bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Digitalization of India's Healthcare System: A Paradigm Shift amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ahmad Saima , Azeez N. P. Abdul
Published: June 2023

Aim: This study examines the paradigm shift in India's healthcare sector due to the COVID-19 epidemic, explicitly focusing on adopting digital healthcare. The study explores the innovative initiatives undertaken by both the government and commercial sectors in virtual health and analyzes the long-term benefits of this transition.

Methodology: The study utilizes a secondary research approach to investigate the development of India's digital healthcare system. Various sources such as reports, surveys, and official documents are reviewed to gather information on implementing digital health solutions. The study examines intelligent devices, telemedicine websites, and platforms like Arogya Setu that have played a crucial role in the digital healthcare revolution. Government programs such as the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) and the establishment of e-hospitals are also analyzed to understand their impact. The study emphasizes the significance of data mining, the development of digital health records, and the necessary infrastructure to support digital healthcare.

Results: The results indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the digitization of India's healthcare sector. Adopting digital health solutions, including telemedicine, wearable technology, and artificial intelligence, has gained significant momentum. Initiatives like the NDHM and the establishment of e-hospitals have contributed to the successful implementation of digital healthcare. The study highlights the benefits of digital healthcare, such as improved accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and accuracy of services. The importance of data mining and the development of digital health records are underscored as critical drivers of this transformation.

Conclusion: To conclude, the COVID-19 pandemic has served as a driving force for the digital transformation of India's healthcare industry. The adoption of digital health solutions and the initiatives taken by the government lay the foundation for a more accessible and patient-centred healthcare future. The study emphasizes the significant implications of digital innovations in healthcare for healthcare organizations, medical device manufacturers, and remote care providers. While acknowledging that in-person treatment is still necessary and that comprehensive digitalization takes time, the study highlights the transformative potential of digitizing healthcare to improve access to care and enhance delivery methods. This digital revolution can potentially revolutionize the healthcare industry and improve healthcare outcomes.
Accuracy of a Generative Artificial Intelligence Model in a Complex Diagnostic Challenge
Authors: Kanjee Zahir , Crowe Byron , Rodman Adam
Published: June 2023

This study assesses the diagnostic accuracy of the Generative Pre-trained Transformer 4 (GPT-4) artificial intelligence (AI) model in a series of challenging cases.
Two Pink Lines
Authors: Mitre Victoria
Published: June 2023

In this narrative medicine essay, a pediatrician retells her story of infertility, finding solace among others who experienced it, to demonstrate to those yet to experience it that they are not alone.
Lessons From Across the Pacific—Health Policy Debates Worth Having, Part 1
Authors: Chokshi Dave A.
Published: June 2023

This JAMA Forum discusses primary care–oriented health reforms in Singapore.
Thematic Analysis of State Medicaid Buprenorphine Prior Authorization Requirements
Authors: Nguemeni Tiako Max Jordan , Dolan Abby , Abrams Matthew , Oyekanmi Kehinde , Meisel Zachary , Aronowitz Shoshana V.
Published: June 2023

Importance

Prior authorization (PA) requirements for buprenorphine are associated with lower provision of the medication for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). While Medicare plans have eliminated PA requirements for buprenorphine, many Medicaid plans continue to require them.

Objective

To describe and classify buprenorphine coverage requirements based on thematic analysis of state Medicaid PA forms.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This qualitative study used a thematic analysis of 50 states’ Medicaid PA forms for buprenorphine between November 2020 and March 2021. Forms were obtained from the jurisdiction’s Medicaid websites and assessed for features suggesting barriers to buprenorphine access. A coding tool was developed based on a review of a sample of forms, including fields for behavioral health treatment recommendations or mandates, drug screening requirements, and dosage limitations.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Outcomes included PA requirements for different buprenorphine formulations. Additionally, PA forms were evaluated for various criteria such as behavioral health, drug screenings, dose-related recommendations or mandates or patient education.

Results

Among the total of 50 US states in the analysis, most states’ Medicaid plans required PA for at least 1 formulation of buprenorphine. However, the majority did not require a PA for buprenorphine-naloxone. Four key themes of coverage requirements were identified: restrictive surveillance (eg, requirements for urine drug screenings, random drug screenings, pill counts), behavioral health treatment recommendations or mandates (eg, mandatory counseling or 12-step meeting attendance), interfering with or restricting medical decision-making (eg, maximum daily dosages of 16 mg, requiring additional steps for dosages higher than 16 mg), and patient education (eg, information about adverse effects and interactions with other medications). Eleven states (22%) required urine drug screenings, 6 states (12%) required random urine drug screenings, and 4 states (8%) required pill counts. Fourteen states’ forms (28%) recommended therapy, and 7 (14%) required therapy, counseling, or participation in group sessions. Eighteen states (36%) specified dosage maximums; among them, 11 (22%) required additional steps for a daily dosage higher than 16 mg.

Conclusion

In this qualitative study of state Medicaid PA requirements for buprenorphine, themes were identified that included patient surveillance with drug screenings and pill counts, behavioral health treatment recommendations or mandates, patient education, and dosing guidance. These results suggest that state Medicaid plans’ buprenorphine PA requirements for OUD are in conflict with existing evidence and may negatively affect states’ efforts to address the opioid overdose crisis.
Effect of 6-Month HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis Dispensing With Interim Self-testing on Preexposure Prophylaxis Continuation at 12 Months
Authors: Ortblad Katrina F. , Bardon Ashley R. , Mogere Peter , Kiptinness Catherine , Gakuo Stephen , Mbaire Sarah , Thomas Katherine K. , Mugo Nelly R. , Baeten Jared M. , Ngure Kenneth
Published: June 2023

Importance

Daily oral HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) delivery requires quarterly clinic visits for HIV testing and drug refilling that are costly to health systems and clients.

Objective

To evaluate whether 6-month PrEP dispensing supported with interim HIV self-testing (HIVST) results in noninferior PrEP continuation outcomes at 12 months compared with standard quarterly clinic visits.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This randomized noninferiority trial was conducted from May 2018 to May 2021 with 12 months of follow-up among PrEP clients aged 18 years or older who were returning for their first refill at a research clinic in Kiambu County, Kenya.

Intervention

Participants were randomized 2:1 to (1) 6-month PrEP dispensing with semiannual clinic visits and interim HIVST at 3 months or (2) standard-of-care (SOC) PrEP delivery with 3-month dispensing, quarterly clinic visits, and clinic-based HIV testing.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Prespecified 12-month outcomes included recent HIV testing (any in past 6 months), PrEP refilling, and PrEP adherence (detectable tenofovir-diphosphate concentrations in dried blood spots). Binomial regression models were used to estimate risk differences (RDs), and a 1-sided 95% CI lower bound (LB) of −10% or greater was interpreted as noninferior.

Results

A total of 495 participants were enrolled, with 329 enrolled in the intervention group and 166 enrolled in the SOC group; 330 (66.7%) were women, 295 (59.6%) were in serodifferent relationships, and the median (IQR) age was 33 (27-40) years. At 12 months, 241 individuals in the intervention group (73.3%) and 120 in the SOC group (72.3%) returned to clinic. In the intervention group, recent HIV testing was noninferior (230 individuals [69.9%]) compared with the SOC group (116 [69.9%]; RD, −0.33%, 95% CI LB, −7.44%). PrEP refilling in the intervention group (196 [59.6%]) was inconclusive compared with the SOC group (104 [62.7%]; RD, −3.25%; 95% CI LB, −10.84%), and PrEP adherence was noninferior in the intervention group (151 [45.9%]) compared with the SOC group (70 [42.2%]; RD, 4.96%; 95% CI LB, −2.46%). No HIV seroconversions were observed over the follow-up period.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this analysis of secondary trial end points at 1 year, semiannual PrEP dispensing with interim HIVST resulted in noninferior recent HIV testing and PrEP adherence compared with SOC quarterly PrEP dispensing. This novel model has the potential to optimize PrEP delivery.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03593629
Vanadium Oxide Intercalated with Conductive Metal–Organic Frameworks with Dual Energy‐Storage Mechanism for High Capacity and High‐Rate Capability Zn Ion Storage
Authors: Guo Jingdong , Liu Jiaxin , Ma Weibing , Sang Zhiyuan , Yin Lichang , Zhang Xueqi , Chen Hao , Liang Ji , Yang De'an
Published: June 2023

Vanadium oxides (VOx) feature the potential for high‐capacity Zn2+ storage, which are often preintercalated with inert ions or lattice water for accelerating Zn2+ migration kinetics. The inertness of these preintercalated species for Zn2+ storage and their incapability for conducting electrons, however, compromise the capacity and rate capability of VOx. Herein, Ni‐BTA, a 1D conductive metal–organic framework (c‐MOF), is intercalated into the interlayer space of VOx by coordinating organic ligands with preinserted Ni2+. The intercalated Ni‐BTA improves the conductivity of VOx by π–d conjugation, facilitates Zn2+ migration by enlarging its interlayer spacing, and stabilizes the crystal structure of VOx as interlayer pillars, thus simultaneously enhancing the material's rate capability and cycling stability. Meanwhile, a dual reaction mechanism of Zn2+ storage, i.e., the redox of V5+/V3+ in VOx and the rearrangement of chemical bonds (CN/CN) in Ni‐BTA, collaboratively contributes to an enhanced capacity. Consequently, this Ni‐BTA‐intercalated VOx material exhibits a high Zn2+ storage capacity of 464.2 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 and an excellent rate capability of 272.5 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1. This work provides a general strategy for integrating c‐MOFs with inorganic cathode materials to achieve high‐capacity and high‐rate performance.
Carbonized Polymer Dots Enhancing Interface Stability of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 Cathodes
Authors: Li Lin , Zhang Yaojian , Hu Naifang , Wang Kejian , Liu Yuehui , Wang Xiaogang , Zhou Xinhong , Ma Jun , Cui Guanglei
Published: June 2023

The high energy density, low cost, and low toxicity of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) cathodes has led to their large‐scale mass production. However, the poor interfacial stability between NCM811 and organic electrolytes impairs the long‐cycle performance of lithium ions batteries. In this study, carbonized polymer dots (CPDs) are successfully introduced onto the surface of NCM811 (NCM811@CPDs) via a simple physical mixing process. CPDs with rich surface oxygen functional groups form strong covalent bonds with transition metal (TM) ions at the NCM811 surface, distinctly restraining surface structure degradation, and transition metal ion dissolution. Furthermore, CPDs facilitate the formation of a compact and steady cathode electrolyte interface (CEI) layer during electrochemical cycling. As a result, the NCM811@1 wt% CPDs exhibit enhanced cycling performance with a capacity retention of 89.77% after 100 cycles at 0.5 C compared to 55.39% of the bare NCM811. This facile and effective surface decoration strategy provides valuable guidance for improving the stability and cycling performance of Ni‐rich cathodes.
Comparing Parallel Plastic‐to‐X Pathways and Their Role in a Circular Economy for PET Bottles
Authors: Ghosh Tapajyoti , Uekert Taylor , Walzberg Julien , Carpenter Alberta C.
Published: June 2023

The United States generates the most plastic waste of any country and is a top contributor to global plastic pollution. Multiple end‐of‐life strategies must be implemented to minimize environmental impacts and retain valuable plastic material, but it is challenging to compare options that generate products with different lifetimes and utilities. Herein, they present a material flow model equipped with consequential life cycle assessment, cost analysis, and a plastic circularity indicator that considers product quality and lifetime. The model is used to estimate the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, circularity, and cost of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle mechanical downcycling to lower‐quality resin, closed‐loop glycolysis to food‐grade PET, upcycling to glass fiber‐reinforced plastic, and conversion to non‐plastic products (electricity, oil) on a United States economy‐wide basis for the year 2020. A brute force algorithm suggests that a combination of 68% glycolysis, 11% mechanical recycling, 6% upcycling, 9% landfilling, and 5% incineration can minimize the cost and GHG emissions and maximize the circularity of the current PET economy. However, uncertainty around transportation distances, materials recovery facility efficiencies, and recycling yields can result in different “optimal” pathway mixes. This flexible framework enables informed decision‐making to move toward a cost‐ and environment‐conscious circular economy for plastic.
Modulating the Photoresponse Performance of Two‐Dimensional GeSe Photodetectors in Visible Region by Ion Irradiation
Authors: Wang Jing , Xu Hang , He Dong , Wang Hongbo , Kang Yufan , Pei Yongfeng , Jiang Changzhong , Li Wenqing , Xiao Xiangheng
Published: June 2023

The 2D GeSe‐based photodetectors have exhibited ultrahigh photoresponsivity (Rλ), sensitive‐specific detectivity (D*), and large external quantum efficiency (EQE) in previous researches. Ion beam techniques have been utilized to effectively modify the surface of nanomaterials for recent years. Herein, the authors propose to engineer the 2D GeSe nanosheets via low‐energy ion irradiation for improving the photoresponse in visible region. The nonmetallic nitrogen and metallic silver elements are selected to modulate the performance of 2D GeSe FETs, respectively. The results show that N‐irradiated GeSe nanosheets have exhibited twice faster photoresponse for 532 nm laser for making up the trailing phenomenon in the decay process during the dynamic response of pristine 2D GeSe. More importantly, via Ag ion irradiation, a self‐driven and higher photoresponsivity GeSe‐based photodetector is realized. The Ag‐irradiated GeSe nanosheets have shown the considerably high Rλ of 9.6 × 102 A W−1 with no bias and no gate voltage applied. The work provides a new direction for modification of other 2D materials by ion beam technique for optoelectronic devices.
Single‐site robotic cholecystectomy versus single‐incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Rudiman Reno , Hanafi Ricarhdo Valentino , Almawijaya Almawijaya
Published: June 2023

Background

The possibilities of minimally invasive cholecystectomy have emerged since the beginning of single‐incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) and single‐site robotic cholecystectomy (SSRC). This study aimed to compare the feasibility, safety, and pain scores between SSRC and SILC.

Methods

The authors searched randomized or non‐randomized controlled trials and observational studies in PubMed, EuroPMC, and ClinicalTrials.gov from April 2012 until April 2022. The authors analyzed the operation time, hospital stay, blood loss volume, conversion rate, intraoperative complication rates, postoperative complications, visual analog scale (VAS) immediately after surgery, and VAS at hospital discharge. This study aligned with PRISMA and AMSTAR guidelines.

Results

Thirteen studies were selected with 817 and 757 patients who underwent SSRC and SILC. Thus, this study demonstrated a lower incidence of intraoperative complication rates [relative risk (RR) 0.57 (95% CI 0.34–0.96), p = 0.03] and lesser VAS score at hospital discharge [Std. Mean Difference (SMD) −0.23 (95% CI −0.46, −0.01), p = 0.04] in the SSRC group. Regarding operation time and cost, SSRC revealed a longer time [SMD 1.02 (95% CI 0.45, 1.59), p = 0.0004] and higher cost [SMD 4.18 (95% CI 1.77, 6.58), p < 0.00001], respectively. Meanwhile, SSRC did not differ from SILC during a hospital stay, blood loss volume, conversion rate, postoperative complication rates, and VAS immediately after surgery.

Conclusions

Concerning intraoperative complication rates and VAS score at hospital discharge, SSRC was superior to SILC. Thus, SSRC is considered a feasible and safe procedure.
Synthesis of Directly‐Linked Porphyrin−Pyricorrole Hybrid via Rearrangement of Internally‐bridged Octaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1) Upon Ni(II) Metalation
Authors: Nakai Akito , Wang Qian , Sundholm Dage , Tanaka Takayuki , Osuka Atsuhiro
Published: June 2023

A directly‐linked NiII porphyrin−NiII pyricorrole hybrid was obtained upon NiII complexation of internally‐bridged octaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1). The structure has been unambiguously revealed by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The pyricorrole skeleton is different from that reported earlier with regard to the position of the pyridine moiety. The new pyricorrole macrocycle was characterized as an aromatic molecule sustaining a complex current density. The thermodynamic stability of the NiII pyricorrole skeleton indicated by DFT calculation may drive this rearrangement.
Modeling water age in a full‐scale residential plumbing system
Authors: Julien Ryan , Palmegiani Maria , Lee Juneseok , Whelton Andrew J. , Mitchell Jade
Published: June 2023

The residence time of water in residential building water systems is a critical factor regarding water quality at end use. Published literature has highlighted the importance of water age in these systems and its relationship with pathogenic bacteria such as Legionella pneumophila. However, tools to measure water age in such plumbing systems are typically repurposed from other applications and include limitations that make them inappropriate for some plumbing systems. This work presents a novel means of estimating water age by assuming these systems operate without mixing. Data for this study was collected from a full‐scale home equipped with an extensive array of flow meters to monitor water use. Further, 408 individual water quality samples were collected to ascertain water quality changes that take place in the plumbing. Model results show weak correlation with EPANET 2.2 (ρ = 0.666), a commonly used hydraulic modeling software. The results of the water age model were also evaluated with several variable selection tools. These analyses indicate that this method's water age results are a statistically significant (p < .05) predictor of Legionella concentrations. Model results from this approach could be used in plumbing design and/or operation to assist in managing Legionella risks.
The green to circular bioeconomy transition: Innovation and resilience among Italian enterprises
Authors: Alfano Maria Rosaria , Cantabene Claudia , Lepore Amedeo , Palermo Stefano
Published: June 2023

The bioeconomy is an essential part of the transition from a linear to a circular production model, which repositions production systems to favour sustainability and innovation. There are two main contributors to the development of this process: the choices made by public decision‐makers (national and European), and the strategies adopted by companies and the recent increased diffusion of new business networks and clusters in Europe, which favour industrial and technological transformation processes. We move from analysis of the international context and how Italy's positioning in the new circular bioeconomy is evolving to focus on the diffusion of business clusters and networks in Europe linked to the circular bioeconomy to propose a preliminary empirical study of corporate behaviour. For this we use survey data on Italian bio‐industries that are part of the cluster SPRING (Sustainable Processes and Resources for Innovation and National Growth). The results show how SPRING cluster firms are pushed to improve their positioning in numerous fields characterizing the most innovative business models.
Protect personal, institutional data from cyberattacks
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: June 2023

BOSTON — If your institution falls prey to a cybersecurity attack, it risks not only potential reputational damage and financial loss but also lawsuits claiming breach‐of‐contract or failure to comply with privacy policies/laws.
The method of moments used in polymerization reaction engineering for 70 years: An overview, tutorial, and minilibrary
Authors: Zapata‐González Iván , Saldívar‐Guerra Enrique
Published: June 2023

In the last seven decades, the method of moments (MoM) has become an invaluable tool in the field of polymerization reaction engineering, due to the simplicity of translating a complex set of population balance equations (PBE) into a system with a limited number of equations. In this work, we offer an overview of the MoM, describing the derivation of the moment equations in a basic kinetic mechanism. Some tools and strategies for the derivation of the moment equations are reviewed and explained in detail, such as the binomial theorem, the method of series expansion and pattern identification (SEPI), extensively used by the community, and a graphical approach of summation inversion. The treatment for multivariate distributions is also exposed, taking advantage of the complete and partial moment techniques. The derivation of the MoM contribution by kinetic mechanisms beyond the basic ones or involving special difficulties, such as depropagation, long chain branching (LCB), random chain scission, LCB and β‐scission, short chain branching (SCB) and scission, internal double bond (IDB) (polymerization), termination by combination, reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP), and intermolecular transesterification reactions (ITRs), are explained in a tutorial way. Additionally, the fundamentals of the MoM in copolymerization and the application of the pseudo‐homopolymerization approach are briefly described. An introduction of the MoM to emulsion polymerization is also presented. Finally, some advanced applications of MoM in recent works are exposed: MoM models with chain‐length dependent or diffusion‐controlled termination, and the extension of the MoM for the prediction of the molecular weight distribution (MWD).
Model‐Informed Precision Dosing Guidance of Ethosuximide Developed from a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial of Childhood Absence Epilepsy
Authors: Mizuno Kana , Capparelli Edmund V. , Fukuda Tsuyoshi , Dong Min , Adamson Peter C. , Blumer Jeffery L. , Cnaan Avital , Clark Peggy O. , Reed Michael D. , Shinnar Shlomo , Vinks Alexander A. , Glauser Tracy A. ,   for the Childhood Absence Epilepsy Study Group
Published: June 2023

Ethosuximide was identified as the optimal option for new‐onset childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) in a randomized, two‐phase dose escalation comparative effectiveness trial of ethosuximide, lamotrigine, and valproic acid. However, 47% of ethosuximide initial monotherapy participants experienced short‐term treatment failure. This study aimed to characterize the initial monotherapy ethosuximide exposure‐response relationship and to propose model‐informed precision dosing guidance. Dose titration occurred over a 16–20‐week period until patients experienced seizure freedom or intolerable side effects. Subjects with initial monotherapy failure were randomized to one of the other two medications and dose escalation was repeated. A population pharmacokinetic model was created using plasma concentration data (n = 1,320), collected at 4‐week intervals from 211 unique participants during both the initial and second monotherapy phases. A logistic regression analysis was performed on the initial monotherapy cohort (n = 103) with complete exposure‐response data. Eighty‐four participants achieved seizure freedom with a wide range of ethosuximide area under the curves (AUC) ranging from 420 to 2,420 μg·h/mL. AUC exposure estimates for achieving a 50% and 75% probability of seizure freedom were 1,027 and 1,489 μg·h/mL, respectively, whereas the corresponding cumulative frequency of intolerable adverse events was 11% and 16%. Monte Carlo Simulation indicated a daily dose of 40 and 55 mg/kg to achieve 50% and 75% probability of seizure freedom in the overall population, respectively. We identified the need for adjusted mg/kg dosing in different body weight cohorts. This ethosuximide proposed model‐informed precision dosing guidance to achieve seizure freedom carries promise to optimize initial monotherapy success for patients with CAE.
Packet processing and data plane program verification: A survey with tools, techniques, and challenges
Authors: Akarte Harishchandra A. , Yadav Dharmendra K.
Published: June 2023

In today's era of fast‐growing network‐enabled devices combined, it increases the complexity of the network. This leads to the massive data packet transfer on the network via the data plane in a software‐defined networking environment. The programmable packet processing in a data plane may introduce indirect bugs that are hard to catch manually. To avoid catastrophic after‐effects, such programs need to be formally verified. Researchers have proposed various tools and techniques to verify the data plane program using the P4 language. Most of the researchers have used the concept of assertion and symbolic execution to provide P4 verification approaches. As symbolic execution does not scale up well, researchers have proposed different techniques, which include the use of constraints, slicing of the program, parallelization, data plane verification, program verification, and so on. The tools have experimented with different choices for compiler optimization. In this article, we perform a pervasive survey on various verification tools and techniques based on data plane programming using domain‐specific language like P4 from the inception of the concept. We have compared the packet processing tools developed as per the requirement of time with their ideology and the impact of change.
Expanding EMC foldopathies: Topogenesis deficits alter the neural crest
Authors: Marquez Jonathan , Aslam Faiza , Khokha Mustafa K.
Published: June 2023

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane protein complex (EMC) is essential for the insertion of a wide variety of transmembrane proteins into the plasma membrane across cell types. Each EMC is composed of Emc1‐7, Emc10, and either Emc8 or Emc9. Recent human genetics studies have implicated variants in EMC genes as the basis for a group of human congenital diseases. The patient phenotypes are varied but appear to affect a subset of tissues more prominently than others. Namely, craniofacial development seems to be commonly affected. We previously developed an array of assays in Xenopus tropicalis to assess the effects of emc1 depletion on the neural crest, craniofacial cartilage, and neuromuscular function. We sought to extend this approach to additional EMC components identified in patients with congenital malformations. Through this approach, we determine that EMC9 and EMC10 are important for neural crest development and the development of craniofacial structures. The phenotypes observed in patients and our Xenopus model phenotypes similar to EMC1 loss of function likely due to a similar mechanism of dysfunction in transmembrane protein topogenesis.
Non‐exploitative human disturbance provides shelter for prey from predator
Authors: Lamichhane Saneer , Lamichhane Babu Ram , Gurung Aasish , Rayamajhi Trishna , Dahal Tulasi Prasad , Regmi Pramod Raj , Pokheral Chiranjibi Prasad , Pathak Abhinaya , Panta Ganesh , Kandel Ram Chandra , Oli Madan K.
Published: June 2023

Human activities can influence behaviors of predators and prey, as well as predator–prey interactions. Using camera trap data, we investigated whether or to what extent human activities influenced behaviors of predators (tigers and leopards) and prey (sambar deer, spotted deer, wild boar, and barking deer), and predator–prey interactions in the Barandabhar Corridor Forest (BCF), Chitwan District, Nepal. A multispecies occupancy model revealed that the presence of humans altered the conditional occupancy of both prey and predator species. Specifically, the conditional occupancy probability of prey was substantially higher (ψ = 0.91, CI = 0.89–0.92) when humans were present than when humans were absent (ψ = 0.68, CI = 0.54–0.79). The diel activity pattern of most prey species overlapped strongly with humans, whereas predators were generally more active when humans were absent. Finally, the spatiotemporal overlap analysis revealed that human–prey interactions (i.e., the probability that both humans and prey species being present on the same grid at the same hourly period) was ~3 times higher (10.5%, CI = 10.4%–10.6%) compared to spatiotemporal overlap between humans and predators (3.1%, CI = 3.0%–3.2%). Our findings are consistent with the human shield hypothesis and suggest that ungulate prey species may reduce predation risk by using areas with high human activities.
Research on image classification of coal and gangue based on a lightweight convolution neural network
Authors: Cao Zhenguan , Fang Liao , Li Rui , Yang Xun , Li JinBiao , Li Zhuoqin
Published: June 2023

It is vital to differentiate between coal and gangue in coal mining effectively. In recent years, classification methods for images of coal‐ and gangue‐based convolutional neural networks have emerged, which makes the analysis process simple and fast. However, these methods still have the limitation of balancing recognition performance and computational efficiency due to the limitation of device hardware. This research proposes a group convolution and channel shuffle augmentation Ghost network (GSAGNet) for the classification task of coal and gangue images. First, we design a new Ghost module with group convolution and channel shuffle to improve the stability of the Ghost module for better extraction of features of coal and gangue. Second, we redesign GhostNet to improve the model's classification accuracy while guaranteeing similar floating‐point operations. Finally, an efficient channel attention module is embedded in the prediction output of the model to improve the model's prediction results further. Extensive experiments on actual image datasets of coal and gangue show the feasibility and superiority of our proposed GSAG module. The GSAG module is applied to models such as AlexNet, VGG13, and ResNet50, and the accuracy of the models is improved by 0.27%, 1.24%, and 1.25%, respectively, compared to the Ghost module. The classification accuracy and F1‐score of the proposed GSAGNet model reach 97.50% and 97.50%, respectively, which are 1.01% and 1.04% higher than that of GhostNet. The GSAGNet model in this study can classify coal and gangue efficiently, which can effectively enable the separation of underground coal and gangue and has specific practical application significance and value.
Sparsity‐guided multiple functional connectivity patterns for classification of schizophrenia via convolutional network
Authors: Yu Renping , Pan Cong , Bian Lingbin , Fei Xuan , Chen Mingming , Shen Dinggang
Published: June 2023

The explorations of brain functional connectivity network (FCN) using resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging can provide crucial insights into discriminative analysis of neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia (SZ). Pearson's correlation (PC) is widely used to construct a densely connected FCN which may overlook some complex interactions of paired regions of interest (ROIs) under confounding effect of other ROIs. Although the method of sparse representation takes into account this issue, it penalizes each edge equally, which often makes the FCN look like a random network. In this paper, we establish a new framework, called convolutional neural network with sparsity‐guided multiple functional connectivity, for SZ classification. The framework consists of two components. (1) The first component constructs a sparse FCN by integrating PC and weighted sparse representation (WSR). The FCN retains the intrinsic correlation between paired ROIs, and eliminates false connection simultaneously, resulting in sparse interactions among multiple ROIs with the confounding effect regressed out. (2) In the second component, we develop a functional connectivity convolution to learn discriminative features for SZ classification from multiple FCNs by mining the joint spatial mapping of FCNs. Finally, an occlusion strategy is employed to explore the contributive regions and connections, to derive the potential biomarkers in identifying associated aberrant connectivity of SZ. The experiments on SZ identification verify the rationality and advantages of our proposed method. This framework also can be used as a diagnostic tool for other neuropsychiatric disorders.
Translating Clinical Pharmacology Data in Pregnancy to Evidence‐Based Guideline Recommendations: Perspectives From the HIV Field
Authors: Brooks Kristina M. , Scott Rachel K. , Best Brookie M. , Capparelli Edmund , Momper Jeremiah D.
Published: June 2023

Pharmacokinetic (PK) studies in pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding people are critical to informing appropriate medication use and dosing. A key component of translating PK results in these complex populations into clinical practice involves the systematic review and interpretation of data by guideline panels, composed of clinicians, scientists, and community members, to leverage available data for informed decision making by clinicians and patients and offer clinical best practices. Interpretation of PK data in pregnancy involves evaluation of multiple factors such as the study design, target population, and type of sampling performed. Assessments of fetal and infant drug exposure while in utero or during breastfeeding, respectively, are also critical for informing whether medications are safe to use during pregnancy and throughout postpartum in lactating people. This review will provide an overview of this translational process, discussion of the various factors considered by guideline panels, and practical aspects of implementing certain recommendations, using the HIV field as an example.
Use of Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling for Hepatically Cleared Drugs in Pregnancy: Regulatory Perspective
Authors: Coppola Paola , Kerwash Essam , Cole Susan
Published: June 2023

Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling could be used to predict changes in exposure during pregnancy and possibly inform medicine use in pregnancy in situations in which there is currently limited or no available clinical PK data. The Medicines and Healthcare Product Regulatory Agency has been evaluating the available models for a number of medicines cleared by hepatic clearance mechanisms. Models were evaluated for metoprolol, tacrolimus, clindamycin, ondansetron, phenytoin, caffeine, fluoxetine, clozapine, carbamazepine, metronidazole, and paracetamol. The hepatic metabolism through cytochrome P450 (CYP) contributes significantly to the elimination of these drugs, and available knowledge of CYP changes during pregnancy has been implemented in the existing pregnancy physiology models. In general, models were able to capture trends in exposure changes in pregnancy to some extent, but the magnitude of pharmacokinetic change for these hepatically cleared drugs was not captured in each case, nor were models always able to capture overall exposure in the populations. A thorough evaluation was hampered by the lack of clinical data for drugs cleared by a specific clearance pathway. The limited clinical data, as well as complex elimination pathways involving CYPs, uridine 5′‐diphospho‐glucuronosyltransferase and active transporter for many drugs, currently limit the confidence in the prospective use of the models. Pregnancy‐related changes in uridine 5′‐diphospho‐glucuronosyltransferase and transport functions are emerging, and incorporation of such changes in current physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling software is in progress. Filling this gap is expected to further enhance predictive performance of models and increase the confidence in predicting PK changes in pregnant women for hepatically cleared drugs.
T2 Mapping of Patellar Cartilage After a Single First‐Time Episode of Traumatic Lateral Patellar Dislocation
Authors: Voronkova Elena , Melnikov Ilya , Manzhurtsev Andrei , Bozhko Olga , Vorobyev Denis , Akhadov Tolib , Menshchikov Petr
Published: June 2023

Background

In most cases, lateral patellar dislocation (LPD) is accompanied by chondral injury and may initiate gradual degeneration of patellar cartilage, which might be detected with a T2 mapping, a well‐established method for cartilage lesions assessment.

Purpose

To examine short‐term consequences of single first‐time LPD in teenagers by T2 mapping of the patellar‐cartilage state.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

95 patients (mean age: 15.1 ± 2.3; male/female: 46/49) with first‐time, complete, traumatic LPD and 51 healthy controls (mean age: 14.7 ± 2.2, male/female: 29/22).

Field Strength/Sequence

3.0 T; axial T2 mapping acquired using a 2D turbo spin‐echo sequence.

Assessment

MRI examination was conducted 2–4 months after first LPD. T2 values were calculated in manually segmented cartilage area via averaging over three middle level slices in six cartilage regions: deep, intermediate, superficial layers, and medial lateral parts.

Statistical Tests

ANOVA analysis with Tukey's multiple comparison test, one‐vs.‐rest logistic regression analysis. The threshold of significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results

In lateral patellar cartilage, a significant increase in T2 values was found in deep and intermediate layers in both patient groups with mild (deep: 34.7 vs. 31.3 msec, intermediate: 38.7 vs. 34.6 msec, effect size = 0.55) and severe (34.8 vs. 31.3 msec, 39.1 vs. 34.6 msec, 0.55) LPD consequences as compared to controls. In the medial facet, only severe cartilage damage showed significant prolongation of T2 times in the deep layer (34.3 vs. 30.7 msec, 0.55). No significant changes in T2 values were found in the lateral superficial layer (P = 0.99), whereas mild chondromalacia resulted in a significant decrease of T2 in the medial superficial layer (41.0 vs. 43.8 msec, 0.55).

Data Conclusion

The study revealed substantial difference in T2 changes after LPD between medial and lateral areas of patellar cartilage.

Evidence Level

2

Technical Efficacy Stage

2
Heat health during future summers in eastern Asia: The combined roles of circulation, temperature and humidity
Authors: Clark Robin T. , Wu Peili
Published: June 2023

Excessive relative humidity (RH) in combination with high temperature can lead to heat stress, often measured by the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT). The Clausius‐Clapeyron (CC) relationship implies that warming reduces RH if no extra moisture is added. Over coastal regions like eastern Asia, however, the predominant summer monsoon favours increased moisture transport from surrounding oceans as a result of enhanced evaporation driven by surface temperature increase. This would lessen the RH reduction by potentially two‐thirds. Based on two ensembles of climate model simulations, this paper examines the competing effects of near‐surface temperature, humidity and circulation patterns in this region and the consequential health risks. Under a high emissions scenario (RCP8.5/SSP5‐8.5), surface temperature could increase by 4 – 7°C with WBGT increases of several degrees by the end of the 21st century. Devastating extreme heat health events could therefore become a frequent occurrence as a result. Overall, our results show how humidity can be just as important as temperature when considering the risks to society of excessive heat.
Surface‐enhanced Raman imaging of intact cancer cell membrane on a rough aluminum substrate
Authors: Ambardar Sharad , Binder Grace , Huynh Phat K. , Nguyen Dang , Hrim Hana , Le Trung Q. , Voronine Dmitri V.
Published: June 2023

The plasma membrane of cancer cells displays differences in lipid and protein composition which distinguish them from healthy cells. Certain molecules have such prominent vibrational characteristics that they can be considered cancer biomarkers. Although Raman spectroscopy is a label‐free non‐invasive method of chemical analysis, it, however, has been limited by weak signals from the membrane compared to the bulk interior of cells. Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) on plasmonic gold and silver substrates has previously been used to overcome this limitation. However, the high cost, poor repeatability, and toxicity of these noble metals hinder their practical applications. These challenges may be solved by using different materials and nanostructures. Here, we performed SERS imaging of ovarian cancer cells on rough aluminum substrates and extracted the Raman signals of intact cell membranes by comparing these with the corresponding measurements on Si substrates. We used atomic force microscopy (AFM) for Raman signal calibration. The comparison of cancer and normal cell membranes revealed the different lipid/protein peak ratios in cytoplasm and nucleus‐proximal areas. These Raman signatures of the ovarian cancer can be used as new biomarkers. This method may be extended to other types of cancer biosensing based on aluminum plasmonics.
Physicochemical and functional property of the Maillard reaction products of soy protein isolate with L‐arabinose/D‐galactose
Authors: Zhang Qiyun , Dou Lanxing , Sun Tao , Li Xiaohui , Xue Bin , Xie Jing , Bian Xiaojun , Shao Zehuai , Gan Jianhong
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND

Soy protein isolate (SPI) is widely used in the food industry because of its nutritional and functional properties. During food processing and storage, the interaction with co‐existing sugars can cause changes in the structural and functional properties of SPI. In this study, SPI–l‐arabinose conjugate (SPI:Ara) and SPI–d‐galactose conjugate (SPI:Gal) were prepared using Maillard reaction (MR), and the effects of five‐carbon/six‐carbon sugars on the structural information and function of SPI were compared.

RESULTS

MR unfolded and stretched the SPI, changing its ordered conformation into disorder. Lysine and arginine of SPI were bonded with the carbonyl group of sugar. The MR between SPI and l‐arabinose has a higher degree of glycosylation compared to d‐galactose. MR of SPI enhanced its solubility, emulsifying property and foaming property. Compared with SPI:Ara, SPI:Gal exhibited better aforementioned properties. The functionalities of amphiphilic SPI were enhanced by MR, SPI:Gal possessed better hypoglycemic effect, fat binding capacity and bile acid binding ability than SPI:Ara. MR endowed SPI with enhanced biological activities, SPI:Ara showed higher antioxidant activities, and SPI:Gal exhibited stronger antibacterial activities.

CONCLUSION

Our work revealed that l‐arabinose/d‐galactose exhibited different effects on the structural information of SPI, and further affected its physicochemical and functional property. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
An Injectable and Antifouling Supramolecular Polymer Hydrogel with Microenvironment‐Regulatory Function to Prevent Peritendinous Adhesion and Promote Tendon Repair
Authors: Wang Kuan , Chen Danyang , Wang Zhuoya , Yang Jianhai , Liu Wenguang
Published: June 2023

The imbalance of extrinsic and intrinsic healing of tendon is thought to be the main cause of peritendinous adhesions. In this work, an injectable supramolecular poly(N‐(2‐hydroxypropyl) acrylamide) (PHPAm) hydrogel is prepared merely via side chain hydrogen‐bonding crosslinks. This PHPAm exhibits good antifouling and self‐healing properties. The supramolecular hydrogel simultaneously loaded with Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles and platelet lysate (PL) is explored as a functional physical barrier, which can significantly resist the adhesion of fibrin and fibroblasts, attenuate the local inflammatory response, and enhance the tenocytes activity, thus balancing extrinsic and intrinsic healing. The PHPAm hydrogel is shown to prevent peritendinous adhesions considerably by inhibiting NF‐κB inflammatory pathway and TGF‐β1/Smad3‐mediated fibrosis pathway, thereby significantly improving tendon repair by releasing bioactive factors to regulate the tenocytes behavior. This work provides a new strategy for developing physical barriers to prevent peritendinous adhesions and promote tissue repair effectively.
Cellular Membrane Components‐Mediated Cancer Immunotherapeutic Platforms
Authors: Yun Seojeong , Kim Sungjun , Kim Kyobum
Published: June 2023

Immune cell engineering is an active field of ongoing research that can be easily applied to nanoscale biomedicine as an alternative to overcoming limitations of nanoparticles. Cell membrane coating and artificial nanovesicle technology have been reported as representative methods with an advantage of good biocompatibility for biomimetic replication of cell membrane characteristics. Cell membrane‐mediated biomimetic technique provides properties of natural cell membrane and enables membrane‐associated cellular/molecular signaling. Thus, coated nanoparitlces (NPs) and artificial nanovesicles can achieve effective and extended in vivo circulation, enabling execution of target functions. While coated NPs and artificial nanovesicles provide clear advantages, much work remains before clinical application. In this review, first a comprehensive overview of cell membrane coating techniques and artificial nanovesicles is provided. Next, the function and application of various immune cell membrane types are summarized.
Continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite pultrusion with in situ polymerizable methyl methacrylate: A review
Authors: Tian Lingyu , Zhang Puxuan , Xian Guijun
Published: June 2023

Compared to thermosetting resins, thermoplastic polymers offer many advantages as fiber reinforced composite matrices, such as excellent toughness, superior corrosion resistance, weldability, and recyclable, etc. However, the processibility of thermoplastic composites is commonly considered as a challenge because of the high viscosity of polymer melts (e.g., polypropylene, polyetheretherketone, etc.), which remarkably hinders their applications. Using low viscosity and in situ polymerizable thermoplastic resins to manufacture continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites have been deemed as a cost‐effective emerging approach to surpass the processibility challenges. Therefore, this paper presents an overview of advancement in the engineering, high‐performance and room‐temperature‐processible liquid methyl methacrylate (MMA) resins and their composites up to date. First, the polymerization behavior and kinetic modeling of the MMA resins are reviewed, and the effects of initiators on the polymerization are summarized. In the second part, the pultrusion process and modeling including impregnation, temperature distribution and pulling force are discussed. Next, the mechanical properties and durability of the carbon fiber‐, glass fiber‐reinforced MMA‐matrix composites are presented. Finally, the challenges of the preparation and application of the MMA‐matrix composites are identified.