bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LC–MS/MS approach for simultaneous assessment of hyoscine N‐butyl bromide and ketoprofen in biological fluids and pharmaceuticals
Authors: Ali Hazim M. , Alsohaimi Ibrahim Hotan , Hasanin Tamer H. A. , Batubara Afnan S. , Bukhary Deena M. , Mostafa Ehab M. , Gamal Mohammed
Published: February 2023

The mixture of hyoscine N‐butyl bromide (HBB) and ketoprofen (KTP) is commonly used for the handling of abdominal spasms and pain relief. There are two challenges that restrict the simultaneous assessment of HBB and KTP in biological fluids and pharmaceuticals. The first issue is the difficulty of elution of HBB and the second one is the presence of KTP as a racemic mixture in all pharmaceutical formulations, which obscures its appearance as a single peak. An ultrasensitive and highly efficient liquid chromatography–mass/mass spectrometric (LC–MS/MS) method is designed and validated for the first concurrent assessment of HBB and KTP in spiked human serum and urine, and pharmaceutical formulations. The estimated linearity ranges for HBB and KTP were respectively, 0.5–500 and 0.05–500 ng/ml, with excellent correlation coefficients. Validation results showed that the value of relative standard deviations were <2% for HBB and KTP. The mean extraction recoveries for HBB and KTP were, respectively, 91.04 and 97.83% in Spasmofen® ampoules; 95.89 and 97.00% in spiked serum; and 97.31 and 95.63% in spiked urine. The presented innovative chromatographic approach was utilized for the measurement of trace amounts of coexisting pharmaceuticals in pharmacokinetics studies and routine therapeutic medication monitoring.
Pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma: A population level analysis of epidemiological trends and prognosis
Authors: Huang Zhihao , Wang Jiakun , Zhang Rongguiyi , He Aoxiao , Luo Shuaiwu , Wu Rongshou , Xiong Jianghui , Li Min , Jin Tao , Li Enliang , Wu Linquan , Liao Wenjun
Published: February 2023

Background

The incidence and mortality of pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma (PASC) have received little attention. The goal of our study was to explore the overall epidemiological trend of PASC at the population level.

Methods

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was used to collect the incidence, incidence‐based (IB) mortality, and patient details for PASC from 2000 to 2017. The Joinpoint regression tool was used to examine the trends in incidence and IB mortality. The Kaplan–Meier approach was used for survival analysis. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to determine the independent prognostic factors.

Results

We included 815 patients with PASC in the study. The incidence of PASC continuously increased from 2000 to 2017, with an annual percentage change (APC) of 3.9% (95% CI: 2.2%–5.7%, p < 0.05). IB mortality also increased continuously, with an APC of 5.0% (95% CI: 2.5%–7.6%, p < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that age, treatment, regional lymph node involvement, and tumor size were independent prognostic factors. Nomograms were created for PASC to predict 1‐ and 2‐year survival probabilities, respectively.

Conclusions

The incidence and IB mortality of PASC had a sustained and rapid increase, indicating that the preventive and treatment measures for PASC were not ideal. We must identify the significance of this condition as soon as possible, and commit greater attention and resources to PASC research.
A Review of Drag Coefficient Models in Gas‐Liquid Two‐Phase Flow
Authors: Chen Yanling , Wang Liang , Chang Haijun , Zhang Qunwei
Published: February 2023

Although great efforts have been made in modeling the drag force in gas‐liquid two‐phase flow, the research about that in both theory and method is at the stage of development due to its diversity and complexity, and previous summary work about drag is usually based on a certain aspect. In this review, a unified framework that guides the drag coefficient model in gas‐liquid two‐phase flow is provided. From simple to complex, this paper introduces the drag coefficient of solid particles, single bubbles, bubble swarms, and bubbles in turbulence moving in liquid in turn. The variables affecting the drag coefficient in each of the above situations and the relationship between the drag coefficient and these variables are mentioned.
An Easily Accessible NIR‐Absorbing Tetraimide Dye and its Biotherapeutics Based Photothermal and Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Srideep Dasari , Khatun Sajmina , Kumar Rengan Aravind , Venkata Rao Kotagiri
Published: February 2023

Organic π‐systems with strong absorption in the near‐infrared (NIR) region are promising candidates for photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). However, the synthesis of NIR π‐systems involves several steps and many of them display poor photothermal conversion efficiency (PTCE). Here we present the synthesis of a tetraimide‐based donor‐acceptor NIR π‐system, 2EHex‐B having absorbance in the range of 350–900 nm. Importantly, 2EHex‐B is synthesized in two steps with a 70 % high yield. Moreover, 2EHex‐B shows excellent PTCE up to 50 % and good biocompatibility when encapsulated in liposomes. The liposome coated 2EHex‐B, (L‐2EHex‐B) showed good thermal stability and efficiently kills cancer cells via PTT. Additionally, L‐2EHex‐B shows good reactive singlet oxygen generation ability when irradiated with a 750 nm laser. 3D cell culture model ‐ multicellular spheroids test was performed to evaluate the efficiency of PTT. The spheroids treated with L‐2EHex‐B after NIR light irradiation showed increased cell death from the core of the tumor toward the periphery. The easy access to 2EHex‐B makes it a potential candidate for minimally invasive cancer treatment.
Metal Complexes and Nanoparticles for Photoacoustic Imaging
Authors: Steinbrueck Axel , Karges Johannes
Published: February 2023

Clinical imaging techniques are widely used to detect, locate, and track the growth or shrinkage of cancerous tumors. Although these techniques have shown impressive results, they often come with health risks due to the use of toxic contrast agents or ionizing radiation. To address these limitations, research efforts have been focused on the development of new imaging techniques. Among the emerging medicinal methods, photoacoustic imaging is receiving much attention. This method effectively combines the most important benefits of both ultrasound and fluorescence imaging, while minimizing their respective drawbacks via a light‐in and ultrasound‐out approach. This review article focuses on the fundamental concept, recent advances, and strategies for novel contrast agents based on molecular metal complexes or metallic nanoparticles for use in photoacoustic imaging.
Computational Fluid Dynamics‐Based Optimization of Face Mask Filter Media Using Micro‐Computed Tomography Scans
Authors: Berger Simon , Azimian Mehdi , Eichheimer Philipp , Hoch Dennis , Cheng Liping , Niessner Jennifer
Published: February 2023

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, face masks have become an important protective measure for reducing the spread of potentially infectious aerosol particles emitted while speaking, coughing, or simply breathing. In this work, a voxel‐based numerical model obtained from micro‐computed tomography (microCT) scans of a medical mask was validated by comparing fractional filtration efficiency and net pressure loss to values measured at an in‐house mask test bench after discharging the mask in isopropanol. Varying mean fiber diameter, solid volume fraction, and thickness of the filter medium, parametric studies based on a digital twin of the mask sample were carried out. It is demonstrated that face masks can be designed where filtration efficiency, pressure drop, and material consumption is improved compared to the base case.
Copper Activation Enabling Reversible Aqueous Cu−ZnS Battery Chemistry
Authors: Yao Chenqi , Cheng Juanjuan , Ma Chaoyong , Tang Zhiyong , Ou Yun , Liu Longfei
Published: February 2023

The aqueous metal‐sulfide batteries (AMSBs) have attracted research interest due to their high capacity, environmentally friendly qualities, and the accessibility of raw materials. However, the design strategies for metal‐sulfide cathode have rarely been reported. Here, the copper‐activated sphalerite in which Zn2+ is substituted by Cu2+ through ion exchange has been introduced for the first time as cathode for aqueous Cu/ZnS batteries. After sphalerite transformed to CuS, a two‐step conversion of CuS→Cu7S4→Cu2S storage mechanism has been proposed. At 0.7 A g−1 current density, the capacity can reach 532.4 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles. When cycled once at a current density of 35 mA g−1, the initial reversible capacity can reach 461 mAh g−1 under 1 A g−1. Furthermore, the assembled Zn//ZnS hybrid ion cell delivers an energy of up to 460 Wh kg−1, which is better than for many AMSBs.
O2 Separation Using MIEC Membranes and Steam Circulation Process
Authors: Khajryan Kabriil , Storch Thomas , Grab Thomas , Kircheisen Robert , Ravkina Olga , Kriegel Ralf , Fieback Tobias
Published: February 2023

MIEC (mixed ionic‐electronic conductors) membranes are used to separate oxygen from air. In this article the functionality of these membranes with steam to produce high‐purity oxygen is presented. Compared to other sweep gases, the utilization of steam with MIEC enables the decentral production of oxygen using mainly thermal energy. This is especially advantageous for small and medium‐sized consumers; whereby they can produce their demand for oxygen through the recovery of waste heat at high temperatures and without extra transport costs. Therefore, a test rig was developed to investigate the MIEC membrane tubes made of Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3‐δ (BSCF) at different temperatures. The results of the experiments establish a proof of concept for this process.
Fully Automated Kinetic Models Extend our Understanding of Complex Reaction Mechanisms
Authors: Rihm Simon D. , Bai Jiaru , Pascazio Laura , Kraft Markus
Published: February 2023

Die Automatisierung von Erstellung und Kalibrierung mikrokinetischer Modelle befähigt Forscher zur detaillierten Analyse von Reaktionsmechanismen sowie der Multiskalenmodellierung von Reaktoren auf Basis von Ab‐initio‐Berechnungen. Am Beispiel elektrochemischer CO2‐Reduktion wird deutlich, dass dies eine strukturierte und standardisierte Darstellung skalenübergreifender Konzepte erfordert. Massive Fortschritte wurden in diesem Bereich durch dynamische Wissensgraphen erzielt, wobei erste Teilerfolge im Bereich der Mechanismuserzeugung, quantenmechanischen Berechnungen sowie Kalibrierung mit Experimentaldaten zu vermelden sind.
Facile, Single‐Step Synthesis of a Series of D‐Ring Ethisterones Substituted with 1,4‐1,2,3‐Triazoles: Preliminary Evaluation of Cytotoxic Activities
Authors: Canseco‐González Daniel , Rodríguez‐Victoria Isaac , Apan‐Ramírez Teresa , Viviano‐Posadas Alejandro O. , Serrano‐García Juan S. , Arenaza‐Corona Antonino , Orjuela Adrian L. , Alí‐Torres Jorge , Dorazco‐González Alejandro , Morales‐Morales David
Published: February 2023

A series of new D‐ring ethisterones substituted with 1,4‐1,2,3‐triazoles were obtained in a facile manner via click chemistry reactions. The new compounds were characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, IR and unequivocally by single crystal X‐ray diffraction studies for compound 1. The cytotoxic activity of these derivatives was tested against a series of human cancer cell lines including human glioblastoma (U‐251), human prostatic adenocarcinoma (PC‐3), human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HCT‐15), human mammary adenocarcinoma (MCF‐7), human chronic myelogenous leukemia (K562), and human lung adenocarcinoma (SKLU‐1). Derivatives (3, X=Cl) and (5, X=I) showed promising cytotoxicity activities for leukemia adenocarcinoma (K562) and lung adenocarcinoma (SKLU). CI50% of K562: 11.72±0.9 μM (3) and 24.50±1.0 μM (5). CI50% of SKLU: 14.9±0.8 μM (3) and 46.0±2.8 μM (5). In addition, DNA docking simulations showed that all compounds interact with DNA through crosslink instrastrand p‐alkyl‐like interactions.
Garbage-In Garbage-Out (GIGO): The Use and Abuse of Combustion Modeling and Recent U.S. Spacelaunch Environmental Impacts
Authors: Sheaffer PattiMichelle
Published: February 2023

Although adequately detailed kerosene chemical-combustion Arrhenius
reaction-rate suites were not readily available for combustion modeling
until ca. the 1990’s (e.g., Marinov [1998]), it was already known
from mass-spectrometer measurements during the early Apollo era that
fuel-rich liquid oxygen + kerosene (RP-1) gas generators yield large
quantities (e.g., several percent of total fuel flows) of complex
hydrocarbons such as benzene, butadiene, toluene, anthracene,
fluoranthene, etc. (Thompson [1966]), which are formed concomitantly
with soot (Pugmire [2001]). By the 1960’s, virtually every
fuel-oxidizer combination for liquid-fueled rocket engines had been
tested, and the impact of gas phase combustion-efficiency governing the
rocket-nozzle efficiency factor had been empirically well-determined
(Clark [1972]). Up until relatively recently, spacelaunch and
orbital-transfer engines were increasingly designed for high efficiency,
to maximize orbital parameters while minimizing fuels and structural
masses: Preburners and high-energy atomization have been used to
pre-gasify fuels to increase (gas-phase) combustion efficiency,
decreasing the yield of complex/aromatic hydrocarbons (which limit
rocket-nozzle efficiency and overall engine efficiency) in
hydrocarbon-fueled engine exhausts, thereby maximizing system launch and
orbital-maneuver capability (Clark; Sutton; Sutton/Yang). The rocket
combustion community has been aware that the choice of Arrhenius
reaction-rate suite is critical to computer engine-model outputs.
Specific combustion suites are required to estimate the yield of
high-molecular-weight/reactive/toxic hydrocarbons in the rocket engine
combustion chamber, nonetheless such GIGO errors can be seen in recent
documents. Low-efficiency launch vehicles (SpaceX, Hanwha) therefore
also need larger fuels loads to achieve the same launched/transferred
mass, further increasing the yield of complex hydrocarbons and radicals
deposited by low-efficiency rocket engines along launch trajectories and
into the stratospheric ozone layer, the mesosphere, and above. With
increasing launch rates from low-efficiency systems, these persistent
(Ross/Sheaffer [2014]; Sheaffer [2016]), reactive chemical
species must have a growing impact on critical, poorly-understood
upper-atmosphere chemistry systems.
Segmentation of brain tumor subregions with depthwise separable dense U‐NET (DSDU‐NET)
Authors: Nehru V. , Prabhu V.
Published: February 2023

Brain tumors are one of the most dangerous medical conditions. The dispersed extremities and nonuniform structure of the tumors are the basis of why techniques of traditional segmentation have grown to be inefficient. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most widely used scanning procedures for tumors. However, to ameliorate the survival rate, the detection of tumors alone does not suffice, and there are other effective procedures. One of the most pivotal procedures for diagnosing the condition is the process of the brain tumor segmentation is a laborious and cumbersome process. As a result, a deep learning (DL) based solution is used to extract tumor subregions like enhancing tumor (ET), tumor core (TC), and whole tumor (WT). The proposed model involves novel DSDU‐Net: Depth‐wise separable dense U‐NET (DSDU‐NET) that precise outputs are acquired by retaining the low‐level features. In the preprocessing stage, a methodology called multi‐scale patch extraction is used to segregate tumor regions, and a grouping of Gaussian filter, unsharp masking, and histogram equalization is carried out on the data set to get significantly better performance. The proposed DSDU‐NET network performed better in terms of performance, specificity, sensitivity, dice similarity index, and Hausdorff distance for segmented image sub‐regions when validated on BraTS 2018 and 2019 data sources when particularly in comparison to other models.
Nuclear and cytoplasmic lncRNAs in root tips of the model legume Medicago truncatula under control and submergence
Authors: Reynoso Mauricio A. , Blanco Flavio Antonio , Zanetti María Eugenia
Published: February 2023

In this study, we aimed to identify long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in root tips of the model legume Medicago truncatula using previously generated nuclear, total polyA, ribosome‐associated polyA, and Riboseq RNA datasets, which might shed light on their localization and potential regulatory roles. RNA‐seq data were mapped to the version 5 of the M. truncatula A17 genome and analyzed to identify genome annotated lncRNAs and putative new root tip (NRT) lncRNAs. lncRNAs were classified according to their genomic location relative to chromatin accessible regions, protein‐coding genes and transposable elements (TE), finding differences between annotated lncRNAs and NRT lncRNAs, both in their genomic position as well as in the type of TEs in their vicinity. We investigated their response to submergence and found a set of regulated lncRNAs that were preferentially upregulated in the nucleus, some of which were located nearby genes of the conserved submergence upregulated gene families, and chromatin accessible regions suggesting a potential regulatory role. Finally, the accumulation of lncRNAs under submergence was validated by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction on nuclear RNA, providing additional evidence of their localization, which could ultimately be required for their function.
Associations between multimorbidity and frailty transitions among older Americans
Authors: Luo Yan , Chen Yuming , Wang Kaipeng , De Fries Carson M. , Huang Ziting , Xu Huiwen , Yang Zhou , Hu Yonghua , Xu Beibei
Published: February 2023

Background

The associations of multimorbidity patterns with transitions between frailty states remain unclear in older individuals.

Methods

We used data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study 2011–2019. Frailty was measured annually using the Fried frailty phenotype. Multimorbidity patterns at baseline were identified using latent class analysis based on 14 chronic conditions. We used the semi‐Markov multi‐state model to investigate the influences of multimorbidity characterized by condition counts and patterns on subsequent frailty transitions over follow‐ups.

Results

Among 9450 participants aged ≥65 years at baseline, 34.8% were non‐frail, 48.1% were pre‐frail and 17.0% were frail. Over a median follow‐up of 4.0 years, 16 880 frailty transitions were observed, with 10 527 worsening and 6353 improving. For 7675 participants with multimorbidity, four multimorbidity patterns were identified: osteoarticular pattern (62.4%), neuropsychiatric–sensory pattern (17.2%), cardiometabolic pattern (10.3%) and complex multimorbidity pattern (10.1%). Compared with no disease, multimorbidity was significantly associated with an increased risk of worsening transitions, including from non‐frail to pre‐frail (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.21–1.52), from non‐frail to frail (HR = 1.68; 95% CI = 1.04–2.73), from pre‐frail to frail (HR = 2.19; 95% CI = 1.66–2.90) and from pre‐frail to death (HR = 1.64; 95% CI = 1.11–2.41). Compared with the osteoarticular pattern, neuropsychiatric–sensory, cardiometabolic and complex multimorbidity patterns had a significantly higher risk of worsening frailty (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Multimorbidity was associated with dynamic transitions between frailty states and death among older American adults, and the associations varied across multimorbidity patterns. The findings could offer significant implications for public health policymakers in planning interventions and healthcare resources. They also might inform clinicians regarding providing targeted clinical treatment and health management based on multimorbidity patterns of older people.
The inflammatory burden index is a superior systemic inflammation biomarker for the prognosis of non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Xie Hailun , Ruan Guotian , Wei Lishuang , Deng Li , Zhang Qi , Ge Yizhong , Song Mengmeng , Zhang Xi , Lin Shiqi , Liu Xiaoyue , Yang Ming , Song Chunhua , Zhang Xiaowei , Shi Hanping
Published: February 2023

Background

Systemic inflammation, the most representative tumour–host interaction, plays a crucial role in disease progression and prognosis in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Few studies have compared the performance of existing haematological systemic inflammation biomarkers in predicting the prognosis of NSCLC patients. The purpose of this study was to compare the prognostic value of existing systemic inflammation biomarkers and determine the optimal systemic inflammation biomarker in patients with NSCLC through a multicentre prospective study.

Methods

The predictive accuracy of systemic inflammation biomarkers for prognostic assessment in NSCLC was assessed using C‐statistics. Inter‐group differences in survival were assessed using the log‐rank test and visualized using the Kaplan–Meier method. A restricted cubic spline (RCS) curve was used to explore the association between the biomarkers and survival. Independent prognostic biomarkers for overall survival were determined using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent predictors of 90‐day outcomes, length of hospitalization, hospitalization expenses and cachexia.

Results

The inflammatory burden index (IBI) had the highest C‐statistic for predicting the prognosis of patients with NSCLC, reaching 0.640 (0.617, 0.663). Patients with a high IBI had significantly worse outcomes than those with a low IBI (35.46% vs. 57.22%; log‐rank P < 0.001). The IBI was also able to differentiate the prognosis of patients with NSCLC with the same pathological stage. The RCS curve showed an inverted L‐shaped dose–response relationship between the IBI and survival of patients with NSCLC. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that a high IBI was an independent risk factor for death of patients with NSCLC (hazard ratio = 1.229, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.131–1.335, P < 0.001). A high IBI was an independent predictor of 90‐day outcomes (odds ratio [OR] = 1.789, 95% CI: 1.489–2.151, P < 0.001), prolonged hospital stays (OR = 1.560, 95% CI: 1.256–1.938, P < 0.001), high hospitalization expenses (OR = 1.476, 95% CI: 1.195–1.822, P < 0.001) and cachexia (OR = 1.741, 95%CI = 1.374–2.207, P < 0.001) in patients with NSCLC.

Conclusions

The IBI was independently associated with overall survival, 90‐day outcomes, length of hospitalization, hospitalization expenses and cachexia in NSCLC patients. As an optimal systemic inflammation biomarker, the IBI has broad clinical application prospects in predicting the prognosis of patients with NSCLC.
An efficient isolation and purification of broad partition coefficient range ginsenosides from roots of Panax quinquefolium L. by linear gradient counter‐current chromatography coupled with preparative high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Cui Li , Xu Li , Yu Hongxia , Feng Qixiang , Yan Huijiao , Aziz Shahid , Chen Qixu , Ren Jibo , Gao Xingmin , Wang Daijie
Published: February 2023

As a famous health food, roots of Panax quinquefolium L. possessed immune regulation and enhancement of the central nervous system, in which ginsenosides are the main active component with different numbers and positions of sugars, causing different chemical polarities with a challenge for the separation and isolation. In this study, a fast and effective bilinear gradient counter‐current chromatography was proposed for preparative isolation ginsenosides with a broad partition coefficient range from roots of Panax quinquefolium L. In terms of the established method, the mobile phases comprising n‐butanol and ethyl acetate were achieved by adjusting the proportion. Coupled with the preparative HPLC, eleven main ginsenosides were successfully separated, including ginsenoside Rg1 (1), Re (2), acetyl ginsenoside Rg1 (3), Rb1 (4), Rc (5), Rg2 (6), Rb3 (7), quinquefolium R1 (8), Rd (9), gypenoside X VII (10) and notoginsenoside Fd (11), with purities exceeding 95% according to the HPLC results. Tandem mass spectrometry and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry were adopted for recognizing the isolated compound architectures. Our study suggests that linear gradient counter‐current chromatography effectively separates the broad partition coefficient range of ginsenosides compounds from the roots of Panax quinquefolium L. In addition, it can apply to active compound isolation from other complicated natural products.
Cerebral Blood Flow Alterations in Sepsis‐Associated Encephalopathy
Authors: Zheng Yijun , Shen Meihua , Xuan Lizhen , Pan Simeng , Chen Song , Zhong Ming , Zhu Biao
Published: February 2023

Background

The timely recognition of sepsis‐associated encephalopathy (SAE) remains a challenge. This study aimed to observe the CBF changes via TCD during sepsis and explore their possible predictive value in SAE.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, septic patients were enrolled and classified according to the diagnosis of SAE into two groups: SAE group and non‐SAE group. Then SAE patients were further divided into subgroup A (the type with agitation) and subgroup B (the type with depressed consciousness) based on their clinical manifestations. The clinical profiles and TCD parameters within 24 hours of onset were compared between groups and subgroups.

Results

Exactly 198 septic patients were enrolled including 65 patients in SAE group (36 male/29 female with a median age of 70) and 133 patients in non‐SAE group (75 male/58 female with a median age of 67). Significant elevated peak‐systolic velocity (VS; 107 [69–138] cm/s vs 85 [69–101] cm/s, P = .002) of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) and pulsatility index (PI; left: 0.99 [0.81–1.34] vs 0.89 [0.76–1.00], P < .001; right: 0.99 [0.77–1.21] vs 0.88 [0.78–1.03], P = .007) of bilateral MCAs were found in SAE group compared with non‐SAE group. In subgroup analysis, subgroup A (the type with agitation) showed significantly increased VS/VM/VD and lower PI/RI of bilateral MCAs compared with subgroup B (the type with depressed consciousness). The cerebral blood flow volume of subgroup A were obviously higher than subgroup B [858.7 (729.1,876.9) mL/s vs 380.9 (373.3,447.4) mL/s, P < .001].

Conclusions

This study confirmed the abnormal CBF among SAE and found different types of CBF alterations were related to different clinical features. VS and PI might help clinicians to early identify different types of SAE.
Climate and topography rather than tree species affect mite communities (Mesostigmata) in severe conditions—Studies from sandstone rocky islands of the Szczeliniec Wielki Plateau (Poland)
Authors: Kamczyc Jacek , Pers‐Kamczyc Emilia , Skorupski Maciej , Urbanowski Cezary K. , Malica Jacek , Jagodziński Andrzej M.
Published: February 2023

Relationships between certain plant species and soil fauna assemblages in severe climatic conditions require scientific attention due to reported climatic changes. We investigated density, diversity, and community structure of soil mites (Mesostigmata) in tree biogroups of Betula pendula, Picea abies, and Pinus sylvestris with microhabitats represented by Calluna vulgaris, Dicranum scoparium, Vaccinium myrtillus, and Vaccinium vitis‐idaea plant patches and accumulated litter in humid and cold rock crevices a few meters deep. We analyzed the effects of climatic (light availability, precipitation, temperature) and environmental (litter pH, organic matter thickness, microhabitat type) conditions on mite communities based on 1080 samples collected during two vegetation periods (2004–2005). Results revealed that litter pH was shaped by microhabitat type (plant patches and rock crevices) whereas organic matter thickness depended on tree species and microhabitat type. Also, light availability differed between tree biogroups and microhabitats. This study documented that Mesostigmata abundance was shaped by maximum daily temperature while species richness was also affected by total monthly precipitation, tree species (P. sylvestris) and microhabitat (rock crevices). Results revealed that mite density ranged from 3001 ± 213 ind./m2 in the P. abies biogroup to 3310 ± 350 ind./m2 in P. sylvestris. On the microhabitat level, mite density ranged from 2571 ± 170 ind./m2 in V. myrtillus patches to 4137 ± 463 ind./m2 in rock crevices. Total number of recorded species was highest in rock crevices (41 species), and lowest in C. vulgaris (19). In conclusion, results indicated that climatic conditions modulate mite communities on an isolated rocky island. This study documented that maximum daily temperature during the vegetation period affected Mesostigmata abundance, whereas species richness and diversity were also shaped by total monthly precipitation and tree species (P. sylvestris). In addition, the community was also affected by litter acidity, organic matter and tree species.
Assembly processes, driving factors, and shifts in soil microbial communities across secondary forest succession
Authors: Yan Guoyong , Luo Xi , Huang Binbin , Wang Honglin , Sun Xingyu , Gao Honglin , Zhou Mingxin , Xing Yajuan , Wang Qinggui
Published: February 2023

Secondary forest succession after clear‐cutting is one of the foremost ecosystem restoration strategies, while soil microbes play essential roles in the processes by modulating nutrient cycling. However, the assembly processes and driving factors of soil microbial communities across secondary forest succession remain unclear. Here, we studied the assembly processes of soil microbial communities and examined shifts in soil microbial community‐associated functional dynamics across secondary forest succession. Our results showed that the stochastic process was more important in shaping bacterial community assembly throughout the successional process [modified stochasticity ratio (MST) > 50%], while the fungal community assembly was initially governed by deterministic processes (MST < 50%), but there was a progressive increase in stochastic selection as succession proceeded. Soil organic carbon and pH were principal factors for the explanation of changes in the bacterial community structure (total explained 43% change), and tree richness and productivity were principal factors for the explanation of shifts in the fungal community structure (total explained 17% change). The relative abundance of nitrogen transformation and saprotroph functional groups increased gradually with succession, whereas ectomycorrhizal fungi significantly declined. The results suggested that microbial community succession might accelerate the soil carbon and nitrogen turnover rates. Used together, the mechanisms shaping fungal and bacterial community structure are different in secondary forest succession and highlight that those fungi and bacteria are primarily controlled by plant traits and soil properties, respectively. Variations in microbial functional groups provide new insight into the mechanisms underlying the soil microbe‐driven soil nutrient cycles during secondary forest succession.
Comparison of Ethylene Copolymerization with Norbornene and 5‐Norbornene‐2‐methanol by Using Ph2C(Cp)(Flu)ZrCl2/MAO
Authors: Wang Wei , Qu Shuzhang , Li Xinwei , Chen Jian
Published: February 2023

Both cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) and functionalized polyolefins are high‐performance polyolefin materials with different outstanding properties. The introduction of functional groups into COC has the potential to yield materials that combine the advantages of both. In this work, ethylene copolymers with norbornene (NBE) or 5‐norbornene‐2‐methanol (NBMO) are synthesized by using a metallocene catalyst. The activity and the molecular weight of copolymer of the former is much higher than that of the latter. A joint deactivation‐chain transfer mechanism is proposed to interpret these observations. Chain transfer is further discussed. Through regression analysis, it is considered that the chain transfer mode of the two comonomers is the same. Three methods for the calculation of NBMO incorporation are proposed and compared, and a more suitable method is obtained, on the basis of the resonance assignment. The comparison of the copolymerization of ethylene with NBE and NBMO may indicate that NBMO has a higher coordination probability but a slower insertion rate compared to NBE.
‘It's just not the same… I am just a spectator’: A qualitative study on changes in leisure participation experienced by people with scleroderma
Authors: Poole Janet L. , Greaves Jessica , Mendelson Cyd
Published: February 2023

Background/Objective

The purpose of this qualitative study was to provide insight into the changes and barriers to leisure experienced by people with scleroderma.

Method

Twenty‐five people with scleroderma consented to be interviewed via telephone using a semi‐structured interview. The conversations were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thorne's Interpretive Description informed the analysis process.

Results

Three themes emerged from the analysis: barriers to leisure participation (impact of Raynaud's Phenomenon symptoms, fatigue, changes in body structures and functions, unpredictability of daily symptoms and selection of leisure activities), decreases in leisure participation (less time outdoors, reduction in time spent in active leisure, more time spent in passive leisure) and experiences of losing a valued leisure activity (depressed mood, identity change, fear of loss and sense of isolation).

Conclusions

The changes in leisure participation found in this study were reported to be due to the rate of disease progression and the severity of disease symptoms, particularly, Raynaud symptoms and fatigue. Health professionals should work with people with SSc to facilitate participation in valued leisure activities.
Clinical study of complications of a peripherally inserted central catheter in cancer patients
Authors: Bonfim André Luis Victor , de Brito Germana Alves , Baptista Aline Lourenço , Andrade Luis André Silvestre , Imanishe Marina Harume , Pereira Benedito Jorge
Published: February 2023

Aim

To evaluate complications after PICC use in cancer patients.

Design

This was a clinical and retrospective study in which the risk factors and complications of PICC use were evaluated.

Methods

This study was carried out in the patient, emergency room, and intensive care units through the evaluation of electronic medical records. To assess the association between qualitative variables, the chi‐squared test or Fisher's exact test was used, and to compare the reason for withdrawal, the Kruskal–Wallis test was applied.

Results

A total of 359 patients (53.5% men) with 43.1 ± 14 years who had a PICC (88% with solid tumours) were evaluated. The most common complications were mechanical complications (61.2%), infection (38%), and thrombosis (57.1%). Patients with double‐lumen catheters experienced thrombosis (85.7%). This study demonstrated the effectiveness of PICC and that patients with haematological cancer are more prone to multiple PICC passages and more mechanical complications and infections.
Emerging 3D printed thermal insulating materials for sustainable approach: A review and a way forward
Authors: Dhangar Manish , Chaturvedi Kamna , Mili Medha , Patel Shiv Singh , Khan Mohammed Akram , Bhargaw Hari Narayan , Srivastava Avanish Kumar , Verma Sarika
Published: February 2023

Thermal insulating materials are such materials that do not allow the movement of heat through themselves. The material must have lower thermal conductivity to work efficiently as an insulator. Conventionally glass wool, calcium silicates, concrete, and processed wood particle boards are well‐known thermal insulators used for construction purposes. The thermal conductivity of glass wool is near about ~0.02–0.04 W/mK, and calcium silicates are also around ~0.08 W/mK. In contrast to these fabrication techniques, 3D printing or additive manufacturing has emerged as the most in‐demand fabrication method. The scope of versatility in shapes, design, dimension, and finish that 3D printing yields are enormous, and their performance is significantly comparable and, in some cases, better than conventionally prepared materials. 3D printing includes various methods such as FDM, SLA, SLS, DIW, and so on. Recent literature has shown the fabrication of thermally insulating material using raw materials like silk fiber, fly ash, cement, polymer composite, metal oxides, and so on, through additive manufacturing. These materials have very low thermal conductivity, as low as 0.03–0.08 W/mK for SLA and DIW printed silivoxel, cellulose nanocrystals composites having 0.08–0.09 W/mK and 0.04 for PU and cork composites. The low thermal conductivity values indicate their possible and efficient application as thermal insulators.
3D surface–subsurface modeling of a bromide tracer test in a macroporous tile‐drained field: Improvements and limitations
Authors: Boico Vinicius F. , Therrien René , Fleckenstein Jan H. , Nogueira Guilherme , Iversen Bo V. , Petersen Rasmus J.
Published: February 2023

The assessment and forecasting of nutrient loss by tile drains in agricultural areas often rely on physically based models that have adequate representations of macropores and tile drains. Macroporosity has been adequately represented in hydrological models using a dual continuum approach. However, its implementation in hydrological and solute transport models is limited to plot‐scale or to one‐ and two‐dimensional models due to the large number of parameters that are rarely available and the long computational times. The purpose of this study is to simulate a tracer test using a 3D coupled surface–subsurface model to improve the representation of the tracer concentration at the drainage discharge. A three‐dimensional HydroGeoSphere model was developed and calibrated to simulate tile drainage discharge, Br mass discharge, and hydraulic heads from a Br tracer test in a densely tile‐drained field. The conductivity of the drain was one of the most important parameters for drain discharge and solute transport simulations. The model accurately simulated drainage discharge and Br transport to tile drains. However, most of the Br peaks and the late‐time Br mass in the drain outflow were underestimated. Our simulation results indicate that explicitly representing tile drains with seepage nodes allows for a physically based, yet computationally efficient representation of Br transport behavior surrounding tile drains at field scale. However, we cannot confirm that the single‐porosity model with immobile zone is suitable for simulating the Br peaks at the drain outlet and the late‐time Br mass. Improvements to the model include the implementation of heterogeneous soil layers and the inclusion of more measured data to reduce uncertainty during calibration.
Sustainable economic development and geopolitics: The role of energy trilemma policies
Authors: Shirazi Masoud , Fuinhas José Alberto , Silva Nuno
Published: February 2023

This study reveals and supports the existence of a three‐way connection between sustainable economic development (SED), geopolitical risks (GPRI), and the energy trilemma (ET). The impacts of ET on SED, and GPRI were analyzed using a regime‐switching vector autoregressive model. Results reveal mostly a positive impact of ET on SED. Consequently, decision‐makers should design policies that promote ET to enhance economic growth and sustainability. However, decision‐makers should acknowledge that uncertainty regarding the impact of these policies on SED and the time lag until their effects are felt in economies varies widely across regimes. Geopolitical risk reveals a slightly positive short‐term reaction to ET under the slightly downward regime and a durable cyclical pattern in the sharply upward one. The cyclical impact of energy equity and security on GPRI is positive, while environmental sustainability reduces geopolitical risk. This fluctuating pattern of the response of GPRI to ET policies is compatible with prior research that shows these policies may either foster or mitigate geopolitical risk. Detailed knowledge of the differing impacts of ET‐related policies on geopolitical risk is fundamental for decision‐makers if they want the counteract some of their adverse effects and enhance geopolitical stability.
Editorial: Machine learning, software process, and global software engineering
Authors: Steinmacher Igor , Clarke Paul , Tuzun Eray , Britto Ricardo
Published: February 2023

On June 26–28, 2020, the International Conference on Software and Systems Processes (ICSSP 2020) and the International Conference on Global Software Engineering (ICGSE 2020) were held in virtual settings during the first year of the COVID pandemic. Several submissions to the joint event have been selected for inclusion in this special issue, focusing on impactful and timely contributions to machine learning (ML). At present, many in our field are enthusiastic about the potential of ML, yet some risks should not be casually overlooked or summarily dismissed. Each ML implementation is subtly different from any other implementation, and the risk profile varies greatly based on the approach adopted and the implementation context. The ICSSP/ICGSE 2020 Program Committees have encouraged submissions that explore the risks and benefits associated with ML so that the important discussion regarding ML efficacy and advocacy can be further elaborated. Four contributions have been included in this special issue.
On estimating the selected treatment mean under a two‐stage adaptive design
Authors: Masihuddin  , Misra Neeraj
Published: February 2023

Adaptive designs are commonly used in clinical and drug development studies for optimum utilization of available resources. In this article, we consider the problem of estimating the effect of the selected (better) treatment using a two‐stage adaptive design. Consider two treatments with their effectiveness characterized by two normal distributions having different unknown means and a common unknown variance. The treatment associated with the larger mean effect is labeled as the better treatment. In the first stage of the design, each of the two treatments is independently administered to different sets of subjects, and the treatment with the larger sample mean is chosen as the better treatment. In the second stage, the selected treatment is further administered to additional subjects. In this article, we deal with the problem of estimating the mean of the selected treatment using the above adaptive design. We derive the uniformly minimum variance conditionally unbiased estimator (UMVCUE) of the mean effect of the selected treatment when multiple observations are available in the second stage. We show that the maximum likelihood estimator (a weighted sample average based on the first and the second stage data) is minimax and admissible for estimating the mean effect of the selected treatment. We also propose some plug‐in estimators obtained by plugging in the pooled sample variance in place of the common variance , in some of the existing estimators where is known. The performances of various estimators of the mean effect of the selected treatment are compared via a simulation study. For the illustration purpose, we also provide a real‐data application.
Multispecies assemblages and multiple stressors: Synthesizing the state of experimental research in freshwaters
Authors: He Fengzhi , Arora Roshni , Mansour India
Published: February 2023

Recent decades have witnessed a sharp biodiversity decline in freshwaters due to multiple stressors. The presence of multiple stressors is expected to affect community structure and interactions in freshwater ecosystems, with subsequent functional consequences. We synthesized the state of experimental, manipulative multiple‐stressor studies that focused on multispecies assemblages in freshwaters. Compared to rivers and lakes, wetland and groundwater ecosystems have received much less attention in identified multiple‐stressor research. Most of the identified studies investigated combinations of abiotic stressors (e.g., nutrients, pesticides, heavy metals, warming, altered flow and sedimentation) on microbes and invertebrates while biotic stressors and vertebrates have been largely overlooked. The responses of community structure (e.g., alpha diversity, biomass, and abundance), some community/ecosystem functions (e.g., photosynthesis and autotrophic activity, leaf litter degradation), and morphological traits like body size and growth forms were frequently investigated. We observed a clear gap in biotic interactions under multiple‐stressor conditions, which, although difficult to study, could impede a deeper mechanistic understanding of how multiple stressors affect freshwater assemblages and associated ecological processes. Although information on ecosystem recovery pathways following restoration is critical for freshwater management, few studies were designed to provide such information, signifying the disconnections between multiple‐stressor research and environmental practice. To bridge these gaps, researchers and environmental practitioners need to work together to identify key stressors and interactions at different spatial and temporal scales and prioritize stressor management. Such collaborations will enhance the translation of multiple‐stressor research into efficient management strategies to protect and restore freshwater ecosystems.

This article is categorized under:

Water and Life > Stresses and Pressures on Ecosystems

Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness
Profiling Chromatin Accessibility on Replicated DNA with repli-ATAC-Seq
Authors: Stewart-Morgan Kathleen R. , Groth Anja
Published: February 2023

Open or accessible chromatin typifies euchromatic regions and helps define cell type-specific transcription programs. DNA replication massively disorders chromatin composition and structure, and how accessible regions are affected by and recover from this disruption has been unclear. Here, we present repli-ATAC-seq, a protocol to profile accessible chromatin genome-wide on replicated DNA starting from 100,000 cells. In this method, replicated DNA is labeled with a short 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) pulse in cultured cells and isolated from a population of tagmented fragments for amplification and next-generation sequencing. Repli-ATAC-seq provides high-resolution information on chromatin dynamics after DNA replication and reveals new insights into the interplay between DNA replication, transcription, and the chromatin landscape.
Creating “Creole” Cuisine in Latin America: Home Cooks Reinvent Batánes
Authors: Hård Mikael
Published: February 2023

Analyzing recipes and cooking technologies from Latin America, Chap. 6 illustrates the creative tension between culinary tradition and innovation. Throughout the postcolonial era, makers of Latin American cuisine exhibited remarkable flexibility, adopting elements of cuisines from the other sides of the Atlantic and the Pacific―without giving up the use of indigenous ingredients and familiar cooking techniques. Home cooks adopted gas stoves and refrigerators—and they strove to serve their families nutritious meals. Despite these modernizing trends, however, pre-Hispanic cooking tools like the batán (hand mill), and indigenous ingredients like corn, retained their prominence. The making of so-called cocina criolla entailed fidelity to the old as well as openness to the new; both kinds of manual techniques and material technologies have, for more than a century, existed side by side.