bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phase 2 trial of neoadjuvant docetaxel, oxaliplatin, and S‐1 for clinical stage III gastric or esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma
Authors: Kurokawa Yukinori , Kawase Tomono , Takeno Atsushi , Furukawa Haruna , Yoshioka Ryo , Saito Takuro , Takahashi Tsuyoshi , Shimokawa Toshio , Eguchi Hidetoshi , Doki Yuichiro
Published: October 2022

Background

Although perioperative treatment has been the standard of care for resectable gastric cancer in the West, postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy is still the standard in Japan. We conducted the first phase 2 trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant docetaxel, oxaliplatin, and S‐1 (DOS) chemotherapy for cStage III gastric or esophagogastric junction (EGJ) adenocarcinoma in Japan.

Methods

Eligibility criteria included cStage III adenocarcinoma of the stomach or EGJ. Patients received docetaxel (40 mg/m2, day 1), oxaliplatin (100 mg/m2, day 1), or S‐1 (80 mg/m2, days 1–14) during a 3‐week cycle. After two or three cycles of DOS, patients underwent surgical resection. The primary endpoint was progression‐free survival (PFS).

Results

Between June 2015 and March 2019, 50 patients were enrolled from four institutions. Of 48 eligible patients (37 gastric and 11 EGJ adenocarcinoma), 42 (88%) completed two or three DOS cycles. Grade 3–4 neutropenia and diarrhea occurred in 69% and 19% of patients, respectively, but there were no treatment‐related deaths. R0 resection was achieved in 44 (92%) patients, and the pathological response rate (≥ grade 1b) was 63% (30/48). The 3‐year PFS, overall survival, and disease‐specific survival rates were 54.2%, 68.7%, and 75.8%, respectively.

Conclusion

Neoadjuvant DOS chemotherapy had a sufficient antitumor effect and tolerable safety profile in patients with gastric or EGJ adenocarcinoma. The survival benefit of a neoadjuvant strategy using our DOS regimen should be validated in phase 3 trials.
Improved mechanical stability of indium zinc tin oxide based flexible transparent electrode through interlayer treatment
Authors: Biswas Swarup , Lee Yongju , Jang Hyowon , Han Selim , Kim Hyeok
Published: October 2022

Due to the significant growth of the market for numerous flexible electronic devices, demand for mechanically stable indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO) based flexible transparent electrodes has recently expanded substantially. So, we have attempted to increase the mechanical stability of an IZTO based flexible transparent electrode by forming an ultrathin interlayer of an organic semiconductor polystyrene sulfonate doped polyaniline (PANI:PSS). According to the results of the systematic investigation, the PANI:PSS treated IZTO film can preserve 97.50% of its initial average transmittance (AVT) value (83.07%) after 20,000 bending cycles, but the bare IZTO film can retain only 89.00% of its initial AVT value (86.40%) after the same treatment. Furthermore, the PANI:PSS treatment has benefited in the reduction of IZTO film sheet resistance from 17.38 to 16.91 Ω/sq. Scanning electron microscopy images have indicated that the presence of a PANI:PSS interlayer on the IZTO film prevents the formation of fractures on the inorganic IZTO layer when mechanical stress is applied.
NRF2 in dermo‐cosmetic: From scientific knowledge to skin care products
Authors: Frantz Marie‐Céline , Rozot Roger , Marrot Laurent
Published: October 2022

The skin is the organ that is most susceptible to the impact of the exposome. Located at the interface with the external environment, it protects internal organs through the barrier function of the epidermis. It must adapt to the consequences of the harmful effects of solar radiation, the various chemical constituents of atmospheric pollution, and wounds associated with mechanical damage: oxidation, cytotoxicity, inflammation, and so forth. In this biological context, a capacity to adapt to the various stresses caused by the exposome is essential; otherwise, more or less serious conditions may develop accelerated aging, pigmentation disorders, atopy, psoriasis, and skin cancers. Nrf2‐controlled pathways play a key role at this level. Nrf2 is a transcription factor that controls genes involved in oxidative stress protection and detoxification of chemicals. Its involvement in UV protection, reduction of inflammation in processes associated with healing, epidermal differentiation for barrier function, and hair regrowth, has been demonstrated. The modulation of Nrf2 in the skin may therefore constitute a skin protection or care strategy for certain dermatological stresses and disorders initiated or aggravated by the exposome. Nrf2 inducers can act through different modes of action. Keap1‐dependent mechanisms include modification of the cysteine residues of Keap1 by (pro)electrophiles or prooxidants, and disruption of the Keap1–Nrf2 complex. Indirect mechanisms are suggested for numerous phytochemicals, acting on upstream pathways, or via hormesis. While developing novel and safe Nrf2 modulators for skin care may be challenging, new avenues can arise from natural compounds‐based molecular modeling and emerging concepts such as epigenetic regulation.
Posttraumatic stress disorder and depression of Chinese medical staff after 2 years of COVID‐19: A multicenter study
Authors: Liu Yifang , Fu Wenning , Zou Li , Wen Jing , Zhang Pu , Zhang Jun , Bai Xue , Wang Jing , Mao Jing
Published: October 2022

Background

In December 2019, coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) was first reported in Wuhan, China, and has had a negative psychological impact on the medical staff. However, the long‐term psychological effects of COVID‐19 were still unclear. We aimed to assess the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression among medical staff 2 years after COVID‐19 pandemic in Wuhan, China.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter study in five general hospitals in Wuhan, China. PTSD was assessed using the PTSD Checklist‐5. Depression was measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Multivariate adjusted logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association among demographic variables, depressive indicators, and PTSD.

Results

In a sample of 1795 medical staff, 295 (16.40%) participants reported PTSD and 329 (18.30%) reported depression. After multivariate adjusted logistic regression analyses, participants involved in COVID‐19 clinical work, unsafe working environment, poor doctor–patient relationship, unhealth status, work dissatisfaction, and low family support were at a high risk for PTSD and depression 2 years after the outbreak of COVID‐19 pandemic.

Conclusions

Although it has been more than 2 years after the COVID‐19 pandemic outbreak, the mental health of medical staff remains a concern. In particular, medical staff involved in the clinical care of COVID‐19 patients showed a higher risk of PTSD and depression 2 years after the COVID‐19 pandemic. This study may provide some useful suggestions for psychological interventions for medical staff.
The function of chitosan/agarose biopolymer on Fe2O3 nanoparticles and evaluation of their effects on MCF‐7 breast cancer cell line and expression of BCL2 and BAX genes
Authors: Nouri Hajbaba Maral , Pourmadadi Mehrab , Yazdian Fatemeh , Rashedi Hamid , Abdouss Majid , Zhohrabi Dina Sadat
Published: October 2022

In recent decades, magnetic nanoparticles modified with biocompatible polymers have been recognized as a suitable tool for treating breast cancer. The aim of this research was to evaluate the function of chitosan/agarose‐functionalized Fe2O3 nanoparticles on the MCF‐7 breast cancer cell line and the expression of BCL2 and BAX genes. Free Fe2O3 nanoparticles were prepared by hydrothermal method. FTIR, XRD, SEM, DLS, VSM, and zeta potential analyses determined the size and morphological characteristics of the synthesized nanoparticles. The effect of Fe2O3 free nanoparticles and formulated Fe2O3 nanoparticles on induction of apoptosis was studied by double‐dye Annexin V‐FITC and PI. Also, the gene expression results using the PCR method displayed that Fe2O3 formulated nanoparticles induced BAX apoptosis by increasing the anti‐apoptotic gene expression and decreasing the expression of pro‐apoptotic gene BCL2, so the cell progresses to planned cell death. In addition, the results showed that the BAX/BCL2 ratio decreased significantly after treatment of MCF‐7 cells with free Fe2O3 nanoparticles, and the BAX/BCL2 ratio for Fe2O3 formulated nanoparticles increased significantly. Also, to evaluate cell migration, the scratch test was performed, which showed a decrease in motility of MCF‐7 cancer cells treated with Fe2O3 nanoparticles formulated with chitosan/agarose at concentrations of 10, 50, 100, and 200 μg/ml.
They raised me to resist: Examining the sociopolitical pathways between parental racial socialization and Black youth's racial justice action
Authors: Anyiwo Nkemka , Anderson Riana E. , Marchand Aixa D. , Diemer Matthew A. , Garrett Janay M.
Published: October 2022

In a sample of 500 self‐identified Black adolescents from across the United States, this study investigated the pathways between youth's experiences of parental racial socialization (RS) and their sociopolitical development. Findings from structural equation modelling reveal that RS messages and actions were positively associated with youth's awareness of racial inequality (critical reflection) and confidence and motivation in addressing racism (critical agency). Further, there were direct and indirect associations between RS and multiple forms of racial justice actions (interpersonal, political/communal, and online). Racial barriers messages were directly positively associated with political/communal and indirectly positively associated with interpersonal and online action, while cultural socialization actions were directly positively associated with all three forms of action. These findings support theoretical contentions that RS messages and actions may be powerful tools for cultivating Black youth's understanding and capacity to transform racially unjust systems. Further, parents' behaviours to racially socialize their children may be more impactful than their verbal messages in cultivating multiple forms of racial justice action. Finally, recommendations for future research and practice related to Black youth's consciousness and activism are presented. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement.
Consider recording hate incidents before they escalate to hate crimes
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: October 2022

LAS VEGAS — According to data provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, hate crimes have been on the rise over the past few years, rising year‐over‐year, in fact — including on college and university campuses.
Schinus Essential Oils: Chemical Composition by GC×GC‐TOFMS and Phytotoxic Effects on Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Pawlowski Ângela , Ricachenevsky Felipe Klein , Machado Maria Elisabete , da Silva Eliane Regina , Zini Cláudia Alcaraz , Soares Geraldo Luiz Gonçalves
Published: October 2022

Schinus essential oils were tentatively identified by GC×GC/TOFMS, which revealed a greater number of compounds than previously reported. Eighty‐six, seventy‐two, and eighty‐eight components were identified in Schinus lentiscifolius, Schinus molle and Schinus terebinthifolius essential oils, respectively. Compound separation due to 2D selectivity was observed. Phytotoxic effects of Schinus essential oils were assessed on germination and initial growth of Arabidopsis thaliana. All essential oils in all tested quantities (5 μL, 10 μL, 15 μL, 20 μL, and 25 μL) affected germination rate, speed of accumulated germination, and root and shoot length of A. thaliana. Considering the mode of action of the essential oils, no differences were observed on expression of the genes ANP1 and CDK B1;1 in A. thaliana, which was analyzed by RT‐qPCR. Results suggest that phytotoxic effects of Schinus essential oils seem to be explained by cellular damage rather than by induction of stress‐inducible genes.
Standardized career course curriculum: Effects on negative career thoughts
Authors: Dozier V. Casey , Morgan Michael , Burbrink Ivey , Peace Carley
Published: October 2022

College students today face numerous pressures, which complicate a student's career decision‐making process and make it imperative that career development practitioners utilize interventions that are empirically proven to enhance outcomes related to career development. This study examines a theoretically based career course and assesses negative career thoughts and metacognitive knowledge of students at the beginning and end of the course. Rooted in cognitive therapy theoretical concepts, cognitive information processing theory highlights how negative thoughts can have a detrimental impact on one's behavior and emotions. The best‐fitting mixed linear model with random intercepts for 78 students with complete data observed significant improvements in negative career thoughts without being differentially impacted by instructor effects. Additionally, students with lower estimations of their career‐related knowledge at the pre‐test had smaller changes in negative career thoughts at post‐test. These results are unique because despite various instructors teaching, the reduction in negative metacognitions remained stable across all sections.
Machine learning in the diagnosis of asthma phenotypes during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic
Authors: Gawlewicz‐Mroczka Agnieszka , Pytlewski Adam , Celejewska‐Wójcik Natalia , Ćmiel Adam , Gielicz Anna , Sanak Marek , Mastalerz Lucyna
Published: October 2022

Background

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, it has become a pressing need to be able to diagnose aspirin hypersensitivity in patients with asthma without the need to use oral aspirin challenge (OAC) testing. OAC is time consuming and is associated with the risk of severe hypersensitive reactions. In this study, we sought to investigate whether machine learning (ML) based on some clinical and laboratory procedures performed during the pandemic might be used for discriminating between patients with aspirin hypersensitivity and those with aspirin‐tolerant asthma.

Methods

We used a prospective database of 135 patients with non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID)–exacerbated respiratory disease (NERD) and 81 NSAID‐tolerant (NTA) patients with asthma who underwent OAC. Clinical characteristics, inflammatory phenotypes based on sputum cells, as well as eicosanoid levels in induced sputum supernatant and urine were extracted for the purpose of applying ML techniques.

Results

The overall best ML model, neural network (NN), trained on a set of best features, achieved a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 76% for diagnosing NERD. The 3 promising models (i.e., multiple logistic regression, support vector machine, and NN) trained on a set of easy‐to‐obtain features including only clinical characteristics and laboratory data achieved a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 67%.

Conclusions

ML techniques are becoming a promising tool for discriminating between patients with NERD and NTA. The models are easy to use, safe, and achieve very good results, which is particularly important during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Synthesis of a Bifunctional Cross‐Bridged Chelating Agent, Peptide Conjugation, and Comparison of 68Ga Labeling and Complex Stability Characteristics with Established Chelators
Authors: Damerow Helen , Wängler Björn , Schirrmacher Ralf , Fricker Gert , Wängler Carmen
Published: October 2022

[68Ga]Ga3+ can be introduced into receptor‐specific peptidic carriers via different chelators to obtain radiotracers for Positron Emission Tomography imaging and the chosen chelating agent considerably influences the in vivo pharmacokinetics of the corresponding radiopeptides. A chelator that should be a valuable alternative to established chelating agents for 68Ga‐radiolabeling of peptides would be a backbone‐functionalized variant of the chelator CB‐DO2A. Here, the bifunctional cross‐bridged chelating agent CB‐DO2A‐GA was developed and compared to the established chelators DOTA, NODA‐GA and DOTA‐GA. For this purpose, CB‐DO2A‐GA(tBu)2 was introduced into the peptide Tyr3‐octreotate (TATE) and in direct comparison to the corresponding DOTA‐, NODA‐GA‐, and DOTA‐GA‐modified TATE analogs, CB‐DO2A‐GA‐TATE required harsher reaction conditions for 68Ga‐incorporation. Regarding the hydrophilicity profile of the resulting radiopeptides, a decrease in hydrophilicity from [68Ga]Ga‐DOTA‐GA‐TATE (logD(7.4) of −4.11±0.11) to [68Ga]Ga‐CB‐DO2A‐GA‐TATE (−3.02±0.08) was observed. Assessing the stability against metabolic degradation and complex challenge, [68Ga]Ga‐CB‐DO2A‐GA demonstrated a very high kinetic inertness, exceeding that of [68Ga]Ga‐DOTA‐GA. Therefore, CB‐DO2A‐GA is a valuable alternative to established chelating agents for 68Ga‐radiolabeling of peptides, especially when the formation of a very stable, positively charged 68Ga‐complex is pursued.
A three‐level isolated dc‐dc SEPIC converter with parallel‐connected output
Authors: Ewerling Marcos V. M. , Lazzarin Telles B. , Font Carlos H. Illa
Published: October 2022

This paper presents a comprehensive theoretical analysis and experimental results for three‐level isolated dc‐dc converter based on the single‐ended primary‐inductance converter (SEPIC) topology. The main advantage of this structure is the reduction of voltage stress on semiconductors comparing it to the conventional SEPIC converter. Voltage stress is the major challenge associated with the conventional SEPIC structure, and contributions in this area can extend the range of applications for the family of SEPIC converters. The analyzed structure contains two switches, and their commands can be either equal or phase‐shifted by 180°. This provides four different modes of operation in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM), which have different operating stages, waveforms, and design equations. In this paper, the topology with parallel‐connected output and the static and dynamic theoretical analysis in DCM, for the four command signal profiles, are presented. The advantages and disadvantages, control strategy, experimental results, and a comparative analysis with the conventional SEPIC converter are discussed. The dc‐dc SEPIC converter was verified by experimental results from a proof‐of‐concept prototype with 500 W rated power, 400 V input voltage, 120 V output voltage, and 50 kHz switching frequency. The converter achieved 94.72% efficiency at rated power.
Optimization, validation and application of a high‐throughput 96‐well elution protocol for the quantification of psychoactive substances in influent wastewater
Authors: Boogaerts Tim , Quireyns Maarten , Maes Florence , Laimou‐Geraniou Maria , Van Wichelen Natan , Heath Ester , Pussig Bram , Aertgeerts Bert , Covaci Adrian , van Nuijs Alexander L. N.
Published: October 2022

Wastewater‐based epidemiology (WBE) is based on the analysis of human metabolic excretion products (biomarkers) of xenobiotics in wastewater, to gain information about various lifestyles and health aspects of a population in an evidence‐based manner. Due to the complex wastewater matrix and trace level occurrence of human biomarkers in the sewage network, it is crucial to have sensitive analytical procedures available. Additionally, to improve the value of WBE as a complementary epidemiological source, there is increasing pressure on the analysis of more compounds, more locations and more samples. A high‐throughput method based on 96‐well Oasis MCX solid‐phase extraction (SPE), requiring less influent wastewater (2 mL), was developed in accordance with the European Medicines Agency guidelines. Validation was successful for 28 parent drugs and metabolites of antidepressants, opioids and drugs of abuse. The selection of biomarkers and quantification limit was chosen to be relevant for WBE and was predominantly 10 ng/L or below. The final method was successfully applied to 24‐h composite samples of October 2019 (n = 27), obtained from an urban wastewater treatment plant in Leuven (Belgium).
SGLT2 inhibitor therapy for transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy: early tolerance and clinical response to dapagliflozin
Authors: Dobner Stephan , Bernhard Benedikt , Asatryan Babken , Windecker Stephan , Stortecky Stefan , Pilgrim Thomas , Gräni Christoph , Hunziker Lukas
Published: October 2022

Aims

Sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) improve clinical outcomes in heart failure patients with reduced and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), but have not yet been investigated in transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR‐CM). This study aimed to evaluate tolerability, clinical outcomes, and changes in NT‐proBNP levels and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in ATTR‐CM patients treated with dapagliflozin.

Methods and results

Patients with stable, tafamidis‐treated ATTR‐CM were retrospectively evaluated at the initiation of dapagliflozin and 3 months thereafter. Tafamidis‐treated ATTR‐CM patients without SGLT2i served as a reference cohort. Overall, SLGT2i therapy was initiated in 34 patients. Seventeen patients with stable disease on tafamidis, who were subsequently started on dapagliflozin, were included in the analysis. Patients selected for SGLT2i presented with signs of advanced disease, evidenced by higher Gillmore disease stage (stage ≥2: 53% vs. 27.5%; P = 0.041), baseline median NT‐proBNP [median (IQR) 2668 pg/mL (1314–3451) vs. 1424 (810–2059); P = 0.038] and loop diuretic demand (76.5% vs. 45% of patients; P = 0.044), and lower LVEF (46.6 ± 12.9 vs. 53.7 ± 8.7%; P = 0.019) and GFR (51.8 ± 16.5 vs. 68.5 ± 18.6 mL/min; P = 0.037) compared with the reference cohort. At 3‐month follow‐up, a numerical decrease in NT‐proBNP levels was observed in 13/17 (76.5%) patients in the dapagliflozin (−190 pg/mL, IQR: −1,028–71, P = 0.557) and 27/40 (67.5%) of patients in the control cohort (−115 pg/mL, IQR: −357–105, P = 0.551). Other disease parameters remained stable and no adverse events occurred.

Conclusions

In tafamidis‐treated ATTR‐CM patients, initiation of dapagliflozin was well tolerated. The efficacy of SGLT2i therapy in patients with ATTR‐CM needs to be studied in randomized controlled trials.
Application of novel hybrid model for land subsidence susceptibility mapping
Authors: Shen ZhongJie , Santosh M. , Arabameri Alireza
Published: October 2022

Land subsidence (LS) is one of the challenging geo‐hazards in several regions of the world that is mainly caused by the overexploitation of groundwater and subsequent collapse of underground cavities. The prediction of LS is difficult due to limitations in monitoring, proper surveys, and knowledge related to the functioning and behaviour of the phenomenon. The application of remote sensing (RS) and global positioning system (GPS) for the proper location identification of LS in the ground and its implementation in susceptibility mapping can help to better constrain this geohazard. However, proper LS susceptibility maps to identify LS prone areas and to mitigate this problem in a way are generally lacking. Several methodologies have been developed for preparing LS susceptibility maps through RS techniques coupled with statistical and machine learning (ML) algorithms. Furthermore, different regions have unique natural and anthropogenic causes for the occurrence of LS, such as subsidence due to groundwater over‐exploitation, road construction, consolidation of alluvial soil, mining activities, and so forth, resulting in severe economic losses. The LS susceptibility mapping (LSSM) can help to prevent natural and human catastrophes and reduce the economic damages. ML techniques are becoming increasingly proficient at modelling such occurrences and have wide application in LSSM. This study compares the performances of single and hybrid ML models to predict and map the susceptible areas prone to LS. A combination of several algorithms helps to improve the overall results. In order to achieve this, the gradient‐boosting machine‐evolutionary genetic algorithm (GBM‐EG) was adopted in this study for LS assessment and compared to three algorithms, namely random forest, artificial neural networks, and alternating decision tree, that stand as commonly used benchmarks. This case study on LSSM was carried out in the Abozidabad watershed, Isfahan Province, Iran, and a total of 155 LS locations were identified by using GPS. Measures of 12 conditioning factors were compiled for each of the sites. These data were input into the models in five different training‐to‐validation configurations of sample ratios: D1 (90%:10%), D2 (80%:20%), D3 (70%:30%), D4 (60%:40%), and D5 (50%:50%). The performance of the algorithms were evaluated with the receiver operating characteristic curve and seed cell area index (SCAI). The results show that the best area under curve value (0.989) and SCAI value were achieved by the GBM‐EG hybrid model in an 80:20 ratio. The results demonstrate that LSSMs can be effectively produced to support planning and land use for management decisions.
Evolution of the Permo‐Triassic Satpura Gondwana Basin, Madhya Pradesh, India: Insights from geochemical provenance and palaeoclimate of the siliciclastic sediments
Authors: Singh Yumlembam Priyananda , Kingson Oinam , Sharma Kongrailatpam Milankumar , Ghosh Prosenjit , Patnaik Rajeev , Tiwari Raghavendra Prasad , Pattanaik Jitendra Kumar , Kumar Pankaj , Thomas Harel , Singh Ningthoujam Premjit , Singh Nongmaithem Amardas
Published: October 2022

Geochemical study in the siliciclastic sediments of a basin provides an understanding of palaeoclimate, provenance and subsequently, it can be used to reconstruct the palaeo‐tectonics and evolution of the basin. Sedimentation in the Gondwana basins, worldwide, generally provides a record of climatic fluctuations and evidences of the Permo‐Triassic mass extinction. In spite of its global importance, our knowledge about the nature of sedimentation, basin development and conceptual regional tectonic model in the Satpura Basin, one of the Gondwana basins of India is limited. Major and trace element concentrations of the mudstones from the Denwa Formation along with the existing geochemical data of other formations are studied here for establishing a comprehensive idea about the palaeoclimate, tectonic settings, provenance and basin evolution. The composition of the sediments in the lowermost Talchir Formation revealed cold and dry climatic conditions at the sources, whereas the sources of the sediments for the overlying formations have experienced warm, humid and semiarid climates. The contributions of the mafic rock‐derived sediments are relatively higher in the Talchir, Barakar and Motur formations compared to the overlying formations. Approximately 60% of the sediments in the overlying Bijori, Pachmarhi and Denwa formations were derived from the felsic volcanic rocks and granites of the Sausar Mobile Belt and Betul‐Chindwara Mobile Belt (BCMB) with minor inputs from mafic volcanic rocks of the BCMB. Furthermore, the sediments of the Talchir Formation were derived from the BCMB when they became tectonically active, whereas the sediments in the younger formations have been derived from a passive tectonic setting.
Effect of triangular porous layer on the transfer of heat and species in a channel‐open cavity
Authors: Al‐Hassan Ali Q. Abd , Ismael Muneer A.
Published: October 2022

This paper addresses the heat and species transfer in a composite cavity linked with a horizontal channel. The cavity comprises a triangular porous layer and one of its vertical sides is exposed to a high temperature and concentration. The mathematical conservation equations are solved numerically using the Galerkin finite element method. The ranges of Reynolds and Richardson numbers are taken to ascertain laminar flow, Re = 50–250 and Ri = 0.1–100. The size of the porous layer is quantified by the thickness of the porous layer Hp = 0.25–1. The problem is studied for two cases of heat and species sources; the opposing case, when the active side is on the right, and assisting case, when the active side is on the left. Results reveal that for specified conditions, the triangular porous layer increases Nusselt and Sherwood numbers by 30% and 32%, respectively, more than the horizontal porous layer. The opposing case gives maximum convective heat transfer, where for Ri = 0.01, the Nusselt number is higher by 61% and 134% for Re = 50 and 250, respectively, while for Ri = 100, the percentages increase are 67% and 43%.
Is participation in antenatal classes associated with fathers' mental health? A quasi‐experimental and prospective study
Authors: Kakaşçı Çiğdem Gün , Potur Dilek Coşkuner , Abbasoğlu Döne Ertuğrul , Karabulut Özlem , Merih Yeliz Doğan , Demirci Nurdan
Published: October 2022

Background: In comparison to those conducted with women, studies about the transition of men to parenthood are limited in numbers, especially in developing countries. Moreover, in Turkey, along with gender roles and sociocultural changes, the roles of fathers are also changing. This change highlights the need to understand early parenthood for fathers.

Methods: A quasi‐experimental, non‐randomized prospective study with a pre‐ and post‐training model was conducted in a hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. Men in the antenatal education group (EG = 55) and their pregnant wives participated in 6 weeks of training during pregnancy (24th–28th weeks gestation). Men in the care‐as‐usual group (CG = 55) attended routine check‐ups and follow‐ups with their wives. GHQ‐28 (General Health Questionnaire‐28) was administered three times in total at study enrolment, immediately following the 6‐week intervention period, and at the 6th postpartum week.

Results: There was no significant difference between the groups’ GHQ‐28 scores before and after the training. In the 6th week of postpartum follow‐up, the GHQ‐28 scores were significantly higher for the fathers who participated in the educational intervention.

Conclusions: Antenatal education classes were found to be associated with the mental health of fathers. Further research evaluating family‐centered parenting support programs is warranted to better understand how to support fathers in the transition to parenthood, particularly in countries in which fathers’ roles in pregnancy and early parenthood are changing.
Fair multiple subchannel assignment and 3‐D UAV‐BS placement in UAV‐Enabled networks
Authors: Dohadwalla Sameer , Peer Mansi , Bohara Vivek Ashok
Published: October 2022

This paper focuses on multiple subchannel assignment for ground users in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) enabled network. The main objective is to ensure fair service to all users by maximizing the rate of the worst‐off user. To this end, we jointly optimize the three‐dimensional (3‐D) placements of the UAV‐BSs, the multiple subchannel assignment to each user, and the transmit power of each subchannel. The presented problem is non‐convex in nature. In order to solve this problem, we propose to divide it into three tractable subproblems: user clustering, multiple subchannel assignment, and joint altitude and power optimization. The first subproblem is solved by using the modified K‐means algorithm. A novel algorithm based on the Hungarian‐based dynamic many–many matching (HD4M) algorithm is proposed to solve the second subproblem. To solve the third subproblem, three methods based on sequential quadratic programming (SQP), including our proposed iterative method, are investigated. The simulation results show that our proposed scheme is fair (Jain′s Index 0.945) and that it outperforms the other two schemes in terms of the minimum rate achieved, while also being reasonable in terms of computation time.
Synthesis, structural, and stereogenic characterizations of new trispirocyclotriphosphazenes
Authors: Tümer Yasemin
Published: October 2022

In this study, trispirophosphazenes containing biphenyl‐2,2′‐dioxy and ferrocenyldiamino groups were synthesized to investigate their stereogenic and structural properties. For this purpose, monospiro (1) and trans/cis‐dispiro (2and3) cyclotriphosphazenes were obtained from the reactions of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazatriene (N3P3Cl6; trimer;HCCP) withN‐ethyl‐N′‐ferrocenylmethyl‐ethylenediamine. Subsequently, bis(biphenyl‐2,2′‐dioxy)‐substituted ferrocenylphosphazene (4) was prepared from the reaction of an equimolar amount of monoferroceylphosphazene (1) with two equimolar amounts of dipotassium biphenyl‐2,2′‐dioxide. Reactions of equimolar amounts of2and3with equimolar amounts of dipotassium biphenyl‐2,2′‐dioxide yielded trans‐(5) and cis‐(6) trispirophosphazenes, respectively. Characterizations of all trispiro compounds were made using1H,13C, and31P NMR spectra. In addition, trispirophosphazenes5and6have two equivalent stereogenic P‐centers.Trans‐5andcis‐6are expected to exist in racemate and meso forms. The molecular and crystal structures of the two phosphazenes (4and5) were clarified by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. Also, since the absolute configuration of one enantiomer of5is found to be RR, the other must be SS.
Chlorella vulgaris growth, pigment and lipid accumulation: effect of progressive light and hydrogen peroxide exposure
Authors: Cunha André EP , Sátiro Josivaldo R , Escobar Bruno P , Simões Rogério MS
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND

Chlorella vulgaris is being explored for several applications such as biodiesel production, nutrient supplementation, animal feed and pharmaceutical products. In this study, the performance of a batch culture under progressive light intensity and the effect of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration on lipid accumulation were investigated.

RESULTS

Under progressive light intensity (60 to 300 μmol m−2 s−1), a 43% biomass increase was achieved in comparison with the control light conditions (60 μmol m−2 s−1), whereas a 300 μmol m−2 s−1 light intensity caused growth inhibition to the culture. In addition, an increase in carotenoid content from 0.102 mg g−1 biomass (control) to 0.460 mg g−1 (progressive light) and lipid accumulation from 31.0 mg g−1 (control) to 36.5 mg g−1 (progressive light) was observed. However, the moderate illumination conditions (60 μmol m−2 s−1) induced a very significant increase of chlorophyll b, regarding the progressive light mode, increasing the photosynthetic efficiency. After the growth phase, the biomass was subjected to stress conditions by adding H2O2 to the culture medium at different concentrations: 0.75 mmol L−1 increased the lipid content of the biomass from 3.6% to 10.3% in a 3‐day test, reaching lipid productivity of 70.4 mg L−1 day−1, an increase of ≈40% compared to the phosphate starvatiod for the same culture time.

CONCLUSION

The progressive light system allowed an increase in biomass and lipid accumulation. Together with the exposure to H2O2, this work provides a new approach for lipid and pigment production from microalgae. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Ultrastructure of the palatine tonsils of the donkey (Equus asinus): New insights by light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Ez Elarab Samar M. , El‐Gendy Samir A. A. , El‐Bakary Neveen E. R. , Alsafy Mohamed A. M.
Published: October 2022

The study aimed to explore the ultrastructure of the donkeys' palatine tonsils. Palatine tonsils of five male donkeys (5 years old) were investigated macroscopically and microscopically. The tonsils appeared as a dome shape with slight elevation and a circular opening on the surface of the oropharynx. The central tonsillar crypt appeared on the medial side of the palate‐pharyngeal folds and the floor of the oropharynx. The external surface of the palatine tonsil had different sizes of mucosal folds, some grooves directed to drainage at the tonsillar opening, and the tonsil crypt opening was a crescentic or irregular oval shape. The outer surface was covered by stratified squamous epithelium and modified to be reticular epithelium invaded by lymphocytes in the crypt called lympho‐epithelium. The tonsil crypt had aggregated lymphoid nodules, and the cryptal epithelium has surrounded by diffused lymphocytes and hassles corpuscles‐like structures. The lymphocytes infiltrated into different layers of the cryptal epithelium and transformed into reticular or lympho‐epithelium. The organized lymphoid nodules were primary and secondary, and the secondary ones had a light germinal center. The interfollicular area had many high endothelial venules and blood capillaries. The endothelial venules were lined by simple cuboidal epithelium and had lymphocytes. The blood capillaries had red blood cells and neutrophils. The tonsil was surrounded incompletely by a connective tissue capsule with mucous glands under that capsule. In conclusion, the epithelial lymphocyte infiltration, crypt epithelium, lymphoid nodules, and intra‐follicular area of the donkey's palatine tonsils indicate the humoral and cell‐mediated immunological process.
Paperfetcher: A tool to automate handsearching and citation searching for systematic reviews
Authors: Pallath Akash , Zhang Qiyang
Published: October 2022

Systematic reviews are vital instruments for researchers to understand broad trends in a field and synthesize evidence on the effectiveness of interventions in addressing specific issues. The quality of a systematic review depends critically on having comprehensively surveyed all relevant literature on the review topic. In addition to database searching, handsearching is an important supplementary technique that helps increase the likelihood of identifying all relevant studies in a literature search. Traditional handsearching requires reviewers to manually browse through a curated list of field‐specific journals and conference proceedings to find articles relevant to the review topic. This manual process is not only time‐consuming, laborious, costly, and error‐prone due to human fatigue, but it also lacks replicability due to its cumbersome manual nature. To address these issues, this paper presents a free and open‐source Python package and an accompanying web‐app, Paperfetcher, to automate the retrieval of article metadata for handsearching. With Paperfetcher's assistance, researchers can retrieve article metadata from designated journals within a specified time frame in just a few clicks. In addition to handsearching, it also incorporates a beta version of citation searching in both forward and backward directions. Paperfetcher has an easy‐to‐use interface, which allows researchers to download the metadata of retrieved studies as a list of DOIs or as an RIS file to facilitate seamless import into systematic review screening software. To the best of our knowledge, Paperfetcher is the first tool to automate handsearching with high usability and a multi‐disciplinary focus.
Heterogeneous catalytic oxidation of chromotrope 2B with H2O2 and metal complexes supported on aluminum oxide hydroxide as catalyst
Authors: El‐Ghobashy Marwa A. , Salem Ibrahim A. , Abdel‐Rahman Sahar R. , Salem Mohamed A.
Published: October 2022

The heterogeneous catalytic oxidation of Chromotrope 2B (C2B) dye with H2O2 and the aluminum oxide hydroxide (AlOOH) modified with ammonia complexes of CuII, CoII, NiII, and CrIII (AlOOH/[Mn+(amm)m]) as catalysts were studied. The AlOOH/[CuII(amm)4] is the most efficient catalyst and therefore it was chosen as the potential catalyst for the oxidative degradation of C2B in an aqueous solution. The AlOOH/[CuII(amm)4] was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), techniques. The rate of reaction was dependent on the type of the metal complex supported on the AlOOH, initial concentration of the dye and H2O2, catalyst dose, pH, the concentration of NaCl, and temperature. The catalytic activity of the AlOOH/[Mn+(amm)m] according to the kind of metal ion decreased in the order: CuII > CoII > CrIII > NiII. Other catalysts consisting of the AlOOH supported with CuII complexed with ethylenediamine, ethanolamine, 1,3 propanediamine, and 1,4 butanediamine, (AlOOH/[CuII(amine)m]), were also investigated. The activity of the (AlOOH/[CuII(amine)m]) as catalyst according to the type of ligand followed the order: 1,4 butanediamine > 1,3 propanediamine > ethanolamine > ethylenediamine > ammonia. The reaction rate increased with increasing the catalyst dose, concentration of H2O2, C2B, and NaCl, pH, and temperature. Since the reusability results for the AlOOH/[CuII(amm)4] revealed good stability over seven cycles, it can thus be considered a promising and cost‐effective catalyst for the removal of harmful dyes from wastewater.
Ambulatory Detection of Isolated Rapid‐Eye‐Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder Combining Actigraphy and Questionnaire
Authors: Brink‐Kjaer Andreas , Gupta Niraj , Marin Eric , Zitser Jennifer , Sum‐Ping Oliver , Hekmat Anahid , Bueno Flavia , Cahuas Ana , Langston James , Jennum Poul , Sorensen Helge B.D. , Mignot Emmanuel , During Emmanuel
Published: October 2022

Background

Isolated rapid‐eye‐movement sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) is in most cases a prodrome of neurodegenerative synucleinopathies, affecting 1% to 2% of middle‐aged and older adults; however, accurate ambulatory diagnostic methods are not available. Questionnaires lack specificity in nonclinical populations. Wrist actigraphy can detect characteristic features in individuals with RBD; however, high‐frequency actigraphy has been rarely used.

Objective

The aim was to develop a machine learning classifier using high‐frequency (1‐second resolution) actigraphy and a short patient survey for detecting iRBD with high accuracy and precision.

Methods

The method involved analysis of home actigraphy data (for seven nights and more) and a nine‐item questionnaire (RBD Innsbruck inventory and three synucleinopathy prodromes of subjective hyposmia, constipation, and orthostatic dizziness) in a data set comprising 42 patients with iRBD, 21 sleep clinic patients with other sleep disorders, and 21 community controls.

Results

The actigraphy classifier achieved 95.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 88.3–98.7) sensitivity and 90.9% (95% CI: 82.1–95.8) precision. The questionnaire classifier achieved 90.6% accuracy and 92.7% precision, exceeding the performance of the Innsbruck RBD Inventory and prodromal questionnaire alone. Concordant predictions between actigraphy and questionnaire reached a specificity and precision of 100% (95% CI: 95.7–100.0) with 88.1% sensitivity (95% CI: 79.2–94.1) and outperformed any combination of actigraphy and a single question on RBD or prodromal symptoms.

Conclusions

Actigraphy detected iRBD with high accuracy in a mixed clinical and community cohort. This cost‐effective fully remote procedure can be used to diagnose iRBD in specialty outpatient settings and has potential for large‐scale screening of iRBD in the general population. © 2022 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
A semi‐monolithic detector providing intrinsic DOI‐encoding and sub‐200 ps CRT TOF‐capabilities for clinical PET applications
Authors: Mueller Florian , Naunheim Stephan , Kuhl Yannick , Schug David , Solf Torsten , Schulz Volkmar
Published: October 2022

Background

Current clinical positron emission tomography (PET) systems utilize detectors where the scintillator typically contains single elements of 3–6‐mm width and about 20‐mm height. While providing good time‐of‐flight performance, this design limits the spatial resolution and causes radial astigmatism as the depth‐of‐interaction (DOI) remains unknown.

Purpose

We propose an alternative, aiming to combine the advantages of current detectors with the DOI capabilities shown for monolithic concepts, based on semi‐monolithic scintillators (slabs). Here, the optical photons spread along one dimension enabling DOI‐encoding with a still small readout area beneficial for timing performance.

Methods

An array of eight monolithic LYSO slabs of dimensions 3.9 × 32 × 19 mm3 was read out by a 64‐channel photosensor containing digital SiPMs (DPC3200‐22‐44, Philips Digital Photon Counting). The position estimation in the detector's monolithic and DOI direction was based on a calibration with a fan beam collimator and the machine learning technique gradient tree boosting (GTB).

Results

We achieved a positioning performance in terms of mean absolute error (MAE) of 1.44 mm for the monolithic direction and 2.12 mm for DOI considering a wide energy window of 300–700 keV. The energy resolution was determined to be 11.3%, applying a positional‐dependent energy calibration.

We established both an analytical and machine‐learning‐based timing calibration approach and applied them for a first‐photon trigger. The analytical timing calibration corrects for electronic and optical time skews leading to 240 ps coincidence resolving time (CRT) for a pair of slab‐detectors. The CRT was significantly improved by utilizing GTB to predict the time difference based on specific training data and applied on top of the analytical calibration. We achieved 209 ps for the wide energy window and 198 ps for a narrow selection around the photopeak (411–561 keV). To maintain the detector's sensitivity, no filters were applied to the data during processing.

Conclusion

Overall, the semi‐monolithic detector provides attractive performance characteristics. Especially, a good CRT can be achieved while introducing DOI capabilities to the detector, making the concept suitable for clinical PET scanners.
Demonstration of pH imaging in acute stroke with endogenous ratiometric chemical exchange saturation transfer magnetic resonance imaging at 2 ppm
Authors: Wu Yin , Sun Phillip Zhe
Published: October 2022

pH change is often considered a hallmark of metabolic disruption in diseases such as ischemic stroke and cancer. Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI, particularly amide proton transfer (APT), has emerged as a noninvasive pH imaging approach. However, there are changes in multipool CEST effects besides APT MRI. Our study investigated radiofrequency (RF) amplitude‐based ratiometric CEST pH imaging in acute stroke. Briefly, adult male Wistar rats underwent CEST MRI under two RF saturation (B1) levels of 0.75 and 1.5 μT following middle cerebral artery occlusion. Magnetization transfer (MT), direct water saturation, CEST at 2 ppm (CEST@2 ppm), amine (2.75 ppm), and APT (3.5 ppm) effects were resolved with the multipool Lorentzian fitting approach. The ratiometric analysis was measured in the ischemic lesion and the contralateral normal area, which was also correlated with pH‐specific MT and the relaxation normalized APT (MRAPT) index. MT, amine CEST effect, and their respective ratiometric indices did not show significant changes in ischemic regions (p > 0.05), as expected. Whereas APT decreased in the ischemic lesion for B1 of 1.5 μT (p < 0.01), the correlation between the amide ratio with MRAPT index was moderate (r = 0.52, p = 0.02). By comparison, the ischemic tissue showed a significantly increased CEST@2 ppm for both saturation levels from the contralateral normal area (p ≤ 0.01). Importantly, the CEST@2 ppm ratio decreased in the ischemic lesion (p < 0.01), which highly correlated with the MRAPT index (r = 0.93, p < 0.001). To summarize, our study demonstrated the feasibility of endogenous CEST@2 ppm ratiometric imaging of pH upon acute stroke, promising to detect pH changes in metabolic diseases.