bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical benchmarking of a commercial software for skin dose estimation in cardiac, abdominal, and neurology interventional procedures
Authors: Hadid‐Beurrier Lama , Geryes Bouchra Habib , Jean‐Pierre Antonella , Gaudin Paul‐Adrien , Feghali Joëlle Ann 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundRadiation exposure from interventional radiology (IR) could lead to potential risk of skin injury in patients. Several dose monitoring software like radiation dose monitor (RDM) were developed to estimate the patient skin dose (PSD) distribution in IR.PurposeThis study benchmarked the accuracy of RDM software in estimating PSD as compared to GafChromic film baseline in‐vivo measurements on patients during cardiac, abdominal, and neurology IR procedures.MethodsThe prospective study conducted in four IR departments included 81 IR procedures (25 cardiac, 31 abdominal, and 25 neurology procedures) on three angiographic systems. PSD and field geometry were measured by placing GafChromic film under the patient's back. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the software estimation and film measurement results in terms of PSD and geometric accuracy.ResultsMedian values of measured/calculated PSD were 1140/1005, 591/655.9, and 538/409.7 mGy for neurology, cardiac, and abdominal procedures, respectively. For all angiographic systems, the median (InterQuartile Range, IQR) difference between calculated and measured PSD was −10.2% (−21.8%–5.7%) for neurology, −4.5% (−19.5%–15.5%) for cardiac, and −21.9% (−38.7%–−3.6%) for abdominal IR procedures. These differences were not significant for all procedures (p > 0.05). Discrepancies increased up to −82% in lower dose regions where the measurement uncertainties are higher. Regarding the geometric accuracy, RDM correctly reproduced the skin dose map and estimated PSD area dimensions closely matched those registered on films with a median (IQR) difference of 0 cm (−1–0.8 cm).ConclusionsRDM is proved to be a useful solution for the estimation of PSD and skin dose distribution during abdominal, cardiac and neurology IR procedures despite a geometry phantom which is not specific to the latter type of IR procedures.
An enriched virtual element method for 2D‐3C generalized membrane shell model on surface
Authors: Yang Qian , Shen Xiaoqin , Zhao Jikun , Cheng Yumin 
Published: January 2024

AbstractDealing with complex shell surfaces using the finite element method, we are often limited to simple geometric meshes such as triangles and quadrangles and have to refine the meshes to meet the calculation accuracy requirements, significantly increasing the calculation cost. The virtual element method (VEM), a new numerical method with high mesh flexibility, has been widely applied to many physical and mechanical problems. To the best of our knowledge, this method has yet to be studied for membrane shell models so far. In this paper, for the first time, we provide an enriched conforming VEM discrete scheme for the two‐dimensional three‐component (2D‐3C) generalized membrane shell (GMS) model proposed by Ciarlet et al. Furthermore, we prove the VEM discrete solution's existence and uniqueness for the GMS. Numerical experiments demonstrate that this discrete scheme is convergent and stable and can accurately represent the membrane stress state of conical, cylindrical, hyperbolical, and spherical shells clamped along a portion of their lateral faces. At the same time, we show the diversity of the grid subdivision. Thus, we develop the VEM for the GMS model successfully. In the future, we will continue to study the VEM for other shell models.
Dispensing pharmacy chains and direct anticoagulants: Potential associations with patient outcomes
Authors: Kozlowski Steven , Tworkoski Ellen , Dharmarajan Sai , Flowers Natasha , Kwist Andrew , Shangguan Shanlai , Chillarige Yoganand , Wernecke Michael , MaCurdy Tom , Kelman Jeffrey A. , Graham David J. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractPurposePharmacy chains can differ with respect to the characteristics of their patient populations as well as their nonprescription products, services, and practices, and thus may serve as a surrogate for potential unmeasured confounding in observational studies of prescription drugs. This study evaluates whether a single‐source drug can have different patient outcomes based on the dispensing pharmacy chain.MethodsSeparate analyses for two anticoagulant drugs, rivaroxaban and apixaban, were conducted using Medicare Fee‐for‐Service claims evaluating the association between dispensing pharmacy chain and outcomes of acute myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, all‐cause mortality, and major GI bleeding. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to balance baseline covariates across pharmacy chain cohorts, and outcome association was assessed with a Cox Proportional Hazards model.ResultsWe observed no differences in outcomes across pharmacy chains for apixaban recipients. Rivaroxaban recipients from pharmacy chain C, however, had lower rates of GI bleeding (adjusted HR 0.83; 95% CI 0.69–1.00) and ischemic stroke (adjusted HR 0.57; 95% CI 0.38–0.87) as compared to chain A in primary analyses with a 3‐day grace period. The results moved closer to the null when 14‐ and 30‐day grace periods were implemented.ConclusionsThese results suggest that dispensing pharmacy chains may have the potential to act as a confounder of associations between drug exposure and outcome in some observational studies. Additional studies of potential confounding by pharmacy chain are needed. Further evaluation of potential pharmacy chain effects on safe use would be of value.
Unveiling the mechanism of attaining high fill factor in silicon solar cells
Authors: Lin Hao , Wang Genshun , Su Qiao , Han Can , Xue Chaowei , Yin Shi , Fang Liang , Xu Xixiang , Gao Pingqi 
Published: January 2024

AbstractA world record conversion efficiency of 26.81% has been achieved recently by LONGi team on a solar cell with industry‐grade silicon wafer (274 cm2, M6 size). An unparalleled high fill factor (FF) of up to 86.59% has also been certified in a separated device. The theoretical FF limit has been predicted to be 89.26%, while the practical FF is far below this limit for a prolonged interval due to the constraints of recombination (i.e., SRH recombination) and series resistance. The ideality factor (m) in the equivalent circuit of silicon solar cells is consistently ranging from 1 to 2 and rarely falls below 1, resulting in a relatively lower FF than 85%. Here, this work complements a systematic simulation study to demonstrate how to approach the FF limit in design of silicon solar cells. Firstly, a diode component with an ideality factor equal to 2/3 corresponding to Auger recombination is incorporated in the equivalent circuit for LONGi ultra‐high FF solar cell; Secondly, an advanced equivalent circuit is put forward for comprehensive analysis of bulk recombination and surface recombination on the performance, in which specific ideality factors are directly correlated with various recombination mechanisms exhibiting explicit reverse saturation current density (J0). Finally, we evaluate precisely the route for approaching theoretical FF in practical solar cell fabrication based on electrical design parameters using the developed model.
Plant‐derived compounds as potential leads for new drug development targeting COVID‐19
Authors: Liu Lingxiu , Kapralov Maxim , Ashton Mark 
Published: January 2024

AbstractCOVID‐19, which was first identified in 2019 in Wuhan, China, is a respiratory illness caused by a virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). Although some patients infected with COVID‐19 can remain asymptomatic, most experience a range of symptoms that can be mild to severe. Common symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, loss of taste or smell and muscle aches. In severe cases, complications can arise including pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, organ failure and even death, particularly in older adults or individuals with underlying health conditions. Treatments for COVID‐19 include remdesivir, which has been authorised for emergency use in some countries, and dexamethasone, a corticosteroid used to reduce inflammation in severe cases. Biological drugs including monoclonal antibodies, such as casirivimab and imdevimab, have also been authorised for emergency use in certain situations. While these treatments have improved the outcome for many patients, there is still an urgent need for new treatments. Medicinal plants have long served as a valuable source of new drug leads and may serve as a valuable resource in the development of COVID‐19 treatments due to their broad‐spectrum antiviral activity. To date, various medicinal plant extracts have been studied for their cellular and molecular interactions, with some demonstrating anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 activity in vitro. This review explores the evaluation and potential therapeutic applications of these plants against SARS‐CoV‐2. This review summarises the latest evidence on the activity of different plant extracts and their isolated bioactive compounds against SARS‐CoV‐2, with a focus on the application of plant‐derived compounds in animal models and in human studies.
Simultaneous quantification of endogenous biomarkers and detection of testosterone esters in human serum using gas chromatography–high‐resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Martínez_Brito Dayamín , Leogrande Patrizia , Jardines Daniel , de la Torre Xavier , Botrè Francesco 
Published: January 2024

RationaleHigh‐resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) has been demonstrated to be an alternative platform for quantitative analyses, identifying unknown compounds and gathering information for the elucidation of chemical structures. This work describes a method to detect 13 esters of testosterone (T) and 5 biomarkers in 0.1 mL of human serum using gas chromatography (GC) coupled to HRMS.MethodsAnalytes were extracted from serum after deproteinization and liquid–liquid extraction. The trimethylsilyl derivatives were analyzed using a gas chromatograph coupled to HRMS at low electron energy to minimize molecule fragmentation. The acquisition in profiling full‐scan mode was applied with a resolving power of 30 000 at m/z 400. Linearity, lower limit of quantitation, and measurement uncertainty were assessed. Precision and accuracy were assessed at 0.5 and 2 ng/mL, respectively. Mass accuracy (MA) and mass extraction window (MEW) were also evaluated.ResultsT esters showed a linear response between 0.25 and 10 ng/mL (except for undecanoate, enanthate, and propionate that showed lineal responses between 0.5 and 10 ng/mL and isocaproate between 2 and 10 ng/mL); detection limits remained between 0.1 and 0.5 ng/mL and accuracy between 81% and 119%. The MA (MEW = 10 ppm) was maintained between −2.4 and 4.8 ppm. The biomarkers (T, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA], estradiol, and 17‐OH‐progesterone) showed a linear response within the evaluated range; quantification limits remained between 0.1 and 0.5 ng/mL (except for DHEA), the accuracy between 88% and 99%, and precision between 3.5% and 10.8%. Measurement uncertainties were found between 5.6% and 17.2%. MA (MEW = 3 ppm) was maintained between −0.47 and 0.12 ppm.ConclusionsThe method to detect T esters and five endogenous biomarkers in serum using GC coupled to HRMS showed linear responses up to 10 ng/mL with adequate precision, accuracy, and uncertainties. It was possible to distinguish cholesterol from T‐isocaproate based on the MEW of 10 ppm, preventing false positives. In addition, this method allows searching for other biomarkers and/or unknown metabolites and other ester forms not included here but at a later stage if necessary.
Chronic pulmonary Aspergillosis in a patient with poorly controlled diabetes: A case report and literatures review
Authors: Chuang Tzu‐I , Fu Pin‐Kuei 
Published: January 2024

AbstractChronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) often manifests in patients with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis and is typically characterized by recurrent hemoptysis, weight loss, and frequently coexists with poorly controlled diabetes. While weight gain is acknowledged as a valuable clinical marker for monitoring therapeutic responses in CPA, there is a scarcity of case reports exploring this aspect. Furthermore, the impact of stringent blood sugar management in diminishing CPA activity and preventing the recurrence of hemoptysis is also underreported. In this context, we present the case of a 64‐year‐old male who experienced massive hemoptysis. He had a background of uncontrolled diabetes and a history of fully treated pulmonary tuberculosis. Following therapeutic embolization, he was diagnosed with CPA that had transformed into invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) and underwent antifungal therapy for 9 months. Notably, we observed an inverse correlation between the patient's improved blood sugar control and weight gain with the serum IgG levels for Aspergillosis. This case highlights the potential benefits of non‐invasive monitoring of CPA activity and the identification of treatment responders through effective blood sugar management and weight gain.
Sustainability communications via sponsorship: Potential, characteristics and managerial challenges
Authors: Walzel Stefan , Dick Christopher , Brill Maximilian , Nowak Gerhard 
Published: January 2024

AbstractSustainability communications have become a key issue for organisations. While most studies have focused on sustainability reporting and green advertising, other communication tools such as sponsorship are under‐researched. The present study addresses this void by exploring the potential and identifying key characteristics and challenges of sustainable sponsorships, theoretically conceptualised as a social contract between sponsorship contractors and society. As such, it is the first to identify the potential and key characteristics of sponsorship for sustainability communications. The authors took an explorative, qualitative research approach, conducting 13 in‐depth interviews. The interviewees highlighted eight characteristics that determined sustainable sponsorships across all three sustainability dimensions. Sustainability was identified as a key driver in managing sponsorship effectively. In light of the study's findings, it is recommended that sponsors and sponsees should adapt their sponsorship management to incorporate sustainability. Measuring the outcome and success of sustainable sponsorships could be a subject for future research.
Poised for growth: Exploring the relationship between accelerator program design and startup performance
Authors: Assenova Valentina A. , Amit Raphael 
Published: January 2024

AbstractResearch SummaryAccelerator programs provide valuable market feedback and education to participants that may improve startup performance. However, it is unclear whether the average effect of accelerator participation on startup performance post acceleration is positive, and if so, how this effect varies with accelerator program design. We analyze data from 8580 startups that made it past the initial selection stage at 408 accelerators in 176 countries between 2013 and 2019. We compare accelerated and non‐accelerated startups and find a positive average effect of accelerator participation on startup performance post acceleration. Moreover, we find that this effect varies substantially with program design, and depends on venture stage, industry, and founder expertise. Our findings highlight the impact of program design on the benefits that startups derive from accelerator participation.Managerial SummaryThe purpose of this study is to determine whether participation in startup accelerator programs generally leads to improved startup performance post acceleration and how the benefits of participation might vary with the design of these programs. We analyze data from 8580 startups that applied to and passed the initial selection phase at 408 accelerators in 176 countries over multiple cohorts between 2013 and 2019. Our results indicate that on average, startups that participate in accelerators perform better than those that are also selected but not accelerated. Furthermore, we find that the benefits that startups gain from being accelerated vary with the design of the program. Our findings highlight the importance of accelerator program design in influencing the extent of improvement in startup performance post acceleration.
CRISPR/Cas gene editing and delivery systems for cancer therapy
Authors: Li Yingjie , Zhou Shiyao , Wu Qinjie , Gong Changyang 
Published: January 2024

AbstractCRISPR/Cas systems stand out because of simplicity, efficiency, and other superiorities, thus becoming attractive and brilliant gene‐editing tools in biomedical field including cancer therapy. CRISPR/Cas systems bring promises for cancer therapy through manipulating and engineering on tumor cells or immune cells. However, there have been concerns about how to overcome the numerous physiological barriers and deliver CRISPR components to target cells efficiently and accurately. In this review, we introduced the mechanisms of CRISPR/Cas systems, summarized the current delivery strategies of CRISPR/Cas systems by physical methods, viral vectors, and nonviral vectors, and presented the current application of CRISPR/Cas systems in cancer clinical treatment. Furthermore, we discussed prospects related to delivery approaches of CRISPR/Cas systems.This article is categorized under:
Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies
Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease
Regular Ideals, Ideal Intersections, and Quotients
Authors: Brown Jonathan H. , Fuller Adam H. , Pitts David R. , Reznikoff Sarah A. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractLet $$B \subseteq A$$

B
⊆
A

be an inclusion of $$C^*$$

C
∗

-algebras. We study the relationship between the regular ideals of B and regular ideals of A. We show that if $$B \subseteq A$$

B
⊆
A

is a regular $$C^*$$

C
∗

-inclusion and there is a faithful invariant conditional expectation from A onto B, then there is an isomorphism between the lattice of regular ideals of A and invariant regular ideals of B. We study properties of inclusions preserved under quotients by regular ideals. This includes showing that if $$D \subseteq A$$

D
⊆
A

is a Cartan inclusion and J is a regular ideal in A, then $$D/(J\cap D)$$

D
/
(
J
∩
D
)

is a Cartan subalgebra of A/J. We provide a description of regular ideals in the reduced crossed product of a C$$^*$$

∗

-algebra by a discrete group.
Virtuelle Realität in der Lehre mit psychisch kranken Patientenavataren
Authors: Mavrogiorgou Paraskevi , Böhme Pierre , Kramer Marco , Vanscheidt Simon , Schoppa Thomas , Hooge Vitalij , Lüdike Nico , Pfeiffer Thies , Juckel Georg 
Published: January 2024

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund
Ärztliche Interaktions- und Explorationstechniken sind die wichtigsten Werkzeuge, die Medizinstudierende im Fach Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie zu erwerben haben. Die aktuell verfügbaren modernen digitalen Technologien wie Virtual Reality (VR) können als wichtige Ergänzungen zu einer Verbesserung der Vermittlung psychiatrisch-psychopathologischer Lerninhalte sowie Diagnosestellung beitragen.

Ziel der Arbeit
Evaluation des Bochumer Avatar-Explorationsprojektes (AVEX) im Rahmen des kurrikularen Kurses im Medizinstudium an der Ruhr-Universität Bochum auf dessen Möglichkeiten zur Vermittlung von Lerninhalten und Techniken der psychiatrischen Anamnese- und Befunderhebung.

Material und Methoden
Im AVEX konnten bislang insgesamt 87 Medizinstudierende des klinischen Studienabschnitts in den Dialog mit „psychisch kranken“ Avataren, also virtuellen Patienten und Patientinnen, treten und ihre Erfahrungen mit der VR-Technologie als Lern- und Lehrmethode im Fach Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie machen und mittels eines Fragebogens rückmelden.

Ergebnisse
Eine wesentliche Vermittlung von Lerninhalten hinsichtlich des psychopathologischen Befundes ist trotz eingeschränkter Interaktionsmöglichkeiten mit den digitalen Avataren erzielbar. Allerdings müssen die Studierenden hierbei gut durch die Dozierenden unterstützt und auch die technischen Möglichkeiten der Spracherkennung weiter verbessert werden.

Diskussion
Das Projekt AVEX zeigt bereits hoffnungsvolle Möglichkeiten zur Ergänzung der Lehre von Medizinstudierenden auf, auch wenn die Passung von Fragen und Antworten im Dialog mit den virtuellen Avataren noch verbessert werden muss. Da von Fortschritten bei der sprachlichen Vermittlung von Emotionen und den visuellen Effekten der Avatardarstellung auszugehen ist, wird der Stellenwert dieser Technik weiter zunehmen.
An economon model of drug addiction
Authors: Negus S. Stevens 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe term “economon” (i:’ka.nə.muhn; plural: economa) is introduced here to describe an economic unit composed of two participants engaged in mutually reinforcing operant behavior. Economa are basic building blocks of transactional behavior that aggregate in social networks called economies. In a drug-addiction economon, operant behavior by one participant (the “supplier”) provides an addictive drug as a reinforcer to the second participant (a “Person with Substance Use Disorder; PwSUD”). Reciprocal operant behavior by the PwSUD usually provides money as a reinforcer to the supplier. After defining the features of the drug-addiction economon, this article discusses its implications for (1) prevalence and virulence of drug addiction, (2) opportunities for drug-addiction research in general, (3) the “brain-disease model of addiction” in particular, and (4) factors that mitigate harm or promote risk of drug addiction. The economon model is intended to provide a novel perspective on the uniquely human disorder of drug addiction.
Regulation of cellulase production via calcium signaling in Trichoderma reesei under PEG8000 stress
Authors: Liu Shuai , Quan Lin , Yang Mei , Wang Dan , Wang Yong-Zhong 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
In this study, the effect of polyethylene glycol 8000 (PEG8000) stress on cellulase biosynthesis in Trichoderma reesei CICC2626 via calcium signaling was investigated, and a plausible mechanism by which intracellular Ca2+ regulates the transcription of cellulase genes was proposed. The results indicated that the total cellulase (filter paper-hydrolyzing activity [FPase]), endoglucanase (carboxymethyl cellulase activity [CMCase]), and β-glucosidase activities of the strain were 1.3-, 1.2-, and 1.3-fold higher than those of the control (no PEG8000 addition) at a final concentration of 1.5% (w/v) PEG8000. Moreover, the transcriptional levels of cellulase genes, protein concentrations, and biomass increased. With the synergistic use of commercial cellulase and T. reesei CICC2626 cellulase to hydrolyze alkali-pretreated rice straw, the released reducing sugar concentration reached 372.7 mg/g, and the cellulose content (22.7%, 0.32 g) was significantly lower than the initial content (62.5%, 1.88 g). Transcriptome data showed that 12 lignocellulose degradation–related genes were significantly upregulated in the presence of 1.5% PEG8000. Furthermore, the addition of Ca2+ inhibitors and deletion of crz1 (calcineurin-responsive zinc finger 1-encoding gene, which is related to the calcium signaling pathway) demonstrated that calcium signaling plays a dominant role in PEG8000-induced cellulase genes overexpression. These results revealed a link between PEG8000 induction and calcium signaling transduction in T. reesei CICC2626. Moreover, this study also provides a novel inducer for enhanced cellulase production.

Key points
• Cellulase biosynthesis in Trichoderma reesei could be enhanced by PEG8000
• PEG8000 could induce a cytosolic Ca2+ burst in Trichoderma reesei
• The activated calcium signaling was involved in cellulase biosynthesis

Graphical abstract