bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Bayesian approach for mixed effects state‐space models under skewness and heavy tails
Authors: Hernandez‐Velasco Lina L. , Abanto‐Valle Carlos A. , Dey Dipak K. , Castro Luis M.
Published: October 2023

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) dynamics have been the focus of epidemiological and biostatistical research during the past decades to understand the progression of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the population. Although there are several approaches for modeling HIV dynamics, one of the most popular is based on Gaussian mixed‐effects models because of its simplicity from the implementation and interpretation viewpoints. However, in some situations, Gaussian mixed‐effects models cannot (a) capture serial correlation existing in longitudinal data, (b) deal with missing observations properly, and (c) accommodate skewness and heavy tails frequently presented in patients' profiles. For those cases, mixed‐effects state‐space models (MESSM) become a powerful tool for modeling correlated observations, including HIV dynamics, because of their flexibility in modeling the unobserved states and the observations in a simple way. Consequently, our proposal considers an MESSM where the observations' error distribution is a skew‐t. This new approach is more flexible and can accommodate data sets exhibiting skewness and heavy tails. Under the Bayesian paradigm, an efficient Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm is implemented. To evaluate the properties of the proposed models, we carried out some exciting simulation studies, including missing data in the generated data sets. Finally, we illustrate our approach with an application in the AIDS Clinical Trial Group Study 315 (ACTG‐315) clinical trial data set.
Enhanced binding and inhibition of SARS‐CoV‐2 by a plant‐derived ACE2 protein containing a fused mu tailpiece
Authors: Lim Sohee , Kwon Hyung‐Jun , Jeong Dae Gwin , Nie Hualin , Lee Sanghee , Ko Seo‐Rin , Lee Kyu‐Sun , Ryu Young Bae , Mason Hugh S. , Kim Hyun‐Soon , Shin Ah‐Young , Kwon Suk‐Yoon
Published: October 2023

Infectious diseases such as Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) present an increasingly persistent crisis in many parts of the world. COVID‐19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). The angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a crucial cellular receptor for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Inhibition of the interaction between SARS‐CoV‐2 and ACE2 has been proposed as a target for the prevention and treatment of COVID‐19. We produced four recombinant plant‐derived ACE2 isoforms with or without the mu tailpiece (μ‐tp) of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and the KDEL endoplasmic reticulum retention motif in a plant expression system. The plant‐derived ACE2 isoforms bound whole SARS‐CoV‐2 virus and the isolated receptor binding domains of SARS‐CoV‐2 Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron variants. Fusion of μ‐tp and KDEL to the ACE2 protein (ACE2 μK) had enhanced binding activity with SARS‐CoV‐2 in comparison with unmodified ACE2 protein derived from CHO cells. Furthermore, the plant‐derived ACE2 μK protein exhibited no cytotoxic effects on Vero E6 cells and effectively inhibited SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. The efficient and rapid scalability of plant‐derived ACE2 μK protein offers potential for the development of preventive and therapeutic agents in the early response to future viral outbreaks.
Delayed coronary perforation four days after percutaneous coronary intervention with subsequent cardiac tamponade: A case report
Authors: Al Mawed Mohammad , Vlachojannis Marios , Pula Arianit , Gielen Stephan
Published: October 2023

Coronary artery perforation (CAP) is a rare but lethal complication of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs), and its incidence has been increasing with advances in PCI techniques. Delayed CAP presents a highly challenging complication, as it occurs 30 min−9 days after intervention, making subsequent diagnosis and treatment difficult. We present the case of a 63‐year‐old male patient who underwent PCI for an obtuse marginalis II because of posterior wall myocardial infarction. Following 4 days of uneventful postoperative stay, the patient developed angina pectoris and hypotension 4 h after reinitiation of anticoagulant therapy with edoxaban. Angiography revealed distal vessel perforation from a side branch of the obtuse marginalis II. The vessel was occluded using autologous fat embolization via a microcatheter, resulting in complete sealing of the perforation. After discharge, 4 weeks after the infarction, the patient started rehabilitation therapy. Distal vessel perforations are typically caused by wire damage. In our case, we also suspected distal wire perforation, which was initially not recognized possibly due to distal occlusion through the thrombotic material. The temporal correlation between the re‐initiation of anticoagulant therapy and the occurrence of cardiac tamponade suggests that the thrombotic material was resolved due to the former. The management of delayed CAP does not differ from that of CAP; thus, this rare complication should be considered even days after PCI as it could prove lethal if not recognized early.
Healing and stent coverage with the new ultrathin sirolimus‐eluting stent with abluminal biodegradable polymer
Authors: Jun Eun Jung , Hong Seung‐Pyo , Kim Bitna , Lee Jin Bae , Shin Eun‐Seok
Published: October 2023

Background

Genoss drug‐eluting stent (DES) (Genoss Company Limited) is a new ultrathin sirolimus‐eluting stent with an abluminal biodegradable polymer and a cobalt–chromium platform.

Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate vascular healing and neointimal coverage after implantation of the Genoss DES using optical coherence tomography (OCT) 6 months postimplantation.

Methods

From August 22, 2019 to June 17, 2020, this multicenter, observational, investigator‐initiated study enrolled 20 patients who underwent OCT examination 6 months after Genoss DES implantation and provided informed consent. An analyst, blinded to the patients' and procedural information analyzed OCT images at an independent core laboratory.

Results

Of the 20 patients, 19 with 27 stents in 21 lesions from 21 vessels were included in the analysis, while one patient withdrew consent and was unwilling to undergo follow‐up OCT. OCT analysis was performed 204.4 ± 31.9 days after Genoss DES implantation. A total of 4285 stent struts from 661 cross‐sections were analyzed. Strut tissue coverage was observed in 98.7 ± 4.3% of struts, with 0.1 ± 1.2% malapposed struts per lesion. The mean thickness of neointimal hyperplasia (NIH) on the covered struts was 0.12 ± 0.04 mm.

Conclusions

Six months after stent implantation, most Genoss DES struts were covered with a thin layer of NIH that was evenly distributed along the stent length. This pilot study evaluated the outcomes of 6 months dual antiplatelet therapy in the context of ultrathin strut stents, providing insight into developing ethical standards and a scientific foundation for conducting an adequately designed clinical trial.
Preemptive alcohol septal ablation prior to transcatheter mitral valve replacement
Authors: Wong Ningyan , Lim D. Scott , Yount Kenan , Yarboro Leora , Ailawadi Gorav , Ragosta Michael
Published: October 2023

Background

Alcohol septal ablation (ASA) has been shown to increase the neo‐left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) area before transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) but there is little literature on its success and use with dedicated devices.

Aims

To describe our experience with preemptive ASA to increase the predicted neo‐LVOT area and its utility with both dedicated TMVR devices and balloon‐expandable valves.

Methods

All patients who underwent ASA for TMVR candidacy in our center between May 2018 and October 2022 and had computed tomography (CT) scans done before and after ASA were included. Each CT was assessed for the minimum predicted neo‐LVOT area at end‐systole, using a virtual valve of the desired TMVR device for each patient. The primary outcome was an increase in the predicted neo‐LVOT area after ASA that was deemed sufficient for safe implantation of the desired TMVR device. The secondary outcome was the absence of acute LVOT obstruction after TMVR.

Results

A total of 12 patients underwent ASA and all but 1 (n = 11, 91.6%) achieved the primary outcome of having sufficient predicted neo‐LVOT area to proceed with TMVR. The mean increase in neo‐LVOT area after ASA was 126 ± 64 mm2 (median 119.5, interquartile range: 65.0–163.5 mm2). Two patients (16.7%) required a permanent pacemaker after ASA. Nine patients went on and underwent TMVR with their respective devices and none had LVOT obstruction after the procedure. Among the remaining three patients, one had insufficient neo‐LVOT clearance after ASA, one had unrelated mortality before TMVR, and one had advanced heart failure before TMVR.

Conclusion

In appropriately selected patients and at centers experienced with ASA, preemptive ASA can achieve sufficient neo‐LVOT clearance for TMVR with a variety of devices in approximately 90% of patients.
Resonant bubbles in a vertically vibrating liquid column
Authors: Baird M. H. I.
Published: October 2023

This paper reports measurements and theory concerning stationary, resonant single bubbles which have been formed in a vertically vibrating liquid column at frequencies of 40–1050 c./s. With liquids of high viscosity (ca. 10 poise) the bubbles can be made large enough to occupy the entire cross‐section of the 2 1/2 in. diameter column: intense agitation is produced in the liquid above the large bubble or slug. Theoretical equations are derived for the resonant frequency of the stationary bubbles: agreement with measured frequency is within 20% for bubbles which only partly fill the column cross‐section and within 10% for bubbles occupying the entire cross‐section. Viscous damping appears to be important in the latter case.
Age distributions for flow systems
Authors: Cha Lin Chuan , Fan Liang‐Tseng
Published: October 2023

A generalized treatment of age distributions in a flow system is proposed. In this work the inflowing stream is allowed to have an arbitrary but stationary age distribution before entering the system. The inventory material may also have an arbitrary age distribution initially. The flow rate of inflowing stream may be a variable with respect to time in certain special cases.
A study of the condensation of binary vapors of miscible liquids: Part 2: Heat transfer co‐efficients for filmwise and non‐filmwise condensation
Authors: Mirkovich V. V. , Missen R. W.
Published: October 2023

Heat transfer coefficients for total condensation at 750 mm. Hg of saturated, binary vapors have been measured for the four systems n‐pentane + n‐hexane, methanol + methylene dichloride, n‐pentane + methanol, and n‐pentane + methylene dichloride. Condensation was entirely filmwise for the first two systems, but was non‐filmwise (dropwise in the extreme) for the last two at low temperature differences for solutions dilute in n‐pentane. In the non‐filmwise cases the heat transfer coefficients are greater than expected for filmwise condensation, but the difference is not nearly as great as occurs for steam condensation. This indicates the existence of a resistance in the vapor film for mixtures, as postulated by Colburn and Drew in 1937. Dropwise condensation of vapor mixtures does not require a promoter, and indicates that interfacial tension forces may not always be neglected in considering the stability of homogeneous condensate films for mixtures.
Integrability of SLE via conformal welding of random surfaces
Authors: Ang Morris , Holden Nina , Sun Xin
Published: October 2023

We demonstrate how to obtain integrability results for the Schramm‐Loewner evolution (SLE) from Liouville conformal field theory (LCFT) and the mating‐of‐trees framework for Liouville quantum gravity (LQG). In particular, we prove an exact formula for the law of a conformal derivative of a classical variant of SLE called . Our proof is built on two connections between SLE, LCFT, and mating‐of‐trees. Firstly, LCFT and mating‐of‐trees provide equivalent but complementary methods to describe natural random surfaces in LQG. Using a novel tool that we call the uniform embedding of an LQG surface, we extend earlier equivalence results by allowing fewer marked points and more generic singularities. Secondly, the conformal welding of these random surfaces produces SLE curves as their interfaces. In particular, we rely on the conformal welding results proved in our companion paper Ang, Holden and Sun (2023). Our paper is an essential part of a program proving integrability results for SLE, LCFT, and mating‐of‐trees based on these two connections.
Toward a synthesis of cognitive behaviour therapy via component analysis of self‐regulation
Authors: Arco Lucius
Published: October 2023

The cognitive behavioural therapies (CBTs) are the choice psychotherapies for many clinicians treating a wide range of adult psychological disorders including various anxieties, mood, substance use, eating, schizophrenia and personality‐related. Empirical research in the CBTs is ever increasing, and the accumulating evidence supporting efficacious treatments is substantial and well documented. However, with prolific research comes a seemingly accelerating and worrying trend of purportedly different therapies, and numerous hybrids and combinations of therapies and techniques. For many clinicians this is increasingly confusing and not helpful in clinical practice. This article is a critique of current trends and directions in clinical research, which show signs of limited effectiveness, fragmentation, and obfuscation. An alternative strategy is proposed—examining transdiagnostic therapeutic effects, which appear related to treating pervasive dysregulated emotions, with component analyses of four principal self‐regulation components (viz., self‐monitoring; functional analysis; identifying values, goals and treatment‐plans; and feedback). Such a strategy is likely to lead to a more coherently synthesized and effective CBT.
Testing geological proxies for deep‐time tidal model simulations
Authors: Guo B. , Fitzgerald L. A. M. , Hewitt J. M. , Pampaloni O. , Green J. A. M.
Published: October 2023

Tides are a key driver of a range of Earth system processes, and we now have the capacity to simulate tidal dynamics on a range of temporal and spatial scales. Deep‐time tidal model simulations have been used to provide insight into past ocean circulation patterns, evolution of life and the developments of the Earth‐Moon system's orbital configuration. However, these tidal model simulations are relatively poorly constrained and validated because of a lack of readily available proxies. The feasibility of using two types of proxy is explored here; (1) sedimentary deposits which can directly estimate palaeotidal ranges, and (2) black shale, to constrain three palaeotidal model simulations for different time slices. Specifically, three palaeotidal range proxies were used for the early Devonian (400 Ma), three palaeotidal range proxies and five black shales for the lower Jurassic (185 Ma), and eight black shales for the early Cretaceous (95 Ma). Both tidal proxies confirm the tidal model results in most locations. The model results for 400 Ma and 185 Ma matched 2/3 of the palaeotidal range proxies for each of these periods. The locations of black shale were compared with tidal front locations predicted by the model outputs based on the Simpson–Hunter parameter and the model results from 95 to 185 Ma agree with the black shale proxies in 10/13 of the locations. In the cases where there is a disagreement, the model resolution is probably too low to fully resolve the details of the coastal topography, or—in one case—the palaeobathymetry is incorrect. Consequently, it is argued that it is worth expanding this type of work, and that such data can be used to validate both models and reconstructions.
A multifaceted review on aureusidin in planta distribution, (bio)synthesis, and bioactivities
Authors: Huang Wenqi , Lin Shiye , Farag Mohamed , Xiao Jianbo
Published: October 2023

Aureusidin, a derivative of aurone, imparts a vibrant yellow hue to numerous yellow‐rich plants, such as sunflowers and snapdragons. The bright yellow color provides an excellent pigment of choice for plant breeders to cultivate different‐colored hybrid species. The biosynthesis of aureusidin relies on a key aureusidin synthase enzyme, which belongs to the plant polyphenol oxidase family. The revelation of its DNA sequence, coupled with transgenic technology, has opened up possibilities for producing exceptionally stunning flower plants. Moreover, aureusidin exhibits remarkable bioactivities in vitro, including anti‐microbial, anti‐viral, anti‐cancer, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐oxidant, anti‐diabetic, anti‐hypercholesterolemic, anti‐hyperuricemia, histone deacetylase inhibitory, and neuropharmacological properties. However, the majority of studies have focused on in vitro experiments, rather than in vivo disease models, toxicological assessments, and human clinical trials. This review provides a comprehensive overview of all research advancements pertaining to aureusidin highlighting future perspectives to maximize its value, hereby contributing to the application of medicine, agricultural, and biotechnology fields. More studies are needed in the future to assess its toxicology, safety, and biotransformation for potential incorporation in future nutraceuticals.
Dehydroepiandrosterone mediates associations between trauma‐related symptoms and anterior pituitary volume in children and adolescents
Authors: Picci Giorgia , Casagrande Chloe C. , Ott Lauren R. , Petro Nathan M. , Christopher‐Hayes Nicholas J. , Johnson Hallie J. , Willett Madelyn P. , Okelberry Hannah J. , Wang Yu‐Ping , Stephen Julia M. , Calhoun Vince D. , Wilson Tony W.
Published: October 2023

Introduction

The anterior pituitary gland (PG) is a potential locus of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis responsivity to early life stress, with documented associations between dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels and anterior PG volumes. In adults, elevated anxiety/depressive symptoms are related to diminished DHEA levels, and studies have shown a positive relationship between DHEA and anterior pituitary volumes. However, specific links between responses to stress, DHEA levels, and anterior pituitary volume have not been established in developmental samples.

Methods

High‐resolution T1‐weighted MRI scans were collected from 137 healthy youth (9–17 years; Mage = 12.99 (SD = 1.87); 49% female; 85% White, 4% Indigenous, 1% Asian, 4% Black, 4% multiracial, 2% not reported). The anterior and posterior PGs were manually traced by trained raters. We examined the mediating effects of salivary DHEA on trauma‐related symptoms (i.e., anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic) and PG volumes as well as an alternative model examining mediating effects of PG volume on DHEA and trauma‐related symptoms.

Results

DHEA mediated the association between anxiety symptoms and anterior PG volume. Specifically, higher anxiety symptoms related to lower DHEA levels, which in turn were related to smaller anterior PG.

Conclusions

These results shed light on the neurobiological sequelae of elevated anxiety in youth and are consistent with adult findings showing suppressed levels of DHEA in those with greater comorbid anxiety and depression. Specifically, adolescents with greater subclinical anxiety may exhibit diminished levels of DHEA during the pubertal window, which may be associated with disruptions in anterior PG growth.
A tough injectable self‐setting cement‐based hydrogel for noninvasive bone augmentation
Authors: Jin Peng , Xia Mingjie , Hasany Masoud , Feng Pan , Bai Jing , Gao Jian , Zhang Wei , Mehrali Mehdi , Wang Ruixing
Published: October 2023

Composite hydrogels with excellent properties can open new opportunities to terminate the need for auto/allografts in bone augmentations. However, their clinical application has been limited by their insufficient mechanical strength and lack of osteoinductivity. Here we report a new strategy to design an injectable bioactive double network hydrogel reinforced by inorganic calcium/magnesium phosphate cement (CMPC) hydrates to meet the mechanical performance requirements for bone regeneration. The engineered CMPC hydration endows the composite hydrogel with an appropriate gelation time and temperature for injection, which shows no harm in the defect site. CMPC hydrates could also provide a lower swelling ratio and higher biodegradation rate fitting the in vivo bone regeneration needs. In vitro and in vivo experiments prove that the ions released from inorganic particles endow biocompatibility, cell migration, adhesion, differentiation, and significantly higher bone regeneration capacity. Taken together, the simple addition of CMPC particles imparts in‐demand features that bring us closer to the clinical utilization of hydrogel‐based materials for bone regeneration.
Clinical performance of the novel full‐genotyping OncoPredict HPV Quantitative Typing assay using the VALGENT framework
Authors: Cocuzza Clementina Elvezia , Dhillon Sharonjit Kaur , Martinelli Marianna , Giubbi Chiara , Njoku Ruth Chinyere , Bhatia Ramya , Cuschieri Kate , Arbyn Marc
Published: October 2023

Clinical validation of human papillomavirus (HPV) assays according to international criteria is prerequisite for their implementation in cervical cancer screening. OncoPredict HPV Quantitative Typing (QT) assay (Hiantis Srl, Milan, Italy) is a novel full‐genotyping multiplex real‐time PCR quantitative assay targeting E6/E7 genes, allowing individual viral load determination of 12 high‐risk (HR) HPV types. Quality controls for sample adequacy, efficiency of nucleic acid extraction and PCR inhibition are included in the assay. Clinical performance of OncoPredict HPV QT test was assessed as part of the “Validation of HPV Genotyping Tests” (VALGENT‐2) framework, consisting of 1300 cervical liquid‐based cytology (LBC) samples of women aged between 20 and 60 years who had originally attended for routine cervical screening in Scotland. The clinical accuracy of the OncoPredict HPV QT (index test) for the detection of CIN2+ was assessed relative to the GP5+/6+ Enzyme ImmunoAssay (GP5+/6+ EIA) (comparator test), using noninferiority criteria. Intra‐ and interlaboratory reproducibility of the assay was assessed on a subpopulation, comprising 526 samples. The relative sensitivity and specificity for OncoPredict HPV QT vs GP5+/6+‐PCR‐EIA were 1.01 (95% CI: 0.99‐1.03) and 1.03 (95% CI: 1.0‐1.06) respectively. The P‐values for noninferiority were ≤0.001. The intra‐ and inter‐laboratory reproducibility demonstrated a high concordance (>98.7%) with kappas for individual types ranging from 0.66 to 1.00. OncoPredict HPV QT fulfills the international validation criteria for the use of HPV tests in cervical cancer screening.
Targeting UBR5 inhibits postsurgical breast cancer lung metastases by inducing CDC73 and p53 mediated apoptosis
Authors: Yu Ziqi , Dong Xue , Song Mei , Xu Aizhang , He Qing , Li Huilin , Ouyang Wen , Chouchane Lotfi , Ma Xiaojing
Published: October 2023

UBR5 is a HECT domain E3 ubiquitin ligase that is frequently amplified in breast, ovarian and prostate cancers. Heightened UBR5 expression plays a profound role in tumor growth through immune‐dependent mechanisms; however, its mode of action in driving tumor metastasis has not been definitively delineated. Herein, we used a tetracycline (Tet)‐inducible RNAi‐mediated expression silencing cell system to investigate how UBR5 enables postsurgical mammary tumor metastatic growth in mouse lungs without the continuous influence of the primary lesion. In vitro, Ubr5 knockdown induces morphological and molecular changes characteristic of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). In vivo, UBR5 promotes lung metastasis in an E3 ubiquitin ligase‐dependent manner. Moreover, doxycycline‐induced UBR5 expression knockdown in metastatic cells in the lungs, following removing the primary tumors, resulted in increased apoptosis, decreased proliferation and prolonged survival, whereas silencing the expression of cell division cycle 73 (CDC73), a tumor suppressor and E3 ligase substrate of UBR5, reversed these effects. Transcriptome analyses revealed a prominent role of the p53 pathway in dovitinib‐induced apoptosis of tumor cells differentially regulated by UBR5 and CDC73. In human triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) patient specimens, a strong inverse correlation was observed between UBR5 and CDC73 protein levels, with reduced CDC73 expression at metastatic sites compared to primary lesions. Furthermore, a xenograft model of human TNBC recapitulated the metastatic properties and characteristics of the unique UBR5‐CDC73 functional antagonism. This study reveals the novel and critical roles and intricate relationships of UBR5, CDC73 and p53 in postsurgical breast cancer metastasis and indicates the potential of targeting this pathway in cancer therapy.
Multiencoder‐based federated intelligent deep learning model for brain tumor segmentation
Authors: Soni Vaibhav , Singh Nikhil Kumar , Singh Rishi Kumar , Tomar Deepak Singh
Published: October 2023

Glioma, a primary tumor derived from brain glial cells, is around 45% of all intracranial tumors. Magnetic resonance imaging's (MRI's) precise glioma segmentation is crucial for clinical purposes. This article presents a novel automatic brain tumor segmentation approach based on a multi‐encoder‐based federated intelligent deep learning framework. The suggested method uses a U‐shaped network design that multiplies the single contraction path into several paths to explore semantic information modalities deeply. The basic convolutional layer uses an Inception module and dilated convolutions to extract multi‐scale features from the images using artificial intelligent. To emphasize segmentation‐related information while ignoring redundant channel dimension information and improving the accuracy of network segmentation, lightweight channel attention efficient channel attention (ECA) modules are inserted into the bottleneck layer and decoder. The collection of data for the 2018 Brain Tumor Segmentation Challenge (BraTS 2018) is used to test the effectiveness of the suggested structure, and the findings indicate that the growth core, for the entire tumor and the augmented tumor regions, respectively, the average Dice coefficients are 0.880, 0.784, and 0.757. These findings support the proposed algorithm's ability to accurately and successfully segregate multimodal MRI brain tumors.
A community‐driven social knowledge management framework for bridging rural–urban knowledge divide using social technology
Authors: Basak Jayanta , Bhaumik Parama
Published: October 2023

This article illustrates how a social knowledge management (SKM) platform can be conceptualized, developed and implemented that can provide users with multi‐community connectivity, making it quicker and easier for members to connect, communicate, collaborate, and learn. By conducting case studies on rural craft producers in West Bengal, India, we have demonstrated how this platform fosters meaningful collaboration among rural artisans and various stakeholders within the craft production system, ultimately resulting in the formation of vibrant virtual communities. The platform promotes purposeful knowledge exchanges among variety of agents, which helps to reduce the knowledge divide and the market isolation that rural artisans experience. The platform enhances inter and intra‐group communication that supports rural artisans to establish their independent credibility in their trade without the assistance of intermediaries or middlemen.
Comorbidity in lipoprotein apheresis: Their role in the era of new lipid‐lowering therapies
Authors: Sbrana Francesco , Pianelli Mascia , Luciani Roberta , Bigazzi Federico , Corciulo Carmen , Ripoli Andrea , Sampietro Tiziana , Dal Pino Beatrice
Published: October 2023

Background

Despite advance in pharmacotherapy of lipid disorders, lipoprotein apheresis (LA) plays a leading role in the management of severe hypercholesterolemia and in atherosclerosis prevention.

Methods

Aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), presence of major comorbidity, and/or concomitant polypharmacy (definite as 5+ drugs daily) in patients with inherited dyslipidemias on chronic LA.

Results

Since 1994, we performed more than 500 LA treatment/year and followed a total of 83 patients (age 56 [47–65] years, male 75%). In subjects with more than 5 years of LA treatment (38 patients, age 54 [45–62] years, male 66%), at the end of the observation time (9 [7–16] years), patients had higher CCI, polypharmacy, anemia, heart failure, peptic ulcer disease, and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Discussion

Even in the era of new lipid‐lowering therapies, the LA treatment established itself as a safe and lifesaving intervention. Patients on chronic LA require a multidisciplinary approach to address their comorbidity and the apheresis unit's medical staff (doctors and nurses) play a pivotal role creating a bridge toward the general practitioner and other specialists for overcoming clinical issues.
Sketching assessment in engineering education: A systematic literature review
Authors: Merzdorf Hillary E. , Jaison Donna , Weaver Morgan B. , Linsey Julie , Hammond Tracy , Douglas Kerrie A.
Published: October 2023

Background

Sketching exists in many disciplines and varies in how it is assessed, making it challenging to define fundamental sketching skills and the characteristics of a high‐quality sketch. For instructors to apply effective strategies for teaching and assessing engineering sketching, a clear summary of the constructs, metrics, and objectives for sketching assessment across engineering education and related disciplines is needed.

Purpose

This systematic literature review explores sketching assessment definitions and approaches across engineering education research.

Methodology/Approach

We collected 671 papers from five major engineering and education databases at all skill levels for reported sketching constructs and metrics, cognition, and learning contexts. Based on the selection criteria, we eliminated all but 41 papers, on which we performed content analysis.

Findings/Conclusions

Engineering, design, and art emerged as three major disciplines in the papers reviewed. We found that sketching assessment most often employs metrics on accuracy, perspective, line quality, annotations, and aesthetics. Most collected studies examined beginners in undergraduate engineering design sketching or drawing ability tests. Cognitive skills included perceiving the sketch subject, creatively sketching ideas, using metacognition to monitor the sketching process, and using sketching for communication.

Implications

Sketching assessment varies by engineering discipline and relies on many types of feedback and scoring metrics. Cognitive theory can inform instructional activities as a foundation for sketching skills. There is a need for robust evidence of high‐quality assessment practices in sketching instruction. Assessment experts can apply their knowledge toward improving sketching assessment development, implementation, and validation.
Impact of apoptotic biomarkers for prognosis of dengue disease severity among eastern Indian patients
Authors: Sengupta Siddhartha , Manna Srijan , Saha Bibhuti , Tripathi Anusri
Published: October 2023

Dengue virus (DENV) induced severe manifestations is a precursor for fatality among infected patients. Previous autopsy examinations of severe dengue (SD) patients reported presence of apoptotic cells in liver, brain, intestinal and lung tissues. Thus, serum‐level of major apoptotic proteins of dengue patients was evaluated in the current study, along with their biochemical parameters. Patients were categorized according to World Health Organization (WHO)‐defined classification. DENV‐infection was screened among 165 symptomatic patients by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, antidengue IgM, and IgG ELISA. Serum levels of apoptotic (Capase‐3,7,8, Bcl‐2 and FasL) and hepatic‐markers, lipid profile, hematological parameters of 78 dengue‐positive patients were determined by sandwich‐ELISA/immunoturbidimetry/auto‐analyzer. Significantly higher levels of caspase‐3,7,8 and FasL was detected among SD patients compared to those without warning (WOW) signs. Amongst biochemical parameters, bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase serum concentrations significantly increased among severe patients. Principal component analysis followed by hierarchical clustering differentiated severe and with warning dengue patient groups from those WOW using caspase‐3,7,8 and FasL biomarkers—thus clearly distinguishing severe‐dengue group. Correlation analyses also established strong positive correlation between caspase‐3,7,8 and FasL. Thus, serum level of caspase‐3,7,8 and FasL during early stage of infection could be used as biomarkers for WHO‐defined dengue disease severity.
A spacer design strategy for CRISPR‐Cas12f1 with single‐nucleotide polymorphism mutation resolution capability and its application in the mutations diagnosis of pathogens
Authors: Gao Panqi , Yang Maoyi , Chen Yi , Yan Jun , Han Miaomiao , Deng Haijun , Qian Keli , Yang Jiandong , Lu Yaoqin , Zhou Ling , Huang Ailong , Li Xiaosong , Deng Wanyan , Long Quanxin
Published: October 2023

Infectious diseases remain a major global issue in public health. It is important to develop rapid, sensitive, and accurate diagnostic methods to detect pathogens and their mutations. Cas12f1 is an exceptionally compact RNA‐guided nuclease and have the potential to fulfill the clinical needs. Based on the interaction between crRNA‐SSDNA binary sequence and Cas12f1, here, we addressed the essential features that determine the recognition ability of CRISPR‐Cas12f1 single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), such as the length of spacer region and the base pairing region that determines the trans‐cleavage of ssDNA. A fine‐tuning spacer design strategy is also proposed to enhance the SNP recognition capability of CRISPR‐Cas12f1. The optimized spacer confers the Cas12f1 system a strong SNP identification capability for viral or bacterial drug‐resistance mutations, with a specificity ratio ranging from 19.63 to 110.20 and an admirable sensitivity up to 100 copy/μL. Together, the spacer screening and CRISPR‐Cas12f1 based SNP identification method, is sensitive and versatile, and will have a wide application prospect in pathogen DNA mutation diagnosis and other mutation profiling.
The Role of Ultrasound Semi‐Quantitative Scoring in the Diagnosis and Assessment of Gout and Hyperuricemia
Authors: Shao Qin , Wang Jing
Published: October 2023

Objectives

To develop an ultrasound semi‐quantitative scoring system for the diagnosis and evaluation of gout and hyperuricemia.

Methods

This study included 348 male patients: 81 patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia, 182 patients with gout, and 85 patients with other arthritis. Clinical data were collected, ultrasound was detected, gout activity score was calculated to assess disease activity, and statistical analysis was performed.

Results

Monosodium urate crystal deposition and subclinical arthritis were detected in 17 patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia, with lesions concentrated in the metatarsophalangeal joint, ankle and peroneus‐longus and brevis at rate of 91.8%. Gout was significantly higher than non‐gouty arthritis in crystal scores (sum scores of double contour, aggregates, and tophi), but not in inflammation scores (sum scores of synovial hypertrophy, power Doppler [PD] activity, and tenosynovitis) and bone erosion. The optimal cut‐off score for the diagnosis of gout by the crystal score was 2. The sensitivity, specificity, and AUC were 95.4%, 97.1%, and .965, respectively. Gout flare had higher inflammation scores than intercritical gout, while bone erosion scores were lower than intercritical gout. The active gout patients had higher ultrasound scores of tophi, bone erosion, and PD activity than the remission group (P < .001). The sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for the identification with high disease activity gout by ultrasound semi‐quantitative composite score were 76.2%, 84.2%, and .812, respectively.

Conclusion

Ultrasound helps early identification of patients at risk in asymptomatic hyperuricemia. Ultrasound semi‐quantitative scoring allows for more objective and accurate assessment of gout lesions, correlates with disease activity, and helps in the diagnosis and assessment of gout.
Monomer Transport in Emulsion Polymerization IV Gaseous Monomers
Authors: Merlin Julia , Schork F. Joseph
Published: October 2023

Methods for the evaluation of the Damkohler number for monomer transport during emulsion homopolymerization and copolymerization are extended to the analysis of gaseous monomers. Results indicate that the monomer transport limitation of gaseous monomers in both homo and copolymerization is strongly dependent on overall pressure through Henry's law relationship governing the concentration of monomer in the aqueous phase in equilibrium with monomer bubbles. At low pressures, most monomers studied exhibit monomer transport limitations; however, even at very high pressures, some gaseous monomers still exhibit monomer transport limitations.
Unrestricted funding and nonprofit capacities: Developing a conceptual model
Authors: Wiepking Pamala , de Wit Arjen
Published: October 2023

Unrestricted or flexible funding practices are increasingly popular among funders. There is initial empirical support for the assumption that fewer donor‐imposed restrictions on funding have positive outcomes for nonprofit capacities, including the ability to better deal with external shocks such as presented by the COVID‐19 crisis. However, academic literature on the consequences of donor‐imposed restrictions is scarce, scattered, and lacks an overarching theoretical basis. In this article, we theorize how unrestricted funding may relate to nonprofit capacities and consequently effectiveness. Our theoretical propositions are derived from a review of the academic and gray literature as well as a theory‐based analysis of 20 in‐depth interviews with grantees receiving multi‐year unrestricted funding as a substantial part of their funding portfolio. We propose a conceptual model that hypothesizes how unrestricted funding may affect seven different nonprofit capacities: (1) financial management; (2) operational capacity; (3) staff management; (4) adaptive capacity; (5) strategic planning; (6) mission orientation; and (7) innovation. This framework can function as a much‐needed starting point to support academics and nonprofit leaders to better understand how unrestricted funding relates to nonprofit capabilities and consequently nonprofit effectiveness.
Swallowing Function After Epiglottopexy in Children
Authors: Young Ashley E. , Hinkes‐Molinaro Laura , Ida Jonathan , Valika Taher , Ghadersohi Saied , Thompson Dana M. , Hazkani Inbal
Published: October 2023

Objective

Epiglottopexy has been an increasingly utilized intervention in children with epiglottic prolapse and airway obstruction. Given the role of the epiglottis in protecting the airway during swallowing and the potential effect of repositioning the epiglottis on the passage of the bolus, we aimed to compare swallowing outcomes before and after epiglottopexy in children.

Study Design

A retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Tertiary care children's hospital.

Methods

Data were extracted from charts of children who underwent epiglottopexy and had a subsequent instrumental swallowing evaluation between January 2018 and September 2022.

Results

A total of 93 patients underwent epiglottopexy. Of these, 38 patients met inclusion requirements. The mean age at surgery was 41 ± 47 months. Most patients (n = 37, 97.4%) had significant comorbidities such as secondary airway lesions (n = 33, 91.7%), a genetic or syndromic disorder (n = 25, 69.4%), and dysphagia (n = 29, 76.3%). All patients had a concurrent procedure at the time of epiglottopexy with supraglottoplasty (n = 24, 63.2%) and lingual tonsillectomy (n = 16, 42.1%) being the most common. No changes in initiation or patterns of swallowing were noted postoperatively. A total of 7 (18.4%) patients had worsening swallow function: 2 had new‐onset dysphagia, and 5 had worsening pre‐existing dysphagia. Liquid or food textures penetrated remained unchanged or improved in most cases. No risk factors for worsening dysphagia were identified in our cohort.

Conclusion

Children with medical comorbidities undergoing epiglottopexy with additional airway interventions may experience new or worsening dysphagia. However, the procedure is generally safe without notable patterned changes in the swallowing mechanism.
Automated AJCC Restaging for Oropharyngeal Cancer Research
Authors: Safranek Conrad W. , Wilkins Sarah G. , Shah Rema , Mehra Saral
Published: October 2023

With the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8th edition staging guidelines update, human papillomavirus‐positive (HPV+) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is now staged separately from its HPV‐negative counterpart, preventing meaningful comparison of cases staged with the 7th versus 8th edition criteria. Manual restaging is time‐consuming and error‐prone, hindering multiyear analyses for HPV+ OPSCC. We developed an automated computational tool for re‐classifying HPV+ OPSCC pathological and clinical tumor staging from AJCC 7th to 8th edition. The tool is designed to handle large data sets, ensuring comprehensive and accurate analysis of historic HPV+ OPSCC data. Validated against institutional and National Cancer Database data sets, the algorithm achieved accuracies of 100% (95% confidence interval [CI] 98.8%‐100%) and 93.4% (95% CI 93.1%‐93.7%), successfully restaging 326/326 and 26,505/28,374 cases, respectively. With its open‐source design, this computational tool can enhance future HPV+ OPSCC research and inspire similar tools for other cancer types and subsequent AJCC editions.
Revisiting the hydrolysis of ampicillin catalyzed by Temoneira‐1 β‐lactamase, and the effect of Ni(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II)
Authors: Nafaee Zeyad H. , Egyed Viktória , Jancsó Attila , Tóth Annamária , Gerami Adeleh Mokhles , Dang Thanh Thien , Heiniger‐Schell Juliana , Hemmingsen Lars , Hunyadi‐Gulyás Éva , Peintler Gábor , Gyurcsik Béla
Published: October 2023

β‐Lactamases grant resistance to bacteria against β‐lactam antibiotics. The active center of TEM‐1 β‐lactamase accommodates a Ser‐Xaa‐Xaa‐Lys motif. TEM‐1 β‐lactamase is not a metalloenzyme but it possesses several putative metal ion binding sites. The sites composed of His residue pairs chelate borderline transition metal ions such as Ni(II). In addition, there are many sulfur‐containing donor groups that can coordinate soft metal ions such as Hg(II). Cd(II) may bind to both types of the above listed donor groups. No significant change was observed in the circular dichroism spectra of TEM‐1 β‐lactamase on increasing the metal ion content of the samples, with the exception of Hg(II) inducing a small change in the secondary structure of the protein. A weak nonspecific binding of Hg(II) was proven by mass spectrometry and 119mHg perturbed angular correlation spectroscopy. The hydrolytic process of ampicillin catalyzed by TEM‐1 β‐lactamase was described by the kinetic analysis of the set of full catalytic progress curves, where the slow, yet observable conversion of the primary reaction product into a second one, identified as ampilloic acid by mass spectrometry, needed also to be considered in the applied model. Ni(II) and Cd(II) slightly promoted the catalytic activity of the enzyme while Hg(II) exerted a noticeable inhibitory effect. Hg(II) and Ni(II), applied at 10 μM concentration, inhibited the growth of E. coli BL21(DE3) in M9 minimal medium in the absence of ampicillin, but addition of the antibiotic could neutralize this toxic effect by complexing the metal ions.
Embedding research into clinical care to improve health outcomes
Authors: Ogden Joy
Published: October 2023

As well as Breckenridge Chair of Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Liverpool, Professor Reecha Sofat is Vice President (Clinical) of the British Pharmacological Society and an Associate Director for the British Heart Foundation Data Science Centre. Here, Professor Sofat talks to Joy Ogden about her research to improve understanding of disease and the effective use of medicines, and how her various roles complement each other.
The vapour pressure of solutions saturated with lead nitrate and ammonium nitrate
Authors: Dingemans P.
Published: October 2023

The vapour pressure of the four‐phase equilibrium: solid Pb (NO3)2‐solid NH4,NO3‐saturated aqueous solution‐water vapour, was measured from 10° C to the end‐point of the four‐phase curve. That end‐point is the eutectic point of the binary system Pb (NO3)2‐NH4NO3. This eutectic point was accurately determined and found to lie at a temperature of 133.8° C and a composition of 32.1 percent by weight of Pb(NO3)2 and 67.9 percent by weight of NH4NO3.

The vapour pressure curve measured has a maximum at a temperature of 102.1° C and a pressure of 114.4 mm Hg.

Miss Korvezee and Dingemans

Miss A. E. Korvezee and P. Dingemans, Rec. trav. chim. 62, 625 (1943).

previously discovered that for binary systems the relative vapour pressure of aqueous solutions saturated with one salt is in many cases a linear or almost linear function of the temperature. This rule is found to hold also for the ternary system now investigated, consisting of an aqueous solution saturated with respect to two salts, as well as for all other ternary salt systems previously measured in this laboratory.
Harvesting Inertial Energy and Powering Wearable Devices: A Review
Authors: Zhang Hexiang , Shen Qianhui , Zheng Peng , Wang Hao , Zou Rui , Zhang Zutao , Pan Yajia , Zhi Jin‐Yi , Xiang Ze‐Rui
Published: October 2023

Amidst the swift progression of microelectronics and Internet of Things technology, wearable devices are gradually gaining ground in the domains of human health monitoring. Recently, human bioenergy harvesting has emerged as a plausible alternative to batteries. This paper delves into harvesting human inertial energy that stimulates inertial masses through human motion and then transmutes the motion of the inertial masses into electrical energy. The inertial energy harvester is better suited for low‐frequency and irregular human motion. This review first identifies the sources of human motion excitation that are compatible with inertial energy harvesters and then provides a summary of the operating principles and the comparisons of the commonly used energy conversion mechanisms, including electromagnetic, piezoelectric, and triboelectric transducers. The review thoroughly summarizes the latest advancements in human inertial energy‐harvesting technology that are categorized and grouped based on their excitation sources and mechanical modulation methods. In addition, the review outlines the applications of inertial energy harvesters in powering wearable devices, medical health monitoring, and as mobile power sources. Finally, the challenges faced by inertial energy‐harvesting technologies are discussed, and the review provides a perspective on the potential developments in the field.