bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Filling the Core EPA 10 assessment void: A framework for individual assessment of Core Entrustable professional activity 10 competencies in medical students
Authors: Miller Danielle T. , Gibb William , Caretta‐Weyer Holly , Ng Kristen , Sebok‐Syer Stefanie S. , Gisondi Michael A.
Published: November 2022

Objectives

The goal of this study was to develop and evaluate a novel curriculum and assessment tool for Core Entrustable Professional Activity (EPA) 10 competencies and entrustment scoring in a cohort of medical students in their emergency medicine (EM) clerkship using a framework of individualized, ad hoc, formative assessment. Core EPA 10 is an observable workplace‐based activity for graduating medical students to recognize a patient requiring urgent or emergent care and initiate evaluation and management.

Methods

This is a prospective, pretest–posttest study of medical students during their EM clerkship. Using the Thomas and Kern framework, we created a curriculum of simulation cases about chest pain/cardiac arrest and respiratory distress, which included novel assessment checklists, and instructional videos about recognizing and managing emergencies. Students were individually pretested on EPA 10 competencies using the simulation cases. Two raters scored students using standardized checklists. Students then watched instructional videos, underwent a posttest with the simulation cases, and were scored again by the two raters using the checklists. Differences between pretest and posttest scores were analyzed using paired t‐tests and Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests.

Results

Seventy‐three out of 85 (86%) students completed the curriculum. Mean scores from pretest to final posttest in the chest pain/cardiac arrest and respiratory distress cases significantly improved from 14.8/19 (SD 1.91), to 17.1/19 (SD = 1.00), t(68) = 10.56, p < 0.001, and 8.5/13 (SD 1.79), to 11.1/13(SD 0.89), t(67) = 11.15, p < 0.001, respectively. The kappa coefficients were 0.909 (n = 2698, p < 0.001) and 0.931 (n = 1872, p < 0.001). Median modified Chen entrustment scores improved from 1b (i.e., “Watch me do this”) to 2b (i.e., “I'll watch you”) for the chest pain/cardiac arrest case (p < 0.001) and 1b/2a (i.e., “Watch me do this”/ “Let's do this together”) to 3a (i.e. “You go ahead, and I'll double‐check all of your findings”) for the respiratory distress case (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

A new directed curriculum of standardized simulation cases and asynchronous instructional videos improved medical student performance in EPA 10 competencies and entrustment scores. This study provides a curricular framework to support formative individualized assessments for EPA 10.
Education Theory Made Practical: Creating open educational resources via an apprenticeship model
Authors: Gottlieb Michael , Krzyzaniak Sara M. , Natesan Sreeja , Quinn Antonia , Robinson Daniel , Fant Abra , Sherbino Jonathan , Chan Teresa M.
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Clinical faculty may have limited knowledge of education theories and best practices in health professions education. Many faculty development programs focus on passive learning with limited application to practice. There is a need for more active engagement for early career educators.

Methods

We created an apprenticeship‐based electronic book series focused on translating education theories into practical applications for clinician educators. Chapters were authored by teams of two to four geographically separated early career educators, who were tasked with explaining an education theory and relating it to their educational practice. The chapters underwent internal peer review, followed by open peer review as a blog post and eventual publication. Usage data were collected, and surveys were sent to authors and end‐users.

Results

Six volumes (60 total chapters) have been created to date by 180 unique authors and 17 editors over a 6‐year period. There have been 65,571 total blog page views and 17,180 total book downloads across the five published volumes. Authors reported an increase in their perceived knowledge (pre 2.6 ± 1.7 vs. post 7.2 ± 1.1, mean difference 4.5/9.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.0–5.0, p < 0.001) after writing their chapter. Authors also reported career benefits including authorship for academic advancement/promotion and developing an area of education theory expertise. End‐users also reported a mean increase in their perceived knowledge (pre 4.4 ± 2.5 vs. post 7.3 ± 1.4, mean difference 2.9/9.0, 95% CI 2.1–3.8, p < 0.001) after reading a chapter.

Conclusion

The Education Theory Made Practical electronic book series represents a proof of concept for an apprenticeship‐based model to teach education theory, while also creating scholarship and open access resources for the broader community.
Optimal Weight‐Splitting in Resistive Random Access Memory‐Based Computing‐in‐Memory Macros
Authors: Song Choongseok , Kim Jeeson , Jeong Doo Seok
Published: November 2022

Computing‐in‐memory (CIM) is considered a feasible solution to the acceleration of multiply‐accumulate (MAC) operations at low power. The key to CIM is parallel MAC operations in the memory domain, and thus reductions in power consumption and memory‐access latency. Resistive random access memory (RRAM) can be a good candidate for the memory for CIM given its data nonvolatility, high data density, low‐latency read‐out, multilevel representation, and inherent current accumulation capability. Particularly, the last two attributes offer analog MAC operations in parallel in the memory domain. However, the fully analog MAC operation scheme causes significant power and area overheads for its peripheral circuits, particularly, analog‐to‐digital converters. To compensate for these downsides using digital processing, a method for sub‐array‐wise partial MAC operations over weight‐resistors that are optimally split to minimize power and area overheads for the peripheral circuits is proposed. The simulations performed highlight the optimal sub‐array of in size. That is, weight‐splitting such that a singlew‐bit weight is represented by RRAM cells, i.e., 2‐bit for each cell. For 8‐bit weights, the figure of merit (FOM) for this optimal case reaches ≈28.3 FOM for the case of no weight‐splitting.
Diagnostic accuracy of pelvic imaging for acute pelvic inflammatory disease in an emergency care setting: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Okazaki Yuji , Tsujimoto Yasushi , Yamada Kohei , Ariie Takashi , Taito Shunsuke , Banno Masahiro , Kataoka Yuki , Tsukizawa Yoshiaki
Published: November 2022

The aim of this review is to investigate the diagnostic accuracy or performance of contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in an emergency care setting. We searched for studies on the diagnostic test accuracy of contrast‐enhanced CT or MRI for women of reproductive age with acute abdominal pain using MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and ClinicalTrials.gov. The reference standard was gynecological examinations by gynecologists using standard diagnostic criteria with or without laparoscopy or transcervical endometrial biopsy. Two reviewers undertook screening of records, data extraction, and assessment of the risk of bias in each included study using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies‐2 tool. A bivariate model was used for the meta‐analysis. Of 2,619 screened studies, three studies investigating contrast‐enhanced CT and one study investigating MRI were eligible, including a total 635 patients and with a median prevalence of acute PID of 29%. All of the included studies had a high risk of bias for a reference standard and had some applicability concerns. Contrast‐enhanced CT had a pooled sensitivity of 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52–0.93) and specificity of 0.99 (95% CI, 0.94–1.00). Magnetic resonance imaging had a sensitivity of 0.95 (95% CI, 0.76–1.00) and specificity of 0.89 (95% CI, 0.52–1.00). Contrast‐enhanced CT might serve as a practical alternative to gynecological examination in the diagnosis of acute PID in an emergency care setting, however, the evidence was uncertain. The evidence on MRI was also very uncertain.
Boosting Reactive Oxygen Species Generation Using Inter‐Facet Edge Rich WO3 Arrays for Photoelectrochemical Conversion
Authors: Li He , Lin Cheng , Yang Yilong , Dong Chaoran , Min Yulin , Shi Xiaoqin , Wang Luyang , Lu Siyu , Zhang Kan
Published: November 2022

Water oxidation reaction leaves room to be improved in the development of various solar fuel productions, because of the kinetically sluggish 4‐electron transfer process of oxygen evolution reaction. In this work, we realize reactive oxygen species (ROS), H2O2 and OH⋅, formations by water oxidation with total Faraday efficiencies of more than 90 % by using inter‐facet edge (IFE) rich WO3 arrays in an electrolyte containing CO32−. Our results demonstrate that the IFE favors the adsorption of CO32− while reducing the adsorption energy of OH⋅, as well as suppresses surface hole accumulation by direct 1‐electron and indirect 2‐electron transfer pathways. Finally, we present selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol by in situ using the formed OH⋅, which delivers a benzaldehyde production rate of ≈768 μmol h−1 with near 100 % selectivity. This work offers a promising approach to tune or control the oxidation reaction in an aqueous solar fuel system towards high efficiency and value‐added product.
Negligible Ion Migration in Tin‐Based and Tin‐Doped Perovskites
Authors: Ighodalo Kester O. , Chen Wenjing , Liang Zheng , Shi Yongliang , Chu Shenglong , Zhang Yihan , Khan Rashid , Zhou Hongmin , Pan Xu , Ye Jiajiu , Xiao Zhengguo
Published: November 2022

Ion migration is a notorious phenomenon observed in ionic perovskite materials. It causes several severe issues in perovskite optoelectronic devices such as instability, current hysteresis, and phase segregation. Here, we report that, in contrast to lead halide perovskites (LHPs), no ion migration or phase segregation was observed in tin halide perovskites (THPs) under illumination or an electric field. The origin is attributed to a much stronger Sn‐halide bond and higher ion migration activation energy (Ea) in THPs, which remain nearly constant under illumination. We further figured out the threshold Ea for the absence of ion migration to be around 0.65 eV using the CsSnyPb1‐y(I0.6Br0.4)3 system whose Ea varies with Sn ratios. Our work shows that ion migration does not necessarily exist in all perovskites and suggests metallic doping to be a promising way of stopping ion migration and improving the intrinsic stability of perovskites.
Electrowriting of silk fibroin: Towards 3D fabrication for tissue engineering applications
Authors: Hai Abdul Moqeet , Yue Zhilian , Beirne Stephen , Wallace Gordon
Published: November 2022

Electrowriting (EW) successfully combines the principles of two widely studied biofabrication techniques; 3D printing and electrospinning, and is capable of producing complex architectures, with submicron resolutions. However, the EW process so far is limited mainly to thermoplastic polymers of synthetic origin such as poly ε‐caprolactone. Herein we demonstrate the EW of silk fibroin (SF) on an in‐house build setup to identify the compatibility of water‐based SF ink with EW. More specifically, we optimized the SF ink composition and investigated the effect of EW process parameters including ink concentration, collector translation speed, applied voltage, and distance between nozzle and collector on filament orientation and diameter. During SF ink preparation, control over the silk degumming process and ink concentration enabled modulation of rheology and surface tension properties of SF inks. We envision that the EW of hydrophilic SF will offer a new class of material structures with biological properties akin to natural systems.
Using SBS/terpene‐styrene resin blends as a novel high‐viscosity asphalt modifier
Authors: Chen Liqi , Zhang Zengping , Wang Zhaofei , Liu Hao , Zhang Dali , Sun Jia
Published: November 2022

To improve the inferior stability in high‐viscosity asphalt prepared using styrene‐butadiene‐styrene block copolymer (SBS) and to simplify the preparation process, a novel high‐viscosity modifier (STP) was prepared with SBS, terpene‐styrene resin (TSR) and plasticizer. Its inherent properties, optimal dosage, and modification effect were investigated. The results show that STP has lower component melting temperature and stronger polarity, combined with good thermal stability, ensuring that STP possesses a better modification effect on asphalt. 14.5–17.6 wt% was determined as the appropriate content of STP. The incorporation of STP improved the rutting resistance and elasticity percentage of the asphalt. The zero shear viscosity (ZSV) of asphalt fitted by the Carreau model showed that STP increased the cohesion of the asphalt system and improved the high‐temperature deformation resistance. The small non‐recoverable creep compliance value proves that the STP high‐viscosity asphalt (STP‐HVA) exhibits excellent resistance to permanent deformation at high‐temperatures while displaying low‐stress sensitivity and achieving an extremely heavy traffic rating. STP confers greater flexibility to asphalt to eliminate low‐temperature cracking phenomenon. Smaller CMAI and PAAI values demonstrate that STP‐HVA exhibits outstanding aging resistance. TSR effectively improves the compatibility of SBS and base asphalt, and STP particles are finely dispersed and uniform. The preparation process is mainly physical modification, accompanied by chemical reactions.
New 1,3,4‐oxadiazole‐chalcone/benzimidazole hybrids as potent antiproliferative agents
Authors: Hagar Fatma Fouad , Abbas Samar H. , Abdelhamid Dalia , Gomaa Hesham A. M. , Youssif Bahaa G. M. , Abdel‐Aziz Mohamed
Published: November 2022

A series of new 1,3,4‐oxadiazole‐chalcone/benzimidazole hybrids 9a–o and 10a–k were designed and synthesized as potential antiproliferative agents. Hybrids 9a–o exhibited remarkable antiproliferative activities on different NCI‐60 cell lines in a single‐dose assay. The antiproliferative activities of the newly synthesized compounds were evaluated against a panel of four human cancer cell lines (A‐549, MCF‐7, Panc‐1, and HT‐29). Compounds 9g–i and their oxygen isosteres, 10f–h, exhibited promising antiproliferative activities with IC50 values ranging from 0.80 to 2.27 µM compared to doxorubicin (IC50 ranging from 0.90 to 1.41 µM). Furthermore, the inhibitory potency of these compounds against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and BRAFV600E kinases was evaluated using erlotinib as a reference drug. Molecular modeling studies were done to investigate the binding mode of the most active hybrids in the ATP binding site of EGFR.
Predicting Small Molecule Activation including Catalytic Hydrogenation of Dinitrogen Promoted by a Dual Lewis Acid
Authors: Dong Shicheng , Zhu Jun
Published: November 2022

For decades, N2 activation and functionalization have required the use of transition metal complexes. Thus, it is one of the most challenging projects to activate the abundant dinitrogen through metal‐free systems under mild conditions. Here, we demonstrate a proof‐of‐concept study on the catalytic hydrogenation of dinitrogen (with activation energy as low as 15.3 kcal mol−1) initiated by a dual Lewis acid (DLA) via density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In addition, such a DLA could be also used to activate a series of small molecules including carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, N‐ethylenemethylamine, and acetonitrile. It is found that aromaticity plays an important role in stabilizing intermediates and products. Our findings provide an alternative approach to N2 activation and functionalization, highlighting a great potential of DLA for small molecule activation.
Room‐Temperature Dialkylamination of Chloroheteroarenes Using a Cu(II)/PTABS Catalytic System
Authors: Shet Harshita , Patel Manisha , Waikar Jyoti M. , More Pavan M. , Sanghvi Yogesh S. , Kapdi Anant R.
Published: November 2022

The dimethylamino functionality has significant importance in industrially relevant molecules and methodologies to install these efficiently are highly desirable. We report herein a highly efficient, room‐temperature dimethylamination of chloroheteroarenes performed via the in‐situ generation of dimethylamine using N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) as precursor wiith a large substrate scope that includes various heteroarenes, purines as well as commercially relevant drugs such as altretamine, ampyzine and puromycin precursor.
Efficient AcFc‐[FeIII(acac)3] Redox Couple for Non‐aqueous Redox Flow Battery at Low Temperature
Authors: Rahaman Mazumder Md Motiur , Islam Rezoanul , Khan M. Azizur R. , Anis‐Ul‐Haque K. M. , Rahman Mohammed M.
Published: November 2022

The temperature dependency of the electrochemical analysis of acetyl ferrocene (AcFc) and iron(III) acetylacetonate ([Fe(acac)3]) has been investigated for non‐aqueous redox flow batteries (NARFBs). AcFc and [Fe(acac)3] were utilized as catholyte and anolyte species, respectively, in an electrochemical cell with a cell voltage of 1.41 V and Coulombic efficiencies >99% for up to 50 total cycles at room temperature (RT, 25 °C). Experiments with a rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) indicate that the diffusion coefficient reduces with decreasing temperature from 25 °C to 0 °C, yet the overall storage capacity was higher than that of an aqueous redox flow battery (ARFBs). The electrochemical kinetic rate constant (k0) of AcFc was found to be greater than that of [Fe(acac)3]. However, the value of k0 was not affected by the variable temperature. 1H NMR investigations reveal that temperature change during battery trials did not occur in any structural modification. The obtained result demonstrates the suitability of this battery at low temperatures.
Effects of radiotherapy on the survival of patients with malignant spermatic cord tumors: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Liu Yifu , Zhang Zhicheng , Wang Jinxiang , Wang Siyuan
Published: November 2022

Background

Malignant spermatic cord tumors (SCT) are rare and currently, there is no consensus regarding the role of radiotherapy in their treatment. This study evaluated the effect of radiotherapy on the overall survival (OS) of patients with malignant SCT based on the large‐sample advantage of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.

Methods

Patients with malignant SCT recorded in the SEER database from 1975 to 2016 were included. All patients were divided into non‐radiation and radiation groups, and propensity score matching (PSM) (1:1) was performed for baseline covariates between the two groups. The overall survival rate between the two groups of patients was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier curve. The effects of radiotherapy on patient prognosis were analyzed using univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses.

Results

In total, 389 patients with malignant SCT were included. There were 285 (73.26%) and 104 (26.74%) patients who either did or did not receive radiotherapy, respectively. Kaplan–Meier curves before and after PSM showed no significant differences in OS between the two groups. Similarly, multivariate COX regression models before and after PSM showed that radiotherapy was not an independent risk factor for OS in patients with malignant SCT.

Conclusions

Radiotherapy has no obvious advantage in improving the survival time of patients with malignant SCT.
Interactive effects of molecular subtypes with tumor size and extracranial metastatic pattern on risk of brain metastasis in breast cancer patients: A population‐based study
Authors: Shen Bo , Li Jieqing , Yang Mei , Liu Kangkang , Zhang Junsheng , Li Weiping , Zhang Yi , Wang Kun
Published: November 2022

Background

Early detection of brain metastasis (BM) is essential for prognostic improvement in breast cancer (BC) patients. The aim was to identify predictors of BCBM in different molecular subtypes on a population‐based level.

Methods

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was used to select BC patients diagnosed from 2010 to 2018. We evaluated the incidence and risk factors of BCBM and tested the interaction effects between molecular subtypes and other risk factors.

Results

Among the 527,525 selected patients, molecular subtypes significantly interacted with T stage and extracranial metastasis (ECM) patterns on the risk of BM in the whole BC population (interaction p = 0.002, <0.001, respectively) and after excluding patients with unknown states of key factors. BM development was independent of the T stage only in HR−/HER2− patients (trend p = 0.126). We selected BC patients with single‐organ ECM and found a significant interaction between molecular subtypes and ECM patterns (interaction p = 0.013). The impact of ECM patterns on the risk of BM was limited to HR−/HER2− patients (trend p < 0.001), for whom using bone metastasis as a reference, lung metastasis increased the risk of BM (OR = 1.936, 95% CI: 1.300–2.882, p = 0.001).

Conclusion

T stage and ECM patterns had different associations with BM in different molecular subtypes. HR−/HER2− BC had distinct features on BM development, manifested as a lack of tumor size effect and is associated with lung metastasis. Close surveillance for BM should be considered for HR−/HER2− BC patients.
“Hello, can you hear me?”: Narratives of online mental health counselling among Filipino adults during the pandemic
Authors: Dela Cruz Edlene Nicole M. , Marcelo Rohann Cris A. , Naling Bea Ysabelle M. , Ty Welison Evenston G.
Published: November 2022

Filipinos are often reluctant to seek professional mental health (MH) help. However, literature reveals that online counselling is preferable to face‐to‐face (F2F) MH services, with the pandemic possibly magnifying technology's anonymity and disinhibiting benefits. To further explore facilitators of online MH help‐seeking, this study tapped into the lived stories of Filipino adults who experienced at least one counselling session from March 2020 to March 2022. Among 83 screened respondents, 11 semistructured interviews were transcribed and analysed following Crossley's (2000) method. Findings reveal an overarching online MH counselling narrative composed of three phases and their respective events: (a) Precounselling (Resiliency Narrative versus MH Awareness, Turning Point, and Linking versus Searching); (b) Counselling (Two‐way Introduction, Unloading and Untangling, and Decision to Maintain or Terminate); and (c) Postcounselling (Relapse and Journey towards Growth and Advocacy). Three all‐encompassing facilitators were embedded throughout the process: Autonomy, Financial Capability, and MH Institutions. Notably, participants attributed their MH help‐seeking to autonomy, despite culture and stigma, because of enabling environments that entail heightened MH literacy, positive past experiences with professional MH help, social support and encouragement, and a sense of shared reality. Benefits unique to online counselling were also apparent among participants' narratives, including alleviating geographical boundaries and added financial and personal pressures. Overall, findings posit that Filipino adults consider online counselling as a preferable alternative to F2F counselling, thus necessitating further development and institutional support.
Reversible Modulation of Aptamer‐Ligand Binding in RNA Light‐Up Aptamers Containing G‐Quadruplex Using Chemical Stimuli
Authors: Soni Rashi , Krishna A. Murali , More Shahaji H. , Sharma Ashwani
Published: November 2022

Regulating a system in equilibrium transiently to out‐of‐equilibrium by using certain stimuli is the strategy used by natural biomolecules to function. Herein, we showed that the interaction of synthetic RNA aptamers, having a G‐quadruplex core structure, with their corresponding ligands could be regulated from their equilibrium state to non‐equilibrium state in a reversible manner using simple chemical stimuli (Ag+ and cysteine). The approach would be useful for designing aptamer regulators that work in a dynamic nucleic acid network, where a strict control on aptamer‐ligand interaction is needed. In addition, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report which shows that RNA G‐quadruplexes can be disrupted by the addition of silver ions. This would be useful not only in designing RNA‐based sensors or regulators but would also be useful for understanding the role of metal ions in RNA folding and catalysis.
Bacterial Dehydrogenases Facilitate Oxidative Inactivation and Bioremediation of Chloramphenicol
Authors: Zhang Lei , Toplak Marina , Saleem‐Batcha Raspudin , Höing Lars , Jakob Roman , Jehmlich Nico , von Bergen Martin , Maier Timm , Teufel Robin
Published: November 2022

Antimicrobial resistance represents a major threat to human health and knowledge of the underlying mechanisms is therefore vital. Here, we report the discovery and characterization of oxidoreductases that inactivate the broad‐spectrum antibiotic chloramphenicol via dual oxidation of the C3‐hydroxyl group. Accordingly, chloramphenicol oxidation either depends on standalone glucose‐methanol‐choline (GMC)‐type flavoenzymes, or on additional aldehyde dehydrogenases that boost overall turnover. These enzymes also enable the inactivation of the chloramphenicol analogues thiamphenicol and azidamfenicol, but not of the C3‐fluorinated florfenicol. Notably, distinct isofunctional enzymes can be found in Gram‐positive (e. g., Streptomyces sp.) and Gram‐negative (e. g., Sphingobium sp.) bacteria, which presumably evolved their selectivity for chloramphenicol independently based on phylogenetic analyses. Mechanistic and structural studies provide further insights into the catalytic mechanisms of these biotechnologically interesting enzymes, which, in sum, are both a curse and a blessing by contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistance as well as to the bioremediation of chloramphenicol.
Primary Ewing sarcoma of the liver: Diagnosis, management, and prognosis: A case report and literature review
Authors: Hedfi Mohamed , Ben Ismail Imen , Zenaidi Hakim , Bouslama Sirine , Zoghlami Ayoub
Published: November 2022

Ewing's sarcoma tumors (ES) are a rare entity exceptionally localized on the liver. We report a case of an ES of the liver in a 26‐year‐old man who presented with abdominal pain. The diagnosis was confirmed with a histopathological examination of the left hepatectomy specimen and adjuvant chemotherapy was received.
Siderophore‐Linked Ruthenium Catalysts for Targeted Allyl Ester Prodrug Activation within Bacterial Cells
Authors: Southwell James W. , Herman Reyme , Raines Daniel J. , Clarke Justin E. , Böswald Isabelle , Dreher Thorsten , Gutenthaler Sophie M. , Schubert Nicole , Seefeldt Jana , Metzler‐Nolte Nils , Thomas Gavin H. , Wilson Keith S. , Duhme‐Klair Anne‐Kathrin
Published: November 2022

Due to rising resistance, new antibacterial strategies are needed, including methods for targeted antibiotic release. As targeting vectors, chelating molecules called siderophores that are released by bacteria to acquire iron have been investigated for conjugation to antibacterials, leading to the clinically approved drug cefiderocol. The use of small‐molecule catalysts for prodrug activation within cells has shown promise in recent years, and here we investigate siderophore‐linked ruthenium catalysts for the activation of antibacterial prodrugs within cells. Moxifloxacin‐based prodrugs were synthesised, and their catalyst‐mediated activation was demonstrated under anaerobic, biologically relevant conditions. In the absence of catalyst, decreased antibacterial activities were observed compared to moxifloxacin versus Escherichia coli K12 (BW25113). A series of siderophore‐linked ruthenium catalysts were investigated for prodrug activation, all of which displayed a combinative antibacterial effect with the prodrug, whereas a representative example displayed little toxicity against mammalian cell lines. By employing complementary bacterial growth assays, conjugates containing siderophore units based on catechol and azotochelin were found to be most promising for intracellular prodrug activation.
Dynamic global feature extraction and importance‐correlation selection for the prediction of concentrate copper grade and recovery rate
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , Zhang Xintong , He Dakuo
Published: November 2022

Large‐scale industrial data have brought great challenges to data calculation and analysis. Feature extraction and selection have become one of the research emphases in data mining. To mine the dynamic characteristics of large‐scale industrial data, a dynamic global feature extraction (DGFE) method integrating principal component analysis (PCA) and kernel principal component analysis (KPCA) is proposed such that the achieved feature set is not only dynamic but also contains linear and non‐linear features. To ensure that the obtained feature set is optimal with the minimum redundancy, a new importance‐correlation‐based feature selection (ICFS) method is proposed. To verify the validity and feasibility of the proposed methods, the partial least square (PLS) and least square support vector machine (LSSVM) prediction models for the concentrate copper grade and the recovery rate are established. The effectiveness of the proposed methods is verified through data experiments on a copper flotation industrial process.
Insight into Key Parameters for Fabricating Stable Single‐Atom Pt‐Nix Alloy by Reduction Environment‐Induced Anti‐Ostwald Effects
Authors: Xiao Xin , Xi Shibo , Zang Wenjie , Lim San Hua , Gao Jiajian , Chu Wei , Liu Yan
Published: November 2022

Developing single‐atom catalysts with superior stability under reduction conditions is essential for hydrogenation/dehydrogenation catalysis and green hydrogen generation. In this contribution, single‐atom Pt catalysts were achieved via a reduction environment‐induced anti‐Ostwald approach in the highly confined Ni species (Pt‐Nix) on nonreducible Al2O3 matrix. In‐situ X‐ray absorption spectroscopy indicated that the isolated Pt‐Nix metallic bonds, generated at high reduction temperature, dominated the formation of single Pt atoms. A relatively large cluster of metallic Ni would benefit the stabilization of Pt single atom as observed via high‐angle annular dark‐field scanning transmission electron microscopy and validated by density functional theory simulation. Excellent performance on cellulose hydrogenolysis was demonstrated under harsh reductive and hydrothermal conditions, potentially expandable to other hydrogen involved reactions like CO2 hydrogenation, green hydrogen production from different hydrogen carriers, and beyond.
Analysis of a coupled‐inductor double‐boost dc‐dc converter operating in discontinuous conduction mode
Authors: González Sergio Alberto , D'Amico María Belén
Published: November 2022

In this article, the steady‐state and dynamical behavior of a coupled‐inductor doble‐boost dc‐dc converter (CBC) operating in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) is discussed. The CBC makes use of the magnetic coupling between the windings of two boost stages connected in cascade to achieve high voltage gains. Developments given here shown that the voltage stress on semiconductors can be reduced to values lower than the output voltage by selecting the relation between windings adequately. Moreover, the derivation of an averaged model predicts that the converter presents a first‐order dominant response at low frequencies. These properties add to other important CBC advantages such as low component count, high efficiency, and simple implementation and design. The operation in DCM is very attractive for applications where the primary source acts as a current generator, as in the case of photovoltaic panels or constant power loads. Based on the results, the CBC can be seen as an immediate substitute of the classical boost converter when high dc‐dc voltage gains are required. Different tests carried out on an experimental set‐up corroborate the analytical findings.
‘Deep understanding’ for anti‐racist school transformation: School leaders' professional development in the context of Black Lives Matter
Authors: Walker Sharon , Bennett Ian , Kettory Pavenjit , Pike Clare , Walker Lee
Published: November 2022

In June 2020, the world witnessed an upsurge in Black Lives Matter (BLM) demonstrations following the murder of George Floyd, an African American, by a White American police officer. The international response called for the global community to reassess the value of black lives blighted by racist social systems. The mass sentiment acted as a catalyst for educational institutions, including those in the UK, to mount a response. It is in this context that a School Partnership Group representing primary and secondary schools in East London embarked on developing a workshop series for the professional development of school leaders. The sessions were aimed at school transformation through anti‐racist educational approaches. In this article, we present a discussion of the workshop series held in the academic year 2020–2021, which brought school leaders together in a reflective community of practice. Drawing on data from focus group conversations carried out following the end of the series, this paper argues for school leaders' professional development that prioritises ‘deep understanding’ supported by reflective communities of practice as a pre‐requisite for effective anti‐racist practice and sustained school transformation.
Rapid detection and online analysis of microbial changes through flow cytometry
Authors: Kupschus Jonas , Janssen Stefan , Hoek Andreas , Kuska Jan , Rathjens Jonathan , Sonntag Carsten , Ickstadt Katja , Budzinski Lisa , Chang Hyun‐Dong , Rossi Andrea , Esser Charlotte , Hochrath Katrin
Published: November 2022

Short‐read 16 S rRNA gene sequencing is the dominating technology to profile microbial communities in different habitats. Its uncontested taxonomic resolution paved the way for major contributions to the field. Sample measurement and analysis, that is, sequencing, is rather slow–in order of days. Alternatively, flow cytometry can be used to profile the microbiota of various sources within a few minutes per sample. To keep up with high measurement speed, we developed the open source‐analyzing tool FlowSoFine. To validate the ability to distinguish microbial profiles, we examined human skin samples of three body sites (N = 3 × 54) with flow cytometry and 16 S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Confirmed by sequencing of the very same samples, body site was found to be significantly different by flow cytometry. For a proof‐of‐principle multidimensional approach, using stool samples of patients (N = 40) with/without inflammatory bowel diseases, we could discriminate the health status by their bacterial patterns. In conclusion, FlowSoFine enables the generation and comparison of cytometric fingerprints of microbial communities from different sources. The implemented interface supports the user through all analytical steps to work out the biological relevant signals from raw measurements to publication ready figures. Furthermore, we present flow cytometry as a valid method for skin microbiota analysis.
The effects of iron injection on blood doping biomarkers in dried blood spots
Authors: Loria Francesco , Maret Estelle , Schobinger Céline , Kuuranne Tiia , Grabherr Silke , Leuenberger Nicolas
Published: November 2022

Iron supplementation is not considered as a doping method; however, it can affect the levels of several biomarkers of the hematologic module of the athlete biological passport (ABP), such as the reticulocyte percentage (%RET) and hemoglobin (HGB) level. Thus, iron injection could be a confounding factor in antidoping analyses. Previous studies have suggested that the HGB level and the expression levels of reticulocyte‐related‐mRNAs, such as 5′‐aminolevulinate synthase 2 (ALAS2) and carbonic anhydrase 1 (CA1), could be promising biomarkers for the ABP and detectable in dried blood spots (DBSs). Therefore, in this study, we examined the impact of iron injection on the levels of these potential biomarkers in DBSs. Reticulocyte‐related‐mRNAs analyses were performed by RT‐qPCR. Ferritin level in DBS was measured with enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Notably, there were no significant effects of iron supplementation on the levels of ALAS2 and CA1 mRNAs but by contrast, the %RET and immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF) measured in whole blood increased significantly following iron injection. As expected, iron supplementation increased the ferritin level significantly in both serum and DBS samples. In conclusion, these findings reinforce the specificity of reticulocyte‐related mRNAs in DBSs as biomarkers of blood doping to target in antidoping analyses.
A comparative analysis of the ontogeny of syngnathids (pipefishes and seahorses) reveals how heterochrony contributed to their diversification
Authors: Schneider Ralf F. , Woltering Joost M. , Adriaens Dominique , Roth Olivia
Published: November 2022

Background

Syngnathids are a highly derived and diverse fish clade comprising the pipefishes, pipe‐horses, and seahorses. They are characterized by a plethora of iconic traits that increasingly capture the attention of biologists, including geneticists, ecologists, and developmental biologists. The current understanding of the origins of their derived body plan is, however, hampered by incomplete and limited descriptions of the early syngnathid ontogeny.

Results

We provide a comprehensive description of the development of Nerophis ophidion, Syngnathus typhle, and Hippocampus erectus from early cleavage stages to release from the male brooding organ and beyond, including juvenile development. We comparatively describe skeletogenesis with a particular focus on dermal bony plates, the snout‐like jaw morphology, and appendages.

Conclusions

This most comprehensive and detailed account of syngnathid development to date suggests that convergent phenotypes (e.g., reduction and loss of the caudal fins), likely arose by distinct ontogenetic means in pipefishes and seahorses. Comparison of the ontogenetic trajectories of S. typhle and H. erectus provides indications that characteristic features of the seahorse body plan result from developmental truncation. Altogether, this work provides a valuable resource and framework for future research to understand the evolution of the outlandish syngnathid morphology from a developmental perspective.
The effective doses of remimazolam besylate in the procedural sedation of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
Authors: Tan Dan‐Dan , Gu Jin , Li Juan , Yu Wan‐Qiu , Liu De‐Xing , Zhao Li‐Jin , Zhu Guo‐Hua , Yang Xin‐Xin , Tian Jin , Tian Qi , Zhu Zhao‐Qiong
Published: November 2022

This study aimed to determine the values of the half‐effective dose (ED50) and 95% effective dose (ED95) of remimazolam besylate used in the procedural sedation of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Sixty patients who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria of this study were selected. Sufentanil was administered intravenously and remimazolam besylate was administered 2 min later. ERCP treatment was feasible when the modified alertness/sedation (MOAA/S) score was ≤2. If choking or movement occurred during duodenoscope placement, it was considered as a positive reaction. The dose was increased in the next patient; otherwise, it was considered as a negative reaction, and the dose was reduced in the next patient. The ED50 and ED95 values and 95% confidence interval (CI) of remimazolam besylate were calculated by Probit regression analysis. All 60 patients completed the trial. The ED50 and ED95 values of remimazolam besylate were 0.196 and 0.239 mg/kg, respectively, for the procedural sedation of ERCP. The time of MOAA/S score ≤ 2 was (82.58 ± 21.70) s, and the mean time of awakening was (9.03 ± 5.64) min. Transient hypotension was observed in two patients without medical intervention. The ED50 and ED95 values of remimazolam besylate used in the procedural sedation of ERCP were 0.196 and 0.239 mg/kg, and the dose of the medications has definite efficacy and good safety.
A typically progressive dissection of the internal carotid artery with recurrent hiccups: A case report with continuous 2‐year data recording
Authors: Zhang Zong‐Min , Yang Xin‐Xin , Ling Li , Zhou Man‐Hong
Published: November 2022

Patients with internal carotid artery dissection (ICAD) usually report headache, neck pain, Horner's syndrome, and ischemic stroke. Because the posterior cranial nerve is involved, some patients may show different forms of posterior cranial nerve paralysis. There have been no reports of patients with ICAD showing repeated hiccups. Here, to help clinicians identify ICAD early and gain a better understanding of the atypical manifestations of the disease, we report an atypical case of recurrent hiccup symptoms caused by ICAD.
Risk factors for bladder injury during placenta accreta spectrum surgery
Authors: Friedrich Lior , Mor Nizan , Weissmann‐Brenner Alina , Kassif Eran , Friedrich Shakad Noah , Weissbach Tal , Castel Elias , Levin Gabriel , Meyer Raanan
Published: November 2022

Objectives

To identify risk factors associated with bladder injury during placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) surgeries.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Chaim Sheba Medical Center. The study population included pregnant women diagnosed with PAS undergoing uterine‐preserving surgery or hysterectomy. Women with and without operative bladder injury were compared by univariate analysis followed by multivariate analysis. A sub‐analysis of women without preoperative sonographic suspicion of bladder invasion was performed.

Results

A total of 312 women were included in the study. Bladder injury incidence was 9.3% (n = 29). Uterine preservation was performed in 267/312 (85.6%) women. The number of previous cesarean deliveries and a preoperative sonogram suspicious for placenta percreta were found to be independent risk factors for intraoperative bladder injury (odds ratio [OR] 1.30, P = 0.019, and OR 5.23, P = 0.002, respectively). The number of previous cesarean deliveries and preoperative sonographic suspicion of placenta percreta were also associated with bladder injury in the sub‐analysis (OR 1.30, P = 0.044 for previous cesarean deliveries, and OR 3.36, P = 0.036, for preoperative suspicion of bladder injury).

Conclusion

The number of previous cesarean deliveries and preoperative suspicion of placenta percreta are preoperative factors that can assist in preoperative planning and intraoperative management of PAS cases.
Cesarean versus vaginal delivery for breech presentation is an independent risk factor for long‐term pediatric respiratory hospitalization of the offspring
Authors: Davidesko Sharon , Glusman Bendersky Ahinoam , Levy Amalia , Pariente Gali , Landau Daniella , Sheiner Eyal
Published: November 2022

Objectives

To compare the long‐term respiratory morbidity of offspring born by cesarean delivery for breech presentation with that of those delivered vaginally.

Methods

A population‐based cohort analysis including all singleton breech deliveries between the years 1991 and 2014, comparing long‐term respiratory morbidity of offspring born in breech presentation, according to mode of delivery. Offspring with congenital malformations, perinatal deaths, and instrumental deliveries were excluded. Respiratory morbidity included hospitalizations (up to age 18 years), as recorded in hospital records. A Kaplan–Meier survival curve compared cumulative respiratory morbidity. A Weibull parametric survival model controlled for confounders and repeat deliveries.

Results

A total of 7337 breech deliveries were included; 6376 (86.9%) cesarean deliveries and 961 (13.1%) vaginal breech deliveries. The Kaplan–Meier survival curve demonstrated higher cumulative incidence of respiratory morbidity in the cesarean delivery group compared with vaginal delivery (log rank test P = 0.006). Using a Weibull parametric survival model to control for confounders, cesarean delivery was found to be an independent risk factor for long‐term respiratory morbidity of the offspring (adjusted hazard ratio 1.87, 95% confidence interval 1.32–2.65, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Cesarean versus vaginal delivery for breech presentation is an independent risk factor for long‐term pediatric respiratory morbidity of the offspring.
The impact of long‐term aging in artificial saliva media on resin‐based dental composite strength
Authors: Mondal Karabi , O'Brien Evan P. , Rockne Karl J. , Drummond James L.
Published: November 2022

Although salivary liquid can degrade constituents in resin‐based dental composites in short‐term incubations, there is a knowledge gap on how longer‐term aging impacts their bulk strength. We address this through extended aging studies with resin‐based dental composites in different environments. Two commercial composites (FIL and AEL) were aged aseptically at 37°C in air (A, control), artificial saliva (AS), and esterase enzyme amended AS (EAS). Diametral and pushout strength were measured after periods of 120–180 days. At 120 days, the diametral strength of composites aged in air was 69.9 ± 11.0 and 57.7 ± 3.31 MPa in FIL and AEL, respectively. These were significantly greater compared to composites aged in AS (32.1 ± 7.01 and 46.2 ± 9.38 MPa in FIL and AEL, respectively) or EAS (36.7 ± 8.49 and 43.5 ± 5.51 MPa in FIL and AEL, respectively). In contrast, pushout strength for both composites were smaller in A compared to those aged in AS and EAS, results attributed to AS absorption and polymer expansion. No significant change in either diametral or pushout strength occurred after 120 days. There was no significant difference between aging in AS and EAS, suggesting that esterase did not significantly decrease the bulk material strength to a greater extent than AS under the test conditions. Aqueous diffusivities for the composites ranged from 8.4 to 11 × 10−13 m2/s, with associated porosities ranging from 0.06% to 0.10%. These results indicate that saturation of a typical dental composite occurs over a time frame of 4–5 months, longer than typical aging studies. Together, the results demonstrate the importance of aging time on composite strength.