bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Millet's Role in Sustainable Agriculture: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Choudhary Sunita , Boruah Anasuya , Ram Net , Gulaiya Shani , Choudhary Charan Singh , Vidhya C. S.  , Verma Lalit Kumar
Published: December 2023

Sustainable agriculture has become a global imperative, seeking to balance food production with environmental conservation and socio-economic well-being. This comprehensive review explores the multifaceted role of millet in sustainable agriculture, shedding light on its potential to address these complex challenges. Millet, often considered a "forgotten crop," offers a unique set of attributes that contribute to sustainable farming practices. This review covers millet's historical significance, climate resilience, impact on biodiversity and soil health, nutritional value, economic contributions, and its role in promoting sustainable farming practices. Additionally, it discusses challenges and constraints that need to be addressed and highlights opportunities and future prospects for millet in the context of sustainable agriculture. Through case studies and critical analysis, we present an in-depth understanding of millet's importance in sustainable agriculture, urging for greater awareness, research, and policy support to fully realize its potential.
Impact of sex on antidepressant discontinuation in groups of similar cytochrome P450 phenotypes
Authors: Kosaski Dylan L. , Cole Kristin C. , Wright Jessica A. , El Melik Razan M. , Kung Simon , Nicholson Wayne T. , Leung Jonathan G.
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Although there are studies assessing reasons for antidepressant discontinuation, little is known about the impact of sex differences or cytochrome P450 phenotypes. Our objective is to assess discontinuation rates between males and females and whether CYP450 phenotype influences discontinuation.

Methods

This is a retrospective review of patients previously enrolled in the Right Drug, Right Dose, Right Time: Using Genomic Data to Individualize Treatment database with major depressive disorder. Patients were evaluated for antidepressants trialed between January 1, 2009, and September 30, 2019. Survival analyses with competing risks were used to analyze discontinuation reasons. A Kaplan-Meier estimation method was used to assess the time to discontinuation and discontinuation rates. Analyses were also completed to assess discontinuation between men and women by phenotypic groups. All tests were two-sided, and p-values ≤ .05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

There were 620 antidepressant discontinuation events discovered from 1015 antidepressant trials included. Overall, the median time to discontinuation for males was 2.6 years and 1.9 years for females (hazard ratio [HR] 0.97 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.80, 1.19], p = .77). The risk of discontinuation was not different between males and females in any of the phenotype groups, which was consistent in the multivariable analyses. Concomitant use of medications that inhibited or induced antidepressant metabolism increased the overall risk of discontinuation (HR 1.45, 95% CI [1.06, 1.99], p = .020) in a time-dependent analysis.

Discussion

We did not detect a significant difference in risk of antidepressant discontinuation rates between males and females even when accounting for cytochrome P450 phenotype. Future studies should account for whether medications that inhibit or induce antidepressant metabolism may be a crucial factor in antidepressant discontinuation.
On Two -Way Nested Classification Random Model
Authors: Abbedllah Hussain Ali , Kori Hayder Abbood
Published: December 2023

Nested design is a specific kind of experimental design in which each level of each element occurs with all levels of different factors without relationships. The aim of this article is to estimate the variance components of the interferometry model by two methods and to compare them and obtain the least measurement error for these estimators, and depending on the viscosity chemical experiment we obtained the least measurement line through the comparison between the two methods. we conclude that, the variance components estimated by the maximum penalized likelihood method are less than the variance components estimated by the maximum likelihood method. Conversely, the mean squared error of the parameters estimated by the maximum likelihood method is less than the mean squared error of the parameters estimated by the maximum penalized likelihood method. Thus, the parameters estimated using maximum penalized likelihood method have the least measurement error, and therefore are more accurate and acceptable than the parameters estimated using the maximum likelihood method.
Bimetallic Ru-Sn as Effective Catalysts for the Selective Hydrogenation of Biogenic Platform Chemicals at Room Temperature
Authors: Azzahra Atina Sabila , Dewi Heny Puspita , Mikrianto Edi , Sembiring Kiky Corneliasari , Sunnardianto Gagus Ketut , Nata Iryanti Fatyasari , Rodiansono Rodiansono , Jayanudin Jayanudin
Published: December 2023

Supported bimetallic ruthenium-tin (denoted as Ru-Sn(x); x = molar ratio of Ru/Sn) catalysts were examined for room temperature (RT) hydrogenation of biogenic platform chemicals of levulinic acid (LA) to g-valerolactone (GVL). Six types of metal oxide support c.a. Nb2O5, TiO2, ZnO, ZrO2, g-Al2O3, active charcoal (AC), were employed as the support for Ru-Sn(x). Ru-Sn(3.0)/Nb2O5 (Ru/Sn = 3.0) that reduced at 500 oC demonstrated the highest yield of GVL (98%) at 30 oC, 30 bar H2 for 3 h. The increase in Sn loading amount (Ru/Sn = 1.5) resulted in decreasing of LA conversion (83%) under the same reaction conditions. Among the studied supported Ru-Sn catalysts, Nb2O5 and ZnO supports exhibited better catalytic performances than that other for RT hydrogenation of LA and various biogenic platform chemicals. The Ru-Sn(3.0)/Nb2O5 catalyst was characterized by means of various adsorption and spectroscopic techniques. The Ru-Sn(3.0)/Nb2O5 catalyst was found to be reusable without any significant loss of its activity. Copyright © 2023 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA  License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Trends in US Adult Smoking Prevalence, 2011 to 2022
Authors: Meza Rafael , Cao Pianpian , Jeon Jihyoun , Warner Kenneth E. , Levy David T.
Published: December 2023

Importance

President Biden recently prioritized the fight against smoking as key to reducing cancer mortality.

Objective

To assess trends in smoking and illuminate the association between smoking and reducing deaths due to cancer.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study used responses to National Health Interview Surveys from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2022, to characterize trends in current smoking for key sociodemographic groups among US adults.

Exposures

Age (18-24, 25-39, 40-64, and ≥65 years), family income (<200%, 200%-399%, and ≥400% of the federal poverty level [FPL]), educational level (less than high school, high school degree or General Educational Development, some college, and college degree or above), and race and ethnicity (Black, Hispanic, White, and other).

Main Outcomes and Measures

Weighted current smoking prevalence with 95% CIs by analysis group from 2011 to 2022. Average annual percentage change (AAPC) in smoking prevalence by analysis group is calculated using Joinpoint regression.

Results

Data from 353 555 adults surveyed by the National Health Interview Surveys from 2011 to 2022 were included (12.6% Black, 15.0% Hispanic, 65.2% White, and 7.3% other race or ethnicity). Overall, smoking prevalence decreased among adults aged 18 to 24 years from 19.2% (95% CI, 17.5%-20.9%) in 2011 to 4.9% (95% CI, 3.7%-6.0%) in 2022 at an AAPC of −11.3% (95% CI, −13.2% to −9.4%), while it remained roughly constant among adults 65 years or older at 8.7% (95% CI, 7.9%-9.5%) in 2011 and 9.4% (95% CI, 8.7%-10.2%) in 2022 (AAPC, −0.1% [95% CI, −0.8% to 0.7%]). Among adults 65 years or older, smoking prevalence increased from 13.0% (95% CI, 11.2%-14.7%) in 2011 to 15.8% (95% CI, 14.1%-17.6%) for those with income less than 200% FPL (AAPC, 1.1% [95% CI, 0.1%-2.1%]) and remained roughly constant with no significant change for those of higher income. Similar age patterns are seen across educational level and racial and ethnic groups.

Conclusions and Relevance

This cross-sectional study found that smoking prevalence decreased from 2011 to 2022 in all age groups except adults 65 years or older, with faster decreases among younger than older adults. These findings suggest that the greatest gains in terms of reducing smoking-attributable morbidity and mortality could be achieved by focusing on individuals with low socioeconomic status, as this population has the highest smoking rates and the worst health prospects.
Perceptions of Data Set Experts on Important Characteristics of Health Data Sets Ready for Machine Learning
Authors: Ng Madelena Y. , Youssef Alaa , Miner Adam S. , Sarellano Daniela , Long Jin , Larson David B. , Hernandez-Boussard Tina , Langlotz Curtis P.
Published: December 2023

Importance

The lack of data quality frameworks to guide the development of artificial intelligence (AI)-ready data sets limits their usefulness for machine learning (ML) research in health care and hinders the diagnostic excellence of developed clinical AI applications for patient care.

Objective

To discern what constitutes high-quality and useful data sets for health and biomedical ML research purposes according to subject matter experts.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This qualitative study interviewed data set experts, particularly those who are creators and ML researchers. Semistructured interviews were conducted in English and remotely through a secure video conferencing platform between August 23, 2022, and January 5, 2023. A total of 93 experts were invited to participate. Twenty experts were enrolled and interviewed. Using purposive sampling, experts were affiliated with a diverse representation of 16 health data sets/databases across organizational sectors. Content analysis was used to evaluate survey information and thematic analysis was used to analyze interview data.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Data set experts’ perceptions on what makes data sets AI ready.

Results

Participants included 20 data set experts (11 [55%] men; mean [SD] age, 42 [11] years), of whom all were health data set creators, and 18 of the 20 were also ML researchers. Themes (3 main and 11 subthemes) were identified and integrated into an AI-readiness framework to show their association within the health data ecosystem. Participants partially determined the AI readiness of data sets using priority appraisal elements of accuracy, completeness, consistency, and fitness. Ethical acquisition and societal impact emerged as appraisal considerations in that participant samples have not been described to date in prior data quality frameworks. Factors that drive creation of high-quality health data sets and mitigate risks associated with data reuse in ML research were also relevant to AI readiness. The state of data availability, data quality standards, documentation, team science, and incentivization were associated with elements of AI readiness and the overall perception of data set usefulness.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this qualitative study of data set experts, participants contributed to the development of a grounded framework for AI data set quality. Data set AI readiness required the concerted appraisal of many elements and the balancing of transparency and ethical reflection against pragmatic constraints. The movement toward more reliable, relevant, and ethical AI and ML applications for patient care will inevitably require strategic updates to data set creation practices.
Performance evaluation and mix proportion design of concrete using low‐quality recycled aggregate: Application for structural concrete in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Anh Duc , Dosho Yasuhiro
Published: December 2023

This study aims to promote the application of recycled aggregate concrete using low‐quality recycled aggregate, which can be easily obtained in Vietnam, mixed with normal aggregate. This is achieved by examining the performance evaluation of concrete using the relative quality index method and mix proportion design. If low‐quality recycled aggregate and normal aggregate can be combined in concrete in a suitable replacement ratio, as has been done in Japan, the proposed method can be used for structural concrete applications in Vietnam.
Epitaxial Growth of 1D Te/2D MoSe2 Mixed‐Dimensional Heterostructures for High‐Efficient Self‐Powered Photodetector
Authors: You Jiawen , Jin Zijing , Li Yuyin , Kang Ting , Zhang Kenan , Wang Wenliang , Xu Mengyang , Gao Zhaoli , Wang Jiannong , Kim Jang‐Kyo , Luo Zhengtang
Published: December 2023

Mixed‐dimensional heterostructures provide additional freedom to construct diverse functional electronic and optoelectronic devices, gaining significant interest. Herein, highly‐aligned pseudo‐1D tellurium is epitaxially grown on 2D monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), including MoSe2, MoS2, and WS2. A one‐pot chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique eliminates the normally required transfer steps, thereby producing mixed‐dimensional heterostructures with an ultraclean interface. The controllable epitaxial growth of Te/TMD heterostructures are verified by Raman, scanning probe microscopy (SPM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation. The photoluminescence results indicate that the emission from TMDs is quenched in the heterostructure, confirming the efficient transfer of photogenerated carriers from TMDs to Te. Additionally, the mixed‐dimensional p‐n Te/MoSe2 heterojunction photodetector presents self‐driven behavior with high responsivity (328 mA W−1), external quantum efficiency (79%), and specific detectivity (8.2 ×  109 Jones). The modified facile synthesis strategy and proposed growth mechanism in this study shed light on synthesizing mixed‐dimensional heterojunctions. This opens avenues for fabricating functional devices with reduced sizes and high densities, further enabling miniaturization and integration opportunities.
Extracellular Vesicles in Infrapatellar Fat Pad from Osteoarthritis Patients Impair Cartilage Metabolism and Induce Senescence
Authors: Cao Yumei , Ruan Jianzhao , Kang Jingliang , Nie Xiaoyu , Lan Weiren , Ruan Guangfeng , Li Jia , Zhu Zhaohua , Han Weiyu , Tang Su'an , Ding Changhai
Published: December 2023

Infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) is closely associated with the development and progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA), but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, it is find that IPFP from OA patients can secret small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) and deliver them into articular chondrocytes. Inhibition the release of endogenous osteoarthritic IPFP‐sEVs by GW4869 significantly alleviated IPFP‐sEVs‐induced cartilage destruction. Functional assays in vitro demonstrated that IPFP‐sEVs significantly promoted chondrocyte extracellular matrix (ECM) catabolism and induced cellular senescence. It is further demonstrated that IPFP‐sEVs induced ECM degradation in human and mice cartilage explants and aggravated the progression of experimental OA in mice. Mechanistically, highly enriched let‐7b‐5p and let‐7c‐5p in IPFP‐sEVs are essential to mediate detrimental effects by directly decreasing senescence negative regulator, lamin B receptor (LBR). Notably, intra‐articular injection of antagomirs inhibiting let‐7b‐5p and let‐7c‐5p in mice increased LBR expression, suppressed chondrocyte senescence and ameliorated the progression of experimental OA model. This study uncovers the function and mechanism of the IPFP‐sEVs in the progression of OA. Targeting IPFP‐sEVs cargoes of let‐7b‐5p and let‐7c‐5p can provide a potential strategy for OA therapy.
Wearable Magnetic Field Sensor with Low Detection Limit and Wide Operation Range for Electronic Skin Applications
Authors: Li Shengbin , Wu Yuanzhao , Asghar Waqas , Li Fali , Zhang Ye , He Zidong , Liu Jinyun , Wang Yuwei , Liao Meiyong , Shang Jie , Ren Long , Du Yi , Makarov Denys , Liu Yiwei , Li Run‐Wei
Published: December 2023

Flexible electronic devices extended abilities of humans to perceive their environment conveniently and comfortably. Among them, flexible magnetic field sensors are crucial to detect changes in the external magnetic field. State‐of‐the‐art flexible magnetoelectronics do not exhibit low detection limit and large working range simultaneously, which limits their application potential. Herein, a flexible magnetic field sensor possessing a low detection limit of 22 nT and wide sensing range from 22 nT up to 400 mT is reported. With the detection range of seven orders of magnitude in magnetic field sensor constitutes at least one order of magnitude improvement over current flexible magnetic field sensor technologies. The sensor is designed as a cantilever beam structure accommodating a flexible permanent magnetic composite and an amorphous magnetic wire enabling sensitivity to low magnetic fields. To detect high fields, the anisotropy of the giant magnetoimpedance effect of amorphous magnetic wires to the magnetic field direction is explored. Benefiting from mechanical flexibility of sensor and its broad detection range, its application potential for smart wearables targeting geomagnetic navigation, touchless interactivity, rehabilitation appliances, and safety interfaces providing warnings of exposure to high magnetic fields are explored.
Volume‐Confined Fabrication of Large‐Scale Single‐Crystalline Molecular Ferroelectric Thin Films and Their Applications in 2D Materials
Authors: Cao Xiao‐Xing , Zhou Ru‐Jie , Xiong Yu‐An , Du Guo‐Wei , Feng Zi‐Jie , Pan Qiang , Chen Yin‐Zhu , Ji Hao‐Ran , Ni Zhenhua , Lu Junpeng , Hu Huihui , You Yu‐Meng
Published: December 2023

With outstanding advantages of chemical synthesis, structural diversity, and mechanical flexibility, molecular ferroelectrics have attracted increasing attention, demonstrating themselves as promising candidates for next‐generation wearable electronics and flexible devices in the film form. However, it remains a challenge to grow high‐quality thin films of molecular ferroelectrics. To address the above issue, a volume‐confined method is utilized to achieve ultrasmooth single‐crystal molecular ferroelectric thin films at the sub‐centimeter scale, with the thickness controlled in the range of 100–1000 nm. More importantly, the preparation method is applicable to most molecular ferroelectrics and has no dependency on substrates, showing excellent reproducibility and universality. To demonstrate the application potential, two‐dimensional (2D) transitional metal dichalcogenide semiconductor/molecular ferroelectric heterostructures are prepared and investigated by optical spectroscopic method, proving the possibility of integrating molecular ferroelectrics with 2D layered materials. These results may unlock the potential for preparing and developing high‐performance devices based on molecular ferroelectric thin films.
Single‐Cell Atlas of Human Ovaries Reveals The Role Of The Pyroptotic Macrophage in Ovarian Aging
Authors: Zhou Chuanchuan , Guo Qi , Lin Jiayu , Wang Meng , Zeng Zhi , Li Yujie , Li Xiaolan , Xiang Yuting , Liang Qiqi , Liu Jiawen , Wu Taibao , Zeng Yanyan , He Shanyang , Wang Sanfeng , Zeng Haitao , Liang Xiaoyan
Published: December 2023

Female fecundity declines in a nonlinear manner with age during the reproductive years, even as ovulatory cycles continue, which reduces female fertility, disrupts metabolic homeostasis, and eventually induces various chronic diseases. Despite this, the aging‐related cellular and molecular changes in human ovaries that occur during these reproductive years have not been elucidated. Here, single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) of human ovaries is performed from different childbearing ages and reveals that the activation of the pyroptosis pathway increased with age, mainly in macrophages. The enrichment of pyroptotic macrophages leads to a switch from a tissue‐resident macrophage (TRM)‐involve immunoregulatory microenvironment in young ovaries to a pyroptotic monocyte‐derived macrophage (MDM)‐involved proinflammatory microenvironment in middle‐aged ovaries. This remolded ovarian immuno‐microenvironment further promotes stromal cell senescence and accelerated reproductive decline. This hypothesis is validated in a series of cell and animal experiments using GSDMD‐KO mice. In conclusion, the work expands the current understanding of the ovarian aging process by illustrating a pyroptotic macrophage‐involved immune mechanism, which has important implications for the development of novel strategies to delay senescence and promote reproductive health.
ZnSb Films on Flexible Substrates: Stability, Optical Bandgap, Electrical Properties, and Indium Doping
Authors: Elhoussieny Ibrahim G. , Rehaag Thomas J. , Bell Gavin R.
Published: December 2023

Undoped and In‐doped ZnSb thin films are deposited on rigid glass and flexible polyimide (Kapton) by physical vapor deposition. Detailed structural and chemical characterization is performed along with measurement of electrical and optical properties. These properties are very similar for films on glass and Kapton. Flexible ZnSb films show remarkable stability of electrical and optical properties, which are unchanged after 104 cycles of linear bending with surface strain 0.18%. Only severe flexing after this treatment (torsional bending with surface strain 1.7%) causes progressive degradation of conductivity over tens to hundreds of cycles. The ZnSb optical direct gap is determined to be 0.89 ± 0.05 eV. The optical direct gap of β Zn4Sb3 was 1.07 ± 0.05 eV. Other absorption features in the films, including smaller indirect gaps, are discussed.
Expansion of Telestroke Coverage in Community Hospitals: Unifying Stroke Care and Reducing Transfer Rate
Authors: Alhajala Hisham , Hendricks‐Jones Melinda , Shawver Julie , Amllay Abdelaziz , Chen John Tuhao , Hajjar Monica , Robbins Sarah , Dwyer Trisha , Sedlak Emily , Crayne Christopher , Miller Brian , Kung Vieh , Burgess Richard , Jumaa Mouhammad , Zaidi Syed F.
Published: December 2023

Objective

Telestroke (TS) service has been shown to improve stroke diagnosis timing and accuracy, facilitate treatment decisions, and decrease interfacility transfers. Expanding TS service to inpatient units at the community hospital provides an opportunity to follow up on stroke patients and optimize medical management. This study examines the outcome of expanding TS coverage from acute emergency room triage to incorporate inpatient consultation.

Methods

We studied the effect of expanding TS to inpatient consultation service at 19 regional hospitals affiliated with Promedica Stroke Network. We analyzed data pre‐ and post‐TS expansion. We reviewed changes in TS utilization, admission rate, thrombolytic therapy, patient transfer rate, and diagnosis accuracy.

Results

Between January 2018 and June 2022, a total of 9,756 patients were evaluated in our stroke network (4,705 in pre‐ and 5,051 in the post‐TS expansion). In the post‐TS expansion period, stroke patients' admission at the spoke hospital increased from 18/month to 40/month, and for TIA from 11/month to 16/month. TS cart use increased from 12% to 35.2%. Patient transfers to hub hospital decreased by 31%. TS service expansion did not affect intravenous thrombolytic therapy rate or door‐to‐needle time. There was no difference in length of stay or readmission rate, and the patients at the spoke hospitals had a higher rate of home discharge 57.38% compared with 52.58% at hub hospital.

Interpretation

Telestroke service expansion to inpatient units helped decrease transfers and retain patients in their communities, increased stroke and TIA diagnosis accuracy, and did not compromise patients' hospitalization or outcome. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:576–582
Dihydrobenzothiazole coupled N‐piperazinyl acetamides as antimicrobial agents: Design, synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular docking studies
Authors: Bollikanda Rakesh K. , Nagineni Devendra , Pranathi Abburi Naga , Chirra Nagaraju , Misra Sunil , Kantevari Srinivas
Published: December 2023

Substituted saturated N‐heterocycles have gained momentum as effective scaffolds for the development of new drugs. In this study, we coupled partly saturated benzothiazoles with substituted piperazines and evaluated their antimicrobial activity. Following a three‐step reaction sequence from commercially available cyclic 1,3‐diones, a series of novel 2‐[4‐substituted‐1‐piperazinyl]‐N‐(7‐oxo‐4,5,6,7‐tetrahydrobenzo[d]thiazol‐2‐yl)acetamides (7a–af) were synthesised. 2‐Amino‐5,6‐dihydro‐benzo[d]thiazol‐7(4H)‐ones, obtained through the condensation of cyclohexane‐1,3‐diones with thiourea, were acetylated with chloroacetic chloride and then reacted with N‐substituted piperazines 6a–p to give the desired products 7a–af in excellent yields. All 32 new compounds were fully characterised by their 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 13C‐NMR and high‐resolution mass spectrometry spectra. The synthetic compounds 7a–af were tested in vitro for their efficacy as antimicrobials against pathogenic strains of Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria, Streptococcus mutans and Salmonella typhi, respectively, as well as against fungal strains, including Candida albicans 3018 and C. albicans 4748. Ciprofloxacin and fluconazole served as the reference drugs. While compounds 7c and 7l showed inhibition against fungal strains with zones of inhibition of 11 and 1 mm, respectively, four analogues (7d, 7l, 7n, and 7r) demonstrated strong antibacterial action (zone of inhibition in the range of 10–15 mm). Three compounds (7j, 7l, and 7w) also exhibited moderate antitubercular activity (MIC: 6.25 µg/mL) against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. Molecular docking investigations and the predicted physicochemical and ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) properties for the potent compounds made this scaffold useful as a pharmacologically active framework for the development of potential antimicrobial hits.
Searching for creativity: How people search to generate new ideas
Authors: Chavula Catherine , Choi Yujin , Rieh Soo Young
Published: December 2023

Creativity is one of the critical skills for people in a variety of academic, work, and everyday life contexts. Searching for information is essential to the creative process. Despite the recent increased attention in research on information searching for creative tasks, there is still little understanding of how people search for information to generate novel and useful ideas. This study aims to address three key research questions: (1) What search processes do people engage in while completing creative tasks, (2) what creative thinking strategies are employed when searching to generate ideas, and (3) what challenges do people encounter while searching for creative tasks. The data were collected at a university in the United States using multiple methods, combining pre‐task interviews, search sessions that involved the generation of new ideas, and post‐task interviews. Drawing from the data analysis from 31 interviews and search sessions, we present a conceptual framework for information searching for creative tasks across academic and everyday search contexts. Our findings highlight exploration as a critical search activity when searching to generate ideas. The results of this study enhance our understanding of the relationship between search activities and creative thinking strategies.
Dynamic changes in ocular shape during human development and its implications for retina fovea formation
Authors: Rasys Ashley M. , Wegerski Andrew , Trainor Paul A. , Hufnagel Robert B. , Menke Douglas B. , Lauderdale James D.
Published: December 2023

The human fovea is known for its distinctive pit‐like appearance, which results from the displacement of retinal layers superficial to the photoreceptors cells. The photoreceptors are found at high density within the foveal region but not the surrounding retina. Efforts to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for these unique features have ruled out cell death as an explanation for pit formation and changes in cell proliferation as the cause of increased photoreceptor density. These findings have led to speculation that mechanical forces acting within and on the retina during development underly the formation of foveal architecture. Here we review eye morphogenesis and retinal remodeling in human embryonic development. Our meta‐analysis of the literature suggests that fovea formation is a protracted process involving dynamic changes in ocular shape that start early and continue throughout most of human embryonic development. From these observations, we propose a new model for fovea development.
Comparative pharmacokinetic analysis of sporoderm‐broken and sporoderm‐removed Ganoderma lucidum spore in rat by using a sensitive plasma UPLC–QqQ–MS method
Authors: Chen Dongjie , Zhang Guoliang , Yang Jihong , Yu Huanhuan , Xue Jin , Zhang Lu , Li Zhenhao
Published: December 2023

Previous studies have found that removing the sporoderm significantly enhanced antitumor and immunoregulatory activities of Ganoderma lucidum spore (GLS) compared with breaking the sporoderm. However, the pharmacokinetics of sporoderm‐removed GLS (RGLS) and sporoderm‐broken GLS (BGLS) remain elusive. To compare the pharmacokinetic differences between the two products, we developed a UPLC–QqQ MS method for determining nine representative triterpenoid concentrations. Chloramphenicol was used as an internal standard. The samples were separated on a reversed‐phase column using acetonitrile–0.1% formic acid and water–0.1% formic acid as mobile phases. Nine triterpenoids were analyzed using multiple reaction monitoring mode. The results showed that the area under the concentration–time curve from dosing to time t of all nine components was increased in RGLS compared with BGLS. And the time to the maximum concentration in BGLS was delayed compared with that of RGLS. These indicated that the absorption of RGLS was better than that of BGLS, and the sporoderm might hinder the absorption of the active components. These results increase our understanding of the bioavailability of BGLS and RGLS and indicate that increased bioavailability is one of the main reasons for the enhanced efficacy of RGLS.
Measurement of gravity in laboratories for fundamental physics using mobile devices: An approach from the Internet of Things
Authors: Muñoz‐Hernandez Tatiana , Maria Metaute Ana , Lopera Sepulveda Alex Arbey , Perez‐Taborda Jaime Andres , Montoya Cañola Alcides de Jesus , Aristizabal Ramirez Diego Luis
Published: December 2023

In this work, we present IoT, a freeware application for Android mobile devices that belongs to the remote laboratory platform called IoT.PhysicsSensor Mobile Edition. It incorporates the potentialities of the IoT to acquire, store, visualize, and analyze data using smartphones. This application, integrated into low‐cost hardware, can be used to conduct online and real‐time laboratory practices. Additionally, hundreds of users can be connected to the lab without limiting their participation due to the physical location or equipment available in the facilities. To test the capabilities of the architecture proposed in this work, a practice to measure the value for the acceleration of gravity from a free‐fall experience was designed. A group of 101 students from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia‐Sede Medellin and another of 63 students from Universidad Nacional de Colombia‐Sede de La Paz, Cesar, participated in the practice, thus obtaining results with a high degree of accuracy and precision and excellent reproducibility. This platform is emerging as a critical tool to face the digital transformation of educational environments, including those generated by the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Novel immunotherapeutic options for BCG‐unresponsive high‐risk non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Hannouneh Zein Alabdin , Hijazi Amjad , Alsaleem Alaa Aldeen , Hami Siwan , Kheyrbek Nina , Tanous Fadi , Khaddour Karam , Abbas Abdulfattah , Alshehabi Zuheir
Published: December 2023

Background

High‐risk non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (HR‐NMIBC) presents a challenge to many physicians due to its ability to resist Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) intravesical therapy and the substantial rate of progression into muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Patients who are BCG‐unresponsive have worse prognosis and thus require further management including radical cystectomy (RC), which significantly impacts quality of life. Moreover, the ongoing worldwide shortage of BCG warrants the need for policies that prioritize drug use and utilize alternative treatment strategies. Hence, there is a significant unmet need for bladder preserving therapy in this subset of patients.

Methods

To address this issue, we searched the relevant literature in PUBMED for articles published from 2019 through May of 2023 using appropriate keywords. All clinical trials of patients with HR‐NMIBC treated with immune‐related agents were retrieved from clinicaltrials.gov.

Findings and Future Perspectives

Exploratory treatments for BCG‐Unresponsive HR‐NMIBC included immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), oncolytic viral therapy, cytokine agonists, and other immunomodulators targeting TLR, EpCaM, FGFR, MetAP2, and IDO1. Some combination therapies have been found to work synergistically and are preferred therapeutically over monotherapy. Three drugs—pembrolizumab, valrubicin, and most recently, nadofaragene firadenovec‐vncg—have been FDA approved for the treatment of BCG‐unresponsive NMIBC in patients who are ineligible for or decline RC. However, all explored treatment options tend to postpone RC rather than provide long‐term disease control. Additional combination strategies need to be studied to enhance the effects of immunotherapy. Despite the challenges faced in finding effective therapies, many potential treatments are currently under investigation. Addressing the landscape of biomarkers, mechanisms of progression, BCG resistance, and trial design challenges in HR‐NMIBC is essential for the discovery of new targets and the development of effective treatments.
Balloon‐expandable transcatheter heart valves for treatment of aortic valve stenosis in patients with large aortic annuli: Evaluation of deployment balloon overfilling strategies
Authors: Schneeberger Yvonne , Sarwari Harun , Köll Benedikt , Demal Till J. , Bhadra Oliver D. , von der Heide Ina , Hannen Laura , Grundmann David , Voigtländer Lisa , Waldschmidt Lara , Schirmer Johannes , Pecha Simon , Schofer Niklas , Sörensen Nils , Blankenberg Stefan , Reichenspurner Hermann , Conradi Lenard , Seiffert Moritz , Schaefer Andreas
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using balloon‐expandable (BE) transcatheter heart valves (THV) in aortic annuli above 29 mm includes particular procedural steps, mainly involving overfilling of the deployment balloon. Data on overfilling strategies in clinical daily practice is scarce. We herein aimed for a retrospective description of utilized overfilling strategies in those patients.

Methods

Between January 2016 and December 2022, 45 patients (100% male, 76.9 ± 6.1 years) received TAVI in aortic annuli above 29 mm using a BE THV. Overfilling volumina of the deployment balloon were left to operators' discretion. Clinical and multislice computed tomography data were retrospectively collected. Clinical endpoints were adjudicated in accordance with the updated standardized VARC‐3 definitions.

Results

Profound overfilling (+4/5 mL) was used in patients with a mild calcium burden (˂750 mm³) even in aortic annuli of 29.0–30.0 mm. Nominal/slight overfilling (+1 mL) was used in aortic annuli up to 32.5 mm but an intermediate to severe calcific burden (>750–3200 mm³). Accordingly, a low calcification group (˂750 mm³, n = 17) compared to a significant calcification group (≥750 mm³, n = 28), presented with higher overfilling volumina (2.1 ± 1.4 vs. 0.8 ± 1.0; p ˂ 0.001), although aortic annulus diameter was not different (29.8 ± 0.8 vs. 29.9 ± 0.9 mm; p = 0.7). All‐cause 30‐day mortality was 0%. Device success was 97.8%. Transvalvular mean pressure gradient at discharge was 9.5 ± 3.6 mmHg. No case of PVL >mild was documented.

Conclusion

Extent of overfilling of the deployment balloon largely depends on calcification burden in addition to aortic annulus diameter with significant and profound overfilling particularly in patients with a calcification burden of the aortic valve complex ˂750 mm³.
The international HTA database returned incomplete search results for NICE technology appraisals: An exploratory study and discussion of the implications
Authors: Cooper Christopher , Smith Sabrina
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment (INAHTA) database offers a single point of access for identifying technology appraisals, in contrast to searching multiple websites directly. The aim of this research is to compare the coverage of the INAHTA and Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) databases with direct searching on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) website to identify Technology Appraisals published by NICE.

Methods

NICE Technology Appraisals were downloaded from the NICE website (April 2022). Technology Appraisals were randomized and the first 20 Technology Appraisals constituted data for analysis. The INAHTA and CRD HTA databases were searched to determine if the 20 Technology Appraisals available on the NICE website were also available for retrieval.

Results

Coverage was incomplete. INAHTA: 15 of 20 Technology Appraisals (75%) were not identified via full title or intervention‐specific searches. CRD HTA: 7 of 12 Technology Appraisals (58%) that were published before the last update of the database were not identified.

Conclusion

Findings indicate that researchers seeking to identify NICE Technology Appraisals should search the NICE website directly. How this finding impacts identification of guidance from other agencies should be evaluated.
Synthesis and Characterization of Ionic Li+@C70 Endohedral Fullerene
Authors: Ueno Hiroshi , Kitabatake Daiki , Mabuchi Takuya , Aoyagi Shinobu , Itoh Takashi , Deng Ting , Misaizu Fuminori
Published: December 2023

Ion‐endohedral‐fullerene has attracted growing interest due to the unique electronic and structural characteristics arising from its distinctive ionic nature. Although there has been only one reported ion‐encapsulated fullerene, Li+@C60, a significant number of fundamental and applied studies have been conducted, making a substantial impact not only in chemistry and physics but also across various interdisciplinary research fields. Nevertheless, studies on ion‐endohedral fullerenes are still in their infancy due to the limitations in variety, and hence, it remains an open question how the size and symmetry of fullerene, as well as the motion and position of the encapsulated ion, affect their physical/chemical properties. Herein, we report the synthesis of lithium‐ion‐endohedral [70]fullerene (Li+@C70 X−, X=PF6− and TFSI−), a novel ionic endohedral fullerene. X‐ray crystallography confirmed the encapsulation of Li+ by C70 cage as well as its ion‐pair structure stabilized by external TFSI− counter anion. The encapsulated Li+ drastically lowered the orbital energy of the C70 cage by Coulomb interactions but did not affect the orbital energy gap and degeneracy. DFT studies were also performed, which supported the experimentally observed electronic effects caused by the encapsulated Li+.
Successful Prediction of Human Hepatic Concentrations of Transported Drugs Using the Proteomics‐Informed Relative Expression Factor Approach
Authors: Yin Mengyue , Balhara Ankit , Marie Solène , Tournier Nicolas , Gáborik Zsuzsanna , Unadkat Jashvant D.
Published: December 2023

Tissue drug concentrations determine the efficacy and toxicity of drugs. When a drug is the substrate of transporters that are present at the blood:tissue barrier, the steady‐state unbound tissue drug concentrations cannot be predicted from their corresponding plasma concentrations. To accurately predict transporter‐modulated tissue drug concentrations, all clearances (CLs) mediating the drug's entry and exit (including metabolism) from the tissue must be accurately predicted. Because primary cells of most tissues are not available, we have proposed an alternative approach to predict such CLs, that is the use of transporter‐expressing cells/vesicles (TECs/TEVs) and relative expression factor (REF). The REF represents the abundance of the relevant transporters in the tissue vs. in the TECs/TEVs. Here, we determined the transporter‐based intrinsic CL of glyburide (GLB) and pitavastatin (PTV) in OATP1B1, OATP1B3, OATP2B1, and NTCP‐expressing cells and MRP3‐, BCRP‐, P‐gp‐, and MRP2‐expressing vesicles and scaled these CLs to in vivo using REF. These predictions fell within a priori set twofold range of the hepatobiliary CLs of GLB and PTV, estimated from their hepatic positron emission tomography imaging data: 272.3 and 607.8 mL/min for in vivo hepatic sinusoidal uptake CL, 47.8 and 17.4 mL/min for sinusoidal efflux CL, and 0 and 4.20 mL/min for biliary efflux CL, respectively. Moreover, their predicted hepatic concentrations (area under the hepatic concentration‐time curve (AUC) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax)), fell within twofold of their mean observed data. These data, together with our previous findings, confirm that the REF approach can successfully predict transporter‐based drug CLs and tissue concentrations to enhance success in drug development.
The spillover effects of positive and negative corporate social responsibility publicity: How and why the effect is lessened versus amplified
Authors: Jung Sojin , Shin Daeun Chloe , Woo Hongjoo , Jin Byoungho Ellie
Published: December 2023

Built on the categorization theory and Herzberg's dual‐factor theory, this study consisted of two experiments to investigate how and when small brands were affected by the corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance of other brands in the same product category. This study specifically focused on the type of CSR publicity (positive vs. negative), brand fit (high vs. low), and other brands' leadership positions (high vs. low). The results of Study 1 (156 U.S. consumers) revealed that a leading brand's CSR activities can increase consumers' CSR expectations toward another big brand more than that toward a small brand, by setting up consumers' CSR expectation standards toward the industry as a whole. That is, the big brand's CSR performance was less likely to increase CSR expectations toward the small brand. Study 2 (244 U.S. consumers) confirmed that a brand's CSR activities positively influence its product attitude. In addition, the effect of a small brand's negative CSR publicity on its product attitude was mitigated by other brands' similar publicity. In contrast, other brands' publicity did not amplify the effect of a small brand's positive CSR publicity. These findings manifested small brands were conditionally influenced by other brands in the same category. This suggested that small brands should strategically allocate resources to fulfill CSR by determining their position relative to leading brands as well as to other players in the market.
Control tuning methodology for modular multilevel converter‐based STATCOM
Authors: Sousa Renata O. , Cupertino Allan , Pinto Jonathan H. D. G. , Morais Lenin M. F. , Pereira Heverton A. , Teodorescu Remus
Published: December 2023

The application of modular multilevel converters (MMC) in medium voltage static synchronous compensators (STATCOMs) has been investigated in recent years. A huge challenge for MMC‐STATCOM is to compute the gain of the controllers. Therefore, the contribution of this paper is the proposal of a control tuning methodology for MMC‐STATCOM. For this purpose, the control and tuning strategies are presented. Since MMC‐STATCOM can employ different modulation strategies, two distinct modulation strategies are considered: nearest‐level control, with variable switching frequency; and phase‐shifted carrier pulse‐width modulation, with fixed switching frequency. Moreover, the proposal was validated through simulation and an experimental platform. The results indicate that the power response follows the reference, besides supplying the internal losses of the converter. The 10% ripple tolerance of the submodule voltages is respected in steady state for both modulation strategies. Moreover, the 5% total demand distortion (TDD) limit recommended by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard is attended. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the controls employed.
Arthropods and the skin
Authors: Jabin Mohamad , Salem Yousef , Burningham Kevin , Shalabi Mojahed Mohammad K. , Tyring Stephen K.
Published: December 2023

Arthropods are responsible for most of the animal‐related emergency room visits each year, and nonvenomous arthropods cause the greatest number of animal‐related deaths in the emergency setting. Physicians should recognize the sequela of common and lethal arthropod bites and stings as they can range from asymptomatic or mild pruritus to fatal anaphylactic reactions. This chapter provides an update on recent advancements in the dermatological manifestations, pathophysiology, and management of conditions caused by arthropod bites and stings. Key topics include emerging treatments for pediculosis, characteristic rashes of mosquito‐borne viral diseases, cutaneous lesions in Chagas disease, new Lyme disease vaccine development, topical Spinosad for scabies, and Loxosceles venom composition and early use of antivenom. Recent research reveals progress in understanding arthropod‐related dermatologic diseases but also persistent knowledge gaps in the literature. This focused update delivers a concise overview of current concepts and developments at the intersection of arthropods and dermatology for clinicians.
Incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents under 20 years of age across 55 countries from 2000 to 2022: A systematic review with meta‐analysis
Authors: Hormazábal‐Aguayo Ignacio , Ezzatvar Yasmin , Huerta‐Uribe Nidia , Ramírez‐Vélez Robinson , Izquierdo Mikel , García‐Hermoso Antonio
Published: December 2023

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine the global incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in children and adolescents under 20 years of age from 2000 to 2022.

Materials and Methods

Two reviewers searched three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL) for studies published between January 2000 and November 2022. Pooled estimates of T1DM incidence with a 95% confidence interval (CI) per 100,000 person‐years were calculated by country/region, sex, age, and COVID‐19 pandemic period (pre‐COVID‐19 and pandemic).

Results

The study included 126 studies from 55 countries and 18 regions. The incidence rate (IR) of T1DM from 2000 to 2022 was 14.07 (95%CI, 12.15–16.29) per 100,000 person‐years. Finland and high‐income North America had the highest IR, with 56.81 (95%CI, 55.91–57.73) and 28.77 (95%CI, 26.59–31.13) per 100,000 person‐years, respectively. The IR was 13.37 (95%CI, 10.60–16.88) per 100,000 person‐years in boys and 13.87 (95%CI, 11.51–16.70) per 100,000 person‐years in girls. There were statistically significant differences among different age ranges: 0–4 versus 5–9 and 10–14 years old (p < 0.001); 5–9 versus 15–19 (p < 0.001) and 10–14 versus 15–19 years old (p = 0.003). Finally, during the pandemic period (2020–2022), the IR was 24.84 (95%CI, 17.16–35.96) per 100,000 person‐years, which was higher but not significant compared with the prepandemic period (2017–2019) of 13.56 (95%CI, 7.49–24.56) per 100,000 person‐years (p = 0.090).

Conclusions

The IR of T1DM in children and adolescents under 20 years of age is substantial, especially during the pandemic period, although it varies across regions. More reliable data from additional countries are needed to determine the worldwide incidence of T1DM.