bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hybrid trajectory tracking control of wheeled mobile robots using predictive kinematic control and dynamic robust control
Authors: Kordi Fahimeh , Mobayen Saleh , Rezaalikhani Hamidreza , Nikoukar Javad
Published: October 2024

Trajectory tracking control of wheeled mobile robots (WMRs) is still a remarkable problem for many applications. In the present paper, a hybrid control is presented based on dynamic and kinematic equations of motion for wheeled mobile robots in the presence of the sum of the external disturbances and parametric uncertainty. The designed control for the WMR utilizes control and guidance to reach the reference path. In many studies, a control strategy is normally employed for WMR. However, in this study, hybrid control was used for the mentioned purpose. Akin to other studies, the kinematic control scheme here was based on the predictive control, and the dynamic control scheme was designed based on the robust control. Therefore, in this article, having introduced the kinematic model, a nonlinear predictive control was proved and designed. In the next step, a finite‐time integral type terminal sliding mode control (FITSMC) was designed based on the nonlinear dynamic model in order to automatically adjust the control gain and eliminate online disturbances and destructive chattering phenomena completely. In particular, a finite‐time disturbance observer was designed to estimate the external disturbances. The proof of the new proposed control scheme was presented using Lyapunov stability theory and numerical results. The mentioned integrated scheme, including predictive control (outer loop) and nonlinear adaptive control (inner loop), ensures the convergence and optimal tracking performance of all signals, as a result of which the tracking errors can arbitrarily converge to the origin in a finite time. In the final step, the simulation results were presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed scheme using MATLAB software, and the introduced control design was compared with a similar controller quantitatively and qualitatively.
Characterization and Degradation of Triphenylmethane Dyes and Their Leuco‐Derivatives by Heterologously Expressed Laccase From Coprinus cinerea
Authors: Qian Cen , Pei Zuodi , Wang Bo , Peng Rihe , Yao Quanhong
Published: October 2024

Laccase is a copper‐containing polyphenol oxidase that can oxidize phenolic and non‐phenolic organic substrates. In the past decades, laccases had received considerable attention because of the ability to degrade various organic substances. Based on the codon preference of the Pichia pastoris expression system, this study optimized the gene structure of the laccase gene Lcc1 from Coprius cinerea through synthetic biology methods. A new gene Lcc1I was synthesized and heterologously expressed in P. pastoris. After 3 days of cultivation in a shake flask at 30°C, the transformants produced at a yield of 890 mg L−1protein. The highest production level of the recombinant laccase was 2760 U L−1. The molecular mass of the recombinant laccase was estimated at 60 kDa. The enzyme showed highest activity at pH 3.4 and 45°C. It possessed better stability at higher pH and lower temperature condition. Using 2,2'‐azino‐bis‐(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline)−6‐sulphonate (ABTS) as the substrate, the Km and Vmax values were 0.136 mM and 9778 μM min−1 mg−1, respectively. The recombinant laccase could directly oxidize some triphenylmethane dyes like leuco‐crystal violet (LCV) and leuco‐malachite green (LMG). With the help of ABTS mediator, it could oxidize and degrade 77.7% crystal violet (CV) and 79.2% malachite green (MG) within 1 h. Our results indicate that optimization of the laccase gene achieves good expression results in the host system. The dye degradation model constructed in this study may also be applied to the degradation of other organic pollutants and toxic substances, providing new solutions for environmental remediation against the increasingly severe environmental pollution.
Improving CsOAC Activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for Directed Production of Olivetolic Acid through Rational Design
Authors: Spitzer Saskia , Aras Marco , Kayser Oliver
Published: October 2024

Olivetolic acid (OA) is an essential precursor in the cannabinoid biosynthesis. It is produced through a unique interaction between the two proteins, olivetol synthase (CsOLS) and olivetolic acid cyclase (CsOAC). When the OA biosynthesis is transferred to Saccharomyces cerevisiae, olivetol (OL) is produced as a side product, even with a high enhancement of copy number of CsOAC. In order to increase the OA titer while decreasing the OL titer in S. cerevisiae, rational design was applied to CsOAC using in silico approaches such as protein‐ligand docking to find potential protein variants. In vivo screening and also testing different approaches for both proteins was applied to identify the best performing variants of CsOAC. Four variants were identified that gave the desired properties. The best CsOAC variant, G82 A/L92Y, resulted in a 1.7‐fold increase in OA production and a shift in the ratio between the two products towards OA.
Modular Access to Chiral 1,3‐Substituted Fragments via Nickel‐Catalyzed Arylboration Reaction†
Authors: Bao Yang , Yao Tong , Kong Weiyu , Li Yangyang , Fu Ying , Wu Dong , Yin Guoyin
Published: October 2024

Comprehensive Summary

Chiral 1,3‐substituted fragments are ubiquitous in pharmaceutical molecules and natural products, prompting the development of numerous methods to access these structures. Nonetheless, devising synthetic routes for complex chiral architectures in practical applications typically demands years of expertise. Herein, we developed a nickel‐catalyzed enantioselective migratory arylboration reaction of allylboronic esters using a chiral 1,2‐diamine ligand, yielding a range of chiral 1,3‐bis(boronates) with high enantioselectivity. The protocol is characterized by its use of commercially available substrates, mild reaction conditions, user‐friendly procedures, and a broad substrate compatibility. Moreover, we demonstrate the practicality and application potential of this reaction by synthesizing several key drug intermediates.
Catalytic Asymmetric Conjugate Addition and Allylic Substitution of Cyclobutenones with Arylzinc Halides
Authors: Pan Renming , Lu Ping
Published: October 2024

Comprehensive Summary

Conjugate addition and allylic substitution are two essential chemical transformations, and they could be competitive for substrates with multiple reactive sites. Herein, we report the diversified enantioselective synthesis of cyclobutenes via the functionalization of cyclobutenones. The conjugate addition of cyclobutenones with arylzinc halides provided enantioenriched cyclobutenes with all‐carbon quaternary centers. On the other hand, when cyclobutenones with gem‐dichloro groups were employed, a chemo‐ and enantioselective allylic substitution occurred. Further synthetic utility was demonstrated for synthesizing versatile cyclobutane derivatives, together with ring‐opening and expansion products.
Phase 2 trial of avelumab in combination with gemcitabine in advanced leiomyosarcoma as a second‐line treatment (EAGLES, Korean Cancer Study Group UN18‐09)
Authors: Kim Miso , Kim Yu Jung , Suh Koung Jin , Kim Se Hyun , Kim Jeong Eun , Jeong Juhyeon , Hong Jung Yong , Lee Jeeyun , Lee Su Jin , Oh Sung Yong , Kim Jung Hoon , Lee Gyeong‐Won , Ahn Mi Sun , Choi Wonyoung , Choi Yoon Ji , Lee Taebum , Oum Chiyoon , Kim Jeongkyu , Kim Young Saing , Ahn Jin‐Hee
Published: October 2024

Background

In this single‐arm, multicenter, phase 2 trial, the authors evaluated the efficacy and safety of avelumab plus gemcitabine in patients with leiomyosarcoma (LMS) who failed on first‐line chemotherapy.

Methods

Patients with advanced LMS received avelumab 10 mg/kg on days 1 and 15 (for up to 24 months) plus gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28‐day cycle until they developed disease progression or intolerable toxicity. The primary end point was the objective response rate (ORR).

Results

In total, 38 patients were enrolled. Of these, 35 patients were evaluable, and the ORR was 20% (95% confidence interval; [CI], 8%–37%). The disease control rate was 71%, and the median duration of response was 21.8 months (range, 7.6 to ≥43.3 months). The median progression free‐survival was 5.6 months (95% CI, 4.5–6.8 months), and the median overall survival was 27.5 months (95% CI, 20.4–34.6 months). Grade 3–4 adverse events occurred in 70% of patients, of which neutropenia was the most common (54%). Immune‐mediated adverse events occurred in five patients (14%; hypothyroidism, n = 3; hepatitis, n = 2). Patients who had a higher density of tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (greater than the median) exhibited better ORR (35% vs. 8%; p = .104), progression‐free survival (median, 7.3 vs. 3.3 months; p = .024), and overall survival (median, not reached vs. 21.5 months; p = .027).

Conclusions

The combination of avelumab and gemcitabine demonstrated promising efficacy and manageable safety in patients with advanced LMS who progressed on first‐line therapy. Tumor‐infiltrating lymphocyte density may be an important factor in predicting the response to combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy.
Validity and Reliability of the Amharic Version of EORTC QLQ‐OG25 Among Esophagogastric Cancer Patients in Ethiopia
Authors: Abebe Lidya Genene , Wondimagegnehu Abigiya , Kantelhardt Eva Johanna , Addissie Adamu
Published: October 2024

Background

Cancers of the stomach and esophagus are the fourth and sixth most common causes of cancer‐related deaths worldwide, respectively. Although various tools have been developed to assess the quality of life of patients with esophagogastric cancer, EORTC QLQ‐C30 and EORTC QLQ‐OG25 are the most used all over the world. However, they have not been validated in an Ethiopian context. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of EORTC QLQ‐OG25 among Ethiopian patients with esophageal and gastric cancer.

Methods

EORTC QLQ‐OG25 is a 25‐item tool with 10 single items and six symptom scales: Eating restrictions, reflux, dysphagia, odynophagia, discomfort and pain, and anxiety. The tool was translated into Amharic according to the EORTC forward‐backward translation protocol. To check its validity and reliability, a cross‐sectional study among 158 patients was conducted from March to May 2020 at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The psychometric properties of EORTC QLQ‐C30 and EORTC QLQ‐OG25 were assessed using multitrait scale analysis, known group validity, convergent validity, and divergent validity. Internal consistency was examined with Cronbach's alpha.

Result

Eighty‐three (52.5%) of the participants were men; the median age was 50 years (IQR = 18 years). The overall item correlation alpha values ranged between 0.39 and 0.7. All item correlations within their scales were greater than 0.4. The correlation coefficients between all items and their own domain were greater than for other domains. The esophagogastric and core questionnaire correlation ranged from −0.65 to 0.62. The tool showed a significant difference between patients with good physical function and those with impaired physical function.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that the Amharic version of EORTC QLQ‐OG25 is a valid and reliable tool among patients from Ethiopia with esophagus and gastric cancer. Therefore, we recommend that researchers and clinicians use the core tool together with the specific tool.
Diatoms in Focus: Chemically Doped Biosilica for Customized Nanomaterials
Authors: Vicente‐Garcia Cesar , Vona Danilo , Flemma Annarita , Cicco Stefania Roberta , Farinola Gianluca Maria
Published: October 2024

Diatoms are photosynthetic microalgae widely diffused around the globe and well adapted to thrive in diverse environments. Their success is closely related to the nanostructured biosilica shell (frustule) that serves as exoskeleton. Said structures have attracted great attention, thanks to their hierarchically ordered network of micro‐ and nanopores. Frustules display high specific surface, mechanical resistance and photonic properties, useful for the design of functional and complex materials, with applications including sensing, biomedicine, optoelectronics and energy storage and conversion. Current technology allows to alter the chemical composition of extracted frustules with a diverse array of elements, via chemical and biochemical strategies, without compromising their valuable morphology. We started our research on diatoms from the viewpoint of material scientists, envisaging the possibilities of these nanostructured silica shells as a general platform to obtain functional materials for several applications via chemical functionalization. Our first paper in the field was published in ChemPlusChem ten years ago. Ten years later, in this Perspective, we gather the most recent and relevant functional materials derived from diatom biosilica to show the growth and diversification that this field is currently experiencing, and the key role it will play in the near future.
A Carbon Capture and Utilization Process for the Production of Solid Carbon Materials from Atmospheric CO2 – Part 1: Process Performance
Authors: Uhlenbruck Neele , Pfeifer Peter , Dietrich Benjamin , Hofberger Christoph M. , Krumholz Ralf , Saxler Antonio , Schulz Linus , Stoppel Leonid , Wetzel Thomas
Published: October 2024

The successful operation of a process that converts atmospheric CO2 into solid carbon products is presented as an alternative to fossil based solid carbon production. In a first step, CO2 is removed from the atmosphere by a direct air capture (DAC) unit. The gas is then mixed with hydrogen and enters a methanation unit. Depending on the operation conditions, gas mixtures consisting of mainly methane with either H2 or CO2 as side‐component are obtained. After precipitating the water formed during the methanation step, the remaining gas mixture is fed into a bubble column reactor filled with liquid tin. During the rise of the gas bubbles, methane is thermally split up into hydrogen and solid carbon. The latter is continuously removed from the liquid metal surface as a fine powder by pneumatic conveying. This article is the first of two articles, focusing on the performance of the methanation and methane pyrolysis steps. The experimental results are complemented by thermodynamic analyses and reaction modelling. A detailed analysis of the solid carbon product of the process is presented in the second part.
A Carbon Capture and Utilization Process for the Production of Solid Carbon Materials from Atmospheric CO2 – Part 2: Carbon Characterization
Authors: Uhlenbruck Neele , Dietrich Benjamin , Heißler Stefan , Hofberger Christoph M. , Krumholz Ralf , Stoppel Leonid , Trouillet Vanessa , Weidler Peter G. , Wetzel Thomas
Published: October 2024

This article is the second part of a study reporting the results of a novel carbon capture and utilization (CCU) process, which converts atmospheric CO2 into solid carbon materials. The CCU process combines direct air capture (DAC) with catalytic methanation, which is then followed by methane pyrolysis in a reactor filled with liquid tin. While Part 1 discussed the performance of the overall process and individual process steps regarding conversions and yields, Part 2 characterizes the solid carbon products obtained under various synthesis conditions. The effects of the pyrolysis temperature and the composition of the gas mixture from the methanation step on the solid carbon product are analyzed. Carbon powder is synthesized from methane with either N2, H2 or CO2 as most important impurity. Carbon samples are characterized using SEM, TEM, Raman spectroscopy, XPS and XRD analysis. Very thin, disordered carbon flakes, soot aggregates and large carbon onions are identified as the main solid products of the process. Their formation mechanisms in the liquid metal‐filled pyrolysis reactor are discussed.
Sustainable Formate Production via Highly Active CO2 Hydrogenation Using Porous Organometallic Polymer with Ru‐PNP Active Sites
Authors: Park Hongjin , Park Kwangho , Lee Ung , Yoon Sungho
Published: October 2024

Efforts to combine the advantages of homogeneous catalysts in terms of activity with the ease of separation process offered by heterogeneous catalysts continue to be actively pursued in the field of catalyst development. Heterogeneous catalysts were synthesized from Ru‐MACHO organometallic compounds, recognized for their high hydrogenation catalytic activity linked to the active site of the Ru‐PNP motif, through direct polymerization utilizing the Friedel‐Crafts reaction. These catalysts were then applied for the conversion of greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) into formate via hydrogenation, exhibited with a record‐high turnover frequency of 31,700 and a productivity of 36,100 kgformate/(kgcatalyst ⋅ d). Furthermore, the facile separation characteristics and recyclability of the heterogeneous catalysts were confirmed.
PYCR1 promotes liver cancer cell growth and metastasis by regulating IRS1 expression through lactylation modification
Authors: Wang Haoyu , Xu Mu , Zhang Tong , Pan Jinkun , Li Chaopu , Pan Bei , Zhou Linpeng , Huang Yun , Gao Chenzi , He Mengping , Xue Yao , Ji Xuetao , Zhang Xu , Wang Ning , Zhou Hongwen , Wang Qian , Li John Zhong
Published: October 2024

Background

Liver cancer (LC) is among the deadliest cancers worldwide, with existing treatments showing limited efficacy. This study aimed to elucidate the role and underlying mechanisms of pyrroline‐5‐carboxylate reductase 1 (PYCR1) as a potential therapeutic target in LC.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to analyse the expression of PYCR1 in LC cells and tissues. EdU assays, colony‐forming assays, scratch wound healing assays, Transwell assays, nude mouse xenograft models and nude mouse lung metastasis models were used to detect the growth and metastasis abilities of LC cells. Transcriptome sequencing was used to search for downstream target genes regulated by PYCR1, and metabolomics was used to identify the downstream metabolites regulated by PYCR1. ChIP assays were used to analyse the enrichment of H3K18 lactylation in the IRS1 promoter region.

Results

We found that the expression of PYCR1 was significantly increased in HCC and that this high expression was associated with poor prognosis in HCC patients. Knockout or inhibition of PYCR1 inhibited HCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion both in vivo and in vitro. In addition, we revealed that knocking out or inhibiting PYCR1 could inhibit glycolysis in HCC cells and reduce H3K18 lactylation of the IRS1 histone, thereby inhibiting IRS1 expression.

Conclusions

Our findings identify PYCR1 as a pivotal regulator of LC progression that influences tumour cell metabolism and gene expression. By demonstrating the potential of targeting PYCR1 to inhibit LC cell proliferation and metastasis, this study identified PYCR1 as a promising therapeutic target for LC.

Highlights

Pyrroline‐5‐carboxylate reductase 1 (PYCR1) promotes the proliferation and metastasis of liver cancer (LC) cells.

The expression of PYCR1 in LC is regulated by DNA methylation.

Knocking down or inhibiting PYCR1 inhibits glycolysis as well as the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK/ERK pathways in LC cells.

PYCR1 regulates the transcriptional activity of IRS1 by affecting H3K18 lactylation in its promoter region.
Win ratio analysis of transvenous phrenic nerve stimulation to treat central sleep apnoea in heart failure
Authors: Abraham William T. , Oldenburg Olaf , Lainscak Mitja , Khayat Rami , Asin Jerryll , Ponikowski Piotr , Germany Robin , McKane Scott , Costanzo Maria Rosa
Published: October 2024

Aims

Central sleep apnoea (CSA) is present in 20–40% of heart failure (HF) patients and is associated with poor clinical outcomes and health status. Transvenous phrenic nerve stimulation (TPNS) is an available treatment for CSA in HF patients. The impact on HF outcomes is incompletely understood. The win ratio (WR) allows inclusion of multiple endpoint components, considers the relative severity of each component, and permits assessment of recurrent events in evaluation of clinical benefit.

Methods and results

A WR hierarchy was pre‐defined for analysis of the HF subgroup of the remedē® System Pivotal Trial. The analysis used three hierarchical components to compare all treated to all control subjects: longest survival, lowest HF hospitalization rate, and ≥2‐category difference in Patient Global Assessment at 6 months. Sensitivity analyses were performed substituting Epworth Sleepiness Scale and 4% oxygen desaturation index for the third component, and a 4‐component WR hierarchy was also evaluated. Ninety‐one HF subjects, 43 receiving TPNS and 48 in the control group, provided 2064 pairwise comparisons. More patients treated with TPNS experienced clinical benefit compared with control (WR 4.92, 95% confidence interval 2.27–10.63, P < 0.0001). There were 1111 (53.83%) winning pairwise comparisons for the treatment group and 226 (10.95%) for the control group. Similarly, large WRs were observed for all additional WR hierarchies.

Conclusions

This WR analysis of the remedē® System Pivotal Trial suggests that TPNS may be superior to untreated CSA in HF patients with CSA using a hierarchical clinical benefit endpoint composed of mortality, HF hospitalization, and health status.
Angiotensin receptor‐neprilysin inhibitor adherence and outcomes in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Cho Dong‐Hyuk , Choi Jimi , Youn Jong‐Chan , Kim Mi‐Na , Lee Chan Joo , Son Jung‐Woo , Yoo Byung‐Su
Published: October 2024

Aims

Whether medication adherence to angiotensin receptor‐neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) in real‐world practice is associated with the reduced risk of all‐cause mortality or hospitalization relative to that with traditional renin–angiotensin system (RAS) blockade remains unclear. This study investigated the influence of medication adherence of ARNI and traditional RAS blockade in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Method

We conducted a nationwide longitudinal cohort study with patients with HFrEF using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service data (2017–2021) covering the entire population. A total of 13 483 patients with HFrEF who received ARNI were matched 1:1 with 13 483 patients who received traditional RAS blockade using propensity score matching. The primary outcome was a composite of all‐cause mortality or any hospitalization within one year. Medication adherence was assessed by calculating the proportion of days covered (PDC) relative to total medication prescribed. ARNI and traditional RAS blockade adherence rates were directly compared to analyse their respective associations with the primary outcome.

Results

Patients in the ARNI group had a lower rate of the primary outcome than those in the traditional RAS blockade group [hazard ratio (HR) 0.78; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.75–0.81; P < 0.001]. Mean PDC values spanning 1 year were 92.6 ± 14.5% and 90.9 ± 17.7% in the ARNI and RAS blockade groups, respectively (P < 0.001). Among patients with PDC ≥ 80%, the risk of primary outcome was significantly lower in the ARNI group than in the RAS blockade group (HR 0.75; 95% CI 0.72–0.78; P < 0.001) while a risk reduction with ARNI was not observed among patients with PDC < 80% (HR 0.95; 95% CI 0.85–1.05; P = 0.313). The beneficial effect was more pronounced among patients with PDC ≥ 80% than that among patients with PDC < 80% (P for interaction <0.001).

Conclusions

In a real‐world cohort with HFrEF, ARNI was superior to traditional RAS blockade in reducing the risk of all‐cause mortality and hospitalization. The benefit of ARNI was pronounced among patients with high medication adherence but not among those with low medication adherence, highlighting the importance of adherence to ARNI treatment for HFrEF.

Trial Registration

PARADE‐HF ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT05329727.
Signs of hyperpathia in chronic peripheral neuropathic pain
Authors: Carmland Malin Erika , Kreutzfeldt Melissa Dall , Brask‐Thomsen Peter Kolind , Jensen Troels Staehelin , Bach Flemming Winther , Sindrup Søren Hein , Finnerup Nanna Brix
Published: October 2024

Background

Neuropathic pain is pain due to a disease or lesion of the somatosensory system, and can be either spontaneous, evoked or both. Hyperpathia is a type of evoked pain defined by IASP as ‘a painful syndrome characterized by an abnormally painful reaction to a stimulus, especially a repetitive stimulus, as well as an increased threshold’. The literature is sparse, and definitions are unclear and inconsistent.

Methods

The aim of this study was to examine for the presence of mechanical hyperpathia in a heterogeneous group of patients with peripheral neuropathic pain and correlate signs of hyperpathia with other sensory signs. Patients were examined with graded pinprick stimuli to obtain a stimulus–response curve and repetitive pinprick stimuli to assess increase in pain over time and aftersensations. Then, patients were grouped based on the likelihood of having mechanical hyperpathia with either a steep stimulus–response curve or a steep curve on the repetitive pinprick test and results were correlated to mechanical detection and pain thresholds and other outcomes from a full quantitative sensory testing.

Results

We included 124 patients with documented peripheral neuropathic pain. Patients with a steep stimulus–response curve did not overlap with patients with a steep curve on the repetitive pinprick test and both groups more often had decreased rather than increased detection and pain thresholds.

Conclusions

Our study questions the concept of hyperpathia and suggests that more studies are needed to identify which symptoms and signs group together and might form a syndrome.

Significance Statement

Hyperpathia is a syndrome of evoked pain. It is poorly defined and little is known about its clinical presentation. Since it is part of pain symptomatology it is important to have a clear definition and understand the pathophysiology behind. This study explored signs of hyperpathia in a heterogeneous group of patients with peripheral neuropathic pain. We used stimulus–response function and repetitive pinprick stimulation to group patients based on the IASP definition. More studies are needed to understand how symptoms and signs coincide.
Design and Development of a Wayside AI‐Assisted Vision System for Online Train Wheel Inspection
Authors: Shaikh Muhammad Zakir , Mehran Sanaullah , Baro Enrique Nava , Manolova Agata , Uqaili Mohammad Aslam , Hussain Tanweer , Chowdhry Bhawani Shankar
Published: October 2024

Wayside inspection of rolling stock has been around for some time and wheel impact load and fiber‐grating sensors are actively explored for getting high‐fidelity data. Visual inspection from wayside provides the opportunity to gain high‐resolution data, which can help in the early diagnosis of potential faults. It is rarely explored due to complexities associated with calibration, moving and rotating targets, and difficulties associated with data acquisition. This paper explores and presents an in‐depth design and development strategy for such systems. It presents the development steps, implementation, and results of a vision inspection system for regular and automated inspection of train wheels. First, various configurations for positioning of the cameras in a three‐dimensional setting are considered and discussed, followed by online data acquisition for establishing a data set. Later, a comprehensive comparative analysis was conducted on several object detection algorithms for wheel segmentation task. Different algorithms are evaluated using COCO evaluation metrics, and the best‐performing model, YOLOv9, achieves a mAP50 of 0.94 and a recall of 0.91. The developed system has produced satisfactory results in acquiring proper wheel tread images and segmenting the wheel. Further avenues for countering lighting issues and defect detection are provided.
Unravelling Disorder in Aperiodic Crystals – Diffuse Scattering and Atomic Resolution Holography
Authors: Stellhorn J. R. , Meekel E. G. , Minelli A.
Published: October 2024

The atomic‐scale disorder of aperiodic crystals, and quasicrystals in particular, is inherently difficult to explore by experimental methods due to their complex atomic arrangements. Two advanced characterization techniques, a revived and an emerging one, offer direct experimental access even to such complex atomic structures: Diffuse Scattering and Atomic Resolution Holography. In this overview, we introduce their specific application to aperiodic crystals and discuss their merits and difficulties.
How and why to follow best practices for testing mediation models with missing data
Authors: Schoemann Alexander M. , Moore E. Whitney G. , Yagiz Gokhan
Published: October 2024

Mediation models are often conducted in psychology to understand mechanisms and processes of change. However, current best practices for handling missing data in mediation models are not always used by researchers. Missing data methods, such as full information maximum likelihood (FIML) and multiple imputation (MI), are best practice methods of handling missing data. However, FIML or MI are rarely used to handle missing data when testing mediation models, instead analyses used listwise deletion methods, the default in popular software. Compared to listwise deletion, the implementation of FIML or MI to handle missing data reduces parameter estimate bias, while maintaining the sample collected to maximise power and generalizability of results. In this tutorial, we review how to implement full‐information maximum likelihood and MI using best practice methods of testing the indirect effect. We demonstrate how to implement these methods using both R and JASP, which are both free, open‐source software programmes and provide online supplemental materials for these demonstrations. These methods are demonstrated using two example analyses, one using a cross‐sectional mediation model and one using a longitudinal mediation model examining how student‐athletes reported worry about COVID predicts their perceived stress, which in turn predicts satisfaction with life.
Can molecular oscillation technology be used as an alternative to acid injection to prevent the clogging of emitters in drip irrigation systems?
Authors: Tekin Servet , Yazar Attila
Published: October 2024

In this study, molecular oscillation technology (Merus ring), developed to prevent calcification, biofilm formation and corrosion in piping in industrial water treatment systems, was compared as an alternative to acid injection to prevent the clogging of emitters by chemicals, and fresh and saline water were compared on the basis of system performance parameters (coefficient of variation, distribution uniformity, Christiansen uniformity, emission uniformity) and economic aspects. The results revealed that both acid injection and the Merus ring in saline and fresh water resulted in significantly higher average emitter flow rates than the control treatment. Both the Merus ring and the acid injection achieved higher performance parameters with fresh water than with saline water. Acid injection was found to be more effective in preventing clogging of the emitters than the Merus ring when saline water was used. Compared with fresh water, saline water increases emitter clogging. The economic analysis revealed that the Merus ring was more economical ($204.3 ha−1) than acid injection with both fresh water ($318.2 ha−1) and saline water ($578.6 ha−1). Therefore, the Merus ring could be a reliable and environmentally friendly alternative to acid injection to prevent the clogging of emitters in drip systems when saline water is used.
Conjugation of Multiple Proteins Onto the Surface of PLGA/Lipid Hybrid Nanoparticles
Authors: Hu He , Zhang Chenming
Published: October 2024

Nanoparticles are increasingly being used in the development of vaccines for disease prevention or treatment. Recent research has demonstrated that conjugating a protein onto the surface of nanoparticles can significantly increase its immunogenicity. Considering various pathogens that threaten human health, multivalent vaccines are often desirable. Up to now, nanoparticle‐based vaccines are mostly limited to one protein per nanoparticle. No research has been conducted to explore the possibility of conjugating more than one protein onto the surface of a nanoparticle. Here we developed a specific conjugation strategy to conjugate multiple proteins to the PLGA/lipid hybrid nanoparticle surface. The maleimide‐thiol Michael addition, Aizde‐DBCO (Dibenzocyclooctyne), and TCO (trans‐cycloctene)‐Tetrazine click chemistry were employed to conjugate three different proteins, subunit keyhole limpet hemocyanin (sKLH), Ovalbumin (OVA), and cross‐reactive material 197 (CRM197), to the surface of PLGA/lipid hybrid nanoparticles (hNPs). The successful results of this study pave the way for developing multivalent vaccines against different pathogens.
Development of a Uniform Apheresis Case Report Form for Standardized Collection of Apheresis Data
Authors: Johnson Andrew D. , Szczepiorkowski Zbigniew M. , Balogun Rasheed A. , Karam Oliver , Nellis Marianne , Schneiderman Jennifer , Schwartz Joseph , Winters Jeffrey L. , Wu Yanyun , Armendariz Tomas , Burgstaler Edwin , Collins Laura , Geile Kira , Pavenski Katerina , Sanchez Amber P. , Witt Volker , Muthusamy Amutha , Pederson Thomas , Ramesh Vidhyalakshmi , Thao Mai , Chlebeck Therese , Zantek Nicole D.
Published: October 2024

Apheresis is performed worldwide for an increasing number of indications. The development of common data elements (CDE) for apheresis related areas may facilitate conduct of new research, enhance quality initiatives including benchmarking, and improve patient care. This report describes the systematic development of the Uniform Apheresis Case Report Form (UACRF) as part of the Apheresis in the United States (ApheresUS) program. A consensus panel of 17 diverse experts in apheresis, related specialties, and electronic case report form (eCRF), and database development was assembled. The panel met via online conferencing from November 17, 2020 to December 1, 2021. A draft document was posted online for public comment from October 11, 2021 to November 10, 2021. Feedback was collected using an online survey tool. The consensus panel revised the UACRF. This version was converted to an eCRF with additional changes made to improve usability in this format. The final version of the UACRF was created on August 24, 2023. The UACRF contains 16 modules: procedure and subject eligibility, patient demographics, general procedure information, laboratory parameters, vascular access, common procedure elements, eight procedure specific modules (mononuclear cell collection and seven therapeutic modalities), outcomes, and site information. A total of 137 data elements were created, including 57 with one or more subelements. The UACRF is the first systematic attempt to develop CDE for therapeutic apheresis and white blood cell collections. Further validation of the UACRF is necessary to confirm the tool's ability to collect the relevant data elements and determine the usability of the form.
Therapeutic Plasma Exchange to Reverse Plasma Failure in Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome
Authors: Foglia Matthew J. , Raval Jay S. , Hofmann Jan C. , Carcillo Joseph A.
Published: October 2024

Plasma plays a crucial role in maintaining health through regulating coagulation and inflammation. Both are essential to respond to homeostatic threats such as traumatic injury or microbial infection; however, left unchecked, they can themselves cause damage. A well‐functioning plasma regulatory milieu controls the location, intensity, and duration of the response to injury or infection. In contrast, plasma failure can be conceptualized as a state in which these mechanisms are overwhelmed and unable to constrain coagulation and inflammation appropriately. This dysregulated state causes widespread tissue damage and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Unlike plasma derangements caused by individual factors, plasma failure is characterized by a heterogeneous set of plasma component deficiencies and excesses. Targeted therapies such as factor replacement or recombinant antibodies are thus inadequate to restore plasma function. Therapeutic plasma exchange offers the unique ability to remove harmful factors and replete exhausted components, thereby reestablishing appropriate regulation of coagulation and inflammation.
Clinical features of suspected and unsuspected fatal pulmonary emboli in hospitalized patients
Authors: Hagan Scott L. , Albert Tyler J. , Starks Helene , Cornia Paul B.
Published: October 2024

Background

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is often unsuspected by treating clinicians. Since the adoption of clinical prediction scores for PE and the widespread availability of computed tomography (CT)‐pulmonary angiogram, there are few reports of clinical presentations of hospitalized patients who died of PE.

Objectives

To compare the clinical signs, symptoms, and comorbidities of hospitalized patients who died of PE for whom PE was suspected versus not suspected antemortem.

Study Design and Methods

Case–control study from January 1999 to December 2018 in one Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital. We compared groups to examine differences in clinical presentations of fatal PE over the two decades.

Results

Among 1345 autopsies performed during the study period, 52 patients (4%) with fatal PE were included in the final analyses. PE was unsuspected before death in 29/52 patients (56%). Comparing groups, there were significant differences for: dyspnea (suspected 91%; unsuspected: 59%, p = 0.01); active malignancy (suspected 74%; unsuspected: 28%, p = 0.002); and atrioventricular (AV) nodal blocking treatment (suspected: 62%; unsuspected 30%,p= 0.03). A greater proportion of patients with unsuspected PE lacked symptoms of PE (suspected 0%; unsuspected: 31%, p = 0.003).

Conclusions

Fatal PE remains a common, unsuspected cause of inpatient death in the modern era. Symptoms of PE, active malignancy, and potentially confounding AV nodal blocking treatment were less frequent in patients with unsuspected PE. These data highlight the variation in presentation and the challenge of making the diagnosis in many hospitalized patients, particularly those without typical symptoms.
Decolonization is liberation: Operationalization of decolonial model of counseling using liberation psychology principles with the Latine population(s)
Authors: Torres Rivera Edil , Torres Fernández Ivelisse
Published: October 2024

The need for culturally affirming mental health interventions for Latine communities has been documented in the literature. Most of this literature centers around best practices, barriers to care, and Latine cultural values. Although much of this literature calls for providing services that acknowledge the specific needs of these communities and value ancestral knowledge, there is a void in the literature when exploring liberatory mental health interventions. Therefore, the present manuscript aims to offer readers a five‐stage counseling model centered on the decolonization process. The model integrates the principles of liberation psychology as interventions and outcomes, beginning with the stages of decolonization presented by Enriquez and further developed by Laenui. Furthermore, the model unpacks the principles of liberation psychology, such as deideologization, and provides bases to challenge the dominant social forces that shape realities. In addition, liberation psychology approaches imply Native counseling approaches, indicating that counselors must be familiar with precolonial cultures. The manuscript ends with recommendations for practitioners and implications for the counseling field, including the need to acknowledge trauma, given that colonization was a violent event.
Optimising hypoxia PET imaging and its applications in guiding targeted radiation therapy for non‐small cell lung cancer: a scoping review
Authors: Marks Carol , Leech Michelle
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer‐related death. Definitive treatment includes chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Tumour hypoxia impacts the efficacy of these treatment modalities. Novel positron‐emission tomography (PET) imaging has been developed to non‐invasively quantify hypoxic tumour subregions, and to guide personalised treatment strategies. This review evaluates the reliability of hypoxia imaging in NSCLC in relation to various tracers, its correlations to treatment‐related outcomes, and to assess if this imaging modality can be meaningfully applied into radiation therapy workflows.

Methods

A literature search was conducted on the Medline (Ovid) and Embase databases. Searches included terms related to ‘hypoxia’, ‘positron‐emission tomography’, ‘magnetic resonance imaging’ and ‘lung cancer’. Results were filtered to exclude studies prior to 2011, and animal studies were excluded. Only studies referring to a confirmed pathology of NSCLC were included, while disease staging was not a limiting factor. Full‐text English language and translated literature examined included clinical trials, clinical cohort studies and feasibility studies.

Results

Quantification of hypoxic volumes in a pre‐treatment setting is of prognostic value, and indicative of treatment response. Dosimetric comparisons have highlighted potential to significantly dose escalate to hypoxic volumes without risk of additional toxicity. However, clinical data to support these strategies are lacking.

Conclusion

Heterogenous study design and non‐standardised imaging parameters have led to a lack of clarity regarding the application of hypoxia PET imaging in NSCLC. PET imaging using nitroimidazole tracers is the most investigated method of non‐invasively measuring tumour hypoxia and has potential to guide hypoxia‐targeted radiation therapy. Further clinical research is required to elucidate the benefits versus risks of dose‐escalation strategies.
Immediate Breast Reconstruction for Inflammatory Breast Carcinoma: A Scoping Review
Authors: Davé Nikhil , Hajj John P. , Ahmed Shahnur , Hulsman Luci , Singh Nikhi P. , Fisher Carla S. , Lester Mary E. , Hassanein Aladdin H.
Published: October 2024

Inflammatory breast carcinoma (IBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer involving skin lymphatics. Breast reconstruction traditionally has been delayed in IBC. Immediate reconstruction has been described in select patients. Studies evaluating the reconstructive and oncologic safety of immediate breast reconstruction in this patient population are limited and retrospective. The purpose of this study is to assess the current body of literature on immediate breast reconstruction in IBC patients to identify knowledge gaps. A scoping review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Original articles that evaluated patients diagnosed with IBC who underwent immediate breast reconstruction were included. The search yielded 821 articles, of which 9 articles containing 1429 IBC patients were included for analysis. Immediate implant‐based reconstruction occurred in 12.2% (174/1429) of patients. Immediate autologous reconstruction occurred in 19.0% (272/1429). Immediate reconstruction with both autologous and implant‐based techniques was 4.5% (64/1429). Reconstruction type was not reported for 63.0% (899/1429) of patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 1.8% (26/1429) of patients. Local cancer recurrence was 14.3% (3/21) at 18.9 months. The mortality rate was 32.4% (131/404) at 22 months. Performance of immediate breast reconstruction can be safely performed from a reconstructive standpoint in select patients.
Toward Intelligent Head Impulse Test: A Goggle‐Free Approach Using a Monocular Infrared Camera
Authors: Ouyang Yang , Luo Wenwei , Zhan Yinwei , Wei Caizhen , Liang Xian , Huang Hongming , Cui Yong
Published: October 2024

Objectives

To assess vestibular function, video head impulse test (vHIT) is taken as the gold standard by evaluating the vestibulo‐ocular reflex (VOR). However, vHIT requires the patient to wear a specialized head‐mounted goggle equipment that needs to be calibrated before each use. For this, we proposed an intelligent head impulse test (iHIT) setting with a monocular infrared camera instead of the head‐mounted goggle and contributed correspondingly a video classification approach with deep learning to vestibular function determination.

Methods

Within the iHIT framework, a monocular infrared camera was set in front of the patient to capture test videos, based on which a dataset DiHIT of HIT video clips was set up. We then proposed a two‐stage multi‐modal video classification network, trained on the dataset DiHIT, that took as input the eye motion and head motion data extracted from the facial keypoints via HIT clips and outputted the identification of the semicircular canal (SCC) being tested (SCC identification) and determination of VOR abnormality (SCC qualitation).

Results

Experiments on this dataset DiHIT showed that it achieved the accuracy of 100% in prediction of SCC identification. Furthermore, it attained predictive accuracies of 84.1% in horizontal and 79.0% in vertical SCC qualitation.

Conclusions

Compared with existing video‐based HIT, iHIT eliminates goggles, does not require equipment calibration, and achieves complete automation. Furthermore, iHIT will bring more benefits to users due to its low cost and ease of operation. Codes and use case pipeline are available at: https://github.com/dec1st2023/iHIT.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 135:1161–1168, 2025
Bioengineered Silk Fibroin Hydrogel Reinforced with Collagen‐Like Protein Chimeras for Improved Wound Healing
Authors: Hemalatha Thiagarajan , Aarthy Mayilvahanan , Sundarapandiyan Ashokraj , Ayyadurai Niraikulam
Published: October 2024

The study investigates the potentials of the rapid crosslinking hydrogel concoction comprising of natural silk fibroin (SF) and recombinant tailorable collagen‐like protein with binding domains for wound repair. The formation of dityrosine crosslinks between the tyrosine moieties augments the formation of stable hydrogels, in the presence of the cytocompatible photo‐initiator riboflavin and visible light. This uniquely engineered PASCH (Photo‐activated silk fibroin and tailor‐made collagen‐like protein hydrogel) confers the key advantage of improved biological properties over the control hydrogels comprising only of SF. The physico‐chemical characterization of the hydrogels with respect to crosslinking, modulus, and thermal stability delineates the ascendancy of PASCH 7:3 over other combinations. Furthermore, the hybrid protein hydrogel proves to be a favorable cellular matrix as it enhances cell adhesion, elongation, growth, and proliferation in vitro. Time‐lapse microscopy studies reveal an enhanced wound closure in human endothelial cell monolayer (EA.hy926), while the gene expression studies portray the dynamic interplay of cytokines and growth factors in the wound milieu facilitating the repair and regeneration of cells, sculpted by the proteins. The results demonstrate the improved physical and biological properties of fabricated PASCH, depicting their synergism, and implying their competency for use in tissue engineering applications.