bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Breast cancer learning health system: Patient information from a data and analytics platform characterizes care provided
Authors: Levine Mark N. , Kemppainen Joel , Rosenberg Morgan , Pettengell Christopher , Bogach Jessica , Whelan Tim , Saha Ashirbani , Ranisau Jonathan , Petch Jeremy 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPurposeIn a learning health system (LHS), data gathered from clinical practice informs care and scientific investigation. To demonstrate how a novel data and analytics platform can enable an LHS at a regional cancer center by characterizing the care provided to breast cancer patients.MethodsSocioeconomic information, tumor characteristics, treatments and outcomes were extracted from the platform and combined to characterize the patient population and their clinical course. Oncologists were asked to identify examples where clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) or policy changes had varying impacts on practice. These constructs were evaluated by extracting the corresponding data.ResultsBreast cancer patients (5768) seen at the Juravinski Cancer Centre between January 2014 and June 2022 were included. The average age was 62.5 years. The commonest histology was invasive ductal carcinoma (74.6%); 77% were estrogen receptor‐positive and 15.5% were HER2 Neu positive. Breast‐conserving surgery (BCS) occurred in 56%. For the 4294 patients who received systemic therapy, the initial indications were adjuvant (3096), neoadjuvant (828) and palliative (370). Metastases occurred in 531 patients and 495 patients died. Lowest‐income patients had a higher mortality rate. For the adoption of CPGs, the uptake for adjuvant bisphosphonate was very low, 8% as predicted, compared to 64% for pertuzumab, a HER2 targeted agent and 40.2% for CD4/6 inhibitors in metastases. During COVID‐19, the provincial cancer agency issued a policy to shorten the duration of radiation after BCS. There was a significant reduction in the average number of fractions to the breast by five fractions.ConclusionOur platform characterized care and the clinical course of breast cancer patients. Practice changes in response to regulatory developments and policy changes were measured. Establishing a data platform is important for an LHS. The next step is for the data to feedback and change practice, that is, close the loop.
Reticulon 3 regulates sphingosine‐1‐phosphate synthesis in endothelial cells to control blood pressure
Authors: Jin Jie‐Yuan , Chang Si‐Hua , Chen Ya‐Qin , Liu Meng‐Wei , Dong Yi , Liu Ji‐Shi , Wang Qin , Huang Hao , Fan Liang‐Liang , Xiang Rong 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe discovery of the endothelium as a major regulator of vascular tone triggered intense research among basic and clinical investigators to unravel the physiologic and pathophysiologic significance of this phenomenon. Sphingosine‐l‐phosphate (S1P), derived from the vascular endothelium, is a significant regulator of blood pressure. However, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of S1P biosynthetic pathways in arteries remain to be further clarified. Here, we reported that Reticulon 3 (RTN3) regulated endothelial sphingolipid biosynthesis and blood pressure. We employed public datasets, patients, and mouse models to explore the pathophysiological roles of RTN3 in blood pressure control. The underlying mechanisms were studied in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We reported that increased RTN3 was found in patients and that RTN3‐null mice presented hypotension. In HUVECs, RTN3 can regulate migration and tube formation via the S1P signaling pathway. Mechanistically, RTN3 can interact with CERS2 to promote the selective autophagy of CERS2 and further influence S1P signals to control blood pressure. We also identified an RTN3 variant (c.116C>T, p.T39M) in a family with hypertension. Our data provided the first evidence of the association between RTN3 level changes and blood pressure anomalies and preliminarily elucidated the importance of RTN3 in S1P metabolism and blood pressure regulation.
To merge or not to merge? The impact of mergers and acquisitions on corporate success in the pharmaceutical industry
Authors: Büssgen Melanie , Stargardt Tom 
Published: February 2024

AbstractTwo of the chief goals of most companies are to secure their own existence and generate above‐average returns for their owners. One of the main ways that companies attempt to achieve these goals is to grow, and pharmaceutical companies are no exception in this regard. However, whereas internal growth tends to be organic and slow, external growth can usually be achieved more quickly, for example, through mergers, acquisitions or other external transactions.The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of merger and acquisition (M&A) activities on pharmaceutical company success, measured in terms of financial and other performance indicators.We identified the top 30 pharmaceutical companies worldwide by revenue in 2020 and gathered data on M&A activities and a broad range of financial and other performance indicators from 2000 to 2020. We then used a generalised difference‐in‐difference design to evaluate the extent to which a company's success was affected by substantial M&A activities versus organic growth. To do so, we defined a premerger period of 2 years and a postmerger period of 3 years. We classified M&A activities as substantial when transaction costs were greater than 20% of a company's annual revenue.Our results indicate that there is a clear trend for M&As to have a positive impact on corporate success compared with organic growth. For example, after an M&A, a company's annual revenue increased on average by 3.50 billion United States dollars (USD) (p = 0.000) in the first year and by 4.52 billion USD (p = 0.000) in the second year. For employee growth, we found significant increases across all time periods (p = 0.000). Postmerger increases were also seen in gross profit in the first (+1.65 billion USD, p = 0.053) and second (+2.61 billion USD, p = 0.005) years, as well as in net profit (+6.82 billion USD, p = 0.014) and return on assets in the first year (+12.04 percentage points, p = 0.016). However, indicators of innovation (e.g. research and development [R&D] spending) and of stakeholder value (e.g. market capitalisation) did not show a significant increase.Compared with the impact of organic growth alone, M&A activities in the pharmaceutical industry led to significantly higher market dominance, size and profits but did not have a significant impact on innovation or shareholder value over the short time.
Comparative analysis of X‐band FSS fabricated by inkjet printing and conventional etching technique
Authors: Inbarani Jothinayagam , Manikandan Esakkimuthu 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAn investigation of a single‐layer band‐stop frequency selective surface (FSS) is designed and analyzed for X‐band application. The proposed FSS design primarily involves a cross‐shaped conductive patch with four square slots on each corner, and it is fabricated on the 3D‐printed polylactic acid (PLA) substrate. The design is resonating at 12 GHz with an insertion loss greater than 60 dB. The 10 dB bandwidth of the designed structure is 8.3% with respect to the resonant frequency. The results show that the design has polarization‐independent and angle‐insensitive transmission characteristics for incidence angles up to 60°. The simulation is carried out using CST Microwave Studio Suite, and the results are obtained. The physical mechanism of the designed structure is evaluated using the surface current distribution. The designed FSS is fabricated using two techniques, namely inkjet printing and conventional etching. Finally, the measurements of the fabricated structure are done using a vector network analyzer setup.
Structure preserving and energy dissipative contact approaches for implicit dynamics
Authors: Puso M. A. , Porter J. H. , Slavik T. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn this work, several structure preserving and energy dissipative contact approaches are proposed and evaluated. The time integration schemes considered are general with regard to the version of constraint type, but here the emphasis was on mortar contact. The proposed mortar contact approach conserves both linear and angular momentum for mortar contact in a novel way. The proposed time integration scheme can conserve energy or provide strict contact dissipation. In addition, the proposed scheme enforces both gap constraints and gap velocity constraints (i.e., persistency). Using a midstep time integrator often causes energy dissipation during initial impact, here this energy can be recovered in a novel way. Enforcing the gap velocity constraint mitigates the contact chatter of the contact pressure and nodes in many problems. Whereas some approaches enforce the persistency condition and gap constraints simultaneously during the solution of the equations of motion (EOM) requiring multipliers for both constraints included in the equation set, here the gap constraint is solved through the equations of motion and the persistency condition is satisfied in the time integration scheme by the velocity update after the equations of motion. It is shown that this approach is strictly dissipative in that a plastic contact condition can be achieved. Analogous to a coefficient of restitution for rigid bodies, any dissipated energy can then be returned upon release if energy conservation is desired. Structure preserving methods are good for long‐time dynamics simulations and energy conserving and strictly dissipative methods can overcome stability issues associated with standard time integration algorithms such as the Newmark method.
Evaluation of prescription medication changes following sleeve gastrectomy surgery
Authors: Arena Gina , Kitsos Alex , Hamdorf Jeffrey M. , D’Arcy‐Evans Mike , Kilpatrick Michelle , Venn Alison , Preen David B. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjectiveThe increasing global prevalence of obesity, coupled with its association with chronic health conditions and rising healthcare costs, highlights the need for effective interventions; however, despite the availability of treatment options, the ongoing success of primary interventions in maintaining long‐term weight loss remains limited. This study examined the prescription medication dispensing changes following sleeve gastrectomy in Australians aged 45 years and over.MethodsIn a retrospective analysis of 847 bariatric surgery patients from the New South Wales 45 and Up Study, the assessment of medication patterns categorizing into three groups: gastrointestinal, metabolic, cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems was conducted. Each drug class was analyzed, focusing on patients with dispensing records within the 12 months before surgery. This study employed interrupted time‐series analysis to compare pre‐ and post‐surgery medication usage.ResultsWith a predominantly female population (76.9%) and an average age of 57.2 (standard deviation 5.71), there were statistically significant reductions in both unique medications (12.5% decrease, p = 0.004) and total medications dispensed (15.9% decrease, p = 0.003) from 12 months before surgery to 13–24 months after bariatric surgery. All medication categories, except opioids, showed reductions. Notably, the most significant reductions were observed in diabetes (38.6%), agents acting on the renin‐angiotensin system (40.4%), lipid modifying agents (26.5%), anti‐inflammatory products (46.3%), and obstructive airway diseases (53.3%) medications during this time frame.ConclusionThese findings suggest that sleeve gastrectomy provides an effective therapeutic intervention for patients with comorbidities requiring multiple medications, especially for obesity‐related diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal disorders.
Electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with sickle cell disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Taherifard Erfan , Movahed Hamed , Taherifard Ehsan , Sadeghi Alireza , Dehdari Ebrahimi Niloofar , Ahmadkhani Alireza , Kheshti Fatemeh , Movahed Hossein 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundPrevious studies have documented that electrocardiography (ECG) can reveal a range of abnormalities, offering valuable insights into the cardiac evaluation of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). The objective of this study is to assess the patterns of ECG abnormalities observed in these patients with SCD, and to determine their prevalence.MethodWe systematically reviewed the literature using online databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar to identify original studies that reported findings of standard ECG assessments in patients with SCD. Statistical analyses were performed using the random effects model. Additional analyses including sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis were also conducted.ResultsAnalysis of data from 59 studies involving 897,920 individuals with SCD revealed that 75% of these patients had abnormal ECG findings (67%–81%), which were predominantly nonspecific ST–T changes, left ventricular hypertrophy, T‐wave changes, prolonged corrected QT (QTc) interval, and ischemic changes. Besides, it was shown that these patients had significantly higher odds of having any ECG abnormalities (OR of 17.50, 4.68–65.49), right atrial enlargement (6.09, 1.48–25.09), left ventricular hypertrophy (3.45, 1.73–6.89), right ventricular hypertrophy (7.18, 2.28–22.57), biventricular hypertrophy (10.11, 1.99–51.38), prolonged QTc interval (5.54, 2.44–12.59), ST depression (3.34, 1.87–5.97), and T‐wave changes (5.41, 1.43–20.56). Moreover, the mean of QTc interval was significantly higher among those with SCD (23.51 milliseconds, 16.08–30.94).ConclusionOur meta‐analysis showed a higher prevalence of abnormal ECG findings among individuals with SCD. A significant proportion of these patients had various ECG abnormalities, suggesting a potential need for regular ECG assessments for patients with SCD.
New construction strategies of carbon‐based composites for flexible electromagnetic interference shielding films
Authors: Liu Shan , He Min , Zhang Daohai , Gao Chengtao , Liu Wei , Yang Le , Huang Fang , Qin Shuhao 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDue to the quick growth of portable/wearable devices and electronics, the development of high efficiency flexible electromagnetic interference shielding films is a hot research topic. This work discusses the latest advances in flexible carbon‐based electromagnetic interference shielding films, such as constructing desirable structures, combining with magnetic constituents, and filling with polymer matrices. The new construction strategies, preparation methods, performances, and associated mechanisms are summarized. Moreover, the synergism, multifunctionality, and potential application of outstanding carbon‐based electromagnetic interference shielding films including graphene‐based, CNT‐based, and carbon fiber‐based films are analyzed in detail. Additionally, some significant issues and prospective views on carbon‐based composites as flexible electromagnetic interference shielding films are also presented.Highlights
The latest progress of flexible carbon‐based EMI shielding films
Constructing desirable structure, synergizing with others, designing CPCs
The relationship between preparation, structure, property, and mechanisms
The synergism, multifunctionality, application of EMI shielding films
Key challenges and future perspectives of carbon‐based EMI shielding films
The static and dynamic mechanical properties analysis of ramie/carbon fiber‐reinforced composites
Authors: Liu Jiwei , Cai Ming , Guo Yaowei , Ma Qihua , Sun Baozhong 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe aim is to investigate the advantages of blending affordable, lightweight, and biodegradable plant fibers with carbon fibers compared to single‐fiber composites. Adding ramie fiber to carbon fiber to produce carbon‐ramie fiber (CRFRP) and ramie–carbon fiber‐reinforced composites (RCFRP), and prepare pure carbon fiber and pure ramie fiber composites (carbon fiber‐reinforced composite [CFRP], RFRP) for comparison. Then, their static and dynamic mechanical properties (stretching, bending, low speed, and high‐speed impact) are illustrated. The results show that the CRFRP and RCFRP hybrid composites exhibit excellent properties, although slightly lower than the CFRP composites, but much higher than the RFRP, and the CRFRP composites show a slightly higher performance advantage over the RCFRP composites. Compared with CFRP composites, the tensile strength, flexural strength, and high‐speed impact peak load of CRFRP composites are reduced by 24.07%, 0.12%, and 5.44%, respectively, and the RCFRP composites are reduced by 32.11%, 45.82%, and 37% respectively. The results of the low‐speed impact test also show that the two mixed composites have good fracture elongation and stiffness. Therefore, the mechanical properties of CRFRP and RCFRP composites are comparable to those of CFRP composites, which not only reduces the material cost and reduce weight of the composite but also boosts the solution of the two‐carbon problem.Highlights
Innovative combination with natural fibers and synthetic fibers to fabricate hybrid fiber‐reinforced composites.
The static (tensile and flexural) and dynamic (low‐speed and high‐speed impact) mechanical properties of CRFRP, RCFRP, CFRP, and RFRP composites are measured.
The mechanical properties of CRFRP and RCFRP composites are comparable to those of CFRP composites.
Elongational flow‐induced microstructure evolutions in polypropylene/layered double hydroxides nanocomposites
Authors: Gnoffo Chiara , Arrigo Rossella , Sisani Michele , Frache Alberto 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn this work, the effect of the non‐isothermal elongational flow on the morphology and mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)‐based nanocomposites containing Mg‐Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) modified with stearate or oleate functional groups has been investigated. In particular, nanocomposites containing 5 and 10 wt% of LDHs prepared through melt compounding were subjected to uniaxial elongational flow at the exit of the extruder, leading to the formation of fibers characterized by different draw ratios (DRs). The mechanical characterization of the fibers demonstrated a progressive enhancement of the tensile strength as a function of the DR with increasing the content of nanofillers. Notably, for the fibers stretched at a DR of 200 and containing 10 wt% of LDHs modified with oleate groups, the tensile strength increased fourfold as compared to that of the unfilled matrix. These results have been attributed to a progressive enhancement of the extent of the dispersions of the embedded LDHs induced by the application of the elongational flow, as also confirmed by morphological analyses. In all, the obtained results demonstrated the beneficial effect of the elongational flow in promoting the achievement of superior mechanical properties in LDHs‐containing nanocomposites, hence widening the application field of these nanostructured materials.Highlights
PP/organomodified LDH nanocomposites were obtained through melt compounding.
Nonisothermal elongational flow was applied to the extrudates at the die exit.
Anisotropic fibers showed progressively enhanced tensile strength values.
Elongational flow promoted a gradual evolution of the material microstructure.
A gradual improvement of the nanofiller dispersion was observed upon elongation.
Construction of alumina framework with a sponge template toward highly thermally conductive epoxy composites
Authors: Wu Xian , Liu Wei , Yang Le , Zhang Chun 
Published: February 2024

AbstractCeramic‐based polymer composites are commonly utilized as thermal management materials due to their high thermal conductivity and electrical insulation properties. One efficient method to enhance the thermal conductivity of these composites is by constructing a three‐dimensional thermal conductive network within the polymer matrix. In this study, alumina was coated onto the surface of polyurethane (PU) foam, followed by high‐temperature removal of the PU foam and sintering of the alumina sheets to obtain a continuous alumina framework. Epoxy resin was then infiltrated into this alumina framework to fabricate highly thermally conductive EP/f‐Al2O3 composites. The EP/f‐Al2O3 composite achieved a thermal conductivity of 2.44 W m−1 K−1 when the filler content of 26.8 vol%, representing a 400% improvement compared to EP/Al2O3 composite with randomly dispersed fillers, and a remarkable 1180% enhancement compared to epoxy resin. Infrared thermal imaging also confirmed the excellent heat dissipation capability of the EP/f‐Al2O3 composites. Overall, this research presents an effective method for producing highly thermally conductive and electrically insulating composites that can be used in electronic thermal management applications.Highlights
Fabrication of porous Al2O3 frameworks/epoxy composites.
Porous Al2O3 frameworks were fabricated by polyurethane foam template.
The obtained EP/f‐Al2O3 composite exhibited excellent thermal conductivity.
Comparison of baiting strategies in common vole management
Authors: Jacoblinnert Kyra , Goedecker Caspar , Halle Stefan , Schenke Detlef , Imholt Christian , Jacob Jens 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDWorldwide, pest rodents can cause extensive damage to agriculture, forestry, food storage, and infrastructure and pose a risk to public health and livestock due to the spread of zoonotic pathogens. In Europe, the most common pest rodent species is the common vole (Microtus arvalis). Management during periodic outbreaks largely relies on rodenticidal bait with zinc phosphide. Efficient baiting with rodenticides or possibly anti‐fertility products in the future require baiting methods that allow a sufficient proportion of the population to consume an effective dose of bait. We used a bait with the quantitative marker ethyl‐iophenoxic acid (Et‐IPA) to evaluate baiting strategies in enclosure experiments. This wheat‐based bait with Et‐IPA was placed in bait boxes or directly into the tunnel system entrances in different seasons and common vole abundances. Voles were live‐trapped, individually marked and blood samples were collected to relate Et‐IPA blood residues to bait uptake.RESULTSThe percentage of animals consuming bait was not heavily affected by the baiting strategy but voles had higher Et‐IPA blood residues if tunnel baiting was used in autumn and if bait boxes were used in winter. Non‐reproductive as well as lighter animals tended to have higher Et‐IPA blood residues than reproductive individuals, whereas sex had no effect. Population density had a negative effect on the probability of residues present as well as on Et‐IPA blood concentration.CONCLUSIONThe results of this study might help to improve baiting techniques to manage overabundant rodent pest species regardless of the compounds to be delivered. © 2024 Julius Kühn‐Institut. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.