bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Field of Main Group Lewis Acids and Lewis Superacids: Important Basics and Recent Developments
Authors: Timoshkin Alexey Y. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractNew developments in the field of Lewis acidity are highlighted, with the focus of novel Lewis acids and Lewis superacids of group 2, 13, 14, and 15 elements. Several important basics, illustrated by modern examples (classification of Donor‐Acceptor (DA) complexes, amphoteric nature of any compound in terms of DA interactions, reorganization energies of main group Lewis acids and the role of the energies of frontier orbitals) are presented and discussed. It is emphasized that the Lewis acidity phenomena are general and play vital role in different areas of chemistry: from weak “atomophilic” interactions to the complexes of Lewis superacids.
Electrochemical Activation‐Induced Structural Transformation in Ni(OH)2/Ti3C2Tx/NF Systems with Enhanced Electrochemical Performance for Hybrid Supercapacitors
Authors: Xu Chuming , Dai Lu , Zhao Yiming , Li Shuang , Wu Yapan , Wu Xueqian , Zhang Gaixia , Sun Shuhui , Li Dongsheng 
Published: September 2023

Exploring a novel strategy for large‐scale production of battery‐type Ni(OH)2‐based composites, with excellent capacitive performance, is still greatly challenging. Herein, we developed a facile and cost‐effective strategy to in situ grow a layer of Ni(OH)2/Ti3C2Tx composite on the nickel foam (NF) collector, where Ti3C2Tx is not only a conductive component, but also a catalyst that accelerates the oxidation of NF to Ni(OH)2. Detailed analysis reveals that the crystallinity, morphology, and electronic structure of the integrated electrode can be tuned via the electrochemical activation, which is beneficial for improving electrical conductivity and redox activity. As expected, the integrated electrode shows a specific capacity of 1.09 C cm−2 at 1 mA cm−2 after three custom activation cycles and maintains 92.4% of the initial capacity after 1500 cycles. Moreover, a hybrid supercapacitor composed of Ni(OH)2/Ti3C2Tx/NF cathode and activated carbon anode provides an energy density of 0.1 mWh cm−2 at a power density of 0.97 mW cm−2, and excellent cycling stability with about 110% capacity retention rate after 5000 cycles. This work would afford an economical and convenient method to steer commercial Ni foam into advanced Ni(OH)2‐based composite materials as binder‐free electrodes for hybrid supercapacitors.
Simulation‐based characterization of the variability of earthquake risk to buildings in the near‐field
Authors: Miah Mamun , McCallen David , Pitarka Arben , Petrone Floriana 
Published: September 2023

AbstractRecent advancements in high performance computing platforms and computational workflow for regional‐scale simulations are enabling unprecedented modeling of fault‐to‐structure earthquake processes. Regional simulations resolving ground motions at frequencies relevant to engineered systems are becoming computationally viable and provide a new capability to improve understanding of the geographical distribution and intensity of risk to buildings and critical infrastructure. As computational capabilities advance, it is essential to move beyond illustrative single rupture realizations for scenario earthquake events towards the development of a full suite of rupture realizations that appropriately characterize the range of risk to building systems. The work described in this article investigates the application of a suite of fault rupture realizations with the objective of assessing near‐fault, site‐specific seismic demand variability for building structures. A representative high‐performance regional‐scale computational model is utilized to execute ground motion and building response simulations based on 18 kinematic rupture realizations of an M7 strike‐slip scenario earthquake. The fault rupture models for the scenario earthquake are created by systematically perturbing the hypocenter location and stochastically generating rupture parameters (slip, rise time, rake angle) to represent a breadth of ground motion intensities resulting from the spatial and temporal variabilities of an earthquake rupture process. The resulting seismic demand variability for three‐story (short period) and forty‐story (long period) steel moment‐resisting frame buildings is characterized in terms of the median and distribution of peak inter‐story drift ratio for a range of near‐fault sites. The full suite of 18 fault rupture realizations and approximately 280,000 nonlinear dynamic building simulations indicate that the three‐story building undergoes higher median seismic demand and significantly greater variability of demand at a given site than the forty‐story building, which has important implications for the level of certainty in predicting building performance during an earthquake. The simulations performed provide deeper insight into the relationship between fault rupture parameterization and building response, which is essential information for developing a representative suite of rupture realizations for specific earthquake scenarios.
Denoising task‐related fMRI: Balancing noise reduction against signal loss
Authors: Hoeppli M. E. , Garenfeld M. A. , Mortensen C. K. , Nahman‐Averbuch H. , King C. D. , Coghill R. C. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractPreprocessing fMRI data requires striking a fine balance between conserving signals of interest and removing noise. Typical steps of preprocessing include motion correction, slice timing correction, spatial smoothing, and high‐pass filtering. However, these standard steps do not remove many sources of noise. Thus, noise‐reduction techniques, for example, CompCor, FIX, and ICA‐AROMA have been developed to further improve the ability to draw meaningful conclusions from the data. The ability of these techniques to minimize noise while conserving signals of interest has been tested almost exclusively in resting‐state fMRI and, only rarely, in task‐related fMRI. Application of noise‐reduction techniques to task‐related fMRI is particularly important given that such procedures have been shown to reduce false positive rates. Little remains known about the impact of these techniques on the retention of signal in tasks that may be associated with systemic physiological changes. In this paper, we compared two ICA‐based, that is FIX and ICA‐AROMA, two CompCor‐based noise‐reduction techniques, that is aCompCor, and tCompCor, and standard preprocessing using a large (n = 101) fMRI dataset including noxious heat and non‐noxious auditory stimulation. Results show that preprocessing using FIX performs optimally for data obtained using noxious heat, conserving more signals than CompCor‐based techniques and ICA‐AROMA, while removing only slightly less noise. Similarly, for data obtained during non‐noxious auditory stimulation, FIX noise‐reduction technique before analysis with a covariate of interest outperforms the other techniques. These results indicate that FIX might be the most appropriate technique to achieve the balance between conserving signals of interest and removing noise during task‐related fMRI.
Dendritic cells infected with recombinant adenoviral vector encoding mouse fibroblast activation protein‐α and human livin α exert an antitumor effect against Lewis lung carcinoma in mice
Authors: Ye Zaiting , Pan Jiongwei , Yin Zhangyong , Wang Shuanghu , Li Yuling , Cai Xiaoping , Zheng Hao , Cao Zhuo 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundFibroblast activation protein‐α (FAP) and livin α are considered as cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor‐specific targets, respectively, for immunogenic tumor vaccines. This study is designed to decipher the antitumor effect of double‐gene modified dendritic cells (DCs) on Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC).MethodsBy encoding mouse FAP cDNA and human livin α (i.e., hlivin α) cDNA into recombinant adenoviral vector (rAd), rAd‐FAP, rAd‐hlivin α, and rAd‐FAP/hlivin α were constructed, which were then transduced into mouse DCs. LLC‐bearinig mice were immunized with the infected DCs (5 × 105 cells/mouse), followed by calculation of tumor volume and survival rate. The identification of CAFs from mouse LLC as well as the determination on expressions of FAP and livin α, was accomplished by western blot. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte assay was harnessed to assess the effect of the infected DCs on inducing splenic lymphocytes to lyse CAFs.ResultsDCs were successfully transduced with rAd‐FAP/hlivin α in vitro. FAP was highly expressed in CAFs. CAFs were positive for α‐SMA and negative for CD45 and CD31. Livin α level was upregulated in mouse LLC. Immunization with rAd‐FAP/hlivin α‐transduced DCs suppressed LLC volume and improved the survival of tumor‐bearing mice. Immunization with rAd‐FAP/hlivin α‐transduced DCs enhanced the cytotoxic effect of splenic lymphocytes on LLC tumor‐derived CAFs.ConclusionInjection with rAd‐FAP/hlivin α‐transduced DCs promotes immune‐enhanced tumor microenvironment by decreasing CAFs and suppresses tumor growth in LLC mouse models.
Food‐specific IgA levels in esophageal biopsies are not sufficiently high to predict food triggers in eosinophilic esophagitis
Authors: Abramson Lior , Smeekens Johanna M. , Kulis Michael D. , Dellon Evan S. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundEosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an immune‐mediated disease, characterized by Th2‐type inflammation linked to specific foods. No currently available allergy tests reliably identify food triggers in EoE, leading to empiric dietary elimination strategies. Recently, milk‐ and wheat‐specific IgA in esophageal brushings were linked to clinical food triggers. In this study, we aimed to determine whether food‐specific IgA from esophageal biopsies is associated with known food triggers.MethodsA prior cohort of 21 patients (median age 39 years) with confirmed EoE underwent empirical elimination diets and subsequent reintroduction of foods to determine triggers. Archived baseline biopsies were used to quantify levels of peanut‐, milk‐, soy‐, egg‐, wheat‐specific and total IgA by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsOverall, 13 patients (62%) responded to the dietary elimination as determined by histology (<15 eos/hpf), with milk and egg being the most common triggers. Biopsies had varying amounts of total IgA, while food‐specific IgA was only detectable in 48 of 105 (46%) samples. Food‐specific IgA was normalized to total IgA for each sample and stratified by whether a food was a known trigger. For all foods tested, there were no significant differences in IgA between positive and negative triggers.ConclusionsFood‐specific IgA in esophageal biopsies was not associated with previously identified food triggers in this cohort. Future studies comparing food‐specific IgA in esophageal brushings, mucous scrapings, and biopsies from patients with known triggers will be critical to determining whether food‐specific IgA may serve as a biomarker for identification of EoE triggers.
Death receptor 3 is involved in preeclampsia through regulating placental trophoblast cell physiology by inactivating the PI3K/AKT pathway
Authors: Yin Cheng , Wang Jiahui , Zhang Yu , Zhang Xinping , Zhao Wei , Shen Yanxiang , Liu Shi , Liu Su 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundPreeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy related disease that affects about 5% of pregnancies. Death receptor 3 (DR3) expression is significantly elevated in both placental tissue and plasma of PE patients. However, whether DR3 was involved in trophoblasts in pathogenesis of PE are not well elucidated.ObjectiveOur research was designed to illustrate the biological roles of DR3 in placental trophoblasts, as well as explain its relevant mechanisms.MethodsHTR‐8/SVneo cells viability, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were assessed using MTT, Transwell assay, and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. Levels of DR3, PI3K, and AKT in HTR‐8/SVneo cells were analyzed via reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay. Western blot analysis was utilized to assess DR3, p‐PI3K, p‐AKT, PI3K, and AKT protein expression.ResultsUpregulation of DR3 obviously inhibited HTR‐8/SVneo cells viability, migration, and invasion, as well as promoted HTR‐8/SVneo cells apoptosis, as opposed to the control‐plasmid group. We also found that DR3‐plasmid enhanced cleaved‐caspase3 expression, reduced p‐PI3K and p‐AKT protein expression, and p‐PI3K/PI3K or p‐AKT/AKT ratio in HTR‐8/SVneo cells. Importantly, IGF‐1, a PI3K/AKT signaling pathway agonist, partially reversed the effects of DR3‐plasmid on the cell viability, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and PI3K/AKT signal pathway in HTR‐8/SVneo cells.ConclusionDR3 was involved in PE through regulating placental trophoblast cell physiology via PI3K/AKT pathway, which might be a promising therapeutic target for PE therapy.
Second curettage versus conventional chemotherapy in avoiding unnecessary chemotherapy and reducing the number of chemotherapy courses for patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhao Peng , Yu Yan , Du Minmin , Xu Junbi , Lu Weiguo 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundChemotherapy is the recommended treatment for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). Second curettage had been advocated to avoid unnecessary chemotherapy and to reduce the courses of chemotherapy; however, consensus has not been reached as there are arguments claiming its inability of inducing complete regression.ObjectivesThe present study was performed to clarify the effectiveness of second curettage for avoiding unnecessary chemotherapy and lowering the number of chemotherapy courses in patients with post‐molar GTN.Search StrategySeven predominant electronic databases were searched, including four English databases and three Chinese databases, from the inception of each database until January 31, 2023.Selection CriteriaStudies were included if they were: (1) human, (2) explicitly indicated exposure to second curettage, (3) explicitly indicated control to conventional chemotherapy, (4) explicitly indicated the participants were patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN), and (5) compared the outcome of interest as the number of the course of chemotherapy.Data Collection and AnalysisTwo authors extracted and analyzed the data independently. Disagreements were reconciled by reviewing the full text by a third author. The data of study location, data collection, study design, number of participants, intervention strategy, control strategy, the follow‐up period, outcome, adverse events were analyzed.Main ResultsWith regard to avoiding unnecessary chemotherapy, the overall pooled effect size of the second curettage group had a significant advantage over the conventional chemotherapy group with an OR of 0.02 (95% CI: 0.00–0.06). Meanwhile, for reducing the number of chemotherapy courses, the overall pooled effect size of the second curettage group had significant advantage over the conventional chemotherapy group with a mean difference of −2.11 (95% CI: −3.72 to −0.51).ConclusionThe second curettage group had a significant advantage over the conventional chemotherapy group in avoiding unnecessary chemotherapy and reducing the number of chemotherapy courses. Further larger multi‐center randomized controlled trials should be conducted to confirm our results and to clarify the optimal patients' group for second curettage in patients with post‐molar GTN.
A case of marked rectal stenosis due to Douglas’ pouch metastasis of renal pelvic carcinoma successfully treated with salvage enfortumab vedotin: correlation between serum KL‐6 levels and tumor response
Authors: Akatsuka Jun , Kimura Go , Katsu Akifumi , Hasegawa Hiroya , Mikami Hikaru , Yanagi Masato , Endo Yuki , Takeda Hayato , Toyama Yuka , Kondo Yukihiro 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionWe report a rare case of marked rectal stenosis due to Douglas' pouch metastasis of renal pelvic urothelial carcinoma successfully treated with enfortumab vedotin.Case presentationA 77‐year‐old female presented with difficulty in defecation and abdominal distension. She had received two courses of cisplatin plus gemcitabine followed by four courses of maintenance avelumab for postoperative lymph node metastasis of renal pelvic urothelial carcinoma. KL‐6 levels were elevated, and a computed tomography scan revealed an irregularly shaped large mass occupying Douglas' pouch, with marked rectal stenosis. Metastatic urothelial carcinoma was pathologically diagnosed, and enfortumab vedotin was initiated after colostomy. After 12 courses of enfortumab vedotin, metastatic lesions showed marked shrinkage and KL‐6 levels decreased.ConclusionEnfortumab vedotin elicited a remarkable response in treating rectal stenosis due to metastasis of renal pelvic urothelial carcinoma in Douglas' pouch. Furthermore, serum KL‐6 levels were correlated with the severity of metastatic urothelial carcinoma.
Selenium Supplementation Enhances the Element Concentration in Blood and Seminal Fluid But Does Not Change the Spermatozoal Quality Characteristics in Subfertile Men
Authors: IWANIER KRZYSZTOF , ZACHARA BRONISLAW A. 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of selenium (Se) supplementation on Se concentration and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activity in blood components and seminal fluid and on spermatozoal quality characteristics in subfertile men. Thirty‐three men were supplemented for 12 weeks with 200 μg Se/day in the form of yeast‐rich Se (group I, n = 16) or sodium selenite (group II, n = 17).Blood samples and sperm were collected at the start of the study and after 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks following Se supplementation. Se concentration in whole blood and plasma and GSH‐Px activity in red cells and plasma increased significantly during the study, but in the group supplemented with yeast‐Se the effect was more pronounced. Se concentration in seminal fluid also increased in both groups, but the effect of yeast‐Se was markedly higher than that of selenite. In both groups statistically significant correlations were found between Se concentration in plasma and seminal fluid. GSH‐Px activity in seminal fluid In the yeast‐Se group increased significantly and reached a plateau after 2 weeks, whereas in the selenite group the activity did not change throughout the whole study period. Weak correlations between Se concentrations and GSH‐Px activities in seminal fluid were seen, but only in the yeast‐Se group were the relations statistically significant. The subjects in both groups showed no response in sperm count, motility, and morphology.In conclusion, we can ascertain that the supplementation of subfertile men with yeast‐rich Se showed a more pronounced effect on Se concentrations and GSH‐Px activities in blood components and seminal fluid than selenite did. Se supplementation did not improve the spermatozoal quality characteristics of sperm count, motility and, morphology.
Enhanced Pharmacological Testing in Patients with Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: VRUGGINK PETER A. , DIEMONT WILLEM L. , DEBRUYNE FRANS M. J. , MEULEMAN ERIC J. H. 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT:This study was designed to evaluate the practical use of the combination of a low‐dose intracavemous injection test (ICI) and visual erotic stimulation (VES) in the assessment of patients with erectile dysfunction. Additionally, a postinvestigation questionnaire (PIQ) was used to rate the erection following the investigation when the patient had left the office. It was hypothesized that the combination (ICIVES) and the PIQ would yield a higher erectile response rate than ICI or VES alone and would minimize the occurrence of prolonged erection.Of the 90 patients studied, 17 (19%) showed adequate erections to VES, 10 (11%) to ICI, and 60 (67%) to ICIVES. Of the 30 non‐responders, 7 (23%) reported adequate erections on the PIQ. Overall, in 75% of the patients adequate erections were achieved. No prolonged erections were encountered.It is concluded that the combination of a low‐dose ICI and VES, and the application of a postinvestigation questionnaire, is a powerful and safe test to select patients for autoinjection therapy.
FIRST PRINCIPLES: SYSTEMS AND THEIR ANALYSIS
Authors: Woods Thomas W. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis paper is intended to challenge systems professionals to think about systems — not at the process level but at the foundational level: first principles. System principles at the concept level, and what we understand about them, determine what we practice at the process level – that is, how we define “systems engineering.” When Kant, Kepler, Newton, Einstein, and the others were deriving The Natural Laws, where was the comparable basic work in the natural order of things: systems? Is our profession one of simply employing some fairly good empirical procedures? Is there a legitimate place for a “First Law of Systems” along side The First Law of Thermodynamics? Who would do this research? Who would fund it? Is now the time? Why should we care?
EMERGING CONCEPTS: A LOOK‐AHEAD TO ENGINEERING'S FUTURE
Authors: Masselle Eric L. , Rhodes Donna H. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractLike pieces in an unfinished jigsaw puzzle, emerging concepts in the workplace can give us a glimpse of what systems engineering will look like in the future. This paper introduces a number of highly interconnected concepts that are emerging in the areas of process, technology, education, metrics, and paradigm shifts. To ensure continued growth in years ahead, it is essential that we use these new concepts as building blocks to architect a systems engineering vision highly suited to the workplace of tomorrow.
MECHANIZED MECHANISMS
Authors: Masselle Eric L. , Rhodes Donna H. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractEvery progressive corporation has a set of process mechanisms in place for accomplishing its business ends. In the engineering industry most elements of these process mechanisms remain manually intensive. However, just as mechanization transformed manufacturing, so too will mechanization of manually intensive tasks advance the state of engineering. This paper will focus on the new area of process enactment technology. Process enactment, which we view as mechanized mechanisms, is the automation of those time and resource consuming elements of a process that do not require the unique capabilities of the human intellect. Process enactment technology automates task management and support for the team, and controls schedule, team member tasks and interaction, and the movement, storage, and processing of all data.
Descriptions of Systems Engineering Methodologies and Comparison of Information Representations
Authors: Oliver David W. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis paper applies the principles of Model Based Systems Engineering,(Oliver 1992a), (Oliver 1992b), to the systems engineering process itself. This results in layering the process description so that it is tailorable and supports aerospace or commercial methodologies. A core set of engineering steps is defined using a behavioral or conceptual model. Existing methodologies can be described and compared by selecting the core steps they use and the sequences, concurrencies, and iterations of the core steps selected.An information model, design model, is defined for each core step. From these models the possible representations of information are listed for each core engineering step. The graphic or text representations of existing methodologies can be mapped onto the information models to compare methodologies or to examine a methodology for redundancy or completeness. The design models are a basis for an information standard or a meta‐model for information exchange among tools, or for the selection of tools or notation.