bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinically apparent Helicobacter pylori infection and the risk of incident Alzheimer's disease: A population‐based nested case‐control study
Authors: Douros Antonios , Ante Zharmaine , Fallone Carlo A. , Azoulay Laurent , Renoux Christel , Suissa Samy , Brassard Paul
Published: December 2023

INTRODUCTION

Our population‐based study assessed whether clinically apparent Helicobacter pylori infection (CAHPI) is associated with the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODS

We assembled a population‐based cohort of all dementia‐free subjects in the United Kingdom's Clinical Practice Research Datalink (UK CPRD), aged ≥50 years (1988–2017). Using a nested case‐control approach, we matched each newly developed case of AD with 40 controls. Conditional logistic regression estimated odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of AD associated with CAHPI compared with no CAHPI during ≥2 years before the index date. We also used salmonellosis as a negative control exposure.

RESULTS

Among 4,262,092 dementia‐free subjects, 40,455 developed AD after a mean 11 years of follow‐up. CAHPI was associated with an increased risk of AD (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01–1.21) compared with no CAHPI. Salmonellosis was not associated with the risk of AD (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.82–1.29).

DISCUSSION

CAHPI was associated with a moderately increased risk of AD.

Highlights

CAHPI was associated with an 11% increased risk of AD in subjects aged ≥50 years.

The increase in the risk of AD reached a peak of 24% a decade after CAHPI onset.

There was no major effect modification by age or sex.

Sensitivity analyses addressing several potential biases led to consistent results.
Identifying subgroup characteristics of adult ambulance users with nonurgent medical conditions in Japan: A population‐based observational study
Authors: Ueno Keiko , Teramoto Chie , Sawatari Hiroyuki , Tanabe Kazuaki
Published: December 2023

Aim

In Japan, approximately 60% of adult ambulance users are diagnosed with minor injuries or diseases in the emergency department and thus do not require hospitalization. This study aimed to determine the distinct subgroup (segment) characteristics of adult ambulance users with nonurgent medical conditions by interpreting quantitatively derived segments through the segmentation approach.

Methods

This population‐based observational study used the ambulance transportation and request call records databases of the Higashihiroshima Fire Department, Japan, between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2020. The participants were ambulance users aged 18–64 years diagnosed with minor injuries or diseases in the emergency department (defined as adult ambulance users with nonurgent medical conditions). A soft clustering method was used to divide the participants based on 13 variables.

Results

This analysis included 5,982 adult ambulance users. Six segments were obtained: (1) “users with neurological diseases or other injuries occurring late at night on weekdays”; (2) “users injured or involved in fire accidents, with increased on‐scene time and multiple hospital inquiries”; (3) “users transferred between hospitals”; (4) “users with acute illnesses and transported from home”; (5) “users involved in motor vehicle accidents”; and (6) “users transferred to hospitals outside of the area during the daytime on weekdays.”

Conclusion

These findings indicate that adult ambulance users with nonurgent medical conditions can be divided into distinct segments using population‐based ambulance records. Further research is warranted to address the ambulance user needs of each segment.
Universal Highly Effective Entanglement Purification with Single‐Copy Hyperentangled State
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Qi Ji , Yang Zhe , Yuan Rui‐Yang , Ren Bao‐Cang
Published: December 2023

Entanglement purification is a powerful way to protect the quality of entangled system from channel noise and environment noise. A universal highly effective entanglement purification protocol with single‐copy hyperentangled state (H‐UHEPP) is proposed for distillable mixed entangled states with bilateral controlled‐not gate operations, bilateral asymmetrical rotation operations and single photon Bell‐state measurements, where all of these operations and measurements are easy to implement in polarization, spatial and time‐bin degrees of freedom (DOFs) of photon system. This H‐UHEPP, which requires only one pair of hyperentangled photons and simple unitary operations on three DOFs of a photon, can significantly enhance the fidelity of the purified state compared with the previous works. As a consequence, H‐UHEPP can speed up the entanglement purification process and reduce the resource consumption, which makes it useful in future quantum information processing.
An N‐Heterocyclic Quinodimethane: A Strong Organic Lewis Base Exhibiting Diradical Reactivity
Authors: Ariai Jama , Ziegler Maya , Würtele Christian , Gellrich Urs
Published: December 2023

We report the preparation of a new organic σ‐donor with a C6H4‐linker between an N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) and an exocyclic methylidene group, which we term N‐heterocyclic quinodimethane (NHQ). The aromatization of the C6H4‐linker provides a decisive driving force for the reaction of the NHQ with an electrophile and renders the NHQ significantly more basic than analogous NHCs or N‐heterocyclic olefins (NHOs), as shown by DFT computations and competition experiments. In solution, the NHQ undergoes an unprecedented dehydrogenative head‐to‐head dimerization by C−C coupling of the methylidene groups. DFT computations indicate that this reaction proceeds via an open‐shell singlet pathway revealing the diradical character of the NHQ. The product of this dimerization can be described as conjugated N‐heterocyclic bis‐quinodimethane, which according to cyclic voltammetry is a strong organic reducing agent (E1/2=−1.71 V vs. Fc/Fc+) and exhibits a remarkable small singlet–triplet gap of ΔES→T=4.4 kcal mol−1.
Characterization of inajá (Maximiliana maripa) pulp oil obtained by enzymatic extraction
Authors: da Silva Jézica Priscila Pereira , da Cruz Rodrigues Antonio Manoel , da Silva Luiza Helena Meller
Published: December 2023

Two methods for extraction of oil from inajá pulp were studied; an enzymatic extraction, which was evaluated using the central composite rotational design (CCRD) combined with the response surface methodology (RSM), and the conventional solvent extraction. The enzymatic extraction method had no significant effect (p > 0.05%) on the fatty acid profile of inajá oil, which was 45.7% monounsaturated, 10.8% polyunsaturated, and 43.6% saturated. Oleic, palmitic, linoleic, and myristic acids were the predominant fatty acids. The enzymatic extraction method interfered with the total phenolic compounds, which were lower (p < 0.05%) than the total phenolic compounds obtained in the inajá pulp oil extracted by solvent. On the other hand, the carotenoid content was higher in the inajá pulp oil obtained by the enzymatic extraction (p < 0.05%). The enzymatic extraction showed an efficiency equivalent to that of the solvent extraction, and resulted in an oil that contains superior nutritional properties. Green technologies, such as enzymatic extraction for the production of vegetable oils, can be used to replace conventional methods that use solvent, thereby reducing environmental impact and the operating cost of the process itself. In the enzymatic extraction, the oil is obtained without the need for a solvent separation step. Moreover, this method of extraction produces an aqueous fraction and a solid residue (defatted pulp), both of which can be used as by‐products with potential for application in the food industry and, therefore, generate greater added value.
3D printing dielectric elastomers for advanced functional structures: A mini‐review
Authors: Zhang Hui , Wen Haiying , Zhu Jianxiong , Xia Zhijie , Zhang Zhisheng
Published: December 2023

Three‐dimensional (3D) printed bionic products play an important role in intelligent robotics, microelectronics, and polymers. The printing and manufacturing process of 3D printers is conducive to obtaining soft structures that meet specific requirements, and saves time and cost. Soft intelligent robotics, an emerging research field, has always been developed based on soft materials and actuators with their biological properties. This article reviews the current understanding of 3D bioprinting technologies for dielectric elastomers (DEs), DE actuators (DEAs) and soft robots, such as inkjet, extrusion, laser‐induced and stereolithography bioprinting. 3D printers for fabricating soft materials are presented and classified. The approaches to exploit 3D bioprinters for DEs/DEAs are as follows: (1) 3D printing DEAs utilize ionic hydrogel–elastomer hybrids that are analogous to human muscles, and the DEAs usually have flexible structures and large deformations with multiple functionalities. (2) An electrohydrodynamic (EHD) 3D printer confers high printing resolution and high production efficiency, which offers advantages such as full automation and flexible design. The optimal printing conditions are mainly determined by the effects of printing voltages and ink properties, which are related to the formation of the liquid cone and the printed line width. Furthermore, the advantages of 3D bioprinting technologies have accelerated their development and applications.
Osteology of the sauropodomorph dinosaur Jaklapallisaurus asymmetricus from the Late Triassic of central India
Authors: Ezcurra Martín D. , Müller Rodrigo T. , Novas Fernando E. , Chatterjee Sankar
Published: December 2023

The Gondwana formations exposed in the Pranhita‐Godavari Valley of central India include Middle Triassic to Lower Jurassic continental deposits that provide essential information about the tetrapod assemblages of that time, documenting some of the oldest known dinosaurs and the first faunas numerically dominated by this group. The Upper Maleri Formation of the Pranhita‐Godavari Basin preserves an early‐middle Norian dinosaur assemblage that provides information about the early evolutionary history of this group in central‐south Gondwana. This assemblage comprises sauropodomorph dinosaurs and an herrerasaurian, including two nominal species. Here, we describe in detail the anatomy of one of those early dinosaurs, the bagualosaurian sauropodomorph Jaklapallisaurus asymmetricus. The new anatomical information is used to investigate the position of the species in an updated quantitative phylogenetic analysis focused on early sauropodomorphs. The analysis recovered Jaklapallisaurus asymmetricus as a member of Unaysauridae, at the base of Plateosauria, together with Macrocollum itaquii and Unaysaurus tolentinoi from the early Norian of southern Brazil. This phylogenetic result indicates that the dispersal of early plateosaurian sauropodomorphs between the Southern Hemisphere and what nowadays is Europe would have occurred shortly after Ischigualastian times because of the extension of their ghost lineage. Thus, the presence of early plateosaurians in the early Norian of South America and India reduces a previously inferred diachrony between the biogeographic dispersals of theropods and sauropodomorphs during post‐Ischigualastian times.
At the limits of bisphosphonio‐substituted stannylenes
Authors: Nasemann Sina , Franz Roman , Kargin Denis , Bruhn Clemens , Kelemen Zsolt , Gutmann Torsten , Pietschnig Rudolf
Published: December 2023

Donor stabilization of Sn(II) and Pb(II) halides with 1,1’‐ferrocenylene bridged bisphosphanes has been explored for Fe(C5H4P(C6H5)2)2 (dppf), and Fe(C5H4PH(C4H9))2. These bisphosphanes are reacted with SnBr2 and PbCl2 with and without additional Lewis acid (AlCl3) forming acyclic and cyclic donor adducts from which the latter represent bisphosphoniotetrylenes. Since dynamic exchange in solution is observed, characterization includes solution and solid‐state NMR in addition to SC‐XRD, amended by DFT calculations.
Bimetallic Nanoparticles Embedded in P,N,Br‐Codoped Carbon Matrices Derived from Heterometallic‐Organophosphine Frameworks as Electrode Materials for Asymmetric Supercapacitors
Authors: Mahmoud Abdallah G. , Nardeli Jéssica V. , Ferreira Maria João , Ferraria Ana M. , Botelho do Rego Ana M. , Guedes da Silva M. Fátima C. , Pombeiro Armando J. L.
Published: December 2023

An unprecedented method has been developed to obtain heterometallic‐organophosphine frameworks (HMOPFs) through a solvent‐free, three‐component mechanochemical process. In a ball mill, mixing copper (I) bromide with zinc (II), nickel (II) or copper (II) acetates, in the presence of (PTA‐CH2‐C6H4‐p‐COOH) Br (PTA is 1,3,5‐triaza‐7‐phosphaadamantane) as an organic linker, has produced the corresponding HMOPFs based on Cu+‐Zn2+, Cu+‐Ni2+ and Cu+‐Cu2+, respectively. The pyrolysis of HMOPFs resulted in bimetallic nanoparticles of transition metal phosphide and phosphate embedded in multi‐P,N,Br‐codoped carbon matrices (Cu−M@C). Due to the utilization of an aminophosphine organic linker, this HMOPFs‐derived approach typifies an eco‐friendly synthesis of carbon confined transition metal phosphides or phosphates. It avoids the common conventional methods that involves phosphorylation using large amounts of additional P sources, which leads to an intensive release of the flammable and poisonous phosphine gas. Also, the presence of Br at the organic linker eliminates the need for using bromine vapours to obtain halogen‐doped carbon matrices. The Cu−M@C nanocomposites were tested as negative electrode materials for asymmetric supercapacitors. Electrochemical tests included cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge‐discharge experiments, which revealed the Cu−Zn@C electrode with a higher potential window as compared to Cu−Ni@C and Cu−Cu@C electrodes, achieving a rate performance of 60 % and high coulombic efficiency.
Recalculating the Route: Repositioning Antimicrobial Peptides for Cancer Treatment
Authors: de Almeida Gomes Isadora , da Lima Ana Beatriz , da Silva Brito Daiane Maria , Almeida Lima Arlene , de Oliveira Francisco Laio , Espino Zelaya Elmer Adilson , Magalhães Rebello Alencar Luciana , Castelo Branco de Souza Collares Maia Débora , Amaral de Moraes Maria Elisabete , Pantoja Mesquita Felipe , Noronha Souza Pedro Filho , Montenegro Raquel C.
Published: December 2023

Resistance to antimicrobial drugs has been considered a public health problem. Likewise, the increasing resistance of cancer cells to drugs currently used in therapy has also become a problem. Therefore, the research and development of synthetic peptides bring a new perspective on the emergence of new drugs for treating this resistance since bioinformatics provides a means to optimize these molecules and save time and costs in research. Peptides have several mechanisms of action, such as forming pores on the cell membrane and inhibiting protein synthesis. Some studies report the use of antimicrobial peptides with the potential for action against cancer cells, suggesting a repositioning of antimicrobial peptides to fight back cancer resistance. There is an alteration in the microenvironment, making its net charge negative for the survival and growth of cancer cells. The changes in glycoproteins favor the membrane to have a more negative charge, favoring the interaction between the cells and the peptide, thus making possible the repositioning of these antimicrobial peptides against cancer. Here, we will discuss the mechanism of action, targets and effects of peptides, comparison between microbial and cancer cells, and proteomic changes caused by the interaction of peptides and cells.
Tripartite Split‐GFP for High Throughput Screening of Small Molecules: A Powerful Strategy for Targeting Transient/Labile Interactors like E2‐E3 Ubiquitination Enzymes
Authors: Polge Cécile , Cabantous Stéphanie , Taillandier Daniel
Published: December 2023

The search for inhibitors of the Ubiquitin Proteasome System (UPS) is an expanding area, due to the crucial role of UPS enzymes in several diseases. The complexity of the UPS and the multiple protein‐protein interactions (PPIs) involved, either between UPS proteins themselves or between UPS components and theirs targets, offer an incredibly wide field for the development of chemical compounds for specifically modulating or inhibiting metabolic pathways. However, numerous UPS PPIs are transient/labile, due the processivity of the system (Ubiquitin [Ub] chain elongation, Ub transfer, etc.). Among the different strategies that can be used either for deciphering UPS PPI or for identifying/characterizing small compounds inhibitors, the split‐GFP approach offers several advantages notably for high throughput screening of drugs. Split‐GFP is based on the principle of protein‐fragment complementation assay (PCA). PCA allows addressing PPIs by coupling each protein of interest (POI) to fragments of a reporter protein whose reconstitution is linked to the interaction of the POI. Here, we review the evolution of the split‐GFP approach from bipartite to tripartite Split‐GFP and its recent applicability for screening chemical compounds targeting the UPS.
Balloon atrial septostomy for transposition of the great arteries: Safety and experience with the Z‐5 balloon catheter
Authors: Weeda Jesse A. , Bokenkamp‐Gramann Regina , Straver Bart B. , Rammeloo Lukas , Hahurij Nathan D. , Bertels Robin A. , Haak Monique C. , te Pas Arjan B. , Hazekamp Mark G. , Blom Nico A. , van der Palen Roel L. F.
Published: December 2023

Background

Balloon atrial septostomy (BAS) is an emergent and essential cardiac intervention to enhance intercirculatory mixing at atrial level in deoxygenated patients diagnosed with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and restrictive foramen ovale. The recent recall of several BAS catheters and the changes in the European legal framework for medical devices (MDR 2017/745), has led to an overall scarcity of BAS catheters and raised questions about the use, safety, and experience of the remaining NuMED Z‐5 BAS catheter.

Aims

To evaluate and describe the practice and safety of the Z‐5 BAS catheter, and to compare it to the performance of other BAS catheters.

Methods

A retrospective single‐center cohort encompassing all BAS procedures performed with the Z‐5 BAS catheter in TGA patients between 1999 and 2022.

Results

A total of 182 BAS procedures were performed in 179 TGA‐newborns at Day 1 (IQR 0–5) days after birth, with median weight of 3.4 (IQR 1.2–5.7) kg. The need for BAS was urgent in 90% of patients. The percentage of BAS procedures performed at bedside increased over time from 9.8% (before 2010) to 67% (2017–2022). Major complication rate was 2.2%, consisting of cerebral infarction (1.6%) and hypovolemic shock (0.5%). The rate of minor complications was 9.3%, including temporary periprocedural AV‐block (3.8%), femoral vein thrombosis (2.7%), transient intracardiac thrombus (0.5%), and atrial flutter (2.2%). BAS procedures performed at bedside and in the cardiac catheterization laboratory had similar complication rates.

Conclusions

BAS using the Z‐5 BAS catheter is both feasible and safe at bedside and at the cardiac catheterization laboratory with minimal major complications.
A case of blindness caused by Lemierre's syndrome
Authors: Suzuki Tensei , Kojima Mitsuaki , Nakamoto Raira , Kuriyama Keiichi , Tanizawa Shu , Mochida Yuzuru , Asakura Yuri , Shibano Ayaka , Shoko Tomohisa
Published: December 2023

Key Clinical Message

We describe a patient who lost her vision because of Lemierre's syndrome. Ophthalmologic complications of Lemierre's syndrome are rare, and very few cases have been reported. Clinicians need to recognize that it is a serious condition that can lead to blindness in some cases.

Lemierre's syndrome is a systemic septic embolism resulting from thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein. We report a case of blindness caused by Lemierre's syndrome, despite prompt diagnosis and early treatment. A 36‐year‐old woman was transported to our hospital. She presented with fever, facial swelling, and right visual acuity deterioration. Contrast‐enhanced computed tomography revealed a retropharyngeal abscess and right internal jugular vein thrombosis. Blood culture revealed Fusobacterium necrophorum, suggesting Lemierre's syndrome. The patient had septic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation. We diagnosed her visual impairment as orbital‐apex syndrome due to spread of inflammation. After 6 weeks of antimicrobial drug treatments, her general condition had improved, and the retropharyngeal abscess had disappeared. On Day 49 of her illness, she was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital, but her visual acuity was not restored. Clinicians should be aware that Lemierre's syndrome can, although rarely, cause blindness.
Effect of the Current Density on the Electrodeposition Efficiency of Zinc in Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Tribbia Michele , Glenneberg Jens , La Mantia Fabio , Zampardi Giorgia
Published: December 2023

Increasing the electrodeposition efficiency of metallic zinc from quasi‐neutral aqueous electrolytes is one of the major key requirements for the commercialization of rechargeable aqueous Zn‐ion batteries. Several strategies have been recently reported in the literature. Unfortunately, electrochemical studies on the effect of different current densities on the zinc electrodeposition efficiency usually are not recorded in realistic experimental conditions: e. g. depth of discharges <1–10 %, use of negative electrodes with infinite reservoir of Zn2+, etc. Here, the effect of the current density on the zinc electrodeposition onto optimized bismuth‐indium substrates cycled with 33 % of depth of discharge in a ZnSO4‐containing aqueous solution has been investigated. It was found that low Zn plating/stripping current densities displayed higher electrodeposition efficiencies over 200 Zn electrodeposition/dissolution cycles, more homogeneous distribution of the zinc deposits and lower amounts of inactive zinc passivation products. When higher current densities were applied during the Zn plating/stripping cycles, lower electrodeposition efficiencies and a greater amount of inactive zinc hydroxides and dead zinc were observed on the electrode surface.
A nationwide trend analysis on the usage of endomyocardial biopsy
Authors: Keller Karsten , Göbel Sebastian , Gori Tommaso , Münzel Thomas , Wenzel Philip , Hobohm Lukas
Published: December 2023

Background

Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is a safe procedure performed in diagnostic work‐up of cardiac disease.

Hypothesis

Data regarding temporal trends of total numbers, characteristics, in‐hospital outcomes, and complications of patients undergoing EMB are sparse.

Methods

The nationwide German inpatient sample (2005–2019) was used for this analysis. Patient cases of EBM during the 5‐year cycles from 2005 to 2009, 2010 to 2014, and 2015 to 2019 were compared, and temporal trends regarding total numbers and presumable major and minor EMB‐associated complications were investigated.

Results

Overall, 67 745 EMB were performed in Germany 2005–2019. Total number of EMB increased from 3083 in 2005 to 5646 in 2019 (β 0.40 [95% confidence interval [CI] 0.37–0.43], p < .001). Among these EMB, 19 083 (28.2%) were performed during the period 2005–2009, 22 867 (33.7%) 2010–2014, and 25 795 (38.1%) between 2015 and 2019. The proportion of patients aged ≥70 years was highest 2015–2019 (2005–2009: 9.3%; 2010–2014: 13.8%; 2015–2019: 16.1%, p < .001) and the most aggravated comorbidity profile (Charlson Comorbidity Index 2.25 ± 1.93; 2.67 ± 2.14; 3.01 ± 2.29, p < .001) was also detected 2015–2019. Major complications occurred less often in the period 2015–2019 compared to 2005–2009 (odds ratio [OR] 0.921 [95% CI 0.893–0.950], p < .001), whereas minor complications were more frequently observed between 2015 and 2019 (OR 1.067 [95% CI 1.042–1.093], p < .001). While a decrease in major complications was detected irrespective of age, an increase in minor complications was identified only in patients between 30–59 years.

Conclusions

Annual numbers of EMB increased significantly in Germany 2005–2019. Patients who underwent EMB in recent years were older and showed an aggravated comorbidity profile accompanied by fewer major complications, underscoring safety of the procedure.
Cognitive, neuropsychiatric and neurological alterations in mastocytosis: A systematic review
Authors: Sagües‐Sesé Elena , García‐Casares Natalia , Álvarez‐Twose Ivan
Published: December 2023

Background

Mastocytosis manifests with multisystemic symptoms, often involving the nervous system. Numerous cognitive, neuropsychiatric and neurological alterations have been reported in multiple observational studies.

Methods

We performed a qualitative systematic literature review of reported data consulting the electronic databases Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, and BASE until June 2023.

Results

We selected 24 studies in which the majority showed that a high proportion of mastocytosis patients suffer cognitive, neuropsychiatric and neurological alterations. The most common disorders and estimated ranges of frequency observed in adults were depression (68%–75%), anxiety, high stress or irritability (27%–54%), cognitive impairment (27%–39%, primarily affecting memory skills), and headaches (55%–69%). Attention challenges and learning difficulties were reported in children at a rate of 13%, while neurodevelopmental disorders occurred at rates of 8%–12%. Frequent white abnormalities in mastocytosis patients with concomitant psychocognitive symptoms have been reported although neuroimaging studies have been performed rarely in this population.

Conclusion

Further studies with more comprehensive and homogeneous evaluations and neuroimaging and histological analysis should be performed for a better understanding of these manifestations. An earlier detection and proper management of these symptoms could greatly improve the quality of life of these patients.
Smart contract generation for inter‐organizational process collaboration
Authors: Xiong Tianhong , Feng Shangqing , Pan Maolin , Yu Yang
Published: December 2023

Currently, inter‐organizational process collaboration (IOPC) has been widely used in the design and development of distributed systems that support business process execution. Blockchain‐based IOPC can establish trusted data sharing among participants, attracting more and more attention. The core of such study is to translate the graphical model (e.g., BPMN) into program code called smart contract that can be executed in the blockchain environment. In this context, a proper smart contract plays a vital role in the correct implementation of block‐chain‐based IOPC. In fact, the quality of graphical model affects the smart contract generation. Problematic models (e.g., deadlock) will result in incorrect contracts (causing unexpected behaviors). To avoid this undesired implementation, this article explores to generate smart contracts by using the verified formal model as input instead of graphical model. Specifically, we introduce a prototype framework that supports the automatic generation of smart contracts, providing an end‐to‐end solution from modeling, verification, translation to implementation. One of the cores of this framework is to provide a CSP#‐based formalization for the BPMN collaboration model from the perspective of message interaction. This formalization provides precise execution semantics and model verification for graphical models, and a verified formal model for smart contract generation. Another novelty is that it introduces a syntax tree‐based translation algorithm to directly map the formal model into a smart contract. The required formalism, verification, and translation techniques are transparent to users without imposing additional burdens. Finally, a set of experiments shows the effectiveness of the framework.
Privacy‐preserving graph publishing with disentangled variational information bottleneck
Authors: Ma Liya , Li Chen , Sun Siqi , Guo Shu , Wang Lihong , Li Jianxin
Published: December 2023

Social networks collect enormous amounts of user personal and behavioral data, which could threaten users' privacy if published or shared directly. Privacy‐preserving graph publishing (PPGP) can make user data available while protecting private information. For this purpose, in PPGP, anonymization methods like perturbation and generalization are commonly used. However, traditional anonymization methods are challenging in balancing high‐level privacy and utility, ineffective at defending against both various link and hybrid inference attacks, as well as vulnerable to graph neural network (GNN)‐based attacks. To solve those problems, we present a novel privacy‐disentangled approach that disentangles private and non‐private information for a better privacy‐utility trade‐off. Moreover, we propose a unified graph deep learning framework for PPGP, denoted privacy‐disentangled variational information bottleneck
(PDVIB). Using low‐dimensional perturbations, the model generates an anonymized graph to defend against various inference attacks, including GNN‐based attacks. Particularly, the model fits various privacy settings by employing adjustable perturbations at the node level. With three real‐world datasets, PDVIB is demonstrated to generate robust anonymous graphs that defend against various privacy inference attacks while maintaining the utility of non‐private information.
The Entropy of van der Waals Fluid
Authors: Lei Yanhua , Wang Xiongliang , Sun Huapeng
Published: December 2023

Thermodynamic state functions are fundamental quantities in many fields. In this work, the van der Waals (vdW) equation of state and calculation formulas of state functions are derived with statistical thermodynamic method in three‐dimensional (3D) and two‐dimensional (2D) spaces. The heat capacity at constant volume (CV,m) or area (CA,m) is exactly the same as that of ideal gas, but the heat capacity at constant pressure (Cp,m) and other state functions are different from those of ideal gas. The vdW equation of state is a cubic equation, which leads to the fact that the entropy and free energy changes of vdW fluid can be expressed as explicit expressions of volume rather than pressure. Therefore, the adsorbate entropy at constant area can still be theoretically proven to have a linear relationship with the gas‐phase entropy at constant volume. However, the linear correlation between it and gas‐phase entropy at constant pressure is no longer strictly true in theory. In addition, since the vdW equation of state is applicable to both gas and liquid, the linear correlation between adsorbate entropy and liquid‐phase entropy can also be found. At last, the reference state for real gas or fluid at a constant molar volume is suggested.
Isolation of stage‐specific spermatogenic cells by dynamic histone incorporation and removal in spermatogenesis
Authors: Fujiwara Yasuhiro , Hada Masashi , Fukuda Yuko , Koga Chizuko , Inoue Erina , Okada Yuki
Published: December 2023

Due to the lack of an efficient in vitro spermatogenesis system, studies on mammalian spermatogenesis require the isolation of specific germ cell populations for further analyses. BSA gradient and elutriation have been used for several decades to purify testicular germ cells; more recently, flow cytometric cell sorting has become popular. Although each method has its advantages and disadvantages and is used depending on the purpose of the experiment, reliance on flow cytometric cell sorting is expected to be more prevalent because fewer cells can be managed. However, the currently used flow cytometric cell sorting method for testicular germ cells relies on karyotypic differences via DNA staining. Thus, it remains challenging to separate post‐meiotic haploid cells (spermatids) according to their differentiation stage despite significant variations in morphology and chromatin state. In this study, we developed a method for finely separating testicular germ cells using VC mice carrying fluorescently tagged histones. This method enables the separation of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids based on the intensity of histone fluorescence and cell size. Combined with a DNA staining dye, this method separates spermatids after elongation according to each spermiogenic stage. Although the necessity for a specific transgenic mouse line is less versatile, this method is expected to be helpful for the isolation of testicular germ cell populations because it is highly reproducible and independent of complex cell sorter settings and staining conditions.
Inferring phylogenetic structure, taxa hybridization, and divergence times within rock voles of subgenus Aschizomys (Cricetidae: Alticola) using quaddRAD sequencing and a cytb dataset
Authors: Dvoyashov Ivan A. , Bodrov Semyon Yu. , Mamaev Nikolai V. , Glagoleva Elena S. , Abramson Natalia I.
Published: December 2023

The subgenus Aschizomys belongs to the genus Alticola (Central Asian mountain vole) and consists of two species: Alticola macrotis and Alticola lemminus. Phylogenetic relationships within the subgenus Aschizomys remain obscure due to limited sampling, an insufficient number of molecular markers used in phylogenetic studies, and paraphyly observed on mitochondrial trees. In this work, to infer reliable phylogenetic relationships and evaluate putative scenarios of ancient hybridization within the subgenus, we applied double‐digest restriction site‐associated DNA paired‐end (quaddRAD) sequencing to 20 DNA samples (20 individuals), including five species of the genus Alticola, and dated the divergence of cytochrome b (cytb) lineages within Aschizomys using a “second calibration” approach. We showed monophyly of the two species on the basis of thousands of nuclear loci and demonstrated traces of introgression also in the nuclear genome. Observed paraphyly in cytb could be explained by an introgression event rather than incomplete lineage sorting. This explanation was confirmed by an analysis of the cytb divergence time. Overall, our results support the hypothesis of extensive migration of the Aschizomys species during the Late Pleistocene, with this migration leading to population divergence and introgression. We expect our article to become a starting point for a series of rigorous studies on the population history of the genus Alticola as a whole.
Descriptive inference using large, unrepresentative nonprobability samples: An introduction for ecologists
Authors: Boyd Robin J. , Stewart Gavin B. , Pescott Oliver L.
Published: December 2023

Biodiversity monitoring usually involves drawing inferences about some variable of interest across a defined landscape from observations made at a sample of locations within that landscape. If the variable of interest differs between sampled and nonsampled locations, and no mitigating action is taken, then the sample is unrepresentative and inferences drawn from it will be biased. It is possible to adjust unrepresentative samples so that they more closely resemble the wider landscape in terms of “auxiliary variables.” A good auxiliary variable is a common cause of sample inclusion and the variable of interest, and if it explains an appreciable portion of the variance in both, then inferences drawn from the adjusted sample will be closer to the truth. We applied six types of survey sample adjustment—subsampling, quasirandomization, poststratification, superpopulation modeling, a “doubly robust” procedure, and multilevel regression and poststratification—to a simple two‐part biodiversity monitoring problem. The first part was to estimate the mean occupancy of the plant Calluna vulgaris in Great Britain in two time periods (1987–1999 and 2010–2019); the second was to estimate the difference between the two (i.e., the trend). We estimated the means and trend using large, but (originally) unrepresentative, samples from a citizen science dataset. Compared with the unadjusted estimates, the means and trends estimated using most adjustment methods were more accurate, although standard uncertainty intervals generally did not cover the true values. Completely unbiased inference is not possible from an unrepresentative sample without knowing and having data on all relevant auxiliary variables. Adjustments can reduce the bias if auxiliary variables are available and selected carefully, but the potential for residual bias should be acknowledged and reported.
Relationship between serum iron level and physical function in heart failure patients is lost by presence of diabetes
Authors: Ohori Katsuhiko , Yano Toshiyuki , Katano Satoshi , Nagaoka Ryohei , Numazawa Ryo , Yamano Kotaro , Fujisawa Yusuke , Kouzu Hidemichi , Nagano Nobutaka , Fujito Takefumi , Nishikawa Ryo , Ohwada Wataru , Sato Tatsuya , Furuhashi Masato
Published: December 2023

Aims

Iron deficiency (ID) is common in patients with heart failure (HF) and is reportedly associated with exercise intolerance and impaired quality of life. Iron supplementation therapy in HF patients with ID improves exercise capacity. Conversely, protective roles of iron depletion in the development of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications have been proposed. This study aimed to determine the impact of ID on physical function in HF patients with and without DM.

Methods and results

We enrolled consecutive patients who were admitted to our institute for HF diagnosis and management. The short physical performance battery (SPPB) was used to evaluate physical function, and low physical function was defined as an SPPB score of <10 points as individuals with SPPB scores of <10 points are most likely to be classified as frail and are at high risk for disability and future adverse events, including death. ID was defined as serum ferritin < 100 or 100–299 ng/mL when transferrin saturation (TSAT) was <20% according to the HF guidelines. Among the 562 HF patients (72 ± 14 years old; 56% male), 329 patients (58%) and 191 patients (34%) had ID and low physical function, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that TSAT as a continuous variable, but not ID, was a predictor of low physical function (odds ratio: 0.980, P = 0.024). Subgroup analysis showed that a significant association between low TSAT and low physical function was lost in HF patients with DM (P for interaction < 0.001). A spline dose–response curve for the relationship between TSAT and risk of low physical function with adjustments for covariates associated with low physical function in non‐DM patients was almost linear with an increase in the risk of low physical function as the TSAT increased, but such a relationship was not found in the analyses of DM patients. A lack of close TSAT–SPPB relationship in HF patients with DM was confirmed also in a propensity‐score‐matched cohort.

Conclusions

TSAT as a continuous variable, but not ID, was independently associated with physical function in HF patients, and a significant association was lost in patients with HF and DM, suggesting a limited impact of iron supplementation therapy in HF patients with DM.
Ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia within 72 h of VA‐ECMO: incidence, outcomes, risk factors, and management
Authors: Zhou Hao , Zhu Yi , Zhang Zhongman , Mei Yong , Lv Jinru , Zhang Gang , Li Wei , Chen Xufeng
Published: December 2023

Aims

Veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA‐ECMO) is an important technique for the treatment of refractory cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest; however, the early management of ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia (VF/VT), within 72 h of VA‐ECMO, and its effects on patient prognosis remain unclear.

Methods and results

We retrospectively analysed patients at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University who underwent VA‐ECMO between January 2017 and March 2022. The patients were divided into two groups, VF/VT and nVF/VT, based on whether or not VF/VT occurred within 72 h after the initiation of VA‐ECMO. We utilized logistic regression analysis to evaluate the independent risk factors for VF/VT in patients undergoing VA‐ECMO and to ascertain whether the onset of VF/VT affected 28 day survival rate, length of intensive care unit stay, and/or other clinical prognostic factors. Subgroup analysis was performed for the VF/VT group to determine whether defibrillation affected prognosis. In the present study, 126 patients were included, 65.87% of whom were males (83/126), with a mean age of 46.89 ± 16.23, a 28 day survival rate of 57.14% (72/126), an incidence rate of VF/VT within 72 h of VA‐ECMO initiation of 27.78% (35/126), and 80% of whom (28/35) received extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The incidence of VF/VT resulting from cardiac arrest at an early stage was significantly higher than that of refractory cardiogenic shock (80% vs. 20%; P = 0.022). The restricted cubic spline model revealed a U‐shaped relationship between VF/VT incidence and initial heart rate (iHR), and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that an iHR > 120 b.p.m. [odds ratio (OR) 6.117; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.672–22.376; P = 0.006] and hyperlactataemia (OR 1.125; 95% CI 1.016–1.246; P = 0.023) within 1 h of VA‐ECMO initiation were independent risk factors for the occurrence of VF/VT. VF/VT was not found to be associated with the 28 day survival of patients undergoing VA‐ECMO support, nor did it affect other secondary endpoints. Defibrillation did not alter the overall prognosis in patients with VF/VT during VA‐ECMO.

Conclusions

An iHR > 120 b.p.m. and hyperlactataemia were independent risk factors for the occurrence of VF/VT within 72 h of VA‐ECMO initiation. The occurrence of VF/VT does not affect, nor does defibrillation in these patients improve the overall patient prognosis.

Trial registration

ChiCTR1900026105.
Social support of virtual characters reduces pain perception
Authors: Neumann I. , Andreatta M. , Pauli P. , Käthner I.
Published: December 2023

Background

Psychosocial factors, such as social support, can reduce pain. Virtual reality (VR) is a powerful tool to decrease pain, but social factors in VR‐based pain analgesia have rarely been studied. Specifically, it is unclear whether social support by virtual characters can reduce pain and whether the perceived control behind virtual characters (agency) and varying degrees of social cues impact pain perception.

Methods

Healthy participants (N = 97) received heat pain stimulation while undergoing four within‐subject conditions in immersive VR: (1) virtual character with a low number of social cues (virtual figure) provided verbal support, (2) virtual character with a high number of social cues (virtual human) provided verbal support, (3) no social support (hearing neutral words), (4) no social support. Perceived agency of the virtual characters served as between‐subjects factor. Participants in the avatar group were led to believe that another participant controlled the virtual characters. Participants in the agent group were told they interacted with a computer. However, in both conditions, virtual characters were computer‐controlled. Pain ratings, psychophysiological measurements and presence ratings were recorded.

Results

Virtual social support decreased pain intensity and pain unpleasantness ratings but had no impact on electrodermal activity nor heart rate. A virtual character with a high number of social cues led to lower pain unpleasantness and higher feelings of presence. Agency had no significant impact.

Conclusions

Virtual characters providing social support can reduce pain independent of perceived agency. A more human visual appearance can have beneficial effects on social pain modulation by virtual characters.

Significance

Social influences are important factors in pain modulation. The current study demonstrated analgesic effects through verbal support provided by virtual characters and investigated modulating factors. A more human appearance of a virtual character resulted in a higher reduction of pain unpleasantness. Importantly, agency of the virtual characters had no impact. Given the increasing use of digital health interventions, the findings suggest a positive impact of virtual characters for digital pain treatments.
Partitioning model study of the traction coefficient in a droplet model in a wellbore
Authors: Jiang Jianxun , Chen Ziying , Du Jingguo , Li Kaijun , Liu Yinhua , Li Long
Published: December 2023

Gas wells need to face the problem of gas well outflow during production, and the main way to deal with gas well fluid accumulation is to calculate the critical liquid carrying velocity and other factors by using the prediction model of excess fluid accumulation. When the prediction results of the hydrops prediction model are biased, hydrops will be generated at the bottom of the wellbore, resulting in a decrease in gas well productivity. Aiming at the problem that the drag coefficient of the wellbore droplet movement model changes greatly in the process of natural gas production, which leads to the error of the wellbore effusion prediction, the commonly used droplet models and the common drag coefficient models are analyzed and evaluated. Compared with the model obtained by the partition and the existing drag model and the experimental value, it is found that the model can effectively reduce the average error rate between the calculated results and the experimental value. The findings of this study can help for better understanding of change of critical liquid carrying velocity of droplet in different Reynolds number region, which is of reference value for the subsequent drainage and mining process.
Inducing Selenium Vacancy in Nickel Selenide/Iron Selenide by Hydrazine‐Ultrasonic Treatment for Electrocatalytic Water Splitting Reaction
Authors: Senapati Shraddhanjali , Bal Rajaram , Mohapatra Manoj , Dalai Namita , Jena Bijayalaxmi
Published: December 2023

Electrocatalyst plays an important role in enhancing the activity of water‐splitting reaction. Researchers are adopting various techniques like composite formation, doping, and creating vacancy, to improve the catalytic activity of the electrocatalyst. Herein, nickel selenide/iron selenide (NiSe2/FeSe2) electrocatalyst is synthesized for electrocatalytic water splitting application, i.e., for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in 1.0 M KOH electrolytic solution. Further, the activity of the electrocatalyst is enhanced by creating selenium vacancies following a facile reduction method using hydrazine hydrate and simultaneously using ultrasonic power to form the catalyst, namely, Vse‐NiSe2/FeSe2. Vacancy engineering enhances the electrocatalytic activity of NiSe2/FeSe2 by increasing the electrochemical surface area and number of active sites. Pseudospherical Vse‐NiSe2/FeSe2 vacant sites offer insight into the efficient charge transfer and surface kinetics for the OER.
Evaluating Air‐Cooling Performance of Lithium‐Ion‐Battery Module with Various Cell Arrangements
Authors: Kumar Rajesh , Singh Lalan Kumar , Gupta Anoop Kumar
Published: December 2023

The significant heat generated during the operation of lithium‐ion batteries raises the battery temperature thereby leading to performance degradation and thermal runaway in a thermal abuse environment. Therefore, a simple but effective battery thermal management system (BTMS) is crucial to achieve the permissible operating temperatures. In this work, the performance of air‐cooled BTMS is evaluated by changing the arrangement of cells under discharging conditions. Seven distinct arrangements (trapezoidal, slanted, cross, aligned, staggered, tilted square, and zigzag) of lithium‐ion cells are investigated in a rectangular battery pack. Two‐way coupling of 1D electrochemical model and 2D conjugate thermal‐fluid model is employed. The increasing Reynolds number reduces the cell temperature due to augmented convective effects. Under otherwise identical conditions, the zigzag cell arrangement outperforms the other cell arrangements but at the expense of the highest pressure drop (≈threefold). Particularly, the values of average and maximum cell temperature are reduced by ≈5K and ≈4K, respectively, for Re = 1000 at 1C in comparison to the aligned cell arrangement. Similarly, the least favorable performance is predicted by the trapezoidal, slanted, and cross‐cell arrangements. Finally, a performance plot is suggested considering the trade‐off between the power requirement and the cooling enhancement.