bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of atmospheric nonthermal plasma on physicochemical, morphology and functional properties of sunn pest (Eurygaster integriceps)‐damaged wheat flour
Authors: Tavakoli Lahijani Amir , Shahidi Fakhri , Habibian Mahmoud , Koocheki Arash , Shokrollahi Yancheshmeh Behdad
Published: April 2022

To improve the quality of sunn pests (Eurygaster integriceps)‐damaged wheat flour, the effects of nonthermal plasma on physicochemical, rheological, functional, and microstructural properties were investigated. Gas type (air and oxygen), voltage (22 and 25 volts), and time (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 min) were the variables of the experiments conducted using a completely randomized design with three replications. The results show that with increasing voltage and time of plasma treatment, the pH decreased significantly (p ≥ .05), and brightness parameter, yellow–blue parameter, water‐solubility, water absorption, oil absorption, and swelling power increased significantly (p ≥ .05). The duration of plasma treatment, voltage, and change in input gas from air to oxygen did not significantly change the gluten index, particle size, and negative electric charge of flour particles, and the amount of zeta potential of samples. Differential calorimetric analysis showed the first and second peaks of the thermogram in the range 55–99°C and also 114–99°C. Infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) showed hydroxyl group, CH bonds, C=O bonds, as well as the presence of types I and II amide bonds in the structure. Microstructural results indicated that plasma treatment reduced the particle size and increased particle sorting. By Increasing voltage and the duration of plasma treatment, peak viscosity, final viscosity, breakdown viscosity, pasting time and temperature significantly increased and setback viscosity decreased (p ≥ .05), which reduced retrogradation which improved the dough stability during the cooling process.
Latinx Bioethics: Toward a Braver, Broader, and More Just Bioethics
Authors: Suarez Joanne C.
Published: April 2022

In recognizing that overcoming anti‐Blackness and structural racism requires a collective effort, Latinx bioethics has emerged as a space in the larger field of bioethics where Latino scholars, researchers, artists, and other bioethics professionals are contributing to deconstructing anti‐Blackness. With attention to race and ethnocultural perspectives, Latinx bioethics draws from bioethical theories and conceptual frameworks to address ethical and moral issues affecting Latino communities. This essay aims to explain how Latinx bioethics aids in centering the Latinx voice and eradicating anti‐Blackness in bioethics. After introducing the Latinx bioethics framework and mission, the essay explores the overlap between Black bioethics and Latinx bioethics and discusses why this overlap calls for cross‐examination and collaboration in the field. The essay concludes with a summary of recommendations and reflections that bioethics can adopt to begin progressing toward a more inclusive and racially equitable field.
Bioethics Rooted in Justice: Community‐Expert Reflections
Authors: Wallace Gwendolyn
Published: April 2022

Based on interviews that the author and her colleagues conducted with three community organizers, activists, and health care workers—James Manigault‐Bryant, Amika Tendaji, and Amber‐Rose Howard—this essay emphasizes the importance of considering how the field of bioethics might be expanded with the integration of abolitionist perspectives and practices. These individuals were selected as interviewees for this special report on reckoning with anti‐Black racism because of their dedication to Black abolitionist theory and practice and to centering the communities most harmed by state violence. A crucial lesson to be drawn from the conversations held with Manigault‐Bryant, Tendaji, and Howard is that, without centering the experiences of Black health activists and community organizers in bioethics’ research, the field is bound to uphold White supremacy, advance colonialism, and neglect entire ways of being in the world.
Modulation effect of substantia nigra iron deposition and functional connectivity on putamen glucose metabolism in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Zang Zhenxiang , Song Tianbin , Li Jiping , Yan Shaozhen , Nie Binbin , Mei Shanshan , Ma Jie , Yang Yu , Shan Baoci , Zhang Yuqing , Lu Jie
Published: April 2022

Neurodegeneration of the substantia nigra affects putamen activity in Parkinson's disease (PD), yet in vivo evidence of how the substantia nigra modulates putamen glucose metabolism in humans is missing. We aimed to investigate how substantia nigra modulates the putamen glucose metabolism using a cross‐sectional design. Resting‐state fMRI, susceptibility‐weighted imaging, and [18F]‐fluorodeoxyglucose‐PET (FDG‐PET) data were acquired. Forty‐two PD patients and 25 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited for simultaneous PET/MRI scanning. The main measurements of the current study were images representing iron deposition (28 PD and 25 HCs), standardized uptake value ratio (SUVr) images representing FDG‐uptake (33 PD and 25 HCs), and resting state functional connectivity maps from resting state fMRI (34 PD and 25 HCs). An interaction term based on the general linear model was used to investigate the joint modulation effect of nigral iron deposition and nigral‐putamen functional connectivity on putamen FDG‐uptake. Compared with HCs, we found increased iron deposition in the substantia nigra (p = .007), increased FDG‐uptake in the putamen (left: PFWE < 0.001; right: PFWE < 0.001), and decreased functional connectivity between the substantia nigra and the anterior putamen (left PFWE < 0.001, right: PFWE = 0.007). We then identified significant interaction effect of nigral iron deposition and nigral‐putamen connectivity on FDG‐uptake in the putamen (p = .004). The current study demonstrated joint modulation effect of the substantia nigra iron deposition and nigral‐putamen functional connectivity on putamen glucose metabolic distribution, thereby revealing in vivo pathological mechanism of nigrostriatal neurodegeneration of PD.
Families' costs form a considerable part of total costs in bronchiolitis care
Authors: Mäntynen Emilia , Palmu Sauli , Heikkilä Paula
Published: April 2022

Background and aim

The burden of bronchiolitis is remarkable due to high morbidity in infants. The aim of this study was to evaluate bronchiolitis‐associated costs for patients' families and the healthcare system.

Methods

This retrospective, descriptive study included 136 infants under 12 months of age treated at Tampere University Hospital, Finland, between October 1, 2018 and March 31, 2020, with bronchiolitis as the main diagnosis. The data consists of patient background and medical information and of estimated costs for the families and for the healthcare system. The data were collected from the hospital's electronic patient files and registries and were analyzed with descriptive statistical analyzes using SPSS v. 26 software.

Results

The total median costs associated with bronchiolitis from the perspective of families and healthcare were €16,205 per patient if intensive care was needed and €2266 per patient treated only on the ward. The median costs for the families were €461 and €244, respectively, and for the healthcare system, they were €15,644 and €2019.

Conclusion

The majority of the total costs for treatment were due to healthcare costs and only 10% of costs were targeted at families. Bronchiolitis‐associated total median costs were 7.2 times higher and the families' costs were 1.9 times higher if intensive care was needed instead of treatment on the ward only.
Treatment satisfaction and response in patients with severe alopecia areata under treatment with diphenylcyclopropenone
Authors: Abedini Robabeh , Abdshah Alireza , Ghandi Narges , Janatalipour Atefe , Torabi Sara , Nasimi Maryam
Published: April 2022

Background and Aims

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease of hair follicles. Treatments currently include topical and intralesional corticosteroids and contact immunotherapy; however, the overall prognosis is usually unfavorable. In severe AA, topical immunotherapy with diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) is preferred. Since its effectiveness is heterogeneous and there are several side effects, we decided to measure the patients' satisfaction using the “Version II of the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication,” which investigates satisfaction with effectiveness, side effects, convenience, and global satisfaction.

Methods

We examined 100 patients under treatment with DPCP for treatment response, asked them to respond to the questionnaire, and calculated their overall scores out of 400. We then investigated the association between the patients' characteristics with their treatment response and satisfaction.

Results

The overall satisfaction of patients was 257/400. We observed a significant association between patients' satisfaction scores on effectiveness and global satisfaction with their response to treatment (p < 0.001). The patients' satisfaction with the treatment's convenience had a significantly positive association with the age of receiving the diagnosis (p = 0.028). The overall treatment satisfaction was significantly associated with treatment response (276 vs. 213, p = 0.000).

Conclusion

Although there are currently no gold standard treatments for severe AA, DPCP demonstrated a 71% response to treatment, and patients with response were significantly more satisfied with their treatment.
Improving birth certificate data accuracy in Alabama
Authors: Gentle Samuel J. , Moore Matthew , Blackmon Rosemary , Brugh Brenda , Todd Allison , Wingate Martha , Mazzoni Sara
Published: April 2022

Objective

Accurate vital statistics data are critical for monitoring population health and strategizing public health interventions. Previous analyses of statewide birth data have identified several factors that may reduce birth certificate accuracy including systematic errors and limited data review by clinicians. The aim of this initiative was to increase the proportion of hospitals in Alabama reporting accurate birth certificate data from 67% to 87% within 1 year.

Methods

The Alabama Perinatal Quality Collaborative led this statewide collaborative effort. Process measures included monthly monitoring of 11 variables across 5–10 patient birth certificates per month per hospital. Accuracy determination, defined as ≥95% accuracy of the variables analyzed, was performed by health care specialists at each hospital by comparing birth certificate variables from vital statistics with data obtained from original hospital source materials. Three months of retrospective, baseline accuracy data were collected before project initiation from which actionable drivers and change ideas were identified at individual hospitals. Data were analyzed using statistical process control measures.

Results

Thirty‐one hospitals entered data throughout the course of the initiative, accounting for 850 chart analyses and 9350 variable assessments. The least accurately reported variables included birth weight, maternal hypertension, and antenatal corticosteroid exposure. At baseline, 67% of hospitals reported birth certificate accuracy rates ≥ 95%, which increased to 90% of hospitals within 2 months and was sustained for the remainder of the initiative.

Conclusion

Statewide, multidisciplinary quality improvement efforts increased birth certificate accuracy vital to public health surveillance.
Sleep monitoring challenges in patients with neurocognitive disorders: A cross‐sectional analysis of missing data from activity trackers
Authors: Ahuja Manan , Siddhpuria Shailee , Reppas‐Rindlisbacher Christina , Wong Eric , Gormley Jessica , Lee Justin , Patterson Christopher
Published: April 2022

Background and Aims

Activity monitors, such as Fitbits®, are being used increasingly for research purposes and data have been validated in healthy community‐dwelling older adults. Given the lack of research in older adults with neurocognitive disorders, we investigated the consistency of sleep data recorded from a wrist‐worn activity monitor in this population.

Methods

Fitbit® activity monitors were worn by hospitalized older adults as part of a parent study investigating sleep and step count in patients recovering from hip fracture surgery in a tertiary care academic hospital in Hamilton, Canada between March 2018 and June 2019. In this secondary analysis, we compared the proportion of missing sleep data between participants with and without a neurocognitive disorder and used a multivariable model to assess the association between neurocognitive disorder and missing sleep data.

Results

Of 67 participants included in the analysis, 22 had a neurocognitive disorder (median age: 86.5 years). Sleep data were missing for 47% of the neurocognitive disorder group and 23% of the non‐neurocognitive disorder group. The presence of a neurocognitive disorder was associated with an increased likelihood of missing sleep data using the Fitbit® activity monitors (adjusted odds ratio: 3.41; 95% confidence interval: 1.06–11.73, p = 0.04).

Conclusion

The inconsistent nature of sleep data tracking in hospitalized older adults with neurocognitive disorders highlights the challenges of using interventions in patient populations who are often excluded from validation studies. As opportunities expand for activity monitoring in persons with neurocognitive disorders, novel technologies not previously studied in this group should be used with caution.
The functionality of health facility governing committees and their associated factors in selected primary health facilities implementing direct health facility financing in Tanzania: A mixed‐method study
Authors: Kesale Anosisye Mwandulusya , Mahonge Christopher Paul , Muhanga Mikidadi
Published: April 2022

Background

In Lower and Middle‐Income Countries (LMICs), decentralization has dominated the agenda for reforming the organization of service delivery (LMICs). The fiscal decentralization challenge is a hard one for decentralization. As they strive to make decisions and use health facility funding, primary healthcare facilities encounter the obstacles of fiscal decentralization. LMICs are currently implementing fiscal decentralization reforms to empower health facilities and their Health Facility Governing Committees (HFGCs) to improve service delivery. Given the scarcity of systematic evidence on the impact of fiscal decentralization, this study examined the functionality of HFGCs and their associated factors in primary healthcare facilities in Tanzania that were implementing fiscal decentralization through Direct Health Facility Financing (DHFF).

Methods

To collect both qualitative and quantitative data, a cross‐sectional approach was used. The research was carried out in 32 primary healthcare facilities in Tanzania that were implementing the DHFF. A multistage sample approach was utilized to pick 280 respondents, using both probability and nonprobability sampling procedures. A structured questionnaire, in‐depth interviews, and focus group discussions were used to gather data. The functionality of HFGCs was determined using descriptive analysis, and associated factors for the functioning of HFGCs were determined using binary logistic regression. Thematic analysis was used to do qualitative research.

Result

HFGC functionality under DHFF has been found to be good by 78.57%. Specifically, HFGCs have been found to have good functionality in mobilizing communities to join Community Health Funds 87.14%, participating in the procurement process 85%, discussing community health challenges 81.43% and planning and budgeting 80%. The functionality of HFGCs has been found to be associated with the planning and budgeting aspects p value of 0.0011, procurement aspects p value 0.0331, availability of information reports p value 0.0007 and Contesting for HFGC position p value 0.0187.

Conclusion

The study found that fiscal decentralization via DHFF increases the functionality of HFGCs significantly. As a result, the report proposes that more effort be placed into making financial resources available to health facilities.
A fast approximate extension of the interacting quantum atoms energy decomposition to excited states
Authors: Jara‐Cortés Jesús , Matta Chérif F. , Hernández‐Trujillo Jesús
Published: April 2022

An approach is developed for the fast calculation of the interacting quantum atoms energy decomposition (IQA) from the information contained in the first order reduced density matrix only. The proposed methodology utilizes an approximate exchange‐correlation density from Density Matrix Functional Theory without the need to evaluate the correlation‐exchange contribution directly. Instead, weight factors are estimated to decompose the exactVxcinto atomic and pairwise contributions. In this way, the sum of the IQA contributions recovers the energy obtained from the electronic structure calculation. This method can, hence, be applied to obtain atomic contributions in excited states on the same footing as in their ground states using any method that delivers the reduced first‐order density matrix. In this way, one can locate chromophores from first principles quantum chemical calculations. Test calculations on the ground and excited states of a set of small molecules indicate that the scaled atomic contributions reproduce vertical electronic transition energies calculated exactly. This approach may be useful to extend the applicability of the IQA approach in the study of large photochemical systems especially when the calculations of the second order reduced density matrices is prohibitive or not possible.
Computational study of ground‐state properties of μ2‐bridged group 14 porphyrinic sandwich complexes
Authors: Kohn Julia , Bursch Markus , Hansen Andreas , Grimme Stefan
Published: April 2022

The structural properties of μ2‐bridged porphyrinic double‐decker complexes are investigated and the influence of various ligands, metals, substituents, and bridging atoms on the dominant structural motif is elucidated. A variety of quantum chemical methods including semiempirical (SQM) methods and density functional theory (DFT) is assessed for the calculation of ecliptic and staggered conformational energies. Local coupled cluster (DLPNO‐CCSD(T1)) data are generated for reference. The r2SCAN‐3c composite scheme as well as the B2PLYP‐D4/def2‐QZVPP approach are identified as reliable methods. Energy decomposition analyses (EDA) and localized molecular orbital analyses (LMO) are used to investigate the bonding situation and the nature of the inter‐ligand interaction energy underlining the crucial role of attractive London dispersion interactions. Targeted modification of the bridging atom, e.g., by replacing O2− by S2− is shown to drastically change the major structural features of the investigated complexes. Further, the influence of different substituents of varying size at the phthalocyanine ligand regarding the dominant conformation is described.
Genetic studies discover novel coding and non‐coding mutations in patients with Wilson's disease in China
Authors: Huang Chenjun , Fang Meng , Xiao Xiao , Gao Zhiyuan , Wang Ying , Gao Chunfang
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Wilson disease (WD) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder associated with various mutations in the ATP7B gene and leads to significant disability or death if untreated. Early diagnosis and proper therapy usually predict a good prognosis, especially in pre‐symptomatic WD. Genetic testing provides an accurate and effective diagnostic method for the early diagnosis of WD.

Methods

We recruited 18 clinically diagnosed WD patients from 16 unrelated families and two independent individuals. The next‐generation sequencing of the ATP7B gene was performed. The 293T cell lines were divided into wild‐type (WT) ATP7B and mutated ATP7B groups. Cell proliferation was determined by Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK‐8) assay and apoptosis was detected by Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) assays.

Results

Pedigree analysis showed that compound heterozygous variants (17/18, 94.44%) were present in the majority of WD patients. A total of 33 ATP7B gene variants were identified, including three variants with uncertain significance (VUS) [two splice mutations (c.51+2T>G, c.1543+40G>A) and one frameshift mutation (c.3532_3535del)]. The CCK‐8 and apoptosis assays demonstrated that the VUS of ATP7B could significantly affect the transportation of copper.

Conclusions

The study revealed genetic defects of 16 Chinese families and two independent individuals with WD, which enriched the mutation spectrum of the ATP7B gene worldwide and provided valuable information for studying the mutation types of ATP7B in the Chinese populations. Genetic testing in WD patients is necessary to shorten the time to initiate therapy, reduce damage to the liver and improve the prognosis.
Parental exposure of Tadalafil has beneficial effect on reflexive motor behaviors in mice offspring
Authors: Imani Mohammad Hassan , Hassanpour Shahin , Asghari Ahmad , Khaksar Ehssan
Published: April 2022

Tadalafil has positive effects on neurodevelopment and antioxidant defense system, but there is no information for its possible role during gestation on reflexive motor behavior in offspring. So current study determined the effect of prenatal exposure to the Tadalafil on reflexive motor behaviors and antioxidant activity in mice offspring and antidepressive behaviors in postpartum dams. Forty pregnant female NMRI mice were allocated into four groups. In control group, mice received water while in Groups 2–4, female mice orally gavage with Tadalafil (0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 mg/kg) at gestation day (GD) 5, 8, 11, 14, and 17, respectively. Following delivery, pups were selected and reflexive motor behaviors determined using ambulation, hind‐limb foot angle, surface righting, hind‐limb strength, grip strength, front‐limb suspension, and negative geotaxis tests. Also, serum malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and total antioxidant status (TAS) were determined in offspring. On Day 2 postpartum, antidepressant activity of Tadalafil was determined by open field test (OFT), rotarod, forced swimming test (FST), and tail suspension test (TST) in dams. Based on the findings, maternal exposure to Tadalafil improved ambulation score, hind‐limb suspension score, grip strength, and front‐limb suspension in offspring (P < 0.05). Prenatal exposure to Tadalafil decreased surface righting, hind‐limb foot angle, and negative geotaxis in offspring (P < 0.05). Tadalafil decreased blood MDA and increased SOD and GPx levels in offspring (P < 0.05). Tadalafil significantly decreased immobility time in FST and TST and increased number of squares crossed in OFT and spending time on rotarod on postpartum mice (P < 0.05). These results suggested that parental exposure of Tadalafil has positive effect on reflexive motor and postpartum behaviors.
Challenges in linking soil health to edge‐of‐field water quality across the Great Lakes basin
Authors: Fermanich Kevin , Meyers Molly , Loken Luke C. , Bischoff‐Gray Marianne , Turco Ron , Stahlheber Karen , Duriancik Lisa , Dornbush Mathew , Komiskey Matt
Published: April 2022

To better understand agricultural nutrient losses, we evaluated relationships between management (e.g., manure and tillage), soil health measurements, and resulting edge‐of‐field (EOF) surface water quality. This work was conducted before or early into conservation implementation at 14 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative EOF sites spanning Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and New York. Analyses of site characteristics (hydroclimate, management, catchment properties) along with 3 yr of soil health measurements (chemical, biological, and physical properties) showed EOF‐nutrient export depended on both site and soil properties. A pattern emerged whereby sites not receiving manure and sites with manure defined opposite ends of several gradients for soil and water data. Sites receiving manure had increased microbial activity, organic matter (3.2 vs. 2.7%), and soil test phosphorus (P) (2.8 times more) relative to sites without manure. Suspended sediments (SS), total P (TP), and total nitrogen (TN) in EOF surface runoff varied over three to five orders. Multivariate analysis among sites showed covariant linkages between soil nutrients, soil C, microbial properties, and nutrients in EOF water. There were positive univariate relationships between water‐extractable soil P and annual EOF‐water concentrations and yields of orthophosphate, TP, TN, and SS (p < .01). Some soil physical properties (e.g., bulk density and infiltration) also covaried among sites but were not consistently related to runoff index or water yield variables. Given the observed among‐site variability, we were not able to isolate desirable soil health signals on EOF surface water quality.
Rapid diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma with machine learning and probe electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Wang Ye , Chen Zhenhe , Shima Keisuke , Zhong Dingrong , Yang Lei , Wang Qingyang , Jiang Ruiying , Dong Jing , Lei Yajuan , Li Xiaodong , Cao Lei
Published: April 2022

Frozen section examination could provide pathological diagnosis for surgery of thyroid nodules, which is time‐consuming, skill‐ and experience‐dependent. This study developed a rapid classification method for thyroid nodules and machine learning. Total 69 tissues were collected including 43 nodules and 26 nodule‐adjacent tissues. Intraoperative frozen section was first performed to give accurate diagnosis, and the rest frozen specimen were pretreated for probe electrospray ionization mass measurement. By multivariate analysis of mass scan data, a series compounds were found downregulated in the extraction solution of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), but some were found upregulated by mass spectrometry imaging. m/z 758.5713 ([PC[34:2] + H]+), m/z 772.5845 ([PC[32:0] + K]+), and m/z 786.6037 ([PC[36:2] + H]+) were firstly identified as potential biomarkers for nodular goiter (NG). Machine learning was employed by means of support vector machine (SVM) and random forest (RF) algorithms. For classification of PTC from NG, SVM and RF algorithms exhibited the same performance and the concordance was 94.2% and 94.4% between prediction and pathological diagnosis with positive and negative mass dataset, respectively. For the classification of PTC from PTC adjacent tissues, SVM was better than RF and the concordance was 93.8% and 83.3% with positive and negative mass dataset, respectively. With the identified compounds as training features, the sensitivity and specificity are 87.5% and 88.9% for the test set. The developed method could also correctly predict the malignancy of one medullary thyroid carcinoma and one adenomatous goiter (benign). The diagnosis time is about 10 min for one specimen, and it is very promising for the intraoperative diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma.
A cleanup method of serum extracts with molecular sieves as SPE sorbents for the analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers
Authors: Liu Hongyuan , Jin Jing , Xue Huifu , Guo Cuicui , Ren Feng , He Xiaolin , Chen Jiping , Hu Chun
Published: April 2022

Based on the size‐ and shape‐selective sorption, 13X molecular sieves were developed as solid‐phase extraction adsorbents to cleanup serum extract for the determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers. The important parameters affecting the cleanup efficiency were investigated including the amount of sorbents, the type, and volume of solvents. Under the optimized conditions, the capacity for removing impurities was evaluated via gel permeation chromatography and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. The results demonstrated that up to 99% of lipids in corn oil (13 mg) can be removed after cleanup, and endogenous compounds in serum can also be effectively eliminated. The cleanup efficiency is not only superior to hydrophile‐lipophile balance column, but also close to acid silica gel and multifunction impurity sorbents. Generally, the developed cleanup method exhibited higher recovery for polybrominated diphenyl ethers with more than four bromines, especially for nona‐ and deca‐brominated diphenyl ethers (99.1˗117.8%). The cleanup method can be coupled with gas chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry for polybrominated diphenyl ethers analysis in human serum. The method detection limits were 0.01˗0.27 ng/mL and average recovery was 50.9˗113.3%, except 2,3',4',6‐tetrabrominated, 2,3',4,4',6‐pentabrominated, and 2,3,3',4,4',5',6‐heptabrominated diphenyl ethers. 2,2',4,5'‐Tetrabrominated diphenyl ethers had the highest detection frequency (95%) in human serum, whereas decabrominated diphenyl ethers had the maximum mean concentration (0.50 ng/mL).
Existence and controllability of higher‐order nonlinear fractional integrodifferential systems via fractional resolvent
Authors: Haq Abdul , Sukavanam Nagarajan
Published: April 2022

This work analyzes the existence of solution and approximate controllability for higher‐order nonlinear fractional integrodifferential systems with Riemann–Liouville derivatives in Banach spaces. First, the definition of mild solution for the system is derived. Then a set of sufficient conditions for the existence of mild solution and approximate controllability of the system is obtained. The discussions are based on fixed point approach, and the theory of convolution and fractional resolvent. To illustrate the feasibility of developed theory, an example is given.
A computational procedure and analysis for multi‐term time‐fractional Burgers‐type equation
Authors: A.S.V. Ravi Kanth , Garg Neetu
Published: April 2022

This paper presents a new numerical algorithm dealing with multi‐term time‐fractional Burgers‐type equation involving the Caputo derivative. The proposed method consists of temporal discretization of
formula and spatial discretization using the exponential B‐splines. The semi implicit approach is applied to discretize the nonlinear term
. We adopt the Von–Neumann method to study stability. We also establish the convergence analysis. The proposed method is employed to solve a few numerical examples in order to test its efficiency and accuracy. Comparisons with the recent works confirm the efficiency and robustness of the proposed method.
Assessing electrodiagnostic skills among residents and fellows: Relationships between workplace‐based assessments using the Electromyography Direct Observation Tool and other measures of trainee performance
Authors: Leep Hunderfund Andrea N. , Santilli Ashley R. , Rubin Devon I. , Laughlin Ruple S. , Sorenson Eric J. , Park Yoon S.
Published: April 2022

Introduction/Aims

Graduate medical education programs must ensure residents and fellows acquire skills needed for independent practice. Workplace‐based observational assessments are informative but can be time‐ and resource‐intensive. In this study we sought to gather “relations‐to‐other‐variables” validity evidence for scores generated by the Electromyography Direct Observation Tool (EMG‐DOT) to inform its use as a measure of electrodiagnostic skill acquisition.

Methods

Scores on multiple assessments were compiled by trainees during Clinical Neurophysiology and Electromyography rotations at a large US academic medical center. Relationships between workplace‐based EMG‐DOT scores (n = 298) and scores on a prerequisite simulated patient exercise, patient experience surveys (n = 199), end‐of‐rotation evaluations (n = 301), and an American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) self‐assessment examination were assessed using Pearson correlations.

Results

Among 23 trainees, EMG‐DOT scores assigned by physician raters correlated positively with end‐of‐rotation evaluations (r = 0.63, P = .001), but EMG‐DOT scores assigned by technician raters did not (r = 0.10, P = .663). When physician and technician ratings were combined, higher EMG‐DOT scores correlated with better patient experience survey scores (r = 0.42, P = .047), but not with simulated patient or AANEM self‐assessment examination scores.

Discussion

End‐of‐rotation evaluations can provide valid assessments of trainee performance when completed by individuals with ample opportunities to directly observe trainees. Inclusion of observational assessments by technicians and patients provides a more comprehensive view of trainee performance. Workplace‐ and classroom‐based assessments provide complementary information about trainee performance, reflecting underlying differences in types of skills measured.
Impact of obesity on the molecular response to a single bout of exercise in a preliminary human cohort
Authors: Vanderboom Patrick , Zhang Xiaoyan , Hart Corey R. , Kunz Hawley E. , Gries Kevin J. , Heppelmann Carrie J. , Liu Yuanhang , Dasari Surendra , Lanza Ian R.
Published: April 2022

Objective

The health benefits of exercise are well documented, but several exercise‐response parameters are attenuated in individuals with obesity. The goal of this pilot study was to identify molecular mechanisms that may influence exercise response with obesity.

Methods

A multi‐omics comparison of the transcriptome, proteome, and phosphoproteome in muscle from a preliminary cohort of lean individuals (n = 4) and individuals with obesity (n = 4) was performed, before and after a single bout of 30 minutes of unilateral cycling at 70% maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 peak). Mass spectrometry and RNA sequencing were used to interrogate the proteome, phosphoproteome, and transcriptome from muscle biopsy tissue.

Results

The main findings are that individuals with obesity exhibited transcriptional and proteomic signatures consistent with reduced mitochondrial function, protein synthesis, and glycogen synthesis. Furthermore, individuals with obesity demonstrated markedly different transcriptional, proteomic, and phosphoproteomic responses to exercise, particularly biosynthetic pathways of glycogen synthesis and protein synthesis. Casein kinase II subunit alpha and glycogen synthase kinase‐3β signaling was identified as exercise‐response pathways that were notably altered by obesity.

Conclusions

Opportunities to enhance exercise responsiveness by targeting specific molecular pathways that are disrupted in skeletal muscle from individuals with obesity await a better understanding of the precise molecular mechanisms that may limit exercise‐response pathways in obesity.
Copy‐number intratumor heterogeneity as high‐risk feature of stage II colon cancer†
Authors: van den Bosch Tom , Miedema Daniël M , Vermeulen Louis
Published: April 2022

Overall, the prognosis of patients suffering from stage II colon cancer is relatively favorable. However, a proportion of patients develop a recurrence following surgery. Clinical and histopathological properties that identify high‐risk patients are of limited value and better biomarkers are urgently required. In a recent issue of The Journal of Pathology, Lahoz et al proposed that copy‐number‐based biomarkers could be employed for patient stratification. The authors studied copy‐number alterations (CNAs) at the genomic scale by measuring the total CNA load (the aberrant genome fraction), and at a smaller scale by identifying common arm‐ or cytoband‐level alterations. Both the overall CNA load and specific chromosomal regions were associated with an increased risk of recurrence. Most interestingly, it was demonstrated that copy‐number intratumor heterogeneity, as defined by subclonal CNAs, is associated with poor disease outcome. This study demonstrates that structural genomic aberrations are promising biomarkers for patient stratification in early colon cancer. © 2022 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Are fear of cancer recurrence and fear of progression equivalent constructs?
Authors: Coutts‐Bain Daelin , Sharpe Louise , Pradhan Poorva , Russell Hayley , Heathcote Lauren C. , Costa Daniel
Published: April 2022

Background

The predominant definition of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) conflates FCR with fear of progression (FOP). However, this assumption has never been tested. Importantly, if FCR and FOP are distinct and have different predictors, existing interventions for FCR may not be equally effective for survivors who fear progression rather than recurrence of their disease. The present study aimed to determine whether FCR and FOP are empirically equivalent; and whether they are predicted by the same theoretically derived variables.

Methods

Three hundred and eleven adults with a history of breast or ovarian cancer were analysed (n = 209, 67% in remission). Exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the items of the FCR Inventory severity subscale and short‐form FOP Questionnaire together. Structural equation modelling was conducted to predict FCR and FOP and determine whether theoretical models accounted equally well for both constructs, and whether models were equally relevant to those with and without current disease.

Findings

The factor analysis demonstrated that the FCR Inventory severity subscale and the short‐form FOP Questionnaire loaded onto distinct, but related, factors which represented FCR and FOP. Structural modelling indicated that risk perception and bodily threat monitoring were more strongly associated with FCR than FOP. However, both FCR and FOP were associated with metacognitions and intrusions.

Interpretation

These findings suggest that whilst FCR and FOP are related with some overlapping predictors, they are not the same construct. Hence, it is necessary to ensure that in clinical practice and research these constructs are considered separately.
Chemical control of Acromyrmex lundi (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in anthropic ecosystems
Authors: Sabattini Julian Alberto , Zanuncio Jose Cola , Lemes Pedro Guilherme
Published: April 2022

Background

Leaf‐cutting ants are pests in agriculture, forests and pasture and, usually, controlled with toxic baits. The management and control of leaf‐cutting ants is complex as a consequence of its sociability and behavior. We tested three toxic baits with abamectin, fipronil and sulfluramid to control colonies of Acromyrmex lundi Mayr, 1865 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), in two seasons: ‘Spring 2020’ and ‘Summer 2020/21’, in Argentina.

Results

The percentage of effective bait carried in the spring was similar between treatments with 80%, 80% and 90% for those with abamectin, fipronil and sulfluramid. The ant flow of A. lundi decreased after toxic bait applications compared to the control through time in all treatments. This activity was higher in the spring than in the summer. The baits reduced the foraging activity of A. lundi from 5 to 96 days after application (DAA). Abamectin and fipronil baits controlled 50% and 67% of the nests in the spring, and 20% and 43% at 96 DAA in the summer. Sulfluramid was the best treatment, killing 90% of A. lundi nests.

Conclusion

The baits decrease the foraging activity of A. lundi until 96 DAA, with total or partial death of its colonies varying between treatments. The ant symptoms with the sulfluramid bait appeared faster than with fipronil and may be a result of the low level of carry‐over or differences in the chemical quality of the active ingredients. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Enhanced production of water‐soluble cinmethylin metabolites by Lolium rigidum populations with reduced cinmethylin sensitivity
Authors: Goggin Danica E , Cawthray Gregory R , Busi Roberto , Porri Aimone , Beckie Hugh J
Published: April 2022

Background

Cinmethylin, a pre‐emergence herbicide inhibiting fatty acid thioesterase activity, has recently been introduced to Australian cereal cropping for the control of Lolium rigidum Gaud. (annual ryegrass). To date, there have been no confirmed cases of cinmethylin resistance identified in this species, but some populations exhibit reduced sensitivity to this herbicide. To explore the mechanism which contributes to reduced sensitivity of annual ryegrass to cinmethylin, the extent and nature of cinmethylin metabolism, using carbon‐14 (14C)‐labelled herbicide, were analysed in three reduced‐sensitivity annual ryegrass populations, alongside a susceptible population and cinmethylin‐tolerant wheat as controls.

Results

All samples showed the same metabolite profile, with the extent of production of a specific water‐soluble metabolite being correlated to the level of herbicide sensitivity. Application of the cytochrome P450 inhibitor phorate caused a decrease in water‐soluble metabolite production as well as seedling growth in the presence of cinmethylin, indicating that reduced cinmethylin sensitivity in annual ryegrass could be wholly or partially due to oxidative modification of cinmethylin.

Conclusion

Because annual ryegrass has the potential to metabolize cinmethylin in the same way as wheat, careful stewardship is required to ensure the longevity of this herbicide. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Silencing tyrosine hydroxylase or dopa decarboxylase gene disrupts cuticle tanning during larva‐pupa‐adult transformation in Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata
Authors: Ze Long‐Ji , Wang Pei , Peng Ying‐Chuan , Jin Lin , Li Guo‐Qing
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

The 28‐spotted potato ladybird, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata, is a notorious defoliator of many solanaceous and cucurbitaceous plants. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopa decarboxylase (DDC) are responsible for cuticle tanning pathway in insects.

RESULTS

We identified HvTH and HvDDC in H. vigintioctopunctata, and found that high levels of them were accumulated just before or right after molting. Injection of dsHvTH or feeding 3‐iodo‐tyrosine (3‐IT) at the third instar larval stage repressed tanning of the larval cuticle, reduced larval feeding, inhibited larval growth, and consequently caused 100% of larval mortality. Knockdown of HvDDC at the third instar larval stage hardly affected the coloration of larval head, and partially inhibited pigmentation of larval bodies and around 80% of the HvDDC RNAi larvae developed into albino pupae and adults. Moreover, depletion of HvTH or HvDDC at the fourth instar larval stage resulted in albino pupae and adults. The HvTH or HvDDC hypomorph adults fully or partially failed to remove the larval/pupal exuviae, possessed pale and abnormal wings, and poorly tanned heads and bodies, and eventually, struggled for several days without feeding on leaves before death.

CONCLUSION

These results show that TH and DDC play key roles in larval and adult cuticle tanning and development in H. vigintioctopunctata. Also, these findings suggest that dopa‐ and dopamine‐originated pigments are essential for larval and adult feeding behavior and the molting process during emergence. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Wrapping Assembly of BaTiO3 Nanoparticles with (Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3 Nanosheets: A Novel Processing for Nanograined BT–BNT Complex Perovskite Relaxors
Authors: Song Tae Yeong , Sung Woojun , Kim Hanwool , Kim Baekcheon , Kwon Do-Kyun
Published: April 2022

Hydrothermal syntheses of BaTiO3 (BT) nanoparticles and (Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3 (BNT) nanosheets are explored to maximize the uniform distributions of the components in BT–BNT complex perovskite solid solution preparation. By introducing a “wrapping process,” which is a 2D nanosheet‐based process for preparing core–shell‐type assembly of the BT and BNT powder mixture, the solid solution formation and densification are accelerated effectively resulting in lowering the sintering temperature and homogeneous nanograined microstructure. The improved microstructure of the BT–BNT solid solution ceramics contributes to the enhancement in dielectric polarizations over a wide temperature range. Relaxor characteristics of the solid solutions, i.e., diffusivity of the ferroelectric–paraelectric transition, frequency dispersion of ε
r′, and shift of T
m with frequency deviation from the Curie–Weiss law, are determined. It is also confirmed that the BT–BNT samples prepared by the wrapping process exhibit stronger relaxor behavior compared to the conventionally prepared BT–BNT samples even in the identical chemical composition. These hydrothermal reaction‐based novel processing routes for the complex perovskite compositions are very effective to improve microstructure, sinterability, and dielectric properties.
Hole Transport Layer Microroughening for Waveguide Mode Extraction in Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Saha Rony , Lyashenko Dmitry A. , Zakhidov Alex A.
Published: April 2022

Herein, simple and scalable approach to enhance the out‐coupling efficiency in organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) is presented. By exposing the 4,4′‐bis[N‐(1‐naphthyl‐1‐)‐N‐phenylamino]‐biphenyl (NPB) hole transport layer to hydrofluoroether (HFE) solvent for several minutes, a controllable microroughening of the film is achieved, which results in the formation of random scattering centers in the OLED structure. Optimized NPB microroughening for phosphorescent OLED with Ir(ppy)3 emitter leads to luminous efficacy improvement of 23% (from 64 to 79 lm W−1at 1000 cd m−2) without additional external out‐coupling. Angular resolved spectroscopy of the OLED with an internal scattering layer reveals constant color almost independent of the viewing angle and Lambertian intensity distribution.
Chemical composition dependence of photoluminescence from Cu2ZnSnS4 thin films with potential fluctuations
Authors: Tanaka Kunihiko , Takamatsu Yoshiharu , Miura Shinya
Published: April 2022

The temperature and excitation intensity dependence of photoluminescence (PL) spectra from Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin films with various chemical compositions was investigated. Three types of CZTS thin films were examined: Zn‐rich (group A), Cu‐ and Zn‐poor (group B), and Cu‐rich and Zn‐poor (group C). Groups A, B, and C gave PL spectra with peaks at around 1.2, 1.30, and 1.45 eV, respectively. These spectra exhibited large peak energy shifts to higher energies as the excitation intensity increased by more than 10 meV/decade due to potential fluctuations. The PL spectra of groups A and B can be attributed to band‐to‐impurity luminescence, and the origin of the spectra was found to be CuSn and VZn or [VZn + SnZn], respectively. The potential fluctuations were estimated from the lower energy side of the PL spectra, and the Cu‐poor samples exhibited smaller potential fluctuations.
Surface enhanced Raman scattering of whole human blood on nanostructured ZnO surface
Authors: Gasymov Oktay K. , Alekperov Oktay Z. , Aydemirova Arzu H. , Kamilova Nigar , Aslanov Rasim B. , Bayramov Ayaz H. , Kerimova Afet
Published: April 2022

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) owing to the greatly enhanced sensitivity is widely utilized to study biological molecules in various states. However, the enhancement in SERS is not uniform throughout the spectra. As a result, the strong enhancement of some transitions in SER overshadows weak Raman peaks that are very important to characterize the molecules. Here we show the SERS investigation for whole human blood on a nanostructured ZnO surface. The result indicates that despite the moderate enhancement (20–30 fold), all spectral components of the blood demonstrated in regular Raman are detected in SERS on ZnO. Moreover, SERS on ZnO identifies some components of the blood that are not easily accessible to regular Raman spectroscopy. Data indicate that SERS on ZnO is a valuable tool to investigate the whole blood for diagnosis of various human diseases.