bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ecosystem services relationship characteristics of the degraded alpine shrub meadow on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Qian Dawen , Li Qian , Guo Xiaowei , Fan Bo , Lan Yuting , Si Mengke , Cao Guangmin
Published: July 2023

Alpine shrub meadows hold significant importance as grassland ecosystems on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau (QTP). They provide a range of vital ecosystem services (ESs) and are commonly utilized as summer pastures by herders, resulting in short grazing periods and high grazing intensities. Unfortunately, these practices have led to varying degrees of degradation, thereby affecting the sustainable provision of ESs. However, the current knowledge regarding changes in ESs and their characteristics under the influence of degradation, particularly the differences between alpine shrub and alpine meadow ecosystems, is insufficient. To address this gap, this study aimed to investigate and analyse changes in four ESs within alpine shrub meadows across different levels of degradation, as well as explore their relationships. The research was conducted in a summer pasture located in the northeastern QTP. The findings revealed a substantial reduction of 85.9% in forage supply due to degradation in alpine shrub meadows. Moreover, regulating services experienced a decline followed by an increase in instances of heavy degradation. Trade‐offs were observed between provisioning and regulating services, while synergistic relationships were identified among different regulating services. Degradation exacerbated imbalances between provisioning and regulating services, whereas light degradation allowed for a better equilibrium between the two. Comparatively, alpine meadows exhibited higher levels of forage supply and carbon storage services, whereas alpine shrub ecosystems displayed greater nutrient supply and water retention services. It was observed that changes in ESs and relationship patterns within alpine shrub meadows were significantly influenced by the presence of alpine meadows. Consequently, safeguarding the structural integrity of alpine meadows and addressing conflicts over ESs is essential to ensure coordination and sustainability of ESs within alpine shrub meadows. The outcomes of this study provide valuable insights for ecosystem management and ecological restoration initiatives in alpine shrub meadows on the QTP.
Emulsion and its application in the food field: An update review
Authors: Wang Yitong , Ai Chao , Wang Hui , Chen Chong , Teng Hui , Xiao Jianbo , Chen Lei
Published: July 2023

Natural emulsifier‐stabilized emulsions have garnered a significant amount of attention in many industries including foods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, health care formulations, paints, polymer blends and oils. Various methods have been used to improve the bioavailability of functional substances, such as microemulsions, nanoemulsions, Pickering emulsions, and complexes. Over recent years, emulsions have been increasingly investigated due to their potential as drug‐delivery vehicles for a wide range of application. In this review, we discuss some recent publications in the area of various emulsions in the food filed, detailed analysis of the mechanisms for different methods of preparation, compared with the different composition conditions on the stability. In addition, the above conditions affect the properties of the emulsions, but also affect functional activity. According to the current research status, some suggestions are put forward for further study.
Research on time series forecasting method of ion concentration in produced fluid
Authors: Hu Yanan , Lv Mingyang , Liu Tao , Zhao Fengzhi
Published: July 2023

In the research on strong alkali‐surfactant‐polymer flooding scaling prediction, the variation characteristics of ion concentration in the produced fluid are obviously consistent with those of scale component content. Consequently, studying the variation tendency of ion concentration in produced fluid is helpful for further revealing the scaling tendency. Given the periodicity and chaos characteristics of the ion concentration data of the produced fluid, an echo state network (ESN) is used to realize the relevant time series forecasting. Simultaneously, to cope with the failure of the ESN in selecting suitable reservoir parameters according to different characteristics of time series, a modified discrete particle swarm optimization algorithm based on objective space decomposition is used to optimize the reservoir parameters. The experimental results indicate that the improved ESN presents the lowest error and is the closest to the target value.
Bioinspired Antireflection Double‐Layer Coatings Design Method and Light Management to Realize Radiative Sky Cooling in Photovoltaic Module
Authors: Xu Yi , Lyu Jizu , Gao Linsong , Liu Hongsheng , Yin Ningxia , Li Yubai
Published: July 2023

Recent research on combining photovoltaic (PV) modules with radiative sky cooling (RSC) technology has elicited much interest. Such cross‐disciplinary technology coupling provides a feasible approach to solar cells’ nighttime applications. However, current commonly used radiative sky cooling materials’ (RSCMs) conflict with the solar light harvesting and utilizing of PV module. The spectral selectivity characteristics of the strong transmission in the solar spectrum range (0.3–1.1 μm) and the enough emissivity within the atmosphere transparency window (8–13 μm) are the essential to develop the PV module‐usable RSC coating. Herein, antireflection (AR) structure optimize method and RSC coating design method are proposed to achieve nighttime RSC capacity with high solar radiation transmission property via the RSCM selection and light management, in the visible, near‐infrared, and midinfrared wavelength range, originating from the subwavelength optical effects of bioinspired AR design. A kind of double‐layer coating consisting of the PDMS substrate layer and SiO2 close‐packed hexagonal rotating parabolic body‐bioinspired moth‐eye structure cover layer is designed in this research. The coating has 0.997 average transmissivity characteristic in solar spectrum and can lower the PV cell temperature over 10.5 K than ambient at night.
Efficacy and tolerance of cannabidiol in the treatment of epilepsy in patients with Rett syndrome
Authors: Desnous Béatrice , Beretti Thibault , Muller Nathan , Neveu Julien , Villeneuve Nathalie , Lépine Anne , Daquin Géraldine , Milh Mathieu
Published: July 2023

We aim to assess the efficacy and tolerance of cannabidiol as adjunctive therapy for Rett syndrome (RTT) patients with epilepsy. We conducted a longitudinal observational study through a monocentric cohort of 46 patients with RTT. Patients were recruited from March 2020 to October 2022 and were treated with Epidyolex® (cannabidiol, CBD, 100 mg/mL oral solution). In our cohort, 26 patients had associated epilepsy (26/46 [56%]), and 10/26 (38%) were treated with CBD, in combination with clobazam in 50% of cases. The median dose at their last follow‐up was 15 mg/kg/day. The median treatment duration was 13 months (range: 1–32 months). CBD reduced the incidence of seizures in seven out of 10 patients (70%) with one seizure‐free patient, two patients with a reduction of seizures of more than 75%, and four patients with a decrease of more than 50%. No aggravation of symptoms or adverse effects were observed. Only one patient experienced a transitory drooling and somnolence episode at the CBD initiation. Half of the patients showed a reduction in agitation and/or anxiety attacks, and an improvement in spasticity was reported in 4/10 (40%) of patients. CBD appears to have potential therapeutic value for the treatment of drug‐resistant epilepsy in Rett syndrome. CBD is well tolerated and, when used in combination with clobazam, may increase the effectiveness of clobazam alone.
Efficient three‐dimensional deployment of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles supporting ground base station toward maximizing served users with heterogeneous quality‐of‐service requirements
Authors: Hayajneh Khaled F. , Abualkishik Ferdos , Bani‐Hani Khaled , Shakhatreh Hazim , Albataineh Zaid
Published: July 2023

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are critical in wireless networks that can provide wireless broadcast and high‐rate transmissions. UAVs can be used as flying base stations without an infrastructure to improve coverage, capacity, line‐of‐sight (LoS) connection, and rate performance in wireless communication. Furthermore, UAVs support terrestrial base stations in overload demand and disaster situations. Our presented method enables the ground base station (GBS) to collaborate with many UAVs while optimizing the number of served users and considering the influence of obstructing barriers on the air‐to‐ground (A2G) model. Our work investigates a model to find the efficient placements of multiple UAVs and optimize bandwidth between UAVs and GBS to enhance network performance by maximizing the number of served users with heterogeneous quality‐of‐service requirements. Three approaches have been employed to find the minimal number of UAVs that maximize the number of served users in the given area. The first is hybrid exhaustive search and K‐means algorithms, the second is hybrid particle swarm optimization (PSO) and K‐means algorithms, and the third is the greedy algorithm. The simulation results show that the maximum percentage of users served is equal to 100% using the exhaustive search algorithm. Furthermore, the percentage once using the PSO algorithm is 98% and 99.5% when deploying three and four UAVs, respectively.
The effect of political elections at home on the internationalization of state‐owned multinationals from emerging countries
Authors: DeMello Rodrigo B. , Gama Marina , Bertrand Olivier , Betschinger Marie‐Ann
Published: July 2023

Research Summary

The literature on the internationalization of state‐owned enterprises in emerging countries usually implicitly assumes continuity in the provision of key resources by home country governments. This assumption, however, does not necessarily hold in the presence of political elections in democratic emerging countries. Drawing from the resource dependence theory and the literatures on election‐induced uncertainty and investment irreversibility, we study how political elections in emerging countries affect the internationalization of multinationals with state indirect ownership. Using a sample of 89 Brazilian multinationals from 2000 to 2012, we find that these state‐owned multinationals are less likely to internationalize during elections than multinationals with fully private ownership. When they internationalize, they choose investments that provide them with more flexibility than those chosen by their private counterparts.

Managerial Summary

Political elections in democratic emerging countries regularly create considerable policy uncertainty and opportunism in policymaking. This affects the provision of government resources that state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) depend on for their internationalization strategy. Our results show that Brazilian multinationals with state indirect ownership are less likely to internationalize in an election year, and when they do, they implement more flexible strategies than fully private multinationals. These findings suggest that SOEs need to include the timing of political elections in their long‐term international strategic planning. Our study also stresses the pros and cons of the SOE‐government relationship. Whereas the link to the state can offer SOEs a way to access valuable government resources, it may constrain their managerial autonomy in international strategy decisions during political elections.
Adverse outcomes of nonnuchal umbilical cord entanglement
Authors: Beer Noam , Danieli‐Gruber Shir , Bardin Ron , Berezowsky Alexandra , Hadar Eran , Arbib Nissim
Published: July 2023

Objective

To evaluate perinatal effects of umbilical cord entanglement (UCE) of different body parts.

Methods

The database of a tertiary medical center was retrospectively searched for women who gave birth to a liveborn singleton newborn in 2014–2018. Those diagnosed postpartum with UCE were matched 1:10 with women who were not and compared for adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes, overall and by site of entanglement.

Results

A total of 14 299 women were evaluated, of whom 1243 were diagnosed with UCE: 78.7% neck, 26% trunk, 6.7% limb. UCE was associated with lower birth weight percentile and higher rate of small for gestational age, but findings were significant only for neck and trunk UCE. On multivariate regression analysis adjusted for maternal age, parity, gestational age at birth, and history of cesarean delivery, UCE was an independent risk factor for nonreassuring fetal heart rate, labor induction, operative vaginal delivery, cesarean delivery, and meconium‐stained amniotic fluid, but not for lower absolute birth weight/birth weight percentile, small for gestational age, low 1‐min Apgar score, or neonatal asphyxia.

Conclusion

While fetuses with UCE might be more compromised during labor, they apparently recover shortly after birth. The impact on perinatal outcomes was similar for UCE of the neck and trunk and lower for UCE of the limb.
Intraoperative predictors of appendiceal abnormalities in patients with mucinous ovarian neoplasms
Authors: Lavecchia Melissa , Dubey Anisha , Jimenez Waldo , Reade Clare J. , Salehi Amir , Yang Ilun , Eiriksson Lua R.
Published: July 2023

Objective

To evaluate intraoperative factors predicting appendiceal pathology during gynecologic oncology surgery for suspected mucinous ovarian neoplasms.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study on 225 patients with mucinous ovarian neoplasms who underwent surgery for an adnexal mass with concurrent appendectomy between 2000 and 2018. Regression analyses were used to evaluate intraoperative factors, such as frozen section of the ovarian mass and surgeon's impression of the appendix in predicting appendiceal pathology.

Results

Most patients (77.8%) had a normal appendix on final pathology. Abnormal appendix cases (n = 26) included: metastasis from high‐grade adenocarcinoma of the ovary (n = 1), neuroendocrine tumor of the appendix (n = 4), and low‐grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (n = 26; 23 associated with a mucinous ovarian adenocarcinoma, 2 with a benign mucinous ovarian cystadenoma, and 1 with a borderline mucinous ovarian tumor). Combining normal intraoperative appearance of the appendix with benign or borderline frozen section yielded a negative predictive value of 85.1%, with 14.9% of patients being misclassified, and 6.0% having a neuroendocrine tumor or low‐grade appendiceal neoplasm.

Conclusion

Benign or borderline frozen section of an ovarian mucinous neoplasm and normal appearing appendix have limited predictive value for appendiceal pathology. Appendectomy with removal of the mesoappendix should be considered in all cases of mucinous ovarian neoplasm, regardless of intraoperative findings.
Circ_PRDM5/miR‐25‐3p/ANKRD46 axis is associated with cell malignant behaviors in subjects with breast cancer evaluated by ultrasound
Authors: Lu Qin , Sun Huihui , Yu Qian , Tang Dongdong
Published: July 2023

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are key RNA molecules in cancer biology. CircRNA PR/SET domain 5 (circ_PRDM5, hsa_circ_0005654) was downregulated in breast cancer (BC) tissues. This study is designed to investigate the functional mechanism of circ_PRDM5 in BC. Ultrasound examinations were performed to evaluate BC patients and normal individuals. Circ_PRDM5, miR‐25‐3p, and Ankyrin repeat domain 46 (ANKRD46) level detection was carried out by reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction. 3‐(4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐y1)‐2, 5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used for cell viability examination. Cell proliferation was evaluated by ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine assay and colony formation assay. The protein levels were examined using western blot. Cell migration and invasion abilities were assessed via transwell assay. Target interaction was analyzed via dual‐luciferase reporter assay. The role of circ_PRDM5 in vivo was explored via xenograft tumor assay. Circ_PRDM5 expression was downregulated in BC tissues and cells. Overexpression of circ_PRDM5 suppressed proliferation and motility but enhanced apoptosis of BC cells. Circ_PRDM5 served as a sponge of miR‐25‐3p. Circ_PRDM5 impeded BC cell malignant development via sponging miR‐25‐3p. Circ_PRDM5 induced ANKRD46 upregulation by targeting miR‐25‐3p. Inhibition of miR‐25‐3p retarded BC progression by increasing the ANKRD46 level. Circ_PRDM5 repressed BC tumorigenesis in vivo through mediating the miR‐25‐3p/ANKRD46 axis. This study evidenced that circ_PRDM5 inhibited cell progression and tumor growth in BC via interacting with mir‐25‐3p/ANKRD46 network.
Regulating excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer behavior and fluorescent property of 3‐thiolflavone by electron‐donating ability: A time‐dependent density functional theory study
Authors: Zhang Zhengyi , Fang Hua
Published: July 2023

Background

Since the excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process involving sulfur is extremely fast, its mechanism is still unclear, and its derivatives are rarely studied, we have performed a theoretical study the ESIPT process of 3‐thiolflavone (3TF) and its derivatives.

Objective

The ESIPT mechanism and photophysicalproperties of 3‐thiolflavone (3TF) and its derivatives 3NTF, 3ATF and 3OTF modified by ‐N(C2H5)2, ‐NH2 and ‐OCH3 groups were studied theoretically.

Methods

Density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) with PBE0 functional and 6‐31G(d, p) basis set.

Results

For 3TF, 3NTF, 3ATF and 3OTF, the ESIPT processes are barrier‐less, and the barrier of ground‐state intramolecular proton transfer (GSIPT) reduces in the order of 3TF > 3OTF > 3ATF > 3NTF, as the electron‐donating ability of the substituent increases. When the electron‐donating groups are introduced, the absorption and fluorescence wavelengths of 3TF red‐shift and blue‐shift, respectively.

Conclusion

Substituents with electron‐donating ability can regulate the ground‐state intramolecular proton transfer process and photophysical properties of 3TF.
Preparation of Fe‐based magnetic‐core‐supported Co and Ni catalyst: application in viscosity reduction of heavy oil hydrocracking
Authors: Yan Shili , Zhu Jiamei , Wang Hongmin , Liu Bingqian , Bi Qinling
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND

Heavy oil has the characteristics of high viscosity and low American Petroleum Institute gravity, which makes it difficult to transport and produce. The key to efficiently utilizing heavy oil is reducing viscosity and improving quality. Hydroconversion has the advantages of viscosity reduction and decreased coke production, but it is difficult to separate nonmagnetic catalysts from the reaction system, which affects the industrial application.

RESULTS

A spherical Fe3O4 (74.71 emu g−1) and a chain FeFe2O3 (110 emu g−1) were prepared as magnetic cores, and coated with SiO2 and Al2O3 layers, respectively. The metal‐supported catalyst modified with Co and Ni show irregular and honeycomb‐shaped surfaces, and the magnetic saturation strength decreases to 24.91 and 14.63 emu g−1, but still possessing superparamagnetic properties, enabling the catalysts to be separated from the reaction mixture. Fe‐Fe2O3@SiO2@Al2O3@CoNi catalyst has the best viscosity reduction effect for Canadian oil sands asphalt residue at about 410 °C and 10 MPa hydrogen pressure. The viscosity of the liquid product decreased significantly from 56 600 to 135 mPa s at 50 °C, with a viscosity reduction of 99.8%.

CONCLUSION

Magnetic catalyst prepared from chain‐like Fe‐Fe2O3 has an excellent honeycomb structure, which can provide increased active surfaces and exhibit improved viscosity reduction performance. This work provides a strategy for the recovery of heavy oil hydrogenation catalysts and is expected to play a key role in the practical application of heavy oil hydrogenation catalytic viscosity reduction. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Prior appendectomy and cerebral infarction as potential risk factors for recurrent ischemic colitis: A retrospective observational study
Authors: Takatsu Tomohiro , Misawa Noboru , Yoshihara Tsutomu , Ashikari Keiichi , Kessoku Takaomi , Ohkubo Hidenori , Hosono Kunihiro , Yoneda Masato , Saito Satoru , Nakajima Atsushi , Higurashi Takuma
Published: July 2023

Background and Aim

Ischemic colitis (IC) is a benign disease associated with acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding and frequent recurrence. While several studies have investigated risk factors for IC onset, few have assessed the risk factors for recurrent IC. This study aimed to identify risk factors for recurrent IC.

Methods

Potential risk factors for recurrence were assessed by examining medical records and laboratory findings in this single‐center retrospective study. We extracted the following data from the patients' medical records: patient characteristics, clinical signs and symptoms, laboratory findings, method of treatment, length of hospital stay, disease course, and the frequency of IC morbidities. Patients with IC were selected from a total of 439 312 patients over an 11‐year period. Patients were divided into recurrent and nonrecurrent IC groups.

Results

In total, 225 patients met the diagnostic criteria for IC during the specified study period; of these, 204 patients (90.7%) and 21 patients (9.3%) were included in the nonrecurrent and recurrent IC groups, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed a significant association between IC recurrence and both cerebral infarction (P = 0.008, odds ratio [OR] = 6.3) and history of appendectomy (P = 0.0005, OR = 6.2). The median (interquartile range [IQR]) follow‐up time for all patients was 1556 (353–2768) days; this was much longer than the median (IQR) time to recurrence of 291 (64–907) days in the recurrent IC group.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that prior cerebral infarction and appendicectomy may be risk factors for IC recurrence.
Off‐brand: A 6‐year study of medication brand and generic name usage in a multifacility academic healthcare system
Authors: Steinkamp Jackson , Hecht Todd E. H. , Hennessy Sean , Leonard Charles E. , Shu Di , Airan‐Javia Subha
Published: July 2023

Background

Usage of medication brand names in electronic health records may introduce conflicts of interest, perpetuate false perceptions of brand superiority, alter prescribing practices, and cause confusion leading to errors.

Objective

We sought to identify the frequency of brand name medication usage in clinical documentation, as well as factors associated with increased usage.

Designs, Settings, and Participants

We conducted a retrospective analysis of all clinical documentation written at our healthcare system (a multifacility academic urban healthcare system) between 2015 and 2020.

Main Outcomes and Measures

We used string‐matching and regular expressions to identify medication mentions. We conducted bivariate analyses to identify associations between brand name usage and author‐, note‐, and medication‐level factors, and a multivariate Poisson regression to clarify independent associations between individual factors and brand usage.

Results

A total of 104,456,653 notes from 37,285 unique authors were included in our analysis. A total of 162,906,009 medication mentions were identified, of which 36.0% were brand name mentions with a steady year‐over‐year decrease. Factors associated with the usage of a brand name include: author role, years since release, length and syllabic complexity of the generic name, service type, and encounter context. Over‐the‐counter availability did not affect usage. There was sizable individual variation between note writers.
Outpatient atorvastatin use and severe COVID‐19 outcomes: A population‐based study
Authors: Visos‐Varela Irene , Zapata‐Cachafeiro Maruxa , Pintos‐Rodríguez Samuel , Bugarín‐González Rosendo , González‐Barcala Francisco Javier , Herdeiro Maria T. , Piñeiro‐Lamas María , Figueiras Adolfo , Salgado‐Barreira Ángel
Published: July 2023

Evidence of the effect of statins on patients with coronavirus disease (2019) COVID‐19 is inconsistent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between chronic use of statins—both overall and by active ingredient—and severe outcomes of COVID‐19 (risk of hospitalization and mortality), progression to severe outcomes, and susceptibility to the virus. We conducted a population‐based case–control study with data from electronic records to assess the risk of (1) hospitalization: cases were patients admitted due to COVID‐19 and controls were subjects without COVID‐19; (2) mortality: cases were hospitalized patients who died due to COVID‐19 and controls were subjects without COVID‐19; (3) progression: cases were hospitalized COVID‐19 subjects and controls were nonhospitalized COVID‐19 patients; and (4) susceptibility: cases were patients with COVID‐19 (both hospitalized and nonhospitalized) and controls were subjects without COVID‐19. We collected data on 2821 hospitalized cases, 26 996 nonhospitalized cases, and 52 318 controls. Chronic use of atorvastatin was associated with a decreased risk of hospitalization (adjusted odds ratios [aOR] = 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.74–0.92) and mortality (aOR = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.53–0.93), attributable in part to a lower risk of susceptibility to the virus (aOR = 0.91; 95% CI: 0.86–0.96). Simvastatin was associated with a reduced risk of mortality (aOR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.40–0.87). The wide degree of heterogeneity observed in the estimated odds ratios (ORs) of the different statins suggests that there is no class effect. The results of this real‐world study suggest that chronic use of atorvastatin (and to a lesser degree, of simvastatin) is associated with a decrease in risk of severe COVID‐19 outcomes.
Associations between DSM‐5 posttraumatic stress disorder Criterion E2 endorsement and selected self‐destructive behaviors in recent‐era veterans: A focus on disordered eating
Authors: Zelkowitz Rachel L. , Kehle‐Forbes Shannon M. , Smith Brian N. , Vogt Dawne S. , Mitchell Karen S.
Published: July 2023

Revisions to the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) criteria in the DSM‐5 included a new criterion in the alterations in arousal and reactivity cluster (i.e., engagement in reckless and self‐destructive behaviors; Criterion E2). Despite its clinical significance, little is known about how this symptom corresponds to engagement in specific direct and indirect self‐harm behaviors. We examined associations between E2 and self‐reported recent engagement in direct and indirect self‐harm behaviors, including disordered eating, which is not included in the prototypical E2 symptom scope, in a trauma‐exposed sample of 1,010 recent‐era veterans (61.5% self‐identified women, 38.5% self‐identified men). We also tested whether gender moderated these associations. We repeated analyses in a subsample of participants with clinically elevated PTSD symptoms. Participants self‐reported past‐month PTSD symptoms (PCL‐5) as well as past‐month nonsuicidal self‐injury, suicidal ideation, suicide planning, fasting, purging, binge eating, compulsive exercise, and problematic alcohol and drug use. We found no evidence for moderation by gender for any of the behaviors examined in the main sample. However, after controlling for gender and demographic covariates, weighted logistic regressions showed small, significant associations between E2 score and direct self‐harm behaviors, substance use, purging, and binge eating, aORs = 1.30–1.91. Criterion E2 was linked to behaviors included in the typical symptom scope (self‐directed violence, substance use) and those that are not (disordered eating behaviors). Comprehensive screening for self‐destructive behaviors, including disordered eating, among veteran men and women who endorse Criterion E2 is indicated.
Diagnostic Value of Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasonography for Catheter‐Related Right Brachiocephalic Vein and Superior Vena Cava Lesions in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis—A Pilot Study
Authors: Fen Yu , Yin Wang , Li‐ming Gan , Hui‐ling Fu , Wei Xiao , Jian‐xin Liu , Xiao‐mei Huang
Published: July 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) for detecting catheter‐related right brachiocephalic vein (RBV) and superior vena cava (SVC) obstructions in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD).

Methods

From June 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022, we enrolled 80 patients undergoing HD who had used or were using a central venous catheter as vascular access. We evaluated the diagnostic efficacy of conventional ultrasonography and CEUS for identifying RBV and SVC obstructions and compared them with that of digital subtraction angiography (DSA). In the stratified analysis, the SVC was divided into the upper and lower segments. In total, we analyzed 240 central venous segments, including the RBV.

Results

Among the RBV and SVC visualized by DSA, conventional ultrasonography and CEUS could visualize 67.92 and 100% of the vein segments, respectively; however, the lengths and diameters of the RBV and SVC were smaller than those recorded with DSA (P < .001). The diagnostic efficacy of CEUS for detecting catheter‐related central venous obstruction was better than that of conventional ultrasonography, with a higher sensitivity (83.95 vs 41.98%), specificity (89.94 vs 53.46%), accuracy (87.92 vs 49.58%), and F1 score (82.42 vs 49.64%). CEUS showed good agreement (κ = 0.732) with DSA. In the stratified analyses, CEUS also showed higher sensitivity (83.93, 83.33, and 84.62%, respectively) and better agreement with DSA (κ = 0.635, 0.655, and 0.673, respectively) than conventional ultrasonography for detecting the RBV and the upper and lower segments of the SVC.

Conclusions

CEUS had high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing catheter‐related RBV and SVC obstructions.
Laryngeal symptoms related to motor phenotypes in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review
Authors: Thijs Zoe , Dumican Matthew
Published: July 2023

Objective

This study aimed to systematically review the associations between motor clinical phenotypes in Parkinson's disease (PD) and laryngeal disease symptoms. Laryngeal dysfunctions such as dysphonia and dysphagia are ubiquitous in people with Parkinson's disease (PwPD). Similar to other disease symptoms, they manifest variably across PwPD. Some of the variability within PD has been explained by clinical phenotypes. However, it is unclear how laryngeal symptoms of PD express themselves across these phenotypes.

Methods

Five databases were searched (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus) in May 2022. After the removal of duplicates, all retrieved records were screened. Cohort, case–control, and cross‐sectional studies in English discussing laryngeal symptoms and clinical PD phenotypes were included. Data were extracted, tabulated, and assessed using Moola et al.'s (2021) appraisal tool for systematic reviews of risk and etiology.

Results

The search retrieved 2370 records, representing 540 PwPD. After the removal of duplicates and screening, eight articles were included for review. The most common phenotype categories were tremor‐dominant and postural‐instability gait disordered (PIGD). Five studies addressed vocal characteristics, while four considered swallowing. Differences and lack of rigor in methodology across studies complicated conclusions, but a tendency for tremor‐dominant phenotypes to present with less severe laryngeal symptoms was found.

Conclusion

Some minor differences in laryngeal function were found between tremor‐dominant and PIGD phenotypes in PD. However, there is a need for more standardized and high‐quality studies when comparing motor phenotypes for laryngeal function.
Association of serum brain‐derived neurotrophic factor level and early response to antipsychotic drug in first‐episode patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Zhao Tong , Tang SuFang , Gao XiaoLei , Li Juan , Hao Ran , Chen HaiZhi , Huang GuangBiao
Published: July 2023

Objectives

To investigate the role of Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the psychotic symptoms in first‐episode patients with schizophrenia and whether BDNF levels were associated with the improvement of psychotic symptoms after risperidone treatment.

Methods

89 schizophrenia patients and 90 healthy controls were recruited, the schizophrenia patients were assigned into early response or early non‐response groups at 2 weeks based on improvement in the positive and negative symptoms scale (PANSS) total score. All patients were treated with risperidone for 2 weeks, their serum BDNF levels were compared at baseline and after 2 weeks treatment.

Results

We found that patients had lower BDNF levels, compared to controls at baseline. After 2 weeks of treatment of risperidone, BDNF levels were significantly increased and psychotic symptoms were decreased in early response group. Correlation analysis showed that the change of BDNF levels after treatment was correlated with the change of PANSS total score. Further regression analysis showed that the change in BDNF levels was an independent predictor for the improvement in psychotic symptoms.

Conclusions

Our findings reveal that the level of BDNF was lower in first‐episode schizophrenic patients, moreover, the changes in serum BDNF levels may have a predictive effect on the early improvement in psychotic symptoms in the first 2 weeks.
The expression levels of NOS2, HMOX1, and VEGFC in cumulus cells are markers of oocyte maturation and fertilization rate
Authors: Barragán Montserrat , Cornet‐Bartolomé David , Molina Natalia , Vassena Rita
Published: July 2023

Throughout the reproductive life of women, cumulus cells (CC) protect the dormant oocyte from damage, act as sensors of the follicular microenvironment, and act as a gatekeeper for oocyte developmental potential. One such mechanism relies on the hypoxia‐tolerance response, which, with age, decreases systematically, including in the ovary. We aimed to evaluate the association between gene expression related to hypoxia and aging in CC and reproductive results in in vitro fertilization cycles. We recruited 94 women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation. Total RNA was extracted from pooled CCs collected after oocyte pick‐up (OPU) and reverse‐transcribed to complementary DNA using random hexamers to test 14 genes related to hypoxia response via HIF1α activation, oxidative stress, and angiogenic responses. The expression of CLU, NOS2, and TXNIP had a positive correlation with age (rs = 0.25, rs = 0.24, and rs = 0.35, respectively). Additionally, NOS2 and HMOX1 expression correlated positively with the retrieval of immature oocytes (rs = 0.22 and rs = 0.40, respectively). Moreover, VEGFC levels decreased overall with increasing fertilization rate, independently of age (rs = −0.29). We found that the fertilization potential of a cohort of oocytes is related to the ability of CC to respond to oxidative stress and hypoxia with age, pointing at NOS2, HMOX1, and VEGFC expression as markers for oocyte maturation and fertilization success.
Associations of age at first birth and lifetime parity with weight and adiposity across midlife in women from Project Viva
Authors: Soria‐Contreras Diana C. , Aris Izzuddin M. , Rifas‐Shiman Sheryl L. , Perng Wei , Hivert Marie‐France , Chavarro Jorge E. , Oken Emily
Published: July 2023

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the associations of age at first birth and parity with weight, waist circumference (WC), and body fat across midlife.

Methods

A secondary data analysis was conducted with 735 participants from Project Viva who reported their age at first birth and lifetime parity at a midlife study visit. Weight, WC, and body fat were measured up to four times after the participants' final birth, and associations were examined using linear mixed‐effects regression models.

Results

Participants' mean (SD) age was 32.6 (4.9) years at enrollment and 30.4 (5.5) years at their first birth, and they had 2.4 (0.9) lifetime births. In adjusted models, women who had their first birth at age <23 or ≥40 years, versus age 30 to 34 years, had a higher trajectory of weight, WC, and body fat after their final birth (i.e., mean differences in weight 8.38 kg [95% CI: 4.13–12.63] for age <23 years and 6.54 kg [95% CI: 0.64–12.45] for age ≥40 years). Women with four or more births, versus two, had a higher trajectory of adiposity after accounting for covariates.

Conclusions

Women who have a first birth before age 23 years or after age 40 years and those with multiple births may benefit from more intensive monitoring for excess adiposity gain.
Soft polyurethane foam reinforced by expanded polystyrene particles: Compression performance, strain rate, and cyclic compression response
Authors: Wang Hongyang , Zhang Chenwei , Li Ting‐Ting , Peng Haokai , Liu Liyan , Lin Jia‐Horng , Lou Ching‐Wen
Published: July 2023

The incorporation of particles with soft polyurethane (PU) foam aims to mechanically strengthen the PU foam as PU foam falls short of the mechanical expectation of academia and industries. In this study, the expanded polystyrene (EPS) particles are added to soft polyurethane foam, and composite foam with higher mechanical properties is successfully prepared by one‐step foaming process. The results show that under optimal conditions that is, EPS particle size of 0.5 mm and content of 2.5 wt% (EPS‐0.5‐2.5%), the synthesized foam has the smallest bubble pore diameter of 80 μm and has a stress of 0.284 MPa at 75% strain, which is much higher than that of blank polyurethane foam. As a result of a rise in the quantity of EPS particles, the composite PU foam shows a lower dependency on the strain rate. After the multiple cyclic compression test, PU foam exhibits a descending trend on the stress in the deformation plateau region. Besides, the low‐velocity impact test results indicate that the peak contact force of EPS‐0.5‐2.5% is lower than that of the control group by 632 N.
Exploring the effect of nanoclay addition on energy absorption capability of laterally loaded glass/epoxy composite tubes
Authors: Awd Allah Mahmoud M. , Hegazy Dalia A. , Alshahrani Hassan , Sebaey Tamer A. , Abd El‐baky Marwa A.
Published: July 2023

The energy absorption capability of laterally loaded glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) tubular components containing montmorillonite clay (MC) was explored in this article. GFRP components filled with 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 wt% of MC were created using wet‐wrapping by hand lay‐up techniques. For the laterally loaded tubes, the crushing load and the energy absorption versus displacement responses were presented. In addition, deformation histories were tracked. The energy absorption analysis was carried out by evaluating the initial peak load (), total energy absorption, and specific absorbed energy. Also, a mathematical regression models were built to predict the energy absorption indicators. Furthermore, the optimal MC wt% is determined using a multi‐attribute decision making method called complex proportional assessment. Overall results demonstrated that the suggested GFRP tubes containing 4 wt% of MC exhibited unique energy absorption capability.

Highlights

The designed tubes, that is, GFRP tubes filled with 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 wt% of montmorillonite clay (MC) were created using wet‐wrapping by hand lay‐up techniques.

The fabricated tubes were subjected to lateral compression loads to investigate their energy absorption capability.

The crushing load and energy absorption versus displacement curves were accessible. Furthermore, the deformation histories were traced.

Regression models were built to predict the energy absorption indicators. In addition, complex proportional assessment (COPRAS) is used to find the optimum MC wt%.
Identification of in vivo metabolites of Citri Sarcodactylis Fructus by UHPLC–Q/Orbitrap HRMS
Authors: Deng Fang , Li Xue‐Min , Gong Qian‐Qian , Zheng Zhen‐Xing , Zeng Li , Zhang Meng‐Jiao , Duan Ting‐Yin , Liu Xin , Zhang Ming‐Zhi , Guo Da‐Le
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Citri Sarcodactylis Fructus has the effects of relieving cough, removing phlegm, and reducing asthma, but little is known about the metabolic and distribution of its chemical constituents in vivo. Therefore, it is necessary to study the metabolism of Citri Sarcodactylis Fructus in vivo.

Objective

We aimed to (1) analyze the distribution of prototype compounds and metabolites of the chemical constituents of Citri Sarcodactylis Fructus in rat and (2) infer the metabolites and metabolic pathways of the chemical constituents.

Materials and methods

A C18 column (3 × 100 mm, 2.6 μm) was used. The mobile phase was water containing 0.1% formic acid (eluent A) and acetonitrile containing 0.1% formic acid (eluent B) at a discharge rate of 0.3 mL/min. Mass spectra of biological samples were collected in electrospray ionization (ESI) positive ion mode in the m/z 100–1500 scan range. The obtained biological samples were then subjected to chemical analysis, including plasma, urine, feces, and heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, stomach, and small intestine tissues. Prototype compounds and metabolites were identified.

Results

In all, 40 prototype compounds and 78 metabolites, including 26 phase I metabolites and 52 phase II metabolites, were identified using UHPLC–Q/Orbitrap HRMS. Eight possible metabolic pathways (reduction, hydrolysis, dehydration, methylation, hydroxylation, sulfation, glucuronidation, and demethylation) were proposed. The prototype compounds were predominantly distributed in lung tissues. The metabolites were mainly distributed in plasma and kidney tissues.

Conclusion

We systematically investigated the metabolites of Citri Sarcodactylis Fructus in vivo. We suggest metabolic pathways that might be relevant for further metabolic studies and screening of active ingredients of Citrus Sarcodactylis Fructus in vivo.
Benefits of exercise training on divergent thinking: The mediating role of ambiguity tolerance
Authors: Li Xiying , Liu Jing , Wang Tengfei , Peng Huamao , Pi Zhongling
Published: July 2023

Exercise training has been proposed as a method for improving cognitive function. However, it is unknown whether chronic physical activity promotes divergent thinking and its underlying mechanism. Ambiguity tolerance has been considered relevant to divergent thinking. Therefore, this study sought to investigate whether individuals engaging in different types of exercise training differed in divergent thinking and to examine the mediating role of ambiguity tolerance underlying the training effect. The study was conducted in a sample of 492 university students who completed the unusual use task and the ambiguity tolerance questionnaire. The results revealed that individuals who underwent physical training proposed more creative ideas than non‐physical training individuals did. Individuals engaging in multiple movement training scored higher in fluency, flexibility, and originality than their counterparts engaging in single movement training. Furthermore, ambiguity tolerance fully explained the difference in divergent thinking fluency between the physical and non‐physical training groups. These findings provide preliminary evidence for the benefits of physical training on divergent thinking.
A genotype × environment experiment reveals contrasting response strategies to drought between populations of a keystone species (Artemisia tridentata; Asteraceae)
Authors: Melton Anthony E. , Moran Kara , Martinez Peggy , Ellestad Paige , Milliken Erin , Morales Walker , Child Andrew W. , Richardson Bryce A. , Serpe Marcelo , Novak Stephen J. , Buerki Sven
Published: July 2023

Western North America has been experiencing persistent drought exacerbated by climate change for over two decades. This extreme climate event is a clear threat to native plant communities. Artemisia tridentata is a keystone shrub species in western North America and is threatened by climate change, urbanization, and wildfire. A drought Genotype × Environment (G × E) experiment was conducted to assess phenotypic plasticity and differential gene expression in A. tridentata. The G × E experiment was performed on diploid A. tridentata seedlings from two populations (one from Idaho, USA and one from Utah, USA), which experience differing levels of drought stress during the summer months. Photosynthetic data, leaf temperature, and gene expression levels were compared between treatments and populations. The Utah population maintained higher photosynthetic rates and photosynthetic efficiency than the Idaho population under drought stress. The Utah population also exhibited far greater transcriptional plasticity than the Idaho population and expressed genes of response pathways distinct from those of the Idaho population. Populations of A. tridentata differ greatly in their drought response pathways, likely due to differences in response pathways that have evolved under distinct climatic regimes. Epigenetic processes likely contribute to the observed differences between the populations.
Toward a broad‐spectrum peptide‐based inhibitor of small multidrug resistance efflux pumps
Authors: Mitchell Chloe J. , Nguyen Kha M. , Deber Charles M.
Published: July 2023

As an alternative approach to conventional antibiotics, here we explore a novel, rational drug design to target a resistance mechanism in antibiotic‐resistant bacteria—the small multidrug resistance (SMR) efflux pump. SMRs are a membrane protein that consist of four transmembrane (TM) helices, which homodimerize via TM4 in an anti‐parallel fashion through a GG7 motif. To target this interaction, we synthesized a series of peptides, typified by Ac‐A‐(Sar)3‐IIGMMLISAGVLI‐KKK‐NH2 (Sar = N‐methyl‐glycine, GG7 underlined), with a sequence derived from Escherichia coli TM4, designed to bind to—and competitively disrupt—the TM4–TM4 interaction site. The peptides also contain an uncharged N‐terminal sarcosine (N‐methyl‐glycine) tag to promote membrane insertion, and a C‐terminal tri‐lysine tag to direct the peptides toward the negatively‐charged bacterial membrane. As we found that the GG7 dimerization motif was highly conserved across bacterial species, including a range of priority pathogens, the peptides were tested for interspecies inhibitory activity where we varied the SMR overexpressed in E. coli bacterium and the peptide. The peptides included the TM4 sequence of E. coli (EmrE), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAsmr), and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mmr). We performed a series of assays measuring the efflux rates of the fluorescent toxin ethidium bromide, finding that the PAsmr peptide was broadly active against all SMRs expressed in E. coli. Interestingly, a peptide derived from E. coli TM4, but where the GG7 motif was scrambled, showed high activity against several SMRs. Overall, the efflux inhibitors designed herein show promise not only for improved treatment of bacterial infections, but more generally, may provide a successful approach to targeting and disrupting membrane‐embedded protein–protein interactions.
Teacher stress and supports, classroom practices and student outcomes in high poverty urban elementary schools
Authors: Elliott Amanda , Reddy Linda A. , Lekwa Adam J. , Fingerhut Joelle
Published: July 2023

The current study examined teacher competence and contextual factors associated with teacher‐reported stress in low‐income urban elementary schools. Using a sample of 106K‐5th grade teachers from 14 low‐income urban elementary schools, associations between observed use of instructional and behavior management practices, teacher‐reported stress, perceived instrumental and emotional supports, class‐wide student academic performance, and behavioral functioning were examined. Teacher‐reported stress was significantly related to perceived emotional support, instrumental support, class‐wide student academic performance, and class‐wide student behavioral functioning. Instrumental and emotional supports, observed instructional and behavioral management practices, and class‐wide student academic and behavioral functioning jointly predicted teacher stress. Results from a dominance analysis identified class‐wide behavioral functioning, and emotional and instrumental support as the strongest predictors of teacher stress. Study limitations and implications for research and practice are discussed.