bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automated detection of mild cognitive impairment and dementia from voice recordings: A natural language processing approach
Authors: Amini Samad , Hao Boran , Zhang Lifu , Song Mengting , Gupta Aman , Karjadi Cody , Kolachalama Vijaya B. , Au Rhoda , Paschalidis Ioannis Ch.
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Automated computational assessment of neuropsychological tests would enable widespread, cost‐effective screening for dementia.

Methods

A novel natural language processing approach is developed and validated to identify different stages of dementia based on automated transcription of digital voice recordings of subjects’ neuropsychological tests conducted by the Framingham Heart Study (n = 1084). Transcribed sentences from the test were encoded into quantitative data and several models were trained and tested using these data and the participants’ demographic characteristics.

Results

Average area under the curve (AUC) on the held‐out test data reached 92.6%, 88.0%, and 74.4% for differentiating Normal cognition from Dementia, Normal or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) from Dementia, and Normal from MCI, respectively.

Discussion

The proposed approach offers a fully automated identification of MCI and dementia based on a recorded neuropsychological test, providing an opportunity to develop a remote screening tool that could be adapted easily to any language.
The effects of coloring therapy on patients with generalized anxiety disorder
Authors: Samuel Bosomtwe , Wang Hongmei , Shi Chengdong , Pan Yongliang , Yu Yuzi , Zhu Weiyu , Jing Zhou
Published: July 2022

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has harmful effects on physical and mental health and quality of life. Coloring therapy has been reported to have a positive effect on improving patient anxiety and depression. But there are no reported clinical trials examining their effectiveness as a treatment for GAD. This study was planned to evaluate the effectiveness of coloring therapy combined with conventional therapy in improving anxiety, depression, and positive and negative emotions with GAD. This randomized controlled study comprising 88 GAD patients was selected for intervention in different wards. The control group (n = 45) was given conventional antianxiety medication and physical therapy, and the experimental group (n = 43) received coloring therapy combined with conventional therapy. The Self‐Rating Depression Scale, Self‐Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Hamilton Depression Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), and Positive and Negative Affect Scale were assessed in both groups before and 3 weeks after the intervention. After the intervention, there were statistical differences in intra‐ and inter‐group comparisons of anxiety, depression, and positive and negative mood scales in the experimental and control groups (p < .05). The minus in anxiety/positive emotions pre‐ and postintervention in the experimental group was statistically significant compared to that in anxiety/positive emotions pre‐ and postintervention in the control group (HAMA: d = 1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] (0.34, 2.57), p = .011; SAS: d = 3.87, 95% CI (1.73,6.00), p = .001; positive: d = 1.76, 95% CI (0.17, 3.34), p = .030). The minus in depressive/negative emotions pre‐ and postintervention in the experimental group was not statistically significant compared with that in depressive/negative emotions pre‐ and postintervention in the control group (p > .05). For GAD patients, adding coloring therapy based on conventional drug therapy and physical therapy can not only reduce depression and negative emotions but also have better effects on reducing anxiety and improving positive emotions than conventional therapy.
Annual Development Performance of Fixed Honeybee Colonies Linked with Chemical and Mineral Profile of Bee Collected Pollen
Authors: Topal Erkan , Çakıcı Neslihan , Mărgăoan Rodica , Takma Çiğdem , Güney Fazıl , Kösoğlu Mustafa , Cornea‐Cipcigan Mihaiela , Atmaca Hilal
Published: July 2022

Climate change affects plant phenology and, as a result, can damage nectar and pollen sources, which are the basic needs of bees during flowering. This situation creates nutritional stress for bee colonies in the region. Changing climatic conditions, the use of agricultural lands adversely affects honeybees and beekeepers. The aim of this study is to determine the annual development performance of fixed honeybee colonies linked with the chemical and mineral profile of bee collected pollen. According to the research findings, in terms of colony development parameters, the number of bee frames (9.17) was found to be at the highest level in May, and in terms of brood area (4652.35 cm2) in April (P<0.05). March, April, and May are the most abundant months in terms of pollen collection of the colonies (P<0.05). The pollen samples collected are rich in potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, silicon, and iron. There are differences between months in terms of pollen sources and mineral levels. Especially in stationary beekeeping, additional feeding is required during critical periods. The existing flora is insufficient for the future of the honey bee. In periods when the flora is weak, important plants for the honey bee should be grown in the region.
Suicide assessment and consultation in school settings
Authors: Freda Lisa , Deihl Laura
Published: July 2022

Risk of suicide among youth is a daunting public health concern that requires collaborative and coordinated prevention and intervention efforts. In recent years, suicide has been the second leading cause of death among children and youth aged 10–24 years in the U.S., with death by suicide totaling nearly 20% of total deaths among this combined age group in 2019 (Heron, 2021). Rates of suicidal thoughts have also increased significantly, particularly among middle and high school students. Identifying youth who have suicidal thoughts but not behaviors is critical. We know that suicide attempts greatly increase the risk that a person will end their life.
Fathers are accused by family court when pregnant partners use substances
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: July 2022

A new study has found that, in some states, fathers lose their parental rights, and legal orphans are created, when fathers are accused of allowing their pregnant partners to use alcohol or drugs. The worst offenders in terms of numbers of cases are New York and Texas, according to the report, issued June 17 by National Advocates for Pregnant Women (NAPW). “Harming Fathers: How the Family Court System Forces Men to Regulate Pregnancy” analyzes and documents dozens of cases across the country in which men have been labeled as abusive or neglectful for not controlling the behavior of their partners during pregnancy. The first analysis of this kind, the report identifies 56 cases in 14 states where a prospective father's inability to stop a pregnant partner from using alcohol or drugs has constituted civil child abuse or neglect on his part.
Crop yield and estimated financial return from subsurface drip irrigation for corn, cotton, and peanut over the life of the system
Authors: Jordan David , Wells Randy , Washburn Derek , Barnes Steve , Corbett Tommy
Published: July 2022

Core Ideas

Subsurface drip irrigation increased corn, cotton, and peanut yield in some (not all) years.

Financial returns over the irrigation system's life did not differ from dryland production.

Subsurface irrigation supports economic viability some years but not over the system's life.
Pharmacokinetic and Safety Comparison of 2 Afatinib Dimaleate Tablets in Healthy Chinese Volunteers Under Fasted Conditions: A Randomized, Open‐Label, 2‐Period, Single‐Dose Crossover Study
Authors: Shi Ping , Jiang Xin , Tao Ye , Li Ting , Li Xin , Wang Chenjing , Liu Yanping , Ma Yaping , Gao Xiaomeng , Cao Yu
Published: July 2022

In this bioequivalence study, we aimed to evaluate the bioequivalence of test (T) and reference (R) afatinib dimaleate tablets in healthy Chinese subjects under fasted conditions. This was a randomized, open‐label, 2‐period, single‐dose, crossover study. A total of 60 healthy subjects were included in the study according to the screening criteria, and the subjects were randomly divided into the T/R and R/T groups. All subjects were administrated a single 40‐mg oral dose of the test or reference formulation, separated by a 14‐day washout period in the crossover manner. The pharmacokinetic parameters, including maximum concentration (Cmax), area under the concentration‐time curve (AUC) from time 0 to the last measurable concentration and AUC from time 0 to infinity were assessed for bioequivalence. The plasma concentrations of afatinib dimaleate were analyzed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. In addition, adverse events were monitored and recorded on the basis of patient interviews and physical examinations to assess the safety of the 2 formulations. There were 4 subjects who withdrew before the dosing of period 2. The 90%CIs of geometric mean ratios of Cmax, AUC from time 0 to the last measurable concentration, and AUC from time 0 to infinity were 95.9% to 104.1%, 98.8 % to 104.1%, and 98.9% to 104.0%, respectively, all of which were within the bioequivalence range of 80.0% to 125.0%. This randomized study demonstrated that the test formulation of afatinib was bioequivalent to the reference formulation in healthy Chinese subjects under fasted conditions. Both formulations were well tolerated, and no serious adverse events were observed during the study.
Retracted: Intrusion detection in cloud environment using hybrid genetic algorithm and back propagation neural network
Authors: S Manimurugan , P Manimegalai , Valsalan Prajoona , J Krishnadas , C Narmatha
Published: July 2022

S M, P M, Valsalan P, J K, C N. Intrusion detection in cloud environment using hybrid genetic algorithm and back propagation neural network, International Journal of Communication Systems 2020, (https://doi.org/10.1002/dac.4667). The above article published online on 09 November 2020 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the Editor and John Wiley and Sons Ltd. Following publication, it has come to our attention that the people named as the Guest Editors of the Special Issue were being impersonated by a fraudulent entity and the articles were not reviewed in line with the journal's peer review standards. The Editor has determined that the articles do not meet the required scholarly standards of the journal, and therefore has taken the decision to retract the article. We did not find any evidence of misconduct by the authors. The authors have been informed of the decision to retract.
Changes in hibernating tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus) roosting behavior in response to white‐nose syndrome
Authors: Loeb Susan C. , Winters Eric A.
Published: July 2022

Understanding animals' behavioral and physiological responses to pathogenic diseases is critical for management and conservation. One such disease, white‐nose syndrome (WNS), has greatly affected bat populations throughout eastern North America leading to significant population declines in several species. Although tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus) populations have experienced significant declines, little research has been conducted on their responses to the disease, particularly in the southeastern United States. Our objective was to document changes in tricolored bat roost site use after the appearance of WNS in a hibernaculum in the southeastern U.S. and relate these to microsite temperatures, ambient conditions, and population trends. We censused a tricolored bat hibernaculum in northwestern South Carolina, USA, once each year between February 26 and March 2, 2014–2021, and recorded species, section of the tunnel, distance from the entrance, and wall temperature next to each bat. The number of tricolored bats in the hibernaculum dropped by 90.3% during the first 3 years after the arrival of WNS. However, numbers stabilized and slightly increased from 2018 to 2021. Prior to the arrival of WNS, 95.6% of tricolored bats roosted in the back portion of the tunnel that was the warmest. After the arrival of WNS, we observed a significant increase in the proportion of bats using the front, colder portions of the tunnel, particularly during the period of population stabilization and increase. Roost temperatures of bats were also positively associated with February external temperatures. Our results suggest that greater use of the colder sections of the tunnel by tricolored bats could have led to increased survival due to slower growth rates of the fungus that causes WNS in colder temperatures or decreased energetic costs associated with colder hibernation temperatures. Thus, management actions that provide cold hibernacula may be an option for long‐term management of hibernacula, particularly in southern regions.
Warming shifts soil microbial communities and tropical tree seedling mortality
Authors: Liu Yu , He Fangliang
Published: July 2022

Plant–soil feedback (PSF), regulated by both mycorrhizae and soil‐borne pathogens, is a primary mechanism maintaining high tree species diversity in the tropics. But how warming actually affects PSF is not well understood. We conducted a field warming experiment to test PSF on seedling mortality of two tree species: a rhizobia‐associated tree (Ormosia semicastrata, Fabaceae) suffering from host‐specific soil‐borne pathogens and an ectomycorrhizal fungi‐associated tree (Cyclobalanopsis patelliormis, Fagaceae) with low susceptibility to soil‐borne pathogens. Soil fungi from the warming versus control seedling plots were identified by molecular sequencing. Results showed that the elevated temperature lowered seedling mortality of O. semicastrata, but had no effect on C. patelliormis seedlings. This indicates that warming weakened the negative PSF on O. semicastrata, presumably due to the observed decrease of the relative abundance of plant‐pathogenic fungi and increase of ectomycorrhizal fungi but did not affect the PSF on C. patelliormis. The differential warming effects on seedling mortality of species with different microbial associations affords an example showcasing how the change in soil‐borne microbes in response to global warming would, in turn, through PSF, alter tropical tree species composition and diversity. This study helps shed mechanistic light on the debate of biodiversity change as driven by climate change.
Environmental DNA dynamics during embryonic development in the rare minnow Gobiocypris rarus
Authors: Shu Lu , Peng Zuogang
Published: July 2022

Understanding environmental DNA (eDNA) dynamics in the major developmental stages of fish species is fundamental for developing eDNA methods to aid conservation and management of fish species and/or populations. In this study, we used the model fish species, the rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus), to assess the temporal changes of its mitochondrial and nuclear eDNA concentrations during its embryonic development in a culture dish experiment. Mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cytb) and nuclear internal transcribed spacer‐1 (ITS1), considered as representative DNA fragments, were amplified by quantitative PCR (qPCR). In this embryo culture trial, spikes in mitochondrial (mt‐) and nuclear (nu‐) eDNA concentrations were found just after egg fertilization and after embryo hatching, and a modest but positive relationship was found between the eDNA concentration and the number of hatched individuals, illustrating eDNA may be used to monitor the spawning and hatching events of externally fertilizing fishes. These findings provided basic information on eDNA dynamics during fish embryonic development and a new insight to design eDNA methods to monitor early developmental stages of fish species.
Brentuxinmab vedotin, alone or combine with bendamustine in the treatment of natural killer T cell lymphoma
Authors: Zhang Ping , Shi Cunzhen , Song Yue , Li Zhaoming , Zhang Mingzhi , Jin Mengyuan
Published: July 2022

Natural killer (NK)/T cell lymphoma is a highly aggressive subtype of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma. The prognosis of patients with natural killer T cell lymphoma (NKTCL) remains poor. More potent treatment strategies are urgently needed to improve the survival of these patients with R/R NKTCL. CD30 expression has been reported to occur in about 40% of NK/T cell lymphoma. Brentuximab vedotin (BV), a monomethyl auristatin E conjugated CD30 antibody, targets CD30 to kill cancer cells. Therapeutic combination of BV and bendamustine has been shown to be highly effective in Hodgkin lymphoma. We investigated efficacy of BV in treating NKTCL as a single therapy, and in combination with bendamustine in vitro and in vivo. We determined CD30 expression levels in 6 NKTCL cell lines. The efficiency of lymphoma cell inhibition by BV correlates with CD30 expression. We also determined the efficacy of BV in combination with bendamustine and found synergistic effects with bendamustine in NKTCL. Combined BV and bendamustine treatment exerted synergistic antiproliferation effect and enhanced cell apoptotic in vitro and in vivo. Brentuximab vedotin and bendamustine synergistically arrested cell cycle at the G2/M phase in NKTCL cell lines. The combination of BV and bendamustine was demonstrated to synergistically damage DNA in NKTCL. This study provides a reference for possible application on using BV for the treatment of NKTCL, either as a single agent or in combination with bendamustine.
Quality improvement initiative to address bed shortage in the maternity ward at the National Referral Hospital
Authors: Tshering Sangay , Dorj Namkha , Monger Renuka , Sonam Sonam , Koirala Nirmala
Published: July 2022

Background and Aims

The shortage of beds at the maternity ward is ever increasing with an increasing trend in total birth and cesarean section deliveries thereby increasing the daily number of obstetric patients awaiting admission. This quality improvement (QI) project was conducted to mitigate the problem of bed shortage by implementing modified enhanced recovery after surgery in low‐risk cesarean section mothers. We aimed to increase the process measure of second day postoperative discharge in low‐risk cesarean section mothers admitted in the maternity ward from 0% to 25% over 2 months period. Simultaneously, the outcome measure of daily number of obstetric patients awaiting admission was assessed.

Methods

The study was conducted at the maternity ward, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, Thimphu Bhutan. Fishbone analysis was used to analyze problems leading to delayed discharge. Interventions were discussed, implemented, and reviewed using Plan, Do, Study, and Act (PDSA) cycle over 8 week period from June 1 to July 31, 2021. Data were collected using the EXCEL sheet and analyzed using STATA 13. Process and outcome measures during the pre and postintervention period were analyzed. Descriptive statistics were used to express the results. Wilcoxon Signed‐Rank test was used to determine the statistical significance at p < 0.05.

Results

The postintervention second day postoperative discharge increased to a median value of 65.5% (interquartile range [IQR]: 45–80) compared to the preintervention value of zero. The number of daily waiting obstetric patients decreased from the preintervention median value of 6.0 (IQR: 0–7) to the postintervention median value of 1.0 (IQR: 0–2) which was statistically significant at p = 0.0001.

Conclusion

QI initiative can address bed shortages by increasing the early postoperative discharge, thereby reducing the number of obstetric patients awaiting admissions. The outcome of this QI initiative can be used to provide evidence to modify the existing Standard Operating Procedures in our setup.
Heat transfer enhancement and entropy generation minimization using CNTs suspended nanofluid upon a convectively warmed moving wedge: An optimal case study
Authors: Berrehal Hamza , Suriya Uma Devi S. , Prakash M. , Sowmya G. , Maougal Abdelaziz
Published: July 2022

This paper aims to examine the effects of singleand multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanoparticles on heat transfer enhancement and inherent irreversibility in the boundary layer of water base nanoliquid flow over a convectively heated moving wedge with thermal radiation. Manipulation of the angle positioning towards the flow stream provides the opportunity for comparing physical aspects in the flow states, where three main geometries of the well‐known Falkner–Skan problem include: (i) the flat plat (named Blasius flow), (ii) the wedge, and (iii) the vertical plate (named Hiemenz stagnation flow) have been considered to present a comprehensive development of this significant problem. Applying suitable similarity constraints, the model partial differential equations are transformed into a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. Solutions are obtained analytically via optimal homotopy asymptotic method and numerically via shooting technique coupled with the Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg fourth–fifth scheme. The impacts of solid volume fraction of carbon nanoparticles along with other germane factors, such as wedge angle, velocity ratio parameter, Biot number, thermal radiation, and so forth on velocity and thermal profiles, Nusselt number, heat transfer enhancement, rate of entropy generation, and irreversibility ratio, are scrutinized via graphical simulations and discussed. Optimization of such entropy developments in the system was found to depend on geometrical (β), dynamical (λ), and thermophysical (Bi, NR, Ec, φ) parameters. The ultimate objective of reducing the energy loss and enhancing heat transference was obtained with the geometrical manipulation of a flat plate case (β = 0). Dynamically (λ = 1) were spotted to exert the best fluidity irrespective of obstacle shapes (wedge or plate) in its way. In thermophysical aspects, reducing the convective heating develops a favorable situation for attaining the optimal balance between energy loss and heat transfer. SWCNT/water could be the better choice with enhanced thermal transference ability and exerts minimal irreversibility to overshadow the influences of all the above‐mentioned factors. The SWCNT suspended nanofluid can provide 12%–64% heat transfer enhancement when compared with the multiwalled CNT nanofluid which ranges from over 11% to 58% heat transference rate.
Mechanical and numerical investigations of biodegradable magnesium alloy screws for fracture treatment
Authors: Söntgen Sabrina , Keilig Ludger , Kabir Koroush , Weber Anna , Reimann Susanne , Welle Kristian , Bourauel Christoph
Published: July 2022

Small fracture treatment includes the use of so‐called “Herbert screws”. In the past years, novel resorbable materials were introduced as an alternative to the classical titanium implants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of ongoing resorption/corrosion processes on the mechanical stability screws made from the magnesium alloy MgYREZr®. Our samples consisted of two partly resorbed screws, explanted due to medical reasons after 6 and 12 weeks, respectively, and five unused reference screws. We performed three‐point bending tests to determine the stability of all screws. Additionally, with FE‐models of the screws based on μCT‐scans, we investigated whether any differences in the bending behavior of the screws can be attributed to the reduction of the material volume due to resorption alone. Both partly resorbed screws failed at a lower force than the reference screws (178.6 ± 5.5 N for the reference screws, 72.5 N and 74.5 N for the screw explanted after 6 and 12 weeks, respectively). FE simulations performed with the three different geometries and original material parameters (Young's modulus Enew = 45 GPa, yield limit σnew = 235 MPa) showed that the early fracture could not be attributed to the changed geometry alone. Material parameters for the partly resorbed screws were determined by fitting the numerical to the experimental force‐displacement curves (E6week = 15 GPa, σ6week = 135 MPa and E12week = 8 GPa, σ12week = 135 MPa, respectively). Our results showed that both geometry of the screws and different material properties contribute to the overall stability. Understanding and controlling these two factors throughout the resorption process could enhance treatment options.
Imidazole and nitroimidazole derivatives as NADH‐fumarate reductase inhibitors: Density functional theory studies, homology modeling, and molecular docking
Authors: Campos‐Fernández Linda , Ortiz‐Muñiz Rocío , Cortés‐Barberena Edith , Mares‐Sámano Sergio , Garduño‐Juárez Ramón , Soriano‐Correa Catalina
Published: July 2022

Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. Benznidazole and nifurtimox are drugs used for its therapy; nevertheless, they have collateral effects. NADH‐fumarate (FUM) reductase is a potential pharmacological target since it is essential for survival of parasite and is not found in humans. The objectives are to design and characterize the electronic structure of imidazole and nitroimidazole derivatives at DFT‐M06‐2X level in aqueous solution; also, to model the NADH‐FUM reductase and analyze its intermolecular interactions by molecular docking. Quantum‐chemical descriptors allowed to select the molecules with the best physicochemical properties and lowest toxicity. A high‐quality three‐dimensional structure of NADH‐FUM reductase was obtained by homology modeling. Water molecules do not have influence in the interaction between FUM and NADH‐FUM reductase. The main hydrogen‐binding interactions for FUM were identified in NADH, Lys172, and Arg89; while hydrophobic interactions in Phe479, Thr174, Met63. The molecules S3‐8, S2‐8, and S1‐8 could be inhibitors of NADH‐FUM reductase.
Morpho‐anatomical characters of family Oscillatoriaceae (algae) identified using primitive (LM) and advance technique (SEM) from Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Ullah Nadeem , Jaffer Mehwish , Rehman Shafiqur , Ain Quratul , Shaheen Shabnum
Published: July 2022

In this study, 34 species belonging to the class Nostocophyceae order Nostocales and family Oscillatoriaceae were identified based on light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All species belong to nine genera of which two species belong to Arthrospira, six species to Lyngbya, ten species belongs to Oscillatoria, six species belong to Spirulina, seven species to Phormidium, three species to Microcoleus. The morpho‐anatomical characters were identified among different species using LM and SEM. These studies highlighted that north‐eastern area of Punjab was blessed with the diversity of algae. These outcomes also indicated that for internal examination along with LM, SEM was necessary for correct identification of algal sample up to specie level.

Research Highlights

The different Oscillatoria species abundance in waste‐water of four different areas.

The sampling was carried out randomly in different seasons from the water bodies especially from waste‐water.

The morpho‐anatomical characters were recognized using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Thirty‐four species belonging to the class Nostocophyceae order Nostocales and family Oscillatoriaceae were identified based on LM and SEM.
Total synthesis of a reversed cyclopurpuracin using a combination of solid and solution phase methods
Authors: Yayat Hasna Noer Agus , Maharani Rani , Hidayat Ace Tatang , Wiani Ika , Zainuddin Achmad , Mayanti Tri , Nurlelasari  , Harneti Desi , Supratman Unang
Published: July 2022

Cyclopurpuracin is a cyclooctapeptide isolated from the methanol extract of Annona purpurea seeds with the following sequence cyclo‐Gly‐Phe‐Ile‐Gly‐Ser‐Pro‐Val‐Pro residue. In this study, a reversed cyclopurpuracin, namely cyclo‐Pro‐Val‐Pro‐Ser‐Gly‐Ile‐Phe‐Gly, was successfully synthesized using a combination of solid and solution phase synthesis methods. The precursor was head‐to‐tail cyclized using 1.25 mM in DCM with 3 eq. HBTU and 1% v/v DIPEA. The final product was obtained (3.8 mg) with an overall yield of 7.4%. The synthetic products were characterized by HR‐ToF‐MS, 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, and 2D NMR, showing different NMR profiles. The presence of the conformation was confirmed by providing additional signals in the 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectrum and the correlation peaks shown by 2D NMR. The presence of the cis conformer in conformer B was proven by the chemical shifts of Ser6 Cβ, Pro7 Cβ, and Pro8 Cβ in conformer B, which were more upfield than the conformer A chemical shifts, and the presence of NOE correlation between Hα/Hα of Val7 and Pro8. The NMR of the reversed cyclopurpuracin revealed the presence of two conformers, conformer A (cyclo‐[trans‐Pro‐Val‐trans‐Pro‐Ser‐Gly‐Ile‐Phe‐Gly]) and conformer B (cyclo‐[cis‐Pro‐Val‐trans‐Pro‐Ser‐Gly‐Ile‐Phe‐Gly]). The presence of dual conformers has not been observed in the NMR spectra of natural cyclopurpuracin.
Efficient synthesis and biological evaluation of some new series of pyridine derivatives: Promising and potent new class of anticancer agents
Authors: Abbas Hebat‐Allah S. , Abo Zeina Esraa A. , Radwan Hayam A. , Shati Ali A. , Alfaifi Mohammad Y. , Elbehairi Serag Eldin I.
Published: July 2022

In an attempt to develop potent anticancer agents, we have synthesized some substituted pyridine derivatives. Alkylation of the pyridine‐3‐carbonitrile 1a by chloroacetonitrile or methyl iodide and ethyl iodide produced the O‐alkylated nicotinonitrile derivatives (2–4), respectively. The reaction of nicotinonitrile 1a with acetic anhydride furnished the N‐acetyl derivative 5. In addition, the reaction of 1a with concentrated sulfuric acid yielded compound 6 whereas its reaction with chloroacetone gave the corresponding 2‐alkoxy‐pyridine derivative 7 which then refluxed with sodium methoxide to give compound 8. Furthermore, alkylation of 1a‐c with methyl bromoacetate and ethyl bromoacetate produced the corresponding methyl, ethyl ester derivatives 9, 10a–c, respectively. The reaction of ethyl ester 10c with a solution of sodium hydroxide in ethanol afforded the corresponding acid derivative 11. Hydrazinolysis was carried out by the reaction of ethyl ester 10a,c with hydrazine hydrate to afford the desired acetohydrazide derivative 12a,c which was used as a key intermediate for the synthesis of substituted pyridine derivatives 13–19. Chlorination of 1a with phosphorus oxychloride afforded the 2‐chloro derivative 20 which react with excess of hydrazine hydrate to yield compound 21. All synthesized compounds were characterized using IR, NMR, mass spectra, and elemental analysis. Their cytotoxic activity was evaluated against three different cancer cell lines, including breast (MCF‐7), colon (HCT‐116), and ovarian (SKOV3) cancers as well as human normal cells EA.hy 926 (human endothelial somatic cell hybrid). In general, compounds 3, 4, 5, 9, 12a, 12b, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21 exhibited high cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines. Besides that, the large number of synthesized compounds exhibited moderate anticancer activities.
Altered MRI Diffusion Properties of the White Matter Tracts Connecting Frontal and Thalamic Brain Regions in First‐Episode, Drug‐Naïve Patients With Postpartum Depression
Authors: Long Xipeng , Zhou Yushan , Zhang Feifei , Li Fei , Wang Xiuli , Meng Yajing , Roberts Neil , Cheng Bochao , Jia Zhiyun
Published: July 2022

Background

Although progress has been made in exploring postpartum depression (PPD), the involvement of cerebral structure connectivity in PPD patients keeps unclear.

Purpose

To explore structural connectivity alternations in mothers with PPD, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and automated fiber quantification (AFQ) were used to calculate brain white matter microstructure properties.

Study Type

Cross‐sectional.

Population

A total of 51 women with first‐episode, treatment‐näive PPD, and 49 matched healthy postpartum women (HPW) controls.

Field Strength

A 3.0 T; single‐shot echo‐planar imaging sequence.

Assessment

DTI measurements of fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD), radial diffusivity (RD) and mean diffusivity (MD) were obtained for 18 specific white matter tracts. The relationship between PDD symptoms, hormone levels, and postpartum days was also investigated.

Statistical Tests

Two sample t test and Pearson's correlation analysis. The analysis was performed by using a permutation‐based multiple‐comparison correction approach, with the threshold of P < 0.05 (family wise error corrected [FWE‐corrected]) separately across the four different outcome measures.

Results

Women with PPD showed significantly increased FA and AD in right anterior thalamic radiation (ATR) tract and significantly increased FA and significantly reduced RD in the cingulum tract, compared to women without PPD. The RD values of right cingulum were significantly positively correlated with postpartum days in HPW (r = 0.39). There were no significant relationships between brain measures and hormone levels in either patients or controls.

Data Conclusions

DTI measures have revealed altered integrity in the white matter of the cortical‐thalamic circuits in women with PPD compared to HPW. Damage to these circuits may be a structural basis for the impaired emotional regulation and blunted mother–infant bonding in mothers with PPD and a potential target for the development of new treatments.

Evidence Level

2

Technical Efficacy

Stage 3
Long‐term variations of clouds and precipitation on the Tibetan Plateau and its subregions, and the associated mechanisms
Authors: Tang Jie , Guo Xueliang , Chang Yi , Lu Guangxian , Qi Peng
Published: July 2022

The changes in clouds and precipitation are essential to understand the variation of water cycle under a changing climate and have not been well investigated on the Tibetan Plateau (TP). In this study, the long‐term variations and the associated mechanisms of total cloud amount (TC), low cloud amount (LC), the number of precipitation days (PN) and precipitation amount (PA), as well as the number of snow cover days (SN) and mean snow depth (SD) on the TP and its subregions of northeast (NE), central south (SC) and southeast (SE) are investigated with observational data in 1979–2016. The results indicate that TC has an overall decreasing trend, while LC has a significant increasing trend on the whole TP. PA in the NE has a significant increasing trend, and that in the SE has an insignificant decreasing trend. Light precipitation events tend to decrease and heavy precipitation events tend to increase. SN and SD have significant interannual decreasing trends. It is found that the atmospheric thermodynamic condition on the TP tends to become stable under a warming climate. The northward shifting of the westerly winds in association with the Hadley cell expanding in cold seasons and the strengthening South Asian high and the South Asian monsoon in warm seasons should be directly responsible for the generally decreasing trends in TC and related precipitation events on the south TP, and the increasing trends in LC and associated warm precipitation on the whole TP.
Meta‐analyzing individual participant data from studies with complex survey designs: A tutorial on using the two‐stage approach for data from educational large‐scale assessments
Authors: Brunner Martin , Keller Lena , Stallasch Sophie E. , Kretschmann Julia , Hasl Andrea , Preckel Franzis , Lüdtke Oliver , Hedges Larry V.
Published: July 2022

Descriptive analyses of socially important or theoretically interesting phenomena and trends are a vital component of research in the behavioral, social, economic, and health sciences. Such analyses yield reliable results when using representative individual participant data (IPD) from studies with complex survey designs, including educational large‐scale assessments (ELSAs) or social, health, and economic survey and panel studies. The meta‐analytic integration of these results offers unique and novel research opportunities to provide strong empirical evidence of the consistency and generalizability of important phenomena and trends. Using ELSAs as an example, this tutorial offers methodological guidance on how to use the two‐stage approach to IPD meta‐analysis to account for the statistical challenges of complex survey designs (e.g., sampling weights, clustered and missing IPD), first, to conduct descriptive analyses (Stage 1), and second, to integrate results with three‐level meta‐analytic and meta‐regression models to take into account dependencies among effect sizes (Stage 2). The two‐stage approach is illustrated with IPD on reading achievement from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). We demonstrate how to analyze and integrate standardized mean differences (e.g., gender differences), correlations (e.g., with students' socioeconomic status [SES]), and interactions between individual characteristics at the participant level (e.g., the interaction between gender and SES) across several PISA cycles. All the datafiles and R scripts we used are available online. Because complex social, health, or economic survey and panel studies share many methodological features with ELSAs, the guidance offered in this tutorial is also helpful for synthesizing research evidence from these studies.
Surgeon Thyroidectomy Case Volume Impacts Disease‐free Survival in the Management of Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Eskander Antoine , Noel Christopher W. , Griffiths Rebecca , Pasternak Jesse D. , Higgins Kevin , Urbach David , Goldstein David P. , Irish Jonathan C. , Fu Rui
Published: July 2022

Objectives

To assess the association between surgeons thyroidectomy case volume and disease‐free survival (DFS) for patients with well‐differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC). A secondary objective was to assess a surgeon volume cutoff to optimize outcomes in those with WDTC. We hypothesized that surgeon volume will be an important predictor of DFS in patients with WDTC after adjusting for hospital volume and sociodemographic and clinical factors.

Methods

In this retrospective population‐based cohort study, we identified WDTC patients in Ontario, Canada, who underwent thyroidectomy confirmed by both hospital‐level and surgeon‐level administrative data between 1993 and 2017 (N = 37,233). Surgeon and hospital volumes were calculated based on number of cases performed in the year prior by the physician and at an institution performing each case, respectively and divided into quartiles. A multilevel hierarchical Cox regression model was used to estimate the effect of volume on DFS.

Results

A crude model without patient or treatment characteristics demonstrated that both higher surgeon volume quartiles (p < 0.001) and higher hospital volume quartiles (p < 0.001) were associated with DFS. After controlling for clustering and patient/treatment covariates and hospital volume, moderately low (18–39/year) and low (0–17/year) volume surgeons (hazard ratios [HR]: 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09–1.39 and HR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.17–1.53 respectively) remained an independent statistically significant negative predictor of DFS.

Conclusion

Both high‐volume surgeons and hospitals are predictors of better DFS in patients with WDTC. DFS is higher among surgeons performing more than 40 thyroidectomies a year.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 133:S1–S15, 2023
Lubrication characteristic of tooth surface on arc tooth cylindrical gears
Authors: Mo Shuai , Luo Bingrui , Dang Heyu , Zhang Yingxin , Cen Guojian , Huang Yunsheng
Published: July 2022

This article studies the lubrication state of the arc tooth cylindrical gears during injection lubrication. The mathematical model of arc tooth cylindrical gears are established based on meshing principle. The lubrication characteristics of arc tooth cylindrical gears under different injection methods and conditions are analysed by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. The variation law of oil volume fraction in the gear‐meshing zone is obtained. Comparing the two oil jet methods in into mesh lubrication, when the ratio of the pitch line velocity to the injection velocity is less than 1.5 times, the best lubrication is gained through the concave surface injection method, when the ratio of the pitch line velocity to the injection velocity is more than 1.5 times, the best lubrication is gained through the convex surface injection method. It shows that the tooth shape has significant influence on lubrication when the lubricating oil is injected.
On geometric interpretations of split quaternions
Authors: Öztürk İskender , Özdemir Mustafa
Published: July 2022

Quaternions are an important tool that provides a convenient and effective mathematical method for representing reflections and rotations in three‐dimensional space. A unit timelike split quaternion represents a rotation in the Lorentzian space. In this paper, we give some geometric interpretations of split quaternions for lines and planes in the Minkowski 3‐space with the help of mutual pseudo orthogonal planes. We classified mutual planes with respect to the casual character of the normals of the plane as follows; if the normal is timelike, then the mutual plane is isomorphic to the complex plane; if the normal is spacelike, then the plane is isomorphic to the hyperbolic number plane (Lorentzian plane); if the normal is lightlike, then the plane is isomorphic to the dual number plane (Galilean plane).
Global uniqueness in an inverse problem for a class of damped stochastic plate equations
Authors: Yu Yongyi , Zhao Qingmei
Published: July 2022

This paper deals with the global uniqueness of an inverse problem for stochastic plate equations with structural damping. The key point is the Carleman estimate for the fourth‐order stochastic plate operators
. For this aim, a weighted pointwise identity for a fourth‐order stochastic plate operator is established, via which we obtained the desired Carleman estimate for the corresponding stochastic plate equation with structural damping.
Heterophyllin B an Active Cyclopeptide Alleviates Dextran Sulfate Sodium‐Induced Colitis by Modulating Gut Microbiota and Repairing Intestinal Mucosal Barrier via AMPK Activation
Authors: Chen Ce , Liang Han , Wang Jiaoyang , Ren Guoqing , Li Renshi , Cui Zheng‐Guo , Zhang Chaofeng
Published: July 2022

Scope

Advances in pathology broaden the perception of the intimate interaction between gut microbiota dysbiosis and the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC), but the potential modulating roles remain to be elucidated.

Methods and results

DSS‐induced colitis is used to investigate the effect of Heterophyllin B (HB), a typical active cyclopeptide extracted from Pseudostellaria heterophylla, on colitis and gut microbiota. Administration of HB substantially mitigates the symptoms of UC as evidenced by increasing body weight and colon length, as well as decreased macrophages infiltration in the colon. Meanwhile, HB significantly alleviates intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction by reducing the production of inflammatory cytokines, while all the mentioned beneficial effects are significantly eliminated by co‐treatment with compound C, a selective AMPK inhibitor. In addition, 16S rDNA gene analyses and fecal microbiota transplantation also reveal that HB dramatically prevents against UC by reshaping intestinal dysbiosis, especially elevates the relative abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila.

Conclusion

These findings illustrate that HB prominently improves intestinal epithelial homeostasis via activating AMPK and ameliorates the colonic inflammation in a gut microbiota‐dependent manner, which provide evidence for microbial contribution to UC pathogenesis and suggesting a novel approach for colitis prevention.
Improving MR cell size imaging by inclusion of transcytolemmal water exchange
Authors: Jiang Xiaoyu , Devan Sean P. , Xie Jingping , Gore John C. , Xu Junzhong
Published: July 2022

The goal of the current study is to include transcytolemmal water exchange in MR cell size imaging using the IMPULSED model for more accurate characterization of tissue cellular properties (e.g., apparent volume fraction of intracellular space
) and quantification of indicators of transcytolemmal water exchange. We propose a heuristic model that incorporates transcytolemmal water exchange into a multicompartment diffusion‐based method (IMPULSED) that was developed previously to extract microstructural parameters (e.g., mean cell size
and apparent volume fraction of intracellular space
) assuming no water exchange. For
≤ 5 ms, the water exchange can be ignored, and the signal model is the same as the IMPULSED model. For
≥ 30 ms, we incorporated the modified Kärger model that includes both restricted diffusion and exchange between compartments. Using simulations and previously published in vitro cell data, we evaluated the accuracy and precision of model‐derived parameters and determined how they are dependent on SNR and imaging parameters. The joint model provides more accurate
values for cell sizes ranging from 10 to 12 microns when water exchange is fast (e.g., intracellular water pre‐exchange lifetime
≤ 100 ms) than IMPULSED, and reduces the bias of IMPULSED‐derived estimates of
, especially when water exchange is relatively slow (e.g.,
> 200 ms). Indicators of transcytolemmal water exchange derived from the proposed joint model are linearly correlated with ground truth
values and can detect changes in cell membrane permeability induced by saponin treatment in murine erythroleukemia cancer cells. Our results suggest this joint model not only improves the accuracy of IMPULSED‐derived microstructural parameters, but also provides indicators of water exchange that are usually ignored in diffusion models of tissues.
Net‐based thermal‐fluid model and hybrid optimization of cooling channels
Authors: Liu Jun , Li Renfu , Wang Kun , Zheng Jianguo
Published: July 2022

This study aims to propose a hybrid optimization method for cooling channels based on the improved net‐based thermal‐fluid model. The channel topology was optimized through the genetic algorithm (GA), whereas the channel diameter and node position were optimized using the moving asymptote method (MMA). The linear combination of the average temperature and pressure drop was defined as the objective function. Three‐dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed to verify the physical fields of the optimized results. The optimized results indicated that, as the weighting factor (w) for the average temperature increased, the flow distribution was more reasonable and uniform, effectively decreasing the average temperature at the cost of higher pressure drops. In comparison with the optimization entirely based on GA, the hybrid optimization could yield a similar and efficient cooling performance with lower time‐consuming. Moreover, the optimized results obtained under the suitable objective could achieve the better thermal performance at a lower pressure drop in comparison with the conventional serpentine‐shaped channel layout. Finally, the hybrid optimization method used in this article was compared with the conventional density approach, and the former could obtain the clear and complex channel distribution with greatly reduced computational time.