bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of e‐government services on customer satisfaction in the private sector: A case study of the Kingdom of Bahrain (SIJILAT), an online commercial registration
Authors: AL‐Kaabi Reem
Published: May 2023

Countless e‐government program initiatives have been introduced to profit each section of society in the Kingdom of Bahrain: citizens, residents, government entities, and workers' business ventures. It is getting more important to have e‐Government systems to supply services to businesses that use them (e‐G2B). To improve the Kingdom's national economy, the Information and Government Authority (IGA) has launched a virtual one‐stop solution available through multiple channels offering a unified service where citizens and Commercial Registration holders can use a single streamlined form to apply, renew or terminate multiple licenses concurrently; this is the Business License Information System (SIJILAT). This study aims to assess Bahraini customers' satisfaction with the SIJILAT service. A quantitative method is followed with a questionnaire to gather data; six factors: accessibility, information, security, reliability, trust, and perceived ease of use found to effectively affect service quality, and, in which it affects positively and enhances customer satisfaction. The theoretical contribution of this research will enhance the theoretical literature and knowledge related to its topic. The current research will contribute to the few studies conducted in Bahrain and the Middle East on e‐government and customer satisfaction with these services. A key outcome of the research will be the ability of e‐government officials who make decisions to determine the significant factors that play a role in G2B success, particularly ones to which they should pay attention to obtain the maximum return on their technology investment.
Disruptive technologies for smart farming in developing countries: Tomato leaf disease recognition systems based on machine learning
Authors: Kovvuri Ravichandra Reddy , Kaushik Abhishek , Yadav Sargam
Published: May 2023

Food security is a major concern in every developing country. Farmers face many problems while cultivating plants and they must take precautions at every stage of cultivation. Plants get diseases for various reasons like bacteria, insects, and fungus. Some diseases can be detected by examining the symptoms on the leaves. Early detection of diseases is a major concern and may require a thorough examination of the plants by an agricultural professional. This process is expensive and time taking. Machine learning (ML) algorithms help in image recognition and can be used to detect diseases on time without the need of an agricultural professional. In this project, the diseases in tomato leaves will be detected using image processing. The data from the images are extracted using different vectorization methods and classification algorithms like logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), and k‐nearest neighbors (KNN). Vectors of size 32 × 32 and 64 × 64 are used for training with normalizer scaling and no scaling. Out of the different approaches that were explored, SVM with the radial basis function (RBF) kernel gives the highest accuracy of 85% with no scaling and 64 × 64 image dimension.
Characteristics of transcription profile, adhesion and migration of SETD2‐loss Met‐5A mesothelial cells exposed with crocidolite
Authors: Yang Dan , Chen Chiyun , Xia Hailing , Chen Junqiang , Yu Min
Published: May 2023

Asbestos is a fibrous silicate mineral exhibiting biopersistence and carcinogenic properties and contributes to mesothelioma. Despite the concept of gene‐environmental interaction in pathogenesis of mesothelioma, the possible pathophysiological changes of mesothelial cells simultaneously with SET domain containing 2 (SETD2) loss and asbestos exposure remains obscure. Herein, CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated SETD2 knockout Met‐5A mesothelial cells (Met‐5ASETD2‐KO) were established and exposed with crocidolite, an amphibole asbestos. Cell viability of Met‐5ASETD2‐KO appeared to dramatically decrease with ≥2.5 μg/cm2 crocidolite exposure as compared with Met‐5A, although no cytotoxicity and apoptosis changes of Met‐5ASETD2‐KO and Met‐5A was evident with 1.25 μg/cm2 crocidolite exposure for 48 h. RNA sequencing uncovered top 50 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between 1.25 μg/cm2 crocidolite exposed Met‐5ASETD2‐KO (Cro‐Met‐5ASETD2‐KO) and 1.25 μg/cm2 crocidolite exposed Met‐5A (Cro‐Met‐5A), and ITGA4, THBS2, MYL7, RAC2, CADM1, and CLDN11 appeared to be the primary DEGs involved with adhesion in gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. Cro‐Met‐5ASETD2‐KO had strong migration but mild adhesion behavior as compared with Cro‐Met‐5A. Additionally, crocidolite tended to increase migration of Met‐5ASETD2‐KO but inhibited migration of Met‐5A when compared with their corresponding cells without crocidolite exposure, although no further adhesion property changes was evident for both cells in response to crocidolite. Therefore, crocidolite may affect adhesion‐related gene expression and modify adhesion and migration behavior for SETD2‐depleted Met‐5A, which could provide preliminary insight regarding the potential role of SETD2 in the cell behavior of asbestos‐related malignant mesothelial cell.
Being a mentor in the digital era: An exploratory study of the benefits undergraduate student mentors derived from providing virtual mentoring to youth
Authors: Andersen Tia S. , Wellen Hadley
Published: May 2023

The purpose of the study was to understand mentors' perceptions of the benefits they derived from providing virtual mentoring to youth at risk of school failure and justice system involvement in an alternative school‐based mentoring program. Using data collected from 38 university student mentors, we used a qualitative case study design focused on generating highly credible descriptions of mentors' perceptions of how they were affected by their experiences providing virtual mentoring. The three conceptual themes that emerged in our analysis were that virtual mentors described experiencing the following outcomes: (1) the reduction of biases and development of cultural humility, (2) the development of communication and leadership skills, and (3) a cultivation of civic responsibility and a sense of empowerment to make a difference. These findings suggest that providing virtual mentoring to youth may be one important tool for building competencies for undergraduate students.
Preparation of hydrochar by one‐step hydrothermal carbonization with potassium ferrate‐assisted activation for the removal of tetracycline in water
Authors: He Tong , Zhou Xuesong , Bao Zhichao , Fu Shiyu , Lin Xiuyi
Published: May 2023

BACKGROUND

Woody biomass has a low hydrothermal‐carbonization (HTC) degree and the hydrolysis process of some of its components is similar to that of saccharides. To improve the adsorption performance of wood‐chips hydrothermal char (hydrochar) for tetracycline in water, molasses and potassium ferrate (K2FeO4) were added to its HTC process; K2FeO4 catalyzed the carbonization of raw materials and the surface of wood chips and saccharides in molasses, along with the iron ions mutually polymerized, added more reactive‐oxygen functional groups to the hydrochar surface. The effects of K2FeO4 and molasses on the morphology, pore structure, surface oxygen‐containing functional groups, and tetracycline‐adsorption properties of hydrothermal carbon were investigated.

RESULTS

The strong oxidizing properties of K2FeO4 promoted the hydrolysis of raw material. The modified hydrochar formed more oxygen‐containing functional groups and produced FeO bonds with an increased specific surface area. For the adsorption of tetracycline in water, the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model and Freundlich isotherm were more consistent with the hydrochar‐adsorption process. The adsorption mechanism favored a combination of physical and chemical adsorption, with chemisorption being predominant. The maximum tetracycline‐adsorption capacity of HTC–0.15Fe was 119.7 mg g−1, which is significantly higher than that of unmodified hydrochar HTC‐C (56.4 mg g−1). Furthermore, molasses addition effectively improved the hydrochar structure, forming carbon‐coated iron‐core particles on its surface, which increased adsorption performance.

CONCLUSION

K2FeO4‐catalyzed hydrochar produced from wood chips and sugarcane molasses is an effective adsorbent for tetracycline removal from water. This work provides innovative insights into the recycling and effective use of wood chips and molasses for environmental remediation and waste treatment. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Sub‐types of insomnia in adolescents: Insights from a quantitative/molecular twin study
Authors: Madrid‐Valero Juan J. , Rijsdijk Frühling , Selzam Saskia , Zavos Helena M. S. , Schneider Melanie , Ronald Angelica , Gregory Alice M.
Published: May 2023

Background

Insomnia with short sleep duration has been postulated as more severe than that accompanied by normal/long sleep length. While the short duration subtype is considered to have greater genetic influence than the other subtype, no studies have addressed this question. This study aimed to compare these subtypes in terms of: (1) the heritability of insomnia symptoms; (2) polygenic scores (PGS) for insomnia symptoms and sleep duration; (3) the associations between insomnia symptoms and a wide variety of traits/disorders.

Methods

The sample comprised 4000 pairs of twins aged 16 from the Twins Early Development Study. Twin models were fitted to estimate the heritability of insomnia in both groups. PGS were calculated for self‐reported insomnia and sleep duration and compared among participants with short and normal/long sleep duration.

Results

Heritability was not significantly different in the short sleep duration group (A = 0.13 [95%CI = 0.01, 0.32]) and the normal/long sleep duration group (A = 0.35 [95%CI = 0.29, 0.40]). Shared environmental factors accounted for a substantial proportion of the variance in the short sleep duration group (C = 0.19 [95%CI = 0.05, 0.32]) but not in the normal/long sleep duration group (C = 0.00 [95%CI = 0.00, 0.04]). PGS did not differ significantly between groups although results were in the direction expected by the theory. Our results also showed that insomnia with short (as compared to normal/long) sleep duration had a stronger association with anxiety and depression (p < .05)—although not once adjusting for multiple testing.

Conclusions

We found mixed results in relation to the expected differences between the insomnia subtypes in adolescents. Future research needs to further establish cut‐offs for ‘short’ sleep at different developmental stages and employ objective measures of sleep.
M2 macrophage marker CHI3L2 could serve as a potential prognostic and immunological biomarker in glioma by integrated single‐cell and bulk RNA‐Seq analysis
Authors: Qian Wenbo , Wang Qi , Zhang Chi , Zhu Junle , Zhang Qing , Luo Chun
Published: May 2023

Background

CHI3L2 plays a crucial role in multiple cancers, but its importance in glioma remains unclear. Hence, we comprehensively integrated bulk RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐seq), proteomics and single‐cell RNA‐seq (scRNA‐seq) to determine the roles of CHI3L2 in gliomas.

Methods

Bulk RNA‐seq, proteomics and scRNA‐seq data of CHI3L2 in glioma were obtained from online databases. The quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were conducted to verify the CHI3L2 expression. Then, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, Norman charts and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed. Finally, the associations between CHI3L2 and tumor immunity were explored.

Results

The expression of CHI3L2 was markedly higher in glioma cancers compared with normal tissues from analysis of the data of the Cancer Genome Atlas and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas datasets and as verified by GSE4290, GSE50161, qRT‐PCR and IHC results (p < 0.05). High expression of CHI3L2 suggested poor overall survival (OS) prognosis in gliomas (p < 0.05). CHI3L2 might also serve as an independent predictor of OS for gliomas (p < 0.05) and we also constructed a Norman chart to predict these patients’ survival prognosis with good performance. GSEA analysis showed that CHI3L2 might be involved with eight pathways in gliomas. Regarding tumor immunity, CHI3L2 was found to be significantly involved with immune cell infiltration levels of low‐grade glioma, the tumor immune microenvironment, immune checkpoints and immune cells in both low‐grade glioma and glioblastoma (p < 0.05). Additionally, scRNA‐seq data for CHI3L2 in glioma from the TISCH2 website showed that CHI3L2 is mainly expressed in astrocytes, endothelial cells, CD8+ T cells, mono/macrophage cells, etc.

Conclusions

CHI3L2 presents prognostic and immunological values in glioma, providing novel therapeutic targets for glioma patients.
Making Learning Visible: Observable Correlates of the Aha! Moment when Moving from Surface to Deep Thinking
Authors: Berckley Jay , Hattie John
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this study is to provide reliable evidence of the observable correlates of the Aha! moment and what this means for moving from surface to deep thinking. The study analyses facial expressions and body language from video recordings of students solving problems, followed by interviews, focus groups, and surveys. The problem‐solving involved asking students to solve word problems to generate an Aha! moment and seeing how their expressions changed (or not) when they ascertained the correct answer. Findings showed clear facial, emotional, and body language changes when the problems were solved. Implications for teaching are discussed.
Grüneisen parameters, bulk modulus, and thermal expansion coefficient of Na3MCO3PO4 (M = Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni) carbonophosphates
Authors: Amaral Ian R. , Vasconcelos Daniel M. , Souza Filho Antonio G. , Oliveira Victor V. , Alencar Rafael S. , de Menezes Alan S. , Lobato Raphael L. M. , Montoro Luciano A.
Published: May 2023

Technological advances in recent decades have made the growing demand for energy one of the main bottlenecks for the development of more complex equipment and processes, requiring a constant search to more efficient materials and techniques that increase the efficiency of energy storage devices. Making use of Raman, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and first‐principles calculation techniques, applied in Na3MCO3PO4 (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) carbonophosphates in a wide range of pressure and temperature, several thermoelastic and structural parameters were determined. Grüneisen parameters, bulk modulus, and thermal expansion coefficient, as well as the anisotropy under pressure and temperature change, were satisfactorily quantified, characterizing the distinct molecular ambient from the carbonate and phosphate groups of these materials. The results indicate an increasing stiffness and a greater anharmonic contribution as we move towards a more compact structure, indicating an increase in its phonon–phonon interaction.
Development and application of fruit and vegetable based green films with natural bio‐actives in meat and dairy products: a review
Authors: Thakur Neha , Raposo António
Published: May 2023

In recent years, foodborne outbreaks and food plastic waste accumulation in the environment have impelled a hunt for new, sustainable, novel and innovatory food packaging interventions to face microbial contamination, food quality and safety. Pollution caused from wastes generated by agricultural activities is one of chief rising concerns of the environmentalists across the globe. A solution to this problem is effective and economic valorization of residues from agriculture sector. It would ensure that the by‐products/residues from one activity act as ingredients/raw materials for another industry. An example is fruit and vegetable waste based green films for food packaging. Edible packaging is a well‐researched area of science where numerous biomaterials have been already explored. Along with dynamic barrier properties, these biofilms often exhibit antioxidant and antimicrobial properties as function of the bioactive additives (e.g. essential oils) often incorporated in them. Additionally, these films are made competent by use of recent technologies (e.g. encapsulation, nano‐emulsions, radio‐sensors) to ensure high end performance and meet the principles of sustainability. Livestock products such as meat, poultry and dairy products are highly perishable and depend largely upon the mercy of packaging materials to enhance their shelf life. In this review, all the above‐mentioned aspects are thoroughly covered with a view to project fruit and vegetable based green films (FVBGFs) as a potential and viable packaging material for livestock products, along with a discussion on role of bio‐additives, technological interventions, properties and potential applications of FVBGFs in livestock products. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
The Ultrasound Window Into Vascular Ageing: A Technology Review by the VascAgeNet COST Action
Authors: Bianchini Elisabetta , Guala Andrea , Golemati Spyretta , Alastruey Jordi , Climie Rachel E. , Dalakleidi Kalliopi , Francesconi Martina , Fuchs Dieter , Hartman Yvonne , Malik Afrah E.F. , Makūnaitė Monika , Nikita Konstantina S. , Park Chloe , Pugh Christopher J. A. , Šatrauskienė Agnė , Terentes‐Printizios Dimitrios , Teynor Alexandra , Thijssen Dick , Schmidt‐Trucksäss Arno , Zupkauskienė Jūratė , Boutouyrie Pierre , Bruno Rosa Maria , Reesink Koen D.
Published: May 2023

Non‐invasive ultrasound (US) imaging enables the assessment of the properties of superficial blood vessels. Various modes can be used for vascular characteristics analysis, ranging from radiofrequency (RF) data, Doppler‐ and standard B/M‐mode imaging, to more recent ultra‐high frequency and ultrafast techniques. The aim of the present work was to provide an overview of the current state‐of‐the‐art non‐invasive US technologies and corresponding vascular ageing characteristics from a technological perspective. Following an introduction about the basic concepts of the US technique, the characteristics considered in this review are clustered into: 1) vessel wall structure; 2) dynamic elastic properties, and 3) reactive vessel properties. The overview shows that ultrasound is a versatile, non‐invasive, and safe imaging technique that can be adopted for obtaining information about function, structure, and reactivity in superficial arteries. The most suitable setting for a specific application must be selected according to spatial and temporal resolution requirements. The usefulness of standardization in the validation process and performance metric adoption emerges. Computer‐based techniques should always be preferred to manual measures, as long as the algorithms and learning procedures are transparent and well described, and the performance leads to better results. Identification of a minimal clinically important difference is a crucial point for drawing conclusions regarding robustness of the techniques and for the translation into practice of any biomarker.
On the n‐th linear polarization constant of Rn$\mathbb {R}^n$
Authors: Pinasco Damián
Published: May 2023

We prove that given any set of n unit vectors , the inequality
holds for . Moreover, the equality is attained if and only if is an orthonormal system.
Atomic decomposition for preduals of Sobolev multiplier spaces
Authors: Ooi Keng Hao
Published: May 2023

We characterize the preduals of Sobolev multiplier spaces by means of atomic decomposition. It will be shown that the vanishing integral condition plays a main role in the atomic decomposition. Certain subspaces of the preduals which consist of functions with vanishing integrals are also studied.
Levodopa Dose Equivalency in Parkinson's Disease: Updated Systematic Review and Proposals
Authors: Jost Stefanie T. , Kaldenbach Marie‐Ann , Antonini Angelo , Martinez‐Martin Pablo , Timmermann Lars , Odin Per , Katzenschlager Regina , Borgohain Rupam , Fasano Alfonso , Stocchi Fabrizio , Hattori Nobutaka , Kukkle Prashanth Lingappa , Rodríguez‐Violante Mayela , Falup‐Pecurariu Cristian , Schade Sebastian , Petry‐Schmelzer Jan Niklas , Metta Vinod , Weintraub Daniel , Deuschl Guenther , Espay Alberto J. , Tan Eng‐King , Bhidayasiri Roongroj , Fung Victor S.C. , Cardoso Francisco , Trenkwalder Claudia , Jenner Peter , Ray Chaudhuri K. , Dafsari Haidar S. ,   the International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society Non‐Motor Parkinson Disease Study Group
Published: May 2023

Background

To compare drug regimens across clinical trials in Parkinson's disease (PD) conversion formulae between antiparkinsonian drugs have been developed. These are reported in relation to levodopa as the benchmark drug in PD pharmacotherapy as ‘levodopa equivalent dose’ (LED). Currently, the LED conversion formulae proposed in 2010 by Tomlinson et al. based on a systematic review are predominantly used. However, new drugs with established and novel mechanisms of action and novel formulations of longstanding drugs have been developed since 2010. Therefore, consensus proposals for updated LED conversion formulae are needed.

Objectives

To update LED conversion formulae based on a systematic review.

Methods

The MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and Embase databases were searched from January 2010 to July 2021. Additionally, in a standardized process according to the GRADE grid method, consensus proposals were issued for drugs with scarce data on levodopa dose equivalency.

Results

The systematic database search yielded 3076 articles of which 682 were eligible for inclusion in the systematic review. Based on these data and the standardized consensus process, we present proposals for LED conversion formulae for a wide range of drugs that are currently available for the pharmacotherapy of PD or are expected to be introduced soon.

Conclusions

The LED conversion formulae issued in this Position Paper will serve as a research tool to compare the equivalence of antiparkinsonian medication across PD study cohorts and facilitate research on the clinical efficacy of pharmacological and surgical treatments as well as other non‐pharmacological interventions in PD. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation: From Experimental Evidence Toward Practical Implementation
Authors: Neumann Wolf‐Julian , Gilron Roee , Little Simon , Tinkhauser Gerd
Published: May 2023

Closed‐loop adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS) can deliver individualized therapy at an unprecedented temporal precision for neurological disorders. This has the potential to lead to a breakthrough in neurotechnology, but the translation to clinical practice remains a significant challenge. Via bidirectional implantable brain‐computer‐interfaces that have become commercially available, aDBS can now sense and selectively modulate pathophysiological brain circuit activity. Pilot studies investigating different aDBS control strategies showed promising results, but the short experimental study designs have not yet supported individualized analyses of patient‐specific factors in biomarker and therapeutic response dynamics. Notwithstanding the clear theoretical advantages of a patient‐tailored approach, these new stimulation possibilities open a vast and mostly unexplored parameter space, leading to practical hurdles in the implementation and development of clinical trials. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the neurophysiological and neurotechnological aspects related to aDBS is crucial to develop evidence‐based treatment regimens for clinical practice. Therapeutic success of aDBS will depend on the integrated development of strategies for feedback signal identification, artifact mitigation, signal processing, and control policy adjustment, for precise stimulation delivery tailored to individual patients. The present review introduces the reader to the neurophysiological foundation of aDBS for Parkinson's disease (PD) and other network disorders, explains currently available aDBS control policies, and highlights practical pitfalls and difficulties to be addressed in the upcoming years. Finally, it highlights the importance of interdisciplinary clinical neurotechnological research within and across DBS centers, toward an individualized patient‐centered approach to invasive brain stimulation. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Fixel‐Based Analysis Reveals Whole‐Brain White Matter Abnormalities in Cervical Dystonia
Authors: Zito Giuseppe A. , Tarrano Clément , Ouarab Salim , Jegatheesan Prasanthi , Ekmen Asya , Béranger Benoît , Valabregue Romain , Hubsch Cécile , Sangla Sophie , Bonnet Cécilia , Delorme Cécile , Méneret Aurélie , Degos Bertrand , Bouquet Floriane , Apoil Brissard Marion , Vidailhet Marie , Hasboun Dominique , Worbe Yulia , Roze Emmanuel , Gallea Cécile
Published: May 2023

Background

Cervical dystonia (CD) is a form of isolated focal dystonia typically associated to abnormal head, neck, and shoulder movements and postures. The complexity of the clinical presentation limits the investigation of its pathophysiological mechanisms, and the neural networks associated to specific motor manifestations are still the object of debate.

Objectives

We investigated the morphometric properties of white matter fibers in CD and explored the networks associated with motor symptoms, while regressing out nonmotor scores.

Methods

Nineteen patients affected by CD and 21 healthy controls underwent diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging. We performed fixel‐based analysis, a novel method evaluating fiber orientation within specific fiber bundles, and compared fiber morphometric properties between groups. Moreover, we correlated fiber morphometry with the severity of motor symptoms in patients.

Results

Compared to controls, patients exhibited decreased white matter fibers in the right striatum. Motor symptom severity negatively correlated with white matter fibers passing through inferior parietal areas and the head representation area of the motor cortex.

Conclusions

Abnormal white matter integrity at the basal ganglia level may affect several functional networks involved, for instance, in motor preparation and execution, visuomotor coordination, and multimodal integration. This may result in progressive maladaptive plasticity, culminating in overt symptoms of dystonia. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Scattering properties of the nonlinear eigenvalue‐dependent Sturm‐Liouville equations with sign‐alternating weight and jump condition
Authors: Coskun Nimet
Published: May 2023

This paper aims to investigate the scattering function and discrete spectrum of the impulsive Sturm‐Liouville type differential operator with a turning point and nonlinear eigenparameter‐dependent boundary condition. Using hyperbolic type representations of the fundamental solutions, the operator's discrete spectrum was constructed. We presented asymptotic equations for the fundamental solutions and the Jost function. Finally, we stated an example to demonstrate the paper's major points.
Histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis of testicular morphology and spermatogenesis in Gymnotus carapo (Teleostei: Gymnotidae)
Authors: Sabrina Méndez Galarza , Gabriela Olea , Tania Blanco Cohene , Dante Perez , Carolina Flores Quintana
Published: May 2023

This work aims to study the testicular morphology and spermatogenesis of Gymnotus carapo to provide information on their reproductive biology which is useful in managing this species as a fishing resource. The testicles were isolated and fixed in 10% formalin; subsequently, they were processed for scanning electron microscopy with conventional histological technique. To analyze the cell proliferation of germline cells and Sertoli cells, immunodetection of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein was performed. In G. carapo spermatogenesis, the spermatogenic line is organized into cysts. Spermatogonia A is characterized by more bigger and solitary cells. Spermatogonia B are smaller cells; their nucleus has a larger area concerning the cytoplasm and is grouped in tubules. Spermatocytes (I–II) are smaller than spermatogonia in the prophase of meiotic division. Spermatids are cells with dense, rounded nucleus. The sperm were found in the lumen of the tubule. By immunostaining PCNA, it was possible to observe the proliferative activity of germ line cells and Sertoli cells during the cyst reorganization phase. These results are the basis for future studies focusing on the analysis compared to females of the reproductive cycle of G. carapo.
Screening of silent myocardial ischaemia using a stress test in rheumatoid arthritis patients: Association with traditional risk factors and disease activity
Authors: Rouached Leila , Tekaya Rawdha , Ben Ayed Hiba , Bouden Selma , Ben Tekaya Aicha , Ben Ahmed Habib , Mahmoud Ines , Saidane Olfa , Abdelmoula Leila
Published: May 2023

Introduction

We aimed to screen the presence of silent myocardial ischaemia, in established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, using a stress test then to evaluate its association with the disease activity and the cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and Heartscore.

Methods

It is a transversal study in a rheumatologic centre in Tunisia. One hundred three RA patients, asymptomatic for CV diseases, were submitted to a stress test. Demographic data, CV risk factors and disease characteristics were assessed and risk factors of silent myocardial ischaemia in RA patients were identified.

Results

There were 103 patients (sex‐ratio = 0.3) with a mean age of 53 ± 10 years. The evaluation of the disease activity showed that the mean Disease Activity Score in 28 joints C‐reactive protein, Clinical Disease Activity Index and Simplified Disease Activity Index were 3.9 ± 1.38, 17.17 ± 11.4 and 33.39 ± 26, respectively. The ischaemic ratio (CT/HDL) revealed that 42% of patients had a moderate to high myocardial ischaemic risk. HeartSCORE was high in 35% of cases. A silent myocardial ischaemia in the stress test was found in 11 patients (10.6%) and was associated with male sex (p = 0.03), advanced age (p = 0.04), erosive character (p = 0.05), the advanced age of the RA diagnosis (p = 0.01) and the ischaemic ratio (p = 0.05). No relationship was found with the majority of traditional CV risk factors nor with disease activity variables.

Conclusion

Our results corroborated the hypothesis that the stress test could reveal subclinical CV dysfunction and supported the utility of the Heartscore as a screening tool.
Plane‐strain model for large strain consolidation induced by vacuum‐assisted prefabricated horizontal drains
Authors: Song Ding‐Bao , Pu He‐Fu , Yin Zhen‐Yu , Min Ming , Qiu Jin‐Wei
Published: May 2023

Vacuum‐assisted prefabricated horizontal drain (PHD) can be used to accelerate the consolidation process of dredged mud slurry with high water content, and this method exhibits advantages over traditional treatment methods that use prefabricated vertical drain (PVD). However, large‐strain model that can simulate soil consolidation induced by vacuum‐assisted PHDs is missing in the literature, although the large‐strain models for PVD‐induced radial consolidation are abundant. This study presents a piecewise‐linear plane‐strain model for large‐strain consolidation induced by vacuum‐assisted prefabricated horizontal drains. The model is called PCS, abbreviation for Plane‐strain Consolidation Settlement. PCS model can account for complex conditions including large strain, multiple layers of PHD boards, staged filling of soil layers, varying spacing of PHD boards, time‐dependent surcharge and/or vacuum loading, soil self‐weight, nonlinear compressibility, and hydraulic conductivity during the consolidation process, vertical and horizontal flows, and non‐Darcian flow. The PCS is validated using the two‐dimensional Terzaghi's consolidation theory (small strain) and a large‐scale laboratory model test (large strain), which involves multiple soil layers filled in stages, multiple PHD layers, and different horizontal spacings of PHD boards. Lastly, the proposed model is applied to a case study conducted at Shimokita Peninsula (Aomori Prefecture, Japan), where vacuum‐assisted PHDs have been used to treat the dredged mud slurry for a duration of 330 days.
Existence of optimally‐greatest digraphs for strongly connected node reliability
Authors: MacKeigan Kyle , Cox Danielle , Wright Emily
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we introduce a new model to study network reliability with node failures. This model, strongly connected node reliability, is the directed variant of node reliability and measures the probability that the operational vertices induce a subdigraph that is strongly connected. If we are restricted to directed graphs with vertices and or arcs, an optimally‐greatest digraph does not exist. Furthermore, we study optimally‐greatest directed circulant graphs when the vertices operate with probability near zero and near one. In particular, we show that the graph is optimally‐greatest for values of near zero. Then, we determine that the graph is optimally‐greatest for values of near one when is even. Next, we show that the graph is optimally‐greatest for values of near one when is odd and not divisible by three and that is optimally‐greatest for values of near one when is odd and divisible by three. We conclude with a discussion of open problems.
Validation of post‐traumatic growth inventory in mothers with the experience of having the NICU‐Hospitalized newborns “validation of post‐traumatic growth inventory”
Authors: Bayrami Nahid , Rassouli Maryam , Shirinabadi Farahani Azam , Heidarzadeh Mehdi , Khademi Fatemeh , Tajlli Salehe , Babaie Mohadese , Masoum poor Anahita , Hatamipour Khadijeh
Published: May 2023

Aims

Investigating post‐traumatic growth (PTG) in mothers with the experience of having a preterm newborn hospitalized in the NICU requires a valid tool. This study aims to determine the validity and reliability of the Farsi version of the post‐traumatic growth inventory (PTGI) in mothers with the experience of having their newborns hospitalized in the NICU.

Design

This study was methodological research.

Methods

In this study, 250 mothers who had newborns with a history of NICU hospitalization during the last 3 to 12 months and had visited paediatric clinics of the selected hospitals in Tehran with the aim of having their children's condition examined were selected through convenience sampling. The data were collected using a demographic information questionnaire and PTGI. The face validity, the construct validity (confirmatory factor analysis), and the internal consistency reliability of the inventory were measured using SPSS V22 and LISREL V8.8.

Results

According to appropriate values for factor analysis fit indices (FI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.07, IFI = 0.94, NFI = 0.93, RFI = 0.91, NNFI = 0.93, SRMR = 0.07), 21 items and 5 factors were confirmed for this inventory. Furthermore, Cronbach's alpha coefficient of this inventory was measured as α = 0.94.

Conclusion

According to favourable psychometric properties, the Farsi version of PTGI is a suitable tool for studying PTG in mothers with the experience of having preterm newborns in the NICU. Using PTGI can help nurses in planning family‐centered care interventions to reduce the impact of the mental trauma caused by the preterm newborn's hospitalization in parents.

Patient or Public Contribution

Mothers who had newborns with a history of NICU hospitalization during the last 3–12 months.
Geographic differences in the magnitude of black‐white disparities in having obesity
Authors: Cohen Steven A. , Brown Monique J. , Xu Furong , Nash Caitlin C. , Greaney Mary L.
Published: May 2023

Background

Obesity disparities in the United States are well documented, but the limited body of research suggests that geographic factors may alter the magnitude of these disparities. A growing body of evidence has identified a “rural mortality penalty” where morbidity and mortality rates are higher in rural than urban areas, even after controlling for other factors. Black‐White differences in health and mortality are more pronounced in rural areas than in urban areas.

Objective

Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore how rural‐urban status and region moderate Black‐White health disparities in obesity.

Methods

Data were abstracted from the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, with the sample being restricted to Black and White respondents (n = 403,231). Respondents’ county of residence was linked to US Census information to obtain the county‐level Index of Relative Rurality (IRR) and Census division. Crude and adjusted logistic regression models were utilized to assess the magnitude of Black‐White disparities in having obesity (yes/no) by IRR quartile and by Census division.

Results

Overall, Black‐White differences in obesity were wider in rural than in urban counties, with a significant linear trend (p < 0.001). Furthermore, when stratified by US Census division, results revealed that disparities were significantly wider in rural than urban areas for respondents living in the Middle Atlantic and South Atlantic divisions. In contrast, the association was reversed for the remaining divisions (New England, East North Central, West North Central, Mountain, and Pacific), where the magnitude of the Black‐White difference was the largest in urban areas.

Conclusion

Findings highlight the need to understand and account for critical place‐based factors that exacerbate racial obesity disparities to develop and maximize the effectiveness of policies and programs designed to reduce racial inequalities and improve population health.
Postbuckling behavior and failure prediction of large‐size composite C‐beam under bending‐shear coupling load
Authors: Zhao Ziyu , Yang Tong , Zhang Fa , Ma Pibo
Published: May 2023

In this article, a novel experimental device that combines bending and shearing was proposed to investigate the load‐bearing performance of large‐size C‐beam structures against bending‐shear buckling, allowing for the adjustment of bending‐shearing ratio. Three different bending‐shear coupling conditions were performed for test loading, and the strain gauges were carried out to detect the strain distribution for postbuckling performance of the large‐size C‐beam. The finite element models were established by ABAQUS/Explicit to explore the stress distribution and damage evolution during postbuckling failure. Thereafter, the LaRC05 and Hashin criterion was used for failure prediction of the large‐size C‐beam in numerical simulations. The experiment results show that the large‐size C‐beam has excellent postbuckling bearing capacity regardless of bending or shear resistance. Based on the results, the failure numerical model considering the stress distribution in postbuckling and the finite element calculation were in good agreement with experiments. This study can offer a practical reference for the postbuckling performance of large‐size C‐beam structures after bending‐shear coupling.
Hydrocortisone versus vasopressin for the management of adult patients with septic shock refractory to norepinephrine: A multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Kulesza Steven , Gignac Lindsey , Colvin C. Allis , Boll Skyler , Giuliano Christopher , Haan Bradley , Allen Bryan , Perez Mary M. , Allen Monica , Edwin Stephanie B.
Published: May 2023

Study Objective

Significant practice variation exists when selecting between hydrocortisone and vasopressin as second line agents in patients with septic shock in need of escalating doses of norepinephrine. The goal of this study was to assess differences in clinical outcomes between these two agents.

Design

Multicenter, retrospective, observational study.

Setting

Ten Ascension Health hospitals.

Patients

Adult patients with presumed septic shock receiving norepinephrine prior to study drug initiation between December 2015 and August 2021.

Intervention

Vasopressin (0.03–0.04 units/min) or hydrocortisone (200–300 mg/day).

Measurements and Main Results

A total of 768 patients were included with a median (interquartile range) SOFA score of 10 (8–13), norepinephrine dose of 0.3 mcg/kg/min (0.1–0.5 mcg/kg/min), and lactate of 3.8 mmol/L (2.4–7.0 mmol/L) at initiation of the study drug. A significant difference in 28‐day mortality was noted favoring hydrocortisone as an adjunct to norepinephrine after controlling for potential confounding factors (OR 0.46 [95% CI, 0.32–0.66]); similar results were seen following propensity score matching. Compared to vasopressin, hydrocortisone initiation was also associated with a higher rate of hemodynamic responsiveness (91.9% vs. 68.2%, p < 0.01), improved resolution of shock (68.8% vs. 31.5%, p < 0.01), and reduced recurrence of shock within 72 h (8.7% vs. 20.7%, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Addition of hydrocortisone to norepinephrine was associated with a lower 28‐day mortality in patients with septic shock, compared to the addition of vasopressin.
Enhanced Academic Support for children in child welfare services: Results and lessons learned from a pragmatic randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kirkøen Benedicte , Engell Thomas , Follestad Ingvild B. , Holen Solveig , Hagen Kristine A.
Published: May 2023

Enhanced Academic Support (EAS) is an intervention designed to improve academic achievement among children who receive support from the child welfare services (CWSs) in the home. We investigated the effects of EAS in a randomized controlled trial in Norway. In total, 82 families who received support from the CWS were included in the study (37 in the intervention group, 45 in the comparison group). Both groups were invited to a pretest, posttest, and follow‐up measure of the children's math and reading skills, their teachers' evaluation of their academic competence, and of parental involvement in children's education. CWS workers, parents, and children reported the dosage of academic support received. In the intervention group, 48% of families received the threshold dosage of EAS needed for the intervention to be considered as delivered. There were no statistically significant differences between the intervention and comparison group on the children's math and reading skills, or their teachers' evaluation of the children's academic competence. Given the variation in intervention delivery and the limited statistical power, limited conclusions about the effect of EAS can be made. Important lessons from implementation in CWS and on conducting a pragmatic randomized trial are discussed.
Molecular mobility and morphology change of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) film as induced by plasticizer glycerol
Authors: Fei Weihang , Wu Zishuo , Cheng Hong , Xiong Yuqi , Chen Wei , Meng Lingpu
Published: May 2023

The addition of small molecular plasticizer is an efficient strategy to increase the process ability and macroscopic performance of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). However, how the plasticizer influences the chain dynamics and morphology deserves further investigation. In this work, the PVA film with varying glycerol addition levels was used as the model system. The increasing glycerol addition‐level results in the depression of the melting temperature and crystallization temperature, which in line with Flory's theory. The enhanced chain dynamics in the mobile domain was accessed by low‐field NMR, whereas that in the crystalline region remains constant. The domain size as well as the morphology of the mobile phase are accessed by 1H spin‐diffusion NMR. The results indicate the increasing dimensionality of the plasticized PVA film with increasing the addition level of glycerol, where the addition level below 25 wt% leads to the dimensionality of 1D, and higher than 25 wt% results in the dimensionality of 2D. Current results elucidate the critical role of the plasticizer in modulating the dynamics heterogeneity of the plasticized polymer film, which is closely related to the macroscopic performance of the products.
Discovery and validation of serum glycoprotein biomarkers for high grade serous ovarian cancer
Authors: Dutt Mriga , Hartel Gunter , Richards Renee S. , Shah Alok K. , Mohamed Ahmed , Apostolidou Sophia , Gentry‐Maharaj Aleksandra ,   Australian Ovarian Cancer Study Group, Hooper John D. , Perrin Lewis C. , Menon Usha , Hill Michelle M.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to identify serum glycoprotein biomarkers for early detection of high‐grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), the most common and aggressive histotype of ovarian cancer.

Experimental design

The glycoproteomics pipeline lectin magnetic bead array (LeMBA)‐mass spectrometry (MS) was used in age‐matched case‐control serum samples. Clinical samples collected at diagnosis were divided into discovery (n = 30) and validation (n = 98) sets. We also analysed a set of preclinical sera (n = 30) collected prior to HGSOC diagnosis in the UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening.

Results

A 7‐lectin LeMBA‐MS/MS discovery screen shortlisted 59 candidate proteins and three lectins. Validation analysis using 3‐lectin LeMBA‐multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) confirmed elevated A1AT, AACT, CO9, HPT and ITIH3 and reduced A2MG, ALS, IBP3 and PON1 glycoforms in HGSOC. The best performing multimarker signature had 87.7% area under the receiver operating curve, 90.7% specificity and 70.4% sensitivity for distinguishing HGSOC from benign and healthy groups. In the preclinical set, CO9, ITIH3 and A2MG glycoforms were altered in samples collected 11.1 ± 5.1 months prior to HGSOC diagnosis, suggesting potential for early detection.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

Our findings provide evidence of candidate early HGSOC serum glycoprotein biomarkers, laying the foundation for further study in larger cohorts.
PSMA‐heterogeneity in metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer: Circulating tumor cells, metastatic tumor burden, and response to targeted radioligand therapy
Authors: Derlin Thorsten , Riethdorf Sabine , Schumacher Udo , Lafos Marcel , Peine Sven , Coith Cornelia , Ross Tobias L. , Pantel Klaus , Bengel Frank M.
Published: May 2023

Background

We explored the interrelation between prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA) expression on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and that of solid metastatic lesions as determined by whole‐body PSMA‐targeted positron emission tomography (PET) to refine the prediction of response to subsequent PSMA‐targeted radioligand therapy (RLT).

Methods

A prospective study was performed in 20 patients with advanced mCRPC. Of these, 16 underwent subsequent RLT with [177Lu]Lu‐PSMA‐617 at a dose of 7.4 GBq every 6–8 weeks. PSMA expression on CTCs using the CellSearch system was compared to clinical and serological results, and to marker expression in targeted imaging and available histological sections of prostatectomy specimens (19% of RLT patients). Clinical outcome was obtained after two cycles of RLT.

Results

Marked heterogeneity of PSMA expression was observed already at first diagnosis in available histological specimens. Targeted whole‐body imaging also showed heterogeneous inter‐ and intra‐patient PSMA expression between metastases. Heterogeneity of CTC PSMA expression was partially paralleled by heterogeneity of whole‐body tumor burden PSMA expression. Twenty percent of CTC samples showed no PSMA expression, despite unequivocal PSMA expression of solid metastases at PET. A high fraction of PSMA‐negative CTCs emerged as the sole predictor of poor RLT response (odds ratio [OR]: 0.9379 [95% confidence interval, CI, 0.8558–0.9902]; p = 0.0160), and was prognostic for both shorter progression‐free survival (OR: 1.236 [95% CI, 1.035–2.587]; p = 0.0043) and overall survival (OR: 1.056 [95% CI, 1.008–1.141]; p = 0.0182).

Conclusion

This proof‐of‐principle study suggests that liquid biopsy for CTC PSMA expression is complementary to PET for individual PSMA phenotyping of mCRPC.