bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimating county level health indicators using spatial microsimulation
Authors: Seamon Erich , Megheib Mohamed , Williams Christopher J. , Murphy Christopher F. , Brown Helen F.
Published: January 2023

Given the importance of understanding health outcomes at fine spatial scales, iterative proportional fitting (IPF), a form of small area estimation, was applied to a fixed number of health‐related variables (obesity, overweight, and diabetes) taken from regionalised 2019 survey responses (n = 5474) from the Idaho Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Using associated county‐level American Community Survey (ACS) census data, a set of constraints, which included age categorisation, race, sex, and education level, were used to create county‐level weighting matrices for each variable, for each of the seven (7) Idaho public health districts. Using an optimised modeling construction technique, we identified significant constraints and grouping splits for each variable/region, resulting in estimates that were internally and externally validated. Externally validated model results for the most populated counties showed correlations ranging from 0.79 to 0.85, with p‐values all below 0.05. Estimates indicated higher levels of obesity and overweight individuals for midsouth and southwestern Idaho counties, with a cluster of higher diabetes estimates in the center of the state (Gooding, Lincoln, Minidoka, and Jerome counties). Alternative external sources for health outcomes aligned extremely well with our estimates, with wider confidence intervals in more rural counties with sparse populations.
A Bayesian model averaging method for software reliability modeling and assessment
Authors: Li Zhaojun Steven , Jia Shun , Yu Qiumin
Published: January 2023

The software reliability modeling is of great significance in improving software quality and managing the software development process. However, the existing methods are not able to accurately model software reliability improvement behavior because existing single model methods rely on restrictive assumptions and combination models cannot well deal with model uncertainties. In this article, we propose a Bayesian model averaging (BMA) method to model software reliability. First, the existing reliability modeling methods are selected as the candidate models, and the Bayesian theory is used to obtain the posterior probabilities of each reliability model. Then, the posterior probabilities are used as weights to average the candidate models. Both Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm and the Expectation–Maximization (EM) algorithm are used to evaluate a candidate model's posterior probability and for comparison purpose. The results show that the BMA method has superior performance in software reliability modeling, and the MCMC algorithm performs better than EM algorithm when they are used to estimate the parameters of BMA method.
Inference for step‐stress plan with Khamis‐Higgins model under type‐II censored Weibull data
Authors: Amleh Mohammad A. , Raqab Mohammad Z.
Published: January 2023

The accelerated life testing (ALT) is frequently used in examining the component reliability and acceptance testing. The ALT is carried out by exposing the unit to higher stress levels in order to observe data faster than those are producing under the normal conditions. The simple step‐stress model based on type‐II censoring Weibull lifetimes is studied here. In addition, the lifetimes satisfy Khamis‐Higgins model assumption. In this paper, Bayesian approaches are developed for estimating the model parameters and predicting times to failure of future censored of the simple step‐stress model from Weibull distribution using Khamis‐Higgins model. The main goal of this work consists of two parts. First, the Bayesian estimation of the unknown parameters involved in the model is considered by adopting Devroye method to generate log‐concave densities within sampling‐based algorithm under different loss functions. The Bayes and highest posterior density credible intervals are then established. Second, the estimation of the posterior predictive density of the future lifetimes are discussed to obtain the point and prediction intervals with a given coverage probability. Monte Carlo simulation is performed to check the efficiency of the developed procedures and analyze a real data set for illustrative purposes.
Polarization‐Entangled Photon Pairs from Warm Atomic Ensemble with Magnetic Background Noise
Authors: Bae Jinhyuk , Park Jiho , Yu Ye Jin , Noh Heung‐Ryoul , Moon Han Seb
Published: January 2023

Atomic ensembles are important quantum resources for the generation, manipulation, and quantum memory of entangled photons. In photonic quantum information based on atom–photon interactions, high‐quality entangled‐photon‐pair sources are essential for realizing quantum information networks consisting of channels to connect the nodes through atomic ensembles. Here, a proof‐of‐concept for controlling polarization‐entangled photon‐pair sources from atomic ensembles by an external magnetic field under a magnetic noise environment is demonstrated. In the unshielded magnetic field, the polarization entangled state of the photon pair could be optimized to the target state by adjusting the magnetic field in an atomic vapor cell. The polarization‐interference fringe, Bell's inequality value, quantum state tomography, and Hong–Ou–Mandel interference of the polarization entangled photon pairs from the cascade‐type 5S1/2–5P3/2–5D5/2 transition of 87Rb according to the direction of the external magnetic field. Accordingly, a magnetic field is found to be a promising means for controlling entangled two‐qubit states based on atom–photon.
Water quality impacts on sorbent efficacy for per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances treatment of groundwater
Authors: Hayman Nicholas T. , Carilli Jessica E. , Liu Yina , Shields Michael R. , Hsu Lewis , George Robert
Published: January 2023

Per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of synthetic compounds that have emerged as chemicals of concern in drinking water and groundwater. Typically, such waters are treated to remove PFAS by passing the water through a bed of sorbent material (e.g., activated carbon and anion exchange resins [AIX]). However, the efficacy of these sorbents varies depending on the types and concentrations of PFAS, in addition to water quality conditions such as organic matter content and conductivity (ionic strength). The choice of sorbent material to effectively treat PFAS in complex natural waters will, therefore, depend upon site water quality and PFAS conditions. To help inform these decisions, a series of evaluations using a rapid small‐scale column test approach was conducted with two sorbent materials (a granulated activated carbon [GAC] and an AIX), individually and combined, under conditions where conductivity, pH, and organic carbon concentrations were varied in a semifactorial approach. Artificial groundwater batches were prepared to meet these test conditions and spiked with six PFAS compounds (perfluorobutane sulfonic acid [PFBS], perfluorobutanoic acid [PFBA], perfluorohexane sulfonic acid [PFHxS], perfluorohexanoic acid [PFHxA], perfluorooctane sulfonic acid [PFOS], and perfluorooctanoic acid [PFOA]), passed through small columns packed with ground sorbent material for ∼30,000 bed volumes of water for single sorbent treatments and ∼20,000 bed volumes for combined sorbent treatments, during which samples of effluent were captured and analyzed to quantify breakthrough of PFAS from the sorbent materials over time. AIX was found to be more effective than GAC at removing the tested perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFBS, PFHxS, and PFOS), but GAC was similarly or more effective than AIX at removing perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFBA, PFHxA, and PFOA) under high conductivity conditions. Overall, the efficacy of AIX at removing PFAS was more strongly impacted by organic carbon and conductivity than GAC, while pH had less of an effect on either sorbent's efficacy compared to the other test conditions.
Systematic review of factors predictive of unfavourable vaginal bleeding in women of reproductive age using the contraceptive etonogestrel implant
Authors: Walker Susan , Claydon‐Mueller Leica , Kabir Russell , Piercy Hilary , Massey Marie‐Therese , Costanzo Italo
Published: January 2023

Introduction

This systematic review sought predictors of unfavourable bleeding profiles in women using the etonogestrel contraceptive implant. Unfavourable bleeding is common and a leading cause of requests for removal.

Methods

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), and prospective and retrospective cohort studies from 1998 to October 2022. Inclusion criteria were healthy women using etonogestrel for contraception. Papers not in English were excluded as were ongoing or incomplete studies. We searched Pubmed, Pubmed Central, MEDLINE (Web of Science & Ovid), Cochrane library, CINAHL Plus, WHO (HINARI), Open Grey and Greynet.org. Risk of Bias was assessed using ROB2 IRPGv9 for RCTs and ROBINS‐I for non‐RCTs. We conducted a narrative analysis.

Results

We included 13 studies. Lower body mass index (BMI), younger age, parity and smoking status were statistically, significantly associated with unfavourable bleeding patterns in one or more studies. No studies reported post‐partum status having a significant association with unfavourable bleeding. The available data was too limited and too heterogeneous to perform a robust meta‐analysis.

Discussion

Heterogeneity in reported outcomes and timescales limited the accuracy of synthesis. Risk of bias was moderate to serious in non‐RCTs due to baseline differences and missing or imputed data. The protective effect of higher BMI for unfavourable bleeding is in keeping with previous reviews and studies and is a clinically important finding.
Relation between semen oxidative reduction potential in initial semen examination and IVF outcomes
Authors: Tomita Kazuhisa , Udayanga Kankanam Gamage Sanath , Satoh Manabu , Hashimoto Shu , Morimoto Yoshiharu
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The MiOXSYS system is a new technique to analyze the semen oxidative reduction potential (ORP) that may use to classify the level of sperm DNA integrity. It does not clearly explain how the semen ORP values could help to change the IVF outcomes. We have analyzed correlations between semen ORP value and the IVF results.

Methods

Four hundred and thirty couples were enrolled. The male counterparts were divided into two groups according to their semen ORP values and compared the fertilization rate, cell cleavage rate, and embryo quality, following the IVF procedures. The relations between ORP values and the clinical pregnancy, live birth, and abortion rates were analyzed.

Results

The ORP values show negative and positive correlations with some conventional semen parameters. The fertilization and the cleavage rate did not show any differences in those two groups, but the transferable embryo rate was significantly high in patients with high semen ORP. However, the patients with high ORP show a tendency to lower clinical pregnancy with a low abortion rate compared to the low ORP group.

Conclusion

The main purpose of measuring the ORP value in semen is still questionable and shows controversial results.
Overview of single‐cell RNA sequencing analysis and its application to spermatogenesis research
Authors: Suzuki Takahiro
Published: January 2023

Background

Single‐cell transcriptomics allows parallel analysis of multiple cell types in tissues. Because testes comprise somatic cells and germ cells at various stages of spermatogenesis, single‐cell RNA sequencing is a powerful tool for investigating the complex process of spermatogenesis. However, single‐cell RNA sequencing analysis needs extensive knowledge of experimental technologies and bioinformatics, making it difficult for many, particularly experimental biologists and clinicians, to use it.

Methods

Aiming to make single‐cell RNA sequencing analysis familiar, this review article presents an overview of experimental and computational methods for single‐cell RNA sequencing analysis with a history of transcriptomics. In addition, combining the PubMed search and manual curation, this review also provides a summary of recent novel insights into human and mouse spermatogenesis obtained using single‐cell RNA sequencing analyses.

Main Findings

Single‐cell RNA sequencing identified mesenchymal cells and type II innate lymphoid cells as novel testicular cell types in the adult mouse testes, as well as detailed subtypes of germ cells. This review outlines recent discoveries into germ cell development and subtypes, somatic cell development, and cell–cell interactions.

Conclusion

The findings on spermatogenesis obtained using single‐cell RNA sequencing may contribute to a deeper understanding of spermatogenesis and provide new directions for male fertility therapy.
Reorganization, specialization, and degradation of oocyte maternal components for early development
Authors: Satouh Yuhkoh , Sato Ken
Published: January 2023

Background

Oocyte components are maternally provided, solely determine oocyte quality, and coordinately determine embryo quality with zygotic gene expression. During oocyte maturation, maternal organelles are drastically reorganized and specialized to support oocyte characteristics. A large number of maternal components are actively degraded after fertilization and gradually replaced by zygotic gene products. The molecular basis and the significance of these processes on oocyte/embryo quality are not fully understood.

Methods

Firstly, recent findings in organelle characteristics of other cells or oocytes from model organisms are introduced for further understanding of oocyte organelle reorganization/specialization. Secondly, recent progress in studies on maternal components degradation and their molecular mechanisms are introduced. Finally, future applications of these advancements for predicting mammalian oocyte/embryo quality are discussed.

Main findings

The significance of cellular surface protein degradation via endocytosis for embryonic development, and involvement of biogenesis of lipid droplets in embryonic quality, were recently reported using mammalian model organisms.

Conclusion

Identifying key oocyte component characteristics and understanding their dynamics may lead to new applications in oocyte/embryo quality prediction and improvement. To implement these multidimensional concepts, development of new technical approaches that allow us to address the complexity and efficient studies using model organisms are required.
Selective Janus Kinase 1 Inhibition Resolves Inflammation and Restores Hair Growth Offering a Viable Treatment Option for Alopecia Areata
Authors: Mattsson Johan , Israelsson Elisabeth , Björhall Karin , Yrlid Linda Fahlén , Thörn Kristoffer , Thorén Anna , Toledo Emelie Andersén , Jinton Lisa , Öberg Lisa , Wingren Cecilia , Tapani Sofia , Jackson Sonya G. , Skogberg Gabriel , Lundqvist Anders J. , Hendrickx Ramon , Cavallin Anders , Österlund Torben , Grimster Neil P. , Nilsson Magnus , Åstrand Annika
Published: January 2023

Background

Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibition has recently demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in both restoring hair growth and resolving inflammation in Alopecia Areata (AA). These effects are dose dependent and mainly efficacious at ranges close to a questionable risk profile.

Objectives

We explored the possibility to separate the beneficial and adverse effects of JAK inhibition by selectively inhibiting JAK1 and thereby avoiding side effects associated with JAK2 blockade.

Methods

The C3H/HeJ mouse model of AA was used to demonstrate therapeutic efficacy in vivo with different regimens of a selection of JAK inhibitors in regards to systemic versus local drug exposure. Human peripheral blood lymphocytes were stimulated in vitro to demonstrate translation to the human situation.

Results

We demonstrate that selective inhibition of JAK1 produces fast resolution of inflammation and complete restoration of hair growth in the C3H/HeJ mouse model of AA. Furthermore, we show that topical treatment does not restore hair growth and that treatment needs to be extended well beyond that of restored hair growth in order to reach treatment-free remission. For translatability to human disease, we show that cytokines involved in AA pathogenesis are similarly inhibited by selective JAK1 and pan-JAK inhibition in stimulated human peripheral lymphocytes and specifically in CD8+ T cells.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that systemic exposure is required for efficacy in AA and we propose that a selective JAK1 inhibitor will offer a treatment option with a superior safety profile to pan-JAK inhibitors for these patients.
Catalytic Hydrogenation of CO2 to Formate Using Ruthenium Nanoparticles Immobilized on Supported Ionic Liquid Phases
Authors: Louis Anandaraj Savarithai Jenani , Kang Liqun , DeBeer Serena , Bordet Alexis , Leitner Walter
Published: January 2023

Ruthenium nanoparticles (NPs) immobilized on imidazolium‐based supported ionic liquid phases (Ru@SILP) act as effective heterogeneous catalysts for the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide (CO2) to formate in a mixture of water and triethylamine (NEt3). The structure of the imidazolium‐based molecular modifiers is varied systematically regarding side chain functionality (neutral, basic, and acidic) and anion to assess the influence of the IL‐type environment on the NPs synthesis and catalytic properties. The resulting Ru@SILP materials contain well‐dispersed Ru NPs with diameters in the range 0.8–2.9 nm that are found 2 to 10 times more active for CO2 hydrogenation than a reference Ru@SiO2 catalyst under identical conditions. Introduction of sulfonic acid groups in the IL modifiers results in a greatly increased turnover number (TON) and turnover frequency (TOF) at reduced metal loadings. As a result, excellent productivity with TONs up to 16 100 at an initial TOF of 1430 h−1 can be achieved with the Ru@SILP(SO3H‐OAc) catalyst. H/D exchange and other control experiments suggest an accelerated desorption of the formate species from the Ru NPs promoted by the presence of ammonium sulfonate species on Ru@SILP(SO3H‐X) materials, resulting in enhanced catalyst activity and productivity.
Carbon Dot‐Based Hydrogels: Preparations, Properties, and Applications
Authors: Wang Yijie , Lv Tingjie , Yin Keyang , Feng Ning , Sun Xiaofeng , Zhou Jin , Li Hongguang
Published: January 2023

Hydrogels have extremely high moisture content, which makes it very soft and excellently biocompatible. They have become an important soft material and have a wide range of applications in various fields such as biomedicine, bionic smart material, and electrochemistry. Carbon dot (CD)‐based hydrogels are based on carbon dots (CDs) and auxiliary substances, forming a gel material with comprehensive properties of individual components. CDs embedding in hydrogels could not only solve their aggregation‐caused quenching (ACQ) effect, but also manipulate the properties of hydrogels and even bring some novel properties, achieving a win–win situation. In this review, the preparation methods, formation mechanism, and properties of CD‐based hydrogels, and their applications in biomedicine, sensing, adsorption, energy storage, and catalysis ‐are summarized. Finally, a brief discussion on future research directions of CD‐based hydrogels will be given.
Covalent Organic Frameworks: The Rising‐Star Platforms for the Design of CO2 Separation Membranes
Authors: Chen Binghong , Xie Hongli , Shen Liguo , Xu Yanchao , Zhang Meijia , Zhou Mingzhu , Li Bisheng , Li Renjie , Lin Hongjun
Published: January 2023

Membrane‐based carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and separation technologies have aroused great interest in industry and academia due to their great potential to combat current global warming, reduce energy consumption in chemical separation of raw materials, and achieve carbon neutrality. The emerging covalent organic frameworks (COFs) composed of organic linkers via reversible covalent bonds are a class of porous crystalline polymers with regular and extended structures. The inherent structure and customizable organic linkers give COFs high and permanent porosity, short transport channel, tunable functionality, and excellent stability, thereby enabling them rising‐star alternatives for developing advanced CO2 separation membranes. Therefore, the promising research areas ranging from development of COF membranes to their separation applications have emerged. Herein, this review first introduces the main advantages of COFs as the state‐of‐the‐art membranes in CO2 separation, including tunable pore size, modifiable surfaces property, adjustable surface charge, excellent stability. Then, the preparation approaches of COF‐based membranes are systematically summarized, including in situ growth, layer‐by‐layer stacking, blending, and interface engineering. Subsequently, the key advances of COF‐based membranes in separating various CO2 mixed gases, such as CO2/CH4, CO2/H2, CO2/N2, and CO2/He, are comprehensively discussed. Finally, the current issues and further research expectations in this field are proposed.
Ultraminiaturized Microfluidic Electrochemical Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering Chip for Analysis of Neurotransmitters Fabricated by Ship‐in‐a‐Bottle Integration
Authors: Bai Shi , Ma Ying , Obata Kotaro , Sugioka Koji
Published: January 2023

Electrochemical surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (EC‐SERS) is a promising technique for the diagnosis of trace amounts of neurotransmitters, because it can elucidate neurotransmitters’ behavior on electrodes to deduce their functions in the human body. However, the current EC‐SERS devices need several tens of milliliters of analyte solution to collect enough signal for analysis. Miniaturization of EC‐SERS devices is crucial for the early diagnosis of disease and point‐of‐care testing. Herein, a new type of EC‐SERS sensor based on 3D microfluidic chips for the analysis of neurotransmitters in ultrasmall volumes is proposed. The microfluidic EC‐SERS chip is fabricated by a ship‐in‐a‐bottle technique based on hybrid laser processing. The working electrode is modified using silver/zinc oxide materials, enabling the formation of a unique “candy apple” structure. To assess the fabricated microfluidic EC‐SERS chips, ascorbic acid is analyzed using the ingenious microfluidic EC‐SERS chips to elucidate its redox reaction by EC‐SERS spectroscopy. Significantly, a sub‐10 μL volume of analyte solution is sufficient for EC‐SERS analysis, which is several orders smaller in volume than the requirements of current EC‐SERS devices. The unprecedented microfluidic EC‐SERS chips fabricated by the ship‐in‐a‐bottle integration technique can be used in portable and smart analyzers for next‐generation biomedicines and catalysts.
Low‐Temperature Synthesis of SnO2 Nanocrystals as Electron Transport Layers for High‐Efficiency CsPbI2Br Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Tian Haoran , He Jingjing , Liu Xinyi , Li Qing , Liu Da , Shen Benben , Yang Shuang , Niu Qiang , Hou Yu
Published: January 2023

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have recently become a hot topic in photovoltaics due to their high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and low‐cost processing. As a key component of PSCs, electron transport layers (ETLs) that play a vital role in efficient PSCs generally require high charge extraction ability, mobility, and easy fabrication. Herein, a simple route to obtain dispersion of tin oxide nanocrystals (SnO2 NCs) with uniform diameters and high stability as efficient ETLs for CsPbI2Br solar cells is demonstrated. The champion device achieves a remarkable PCE of 16.22% with an open‐circuit voltage of 1.30 V. This work offers a facile and effective way to fabricate high‐performance ETL nanocrystals in PSCs.
Multilayered Helical Spherical Triboelectric Nanogenerator with Charge Shuttling for Water Wave Energy Harvesting
Authors: Liu Shijie , Liang Xi , Chen Pengfei , Long Hairong , Jiang Tao , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: January 2023

As an important part of natural resources, islands support the marine economy and build a blue barrier for marine ecological civilization. However, the power supply on these islands is difficult, limiting the development of marine internet of things (IoTs). In order to break the status quo, this work applies triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) to island power supply and ecological monitoring. A spherical TENG with two multilayered helical units is designed to harvest water wave energy, in which the space utilization rate reaches 92.5%. Then a charge shuttling mechanism is developed to improve the electrical output. The output current and power of a single TENG without power management reach 200.3 µA and 16.2 mW respectively, corresponding to a peak power density of 23.2 W m−3. Moreover, a scheme of the power managed TENG is proposed for realizing large‐scale wave energy harvesting. The TENG is demonstrated to successfully power a water quality detector, a Bluetooth thermo‐hygrometer, and an intelligent wireless alarm system for remote environmental monitoring. This work not only proposes a new type of TENG for water wave energy harvesting with improved performance, but also provides a new strategy for intelligent ocean IoTs, which even contributes to the carbon neutralization.
Novel open‐tubular columns with highly hydrophobic stationary phase for peptide and protein separation by nano‐liquid chromatography
Authors: Beltekin Büşra , Alharthi Sarah , Aydoğan Cemil
Published: January 2023

In this study, novel open‐tubular nano‐columns with highly hydrophobic stationary phase were prepared via the surface graft polymerization of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane‐methacrylate and 2‐vinylnaphthalene in a narrow capillary (i.e., 20 μm i.d. In this preparation, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane‐methacrylate was used as a reactive and stable monomer while 2‐vinylnaphthalene imparts hydrophobic character for the stationary phase. Toluene and dodecanol were used as the porogenic solvent. Scanning electron microscope images of the columns showed that polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane and 2‐vinylnaphthalene were bound to the surface of the capillary. The chromatographic characterization of the open‐tubular columns was performed using homologous alkylbenzenes, including toluene, ethylbenzene, propylbenzene, and butylbenzene. The satisfactory separation of alkylbenzenes could be obtained using the final open‐tubular column with 17.1% of 2‐ vinylnaphthalene. Theoretical plates number up to 34000 plates/m in the isocratic mode for ethylbenzene were achieved. The open‐tubular column with various lengths was used for the separation of intact proteins in nano‐liquid chromatography, allowing a notable change in the retention time of each intact protein, including ribonuclease A, Lysozyme, and α‐Chymotryp A. The final open‐tubular column was then applied to the peptide separation of trypsin‐digested cytochrome C. It was shown that the open‐tubular column yielded a high‐resolution analysis of peptides, providing a high peak capacity of up to 1000.
Reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography analytical method development and validation for cefepime and sulbactam injection formulation assay: A quality by design approach
Authors: Mondal Sitanshu , Asati Vivek , Verma Sant Kumar , Gupta Ghanshyam Das , Kurmi Balak Das , Patel Preeti
Published: January 2023

A trustworthy high‐performance liquid chromatography approach for the simultaneous measurement of cefepime and sulbactam was created using quality by design. Finding reliable chromatographic settings for quality peaks and suitable component separation within a manageable run time was the key objective. Critical quality attributes for risk measurement were evaluated. To create an analytical design space and create a control strategy, the quantitative link between critical material attributes and critical quality attributes was built. Acetonitrile volume, trimethylamine volume, and flow rate were the three independent parameters considered in the mathematical models. Acetonitrile:high‐performance liquid chromatography water:triethylamine and pH 6.0, adjusted with orthophosphoric acid (50.0:50:0.15, v/v/v) as the mobile phase at 1.1 ml/min, were the ideal and anticipated conditions. We obtained appropriate baseline separation of both medications in about 10 min using these ideal conditions. The main determinant of the perturbation plot responses was found to be the quantity of acetonitrile. At all three levels, the percent recoveries for both medications ranged from 99% to 99.68%. Relative standard deviations were less than 2% for both drugs' intermediate accuracy and repeatability. A straightforward, precise, and repeatable high‐performance liquid chromatography method for regular quality control testing was created as a consequence.
Development and validation of a liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of temozolomide in mouse brain tissue
Authors: Kakarla Raghavi , Yacoub Kimberly , Bearden Rebecca L , Zhou Aimin , Mukherjee Sanjib , Shan Frank Y. , Guo Baochuan
Published: January 2023

Temozolomide is a Food and Drug Administration‐approved anticancer drug that has poor drug delivery via oral or intravenous routes. A potential strategy to combat this problem is investigating alternative routes of administration, requiring quantitation of the drug in the brain tissues by liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. However, current methods used to extract the drug from brain tissues resulted in poor recovery and substantial matrix effects. Herein, we reported a new two‐step extraction method that involves the use of Proteinase K to lyse tumor tissues to efficiently release the drug, followed by ethanol protein precipitation. The extracts were then separated on a C18 column and analyzed in positive electrospray ionization, a multiple reaction monitoring mode of the triple quadrupole. We found this new method led to a recovery of 82% with negligible matrix effects. The method has been validated in accordance with Food and Drug Administration guidance for linearity, specificity, selectivity, accuracy, precision, carry‐over, stability, and lower limit of quantitation. In conclusion, we have developed and validated a liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry method with a novel sample preparation method that was able to efficiently extract temozolomide from mouse brain tissue with high recovery.
Development of a thin layer chromatographic method for the determination of coenzyme Q10produced byAgrobacterium tumefaciens
Authors: Yadav Karuna , Jatain Indu , Dubey Kashyap Kumar , Nitharwal Ram Gopal , Kaur Inderjeet
Published: January 2023

Coenzyme Q10is biosynthesized by living organisms and considered a medically necessary health constituent thereby drawing the attention of the market. Naturally‐producing microbes are commonly used for the commercial production of coenzyme Q10. The detection of extracted coenzyme Q10is usually done by high‐performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry methods which require sophisticated instrumentation and trained personnel. However, routine quality assessment is required rapidly at multiple steps during the large‐scale production process which necessitates the development of a rapid and relatively easy method for coenzyme Q10detection. In the present study, a thin‐layer chromatography method is developed for the rapid detection of coenzyme Q10extracted from the natural producerAgrobacterium tumefaciens. Various mobile phases were screened for the thin‐layer chromatography of coenzyme Q10and the optimum separation‐detection was observed with methanol and ethyl acetate (8:2, v/v). The same extracted coenzyme Q10was also analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography (the standard method of detection), showing a similar profile as with commercially available standard coenzyme Q10. Furthermore, extract from unstained thin‐layer chromatography spot showed the characteristic spectrum (ultraviolet‐visible) as with standard coenzyme Q10. Conclusively, a simple and inexpensive method for the rapid detection of coenzyme Q10was developed to aid in the commercial production of this medically important coenzyme.
Development of a thin‐layer chromatographic method for detection of lipstatin produced by Streptomyces toxytricini
Authors: Jatain Indu , Kumar Ravi , Dubey Kashyap Kumar , Yadav Karuna , Nitharwal Ram Gopal
Published: January 2023

Lipstatin or its saturated analog (orlistat), being the irreversible inhibitor of intestinal lipase, is widely used for the treatment of obesity. The bacterium Streptomyces toxytricini is the main source for the production of lipstatin/orlistat. There are continuous attempts to increase the production of lipstatin in S. toxytricini. For optimization of best conditions/strains for lipstatin production, there are requirements for a fast, simple, and reliable method to detect/estimate lipstatin. At present, highly sophisticated methods such as high‐performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and so forth are available for the detection and estimation of lipstatin/orlistat. These methods are very costly, time‐consuming, and require state of the art facility. Here we report a simple, fast, cost‐effective method based on thin‐layer chromatography for the detection of lipstatin in S. toxytricini. The optimized mobile phase was acetone: ethanol in a ratio of 3:7. Development of thin‐layer chromatography was done by ρ‐anisaldehyde staining that showed the pink color to the silica plate and greenish‐blue color to the lipstatin/orlistat drug. Conclusively, here we mention a simple and reproducible method of detection of orlistat and lipstatin samples extracted from S. toxytricini.
Non‐regenerative immune‐mediated anaemia in a dog managed following splenectomy and ovarian remnant removal
Authors: Warwick Harry , Harris Benjamin , Venier Francesca , Rosa Chantal
Published: January 2023

A 3‐year‐old, female, neutered, crossbreed dog was diagnosed with non‐regenerative immune‐mediated anaemia. Bone marrow cytology was hypercellular, with signs of maturation arrest and rubriphagocytosis. During the initial investigations, a suspected ovarian remnant was identified. The patient was stabilised with a packed red blood cell transfusion and started on immunosuppressive medication. The anaemia remained non‐regenerative and gradually worsened over the next 2 months. Due to lack of response, splenectomy and ovarian remnant excision was performed. Splenic histopathology revealed evidence of erythrophagia. Two weeks following surgery, complete blood count revealed mild reticulocytosis, and the patient subsequently achieved clinical remission. Twenty‐one months following splenectomy, the patient continued to do well. Splenectomy may be considered as an additional immune‐modulating option in refractory cases of canine non‐regenerative immune‐mediated anaemia.
Psorergatic mange in two ring‐tailed lemurs (Lemur catta)
Authors: Sailler Anaïs , Laidebeure Sylvie , Prieto Morgane , Lemberger Karin , Lécu Alexis
Published: January 2023

Two 6‐year‐old ring‐tailed lemurs (Lemur catta), housed in two different zoological institutions, were evaluated for nonpruritic nodules located on the eyelids, lips and chest. The first lemur was anaesthetized for diagnostic investigations. Although pan‐herpes polymerase chain reaction was positive and bacterial culture yielded Staphylococcus warneri, histopathology of skin biopsies revealed a severe chronic dermatitis and folliculitis with intralesional arthropods, identified as Psorobia sp. on skin scrapings. The second lemur was also diagnosed a psorergatic mange. After several treatment failures, weekly topical applications of amitraz were performed and a minimum of five applications were necessary to notice the complete resolution of the lesions. Amitraz toxicity was not observed, despite the first lemur being pregnant at the time of treatment. This is the first report of psorergatic mange in a prosimian species and the first reported use of amitraz as a successful treatment for this disease.
Classification of racehorse limb radiographs using deep convolutional neural networks
Authors: Costa da Silva Raniere Gaia , Mishra Ambika Prasad , Riggs Christopher Michael , Doube Michael
Published: January 2023

Purpose

To assess the capability of deep convolutional neural networks to classify anatomical location and projection from a series of 48 standard views of racehorse limbs.

Materials and methods

Radiographs (N = 9504) of horse limbs from image sets made for veterinary inspections by 10 independent veterinary clinics were used to train, validate and test (116, 40 and 42 radiographs, respectively) six deep learning architectures available as part of the open source machine learning framework PyTorch. The deep learning architectures with the best top‐1 accuracy had the batch size further investigated.

Results

Top‐1 accuracy of six deep learning architectures ranged from 0.737 to 0.841. Top‐1 accuracy of the best deep learning architecture (ResNet‐34) ranged from 0.809 to 0.878, depending on batch size. ResNet‐34 (batch size = 8) achieved the highest top‐1 accuracy (0.878) and the majority (91.8%) of misclassification was due to laterality error. Class activation maps indicated that joint morphology, not side markers or other non‐anatomical image regions, drove the model decision.

Conclusions

Deep convolutional neural networks can classify equine pre‐import radiographs into the 48 standard views including moderate discrimination of laterality, independent of side marker presence.
Significance of age and sex in botulinum neurotoxin dosing for adductor spasmodic dysphonia
Authors: Heyes Richard , Adler Charles H. , Zhang Nan , Lott David G. , Bansberg Stephen F.
Published: January 2023

Objectives

This study aims to analyze the impact of age and sex on botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT‐A) dosing and outcomes in adductor spasmodic dysphonia (AdSD).

Methods

A database review of all spasmodic dysphonia patients treated with BoNT from 1989 to 2018 at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona was performed. Only patients who had received ≥4 injections of BoNT‐A for AdSD were included. Patients were divided into two cohorts to analyze age, with an age of first treatment cutoff of 60 years. Patients were divided into male and female cohorts to analyze sex.

Results

The final analysis included 398 patients. The mean dose of BoNT‐A per treatment was significantly higher in the younger cohort (4.4 vs. 3.9 units, p = 0.048). The mean maximal benefit was similar (72% vs. 70%, p = 0.48); however, the mean length of benefit was significantly shorter in younger patients (3.0 vs. 3.6 months, p < 0.01). The mean BoNT‐A dose was significantly higher in the female cohort (4.2 vs. 3.6 units, p = 0.02). The mean maximal benefit was similar (69% vs. 75%, p = 0.58), as was the mean length of benefit (3.2 vs. 3.5 months, p = 0.11).

Conclusions

This study suggests that age and sex influence BoNT‐A dosing and outcomes in AdSD.
Facial nerve monitoring in parotid gland surgery: Design and feasibility assessment of a potential standardized technique
Authors: Duque Carlos S. , Londoño Andrés F. , Duque Ana M. , Zuleta Jhon J. , Marulanda Marcela , Otálvaro Lina M. , Agudelo Miguel , Dueñas Juan P. , Palacio María F. , Dionigi Gianlorenzo
Published: January 2023

Background

Even though the use of nerve monitoring during parotid gland surgery is not the gold standard to prevent damage to the nerve, it surely offers some advantages over the traditional approach. Different from thyroid surgery, where a series of steps in intraoperative nerve monitoring have been described to confirm not only the integrity but—most importantly—the function of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, in parotid gland surgery, a formal guideline to follow while dissecting the facial nerve has yet to be described.

Methods

A five‐year retrospective study was done reviewing the intraoperative records of patients who underwent parotid gland surgery under neural monitoring. The operative findings regarding the neuromonitoring process, particularly in regard to the amplitude of two main branches, were revised. A literature search was done to search for guidelines to follow when a facial nerve loss of signal is encountered.

Results

Fifty‐five patients were operated on using the Nim 3 Nerve Monitoring System (Medtronic); 31 were female patients, and 47 patients had benign lesions. Minimum changes were observed in the amplitude records after a comparison was made between the first and the last stimulation. There were only three articles discussing the term loss of signal during parotid gland surgery.

Conclusion

Today, no sufficient attention has been given to the facial nerve monitoring process during parotidectomy. This study proposes a formal guideline to follow during this procedure as well as an instruction to consider when a loss of signal is observed to develop a uniform technique of facial nerve stimulation
Flow-oriented perturbation theory
Authors: Borinsky Michael , Capatti Zeno , Laenen Eric , Salas-Bernárdez Alexandre
Published: February 2023

Abstract

We introduce a new diagrammatic approach to perturbative quantum field theory, which we call flow-oriented perturbation theory (FOPT). Within it, Feynman graphs are replaced by strongly connected directed graphs (digraphs). FOPT is a coordinate space analogue of time-ordered perturbation theory and loop-tree duality, but it has the advantage of having combinatorial and canonical Feynman rules, combined with a simplified iε dependence of the resulting integrals. Moreover, we introduce a novel digraph-based representation for the S-matrix. The associated integrals involve the Fourier transform of the flow polytope. Due to this polytope’s properties, our S-matrix representation exhibits manifest infrared singularity factorization on a per-diagram level. Our findings reveal an interesting interplay between spurious singularities and Fourier transforms of polytopes.
Zeros Under Unitary Weighted Composition Operators in the Hardy and Bergman Spaces
Authors: Montes-Rodríguez Alfonso
Published: January 2023

Let $$\mathbb {D}$$
D
denote the unit disk of the complex plane and let $$\mathcal {A}^2(\mathbb {D})$$

A

2

(
D
)

be the Bergman space that consists of those analytic functions on $$\mathbb {D}$$
D
that are of integrable square modulus with respect to the normalized area measure. Let $$\varphi : \mathbb {D} \rightarrow \mathbb {D}$$

φ
:
D
→
D

be an automorphism of the disk and consider $$C_\varphi f=f \circ \varphi $$

C
φ

f
=
f
∘
φ

the operator defined from $$\mathcal {A}^2(\mathbb {D})$$

A

2

(
D
)

onto itself. Consider the unitary operator $$U_\varphi f = \varphi ^\prime f \circ \varphi $$

U
φ

f
=

φ
′

f
∘
φ

. Then if $$f \in \mathcal {A}^2(\mathbb {D})$$

f
∈

A

2

(
D
)

is even and $$U_\varphi f$$

U
φ

f

is odd, then f is the zero function. The same is true if $$f \in \mathcal {A}^2(\mathbb {D})$$

f
∈

A

2

(
D
)

is odd and $$U_\varphi f$$

U
φ

f

is even. Similar results can be proved for the Hardy space of the unit disk, that is, the space of analytic functions on $$\mathbb {D}$$
D
, whose Taylor coefficients are of summable square modulus. The result remains true for the Dirichlet space, that is, the space of analytic functions on $$\mathbb {D}$$
D
, whose derivatives are in $$\mathcal {A}^2(\mathbb {D})$$

A

2

(
D
)

.
Deformations of Hyperelliptic and Generalized Hyperelliptic Polarized Varieties
Authors: Bangere Purnaprajna , Gallego Francisco Javier , González Miguel
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this article is twofold. Firstly, we address and completely solve the following question: Let (X, L) be a smooth, hyperelliptic polarized variety and let $$\varphi : X \longrightarrow Y \subset \textbf{P}^N$$

φ
:
X
⟶
Y
⊂

P
N

be the morphism induced by |L|; when does $$\varphi $$
φ
deform to a birational map? Secondly, we introduce the notion of “generalized hyperelliptic varieties” and carry out a study of their deformations. Regarding the first topic, we settle the non trivial, open cases of (X, L) being Fano-K3 and of (X, L) having dimension $$m \ge 2$$

m
≥
2

, sectional genus g and $$L^m=2g$$

L
m

=
2
g

. This was not addressed by Fujita in his study of hyperelliptic polarized varieties and requires the introduction of new methods and techniques to handle it. In the Fano-K3 case, all deformations of (X, L) are again hyperelliptic except if Y is a hyperquadric. By contrast, in the $$L^m=2g$$

L
m

=
2
g

case, with one exception, a general deformation of $$\varphi $$
φ
is a finite birational morphism. This is especially interesting and unexpected because, in the light of earlier results, $$\varphi $$
φ
rarely deforms to a birational morphism when Y is a rational variety, as is our case. The Fano-K3 case contrasts with canonical morphisms of hyperelliptic curves and with hyperelliptic K3 surfaces of genus $$g \ge 3$$

g
≥
3

. Regarding the second topic, we completely answer the question for generalized hyperelliptic polarized Fano and Calabi–Yau varieties. For generalized hyperelliptic varieties of general type we do this in even greater generality, since our result holds for Y toric. Standard methods in deformation theory do not work in the present setting. Thus, to settle these long standing open questions, we bring in new ideas and techniques building on those introduced by the authors concerning deformations of finite morphisms and the existence and smoothings of certain multiple structures. We also prove a new general result on unobstructedness of morphisms that factor through a double cover and apply it to the case of generalized hyperelliptic varieties.
Estimates for L-functions in the Critical Strip Under GRH with Effective Applications
Authors: Simonič Aleksander
Published: January 2023

Assuming the generalized Riemann hypothesis, we provide explicit upper bounds for moduli of $$\log {\mathcal {L}(s)}$$

log

L
(
s
)

and $$\mathcal {L}'(s)/\mathcal {L}(s)$$

L

′

(
s
)

/
L

(
s
)

in the neighbourhood of the 1-line when $$\mathcal {L}(s)$$

L
(
s
)

are the Riemann, Dirichlet and Dedekind zeta-functions. To do this, we generalize Littlewood’s well-known conditional result to functions in the Selberg class with a polynomial Euler product, for which we also establish a suitable convexity estimate. As an application, we provide conditional and effective estimates for the Mertens function.
Duality for normal lattice expansions and sorted residuated frames with relations
Authors: Hartonas Chrysafis
Published: January 2023

We revisit the problem of Stone duality for lattices with quasioperators, presenting a fresh duality result. The new result is an improvement over that of our previous work in two important respects. First, the axiomatization of frames is now simplified, partly by incorporating Gehrke’s proposal of section stability for relations. Second, morphisms are redefined so as to preserve Galois stable (and co-stable) sets and we rely for this, partly again, on Goldblatt’s recently proposed definition of bounded morphisms for polarities. In studying the dual algebraic structures associated to polarities with relations we demonstrate that stable/co-stable set operators result as the Galois closure of the restriction of classical (though sorted) image operators generated by the frame relations to Galois stable/co-stable sets. This provides a proof, at the representation level, that non-distributive logics can be regarded as fragments of sorted residuated (poly)modal logics, a research direction recently initiated by this author.
What makes a Stone topological algebra Profinite
Authors: Almeida Jorge , Goulet-Ouellet Herman , Klíma Ondřej
Published: January 2023

This paper is a contribution to understanding what properties should a topological algebra on a Stone space satisfy to be profinite. We reformulate and simplify proofs for some known properties using syntactic congruences. We also clarify the role of various alternative ways of describing syntactic congruences, namely by finite sets of terms and by compact sets of continuous self mappings of the algebra.