bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fatigue, Anxiety and Depression in Tunisian Sarcoidosis Patients
Authors: Baya Wafa , Hassine Imen Ben , Anoun Jihed , Mzabi Anis , Fredj Fatma Ben , Karmani Monia , Gargouri Imen , Aissa Sana , Rezgui Amel , Kechrid Chedia Laouani 
Published: May 2023

Aims: In sarcoidosis patients, fatigue in (is) one of the most frequent symptoms.It represents an integral part of the clinical picture. Many factors have been discussed in previous reviews.
The aim of this study was to assess the degree of fatigue in sarcoidosis patients along with their psychological state and to identify the influencing factors among the disease features and the psychological troubles.
Study Design: We conducted an observational, descriptive, transversal and analytic study.
Place and Duration of Study: Patients were included from the internal medicine department and the pneumo-allergology department in Sahloul and Farhat Hached hospitals (between October 2018 and March 2019).
Methodology: We included 34 patients from two internal medicine department. Two scores were used: the « Fatigue Assessment Scale » (FAS) and the « Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale » (HAD).
Results: The population was predominantly female (70.6%) with an average age of 49.77 years ± 12.32. Fatigue was noted in 52.9% of the patients. Ten patients had a score ≥ 35 (29.4%). Bone and joint involvement had a significant impact on the FAS. The disease duration and general signs were found as independent factors. The HAD score was ≥ 8 in 58.9% of the cases for anxiety and in 50% of the cases for depression. Anxiety was found to be an independent factor associated with fatigue.
Conclusion: Our results are quite worrying. The impact of sarcoidosis must be assessed regularly to ensure a better quality of life.
Design and Simulation of PDMS and PMMA Based Touch Mode Capacitive Pressure Sensor: A Comparative Study
Authors: Meetei Maibam Sanju , Singh Heisnam Shanjit 
Published: May 2023

Aims: In this research work, a design method and a comparative of a touch mode capacitive pressure sensor (TMCPS) using poly-dimethyl-siloxane (PDMS) and poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA) is the done. A novel method is proposed to linear the output characteristics of the sensor because planer type capacitive sensors are non-linear.
Study Design: This method uses a mechanical coupler to convert the deflection of the diaphragm into a linear displacement that helps to linear the output characteristics. The mathematical model of the sensor is designed and simulated the 3D model to validate the mathematically calculated values.
Place and Duration of Study: This study is done in the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh at COMSOL Simulation Laboratory during 2021 to 2023.
Methodology: The mechanical and electrostatic components of the sensor are represented mathematically model in two separate parts. For this study, a square diaphragm was used since it exhibits greater deflection than circular or rectangular diaphragms. In order to validate the model equation, a 3D model of a sensor is created in the COMSOL Multiphysics simulator and simulated. For the pressure range of 0.1 [MPa] to 10.1 [MPa], the identical 3D model of the sensor construction with a square diaphragm thickness of 20 µm is simulated for PDMS and PMMA. The different elements influencing the sensor's sensitivity are discovered, and the effects of the materials PDMS and PMMA on the output characteristic are discussed.
Results: The simulated and calculated sensitivity of the sensors based on PDMS are 0.03685 [fF/MPa] and 0.03467 [fF/MPa] respectively. And the simulated and calculated sensitivity of the sensors based on PMMA are 0.03929 [fF/MPa] and 0.03748 [fF/MPa] respectively. It is observed that the PDMS based TMCPS has more sensitivity then the PMMA based TMCPS.
Conclusion: The PMMA based TMCPS has higher sensitivity than the PDMS based TMCPS. The various parameters that affect the sensitivity of the sensor are diaphragm shape, size, Poisson’s ratio and Young’s modulus, area covered by the dielectric material, dielectric constant of the polymers dielectric and surface are of the electrode plate.
Future Scope: Future research for TMCPS can be conducted using composite polymer dielectric materials and new polymer dielectric materials to improve the sensitivity. One can optimize the sensor using different tools as the mathematical model is developed.
Bacterial Decolonization for Prevention of Radiation Dermatitis
Authors: Kost Yana , Deutsch Alana , Mieczkowska Karolina , Nazarian Roya , Muskat Ahava , Hosgood H. Dean , Lin Juan , Daily Johanna P. , Ohri Nitin , Kabarriti Rafi , Shinoda Kosaku , McLellan Beth N. 
Published: May 2023

ImportanceEvidence-based approaches for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) are limited, and additional strategies are necessary to optimize care.ObjectiveTo determine the efficacy of bacterial decolonization (BD) to reduce ARD severity compared with standard of care.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis phase 2/3 randomized clinical trial was conducted from June 2019 to August 2021 with investigator blinding at an urban academic cancer center and enrolled patients with breast cancer or head and neck cancer receiving radiation therapy (RT) with curative intent. Analysis was performed on January 7, 2022.InterventionsIntranasal mupirocin ointment twice daily and chlorhexidine body cleanser once daily for 5 days prior to RT and repeated for 5 days every 2 weeks through RT.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcome as planned prior to data collection was the development of grade 2 or higher ARD. Based on wide clinical variability of grade 2 ARD, this was refined to grade 2 ARD with moist desquamation (grade 2-MD).ResultsOf 123 patients assessed for eligibility via convenience sampling, 3 were excluded, and 40 refused to participate, with 80 patients in our final volunteer sample. Of 77 patients with cancer (75 patients with breast cancer [97.4%] and 2 patients with head and neck cancer [2.6%]) who completed RT, 39 were randomly assigned BC, and 38 were randomly assigned standard of care; the mean (SD) age of the patients was 59.9 (11.9) years, and 75 (97.4%) were female. Most patients were Black (33.7% [n = 26]) or Hispanic (32.5% [n = 25]). Among patients with breast cancer and patients with head and neck cancer (N = 77), none of the 39 patients treated with BD and 9 of the 38 patients (23.7%) treated with standard of care developed ARD grade 2-MD or higher (P = .001). Similar results were observed among the 75 patients with breast cancer (ie, none treated with BD and 8 [21.6%] receiving standard of care developed ARD grade ≥2-MD; P = .002). The mean (SD) ARD grade was significantly lower for patients treated with BD (1.2 [0.7]) compared with patients receiving standard of care (1.6 [0.8]) (P = .02). Of the 39 patients randomly assigned to BD, 27 (69.2%) reported regimen adherence, and only 1 patient (2.5%) experienced an adverse event related to BD (ie, itch).Conclusions and RelevanceThe results of this randomized clinical trial suggest that BD is effective for ARD prophylaxis, specifically for patients with breast cancer.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03883828
Skin/mucosa avoidance radiotherapy (SMART) versus conventional volumetric arc‐based radiotherapy (VMAT) for the treatment of head and neck cancer: Dosimetric feasibility study
Authors: Anderson Cheryl , MacDonald R Lee , Wilke Derek 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundIntensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for head and neck cancer has led to a reduction in radiotherapy doses to normal tissues, like the salivary glands, while maintaining high rates of local control. Oral mucosal and skin toxicity is still a major source of treatment—related morbidity, occurring in most patients.PurposeWe conducted a dosimetric feasibility study with the goal of creating a methodology that could theoretically reduce the dose of radiation to skin and oral mucosa, while maintaining comparable avoidance of other organs at risk, and planning target volume (PTV) coverage.MethodsThe clinical plans of patients treated previously were replanned using coplanar VMAT arcs on a TrueBeam STx using the photon optimizer (PO) version 15.6 and the Acuros XB dose calculation algorithm. Comparisons were made between three methodologies: “Conventional,” “Skin Sparing” and a skin/mucosa avoiding (“SMART”) technique, with dose metrics being compared using analysis of variance, with a Bonferroni correction to account for multiple pairwise comparisons. The maximum grade of mucositis and radiation dermatitis during treatment was correlated to different dose‐volume metrics to predict what could be clinically meaningful.ResultsSixteen patients met the study criteria and were replanned using the skin sparing and SMART techniques. Maximum doses to the skin sparing structure were reduced from 64.2 Gy to 56.6 and 55.9 Gy, in the skin sparing and SMART plans (p < 0.0001), and mean doses reduced from 26.7 Gy to 20.0 and 20.2 Gy, respectively (p < 0.0001). Maximum doses to the oral cavity structure were not reduced by either technique, however mean dose to the oral cavity structure was reduced from 39.03 Gy to 33.5 Gy by the SMART technique (p < 0.0001). There was a slight reduction in PTV_High coverage by the V95% in the SMART plans (99.52% vs. 98.79%, p = 0.0073), and a similar slight reduction in PTV_Low coverage by the V95% by both the skin sparing and SMART plans (99.74% vs. 97.89% vs. 97.42%, p < 0.0001). Maximum doses to organs at risk were not statistically different between techniques. Dose to oral cavity and maximum grade experienced during radiotherapy correlated. The Spearman correlation coefficient for dose to 20%, 50%, and 80% of the volume of oral cavity was 0.5 (p = 0.048), 0.64 (p = 0.007), and 0.62 (p = 0.010), respectively. Skin toxicity grade was only found to be correlated with the D20% of the skin sparing structure (Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.58, p = 0.0177).ConclusionThe SMART technique appears to be able to reduce maximum and mean skin dose, as well as mean oral cavity doses, while only slightly reducing PTV coverage, with acceptable OAR doses. We feel the improvements warrant investigation in a clinical trial.
PLA2G6‐associated late‐onset parkinsonism in a Sudanese family
Authors: Bakhit Yousuf , Tesson Christelle , Ibrahim Mohamed O. , Eltom Khalid , Eltazi Isra , Elsayed Liena E.O. , Lesage Suzanne , Seidi Osheik , Corvol Jean‐Christophe , Wüllner Ullrich ,   Sudanese Parkinson's Disease Study Group
Published: May 2023

AbstractIntroductionThe phospholipase A2 group VI gene (PLA2G6) encodes an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolytic release of fatty acids from phospholipids. Four neurological disorders with infantile, juvenile, or early adult‐onset are associated with PLA2G6 genetic alterations, namely infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy (INAD), atypical neuroaxonal dystrophy (ANAD), dystonia‐parkinsonism (DP), and autosomal recessive early‐onset parkinsonism (AREP). Few studies in Africa reported PLA2G6‐associated disorders and none with parkinsonism of late adult onset.Material and MethodsThe patients were clinically assessed following UK Brain Bank diagnostic criteria and International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society's Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS‐UPDRS). Brain MRI without contrast was performed. Genetic testing was done using a custom‐made Twist panel, screening 34 known genes, 27 risk factors, and 8 candidate genes associated with parkinsonism. Filtered variants were PCR‐amplified and validated using Sanger sequencing and also tested in additional family members to study their segregation.ResultTwo siblings born to consanguineous parents developed parkinsonism at the age of 58 and 60 years, respectively. MRI showed an enlarged right hippocampus in patient 2, but no overt abnormalities indicative of INAD or iron deposits. We found two heterozygous variants in PLA2G6, an in‐frame deletion NM_003560:c.2070_2072del (p.Val691del) and a missense variant NM_003560:c.956C>T (p.Thr319Met). Both variants were classified as pathogenic.ConclusionThis is the first case in which PLA2G6 is associated with late‐onset parkinsonism. Functional analysis is needed to confirm the dual effect of both variants on the structure and function of iPLA2β.
Selective Peptide Binders to the Perfluorinated Sulfonic Acid Ionomer Nafion
Authors: Schmidt Dimitry , Gartner Patrizia , Berezkin Ivan , Rudat Jens , Bilger Maximilian , Grünert Tom , Zimmerer Nadine , Quarz Philipp , Scharfer Philip , Brückel Julian , Jung André P. , Singh Pooja , Pooja Pooja , Meier Benno , Stahlberger Mareen , Schabel Wilhelm , Bräse Stefan , Lanza Gisela , Nesterov‐Mueller Alexander 
Published: May 2023

AbstractFuel cells used for transport applications hold polymer membranes as a key element. Their efficiency can be significantly increased if structured ion channels are implemented at the molecular level into the proton‐conducting membrane. New functional molecules with selective affinity for ionomers are needed to obtain such a membrane design. This study presents a method to screen for selective peptide binders to perfluorinated sulfonic acid ionomers, e.g., Nafion using ultra‐high density peptide arrays with a spot size of up to 30 µm. First, the ionomer dispersion is incubated with the peptide chip containing 56014 randomly chosen 6‐mer peptides. Afterward, the peptide chip is washed. The peptide WIWHCW with the helix structure is identified as a selective binder to Nafion. The invariant amino acids responsible for binding are also determined using a peptide chip approach. The specific binding pocket of WIWHCW is formed by histidine and tryptophan. Its dissociation constant to the ionomer is measured at ≈140 µM.
Diverse Antibacterial Treatments beyond Antibiotics for Diabetic Foot Ulcer Therapy
Authors: Li Xiaoyuan , Jing Xin , Yu Ziqian , Huang Yubin 
Published: May 2023

AbstractDiabetic foot ulcer (DFU), a common complication of diabetes, has become a great burden to both patients and the society. The delayed wound closure of ulcer sites resulting from vascular damage and neutrophil dysfunction facilitates bacterial infection. Once drug resistance occurs or bacterial biofilm is formed, conventional therapy tends to fail and amputation is unavoidable. Therefore, effective antibacterial treatment beyond antibiotics is of utmost importance to accelerate the wound healing process and prevent amputation. Considering the complexity of multidrug resistance, biofilm formation, and special microenvironments (such as hyperglycemia, hypoxia, and abnormal pH value) at the infected site of DFU, several antibacterial agents and different mechanisms have been explored to achieve the desired outcome. The present review focuses on the recent progress of antibacterial treatments, including metal‐based medications, natural and synthesized antimicrobial peptides, antibacterial polymers, and sensitizer‐based therapy. This review provides a valuable reference for the innovation of antibacterial material design for DFU therapy.
Skyrmion‐Excited Spin‐Wave Fractal Networks
Authors: Tang Nan , Liyanage W. L. N. C. , Montoya Sergio A. , Patel Sheena , Quigley Lizabeth J. , Grutter Alexander J. , Fitzsimmons Michael R. , Sinha Sunil , Borchers Julie A. , Fullerton Eric E. , DeBeer‐Schmitt Lisa , Gilbert Dustin A. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractMagnetic skyrmions exhibit unique, technologically relevant pseudo‐particle behaviors which arise from their topological protection, including well‐defined, 3D dynamic modes that occur at microwave frequencies. During dynamic excitation, spin waves are ejected into the interstitial regions between skyrmions, creating the magnetic equivalent of a turbulent sea. However, since the spin waves in these systems have a well‐defined length scale, and the skyrmions are on an ordered lattice, ordered structures from spin‐wave interference can precipitate from the chaos. This work uses small‐angle neutron scattering (SANS) to capture the dynamics in hybrid skyrmions and investigate the spin‐wave structure. Performing simultaneous ferromagnetic resonance and SANS, the diffraction pattern shows a large increase in low‐angle scattering intensity, which is present only in the resonance condition. This scattering pattern is best fit using a mass fractal model, which suggests the spin waves form a long‐range fractal network. The fractal structure is constructed of fundamental units with a size that encodes the spin‐wave emissions and are constrained by the skyrmion lattice. These results offer critical insights into the nanoscale dynamics of skyrmions, identify a new dynamic spin‐wave fractal structure, and demonstrate SANS as a unique tool to probe high‐speed dynamics.
Versatile Mesoporous Microblocks Prepared by Pattern‐Induced Cracking of Colloidal Films
Authors: Lee Yunchan , Jo Min‐Gi , Kim Jaekyoung , Kim Ji Hoon , Kim Jae Jung , Char Kookheon , Yoon Hyunsik 
Published: May 2023

AbstractMesoporous microparticles have the potential to be used in various fields, such as energy generation, sensing, and the environmental field. Recently, the process of making homogeneous microparticles in an economical and environmentally friendly way has gained much attention. Herein, rectangular mesoporous microblocks of various designs are produced by manipulating the fragmentation of colloidal films consisting of micropyramids while controlling the notch angles of pyramidal edges. During calcination of the colloidal films, cracks are generated in the valleys of micropyramids acting as notches, and the angle of notches can be controlled by the prepattern underneath the micropyramids. By changing the location of notches with sharp angles, the shape of microblocks can be controlled with excellent uniformity. After detaching the microblocks from substrates, mesoporous microparticles of various sizes with multiple functions are easily produced. This study demonstrates anti‐counterfeiting functions by encoding the rotation angles of rectangular microblocks of various sizes. In addition, the mesoporous microparticles can be utilized for separating desired chemicals mixed with chemicals of different charges. The method of fabricating size‐tunable functionalized mesoporous microblocks can be a platform technology to prepare special films and catalysts and for environmental applications.
Metallic Powder Promotes Nitridation Kinetics for Facile Synthesis of (Oxy)Nitride Photocatalysts
Authors: Bao Yunfeng , Zou Hai , Du Shiwen , Xin Xueshang , Wang Shuowen , Shao Guosheng , Zhang Fuxiang 
Published: May 2023

AbstractNitrogen‐containing semiconductors (including metal nitrides, metal oxynitrides, and nitrogen‐doped metal oxides) have been widely researched for their application in energy conversion and environmental purification because of their unique characteristics; however, their synthesis generally encounters significant challenges owing to sluggish nitridation kinetics. Herein, a metallic‐powder‐assisted nitridation method is developed that effectively promotes the kinetics of nitrogen insertion into oxide precursors and exhibits good generality. By employing metallic powders with low work functions as electronic modulators, a series of oxynitrides (i.e., LnTaON2 (Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, and Gd), Zr2ON2, and LaTiO2N) can be prepared at lower nitridation temperatures and shorter nitridation periods to obtain comparable or even lower defect concentrations compared to those of the conventional thermal nitridation method, leading to superior photocatalytic performance. Moreover, some novel nitrogen‐doped oxides (i.e., SrTiO3−xNy and Y2Zr2O7−xNy) with visible‐light responses can be exploited. As revealed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the nitridation kinetics are enhanced via the effective electron transfer from the metallic powder to the oxide precursors, reducing the activation energy of nitrogen insertion. The modified nitridation route developed in this work is an alternative method for preparing (oxy)nitride‐based materials for energy/environment‐related heterogeneous catalysis.
Add‐On Soft Electronic Interfaces for Continuous Cuffless Blood Pressure Monitoring
Authors: Namkoong Myeong , Baskar Balaji , Singh Lakhvir , Guo Heng , McMurray Justin , Branan Kimberly , Rahman Md. Saifur , Hsiao Chin‐To , Kuriakose Josh , Hernandez Joanna , Arikan Arda A. , Garza‐Rivera Luis E. , Coté Gerard L. , Tian Limei 
Published: May 2023

AbstractContinuous monitoring of arterial blood pressure is clinically important for diagnosing and managing cardiovascular diseases. Soft electronic devices with skin‐like properties show promise in various applications, including the human‐machine interface, the Internet of Things, and health monitoring. Herein, the use of add‐on soft electronic interfaces addresses the connection challenges between soft electrodes and rigid data acquisition circuitry for bioimpedance monitoring of cardiac signals, including heart rate and cuffless blood pressure is reported. Nanocomposite films in add‐on electrodes provide robust electrical and mechanical contact with the skin and the rigid circuitry. Bioimpedance sensors composed of add‐on electrodes offer continuous blood pressure monitoring with high accuracy. Specifically, the bioimpedance collected with add‐on nanocomposite electrodes shows a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 37.0 dB, higher than the ratio of 25.9 dB obtained with standard silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) gel electrodes. Although the sample set is low, the continuously measured systolic and diastolic blood pressure offer accuracy of −2.0 ± 6.3 mmHg and −4.3 ± 3.9 mmHg, respectively, confirming the grade A performance based on the IEEE standard. These results show promise in bioimpedance measurements with add‐on soft electrodes for cuffless blood pressure monitoring.
Digitally Controlled Tunable Fabric Microwave Filter Based on Organic Electrochemical Transistors
Authors: Chen Hao , Geng Ming‐Yang , Chen Zhao‐Min , Chen Jia‐Yi , Zhan Jun‐Lin , Yu Bu‐Yun , Ju Lu , Ding Cong , Guan Ying‐Shi , Liu Zhen‐Guo , Lu Wei‐Bing , Li Quan 
Published: May 2023

AbstractA microwave filter is important to determine the performance of a wearable communication system. However, the materials used in existing microwave filters require sophisticated and expensive fabrication processes. Moreover, they are not compatible with flexible and wearable platforms. In this study, a novel strategy for realizing a tunable fabric microwave filter (TFMF) by taking advantage of the spoof surface plasmon polariton (SSPP) structure and using organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) is presented, which are lightweight and exhibit excellent mechanical flexibility and deformability. The TFMF is manufactured using fabric materials, and the OECT is printed to serve as a state‐changing material. The developed TFMF exhibits excellent flexibility, high planar integration and improved wearing comfort. Furthermore, the operating frequency of the TFMF with well‐designed gradient structures and multi‐state dispersion characteristics can be effectively tuned by applying different voltage sequences. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first tunable microwave filter designed for use in wearable systems. The measurements of scattering parameters and data transmission with a communication system based on the TFMF demonstrate a feasible pathway for enhancing the performance of wearable wireless communication systems.