bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low‐Pressure Sensitive Piezochromic Fluorescence Switching of Tetraphenylethylene‐Anthraquinone
Authors: Wei Yude , Yang Runqing , Cui Guangzhen , Dai Shuting , Pan Guocui , Wang Jing , Ren Haoxuan , Ma Wenyue , Gu Zijian , Zhang Chenchen , Li Guangming , Liu Zhaoyang , Xu Bin , Tian Wenjing
Published: May 2023

Sensing of low‐pressure signals is of great importance for cutting‐edge technologies. Organic piezochromic molecules offer a promising library of pressure sensitive materials which can be tailor‐designed toward specific requirements. However, very few examples of low‐pressure sensitive piezochromic fluorescent molecules have been obtained till date, and the underlying mechanisms are still in its infancy. Herein, we report highly sensitive piezochromic fluorescent switching under low‐pressure regimes (∼60 kPa) of tetraphenylethylene‐anthraquinone (TPE‐AQ) based on the controlled molecular design and polymorphic phase strategy. The influence of both intramolecular conformation effect and variations of intermolecular stacking modes on the piezochromic property of TPE‐AQ is investigated. The underlying mechanism of the low‐pressure sensitive piezochromic fluorescence switching is demonstrated to be closely related to the loosely packed molecular orientation, as confirmed by X‐ray diffraction measurements combined with simulations. This work provides a way to design highly efficient pressure sensors based on organic molecular systems.
Intrinsically Switchable Electroactive Fluorophores Based on λ5‐Biphosphinines**
Authors: Sangchai Thitiporn , Ledos Nicolas , Vacher Antoine , Cordier Marie , Le Guennic Boris , Hissler Muriel , Jacquemin Denis , Bouit Pierre‐Antoine
Published: May 2023

The synthesis and full characterization of a family of stable λ5‐biphosphinines connected in 4,4‐position through a variety of π‐conjugated bridges is reported. The impact of the π‐bridge on the optical (absorption/emission) and redox properties was investigated using a joint experimental/theoretical approach. In contrast to the π‐extended ones, the λ5‐biphosphinines directly connected through a C−C bond in 4,4‐position display two easily accessible and reversible oxidations highlighting their multi‐stage redox character. The in situ formed radical cations are studied by spectro‐electrochemistry and electron paramagnetic resonance. Finally, electrochemical modulation of fluorescence (electrofluorochromism) was performed and revealed the potential of these intrinsically switchable electroactive fluorophores for further applications as switchable materials.
Azide–Enolate Cycloaddition‐Rearrangement Enables Direct α‐Amination of Amides and Enelactam Synthesis from Esters
Authors: Bell‐Tyrer Joseph J. , Hume Paul A. , Grant Phillip S. , Brimble Margaret A. , Furkert Daniel P.
Published: May 2023

Invited for the cover of this issue are Dan Furkert, Joe Bell‐Tyrer and co‐workers at the University of Auckland and Victoria University of Wellington. The image depicts a tandem cycloaddition–rearrangement process delivering a diverse range of molecular frameworks from simple precursors. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202300261.
Comparison of two methods for the extraction of ethylglucuronide from hair
Authors: Groff Eleonora , Lucchiari Manuela , Stocchero Giulia , Donini Flora , Marchio Giovanni Michele , Ingenito Francesco , Bertoldi Lucia , Pecoraro Lucia , Bertol Elisabetta , Favretto Donata , Anesi Adriano
Published: May 2023

The aim was the comparison between the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) consensus for the use of alcohol markers which powdering hair for the extraction of ethylglucuronide (EtG) in water and extraction using the patented M3 Reagent Test kit on cut hair. Hair samples were cut into small segments and washed twice with methanol and diethyl ether. The SoHT‐Consensus entails the extraction of pulverised hair in water. This is obtained by incubation of 25 mg of hair at room temperature overnight and 2 h sonication, even if the overnight incubation is not mandatory. The M3 method entails incubation of 25 mg of cut hair with the M3‐Reagent at 100°C for 60 min. After centrifugation, the supernatant is injected into a liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Samples (191) were collected in the APSS laboratory in Trento, Italy, between 2021 and 2022. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was set at 5 pg/mg for the pulverised and M3‐Reagent methods. Assays showed good linearity above the range of LOQ‐300 pg/mg. Precision (within 20%) values were also obtained using both methods. In the Passing–Bablock linear regression, the final regression curve between M3 (y) and the pulverising method (x) showed good agreement; the Bland–Altman analysis did not show any significant bias between the two methods. The M3‐Reagent method, due to cut hair use, is easy to perform, saves time and allows for a smaller sample quantity loss with use of nondisposable grinding jars for the ball mill to obtain the extraction of EtG.
Offering Lottery Entry as an Incentive for Research Participation Compromises Informed Consent
Authors: Jenkins Simon Paul
Published: May 2023

This paper argues that offering entry into a lottery as an incentive to those who participate in research studies represents a challenge to the principle of informed, coercion‐free consent that is considered an essential ingredient of permissible recruitment to studies. This is, first, because information about the chances of winning in this context is normally unavailable to potential participants and, without this, they cannot accurately weigh up the risks and potential benefits of participation. Second, even when this information is available, such an incentive capitalizes, I contend, on the difficulty of weighing up small probabilities, exploiting the fact that people tend to be beset by cognitive biases that make it challenging to make decisions rationally. The resulting conclusion is that we should not view lotteries as more ethical than simply paying participants, when the latter is feasible.
A Competency Framework for Health Research Ethics Educational Programs: Results from a Stakeholder‐Driven Mixed‐Method Process
Authors: Tackett Sean , Jenn Ng Chirk , Sugarman Jeremy , Daniel Esther Gnanamalar Sarojini , Gopalan Nishakanthi , Tivyashinee  , Kamarulzaman Adeeba , Ali Joseph
Published: May 2023

Educational programs are integral to building health research ethics (HRE) capacity, but no outcomes framework exists to guide them. We empirically developed a competency framework for health research ethics education—the Framework for Research Ethics Studies Competencies and Outcomes (FRESCO)—using mixed methods, including group concept mapping and a survey of international experts. FRESCO includes seven competency domains: (1) Foundational Knowledge; (2) Laws, Regulations, Guidelines, and Policies for Research Oversight; (3) Ethical‐Issue Identification, Analysis, and Resolution; (4) Engagement, Communication, and Advocacy; (5) Lifelong Learning, Education, Research, and Scholarship; (6) Coordination, Stewardship, and Responsiveness in HRE Systems; and (7) Impartiality, Honesty, and Responsibility. These domains are detailed in 27 subdomains. Survey respondents rated FRESCO's relevance to HRE highly. FRESCO can be adapted and implemented in educational programs to refine recruitment and selection processes, educational and assessment methods, and performance measures to ensure that HRE educational programs have their intended effects.
Morphological characteristics influence the spatial mixing patterns of shorebirds at Shengjin Lake
Authors: Yu Chao , Zhang Ruilin , Zhou Lizhi , Cheng Lei , Bao Yiwei , Song Yunwei
Published: May 2023

The coexistence of species with similar ecological niches is one of the core interests of community ecology research. However, how functional feeding traits, including bill size and leg length, determine the niche of mixed flocks of shorebird species has seldomly been studied, as well as, microhabitat variables affect the spatial patterns of availability and the quality of patches for wintering. From October 2016 to March 2017 at Shengjin Lake, Anhui Province, China, we recorded 226 scan samples from the different microhabitats and 93 focal animal videos of four common shorebird species: common greenshank, spotted redshank, Kentish plover, and little ringed plover. We found that the species participating in the mixed groups were different in each microhabitat. The results of the overlap index for microhabitats and foraging techniques between the species were consistent with the morphological characteristics of these species. Kentish and little ringed plovers had the highest Pianka's niche overlap index values of 0.95 and 0.98 for microhabitats and foraging techniques, respectively, whereas common greenshank and spotted redshank had values of 0.78 and 0.89, respectively. Common greenshank and spotted redshank used four foraging techniques: a single probe (PR), multiple probes (MPR), a single peck (PE), and multiple pecks (MPE). Kentish and little ringed plovers only used PE and MPE. The mean bill size, mean leg length, and mean foraging frequency were significantly associated with water depth. The mean bill size and mean leg length were both significantly correlated with the mean foraging frequency of shorebirds. The vegetated area was the most important variable for grouping among shorebirds. We concluded that the four species showed differences in their preferred microhabitats and foraging patterns. Interspecific morphological differences, including bill and leg lengths, resulted in niche differentiation. Thus, effective resource allocation by regional species was realized, and a dynamic balance was achieved by the mixed foraging species. The information on foraging behavior and habitat requirements could be useful in the management of water levels in natural areas and conservation of a diversity of wintering shorebirds.
Partitioning and integrating of plant traits and phylogeny in assessing diversity along secondary forest succession in Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Chai Yongfu , Qiu Shen , Wang Kaiyue , Xu Jinshi , Guo Yaoxin , Wang Mao , Yue Ming , Wang Mingjie , Zhu Jiangang
Published: May 2023

Assessing plant diversity during community succession based on plant trait and phylogenetic features within a community (alpha scale) and among communities (beta scale) could improve our understanding of community succession mechanism. However, whether changes of community functional diversity at alpha and beta scale are structured by different traits and whether integrating plant traits and phylogeny can enhance the ability in detecting diversity pattern have not been studied in detail. Thirty plots representing different successional stages were established on the Loess Plateau of China and 15 functional traits were measured for all coexisting species. We first analyzed the functional alpha and beta diversity along succession by decomposing species trait into alpha and beta components and then integrated key traits with phylogenetic information to explore their roles in shaping species turnover during community succession. We found that functional alpha diversity increased along successional stages and was structured by morphological traits, while beta diversity decreased during succession and was more structured by stoichiometry traits. Phylogenetic alpha diversity showed congruent pattern with functional alpha diversity because of phylogenetic conservation of trait alpha components (variation within community), while beta diversity showed incongruent pattern due to phylogenetic randomness of trait beta components (variation among communities). Furthermore, only integrating relatively conserved traits (plant height and seed mass) and phylogenetic information can raise the detecting ability in assessing diversity change. Overall, our results reveal the increasing niche differentiation within community and functional convergence among communities with succession process, indicating the importance of matching traits with scale in studying community functional diversity and the asymmetry of traits and phylogeny in reflecting species ecological differences under long‐term selection pressures.
Synecological response of spring benthic prokaryotes and macroinvertebrates to Paleozoic roof pendant‐derived calcium
Authors: Friel Ariel D. , Pordel Khaled , Meyers Zachary , Seymour Cale O. , Thomas Nicole J. , Phillips Fred M. , Knott Jeffrey R. , Sada Donald W. , Rademacher Laura , Frisbee Marty , Hedlund Brian P.
Published: May 2023

Despite the ecological significance of desert springs, little is known about relationships between spring hydrogeochemistry and ecology, particularly over multiple trophic levels. Here, we surveyed microbial communities (bacteria and archaea) and benthic macroinvertebrate (BMI) communities in springs that recharge through granitoid bedrock in Owens Valley, CA, to determine whether subtle geochemical differences imparted by metamorphosed roof pendant weathering in the source area affect spring ecosystems. Relative to other springs, roof‐pendant‐recharged springs were characterized by elevated (1) Ca2+/Na+, Ca2+/Mg2+, and divalent/monovalent cation ratios, (2) relative abundance of taxa inferred to be benthic aerobes and prosthecate/stalked bacteria, and (3) abundance and diversity of shredder and collector gatherer BMIs. These BMI feeding groups graze on biofilm communities and stimulate bacterial degradation of particulate organic matter, consistent with extensive bacteria–BMI connections in co‐occurrence networks in these springs. Springs not impacted by roof pendants were instead enriched with taxa inferred to be anaerobes, chemolithotrophs, and low‐diversity BMI communities with poor bacteria–BMI network connectivity. We speculate that excess Ca2+ derived from roof pendant weathering plays a key role in biofilm formation on coarse granite substrates, with subsequent trophic interactions between benthic microbial biofilms and diverse BMI shredders/collector gatherers.
Cascading effects of elephant–human interactions and the role of space and mobility in sustaining biodiversity
Authors: Western David , Mose Victor N.
Published: May 2023

Our study monitored the changes in elephant numbers, distribution, and ecological impacts over a 50‐year period. During this period, the free‐ranging intermingled movements of wildlife and traditional subsistence pastoralists across the Amboseli ecosystem were disrupted by a national park, livestock ranches, farms, settlements, and changing lifestyles and economies. Elephants compressed into the national park by poaching and settlement turned woodlands to grassland and shrublands, and swamps into short grazing lawns, causing a reduction of plant and herbivore diversity and resilience to extreme events. The results echo the ecological findings of high‐density elephant populations in protected areas across eastern and southern Africa. The impact has led to the view of elephants in parks as being incompatible with biodiversity and to population control measures. In contrast to Amboseli National Park, we found woody vegetation grew and plant diversity fell in areas abandoned by elephants. We therefore used naturalistic and exclosure experiments to determine the density‐dependent response of vegetation to elephants. We found plant richness to peak at the park boundary where elephants and livestock jostled spatially, setting up a creative browsing‐grazing tension that caused a patchwork of habitats and peak of plant richness. Prehistorical and historical literature reviews lend support to the Amboseli findings that elephants and people, the two dominant keystone species in the savannas, have been intimately entangled and coexisted prior to the global ivory trade and colonialism. The findings point to the need to view specific elephant populations in historical perspective and, as far as possible, create connectivity beyond protected areas to allow mobility on an ecosystem and landscape scale. The Amboseli study underscores the significance of space and mobility in the keystone role of elephants, and community‐based conservation as a way to foster coexistence at an ecosystem and landscape scale. Space and mobility also alleviate the ecological disruption of compressed populations, and minimizes population management.
Synthesis of Substituted Indazole Acetic Acids by N−N Bond Forming Reactions
Authors: Odell Luke R. , Skillinghaug Bobo , Matt Christof , Wu Peng , Koolmeister Tobias , Desroses Matthieu , Llona‐Minguez Sabin , Wallner Olov , Helleday Thomas , Scobie Martin
Published: May 2023

Herein, we report on the discovery and development of novel cascade N−N bond forming reactions for the synthesis of rare indazole acetic acid scaffolds. This approach allows for convenient synthesis of three distinct indazole acetic acid derivatives (unsubstituted, hydroxy, and alkoxy) by heating 3‐amino‐3‐(2‐nitroaryl)propanoic acids with an appropriate nucleophile/solvent under basic conditions. The reaction tolerates a range of functional groups and electronic effects and, in total, 23 novel indazole acetic acids were synthesized and characterized. This work offers a valuable strategy for the synthesis of useful scaffolds for drug discovery programs.
Dielectric polarization‐mediated efficient solute mixing: Effect of the geometrical configuration of polarizing blocks
Authors: Pandey Doyel , Mondal Pranab Kumar , Wongwises Somchai
Published: May 2023

We propose a novel technique, consistent with the induced charge electrokinetic (ICEK) phenomenon, for the efficient mixing of solute species at a microfluidic scale. A nonuniform bipolar electric double layer develops in the presence of an external electric field over a polarizable object is better known as the ICEK phenomenon. This ICEK is one of the most favorable techniques preferred for enhanced solute mixing in on‐chip microfluidic platforms. In the purview of the ICEK phenomenon, instead of using perfectly conducting polarizable objects, for the first time in this study, we employ polarizable dielectric objects of different sizes and shapes for efficient mixing of solute species. We show that different types of vortices developed in the flow pathway adjacent to the polarizable dielectric blocks help in yielding efficient mixing in the proposed configuration. The novelty of our work is embellished in two different perspectives, that is, first, concentrating on the influences of the physical properties of the polarizable dielectric block on the underlying mixing, and, second, focusing on their sizes, shapes, and the arrangements in tuning the underlying mixing phenomena.
Pharmacological aspects of antiseizure medications: From basic mechanisms to clinical considerations of drug interactions and use of therapeutic drug monitoring
Authors: Johannessen Landmark Cecilie , Eyal Sara , Burns Margrete Larsen , Franco Valentina , Johannessen Svein I.
Published: May 2023

Antiseizure medications (ASMs) are the cornerstone of treatment for patients with epilepsy. Several new ASMs have recently been introduced to the market, making it possible to better tailor the treatment of epilepsy, as well as other indications (psychiatry and pain disorders). For this group of drugs there are numerous pharmacological challenges, and updated knowledge on their pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties is, therefore, crucial for an optimal treatment outcome. This review focuses on educational approaches to the following learning outcomes as described by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE): To demonstrate knowledge of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, drug interactions with ASMs and with concomitant medications, and appropriate monitoring of ASM serum levels (therapeutic drug monitoring, TDM). Basic principles in pharmacology, pharmacokinetic variability, and clinically relevant approaches to manage drug interactions are discussed. Furthermore, recent improvements in analytical technology and sampling are described. Future directions point to the combined implementation of TDM with genetic panels for proper diagnosis, pharmacogenetic tests where relevant, and the use of biochemical markers that will all contribute to personalized treatment. These approaches are clinically relevant for an optimal treatment outcome with ASMs in various patient groups.
Outcomes of resective surgery in pediatric patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy: A single‐center study from the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Authors: Mir Ali , Jallul Tarek , Alotaibi Faisal , Amer Fawzia , Najjar Ahmed , Alhazmi Rami , Al Faraidy Mona , Alharbi Alanoud , Aldurayhim Fatimah , Barnawi Zakia , Fallatah Bassam , Ali Mona , Almuhaish Husam , Almolani Fadhel , Suwailem Abdullah , Tuli Mahmoud , Naim Abdulrahman , Hassan Suad , Hedgcock Brent , Bostanji Ghadah , Bashir Shahid , AlBaradie Raidah
Published: May 2023

Objective

Epilepsy surgery is widely accepted as an effective therapeutic option for carefully selected patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy (DRE). There is limited data on the outcome of epilepsy surgery, especially in pediatric patients from the Eastern Mediterranean region. Hence, we performed a retrospective study examining the outcomes of resective surgery in 53 pediatric patients with focal DRE.

Methods

Patients with focal DRE who had undergone epilepsy surgery were included in the present study. All patients underwent a comprehensive presurgical evaluation. Postoperative seizure outcomes were classified using the Engel Epilepsy Surgery Outcome Scale.

Results

After surgery, 33 patients (62.2%) were Class I according to the Engel classification of surgical outcomes; eight patients (15.0%) were Class II, 11 (20.7%) were Class III, and one (1.8%) was Class IV. The relationships of presurgical, surgical, and postsurgical clinical variables to seizure outcomes were compared. Older age at seizure onset, older age at the time of surgery, the presence of focal to bilateral tonic–clonic seizures, seizure duration over 2 minutes, unsuccessful treatment with three or fewer antiseizure medications, lesions confined to one lobe (as demonstrated via magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]), surgical site in the temporal lobe, and histopathology including developmental tumors were significantly linked to an Engel Class I outcome. A univariate analysis of excellent surgical outcomes showed that lateralized semiology, localized interictal and ictal electroencephalogram (EEG) discharges, lateralized single‐photon emission computed tomography and positron emission tomography findings, and temporal lobe resections were significantly related to excellent seizure outcomes.

Significance

The results of our study are encouraging and similar to those found in other centers around the world. Epilepsy surgery remains an underutilized treatment for children with DRE and should be offered early.
One‐dimensional carbon based nanoreactor fabrication by electrospinning for sustainable catalysis
Authors: He Fagui , Wang Yiyan , Liu Jian , Yao Xiangdong
Published: May 2023

An efficient and economical electrocatalyst as kinetic support is key to electrochemical reactions. For this reason, chemists have been working to investigate the basic changing of chemical principles when the system is confined in limited space with nanometer‐scale dimensions or sub‐microliter volumes. Inspired by biological research, the design and construction of a closed reaction environment, namely the reactor, has attracted more and more interest in chemistry, biology, and materials science. In particular, nanoreactors became a high‐profile rising star and different types of nanoreactors have been fabricated. Compared with the traditional particle nanoreactor, the one‐dimensional (1D) carbon‐based nanoreactor prepared by the electrospinning process has better electrolyte diffusion, charge transfer capabilities, and outstanding catalytic activity and selectivity than the traditional particle catalyst which has great application potential in various electrochemical catalytic reactions.
Application of inclined big‐diameter jet grouting for urban tunnel construction in Vietnam
Authors: Le Hanh Quang , Do Phong Ngoc
Published: May 2023

Urban tunnel construction is often performed in congested areas with many buildings and historical structures nearby. With respect to developing countries, such as Vietnam, the lack of as‐built drawings of existing buildings is a big challenge for urban tunnel development. There are a lot of private buildings in downtown are low rise, with many kinds of shallow foundations (from bamboo bar, brick mat, lean concrete mat, pre‐casted concrete piles…) that add to the challenge of finding correct data. Consequently, one must find suitable and reasonable technology for the soil strengthening works in order to prevent the harmful impacts to the third ‐party properties and the tunnel structure itself. This paper introduces the inclined big‐diameter jet‐grouted column (iBDJ) technique that was recently applied with success in Hanoi Metro Line No3 project in Vietnam. This technique for protecting historical sensitive buildings that are in fuzzy of foundation information can be extended to urban tunnel projects in Vietnam and other countries which have similar conditions.
Lessons learned from the hospital to home community care program in Singapore and the supporting AI multiple readmissions prediction model
Authors: Abisheganaden John , Lee Kheng Hock , Low Lian Leng , Shum Eugene , Goh Han Leong , Ang Christine Gia Lee , Ta Andy Wee An , Miller Steven M.
Published: May 2023

In a prior practice and policy article published in Healthcare Science, we introduced the deployed application of an artificial intelligence (AI) model to predict longer‐term inpatient readmissions to guide community care interventions for patients with complex conditions in the context of Singapore's Hospital to Home (H2H) program that has been operating since 2017. In this follow on practice and policy article, we further elaborate on Singapore's H2H program and care model, and its supporting AI model for multiple readmission prediction, in the following ways: (1) by providing updates on the AI and supporting information systems, (2) by reporting on customer engagement and related service delivery outcomes including staff‐related time savings and patient benefits in terms of bed days saved, (3) by sharing lessons learned with respect to (i) analytics challenges encountered due to the high degree of heterogeneity and resulting variability of the data set associated with the population of program participants, (ii) balancing competing needs for simpler and stable predictive models versus continuing to further enhance models and add yet more predictive variables, and (iii) the complications of continuing to make model changes when the AI part of the system is highly interlinked with supporting clinical information systems, (4) by highlighting how this H2H effort supported broader Covid‐19 response efforts across Singapore's public healthcare system, and finally (5) by commenting on how the experiences and related capabilities acquired from running this H2H program and related community care model and supporting AI prediction model are expected to contribute to the next wave of Singapore's public healthcare efforts from 2023 onwards. For the convenience of the reader, some content that introduces the H2H program and the multiple readmissions AI prediction model that previously appeared in the prior Healthcare Science publication is repeated at the beginning of this article.
A case of adrenal myelolipoma complicated with Prader‐Willi syndrome
Authors: Inoue Toru , Todaka Masahiro , Nakazono Yuichi , Fukata Yoko , Shin Toshitaka
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Prader‐Willi syndrome is a congenital disorder that occurs in one in 10 000–30 000 children and is characterized by obesity, short stature, and intellectual disability.

Case presentation

A 24‐year‐old male patient with Prader‐Willi syndrome presented with an enlarged adrenal tumor. Computed tomography detected a well‐defined mass. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an increased signal intensity predominantly in fatty areas, suggesting adrenal myelolipoma. Laparoscopic left adrenalectomy was performed. Postoperatively, the patient developed mild pulmonary atelectasis, myelolipoma was confirmed by histopathology, and there was no recurrence at approximately 2 years postoperatively.

Conclusion

This is the first report of Prader‐Willi syndrome complicated with adrenal myelolipoma, which was removed laparoscopically.
COVID‐19: A systematic review of prediction and classification techniques
Authors: Varma Om Ramakisan , Kalra Mala , Kirmani Sheeraz
Published: May 2023

COVID‐19 has affected more than 760 million people all over the world, as per the latest record of the WHO. The rapid proliferation of COVID‐19 patients not only created a health emergency but also led to an economic crisis. An early and accurate diagnosis of COVID‐19 can help in combating this deadly virus. In line with this, researchers have proposed several machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) techniques for detecting COVID‐19 since 2020. This article presents currently available manual diagnosis methods along with their limitations. It also provides an extensive survey of ML and DL techniques that can support medical professionals in the precise diagnosis of COVID‐19. ML methods, namely K‐nearest neighbor, support vector machine (SVM), artificial neural network, decision tree, naive bayes, and DL methods, viz. deep neural network, convolutional neural network (CNN), region‐based convolutional neural network, and long short‐term memories, are explored. It also provides details of the latest COVID‐19 open‐source datasets, consisting of x‐ray and computed tomography scan images. A comparative analysis of ML and DL techniques developed for COVID‐19 detection in terms of methodology, datasets, sample size, type of classification, performance, and limitations is also done. It has been found that SVM is the most frequently used ML technique, while CNN is the most commonly used DL technique for COVID‐19 detection. The challenges of an existing dataset have been identified, including size and quality of datasets, lack of labeled datasets, severity level, data imbalance, and privacy concerns. It is recommended that there is a need to establish a benchmark dataset that overcomes these challenges to enhance the effectiveness of ML and DL techniques. Further, hurdles in implementing ML and DL techniques in real‐time clinical settings have also been highlighted. In addition, the motivation noticed from the existing methods has been considered for extending the research with an optimized DL model, which attained improved performance using statistical and deep features. The optimized deep model performs better than 90% based on efficient features and proper classifier tuning.
Intelligent language analysis method for multi‐sensor data fusion
Authors: Han Tengxiao
Published: May 2023

Language intelligence analysis oriented to multi‐sensor data fusion is of great significance for language analysis in real scenarios. On the one hand, intelligent language analysis technology can greatly improve the performance of applications such as information retrieval and machine translation, and provide technical support for semantic‐level applications. On the other hand, each language has its own unique characteristics, and the advancement of the language system through language analysis technology is of great benefit to natural language analysis. In this letter, an intelligent language analysis method for multi‐sensor data fusion is elaborated. Specifically, the Kalman filter algorithm is combined to perform the first preprocessing filter fusion on multi‐sensor data. Then, the deep learning model is used to design a language analysis model using Bidirectional Long‐Short Memory Neural Networks (Bi‐LSTM) to obtain deep fusion of multi‐sensor data. In the experiment, the multi‐sensors are used to collect real language data and public language datasets for verification, and the results show the effectiveness of the method proposed in this letter in terms of syntactic label classification.
Roles of engagement: Analyzing adolescent students' talk during controversial discussions
Authors: Al‐Adeimi Shireen , Baumann Jennie
Published: May 2023

Dialogic talk affords students opportunities to share ideas and co‐construct knowledge while developing various literacy skills such as perspective taking, text comprehension, and argumentative reasoning. In this study, we examine how seventh‐ and eighth‐grade students in four classrooms discuss a controversial topic about changing a National Football League team's controversial name and analyze their discursive roles using thematic content analysis. We provide dynamic profiles of student speakers, including those who take on primary, secondary, tertiary, and periphery roles within discussions. We also discuss how these roles shift and provide implications for teachers who engage students dialogically around controversial, yet essential, topics.
Identification of genes showing altered DNA methylation and gene expression in the renal proximal tubular cells of rats treated with ochratoxin A for 13 weeks
Authors: Ozawa Shunsuke , Ojiro Ryota , Tang Qian , Zou Xinyu , Woo Gye‐Hyeong , Yoshida Toshinori , Shibutani Makoto
Published: May 2023

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin that causes renal carcinogenicity following the induction of karyomegaly in proximal tubular cells after repeated administration to rats. Here, we performed gene profiling regarding altered DNA methylation and gene expression in the renal tubules focusing on the mechanism of OTA‐induced carcinogenesis. For this purpose, OTA or 3‐chloro‐1,2‐propanediol (3‐MCPD), a renal carcinogen not inducing karyomegaly, was administered to rats for 13 weeks, and DNA methylation array and RNA sequencing analyses were performed on proximal tubular cells. Genes for which OTA altered the methylation status and gene expression level, after excluding genes showing similar expression changes by 3‐MCPD, were subjected to confirmation analysis of the transcript level by real‐time reverse‐transcription PCR. Gene Ontology (GO)‐based functional annotation analysis of validated genes revealed a cluster of hypermethylated and downregulated genes enriched under the GO term “mitochondrion,” such as those associated with metabolic reprogramming in carcinogenic process (Clpx, Mrpl54, Mrps34, and Slc25a23). GO terms enriched for hypomethylated and upregulated genes included “response to arsenic‐containing substance,” represented by Cdkn1a involved in cell cycle arrest, and “positive regulation of IL‐17 production,” represented by Osm potentiating cell proliferation promotion. Other genes that did not cluster under any GO term included Lrrc14 involved in NF‐κB‐mediated inflammation, Gen1 linked to DNA repair, Has1 related to chromosomal aberration, and Anxa3 involved in tumor development and progression. In conclusion, a variety of genes engaged in carcinogenic processes were obtained by epigenetic gene profiling in rat renal tubular cells specific to OTA treatment for 13 weeks.
Application of two systems to classify the root and canal morphology in the human dentition: A national survey in India
Authors: Karobari Mohmed Isaqali , Ahmed Hany Mohamed Aly , Khamis Mohd Fadhli Bin , Ibrahim Norliza , Noorani Tahir Yusuf
Published: May 2023

Purpose

To assess the application and accuracy of two systems (Vertucci et al. 1974 and Ahmed et al. 2017) in classifying the root and canal morphology of human dentition among final‐year undergraduates, interns, and postgraduate dental students in India.

Methods

The survey was conducted using physical and online presentation modes in two phases. Phase 1; PowerPoint presentation (PPT), describing the most used classification system (Vertucci et al. 1974) and its supplementary types and Ahmed et al. (2017) classification. A single presenter delivered the PPT to participants, using either a projector in an auditorium/seminar hall (face‐to‐face) or an online platform (zoom meeting software). Phase 2 involved determining the students’ responses. A questionnaire was distributed amongst the participants after the lecture and collected for analysis. Fisher's exact test was used to analyze the data statistically, and the significance level was set at 0.05 (p < 0.05).

Results

A total of 1082 participants were involved in this survey. Overall, 93% of study participants found that Ahmed et al. classification system was more practical and accurate than Vertucci et al. system and its supplemental configurations (p < 0.001). About 97% agreed that Ahmed et al. classification system aided in understanding root and canal morphology better than Vertucci's and its additional configurations, and they recommended to include in their curriculum (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

In comparison to Vertucci's classification system and supplementary types, the undergraduate and postgraduate dental students, and interns in India agreed that Ahmed et al. classification system is more practical and accurate for classifying the root and canal morphology.
Cost‐effective dye‐sensitized solar cells based on rutile‐phase three‐dimensional TiO2 hierarchical nanostructures
Authors: G. Arthi , Selvam Rajiv , Y. Hayakawa , J. Archana , M. Navaneethan , S. Ponnusamy , C. Muthamizhchelvan , Ramaraj Sankar Ganesh
Published: May 2023

Specifically engineered three‐dimensional (3D) and 1D morphologies are expected to play significant roles in the development of next‐generation dye‐sensitized solar cells. In this study, using a hydrothermal approach without a surfactant or template, we attempted to synthesize a 3D hierarchical rutile titanium dioxide (TiO2) architecture by varying the growth temperature and time. X‐ray diffraction patterns of the synthesized TiO2 correlated well with rutile TiO2. Scanning electron microscopy images exhibited different nanostructures, such as nanorods, aggregated nanorods, and 3D TiO2 microflowers comprised of nanorods at 100°C, 130°C, and 160°C, respectively, after growth for 6 h. A significantly improved efficiency was observed for the TiO2 microflowers. The TiO2 microflowers exhibited an efficiency of 1.16%, short‐circuit current density of 12.8 mA cm−2, open‐circuit voltage of 0.692 V, and fill factor of 0.67.
Computed Diffusion‐Weighted Images of Rectal Cancer: Image Quality, Restaging, and Treatment Response after Neoadjuvant Therapy
Authors: Xia Yihan , Zhu Lan , Cai Gang , Du Lianjun , Wang Lingyun , Feng Weiming , Fu Caixia , Ma Qianchen , Dong Yihan , Pan Zilai , Yan Fuhua , Shen Hailin , Li Weiguang , Zhang Huan
Published: May 2023

Background

Computed diffusion‐weighted images (cDWI) of random b value could be derived from acquired DWI (aDWI) with at least two different b values. However, its comparison between aDWI and cDWI images in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients after neoadjuvant therapy (NT) is needed.

Purpose

To compare the cDWI and aDWI in image quality, restaging, and treatment response of LARC after NT.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

Eighty‐seven consecutive patients.

Field Strength/Sequence

3.0 T/DWI.

Assessment

All patients underwent two DWI sequences, including conventional acquisition with b = 0 and 1000 s/mm2 (aDWIb1000) and another with b = 0 and 700 s/mm2 on a 3.0‐T MR scanner. The images of the latter were used to compute the diffusion images with b = 1000 s/mm2 (cDWIb1000). Four radiologists with 3, 4, 14, and 25 years of experience evaluated the images to compare the image quality, TN restaging performance, and treatment response between aDWIb1000 and cDWIb1000.

Statistical Tests

Interclass correlation coefficients, weighted κ coefficient, paired Wilcoxon, and McNemar or Fisher test were used. A significance level of 0.05 was used.

Results

The cDWIb1000 images were superior to the aDWIb1000 ones in both subjective and objective image quality. In T restaging, the overall diagnostic accuracy of cDWIb1000 images was higher than that of aDWIb1000 images (57.47% vs. 49.43%, P = 0.289 for the inexperienced radiologist; 77.01% vs. 63.22%, significant for the experienced radiologist), with better sensitivity in determining ypT0‐Tis tumors. Additionally, it increased the sensitivity in detecting ypT2 tumors for the inexperienced radiologist and ypT3 tumors for the experienced radiologist. N restaging and treatment response were found to be similar between two sequences for both radiologists.

Data Conclusion

Compared to aDWIb1000 images, the computed ones might serve as a wise approach, providing comparable or better image quality, restaging performance, and treatment response assessment for LARC after NT.

Level of Evidence

3

Technical Efficacy Stage

2
Piezoelectric ultrasonic debridement as new tool for biofilm removal from orthopedic implants: A study in vitro
Authors: Russo Alessandro , Gatti Alessandro , Felici Silvia , Gambardella Alessandro , Fini Milena , Neri Maria Pia , Zaffagnini Stefano , Lazzarotto Tiziana
Published: May 2023

Pulse lavage (PL) debridement is the standard treatment used in Debridement, Antibiotics and Implant Retention (DAIR) for bacterial biofilm removal during acute and early postoperative cases of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). The failure rate of DAIR is still high due to the inadequacy of PL in removing the biofilm. Ultrasound‐based techniques are a well‐established tool for PJI diagnosis due to their ability to completely eradicate the biofilm from implant surfaces. Hence, this study investigates the efficiency of a piezoelectric ultrasonic scalpel (PUS) in removing bacterial biofilm from different orthopedic implant materials in vitro and compares the results with PL. Biofilms of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains were grown on titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V ELI), stainless steel (AISI 316L), and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) disks for 24 h. The disks of each material were divided into three groups: (i) a control group (no lavage/debridement), (ii) a group treated with PL, (iii) a group treated with PUS. The disks were then sonicated for viable cell count to measure the residual biofilm content. Compared to the initial cell count (105 CFU/mL for each material), PL showed a two‐log reduction of CFU/mL (p < 0.001 for each material), while for PUS a four‐log reduction was found (p < 0.001 for each material). The comparison between the two lavage/debridement displayed a two‐log reduction of CFU/mL (p < 0.001 for each material) of PUS compared with PL. Its increased efficiency compared with PL promotes the use of PUS in removing bacterial biofilm from orthopedic implants, suggesting its implementation to improve the success rate of DAIR.
Scaling group consultations – the fourth healthcare revolution: A call to action to save primary care
Authors: Birrell Fraser , Collen Denis , Gray Muir
Published: May 2023

Compelling arguments support scaling of group consultations across the National Health Service (NHS) and globally. We need to recognise self‐care is the most important type of care for people with long‐term health problems. Healthcare systems like the NHS are essential for diagnosis, acute care and initiating optimal therapy but people are on their own over 99.95% of waking hours. We must accept and encourage the contribution that other people with the same long‐term health problems can make and enable both types of care through face‐to‐face and virtual group consultations.  Patients and communities need agency and choice to implement and access these patient‐centred and codesigned care models. This can bring system benefits, mapped to healthcare's quintuple aim, to those electing to use group consultations and even those who do not. The process of both training and delivering group consultation models can create and sustain compassionate communities and this ‘Fourth Healthcare Revolution’ may be exactly what is needed to save primary care.
Decomposition into special submanifolds
Authors: Fujita Masato
Published: May 2023

We study definably complete locally o‐minimal expansions of ordered groups. We propose a notion of special submanifolds with tubular neighborhoods and show that any definable set is decomposed into finitely many special submanifolds with tubular neighborhoods.
(Nano)platforms in breast cancer therapy: Drug/gene delivery, advanced nanocarriers and immunotherapy
Authors: Ashrafizadeh Milad , Zarrabi Ali , Bigham Ashkan , Taheriazam Afshin , Saghari Yalda , Mirzaei Sepideh , Hashemi Mehrdad , Hushmandi Kiavash , Karimi‐Maleh Hassan , Nazarzadeh Zare Ehsan , Sharifi Esmaeel , Ertas Yavuz Nuri , Rabiee Navid , Sethi Gautam , Shen Mingzhi
Published: May 2023

Breast cancer is the most malignant tumor in women, and there is no absolute cure for it. Although treatment modalities including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are utilized for breast cancer, it is still a life‐threatening disease for humans. Nanomedicine has provided a new opportunity in breast cancer treatment, which is the focus of the current study. The nanocarriers deliver chemotherapeutic agents and natural products, both of which increase cytotoxicity against breast tumor cells and prevent the development of drug resistance. The efficacy of gene therapy is boosted by nanoparticles and the delivery of CRISPR/Cas9, Noncoding RNAs, and RNAi, promoting their potential for gene expression regulation. The drug and gene codelivery by nanoparticles can exert a synergistic impact on breast tumors and enhance cellular uptake via endocytosis. Nanostructures are able to induce photothermal and photodynamic therapy for breast tumor ablation via cell death induction. The nanoparticles can provide tumor microenvironment remodeling and repolarization of macrophages for antitumor immunity. The stimuli‐responsive nanocarriers, including pH‐, redox‐, and light‐sensitive, can mediate targeted suppression of breast tumors. Besides, nanoparticles can provide a diagnosis of breast cancer and detect biomarkers. Various kinds of nanoparticles have been employed for breast cancer therapy, including carbon‐, lipid‐, polymeric‐ and metal‐based nanostructures, which are different in terms of biocompatibility and delivery efficiency.
Application of the microtomography technique in density studies of prehistoric and historical human skeletal materials
Authors: Tarasiuk Jacek , Mnich Barbara , Wroński Sebastian , Lisowska‐Gaczorek Aleksandra , Szostek Krzysztof
Published: May 2023

Bone density is not a standard parameter examined during anthropological analysis, although researchers increasingly attempt to assess bone mineral density (BMD) in prehistoric populations. Computed tomography (CT) has great potential in this type of research. Micro CT is a precise and universal tool for bone density measurement based on CT value (attenuation factor of the X‐rays at a given point in space). Thirty‐four archaeological human radial bone samples from four chronologically and geographically different sites from southern Poland were examined here. Real BMD was measured (mass/volume) and compared with BMD obtained with the use of CT value results to verify correlation between those two parameters. The micro CT density values were estimated with an uncertainty of less than 0.03 g/cm3 in more than 75% of samples. This method does not require any special sample preparation and any substitute of soft tissues. This technique enables measurement of the cortical and cancellous bone separately in even partial or damaged bones.