bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Slower but deeper community change: Intrinsic dynamics regulate anthropogenic impacts on species temporal turnover
Authors: Terry J. Christopher D. , Rossberg Axel G.
Published: October 2024

Understanding the mechanisms behind biodiversity dynamics is central to assessing and forecasting anthropogenic impacts on ecological communities. However, the manner in which external environmental drivers act in concert with intrinsic ecological processes to influence local temporal turnover is currently largely unexplored. Here, we determine how human impacts affect multiple metrics of bird community turnover to establish the ecological mechanisms behind compositional change. We used US Breeding Bird Survey data to calculate transect‐level rates of three measures of temporal species turnover: (1) “short‐term” (initial rate of decline of Sørensen similarity), (2) “long‐term” (asymptotic Sørensen similarity), and (3) “throughput” (overall species accumulation rate from species–time relationship exponents) over 2692 transects across 27 regional habitat types. We then hierarchically fit linear models to estimate the effect of anthropogenic impact on these turnover metrics, using the Human Modification Index proxy, while accounting for observed species richness, the size of the species pool, and annual environmental variability. We found broadly consistent impacts of increased anthropogenic pressures across diverse habitat types. The Human Modification Index was associated with greater turnover at long timescales, but marginally slower short‐term turnover. The species “throughput” (accumulation rate) was not notably influenced. Examining anthropogenic impacts on different aspects of species turnover in combination allows greater ecological insight. Observed human impacts on short‐term turnover were the opposite of existing expectations and suggest humans are disrupting the background turnover of these systems, rather than simply driving rapid directed turnover. The increased long‐term turnover without concurrent increases in species accumulation implies human impacts lead to shifts in species occurrence frequency rather than simply greater arrival of “new” species. These results highlight the role of intrinsic dynamics and caution against simple interpretations of increased species turnover as reflections of environmental change.
Silica Gel Supported Solid Amine Sorbents for CO2 Capture
Authors: Singh Baljeet , Gorji Zahra Eshaghi , Singh Rustam , Sharma Vikas , Repo Timo
Published: October 2024

Point source CO2 capture (PSCC) is crucial for decarbonizing various industrial sectors, while direct air capture (DAC) holds promise for removing CO2 directly from the air. Sorbents play a critical role in both technologies, with their performances, efficiency, cost, etc., largely depending on which type is used (physical or chemical). Solid amine sorbents (SAS) employed in the chemical adsorption of CO2 are suitable for both PSCC and DAC. SAS offer significant advantages over liquid amines such as monoethanolamine (MEA), due to their ability to perform cyclic adsorption–desorption with much lower energy requirement. The environmental concern associated with MEA can be mitigated by SAS. Support materials have a significantly important role in stabilizing amine and enhancing stability and kinetics; varieties of support materials have been screened at a laboratory scale. One promising support material is a silica gel (SG), which is commercially available and attractive for designing cost‐effective sorbents for large‐scale CO2 capture. Various impregnation methods such as physical adsorption and covalent functionalization have been employed to functionalize silica surfaces with amines. This review provided a comprehensive critical analysis of SG‐based SAS for CO2 capture. We discussed and evaluated them in terms of their adsorption capacity, adsorption, and desorption conditions, and the kinetics involved in these processes. Finally, we proposed a few recommendations for further development of low‐cost, lower carbon footprint SAS for large‐scale deployment of CO2 capture technology.
The Ordering and Arrangement of Intercalated Carboxylate Ions in Anion‐Exchangeable Layered Yttrium Hydroxides
Authors: Wu Kefeng , Xu Jun
Published: October 2024

The intercalation chemistry is essential in the application of anion‐exchangeable layered metal hydroxides. However, much of the key information regarding intercalated anions, such as the degree of ordering and arrangement is still not clear or missing to date, due to the difficulty in probing the local environment of anions by routine characterization techniques. Herein, we employed solid‐state NMR (ssNMR) spectroscopy to offer valuable complementary insights into the ordering and arrangement of a series of monocarboxylate anions (RCOO−: R=HO, H, CH3, C2H5, and C3H7) within the interlayer space of two layered yttrium hydroxides (LYH‐Cl and LYH‐Br). The results imply that the two smaller carboxylate anions (R=HO and H) are disordered after intercalation, while the larger carboxylate anions (R=CH3, C2H5, and C3H7) are relatively ordered. We further explored if the intercalated anions are parallel arranged as those in sodium salts or antiparallel arranged as those predicted in the majority of previous reports. We uncovered that the intercalated anions are antiparallel arranged based on the formation energy obtained in density functional theory calculations and ssNMR data. Our results therefore contribute to a deeper and comprehensive understanding of the intercalation chemistry of layered rare earth hydroxides.
Semiconducting Mixed Valence Sulfido (Selenido) Ferrates: Optical, Dielectric, and Electrochemical Impedance Properties
Authors: Reza Ghazanfari M. , Janus Lara , Ramadan Islam , Tallu Mirko , Dehnen Stefanie , Thiele Günther
Published: October 2024

The ternary potassium sulfido and selenido ferrates K9[Fe2S(e)7] were synthesized as pure phases through a facile and straightforward solid‐state method. The compounds crystalize isotypic as has been reported previously. UV‐visible measurements indicate semiconductivity, showing direct optical band gaps with energies of 1.91 eV for the sulfido and 1.72 eV for the selenido ferrate. Investigations of dielectric and impedance properties provide their dielectric constants in the range of 60 to 74 at room temperature at a frequency of 1 kHz, as well as ionic conductivity values in the range of 2.08 ⋅ 10−5 and 2.61 ⋅ 10−5 mS cm−1. Both, the dielectric constants and the calculated ionic conductivity of the selenido ferrate are higher compared to the sulfido ferrate, corresponding to the larger unit cell volume and increased bond lengths in the selenido ferrates. The dielectric constants are comparably higher than the reference material of SiO2, which might introduce them for dielectric applications.
Digital teaching resource management system for higher education
Authors: Zhu Lin , Zhuang Li , Li Caihong
Published: October 2024

At present, the management and utilization of teaching resources in higher education are characterized by issues, such as limited functionality, simple structure, inadequate sharing, and weak management capacity. To address these challenges, this study proposes a multimedia information processing technique based on computer technology. The system utilizes Java programming language, the Spring Boot framework, Servlet, and other technologies to process data through a MySQL database. It consists of main modules for students, teachers, and administrators. The developed digital teaching resource management system is stable, user‐friendly, with a clear interface, and capable of meeting the educational needs of colleges and universities. By maximizing the sharing and integration of university teaching resources, this system not only innovates teaching and learning approaches but also holds significant practical implications.
Detecting Test‐Taking Engagement in Changing Test Contexts
Authors: Lehman Blair , Sparks Jesse R. , Steinberg Jonathan
Published: October 2024

Over the last 20 years, many methods have been proposed to use process data (e.g., response time) to detect changes in engagement during the test‐taking process. However, many of these methods were developed and evaluated in highly similar testing contexts: 30 or more single‐select multiple‐choice items presented in a linear, fixed sequence in which an item must be answered before progressing to the next item. However, this testing context becomes less and less representative of testing contexts in general as the affordances of technology are leveraged to provide more diverse and innovative testing experiences. The 2019 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) mathematics administration for grades 8 and 12 testing context represents an example use case that differed significantly from assessments that were typically used in previous research on test‐taking engagement (e.g., number of items, item format, navigation). Thus, we leveraged this use case to re‐evaluate the utility of an existing engagement detection method: normative threshold method. We decomposed the normative threshold method to evaluate its alignment with this use case and then evaluated 25 variations of this threshold‐setting method with previously established evaluation criteria. Our findings revealed that this critical analysis of the threshold‐setting method's alignment with the NAEP testing context could be used to identify the most appropriate variation of this method for this use case. We discuss the broader implications for engagement detection as testing contexts continue to evolve.
Musical Sophistication and Multilingualism: Effects on Arcuate Fasciculus Characteristics
Authors: Cui Anja‐Xiaoxing , Kraeutner Sarah N. , Kepinska Olga , Motamed Yeganeh Negin , Hermiston Nancy , Werker Janet F. , Boyd Lara A.
Published: October 2024

The processing of auditory stimuli which are structured in time is thought to involve the arcuate fasciculus, the white matter tract which connects the temporal cortex and the inferior frontal gyrus. Research has indicated effects of both musical and language experience on the structural characteristics of the arcuate fasciculus. Here, we investigated in a sample of n = 84 young adults whether continuous conceptualizations of musical and multilingual experience related to structural characteristics of the arcuate fasciculus, measured using diffusion tensor imaging. Probabilistic tractography was used to identify the dorsal and ventral parts of the white matter tract. Linear regressions indicated that different aspects of musical sophistication related to the arcuate fasciculus' volume (emotional engagement with music), volumetric asymmetry (musical training and music perceptual abilities), and fractional anisotropy (music perceptual abilities). Our conceptualization of multilingual experience, accounting for participants' proficiency in reading, writing, understanding, and speaking different languages, was not related to the structural characteristics of the arcuate fasciculus. We discuss our results in the context of other research on hemispheric specializations and a dual‐stream model of auditory processing.
Socioeconomic inequalities in waiting times for breast cancer surgery
Authors: Matias Maria Ana , Santos Rita , Siciliani Luigi , Sivey Peter , Proctor Andrew
Published: October 2024

Prompt access to cancer care is a policy priority in several OECD countries, because delayed access can exacerbate deleterious health outcomes. Access to care based on need remains a key pillar of publicly‐funded health systems. This study tests for the presence of inequalities in waiting times by socioeconomic status for patients receiving breast cancer surgery (mastectomy or breast conserving surgery) in England using the Hospital Episode Statistics. We investigate separately the pre‐COVID‐19 period (April 2015–January 2020), and the COVID‐19 period (February 2020–March 2022). We use linear regression models to study the association between waiting times and income deprivation measured at the patient's area of residence. We control for demographic factors, type and number of comorbidities, past emergency admissions and Healthcare Resource Groups, and supply‐level factors through hospital fixed effects. In the pre‐COVID‐19 period, we do not find statistically significant associations between income deprivation in the patient's area of residence and waiting times for surgery. In the COVID‐19 period, we find that patients living in the most deprived areas have longer waiting times by 0.7 days (given a mean waiting time of 20.6 days).
Evaluation of the ‘A walk can work wonders’ mass media campaign in South Australia
Authors: Bauman Adrian , Schranz Natasha , Bellew William , Fisher Gabrielle , Krumeich Benjamin , Crozier Alyson J.
Published: October 2024

Issue Addressed

Few population‐wide efforts have targeted physical activity in Australia. Mass media campaigns are used to promote physical activity and walking, and World Health Organisation recommends their linkage to broader cross‐government initiatives. This project evaluates a South Australian (SA) walking mass media campaign linked to the overall SA Walking Strategy.

Methods

Between January and June 2022, Wellbeing SA (a SA government agency) conducted two waves of a mass media campaign, ‘A walk can work wonders’, to promote walking. The campaign was part of the SA Walking Strategy, targeting the goal to change the ‘community culture towards recognising walking’ as convenient, affordable and health‐promoting. Evaluation was formative (pre‐campaign), process (campaign implementation and delivery) and impact. Formative evaluation comprised concept and tagline testing with adult SAs to develop the campaign messages and theme. Process evaluation was comprised of media monitoring of social media, mainstream media and other media monitoring metrics. The process evaluation was dominated by social media marketing in Wave 1, with substantially more paid TV media and radio in Wave 2. The impact evaluation comprised two independent sample surveys of adult SAs (n = 800 each) following each wave of the campaign. Measures included generic and prompted campaign recall and attitudes to physical activity. An independent South Australian Population Health Survey (SAPHS) tracked walking and physical activity behaviours from 2021 to the end of 2022.

Results

Process evaluation showed intensive social media usage in Wave 1, and through increased paid television and radio in Wave 2. Generic recall of any walking message (23.9%) and prompted recall of the specific campaign message (27.8%) reached most socio‐demographic groups, especially those with chronic health problems. Increases in intention to increase activity and increased self‐reported activity were seen between the campaign Wave 1 and Wave 2 notable as the Wave 2 increase followed substantial television advertising. The SAPHS data showed increased population walking following the campaign waves, compared to the same period in 2021.

Conclusions

Detailed and structured evaluation of a comprehensive mass media campaign showed good reach, and population changes in intentions and walking behaviour amongst SAs.

So What?

It is likely that comprehensive approaches are needed to support mass media campaigns and amplify their effects. Serial, sustained campaigns are needed to monitor ongoing effects.
Field study of a cubical integrated solar collector storage tank under Baghdad province
Authors: Amori Karima E. , Al‐Tahir Sarah O.
Published: October 2024

A new, easy‐to‐manufacture, and low‐cost integrated cubical solar collector tank for domestic usage is concerned in this work. Three models are prepared, side by side, and tested to point out their seasonal performance. Tank Model I has three vertical sides, black painted and glazed to act as an absorber; the other sides are insulated. Tank Model II has two black painted and glazed sides, with four insulated surfaces. The models are south‐oriented at different positions and tested versus the conventional tank (Model III) to validate and assess their performance in summer and winter. In summer, the temperatures in Models I and II are lower than those for Model III since they have insulated sides. Their glazed sides absorb a small amount of solar radiation since they are almost parallel to the incident solar radiation in summer. In winter, the water temperature in these models rises higher than that for Model III since their glazed sides work as solar collectors and have much lower heat loss to ambient. Therefore, the new design can provide a moderate temperature for summer and winter for residential use. Their water temperature does not exceed the ambient temperature at night in summer. It was higher than the ambient temperature in winter. The thermal efficiency for Models I and II in summer was 10.93% and 15.62%, respectively. While in winter, they were 15.09% and 19.46%, respectively.
How to evaluate local fit (residuals) in large structural equation models
Authors: Kline Rex B.
Published: October 2024

Consistent with reporting standards for structural equation modelling (SEM), model fit should be evaluated at two different levels, global and local. Global fit concerns the overall or average correspondence between the entire data matrix and the model, given the parameter estimates for the model. Local fit is evaluated at the level of the residuals, or differences between observed and predicted associations for every pair of measured variables in the model. It can happen that models with apparently satisfactory global fit can nevertheless have problematic local fit. This may be especially true for relatively large models with many variables, where serious misspecification is indicated by some larger residuals, but their contribution to global fit is diluted when averaged together with all the other smaller residuals. It can be challenging to evaluate local fit in large models with dozens or even hundreds of variables and corresponding residuals. Thus, the main goal of this tutorial is to offer suggestions about how to efficiently evaluate and describe local fit for large structural equation models. An empirical example is described where all data, syntax and output files are freely available to readers.
Cranial neuropathy following coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination in kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Fukae Shota , Yamanaka Kazuaki , Matsumura Soichi , Tanaka Ryo , Nakazawa Shigeaki , Kakuta Yoichi , Nonomura Norio
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Understanding of adverse reactions to coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines remains limited.

Case presentation

Case 1: A 52‐year‐old woman, post‐kidney transplantation, experienced sudden vision loss in her left eye after receiving a second dose of coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine. She was diagnosed with ischemic optic neuropathy.

Case 2: A 53‐year‐old woman, post‐kidney transplantation, presented with worsening diplopia and left eye pain following the second dose of coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine. She was diagnosed with left abducens nerve palsy.

Conclusion

Vigilance is essential for recognizing the potential for delayed cranial neuropathy in immunocompromised individuals after coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination.
Possibilities and power during early Head Start Home visits: Comparing family‐ and home visitor‐opened decision‐making
Authors: Hancock Christine L.
Published: October 2024

Decision‐making by families and professionals about how to support children's development is an integral aspect of home visits. This study investigated home visit decision‐making in a US program for families experiencing poverty, Early Head Start (EHS), through the following questions: What types of decisions do home visitors and families make about children's development during EHS home visits? How and to what extent do home visitors and families participate during these decisions? A convergent mixed methods research design was implemented to investigate participation through frequency counts and discourse analysis of home visit transcripts. Home visitor participants were four women, three white and one Black. Twelve families participated (12 mothers, 2 fathers). Parents identified as white (n = 8), Black (n = 3), and multiracial (n = 3; Black and white). One parent was a bilingual Arabic and English speaker. A total of 66 decisions about children's development were identified, with 49 decisions initiated by home visitors and 17 initiated by families. Although families talked more and took on active roles when they initiated (i.e., opened) decisions, home visitors predominantly controlled decision‐making. Quantitative and qualitative participation differed only in the beginning of family‐opened decisions, and home visitors gradually took more control.
PIoT‐oriented multi‐target recognition of substation infrared images driven by deep learning
Authors: Li Min , Li Tou , Zhang Xuan , Zhang Wei
Published: October 2024

Substation infrared imaging plays a crucial role in condition monitoring and fault detection of Power Internet of Things (PIoT). However, the accurate and efficient recognition of multiple targets in substation infrared images remains a challenging task. This paper proposes a deep learning‐based multi‐target recognition framework for substation infrared images in PIoT. This paper presents a method for recognizing various electrical equipment in infrared images of substations using a faster region‐based convolutional neural network (Faster RCNN). The optimization of Faster RCNN includes class rectification inspired by non‐maximum suppression (NMS), enabling the correction of misclassified equipment parts and enhancing recognition accuracy. The approach combines NMS and class rectification to retain region proposals with optimal recognition performance. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in improving the recognition accuracy of electrical equipment in infrared images.
Evaluating the role of microbial degradation and analytical methods in monitoring imidacloprid persistence for white grub management in turfgrass
Authors: Huling Andrew , McGraw Benjamin A.
Published: October 2024

White grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) are the most destructive insect pests of cool‐ and warm‐season turfgrasses worldwide (Vittum, 2020). Neonicotinoids, particularly products containing the active ingredient imidacloprid, have been widely used to control grubs since the 1990s. Many turfgrass managers make preventive applications near egg hatch in summer to control larvae upon emergence and avoid larval feeding damage. Recently, turfgrass managers in the northeastern United States report white grub control failures at sites where imidacloprid has been applied annually for over a decade. We investigated the potential of microbial degradation at sites with a sustained history of imidacloprid use. Additionally, we explored the use of enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits to reliably quantify imidacloprid residues in soils and translocation in turfgrass over time to assist in future surveillance efforts. Field‐collected soils were split between sterilized and non‐sterilized treatments for use in greenhouse studies. Lolium perenne was planted in each treatment group, and the concentration of imidacloprid in various tissues was quantified over a period of 56 days and compared with estimated obtained through high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). ELISA provided reliable estimates of relative imidacloprid concentration, though it provided significantly higher estimates than those determined by HPLC. Significant degradation of imidacloprid was observed between 28 and 56 days after treatment, though differences between sterilized‐ and non‐sterilized soil treatments were less than 5 ppb. To understand whether these concentrations would amount to failure, imidacloprid was applied at two rates and three timings relative to oviposition in field studies. Concentrations in roots remained relatively stable, with treatments ranging between 37 and 59 ppm at oviposition. All treatments provided complete control of larvae. Significant degradation was only observed after 100 days. Given the concentration differences due to microbial degradation observed in greenhouse studies, it is unlikely that microbial degradation is the sole contributor to product failure.
In Vitro and In Vivo Biocompatibility of Bacterial Cellulose
Authors: Girard Vincent‐Daniel , Chaussé Jérémie , Borduas Martin , Dubuc Émile , Iorio‐Morin Christian , Brisebois Simon , Vermette Patrick
Published: October 2024

Bacterial cellulose is a unique biomaterial produced by various species of bacteria that offers a range of potential applications in the biomedical field. To provide a cost‐effective alternative to soft‐tissue implants used in cavity infills, remodeling, and subdermal wound healing, in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo biocompatibility of native bacterial cellulose were investigated. Cytotoxicity was assessed using a metabolic assay on Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts and INS‐1832/13 rat insulinoma. Results showed no cytotoxicity, whether the cells were seeded over or under the bacterial cellulose scaffolds. Biocompatibility was performed on Sprague–Dawley rats (males and females, 8 weeks old) by implanting bacterial cellulose membranes subcutaneously for 1 or 12 weeks. The explanted scaffolds were then sliced and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological characterization. The first series of results revealed acute and chronic inflammation persisting over 12 weeks. Examination of the explants indicated a high number of granulocytes within the periphery of the bacterial cellulose, suggesting the presence of endotoxins within the membrane, confirmed by a Limulus amebocyte lysate test. This discovery motivated the development of non‐pyrogenic bacterial cellulose scaffolds. Following this, a second series of animal experiments was done, in which materials were implanted for 1 or 2 weeks. The results revealed mild inflammation 1 week after implantation, which then diminished to minimal inflammation after 2 weeks. Altogether, this study highlights that unmodified, purified native bacterial cellulose membranes may be used as a cost‐effective biomedical device provided that proper endotoxin clearance is achieved.
Addressing Drug–Drug Interaction Knowledge Gaps at the Time of Approval: An Analysis of FDA Postmarketing Requirements and Commitments from 2009 to 2023
Authors: Ridge Sarah , Yang Xinning , Madabushi Rajanikanth , Ramamoorthy Anuradha
Published: October 2024

It has become increasingly common for patients to rely on the use of multiple prescription medications. The management of polypharmacy requires careful consideration for how drugs are metabolized and their potential for interaction with other drugs. Drug–drug interaction (DDI) assessments are typically performed in a stepwise manner during drug development, though knowledge gaps can exist at the time of approval. The US Food and Drug Administration can establish postmarketing requirements (PMRs) or postmarketing commitments (PMCs) to address these knowledge gaps. In this study, we systematically evaluated PMRs and PMCs established to new molecular entities (NMEs) at the time of initial approval between 2009 and 2023, for the assessment of pharmacokinetics‐based DDIs (i.e., drug metabolizing enzyme‐ and transporter‐related DDIs). We found that 22% of NMEs had at least one DDI‐related PMR or PMC, with a total of 263 that were pharmacokinetic based. Of these, 67% were for the assessment of drug metabolizing enzymes, which were established most frequently for their evaluation as a substrate, and 28% for transporters, which were established most frequently for their evaluation as an inhibitor. The 89% of PMRs and PMCs that were considered fulfilled had a revision to the United States prescribing information, the majority of which resulted in updated new instructions for use. This study highlights the value in conducting DDI‐related studies early in the drug development process allowing broad patient inclusion at the time of initial drug approval.

[Correction added on October 28, 2024, after first online publication: The last sentence of the abstract has been updated in this version.]
Reasons and root causes: Conventional characterizations of doctoral engineering attrition obscure underlying structural issues
Authors: Sallai Gabriella M. , Berdanier Catherine G. P.
Published: October 2024

Background

Although most engineering graduate students are funded and usually complete their degrees faster than other disciplines, attrition remains a problem in engineering. Existing research has explored the psychological and sociological factors contributing to attrition but not the structural factors impacting attrition.

Purpose/Hypothesis

Using systems theory, this study seeks to understand nuance in how underlying structural causes affect engineering graduate students' attrition experiences in ways that may differ from their official reasons for departure.

Design/Methods

Data were collected through semi‐structured interviews with seven departing or already departed engineering doctoral students from R1 graduate programs across the United States. Using thematic analysis, root cause analyses were conducted to understand participants' attrition experiences to explore how structures influence causes of departure.

Results

The ways participants discuss root causes of their departure indicate differences in formal reasons for departure and underlying causes of departure. We highlight the role of informal and formal policy as root causes of a different attrition rationale often passed off as interpersonal issues. When interpreted as evidence of structural issues, the causes of departure show ways in which action–inaction, policy–“null” policy serve as structural features governing student attrition decision processes. We also highlight a form of benign neglect toward struggling graduate students.

Conclusion

This study reveals important nuances underlying face‐value reasons of attrition indicating foundational structural issues contributing to engineering graduate student attrition. Coaching faculty in team management and encouraging close revision of departmental policies could help mitigate students' negative graduate experiences and decrease unnecessary attrition.
Initial treatment efficacy and safety of durvalumab plus tremelimumab combination therapy in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in clinical practice
Authors: Tomonari Tetsu , Tani Joji , Sato Yasushi , Tanaka Hironori , Morishita Akihiro , Okamoto Koichi , Kawano Yutaka , Sogabe Masahiro , Miyamoto Hiroshi , Takayama Tetsuji
Published: October 2024

Background and Aims

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of durvalumab plus tremelimumab (Dur + Tre) combination therapy in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) in clinical practice.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 37 patients with uHCC from our institutions between April 2023 and January 2024. Patients were divided into first‐ and later‐line groups for analysis of antitumor efficacy, adverse events (AEs), and transition rate to second‐line treatment according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST).

Results

The disease control rate (DCR) for the first‐line group was 80.9%, which was significantly higher than that for the later‐line group (50%). The incidence of immune‐related AEs (irAEs) was 24.3%, with grade 3 or higher irAEs including increased transaminase (8.1%), diarrhea (8.1%), and adrenal insufficiency (2.7%). The rates of drug withdrawal and discontinuation owing to AEs were 23.8% and 19%, respectively, in the first‐line treatment and 31.2% and 12.5%, respectively, in the later‐line treatment, with no significant difference. Analysis of changes in liver reserve using the albumin–bilirubin (ALBI) score showed no obvious loss of liver reserve for up to 12 weeks. The transition rate from first‐ to second‐line therapy after progressive disease (PD) was as high as 94.7%.

Conclusion

The efficacy and safety of Dur + Tre in clinical practice were comparable to those reported in a recent phase III trial. The first‐line Dur + Tre therapy had a higher DCR than that of the later lines, and the transition rate to second‐line therapy was considerably high, suggesting that Dur + Tre therapy would be more beneficial in first‐line treatment.
Comparison of Nocifensive Behavior in NaV1.7–, NaV1.8–, and NaV1.9–Channelrhodopsin‐2 Mice by Selective Optogenetic Activation of Targeted Sodium Channel Subtype‐Expressing Afferents
Authors: Maruta Toyoaki , Kouroki Satoshi , Kurogi Mio , Hidaka Kotaro , Koshida Tomohiro , Miura Ayako , Nakagawa Hikaru , Yanagita Toshihiko , Takeya Ryu , Tsuneyoshi Isao
Published: October 2024

Voltage‐gated sodium channels, including NaV1.7, NaV1.8, and NaV1.9, play important roles in pain transmission and chronic pain development. However, the specific mechanisms of their action remain unclear, highlighting the need for in vivo stimulation studies of these channels. Optogenetics, a novel technique for targeting the activation or inhibition of specific neural circuits using light, offers a promising solution. In our previous study, we used optogenetics to selectively excite NaV1.7‐expressing neurons in the dorsal root ganglion of mice to induce nocifensive behavior. Here, we further characterize the impact of nocifensive behavior by activation of NaV1.7, NaV1.8, or NaV1.9‐expressing neurons. Using CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated homologous recombination, NaV1.7–iCre, NaV1.8–iCre, or NaV1.9–iCre mice expressing iCre recombinase under the control of the endogenous NaV1.7, NaV1.8, or NaV1.9 gene promoter were produced. These mice were then bred with channelrhodopsin‐2 (ChR2) Cre–reporter Ai32 mice to obtain NaV1.7–ChR2, NaV1.8–ChR2, or NaV1.9–ChR2 mice. Blue light exposure triggered paw withdrawal in all mice, with the strongest response in NaV1.8–ChR2 mice. These light sensitivity differences observed across NaV1.x–ChR2 mice may be dependent on ChR2 expression or reflect the inherent disparities in their pain transmission roles. In conclusion, we have generated noninvasive pain models, with optically activated peripheral nociceptors. We believe that studies using optogenetics will further elucidate the role of sodium channel subtypes in pain transmission.
Mapping between measurement scales in meta‐analysis, with application to measures of body mass index in children
Authors: Davies Annabel L. , Ades A. E. , Higgins Julian P. T.
Published: October 2024

Quantitative evidence synthesis methods aim to combine data from multiple medical trials to infer relative effects of different interventions. A challenge arises when trials report continuous outcomes on different measurement scales. To include all evidence in one coherent analysis, we require methods to “map” the outcomes onto a single scale. This is particularly challenging when trials report aggregate rather than individual data. We are motivated by a meta‐analysis of interventions to prevent obesity in children. Trials report aggregate measurements of body mass index (BMI) either expressed as raw values or standardized for age and sex. We develop three methods for mapping between aggregate BMI data using known or estimated relationships between measurements on different scales at the individual level. The first is an analytical method based on the mathematical definitions of z‐scores and percentiles. The other two approaches involve sampling individual participant data on which to perform the conversions. One method is a straightforward sampling routine, while the other involves optimization with respect to the reported outcomes. In contrast to the analytical approach, these methods also have wider applicability for mapping between any pair of measurement scales with known or estimable individual‐level relationships. We verify and contrast our methods using simulation studies and trials from our data set which report outcomes on multiple scales. We find that all methods recreate mean values with reasonable accuracy, but for standard deviations, optimization outperforms the other methods. However, the optimization method is more likely to underestimate standard deviations and is vulnerable to non‐convergence.
Yeast cell biocarrier for the encapsulation of ascorbic acid: effect of plasmolysis process, suspension media and ascorbic acid levels on the physicochemical, morphological and bioactive properties of microcapsules
Authors: Hatip Gamze , Karaman Kevser
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

Ascorbic acid is a water‐soluble vitamin and shows weak stability against external factors such as heat, oxygen, light etc. Due to its lower stability, encapsulation is an effective process for the preservation of its activity. Although there are a wide variety of encapsulation methods, the technique of encapsulation with yeast cells has been followed with increasing interest in recent years. In this study, encapsulation possibilities of ascorbic acid by yeast cells were investigated. In this context, Saccharomycess cerevisiae yeast cells in plasmolyzed and non‐plasmolyzed forms were used in two different suspension media (water and ethanol) and effect of ascorbic acid concentrations (10, 20 and 50 g per 10 g yeast) were studied. A total of 12 different yeast microcapsule samples were produced and some physicochemical, bioactive and structural characterizations were performed.

RESULTS

The ascorbic acid level of yeast microcapsule samples was determined as 206.4–713.9 and 202.8–726.1 mg g−1 for plasmolyzed and non‐plasmolyzed yeast cell types, respectively. ABTS radical scavenging activity increased from 27.23 to 233.04 μg TE g−1 by increased ascorbic acid levels. Ascorbic acid capsules were used in soft candy processing against free ascorbic acid and it was found that 47.9% ascorbic acid loss was detected for control sample at the 24‐day storage while the ascorbic acid loss was approximately 25% for yeast microcapsules.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that yeast cells are capable of preserving ascorbic acid stability during storage and yeast cells can be used effectively and safely for the manufacturing of the ascorbic acid microcapsules. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Overall survival and prognostic factors associated with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy combined with intraoperative radiation therapy in patients with advanced abdominopelvic malignancies: A single center retrospective analysis of 159 patients
Authors: Alaswad Marwan , Arabi Tarek Z. , Alhosainy Ziad , Alammar Juman , Azzam Ayman Z. , Amin Tarek M.
Published: October 2024

Background and Objectives

The aim of this study was to look at the overall survival (OS), progression‐free survival (PFS), and prognostic factors associated with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) combined with intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT).

Methods

This study is a single center retrospective study performed on 159 patients who underwent treatment with CRS and HIPEC combined with IORT for abdominopelvic malignancies. OS and PFS were used to evaluate the efficacy of this treatment strategy amongst patients with abdominopelvic malignancies.

Results

The cohort's median age was 53 years, with a male predominance (58.5%). The median OS was not reached, but the mean OS was 76.87 months. In univariate analysis, several factors, including synchronous organ metastasis, Pathologic Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index (pPCI) ≥10, increased estimated blood loss, and severe postoperative complications, were associated with worse OS. However, multivariate analysis identified pPCI ≥ 10 as the sole independent predictor of worse OS. The 1‐ and 3‐year survival rates were 83% and 70.4%, respectively. pPCI ≥ 10 and severe postoperative complications were significant predictors of worse survival outcomes.

Conclusions

Radical surgery alone is not enough, and CRS combined with HIPEC and IORT, when indicated, was proven to be safe and effective with no added morbidity or mortality.
Care Patterns and Outcomes for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma by Rurality of Patient Residence in a Midwestern State
Authors: Suraju Mohammed O. , Gordon Darren M. , Kahl Amanda R. , McCracken Ana , Maduokolam Erica , Grimmett Jordan , Guedeze Komlan , Nash Sarah , Hassan Aziz
Published: October 2024

Background

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is the second most common malignancy of the liver and has the worst prognosis of any tumor arising from the liver, with a 5‐year survival as low as 10%. However, whether the rurality of a patient's residence impacts care received and survival has not been well studied. We aimed to assess differences in care patterns associated with the rurality of patient's residences and their impact on survival outcomes, hypothesizing that patients in rural areas would experience lower survival.

Methods

Adult patients diagnosed with ICC between 2010 and 2020 were identified in the Iowa Cancer Registry. Chi‐square tests were used to compare values categorical variables by rural/urban status. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to determine associations with cancer‐specific mortality.

Results

Of 672 patients diagnosed with ICC during the study period, 53%, 27%, and 21% resided in metropolitan, micropolitan, and rural areas, respectively. There were no significant differences in age, sex, stage at diagnosis, the proportion receiving chemotherapy within 12 weeks of diagnosis, and undergoing surgery across all groups. Additionally, the proportion receiving definitive care at a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated center was comparable across the three groups (37% metro vs. 43% micro vs. 35% rural). However, rural residents had the highest proportion of traveling ≥ 50 miles for definitive care (22% metro vs. 41% micro vs. 56% rural). In multivariable analysis of patients with Stage 1–3 disease, younger age, receipt of chemotherapy, surgery, and definitive care at an NCI center were independently associated with decreased mortality risk. However, rural residence was not significantly associated with survival (HR: 0.64 [95% CI: 0.38–1.06]).

Conclusion

Similar to other complex cancer diagnoses, we found that definitive care at an NCI center was associated with decreased mortality risk for patients with ICC. Although rural residence was not independently associated with survival in this cohort, rural residents traveled significantly longer distances to access definitive care. This highlights a crucial need to improve access to specialized centers for complex cancer care.
Development of an Untargeted Method for the Analysis of the Volatile Profile of Onions via Solid‐Phase Microextraction Arrow‐Headspace‐Gas Chromatography‐Mass Spectrometry Using Design of Experiments
Authors: Böckstiegel Lea , Schaumann Theresa , Egert Björn , Kulling Sabine E. , Weinert Christoph H.
Published: October 2024

The distinctive aroma of onions, consisting primarily of sulfur‐containing compounds, is one of the reasons for the popularity of the vegetable. The rapid enzymatic and chemical reactions that occur after the destruction of onion bulb tissue render the analysis of the volatile profile challenging. Therefore, sample preparation is a crucial step in the analysis of the onion volatilome, but it often does not receive the necessary attention in the literature. In this work, we focused on two aspects: Firstly, we compared different sample preparation approaches to maximize the volatile yield and to enable the description of the onion volatile profile as it would emerge after a solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) Arrow sampling procedure. For headspace (HS)‐gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry analysis, onion juice with the addition of an ammonium sulfate solution proved to be the best option. Secondly, we optimized the HS sampling and desorption parameters (enrichment time, enrichment temperature, agitator speed, desorption time) for onion volatiles using the efficient design of experiments (DoE) approach. The optimal conditions for the analysis with HS‐SPME Arrow were an enrichment time of 75 min at 60°C with an agitator speed of 713 rpm and a desorption time of 120 s.
Effect of Ultrasound‐Guided External Oblique Intercostal Block on Postoperative Recovery After Subxiphoid Video‐Assisted Thoracoscopic Thymectomy
Authors: Li Zhiang , Hu Lihong , Xi Yong , Wang Lingzhi , Zhang Xuwei , Mugaanyi Joseph
Published: October 2024

Objective

Severe postoperative pain can occur after subxiphoid video‐assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy (SVATT), affecting the quality of postoperative recovery. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ultrasound‐guided external oblique intercostal (EOI) block on recovery after SVATT.

Methods

A total of 60 patients undergoing SVATT were randomly divided into the EOI group (group E, n = 30) and the control group (group C, n = 30). Group E underwent ultrasound‐guided bilateral EOI block at the 6th rib level and was injected 20 mL of 0.375% ropivacaine on each side. Group C was injected with 20 mL of 0.9% saline at the same site. After the operation, both groups received a patient‐controlled intravenous analgesic (PCIA) pump. The 15‐item Quality of Recovery (QoR‐15) scores were recorded at 24 hours before surgery (T0), 24 hours after surgery (T3), and 48 hours after surgery (T4). The sufentanil usage in the first 24 hours postoperatively, the remifentanil dosage during surgery, the time of first pressing PCIA, and the cases of rescue analgesia were recorded. The visual analog scale (VAS) scores of patients at 6 (T1), 12 (T2), 24 (T3), and 48 hours (T4) after an operation during rest and coughing were recorded. The dermatomes of the sensory plane, block complications in group E, and the incidence of other postoperative adverse reactions in both groups were also recorded.

Results

Compared with group C, the QoR‐15 scores of patients were significantly higher at T3 and T4 in the group E. The VAS scores were significantly lower at T1, T2, and T3 during rest and coughing in the group E. The sufentanil usage in the first 24 hours postoperatively, the remifentanil dosage during surgery, and the cases of rescue analgesia were significantly lower in group E, and the time of first pressing PCIA was significantly increased in group E (all P < .05).

Conclusion

Ultrasound‐guided EOI block can be safely used in patients undergoing SVATT, which can improve the quality of postoperative recovery and reduce postoperative pain.
Texture‐Based Classification of Fetal Growth Restriction From Intrauterine Neurosonographic Image
Authors: Chen Zehao , Chen Mengjie , Huang Shiying , Wang Zhongming , Zhang Yiheng , Huang Yuhan , Li Weiling , Huang Xiaowei
Published: October 2024

Objective

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a condition where fetuses fail to reach their genetic potential for growth, posing a significant health challenge for newborns. The aim of this research was to explore the efficacy of texture‐based analysis of neurosonographic images in identifying FGR in fetuses, which may provide a promising tool for early assessment of FGR.

Methods

A retrospective analysis collected 100 intrauterine neurosonographic images from 50 FGR and 50 gestational age‐appropriate fetuses. Using MaZda software, approximately 300 texture features were extracted from occipital white matter (OWM) and cerebellum of intrauterine neurosonographic images, respectively. Then 10 optimal features were separately selected by 3 algorithms, including the Fisher coefficient method, the method of minimizing classification error probability and average correlation coefficients, and the mutual information coefficient method. Further, the 10 statistically most significant features were selected from these sets to form the mixed feature set. After nonlinear discriminant analysis was performed to reduce feature dimensionality, the artificial neural network (ANN) classifier was conducted, respectively.

Results

For OWM and cerebellum, a total of 11 and 14 statistically significant features were selected. When the mixed feature sets of OWM and cerebellum were applied to ANN classifier, classification accuracy were 90.00% (κ = 0.800; P < .001) and 93.00% (κ = 0.860; P < .001), and the receiver operating characteristic curve for identifying FGR showed an area under the curve of 0.82 and 0.87.

Conclusions

Texture analysis of fetal intrauterine neurosonographic images is a feasible and noninvasive strategy for evaluating FGR fetuses.