bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contrast tests for groups of functional data
Authors: Do Quyen , Du Pang
Published: August 2023

Functional analysis of variance (ANOVA) models are often used to compare groups of functional data. Similar to the traditional ANOVA model, a common follow‐up procedure to the rejection of the functional ANOVA null hypothesis is to perform functional linear contrast tests to identify which groups have different mean functions. Most existing functional contrast tests assume independent functional observations within each group. In this article, we introduce a new functional linear contrast test procedure that accounts for possible time dependency among functional group members. The test statistic and its normalized version, based on the Karhunen–Loève decomposition of the covariance function and a weak convergence result of the error processes, follow respectively a mixture chi‐squared and a chi‐squared distribution. An extensive simulation study is conducted to compare the empirical performance of the existing and new contrast tests. We also present two applications of these contrast tests to a weather study and a battery‐life study. We provide software implementation and example data in the Supplementary Material.
Robust joint modelling of sparsely observed paired functional data
Authors: Zhou Huiya , Yan Xiaomeng , Zhou Lan
Published: August 2023

A reduced‐rank mixed‐effects model is developed for robust modelling of sparsely observed paired functional data. In this model, the curves for each functional variable are summarized using a few functional principal components, and the association of the two functional variables is modelled through the association of the principal component scores. A multivariate‐scale mixture of normal distributions is used to model the principal component scores and the measurement errors in order to handle outlying observations and achieve robust inference. The mean functions and principal component functions are modelled using splines, and roughness penalties are applied to avoid overfitting. An EM algorithm is developed for computation of model fitting and prediction. A simulation study shows that the proposed method outperforms an existing method, which is not designed for robust estimation. The effectiveness of the proposed method is illustrated through an application of fitting multiband light curves of Type Ia supernovae.
A systematic review of the applicability of emergency department assessment of chest pain score‐accelerated diagnostic protocol for risk stratification of patients with chest pain
Authors: Wang Minghu , Hu Zhiwei , Miao Lihui , Shi Manman , Gao Qiang
Published: August 2023

The emergency department assessment of chest pain score‐accelerated diagnostic protocol (EDACS‐ADP) are commonly used for risk stratification in undifferentiated patients with acute chest pain. This systematic review aimed to investigate EDACS‐ADP for risk stratification of emergency department (ED) patients with chest pain. The PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang databases were searched for related studies without restrictions on the publication year. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool was used to assess the risk of bias, and Stata 16.0 was used to determine the combined sensitivity, specificity, positive diagnostic likelihood ratio (DLR), and negative DLR. Twelve studies comprising 14 290 patients were identified. Of these, 7537 (52.74%) patients were considered low risk, and 67 (0.89%) had major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death within 30 days of the patients' ED presentation. EDACS‐ADP showed a combined sensitivity of 0.97 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.95−0.99); specificity, 0.58 (0.53−0.63); positive DLR, 2.34 (2.08−2.63); negative DLR, 0.04 (0.02−0.09); diagnostic odds ratio, 53.11 (26.45−106.63); and summary receiver operating characteristic area under the curve, 0.83 (0.79−0.86). Despite the large statistical heterogeneity of the results, EDACS‐ADP identified a considerable number of low‐risk patients for early discharge, with a specificity >50% and an incidence of MACE within 30‐days of patients' ED presentation <1%. Thus, it is a useful tool with a potential for clinical application.
Anion exchange material based on polyvinylchloride and urea for the removal of chromium(vi) ions from aqueous solutions
Authors: Bekchanov Davronbek , Mukhamediev Mukhtarjan , Babojonova Gulbakhor , Lieberzeit Peter , Su Xintai
Published: August 2023

In this study, an anion exchange material obtained by chemically modifying granulated polyvinyl chloride with urea was examined. To study the structural morphology of the anion exchanger, polymer PVC‐based anion exchange resin second type (PPE‐2), we applied different characterization techniques including X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and water vapor adsorption analysis. Moreover, PPE‐2 was used to remove hexavalent chromium ions from aqueous media. A pseudo‐second order model was used to describe sorption kinetics as well as the adsorption mechanism. The Langmuir isotherm and the pseudo‐second order kinetic model led to the most consistent results in describing ion removal from solution. In the case of hexavalent chromium ions, the maximum adsorption capacity was 148.4 mg g−1. The Dubinin‐Radushkevich (D‐R) free energy of adsorption (ED) was >16 kJ mol−1, which indicates chemical interaction between the ion exchange material and Cr(VI) ions. The Gibbs energy ΔG, enthalpy ΔH, and entropy ΔS changes during binding showed that the sorption process is spontaneous and involves chemical sorption through endothermic ion exchange reactions. In addition, the results demonstrate that the anion exchanger (PPE‐2) very efficiently removed hexavalent chromium ions from industrial wastewater.
New era for myelofibrosis treatment with novel agents beyond Janus kinase‐inhibitor monotherapy: Focus on clinical development of BCL‐XL/BCL‐2 inhibition with navitoclax
Authors: Pemmaraju Naveen , Garcia Jacqueline S. , Perkins Andrew , Harb Jason G. , Souers Andrew J. , Werner Michael E. , Brown Christopher M. , Passamonti Francesco
Published: August 2023

Myelofibrosis is a heterogeneous myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by chronic inflammation, progressive bone marrow failure, and hepatosplenic extramedullary hematopoiesis. Treatments like Janus kinase inhibitor monotherapy (e.g., ruxolitinib) provide significant spleen and symptom relief but demonstrate limited ability to lead to a durable disease modification. There is an urgent unmet medical need for treatments with a novel mechanism of action that can modify the underlying pathophysiology and affect the disease course of myelofibrosis. This review highlights the role of B‐cell lymphoma (BCL) protein BCL‐extra large (BCL‐XL) in disease pathogenesis and the potential role that navitoclax, a BCL‐extra large/BCL‐2 inhibitor, may have in myelofibrosis treatment.
Disparities in testicular cancer incidence, mortality, and place of death trends from 1999 to 2020: A comprehensive cohort study
Authors: Gold Beck O. , Ghosh Anushka , Goldberg Saveli I. , Chino Fumiko , Efstathiou Jason A. , Kamran Sophia C.
Published: August 2023

Background

Testicular cancer (TC) mortality rates have decreased over time, however it is unclear whether these improvements are consistent across all communities.

Aims

The aim of this study was to analyze trends in TC incidence, mortality, and place of death (PoD) in the United States between 1999–2020 and identify disparities across race, ethnicity, and geographic location.

Methods and Results

This cross‐sectional study used CDC WONDER and NAACCR, to calculate age‐adjusted rates of TC incidence and mortality, respectively. PoD data for individuals who died of TC were collected from CDC WONDER. Using Joinpoint analysis, longitudinal mortality trends were evaluated by age, race, ethnicity, US census region, and urbanization category. TC stage (localized vs metastatic) trends were also evaluated. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis identified demographic disparities for PoD. A total of 8,456 patients died of TC from 1999–2020. Average annual percent change (AAPC) of testicular cancer‐specific mortality (TCSM) remained largely stable (AAPC, 0.4; 95% CI −0.2 to 0.9; p = 0.215). Men ages 25–29 experienced a significant increase in TCSM (AAPC, 1.3, p = 0.003), consistent with increased metastatic testicular cancer‐specific incidence (TCSI) trend for this age group (AAPC, 1.6; p < 0.01). Mortality increased for Hispanic men (AAPC, 1.7, p < 0.001), with increased metastatic TCSI (AAPC, 2.5; p < 0.001). Finally, younger (<45), single, and Hispanic or Black men were more likely to die in medical facilities (all p < 0.001). The retrospective study design is a limitation.

Conclusion

Significant increases in metastatic TC were found for Hispanic men and men aged 25–29 potentially driving increasing testicular cancer specific mortality in these groups. Evidence of racial and ethnic differences in place of death may also highlight treatment disparities.
Facile Formation of Sulfurized Nanorod‐Like ZnO/Zn(OH)2 and Hierarchical Flower‐Like γ‐Zn(OH)2/ϵ‐Zn(OH)2 from a Green Synthesis and Application as Luminescent Solar Concentrator
Authors: Rodrigues Aline Varella , Onishi Bruno Seiki Domingos , Ribeiro Sidney José Lima
Published: August 2023

This research endeavors to overcome the significant challenge of developing materials that simultaneously possess photostability and photosensitivity to UV‐visible irradiation. Sulfurized nanorod (NR)‐like ZnO/Zn(OH)2 and hierarchical flower‐like γ‐Zn(OH)2/ϵ‐Zn(OH)2 were identified from XRD diffraction patterns and Raman vibrational modes. The sulfurized material, observed by FEG‐SEM and TEM, showed diameters ranging from 10 and 40 nm and lengths exceeding 200 nm. The S2− ions intercalated Zn2+, modulating NRs to dumbbell‐like microrods. SAED and HRTEM illustrated the atomic structure in (101) crystal plane. Its direct band gap of 3.0 eV was attributed to the oxygen vacancies, which also contribute to the deep‐level emissions at 422 and 485 nm. BET indicated specific surface area of 4.4 m2 g−1 and pore size as mesoporosity, which are higher compared to the non‐sulfurized analogue. These findings were consistent with the observed photocurrent, photostability and photoluminescence (PL), further supporting the suitability of sulfurized NR‐like ZnO/Zn(OH)2 as a promising candidate for Luminescent solar concentrators (LSC)‐photovoltaic (PV) system.
Voltage‐ and Power‐Conversion Performance of Bi‐functional ZrO2 : Er3+/ Yb3+ Assisted and Co‐sensitized Dye Sensitized Solar Cells for Internet of Things Applications
Authors: Meenakshamma Ambapuram , Mounika Parnapalli Muni , Gurulakshmi Maddala , Susmitha Kalvapalli , Haranath D. , Goswami Lalit , Gupta Govind , Someshwar Pola , Raghavender Mitty
Published: August 2023

Giant power conversion efficiency is achieved by using bifunction ZrO2 : Er3+/Yb3+assisted co‐sensitised dye‐sensitized solar cells. The evolution of the crystalline structure and its microstructure are examined by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy studies. The bi‐functional behaviour of ZrO2 : Er3+/Yb3+ as upconversion, light scattering is confirmed by emission and diffused reflectance studies. The bi‐function ZrO2 : Er3+/Yb3+ (pH=3) assisted photoanode is co‐sensitized by use of N719 dye, squaraine SPSQ2 dye and is sandwiched with Platinum based counter electrode. The fabricated DSSC exhibited a giant power conversion efficiency of 12.35 % with VOC of 0.71 V, JSC of 27.06 mA/cm2, FF of 0.63. The results, which motivated the development of a small DSSC module, gave 6.21 % and is used to drive a tiny electronic motor in indoor and outdoor lighting conditions. Small‐area DSSCs connected in series have found that a VOC of 4.52 V is sufficient to power up Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
GQD@NiFe‐LDH Nanosheets for Photocatalytic Activity towards Textile Dye Degradation via Lattice Contraction
Authors: Jena Manasi , Mallick Sagar , Rath Ashutosh , Dalai Manas Kumar , Das Dipti P.
Published: August 2023

The functionalized NiFe‐LDH with photosensitized GQDs were synthesized through the hydrothermal route by differing the amount of GQDs solution and studied its efficacy towards the mineralization of textile dyes under visible light. The synthesized samples were characterized by XRD, FESEM, HRTEM, DRUV‐Vis, RAMAN, XPS, and BET. The combined effect of the hexagonal carbon lattice in GQD and open layered porous structure of NiFe‐LDH nanosheets results in the contraction of the lattice. Different reactive and conventional dyes were taken as representative dyes to evaluate the activity of the as‐synthesized photocatalysts. The enhanced electron absorption/donor effect between GQDs and NiFe‐LDH, and the growth of oxygen‐bridged Ni/Fe−C moieties enable the composite to exhibit better photocatalytic activity. Both photocatalytic activity and characterization results confirmed that the GQD@NiFe‐LDH nanocomposite heterostructure synthesized at 160 °C by taking 10 mL of GQDs aqueous solution named GNFLDH10 has a higher degree of crystallinity and has the best photocatalytic efficiency compared to other reported visible light catalysts. Specifically, the above optimized GQD@NiFe‐LDH photocatalyst is capable of photo‐mineralizing 50 ppm of Reactive Green in 20 min, Reactive Red in 20 min, and Congo Red in 25 min respectively following a direct Z‐scheme mechanism with substantial reusability.
Comparison of EHR Data‐Completeness in Patients with Different Types of Medical Insurance Coverage in the United States
Authors: Anand Priyanka , Zhang Yichi , Merola David , Jin Yinzhu , Wang Shirley V. , Lii Joyce , Liu Jun , Lin Kueiyu Joshua
Published: August 2023

Prior studies have demonstrated that misclassification of study variables due to electronic health record (EHR)‐discontinuity can be mitigated by restricting EHR‐based analyses to subjects with high predicted EHR‐continuity based on a simple algorithm. In this study, we compared EHR continuity in populations covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or commercial insurance. Using claims‐linked EHRs from a multicenter network in Massachusetts, including Medicare (MA EHR‐Medicare cohort) and Medicaid (MA EHR‐Medicaid cohort) claims data; and TriNetX (TriNetX cohort) claims‐linked EHR data from 11 US‐based healthcare organizations, we assessed (1) EHR‐continuity quantified by proportion of encounters captured by EHR (capture proportion (CP)); (2) area under receiver operating curve (AUROC) of previously validated model to identify patients with high EHR‐continuity (CP ≥ 0.6); (3) misclassification of 40 patient characteristics, quantified by average standardized absolute mean difference (ASAMD). Study participants were ≥ 65 years (Medicare) or ≥ 18 years (Medicaid, TriNetX) with ≥ 365 days of continuous insurance enrollment overlapping with an EHR encounter. We found that the mean CP was 0.30, 0.18, and 0.19 and AUROC of the prediction model to identify patients with high EHR‐continuity was 0.92, 0.89, and 0.77 in the MA EHR‐Medicare, MA EHR‐Medicaid, and TriNetX cohorts, respectively. Restricting to patients with predicted EHR‐continuity percentile of top 20%, 50%, and 50% in MA EHR‐Medicare, MA EHR‐Medicaid, and TriNetX cohorts resulted in acceptable levels of misclassification (ASAMD < 0.1). Using a prediction model to identify cohorts with high EHR‐continuity can improve validity, but cutoffs to achieve this goal vary by population.
Government institutions and persistent communal conflicts in Nigeria
Authors: Fatai Adeleke Gbadebo , Olufemi Lawal Musediq , Olubunmi Lanre‐Babalola Folake , Oluwakemi Akinpelu Temitope
Published: August 2023

Against the backdrop of scholarship on the internal causes of conflicts, this study examined how government institutions externally fuel persistent communal conflicts (PCC) in Nigeria. With multiple methods and triangulation of sampling techniques, we examined 12 pairs of warring communities, 4464 respondents, and 18 key interviewees. The causes of PCC were misapplication of constitutional/legal instruments and biased enforcement administration that favored one community over the other. Through matrix correlation, institutions like constitution and legal mechanisms, peace‐building mechanisms, and the enforcement agents' roles fuelled PCC among the warring communities. This correlation has a negative relationship that led to the people's loss of confidence in the umpires, vengeance, jungle justice and intolerance among the warring communities. We concluded that these institutional lapses created a class of disadvantaged and aggressive victims who have become intolerant of other communities. There is a need to sanitize governmental institutions to treat communal disputes with justice and fairness.
Depositional architecture and sequence stratigraphic framework of the fluvio‐lacustrine Ash Shumaysi Formation, Jeddah‐Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia: Implications for climatic and tectonic changes in a local‐scale sub‐basin
Authors: Alqahtani Faisal A. , Abdulfarraj Murad R. , Wanas Hamdalla A.
Published: August 2023

This study aims to interpret and document the depositional architecture styles and sequence stratigraphic framework of the Ash Shumaysi Formation in the Jeddah‐Makkah region, the west‐central part of Saudi Arabia, and presents an example of rarely discussed, local‐scale sub‐basins (half grabens). It also shows the relationships between synchronous sedimentary processes and pre, syn and post‐rift conditions. The described lithofacies and their facies associations indicate the presence of seven architectural depositional styles: proximal‐distal braided fluvial, meandering fluvial (point bar), crevasse splay, floodplain, estuarine and lacustrine. A proposed depositional model for the Ash Shumaysi Formation is drawn. The Ash Shumaysi Formation forms a second order depositional sequence, which is organised into two third order depositional sequences (sequences I and II) bounded by three sequence boundaries. Each third‐order sequence encloses the low accommodation systems tract and high accommodation systems tract. The low accommodation systems tract represents the coarse‐grained, braided‐distal fluvial facies developed during low accommodation space associated with high sediment supply (high discharge). The high accommodation systems tract encloses the fine‐grained deposits of point bar, estuarine and lacustrine facies that reflect the creation of significant accommodation space and low sediment supply (low discharge). Vertical and lateral variations of the inferred depositional architectural styles, sequences and systems tracts reflect that tectonic forces and climate are the main controlling factors during deposition of the Ash Shumaysi Formation, although base‐level changes in response to sea‐level changes cannot be ruled out.
The United Kingdom Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative
Authors: Monssen Dina , Davies Helena L. , Kakar Saakshi , Bristow Shannon , Curzons Susannah C. B. , Davies Molly R. , Kelly Emily J. , Ahmad Zain , Bradley John R. , Bright Steven , Coleman Jonathan R. I. , Glen Kiran , Hotopf Matthew , Ter Kuile Abigail R. , Malouf Chelsea Mika , Kalsi Gursharan , Kingston Nathalie , McAtarsney‐Kovacs Monika , Mundy Jessica , Peel Alicia J. , Palmos Alish B. , Rogers Henry C. , Skelton Megan , Adey Brett N. , Lee Sang Hyuck , Virgo Hope , Quinn Tom , Price Tom , Zvrskovec Johan , Eley Thalia C. , Treasure Janet , Hübel Christopher , Breen Gerome
Published: August 2023

Objective

The United Kingdom Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative (EDGI UK), part of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Mental Health BioResource, aims to deepen our understanding of the environmental and genetic etiology of eating disorders. EDGI UK launched in February 2020 and is partnered with the UK eating disorders charity, Beat. Multiple EDGI branches exist worldwide. This article serves the dual function of providing an in‐depth description of our study protocol and of describing our initial sample including demographics, diagnoses, and physical and psychiatric comorbidities.

Method

EDGI UK recruits via media and clinical services. Anyone living in England, at least 16 years old, with a lifetime probable or clinical eating disorder is eligible to sign up online: edgiuk.org. Participants complete online questionnaires, donate a saliva sample for genetic analysis, and consent to medical record linkage and recontact for future studies.

Results

As of September 2022, EDGI UK recruited 7435 survey participants: 98% female, 93.1% white, 97.8% cisgender, 65.9% heterosexual, and 52.1% have a university degree. Over half (57.8%) of these participants have returned their saliva DNA kit. The most common diagnoses are anorexia nervosa (48.3%), purging disorder (37.8%), bulimia nervosa (37.5%), binge‐eating disorder (15.8%), and atypical anorexia nervosa (7.8%).

Conclusion

EDGI UK is the largest UK eating disorders study and efforts to increase its diversity are underway. It offers a unique opportunity to accelerate eating disorder research. Researchers and participants with lived experience can collaborate on projects with unparalleled sample size.

Public Significance Statement

Eating disorders are debilitating and costly for society but are under‐researched due to underfunding. EDGI UK is one of the largest eating disorder studies worldwide with ongoing recruitment. The collected data constitute a resource for secondary analysis. We will combine data from all international EDGI branches and the NIHR BioResource to facilitate research that improves our understanding of eating disorders and their comorbidities.
Temporal partitioning and the potential for avoidance behaviour within South African carnivore communities
Authors: Smith Kyle , Venter Jan A. , Peel Mike , Keith Mark , Somers Michael J.
Published: August 2023

Carnivora occupy many ecological niches fundamental to ecosystem functioning. Within this diverse order, carnivore species compete to establish dominance, ensure survival and maintain fitness. Subordinate carnivores must, therefore, adapt their behaviour to coexist with dominant species. One such strategy is the partitioning of temporal activity patterns. We aim to determine interspecific avoidance patterns among sympatric carnivores by examining coexistence along a temporal axis. We compared the temporal activity patterns of 13 carnivore species using multi‐seasonal camera trapping data from four protected areas across South Africa: Associated Private Nature Reserves, Madikwe Game Reserve, Mountain Zebra National Park and Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. Interspecific coefficients of overlap in diel and core activity periods were calculated over the study period and during the wet and dry seasons. Furthermore, interspecific spatiotemporal behaviour was examined using time‐to‐event analyses. Our results showed that complete avoidance of diel activity patterns was rare among South African carnivore species. Most species were predominantly nocturnal and, therefore, diel activity overlap was high, whereas core activity overlap was significantly lower (p < .001). Diel activity overlap was significantly lower during the dry than wet seasons (p = .045). Lastly, evidence of spatiotemporal aggregation revolved around scavenging species. We show the importance of seasonality in the temporal avoidance behaviours of South African carnivores while highlighting the need for fine‐scaled behavioural analyses. Overall, we show that the daily activity patterns of most subordinate South African carnivore species are not influenced by top‐down forces in the form of competitional suppression and risk exerted by dominant species. If avoidance is required, it is more likely to manifest as fine‐scaled avoidance of core activity periods. We suggest that the focus on core activity periods might be a more suitable tool for interspecific temporal partitioning research.
Multifunctional redundancy: Impossible or undetected?
Authors: White Bridget E. , Hovenden Mark J. , Barmuta Leon A.
Published: August 2023

The diversity‐functioning relationship is a pillar of ecology. Two significant concepts have emerged from this relationship: redundancy, the asymptotic relationship between diversity and functioning, and multifunctionality, a monotonic relationship between diversity and multiple functions occurring simultaneously. However, multifunctional redundancy, an asymptotic relationship between diversity and multiple functions occurring simultaneously, is rarely detected in research. Here we assess whether this lack of detection is due to its true rarity, or due to systematic research error. We discuss how inconsistencies in the use of terms such as ‘function’ lead to mismatched research. We consider the different techniques used to calculate multifunctionality and point out a rarely considered issue: how determining a function's maximum rate affects multifunctionality metrics. Lastly, we critique how a lack of consideration of multitrophic, spatiotemporal, interactions and community assembly processes in designed experiments significantly reduces the likelihood of detecting multifunctional redundancy. Multifunctionality research up to this stage has made significant contributions to our understanding of the diversity‐functioning relationship, and we believe that multifunctional redundancy is detectable with the use of appropriate methodologies.
Examining the role of mood in pain‐limited treadmill walking duration in young healthy individuals
Authors: Lu Jenny , Bisset Leanne M. , Shaw Kirstin , Sharma Pramod , Morris Norman R.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of acute mood modulation on treadmill walking duration during experimental pain application.

Methods

This was a repeated measure, within‐subject study design. 30 healthy individuals (Males: Females 16:14; age 22.9 ± 2.5 years; height 170.9 ± 9.5 cm; body mass 68.4 ± 14.6 kg) attended a familiarization session and three experimental sessions, whereby they simultaneously viewed emotionally evoking stimulus from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS) and performed two treadmill walking tests (maximum 10 min duration) with a fixed nociceptive input applied to the thigh (pressure cuff). The primary outcome was treadmill walking duration during pain application to achieve a fixed pain score. During walking, mood (Self‐Assessment Manikin: SAM 0–9) and pain (numerical rating scale: NRS 0–10) were measured.

Results

Mood valence scores were significantly different in all conditions (p < 0.001), negative (2.4 ± 0.3), neutral (4.9 ± 0.6) and positive (6.6 ± 0.3). There was a significant difference (p = 0.04) in the treadmill walking duration for different mood states. For the primary outcome, post hoc analysis found differences between the negative and positive mood conditions for the treadmill walking durations to reach pain scores of 3 (negative: 224 ± 49 s; positive: 259 ± 60s, effect size [ES]: 0.80), 4 (negative: 262 ± 59 s; positive: 326 ± 90s, ES: 0.92), 5 (negative: 313 ± 86 s; positive: 385 ± 113 s, ES: 0.90), 6 (negative: 367 ± 106 s; positive: 447 ± 113 s, ES: 1.04) and 7 (negative: 423 ± 114 s; positive: 521 ± 110 s, ES: 1.02). There was no significant difference in the treadmill walking duration between the neutral vs negative mood and neutral vs positive mood conditions.

Conclusion

These results highlight the potential psychophysiological impacts on the pain experience in healthy individuals and encourages pursuit in strategies to minimize pain‐limited exercise, a highly prevalent issue in the chronic pain population.

Significance

Walking‐based rehabilitation, designed to improve physical activity, has been shown to improve pain and disability. However active participation and adherence in walking‐based rehabilitation has shown to be jeopardized by pain and pain‐related cognitive and behavioural adaptations. This study examined the effect of a shift in mood on pain perception and treadmill walking tolerance. We found that with a worse mood, individuals were less tolerant of pain and walked on the treadmill for a shorter duration. These results suggest that factors which improve mood should be combined with walking‐based training to improve tolerance.
Landscape of genetic infantile epileptic spasms syndrome—A multicenter cohort of 124 children from India
Authors: Nagarajan Balamurugan , Gowda Vykuntaraju K. , Yoganathan Sangeetha , Sharawat Indar Kumar , Srivastava Kavita , Vora Nitish , Badheka Rahul , Danda Sumita , Kalane Umesh , Kaur Anupriya , Madaan Priyanka , Mehta Sanjiv , Negi Sandeep , Panda Prateek Kumar , Rajadhyaksha Surekha , Saini Arushi Gahlot , Saini Lokesh , Shah Siddharth , Srinivasan Varunvenkat M. , Suthar Renu , Thomas Maya , Vyas Sameer , Sankhyan Naveen , Sahu Jitendra Kumar
Published: August 2023

Objective

Literature on the genotypic spectrum of Infantile Epileptic Spasms Syndrome (IESS) in children is scarce in developing countries. This multicentre collaboration evaluated the genotypic and phenotypic landscape of genetic IESS in Indian children.

Methods

Between January 2021 and June 2022, this cross‐sectional study was conducted at six centers in India. Children with genetically confirmed IESS, without definite structural‐genetic and structural‐metabolic etiology, were recruited and underwent detailed in‐person assessment for phenotypic characterization. The multicentric data on the genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of genetic IESS were collated and analyzed.

Results

Of 124 probands (60% boys, history of consanguinity in 15%) with genetic IESS, 105 had single gene disorders (104 nuclear and one mitochondrial), including one with concurrent triple repeat disorder (fragile X syndrome), and 19 had chromosomal disorders. Of 105 single gene disorders, 51 individual genes (92 variants including 25 novel) were identified. Nearly 85% of children with monogenic nuclear disorders had autosomal inheritance (dominant‐55.2%, recessive‐14.2%), while the rest had X‐linked inheritance. Underlying chromosomal disorders included trisomy 21 (n = 14), Xq28 duplication (n = 2), and others (n = 3). Trisomy 21 (n = 14), ALDH7A1 (n = 10), SCN2A (n = 7), CDKL5 (n = 6), ALG13 (n = 5), KCNQ2 (n = 4), STXBP1 (n = 4), SCN1A (n = 4), NTRK2 (n = 4), and WWOX (n = 4) were the dominant single gene causes of genetic IESS. The median age at the onset of epileptic spasms (ES) and establishment of genetic diagnosis was 5 and 12 months, respectively. Pre‐existing developmental delay (94.3%), early age at onset of ES (<6 months; 86.2%), central hypotonia (81.4%), facial dysmorphism (70.1%), microcephaly (77.4%), movement disorders (45.9%) and autistic features (42.7%) were remarkable clinical findings. Seizures other than epileptic spasms were observed in 83 children (66.9%). Pre‐existing epilepsy syndrome was identified in 21 (16.9%). Nearly 60% had an initial response to hormonal therapy.

Significance

Our study highlights a heterogenous genetic landscape and phenotypic pleiotropy in children with genetic IESS.
Final analysis of potential drug–drug interactions between highly purified cannabidiol and anti‐seizure medications in an open‐label expanded access program
Authors: Gaston Tyler E. , Bebin E. Martina , Cutter Gary R. , Grayson Leslie , Szaflarski Jerzy P.
Published: August 2023

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess potential drug–drug interactions between highly purified cannabidiol (CBD) and anti‐seizure medications (ASMs).

Methods

Our group previously reported that in a sample of adults and children receiving CBD in an open‐label expanded access program, there were several ASMs noted to increase in serum levels with increasing doses of CBD. We analyzed if an increased number of observations over time resulted in changes in potential interactions and if potential interactions were associated with time since enrollment, demographics, or the overall rating of adverse effects.

Results

In 169 participants (80 adults), with increasing weight‐based CBD dose, there were associated increases in serum levels of clobazam and N‐desmethylclobazam, free valproate, felbamate, and topiramate in the adult and pediatric arms combined, levetiracetam in the pediatric arm only, and permapanel in the adult arm only. There were no associations noted in these level changes with time since enrollment, biological sex, and adverse events profile scores.

Significance

This study confirms some previously identified interactions with CBD and identifies other potential pharmacokinetic interactions; however, the clinical significance of these observations is likely minor, and there is no effect of time on these findings.
Shaking table tests on the seismic response of truss structure with air spring‐FPS three‐dimensional isolation bearing
Authors: Han Qinghua , Jing Ming , Lu Yan
Published: August 2023

To investigate the isolation effect of the friction pendulum system (FPS) horizontal isolation bearing and the air spring‐FPS three‐dimensional (3D) isolation bearing in truss structure and the influences of long‐period ground motions on the isolated structure, the shaking table test of a truss structure is designed and conducted. The ordinary ground motions, near‐fault pulse‐like ground motions, and far‐field long‐period ground motions with different spectral characteristics are chosen to input into the structure, and the dynamic characteristics such as the acceleration, displacement, and stress of the truss are compared and analyzed. The horizontal frequency of the horizontal isolated structure is reduced after the horizontal isolation, while the vertical frequency is further reduced after 3D isolation. The isolation effect of nodal acceleration, nodal displacement, and member stress under 3D isolation is better than that of horizontal isolation, especially the vertical seismic response is significantly improved. When the ground motion intensity is small, the FPS horizontal isolation bearing slides little, and reducing the seismic response of the structure is limited. There is a better isolation effect of 3D isolated structure. The vertical frequency ratio Rf under ordinary ground motions is far away from 1 and close to 3, basically avoiding the main energy segment of the ground motions. The advantage of 3D isolated structure is relatively reduced under long‐period ground motions, which lies in the rich low‐frequency components of long‐period ground motions which are difficult to isolate effectively.
Landscape domains and information surfaces: Data collection, recording and citation using decimal latitude‐longitude geolocation via the FAIR principles
Authors: Whalley W. Brian
Published: August 2023

There is a need for geomorphology to integrate better with related disciplines, especially in Critical Zone science. To help satisfy this integration, geomorphology's knowledge‐base should extend into biotic as well as geological processes via ‘open data’. To aid information exchange between disciplines, the use of decimal latitude‐longitude (dLL) topographic geo‐referencing is advocated to identify locations of investigations, images and data in accord with the FAIR principles for data: findability, accessibility, interoperability and reusability. While local place names (toponyms) have their uses, they do not provide good location information. Identification of detailed locations using dLL referencing should be used in written, especially published, reports of investigations. Author‐date citations are traditionally used to identify geomorphic knowledge, which can be enhanced when linked to dLL‐specified locations and data such as sample sites and laboratory data. Ways in which dLL specifications might be used in geomorphology and associated disciplines are explored and some geomorphological problems associated with ‘steepland’ landscape domains are presented. Examples show how dLL data can be incorporated into the literature, whereby authors can help provide and develop geomorphic ‘information surfaces’ by using geo‐referencing to enhance ‘open’ science via the FAIR principles.
Hierarchies in the energy budget: Thyroid hormones and the evolution of human life history patterns
Authors: Levy Stephanie B. , Bribiescas Richard G.
Published: August 2023

The evolution of human life history characteristics required dramatic shifts in energy allocation mechanisms compared with our primate ancestors. Thyroid hormones, such as thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), are sensitive to energy balance, and are significant determinants for both tissue‐specific and whole‐body metabolic rate. Thus, thyroid hormones are in part responsible for setting the body's overall energy budget and likely played an important role in the evolution of human life history patterns. We propose that the dynamics of mammalian T3 production, uptake, and action have evolved so that energy allocation prioritizes the high demands of brain development and functioning, often at the expense of growth and reproduction. This paper explores the role of thyroid hormone dynamics in the evolution of human encephalization, prolonged childhood and adolescence, long lifespans, reproduction, and human aging.
Antioxidant capacity of wheat bran fermented with gut indigenous Bifidobacterium and its antagonistic effect on food‐related pathogens in vitro
Authors: Takei Natsumi , Miyashita Ayumi , Kuda Takashi , Xia Yumeng , Koga Kazuya , Nakamura Ayaka , Takahashi Hajime
Published: August 2023

Wheat bran (WB) has several health‐promoting effects. This study aimed to identify gut bacteria that increase after WB consumption and assess their functionality. Human stool samples obtained from healthy volunteers were inoculated into culture broth with or without 2% (w/v) WB and incubated under anaerobic conditions for 24 h. The microbiota in the cultures was analysed using 16S rRNA (V4) gene amplicon sequencing. The addition of WB decreased the pH from 6.9 to 5.9 (p < 0.05) and increased the acetate level by 1.6 times. Although the microbiota differed across individuals, butyrate‐producing genera (Faecalibacterium and Roseburia), Blautia, and Bifidobacterium spp. were abundant in cultures supplemented with WB. Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum and B. adolescentis, isolated as WB‐responsible gut indigenous bacteria (WB‐RIBs), were found to ferment WB. The WB‐RIBs increased the 1,1‐diphenyl‐picrylhydrazyl and superoxide anion radical‐scavenging capacities of WB‐supplemented cultures. Further, these WB‐RIBs suppressed the growth of Salmonella Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus in WB‐supplemented brain heart infusion broth. These results suggest that compounds present in WB, along with WB‐RIBs, affect the gut environment. Further studies should be conducted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the interactions between WB and WB‐RIBs.
A high‐performance method for quantitation of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2: Full validation for raisin, peanut matrices, and survey of related products at Ho Chi Minh City
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Duy , Nguyen Thuy Ngan Ha , Ly Tuan Kiet , Nguyen Quoc Hung , Le Thanh Tho , Chu Van Hai , Nguyen Tien Dat , Le Dinh Vu
Published: August 2023

Optimization and validation for simultaneous quantitation of four aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 in peanuts and raisins were performed on ultra‐performance liquid chromatography in a combination of fluorescence detector, without derivatization. The advantages were short analysis time, simple sample handling, and reduced solvent consumption. Instrument detection limits of AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2 were 0.07, 0.01, 0.1, and 0.008 μg/kg, respectively, lower than those obtained by LCMSMS and HPLC‐FLD with derivatization. Two solvent mixtures were chosen for two different matrices whose matrix effect was not negligible (2.81%–8.04% for peanuts and 5.63%–11.43% for raisins). The linear ranges were from 0.2 to 20 μg/L for AFB1 and AFG1 and from 0.05 to 5 μg/L for AFB2 and AFG2. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.025–0.1 and 0.075–0.3 μg/kg for peanuts and raisins, respectively. Recoveries at three other concentrations from 0.75 to 125 μg/kg of total aflatoxins were obtained between 76.5% and 99.8% (with RSD < 6%) following the SANTE 11312/2021. Validation parameters complied with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2017. The extracts and the sample could be stabilized at 4°C and 20°C for 24 h and at −20°C for up to 21 days, respectively. Thus, the study can be used as a standard method for the analysis of Aflatoxins (AFs) in peanut and raisin matrices. Investigation of 350 peanut samples collected at Markets in the central districts of HCM city showed that 28.6% were contaminated with AFB1 from 0.31 up to 554 μg/kg; 13.4% contained AFB2, and 5.7% of AFG1 in the range of 0.4–53 μg/kg and 0.4–9.57 μg/kg, respectively; AFG2 (about 0.6%) was detected from 0.45 to 0.75 μg/kg. Meanwhile, 12.8% exceeded the total aflatoxins limit, and 13.4% exceeded the AFB1 limit. AFs were almost not found in the 350 raisin samples.
Polygonatum odoratum polysaccharide attenuates lipopolysaccharide‐induced lung injury in mice by regulating gut microbiota
Authors: Liu Jia‐rui , Chen Bo‐xue , Jiang Mei‐ting , Cui Tian‐yi , Lv Bin , Fu Zhi‐fei , Li Xue , Du Yao‐dong , Guo Jin‐he , Zhong Xin‐qin , Zou Ya‐dan , Zhao Xin , Yang Wen‐zhi , Gao Xiu‐mei
Published: August 2023

Polygonatum odoratum is appreciated for its edible and medicinal benefits especially for lung protection. However, the contained active components have been understudied, and further research is required to fully exploit its potential application. We aimed to probe into the beneficial effects of Polygonatum odoratum polysaccharide (POP) in lipopolysaccharide‐induced lung inflammatory injury mice. POP treatment could ameliorate the survival rate, pulmonary function, lung pathological lesions, and immune inflammatory response. POP treatment could repair intestinal barrier, and modulate the composition of gut microbiota, especially reducing the abundance of Klebsiella, which were closely associated with the therapeutic effects of POP. Investigation of the underlying anti‐inflammatory mechanism showed that POP suppressed the generation of pro‐inflammatory molecules in lung by inhibiting iNOS+ M1 macrophages. Collectively, POP is a promising multi‐target microecological regulator to prevent and treat the immuno‐inflammation and lung injury by modulating gut microbiota.
Brd activity regulates Müller glia‐dependent retinal regeneration in zebrafish
Authors: Lee Jiwoon , Lee Bum‐Kyu , Gross Jeffrey M.
Published: August 2023

The zebrafish retina possesses tremendous regenerative potential. Müller glia underlie retinal regeneration through their ability to reprogram and generate multipotent neuronal progenitors that re‐differentiate into lost neurons. Many factors required for Müller glia reprogramming and proliferation have been identified; however, we know little about the epigenetic and transcriptional regulation of these genes during regeneration. Here, we determined whether transcriptional regulation by members of the Bromodomain (Brd) family is required for Müller glia‐dependent retinal regeneration. Our data demonstrate that three brd genes were expressed in Müller glia upon injury. brd2a and brd2b were expressed in all Müller glia and brd4 was expressed only in reprogramming Müller glia. Utilizing (+)‐JQ1, a pharmacological inhibitor of Brd function, we demonstrate that transcriptional regulation by Brds plays a critical role in Müller glia reprogramming and regeneration. (+)‐JQ1 treatment prevented cell cycle re‐entry of Müller glia and the generation of neurogenic progenitors. Modulating the (+)‐JQ1 exposure window, we identified the first 48 h post‐injury as the time‐period during which Müller glia reprogramming occurs. (+)‐JQ1 treatments after 48 h post‐injury had no effect on the re‐differentiation of UV cones, indicating that Brd function is required only for Müller glia reprogramming and not subsequent specification/differentiation events. Brd inhibition also prevented the expression of reprogramming genes like ascl1a and lepb in Müller glia, but not effector genes like mmp9, nor did it affect microglial recruitment after injury. These results demonstrate that transcriptional regulation by Brds plays a critical role during Müller glia‐dependent retinal regeneration in zebrafish.
Radiomics analysis of intraoral ultrasound images for prediction of late cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with tongue cancer
Authors: Konishi Masaru , Kakimoto Naoya
Published: August 2023

Background

We investigated the predictability of late cervical lymph node metastasis using radiomics analysis of ultrasonographic images of tongue cancer.

Methods

We selected 120 patients with tongue cancer who underwent intraoral ultrasonography, 30 of which had late cervical lymph node metastasis. Radiomics analysis was used to extract and quantify the image features. Bootstrap forest (BF), support vector machine (SVM), and neural tanh boost (NTB) were used as the machine learning models, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted to determine diagnostic performance.

Results

The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and AUC in the validation group were, respectively, 0.600, 0.967, 0.875, and 0.923 for the BF model; 0.700, 0.967, 0.900, and 0.950 for the SVM model; and 0.900, 0.967, 0.950, and 0.967 for NTB model.

Conclusions

Radiomics analysis and machine learning models using ultrasonographic images of pretreated tongue cancer could predict late cervical lymph node metastasis with high accuracy.
Prognostic value of pretreatment serum fibrinogen in young patients with small cell lung cancer: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Tian Juncai , Tian Huohuan , Yang Mengzhu , Yang Linhui , Liu Dan
Published: August 2023

Objective

To explored the prognostic value of pretreatment serum fibrinogen level in young patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Methods

The concentrations of serum fibrinogen of 183 young (<50 years old) SCLC patients were measured. The association of baseline serum fibrinogen level and clinical outcome was analyzed by survival analysis.

Results

Hyperfibrinogenemia was significantly associated with American Veterans Administration Lung Study Group stage and surgery treatment. The survival analysis indicated that patients with hypefibrinogenemia had worse outcome than patients with normal fibrinogen. Pretreatment serum fibrinogen level was identified as a worse independent survival predictor in young SCLC. The hazard ratio was 1.420 (95% confidence interval: 1.035−1.947).

Conclusions

Pretreatment serum fibrinogen is independent associated with overall survival in patients with young SCLC.
Study of weakly nonlinear double‐diffusive magnetoconvection under concentration modulation
Authors: Jakhar Atul , Kumar Anand , Gupta Vinod Kumar
Published: August 2023

This article explains the heat and mass transfer of electrically conducting Newtonian fluid in double‐diffusive magnetoconvective flow. We have considered two infinite horizontal plates at a constant distance apart under the concentration‐modulated boundary condition. A constant magnetic field is considered in vertically upward directions, which generates an induced magnetic field. We have used the weakly nonlinear analysis to obtain the heat and mass transfer rate using the Ginzburg–Landau equation. The software MATHEMATICA is used to determine the solution of the Ginzburg–Landau equation by inbuilt function. The effects of physical parameters that occurred in the study on the Nusselt number and Sherwood number have been examined graphically. Modulation has a negligible effect on the threshold value of the thermal Rayleigh number, that is, on stationary convection. Moreover, it was found that the Chandrasekhar number, magnetic‐Prandtl number, amplitude of modulation, and frequency of modulation are proportional to the heat and mass transports.