bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance evaluation of presepsin using a Sysmex HISCL‐5000 analyzer and determination of reference interval
Authors: Kang Taewon , Yoo Jeaeun , Choi Hyunyu , Lee Seungok , Jekarl Dong Wook , Kim Yonggoo
Published: July 2022

Background

Analytical evaluation of newly developed presepsin by a Sysmex HISCL‐5000 (Sysmex, Japan) automated immune analyzer was performed.

Methods

For evaluation, sepsis patient samples were collected before treatment in an emergency department. Precision, linearity, limit of blank/limit of detection, method comparisons, and reference intervals were evaluated. Method comparisons were performed using a PATHFAST immune analyzer (LSI Medience Corporation, Japan).

Results

Precision using a 20x2x2 protocol for low (306 pg/mL) and high (1031 pg/mL) levels resulted in within‐laboratory standard deviation (95% confidence interval [CI]) and coefficient of variation (CV) %, which were as follows: 15.3 (13.1–18.7), 5.5% and 47.7, (40.5–58.1), 6.4%, respectively. Linearity using patient samples and calibrators were measured from 201 to 16,177 and 188 to 30,000 pg/mL, respectively. The regression equation was y = −23.2 + 1.008x (SE = 162.4) for low levels and y = 779.9 + 1.006x (SE = 668) for high levels. Method comparison by Passing–Bablock analysis was as follows: y = −209.77 + 1.047x (Syx = 335.3). The correlation coefficient (95% CI) was 0.869 (0.772–0.927) with statistical significance (p < 0.001). Reference intervals from 120 normal healthy subjects showed that 300 pg/mL was the cut off. Presepsin tended to show a higher value at higher ages and in males. Presepsin showed correlation with some parameters, and the correlation coefficient (p value) were as follows: hematocrit, 0.198 (0.03); eGFR (CKD‐EPI), −0.240 (0.0129); MDRD‐eGFR, −0.194 (0.048), respectively.

Conclusion

Presepsin measurement by HISCL‐5000 showed reliable performance. Further clinical studies are required for the diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis.
Enhanced adsorption of Pb(II) by phosphorus‐modified chicken manure and Chinese medicine residue co‐pyrolysis biochar
Authors: Chen Xi , Zhu Xiaoxuan , Fan Guangjian , Wang Xu , Li Haibo , Li Hui , Xu Xinyang
Published: July 2022

The pollution of lead (Pb (II)) to water resources is becoming more and more serious. It is always a difficult problem to find efficient and low‐cost adsorbents. Chicken manure (CM) and Chinese medicine residue (CMR) were modified with potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) and pyrolyzed to obtain a modified material (PBC) for the treatment of Pb(II) in an aqueous solution. A variety of characterization analysis results could prove that KH2PO4 was successfully introduced to PBC. By adjusting the initial pH, the zeta potential of PBC varies from −3.2 to −43.1 mV, it could be seen that PBC had excellent applicability in the broad range pH value (1.0–6.0). Experimental and model results showed that R2 of the pseudo‐first order kinetic model and the pseudo‐second order kinetic model are greater than 0.99, indicating that that physical and chemical adsorption played a significant role in Pb(II) removal by PBC. An adsorption isotherm analysis showed that the adsorption capacity n in this study is greater than 1, confirming that PBC has a good adsorption effect on Pb (II). R2 of the Langmuir model of PBC is 0.981, and its maximum adsorption capacity of Pb(II) could reach 599.4 mg/g. Environmentally friendly PBC could be used as an effective adsorbent to remove Pb(II) from aqueous systems.

Research highlights

Chicken manure and Chinese medicine residue were converted into biochar to improve utilization.

The modified biochar exhibited extraordinary Pb(II) adsorption capacity.

Adsorption mechanisms: Surface complexation, ions exchange, coprecipitation, and so on.

Remained great Pb(II) removal efficiency at different pH and Pb(II) concentration.
N‐acetylglutamate synthase deficiency with associated 3‐methylglutaconic aciduria: A case report
Authors: Selvanathan Arthavan , Demetriou Kalliope , Lynch Matthew , Lipke Michelle , Bursle Carolyn , Elliott Aoife , Inwood Anita , Foyn Leanne , McWhinney Brett , Coman David , McGill Jim
Published: July 2022

N‐acetylglutamate synthase (NAGS) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, which results in the inability to activate the key urea cycle enzyme, carbamoylphosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1). Patients often suffer life‐threatening episodes of hyperammonaemia, both in the neonatal period and also at subsequent times of catabolic stress. Because NAGS generates the cofactor for CPS1, these two disorders are difficult to distinguish biochemically. However, there have now been numerous case reports of 3‐methylglutaconic aciduria (3‐MGA), a marker seen in mitochondrial disorders, occurring in CPS1 deficiency. Previously, this had not been reported in NAGS deficiency. We report a four‐day‐old neonate who was noted to have 3‐MGA at the time of significant hyperammonaemia and lactic acidosis. Low plasma citrulline and borderline orotic aciduria were additional findings that suggested a proximal urea cycle disorder. Subsequent molecular testing identified bi‐allelic pathogenic variants in NAGS. The 3‐MGA was present at the time of persistent lactic acidosis, but improved with normalization of serum lactate, suggesting that it may reflect secondary mitochondrial dysfunction. NAGS deficiency should therefore also be considered in patients with hyperammonaemia and 3‐MGA. Studies in larger numbers of patients are required to determine whether it could be a biomarker for severe decompensations.
Factors associated with high alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and cirrhosis in people living with HIV on combination antiretroviral treatment (cART) in the Asia‐Pacific
Authors: Rupasinghe Dhanushi , Choi Jun Yong , Yunihastuti Evy , Kiertiburanakul Sasisopin , Ross Jeremy , Ly Penh Sun , Chaiwarith Romanee , Do Cuong Duy , Chan Yu‐Jiun , Kumarasamy Nagalingeswaran , Avihingsanon Anchalee , Kamarulzaman Adeeba , Khusuwan Suwimon , Zhang Fujie , Lee Man Po , Van Nguyen Kinh , Merati Tuti Parwati , Sangle Sashikala , Oon Tek Ng , Tanuma Junko , Ditangco Rossana , Sim Benedict Lim Heng , Pujari Sanjay , Jiamsakul Awachana ,   TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database (TAHOD) of IeDEA Asia‐Pacific
Published: July 2022

Liver disease is a growing burden among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in resource‐limited settings. As an indicator of liver disease, risk factors of high alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and cirrhosis were assessed among PLHIV in the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database (TAHOD). Patients on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) with a pre‐cART ALT measurement and at least one follow‐up ALT measurement were included. Factors associated with high ALT (ALT levels > 5 times its upper limit of normal) were analyzed using repeated measure logistic regression over a 10‐year follow‐up period. Liver cirrhosis was defined as having an AST to Platelet Ratio Index score > 1.5, fibrosis‐4 score > 3.25, or a clinical diagnosis of cirrhosis. Cox regression analysis stratified by site was used to analyze factors associated with cirrhosis among those in follow‐up after 2015. Of 5182 patients, 101 patients (1.9%) had high ALT levels with hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody positive (odds ratio [OR]: 4.98, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.82–8.77, p < 0.001) and ever high alcohol consumption (OR: 2.33, 95% CI: 1.00–5.46, p = 0.050) as likely factors. Among 6318 PLHIV in the liver cirrhosis analysis, 151 (2%) developed cirrhosis (incidence rate = 0.82 per 100 person‐years). Those HCV‐antibody positive (hazard ratio [HR]: 5.54, 95% CI: 3.75–8.18, p < 0.001) and had high alcohol consumption (HR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.23–3.45, p = 0.006) were associated with liver cirrhosis. HCV‐antibody positive and high alcohol consumption are factors associated with high ALT. With raised ALT levels as a known factor associated with liver cirrhosis, greater efforts are required in managing ALT levels and reducing the risk of developing liver cirrhosis among those positive for HCV‐antibody and those who consume alcohol.
Bodily self‐recognition in patients with pathological embodiment
Authors: Candini Michela , Fossataro Carlotta , Pia Lorenzo , Vezzadini Giuliana , Gindri Patrizia , Galigani Mattia , Berti Anna , Frassinetti Francesca , Garbarini Francesca
Published: July 2022

The ability to discriminate between one's own and others' body parts can be lost after brain damage, as in patients who misidentify someone else's hand as their own (pathological embodiment). Surprisingly, these patients do not use visual information to discriminate between the own and the alien hand. We asked whether this impaired visual discrimination emerges only in the ecological evaluation when the pathological embodiment is triggered by the physical alien hand (the examiner's one) or whether it emerges also when hand images are displayed on a screen. Forty right brain‐damaged patients, with (E+ = 20) and without (E− = 20) pathological embodiment, and 24 healthy controls underwent two tasks in which stimuli depicting self and other hands was adopted. In the Implicit task, where participants judged which of two images matched a central target, the self‐advantage (better performance with Self than Other stimuli) selectively emerges in controls, but not in patients. Moreover, E+ patients show a significantly lower performance with respect to both controls and E− patients, whereas E− patients were comparable to controls. In the Explicit task, where participants judged which stimuli belonged to themselves, both E− and E+ patients performed worst when compared to controls, but only E+ patients hyper‐attributed others' hand to themselves (i.e., false alarms) as observed during the ecological evaluation. The VLSM revealed that SLF damage was significantly associated with the tendency of committing false alarm errors. We demonstrate that, in E+ patients, the ability to visually recognize the own body is lost, at both implicit and explicit level.
Occurrence of Streptomyces tauricus in mangrove soil of Mangalore region in Dakshina Kannada as a source for antimicrobial peptide
Authors: Karthik Yalpi , Kalyani Manjula Ishwara
Published: July 2022

Microbial resistance and deprivation of the effective drugs have become the foremost problem that propels to seek out for advanced approach. This concept initiated a need to search for more effective antimicrobial compounds from reliable sources. The Streptomyces is grouped under phylum Actinobacteria and are considered prolific producers of antibiotics, around 70% of presently available antibiotics are contributed by Streptomyces alone. In this study, Mangroves of the Mangalore Coast offered a unique source for screening Actinomyces group of microorganisms. We investigated on the four soil samples collected from Mangrove swamps of Mangalore, Karnataka, India. Based on their culture traits, the 18 distinct Actinomyces isolates were analyzed through a series of morphological and biochemical tests on starch casein nitrate (SCN) media. Culture biomasses were subjected for intracellular protein extraction through acetone precipitation method; the extracted proteins from each Actinomyces isolate were examined for antimicrobial activity against test organisms. The isolate ANTB‐YKMU4 showed potential antimicrobial activity against significant number of test organisms; Bacillus cereus, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The isolate ANTB‐YKMU4 through 16 s rRNA gene sequence analysis was identified as Streptomyces tauricus strain with GenBank accession no. MW785875.1. The S. tauricus further cultivated for efficient biomass growth on SCN media for subsequent protein extraction and purification by a series of Electrophoretic and chromatographic techniques. Thus, by intracellular extractions from S. tauricus resulted in the identification of peptide with a molecular weight of 266 Da that was characterized by LC‐MS.
Impact of expired stock on antimicrobial surveillance in rural hospitals: implications and challenges for stewardship
Authors: Macauley Georgia , Penny Michelle , McNeil Vicki , Gustafsson Tanja , Hillock Nadine
Published: July 2022

Background

Quantitative surveillance of antimicrobial use is a valuable tool used to support antimicrobial stewardship, identify overprescribing, monitor unexpected changes in usage, and assess the impact of interventions to improve prescribing. Smaller, more remote hospitals face many challenges in conducting effective antimicrobial surveillance.

Aim

To investigate the impact of expired stock on reported antimicrobial usage rates in smaller, more remote hospitals.

Method

Antimicrobial usage rates (defined daily doses [DDDs] per 1000 occupied bed days [OBDs]) were calculated using monthly dispensing data and hospital activity data from 12 rural South Australian facilities for the period January 2018 to December 2020. Usage rates were re‐calculated, excluding expired stock, to estimate the impact expired stock had on reported usage rates and to quantify stock wastage.

Results

Between 2018 and 2020, the average monthly aggregate usage rate for all 12 hospitals was 650 DDD/1000 OBDs, with the exclusion of expired stock resulting in an average monthly reduction of 37 DDD/1000 OBDs (5.7%). Analysis by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare peer group demonstrated that the exclusion of expired stock reduced average monthly usage rates by 6.0% for Public Acute Group C sites and 10.6% for Public Acute Group D and Very Small Hospitals.

Conclusion

Replacement of expired stock may account for a substantial proportion of perceived antimicrobial usage in rural and remote hospitals, particularly for agents infrequently prescribed. Pharmacy distribution data is a surrogate measure for actual patient consumption; utilisation reports for smaller rural facilities should be interpreted with acknowledgment of the challenges of stock management in remote locations.
Methods for quality evaluation of sweet cherry
Authors: Ricardo‐Rodrigues Sara , Laranjo Marta , Agulheiro‐Santos Ana Cristina
Published: July 2022

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is a highly valued fruit, whose quality can be evaluated using several objective methodologies, such as calibre, colour, texture, soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), as well as maturity indexes. Functional and nutritional compounds are also frequently determined, in response to consumer demand. The aim of the present review is to clarify and establish quality evaluation parameters and methodologies for the whole cherry supply chain, in order to promote easy and faithful communication among all stakeholders. The use of near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) as a non‐destructive and expeditious method for assessing some quality parameters is discussed. In this review, the results of a wide survey to assess the most common methodologies for cherry quality evaluation, carried out among cherry researchers and producers within the framework of the COST Action FA1104 ‘Sustainable production of high‐quality cherries for the European market’, are also reported. The standardisation of quality evaluation parameters is expected to contribute to the preservation and shelf‐life extension of sweet cherries, and the valorisation of the whole supply chain. For future studies on sweet cherry, we put forward a proposal regarding both sample size and the tests chosen to evaluate each parameter. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
New mode of liquid chromatography separation: A new mode of separation using multi‐charged ions in the mobile phase for high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Zelechonok Yury , Kolesnik Olga , Bezkhlebetskiy Yevgeniy , Sgibnev‐Gorodetskaya Tatiana
Published: July 2022

In liquid chromatography, several types of separation modes are known. Here, we are going to describe a new mode of retention and consecutively, a separation mechanism that to our knowledge was not identified as such before. We named this mode: Bridge Ion Separation Technique. This separation mode is possible when a double‐charged ionic modifier of the mobile phase forms a dynamic bridge between an identically charged stationary phase and analyte. This phenomenon was observed in the water‐reduced mobile phase and it is universal for both anions and cations as long as the column has the same charge as the analytes. This retention mechanism is observed with any number of charged functional groups in the analyte molecule but is more profound when the number of charges in the analyte molecule is increased.
Combination of Focused Ultrasound, Immunotherapy, and Chemotherapy
Authors: Dahan Myléva , Cortet Marion , Lafon Cyril , Padilla Frédéric
Published: July 2022

Focused ultrasound is a treatment modality increasingly used for diverse therapeutic applications, and currently approved for several indications, including prostate cancers and uterine fibroids. But what about breast cancer? Breast cancer is the most common and deadliest cancer in women worldwide. While there are different treatment strategies available, there is a need for development of more effective and personalized modalities, with fewer side effects. Therapeutic ultrasound is such an option, and this review summarizes the state of the art in their use for the treatment of breast cancer and evaluate potentials of novel treatment approaches combining therapeutic ultrasound, immuno‐ and chemo‐therapies.
Ultrasound‐Guided Hydrodistension for Adhesive Capsulitis
Authors: Pimenta Madalena , Vassalou Evangelia E. , Dimitri‐Pinheiro Sofia , Klontzas Michail E. , Ramos Isabel , Karantanas Apostolos H.
Published: July 2022

Objectives

To compare the additive value of immediate post‐procedural manipulation versus physiotherapy, following ultrasound (US)‐guided hydrodistention of the glenohumeral joint (GHJ) in patients with adhesive capsulitis (AC) and define predictors of outcome.

Methods

Within a 19‐month period, 161 consecutive patients with AC were prospectively enrolled and allocated to two groups according to treatment, based on patients' individual preferences: 1) group‐I, US‐guided hydrodistension plus immediate post‐procedural manipulations and 2) group‐II, US‐guided hydrodistension plus supervised physiotherapy program. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and a visual analog scale (VAS) were used for clinical assessment at baseline (immediately after treatment), 1, 3, and 6 months. Comparisons were performed with Mann–Whitney U test and Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Linear regression was used to identify predictors of outcome. P value <.05 defined significance.

Results

GHJ hydrodistension with manipulation or physiotherapy was linked to clinical improvement at all follow‐up time‐points. DASH scores of group‐I remained constantly lower than DASH scores of group‐II at all time‐points (P < .001). VAS scores were lower in group‐I than group‐II at 1 and 3 months (P < .001 and P = .0019, respectively). Both groups had improved to a similar degree with respect to pain at 6 months (P = .29). The performance of post‐interventional manipulations was predictive of improved shoulder functionality (as assessed with DASH scores) at all time‐points, while low‐grade disease and milder symptoms at presentation were associated with improved short‐term pain.

Conclusions

Immediate post‐procedural manipulations appeared to be superior to physiotherapy following GHJ hydrodistension for AC in terms of shoulder functionality during a 6‐month follow‐up period. Post‐interventional manipulations, the stage of AC and lower DASH and VAS scores at presentations were predictive of improved outcome.
Self‐reported stigmatisation among patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) or chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU): A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Wiis Malthe A. K. , Heilskov Sofine , Sørensen Jennifer A. , Bang Karen , Egekvist Henrik , Deleuran Mette , Thyssen Jacob P. , Thomsen Simon F. , Vestergaard Christian
Published: July 2022

Background

Atopic dermatitis (AD) and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) are two prevalent, visible and itching skin diseases associated with decreased quality of life (QoL), sleep disturbance, depression and anxiety. However, little is known about stigmatisation among patients suffering from these diseases.

Objectives

To examine whether patients with AD or CSU experience stigmatisation and if disease severity or psychosocial variables associate with experienced stigmatisation.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey was performed among adult AD and CSU patients from two highly specialised university hospitals and two private dermatology clinics. External stigmatisation was examined using the 6‐item Stigmatisation Scale (6SS). AD severity was assessed by dermatologists using the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score. Patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) included: Patient‐Oriented Eczema Measure, Urticaria Activity Score over 7 days (UAS7), Urticaria Control Test, Dermatology Life Quality Index, 9‐item Patient Health Questionnaire, 7‐item Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Insomnia Severity Index and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire: General Health. Nonparametric statistics were used due to nonnormal distribution of data. Data were managed in REDCap and analysed with Stata for macOS.

Results

Mean EASI score was 7.6 (±10.7) and the mean UAS7 score was 15.6 (±12.0), for patients with AD and CSU, respectively. External stigmatisation was reported by 78.6% of AD patients and 57.3% of CSU patients. Mean 6SS score was 2.9 (±2.8) among AD patients and 1.9 (±2.8) among CSU patients, and stigmatisation levels differed significantly (p < 0.001). In both AD and CSU patients, stigmatisation correlated weakly to moderately with sleep disturbance (rs = 0.48 and rs = 0.30) and symptoms of depression (rs = 0.50 and rs = 0.38) and anxiety (rs = 0.46 and rs = 0.36), but not with disease severity as measured by EASI and UAS7.

Conclusion

Both AD and CSU patients report external stigmatisation, which correlated with psychological parameters but not with disease severity. Further studies on stigmatisation are needed and should include a standardised scale embracing both external and internal facets of stigmatisation.
New physiological thresholds improve soil desiccation prediction rationality in apple orchards converted from farmland on the Chinese Loess Plateau
Authors: Guo Fuxing , Sun Haowei , Zhang Linsen , Mu Yan , Wang Yanping , Wu Fuyong
Published: July 2022

The dry soil layer (DSL), as a typical indicator for degradation in soil water supply capacity and soil drought, could provide important information for land use and reconstruction in semiarid and arid areas. However, the traditional index of DSL assessment neglected the water absorption characteristics and drought resistance of different crops and lacked uniformity and comparability. These may misjudge the occurrence and severity of the DSL and bring uncertainty to land development and vegetation selection. In this study, the DSL severity of the main production zone of apples in the Chinese Loess Plateau was reassessed using new plant physiological indices covering the next 60 years (2020–2080) under four general circulation models. Physiological indices were established based on the response of leaf net photosynthetic (TPN) and transpiration rate (TTR) to soil available water which is the difference between soil moisture and permanent wilting point (n = 113). The environment policy integrated climate (EPIC) model was used to predict future soil water dynamics and drought yield loss (YL). The results showed that TPN and TTR significantly slowed down the accumulation of DSL severity quantitative index (QI, based on thickness moisture and formation depth of DSL) and enhanced the correlation between DSL and YL, which correlation coefficient increased from 0.51 to 0.73 and 0.64. Forming serious DSL (QI >0.5) has slowed from 2040 to 2055 years. Moreover, future climate change accumulatively reduced 9.95%–14.18% of the YL. These results indicated that the traditional method overestimated the environmental contradiction between economic benefits and eco‐hydrology of apple orchards, which could send unreliable messages to policymakers to restrict further development of apple industries. This study emphasized that evaluating DSL based on plant physiological threshold reflected better soil desiccation level and YL, which will contribute to further study of the sustainable development of fragile ecosystems.
Twisted Polaritonic Crystals in Thin van der Waals Slabs
Authors: Capote‐Robayna Nathaniel , Matveeva Olga G. , Volkov Valentyn S. , Alonso‐González Pablo , Nikitin Alexey Y.
Published: July 2022

Polaritons – hybrid light–mater excitations – are very appealing for the confinement of light at the nanoscale. Recently, a particular interest has been focused on thin anisotropic slabs of van der Waals (vdW) materials supporting polaritons with hyperbolic dispersion, which can exhibit ultrahigh momenta and strongly directional in‐plane propagation and thus promise novel nano‐optical applications in a planar geometry. However, the excitation and manipulation of in‐plane hyperbolic polaritons have not yet been well studied and understood. Here, twisted polaritonic crystals (PCs) are introduced – lattices with periods comparable to the polaritons wavelength rotated with respect to the natural vdW crystal axes – to efficiently excite and control in‐plane hyperbolic polaritons. A general analytical theory valid for an arbitrary PC made in a thin biaxial slab is developed and the excitation of Bragg resonances tunable by the twisting angle is demonstrated. The findings open novel avenues for both fundamental studies of PCs in vdW crystals and the development of midinfrared sensing and photodetection applications.
Super Proton Conductive Nafion/Short Fiber/Nanosilica/Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES) Composite Membrane for Application in Anhydrous Fuel Cells
Authors: Karimi Mohammad Bagher , Mohammadi Fereidoon , Hooshyari Khadijeh , Jalilzadeh Shokoufeh
Published: July 2022

The aim of present study is to reduce the tortuosity of proton conductive pathways within the polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) for application in anhydrous PEM fuel cells. For this purpose, for the first time, microsize chopped fibers (modified glass wool fibers), modified nanosilica, and a deep eutectic solvent (DES) are incorporated into the Nafion matrix to extend proton conductive pathways. The long length of the fibers as new and cheap additives creates a continuous interface within the polymer matrix which significantly improves its proton conductivity, likely by reducing the tortuosity of proton conductive pathways. While nanosilica promotes the connectivity of the short fibers, EG/NaBr‐based DES is also used as a nonaqueous electrolyte to maintain proton conductivity at anhydrous conditions. The measurements show super proton conductivity beyond 1400 mS cm−1 at 100 °C and anhydrous conditions for the Nafion/DES composite membrane containing 5 wt% short fibers and 2 wt% nanosilica. Furthermore, fuel cell performance of the prepared membranes shows a promising result by providing a maximum power density of 715 mW cm−2 at 95 °C. This study clearly shows the important role of ionic paths within the PEMs to achieve desirable properties in the real condition of a fuel cell system.
Glycosphingolipid Changes in Plasma in Parkinson's Disease Independent of Glucosylceramide Levels
Authors: te Vruchte Danielle , Sturchio Andrea , Priestman David A. , Tsitsi Panagiota , Hertz Ellen , Andréasson Mattias , Markaki Ioanna , Wallom Kerri‐Lee , Platt Frances , Svenningsson Per
Published: July 2022

Background

Alteration in glycosphingolipids (GSLs) in Parkinson's disease (PD) still needs to be determined.

Objectives

We evaluated if PD subjects show abnormal GSLs levels compared to healthy controls (HC) and if GSLs correlate with clinical features.

Methods

We analyzed GSLs and glucosylceramide (GlcCer) in plasma using two normal‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography assays; clinico‐demographic data were extracted.

Results

Eighty PD subjects and 25 HCs were analyzed. Levels of GlcCer, GD1b, Gb4, GalNAcGA1, and b‐series were higher in PD patients than in HCs; total GSLs, GT1b, GM1a, GM3, GM2, and a‐series levels were lower in PD patients than in HCs. Changes in GSLs were present in PD subjects, with GlcCer levels similar to those in HCs. The results were similar after excluding certain GBA1 mutation carriers. Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, Part III, correlated with Gb4 and Montreal Cognitive Assessment with GD1b levels.

Conclusions

Multiple GSL abnormalities in plasma were detected in patients with and without GlcCer changes, indicating a broader shift in lipid homeostasis. © 2022 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson Movement Disorder Society.
Genetic testing helps reduce Rx use among veterans with MDD
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: July 2022

Observing that selecting effective antidepressants for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) is an imprecise practice, with remission rates of about 30% at the initial treatment, researchers whose work was funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), set out to determine whether pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing affects antidepressant medication selection and whether such testing leads to better clinical outcomes.
988 crisis care implementation: ‘A good first step’
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: July 2022

In the two days since 988, the three‐digit number for 24/7 crisis care, went live, the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, called the launch a “good day” during a July 18 stakeholder briefing on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's transition to 988. The hope is for more good days in addressing crisis care, he added.
Cauchy problems for Hilfer fractional evolution equations on an infinite interval
Authors: Zhou Yong , Wei He Jia
Published: July 2022

It is well known that the classical Ascoli‐Arzelà theorem is powerful technique to give a necessary and sufficient condition for investigating the relative compactness of a family of abstract continuous functions, while it is limited to finite compact interval. In this paper, we shall generalize the Ascoli‐Arzelà theorem on an infinite interval. As its application, we investigate an initial value problem for fractional evolution equations on infinite interval in the sense of Hilfer type, which is a generalization of both Riemann‐Liuoville and Caputo fractional derivatives. Our methods are based on the Hausdorff theorem, classical/generalized Ascoli‐Arzelà theorem, Schauder fixed point theorem, Wright function, and Kuratowski measure of noncompactness. We obtain the existence of mild solutions on an infinite interval when the semigroup is compact as well as noncompact.
Unifying approach to Heisenberg models for spin distributions on curved surfaces of revolution with isothermal (conformal) metrics
Authors: Kovalchuk Vasyl , Chudziński Piotr
Published: July 2022

In the present article, a unifying approach to description of different Heisenberg models (i.e., XY model, isotropic case, easy‐plane, and easy‐axis regimes) for spin distributions on curved surfaces is discussed. After introduction of isothermal (conformal) metrics on surfaces of revolution, the axially symmetric solution of the Euler–Lagrange equation for the quasi‐one‐dimensional magnetic Hamiltonian has been obtained for all four discussed cases in the form of an incomplete elliptic integral of the third kind. It has been shown that the limiting case of XY model can be achieved from an easy‐plane regime when the parameter of anisotropy of interaction amongst spins
is approaching −1, while the isotropic case can be achieved from both easy‐plane and easy‐axis regimes when
is approaching 0. After the application of the corresponding boundary conditions, the soliton‐like solutions have been obtained that either cover the whole surface (in a one‐twist or multi‐twist manner) or can be arranged in the form of a periodic lattice structure on the curved surface. The general unifying scheme has been illustrated using the exemplary surfaces of revolution with zero (cylinder), negative (catenoid), and positive (sphere) Gaussian curvatures.
Warp‐based edge feature reinforcement network for medical image segmentation
Authors: Fan Xin , Kang Xiaojing , Tian Shengwei , Wu Weidong , Yu Long
Published: July 2022

Background

Rapid and accurate segmentation of medical images can provide important guidance in the early stages of life‐threatening diseases.

Purpose

However, fuzzy edges and high similarity with the background in images usually cause undersegmentation or oversegmentation. To solve these problems.

Methods

We propose a novel edge features‐reinforcement (EFR) module that uses relative frequency changes before and after warping images to extract edge information. Then, the EFR module leverages deep features to guide shallow features to produce a band‐shaped edge attention map for reinforcing the edge region of all channels. We also propose a multiscale context exploration (MCE) module to fuse multiscale features and to extract channel and spatial correlations, which allows a model to focus on the parts that contribute most to the final segmentation. We construct EFR‐Net by embedding EFR and MCE modules on the encoder–decoder architecture.

Results

We verify EFR‐Net's performance with four medical datasets: retinal vessel segmentation dataset DRIVE, endoscopic polyp segmentation dataset CVC‐ClinicDB, dermoscopic image dataset ISIC2018, and aortic true lumen dataset Aorta‐computed tomography (CT). The proposed model achieves Dice similarity coefficients (DSCs) of 81.61%, 92.87%, 89.87%, and 96.98% on DRIVE, CVC‐ClinicDB, ISIC2018, and Aorta‐CT, respectively, which are better than those of current mainstream methods. In particular, the DSC of polyp segmentation increased by 3.87%.

Conclusion

Through quantitative and qualitative research, our method is determined to surpass current mainstream segmentation methods, and EFR modules can effectively improve the edge prediction effect of color images and CT images. The proposed modules are easily embedded in other encoder–decoder architectures, which has the potential to be applied and expanded.
Deformable CT image registration via a dual feasible neural network
Authors: Lei Yang , Fu Yabo , Tian Zhen , Wang Tonghe , Dai Xianjin , Roper Justin , Yu David S. , McDonald Mark , Bradley Jeffrey D. , Liu Tian , Zhou Jun , Yang Xiaofeng
Published: July 2022

Purpose

A quality assurance (QA) CT scans are usually acquired during cancer radiotherapy to assess for any anatomical changes, which may cause an unacceptable dose deviation and therefore warrant a replan. Accurate and rapid deformable image registration (DIR) is needed to support contour propagation from the planning CT (pCT) to the QA CT to facilitate dose volume histogram (DVH) review. Further, the generated deformation maps are used to track the anatomical variations throughout the treatment course and calculate the corresponding accumulated dose from one or more treatment plans.

Methods

In this study, we aim to develop a deep learning (DL)‐based method for automatic deformable registration to align the pCT and the QA CT. Our proposed method, named dual‐feasible framework, was implemented by a mutual network that functions as both a forward module and a backward module. The mutual network was trained to predict two deformation vector fields (DVFs) simultaneously, which were then used to register the pCT and QA CT in both directions. A novel dual feasible loss was proposed to train the mutual network. The dual‐feasible framework was able to provide additional DVF regularization during network training, which preserves the topology and reduces folding problems. We conducted experiments on 65 head‐and‐neck cancer patients (228 CTs in total), each with 1 pCT and 2–6 QA CTs. For evaluations, we calculated the mean absolute error (MAE), peak‐signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity index (SSIM), target registration error (TRE) between the deformed and target images and the Jacobian determinant of the predicted DVFs.

Results

Within the body contour, the mean MAE, PSNR, SSIM, and TRE are 122.7 HU, 21.8 dB, 0.62 and 4.1 mm before registration and are 40.6 HU, 30.8 dB, 0.94, and 2.0 mm after registration using the proposed method. These results demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of our proposed method for pCT and QA CT DIR.

Conclusion

In summary, we proposed a DL‐based method for automatic DIR to match the pCT to the QA CT. Such DIR method would not only benefit current workflow of evaluating DVHs on QA CTs but may also facilitate studies of treatment response assessment and radiomics that depend heavily on the accurate localization of tissues across longitudinal images.
On the Precipitation Copolymerization of 1‐Octene and Glycidyl Methacrylate in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Rosales‐Guzmán Miguel , de Jesús Herrera‐Morales Rosendo , Mendoza‐Carrizales Ricardo , García‐Zamora Maricela , Cepeda‐Garza Jesús Angel , Saldívar‐Guerra Enrique , Pérez‐Camacho Odilia , Torres‐Lubián Román
Published: July 2022

The free radical precipitation copolymerization of the polar monomer glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and the nonpolar monomer 1‐octene (Oct) in supercritical carbon dioxide (sc‐CO2) is reported under different conditions of pressure and temperature. According to 1H NMR studies, in the obtained statistical copolymers (GMA‐stat‐Oct) the molar fraction of the olefin (FOct) increases when the pressure and temperature of the reaction increased from the reference values T = 125 °C and P = 34 bar. In particular, when the initial molar fraction of Oct (fOct) is 0.83, the molar fraction of this monomer in the final copolymer reaches a maximum value of 0.22 at 124 bar and T = 155 °C. On the other hand, for fOct = 0.89, it is obtained that FOct = 0.25 at 124 bar and T = 155 °C. Copolymers obtained are characterized by NMR, scanning electron microscopy, and size exclusion chromatography techniques. Finally, two copolymers were selected to demonstrate the feasibility of modifying the GMA moiety in order to introduce OH polar groups giving rise to Oct‐stat‐glycerol methacrylate copolymers.
Combining Soil Vapor Extraction and Electrokinetics for the Removal of Hexachlorocyclohexanes from Soil
Authors: Henrique João M. M. , Isidro Julia , Saez Cristina , Lopez‐Vizcaíno Rúben , Yustres Angel , Navarro Vicente , Dos Santos Elisama V. , Rodrigo Manuel A.
Published: July 2022

This paper focuses on the evaluation of the mobility of four hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers by soil vapor extraction (SVE) coupled with direct electrokinetic (EK) treatment without adding flushing fluids. SVE was found to be very efficient and remove nearly 70 % of the four HCH in the 15‐days of the tests. The application of electrokinetics produced the transport of HCH to the cathode by different electrochemical processes, which were satisfactorily modelled with a 1‐D transport equation. The increase in the electric field led to an increase in the transport of pollutants, although 15 days was found to be a very short time for an efficient transportation of the pollutants to the nearness of the cathode. Loss of water content in the vicinity of the cathode warns about the necessity of using electrokinetic flushing technologies instead of simple direct electrokinetics. Thus, results point out that direct electrokinetic treatment without adding flushing fluids produced low current intensities and ohmic heating that contributes negatively to the performance of the SVE process. No relevant differences were found among the removal of the four isomers, neither in SVE nor in EK processes.
An initial investigation of using smartphone‐enabled micro‐temporal data collection to increase acceptability, feasibility, and validity of research on cancer caregiving
Authors: Bouchard Elizabeth G. , Collins R. Lorraine , Vincent Paula C. , Patel Hital , Sahler Olle Jane Z. , McCarty Christopher , Prince Mark A. , Kelly Kara M.
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Smartphone‐enabled micro‐temporal data collection has potential to increase reliability, validity, and feasibility of participant‐reported data and is a promising strategy for pediatric oncology supportive care and quality‐of‐life research. Given the demands of pediatric cancer caregiving, we sought to understand the feasibility and acceptability of smartphone data collection that included short surveys administered daily for 14 days via text message link.

Methods

We recruited pediatric cancer caregivers, whose children (ages 0–18 years) were on active treatment, to complete a 14‐day daily survey study via smartphone. We implemented our study procedures and examined feasibility through study enrollment rates, reasons for refusal, retention rates, number of reminders and number of completed surveys. We examined acceptability using caregiver ratings of survey length, burden, and ease of completion on a smartphone.

Results

We recruited (N = 75) caregivers to the study and had an 84% enrollment rate. Reasons for declining participation included passive refusal (n = 13) and too busy (n = 1). The participant retention rate was 100% and compliance with daily survey completion was 99%. Most surveys were completed following two prompts and took participants 5 minutes or less to complete. Caregivers rated the surveys as easy to complete, low burden, and just right in length.

Conclusion

A daily self‐report, using a brief (≤5 minutes) survey administered on a smartphone via text message prompt, is a feasible and acceptable method. Future research should extend these findings to understand the generalizability across pediatric cancer caregiving contexts.
Genome‐wide analysis of MYB family genes in Tripterygium wilfordii and their potential roles in terpenoid biosynthesis
Authors: Xia Meng , Tu Lichan , Liu Yuan , Jiang Zhouqian , Wu Xiaoyi , Gao Wei , Huang Luqi
Published: July 2022

Terpenoids are a class of significant bioactive components in the woody vine of Tripterygium wilfordii. Previous studies have shown that MYB transcription factors play important roles in plant secondary metabolism, growth, and developmental processes. However, the MYB involved in terpenoid biosynthesis in Tripterygium wilfordii are unknown. To identify Tripterygium wilfordii MYB (TwMYB) genes that are involved in terpenoid biosynthesis, we conducted the genome‐wide analysis of the TwMYB gene family. A total of 207 TwMYBs were identified including 84 1R‐TwMYB, 117 R2R3‐TwMYB, four 3R‐TwMYB, and two 4R‐TwMYB genes. The most abundant R2R3‐TwMYBs together with their Arabidopsis homologs were categorized into 26 subgroups. Intraspecific collinearity analysis found that the 74.9% of the TwMYBs may be generated by segmental duplication events, and 36.7% of duplicated gene pairs were derived from the specific whole genome duplication (WGD) event in Tripterygium wilfordii. In addition, interspecies collinearity analysis found that 16 TwMYB genes formed homologous gene pairs with MYB genes in seven representative species, which indicated they may have a key role in evolution. Notably, we found that the TwMYB genes were differentially expressed in various tissues by expression pattern analysis. In order to further select the candidate genes related to terpenoid biosynthesis, the assay of Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) induction and analysis of phylogenetic tree was conducted. It was speculated that six candidate TwMYB genes (TwMYB33, TwMYB34, TwMYB45, TwMYB67, TwMYB102, and TwMYB103) are involved in regulating terpenoid biosynthesis. This study is the first systematic analysis of the TwMYB gene family and will lay a foundation for the functional characterization of TwMYB genes in the regulation of terpenoid biosynthesis.
In‐silico investigations of dynamic mechanical behavior of Bombyx mori silk fibroin nanostructure under cyclic deformations and associated molecular mechanisms
Authors: Patel Mrinal , Singh Satinder Paul , Dubey Devendra K.
Published: July 2022

Bombyx mori silk fibroin (SF) is a prospective biomaterial for application in tissue engineering. As biomaterial for functional tissue such as bone and cartilage, the tissue grafts undergo cyclic loading similar to native tissues. An important factor in designing the SF based tissue grafts is understanding the dynamic mechanical behavior and underlying molecular mechanisms in B. mori SF at various length scales, which in turn requires an understanding of the nanoscale mechanics of B. mori SF. Dynamic mechanical behavior of B. mori SF nanostructure under varying hydration conditions has been investigated in the present study. For this purpose, molecular dynamics simulations for stress relaxation tests and strain‐controlled cyclic deformations for three separate strain amplitudes are performed for B. mori SF atomistic models. Results show that B. mori SF exhibits viscoelastic behavior. Analysis of obtained hysteresis loops (shape, size, area and inelastic strain values) shows an increase in viscous behavior of B. mori SF nanostructure with increase in hydration levels and strain amplitude levels, along with a mostly recoverable deformation with little effect of strain history. The analysis also shows that non‐bonded interaction and bond angle energies have a dominating role in governing the viscoelastic behavior of B. mori SF.
Strain Benefits of Monolayer α‐GeTe and its Application in Low‐Power Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Wang Ruyu , Lyu Juan , Gong Jian
Published: July 2022

2D semiconductors, which have been the candidate channel materials for next‐generation field‐effect transistors (FETs), are now reaching the fundamental limits to what they can offer for higher driving current and switching speed. Low carrier mobility and correspondingly high effective mass hinder such materials to become the ideal electron transport systems. Herein, the electronic and transport properties of strained α‐GeTe are studied for low‐power transistor applications. It is found that monolayer α‐GeTe exhibits a sensitive strain response and undergoes an indirect‐to‐direct bandgap transition at about 2% of tensile uniaxial strain in the zigzag direction, significantly decreasing the electron effective mass and improving electron mobility. In addition, applying tensile strain in the armchair direction can effectively reduce the band‐edge energy of the conduction band minimum (CBM), suggesting that strain can reduce the energy barrier of electrons. These favorable strain responses considerably impact the device performance where both steeper subthreshold swing (SS) and higher on‐state currents can be achieved in monolayer α‐GeTe‐based metal–oxide–semiconductor FETs (MOSFETs). It is hoped that such strain benefits can provide an effective way to modulate the properties of α‐GeTe and finally enhance the device performance.
Bibliometric and Scientometric analysis on CSR practices in the banking sector
Authors: Hassan M. Kabir , Rabbani Mustafa Raza , Brodmann Jennifer , Bashar Abu , Grewal Himani
Published: July 2022

This paper provides a bibliometric and Scientometric analysis of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) in banking sector. Our study analyzes 551 articles from the Scopus database to find out the relationship between CSR and banking. A bibliometric method was used to visualize the results using R‐studio and VOS viewer software. The Scientometric analysis was conducted to determine the findings and mappings of the research themes, directions of current and future research, impact, co‐occurrence, co‐citations and impact and collaboration trends. We explore how CSR literature has evolved over the years in the banking sector between 1993 and 2021. We find that publication in the CSR and banking domain has increased significantly during 2017 and 2021. Social aspects, board of directors, CSR, environment, competitions, Islamic banking, sustainability, disclosure, ethics, legitimacy theory, sustainable banking, loyalty, and brand equity are the popular research trends and collaboration trends identified. We also provide further scope of the study based on the extensive review of the past literature. Our findings may provide help to future researchers, bankers, and regulators in understanding the current trends and future research progression in the CSR and banking sector.