bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AI‐Based Metamaterial Design for Wearables
Authors: Yigci Defne , Ahmadpour Abdollah , Tasoglu Savas
Published: October 2023

Continuous monitoring of physiological parameters has remained an essential component of patient care. With an increased level of consciousness regarding personal health and wellbeing, the scope of physiological monitoring has extended beyond the hospital. From implanted rhythm devices to non‐contact video monitoring for critically ill patients and at‐home health monitors during Covid‐19, many applications have enabled continuous health monitorization. Wearable health sensors have allowed chronic patients as well as seemingly healthy individuals to track a wide range of physiological and pharmacological parameters including movement, heart rate, blood glucose, and sleep patterns using smart watches or textiles, bracelets, and other accessories. The use of metamaterials in wearable sensor design has offered unique control over electromagnetic, mechanical, acoustic, optical, or thermal properties of matter, enabling the development of highly sensitive, user‐friendly, and lightweight wearables. However, metamaterial design for wearables has relied heavily on manual design processes including human‐intuition‐based and bio‐inspired design. Artificial intelligence (AI)‐based metamaterial design can support faster exploration of design parameters, allow efficient analysis of large data‐sets, and reduce reliance on manual interventions, facilitating the development of optimal metamaterials for wearable health sensors. Here, AI‐based metamaterial design for wearable healthcare is reviewed. Current challenges and future directions are discussed.
GPU‐Accelerated and Memory‐Independent Layout Generation for Arbitrarily Large‐Scale Metadevices
Authors: Moayed Baharlou Sina , Hemayat Saeed , Toussaint Kimani C. , Ndao Abdoulaye
Published: October 2023

Metadevices are of paramount interest and importance due to their exotic capabilities in light control and manipulation in the nano‐scale regime. Various practical applications, including wearable devices, lasers, optical sensors, high‐resolution microscopy, both virtual and augmented reality, and metasails, require large‐scale metasurfaces. However, layout generation for large metasurfaces, faces challenges as up to billions of unit cells are required to create a metasurface, resulting in slow speeds and high memory demands. Here, a new framework namely ParallelGDS is proposed for fully parallel, ultra‐fast, and memory‐independent generation of graphic design system (GDSII) files for arbitrarily large metasurfaces. Compared to existing methods such as GDSTk, GDSPy, LUMERICAL's polystencil, the proposed framework significantly accelerates the layout generation process by factors of 10 to 100. More importantly, ParallelGDS drastically reduces the required memory (an problem) with an average reduction factor of where is the normalized metasurface diameter, as the framework uses only ≈2 GB of memory regardless of the size of the metasurface. The proposed framework offers complete control over memory requirements and parallelization levels of layout generation, ranging from single‐core CPU usage to multithreaded CPU utilization, and finally, full utilization of all GPU cores.
Omega‐Gate Silicon Nanowire Geometric Diodes with Reconfigurable Self‐Switching Operation and THz Rectification
Authors: White Kelly L. , Rogelberg Gordon V. , Custer James P. , Cahoon James F.
Published: October 2023

Geometric diodes (GDs) represent a relatively unconventional class of diode that produces an asymmetric current response through carrier transport in an asymmetric geometry. Synthesized from the bottom up, Si nanowire‐based GDs are three‐dimensional, cylindrically symmetric nanoscale versions capable of room‐temperature rectification at GHz‐THz frequencies with near zero‐bias turn‐on voltages. Here, by fabricating three‐terminal n‐type Si nanowire GDs with axial contacts and an omega‐gate electrode, a distinct class of reconfigurable self‐switching geometric diodes (SSGDs) is reported. Single‐nanowire SSGD device measurements demonstrate a significant dependence of diode current and polarity on gate potential, where the diode polarity reverses at a gate potential of ≈−1 V under specific grounding conditions. Finite‐element modeling reproduces the experimental results and reveals that the gate potential—in combination with the morphology and dopant profile—produces an asymmetric potential along the nanowire axis that changes asymmetrically with axial bias, altering the effective conductive channel within the nanowire to yield diode behavior. The self‐switching effect is retained in two‐terminal SSGD devices, and modeling demonstrates that both three‐terminal and two‐terminal devices support rectification through THz frequencies. The results reveal a new mechanism of operation for nanowire‐based GDs and characterize a new type of self‐switching diode with reconfigurable polarity.
Über das Gleichstromverhalten hochpolymerer Stoffe
Authors: Herwig H. U. , Jenckel E.
Published: October 2023

Es werden Gleichstrommessungen an Polyvinylacetat und Polymethylmethacrylat unter Variation von elektrischer Spannung, Temperatur, elektrischer und thermischer Vorgeschichte mitgeteilt und mit bekannten Messungen der Wechselstromverluste und der Einfriertemperatur in Zusammenhang gebracht. Aus den experimentellen Ergebnissen und aus molekularphysikalischen Betrachtungen werden Schlüsse auf den Leitungs‐ und Polarisationsmechanismus gezogen.
Über den osmotischen Druck von Polyelektrolytlösungen mit Zusatzsalz
Authors: Inagaki Hiroshi , Hirami Matsuo
Published: October 2023

Es wurde beobachtet, daß bei geringem Zusatz von Natrium‐ bzw. Calciumchlorid die graphische Darstellung des osmotischen Druckes einer Lösung von celluloseglykolsaurem Natrium mit der Polymerkonzentration nicht linear verläuft, sondern merklich nach oben gekrümmt ist. In Verbindung mit dieser Erscheinung wurde eine Gleichung für den osmotischen Druck der Polyelektrolytlösung unter Anwendung der Donnanschen Theorie abgeleitet. Hierbei wurden zwei Effekte in Erwägung gezogen, und zwar das ausgeschlossene Volumen (excluded volume) des Makroions, durch welches die Konzentration der permeierenden Ionen höher als die stöchiometrische erscheint, und die Gegenionenassoziation mit den Makroionen. Ferner wurde eine Gleichung für den Dissoziationsgrad des Makroions unter der Annahme abgeleitet, daß die Donnansche Theorie für das Membrangleichgewicht an der Innen‐ und Außenseite der räumlichen Ausdehnung des Makroions noch gültig ist. Mit Hilfe dieser Gleichungen wurde festgestellt, daß die Theorie im Vergleich mit den Experimenten gute übereinstimmung bei geringem Salzzusatz zeigt. Andererseits wurde jedoch eine Diskrepanz bei relativ großem Salzzusatz gefunden.
Zum Mechanismus der Inhibitionswirkung organischer Verbindungen im System Eisen/Säure, I
Authors: Fischer Hellmuth , Schaaf Elmar , Thoresen Gunnar
Published: October 2023

Teil I beantwortet die Frage, welche Aussagen man aus der stationären Stromspannungskurve der kathodischen H2‐Abscheidung in Säure ohne und mit Inhibitorzusatz gewinnen kann, und erörtert die theoretischen Grundlagen. Die halblogarithmisch aufgetragene kathodische Stromspannungskurve teile sich in drei bis vier Abschnitte auf, die jeweils besonderen Bereichen im elektrochemischen Geschehen entsprechen. Abschnitt 1 und 2 zeigen hauptsächlich die Folgen einer Oberflächenblockierung durch Inhibitoren (Änderung der wahren Stromdichte, der Durchtrittsüberspannung), Abschnitt 3 und 4 zusätzlich den Einfluß der Inhibitoren auf den Ionennachschub im Diffusionsfilm. Aus Abschnitt 1 und 2 lassen sich in Verbindung mit dem gemessenen Ruhepotential qualitative und quantitative Aussagen über den Verlauf der anodischen Stromspannungskurve und damit über die anodische Anfangswirkung des Inhibitors gewinnen. Von der wahren und scheinbaren Oberfläche ausgehend, werden wesentliche Unterschiede in der wahren und scheinbaren kathodischen und anodischen Teilstromdichte und ihre Veränderung durch Inhibition diskutiert. Abschnitt 3 sagt über Inhibitionswirkungen auf Konzentrationsüberspannung, Ohmsche Spannungsabfälle verschiedener Art und Grenzstromdichte aus. Anschließend an den kathodischen Grenzstrom der Wasserstoffabscheidung aus H3O+ kann sich Abschnitt 4 ergeben, wenn Inhibitoren den kathodischen pH‐Wert über 7 erhöhen, so daß H2‐Abscheidung aus H2O ablaufen kann.
Ultrarotuntersuchungen der Assoziation von primaren mit tertiären aliphatischen Aminen
Authors: Wolff H. , Eints J.
Published: October 2023

Es werden die Ultrarotspektren von Losungen primärer aliphatischer Amine mit tertiären aliphatischen Aminen im Gebiet der NH‐Valenzschwingungen bei Temperaturen zwischen +20 und ‐ 100 °C ermittelt. In den Spektren der Lösungen von Methylamin mit Trimethyl‐ und Triathylamin und den Spektren der Losungen von Äthylamin mit Triathylamin werden bei nicht zu tiefen Temperaturen und hinreichender Verdünnung lediglich zwei Banden wahrgenommen: eine gegenüber der Bande der Monomeren in Hexan oder Tetrachlorkohlenstoff nur wenig zu kleineren Wellenzahlen verschobene und nur wenig verbreiterte Bande der antisymmetrischen NH‐Valenzschwingung und eine gegenüber der entsprechenden Monomerenbande starker zu kleineren Wellenzahlen verschobene und starker verbreiterte Bande der symmetrischen NH‐Valenzschwingung.

Analog der Erklärung bei der Selbstassoziation von Methylamin wird diese Beobachtung damit gedeutet, daß unter den angeführten Bedingungen auch bei der Mischassoziation mit den tertiären Aminen nur ein H‐Atom der Aminogruppe des primaren Amins eine Wasserstoffbrücke bildet, also das Addukt aus einer Molekel primären Amins und einer Molekel tertiären Amins entsteht.

In den Spektren der gleichen Losungen tritt bei tiefen Temperaturen zwischen den beiden Adduktbanden eine weitere Bande hervor und geht dafür die höherfrequente der zuvor beobachteten Banden zurück. Die neue Bande ist gegenüber der Bande der antisymmetrischen Schwingung der Aminmonomeren annähernd ebensoweit zu kleineren Wellenzahlen verschoben wie die gleichzeitig vorhandene Adduktbande der symmetrischen Schwingung gegenüber der Monomerenbande der symmetrischen Schwingung. Wird daher die neue Bande der antisymmetrischen Schwingung eines Addukts zugeordnet, das nur bei den tiefen Temperaturen entsteht, so ist bei diesem Addukt annähernd der Resonanzfall, also der Fall gleicher Stärke beider NH‐Bindungen, gegeben. Das bedeutet, daß bei den tiefen Temperaturen das Addukt aus einer Molekel primaren Amins und zwei Molekeln tertiären Amins vorliegt.

Die Spektren der Losungen von Methylamin in Tri‐n‐propyl‐ und Tri‐n‐butylamin lassen selbst bei der größten Verdünnung und der tiefsten Temperatur praktisch nur die bereits bei den höheren Temperaturen beobachteten Banden erkennen. Es kann angenommen werden, daß die Bildung der Doppeladdukte infolge der Große des Trialkylrests sterisch behindert ist.

Lage‐ und Intensitätsunterschiede zwischen den Banden der Lösungen von Methylamin in Trimethylamin und den Banden der Lösungen von Methylamin in Triathylamin werden aus Unterschieden der Brücken stärke gedeutet.
IR‐spektroskopische Untersuchungen schwacher Wasserstoffbrücken zwischen Phenolen und Methylchloroform
Authors: Lippert E. , Schröer W.
Published: October 2023

In Lösungsmittelgemischen von Kohlenwasserstoffen mit CH3 CC13 setzt sich die v (OH)‐Valenzschwingung von monomerem Phenol aus zwei Teilbanden zusammen. Die Aufspaltung wird durch die Ausbildung schwacher Wasserstoffbrücken OH ... Cl vom Phenol zu einem Chloratom der CCl3‐Gruppe gedeutet. Der Einfluß nichtspezifischer Wechselwirkungen auf die Absorptionsbanden wird durch Vergleich mit dem Verhalten eines sterisch vollständig abgeschirmten Phenols diskutiert. Die Kurvenparameter werden aus einer numerischen Analyse der Absorptionsbanden erhalten, so daß die Gleichgewichtskonstanten und die Reaktionsenthalpien berechnet werden können. Beim Vergleich substituierter Phenole zeigt sich, daß die Starke der Wechselwirkung mit der Azidität des Phenols ansteigt.
Self‐diffusion in liquids. III. Self‐diffusion of ethylene glycol, DOCH2CH2OD, and methanol, CH3OD, in the binary liquid systems DOCH2,CH2OD–CD3OD and DOCD2CD2OD–CH3OD
Authors: Nothnagel K. H. , Weiss Alarich
Published: October 2023

By1H–NMR spin‐echo technique the self‐diffusion coefficients of partially deuterated methanol, CH3OD, and partially deuterated ethylene glycol, DOCH2CH2OD, in the binary systems CH3OD–DOCD2CD2OD, and CD3OD–DOCH2CH2OD, have been measured as a function of the composition of the mixture and of the temperature. A continuous course of the activation energies of both components was found, depending on the mole fraction. In the case of high dilution of methanol and ethylene glycol respectively the activation energies of both minor components of the mixtures approach the activation energy of pure ethylene glycol, pure methanol respectively. Therefore, in the case of high dilution the diffusion mechanism of both species is mainly determined by the solvent.
Kernmagnetische Resonanz in Einkristallen von Natriumchloriddihydrat, NaCl · 2H2O
Authors: Rockelmann Helmut , Sillescu Hans
Published: October 2023

Es wurden die Protonenresonanz und die Na23‐Resonanz in Einkristallen von Natriumchloriddihydrat, NaCl · 2H2O, bei einer Temperatur von – 40°C bis – 50°C untersucht. Es ergaben sich zwei inäquivalente Proton‐Proton‐Vektoren im Kristall. Ihre Winkel mit den Kristallachsen a, b, c*, c sind: (A) α = 66,4°, β = 42,2°, γ* = 57,3°, γ = 65,3° bzw. (B) α = 38,6°, β = 72,6°, γ* = 56,8°, γ = 43,0°. Dabei traten bei der einen Orientierung, (B), Abweichungen von der Pake‐Theorie auf. Die Na23‐Resonanz ergab eine Quadrupolkopplungskonstante |e2qQ|/h = 1083 ± 40 kHz und einen Asymmetrieparameter η = 0,77 ± 0,05. Die Richtungscosinus der Kopplungstensoren werden angegeben.
Viskositätsuntersuchungen an Mischungen von Wasser und organischen Flüssigkeiten sowie an Lösungen einiger Elektrolyte in diesen Systemen
Authors: Ebert G. , Wendorff J.
Published: October 2023

Es wird über die Abhängigkeit der Viskosität von binären Systemen aus Wasser und mit Wasser mischbaren organischen Flüssigkeiten (Alkohole, Dioxan, DMSO, Formamid, Methyl‐ und Dimethylformamid) berichtet. Außerdem wurde der Einfluß gelöster Elektrolyte auf die Viskosität dieser Systeme untersucht. Es ergab sich, daß einige die Viskosität ähnlich wie in reinem Wasser erhöhen (z. B. MgSO4), während andere sie – wenigstens in Alkohol‐Wasser‐Mischungen – herabsetzen. Analog verhält sich die Aktivierungsenergie der Viskosität. Es wurde eine gute Übereinstimmung der Konzentrationsabhängigkeit der Viskosität und der aus NMR‐Messungen folgenden Protonenrelaxationsrate 1/T1 gefunden.
Protect Jewish students from antisemitism, discrimination
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: October 2023

Earlier this year, the Office for Civil Rights published a fact sheet focused on how colleges and universities can protect students from discrimination related to “shared ancestry or ethnic considerations” (bit.ly/3iPfyZP). Campus Legal Advisor covered this fact sheet in‐depth in our March 2023 issue (bit.ly/48gwhdu).
Develop discernment for FERPA disclosures to parents
Authors: Rainsberger Richard
Published: October 2023

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is about disclosures. FERPA regulations provide quite a bit of leeway on how to properly disclose education records. In other words, there can be multiple FERPA‐compliant solutions for the same disclosure situation.
Know when, how to use consulting services for ADA/504 compliance
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: October 2023

To help higher education professionals better understand the purpose and benefits of consulting services for disability/access resource offices, human resources departments, and Equal Opportunity offices, we discussed the topic with Martin Stanberry, a Senior Solutions Specialist at Grand River Solutions.
Review recent rulings involving student‐athletes and Title IX
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: October 2023

An overview of the key topics faced by higher education administrators with citations to noteworthy cases, statutes, regulations, and additional sources.
Assessment of Contact Toxicity and Repellent Effects of Essential Oils from Piper Plants Piper yunnanense and Piper boehmeriifolium against Three Stored‐Product Insects
Authors: Qi Yuan‐Tong , Wang Jia‐Zhu , Zhang Jia‐Wei , Fei Chao , Yuan Yi‐Kai , Du Shu‐Shan
Published: October 2023

Storage is a crucial part during grain production for the massive spoilage caused by stored product insects. Essential oils (EOs) of plant origin have been highly recommended to combating insects which are biodegradable and safe mode of action. Hence, to make the fullest use of natural resources, essential oils of different parts from Piper yunnanense (the whole part, PYW; fruits, PYF; leaves, PYL) and Piper boehmeriifolium (leaves, PBL) were extracted by steam distillation method in the present study. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) characterization revealed bicyclogermacrene (PYW), γ‐muurolene (PYF), δ‐cadinene (PYL) and methyl 4,7,10,13,16,19‐docosahexaenoate (PBL) as the principal compound of each essential oil. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were also recognized as the richest class accounting for 56.3 %–94.9 % of the total oil. Three storage pests, Tribolium castaneum, Lasioderma serricorne and Liposceis bostrychophila, were exposed to different concentrations of EOs to determine their insecticidal effects. All tested samples performed modest contact toxicity in contrast to a bioactive ingredient pyrethrin, among which the most substantial effects were observed in PYF EOs against T. castaneum (35.84 μg/adult), PBL EOs against L. serricorne (15.76 μg/adult) and PYW EOs against L. bostrychophila (57.70 μg/cm2). In terms of repellency tests, essential oils of PYF at 78.63 nL/cm2 demonstrated to have a remarkable repellence against T. castaneum at 2h and 4h post‐exposure. The investigations indicate diverse variations in the chemical profiles and insecticidal efficacies of P. yunnanense and P. boehmeriifolium EOs, providing more experimental evidence for the use of the Piper plants.
Acute myocardial infarction complicating acute ulcerative colitis: A clinical conundrum
Authors: Nemalidinne Krishna Vani , Vanteru Abinay Siva Kumar Reddy , Goel Amit , Shrestha Abhigan Babu , Jaiswal Vikash
Published: October 2023

Key Clinical Message

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an immune‐mediated multisystem inflammatory disease that primarily affects the gastrointestinal tract, but it also has various extraintestinal manifestations like cardiovascular, dermatological, musculoskeletal, or hepatobiliary tract involvement. Herein, we describe a case of a 46‐year‐old female, who presented with acute coronary syndrome on the background of acute relapse of ulcerative colitis (UC), requiring a pragmatic clinical approach due to a labile balance between hemorrhagic and ischemic risk.
Top‐Down Thickness Reduction Synthesis of Biomass‐Derived Carbon Nanosheets with Hierarchical Pore Structure for High‐Performance Supercapacitors
Authors: Yuan Gaozhi , Wei Xing , Zhang Qing
Published: October 2023

Carbon electrode materials with superior rate performance are highly demanded in application scenarios of high power output/input, especially when paired with organic electrolyte for extended voltage window and high energy storage. By extracting thin sheets of entangled cellulose fibers from cell wall structures, porous carbon nanosheets as templated from the cellulose sheets are synthesized. Evident thickness reduction effect has been demonstrated with thickness reduced from several micrometers to several nanometers of the obtained thickness‐reduced activated carbon nanosheets (TRAC), which endow the material with a large surface area and high pore volume. The obtained TRAC exhibits significantly enhanced ion diffusion kinetics and superior rate capability thanks to the shortened diffusion pathway and suitable pore size distribution. Effects of sonication time have also been investigated, showing a trade‐off between ion diffusion kinetics and pseudocapacitive contribution. This thickness‐reduction method is extendable to many other biomass sources as cellulose sheets are widely existed in nature, offering a practical and easy‐to‐implement strategy of fabricating porous carbon nanostructures for efficient energy storage and utilization.
Study on the production law and optimization parameters of CO2 huff ‘n’ puff for continental shale oil
Authors: Ma Chunmiao , Tan Fengqi , Jia Ninghong , Qin Jianhua , Li Xiankun , Jing Yuqian , Jiang Ruihai
Published: October 2023

In this study, nuclear magnetic resonance and computed tomography scanning were used to analyze the production law and displacement mechanism of Jimusaer continental shale oil during CO2 huff ‘n’ puff, and the optimal parameters were determined. The results indicated that CO2 huff ‘n’ puff mainly produces crude oil in pore throats with 0.1–1 μm radii, while crude oil in pore throats with radii below 0.1 μm cannot be produced. Multiple CO2 huff ‘n’ puff cycles can connect fluids in fractures with fluids in large–medium pore throats, eliminate fracture effects on the oil recovery factor, and achieve coefficient development of both fractured and unfractured shales. In the CO2 huff ‘n’ puff process, core pressure change could be divided into three stages of injection–holding–depletion, and the oil displacement mode was the piston type. The study of huff ‘n’ puff parameters revealed that huff ‘n’ puff cycles and injection pressure have a great influence on the CO2 huff ‘n’ puff efficiency, while the injection timing and soaking time imposed relatively small effects. For continental shale in the Jimusaer Sag, the optimal CO2 huff ‘n’ puff parameters are five cycles, 4‐MPa injection timing, 25‐MPa injection pressure, and 12‐h soaking time.
Prediction of brain age using structural magnetic resonance imaging: A comparison of accuracy and test–retest reliability of publicly available software packages
Authors: Dörfel Ruben P. , Arenas‐Gomez Joan M. , Fisher Patrick M. , Ganz Melanie , Knudsen Gitte M. , Svensson Jonas E. , Plavén‐Sigray Pontus
Published: October 2023

Brain age prediction algorithms using structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) aim to assess the biological age of the human brain. The difference between a person's chronological age and the estimated brain age is thought to reflect deviations from a normal aging trajectory, indicating a slower or accelerated biological aging process. Several pre‐trained software packages for predicting brain age are publicly available. In this study, we perform a comparison of such packages with respect to (1) predictive accuracy, (2) test–retest reliability, and (3) the ability to track age progression over time. We evaluated the six brain age prediction packages: brainageR, DeepBrainNet, brainage, ENIGMA, pyment, and mccqrnn. The accuracy and test–retest reliability were assessed on MRI data from 372 healthy people aged between 18.4 and 86.2 years (mean 38.7 ± 17.5 years). All packages showed significant correlations between predicted brain age and chronological age (r = 0.66–0.97, p < 0.001), with pyment displaying the strongest correlation. The mean absolute error was between 3.56 (pyment) and 9.54 years (ENIGMA). brainageR, pyment, and mccqrnn were superior in terms of reliability (ICC values between 0.94–0.98), as well as predicting age progression over a longer time span. Of the six packages, pyment and brainageR consistently showed the highest accuracy and test–retest reliability.
Correlations of Exercise Test and Quality of Life Variables With Clinical Improvement in Effort Angina
Authors: Aursnes Ivar , Midtbø Kjell
Published: October 2023

The value of the exercise test has been challenged in connection with assessments of the effects of drugs on angina. Therefore, a series of test variables were correlated with clinical improvement in 30 patients with effort‐related angina and coronary stenoses proved by angiography. The patients had two bicycle tests with an interval of 1 year. They were also clinically graded by a combined score of drug consumption and self‐assessment of physical fitness on those two occasions, and classified as deteriorated or unchanged, improved, or without symptoms. Sixteen patients had an aortocoronary bypass during the time between the tests. The highest coefficient of correlation was between differences in heart rate at 1 mm ST depression and changes in clinical grading (r=0.78, p=0.001). Fairly good correlations were found when changes in total exercise time and changes in maximum double product were related to changes in clinical grading. Differences in maximum ST depression and in blood pressures at 1 mm ST depression did not correlate with clinical improvement; neither did changes in estimates of quality of life.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of High‐Dose Zidovudine Administered as a Continuous Infusion in Patients With Cancer
Authors: Marchbanks Karen , Dudley Michael N. , Posner Marshall R. , Darnowski James
Published: October 2023

Study Objective. To investigate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of high‐dose intravenous zidovudine (ZDV).

Design. Phase 1, dose‐escalating, unblinded study in patients with cancer.

Setting. A university‐affiliated cancer treatment center.

Patients. Fourteen patients (6 women) with solid tumors that were unresponsive to standard therapy received 31 courses of therapy.

Interventions. Intravenous ZDV was administered in doses of 2, 3, 4, 5.5, 7, 8.5, 10, 12, 15, or 20 g/m2/day as a continuous infusion over 48 hours. Patients also received fluorouracil plus leucovorin for 24 hours before the start of and during the ZDV infusion. If no dose‐limiting toxicities were encountered, subsequent doses were escalated. Blood samples were collected at 24 and 48 hours after the start of the infusion, and hourly for 4 hours after stopping the infusion. Urine was collected in five patients during the infusion and for 24 hours after stopping it. Blood for measuring peripheral white blood cells was collected before and at the end of the infusion in seven patients to measure DNA chain breaks due to incorporation of ZDV.

Measurements and Main Results. Zidovudine was measured in plasma by high‐performance liquid chromatography and in urine fluorescence polarization immunoassay. Its incorporation into DNA was measured by determining DNA strand breakage in peripheral white blood cells using fluorescence analysis. Pharmacokinetic models were fit to plasma ZDV concentrations using extended least squares regression. Short‐term high‐dose ZDV was generally well tolerated, with adverse effects related to large amounts of free water administered during the infusion. The mean (SD) ZDV pharmacokinetic values were total clearance 1.44 (1.09) L/hr/kg, volume of distribution 2.72 (2.97) L/kg, and half‐life 1.2 (0.6) hours. There was considerable interpatient variability in total drug clearance. Although ZDV exposure increased proportionately with increasing dose, two of three patients receiving the highest dose (20 g/m2/day) had markedly low total drug clearances. The relation between the percentage of abnormal DNA in peripheral white blood cells and zidovudine area under the plasma ZDV versus time curve was described by the Emax pharmacodynamic model.

Conclusions. The pharmacokinetics of high‐dose ZDV administered by continuous infusion to patients with cancer are similar to those reported with lower doses in patients with infection due to the human immunodeficiency virus. Further study of potential nonlinear pharmacokinetic behavior at doses above 20 g/m2/day is necessary. The high between‐patient variability in ZDV clearance results in variable levels of exposure in vivo, and indicates the need for concentration‐ or effect‐controlled study designs in the further evaluation of the agent's antineoplastic effects.
The Effect of High‐Dose Ascorbate Supplementation on Plasma Lipoprotein(a) Levels in Patients With Premature Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Bostom Andrew G. , Hume Anne L. , Eaton Charles B. , Laurino Joseph P. , Yanek Lisa R. , Regan Mary S. , McQuade William H. , Craig Wendy Y. , Perrone Gayle , Jacques Paul F.
Published: October 2023

Study Objective. To determine the efficacy of high‐dose ascorbate supplementation in lowering lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels in patients with premature coronary heart disease (CHD).

Design. Randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial.

Setting. Outpatient clinic.

Patients. Forty‐four patients with documented premature CHD. defined as confirmed myocardial infarction and/or angiographically determined stenosis of 50% or greater in at least one major coronary artery before age 60 years.

Interventions. Patients were block randomized on the basis of age, gender, and screening Lp(a) concentrations to receive ascorbate 4.5 g/day or placebo for 12 weeks.

Measurements and Main Results. High‐dose ascorbate was well tolerated and produced a marked elevation in mean plasma ascorbate levels (+1.2 mg/dl; p<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed no significant effect of supplementation on postintervention Lp(a) levels (p=0.39) in a model that included treatment group assignment, and baseline Lp(a) levels.

Conclusions. Our findings do not support a clinically important lowering effect of high‐dose ascorbate on plasma Lp(a) in patients with premature CHD.
Inconsistency With Train‐of‐Four Monitoring in a Critically Ill Paralyzed Patient
Authors: Tschida Suzanne J. , Hoey Lori L. , Vance‐Bryan Kyle
Published: October 2023

Problems occurred with train‐of‐four (TOF) monitoring during prolonged therapy with nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents (NNMBAs). A previously healthy 25‐year‐old male with metastatic testicular teratocarcinoma was paralyzed with an atracurium infusion to facilitate mechanical ventilation. Dosage titration was initially based on clinical assessment; however, on day 4 of atracurium, TOF monitoring was initiated. During days 4 to 10 of atracurium therapy, TOF monitoring correlated well with clinical assessment of the depth of paralysis. On day 13, atracurium was discontinued and a pancuronium infusion was initiated. During the 9 days of pancuronium therapy, TOF monitoring suggested overparalysis on several occasions (no thumb twitch at 80 mamp of ulnar nerve stimulation) despite clinical evidence of spontaneous movement or respirations. The patient was edematous and had extremely dry skin during some of these instances of inappropriate TOF response. Although these problems were rectified, TOF response continued to be erroneous. Thus we had to rely primarily on clinical assessment to monitor the duration of NNMBA therapy. This case demonstrates that TOF data and clinical assessment of neuromuscular blockade may not always correlate.
A Meta‐Analysis of Interferon‐α Treatment of Hepatitis D Virus Infection
Authors: Malaguarnera Mariano , Restuccia Salvatore , Pistone Giovanni , Ruello Pasqualina , Giugno Ignazio , Trovato Barbara A.
Published: October 2023

The severity of chronic hepatitis D infection and its unfavorable progress necessitate research into drugs and protocols capable of changing the natural history of the disease. Over the last few years interferon (IFN)‐α has been the drug of choice in the management of this infection. We assessed its long‐term efficacy by analyzing 5 controlled and 10 uncontrolled trials conducted between 1987 and 1994. The Mantel‐Haenszel‐Peto method was used in the former to perform statistical analysis. The odds ratio (0.16, confidence interval 0.058‐0.476) confirmed the efficacy of IFN‐α, even if the coefficient was not significant because of the limited number of spontaneous remissions in the trials. Although IFN treatment is fully beneficial in only a small number of patients with chronic hepatitis D infection, at present it is the only available agent.
Sertraline‐Associated Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Bradley Mary E. , Foote Edward F. , Lee Edwin N. , Merkle Larry
Published: October 2023

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have gained widespread use in the treatment of depression. A 78‐year‐old woman became hyponatremic 3 days after being treated with sertraline and was subsequently diagnosed with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). She became symptomatic, but experienced rapid resolution of the laboratory and clinical abnormalities associated with SIADH on discontinuing sertraline and receiving fluid restriction, hypertonic saline, and demeclocycline. Several mechanisms may relate SIADH and vasopressin release to serotonin.
Bone Structure and Turnover in Postmenopausal Women With Long‐Standing Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Shah Viral N , Qui Shijing , Stoneback Jason , Qamar Lubna , Ferguson Virginia L , Kohrt Wendy M , Snell‐Bergeon Janet K , Rao Sudhaker D
Published: October 2023

Compromised bone structural and mechanical properties are implicated in the increased fracture risk in type 1 diabetes (T1D). We investigated bone structure and turnover by histomorphometry in postmenopausal women with T1D and controls without diabetes using tetracycline double‐labeled transiliac bone biopsy. After in vivo tetracycline double labeling, postmenopausal women with T1D of at least 10 years and without diabetes underwent transiliac bone biopsy. An expert blinded to the study group performed histomorphometry. Static and dynamic histomorphometry measurements were performed and compared between the two groups. The analysis included 9 postmenopausal women with T1D (mean age 58.4 ± 7.1 years with 37.9 ± 10.9 years of diabetes and HbA1c 7.1% ± 0.4%) and 7 postmenopausal women without diabetes (mean age 60.9 ± 3.3 years and HbA1c 5.4% ± 0.2%). There were no significant differences in serum PTH (38.6 ± 8.1 versus 51.9 ± 23.9 pg/mL), CTX (0.4 ± 0.2 versus 0.51 ± 0.34 ng/mL), or P1NP (64.5 ± 26.2 versus 87.3 ± 45.3 ng/mL). Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels were higher in T1D than in controls (53.1 ± 20.8 versus 30.9 ± 8.2 ng/mL, p < 0.05). Bone structure metrics (bone volume, trabecular thickness, trabecular number, and cortical thickness) were similar between the groups. Indices of bone formation (osteoid volume, osteoid surface, and bone formation rate) were 40% lower in T1D and associated with lower activation frequency. However, the differences in bone formation were not statistically significant. Long‐standing T1D may affect bone turnover, mainly bone formation, without significantly affecting bone structure. Further research is needed to understand bone turnover and factors affecting bone turnover in people with T1D. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Cell culture‐derived extracellular vesicles: Considerations for reporting cell culturing parameters
Authors: Shekari Faezeh , Alibhai Faisal J. , Baharvand Hossein , Börger Verena , Bruno Stefania , Davies Owen , Giebel Bernd , Gimona Mario , Salekdeh Ghasem Hosseini , Martin‐Jaular Lorena , Mathivanan Suresh , Nelissen Inge , Nolte‐’t Hoen Esther , O'Driscoll Lorraine , Perut Francesca , Pluchino Stefano , Pocsfalvi Gabriella , Salomon Carlos , Soekmadji Carolina , Staubach Simon , Torrecilhas Ana Claudia , Shelke Ganesh Vilas , Tertel Tobias , Zhu Dandan , Théry Clotilde , Witwer Kenneth , Nieuwland Rienk
Published: October 2023

Cell culture‐conditioned medium (CCM) is a valuable source of extracellular vesicles (EVs) for basic scientific, therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Cell culturing parameters affect the biochemical composition, release and possibly the function of CCM‐derived EVs (CCM‐EV). The CCM‐EV task force of the Rigor and Standardization Subcommittee of the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles aims to identify relevant cell culturing parameters, describe their effects based on current knowledge, recommend reporting parameters and identify outstanding questions. While some recommendations are valid for all cell types, cell‐specific recommendations may need to be established for non‐mammalian sources, such as bacteria, yeast and plant cells. Current progress towards these goals is summarized in this perspective paper, along with a checklist to facilitate transparent reporting of cell culturing parameters to improve the reproducibility of CCM‐EV research.
A novel framework for a multimodel ensemble of GCMs and its application in the analysis of projected extremes
Authors: Ganguly Titas , Arya Dhyan S.
Published: October 2023

Methodologies for evaluating global climate models (GCMs) and generating multimodel ensembles have branched to meet the diverse needs of impact assessment studies. However, there has been limited focus on their intercomparison. In this context, a comprehensive framework comprising the major strands of GCM ranking and ensemble data generation is proposed in the current study. The framework incorporates error index‐based rankings and Bayesian method‐based weight distribution. Within the Bayesian analysis, a nonparametric (orthonormal) distribution is introduced in this study with the hypothesis that the efficiency of nonparametric distribution in modelling natural random phenomena will accentuate the efficiency of the ranking and ensemble process. Precipitation and temperature data of 21 GCMs from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 covering India is used to validate the proposed framework. Finally, the ensemble data generated from the framework is used for the analysis of projected extremes and their attribution. Results show that Bayesian framework‐based rankings outperform other methods in 87.5% of instances. In the case of precipitation, the orthonormal distribution‐based Bayesian ranking produces better results for 85.2% of India, while it produces the lowest error ensemble for 79% of the country. The data from the framework are compared to the widely used mathematical average of GCMs. It is found that for precipitation and maximum temperature, the weighted ensemble has closer proximity to the distributive properties of the observed data for the entire study area. Furthermore, uncertainty analysis shows that the ensemble data have minimum uncertainty for the entire area in the case of precipitation. Finally, the assessment of projected extremes shows low to medium confidence (~27%) in the attribution of precipitation extremes to anthropogenic causes under representative concentration pathway (RCP) 4.5, while under RCP 8.5, the confidence is around 80%. For temperature, it is greater than 90% in both scenarios.
Classification of oolong tea varieties based on computer vision and convolutional neural networks
Authors: Zhu Yiwen , Chen Siyuan , Yin Hanzhe , Han Xihao , Xu Menghan , Wang Wenli , Zhang Yin , Feng Xiaoxiao , Liu Yuan
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND

In the contemporary food industry, accurate and rapid differentiation of oolong tea varieties holds paramount importance for traceability and quality control. However, achieving this remains a formidable challenge. This study addresses this lacuna by employing machine learning algorithms – namely support vector machines (SVMs) and convolutional neural networks (CNNs) – alongside computer vision techniques for the automated classification of oolong tea leaves based on visual attributes.

RESULTS

An array of 13 distinct characteristics, encompassing color and texture, were identified from five unique oolong tea varieties. To fortify the robustness of the predictive models, data augmentation and image cropping methods were employed. A comparative analysis of SVM‐ and CNN‐based models revealed that the ResNet50 model achieved a high Top‐1 accuracy rate exceeding 93%. This robust performance substantiates the efficacy of the implemented methodology for rapid and precise oolong tea classification.

CONCLUSION

The study elucidates that the integration of computer vision with machine learning algorithms constitutes a promising, non‐invasive approach for the quick and accurate categorization of oolong tea varieties. The findings have significant ramifications for process monitoring, quality assurance, authenticity validation and adulteration detection within the tea industry. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
The Impact of Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) Printing Profiles on 17‐4 PH Green and Sintered Parts
Authors: Tosto Claudio , Miani Fabio , Cicala Gianluca
Published: October 2023

The aim of this research is to characterize parts from innovative hybrid printing method for obtaining dense metal components using affordable fused filament fabrication (FFF). The introduction of Desktop Metal technology in 2015 really attracts an increase in industrial interest in the FFF printing of highly metal‐filled filament. Even though FFF is a well‐known process, there are not many studies on how to optimize the printing parameters for these feedstocks.

The effects of the printing setting on producing high‐quality green parts and enhancing the mechanical properties of the finished 17‐4 PH metallic parts are investigated in this work. The influence of four printing profiles provided by a BASF plugin for Ultimaker Cura slicing software, obtained by combining different printing parameters is investigated.

The ASTM E8 tensile test is used to determine the mechanical characteristics of the finished metal components. To identify differences in morphology, optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations are made on both sections of green and sintered samples. The effect of printing parameters on shrinkage and density are also taken into consideration.

The findings demonstrate the importance of optimizing the printing of the green parts in order to produce full metal components that are both strong and dense.
Printability of a Recycled Thermoplastic Obtained from a Chemical Recycling Process of a Fully‐Recyclable Epoxy Matrix: An Upscaling Re‐Use Strategy
Authors: Saitta L. , Montalbano G. , Corvaglia I. , Brovarone C. Vitale , Cicala G.
Published: October 2023

This study presents an upscaling re‐use strategy for a recycled thermoplastic which is obtained starting from a chemical recycling approach for a bio‐based fully‐recyclable epoxy resin system. The recycling approach used relies on the selective cleaving of the epoxy‐cured network under mild conditions. The re‐use strategy proposed in this work consists in the use of the recycled thermoplastic (rTP), as obtained at the end of the recycling process and without any additional treatments, as raw material for a 3D printing process falling within the material extrusion category. The used 3D printing technique relies on the use of a thermoplastic printhead equipped with a metallic cartridge, fillable with the rTP material, to which a suitable pressure value is applied in order to start the extrusion process. The recycled material is characterized through thermal and rheological analysis in order to find the correct printing conditions, such as extrusion temperature and pressure applied. Next, the printability of specimens having different type of infill is investigated and the µCT analysis is used to evaluate the quality of the 3D printed samples.
Identification of a novel heterozygous PTH1R variant in a Chinese family with incomplete penetrance
Authors: Wang Jie , Zhao Chaoyue , Zhang Xin , Yang Li , Hu Yanyan
Published: October 2023

Background

Mutations in PTH1R are associated with Jansen‐type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia (JMC), Blomstrand osteochondrodysplasia (BOCD), Eiken syndrome, enchondroma, and primary failure of tooth eruption (PFE). Inheritance of the PTH1R gene can be either autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive, indicating the complexity of the gene. Our objective was to identify the phenotypic differences in members of a family with a novel PTH1R mutation.

Methods

The proband was a 13‐year, 6‐month‐old girl presenting with short stature, abnormal tooth eruption, skeletal dysplasia, and midface hypoplasia. The brother and father of the proband presented with short stature and abnormal tooth eruption. High‐throughput sequencing was performed on the proband, and the variant was confirmed in the proband and other family members by Sanger sequencing. Amino acid sequence alignment was performed using ClustalX software. Three‐dimensional structures were analyzed and displayed using the I‐TASSER website and PyMOL software.

Results

High‐throughput genome sequencing and Sanger sequencing validation showed that the proband, her father, and her brother all carried the PTH1R (NM_000316) c.1393G>A (p.E465K) mutation. The c.1393G>A (p.E465K) mutation was novel, as it has not been reported in the literature database. According to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines, the p.E465K variant was considered to have uncertain significance. Biological information analysis demonstrated that this identified variant was highly conserved and highly likely pathogenic.

Conclusions

We identified a novel heterozygous mutation in the PTH1R gene leading to clinical manifestations with incomplete penetrance that expands the spectrum of known PTH1R mutations.
Living with and without an intestinal stoma: Factors that promote psychological well‐being and self‐care: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Simpson Ellen , Pourshahidi Kirsty , Davis James , Slevin Mary , Lawther Roger , O'Connor Gloria , Porrett Terri , Marley Jerome , Gill Chris
Published: October 2023

Aims

This study compared those living with and without an intestinal stoma in relation to physical and psychological health, stress and coping, quality of life and resilience. Also, identifying factors that could be used to promote better self‐care in stoma patients in the future.

Design

A cross‐sectional and comparative study design was employed.

Methods

Participants were recruited via email and social media (Facebook and Twitter) between August 2018 and March 2019, to complete an online survey. The data were analysed using analysis of variance to examine group difference and a series of hierarchical linear regression analyses determining predictors of psychological well‐being.

Results

Of 278 participants aged 18–68 years who completed the survey, 129 (46%) had a stoma and reported significantly poorer physical health. Approximately one‐fifth experienced problems with stoma management. Psychological well‐being was mediated by the duration of living with a stoma (under 3 years) and frequency of leaks (weekly and monthly).
Associations among prenatal exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus, brain structure, and child adiposity markers
Authors: Luo Shan , Hsu Eustace , Lawrence Katherine E. , Adise Shana , Pickering Trevor A. , Herting Megan M. , Buchanan Thomas , Page Kathleen A. , Thompson Paul M.
Published: October 2023

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of child brain structure in the relationship between prenatal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) exposure and child adiposity.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study of 9– to 10‐year‐old participants and siblings across the US. Data were obtained from the baseline assessment of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study®. Brain structure was evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging. GDM exposure was self‐reported, and discordance for GDM exposure within biological siblings was identified. Mixed effects and mediation models were used to examine associations among prenatal GDM exposure, brain structure, and adiposity markers with sociodemographic covariates.

Results

The sample included 8521 children (7% GDM‐exposed), among whom there were 28 sibling pairs discordant for GDM exposure. Across the entire study sample, prenatal exposure to GDM was associated with lower global and regional cortical gray matter volume (GMV) in the bilateral rostral middle frontal gyrus and superior temporal gyrus. GDM‐exposed siblings also demonstrated lower global cortical GMV than unexposed siblings. Global cortical GMV partially mediated the associations between prenatal GDM exposure and child adiposity markers.

Conclusions

The results identify brain markers of prenatal GDM exposure and suggest that low cortical GMV may explain increased obesity risk for offspring prenatally exposed to GDM.

image