bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antifungal and genotoxic effects of Thymus serpyllum as a root canal irrigant
Authors: Kameri Ariana , Dragidella Agime , Haziri Arben , Hashani Zeqir , Kurteshi Kemajl , Kurti Arsim 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was the assessment of the efficiency of the ethyl acetate (EthOAc) extract of Thymus serpyllum against Candida albicans and to compare it with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and chlorhexidine (CHX), as well as their genotoxic effect.Material and MethodsThe antifungal effectiveness of the EthOAc extract of Thymus serpyllum was determined using the agar disk diffusion method. The inhibition zones induced by the EthOAc extract were compared after 5 min, 60 min, and 24 h to those induced by standard solutions (2% CHX and 2% NaOCl). An in vitro genotoxicity assay was performed in cultured lymphocytes from the blood of human volunteers to observe micronuclei formation. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using the Kruskal–Wallis test and one‐way analysis of variance.ResultsThe inhibition zone of combination of CHX with EthOAc extract of Thymus serpyllum against C. albicans was 29.7 mm after 5 min, 28.3 mm after 60 min, and 29 mm after 24 h. The inhibition zone of NaOCl in combination with EthOAc extract of Thymus serpyllum against C. albicans was 0 mm. The EthOAc extract of Thymus serpyllum did not show a genotoxic effect on lymphocyte cells.ConclusionsThe EthOAc extract of Thymus serpyllum in combination with CHX may be a useful root canal disinfection in endodontic therapy.
Effectiveness of mechanical and chemical decontamination methods for the treatment of dental implant surfaces affected by peri‐implantitis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Hart Iain , Wells Christine , Tsigarida Alexandra , Bezerra Beatriz 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo assess which decontamination method(s) used for the debridement of titanium surfaces (disks and dental implants) contaminated with bacterial, most efficiently eliminate bacterial biofilms.Material and MethodsA systematic search was conducted in four electronic databases between January 1, 2010 and October 31, 2022. The search strategy followed the PICOS format and included only in vitro studies completed on either dental implant or titanium disk samples. The assessed outcome variable consisted of the most effective method(s)—chemical or mechanical— removing bacterial biofilm from titanium surfaces. A meta‐analysis was conducted, and data was summarized through single‐ and multi‐level random effects model (p < .05).ResultsThe initial search resulted in 5260 articles after the removal of duplicates. After assessment by title, abstract, and full‐text review, a total of 13 articles met the inclusion criteria for this review. Different decontamination methods were assessed, including both mechanical and chemical, with the most common method across studies being chlorhexidine (CHX). Significant heterogeneity was noted across the included studies. The meta‐analyses only identified a significant difference in biofilm reduction when CHX treatment was compared against PBS. The remaining comparisons did not identify significant differences between the various decontamination methods.ConclusionsThe present results do not demonstrate that one method of decontamination is superior in eliminating bacterial biofilm from titanium disk and implant surfaces.
Prehydrated collagenated cortico‐cancellous heterologous bone gel and papillae tunneling for isolated intrabony defects: 12‐month noninferiority trial
Authors: Kobe Tom , Povšič Katja , Gašperšič Rok 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjectivesThis study assessed the effectiveness of prehydrated collagenated xenogenic bone gel and a collagenated cortico‐cancellous heterologous bone mixture in conjunction with papillae tunneling techniques (PTT) for treating isolated periodontal intraosseous defects.Materials and MethodsTwenty patients with periodontitis stage III/IV and at least one deep isolated interdental 2/3‐wall intraosseous defect were included in the study. Surgical incisions were made vertically at the adjacent tooth or horizontally at the mucogingival junction. A full‐thickness flap was then carefully lifted under the papillae using special tunneling instruments. The root surfaces were completely cleaned, and the defects were randomly filled with either prehydrated collagenated bone gel (test group; n = 10) or collagenated cortico‐cancellous heterologous bone mixture (control group; n = 10). Wounds were closed with microsurgical sutures. We predicted that the lower 95% confidence interval for the difference between the two procedures would exceed a prespecified noninferiority threshold.ResultsAll wounds closed sufficiently to prevent biomaterial exposure. The test and control groups showed similar mean pocket depth reduction (3.5 ± 1.0 vs. 3.9 ± 1.7 mm; p = 0.52), similar gingival recession (−0.10 ± 0.99 vs. 0.2 ± 0.8 mm; p = 0.46), and similar clinical attachment gain (3.6 ± 1.51 vs. 3.7 ± 1.8 mm; p = 0.89) at the 12‐month follow‐up. All results were below the noninferiority margin of the sample.ConclusionsAt 12 months, prehydrated collagenous bone gel performed similarly to collagenous heterologous bone granules in the treatment of intraosseous lesions with PTT. In addition, both biomaterials preserved soft tissue with minimal further recession at 1 year.Clinical RelevanceWhen combined with PTT, collagenous xenogeneic bone granules and prehydrated collagenous bone gel achieve comparable clinical outcomes in intrabony defects. The study was registered under the NCT 04782921 on ClinicalTrails.
A single‐source nine‐level solar‐PV inverter with quadruple voltage boosting and high reliability
Authors: Zaid Mohammad , Tayyab Mohammad , Sarwer Zeeshan , Ali Mohammad , Sarwar Adil , Anwar Md Nishat , Tariq Mohd , Khalid Muhammad 
Published: February 2024

SummaryAn increase in generation from distributed energy sources like solar PV has motivated researchers to explore better electrical energy conversion solutions. Multilevel inverters with fewer component count and boosting capabilities contribute to a reliable and efficient single‐stage solution. This work proposes a reliable single‐source switched capacitor multilevel inverter capable of producing nine‐level boosted AC voltage with its stand‐alone and grid‐connected operation. It employs 11 switches, three diodes, and three switched capacitors. The main feature of the proposed topology is its ability to produce quadruple boosting with respect to the DC input voltage. Another advantage is the exhibition of low capacitor currents due to frequent charging durations in one operational cycle. The selection criterion for the switched capacitors is also presented. The topology's performance is evaluated in MATLAB/Simulink under various conditions and in PLECS environments for its efficiency. It was then realized on an experimental prototype in stand‐alone mode. The topology is then modified in terms of topology and modulation to mitigate the leakage current, thus making it suitable for grid‐connected operation. This operation is validated on the hardware‐in‐the‐loop platform. Further, the reliability analysis explores a high total mean time to failure (MTTFT) of nearly 253,164 hours/failures compared to recent switched capacitor topologies and an efficiency of above 95%. The low inrush currents, high MTTFT value, and better efficiency make it a suitable topology for renewable microgrids' stand‐alone and grid‐integrated operation.
Reconfigured passivity‐based control strategy of LCL‐type grid‐connected inverter under complex grid conditions
Authors: Huang Min , Lin Wei , Zhang Zhicheng , Wu Weimin , Yao Zhilei 
Published: February 2024

SummaryLCL‐type grid‐connected inverters have seen extensive use of the passivity‐based control (PBC) system. However, traditional PBC systems rarely take time delay into account while designing the system or doing a stability study. Therefore, utilizing Lyapunov's criterion to conclude that the system is stable is not accurate. The analysis revealed that the differential terms of PBC loops with the Euler–Lagrange (EL) mathematical model could induce instability considered control delay for LCL‐type grid‐connected inverter system. Compared with traditional EL‐PBC method, this paper proposed a reconstructed EL‐PBC scheme by properly optimizing the noise term. Then, the equivalent output impedance of the grid‐connected inverter system with proposed controller is analyzed with frequency domain passivity theory. The controller parameters are also optimized to ensure both the internal stability of LCL‐type grid‐connected inverter and the risk of interactive resonance in complex weak and nonideal grid. Results from simulation and experimentation support the modified control structure's efficacy and performance.
Genetically inspired organoids prevent joint degeneration and alleviate chondrocyte senescence via Col11a1–HIF1α‐mediated glycolysis–OXPHOS metabolism shift
Authors: Sun Ye , You Yongqing , Wu Qiang , Hu Rui , Dai Kerong 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIntroductionDevelopmental dysplasia of hip (DDH) is a hip joint disorder leading to subsequent osteoarthritis. Previous studies suggested collagen XI alpha 1 (COL11A1) as a potential gene in hip dysplasia and chondrocyte degeneration. However, no genetic association has reported COL11A1‐related cellular therapy as treatment of DDH and joint degeneration.Methods and ResultsWe report identified genetic association between COL11A1 locus and DDH with genome‐wide association study (GWAS). Further exome sequencing for familial DDH patients was conducted in different populations to identify potential pathogenic Col11A1 variants for familiar DDH. Further studies demonstrated involvement of COL11A1 expression was down‐regulated in femoral head cartilage of DDH patients and Col11a1‐KO mice with induced DDH. Col11a1‐KO mice demonstrated aggravated joint degeneration and severe OA phenotype. To explore the underlying mechanism of Col11a1 in cartilage and DDH development, we generated scRNA‐seq profiles for DDH and Col11a1‐KO cartilage, demonstrating disrupted chondrocyte homeostasis and cellular senescence caused by Col11a1–HIF1α‐mediated glycolysis–OXPHOS shift in chondrocytes. Genetically and biologically inspired, we further fabricated an intra‐articular injection therapy to preventing cartilage degeneration by generating a Col11a1‐over‐expressed (OE) SMSC mini‐organoids. Col11a1‐OE organoids demonstrated superior chondrogenesis and ameliorated cartilage degeneration in DDH mice via regulating cellular senescence by up‐regulated Col11a1/HIF1α‐mediated glycolysis in chondrocytes.ConclusionWe reported association between COL11A1 loci and DDH with GWAS and exome sequencing. Further studies demonstrated involvement of COL11A1 in DDH patients and Col11a1‐KO mice. ScRNA‐seq for DDH and Col11a1‐KO cartilage demonstrated disrupted chondrocyte homeostasis and cellular senescence caused by Col11a1–HIF1α‐mediated glycolysis–OXPHOS shift in chondrocytes. Genetically and biologically inspired, an intra‐articular injection therapy was fabricated to prevent cartilage degeneration with Col11a1‐OE SMSC organoids. Col11a1‐OE organoids ameliorated cartilage degeneration in DDH mice via regulating cellular senescence by up‐regulated Col11a1/HIF1α‐mediated glycolysis in chondrocytes.
Taylor Tuna Optimizer‐based hybrid deep Q‐network for channel assignment in cognitive radio networks with user mobility and power control
Authors: Sekar Hemalatha , Appranchi Sumathi 
Published: February 2024

SummaryCognitive radio networks (CRNs) have emerged as a promising solution to address the spectrum scarcity problem by allowing unlicensed secondary users (SUs) to opportunistically access the underutilized licensed spectrum bands. However, efficient channel assignment in CRNs, especially with user mobility and power control considerations, remains a challenging problem. Traditional channel assignment algorithms often struggle to adapt to changing network conditions, resulting in suboptimal performance. To address these challenges, this research presents a novel Taylor Tuna Optimizer‐based hybrid deep Q‐network (TayTO‐based HDQNet) for channel assignment in CRNs with user mobility and power control considerations. The proposed TayTO‐based HDQNet combines the Elman neural network architecture with the reinforcement learning framework of deep Q‐networks, tuned using the Taylor Tuna Optimizer. This hybrid approach enables intelligent channel assignment decisions while considering power consumption constraints, leading to efficient communication in CRNs. To train the HDQNet agent, a comprehensive dataset is generated through simulations of various CRN scenarios, incorporating channel availability, interference levels, and power consumption for different channel assignment decisions. The HDQNet agent undergoes iterative training using this dataset to develop an optimal channel assignment policy. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed TayTO‐based HDQNet approach done by MATLAB, achieving a high success rate of 98.47% and surpassing the reliability scores of previous studies. This highlights the improved performance and reliability of the proposed approach for channel assignment in CRNs.
Harem size should be measured by more than the sum of its parts: Phenology‐based measurements reveal joint effects of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on a polygamous herbivore under non‐stationary climatic conditions
Authors: Szemán Karola , Végvári Zsolt , Gőri Szilvia , Kapocsi István , Székely Tamás , Manning Jeffrey A. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSocial behaviour is thought to be a major component of survival, reproduction, and resilience of populations. Thus, it is a key component in management and conservation of wild populations. In polygynous breeding species, group size influences the reproductive success of males and females, and hence it is essential to understand the environmental and demographic factors that shape the phenology of group size within populations. Here, we investigate harem size and its determinants using a 15‐year dataset of annual harem size phenology‐based metrics from a reintroduced population of wild Przewalski horses in Hortobágy National Park, Hungary. From the initial reintroduction of 21 animals in 1997, the population grew to 174 animals in 2012. During that same period, the number of harems increased from three to 23. Despite the 8‐fold increase in population size, harem sizes remained stable, and variability among harems within years decreased. The annual phenological cycle of harem size was not consistent over the 15‐year period, and the associated annual phenology‐based metrics varied differently over the years. The best predictors of our phenology‐based harem size metrics were adult sex ratio, annual adult mortality and annual mean number of harems, with some evidence that mean age of harem stallions and drought severity were contributing factors. Our findings reveal that complex interactions between demography, climate, and harem size can emerge in social animals. Taken together, our results demonstrate that intrinsic population processes can regulate group size even in the presence of non‐stationary climatic conditions during periods of growth in human‐introduced, semi‐free ranging animal populations.
Physiological and microbiome adaptation of coral Turbinaria peltata in response to marine heatwaves
Authors: Zhai Xin , Zhang YanPing , Zhou Jie , Li Hao , Wang Ao , Liu Li 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAgainst the backdrop of global warming, marine heatwaves are projected to become increasingly intense and frequent. This trend poses a potential threat to the survival of corals and the maintenance of entire coral reef ecosystems. Despite extensive evidence for the resilience of corals to heat stress, their ability to withstand repeated heatwave events has not been determined. In this study, we examined the responses and resilience of Turbinaria peltata to repeated exposure to marine heatwaves, with a focus on physiological parameters and symbiotic microorganisms. In the first heatwave, from a physiological perspective, T. peltata showed decreases in the Chl a content and endosymbiont density and significant increases in GST, caspase‐3, CAT, and SOD levels (p < .05), while the effects of repeated exposure on heatwaves were weaker than those of the initial exposure. In terms of bacteria, the abundance of Leptospira, with the potential for pathogenicity and intracellular parasitism, increased significantly during the initial exposure. Beneficial bacteria, such as Achromobacter arsenitoxydans and Halomonas desiderata increased significantly during re‐exposure to the heatwave. Overall, these results indicate that T. peltata might adapt to marine heatwaves through physiological regulation and microbial community alterations.
Incorporating small‐scale disturbances in models of forest structure and aboveground biomass of tropical mountains
Authors: Uscanga Adriana , Shuler Sophia , Silva Lucas C. R. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSeveral efforts have been made to model forest structure and estimate global aboveground biomass (AGB) magnitude and distribution. However, AGB models still show large uncertainties, especially over tropical mountains that are difficult to survey and understudied. Although forest disturbance and land use greatly influence forest structure and AGB accumulation, they are rarely considered in forest structure and AGB models. Including the effect of forest disturbance and land use could improve model performance. In this study, we used Landsat time series analysis and forest inventory data to assess and model the effect of small‐scale disturbance and land use on tropical montane forest structure and AGB. We explored two approaches: abrupt forest change detection, using the algorithm Breaks For Additive Seasonal Trend (BFAST), and gradual vegetation change by calculating the variation of remote sensing vegetation indices over time. We found that tropical montane landscapes are very dynamic and heterogenous. Out of the 284 forest plots analyzed, 27% had abrupt disturbances at least once between 1993 and 2014, and some of them showed abrupt disturbances several times. Forest plots with abrupt disturbances exhibit statistically significant lower basal area, tree height, and AGB than plots without abrupt disturbances. Using linear mixed‐effects models, we found that the number of breakpoints, annual Normalized Difference Vegetation Index SD, and Normalized Difference Water Index minimum values over time were the most informative variables for predicting forest structure, particularly basal area (adjusted R2 = 0.61). These variables are easy to calculate and could add significant power to forest structure and AGB models. In conclusion, incorporating small‐scale disturbance to model forest structure and AGB at regional scales is feasible through the identification of recent abrupt and gradual forest change using remote sensing time series. Including recent forest disturbance variables as predictors in forest structure models can greatly improve biomass predictability and mapping in dynamic landscapes.
Evidence from interpretable machine learning to inform spatial management of Palau's tuna fisheries
Authors: Gilman Eric , Chaloupka Milani 
Published: February 2024

AbstractStatic and dynamic area‐based management tools hold substantial potential to balance socioeconomic benefits derived from fisheries and costs from bycatch mortality of at‐risk species. Palau longline fisheries have high bycatch of at‐risk species including the olive ridley marine turtle and silky and blue sharks. This study analyzed a two decades‐long time series of observer and electronic monitoring datasets from the Palau distant‐water and locally‐based pelagic longline fisheries. An interpretable or explainable machine learning‐based modeling approach was used to derive spatially resolved species‐specific catch rate predictions. These models were conditioned on a suite of potentially informative environmental, bathymetric, ocean‐climate metric, vessel, monitoring system, and set‐specific operational predictors. Overall, there would be limited ecological tradeoffs from focusing fishing effort within primary catch rate hotspots for target bigeye and yellowfin tunas. Mean field prediction surfaces also defined catch rate hotspots for at‐risk species of silky and blue sharks, olive ridley turtle, and pelagic stingray, which did not overlap the hotspots for target species. The predicted target species hotspots, however, overlap olive ridley and pelagic stingray warmspots. Results also identify opportunities for temporally dynamic spatial management to control catch rates of target and bycatch species. Management of fishery operational predictors of fishing depth and soak duration present additional opportunities to balance catch rates of at‐risk bycatch and target species. A transition to employing fleetwide or vessel‐based output controls that effectively constrain the fishery would alter the spatial management strategy to focus on zones with the lowest ratio of at‐risk bycatch to commercial catch. Our findings support evidence‐informed evaluation of spatial management strategies and complementary measures to meet objectives for balancing socioeconomic benefits derived from target species catch with costs to threatened species.
Impact of vutrisiran on exploratory cardiac parameters in hereditary transthyretin‐mediated amyloidosis with polyneuropathy
Authors: Garcia‐Pavia Pablo , Grogan Martha , Kale Parag , Berk John L. , Maurer Mathew S. , Conceição Isabel , Di Carli Marcelo , Solomon Scott D. , Chen Chongshu , Yureneva Elena , Vest John , Gillmore Julian D. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAimsHELIOS‐A was a Phase 3, open‐label study of vutrisiran, an RNA interference therapeutic, in patients with hereditary transthyretin (ATTRv) amyloidosis with polyneuropathy. This analysis evaluated vutrisiran's impact on exploratory cardiac endpoints in HELIOS‐A patients.Methods and resultsPatients were randomized 3:1 to subcutaneous vutrisiran 25 mg every 3 months or intravenous patisiran 0.3 mg/kg every 3 weeks (reference group) for 18 months. Exploratory cardiac endpoints included change from baseline in N‐terminal prohormone of brain‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) and echocardiographic parameters versus external placebo (APOLLO study). The modified intent‐to‐treat (mITT) population comprised randomized patients receiving any study drug (n = 122). A cardiac subpopulation with evidence of cardiac amyloid involvement (n = 40) was prespecified. 99mTc scintigraphy exploratory assessments in a planned vutrisiran‐treated cohort at select sites were compared with baseline. At Month 18, vutrisiran demonstrated beneficial effects on NT‐proBNP versus external placebo in the mITT and cardiac subpopulations (adjusted geometric mean fold change ratio [95% confidence interval] 0.480 [0.383–0.600], p = 9.606 × 10−10 and 0.491 [0.337–0.716], p = 0.0004, respectively). Benefits or trends towards benefit in echocardiographic parameters versus external placebo were observed for both populations. In 99mTc scintigraphy assessments, 32/47 (68.1%) and 31/48 (64.6%) patients exhibited reduced normalized left ventricular total uptake and heart‐to‐contralateral lung ratio, respectively. Perugini grade was reduced or unchanged versus baseline in 55/57 (96.5%) evaluable patients. No increase in cardiac adverse events was observed with vutrisiran versus external placebo.ConclusionsVutrisiran demonstrated evidence of potential benefit on cardiac manifestations in patients with ATTRv amyloidosis with polyneuropathy, with an acceptable safety profile.