bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Occipital‐synarcual joint mobility in ratfishes (Chimaeridae) and its possible adaptive role
Authors: Romanov Alexey V. , Shakhparonov Vladimir V. , Gerasimov Kyrill B. , Korzun Leonid P.
Published: June 2024

The neurocranial elevation generated by axial muscles is widespread among aquatic gnathostomes. The mechanism has two functions: first, it contributes to the orientation of the mouth gape, and second, it is involved in suction feeding. To provide such mobility, anatomical specialization of the anterior part of the vertebral column has evolved in many fish species. In modern chimaeras, the anterior part of the vertebral column develops into the synarcual. Possible biological roles of the occipital‐synarcual joint have not been discussed before. Dissections of the head of two species of ratfishes (Chimaera monstrosa and Chimaera phantasma) confirmed the heterocoely of the articulation surface between the synarcual and the neurocranium, indicating the possibility of movements in the sagittal and frontal planes. Muscles capable of controlling the movements of the neurocranium were described. The m. epaxialis is capable of elevating the head, the m. coracomandibularis is capable of lowering it if the mandible is anchored by the adductor. Lateral flexion is performed by the m. lateroventralis, for which this function was proposed for the first time. The first description of the m. epaxialis profundus is given, its function is to be elucidated in the future. Manipulations with joint preparations revealed a pronounced amplitude of movement in the sagittal and frontal planes. Since chimaeras generate weak decrease in pressure in the oropharyngeal cavity when sucking in prey, we hypothesised the primary effect of neurocranial elevation, in addition to the evident lateral head mobility, is accurate prey targeting.
The dynamic molecular characteristics of neutrophils are associated with disease progression in dengue patients
Authors: Ou Guanyong , Liu Jiexiang , Zou Rongrong , Gu Yuchen , Niu Shiyu , Yin Juzhen , Yuan Jing , Qu Zhijun , Yang Yang , Liu Yingxia
Published: June 2024

Dengue, the most prevalent mosquito‐borne disease worldwide, poses a significant health burden. This study integrates clinical data and transcriptomic datasets from different phases of dengue to investigate distinctive and shared cellular and molecular features. Clinical data from 29 dengue patients were collected and analyzed alongside a public transcriptomic data set (GSE28405) to perform differential gene expression analysis, functional enrichment, immune landscape assessment, and development of machine learning model. Neutropenia was observed in 54.79% of dengue patients, particularly during the defervescence phase (65.79%) in clinical cohorts. Bioinformatics analyses corroborated a significant reduction in neutrophil immune infiltration in dengue patients. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that dynamic changes in neutrophil infiltration levels could predict disease progression, especially during the defervescence phase, with the area under the curve of 0.96. Three neutrophil‐associated biomarkers—DHRS12, Transforming growth factor alpha, and ZDHHC19—were identified as promising for diagnosing and predicting dengue progression. In addition, the activation of neutrophil extracellular traps was significantly enhanced and linked to FcγR‐mediated signaling pathways and Toll‐like receptor signaling pathways. Neutrophil activation and depletion play a critical role in dengue's immune response. The identified biomarkers and their associated pathways offer potential for improved diagnosis and understanding of dengue pathogenesis and progression.
Guanylate‐binding protein 1 inhibits Hantaan virus infection by restricting virus entry
Authors: Gu Tianle , Qu Sirui , Zhang Junmei , Ying Qikang , Zhang Xiaoxiao , Lv Yunhua , Liu Rongrong , Feng Yunan , Wang Fang , Wu Xingan
Published: June 2024

Hantaan virus (HTNV) infection can cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in humans, and currently, there are no long‐standing protective vaccines or specific antivirals available. Guanylate‐binding protein 1 (GBP1) is an interferon‐stimulated gene that defends against various pathogen infections. However, the function of GBP1 in HTNV infection remains unknown. Here, we describe how GBP1 prevents HTNV infection by obstructing virus entry. We found that HTNV infection induced GBP1 expression and that overexpression of GBP1 inhibited HTNV infection, while knockout of GBP1 had the opposite effect. Interestingly, GBP1 did not affect interferon (IFN) signaling during HTNV infection. Instead, GBP1 prevented HTNV from entering cells through clathrin‐mediated endocytosis (CME). We also discovered that GBP1 specifically interacted with actin but not dynamin 2 (DNM2) and made it difficult for DNM2 to be recruited by actin, which may account for the suppression of CME during HTNV infection. These findings establish an antiviral role for GBP1 in inhibiting HTNV infection and help us better understand how GBP1 regulates HTNV entry and could potentially aid in developing treatments for this virus.
Performance evaluation of multi‐precipitation products fusion based on a novel dynamic K‐nearest neighbour Bayesian ensemble calibration framework
Authors: Yang Qiyong , Li Xungui , Sun Jian , Zhang Zhiyong
Published: June 2024

The fusion of multiple precipitation products can effectively improve precipitation accuracy. In order to reduce the uncertainty of traditional precipitation members and improve the applicability of Bayesian model averaging (BMA), this study proposes a dynamic ensemble calibration framework with seasonality and real‐time capability, namely dynamic K‐nearest neighbour BMA (DKBMA), for the integration calibration and comparison of ERA5 reanalysis products and three satellite precipitation products (CMORPH, 3B42RT and 3B42V7). The application results of the DKBMA in the Yujiang River basin, Southern China, during the period of 2011–2016 show that (1) the DKBMA can overcome the problem of ERA5 error interference on the seasonal scale, reduce the systematic bias of ensemble precipitation members at coastal sites and demonstrate strong robustness at different altitudes. (2) Compared with the traditional BMA, the DKBMA has significantly improved accuracy, especially in capturing extreme precipitation events. The correlation coefficient has increased from 0.793 (traditional BMA) to 0.841 (DKBMA), the root‐mean‐square error has decreased from 35.61 (traditional BMA) to 30.95 (DKBMA), and the absolute value of relative bias has decreased from 62.80% (traditional BMA) to 49.94% (DKBMA). The proposed DKBMA in this study can provide a new solution for the fusion of multi‐source precipitation products in data‐scarce regions.
Triamcinolone acetonide has minimal effect on short‐ and long‐term metabolic activities of cartilage
Authors: Porter Annie , Newcomb Emily , DiStefano Steven , Poplawski Jacob , Kim Jonathan , Axe Michael , Lucas Lu Xin
Published: June 2024

Intra‐articular corticosteroid injections, such as triamcinolone acetonide (TA), are commonly used by clinicians to manage joint synovial inflammation. However, due to conflicting evidence in literature, there is a fear among clinicians that the injections may be harmful to otherwise healthy cartilage in young patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of TA on young, healthy chondrocytes. Articular cartilage samples were harvested from bovine knee joints (1–2 months old). In both healthy and inflammatory (interleukin‐1β) challenged cartilage, samples were treated with TA at doses ranging from 1 nM to 200 μM. Following a short‐ (2 days) or long‐term (10–14 days) treatment, chondrocyte viability, proliferation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and degradation were evaluated with a click chemistry‐based technique. Chondrocyte viability, proliferation, and anabolic activity were all minimally affected by short‐term and long‐term TA treatment. After both acute and sustained inflammatory challenges, TA reduced the catabolic activities in cartilage, reducing nascent glycosaminoglycan loss and maintaining cartilage mechanical properties. Overall, at physiologically relevant doses, TA had minimal negative impact on chondrocytes when maintained within their native ECM. Clinical significance: The findings provide new insight for current clinical practices concerning the use of TA in intra‐articular injections, especially in young patients, and established a foundation for future investigations into the impact of corticosteroids on joint homeostasis.
The upcycling of waste frying oil and the effect on sophorolipid productivity
Authors: Ishizaki Ryu , Araki Michiaki , Quan Glen Lelyn , Hirata Yoshihiko
Published: June 2024

Waste frying oil (WFO) is a degraded form of oil that is produced from repeated exposure to high temperatures during cooking. Many research studies have focused on the use of recycled WFO. These studies are highly promoted because of the need to find new ways of reducing the negative impact of WFO on the environment. One of these studies focused on the production of sophorolipid (SL), a naturally derived eco‐friendly glycolipid biosurfactant. Unfortunately, the environmental and societal advantages brought about by the wide‐spread use of SL are offset by its high production cost. WFO is a high‐volume, inexpensive material that can be used as a substrate for SL production. As such, by utilizing WFO as a feedstock material cost reduction can be realized to improve large‐scale application potential. One drawback to the use of WFO is that its physical characteristics are different from fresh oil and its effect on SL productivity (g/day) has not been investigated. This research focused on the effect of acid value (AV), peroxide value (PV), and carbonyl value (CV) of WFO on SL productivity. It was confirmed that SL titers (111.1 vs. 106.7 g/L) did not differ significantly after using either fresh oil (CV <0.01) or WFO, respectively. In addition, this research also confirmed that higher WFO degradation required longer culture periods (from 6 days to 9 days) to reach comparable SL concentrations as that produced with fresh oil.
A dream vacation typology
Authors: McKercher Bob
Published: June 2024

A six‐fold typology of ideal trips was developed in this study by listening to the voices of residents of Southeast Queensland, Australia, who identified what they felt a dream vacation encompassed. The study represents one of the first of its kind to explore this phenomenon from the tourists' perspective. The typology encompassed 16 styles of holiday. The six types included destination‐exclusive holidays, personal growth, exploration, escape, hedonism and attraction or activity specific holidays. The study concludes that more empirical research into this phenomenon is desired before comprehensive theory development can occur, for existing theories and models used to study ideal holidays tend to be fragmented and often contradictory.
Use of the 445‐nm Blue Laser for Management of Early Glottic Carcinoma: Preliminary 1‐Year Results
Authors: Rosow David E. , Keidar Eytan , Pasick Luke J. , Casellas Nicolas J. , Anis Mursalin M.
Published: June 2024

Objective

To analyze oncological efficacy and voice outcomes of the 445‐nm blue laser (BL) in the treatment of early glottic carcinoma and compare results with the 532‐nm potassium‐titanyl‐phosphate (KTP) laser.

Study Design

Single institution, retrospective chart review.

Methods

All patients who underwent microlaryngoscopic KTP or BL laser excision of early glottic carcinoma from 2018 to the present day with at least 1‐year follow‐up were included. Primary and recurrent disease, including radiation and surgical failures, were included. Demographic data, voice outcomes and oncologic outcomes were compared between the two laser groups.

Results

Forty‐nine patients met the inclusion criteria for the BL group and 88 for the KTP group, with average follow‐up of 635 and 1236 days, respectively. Oncologic outcomes were not significantly different, with disease‐specific survival rates of 95.9% for BL and 100% for KTP (p = 0.13), organ preservation rates of 98.0% for BL and 95.6% for KTP (p = 0.39), and local control rates of 93.9% for BL and 92.1% for KTP (p = 0.81). Both BL and KTP groups showed significant improvement in CAPE‐V (p = 0.04, 0.006 respectively) and VHI‐10 scores (p = 0.003, <0.00001) following surgery.

Conclusions

Photoangiolytic removal of early glottic carcinoma with BL appears to be equally safe and effective as with KTP laser at minimum one‐year follow‐up, and with excellent voice outcomes. Additional study will be warranted over time to assess long‐term outcomes in BL patients.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 134:4656–4660, 2024
Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 Channel Alters Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1/Smad Signaling in Rat Vocal Fold Fibroblasts
Authors: Matsushita Hiroki , Mukudai Shigeyuki , Hashimoto Keiko , Kaneko Mami , Sugiyama Yoichiro , Branski Ryan C. , Hirano Shigeru
Published: June 2024

Objectives

Vocal fold scar remains a therapeutic challenge. Vocal fold fibroblasts (VFFs) secrete extracellular matrix (ECM), and transforming growth factor‐beta 1 (TGF‐β1)‐mediated fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation is central to the development of fibrosis. The transient receptor potential (TRP) channel superfamily is a group of nonselective cation channels, and activation of TRP ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) channel has been shown to have antifibrotic effects through TGF‐β1/Smad signaling in various organs. This study aimed to elucidate expression of TRPA1 and the impact of TRPA1 activation on TGF‐β1/Smad signaling in VFFs.

Methods

Vocal folds were dissected from 10‐week‐old, male Sprague‐Dawley rats and primary VFFs were established. TRPA1 was examined in VFFs and lamina propria via immunostaining. VFFs were treated with allyl isothiocyanate (AITC, TRP channel agonist, 10−5 M) ± TGF‐β1 (10 ng/ml) ± A‐967079 (selective TRPA1 channel antagonist, 5.0 × 10−7 M) for 4 or 24 h. Trpa1, Smad3, Smad7, Col1a1, Acta2, and Has1 mRNA expression were quantified via qPCR.

Results

TRPA1 was expressed in cultured VFFs and the lamina propria. TGF‐β1 administration significantly increased Trpa1 compared to control. AITC alone did not alter Smad3, Smad7, Acta2, or ECM related genes. However, the combination of AITC and TGF‐β1 significantly increased Smad3 and decreased Smad7 and Acta2 compared to TGF‐β1 alone; A‐967079 significantly reduced this response.

Conclusions

VFFs expressed TRPA1, and the activation of TRPA1 regulated TGF‐β1/Smad signaling in VFFs. These findings provide preliminary insights into potential anti‐fibrotic mechanisms of TRPA1 activation through TGF‐β1/Smad signaling in VFFs.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 134:4593–4598, 2024
Can immersive olfactory training serve as an alternative treatment for patients with smell dysfunction?
Authors: Chao Yun‐Ting , Aden Freya , Göktas Önder , Schmidt Friedemann , Göktas Gökhan , Jurkov Miroslav , Georgsdorf Wolfgang , Hummel Thomas
Published: June 2024

Objectives

Olfactory training (OT) has emerged as a first‐line therapeutic approach to the management of olfactory dysfunction. Conventional OT (COT) involves the systematic home‐based exposure to four distinct odors. Previous research has demonstrated that immersive OT (IOT) involving full‐body exposure to dozens of distinct odors could also improve overall olfactory function. This study compared IOT and COT in terms of efficacy.

Methods

A total of 60 patients were enrolled and assigned to three groups. The IOT group (n = 25) underwent immersive exposure to 64 odors once daily in a specialized theater. COT participants (n = 17) sniffed four typical odors in a set of four jars twice daily at home. A control group (n = 18) underwent passive observation. Olfactory function was assessed before and after training.

Results

Significant improvements in composite threshold‐discrimination‐identification (TDI) scores were observed after training in both the IOT (mean difference = 2.5 ± 1.1. p = .030) and COT (mean difference = 4.2 ± 1.3, p = .002) groups. No changes were observed in the control group. A significantly higher proportion of patients in the COT group (41%) presented improvements of clinical importance (TDI ≥5.5) compared to the controls (p = .018). The improvements attained in the IOT group (20%) were less pronounced (p = .38).

Conclusion

While IOT did not exhibit the same efficacy as COT in restoring olfactory function, it still demonstrated promising outcomes. Future efforts to advance olfactory recovery should focus on cross‐modal integration.

Level of Evidence

Level 3.
Transparent Multilayer Acrylic Composites Reinforced with Poly(Acrylated Urethane) Filled Low Grammage Bacterial Cellulose Nanopaper
Authors: Wloch Daniela , Herrera Natalia , Lee Koon‐Yang
Published: June 2024

Cellulose nanopaper is a material structure that possesses high mechanical performance and is widely regarded as a promising 2D reinforcement for polymer matrix composites. This work explores the use of low grammage bacterial cellulose (BC) nanopaper as reinforcement for poly(acrylated urethane) interlayer adhesive to increase the impact performance of multilayer acrylic composites. The BC nanopaper is impregnated with an acrylated urethane resin and laminated between acrylic sheets to create BC/acrylic composites consisting of one, three, and five layers of BC nanopaper‐reinforced poly(acrylated urethane) interlayer adhesive(s). Both the poly(acrylated urethane)‐filled BC nanopaper interlayer adhesive and the resulting laminated acrylic composites are optically transparent. The incorporation of BC nanopaper into the poly(acrylated urethane) interlayer adhesive improves the tensile modulus by eightfold and the single‐edge notched fracture toughness by 60% compared to neat poly(acrylated urethane). It is also found that using poly(acrylated urethane)‐filled BC nanopaper interlayer adhesive proves beneficial to the impact properties of the resulting laminated acrylic composites. In Charpy impact testing, the impact strength of the multilayer acrylic composites increases by up to 130% compared to the “gold‐standard” impact‐modified monolithic acrylic, with a BC loading of only 1.6 wt%.
Potentially functional variants of CHMP4A and PANX1 in the pyroptosis‐related pathway predict survival of patients with non‐oropharyngeal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Tang Xiaozhun , Wang Huiling , Liu Hongliang , Li Guojun , Sturgis Erich M. , Shete Sanjay , Wei Qingyi
Published: June 2024

Background

Pyroptosis has been implicated in the advancement of various cancers. Triggering pyroptosis within tumors amplifies the immune response, thereby fostering an antitumor immune environment. Nonetheless, few published studies have evaluated associations between functional variants in the pyroptosis‐related genes and clinical outcomes of patients with non‐oropharyngeal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (NON‐ORO HNSCC).

Methods

We conducted an association study of 985 NON‐ORO HNSCC patients who were randomly divided into two groups: the discovery group of 492 patients and the replication group of 493 patients. We used Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to examine associations between genetic variants of the pyroptosis‐related genes and survival of patients with NON‐ORO HNSCC. Bayesian false discovery probability (BFDP) was used for multiple testing correction. Functional annotation was applied to the identified survival‐associated genetic variants.

Results

There are 8254 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in 82 pyroptosis‐related genes, of which 202 SNPs passed multiple testing correction with BFDP < 0.8 in the discovery and six SNPs retained statistically significant in the replication. In subsequent stepwise multivariable Cox regression analysis, two independent SNPs (CHMP4A rs1997996 G > A and PANX1 rs56175344 C > G) remained significant with an adjusted hazard ratios (HR) of 1.31 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09–1.57, p = 0.004) and 0.65 (95% CI = 0.51–0.83, p = 0.0005) for overall survival (OS), respectively. Further analysis of the combined genotypes revealed progressively worse OS associated with the number of unfavorable genotypes (ptrend < 0.0001 and 0.021 for OS and disease‐specific survival, respectively). Moreover, both PANX1 rs56175344G and CHMP4A rs1997996A alleles were correlated with reduced mRNA expression levels.

Conclusions

Genetic variants in the pyroptosis pathway genes may predict the survival of NON‐ORO HNSCC patients, likely by reducing the gene expression, but our findings need to be replicated by larger studies.
Application of commercial microwave links (CMLs) attenuation for quantitative estimation of precipitation
Authors: Pasierb Magdalena , Bałdysz Zofia , Szturc Jan , Nykiel Grzegorz , Jurczyk Anna , Ośródka Katarzyna , Figurski Mariusz , Wojtczak Marcin , Wojtkowski Cezary
Published: June 2024

Precipitation estimation models are typically sourced by rain gauges, weather radars and satellite observations. A relatively new technique of precipitation estimation relies on the network of Commercial Microwave Links (CMLs) employed for cellular communication networks: the rain‐inducted attenuation in the links enables the precipitation estimation. In the paper, it is analysed to what extent the precipitation derived from CML attenuation data is useful in estimation of the precipitation field with the high temporal and spatial resolution required in nowcasting models. Two methods of determination of precipitation along CMLs from attenuation of signal with several frequencies were proposed. Then, in order to generate precipitation field, three approaches for assigning appropriate precipitation values to a specific point or set of pixels along the link are developed and tested. The CML‐based estimates are compared with point observations from manual rain gauges and multi‐source precipitation fields using daily and half‐hourly accumulations. It was found that the CML‐based precipitation fields are much worse than radar‐derived estimates. At the same time, they had slightly poorer reliability than spatially interpolated telemetric rain gauge data and significantly higher reliability than satellite estimates. Furthermore, the impact of link characteristics, such as length and frequency, on the reliability of CML‐based precipitation estimates is analysed.
Social media use by patients with hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome
Authors: Halverson Colin M. E. , Doyle Tom A. , Vershaw Samantha
Published: June 2024

Background

Patients with uncommon genetic conditions often face limited in‐person resources for social and informational support. Hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (hEDS) is a rare or underdiagnosed hereditary disorder of the connective tissue, and like those with similar diseases, patients with hEDS have begun to turn to social media in search of care and community. The aims of our study were to understand the usage habits and perceptions of utility of social media use for patients with hEDS in order to formulate suggestions for how clinicians may best engage these and similar patient populations about this topic.

Methods

We conducted both a quantitative survey and qualitative interviews with patients who had received a robust clinical diagnosis of hEDS.

Results

Twenty‐four individuals completed the initial survey, and a subset of 21 of those participants completed an interview. Through thematic analysis, we identified four primary themes related to their experience with social media: (1) befriending others with their disease, (2) seeking and vetting information, (3) the risks and downsides of social media use, and (4) the desire for clinicians to discuss this topic with them.

Conclusion

We conclude by proposing five suggestions that emerge empirically from our data. These proposals will help clinicians engage their patients regarding social media use in order to promote its potential benefits and circumvent its potential harms as they pursue support for their hereditary condition.
Prenatal diagnosis of a skeletal disorder characterized by rhizomelic shortening of limbs caused by compound heterozygous variants in the PKDCC gene: Case report and literature review
Authors: Wang Jing , Yu Huijun , Zhang Xiaoying , Zhou Xiuyun , Tan Ya , Li Zhi , Gu Ying , Lin Li
Published: June 2024

Background

The protein kinase domain containing cytoplasmic (PKDCC) gene (OMIM#618821) is associated with bone development. Biallelic variants in the PKDCC gene can cause rhizomelic limb shortening with dysmorphic features.

Case Report

A fetus was found to be rhizomelic limb shortening at 16 weeks of gestation and amniocentesis was performed at 19 weeks of gestation. Genomic DNA extracted from the amniotic fluid was subjected to chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), and Trio‐total whole‐exome sequencing (Trio‐WES). Sanger sequencing was used to verify the candidate pathogenic variants. CMA was normal, while Trio‐WES identified two compound heterozygous variants in the PKDCC gene, namely c.417_c.423delCGGCGCG insTCATGGGCTCAGTACAC(p.G140fs*35) and c.345G>A (p.W115*,379). Then the fetus was aborted and the development of its bone cells were compared with that of a normal fetus of similar gestational age by histopathological examination. Clinical findings of the fetus were shortening humerus and femur, synophrys, much hair on the side face, simian line on the right palm, etc. Histopathological examination showed that the affected fetus had increased proliferative chondrocytes, widened proliferative bands, and delayed bone mineralization.

Conclusions

We reported a prenatal case of rhizomelic shortening of limbs caused by compound heterozygous variants in the PKDCC gene, which emphasized the important role of Trio‐WES for diagnosis of skeletal dysplasia in fetuses.
Low windage dual‐band omnidirectional antenna for high‐speed aircraft communication application
Authors: Wang Zhefei , Wu Jie , Ge Junxiang , Wan Fayu , Zeng Qingsheng , Hou Jianqiang , Denidni Tayeb A.
Published: June 2024

The letter presents a low‐windage omnidirectional antenna for high‐speed aircraft in the UHF and L bands. It combines a planar biconical antenna with a printed tape parasitic branch monopole antenna. Upgrading the traditional restricted‐length biconical antenna to a double‐layer planar design meets the compact, lightweight, and low windage requirements of airborne use. To enhance bandwidth and meet the lightweight, compact criteria of high‐speed aircraft, the planar‐printed monopole antenna integrates parasitic stubs and loop antenna concepts. Experimental results exhibit excellent isolation between antenna elements, with over 15 dB segregation and operational spectrum return loss of 27% and 18% at 10 dB. The voltage standing wave ratio is below 2, with less than 5 dB variation in the horizontal radiation pattern across frequency bands. The antenna, measuring 20 mm × 190 mm × 270 mm and weighing around 0.5 kg, holds great promise for high‐speed aircraft applications.
An improved method to measure transfer functions using MRI
Authors: Eijbersen Michael A. , Steensma Bart R. , van den Berg Cornelis A. T. , Raaijmakers Alexander J. E.
Published: June 2024

Purpose

A previously published method for MRI‐based transfer function assessment makes use of the so‐called transceive phase assumption (TPA). This limits its applicability to shorter leads and/or lower field strengths. A new method is presented where the background electric field is determined from both ‐ and ‐field distributions, avoiding the TPA and making it more generally applicable.

Theory and Methods

These ‐distributions are determined from a spoiled gradient echo multiflip angle acquisition. From the separated ‐components the background electrical field and the induced current are computed. Further improvement is achieved by recasting the ‐field model as a “magnitude squared least squares” problem. The proposed reconstruction method is used to determine transfer functions of various copper wire lengths up to 40 cm inside an elliptical ASTM phantom. The method is first tested on EM‐simulated data and subsequently phantom and bench measurements are used to determine transfer functions experimentally.

Results

In silica reconstructions demonstrate the validity of the proposed ‐field model resulting in highly accurate reconstructed ‐fields, currents, incident electric fields and transfer functions. The experimental results show slight deviations in the field model, however, resulting transfer functions are accurately determined with high similarity to simulations and comparable to bench measurements.

Conclusion

A more generally applicable method for MRI‐based transfer function assessment is presented. The proposed method circumvents phase assumptions making it applicable for longer objects and/or higher field strengths. Additional improvements are implemented in the ‐mapping method and the solution algorithm.
Proactive health behavior in middle‐aged and older adult females with urinary incontinence: A grounded theory study
Authors: Zhang Yingying , Li Jie , Hu Yingjie , Liang Surui , Wang Ying , Chen Ling , Cai Wenzhi , Ren Wei
Published: June 2024

Aim

To develop a conceptual framework for proactive health behavior among middle‐aged and older adult females with urinary incontinence.

Design

Qualitative grounded theory study.

Background

There is a growing body of research emphasizing the pivotal significance of proactive health behavior. Proactive health behavior can empower patients to actively manage their illnesses and facilitate disease recovery. Clearly defining patients' relevant beliefs and assumptions regarding proactive health behavior can effectively promote their adoption. However, there is currently a lack of relevant research in this area.

Methods

We conducted in‐depth interviews with middle‐aged and older adult females with urinary incontinence (n = 17) and nursing caregivers (n = 9). We used theoretical sampling, whlie conducting continuous comparative analysisi and data collection.

Results

The study has yielded a substantive theory to facilitate healthcare professionals' comprehension of proactive health behavior in middle‐aged and older adult females with urinary incontinence. The foundation for middle‐aged and older adult females to adopt proactive health behavior is having a certain level of health literacy regarding their conditions. Patients’ internal motivation to engage in proactive health behavior includes a sense of health responsibility and health demands. Additionally, external support received by patients can also facilitate their adoption of proactive health behavior. The proactive health behavior practices of middle‐aged and older adult females mainly include proactive medical care behavior and establishing a healthy lifestyle.

Conclusions

The conceptual framework established in this study offers theoretical support for middle‐aged and older adult females with urinary incontinence to adopt proactive health behavior. It provides a basis for future exploration of proactive health behavior among this demographic and informs the development of more effective health interventions and support measures tailored to their needs.

Impact

The study specifically elucidates the mechanisms and manifestations of proactive health behavior adopted by middle‐aged and older adult females with urinary incontinence, laying the foundation for clarifying the level of proactive health among patients and implementing corresponding intervention measures. Additionally, it can also serve as a reference for related research on other diseases.
Prevalence and factors associated with job burnout among nurses in China: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Li Lei , Fan Jing , Qiu Lili , Li Chunyan , Han Xuanye , Liu Ming , Zhao Shihong , Wang Ying
Published: June 2024

Aim

Many people see nursing as a high‐pressure, high‐risk profession. Therefore, job burnout among nursing staff has become an important topic of study and has received widespread attention worldwide. This research intended to evaluate the frequency of and variables related with work burnout among nurses in public hospitals in China.

Design

Using a multistage random sample procedure, a cross‐sectional survey was carried out in the eastern, central and western areas of China.

Methods

The Maslach Inventory‐Human Service Survey and demographic information made up the two sections of the questionnaire. Of the 5250 questionnaires sent, 4865 were deemed legitimate, yielding an effective response rate of 92.67%. A linear regression analysis was performed to investigate the variables linked to nursing work burnout.

Results

Among the 4865 nurses, women accounted for 97.4% of the survey respondents, most of whom were aged 26–35 years. Results showed that the total scores of emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP) and reduced personal accomplishment (PA) were 20.02 ± 12.04, 4.78 ± 5.54 and 34.42 ± 10.32 respectively. 50.7% of subjects obtained high or moderated scores on EE, 32.8% of subjects obtained high or moderated scores on DP and 80.4% of subjects obtained low or moderated scores on PA. Age, department, position, post‐establishment, work shift type in recent months, overtime times in recent months and night shift frequency in recent months were negatively correlated with EE, and child status, monthly income, working days per week and sleep quality in recent 1 month were positively correlated with it (F = 141.827, P < 0.01, R2 = 0.243). Age, gender, department, post‐establishment, overtime hours in recent months and night shift frequency in recent months were negatively correlated with DP, and child status and sleep quality in the last 1 month were positively correlated with it (F = 78.794, p < 0.01, R2 = 0.115). Child status, years of nursing work and sleep quality in the last 1 month were negatively correlated with PA, whereas age, position, work shift type in recent months and night shift frequency in recent months were positively correlated with it (F = 67.981, p < 0.01, R2 = 0.089).
How taking pictures of landscapes affects the mental stress of young adults
Authors: Hassan Ahmad , Deshun Zhang
Published: June 2024

In today's fast‐paced society, escalating work and academic pressures have led to rising stress levels. While numerous studies have explored adolescent mental health, there has been a lack of focus on “educational stress” among Chinese students. This study sought to understand the psychological and physiological effects of educational stress in Chinese university students. We studied the impact of a 5‐min nature photography session on campus compared with a control activity of photographing urban settings near campus. Data were collected using blood pressure measurements, electroencephalography (EEG), the Semantic Differential Method (SDM), and the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) in order to understand psychophysiological reactions. The findings from the SDM and STAI assessments indicated that students felt slightly more at ease and considerably more relaxed, had a heightened sense of naturalness, and experienced reduced anxiety after engaging in nature photography compared with urban photography. Notably, we observed that both systolic and diastolic blood pressure dropped by many values and there were noticeable EEG changes among participants. The results suggest that a brief 5‐min nature photography activity can effectively reduce mental stress in Chinese university students.
Rapid generation of well‐defined biodegradable poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) libraries through chromatographic separation
Authors: Shu Yilei , Pang Huiwen , Wu Youzhi , Wang Yiqing , Huang Guojun , Zhang Cheng , Han Felicity Y.
Published: June 2024

Poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) is a biodegradable copolymer and widely used in pharmaceuticals. Commercially available PLGAs are produced through ring‐opening polymerization, which results in inevitable dispersity in molecular weight and chemical composition (i.e., lactide‐to‐glycolide ratio), influencing bulk properties such as degradation, mechanics, and morphology. In this study, an automated chromatographic separation technique was employed to generate a series of well‐defined, low‐dispersity fractionated PLGAs from a single commercially available PLGA (lactide‐to‐glycolide ratio = 50:50). The structural and compositional dependence of properties for pharmaceutical applications in the form of nanofibers and nanoparticles were systematically investigated. The properties of new PLGAs by further separation were significantly dependent on composition. The molecular weight ranges were reduced, while the morphology of nanofibers and nanoparticles became more uniform. Importantly, the stability, mechanical strength, and drug loading increased, and the period of sustained release profile also increased. In brief, our data show that the automated chromatographic separation technique allows for precise control of the molecular weight and lactide‐to‐glycolide composition ratio of PLGA, in contrast to the traditional method. The use of well‐defined and fractionated new PLGA materials holds significant promise for enhancing the potential of PLGA in future pharmaceutical applications.
Effect of an exercise intervention targeting hip strengthening in patients undergoing revision total hip replacement—A study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial
Authors: Stisen Martin Bækgaard , Pedersen Alma Becic , Kjeldsen Troels , Mechlenburg Inger
Published: June 2024

Background

Limited evidence exists regarding the effectiveness of pain relief and functional improvement in patients undergoing revision total hip replacement (THR). Furthermore, there are no clinical guidelines or consensus on optimal rehabilitation after revision THR.

Purpose

The primary aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of an exercise intervention targeting hip strengthening with standard community‐based rehabilitation in patients undergoing revision THR.

Methods

This multicenter randomized controlled assessor‐blinded trial will be conducted at eight hospitals and multiple municipality rehabilitation centers in Denmark. A total of 84 patients undergoing revision THR are estimated to be allocated to either an exercise intervention targeting hip strengthening (NEMEX‐STR) or standard community‐based rehabilitation (Usual care). Recruitment was initiated in November 2022 and is expected to be completed by June 2024. The primary outcome is change in functional performance measured by the 30 s chair stand test, from baseline to 4 months after the start of intervention. Secondary outcomes include hip disability and osteoarthritis outcome score; 40 m fast‐paced walk test; 9‐step timed stair climb test; leg extensor muscle power; global perceived effect; and adverse events. Other outcomes include The International Physical Activity Questionnaires, pain intensity, and European quality of life—5 dimensions. An intention‐to‐treat approach will be used for analyzing changes in primary and secondary outcome measures. The trial was approved by the Central Denmark Region Committees on Health Research Ethics (Journal No 1‐10‐72‐134‐22) and registered on the Central Denmark Regions' internal list of research projects (Journal No 1‐16‐02‐285‐22).

Discussion

To our knowledge, this study is the first to explore different rehabilitation programs after revision THR through a randomized controlled trial. The results will provide clinically relevant evidence for optimal rehabilitation after revision THR for improving functional performance, physical function, and quality of life, with great importance for patients, relatives, physiotherapists, and decision‐makers.

ClinicalTrial.gov

NCT05657054.
Quality of life and level of physical activity of individuals with temporomandibular disorders with and without otological symptoms: Secondary analysis of a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Tavares Luiz Felipe , Gadotti Inae Caroline , Melo Rafaela Albuquerque , Moura Ana Beatriz Gomes , Ferreira Lidiane Macedo , Figueiredo‐Ribeiro Karyna Myrelly Oliveira Bezerra
Published: June 2024

Background and purpose

Otological symptoms (OS) are highly prevalent in individuals with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Individuals with TMD and OS have more neck disability and decreased deep neck muscles endurance when compared to individuals without OS. However, no studies have evaluated whether OS is associated with lower Quality of Life (QoL) and worse levels of physical activity. This study aimed to evaluate the QoL and level of physical activity of individuals with TMD with and without OS.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, 62 individuals with TMD were allocated into 2 groups: TMD with OS (n = 36) or TMD without OS (n = 26). Self‐reported complaints of dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, earache, ear fullness, or hypoacusis were considered as OS. QoL was assessed with the WHOQOL‐Bref and physical activity with the IPAQ‐SF. Independent t‐test and chi‐squared test were used for analysis between‐groups. Effect sizes were reported using Cohen's d. A Pearson correlation was used to compare the number of OS and QoL scores. A significance level of p < 0.05% and 95% confidence intervals were considered statistically significant.

Results

The total generic scores for QoL were not different between‐groups (p = 0.076), but individuals with TMD with OS had lower satisfaction (p = 0.015; d: 0.63) and physical domain (p = 0.015; d: 0.64) scores with a moderate effect size. In TMD with OS, 69.4% of individuals were irregularly active and 50% for the TMD without OS, with no statistical significance (p > 0.05). The number of OSs was inversely and weakly associated with the QoL total score.

Conclusion

Individuals with TMD and OS are associated with worsened QoL (physical domain and satisfaction) when compared to individuals with TMD without OS. The higher the number of OS, the worse the QoL score. Individuals with TMD with and without OS had similar levels of physical activity, but a high prevalence of irregularly active and sedentary individuals within TMD diagnosed population was found.
Experimental design considerations and statistical analyses in preclinical tumor growth inhibition studies
Authors: Bonato Vinicius , Tang Szu‐Yu , Hsieh Matilda , Zhang Yao , Deng Shibing
Published: June 2024

Animal models are used in cancer pre‐clinical research to identify drug targets, select compound candidates for clinical trials, determine optimal drug dosages, identify biomarkers, and ensure compound safety. This tutorial aims to provide an overview of study design and data analysis from animal studies, focusing on tumor growth inhibition (TGI) studies used for prioritization of anticancer compounds. Some of the experimental design aspects discussed here include the selection of the appropriate biological models, the choice of endpoints to be used for the assessment of anticancer activity (tumor volumes, tumor growth rates, events, or categorical endpoints), considerations on measurement errors and potential biases related to this type of study, sample size estimation, and discussions on missing data handling. The tutorial also reviews the statistical analyses employed in TGI studies, considering both continuous endpoints collected at single time‐point and continuous endpoints collected longitudinally over multiple time‐points. Additionally, time‐to‐event analysis is discussed for studies focusing on event occurrences such as animal deaths or tumor size reaching a certain threshold. Furthermore, for TGI studies involving categorical endpoints, statistical methodology is outlined to compare outcomes among treatment groups effectively. Lastly, this tutorial also discusses analysis for assessing drug combination synergy in TGI studies, which involves combining treatments to enhance overall treatment efficacy. The tutorial also includes R sample scripts to help users to perform relevant data analysis of this topic.
High Capacitance Porous Ruthenium Nitride Films with High Rate Capability for Micro‐Supercapacitors
Authors: Dinh Khac Huy , Whang Grace , Huve Marielle , Troadec David , Barnabé Antoine , Dunn Bruce , Roussel Pascal , Lethien Christophe
Published: June 2024

The demand for high‐performance energy storage devices to power Internet of Things applications has driven intensive research on micro‐supercapacitors (MSCs). In this study, RuN films made by magnetron sputtering as an efficient electrode material for MSCs are investigated. The sputtering parameters are carefully studied in order to maximize film porosity while maintaining high electrical conductivity, enabling a fast charging process. Using a combination of advanced techniques, the relationships among the morphology, structure, and electrochemical properties of the RuN films are investigated. The films are shown to have a complex structure containing a mixture of crystallized Ru and RuN phases with an amorphous oxide layer. The combination of high electrical conductivity and pseudocapacitive charge storage properties enabled a 16 µm‐thick RuN film to achieve a capacitance value of 0.8 F cm−2 in 1 m KOH with ultra‐high rate capability.
Sulfone‐functionalized stable molecular single crystals for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Hu Xunliang , Yang Xiaoju , Song Bingyi , Zhan Zhen , Sun Ruixue , Guo Yantong , Yang Li‐Ming , Yang Xuan , Zhang Chun , Hussain Irshad , Wang Xiaoyan , Tan Bien
Published: June 2024

Highly crystalline organic semiconductors are ideal materials for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution in water splitting. However, the instability and complex synthesis processes of most reported organic molecule‐based photocatalysts restrict their applications. In this study, we introduce benzo [1,2‐b:4,5‐bʹ] bis [1] benzothiophene‐3,9‐dicarboxylic acid, 5,5,11,11‐tetraoxide (FSOCA), a highly crystalline, stable molecular crystal that is easy to synthesize and serves as an efficient photocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction. FSOCA exhibits high efficiency in sacrificial hydrogen evolution reaction (760 µmol h−1, 76 mmol g−1 h−1 at 330 mW cm−2; 570 µmol h−1, 57 mmol g−1 h−1 at 250 mW cm−2), and FSOCA remains stable during photocatalysis for up to 400 h. Experiments and theoretical studies confirmed the presence of hydrogen bonds between the sulfone group and the sacrificial agent (ascorbic acid). This interaction significantly improved the oxidation reaction kinetics and boosted the photocatalytic performance. This study presents a scalable and convenient approach to synthesize highly crystalline, active, and stable organic photocatalysts with potential applications in large‐scale photocatalysis.
Exploring the effective stress behavior of internally pressurized cylinders with varying density
Authors: Singh Arjun , Gulial Priya , Thakur Pankaj
Published: June 2024

This research article presents a comprehensive examination of effective stress behavior in internally pressurized cylinders with varying density, utilizing Norton's law as the analytical framework. Our thorough numerical computations encompass a wide array of steels and steel alloys commonly employed in cylinder fabrication, covering five distinct types of anisotropy. The investigation meticulously analyzes the profound impact of anisotropy and the exponent “n” within the creep law. A key insight emerges as the effective stress values for anisotropic materials, particularly in Type‐I and Type‐II, showcase a notable reduction compared to their isotropic counterparts in Type‐III. Moreover, we highlight the active role played by an increasing density parameter in elevating the values of radial, circumferential, axial stress, and effective stress within the rotating cylinder composed of anisotropic materials.