bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sex differences in the incidence and prevalence of young‐onset Alzheimer's disease: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Peeters Geeske , Katelekha Katerine , Lawlor Brian , Demnitz Naiara
Published: August 2021

Objectives

The lifetime incidence of Alzheimer's disease is higher in women than in men, but it remains unclear if similar sex differences exist in young‐onset Alzheimer's disease (YOAD). This systematic review test the hypothesis that women have a higher prevalence and incidence of YOAD than men.

Methods

We searched Pubmed and Embase (inception to 11 June 2020) for original publications of population‐based observational studies with data on the prevalence and/or incidence of YOAD, defined as a medical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease before the age of 65 years. Data on cross‐sectional and/or prospective numbers, percentages, incidences, and incidence rates (in person‐years) were derived from included studies. Quality assessment was done using the Nottingham Ottawa Scale. Meta‐analyses were done to test the hypothesis that women have a higher prevalence and incidence of YOAD than men.

Results

After screening of 3252 titles, 12 articles were included. The pooled prevalence was 0.4% (confidence interval [CI] = 0.1–2.1) in women and 0.2% (CI = 0–1.2) in men (six studies, relative risk [RR] = 1.54, CI = 0.69–3.44, I2 = 38%). The pooled incidence was 0.02% (CI = 0.01–0.08) in women and 0.01% (CI = 0–0.05) in men (five studies, RR = 1.50, CI = 0.91‐2.48, I2 = 0%). The incidence rates per 100,000 person‐years ranged from 0 to 132 in women and from 0 to 42 in men.

Conclusions

Given the low prevalence and wide CIs, no firm conclusions can be drawn. Large‐scale studies are required to verify that women are more likely than men to develop YOAD.
Patients' free choice of physicians is not always good
Authors: Li Xinyu , Waibel Christian
Published: August 2021

We present a model of learning in healthcare markets. Hospitals have junior physicians with low and senior physicians with high ability. Junior physicians turn senior if they treat enough patients. Patients face heterogeneous costs for waiting if a physician's capacity is utilized. Hospitals choose to either allocate patients to physicians randomly or let patients choose their physicians. In a monopolistic market, the hospital always chooses the welfare‐maximizing allocation system. In a competitive market, inefficiencies may arise due to two externalities. If patients are free to choose their physician, the marginal patient neither internalizes her impact on other patients' waiting costs nor the learning of junior physicians.
CAFs shape myeloid‐derived suppressor cells to promote stemness of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma through 5‐lipoxygenase
Authors: Lin Yuli , Cai Qian , Chen Yu , Shi Tiancong , Liu Weiren , Mao Li , Deng Bo , Ying Zhen , Gao Yuan , Luo Haoyang , Yang Xuguang , Huang Xiaowu , Shi Yinghong , He Rui
Published: August 2021

Background and Aims

We previously demonstrated that cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) promote tumor growth through recruitment of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). 5‐lipoxygenase (5‐LO) is highly expressed in myeloid cells and is critical for synthesizing leukotriene B4 (LTB4), which is involved in tumor progression by activating its receptor leukotriene B4 receptor type 2 (BLT2). In this study, we investigated whether and how CAFs regulate MDSC function to enhance cancer stemness, the driving force of the cancer aggressiveness and chemotherapy refractoriness, in highly desmoplastic intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).

Approach and Results

RNA‐sequencing analysis revealed enriched metabolic pathways but decreased inflammatory pathways in cancer MDSCs compared with blood MDSCs from patients with ICC. Co‐injection of ICC patient‐derived CAFs promoted cancer stemness in an orthotopic ICC model, which was blunted by MDSC depletion. Conditioned media (CM) from CAF‐educated MDSCs drastically promoted tumorsphere formation efficiency and stemness marker gene expression in ICC cells. CAF‐CM stimulation increased expression and activity of 5‐LO in MDSCs, while 5‐LO inhibitor impaired the stemness‐enhancing capacity of MDSCs in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, IL‐6 and IL‐33 primarily expressed by CAFs mediated hyperactivated 5‐LO metabolism in MDSCs. We identified the LTB4‐BLT2 axis as the critical downstream metabolite signaling of 5‐LO in promoting cancer stemness, as treatment with LTB4 was elevated in CAF‐educated MDSCs, or blockade of BLT2 (which was preferentially expressed in stem‐like ICC cells) significantly reduced stemness‐enhancing effects of CAF‐educated MDSCs. Finally, BLT2 blockade augmented chemotherapeutic efficacy in ICC patient‐derived xenograft models.

Conclusions

Our study reveals a role for CAFs in orchestrating the optimal cancer stemness‐enhancing microenvironment by educating MDSCs, and suggests the 5‐LO/LTB4‐BLT2 axis as promising therapeutic targets for ICC chemoresistance by targeting cancer stemness.
Underweight and associated factors among lactating women in Uganda: Evidence from the Uganda demographic health survey 2016
Authors: Sserwanja Quraish , Kawuki Joseph , Mutisya Linet M. , Musaba Milton W. , Kagwisagye Mathew , Kato Ivan Arinda , Mukunya David
Published: August 2021

Background

Lactating mothers are at increased risk of being underweight because of the physiological changes that lead to disproportionately higher energy and nutrient requirements compared to their non‐pregnant and non‐lactating counterparts.

Objective

We aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with being underweight among lactating women in Uganda.

Methods

We used the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) 2016 data of 1356 women aged 20 to 49 years. Multistage stratified sampling was used to select study participants. The data were collected using validated questionnaires. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine factors associated with underweight among 20 to 49‐year‐old lactating women in Uganda.

Results

The prevalence of underweight was 8.2% (111/1356) (95% confidence interval, [CI]: 7.0‐10.0). Women who had no education were 10.21 (adjusted odds ratio, [AOR] = 10.21; 95% CI: 1.61‐64.74) times as likely to be underweight as those who had higher (post‐secondary) education levels. Women who were not working were 50% (AOR = 0.50; 95% CI: 0.26‐0.94) less likely to be underweight compared to those who were working. Women in the Western (AOR = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.07‐0.32), Eastern (AOR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.18‐0.66), and Central (AOR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.12‐0.74) regions were 85%, 66% and 70% respectively less likely to be underweight compared to those in the Northern region.

Conclusion

Based on the findings of this and other studies, it is important for the different stakeholders to design targeted nutrition programs for lactating women particularly those with low levels of education and those from the Northern region.
Endoplasmic reticulum stress and NF‐kB activation in SARS‐CoV‐2 infected cells and their response to antiviral therapy
Authors: Bartolini Desirée , Stabile Anna Maria , Vacca Carmine , Pistilli Alessandra , Rende Mario , Gioiello Antimo , Cruciani Gabriele , Galli Francesco
Published: August 2021

Unfolded protein response (UPR) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress are aspects of SARS‐CoV‐2‐host cell interaction with proposed role in the cytopathic and inflammatory pathogenesis of this viral infection. The role of the NF‐kB pathway in these cellular processes remains poorly characterized. When investigated in VERO‐E6 cells, SARS‐CoV‐2 infection was found to markedly stimulate NF‐kB protein expression and activity. NF‐kB activation occurs early in the infection process (6 hpi) and it is associated with increased MAPK signaling and expression of the UPR inducer IRE‐1α. These signal transduction processes characterize the cellular stress response to the virus promoting a pro‐inflammatory environment and caspase activation in the host cell. Inhibition of viral replication by the viral protease inhibitor Nelfinavir reverts all these molecular changes also stimulating c‐Jun expression, a key component of the JNK/AP‐1 pathway with important role in the IRE‐1α‐mediated transcriptional regulation of stress response genes with anti‐inflammatory and cytoprotection function. The present study demonstrates that UPR signaling and its interaction with cellular MAPKs and the NF‐kB activity are important aspects of SARS‐CoV‐2‐host cell interaction that deserve further investigation to identify more efficient therapies for this viral infection.
In vitro and in vivo advancement of multifunctional electrospun nanofiber scaffolds in wound healing applications: Innovative nanofiber designs, stem cell approaches, and future perspectives
Authors: Behere Isha , Ingavle Ganesh
Published: August 2021

The skin is one of the most essential tissues in the human body, interacting with the outside environment and shielding the body from diseases and excessive water loss. Hydrogels, decellularized porcine dermal matrix, and lyophilized polymer scaffolds have all been used in studies of skin wound repair, wound dressing, and skin tissue engineering, however, these materials cannot replicate the nanofibrous architecture of the skin's native extracellular matrix (ECM). Electrospun nanofibers are a fascinating new form of nanomaterials with tremendous potential across a broad spectrum of applications in the biomedical field, including wound dressings, wound healing scaffolds, regenerative medicine, bioengineering of skin tissue, and multifaceted drug delivery. This article reviews recent in vitro and in vivo developments in multifunctional electrospun nanofibers (MENs) for wound healing. This review begins with an introduction to the electrospinning process, its principle, and the processing parameters which have a significant impact on the nanofiber properties. It then discusses the various geometries and advantages of MEN scaffolds produced by different innovative electrospinning techniques for wound healing applications when used in combination with stem cells. This review also discusses some of the possible future nanofiber‐based models that could be used. Finally, we conclude with potential perspectives and conclusions in this area.
Density functionals with full nonlocal exchange, nonlocal rung‐3.5 correlation, and D3 dispersion: Combined accuracy for general main‐group thermochemistry, kinetics, and noncovalent interactions
Authors: Ramos Chloe , Muehlbrad Jeremiah , Janesko Benjamin G.
Published: August 2021

We introduce the HF‐R35‐D3(BJ) functional combining full nonlocal exact (Hartree‐Fock‐like, HF) exchange, inexpensive rung‐3.5 correlation constructed from nonlocal one‐electron operators, and nonlocal D3 dispersion corrections. HF‐R35‐D3(BJ) is among the first full‐exact‐exchange functionals offering competitive accuracy for general main‐group thermochemistry, kinetics, and noncovalent interactions. HF‐R35‐D3(BJ) gives weighted mean absolute deviation WTMAD‐2 8.5 kcal/mol across the entire GMTKN55 dataset, outperforming most dispersion‐corrected semilocal functionals and approaching the accuracy of dispersion‐corrected global hybrids. This requires six fitted parameters, three each in the nonlocal correlation and dispersion corrections. Full nonlocal exchange appears to help give accurate binding energies and reasonable energy orderings for water hexamers. These results motivate continued exploration of inexpensive nonlocal correlation corrections to nonlocal exchange.
AutoMeKin2021: An open‐source program for automated reaction discovery
Authors: Martínez‐Núñez Emilio , Barnes George L. , Glowacki David R. , Kopec Sabine , Peláez Daniel , Rodríguez Aurelio , Rodríguez‐Fernández Roberto , Shannon Robin J. , Stewart James J. P. , Tahoces Pablo G. , Vazquez Saulo A.
Published: August 2021

AutoMeKin2021 is an updated version of tsscds2018, a program for the automated discovery of reaction mechanisms (J. Comput. Chem.2018,39, 1922). This release features a number of new capabilities: rare‐event molecular dynamics simulations to enhance reaction discovery, extension of the original search algorithm to study van der Waals complexes, use of chemical knowledge, a new search algorithm based on bond‐order time series analysis, statistics of the chemical reaction networks, a web application to submit jobs, and other features. The source code, manual, installation instructions and the website link are available at:https://rxnkin.usc.es/index.php/AutoMeKin
Risk factors for prolonged virus shedding of respiratory tract and fecal in adults with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 infection
Authors: Zhang Shun , Zhu Hui , Ye Honghua , Hu Yaoren , Zheng Nanhong , Huang Zuoan , Xiong Zi , Fu Liyun , Cai Ting
Published: August 2021

Background

The dynamic alteration and comparative study of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) RNA shedding pattern during treatment are limited. This study explores the potential risk factors influencing prolonged viral shedding in COVID‐19.

Methods

A total of 126 COVID‐19 patients were enrolled in this retrospective longitudinal study. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to estimate the potential risk factors.

Results

38.1% (48/126) cases presented prolonged respiratory tract viral shedding, and 30 (23.8%) cases presented prolonged rectal swab viral shedding. Obesity (OR, 3.31; 95% CI, 1.08–10.09), positive rectal swab (OR, 3.43; 95% CI, 1.53–7.7), treatment by lopinavir/ritonavir with chloroquine phosphate (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.04–6.03), the interval from onset to antiviral treatment more than 7 days (OR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.04–4.93), lower CD4+ T cell (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.86–0.99) and higher NK cells (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.02–1.20) were significantly associated with prolonged respiratory tract viral shedding. CD3−CD56+ NK cells (OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.76–0.99) were related with prolonged fecal shedding.

Conclusions

Obesity, delayed antiviral treatment, and positive SARS‐CoV‐2 for stool were independent risk factors for prolonged SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA shedding of the respiratory tract. A combination of LPV/r and abidol as the initial antiviral regimen was effective in shortening the duration of viral shedding compared with LPV/r combined with chloroquine phosphate. CD4+ T cell and NK cells were significantly associated with prolonged viral shedding, and further studies are to be warranted to determine the mechanism of immunomodulatory response in virus clearance.
Effects of COVID‐19 lockdown on the mental health of dental students: A longitudinal study
Authors: Hakami Zaki , Vishwanathaiah Satish , Abuzinadah Samar Hatem , Alhaddad Abdulrahman Jafar , Bokhari Ahmed M. , Marghalani Hussain Y.A. , Shahin Suliman Y.
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Many countries have enforced lockdowns on their populations due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. This study aimed to assess the effects of the lockdown on dental students.

Methods

A longitudinal, repeated cross‐sectional study was conducted to evaluate psychological problems experienced by dental students during the COVID‐19 lockdown in Saudi Arabia. The dental students were selected from different universities using 2‐stage cluster sampling. The validated Arabic version of the 21‐item depression, anxiety, and stress scale questionnaire was distributed at the beginning and end of the lockdown. Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used as appropriate. Chi‐square test was used to compare the proportions between the sociodemographic data, and logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables associated with the students’ responses.

Results

A total of 1287 respondents participated in this study (695 first‐survey respondents, 592 second‐survey respondents). There were longitudinally significant differences in the students’ mental health outcomes based on gender, university, class year, and survey time during the COVID‐19 lockdown. The lockdown increased the likelihood of female, single, and junior students experiencing stress. The students who lived alone recorded a high chance of elevated levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, which showed a significant longitudinal reduction during the lockdown. Moreover, the lockdown increased the likelihood of mental health problems among the students staying in households of two persons or two‐five persons.

Conclusions

This study indicates the importance of considering the detrimental mental health consequences on dental students in the event of future pandemics.
Phenolic extract of Libidibia ferrea inhibits dentin endogenous enzymatic activity depending on the adhesive system strategy
Authors: Venâncio Gisely Naura , Bridi Enrico Coser , Teixeira Lucas Novaes , Basting Rosanna Tarkany , Sousa Ilza Maria de Oliveira , França Fabiana Mantovani Gomes , do Amaral Flávia Lucisano Botelho , Turssi Cecilia Pedroso , Basting Roberta Tarkany
Published: August 2021

This study evaluated the influence of Libidibia ferrea (Lf) extract used as dentin pretreatment on the resin–dentin bond strength stability and dentin endogenous enzymatic activity. The phytochemical profile (PP) of the Lf extract was evaluated by liquid chromatography; particle size, polydispersity index (PdI), and zeta potential (ZP) were evaluated by dynamic light scattering. The tested groups were ER—Scotchbond Universal (SBU) in the etch‐and‐rinse (ER) mode; ERLf—SBU in the ER mode + Lf after etching; SE— SBU in the self‐etch (SE) mode; and LfSE—Lf before SBU in the SE mode. Sticks were obtained for microtensile bond strength tests and failure mode (24 hr and 12 months). The hybrid layer was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. The endogenous enzymatic activity of the underlying dentin was analyzed by in situ zymography with the same treatments. The PP showed the presence of quercetin (2.6% w/w). Lf particles were considered large after the analysis of the PdI. The ZP remained stable over time. The ER and ERLf groups had lower bond strength after 12 months, but SE and LfSE remained stable. The predominant failure mode was adhesive for both times. ER and ERLf had longer resin tags and a thicker hybrid layer. The ER and LfSE groups showed higher enzymatic activity than the ERLf and SE groups after 12 months. The Lf extract may contribute to inhibit the dentin endogenous enzymatic activity when associated with an adhesive system in the ER mode.
Synthesis of tritium labeled 30‐KDa PEG and conjugation to form [3H]Pegbelfermin
Authors: Easter John A. , Tian Yuan , Burrell Richard C. , Hong Yang , Bonacorsi Samuel J.
Published: August 2021

Non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the most chronic liver condition in the western population and is fueled by the obesity and type 2 diabetes epidemic. Pegbelfermin (1), a PEGylated human fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) analogue, has previously been shown to improve markers of metabolism and liver fibrosis in obese patients with type 2 diabetes. Radiolabeled Pegbelfermin was needed to access the accumulation of intact drug and metabolized PEG. In an effort to accomplish both goals with one labeled synthesis, the isotopic label was positioned in the PEG. A total of 21 mCi of tritium labeled Pegbelfermin was synthesized having a specific activity of 21.6 Ci/mmol for use in animal studies.
Genomic insights into Pseudoalteromonas sp. JSTW coping with petroleum‐heavy metals combined pollution
Authors: Zan Shuaijun , Lv Jingping , Li Zelong , Cai Yingxue , Wang Zongcheng , Wang Jing
Published: August 2021

Worldwide marine compound contamination by petroleum products and heavy metals is a burgeoning environmental concern. Pseudoalteromonas, prevalently distributed in marine environment, has been proven to degrade petroleum and plays an essential role in the fate of oil pollution under the combined pollution. Nevertheless, the research on the reference genes is still incomplete. Therefore, this study aims to thoroughly investigate the reference genes represented by Pseudoalteromonas sp. JSTW via whole‐genome sequencing. Next‐generation sequencing technology unfolded a genome of 4,026,258 bp, database including Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COG) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were utilized to annotate the genes and metabolic pathways conferring to petroleum hydrocarbon degradation. The results show that common alkane and aromatic hydrocarbon degradation genes (alkB, ligB, yqhD, and ladA), chemotaxis gene (MCP, cheA, cheB, pcaY, and pcaR), heavy‐metal resistance, and biofilm genes (σ54, merC, pcoA, copB, etc.) were observed in whole‐genome sequence (WGS) of JSTW, which indicated that strain JSTW could potentially cope with combined pollution. The degradation efficiency of naphthalene in 60 h by JSTW was 99% without Cu2+ and 67% with 400 mg L−1 Cu2+. Comparative genome analysis revealed that genomes of Pseudoalteromonas lipolytica strain LEMB 39 and Pseudoalteromonas donghaensis strain HJ51 shared similarity with strain JSTW, suggesting they are also the potential degradater of petroleum hydrocarbons under combined pollution. Therefore, this study provides a WGS annotation and reveals the mechanism of response to combined pollution of Pseudoalteromonas sp. JSTW.
Symmetry and sex differences in knee kinematics and ACL elongation in healthy collegiate athletes during high‐impact activities revealed through dynamic biplane radiography
Authors: Nishida Kyohei , Xu Caiqi , Gale Tom , Anderst William , Fu Freddie
Published: August 2021

The objectives of this study were to determine symmetry and sex differences in knee kinematics and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) elongation waveforms in healthy athletes without a history of a knee injury during fast running, drop jump, and 180° internal/external rotation hops. It was hypothesized that knee abduction angle and ACL relative elongation would be greater in women than in men during all activities. Bilateral knee kinematics and ACL relative elongation were determined in 19 collegiate athletes using dynamic biplane radiography. Sex differences in kinematics and ACL relative elongation waveforms were identified using statistical parametric mapping. Average absolute side‐to‐side differences (SSDA) in kinematics and ACL relative elongation waveforms were determined for each activity. Women had up to 2.3° (all p < 0.05) less knee adduction angle and had greater ACL relative elongation (max. 4.8%–9.2%; all p < 0.01) than men during all activities, in support of the hypotheses. SSDA in kinematics were 1.4 mm and 5.5° or less in all components of translation and rotation, respectively, while SSDA in ACL relative elongation was 3.6% or less across all activities. Greater ACL relative elongation across a variety of activities may make women more susceptible to ACL injury than men. This study provides valuable reference data for identifying abnormal asymmetry in knee kinematics and ACL elongation in athletes after the ACL injury. These novel results improve our understanding of ACL elongation during demanding athletic activities and may help guide the development of sex‐specific risk screening metrics, return to play assessments, and rehabilitation protocols after the ACL injury.
Evaluating user perception and emotion of microinteractions using a contradictory semantic scale
Authors: Ma Jia Yang , Chen Chun‐Ching
Published: August 2021

Microinteractions are presented with dynamic effects through the joint operation of external performance and internal mechanisms, allowing users to produce a variety of emotion and perception. In this study, we focus on microinteraction with functional effects and aim to explore the perception of microinteraction with different functional attributes. To understand the emotional tendency of microinteractions, 14 groups of typical contradictory semantics adjectives were selected, and two main factors were extracted: “hedonic” related to deep emotional enjoyment and “effectiveness” with highly effective characteristics. Among them, the “hedonic factor” has a high impact in microinteraction design, suggesting that the user's cognition of microinteraction mainly depends on the arousal of emotion and stimulates emotion using animation. Second, this study carried out an emotional comparison on representative microinteraction samples. The results indicate that feedback that caters to psychological feelings of realistic characteristics can strengthen a sense of connection between humans and computers and that continuity and consistency created by interface narrative can also contribute to a complete and exquisite interface. The conclusions of this study are relevant to the practical design of microinteractions and can be applied to improve the emotional experience of users in different scenarios.
Remediation of heavy metals in contaminated soil by using nano‐bentonite, nano‐hydroxyapatite, and nano‐composite
Authors: El‐Nagar Doaa A. , Abdel‐Halim Khaled Y.
Published: August 2021

Soil and water contaminants have an impact on ecosystems, agricultural productivity, groundwater, and human health. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new technologies to treat pollution, one of these techniques is the use of nanomaterials (NMs). This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of bentonite nano‐sheet structure (n‐Be), hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HapNP), and their nano‐composite (n‐Be/HapNC) on immobilizing nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb) in peanut‐cultivated soil. The prepared materials were characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction, atomic force microscopy, surface area, and Fourier transform infrared. Eight levels of material were used T1 (bentonite, 1 t ha−1), T2 (hydroxyapatite, 1 t ha−1), T3 (HapNPs, 50 kg ha−1), T4 (HapNPs, 100 kg ha−1), T5 (n‐Be, 50 kg ha−1), T6 (n‐Be, 100 kg ha−1), T7 (n‐Be/HapNC, 50 kg ha−1), and T8 (n‐Be/HapNC, 100 kg ha−1). The results indicated that the available Ni, Cu, and Pb showed a significant decline in the treated soil, in comparison to untreated. Levels of Ni exhibited a decrease in the following order: T8 < T6 < T7 < T5. Similar patterns were observed for Cu and Pb levels, where treatment T8 exhibited the greatest decline compared to the control. Uptake of heavy metals (HM) by peanut components (leaves, stems, and seeds) showed significant declines for the treatments, compared to the control. Treatment (n‐Be/HapNC, 100 kg ha−1) showed the lowest transfer coefficient of Ni (0.53) and Cu (0.048) compared to control (0.71 and 0.097), respectively. Treatments of NMs significantly exhibited increases in fresh weight, pods, and seeds, compared to the control. From all findings, it is obtained that nano‐forms of such materials can immobilize HM in contaminated soil, enhance its characteristics, decrease HM‐uptake by plants, and are considered good immobilizers for HM in soil. These materials play a role in treating contaminated soil and thus making it suitable for agriculture.
Stimuli‐Responsive, Self‐Healing, and Injectable Hydrogels with Dual‐Crosslinked Design from Phenolphthalein‐Grafted N‐Carboxyethyl Chitosan
Authors: Savetsakulanont Jirapas , Chalitangkoon Jongjit , Monvisade Pathavuth
Published: August 2021

A new biomaterial, a hydrogel, with dual‐crosslinked design, has been created with enhanced mechanical performance. The hydrogels are fabricated based on water‐soluble chitosan, with dual‐crosslinking of imine linkages and host–guest interactions. Phenolphthalein‐grafted N‐carboxyethyl chitosan (CECS‐g‐PHP), as a guest polymer, is synthesized and structurally characterized and complexed with hexamethylenediamine modified β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD‐HDA), as a host molecule. Oxidized sodium alginate (OSA) is added to form crosslinking networks via imine linkages with the existing amino groups. The hydrogels show significantly shorter gelation times and higher compressive stresses, compared with single‐crosslinked hydrogels. The phenolphthalein units in the hydrogel change color with pH and other added chemicals. Moreover, the hydrogels can be injected and are self‐healing with >80% recovery within 4 h. Thus, these dual‐crosslinked hydrogels, which respond to pH and other stimuli, are promising designs for new multifunctional biomaterials.
Strategies for Preparing Continuous Ultraflexible and Ultrastrong Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Aerogel Fibers with Excellent Thermal Insulation
Authors: Liu Yixuan , Zhang Yafei , Xiong Xike , Ge Pei , Wu Jinke , Sun Jun , Wang Jianjun , Zhuo Qiqi , Qin Chuanxiang , Dai Lixing
Published: August 2021

Aerogel fibers are thermally insulating and can be woven, so they are expected to form a new generation of smart textiles that can efficiently reduce heat consumption. However, producing continuous aerogel fibers that have the necessary strength and toughness to be woven remains a great challenge. Herein, with the aid of freeze‐thaw treatment of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) solution and freeze‐spinning technology, continuous PVA aerogel fibers with an aligned porous morphology are prepared in a large‐scale. Freeze–thaw treatment greatly contributes to improving the spinnability of the spinning dope of aerogel fibers, which leads to the formation of the continuous fibers. Remarkably, through this process the aerogel fibers achieve ultraflexible and ultrastrong features, which results in excellent weaving ability, as well as attractive mechanical properties that benefit from the cross‐linking of PVA molecular chains with the aligned porous structure. More importantly, a textile woven with the special porous structure aerogel fibers shows extraordinary thermal insulation (thermal conductivity as low as 0.026 W m−1 K−1) and infrared stealth. This study illustrates a promising direction for the design of next generation, wearable, intelligent materials that have great potential for personal thermal management applications.
Recent Progress on Fabrication and Performance of Polymer Composites with Highly Thermal Conductivity
Authors: Meng Xingguang , Yu Haojie , Wang Li , Wu Xudong , Amin Bilal Ul
Published: August 2021

The rise of miniaturized, integrated, and functional electronic devices has intensified the need for heat dissipation. To address this challenge, it is necessary to develop novel thermally conductive polymer composites as packaging materials. In this paper, a number of factors for the construction and design of thermally conductive polymers are concluded. Special attention is focused on the analysis and comparison of the thermally conductive composites prepared by various fillers or strategies to provide guidelines and references for future design of composite materials. The current commonly used preparation strategies of thermally conductive polymer are summarized, such as using a variety of fillers, vacuum filtration, template method, and so on. The challenges of thermally conductive polymer composites are finally sketched. This review can inspire the design of polymer composites with brilliant thermal conductivity.
Privacy concerns when using augmented reality face filters? Explaining why and when use avoidance occurs
Authors: Cowan Kirsten , Javornik Ana , Jiang Peilin
Published: August 2021

Augmented reality face filters (e.g., Snapchat) are ubiquitous in today's market. Yet, we know little about the impact of individuals' concerns for their own and others' privacy and sharing biometric facial data while interacting with such augmented reality face filters. Our study aims to uncover whether privacy concerns affect responses toward augmented reality face filter apps, as well as the underlying mechanisms of this process, specifically perceived usefulness and flow. First, a survey study shows that individual perceptions of privacy concerns indirectly decrease use intentions and word‐of‐mouth via perceived usefulness and flow. Second, integrating construal level theory, we demonstrate in an experimental study that users report lower use intentions and word‐of‐mouth (again mediated through perceived usefulness and flow) when providing a concrete (vs. abstract) privacy policy. Additionally, we offer evidence for boundary effects and show that these patterns emerge only when users interacted with highly hedonic filters. The research demonstrates that privacy concerns related to use of augmented reality face filters indirectly affects future behavioral intentions and explains the phenomenon through lenses of the privacy paradox and construal level theory. By accounting for how people process information, the research evidence novel mechanisms for interrupting the privacy paradox.
Half of all Americans want MH assessments for gun ownership
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: August 2021

Nearly half of Americans support mental health assessments for gun ownership, according to a new survey released Aug. 9 by Online‐therapy.com. The survey was administered by online survey platform Pollfish on May 6 and surveyed 1,250 Americans ages 18 and older regarding their opinions on federal laws requiring mental health evaluations for gun owners, their political affiliation and whether they themselves owned guns.
Automatic brain extraction and hemisphere segmentation in rat brain MR images after stroke using deformable models
Authors: Chang Herng‐Hua , Yeh Shin‐Joe , Chiang Ming‐Chang , Hsieh Sung‐Tsang
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Experimental ischemic stroke models play an essential role in understanding the mechanisms of cerebral ischemia and evaluating the development of pathological extent. An important precursor to the investigation of ischemic strokes associated with rodents is the brain extraction and hemisphere segmentation in rat brain diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) and T2‐weighted MRI (T2WI) images. Accurate and reliable image segmentation tools for extracting the rat brain and hemispheres in the MR images are critical in subsequent processes, such as lesion identification and injury analysis. This study is an attempt to investigate rat brain extraction and hemisphere segmentation algorithms that are practicable in both DWI and T2WI images.

Methods

To automatically perform brain extraction, the proposed framework is based on an efficient geometric deformable model. By introducing an additional image force in response to the rat brain characteristics into the skull stripping model, we establish a unique rat brain extraction scheme in DWI and T2WI images. For the subsequent hemisphere segmentation, we develop an efficient brain feature detection algorithm to approximately separate the rat brain. A refinement process is enforced by constructing a gradient vector flow in the proximity of the midsurface, where a parametric active contour is attracted to achieve hemisphere segmentation.

Results

Extensive experiments with 55 DWI and T2WI subjects were executed in comparison with the state‐of‐the‐art methods. Experimental results indicated that our rat brain extraction and hemisphere segmentation schemes outperformed the competitive methods and exhibited high performance both qualitatively and quantitatively. For rat brain extraction, the average Dice scores were 97.13% and 97.42% in DWI and T2WI image volumes, respectively. Rat hemisphere segmentation results based on the Hausdorff distance metric revealed average values of 0.17 and 0.15 mm for DWI and T2WI subjects, respectively.

Conclusions

We believe that the established frameworks are advantageous to facilitate preclinical stroke investigation and relevant neuroscience research that requires accurate brain extraction and hemisphere segmentation using rat DWI and T2WI images.
Technical note: On the development of an outcome‐driven frequency filter for improving radiomics‐based modeling of human papillomavirus (HPV) in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Bagher‐Ebadian Hassan , Zhu Simeng , Siddiqui Farzan , Lu Mei , Movsas Benjamin , Chetty Indrin J.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

To implement an outcome‐driven frequency filter for improving radiomics‐based modeling of human papillomavirus (HPV) for patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).

Methods and materials

One hundred twenty‐eight OPSCC patients with known HPV status (60‐HPV+ and 68‐HPV–, confirmed by immunohistochemistry‐P16 protein testing) were retrospectively studied. A 3D Discrete Fourier Transform was applied on contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CE‐CT) images of patient gross tumor volumes (GTVs) to transform intensity distributions to the frequency domain and estimate frequency power spectrums of HPV– and HPV+ patient cohorts. Statistical analyses were performed to rank frequency bands contributing toward the prediction of HPV status. An outcome‐driven frequency filter was designed accordingly and applied to GTV frequency information. A 3D inverse discrete Fourier transform was applied to reconstruct HPV‐related frequency‐filtered images. Radiomics features (11 feature‐categories) were extracted from pre‐ and post‐frequency filtered images using our previously published “ROdiomiX” software. Least‐absolute‐shrinkage‐and‐selection‐operation (Lasso) combined with a generalized linear model (Lasso‐GLM) was developed to identify and rank feature subsets with the optimal information for prediction of HPV+/–. Radiomics‐based Lasso‐GLM classifiers (pre‐ and post‐frequency filtered) were constructed and validated using random permutation sampling and nested cross‐validation (CV) techniques. Average area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC), and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) were computed to estimate generalization error and prediction performance.

Results

Among 192 radiomic features, 15 features were found to be statistically significant discriminators between HPV+/– cohorts on post‐frequency filtered CE‐CT images. Fourteen such radiomic features were observed on pre‐frequency filtered datasets. Discriminant features included tumor morphology and intensity contrast. Performances for prediction of HPV for the pre‐ and post‐frequency filtered Lasso‐GLM classifiers were as follows: AUC/PPV/NPV = 0.789/0.755/0.805 and 0.850/0.808/0.877, respectively. Nested CV performances for prediction of HPV for the pre‐ and post‐frequency filtered Lasso‐GLM classifiers were as follows: AUC/PPV/NPV = 0.814/0.725/0.877 and 0.890/0.820/0.911, respectively.

Conclusion

Albeit subject to confirmation in a larger cohort, this pilot study presents encouraging results on the importance of frequency analysis prior to radiomic feature extraction toward enhancement of model performance for characterizing HPV in patients with OPSCC.
Optimization of multipoint phase retrieval in edge illumination X‐ray imaging
Authors: Massimi Lorenzo , Partridge Tom , Astolfo Alberto , Endrizzi Marco , Hagen Charlotte K. , Munro Peter R.T. , Bate David , Olivo Alessandro
Published: August 2021

Purpose: In this work, an analytical model describing the noise in the retrieved three contrast channels, transmission, refraction, and ultra small‐angle scattering, obtained with edge illumination X‐ray phase‐based imaging system is presented and compared to experimental data.

Methods: In EI, images acquired at different displacements of the presample mask (i.e., different illumination levels referred to as points on the “illumination curve”), followed by pixel‐wise curve fitting, are exploited to quantitatively retrieve the three contrast channels. Therefore, the noise in the final image will depend on the error associated with the fitting process. We use a model based on the derivation of the standard error on fitted parameters, which relies on the calculation of the covariance matrix, to estimate the noise and the cross‐channel correlation as a function of the position of the sampling points. In particular, we investigated the most common cases of 3 and 5 sampling points. In addition, simulations have been used to better understand the role of the integration time for each sampling point. Finally, the model is validated by comparison with the experimental data acquired with an edge illumination setup based on a tungsten rotating anode X‐ray source and a photon counting detector.

Results: We found a good match between the predictions of the model and the experimental data. In particular, for the investigated cases, an arrangement of the sampling points leading to minimum noise and cross‐channel correlation can be found. Simulations revealed that, given a fixed overall scanning time, its distribution into the smallest possible number of sampling points needed for phase retrieval leads to minimum noise thanks to higher statistics per point.

Conclusions: This work presents an analytical model describing the noise in the various contrast channels retrieved in edge illumination as a function of the illumination curve sampling. In particular, an optimal sampling scheme leading to minimum noise has been determined for the case where 3 or 5 sampling points are used, which represent two of the most common acquisition schemes. In addition, the correlation between noise in the different channels and the role of the number of points and exposure time have been also investigated. In general, our results suggest a series of procedures that should be followed in order to optimize the experimental acquisitions.
Plastic scintillation dosimeter with a conical mirror for measuring 3D dose distribution
Authors: Tsuneda Masato , Nishio Teiji , Ezura Takatomo , Karasawa Kumiko
Published: August 2021

Purpose

To test the measurement technique of the three‐dimensional (3D) dose distribution measured image by capturing the scintillation light generated using a plastic scintillator and a scintillating screen.

Methods

Our imaging system constituted a column shaped plastic scintillator covered by a Gd2O2S:Tb scintillating screen, a conical mirror and a cooled CCD camera. The scintillator was irradiated with 6 MV photon beams. Meanwhile, the irradiated plan was prepared for the static field plans, two‐field plan (2F plan) and the conformal arc plan (CA plan). The 2F plan contained 16 mm2 and 10 mm2 fields irradiated from gantry angles of 0° and 25°, respectively. The gantry was rotated counterclockwise from 45° to 315° for the CA plan. The field size was then obtained as 10 mm2. A Monte Carlo simulation was performed in the experimental geometry to obtain the calculated 3D dose distribution as the reference data. Dose response was acquired by comparing between the reference and the measurement. The dose rate dependence was verified by irradiating the same MU value at different dose rates ranging from 100 to 600 MU/min. Deconvolution processing was applied to the measured images for the correction of light blurring. The measured 3D dose distribution was reconstructed from each measured image. Gamma analysis was performed to these 3D dose distributions. The gamma criteria were 3% for the dose difference, 2 mm for the distance‐to‐agreement and 10% for the threshold.

Results

Dose response for the scintillation light was linear. The variation in the light intensity for the dose rate ranging from 100 to 600 MU/min was less than 0.5%, while our system presents dose rate independence. For the 3D dose measurement, blurring of light through deconvolution processing worked well. The 3D gamma passing rate (3D GPR) for the 10 × 10 mm2, 16 × 16 mm2, and 20 × 20 mm2 fields were observed to be 99.3%, 98.8%, and 97.8%, respectively. Reproducibility of measurement was verified. The 3D GPR results for the 2F plan and the CA plan were 99.7% and 100%, respectively.

Conclusions

We developed a plastic scintillation dosimeter and demonstrated that our system concept can act as a suitable technique for measuring the 3D dose distribution from the gamma results. In the future, we will attempt to measure the 4D dose distribution for clinical volumetric modulated arc radiation therapy (VMAT)‐SBRTplans.
Fears about COVID‐19 and perceived risk among people with rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis following the initial lockdown in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Treharne Gareth J. , Johnstone Grace , Fletcher Benjamin D. , Lamar Roisin S. M. , White Douglas , Stebbings Simon , Harrison Andrew
Published: August 2021

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic has disrupted all aspects of life and may raise particular fears for people with rheumatic disease. There is a need for research on fears and perceived risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 so as to understand the impact on wellbeing and inform service provision.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to examine the correlates of COVID‐19 fears and perceived risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 among people with rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis.

Design

A cross‐sectional survey design was applied in Aotearoa New Zealand in the period after initial nationwide lockdowns.

Method

An online survey was completed from July to September 2020 by 126 individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (n = 96) or ankylosing spondylitis (n = 30) who had previously been recruited to the Patient Opinion Real‐Time Anonymous Liaison (PORTAL) study in 2015 or 2018. The survey included demographics and health information as well as measures of COVID‐19 fears and experiences, functional disability and fatigue‐related disability.

Results

Fears about COVID‐19 were higher among younger participants, those who had been tested for SARS‐CoV‐2, and those who experienced more flares over the initial lockdown. Perceived risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection was also higher among individual who had been tested for SARS‐CoV‐2 and those taking biologic medications.

Conclusion

Fears about COVID‐19 and perceived risk of infection are related to age, health and medications among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis. These findings inform how health professionals can help address the concerns of particular groups of people with rheumatic disease by providing relevant information about the ongoing effects of the pandemic.
A simple organic solvent precipitation method to improve detection of low molecular weight proteins
Authors: Periasamy Parthiban , Rajandran Sureka , Ziegman Rebekah , Casey Mika , Nakamura Kyohei , Kore Hitesh , Datta Keshava , Gowda Harsha
Published: August 2021

Mass spectrometry‐based proteomics revolutionized global proteomic profiling. Although high molecular weight abundant proteins are readily sampled in global proteomics studies, less abundant low molecular weight proteins are often underrepresented. This includes biologically important classes of low molecular weight proteins including ligands, growth factors, peptide hormones and cytokines. Although extensive fractionation can facilitate achieving better coverage of proteome, it requires additional infrastructure, mass spectrometry time and labour. There is need for a simple method that can selectively deplete high molecular weight abundant proteins and enrich for low molecular weight less abundant proteins to improve their coverage in proteomics studies. We present a simple organic‐solvent based protein precipitation method that selectively depletes high molecular weight proteins and enriches low molecular weight proteins in the soluble fraction. Using this strategy, we demonstrate identification of low molecular weight proteins that are generally underrepresented in proteomics datasets. In addition, we show the utility of this approach in identifying functional cleavage products from precursor proteins and low molecular weight short open reading frame proteins encoded by non‐coding regions such as lncRNAs and UTRs. As the method does not require additional infrastructure, it can complement existing proteomics workflows to increase detection and coverage of low molecular weight proteins that are less abundant.