bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and physicochemical characterization of acyl myricetins as potential anti-neuroexocytotic agents
Authors: Cho Sora , Kong Byoungjae , Jung Younghun , Shin Jonghyeok , Park Myungseo , Chung Woo-Jae , Ban Choongjin , Kweon Dae-Hyuk
Published: January 2023

Acyl myricetins (monopropionyl-, dipropionyl-, and monooctanoyl-myricetin, termed as MP1, MP2, and MO1, respectively) were synthesized through enzymatic or non-enzymatic esterification reaction of myricetin aglycone. Structure study indicated the hydroxyl group at C4ʹ in B-ring was highly susceptible to acylation. Over its parental myricetin, acylated compounds showed enhanced lipophilicity (from 7.4- to 26.3-fold) and oxidative stability (from 1.9- to 3.1-fold) on the basis of logP and decay rate, respectively. MO1, presenting the physicochemical superiority compared to the others, provided lowest EC50 value of 2.51 µM on inhibition of neutrotransmitter release and high CC50 value of 58.96 µM, leading to widest therapeutic window. All myricetin esters did not show any irritation toxicity when assessed with a chicken embryo assay. This study describes information on acylation of myricetin that has not yet been explored, and suggests that MO1 has anti-neuroexocytotic potential for industrial application due to its enhanced biological properties.
Relationship between Gait Parameter and Spinal Sagittal profiles in Asymptomatic subjects
Authors: Wilartratsami Sirichai ,   Lopburi Nathasiri1, Vanadurongwan Bavornrat , Santipas Borriwat , Suvithayasiri Siravich , Luksanapruksa Panya
Published: January 2023

Background: To study the gait parameters in asymptomatic volunteers and investigate the correlation between the gait and several radiographic sagittal profiles.
Methods: Asymptomatic volunteers (20-50 years of age) were included and allocated into three subgroups depending on pelvic incidence (low, normal, and high). Standing whole spine radiographs and gait analysis data were obtained. The Pearson Coefficient Correlation was used to determine the relationship between the gait and radiographic profiles.
Results: A total of 55 volunteers (28 male and 27 females) were included. The mean age was 27.35±6.37 years old. The average sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT), pelvic incidence (PI), and PI-LL mismatch (PI-LL) were 37.78±6.59, 14.51±9.19 degrees, and 52.29±10.87 degrees and -0.36±11.41, respectively. The mean velocity and stride of all the volunteers were 119.00±30.12 cm/s and 130.25±7.72 cm, correspondingly. The correlation between each of the radiographical and gait parameters was low (ranging from -0.24 to 0.26).
Conclusion: Gait parameters were not differenced significantly between each of the PI subgroups in asymptomatic volunteers. Spinal sagittal parameters also showed a low correlation with gait parameters.
Full C-band wavelength-tunable, 250 MHz repetition rate mode-locked polarization maintaining fiber laser
Authors: Jang Yoon-Soo , Park Jungjae , Jin Jonghan
Published: January 2023

We demonstrate a full C-band wavelength-tunable mode-locked fiber laser with a repetition rate of 250 MHz, representing the highest repetition rate for C-band tunable mode-locked lasers thus far to the best of our knowledge. The polarization-maintaining fiber-based Fabry-Perot cavity enables a fundamental repetition rate of 250 MHz with a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror as a mode-locker. We observed a stable and single soliton mode-locking state with wide tunability of the center wavelength from 1505 nm to 1561 nm by adjusting the incident angle of a bandpass filter inside the cavity. The full C-band covered wavelength-tunable high repetition rate mode-locked laser is expected to be a compelling source for many frequency-comb-based applications, including high-precision optical metrology, broadband absorption spectroscopy, and broadband optical frequency synthesizers.
GPR116 receptor regulates the antitumor function of NK cells via HIF1α/NF-κB signaling pathway as a potential immune checkpoint
Authors: Guo Dandan , Jin Chenxu , Gao Yaoxin , Lin Haizhen , Zhang Li , Zhou Ying , Yao Jie , Duan Yixin , Ren Yaojun , Hui Xinhui , Ge Yujia , Yang Renzheng , Jiang Wenzheng
Published: January 2023

Background
NK cell is one of innate immune cells and can protect the body from cancer-initiating cells. It has been reported that GPR116 receptor is involved in inflammation and tumors. However, the effect of GPR116 receptor on the NK cells remains largely unclear.
Results
We discovered that GPR116−/− mice could efficiently eliminate pancreatic cancer through enhancing the proportion and function of NK cells in tumor. Moreover, the expression of GPR116 receptor was decreased upon the activation of the NK cells. Besides, GPR116−/− NK cells showed higher cytotoxicity and antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo by producing more GzmB and IFNγ than wild-type (WT) NK cells. Mechanistically, GPR116 receptor regulated the function of NK cells via HIF1α/NK-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, downregulation of GPR116 receptor promoted the antitumor activity of NKG2D-CAR-NK92 cells against pancreatic cancer both in vitro and in vivo.
Conclusions
Our data indicated that GPR116 receptor had a negatively effect on NK cells function and downregulation of GPR116 receptor in NKG2D-CAR-NK92 cells could enhance the antitumor activity, which provides a new idea to enhance the antitumor efficiency of CAR NK cell therapy.
Ionospheric disturbances over South America related to Tonga Volcanic Eruption
Authors: Takahashi Hisao , Figueiredo C. A. O. B. , Barros D. , Wrasse C. M. , Giongo G. A. , Honda R. H. , Vital L. F. R. , Resende L. C. A. , Nyassor P. K. , Ayorinde T. T. , Carmo C. S. , Padua M. B. , Otsuka Y.
Published: January 2023

On January 15, 2022, we observed various unusual atmospheric wave events over South America: Atmospheric pressure waves (Lamb mode) around 12:30 to 17:30 UT, tsunamis along the Chilean coast at around 17:00 to 19:00 UT, and ionospheric disturbances between 11:30 and 20:00 UT. We understand that these events were generated by the Tonga volcanic eruption that occurred at (20.55°S, 175.39°W) in South Pacific Ocean at 04:15 UT. Several traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs), the horizontal wavelengths of 330 to 1174 km and the phase speed of 275 to 544 m/s were observed before and after the Lamb wave passed over the continent and the arrival of the tsunami on the Chile coast. The observed TID characteristics suggest us that these waves might be generated above the mesosphere far from the observation site. This is the first time to report the signature of ionospheric disturbances over the South American continent generated by the huge volcanic eruption.
Transcriptome profiling of a synergistic volumetric muscle loss repair strategy
Authors: Roberts Kevin , Kim John Taehwan , Huynh Tai , Schluns Jacob , Dunlap Grady , Hestekin Jamie , Wolchok Jeffrey C
Published: January 2023

Volumetric muscle loss overwhelms skeletal muscle’s ordinarily capable regenerative machinery, resulting in severe functional deficits that have defied clinical repair strategies. In this manuscript we pair the early in vivo functional response induced by differing volumetric muscle loss tissue engineering repair strategies that are broadly representative of those explored by the field (scaffold alone, cells alone, or scaffold + cells) to the transcriptomic response induced by each intervention. We demonstrate that an implant strategy comprising allogeneic decellularized skeletal muscle scaffolds seeded with autologous minced muscle cellular paste (scaffold + cells) mediates a pattern of increased expression for several genes known to play roles in axon guidance and peripheral neuroregeneration, as well as several other key genes related to inflammation, phagocytosis, and extracellular matrix regulation. The upregulation of several key genes in the presence of both implant components suggests a unique synergy between scaffolding and cells in the early period following intervention that is not seen when either scaffolds or cells are used in isolation; a finding that invites further exploration of the interactions that could have a positive impact on the treatment of volumetric muscle loss.
Subtle phenotypic effects of mosaic trisomy X in monozygotic twins with Prader-Willi syndrome: case report and review of literature
Authors: Huang Xinjiang , Yin Xi , Zhang Manping , Cai Yanna , Li Xiuzhen , Zhang Wen , Zeng Chunhua , Liu Li , Mao Xiaojian
Published: January 2023

Background

We described the first monozygotic twins with 46, XX/47, XXX mosaicism and Prader-Willi syndrome, who were manifested with typical Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) symptoms and slight trisomy X characteristics. Trisomy X symptoms can differentiate greatly, ranging from no significant manifest to special appearance, whereas 46, XX/47, XXX mosaicism may be rather inapparent.

Case presentation

The twin girls (B1 and B2) were born with weak cry, axial hypotonia, sucking difficulties and PWS facial appearance. They were also manifested with clinodactyly, inappropriate low birth weight, epicanthal folds and congenital heart disease, too atypical to be likely caused by PWS alone and indicating an associated problem. The diagnosis of 46, XX/47, XXX mosaicism and Prader-Willi syndrome was established based on clinical suspicion and molecular analysis. Therapy were conducted, followed by 4 years’ follow-up.

Conclusions

This report illustrates the first monozygotic twins with 46, XX/47, XXX mosaicism and Prader-Willi syndrome. Subtle phenotypic effects of mosaic trisomy X in monozygotic twins with Prader-Willi syndrome may be significance in prognosis and genetic counseling.
Factors associated with plasmid antibiotic resistance gene carriage revealed using large-scale multivariable analysis
Authors: Orlek Alex , Anjum Muna , Mather Alison , Stoesser Nicole , Walker Sarah
Published: January 2023

Plasmids are one of the main vectors of bacterial antibiotic resistance, but understanding of risk factors associated with plasmid antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) carriage is limited. We curated > 14000 publicly available plasmid genomes and associated metadata. Duplicate and replicate plasmids were excluded; where possible, sample metadata was validated externally (BacDive database). Using Logistic Generalised Additive Models (GAMs) we assessed the influence of biotic/abiotic factors (e.g. plasmid genetic factors, isolation source, collection date) on ARG carriage, modelled as a binary outcome. Separate GAMs were built for 10 major ARG types. Multivariable analysis indicated that plasmid ARG carriage patterns across time (collection years), isolation sources (human/livestock) and host bacterial taxa were consistent with antibiotic selection pressure as a driver of plasmid-mediated antibiotic resistance. Only 0.42% livestock plasmids carried carbapenem resistance (compared with 12% human plasmids); conversely, tetracycline resistance was enriched in livestock vs human plasmids (adjusted odds-ratio [OR] = 2.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.89–3.72), reflecting known prescribing practices. More recently acquired ARG types (e.g. colistin and carbapenem) showed increases in plasmid carriage during the date range analysed (1994–2019), potentially reflecting recent onset of selection pressure; they also co-occurred less commonly with ARGs of other types, and virulence genes. Carbapenem resistance was more likely to reside on conjugative vs non-mobilisable plasmids (adjusted OR = 3.59 95%CI 2.80–4.61), and on plasmids with a higher density of insertion sequences. Overall, this suggests that following acquisition, plasmid ARGs tend to accumulate under antibiotic selection pressure and co-associate with other adaptive genes (other ARG types, virulence genes), potentially re-enforcing plasmid ARG carriage through co-selection.
Involvement of Siglec-15 in regulating RAP1/RAC signaling in cytoskeletal remodeling in osteoclasts mediated by macrophage colony-stimulating factor
Authors: Takahata Masahiko , Kobayashi Hideyuki , Ota Masahiro , Hasegawa Tomoka , Terkawi Mohamad Alaa , Yamamoto Tomomaya , Shimizu Tomohiro , Sato Dai , Fujita Ryo , Amizuka Norio , Iwasaki Norimasa
Published: January 2023

DNAX-associated protein 12 kDa size (DAP12) is a dominant immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM)-signaling adaptor that activates costimulatory signals essential for osteoclastogenesis. Although several DAP12-associated receptors (DARs) have been identified in osteoclasts, including triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM-2), C-type lectin member 5A (CLEC5A), and sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin (Siglec)-15, their precise role in the development of osteoclasts and bone remodeling remain poorly understood. In this study, mice deficient in Trem-2, Clec5a, Siglec-15 were generated. In addition, mice double deficient in these DAR genes and FcεRI gamma chain (FcR)γ, an alternative ITAM adaptor to DAP12, were generated. Bone mass analysis was conducted on all mice. Notably, Siglec-15 deficient mice and Siglec-15/FcRγ double deficient mice exhibited mild and severe osteopetrosis respectively. In contrast, other DAR deficient mice showed normal bone phenotype. Likewise, osteoclasts from Siglec-15 deficient mice failed to form an actin ring, suggesting that Siglec-15 promotes bone resorption principally by modulating the cytoskeletal organization of osteoclasts. Our results further demonstrated that Siglec-15 may be involved in macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) signaling; therefore, mediating cytoskeletal organization of osteoclasts via promoting activation of the Ras-associated protein-1 (RAP1)/Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (RAC1) pathway, which is an essential component of the canonical osteoclast cytoskeletal organization complex. Furthermore, biochemical analysis revealed that Sigelc-15 activates M-CSF-induced Rac1 pathway through formation of a complex with p130CAS and CrkII, leading to cytoskeletal remodeling of osteoclasts. Our data provide genetic and biochemical evidence that Siglec-15 facilitates M-CSF-induced cytoskeletal remodeling of the osteoclasts.
Quality of Life in the Digital Age: Young Adult Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Patients and Healthcare Providers' Views of Telehealth
Authors: Sauls Rachel , Crowder Sylvia , James Christy , Khimani Farhad , Stern Marilyn
Published: January 2023

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic shifted the healthcare field from in-person clinic visits to virtual-based telehealth appointments. This study explores young adult (YA) hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patient and physician communication preferences and quality of life (QOL) implications for telehealth.
Methods: One researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with n=10 YA HSCT patients and n=10 healthcare providers (HPs). HPs included physicians (n=5) and APP (nurse practitioners and physician assistants) (n=5). Interviews lasted approximately 10-15 minutes, were held over Zoom®, and were audio recorded. Interviews were professionally transcribed verbatim, and two independent researchers conducted a thematic analysis using Dedoose®.
Results: Common themes that emerged included: 1) convenience; 2) improved communication; 3) technology issues; and 4) quality of life. Most patients (n=7; 70%) preferred in-person visits over telehealth, stating they chose the "social connection" and "engagement" associated with in-person visits. However, 50% of patients (n=5) referred hybrid appointments for check-in or follow-up visits. 80% of physicians (n=4) preferred telehealth visits stating it was "convenient," "timesaving," and improved "compliance." In contrast, all APP staff (n=5; 100%) preferred in-person visits, stating in-person improved "relationships" with patients and was more "convenient" than setting up their electronic devices for a telehealth visit.
Conclusion: Providers differed in their preferences, with APP personnel preferring in-person visits compared to telehealth and HSCT physicians preferring telehealth or hybrid appointments. YA HSCT patients preferred in-person or hybrid clinic visits for non-necessary appointments.
Social Determinants of Health, Religiosity and Tobacco Use in Sub-saharan Africa: Evidence From the Global Adult Tobacco Survey in Seven Countries.
Authors: Ogbodo Stephen Chukwuma , Onyekwum Chinyere Abigail
Published: January 2023

Background Tobacco use is projected to increase in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) over the next century, and delineating the patterns of inequality in tobacco use will facilitate its control within this region. Methods Using nationally representative data from Global Adult Tobacco Surveys (GATS) conducted in seven SSA countries (2012–2018), this study explores the association between the social determinants of health and tobacco use among SSA adults. The surveys provided information on 47,246 adults aged 15 years or older in Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda. Current tobacco use prevalence was estimated in each country overall and across socioeconomic and demographic factors (sex, age, residence, education, wealth, religion, marital status, and tobacco health knowledge). Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association of these determinants with current tobacco use in each country and for the combined dataset. The pooled data analysis was further stratified by tobacco product category and sex. Results We found significant homogenous associations between the social determinants and tobacco use across all countries. For the pooled data, smoking was independently associated with male sex, rural residence, greater age, lower education and health knowledge, and irreligiousness. For smokeless tobacco (SLT) use, the trends were similar and stronger for all determinants except sex. Among women only, the odds of smoking and SLT use respectively increased and decreased with greater wealth. Conclusions Tobacco use is significantly associated with socioeconomic deprivation in SSA (stronger for SLT use than for smoking). These findings highlight opportunities for targeted interventions within SSA.
Robust Sequential Stopping Games
Authors: Igietsemhe Israel , Lee Chi-Guhn
Published: January 2023

We study the robust equilibrium for sequential stopping games to give the conditions under which the game’s values exist. Three scenarios of the game are analyzed. G1 is the game where only the maximizing player optimizes in a worst-case scenario and G2 is the game where only the minimizing player optimizes in a worst-case scenario.We show that under the conditions of integrability and time consistency, the game value exists for robust zero-sum two-person sequential stopping games (G1, G2) when the payoff process is an ambiguous adapted process under multiple probability measures. We also establish the relationship between G1 and G2.
MSC Classification: 62L15 , 91A15
PNF technique combined with extracorporeal shock wave in the treatment of hemiplegia caused by upper cervical perimedullary arteriovenous fistula embolization:clinical experience and review of literature
Authors: Lin Shaoping , Lee Yining , Yu Jin , Wang Shixiong
Published: January 2023

Purpose-Research of rehabilitation for postoperative dysfunction of Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula, especially perimedullary arteriovenous fistula, are still rare. This literature is a young patient with hemiplegia after embolization regained limb motor function by using extracorporeal shock wave to reduce muscle tension and PNF technique to enhance muscle strength and strengthen neural control.
Methods-A 3-year and 11 months old girl fell down while riding a scooter and accidentally detected cervical spinal canal vascular malformation by brain MRI. The final diagnosis was perimedullary arteriovenous fistula with subarachnoid hemorrhage, C3-4 level. Total cerebrovascular angiography + spinal angiography + aortic arch angiography +C3-4 level perimedullary arteriovenous fistula interventional embolization was completed. The muscle strength of the right limb decreased after surgery, and the muscle strength of the right limb improved after dilation, vasodilation, and hormone shock therapy. At our initial assessment, we found that the patient could not lift the upper limb to hold a cup and could not stand. After 2 weeks of PNF technique combined with extracorporeal shock wave therapy, Manual Muscle Testing was used to evaluate the progress of muscle strength, modified Ashworh scale was used to evaluate muscle tension, and Barthel index was used to evaluate the dependence degree of daily life. The Time Up and Go Test and the Gaitwatch 3D Gait Analysis and Evaluation System are used to evaluate gait.
Results-After 2 weeks of treatment, her motor function has been greatly recovered, she can lift the upper limbs, and walk independently. the score of the modified Ashworth scale(MAS) on Triceps Surae decreased from 2/5 to 1/5. Barthel index increased from 25/100 to 85/100. Deltoid strength increased from 1/5 to 3/5, Triceps strength increased from 1/5 to 4/5, Iliopsoas strength increased from 2/5 to 3/5, Quadriceps strength increased from 2/5 to 4/5, and tibialis anterior strength increased from 0/5 to 2/5. In gait, the hip joint and pelvis have almost the same movement trajectory as the left side in the stance phase and swing phase, but the ankle joint still has foot drop at the beginning and end of gait.
Conclusions-PNF technique combined with extracorporeal shock wave could effectively improve the muscle tone, muscle strength, and gait of hemiplegia patients after upper cervical perimedullary arteriovenous fistula embolization.
This literature reports a very rare case of hemiplegia after upper cervical perimedullary arteriovenous fistula embolization, which was able to walk independently after 2 weeks of rehabilitation.
Nance-Horan Syndrome: Characterization of dental, clinical and molecular features in three new families
Authors: Guven Yeliz , Saracoglu Hilal Piril , Aksakal Sermin Dicle , Kalaycı Tugba , Altunoglu Umut , Uyguner Zehra Oya , Eraslan Serpil , Borklu Esra , Kayserili Hülya
Published: January 2023

Background: Nance–Horan syndrome (NHS; MIM 302350) is an extremely rare X-linked dominant disease characterized by ocular and dental anomalies, intellectual disability, and facial dysmorphic features.
Case presentation: We report on five affected males and two symptomatic females from three unrelated NHS families. The clinical diagnosis in patient 1 (P1) was confirmed by targeted Sanger sequencing. Patient 2 (P2), boy aged 6 months, was evaluated due to preliminary diagnosis of syndromic microphthalmia and 300KSNP-array was performed. In family 3 (F3), two maternal half-brothers (P3 and P4) and their maternal uncle (P5), X-linked inheritance was sought for and Duo-WES was planned. P1 showing bilateral cataracts, iris heterochromia, microcornea, mild intellectual disability, and dental findings including Hutchinson incisors, supernumerary teeth, bud-shaped molars carried a novel pathogenic variant, c. 2416C>T; p.(Gln806*). P2 presenting with global developmental delay, microphthalmia, cataracts, and ventricular septal defect revealed a novel deletion encompassing 22 genes including the NHS gene. His lower incisors were in screwdriver shaped. P3, P4 and P5 had history of congenital cataracts and mild-moderate intellectual deficiency. Additionally, P3 displayed autistic and psychobehavioral features. Half-brothers had bud-shaped molars. P4 also presented with notched incisors, bud-shaped permanent molars, and supernumerary molars. Duo-WES analysis on half-brothers showed a hemizygous novel deletion, c.1867delC; p.(Gln623ArgfsTer26).
Conclusions: Our findings not only broaden the spectrum of genetic etiopathogenesis associated with NHS but also highlight the importance of dental professionals to be made aware of the features. Dental professional could be the first specialist involved in the diagnosis of NHS since dental findings are highly distinctive for this syndrome.
Urban-rural inequalities and spatial arrangement of informed choice of FP in Ethiopia: further analysis of 2016 Ethiopian demographic health survey
Authors: Tareke Abiyu Abadi , Takele Bayley Adane , Ahmed Mohammedjud Hassen , Tegegne Masresha Derese , Eshetu Habitu Birhan
Published: January 2023

Background
Ethiopia has showed satisfactory progress in the improvement of maternal and child health in the last two decades. Adoption of family planning through informed choice is among the main strategy to achieve favorable maternal and child health. But this favorable progress might have masked the substantial urban-rural inequalities in informed choice of family planning.
Objective
To identify the contributing factors for the observed urban-rural inequalities and to determine spatial arrangement of informed choice of family planning in Ethiopia.
Methods
The study utilized information from 3,511 (weighted) currently contraceptive user women (rural-2685 and urban-826) from the most recent release cross-sectional data of Ethiopian demographic health survey. Spatial and Descriptive, bivariable, and multivariable logit-based decomposition analysis techniques were used.
Results
the spatial configuration of not informed choice was clustered. The primary cluster (LLR = 34.8, p-value < 0.001) was southern portion of Amhara region that covers east & west Gojjam, south Gondar and south Wollo administrative zones. The
Evaluation of post-discharge engagement for emergency department patients with opioid use history who received telehealth recovery coaching services
Authors: Watson Dennis P. , Phalen Peter , Medcalf Spencer , Messmer Sarah , McGuire Alan
Published: January 2023

Background: In recent years, emergency departments (EDs) across the nation have implemented peer recovery coach (PRC) services to support patients who use opioids. The majority of such interventions discussed in the literature follow an in-person modality where PRCs engage patients directly at the emergency department bedside. However, the use of telehealth services in EDs is becoming more popular. Although these services connect PRCs with ED patients in real-time via secure communications technology, very little is known about the effectiveness of these programs as related to services and clinical outcomes. The current study sought to assess factors associated with successful post-discharge follow-up of patients with a history of opioid use who received PRC telehealth services while in the emergency department.
Method: Data come from records for 917 patients who engaged with a telehealth PRC one or more times (1,208 total engagements) at 1 of 13 emergency departments within the same health system. A multilevel Poisson regression model was used to assess the degree to which variables predicted successful post-discharge follow-up.
Results: At least one follow-up was successfully completed by a PRC for 23% of enrolled patients. Significant predictors of successful follow-up included patient employment at baseline (Incidence Rate Ratio [IRR]: 2.8, CI: 2.05–3.9), living in a rural area (IRR: 1.8, CI: 1.04–3.2), PRC provision of referrals (IRR: 1.7, CI: 1.2–2.2), number of emergency department encounters in the previous 365 days (IRR: 0.99, CI: 0.98–0.99), and duration of the initial PRC telehealth interaction (IRR: 0.87, CI: 0.85–0.88).
Conclusion: Given that relationship development is a key tool in the PRC profession, understanding successful follow-up associated with telehealth engagement has unique importance. The results have potential utility for planning and implementing peer telehealth services in EDs and other locations, which is needed for the development of the PRC profession and the likely expansion of peer telehealth services.
Investigations into Effect of Tool Rake Angle on Nanocutting Process for Zr-based Amorphous Alloy by Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Cui Xiaoqing , Liu Yin , Sun Xingwei , Gong Yadong , Dong Zhixu , Yang Heran , Yuan Zewei , Liu Weijun
Published: January 2023

The nano cutting process of Zr-based amorphous alloy was simulated by molecular dynamics simulation in this paper. Through the research on the changing rule of cutting force in nano cutting of Zr-based amorphous alloy, it is found that the cutting force increases continuously and the cutting rate is large at the initial stage of nano cutting, which may be related to the shear deformation of the atomic clusters or atomic clusters in the shear transition zone. The effect of cutting tool rake angle on nano cutting process for Zr-based amorphous alloy was studied. The simulation results show that the cutting force decreases with the increase of the rake angle of the cutting tool, and the friction coefficient between the rake face and the chip also decreases slightly. With the increase of the rake angle of the cutting tool, the pushing effect of the tool on the Zr-based amorphous alloy chip and the overall bending of the chip are weakened, leading to the increase of the chip height. The number of high-temperature atoms in the Zr-based amorphous alloy workpiece also decreases with the increase of the tool rake angle, and the cutting temperature distribution on the workpiece diffuses to the interior of the workpiece with the tool fillet as the center.
Carbide twist drill surface polishing and cutting edge passivating based on magnetic field-assisted shear thickening
Authors: Huang Xiangming , Li Xiyang , Ming Yang , Zhou Dongdong , Cai Yunhui
Published: January 2023

The multi-field compound polishing method based on the shear thickening has been applied to the processing of various hard materials due to its characteristics of low damage and adaptability to complex surface shapes. The surface/subsurface defects on the carbide twist drill are caused during the grinding. This paper proposes a magnetic field-assisted shear thickening polishing (MASTP) method based on shear thickening and pumping effect, aiming to remove microscopic defects of twist drill cutting edge and passivate cutting edges to improve its cutting performance. The microscopic materials removal mechanism of cemented carbide and the rheological properties of magnetic shear thickening fluid (MSTF) were analyzed. The magnetic field intensity distribution in the polishing area for two types of magnetic pole arrangements (uniform and spiral arrangement) is simulated. A numerical model was used to investigate the effect regularity of the polishing gap and spindle speed on the flow field shear stress. Experimental validation was carried out based on the processing platform. The results show that the effects of processing parameters on twist drill surface roughness improvement rate and edge radius correspond to the simulated shear stress. After 60 min of polishing, the surface roughness improvement rate reached 94.7% and 80.4% at the body clearance and margin, respectively. The passivating radius of the major cutting edge can reach 12.92 µm, while the passivating radius of the minor cutting edge can reach 15.73 µm. At the same time the edge defects caused by the grinding are also removed.
Exploring the use cases and limitations of large language models in the biomedical and clinical tasks
Authors: Albarqawi Ahmad
Published: January 2023

The development of large language models (LLMs) in recent years has shown several opportunities for improving the medical sector and processing unstructured electronic medical records. Despite the potential of these models, their application in the biomedical and clinical fields needs to comply with regulations and mitigate existing biases, nonfactual information generation, and any potential privacy concerns. Successful implementations of LLMs need an understanding of their use cases and limitations for strategies to revolutionize the healthcare industry and operations. This research does an exhaustive assessment of the published biomedical and clinical language models to comprehend the current problems, explore the best methods for overcoming the constraints and get the models suitable for use in regulated conditions.
Advances in Monolingual and Crosslingual Automatic Disability Annotation in Spanish
Authors: Goenaga Iakes , Andres Edgar , Gojenola Koldo , Atutxa Aitziber
Published: January 2023

Background: Unlike diseases, automatic recognition of disabilities has not received the same attention in the area of medical NLP. Progress in this direction is hampered by obstacles like the lack of annotated corpus. Neural architectures learn to translate sequences from spontaneous representations into their corresponding standard representations given a set of samples. The aim of this paper is to present the last advances in monolingual (Spanish) and crosslingual (from English to Spanish) automatic disability annotation. The task consists of identifying disability mentions in medical texts written in Spanish within a collection of abstracts from journal papers related to the biomedical domain.
Results: In order to carry out the task, we have combined deep learning models that use different embedding granularities for sequence to sequence tagging with simple rules to boost the coverage.
Conclusions: Our monolingual experiments demonstrate that a good combination of different word embedding representations provide better results than single representations, significantly outperforming the state of the art in disability annotation in Spanish. Additionally, we have experimented crosslingual transfer (zero-shot) for disability annotation from English to Spanish with interesting results that might help overcoming the data scarcity bottleneck, specially significant for the disabilities.
Accessibility of Physician Associate Studies: Student Experiences of Financial Support. A Cross-sectional Online Survey
Authors: Wilkinson Ben , Talbot Catherine V. , Simon Chantal
Published: January 2023

Background
The number of Physician Associates (PAs) within the NHS workforce is rapidly rising. In other healthcare professions, researchers have highlighted the prevalence of financial barriers to careers, and the importance of widening access to applicants. However, this has not been explored among PA students. The aims of this study were to: 1) explore PA students’ perceptions of financial support whilst studying; 2) identify whether PA course funding is appropriate for students to study effectively; 3) establish baseline demographic data for those undergoing postgraduate PA studies.
Methods
189 PA students completed an online survey during 2021, which examined their perceptions of financial support. Survey measures comprised basic demographic questions, binary responses, Likert scales, and open-text responses. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, while qualitative data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Results
Basic demographics were in keeping with data from the annual census of qualified PAs. Respondents were predominantly White British/European (67.1%), with 87.8% identifying as female. 16.5% students had financial dependents, with 77.4% of those disagreeing that they were well-supported financially in caring for their dependents. Most PA students (94%) worried about finances, and 83.2% agreed that this negatively impacted their studies. Students perceived the costs associated with the course to be excessive, with undisclosed travel costs, an unexpected rise in exam fees, and lack of governmental loan provision featuring prominently as financial stressors. Funding was perceived to be insufficient for PA students to thrive whilst studying, and concerns were heightened for those with dependents and/or disabilities. Concerns about finances also had detrimental impacts on mental health.
Conclusion
Our findings indicate that the current format of PA courses favours those with financial privilege, geographic mobility, and no caring responsibilities. The PA profession was perceived by students to be at risk of deterring promising talent, and of becoming a ‘closed shop’. Universities and government loan providers should consider how they can best support PA students, such as through: greater transparency of financial information, funding of placements in the same way as they are for other healthcare students, and increasing of grants and scholarship provision.
Characteristics Investigation of Improved PVC/ZnO Nanocomposite Insulation with an Insight into Its Structural Variation due to Elevated Temperature and Humidity
Authors: Faiza Faiza , Khattak Abraiz , Alahmadi Ahmad Aziz , Ishida Hatsuo , Ullah Nasim
Published: January 2023

Nanosized inorganic oxides have the trends to improve many characteristics of solid polymer insulation. In this work, the characteristics of novel poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC)/ZnO based nano-composites are investigated. Different concentrations of PVC/ZnO nano-composites using 0, 2, 4 and 6phr of ZnO nanoparticles are prepared by a melt mixing method. The samples are formed into a circular shape disk with 80 mm diameter using compression molding technique. To confirm the formation of nanocomposite and fine dispersion of nanoparticles, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and optical microscopy (OM) are employed. FTIR and XRD show the successful incorporation of the ZnO filler into the PVC matrix and SEM indicates that maximum dispersion is achieved up to PZ2. The effect of filler on the electrical, optical, thermal, and dielectric properties of the PVC are also analyzed. Hydrophobicity of nano-composites is evaluated by both contact angle and Swedish transmission research institute (STRI) classification method. Hydrophobic behavior decreases with the increase in filler content, contact angle increases up to 86°, and STRI class of HC3 for PZ4 is observed. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) are employed to evaluate the thermal stability of the samples. In comparison to PZ0, char yield is seen to increase by11%, 24% and 30% for PZ2, PZ4 and PZ6 samples, respectively. Also, continuous decrease of optical band gap energy from 4.04 eV for PZ0 to 2.57 eV for PZ6 is observed. In the meantime, an enhancement in Tm is observed from 172°C to 215°C. To check the stability of materials against hydrothermal stresses, all the fabricated materials are then subjected to a hydrothermal aging process for 1000 hours and their structural stability is analyzed using optical microscopy and FTIR analyses. After aging, theZnO nano-filler filled polymer shows higher stability against stresses by retaining their structure as percentage degradation of polymer composite was lower than the neat PVC despite the observation of structural degradation of the matrix.
Acquisition of new function through gene duplication in the metallocarboxypeptidase family
Authors: Fajardo Daniel , Jean Ritchie Saint , Lyons Peter Jonathan
Published: January 2023

Gene duplication is a key first step in the process of expanding the functionality of a multigene family. In order to better understand the process of gene duplication and its role in the formation of new enzymes, we investigated recent duplication events in the M14 family of proteolytic enzymes. Within vertebrates, four of 23 M14 genes were frequently found in duplicate form. While AEBP1, CPXM1, and CPZ genes were duplicated once through a large-scale, likely whole-genome duplication event, the CPO gene underwent many duplication events within fish and Xenopus lineages. Bioinformatic analyses of enzyme specificity and conservation suggested a greater amount of neofunctionalization and purifying selection in CPO paralogs compared with other CPA/B enzymes. To examine the functional consequences of evolutionary changes on CPO paralogs, the four CPO paralogs from Xenopus tropicalis were expressed in Sf9 and HEK293T cells. Immunocytochemistry showed subcellular distribution of Xenopus CPO paralogs to be similar to that of human CPO. Upon activation with trypsin, the enzymes demonstrated differential activity against three substrates, suggesting an acquisition of new function following duplication and subsequent mutagenesis. Characteristics such as gene size and enzyme activation mechanisms are possible contributors to the evolutionary capacity of the CPO gene.
Does social media usage ameliorate loneliness in rural youth? A cross sectional survey
Authors: GREGORY Lachlan , DUTTON Tegan , OSUAGWU Uchechukwu Levi , VINES Robyn
Published: January 2023

Aim: To investigate the relationship between social media use and loneliness and psychological wellbeing of youths in rural NSW
Design: This was a web-based cross-sectional survey
Methods: Survey consisted of 33 items including demography (12 items), participants’ social media use (9 items), mood and anxiety (6 items), perceived loneliness (6 items), the impact of COVID-19 on social media usage or perceived loneliness(2 items). The participants’ mood and anxiety were evaluated using the K6, while loneliness was measured using the De Jong Gierveld 6-item scale. Total loneliness and psychological distress scores were compared between demographic variables.
Results: A total of 47 participants aged 16-24 years took part in the study. The majority were women (68%) and 68% had K6 score that was indicative of psychological distress. About 50% of the participants indicated that FB was their most used social media platform and 2 in 5 participants were on social media within 10 minutes of waking up each day, a little over 30% spent more than 20 hrs per week on social media, and 76.6% sent private messages, images, or videos, multiple times a day. The mean loneliness score was 2.89 (range, 0 to 6), with 0 being ‘not lonely’ and 6 being ‘intense social loneliness’. One-way ANOVA and χ2 analysis results showed that those who reported that FB was their most frequently used social media platform had significantly higher mean scores for loneliness compared to those that used other social media platforms (p=0.015). Regression analysis revealed that those who commonly used FB were more likely to report higher loneliness scores (Coefficient = –1.45, 95%CI –2.63, –0.28, p=0.017), while gender (p=0.039), age (p=0.048), household composition (p=0.023), and education level (p=0.014) were associated with severe psychological distress.
Conclusions:
The study found that social media usage, as measured by time used and active or passive engagement with the medium, is for the most part not significantly linked to loneliness or psychological distress. There was a significant association between loneliness and FB usage, and psychological distress and social media use within ten minutes of waking. However, loneliness or psychological distress were not associated with rurality in youths.
Multiplicity and asymptotics of positive normalized solutions for the fractional Sobolev critical Schr\"{o}dinger equations
Authors: Kong Lingzheng , Chen Haibo
Published: January 2023

Note: Please see pdf for full abstract with equations.
In this paper, we consider the nonlinear fractional Schrödinger equation with Sobolev critical exponent and mixed nonlinearities
(−Δ)su = λu + μ|u|q−2u + |u|2*s−2u, x ∈ RN,
∫RN |u|2dx = c, u ∈ Hs(RN), (0.1)
where s ∈ (0, 1), N > 2s, μ > 0, 2 < q < 2 + 4s/N and 2*s = 2N/N−2s is the fractional Sobolev critical exponent. We show that there exists an explicit mass threshold value c0 such that, for any c ∈ (0, c0], (0.1) admits a ground state solution u+c and a excited state solution u−c, which can be characterized as a local minimizer and as a Mountain Pass type critical point of the corresponding energy functional. We emphasis that the result is new in the case c = c0 even for the Laplacian operator, which is based on the full use of minimizers of the fractional Gagliardo-Nirenberg-Sobolev inequality and the Aubin-Talanti bubbles. Moreover, by establishing a refined upper bound of energy level, we capture the precise asymptotic behaviour of the obtained normalized solutions as c → 0+ and μ → 0+. These conclusions extend some known ones in previous papers.
The effect of annealing temperature and immersion time on the active-passive dissolution of biomedical Ti70Zr20Nb7.5Ta2.5 alloy in Ringer’s solution
Authors: Boraei Nobl F. El , Ibrahim Magdy A.M. , Rehim Sayed S. Abd El , Elshamy Ibrahim H.
Published: January 2023

Because of their superior biocompatibility, chemical stability, and mechanical strength, Ti and Ti - based alloys are commonly utilized in orthopaedic dentistry. In Ringer’s solution (RS), the corrosion behavior of the Ti70Zr20Nb7.5Ta2.5 (T70Z20N7.5T2.5) alloy was examined as an alternative potential material for Ti and Ti6Al4V (T6A4V) in medical applications. The corrosion resistance was evaluated utilizing potentiodynamic polarization curves (PPCs), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and open circuit potential techniques (OCP), supplemented by XRD and SEM surface analysis. The T70Z20N7.5T2.5 alloy has the highest resistance to corrosion since it has the most stable passive state in addition to the lowest corrosion current (Icorr) and the highest corrosion potential (Ecorr) in comparison with that of T6A4V and Ti. Furthermore, it was also looked at how different annealing temperatures (600, 800, and 1000 ºC) and immersion times (one, two, and three weeks) affected the corrosion behaviour of T70Z20N7.5T2.5. In comparison to the other samples, the T70Z20N7.5T2.5 alloy annealed at 800 ºC demonstrated superior resistance to corrosion (the lowest Icorr and Ipass). While that annealed at 1000 ºC has the lowest resistance to corrosion (highest Icorr and Ipass) as a result of the passive layer dissolution. The same results are confirmed using the OCP measurements. The passive film is composed of an inner and outer oxide layer, according to the EIS measurements. Meanwhile, the PPCs data demonstrates that the resistance to corrosion of the alloy is higher without immersion than it is with immersion and for a shorter immersion time. These results entirely agree with those of the EIS and OCP measurements of the alloy at the same immersion times. It was found that the T70Z20N7.5T2.5 system consisted of α and β phases. An X-ray structural study indicated a mixture of body centred –cubic β-Ti and hexagonal close-packed α-Ti (main phase, with a grain size of about 5.35 nm). Therefore, among all the materials evaluated in this work, the T70Z20N7.5T2.5 alloy can be considered a promising material suitable for use as a biomaterial.
Medical Students’ Perception of Online Intensive Pediatric Review: A Quasi-experimental Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Tangcheewinsirikul Sirikarn , Takkinsatian Preyanit , Yenjabog Patcha , Sirimongkolchaiyakul Ornatcha , Prempraparn Pathaporn
Published: January 2023

Background
Despite regular pediatric education, pediatric instructors regularly provide an on-site intensive pediatric review course (IPR) as per medical students (MS)’ request, to summarize pediatric knowledge in preparation for externship. However, considering the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions (e.g., social distancing), an online intensive pediatric review (OIPR) is required instead. Unfortunately, the relationship between MS’ perception and outcome of OIPR remains unclear.
Methods
An online mock pediatric examination (OMPE), which includes 30 multiple-choice questions, was constructed according to the Medical Council curriculum. All eligible MS attended OMPE before and after the OIPR. The constructed and validated satisfactory survey was categorized into two: demographic data and self-perceived satisfaction with OIPR. For data collection, an anonymous self-administered survey was used and was distributed to MS in April 2022. These data were then analyzed by Wilcoxon test.
Results
Of the 80 eligible students, 45 responded (56.3%), of which 24 (53.3%) were females. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) of MS’ age was 23 ± 0.6 years. All (100%) concurred that OIPR is beneficial and recommended it to junior students who were planning to take the examination. The mean ± SD of OMPE significantly increased after OIPR, from 20.9 ± 3.8 to 22.9 ± 3.3 (p = 0.001).
Conclusion
During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which required social distancing, OIPR has helped MS summarize and enhance their knowledge in preparation for externship and the examination.