bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification and functional analysis of genetic variants of ISL1 gene promoter in human atrial septal defects
Authors: Yin Xiu‐Yun , Chen Huan‐Xin , Chen Zhuo , Yang Qin , Han Jun , He Guo‐Wei
Published: September 2022

Background

Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a common type of congenital heart disease. A gene promoter plays pivotal role in the disease development. This study was designed to investigate the pathological role of variants of the ISL1 gene promoter region in ASD patients.

Methods

Total DNA extracted from 625 subjects, including 332 ASD patients and 293 healthy controls, was sequenced to identify variants in the promoter region of ISL1 gene. Further functional analyses of the variants were performed with dual luciferase reporter assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). All possible binding sites of transcription factor affected by the identified variants were predicted using the JASPAR database.

Results

Four variants in the ISL1 gene promoter were found only in patients with ASD by sequencing. Three of the four variants [g.4923 G > C (rs541081886), g.5079 A > G (rs1371835943) and g.5309 G > A (rs116222082)] significantly decreased the transcriptional activities compared with the wild‐type ISL1 gene promoter (p < 0.05). The EMSA revealed that these variants [g.4923 G > C (rs541081886), g.5079 A > G (rs1371835943) and g.5309 G > A (rs116222082)] in the ISL1 gene promoter affected the number and affinity of binding sites of transcription factors. Further analysis with the online JASPAR database demonstrated that a cluster of putative binding sites for transcription factors may be altered by these variants.

Conclusions

These sequence variants identified from the promoter region of ISL1 gene in ASD patients are probably involved in the development of ASD by affecting the transcriptional activity and altering ISL1 levels. Therefore, these findings may provide new insights into the molecular etiology and potential therapeutic strategy of ASD.
Infantile‐onset Pompe disease with neutropenia: Treatment decisions in the face of a unique phenotype
Authors: Riedy Mary , Zhang Jeff F. , Huang Taosheng , Swayampakula Anil Kumar
Published: September 2022

Infantile‐onset Pompe disease manifests with early signs of cardiomyopathy during the first few days to weeks of life. We present the case of a newborn born via emergency cesarean section with atrial flutter and moderate biventricular hypertrophy who was diagnosed with Pompe disease on New York State newborn screen. Diagnosis was confirmed with repeat leukocyte acid alpha‐glucosidase (GAA) enzyme activity, GAA gene sequencing, urine Hex4, and evaluation of Cross‐Reactive Immunological Material (CRIM) status. The patient was also found to be persistently neutropenic which to our knowledge has not been previously reported in the literature in association with Pompe disease. This report highlights the impact that newborn screening had on time to diagnosis and initiation of treatment with enzyme replacement therapy. We also discuss how our patient's concurrent neutropenia impacted decision making related to immune tolerance induction prior to starting enzyme replacement therapy.
How to stay attached—Formation of the ricefish plug and changes of internal reproductive structures in the pelvic brooding ricefish, Oryzias eversi Herder et al. (2012) (Beloniformes: Adrianichthyidae)
Authors: Schüller Alina , Vehof Juliane , Hilgers Leon , Spanke Tobias , Wipfler Benjamin , Wowor Daisy , Mokodongan Daniel F. , Wantania Letha L. , Herder Fabian , Parenti Lynne R. , Iwamatsu Takashi , Schwarzer Julia
Published: September 2022

Teleost fishes show an enormous diversity of parental care, ranging from no care to viviparity with maternal provisioning of embryos. External brooders carry their developing eggs attached to their bodies. This requires the formation of novel morphological structures to support attachment. The pelvic brooding ricefish Oryzias eversi evolved such a structure, called the “plug.” The plug anchors attaching filaments from the fertilized eggs inside the female reproductive system, allowing the female to carry the embryos until hatching. Using histological sections and µ‐computed tomography scanning, we show that the plug is formed by several types of interstitial cells, blood capillaries, and collagen fibrils that encapsulate the end of the attaching filaments in the anterior part of the gonoduct. Even 15 days after the loss of the protruding attaching filaments, the plug remains. In addition, the developed plug contains multinucleated giant cells that are derived from fusing macrophages. We thus hypothesize that the ricefish plug, which is vital for egg attachment in O. eversi, evolved due to an inflammatory reaction. We assume that it forms similar to a foreign body granuloma, as a reaction to irritation or injury of the gonoduct epithelium by the attaching filaments. Our study further corroborates that pelvic brooding entails a complex set of adaptations to prolonged egg‐carrying in the female reproductive system. During brooding, for instance, ovulation in the ovary is suppressed and the anterior part of the gonoduct is characterized by an intricate, recessed folding.
Extraction, purification, structural characterization, and hepatoprotective effect of the polysaccharide from purple sweet potato
Authors: Li Chenjing , Feng Yihua , Li Jingyao , Lian Rui , Qin Liehao , Wang Chunling
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND

Purple sweet potato Ipomoea batatas (L.) has long been used as a medicine and a food. It contains various bioactive substances such as polysaccharides, anthocyanins, and flavonoids. Purple sweet potato polysaccharides are known to have anti‐oxidant, anti‐tumor, and immunomodulatory functions. Nevertheless, studies on the structural characterization of purple sweet potato polysaccharides and their ability to prevent non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have rarely been reported.

RESULTS

A novel polysaccharide (PSPP‐A) was extracted and isolated from purple sweet potato, and its structural characteristics and preventive effects on NAFLD were investigated. The results indicated that PSPP‐A was composed of l‐rhamnose, d‐arabinose, d‐galactose, d‐glucose, and d‐glucuronic acid with molar ratios of 1.89:8.45:1.95:1.13:1. Its molecular weight was 2.63 × 103 kDa. Methylation and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis indicated that the glycosidic linkages were →3)‐α‐L‐Araf‐(1→, α‐L‐Araf‐(1→, →2,4)‐α‐L‐Rhap‐(1→, 4‐O‐Me‐β‐D‐GlcAp‐(1→, →4)‐α‐D‐Glcp‐(1→, →4)‐β‐D‐Galp‐(1→, and →6)‐β‐D‐Galp‐(1→. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that the structure of PSPP‐A was irregular. Subsequently, the protective effect of PSPP‐A on NAFLD was investigated. The results indicated that bodyweight, liver index, and triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT) content were significantly reduced by intervention of purple sweet potato polysaccharide‐A (PSPP‐A) compared with the ‐ high‐fat diet group. Liver histopathological analysis indicated that PSPP‐A attenuated irregular hepatocyte patterns and excessive lipid vacuoles.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel polysaccharide, PSPP‐A, mainly contains arabinose, which has certain preventive effects on NAFLD. This study provides a theoretical basis for further elucidating the hepatoprotective effect of purple sweet potatoes as a functional food. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
In‐line mura detection using machine learning and subspace method in display manufacturing
Authors: Tomita Satoru , Siritanawan Prarinya , Kotani Kazunori
Published: September 2022

This paper discusses the automatic detection of mura, non‐uniformity of brightness or color, which has been a long‐standing challenge in the display industries. Our purpose is to develop a method using machine learning, which automatically detects and classifies mura in the front‐end process. This will enable prompt feedback to the manufacturing process and contribute to improvement of the productivity. We propose “Progressive Hybrid model,” which is based on the human visual perception and consists of a multiclass CNN (Convolutional Neural Network), a 2‐class residual neural network, and a 2‐class CNN. The two 2‐class models based on the subspace method to reproduce the boundary‐samples in the human visible test are for accurate classification between Normal displays and weak mura. To reproduce the appropriate test‐images used in the human visible test, we enhance contrast of 8000 images of the dataset obtained from an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) manufacturing line. The evaluation results show improvement of the accuracy from 0.830 in the general application of CNN to 0.884 in the proposed model. The proposed model is particularly effective to improve classification of Normal displays, which is usually the most numerous in the manufacturing, and thus further beneficial in the practical use.
Protein‐imprinted particles for coronavirus capture from solution
Authors: Senehi Naomi L. , Ykema Matthew R. , Sun Ruonan , Verduzco Rafael , Stadler Lauren B. , Tao Yizhi J. , Alvarez Pedro J. J.
Published: September 2022

Molecular imprinting is a promising strategy to selectively adsorb viruses, but it requires discerning and validating epitopes that serve as effective imprinting templates. In this work, glycoprotein‐imprinted particles were synthesized for coronavirus capture. Adsorption was maximized at pH 6 (the glycoprotein isoelectric point) where the glycoprotein‐imprinted particles outperformed non‐imprinted particles, adsorbing 4.96 × 106 ± 3.33 × 103 versus 3.54 × 106 ± 1.39 × 106 median tissue culture infectious dose/mg of the target coronavirus, human coronavirus – organ culture 43, within the first 30 min (p = 0.012). During competitive adsorption, with pH adjustment (pH 6), the glycoprotein‐imprinted particles adsorbed more target virus than non‐target coronavirus (human coronavirus – Netherland 63) with 2.34 versus 1.94 log removal in 90 min (p < 0.01). In contrast, the non‐imprinted particles showed no significant difference in target versus non‐target virus removal. Electrostatic potential calculation shows that the human coronavirus – organ culture 43 glycoprotein has positively charged pockets at pH 6, which may facilitate adsorption at lower pH values. Therefore, tuning the target virus glycoprotein charge via pH adjustment enhanced adsorption by minimizing repulsive electrostatic interactions with the particles. Overall, these results highlight the effective use of glycoprotein‐imprinted particles for coronavirus capture and discern the merits and limitations of glycoprotein imprinting for the capture of enveloped viruses.
Rapid separation and characterization of the in vitro metabolites of moscatilin by ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography coupled to hybrid quadrupole orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhang Rui , Wu Qiguo , Gao Han , Li Yue , Zhang Peiliang
Published: September 2022

Moscatilin, a bioactive ingredient isolated from Dendrobium moscatum, has been demonstrated to have excellent anti‐cancer activity. The goals of the present study were to investigate the metabolic profiles of moscatilin and to identify and characterize its metabolites. In vitro studies were performed by incubating moscatilin (10 μM) with rat, dog, monkey, and human liver microsomes (0.5 mg protein/ml) to generate the metabolites. An analytical method of liquid chromatography combined with hybrid quadrupole orbitrap high‐resolution mass spectrometry in full mass/data‐dependent tandem mass spectrometry scan was utilized to separate and identify the metabolites in accordance with their accurate masses, formulas, and tandem mass spectrometry fragment ions determination. A total of six phase I metabolites were detected and structurally characterized. The phase I metabolic pathways of moscatilin were hydroxylation, demethylation, and dehydrogenation. In glutathione‐supplemented liver microsomes, nine glutathione conjugates were detected and identified. Our results demonstrated that moscatilin was susceptible to bioactivation with the result of ortho quinone and quinone‐methide intermediates. The present study provided an overview of the in vitro metabolic profiles of moscatilin, which will aid in the understanding of the efficacy and safety of this active compound.
Characterization of binding by repaglinide and nateglinide with glycated human serum albumin using high‐performance affinity microcolumns
Authors: Ovbude Susan T. , Tao Pingyang , Li Zhao , Hage David S.
Published: September 2022

High‐performance affinity microcolumns were used to characterize binding by the anti‐diabetic drugs repaglinide and nateglinide with normal and glycated forms of human serum albumin. The microcolumns contained only nmol amounts of protein and provided a detailed analysis of these drug interactions with good precision and in a matter of minutes per experiment. The overall binding by repaglinide to normal and glycated albumin fits a model with two types of binding sites: a set of one or two moderate‐to‐high affinity regions and a larger set of weaker regions with association equilibrium constants of ∼105 and 103 M−1, respectively, at pH 7.4 and 37°C. Competition studies gave site‐specific association constants for repaglinide and nateglinide at Sudlow site I of 4.2 × 104 and 5.0 × 104 M−1 for normal albumin, with a decrease of 26%–30% being seen for nateglinide with glycated albumin and no significant change being noted for repaglinide. At Sudlow site II, repaglinide and nateglinide had association constants for normal albumin of 6.1 × 104 and 7.1 × 105 M−1, with glycated albumin giving an increase in the association constant at this site for repaglinide of 1.6‐ to 1.8‐fold and a decrease for nateglinide of 51%–58%.
Environmental risk due to the accumulation of metals in Sedum alfredii under different intercropping patterns during phytoremediation
Authors: Ning Wenjing , Jia Yifan , Wu Jian , Yang Pan , Cao Min , Luo Jie
Published: September 2022

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the environmental risk of phytoextraction of Cd, Cu, and Pb using Sedum alfredii Hance. with different intercropping patterns. Three receptors representing invertebrates (earthworms), avians (yellow‐feathered chickens), and small mammalian omnivores (Rattus losea) were selected as the potentially impacted environmental receptors. Soil deglutition and food ingestion are considered dominant pathways of metal exposure. Different planting patterns, including S. alfredii monoculture and S. alfredii intercropped (coordinate and malposed) with Cicer arietinum L., were used to evaluate the mobilization, absorption, and migration of Cd during phytoextraction. This study revealed that the intercropping systems, particularly the malposed intercropping patterns, significantly increased the Cd decontamination efficiency by 31.3% and enhanced the content of Cu and Pb in the aboveground tissues of the intercropped C. arietinum. Correspondingly, different planting patterns resulted in varying environmental risks. For the omnivores, which primarily consume earthworms and plant tissues, the hazard index was 0.096 for the S. alfredii monoculture, and the index decreased to 0.074 and 0.090 in the coordinate and malposed intercropping patterns, respectively. The environmental risk might be induced by the increased Cd concentrations in the roots and shoots of S. alfredii. When extrapolating the results of this treatment to the entire region, all the environmental hazard index values of the receptors were higher than 1.0. This study suggests that if a phytoextraction method is used for metal decontamination, corresponding prevention strategies should be established to prevent the diffusion of concentrated metals to higher trophic levels via the food chain.
Continuous quality improvement at the frontline: One interdisciplinary clinical team's four‐year journey after completing a virtual learning program
Authors: Robinson Claire H. , Thompto Amy J. , Lima Elizabeth N. , Damschroder Laura J.
Published: September 2022

Background

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health system in the U.S. and has identified the learning health system as a strategic priority. Clinicians and staff engaging in active learning through continuous quality improvement (QI) is a key pillar for learning system maturity. An interdisciplinary frontline team at a VHA medical center participated in the Learn. Engage. Act. Process. (LEAP) virtual coaching program to learn how to conduct multidisciplinary team‐based QI cycles of change. These clinicians lead and deliver the MOVE! weight management program, an evidence‐based comprehensive lifestyle intervention. The team worked to continuously improve patient weight loss by engaging in incremental learning cycles of change. The aim of this study is to tell the story of this team's learning experience and the resulting positive reinforcing loop with patient outcomes.

Methods

This is a mixed methods case study description of one team that participated in the LEAP Program that provides hands‐on QI learning for frontline teams with virtual coaching and a structured curriculum. Autoethnographic qualitative descriptions of team experiences over time illustrate this team's continued engagement in learning loops. Multilevel linear modeling was used to assess patient outcomes before vs after the team's participation in LEAP.

Results

The team's participation in LEAP provided a set of fundamental QI skills and established a commitment to continual learning. Incremental improvements led to significant weight loss for patients who participated in MOVE! after the team completed LEAP (mean = 9.80 pounds; SD 10.43) compared to the pre‐LEAP time period (mean = −6.83 pounds; SD 9.63).

Conclusions

Despite competing priorities and time limitations, this team's experiences provide a positive vision of how team engagement in data‐driven continuous learning is feasible at the frontline and can lead to higher job satisfaction and stronger teams. These types of team activities provide much‐needed backbone to being a mature learning health system.
Mean square stability for controlled hybrid neutral stochastic differential equations with infinite delay
Authors: Caraballo Tomás , Mchiri Lassaad , Mohsen Belfeki , Rhaima Mohamed
Published: September 2022

In this article, we investigate the existence and uniqueness of solution of controlled hybrid neutral stochastic differential equations with infinite delay (HNSFDEswID). It is known that the time lag generated by the controller in each discrete observation must be different. The controlled HNSFDEswID are affected by the variable delay induced by the control function, the infinite time delay, and the highly nonlinear coefficients of the systems itself, which makes our problem more sophisticated. Different from the classical Khasminskii‐type conditions in the literature, we provide some sufficient conditions for the mean square and almost sure exponential stability for controlled HNSFDEswID by using the
‐matrix technique and a suitable Lyapunov functional. In this sense, the main contributions of our results, compared with those in the literature, are the infinite time delay, the neutral term, and the new Lyapunov functions. Finally, we illustrate our results by a numerical example.
Matrix methods for perfect signal recovery underlying range space of operators
Authors: Arabyani‐Neyshaburi Fahimeh , Farshchian Ramin , Kamyabi‐Gol Rajab Ali
Published: September 2022

The most important purpose of this article is to investigate perfect reconstruction underlying range space of operators in finite dimensional Hilbert spaces by a new matrix method. To this end, first, we obtain more structures of the canonical ‐dual. Then, we survey the problem of recovering and robustness of signals when the erasure set satisfies the minimal redundancy condition or the ‐frame is maximal robust. Furthermore, we show that the error rate is reduced under erasures if the ‐frame is of uniform excess. Toward the protection of encoding frame (K‐dual) against erasures, we introduce a new concept so called ‐matrix to recover lost data and solve the perfect recovery problem via matrix equations. Moreover, we discuss the existence of such matrices by using minimal redundancy condition on decoding frames for operators. We exhibit several examples that illustrate the advantage of using the new matrix method with respect to the previous approaches in existence construction. And finally, we provide the numerical results to confirm the main results in the case noise‐free and test sensitivity of the method with respect to noise.
Spatial analyticity of solutions to higher order water wave models
Authors: Atmani Amel , Boukarou Aissa , Benterki Djamila , Zennir Khaled
Published: September 2022

We consider an initial value problem associated to a higher order water wave models. We proved the global well‐posedness results for given data in an analytic spaces and showed that the solution exists for all time. We then proved that the width of the band decreases algebraically with time.
Runge–Kutta pairs of orders 8(7) with extended stability regions for addressing linear inhomogeneous systems
Authors: Busygin Sergey , Fedorov Ruslan , Karpukhina Tamara , Kovalnogov Vladislav N. , Simos Theodore E. , Tsitouras Charalampos
Published: September 2022

The non‐stiff Initial Value Problem is a wider subject classified in Mathematics. Here, we consider an interesting subclass. Namely, the Linear Inhomogeneous system that shares constant coefficients. Runge–Kutta pairs of high orders are chosen in order to achieve stringent accuracies when solving these systems numerically. It is theoretically interesting to equip these methods with large stability intervals for addressing the problems at hand. Thus, at first, we present an explicit algorithm for deriving the coefficients of such pairs of orders eight and seven. Then we adjust this in an optimization precess for extending the stability region and simultaneously keep the principal truncation error as low as possible. The resulting pair outperforms other standard pairs in a series of relevant problems.
Dementia in health claims data: The influence of different case definitions on incidence and prevalence estimates
Authors: Riedel Oliver , Braitmaier Malte , Langner Ingo
Published: September 2022

Objectives

The epidemiology of dementia subtypes including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD) and their reliance on different case definitions (“algorithms”) in health claims data are still understudied.

Methods

Based on health claims data, prevalence estimates (per 100 persons), incidence rates (IRs, per 100 person‐years), and proportions of AD, VD, and other dementias (oD) were calculated. Five algorithms of increasing strictness considered inpatient/outpatient diagnoses (#1, #2), antidementia drugs (#3) or supportive diagnostics (#4, #5).

Results

Algorithm 1 detected 213,409 cases (#2: 197,400; #3: 48,688; #4: 3033; #5: 3105), a prevalence for any dementia of 3.44 and an IR of 1.39 (AD: 0.80/0.21, VD: 0.79/0.31). The prevalence decreased by algorithms for any dementia (#2: 3.19; #3: 0.75; #4: 0.04; #5: 0.05) as did IRs (#2: 1.13; #3: 0.18; #4: 0.05, #5: 0.05). Algorithms 1–2, and 4–5 revealed similar proportions of AD (23.3%–26.6%), VD (19.9%–23.2%), and oD (53.1%–53.8%), algorithm 3 estimated 45% (AD), 12.1% (VD), and 43.0% (oD).

Conclusions

Health claims data show lower estimates of AD than previously reported, due to markedly lower prevalent/incident proportions of patients with corresponding codes. Using medication in defining dementia potentially improves estimating the proportion of AD while supportive diagnostics were of limited use.
Nurse practitioner model of care for the initiation of pre‐exposure prophylaxis: A case series study
Authors: Cornelius Judith B. , Gunn Laura H. , Dalton Cynthia , Davis Bernard
Published: September 2022

Aim

The purpose of this study was to create and implement a nurse practitioner model of care in the initiation of a pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) protocol with African American men who have sex with men (MSM).

Design

A case series design was used to implement the protocol for a nurse practitioner PrEP‐based model of care.

Methods

The participatory, evidence‐based, patient‐focus process (PEPPA) framework and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Doctoral Essentials for Advanced Practice were aligned to guide the development, implementation, and evaluation of this advanced practice role in an urban medical clinic.

Results

Seven African American HIV‐negative MSM who received treatment under the nurse practitioner PrEP‐based model of care had increased PrEP knowledge and medication adherence and did not contract a sexually transmitted infection.

Conclusions

New models of care can be created to meet the Getting to Zero HIV initiative of reducing rates of HIV infections with MSM.
Viscoelastic analysis of nano‐barium ferrite reinforced casting polyurethane
Authors: Gao Hanyang , Zhang Bang , Yang Fukang , Jiang Jiahao , Hu Guoxin
Published: September 2022

In this paper, barium ferrites (BFs) with an average particle size of 100 nanometers as filler are used to explore the improvement of the mechanical properties of casting polyurethane (CPU). The nano‐BFs‐filled CPU is prepared in situ by adding the suspension of nano‐BFs in DMF to polyurethane precursor. The dynamic mechanical analysis is carried out to investigate the viscoelastic properties of nano‐BFs‐filled polyurethane. It is found that the strain energy density (SED) and the hysteresis energy density (HED) of polyurethane composite increase significantly after adding nano‐BFs filler. For the filler content of 0.5 wt%, the SED and HED increase by 587% and 486% respectively, but the hysteresis loss for all of composites remains almost unchanged. The results of Payne effect study show that the storage modulus and the loss modulus of all nano‐BFs‐filled polyurethane composites are significantly higher than that of pure polymer. The storage modulus of 0.5 wt% nano‐BFs‐filled polyurethane is the highest. At 25°C, 1 Hz and strain of 10%, compared with pure polyurethane, the storage modulus of 0.5 wt% nano‐BFs‐filled polyurethane increases by 310%, while the loss modulus increases by only 116%. A small amount of nano‐BFs is sufficient to reduce the loss factor to 0.60 times that of pure polyurethane, which indicates that the material becomes more elastic after adding nano‐BFs. Our method can effectively coordinate the contradiction between strength and fatigue resistance of composites, significantly improving the energy storage modulus and reducing the loss factor while remaining the H index of hysteresis loss almost unchanged.
Different attentional focus sizes modulate the size–eccentricity effect
Authors: Wu Xiaogang , Liu Mingyuan , Wang Aijun , Zhang Ming
Published: September 2022

The size–eccentricity effect is a perceptual distortion phenomenon in which a peripherally located object is perceived to be smaller than a centrally located object. Although the increase in apparent object size caused by attention has been documented, little is known about the effect of different sizes of attentional focus on object appearance. The present study investigated how different sizes of attentional focus affect the size–eccentricity effect using a spatial pre‐cueing paradigm. Additionally, we examined the influence of different task types on size perception. A peripheral object following a small attentional focus appeared larger, without observation of the size–eccentricity effect. In contrast, a peripheral object appeared smaller following a large attentional focus in both larger and smaller judgement tasks. These results suggest that the relative size of the attentional focus has opposite effects on the perception of object size, independent of task type. Furthermore, in addition to the structural properties of the retina and the locus of attention, the size of attentional focus determines the extent to which an object appears smaller in the periphery. The present study complements the attentional attraction field model of the size and density of population receptive fields in V1 and further explains how the effect of attention is restricted by retinal structure.
Development of perception of gifted label scale (PGLS): A validity and reliability study
Authors: Tercan Hülya , Yildiz Biçakci Müdriye
Published: September 2022

This study attempted to create a valid and reliable instrument to measure how gifted children perceive the gifted label and others' perceptions of giftedness. We recruited a total of 300 gifted Turkish children (59.3% males; 40.7% females) aged 10–13 years (M = 11.4, SD = 0.99) to this validity and reliability study. For validity concerns, we first pooled the items relying on the relevant theoretical frameworks. Next, we resorted to expert opinions and employed the Lawshe technique to explore the content validity of the scale. Then, we performed confirmatory factor analysis to investigate the construct validity of the scale after checking multivariate normality through the Relative Multivariate Kurtosis value. Finally, we calculated Cronbach's alpha coefficients to reveal the internal consistency of the five‐factor model. Content validity ratio values showed that each item on the scale yielded an acceptable level of content validity. In addition, we concluded a significant Content validity index for the scale (0.82). Finally, we calculated Cronbach's alpha coefficients to be higher than .70 for the subscales. Overall, the findings suggested that the perception of gifted label scale (PGLS) has an acceptable psychometric quality regarding its validity and reliability. Gifted children's self‐reports may provide more valuable data to better understand the labeling phenomenon and help design preventive educational interventions against the negative impacts of labeling. Therefore the PGLS may lead the way of future studies on the effects of the gifted label on gifted children.
Kinetic and mechanistic studies of the Staudinger reduction: On the chemistry of aryl phosphazides
Authors: Corrigan Samantha Y. , Poole James S.
Published: September 2022

The Staudinger reduction of heteroaryl azides containing an N‐oxide moiety with triphenylphosphine in mixed aqueous/THF solutions yields a mixture of amine and iminophosphorane products. A product analysis study using a combination of 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopic techniques indicates that in these systems, even under mild conditions, the amine product is generated, not from the hydrolysis of the iminophosphorane as expected from the standard reaction mechanism, but via hydrolysis of the phosphazide intermediate. The amount of amine generated is dependent on the structure of the starting azides, the composition of solvent, and the reaction conditions. The possible mechanisms of amine formation under acidic, neutral, and basic conditions are discussed.
CSM‐peptides: A computational approach to rapid identification of therapeutic peptides
Authors: Rodrigues Carlos H. M. , Garg Anjali , Keizer David , Pires Douglas E. V. , Ascher David B.
Published: September 2022

Peptides are attractive alternatives for the development of new therapeutic strategies due to their versatility and low complexity of synthesis. Increasing interest in these molecules has led to the creation of large collections of experimentally characterized therapeutic peptides, which greatly contributes to development of data‐driven computational approaches. Here we propose CSM‐peptides, a novel machine learning method for rapid identification of eight different types of therapeutic peptides: anti‐angiogenic, anti‐bacterial, anti‐cancer, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐viral, cell‐penetrating, quorum sensing, and surface binding. Our method has shown to outperform existing approaches, achieving an AUC of up to 0.92 on independent blind tests, and consistent performance on cross‐validation. We anticipate CSM‐peptides to be of great value in helping screening large libraries to identify novel peptides with therapeutic potential and have made it freely available as a user‐friendly web server and Application Programming Interface at https://biosig.lab.uq.edu.au/csm_peptides.
Electronic Behavior of GaN Nanowire Photocathode Surface Coated with n‐Type GaN Capping Layer via First Principles
Authors: Lu Feifei , Liu Lei , Tian Jian , Zhangyang Xingyue , Cheng Hongchang , Guo Xin
Published: September 2022

Conventional negative electron affinity photocathodes require alternate activation of Cs/O, and the instability of Cs makes the cathode surface easily inactive. A Cs‐free GaN photocathode structure is reported, in which band engineering of the photocathode surface induced by Si doping eliminates the need to use Cs for photocathode activation. This heterojunction structure can obtain a low‐barrier surface without activation. GaN nanowires with n‐type capping layers are established using first principles, and their stability, work function, and optoelectronic structures are analyzed. Si atoms replace Ga atoms more easily, thereby forming an n‐type capping layer. The formation energy of the n‐type capping layer of the nanowires surface is lower than that of the surface capping layer of the thin film. The addition of the n‐type capping layer reduces the work function of the GaN surface, which will help to enhance photoemission capability. The results clearly illustrate the positive effect of the n‐type capping layer on the electronic properties of the device, so this Cs‐free activation structure can be further considered.
The impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on pulmonary hypertension: What have we learned?
Authors: Hinojosa Williams , Cristo‐Ropero María José , Cruz‐Utrilla Alejandro , Segura de la Cal Teresa , López‐Medrano Francisco , Salguero‐Bodes Rafael , Pérez‐Olivares Carmen , Navarro Begoña , Ochoa Nuria , Arribas Ynsurriaga Fernando , Escribano‐Subias Pilar
Published: September 2022

The coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID‐19) pandemic threatened the Spanish health‐care system. Patients with demanding conditions such as precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH) faced a potentially severe infection, while their usual access to medical care was restricted. This prospective, unicentric study assessed the impact of COVID‐19 on PH patients' outcomes and the operational changes in the PH network. Sixty‐three PH patients (41 pulmonary arterial hypertension [PAH]; 22 chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension [CTEPH]) experienced COVID‐19. Overall mortality was 9.5% without differences when stratifying by hemodynamics or PAH‐risk score. Patients who died were older (73.6 ± 5 vs. 52.2 ± 15.4; p = 0.001), with more comorbidities (higher Charlson index: 4.17 ± 2.48 vs. 1.14 ± 1.67; p = 0.0002). Referrals to the PH expert center decreased compared to the previous 3 years (123 vs. 160; p = 0.002). The outpatient activity shifted toward greater use of telemedicine. Balloon pulmonary angioplasty activity could be maintained after the first pandemic wave and lockdown while pulmonary thromboendarterectomy procedures decreased (19 vs. 36; p = 0.017). Pulmonary transplantation activity remained similar. The COVID‐19 mortality in PAH/CTEPH patients was not related to hemodynamic severity or risk stratification, but to comorbidities. The pandemic imposed structural changes but a planned organization and resource reallocation made it possible to maintain PH patients' care.
Towards telemedicine in pulmonary hypertension: Assessing the feasibility of remote quality of life and exercise capacity assessment
Authors: Stubbs Harrison , Brewis Melanie , Church Colin , Johnson Martin
Published: September 2022

Patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) are happy to perform simple exercise capacity tests at home and believe this is feasible. A proportion of patients are able to use an electronic form to complete quality of life questionnaires. These findings are being used to build a telemedicine strategy for PH patients.
High‐resolution mass spectrometry exhalome profiling with a modified direct analysis in real time ion source
Authors: Xu Liping , Zhang Kai , Geng Xin , Li Hongli , Chen David Da Yong
Published: September 2022

Rationale

Exhaled breath contains many substances that are closely related to human metabolism. Analysis of its composition is important for human health, but it is difficult. Since the volatile molecules in breath samples are exhaled instantaneously, easily diffused and modified, and at low level of presence, they are difficult to identify and quantify.

Methods

A modified direct analysis in real time ion source was used for high‐resolution mass spectrometry measurement of human metabolites in exhaled breath through online monitoring and offline analysis, in both positive and negative ion modes. The improved system enabled the breath volatiles as well as condensates to be directly sampled, rapidly transmitted and efficiently ionized in a confined region, and then detected using an Orbitrap mass analyzer.

Results

The molecular features with online and offline analysis of exhaled breath were demonstrated with obvious differences. A total of about 65 metabolites in positive ion mode and about 55 metabolites in negative ion mode were identified based on accurate m/z values. Exhalome profile and the composition proportion of different classes of compounds were obtained. The relative contents of metabolites from breath varied during different time periods throughout a day.

Conclusions

A more complete picture of the human breath metabolome was provided combining the results obtained from both online and offline analysis. The developed method allows analysis of breath samples with different status rapidly and directly, and it features simple operation and metabolite identification, requiring little or no sample preparation.
Accelerated synthesis of phthalimide derivatives: Intrinsic reactivity of diamines towards phthalic anhydride evaluated by paper spray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: de Paula Camila Cristina Almeida , Binatti Ildefonso , Coelho Pimenta João Victor , Augusti Rodinei
Published: September 2022

Rationale

Paper spray (PS) is a simple and innovative ambient ionization technique for mass spectrometry (MS) analysis. Under PS‐MS conditions, chemical reactions, which usually occur slowly on a bulk scale, are accelerated. Moreover, the formation of products and transient species can be easily monitored. In this manuscript, reactions between phthalic anhydride and diamines were conducted and monitored using a PS‐MS platform. The reaction products (phthalimides) have many pharmaceutical applications, but their traditional syntheses can take hours under reflux, requiring laborious purification steps.

Methods

In situ reactions were performed by dropping methanolic solutions of phthalic anhydride and diamines on a triangular paper. The analyses were achieved by positioning the triangle tip in front of the mass spectrometer entrance, whereas a metal clip was attached to the triangle base. After adding methanol to the paper, a high voltage was applied across the metal clip, and the mass spectra were acquired.

Results

The intrinsic reactivity of alkyl and aromatic diamines was evaluated. The carbon chain remarkably influenced the reactivity of aliphatic diamines. For aryl diamines, the ortho isomer was the most reactive. Moreover, for aryl amines with electron‐withdrawing substituents, no reaction was noticed.

Conclusions

Taking advantage of the unique characteristics of PS‐MS, it was possible to investigate the intrinsic reactivity of model alkyl (ethylene versus propylene) and aryl (o‐phenylene versus m‐phenylene and p‐phenylene) diamines towards phthalic anhydride. Some crucial parameters that affect the intrinsic reactivity of organic molecules, such as isomerism, intramolecular interaction, and conformation, were easily explored.
Connected epistemic practices in laboratory‐based engineering design projects for large‐course instruction
Authors: Koretsky Milo D. , Nefcy Erick J. , Nolen Susan Bobbit , Champagne Audrey B.
Published: September 2022

In both K‐12 and university settings, instructors and curriculum developers need to create learning experiences that provide students opportunities to engage in the disciplinary practices of science and engineering. However, instructional contexts pose challenges in developing such tasks. Using a framework focusing on conceptual and material epistemic practices and tools, we used a within‐subjects comparison to explore two different types of task designs, given realistic constraints posed by a large‐enrollment university engineering laboratory course. We investigated students’ modeling and experimental activity at scale using an innovative data analysis tool, Model Maps, looking for evidence of epistemic practices in student laboratory notebooks and in their post‐project presentations. We compared inscriptions of 29 teams across three laboratory projects and found a greater number and diversity of model components in a virtual laboratory project than in two physical laboratory projects. While fitting into the same instructional “space,” the virtual laboratory task, compared to the physical tasks, better afforded iteration. The iterative development engaged students in two important features of engineering epistemic practice. First, teams had the opportunity to engage in interlocking conceptual and material practices. Second the need to reconcile experimental data with their process models elicited the authorship of free moves together with the accountability of forced moves. Implications for designing instruction to incorporate epistemic practices in engineering and science education are described.
Photo‐Programmed Deformations in Rigid Liquid Crystalline Polymers Triggered by Body Temperature
Authors: Kim Hyunsu , Li Jing , Hsieh Yves S. Y. , Cho Maenghyo , Ahn Sung‐Hoon , Li Chenzhe
Published: September 2022

Deformations triggered by body heat are desirable in the context of shape‐morphing applications because, under the majority of circumstances, the human body maintains a higher temperature than that of its surroundings. However, at present, this bioenergy‐triggered action is primarily limited to soft polymeric networks. Thus, herein, the programming of body temperature‐triggered deformations into rigid azobenzene‐containing liquid crystalline polymers (azo‐LCPs) with a glass‐transition temperature of 100 °C is demonstrated. To achieve this, a mechano‐assisted photo‐programming strategy is used to create a metastable state with room‐temperature stable residual stress, which is induced by the isomerization of azobenzene. The programmed rigid azo‐LCP can undergo large‐amplitude body temperature‐triggered shape changes within minutes and can be regenerated without any performance degradation. By changing the programming photomasks and irradiation conditions employed, various 2D to 3D shape‐morphing architectures, including folded clips, inch‐worm structures, spiral structures, and snap‐through motions are achieved. When programmed with polarized light, the proposed strategy results in domain‐selective activation, generating designed characteristics in multi‐domain azo‐LCPs. The reported strategy is therefore expected to broaden the applications of azo‐LCPs in the fields of biomedical and flexible microelectronic devices.
A 1‐year randomized controlled trial of a nutritional blend to improve nutritional biomarkers and prevent cognitive decline among community‐dwelling older adults: The Nolan Study
Authors: Giudici Kelly V. , Guyonnet Sophie , Cantet Christelle , de Souto Barreto Philipe , Weiner Michael W. , Tosun Duygu , Boschat Corina , Hudry Julie , Andrieu Sandrine , Vellas Bruno , Schmitt Jeroen A. J. ,   for the Nolan/DSA group
Published: September 2022

Introduction

This study aimed to test the efficacy of a nutritional blend (NB) in improving nutritional biomarkers and preventing cognitive decline among older adults.

Methods

A 1‐year randomized, double‐blind, multicenter, placebo‐controlled trial with 362 adults (58.6% female, mean 78.3 years, SD = 4.8) receiving an NB or placebo. Erythrocyte ω‐3 index and homocysteine concentrations were primary outcomes. Other outcomes included Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Applied Cognition‐Abilities, composite cognitive score (CCS), Cognitive Function Instrument (CFI) self‐assessment and study partner, hippocampal volume (HV), and Alzheimer's disease signature cortical thickness (CT).

Results

A total of 305 subjects completed the follow‐up. Supplementation increased ω‐3 index and decreased homocysteine, but did not affect CCS, CFI self‐assessment, HV, and CT. Placebo improved and treatment did not change PROMIS at 1 month. Intervention showed a positive effect on CFI study partner.

Discussion

Although improving nutritional biomarkers, this 1‐year trial with a multi‐nutrient novel approach was not able to show effects on cognitive outcomes among older adults.
Design space exploration and decision‐making for a segmented ultralight morphing 50‐MW wind turbine
Authors: Kianbakht Sepideh , Martin Dana , Johnson Kathryn , Zalkind Daniel , Pao Lucy , Loth Eric , Simpson Juliet , Yao Shulong , Chetan Mayank , Griffith D. Todd
Published: September 2022

Wind turbine design encompasses many different aspects including aerodynamic, structural, electrical, and control system design. To achieve optimal plant performance, a system design approach is utilized in which the performance of the whole wind turbine is evaluated and quantified during operational scenarios with subsystem interactions. In this paper, the design for a Segmented Ultralight Morphing Rotor (SUMR) 50‐MW wind turbine is presented utilizing levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for design choices, with additional quantification of simulated performance shortcomings at the 50‐MW scale. The multi‐disciplinary design process results in a final ultra‐scale turbine configuration that outperforms other existing offshore wind farms regarding the LCOE.
Predictors of testosterone in zoo‐managed male African elephants (Loxodonta Africana)
Authors: Campbell Kaitlyn M. , Wilson James A. , Morfeld Kari A.
Published: September 2022

Reproductive complications for both male and female zoo‐managed African elephants (Loxodonta africana) contribute to the rapidly declining population. In zoo‐managed bull elephants, few studies have explored the potential physiological, physical, social, and environmental factors that influence bull fertility, particularly, androgen production. Testosterone is the essential steroid hormone for male sexual maturation and inadequate concentrations can be detrimental for spermatogenesis. Testosterone, fecal glucocorticoid metabolites, leptin, glucose, insulin, and triglycerides were analyzed from weekly fecal and blood serum samples taken over 6 months from six zoo‐managed African elephant bulls (10–19 years of age). Testosterone levels were compared to endocrine factors, weekly social and environmental variables, daily musth signs, and body condition scores (BCS). The glucose‐to‐insulin ratio (G:I) was the only physiological biomarker found to be positively associated with testosterone. Predictive physical variables included Musth Score (+) and Moderate Exercise (+). Bulls with BCS signifying overweight (BCS 4) had lower testosterone (36.6 ± 1.6 ng/g fecal extraction [FE]) than bulls with healthy BCS 3; 51.2 ± 4.9 ng/g FE). Numerous social variables influenced testosterone concentrations, including Total Contact Day (+), Female Interaction Day (+), Indirect Contact Day (+), Indirect Contact Night (+) and Total No Contact (−). Both percentage of Time Outdoor and Time Mixed positively influenced testosterone, whereas testosterone decreased for percentage of Time Indoors. Each additional daily browse opportunity increased testosterone by approximately 7 ng/g FE. In managed care, the emphasis should be placed on optimizing these predictors of testosterone production to promote bull reproductive health.