bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extremal Nelder–Mead colony predation algorithm for parameter estimation of solar photovoltaic models
Authors: Xu Boyang , Heidari Ali Asghar , Zhang Siyang , Chen Huiling , Shao Qike
Published: August 2022

Measurement data based on current and voltage of photovoltaic (PV) systems and the establishment of more accurate and stable solar system models are of typical significance for the design, control, evaluation and optimization of PV systems. Accurate and stable parameter evaluation for PV systems needs to be based on more efficient optimization techniques to achieve efficient energy conversion from solar energy. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel and efficient optimization technique enhanced colony predation algorithm to solve the complex PV parameter identification problem named ECPA. By fusing extremal optimization strategy and Nelder–Mead simplex method enables ECPA to further develop in the neighborhood of potential optimal solutions while improving the position of inferior agent candidates, and finally has the ability to search globally beyond the local optimum. To verify the optimization efficiency of ECPA, the first part verifies the efficiency of ECPA in solving complex high‐dimensional and multimodal problems by conducting competitive comparison experiments at the IEEE CEC 2020 benchmark case. In the second part, ECPA is compared with nine similar published state‐of‐the‐art algorithms, and competitive tests for PV parameter identification under single diode model, double diode model, triple diode model and PV module model (PV) are conducted. Finally, we focused on three different commercial PV models (thin film ST40, monocrystalline SM55, and multicrystalline KC200GT) to test the accuracy of ECPA in evaluating PV parameters. The test results show that ECPA is able to maintain a high level of accuracy and stability when dealing with commercial PV models in complex environments. The experimental results demonstrate that ECPA outperforms other algorithms in terms of data fitting, stability, convergence speed and convergence accuracy. All the competitive experimental results show that ECPA can be a novel technique with the best performance for identifying the parameters to be determined in solar PV systems.
App‐based pelvic floor muscle training in pregnant and postnatal women: A prospective cohort study exploring factors associated with prevention and improvement of urinary incontinence
Authors: Löjdahl Erika , Lindam Anna , Asklund Ina
Published: August 2022

Background and Aims

Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is recommended for continent pregnant women and postnatal women experiencing urinary incontinence (UI). The app Tät® has been developed for the treatment of stress UI with a focus on PFMT. The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with the improvement of incontinence symptoms and retained continence in pregnant and postnatal women who used the app.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was carried out based on user questionnaires from the app Tät®. We included pregnant and postnatal women who answered the inclusion questionnaire between June 19, 2019 and September 19, 2020. The questionnaire included questions about the frequency and amount of leakage, the impact that UI has on everyday life, and experienced improvements at follow‐up. We analyzed factors associated with improvement and retained continence using logistic regression.

Results

We included 10,307 pregnant and 13,670 postnatal women, and 44% of the pregnant women and 52% of the postnatal women were incontinent. A total of 3680 women were included in the follow‐up analysis, and 52% of the pregnant incontinent women and 73% of the postnatal incontinent women experienced improvement. Pregnant women who performed PFMT and used the app at least once per week had increased odds of improvement (odds ratio [OR]: 1.83, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–3.29 and OR: 3.38, 95% CI: 1.94–5.90, respectively) compared to those who performed no training and had no app usage. Postnatal women who used the app at least once per week and had more severe incontinence had increased odds of improvement (OR: 4.26, 95% CI: 2.37–7.64 and OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.05–1.16, respectively).

Conclusions

The app Tät® is widely used by pregnant and postnatal women in Sweden for the prevention and treatment of UI. Majority of the women with incontinence experienced improvement after using the app. Regular PFMT and app use seemed to be important factors for experiencing improvement.
Comparative risk assessment of COVID‐19 associated mucormycosis and aspergillosis: A systematic review
Authors: Baral Prodip Kumar , Aziz Md. Abdul , Islam Mohammad Safiqul
Published: August 2022

COVID‐19 is not only limited to a defined array but also has expanded with several secondary infections. Two uncommon opportunistic fungal infections, COVID‐19 associated mucormycosis (CAM) and aspergillosis (CAA), have recently been highly acquainted by many worldwide cases. Two immune response deteriorating factors are considered to be responsible for immunosuppression: comorbidities and medication. Due to unlike infection sites and patterns, CAM and CAA‐associated factors deflect a few degrees of proximity, and the present study is for its assessment. The study evaluated 351 CAM cases and 191 CAA cases retrieved from 65 and 53 articles based on inclusion criteria, respectively. Most of the CAM reported from India and CAA were from four South‐European and West‐European neighbor countries. The mean ages of CAM and CAA were 52.72 ± 13.74 and 64.81 ± 11.14, correspondingly. Mortality of CAA (56.28%) was two times greater than CAM (26.02%). Nevertheless, the count of diabetes cases was very high in CAM compared to CAA. The main comorbidities of CAM were diabetes (nearly 80%) and hypertension (more than 38%). All noticeable complications were higher in CAA except diabetes, and these were diabetes (34.55%), hypertension (45.03%), and obesity (18.32%). Moreover, pre‐existing respiratory complications like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are visible in CAA. The uses of steroids in CAM and CAA were nearly 70% and 66%, respectively. Almost one‐fourth of CAA cases were reported using immunosuppressant monoclonal antibodies, whereas only 7.69% were for CAM. The overall finding highlights diabetes, hypertension, and steroids as the risk factors for CAM, whereas obesity, chronic pulmonary disease, and immunosuppressants for CAA.
Investigation of turbulent entropy production rate with SWCNT/H2O nanofluid flowing in various inwardly corrugated pipes
Authors: Fadodun Olatomide Gbenga , Ewim Daniel Raphael Ejike , Abolarin Sogo Mayokun
Published: August 2022

This paper presents turbulent heat transfer performance and entropy production rate in different inwardly corrugated pipes with single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)/H2O nanofluid as a working fluid using the finite volume method approach. The configurations considered were circular, triangular, and trapezoidal. The SWCNT/H2O nanofluid was modeled using a single‐phase approach and the  model was used to simulate the turbulent flow. A parametric study was carried out on the effect of Reynolds number (5 × 103 ≤ Re ≤ 3 × 104) and nanoparticle volume ratio (0% ≤ φ ≤ 0.25%) on hydrodynamic, heat transfer performance, thermal entropy production rates (TEPRs; due to mean and turbulent temperature gradients), and viscous entropy production rates (VEPRs; due to mean and turbulent velocity gradients). The results showed that the mean temperature gradient contributes most to the TEPR, compared with the turbulent temperature gradient. However, the opposite was the case for the VEPR. Furthermore, the presence of corrugation decreases the TEPR but enhanced friction factor, Nusselt number, and VEPR. For example, at a Reynolds number of 2.5 × 104, the normalized friction factor, average Nusselt number, TEPR, and VEPR (referencing a smooth pipe) in circularly, triangularly, and trapezoidal corrugated pipes are {3.86, 1.39, 0.80, 3.88}, {3.80, 1.41, 0.72, 3.98}, and {4.34, 1.55, 0.69, 4.19}, respectively.
The effect of MHD mixed convection flow over a heated plate
Authors: Sakthivel Kavitha , Narasappa Nalinakshi , Pobbathy Ashwathnarayana Dinesh , Thavada Sravan Kumar
Published: August 2022

The notion of this paper is to analyse the bidimensional, steady flow of a dusty fluid over a heated plate with varied fluid properties and magnetic fields. The boundary layer flow directed by Lapwood–Forcheimer–Brinkman extended Darcy model and Lorentz force are highly coupled and nonlinear. Similarity terms convert these nonlinear partial differential equations to higher‐order ordinary differential equations. These higher order ordinary differential equations (ODEs) are converted to first order ODE by the numerical technique called the shooting technique. Temperature, concentration, and velocity are portrayed for various pertinent parameters, and it is spotted that due to the particles in the fluid, the heat transfer speeds up and temperature and concentration decrease. Nusselt number, Skin fiction, and Sherwood number also have been discussed here. The results are in keeping with the existing results. In understanding the thermal characteristic of various effects, it was seen that thermogeometric plate, radiation conduction is very useful for many industrial applications.
Management information system maturity concerns in Nigeria public organizations
Authors: Adetunji Rose Oluwaseun , Singh Shawren , Mkhize Peter
Published: August 2022

Government departments are under increasing pressure to demonstrate technology effectiveness. One approach that government departments can use to be perceived as more technology effective is to understand the Management Information Systems (MIS) maturity issues that affect their departments. There are gaps in the academic literature about how African governments are dealing with the issues of MIS maturity; and this is also applicable to Nigeria. The purpose of this research is to gain a better understanding of some of the MIS maturity concerns of Nigerian Ministries, Department, and Agencies (MDAs). This is important because senior managers and policymakers can more effectively understand the challenges that affect their respective departments and develop context‐appropriate policies. This study is quantitative in nature and primary data in the form of questionnaires were collected from 109 key stakeholders from selected Nigerian government departments. The data were analyzed using Factor analysis as a primary tool. The analysis provided a deeper understanding of some of the issues affecting the maturity within the selected Nigerian MDAs. The results of the analysis were used to develop a model that outlines some of the maturity concerns for the selected Nigerian MDAs. The issues that affect MIS maturity in Nigerian MDAs are related to: (1) integration of MIS initiatives, creating MIS vision, implementation of MIS management policies and the development of supportive MIS objectives which influence MIS maturity, (2) robust MIS objectives and robust MIS management that influences service delivery.
Predictors of pocket hematoma after cardiac implantable electronic device surgery: A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Fensman Sie Kronborg , Grove Erik Lerkevang , Johansen Jens Brock , Jørgensen Ole Dan , Frausing Maria Hee Jung Park , Kirkfeldt Rikke Esberg , Nielsen Jens Cosedis
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Clinically significant pocket hematoma (CSH) is a common complication to cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) surgery. We aimed to evaluate predictors of CSH after CIED surgery.

Methods

We performed a nationwide population‐based prospective cohort study with systematic patient chart review of all Danish patients undergoing CIED surgery during a 12‐month period. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals for association between predictors and CSH.

Results

We included 5918 consecutive patients, 63% males, mean age 72.6 years. A total of 148 (2.5%) patients experienced CSH, including 10 patients (0.2%) requiring re‐operation with hematoma evacuation. The risk of CSH was significantly increased in patients treated with aspirin (aOR 1.8; 1.2–2.7), aspirin and clopidogrel (aOR 3.9; 2.3–6.5), or heparin (aOR 2.1; 1.1–4.1), and in patients with INR≥2.0 (aOR 2.0; 1.2–3.2). Patients operated by low‐volume operators (aOR 2.7; 1.6–4.6) or undergoing more complex CIED surgery such as cardiac resynchronization therapy (aOR 2.0; 1.1–3.5) or dual‐chamber defibrillator (aOR 2.1; 1.2–3.8) also had significantly increased CSH risk.

Conclusion

In a large nationwide cohort of consecutive patients undergoing CIED surgery, the risk of CSH was 2.5%, with 0.2% necessitating evacuation. CSH risk was increased both in patients receiving aspirin, dual antiplatelet therapy or continued vitamin K‐antagonist therapy. Dual antiplatelet therapy had the highest risk (aOR) of CSH. Both low operator volume and more complex CIED surgery were independently associated with higher CSH risk. These data should be considered when planning CIED surgery.
Cutaneous reactions post‐COVID‐19 vaccination. Case series and literature review
Authors: Al‐Muqarrab Fatimah J. , Alakloby Omar M. , Al Ameer Mohammed A. , Alhajri Abdulmohsen M.
Published: August 2022

Background

In Saudi Arabia, three approved vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (AstraZeneca [AZD1222], Pfizer‐BioNTech [BNT162b2] and [Ad26. COV 2‐S] Moderna vaccine) have been administered to the population.

Objective

To characterise cutaneous adverse events associated with COVID‐19 vaccines.

Methodology

We collected information on 26 patients presented to two secondary health care facilities, over the period extending from mid of December 2020 to the 1st of January 2022 with cutaneous reactions after COVID‐19 vaccine administration. Data were descriptively analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, SPSS 23rd version.

Results

A total of 53.8% of the patients were male; 31% of the patients reported having at least one chronic illness. Reactions were most frequent after the first dose (57.6% of the patients). Messenger RNA‐based vaccines were the most frequently noted vaccines associated with the reactions (76.9% of the cases). The most common reactions were cutaneous small‐vessel vasculitis (19.2%), interface/lichenoid reactions (19.2%), psoriasis (15.4%), and acute urticaria (11.5%). Only 11.5% patients required admission to the hospital for their clinical presentation.

Conclusion

Most of our patients had mild reactions and were successfully managed with supportive treatments. However, still some patients may experience severe or long‐lasting reactions requiring systemic therapies.
Otolaryngologic Manifestations of Trisomy 13 and Trisomy 18 in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Benson Jalen , Stewart Candace , Kenna Margaret A. , Shearer A. Eliot
Published: August 2022

Objective

The survival rate of patients with trisomy 13 and trisomy 18 has increased dramatically over the past two decades. We sought to comprehensively describe the otolaryngologic clinical characteristics and procedures required for these patients at our institution.

Methods

We performed algorithmic identification of patients with a diagnosis of trisomy 13 and trisomy 18 for whom the otolaryngology service provided inpatient or outpatient care at our institution between the dates of February 1997 and March 2021.

Results

Of the 47 patients studied, 18 patients had a diagnosis of trisomy 13, and 29 had a diagnosis of trisomy 18. Complete trisomy was present in 44% (8/18) of trisomy 13 patients and 55% (16/29) of trisomy 18 patients. 81% of patients were living at the time of the study. About 94% (44/47) of patients required consultation with another specialty in addition to Otolaryngology. Overall, the most common diagnoses among this cohort were gastroesophageal reflux disease (47%), dysphagia (40%), otitis media (38%), and obstructive sleep apnea (34%). Nearly three‐quarters (74%) of patients studied required an otolaryngologic procedure. The most common surgical procedure was tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy. Patients with trisomy 18 were significantly more likely to have external auditory canal stenosis and obstructive sleep apnea whereas patients with trisomy 13 were more likely to have cleft lip and palate.

Conclusions

Patients with a diagnosis of trisomy 13 or 18 often require multidisciplinary management and the range of required care spans the breadth of otolaryngology.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 133:1501–1506, 2023
Quality tracheotomy care can be maintained for non‐COVID patients during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Tucker Jacqueline , Ruszkay Nicole , Goyal Neerav , Gniady John P. , Goldenberg David
Published: August 2022

Objective(s)

To analyze changes in tracheotomy practices at the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic, and determine if quality patient care was maintained.

Methods

This was a single institution retrospective study that included patients undergoing tracheotomy from May 2019 to January 2021. Patients were divided into two groups, pre‐COVID and post‐COVID. Only three patients tested positive for COVID‐19, and they were excluded from the study. Data were collected from the electronic medical record. Statistical analyses were performed using 2‐tailed independent t tests, Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests, Chi‐Square tests, and Kaplan–Meier curves.

Results

There were 118 patients in the pre‐COVID group and 91 patients in the post‐COVID group. The main indication for tracheotomy in both groups was prolonged intubation. There were no significant differences in overall length of stay, time to tracheotomy, duration of tracheotomy procedure, or time to initial tracheotomy change between the two groups. Due to protocols implemented at our institution to limit viral transmission, there were significant increases in the percent of tracheotomies performed in the OR (p = .02), and those performed via open technique (p = .04). Additionally, the median time to decannulation significantly decreased in the post‐COVID group (p = .02).

Conclusion

Several variables regarding the timing of patient care showed no significant differences between groups which demonstrates that quality patient care was maintained. It is important to note that this data was collected early in the Pandemic, and additional trends may become apparent over time.

Level of evidence

4.
Discharge destination and readmissions among patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Tucker Jacqueline , Hollenbeak Christopher S. , Goyal Neerav
Published: August 2022

Objective

Lowering hospital readmission rates is a national goal, and presents an opportunity to lower health care costs, improve quality, and increase patient satisfaction. We aim to assess whether discharge disposition is associated with readmission.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study using logistic regression to quantify risk factors of hospital readmission in patients with confirmed head and neck cancer (HNC) who underwent surgery from 2010 to 2018 contained in the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council database, which includes patients treated in Pennsylvania hospitals.

Results

The readmission rate in this study was 18.1%. Cancers of the hypopharynx had the highest rates of readmission (29.2%). Male sex (odds ratio [OR]: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.75–1.00), emergent admission (vs. elective admission: OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.02–1.74), discharge to home health (vs. home: OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.59–2.16), discharge to skilled nursing facility (SNF) (vs. home: OR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.80–2.72), and having 4+ comorbidities (vs. 0–1: OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.09–1.76) were significant risk factors for hospital readmission.

Conclusion

It is necessary to consider the readmission risk associated with HNC patients. Reasons for readmission are multifactorial and can be related to demographics, hospital course, comorbidities, or discharge disposition–this requires further assessment. There is importance in increasing HNC awareness and staff education about the unique needs of this population.

Level of Evidence

4.
Advance in Hybrid Peptides Synthesis
Authors: Zou Jingcheng , Zhou Min , Xiao Ximian , Liu Runhui
Published: August 2022

Hybrid peptides with heterogeneous backbone are a class of peptide mimics with adjustable proteolytic stability obtained from incorporating unnatural amino acid residues into peptide backbone. α/β‐peptides and peptide/peptoid hybrids are two types of hybrid peptides that are widely studied for diverse applications, and several synthetic methods have been developed. In this mini review, the advance in hybrid peptide synthesis is summarized, including solution‐phase method, solid‐phase method, and novel polymerization method. Conventional solution‐phase method and solid‐phase method generally result in oligomers with defined sequences, while polymerization methods have advantages in preparing peptide hybrid polymers with high molecular weight with simple operation and low cost. In addition, the future development of polymerization method to realize the control of the peptide hybrid polymer sequence is discussed.
Artificial intelligence in multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging: A review
Authors: Li Cheng , Li Wen , Liu Chenyang , Zheng Hairong , Cai Jing , Wang Shanshan
Published: August 2022

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) is an indispensable tool in the clinical workflow for the diagnosis and treatment planning of various diseases. Machine learning–based artificial intelligence (AI) methods, especially those adopting the deep learning technique, have been extensively employed to perform mpMRI image classification, segmentation, registration, detection, reconstruction, and super‐resolution. The current availabilities of increasing computational power and fast‐improving AI algorithms have empowered numerous computer‐based systems for applying mpMRI to disease diagnosis, imaging‐guided radiotherapy, patient risk and overall survival time prediction, and the development of advanced quantitative imaging technology for magnetic resonance fingerprinting. However, the wide application of these developed systems in the clinic is still limited by a number of factors, including robustness, reliability, and interpretability. This survey aims to provide an overview for new researchers in the field as well as radiologists with the hope that they can understand the general concepts, main application scenarios, and remaining challenges of AI in mpMRI.
Optimization of mesh generation for geometric accuracy, robustness, and efficiency of biomechanical‐model‐based deformable image registration
Authors: He Yulun , Anderson Brian M. , Cazoulat Guillaume , Rigaud Bastien , Almodovar‐Abreu Lusmeralis , Pollard‐Larkin Julianne , Balter Peter , Liao Zhongxing , Mohan Radhe , Odisio Bruno , Svensson Stina , Brock Kristy K.
Published: August 2022

Background

Successful generation of biomechanical‐model‐based deformable image registration (BM‐DIR) relies on user‐defined parameters that dictate surface mesh quality. The trial‐and‐error process to determine the optimal parameters can be labor‐intensive and hinder DIR efficiency and clinical workflow.

Purpose

To identify optimal parameters in surface mesh generation as boundary conditions for a BM‐DIR in longitudinal liver and lung CT images to facilitate streamlined image registration processes.

Methods

Contrast‐enhanced CT images of 29 colorectal liver cancer patients and end‐exhale four‐dimensional CT images of 26 locally advanced non‐small cell lung cancer patients were collected. Different combinations of parameters that determine the triangle mesh quality (voxel side length and triangle edge length) were investigated. The quality of DIRs generated using these parameters was evaluated with metrics for geometric accuracy, robustness, and efficiency. Metrics for geometric accuracy included target registration error (TRE) of internal vessel bifurcations, dice similar coefficient (DSC), mean distance to agreement (MDA), Hausdorff distance (HD) for organ contours, and number of vertices in the triangle mesh. American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group 132 was used to ensure parameters met TRE, DSC, MDA recommendations before the comparison among the parameters. Robustness was evaluated as the success rate of DIR generation, and efficiency was evaluated as the total time to generate boundary conditions and compute finite element analysis.

Results

Voxel side length of 0.2 cm and triangle edge length of 3 were found to be the optimal parameters for both liver and lung, with success rate of 1.00 and 0.98 and average DIR computation time of 100 and 143 s, respectively. For this combination, the average TRE, DSC, MDA, and HD were 0.38–0.40, 0.96–0.97, 0.09–0.12, and 0.87–1.17 mm, respectively.

Conclusion

The optimal parameters were found for the analyzed patients. The decision‐making process described in this study serves as a recommendation for BM‐DIR algorithms to be used for liver and lung. These parameters can facilitate consistence in the evaluation of published studies and more widespread utilization of BM‐DIR in clinical practice.
Technology‐based innovative healthcare solutions for improving maternal and child health outcomes in low‐ and middle‐income countries: A network meta‐analysis protocol
Authors: Rahman Md. Obaidur , Yamaji Noyuri , Sasayama Kiriko , Yoneoka Daisuke , Ota Erika
Published: August 2022

Aim

The aims of the study were to synthesize the role of technology‐based healthcare interventions (TBIs) and to identify the most effective interventions for the best functional maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes among low‐risk pregnant women in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs).

Design

A systematic review and network meta‐analysis (NMA).

Methods

We will perform a comprehensive search in electronic databases and other resources to identify relevant randomized controlled trials. Two reviewers will independently perform study selection, data extraction and quality assessment. Our primary outcomes include proportion of recommended antenatal care visits, skilled delivery care, postnatal care visits and exclusive breastfeeding practices. We will use pairwise random‐effects meta‐analysis and NMAs to estimate direct, indirect and relative effects using the relevant intervention classifications for each outcome separately. We plan to assess hierarchy of interventions, statistical inconsistency and certainty of evidence.

Results

This review will compare the effectiveness of different form of TBIs on a comprehensive range of MCH outcomes and will provide the outcome‐specific reliable evidence of the most effective interventions on improving MCH in LMICs. The review findings will guide researchers, stakeholders or policymakers on the potential use of TBIs in the given contexts that could achieve the best functional MCH outcomes in LMICs.
Academic burnout in nursing students: An explanatory sequential design
Authors: Ghods Ali Asghar , Ebadi Abbas , Sharif Nia Hamid , Allen Kelly‐Ann , Ali‐Abadi Tayyebeh
Published: August 2022

Aim

Despite the harmful effects of burnout among many nursing students, academic burnout is poorly understood. This study was conducted to better explain the concept of burnout in nursing students.

Design

An explanatory sequential mixed‐method design was used.

Methods

In the quantitative phase, the Maslach Burnout Inventory‐Student Survey was completed by 91 nursing students in eastern Iran. In the qualitative phase, individual interviews were conducted with 13 undergraduate nursing students, one nurse and one instructor. Data were analysed using the directed content analysis method.

Results

Results from an ANOVA test showed differences in burnout scores in different semesters (p = .02) that were confirmed by the qualitative data. In addition to the three dimensions of the Maslach burnout model (exhaustion, cynicism and inadequacy feeling), qualitative data from the present study indicated the presence of a fourth dimension (incompatible learning style).
U‐CIE [/juː ‘siː/]: Color encoding of high‐dimensional data
Authors: Koutrouli Mikaela , Morris John H. , Jensen Lars Juhl
Published: August 2022

Data visualization is essential to discover patterns and anomalies in large high‐dimensional datasets. New dimensionality reduction techniques have thus been developed for visualizing omics data, in particular from single‐cell studies. However, jointly showing several types of data, for example, single‐cell expression and gene networks, remains a challenge. Here, we present ‘U‐CIE, a visualization method that encodes arbitrary high‐dimensional data as colors using a combination of dimensionality reduction and the CIELAB color space to retain the original structure to the extent possible. U‐CIE first uses UMAP to reduce high‐dimensional data to three dimensions, partially preserving distances between entities. Next, it embeds the resulting three‐dimensional representation within the CIELAB color space. This color model was designed to be perceptually uniform, meaning that the Euclidean distance between any two points should correspond to their relative perceptual difference. Therefore, the combination of UMAP and CIELAB thus results in a color encoding that captures much of the structure of the original high‐dimensional data. We illustrate its broad applicability by visualizing single‐cell data on a protein network and metagenomic data on a world map and on scatter plots.
Compendium of proteins containing segments that exhibit zero‐tolerance to amino acid variation in humans
Authors: Sanders Adam L. , Hermanson Jake N. , Samuels David C. , Plate Lars , Sanders Charles R.
Published: August 2022

Genetic missense tolerance ratio (MTR) analysis systematically evaluates all possible segments in a given protein‐encoding transcript found in the human population. This method scores each segment for the number of observed missense variants versus the number of silent mutations in that same segment. An MTR score of 0 indicates that no missense mutations are observed within a given segment. This is indicative of evolutionary purifying selection, which excludes mutations in that segment from the general human population. Here, we conducted MTR analysis on each of the roughly 20,000 protein‐encoding human genes. It was seen that there are 257 genes with at least one 31‐residue encoding segment with MTR = 0 (1.3% of all human genes). The proteins encoded by these 257 genes were tabulated along with information regarding the sequence location of each intolerant segment, the likely function of the protein, and so forth. The most functionally‐enriched family among these proteins is a collection of several dozen proteins that are directly involved in RNA splicing. Some of the other proteins with zero‐tolerance segments have thus far escaped significant characterization. Indeed, while a number of these proteins have previously been genetically linked to human disorders, many have not. We hypothesize that this compendium of human proteins with zero‐tolerance segments can be used to complement disease mutation data as a pointer to genes and proteins that are associated with interesting and underexplored human biology.
Enhancing Spin–Orbit Torque Efficiency via Optimizing Pt‐Based Multilayers
Authors: Zhang Enze , Deng Yongcheng , Li Weihao , Liu Xionghua , Wang Kaiyou
Published: August 2022

Spin–orbit torque (SOT) efficiencies are systematically investigated in [Pt (tPt)/Ru (1−tPt)]10/Pt (0.8 nm)/Co multilayer systems with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and in‐plane magnetic anisotropy. A high SOT efficiency is achieved by the optimized Pt‐based multilayer structures. The maximum damping‐like efficiency ξDL of 0.31 is found in [Pt (tPt)/Ru (1−tPt)]10/Pt (0.8 nm)/Co multilayers with relatively low resistivity (58.8 μΩ cm), which is three times larger than that of pure Pt layer and is also significantly larger than the PtnRu1−n alloy with the same composition. Considering the interface transparency, intrinsic spin Hall ratio θSH of around 0.7, being close to the upper limit 0.8 for Pt‐based heavy metals, is obtained. The strongly enhanced ξDL is attributed to the high spin Hall conductivity contributed by the intrinsic spin Hall contribution and the enhanced resistivity due to enhanced interfacial scattering. This work provides a good balance of SOT efficiency and resistivity through the optimized Pt‐based multilayer structure, which is expected to be applicable in beyond Pt‐based systems and has great potential in building energy‐efficient SOT devices in the future.
Analysis of the main source regions of moisture transport events with the new ESA CCI/CM‐SAF total column water vapour climate data record (v2)
Authors: Eiras‐Barca Jorge , Algarra Iago , Nieto Raquel , Schröder Marc , Hegglin Michaela I. , Gimeno Luis
Published: August 2022

This study makes use of the new total column water vapour data record (CDR‐2 (v2)), developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) in coordination with the Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring (CM SAF), to analyse the adequacy of the integrated vertical water vapour column (IWV) data provided by the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) ERA5 and ERA‐Interim reanalyses in regions of critical interest for moisture transport mechanisms. This information is critical for the initialization of moisture transport models—both Eulerian and Lagrangian—used to study the main mechanisms and predict the future evolution of moisture transport events. In particular, almost 40,000 atmospheric river (AR) and nocturnal low‐level jet (NLLJ) events identified on a global scale between 2002 and 2017 have been used to study the variability between the cited reanalyses and CDR‐2, in terms of both bias in the observed values of IWV during each particular event and daily temporal correlation fields. Although some notable discrepancies are reported in the main tropical rainforest regions, it is observed that, in regions of high interest for both ARs and NLLJs, the degree of agreement between the reanalyses and CDR‐2 is high. The bias observed in the regions of interest is generally low, and the temporal correlation in the IWV fields is above 0.8 in most areas. ERA5 appears to show slightly better performance than ERA‐Interim when resolving the moisture column, and both show greater similarity to CDR‐2 in the midlatitudes compared with tropical regions. The probability density functions constructed on an event‐to‐event basis reinforce these ideas. We conclude that the evaluations presented here using CDR‐2 serve to strengthen avaliable evidence that the ECMWF reanalyses can safely be used in the initializations of Lagrangian dispersion models and Eulerian moisture tracer simulations—commonly used for the analysis of main advection mechanisms—in the vast majority of regions critical to the study of ARs and LLJs. They can also safely be used for the detection of moisture source–sink regions in the study of the global hydrological cycle in these regions.
Flexible propensity score estimation strategies for clustered data in observational studies
Authors: Chang Ting‐Hsuan , Nguyen Trang Quynh , Lee Youjin , Jackson John W. , Stuart Elizabeth A.
Published: August 2022

Existing studies have suggested superior performance of nonparametric machine learning over logistic regression for propensity score estimation. However, it is unclear whether the advantages of nonparametric propensity score modeling are carried to settings where there is clustering of individuals, especially when there is unmeasured cluster‐level confounding. In this work we examined the performance of logistic regression (all main effects), Bayesian additive regression trees and generalized boosted modeling for propensity score weighting in clustered settings, with the clustering being accounted for by including either cluster indicators or random intercepts. We simulated data for three hypothetical observational studies of varying sample and cluster sizes. Confounders were generated at both levels, including a cluster‐level confounder that is unobserved in the analyses. A binary treatment and a continuous outcome were generated based on seven scenarios with varying relationships between the treatment and confounders (linear and additive, nonlinear/nonadditive, nonadditive with the unobserved cluster‐level confounder). Results suggest that when the sample and cluster sizes are large, nonparametric propensity score estimation may provide better covariate balance, bias reduction, and 95% confidence interval coverage, regardless of the degree of nonlinearity or nonadditivity in the true propensity score model. When the sample or cluster sizes are small, however, nonparametric approaches may become more vulnerable to unmeasured cluster‐level confounding and thus may not be a better alternative to multilevel logistic regression. We applied the methods to the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health data, estimating the effect of team sports participation during adolescence on adulthood depressive symptoms.
Weaving Hyper‐crosslinked Polymer from Alkaline Lignin for Adsorption of Organic Dyes from Wastewater
Authors: Tang Cheng , Hu Tao , Li Yanglei , Hu Xiaoli , Song Kunpeng
Published: August 2022

Lignin is widely found in nature and attracts increasing concern as the renewable carbon material. In this work, hyper‐crosslinked lignin was successfully prepared and applied for adsorbing dyes such as rhodamine B (RhB), methylene blue (MB) and Congo Red (CR) in wastewater. The characteristics of the alkaline lignin and hyper‐crosslinked lignin were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and N2 adsorption and desorption measurements. The results show that the hyper‐crosslinked lignin is composed of uniform and porous nanoparticles with smaller size as compared to the sheet and‐ block structure of alkaline lignin. The specific surface area and pore structure of the hyper‐crosslinked lignin have been greatly optimized, while retaining the functional groups on the surface of the alkali lignin. The Brunner‐Emmet‐Teller (BET) surface area of the hyper‐crosslinked lignin reaches up to 402.8 m2 ⋅ g−1, and the adsorption capacity of RhB is up to 1332 mg ⋅ g−1. The isotherm model and thermodynamic results indicate that the adsorption process conforms to the Langmuir model, mainly showing a single‐layer spontaneous chemical endothermic process. In addition, HCP−L showed good selective adsorption performance for cationic dyes with the adsorption amounts of 228 mg ⋅ g−1 for MB, while that of the anionic dye CR (89 mg ⋅ g−1) was comparatively low. The adsorption mechanism was hydrogen bonding and π‐π stacking in addition to the electrostatic effect caused by the negative charge on the surface of HCP−L.
Application of Impregnated Resins for the Recovery of Actinides from Alpha Contaminated Solid Waste
Authors: Pahan Sumit , Sengupta Arijit , Ananthanarayanan Arvind , Vincent Tessy , Sugilal G. , Kaushik Chetan P.
Published: August 2022

An extraction chromatographic separation scheme has been developed using impregnated resin for the processing of actual plutonium contaminated solid analytical assorted waste. The effluent obtained on anion exchange chromatography during plutonium purification step was processed by tri‐n‐butyl phosphate (TBP) and tetra 2‐ethylhexyl diglycolamide (T2EHDGA) augmented XAD‐4 resin to remove uranium and americium, respectively, while Ag ion was electrochemically separated further. The augmentation of TBP and T2EHDGA functionalities on XAD‐4 have been evidenced by FTIR spectroscopy, TG and DSC analysis. The modification in surface morphology on augmentation has been investigated by SEM, while elemental mapping and EDS heteroatom analysis indicated the successful functionalization/impregnation of the resin. In case of U removal by TBP augmented XAD‐4 resin, starting from 3 gL−1 feed in 7.2 M HNO3, a maximum of 93 % U was found to be loaded on the column, which can quantitatively be back extracted by 0.01 M HNO3. Despite ∼10 % reduction in loading capacity during the 3rd consecutive cycle, the efficacy of this column chromatographic separation of U has been demonstrated successfully. The raffinate of this step was used as feed for Am3+ separation using T2EHDGA‐XAD‐4. A maximum of 98 % loading and almost quantitative elution have been observed during this step and the performance recyclability has been checked for three consecutive cycles. The loading of U and Eu (Am analogue) has been evidenced by elemental mapping and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS)analyses of loaded resin.
Fabrication of an Environmentally Friendly 2D MXene‐Avermectin Hybrid Nanopesticide for Use Against Spodoptera Frugiperda
Authors: Zhang Zhaocong , Shi Yangtian , Ding Chengwen , Lv Yutong , Wang Meiting , Sun Yuan , Sun Tiedong
Published: August 2022

MXenes family are novel two‐dimensional (2D) materials that have been widely used in many fields such as cancer therapy, imaging, sensing, and electrochemistry due to their excellent photothermal and loading properties. Herein, A Ti3C2 nanosheets (MXene) as a carrier for insecticide was reported. Nanocomposites were formulated by adsorbing the most widely used insecticidal substance, avermectin, onto MXene (MXene@AV). It takes full advantage of the loading and photothermal capabilities of MXene and the broad‐spectrum insecticidal properties of avermectin to provide a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative. The results show that MXene@AV exhibits excellent stability and photothermal capability, with a photothermal conversion efficiency as high as 39.84 %. The combination of photothermal contact killing and poisoning enables it to show strong lethality and sustained efficacy against the common pest Spodoptera frugiperda. Therefore, MXene@AV, an insecticide with MXene as a carrier, has the potential to be applied to agricultural pest control.
A Review of Computational Methods in Predicting hERG Channel Blockers
Authors: Shan Mengyi , Jiang Chen , Qin Lu‐Ping , Cheng Gang
Published: August 2022

Inhibition of the human ether‐à‐go‐go‐related gene (hERG) ion channel may lead to prolonged QT interval and even fatal ventricular arrhythmia. Therefore, evaluating the hERG liability has become a mandatory requirement for drug development and drug safety process. However, standard experimental assays are complex, expensive and time‐consuming. Various in silico tools have been developed to identify potential hERG blockers and reduce in advance the risk of cardiotoxicity‐related attritions during the early drug discovery phase. In this review, we first outlined the structure and gating properties of the hERG channel briefly. Then analyzed the advantages of computational technology, and comprehensively summarized the in silico methods of hERG‐related cardiotoxicity, including ligand‐based and structure‐based methods. Additionally, the current predictive models in prediction of hERG blockage were emphatically reviewed. Finally, issues involved in the current computational methods, as well as the future direction for developing reliable models of hERG channel blockers, are discussed.
Novel Curcumin Mimics: Design, Synthesis, Biological Properties and Computational Studies of Piperidone‐Piperazine Conjugates
Authors: Youssef M. Adel , Panda Siva S. , Aboshouk Dalia R. , Said Mona F. , El Taweel Ahmed , GabAllah Mohamed , Fayad Walid , Soliman Ahmed F. , Mostafa Ahmed , Fawzy Nehmedo G. , Girgis Adel S.
Published: August 2022

3,5‐Di[(E)‐arylidene]‐1‐[3‐(4‐methylpiperazin‐1‐yl)alkyl]piperidin‐4‐ones 7 a−k were synthesized through dehydrohalogenation of 1‐(2‐chloroacyl)piperidin‐4‐ones 5 a−k with N‐methylpiperazine (6). High antiproliferation potencies were observed by most of the synthesized agents against both HCT116 (colon) and MCF7 (breast) cancer cell lines relative to the standard references (sunitinib and 5‐fluorouracil). The synthesized agents are of dual activity against topoisomerases I and IIα however, with higher efficacy against topoisomerase IIα rather than topoisomerase I. Flow‐cytometry cell cycle studies support the observed antiproliferation properties and exhibit the capability of 1‐(2‐chloroacetyl)‐3,5‐bis[(E)‐4‐chlorobenzylidene]piperidin‐4‐one (5 e) and 3,5‐bis[(E)‐4‐bromobenzylidene]‐1‐[2‐(4‐methylpiperazin‐1‐yl)acetyl]piperidin‐4‐one (7 g) to arrest the HCT116 cell cycle progression at G1/S and G1 phases, respectively. Noticeable anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 properties were observed by many synthesized agents. 3,5‐Bis[(E)‐4‐chlorobenzylidene]‐1‐[3‐(4‐methylpiperazin‐1‐yl)propanoyl]piperidin‐4‐one (7 f) is the most effective anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 synthesized with high SI. Applicability of the highly effective candidates synthesized as antitumor and anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 is due to the safety observations against normal (RPE1 and VERO‐E6) cells. QSAR models validated internally and externally, support their possibility for optimizing more hits/leads.
A New Spiropyran Hydrazone as an Unusual Colorimetric Sensor for Detection of Cu2+ and Cr3+ Based on Aggregation‐Induced Enhancement Effects in Aqueous Solvent Mixtures
Authors: Li Zongchen , Xiong Hui , Liang Hua , Chen Wenting , Tian Qiang , Yan Minhao , Su Haifeng , Royal Guy
Published: August 2022

Though many improvements have been made on fluorescence probes for respective detection of Cu2+ and Cr3+, multiply detect of the ions by a simple colorimetric way in high water content solution sensors remains scarce. In this work, a novel spiropyran hydrazone, [(E)‐(2‐hydroxy‐1‐naphthyl)methylidene][(E)‐[1′,3′,3′‐trimethyl‐6‐(2‐methylprop −2‐yl)‐1′,3′‐dihydrospiro[chromene‐2,2′‐indole]‐8‐yl]methylidene]hydrazine (NA‐SP), which shows aggregation‐induced enhancement effects (AIEE) phenomena in EtOH (ethanol)/H2O and THF (tetrahydrofuran)/H2O media, has been developed. It can detect Cu2+ colorimetrically having a sensitivity of 105 nM in EtOH/H2O (40/60, v/v) with an unusual specific tandem‐response to Cr3+ at a detection limit of 151 nM in addition with a wide pH range of 4–10. Mechanism investigations by HRMS, 1H NMR and UV‐Vis spectroscopy have verified that the response to Cr3+ is based on the cooperative effect between NA‐SP and Cu2+, instead of the replacement of Cu2+ by Cr3+. Moreover, NA‐SP shows a robust AIEE‐caused recognition for Cu2+ in THF/H2O (20/80, v/v) with a detection limit of 16.5 nM. Real water tests indicate that the probe has potential detection application for Cu2+ in environmental situations. This contribution presents a new spiropyran sensor for the detection of Cu2+ and Cr3+ in aqueous solutions through an uncommonly colorimetric way.
Facile and Sensitive Method for Detecting Bisphenol A UsingUbiquitous pH Meters
Authors: Xu Zhou , Yu ShaoYi , Mo WeiXi , Tang Yao , Cheng Yunhui , Ding Li , Chen Maolong , Peng Shuang
Published: August 2022

A sensitive and rapid method for the detection of bisphenol A (BPA) using general pH meters or pH paper was developed. Aptamer‐functionalized Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized to capture BPA in samples, and gold NPs (AuNPs) were modified with acetylcholinesterase and the complementary strand of BPA aptamer. The specific detection of BPA was realized using the combination of BPA‐responsive, aptamer‐cross‐linked MNPs‐AuNPs complex. As the acetylcholine was hydrolyzed to choline and acetic acid, the pH of the solution decreased. The resulting pH change could be measured in real‐time using a pH meter. The sensitivity of detection of this assay was 5 pg/mL with the range of 0.01 to 1000 ng/mL. The pH change could be determined with the naked eye from the color change of a pH indicator strip. This sensor technology is promising and reliable for rapid, sensitive, and on‐site monitoring of BPA in water samples.