bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A phase 1/2a safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy study of the novel nucleoside analog FF‐10502‐01 for the treatment of advanced solid tumors
Authors: Janku Filip , Javle Milind M. , Sen Shiraj , Pant Shubham , Bramwell Lindsay G. , Subbiah Vivek , Way Tracey , Wages David S. , Wheeler Catherine A. , Suzuki Takeaki , Saeki Kazunori , Subach Ruth Ann , Madden Timothy , Maier Gary , Johansen Mary J. , Cheung Kin , Falchook Gerald S.
Published: March 2023

Background

The nucleoside FF‐10502‐01, structurally similar to but with different biologic effects than gemcitabine, shows promising activity both alone and combined with cisplatin in preclinical gemcitabine‐resistant tumor models. We conducted an open‐label, single‐arm, 3 + 3 first‐in‐human trial to explore the safety, tolerability, and antitumor activity of FF‐10502‐01 in patients with solid tumors.

Methods

Patients with inoperable metastatic tumors refractory to standard therapies were enrolled. Escalating intravenous FF‐10502‐01 doses (8–135 mg/m2) were administered weekly for 3 weeks in 28‐day cycles until progressive disease or unacceptable toxicity was observed. Three expansion cohorts were subsequently evaluated.

Results

A phase 2 dose of 90 mg/m2 was determined after evaluating 40 patients. Dose‐limiting toxicities included hypotension and nausea. Phase 2a enrolled patients with cholangiocarcinoma (36), gallbladder cancer (10), and pancreatic/other tumors (20). Common adverse events were grade 1–2 rash, pruritus, fever, and fatigue. Grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicities were observed at low incidences, including thrombocytopenia (5.1%) and neutropenia (2%). Confirmed partial responses (PRs) occurred in five patients with gemcitabine‐refractory tumors, including three with cholangiocarcinoma and one each with gallbladder and urothelial cancer. Median progression‐free and overall survival rates in patients with cholangiocarcinoma were 24.7 and 39.1 weeks, respectively. Prolonged progression‐free survival in patients with cholangiocarcinoma was associated with BAP1 and PBRM1 mutations.

Conclusion

FF‐10502‐01 was well tolerated with manageable side effects and limited hematologic toxicity. Durable PRs and disease stabilizations were observed in heavily pretreated biliary tract patients who had received prior gemcitabine. FF‐10502‐01 is distinct from gemcitabine and may represent an effective therapy.
Bariatric surgery and oral chemotherapy: Where is the dosing guidance?
Authors: Goldberg Stuart L.
Published: March 2023

Bariatric surgery affects the bioavailability of oral chemotherapy and may impair treatment outcomes. Dosing guidance, including the ability to monitor drug levels, may be an opportunity to improve precision medicine.
Spatial‐temporal aware service composition for production factors under industrial internet
Authors: Liu Jianxun , Xie Runbin , Kang Guosheng , Wen Yiping
Published: March 2023

Industrial Internet is a promising technology combining industrial systems with Internet techniques to significantly improve production efficiency and reduce cost by cooperating with intelligent devices. Under industrial internet environment, a production process usually consists of multiple subtasks, and one or more types of product factors are needed to finish a subtask. Thus, the service composition under industrial application is more complex and challenging compared with traditional service composition under the Internet environment. In this article, we model the problem of service composition for production factors under industrial internet as a multiobjective optimization problem. To derive the optimal Pareto service composition plans, we propose a hybrid optimization algorithm, named TLBO‐TS, by combining the advantages of teaching‐learning‐based optimization algorithm and tabu search algorithm. Extensive experiments are conducted to compare with other population‐based optimization methods under a real‐world ship production process to verify the superiority of our approach.
Unraveling the Nature and Strength of Non‐Covalent Interactions on the Surface of Fullerenes
Authors: Yamada Michio
Published: March 2023

The nature and strength of the noncovalent intermolecular interactions on the surface of fullerenes must be understood for the application of these molecules in pharmaceuticals and materials chemistry. Consequently, experimental and theoretical evaluations of such weak interactions have been conducted in parallel. Nevertheless, the nature of these interactions remains a topic of ongoing debate. In this context, this concept article summarizes recent advances in experimental and theoretical efforts aimed at characterizing the nature and strength of non‐covalent interactions on fullerene surfaces. Specifically, this article summarizes recent studies conducted on host‐guest chemistry based on various macrocycles and on catalyst chemistry based on conjugated molecular catalysts composed of fullerenes and amines. In addition, conformational isomerism analyses performed using fullerene‐based molecular torsion balances and state‐of‐the‐art computational chemistry are reviewed. These studies have enabled a comprehensive evaluation of the contributions of electrostatic, dispersion, and polar interactions on the surface of fullerenes.
Microglial morphology in the somatosensory cortex across lifespan. A quantitative study
Authors: Godeanu Sanziana , Clarke Devin , Stopper Laura , Deftu Alexandru‐Florian , Popa‐Wagner Aurel , Bălșeanu Adrian Tudor , Scheller Anja , Catalin Bogdan
Published: March 2023

Background

Microglia are long‐lived cells that constantly monitor their microenvironment. To accomplish this task, they constantly change their morphology both in the short and long term under physiological conditions. This makes the process of quantifying physiological microglial morphology difficult.

Results

By using a semi‐manual and a semi‐automatic method to assess fine changes in cortical microglia morphology, we were able to quantify microglia changes in number, surveillance and branch tree starting from the fifth postnatal day to 2 years of life. We were able to identify a fluctuating behavior of most analyzed parameters characterized by a rapid cellular maturation, followed by a long period of relative stable morphology during the adult life with a final convergence to an aged phenotype. Detailed cellular arborization analysis revealed age‐induced differences in microglia morphology, with mean branch length and the number of terminal processes changing constantly over time.

Conclusions

Our study provides insight into microglia morphology changes across lifespan under physiological conditions. We were able to highlight, that due to the dynamic nature of microglia several morphological parameters are needed to establish the physiological state of these cells.
Urban tolerance is phylogenetically constrained and mediated by pre‐adaptations in African bats
Authors: Marsden Genevieve E. , Vosloo Dalene , Schoeman M. Corrie
Published: March 2023

With increasing urbanization, particularly in developing countries, it is important to understand how local biota will respond to such landscape changes. Bats comprise one of the most diverse groups of mammals in urban areas, and many species are threatened by habitat destruction and land use change. Yet, in Africa, the response of bats to urban areas is relatively understudied. Therefore, we collated data on urban presence, phylogenetic relationship, and ecological traits of 54 insectivorous bats in Africa from available literature to test if their response to urbanization was phylogenetically and/or ecologically driven. Ancestral state reconstruction of urban tolerance, defined by functional group and presence observed in urban areas, suggests that ancestral African bat species could adapt to urban landscapes, and significant phylogenetic signal for urban tolerance indicates that this ability is evolutionarily conserved and mediated by pre‐adaptations. Specifically, traits of high wing loading and aspect ratio, and flexible roosting strategies, enable occupancy of urban areas. Therefore, our results identify the traits that predict which bat species will likely occur in urban areas, and which vulnerable bat clades conservation efforts should focus on to reduce loss of both functional and phylogenetic diversity in Africa. We, additionally, highlight several gaps in research that should be investigated in future studies to provide better monitoring of the impact urbanization will have on African bats.
Vegetation management shapes arthropod and bird communities in an African savanna
Authors: Parker Dan M. , Stears Keenan , Olckers Terence , Schmitt Melissa H.
Published: March 2023

Habitat heterogeneity is a key driver of the diversity and distribution of species. African savannas are experiencing changes in their vegetation structure causing shifts towards increased woody plant cover, which results in vegetation structure homogenization. Given the impact that increasing woody plant cover has on patterns of animal use, resource managers across Africa are implementing habitat management practices that are intended to reduce woody plant cover. To understand the ecological implications of various habitat management practices on arthropod and bird communities, we leveraged large‐scale tree clearing and subsequent mowing in an African savanna to understand how changes in both the herbaceous layer and woody plant cover (i.e., structural heterogeneity) may shape arthropod and bird communities at the local scale. We focused on four replicated treatments: (1) annual summer mow, (2) annual winter mow, (3) >5 years since last mow (rest), and (4) an adjacent unmanipulated savanna to act as a control. We found that the mowing treatments significantly influenced vegetation structure both with respect to tree density and herbaceous layer. Both arthropod and bird community composition varied across treatments. Grass biomass was the best predictor of arthropod richness and abundance, with arthropods selecting for areas with high biomass. Insectivorous bird richness and abundance was driven by tree density (i.e., perching locations) and not arthropod abundance. Our results suggest that vegetation management practices contribute to habitat heterogeneity at the landscape scale and increase bird species richness through species turnover. However, we caution that if a single vegetation management practice dominates the landscape, it is plausible that it could lead to the simplification of the avian community.
The value of serum albumin concentration in predicting functional outcome of status epilepticus: An observational study
Authors: Liao Qiao , Li Si‐Zhuo , Zeng Qian‐Qian , Zhou Jin‐Xia , Huang Kun , Bi Fang‐Fang
Published: March 2023

Objective

Status epilepticus (SE) is a common neurological emergency with unsatisfying prognoses, and accurate prediction of functional outcome is beneficial in clinical decision‐making. The relationship between serum albumin concentration and outcome of SE patients has yet to be unveiled.

Methods

Clinical profiles of SE patients admitted to Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, from April 2017 to November 2020, were analyzed retrospectively. Outcomes of SE patients at discharge were divided into two groups based on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS): favorable outcome (mRS: 0–3) and unfavorable outcome (mRS: 4–6).

Results

Fifty‐one patients were enrolled. Unfavorable functional outcome at discharge was reported in 60.8% (31/51). Serum albumin concentration at admission and the Encephalitis‐NCSE‐Diazepam resistance‐Image abnormalities‐Tracheal intubation (END‐IT) score remained independent predictors for functional outcome of SE patients. A lower albumin concentration at admission and higher END‐IT score indicated a higher chance of unfavorable outcome for SE patients. The cut‐off value of serum albumin to predict unfavorable outcome was 35.2 g/L, with a sensitivity of 67.7% and specificity of 85.0%, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) of .738 (95% CI: .600–.876, p = .004). The preferable END‐IT score with optimal sensitivity (74.2%) and specificity (60%) was 2 and the area under the ROC was .742, with 95% CI of .608–.876 (p = .004).

Significance

Serum albumin concentration at admission and the END‐IT score are two independent predictive factors for short‐term outcome of SE patients, moreover, the serum albumin concentration is not inferior to the END‐IT score in indicating functional outcome at discharge.
Provenance of the conglomerate and siliciclastic rocks from the Gadag Greenstone Belt, Western Dharwar Craton, India: Implications for understanding Neoarchean basin margin sedimentation
Authors: Pratihari Asim Ranjan , Hegde Venkatraman S. , McKenzie N. Ryan , Frimmel Hartwig E. , Shukla Anil D. , Hulaji Shivani
Published: March 2023

Petrographic, whole‐rock geochemical and geochronological analysis of polymictic conglomerate, associated siltstone and greywacke in the Neoarchean Gadag Greenstone Belt in the Western Dharwar Craton, India, provides new insights into sedimentary provenance and tectonic setting. The polymictic conglomerate contains granitic, gneissic, felsic and mafic volcanic, quartzite and banded ferruginous chert clasts within a quartzo‐feldspathic matrix. Framework grains in the siltstone and greywacke are quartz, feldspar with rock fragments, embedded in a chlorite‐dominant matrix. The chemical index of alteration values (~70) and A‐CN‐K plot for the rocks suggest a low‐to‐moderate degree of weathering. Rare earth element (REE) patterns show moderate fractionation (LaN/YbN ~ 12.31) with a weak negative europium anomaly (0.82). Enrichment in transition elements (Ni, Cr, Co, Sc) and depletion in high‐field‐strength elements, as well as relatively low La/Co (0.62), moderate to high Th/Yb (3.06), La/Th (5.16), La/Yb (17.5), and La/Sc (~2.37) ratios, suggest a mixed felsic‐mafic provenance. U–Pb dating of detrital zircon from the conglomerate and greywacke revealed major age peaks at ca. (3.2, 2.9, 2.8, 2.6, 2.5 Ga) and a maximum age of deposition of 2,508 ± 26 Ma, 2,493 ± 20 Ma, respectively. The above data suggest low to moderately weathered proximal sources for both conglomerate and greywacke, indicating that these two rock types were not deposited simultaneously, but rather separately. The association of these conglomerates and greywacke with continental arc‐related volcanics indicates the closing of an arc at the time of sedimentation. Complex provenance consisting of recycled and magmatic arc during basin closure confirm the notion of modern style plate tectonics operating during Neoarchaean.
Breast cancer screening programmes and self‐reported mammography use in European countries
Authors: Cardoso Rafael , Hoffmeister Michael , Brenner Hermann
Published: March 2023

Mammography screening has been shown to be able to reduce breast cancer mortality, leading most European countries to implement mammography‐based screening programmes. In our study, we analysed key characteristics of breast cancer screening programmes and mammography use in European countries. Information on screening programmes were obtained from the 2017 European Union (EU) screening report, websites from governments and cancer registries, and through literature search in PubMed (studies published up to 20 June 2022). Data on self‐reported mammography use in the past 2 years were obtained from Eurostat and had been derived from the European health interview survey (cross‐sectional survey), conducted in the 27 EU countries, Iceland, Norway, Serbia, Turkey and the UK in 2013 to 2015 and 2018 to 2020. Data were analysed for each country according to their human development index (HDI). By 2022, all included countries besides Bulgaria and Greece had introduced an organised mammography‐based screening programme; Romania and Turkey had only pilot programmes. Screening programmes differ substantially across countries, particularly in timing of implementation (e.g., in Sweden, the Netherlands before 1990; Belgium, France between 2000 and 2004; Denmark, Germany between 2005 and 2009; Austria, Slovakia after 2010). Self‐reported mammography use also differed considerably across countries, and went along with HDI—from <36% in all countries with HDI <0.85 to >70% in most countries with HDI >0.90. The data call for efforts to improve mammography screening use across Europe, particularly in countries with lower development levels where breast cancer mortality rates are also among the highest in the region.
Relativistic Effects on Rate and Product Formation in the Gas‐Phase Methane Chemistry of Late Atomic Transition Metal Cations
Authors: Blagojevic Voislav , Böhme Diethard K.
Published: March 2023

We provide an assessment of relativistic effects on both rate and product formation in gas‐phase chemical reactions of methane with late atomic transition metal cations (Groups 8–12) at room temperature. In the spirit long advocated by Helmut Schwarz, we use the interplay between theory and experiment to illuminate any perceived trends and transitions in product formation and chemical kinetics with these atomic cations going down the periodic table.
Predicting base station return on investment in the telecommunications industry: Machine‐learning approaches
Authors: Şahin Cihan
Published: March 2023

Investment in the right location ensures sustainable competition. In the telecommunication sector, the number of base stations (BSs) is one of the most significant investment parameters. When a potential BS is subject to be selected, practitioners will first consider investing in a BS where the return on investment (ROI) is highest. Therefore, the quantifiable objectives are distinctly defined, as it makes sense to choose maximizing features that raise per unit investment. This study provides a solution to evaluate the best BS installation alternative with machine‐learning approaches as well as to estimate ROI value by changing the properties that affect the ROI value. For this purpose, the estimation performance of logistic regression, random forest, and XGBoost methods are compared and further strengthened by random forest hyperparameter optimization to provide the best performance. The model, with a success rate of 98.7% according to the
‐score, showed that it was a robust algorithm. The three most essential features for the ROI value are determined to be voice traffic, data traffic, and frequency cost. These parameters enable a review of the prediction results of telecommunications managers and planning specialists responsible for BS investment.
The reciprocal relations among self‐compassion, and depression among adolescents after the Jiuzhaigou earthquake: A three‐wave cross‐lagged study
Authors: Liu Aiyi , Xu Boya , Liu Mingxiao , Wang Wenchao , Wu Xinchun
Published: March 2023

Background

Previous cross‐sectional studies have examined the relationship between self‐compassion and depression. Although it is often implicitly assumed that self‐compassion may increase the vulnerability of an individual to depression, only a few studies have assessed whether self‐compassion is a cause or a consequence of depression or both.

Method

To examine such reciprocal effects, we assessed self‐compassion and depression via self‐report measures. At the baseline assessment (Time 1, T1), 450 students (M = 13.72, SD = 0.83, 54.2% females) participated 10 months after the Jiuzhaigou earthquake. We reassessed the T1 sample after 6‐ and 12‐month intervals. At Time 2 (T2) assessment, 398 (56.0% female participants) of the Wave 1 participants were retained, and at Time 3 (T3) assessment, 235 (52.5% female participants) of the T1 and T2 participants were retained.

Results

Cross‐lagged analyses indicated that positive self‐compassion could significantly reduce subsequent depression. However, depression did not significantly predict later positive self‐compassion. Negative self‐compassion at T1 increased depression at T2, but negative self‐compassion at T2 did not significantly predict depression at T3. In addition, positive self‐compassion significantly reduced subsequent negative self‐compassion.

Conclusions

Positive self‐compassion appears to protect adolescents against depression and maintain this protection over time, whereas negative self‐compassion may worsen depression in adolescents during the initial stages of traumatic events. Additionally, positive self‐compassion may decrease the level of negative self‐compassion.
Muscle stem cells contribute to long‐term tissue repletion following surgical sepsis
Authors: Schmitt Rebecca E. , Dasgupta Aneesha , Arneson‐Wissink Paige C. , Datta Srijani , Ducharme Alexandra M. , Doles Jason D.
Published: March 2023

Background

Over the past decade, advances in sepsis identification and management have resulted in decreased sepsis mortality. This increase in survivorship has highlighted a new clinical obstacle: chronic critical illness (CCI), for which there are no effective treatment options. Up to half of sepsis survivors suffer from CCI, which can include multi‐organ dysfunction, chronic inflammation, muscle wasting, physical and mental disabilities, and enhanced frailty. These symptoms prevent survivors from returning to regular day‐to‐day activities and are directly associated with poor quality of life.

Methods

Mice were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) with daily chronic stress (DCS) as an in vivo model to study sepsis late‐effects/sequelae on skeletal muscle components. Longitudinal monitoring was performed via magnetic resonance imaging, skeletal muscle and/or muscle stem cell (MuSCs) assays (e.g., post‐necropsy wet muscle weights, minimum Feret diameter measurements, in vitro MuSC proliferation and differentiation, number of regenerating myofibres and numbers of Pax7‐positive nuclei per myofibre), post‐sepsis whole muscle metabolomics and MuSC isolation and high‐content transcriptional profiling.

Results

We report several findings supporting the hypothesis that MuSCs/muscle regeneration are critically involved in post‐sepsis muscle recovery. First, we show that genetic ablation of muscle stem cells (MuSCs) impairs post‐sepsis muscle recovery (maintenance of 5–8% average lean mass loss compared with controls). Second, we observe impaired MuSCs expansion capacity and morphological defects at 26 days post‐sepsis compared with control MuSCs (P < 0.001). Third, when subjected to an experimental muscle injury, sepsis‐recovered mice exhibited evidence of impaired muscle regeneration compared with non‐septic mice receiving the same muscle injury (CLP/DCS injured mean minimum Feret is 92.1% of control injured, P < 0.01). Fourth, we performed a longitudinal RNA sequencing study on MuSCs isolated from post‐sepsis mice and found clear transcriptional differences in all post‐sepsis samples compared with controls. At Day 28, CLP/DCS mice satellite cells have multiple altered metabolic pathways, such as oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial dysfunction, sirtuin signalling and oestrogen receptor signalling, compared with controls (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our data show that MuSCs and muscle regeneration are required for effective post‐sepsis muscle recovery and that sepsis triggers morphological, functional, and transcriptional changes in MuSCs. Moving forward, we strive to leverage a more complete understanding of post‐sepsis MuSC/regenerative defects to identify and test novel therapies that promote muscle recovery and improve quality of life in sepsis survivors.
More is less? A dynamic perspective on mentors' task‐related information sharing, indegree centrality, and newcomer socialization outcomes
Authors: Wu Wen , Wu Shaoxue , Du Qiying , Zhang Xiaoyan , Zhang Yihua , Xu Hanzhi , Yu Zhuyan
Published: March 2023

As information adequacy is critical for newcomers' successful adjustment to their organizations, others' information sharing is assumed to always be beneficial to newcomers. However, existing research has not explored how changes in mentors' information sharing over time impact newcomer socialization outcomes. In this study, we challenge the traditional assumption by arguing that mentors' task‐related information sharing may not always contribute to newcomer socialization from a dynamic perspective. This study is based on role theory and the literature on socialization and uses eight waves of biweekly data collected from 254 newcomer–mentor dyads during the first 4 months after newcomers' entry. We found that the initial level of mentors' task‐related information sharing had a positive effect on the initial level of newcomers' assessment of mentors' communication effectiveness. However, the change in mentors' task‐related information sharing over time was negatively related to the change in newcomers' assessment of their mentors. The initial level of and the change in newcomers' assessment of mentors' communication effectiveness were positively related to their relationship building with mentors, which further facilitated newcomer socialization. In addition, we measured mentors' indegree centrality in their teams' communication networks. We then demonstrated its moderating role in the dynamic relationship between mentors' task‐related information sharing and newcomers' assessment of mentors' communication effectiveness. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Prometheeγ: A new Promethee based method for partial ranking based on valued coalitions of monocriterion net flow scores
Authors: Dejaegere Gilles , De Smet Yves
Published: March 2023

Multicriteria decision aid consists of helping decision makers to compare (rank, choose, sort, etc.) different alternatives which are evaluated on conflicting criteria. In the last decades, numerous decision aid methods have been developed. Three main categories of decision aid methods are usually considered: the aggregating, interactive and outranking methods. While aggregation methods produce a complete ranking of the set of alternatives, outranking methods usually allow some pairs of alternatives to remain incomparable. This happens either if the two alternatives present some strong conflicting information or if there are not enough elements in the decision problem to state the preference or indifference between them. A well‐known family of outranking procedures are the Promethee methods. The aim of this work is first to provide an analysis of the incomparability relation produced by Promethee I. From our point of view, some shortcomings of this incomparability relation are presented. Then, a new method based on the comparison of weighted coalitions of mono‐criterion net flow score differences, called Promethee , is proposed. Promethee and Promethee i are then further compared.
Business strategy, sustainability, and firm value: A test of financial slack and agency theories
Authors: Mahmood Monowar , Uyar Ali , Kuzey Cemil , Karaman Abdullah S.
Published: March 2023

Do cost leaders engage with sustainability practices or avoid them to save costs, and do differentiators implement those practices to attract the sympathy of the customers or not? How do shareholders of each strategy follower consider those practices? Answering these questions is the main purpose of this study. We find that while cost leadership is significantly and positively associated with environmental, social, and governance sustainability, differentiation is significantly and negatively associated with social and environmental sustainability but not with governance sustainability. While cost leaders' shareholders approve of social and governance sustainability, differentiators' shareholders disapprove of environmental, social, and governance sustainability.
Tautomerism of pyridinylbutane‐1,3‐diones: An NMR and DFT study
Authors: Hansen Poul Erik , Darugar Vahidreza , Vakili Mohammad , Kamounah Fadhil S.
Published: March 2023

The three possible 1‐(n‐pyridinyl)butane‐1,3‐diones (nPM) have been synthesized. Structures, tautomerism, and conformations are investigated by means of DFT calculations. 1H and 13C NMR spectra are assigned, and deuterium isotope effects on 13C chemical shifts have been measured. Analysis of the isotope effects leads to the equilibrium constants of the keto–enol tautomers. Some interesting differences are seen between the three compounds and the phenyl analogs. The isotope effects can also rank the hydrogen bonds of the compounds, with the one with nitrogen in the three positions of the pyridine ring as the weakest. Structures, conformers, energies, and NMR nuclear shieldings are calculated using DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) level.
Comparison of uniform‐density, variable‐density, and dual‐density spiral samplings for multi‐shot DWI
Authors: Li Guangqi , Ma Xiaodong , Li Sisi , Ye Xinyu , Börnert Peter , Zhou Xiaohong Joe , Guo Hua
Published: March 2023

Purpose

To compare the performances of uniform‐density spiral (UDS), variable‐density spiral (VDS), and dual‐density spiral (DDS) samplings in multi‐shot diffusion imaging, and determine a sampling strategy that balances reliability of shot navigator and overall DWI image quality.

Theory and Methods

UDS, VDS, and DDS trajectories were implemented to achieve four‐shot diffusion‐weighted spiral imaging. First, the static B0 off‐resonance effects in UDS, VDS, and DDS acquisitions were analyzed based on a signal model. Then, in vivo experiments were performed to verify the theoretical analyses, and fractional anisotropy (FA) fitting residuals were used to quantitatively assess the quality of spiral diffusion data for tensor estimation. Finally, the SNR performances and g‐factor behavior of the three spiral samplings were evaluated using a Monte Carlo‐based pseudo multiple replica method.

Results

Among the three spiral trajectories with the same readout duration, UDS sampling exhibited the least off‐resonance artifacts. This was most evident when the static B0 off‐resonance effect was severe. The UDS diffusion images had higher anatomical fidelity and lower FA fitting residuals than the other two counterparts. Furthermore, the four‐shot UDS acquisition achieved the best SNR performance in diffusion imaging with 12.11% and 40.85% improvements over the VDS and DDS acquisitions with the same readout duration, respectively.

Conclusion

UDS sampling is an efficient spiral acquisition scheme for high‐resolution diffusion imaging with reliable navigator information. It provides superior off‐resonance performance and SNR efficiency over the VDS and DDS samplings for the tested scenarios.
Self‐assessed competence of final‐year nursing students
Authors: Zeleníková Renáta , Gurková Elena , Pěrůžková Radana , Štureková Lenka , Jarošová Darja , Kajander‐Unkuri Satu
Published: March 2023

Aim

To examine the overall level of self‐assessed competence of final‐year nursing ‘bachelors’ degree students in the Czech Republic. In addition, the study aimed at the factors associated with the students' level of competence.

Design

A cross‐sectional observational study.

Methods

Data were collected with the Czech version of the Nurse Competence Scale from 274 final‐year nursing students of the bachelor's nursing program. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analyses.

Results

Majority of the students (80.3%) assessed their level of competence as good or very good. The highest level of competence was assessed in the category of ‘managing situations’ (VAS mean 67.8) and ‘work role’ (VAS mean 67.2). Previous work experience in healthcare and successful supervisory experience had a positive association with self‐assessed competence. Students who completed clinical placement during the COVID‐19 pandemic assessed their level of competence as lower than students before the pandemic. No Patient or Public Contribution.
Convergence of a discretization of the Maxwell–Klein–Gordon equation based on finite element methods and lattice gauge theory
Authors: Christiansen Snorre H. , Halvorsen Tore G. , Scheid Claire
Published: March 2023

The Maxwell–Klein–Gordon equations are a set of coupled nonlinear time‐dependent wave equations, used to model the interaction of an electromagnetic field with a particle. The solutions, expressed with a magnetic vector potential, are invariant under gauge transformations. This characteristic implies a constraint on the solution fields that might be broken at the discrete level. In this article, we propose and study a constraint preserving numerical scheme for this set of equations in dimension 2. At the semidiscrete level, we combine conforming Finite Element discretizations with the so‐called Lattice Gauge Theory to design a compatible gauge invariant discretization, leading to preservation of a discrete constraint. Relying on energy techniques and compactness arguments, we establish the convergence of this semidiscrete scheme, without a priori knowledge of the solution. Finally, at the fully discrete level, we propose a compatible explicit time‐integration strategy of leapfrog type. We implement the resulting fully discrete scheme and provide assessment on academic scenarios.
Deaf Weight Wise: A novel randomized clinical trial with Deaf sign language users
Authors: Barnett Steven , Matthews Kelly , DeWindt Lori , Sutter Erika , Samuel‐Hodge Carmen , Yang Hongmei , Pearson Thomas A. ,   the Deaf Weight Wise Study Group
Published: March 2023

Objective

The goal of this study was to address the absence of evidence‐based weight‐control programs developed for use with Deaf people.

Methods

Community‐based participatory research informed the design of the Deaf Weight Wise (DWW) trial and intervention. DWW focuses primarily on healthy lifestyle and weight through change in diet and exercise. The study enrolled 104 Deaf adults aged 40 to 70 years with BMI of 25 to 45 from community settings in Rochester, New York, and randomized participants to immediate intervention (n = 48) or 1‐year delayed intervention (n = 56). The delayed intervention serves as a no‐intervention comparison until the trial midpoint. The study collected data five times (every 6 months) from baseline to 24 months. All DWW intervention leaders and participants are Deaf people who use American Sign Language (ASL).

Results

At 6 months, the difference in mean weight change for the immediate‐intervention arm versus the delayed‐intervention arm (no intervention yet) was −3.4 kg (multiplicity‐adjusted p = 0.0424; 95% CI: −6.1 to −0.8 kg). Most (61.6%) in the immediate arm lost ≥5% of baseline weight versus 18.1% in the no‐intervention‐yet arm (p < 0.001). Participant engagement indicators include mean attendance of 11/16 sessions (69%), and 92% completed 24‐month data collection.

Conclusion

DWW, a community‐engaged, culturally appropriate, and language‐accessible behavioral weight loss intervention, was successful with Deaf ASL users.
Constructing “sesame‐biscuit” structured hybrids with SiC and Ag particles for enhancing thermal conductivity and dielectric constant of elastomer composites
Authors: Wang Hailong , Yang Dan
Published: March 2023

With the development of multifunctional and miniaturized integrated circuits, polymeric materials with large dielectric constant and high thermal conductivity have major significance in modern electronic industry. In this work, “sesame‐biscuit” structured thermally conductive hybrids were prepared by polydopamine (PDA) modification and in‐situ electroless silver (Ag) plating on the surface of silicon carbide (SiC), referred as SiC‐P‐Ag. Then, the SiC‐P‐Ag was incorporated into epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) matrix to yield polymeric composites (ENR/SiC‐P‐Ag) with excellent thermal and dielectric properties. It was found that PDA improved the interfacial compatibility and reduced the interface thermal resistance between SiC and ENR matrix. In addition, the formation of heat conduction channels and conductive Ag nanoparticles caused an increase in thermal conductivity of the 50 vol% ENR/SiC‐P‐Ag composite to 0.5655 W/(mK), which was 540% that of the pure ENR (0.1048 W/(mK)). Meanwhile, the 50 vol% ENR/SiC‐P‐Ag composite showed a low AC conductivity of 2.98 × 10−11 S/cm and a high dielectric constant of 35 at 10 Hz. It is noteworthy that this simple and efficient route for preparing ENR/SiC‐P‐Ag composites can also be applied in other fillers for simultaneously enhancing dielectric constant and thermal conductivity of polymeric composites.
Effects of silicone resins on copolymerization of acrylated epoxidized soybean oil
Authors: Zhao Feng , Li Meng , Zhao Xin , Li Zheng , Wang Zhi Yu , Xiang Jia Lin
Published: March 2023

In this work, effects of the silicone resins on copolymerization of the acrylated epoxidized soybean oil were investigated. Rheological characteristics, curing behaviors, and thermal properties of acrylate epoxy soybean oil prepolymer (AP), silicone prepolymer (SP), and their hybrids (AP/SP) were studied in detail. Spots in a snowflake pattern were observed on the fracture section surface of cured AP/SP hybrid resins by SEM. According to the change of polymer groups revealed by Fourier transform infrared, a possible reaction between AP and SP was proposed. The curing mechanism of AP/SP hybrids was researched, which was suggested to be an autocatalytic curing process. Furthermore, the degree of cure, the activation energy (Eα) and the reaction frequency factor (A) of the curing reaction were estimated. It was found that the cure kinetic of AP/SP hybrid resins could be well‐described by a Sesthk‐Bergglen model with the numerical optimization based on the Kissinger method and the Malek approach. The experimental results show that the mass retention rates of AP/SP hybrid resins were significantly increased after curing, indicating that the thermal stability of AP was enhanced with the addition of SP.
Study on explosive welding of Cu/steel composite pipe under local water environment
Authors: Hu Yu , Miao Guang‐hong , Yang Li‐ao , Yang Liu , Sun Bao‐liang , Li Xiao‐cheng , Qi Jun‐xiang , Ma Qiu‐yue , Sun Zhi‐hao , Liu Zi‐wei
Published: March 2023

In order to improve the energy utilization rate and the bond quality of explosive welding, the local water environment method is used in present study. In this paper, several groups of high‐quality Cu/Steel explosive composite pipes are prepared under local water environment. Optical microscope and mechanical property tests are conducted to analyze samples microstructure and mechanical properties. The results show that the waveform dimension of Cu/Steel bonding interface has a positive correlation with explosive layer thickness, and the miniature wavy bonding interface with the highest bonding quality is obtained by using the local water environment method. Compared with the traditional charge method, the consumption of explosives for the local water environment charge method is decreased about 60 % in the same case of experimental conditions. The local water enviroment method solves the problem of ablation damage at the contact surface between metal and explosives, and effectively reduces the diameter expansion phenomenon and end damage caused by boundary effect in the welding process. Through mechanical property tests, it was found that the yield strengths and compressive strengths of Cu/Steel specimens which created by the local water environment method are positively correlated with the explosive thickness.
Effects of curcumin/turmeric supplementation on obesity indices and adipokines in adults: A grade‐assessed systematic review and dose–response meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Dehzad Mohammad Jafar , Ghalandari Hamid , Nouri Mehran , Askarpour Moein
Published: March 2023

In the present study, we explored the effect of curcumin/turmeric supplementation on anthropometric indices of obesity, leptin, and adiponectin. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar up to August 2022. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) investigating the impact of curcumin/turmeric on obesity indices and adipokines were included. We applied the Cochrane quality assessment tool to evaluate the risk of bias. The registration number is CRD42022350946. Sixty eligible RCTs, with a total sample size of 3691 individuals were included for quantitative analysis. We found that supplementation with curcumin/turmeric significantly reduced body weight (WMD: −0.82 kg, 95% CI: −1.30, −0.35; p = 0.001), body mass index (WMD: −0.30 kg/m2, 95% CI: −0.53, −0.06, p = 0.013), waist circumference (WMD: −1.31 cm, 95% CI: −1.94, −0.69, p < 0.001), body fat percentage (WMD: −0.88%, 95% CI: −1.51, −0.25, p = 0.007), leptin (WMD = −4.46 ng/mL; 95% CI: −6.70, −2.21, p < 0.001), and increased adiponectin (WMD = 2.48 μg/mL; 95% CI: 1.34, 3.62, p < 0.001). Overall, our study shows that supplementation with curcumin/turmeric significantly improves anthropometric indices of obesity and adiposity‐related adipokines (leptin and adiponectin). However, due to high between‐studies heterogeneity, we should interpret the results with caution.
Confidence intervals of the process capability index Cpc$C_{pc}$ revisited via modified bootstrap technique and ROC curves
Authors: Ouyang Linhan , Dey Sanku , Byun Jai‐Hyun , Park Chanseok
Published: March 2023

We consider the process capability index (PCI), a widely used quality‐related statistic used to assess the quality of products and performance of monitored processes in various industries. It is widely known that the conventional PCIs perform well when the quality process being monitored has a normal distribution. Unfortunately, using the indices to evaluate a non‐normally distributed process often leads to inaccurate results. In this article, we consider a new PCI, , that can be used in both normal and non‐normal scenarios. The objective of this article is threefold: (i) We provide a corrected form of the confidence interval for . (ii) We compare the performance of three nonparametric bootstrap confidence intervals (BCIs) for . Specifically, the standard bootstrap, percentile bootstrap, and bias‐corrected percentile bootstrap. Under various distributional assumptions such as the normal, chi‐square, Student t, Laplace, and two‐parameter exponential distributions, the estimated coverage probabilities and average width of the confidence intervals and BCIs for are compared. (iii) The power of the respective bootstrap approaches is evaluated by using the equivalence relation between confidence interval construction and two‐sided hypothesis testing. We also provide the receiver operating characteristic curves to evaluate their performance. Finally, as an illustrative example, an actual data set related to groove dimensions (in inches) measured from a manufacturing process of ignition keys is re‐analyzed to illustrate the utility of the proposed methods.
Black holes don’t source fast Higgs vacuum decay
Authors: Strumia Alessandro
Published: March 2023

Abstract

We argue that the rate of Standard Model vacuum or thermal decay seeded by primordial black holes is negligible (because non-perturbatively suppressed by the small quartic Higgs coupling) and independent of the non-minimal coupling of the Higgs to gravity.
Histological study of the role of CD34+ stem cells and mast cells in cyclophosphamide-induced thymic injury in rats and the possible attenuating role of melatonin
Authors: Shrief Amira I. , Hamed Walaa H. E. , Mazroa Shireen A. , Moustafa Amal M.
Published: March 2023

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is an anticancer drug that adversely affects immunity and thymus structure. Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland. It boosts immunity and has antioxidant properties. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the possible protective effect of melatonin on CP-induced changes in the rat thymus. Forty male albino rats were used and divided equally into four main groups. Group I was the control group. Group II (melatonin group) received melatonin at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight/day by intraperitoneal injection throughout the experimental period. Group III (CP group) received 200 mg/kg body weight CP by a single intraperitoneal injection. Group IV (CP + melatonin group) received melatonin intraperitoneally at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight/day starting 5 days prior to CP injection until the end of the experiment. All rats were euthanized 7 days after CP injection. Administration of CP in group III resulted in depletion of the cortical thymoblasts. In addition, CD34-immunopositive stained stem cells decreased and mast cell infiltration increased. Electron microscopy showed degeneration of thymoblasts and vacuolization of epithelial reticular cells. Administration of melatonin with CP in group IV showed considerable protection of thymic histology. In conclusion, melatonin may protect against CP-induced thymic injury.
Mapping the primate thalamus: systematic approach to analyze the distribution of subcortical neuromodulatory afferents
Authors: Pérez-Santos Isabel , García-Cabezas Miguel Ángel , Cavada Carmen
Published: March 2023

Neuromodulatory afferents to thalamic nuclei are key for information transmission and thus play critical roles in sensory, motor, and limbic processes. Over the course of the last decades, diverse attempts have been made to map and describe subcortical neuromodulatory afferents to the primate thalamus, including axons using acetylcholine, serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline, and histamine. Our group has been actively involved in this endeavor. The published descriptions on neuromodulatory afferents to the primate thalamus have been made in different laboratories and are not fully comparable due to methodological divergences (for example, fixation procedures, planes of cutting, techniques used to detect the afferents, different criteria for identification of thalamic nuclei…). Such variation affects the results obtained. Therefore, systematic methodological and analytical approaches are much needed. The present article proposes reproducible methodological and terminological frameworks for primate thalamic mapping. We suggest the use of standard stereotaxic planes to produce and present maps of the primate thalamus, as well as the use of the Anglo-American school terminology (vs. the German school terminology) for identification of thalamic nuclei. Finally, a public repository of the data collected under agreed-on frameworks would be a useful tool for looking up and comparing data on the structure and connections of primate thalamic nuclei. Important and agreed-on efforts are required to create, manage, and fund a unified and homogeneous resource of data on the primate thalamus. Likewise, a firm commitment of the institutions to preserve experimental brain material is much needed because neuroscience work with non-human primates is becoming increasingly rare, making earlier material still more valuable.