bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Human Spermatozoa Mitochondrial Membrane Potential Using the JC‐1 Dye
Authors: Carrageta David F. , Freire‐Brito Laís , Oliveira Pedro F. , Alves Marco G.
Published: September 2022

Mitochondria are fundamental for human spermatozoa motility and fertilizing ability. Mitochondria participate not only in ATP production, but also in reactive oxygen species production, redox equilibrium, and calcium regulation, all of which are central for human spermatozoa motility, capacitation, acrosome reaction, and ultimately, oocyte fertilization. Mitochondrial membrane potential is a key indicator of mitochondrial health and activity. Most commonly used methods for the study of mitochondrial membrane potential, however, cannot be applied to human spermatozoa due to their unique characteristics, including high motility and time‐dependent decay of quality, limiting the study of this important parameter in these cells. Here, we describe an easy, fast, and cheap protocol for the quantitative evaluation of human spermatozoa mitochondrial membrane potential, using the fluorescent cationic dye 5,5,6,6′‐tetrachloro‐1,1′,3,3′‐tetraethylbenzimi‐dazoylcarbocyanine iodide (JC‐1). JC‐1 is a sensitive marker for mitochondrial membrane potential, exhibiting a potential‐dependent accumulation in the mitochondria. At high mitochondrial membrane potential, JC‐1 forms J‐aggregates, which emit red fluorescence, whereas at low mitochondrial membrane potential, JC‐1 remains at its monomer state, which emits green fluorescence. We first describe how to evaluate human spermatozoa mitochondrial membrane potential using JC‐1 and a fluorescence plate reader, for high‐throughput studies. The calculation of the JC‐1 ratio (indicative of the J‐aggregates/monomers ratio) is then used to quantitatively evaluate mitochondrial health and activity. In addition, we describe an imaging protocol for the qualitative evaluation of human spermatozoa mitochondrial membrane potential using a fluorescence microscope. This allows for a visual analysis of the results that can complement the quantitative data. These protocols can be used to study the effects of spermatozoa exposure to compounds of interest, and alterations due to diseases or different conditions. While these protocols are illustrated with human spermatozoa, they can be adapted and used on spermatozoa of different species. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Quantitative evaluation of human spermatozoa mitochondrial membrane potential using the JC‐1 dye and a fluorescence plate reader

Basic Protocol 2: Qualitative evaluation of human spermatozoa mitochondrial membrane potential using the JC‐1 dye and fluorescence microscopy

Support Protocol: Preparation of the JC‐1 working solution
CRISPR/Cas9‐enhanced Targetron Insertion for Delivery of Heterologous Sequences into the Genome of Gram‐Negative Bacteria
Authors: Velázquez Elena , Al‐Ramahi Yamal , de Lorenzo Víctor
Published: September 2022

Targetron technology, a gene‐editing approach based on the use of mobile group II introns, is particularly useful for bacterial strains deficient in homologous recombination. Specifically, the Ll.LtrB intron from Lactococcus lactis can be used in a wide range of species and can be easily retargeted, that is, modified for integration into any locus of interest. Targetron technology is thus a powerful tool for generating genomic insertions in a broad range of genetic backgrounds, mainly when no other techniques can be efficiently employed. Notably, the approach can be coupled to CRISPR/Cas9 counterselection of wildtype DNA sequences to decrease the population of unmodified cells and ultimately improve Ll.LtrB insertion efficiency. Here, we describe a step‐by‐step protocol for delivering exogenous sequences into the genome of Gram‐negative bacteria by means of targetron technology and CRISPR/Cas9 counterselection using Pseudomonas putida as a model. We describe the retargeting of the Ll.LtrB intron to the locus selected for insertion, the design of specific spacers for eliminating unmutated cells through CRISPR/Cas9 counterselection, and the cloning of exogenous sequences into Ll.LtrB. We also provide a protocol for delivering a specific cargo to the locus of choice once all necessary components of the system are ready. Lastly, we describe a general protocol for curing the engineered strain of all plasmids. CRISPR/Cas9‐enhanced Ll.LtrB insertion can be an efficient alternative for overcoming low recombination‐based editing efficiency and can be used in numerous bacterial species. © 2022 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Retargeting the Ll.LtrB intron to the target locus

Support Protocol 1: Preparation of competent E. coli

Basic Protocol 2: Design and cloning of CRISPR spacers to counterselect Ll.LtrB insertions

Support Protocol 2: Interference assay to check efficiency of selected spacers

Basic Protocol 3: Cloning cargos into Ll.LtrB

Basic Protocol 4: Ll.LtrB/CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated insertion

Basic Protocol 5: Curing the engineered strain of plasmids
Analysis, design, and minimum phase selection of high power interleaved DC–DC converter
Authors: Yedukondalu Guttula , Samanta Susovon , Joshi Mahendra
Published: September 2022

The primary use of interleaved bidirectional DC–DC converters (IBC) is for high current applications due to the inherent property of ripple cancellation, high redundancy, and improved efficiency. Proper analysis and design are required to improve the power density and reduce the cost of the ‐phase IBC. Ripple current analysis plays a vital role in choosing the inductor and filter capacitors to minimize the size of an IBC. This paper presents the simple and generalized formulas for the current ripple minimization of ‐phase IBC. Also, the inductor is designed with two different core materials, namely, Ferrite and Sendust. It is observed that the area product and weight of the magnetics have been reduced by 22% and 23%, respectively, for Sendust core in comparison with the Ferrite core. Furthermore, a discussion regarding the thermal analysis of IGBT modules to select an appropriate heat sink is stated. Moreover, the minimum phase selection has been proposed by considering several constraints such as area product of the core, discrete components size based on ripple analysis, cost of all components, and converter efficiency. The prototype of the selected minimum phase IBC has been developed and tested for a 7.5 kW power level using TMS320F28335.
Ultrahigh step‐up DC‐DC converter consisting quadratic boost converter, multiplier cell, and three windings coupled inductor
Authors: Abbasi Vahid , Mohammadi Tanha Kambiz , Rezaie Milad
Published: September 2022

This paper presents an ultrahigh step‐up converter with combination of a quadratic boost converter, a multiplier cell, and a three windings coupled inductor. Main advantages of the converter include its high voltage gain, low voltage stress on the switch and most of the diodes, continuity of input current with low ripple, and existence of a common ground between the source and load. Furthermore, requiring small inductors leads to high efficiency performance of the converter. To confirm superiority of the proposed converter, it has been compared with the converters consisting coupled inductors. Analysis of the converter has been performed for its main operation modes to validate its quality and quantity factors. A prototype is built in order to experiment its performance per different conditions and evaluate the analysis. Rated values per the experiments are 25, 500, and 200 W for the input voltage, output voltage, and output power, respectively.
Analysis and comparison of high step‐up converters based on Greinacher voltage multiplier cells
Authors: Andres Bernardo , Faistel Tiago M. K. , Andrade António M. S. S. , Roggia Leandro , Schuch Luciano
Published: September 2022

High step‐up converters are often used in photovoltaic applications due to low voltage of photovoltaic modules. In this paper, two new topologies, obtained with the insertion of voltage multiplier cells on secondary side of isolated SEPIC, are proposed. They have the advantages of continuous input current, isolation, high efficiency, and high voltage gain, being suitable for low power applications. To perform this study, theoretical and comparative analyses are accomplished. They include a description of each converter, tables, and curves with relevant information, such as voltage gain, total voltage stress, and total current stress. Moreover, the identification of the use of coupled inductor or transformer based on the analysis of DC magnetizing current is presented. Theoretical analysis and experimental results on 37.4/400 V, 50 kHz, and 200 W prototypes of selected isolated SEPIC with voltage doubler cell and voltage quadrupler cell are presented to validate the proposed topology and concept, where the maximum efficiency obtained for the converter with doubler cell is 96.85%, while for the converter with quadrupler cell is 97.75%.
Myocarditis following COVID‐19 vaccine: incidence, presentation, diagnosis, pathophysiology, therapy, and outcomes put into perspective. A clinical consensus document supported by the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the ESC Working Group on Myocardial and Pericardial Diseases
Authors: Heidecker Bettina , Dagan Noa , Balicer Ran , Eriksson Urs , Rosano Giuseppe , Coats Andrew , Tschöpe Carsten , Kelle Sebastian , Poland Gregory A. , Frustaci Andrea , Klingel Karin , Martin Pilar , Hare Joshua M. , Cooper Leslie T. , Pantazis Antonis , Imazio Massimo , Prasad Sanjay , Lüscher Thomas F.
Published: September 2022

Over 10 million doses of COVID‐19 vaccines based on RNA technology, viral vectors, recombinant protein, and inactivated virus have been administered worldwide. Although generally very safe, post‐vaccine myocarditis can result from adaptive humoral and cellular, cardiac‐specific inflammation within days and weeks of vaccination. Rates of vaccine‐associated myocarditis vary by age and sex with the highest rates in males between 12 and 39 years. The clinical course is generally mild with rare cases of left ventricular dysfunction, heart failure and arrhythmias. Mild cases are likely underdiagnosed as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is not commonly performed even in suspected cases and not at all in asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients. Hospitalization of symptomatic patients with electrocardiographic changes and increased plasma troponin levels is considered necessary in the acute phase to monitor for arrhythmias and potential decline in left ventricular function. In addition to evaluation for symptoms, electrocardiographic changes and elevated troponin levels, CMR is the best non‐invasive diagnostic tool with endomyocardial biopsy being restricted to severe cases with heart failure and/or arrhythmias. The management beyond

guideline‐directed treatment of heart failure and arrhythmias includes non‐specific measures to control pain. Anti‐inflammatory drugs such as non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroids have been used in more severe cases, with only anecdotal evidence for their effectiveness. In all age groups studied, the overall risks of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection‐related hospitalization and death are hugely greater than the risks from post‐vaccine myocarditis. This consensus statement serves as a practical resource for physicians in their clinical practice, to understand, diagnose, and manage affected patients. Furthermore, it is intended to stimulate research in this area.
The antiretroviral agents azidothymidine, stavudine, and didanosine have the identical mutational fingerprint in the rpoB region of Escherichia coli
Authors: Yaramada Lekha , Singh Sunjum , Ge Zoe , Shin Jeana , Mashiach Daniel , Miller Jeffrey H.
Published: September 2022

We looked at the mutational fingerprints of three antiretroviral (anti‐HIV) agents, azidothymidine (AZT), stavudine (STAV), and didanosine (DIDA) in the rpoB system of Escherichia coli and compared them with each other and with the fingerprints of trimethoprim and of spontaneous mutations in a wild‐type and a mutT background. All three agents gave virtually identical fingerprints in the wild‐type background, causing only A:T→C:G changes at 3 of the 12 A:T→C:G possible sites among the total of 92 possible base substitution mutations, even though AZT and STAV are thymidine analogs but DIDA is an adenosine analog. As all three agents are reverse transcriptase inhibitors, and act as chain blockers, the common fingerprint may be a property of chain blocking agents.
Brakerski‐Gentry‐Vaikuntanathan fully homomorphic encryption cryptography for privacy preserved data access in cloud assisted Internet of Things services using glow‐worm swarm optimization
Authors: Suma M. R. , Madhumathy P.
Published: September 2022

Health monitoring sensors are widely available to monitor patients' health remotely. The collected sensor data are sent to cloud storage and processed in a remote health monitoring system. The Internet of Things (IoT) with cloud support offers a promising answer to data exploding concerns for the ability to constrain specific gadgets. However, IoT faces many security issues when sharing data between two users because of the cloud's leverage nature. In the case of a private cloud, simple encryption techniques can ensure security. But, in the case of a public cloud, maintaining data privacy is a significant issue. To overcome this concern, an optimized Brakerski‐Gentry‐Vaikuntanathan fully homomorphic encryption (BGV‐FHE) encryption method for secured data mutuality is proposed in this article. In this method, IoT medical data are initially acquired and then encrypted using two key schemes, and the data are stored in cloud storage. The main objective of these key schemes is to select optimal key parameters. Key parameters are chosen using the glow‐worm swarm optimization and used for the encryption phase. Storing data in the cloud using a public key provides access to requested users. Meanwhile, sensitive data are encrypted using a private key and cannot be accessed unless authenticated. This proposed approach has two levels of encryption, and thus it is an efficient data secured protocol for cloud resources. Implementing the optimized BGV‐FHE scheme based encryption scheme in Python, two datasets result in an accuracy level of 77% and 91%, respectively.
Cognitive decline and hippocampal functional connectivity within older Black adults
Authors: Han S. Duke , Fleischman Debra A. , Yu Lei , Poole Victoria , Lamar Melissa , Kim Namhee , Leurgans Sue E. , Bennett David A. , Arfanakis Konstantinos , Barnes Lisa L.
Published: September 2022

While there has been a proliferation of neuroimaging studies on cognitive decline in older non‐Hispanic White adults, there is a dearth of knowledge regarding neuroimaging correlates of cognitive decline in Black adults. Resting‐state functional neuroimaging approaches may be particularly sensitive to early cognitive decline, but there are no studies that we know of that apply this approach to examining associations of brain function to cognition in older Black adults. We investigated the association of cognitive decline with whole‐brain voxel‐wise functional connectivity to the hippocampus, a key brain region functionally implicated in early Alzheimer's dementia, in 132 older Black adults without dementia participating in the Minority Aging Research Study and Rush Memory and Aging Project, two longitudinal studies of aging that include harmonized annual cognitive assessments and magnetic resonance imaging brain imaging. In models adjusted for demographic factors (age, education, sex), global cognitive decline was associated with functional connectivity of the hippocampus to three clusters in the right and left frontal regions of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. In domain‐specific analyses, decline in semantic memory was associated with functional connectivity of the hippocampus to bilateral clusters in the precentral gyrus, and decline in perceptual speed was inversely associated with connectivity of the hippocampus to the bilateral intracalcarine cortex and the right fusiform gyrus. These findings elucidate neurobiological mechanisms underlying cognitive decline in older Black adults and may point to specific targets of intervention for Alzheimer's disease.
Utilizing 3D head and neck specimen scanning for intraoperative margin discussions: Proof of concept of our novel approach
Authors: Saturno Michael P. , Brandwein‐Weber Margaret , Greenberg Lily , Silberzweig Alex , Buchbinder Daniel , Dowling Eric M. , Khan Mohemmed N. , Chai Raymond , Urken Mark L.
Published: September 2022

Background

The current standard of documenting and communicating frozen section margin results is inefficient. We present a novel method of generating 3D digital models of gross tumor specimens to more clearly visualize histopathological margin results.

Methods

Fifty‐five head and neck specimens were scanned and virtually “inked” using 3D software. These 3D specimen maps were displayed in the operating room to provide the surgeon with a real‐time specimen‐to‐defect relationship by which further resections could be guided.

Results

Margin results were reported within an average of 34 min using the proposed workflow. The scanner rendered accurate models of specimens that exceeded 3.0 × 3.0 × 3.0 cm. Critical specimen features to consider were size, color, textural complexity, and the presence of discernible anatomic landmarks.

Conclusions

Optical 3D scanning technology can improve the quality of head and neck margin documentation and the efficiency with which results are communicated between the pathologist and surgeon.
Superiority of metastatic lymph node ratio over number of node metastases and TNM/AJCC N classification in predicting cancer‐specific survival in medullary thyroid cancer
Authors: Machens Andreas , Lorenz Kerstin , Weber Frank , Dralle Henning
Published: September 2022

Background

In medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), it is unclear which nodal classification system, metastatic lymph node ratio (MLNR), number of node metastases, or TNM/AJCC N classification, predicts cancer‐specific survival best.

Methods

Kaplan–Maier analysis of cancer‐specific survival after operation at a tertiary center.

Results

Included were 505 MTC patients. The spread of the survival curves was greatest after stratification by MLNR (in 0.20 increments), followed by number of node metastases (in 10‐node and 20‐node increments) and TNM/AJCC classification (N0, N1a, N1b). After collapsing overlapping survival curves, all adjacent curves (MLNRs ≤0.20 vs. 0.21–0.60 vs. >0.60; 0 vs. 1–20 vs. >20 node metastases; and TNM/AJCC N classification N0/N1a vs. N1b) significantly differed between each other.

Conclusions

In MTC, MLNR, reflecting intensity of lymphatic spread, predicts cancer‐specific survival better than number of node metastases or TNM/AJCC N classification. The applicability of these findings to patients with limited neck dissection requires more research.
Which smokers enroll in a hospital based smoking cessation trial? Survey of smoking related behaviors, quit attempts, and motivation to quit
Authors: Gobarani Rukshar K. , Weeks Gregory R. , Abramson Michael J. , Bonevski Billie , Paul Eldho , Webb Ashley , Kirsa Sue , Smith Brian J. , Thomas Dennis , Perinpanathan Sharmilla , Parkinson Jacqueline , Meanger Darshana , Coward Lisa , Rofe Olivia , Lee Paula , George Johnson
Published: September 2022

Background

Understanding smoking behaviors in hospital patients who smoke may improve inpatient cessation treatments. This study aimed to describe smoking‐related behaviors, past‐quit attempts, and self‐reported difficulties experienced in quitting among those who enrolled in a smoking cessation trial of varenicline.

Methods

Baseline data were obtained from adult hospitalized smokers (average ≥ 10 cigarettes/day in 4‐weeks prior to hospitalization) who enrolled in a randomized, placebo‐controlled trial of varenicline ± nicotine lozenges at five Australian public hospitals. A logistic regression model tested the association between participant characteristics and quitting in the previous 12 months.

Results

Participants' (n = 320; 57% male, 52.5 ± 12.1 years old) motivation and confidence in quitting were high. A total of 120 participants (37.5%) had attempted quitting in the previous 12‐months. Prior hospitalization (P = .008) and employment status (P = .015) were significantly associated with past quit attempts. No statistically significant differences were noted in the reason for hospitalization or the level of nicotine dependence between participants who attempted quitting in the previous 12 months and their counterparts. Smoking cessation pharmacotherapy was used by 55% of those attempting to quit; nicotine replacement therapy (65.2%) and varenicline (16.7%) most common. Stress or anxiety, urges to smoke and a lack of motivation were the difficulties experienced in past quit attempts.

Conclusions

Those who had a prior hospitalization and were unemployed had significantly greater odds of reporting past quit attempts. Further research is needed to investigate the degree of adherence among inpatient smokers with the smoke‐free hospital policies and the frequency of NRT provision and uptake on admission.
Assessing parents' self‐efficacy beliefs before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Greece
Authors: Vatou Anastasia
Published: September 2022

The aim of the present study is to establish the psychometric properties of the Self‐Efficacy for Parenting Tasks Index‐Toddler Scale (SEPTI‐TS) in the Greek educational context and to examine changes in parenting self‐efficacy over time. The Short Form of SEPTI‐TS was used to evaluate parents' self‐efficacy on four different domains: nurturance, discipline, play and routine. A sample of 159 parents of children aged from 3 to 5 years completed an online survey at two time periods before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Results supported the proposed SEPTI‐TS dimensionality (comparative fit index = .905, root‐mean‐square error of approximation = .053, standardised root mean square residual = .055). The results showed that the average parenting self‐efficacy scores regarding discipline, play and routine were lower than parenting self‐efficacy scores of those domains before the COVID‐19 pandemic. Results also indicated that parents feel high self‐efficacy for play with their children, whereas they perceive low self‐efficacy for children's discipline. Good practices are discussed to address new challenges to Greek parents.
Contralateral necrotizing fascitis after left nephrectomy for emphysematous pyelonephritis
Authors: Fuentes Alberto , Rojas Pablo A , del Valle Felipe , Ortega Carlidia , Bravo Juan Cristobal , Kompatzki Álvaro
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is an acute necrotizing infection of the renal parenchyma. The management is variable, extending to total nephrectomy in severe or refractory cases. Post‐nephrectomy complications are numerous and common, necrotizing fasciitis, and sepsis being among them.

Case presentation

We present a case of a 37‐year‐old woman with obesity and a previous left emphysematous pyelonephritis episode managed conservatively. The patient presented with a second left emphysematous pyelonephritis and underwent a left total nephrectomy. Two weeks later, the patient presented with a contralateral necrotizing fasciitis of the abdominal wall. Subsequently, the patient required several surgical debridement procedures and a vacuum‐assisted closure system treatment.

Conclusion

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is an aggressive infectious disease that requires high suspicion in patients at risk.
Grading cartilage damage with diffuse reflectance spectroscopy: Optical markers and mechanical properties
Authors: Rovnyagina Nataliya R. , Budylin Gleb S. , Dyakonov Pavel V. , Efremov Yuri M. , Lipina Marina M. , Goncharuk Yuliya R. , Murdalov Emirkhan E. , Pogosyan David A. , Davydov Denis A. , Korneev Alexander A. , Serejnikova Natalia B. , Mikaelyan Karen A. , Evlashin Stanislav A. , Lazarev Vladimir A. , Lychagin Alexey V. , Timashev Peter S. , Shirshin Evgeny A.
Published: September 2022

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common joint diseases worldwide. Unfortunately, clinical methods lack the ability to detect OA in the early stages. Timely detection of the knee joint degradation at the level of tissue changes can prevent its progressive damage. Here, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) in the NIR range was used to obtain optical markers of the cartilage damage grades and to assess its mechanical properties. It was observed that the water content obtained by DRS strongly correlates with the cartilage thickness (R = .82) and viscoelastic relaxation time (R = .7). Moreover, the spectral parameters, including water content (OH‐band), protein content (CH‐band), and scattering parameters allowed for discrimination between the cartilage damage grades (10−4 < P ≤ 10−3). The developed approach may become a valuable addition to arthroscopy, helping to identify lesions at the microscopic level in the early stages of OA and complement the surgical analysis.
Diabetes Mellitus and the Benefit of Antiresorptive Therapy on Fracture Risk
Authors: Eastell Richard , Vittinghoff Eric , Lui Li-Yung , Ewing Susan K. , Schwartz Ann V. , Bauer Douglas C. , Black Dennis M. , Bouxsein Mary L.
Published: September 2022

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with increased risk of fractures. However, it is unclear whether current osteoporosis treatments reduce fractures in individuals with diabetes. The aim of the study was to determine whether presence of T2D influences the efficacy of antiresorptive treatment for osteoporosis using the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH)–American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR)–Study to Advance Bone Mineral Density (BMD) as a Regulatory Endpoint (SABRE) cohort, which includes individual patient data from randomized trials of osteoporosis therapies. In this study we included 96,385 subjects, 6.8% of whom had T2D, from nine bisphosphonate trials, two selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) trials, two trials of menopausal hormone therapy, one denosumab trial, and one odanacatib trial. We used Cox regression to obtain the treatment hazard ratio (HR) for incident nonvertebral, hip, and all fractures and logistic regression to obtain the treatment odds ratio (OR) for incident morphometric vertebral fractures, separately for T2D and non-DM. We used linear regression to estimate the effect of treatment on 2-year change in BMD (n = 49,099) and 3-month to 12-month change in bone turnover markers (n = 12,701) by diabetes status. In all analyses, we assessed the interaction between treatment and diabetes status. In pooled analyses of all 15 trials, we found that diabetes did not impact treatment efficacy, with similar reductions in vertebral, nonvertebral, all, and hip fractures, increases in total hip and femoral neck BMD, and reductions in serum C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide (CTX), urinary N-telopeptide of type I collagen/creatinine (NTX/Cr) and procollagen type 1 N propeptide (P1NP) (all interactions p > 0.05). We found similar results for the pooled analysis of bisphosphonate trials. However, when we considered trials individually, we found a few interactions within individual studies between diabetes status and the effects of denosumab and odanacatib on fracture risk, change in BMD or bone turnover markers (BTMs). In sum, these results provide strong evidence that bisphosphonates and most licensed antiresorptive drugs are effective at reducing fracture risk and increasing BMD irrespective of diabetes status. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
No one is born with it: Australasian dental students’ perceptions of learning manual dexterity
Authors: Sim May Yee , Tan Li Feng , Adam Lee , Loch Carolina
Published: September 2022

Dentistry requires high manual dexterity, and few studies have investigated the challenges and impact on dental students of attaining manual dexterity skills. This study aimed to investigate dental students’ perceptions of manual dexterity, including their awareness of manual dexterity requirements in dentistry, self‐perceptions of manual dexterity competency, and whether manual dexterity should be part of admission to dentistry training. A link to a 12‐item online Qualtrics survey was sent out to students in either their 2nd or 5th year of the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree at the University of Otago, New Zealand. The anonymous survey collected basic demographic data and included closed and open‐ended questions about manual dexterity. Descriptive statistics were calculated for quantitative variables and a general inductive approach was used to analyze free‐text responses. Those were later grouped into a theoretical domain framework. The overall response rate was 53%. All participants acknowledged the importance of manual dexterity in dentistry. Most participants thought that manual dexterity can be improved with practice and that including a manual dexterity test in the admission criteria may cause unnecessary stress for students. Striving to achieve manual dexterity impacted participants’ performance in the BDS course. However, most participants viewed it as a challenge that can be overcome with practice and improvement, and that current BDS admission requirements are sufficient.
Analysis on the changes of fertilization intensity and efficiency in China's grain production from 1980 to 2019
Authors: Liu Qinpu , Wu Ta Yeong , Tu Wei , Pu Lijie
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND

Relieving serious non‐point source pollution of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) is an urgent task in China. It is necessary to explore the changing characteristics of chemical fertilization intensity (FI) and efficiency to provide references. A new method of ‘relative productivity proportion weight’, which was simpler than data envelope analysis, was proposed to construct models of fertilizer allocation efficiency (FAE) and chemical fertilizer integrated efficiency (FIE) by considering NPK multi‐inputs and the grain output scale, respectively.

RESULTS

During 1980–2014, the FIs of NPK chemical fertilizers in China showed a significant growing trend. After reaching the highest value of 339 kg ha−1 in 2014, FIs were reduced to 303 kg ha−1 in 2019, higher than the 225 kg ha−1 maximum safe usage internationally recognized. Meanwhile, the pattern of change of FAE was one of ‘decreasing to increasing’, with values of 1 in 1980, 0.66 in 2003, and 0.80 in 2019. FIE basically showed an increasing trend, which could be divided into three stages: the first stage of low efficiency during 1980–2009, the second stage of medium efficiency after 2010, and the third stage of high efficiency after 2018.

CONCLUSION

From 1980 until 2019, a reduction of FAE from 1 to 0.80 with an average of 0.75 was observed in China. FIE was found between 0.65 and 0.85 and had the potential of upgrading by 15–35%. Therefore, China needs to improve the fertilizer use efficiency in order to strive for negative growth of chemical fertilizer intensity and ecological agriculture construction. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
A meta‐analysis on the impacts of different oxidation methods on the surface area properties of biochar
Authors: Ghorbani Mohammad , Konvalina Petr , Kopecký Marek , Kolář Ladislav
Published: September 2022

Biochar has a beneficial impact on agricultural prosperity, according to numerous studies, and the key dispute presently is how to maximize that impact. Biochar oxidation is well‐known as one of the accepted methods for increasing biochar efficiency. However, due to contradictory data presented in studies and because biochar is derived from diverse oxidation procedures, as well as, the lack of an analytical comparison between different methods, oxidation data sets require a thorough assessment that can be covered by meta‐analysis. In this study, the effects of the five most common oxidation methods in the literature, namely oxidation by acids, alkaline, metal oxides, physical, and natural oxidation, on the cation exchange capacity (CEC), micro‐pores (MP), specific surface area (SSA), and oxygen‐content functional groups (OFGs) of biochar, were meta‐analyzed. When pyrolysis conditions varied, the efficiency of various operations was also addressed. The most efficient method was acidic oxidation, which increased CEC, SSA, MP, and OFGs by 46%, 43%, 55%, and 72%, respectively. Additionally, increasing the pyrolysis temperature above 550°C is critical for lowering OFGs, which has an impact on biochar sorption characteristics. According to the findings, biochar oxidation (post‐pyrolysis) is important since it creates more oxide ions on the surface area than feedstock oxidation (pre‐pyrolysis). Due to their high inorganic nutrient content, crop residues such as rice husk, maize stalk, and rapeseed stem, which were classed in the intermediate group in this study, are promising feedstocks for synthesizing biochars with high SSA, MP, and CEC. Overall, when compared to other approaches, the acidic process significantly improves the surface properties of biochar.
Understanding how nutrient limitation and plant traits influence carbon in mangrove‐seagrass coastal ecosystems
Authors: Kammann Sandra , Hortua Daniel Arturo Saavedra , Kominoski John S. , Fett Theresa‐Marie , Gillis Lucy Gwen
Published: September 2022

Mangrove forests and seagrass meadows provide critical ecosystem services, including the accumulation of “blue carbon.” Plants' functional traits could influence this blue carbon accumulation. To test for interactions among functional traits and blue carbon accumulation, we conducted a study in connected mangrove‐seagrass coastal ecosystems in southeast Florida (USA). We quantified how plants' above‐ground traits correlated with sediment nutrient content, and how changes in traits along inland‐to‐coastal gradients influenced inorganic and organic carbon storage potential. Physical traits of Thalassia testudinum were higher at sites with higher sediment phosphorus (SP) and nitrogen (SN) concentrations. Sediment organic carbon concentrations were positively correlated to T. testudinum physical traits. Root density, pneumatophore abundance, specific leaf area, leaf toughness, leaf nitrogen, and phosphorus content were positively correlated with SN concentrations in the mangrove forest coastal fringe. Mangrove leaf thickness and root complexity index were negatively correlated with SP concentrations in the coastal fringe. Our results also indicate that seagrass above‐ground traits and blue carbon were strongly correlated in areas with higher sediment nutrient concentrations. Moreover, mangrove root complexity is coupled with phosphorus limitation, whereby highly complex root systems develop with decreasing phosphorus concentrations. Distinct functional traits of plants drive variation in carbon retention capacity even in interconnected ecosystems.
Sulfated Galactans fromGracilaria fisheriwith Supplementation of Octanoyl Promote Wound Healing Activity In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Rudtanatip Tawut , Somintara Somsuda , Sakaew Waraporn , El‐Abid Jamal , Cano Maria Emilia , Jongsomchai Kamonwan , Wongprasert Kanokpan , Kovensky José
Published: September 2022

Sulfated galactans (SG) isolated fromGracilaria fisheriis partially degraded (DSG), and subsequentially supplemented with octanoyl (DSGO) and sulfate (DSGS) groups. The molecular weights of DSG, DSGO, and DSGS are 7.87, 152.79, and 97.07 kDa, respectively. The modification is confirmed using FTIR and NMR, while in vitro wound healing activity is assessed using scratched wound fibroblasts. The results reveal that DSGO exhibits highest percentage of wound closure in scratched fibroblast L929 cells. Furthermore, DSGO is able to promote proliferation and accelerate migration of scratched fibroblasts, which correspond to the regulation of proteins and mRNA (Ki67, p‐FAK, vimentin, and E‐cadherin) determined by Western blotting and qPCR analysis. The superior wound healing activity of DSGO is also confirmed in excision wound of rats. The results demonstrate that DSGO significantly enhances the percentage of wound closure, re‐epithelialization, and collagen arrangement, increasesα‐smoth muscle actin (α‐SMA) and vimentin expression, and decreases that of tumor necrosis factor‐α(TNF‐α) at the wound site. The results suggest that degraded SG supplemented with medium‐chain fatty acids of octanoyl group may pass through the membrane, subsequently activating the mediators associated with proliferation and migration of fibroblasts, which can potentially lead to the promotion of wound healing activity.
Influence of copper and aluminum substitution on high‐temperature oxidation of the FeCoCrNiMn “Cantor” alloy
Authors: Bürckner Mary‐Lee , Mengis Lukas , White Emma M. H. , Galetz Mathias C.
Published: September 2022

In this study, the oxidation behavior of FeCoCrNiMn (HEA + Mn) is compared to three modified HEAs manufactured by substituting Mn with Al, Cu, or Al + Cu. Oxidation tests were conducted between 600°C and 800°C for up to 500 h in synthetic air. Substitution of Mn leads to a significant improvement in the oxidation resistance for the three modified HEAs. For FeCoCrNiCu (HEA + Cu), a local attack of a Cu‐rich phase was observed, leading to the formation of CuO blisters on the surface. The FeCoCrNiAl (HEA + Al) alloy was characterized by the formation of a thin Al2O3 surface layer for all temperatures. However, for the HEA + Al alloy the formation of AlN was observed after 300 h at 800°C, leading to a partial breakdown of the protective scale. FeCoCrNiCuAl (HEA + Cu + Al) by far showed the best oxidation resistance, characterized by the formation of a highly protective Al2O3 scale that effectively inhibited nitrogen penetration into the metal subsurface and local attack of the Cu‐rich phase.
Enhancement on Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Insulating Paper Cellulose Modified by Silane Coupling Agent Grafted hBN
Authors: Peng Xiao , Qin Jinshan , Huang Dong , Zeng Zhenglin , Tang Chao
Published: September 2022

The performance of insulating paper cellulose is an important factor affecting the normal operation of electric power equipment. This paper uses molecular dynamics methods to establish pure cellulose, hBN‐modified cellulose, 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH550), 3‐glyoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH560), and 3‐methylpropoxypropyltris (KH570) grafted with hBN modified cellulose models. The effect of cohesive energy density (CED), thermal conductivity (TC), mean square displacement (MSD), free volume, glass transition temperature (Tg), and mechanical properties on the thermomechanical properties of cellulose are investigated and compared. The results indicate that all three silane coupling agents can enhance TC, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of the cellulose models. Among them, KH550 is the best grafting method for hBN/cellulose system as KH550 graft not only significantly enhances TC by 114.29% and Tg by 23.88% but also significantly strengthens the toughness and resistance to deformation of cellulose by over 50%.
People at a persistent pain service can walk it, but some struggle to talk about it: Reliability, detectable difference and clinically important difference of the six‐minute walk test
Authors: Murdoch Megan , Window Peter , Morton Caroline , O’Donohue Riley , Ballard Emma , Claus Andrew
Published: September 2022

Objectives

The six‐minute walk test (6MWT) is a commonly used measure of functional capacity. This study is the first to investigate the test‐retest reliability, minimal detectable difference (MDD) and the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for people attending a persistent pain service. Relationships between change in 6MWT performance and change in self‐reported physical, functional and psychological outcome measures were also explored.

Methods

A cross‐sectional repeated measures design was used with people having >9 months of pain attending an 8‐week outpatient persistent pain programme. For reliability and MDD, 27 people were recruited, for MCID calculations, 32 people were recruited. The MCID was examined by dichotomising people into “improvers”, or “non‐improvers” based upon the Global Rating of Change (GRC) in physical abilities score.

Results

The mean (SD) 6MWT distance was 389.4 (93.6) m at programme start, and 427.8 (83.0) m at week eight completion. The test‐retest reliability was good (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.89) and the MDD = 86.1 m. As there was no relationship between change in 6MWT distance and GRC physical abilities at week eight (r = 0.132, p = 0.472) the MCID could not be calculated. Furthermore, no relationships were found between change in 6MWT distance and other self‐reported measures. Changes in GRC physical abilities and 6MWT were frequently discordant, with increased 6MWT for 7/11 “GRC non‐improvers” and decreased 6MWT for 7/21 “GRC improvers”.

Conclusions

Amongst this cohort, change in physical ability may or may not be reflected by self‐reported change. Objective tests of physical ability are recommended for people attending pain services, and validated tests should align with intervention aims.
Outcomes and challenges of successful clinical nurse specialist role implementation: Participatory action research
Authors: Jokiniemi Krista , Kärkkäinen Anne , Korhonen Kristiina , Pekkarinen Tuomo , Pietilä Anna‐Maija
Published: September 2022

Aim

To describe the clinical nurse specialist role and its outcomes and challenges.

Design

Participatory Action Research conducted in Finland between the fall of 2017 and the end of 2018.

Methods

A core participatory action research team (n = 10) led the design, implementation and evaluation of the research. Multiple data collection methods were used. The study is reported using the Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research (EQUATOR) guidelines for participatory action research.

Results

The clinical nurse specialist used most of the time in clinical patient care followed by clinical nursing leadership and scholarship activities. Outcomes of successful implementation led to increased visibility of nursing expertise, development, integration and quality assurance of nursing processes and practice, and promotion of knowledge translation and unit and collaborator cooperation. Furthermore, role challenges were also recognized.
Development of nanohybrid dental composite containing mesoporous carrier silica particles: Synthesis particles, determination of fluoride adsorption capacities, and addition of the composite
Authors: Yeşil Acar Zerin , Tunç Koçyiğit Merve , Asiltürk Meltem
Published: September 2022

Mesoporous, nanometric silica particles that can serve both as carrier and filler for fluoride were synthesized, and their release properties were later investigated. The flexural and compressive strengths performances of organic matrix and composite materials were evaluated using the tests defined in BS EN ISO 4049. From the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller results of the synthesized mesoporous silica particles, mesoporous SiO2 particles‐6 (MSP‐6) was preferred because it fits the MSP‐6 Type V isotherm model and has a highly mesoporous structure. The saturation points of MSP‐6 and R709 silica particles in terms of fluoride were determined as 180 min for MSP‐6 and 120 min for R709, respectively. The strength of composites prepared after the treatment of surface‐modified R709 silica particles with fluoride solution decreased, an increase was observed in the composites prepared after MSP‐6 particles were treated with fluoride solution. The porous silica particles caused a slight increase in the compressive strength of the composites. The standard deviations of the compression values of the fluorine‐containing composites F/R709 and F/MSP‐6 are quite low. The microhardness values of R709, F/R709, MSP6 and F/MSP6 samples were determined as 82.1 ± 8.59, 247.67 ± 12.32, 131.03 ± 10.98, and 218.8 ± 11.24, respectively. Especially considering the effect of chewing force the surface hardness of the composite is also directly related to the compressive strength. The increase in the compressive strength of the samples treated with fluoride confirms this result. A high rate of mesoporous structure silica particles was synthesized and could serve both as a carrier for fluoride and as a filler required by the material.
Janus MoSO and MoSSe Monolayers: A Promising Material for Solar Cells and Photocatalytic Applications
Authors: Waheed Hafiza Sumaira , Asghar Mazia , Ahmad Hafiz Saeed , Abbas Tasawar , Ullah Hamid , Ali Roshan , Khan Muhammad Junaid Iqbal , Iqbal Muhammad Waqas , Shin Young-Han , Khan Muhammad Sheraz , Neffati Riadh
Published: September 2022

The optoelectronic properties and device absorption efficiencies of MoSO and MoSSe Janus monolayer have been investigated using the first‐principles calculations. It is revealed that the MoSO and MoSSe possess a semiconducting behavior with a bandgap of 1.61 eV (indirect) and 2.00 eV (direct), which is ideal for effective light absorption. The device absorption efficiency of the MoSO and MoSSe family has been calculated for the first time and it is found that this family has strongest absorption (90%) ranging from infrared to ultraviolet region of the light spectrum. Furthermore, they are an ideal contender for the top cell in tandem design due to their broader bandgap and high device absorption efficiency. This family also keeps a suitable band edge alignment with the water redox potentials. Thus, strong absorption efficiency and desirable photocatalytic property for splitting water make MoSO and MoSSe an efficient candidate for optoelectronic devices, photocatalysis, and solar cell applications.
Adaptive risk adjusted exponentially weighted moving average control chart based on accelerated failure time regression
Authors: Asif Faiza , Noor‐ul‐Amin Muhammad
Published: September 2022

Control charts play an effective role in monitoring and controlling the performance of health care. It helps to determine the strategy to improve the process and identify the causes of variations. In recent years, the risk adjusted memory type control charts have received reasonable attention in monitoring surgical outcomes. In this research, we used the concept of an adaptive exponentially weighted moving average (AEWMA) control chart and proposed a new adaptive risk adjusted exponentially weighted moving average (ARAEWMA) control chart by using the accelerated failure time (AFT) regression. A real data set of the cardiac surgery patients is used for analysis and the patient condition is counted by personnet score method. The proposed ARAEWMA control chart is fitted by using the AFT model and run length profiles are computed at different shifts. The proposed ARAEWMA chart is better in shift detection and showed efficient results than the risk adjusted exponentially weighted moving average control chart.
Benchmarking PES‐Learn's machine learning models predicting accurate potential energy surface for quantum scattering
Authors: Kushwaha Apoorv , Dhilip Kumar Thogluva Janardhanan
Published: September 2022

Machine learning (ML) models, neural networks, and Gaussian processes have been used to predict the potential energy surface taking C2‐He (both static and dynamic scenario) and NCCN‐He collision systems. The surface is restricted to ∽125 points where traditional spline becomes inefficacious. Quantum dynamics is performed by solving close‐coupling equation to compute cross sections benchmarking the performance of the ML models. The current study forms a basis for any future investigation of larger molecules where conventional fitting fails due to sparser ab initio points and cuts down the computational time without compromising on the quality of the surface.