bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nigella sativa for the treatment of COVID‐19 patients: A rapid systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Umer Mohammad , Naveed Aiman , Maryam Qanita , Cheema Huzaifa Ahmad , Shahid Abia , Hermis Alaa Hamza , Chinnam Sampath , Swed Sarya , Sahra Syeda 
Published: December 2023

AbstractNigella sativa is an herbal therapy for various afflictions. It has some potential to be a promising option as an efficacious treatment for COVID‐19 patients that can contribute to global healthcare as a relatively cheap therapy but evidence of its use from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is limited. Therefore, to explore the effect of N. sativa in combating COVID‐19, we undertook this meta‐analysis. We searched several databases to retrieve all RCTs investigating N. sativa for the treatment of COVID‐19 as compared to placebo or standard care. We used RevMan 5.4 for all analyses with risk ratio (RR) or odds ratio (OR) as the effect measures. We included a total of seven RCTs in this review. N. sativa significantly reduced the risk of all‐cause mortality in patients with COVID‐19 compared to the control group (RR 0.27, 95% CI: 0.10 to 0.72; I2 = 0%). N. sativa significantly reduced the rate of viral PCR positivity (RR 0.62, 95% CI: 0.39 to 0.97; I2 = 0%). We did not find any significant difference in the risk of hospitalization (RR 0.26, 95% CI: 0.04 to 1.54; I2 = 0%) and the rate of no recovery (OR 0.48, 95% CI: 0.20 to 1.15; I2 = 84%) between the two groups. N. sativa is an easily available herbal medicine that may decrease the risk of mortality and improve virological clearance in COVID‐19 patients. However, our results are limited by the small number of RCTs available. Further large‐scale RCTs are needed to better understand the anti‐inflammatory and antiviral effects of N. sativa in COVID‐19 patients.
Implementing flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallow screening within annual cancer surveillance appointments to monitor for late‐stage radiation‐induced dysphagia: A feasibility study
Authors: Stradling Emma J. , Barnhart Molly K. , Robinson Rachelle A. , Mogg Penny J. , Ward Elizabeth C. , Smee Robert I. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundLate‐stage progressive decline of swallowing function after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (HNC) is often difficult to monitor. This study examined the feasibility and clinical outcomes of speech‐language pathology implementing flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallow (FEES) screening during annual cancer surveillance visits to monitor late‐stage swallowing function.MethodsPatients >2 years post treatment who attended routine oncological visits underwent FEES screening. Feasibility (service data, stakeholder survey) and swallowing outcomes (oral intake, secretions, internal lymphedema, penetration–aspiration, and residue) were collected.ResultsScreening was completed with 70% (50/71) of eligible patients. Medical staff and speech‐language pathologists indicated the protocol was worthwhile and achievable to incorporate into practice. Almost all patients were willing to complete the protocol annually. FEES outcomes identified 84% with dysphagia versus only 26% self‐reported dysphagia.ConclusionFindings indicate FEES screening incorporated into annual oncological reviews is feasible and effective at monitoring late‐stage swallowing function following HNC.
Prevalence of neoplasia at colonoscopy among testicular cancer survivors treated with platinum‐based chemotherapy
Authors: Breekveldt Emilie C. H. , Ykema Berbel L. M. , Bisseling Tanya M. , Moons Leon M. G. , Spaander Manon C. W. , Huibregtse Inge L. , van der Biessen‐van Beek Dorien T. J. , Mulder Sasja F. , Saveur Lisette , Kerst J. Martijn , Zweers Danielle , Suelmann Britt B. M. , de Wit Ronald , Reijm Agnes , van Baalen Sophia , Butterly Lynn F. , Hisey William M. , Robinson Christina M. , van Vuuren Anneke J. , Carvalho Beatriz , Lansdorp‐Vogelaar Iris , Schaapveld Michael , van Leeuwen Flora E. , Snaebjornsson Petur , van Leerdam Monique E. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractTesticular cancer survivors (TCS) treated with platinum‐based chemotherapy have an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). We determined the yield of colonoscopy in TCS to assess its potential in reducing CRC incidence and mortality. We conducted a colonoscopy screening study among TCS in four Dutch hospitals to assess the yield of colorectal neoplasia. Neoplasia was defined as adenomas, serrated polyps (SPs), advanced adenomas (AAs: ≥10 mm diameter, high‐grade dysplasia or ≥25% villous component), advanced serrated polyps (ASPs: ≥10 mm diameter or dysplasia) or CRC. Advanced neoplasia (AN) was defined as AA, ASP or CRC. Colonoscopy yield was compared to average‐risk American males who underwent screening colonoscopy (n = 24,193) using a propensity score matched analysis, adjusted for age, smoking status, alcohol consumption and body mass index. A total of 137 TCS underwent colonoscopy. Median age was 50 years among TCS (IQR 43–57) vs 55 years (IQR 51–62) among American controls. A total of 126 TCS were matched to 602 controls. The prevalence of AN was higher in TCS than in controls (8.7% vs 1.7%; P = .0002). Nonadvanced adenomas and SPs were detected in 45.2% of TCS vs 5.5% of controls (P < .0001). No lesions were detected in 46.0% of TCS vs 92.9% of controls (P < .0001). TCS treated with platinum‐based chemotherapy have a higher prevalence of neoplasia and AN than matched controls. These results support our hypothesis that platinum‐based chemotherapy increases the risk of colorectal neoplasia in TCS. Cost‐effectiveness studies are warranted to ascertain the threshold of AN prevalence that justifies the recommendation of colonoscopy for TCS.
Trends in epidemiology and primary treatment of anal squamous cell carcinoma in the Netherlands (1990–2021)
Authors: Ho Vincent K. Y. , Deijen Charlotte L. , Hemmes Birgit , van Erning Felice N. , Snaebjornsson Petur , van Triest Baukelien , Grotenhuis Brechtje A. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractA rapid increase in the incidence of anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was reported in several countries over the past decades. This study assessed trends in epidemiology and primary treatment over a 32‐year period (1990–2021) using the Netherlands Cancer Registry. The study population included 4273 patients, 44.2% male and 55.8% female (median age 63 years). The age‐standardised incidence rate (European Standardised Rate, ESR) increased from 0.5 to 1.6 per 100,000, which entailed an average annual percentage change (AAPC) of 5.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.5%–5.8%). While incidence among females increased continuously over the total period (AAPC 4.9%; 95%CI: 4.4%–5.6%), to 1.8 per 100,000 ESR in 2021, incidence among males increased until 2016 (annual percentage change [APC] of 6.3%; 95%CI: 5.6%–10.7%), after which it seemed to stabilise (APC −2.1%; 95%CI: −16.8%–4.5%). Significant trends were also observed in distribution of age, tumour stage and primary treatment modalities. Five‐year relative survival (RS) was estimated using the Pohar–Perme estimator, and this improved from 56.1% in 1990–1997 (95%CI: 49.3%–62.4%) to 67.9% in 2014–2021 (95%CI: 64.7%–70.9%), but remained poor for stage IV disease. Evaluation through a multivariable Poisson regression model demonstrated diagnosis in the most recent period to be independently associated with better RS, in addition to female sex, younger age, early disease stage and any treatment. In conclusion, the rising incidence of anal SCC seems to decline in males, but not in females, and advances in diagnostics and therapeutic management have likely contributed to improved prognosis.
Tropical cyclone activity around Taiwan modulated by El Niño during 1900–1945 and 1970–2015
Authors: Tan Pei‐Hua , Chen Jau‐Ming , Li Wei‐Teh , Chen Hui‐Shan 
Published: December 2023

AbstractTropical cyclone (TC) activity around Taiwan is analysed via typhoon datasets compiled by the Central Weather Administration (CWA) for the pre‐satellite era of 1900–1945 (IE1) and the satellite era of 1970–2015 (IE2). Modulating processes imposed by El Niño years on active and inactive TC activity around Taiwan in the July–September season are examined and compared between IE1 and IE2. Analyses reveal coherent dynamic relationships between TC variability in Taiwan and large‐scale modulating processes; furthermore, modulating processes exhibit similar features between IE1 and IE2. El Niño years tend to have more (less) TC formation in the eastern (western) sector of the western North Pacific (WNP). In both IE1 and IE2, intensified TC activity around Taiwan is associated with northwestward TC tracks from the eastern WNP toward Taiwan assisted by a westward‐elongating cyclonic anomaly across the WNP and South China Sea. When a WNP cyclonic anomaly stretches northwestward toward oceans north of Taiwan, TCs from the tropical eastern WNP generally move northward toward oceans east of Taiwan to result in suppressed TC activity around Taiwan. The westward‐elongating anomalous cyclone is associated with an anomalous divergent centre over the Indian Ocean and an anomalous convergent centre in the tropical eastern Pacific over the 150°–130°W region. The northwestward‐extending anomalous cyclone connects with an anomalous divergent centre over the Maritime Continent and an anomalous convergent centre over the 130°–110°W region. Anomalous divergent and convergent centres displace westward (eastward) for active (inactive) TC types that are related to a more westward (eastward) maximum centre of anomalous warm waters in the tropical eastern Pacific. The above coherent dynamic relationships justify the reliability of TC records compiled by the CWA during IE1 and IE2.
Whey filtration: a review of products, application, and pretreatment with transglutaminase enzyme
Authors: Rosseto Marieli , Rigueto Cesar Vinicius Toniciolli , Gomes Karolynne Sousa , Krein Daniela Dal Castell , Loss Raquel Aparecida , Dettmer Aline , Richards Neila Silvia Pereira dos Santos 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIn the cheese industry, whey, which is rich in lactose and proteins, is underutilized, causing adverse environmental impacts. The fractionation of its components, typically carried out through filtration membranes, faces operational challenges such as membrane fouling, significant protein loss during the process, and extended operating times. These challenges require attention and specific methods for optimization and to increase efficiency. A promising strategy to enhance industry efficiency and sustainability is the use of enzymatic pre‐treatment with the enzyme transglutaminase (TGase). This enzyme plays a crucial role in protein modification, catalyzing covalent cross‐links between lysine and glutamine residues, increasing the molecular weight of proteins, facilitating their retention on membranes, and contributing to the improvement of the quality of the final products. The aim of this study is to review the application of the enzyme TGase as a pretreatment in whey protein filtration. The scope involves assessing the enzyme's impact on whey protein properties and its relationship with process performance. It also aims to identify both the optimization of operational parameters and the enhancement of product characteristics. This study demonstrates that the application of TGase leads to improved performance in protein concentration, lactose permeation, and permeate flux rate during the filtration process. It also has the capacity to enhance protein solubility, viscosity, thermal stability, and protein gelation in whey. In this context, it is relevant for enhancing the characteristics of whey, thereby contributing to the production of higher quality final products in the food industry. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Alleviating vibrations along a harmonically driven nonuniform Euler–Bernoulli beam by imposing nodes
Authors: Baltan‐Brunet Melis , Kopp Fionna , Cha Philip D. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractA passive approach is developed to quench excess vibration along a harmonically driven, arbitrarily supported, nonuniform Euler–Bernoulli beam with constant thickness (height) and varying width. Vibration suppression is achieved by attaching properly tuned vibration absorbers to enforce nodes, or points of zero vibration, along the beam. An efficient hybrid method is proposed whereby the finite element method is used to model the nonuniform beams, and a formulation based on the assumed modes method is used to determine the required attachment force supplied by each absorber to induce the desired nodes. Knowing the attachment forces needed to induce nodes, design plots are generated for the absorber parameters as a function of the tolerable vibration amplitude for each absorber mass. When the node locations are judiciously chosen, it is possible to dramatically suppress the vibration along a selected region of the beam. As such, sensitive instruments can be placed in this region and will remain nearly stationary. Numerical studies illustrate the application to several systems with various types of nonuniformity, boundary conditions, and attachment and node locations; these examples validate the proposed method to passively control excess vibration by inducing nodes on nonuniform beams subjected to harmonic excitations.
The effect of noninvasive brain stimulation on anhedonia in patients with schizophrenia and depression: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Chu Min‐yi , Li Shuai‐biao , Wang Yi , Lui Simon S. Y. , Chan Raymond C. K. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractAnhedonia is a transdiagnostic symptom found in patients with schizophrenia and depression. Current pharmacological interventions for anhedonia are unsatisfactory in a considerable proportion of patients. There has been growing interest in applying noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) to patients with anhedonia. However, evidence for the efficacy of NIBS for anhedonia remain inconsistent. This study systematically identified all studies that measured anhedonia and applied NIBS in patients with schizophrenia or depression. We conducted a search using the various databases in English (PubMed, EBSCOHost (PsycInfo/PsycArticles), Web of Science) and Chinese (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform) languages, and reviewed original research articles on NIBS published from January 1989 to July 2023. Our search had identified 15 articles for quantitative synthesis, with three concerning schizophrenia samples, 11 concerning samples with depression, and one concerning both clinical samples. We conducted a meta‐analysis based on the 15 included studies, and the results suggested that NIBS could improve anhedonia symptoms in schizophrenia patients and patients with depression, with a medium‐to‐large effect size. Our findings are preliminary, given the limited number of included studies. Future NIBS research should measure anhedonia as a primary outcome and should recruit transdiagnostic samples.
Building structured, functional materials inspired by nature: Using peptides, peptoids, and polymerizations
Authors: Montz Brian J. , Emrick Todd 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe assembly of peptide and peptide‐inspired building blocks into functional, well‐defined, multi‐length scale materials represents an exciting, rapidly expanding research field that bridges the principles of polymer science and engineering with a tremendous breadth of biomolecular interactions. The advantageous features of peptides, including their biocompatibility, functional diversity, and high purity, are complemented by the breadth of potential applications that may arise from their resultant structures and assemblies. Applications in biology (tissue scaffolding and drug conjugation), electronics (electron and/or ion‐conduction), and membranes (ion capture and ultrafiltration) represent a few of many examples where such biologically rich materials hold potential for enabling new routes to enhanced materials performance. Achieving successful solution and interfacial assembly techniques for peptides and other peptidomimetic materials requires obtaining a deep understanding of their design principles and limitations, as well as their amenability to structure formation when subjected to a variety of environmental conditions, such as pH, solvent, and temperature, to which such assembly methods may be exquisitely sensitive. This review especially focuses on mechanisms and the product of oligo‐ and polypeptide assembly, often resulting in the formation of extended, wire‐like structures obtained by solution methods, with inclusion of peptoid‐based structures and the complementary roles of polymerizations and step‐by‐step synthetic methods. Moreover, we describe relationships between naturally occurring peptide‐based structures, such as Geobacter pili, that in turn inspire self‐assembly of peptide‐based structures, composites with polymer materials, and assemblies therefrom.
The Effect of Ni Doping on FeOF Cathode Material for High‐Performance Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Yun Boram , Maulana Achmad Yanuar , Lee Dawon , Song Jungwook , Futalan Cybelle M. , Moon Dohyun , Kim Jongsik 
Published: December 2023

AbstractSodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) have emerged as a promising alternative to lithium‐ion batteries for large‐scale energy storage systems due to the abundance and low price of sodium. Until recently, the low theoretical capacities of intercalation‐type cathodes less than 250 mAh g−1 have limited the energy density of SIBs. On the other hand, iron oxyfluoride (FeOF) has a high theoretical capacity of ≈885 mAh g−1 as a conversion‐type cathode material for SIBs. However, FeOF suffers from poor cycling stability, rate capability, and low initial Coulombic efficiency caused by its low electrical conductivity and slow ionic diffusion kinetics. To solve these problems, doping aliovalent Ni2+ on FeOF electrodes is attempted to improve the electronic conductivity without using a carbon matrix. The ionic conductivity of FeOF is also enhanced due to the formation of oxygen defects in the FeOF crystal structure. The FeOF‐Ni1 electrode shows an excellent cycling performance with a reversible discharge capacity of 450.4 mAh g−1 at 100 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles with a fading rate of 0.20% per cycle. In addition, the FeOF‐Ni1//hard carbon full cell exhibited a high energy density of 876.9 Wh kg−1cathode with a good cycling stability.
Morphology Control of Mixed Metallic Organic Framework for High‐Performance Hybrid Supercapacitors
Authors: Mohanty Ankita , Kang Kyeong‐Nam , Saravanakumar Balasubramaniam , Ramadoss Ananthakumar , Jang Ji‐Hyun 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe study presents the binder‐free synthesis of mixed metallic organic frameworks (MMOFs) supported on a ternary metal oxide (TMO) core as an innovative three‐dimensional (3D) approach to enhance electron transport and mass transfer during the electrochemical charge‐discharge process, resulting in high‐performance hybrid supercapacitors. The research demonstrates that the choice of organic linkers can be used to tailor the morphology of these MMOFs, thus optimizing their electrochemical efficiency. Specifically, a NiCo‐MOF@NiCoO2@Ni electrode, based on terephthalic linkers, exhibits highly ordered porosity and a vast internal surface area, achieving a maximum specific capacity of 2320 mC cm−2, while maintaining excellent rate capability and cycle stability. With these performances, the hybrid supercapacitor (HSC) achieves a maximum specific capacitance of 424.6 mF cm−2 (specific capacity 653.8 mC cm−2) and 30.7 F cm−3 with energy density values of 10.1 mWh cm−3 at 167.4 mW cm−3 (139.8 µWh cm−2 at 2310 µW cm−2), which are higher than those of previously reported MMOFs based electrodes. This research introduces a novel approach for metal organic framework based HSC electrodes, diverging from the traditional emphasis on metal ions, in order to achieve the desired electrochemical performance.
Accelerated Single Li‐Ion Transport in Solid Electrolytes for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries: Poly(Arylene Ether Sulfone) Grafted with Pyrrolidinium‐Terminated Poly(Ethylene Glycol)
Authors: Le Mong Anh , Shin Jong Chan , Lee Minjae , Kim Dukjoon 
Published: December 2023

AbstractPolymeric solid electrolytes have attracted tremendous interest in high‐safety and high‐energy capacity lithium–sulfur (Li─S) batteries. There is, however, still a dilemma to concurrently attain high Li‐ion conductivity and high mechanical strength that effectively suppress the Li‐dendrite growth. Accordingly, a rapidly Li‐ion conducting solid electrolyte is prepared by grafting pyrrolidinium cation (PYR+)‐functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) onto the poly(arylene ether sulfone) backbone (PAES–g–2PEGPYR). The PYR+ groups effectively immobilize anions of Li‐salts in Li‐conductive PEGPYR domains phase‐separated from PAES matrix to enhance the single‐ion conduction. The tailored PAES–g–2PEGPYR membrane shows a high Li‐ion transference number of 0.601 and superior ionic conductivity of 1.38 mS cm−1 in the flexible solid state with the tensile strength of 1.0 MPa and Young's modulus of 1.5 MPa. Moreover, this PAES–g–2PEGPYR membrane exhibits a high oxidation potential (5.5 V) and high thermal stability up to 200 (C. The Li/PAES–g–2PEGPYR/Li cell stably operates for 1000 h without any short circuit, and the rechargeable Li/PAES–g–2PEGPYR/S cell discharges a capacity of 1004.7 mAh g−1 at C/5 with the excellent rate capability and the prominent cycling performance of 95.3% retention after 200 cycles.
In Situ Construction of Built‐In Opposite Electric Field Balanced Surface Adsorption for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Xu Tianyi , Tian Fuyu , Jiao Dongxu , Fan Jinchang , Jin Zhaoyong , Zhang Lei , Zhang Wei , Zheng Lirong , Singh David J. , Zhang Lijun , Zheng Weitao , Cui Xiaoqiang 
Published: December 2023

AbstractAchieving a balance between H‐atom adsorption and binding with H2 desorption is crucial for catalyzing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this study, the feasibility of designing and implementing built‐in opposite electric fields (OEF) is demonstrated to enable optimal H atom adsorption and H2 desorption using the Ni3(BO3)2/Ni5P4 heterostructure as an example. Through density functional theory calculations of planar averaged potentials, it shows that opposite combinations of inward and outward electric fields can be achieved at the interface of Ni3(BO3)2/Ni5P4, leading to the optimization of the H adsorption free energy (ΔGH*) near electric neutrality (0.05 eV). Based on this OEF concept, the study experimentally validated the Ni3(BO3)2/Ni5P4 system electrochemically forming Ni3(BO3)2 through cyclic voltammetry scanning of B‐doped Ni5P4. The surface of Ni3(BO3)2 undergoes reconstruction, as characterized by Grazing Incidence Wide‐Angle X‐ray Scattering (GIWAXS) and in situ Raman spectroscopy. The resulting catalyst exhibits excellent HER activity in alkaline media, with a low overpotential of 33 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and stability maintained for over 360 h. Therefore, the design strategy of build‐in opposite electric field enables the development of high‐performance HER catalysts and presents a promising approach for electrocatalyst advancement.