bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of central composite design and response surface methodology for the study of extraction of gentian violet dye in aqueous solution by polystyrene membrane modified with oleic acid
Authors: AitAli Salima , Ziani Salima , Yahiaoui Idris , Brahmi Aghilas , Boudrahem Farouk , Aissani‐Benissad Farida
Published: June 2023

The present study is interested in removal of a cationic dye gentian violet (GV) using a polystyrene membrane (PS) activated with oleic acid (OA). These innovative membranes were developed by using PS as the base polymer and OA as extractant. The best matrix obtained was characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and x‐ray diffraction (XRD), and then applied in the extraction of a cationic GV dye. The effects of an extraction ratio (OA/PS) in the PS‐AO matrix, initial GV dye concentration ([GV]0), and pH of the solution were studied in a batch reactor. The thermodynamic parameters (, , and ) have been calculated. Therefore, the GV extraction onto the PS‐OA matrix is an exothermic and spontaneous process. In addition, the slop method confirms that the chemical formula of the extracted OA‐GV complex is GV‐RHR. The central composite design (CCD) was used to determine the conditions of each experimental run, and extraction optimization was achieved using response surface methodology (RSM). The results showed that the quadratic regression model was statistically significant (0.9994), and the parameters studied had a profound effect on the extraction efficiency. The optimum GV extraction efficiency of 99% was achieved at an extractant ratio of 1, pH of 8, and [GV]0 of 10 mg L−1. The findings of the current study reveal that PS‐AO matrix is an advantageous and effective membrane for the extraction of GV from aqueous solutions, both environmentally and economically, it can be regenerated and used up to five times.
Economic and environmental and energy investigation and reliability evaluation of renewable energy hybrid system
Authors: Chammam Abdeljelil , Albaker Abdullah , Alghamdi Mohammed I. , Al‐Kharsan Ibrahim H. , Demin Al‐Khafaji Ali Hussein , Aladdin Morteza
Published: June 2023

Today, using systems based on renewable resources is a suitable alternative to fossil fuels. However, due to problems such as the lack of access in all the times needed to supply cargo and high‐investment cost, it has not been well‐received. In this research, in addition to maintaining the technical specifications and increasing the reliability of the system due to the addition of the hydroelectric power plant to other wind and solar systems, it has been tried to use biodiesel fuel (biofuel) as an alternative to fossil fuel in the diesel generator. To identify the most economical combination of the system with the application of social costs and the limit of pollutant and greenhouse gas emission in independent mode with the help of Homer software. the results showed that adding biodiesel to the designed system, the investment costs will increase by $282,038, which has a direct impact on the cost of energy and causes an increase of 0.0115 $/kWh. While the use of biodiesel reduces the emission of carbon dioxide by 28,947 kg/year.
The carrying capacity of the seas and oceans for future sustainable food production: Current scientific knowledge gaps
Authors: van der Meer Jaap , Callier Myriam , Fabi Gianna , van Hoof Luc , Nielsen J. Rasmus , Raicevich Saša
Published: June 2023

The expected increase in global food demand, as a consequence of a rising and wealthier world population, and an awareness of the limits and drawbacks of modern agriculture, has resulted in a growing attention to the potential of the seas and oceans to produce more food. The capture production of presently exploited marine fish stocks and other species has more or less reached its maximum and can only be slightly improved by better management. This leaves four alternative options open to increase marine food production: (1) manipulating the entire food web structure via removal of high trophic level species to allow an increasing exploitation of low trophic level species, (2) harvesting so far unexploited stocks, such as various fish species from the mesopelagic zone of the ocean or the larger zooplankton species from polar regions, (3) low‐trophic mariculture of seaweeds and herbivorous animals, and (4) restoration of impoverished coastal ecosystems or artificially increasing productivity by ecological engineering. In this paper, we discuss these four options and pay attention to missing scientific knowledge needed to assess their sustainability. To assess sustainability, it is a prerequisite to establish robust definitions and assessments of the biological carrying capacity of the systems, but it is also necessary to evaluate broader socio‐economic and governance sustainability.
School‐based interventions on Mpox: A scoping review
Authors: Amzat Jimoh , Kanmodi Kehinde K. , Aminu Kafayat , Egbedina Eyinade A.
Published: June 2023

Background and Aims

The 2022 multicountry mpox outbreak necessitated the declaration of mpox as a public health emergency. This is the first time a wide mpox spread and human‐to‐human transmission are recorded in several countries outside West and Central Africa. The outbreak reveals a strong need for wider intervention to increase awareness and control measures on mpox, especially in schools. This scoping review aims to summarize the existing evidence concerning school‐based interventions on mpox globally.

Methods

The review methodology was based on the Arksey and O'Malley guidelines and it was reported in strict adherence with the PRISMA‐ScR checklist. Ten databases were searched to retrieve literature relevant to the review topic. Thereafter, the retrieved literature were deduplicated and screened for inclusion into the review based on a set of eligibility criteria. Only one journal paper, a short communication on the national monkeypox outbreak in England, satisfied the selection criteria and was included in the review. Data extracted from the included paper were collated, summarized, and presented.

Results

The paper described how suspected cases of mpox infection were managed in some school settings through vaccination and self‐isolation approaches and revealed a low (11%) mpox vaccination uptake rate in school‐setting. The preventive methods adopted, such as the exclusion of exposed persons from school (in three school settings) and separation of those exposed those who were not in contact with the affected persons (one school setting), played a major role in the low transmission rate reported. This review also found a huge dearth of literature on school‐based interventions on mpox despite its global spread.

Conclusion

With the call for a multisectoral approach in the fight against mpox, it pays to leverage on the potential of school settings in public health actions against mpox.
Non‐Newtonian blood flow with magnetic nanoparticles in a W‐shaped stenosed arterial segment: A numerical study
Authors: Giri Pritam , Dalal Indranil Saha , Muralidhar K.
Published: June 2023

Flow of blood, infused with magnetic nanoparticles, in a W‐shaped stenosed human arterial segment is studied numerically using a realistic non‐Newtonian blood rheology model. It is observed that the Newtonian model predicts less time to reach a steady state than the non‐Newtonian blood rheology model. An increased drug retention time at the target site with an increase in nanoparticle concentration is predicted. Detailed simulations further reveal that the skin friction coefficient does not increase significantly with the increase in nanoparticle concentration. Hence, it is anticipated from our study that the infusion of drug‐carrying nanoparticles in blood flow does not excessively enhance wall shear stress that may lead to arterial wall damage. An overall increase in heat transfer rates and wall shear stress at the stenosed section is seen with an increase in Reynolds number. The present study provides valuable information for designing computer‐assisted drug delivery systems.
Shifts in stream salt loads during and after prolonged droughts
Authors: Lintern Anna , Kho Natalie , Peterson Tim , Guo Danlu
Published: June 2023

It has been widely assumed that after prolonged droughts, catchment runoff recovers to pre‐drought levels. This assumption has recently been evaluated and challenged using empirical observations. However, water quality response and recovery, or otherwise, during and after prolonged droughts remains an open question. Answering this question potentially identifies any changes in catchment hydrological processes and water balance (e.g., the proportion of groundwater contribution to streamflow), thus informing the mechanisms for runoff non‐recovery after prolonged drought. Water quality responses to drought can also inform any long‐term water quality changes beyond what is observable from trend analyses. Here stream salt load changes were investigated using hidden Markov models (HMMs), where monthly rainfall was included as a predictor of stream salt loads. Monthly riverine salt fluxes at eight sites in Victoria (Australia) were examined before, during and after a prolonged drought in South‐East Australia—the Millennium Drought. Two‐state models, where salt loads varied between ‘normal’ and ‘low’ states, were found to better predict in‐stream salt loads compared to single‐state models. The results showed that catchments shifted to a low salt load state generally after the catchment changed to a low runoff state. As groundwater is understood to be the major source of salts in these catchments, this suggests that reductions in groundwater flow into rivers occur as a result of the shift to a lower runoff state. Understanding how readily water quality in catchments shift to different states during and after prolonged droughts enables appropriate catchment management based on our understanding of changes to catchment hydrology.
Clonal expansion of intra‐epithelial T cells in breast cancer revealed by spatial transcriptomics
Authors: Romanens Lou , Chaskar Prasad , Marcone Rachel , Ryser Stephan , Tille Jean‐Christophe , Genolet Raphael , Heimgartner‐Hu Ketty , Heimgartner Killian , Moore Jonathan S. , Liaudet Nicolas , Kaya Gürkan , Pittet Mikael J. , Dietrich Pierre‐Yves , Delorenzi Mauro , Speiser Daniel E. , Harari Alexandre , Tsantoulis Petros , Labidi‐Galy Sana Intidhar
Published: June 2023

The spatial distribution of tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) predicts breast cancer outcome and response to systemic therapy, highlighting the importance of an intact tissue structure for characterizing tumors. Here, we present ST‐FFPE, a spatial transcriptomics method for the analysis of formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded samples, which opens the possibility of interrogating archival tissue. The method involves extraction, exome capture and sequencing of RNA from different tumor compartments microdissected by laser‐capture, and can be used to study the cellular composition of tumor microenvironment. Focusing on triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC), we characterized T cells, B cells, dendritic cells, fibroblasts and endothelial cells in both stromal and intra‐epithelial compartments. We found a highly variable spatial distribution of immune cell subsets among tumors. This analysis revealed that the immune repertoires of intra‐epithelial T and B cells were consistently less diverse and more clonal than those of stromal T and B cells. T‐cell receptor (TCR) sequencing confirmed a reduced diversity and higher clonality of intra‐epithelial T cells relative to the corresponding stromal T cells. Analysis of the top 10 dominant clonotypes in the two compartments showed a majority of shared but also some unique clonotypes both in stromal and intra‐epithelial T cells. Hyperexpanded clonotypes were more abundant among intra‐epithelial than stromal T cells. These findings validate the ST‐FFPE method and suggest an accumulation of antigen‐specific T cells within tumor core. Because ST‐FFPE is applicable for analysis of previously collected tissue samples, it could be useful for rapid assessment of intratumoral cellular heterogeneity in multiple disease and treatment settings.
Cultivation strategies for prokaryotes from extreme environments
Authors: Yang Zi‐Wen , Lian Zheng‐Han , Liu Lan , Fang Bao‐Zhu , Li Wen‐Jun , Jiao Jian‐Yu
Published: June 2023

The great majority of microorganisms are as‐yet‐uncultivated, mostly found in extreme environments. High‐throughput sequencing provides data‐rich genomes from single‐cell and metagenomic techniques, which has enabled researchers to obtain a glimpse of the unexpected genetic diversity of “microbial dark matter.” However, cultivating microorganisms from extreme environments remains essential for dissecting and utilizing the functions of extremophiles. Here, we provide a straightforward protocol for efficiently isolating prokaryotic microorganisms from different extreme habitats (thermal, xeric, saline, alkaline, acidic, and cryogenic environments), which was established through previous successful work and our long‐term experience in extremophile resource mining. We propose common processes for extremophile isolation at first and then summarize multiple cultivation strategies for recovering prokaryotic microorganisms from extreme environments and meanwhile provide specific isolation tips that are always overlooked but important. Furthermore, we propose the use of multi‐omics‐guided microbial cultivation approaches for culturing these as‐yet‐uncultivated microorganisms and two examples are provided to introduce how these approaches work. In summary, the protocol allows researchers to significantly improve the isolation efficiency of pure cultures and novel taxa, which therefore paves the way for the protection and utilization of microbial resources from extreme environments.
Conductive polymers for cardiac tissue engineering and regeneration
Authors: Shokrollahi Parvin , Omidi Yadollah , Cubeddu Luigi X. , Omidian Hossein
Published: June 2023

Cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction, are considered a significant global burden and the leading cause of death. Given the inability of damaged cardiac tissue to self‐repair, cell‐based tissue engineering and regeneration may be the only viable option for restoring normal heart function. To maintain the normal excitation‐contraction coupling function of cardiac tissue, uniform electronic and ionic conductance properties are required. To transport cells to damaged cardiac tissues, several techniques, including the incorporation of cells into conductive polymers (CPs) and biomaterials, have been utilized. Due to the complexity of cardiac tissues, the success of tissue engineering for the damaged heart is highly dependent on several variables, such as the cell source, growth factors, and scaffolds. In this review, we sought to provide a comprehensive overview of the electro CPs and biomaterials used in the engineering and regeneration of heart tissue.
Intraspecific variation in feeding and locomotor kinematics during prey capture in redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus)
Authors: Hawkins Olivia H. , Crawford Callie H. , Hoover Richard C. , Kane Emily A.
Published: June 2023

Biomechanics research often revolves around understanding traits impacting suction feeding performance in fishes, using freshwater ray‐finned sunfishes (Family Centrarchidae) as models. However, simultaneous feeding and locomotion kinematics during prey capture are not recorded for many species and there is less information on how these kinematics vary within a species and within individuals. To (1) add to existing data on the prey capture kinematics of centrarchids, (2) assess variation in a species both within and across individuals, and (3) compare morphology and prey capture kinematics of well‐sampled centrarchids, we filmed five redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus) at 500 fps−1 approaching and striking non‐evasive prey. Redbreast approach prey at ~30 cm s−1 and use approximately 70% of their maximum gape size. Traits related to feeding are more repeatable than traits related to locomotion. However, the Accuracy Index (AI) was consistent across individuals (AI = 0.76 ± 0.07). Functionally, redbreast sunfish are more similar to bluegill sunfish but morphologically they fall in the intermediate morphospace alongside green sunfish when compared with other centrarchids. These data show that whole organism outcomes (AI) are similar despite variation present both within and across individuals and demonstrate the importance of considering both interspecific and intraspecific differences in the functional diversity of ecologically and evolutionarily important behaviors such as prey capture.
Social signal manipulation and environmental challenges have independent effects on physiology, internal microbiome, and reproductive performance in tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor)
Authors: Taff Conor C. , McNew Sabrina M. , Zimmer Cedric , Uehling Jennifer J. , Houtz Jennifer L. , Ryan Thomas A. , Chang van Oordt David , Injaian Allison S. , Vitousek Maren N.
Published: June 2023

The social environment that individuals experience appears to be a particularly salient mediator of stress resilience, as the nature and valence of social interactions are often related to subsequent health, physiology, microbiota, and overall stress resilience. Relatively few studies have simultaneously manipulated the social environment and ecological challenges under natural conditions. Here, we report the results of experiments in wild tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) in which we manipulated both ecological challenges (predator encounters and flight efficiency reduction) and social interactions (by experimental dulling of a social signal). In two experiments conducted in separate years, we reversed the order of these treatments so that females experienced either an altered social signal followed by a challenge or vice‐versa. Before, during, and after treatments were applied, we tracked breeding success, morphology and physiology (mass, corticosterone, and glucose), nest box visits via an RFID sensor network, cloacal microbiome diversity, and fledging success. Overall, we found that predator exposure during the nestling period reduced the likelihood of fledging and that signal manipulation sometimes altered nest box visitation patterns, but little evidence that the two categories of treatment interacted with each other. We discuss the implications of our results for understanding what types of challenges and what conditions are most likely to result in interactions between the social environment and ecological challenges.
Effect of tecovirimat on healing time and viral clearance by emulation of a target trial in patients hospitalized for mpox
Authors: Mazzotta Valentina , Cozzi‐Lepri Alessandro , Lanini Simone , Mondi Annalisa , Carletti Fabrizio , Tavelli Alessandro , Gagliardini Roberta , Vita Serena , Pinnetti Carmela , Aguglia Camilla , Colavita Francesca , Faccendini Paolo , Matusali Giulia , Faraglia Francesca , Beccacece Alessia , Paulicelli Jessica , Girardi Enrico , Nicastri Emanuele , Vaia Francesco , Maggi Fabrizio , Antinori Andrea
Published: June 2023

Tecovirimat is a treatment option for severe mpox, although randomized clinical trials are ongoing. The aim of the study is to assess the effect of tecovirimat on healing time and the extent of viral clearance by target trial emulation using observational data. Clinical and virological data of patients hospitalized for mpox were collected. Samples from the upper respiratory tract (URT) were grouped in two time points: T1 (median 6 days from symptoms onset) and T2 (median 5 days from T1). Patients were followed‐up until recovery. Average treatment effect (ATE) in patients untreated versus treated with tecovirimat was estimated on time to healing and variation in viral load in URT, using a weighted and cloning analysis. Among the 41 patients included, 19 completed a course of tecovirimat. The median time from symptoms onset to hospitalization and to drug‐starting was 4 days and 10 days, respectively. No improvement in healing time in treated versus untreated was observed. No difference by treatment group in time to viral clearance was detected by ATE fitted in a subset of 13 patients after controlling for confounders. We found no evidence for a large effect of tecovirimat in shortening healing time and viral clearance. While awaiting the results of randomized studies, the use of tecovirimat should be restricted to the clinical trial setting.
Has Arctic sea ice loss affected summer precipitation in North China?
Authors: Wu Bingyi , Li Zhenkun , Zhang Xiang , Sha Yuqing , Duan Xinrong , Pang Xueqi , Ding Shuoyi
Published: June 2023

Arctic sea ice loss is one of the most striking features in changing of the climate system and affects weather and climate in the midlatitudes through complex interactions and feedback processes. However, it is not clear whether Arctic sea ice loss has affected summer precipitation in East Asia. This study shows that summer regional precipitation in North China exhibits obvious features of phasic variations. Before 1998, positive and negative precipitation anomalies appeared alternately. While from 1999 to 2011, negative precipitation anomalies were dominant. Since 2012, increased summer precipitation has been observed frequently. A direct cause of increases of summer precipitation in North China is an enhancement of water vapour transport from South China and China's marginal seas, which can be attributed to the strengthening and northward shifting of the northwestern Pacific subtropical high and the spatial configuration with west low–east high and north low–south high in East Asian height fields. Although summer atmospheric circulation anomalies in high latitudes are dominant during the sea ice melting phase, their contributions to summer precipitation variations in North China are little. Simulation experiments show that Arctic sea ice loss can significantly affect the atmospheric circulation in high latitudes; however, it cannot be regarded as a major cause of observed recent increases in precipitation in North China. Additionally, Arctic sea ice loss has little impact on summer precipitation in the Yangtze River valley and South China.
Enhancing supply chain resilience through government subsidies and blockchain adoption: Ensuring sustainability and preventing disruptions
Authors: Wang Ziqi , Bai Yang
Published: June 2023

As environmental protection becomes increasingly important, so does the significance of incorporating the recycling manufacturing model into the supply chain. Meanwhile, addressing supply chain disruption is imperative in the supply chain. To understand the relationship between remanufacturing and supply chain disruption, we studied the effect of supply chain disruption, remanufacturing, blockchain technology, and government subsidies on preventing supply chain disruption in the second period. There have two models in the following discussion. In the local market, a manufacturer M manufactures and recycles products for remanufacture in the second stage. At the same time, retailer R is responsible for the sales of products. We also add government subsidies and blockchain technology, discussing those roles in preventing supply chain disruptions in the second period. Blockchain technology and government subsidies are equally crucial in averting disruptions during the second period, although they may only provide partial protection against supply chain disruption.
Sphingolipid and Phospholipid Levels Are Altered in Human Brain in Chorea‐Acanthocytosis
Authors: Miltenberger‐Miltenyi Gabriel , Jones Attila , Tetlow Amber M. , Conceição Vasco A. , Crary John F. , Ditzel Ricky Michael , Farrell Kurt , Nandakumar Renu , Barton Brandon , Karp Barbara I. , Kirby Alana , Lett Debra J. , Mente Karin , Morgello Susan , Simon David K. , Walker Ruth H.
Published: June 2023

Background

Chorea‐acanthocytosis (ChAc) is associated with mutations of VPS13A, which encodes for chorein, a protein implicated in lipid transport at intracellular membrane contact sites.

Objectives

The goal of this study was to establish the lipidomic profile of patients with ChAc.

Methods

We analyzed 593 lipid species in the caudate nucleus (CN), putamen, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) from postmortem tissues of four patients with ChAc and six patients without ChAc.

Results

We found increased levels of bis(monoacylglycerol)phosphate, sulfatide, lysophosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylcholine ether in the CN and putamen, but not in the DLPFC, of patients with ChAc. Phosphatidylserine and monoacylglycerol were increased in the CN and N‐acyl phosphatidylserine in the putamen. N‐acyl serine was decreased in the CN and DLPFC, whereas lysophosphatidylinositol was decreased in the DLPFC.

Conclusions

We present the first evidence of altered sphingolipid and phospholipid levels in the brains of patients with ChAc. Our observations are congruent with recent findings in cellular and animal models, and implicate defects of lipid processing in VPS13A disease pathophysiology. © 2023 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
Prespawn Mortality of Spring Chinook Salmon in Three Willamette River Populations
Authors: Naughton George P. , Keefer Matthew L. , Clabough Tami S. , Knoff Matthew J. , Blubaugh Timothy J. , Morasch Mark R. , Sharpe Cameron S. , Caudill Christopher C.
Published: June 2023

Impassable dams on major tributaries to the Willamette River, Oregon, have restricted access to historical spawning habitat for returning adult Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha. To restore these populations, some fish are collected and transported in trucks upstream of dams (i.e., adult trap-and-haul operations). However, persistently high prespawn mortality (PSM) rates in these programs have hindered conservation efforts. The objective of this study was to evaluate environmental factors and individual fish traits associated with PSM in Chinook Salmon populations that were transported and released upstream of dams in three Willamette River tributaries. Annual PSM of tagged and untagged female salmon ranged from 6% to 88% across 7 years. Mortality was higher in warmer years and in warmer tributaries, consistent with rangewide studies of PSM in Chinook Salmon. Effects of individual traits were mixed across sites: longer salmon and those released relatively early or late in the migrations had higher mortality. We conclude that strategies designed to minimize adult Chinook Salmon exposure to warm water temperatures, as well as additional research into both proximate and ultimate causes of PSM, may lead to better management and conservation outcomes for outplanted populations, including those in Willamette River tributaries.
Facilitators and challenges to transitioning to self‐catheterization: Patient and caregiver perspectives
Authors: Hayes Lillian C. , Saunders Rachel A. , Choung Kennary , Masoom Saafia N. , Price Diane E. , Bauer Stuart B.
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) is a well‐established method of managing lower urinary tract dysfunction. Depending on the age at introduction, caregivers might perform CIC initially but then transition responsibility to their children. Little is known about how to support families during this transition. Our aim is to learn the facilitators and challenges experienced when supporting the transition from caregiver‐led CIC to patient self‐CIC.

Materials and Methods

A phenomenological approach was used to gather information from caregivers and children >12 years through semistructured interviews. Thematic analysis was utilized to generate themes around experience with the transition from caregiver‐led CIC to patient self‐CIC.

Results

Of the 40 families interviewed, 25 families underwent successful transition to patient self‐CIC. Analysis of excerpts identified a three‐step process, including (1) desiring to learn self‐CIC, (2) practical learning of CIC techniques, and (3) mastering of techniques leading to emotional and physical independence. Many families experienced challenges in transitioning to self‐CIC, including patient or caregiver reluctance, improper equipment, past negative experiences, lack of knowledge about urinary tract anatomy and function, abnormal anatomy, and/or moderate to severe intellectual disability.

Discussion

Authors reviewed interventions to address challenges and provide clinical care recommendations to enhance success during the transition to patient self‐CIC.

Conclusion

No prior studies have identified this stepwise process that occurs in the transition from caregiver‐led CIC to patient self‐CIC. Healthcare providers and school officials (where indicated) can support families during this transition, with attention to facilitators and challenges identified in this study.
Role of opioid and β‐adrenergic receptors in bladder underactivity induced by prolonged pudendal nerve stimulation in cats
Authors: Pintauro Michael , Jian Jianan , Wang Jicheng , Shen Bing , Scolieri Joseph , Madhavaram Avanish , Chermansky Christopher , Beckel Jonathan , de Groat William C. , Tai Changfeng
Published: June 2023

Aims

To determine the role of opioid and β‐adrenergic receptors in bladder underactivity induced by prolonged pudendal nerve stimulation (PNS).

Methods

In α‐chloralose anesthetized cats, 30‐min PNS was applied repeatedly for 3–9 times to induce poststimulation or persistent bladder underactivity. Then, naloxone (opioid receptor antagonist, 1 mg/kg, IV) or propranolol (β‐adrenergic receptor antagonist, 3 mg/kg, IV) was given to reverse the bladder underactivity. After the drug treatment, an additional 30‐min PNS was applied to counteract the drug effect. Repeated cystometrograms were performed by slowly (1–2 mL/min) infusing the bladder with saline via a urethral catheter to determine the bladder underactivity and the treatment effects.

Results

Prolonged (2–4.5 h) PNS induced bladder underactivity evident as a large bladder capacity (169 ± 49% of control) and a reduced amplitude of bladder contraction (59 ± 17% of control). Naloxone fully reversed the bladder underactivity by reducing bladder capacity to 113 ± 58% and increasing the amplitude of bladder contraction to 104 ± 34%. After administration of naloxone an additional 30‐min PNS temporarily increased the bladder capacity to the underactive bladder level (193 ± 74%) without changing the amplitude of the bladder contraction. Propranolol had no effect on bladder underactivity.

Conclusions

A tonic enkephalinergic inhibitory mechanism in the CNS plays a critical role in the bladder underactivity induced by prolonged PNS, while the peripheral β‐adrenergic receptor mechanism in the detrusor is not involved. This study provides basic science evidence consistent with the clinical observation that comorbid opioid usage may contribute to voiding dysfunction in patients with Fowler's syndrome.
Barriers and enablers of coordination across healthcare system levels
Authors: Gadolin Christian , Eriksson Erik
Published: June 2023

Coordination across healthcare system levels is a global imperative to ensure efficient resource utilization and provide high‐quality care. The substantial body of research on coordination in healthcare mainly concerns coordination across professional and organizational domains. Consequently, there is a dearth of empirical research aimed at delineating the determinants of coordination across healthcare system levels. This paper describes and analyses the barriers and enablers of healthcare coordination across national, regional, and local system levels in a populous Swedish region. Individual interviews and focus group discussions, encompassing a total of 63 individuals, were conducted with managers, administrators, and politicians. The findings of the paper underscore that the barriers identified were most often of a structural or institutional character, whereas the enablers of the studied cross‐level coordination were mostly relational. Therefore, we propose that future research should aim to further delineate the prerequisites for personal relationships to emerge, as well as how they may act as enablers of coordination across healthcare system levels.
Caregiver fear of cancer recurrence: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of quantitative studies
Authors: Webb Kyra , Sharpe Louise , Butow Phyllis , Dhillon Haryana , Zachariae Robert , Tauber Nina Møller , O’Toole Mia Skytte , Shaw Joanne
Published: June 2023

Objective

Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is reported by both cancer survivors and caregivers however less is known about caregiver FCR. This study aimed to (a) conduct a meta‐analysis to compare survivor and caregiver FCR levels; (b) examine the relationship between caregiver FCR and depression, and anxiety; (c) evaluate psychometric properties of caregiver FCR measures.

Methods

CINAHL, Embase, PsychINFO and PubMed were searched for quantitative research examining caregiver FCR. Eligibility criteria included caregivers caring for a survivor with any type of cancer, reporting on caregiver FCR and/or measurement, published in English‐language, peer‐review journals between 1997 and November 2022. The COnsensus‐based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) taxonomy was used to evaluate content and psychometric properties. The review was pre‐registered (PROSPERO ID: CRD42020201906).

Results

Of 4297 records screened, 45 met criteria for inclusion. Meta‐analysis revealed that caregivers reported FCR levels as high as FCR amongst survivors, with around 48% of caregivers reporting clinically significant FCR levels. There was a strong correlation between anxiety and depression and medium correlation with survivor FCR. Twelve different instruments were used to measure caregiver FCR. Assessments using the COSMIN taxonomy revealed few instruments had undergone appropriate development and psychometric testing. Only one instrument met 50% or more of the criteria, indicating substantial development or validation components were missing in most.

Conclusions

Results suggest FCR is as often a problem for caregivers as it is for survivors. As in survivors, caregiver FCR is associated with more severe depression and anxiety. Caregiver FCR measurement has predominately relied on survivor conceptualisations and unvalidated measures. More caregiver‐specific research is urgently needed.
How extreme failure‐data filtering leads to poor process safety
Authors: Goble William M. , van Beurden Iwan
Published: June 2023

This paper describes both appropriate and inappropriate practices of filtering field failure data (FFD) prior to using the resulting failure count from the failure data to estimate failure rates. The underlying causes of inappropriate (extreme) filtering of FFD are examined, and the consequences (poor process safety) are discussed. An example is presented illustrating the benefits of using all real failures discovered in the field in the estimation of failure rates based on FFD.
A quantitative deployment scheme of hazardous gas detector
Authors: Jiang Ye , Qian Hanxiao , Xu Caifa , Dong Feibiao , Liu Jian , Jiang Zhaoneng
Published: June 2023

A hazardous gas detector is an important guarantee for detecting hazardous chemical gas leakage sites, and the traditional detector deployment scheme is inefficient. In this paper, we propose a quantitative deployment scheme of gas detectors by considering various factors that affect gas leakage. First, the leakage scene variables, including leakage source variables and environmental variables, are set. Then, a quantitative deployment model of gas detectors is established to avoid the impact of low‐probability, high‐risk scenes. Then, the artificial bee colony algorithm is improved to solve the model. Finally, the deployment scheme is evaluated from the perspective of economic benefits and risks. The original scheme of a certain chemical industry park is compared with the optimized scheme proposed in this paper. The results show that the cumulative risk value of the optimized scheme is much lower.
Neural network‐based optical flow versus traditional optical flow techniques with thermal aerial imaging in real‐world settings
Authors: Nguyen Tran Xuan Bach , Rosser Kent , Perera Asanka , Moss Philip , Chahl Javaan
Published: June 2023

The study explores the feasibility of optical flow‐based neural network from real‐world thermal aerial imagery. While traditional optical flow techniques have shown adequate performance, sparse techniques do not work well during cold‐soaked low‐contrast conditions, and dense algorithms are more accurate in low‐contrast conditions but suffer from the aperture problem in some scenes. On the other hand, optical flow from convolutional neural networks has demonstrated good performance with strong generalization from several synthetic public data set benchmarks. Ground truth was generated from real‐world thermal data estimated with traditional dense optical flow techniques. The state‐of‐the‐art Recurrent All‐Pairs Field Transform for the Optical Flow model was trained with both color synthetic data and the captured real‐world thermal data across various thermal contrast conditions. The results showed strong performance of the deep‐learning network against established sparse and dense optical flow techniques in various environments and weather conditions, at the cost of higher computational demand.
Predicting soil fungal communities from chemical and physical properties
Authors: Bodenhausen Natacha , Hess Julia , Valzano Alain , Deslandes‐Hérold Gabriel , Waelchli Jan , Furrer Reinhard , van der Heijden Marcel G. A. , Schlaeppi Klaus
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Biogeography describes spatial patterns of diversity and explains why organisms occur in given conditions. While it is well established that the diversity of soil microbes is largely controlled by edaphic environmental variables, microbiome community prediction from soil properties has received less attention. In this study, we specifically investigated whether it is possible to predict the composition of soil fungal communities based on physicochemical soil data using multivariate ordination.

Materials and Methods

We sampled soil from 59 arable fields in Switzerland and assembled paired data of physicochemical soil properties as well as profiles of soil fungal communities. Fungal communities were characterized using long‐read sequencing of the entire ribosomal internal transcribed spacer. We used redundancy analysis to combine the physical and chemical soil measurements with the fungal community data.

Results

We identified a reduced set of 10 soil properties that explained fungal community composition. Soil properties with the strongest impact on the fungal community included pH, potassium and sand content. Finally, we evaluated the model for its suitability for prediction using leave‐one‐out validation. The prediction of community composition was successful for most soils, and only 3/59 soils could not be well predicted (Pearson correlation coefficients between observed and predicted communities of <0.5). Further, we successfully validated our prediction approach with a publicly available data set. With both data sets, prediction was less successful for soils characterized by very unique properties or diverging fungal communities, while it was successful for soils with similar characteristics and microbiome.

Conclusions

Reliable prediction of microbial communities from chemical soil properties could bypass the complex and laborious sequencing‐based generation of microbiota data, thereby making soil microbiome information available for agricultural purposes such as pathogen monitoring, field inoculation or yield projections.
Defining and estimating effects in cluster randomized trials: A methods comparison
Authors: Benitez Alejandra , Petersen Maya L. , van der Laan Mark J. , Santos Nicole , Butrick Elizabeth , Walker Dilys , Ghosh Rakesh , Otieno Phelgona , Waiswa Peter , Balzer Laura B.
Published: June 2023

Across research disciplines, cluster randomized trials (CRTs) are commonly implemented to evaluate interventions delivered to groups of participants, such as communities and clinics. Despite advances in the design and analysis of CRTs, several challenges remain. First, there are many possible ways to specify the causal effect of interest (eg, at the individual‐level or at the cluster‐level). Second, the theoretical and practical performance of common methods for CRT analysis remain poorly understood. Here, we present a general framework to formally define an array of causal effects in terms of summary measures of counterfactual outcomes. Next, we provide a comprehensive overview of CRT estimators, including thet‐test, generalized estimating equations (GEE), augmented‐GEE, and targeted maximum likelihood estimation (TMLE). Using finite sample simulations, we illustrate the practical performance of these estimators for different causal effects and when, as commonly occurs, there are limited numbers of clusters of different sizes. Finally, our application to data from the Preterm Birth Initiative (PTBi) study demonstrates the real‐world impact of varying cluster sizes and targeting effects at the cluster‐level or at the individual‐level. Specifically, the relative effect of the PTBi intervention was 0.81 at the cluster‐level, corresponding to a 19% reduction in outcome incidence, and was 0.66 at the individual‐level, corresponding to a 34% reduction in outcome risk. Given its flexibility to estimate a variety of user‐specified effects and ability to adaptively adjust for covariates for precision gains while maintaining Type‐I error control, we conclude TMLE is a promising tool for CRT analysis.
Markov‐modulated marked Poisson processes for modeling disease dynamics based on medical claims data
Authors: Mews Sina , Surmann Bastian , Hasemann Lena , Elkenkamp Svenja
Published: June 2023

We explore Markov‐modulated marked Poisson processes (MMMPPs) as a natural framework for modeling patients' disease dynamics over time based on medical claims data. In claims data, observations do not only occur at random points in time but are also informative, that is, driven by unobserved disease levels, as poor health conditions usually lead to more frequent interactions with the health care system. Therefore, we model the observation process as a Markov‐modulated Poisson process, where the rate of health care interactions is governed by a continuous‐time Markov chain. Its states serve as proxies for the patients' latent disease levels and further determine the distribution of additional data collected at each observation time, the so‐called marks. Overall, MMMPPs jointly model observations and their informative time points by comprising two state‐dependent processes: the observation process (corresponding to the event times) and the mark process (corresponding to event‐specific information), which both depend on the underlying states. The approach is illustrated using claims data from patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by modeling their drug use and the interval lengths between consecutive physician consultations. The results indicate that MMMPPs are able to detect distinct patterns of health care utilization related to disease processes and reveal interindividual differences in the state‐switching dynamics.
Current Transients in Graphene Electronics under Single‐Particle Irradiation
Authors: He Wanzhen , Zhai Linxin , Yam Chi-Yung , Xu Zhiping
Published: June 2023

Low‐dimensional materials hold great promise in next‐generation electronics. However, the performance of such devices is susceptible to external perturbations such as irradiation due to the high exposure of constituent atoms to the environment. Herein, real‐time time‐dependent density‐functional theory at the tight‐binding level extended to open systems for electrons and Ehrenfest dynamics for ions is developed and used to explore the effects of single‐H irradiation on graphene electronics. The results show that the peak current displays distinct energy and site dependences, which are largely different from the dependences of the stopping powers. Charge‐density analysis shows that the current transients are driven by delocalized plasmonic excitation, in contrast to localized electronic excitation, which plays a crucial role in the stopping power. The site dependence of the transient current is determined by the electron density at the irradiation site and the ionic charges. These findings highlight the roles of lattice discreteness and electronic structures of materials, which have been overlooked in previous studies based on theoretical formulations and semiempirical models. Using the insights gained from the calculations and the dataset constructed under typical space‐irradiation conditions, the device responses of graphene nanoelectronics are modeled, laying the ground for device design in the space environment.
Tuning Dry and Wet Adhesion with a Branched Supramolecular Polymer Solution
Authors: Yu Huan , Zhang Runlin , Jia Yong-Guang , Chen Yunhua , Shi Xuetao
Published: June 2023

Endowing adhesives with both dry and wet adhesion to surfaces from hard substrates to soft biological tissues is challenging. Herein, a branched supramolecular polymer is introduced in dry‐ and wet‐crosslinking forms to adaptively achieve dry and wet interfacial adhesion. The branched supramolecular polymer (PAMU) with multiple pendant functional moieties is prepared by one‐pot reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. The PAMU polymer solution can firmly adhere to glass sheets after the water evaporates. The aqueous solution of PAMU polymer with residual double bonds can be further polymerized to form a wet crosslinking network. The hydrogen bonding moieties endow the supramolecular network with self‐healing properties, while the in situ polymerization of the PAMU polymer leads to stable adhesion to wet tissues. This study provides a promising approach to develop supramolecular adhesives for versatile adhesion applications.
Introduction: Digital Methods and Experiential Approaches to the Past
Authors: Landeschi Giacomo , Betts Eleanor
Published: June 2023

In this chapter, the authors introduce the theme of computational/digital methods in the realm of sensory archaeologies. To this purpose, the concept of sensoriality and its relevance for the archaeological discourse is rediscussed. Key concepts such as perception of material culture help us in better defining possible modalities through which archaeologists can benefit from the use of formal methods to answer questions related to the relationship between ancient space and its original inhabitants. In this context, recent advances in the field of computational methods can now provide a significant contribution to the development of ‘digitally mediated’ sensory archaeologies.
More than Modal? Exploring Affect, Affordance, Invitation and Solicitation
Authors: Eve Stuart , Gillings Mark
Published: June 2023

The aim of this chapter is to make a strong case for the adoption of a radically different approach to the archaeology of the senses. This is an approach that focuses not on what is sensed per se (or any ingenious mapping or digital representation of such) but instead the emergentaffectsthat may have arisen in any given sensory encounter, and the impact(s) of such on the assemblage of individuals, things, animals, environments, landscape elements, memories, expectations and anticipations (to name but a few) that were bound up within it. This is not to say that we should abandon attempts to, for example, delineate, visualise, map and analyse what could be seen, heard or smelled. Instead, it is to stress that such efforts should always be treated as a means-to-an-end and never taken as definitive end-products. In the discussion that follows, we build the theoretical framework needed to effect such a re-orientation, drawing upon affect theory and notions of relational capacity and affordance. We then go on to demonstrate the value of this through a case study involving the mapping and exploration of visibility and foreground the unique (yet largely untapped) interpretative potential of virtual, mixed and augmented reality approaches to move beyond mere representation, to instead evoke affects directly.