bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of population age structure on parenteral antimicrobial use estimations
Authors: Koizumi Ryuji , Kusama Yoshiki , Asai Yusuke , Tsuzuki Shinya , Aoyagi Kensuke , Ishikane Masahiro , Muraki Yuichi , Ohmagari Norio 
Published: January 2023

AbstractAntimicrobial use (AMU) is conventionally reported as unadjusted defined daily doses (DDDs) or population-adjusted DDDs per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID). DID is frequently used to monitor national AMU trends, this metric does not intrinsically take temporal changes in population age structure into account. We examined the effects of population age structure on DID estimates of parenteral AMU in Japan, and predicted future trends in DDDs based on population projections. Parenteral AMU data from 2013 to 2018 were acquired from a national claims database. We assessed temporal trends in parenteral AMU by age group (children aged < 15 years, working-age persons aged 15–64 years, and older persons aged ≥ 65 years) using both DID and DDDs. In addition, we modeled DDD predictions based on age-specific population projections from 2019 to 2030. DID values for older persons were 8.08–10.15 times and 5.43–5.63 times higher than in children and working-age persons, respectively. DID was stable, but DDDs increased in older persons. The prediction models showed that DDDs will continue to increase until 2030 if DID remains steady or decreases. DID estimates were skewed by the older population. More rigorous antimicrobial stewardship efforts targeting geriatric care are needed to counter the aging-associated increase in AMU.
Intravenous fentanyl self-administration in male and female C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice
Authors: Leonardo Michael , Brunty Sarah , Huffman Jessica , Kastigar Alexis , Dickson Price E. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe genetic mechanisms underlying fentanyl addiction, a highly heritable disease, are unknown. Identifying these mechanisms will lead to better risk assessment, early diagnosis, and improved intervention. To this end, we used intravenous fentanyl self-administration to quantify classical self-administration phenotypes and addiction-like fentanyl seeking in male and female mice from the two founder strains of the BXD recombinant inbred mouse panel (C57BL/6J and DBA/2J). We reached three primary conclusions from these experiments. First, mice from all groups rapidly acquired intravenous fentanyl self-administration and exhibited a dose–response curve, extinction burst, and extinction of the learned self-administration response. Second, fentanyl intake (during acquisition and dose response) and fentanyl seeking (during extinction) were equivalent among groups. Third, strain effects, sex effects, or both were identified for several addiction-like behaviors (cue-induced reinstatement, stress-induced reinstatement, escalation of intravenous fentanyl self-administration). Collectively, these data indicate that C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice of both sexes were able to acquire, regulate, and extinguish intravenous fentanyl self-administration. Moreover, these data reveal novel strain and sex effects on addiction-like behaviors in the context of intravenous fentanyl self-administration in mice and indicate that the full BXD panel can be used to identify and dissect the genetic mechanisms underlying these effects.
Detecting the socio-economic drivers of confidence in government with eXplainable Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Bellantuono Loredana , Palmisano Flaviana , Amoroso Nicola , Monaco Alfonso , Peragine Vitorocco , Bellotti Roberto 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe European Quality of Government Index (EQI) measures the perceived level of government quality by European Union citizens, combining surveys on corruption, impartiality and quality of provided services. It is, thus, an index based on individual subjective evaluations. Understanding the most relevant objective factors affecting the EQI outcomes is important for both evaluators and policy makers, especially in view of the fact that perception of government integrity contributes to determine the level of civic engagement. In our research, we employ methods of Artificial Intelligence and complex systems physics to measure the impact on the perceived government quality of multifaceted variables, describing territorial development and citizen well-being, from an economic, social and environmental viewpoint. Our study, focused on a set of regions in European Union at a subnational scale, leads to identifying the territorial and demographic drivers of citizens’ confidence in government institutions. In particular, we find that the 2021 EQI values are significantly related to two indicators: the first one is the difference between female and male labour participation rates, and the second one is a proxy of wealth and welfare such as the average number of rooms per inhabitant. This result corroborates the idea of a central role played by labour gender equity and housing policies in government confidence building. In particular, the relevance of the former indicator in EQI prediction results from a combination of positive conditions such as equal job opportunities, vital labour market, welfare and availability of income sources, while the role of the latter is possibly amplified by the lockdown policies related to the COVID-19 pandemics. The analysis is based on combining regression, to predict EQI from a set of publicly available indicators, with the eXplainable Artificial Intelligence approach, that quantifies the impact of each indicator on the prediction. Such a procedure does not require any ad-hoc hypotheses on the functional dependence of EQI on the indicators used to predict it. Finally, using network science methods concerning community detection, we investigate how the impact of relevant indicators on EQI prediction changes throughout European regions. Thus, the proposed approach enables to identify the objective factors at the basis of government quality perception by citizens in different territorial contexts, providing the methodological basis for the development of a quantitative tool for policy design.
Multiplex recombinase polymerase amplification for high-risk and low-risk type HPV detection, as potential local use in single tube
Authors: Wongsamart Rungdawan , Bhattarakasol Parvapan , Chaiwongkot Arkom , Wongsawaeng Doonyapong , Okada Pilailuk Akkapaiboon , Palaga Tanapat , Leelahavanichkul Asada , Khovidhunkit Weerapan , Dean Deborah , Somboonna Naraporn 
Published: January 2023

AbstractHigh rates of new cervical cancer cases and deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries yearly, and one reason was found related to limitation of regular cervical cancer screening in local and low-resource settings. HPV has over 150 types, yet certain 14–20 high-risk and 13–14 low-risk types are common, and, thus, most conventional HPV nucleic acid assays, for examples, Cobas 4800 HPV test (Roche Diagnostics, New Jersey, USA) and REBA HPV-ID (Molecules and Diagnostics, Wonju, Republic of Korea) were developed to cover these types. We thereby utilized bioinformatics combined with recent isothermal amplification technique at 35–42 °C to firstly describe multiplex recombinase polymerase amplification assay that is specific to these common 20 high-risk and 14 low-risk types, and also L1 and E6/E7 genes that target different stages of cervical cancer development. Multiplex primer concentrations and reaction incubation conditions were optimized to allow simultaneous two gene detections at limit of detection of 1000 copies (equivalent to 2.01 fg) for L1 and 100 copies (0.0125 fg) for E6/E7, respectively. The assay was validated against urogenital and other pathogens, normal flora, and human control. In 130 real clinical sample tests, the assay demonstrated 100% specificity, 78% diagnostic accuracy, and 75% sensitivity compared with REBA HPV-ID test, and is much more rapid (15–40 min), less expensive (~ 3–4 USD/reaction) and does not require instrumentation (35–42 °C reaction condition so hand holding or tropical temperature is possible). Hence, the developed novel assay provides alternative screening tool for potential local screening. Furthermore, as this assay uses safe chemical reagents, it is safe for users.
Impaired placental hemodynamics and function in a non-human primate model of gestational protein restriction
Authors: Lo Jamie O. , Schabel Matthias C. , Gaffney Jessica , Lewandowski Katherine S. , Kroenke Christopher D. , Roberts Charles T. , Scottoline Brian P. , Frias Antonio E. , Sullivan Elinor L. , Roberts Victoria H. J. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractMaternal malnutrition increases fetal and neonatal morbidity, partly by affecting placental function and morphology, but its impact on placental hemodynamics are unknown. Our objective was to define the impact of maternal malnutrition on placental oxygen reserve and perfusion in vivo in a rhesus macaque model of protein restriction (PR) using advanced imaging. Animals were fed control (CON, 26% protein), 33% PR diet (17% protein), or a 50% PR diet (13% protein, n = 8/group) preconception and throughout pregnancy. Animals underwent Doppler ultrasound and fetal biometry followed by MRI at gestational days 85 (G85) and 135 (G135; term is G168). Pregnancy loss rates were 0/8 in CON, 1/8 in 33% PR, and 3/8 in 50% PR animals. Fetuses of animals fed a 50% PR diet had a smaller abdominal circumference (G135, p < 0.01). On MRI, placental blood flow was decreased at G135 (p < 0.05) and placental oxygen reserve was reduced (G85, p = 0.05; G135, p = 0.01) in animals fed a 50% PR diet vs. CON. These data demonstrate that a 50% PR diet reduces maternal placental perfusion, decreases fetal oxygen availability, and increases fetal mortality. These alterations in placental hemodynamics may partly explain human growth restriction and stillbirth seen with severe PR diets in the developing world.
Total acoustic transmission in a honeycomb network empowered by compact acoustic isolator
Authors: Zhang Haixiao , Li Rong , Bao Yu , Liu Xiaoli , Zhang Yiwei 
Published: January 2023

AbstractIn recent years, acoustic metamaterials have exhibited extraordinary potential for manipulating the propagation of sound waves. However, it has been a challenge to control the propagation of sound waves through arbitrary pathways in a network. In this work, we designed a compact three-port isolator that can produce giant acoustic nonreciprocity by introducing actively controlled CNT films to the device without altering the geometric symmetry of it. This concept is subsequently applied to construct a 4 × 7 honeycomb network, in which, total transmission of sound wave in arbitrary pathway can be slickly achieved. Unlike the acoustic topological insulator, which only supports total transmission of arbitrary pathway in the band gap, our method provides more degrees of freedom and can be realized at any frequency. This ability opens up a new method for routing sound waves and exhibits promising applications ranging from acoustic communication to energy transmission.
Single molecule imaging simulations with advanced fluorophore photophysics
Authors: Bourgeois Dominique 
Published: January 2023

AbstractAdvanced fluorescence imaging techniques such as single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) fundamentally rely on the photophysical behavior of the employed fluorophores. This behavior is generally complex and impacts data quality in a subtle manner. A simulation software named Single-Molecule Imaging Simulator (SMIS) is introduced that simulates a widefield microscope and incorporates fluorophores with their spectral and photophysical properties. With SMIS, data collection schemes combining 3D, multicolor, single-particle-tracking or quantitative SMLM can be implemented. The influence of advanced fluorophore characteristics, imaging conditions, and environmental parameters can be evaluated, facilitating the design of real experiments and their proper interpretation.
Dihydroartemisinin imposes positive and negative regulation on Treg and plasma cells via direct interaction and activation of c-Fos
Authors: Li Qilong , Jiang Ning , Zhang Yiwei , Liu Yize , Su Ziwei , Yuan Quan , Sang Xiaoyu , Chen Ran , Feng Ying , Chen Qijun 
Published: January 2023

AbstractDihydroartemisinin (DHA), a potent antimalarial drug, also exhibits distinct property in modulation on Treg and B cells, which has been recognized for decades, but the underlying mechanisms remain understood. Herein we revealed that DHA could promote Treg proliferation, meanwhile, suppress B cell expansion in germinal centers, and consequently decrease the number of circulating plasma cells and the content of serum immunoglobulins. Further, DHA-activated Treg significantly mitigated lipopolysaccharide-induced and malaria-associated inflammation. All these scenarios were attributed to the upregulation of c-Fos expression by DHA and enhancement of its interaction with target genes in both Treg and circulating plasma cells with bilateral cell fates. In Treg, the c-Fos-DHA complex upregulated cell proliferation-associated genes and promoted cell expansion; whereas in plasma cells, it upregulated the apoptosis-related genes resulting in decreased circulating plasma cells. Thus, the bilateral immunoregulatory mechanism of DHA was elucidated and its application in the treatment of autoimmune diseases is further justified.
Influence of point defects and multiscale pores on the different phonon transport regimes
Authors: Wei Han , Hu Yue , Bao Hua 
Published: January 2023

AbstractA common strategy to tailor the thermal conductivity of a material is to introduce structural features that modulate phonon scattering, such as atomic-scale defects and nano- and macro-sized pores. However, particle-like and wave-like phonon transport and scattering during a crossover in thermal transport regimes is not well understood. Here, we perform a rigorous quantitative comparison of the thermal conductivity obtained from molecular dynamics simulations and phonon Boltzmann transport equations, taking graphene as an example. We observe a generally increasing trend in thermal conductivity when the pore size increases from point defect to nanopore, due to a transition from Rayleigh scattering to geometric scattering and reduced boundary density. The thermal conductivity further converges to the diffusive limit for macropores because of the dominant effect of phonon-phonon scattering over phonon-boundary scattering. Moreover, we identify a critical interpore distance for the crossover from dependent to independent phonon-pore scattering and a critical pore size for the crossover from point defect scattering to boundary scattering. This work provides a comprehensive understanding of phonon transport in materials containing defects and pores.
An Efficient Route to Access Spirooxindole–Pyrazolone-Fused Cyclopentenes by a Diastereoselective [3+2] Annulation
Authors: Bhat Ramakrishna G. , Sabale Abhijeet S. , Warghude Prakash K. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractA DMAP-catalyzed, highly diastereoselective, [3+2] cycloaddition of pyrazolone-derived Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates to 3-methyleneoxindoles has been developed. A variety of structurally diverse and complex spiropyrazolone-fused oxindoles bearing three contiguous chiral centers have been synthesized in high yields (up to 98%) and with excellent diastereoselectivities (up to 99:1). Moreover, the synthetic potential of this protocol has been demonstrated by performing a Suzuki coupling reaction.
Severity of Illness Scores and Biomarkers for Prognosis of Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Cavallazzi Rodrigo , Bradley James , Chandler Thomas , Furmanek Stephen , Ramirez Julio A. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe spectrum of disease severity and the insidiousness of clinical presentation make it difficult to recognize patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at higher risk of worse outcomes or death when they are seen in the early phases of the disease. There are now well-established risk factors for worse outcomes in patients with COVID-19. These should be factored in when assessing the prognosis of these patients. However, a more precise prognostic assessment in an individual patient may warrant the use of predictive tools. In this manuscript, we conduct a literature review on the severity of illness scores and biomarkers for the prognosis of patients with COVID-19. Several COVID-19-specific scores have been developed since the onset of the pandemic. Some of them are promising and can be integrated into the assessment of these patients. We also found that the well-known pneumonia severity index (PSI) and CURB-65 (confusion, uremia, respiratory rate, BP, age ≥ 65 years) are good predictors of mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. While neither the PSI nor the CURB-65 should be used for the triage of outpatient versus inpatient treatment, they can be integrated by a clinician into the assessment of disease severity and can be used in epidemiological studies to determine the severity of illness in patient populations. Biomarkers also provide valuable prognostic information and, importantly, may depict the main physiological derangements in severe disease. We, however, do not advocate the isolated use of severity of illness scores or biomarkers for decision-making in an individual patient. Instead, we suggest the use of these tools on a case-by-case basis with the goal of enhancing clinician judgment.
Evolution of Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Authors: Arachchillage Deepa R.J. , Pericleous Charis 
Published: January 2023

AbstractAntiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune prothrombotic disease characterized by thrombosis and/or pregnancy complications caused by antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). The history of APS can be traced back to observations made during screening programs for syphilis conducted in the mid-20th century, with identification of patients with the so-called biological false-positive serological reactions for syphilis. Initial observation linking aPL with recurrent miscarriages was first reported more than 40 years ago. Since then, our understanding of the pathogenesis and management of APS has evolved markedly. Although APS is an autoimmune disease, anticoagulation mainly with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) rather than immunomodulation, is the treatment of choice for thrombotic APS. Direct acting oral anticoagulants are inferior to VKAs, especially those with triple-positive APS and arterial thrombosis. Inflammation, complement activation, and thrombosis in the placenta may contribute to pathogenesis of obstetric APS. Heparin, mainly low-molecular-weight heparin, and low-dose aspirin represent the treatments of choice for women with obstetric complications. Increasingly, immunomodulatory agents such as hydroxychloroquine for thrombotic and obstetric APS are being used, especially in patients who are refractory to present standard treatment.
Epidemiology of Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Associated Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infection among Hospitalized Under-5s in Northwestern Nigeria
Authors: Garba Maria Ahuoiza , Giwa Fatima Jummai , Adelaiye Hamdala , Olorukooba Abiola Aira , Abdullahi Fatima , Makarfi Hauwa , Löwensteyn Yvette , Bont Louis , Abdurraheem Fadlullah , Uudu Ehi , Mudasir Halima , Mazur Natalie I 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Objective Globally, 33 million cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections occur annually among under-fives (5s). Ninety-nine percent of deaths from RSV occur in low- and middle-income countries. Under-five pneumonia mortality in Nigeria was estimated at 140,520 in 2017, but RSV epidemiological data are scant due to poor awareness and limited testing. Vaccines for RSV are currently under development and RSV mortality data from this high mortality, low resource setting are essential to maximizing the potential benefit of vaccination as well as promoting vaccine uptake. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology of RSV-associated acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI) in children younger than 5 years in Zaria, Northwestern Nigeria.
Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted among children aged 1 month to 5 years who were hospitalized with ALRTI in the Emergency Pediatric Unit of a tertiary hospital in Zaria from November 2018 to October 2019. Naso-pharyngeal swabs were obtained for RSV testing using a point-of-care immunoassay technique.
Results Thirty-three percent (35/106) of the children had RSV-related ALRTI. The median age of RSV-positive cases was 8 months (IQR 3–14). Two-thirds of children (68.6%, 24/35) were below 12 months. The RSV mortality rate was 5.7% (2/35). RSV occurred in 10 months of the year with peaks in March and July.
Conclusion A third of admitted children with ALRTI were positive for RSV. Therefore RSV significantly contributes to childhood pneumonia and the dual seasonal peak observed in our study may have implications for vaccine implementation.
Benchmarking fundamental gap of Sc2C(OH)2 MXene by many-body methods
Authors: Dubecký Matúš , Minárik Stanislav , Karlický František 
Published: January 2023

Sc2C(OH)2 is a prototypical non-magnetic member of MXenes, a promising transition-metal-based 2D material family, with a direct bandgap. We provide here a benchmark of its fundamental gap Δ obtained from many-body GW and fixed-node diffusion Monte Carlo methods. Both approaches independently arrive at a similar value of Δ ∼ 1.3 eV, suggesting the validity of both methods. Such a bandgap makes Sc2C(OH)2 a 2D semiconductor suitable for optoelectronic applications. The absorbance spectra and the first exciton binding energy (0.63 eV), based on the Bethe–Salpeter equation, are presented as well. The reported results may serve to delineate experimental uncertainties and enable selection of reasonable approximations such as density functional theory functionals, for use in modeling of related MXenes.
Enhanced growth and lipid productivity by living Chlorella sorokiniana immobilized in Ca-alginate beads
Authors: Alfaro-Sayes Daniel A , Amoah Jerome , Rachmadona Nova , Hama Shinji , Hasunuma Tomohisa , Kondo Akihiko , Ogino Chiaki 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The bottleneck for the production of biofuels from microalgae consists on costly harvesting processes and low lipid production, immobilization technology could play a part on making the production of biofuels more feasible. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of alginate immobilization on the growth and lipid productivity of the microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana, so far, the main focus of immobilization technology has been its use for wastewater treatment and nutrient removal from effluents. The microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana was cultured in both free and immobilized forms under optimal autotrophic growth conditions. Microalgae were immobilized in calcium alginate beads generated by mixing algal cells with a sodium alginate solution, followed by extrusion into a CaCl2 solution. The results obtained in this study showed that the growth of the microalgae immobilized in alginate beads, was enhanced and achieved a dry cell weight 1.4-fold higher than that of a free cell culture, a higher light transmittance was also achieved in the alginate immobilized culture, and the lipid productivity was increased from 54.21 ± 2.48 mg l−1 d in the free cell culture to 82.22 ± 8.48 mg l−1 d in the immobilized culture. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of immobilization technology for promoting growth and lipid productivity in the microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana.