bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Labour force participation of immigrant women in Canada: With a special focus on female immigrants from the Middle East and North Africa
Authors: Solati Fariba , Chowdhury Murshed , Rosado Fabiana 
Published: April 2023

AbstractUsing the Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Canada (LSIC) and the linked LSIC‐Longitudinal Immigration Database (IMDB), this study finds that of all immigrant women in Canada, those from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region have the lowest labour force participation rate. After controlling for various socioeconomic factors and employing logistic regressions on multiple rounds of the LSIC and LSIC‐IMDB datasets, this study claims that patriarchal gender roles may have survived for MENA women even after a few years of living in Canada, resulting in relatively low labour force participation.
Ultrasonographic evaluation of infant hips in the Pavlik harness compared to body‐worn commercial baby carriers
Authors: Siddicky Safeer , Eckels Jason , Rabenhorst Brien , Mannen Erin 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWhile many factors contribute to development and subsequent correction of developmental hip dysplasia (DDH) in infants, hip positioning and muscle activity play a significant role. Lower‐limb restrictive extension positions, such as with swaddling, are detrimental for hip development, and some baby gear leads to reduced lower limb muscle activity. Yet how baby gear impacts hip position during wear remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare the Graf's alpha angle and femoral head coverage of healthy infants and infants with mild DDH (instability) in the Pavlik harness and baby carriers. We obtained coronal hip ultrasound images of 10 healthy full‐term infants (13.5 ± 3.4 weeks, 5F/5M) and three full‐term mild DDH infants (8.9 ± 4.0 weeks, 2F/1M) in three conditions: Pavlik harness, wide‐base baby carrier, and narrow‐base baby carrier. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare Graf's alpha angles and femoral head coverages across the conditions (p < 0.05), with post hoc pairwise tests (p < 0.0167). The Graf's alpha angle in the narrow‐base carrier was 6.9° lower than the Pavlik harness, while the wide‐base carrier was not different. Femoral head coverage was 10%–12% lower for the narrow‐base carrier. The three mild DDH infants exhibited lower Graf's alpha angles and femoral head coverage in all measurements, with the Graf's alpha angle in the narrow‐base carrier measuring 49.0°. This research demonstrated that wide‐base baby carriers held hips in a position that was not significantly different from the Pavlik harness, meaning that babywearing in a wide‐base carrier may have benefits for healthy hip development.
Galleria mellonella as an alternative in vivo model to study implant‐associated fungal infections
Authors: Mannala Gopala K. , Rupp Markus , Walter Nike , Scholz Konstantin J. , Simon Michaela , Riool Martijn , Alt Volker 
Published: April 2023

AbstractFungal implant‐associated bone infections are rare but difficult to treat and often associated with a poor outcome for patients. Candida species account for approximately 90% of all fungal infections. In vivo biofilm models play a major role to study biofilm development and potential new treatment options; however, there are only a very few in vivo models to study fungi‐associated biofilms. Furthermore, mammalian infection models are replaced more and more due to ethical restrictions with other alternative models in basic research. Recently, we developed an insect infection model with Galleria mellonella larvae to study biofilm‐associated infections with bacteria. Here, we further expanded the G. mellonella model to study in vivo fungal infections using Candida albicans and Candida krusei. We established a planktonic and biofilm‐implant model to test different antifungal medication with amphotericin B, fluconazole, and voriconazole against the two species and assessed the fungal biofilm‐load on the implant surface. Planktonic infection with C. albicans and C. krusei showed the killing of the G. mellonella larvae at 5 × 105 colony forming units (CFU). Treatment of larvae with antifungal compounds with amphotericin B and fluconazole showed significant survival improvement against planktonic C. albicans infection, but voriconazole had no effect. Titanium and stainless steel K‐wires were preincubated with C. albicans and implanted inside the larvae to induce biofilm infection on the implant surface. The survival analysis revealed significantly reduced survival of the larvae with Candida spp. infection compared to noninfected implants. The treatment with antifungal amphotericin B and fluconazole resulted in a slight and nonsignificant improvement survival of the larvae. The treatment with the antifungal compounds in the biofilm‐infection model was not as effective as in the planktonic infection model, which highlights the resistance of fungal biofilms to antifungal compounds like in bacterial biofilms. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed the formation of a fungal biofilm with hyphae and spores associated with larvae tissue on the implant surface. Thus, our study highlights the use of G. mellonella larvae as alternative in vivo model to study biofilm‐associated implant fungal infections and that fungal biofilms exhibit high resistance profiles comparable to bacterial biofilms. The model can be used in the future to test antifungal treatment options for fungal biofilm infections.
Survival and prognosis of surgical head and neck cancer patients aged 80 years and older
Authors: Sobhi Salar , Wormald Robert , Hollitt Stephanie , Flukes Stephanie 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIntroductionElderly patients (≥80 years of age) with head and neck cancer (HNC) can prove a management challenge due to concerns regarding their suitability for surgery. This study aims to describe the characteristics and outcomes of elderly patients undergoing HNC surgery.MethodsA retrospective review of elderly patients undergoing HNC surgery was conducted. Demographics, comorbidities, tumor characteristics, surgical procedure type, postoperative complications, and disposition were reviewed. Overall survival (OS) in the elderly cohort was compared against younger patients (<80 years).ResultsA total of 595 patients were included, of whom 86 were aged >80 years (71% male; mean age 84.8, range 80.0–98.8 years). The overall complication rate was 43%. When compared with younger patients (n = 509), elderly patients had reduced OS (risk ratio: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.3–3.2), higher 90‐day mortality (8.1% vs. 2.3%, p = .005), and lower 5‐year survival (43.5% vs. 64.1%, p < .001). However, survival was comparable to age‐specific life expectancy. There was no difference in OS, 90‐day mortality, and 5‐year survival when comparing >85 (n = 33) and 80–85 (n = 53) age groups.ConclusionsChronological age alone should not negatively influence decision‐making in HNC surgery the elderly. With careful preoperative selection and optimization, surgery can be performed at acceptable risk with good outcomes in elderly patients.Level of evidenceIV
A Commercial Nonbinding Surface Effectively Reduces Fibrinogen Adsorption but Does Not Prevent Platelet Adhesion to Fibrinogen
Authors: Boncler Magdalena 
Published: April 2023

AbstractA commercial nonbinding surface effectively prevents protein adsorption; however, the platelet phenotype on this surface has yet to be defined. This study evaluates platelet adhesion and adsorption of several plasma/extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins to the nonbinding surface compared to other commonly used nontreated and high‐binding surfaces. Platelet adhesion to uncoated microplates and those coated with fibrinogen or collagen is quantified by colorimetric assay. The binding capacity of the examined surfaces for plasma/ECM proteins is evaluated by measuring the relative and absolute protein adsorption. Compared to other surfaces, the nonbinding surface effectively prevents platelet adsorption, i.e. by 61‐93% (Enzyme‐Linked Immunosorbent Assay, ELISA), and reduces platelet adhesion, i.e. by 92%, when not coated with any protein. The nonbinding surface also decreases platelet deposition on collagen (up to 31%), but not fibrinogen. The nonbinding surface seems to be more of a low‐fouling than nonfouling material, as it is able to reduce fibrinogen adsorption but not prevent platelet adhesion to fibrinogen. This feature should be considered when using the nonbinding surface for in vitro platelet testing.
Multimodal Biomedical Implant with Plasmonic and Simulated Body Temperature Responses
Authors: Mingot Júlia , Benejam Nícolas , Víllora Gloria , Alemán Carlos , Armelin Elaine , Lanzalaco Sonia 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThis work presents a novel nanoparticle‐based thermosensor implant able to reveal the precise temperature variations along the polymer filaments, as it contracts and expands due to changes in the macroscale local temperature. The multimodal device is able to trace the position and the temperature of a polypropylene mesh, employed in abdominal hernia repair, by combining plasmon resonance and Raman spectroscopy with hydrogel responsive system. The novelty relies on the attachment of the biocompatible nanoparticles, based on gold stabilized by a chitosan‐shell, already charged with the Raman reporter (RaR) molecules, to the robust prosthesis, without the need of chemical linkers. The SERS enhanced effect observed is potentiated by the presence of a quite thick layer of the copolymer (poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐co‐poly(acrylamide)) hydrogel. At temperatures above the LCST of PNIPAAm‐co‐PAAm, the water molecules are expulsed and the hydrogel layer contracts, leaving the RaR molecules more accessible to the Raman source. In vitro studies with fibroblast cells reveal that the functionalized surgical mesh is biocompatible and no toxic substances are leached in the medium. The mesh sensor opens new frontiers to semi‐invasive diagnosis and infection prevention in hernia repair by using SERS spectroscopy. It also offers new possibilities to the functionalization of other healthcare products.
Contribution of galvanic coupling with TiN, TiAlN, and CrN to the corrosion of steel in neutral and acidic chloride solutions
Authors: Avcı Burçak , Kazmanlı Kürşat , Evren Burak , Ürgen Mustafa 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe inherent defective morphology of the physical vapor deposition (PVD) hard coatings limits their corrosion protective ability. We examined the impact of nitride‐based PVD coatings, including TiN, TiAlN, and CrN deposited on inert substrates by cathodic arc PVD method (CA‐PVD), on the galvanic corrosion of carbon steel. Their contribution was evaluated by zero‐resistance ammeter (ZRA) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 3.5 wt.% NaCl at pH 2 and 6, with and without aeration. The results indicated the prominent role of the coating type and the coupling environment on the generated galvanic currents. Immersion tests for the TiN‐, TiAlN‐, and CrN‐coated steel cross‐sections visually verified these results. The galvanic current contribution was distinct in environments where oxygen reduction is the dominant cathodic reaction. However, the layers' contribution to galvanic corrosion was minimal in deaerated acidic solutions, which is attributed to the high bonding strength of adsorbed intermediates to the coating surfaces.
Aggregation‐Induced Emission Macromolecular Materials for Antibacterial Applications
Authors: Zuo Yunfei , Kwok Ryan T. K. , Sun Jianwei , Lam Jacky W. Y. , Tang Ben Zhong 
Published: April 2023

AbstractRecent advancements in aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) macromolecular materials have brought their attention as potential antibacterial solutions, these materials offer new approaches to cure multidrug‐resistant infections and biofilms in bacterial infections as well as real‐time monitoring and specific targeting of bacteria. This review provides an overview of the three main categories of AIE macromolecular materials with antibacterial properties; namely AIE‐active polymers, AIEgen@polymer complexes, and clusterization‐triggered emission (CTE) based polymers. The mechanisms and applications of these materials in antibacterial treatment, wound care, and protective equipment are also discussed. The potential for future developments and application directions of AIE‐based antimicrobial materials are finally highlighted.
Scales for Antipsychotic‐Associated Movement Disorders: Systematic Review, Critique, and Recommendations
Authors: Martino Davide , Karnik Vikram , Bhidayasiri Roongroj , Hall Deborah A. , Hauser Robert A. , Macerollo Antonella , Pringsheim Tamara M. , Truong Daniel , Factor Stewart A. , Skorvanek Matej , Schrag Anette ,   Members of the IPMDS Rating Scales Review Committee
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundAntipsychotic‐associated movement disorders remain common and disabling. Their screening and assessment are challenging due to clinical heterogeneity and different use of nomenclature between psychiatrists and neurologists.ObjectiveAn International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society subcommittee aimed to rate psychometric quality of severity and screening instruments for antipsychotic‐associated movement disorders.MethodsFollowing the methodology adopted by previous International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society subcommittee papers, instruments for antipsychotic‐associated movement disorders were reviewed, applying a classification as “recommended,” “recommended with caveats,” “suggested,” or “listed.”ResultsOur review identified 23 instruments. The highest grade of recommendation reached is “recommended with caveats,” assigned to seven severity rating instruments (Extrapyramidal Symptoms Rating Scale, Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale, Abnormal Involuntary Movements Scale, Drug‐Induced Extra‐Pyramidal Symptoms Scale, Maryland Psychiatric Research Centre involuntary movements scale, Simpson Angus Scale, and Matson Evaluation of Drug Side effects). Only three of these seven (Drug‐Induced Extra‐Pyramidal Symptoms Scale, Maryland Psychiatric Research Centre, Matson Evaluation of Drug Side effects) were also screening instruments. Their main caveats are insufficient demonstration of psychometric properties (internal consistency, skewing, responsiveness to change) and long duration of administration. Eight “suggested” instruments did not meet requirements for the “recommended” grade also because of insufficient psychometric validation. Other limitations shared by several instruments are lack of comprehensiveness in assessing the spectrum of antipsychotic‐associated movement disorders and ambiguous nomenclature.ConclusionsThe high number of instruments “recommended with caveats” does not support the need for developing new instruments for antipsychotic‐associated movement disorders. However, addressing the caveats with new psychometric studies and revising existing instruments to improve the clarity of their nomenclature are recommended next steps. © 2023 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
A multi‐stage fusion framework to classify breast lesions using deep learning and radiomics features computed from four‐view mammograms
Authors: Jones Meredith A. , Sadeghipour Negar , Chen Xuxin , Islam Warid , Zheng Bin 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundDeveloping computer aided diagnosis (CAD) schemes of mammograms to classify between malignant and benign breast lesions has attracted a lot of research attention over the last several decades. However, unlike radiologists who make diagnostic decisions based on the fusion of image features extracted from multi‐view mammograms, most CAD schemes are single‐view‐based schemes, which limit CAD performance and clinical utility.PurposeThis study aims to develop and test a novel CAD framework that optimally fuses information extracted from ipsilateral views of bilateral mammograms using both deep transfer learning (DTL) and radiomics feature extraction methods.MethodsAn image dataset containing 353 benign and 611 malignant cases is assembled. Each case contains four images: the craniocaudal (CC) and mediolateral oblique (MLO) view of the left and right breast. First, we extract four matching regions of interest (ROIs) from images that surround centers of two suspicious lesion regions seen in CC and MLO views, as well as matching ROIs in the contralateral breasts. Next, the handcrafted radiomics (HCRs) features and VGG16 model‐generated automated features are extracted from each ROI resulting in eight feature vectors. Then, after reducing feature dimensionality and quantifying the bilateral and ipsilateral asymmetry of four ROIs to yield four new feature vectors, we test four fusion methods to build three support vector machine (SVM) classifiers by an optimal fusion of asymmetrical image features extracted from four view images.ResultsUsing a 10‐fold cross‐validation method, results show that a SVM classifier trained using an optimal fusion of four view images yields the highest classification performance (AUC = 0.876 ± 0.031), which significantly outperforms SVM classifiers trained using one projection view alone, AUC = 0.817 ± 0.026 and 0.792 ± 0.026 for the CC and MLO view of bilateral mammograms, respectively (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe study demonstrates that the shift from single‐view CAD to four‐view CAD and the inclusion of both DTL and radiomics features significantly increases CAD performance in distinguishing between malignant and benign breast lesions.
A closed‐form multigrid smoothing factor for an additive Vanka‐type smoother applied to the Poisson equation
Authors: Greif Chen , He Yunhui 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWe consider an additive Vanka‐type smoother for the Poisson equation discretized by the standard finite difference centered scheme. Using local Fourier analysis, we derive analytical formulas for the optimal smoothing factors for vertex‐wise and element‐wise Vanka smoothers. In one dimension the element‐wise Vanka smoother is equivalent to the scaled mass operator obtained from the linear finite element method and in two dimensions the element‐wise Vanka smoother is equivalent to the scaled mass operator discretized by bilinear finite element method plus a scaled identity operator. Based on these findings, the mass matrix obtained from finite element method can be used as a smoother for the Poisson equation, and the resulting mass‐based relaxation scheme yields small smoothing factors in one, two, and three dimensions, while avoiding the need to compute an inverse of a matrix. Our analysis may help better understand the smoothing properties of additive Vanka approaches and develop fast solvers for numerical solutions of other partial differential equations.
Optimal control under nonconvexity: A generalized Hamiltonian approach
Authors: Chavas Jean‐Paul 
Published: April 2023

SummaryThis article extends the analysis of optimal control based on a generalized Hamiltonian which covers situations of nonconvexity. The approach offers several key advantages. First, by identifying a global solution to a constrained optimization problem, the generalized Hamiltonian approach solves the problem of distinguishing between a global optimum and the (possibly many) nonoptimal points satisfying the Pontryagyn principle under nonconvexity. Second, in our generalized approach, interpreting the slopes of the separating hypersurface as shadow prices of the states continues to hold. Third, we discuss how the generalized Hamiltonian approach can be used in solving dynamic optimization problems under nonconvexity.
Strontium‐doped mesoporous silica nanoparticles incorporated in chitosan/alginate biocomposite scaffolds for enhanced bone tissue regeneration
Authors: Yousefiasl Satar , Manoochehri Hamed , Sharifi Esmaeel 
Published: April 2023

AbstractCritical‐sized bone damage resulting from traumas, fractures, and tumors, impairs the bone tissues' inherent capacity for self‐repair. Conventional therapies could be associated with infection and pain besides demanding additional surgery while being costly. These limitations highlight the paucity of potential unique treatment strategies such as bone tissue engineering. In this study, strontium‐doped mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Sr‐MSN) were successfully synthesized and incorporated into the chitosan/alginate scaffolds which were then freeze‐dried and cross‐linked using CaCl2. The physicochemical characteristics of the fabricated scaffolds containing various Sr‐MSN contents were investigated using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). The hydrolytic degradation of the scaffolds was decreased with the increase in the Sr‐MSN content while maintaining their water uptake capacity. All fabricated scaffolds showed biocompatibility and Sr‐MSN‐containing scaffolds showed significantly increased Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) cell viability compared to chitosan/alginate scaffold after 72 h. The osteogenic differentiation potential investigations via mineralization assay and alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity indicated that the chitosan/alginate scaffold containing 20% Sr‐MSN showed the highest osteogenic differentiation capacity. Overall, bionanocomposite Cs/Alg/Sr‐MSN scaffolds integrated with desired physicochemical characteristics, biocompatibility, osteogenic differentiation capacity, and drug delivery potential show promising properties for attaining ideal results for bone repair and regeneration applications.
Healable and degradable bifunctional intrinsic polymers via integration of hierarchical hydrogen bonding groups and polycaprolactone segments
Authors: Chen Dongxiang , Luo Yang , Song Yan , Wang Wencai , Li Guo Liang 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe development of a single polymer chain with the dual functions of self‐healing and degradation is challenging. Herein, we report the synthesis of self‐healing and degradable polymers (SDP) via the integration of hierarchical hydrogen bonding groups and degradable polycaprolactone (PCL) segments. The dynamic reconstruction of hierarchical hydrogen bonding endowed the as‐prepared polymers with excellent self‐healing properties. The degradation properties were regulated via the proportion of PCL in the soft segments. The incorporation of PCL segments resulted in better degradability and improved the tensile strength of the polymer from 9.2 to 28.3 MPa. The as‐prepared polymers could recover their mechanical properties after self‐healing. The temperature‐dependent Fourier‐transform infrared spectra (FT‐IR) indicated that the hierarchical hydrogen bonding was capable of dissociation and re‐association with a variation in the temperature. The as‐synthesized sustainable polymers, which exhibit self‐healing properties and degradability, are expected to be useful in future energy and environmental applications.
Effects of polymethacrylimide foam reinforced aluminum honeycomb sandwich under quasi‐static compression
Authors: Song Shijun , Xiong Chao , Yin Junhui , Cui Kaibo , Sun Haitao , Han Chao , Huang Bowen 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIn this study, aluminum honeycomb cells were filled with polymethacrylimide (PMI) foam of high strength and stiffness, and carbon fiber reinforced composite (CFRC) skins were added to create a composite sandwich structure. Nine types of specimens with varying cell node spacing and foam density were constructed, and stiffness equations were derived. To compare the performances of aluminum honeycomb and PMI foam sandwich structures, their compressive responses were examined using edgewise and flatwise compression tests. Moreover, the failure was analyzed using finite element methods (FEM). Analytical and numerical models were used to investigate the size effects of rib width, rib angle, and node spacing.