bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous determination of semi‐essential nutrients taurine, l‐carnitine and choline in infant formulas and adult/pediatric nutritional formulas by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Bustamante‐Rangel Myriam , Rodríguez‐Gonzalo Encarnación , Pérez‐Pavón José Luis
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND

The nutritional intake of formula‐fed newborns is often limited to a single source, so it must be supplemented with essential nutrients for the growth and proper development of infants. Taurine, l‐carnitine, and choline are considered conditionally essential nutrients especially in newborns and infants.

RESULTS

In this work, a simple routine hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC‐ESI‐MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of these semi‐essential nutrients in infant and adult/pediatric milk formulas. The extraction recoveries were between 90% and 114%. Precision of the method offered relative standard deviation below 5% and 7% for intra‐day and inter‐day precision, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to quantification of taurine, l‐carnitine, and choline in milk formula. The contents found were in good agreement with those provided on the product label for almost all samples.

CONCLUSION

In view of these results, it can be concluded that the developed method can be a useful approach for the simultaneous determination of taurine, l‐carnitine and choline in powdered milk samples, so it can be useful in the routine quality control of this kind of samples. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Moisture sorption isotherm and thermodynamic analysis of egg powders dried by foam‐mat‐assisted refractance window drying
Authors: Arslan‐Tontul Sultan , Gunisik Ayse , Tontul Ismail
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND

In the designed study, the moisture sorption isotherm and thermodynamic properties of refractance‐window‐dried egg white powder (EWP), egg yolk powder (EYP) and whole egg powder (WEP) were determined.

RESULTS

The adsorption isotherm of egg powders was classified as type II, giving a sigmoidal shape. Peleg showed the highest goodness of fitting for egg powder. The monolayer moisture content of egg powders varied between 0.02 and 0.09 g g−1. According to the thermodynamic analysis, an increase in moisture content led to a decrease in net isosteric heat of sorption (qst), and the highest decrease was observed in EWP. The qst of EWP was calculated as 18 637 kJ mol−1, while it decreased to 3104 kJ mol−1 at 0.2 g g−1 moisture content. Like qst, sorption entropy decreased from 52.07 to 7.14 J mol−1 K−1 with increasing water activity (aw) for EWP. Increasing temperature caused a decrease in spreading pressure and was higher in EWP samples. Increasing moisture content and temperature also decreased Gibbs free energy level.

CONCLUSION

Moisture sorption isotherm (MSI) is used to predict the amount of bound water in a material at a specific relative humidity and temperature. To inhibit chemical and microbiological spoilage, the drying process must continue until the monolayer moisture content is reached. In this study, the monolayer moisture content of powdered eggs for safe storage was demonstrated by MSI. Additionally, by determining the thermodynamic functions of egg powder, valuable information was obtained related to predicting the energy requirement in drying processes. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Novel Hyoid Reconstruction and Tracheal Onlay Grafting in a Child with Teratoma and Absence of Hyoid
Authors: Wootten Christopher T.
Published: June 2024

Herein is presented a case of a 3‐year‐old who was the product of a pregnancy complicated by fetal congenital cervical teratoma. The teratoma was resected day‐of‐life 6, and he underwent tracheotomy. Radiologic review of his cartilaginous cervical anatomy in utero, pre‐ and post‐tumor excision indicated congenital absence of the hyoid. An initial double‐staged laryngotracheal reconstruction improved the subglottic and tracheal airway, but the supraglottic and pharyngeal airway remained collapsed. Using a cadaveric cartilage, a hyoid was fashioned. After the pharynx and straps muscles were sewn to the hyoid construct, the supraglottic and supra‐laryngeal airway improved. Subsequent laryngotracheal reconstruction, which included tracheal onlay grafts of cadaveric cartilage, achieved decannulation. Laryngoscope, 134:5207–5209, 2024
Age Stratification and Prognostic Factor Analysis in Pediatric Differentiated Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Winder Ophir , Lazar Liora , Hod Roy , Shpitzer Thomas , Mizrachi Aviram , Bachar Gideon
Published: June 2024

Objectives

Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is rare in the pediatric population. It remains unclear whether younger children are at greater risk of more aggressive disease. We aimed to identify prognostic factors for aggressive pediatric DTC and to define an appropriate age stratification.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included all patients aged 18 years or less who were treated for DTC between 1985 and 2021 in a tertiary medical center and were followed up for a minimum of 1.5 years after treatment.

Results

Seventy‐eight patients were included, all diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma: 30 (38.5%) low‐risk, 21 (26.9%) intermediate‐risk, and 27 (34.6%) high‐risk according to the American Thyroid Association (ATA) risk stratification. The mean duration of follow‐up was 11.8 ± 7.8 years. No evidence of disease was documented in 52 patients (66.7%) at 1‐year post‐treatment and 64 patients (82.1%) at the end of follow‐up. On analysis by age, evidence of disease at 1‐year post‐treatment was found in 66.7% of children younger than 11 years, compared to 25.4% of older children (p = 0.002). There was no significant difference by age in evidence of disease at the last follow‐up (p = 0.453). Patients aged <11 years at diagnosis were associated with more aggressive disease features on histopathologic examination, metastatic disease, and high ATA risk level. Patients aged <8 years were associated with more frequent bilateral disease and extrathyroidal extension.

Conclusion

Pediatric DTC patients who are younger than 11 years at diagnosis have more aggressive disease features and a lower early remission rate than older patients. Nevertheless, their long‐term outcome is satisfactory.

Level of Evidence

4‐retrospective cohort study Laryngoscope, 134:4818–4825, 2024
Potential Discharge of Microplastics in Surface Runoff—Bucharest Case Study
Authors: Popa Cristina L. , Dontu Simona I. , Carstea Elfrida M. , Savastru Dan
Published: June 2024

Plastic particles reach and accumulate the water systems through various routes, including dry/wet deposition or surface runoff. Considering that there are not many studies about the sources of microplastics (MPs) in surface runoff and their contribution to water systems, this study aims to estimate for the first time for a city in Romania (Bucharest) the sources and number of MPs that are discharged by surface runoff, by employing three different scenarios. Sources, such as traffic, artificial terrains, paints, and plasters, have been included in the analysis. Results show that surface runoff contains a number of at least 123,148 × 109 particles per year. Most MPs originate from tire wear and football fields. Also, after the wastewater treatment processes, surface runoff contributes with over 4.98 MPs L−1 to the receiving water body. A solution to reducing MPs in surface runoff is to develop an effective traffic management plan, with improved road surfaces or driving style.
Structural Health Monitoring of the Metallic Plate Using Guided Waves: An Experimental Study
Authors: Ismail Nurazima , Kamarul Anuar Kamilia Nur Syarah , Roslan Mohammad Ruzilan , Zohari Mohd Hafizi
Published: June 2024

Structural health monitoring is implemented to monitor the structural integrity of the structure. The guided wave technique is utilized to investigate the health status of the aluminum plate. The wave is actuated at 6 kHz using a PZT actuator and recorded using the optical fiber sensor. The wave is recorded on the intact plate at 2‐ and 4‐mm thickness. Three different defect depths are introduced on the 4 mm plate's thickness, and three different defect widths are introduced on the 2 mm plate's thickness. The recorded waves measured on the 1/3, 2/3, and 3/3 of the defect depths show a wave amplitude decrement of 72%, 84%, and 88%, respectively, compared to the wave amplitude of the intact plate. For the defect widths of 1, 1.5, and 2 cm, the decrement of the wave amplitude is 83%, 87%, and 94%, respectively. The severity of the structure can be monitored by the decrement of the wave amplitude. The finding shows that the guided wave approach is able to be utilized as one of the promising techniques to monitor the structural integrity of the metallic structure.
Syndiotactic Polystyrene/Poly(3‐Octyl Thiophene) Nanocomposite
Authors: Dhakar Gopal Lal , Malik Sudip
Published: June 2024

Among five crystal modifications (α, β, γ, δ, and ε), the δ‐form of syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) has attracted many researches because the δ‐form of sPS has the ability to adsorb guest molecules producing clathrate or intercalate co‐crystals of sPS. Herein, sPS‐poly(3‐octyl thiophene) (P3OT) composite has been developed with the expectation of formation of P3OT aggregates onto or into the ordered structures of sPS. Nanocomposites have been characterized by DSC, FT‐IR, XRD, and absorption studies. Thermal studies show a reduction of gel melting temperature in presence of P3OT. The interaction between sPS and P3OT has been investigated by FTIR and XRD studies. Absorption spectra reveal the aggregation of P3OT chains within the sPS matrix. AFM topology is revealing the formation of fibrillar morphology of composite ruling out the possibility macroscopic phase separation within nanocomposite and rheological studies show the enhancement of the strength of sPS–P3OT composite network as compared to sPS network.
Patient‐Specific Investigation of Bileaflet Mechanical Heart Valve Prosthesis Employing Additive Manufacturing Procedures and Numerical Simulations
Authors: Kladovasilakis Nikolaos , Charalampous Paschalis , Kostavelis Ioannis , Chatziantoniou Soumela , Triantafillou Dimitrios , Tzanakis George , Votis Konstantinos , Petsios Konstantinos , Tzetzis Dimitrios , Tzovaras Dimitrios
Published: June 2024

Aortic stenosis is a heart valve disease that comprises one of the most common valvular lesions worldwide that can obstruct blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body leading to a significant mortality rate. In the present study, a sophisticated approach concerning the inspection of patient‐specific human heart conditions is proposed utilizing advanced computational and manufacturing methodologies. The suggested method exploits Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) data that are retrieved via a computerized tomography scan process, and the corresponding 3D digital model of the heart is computed. In the next phase, the design the construction of an appropriate mechanical aortic valve is conducted considering the patient anatomical characteristics, which are derived directly from the heart's 3D model. Hereupon, additive manufacturing technologies are employed to accurately feature the customizable geometry of the native aortic valve. In addition, several experimental tests are performed in order to calculate the optimal process‐related parameters; presenting that way a mechanical behavior that resembles the mechanical properties of commercial artificial heart valves. Both the physical and digital 3D models can be used by healthcare professionals to identify potential defects prior to the cardiovascular operation. Finally, a numerical simulation is developed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling, which has emerged as an effective tool to explore the heart's hemodynamics pinpointing the efficiency of the aortic valve replacement.
Adsorption of Carboxymethylcyclodextrins on Cationic Liposomes as a Route for Preparation of Capacious Nanocontainers for the Hydrophobic Molecules
Authors: Pigareva Vladislava , Gorbunova Elena , Dubinina Tatiana , Grozdova Irina , Melik‐Nubarov Nikolay , Simonenko Ekaterina , Sybachin Andrey
Published: June 2024

Electrostatic self‐assembly of anionic carboxymethyl cyclodextrins (CMCDs) on the surface of cationic liposomes is investigated. By means of laser microelectrophoresis, dynamic light‐scattering, and atomic force microscopy the structure and composition of interfacial complexes at lipid membrane‐water interphase are analyzed. Incorporation of hydrophobic molecules in CMCDs is studied by UV‐Vis spectroscopy. Liposomes decorated with CMCDs are shown to pose low cytotoxicity up to relatively high concentration – 1 mg mL‐1. The formation of host‐guest complexes between CMCDs and hydrophobic molecules did not affect the adsorption of CMCDs on the liposomal membrane. The electrostatic complexes are found to be stable at physiological ionic strength. Accumulation of CMCDs on cationic liposomes is the promising approach to create capacious nanocontainer for hydrophobic bioactive substances.
Assessing Climatic Stress in Vegetation: A Statistical‐Driven Approach to Predict Thermal “Degradation” Parameters via Passive Thermography
Authors: Ogut Ozge , De Finis Rosa , Tzortzi Nerantzia Julia , Lamanna Giuseppe , Bertolin Chiara
Published: June 2024

Vertical green structures (VGS) increase green spaces in compact urban areas offering benefits as an improved thermal insulation of the building envelope, and a decrease of the Urban Heat Island effect. Efficient species selection and quantitative evaluation of species’ reaction to hygro‐thermal variations are needed to optimize VGS benefits. This study proposes a novel methodology to discriminate the thermal behavior between healthy and unhealthy leaves under hygrothermal stress. To this aim, the surface temperature on region of interests (ROIs) of target leaves of the Heuchera villosa species is measured using passive thermography (pIRT). Besides, an additively manufactured leaf is used as a reference shape for assessing geometrical changes between healthy and unhealthy leaves. The thermal data analysis procedure extracts a vegetative health index based on the third‐order centered momentum of thermal data distribution, encompassing temperature anomalies, and geometric variations. The study demonstrates high potential to be further extended to a data‐driven approach to automatically and non‐destructively detect the healthy and unhealthy status of vegetation in VGS by pIRT. The findings contribute to advancing understanding of vegetative responses to environmental stressors and provide insights for effective monitoring and management of VGS.
3D Printing Strategy in Manufacturing of Health Monitoring Devices
Authors: Ulmeanu Mihaela‐Elena , Doicin Cristian‐Vasile , Lamanna Giuseppe , Opran Constantin , Nițuică Pavel‐Mihai
Published: June 2024

The paper proposes a study regarding the influence of support structure parameters on customer targets for 3D printed bespoke health monitoring devices, specifically a wrist casing. The evolution of additive manufacturing for personalized medical devices needs a comprehensive understanding of the support structure parameters in respect to the anthropomorphic designs of these products. This study investigates how these specific parameters influence vital customer targets, which include time efficiency, cost optimization, surface roughness, fit, and overall patient compliance. Diverse configurations of the support parameters are analyzed, employing a methodology based on experimental evaluations. Overhang angle is found to directly correlate with print time and surface roughness, while support density exhibits a marked influence on cost implications and dimensional accuracy. Notably, variations in support pattern demonstrated discernible differences in the overall quality and cost‐efficiency of the printed devices.
Development of a Polymer‐Metal Hybrid Mold for Cold Plastic Deformation of Stainless Steel Thin Parts
Authors: Zaharia Cristin , Lazăr Marius‐Vali , Stochioiu Constantin , Gheorghe Marian
Published: June 2024

A hybrid mold is developed, with its structure including some components made of polymer, as a variant to a classical structure. This hybrid mold is destinated to manufacturing, by cold plastic deformation, of stainless steel thin parts, in particular of certain 0.1 mm thickness stainless steel bipolar plates (BPPs) from proton exchange membrane fuel cell stacks. The mold conceptual and designed main data are revealed. Numerical simulation and analysis by a structural FEA method is applied. A general evaluation is unrolled, with the results referring to the technical – economic use of the developed hybrid mold.
Product Design Optimization Strategies for Metal Additive Manufacturing in Aerospace Applications
Authors: Vassallo Francesca , Opran Constantin Georghe , Lamanna Giuseppe
Published: June 2024

Numerical techniques are developed to generate innovative lightweight designs, difficult to obtain with traditional product manufacturing technologies. The use of advanced engineering design software makes it possible to generate un‐conventional geometries, combining a standard density‐based topology optimization approach with lattice structure‐based methods. Deep knowledge of modeling aspects is required to improve the topology optimization processes currently performed in aerospace applications, as well as to achieve design solutions suitably prepared for additive manufacturing technologies. In the present work, algorithms based on solid isotropic material with penalization (SIMP) method are used to reduce the weight of parts by removing unnecessary material from the initial part design. Moreover, the integration of lattice structures in the topology optimization procedures allows for a further part weight reduction offering the possibility of exploiting the potentials of 3D printing in the fabrication of complex geometries.
Selection Criteria Based on KPIs for Redesigning of Components for Remanufacturing Purposes in Agricultural Machinery Field
Authors: Munno Mario , Beneduce Stefano , Lamanna Giuseppe , Caputo Francesco
Published: June 2024

Characterized by a series of operations aimed at restoring the original performance of an industrial manufact, remanufacturing requires products to be designed and optimized to meet the requirements of this process. This article explores the integration of specific remanufacturing requirements in the context of the redesign and structural optimization of machine components. Based on the analysis of a study case remanufacturing process, conducted by a leading company in the field of agricultural machinery, the main objective of this work is to propose new remanufacturing evaluation indices and criteria for selecting components to be redesigned, based on these indices. The proposed key performance indicators (KPIs), expressed in terms of structural characteristics of assembly components such as incidence and failure rate, have been defined with the primary purpose of quantifying the weight in terms of quantity and mass of remanufactured components and assemblies against the overall industry production. This value can serve as the basis for choices and structural optimization operations, leading to increased efficiency in the remanufacturing process and, consequently, the correlated environmental and economic benefits. The indices described and proposed in this article, along with the approach taken, are intended to provide tools and guidelines to the industries to be used in the redesign phase of their products intended for remanufacturing.
Guided Waves Propagation in Additively Manufactured GF30‐PA6 Panel
Authors: De Luca Alessandro , Greco Alessandro , Rezazadeh Nima , Perfetto Donato , Aversano Antonio
Published: June 2024

Ultrasonic guided waves (UGWs) based structural health monitoring (SHM) systems are widely used in several engineering fields for real‐time damage detection, since they are particularly sensitive to material local changes, induced, i.e., by a damage. This paper aims to investigate on the use of SHM systems in additively manufactured laminate. Specifically, a flat panel made of XSTRAND GF30‐PA6 material, fabricated by Ultimaker S5 fused filament fabrication (FFF) based 3D printer, is used as a case study. Signals recorded by a piezoelectrics (PZTs) array are analyzed to highlight the dispersive behavior of symmetric, S0, mode along different measurement paths in the excitation frequency range of 100–300 kHz.
Long-term trends in abundance and recruitment of Shortnose Sturgeon in the Altamaha River, Georgia
Authors: Kleinhans Maxwell , Fox Adam G.
Published: June 2024

Objective

The objective of this study was to estimate the population size and annual recruitment of Shortnose Sturgeon Accipenser brevirostrum in the Altamaha River estuary in Georgia, United States, during an 11-year period. The Shortnose Sturgeon is an endangered fish species that occupies rivers on the east coast of North America. Previous studies have suggested that the Altamaha River supports the largest population of Shortnose Sturgeon in the southern United States; however, the status of the population has not been assessed in 11 years.

Methods

We used entanglement gears to capture Shortnose Sturgeon in the Altamaha River estuary, marked them, and used an established statistical method (closed-population capture–mark–recapture models) to annually estimate total population size and age-1 recruitment from 2012 to 2022.

Result

We were able to estimate the size of age-1 cohorts in 7 of the 11 years of data collection. Point estimates of annual age-1 recruitment varied between 113 and 1021 individuals, and total population size varied between 452 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 116–2277) and 5054 individuals (95% CI: 2155–13,267).

Conclusion

Recruitment of age-1 juveniles was variable, suggesting that reproduction success is inconsistent between years in the Altamaha River. The results of this study, in combination with previous work, do not show any clear trends in Altamaha River Shortnose Sturgeon population abundance or recruitment. The population seems to be stable, but in the absence of historical population numbers, it is unclear whether the population should be considered recovered or is stagnated in its recovery.
On the productivity and technical efficiency of the Puerto Rican queen conch Aliger gigas fishery
Authors: Agar Juan J. , Solís Daniel
Published: June 2024

Objective

This study examines the productivity and technical efficiency (TE) of diving operations that target queen conches Aliger gigas in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the largest producer of queen conches in the United States. Currently, there is a proposal to list queen conch as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Methods

We use stochastic production frontier methods to investigate the relationship between catch and fishing inputs and the technical performance of diving operations.

Result

Our results show that the fleet could increase its catches, on average, by 30% (and, thus, increase its income) by using existing fishing inputs and technology more efficiently. We find that the potential to expand catches was slightly higher from increasing the crew size than from extending the length of the fishing trip. The study also finds considerable heterogeneity across coastal regions and operation sizes. Overall, operations on the east and west coasts and those having three or more crew members were more efficient. Operations that use a single gear and specialize on few species (revenue concentration) were associated with higher levels of TE. We also find that diving operations exhibit decreasing returns to scale.

Conclusion

The potential ESA listing of the queen conch poses a dilemma because increasing the efficiency of the fleet may continue to compromise the sustainability of the resource. While a threatened designation does not necessarily result in additional trade or harvest restrictions, further actions may be advisable given the many threats, such as overutilization, habitat loss, coastal pollution, and disruptive environmental change that queen conch populations face. Our model suggests that reducing the size of the crew and/or the length of the trip may increase efficiency, but these restrictions may not be advisable on safety grounds. Thus, management agencies may want to reassess existing trip limits and the length of the closed season and explore the use of closed areas.
Association of Baseline Depression and Anxiety with Longitudinal Health Outcomes in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Shi Yiwen , Dobkin Roseanne , Weintraub Daniel , Cho Hyunkeun R. , Caspell‐Garcia Chelsea , Bock Meredith , Brown Ethan , Aarsland Dag , Dahodwala Nabila
Published: June 2024

Background

Anxiety and depression are common non‐motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) but remain under‐recognized and under‐treated.

Objectives

To evaluate functional outcomes associated with baseline anxiety or depression and effects related to the initiation of new psychiatric treatment.

Methods

We analyzed 7 years of data from patients with de novo PD enrolled in the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative. Longitudinal regression models evaluated the association between baseline anxiety and depression with Schwab and England (SE) and MDS‐UPDRS total scores over time. Cox proportional hazard models assessed effects of baseline anxiety and depression on time to initiation of dopaminergic therapy. Piecewise linear regression models examined the association of treatment initiation for anxiety and depression with SE and MDS‐UPDRS.

Results

490 participants with baseline depression and anxiety data were included. Anxiety and depression were associated with lower SE (anxiety: β = −1.31, P = 0.038, depression: β = −1.96, P = 0.012, co‐morbid: β = −2.70, P = 0.003) and higher MDS‐UPDRS scores (anxiety: β = 5.37, P < 0.001, depression: β = 9.17, P < 0.001, co‐morbid: β = 10.50, P < 0.001) longitudinally. Anxiety was associated with faster time to dopamine replacement therapy initiation (HR 1.30, 95% CI 1.03–1.66, P = 0.03). 16 participants with anxiety initiated treatment for anxiety, which was associated with subsequent lower levodopa daily dose (slope change = −218.49, P = 0.018). 10 participants with depression initiated treatment of depression, which was associated with reduced MDS‐UPDRS total scores (slope change = −8.3, P < 0.001) and higher SE scores (slope change = 5.99, P = 0.004).

Conclusions

Anxiety and depression at PD onset are associated with multiple negative longitudinal trajectories. However, preliminary findings suggest that anxiety and depression treatment may be linked with improved motor and non‐motor outcomes.
Pathologically Confirmed Alzheimer's Disease Presenting as Clinical Parkinson's Disease, A Case Report
Authors: Mohammadzadeh Nahid , Wu Chuang‐Kuo , Donahue John E. , Friedman Joseph H.
Published: June 2024

Background

It is well known that rare cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology may cause corticobasal or posterior cortical atrophy syndromes, and that cases with advanced AD may develop parkinsonism. However, reports of parkinsonism as an initial manifestation of AD have rarely been documented.

Objectives

To demonstrate that a syndrome meeting all criteria for a clinical diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) may be an initial and years‐long sustained manifestation of pathologically confirmed AD.

Methods

Clinico‐pathological case.

Results

We present a case with a 12‐year clinical presentation consistent with a typical course of idiopathic Parkinson's disease, including dementia developing 6 years after the PD diagnosis. The patient improved, but only mildly, to standard treatment for PD motor symptoms. The neuropathological examination identified AD changes, and no evidence to support a concomitant diagnosis of PD.

Conclusions

The absence of alpha‐synucleinopathy, coupled with the patient's dementia history and AD changes in neuropathological examination, indicated the diagnosis of AD and no supplementary explanation. Neuronal loss with neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques in the brainstem, substantia nigra, and locus coeruleus likely contributed to Parkinsonism features.
Alleged fraud scheme charges by DOJ prompts CDC to warn of ADHD disruptions
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: June 2024

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) last week charged the founder and CEO of a California‐based digital health company and its clinical president for allegedly participating in a fraud scheme involving medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The move has prompted an official Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) health advisory warning of disrupted access to care among individuals taking prescription stimulant medications.
Study: Few outpatient MH facilities treat opioid use disorder
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: June 2024

Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) remain underused despite their effectiveness and the need for them in treating opioid use dis‐order, according to new RAND Corporation research that examines the availability of these medications for use in outpatient mental health facilities.
Logarithmically improved regularity criteria for the 3D magnetohydrodynamic equations
Authors: Zhang Honglin , Li Li , Zhang Qingning
Published: June 2024

In this paper, we investigate the 3D incompressible magnetohydrodynamic equations and establish several logarithmically improved regularity criteria in the homogeneous Besov space. These criteria are based on certain assumptions made in the velocity field and pressure, respectively. The first result solely based on the velocity field indicates that the velocity field plays a dominant role in determining the regularity of weak solutions, when compared with the magnetic field.
On the solvability of an inverse boundary problem for the equation of transverse oscillation of the rod
Authors: Huntul M. J. , Ramazanova Aysel T. , Mehraliyev Yashar T.
Published: June 2024

In this article, the solvability of an inverse boundary problem for the 2D equation of transverse oscillation of the rod from knowledge of additional condition is studied. To investigate the solvability of the inverse problem, we first consider an auxiliary inverse boundary value problem and prove its equivalence to the original problem in a certain sense. Using the contraction mappings principle existence and uniqueness of the solution of an equivalent problem is proved. Further, using the equivalency, the existence and uniqueness theorems of the classical solution of the original problem are proved.
Effects of Maternal Diet on Infant Health: A Review Based on Entero‐Mammary Pathway of Intestinal Microbiota
Authors: Sun Qiaoyu , Zhou Qingqing , Ge Sitong , Liu Lingli , Li Ping , Gu Qing
Published: June 2024

Scope

The microbes in breast milk are critical for the early establishment of infant gut microbiota and have important implications for infant health. Breast milk microbes primarily derive from the migration of maternal intestinal microbiota. This review suggests that the regulation of maternal diet on gut microbiota may be an effective strategy to improve infant health.

Methods and results

This article reviews the impact of breast milk microbiota on infant development and intestinal health. The close relationship between the microbiota in the maternal gut and breast through the entero‐mammary pathway is discussed. Based on the effect of diet on gut microbiota, it is proposed that changing the maternal dietary structure is a new strategy for regulating breast milk microbiota and infant intestinal microbiota, which would have a positive impact on infant health.

Conclusion

Breast milk microbes have beneficial effects on infant development and regulation of the immune system. The mother's gut and breast can undergo certain bacterial migration through the entero‐mammary pathway. Research has shown that intervening in a mother's diet during breastfeeding can affect the composition of the mother's gut microbiota, thereby regulating the microbiota of breast milk and infant intestines, and is closely related to infant health.
Computer‐aided diagnosis of cystic lung diseases using CT scans and deep learning
Authors: Zhu Zhibin , Xing Wenyu , Yang Yanping , Liu Xin , Jiang Tao , Zhang Xingwei , Song Yuanlin , Hou Dongni , Ta Dean
Published: June 2024

Background

Auxiliary diagnosis of different types of cystic lung diseases (CLDs) is important in the clinic and is instrumental in facilitating early and specific treatments. Current clinical methods heavily depend on accumulated experience, restricting their applicability in regions with less developed medical resources. Thus, how to realize the computer‐aided diagnosis of CLDs is of great clinical value.

Purpose

This work proposed a deep learning‐based method for automatically segmenting the lung parenchyma in computed tomography (CT) slice images and accurately diagnosing the CLDs using CT scans.

Methods

A two‐stage deep learning method was proposed for the automatic classification of normal cases and five different CLDs using CT scans. Lung parenchyma segmentation is the foundation of CT image analysis and auxiliary diagnosis. To meet the requirements of different sizes of the lung parenchyma, an adaptive region‐growing and improved U‐Net model was employed for mask acquisition and automatic segmentation. The former was achieved by a self‐designed adaptive seed point selection method based on similarity measurement, and the latter introduced multiscale input and multichannel output into the original U‐Net model and effectively achieved the lightweight design by adjusting the structure and parameters. After that, the middle 30 consecutive CT slice images of each sample were segmented to obtain lung parenchyma, which was employed for training and testing the proposed multichannel parallel input recursive MLP‐Mixer network (MPIRMNet) model, achieving the computer‐aided diagnosis of CLDs.

Results

A total of 4718 and 16 290 CT slice images collected from 543 patients were employed to validate the proposed segmentation and classification methods, respectively. Experimental results showed that the improved U‐Net model can accurately segment the lung parenchyma in CT slice images, with the Dice, precision, volumetric overlap error, and relative volume difference of 0.96 ± 0.01, 0.93 ± 0.04, 0.05 ± 0.02, and 0.05 ± 0.03, respectively. Meanwhile, the proposed MPIRMNet model achieved appreciable classification effect for normal cases and different CLDs, with the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and F1 score of 0.8823 ± 0.0324, 0.8897 ± 0.0325, 0.9746 ± 0.0078, and 0.8831 ± 0.0334, respectively. Compared with classical machine learning and convolutional neural networks‐based methods for this task, the proposed classification method had a preferable performance, with a significant improvement of accuracy of 10.74%.

Conclusions

The work introduced a two‐stage deep learning method, which can achieve the segmentation of lung parenchyma and the classification of CLDs. Compared to previous diagnostic tasks targeting single CLD, this work can achieve various CLDs’ diagnosis in the early stage, thereby achieving targeted treatment and increasing the potential and value of clinical applications.
Strategies to increase response rates for patient‐reported outcome measures in orthopaedics: A scoping review
Authors: Stern Brocha Z. , Park Jiwoo , Banashefski Bryana , Chaudhary Saad B. , Poeran Jashvant
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Low response rates remain a challenge for collecting patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs). This review aimed to identify and synthesise the strategies to increase PROM response rates in orthopaedic populations or settings that have been evaluated in the peer‐reviewed literature. Such a synthesis can guide future research and provide a structure for future implementation evaluations.

Methods

We completed a scoping review of English‐language articles in peer‐reviewed journals published from 1 January 2013 to 30 October 2023 in PubMed, Embase via Ovid, and Scopus. Eligible articles had a primary focus on patients with orthopaedic conditions and/or described activities in an orthopaedic practice setting and had to present numeric data on response rates for (a) two or more strategies or (b) before and after a specific strategy.

Results

Across 27 papers, the largest category of evaluated strategies was ‘administration modality’ (n = 16). Other categories of strategies included ‘administration setting’ (n = 5), ‘manual effort’ (n = 5), ‘reminder’ (n = 4), ‘invitation’ (n = 3), ‘automation’ (n = 3), ‘education and training’ (n = 3), ‘measure characteristic’ (n = 3), ‘incentive’ (n = 2), and ‘administration frequency’ (n = 1). Eighteen of 23 studies that completed significance testing identified a significant difference in favour of an intervention, but there were mixed findings across studies within categories.

Conclusion

Opportunities exist to evaluate categories of strategies beyond the technical modality of administration (e.g. paper vs. electronic) to increase response rates. Additionally, the review findings highlight the need for increased standardisation of terminology and improved specification of strategies and response rate outcomes for systematic implementation evaluations and cross‐institutional comparisons.
Cold and vibration for children undergoing needle‐related procedures: A non‐inferiority randomized clinical trial
Authors: Ballard Ariane , Khadra Christelle , Fortin Olivier , Guingo Estelle , Trottier Evelyne D. , Bailey Benoit , Poonai Naveen , Le May Sylvie
Published: June 2024

The use of a rapid, easy‐to‐use intervention could improve needle‐related procedural pain management practices in the context of the Emergency Department (ED). As such, the Buzzy device seems to be a promising alternative to topical anesthetics. The aim of this study was to determine if a cold vibrating device was non‐inferior to a topical anesthetic cream for pain management in children undergoing needle‐related procedures in the ED. In this randomized controlled non‐inferiority trial, we enrolled children between 4 and 17 years presenting to the ED and requiring a needle‐related procedure. Participants were randomly assigned to either the cold vibrating device or topical anesthetic (4% liposomal lidocaine; standard of care). The primary outcome was the mean difference (MD) in adjusted procedural pain intensity on the 0–10 Color Analogue Scale (CAS), using a non‐inferiority margin of 0.70. A total of 352 participants were randomized (cold vibration device n = 176, topical anesthetic cream n = 176). Adjusted procedural pain scores' MD between groups was 0.56 (95% CI:−0.08–1.20) on the CAS, showing that the cold vibrating device was not considered non‐inferior to topical anesthetic. The cold vibrating device was not considered non‐inferior to the topical anesthetic cream for pain management in children during a needle‐related procedure in the ED. As topical anesthetic creams require an application time of 30 min, cost approximately CAD $40.00 per tube, are underused in the ED setting, the cold vibrating device remains a promising alternative as it is a rapid, easy‐to‐use, and reusable device.
Screening a knowledge‐based library of low molecular weight compounds against the proline biosynthetic enzyme 1‐pyrroline‐5‐carboxylate 1 (PYCR1)
Authors: Meeks Kaylen R. , Bogner Alexandra N. , Tanner John J.
Published: June 2024

Δ1‐pyrroline‐5‐carboxylate reductase isoform 1 (PYCR1) is the last enzyme of proline biosynthesis and catalyzes the NAD(P)H‐dependent reduction of Δ1‐pyrroline‐5‐carboxylate to L‐proline. High PYCR1 gene expression is observed in many cancers and linked to poor patient outcomes and tumor aggressiveness. The knockdown of the PYCR1 gene or the inhibition of PYCR1 enzyme has been shown to inhibit tumorigenesis in cancer cells and animal models of cancer, motivating inhibitor discovery. We screened a library of 71 low molecular weight compounds (average MW of 131 Da) against PYCR1 using an enzyme activity assay. Hit compounds were validated with X‐ray crystallography and kinetic assays to determine affinity parameters. The library was counter‐screened against human Δ1‐pyrroline‐5‐carboxylate reductase isoform 3 and proline dehydrogenase (PRODH) to assess specificity/promiscuity. Twelve PYCR1 and one PRODH inhibitor crystal structures were determined. Three compounds inhibit PYCR1 with competitive inhibition parameter of 100 μM or lower. Among these, (S)‐tetrahydro‐2H‐pyran‐2‐carboxylic acid (70 μM) has higher affinity than the current best tool compound N‐formyl‐l‐proline, is 30 times more specific for PYCR1 over human Δ1‐pyrroline‐5‐carboxylate reductase isoform 3, and negligibly inhibits PRODH. Structure‐affinity relationships suggest that hydrogen bonding of the heteroatom of this compound is important for binding to PYCR1. The structures of PYCR1 and PRODH complexed with 1‐hydroxyethane‐1‐sulfonate demonstrate that the sulfonate group is a suitable replacement for the carboxylate anchor. This result suggests that the exploration of carboxylic acid isosteres may be a promising strategy for discovering new classes of PYCR1 and PRODH inhibitors. The structure of PYCR1 complexed with l‐pipecolate and NADH supports the hypothesis that PYCR1 has an alternative function in lysine metabolism.
Involvement of Piezo 1 mechanoceptors in vascular stiffness in isolated small resistance arteries of male and female Dahl salt‐sensitive hypertensive rats
Authors: Mensah Eric A. , Daneshtalab Noriko , Tabrizchi Reza
Published: June 2024

Piezo are mechanosensitive non‐selective cation channels that are suggested to be involved in vascular development and function. The aim of our study was to determine any sex‐specific contributions of the mechanosensitive Piezo 1 channels on blood vessel wall stiffness. Composite Young modulus (CYM) was determined using pressure myograph experimental approach using third‐order mesenteric arteries (intact and denuded) from Dahl salt‐sensitive male and female normotensive and hypertensive rats (n = 6–8). The effects of Piezo 1 agonist (Yoda 1; 10 μM), and antagonist (GsMTx‐4; 2 μM) were studied in intact and denuded vessels. The distribution of Piezo 1 was identified using immunohistochemistry. In intact blood vessels, there were no differences in CYM between the experimental groups, however, removal of the endothelium unmasked significant increases in CYM in normotensive males and female groups compared to hypertensive males. The presence of Yoda 1 did not affect CYM in any groups. In the intact tissues, GsMTx‐4 led to significant increases in CYM in hypertensive females, and normotensive males and females, but not in hypertensive males. In the denuded vessels, GsMTx‐4, produced a significant increase in CYM but only in the female normotensives. Differential expression of Piezo 1 were found in male versus female blood vessels. Our findings support a greater contribution of Piezo 1 mechanoceptors to vascular biomechanics of male hypertensive compared to male normotensive or female groups. The evidence also points to a possible differential vasoregulatory role for Piezo 1 in endothelial versus vascular smooth cells, with a greater contribution in males than females.
Insensitivity of Grain boundary Stress Fields to Area Variations
Authors: Yang Jinbo , Chen Yaling , Guo Yu , Meng Lingxiao , Yan Jingxin , Yang Huajie , Zhang Zhefeng
Published: June 2024

The atomistic simulations in this article substantiate that grain boundary stress fields remain unaffected by changes in their area, aligning with the Olson–Cohen theory which supports that such area insensitivity is an inherent outcome of the combined effect of coherency and anti‐coherency dislocations. Twist grain boundaries are employed in α‐iron as a model in atomistic simulations, revealing and contrasting the dislocations and stresses of these grain boundaries when their area varies from infinity to a few square nanometers. It is discovered that the grain boundary stresses remain relatively constant, always short‐ranged. Furthermore, within the framework of the Frank–Bilby equation, the line directions and spacing of coherency and anti‐coherency dislocation arrays in a grain boundary are predicted, the stresses of these dislocations are subsequently calculated numerically, and these stresses are superimposed together to form the grain boundary stress field. The numerical calculations verify that stress fields of grain boundaries are not sensitive to changes of their area, corroborating our atomistic simulations. The preliminary atomistic simulations of various homophase and heterophase boundaries further affirm this area insensitivity.
Spin–Orbit Coupling Effect Bandgaps Engineering of the Lead‐Free Perovskites FABI3 (B = Sn or Ge) Materials for Tandem Solar Cells: First Principle Investigation of Structural and Electronic Properties
Authors: El Arfaoui Youssef , Khenfouch Mohammed , Habiballah Nabil
Published: June 2024

Pb‐free perovskites are novel compounds that are currently being studied, essentially for their photovoltaic applications. In this article, the hybrid organic–inorganic perovskite for photovoltaic applications is studied. In fact, the structural and electronic properties of the perovskite FABI3 (B = Sn, Ge, or Pb and FA = formamidinium: CH(NH2)2) applying the density functional theory method executed in the Quantum Espresso framework are studied and discussed. The band structures of these perovskites have been presented; it is shown that these perovskites have a semiconductor nature, with a bandgap value of 1.36 eV for FASnI3, 1.72 eV for FAGeI3, and 1.61 eV for FAPbI3. Also, the density of states and partial density of states have been presented and discussed for each of these materials. Indeed, the structural properties of these perovskites are investigated and demonstrated that the optimized value of the lattice parameter is 6.35 Å for the FASnI3, while for the FAGeI3, this value is 6.3 Å and 6.5 Å for FAPbI3. Moreover, the impact of the lattice parameter on the bandgap value of FABI3 (B = Sn, Ge, or Pb) has been investigated, and it has been demonstrated that as the lattice parameter increases, the bandgap increases. The results of this work can be utilized as a guideline for the development of new efficient, lead‐free perovskite devices, including tandem solar cells.
In‐Situ Observation of Atomic Diffusion at Epitaxial Al–Si Interface
Authors: Wang Jinlin , Liu Qi , Feng Ran , Ye Haotian , Xu Xifan , Wang Rui , Wang Tao , Wang Xinqiang
Published: June 2024

High‐quality aluminum (Al)/silicon (Si) heterojunction is crucial in a wide range of applications, such as superconductivity, interfacial heat exchanging, interconnection of Si‐based transistors, etc. However, serious Al–Si heterointerface degradation has been observed when operating at relatively higher temperatures. Understanding the interfacial atomic diffusion is thus a vital step for improving the Al–Si interface quality. The atomic diffusion behavior at an epitaxial Al–Si interface is reported via in‐situ heating in Cs‐corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). After heating to 493 ± 20 K, the Al–Si interface gradually migrates toward the Al side. This interfacial atomic migration is more active along grain boundaries due to weaker bonding between atoms caused by misorientation of grains. The new interface exhibits a trapezoidal shape, characterized by a slanted smooth left facet and a stepped right facet. This distinct morphology is attributed to minimizing the interfacial energy. Additionally, the migrated Si atoms tend to form a new nanocrystal following the initial lattice orientation in Al, while the diffused Al atoms are usually randomly inserted into the Si lattice matrix among a large region, which can be attributed to lower bonding energy of Al compared with Si.