bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving primary care antimicrobial stewardship by implementing a peer audit and feedback intervention in Cape Town community healthcare centres
Authors: De Vries E , Johanson Y , Willems B , Bedeker W , Ras T , Coetzee R , Tembo Y , Brink A
Published: October 2022

Background. The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance is a major threat to public health. Primary care, where 80% of antibiotics are consumed, is a pivotal setting to direct antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) efforts. However, the ideal model to improve antibiotic prescribing in primary care in low-resource settings is not known.Objective. To implement a multidisciplinary audit and feedback AMS intervention with the aim to improve appropriate antibioticprescribing at primary care level.Methods. The intervention was implemented and monitored in 10 primary care centres of the Cape Town metropole between July 2017and June 2019. The primary and secondary outcome measures were monthly adherence to a bundle of antibiotic quality process measures and monthly antibiotic consumption, respectively. Multidisciplinary audit and feedback meetings were initiated and integrated into facility clinical meetings. Two Excel tools were utilised to automatically calculate facility audit scores and consumption. Once a month, 10 antibiotic prescriptions were randomly selected for a peer review audit by the team. The prescriptions were audited for adherence to a bundle of seven antibiotic process measures using the standard treatment guidelines (STG) and Essential Medicines List (EML) as standard. Concurrently, primary care pharmacists monitored monthly antibiotic consumption by calculating defined daily doses (DDDs) per 100 prescriptions dispensed. Adherence and consumption feedback were regularly provided to the facilities. Learning collaboratives involving representative multidisciplinary teams were held twice-yearly. Pre-, baseline and post-intervention periods were defined as 6 months before, first 6 months and last 6 months of the study, respectively.Results. The mean overall adherence increased from 19% (baseline) to 47% (post intervention) (p<0.001). Of the 2 077 prescriptionsanalysed, 33.7% had an antibiotic prescribed inappropriately. No diagnosis had been captured in patient notes, and the antibiotic chosen was not according to the STG and EML in 30.1% and 31.7% of cases, respectively. Seasonal variation was observed in prescribing adherence, with significantly lower adherence in winter and spring months (adjusted odds ratio 0.60). A reduction of 12.9 DDDs between the pre- and post-intervention periods (p=0.0084) was documented, which represented a 19.3% decrease in antibiotic consumption.Conclusion. The study demonstrated that peer reviewed audit and feedback is an effective AMS intervention to improve antibioticprescribing in primary care in a low-resource setting. The intervention, utilising existing resources and involving multidisciplinaryengagement, may be incorporated into existing quality improvement processes at facility level, to ensure sustainable change.
Medicine and the Law
Authors: Stewart C J M , Peer S , Numanoglu A , Fieggen K , Van Dyk D , Bester K
Published: October 2022

Congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS) is a rare condition that can be diagnosed antenatally by ultrasound. It is usually lethal without immediate intervention at delivery. A 24-year-old woman was diagnosed with fetal CHAOS at 27 weeks’ gestation. The couple declined termination of pregnancy. A multidisciplinary team including obstetricians, geneticists, paediatric surgeons, neonatologists and anaesthetists was constituted to plan an ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure. After several simulations, a caesarean section was performed at 38 weeks’ gestation under deep inhalational anaesthesia. The fetus was fully delivered with placenta remaining in utero to maintain perfusion. A surgical airway was established via tracheostomy in approximately 5 minutes. The operation was then completed with no maternal complications. The child remains well at 3 years of age. To our knowledge, this is the first EXIT procedure performed for CHAOS in the public sector. This procedure can be lifesaving and is possible with proper planning.
Els verbs de percepció visual en català: classificació semàntica i distribució en gèneres escrits
Authors: Ferrerós Pagès Carla
Published: October 2022

Aquest treball se centra en l’estudi dels significats vehiculats per dos verbs de percepció visual en català central (veure i mirar) des del marc teòric de la semàntica cognitiva amb un objectiu doble: (i) analitzar-los i descriure’ls per establir-ne les projeccions semàntiques metafòriques i metonímiques; i (ii) determinar la distribució intralingüística dels significats no prototípics d’aquests verbs. S’han analitzat exemples extrets de diccionaris (majoritàriament, DIEC2) i 1.750 formes obtingudes a partir del buidatge de textos de narrativa literària i premsa del Corpus textual informatitzat de la llengua catalana (CTILC). Mitjançant l’anàlisi d’aquests exemples i del context en què apareixen s’estableixen les fronteres entre significats, literals i figurats, i es mostra que la freqüència d’ús de cada verb és diferent: hi ha sentits figurats més prominents que d’altres, tant des d’un punt de vista general com tenint en compte el tipus de textos analitzats. Els resultats obtinguts en aquest treball serveixen per engruixir el corpus de dades sobre verbs de percepció en diferents llengües pel que fa a la presència, l’ús i la distribució de certs significats.
Introducció al monogràfic «El rol de l’ensenyament gramatical en l’aprenentatge de llengües: pràctiques reflexives, tasques comunicatives i material d’intervenció»
Authors: Fontich Xavier , García Folgado María-José , Rodríguez Gonzalo Carmen
Published: October 2022

Introducció al monogràfic «El rol de l’ensenyament gramatical en l’aprenentatge de llengües: pràctiques reflexives, tasques comunicatives i material d’intervenció», coordinat per Xavier Fontich, María-José García Folgado i Carmen Rodríguez Gonzalo.
Autobiographical texts written by learners of Catalan as an Additional Language: From formative needs to reflection in the teaching of narrative genres
Authors: Bach Carme
Published: October 2022

In this article we analyse autobiographical narrative texts written by university students studying Catalan as an Additional Language at a CEFR (2020) B1 level. The goal is to analyse the formative needs related to the writing of this genre in order to foster metadiscursive reflection in the classroom that will allow students to improve their written output. To this end, we analyzed a corpus of 39 autobiographies at both the macrotextual level (i.e., rhetorical moves) and the microtextual level (i.e., deictic elements which channel the narrative’s organization). Our results show that the problems that these texts present for students are related to awareness of the elements that define the genre (i.e., the sociocultural dimension) as well as the text’s narrative-temporal anchoring and the narrator’s deictic positioning (i.e., the pragmatic and textual dimensions). Thus, we propose a kind of competence-oriented teaching of genres in which the discursive and grammatical features that have a bearing on a text’s discursive coherence and cohesion are integrated at the same level.
Lluís Meseguer, Juan Luis Porcar, Adolf Piquer & Javier Vellón (eds.), «Cultura i exili. Estudis d’Història i Literatura. 1939-2019», Castelló de la Plana, Publicacions de la Universitat Jaume I, 2021, 597 p.
Authors: Iruela López J. Miquel
Published: October 2022

Ressenya sobre el llibre de Lluís Meseguer, Juan Luis Porcar, Adolf Piquer & Javier Vellón (eds.), Cultura i exili. Estudis d’Història i Literatura. 1939-2019, Castelló de la Plana, Publicacions de la Universitat Jaume I, 2021, 597 p., ISBN 978-84-18432-58-3.
El publicitario híbrido
Authors:   Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Martín-Guart Ramon
Published: October 2022

La generalización de la tecnología, junto con el empoderamiento del consumidor, ha traído grandes cambios en el entorno de la comunicación y, con ello, una profunda transformación de la industria publicitaria, que requiere de nuevos perfiles profesionales con competencias y habilidades que eran inéditas hace unos años. Estos factores están influyendo indiscutiblemente en el modelo publicitario tradicional y, en consecuencia, sobre sus estructuras organizativas y sus procesos de trabajo.
A Functional Data Approach to Outlier Detection and Imputation for Traffic Density Data on Urban Arterial Roads
Authors: Tang Bing , Hu Yao , Chen Huan
Published: October 2022

In traffic monitoring data analysis, the magnitude of traffic density plays an important role in determining the level of traffic congestion. This study proposes a data imputation method for spatio-functional principal component analysis (s-FPCA) and unifies anomaly curve detection, outlier confirmation and imputation of traffic density at target intersections. Firstly, the detection of anomalous curves is performed based on the binary principal component scores obtained from the functional data analysis, followed by the determination of the presence of outliers through threshold method. Secondly, an improved method for missing traffic data estimation based on upstream and downstream is proposed. Finally, a numerical study of the actual traffic density data is carried out, and the accuracy of s-FPCA for imputation is improved by 8.28%, 8.91% and 7.48%, respectively, when comparing to functional principal component analysis (FPCA) with daily traffic density data missing rates of 5%, 10% and 20%, proving the superiority of the method. This method can also be applied to the detection of outliers in traffic flow, imputation and other longitudinal data analysis with periodic fluctuations.
The Influence of COVID-19 on Particulate Matter Concentrations in a Medium-Sized Town
Authors: Jesenko David , Mongus Domen , Lešnik Uroš
Published: October 2022

The pandemic caused by the coronavirus COVID-19 is having a worldwide impact that affects health, economy and air pollution in cities indirectly. In Slovenia, as well as in all other countries, the number of cases of infected people increased continually in 2020, which affected the health system and caused movement restrictions, which, in turn, affected the air pollution in the country. This article presents the indirect effect produced by this pandemic on air pollution in Maribor, Slovenia. Traffic and air quality data were used to perform the evaluation, in particular PM10 and PM2.5 daily concentrations from the monitoring station in Maribor. By observing the detailed traffic data and particulate matter concentrations acquired in the Maribor city centre before and during the pandemic times, we show the influence of COVID-19 on particulate matter concentrations in that part of the town. The results show slightly lower particulate matter concentrations, which could be explained by the significantly lower traffic volume values in the lockdown months.
How the Volume of Traffic Affected Air Quality During the Extreme Event of COVID-19 Lockdown in a Small City
Authors: Trček Branka , Kamnik Rok
Published: October 2022

The extreme traffic measures during the COVID-19 lockdown provided a unique opportunity to gain better insight into the relationship between traffic characteristics and NO2 concentrations in Maribor, a small Slovenian city. NO2, traffic and meteorological data were statistically processed in detail for March and April 2018, 2019 and 2020 to get a historical insight and to exclude the specifics of the lockdown period. The extreme event resulted in an average reduction of road traffic of 42%. The decrease in the number of passenger cars ranged from 33.9 to 60.3% per day with the largest decrease on the motorway. Daily averages of heavy goods traffic declined on the motorway and the expressway by 24.6% and 7%, respectively. Traffic characteristics were reflected in a 24–27% decrease in NO2 concentrations at the urban station. The change is smaller than the change in traffic volume, which could be explained by the change in the composition of the vehicle fleet due to the increase in NO2-dominant traffic sources, e.g. diesel heavy goods vehicles. The presented results are relevant for improving air quality and sustainable mobility management in small cities. They highlight the important role of reorganisation of heavy goods traffic in urban logistics.
Nudging
Authors: Viale Riccardo
Published: October 2022

How “nudges” by government can empower citizens without manipulating their preferences or exploiting their biases.

We're all familiar with the idea of “nudging”—using behavioral mechanisms to encourage people to make certain choices—popularized by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein in their bestselling 2008 book Nudge. This approach, also known as “libertarian paternalism,” goes beyond typical programs that simply provide information and incentives; nudges can range from automatic enrollment in a pension plan to flu-shot scheduling. In Nudging, Riccardo Viale explores the evolution of nudging and proposes new approaches that would empower citizens without manipulating them paternalistically. He shows that we can use the tools of the behavioral sciences without abandoning the principle of conscious decision-making.

Viale discusses the work of Herbert Simon, Gerd Gigerenzer, Daniel Kahneman, and Amos Tversky that laid the foundation of behavioral economics, describes how policy makers have sought to help people avoid bad decisions, offers examples of effective nudging, and considers how to nudge the nudgers. How can we tell good nudges from bad nudges? Viale explains that good nudges help us avoid bias and encourage deliberate decision making; bad nudges, on the other hand, use bias to nudge people unconsciously into unintentional behaviors. Bad nudges attempt to compel decisions based on economic rationality. Good nudges encourage decisions based on a pragmatic, adaptive, ecological kind of rationality. Policy makers should take note.
Single-cell transcriptomics reveals functionally specialized vascular endothelium in brain
Authors: Jeong Hyun-Woo , Diéguez-Hurtado Rodrigo , Arf Hendrik , Song Jian , Park Hongryeol , Kruse Kai , Sorokin Lydia , Adams Ralf H
Published: October 2022

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) limits the entry of leukocytes and potentially harmful substances from the circulation into the central nervous system (CNS). While BBB defects are a hallmark of many neurological disorders, the cellular heterogeneity at the neurovascular interface, and the mechanisms governing neuroinflammation are not fully understood.

Through single-cell RNA sequencing of non-neuronal cell populations of the murine cerebral cortex during development, adulthood, ageing, and neuroinflammation, we identify reactive endothelial venules, a compartment of specialized postcapillary endothelial cells that are characterized by consistent expression of cell adhesion molecules, preferential leukocyte transmigration, association with perivascular macrophage populations, and endothelial activation initiating CNS immune responses. Our results provide novel insights into the heterogeneity of the cerebral vasculature and a useful resource for the molecular alterations associated with neuroinflammation and ageing.
Contextual effects in sensorimotor adaptation adhere to associative learning rules
Authors: Avraham Guy , Taylor Jordan A , Breska Assaf , Ivry Richard B , McDougle Samuel D
Published: October 2022

Traditional associative learning tasks focus on the formation of associations between salient events and arbitrary stimuli that predict those events. This is exemplified in cerebellar-dependent delay eyeblink conditioning, where arbitrary cues such as a tone or light act as conditioned stimuli (CSs) that predict aversive sensations at the cornea (unconditioned stimulus [US]). Here, we ask if a similar framework could be applied to another type of cerebellar-dependent sensorimotor learning – sensorimotor adaptation. Models of sensorimotor adaptation posit that the introduction of an environmental perturbation results in an error signal that is used to update an internal model of a sensorimotor map for motor planning. Here, we take a step toward an integrative account of these two forms of cerebellar-dependent learning, examining the relevance of core concepts from associative learning for sensorimotor adaptation. Using a visuomotor adaptation reaching task, we paired movement-related feedback (US) with neutral auditory or visual contextual cues that served as CSs. Trial-by-trial changes in feedforward movement kinematics exhibited three key signatures of associative learning: differential conditioning, sensitivity to the CS-US interval, and compound conditioning. Moreover, after compound conditioning, a robust negative correlation was observed between responses to the two elemental CSs of the compound (i.e. overshadowing), consistent with the additivity principle posited by theories of associative learning. The existence of associative learning effects in sensorimotor adaptation provides a proof-of-concept for linking cerebellar-dependent learning paradigms within a common theoretical framework.
Depletion or cleavage of cohesin during anaphase differentially affects chromatin structure and segregation
Authors: Garcia-Luis Jonay , Bordelet Hélène , Thierry Agnès , Koszul Romain , Aragon Luis
Published: October 2022

Chromosome segregation requires both the separation of sister chromatids and the sustained condensation of chromatids during anaphase. In yeast cells, cohesin is not only required for sister chromatid cohesion but also plays a major role determining the structure of individual chromatids in metaphase. Separase cleavage is thought to remove all cohesin complexes from chromosomes to initiate anaphase. It is thus not clear how the length and organisation of segregating chromatids is maintained during anaphase in the absence of cohesin. Here, we show that degradation of cohesin at the anaphase onset causes aberrant chromatid segregation. Hi-C analysis on segregating chromatids demonstrates that cohesin depletion causes loss of intrachromatid organisation. Surprisingly, tobacco etch virus (TEV)-mediated cleavage of cohesin does not dramatically disrupt chromatid organisation in anaphase, explaining why bulk segregation is achieved. In addition, we identified a small pool of cohesin complexes bound to telophase chromosomes in wild-type cells and show that they play a role in the organisation of centromeric regions. Our data demonstrates that in yeast cells cohesin function is not over in metaphase, but extends to the anaphase period when chromatids are segregating.
White House Advisor Nahid Bhadelia, MD, MALD, on COVID-19 in Resource-Limited Nations—Undercounted Deaths, Vaccine Inequity, and More
Authors: Abbasi Jennifer
Published: October 2022

This Medical News article is an interview with Nahid Bhadelia, MD, MALD, the White House COVID-19 Response Team’s senior policy advisor for Global COVID Response.
Generalized Nodules in an Older Adult Man
Authors: Cheng Jiang-Wei , Liu Ling-Xi , Li Jiu-Hong
Published: October 2022

A man in his 60s presented with an 8-month history of pruritic papulonodular lesions on his extremities and trunk, with no significant improvement with steroids and antihistamines. What is your diagnosis?
Association Between Buprenorphine Treatment Gaps, Opioid Overdose, and Health Care Spending in US Medicare Beneficiaries With Opioid Use Disorder
Authors: Gibbons Jason B. , McCullough Jeffrey S. , Zivin Kara , Brown Zach Y. , Norton Edward C.
Published: October 2022

Importance

Nonadherence to buprenorphine may increase patient risk of opioid overdose and increase health care spending. Quantifying the impacts of nonadherence can help inform clinician practice and policy.

Objective

To estimate the association between buprenorphine treatment gaps, opioid overdose, and health care spending.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This longitudinal case-control study compared patient opioid overdose and health care spending in buprenorphine-treated months with treatment gap months. Individuals who were US Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries diagnosed with opioid use disorder who received at least 1 two-week period of continuous buprenorphine treatment between 2010 and 2017 were included. Analysis took place between January 2010 and December 2017.

Interventions

A gap in buprenorphine treatment in a month lasting more than 15 consecutive days.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Opioid overdose and total, medical, and drug spending (combined patient out-of-pocket and Medicare spending).

Results

Of 34 505 Medicare beneficiaries (17 927 [520%] male; 16 578 [48.1%] female; mean [SD] age, 49.5 [12.7] years; 168 [0.5%] Asian; 2949 [8.5%] Black; 2089 [6.0%] Hispanic; 266 [0.8%] Native American; 28 525 [82.7%] White; 508 [1.5%] other race), 11 524 beneficiaries (33.4%) experienced 1 or more buprenorphine treatment gaps. Treatment gap beneficiaries, compared with nontreatment gap beneficiaries, were more likely to be younger, be male, have a disability, and be Medicaid dual-eligible while less likely to be White, close to a buprenorphine prescriber, and treated with buprenorphine monotherapy (ie, buprenorphine hydrochloride). Beneficiaries were 2.89 (95% CI, 2.20-3.79) times more likely to experience an opioid overdose during buprenorphine treatment gap months compared with treated months. During treatment gap months, spending was $196.41 (95% CI, $110.53-$282.30) more than in treated months. Patients who continued to take buprenorphine dosages of greater than 8 mg/d and 16 mg/d were 2.61 and 2.84 times more likely to overdose in a treatment gap month, respectively, while patients taking buprenorphine dosages of 8 mg/d or less were 3.62 times more likely to overdose in a treatment gap month (maintenance of >16 mg/d: hazard ratio (HR), 2.64 [95% CI, 1.80-3.87]; maintenance of >8 mg/d: HR, 2.84 [95% CI, 2.13-3.78]; maintenance of ≤8 mg/d: HR, 3.62 [95% CI, 1.54-8.50]). Buprenorphine monotherapy was associated with greater risk of overdose and higher spending during treatment gaps months than buprenorphine/naloxone.

Conclusions and Relevance

Medicare patients treated with buprenorphine between 2010 and 2017 had a lower associated opioid overdose risk and spending during treatment months than treatment gap months.
Reevaluating Liver Donor Risk in the Era of Improved Hepatitis C Virus Treatment
Authors: Handley Thomas J. , Arnow Katherine , Sasaki Kazunari , Kwong Allison , Melcher Marc L.
Published: October 2022

This cohort study examines the risk of graft failure associated with donors with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection before and after the introduction of direct-acting antiviral medications.
Academic bullying and diversity: challenges and solutions
Authors: Swann Jennifer M.
Published: October 2022

The academy remains disproportionally white despite decades of efforts to diversify the professoriate. Recruitment of faculty from underrepresented populations continues to challenge and little attention has been placed on retention. Bullying threatens all workplaces and is particularly insidious in higher education where the practice of tenure grants bad actors immunity from many corrective measures. Strategies and approaches summarized here have been proposed and should be adopted to provide a better workplace for all.
Analysis of the payments from the coronavirus food assistance program and the market facilitation program to minority producers
Authors: Giri Anil K. , Subedi Dipak , Kassel Kathleen
Published: October 2022

This paper examines the payments made to minority producers, focused on African American producers, from the COVID‐19 program, Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and compares it with one of the other more recent ad hoc program payments, the Market Facilitation Program (MFP). There were two rounds of the CFAP, and combinedly (as of March 2022), the program made direct payments of $31.0 billion ($11.8 billion from CFAP 1 and $19.2 billion from CFAP 2) starting in 2020. The MFP made a total payment of $23.5 billion (in two rounds, MFP 2018 and MFP 2019) to producers affected by the retaliatory tariffs placed on US producers by trade partners across multiple years. CFAP made almost $600 million in direct payments to minority producers, including Black or African American producers. Black or African American only producers received more than $52 million in CFAP payments. CFAP payments were proportional to the value of agricultural commodity sold for most minority producers. The 2017 Census of Agriculture showed that the majority of minority producers, including African American producers but excluding Asian producers, raised livestock. CFAP made the highest payments to livestock minority producers. The CFAP payment distribution pattern shows that payments reached minority producers who often did not receive Government payments. CFAP made more payments and as a share of total program outlays to minority producers compared to MFP. However, for Black or African American only producers, even though the magnitude increased (because CFAP disbursed more funds compared to MFP), the share of payment received did not increase.
Clinical and genomic delineation of the new proximal 19p13.3 microduplication syndrome
Authors: Jouret Guillaume , Egloff Matthieu , Landais Emilie , Tassy Olivier , Giuliano Fabienne , Karmous‐Benailly Houda , Coutton Charles , Satre Véronique , Devillard Françoise , Dieterich Klaus , Vieville Gaëlle , Kuentz Paul , le Caignec Cédric , Beneteau Claire , Isidor Bertrand , Nizon Mathilde , Callier Patrick , Marquet Valentine , Bieth Eric , Lévy Jonathan , Tabet Anne‐Claude , Lyonnet Stanislas , Baujat Geneviève , Rio Marlène , Cartault François , Scheidecker Sophie , Gouronc Aurélie , Schalk Audrey , Jacquin Clémence , Spodenkiewicz Marta , Angélini Chloé , Pennamen Perrine , Rooryck Caroline , Doco‐Fenzy Martine , Poirsier Céline
Published: October 2022

A small but growing body of scientific literature is emerging about clinical findings in patients with 19p13.3 microdeletion or duplication. Recently, a proximal 19p13.3 microduplication syndrome was described, associated with growth delay, microcephaly, psychomotor delay and dysmorphic features. The aim of our study was to better characterize the syndrome associated with duplications in the proximal 19p13.3 region (prox 19p13.3 dup), and to propose a comprehensive analysis of the underlying genomic mechanism. We report the largest cohort of patients with prox 19p13.3 dup through a collaborative study. We collected 24 new patients with terminal or interstitial 19p13.3 duplication characterized by array‐based Comparative Genomic Hybridization (aCGH). We performed mapping, phenotype–genotype correlations analysis, critical region delineation and explored three‐dimensional chromatin interactions by analyzing Topologically Associating Domains (TADs). We define a new 377 kb critical region (CR 1) in chr19: 3,116,922–3,494,377, GRCh37, different from the previously described critical region (CR 2). The new 377 kb CR 1 includes a TAD boundary and two enhancers whose common target is PIAS4. We hypothesize that duplications of CR 1 are responsible for tridimensional structural abnormalities by TAD disruption and misregulation of genes essentials for the control of head circumference during development, by breaking down the interactions between enhancers and the corresponding targeted gene.
A Causal Classification System for Intracerebral Hemorrhage Subtypes
Authors: Raposo Nicolas , Zanon Zotin Maria Clara , Seiffge David J. , Li Qi , Goeldlin Martina B. , Charidimou Andreas , Shoamanesh Ashkan , Jäger Hans Rolf , Cordonnier Charlotte , Klijn Catharina JM , Smith Eric E. , Greenberg Steven M. , Werring David J. , Viswanathan Anand
Published: October 2022

Objective

Determining the underlying causes of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is of major importance, because risk factors, prognosis, and management differ by ICH subtype. We developed a new causal CLASsification system for ICH Subtypes, termed CLAS‐ICH, based on recent advances in neuroimaging.

Methods

CLAS‐ICH defines 5 ICH subtypes: arteriolosclerosis, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, mixed small vessel disease (SVD), other rare forms of SVD (genetic SVD and others), and secondary causes (macrovascular causes, tumor, and other rare causes). Every patient is scored in each category according to the level of diagnostic evidence: (1) well‐defined ICH subtype; (2) possible underlying disease; and (0) no evidence of the disease. We evaluated CLAS‐ICH in a derivation cohort of 113 patients with ICH from Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA, and in a derivation cohort of 203 patients from Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland.

Results

In the derivation cohort, a well‐defined ICH subtype could be identified in 74 (65.5%) patients, including 24 (21.2%) with arteriolosclerosis, 23 (20.4%) with cerebral amyloid angiopathy, 18 (15.9%) with mixed SVD, and 9 (8.0%) with a secondary cause. One or more possible causes were identified in 42 (37.2%) patients. Interobserver agreement was excellent for each category (kappa value ranging from 0.86 to 1.00). Despite substantial differences in imaging modalities, we obtained similar results in the validation cohort.

Interpretation

CLAS‐ICH is a simple and reliable classification system for ICH subtyping, that captures overlap between causes and the level of diagnostic evidence. CLAS‐ICH may guide clinicians to identify ICH causes, and improve ICH classification in multicenter studies. ANN NEUROL 2023;93:16–28
Highly Stable Orange‐Red Long‐Persistent Luminescent CsCdCl3:Mn2+ Perovskite Crystal
Authors: He Shuangshuang , Qiang Qinping , Lang Tianchun , Cai Mingsheng , Han Tao , You Houjiang , Peng Lingling , Cao Shixiu , Liu Bitao , Jing Xiaolong , Jia Bi
Published: October 2022

Halide perovskite has been widely studied as a new generation of photoelectronic materials. However, their thermal and humidity‐induced emission quenching have greatly limited their utility and reliability. Here, we report a hexagonal Mn2+‐doped CsCdCl3 perovskite crystal that possesses stable photoluminescence (PL) at both high temperature and humidity. The room temperature long‐persistent luminescence (LPL) of the single crystals lasts up to 1480 s and can be adjusted by changing the concentration of Mn2+ ion doping. The characteristic emission of d‐d transition of Mn2+ is realized, and the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) is up to 91.4 %, it can maintain more than 90 % of the initial PL spectral integral area at 150 °C (423 K). High humid stability PL can be achieved more than 75 % of the initial PL intensity after 55 days of immersion in water. These excellent properties show the application prospect of the LPL material in lighting indication and anti‐counterfeiting.
Sensing miRNAs for Disease Diagnostics
Authors: Deng Linyi , Guo Pei , Han Da , Tan Weihong
Published: October 2022

miRNAs are short nucleic acid sequences that regulate gene expression and are important biomarkers for disease diagnostics. In this Review, we overview the biogenesis and functions of miRNAs. The recent progress of biomarker development based on miRNAs is further discussed. In the end, we summarize the progress on miRNA detection methods towards clinical diagnostics. Although proper tools and standardized methodology in detection are still the bottlenecks for miRNA‐based diagnosis, the challenges are likely to be overcome with the development of new bioanalytical techniques. More importantly, upstream studies to elucidate mechanisms of miRNAs in target recognition and correlation with diseases will further advance the clinical use of miRNAs as biomarkers.
Continuous film casting of polycarbonate/single‐walled carbon nanotubes composites with ultrasound‐assisted twin‐screw extruder: Effect of screw configuration
Authors: Gao Xiang , Isayev Avraam I. , Zhang Xiaoping
Published: October 2022

Polymer films are widely used in various industries, and incorporation of nanofillers into polymer films can give much more versatility in their applications. Polymer/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composite films with good electrical conductivity can easily find applications in anti‐static or electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection. In the present study, efforts were devoted to investigate novel ultrasound‐assisted twin‐screw extrusion technology on improving the dispersion and distribution of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in polycarbonate (PC) composites films via extrusion process. As a key processing parameter, effect of screw configuration on the performance of the composite films were systematically studied. Electrical, rheological, morphological and mechanical properties were characterized to illustrate the processing‐structure–property relationship during continuous film casting of PC/SWNTs composites with ultrasound‐assisted twin‐screw extruder. Results indicated that the screw configuration containing more kneading blocks led to better SWNTs dispersion and distribution, while the effect of ultrasound was more prominent in screw design with less kneading blocks.
Significantly improving the Cu2+ removal performance of conducting polymer‐based adsorbent from aqueous solution through cross‐linking modification
Authors: Mamat Kamila , Muslim Arzugul , Lan Haidie , Malik Dilnur , Musajan Aynur
Published: October 2022

Through cross‐linking modification of poly(o‐phenylenediamine) (PoPD) to increase the adsorption active sites, the Cu2+ adsorption capacity of PoPD was improved significantly. According to FT‐IR, XRD, SEM and BET results, both PoPD and the cross‐linked PoPD had porous or surface‐adhesive porous morphology with a typical mesoporous character, the specific surface area of the latter was increased obviously from the former. Both of them showed excellent Cu2+ adsorption capabilities with the maximum adsorption qexpmax of 76.51 and 85.49 mg·g−1, and the corresponding removal ratios of 60.21% and 68.39%, respectively. The adsorption capacity was increased to its 1.54 times with pentaerythritol tris[3‐(1‐aziridinyl)propionate] (cross‐linking agent‐III) as cross‐linking agent at pH = 5 and 25°C. Because temperature could affect the adsorption behavior of materials and the adsorption process is endothermic with ΔG < 0, the process should be accompanied by spontaneous chemical changes. The XRD, SEM–EDX mapping and XPS results showed that Cu2+ was successfully removed from the aqueous solution. Additionally, the adsorption was mainly based on the cation‐π interaction and the formation of Cu‐N bonds.
A feeling for the data: How government and nonprofit stakeholders negotiate value conflicts in data science approaches to ending homelessness
Authors: Slota Stephen C. , Fleischmann Kenneth R. , Lee Min Kyung , Greenberg Sherri R. , Nigam Ishan , Zimmerman Tara , Rodriguez Sarah , Snow James
Published: October 2022

Governmental and organizational policy increasingly claims to be data‐driven, data‐informed, or knowledge‐driven. We explore the data practices of local governments and nonprofits a seeking to end homelessness in the City of Austin. Drawing on 31 interviews with stakeholders, alongside the reflections and experiences of our interdisciplinary, cross‐sector collaborative team, we consider the role of data in guiding and informing interventions and policy regarding homelessness. Ending homelessness is a particularly challenging scenario for intervention, with increasing politicization, changing circumstances, and needing rapid intervention to reduce harm. In exploring some implications of data science “in the wild” as it is deployed, understood, and supported within the Travis County Continuum of Care (CoC), we analyze how data‐intensive work connects and engages across disciplinary boundaries. Furthermore, we consider how data science and the iField can collaborate in addressing complex, social problems as advisors and partners with invested organizations.
Observer‐based finite‐time H∞ control of Itô‐type stochastic nonlinear systems
Authors: Wang Guanzheng , Zhao Feng , Chen Xiangyong , Qiu Jianlong
Published: October 2022

This paper investigates the finite‐time
control of Itô‐type stochastic nonlinear systems. Considering the transient performance and anti‐interference ability within a given limited time interval, the control strategy of stochastic nonlinear systems is researched. A new sufficient condition for mean‐square finite‐time boundedness for stochastic nonlinear system is developed. Due to the state components are not available, a state observer is designed. Based on the estimated state, an
controller is proposed and Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) conditions are given, which not only guarantee the mean‐square finite‐time boundedness but also satisfy the corresponding
performance. Finally, two examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the results.
Inhibition of canalicular and sinusoidal taurocholate efflux by cholestatic drugs in human hepatoma HepaRG cells
Authors: Le Vée Marc , Moreau Amélie , Jouan Elodie , Denizot Claire , Parmentier Yannick , Fardel Olivier
Published: October 2022

HepaRG cells are highly‐differentiated human hepatoma cells, which are increasingly recognized as a convenient cellular model for in vitro evaluation of hepatic metabolism, transport, and/or toxicity of drugs. The present study was designed to evaluate whether HepaRG cells can also be useful for studying drug‐mediated inhibition of canalicular and/or sinusoidal hepatic efflux of bile acids, which constitutes a major mechanism of drug‐induced liver toxicity. For this purpose, HepaRG cells, initially loaded with the bile acid taurocholate (TC), were reincubated in TC‐free transport assay medium, in the presence or absence of calcium or drugs, before analysis of TC retention. This method allowed us to objectivize and quantitatively measure biliary and sinusoidal efflux of TC from HepaRG cells, through distinguishing cellular and canalicular compartments. In particular, time‐course analysis of the TC‐free reincubation period of HepaRG cells, that is, the efflux period, indicated that a 20 min‐efflux period allowed reaching biliary and sinusoidal excretion indexes for TC around 80% and 60%, respectively. Addition of the prototypical cholestatic drugs bosentan, cyclosporin A, glibenclamide, or troglitazone during the TC‐free efflux phase period was demonstrated to markedly inhibit canalicular and sinusoidal secretion of TC, whereas, by contrast, incubation with the noncholestatic compounds salicylic acid or flumazenil was without effect. Such data therefore support the use of human HepaRG cells for in vitro predicting drug‐induced liver toxicity (DILI) due to the inhibition of hepatic bile acid secretion, using a biphasic TC loading/efflux assay.
Benzothioxanthene Dicarboximide as a Tuneable Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence Dye
Authors: Dauphin Alice L. , Andrés Castán José María , Yu Jing , Blanchard Philippe , Sojic Neso , Ahn Hyun S. , Walker Bright , Cabanetos Clément , Bouffier Laurent
Published: October 2022

Overlooked for years, the promising benzothioxanthene dicarboximide (BTXI) structure is nonetheless known to be an excellent fluorophore. As a further step towards the exploration of this rylene structure, the generation of electrochemiluminescence (ECL) in acetonitrile solutions is investigated herein as well as its direct comparison with a diphenylamine (DPA) derivative. Electrochemical characterization shows that the bare BTXI can be reversibly reduced or oxidized, characteristics which suggest the possibility that the electrogenerated reactive species can be exploited in the context of ECL. As a result, the BTXI moiety was found to be ECL‐active in both annihilation and co‐reactant mechanisms. Tri‐n‐propylamine (TPA) and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) were selected as sacrificial co‐reactants for promoting ECL. An ECL efficiency of 13 % (BTXI) and 6 % (BTXI‐DPA) compared to that of Ru(bpy)32+ was found when using TPA in oxidative ECL. Moreover, the ECL efficiency increased to 75 % and 55 % of Ru(bpy)32+ with BPO (i. e. reductive‐oxidation ECL) for BTXI and BTXI‐DPA, respectively. These results can be understood by calculating the free enthalpy of the redox reactions associated with each ECL pathway. Although the BTXI‐DPA red emitter exhibits more suitable thermodynamic properties, the BTXI green emitter is nonetheless more effective in combination with a co‐reactant due to a much larger photoluminescence quantum yield. The ECL spectra of the two molecules are compared to their photoluminescence spectra, revealing the involvement of the same excited states in the two different photoemission processes. In turn, the chemical engineering of BTXI is shown to be an effective platform for achieving tuneable ECL generation.
Fuzzy expert system for troubleshooting of the deodorizer unit in a palm oil refining plant
Authors: Salleh Intan Suhairi , Ali Nur Syuhada , Hourfar Farzad , Yusof Khairiyah Mohd , Sulaiman Nurul Sulaiha , Jamaluddin Hishamuddin , Zahedi Gholamreza , Almansoori Ali , Elkamel Ali
Published: October 2022

In this paper, a troubleshooting technique is developed to provide a sequence of necessary actions during deodorizer unit failure in a palm oil refinery. This paper introduces a fuzzy expert system that incorporates the knowledge of experienced plant workers in dealing with the complex problems of the palm oil deodorizer. The presented methodology uses both qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative data are collected from several interview sessions with the technical staff in a palm oil refinery. Quantitative data are gathered from various sources, such as control and monitoring systems. The qualitative data are analyzed to discover the possible pattern of faults in the deodorizer failure. This tool can diagnose possible faults and provide a sequence of necessary actions when deodorizer failure occurs. The obtained results show the developed deodorizer troubleshooting tool is useful to guide plant workers/operators in diagnosing the possible faults and abnormalities during the troubleshooting process, as well as to provide field training for inexperienced staff.
Removal of glyphosate from aqueous solution by CuO coated MIL‐101(Fe)
Authors: Jia Dongmei , Guo Jia , Li Jing , Duan Yongzheng
Published: October 2022

The composite of CuO coated MIL‐101(Fe) (CuO@MIL‐101(Fe)) was successfully prepared using a one‐pot hydrothermal technology. X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), and TG technologies were used to characterize its structural, morphological, and physicochemical properties. CuO@MIL‐101(Fe) exhibited a better pH adaptivity, a faster removal ratio of 95.8% for glyphosate within 10 min at pH 7, and a higher selectivity of adsorption capacity, even reaching 231.6 and 233.5 mg g−1 with coexisting Cl− (10 mmol L−1) and SO42− (10 mmol L−1). The enhanced adsorption performances of CuO@MIL‐101(Fe) may be caused by Cu forming a coordination interaction with glyphosate. A possible mechanism of glyphosate removal was discussed on the basis of the FTIR and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. CuO@MIL‐101(Fe) composite would be more favourable to capture glyphosate from wastewater.
Subcutaneous birch pollen allergen immunotherapy with a depigmented polymerized extract shows only sustained and long‐term efficacy in a subgroup of monosensitized adults and adolescents with allergic rhinitis
Authors: Novak Natalija , Worm Margitta , Staubach Petra , Jutel Marek , Sager Angelika , Pfaar Oliver
Published: October 2022

Background

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is an approved treatment for seasonal respiratory allergic diseases. A depigmented polymerized birch pollen extract for subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy (SCIT) has been demonstrated to be efficacious and safe in patients allergic to birch pollen and its homologous group.

Objective

To determine whether SCIT with a birch pollen formulation (5000 depigmented polymerized (DPP) units/mL) shows sustained and long‐term efficacy in adults and adolescents with birch‐pollen induced allergic rhinitis with or without intermittent asthma.

Methods

A multicentre (n = 66), double‐blind, placebo‐controlled Phase III clinical trial was performed in the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Russia. Participants were randomized 2:1 to active treatment (birch 5000 DPP/ml) or placebo for three years of SCIT and followed up for two treatment‐free years. The primary efficacy endpoint was the EAACI's combined symptom and medication score for rhinoconjunctivitis (CSMSEAACI).

Results

A total of 973 participants were screened and 649 were randomized (active treatment: n = 434; placebo: n = 215). The intention‐to‐treat analysis of the CSMSEAACI in the overall study population did not demonstrate statistically significant differences in years 1, 2 and 3. In a post‐hoc analysis, among the subgroup of patients monosensitized to birch pollen allergen only (n = 200), we observed a statistically significant difference (active treatment vs. placebo) in the CSMSEAACI in year 2, 3 and 5. The AIT's safety profile was good.

Conclusions

SCIT with a depigmented polymerized birch pollen extract was safe. Sustained and long‐term efficacy in years 2, 3 and 5 in monosensitized patients, but not in polysensitized patients was demonstrated.

(EudraCT 2012‐000414‐11)
Subclones of bone marrow CD34+ cells in acute myeloid leukemia at diagnosis confer responses of patients to induction chemotherapy
Authors: Jia Ruinan , Ji Min , Li Guosheng , Xia Yuan , Guo Shouhui , Li Peng , Sun Yanping , Lu Fei , Zhang Jingru , Zang Shaolei , Yan Shuxin , Ye Jingjing , Xue Fuzhong , Ma Daoxin , Sun Tao , Ji Chunyan
Published: October 2022

Background

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematopoietic malignancy with a prognosis that varies with genetic heterogeneity of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs). Induction chemotherapy with cytarabine and anthracycline has been the standard care for newly diagnosed AML, but about 30% of patients have no response to this regimen. The resistance mechanisms require deeper understanding.

Methods

In our study, using single‐cell RNA sequencing, we analyzed the heterogeneity of bone marrow CD34+ cells from newly diagnosed patients with AML who were then divided into sensitive and resistant groups according to their responses to induction chemotherapy with cytarabine and anthracycline. We verified our findings by TCGA database, GEO datasets, and multiparameter flow cytometry.

Results

We established a landscape for AML CD34+ cells and identified HSPC types based on the lineage signature genes. Interestingly, we found a cell population with CRIP1highLGALS1highS100Ashigh showing features of granulocyte‐monocyte progenitors was associated with poor prognosis of AML. And two cell populations marked by CD34+CD52+ or CD34+CD74+DAP12+ were related to good response to induction therapy, showing characteristics of hematopoietic stem cells.

Conclusion

Our study indicates the subclones of CD34+ cells confers for outcomes of AML and provides biomarkers to predict the response of patients with AML to induction chemotherapy.