bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural analysis and inhibition capacity of dioscorin protein yam: Theoretical study by molecular docking and dynamic simulations
Authors: Severiche‐Castro José , Wilches Diaz Gina , Combariza Montañez Aldo F. , de Almeida Oliveira Maria Goreti , Rosado Mercado Wilson
Published: May 2023

Proteases such as trypsins in the gut of Spodoptera frugiperda are responsible for breaking down dietary proteins into amino acids necessary for insect growth and development. In this study, we characterized the insecticidal potential of dioscorin, the storage protein of yam (Dioscorea alata), using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations to determine the interactions between trypsin enzymes and the protein inhibitor dioscorin. To achieve this, we used the three‐dimensional structures of the trypsin‐like digestive enzymes of S. frugiperda, a pest of corn and cotton, as receptors or target molecules. We performed protein–protein docking using Cluspro software, estimation of the binding free energy, and information on the dynamic and time‐dependent behavior of dioscorin–trypsin complexes using the NAMD package. Our computational analysis showed that dioscorin can bind to the digestive trypsins of S. frugiperda, as confirmed by the affinity energy values (−1022.4 to −1236.9), stability of the complexes during the simulation trajectory, and binding free energy values between −57.3 and −66.9 kcal/mol. Additionally, dioscorin uses two reactive sites to bind trypsin, but the largest contribution to the interaction energy is made by amino acid residues between amino acid backbone positions 8–14 by hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic, and Van der Waals (VdW) interactions. VdW is the energy that makes the greatest contribution to the binding energy. Collectively, our findings demonstrate, for the first time, the binding capacity of the yam protein dioscorin to the digestive trypsin of S. frugiperda. These promising results suggest a possible bioinsecticide action of dioscorin.
Assessment of clinical outcomes in patients with fibromyalgia: Analysis from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry
Authors: Wang Claire , Erridge Simon , Holvey Carl , Coomber Ross , Usmani Azfer , Sajad Mohammed , Guru Rahul , Holden Wendy , Rucker James J. , Platt Michael W. , Sodergren Mikael H.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

: There are limited therapeutic options for individuals with fibromyalgia. The aim of this study is to analyze changes in health‐related quality of life and incidence of adverse events of those prescribed cannabis‐based medicinal products (CBMPs) for fibromyalgia.

Methods

: Patients treated with CBMPs for a minimum of 1 month were identified from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. Primary outcomes were changes in validated patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs). A p‐value of <.050 was deemed statistically significant.

Results

: In total, 306 patients with fibromyalgia were included for analysis. There were improvements in global health‐related quality of life at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months (p < .0001). The most frequent adverse events were fatigue (n = 75; 24.51%), dry mouth (n = 69; 22.55%), concentration impairment (n = 66; 21.57%), and lethargy (n = 65; 21.24%).

Conclusion

: CBMP treatment was associated with improvements in fibromyalgia‐specific symptoms, in addition to sleep, anxiety, and health‐related quality of life. Those who reported prior cannabis use appeared to have a greater response. CBMPs were generally well‐tolerated. These results must be interpreted within the limitations of study design.
Factors of emotional distress in lymphoma: A systematic review
Authors: Tan Kai Ping , Talaulikar Dipti , Scholz Brett
Published: May 2023

Objective

Distress is prevalent among lymphoma patients/survivors. Current processes of distress identification rely on self‐reporting by patients/survivors, which may be limited by their willingness to report symptoms. To help identify patients/survivors at greater risk, this systematic review aims to comprehensively review factors that may contribute to distress in lymphoma patients/survivors.

Methods

PubMed was systematically searched for peer‐reviewed primary articles (1997–2022) consisting of standardised keywords “lymphoma” and “distress.” Information from 41 articles was integrated via narrative synthesis.

Results

Consistent risk factors of distress include younger age, relapsed disease, and greater comorbidities and symptom burden. Active treatment and the transition from treatment to post‐treatment could be challenging phases. Adequate social support, adaptive adjustment to cancer, engaging in work and healthcare professionals' support may mitigate distress. There is some evidence that older age may be associated with greater depression and life changes/experiences may shape how individuals cope with lymphoma. Gender and marital status were not robust predictors of distress. Other clinical, psychological and socioeconomic factors are understudied or have mixed findings.

Conclusions

While several factors of distress align with that of other cancers, more research is needed to identify significant factors of distress in lymphoma patients/survivors. The identified factors may support clinicians in identifying distressed lymphoma patients/survivors and providing interventions where necessary. The review also highlights avenues for future research and a need to routinely collect data on distress and its factors in registries.
Effect of electronic health (eHealth) on quality of life in women with breast cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Wen Tianmeng , Chen Chongxiang , Ren Wenhui , Hu Shangying , Zhao Xuelian , Zhao Fanghui , Zhao Qinyu
Published: May 2023

Background

Women with breast cancer and improved survival face some specific quality of life (QOL) issues. Electronic health (eHealth) is a useful tool aiming to enhance health services. However, evidence remains controversial about the effect of eHealth on QOL in women with breast cancer. Another unstudied factor is the effect on specific QOL functional domains. Therefore, we undertook a meta‐analysis about whether eHealth could improve the overall and specific functional domains of QOL in women with breast cancer.

Methods

PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched to identify appropriate randomized clinical trials from database inception to March 23, 2022. The standard mean difference (SMD) served as the effect size and the DerSimonian–Laird random effects model was constructed for meta‐analysis. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to different participant, intervention, and assessment scale characteristics.

Results

We initially identified 1954 articles excluding duplicates and ultimately included 13 of them involving 1448 patients. The meta‐analysis revealed that the eHealth group had significantly higher QOL (SMD 0.27, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.13–0.40, p < 0.0001) than the usual care group. Additionally, although not statistically significant, eHealth tended to improve the physical (SMD 2.91, 95% CI −1.18 to 6.99, p = 0.16), cognitive (0.20 [−0.04, 0.43], p = 0.10), social (0.24 [−0.00, 0.49], p = 0.05), role (0.11 [0.10, 0.32], p = 0.32), and emotional (0.18 [0.08, 0.44], p = 0.18) domains of QOL. Overall, consistent benefits were observed in both the subgroup and pooled estimates.

Conclusions

eHealth is superior to usual care in women with breast cancer for improved QOL. Implications for clinical practice should be discussed based on subgroup analysis results. Further confirmation is needed for the effect of different eHealth patterns on specific domains of QOL, which would help improve specific health issues of the target population.
MPM‐driven dynamic desiccation cracking and curling in unsaturated soils
Authors: Tu Zaili , Peng Chen , Li Chen , Wang Chenhui , Liu Long , Wang Changbo , Qin Hong
Published: May 2023

Desiccation cracking of soil‐like materials is a common phenomenon in natural dry environment, however, it remains a challenge to model and simulate complicated multi‐physical processes inside the porous structure. With the goal of tracking such physical evolution accurately, we propose an MPM based method to simulate volumetric shrinkage and crack during moisture diffusion. At the physical level, we introduce Richards equations to evolve the dynamic moisture field to model evaporation and diffusion in unsaturated soils, with which a elastoplastic model is established to simulate strength changes and volumetric shrinkage via a novel saturation‐based hardening strategy during plastic treatment. At the algorithmic level, we develop an MPM‐fashion numerical solver for the proposed physical model and achieve stable yet efficient simulation towards delicate deformation and fracture. At the geometric level, we propose a correlating stretching criteria and a saturation‐aware extrapolation scheme to extend existing surface reconstruction for MPM, producing visual compelling soil appearance. Finally, we manifest realistic simulation results based on the proposed method with several challenging scenarios, which demonstrates usability and efficiency of our method.
Influence of polyethyleneimine layer and zinc nitrate on morphology and structure of PES‐based membranes with highly selective properties
Authors: Alimadadi Arash , Parvizian Fahime , Bandehali Samaneh
Published: May 2023

In this paper, nanofiltration (NF) polymer membranes based on polyestersulphone (PES) were prepared by the phase inversion method. Polyethyleneimine (PEI) and zinc nitrate (Zn(NO3)2) as a surface modifier and glutealdehyde (GA) as cross‐linker was used. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis (FTIR) was used to confirm the chemical composition on the membrane surface. Membranes were also characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and 3D surface images. Water contact angle, average pore size and porosity measurements, water flux, salt rejection, and membrane anti‐fouling ability were discussed. Modified membranes showed a smoother surface than the original membrane. The amount of pure water flux decreased with increasing the concentration of modifiers at the surface, but the yield of Na2SO4 salt increased, 53% in virgin membrane and 83% in M3 membrane. Modified membranes had better anti‐fouling and hydrophilicity properties than primary membranes. The lowest contact angle value was 26.2° for M4. Also, the best anti‐clogging comparable properties were for the M3 membrane with FRR = 63.37%, Rr = 10.69%, Rir = 36.6%, and Rt = 47.3%. By increasing the concentration of modifiers, the removal of CuNO3− and CuSO4 improved that the M1 membrane (97.59%) had the highest Cu(NO3)2 separation and the M4 membrane (87.5%) had the most increased CuSO4 separation.
The Recent Development of Two‐dimensional Conjugated Coordination Polymers
Authors: Lv Huixia , Li Pengfei
Published: May 2023

Two‐dimensional conjugated coordination polymers (2D c‐CPs), an emerging family of 2D materials, have received great research interest due to their versatile framework topologies and unique physical properties, which found a wide variety of applications. In this review, we summarized the state‐of‐the‐art works of 2D c‐CPs in terms of synthesis strategies, topological structures, and their applications. Essential factors that affect the chemical structures and performance, such as the type of ligand, metal nodes, and their stoichiometric ratios have been highlighted. Besides, the perspectives and challenges are also provided considering the future development of 2D c‐CPs.
PD‐1/PD‐L1 based immunochemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: A meta‐analysis focus on PD‐L1 expression level
Authors: Jin Zixian , Wang Jiping , Sun Jiajing , Zhu Chengchu , Zhang Jian , Zhang Bo
Published: May 2023

Background

Immunochemotherapy has become a new treatment for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Aims

We aimed to study the clinical efficacy and toxicity of immunochemotherapy based on PD‐1/PD‐L1 compared with chemotherapy alone in the treatment of advanced ESCC, focusing on analyzing the influence of PD‐L1 expression level.

Methods and Results

Five randomized controlled trials comparing PD‐1/PD‐L1 based immunochemotherapy with chemotherapy alone for advanced ESCC were included. We extracted efficacy data (objective response rate [ORR], disease control rate [DCR], overall survival [OS] rate, progression‐free survival [PFS] rate) and safety data (treatment‐related adverse events, treatment‐related mortality) and performed meta‐analyses. Compared with chemotherapy alone, the ORR and DCR of immunochemotherapy increased by 2.05 times and 1.54 times, respectively. Overall, patients receiving immunochemotherapy had a significant long‐term survival advantage (OS: hazard ratio [HR] = 0.68, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.61–0.75; PFS: HR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.55, 0.70, respectively). Even with PD‐L1 tumor proportion score <1%, immunochemotherapy also showed a significant survival advantage (OS: HR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.46–0.93; PFS: HR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.46–0.69, respectively). However, for PD‐L1 combined positive score (CPS) < 1, the survival advantage of immunochemotherapy was not significant (OS: HR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.42–1.90; PFS: HR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.47–1.08, respectively). The toxicity of immunochemotherapy was higher than that of chemotherapy alone, but there was no statistical difference in treatment‐related mortality (odds ratio = 1.11, 95% CI 0.67–1.83).

Conclusion

In this study, treatment‐related mortality was similar between immunochemotherapy and chemotherapy. PD‐1/PD‐L1 based immunochemotherapy significantly could improve survival outcomes in patients with advanced ESCC. For patients with CPS <1, the survival advantage of immunochemotherapy was not significant compared with chemotherapy.
Hybrid intelligent intrusion detection system for multiple Wi‐Fi attacks in wireless networks using stacked restricted Boltzmann machine and deep belief networks
Authors: Mathappan Nivaashini , Elavarasan Suganya , Sehar Sountharrajan
Published: May 2023

The recent cutting edge mobile and internet advancements have increased Internet of Things based gadgets more pervasive and cohesive into our day to day lives. There emerges a need to beat the security challenges, prevalently came about because of the uncovered idea of a remote medium, for example a Wi‐Fi network setup. The linked gadgets are ubiquitous, creating high‐dimensional information on an expansive scale. It tends to be seen those illegitimate actions like illegal information access, information stealing, information alteration different other interruption exercises are quickly developing during a decade ago. Wireless network data transfers will be anticipated to surge strongly in the coming years. Feature learning, still, can evade the probable complications, possibly formed by means of large wireless network dimensions. Therefore, the proposed system focuses on developing a Hybrid Intelligent Intrusion Detection System (IDS) for detecting multiple assaults such as Impersonation, Injection, flooding along with other unknown malicious Wi‐Fi attacks using Deep Learning and Machine Learning algorithms. The proposed system is investigated on well referenced Aegean Wi‐Fi Intrusion Dataset (AWID) and the experimental results prove that the utility of deep learning algorithms in feature representation and classification has achieved higher detection accuracy along with lower false alarm rate. To get an optimum feature set and perform dimensionality reduction on Wi‐Fi network data, the proposed framework uses Deep Belief Network (DBN) with stacked layers of Restricted Boltzmann Machine (RBM). In order to identify and categories various Wi‐Fi threats, Deep Neural Networks, and algorithms like SVM, MLKNN, and RAkEL are employed. The anticipated DBN model was given an optimization strategy to enhance classification performance. The optimization strategy involved selecting the best possible feature subset using a feature selection technique, optimizing the DBN model using the best possible hyperparameter values, less reconstruction error values, and utilizing the regularization method to account for weight decay. The experimental findings demonstrate that the use of deep learning algorithms in feature representation and classification has produced improved detection accuracy coupled with a decreased false alarm rate when applied to the proposed hybrid scheme based Intelligent IDS using the well‐referenced AWID dataset.
Mammalian Chromosome Analysis and Sorting by Flow Cytometry
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Risani , Varshitha DV , Telford William G. , Sanders Claire K. , Chakraborty Uttara
Published: May 2023

The analysis of chromosomes by flow cytometry is termed flow cytogenetics, and it involves the analysis and sorting of single mitotic chromosomes in suspension. The study of flow karyograms provides insight into chromosome number and structure to provide information on chromosomal DNA content and can enable the detection of deletions, translocations, or any forms of aneuploidy. Beyond its clinical applications, flow cytogenetics greatly contributed to the Human Genome Project through the ability to sort pure populations of chromosomes for gene mapping, cloning, and the construction of DNA libraries. Maximizing the potential of these important applications of flow cytogenetics relies on precise instrument setup and optimal sample processing, both of which impact the accuracy and quality of the data that are generated. This article is a compilation of the existing protocols that describe the stepwise methodology of accumulating, isolating, and staining metaphase chromosomes to prepare single‐chromosome suspensions for flow cytometric analysis and sorting. Although the chromosome preparation protocols have remained largely unchanged, cytometer technology has advanced dramatically since these protocols were originally developed. Advances in cytometry technologies offer new and exciting approaches for understanding and monitoring chromosomal aberrations, but the hallmark of these protocols remains their simplicity in methodologies and reagent requirements and the accuracy of data resolvable to every chromosome of the cell. © 2023 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

This article was corrected on 18 July 2023. See the end of the full text for details.

Basic Protocol 1: Mitotic block and cell harvesting

Basic Protocol 2: Propidium iodide isolation

Support Protocol 1: Swelling test

Basic Protocol 3: MgSO4 low‐molecular‐weight isolation

Basic Protocol 4: Polyamine high‐molecular‐weight isolation

Support Protocol 2: Molecular‐weight determination of chromosomal DNA

Basic Protocol 5: Chromosome analysis and sorting
Ultra‐efficient fully programmable membership function generator based on independent double‐gate FinFET technology
Authors: Jooq Mohammad Khaleqi Qaleh , Behbahani Fereshteh , Moaiyeri Mohammad Hossein
Published: May 2023

This paper demonstrates an ultra‐efficient, fully programmable membership function generator (MFG) utilizing independent double‐gate (IDG) FinFET technology. The proposed MFG can produce s‐shaped, z‐shaped, triangular, and trapezoidal membership functions. By employing only six transistors, the designed MFG provides full controllability over the height, position, width, and slope of the generated waveforms. Without using any additional transistor and changing the dimensions, the proposed MFG can calibrate the slope of the output based on the back‐gate bias voltage of the IDG‐FinFETs. According to our extensive simulations, the proposed MFG shows promising improvements in transistor count (70%), power‐delay‐product (PDP) (80%), and maximum absolute error (61%) as compared with its state‐of‐the‐art counterparts. To benchmark the functionality of the proposed MFG in practical applications, our generated membership function is exploited as the neuron's activation function in a multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural network. The simulation results indicate that the training process of the simulated MLP with the proposed MFG closely tracks the results obtained from the ideal MLP with the sigmoid activation function. A figure of merit (FoM) is defined considering the hardware efficiency and accuracy of the neural networks to evaluate the entire performance of the proposed MFG. The FoM simulations demonstrate that the proposed MFG presents an excellent trade‐off between hardware performance and accuracy in neural network applications. Our results emphasize that the proposed MFG is a potential candidate for designing high‐performance on‐chip neural networks.
Secondary electron emission impact on the tungsten dust particle in a plasma with super‐extensive electrons
Authors: Ou Jing , Long Jiamin
Published: May 2023

Effect of the secondary electron emission (SEE) on the tungsten dust particle in a plasma with super‐extensive electrons is studied in the energy range of . With the increasing q‐parameter, the dust particle potential normalized by the electron temperature decreases first and then increases when we consider the SEE including the backscattered electron, inelastic reflection electron and true‐secondary electron process, while it increases monotonously if only the true‐secondary electron process is taken into account. By compared to the case without SEE, the presence of SEE causes the obvious increases of the normalized dust particle potential for the small q‐parameter and high electron temperature, and the resultant dust particle temperature to reach the melting temperature or saturated state faster in the dust particle heating process.
Timing and delay discounting in attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A translational approach
Authors: Fox Adam E. , Nicholson Alycia M. , Singha Depika , Thieret Bryana A. S. , Ortiz Marcelo , Visser Emma J.
Published: May 2023

Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that often presents with abnormal time perception and increased impulsive choice behavior. The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is the most widely used preclinical model of the ADHD‐Combined and ADHD‐Hyperactive/Impulsive subtypes of the disorder. However, when testing the spontaneously hypertensive rat from Charles River (SHR/NCrl) on timing and impulsive choice tasks, the appropriate control strain is not clear, and it is possible that one of the possible control strains, the Wistar Kyoto from Charles River (WKY/NCrl), is an appropriate model for ADHD‐Predominately Inattentive. Our goals were to test the SHR/NCrl, WKY/NCrl, and Wistar (WI; the progenitor strain for the SHR/NCrl and WKY/NCrl) strains on time perception and impulsive choice tasks to assess the validity of SHR/NCrl and WKY/NCrl as models of ADHD, and the validity of the WI strain as a control. We also sought to assess impulsive choice behavior in humans diagnosed with the three subtypes of ADHD and compare them with our findings from the preclinical models. We found SHR/NCrl rats timed faster and were more impulsive than WKY/NCrl and WI rats, and human participants diagnosed with ADHD were more impulsive compared to controls, but there were no differences between the three ADHD subtypes.
Differences in growth within and across the reproductive forms of northern crayfish (Faxonius virilis)
Authors: Cabrera Doreen , Griffen Blaine D.
Published: May 2023

Complex life histories are frequently associated with biological trade‐offs, as the use of one trait can decrease the performance of a second trait due to the need to balance competing demands to maximize fitness. Here, we examine growth patterns in invasive adult male northern crayfish (Faxonius virilis) that are indicative of a potential trade‐off between energy allocation for body size versus chelae size growth. Northern crayfish undergo cyclic dimorphism, a process characterized by seasonal morphological changes associated with reproductive status. We measured carapace length and chelae length before and after molting and compared these growth increments between the four morphological transitions of the northern crayfish. Consistent with our predictions, reproductive crayfish molting to the non‐reproductive form and non‐reproductive crayfish molting within the non‐reproductive form experienced a larger carapace length growth increment. Reproductive crayfish molting within the reproductive form and non‐reproductive crayfish molting to the reproductive form, on the other hand, experienced a larger growth increment in chelae length. The results of this study support that cyclic dimorphism evolved as a strategy for optimizing energy allocation for body and chelae size growth during discrete periods of reproduction in crayfish with complex life histories.
Exploring the application of digital twin in the field of micro turbine engine core components
Authors: Zhang Xinming , Zhang Qingyu , Li Guowei , Hu Jing
Published: May 2023

The micro turbine engine (MTE) plays a vital role in the aerospace sector. However, traditional research and design models no longer suffice to accommodate the highly complex operating conditions of the MTE. Therefore, this paper briefly analyzes the concept and development process of digital twin technology and integrates it into the research and design of the MTE. This integration takes into account the recent leapfrog developments in information technology and digital intelligence technology. Utilizing digital twin technology to model the core components of the MTE allows for effective structural optimization, online monitoring, and timely problem detection in support of extending the overall lifespan of the engine. Multiple algorithms are used throughout the development, design, and usage phases of each component to merge into a cohesive whole, providing robust support for the MTE's overall development, production, and manufacturing. Digital twin technology facilitates accurate performance prediction, reliability evaluation, and advanced design optimization for the MTE. This, in turn, reduces the design cycle and research design cost more effectively. Lastly, we propose the future application and development trend of digital twin technology in the core components of the MTE.
Multi objective queue theory based optimal planning of rapid charging stations and distributed generators in coupled transportation and distribution network
Authors: Vijay Vutla , Venkaiah Chintham , Kumar D. M. Vinod
Published: May 2023

The environment is adversely affected by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from conventional combustion engines. In this regard, electric vehicles (EVs) are a viable transportation option that benefit the environment in reducing GHG emissions. Although the installation of rapid charging stations (RCSs) helps to promote EVs, installing these at improper locations in the distribution network worsens the voltage profile, increases power loss, and energy loss while travelling from EV's current location to RCS. Furthermore, RCS installation cost and waiting time at RCS need to be considered. Therefore, a two‐stage optimal planning is proposed in this article to address the issues stated above. In the first stage, simultaneous optimal planning of RCS and distributed generators is done to minimize active power loss, voltage deviation, EV user cost and to maximize voltage stability index. In the second stage, optimal number of connectors are decided to minimize the installation cost and waiting time in queue at RCS. Here, queuing model is considered to determine the waiting time. A test network of coupled IEEE 33 bus distribution system and transport network is proposed to validate the proposed methodology. Multi objective Rao algorithm (MORA) is used to solve the formulated optimization problems, and results are compared with non dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA‐II) algorithm.
Joint resource allocation and power allocation scheme forMIMOassistedNOMAsystem
Authors: Chandra Kothapalli Ramesh , Borugadda Somasekhar
Published: May 2023

Multiple input multiple output (MIMO) plays an integral role in improving energy efficiency for enhancing all users' quality of service (QoS). For 5G wireless communication (WC), the NOMA strategy is used with the MIMO system to improve the system's sum rate and computational complexity. In this, terahertz (THz) band communication is introduced for future demand to carry more users and obtains high multiplexing gain. Multiple antenna arrays are used in the MIMO‐NOMA system to achieve high signal transmission. However, the use of antenna arrays increases as the number of users increases. A beam‐forming‐based signal transmission is introduced in this work to overcome this issue. For performing digital and Analog beam‐forming, a hybrid minimum mean square error (MMSE) with zero‐forcing (ZF) pre‐coder is proposed to eliminate the inter‐cluster interference. Initially, user clustering is undertaken using a fuzzy k‐means clustering (FKM) algorithm, and beam‐forming is performed among the user clustering. The joint power allocation (PA) and resource allocation (RA) is done using a hybrid artificial gorilla troop with leader optimization (HGTLO) technique to achieve a maximum sum rate of the RF channel. The performance of a proposed method is analyzed using the MATLAB tool. In the experimental scenario, the performance of energy efficiency (EE), spectral efficiency (SE), achievable sum rate, throughput, bit error rate (BER), and mean square error (MSE) attains the value of 35.82 bits/Hz/Joules, 198.11 bps/Hz, 116.78 Mbps, 93.06%, .003 and .011 respectively. The performance measures prove the efficacy of a proposed method.
Fortification of chocolates with high‐value‐added plant‐based substances: Recent trends, current challenges, and future prospects
Authors: Abedini Amirhossein , Dakhili Samira , Bazzaz Sara , Kamaladdin Moghaddam Saba , Mahmoudzadeh Maryam , Andishmand Hashem
Published: May 2023

High consumption of delicious foods, such as chocolates, is considered excellent snacks, capable of converting from health‐threatening to great functional foods. The fortification of chocolates with high‐value‐added plant‐based substances might improve their healthful effects, nutritional properties, and shelf life. Chocolate could be an effective carrier for plant‐based substances delivery, and it could be an effective vehicle to treat and reduce the indications of disease, such as obesity, overweight, hypertension, stress, cardiovascular failure, congestive heart failure, and diabetes. Referring to the recent studies in chocolate fortification with high‐value‐added plant‐based substances, it seems that the recent trends are toward its therapeutic effects against noncommunicable diseases. Despite the undeniable functional effects of fortified chocolates, there are some challenges in the fortification way of chocolates. In other words, their functional characteristics, such as rheological and sensory attributes, may undesirably change. It seems that encapsulation techniques, such as spray drying, antisolvent precipitation, nanoemulsification, and liposomal encapsulation, could almost overcome these challenges. Thus, several studies focused on designing and fabricating nanoscale delivery systems with the aim of chocolate fortification, which is discussed.
Synthetic mucus biomaterials for antimicrobial peptide delivery
Authors: Yang Sydney , Duncan Gregg A.
Published: May 2023

Despite the promise of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as treatments for antibiotic‐resistant infections, their therapeutic efficacy is limited due to the rapid degradation and low bioavailability of AMPs. To address this, we have developed and characterized a synthetic mucus (SM) biomaterial capable of delivering LL37 AMPs and enhancing their therapeutic effect. LL37 is an AMP that exhibits a wide range of antimicrobial activity against bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. LL37 loaded SM hydrogels demonstrated controlled release with 70%–95% of loaded LL37 over 8 h due to charge‐mediated interactions between mucins and LL37 AMPs. Compared to treatment with LL37 alone where antimicrobial activity was reduced after 3 h, LL37‐SM hydrogels inhibited P. aeruginosa (PAO1) growth over 12 h. LL37‐SM hydrogel treatment reduced PAO1 viability over 6 h whereas a rebound in bacterial growth was observed when treated with LL37 only. These data demonstrate LL37‐SM hydrogels enhance antimicrobial activity by preserving LL37 AMP activity and bioavailability. Overall, this work establishes SM biomaterials as a platform for enhanced AMP delivery for antimicrobial applications.
Is There a Causal Relationship between Physical Activity and Bone Microarchitecture? A Study of Adult Female Twin Pairs
Authors: Nissen Frida Igland , Esser Vivienne F. C. , Bui Minh , Li Shuai , Hopper John L. , Bjørnerem Åshild , Hansen Ann Kristin
Published: May 2023

The reasons for the association between physical activity (PA) and bone microarchitecture traits are unclear. We examined whether these associations were consistent with causation and/or with shared familial factors using a cross‐sectional study of 47 dizygotic and 93 monozygotic female twin pairs aged 31–77 years. Images of the nondominant distal tibia were obtained using high‐resolutionperipheral quantitative computed tomography. The bone microarchitecture was assessed using StrAx1.0 software. Based on a self‐completed questionnaire, a PA index was calculated as a weighted sum of weekly hours of light (walking, light gardening), moderate (social tennis, golf, hiking), and vigorous activity (competitive active sports) = light + 2 * moderate + 3 * vigorous. We applied Inference about Causation through Examination of FAmiliaL CONfounding (ICE FALCON) to test whether cross‐pair cross‐trait associations changed after adjustment for within‐individual associations. Within‐individual distal tibia cortical cross‐sectional area (CSA) and cortical thickness were positively associated with PA (regression coefficients [β] = 0.20 and 0.22), while the porosity of the inner transitional zone was negatively associated with PA (β = −0.17), all p < 0.05. Trabecular volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and trabecular thickness were positively associated with PA (β = 0.13 and 0.14), and medullary CSA was negatively associated with PA (β = −0.22), all p ≤ 0.01. Cross‐pair cross‐trait associations of cortical thickness, cortical CSA, and medullary CSA with PA attenuated after adjustment for the within‐individual association (p = 0.048, p = 0.062, and p = 0.028 for changes). In conclusion, increasing PA was associated with thicker cortices, larger cortical area, lower porosity of the inner transitional zone, thicker trabeculae, and smaller medullary cavities. The attenuation of cross‐pair cross‐trait associations after accounting for the within‐individual associations was consistent with PA having a causal effect on the improved cortical and trabecular microarchitecture of adult females, in addition to shared familial factors. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Synthesis and photophysical properties of fluorescent 8,9‐diarylbenzo[def]carbazoles
Authors: Hsiao Huan‐Chang , Liang Jia‐Wei , Chen Pei‐Lin , Chuang Shih‐Ching
Published: May 2023

Background

Benzocarbazole has attracted much attention from scientists in the past few decades for a variety of applications in materials science.

Objective

Herein we report the synthesis and photophysical properties of N‐acyl and N‐free 8,9‐diarylbenzo[def]carbazoles.

Methods

These benzo[def]carbazoles were prepared by Pd(II)‐catalyzed C‐H bond activation and deacetylation as the key steps, and their photophysical properties were studied by measurement of absorption and emission spectra in chloroform at room temperature.

Results

The 8,9‐diarylbenzo[def]carbazoles show lower LUMO energy levels and smaller HOMO/LUMO gap compared to the parent benzo[def]carbazole, and the N‐unprotected 8,9‐diarylbenzo[def]carbazoles show more red‐shifted fluorescent emission compared to the N‐acyl ones. The absorption and emissionmaxima of these 8,9‐diaryl‐substituted benzo[def]carbazoles in CHCl3 were in the ranges of 278–350 and 365–426 nm, respectively, and with quantum yields (ΦF) up to 0.62.

Conclusions

We have demonstrated the photophysical properties of 8,9‐diaryl substituted benzo[def]carbazoles with or without N‐acetyl group. These 8,9‐diaryl substituted benzo[def]carbazoles could be good candidates for the future development of functional organic molecules.
Fetal epicardial fat thickness in non‐severe idiopathic polyhydramnios: Its impact on fetal cardiac function and perinatal outcomes
Authors: Doğru Şükran , Akkuş Fatih
Published: May 2023

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate fetal epicardial fat thickness (EFT) along with fetal myocardial performance index (MPI) and its effects on perinatal outcomes in non‐severe idiopathic polyhydramnios (IP).

Materials and Methods

This prospective study included 92 participants, 32 diagnosed with non‐severe IP, and 60 healthy pregnant women. Amniotic fluid indices (AFI), umbilical and middle cerebral artery Doppler, EFT, and MPI measurements were performed for all patients.

Results

The fetal EFT and MPI values were statistically higher in the non‐severe IP group than in the control group (p = 0.0001, p = 0.014, respectively). The optimal fetal EFT cutoff value for predicting non‐severe IP disease was found as 1.3 mm with a specificity of 81.7% and sensitivity of 59.4%. The EFT cutoff for predicting cesarean section in non‐severe IP cases was 1.25 mm (p = 0.038). Apgar scores, neonatal intensive care unit, respiratory distress syndrome, and stillbirth rates were not different between groups.

Conclusion

In this study, EFT and MPI were found to be higher in non‐severe IP cases compared to controls. It was observed that the increase in MPI and EFT was associated with the increase in cesarean rates, but not with adverse fetal outcomes.
The feeding apparatus of Rhea americana (Aves, Palaeognathae): Jaw myology and ontogenetic allometry
Authors: Picasso Mariana B. J. , Mosto Clelia , Tudisca Alejandro M.
Published: May 2023

In birds, the jaw musculature is a crucial adaptive feature involved in feeding. The morphological traits and postnatal growth patterns of jaw muscles constitute a useful proxy to interpret feeding function and ecology. This study aims to describe the jaw muscles of Rhea americana and explore their postnatal growth pattern. A total of 20 specimens of R. americana representing four ontogenetic stages were studied. Jaw muscles were described, weighed and their proportions with respect to body mass were calculated. Linear regression analysis was used to characterize ontogenetic scaling patterns. The morphological patterns of jaw muscles were characterized by their simplicity: bellies with few or no subdivisions and similar to those described for other flightless paleognathous birds. In all stages, the muscles pterygoideus lateralis, depressor mandibulae, and pseudotemporalis had the greatest mass values. The proportion of total jaw muscle mass decreased with age from 0.22% in 1‐month‐old chicks to 0.05% in adults. Linear regression analysis showed that all muscles scaled with negative allometry with respect to body mass. The progressive decrease of jaw muscle mass relative to body mass in adults could be related to the generation of less force, which is in accordance with the herbivorous diet of adults. In contrast, the diet of rhea chicks includes a large proportion of insects thus, this greater muscle proportion could be associated with the ability to generate more force, thus providing better abilities to grasp and hold more mobile prey.
Detecting Double Expression Status in Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma Using Multiparametric MRI Based Machine Learning
Authors: Liu Guoli , Zhang Xinyue , Zhang Nan , Xiao Huafeng , Chen Xinjing , Ma Lin
Published: May 2023

Background

Double expression lymphoma (DEL) is a subtype of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) that often has a poor prognosis. Currently, there are limited noninvasive ways to detect protein expression.

Purpose

To detect DEL in PCNSL using multiparametric MRI‐based machine learning.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

Forty PCNSL patients were enrolled in the study among whom 17 were DEL (9 males and 8 females, 61.29 ± 14.14 years) and 23 were non‐DEL (14 males and 9 females, 55.57 ± 14.16 years) with 59 lesions (28 DEL and 31 non‐DEL).

Field Strength/Sequence

ADC map derived from DWI (b = 0/1000 s/mm2), fast spin echo T2WI, T2FLAIR, and contrast‐enhanced T1 weighted imaging (T1CE) were collected at 3.0 T.

Assessment

Two raters manually segmented lesions by ITK‐SNAP on ADC, T2WI, T2FLAIR and T1CE. A total of 2234 radiomics features from the tumor segmentation area were extracted. The t‐test was conducted to filter the features, and elastic net regression algorithm combined with recursive feature elimination was used to calculate the essential features. Finally, 12 groups with combinations of different sequences were fitted to 6 classifiers, and the optimal models were selected.

Statistical tests

Continuous variables were assessed by the t‐test, while categorical variables were assessed by the non‐parametric test. Interclass correlation coefficient tested variables' consistency. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy F1‐score, and area under the curve (AUC) were used to evaluate model performance.

Results

DEL status could be identified to varying degrees with 72 models based on radiomics, and model performance could be improved by combining different sequences and classifiers. Both SVMlinear and logistic regression (LR) combined with four sequence group had similar largest AUCmean (0.92 ± 0.09 vs. 0.92 ± 0.05), and SVMlinear was considered as the optimal model in this study since the F1‐score of SVMlinear (0.88) was higher than that of LR (0.83).

Data Conclusion

Multiparametric MRI‐based machine learning is promising in DEL detection.

Evidence Level

4

Technical Efficacy Stage

2
Association between iron deficit repletion with ferric carboxymaltose relative to iron sucrose in children with inflammatory bowel disease: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kaenkumchorn Tanyaporn K. , Mark Dominique , Niedner Kara , Paratore Paul D. , Carlin Kristen , Merkouris Robert , Musburger Brooke , Suskind David L. , Zheng Hengqi B.
Published: May 2023

Background

Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia are common in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease and often require supplementation with iron. There is a paucity of literature regarding optimal iron formulation. The aim of this study is to compare outcomes in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease receiving either iron sucrose or ferric carboxymaltose during inpatient hospitalizations.

Methods

This was a single‐center retrospective study of pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease admitted for newly diagnosed disease or flare who received either iron sucrose or ferric carboxymaltose. Linear regression was used to assess differences in iron repletion. Longitudinal linear mixed‐effects models and generalized estimating equations compared hematologic and iron outcomes 6 months post–iron repletion.

Results

Thirty patients received ferric carboxymaltose. Sixty‐nine patients received iron sucrose. Baseline hemoglobin and iron deficits were similar in both groups. A larger percentage of iron deficit was repleted in the ferric carboxymaltose group (81.4%) compared with iron sucrose (25.9%) (P < 0.001) with fewer infusions. Cumulative doses of ferric carboxymaltose administered (18.7 mg/kg) were higher than iron sucrose (6.1 mg/kg) (P < 0.001). Hemoglobin increased more quickly with ferric carboxymaltose compared with iron sucrose (P = 0.04 and P = 0.02, respectively). Total iron binding capacity and red cell distribution width levels decreased more over time with ferric carboxymaltose vs iron sucrose (P < 0.01 and P = 0.01, respectively). No adverse effects were seen.

Conclusions

Hematologic and iron parameters responded more quickly with fewer infusions in patients who received ferric carboxymaltose vs iron sucrose. Patients who received ferric carboxymaltose achieved a higher percentage of iron deficit repleted.
Insight of molecular interactions between short‐chain tetraalkylammonium bromides and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide: A spectroscopic and thermodynamic approach
Authors: Chauhan Suvarcha , Negi Kiran
Published: May 2023

The influence of tetraalkylammonium salts, viz., tetraethylammonium, tetrapropylammonium, and tetrabutylammonium bromides (0.005, 0.010, 0.015 mol kg−1) on the micellar behavior of aqueous solutions of the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB, 0.2–2 mmol kg−1) over the 298.15–313.15 K temperature range has been studied by conductometric method. From conductivity versus surfactant concentration plots, the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of CTAB has been determined, which shows that the tetraalkylammonium bromides promote the formation of CTAB aggregates. Further, from the temperature dependence of CMC values, the degree of ionization, the counterion binding constant along with some thermodynamic parameters of micellization, such as standard free energy change (), standard enthalpy change (), standard entropy change () have been calculated. From the values of , and , it has been concluded that our ternary system is both enthalpy as well as entropy controlled. Similar CMC values were obtained from UV–Visible spectrometry measurements, using pyrene as a probe at ambient temperature. Also 1H‐NMR and FTIR methods give a greater understanding of the molecular scale interactions between the tetraalkylammonium bromides and the cationic surfactant.
Study on reaction time depending on display parameters of gaming displays
Authors: Jin Yan , Kim Jaehong , Yoo Jang Jin
Published: May 2023

Display technology plays a significant role in gaming and, thus, display parameters are an important consideration when choosing a gaming display. In general, interest in display parameters such as contrast ratio, response time, refresh rate, and input lag in gaming displays is very high. In this article, we studied the reaction time of gaming displays, as a measure of game performance, with respect to different contrast ratios, response times, and refresh rates. Contrast ratio and response time turned out to be the key factors influencing reaction time. The higher the contrast ratio is, the shorter the reaction time tends to be. In addition, the faster the response time is, the shorter the reaction time is. Displays with high contrast ratio and fast response time are advantageous in terms of reaction time, which is also expected to be more advantageous in a fast‐paced real gaming environment.
Exact controllability of the transmission string–beam equations with a single boundary control
Authors: Su Zhao‐Zhong , Guo Ya‐Ping
Published: May 2023

We consider the exact controllability of a transmission system which models a flexible beam with one end clamped and the other end linked to a string. The control only acts on the free end of the string. Using the multiplier method, we prove that the full energy of transmission system can be estimated by the boundary data of string. Finally, by using the HUM method, we deduce that the transmission system is exactly controllable at the time of control .