bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression of RIPK1 and FADD are associated with chemosensitivity and survival in head and heck squamous cell carcinoma via tanshinone IIA‐mediated modulation of the RIPK1‐FADD‐Caspase 8 complex
Authors: Shen Bin , Han Wenwen , Tan Xiangrong , Gu Kyle J. , Naseem Danial F. , Zheng Guibin , Li Guojun , Lou Jianlin , Chen Chao
Published: May 2024

Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA), a main active ingredient of salvia miltiorrhiza, has a wide range of antitumor effects, while its specific role and mechanism in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) is not fully understood. Totally 59 primary HNSCC patients underwent two courses of induction chemotherapy before surgery. The association between expression of Fas‐Associated Death Domain (FADD) and receptor interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) and chemotherapy resistance and survival were evaluated. The cell counting kit‐8 was used to detect the effect of Tan IIA on the activity of cisplatin in chemoresistant HNSCC cells through a series of in vitro experiments. The quantitative real‐time reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis and flow cytometry were used. FADD and RIPK1 expressions were differentially expressed in Chemosensitive and drug‐resistant patients. Furthermore, patients with tumors exhibiting high expression of FADD and RIPK1 had significantly greater risk for chemoresistance and mortality than patients with tumors that had low levels of these proteins. Moreover, Tan IIA reduced the expression of RIPK1 and FADD in HNSCC chemoresistant cell lines, which could increase the chemosensitivity of cisplatin and promote apoptosis. Overexpression of RIPK1 led to attenuation of therapeutic effects of Tan IIA, which were mainly realized through regulation of the RIPK1‐FADD‐Caspase 8 complex. This study is the first to demonstrate the clinical value and role of FADD and RIPK1 in the treatment of HNSCC. This work establishes the proapoptotic effects of Tan IIA and its potential to enhance chemosensitivity in HNSCC by modulating the RIPK1‐FADD‐Caspase 8 complex.
Final outcomes analysis of the cell product SQZ‐PBMC‐HPV Phase 1 trial in incurable HPV16+ solid tumors shows improved overall survival in patients with increased CD8+ T cell tumor infiltration
Authors: Weaver Alice N. , Iams Wade T. , Park Jong Chul , Mita Monica , Holtick Udo , Gordon Michael S. , Rodabaugh Kerry J. , Dhani Neesha , Neupane Prakash , Taylor Matthew , Amanda Duvall E. , Jennings Julia , Miselis Nathan R. , Loughhead Scott , Warren Marshelle S. , Bernstein Howard , Klussmann Jens P. , Baranda Joaquina , Jimeno Antonio
Published: May 2024

Cancer vaccines strive to induce robust, antigen‐targeted, T‐cell‐mediated immune responses but have struggled to produce meaningful regression in solid tumors. An autologous cell vaccine, SQZ‐PBMC‐HPV, was developed by SQZ Biotechnologies using microfluidic squeezing technology to load PBMCs with HPV16 E6 and E7 antigens in HLA‐A*02+ patients. The SQZ‐PBMC‐HPV‐101 Phase 1 trial (NCT04084951) enrolled patients with incurable HPV16+ cancers. Here, we present a post hoc analysis of the relationship between Posttreatment CD8+ T cell infiltration and patient outcomes. SQZ‐PBMC‐HPV was administered as monotherapy every 3 weeks. Tumor samples were collected pre‐dose and post‐dose 4 weeks after treatment start. Biomarkers including CD8, MHC‐I, E6, E7, GZMB, and Ki67 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and RNA in situ hybridization, and were correlated with clinical response, survival, and drug product composition. Eighteen patients had paired pre‐ and post‐dose biopsies. Six (33%) had an increase in CD8+ T cell density in tumor parenchyma between screening and C2D8. Patients with increased CD8+ T cell density had improved disease control rate (66.7% vs 16.7%) and median overall survival (606.5 days vs 170.0 days, p = 0.0078). Drug product was significantly enriched for higher T cells and lower monocytes in the increased CD8+ T cell density group. In patients with incurable HPV16+ solid tumors treated with SQZ‐PBMC‐HPV, an increase in CD8+ T cell density within the tumor parenchyma was associated with superior disease control rate and overall survival. The product composition for patients with increased CD8+ T cell density was enriched for T cells.
I123‐FP‐CIT (DaTSCAN) SPECT beyond the Most Common Causes of Parkinsonism: A Systematic Review
Authors: Quintas Sonia , Sanles‐Falagan Reyes , Berbís M. Álvaro
Published: May 2024

Background

As the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) is fundamentally clinical, the usefulness of ioflupane (123I) single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or DaTSCAN as a diagnostic tool has been a matter of debate for years. The performance of DaTSCAN is generally recommended in the follow‐up of patients with a clinically uncertain diagnosis, especially in those with a suspected essential tremor, drug‐induced parkinsonism, or vascular parkinsonism. However, there is a dearth of DaTSCAN findings regarding neurodegenerative parkinsonisms besides PD and atypical parkinsonisms. To date, a specific nigrostriatal dopamine uptake pattern that would help differentiate PD from the most frequent atypical parkinsonisms is yet to be described. This fact is further complicated by the possible visualization of abnormalities in the uptake pattern in patients with rarer neurodegenerative parkinsonisms.

Objectives

We aimed to summarize the current literature regarding DaTSCAN findings in patients with rare neurodegenerative parkinsonisms.

Methods

The PubMed database was systematically screened for studies in English or Spanish up to October 15, 2023, using search terms “DaTSCAN”, “ioflupane”, “DaT‐SPECT”, “123I‐FP‐CIT SPECT”, “dopamine transporter imaging”, and “[123I] FP‐CIT SPECT”. Duplicated publications and studies regarding PD, atypical parkinsonisms, dystonia‐parkinsonism, essential tremor, and parkinsonism due to non‐degenerative causes were excluded.

Results

The obtained results were reviewed and summarized, including DaTSCAN findings in fragile X‐associated tremor/ataxia syndrome, prion diseases, Huntington's disease, spinocerebellar ataxia, hereditary spastic paraparesis, metabolic disorders, and other diseases (anti‐IgLON5 disease, ring chromosome 20 syndrome, chorea‐acanthocytosis, and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis).

Conclusions

This review highlights the need to determine in the future the utility and cost‐effectiveness of DaTSCAN, both as a diagnostic and a prognostic tool, in patients with parkinsonian symptoms in rare neurodegenerative diseases.
Special economic zone dynamics and firm performance: Evidence from an emerging economy
Authors: Ackah Charles Godfred , Osei Robert Darko , Kusi Baah Aye
Published: May 2024

The empirical literature on Special economic zones (SEZs) has shown that SEZs have become critical policy tools for advancing economic and firm performance, especially in developing economies where financial capital, human capital, technology and technical know‐how to drive these performances are in limited supply. While the importance and effects of SEZs cannot be overemphasised and are well documented, particularly in Asia, SEZs' operationalisation, structure and policy practice appear to vary, especially in Ghana and hence a need to examine SEZ effects on firm performance in Ghana. Thus, following the difference in the structure and practice of SEZs and its limited empirical evidence in African emerging economies, this present study employs analysis of variance, treatment estimation and regression models covering 328 firms between 2018 and 2021 to shed insights on how SEZ dynamics/features affect firm performance (measured with total factor productivity, labour productivity, profitability, revenue generation and value added) in Ghana. Our results suggest firms operating under SEZ dynamics have varying significant effects on firm performance. Thus, while firms registered as SEZ firms and operating in SEZ enclaves and firms registered as SEZ firms and operating outside SEZ enclaves have significant positive effects on the performance indicators of firms, firms that are not registered as SEZ firms and operating outside SEZ enclaves detracted firm performance. Clearly, firms that possess SEZ dynamics/features tend to promote performance of firms as denoted in the empirical literature and theoretical approaches to SEZ. Arguably, the tax holidays, cheaper tariffs and infrastructural benefits derived by SEZ registered firms boost their productivity, revenue and profit performance higher than non‐SEZ registered firms. These results suggest policymakers/government should reduce administrative bottlenecks of registering as SEZ firms and operating in SEZ enclaves to increase the number of SEZ firm operations to induce performance and create room for fiscal revenue.
The two‐stage presale pricing for online products considering anchoring effect and payment pain reduction
Authors: Liu Xuwang , Zhang Yujie , Wang Junwei
Published: May 2024

Online product pricing is an important research field in the platform economy, and a two‐stage mixed presale is a mainstream mode of online sales. In the process of online consumption, the payment method and presale mode have an important impact on consumer behaviour and product pricing. Based on the two‐stage mixed presale mode, this study considers the impact of anchoring and the payment pain reduction effect on consumer behaviour, establishes the corresponding product pricing model and obtains the optimal presale price, sales and profit. It sheds light on the influence mechanism of anchoring and the payment pain reduction effect on consumer behaviour and online product pricing. Theoretical and numerical analyses reveal that the payment pain reduction effect can help to raise the product price, stimulate market vitality and bring higher profits for online retailers, and the anchoring effect and consumers' loss aversion psychology can enhance the profits and sales of online retailers, but they will discourage setting high prices for products. The research results will further enrich the relevant research on customer behaviour and product pricing in the platform economy and will provide decision bases for platform enterprises and online retailers to participate in presale activities and formulate product pricing strategies.
An ensemble learning strategy for multi‐source hydrogen embrittlement data by introducing missing information
Authors: Gong Xujie , Lei Ruichao , Sun Ruize , Jiang Xue , Su Yanjing , Yan Yu
Published: May 2024

Accurately and quickly predicting hydrogen embrittlement performance is critical for the service of metal materials. However, due to multi‐source heterogeneity, existing hydrogen embrittlement data are missing, making it impractical to train reliable machine learning models. In this study, we proposed an ensemble learning training strategy for missing data based on the Adaboost algorithm. This method introduced a mask matrix with missing data and enabled each round of training to generate sub‐datasets, considering missing value information. The strategy first trained a subset of features based on the existing dataset and a selected method and continuously focused on the combination of features with the highest error for iterative training, where the mask matrix of the missing data was used as the input to fit the weights of each base learner using a neural network. Compared with directly modeling on highly sparse data, the predictive ability of this strategy was significantly improved by approximately 20%. In addition, in the testing of new samples, the predicted mean absolute error of the new model was successfully reduced from 0.2 to 0.09. This strategy offers good adaptability to the hydrogen embrittlement sensitivity of different sizes and can avoid interference from feature importance caused by filling data.
Error analysis for discontinuous Galerkin method for time‐fractional Burgers' equation
Authors: Maji Sandip , Natesan Srinivasan
Published: May 2024

The primary goal of this paper is to suggest a fully discrete numerical solution approach for the time‐fractional Burgers' equation. This paper will consider the fractional derivative in the Caputo sense. The time derivative of this equation will be discretized using the L2‐type discretization formula. The spatial variable is approximated by using the nonsymmetric interior penalty discontinuous Galerkin method. The proposed method is globally and unconditionally stable. The accuracy of the solution is evaluated using a convergence analysis. Computational experiments further confirm the accuracy and stability of the suggested strategy.
Design and performance analysis of OAM‐based multidimensional multiplexing RoF‐PON integrated access system
Authors: Ding Qing‐an , Ren Jiali , Jiang Meiyu , Liu Huixin , Guo Xiaohan , Liu Chunyan , Niu Qun , Zhang Yongqi , Lei Yang
Published: May 2024

The unique advantage of orbital angular momentum (OAM) provides a novel approach to breaking through the limitations of high‐capacity and long‐distance transmission in the conventional radio‐overfiber passive optical network (RoF‐PON) hybrid access network. Introducing the OAM division multiplexing (OAM‐DM) based on Laguerre–Gaussian (LG) beams into the RoF‐PON, an innovative multidimensional system architecture is proposed, which integrates with polarization‐division multiplexing (PDM), wavelength‐division multiplexing (WDM), and orthogonal frequency‐division multiplexing (OFDM) technologies. Successful long‐distance transmission of both the downstream 40 GHz radio OFDM signal and the upstream 40 Gbps on‐off keying (OOK) signal over 80 km are achieved. Additionally, at the optical network unit side, low‐cost upstream carrier re‐modulation technology and flexible access for both wired and wireless signals are realized. The proposed RoF‐OAM‐DM‐PDM‐WDM‐OFDM‐PON architecture offers a dependable solution for high‐capacity and low‐cost future communication systems, holding great importance in achieving flexible access networks.
Patients' and rheumatologists' perceptions on dose reduction of rituximab in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Bertrand Delphine , Deprez Anke , Doumen Michaël , De Cock Diederik , Pazmino Sofia , Marchal Anja , Thelissen Marc , Joly Johan , De Meyst Elias , Neerinckx Barbara , Westhovens René , Verschueren Patrick
Published: May 2024

Objective

The recommended dose of a rituximab course for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) consists of two infusions of 1000 mg with a 2‐week interval. Evidence is growing that a lower dose could be as effective. We aimed to investigate patients' and rheumatologists' perceptions on dose reduction of rituximab.

Methods

Patients with RA treated with rituximab, and rheumatologists were invited for a qualitative study via individual semi‐structured interviews. Participants were recruited based on purposive sampling to ensure diversity. Interviews were analysed according to the principles of grounded theory and the constant comparative method.

Results

Sixteen patients and 13 rheumatologists were interviewed. Patients and rheumatologists perceived the benefits of rituximab dose reduction for reasons of safety and societal costs. Furthermore, available evidence for the effectiveness of lower doses was mentioned as an argument in favour, in addition to the possibility to tailor the dose based on the patients' clinical manifestations. However, patients and rheumatologists had concerns about the potential loss of effectiveness and quality of life. Moreover, some rheumatologists felt uncomfortable with dose reduction due to insufficient experience with rituximab in general. Patients and rheumatologists emphasised the importance of shared decision‐making, underscoring the pivotal role of physicians in this process by explaining the reasoning behind dose reduction.

Conclusion

Although some concerns on effectiveness were perceived, both patients and rheumatologists saw potential benefits of dose reduction in terms of safety, societal costs, and application of a personalised approach. As a result, most rheumatologists and patients showed a willingness to consider dose reduction strategies.
Rasch analysis of the Unidimensional Self‐Efficacy Scale in Neuromuscular Disorders and comparison between sex, age, and diagnoses
Authors: Fulton Joshua P. J. , Holt James K. L. , Mills Roger J. , Young Carolyn A.
Published: May 2024

Introduction/Aims

Self‐efficacy reflects a person's perceptions of their capabilities for specific tasks and influences motivation and performance. The Unidimensional Self‐Efficacy in Neuromuscular Disorders (USE‐NM) was modified from the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) USE‐MS scale and administered to patients attending a specialist neuromuscular clinic. The aim was to investigate this measure in neuromuscular disorders and to compare between patient sex, age, and diagnosis.

Methods

The USE‐NM was posted to patients recruited from a specialist neuromuscular clinic at the Walton Centre. Responses were subjected to Rasch analysis using RUMM2030 software and descriptive statistics were performed using SPSS version 28.

Results

One hundred and ninety‐eight patients (56.1% male) grouped by age (<50; 50–59; 60–69; and >69 years) and with varied NM disorders returned the USE‐NM. It did not meet the Rasch model expectations due to disordered thresholds of items 6 and 8 (“Sometimes I feel inadequate as a person because of my neuromuscular disorder” and “I feel that my social life would be better if I did not have a neuromuscular disorder”). Following item re‐scoring, the modified USE‐NM satisfied the Rasch model with a unidimensional scale free from differential item functioning and an overall chi‐square probability of 0.146 with good reliability and validity. Post hoc nonparametric testing showed no significant difference in fatigue between sex, age, and neuromuscular diagnoses.

Discussion

The Rasch‐modified USE‐NM offers a measure of self‐efficacy for neuromuscular disorders encountered in a typical specialist clinic. Future considerations could be given to assessing any benefits of multidisciplinary team input, across a specialist neuromuscular service.
Error estimates for completely discrete FEM in energy‐type and weaker norms
Authors: Angermann Lutz , Knabner Peter , Rupp Andreas
Published: May 2024

The paper presents error estimates within a unified abstract framework for the analysis of FEM for boundary value problems with linear diffusion‐convection‐reaction equations and boundary conditions of mixed type. Since neither conformity nor consistency properties are assumed, the method is called completely discrete. We investigate two different stabilized discretizations and obtain stability and optimal error estimates in energy‐type norms and, by generalizing the Aubin‐Nitsche technique, optimal error estimates in weaker norms.
Public administration and development in (historical) perspective
Authors: Elliott Ian C. , Puppim de Oliveira Jose A. , Wu Alfred M.
Published: May 2024

Since 1949, the journal Public Administration and Development has gone through changes in name and scope, in author demographics and background, and in readership and the topics covered. The professional‐oriented articles in the first years of the journal have evolved to become more academic theory‐oriented articles in recent years. Drawing on mixed methods, the authors conducted in‐depth analyses using data from the journal to highlight changes in research themes and geographic foci. The study provides insights into the historical development of public administration in developing contexts, the journal's contributions to the field, and maps out potential future research trends.
Transformation of agricultural wastes into functional oligosaccharides using enzymes and emerging technologies
Authors: Cano‐Gonzalez Carlos N. , Contreras‐Esquivel Juan Carlos , Rodríguez‐Herrera Raúl , Aguirre‐Loredo Rocio Yaneli , Soriano‐Melgar Lluvia de Abril Alexandra
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Pectin‐oligosaccharides (POS) serve diverse purposes as a food ingredient, antimicrobial and biostimulant in plants, and their functionality is linked to the degree of esterification. Grape and broccoli wastes emerge as environmentally friendly alternatives to obtaining pectin, serving as a sustainable source to producing POS. For example, microwaves have proven to be an effective and sustainable method to extract polysaccharides from plant matrices.

Objective

This work aims to use grape and broccoli wastes as alternative sources for obtaining pectin by microwave‐assisted extraction and biotransformation into POS, which possess biological properties.

Material and Methods

The extraction conditions were identified at a power of 400 W, 300 s for the extraction of pectin from grape pomace and broccoli waste. Biotransformation of pectins into POS, using commercial enzyme preparations (Viscozyme L and Pectinase). Characterisation was carried out by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy.

Results

Physicochemical analysis indicated grape pomace and broccoli waste pectins had galacturonic acid content of 63.81 ± 1.67 and 40.83 ± 2.85 mg 100 mg−1, low degree of esterification of 34.89% and 16.22%, respectively. Biotransformation of pectins into POS resulted in a 20% hydrolysis rate. The main enzymatic activity was polygalacturonase for the degradation of the main structure of the pectin.

Conclusion

Production of POS from agro‐industrial wastes by emerging technologies, such as the combined use of microwave‐assisted extraction and enzymatic processes, represents an alternative method for the generation of bioactive compounds with distinctive properties suitable for different applications of interest.
Bifacial silicon heterojunction solar cells using transparent‐conductive‐oxide‐ and dopant‐free electron‐selective contacts
Authors: Xie Anzhi , Wang Genshun , Sun Yiwei , Cai Haihuai , Su Xiaoyun , Cao Peibang , Li Zheng , Chen Zhexi , He Jian , Gao Pingqi
Published: May 2024

The development of transparent electron‐selective contacts for dopant‐free carrier‐selective crystalline silicon (c‐Si) heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells plays an important role in achieving high short‐circuit current density (JSC) and consequently high photoelectric conversion efficiencies (PCEs). This becomes even more important when focusing on the development of bifacial solar cells. In this study, bifacial SHJ solar cells using a transparent‐conductive‐oxide‐free and dopant‐free electron‐selective passivating contacts are developed, showing a JSC bifaciality of up to 97%. Intrinsic ZnOX layer deposited by atomic layer deposition was used in this structure, which simultaneously provides negligible passivation loss after annealing and enables a low contact resistivity on the electron‐selective contact. With both side finger metal electrodes contact, this bifacial solar cell shows an efficiency of 21.2% under front‐side irradiation and 20.4% under rear‐side irradiation, resulting in an estimated output power density of 24.1 mW/cm2 when considering rear‐side irradiance of 0.15 sun.
Exploring the relationship between paternal co‐parenting behaviors and cyberbullying perpetration in Chinese adolescents: The moderating roles of psychological entitlement and gender
Authors: Zhao Fengqing , Zhang Huifang , Li Sen , Wu Haomeng , Hou Jie
Published: May 2024

This study examined the relationships between paternal co‐parenting dimensions (including integrity, consistency, conflict, and bias) and adolescent cyberbullying perpetration, delving into potential moderating mechanisms. A sample of 795 Chinese adolescents (Mage = 14.79 years, SD = 1.67) completed questionnaires assessing parental co‐parenting, cyberbullying perpetration, and psychological entitlement. Results showed a positive association only between paternal co‐parenting bias and cyberbullying perpetration. The study identified a moderating role of psychological entitlement, indicating a stronger link between paternal co‐parenting bias and cyberbullying perpetration for adolescents with higher psychological entitlement than for those with lower psychological entitlement. Notably, the significant association between paternal co‐parenting bias and cyberbullying perpetration only existed among boys. The study provides new insights into the roles of paternal co‐parenting and adolescent psychological entitlement in cyberbullying perpetration among adolescent boys, emphasizing the importance of mitigating paternal co‐parenting bias and reducing adolescent psychological entitlement to prevent cyberbullying perpetration.
The mediating role of self‐control between stress and procrastination among adolescents: Examining the ego depletion theory
Authors: Gökalp Zeynep Şimşir , Haktanir Abdulkadir
Published: May 2024

Stress is an omnipresent psychological force impacting many aspects of life. Although a moderate amount of stress is attributed to better performance, an excessive amount of stress can inhibit executive functioning abilities. Adolescents encounter numerous stressors that they must overcome. Self‐control, according to the ego depletion theory, has limited source and can diminish when individuals are overwhelmed. In this study, we collected data from 616 adolescents to ascertain the impact of stress on self‐control and procrastination. Specifically, we aimed to see if increased stress would decrease self‐control, which, in turn, would increase procrastination. The mediation analysis supported the above hypothesis, and the model explained 39% of the variance in procrastination scores. 61.30% of this relationship was explained by the indirect effect (i.e., stress increases procrastination through reduced self‐control). Our results support the existence of the debated ego‐depletion theory in the context of procrastination and self‐control.
Parität‐Zeitumkehr‐symmetrische topologische Isolatoren
Authors: Fritzsche Alexander , Heinrich Matthias , Szameit Alexander , Thomale Ronny
Published: May 2024

Bislang war es experimentell nicht möglich, topologische Isolatoren als offene Systeme zu realisieren. Gerade die typischen, normalerweise überaus stabilen topologischen Randzustände führen in offenen Systemen meist zu instabilem Verhalten, also etwa zu exponentiell abfallenden oder sogar ansteigenden Strömen. Wir konnten nun zeigen, wie sich ein offenes topologisches System mittels einer periodischen Modulation realisieren lässt.
Entkorken für Ballsportler
Authors: Vogt Patrik , Kasper Lutz
Published: May 2024

Die hier vorgestellte Variante des Flaschenöffnens ist spektakulär und insbesondere für Ballsportler geeignet. Zum Einsatz kommt nämlich eine Fahrradpumpe mit Ballnadel, wie sie etwa zum Aufpumpen von Hand‐ und Volleybällen benötigt wird.
The relationship between patient‐specific factors and functional progression of COVID‐19 survivors admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation facility
Authors: Dreyer Sean , Lewis Christopher , Fahey Kyle , Martin Hannah , Pavone Larissa , Anastasopoulos Sofia , Sohi Gaurish , Rydberg Leslie , Jayabalan Prakash
Published: May 2024

Background

Survivors of hospitalization for severe acute COVID‐19 infection faced significant functional impairments necessitating discharge to inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) for intensive rehabilitation prior to discharge home. There remains a lack of large cohort studies of the functional outcomes of patients admitted to IRFs with COVID‐19‐related impairments and the relationship to patient‐specific factors.

Objective

To characterize functional outcomes of patients admitted to IRFs for COVID‐19‐related debility and to investigate associations between functional outcomes and patient‐specific factors.

Design

Multisite retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Multiple IRFs in a large urban city.

Participants

Adult patients admitted to IRFs for rehabilitation after hospitalization for acute COVID‐19 infection.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Primary outcomes included change in GG Self‐Care and Mobility Activities subscales and Functional Independence Measure scores from admission to discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. Linear regression analysis was used to relate functional changes to demographic, medical, and hospitalization‐specific factors. Secondary outcomes included discharge destination from the IRF.

Results

The analysis included n = 362 patients admitted to IRFs for COVID‐19‐related rehabilitation needs. This cohort showed significant improvements in mobility, self‐care, and cognition congregate scores (216.0%, 174.3%, 117.6% respectively). Patient‐specific factors associated with functional improvement included age, body mass index, premorbid employment status, history of diabetes and cardiac disease and medications received in acute care, and muscle strength upon admission to IRF.

Conclusions

Patients admitted to inpatient rehabilitation for COVID‐19‐related functional deficits made significant functional improvements in mobility, self‐care, and cognition. Many significant associations were found between patient‐specific factors and functional improvement, which support further investigation of these factors as possible predictors of functional improvement in an IRF for COVID‐19‐related deficits.
Genetic counseling access and service delivery in New York State is variable for parents of infants with complex CFTR genotypes conferring uncertain phenotypes
Authors: Kay Denise M. , Sadeghi Hossein , Kier Catherine , Berdella Maria , DeCelie‐Germana Joan K. , Soultan Zafer N. , Goetz Danielle M. , Caggana Michele , Fortner Christopher N. , Giusti Robert , Kaslovsky Robert , Stevens Colleen , Voter Karen , Welter John J. ,   New York State Cystic Fibrosis Newborn Screening Consortium, Langfelder‐Schwind Elinor
Published: May 2024

Background

New York State (NYS) utilizes a three‐tiered cystic fibrosis newborn screening (CFNBS) algorithm that includes cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene sequencing. Infants with >1 CFTR variant of potential clinical relevance, including variants of uncertain significance or varying clinical consequence are referred for diagnostic evaluation at NYS cystic fibrosis (CF) Specialty Care Centers (SCCs).

Aims

As part of ongoing quality improvement efforts, demographic, screening, diagnostic, and clinical data were evaluated for 289 CFNBS‐positive infants identified in NYS between December 2017 and November 2020 who did not meet diagnostic criteria for CF and were classified as either: CFTR‐related metabolic syndrome/CF screen positive, inconclusive diagnosis (CRMS/CFSPID) or CF carriers.

Results

Overall, 194/289 (67.1%) had CFTR phasing to confirm whether the infant's CFTR variants were in cis or in trans. Eighteen complex alleles were identified in cis; known haplotypes (p.R117H+5T, p.F508del+p.L467F, and p.R74W+p.D1270N) were the most common identified. Thirty‐two infants (16.5%) with all variants in cis were reclassified as CF carriers rather than CRMS/CFSPID. Among 263 infants evaluated at an NYS SCC, 70.3% were reported as having received genetic counseling about their results by any provider, with 96/263 (36.5%) counseled by a certified genetic counselor.

Conclusion

Given the particularly complex genetic interpretation of results generated by CFNBS algorithms including sequencing analysis, additional efforts are needed to ensure families of infants with a positive CFNBS result have CFTR phasing when needed to distinguish carriers from infants with CRMS/CFSPID, and access to genetic counseling to address implications of CFNBS results.
Impact of breastfeeding on ICU admissions and need for mechanical ventilation in infants younger than 6 months with RSV+ bronchiolitis. An observational study
Authors: Jiménez‐Nogueira Esperanza , Bueno‐Rebollo Cristina , García‐Jerez Beatriz , Callejón‐Fernández Elia , Díaz‐Torres Mateo Jesús , González‐Jiménez Yolanda , Lozano‐Paniagua David , Juárez‐Marruecos Patricia , Nievas‐Soriano Bruno José , Bonillo‐Perales Antonio
Published: May 2024

Introduction

This work aimed to analyze whether breastfeeding is a predictive factor for admission to ICU or needing mechanical ventilation in children under 6 months with RSV+ respiratory infection.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed in three hospitals. Binary and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association of variables with admission to the ICU or receiving mechanical ventilation.

Results

We analyzed 414 admissions, of which 293 (70.8%) had received breastfeeding, 43 (8.1%) were admitted to the ICU, and 26 (5.4%) required mechanical ventilation. Bivariate analysis showed that breastfeeding for at least 15 days and a longer duration of breastfeeding were associated with a lower risk of admission to the ICU and requiring mechanical ventilation. Multivariate analysis showed that not having been breastfed for at least 1 month was predictive of ICU admission; not having been breastfed for at least 2 months was predictive of needing mechanical ventilation.

Conclusions

Breastfeeding for as little as 15−28 days could be associated with a lower risk of ICU admission and requiring mechanical ventilation in infants younger than 6 months admitted for RSV+ bronchiolitis. Since breastfeeding is one of the few protective factors that can be promoted, this finding is relevant for current clinical practice and the development of health promotion programs. Future studies can compare their results to ours.
Lung T1 MRI assessments in children with mild cystic fibrosis lung disease
Authors: Ren Clement L. , Nasr Samya Z. , Slaven James E. , Joshi Aparna , Mahani Maryam Ghadimi , Clem Charles , Cooper Matthew , Farr Susan , MacAskill Christina J. , Keshock Elise , Nicholas Jennifer L. , Ferrebee Matthew , McBennett Kimberly , Flask Chris A.
Published: May 2024

Rationale

Lung T1 MRI is a potential method to assess cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease that is safe, quick, and widely available, but there are no data in children with mild CF lung disease.

Objective

Assess the ability of lung T1 MRI to detect abnormalities in children with mild CF lung disease.

Methods

We performed T1 MRI, multiple breath washout (MBW), chest computed tomography (CT), and spirometry in a cohort of 45 children with mild CF lung disease (6–11 years of age).

Main Results

Despite mean normal ppFEV1 values, the majority of children with CF in this study exhibited mild lung disease evident in lung clearance index (LCI) measured by MBW, chest CT Brody scores, and percent normal lung perfusion (%NLP) measured by T1 MRI. The %NLP correlated with chest CT Brody scores, as did LCI, but %NLP and LCI did not correlate with each other. Analysis of the Brody subscores showed that %NLP and LCI largely correlated with different Brody subscores.

Conclusions

T1 MRI can detect mild CF lung disease in children and correlates with chest CT findings. The %NLP from T1 MRI and LCI correlate with different chest CT Brody subscores, suggesting they provide complementary information about CF lung disease.
A physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic precision dosing approach to manage dasatinib drug–drug interactions
Authors: Kovar Christina , Loer Helena Leonie Hanae , Rüdesheim Simeon , Fuhr Laura Maria , Marok Fatima Zahra , Selzer Dominik , Schwab Matthias , Lehr Thorsten
Published: May 2024

Dasatinib, a second‐generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is approved for treating chronic myeloid and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. As a sensitive cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 substrate and weak base with strong pH‐sensitive solubility, dasatinib is susceptible to enzyme‐mediated drug–drug interactions (DDIs) with CYP3A4 perpetrators and pH‐dependent DDIs with acid‐reducing agents. This work aimed to develop a whole‐body physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model of dasatinib to describe and predict enzyme‐mediated and pH‐dependent DDIs, to evaluate the impact of strong and moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors and inducers on dasatinib exposure and to support optimized dasatinib dosing. Overall, 63 plasma profiles from perorally administered dasatinib in healthy volunteers and cancer patients were used for model development. The model accurately described and predicted plasma profiles with geometric mean fold errors (GMFEs) for area under the concentration–time curve from the first to the last timepoint of measurement (AUClast) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of 1.27 and 1.29, respectively. Regarding the DDI studies used for model development, all (8/8) predicted AUClast and Cmax ratios were within twofold of observed ratios. Application of the PBPK model for dose adaptations within various DDIs revealed dasatinib dose reductions of 50%–80% for strong and 0%–70% for moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors and a 2.3–3.1‐fold increase of the daily dasatinib dose for CYP3A4 inducers to match the exposure of dasatinib administered alone. The developed model can be further employed to personalize dasatinib therapy, thereby help coping with clinical challenges resulting from DDIs and patient‐related factors, such as elevated gastric pH.
A screening method for heavy metals in consumer goods using reactive desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Maiworm Elena , Wollmann Julius , Seiler Tim , Waletzko Michael , Schulz Sabine
Published: May 2024

Rationale

Contamination of everyday goods with heavy metals such as nickel, cadmium, and lead known to be hazardous to the health of customers is an ongoing problem.

Method

Here, a mass spectrometric screening method based on reactive desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) is presented for the analysis of metals in consumer goods such as jewelry, tableware, and paintings. The method detects oxidized species of lead, nickel, cadmium, copper, and iron from the surface of objects without sample preparation. Positively charged metal ions form singly and doubly negatively charged complexes with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid added to the DESI solvent, which are analyzed by a mass spectrometer.

Results

Qualitative and quantitative performance of the method was elucidated with metal salt standards. Subsequently, authentic samples were analyzed qualitatively. Reactive DESI‐MS was able to detect lead and cadmium in eight out of nine consumer goods. For tableware, these heavy metals were found to be localized in the print as determined by reactive DESI imaging. In addition, mockup paintings generated from modern and historical pigments of Pb, Cu, Cd, and Fe in various media (acrylic binder, egg tempera, and linseed oil) were measured to show the suitability of the method for art authentication and conservation.

Conclusion

The developed method expands the range of analytes accessible by DESI‐MS to metal ions. Hence, DESI becomes a suitable ionization technique for an increasing number of analyte classes, which are of interest in chemical screening of consumer goods.
Security dissipative control for interval type‐2 fuzzy hidden Markovian jump systems under event‐triggered scheme
Authors: Rengaraj Vijay Aravind , Pagavathi Balasubramaniam , Mahinzaeim Mahyar , Mehran Kamyar
Published: May 2024

This article presents a new design approach for resilient fault‐tolerant event‐triggered (ET) based security control of Markovian jump nonlinear systems (MJNSs) in the presence of nonperiodic denial‐of‐service (DoS) attacks. The approach is developed based on interval type‐2 (IT‐2) fuzzy models of the plant. The state error produced by data packet loss is turned into a parameter in the proposed ET condition during nonperiodic DoS attacks. The uncertain triggering variable is considered in the resilient fault‐tolerant ET condition for the MJNSs. In contrast to the usual strategy, the fault‐tolerant ET strategy is designed to send the required data packets to the controller during nonperiodic DoS attacks, which significantly contributes to the minimization of performance loss. Dissipative, passive, and ‐control schemes are all covered in a unifying framework by using a generalized performance index. Plant and controller modes are considered under mismatched membership functions to regulate asynchronous phenomena. Sufficient conditions depending on the membership functions that guarantee the stability of the closed‐loop system are derived. Finally, two numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
An online optimization escape entrapment strategy for planetary rovers based on Bayesian optimization
Authors: Guo Junlong , Li Yakuan , Huang Bo , Ding Liang , Gao Haibo , Zhong Ming
Published: May 2024

Planetary rovers may become stuck due to the soft terrain on Mars and other planetary surface. The escape entrapment control strategy is of great significance for planetary rover traversing loosely consolidated granular terrain. After analyzing the performance of the published quadrupedal rotary sequence gait, a “sweeping‐spinning” gait was proposed to improve escape entrapment capability. And the forward distance of planetary rovers with “sweeping‐spinning” gait was modeled as a function of six control parameters. An online optimization escape entrapment strategy for planetary rover was proposed based on the Bayesian Optimization algorithm. Single‐factor experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of each control parameter on forward distance, and determine the parameter ranges. The average forward distance with randomly selected control parameters is 89.64 cm, while that is 136.93 cm with Bayesian optimized control parameters, which verifies the effectiveness of the escape entrapment strategy. Moreover, compared with the trajectory of a planetary rover prototype with the published quadrupedal rotary sequence gait, the trajectory of a planetary rover prototype with “sweeping‐spinning” gait is more accurate. Furthermore, the online estimated equivalent terrain mechanical parameters can be used to determine the running state of the planetary rover prototype, which was verified using experiments.
Symmetric Catalyst Design Employing Ir Nanoparticles on Black WO3‐x Nanofiber Support for Boosting Water Electrolysis
Authors: Rho Yeo‐Jin , Lee Changsoo , Kim MinJoong , Ryu Won‐Hee
Published: May 2024

The efficient evolution of gaseous hydrogen and oxygen from water is required to realize sustainable energy conversion systems. To address the sluggish kinetics of the multielectron transfer reaction, bifunctional catalyst materials for both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) should be developed. Herein, a tailored combination of atomically minimized iridium catalysts and highly conductive black WO3‐x nanofiber supports are developed for the bifunctional electrolyzer system. Atomic Ir catalysts, particularly those that activate the OER, minimize the utilization of precious metals. The oxygen‐deficient black WO3‐x NF support, which boosts the HER, offers increased electronic conductivity and favorable nucleation sites for Ir loading. The Ir‐black WO3‐x NFs exhibit increased double‐layer capacitance, a significantly reduced onset potential, lower Tafel slope, and stable cyclability for both the OER and HER, compared to large‐sized Ir catalysts loaded on white WO3 nanofibers. This study offers a strategy for developing an optimal catalyst material with suitable supports for high‐performance and economical water electrolysis systems for achieving carbon‐negative targets.
Tungsten Strongly Inhibits Sintering of Porous Iron During High‐Temperature Redox Cycling
Authors: Pennell Samuel , Chen Ming , Dunand David C.
Published: May 2024

Freeze‐cast Fe‐25 W (at%) lamellar foams show excellent resistance to degradation at 800 °C during steam‐hydrogen redox cycling between the metallic and oxide states, with fast reaction kinetics maintained up to at least 100 redox cycles with full Fe utilization. This very high stability stems from the sintering inhibition of W combined with the freeze‐cast architecture and the chemical vapor transport (CVT) mechanism of reduction. These three factors create a hierarchical porosity in the foam, consisting of i) macroscopic elongated channels, ii) micro‐scale sintering inhibition pores, and iii) submicron CVT pores. Microstructural characterization via SEM and EDS is combined with in situ XRD to fully explore the phase evolution and microstructural impact of W on Fe during redox cycling. Comparison with tapped Fe‐25 W (at%) powder beds reveals that the freeze‐cast channels and lamellae are not critical to the performance of the material.
Cell Electrokinetic Fingerprint: A Novel Approach Based on Optically Induced Dielectrophoresis (ODEP) for In‐Flow Identification of Single Cells
Authors: Filippi Joanna , Casti Paola , Antonelli Gianni , Murdocca Michela , Mencattini Arianna , Corsi Francesca , D'Orazio Michele , Pecora Alessandro , De Luca Massimiliano , Curci Giorgia , Ghibelli Lina , Sangiuolo Federica , Neale Steven L. , Martinelli Eugenio
Published: May 2024

A novel optically induced dielectrophoresis (ODEP) system that can operate under flow conditions is designed for automatic trapping of cells and subsequent induction of 2D multi‐frequency cell trajectories. Like in a “ping‐pong” match, two virtual electrode barriers operate in an alternate mode with varying frequencies of the input voltage. The so‐derived cell motions are characterized via time‐lapse microscopy, cell tracking, and state‐of‐the‐art machine learning algorithms, like the wavelet scattering transform (WST). As a cell‐electrokinetic fingerprint, the dynamic of variation of the cell displacements happening, over time, is quantified in response to different frequency values of the induced electric field. When tested on two biological scenarios in the cancer domain, the proposed approach discriminates cellular dielectric phenotypes obtained, respectively, at different early phases of drug‐induced apoptosis in prostate cancer (PC3) cells and for differential expression of the lectine‐like oxidized low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐1 (LOX‐1) transcript levels in human colorectal adenocarcinoma (DLD‐1) cells. The results demonstrate increased discrimination of the proposed system and pose an additional basis for making ODEP‐based assays addressing cancer heterogeneity for precision medicine and pharmacological research.
Benchmarking of X‐Ray Fluorescence Microscopy with Ion Beam Implanted Samples Showing Detection Sensitivity of Hundreds of Atoms
Authors: Masteghin Mateus G. , Gervais Toussaint , Clowes Steven K. , Cox David C. , Zelyk Veronika , Pattammattel Ajith , Chu Yong S. , Kolev Nikola , Stock Taylor J. Z. , Curson Neil J. , Evans Paul G. , Stuckelberger Michael , Murdin Benedict N.
Published: May 2024

Single impurities in insulators are now often used for quantum sensors and single photon sources, while nanoscale semiconductor doping features are being constructed for electrical contacts in quantum technology devices, implying that new methods for sensitive, non‐destructive imaging of single‐ or few‐atom structures are needed. X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) can provide nanoscale imaging with chemical specificity, and features comprising as few as 100 000 atoms have been detected without any need for specialized or destructive sample preparation. Presently, the ultimate limits of sensitivity of XRF are unknown – here, gallium dopants in silicon are investigated using a high brilliance, synchrotron source collimated to a small spot. It is demonstrated that with a single‐pixel integration time of 1 s, the sensitivity is sufficient to identify a single isolated feature of only 3000 Ga impurities (a mass of just 350 zg). With increased integration (25 s), 650 impurities can be detected. The results are quantified using a calibration sample consisting of precisely controlled numbers of implanted atoms in nanometer‐sized structures. The results show that such features can now be mapped quantitatively when calibration samples are used, and suggest that, in the near future, planned upgrades to XRF facilities might achieve single‐atom sensitivity.