bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Non‐Thermal Sulfur Hexafluoride Cold Plasma Modification on Surface Properties of Polyoxymethylene
Authors: Chodkowski Michał , Terpiłowski Konrad , Románszki Loránd , Klébert Szilvia , Mohai Miklós , Károly Zoltán
Published: March 2024

X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy was employed to reveal the differences in the chemical structure of the topmost layer after plasma modification. It was found out that changes in the surface properties of the polymer could be observed even after 20 seconds of treatment. The surface becomes hydrophobic or superhydrophobic, with the water contact angles up to 160 degrees. Morphological changes and increased roughness can be observed only in the nanoscale, whereas the structure seems to be unaffected in the microscale. As a result of plasma modification a permanent hydrophobic effect was obtained on the polyoxymethylene surface.
Epithelial Na+Channels Function as Extracellular Sensors
Authors: Kashlan Ossama B. , Wang Xue‐Ping , Sheng Shaohu , Kleyman Thomas R.
Published: March 2024

The epithelial Na+channel (ENaC) resides on the apical surfaces of specific epithelia in vertebrates and plays a critical role in extracellular fluid homeostasis. Evidence that ENaC senses the external environment emerged well before the molecular identity of the channel was reported three decades ago. This article discusses progress toward elucidating the mechanisms through which specific external factors regulate ENaC function, highlighting insights gained from structural studies of ENaC and related family members. It also reviews our understanding of the role of ENaC regulation by the extracellular environment in physiology and disease. After familiarizing the reader with the channel's physiological roles and structure, we describe the central role protein allostery plays in ENaC's sensitivity to the external environment. We then discuss each of the extracellular factors that directly regulate the channel: proteases, cations and anions, shear stress, and other regulators specific to particular extracellular compartments. For each regulator, we discuss the initial observations that led to discovery, studies investigating molecular mechanism, and the physiological and pathophysiological implications of regulation. © 2024 American Physiological Society.Compr Physiol14:5407‐5447, 2024.
Stimuli‐Induced Controls of Magnetic and Photophysical Properties Using Liquescent Open‐Shell Ionic Molecular Systems
Authors: Suzuki Shuichi , Tanaka Ritsuki , Shu Ruifeng , Naota Takeshi
Published: March 2024

This study explores the remarkable properties of liquescent open‐shell ionic molecular systems, emphasizing the magnetic and photophysical characteristics arising from their associated structures in the condensed state under various conditions. Well‐investigated open‐shell molecules, namely, phenothiazine, dihydrophenazine, and tetrathiafulvalene radical cations, and bis(malononitriledithiolato)nickel(III) anionic complexes were examined, and the concept of liquescent open‐shell ionic molecular systems was devised. Transformations in their associated structures are induced by external stimuli, resulting in significant variations in their physical properties. These experimental findings open new avenues for exploring and applying stimuli‐responsive molecule‐based materials.
Tandem Electrooxidation – Reductive Amination of Biobased Isohexides Towards Bicyclic Diamines
Authors: Windels Simon , Vanhoof Jef R. , Spittaels Sander , Coeck Robin , De Vos Dirk E. , Cuypers Thomas
Published: March 2024

Isohexide‐derived diamines are considered preferred precursors for the production of biobased polyurethanes and polyamides. However, current synthesis methods from isohexides suffer from serious issues concerning selectivity and the recyclability of the process auxiliaries (e. g. homogeneous catalysts), which renders a translation to the industry highly unlikely. Here, we report on the production of such diamine building blocks, via a tandem electrooxidation – reductive amination process in which the process auxiliaries can be easily recycled. The application of (immobilized) TEMPO in combination with simple halides (e. g. NaBr) in the electrochemical step even enables the oxidation of the sterically hindered exo‐OHs of the isohexides to the corresponding diketones (yield up to 99 %). In the subsequent reductive amination, the produced ketones are atom‐efficiently converted to isohexide diamines utilizing NH3, H2, and Ru/C and an acid resin cocatalyst.
Narrow and wide band monopole antenna design using heterogeneous bidirectional recurrent neural network for LTE and UWB applications
Authors: Ramya S. , Vijayalakshmi P.
Published: March 2024

The proposed antenna is a small wideband monopole with wideband circular polarization using heterogeneous bidirectional recurrent neural network for both narrow and wide band applications (NWB‐MAD‐HBRNN). The electromagnetic structure is designed, fabricated, and simulated with 1 mm thickness on FR4 substrate material along dielectric constant 4.3. The proposed antenna includes 4.3–8.85 GHz for ultrawideband applications; it contains reconfigurable narrow band for L‐band 1.27 GHz, LTE, and ultrawideband applications. To enhance the antenna impedance bandwidth (BW) along axial ratio bandwidth (ARBW), a slit is etched at the antenna patch, a rectangular stub is inserted into the ground plane, and semicircular stub is added to the top of antenna feed line. The better agreement is observed in the measured and simulated gain performance of 4.8 dB for LTE band applications. The proposed NWB‐MAD‐HBRNN design provides 13.50%, 18.91%, and 22.58% higher bandwidth and 18.36%, 20.38%, and 27.58% lower return loss than the existing designs, such as bio‐inspired wideband antenna for wireless applications based on perturbation technique (BWA‐WA‐PA), a compact circularly polarized modified printed monopole antenna for wireless applications (CCP‐MPMA‐WA), and new multiband monopole antenna for certain broadband wireless applications along wireless personal communications (PA‐MMA‐BWA), respectively.
Impact of coronary microvascular dysfunction in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a meta‐analysis
Authors: D'Amario Domenico , Laborante Renzo , Bianchini Emiliano , Ciliberti Giuseppe , Paglianiti Donato Antonio , Galli Mattia , Restivo Attilio , Stolfo Davide , Vergallo Rocco , Rosano Giuseppe M.C. , Crea Filippo , Lam Carolyn S.P. , Lund Lars H. , Metra Marco , Patti Giuseppe , Savarese Gianluigi
Published: March 2024

Aims

Several mechanisms have been identified in the aetiopathogenesis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Among these, coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) may play a key pathophysiological role. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to investigate the prevalence, echocardiographic correlates, and prognostic implications of CMD in patients with HFpEF.

Methods and results

A systematic search for articles up to 1 May 2023 was performed. The primary aim was to assess the prevalence of CMD. Secondary aims were to compare key echocardiographic parameters (E/e′ ratio, left atrial volume index [LAVi], and left ventricular mass index [LVMi]), clinical outcomes [death and hospitalization for heart failure (HF)], and prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) between patients with and without CMD. Meta‐regressions according to baseline patient characteristics and study features were performed to explore potential heterogeneity sources. We identified 14 observational studies, enrolling 1138 patients with HFpEF. The overall prevalence of CMD was 58%. Compared with patients without CMD, patients with HFpEF and CMD had larger LAVi [mean difference (MD) 3.85 confidence interval (CI) 1.19–6.5, P < 0.01)], higher E/e′ ratio (MD 2.76 CI 1.54–3.97; P < 0.01), higher prevalence of AF (odds ratio 1.61 CI 1.04–2.48, P = 0.03) and higher risk of death or hospitalization for HF [hazard ratio 3.19, CI 1.04–9.57, P = 0.04].

Conclusions

CMD is present in little more than half of the patients with HFpEF and is associated with echocardiographic evidence of more severe diastolic dysfunction and a higher prevalence of AF, doubling the risk of death or HF hospitalization.
How to respond to inappropriate questions in job interviews: Personal and social consequences of truth‐telling, deflection and confrontation
Authors: Kahalon Rotem , Ullrich Johannes , Becker Julia C.
Published: March 2024

Parents, especially mothers, and young women without children, face a subtle threat in job interviews: being asked inappropriate questions about parental status. In three vignette experiments (N = 760), we compared personal (perceived likability and likelihood of being hired) and social consequences (perceived chances that the interviewer will ask the inappropriate question again) of different response strategies. Results suggest that deflection (i.e., responding with another question) is a superior strategy at the personal level, as it increases the perceived chances to be hired in comparison to truth‐telling (Study 1) and confrontation (Studies 1–3) without hurting likability (Study 1). Confrontation (i.e., saying that the question is inappropriate) is a superior strategy at the social level, decreasing the perceived probability that the interviewer will keep asking inappropriate questions in comparison to deflection (Studies 2 and 3) and truth‐telling (Study 3). No gender differences were apparent. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Genetic identification of human remains from the Korean War
Authors: Zhang Qingzhen , Liu Liyan , Wang Yu , Liu Qiqi , Zhang Minli , Zhang Xiaochang , Tang Zhaobing , Ding Xiaoran , Zhang XiuJuan , Shao Liting , Zhou Zhe , Wang Shengqi
Published: March 2024

The genetic identification of skeletal remains from Chinese People's Volunteers (CPVs) of the Korean War has been challenging because of the degraded DNA samples and the lack of living close relatives. This study established a workflow for identifying CPVs by combining Y‐chromosome short tandem repeats (Y‐STRs), mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) hypervariable regions I and II, autosomal STRs (aSTRs), and identity‐informative SNPs (iiSNPs). A total of 20 skeletal remains of CPVs and 46 samples from their alleged relatives were collected. The success rate of DNA extraction from human remains was 100%. Based on Y‐STRs, six remains shared the same male lineages with their alleged relatives. Meanwhile, mtDNA genotyping supports two remains sharing the same maternal lineages with their alleged relatives. Likelihood ratios (LRs) were further obtained from 27 aSTRs and 94 iiSNPs or 1936 iiSNPs to confirm their relationship. All joint pedigree LRs were >100. Finally, six remains were successfully identified. This pilot study for the systematic genetic identification of CPVs from the Korean War can be applied for the large‐scale identification of CPVs in the future.
The ceramic vessels of the late antique and early medieval domus in the religious complex of San Pietro (Canusium, Italy): Clayey geosources, local production and imports in northern Apulia
Authors: Gliozzo Elisabetta , Ionescu Corina , Giuliani Roberta , Turchiano Maria
Published: March 2024

This study broadens our knowledge of the relationship between the clayey georesources available in northern Apulia and the artisanal production of ceramics. The focus is placed on a collection of 6th and 7th century A.D. pottery found in the domus excavated within the archaeological complex of Canosa San Pietro (ancient Canusium) in Italy. The integration of the results obtained from this study with those already available made it possible to outline conscious technological choices in terms of raw materials' exploitation, based on which the alluvial deposits were selected for the production of coarse cooking ware and the marine Subapennine clays for the production of fine common ware. This selective choice undoubtedly had a practical implication since it supplied raw materials that required little processing, being already suitable for the type of ceramic to be produced. Moreover, the compositional comparison of investigated pottery with products distributed along the Carapelle valley, rather than those from Canusium previously studied, provides new perspectives for reconstructing the microcirculation of ceramics in northern Apulia. Lastly, the imports of Classe‐type pottery, probably from the northern Adriatic area, are worth mentioning since they represent the most consistent distribution of this type of ceramic in southern Italy and may reflect the assiduous pilgrimage of the monastery after the death of Bishop Savinus.
CFD and artificial neural network‐based modeling approach for the annual performance assessment of single slope single basin solar still
Authors: Verma Ashutosh , Singh Hardial
Published: March 2024

Thermal performance modeling and performance prediction of a solar still which is single basin single slope (SBSS) for the typical climatic condition of India at Jalandhar (31.3260° N, 75.5762° E) is analyzed in the present work. A numerical investigation of an SBSS solar still is conducted during the month of June 2022 using the ANSYS Fluent 2021 computational fluid dynamics (CFD) package and artificial neural network (ANN) prediction model. A user define function is written and used in fluent to formulate the problem with 9‐h solar radiation flux, on solar still glass surface. The simulation outcomes for surface temperature at three different water depths were compared with the existing experimental study. Water temperature and productivity of freshwater were well aligned with experimental results. Three‐dimensional domain is used with a two‐phase volume of fluid model for the condensation and evaporation processes in a solar still. The performance evaluation parameters, that is, coefficients of convective, evaporative, and radiative heat transfer, different temperature values, distillation output, and system efficiency were calculated numerically. The parametric analysis is expanded, and an ANN model in MATLAB R2020a is utilized to estimate yearly performance and reduce the high computational cost of numerical analysis. The data for solar radiation, design, and operational parameters are fed into the ANN model, and as a result, the water temperature at various depths is computed. The ANN model was trained using numerical results computed for the month of June and tested, showing 99.7% accuracy with CFD results. The annual performance of the solar still was evaluated using ANN models for 9 h of the day and with different boundary conditions. To decrease computational and experimental costs, the recommended technique of combined CFD and ANN models for computing the annual performance of (SBSS) solar still is the most effective option.
Real‐time small bowel visualization quality assessment in wireless capsule endoscopy images using different lightweight embeddable models
Authors: Sadeghi Vahid , Mehridehnavi Alireza , Sanahmadi Yasaman , Rakhshani Sajed , Omrani Mina , Sharifi Mohsen
Published: March 2024

Wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) captures huge number of images, but only a fraction are medically relevant. We propose automated real‐time small bowel visualization quality (SBVQ) assessment to eliminate transmission of irrelevant frames. Our aim is to design lightweight color‐based models for segmenting clean and contaminated regions with minimal parameters, short training, and fast inference, suitable for WCE hardware integration. Using the Kvasir Capsule endoscopy dataset, we constructed models based on distinctive color patterns of clean and contaminated regions. While different classifiers have been trained and evaluated, the k‐nearest neighbors (KNNs), multilayer perceptron (MLP), and gradient‐boosted machine (GBM) obtained superior performance (accuracy: 0.87±0.12, Dice similarity score (DSC): 0.87±0.15, intersection over union (IOU): 0.80±0.19). Logistic regression (LR) had the shortest training and inference times. Our models offer simplicity, compactness, and robustness, delivering satisfactory real‐time performance. Evaluation on the SEE‐AI project dataset confirms good generalization capabilities, demonstrating practical solutions for WCE image analysis.
Reducing student anxiety using neurofeedback‐assisted mindfulness: A quasi‐experimental single‐case design
Authors: Christian David D. , Brown Cian L. , Smarinsky Evan C. , Popejoy Erin K. , Boykin Allison Ames
Published: March 2024

The authors implemented an A–B–A with follow‐up quasi‐experimental single‐case research design to assess the effectiveness of a consumer‐grade neurofeedback (NFB)‐assisted mindfulness‐based intervention (MBI) for reducing anxiety in high‐achieving high school students (N = 5). Three of the participants from racial/ethnic minority and lower socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds reported reduced anxiety as measured by the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory for Youth (STAI‐Y) during the intervention. In contrast, the two participants who identified as White, higher SES did not report decreased anxiety during the intervention. Results provide initial support for the use of the NFB‐assisted MBI used in this study as a brief, targeted intervention for highly anxious, high‐achieving high school students—specifically those from racial/ethnic minority and lower SES backgrounds. Implications for practice and research are discussed.
Active‐learning for global optimization of Ni‐Ceria nanoparticles: The case of Ce4−xNixO8−x (x = 1, 2, 3)
Authors: Barrios Herrera Lizandra , Lourenço Maicon Pierre , Hostaš Jiří , Calaminici Patrizia , Köster Andreas M. , Tchagang Alain , Salahub Dennis R.
Published: March 2024

Ni‐CeO2 nanoparticles (NPs) are promising nanocatalysts for water splitting and water gas shift reactions due to the ability of ceria to temporarily donate oxygen to the catalytic reaction and accept oxygen after the reaction is completed. Therefore, elucidating how different properties of the Ni‐Ceria NPs relate to the activity and selectivity of the catalytic reaction, is of crucial importance for the development of novel catalysts. In this work the active learning (AL) method based on machine learning regression and its uncertainty is used for the global optimization of Ce(4‐x)NixO(8‐x) (x = 1, 2, 3) nanoparticles, employing density functional theory calculations. Additionally, further investigation of the NPs by mass‐scaled parallel‐tempering Born‐Oppenheimer molecular dynamics resulted in the same putative global minimum structures found by AL, demonstrating the robustness of our AL search to learn from small datasets and assist in the global optimization of complex electronic structure systems.
Group divisible designs with block size 4 and group sizes 4 and 7
Authors: Abel R. Julian R. , Britz Thomas , Bunjamin Yudhistira A. , Combe Diana
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we consider the existence of group divisible designs (GDDs) with block size and group sizes and . We show that there exists a ‐GDD of type for all but a finite specified set of feasible values for .
Cultural topics with clinical implications needed in the dental curriculum to develop intercultural competence: A systematic review
Authors: Álvarez‐Cruces Debbie J. , Otondo‐Briceño Maite , Nocceti‐de‐la‐Barra Alejandra , Medina‐Moreno Alejandra , Henríquez‐Tejo Rocío
Published: March 2024

Objective

To identify cultural topics with clinical implications to be incorporated into the dentistry curriculum to develop Intercultural Competence.

Methods

Systematic review with PRISMA criteria that exported 216 articles from the Web of Science, Scopus, and SciELO databases from 2012 to 2022, of which 40 were selected. The inclusion criteria were theoretical and empirical scientific articles, of quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods nature, on cultural topics.

Results

The data analysis allowed the organization of information into four cultural topics: Development of professional intercultural self‐awareness, Individual, family, and cultural implications, Construction of intercultural therapeutic relationships, and Specific clinical aspects, each with particular contents to be developed in the dentistry curriculum. However, some clinical issues have yet to be explored in‐depth, leaving research possibilities open to all disciplines in dentistry. Additionally, it is necessary to analyze the cultural bias in the discussion and conclusion of some reviewed articles, as they were conducted from an ethnocentric perspective. Thus, peer reviewers of scientific journals and researchers in these topics must have appropriate training in Intercultural Competence.

Conclusions

This review provides a guide and pedagogical sequence of the cultural topics that should be incorporated into the dentistry curriculum to achieve Intercultural Competence, it also highlights a wide range of relevant aspects to consider in establishing an adequate therapeutic relationship. Explicit accreditation criteria contribute to the establishment of Intercultural Competence in the curricula; however, in countries that lack regulations, there is a moral and ethical duty to incorporate the subject so that the future professional can manage and establish inclusive healthcare.
Evaluating the effectiveness of a novel digital evaluation technology on dental preclinical crown preparation training
Authors: Chen Jiamin , Luo Youcheng , Li Hang , Zhang Xinmiao , Yang Ziqi , Yu Pei , Huang Jiangyong , Li Jiang , Wu Zhe
Published: March 2024

Objectives

To evaluate the assessment scores of a novel digital training program versus traditional training in dental preclinical crown preparation.

Methods

Crown preparations in two consecutive preclinical training sessions were retrospectively collected and assigned to three groups: traditional group (TG), scanning group (SG), and digital evaluation group (DG). Students in the TG (n = 20) were taught by conventional visual grading, while students in the SG (n = 25) received three‐dimensional feedback from digitally scanned preparations. All the SG students continued with supplementary digital evaluation and preparations were allocated into the DG (n = 25). Comparison of total scores between groups was investigated using independent samples t‐test and paired samples t‐test. Mann‒Whitney U‐test and Wilcoxon signed‐rank test were used to statistically analyze the differences in subdividing categories. The level of significance was p < 0.05. Questionnaires on the digital evaluation procedure were answered by students in DG.

Results

The results showed a significant improvement (p < 0.01) in the total scores of DG than those of TG and SG, while there were no statistically significant differences between TG and SG. Scores of surface finish and undercut improved significantly in DG compared to TG and SG. The reduction scores of DG were significantly higher than those of SG. Students’ feedback indicated a positive perspective on the implementation of the novel digital evaluation technology.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that digital evaluation technology is useful for preclinical crown preparation training. Attention should also be paid to studying the optimal integration of digital dentistry into traditional dental curricula and its effects on students’ learning curves.
Swine pseudorabies virus attenuated vaccine reprograms the kidney cancer tumor microenvironment and synergizes with PD‐1 blockade
Authors: Gui Mengxuan , Wu Chongxin , Qi Ruoyao , Zeng Yue , Huang Pengfei , Cao Jiali , Chen Tian , Chen Kaiyun , Lin Lina , Han Qiangyuan , He Peiqing , Fu Rao , Wu Qian , Yuan Quan , Zhang Tianying , Xia Ningshao , Wang Guosong , Chen Yixin
Published: March 2024

The global incidence rate of kidney cancer (KC) has been steadily increasing over the past 30 years. With the aging global population, kidney cancer has become an escalating concern that necessitates vigilant surveillance. Nowadays, surgical intervention remains the optimal therapeutic approach for kidney cancer, while the availability of efficacious treatments for advanced tumors remains limited. Oncolytic viruses, an emerging form of immunotherapy, have demonstrated encouraging anti‐neoplastic properties and are progressively garnering public acceptance. However, research on oncolytic viruses in kidney cancer is relatively limited. Furthermore, given the high complexity and heterogeneity of kidney cancer, it is crucial to identify an optimal oncolytic virus agent that is better suited for its treatment. The present study investigates the oncolytic activity of the Pseudorabies virus live attenuated vaccine (PRV‐LAV) against KC. The findings clearly demonstrate that PRV‐LAV exhibits robust oncolytic activity targeting KC cell lines. Furthermore, the therapeutic efficacy of PRV‐LAV was confirmed in both a subcutaneous tumor‐bearing nude mouse model and a syngeneic mouse model of KC. Combined RNA‐seq analysis and flow cytometry revealed that PRV‐LAV treatment substantially enhances the infiltration of a diverse range of lymphocytes, including T cells, B cells, macrophages, and NK cells. Additionally, PRV‐LAV treatment enhances T cell activation and exerts antitumor effects. Importantly, the combination of PRV‐LAV with anti‐PD‐1 antibodies, an approved drug for KC treatment, synergistically enhances the efficacy against KC. Overall, the discovery of PRV‐LAV as an effective oncolytic virus holds significant importance for improving the treatment efficacy and survival rates of KC patients.
Four decades of sustainable tourism research: Trends and future research directions
Authors: Agarwal Reeti , Mehrotra Ankit , Mishra Anubhav , Rana Nripendra P. , Nunkoo Robin , Cho Meehee
Published: March 2024

With the growth of sustainable tourism research and its practical relevance in today's world, it is important to integrate and synthesize the vast amount ofintellectual work on this topic. This research applies a novel and robust structural topic modeling technique to analyze textual data from a total of 3289 research articles on sustainable tourism published between 1978 and 2022. The topics identified have been classified into macro, meso, and micro levels. Further, we compared and contrasted research themes across three time periods to provide a coherent, cohesive, and holistic overview of the extant literature in each period and discuss their contributions to knowledge. This article presents the publication trends, research evolution in the last four decades, and identifies emerging topics and future research opportunities to advance knowledge.
Dispositional mindfulness moderates the links between potentially morally injurious event exposure and symptoms of anxiety and depression but not suicidal ideation
Authors: Wetzler Elizabeth L. , Erbe Ryan G. , Cornwell James F. M. , Wood Michael D.
Published: March 2024

Exposure to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) is a pervasive threat for military service members and may be associated with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. However, coping mechanisms, such as mindfulness, may ameliorate symptoms and improve recovery. Two studies were conducted to test dispositional mindfulness as a moderator of the links between PMIEs, as assessed using the Moral Injury Events Scale (i.e., total score and Self‐Transgression, Other‐Transgression, and Betrayal subscale scores), and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation among different samples of active‐duty soldiers in garrison. In Sample 1 (N = 310), mindfulness buffered the links between PMIE exposure and symptoms of both anxiety, ∆R2 = .02, and depression, ∆R2 = .03. In Sample 2 (N = 669), mindfulness moderated the link between the MIES Betrayal subscale and anxiety symptoms, ∆R2 = .01. The results suggest that dispositional mindfulness may be a protective factor against some of the negative impacts of PMIE exposure. Further implications are discussed.
Seeking American Society of Clinical Oncology‐Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (ASCO‐QOPI) certification in a northern New England rural health system and cancer care network
Authors: Perrey Hilary M. , Taylor Evelyn , Cropp Brett F. , Bumpus Meaghan J. , Lessard Shannon , Pretorius Jeanette A. , Angus Jonathan H. , Duperreault Megan F. , Snow Amanda , Wang Dorothy , Curtis Meredith , Couture Lauren A. , Adolphson David R. , Smith Kimberly , Moody Joy H. , Bianchi Michael J. , Parker Mark G. , Sanyal Amit , Remick Scot C.
Published: March 2024

In 2006 following several years of preliminary study, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) launched the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI). This cancer‐focused quality initiative evolved considerably over the next decade‐and‐a‐half and is expanding globally. QOPI is undoubtedly the leading standard‐bearer for quality cancer care and contemporary medical oncology practice. The program garners attention and respect among federal programs, private insurers, and medical oncology practices across the nation. The MaineHealth Cancer Care Network (MHCCN) has undergone expansive growth since 2017. The network provides cancer care to more than 70% of the cases in Maine in a largely rural health system in Northern New England. In fall 2020, the MHCCN QOPI project leadership, following collaborative discussions with the ASCO‐QOPI team, elected to proceed with a health system–cancer network‐wide QOPI certification. Key themes emerged over the course of our two‐year journey including: (1) Developing a highly interprofessional team committed to the project; (2) Capitalizing on a single electronic medical record for data transmission to CancerLinQ; (3) Prior experience, especially policy development, in other cancer‐focused accreditation programs across the network; and (4) Building consensus through quarterly stakeholder meetings and awarding Continuing Medical Education (CME) and American Board of Medical Specialists (ABMS) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) credits to oncologists. All participants demonstrated a genuine spirit to work together to achieve certification. We report our successful journey seeking ASCO‐QOPI certification across our network, which to our knowledge is the first‐of‐its‐kind endeavor.
The menace of severe adverse events and deaths associated with viral gene therapy and its potential solution
Authors: Kachanov Artyom , Kostyusheva Anastasiya , Brezgin Sergey , Karandashov Ivan , Ponomareva Natalia , Tikhonov Andrey , Lukashev Alexander , Pokrovsky Vadim , Zamyatnin Andrey A. , Parodi Alessandro , Chulanov Vladimir , Kostyushev Dmitry
Published: March 2024

Over the past decade, in vivo gene replacement therapy has significantly advanced, resulting in market approval of numerous therapeutics predominantly relying on adeno‐associated viral vectors (AAV). While viral vectors have undeniably addressed several critical healthcare challenges, their clinical application has unveiled a range of limitations and safety concerns. This review highlights the emerging challenges in the field of gene therapy. At first, we discuss both the role of biological barriers in viral gene therapy with a focus on AAVs, and review current landscape of in vivo human gene therapy. We delineate advantages and disadvantages of AAVs as gene delivery vehicles, mostly from the safety perspective (hepatotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity, inflammatory responses etc.), and outline the mechanisms of adverse events in response to AAV. Contribution of every aspect of AAV vectors (genomic structure, capsid proteins) and host responses to injected AAV is considered and substantiated by basic, translational and clinical studies. The updated evaluation of recent AAV clinical trials and current medical experience clearly shows the risks of AAVs that sometimes overshadow the hopes for curing a hereditary disease. At last, a set of established and new molecular and nanotechnology tools and approaches are provided as potential solutions for mitigating or eliminating side effects. The increasing number of severe adverse reactions and, sadly deaths, demands decisive actions to resolve the issue of immune responses and extremely high doses of viral vectors used for gene therapy. In response to these challenges, various strategies are under development, including approaches aimed at augmenting characteristics of viral vectors and others focused on creating secure and efficacious non‐viral vectors. This comprehensive review offers an overarching perspective on the present state of gene therapy utilizing both viral and non‐viral vectors.
A five‐dimensional unemployment model with two distributed time delays
Authors: Harding Liliana , Kaslik Eva , Neamtu Mihaela , Flavia Vesa Loredana
Published: March 2024

The purpose of this paper is to build and analyze a model of labor market slack considering unemployment along with employment in which the number of hours is limited to a level below that preferred by employees. We thus have “underemployment” along with unemployment. We analyze the need for potential policy action directed at the reduction of unemployment, simultaneous with an autonomous process of labor market job creation and migration. We model delays in labor market responses to past unemployment and vacancies creation and capture the effect on unemployment through a non‐linear dynamic system. We observe not only job separation and matching but also movement into and out of underemployment. The model allows for migration in an open economy context. We analyze the stability behavior of the resulting equilibria for our dynamic system, including Dirac and weak kernels.
Cross‐sectional study of patients with VCP multisystem proteinopathy 1 using dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry
Authors: Columbres Rod Carlo Agram , Luu Vu , Nguyen Minh , Kimonis Virginia
Published: March 2024

Introduction/Aims

VCP multisystem proteinopathy 1 (MSP1), encompassing inclusion body myopathy (IBM), Paget's disease of bone (PDB) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) (IBMPFD), features progressive muscle weakness, fatty infiltration, and disorganized bone structure in Pagetic bones. The aim of this study is to utilize dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) parameters to examine it as a biomarker of muscle and bone disease in MSP1.

Methods

DXA scans were obtained in 28 patients to assess body composition parameters (bone mineral density [BMD], T‐score, total fat, and lean mass) across different groups: total VCP disease (n = 19), including myopathy without Paget's (“myopathy”; n = 12) and myopathy with Paget's (“Paget”; n = 7), and unaffected first‐degree relatives serving as controls (n = 6).

Results

In the VCP disease group, significant declines in left hip BMD and Z‐scores were noted versus the control group (p ≤ .03). The VCP disease group showed decreased whole body lean mass % (p = .04), and increased total body fat % (p = .04) compared to controls. Subgroup comparisons indicated osteopenia in 33.3% and osteoporosis in 8.3% of the myopathy group, with 14.3% exhibiting osteopenia in the Paget group. Moreover, the Paget group displayed higher lumbar L1‐L4 T‐score values than the myopathy group.

Discussion

In MSP1, DXA revealed reduced bone and lean mass, and increased fat mass. These DXA insights could aid in monitoring disease progression of muscle loss and secondary osteopenia/osteoporosis in MSP1, providing value both clinically and in clinical research.
Emotion constructs and outcome measures following false positive breast screening test results: A systematic review of reporting clarity and selection rationale
Authors: Long Hannah A. , Hindmarch Sarah , Martindale John‐Paul , Brooks Joanna M. , Harvie Michelle , French David P.
Published: March 2024

Objective

(i) To systematically identify constructs and outcome measures used to assess the emotional and mood impact of false positive breast screening test results; (ii) to appraise the reporting clarity and rationale for selecting constructs and outcome measures.

Methods

Databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO) were systematically searched from 1970. Studies using standardised and non‐standardised outcome measures to evaluate the emotion or mood impact of false positive breast screening test results were eligible. A 15‐item coding scheme was devised to appraise articles on clarity and rationale for selected constructs and measures.

Results

Forty‐seven articles were identified. The most investigated constructs were general anxiety and depression and disease‐specific anxiety and worry. Twenty‐two standardised general outcome questionnaire measures and three standardised disease‐specific outcome questionnaire measures were identified. Twenty articles used non‐standardised scales/items. Reporting of constructs and outcome measures was generally clear, but rationales for their selection were lacking. Anxiety was typically justified, but justification for depression was almost always absent. Practical and psychometric justification for selecting outcome measures was lacking, and theoretical rationale was absent.

Conclusions

Heterogeneity in constructs and measures, coupled with unclear rationale for these, impedes a thorough understanding of why there are emotional effects of false positive screening test results. This may explain the repeated practice of investigating less relevant outcomes such as depression. There is need to develop a consensual conceptual model of and standardised approach to measuring emotional impact from cancer screening test results, to address heterogeneity and other known issues of interpreting an inconsistent evidence base.
Development of pre‐startup safety review implementation tool for safe operation in process plant
Authors: Abu Bakar Amiruddin , Abdul Aziz Hanida
Published: March 2024

A pre‐startup safety review (PSSR) is a formal review of a chemical manufacturing process to verify that critical areas of the affected process have been assessed and addressed before using the process. It can be a new process or after modification to an existing process or operating conditions. There is concern about full implementation compliance, including designing the PSSR program, preparing the process to perform PSSR, following PSSR action items, and approving the PSSR report. This study aims to develop a PSSR Implementation Tool (PSSR‐IT) via the Microsoft Excel platform. At the end of the self‐assessment process, the end users were provided with the value of the percentage of compliance with PSSR requirements and a thorough review process prior to the start‐up activities. A safety experts’ content validation index (CVI) was performed to ensure the tool's content was valid and sufficient for the PSSR process, followed by a case study. Feedback from process safety engineers and PSSR leaders as end users has been collected through the System Usability Scale (SUS). A total of 227 questions have been listed under 10 disciplines, including general info, operation, engineering, operational, process safety, health safety and environment (HSE), action log, final walk down, and approval that cover all essential aspects of review process prior to the start‐up activities with CVI value of 0.98, k = 0.67. SUS findings demonstrated that all industrial experts and end users believe the tool is suitable and reliable, with a score >85%. Utilizing the PSSR tool will help the industries promote and improve the process safety program at the workplace.
Flow‐ and scale‐dependent spatial predictability of convective precipitation combining different model uncertainty representations
Authors: Matsunobu Takumi , Puh Matjaž , Keil Christian
Published: March 2024

Considering a whole summer season in central Europe, we find that the operational, convection‐permitting ICON‐D2 ensemble prediction system is spatially underdispersive in convective precipitation forecasts. The spatial spread of hourly precipitation is insufficient to capture the inherent error adequately across all scales (up to 300 km) and forecast times (up to 24 h). This lack of spread becomes more pronounced in the weak convective forcing regime. Using physically based stochastic perturbations in the planetary boundary layer is beneficial and leads to a reduction in spatial error at scales larger than 20 km and increases the spread at scales less than 50 km during weak forcing of convection, whereas the effect is almost neutral during strong forcing. Complementing the stochastic perturbations by perturbed parameters in the microphysics scheme shows an additive effect on spatial error and spread for a characteristic case study. Assessing the practical predictability of convective precipitation in a flow‐dependent manner is crucial, and our approach of combining multiple sources of uncertainty proves beneficial in mitigating the spatial underdispersion across scales, particularly during weak convective forcing.
Exciting High‐Frequency Short‐Wavelength Spin Waves using High Harmonics of a Magnonic Cavity Mode
Authors: Kumar Nikhil , Gruszecki Paweł , Gołębiewski Mateusz , Kłos Jarosław W. , Krawczyk Maciej
Published: March 2024

Spin waves (SWs) are promising objects for signal processing and future quantum technologies due to their high microwave frequencies with corresponding nanoscale wavelengths. However, the nano‐wavelength SWs generated so far are limited to low frequencies. In the paper, using micromagnetic simulations, it is shown that a microwave‐pumped SW mode confined to the cavity of a thin film magnonic crystal (MC) can be used to generate waves at tens of GHz and wavelengths well below 50 nm. These multi‐frequency harmonics of the fundamental cavity mode are generated when the amplitude of the pumping microwave field exceeds a threshold, and their intensities then scale linearly with the field intensity. The frequency of the cavity mode is equal to the ferromagnetic resonance frequency of the planar ferromagnetic film, which overlaps with the magnonic bandgap, providing an efficient mechanism for confinement and magnetic field tunability. The effect reaches saturation when the microstrip feed line covers the entire cavity, making the system feasible for realization.
Collaborative inference for treatment effect with distributed data‐sharing management in multicenter studies
Authors: Hu Mengtong , Shi Xu , Song Peter X.‐K.
Published: March 2024

Data sharing barriers present paramount challenges arising from multicenter clinical studies where multiple data sources are stored and managed in a distributed fashion at different local study sites. Merging such data sources into a common data storage for a centralized statistical analysis requires a data use agreement, which is often time‐consuming. Data merging may become more burdensome when propensity score modeling is involved in the analysis because combining many confounding variables, and systematic incorporation of this additional modeling in a meta‐analysis has not been thoroughly investigated in the literature. Motivated from a multicenter clinical trial of basal insulin treatment for reducing the risk of post‐transplantation diabetes mellitus, we propose a new inference framework that avoids the merging of subject‐level raw data from multiple sites at a centralized facility but needs only the sharing of summary statistics. Unlike the architecture of federated learning, the proposed collaborative inference does not need a center site to combine local results and thus enjoys maximal protection of data privacy and minimal sensitivity to unbalanced data distributions across data sources. We show theoretically and numerically that the new distributed inference approach has little loss of statistical power compared to the centralized method that requires merging the entire data. We present large‐sample properties and algorithms for the proposed method. We illustrate its performance by simulation experiments and the motivating example on the differential average treatment effect of basal insulin to lower risk of diabetes among kidney‐transplant patients compared to the standard‐of‐care.
Nanoribbon Yarn with Versatile Inorganic Materials
Authors: Ahn Junseong , Jeong Yongrok , Kang Mingu , Ahn Jihyeon , Padmajan Sasikala Suchithra , Yang Inyeong , Ha Ji‐Hwan , Hwang Soon Hyoung , Jeon Sohee , Gu Jimin , Choi Jungrak , Kang Byung‐Ho , Kim Sang Ouk , Kim Sanha , Choi Junhyuk , Jeong Jun‐Ho , Park Inkyu
Published: March 2024

Nanomaterial‐based yarns have been actively developed owing to their advantageous features, namely, high surface‐area‐to‐volume ratios, flexibility, and unusual material characteristics such as anisotropy in electrical/thermal conductivity. The superior properties of the nanomaterials can be directly imparted and scaled‐up to macro‐sized structures. However, most nanomaterial‐based yarns have thus far, been fabricated with only organic materials such as polymers, graphene, and carbon nanotubes. This paper presents a novel fabrication method for fully inorganic nanoribbon yarn, expanding its applicability by bundling highly aligned and suspended nanoribbons made from various inorganic materials (e.g., Au, Pd, Ni, Al, Pt, WO3, SnO2, NiO, In2O3, and CuO). The process involves depositing the target inorganic material on a nanoline mold, followed by suspension through plasma etching of the nanoline mold, and twisting using a custom‐built yarning machine. Nanoribbon yarn structures of various functional inorganic materials are utilized for chemical sensors (Pd‐based H2 and metal oxides (MOx)‐based green gas sensors) and green energy transducers (water splitting electrodes/triboelectric nanogenerators). This method is expected to provide a comprehensive fabrication strategy for versatile inorganic nanomaterials‐based yarns.
Three‐Dimensional Conductive Interface and Tip Structure of MnO2 Electrode Facilitate Superior Zinc Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhou Xingchen , Chen Shengjie , Zhang Yanhua , Yu Baozhu , Chen Yuanzhen , Liu Yongning , Li Sai , Liu Liting , Jin Hui , Deng Junkai , Tan Qiang
Published: March 2024

Manganese dioxide has been significantly utilized in zinc ion batteries (ZIBs). However, in the rechargeable battery system, the manganese dioxide cathode suffers from poor conductivity, volume expansion, and substance dissolution, resulting in low capacity and poor stability. Herein, a 3D frame structure MnO2@CNTs cathode is proposed. In this system, the electrodeposited spherical MnO2 is anchored and interlinked via the in‐situ growth carbon nanotubes (CNTs) onto the carbon cloth. Benefiting the unique 3D frame structure, the MnO2 structure crush problem and the pathway of the electrons and ions are dramatically improved. The optimized MnO2@CNTs cathode demonstrate a high capacity of 256.35 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and exceptional cycling stability. Furthermore, in‐situ Raman spectroscopy elucidates the energy storage mechanism of aqueous ZIBs (AZIBs). Moreover, COMSOL finite elements analysis demonstrates that the petal edge‐rich nanostructures of MnO2@CNTs generate a localized high electric field under constant current, accelerating ion/electron transfer. This work explains the rationale for CNTs to improve the properties of MnO2 cathodes, providing a new perspective for the design of high‐performance batteries.