bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using the Sysmex UF‐4000 urine flow cytometer for rapid diagnosis of urinary tract infection in the clinical microbiological laboratory
Authors: Korsten Koos , de Gier Astrid , Leenders Alexander , Wever Peter C. , Kolwijck Eva 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundUrinary tract infections are responsible for a significant worldwide disease burden. Performing urine culture is time consuming and labor intensive. Urine flow cytometry might provide a quick and reliable method to screen for urinary tract infection.MethodsWe analyzed routinely collected urine samples received between 2020 and 2022 from both inpatients and outpatients. The UF‐4000 urine flow cytometer was implemented with an optimal threshold for positivity of ≥100 bacteria/μL. We thereafter validated the prognostic value to detect the presence of urinary tract infection (UTI) based on bacterial (BACT), leukocyte (WBC), and yeast‐like cell (YLC) counts combined with the bacterial morphology (UF gram‐flag).ResultsIn the first phase, in 2019, the UF‐4000 was implemented using 970 urine samples. In the second phase, between 2020 and 2022, the validation was performed in 42,958 midstream urine samples. The UF‐4000 screen resulted in a 37% (n = 15,895) decrease in performed urine cultures. Uropathogens were identified in 18,673 (69%) positively flagged urine samples. BACT > 10.000/μL combined with a gram‐negative flag had a >90% positive predictive value for the presence of gram‐negative uropathogens. The absence of gram‐positive flag or YLC had high negative predictive values (99% and >99%, respectively) and are, therefore, best used to rule out the presence of gram‐positive bacteria or yeast. WBC counts did not add to the prediction of uropathogens.ConclusionImplementation of the UF‐4000 in routine practice decreased the number of cultured urine samples by 37%. Bacterial cell counts were highly predictive for the presence of UTI, especially when combined with the presence of a gram‐negative flag.
Recent advances in carbon quantum dots for gene delivery: A comprehensive review
Authors: Othman Hazha Omar , Anwer Esra Tariq , Ali Diyar Salahuddin , Hassan Rebwar Omar , Mahmood Elnaz Ehsan , Ahmed Rayan Abubakir , Muhammad Rozhan Fathulla , Smaoui Slim 
Published: March 2024

AbstractGene therapy is a revolutionary technology in healthcare that provides novel therapeutic options and has immense potential in addressing genetic illnesses, malignancies, and viral infections. Nevertheless, other obstacles still need to be addressed regarding safety, ethical implications, and technological enhancement. Nanotechnology and gene therapy fields have shown significant promise in transforming medical treatments by improving accuracy, effectiveness, and personalization. This review assesses the possible uses of gene therapy, its obstacles, and future research areas, specifically emphasizing the creative combination of gene therapy and nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is essential for gene delivery as it allows for the development of nano‐scale carriers, such as carbon quantum dots (CQDs), which may effectively transport therapeutic genes into specific cells. CQDs exhibit distinctive physicochemical characteristics such as small size, excellent stability, and minimal toxicity, which render them highly favorable for gene therapy applications. The objective of this study is to review and describe the current advancements in the utilization of CQDs for gene delivery. Additionally, it intends to assess existing research, explore novel applications, and identify future opportunities and obstacles. This study offers a thorough summary of the current state and future possibilities of using CQDs for gene delivery. Combining recent research findings highlights the potential of CQDs to revolutionize gene therapy and its delivery methods.
Phase behavior of lyotropic alkyl thioglycolipid surfactants: Effects of sugar headgroup and alkyl tail length
Authors: Kegel Laurel L. , Wang Yu‐Cheng , Szabó Lajos Z. , Polt Robin , Pemberton Jeanne E. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe lyotropic properties of alkyl thioglycosides with varying sugar headgroup (lactose, cellobiose, maltose, galactose, or glucose) and alkyl chain length (octyl, decyl, or dodecyl chains) are investigated by surface tensiometry, visual observation, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results substantiate that the glycosidic S‐linkage confers considerably different solution aggregation behavior on these surfactants relative to their O‐linked counterparts, where the properties of the latter are known. The materials properties of the aggregated structures from the alkyl thioglycosides vary considerably. Micelles are formed by octyl thiocellobioside and all alkyl thiomaltosides. Turbid aggregate solutions are formed by the alkyl thioglucosides and octyl thiogalactoside, whereas the longer chain alkyl thiogalactosides are minimally soluble. Fluorescence spectroscopy of these systems confirms their aggregation in lamellar‐like structures. The alkyl thiocellobiosides and alkyl thiolactosides form hydrogels from these low‐molecular weight materials at concentrations almost an order of magnitude lower than gels using other low‐molecular weight materials. Here, hydrogels form at concentrations <0.3 wt% with some forming hydrogels at concentrations as low as 0.03 wt% from alkyl thiocellobiosides and thiolactosides, with hydrogel properties differing significantly with this slight change in the sugar headgroup. Alkyl thiocellobiosides form a nanofiber network and alkyl thiolactosides form globular hydrogels. Overall, these results clearly document materials properties that can readily be controlled and designed depending on molecular structure.
Emotional reactivity linking assaultive trauma and risky behavior: Evidence of differences between cisgender women and men
Authors: Stumps Anna , Bounoua Nadia , Sadeh Naomi 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAccumulating evidence suggests that trauma exposure is positively associated with future engagement in risky behavior, such as substance misuse, aggression, risky sex, and self‐harm. However, the psychological factors driving this association and their relevance across gender groups require further clarification. In a community sample of 375 adults with a high rate of trauma exposure (age range: 18–55 years, M = 32.98 years, SD = 10.64; 76.3% assaultive trauma exposure), we examined whether emotional reactivity linked lifetime assaultive trauma exposure with past–month risky behavior. We also explored whether this model differed for cisgender women (n = 178, 47.6%) and men (n = 197, 52.5%). As hypothesized, assaultive trauma was positively related to emotional reactivity, β = .20, SE = 0.03, t(369) = 3.65, p < .001, which, in turn, partially accounted for the association between assaultive trauma and past‐month risky behavior, indirect effect: β = .03, SE = 0.01, 95% bootstrapped CI [0.01, 0.06]. Gender moderated this association such that assaultive trauma was indirectly associated with risky behavior via emotional reactivity for women but not for men, index moderation: B = ‐0.03, SE = 0.02, 95% bootstrapped CI [‐0.07, ‐0.01]. Cross‐sectional results suggest that emotional reactivity may be a proximal target for clinical intervention to aid in the reduction of risky behavior among women.
The effect of different surface treatments of 310S austenitic stainless steel on the corrosion behavior in supercritical water using slow positron methods
Authors: Song Yamin , Krsjak Vladimir , Slugen Vladimir , Novotny Radek , Sojak Stanislav , Novak Michal , Dekan Julius , Cao Xingzhong , Degmova Jarmila 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe corrosion behavior of 310S austenitic stainless steel, subjected to different surface treatments machined (MA), sandblasting (SB), and polishing (PO), was exposed to a 550°C supercritical water (SCW) environment. The aged samples were analyzed using variable‐energy slow positron beam techniques. The obtained results revealed that the plastic deformation of the near‐surface region of the MA and SB samples was substantially recovered in the SCW conditions. At least two distinct oxide layers formed, and the oxidation process created a Fe/Cr depletion zone in the inner layer. Various surface treatments, however, led to different corrosion profiles. The depth profile of slow positron beam characterization suggests that significant residual stress and deformation zones on the surfaces of the sandblasted samples probably provided a diffusion path for the oxidation of the 310S. Only the SB samples exhibited a negative weight change after SCW exposure. At the same time, the SB samples showed the highest concentration of the positron traps in this region, which was explained by open‐volume defects associated with the microcracks introduced by sandblasting.
Cortical Macro‐ and Microstructural Changes in Parkinson's Disease with Probable Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder
Authors: Pardo Jèssica , Montal Victor , Campabadal Anna , Oltra Javier , Uribe Carme , Roura Ignacio , Bargalló Núria , Martí Maria J. , Compta Yaroslau , Iranzo Alex , Fortea Juan , Junqué Carme , Segura Bàrbara 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundEvidence regarding cortical atrophy patterns in Parkinson's disease (PD) with probable rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) (PD‐pRBD) remains scarce. Cortical mean diffusivity (cMD), as a novel imaging biomarker highly sensitive to detecting cortical microstructural changes in different neurodegenerative diseases, has not been investigated in PD‐pRBD yet.ObjectivesThe aim was to investigate cMD as a sensitive measure to identify subtle cortical microstructural changes in PD‐pRBD and its relationship with cortical thickness (CTh).MethodsTwenty‐two PD‐pRBD, 31 PD without probable RBD (PD‐nonpRBD), and 28 healthy controls (HC) were assessed using 3D T1‐weighted and diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging on a 3‐T scanner and neuropsychological testing. Measures of cortical brain changes were obtained through cMD and CTh. Two‐class group comparisons of a general linear model were performed (P < 0.05). Cohen's d effect size for both approaches was computed.ResultsPD‐pRBD patients showed higher cMD than PD‐nonpRBD patients in the left superior temporal, superior frontal, and precentral gyri, precuneus cortex, as well as in the right middle frontal and postcentral gyri and paracentral lobule (d > 0.8), whereas CTh did not detect significant differences. PD‐pRBD patients also showed increased bilateral posterior cMD in comparison with HCs (d > 0.8). These results partially overlapped with CTh results (0.5 < d < 0.8). PD‐nonpRBD patients showed no differences in cMD when compared with HCs but showed cortical thinning in the left fusiform gyrus and lateral occipital cortex bilaterally (d > 0.5).ConclusionscMD may be more sensitive than CTh displaying significant cortico‐structural differences between PD subgroups, indicating this imaging biomarker's utility in studying early cortical changes in PD. © 2024 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Adaptive finite element methods for scalar double‐well problem
Authors: Li Bingzhen , Liu Dongjie 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSome scalar double‐well problems eventually lead to a degenerate convex minimization problem with unique stress. We consider the adaptive conforming and nonconforming finite element methods for the scalar double‐well problem with the reliable a posteriori error analysis. A number of experiments confirm the effective decay rates of the methods.
2D/0D multiscale interfacial engineering of carbon fiber composites for simultaneous achieving high mechanical and electromagnetic interference shielding properties
Authors: Guo Zongwei , Liu Lin , Ao Yuhui 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn the face of escalating electromagnetic pollution, it is urgently needed to expedite the development of innovative carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites that not only demonstrate superior mechanical properties as well as durability but also boast exceptional electromagnetic interference shielding (EMI) performance. However, given the absence of robust interface interactions and the lack of an outstanding nanostructured conductive network, there remains a need to further elevate the overall performance of CFRP composites. Herein, a highly continuous conductive network by integrating 2D MXene and 0D Ag nanoparticles with strong interlayer interactions was constructed through point‐to‐plane conductive modes, facilitated by polydopamine (PDA). Thanks to the excellent electromagnetic wave loss and the unique multi‐dimensional structure arising from the optimizing interfacial engineering, the EMI shielding effectiveness of the modified CF‐PDA‐M‐Ag/EP composite achieved a remarkable 45.9 dB, obtaining a 99.5% enhancement compared with the neat CF/EP. The synergistic effect resulting from the multi‐dimensional structure and strong interaction can improve the interfacial shear strength (IFSS), interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and flexure strength of the composite up to 81.9, 85.8 and 864.6 MPa, respectively, far superior to the unmodified composite materials. This research provides a dependable and convenient approach for exploiting high‐performance CFRP composites with intriguing electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding properties.Highlights
An optimizing multifunctional 2D/0D interface for carbon fiber was designed.
A highly conductive network via the point‐to‐plane conductive mode.
The EMI shielding effectiveness of the composite reached up to 45.9 dB.
An open‐source implementation of tree‐based scan statistics
Authors: Russo Massimiliano , Wang Shirley V. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPurposeWe develop an open‐source R package to implement tree‐based scan statistics (TBSS) analyses.MethodsTBSS are data mining methods used by the United States Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control. They simultaneously screen thousands of hierarchically aggregated outcomes to identify unsuspected adverse effects of drugs or vaccines, accounting for multiple comparisons. The general structure of TBSS is highly adaptable, with four essential components: (1) a hierarchical outcome structure, (2) a test statistic to be computed for each element of the hierarchy, (3) an algorithm to generate data replicates under a null distribution, and (4) observed outcomes at the lower level of the hierarchy. We encode the general TBSS framework in a convenient R package that offers user‐friendly functions for the most used TBSS methods. To illustrate the performance of our software, we evaluated two examples of archetypical TBSS analyses previously analyzed using proprietary, closed‐source TreeScan™ software. The first considers the risk of congenital malformations associated with first‐trimester exposure to valproate, and the second compares exposure to newly prescribed canagliflozin with a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor in adults affected by type 2 diabetes.ResultsThe results of the original studies are replicated.ConclusionsThe diffusion of an open‐source implementation of TBSS can enhance innovation of TBSS methods and foster collaborations. We offer an intuitive R package implementing standard TBSS methods with accompanying tutorials. Our unified object‐oriented implementation allows expert users to extend the framework, introduce new features, or enhance existing ones.
Tissue‐adhesive, antibacterial, naturally‐derived polymer hydrogels as wound dressings for infected and chronic wound healing
Authors: Shen Yuanyuan , Zhang Zhen , Chen Xuesi , He Chaoliang 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBacterial infections are common during skin wound healing, which can interrupt the healing process, delay wound healing and seriously affect the quality of life. Long‐term antibiotic treatment may lead to the development of drug resistance. Traditional bandages, sponges, films, and textiles are commonly single‐functional, and usually fail to satisfy the complicated needs of wound healing process. In recent years, antibacterial hydrogel dressings have received extensive attention for treatment of infected and chronic wounds, which can serve as biocompatible, multifunctional platforms for both promoting tissue regeneration and inhibiting bacterial infection. Cationic polymers with inherent antibacterial properties have been used as the hydrogel backbone, and metal ions and metal nanoparticles can be loaded in the hydrogels to enhance the antibacterial effects. Besides, various drugs and bioactive factors have been incorporated to provide the hydrogel with anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant activities in complicated environment of chronic wound healing. Additionally, the tissue adhesion of hydrogel dressings can have advantages in fixing the dressings at wound sites and promoting the dressing‐tissue interactions. In this review, we focus on the designing strategies for tissue‐adhesive, antibacterial, naturally‐derived polymer hydrogels for treating infected and chronic wounds. The typical tissue adhesion mechanisms and antibacterial mechanisms of the hydrogel dressings are summarized. Finally, the prospects and challenges in the further development of multi‐functional hydrogels to treat infected and chronic wounds are proposed.
Identification and characterization of impurities in an insecticide, commercial chlorantraniliprole using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Kannoujia Jyoti , Chirra Nagaraju , Rodda Ramesh , Shaikh Asif , Maddala Nagaraju , Kantevari Srinivas , Sripadi Prabhakar 
Published: March 2024

RationaleEnsuring the global safety and effectiveness of agrochemicals has become imperative. An in‐depth understanding of impurity profiles of products is crucial, especially for high‐demand agrochemicals, where impurities may be more toxic and persistent than original agrochemicals. This study focuses on the detection and identification of impurities in a commercial chlorantraniliprole (CAP), an anthranilic diamide class broad‐spectrum insecticide.MethodsCommercial CAP was collected from an agrochemical supplier in India and was analyzed using a high‐performance liquid chromatography‐photodiode array (HPLC‐PDA) (Agilent 1260; wavelength, 220 nm) with a Zorbax RP SB‐C18 (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) (Agilent 6545 quadrupole time of flight (Q‐TOF)) techniques to identify the impurities. The impurities were isolated by preparative HPLC using a Zorbax‐DB C18 (250 × 9.4 mm, 5 μm) column. liquid chromatography– tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) experiments (Q‐TOF) were performed on CAP and its impurities to obtain their structural data.ResultsHPLC‐PDA analysis of CAP showed four major impurities (IM‐1 to IM‐4) ranging from 0.76% to 4.1%. The positive ion electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectra of CAP and its impurities showed dominant [M + H]+ ions in addition to [M + Na]+, [M + K]+, and [2M + Na]+ ions. High‐resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) data provided the elemental composition of the compounds, and isotopic distribution patterns revealed the number of Cl and/or Br atoms present in them. The structures of impurities were proposed based on the LC–MS/MS) data and further confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data on isolated impurities/synthesis.ConclusionThe quality and impurities of CAP, a popular insecticide, must be assessed and described for its efficacy and safety. In this study, four impurities of CAP were detected using HPLC and successfully characterized using LC‐HRMS, LC–MS/MS, and NMR data. The method is useful for verifying the purity of CAP as well as helping in the identification of its possible impurities.
Microscopic‐Level Insights into P‐O‐Induced Strong Electronic Coupling Over Nickel Phosphide with Efficient Benzyl Alcohol Electrooxidation
Authors: Chen Lin , Yu Chang , Song Xuedan , Dong Junting , Han Yingnan , Huang Hongling , Zhu Xiuqing , Xie Yuanyang , Qiu Jieshan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractElectrooxidation of biomass into fine chemicals coupled with energy‐saving hydrogen production for a zero‐carbon economy holds great promise. Advanced anode catalysts determine the cell voltage and electrocatalytic efficiency greatly, further the rational design and optimization of their active site coordination remains a challenge. Herein, a phosphorus‐oxygen terminals‐rich species (Ni2P‐O‐300) via an anion‐assisted pyrolysis strategy is reported to induce strong electronic coupling and high valence state of active nickel sites over nickel phosphide. This ultimately facilitates the rapid yet in‐situ formation of high‐valence nickel with a high reaction activity under electrochemical conditions, and exhibits a low potential of 1.33 V vs. RHE at 10 mA cm−2, exceeding most of reported transition metal‐based catalysts. Advanced spectroscopy, theoretical calculations, and experiments reveal that the functional P‐O species can induce the favorable local bonding configurations for electronic coupling, promoting the electron transfer from Ni to P and the adsorption of benzyl alcohol (BA). Finally, the hydrogen production efficiency and kinetic constant of BA electrooxidation by Ni2P‐O‐300 are increased by 9‐ and 2.8‐ fold compared with the phosphorus‐oxygen terminals‐deficient catalysts (Ni2P‐O‐500). This provides an anion‐assisted pyrolysis strategy to modulate the electronic environment of the Ni site, enabling a guideline for Ni‐based energy/catalysis systems.
Space‐Confined Growth of Ultrathin P‐Type GeTe Nanosheets for Broadband Photodetectors
Authors: Qu Junyu , Cheng Haodong , Lan Huiping , Zheng Biyuan , Luo Ziyu , Yang Xin , Yi Xiao , Wu Guangcheng , Chen Shula , Pan Anlian 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAs p‐type phase‐change degenerate semiconductors, crystalline and amorphous germanium telluride (GeTe) exhibit metallic and semiconducting properties, respectively. However, the massive structural defects and strong interface scattering in amorphous GeTe films significantly reduce their performance. In this work, two‐dimensional (2D) p‐type GeTe nanosheets are synthesized via a specially designed space‐confined chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, with the thickness of the GeTe nanosheets reduced to 1.9 nm. The space‐confined CVD method improves the crystallinity of ultrathin GeTe by lowering the partial pressure of the reactant gas, resulting in GeTe nanosheets with excellent p‐type semiconductor properties, such as a satisfactory on/off ratio of 105. Temperature‐dependent electrical measurements demonstrate that variable‐range hopping and optical‐phonon‐assisted hopping mechanisms dominate transport behavior at low and high temperatures, respectively. GeTe devices exhibit significantly high responsivity (6589 and 2.2 A W−1 at 633 and 980 nm, respectively) and detectivity (1.67 × 1011 and 1.3 × 108 Jones at 633 and 980 nm, respectively), making them feasible for broadband photodetectors in the visible to near‐infrared range. Furthermore, the fabricated GeTe/WS2 diode exhibits a rectification ratio of 103 at zero gate voltage. These satisfactory p‐type semiconductor properties demonstrate that ultrathin GeTe exhibits enormous potential for applications in optoelectronic interconnection circuits.