bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A case of occult pancreaticobiliary reflux due to endoscopically confirmed relaxation of the Oddi sphincter
Authors: Kataoka Fumiya , Miura Shin , Kume Kiyoshi , Kikuta Kazuhiro , Hamada Shin , Takikawa Tetsuya , Matsumoto Ryotaro , Ikeda Mio , Sano Takanori , Sasaki Akira , Masamune Atsushi
Published: September 2022

An otherwise healthy 45‐year‐old woman had been experiencing intermittent right upper abdominal pain for the past 1 year. Computed tomography showed pneumobilia and pancreatic duct emphysema despite a normal duodenal papilla. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic ultrasound confirmed bile duct dilation but without a pancreaticobiliary maljunction. Duodenoscopy detected a slightly sunken, unfixed, and spontaneously enlarged duodenal papilla. During the cholangiogram, the Oddi sphincter was relaxed and the catheter could be easily inserted into the bile duct. Further, no findings suggestive of pancreaticobiliary maljunction were observed, and the contrast medium leaked spontaneously from the duodenal papilla. As biliary amylase level was high, we surmised the occurrence of occult pancreaticobiliary reflux due to relaxation of the Oddi sphincter. However, as there are no guidelines on the management of this condition, we did not offer any treatment. Nevertheless, the patient continued to experience similar symptoms and was retested 1 year later with similar results. As occult pancreaticobiliary reflux was reconfirmed, we suggested that the patient undergo laparoscopic extrahepatic bile duct resection and cholecystectomy, which is the standard treatment for pancreaticobiliary maljunction. Pathological evaluation revealed fibrous thickening of the bile duct wall and chronic cholecystitis, which are typical findings of pancreaticobiliary reflux. Even though pancreaticobiliary reflux is mainly observed in pancreaticobiliary maljunction, it has also been reported in normal patients. Here, we describe a novel mechanism of pancreaticobiliary reflux, namely, a relaxed or defective Oddi sphincter.
Manipulation of droplets and bubbles for thermal applications
Authors: Liang Xichen , Kumar Vijay , Ahmadi Farzad , Zhu Yangying
Published: September 2022

Liquid–vapor phase change including evaporation, boiling, and condensation is a ubiquitous process found in power generation, desalination, thermal management, building heating and cooling, and additive manufacturing. The dynamics of droplets and bubbles during phase change including nucleation, growth, and departure critically influence the thermal transport performance and system efficiency. This review will highlight recent advancements using static and dynamic strategies to manipulate droplets and bubbles for phase change applications and beyond.
Health‐related quality of life in acute heart failure: association between patient‐reported symptoms and markers of congestion
Authors: Lee Matthew M.Y. , Campbell Ross T. , Claggett Brian L. , Lewis Eldrin F. , Docherty Kieran F. , Lindner Moritz , Liu Jiankang , Solomon Scott D. , McMurray John J.V. , Platz Elke
Published: September 2022

Aims

The aim of this study was to examine the association between patient‐reported symptoms and the extent of pulmonary congestion in acute heart failure (AHF).

Methods and results

In this prospective, observational study, patient‐reported symptoms were assessed at baseline using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire total symptom score (KCCQ‐TSS) (range 0–100; 0 worst) in patients hospitalized for AHF. In a subset, patient‐reported dyspnoea at rest and on exertion was examined (range 0–10; 10 worst) at baseline. In addition, 4‐zone lung ultrasound (LUS) was performed at baseline at the time of echocardiography. B‐lines were quantified offline, blinded to clinical findings, by a core laboratory. Chest X‐ray (CXR) and physical examination findings were collected from the medical records. Among 322 patients (mean age 72, 60% men, mean left ventricular ejection fraction 39%) with AHF, the median KCCQ‐TSS score was 33 (interquartile range 18–48). Worse KCCQ‐TSS was associated with worse New York Heart Association class, dyspnoea at rest and on exertion, and peripheral oedema (p trend <0.001 for all). However, KCCQ‐TSS was not associated with the extent of pulmonary congestion, as assessed by the number of B‐lines on LUS, or findings on CXR, or physical examination (p trend >0.25 for all). Similarly, KCCQ‐TSS was not significantly associated with echocardiographic markers of left ventricular filling pressure, pulmonary pressure or with N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide level.

Conclusions

Among patients hospitalized for AHF, at baseline, KCCQ‐TSS was not associated with pulmonary congestion assessed by LUS, CXR, or physical examination. These findings suggest that the profound reduction in KCCQ‐TSS in patients with AHF may not be solely explained by pulmonary congestion.
Tailored Aza‐Michael Addition as Key Step in the Synthesis of 1H‐imidazo[5,1‐c][1,4]oxazine Scaffolds
Authors: Mari Giacomo , De Crescentini Lucia , Favi Gianfranco , Mantellini Fabio , Santeusanio Stefania
Published: September 2022

A novel protocol for the efficient synthesis of 1H‐imidazo[5,1‐c][1,4]oxazines has been developed. Aza‐Michael addition of selected primary amines to 1,2‐diaza‐1,3‐dienes (DDs) combined with isothiocyanates or isocyanates in sequential 3‐CR process, affords 2‐thiohydantoins and hydantoins with suitably positioned functional groups to be used for chemoselective acid‐promoted ring‐fused formation.
Low system justification is associated with support for both progressive and reactionary social change
Authors: Liekefett Luisa , Becker Julia C.
Published: September 2022

Traditional definitions of political ideology state that right‐wingers support system stability, whereas left‐wingers support social change. However, during the last decade many right‐wing movements have been on the rise and demanded far‐reaching changes. We argue that both left‐, and right‐wing protestors reject the status quo, and are motivated to change it – albeit in opposing directions: either to increase equality (progressive social change), or inequality (reactionary social change). In two studies (NStudy1 = 453, NStudy2 = 614), both left‐, and right‐wingers scored lower on system justification than moderates. Further, latent profile analyses showed that supporters of progressive social change were characterized by low system justification and left‐wing ideology, whereas supporters of reactionary social change were characterized by low system justification and right‐wing ideology. This indicates that right‐wingers do not necessarily support system stability – instead, they reject the status quo and promote change in the direction of greater inequality.
Moral psychology of nursing robots: Exploring the role of robots in dilemmas of patient autonomy
Authors: Laakasuo Michael , Palomäki Jussi , Kunnari Anton , Rauhala Sanna , Drosinou Marianna , Halonen Juho , Lehtonen Noora , Koverola Mika , Repo Marko , Sundvall Jukka , Visala Aku , Francis Kathryn B.
Published: September 2022

Artificial intelligences (AIs) are widely used in tasks ranging from transportation to healthcare and military, but it is not yet known how people prefer them to act in ethically difficult situations. In five studies (an anthropological field study, n = 30, and four experiments, total n = 2150), we presented people with vignettes where a human or an advanced robot nurse is ordered by a doctor to forcefully medicate an unwilling patient. Participants were more accepting of a human nurse's than a robot nurse's forceful medication of the patient, and more accepting of (human or robot) nurses who respected patient autonomy rather than those that followed the orders to forcefully medicate (Study 2). The findings were robust against the perceived competence of the robot (Study 3), moral luck (whether the patient lived or died afterwards; Study 4), and command chain effects (Study 5; fully automated supervision or not). Thus, people prefer robots capable of disobeying orders in favour of abstract moral principles like valuing personal autonomy. Our studies fit in a new era in research, where moral psychological phenomena no longer reflect only interactions between people, but between people and autonomous AIs.
Field programmable gate array implementation of an adaptive filtering based noise reduction and enhanced compression technique for healthcare applications
Authors: Aruna Viswanadham Baby Koti Lakshmi , Ekambaram Chitra , Padmaja Mididoddi
Published: September 2022

Nowadays, the development of e‐health monitoring devices is getting more demand for remote health applications. In addition, cardiovascular diseases is considered the most chronic disease in recent years. So, this requires a fast diagnosis and therapy to clear this issue and requires an information transformation from the patient to the distant hospital. But, it faces many challenges like more energy consumption, data security, storage, and transmission. In addition, the electrocardiogram (ECG) data must be processed in real‐time, and the information must have high predictability and lossless compression. So, in this article, an enhanced set partitioning in hierarchical tree decoder with deep belief neural network is developed for ECG compression. Due to an inappropriate channel in telemedicine applications, the ECG signals transmitted through a wireless network are affected by noise. So, fast normalized least mean square (FNLMS) algorithm based adaptive filter is deliberated to eliminate the unwanted noise from the ECG signal. Also, the structure of the FNLMs based adaptive filter is modified by developing a systolic structure to increase the speed of filtering process. Moreover, the parallel and pipelined architecture is provided for the proposed compression unit to reduce the processing time and the area overhead as compared to the existing methods. A publicly available database called the MIT‐BIH database and real‐time ECG data records are used for simulation purposes. The proposed design was implemented on the Xilinx platform and the MATLAB tool. The performance of the proposed design is estimated by the parameters like compression ratio, signal to noise ratio, root mean square error, and percentage root mean square difference (PRD), PRD normalized, and quality‐score. It is compared with existing designs to show the efficiency of our proposed design.
A statistical approach to study the spatial heavy metal distribution in soils in the Kushk Mine, Iran
Authors: Sohrabizadeh Zahra , Sodaeizadeh Hamid , Hakimzadeh Mohammad Ali , Taghizadeh‐Mehrjardi Ruhollah , Ghanei Bafghi Mohammad Javad
Published: September 2022

The present study was conducted for the spatial distribution and concentration evaluation of heavy metals, including Cu, Cd, Mn, Fe, Zn, and Pb, within 102 soil samples collected from Kushk Mine in Bafgh, Iran. This work employed hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), and spatial distribution patterns, to perform element distribution evaluation within the area. The distributions of heavy metals in the entire area were exhibited in the form of maps. The average concentrations of Cd, Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn, and Pb were found to be 0.39, 0.26, 5.3, 4.1, 51.9, and 40.9 mg.kg−1, respectively. Based on the PCA and HCA findings, the heavy metals were divided into two groups. The first group included Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu. In the first group, altered threshold‐surpassing anthropogenic and lithogenic pollution was found to be the main factor accounting for Pb and Zn. The second group involved Fe and Mn, which could be impacted by either anthropogenic and lithogenic factors. Furthermore, the geo‐statistical results demonstrated higher contents of the heavy metals in the south of the mine and in the vicinity of the mine tailings. It may be concluded from the results that the heavy metal contents of the area are impacted by anthropogenic and lithogenic factors.
Survival outcomes of metastatic breast cancer patients by germline BRCA1/2 status in a large multicenter real‐world database
Authors: Mailliez Audrey , D'Hondt Veronique , Lusque Amelie , Caron Olivier , Cabel Luc , Goncalves Anthony , Debled Marc , Gladieff Laurence , Ferrero Jean‐Marc , Petit Thierry , Mouret‐Reynier Marie Ange , Eymard Jean‐Christophe , Levy Christelle , Uwer Lionel , Leheurteur Marianne , Desmoulins Isabelle , Bachelot Thomas , Frenel Jean‐Sebastien , de la Motte Rouge Thibault , Simon Gaëtane , Jacot William , Delaloge Suzette
Published: September 2022

The outcomes and best treatment strategies for germline BRCA1/2 mutation (gBRCAm) carriers with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) remain uncertain. We compared the overall survival and the first line progression free survival (PFS1) of patients with a gBRCAm identified at initiation of first‐line treatment with those of BRCA wild‐type (WT) and not‐tested (NT) individuals in the ESME real‐world database of MBC patients between 2008 and 2016 (NCT03275311). Among the 20 624 eligible patients, 325 had a gBRCAm, 1138 were WT and 19 161 NT. Compared with WT, gBRCAm carriers were younger, and had more aggressive diseases. At a median follow‐up of 50.5 months, median OS was 30.6 (95%CI: 21.9‐34.3), 35.8 (95%CI: 32.2‐37.8) and 39.3 months (95% CI: 38.3‐40.3) in the gBRCAm, WT and NT subgroups, respectively. Median PFS1 was 7.9 (95%CI: 6.6‐9.3), 7.8 (95%CI: 7.3‐8.5) and 9.7 months (95%CI, 9.5‐10.0). In the multivariable analysis conducted in the whole cohort, gBRCAm status had however no independent prognostic impact on OS and PFS1. Though, in the triple‐negative subgroup, gBRCAm patients had better OS and PFS1 (HR vs WT = 0.76; 95%CI: 0.60‐0.97; P = .027 and 0.69; 95% CI: 0.55‐0.86; P = .001, respectively). In contrast, in patients with HR+/HER2 negative cancers, PFS1 appeared significantly and OS non significantly lower for gBRCAm carriers (PFS1: HR vs WT = 1.23; 95%CI: 1.03‐1.46; P = .024; OS:HR = 1.22, 95% CI: 0.97‐1.52, P = .089). In conclusion, gBRCA1/2 status appears to have divergent survival effects in MBC according to IHC subtype.
ATM c.7570G>C is a high‐risk allele for breast cancer
Authors: Kankuri‐Tammilehto Minna , Tervasmäki Anna , Kraatari‐Tiri Minna , Rahikkala Elisa , Pylkäs Katri , Kuismin Outi
Published: September 2022

ATM is generally described as a moderate‐risk breast cancer susceptibility gene. However, some of ATM variants might encounter higher risk. ATM c.7570G>C, p.Ala2524Pro, (rs769142993) is a pathogenic Finnish founder variant causative for recessively inherited ataxia‐telangiectasia. At cellular level, it has been reported to have a dominant‐negative effect. ATM c.7570G>C has recurrently been described in Finnish breast cancer families and unselected case cohorts collected from different parts of the country, but the rarity of the allele (MAF 0.0002772 in Finns) and lack of confirming segregation analyses have prevented any conclusive risk estimates. Here, we describe seven families from genetic counseling units with ATM c.7570G>C variant showing co‐segregation with breast cancer. Further analysis of the unselected breast cancer cohort from Northern Finland (n = 1822), a geographical region previously indicated to have enrichment of the variant, demonstrated that c.7570G>C significantly associates with breast cancer, and the risk is estimated as high (odds ratio [OR] = 8.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04‐62.46, P = .018). Altogether, these results place ATM c.7570G>C variant among the high‐risk alleles for breast cancer, which should be taken into consideration in genetic counseling.
Management of Hypoparathyroidism
Authors: Khan Aliya A. , Guyatt Gordon , Ali Dalal S. , Bilezikian John P. , Collins Michael T. , Dandurand Karel , Mannstadt Michael , Murphy Deborah , M'Hiri Iman , Rubin Mishaela R. , Sanders Robert , Shrayyef Muhammad , Siggelkow Heide , Tabacco Gaia , Tay Yu-Kwang Donovan , Van Uum Stan , Vokes Tamara , Winer Karen K. , Yao Liang , Rejnmark Lars
Published: September 2022

Hypoparathyroidism (HypoPT) is a rare disorder characterized by hypocalcemia in the presence of a low or inappropriately normal parathyroid hormone level. HypoPT is most commonly seen after neck surgery, which accounts for approximately 75% of cases, whereas approximately 25% have HypoPT due to nonsurgical causes. In both groups of patients, conventional therapy includes calcium and active vitamin D analogue therapy aiming to maintain serum calcium concentration in the low normal or just below the normal reference range and normalize serum phosphorus, magnesium concentrations, and urine calcium levels. The limitations of conventional therapy include wide fluctuations in serum calcium, high pill burden, poor quality of life, and renal complications. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) replacement therapy may improve the biochemical profile in those in whom conventional therapy proves unsatisfactory. Based on a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature, the panel made a graded recommendation suggesting conventional therapy as first line therapy rather than administration of PTH (weak recommendation, low quality evidence). When conventional therapy is deemed unsatisfactory, the panel considers use of PTH. Because pregnancy and lactation are associated with changes in calcium homeostasis, close monitoring is required during these periods with appropriate adjustment of calcium and active vitamin D analogue therapy to ensure that serum calcium remains in the mid to low normal reference range in order to avoid maternal and fetal complications. Emerging therapies include molecules with prolonged PTH action as well as different mechanisms of action that may significantly enhance drug efficacy and safety. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Corynoline protects against zearalenone‐induced liver injury by activating the SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling pathway
Authors: Sun Liqun , He Dan , Liu Yuhuan , Wei Yunyun , Wang Li
Published: September 2022

Corynoline has been reported to have anti‐inflammatory and antioxidative effects. In the present study, the potential protective effects of corynoline against zearalenone (ZEA)‐induced liver injury were investigated. ZEA was administered daily for 5 days. Then, liver tissues were used for subsequent experiments. Corynoline attenuated liver histopathological changes induced by ZEA. The production of tumor necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐1β in liver tissues, as well as aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in serum, was also inhibited by corynoline. Meanwhile, ZEA‐induced MPO activity and MDA content were both attenuated by corynoline. ZEA‐induced NF‐κB p65 and IκBα phosphorylation were inhibited by corynoline. Furthermore, SIRT1, Nrf2, and HO‐1 expression were increased by corynoline. In addition, the protective effects of corynoline against liver injury were reversed by the SIRT1 inhibitor EX‐527. Taken together, corynoline protected against ZEA‐induced liver injury by activating the SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling pathway.
Hsa_circ_0002082 up‐regulates Centromere Protein F via abolishing miR‐508‐3p to promote breast cancer progression
Authors: Liu Yu , Liu Yun , Luo Jinyong , Zhao Wen , Hu Chunhui , Chen Gongquan
Published: September 2022

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) dysregulation has been revealed to function in the pathological processes of cancers. Herein, the role and mechanisms of hsa_circ_0002082 in breast cancer (BC) progression were elucidated.

Methods

In vivo and in vitro functional experiments were conducted, and the interaction between miR‐508‐3p and hsa_circ_0002082 or Centromere Protein F (CENPF) was elucidated.

Results

Hsa_circ_0002082 expression was higher in BC tissues and cell lines. Functionally, knockdown of hsa_circ_0002082 induced apoptosis and suppressed proliferation and metastasis in BC cells in vitro. Mechanistically, hsa_circ_0002082 targeted miR‐508‐3p, which was confirmed to be decreased in BC. MiR‐508‐3p overexpression suppressed BC cell malignant phenotypes, moreover, inhibition of miR‐508‐3p attenuated the anticancer action of hsa_circ_0002082 silencing on BC cells. Besides that, miR‐508‐3p targeted CENPF, CENPF was highly expressed in BC, CENPF up‐regulation reversed the suppressive impacts of miR‐508‐3p on BC cell growth and metastasis. Besides, hsa_circ_0002082 silencing impeded BC growth in nude mice.

Conclusion

Knockdown of hsa_circ_0002082 suppresses breast cancer growth and metastasis by miR‐508‐3p/CENPF axis, suggesting that hsa_circ_0002082 may be a promising target for breast cancer treatment.
Electrochemically induced assembling of isatins, kojic acid, and malonic acid derivatives into substituted spiro[indole‐3,4′‐pyran]‐2(1H)‐one scaffold and predicting potential protein targets
Authors: Elinson Michail N. , Ryzhkova Yuliya E. , Vereshchagin Anatoly N. , Ryzhkov Fedor V. , Kalashnikova Varvara M. , Korolev Viktor A. , Egorov Mikhail P.
Published: September 2022

Electrochemically induced multicomponent assembling of isatins, kojic acid, and malonic acid derivatives in n‐propanol in the presence of sodium iodide as an electrolyte in an undivided cell results in the formation of unsymmetrical spiro(indole‐3,4′‐pyrano[3,2‐b]pyranes) in 86–98% yields. The optimized reaction conditions and a mechanistic rationale for this catalytic electrochemical transformation are presented. This new electrocatalytic multicomponent process is a facile and efficient environmentally benign way to the functionalized unsymmetrical spiro(indole‐3,4′‐pyrano[3,2‐b]pyranes), containing inserted kojic acid fragment, which are perspective compounds for different biomedical applications, among them anticonvulsant, anti‐cancer, anti‐AIDS agents, and anti‐inflammatory remedies. All synthesized compounds were investigated using a molecular docking procedure. The results of prediction were incorporated in one pool of potential targets. The automated method was proposed and performed for the docking procedure. It is distinct from screening by higher accuracy, and it is much more scalable than the classic docking procedure. It was found that the synthesized compounds are potential ligands for 4OHK (glucokinase regulatory protein) and 3V2B (human poly[adp‐ribose] polymerase 15) proteins.
Four‐stage CMOS operational transconductance amplifier: Compensated via double differential blocks
Authors: Roohbakhsh Danial , Sanaee AliMohammad , Aghaee Toktam
Published: September 2022

Advancements in integrated circuits technology, force designers to adopt methods and approaches with posed limitations. Nowadays, multistage amplifiers are widely in demand due to high‐gain performance while avoiding placing transistors vertically in contrast with cascode structures. In this work, a four‐stage amplifier is investigated and frequency is compensated via a compensation network that includes two Miller capacitors at the outputs of differential blocks. So, using two Miller capacitors and sharing these capacitors common in four Miller loops, provide an opportunity to achieve acceptable frequency response regarding gain‐bandwidth product and phase margin. The proposed amplifier is modeled symbolically and simulated with the HSPICE circuit simulator with the help of 0.18 μm CMOS technology. According to the simulation results, the proposed approaches show superior performance compared with previously existing methods. Additionally, the sensitivity of the proposed amplifier against load and compensation capacitors expresses a stable and relatively fixed frequency response. Such a high gain amplifier with more than 180 dB as DC gain and 88° phase margin, is in great demand for realizing modulators and data converters.
Long noncoding RNA CDKN2B‐AS1 silencing protects against esophageal cancer cell invasion and migration by inactivating the TFAP2A/FSCN1 axis
Authors: Zhu Jia‐Liang , Xue Wen‐Bo , Jiang Zhi‐Bin , Feng Wei , Liu Yi‐Cai , Nie Xiong‐Ying , Jin Long‐Yu
Published: September 2022

Esophageal cancer (EC) is the most aggressive malignancy in the gastrointestinal tract. Long noncoding RNA cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 2 B antisense RNA 1 (CDKN2B‐AS1) is implicated in EC development. However, the specific mechanisms involved remain poorly defined. Therefore, this research aimed to explore the mechanism of action of CDKN2B‐AS1 in EC. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction was conducted to measure CDKN2B‐AS1 expression in EC cells and western blotting was utilized to evaluate transcription factor AP‐2 alpha (TFAP2A) and fascin actin‐bundling protein 1 (FSCN1) expression. After gain‐of‐function and loss‐of‐function assays, cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and apoptosis‐related protein expression were assessed using cell counting kit‐8, scratch tests, Transwell assays, flow cytometry, and western blotting, respectively. The binding relationship between CDKN2B‐AS1 and TFAP2A was assessed by RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA pull‐down assays. The binding relationship between TFAP2A and FSCN1 was evaluated using dual‐luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Tumor xenografts from nude mice were used for in vivo verification. CDKN2B‐AS1, TFAP2A, and FSCN1 were upregulated in EC cells. Mechanistically, CDKN2B‐AS1 transcriptionally activated FSCN1 by recruiting TFAP2A to the FSCN1 promoter. Silencing CDKN2B‐AS1 or TFAP2A suppressed EC cell proliferative, migrating, and invasive properties and augmented apoptosis. TFAP2A was bound to CDKN2B‐AS1 and the FSCN1 promoter. Overexpression of TFAP2A or FSCN1 abolished the effects of CDKN2B‐AS1‐silencing on EC cell function. CDKN2B‐AS1 silencing curtailed tumorigenesis in nude mice, which was nullified by the upregulation of TFAP2A or FSCN1. Our findings demonstrated the antioncogenic effects of silencing CDKN2B‐AS1 in EC through inactivation of the TFAP2A/FSCN1 axis.
Changes within the roadbed and the cutslope of an abandoned forest road—A case‐study from the Tatra Mts. (Poland)
Authors: Fidelus‐Orzechowska Joanna , Puniach Edyta , Ćwiąkała Paweł , Strzyżowski Dariusz , Nędzka Michał
Published: September 2022

The main aim of this paper was to determine the rate of erosion and aggradation within a forest road on different geological structures as well as a comparison of changes between roadbeds and road cutslopes. The research was conducted in the Lejowa Valley in the Tatra Mountains. The measurements of the forest road were performed using a Leica ScanStation C10 terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) with a set of six‐inch Leica High Definition Survey (HDS) targets. Based on the multi‐temporal digital elevation models (DEMs) two DEM of Differences (DoD) were created for the summer season of 2019 and the 2019–2020 period. The research has shown that there is a significant difference between the rate of relief change for roads constructed atop conglomerates and limestone. The net change for the road within conglomerates was an erosion of 432.37 m3ha‐1 yr‐1, while for the road within limestone it was a sediment deposition which amounted to 3.87 m3ha‐1 yr‐1. Research has shown that there exists a difference in the rate of erosion for road cutslopes and roadbeds constructed within conglomerates. It was shown that the erosion rate for the roadbeds was 1.7‐times larger than that for the studied road cutslopes in the period 2019–2020. Improperly designed and constructed forest roads may be subject to intensive relief transformations, even after they are no longer in use.
Evolutionary game analysis on behavioral strategies of four participants in green technology innovation system
Authors: Liu Li , Wang Zhe , Song Zhao , Zhang Zaisheng
Published: September 2022

To study the sustainable development of the green technology innovation system (GTIS), more and more people have begun to pay attention to the behavior evolution and strategic choice of participants. This paper develops a four‐participant evolutionary game model to study the interaction and behavior evolution of government, financial institutions, enterprises, and the public on green technology innovation (GTI), determines the payoff matrix of GTIS, derives replicator dynamic equations, calculates evolutionary stability strategies (ESSs) of participants, and identifies evolution paths of ESSs through numerical simulations. The findings show that in most cases, the government prefers to adopt “weak supervision” strategies to regulate the market, and the public prefers to adopt “supervision” strategies to supervise enterprises. Encouraging enterprises to implement GTI through subsidies and funding support is a vital means in the initial stage of sustainable development. It is imperative to establish a multi‐participant collaborative governance mechanism to promote the sustained and sound GTIS development.
Integrated identification of growth pattern and taxon of bacterium in gut microbiota via confocal fluorescence imaging‐oriented single‐cell sequencing
Authors: Gao Juan , Sun Di , Li Bei , Yang Chaoyong , Wang Wei
Published: September 2022

Despite the fast progress in our understanding of the complex functions of gut microbiota, it is still challenging to directly investigate the in vivo microbial activities and processes on an individual cell basis. To gain knowledge of the indigenous growth/division patterns of the diverse mouse gut bacteria with a relatively high throughput, here, we propose an integrative strategy, which combines the use of fluorescent probe labeling, confocal imaging with single‐cell sorting, and sequencing. Mouse gut bacteria sequentially labeled by two fluorescent d‐amino acid probes in vivo were first imaged by confocal microscopy to visualize their growth patterns, which can be unveiled by the distribution of the two fluorescence signals on each bacterium. Bacterial cells of interest on the imaging slide were then sorted using a laser ejection equipment, and the collected cells were then sequenced individually to identify their taxa. Our strategy allows integrated acquirement of the growth pattern knowledge of a variety of gut bacteria and their genomic information on a single‐cell basis, which should also have great potential in studying many other complex bacterial systems.
Elliptical cylindrical equivalent model for consolidation of unsaturated soil improved by PVD
Authors: Tian Yi , Jiang Guosheng , Wu Wenbing , Wen Minjie , El Naggar M. Hesham , Mei Guoxiong
Published: September 2022

To consider the shape effect of prefabricated vertical drain (PVD), the elliptical cylindrical equivalent model (ECEM) is established for the consolidation of unsaturated soft foundations improved by PVD. Then, the associated analytical solutions of excess pore‐air and pore‐water pressures are derived under free strain and equal strain conditions, respectively. The rationality of proposed solutions is verified by comparing them with the existing solutions. Through conducting the parametric study, the effects of the permeability coefficients and the extent of influence zone on the dissipation of excess pore pressure and the consolidation settlement are investigated. Outcomes show that there is a plateau during the dissipation process of the excess pore‐water pressure. The consolidation behavior is dominated by the dissipation of the excess pore‐air pressure before the plateau, while it is governed only by the dissipation of the excess pore‐water pressure after the plateau.
Gastric feeding intolerance in critically ill patients during sustained pharmacologic neuromuscular blockade
Authors: Dickerson Roland N. , Corley Catherine E. , Holmes Whitney L. , Byerly Saskya , Filiberto Dina M. , Fischer Peter E.
Published: September 2022

Background

The purpose of this study was to assess gastric feeding intolerance for critically ill patients who received sustained neuromuscular blocker (NMB) pharmacotherapy.

Methods

Adult patients (>17 years of age) admitted to the trauma intensive care unit who received continuous intravenous NMB pharmacotherapy (rocuronium, cisatracurium, vecuronium, or pancuronium) for ≥48 h during continuous intragastric enteral nutrition (EN) were retrospectively evaluated. Gastric feeding intolerance was defined by initiation of a prokinetic agent (metoclopramide, erythromycin, or both) for an elevated gastric residual volume (GRV) >300 ml and with distention of the abdomen by physical examination, observation of regurgitation or emesis, temporary discontinuation of EN with low intermittent gastric suctioning, or initiation of parenteral nutrition (PN). Patients were evaluated for gastric feeding intolerance for the first 3 days of combined EN and NMB pharmacotherapy. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Ten patients of the 47 patients (21%) were intolerant to EN during NMB pharmacotherapy. No statistically or clinically relevant differences in patient characteristics were found between patients who tolerated EN vs those who experienced gastric feeding intolerance, except for a higher median maximum GRV of 125 ml (28, 200) vs 300 (250, 400) ml, respectively (P < 0.001). Five patients responded to prokinetic therapy and five required PN.

Conclusion

Most patients tolerated intragastric EN during sustained NMB pharmacotherapy. Presence of NMB pharmacotherapy is not an absolute contraindication for EN.
Metabolic phenotypes and incident type 2 diabetes: Population‐based Panasonic cohort study 6
Authors: Kobayashi Ayaka , Okada Hiroshi , Hamaguchi Masahide , Kurogi Kazushiro , Murata Hiroaki , Ito Masato , Fukui Michiaki
Published: September 2022

Objective

This study aimed to assess the association between changes in metabolic phenotypes and incident type 2 diabetes.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included participants from a medical health checkup program conducted by the Panasonic Corporation, Japan, between 2008 and 2018. The metabolic phenotypes of the participants in 2008 and 2013 were assessed. The association between changes in metabolic phenotypes from 2008 to 2013 and incident type 2 diabetes (n = 58,638) were evaluated for a 5‐year follow‐up using Cox regression analyses.

Results

The stable, metabolically healthy obesity group was associated with a higher risk of incident type 2 diabetes than the stable, metabolically healthy nonobesity (MHNO) group (hazard ratio [HR] 3.22, 95% CI: 2.71‐3.83). When participants with metabolically healthy obesity experienced a change to MHNO, their risk of incident type 2 diabetes was similar to that of participants in the stable MHNO group (HR 1.28, 95% CI: 0.78‐1.90). Once the participants had metabolic abnormalities, the risk of incident type 2 diabetes was higher than that in the stable MHNO group, even after undergoing a change to MHNO.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that it is important to pay attention to the changes in metabolic phenotypes to prevent incident type 2 diabetes in Japanese populations.
The use of virtual visits for obesity pharmacotherapy in patients with overweight or obesity compared with in‐person encounters
Authors: Griebeler Marcio L. , Butsch W. Scott , Rodriguez Paloma , Lomeli Laura , Kampert Matthew , Makin Vinni , Alwahab Ula Abed , Borukh Elena , Daigle Erin , Bena James , Pantalone Kevin M. , Burguera Bartolome
Published: September 2022

Objective

This study aimed to demonstrate noninferiority using telehealth in treating obesity with phentermine in patients with BMI ≥ 27 kg/m2 with comorbidities or BMI ≥ 30 compared with the standard in‐person approach over a 90‐day period.

Methods

A 12‐week, randomized, prospective, single‐center, open label trial compared the use of virtual visits versus in‐person visits for the treatment of obesity using phentermine. The primary end point was percentage mean change in body weight from baseline to 12 weeks. A noninferiority approach assuming a 3% noninferiority region was used to assess effect size differences.

Results

The weight loss in the virtual visit arm was noninferior to the in‐person arm at all time points. At 12 weeks, the mean change in weight was −6.5% among the virtual group and −7.7% among the in‐person group. In addition, 65% of virtual patients and 71% of in‐person patients demonstrated a weight reduction of at least 5%. There was no difference in medication tolerance, adherence, and compliance.

Conclusions

These results indicate that the virtual obesity pharmacotherapy visits in adults aged 18 to 65 years prescribed phentermine are effective and noninferior in achieving meaningful weight loss after 12 weeks. Future clinical trials are needed to better assess the effectiveness of televisits for obesity pharmacotherapy.
The French FRACTURE database: A way to improve knowledge on management of children with very rare tumors
Authors: Mallebranche Coralie , Reguerre Yves , Fresneau Brice , Andre Nicolas , Berger Claire , Briandet Claire , Castex Marie‐Pierre , Defachelles Anne‐Sophie , Faure‐Conter Cécile , Lejeune Julien , Klein Sébastien , Leverger Guy , Marie‐Cardine Aude , Oudot Caroline , Freycon Claire , Proust Stéphanie , Roumy Marianne , Thebaud Estelle , Verite Cécile , Lacour Brigitte , Orbach Daniel
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Very rare pediatric tumors (VRTs), defined by an annual incidence ≤2 per million inhabitants, represent a heterogeneous group of cancers. Due to their extremely low incidence, knowledge on these tumors is scant. Since 2012, the French Very Rare Tumors Committee (FRACTURE) database has recorded clinical data about VRTs in France. This study aims: (a) to describe the tumors registered in the FRACTURE database; and (b) to compare these data with those registered in the French National Registry of Childhood Cancer (RNCE).

Methods

Data recorded in the FRACTURE database between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2018 were analyzed. In addition, these data were compared with those of the RNCE database between 2012 and 2015 to evaluate the completeness of the documentation and understand any discrepancies.

Results

A total of 477 patients with VRTs were registered in the FRACTURE database, representing 97 histological types. Of the 14 most common tumors registered in the RNCE (772 patients), only 19% were also registered in the FRACTURE database. Total 39% of children and adolescent VRTs registered in the RNCE and/or FRACTURE database (323 of a total of 828 patients) were not treated in or linked to a specialized pediatric oncology unit.

Conclusion

VRTs represent many different heterogenous entities, which nevertheless account for 10% of all pediatric cancers diagnosed each year. Sustainability in the collection of these rare tumor cases is therefore important, and a regular systematic collaboration between the FRACTURE database and the RNCE register helps to provide a more exhaustive picture of these VRTs and allow research completeness for some peculiar groups of patients.
Advancing autism technology
Authors: deLeyer‐Tiarks Johanna M. , Li Michael G. , Levine‐Schmitt Michelle , Andrade Bryndis , Bray Melissa A. , Peters Emily
Published: September 2022

The purpose of this review is to broadly identify technological advances in supports and evaluation for individuals on the autism spectrum. Literature review with commentary on the evolving technologies supporting and/or evaluating social‐emotional, behavioral, academic, and cognitive domains. There has been an increasing synthesis of technology within the education domain. A growing body of research has investigated the potentiality and efficacy of technological interventions, specifically in the area of support for individuals on the autism spectrum. This growth must also factor in sustainability and feasibility to be practical within the school setting. Continued research is also necessary to ensure the equity of technology supporting individuals on the autism spectrum.
Uncovering and controlling the ESIPT behavior for 2,2‐dipicolylamino substituted 2‐(2′‐hydroxybenzofuranyl) benzoxazole: Solvent polarity
Authors: Zhao Jinfeng , Fan Liming , Feng Lu , Jin Bing , Zhao Shutao
Published: September 2022

In view of potential applications of fluorescent probe for the novel 2,2‐dipicolylamino substituted 2‐(2′‐hydroxybenzofuranyl) benzoxazole (HBBODipic) dye, herein, we mainly focus on exploring effect of solvent polarity on ESIPT behavior for HBBODipoc. First, we compare the dominating atomic charge distribution, geometric parameters, and infrared (IR) vibrational behaviors of HBBODipic, and we confirm that intramolecular hydrogen bond O–H···N could be strengthened in S1 state and nonpolar solvents are more conducive to the strengthening of hydrogen bonds. Via studying frontier molecular orbitals (MOs), we clarify that intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) occurs in excited molecule and charge redistribution facilitates ESIPT for HBBODipoc. In particular, nonpolar solvent is more propitious to ESIPT process of HBBODipic. Finally, we calculate and compare the potential energy curve of HBBODipic in solvent with different polarities. We present that the ESIPT process of HBBODipic could be regulated by solvent polarity; that is, nonpolar solvents are more favorable for ESIPT reaction for HBBODipic flurophore.
Host and viral proteins involved in SARS‐CoV‐2 infection differentially bind heme
Authors: Hopp Marie‐T. , Rathod Dhruv C. , Imhof Diana
Published: September 2022

In most severe cases, SARS‐CoV‐2‐induced autoimmune reactions have been associated with hemolytic complications. Hemolysis‐derived heme from ruptured red blood cells has been shown to trigger a variety of fatal proinflammatory and procoagulant effects, which might deteriorate the progression of COVID‐19. In addition, the virus itself can induce proinflammatory signals via the accessory protein 7a. Direct heme binding to the SARS‐CoV‐2 protein 7a ectodomain and other COVID‐19‐related proteins has been suggested earlier. Here, we report the experimental analysis of heme binding to the viral proteins spike glycoprotein, protein 7a as well as the host protein ACE2. Thus, protein 7a chemical synthesis was established, including an in‐depth analysis of the three different disulfide‐bonded isomers. Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy and in silico studies confirm a transient, biphasic binding behavior, and heme‐binding affinities in the nano‐ to low micromolar range. These results confirm the presence of the earlier identified heme‐binding motifs and emphasize the relevance for consideration of labile heme in preexisting or SARS‐CoV‐2‐induced hemolytic conditions in COVID‐19 patients.
Automatic terminal guidance for small fixed‐wing unmanned aerial vehicles
Authors: Yang Yachao , Li Jie , Liu Chang , Yang Yu , Li Juan , Wang Zhenbei , Wu Xueyong , Fu Lei , Xu Xiao
Published: September 2022

The research presented in this article focuses on expanding and deepening the prior research of a low‐cost terminal guidance system in a previous paper entitled “Design, implementation and verification of a low‐cost terminal guidance system for small fixed‐wing UAVs.” An automatic terminal guidance workflow is specially designed for an individual in a small fixed‐wing unmanned aerial vehicle (SUAV) swarm. The extended work around the proposed workflow primarily involves upgrading onboard hardware modules to improve sensor accuracy and environmental adaptability, the imaging performance of the seeker, as well as the computational capability of the image processor, applying object detection to replace the human‐in‐the‐loop function and adopting the integral proportional guidance law in the vertical direction to reduce the required overload and obtain a larger impact angle. Furthermore, we conducted several field tests on two types of SUAV against a stationary target on the ground in a field scenario. The experiments have generated valuable onboard image data and SUAV status information, all of which are aligned in the time domain. The only remaining data sets that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author. Our study into automatic terminal guidance has yielded a solution of the automatic strap‐down monocular terminal guidance problem of individual SUAVs. The field trials of a single SUAV demonstrate the robustness and efficiency of the proposed automatic terminal guidance methodology and lays a foundation for the future SUAVs' cooperative attack test.
Molecular Crowding Electrolytes for Stable Proton Batteries
Authors: Wu Sicheng , Chen Junbo , Su Zhen , Guo Haocheng , Zhao Tingwen , Jia Chen , Stansby Jennifer , Tang Jiaqi , Rawal Aditya , Fang Yu , Ho Junming , Zhao Chuan
Published: September 2022

Proton electrochemistry is promising for developing post‐lithium energy storage devices with high capacity and rate capability. However, some electrode materials are vulnerable because of the co‐intercalation of free water molecules in traditional acid electrolytes, resulting in rapid capacity fading. Here, the authors report a molecular crowding electrolyte with the usage of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as a crowding agent, achieving fast and stable electrochemical proton storage and expanded working potential window (3.2 V). Spectroscopic characterisations reveal the formation of hydrogen bonds between water and PEG molecules, which is beneficial for confining the activity of water molecules. Molecular dynamics simulations confirm a significant decrease of free water fraction in the molecular crowding electrolyte. Dynamic structural evolution of the MoO3 anode is studied by in‐situ synchrotron X‐ray diffraction (XRD), revealing a reversible multi‐step naked proton (de)intercalation mechanism. Surficial adsorption of PEG molecules on MoO3 anode works in synergy to alleviate the destructive effect of concurrent water desolvation, thereby achieving enhanced cycling stability. This strategy offers possibilities of practical applications of proton electrochemistry thanks to the low‐cost and eco‐friendly nature of PEG additives.
Improvement of Open‐Circuit Voltage Deficit via Pre‐Treated NH4+ Ion Modification of Interface between SnO2 and Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Kim Jihyun , Park Joonho , Kim Yong‐Hoon , Jo William
Published: September 2022

Passivation is a popular method to increase power conversion efficiency (PCE), reduce hysteresis related to surface traps and defects, and adjust mismatched energy levels. In this paper, an approach is reported using ammonium chloride (AC) to enhance passivation effects by controlling chlorine (Cl) and ammonium ions (NH4+) on the front and back side of tin oxides (SnO2). AC pre‐treatment is applied to indium tin‐oxide (ITO) prior to SnO2 deposition to advance the passivation approaches and compare the completely separated NH4+ and Cl passivation effects, and sole NH4+ is successfully isolated on the SnO2 surface, the counterpart of AC‐post‐treatment, generating ammonia (NH3) and Cl. It is demonstrated that multifunctional healing effects of NH4+ are ascribed from AC‐pre‐treatment being the basis of SnO2 crystallization and adjusting bifacial interface energy levels at ITO/SnO2 and SnO2/perovskite to enhance photo‐carrier transport. As calculated by density functional theory, how the change of the passivation agent from Cl to NH4+ more effectively suppresses non‐radiative recombination ascribed to hydrated SnO2 surface defects is explained. Consequently, enhancement of photo‐carrier transport significantly improves a superior open‐circuit voltage of 1.180 V and suppresses the hysteresis, which leads to the PCE of 22.25% in an AC‐pre‐treated device 3.000% higher than AC‐post‐treated devices.
Switchable Tuning CO2 Hydrogenation Selectivity by Encapsulation of the Rh Nanoparticles While Exposing Single Atoms
Authors: Han Bing , Li Qinghe , Jiang Xunzhu , Guo Yalin , Jiang Qike , Su Yang , Li Lin , Qiao Botao
Published: September 2022

The switch of CO2 hydrogenation selectivity from CH4 to CO over TiO2 supported Rh catalysts is accomplished via selective encapsulation of Rh nanoparticles while exposing Rh single atoms by high‐temperature reduction (HTR) according to their different strong metal‐support interaction (SMSI) occurrence conditions, which can be reversed by subsequent oxidation treatment.