bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The social vulnerability index as a risk stratification tool for health disparity research in cancer patients: a scoping review
Authors: Tran Tiffaney , Rousseau Morgan A. , Farris David P. , Bauer Cici , Nelson Kelly C. , Doan Hung Q.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The social vulnerability index (SVI), developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is a novel composite measure encompassing multiple variables that correspond to key social determinants of health. The objective of this review was to investigate innovative applications of the SVI to oncology research and to employ the framework of the cancer care continuum to elucidate further research opportunities.

Methods

A systematic search for relevant articles was performed in five databases from inception to 13 May 2022. Included studies applied the SVI to analyze outcomes in cancer patients. Study characteristics, patent populations, data sources, and outcomes were extracted from each article. This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Results

In total, 31 studies were included. Along the cancer care continuum, five applied the SVI to examine geographic disparities in potentially cancer-causing exposures; seven in cancer diagnosis; fourteen in cancer treatment; nine in treatment recovery; one in survivorship care; and two in end-of-life care. Fifteen examined disparities in mortality.

Conclusion

In highlighting place-based disparities in patient outcomes, the SVI represents a promising tool for future oncology research. As a reliable geocoded dataset, the SVI may inform the development and implementation of targeted interventions to prevent cancer morbidity and mortality at the neighborhood level.
The Use of Stem Cells as a Potential Treatment Method for Selected Neurodegenerative Diseases: Review
Authors: Cecerska-Heryć Elżbieta , Pękała Maja , Serwin Natalia , Gliźniewicz Marta , Grygorcewicz Bartłomiej , Michalczyk Anna , Heryć Rafał , Budkowska Marta , Dołęgowska Barbara
Published: April 2023

Stem cells have been the subject of research for years due to their enormous therapeutic potential. Most neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD) are incurable or very difficult to treat. Therefore new therapies are sought in which autologous stem cells are used. They are often the patient's only hope for recovery or slowing down the progress of the disease symptoms. The most important conclusions arise after analyzing the literature on the use of stem cells in neurodegenerative diseases. The effectiveness of MSC cell therapy has been confirmed in ALS and HD therapy. MSC cells slow down ALS progression and show early promising signs of efficacy. In HD, they reduced huntingtin (Htt) aggregation and stimulation of endogenous neurogenesis. MS therapy with hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) inducted significant recalibration of pro-inflammatory and immunoregulatory components of the immune system. iPSC cells allow for accurate PD modeling. They are patient—specific and therefore minimize the risk of immune rejection and, in long-term observation, did not form any tumors in the brain. Extracellular vesicles derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSC-EVs) and Human adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (hASCs) cells are widely used to treat AD. Due to the reduction of Aβ42 deposits and increasing the survival of neurons, they improve memory and learning abilities. Despite many animal models and clinical trial studies, cell therapy still needs to be refined to increase its effectiveness in the human body.

Graphical Abstract
Absorptive capacity in family firms: a systematic literature review
Authors: Pütz Laura , Werner Arndt
Published: April 2023

Two-thirds of all businesses worldwide are family firms. For these family firms, absorptive capacity (AC) is key to acquiring, assimilating, transforming, and exploiting new, external knowledge for purposes of value creation. In this study, we conduct a literature review to obtain an overview of the existing research on AC in family firms. Drawing on 27 articles, we show that because of the family members’ induced influence on the family firm, the findings from previous studies based on non-family businesses cannot be applied to family businesses. In fact, we demonstrate that this influence can even create ambiguous effects on the integration of AC into the firm. The results of our literature review indicate that on the one hand, family members promote the integration of external knowledge, that is, they utilize their family-specific resources. On the other hand, tapping on such family-specific resources can simultaneously cause family firms to isolate themselves and restrict the firm’s access to external knowledge. Our analysis also reveals that research on AC in family firms is mostly conducted on a conceptual level and that the few empirical studies usually draw on simple, one-dimensional constructs. Thus, we encourage more future empirical research to draw on the multidimensional constructs of AC and family influence.
Combined tubular adenocarcinoma, neuroendocrine carcinoma and adenocarcinoma with enteroblastic differentiation arising in Barrett esophagus
Authors: Sugawara Kotaro , Fukuda Takashi , Kishimoto Yutaka , Oka Daiji , Kawashima Yoshiyuki , Inoshita Naoko , Kanda Hiroaki
Published: April 2023

Adenocarcinoma (AC) with neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) or enteroblastic (ENT) differentiation rarely develops in Barrett’s esophagus (BE). A 76-year-old man was diagnosed with Barrett’s AC (cT1bN0M0) and underwent thoracoscopic esophagectomy. A type 0-IIc + 0-Is lesion measuring 26 × 21 mm was macroscopically observed on a background of long segment BE (pT1bN0M0). The tumor comprised three different histological types of carcinoma (NEC, AC with ENT differentiation and moderately differentiated AC). NEC showed positivity for synaptophysin, chromogranin A and insulinoma-associated protein 1 with a Ki-67 index of 60.6%. ENT tumors were immunopositive for AFP and sal-like protein 4, and focally immunopositive for human chorionic gonadotrophin. The amounts of NEC, ENT and AC were 40%, 40% and 20%, respectively. p53 expression was positive throughout the tumor. Rb expression was negative at the NEC, but positive at the ENT and AC. CD4 and CD8 densities were lower in the NEC segment than in the AC and ENT segments, and PD-L1 expression was negative throughout the tumor. Early cancer arising in BE with a combination of tubular AC, ENT tumors and NEC is very rare. Our observations might contribute to understanding the carcinogenetic pathways and tumor microenvironment of NEC and ENT tumors.
Human–Robot Cooperation in Economic Games: People Show Strong Reciprocity but Conditional Prosociality Toward Robots
Authors: Hsieh Te-Yi , Chaudhury Bishakha , Cross Emily S.
Published: April 2023

Understanding how people socially engage with robots is becoming increasingly important as these machines are deployed in social settings. We investigated 70 participants’ situational cooperation tendencies towards a robot using prisoner’s dilemma games, manipulating the incentives for cooperative decisions to be high or low. We predicted that people would cooperate more often with the robot in high-incentive conditions. We also administered subjective measures to explore the relationships between people’s cooperative decisions and their social value orientation, attitudes towards robots, and anthropomorphism tendencies. Our results showed incentive structure did not predict human cooperation overall, but did influence cooperation in early rounds, where participants cooperated significantly more in high-incentive conditions. Exploratory analyses further revealed that participants played a tit-for-tat strategy against the robot (whose decisions were random), and only behaved prosocially toward the robot when they had achieved high scores themselves. These findings highlight how people make social decisions when their individual profit is at odds with collective profit with a robot, and advance understanding on human–robot interactions in collaborative contexts.
The ideal test for the divergence of a series
Authors: Filipów Rafał , Kwela Adam , Tryba Jacek
Published: April 2023

We generalize the classical Olivier’s theorem which says that for any convergent series $$\sum _n a_n$$

∑
n

a
n

with positive nonincreasing real terms the sequence $$(n a_n)$$

(
n

a
n

)

tends to zero. Our results encompass many known generalizations of Olivier’s theorem and give some new instances. The generalizations are done in two directions: we either drop the monotonicity assumption completely or we relax it to the monotonicity on a large set of indices. In both cases, the convergence of $$(na_n)$$

(
n

a
n

)

is replaced by ideal convergence. In the second part of the paper, we examine families of sequences for which the assertions of our generalizations of Olivier’s theorem fail. Here, we are interested in finding large linear and algebraic substructures in these families.
Electrochromic-Induced Rechargeable Aqueous Batteries: An Integrated Multifunctional System for Cross-Domain Applications
Authors: Zhao Qi , Pan Zhenghui , Liu Binbin , Bao Changyuan , Liu Ximeng , Sun Jianguo , Xie Shaorong , Wang Qing , Wang John , Gao Yanfeng
Published: April 2023

Multifunctional electrochromic-induced rechargeable aqueous batteries (MERABs) integrate electrochromism and aqueous ion batteries into one platform, which is able to deliver the conversion and storage of photo-thermal-electrochemical sources. Aqueous ion batteries compensate for the drawbacks of slow kinetic reactions and unsatisfied storage capacities of electrochromic devices. On the other hand, electrochromic technology can enable dynamically regulation of solar light and heat radiation. However, MERABs still face several technical issues, including a trade-off between electrochromic and electrochemical performance, low conversion efficiency and poor service life. In this connection, novel device configuration and electrode materials, and an optimized compatibility need to be considered for multidisciplinary applications. In this review, the unique advantages, key challenges and advanced applications are elucidated in a timely and comprehensive manner. Firstly, the prerequisites for effective integration of the working mechanism and device configuration, as well as the choice of electrode materials are examined. Secondly, the latest advances in the applications of MERABs are discussed, including wearable, self-powered, integrated systems and multisystem conversion. Finally, perspectives on the current challenges and future development are outlined, highlighting the giant leap required from laboratory prototypes to large-scale production and eventual commercialization.
Ionic Liquid Assisted Imprint for Efficient and Stable Quasi-2D Perovskite Solar Cells with Controlled Phase Distribution
Authors: Peng Haibin , Li Dengxue , Li Zongcai , Xing Zhi , Hu Xiaotian , Hu Ting , Chen Yiwang
Published: April 2023

Although two-dimensional perovskite devices are highly stable, they also lead to a number of challenges. For instance, the introduction of large organic amines makes crystallization process complicated, causing problems such as generally small grain size and blocked charge transfer. In this work, imprint assisted with methylamine acetate were used to improve the morphology of the film, optimize the internal phase distribution, and enhance the charge transfer of the perovskite film. Specifically, imprint promoted the dispersion of spacer cations in the recrystallization process with the assistance of methylamine acetate, thus inhibited the formation of low-n phase induced by the aggregation of spacer cations and facilitated the formation of 3D-like phase. In this case, the corresponding quasi-2D perovskite solar cells delivered improved efficiency and exhibited superior stability. Our work provides an effective strategy to obtain uniform phase distribution for quasi-2D perovskite.
A typology to guide design and assessment of participatory farming research projects
Authors: Jackson-Smith Douglas , Veisi Hadi
Published: April 2023

Participatory modes of agricultural research have gained significant attention over the last 40 years. While many scholars and practitioners agree that engaging farmers and other stakeholders is a valuable complement to traditional scientific research, there is significant diversity in the goals and approaches used by participatory projects. Building on previous conceptual frameworks on divergent approaches to participatory farming research (PFR), we propose an updated synthetic typology that can be used to design, evaluate, and distinguish PFR projects. Key elements of our typology include a recognition of the multidimensionality of projects that reflect different combinations of: (a) the goals or motivations behind engaging farmers in research, (b) the specific methods or approaches used to implement a PFR project, and (c) the social, institutional, and biophysical contexts that shape the dynamics and outcomes from PFR. We use this typology to highlight how particular manifestations of participatory agricultural research projects—ranging from farmer advisory boards, on-farm demonstrations, and researcher- versus farmer-led on-farm research projects—combine goals, methods, and contexts in distinctive ways. Proponents of PFR projects would benefit from clarifying how their work fits into or extends this multidimensional typology.
Anthropogenic Forcing Decreased Concurrent Soil Drought and Atmospheric Aridity in the Historical Period 1850–2013
Authors: Zeng Zhaoqi , Wu Wenxiang , Peñuelas Josep , Li Yamei , Zhou Yang , Li Zhaolei , Ren Xinshuai , Huang Han , Ge Quansheng
Published: April 2023

As awareness of the importance of anthropogenic climate change has increased, attention is being focused on “compound extremes,” such as co‐occurring soil drought (low amounts of soil moisture, SM) and atmospheric aridity (high vapor‐pressure deficits, VPD), because of the disproportionate impacts of such extreme conditions on natural and societal systems. Few advances, however, have been made in isolating the net effect of anthropogenic forcing on the occurrence of such compound extremes. Nine Earth System models (ESMs) under natural‐only and fully‐forced simulations from Phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) indicated that the presence of anthropogenic forcing in the historical period 1850–2013 weakened the coupling between SM and VPD and thus decreased the frequency of compound drought and aridity globally. The anthropogenically induced decrease in the strength of land–atmospheric feedbacks, which offset the drying trend effects of global warming by countering the expected natural correlation between SM and VPD, appears to have been responsible for the relative rarity of concurrent drought and aridity in the historical period. We also modeled independently the anthropogenic forcings of aerosols and greenhouse gases (GHGs) to further highlight that the widespread weakening of land–atmospheric feedbacks may have been associated primarily with the cooling effects induced by increases in anthropogenic emissions of aerosols, because the increase in intensity and frequency of compound drought and aridity that might have been expected from rising GHG concentrations was widely counter‐balanced until very recently by an aerosol‐driven cooling, particularly for the middle and high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. This finding indicates that the trade‐off between these two main anthropogenic forcings may determine future patterns of concurrent drought and aridity in a changing climate. If global emissions of anthropogenic aerosols decrease in the future, as expected, our results imply a renewed strengthening of land–atmospheric feedbacks, and thus an intensification of concurrent drought and aridity.
Heat-mortality relationship in North Carolina: Comparison using different exposure methods
Authors: Choi Hayon Michelle , Bell Michelle L.
Published: April 2023

Background

Many studies have explored the heat-mortality relationship; however, comparability of results is hindered by the studies’ use of different exposure methods.

Objective

This study evaluated different methods for estimating exposure to temperature using individual-level data and examined the impacts on the heat-mortality relationship.

Methods

We calculated different temperature exposures for each individual death by using a modeled, gridded temperature dataset and a monitoring station dataset in North Carolina for 2000–2016. We considered individual-level vs. county-level averages and measured vs. modeled temperature data. A case-crossover analysis was conducted to examine the heat-mortality risk under different exposure methods.

Results

The minimum mortality temperature (MMT) (i.e., the temperature with the lowest mortality rate) for the monitoring station dataset was 23.87 °C and 22.67 °C (individual monitor and county average, respectively), whereas for the modeled temperature dataset the MMT was 19.46 °C and 19.61 °C (individual and county, respectively). We found higher heat-mortality risk while using temperature exposure estimated from monitoring stations compared to risk based on exposure using the modeled temperature dataset. Individual-aggregated monitoring station temperature exposure resulted in higher heat mortality risk (odds ratio (95% CI): 2.24 (95% CI: 2.21, 2.27)) for a relative temperature change comparing the 99th and 90th temperature percentiles, while modeled temperature exposure resulted in lower odds ratio of 1.27 (95% CI: 1.25, 1.29).

Significance

Our findings indicate that using different temperature exposure methods can result in different temperature-mortality risk. The impact of using various exposure methods should be considered in planning health policies related to high temperatures, including under climate change.

Impact Statement

We estimated the heat-mortality association using different methods to estimate exposure to temperature.

The mean temperature value among different exposure methods were similar although lower for the modeled data, however, use of the monitoring station temperature dataset resulted in higher heat-mortality risk than the modeled temperature dataset.

Differences in mortality risk from heat by urbanicity varies depending on the method used to estimate temperature exposure.
OTUB1 promotes osteoblastic bone formation through stabilizing FGFR2
Authors: Zhu Qiong , Fu Yesheng , Cui Chun-Ping , Ding Yi , Deng Zhikang , Ning Chao , Hu Fan , Qiu Chen , Yu Biyue , Zhou Xuemei , Yang Guan , Peng Jiang , Zou Weiguo , Liu Cui Hua , Zhang Lingqiang
Published: April 2023

Bone homeostasis is maintained by the balance between osteoblastic bone formation and osteoclastic bone resorption. Dysregulation of this process leads to multiple diseases, including osteoporosis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we show that the global and conditional osteoblast knockout of a deubiquitinase Otub1 result in low bone mass and poor bone strength due to defects in osteogenic differentiation and mineralization. Mechanistically, the stability of FGFR2, a crucial regulator of osteogenesis, is maintained by OTUB1. OTUB1 attenuates the E3 ligase SMURF1-mediated FGFR2 ubiquitination by inhibiting SMURF1’s E2 binding. In the absence of OTUB1, FGFR2 is ubiquitinated excessively by SMURF1, followed by lysosomal degradation. Consistently, adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9)-delivered FGFR2 in knee joints rescued the bone mass loss in osteoblast-specific Otub1-deleted mice. Moreover, Otub1 mRNA level was significantly downregulated in bones from osteoporotic mice, and restoring OTUB1 levels through an AAV9-delivered system in ovariectomy-induced osteoporotic mice attenuated osteopenia. Taken together, our results suggest that OTUB1 positively regulates osteogenic differentiation and mineralization in bone homeostasis by controlling FGFR2 stability, which provides an optical therapeutic strategy to alleviate osteoporosis.
Safe drugs with high potential to block malaria transmission revealed by a spleen-mimetic screening
Authors: Carucci Mario , Duez Julien , Tarning Joel , García-Barbazán Irene , Fricot-Monsinjon Aurélie , Sissoko Abdoulaye , Dumas Lucie , Gamallo Pablo , Beher Babette , Amireault Pascal , Dussiot Michael , Dao Ming , Hull Mitchell V. , McNamara Case W. , Roussel Camille , Ndour Papa Alioune , Sanz Laura Maria , Gamo Francisco Javier , Buffet Pierre
Published: April 2023

Malaria parasites like Plasmodium falciparum multiply in red blood cells (RBC), which are cleared from the bloodstream by the spleen when their deformability is altered. Drug-induced stiffening of Plasmodium falciparum-infected RBC should therefore induce their elimination from the bloodstream. Here, based on this original mechanical approach, we identify safe drugs with strong potential to block the malaria transmission. By screening 13 555 compounds with spleen-mimetic microfilters, we identified 82 that target circulating transmissible form of P. falciparum. NITD609, an orally administered PfATPase inhibitor with known effects on P. falciparum, killed and stiffened transmission stages in vitro at nanomolar concentrations. Short exposures to TD-6450, an orally-administered NS5A hepatitis C virus inhibitor, stiffened transmission parasite stages and killed asexual stages in vitro at high nanomolar concentrations. A Phase 1 study in humans with a primary safety outcome and a secondary pharmacokinetics outcome (https://clinicaltrials.gov, ID: NCT02022306) showed no severe adverse events either with single or multiple doses. Pharmacokinetic modelling showed that these concentrations can be reached in the plasma of subjects receiving short courses of TD-6450. This physiologically relevant screen identified multiple mechanisms of action, and safe drugs with strong potential as malaria transmission-blocking agents which could be rapidly tested in clinical trials.
Time-reversal even charge hall effect from twisted interface coupling
Authors: Zhai Dawei , Chen Cong , Xiao Cong , Yao Wang
Published: April 2023

Under time-reversal symmetry, a linear charge Hall response is usually deemed to be forbidden by the Onsager relation. In this work, we discover a scenario for realizing a time-reversal even linear charge Hall effect in a non-isolated two-dimensional crystal allowed by time reversal symmetry. The restriction by Onsager relation is lifted by interfacial coupling with an adjacent layer, where the overall chiral symmetry requirement is fulfilled by a twisted stacking. We reveal the underlying band geometric quantity as the momentum-space vorticity of layer current. The effect is demonstrated in twisted bilayer graphene and twisted homobilayer transition metal dichalcogenides with a wide range of twist angles, which exhibit giant Hall ratios under experimentally practical conditions, with gate voltage controlled on-off switch. This work reveals intriguing Hall physics in chiral structures, and opens up a research direction of layertronics that exploits the quantum nature of layer degree of freedom to uncover exciting effects.
Booster with Ad26.COV2.S or Omicron-adapted vaccine enhanced immunity and efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron in macaques
Authors: Solforosi Laura , Costes Lea M. M. , Tolboom Jeroen T. B. M. , McMahan Katherine , Anioke Tochi , Hope David , Murdza Tetyana , Sciacca Michaela , Bouffard Emily , Barrett Julia , Wu Cindy , Hachmann Nicole , Miller Jessica , Yu Jingyou , He Xuan , Jacob-Dolan Catherine , Huber Sietske K. Rosendahl , Dekking Liesbeth , Chamanza Ronnie , Choi Ying , Boer Karin Feddes-de , Barouch Dan H. , Schuitemaker Hanneke , Zahn Roland C. , Wegmann Frank
Published: April 2023

Omicron spike (S) encoding vaccines as boosters, are a potential strategy to improve COVID-19 vaccine efficacy against Omicron. Here, macaques (mostly females) previously immunized with Ad26.COV2.S, are boosted with Ad26.COV2.S, Ad26.COV2.S.529 (encoding Omicron BA.1 S) or a 1:1 combination of both vaccines. All booster vaccinations elicit a rapid antibody titers increase against WA1/2020 and Omicron S. Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 antibody responses are most effectively boosted by vaccines including Ad26.COV2.S.529. Independent of vaccine used, mostly WA1/2020-reactive or WA1/2020-Omicron BA.1 cross-reactive B cells are detected. Ad26.COV2.S.529 containing boosters provide only slightly higher protection of the lower respiratory tract against Omicron BA.1 challenge compared with Ad26.COV2.S-only booster. Antibodies and cellular immune responses are identified as complementary correlates of protection. Overall, a booster with an Omicron-spike based vaccine provide only moderately improved immune responses and protection compared with the original Wuhan-Hu-1-spike based vaccine, which still provide robust immune responses and protection against Omicron.
Understanding the sulphur-oxygen exchange process of metal sulphides prior to oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Hu Yang , Zheng Yao , Jin Jing , Wang Yantao , Peng Yong , Yin Jie , Shen Wei , Hou Yichao , Zhu Liu , An Li , Lu Min , Xi Pinxian , Yan Chun-Hua
Published: April 2023

Dynamic reconstruction of metal sulphides during electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) has hampered the acquisition of legible evidence for comprehensively understanding the phase-transition mechanism and electrocatalytic activity origin. Herein, modelling on a series of cobalt-nickel bimetallic sulphides, we for the first time establish an explicit and comprehensive picture of their dynamic phase evaluation pathway at the pre-catalytic stage before OER process. By utilizing the in-situ electrochemical transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy, the lattice sulphur atoms of (NiCo)S1.33particles are revealed to be partially substituted by oxygen from electrolyte to form a lattice oxygen-sulphur coexisting shell surface before the generation of reconstituted active species. Such S-O exchange process is benefitted from the subtle modulation of metal-sulphur coordination form caused by the specific Ni and Co occupation. This unique oxygen-substitution behaviour produces an (NiCo)OxS1.33-xsurface to reduce the energy barrier of surface reconstruction for converting sulphides into active oxy/hydroxide derivative, therefore significantly increasing the proportion of lattice oxygen-mediated mechanism compared to the pure sulphide surface. We anticipate this direct observation can provide an explicit picture of catalysts’ structural and compositional evolution during the electrocatalytic process.
Shared genetic loci and causal relations between schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder
Authors: Chen Yu , Guo Hua , Yue Weihua
Published: April 2023

Based on the clinical overlap between schizophrenia (SCZ) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), both disorders may share neurobiological substrates. In this study, we first analyzed recent large genome-wide associations studies (GWAS) on SCZ (n = 53,386, Psychiatric Genomics Consortium Wave 3) and OCD (n = 2688, the International Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Foundation Genetics Collaborative (IOCDF-GC) and the OCD Collaborative Genetics Association Study (OCGAS)) using a conjunctional false discovery rate (FDR) approach to evaluate overlap in common genetic variants of European descent. Using a variety of biological resources, we functionally characterized the identified genomic loci. Then we used two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to estimate the bidirectional causal association between SCZ and OCD. Results showed that there is a positive genetic correlation between SCZ and OCD (rg = 0.36, P = 0.02). We identified that one genetic locus (lead SNP rs5757717 in an intergenic region at CACNA1I) was jointly associated with SCZ and OCD (conjFDR = 2.12 × 10−2). Mendelian randomization results showed that variants associated with increased risk for SCZ also increased the risk of OCD. This study broadens our understanding of the genetic architectures underpinning SCZ and OCD and suggests that the same molecular genetic processes may be responsible for shared pathophysiological and clinical characteristics between the two disorders.
Digital health innovation to prevent relapse and support recovery in young people with first-episode psychosis: A pilot study of Horyzons-Canada
Authors: Lal Shalini , Gleeson John F. , D’Alfonso Simon , Lee Hajin , Etienne Geraldine , Joober Ridha , Lepage Martin , Alvarez-Jimenez Mario
Published: April 2023

Digital health innovations may help to improve access to psychosocial therapy and peer support; however, the existence of evidence-based digital health interventions for individuals recovering from a first-episode psychosis (FEP) remains limited. This study aims to investigate the feasibility, acceptability, safety, and pre-post outcomes of Horyzons-Canada (HoryzonsCa), a Canadian adaptation of a digital mental health intervention consisting of psychosocial interventions, online social networking, and clinical and peer support moderation. Using a convergent mixed-methods research design, we recruited participants from a specialized early intervention clinic for FEP in Montreal, Canada. Twenty-three participants (mean age = 26.8) completed baseline assessments, and 20 completed follow-up assessments after 8 weeks of intervention access. Most participants provided positive feedback on general experience (85%, 17/20) and the utility of Horyzons for identifying their strengths (70%, 14/20). Almost all perceived the platform as easy to use (95%, 19/20) and felt safe using it (90%, 18/20). There were no adverse events related to the intervention. Participants used HoryzonsCa to learn about their illness and how to get better (65%, 13/20), receive support (60%, 12/20), and access social networking (35%, 7/20) and peer support (30%, 6/20). Regarding adoption, 65% (13/20) logged in at least 4 times over 8 weeks. There was a nonsignificant increase in social functioning and no deterioration on the Clinical Global Impression Scale. Overall, HoryzonsCa was feasible to implement and perceived as safe and acceptable. More research is needed with larger sample sizes and using in-depth qualitative methods to better understand the implementation and impact of HoryzonsCa.
C,N co-doped TiO2 hollow nanofibers coated stainless steel meshes for oil/water separation and visible light-driven degradation of pollutants
Authors: Wang Chunyu , Liu Yingze , Han Hao , Wang Desheng , Chen Jieyi , Zhang Renzhi , Zuo Shixiang , Yao Chao , Kang Jian , Gui Haoguan
Published: April 2023

Complex pollutants are discharging and accumulating in rivers and oceans, requiring a coupled strategy to resolve pollutants efficiently. A novel method is proposed to treat multiple pollutants with C,N co-doped TiO2 hollow nanofibers coated stainless steel meshes which can realize efficient oil/water separation and visible light-drove dyes photodegradation. The poly(divinylbenzene-co-vinylbenzene chloride), P(DVB-co-VBC), nanofibers are generated by precipitate cationic polymerization on the mesh framework, following with quaternization by triethylamine for N doping. Then, TiO2 is coated on the polymeric nanofibers via in-situ sol–gel process of tetrabutyl titanate. The functional mesh coated with C,N co-doped TiO2 hollow nanofibers is obtained after calcination under nitrogen atmosphere. The resultant mesh demonstrates superhydrophilic/underwater superoleophobic property which is promising in oil/water separation. More importantly, the C,N co-doped TiO2 hollow nanofibers endow the mesh with high photodegradation ability to dyes under visible light. This work draws an affordable but high-performance multifunctional mesh for potential applications in wastewater treatment.
Influence of an inclined magnetic field and heat and mass transfer on the peristaltic flow of blood in an asymmetric channel
Authors: Abdelhafez M. A. , Abd-Alla A. M. , Abo-Dahab S. M. , Elmhedy Yasmine
Published: April 2023

This article presents a theoretical study on heat and mass transfer analysis of the peristaltic flow of blood conveying through an asymmetric channel in the presence of inclined to the magnetic field. The effects of ratio of relaxation to retardation times, non-uniform parameter, the non-dimensional amplitude, Hartman number and phase difference have been taken into account. The governing coupled non-linear partial differential equations representing the flow model are transmuted into linear ones by assuming that the wave is very long with a small Reynolds number. The converted mathematical formulations are solved analytically via the Mathematica software. Analytical expressions for the dimensionless velocity profiles of fluid, temperature, concentration, pressure gradient, increase in pressure, heat transfer coefficient and shear stress of the blood are derived. The velocity, temperature, concentration, pressure gradient, increase in pressure, heat transfer coefficient and shear stress were calculated numerically for different values of the parameters, which were represented graphically and find their physical meaning.
Relationship between surgical field contamination by patient's exhaled air and the state of the drapes during eye surgery
Authors: Morioka Masakazu , Takamura Yoshihiro , Miyazaki Hideki T. , Gozawa Makoto , Yamada Yutaka , Komori Ryohei , Tanaka Kengo , Inatani Masaru
Published: April 2023

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a dramatic increase in facemask use. Consequently, it has been reported that exhaled airflow toward the eyes can cause the dispersal of bacteria into the eyes, potentially increasing the incidence of postoperative endophthalmitis. In addition to wearing a facemask, gaps between the surgical drape and skin can also direct exhaled airflow toward the eyes. Here, we aimed to examine how the risk of contamination varies depending on the state of the drapes. We used a carbon dioxide imaging camera to visualize changes in exhaled airflow under different drape conditions and a particle counter to evaluate changes in the number of particles around the eye. The results revealed airflow present around the eye and a significant increase in the number of particles when the nasal side of the drape was detached from the skin. However, when a metal rod called “rihika” was used to create space above the body, the airflow and number of particles were significantly reduced. Thus, if drape coverage becomes incomplete during surgery, exhaled airflow toward the eye may contaminate the surgical field. On hanging up the drape, airflow can escape in the direction of the body, potentially preventing contamination.
Determination of the parameters of rock viscoelastic creep model and analysis of parameter degradation
Authors: Zheng Zhiming , Yang Yu , Pan Cheng
Published: April 2023

Different stress creep tests are conducted on the sandstone in this study to better describe the creep properties of rocks under different stress states. A model that describes the rock creep process is established. The various stages of creep can be described by combining the creep properties of the creep elements of the model. A new method for determining creep parameters is proposed by using the special point on the creep curve and the definition of creep deformation. The relationship between the creep parameters, stress, and time is analyzed. An improved creep model that considers the effects of stress state and time on the creep parameters is developed. This model is verified using experimental data and calculation results. Results shows that the improved creep model better describes the creep properties of rocks and provides a new method for determining future model parameters. The shear modulus of elastic model controls the instantaneous deformation. The shear modulus of viscoelastic model governs the limit of viscoelastic deformation. The shear viscoelastic coefficient of viscoelastic model increases with the increase in stress. The coefficient of viscoplastic model controls the viscoplastic creep rate. The coefficient of a nonlinear Newtonian dashpot mainly controls the accelerated creep deformation of rock. The calculation results of the proposed model agree well with the experimental data under the action of different stress levels. This model accurately reflects the creep characteristics of the primary and steady-state creep stages, and overcomes the shortcomings of the traditional Nishihara model in describing accelerated creep.
A gold nanoparticles coated unclad single mode fiber-optic sensor based on localized surface plasmon resonance
Authors: Fakhri Makram A. , Salim Evan T. , Tariq Sara M. , Ibrahim Raed Khalid , Alsultany Forat H. , Alwahib Ali. A. , Alhasan Sarmad Fawzi Hamza , Gopinath Subash C. B. , Salim Zaid T. , Hashim U.
Published: April 2023

In the last few decays, the fiber-optic was employed in the field of sensing because of its benefits in contrast to other types of sensors such as small size, easy to fabricate, high response, and flexibility. In this study, unclad single mode fiber-optic sensor is proposed to operate at 650 nm wavelength. COMSOL Multiphysics 5.1 finite element method (FEM) is used to design the sensor and tested it theoretically. The middle portion of the fiber cladding is removed and replaced by gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) of 50 nm thickness. Analytic layer of 3 μm thickness was immersed in different liquids in range of refractive index (RI) from 1.000281 to 1.39. These liquids are NaCl Deionized (DI) water solution, sucrose-Deionized (DI) water solution, and glycerol solution Deionized (DI) water. It was found that the highest obtained sensitivity and resolution are for glycerol-DI water solution with value of 3157.98 (nm/RIU) and 3.16 × 10–5(RIU), respectively. Furthermore, it is easy to fabricate and of low cost. In experiments, pulsed laser ablation (PLA) was used to prepare Au NPs. X-ray diffraction (XRD) shown that the peak of the intensity grew as the ablated energy increased as well as the structure crystallization. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed an average diameter of 30 nm at the three ablated energies, while X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) spectrum has indicated the presence of Au NPs in the prepared solution. The photoluminescence (PL) and ultraviolet–visible UV–Vis transmission were used to study the optical properties of the prepared Au NPs. An optical spectrum analyzer was used to obtain the sensor's output results. It has shown that best intensity was obtained for sucrose which confined with theoretical results.
Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor monotherapy in age-related macular degeneration with submacular hemorrhage
Authors: Maruyama-Inoue Maiko , Kitajima Yoko , Yanagi Yasuo , Inoue Tatsuya , Kadonosono Kazuaki
Published: April 2023

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the 1-year visual outcomes of patients treated with intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) or brolucizumab (IVBr) for submacular hemorrhage (SMH) secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We retrospectively studied 62 treatment-naïve eyes with SMHs exceeding one disc area (DA) secondary to AMD treated with IVA or IVBr. All patients received three monthly intravitreal injections in the loading phase followed by as-needed injections or fixed dosing. If a vitreous hemorrhage (VH) developed during the follow-up period, injections were discontinued and vitrectomy was performed. We evaluated the changes in the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and factors that affected the BCVA improvement and VH development. A VH during treatment developed in five eyes (8.1%) (VH + group), and the mean BCVA worsened from 0.45 to 0.92. The BCVA improved significantly (P = 0.040) in the remaining 57 eyes (VH − group) from 0.42 to 0.36. The development of VHs was associated with significantly (P < 0.001) less VA improvement. Furthermore, large DAs and younger age at baseline were associated significantly (P = 0.010 and 0.046, respectively) with the development of VHs. Both IVA and IVBr appeared to improve functional outcomes in patients with SMH secondary to AMD when VHs did not develop. However, a VH developed in 8.1% of eyes after treatment. Although anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatments were well-tolerated, for cases with large SMH at baseline, it should be considered that VH may occur during the monotherapy treatment process using IVA or IVBr, and that achieving good visual outcomes may be difficult in some cases.
Rapid detection of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 mutation status in glioma based on Crispr-Cas12a
Authors: Feng Zhebin , Kong Dongsheng , Jin Wei , He Kunyu , Zhao Junyan , Liu Bin , Xu Hanyun , Yu Xin’guang , Feng Shiyu
Published: April 2023

The aim is to use Crispr-Cas12a for the rapid detection of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1)-R132H locus and explore the effectiveness and consistency of this method with direct sequencing method for detecting IDH1-R132H of glioma tissue samples. 58 previous frozen tissue and 46 recent fresh tissue samples of adult diffuse glioma were selected to detect IDH1-R132H using Crispr-Cas12a. The results of immunohistochemistry (IHC) and direct sequencing methods were analyzed. We calculated the efficiency index of Crispr-Cas12a and IHC, and analyzed the consistency among Crispr-Cas12a, IHC and direct sequencing method using paired Chi-sequare test and Kappa identity test. We accomplished the rapid detection of IDH1-R132H in 60 min using Crispr-Cas12a. Regarding direct sequencing method as the gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity and consistency rate of Crispr-Cas12a was 91.4%, 95.7% and 93.1% in the frozen sample group, while 96.1%, 89.7% and 92.0% in the fresh sample group, respectively. Kappa test showed good consistency between the two methods (k = 0.858). Crispr-Cas12a can quickly and accurately detect IDH1-R132H and has good stability. It is a promising method to detect IDH1 mutation status intraoperatively.
Deep learning based automatic detection algorithm for acute intracranial haemorrhage: a pivotal randomized clinical trial
Authors: Yun Tae Jin , Choi Jin Wook , Han Miran , Jung Woo Sang , Choi Seung Hong , Yoo Roh-Eul , Hwang In Pyeong
Published: April 2023

Acute intracranial haemorrhage (AIH) is a potentially life-threatening emergency that requires prompt and accurate assessment and management. This study aims to develop and validate an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm for diagnosing AIH using brain-computed tomography (CT) images. A retrospective, multi-reader, pivotal, crossover, randomised study was performed to validate the performance of an AI algorithm was trained using 104,666 slices from 3010 patients. Brain CT images (12,663 slices from 296 patients) were evaluated by nine reviewers belonging to one of the three subgroups (non-radiologist physicians, n = 3; board-certified radiologists, n = 3; and neuroradiologists, n = 3) with and without the aid of our AI algorithm. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were compared between AI-unassisted and AI-assisted interpretations using the chi-square test. Brain CT interpretation with AI assistance results in significantly higher diagnostic accuracy than that without AI assistance (0.9703 vs. 0.9471, p < 0.0001, patient-wise). Among the three subgroups of reviewers, non-radiologist physicians demonstrate the greatest improvement in diagnostic accuracy for brain CT interpretation with AI assistance compared to that without AI assistance. For board-certified radiologists, the diagnostic accuracy for brain CT interpretation is significantly higher with AI assistance than without AI assistance. For neuroradiologists, although brain CT interpretation with AI assistance results in a trend for higher diagnostic accuracy compared to that without AI assistance, the difference does not reach statistical significance. For the detection of AIH, brain CT interpretation with AI assistance results in better diagnostic performance than that without AI assistance, with the most significant improvement observed for non-radiologist physicians.
Lysyl oxidase-like 2 processing by factor Xa modulates its activity and substrate preference
Authors: Wang Huilei , Poe Alan , Martinez Yus Marta , Pak Lydia , Nandakumar Kavitha , Santhanam Lakshmi
Published: April 2023

Lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) has been identified as an essential mediator of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in several disease processes including cardiovascular disease. Thus, there is growing interest in understanding the mechanisms by which LOXL2 is regulated in cells and tissue. While LOXL2 occurs both in full length and processed forms in cells and tissue, the precise identity of the proteases that process LOXL2 and the consequences of processing on LOXL2’s function remain incompletely understood. Here we show that Factor Xa (FXa) is a protease that processes LOXL2 at Arg-338. Processing by FXa does not affect the enzymatic activity of soluble LOXL2. However, in situ in vascular smooth muscle cells, LOXL2 processing by FXa results in decreased cross-linking activity in the ECM and shifts substrate preference of LOXL2 from type IV collagen to type I collagen. Additionally, processing by FXa increases the interactions between LOXL2 and prototypical LOX, suggesting a potential compensatory mechanism to preserve total LOXs activity in the vascular ECM. FXa expression is prevalent in various organ systems and shares similar roles in fibrotic disease progression as LOXL2. Thus, LOXL2 processing by FXa could have significant implications in pathologies where LOXL2 is involved.
Continuous millisecond conformational cycle of a DEAH box helicase reveals control of domain motions by atomic-scale transitions
Authors: Becker Robert A. , Hub Jochen S.
Published: April 2023

Helicases are motor enzymes found in every living organism and viruses, where they maintain the stability of the genome and control against false recombination. The DEAH-box helicase Prp43 plays a crucial role in pre-mRNA splicing in unicellular organisms by translocating single-stranded RNA. The molecular mechanisms and conformational transitions of helicases are not understood at the atomic level. We present a complete conformational cycle of RNA translocation by Prp43 in atomic detail based on molecular dynamics simulations. To enable the sampling of such complex transition on the millisecond timescale, we combined two enhanced sampling techniques, namely simulated tempering and adaptive sampling guided by crystallographic data. During RNA translocation, the center-of-mass motions of the RecA-like domains followed the established inchworm model, whereas the domains crawled along the RNA in a caterpillar-like movement, suggesting an inchworm/caterpillar model. However, this crawling required a complex sequence of atomic-scale transitions involving the release of an arginine finger from the ATP pocket, stepping of the hook-loop and hook-turn motifs along the RNA backbone, and several others. These findings highlight that large-scale domain dynamics may be controlled by complex sequences of atomic-scale transitions.
Drifting Faraday patterns under localised driving
Authors: Marín Juan F. , Riveros-Ávila Rafael , Coulibaly Saliya , Taki Majid , Gordillo Leonardo , García-Ñustes Mónica A.
Published: April 2023

Physical systems undergoing spontaneous pattern formation are governed by intrinsic length scales that may compete with extrinsic ones, resulting in exceptional spatiotemporal behaviour. In this work, we report experimental and theoretical evidence that spatial nonuniformity sets Faraday-wave patterns in motion, which are noticeable in the zigzag and drift dynamics exhibited by their wave crests. We provide a minimal theoretical model that succeeds in characterising the growth of localised patterns under nonuniform parametric driving. Furthermore, the derivation accounts for symmetry-breaking nonlinear gradients that we show are the source of the drift mechanism, which comes into play right after the system has crossed a secondary bifurcation point. Numerical solutions of the governing equations match our experimental findings and theoretical predictions. Our results advance the understanding of pattern behaviour induced by nonuniformity in generic nonlinear extended systems far from equilibrium.