversity gap in dermatology—A mixed methods study of medical education
Authors: Salihu Shihan , Hart Harmony , Wort Christopher , Reza Musarrat M.
Published: September 2023

Background

After noticing a lack of diversity in pictures for skin conditions and dermatology teaching, seven medical students applied for funding from the University of Exeter to design a project with the aim of expanding their dermatology knowledge through developing diverse teaching resources and assessing knowledge using innovative evaluation methods. Students then tested their project by raising awareness about common skin conditions and their presentation on different skin colours to the public in Exeter.

Objectives

This paper aims to reflect on and evaluate the experience of medical students in developing and implementing this project, with a focus on the significant positive impact it had on their dermatological knowledge and practical ability to assess skin conditions on diverse skin tones.

Methods

Each team member was asked to complete a survey to self‐assess critical skills before and after participating in the project and write a post‐event reflective piece. The responses to the survey and reflective pieces were further analysed for specific themes.

Results

All members perceived a significant improvement in three common themes: (i) bridging the knowledge gap, (ii) gaining confidence in designing innovative resources and (iii) enhancing communication skills. The survey and reflective pieces also identified areas of improvement in the project.

Conclusions

Beyond expanding the dermatology knowledge of medical students, the project encouraged critical thinking and proactiveness as future clinicians. Medical students perceived improvements in key skills such as effective communication, public speaking and developing innovative teaching resources. Medical schools must create opportunities to enable such student‐led projects and embed inclusion and diversity in the medical curriculum so that future clinicians are well‐equipped to serve a rapidly diversifying population. This project has now received further funding and is being expanded to create a digital resource pack for all medical school educators and students.
Bioinspired Multiscale Mineralization: From Fundamentals to Potential Applications
Authors: Zuo Liangrui , Yang Yifei , Zhang Hongbo , Ma Zhengxin , Xin Qiangwei , Ding Chunmei , Li Jianshu
Published: September 2023

The wondrous and imaginative designs of nature have always been an inexhaustible treasure trove for material scientists. Throughout the long evolutionary process, biominerals with hierarchical structures possess some specific advantages such as outstanding mechanical properties, biological functions, and sensing performances, the formation of which (biomineralization) is delicately regulated by organic component. Provoked by the subtle structures and profound principles of nature, bioinspired functional minerals can be designed with the participation of organic molecules. Because of the designable morphology and functions, multiscale mineralization has attracted more and more attention in the areas of medicine, chemistry, biology, and material science. This review provides a summary of current advancements in this extending topic. The mechanisms underlying mineralization is first concisely elucidated. Next, several types of minerals are categorized according to their structural characteristic, as well as the different potential applications of these materials. At last, a comprehensive overview of future developments for bioinspired multiscale mineralization is given. Concentrating on the mechanism of fabrication and broad application prospects of multiscale mineralization, the hope is to provide inspirations for the design of other functional materials.
Validity of Single Fluorescent Molecule to Report Local Dynamics of a Polymer Matrix: The Effect of Molecular Architecture
Authors: Zhu Hanqi , Li Haipeng , Zhang Hao , Yang Jingfa , Yan Shouke , Zhao Jiang
Published: September 2023

The influence of van der Waals volume as well as molecular configuration of the probe on its rotation is investigated by defocused single molecule fluorescence microscopy. The results show that the probe with a larger van der Waals volume has lower integrated power spectra density and the fraction of rotational molecules at each temperature. However, the asymmetric configuration of probe can make the integrated power spectra density and the fraction of rotational molecules larger. Therefore, the van der Waals volume of probe is the most dominating factor to determine the length scales and frequency of reported local dynamics while the asymmetric configuration of probe can bring about additional effect.
Machine Learning‐Aided Prediction and Construction of a Descriptor for Polymer Properties: A Case Study on the Lower Critical Solution Temperature of Copolymerized N‐Isopropylacrylamides
Authors: Sugawara Yuuki
Published: September 2023

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology has been increasingly applied in the field of chemistry in recent years. For proof of concept for the application of AI technology to polymer research, a state‐of‐the‐art machine learning (ML) technique is employed to systematically elucidate the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) copolymers using data collected from the literature. The information on 110 NIPAAm random copolymers is collected to extract their LCSTs and the chemical and physical parameters of the copolymers and comonomers. The ML analysis reveals that the copolymerized ratio, the elemental composition of carbon and oxygen in the comonomers, and the water solubility of the comonomers are crucial parameters affecting the LCST, and the constructed ML model successfully predicts the LCSTs of various NIPAAm copolymers. Furthermore, the genetic algorithm using symbolic regression identifies a simple and comprehensive descriptor for the LCST. This study demonstrates the usefulness of data‐driven ML techniques for polymer research with the rapid and accurate prediction of polymer properties.
Novel Polyetherimide Dielectrics: Molecular Design, Energy Storage Property, and Self‐Healing Performance
Authors: Cao Shimo , Tong Hui , Wang Silin , Liu Junbiao
Published: September 2023

The development of high‐temperature resistant dielectrics with excellent dielectric properties and self‐healing behavior is crucial for the application of metallized film capacitors. In this work, a series of polyetherimide (PEI) dielectric films are designed and fabricated. The introduction of polar groups is in favor to the increase of permittivity, and the flexible connection such as the ether group will facilitate the reduction of dielectric loss. Moreover, the oxygen elements are beneficial to the “self‐healing” of metallized film capacitors. Consequently, the permittivity of 3.53–4.00, dissipation factor of 0.281–0.517%, and Weibull breakdown strength of 347–674 MV m−1 are obtained for the PEI dielectrics. In addition, PEI‐4 (BPADA‐BAPP) and PEI‐8 (BPADA‐MDA) are selected to further investigate dielectric breakdown (150 °C), electrical displacement‐electric filed (D‐E) loop (at room temperature and 150 °C) as well as self‐healing performance, which will evaluate their potential in practical applications. The results show that PEI‐8 has stable breakdown field strength and high charge–discharge efficiency at elevated temperatures. Metallized film capacitor based on PEI‐8 exhibits excellent self‐healing performance, with pleasing self‐clear morphology, high breakdown voltage, and reduced self‐healing energy. Therefore, PEI‐8 is considered as a potential candidate for metallized film capacitors applied under harsh conditions.
A Sensitive Concentration‐ and Polarity‐Dependent Pyrene‐Derived Vibrationally Resolved Fluorescence Probe for The Polymer Interdiffusion Study
Authors: Mo Ruibin , Zhang Fusheng , Sheng Xinxin , Zhang Xinya
Published: September 2023

The vibrationally resolved pyrene fluorescence probe method is once popular but now languished, because the vibrationally resolved patterns of pyrene with limited sensitivity and concentration independence have not been updated for over 50 years. During investigation on the polymer interdiffusion of a latex film, it is found that a pyrene acylhydrazone whose vibrationally resolved fluorescence pattern contradictory to those reported in pyrene and most pyrene derivatives. The pyrene acylhydrazone has sensitive concentration‐ and polarity‐dependent fluorescence spectra (the sensitivity on polarity is at most 26 times higher than the old vibrationally resolved patterns), and the sensitivity well remains when it is copolymerized in a polymer. The vibrationally resolved spectrum of this pyrene acylhydrazone is a powerful fluorescence probe, which would be as useful as the pyrene excimer probe nowadays popular.
Prime editor‐mediated functional reshaping of ACE2 prevents the entry of multiple human coronaviruses, including SARS‐CoV‐2 variants
Authors: Zhao Wenwen , Li Jifang , Wang Xiao , Xu Wei , Gao Bao‐Qing , Xiang Jiangchao , Hou Yaofeng , Liu Wei , Wu Jing , Qi Qilian , Wei Jia , Yang Xiaoyu , Lu Lu , Yang Li , Chen Jia , Yang Bei
Published: September 2023

The spike protein of SARS‐CoV‐2 hijacks the host angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to meditate its entry and is the primary target for vaccine development. Nevertheless, SARS‐CoV‐2 keeps evolving and the latest Omicron subvariants BQ.1 and XBB have gained exceptional immune evasion potential through mutations in their spike proteins, leading to sharply reduced efficacy of current spike‐focused vaccines and therapeutics. Compared with the fast‐evolving spike protein, targeting host ACE2 offers an alternative antiviral strategy that is more resistant to viral evolution and can even provide broad prevention against SARS‐CoV and HCoV‐NL63. Here, we use prime editor (PE) to precisely edit ACE2 at structurally selected sites. We demonstrated that residue changes at Q24/D30/K31 and/or K353 of ACE2 could completely ablate the binding of tested viruses while maintaining its physiological role in host angiotensin II conversion. PE‐mediated ACE2 editing at these sites suppressed the entry of pseudotyped SARS‐CoV‐2 major variants of concern and even SARS‐CoV or HCoV‐NL63. Moreover, it significantly inhibited the replication of the Delta variant live virus. Our work investigated the unexplored application potential of prime editing in high‐risk infectious disease control and demonstrated that such gene editing‐based host factor reshaping strategy can provide broad‐spectrum antiviral activity and a high barrier to viral escape or resistance.
SEMA3B‐AS1 suppresses colorectal carcinoma progression by inhibiting Semaphorin 3B‐dependent VEGF signaling pathway activation
Authors: Wang Yi‐Qing , Chen Hui , Xu Shuang , Liao Cong‐Rui , Xu Anran , Han Yue , Yang Min‐Hui , Zhao Li , Hu Sha‐Sha , Wang Lan , Li Qing‐Yuan , Zhan Ling‐Ying , Ding Yan‐Qing , Wang Shuang
Published: September 2023

Mounting evidence has demonstrated the considerable regulatory effects of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the tumorigenesis and progression of various carcinomas. LncRNA Semaphorin 3B (SEMA3B) antisense RNA 1 (SEMA3B‐AS1) has been found to be dysregulated in a few carcinomas recently. However, its potential function and mechanism in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) have not yet been examined. Here we show thatSEMA3B‐AS1acts as a crucial regulator of CRC progression. We found thatSEMA3B‐AS1expression was downregulated in CRC cell lines and tissues. Downregulation ofSEMA3B‐AS1was significantly associated with poor survival in CRC patients. Overexpression ofSEMA3B‐AS1reduced the cell growth and metastasis of CRC in vivo and in vitro. In addition,SEMA3B‐AS1promoted the expression of its sense‐cognate gene SEMA3B, a member of the Semaphorin family (SEMAs), by recruiting EP300 to induce H3K9 acetylation at the SEMA3B promoter. Furthermore, we proved thatSEMA3B‐AS1suppressed CRC angiogenesis by affecting the vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway activation which was regulated by the SEMA3B‐NRP1 axis. Our work unravels a novel mechanism ofSEMA3B‐AS1in the inhibition of CRC malignant progression and highlights its probability as a new promising diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for CRC interventions.
CT‐based radiomics prediction of CXCL13 expression in ovarian cancer
Authors: Xu Wenting , Zhu Chengyi , JI Dan , Qian Haiqing , Shi Lingli , Mao Xuping , Zhou Huifang , Wang Lihong
Published: September 2023

Background

Ovarian cancer, the most common malignancy in the female reproductive system, and patients tend to be at middle and advanced clinical stages when diagnosed. Therefore, early detection and early diagnosis have important clinical significance for the treatment of ovarian cancer patients. CXCL13, a chemokine with the ligands CXCR3 and CXCR5, is involved in the tumor metastasis process.

Purpose

This study aimed to predict mRNA expression of CXCL13 in ovarian cancer tissues noninvasively.

Methods

Medical imaging data and transcriptomic sequencing data of the 343 ovarian cancer patients were downloaded from the TCIA and TCGA databases, respectively. Seventy‐six radiomics features were extracted from the CT data. Seven features were selected for model construction by using logistic regression. Accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were used to evaluate the radiomics model.

Results

High CXCL13 expression was found to be a significant protective factor for OS [HR (95% CI) = 0.755 (0.622–0.916),p = 0.004]. There was a significant positive correlation between CXCL13 and the degree of eosinophil infiltration. A calibration curve and the Hosmer‒Lemeshow goodness‐of‐fit test showed that the prediction probability of the radiomics prediction model for high expression of CXCL13 was consistent with the true value. The AUC value of the nomogram model's ability to predict OS (12 months) was 0.758. The calibration plot and DCA both showed high clinical applicability for the nomogram model.

Conclusion

CXCL13 is a candidate predictive biomarker for OC and correlates with the degree of plasma cell and eosinophil infiltration.
Investigation of a novel inorganic cubic perovskite Ca3PI3 with unique strain‐driven optical, electronic, and mechanical properties
Authors: Rahman Md. Ferdous , Islam Md. Al Ijajul , Islam Md. Rasidul , Ali Md. Hasan , Barman Pobitra , Rahman Md. Azizur , Harun‐Or‐Rashid Md. , Hasan Mehedi , Hossain M. Khalid
Published: September 2023

The remarkable structural, optical, and electronic characteristics of inorganic perovskite materials have generated significant enthusiasm within the field of solar technology. The material Ca3PI3 belongs to the same category as inorganic metal halide perovskites. This research utilized the first‐principles density functional theory (FP‐DFT) to examine how the optical and electronic characteristics of Ca3PI3 are impacted by strain. To accurately determine the band arrangement, we incorporated the relativistic spin‐orbit coupling (SOC) effect into our calculations. The planar Ca3PI3 molecule has a direct bandgap of 1.582 eV (PBE) at its Г(gamma)‐point, but while the relativistic SOC effect is included, the bandgap decreases to 1.329 eV. Under compressive strain, the bandgap of all structures decreases, whereas under tensile strain, it increases. The optical characteristics of Ca3PI3, including the dielectric function, absorption coefficient, and electron loss function, indicate its strong absorption capabilities in the visible range, driven by its band properties. Besides, the photon energy spectrum displays a red‐shift (blue‐shift) in the absorption coefficient and dielectric function with increasing amounts of compressive (tensile) strain. Therefore, the study of the strain‐induced optical and electronic characteristics of Ca3PI3 bears valuable implications for its potential use in the design of solar cells and optoelectronic devices.