bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
3D printed Ultra-High Performance Concrete: Preparation, Application, and Challenges
Authors: Bai G. , Chen G. , Li R. , Wang L. , Ma G. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract3D printed ultra-high performance concrete (3DP-UHPC) plays an important role in the realization of ultra-high compressive and tensile strengths. Considering the particular characteristics of UHPC, the conversion of UHPC to 3DP-UHPC is a complex phenomenon and has been the subject of numerous studies. It is very important to be able to design a thixotropic structure in the early hydration stage for bridging the gap between the slow setting of UHPC and the rapid setting of the 3D printing procedure. In the design and application of 3DP-UHPC, requirements such as the ratio of coagulant and flocculant, fiber alignment, reinforced 3D printed no-rebar reinforced concrete, safety, cost etc. need to be taken into account. We present a comprehensive review of 3DP-UHPC in concrete construction from preparation to application, including design method, raw materials, mechanical, reinforced methods, and applications. Finally, recommendations are provided to promote the application of 3DP-UHPC in engineering practice.
Biosensing systems for the detection and quantification of methane gas
Authors: Poma Noemi , Bonini Andrea , Vivaldi Federico , Biagini Denise , Di Luca Mariagrazia , Bottai Daria , Di Francesco Fabio , Tavanti Arianna 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Climate change due to the continuous increase in the release of green-house gasses associated with anthropogenic activity has made a significant impact on the sustainability of life on our planet. Methane (CH4) is a green-house gas whose concentrations in the atmosphere are on the rise. CH4 measurement is important for both the environment and the safety at the industrial and household level. Methanotrophs are distinguished for their unique characteristic of using CH4 as the sole source of carbon and energy, due to the presence of the methane monooxygenases that oxidize CH4 under ambient temperature conditions. This has attracted interest in the use of methanotrophs in biotechnological applications as well as in the development of biosensing systems for CH4 quantification and monitoring. Biosensing systems using methanotrophs rely on the use of whole microbial cells that oxidize CH4 in presence of O2, so that the CH4 concentration is determined in an indirect manner by measuring the decrease of O2 level in the system. Although several biological properties of methanotrophic microorganisms still need to be characterized, different studies have demonstrated the feasibility of the use of methanotrophs in CH4 measurement. This review summarizes the contributions in methane biosensing systems and presents a prospective of the valid use of methanotrophs in this field.

Key points
• Methanotroph environmental relevance in methane oxidation
• Methanotroph biotechnological application in the field of biosensing
• Methane monooxygenase as a feasible biorecognition element in biosensors
Previous radiotherapy improves treatment responses and causes a trend toward longer time to progression among patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor-related adverse events
Authors: Jokimäki Anna , Hietala Henna , Lemma Jasmiini , Karhapää Hanna , Rintala Anna , Kaikkonen Jari-Pekka , Sunela Kaisa , Boman Eva , Jukkola Arja , Tiainen Satu , Seppälä Jan , Rönkä Aino , Hakkarainen Heikki , Kärnä Aarno , Iivanainen Sanna , Koivunen Jussi , Auvinen Päivi , Hernberg Micaela , Kuusisto Milla , Selander Tuomas , Kuittinen Outi 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are frequently encountered by patients during immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment and are associated with better treatment outcomes. The sequencing of radiotherapy (RT) and ICIs is widely used in current clinical practice, but its effect on survival has remained unclear.

Methods
In a real-world multicenter study including 521 patients who received ICI treatment for metastatic or locally advanced cancer, RT schedules and timing, irAEs, time to progression, overall survival, and treatment responses were retrospectively reviewed.

Results
Patients who received previous RT and developed irAE (RT +/AE +) had the best overall response rate (ORR 44.0%). The ORR was 40.1% in the RT −/AE + group, 26.7% in the RT −/AE − group and 18.3% in the RT + /AE − group (p < 0.001). There was a significantly longer time to progression (TTP) in the RT + /AE + group compared to the RT −/AE − and RT + /AE − groups (log rank p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively), but the trend toward longer TTP in the RT + /AE + group did not reach statistical significance in pairwise comparison to that in the RT −/AE + group. Preceding RT timing and intent had no statistically significant effect on TTP. In a multivariate model, ECOG = 0 and occurrence of irAEs remained independent positive prognostic factors for TTP (HR 0.737; 95% CI 0.582–0.935; p = 0.012, and HR 0.620; 95% CI 0.499–0.769; p < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions
Better ORR and a trend toward longer TTP were demonstrated for patients with RT preceding ICI treatment and development of irAEs, which suggests that RT may boost the therapeutic effect of immunotherapy in patients with metastatic cancers.
Cadaver Study on Transoral Thyroid Chondrolaryngoplasty and Transoral Sistrunk Operation, Possibility from Transoral Thyroidectomy
Authors: Li Hok Nam , Chan Peter Wing Hong , Tong Michael Chi Fai 
Published: July 2023

AbstractObjectiveTransoral approaches in surgery are gaining global popularity. Transoral endoscopic and robotic thyroidectomies are well established due to the benefit of being truly scarless. Thyroid chondrolaryngoplasty reduces protrusion of the thyroid notch in transgender patients. The Sistrunk operation involves removal of the thyroglossal cyst and the central portion of the hyoid bone. In this cadaveric study, we developed a transoral thyroidectomy approach and assessed the feasibility of applying this technique to thyroid chondrolaryngoplasty and Sistrunk operation with the proper usage of a special endoscopic burr.MethodsWe performed surgery using the transoral vestibular approach with 13 fresh‐frozen human cadavers. Unlike transoral thyroid surgery, which requires high‐resolution detailed anatomical view, this technique uses a 5‐mm 30‐degree endoscope with a 5‐mm central port. A smaller central port can reduce the risk of mental nerve paresthesia. A special endoscopic burr for functional endoscopic sinus surgery is used to thin the thyroid notch cartilage and cut the central portion of the hyoid bone.ResultsWe successfully performed transoral thyroid chondrolaryngoplasty and transoral Sistrunk operation in 13 cadavers.ConclusionTransoral chondrolaryngoplasty and transoral Sistrunk operation are feasible for transgender or thyroglossal cyst patients. It offers the additional benefit of being a scarless surgery and could play a promising role in minimally invasive thyroid surgeries. Proper use of an endoscopic drilling burr to thin thyroid notch cartilage and cutting the central portion of the hyoid bone can make transoral thyroid chondrolaryngoplasty and transoral Sistrunk operation safe and feasible.
Surgical Site Infections During the Pandemic: The Impact of the “COVID Bundle”
Authors: McLoughlin Louise Catherine , Perlis Nathan , Lajkosz Katherine , Boasie Alexandra , Esmail Tariq , Nielson Chantelle , Lavrencic Natalia , Jackson Timothy , Kulkarni Girish S. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundA reduction in surgical site infections (SSIs) has been reported in several discrete patient populations during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Herein, this study evaluates the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on SSI in a large patient cohort incorporating multiple surgical disciplines. We hypothesize that enhanced infection control and heightened awareness of such measures is analogous to an SSI care bundle, the hypothetical “COVID bundle”, and may impact SSI rates.MethodData collected for the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program between January 1, 2015, and April 1, 2021, were retrospectively analyzed. SSI rates were compared among time‐dependent patient cohorts: Cohort A (pre‐pandemic, N = 24,060, 87%) and Cohort B (pandemic, N = 3698, 13%). Time series and multivariable analyses predicted pre‐pandemic and pandemic SSI trends and tested for association with timing of surgery.ResultsThe overall SSI incidence was reduced in Cohort B versus Cohort A (2.8% vs. 4.5%, p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis indicated a downward SSI trend before pandemic onset (IRR 0.997, 95% CI 0.994, 1). At pandemic onset, the trend reduced by a relative factor of 39% (IRR 0.601, 95% CI 0.338, 1.069). SSI then trended upward during the pandemic (IRR 1.035, 95% CI 0.965, 1.111). SSI rates significantly trended downward in general surgical patients at pandemic onset (IRR 0.572, 95% CI 0.353, 0.928).ConclusionAlthough overall SSI incidence was reduced during the pandemic, a statistically significant decrease in the predicted SSI rate only occurred in general surgical patients at pandemic onset. This trend may suggest a positive impact of the “COVID bundle” on SSI rates in these patients.
Predicting visual recovery in pituitary adenoma patients post-endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery: Harnessing delta-radiomics of the optic chiasm from MRI
Authors: Zhang Yang , Zheng Junkai , Huang Zhouyang , Teng Yuen , Chen Chaoyue , Xu Jianguo 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Objectives
To investigate whether morphological changes after surgery and delta-radiomics of the optic chiasm obtained from routine MRI could help predict postoperative visual recovery of pituitary adenoma patients.

Methods
A total of 130 pituitary adenoma patients were retrospectively enrolled and divided into the recovery group (n = 87) and non-recovery group (n = 43) according to visual outcome 1 year after endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery. Morphological parameters of the optic chiasm were measured preoperatively and postoperatively, including chiasmal thickness, deformed angle, and suprasellar extension. Delta-radiomics of the optic chiasm were calculated based on features extracted from preoperative and postoperative coronal T2-weighted images, followed by machine learning modeling using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator wrapped with support vector machine through fivefold cross-validation in the development set. The delta-radiomic model was independently evaluated in the test set, and compared with the combined model that incorporated delta-radiomics, significant clinical and morphological parameters.

Results
Postoperative morphological changes of the optic chiasm could not significantly be used as predictors for the visual outcome. In contrast, the delta-radiomics model represented good performances in predicting visual recovery, with an AUC of 0.821 in the development set and 0.811 in the independent test set. Moreover, the combined model that incorporated age and delta-radiomics features of the optic chiasm achieved the highest AUC of 0.841 and 0.840 in the development set and independent test set, respectively.

Conclusions
Our proposed machine learning models based on delta-radiomics of the optic chiasm can be used to predict postoperative visual recovery of pituitary adenoma patients.

Clinical relevance statement
Our delta-radiomics-based models from MRI enable accurate visual recovery predictions in pituitary adenoma patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery, facilitating better clinical decision-making and ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Key Points
• Prediction of the postoperative visual outcome for pituitary adenoma patients is important but challenging.
• Delta-radiomics of the optic chiasm after surgical decompression represented better prognostic performances compared with its morphological changes.
• The proposed machine learning models can serve as novel approaches to predict visual recovery for pituitary adenoma patients in clinical practice.
Evaluation of ceftriaxone pharmacokinetics in hospitalized Egyptian pediatric patients
Authors: Eldougdoug Mohamed W. , Youssef Doaa M. , El-Shal Amal S. , Sharaf Yasmine Ahmed , Raparla Sridivya , Jasti Bhaskara R. , Elnahas Hanan M. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate ceftriaxone pharmacokinetics that affects the achievement of targets in the treatment of critically ill children (meningitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, peritonitis, and infective endocarditis( who were admitted to Zagazig University Pediatric hospital in Egypt to monitor for the drug adverse effects.Blood samples were obtained from 24 hospitalized pediatric patients (ages ranging from 2.5 months to 12 years) after administering the calculated dose of ceftriaxone via intravenous bolus route. Then, ceftriaxone plasma concentrations were measured using a validated HPLC method with ultraviolet detection. The pharmacokinetic analysis was conducted using Phoenix Winnonlin Program® software.Data for total and free ceftriaxone best fitted on a one-compartment model with the first-order elimination process. Clearance of ceftriaxone is reduced for patients with reduced kidney function and increased with those with augmented renal clearance. The volume of distribution and the free fraction are increased in these patients, especially those with hypoalbuminemia with a shorter half-life time were detected. A slight increase in total bilirubin and liver enzymes has been observed after treatment with ceftriaxone in these patients. Conclusion: In most critically ill pediatric patients, the current ceftriaxone treatment regimen (50 to 100 mg/kg) offers adequate pathogenic coverage. The clearance of free ceftriaxone in all patients correlates well with their renal function (eGFR), with r2 = 0.7252. During therapy with ceftriaxone at all doses ranging from 50 to 100 mg/kg, a rise in total bilirubin was observed in these patients. Moreover, liver enzymes (ALT and AST) increased moderately (p 0.0001). So, it is recommended to monitor total bilirubin and liver enzymes during the treatment with ceftriaxone, especially for a long duration (more than 5 days) or use another agent in patients with high baseline values.

What is Known:• The dosing regimen of ceftriaxone (50 to 100 mg/kg) provided optimum therapeutic outcomes.• Some studies show data for total and free Ceftriaxone best fitted on a one-compartment model while other studies show data for total and free Ceftriaxone best fitted on a two-compartment model.

What is New:• Up to my knowledge this is the first study ,considering individual pharmacokinetic analysis, conducted on hospitalized Egyptian pediatric population most of them with reduced kidney function with ages ranging from 2.5 months to 12 years. Data for total and free Ceftriaxone best fitted on a one-compartment model with linear clearance of the free ceftriaxone.• In all patients, total bilirubin and liver function tests were mildly increased, making them at risk for cholestasis or ceftriaxone-induced cholestatic hepatitis.
Inflammatory biomarker signatures in post-surgical drain fluid may detect anastomotic leaks within 48 hours of colorectal resection
Authors: Cuff S. M. , Reeves N. , Lewis E. , Jones E. , Baker S. , Karategos A. , Morris R. , Torkington J. , Eberl M. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
The optimal treatment of colorectal cancer is surgical resection and primary anastomosis. Anastomotic leak can affect up to 20% of patients and creates significant morbidity and mortality. Current diagnosis of a leak is based on clinical suspicion and subsequent radiology. Peritoneal biomarkers have shown diagnostic utility in other conditions and could be useful in providing earlier diagnosis. This pilot study was designed to assess the practical utility of peritoneal biomarkers after abdominal surgery utilising an automated immunoassay system in routine use for quantifying cytokines.

Methods
Patients undergoing an anterior resection for a rectal cancer diagnosis were recruited at University
Hospital of Wales, Cardiff between June 2019 and June 2021. A peritoneal drain was placed in the proximity of the anastomosis during surgery, and peritoneal fluid was collected at days 1 to 3 post-operatively, and analysed using the Siemens IMMULITE platform for interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, CXCL8, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Results
A total of 42 patients were recruited (22M:20F, median age 65). Anastomotic leak was detected in four patients and a further five patients had other intra-abdominal complications. The IMMULITE platform was able to provide robust and reliable results from the analysis of the peritoneal fluid. A metric based on the combination of peritoneal IL-6 and CRP levels was able to accurately diagnose three anastomotic leaks, whilst correctly classifying all negative control patients including those with other complications.

Conclusions
This pilot study demonstrates that a simple immune signature in surgical drain fluid could accurately diagnose an anastomotic leak at 48 h postoperatively using instrumentation that is already widely available in hospital clinical laboratories.
Impact of high consistency enzymatic hydrolysis and defibration drying on cellulose fiber pore characteristics
Authors: Dahiya Deepika , Ceccherini Sara , Maloney Thad C. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to examine the hornification of enzymatically hydrolyzed high consistency softwood kraft pulp in an experimental defibration dryer. This device dries pulp under turbulent conditions which can prevent interfiber bonding and produce a separated fiber population. This is useful in certain applications, such as composites, which require dry, unbonded pulp fibers. In this study, we examine how fibrillated pulps behave in the dryer with respect to pore expansion in hydrolysis and collapse in drying (hornification). It was found that the endoglucanase cocktail increased the micro-, meso-, and macropore volumes as a function of hydrolysis time. Drying decreased the pore volumes of each size category, with the biggest changes in the macropore region. The pulp with the highest swelling after hydrolysis had the lowest swelling after drying. The mesopores that were formed in hydrolysis were somewhat preserved after drying. After drying, unfibrillated pulp had good fiber separation, while the highly fibrillated samples formed sub-millimeter, spherical particles.
Eco-friendly Biodegradation of Hydrocarbons Compounds from Crude Oily Wastewater Using PVA/Alginate/Clay Composite Hydrogels
Authors: Farid Eman , Kamoun Elbadawy A. , Taha Tarek H. , El-Dissouky Ali , Khalil Tarek E. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractImmobilized microorganisms especially bacteria are most used rather than free cells to be protected from the environmental conditions when being used for the bioremediation of environmental pollutants. Herein, two marine’s bacterial isolates were tested for their ability to decompose crude oil. The optimum conditions for effective bacterial degradation e.g., pH, temperature, and inoculum size were investigated. PVA-alginate-clay composite hydrogel beads with different types of incorporated mineral clays were prepared and tested as bacterial carrier for potential bioremediation. Synthesized composite hydrogels were physico-chemically characterized by FTIR, SEM, and thermal analyses. Results showed that, embedded degrading bacteria in PVA-alginate beads recorded degradation rates as 74 and 66.6% for both tested bacterial isolates (S and R) compared to 61.2 and 53% degradation rates by free cells, respectively. Where, attapulgite clay-containing beads recorded maximum degradation% as 78.8 and 75% for both bacterial isolates, when added to immobilization matrices and these percentages could be enhanced under optimal conditions. The 16S rRNA gene of the two marine oils degrading bacterial isolates were amplified and sequenced, where both isolates were identified asPseudomonas stutzeriandRhodococcus qingshengiiwith submitted accession numbers of ON908963 and ON908962, respectively. These results are referring to the ability of using both tested isolates for crude oil bioremediation process and embedded them into PVA-alginate-clay beads as hydrogel carrier under the optimum conditions.
Generation and application of avatars in pharmacometric modelling
Authors: Chasseloup Estelle , Hooker Andrew C. , Karlsson Mats O. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractSimulations from population models have critical applications in drug discovery and development. Avatars or digital twins, defined as individual simulations matching clinical criteria of interest compared to observations from a real subject within a predefined margin of accuracy, may be a better option for simulations performed to inform future drug development stages in cases where an adequate model is not achievable. The aim of this work was to (1) investigate methods for generating avatars with pharmacometric models, and (2) explore the properties of the generated avatars to assess the impact of the different selection settings on the number of avatars per subject, their closeness to the individual observations, and the properties of the selected samples subset from the theoretical model parameters probability density function. Avatars were generated using different combinations of nature and number of clinical criteria, accuracy of agreement, and/or number of simulations for two examples models previously published (hemato-toxicity and integrated glucose-insulin model). The avatar distribution could be used to assess the appropriateness of the models assumed parameter distribution. Similarly it could be used to assess the models ability to properly describe the trajectories of the observations. Avatars can give nuanced information regarding the ability of a model to simulate data similar to the observations both at the population and at the individual level. Further potential applications for avatars may be as a diagnostic tool, an alternative to simulations with insurance to replicate key clinical features, and as an individual measure of model fit.
New methods for quantifying the effects of catchment spatial patterns on aquatic responses
Authors: Weller Donald E. , Baker Matthew E. , King Ryan S. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Context
Previous studies developed distance-weighted regression to describe how land use effects on aquatic systems attenuate with arrangement of source areas within catchments.

Objectives
We clarify and extend the conceptual foundations of this approach, enhance the spatial and statistical methods, and provide new tools to interpret the results.

Methods
We derive the framework from first principles to resolve conceptual issues with how weighting is applied to source area versus total area, and we formalize the requirements for an ideal weighting function. We quantify the spatial distributions of land areas in a way that integrates with model fitting. We adapt non-linear optimization to simultaneously fit regression and weighting parameters. We quantify the spatial distribution of source effects with arrangement and document how different weighting functions alter that distribution.

Results
To verify their utility, we applied these methods to a published analysis relating polychlorinated biphenyls in fish to developed land use in catchments. We identified a stronger distance-weighted model and more completely characterized the effects of weighting on where aquatic impacts originate.

Conclusions
Our methods enable more comprehensive analyses of the effects of spatial arrangement to better inform a wide range of scientific investigations and applications. Our methods can relate almost any spatially distributed source or driver to an integrated response at a point or along a boundary; and alternate hypotheses about the effects of pattern or proximity on processes can be tested with alternative weighting functions. New applications will generate additional weighting functions that enhance the general approach.