bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Triplet Analysis That Identifies Unpaired Regions of Functional RNAs
Authors: Kawakami Junji , Yamaguchi Yoshie , Sugimoto Naoki
Published: September 2011

We developed a novel method for analyzing RNA sequences, deemed triplet analysis, and applied the method in anin vitroRNA selection experiment in which HIV-1 Tat was the target. Aptamers are nucleic acids that bind a desired target (bait), and to date, many aptamers have been identified byin vitroselection from enough concentrated libraries in which many RNAs had an obvious consensus primary sequence after sufficient cycles of the selection. Therefore, the higher-order structural features of the aptamers that are indispensable for interaction with the bait must be determined by additional investigation of the aptamers. In contrast, our triplet analysis enabled us to extract important information on functional primary and secondary structure from minimally concentrated RNA libraries. As a result, by using our method, an important unpaired region that is similar to the bulge of TAR was readily predicted from a partially concentrated library in which no consensus sequence was revealed by a conventional sequence analysis. Moreover, our analysis method may be used to assess a variety of structural motifs with desired function.
Falling Less in Kansas: Development of a Fall Risk Reduction Toolkit
Authors: Radebaugh Teresa S. , Bahner Candace A. , Ballard-Reisch Deborah , Epp Michael , Hale LaDonna S. , Hanley Rich , Kendrick Karen , Rogers Michael E. , Rogers Nicole L.
Published: September 2011

Falls are a serious health risk for older adults. But for those living in rural and frontier areas of the USA, the risks are higher because of limited access to health care providers and resources. This study employed a community-based participatory research approach to develop a fall prevention toolkit to be used by residents of rural and frontier areas without the assistance of health care providers. Qualitative data were gathered from both key informant interviews and focus groups with a broad range of participants. Data analysis revealed that to be effective and accepted, the toolkit should be not only evidence based but also practical, low-cost, self-explanatory, and usable without the assistance of a health care provider. Materials must be engaging, visually interesting, empowering, sensitive to reading level, and appropriate for low-vision users. These findings should be useful to other researchers developing education and awareness materials for older adults in rural areas.
Arterial Stiffness in Lower Limb Amputees
Authors: Magalhães Pedro , Capingana Daniel P. , Silva Amílcar B.T. , Capunge Inês R. , Gonçalves Mauer A.A.
Published: September 2011

Background

A high carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) has been related to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, but has not been previously evaluated in amputees. The aim of this study was to compare PWV between amputees and nonamputees.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from 60 male lower limb amputees and 86 male age-matched nonamputees. PWV was measured noninvasively using a Complior® device. All participants underwent laboratory investigations and anthropometry. The difference in PWV between amputee and nonamputees was estimated. Multivariate regression was used to adjust for differences between the groups as a result of potential confounders.

Results

PWV was higher in amputees than in nonamputees (10.8 ± 1.9 m/sec versus 9.9 ± 1.8 m/sec, P = 0.008, respectively). This difference remained even after adjusting for confounding factors.

Conclusion

A higher PWV was demonstrated in lower limb amputees. Routine assessment of PWV may contribute to cardiovascular risk stratification in amputees.
Developmental Regulation of Genes Encoding Universal Stress Proteins in Schistosoma mansoni
Authors: Isokpehi Raphael D. , Mahmud Ousman , Mbah Andreas N. , Simmons Shaneka S. , Avelar Lívia , Rajnarayanan Rajendram V. , Udensi Udensi K. , Ayensu Wellington K. , Cohly Hari H. , Brown Shyretha D. , Dates Centdrika R. , Hentz Sonya D. , Hughes Shawntae J. , Smith-McInnis Dominique R. , Patterson Carvey O. , Sims Jennifer N. , Turner Kelisha T. , Williams Baraka S. , Johnson Matilda O. , Adubi Taiwo , Mbuh Judith V. , Anumudu Chiaka I. , Adeoye Grace O. , Thomas Bolaji N. , Nashiru Oyekanmi , Oliveira Guilherme
Published: September 2011

The draft nuclear genome sequence of the snail-transmitted, dimorphic, parasitic, platyhelminth Schistosoma mansoni revealed eight genes encoding proteins that contain the Universal Stress Protein (USP) domain. Schistosoma mansoni is a causative agent of human schistosomiasis, a severe and debilitating Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) of poverty, which is endemic in at least 76 countries. The availability of the genome sequences of Schistosoma species presents opportunities for bioinformatics and genomics analyses of associated gene families that could be targets for understanding schistosomiasis ecology, intervention, prevention and control. Proteins with the USP domain are known to provide bacteria, archaea, fungi, protists and plants with the ability to respond to diverse environmental stresses. In this research investigation, the functional annotations of the USP genes and predicted nucleotide and protein sequences were initially verified. Subsequently, sequence clusters and distinctive features of the sequences were determined. A total of twelve ligand binding sites were predicted based on alignment to the ATP-binding universal stress protein from Methanocaldococcus jannaschii. In addition, six USP sequences showed the presence of ATP-binding motif residues indicating that they may be regulated by ATP. Public domain gene expression data and RT-PCR assays confirmed that all the S. mansoni USP genes were transcribed in at least one of the developmental life cycle stages of the helminth. Six of these genes were up-regulated in the miracidium, a free-swimming stage that is critical for transmission to the snail intermediate host. It is possible that during the intra-snail stages, S. mansoni gene transcripts for universal stress proteins are low abundant and are induced to perform specialized functions triggered by environmental stressors such as oxidative stress due to hydrogen peroxide that is present in the snail hemocytes. This report serves to catalyze the formation of a network of researchers to understand the function and regulation of the universal stress proteins encoded in genomes of schistosomes and their snail intermediate hosts.
A versatile and reproducible automatic injection system for liquid standard introduction: application to in-situ calibration
Authors: Isaacman G. , Kreisberg N. M. , Worton D. R. , Hering S. V. , Goldstein A. H.
Published: September 2011

Abstract. The quantitation of trace organic compounds in ambient organic aerosol is difficult due to the chemical complexity of these mixtures, but is needed to provide insight into their sources and formation processes. Compound-level characterization of organic aerosols is typically performed through sample collection followed by gas or liquid chromatography. With these methods, introduction of liquid standards has long been used as an effective means of quantifying trace compounds, but automating this technique for use with in-situ instrumentation has not previously been achieved. Here we develop an automatic injection system (AutoInject) for the introduction of liquids into a custom collection and analysis cell for improved quantitation in chromatographic measurements. The system consists of chilled reservoirs containing liquid standards from which a sample loop is loaded and then injected into the cell. The AutoInject is shown to be reproducible over 106 injections with a relative standard deviation of 1.5%, and have negligible injection-to-injection carryover. A 6-port selector allows injection of different liquid standards separately or simultaneously. Additionally, automatic injection of multiple sample loops is shown to generate a linear multi-point calibration curve. Tests conducted in this work focus on use with the Thermal desorption Aerosol Gas chromatograph (TAG), but the flexibility of the system allows it to be used for a variety of applications.
A comparison of biogenic iron quotas during a diatom spring bloom using multiple approaches
Authors: King A. L. , Sañudo-Wilhelmy S. A. , Boyd P. W. , Twining B. S. , Wilhelm S. W. , Breene C. , Ellwood M. J. , Hutchins D. A.
Published: September 2011

Abstract. Biogenic Fe quotas were determined using three distinct techniques on samples collected concurrently in the subtropical Pacific Ocean east of New Zealand. Fe quotas were measured using radioisotope uptake experiments (24 h incubation), bulk filtration and analysis by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICPMS), and single-cell synchrotron x-ray fluorescence (SXRF) analysis over a sixteen-day period (year days 263 to 278 of 2008) during a quasi-Lagrangian drifter experiment that tracked the evolution of the annual spring diatom bloom within a counter-clockwise open-ocean eddy. Overall, radioisotope uptake-determined Fe quotas (washed with oxalate reagent to remove extracellular Fe) were the lowest (0.5–1.0 mmol Fe:mol P; 4–8 μmol Fe:mol C), followed by single-cell Fe quotas (2.3–7.5 mmol Fe:mol P; 17–57 μmol Fe:mol C), and the highest and most variable quotas were from the bulk filtration ICPMS approach that used the oxalate reagent wash, corrected for lithogenic Fe using Al (0.8–21 mmol Fe:mol P; 4–136 μmol Fe:mol C). During the evolution of the spring bloom within the eddy (year days 263 to 272), the surface mixed layer inventories of particulate organic elements (C, N, P, Si) and chlorophyll increased while Fe quotas estimated from all three approaches exhibited a general decline. After the onset of the bloom decline, the drogued buoys exited the eddy center (days 273 to 277). Fe quotas returned to pre-bloom values during this part of the study. Our standardized and coordinated sampling protocols reveal the general observed trend in Fe quotas: ICPMS > SXRF > radioisotope uptake. We discuss the inherent differences between the techniques and argue that each technique has its individual merits and uniquely contributes to the characterization of the oceanic particulate Fe pool.
On the spatio-temporal analysis of hydrological droughts from global hydrological models
Authors: Corzo Perez G. A. , van Huijgevoort M. H. J. , Voß F. , van Lanen H. A. J.
Published: September 2011

Abstract. The recent concerns for world-wide extreme events related to climate change have motivated the development of large scale models that simulate the global water cycle. In this context, analysis of hydrological extremes is important and requires the adaptation of identification methods used for river basin models. This paper presents two methodologies that extend the tools to analyze spatio-temporal drought development and characteristics using large scale gridded time series of hydrometeorological data. The methodologies are classified as non-contiguous and contiguous drought area analyses (i.e. NCDA and CDA). The NCDA presents time series of percentages of areas in drought at the global scale and for pre-defined regions of known hydroclimatology. The CDA is introduced as a complementary method that generates information on the spatial coherence of drought events at the global scale. Spatial drought events are found through CDA by clustering patterns (contiguous areas). In this study the global hydrological model WaterGAP was used to illustrate the methodology development. Global gridded time series of subsurface runoff (resolution 0.5°) simulated with the WaterGAP model from land points were used. The NCDA and CDA were developed to identify drought events in runoff. The percentages of area in drought calculated with both methods show complementary information on the spatial and temporal events for the last decades of the 20th century. The NCDA provides relevant information on the average number of droughts, duration and severity (deficit volume) for pre-defined regions (globe, 2 selected hydroclimatic regions). Additionally, the CDA provides information on the number of spatially linked areas in drought, maximum spatial event and their geographic location on the globe. Some results capture the overall spatio-temporal drought extremes over the last decades of the 20th century. Events like the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in South America and the pan-European drought in 1976 appeared clearly in both analyses. The methodologies introduced provide an important basis for the global characterization of droughts, model inter-comparison of drought identified from global hydrological models and spatial event analyses.
Jetstream and rainfall distribution in the Mediterranean region
Authors: Gaetani M. , Baldi M. , Dalu G. A. , Maracchi G.
Published: September 2011

Abstract. This is a study on the impact of the jetstream in the Euro-Atlantic region on the rainfall distribution in the Mediterranean region; the study, based on data analysis, is restricted to the Mediterranean rainy season, which lasts from September to May. During this season, most of the weather systems originate over the Atlantic, and are carried towards the Mediterranean region by the westerly flow. In the upper troposphere of the Euro-Atlantic region this flow is characterized by two jets: the Atlantic jet, which crosses the ocean with a northeasterly tilt, and the African jet, which flows above the coast of North Africa. This study shows that the cross-jet circulation of the Atlantic jet favors storm activity in its exit region, while the cross-jet circulation of the African jet suppresses this kind of activity in its entrance region, with the 1st jet-stormtrack covariance mode explaining nearly 50% of the variability. It follows that the rainfall distribution downstream to these cross-jet circulations is strongly influenced by their relative positions. Specifically, in fall, rainfall is abundant in the western Mediterranean basin (WM), when the Atlantic jet is relatively strong but its northeasterly tilt is small, and the African jet is in its easternmost position. In winter, rainfall is abundant in the eastern Mediterranean basin (EM); this is when the Atlantic jet reaches the Scandinavian peninsula and the African jet is in its westernmost position. In spring, when the two jets weaken, the Atlantic jet retreats over the ocean, but the African jet stays in its winter position, rainfall is abundant in the Alpine region and in the Balkans. In addition, the covariance between precipitation and the jetstream has been evaluated. In fall, the latitudinal displacement of the Atlantic jet and the longitudinal displacement of the African jet modulate rainfall anomalies in the WM, with 38% explained covariance. In winter, the latitudinal displacement of the Atlantic jet produces rainfall anomalies in the western and central Mediterranean, with 45% explained covariance. In spring, the latitudinal displacement of the African jet produces rainfall anomalies, with 38% explained covariance.
Modeling the thermal dynamics of the active layer at two contrasting permafrost sites on Svalbard and on the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Weismüller J. , Wollschläger U. , Boike J. , Pan X. , Yu Q. , Roth K.
Published: September 2011

Abstract. Employing a one-dimensional, coupled thermal and hydraulic numerical model, we quantitatively analyze high-resolution, multi-year data from the active layers at two contrasting permafrost sites. The model implements heat conduction with the de Vries parameterization, heat convection with water and vapor flow, freeze-thaw transition parameterized with a heuristic soil-freezing characteristic, and liquid water flow with the Mualem-van Genuchten parameterization. The model is driven by measured temperatures and water contents at the upper and lower boundary with all required material properties deduced from the measured data. The aims are (i) to ascertain the applicability of such a rather simple model, (ii) to quantify the dominating processes, and (iii) to discuss possible causes of remaining deviations. Soil temperatures and water contents as well as characteristic quantities like thaw depth and duration of the isothermal plateau could be reproduced. Heat conduction is found to be the dominant process by far at both sites, with non-conductive transport contributing a maximum of some 3% to the mean heat flux at the Spitsbergen site, most of the time very much less, and practically negligible at the Tibetan site. Hypotheses discussed to explain the remaining deviations between measured and simulated state variables include, besides some technical issues, infiltration of snow melt, dry cracking with associated vapor condensation, and mechanical soil expansion in detail.
Observations on two rarely collected species of Russula
Authors: Manimohan P. , Latha K. P. Deepna
Published: September 2011

Russula periglypta and R. purpureonigra, originally reported from Sri Lanka several decades back, were collected from Kerala State, India. Full descriptions and photo-illustrations of these rediscovered species are provided along with some taxonomic observations.
A new species of Xylaria from China
Authors: Ma Hai-Xia , Vasilyeva Larissa , Li Yu
Published: September 2011

Xylaria ficicola, a new species of Xylaria (Xylariales, Xylariaceae), is described from China. It is characterized by its stroma with a tiny subglobose fertile part and a relatively long slender stipe, as well as ascospores with an appendage on each end.
Continuous glucose monitoring and retinopathy of prematurity
Authors: Vanhaesebrouck Sophie , Vanhole Christine , Theyskens Claire , Casteels Ingele , Maleux Johan , Allegaert Karel , Naulaers Gunnar , Daniëls Hans , De Zegher Francis
Published: September 2011

Purpose

To use the continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants to further explore the association between elevated glucose levels and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and to find new preventive strategies for ROP.

Methods

A secondary analysis of risk factors for ROP in VLBW infants was performed in the neonatal intensive care units of University Hospital Leuven and ZOL Genk, Belgium. The subjects were part of the NIRTURE trial (ISRCTN78428828). Only control subjects with conclusive ROP assessments who received standard clinical care were included in this analysis. A total of 100 VLBW infants (birthweight ≤ 1500 g) were included. Twenty-three (23%) infants developed ROP; 77 (77%) did not.

Results

Development of ROP was linked to the known classic risk factors. In addition, ROP was associated with higher glycemia levels across the first week (p between 0.01 and <0.0001). Across the first week, glycemia predicted ROP with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) scores between 0.67 and 0.80, and with a median glycemia cutoff of 6.7 mmol/L. Comparison of ROC curves revealed first-week glycemia as an important variable in the development of ROP with a predictive power as high as the classic risk factors.

Conclusions

Moderately elevated glucose levels in the first week of life are associated with the development of ROP. They contribute to this multifactorial disease in a way equal to the known classical risk factors for ROP. Therefore, careful monitoring of glucose levels by CGMS can be helpful in the prevention of ROP.
Susceptibility to exudative age-related macular degeneration and three genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase Z1 (GSTZ1)
Authors: Othman Hasan , Saadat Iraj , Farvardin-Jahromi Majid , Saadat Mostafa
Published: September 2011

Purpose

To investigate whether genetic polymorphisms of GSTZ1 contribute to the development of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods

The present case-control study consisted of 112 patients (44 female, 68 male) with exudative AMD and 112 sex frequency-matched healthy controls were randomly selected from unrelated volunteers in the same clinic. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism–based method.

Results

There was no significant association between study polymorphisms and susceptibility to exudative AMD. Considering the significant difference in age distribution between cases and controls, age was used as a covariate in further analysis. After odds ratio adjustment for age, the same results were observed. The study polymorphisms showed linkage disequilibrium. Analysis revealed that there was no difference between cases and controls for the prevalence of the haplotypes of GSTZ1.

Conclusions

Our study did not support any association between susceptibility to exudative AMD and polymorphisms of GSTZ1.
Novel Vitamin D Analogs for Prostate Cancer Therapy
Authors: Chen Tai C. , Kittaka Atsushi
Published: September 2011

Prostate cells contain specific receptors for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] or calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D. 1,25(OH)2D is known to inhibit the proliferation and invasiveness of prostate cancer cells. These findings support the use of 1,25(OH)2D for prostate cancer therapy. However, 1,25(OH)2D can cause hypercalcemia, analogs of 1,25(OH)2D that are less calcemic but exhibit potent antiproliferative activity would be attractive as therapeutic agents. To accomplish these goals, different strategies, based on metabolism, molecular mechanism of actions, and structural modeling, have been taken to modify the structure of vitamin D molecule with the aims to improve the efficacy and decrease the toxicity of vitamin D to treat different diseases. During the past four decades, over 3,000 analogs have been synthesized. In this paper, we discuss the development and the biological analysis of a unique class of vitamin D analogs with a substitution at the carbon 2 of 19-nor-1,25(OH)2D3molecule for potential application to the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer as well as other cancers.
A história da súmula 331 do tribunal superior do trabalho: a alteração na forma de compreender a terceirização
Authors: Biavaschi Magda Barros , Droppa Alisson
Published: September 2011

O texto, fundamentado em pesquisa realizada no Centro de Estudos Sindicais e de Economia do Trabalho do Instituto de Economia da UNICAMP, CESIT/IE/UNICAMP, analisa o processo de alteração do entendimento do Tribunal Superior do Trabalho, TST, quanto à terceirização que se expressou, em 1993, na revisão do Enunciado 256 pela Súmula 331, revisitada em 2000 para estender a responsabilidade subsidiária aos Entes Públicos que contratam terceiras. Para tanto, utilizaram-se: documentos e entrevistas, fontes que ofereceram elementos fundamentais à análise do papel da Justiça do Trabalho diante dessa forma de contratar e à discussão sobre seu potencial regulador das relações de trabalho.
Quando o apito não tocou: experiência operária e identidade de classe em um bairro operário em declínio (Barreto – Niterói)
Authors: Wollmann Luciana
Published: September 2011

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo analisar como se deu o processo de resignificação de identidades sociais – sobretudo a “de classe” por parte dos antigos trabalhadores da Companhia Fluminense de Tecidos, centenária fábrica localizada no bairro do Barreto na cidade de Niterói/RJ, a partir do final da década de 1970, quando a Companhia começa a dar os seus primeiros sinais de crise e o bairro inicia um gradativo processo de esvaziamento industrial. É nosso interesse aqui perceber como a diminuição dos postos de trabalho, combinada à desestruturação do antigo bairro operário e à ausência de melhores oportunidades no presente, contribuíram para um reforço da identidade operária deste grupo de trabalhadores e corroboraram para um exercício de re-elaboração de sua própria trajetória de trabalho dedicado à Companhia.
Os falanstérios e a crítica da sociedade industrial: revisitando Charles Fourier
Authors: Barros José D’Assunção
Published: September 2011

Este artigo busca examinar as idéias de Charles Fourier, escritor do século XIX habitualmente considerado como um “socialista utópico”. Uma introdução ao Socialismo Utópico no século XIX, incluindo comentários sobre outros socialistas utópicos como Saint-Simon e Robert Owen, prepara uma análise mais específica dos principais aspectos apresentados por Charles Fourier em seu Falanstério. Também são examinados aspectos relacionados à crítica social dirigida por Charles Fourier contra a sociedade industrial de sua época.
A persistência de Lukács
Authors: Gajanigo Paulo Rodrigues
Published: September 2011

Resenha do livro - LUKÁCS, György. Prolegômenos para uma ontologia do ser social. São Paulo: Boitempo, 2010.
Taxane-Induced Cutaneous Toxic Effects
Authors: Wang Wei-En , Ho Ching-Chun , Chang Chung-Hsing
Published: June 2024

This case report describes dusky red to violaceous lesions with desquamation on the wrists and dorsal surface of both hands and near the Achilles tendon that occurred after intravenous paclitaxel treatment for invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast.
Potential Sexual Transmission of Tinea Pubogenitalis From TMVII
Authors: Caplan Avrom S. , Sikora Michelle , Strome Arianna , Akoh Christine C. , Otto Caitlin , Chaturvedi Sudha , Zampella John G.
Published: June 2024

This case report describes a patient with Trichophyton mentagrophytes internal transcribed spacer genotype VII resulting in tinea genitalis, glutealis, and corporis.
Sodium Intake and Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Chiang Brenda M. , Ye Morgan , Chattopadhyay Aheli , Halezeroglu Yagmur , Van Blarigan Erin L. , Abuabara Katrina
Published: June 2024

Importance

The association of diet with atopic dermatitis (AD) remains poorly understood and could help explain heterogeneity in disease course.

Objective

To determine the extent to which a higher level of dietary sodium intake, estimated using urine sodium as a biomarker, is associated with AD in a large, population-based cohort.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study of adult participants (aged 37-73 years) from the UK Biobank examined 24-hour urine sodium excretion, which was estimated using a single spot urine sample collected between March 31, 2006, and October 1, 2010, and calculations from the sex-specific International Cooperative Study on Salt, Other Factors, and Blood Pressure equation, incorporating body mass index; age; and urine concentrations of potassium, sodium, and creatinine. The data were analyzed between February 23, 2022, and March 20, 2024.

Exposure

The primary exposure was 24-hour urinary sodium excretion.

Main Outcome and Measure

The primary outcome was AD or active AD based on diagnostic and prescription codes from linked electronic medical records. Multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, race and ethnicity, Townsend Deprivation Index, and education were used to measure the association.

Results

The analytic sample comprised 215 832 participants (mean [SD] age, 56.52 [8.06] years; 54.3% female). Mean (SD) estimated 24-hour urine sodium excretion was 3.01 (0.82) g per day, and 10 839 participants (5.0%) had a diagnosis of AD. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that a 1-g increase in estimated 24-hour urine sodium excretion was associated with increased odds of AD (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.11; 95% CI, 1.07-1.14), increased odds of active AD (AOR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.05-1.28), and increased odds of increasing severity of AD (AOR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.07-1.15). In a validation cohort of 13 014 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a 1 g per day higher dietary sodium intake estimated using dietary recall questionnaires was associated with a higher risk of current AD (AOR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.01-1.47).

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings suggest that restriction of dietary sodium intake may be a cost-effective and low-risk intervention for AD.
Deep Learning for Video-Based Assessment in Surgery
Authors: Yanik Erim , Schwaitzberg Steven , De Suvranu
Published: June 2024

This surgical innovation explains how applying deep neural networks could ensure the continued use of video-based assessment.
Large Language Model Capabilities in Perioperative Risk Prediction and Prognostication
Authors: Chung Philip , Fong Christine T. , Walters Andrew M. , Aghaeepour Nima , Yetisgen Meliha , O’Reilly-Shah Vikas N.
Published: June 2024

Importance

General-domain large language models may be able to perform risk stratification and predict postoperative outcome measures using a description of the procedure and a patient’s electronic health record notes.

Objective

To examine predictive performance on 8 different tasks: prediction of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS), hospital admission, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, unplanned admission, hospital mortality, postanesthesia care unit (PACU) phase 1 duration, hospital duration, and ICU duration.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This prognostic study included task-specific datasets constructed from 2 years of retrospective electronic health records data collected during routine clinical care. Case and note data were formatted into prompts and given to the large language model GPT-4 Turbo (OpenAI) to generate a prediction and explanation. The setting included a quaternary care center comprising 3 academic hospitals and affiliated clinics in a single metropolitan area. Patients who had a surgery or procedure with anesthesia and at least 1 clinician-written note filed in the electronic health record before surgery were included in the study. Data were analyzed from November to December 2023.

Exposures

Compared original notes, note summaries, few-shot prompting, and chain-of-thought prompting strategies.

Main Outcomes and Measures

F1 score for binary and categorical outcomes. Mean absolute error for numerical duration outcomes.

Results

Study results were measured on task-specific datasets, each with 1000 cases with the exception of unplanned admission, which had 949 cases, and hospital mortality, which had 576 cases. The best results for each task included an F1 score of 0.50 (95% CI, 0.47-0.53) for ASA-PS, 0.64 (95% CI, 0.61-0.67) for hospital admission, 0.81 (95% CI, 0.78-0.83) for ICU admission, 0.61 (95% CI, 0.58-0.64) for unplanned admission, and 0.86 (95% CI, 0.83-0.89) for hospital mortality prediction. Performance on duration prediction tasks was universally poor across all prompt strategies for which the large language model achieved a mean absolute error of 49 minutes (95% CI, 46-51 minutes) for PACU phase 1 duration, 4.5 days (95% CI, 4.2-5.0 days) for hospital duration, and 1.1 days (95% CI, 0.9-1.3 days) for ICU duration prediction.

Conclusions and Relevance

Current general-domain large language models may assist clinicians in perioperative risk stratification on classification tasks but are inadequate for numerical duration predictions. Their ability to produce high-quality natural language explanations for the predictions may make them useful tools in clinical workflows and may be complementary to traditional risk prediction models.
Characterization of a novel TFG variant causing autosomal recessive pure hereditary spastic paraplegia
Authors: Hsiao Cheng‐Tsung , Tsai Tzu‐Yun , Shen Ting‐Yi , Tsai Yu‐Shuen , Liao Yi‐Chu , Lee Yi‐Chung , Tsai Pei‐Chien
Published: June 2024

Objective

TFG mutations have previously been implicated in autosomal recessive hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), also known as SPG57. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and molecular features of TFG mutations in a Taiwanese HSP cohort.

Methods

Genetic analysis of TFG was conducted in 242 unrelated Taiwanese HSP patients using a targeted resequencing panel covering the entire coding regions of TFG. Functional assays were performed using an in vitro cell model to assess the impact of TFG variants on protein function. Additionally, other representative TFG mutant proteins were examined to understand the broader implications of TFG mutations in HSP.

Results

The study identified a novel homozygous TFG c.177A>C (p.(Lys59Asn)) variant in a family with adolescent‐onset, pure form HSP. Functional analysis revealed that the Lys59Asn TFG variant, similar to other HSP‐associated TFG mutants, exhibited a low affinity between TFG monomers and abnormal assembly of TFG homo‐oligomers. These structural alterations led to aberrant intracellular distribution, compromising TFG's protein secretion function and resulting in decreased cellular viability.

Interpretation

These findings confirm that the homozygous TFG c.177A>C (p.(Lys59Asn)) variant is a novel cause of SPG57. The study expands our understanding of the clinical and mutational spectrum of TFG‐associated diseases, highlighting the functional defects associated with this specific TFG variant. Overall, this research contributes to the broader comprehension of the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying HSP.
Toward the Equiaxed Grain Microstructure in CrMnFeCoNi High‐Entropy Alloy Fabricated by Directed‐Energy Deposition
Authors: Jin Minsoo , Chen Yunhui , Dovgyy Bogdan , Lee Peter , Pham Minh‐Son
Published: June 2024

The columnar grains in additively manufactured alloys increase the tendency to form solidification cracks and cause anisotropy. Studying the effect of process parameters on microstructure development helps to guide the manufacturing of the equiaxed grain microstructure. First, the effect of process conditions on the melt pool dimensions using in situ synchrotron X‐ray imaging and thermal profile and solidification condition using finite element simulation and calculation of thermodynamics phase diagrams of CrMnFeCoNi high‐entropy alloy fabricated by directed energy deposition is studied. Increasing the laser power reduces the thermal gradient to solidification rate ratio, pushing the solidification closer to the columnar‐equiaxed transition. Nevertheless, the simulations still indicate the columnar microstructure for all scan conditions in contrast to the experimental observation that shows single‐wall samples built at 200 W consisted of dominantly equiaxed grains, whereas columnar grains are dominant in samples built at 100 W. It is believed that in addition to the effect of thermal gradient and solidification rate, the chemical segregation (Mn and Ni) during solidification may promote dendrite detachment, hence assisting the transition to equiaxed grains. The multitrack deposition results in more solid beneath a new melt pool, increasing the thermal gradient that promotes more columnar grains in comparison to single tracks.
Improved Tensile Strength and SCC Resistance via Nonisothermal Creep Aging under a High Stress Level
Authors: Yi Zhihao , Xu Guofu , Tang Lei , Zhao Zhihao , Tang Yuan , Li Haoran , Wang Ruohan , Peng Xiaoyan
Published: June 2024

Compared with conventional isothermal creep aging (ICA), non‐ICA (NICA) does not involve a prolonged holding stage, but only has heating and cooling stages. During the NICA process, the precipitates nucleate and grow up in the early part of heating stage, resulting in fluctuations in creep rate and an increase in strength. The coarsening of precipitates in the later part of the heating stage can lead to significant increase of creep rate. Upon approaching the peak temperature, the dissolution of the precipitates occurs in conjunction with a partial coarsening of the remaining precipitates, causing a reduction in strength. However, the secondary precipitation during the cooling stage facilitates a significant strength enhancement in a relatively shorter period. In contrast to the ICA, the targeted NICA treatment gives an increase in ultimate strength while improves the stress corrosion cracking resistance. Moreover, the time required for NICA to obtain ultimate strength is only 13.9% of that of the ICA treatment. A large amount of creep strain can be generated during the NICA process, which is equivalent to 630% of that of creep age forming treatment.
Grain‐Size‐Dependent Plastic Behavior in Bulk Nanocrystalline FeAl
Authors: Gammer Christoph , Mangler Clemens , Karnthaler Hans‐Peter , Rentenberger Christian
Published: June 2024

While the deformation behavior of nanocrystalline ductile metals and alloys is extensively studied, there is little understanding for brittle intermetallic alloys with very small grain sizes. Herein, B2‐ordered FeAl with different grain sizes is produced and deformed by high‐pressure torsion. At a grain size of 120 nm, conventional dislocation processes remain dominant, resulting in a disordered saturation structure with highly defected grains of around 100 nm. The situation is different for an initial grain size of 30 nm; grain‐boundary‐mediated processes appear along with dislocation processes and deformation shows a tendency toward extreme localization in the form of thin bands. Interestingly, the saturation structure is not reached after severe plastic deformation. The nanocrystals remain ordered with a grain size of 30 nm; only within the deformation bands, some degree of disordering and an increase of the dislocation density are revealed by profile analysis using selected electron diffraction. This result demonstrates an extreme stability of ordered FeAl at very small grain sizes, and indicates that the deformation behavior in brittle intermetallics can strongly depend on the grain size.
Novel Cast Ni‐Based Superalloys with Superb Weldability and Mechanical Properties Screened by a Multiperformance‐Oriented Criterion
Authors: Gao Lei , Wu Yi‐dong , Chen Jing‐yang , Xiao Cheng‐bo , An Ning , Liu Xu‐li , Hui Xi‐dong
Published: June 2024

Herein, innovative cast Ni‐based superalloys that not only withstand temperatures up to 800 °C but also offer superior weldability, robust tensile strength at both room and elevated temperatures, and a reduced density are introduced. The new Ni‐based superalloys are optimized via calculation of phase diagrams‐based high‐throughput thermal calculation and program‐controlled composition screening. A new multiperformance‐oriented criterion is devised, encompassing quantitative weldability indices, volume fraction of γ′, electron vacancy number, density, solidus temperature, and freezing range to optimize the alloy composition. Weldability indices, rooted in the solidification crack initiation mechanisms, prove equally applicable to both current interested alloys and commercial superalloys. The crack length of the optimized alloy after the constrained welding test is only 3.08% of the total weld length. It is unveiled that solidification cracking (SC) emerges as the pivotal factor governing the weldability of these alloys. The mechanism of SC for such superalloys is originated from the addition of Nb, Ti, Mo, and W, which results in the microsegregation of the composition and the precipitation of (Nb, Ti)‐rich constituents or M(Ta, Nb, Ti)C carbides in the liquid film of the central interdendritic region. This work hopefully helps to find promising candidates for the combustion chamber of aeroengines and other high‐temperature casts.
Deep Cryogenic and Thermal Aging Treatments of Ti–5Al–5Mo–5V–3Cr Alloy Additively Manufactured by Powder Bed Fusion–Laser Beam
Authors: Zhang Zuhao , Chen Wenliang , Liu Qian , Li Zi , Li Chenze , Wang Chun H. , Li Xiaopeng
Published: June 2024

The properties of 3D‐printed components via powder bed fusion–laser beam (PBF–LB) depend strongly on the processing parameters, particularly due to the rapid solidification conditions involved. In this study, an innovative post‐treatment strategy combining deep cryogenic treatment (DCT) and thermal aging treatments are introduced to enhance the properties of Ti–5Al–5V–5Mo–3Cr alloy (Ti‐5553) alloy fabricated by PBF–LB. In the results, it is revealed that DCT of as‐built material can refine the grain size and introduce defects and sub‐grain boundaries, thereby improving strength and ductility without significantly altering the microstructure or phase composition. However, applying DCT after aging can significantly improve ductility and maintain strength, primarily by refining β‐phase grains. Conversely, thermal aging followed by DCT of as‐built materials tends to increase strength at the expense of ductility, due to the formation of the ω phase and defects induced by the cryogenic treatment that in turn promote the development of more abundant and finer α phase within grains during aging. In the findings of this research, significant insights and valuable methodologies are offered for optimizing the mechanical properties of Ti‐5553 alloy manufactured by PBF–LB via an extra DCT following thermal aging.
Impact of Buried Interface Texture on Compositional Stratification and Ion Migration in Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Singh Shivam , Siliavka Elena , Löffler Markus , Vaynzof Yana
Published: June 2024

Despite the striking increase in the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of lead‐based perovskite solar cells (PSCs), their poor operational stability impedes their commercialization. Among the various factors that influence device stability, ion migration has been identified as a key driver of degradation. In this work, the focus is on studying ion migration‐induced degradation in inverted architecture PSCs, which employ either a thin polymer layer or a self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) for hole extraction. It is demonstrated that the difference in texture imposed by the use of these hole transport layers (HTL) is an important and thus far inconspicuous factor that impacts ion migration, and consequently device stability. By investigating the buried interface in detail, it is revealed that its texture has a strong impact on the vertical compositional stratification in the perovskite active layer. By monitoring bias‐induced ion migration in devices with different hole extraction layers, it is demonstrated that the smooth polymer‐based HTL results in a higher degree of ion migration than the rough SAM HTL, corresponding to a stronger degradation in the former. These results further indicate that the use of SAMs for hole extraction is a promising strategy to suppress ion migration and improve device efficiency.
3D Domain Arrangement in van der Waals Ferroelectric α‐In2Se3
Authors: Lu Haidong , Masood Shehr Bano , Loes Michael , Acharya Khimananda , Hossain Md. Sazzad , Khurana Rashmeet K. , Bagheri Saman , Paudel Tula R. , Lipatov Alexey , Tsymbal Evgeny Y. , Sinitskii Alexander , Gruverman Alexei
Published: June 2024

One of the exceptional features of the van der Waals (vdW) ferroelectrics is the existence of stable polarization at a level of atomically thin monolayers. This ability to withstand a detrimental effect of the depolarization fields gives rise to complex domain configurations characterized, among others, by the presence of layered “antipolar” head‐to‐head (H‐H) or tail‐to‐tail (T‐T) dipole arrangements. In this study, tomographic piezoresponse force microscopy (TPFM) is employed to study the 3D polarization arrangement in vdW ferroelectric α‐In2Se3. Sequential removal of thin layers from the polar surface using the PFM tip reveals a complex 3D profile of the domain walls in the α‐In2Se3 crystals. Antiparallel domain layers stacked along the polar direction are also observed by PFM imaging of the non‐polar surfaces showing that H‐H and T‐T domain boundaries are commonly present in α‐In2Se3. Application of TPFM to the electrically written domains allows evaluation of their geometrical lateral‐to‐vertical size aspect ratio, which shows a strong prevalence for the sidewise expansion in comparison to the forward growth. Local I–V measurements reveal a strong polarization direction dependence of conductivity due to the modulation of the energy barrier height as corroborated by theoretical modeling.
Manipulating the Crystallization of Perovskite via Metal‐Free DABCO‐NH4Cl3 Addition for High Efficiency Solar Cells
Authors: Zhang Jing , Zheng Xinxin , Cui Qingyue , Yao Yuying , Su Hang , She Yutong , Zhu Yujie , Li Deng , Liu Shengzhong (Frank)
Published: June 2024

The performance of perovskite cells closely relies on the quality of films, leading to a special focus on crystallization manipulation and defect control. In this study, a novel approach using 1D metal‐free perovskites, specifically DABCO‐NH4Cl3, is proposed to facilitate the crystallization process of 3D FAPbI3 perovskites, while simultaneously addressing surface defects. Analysis of crystallization kinetics reveals that the introduction of 1D metal‐free perovskites provides numerous nucleation sites, effectively slowing down crystal growth rates and resulting in the formation of uniform, large‐grain perovskite films. Furthermore, the organic groups present in 1D perovskites play a crucial role in passivating defects within the perovskite structure. The synergistic impact of these factors enables the perovskite to achieve an efficiency of 24.72% while demonstrating exceptional stability. This research offers a promising approach for controlling perovskite crystallization, leading to the development of high‐efficiency and stable perovskite materials.
Ultrasensitive Monolithic Dopamine Microsensors Employing Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanofibers
Authors: Meng Lingju , Akhoundian Maedeh , Al Azawi Anas , Shoja Yalda , Chi Pei‐Yin , Meinander Kristoffer , Suihkonen Sami , Franssila Sami
Published: June 2024

Brain‐on‐Chip devices, which facilitate on‐chip cultures of neurons to simulate brain functions, are receiving tremendous attention from both fundamental and clinical research. Consequently, microsensors are being developed to accomplish real‐time monitoring of neurotransmitters, which are the benchmarks for neuron network operation. Among these, electrochemical sensors have emerged as promising candidates for detecting a critical neurotransmitter, dopamine. However, current state‐of‐the‐art electrochemical dopamine sensors are suffering from issues like limited sensitivity and cumbersome fabrication. Here, a novel route in monolithically microfabricating vertically aligned carbon nanofiber electrochemical dopamine microsensors is reported with an anti‐blistering slow cooling process. Thanks to the microfabrication process, microsensors is created with complete insulation and large surface areas. The champion device shows extremely high sensitivity of 4.52× 104 µAµM−1·cm−2, which is two‐orders‐of‐magnitude higher than current devices, and a highly competitive limit of detection of 0.243 nM. These remarkable figures‐of‐merit will open new windows for applications such as electrochemical recording from a single neuron.
Click Chemistry‐Mediated Polymannose Surface‐Engineering of Natural Killer Cells for Immunotherapy of Triple‐Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Niu Xiaomeng , Yang He , Guo Jiangping , Yao Lihua , Wang Yichen , Yu Wenzhuo , Liu Zhuang , Chen Hong
Published: June 2024

Natural killer (NK) cells, serve as the frontline defense of the immune system, and are capable of surveilling and eliminating tumor cells. Their significance in tumor immunotherapy has garnered considerable attention in recent years. However, the absence of specific receptor–ligand interactions between NK cells and tumor cells hampers their selectivity, thereby limiting the therapeutic effectiveness of NK cell‐based tumor immunotherapy. Herein, this work constructs polymannose‐engineered NK (pM‐NK) cells via metabolic glycoengineering and copper‐free click chemistry. Polymannose containing dibenzocyclooctyne terminal groups (pM‐DBCO) is synthesized and covalently modified on the surface of azido‐labeled NK cells. Compared to the untreated NK cells, the interactions between pM‐NK cells and MDA‐MB‐231 cells, a breast tumor cell line with overexpression of mannose receptors (MRs), are significantly increased, and lead to significantly enhanced killing efficacy. Consequently, intravenous administration of pM‐NK cells will effectively inhibit the tumor growth and will prolong the survival of mice bearing MDA‐MB‐231 tumors. Thus, this work presents a novel strategy for tumor‐targeting NK cell‐based tumor immunotherapy.