bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Analysis of Cariogenic Potential of Different Types of Commercially Available Milk Beverages- An Interventional Study
Authors: Giri Shefali , Madhu Priyanka Paul , Chhabra Kumar Gaurav , Mahure Gopika , Chandak Shailey
Published: September 2021

To assess the cariogenic potential of almond milk, soya milk, coconut milk and bovine milk, was evaluated to check ability to enable Streptococcus mutans association formed, acid manufacturing, as well as their ability to buffer pH transforms. The baseline non stimulated whole salivary sample (2.5-5 ml) will be collected from the students in the morning at least 1 hr after breakfast. The salivary samples (pre-test and post-test) will be collected and tested for the CFUs. Salivary samples are transported in a plastic container to the microbiological laboratory. They were then tested for the number of CFUs for S. mutans using mitis salivarius bacitracin agar. Soya milk promoted much more biofilm development, whereas sugar free almond milk promoted a little. When pH test was performed, sugar free almond milk had the lowest cation exchange capacity, whereas bovine milk had the maximum cation exchange capacity.
Convalescent Plasma Therapy in COVID 19 an Indian Scenario: Comprehensive Review
Authors: Vimal Shruti , Naval Pratiksha , Sawadker Manoj , Bhomia Pallavi , Jadhav Neha , Yadav Shraddha , Bhosale Madhura , Dharwadker Arpana , Viswanathan Vidya
Published: September 2021

The recent pandemic due to Corona virus more popularly known as COVID 19 has reassessed the usefulness of historic convalescent plasma transfusion. (CPT) The CPT is one of the promising therapies in the current pandemic situation. This review was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of CPT therapy in COVID 19 patients based on the publications reported till date. PubMed, EMBASE and Medline databases were screened up to 30 April 2021. All the records were screened as per the protocol eligibility criteria. 

The main features of the studies reviewed were, convalescent plasma can reduce mortality in severely ill patients, an increase in neutralizing antibodies titre and disappearance of SARS CoV 2 RNA was observed in all the patients on CPT therapy and over all a beneficial effect on clinical symptoms after administration of CP. 

Based on the review findings and the limited scientific data, CPT therapy in COVID 19 patients appear safe, clinically effective and reduces mortality. However, the need of a multicentre clinical trials, unequivocal proof of efficacy, effectiveness and the need for the standardisation of the CPT needs to be addressed immediately for the full utilisation of potential of CPT.
Impact of Therapeutic Ultrasound and Myofascial Release Technique on Quality of Life of Students Having Neck Pain Following Virtual Learning
Authors: Choubisa Chitrakshi A. , G. D. Vishnu Vardhan , Bele Ashish
Published: September 2021

Background: Neck pain is a ubiquitous complaint leading to work place absenteeism, disabilities and disturbed sleep wake cycle in many young working and studying people. In ongoing covid scenario, since there is increased use of laptops and mobile phones facilitating work from home for employee and virtual learning for students, there has been increased prevalence of non-specific neck pain among the people due to prolonged fixed flexion posture. Neck pain has become the condition of major consideration since 45% of UG students had experienced neck pain in last 12 months.

Aims and Objectives: to evaluate combined and individual effects of Therapeutic Ultrasound and Myofascial Release Technique on Quality of Life of students suffering from neck pain owing to virtual learning.

Methods: The participant (n=33) will be recruited in study experiencing non-specific neck pain and meeting the inclusion criteria. Three groups will be formed such that the patient in Group A will receive treated with therapeutic ultrasound. Group B will be receiving treatment using Myofascial Release Technique and Group C will be treated using combined use of both Therapeutic Ultrasound and Myofascial release Technique. The protocol will cover 1 week of treatment. Regular assessment at 0,3rd and 7th day of week will be carried out. We will evaluate using Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Range of motion of neck and Manual Muscle testing of cervical musculature.

Results: The result of the study will provide affirmation on using combination therapy of Therapeutic Ultrasound and Myofascial Release Technique in people having nonspecific neck  pain.
Creating an Optimal Structure of the Diet to Increase the Productivity of Calves in Calves of Dairy Breeds
Authors: Lemiasheuski Viktar O. , Ostrenko Konstantin S. , Ovcharova Anastasia N.
Published: September 2021

The diet of dairy bulls contains little high-quality protein. This primarily affects the main indicators of feed growth and conversion. Poor-quality protein in the diet leads to excessive formation of ammonia in the rumen. Increased concentrations of ammonia, does not participate in the synthesis of microbial protein and is excreted in the urine, which is an energy-consuming process and negatively affects the gains. Ammonia has a toxic effect, when an excessive amount of it enters the bloodstream, where it causes hyperamonymy, and creates an additional load on the liver.

Aims: The aim of the study is to create an optimal structure of the diet, in which the protein will be completely utilized by the rumen microbiota and animal protein will be reproduced on its basis to create the growth potential of fattening bulls. The development of this diet will allow creating a technology for fattening steers for meat that is economically profitable with a high proportion of healthy animals with high productivity.

Methodology: The studies were conducted on calves of the Kholmogorsky breed raised in the VNIIFBIP vivarium, aged from 1.5 months to 14 months. At the age of 1.5 months, the animals were intensively accustomed to the introduction of concentrates and coarse feeds. Feeding with a milk substitute was carried out up to the age of 70 days with free access to mixed feed and hay.

Results: During the study, the main factors responsible for the metabolic processes in bull calves were identified. The factors of digestibility in the rumen were studied. Physiological and biochemical parameters were established to assess the reduction of the risks of hyperammonemia. The use of concentrated feed against the background of strict proportional administration together with coarse feed with intensive cultivation and fattening of dairy bulls and the normal course of enzymatic processes in the rumen and throughout the body allows you to achieve an average daily increase of up to 1420 g by 14 months of age and reduce feed conversion.

Conclusion: The results obtained make it possible to increase the productivity of fattening steers in regions with a large number of dairy cattle and the availability of concentrated feed.
High rate of depression in patients with chronic hepatitis C / Taxa elevada de depressão em pacientes com hepatite C crônica
Authors: Fakoury Max Kopti , Ximenes Catherine Da Cal Valdez , Pires Marcia Amendola , Filho Aureo Carmo , Brito Alan Messala A. , Mello Carlos Eduardo Brandão
Published: September 2021

Objetivos: descrever a frequência de depressão em pacientes com hepatite C (HCV) e relacionar com as variáveis biológicas e função hepática. Métodos: estudo transversal, descritivo, de abordagem quantitativa, que avaliou a depressão utilizando os critérios do Manual de diagnóstico e estatístico de transtornos mentais (DSM-V) e a associação com as variáveis biológicas e de função hepática em 85 pacientes com HCV crônica indicados para a terapia antiviral de ação direta (DAA) entre maio de 2018 e 2019. Resultados: detectou-se depressão em 47,1% dos pacientes, predominantemente depressão leve (95%). Entretanto a depressão ocorreu de forma independente das características biológicas, como sexo, idade, escolaridade, comorbidades associadas e da função hepática, como grau de fibrose e genótipo viral. Conclusões: a frequência de depressão foi alta em pacientes com HCV e não teve relação estatística com as características biológicas e função hepática, sugerindo a busca ativa da depressão como estratégia na condução destes pacientes.
Políticas neoliberais: o desaparecimento de pessoas na burocracia dos cemitérios
Authors: Hattori Marcia Lika , Vendramini Carneiro Eliana Faleiros
Published: September 2021

O presente artigo procura refletir sobre diferentes processos de desaparecimento de pessoas no contexto contemporâneo. Propõe-se analisar outras formas de desaparecer, que não através do desaparecimento forçado de pessoas, cujas inúmeras pesquisas têm desvelado suas diferentes estratégias, formas e ações. Através da complexa relação entre ação e omissão do Estado nos seus diferentes níveis e políticas neoliberais de concessões ou privatizações dos serviços cemiteriais, procuramos refletir, a partir de um contexto na cidade de São Paulo – Brasil, formas de desaparecimento de pessoas pela burocracia. Procura-se evidenciar como esse fato não está relacionado apenas a uma ação individual ou a um erro particular, mas, também, a uma política de governo que não provê as necessidades básicas de parte da sociedade, então escolhida à própria perda de sua identidade.
Capital racial e a perspectiva colonial no século XXI
Authors: Gonzaga Yone Maria , Da Costa Júnior Jair
Published: September 2021

Este artigo discute como o colonialismo configurou as sociedades ocidentais a partir de uma lógica de hierarquização e classificação dos povos e grupos sociais pelo crivo das distinções raciais. Erigiu e reservou às estruturas de Estado a função de dar continuidade ao projeto de dominação e exploração, através de dispositivos de racialidade/biopoder no ordenamento social. Demonstramos, a partir de estudos empíricos, como tal perspectiva implica na definição das condições de vida e estas homologamente como justificativas para imposição da exclusão e da morte como uma causalidade natural. Esta premissa reforça a hipótese um capital racial atuando como um poder simbólico na orquestração das estruturas sociais e individuais, condicionando a definição e escopo das políticas públicas. Questiona-se a perspectiva racionalista atribuída ao Estado e denuncia o arbítrio das políticas públicas, as quais, suas reais finalidades encontram sentido alhures sob a hipótese de atender às intencionalidades que lhes originaram.
Quando a morte espreita:
Authors: Esteves Alexandra Patrícia , Pinto Silvia Daniela
Published: September 2021

Com o presente artigo apresentamos os resultados de nossa pesquisa sobre as doenças e epidemias que assolaram Portugal e, em particular, o Minho, região confinante com a província espanhola da Galiza. Para o efeito, recorremos, sobretudo, a textos médicos e à imprensa local da época. Ao longo do século XIX e nas primeiras décadas do século seguinte foram várias as moléstias que conduziram à morte e à miséria às gentes das terras minhotas, designadamente, a cólera, a varíola, o tifo, a gripe pneumônica. A pobreza, a ausência de cuidados de higiene, as precárias condições de vida da generalidade da população, entre outros fatores, potenciavam o surgimento e o alastramento de todo tipo de doenças. Com o propósito de as combater e evitar sua propagação, foram várias as medidas tomadas pelas autoridades sanitárias e administrativas, nem sempre bem aceites pela população, por colocarem em causa seu sustento e modo de vida.
A paleopatologia e o estudo das doenças no passado
Authors: Liryo Andersen
Published: September 2021

O estudo das doenças humanas no passado, conhecida como paleopatologia, tem ajudado muito na compreensão do comportamento humano e de sua relação com o meio ambiente ao longo da história. A paleopatologia se apresenta como uma fonte substancial de informação acerca da interação homem-doenças, trabalhando com uma fonte extensa de material direto, que são os remanescentes humanos, principalmente, de sítios arqueológicos. Este artigo efetua uma revisão da literatura sobre a paleopatologia e os aspectos teóricos-metodológicos para diagnósticos de doenças no passado, abordando sua história, as especificidades do trabalho e suas limitações, apresentando elementos para uma reflexão sobre as possibilidades de colaboração com a investigação de grandes epidemias, como a do Sars-CoV-2 (COVID-19).
Niños ante la muerte de los niños:
Authors: Bondar Cesar Ivan
Published: September 2021

Presentamos los resultados de la exploración y descripción de parte del sistema de creencias sobre el que se monta y construye la muerte de los niños; atendiendo principalmente a cómo se comprende la condición de angelito. Partimos de dos casos concretos: de las prácticas tradicionales del primero de noviembre conocidas como Ángeles Somos y de un taller de clásicos de animación infantil en el que se trabajaron los episodios de Casper, el fantasma amigable. En ambos casos se trabaja la relación con la figura del angelito o niño difunto. La población está conformada por un total de 250 niños de siete a once años de la Provincia de Corrientes Argentina y Sur del Paraguay. Priorizando el método etnográfico, entre 2009 y 2019, se realizaron observaciones, entrevistas orales y escritas, talleres y diversas actividades recreativas. Damos cuenta de la construcción del niño fallecido como ángel, así como de su capacidad para regresar al mundo de los vivos, atraído por los juegos y canciones infantiles.
É permitido fugir do risco de morte? de M. Lutero:
Authors: Rieth Ricardo Willy
Published: September 2021

O artigo aborda representações e práticas culturais de enfrentamento individual e coletivo a epidemias no final da Idade Média e início da Época Moderna, analisando discursos veiculados pelos assim chamados panfletos da peste, com destaque para "É permitido fugir do risco de morte?", de autoria de Martinho Lutero, em 1527. Esses discursos ensinam práticas culturais que instruem, moldam e governam corpos, propondo modos de ser e de agir, em uma complexa rede de significados produzidos e negociados. Instituem-se, assim práticas de si, no sentido de conhecer e dirigir o olhar para si, reconhecer os próprios limites e libertar-se do domínio de si mesmo e dos outros, buscando fundamentar a liberdade para um exercício ético e político.
Enhancing community resilience in the context of trauma: The Morandi Bridge collapse in Italy
Authors: Migliorini Laura , Olcese Martina , Cardinali Paola
Published: December 2024

Community resilience increases collective capacity to enact change and restore communities following trauma. Using the Beyond the Bridge Project as a case study following the Morandi Bridge Collapse, we conducted 10 consultations with the Project Lead Group. We employed a stakeholder analysis, and ecological maps performed using the Communities Advancing Resilience Toolkit methodology. The findings highlight the involvement and categorization of stakeholders based on their post‐trauma intervention attitudes. The ecological maps facilitated communication and community competence between different stakeholder groups, which are key aspects of community resilience. We suggest that this methodology is promising for future research in trauma‐affected communities.
GC‐MS and HPTLC Fingerprinting Analysis and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Naga Chilli: An In Vitro and In Silico Approach
Authors: Chache Moziihrii , Das Siddhartha Sankar , Choudhury Deijy , Sahariah Bhargab J. , Ashraf Gouhar Jahan , Sahu Ranabir , Dua Tarun Kumar , Majumder Manish , Dutta Koushik Nandan
Published: December 2024

Naga chilli (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) have garnered significant attention due to the plant's possible health benefits and variety of phytochemical components. Utilizing cutting‐edge analytical techniques such as gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and high‐performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) in conjunction with bioautography, this study conducts a thorough phytochemical profiling and biological activity assessment of the Naga chilli plant. An in silico docking study was performed for all the bioactive compounds identified through GC‐MS against dihydrofolate reductase, a critical enzyme for bacterial survival. Many important components were identified and quantified with the help of subsequent GC‐MS and HPTLC analysis. Among them, capsaicinoids were found to be the most prevalent. GC‐MS results showed nonadecane (21.28%), 1‐dimethyl(phenyl)silyloxypentane (14.53%), capsaicin (13.55%) and 2‐pentanone, 4‐hydroxy‐4‐methyl‐ (11.42%) were the most prevalent. HPTLC report showed capsaicin was 0.833 mg/g of fresh weight of Naga chilli. This study showed good docking scores for some of the constituents, particularly capsaicin, indicating that this plant is a good candidate for antimicrobial activity. This activity of the extract confirms the docking results, which needs to be in focus for further antimicrobial drug development.
The Role of Values and Attitude in Food Waste Reduction: Exploring Ideal Sustainable Business Strategies
Authors: Kumar Sushant , Mehrotra Ankit , Yaqub Muhammad Zafar , Gupta Bhumika , Agarwal Vaishali
Published: December 2024

Food waste concerns are growing globally. Previous studies identified several strategies to reduce food waste. However, how individuals' values guide them towards food waste has not been adequately explored. This study examines the role of individual values and attitudinal mechanisms on food waste reduction behaviors. We adopt the value–attitude–behavior (VAB) theory as a theoretical underpinning to conceptualize a research model. Specifically, the study utilized altruistic and biospheric values as value dimensions, anticipated guilt and personal responsibility as attitudinal mechanisms, willingness to pay for food waste recycling, and food waste segregation as the outcome behavioral constructs. A survey approach is used to collect data from US household consumers. Findings indicate that altruistic values evoke anticipated guilt and personal responsibility, whereas biospheric values shape anticipated guilt. The anticipated guilt and personal responsibility determine consumers' willingness to pay for food waste recycling and segregation of food waste. Additionally, mediating roles of anticipated guilt and personal responsibility were also confirmed. Furthermore, the moderating role of long‐term orientation as a critical contingency that affects VAB linkages has been empirically substantiated. The study's findings contribute to the literature on food waste and provide empirical justification for how values shape attitudes that determine food waste reduction behaviors. Policymakers should design instruments to foster food waste reduction behaviors based on the effectuality of values and attitudes unraveled by this research.
Study of a Dual‐Loop Digital Control System for High‐Power Input‐Parallel Output‐Series Phase‐Shifted Full‐Bridge Converters Based on Pole Configuration
Authors: Yu Zhipeng , Zhao Yang
Published: December 2024

Digital control is characterized by mature analysis technology and easy implementation and is widely used in high‐power input‐parallel‐output series (IPOS) phase‐shifted full‐bridge (PSFB) converters. However, in modern industrial applications, most digital controllers are still designed with traditional technologies, such as PID control. Some characteristics of this control technology, such as control time delay and approximate design process, make the results fail to achieve the expected performance. At the same time, this digital control needs to be tested in the process of use, and the process is cumbersome and difficult to achieve. Based on the existing problems, this paper deduces a discrete state space model from the application of the IPOS‐PSFB converter, focusing on the characteristics of control delay. At the same time, this paper puts forward a double‐loop control strategy to ensure the accuracy of controller design. Among them, the current and voltage loop designs are independent. The current loop and voltage loop adopts two controllers, namely, the proportional controller and PI plus state feedback controller, and the parameters of the voltage loop controller are accurately calculated according to overshoot and bandwidth index. Finally, the IPOS‐PSFB converter is simulated and analyzed by MATLAB/Simulink software, and the controller's steady‐state performance and anti‐interference are analyzed.
Urbanization Shifts Immunometabolism in a Common Bumblebee
Authors: Cuvillier‐Hot Virginie , Fisogni Alessandro , Doublet Vincent , Guillot Sylvain , Holl Anne‐Catherine , Leclercq‐Dransart Julie , Occelli Florent , Piquot Yves , Hautekèete Nina
Published: December 2024

The growing urbanization process is accompanied by the emergence of new habitats for wildlife, and cities are sometimes seen as refuges for pollinators such as wild bees compared to intensively cultivated rural habitats. However, the contrasting living conditions that combine high fragmentation, exposure to pollutants, and heat island effects, with low pesticide use and potentially high availability of resources, make it difficult to predict the overall effect of urban living on the health of wild bees. Moreover, if the responses of wild bee populations in terms of species richness and diversity have been the focus of many recent studies, individual responses to urbanization have been more rarely investigated. More specifically, data on the impacts on individual bee physiology and health are lacking. To help fill this gap, we collected red‐tailed bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) workers along a gradient of urbanization defined by the level of soil imperviousness, and estimated environmental (air quality) and ecological (pathogens' prevalence and loads; local competition) pressures they locally experienced. In parallel, we quantified the expression of selected immune marker genes. We measured how the immune system of bumblebees responds to urbanization gradient and which local parameters best explain the observed changes in immune gene expression. We evidenced three immune markers, tightly linked with cellular metabolism, whose expressions increase with the level of urbanization, independently of individual infection and pollution exposure. We suggest that induction of their expression reveals a shift in wild bee immunometabolism, supposedly in response to the stressful conditions experienced in areas with high built‐up cover. The induction of these genes is likely at the root of any immune activation; they could thus be used as markers to estimate the levels of urban stress locally experienced by pollinators.
A New Thermodynamic Approach to Multimode Fiber Self‐cleaning and Soliton Condensation
Authors: Zitelli Mario
Published: December 2024

A new thermodynamic theory for optical multimode systems is proposed. Theory is based on a weighted Bose–Einstein law, and includes the state equation, the fundamental equation for the entropy and a metric to measure the accuracy of the thermodynamic approach. The theory is used to compare the experimental results of two propagation regimes in multimode fibers, specifically the self‐cleaning in the normal chromatic dispersion region and the soliton condensation in the anomalous dispersion region. Surprising similarities are found in terms of thermodynamic parameters, suggesting a common basis for the thermalization processes observed in the two propagation regimes.
Is Transparency Good in a Supply Chain? The Downside of Information Acquisition Transparency
Authors: Li Yongjian , Li Futou , Wang Wei
Published: December 2024

In the supply chain, retailers usually have inherent advantages over manufacturers in obtaining demand information because they are closer to the final market and can directly interact with consumers. However, manufacturers cannot make sure whether their retailers have obtained extra demand information. The retailer's information acquisition state is also an important aspect of information asymmetry among supply chain participants, besides the demand information itself. We examine two modes observed in practice regarding the transparency of the retailer's information acquisition state: non‐transparency and full transparency. By incorporating a manufacturer's information belief adjustment strategy, our study thus addresses a retailer's acquisition and ex‐post sharing of information (i.e., the decision on how to share acquired information) under the two transparency modes. The main findings show that under the non‐transparency mode, the retailer shares low‐demand information but hides high‐demand information. With respect to the interim profit (i.e., after the acquisition cost is realized), the preferences of the manufacturer, retailer, and supply chain on the two modes depend on the information acquisition cost. With respect to the ex‐ante profit (i.e., before acquisition cost is realized), surprisingly, the manufacturer and supply chain always prefer the non‐transparency mode, whereas the retailer's preference for the two modes still depends on the acquisition cost. In addition, our equilibrium outcome reveals that the retailer and the manufacturer will never sign an internal information sharing agreement (i.e., never achieve the full transparency mode), whether before or after the realization of information acquisition cost. We also find that the expected consumer surplus under the non‐transparency mode is always higher than that under the full transparency mode, which is also a counterintuitive outcome. Finally, our main findings in the core model are relatively robust when considering acquisition cost sharing, general demand distribution, general acquisition cost distribution, ex‐ante informed retailer, and imperfect information acquisition.
Positive Margin Rates in Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Malignancies: A National Analysis
Authors: Sharma Rahul K. , Orosco Ryan K. , Philips Ramez , Faraji Farhoud , Esce Antoinette R. , Topf Michael C.
Published: December 2024

Objective

Oral cavity malignancies (OCC) and oropharyngeal malignancies (OPC) historically have higher rates of positive surgical margins (PSM) compared to other solid malignancies. The objective of this study is to understand trends and predictors in positive surgical margins (PSM) for OPSCC and OCSCC using the National Cancer Database (NCDB).

Study Design

Retrospective Cohort Study.

Setting

National Cancer Database.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of patients with OCC and OPC between 2004 and 2020 in the NCDB. Linear regression analysis between PSM rates and year was performed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate the effect of the year of diagnosis on PSM after adjusting for patient, tumor, and healthcare system‐related factors.

Results

We analyzed 60,695 patients with OCC and 31,950 patients with OPC. Overall PSM rate was 16.1% in OCC and 33.1% in OPC. OCC PSM rate decreased from 17.7% in 2004 to 15.8% in 2020. OPC PSM rate decreased from 32.5% to 25.0%. Later date of diagnosis was associated with a reduction in positive margins for both OCC (odds ratio [OR] 0.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.99‐1.0, P < .001) and OPC (0.99, 0.98‐0.99, P < .001). For patients with available minimally‐invasive surgery data, both later year of diagnosis (0.95, 0.93‐0.96, P < .001) and use of minimally‐invasive techniques (0.830, 0.75‐0.92, P < .001) were associated with a reduction in PSM in OPC.

Conclusion

Positive margins for OCC/OPC have been decreasing over the past 2 decades. Robot use has been associated with a reduced PSM rate in OPC. Understanding factors that may contribute to trends in PSM is important in promoting continued improvement.
Comparison of IL‐1 Receptor Antagonist and Dexamethasone in Noise‐Induced Hearing Loss: Animal Model
Authors: Yaşar Nagihan G. , Yiğman Zeynep , Billur Deniz , Tufan Abdurrahman , Gündüz Bülent , Kamişli Gurbet İ. Ş. , Karamert Recep
Published: December 2024

Objective

This study aimed to attenuate cochlear inflammation following noise‐induced hearing loss by targeting IL‐1. We evaluated the effectiveness of IL‐1 inhibition through auditory and histological assessments in an animal model.

Study design

Experimental animal study.

Setting

Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.

Methods

Twenty‐four rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups: Anakinra, dexamethasone, and control groups. All animals were exposed to broadband noise (110 dB SPL, 8 hours), auditory brainstem response (ABR) tests were conducted before noise exposure, immediately after, and on Day 14. Anakinra, dexamethasone, and saline were administered intraperitoneally, cochlear tissues were harvested for histological and immunohistochemical evaluation.

Results

On Day 14, ABR thresholds in Anakinra group were better than the control group across all frequencies, with a significant difference observed at 8 kHz (P = .036). The mean number of OHC was significantly higher in Anakinra group compared to the control group (P < .05). The mean number of IHC in the Anakinra group was greater than in the dexamethasone group. IL‐1β immunopositivity in the stria vascularis and spiral ganglia was significantly higher in Anakinra group compared to dexamethasone group (P = .022 and P = .013, respectively). TNF‐α immunopositivity in the stria vascularis and spiral ganglia was significantly greater in control group than in Anakinra group (P = .037 and P = .01, respectively).

Conclusion

The comparable efficacy of Anakinra and dexamethasone in both histological and auditory assessments suggests that Anakinra may serve as a promising therapeutic option for noise‐induced hearing loss.
Assessing Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Quality: A Retrospective Review of One Center's Findings
Authors: Choudhry Hannaan S. , Povolotskiy Roman , Damji Shahin , Ying Yu‐Lan M. , Raia Nicole
Published: December 2024

Objectives

Auditory brainstem response (ABR) is the gold standard to assess hearing loss in pediatric patients. Multiple widely accepted ABR protocols with varying parameters are accepted, difference in standards may lead to misdiagnosis or delay in diagnosis and treatment. This study investigates the quality of ABR testing in pediatric patients in addition to changes in diagnoses and management.

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Setting

University Hospital, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

Methods

Retrospective chart review was conducted for all pediatric patients from 2012 to 2019 who had undergone prior outside ABR testing before presenting to our institution for hearing loss evaluation. The ABR tests were analyzed for completeness following the American Academy of Audiology (AAA), American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA), and The Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) guidelines. Descriptive statistics on changes in patient diagnoses and interventions after repeat ABR were performed.

Results

80 patients met inclusion criteria. The most common reasons for an incomplete ABR were inadequate components of testing including tone burst bone conduction (85.0%), polarity (82.5%), and tone burst air conduction (48.7%). 77 of the patients who presented required a repeat ABR. 37 repeated ABRs resulted in a change of diagnosis, the most common being from unspecified hearing loss to sensorineural hearing loss (10%). 23 cases had a change in ultimate management.

Conclusion

Incomplete ABR testing may result in misdiagnosis, delay in diagnosis and treatment. Identifying common reasons for incomplete ABR testing may aid Otolaryngologists develop a screening workflow to recognize patients requiring repeat testing.

Level of Evidence

4.
Pattern of surface energy (tension) change after coating/printing on a pretreated (Low Density /Linear Low Density Poly Ethylene) co‐extruded plastic film surface and its consequences on lamination and overprinting
Authors: Das Bidhan , Chakrabarty Debabrata , Mukherjee Avik , Guha Chandan , Bose Saswata
Published: December 2024

This study embodies the characterization of corona‐treated co‐extruded transparent polyethylene films at different voltages after printing with five different colors to inspect whether variations in surface polarities have any influence on the behavior of the ink coatings. The variation in the coating weights of the differently colored inks' was studied as a function of surface energies of the films and found to lie within the range of 0.925–2.7 g/m2 (GSM), irrespective of surface energies of the films. The surface energies of the respective ink coatings were also determined separately, which were then compared with the surface energies of the corona‐treated co‐extruded plastic films under study. Additionally, the force of adhesion of the ink films over the treated film, at any particular wattage was determined, which varied as white > magenta > cyan > yellow > black. Other surface characteristics of the ink coatings, such as contact angle, coefficient of friction, scuff resistance, were also investigated. The barrier properties, mechanical, and ageing characteristics of the ink coated‐treated plastics films were found not to get impacted upon much by the influence of coating on their surfaces.

Highlights

Subsequent Processing like lamination and overprinting.

Corona Pre‐treatment LD/LLDPE co‐extruded film.

Scuffing characteristics of the printed (with different colored inks) pre‐treated (corona) LD/LLDPE films.

Interlocking through its chemisorptive/ adsorptive forces.

For all colored films, the kinetic C.OF. suffered a small increase with surface treatment level.
Effect of Ethoxy functionalized hexagonal boron nitride on h‐BN/TPU thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposite and its thermal properties
Authors: Tiwari Rishabh , Butola B. S. , Joshi Mangala
Published: December 2024

This study investigates the thermal and electrical properties of Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanocomposites embedded with hexagonal‐Boron Nitride (h‐BN) nanosheets. The ethoxy functionalization of the h‐BN, on account of the interaction between the ethanol and h‐BN, led to the exfoliation of the nanosheets at low amounts of loading and had a direct impact on the thermal conductivity of the m‐BN/TPU nanocomposites. The modified BN (m‐BN) was studied using FTIR, TGA, and XPS to verify the interaction between ethanol and h‐BN. The m‐BN/TPU nanocomposites exhibited enhanced thermal stability and reduced IR emissivity. The electrical resistivity was measured using an electrometer and then further measured with the LCR meter. The composite loaded with 50 wt.% m‐BN loading presented a thermal conductivity of 0.62 Wm−1 K−1, 443% higher and an electrical resistivity of 94% higher than neat TPU. These results showed that m‐BN/TPU composites may find various applications for flexible microelectronic industry as a futuristic material.

Highlights

A facile one‐step ethoxy modification on boron nitride nanosheets.

Improvement in the m‐BN nanosheets dispersion in TPU matrix due to ethoxy functionalization.

Enhanced thermal conductivity by 443% of TPU nanocomposites because of established thermally conductive pathways.

Minimal change in the IR emissivity of m‐BN/TPU nanocomposite at 50% wt. loading.
Enhancing biopolymer materials with coffee waste‐derived reinforcements
Authors: Bairwan Rahul Dev , Khalil H.P.S Abdul , Nuryawan Arif , Ahmad Mardiana Idayu , Kassim Mohamad Haafiz Mohamad , Ahmad Azfaralariff
Published: December 2024

The rising consumption of coffee produces significant waste, posing environmental challenges. However, coffee waste serves as a low‐cost, abundant source of biocompounds to enhance polymer composites. The review examines the use of coffee waste as a filler in polymer matrices to create eco‐friendly composites with improved mechanical, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. Chemical modifications of coffee waste further enhance these properties, making it a viable material for sustainable applications. The study highlights recent advancements in biopolymer composites using coffee industry byproducts, emphasizing their composition, characteristics, and sustainability benefits. This approach supports circular economy initiatives by converting waste into valuable materials, addressing both waste management and material sustainability. Future research will focus on optimizing processing techniques and exploring new applications for cost‐effective, sustainable production of polymer composites from coffee waste.

Highlights

Coffee waste offers a low‐cost, eco‐friendly filler for biopolymers.

Coffee byproducts enhance polymer's antioxidant, antibacterial traits.

Waste utilization aligns with sustainability, reducing environmental impact.

Chemical treatments enhance coffee waste's contribution to biopolymers.

Future research to focus on cost‐effective, sustainable material production.
A numerical study on the warm deep drawability of polypropylene under differential heating conditions
Authors: Emani Chandra Kishore Reddy , Mallick P. K.
Published: December 2024

Warm deep drawing of polypropylene blanks to form flat‐bottom cylindrical cups under differential heating conditions is numerically investigated using finite element analysis. Differential heating involves heating only the flange area of the blank to an elevated temperature while the punch area of the blank remains at 25°C. The effects of initial flange temperature, blank diameter, blank holder force, punch corner radius and die corner radius on the depth of draw are studied. Comparisons are made between depths of draw obtained in differential heating and homogeneous heating in which the entire blank that includes its flange as well as punch areas is heated to the same temperature. It is shown that significantly higher draw depths can be obtained with differential heating for the cups with sharp punch corner radius of 3 mm and lower. Variations in thickness, temperature and plastic strain in the deep drawn cups, punch forces, and failure modes are also determined.

Highlights

Differential blank heating gives higher draw depths with sharp punch radius.

Draw depth increases with increasing die corner radius.

Draw depth increases with increasing temperature differential.

Draw depth increases with decreasing blank diameter and blank holder force.

In differential heating, blanks fail at die corner instead of punch corner.
Heat‐Resistant Strong Adhesive Consisting of Aromatic Polyamide With an Acid‐Removable N‐Protecting Group and a Thermal Acid Generator
Authors: Katoh Takayoshi , Takai Kaede , Shirakawa Izumi , Takahashi Shun , Morota Yuki , Ohta Yoshihiro , Akimoto Masato , Yokozawa Tsutomu
Published: December 2024

We present a heat‐resistant strong adhesive system consisting of aromatic polyamide substituted with N‐tert‐butoxycarbonyl (Boc) groups, synthesized by polycondensation of bis(4‐Boc‐aminophenyl) ether (1) and isophthaloyl chloride (2), together with a thermal acid generator (TAG). Upon heating, the Boc groups are readily removed by the TAG‐generated acid, affording N‐H polyamide. Adhesion was conducted at 150°C or 250°C under a pressure of 10 kgf/cm2 for 7 h to eliminate voids due to Boc‐derived gaseous CO2 and isobutene. For metal adherends treated at 150°C, the adhesion strength was 2–3 MPa. However, upon treatment at 250°C, above the T
g of N‐H polyamide (236°C), the adhesion strength reached 7.43–6.25 MPa for sandblasted steel plate, cold commercial (SPCC) and stainless steel. Next, we prepared copolyamides with lower T
g values from 1, bis(4‐methylaminophenyl) ether (3), and 2. Upon treatment at 150°C, the adhesion strength of SPCC with copolyamide consisting of 30% 1 and 70% 3 reached 6.83 MPa. As regards heat resistance, SPCC treated with N‐Boc polyamide/TAG at 250°C maintained an adhesion strength of 7.0–7.5 MPa from room temperature to 250°C, whereas SPCC treated with copolyamide/TAG at 150°C maintained an adhesion strength of 6.8–8.2 MPa up to 200°C.
Anisotropic Cosmic Expansion Inspired by Some Novel Holographic Dark Energy Models in f(Q)$f(Q)$ Theory
Authors: Saleem Rabia , Ijaz Aleeha , Waheed Saira
Published: December 2024

The present work discusses the topic of cosmic evolution in an intriguing framework of theory of gravity (with as a non‐metricity (NM) scalar which controls the gravitational interaction) by using some recently proposed holographic dark energy (HDE) models. To achieve this goal, the dynamical equations for locally rotationally symmetric (LRS) Bianchi type‐I (BI) geometry are formulated with matter contents as a mixture of dust and anisotropic fluids. By assuming that the time‐redshift relation follows a Lambert function, the cosmological model is constructed by using Rényi HDE (RHDE), Sharma–Mittal HDE (SMHDE) and Generalized HDE (GHDE) as separate cases where Hubble horizon is taken as an infrared (IR) cutoff. Cosmological characteristics of these models are then examined through graphs of energy densities, skewness parameter , deceleration, and EoS parameters. The evolution of the EoS parameter is also studied, i.e., to discuss the dynamical characteristics of constructed DE models and assess the stability of models via the squared speed of sound parameter. It is found that the plane shows the freezing region for RHDE and GHDE models while the thawing region for the SMHDE case. Also, it is concluded that all constructed models exhibit cosmologically viable and stable behavior.
Association of SGLT2 Inhibitor Initiation and PSA Response in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Aber Etan R. , Carducci Michael A. , Paller Channing J. , Denmeade Sam R. , Rourke Kelli , Marshall Catherine H. , Markowski Mark C.
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Non‐castrating therapies are an unmet clinical need for patients with advanced prostate cancer. To maximize quality of life and prioritize cardiovascular health, we investigated SGLT2 inhibitors as a non‐castrating therapy in patients with prostate cancer.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with either local or biochemically recurrent prostate cancer who initiated therapy with an SGLT2 inhibitor without concurrent androgen deprivation therapy. The primary endpoint was an estimated PSA50 response rate. A secondary endpoint was PSA any response rate.

Results

A total of nine patients (median age 63 years old; 44.4% Black; median PSA 3.7; 33.3% localized, 66.7% biochemically recurrent) were included. The PSA50 and PSAany response rate were 22.2% (N = 2/9) and 44.4% (N = 4/9), respectively.

Conclusions

Patients with localized or biochemically recurrent prostate cancer achieved PSA responses to SGLT2 inhibitors. These findings justify prospective studies in patients with prostate cancer.
The Incorporation of CsCu2I3 Nanocrystals into Polydimethylsiloxane Matrix for X‐ and γ‐Ray Scintillators
Authors: Haposan Tobias , Makowski Michal , Kowal Dominik , Diguna Lina Jaya , Witkowski Marcin Eugeniusz , Mahato Somnath , Drozdowski Winicjusz , Arramel Arramel , Birowosuto Muhammad Danang
Published: December 2024

CsCu2I3 CsCu2I3 lead‐free nanocrystals (NCs) have recently garnered significant interest for their outstanding optical and scintillation characteristics, particularly for X‐ray imaging applications. In this study, CsCu2I3 NCs are mixed with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) resin in the form of a pellet to protect against environmental factors such as moisture. The resulting sample exhibits a light yield of up to 2 ph keV−1 and an excellent energy resolution of 13% for γ‐ray excitation at 662 keV at room temperature. Additionally, the CsCu2I3 NCs–PDMS resin shows no afterglow and has a negligible trap density. Herein, high stability at low irradiation intensities and reasonable stability at higher intensities are demonstrated. Moreover, the sample features a fast component scintillation decay times of 3.55 ns, which is slightly faster than that of (BZA)2PbBr4. This outcome possesses promising combination in designing lightweight and flexible hybrid PDMS‐based hybrid materials scintillators. These scintillation properties of CsCu2I3 NCs–PDMS can be a promising candidate for affordable and flexible screens for X‐ and γ‐ray photon‐counting computed tomography.
Conference report: Fifth annual young researcher forum of the Japan Society of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences for Traditional Medicine
Authors: Yoshino Tetsuhiro , Tanide Sayaka , Hamai Miho , Nishiura Riko , Hatae Akinobu , Nose Itsuki , Oda Yoshimi , Fukada Yusuke , Yang Ximeng , Ando Hirokazu , Ogawa Keiko , Murakami Kazuhito , Nakashima Souichi
Published: December 2024

Seven young researchers presented their studies in the field of traditional Japanese herbal medicine (Wakan‐yaku) at the Fifth Annual Young Researcher Forum held the day before the 2024 annual meeting of the Japan Society of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences for Traditional Medicine. Ms Tanide presented on the changes in flavonoid and synephrine content in chimpi based on the storage period. Ms Hamai discussed natural compounds that contribute to improving bortezomib resistance in myeloma cells and their mechanisms of action. Ms Nishiura presented the production of a monoclonal antibody against geniposide and its application in indirect competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Mr Hatae presented about the effects of ninjin'yoeito on cisplatin‐induced anorexia and the variations in intestinal clock genes. Ms Nose explored the analgesic effects of bushi‐containing Kampo formulas, with a focus on goshajinkigan's improvement of cold allodynia. Dr Oda discussed the antifungal activity of henna leaves against Malassezia. Lastly, Mr Fukuda presented how cultivation environments affect the quality of Schizonepeta spikes, including their morphology and component content. The event, conducted both in person and online, attracted a total of 54 participants. Looking ahead, we aim to further develop and continue hosting this forum in 2025 and beyond, fostering the advancement of research in this field.
The Riesz basisness of the eigenfunctions and eigenvectors connected to the stability problem of a fluid‐conveying tube with boundary control
Authors: Mahinzaeim Mahyar , Xu Gen Qi , Feng Xiao Xuan
Published: December 2024

In the present paper we study the stability problem for a stretched tube conveying fluid with boundary control. The abstract spectral problem concerns operator pencils of the forms
taking values in different Hilbert product spaces. Thorough analysis is made of the existence, location, multiplicities, and asymptotics of eigenvalues in the complex plane and Riesz basisness of the corresponding eigenfunctions and eigenvectors. Well‐posedness of the closed‐loop system represented by the initial‐value problem for the abstract equation
is established in the framework of ‐semigroups as well as expansions of the solutions in terms of eigenvectors and stability of the closed‐loop system. For the parameters of the problem we give new regions, larger than those in the literature, in which a stretched tube with flow, simply supported at one end, with a boundary controller applied at the other end, can be exponentially stabilised.