bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An overview of sphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptor 2: Structure, biological function, and small‐molecule modulators
Authors: Hao Wanting , Luo Dongdong , Jiang Yuqi , Wan Shengbiao , Li Xiaoyang 
Published: April 2024

AbstractOver the past decade, there has been a notable increase in research on sphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptor 2 (S1PR2), which is a type of G‐protein‐coupled receptor. Upon activation by S1P or other ligands, S1PR2 initiates downstream signaling pathways such as phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K), Mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), Rho/Rho‐associated coiled‐coil containing kinases (ROCK), and others, contributing to the diverse biological functions of S1PR2 and playing a pivotal role in various physiological processes and disease progressions, such as multiple sclerosis, fibrosis, inflammation, and tumors. Due to the extensive biological functions of S1PR2, many S1PR2 modulators, including agonists and antagonists, have been developed and discovered by pharmaceutical companies (e.g., Novartis and Galapagos NV) and academic medicinal chemists for disease diagnosis and treatment. However, few reviews have been published that comprehensively overview the functions and regulators of S1PR2. Herein, we provide an in‐depth review of the advances in the function of S1PR2 and its modulators. We first summarize the structure and biological function of S1PR2 and its pathological role in human diseases. We then focus on the discovery approach, design strategy, development process, and biomedical application of S1PR2 modulators. Additionally, we outline the major challenges and future directions in this field. Our comprehensive review will aid in the discovery and development of more effective and clinically applicable S1PR2 modulators.
Minimum phantom size for megavoltage photon beam reference dosimetry
Authors: Rogers D. W. O. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundWater phantoms are required to perform reference dosimetry and beam quality measurements but there are no published studies about the size requirements for such phantoms.PurposeTo investigate, using Monte Carlo techniques, the size requirements for water phantoms used in reference dosimetry and/or to measure the beam quality specifiers and .MethodsThe EGSnrc application DOSXYZnrc is used to calculate , the dose per incident fluence at 10 cm depth in a water phantom irradiated by incident beams of or 6 MV photons. The water phantom dimensions are varied from to and occasionally smaller. The and values are also calculated with care being taken to distinguish results when using Method A (changing depth of water in phantom) and Method B (moving entire phantom). Typical statistical uncertainties are 0.03%.ResultsPhantom dimensions have only minor effects for phantoms larger than . A table of corrections to the dose at 10 cm depth in beams of or 6 MV photons are provided and range from no correction to 0.75% for a beam incident on a phantom. There can be distinct differences in the values measured using Method A or Method B, especially for smaller phantoms. It is explicitly demonstrated that, within 0.15%, values for a phantom measured using Method A or B are independent of source detector distance between 40 and 200 cm.ConclusionsThe phantom sizes recommended in the TG‐51 and IAEA TRS‐398 reference dosimetry protocols are adequate for accurate reference dosimetry and in some cases are even conservative. Correction factors are necessary for accurate measurement of the dose at 10 cm depth in smaller phantoms and these factors are provided. Very accurate beam quality specifiers are not required for reference dosimetry itself, but for specifying beam stability and characteristics it is important to specify phantom sizes and also the method used for measurements.
Nutrition adequacy in the late period of the acute phase is associated with a lower risk of 30‐day mortality in critically ill patients: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Coruja Mariane Kubiszewski , Antunes Luciana da Conceição , Leotti Vanessa Bielefeldt , Steemburgo Thais 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe provision of nutrition support for critically ill patients in the early phase of intensive care unit (ICU) admission plays a vital role in their recovery. However, there is still debate regarding the impact of nutrition adequacy of critical illness phases. We aimed to investigate whether nutrition adequacy in the acute phase (early and late periods) is associated with 30‐day mortality in critically ill patients.MethodsWe prospectively collected nutrition and clinical data from critically ill patients receiving exclusive enteral nutrition (EN) within the first 10 days of ICU admission. EN was classified as adequate when ≥80% of the prescribed EN was administered. Directed acyclic graphs were constructed to identify the minimum set of adjustment variables required to control for confounding factors. The relationships between energy and protein intake and 30‐day mortality were assessed using the Cox regression analysis.ResultsA total of 119 patients were evaluated (70 years old, 56.3% male, and 68.1% with medical admission). The 30‐day mortality rate was 23%. After adjusting for confounders, in the late period (days 5–10), energy adequacy (hazard ratio [HR] =  0.960; 95% CI, 0.937–0.984) and protein adequacy (HR = 0.960; 95% CI, 0.937–0.982) were predictors of 30‐day mortality. No associations were observed in the early period (days 1–4) of the acute phase.ConclusionIn critically ill patients, nutrition adequacy (≥80% EN) during days 5–10 in the ICU was associated with a lower risk of 30‐day mortality.
Clinical Outcomes of an Active, Transcutaneous, Bone Conduction Hearing Device: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Jukic Alma , Cismas Marine , Flores Nancy , Stevens Shawn M. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to review patient demographics, indications, intraoperative findings, complications/adverse events, and audiological outcomes related to the implantation of the Osia 2 device.Study DesignRetrospective case series.SettingSingle tertiary institutional experience.MethodsPatients who had undergone Osia 2 implantation by the senior author were identified from 2019 to present. Information was extracted from patient charts concerning patient demographics, indications for implantation, surgical findings, audiological outcomes, and adverse events.ResultsSixty patients and 67 implants were included. The median age was 51 years (R: 11‐92). Fifty‐five percent of patients had mixed hearing loss (HL), 30% had single‐sided deafness, and 15% had conductive HL. The mean operative time was 53.9 minutes. Only 4.5% of patients required bone polishing, and 3.0% required tissue thinning. The mean pure‐tone averages 4 gain from unaided conditions was 41.2 dB. Mean gain at 6 and 8 kHz from unaided conditions was 35.42 and 40.67 dB, respectively. Mean improvement in speech recognition threshold and word recognition score was significant in noise and quiet conditions. The all‐cause adverse event/complication rate in our series was 10.4%. The most common complications were infections (4.5%) and poorly controlled postoperative pain (3.0%). Hematomas occurred in 1.5% of patients. Reoperation was required in 4 patients; explant in 1.ConclusionUse of the Osia 2 device in our series has resulted in good hearing outcomes, particularly in terms of high frequency gain. Complication rates were low. To our knowledge, this is the largest study to date reporting on Osia 2 outcomes.
Novel variant in ACTA1 identified in a fetus with akinesia deformation sequence and cortical development delay
Authors: Martínez‐Diago Clara , Mademont‐Soler Irene , Bonmatí Alexandra , Rodo Carlota , Alberch Ariadna , Obon María , Fuertes Begoña , Maroto Anna 
Published: April 2024

AbstractWe present a case of fetal akinesia deformation sequence due to nemaline myopathy (NM). In addition to the muscle manifestations, prenatal observations included an enlarged subarachnoid space and delayed cortical development. Trio whole‐exome sequencing revealed a de novo novel pathogenic variant in the ACTA1 gene, which encodes skeletal muscle alpha‐actin. Our findings suggest that brain abnormalities can occur prenatally in NM and support the potential role of skeletal muscle alpha‐actin in the central nervous system.
Real‐world utilization, patient characteristics, and treatment patterns among men with localized prostate cancer tested with the 17‐gene genomic prostate score® (GPSTM) assay
Authors: Nguyen Amy M. , Carter Gebra Cuyun , Wilson Lesley‐Ann Miller , Canfield Steven 
Published: April 2024

AbstractObjectivesDescriptive study focusing on real‐world utilization and characteristics of men with prostate cancer tested with the 17‐gene Genomic Prostate Score® (GPS™) assay by linking administrative claims and electronic health record (EHR) data with GPS results.MethodsThis retrospective, observational cohort study (January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2020) included men aged 40–80 years with localized prostate cancer claims, continuous enrollment in Optum's Integrated Claims data set, ≥1 day of EHR clinical activity, and a GPS result. Men were classified as undergoing definitive therapy (DT) (prostatectomy, radiation, or focal therapy) or active surveillance (AS). AS and DT distribution were analyzed across GPS results, National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) risk, and race. Costs were assessed 6 months after the first GPS result (index); clinical outcomes and AS persistence were assessed during the variable follow‐up. All variables were analyzed descriptively.ResultsOf 834 men, 650 (77.9%) underwent AS and 184 (22.1%) DT. Most men had Quan‐Charlson comorbidity scores of 1–2 and a tumor stage of T1c (index). The most common Gleason patterns were 3 + 3 (79.6%) (AS cohort) and 3 + 4 (55.9%) (DT cohort). The mean (standard deviation) GPS results at index were 23.2 (11.3) (AS) and 30.9 (12.9) (DT). AS decreased with increasing GPS result and NCCN risk. Differences between races were minimal. Total costs were substantially higher in the DT cohort.ConclusionsMost men with GPS‐tested localized prostate cancer underwent AS, indicating the GPS result can inform clinical management. Decreasing AS with increasing GPS result and NCCN risk suggests the GPS complements NCCN risk stratification.
The study of iron‐ and copper‐binding proteome of Fusarium oxysporum and its effector candidates
Authors: Kushwah Ankita Singh , Dixit Himisha , Upadhyay Vipin , Verma Shailender Kumar , Prasad Ramasare 
Published: April 2024

AbstractFusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici is a phytopathogen which causes vascular wilt disease in tomato plants. The survival tactics of both pathogens and hosts depend on intricate interactions between host plants and pathogenic microbes. Iron‐binding proteins (IBPs) and copper‐binding proteins (CBPs) play a crucial role in these interactions by participating in enzyme reactions, virulence, metabolism, and transport processes. We employed high‐throughput computational tools at the sequence and structural levels to investigate the IBPs and CBPs of F. oxysporum. A total of 124 IBPs and 37 CBPs were identified in the proteome of Fusarium. The ranking of amino acids based on their affinity for binding with iron is Glu > His> Asp > Asn > Cys, and for copper is His > Asp > Cys respectively. The functional annotation, determination of subcellular localization, and Gene Ontology analysis of these putative IBPs and CBPs have unveiled their potential involvement in a diverse array of cellular and biological processes. Three iron‐binding glycosyl hydrolase family proteins, along with four CBPs with carbohydrate‐binding domains, have been identified as potential effector candidates. These proteins are distinct from the host Solanum lycopersicum proteome. Moreover, they are known to be located extracellularly and function as enzymes that degrade the host cell wall during pathogen–host interactions. The insights gained from this report on the role of metal ions in plant–pathogen interactions can help develop a better understanding of their fundamental biology and control vascular wilt disease in tomato plants.
Evaluation of Frictional Influence and Thermal Analysis of Flexible Paper‐Based Materials Used in the Vertical Form–Fill–Seal Process: An Experimental Study
Authors: Merabtene Mahdi , Tanninen Panu , Pesonen Antti , Lyytikäinen Johanna , Varis Juha , Leminen Ville 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACTThis study evaluated the frictional behaviour of flexible polymer‐coated and dispersion‐coated materials used in vertical form–fill–seal (VFFS) machines. A laboratory‐scale friction measurement device was developed to investigate the relationship between different surface topographies, roughness and frictional properties. Furthermore, surface roughness, contact angle and surface energy of the material were analysed and a microscopic analysis was performed to further understand the effect of material properties on friction. Thermal camera analysis was performed to measure the temperature changes within the material during the film‐transport stage of the VFFS machine. The friction measurement results indicated that the sliding direction did not affect the static and kinetic coefficients of friction. The significant influence of friction on the surface topography of the plate (forming shoulder and tube) was particularly evident. Some materials experienced the stick–slip phenomenon during sliding, depending on the surface type. Teflon tape, which is commonly used in the forming tubes of VFFS machines, exhibited the lowest coefficient of friction. Thermal camera analysis revealed that polymer‐coated paper materials generated more heat than dispersion‐coated papers during VFFS trials and thermoplastic films generated the least heat. No clear relationship between the surface roughness of the paper, fibre orientation, surface energy and friction coefficient was noted. Furthermore, paper‐based materials exhibited a higher coefficient of friction, which is possibly related to the dispersion components of surface energy. The findings of this study provide additional knowledge for designing the forming tube, shoulder geometry and surface plate to minimize the occurrence of defects, such as wrinkles, in paper‐based packages.
Remediation of chlorpyrifos by utilizing waste packaging wood as magnetic biochar
Authors: Devanand Devanand , Khatkar Rahul , Nahar Sonia , Nagpal Suman 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe concentration of pesticides in water resources (groundwater and surface water) has reached concerning levels due to the widespread use of pesticides in agricultural activities and their persistent nature. Pesticide contamination poses severe health risks to humans and also to various animal populations. Therefore, innovative approaches to pesticide removal from contaminated water is an essential area of research leading to various chemical‐ and herbal‐based solutions to this problem. The present work demonstrates a novel approach to addressing pesticide contamination by repurposing waste packaging wood for their removal. Wood is one of the major components utilized in packaging which results in a large amount of waste requiring management. In this work, waste packaging wood has been utilized to produce magnetic biochar using pyrolysis in an environmentally friendly way and characterized using various characterization tools such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy. FTIR results confirmed the characteristic peak at 577 cm−1 of the magnetic group representing biochar. The efficiency of prepared magnetic biochar for the removal of one of the most frequently used organophosphate pesticides (chlorpyrifos) was tested using batch absorption studies; the results are significant, as the prepared magnetic biochar showed more than 85% removal efficiency of chlorpyrifos with (10 mg/10 mL) at optimized conditions (pH 4–5, temperature ~25°C) in 1 h. This work has promising future potential as the magnetic biochar produced from alternative waste wood sources, such as packaging wood, crop stubble (paralli), and hence forth can be extended to address the removal of different pesticides from water. Moreover, this innovation provides the added benefit of avoiding air pollution caused by the burning of waste wood or utilizing landfill space for wood waste.
ASV station keeping under wind disturbances using neural network simulation error minimization model predictive control
Authors: Chavez‐Galaviz Jalil , Li Jianwen , Chaudhary Ajinkya , Mahmoudian Nina 
Published: April 2024

AbstractStation keeping is an essential maneuver for autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs), mainly when used in confined spaces, to carry out surveys that require the ASV to keep its position or in collaboration with other vehicles where the relative position has an impact over the mission. However, this maneuver can become challenging for classic feedback controllers due to the need for an accurate model of the ASV dynamics and the environmental disturbances. This work proposes a model predictive controller using neural network simulation error minimization (NNSEM–MPC) to accurately predict the dynamics of the ASV under wind disturbances. The performance of the proposed scheme under wind disturbances is tested and compared against other controllers in simulation, using the robotics operating system and the multipurpose simulation environment Gazebo. A set of six tests was conducted by combining two varying wind speeds that are modeled as the Harris spectrum and three wind directions (, , and ). The simulation results clearly show the advantage of the NNSEM–MPC over the following methods: backstepping controller, sliding mode controller, simplified dynamics MPC (SD‐MPC), neural ordinary differential equation MPC (NODE‐MPC), and knowledge‐based NODE MPC. The proposed NNSEM–MPC approach performs better than the rest in five out of the six test conditions, and it is the second best in the remaining test case, reducing the mean position and heading error by at least % ( m) and % (), respectively, across all the test cases. In terms of execution speed, the proposed NNSEM–MPC is at least 36% faster than the rest of the MPC controllers. The field experiments on two different ASV platforms showed that ASVs can effectively keep the station utilizing the proposed method, with a position error as low as  m and a heading error as low as within time windows of at least  s. This would increase the potential applications of ASVs for launch, recovery, and replenishment in long‐term surveys in collaboration with other autonomous systems.
Unoccupied aerial vehicles as a tool to map lizard operative temperature in tropical environments
Authors: Higgins Emma A. , Boyd Doreen S. , Brown Tom W. , Owen Sarah C. , van der Heijden Geertje M. F. , Algar Adam C. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractTo understand how ectotherms will respond to warming temperatures, we require information on thermal habitat quality at spatial resolutions and extents relevant to the organism. Measuring thermal habitat quality is either limited to small spatial extents, such as with ground‐based 3D operative temperature (Te) replicas, representing the temperature of the animal at equilibrium with its environment, or is based on microclimate derived from physical models that use land cover variables and downscale coarse climate data. We draw on aspects of both these approaches and test the ability of unoccupied aerial vehicle (UAV) data (optical RGB) to predict fine‐scale heterogeneity in sub‐canopy lizard (Anolis bicaorum) Te in tropical forest using random forest models. Anolis bicaorum is an endemic, critically endangered, species, facing significant threats of habitat loss and degradation, and work was conducted as part of a larger project. Our findings indicate that a model incorporating solely air temperature, measured at the centre of the 20 × 20 m plot, and ground‐based leaf area index (LAI) measurements, measured at directly above the 3D replica, predicted Te well. However, a model with air temperature and UAV‐derived canopy metrics performed slightly better with the added advantage of enabling the mapping of Te with continuous spatial extent at high spatial resolutions, across the whole of the UAV orthomosaic, allowing us to capture and map Te across the whole of the survey plot, rather than purely at 3D replica locations. Our work provides a feasible workflow to map sub‐canopy lizard Te in tropical environments at spatial scales relevant to the organism, and across continuous areas. This can be applied to other species and can represent species within the same community that have evolved a similar thermal niche. Such methods will be imperative in risk modelling of such species to anthropogenic land cover and climate change.
Synthesis and Biofunctional Properties of NaBr/H2O2‐Induced Brominated Uracil Derivatives
Authors: Shivangi  , Das Subrata , Mal Susital , Naskar Shibu 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBromouracil derivatives are synthesized using an environmentally acceptable bromination protocol involving NaBr as a promoter. A minimum of 1.5 equivalent NaBr was required to reach the maximum yield. The reactions were conducted in an acidic medium in the presence of H2O2 under ambient conditions. We successfully synthesized ten novel 5‐bromouracil derivatives available in our laboratory and characterized them using various spectroscopic methods such as 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, and SC‐XRD. All the derivatives are screened for anti‐bacterial activities against gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria. In particular, compounds 5‐bromo‐4‐chloro‐6‐methylpyrimidin‐2‐amine and 5‐bromo‐6‐chloropyrimidine‐2,4‐diamine exhibited prominent antibacterial activity against gram‐negative E. coli with IC50 values of ~9.8 and ~5.7 μg/mL. The structural‐activity relationship revealed that the presence of the −NH2 group in both the bromo derivatives affirms improving activity. Molecular docking studies also supported the experimental result and showed good binding energy of −4.4 (2 a) and −4.8 (2 b) kcal/mol against E. coli primase.
A Portable Polymer‐based Sensor Platform for the Detection of Atrazine
Authors: Comnea‐Stancu Ionela Raluca , van Staden Jacobus (Koos) Frederick , Stefan‐van Staden Raluca‐Ioana 
Published: April 2024

AbstractDespite being banned by the European Union (EU), Atrazine, a synthetic herbicide, was found in Europe's coastal waters. Given the widespread ban on atrazine in many countries, it is imperative to perform screenings to detect its presence in food and water samples, as it poses significant risks to both human health and aquatic ecosystems. This study presents the development of an innovative, simple, and cost‐effective electrochemical sensing platform that comprises a portable system equipped with a poly‐8‐Amino‐1‐naphthol‐3,6‐disulfonic acid (8‐ANDSA) customized carbon paste electrode (CPE). The poly‐8 ANDSA/CPE was acquired using the process of electrochemical polymerization, utilizing cyclic voltammetry (CV) over the potential domain of −0.8 V to 1.8 V for 25 sweep cycles. The poly‐8‐ANDSA/CPE exhibited a linear relationship between the square wave voltammetric (SWV) peak current amplitude and ATZ concentration within 0.1–100 μM. The limit of detection for ATZ was determined to be 30 nM. Spiked recovery results of 97.71 % to 102.73 % with RSD (%) values less than 5 % validated the method‘s applicability for atrazine detection from water samples. The favorable outcomes indicated that the portable system performs exceptionally well and validates the practicality of ATZ detection, facilitating on‐site detection in actual water samples.