bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Timing of Soft‐Tissue Augmentation in Immediate Implant Placement: Hard‐Tissue Changes and Clinical Outcome
Authors: Cosyn Jan , Struys Thibault , Van Hove Pieter‐Jan , De Buyser Stefanie , De Bruyckere Thomas
Published: September 2024

Aim

To assess the impact of the timing of soft‐tissue augmentation (STA) on mean buccal bone changes following immediate implant placement (IPP) in the anterior maxilla.

Materials and Methods

Patients with a failing tooth and intact buccal bone wall in the anterior maxilla (15–25) were enrolled in this randomized controlled trial. Following single IIP and socket grafting, they were randomly allocated to the control group (immediate STA performed during the same surgical procedure) or the test group (delayed STA performed 3 months later). Implants were placed with a surgical guide and immediately restored with an implant‐supported provisional crown. Changes in bone dimensions were assessed using superimposed CBCT images taken prior to surgery and at 1‐year follow‐up. Clinical outcomes were registered at 1‐year follow‐up.

Results

Twenty patients were randomized to each group (control: 16 females, 4 males, mean age 57.6; test: 9 females, 11 males, mean age 54.2). Ten patients in the control group and 13 patients in the test group had a thick bone wall phenotype. Estimated marginal mean horizontal buccal bone loss at 1 mm below the implant shoulder was −0.553 and −0.898 mm for the control and test group, respectively. The estimated mean difference of 0.344 mm in favour of the control group was not significant (95% CI: −0.415 to 1.104; p = 0.363). Also at all other horizontal and vertical levels, no significant differences could be observed between the groups. The combination of socket grafting and STA enabled counteraction of any buccal soft‐tissue loss (≥ 0 mm) at 1 mm below the implant shoulder in 82% of the patients in the control group and in 75% of the patients in the test group (p = 1.000). The clinical outcome was favourable in both groups, yet implants in the control group demonstrated slightly less marginal bone loss (median difference 0.20 mm; 95% CI: 0.00–0.44; p = 0.028).

Conclusion

In patients with an intact and mainly thick buccal bone wall in the anterior maxilla, the timing of STA following IIP had no significant impact on mean buccal bone loss.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05537545
Gottman's sound relationship house and relational resilience through infertility for couples
Authors: Brigance Clayton A. , Waalkes Phillip L. , Freedle Agata , Kim So Rin
Published: September 2024

Some couples report that their relationship satisfaction increases through the experience of infertility. Few studies exist which explain how this phenomenon occurs through specific variables. We hypothesized that John Gottman's constructs of friendship and intimacy as well as shared meaning could explain how couples can achieve increased relationship satisfaction. We examined a regression analysis of cross‐sectional retrospective individual data for couples who are either experiencing infertility currently or have done so in the recent past. In our nonclinical sample (n = 903), mediation analyses indicated significant influencing pathways for the Gottman shared meaning system, indicating that this construct may explain how couples achieve greater emotional bonding and couple satisfaction through infertility. These findings provide couple therapists with potential areas of focus for couples navigating infertility through the lens of Gottman Method Couple Therapy, including ways to encourage deeper mutual shared meaning amidst the infertility experience.
Nerve ultrasound in CANVAS‐spectrum disease: Reduced nerve size distinguishes genetically confirmed CANVAS from other axonal polyneuropathies
Authors: Salvalaggio Alessandro , Cacciavillani Mario , Tierro Benedetta , Coraci Daniele , Currò Riccardo , Ferrarini Moreno , Pegoraro Elena , Bello Luca , Fabrizi Gian Maria , Filla Alessandro , Padua Luca , Manganelli Fiore , Cortese Andrea , Briani Chiara
Published: September 2024

Background and Aims

Ultrasound nerve cross‐sectional area (CSA) of patients affected with axonal neuropathy usually shows normal value. Cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) seems to represent an exception, showing smaller CSA, but previous reports did not test for biallelic RFC1 gene repeat expansions.

Methods

We compared nerve CSA from CANVAS patients (tested positive for biallelic RFC1 gene repeat expansions) with the CSA from a group of patients with chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy (CIAP) who tested negative for RFC1 gene repeat expansions, hereditary axonal neuropathy (Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth type 2, CMT2), and Friedreich ataxia (FRDA).

Results

We enrolled 15 CANVAS patients (eight men, mean age 66.3 ± 11.5 years, mean disease duration 9.3 ± 4.1 years), affected with sensory axonal neuronopathy. Controls consisted of 13 CIAP (mean age 68.5 ± 12.8 years, seven men), seven CMT2 (mean age 47.9 ± 18.1 years, four men), 12 FRDA (mean age 33.7 ± 8.8, five men). Nerve ultrasound was performed at median, ulnar, sciatic, sural, and tibial nerves and brachial plexus, bilaterally. The nerve CSA from CANVAS patients was significantly smaller than the one from the other cohorts at several sites with significant and high accuracy at Receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. RFC1 AAGGG pentanucleotide expansion, disease duration, and disability did not correlate with CSA at any site, after Bonferroni correction.

Interpretation

Decreased sonographic nerve sizes, in arms and legs, in patients with sensory neuropathy and normal motor conduction studies could point to CANVAS‐spectrum disease and help guide appropriate genetic testing.
Peripheral neuropathy, an independent risk factor for falls in the elderly, impairs stepping as a postural control mechanism: A case‐cohort study
Authors: Kohle Felix , Stark Christopher , Klünter Heinz‐Dieter , Wernicke Daniel , Wunderlich Gilbert , Fink Gereon R. , Klussmann Jens P. , Schroeter Michael , Lehmann Helmar C.
Published: September 2024

Background/Aims

Peripheral neuropathies perturbate the sensorimotor system, causing difficulties in walking‐related motor tasks and, eventually, falls. Falls result in functional dependency and reliance on healthcare, especially in older persons. We investigated if peripheral neuropathy is a genuine risk factor for falls in the elderly and if quantification of postural control via posturography is helpful in identifying subjects at risk of falls.

Methods

Seventeen older persons with a clinical polyneuropathic syndrome of the lower limbs and converging electrophysiology were compared with 14 older persons without polyneuropathy. All participants were characterized via quantitative motor and sensory testing, neuropsychological assessment, and self‐questionnaires. Video‐nystagmography and caloric test excluded vestibulocochlear dysfunction. For further analysis, all subjects were stratified into fallers and non‐fallers. Overall, 28 patients underwent computerized dynamic posturography for individual fall risk assessment. Regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors and predictive posturography parameters.

Results

Neuropathy is an independent risk factor for falls in the elderly, while no differences were observed for age, gender, weight, frailty, DemTect test, timed “Up & Go” test, and dizziness‐related handicap score. In computerized dynamic posturography, fallers stepped more often to regain postural control in challenging conditions, while the Rhythmic Weight Shift test showed a lack of anterior‐posterior bidirectional voluntary control.

Interpretation

Our study confirms peripheral neuropathy as a risk factor for older persons' falls. Fallers frequently used stepping to regain postural control. The voluntary control of this coping movement was impaired. Further investigations into these parameters' value in predicting the risk of falls in the elderly are warranted.
Apixaban, edoxaban and rivaroxaban but not dabigatran are associated with higher mortality compared to vitamin‐K antagonists: A retrospective German claims data analysis
Authors: Engelbertz Christiane , Marschall Ursula , Feld Jannik , Makowski Lena , Lange Stefan A. , Freisinger Eva , Gerß Joachim , Breithardt Günter , Faldum Andreas , Reinecke Holger , Köppe Jeanette
Published: September 2024

Background

Vitamin‐K antagonists (VKAs) have widely been replaced by non‐VKA oral anticoagulants (NOACs). This includes Austria, Germany and Switzerland, where as VKA, instead of warfarin, the much longer‐acting phenprocoumon is used, which was not compared to NOACs in clinical trials.

Methods

Using administrative data from a large German health insurance, we included all anticoagulation‐naïve patients with a first prescription of a NOAC or VKA between 2012 and 2020. We analysed overall survival, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, major thromboembolic events and major bleeding.

Results

Overall, 570,137 patients were included (apixaban: 26.9%, dabigatran: 4.6%, edoxaban: 8.8%, rivaroxaban: 39.1% and VKA: 20.7% of these 99.4% phenprocoumon). In the primary analysis using a 1:1 propensity score matching‐cohort (PSM‐cohort), a significantly higher overall mortality was found for apixaban, edoxaban and rivaroxaban (all p < 0.001) but not for dabigatran (p = 0.13) compared to VKA. In this PSM‐cohort, 5‐year mortality was 22.7% for apixaban versus 12.7% for VKA, 19.5% for edoxaban versus 11.4% for VKA, 16.0% for rivaroxaban versus 12.3% for VKA (all p < 0.001) and 13.0% for dabigatran versus 12.8% for VKA (p = 0.06). The observed effect was confirmed in sensitivity analyses using un‐weighted and three different weighted Fine–Gray regression models on the basis of the entire cohort.

Conclusions

In this large real‐world analysis, apixaban, edoxaban and rivaroxaban, but not dabigatran, were associated with worse survival compared to VKA. These findings, consistent with a few other studies including phenprocoumon, cast profound doubts on the unreflected, general use of NOACs. Randomized trials should assess whether phenprocoumon might actually be superior to NOACs.
The impact of Streptococcus mutans biofilms on the color stability and topographical features of three lithium disilicate ceramics
Authors: Balhaddad Abdulrahman A. , Al Otaibi Abdulkareem Muneer , Alotaibi Khalid Saud , Al‐Zain Afnan O. , Ismail Eman H. , Al‐Dulaijan Yousif A. , Alalawi Haidar , Al‐Thobity Ahmad M.
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Secondary caries around ceramic restorations is the most common reason for the replacement of fixed dental prostheses (FDPs). Therefore, it is important to examine the susceptibility of different ceramic materials to biofilm formation. This study aimed to evaluate biofilm development and associated roughness and color alterations in three lithium disilicate ceramics: Emax CAD (EC), Emax Press (EP), and LiSi Press (LP).

Materials and Methods

Streptococcus mutans biofilms were grown on the three ceramics (n = 10 per group) for 7 days. Surface roughness values and color alteration were assessed before and after the biofilm using a non‐contact profilometer and spectrophotometer, respectively. Biofilm growth was evaluated using colony‐forming units (CFUs) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. The data were analyzed using one‐way ANOVA and Tukey tests.

Results

There was a significant (p ≤ 0.001) growth of S. mutans colonies on EC (6.75 ± 0.56) and EP (6.72 ± 0.54) specimens compared to LP, which showed no biofilm growth. The change in average surface roughness (∆Ra, nm) was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in the EC specimens (0.029 ± 0.003) compared to the EP (0.055 ± 0.012) and LP (0.041 ± 0.010). When the changes in the Rv and Rt values were investigated, no significant difference was observed among the groups. Following the biofilm challenge, the change in color (∆E00) was significantly lower (p = 0.005) in the LP group (1.68 ± 1.45) compared to the EC group (3.89 ± 1.50) and no significant difference was observed between the EP group (2.74 ± 1.01) and the other two ceramics (p ≥ 0.05).

Conclusion

LP ceramics exhibited superior resistance to S. mutans biofilm formation and associated changes in surface roughness and color compared to the Emax CAD and Emax Press ceramics. These findings suggest that the LiSi Press material may be more favorable to mitigate the risk of secondary caries.
Determining Potential Pathogens and Endophytic Bacterial Communities in the Twigs of Diospyros kaki Associated With Anthracnose in Zhejiang Province, China
Authors: Ma Long , Yuan Xiaoyan , Wang Yanan , Xia Peng , Zhao Mengting , Zhang Liqin , Wu Xiaoying
Published: September 2024

Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) is an important fruit crop that is widely cultivated in China, and its production is severely affected by anthracnose. Endophytic bacterial communities play an important role in the establishment of plant diseases, although little is known about these endophytes in persimmon plants. Fangshan persimmon is well known for its excellent quality in Zhejiang Province, China. The present study demonstrated that the Colletotrichum complex was the causal agent of anthracnose in persimmon in Zhejiang. High‐throughput sequencing revealed that bacterial communities in Fangshan persimmon twigs were dominated by the phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, Firmicutes and Bacteroidota. Persimmon twigs infected with Colletotrichum showed obvious shifts in the endophytic bacterial communities, and these shifts in slight infections varied from those in severe infections. For slight infections, the genera Pseudomonas and Burkholderia–Caballeronia–Paraburkholderia were significantly more abundant in slightly symptomatic twigs than in healthy twigs, whereas the genera 1174‐901‐12, Methylocella and Streptococcus exhibited the opposite trend. In severe infections, the genera Curtobacterium, Pseudomonas and Kineococcus were significantly more abundant in severely symptomatic twigs than in healthy twigs, whereas the genera 1174‐901‐12, Lactobacillus and Amnibacterium exhibited opposite trends. The genera Pseudomonas and Curtobacterium showed the strongest positive correlation with anthracnose. This is the first report of endophytic bacterial communities associated with persimmon plants and their interaction with anthracnose disease, and these findings are important for developing biocontrol strategies for persimmon anthracnose.
Household food insecurity and novel complementary feeding methods in New Zealand families
Authors: Katiforis Ioanna , Smith Claire , Haszard Jillian J. , Styles Sara E. , Leong Claudia , Taylor Rachael W. , Conlon Cathryn A. , Beck Kathryn L. , von Hurst Pamela R. , Te Morenga Lisa A. , Daniels Lisa , Brown Kimberley J. , Rowan Madeleine , Casale Maria , McLean Neve H. , Cox Alice M. , Jones Emily A. , Bruckner Bailey R. , Jupiterwala Rosario , Wei Andrea , Heath Anne‐Louise M.
Published: September 2024

Optimal nutrition during infancy is critical given its influence on lifelong health and wellbeing. Two novel methods of infant complementary feeding, commercial baby food pouch use and baby‐led weaning (BLW), are becoming increasingly popular worldwide. Household food insecurity may influence complementary feeding practices adopted by families, but no studies have investigated the use of BLW and baby food pouches in families experiencing food insecurity. The First Foods New Zealand study was a multicentre, observational study in infants 7.0–9.9 months of age. Households (n = 604) were classified into one of three categories of food insecurity (severely food insecure, moderately food insecure, and food secure). The use of complementary feeding practices was assessed via a self‐administered questionnaire, both at the current age (mean 8.4 months) and retrospectively at 6 months. Mothers experiencing severe food insecurity had 5.70 times the odds of currently using commercial baby food pouches frequently (≥5 times/week) compared to food secure mothers (95% CI [1.54, 21.01]), reporting that pouches were ‘easy to use’ (89%) and made it ‘easy to get fruits and vegetables in’ (64%). In contrast, no evidence of a difference in the prevalence of current BLW was observed among mothers experiencing moderate food insecurity (adjusted OR; 1.28, 95% CI [0.73, 2.24]) or severe food insecurity (adjusted OR; 1.03, 95% CI [0.44, 2.43]) compared to food secure mothers. The high prevalence of frequent commercial baby food pouch use in food insecure households underscores the need for research to determine whether frequent pouch use impacts infant health.
A double‐blind trial of decoded neurofeedback intervention for specific phobias
Authors: Cushing Cody A. , Lau Hakwan , Kawato Mitsuo , Craske Michelle G. , Taschereau‐Dumouchel Vincent
Published: September 2024

Aim

A new closed‐loop functional magnetic resonance imaging method called multivoxel neuroreinforcement has the potential to alleviate the subjective aversiveness of exposure‐based interventions by directly inducing phobic representations in the brain, outside of conscious awareness. The current study seeks to test this method as an intervention for specific phobia.

Methods

In a randomized, double‐blind, controlled single‐university trial, individuals diagnosed with at least two (one target, one control) animal subtype‐specific phobias were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to receive one, three, or five sessions of multivoxel neuroreinforcement in which they were rewarded for implicit activation of a target animal representation. Amygdala response to phobic stimuli was assessed by study staff blind to target and control animal assignments. Pretreatment to posttreatment differences were analyzed with a two‐way repeated‐measures anova.

Results

A total of 23 participants (69.6% female) were randomized to receive one (n = 8), three (n = 7), or five (n = 7) sessions of multivoxel neuroreinforcement. Eighteen (n = 6 each group) participants were analyzed for our primary outcome. After neuroreinforcement, we observed an interaction indicating a significant decrease in amygdala response for the target phobia but not the control phobia. No adverse events or dropouts were reported as a result of the intervention.

Conclusion

Results suggest that multivoxel neuroreinforcement can specifically reduce threat signatures in specific phobia. Consequently, this intervention may complement conventional psychotherapy approaches with a nondistressing experience for patients seeking treatment. This trial sets the stage for a larger randomized clinical trial to replicate these results and examine the effects on real‐life exposure.

Clinical Trial Registration

The now‐closed trial was prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with ID NCT03655262.
How can artists help change the world? The simple question that changed my life
Authors: Black‐Nasta Wendy
Published: September 2024

This article traces the journey of one artist's personal efforts on behalf of world peace. It lays the groundwork for promoting grassroots peace activism, which ultimately leads to the establishment of the peace organization, Artists for World Peace. Creating artistic designs such as the International Peace Belt, and establishing numerous other projects to raise funds on behalf of social justice and humanitarian endeavors, Artists for World Peace remains one of the more distinguished, non‐governmental organizations for peace and justice; its impact has been felt far and wide. Devoid of political intrigues, it tells the story of how creative peacemaking can be effective in changing many peoples’ lives.
The association between Internet use and intrinsic capacity among older adults in China: The mediating role of social participation
Authors: Fu Jianying , Fu Shuxia , Wang Xiao , Wang Xiuhong
Published: September 2024

Objective

This study aims to explore the relationship between Internet use and intrinsic capability among Chinese older adults, and the potential mediating role of social participation.

Methods

We verified the correlation between Internet use and intrinsic capacity using multiple linear regression and verified the mediating role of social participation using the Sobel and Bootstrap tests.

Results

The results of multiple linear regression show that there is a significant positive association between Internet use and intrinsic capacity (B = 0.717, p < .001); and social participation plays a mediating role, explaining a total of 20.5% of the association (indirect effect = 0.147, 95% CI: 0.067–0.227).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that Internet use significantly improves intrinsic capacity among Chinese older adults, with social participation playing a mediating role. Increasing Internet adoption rates and promoting social participation may help improve intrinsic capacity among older adults.
User acceptance of strategic planning: Evidence from Northern European municipalities
Authors: George Bert , Jacobsen Dag Ingvar , Johanson Jan‐Erik , Johnsen Åge , Pekkola Elias
Published: September 2024

Strategic planning is core to public administration at all governmental levels. Evidence suggests that when conducted well strategic planning impacts several performance outcomes. Yet, public administration and strategy scholars have argued that strategic planning is not only a technical procedure. Its success is contingent upon the people involved in strategic planning. This study investigates strategic planning using user acceptance theory. It identifies whether formal and participatory strategic planning associate with ease of use and usefulness of strategic planning and, in turn, whether ease of use and usefulness associate with commitment to strategic plans. Results from PLS‐SEM analysis of survey data from 327 municipalities in three Northern European countries or regions (Flanders, Finland, Norway) corroborate the perspective of strategic planning as organizational behavior where design choices shape attitudes and behaviors. These findings support calls to consider strategic planning from a 3Ps perspective, namely connecting people–process–plan, to achieve outcomes.
Suicide decision‐making: Differences in proximal considerations between individuals who aborted and attempted suicide
Authors: Xu Irene , Millner Alexander J. , Fortgang Rebecca G. , Nock Matthew K.
Published: September 2024

Introduction

The transition from suicidal thoughts to behaviors often involves considering the consequences of suicide as part of the decision‐making process. This study explored the relationship between this consideration process and the decision to either abort or carry out a suicide attempt.

Methods

Among inpatients with a suicide‐related event in the past 2 weeks (suicide attempt n = 30 or aborted attempt n = 16), we assessed the degree to which they considered six domains of consequences, the impact of these considerations on their inclination to attempt suicide, and the duration of their decision‐making.

Results

All the participants who aborted and 87% of those who attempted considered consequences of suicide. Participants who aborted took longer to progress through decision‐making stages and considered more suicide‐hindering factors, especially interpersonal ones, though these differences were no longer significant after correction. Group status moderated the relationship between the balance of suicide‐facilitating and suicide‐hindering considerations and decision‐making duration. Considering the consequences of suicide more favorably was related to a shorter ideation‐to‐action period before a suicide attempt and a longer ideation period before aborting an attempt.

Conclusion

This study highlights the complexity of suicide decision‐making and its role in better understanding the progression from ideation to action.
RETRACTED: A novel Skin lesion prediction and classification technique: ViT‐GradCAM
Authors: Shafiq Muhammad , Aggarwal Kapil , Jayachandran Jagannathan , Srinivasan Gayathri , Boddu Rajasekhar , Alemayehu Adugna
Published: September 2024

Background

Skin cancer is one of the highly occurring diseases in human life. Early detection and treatment are the prime and necessary points to reduce the malignancy of infections. Deep learning techniques are supplementary tools to assist clinical experts in detecting and localizing skin lesions. Vision transformers (ViT) based on image segmentation classification using multiple classes provide fairly accurate detection and are gaining more popularity due to legitimate multiclass prediction capabilities.

Materials and methods

In this research, we propose a new ViT Gradient‐Weighted Class Activation Mapping (GradCAM) based architecture named ViT‐GradCAM for detecting and classifying skin lesions by spreading ratio on the lesion's surface area. The proposed system is trained and validated using a HAM 10000 dataset by studying seven skin lesions. The database comprises 10 015 dermatoscopic images of varied sizes. The data preprocessing and data augmentation techniques are applied to overcome the class imbalance issues and improve the model's performance.

Result

The proposed algorithm is based on ViT models that classify the dermatoscopic images into seven classes with an accuracy of 97.28%, precision of 98.51, recall of 95.2%, and an F1 score of 94.6, respectively. The proposed ViT‐GradCAM obtains better and more accurate detection and classification than other state‐of‐the‐art deep learning‐based skin lesion detection models. The architecture of ViT‐GradCAM is extensively visualized to highlight the actual pixels in essential regions associated with skin‐specific pathologies.

Conclusion

This research proposes an alternate solution to overcome the challenges of detecting and classifying skin lesions using ViTs and GradCAM, which play a significant role in detecting and classifying skin lesions accurately rather than relying solely on deep learning models.
Identification of the novel HLA‐DPB1*21:01:02 allele using nanopore sequencing technology
Authors: Zhang Wei , Chen Nanying , Pi Wenwen , Wang Fang , Zhu Faming
Published: September 2024

HLA‐DPB1*21:01:02 differs from HLA‐DPB1*21:01:01 by one single nucleotide substitution at position 435 C>T in exon 3.
Multi‐class plant hormone HILIC‐MS/MS analysis coupled with high‐throughput phenotyping to investigate plant–environment interactions
Authors: Vrobel Ondřej , Ćavar Zeljković Sanja , Dehner Jan , Spíchal Lukáš , De Diego Nuria , Tarkowski Petr
Published: September 2024

Plant hormones are chemical signals governing almost every aspect of a plant's life cycle and responses to environmental cues. They are enmeshed within complex signaling networks that can only be deciphered by using broad‐scale analytical methods to capture information about several plant hormone classes simultaneously. Methods used for this purpose are all based on reversed‐phase (RP) liquid chromatography and mass spectrometric detection. Hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) is an alternative chromatographic method that performs well in analyses of biological samples. We therefore developed and validated a HILIC method for broad‐scale plant hormone analysis including a rapid sample preparation procedure; moreover, derivatization or fractionation is not required. The method enables plant hormone screening focused on polar and moderately polar analytes including cytokinins, auxins, jasmonates, abscisic acid and its metabolites, salicylates, indoleamines (melatonin), and 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid (ACC), for a total of 45 analytes. Importantly, the major pitfalls of ACC analysis have been addressed. Furthermore, HILIC provides orthogonal selectivity to conventional RP methods and displays greater sensitivity, resulting in lower limits of quantification. However, it is less robust, so procedures to increase its reproducibility were established. The method's potential is demonstrated in a case study by employing an approach combining hormonal analysis with phenomics to examine responses of three Arabidopsis ecotypes toward three abiotic stress treatments: salinity, low nutrient availability, and their combination. The case study showcases the value of the simultaneous determination of several plant hormone classes coupled with phenomics data when unraveling processes involving complex cross‐talk under diverse plant‐environment interactions.
OPTIMIZING ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL THROUGH MICROENCAPSULATION OF KAFFIR LIME LEAVES EXTRACT (CITRUS HYSTRIX DC) WITH MALTODEXTRIN AND GELATIN
Authors: Kusumaningrum Maharani , Cahaya Imani Nadya Alfa , Pradnya Irene Nindita , Asri Sarwi , Putri Fatima Amalia , Ramadhani Rizki Ria
Published: August 2024

Kaffir lime leaves (Citrus hystrix DC) are a natural antioxidant compound that can ward off free radicals due to the presence of flavonoid compounds. The flavonoids in this plant were extracted by extraction using a maceration method using 70% ethanol solvent with a soaking time of 24 hours. The ratio used between samples and solvent is 1:10. The microencapsulation process uses a drying method using an oven with maltodextrin coating combined with gelatin in the ratio (coating: kaffir lime leaf extract = 1: 2, 2: 2 and 4: 2) and dried using an oven at temperatures of 40℃, 45℃ and 50℃. Encapsulants with a variant ratio (coating: extract = 4:2) with a gelatin weight of 3 grams at a drying temperature of 50℃ showed the best results, namely 69.079%. Based on GC-MS testing, microencapsulated kaffir lime leaf extract contains compounds terpenoid, phenolic and fatty acid compounds. Antioxidant activity was tested using DPPH analysis and obtained an IC50 result of 48.5694 µg/ml. The morphological characteristics of the microencapsulation were tested using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis. The microencapsulation dissolution test showed that all samples disintegrated within 12 minutes. Overall, it can be concluded that microencapsulation made from maltodextrin and gelatin can encapsulate antioxidants in kaffir lime leaf extract well and dissolve easily at room temperature.
TSUNAMI Analyses of the Similarity and Applicability of Zero Energy Deuterium 2 Critical Experiments for Reactor Physics Code Benchmarking for a Pressurized Water Reactor Small Modular Reactor Design Concept
Authors: Masala Eugene , Blomeley Laura , Watts David G. , Bromley Blair P.
Published: September 2024

This paper presents the findings of studies conducted at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) to support the development of small modular reactor (SMR) designs. The primary focus of this research was to evaluate the suitability of the zero energy deuterium 2 (ZED-2) critical facility in replicating the reactor physics environment for a pressurized water reactor small modular reactor (PWR-SMR) design concept through similarity and nuclear data sensitivity studies, using the TSUNAMI code suite. It was found that previous ZED-2 experiments would be quite promising for application to a PWR-SMR design. Further similarity and sensitivity studies of hypothetical mixed-lattice substitution experiments, where PWR-SMR fuel assemblies were placed into a substitution region of the ZED-2 critical facility demonstrated improved similarity. Subsequent analyses focused on the impacts of dissolved Gadolinium (Gd) and boron (B) neutron absorbers, suggesting the feasibility of using future ZED-2 experiments to more closely replicate PWR-SMR reactor physics behavior. Building on these initial findings, the design for PWR-SMR fuel assembly substitution experiments in the ZED-2 facility were explored further. These hypothetical experiments feature water-cooled PWR-type fuel assemblies inside a shroud, surrounded by heavy-water-moderated CANdu FLEXible, Low Enriched Uranium, Recovered Uranium (CANFLEX-LEU/CANFLEX-RU) fuel channels. Similarity and sensitivity studies indicate a very high level of similarity of these experiments for PWR-SMR design applications.
Fusion of Multiple Data Sources for Vehicle Crashworthiness Prediction Using CycleGAN and Temporal Convolutional Networks
Authors: Zeng Jice , Gao Zhenyan , Li Yang , Barbat Saeed , Lu Jin , Hu Zhen
Published: September 2024

Computer-aided engineering (CAE) models play a pivotal role in predicting crashworthiness of vehicle designs. While CAE models continue to advance in fidelity and accuracy, an inherent discrepancy between CAE model predictions and the responses of physical tests remains inevitable, due to assumptions or simplifications made in physics-based CAE models. Machine learning (ML) models have shown promising potential in improving the prediction accuracy of CAE models. Nevertheless, the scarcity of vehicle crash data poses a significant challenge to the training of such ML models. This paper aims to overcome these challenges by fusing multiple data sources from two different types of vehicles. More specifically, the cycle-consistent generative adversarial neural networks (CycleGAN) are first employed to translate features of time-series test data from one domain (the first vehicle type) to another (the second vehicle type) using cycle consistency loss. Such a translation allows for the generation of synthetic crash test data for the second vehicle type by leveraging existing tests from both the first and second vehicle types. In parallel, an initial temporal convolutional network (TCN) model is trained using CAE simulation data and physical test data of the first vehicle type. This pre-trained TCN model is then fine-tuned using three sources of data from the second vehicle type, namely the CAE data, test data, and the augmented virtual test data generated using CycleGAN. Through this data fusion, the crashworthiness prediction accuracy of the second vehicle type can be improved. The essence of the proposed method involves domain translation across two different yet potentially interrelated vehicle types. This is accomplished by leveraging insights gained from the first vehicle type through transfer learning, coupled with data augmentation techniques. The proposed method is demonstrated by a real-world case study with a small-size SUV and a medium-size SUV. Results show substantial enhancement in the predictive performance of the medium-size SUV model.
Oral but Not Topical Sodium Bicarbonate Improves Repeated Sprint Performance During Simulated Soccer Match Play Exercise in Collegiate Athletes
Authors: Gurton William H. , Gough Lewis A. , Siegler Jason C. , Lynn Anthony , Ranchordas Mayur K.
Published: September 2024

This study investigated the effect of oral and topical sodium bicarbonate (SB) on soccer-specific performance during simulated soccer exercise. In a block randomized, double-blind, crossover design, 10 collegiate male soccer players (stature: 181.7 ± 3.2 cm, body mass: 81.7 ± 10.5 kg) performed soccer-specific performance tests (countermovement jumps, Illinois agility, 8 × 25 m repeated sprints) throughout a 90-min soccer-specific aerobic field test (SAFT90) following 0.3 g/kg body mass SB in capsules (SB-ORAL), 0.9036 g/kg body mass PR Lotion (SB-LOTION), or placebo capsules and lotion (PLA). Soccer-specific performance tests were conducted pre-SAFT90, during half-time and post-SAFT90. Blood samples were analyzed for acid–base balance (pH; bicarbonate, ) and strong ions (sodium, Na+; potassium, K+). Average sprint times were quicker for SB-ORAL than PLA during half-time (3.7%; p = .049; g = .57) and post-SAFT90 (4.9%; p = .041; g = .66). SB-ORAL increased pH and prewarm-up and during half-time (p < .05), and lowered K+ during half-time (p = .035) compared with PLA. SB-LOTION increased pH (p = .019) and lowered K+ (p = .012) during half-time compared with PLA. SB-LOTION increased Na+ postexercise compared with PLA (p = .008). Repeated sprint times during simulated soccer exercise improved for SB-ORAL, which might have been mechanistically underpinned by elevated blood buffering capacity and greater regulation of strong ion concentration. Consuming SB in capsules is a more effective strategy than topical SB application for improving blood buffering capacity and repeated sprint performance throughout competitive soccer matches.
Spin-Dipole Strengths and Neutron Skin Thickness of $${}^{{90}}$$Zr, $${}^{{132}}$$Sn, $${}^{{208}}$$Pb
Authors: Borzov I. N. , Tolokonnikov S. V.
Published: September 2024

The strength distributions of charge exchange spin-dipole excitations are calculated in the continuum quasiparticle random-phase approximation based on the Fayans density functional with modified isovector part. An impact of the isovector parameter $$h_{2}^{-}$$ of the DF3-f functional on the strength functions of charge-exchange spin-dipole excitations ($$0^{-}$$, $$1^{-}$$, $$2^{-}$$) are studied for $${}^{208}$$Pb, $${}^{132}$$Sn and $${}^{90}$$Zr. The sum rules are calculated using both ground state radii and direct integration of the total SD strength distributions. A comparison with the experimental SD sum rule in $${}^{90}$$Zr gives one a possibility to check previously estimated $$h_{2}^{-}$$ values which described well the recent combined estimate for $$\Delta R_{np}$$ in $${}^{208}$$Pb and corresponding equation of state parameters – symmetry energy $$J_{0}=J(\rho_{0})$$ and a slope parameter $$L_{0}=L(\rho_{0})$$.
Characteristics of the studies using realist evaluation to assess interventions that address psychosocial healthcare issues in older adults: a scoping review
Authors: Mitani Shinya , Ogawara Hirofumi , Haruta Junji , Sakakibara Tetsuya , Fukahori Hiroki
Published: September 2024

Objectives

Interventions to address psychosocial healthcare issues in older adults are increasing. Realist evaluation (RE) helps us understand how these interventions work for their issues. It is significant to obtain implications for further developing such research. We aimed to identify the characteristics of studies using RE to assess interventions that address psychosocial healthcare issues in older adults by mapping relevant literature.

Design

Scoping review.

Data sources

MEDLINE, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, ICHUSHI (a Japanese database) and Google Scholar were used for searches between 5 January 2022 and 4 January 2024.

Eligibility criteria

(1) Showing that most of the participants were older adults or their stakeholders; (2) stating in the research background or aim sections that the target interventions aimed at addressing older adults’ psychosocial healthcare issues and (3) using RE to assess these interventions.

Data extraction

Data on country of origin, type of research, study design, qualitative data collection and analysis methods, desirable items for RE and intervention aims and purposes were extracted and summarised using descriptive statistics.

Results

Fifty-four studies were analysed. Most studies were conducted in the UK (54.5%). Mixed methods were used in 28 studies (51.9%), while only qualitative methods were used in 25 studies (46.2 %). Fourteen intervention aims and purposes were identified: improving dementia care, avoiding emergency admissions, preventing social isolation and promoting family involvement in the care of older adults.

Conclusion

RE is useful for promoting an understanding of how interventions work for addressing psychosocial healthcare issues in older adults. RE also promotes the updating of plausible theories that lead to improving interventions. Our findings show the implications of managing time and resources to address the challenge of RE’s time and resource intensiveness and carefully considering the data collection methods to reduce burdens on older adults.
Cost-effectiveness of consolidation durvalumab for inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer in Vietnam
Authors: Mai Vu Quynh , Lindholm Lars , Van Minh Hoang , Sun Sun , Giang Kim Bao , Sahlén Klas-Göran
Published: September 2024

Background

This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of durvalumab as a treatment option for patients with inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from healthcare and partial societal perspectives in Vietnam.

Method

A lifetime partitioned survival model was used to evaluate the costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) associated with consolidation durvalumab in comparison with the standard of care alone. Local costs and utilities were incorporated into the model. In the base-case analysis, no discount was applied to the acquisition cost of durvalumab. Scenario-based, one-way and probabilistic-sensitivity analyses were conducted.

Results

The base-case analysis revealed that the intervention resulted in an increase of 1.38 life years or 1.08 QALYs for patients, but the intervention was not deemed cost-effective from either perspective in the base-case analysis. However, with a 70% reduction in the durvalumab acquisition cost, the intervention was observed to be cost-effective when evaluated from a healthcare perspective and when examining the undiscounted results from a partial societal standpoint.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence regarding the cost-effectiveness of durvalumab for the treatment of inoperable stage III NSCLC in Vietnam for various scenarios. The intervention was not cost-effective at full acquisition cost, but it is important to acknowledge that cost-effectiveness arguments alone cannot solely guide decision-makers in Vietnam; other criteria, such as budget impact and ethical concerns, are crucial factors to consider in decision-making processes.
Rehospitalisation risk by hypnotics class in older patients with heart failure: a cohort study utilizing administrative claims data in Japan
Authors: Saito Tomoyuki , Nojiri Shuko , Naito Ryo , Kasai Takatoshi
Published: September 2024

Background

Studies comparing the safety of orexin receptor antagonists and other hypnotic types for older patients with heart failure (HF) remain lacking. This study aimed to compare orexin receptor antagonists (suvorexant) with benzodiazepines or Z-drugs for sleep treatment and investigate the risk of acute HF-related rehospitalisation in older patients with HF.

Methods

This study used a cohort design to analyse data from an administrative claims database from April 2008 to December 2020. The study population was determined based on inclusion and exclusion criteria from a cohort of 1 159 937 patients aged ≥65 years, selected through random sampling. The follow-up period was censored based on multiple criteria, including outcome occurrences and hypnotic classification changes. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards models were conducted for risk assessment.

Results

The analysis included 1858 patients, aged ≥65 years and experiencing their first HF-related hospitalisation. These patients were categorised based on the initially prescribed hypnotic classification, including suvorexant, benzodiazepines and Z-drugs in 490, 606 and 762 patients, respectively. The average age and SD were similar across all hypnotic classes at 82.7±7.6 years. Kaplan-Meier curves indicated a higher trend of rehospitalisation risk for benzodiazepines and Z-drugs than for suvorexant. The adjusted HRs were 2.77 (95% CI 1.17 to 6.52) for benzodiazepines and 2.98 (95% CI 1.33 to 6.68) for Z-drugs.

Conclusions

Suvorexant administration for sleep treatment in older patients with HF shows a potentially reduced risk of acute HF-related rehospitalisation compared with benzodiazepines and Z-drugs. The results of this study provide valuable information for selecting hypnotics in older patients with HF having concurrent sleep disorders.
Investigating early and late-time epochs in f(Q) gravity
Authors: Kolhatkar Ameya , Mishra Sai Swagat , Sahoo P. K.
Published: September 2024

In the following work, a new hybrid model of the form $$ f(Q)=Q(1+a)+b\frac{Q_0^2}{Q} $$

f

(
Q
)

=
Q

(
1
+
a
)

+
b

Q
0
2

Q

has been proposed and confronted using both early as well as late-time constraints. We first use conditions from the era of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) in order to constrain the models which are further used to study the evolution of the Universe through the deceleration parameter. This methodology is employed for the hybrid model as well as a simple model of the form $$ \alpha _1 Q+\alpha _2 Q_0 $$

α
1

Q
+

α
2

Q
0

which is found to reduce to $$\Lambda $$
Λ
CDM. The error bar plot for the Cosmic Chronometer (CC) and Pantheon+SH0ES datasets which includes the comparison with $$\Lambda $$
Λ
CDM, has been studied for the constrained hybrid model. Additionally, we perform a Monte Carlo Markov Chain (MCMC) sampling of the model against three datasets – CC, Pantheon+SH0ES, and Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO) to find the best-fit ranges of the free parameters. It is found that the constraint range of the model parameter (a) from the BBN study has a region of overlap with the ranges obtained from the MCMC analysis. Finally, we perform a statistical comparison between our model and the $$\Lambda $$
Λ
CDM model using AIC and BIC method.
Higgs photon associated production in a two Higgs doublet type-II seesaw model at future electron-positron colliders
Authors: Ouazghour B. Ait , Chabab M. , Goure K.
Published: September 2024

We study the one-loop prediction for the single production of a SM-like Higgs boson in association with a photon in electron-positron collisions in the context of the two Higgs doublet type-II seesaw model (2HDMcT). We explore to what extent the new scalars in the 2HDMcT spectrum affect its production cross-section, the ratio $$R_{\gamma h_1}$$

R

γ

h
1

as well as the signal strengths $$R_{\gamma Z}$$

R

γ
Z

and $$R_{\gamma \gamma }$$

R

γ
γ

when $$h_1$$

h
1

is identified with the observed SM Higgs boson within the 2HDMcT delimited parameter space. More specifically, we focus on $$e^+e^- \rightarrow h_1\gamma $$

e
+

e
-

→

h
1

γ

process at one-loop, and analyzed how it evolves under a full set of theoretical constraints and the available experimental data, including $$B\rightarrow X_s\gamma $$

B
→

X
s

γ

limit at 95$$\%$$
%
C.L. Our analysis shows that these observables are strongly dependent on the parameters of the model, especially the mixing angel $$\alpha _1$$

α
1

, the potential parameters $$\lambda _{7}$$

λ
7

, $$\lambda _{9}$$

λ
9

, the trilinear Higgs couplings, with a noticeable sensitivity to $$\alpha _1$$

α
1

. We found that $$\sigma (e^+e^- \rightarrow h_1\gamma )$$

σ
(

e
+

e
-

→

h
1

γ
)

can significantly be enhanced up to $$8.1\,\,\times 10^{-2}$$

8.1

×

10

-
2

fb, thus exceeding the Standard Model prediction. Additionally, as a byproduct, we also observed that $$R_{\gamma h_1}$$

R

γ

h
1

is entirely correlated with both the $$h_1\rightarrow \gamma \gamma $$

h
1

→
γ
γ

and $$h_1\rightarrow \gamma Z$$

h
1

→
γ
Z

signal strengths.
Critical infrastructure monitoring in CBRNe scenarios: a reliable and robust communication network for distributed multimodal sensors
Authors: Sporrer Sebastian , Niemann Norman , Hammer Christof
Published: September 2024

The malicious misuse of CBRNe agents can inflict extensive damage to critical infrastructure and terrorize public society. The effects of such attacks can range from financial or structural drawbacks to significant casualties. Recent terror attacks in Cucuta (2021) or Kabul (2021) demonstrate the need to protect infrastructures such as airports, power plants, and transportation infrastructure. In the face of these modern-day threats, the need for a reliable and effective monitoring system for critical infrastructure has become increasingly important. In a first contribution to the long-term development, we present an initial version of a concept that requires the implementation paradigm of diverse redundancy and secure communication using MQTTS relying on the included cipher suite. An initial set of node types is defined and assigned requirements for implementation. The software tools architecture we propose based on these requirements is designed to support network operators and developers by providing standard features for network management and sensor node implementation. This includes the definition of a secure semi-automatic onboarding process for new sensor nodes, which is presented in detail. We strive for independency from specific hardware platforms, software frameworks, and network technologies to enable an open standard for communication within a critical infrastructure sensor network and also between such networks in the future.