bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Mental Imagery Instructions on Patients' and Therapists' Positive Affect and Strength‐Based Behaviours Within Psychotherapy Sessions: A Randomized Controlled Process Study
Authors: Schürmann‐Vengels Jan , Flückiger Christoph , Reyer Emilia , Odyniec Patrizia , Willutzki Ulrike
Published: August 2024

Objective

Increased attention has recently been paid to the well‐being and flourishing of patients in psychotherapy. This study investigated the occurrence of positive affect (PA) and strength‐based behaviours within psychotherapy sessions contrasting positive versus neutral imagery instructions.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Seventy‐eight sessions of cognitive behavioural therapy involving 26 patients (69.23% female; Mage = 40.31) treated by 13 therapists were selected. PA and strength‐based behaviours of patients and therapists were coded on a minute‐by‐minute basis with the Resource‐Oriented Microprocess Analysis. Each session started with a brief mental imagery instruction. Data were analysed using multilevel modelling.

Results

Mild levels of PA were very common, whereas stronger expressions were occasional, especially at the beginning and end of sessions. Strength‐based behaviours were employed in one‐fifth of the videos analysed. Therapists in the positive imagery instruction showed more strength‐based behaviours in the beginning phase of sessions, p < 0.05. The two imagery instructions significantly differed in the session trajectories of PA, p < 0.05. A quadratic trend with higher initial values and a sharper decline in PA were found in the positive instruction, whereas the neutral instruction showed a flatter trend.

Conclusion

Patients and therapists experience PA and discuss strengths in psychotherapy sessions despite patients' distress. The positive imagery instructions potentially induced a positive focus at baseline for therapists but had a negligible effect on the subsequent session progression.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03767101 (registered December 6, 2018).
High‐Selective Separation Recovery of Ni, Co, and Mn from the Spent LIBs Via Acid Dissolution and Multistage Oxidation Precipitation
Authors: Ma Wenjun , Liang Zhiyuan , Liu Yidi , Zhang Xu , Zhao Qinxin
Published: August 2024

For recovering Ni, Co, and Mn from lithium‐ion batteries, traditional chemical precipitation methods demonstrate low selectivity and significantly contribute to environmental pollution. This study proposes a separation recovery technique for transition metals, specifically Ni, Co, and Mn, from spent LIBs, involving “acid dissolution” and “multistage oxidation precipitation”. More than 98 % of transition metals can be extracted from spent LIBs using a low acid concentration (0.5 M) without reducing agents. The feasibility of separating different metals via multistage oxidation precipitation, based on their different electrode potentials for oxidizing Me2+ (Me=Mn/Co/Ni), was confirmed. The combination of oxidizing agent S2O82− and the precipitant OH− was universally applied to the fractional precipitation of Mn, Co, and Ni respectively. About 99 % of Mn, 97.06 % Co, and 96.62 % Ni could be precipitated sequentially by changing the concentrations of S2O82− and the pH value of solution. XRD, XPS, XRF, ICP‐MS and other methods were employed to elucidate the mechanism behind the multistage oxidation precipitation of target metal compounds, exploiting the differential electrode potentials for oxidizing Me2+ ions. This technique surpasses traditional solvent extraction in cost‐effectiveness and selectivity, showing promise for large‐scale industrial applications in recovering Mn, Co, and Ni.
Speech markers of depression dimensions across cognitive status
Authors: Soleimani Laili , Ouyang Yuxia , Cho Sunghye , Kia Arash , Beeri Michal Schnaider , Lin Hung‐Mo , Ravona‐Springer Ramit , Ramsingh Nadia , Liberman Mark Y , Grossman Murray , Nevler Naomi
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Depression and its components significantly impact dementia prediction and severity, necessitating reliable objective measures for quantification.

Methods

We investigated associations between emotion‐based speech measures (valence, arousal, and dominance) during picture descriptions and depression dimensions derived from the geriatric depression scale (GDS, dysphoria, withdrawal‐apathy‐vigor (WAV), anxiety, hopelessness, and subjective memory complaint).

Results

Higher WAV was associated with more negative valence (estimate = ‐0.133, p = 0.030). While interactions of apolipoprotein E (APOE) 4 status with depression dimensions on emotional valence did not reach significance, there was a trend for more negative valence with higher dysphoria in those with at least one APOE4 allele (estimate = –0.404, p = 0.0846). Associations were similar irrespective of dementia severity.

Discussion

Our study underscores the potential utility of speech biomarkers in characterizing depression dimensions. In future research, using emotionally charged stimuli may enhance emotional measure elicitation. The role of APOE on the interaction of speech markers and depression dimensions warrants further exploration with greater sample sizes.

Highlights

Participants reporting higher apathy used more negative words to describe a neutral picture.

Those with higher dysphoria and at least one APOE4 allele also tended to use more negative words.

Our results suggest the potential use of speech biomarkers in characterizing depression dimensions.
The Influence of OCT3 and MATE2 Genetic Polymorphisms in Poor Response to Metformin in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Naem Alaa Abd Al‐Hussain , Al‐Terehi Mona N. , Ghafil Fadhaa Abdulameer , Ataya Farid S. , Batiha Gaber El‐Saber , Alexiou Athanasios , Papadakis Marios , Welson Nermeen N. , Hadi Najah R.
Published: August 2024

Background

The response of patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to metformin may be a variation because of genetic differences in solute carrier (SLC) transporter proteins and other effect factors, which have an important effect on how metformin is processed in the body and its efficiency for glycaemic control.

Aim

This study was conducted to investigate the impact of certain genetic variants of the organic cation transporter genes OCT3 (SLC22A3 rs12194182 and rs8187722) and MATE2 (SLC47A2 rs12943590) and their association with glycaemic parameters in patients with T2DM who respond poorly to metformin.

Patients and Methods

This cross‐sectional study involved 150 Iraqi cases with T2DM who were prescribed a daily dose of (1000 mg/day) metformin for a minimum of 3 months. Various parameters included are as follows: demographic data, glycaemic parameters and three SNPs: rs12943590 variant of SLC47A2, rs12194182 and rs8187722 variant of SLC22A3 using the standard PCR‐sequencing technique.

Results

Thirty‐nine patients (26.17%) were responders, whereas 111 patients (73.82%) could not respond to metformin treatment. Upon analysing the genotypes of the rs12943590 variants of SLC47A2, rs12194182 and rs8187722 SNPs of SLC22A3, the present findings revealed a nonsignificant association of genetic variations in all SNPs with metformin response. SLC47A2 (rs12943590) showed nonsignificant associations of the GG, AA and AG genotyping; SLC22A3 (rs12194182) showed nonsignificant associations of the TT, TC and CC genotyping; and SLC22A3 (rs8187722) showed nonsignificant associations of the AA, CC and AC genotyping between two groups.

Conclusion

Variations in genes SLC22A3 and SLC47A2 did not have a significant role in the response of patients with T2DM to metformin (1000 mg/day).
Vaccinia virus F1L blocks the ribotoxic stress response to subvert ZAKα‐dependent NLRP1 inflammasome activation
Authors: Szymanska Inga , Bauernfried Stefan , Komar Tobias , Hornung Veit
Published: August 2024

Inflammasomes are essential for host defense, recognizing foreign or stress signals to trigger immune responses, including maturation of IL‐1 family cytokines and pyroptosis. Here, NLRP1 is emerging as an important sensor of viral infection in barrier tissues. NLRP1 is activated by various stimuli, including viral double‐stranded (ds) RNA, ribotoxic stress, and inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidases 8 and 9 (DPP8/9). However, certain viruses, most notably the vaccinia virus, have evolved strategies to subvert inflammasome activation or effector functions. Using the modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) as a model, we investigated how the vaccinia virus inhibits inflammasome activation. We confirmed that the early gene F1L plays a critical role in inhibiting NLRP1 inflammasome activation. Interestingly, it blocks dsRNA and ribotoxic stress‐dependent NLRP1 activation without affecting its DPP9‐inhibition‐mediated activation. Complementation and loss‐of‐function experiments demonstrated the sufficiency and necessity of F1L in blocking NLRP1 activation. Furthermore, we found that F1L‐deficient, but not wild‐type MVA, induced ZAKα activation. Indeed, an F1L‐deficient virus was found to disrupt protein translation more prominently than an unmodified virus, suggesting that F1L acts in part upstream of ZAKα. These findings underscore the inhibitory role of F1L on NLRP1 inflammasome activation and provide insight into viral evasion of host defenses and the intricate mechanisms of inflammasome activation.
Assessing the Impact of Amide Donor Groups on Stability and NMR Relaxation Efficiency of Monohydrated Fe(III) Complexes
Authors: Botta Mauro , Carniato Fabio , Macchia Maria Ludovica , Nucera Alessandro , Ricci Marco , Baranyai Zsolt
Published: August 2024

This study aims to understand the impact of the overall charge of Fe(III) chelates on their water exchange kinetics, thermodynamic stability, and kinetic inertia. To this end, we synthesized two CDTA‐amide ligands, each characterized by the replacement of one or two carboxyl groups with diethylamide functionalities. These alterations produced Fe(III) complexes with neutral or positively charged characteristics. The rate of water exchange (kex) was determined through a combined analysis of ¹H relaxometric data and ¹⁷O NMR chemical shift and transverse relaxation rate data. Additionally, we evaluated the thermodynamic stability and kinetic inertness of the complexes using potentiometry, UV–Vis spectrophotometry, and capillary zone electrophoresis. Our results indicate that altering the charge of the complex slows down kex, consistent with previous observations for Gd(III) and Mn(II) chelates. Furthermore, the results indicate that incorporating amide donor groups decreases the stability of the complexes and reduces their kinetic inertia. However, both stability and kinetic inertia remain higher than those of [Fe(EDTA)]‐. These findings provide some valuable insights for the development of Fe(III)‐based MRI probes alternative to those based on Gd(III).
Template mapping method for plane quadrilateral mesh generation with controllable density transitions
Authors: Li Yize , Hu Qingyuan , Cheng Gengdong
Published: August 2024

In this article, we integrate the template method and the mapping method to propose a new approach for generating quadrilateral meshes with controllable density transitions for planar geometric models. This method first recursively generates pseudo‐midlines of the geometric model and uses them to divide the geometric model into large quadrilateral regions. Then, based on a nonuniform rational B‐spline surface, we design several mesh generation templates and further map these templates to large quadrilaterals to achieve controllable density transitions. Finally, the method includes a mesh smoothing method to improve mesh quality. This approach can quickly generate high‐quality quadrilateral meshes with controllable density transitions. The effectiveness of the technique is demonstrated by several test cases within the framework of the open‐source Gmsh code.
High‐performance supercapacitors using nanostructured polyaniline‐based carbon: Effect of electrolytes
Authors: Madhushani K.A.U. , Perera A.A.P.R. , Lin Wang , Sultana Jolaikha , Mishra Sanjay R. , Perez Felio , Gupta Ram K.
Published: August 2024

Developing high‐performance materials for electrochemical energy storage devices such as batteries, and supercapacitors is a significant topic in material chemistry‐based research. The high consumption and limited availability of numerous materials used in energy devices lead to the development of alternative, effective, and cost‐effective materials exhibiting superior electrochemical chemical performance. A porous activated carbon, derived from polyaniline (PANI) synthesized through chemical oxidative polymerization, can be considered a viable solution in this context. In this study, the electrochemical window of the nitrogen‐doped porous activated carbon was enhanced through a combined synthesis process involving the carbonization and activation of PANI nanotubes with KOH. Moreover, alternations in surface area and porosity were evaluated using BET analysis for the samples having PANI to KOH ratios 1:0.5, 1:1, and 1:2. The results revealed a significant improvement in surface area and pore volume, increasing from 18 to 3535 m2/g from pure PANI to chemically treated samples. Among those materials, the PANI to KOH ratio of 1:1 exhibited the highest surface area of 3535 m2/g and the highest pore volume of 0.7131 cm3/g. Subsequently, the electrochemical performance of all materials was evaluated using a three‐electrode cell system and a symmetrical coin‐cell device. Electrodes fabricated with PANI to KOH ratio of 1:1 by weight showed better electrochemical performance in an aqueous electrolyte (6 M KOH) in both systems. This material exhibited the highest capacitance of 378 F/g (at 0.5 A/g) in the three‐electrode system and 143 F/g (at 0.5 A/g) in the SCCD. The SCCD achieved a maximum energy density of 23 Wh/kg with a power density of 544 W/kg. Additionally, these supercapacitors provided a good Coulombic efficiency of about 99% with capacitance retention of 97% at 7 A/g current density after 10 000 charge–discharge cycles. Further, this study expanded by investigating variations of electrochemical performance across various electrolytes, including aqueous, organic, and ionic liquids in coin‐cell supercapacitors. The findings reveal promising results, suggesting potential commercial applications for this facile approach to synthesize nitrogen‐doped activated carbon, especially for supercapacitors with aqueous electrolytes.
Fusing foresight and futures thinking for a new transformative evaluation paradigm
Authors: Thompson Coon Rose , Vataja Katri , Parkkonen Pinja
Published: August 2024

This paper explores the role and potential of foresight in evaluation practice in an increasingly uncertain and complex world. Evaluation designs, which have primarily focused on assessing past and present performance, are becoming less adequate for guiding organizations and strategies toward desired futures. Consequently, there is a pressing need for evaluations to adopt a more future‐focused approach. This article argues for the integration of foresight and futures thinking into evaluation methodologies to support transformative change and tackle the systemic challenges of our time. By drawing on an evaluation case study from the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, we demonstrate how applied foresight methods, including Horizon Scanning and a modified Delphi method, enhanced the evaluation process. These methods enabled a forward‐looking perspective essential for informing strategic decision‐making and programming. Specifically, the application of foresight methods in Sitra's evaluation supported assessing the relevance and timeliness of strategic choices, provided options for future programming, and deepened the understanding of complexities around ecological reconstruction and the operational environment. The paper contributes to the evolving discourse and practices on transformative evaluation by offering practical insights into the use of foresight methods, ultimately advocating for a paradigm shift toward more dynamic and future‐oriented evaluation practice.
Southern Ocean sea ice, icebergs, and meteorological data from maritime sources for the period 1929 to 1940
Authors: Divine Dmitry V. , Divina Svetlana , Bjørge Ole Edvard , Isaksson Elisabeth , Jølle Harald Dag , Stokkeland Ivar , Vasquez Guzman Mariela , Wilkinson Sally , Wilkinson Clive
Published: August 2024

Maritime historical documentary sources of weather and state of sea surface including sea ice can aid in filling a known climate knowledge gap for the Southern Ocean and Antarctica for the first half of the 20th century. This study presents a data set of marine climate, sea ice and icebergs recovered from a collection of logbooks from mainly Norwegian whaling factory ships that operated in the Southern Ocean during 1929–1940. The data set comprises some 8000 weather and 4000 sea ice/open sea records from austral summers of the study period. This paper further discusses the structure and content of most common Norwegian maritime documentary sources of the period along with the practices of logging information relevant for the study, such as time keeping, positioning and making weather observations. An emphasis was made on recovery of notes on sea ice and icebergs and their interpretation in terms of WMO categories of sea ice concentration. Data, including ship‐related metadata from all individual documents are homogenized and structured to a common machine‐readable format that simplifies its ingestion into relevant climate data depositories.
Student led community health checks in regional Victoria: A mixed methods study
Authors: Porter Joanne , Coombs Nicole , Barbagallo Michael
Published: August 2024

Issue Addressed

Inequitable health care access can be addressed by using community outreach programs. A collaborative, codesigned student‐led pop‐up health check clinic was conducted in three low‐socioeconomic regional communities in Victoria, Australia. Supervised undergraduate nursing students conducted free health checks, practiced assessment and communication skills, and provided health education.

Methods

A mixed‐method approach was used to evaluate the impact, outcome, and processes used to deliver health checks in three different community settings. Data included post‐check surveys and follow‐up interviews with community participants, which were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.

Results

A total of 166 surveys were collected and 30 interviews conducted from community participants located in three different communities. Participants were very satisfied with the information provided in the clinics and the delivery process. Further analysis also identified three major themes: (1) Defining a need, (2) Reaching the Community, and (3) Health promotion benefits.

Conclusions

Community outreach programs are effective in reaching vulnerable populations, improving community access to risk screening, reducing demands, supporting existing services, and providing excellent training opportunities for the future health care workforce within communities.

So What?

Further planning and financial investment are required to support community outreach programs that provide disease prevention and risk screening. More investment is needed in promoting outreach services within vulnerable populations, where social determinants contribute to poor health outcomes and access to health care is limited. Collaborative programs such as student‐led pop‐up clinics, are one way outreach can make a difference to community health.
Sitagliptin synergizes 5‐fluorouracil efficacy in colon cancer cells through MDR1‐mediated flux impairment and down regulation of NFκB2 and p‐AKT survival proteins
Authors: Eisa Asmaa , Hanafy Shaden M. , Khalil Hany , Elshal Mohamed F.
Published: August 2024

5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) is an inexpensive treatment for colon cancer; however, its efficacy is limited by chemoresistance. This study investigates the combination therapy approach of 5‐FU with Sitagliptin (Sita), a diabetic drug with potential cancer‐modulating effects. The combination was evaluated in vitro and in silico, focusing on the effects of Sita and 5‐FU on colon cancer cells. The results showed that the addition of Sita significantly decreased the IC50 of 5‐FU compared to 5‐Fu monotherapy. The study also found that Sita and 5‐FU interact synergistically, with a combination index below 1. Sita successfully lowered the 5‐FU dosage reduction index, decreasing the expression of MDR1 mRNA and p‐AKT and NFκB2 subunits p100/p52 protein. Molecular docking analyses confirmed Sita's antagonistic action on MDR1 and thymidylate synthase proteins. The study concludes that sitagliptin can target MDR1, increase apoptosis, and significantly reduce the expression of p‐AKT and NFκB2 cell‐survival proteins. These effects sensitize colon cancer cells to 5‐FU. Repurposing sitagliptin may enhance the anticancer effects of 5‐FU at lower dosages.
Knowledge, awareness, and approaches of dentistry students about separated instruments in root canals: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Akkaya Elif , Durmazpinar Parla Meva , Basmaci Gülsüm Kutlu
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This survey aims to assess the understanding, viewpoints, and methods employed by undergraduate dental students in the fourth and fifth grades regarding broken endodontic instruments in root canal procedures.

Methods

A survey comprising 27 questions across three sections—demographic information, practical application, and knowledge‐approach‐awareness inquiries—was developed. It was distributed to 282 students either in person or via a link shared through WhatsApp groups using Google Forms.

Results

Out of the total 219 respondents (77.6%), 10.6% experienced instrument breakage once during their clinical internship, while 2.8% encountered it more than once. The majority (86.7%) did not face instrument fracture incidents. Among these occurrences, it was observed that endodontic instruments were most commonly separated in molars, accounting for 51.9%. Nearly half (48.1%) of the students noted instrument breakage during the initial attempt to reach the apical part of the canal, while 55.6% reported breakage during root canal cleaning and shaping.

Conclusions

Most dental students opted to leave the separated instrument in the root canal and proceed with filling it. Enhancing students' understanding and awareness of this matter will help prevent potential complications and enable them to handle such situations appropriately when they arise.
Development and preliminary evaluation of a genetics education booklet for retinoblastoma
Authors: Irvine Taylor , Brundage Monica , Hudani Ashna , Kabiru Joy , Kimani Kahaki , Njuguna Festus , Njambi Lucy , Dimaras Helen
Published: August 2024

Background

Parents and survivors of retinoblastoma often hold misconceptions about the disease and desire more extensive and detailed information about its genetic nature. The aim of this study was to co‐develop and evaluate a genetic education booklet for retinoblastoma.

Methods

A human‐centered design approach was employed, in which the study team consulted with clinician and patient knowledge user groups to design, produce, and refine an educational booklet. Over three phases of consultation, the study team met with each knowledge user group to review booklet prototypes and collect feedback for its further refinement. A preliminary evaluation using quantitative and qualitative methods was completed with six mothers of children with retinoblastoma.

Results

The iterative, phased design process produced an educational booklet rich in images and stories, with complex genetic topics described in simplified terms. The preliminary evaluation showed an average improvement in knowledge between pre‐ and post‐test questionnaire of 10%. Participants were satisfied with content and comprehensiveness of the information included in the booklet.

Conclusion

A novel educational tool for families affected by retinoblastoma was developed through collaboration with health care and patient knowledge users. Preliminary evaluation results indicate it is feasible to implement and study the booklet in a prospective, pragmatic trial to evaluate its efficacy.
The effect of occlusal loading on secondary tooth eruption: An experimental study using a rat model
Authors: Stergiopulos Ourania , Lagou Aikaterini , Antonarakis Gregory S. , Pandis Nikolaos , Kiliaridis Stavros
Published: August 2024

This study aimed to assess the impact of occlusal loading on secondary tooth eruption and to determine the extent to which altering the occlusal loading influences the magnitude of secondary eruption through an experimental rat model. The present sample consisted of 48 male Wistar rats. At the onset of the experiment, 24 rats were 4 weeks old (young rats) and 24 rats were 26 weeks old (adult). Within each age group, the rats were further divided into two equal subgroups (12 rats each), receiving either a soft‐ or hard‐food diet for the 3‐month duration of the experiment. The primary outcome was the tooth position changes relative to stable references in the coronal plane by evaluating the distance between the mandibular first molars and the inferior alveolar canal. Microcomputed tomography scans were taken from all rats at three standardized intervals over the 3‐month study period. Descriptive statistics were calculated by age and diet over time, and the evolution of the outcomes were plotted by age and diet over time. Longitudinal data analysis via generalized estimating equations was performed to examine the effect of age, diet and time on the primary outcomes. Secondary tooth eruption was observed in all age groups (young and adult) regardless of diet consistency (soft or hard food). In young rats, the secondary eruption was greater in the animals fed a soft diet than those fed a hard diet. In adult rats, minimal difference in secondary tooth eruption were found between different diet consistencies. Occlusal loading influences secondary tooth eruption in teeth with an established occlusal contact. The quantity of eruption in growing rats is higher when occlusal loading is less, providing a certain amount of secondary tooth eruption occurs. This difference, however, is not evident in adult rats, at least during the given 3‐month time frame.
Insect oils as sustainable feedstock for natural alcohols
Authors: Rommerskirchen Renke
Published: August 2024

Current natural sources of mid‐cut alcohol (MCA), a key ingredient in cleaning formulations, present several challenges. One solution is to use insect oils instead of palm kernel oil (PKO) or coconut oil (CNO). In particular, black soldier fly (BSF) larvae oil is a promising raw material that provides a sustainable, natural feedstock for MCA. The estimation of its PCF leads to strongly negative values, driven by a very low land use change. The fact that low‐value by‐products are upgraded by BSF larvae is an additional advantage and avoids any competition with food crops. This study shows that BSF larvae oil can be a drop‐in replacement for PKO and CNO, leading to more sustainable ingredients for cleaning formulations. The technical proof of principle for the production of fatty alcohols has been demonstrated and up‐scaling to large commercial volumes should be straightforward. A potential barrier to consumer acceptance is expected to be lowered in the future. In certain regions or applications, successful market entry may already be possible today.
Conductivity at varying frequencies as a method for differentiating strawberry ripeness and association with colour acceptance of strawberry nectars
Authors: Murray Helen , Stipkovits Fabio , Lindner Marlene , Wühl Jasmin , Halbwirth Heidrun , Gössinger Manfred
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND

Identifying the best strawberries to produce colour stable nectars is a priority for the juice industry. Although riper strawberries produce nectars with better colour stability, variability between cultivars means that surface colour cannot be used as a single quality attribute to determine stability. Conductivity and bio‐impedance measurements can be used to differentiate ripeness of strawberries. The commercially available PEF Control System (ELEA) can measure cell disruption by measuring conductivity at different frequencies. Updated software measured strawberry conductivity at 121 frequencies between 100 Hz and 1 MHz to determine whether conductivity at these frequencies could differentiate ripeness, and be compared with the colour acceptance and stability of nectars produced from these strawberries.

RESULTS

A high‐low ratio (HLR) was calculated by dividing the conductivity at frequency 1 MHz by conductivity at 1 kHz. HLR could be used to separate five strawberry ripeness stages, with decreasing HLR associated with increasing ripeness. HLR was then compared with the colour of nectars produced from these strawberries. Although there was a good correlation between HLR and an acceptable colour to consumers on initial production (r = −0.823, P < 0.001) and after 12 weeks of storage (−0.759, P < 0.001), cultivars differed greatly in both HLR and colour stability. Additionally, HLR had a strong correlation with firmness.

CONCLUSION

The PEF Control System could be used to differentiate ripeness of strawberries by HLR, and therefore was associated with colour stability. However, no additional information on colour stability was gained from conductivity beyond what could already be deduced from differentiating ripeness based on surface colour. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
In silico modeling the potential clinical effect of growth factor treatment on the metabolism of human nucleus pulposus cells
Authors: McDonnell Emily E. , Ní Néill Tara , Wilson Niamh , Darwish Stacey L. , Butler Joseph S. , Buckley Conor T.
Published: August 2024

Background

While growth factors have the potential to halt degeneration and decrease inflammation in animal models, the literature investigating the effect of dosage on human cells is lacking. Moreover, despite the completion of clinical trials using growth differentiation factor‐5 (GDF‐5), no results have been publicly released.

Aims

The overall objective was to quantitatively assess the effect of three clinically relevant concentrations of GDF‐5 (0.25, 1, and 2 mg) as a therapeutic for disc regeneration.

Materials and methods

Firstly, this work experimentally determined the effects of GDF‐5 concentration on the metabolic and matrix synthesis rates of human nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. Secondly, in silico modeling was employed to predict the subsequent regenerative effect of different GDF‐5 treatments (± cells).

Results

This study suggests a trend of increased matrix synthesis with 0.25 and 1 mg of GDF‐5. However, 2 mg of GDF‐5 significantly upregulates oxygen consumption. Despite this, in silico models highlight the potential of growth factors in promoting matrix synthesis compared to cell‐only treatments, without significantly perturbing the nutrient microenvironment.

Discussion

This work elucidates the potential of GDF‐5 on human NP cells. Although the results did not reveal statistical differences across all doses, the variability and response among donors is an interesting finding. It highlights the complexity of human response to biological treatments and reinforces the need for further human research and personalized approaches. Furthermore, this study raises a crucial question about whether these potential biologics are more regenerative in nature or better suited as prophylactic therapies for younger patient groups.

Conclusion

Biological agents exhibit unique characteristics and features, demanding tailored development strategies and individualized assessments rather than a one‐size‐fits‐all approach. Therefore, the journey to realizing the full potential of biological therapies is long and costly. Nonetheless, it holds the promise of revolutionizing spinal healthcare and improving the quality of life for patients suffering from discogenic back pain.
Collagen integrity of the annulus fibrosus in degenerative disc disease individuals quantified with collagen hybridizing peptide
Authors: Dhiman Manmeet S. , Bader Taylor J. , Ponjevic Dragana , Salo Paul T. , Hart David A. , Swamy Ganesh , Matyas John R. , Duncan Neil A.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is accompanied by structural changes in the intervertebral discs (IVD). Extra‐cellular matrix degradation of the annulus fibrosus (AF) has been linked with degeneration of the IVD. Collagen is a vital component of the IVD. Collagen hybridizing peptide (CHP) is an engineered protein that binds to degraded collagen, which we used to quantify collagen damage in AF. This method was used to compare AF samples obtained from donors with no DDD to AF samples from patients undergoing surgery for symptomatic DDD.

Methods

Fresh AF tissue was embedded in an optimal cutting temperature compound and cryosectioned at a thickness of 8 μm. Hematoxylin and Eosin staining was performed on sections for general histomorphological assessment. Serial sections were stained with Cy3‐conjugated CHP and the mean fluorescence intensity and areal fraction of Cy3‐positive staining were averaged for three regions of interest (ROI) on each CHP‐stained section.

Results

Increases in mean fluorescence intensity (p = 0.0004) and percentage of positively stained area (p = 0.00008) with CHP were detected in DDD samples compared to the non‐DDD samples. Significant correlations were observed between mean fluorescence intensity and percentage of positively stained area for both non‐DDD (R = 0.98, p = 5E‐8) and DDD (R = 0.79, p = 0.0012) samples. No significant differences were detected between sex and the lumbar disc level subgroups of the non‐DDD and DDD groups. Only tissue pathology (non‐DDD versus DDD) influenced the measured parameters. No three‐way interactions between tissue pathology, sex, and lumbar disc level were observed.

Discussion and Conclusions

These findings suggest that AF collagen degradation is greater in DDD samples compared to non‐DDD samples, as evidenced by the increased CHP staining. Strong positive correlations between the two measured parameters suggest that when collagen degradation occurs, it is detected by this technique and is widespread throughout the tissue. This study provides new insights into the structural alterations associated with collagen degradation in the AF that occur during DDD.
Radiologic Findings of Cricoid Chondronecrosis after Intubation in the Setting of COVID‐19
Authors: Hassman Bailey , Cayci Zuzan , Misono Stephanie , Gray Raluca
Published: August 2024

This case series examines seven patients diagnosed with cricoid chondronecrosis after intubation in the setting of COVID‐19 and presents a novel “cricoid chondronecrosis computed tomography (CT) grading rubric” to standardize reporting of radiological findings. Application of this radiological grading rubric can improve communication among clinicians and radiologists and aid in prognosis determination of patients with cricoid chondronecrosis. Laryngoscope, 2024
Recent advances in high‐resolution traveling wave‐based ion mobility separations coupled to mass spectrometry
Authors: Naylor Cameron N. , Nagy Gabe
Published: August 2024

Recently, ion mobility spectrometry‐mass spectrometry (IMS‐MS) has become more readily incorporated into various omics‐based workflows. These growing applications are due to developments in instrumentation within the last decade that have enabled higher‐resolution ion mobility separations. Two such platforms are the cyclic (cIMS) and structures for lossless ion manipulations (SLIM), both of which use traveling wave ion mobility spectrometry (TWIMS). High‐resolution separations achieved with these techniques stem from the drastically increased pathlengths, on the order of 10 s of meters to >1 km, in both cIMS‐MS and SLIM IMS‐MS, respectively. Herein, we highlight recent developments and advances, for the period 2019–2023, in high‐resolution traveling wave‐based IMS‐MS through instrumentation, calibration strategies, hyphenated techniques, and applications. Specifically, we will discuss applications including CCS calculations in multipass IMS‐MS separations, coupling of IMS‐MS with chromatography, imaging, and cryogenic infrared spectroscopy, and isomeric separations of glycans, lipids, and other small metabolites.
Renal cancer: signaling pathways and advances in targeted therapies
Authors: Jiang Aimin , Li Jinxin , He Ziwei , Liu Ying , Qiao Kun , Fang Yu , Qu Le , Luo Peng , Lin Anqi , Wang Linhui
Published: August 2024

Renal cancer is a highlyheterogeneous malignancy characterized by rising global incidence and mortalityrates. The complex interplay and dysregulation of multiple signaling pathways,including von Hippel–Lindau (VHL)/hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF), phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Hippo–yes‐associated protein (YAP), Wnt/ß‐catenin, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c‐Met, contribute to theinitiation and progression of renal cancer. Although surgical resection is thestandard treatment for localized renal cancer, recurrence and metastasiscontinue to pose significant challenges. Advanced renal cancer is associatedwith a poor prognosis, and current therapies, such as targeted agents andimmunotherapies, have limitations. This review presents a comprehensiveoverview of the molecular mechanisms underlying aberrant signaling pathways inrenal cancer, emphasizing their intricate crosstalk and synergisticinteractions. We discuss recent advancements in targeted therapies, includingtyrosine kinase inhibitors, and immunotherapies, such as checkpoint inhibitors.Moreover, we underscore the importance of multiomics approaches and networkanalysis in elucidating the complex regulatory networks governing renal cancerpathogenesis. By integrating cutting‐edge research and clinical insights, this review contributesto the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, whichhave the potential to improve risk stratification, precision medicine, andultimately, patient outcomes in renal cancer.
Systematic assessment of various universal machine‐learning interatomic potentials
Authors: Yu Haochen , Giantomassi Matteo , Materzanini Giuliana , Wang Junjie , Rignanese Gian‐Marco
Published: August 2024

Machine‐learning interatomic potentials have revolutionized materials modeling at the atomic scale. Thanks to these, it is now indeed possible to perform simulations of ab initio quality over very large time and length scales. More recently, various universal machine‐learning models have been proposed as an out‐of‐box approach avoiding the need to train and validate specific potentials for each particular material of interest. In this paper, we review and evaluate four different universal machine‐learning interatomic potentials (uMLIPs), all based on graph neural network architectures which have demonstrated transferability from one chemical system to another. The evaluation procedure relies on data both from a recent verification study of density‐functional‐theory implementations and from the Materials Project. Through this comprehensive evaluation, we aim to provide guidance to materials scientists in selecting suitable models for their specific research problems, offer recommendations for model selection and optimization, and stimulate discussion on potential areas for improvement in current machine‐learning methodologies in materials science.
New study on Cauchy problems of fractional stochastic evolution systems on an infinite interval
Authors: Sivasankar S. , Nadhaprasadh K. , Kumar M. Sathish , Al‐Omari Shrideh , Udhayakumar R.
Published: August 2024

In this study, we examine whether mild solutions to a fractional stochastic evolution system with a fractional Caputo derivative on an infinite interval exist and are attractive. We use semigroup theory, fractional calculus, stochastic analysis, compactness methods, and the measure of noncompactness (MNC) as the foundation for our methodologies. There are several suggested sufficient requirements for the existence of mild solutions to the stated problem. Examples that highlight the key findings are provided.
Improving 3D dose prediction for breast radiotherapy using novel glowing masks and gradient‐weighted loss functions
Authors: Moore Lance C. , Nematollahi Fatemeh , Li Lingyi , Meyers Sandra M. , Kisling Kelly
Published: August 2024

Background

The quality of treatment plans for breast cancer can vary greatly. This variation could be reduced by using dose prediction to automate treatment planning. Our work investigates novel methods for training deep‐learning models that are capable of producing high‐quality dose predictions for breast cancer treatment planning.

Purpose

The goal of this work was to compare the performance impact of two novel techniques for deep learning dose prediction models for tangent field treatments for breast cancer. The first technique, a “glowing” mask algorithm, encodes the distance from a contour into each voxel in a mask. The second, a gradient‐weighted mean squared error (MSE) loss function, emphasizes the error in high‐dose gradient regions in the predicted image.

Methods

Four 3D U‐Net deep learning models were trained using the planning CT and contours of the heart, lung, and tumor bed as inputs. The dataset consisted of 305 treatment plans split into 213/46/46 training/validation/test sets using a 70/15/15% split. We compared the impact of novel “glowing” anatomical mask inputs and a novel gradient‐weighted MSE loss function to their standard counterparts, binary anatomical masks, and MSE loss, using an ablation study methodology. To assess performance, we examined the mean error and mean absolute error (ME/MAE) in dose across all within‐body voxels, the error in mean dose to heart, ipsilateral lung, and tumor bed, dice similarity coefficient (DSC) across isodose volumes defined by 0%–100% prescribed dose thresholds, and gamma analysis (3%/3 mm).

Results

The combination of novel glowing masks and gradient weighted loss function yielded the best‐performing model in this study. This model resulted in a mean ME of 0.40%, MAE of 2.70%, an error in mean dose to heart and lung of −0.10 and 0.01 Gy, and an error in mean dose to the tumor bed of −0.01%. The median DSC at 50/95/100% isodose levels were 0.91/0.87/0.82. The mean 3D gamma pass rate (3%/3 mm) was 93%.

Conclusions

This study found the combination of novel anatomical mask inputs and loss function for dose prediction resulted in superior performance to their standard counterparts. These results have important implications for the field of radiotherapy dose prediction, as the methods used here can be easily incorporated into many other dose prediction models for other treatment sites. Additionally, this dose prediction model for breast radiotherapy has sufficient performance to be used in an automated planning pipeline for tangent field radiotherapy and has the major benefit of not requiring a PTV for accurate dose prediction.
Phase‐contrast visualization of human tissues using superimposed wavefront imaging of diffraction‐enhanced x‐rays
Authors: Sunaguchi Naoki , Yuasa Tetsuya , Shimao Daisuke , Huang Zhuoran , Ichihara Shu , Nishimura Rieko , Iwakoshi Akari , Kim Jong‐Ki , Gupta Rajiv , Ando Masami
Published: August 2024

Background

Phase‐contrast computed tomography (CT) using high‐brilliance, synchrotron‐generated x‐rays enable three‐dimensional (3D) visualization of microanatomical structures within biological specimens, offering exceptionally high‐contrast images of soft tissues. Traditional methods for phase‐contrast CT; however, necessitate a gap between the subject and the x‐ray camera, compromising spatial resolution due to penumbral blurring. Our newly developed technique, Superimposed Wavefront Imaging of Diffraction‐enhanced x‐rays (SWIDeX), leverages a Laue‐case Si angle analyzer affixed to a scintillator to convert x‐rays to visible light, capturing second‐order differential phase contrast images and effectively eliminating the distance to the x‐ray camera. This innovation achieves superior spatial resolution over conventional methods.

Purpose

In this paper, the imaging principle and CT reconstruction algorithm based on SWIDeX are presented in detail and compared with conventional analyzer‐based imaging (ABI). It also shows the physical setup of SWIDeX that provides the resolution preserving second‐order differential images for reconstruction. We compare the spatial resolution and the sensitivity of SWIDeX to conventional ABI.

Methods

To demonstrate high‐spatial resolution achievable by SWIDeX, the internal structures of four human tissues—ductal carcinoma in situ, normal stomach, normal pancreas, and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas—were visualized using an imaging system configured at the Photon Factory's BL14B beamline under the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK). Each tissue was thinly sliced after imaging, stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for conventional microscope‐based pathology.

Results

A comparison of SWIDeX‐CT and pathological images visually demonstrates the effectiveness of SWIDeX‐CT for biological tissue imaging. SWIDeX could generate clearer 3D images than existing analyzer‐based phase‐contrast methods and accurately delineate tissue structures, as validated against histopathological images.

Conclusions

SWIDeX can visualize important 3D structures in biological soft tissue with high spatial resolution and can be an important tool for providing information between the disparate scales of clinical and pathological imaging.
Adaptive complementary neighboring sub‐aperture beamforming for thermoacoustic imaging
Authors: Yang Zeqi , Wang Fuyong , Peng Wanting , Song Ling , Luo Yan , Zhao Zhiqin , Huang Lin
Published: August 2024

Background

When applied to thermoacoustic imaging (TAI), the delay‐and‐sum (DAS) algorithm produces strong sidelobes due to its disadvantages of uniform aperture weighting. As a result, the quality of TAI images recovered by DAS is often severely degraded by strong non‐coherent clutter, which restricts the development and application of TAI.

Purpose

To address this issue, we propose an adaptive complementary neighboring sub‐aperture (NSA) beamforming algorithm for TAI.

Methods

In NSA, we introduce a coordinate system transformation when calculating the normalized cross‐correlation (NCC) matrix. This approach enables the computation of the NCC coefficient within the specified kernel without complex coordinate calculations. We first conducted the numerical simulation experiment to validate NSA using a tree branch phantom. In addition, we also conducted phantom (five sauce tubes), ex vivo (ablation needle in ex vivo porcine liver), and in vivo (human arm) TAI experiments using our TAI system with a center frequency of 3 GHz.

Results

In the numerical simulation experiment, the structural similarity index (SSIM) value for NSA is increased from 0.37828 for DAS to 0.75492. In the point target phantom TAI experiment, the generalized contrast‐to‐noise ratio (gCNR) value for NSA is increased from 0.936 for DAS to 0.962. The experimental results show that NSA can recover clearer thermoacoustic images compared to DAS. In the ex vivo TAI experiment, the full width at half maxima (FWHM) of an ablation needle (diameter = 1.5 mm) for coherence factor (CF) weighted DAS and NSA are 0.9 and 1.3 mm, respectively. Furthermore, in the in vivo TAI experiment, CF reduces the signals within the arm compared to NSA. Therefore, compared with CF, NSA can maintain the integrity of target information in TAI while effectively suppressing non‐coherent background clutter.

Conclusions

NSA can effectively reduce non‐coherent background noise while ensuring the completeness of the target information. So, NSA offers the potential to provide high‐quality thermoacoustic images and further advance their clinical application.