bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The successive infiltration of various saline waters accelerates the infiltration processes and enhances the salt leaching in a coastal saline soil
Authors: Guo Kai , Liu Xiaojing 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe local saline water resource has been widely used for soil water and salt managements in saline‐alkali area. The soil desalinization is strongly affected by the infiltration mode, and the melting saline ice infiltration can obtain soil salt leaching effectively. In this work, four melting sections (S1, S2, S3, and S4) were divided artificially according to the changes in meltwater from 5 (W5), 10 (W10), and 15 g L−1 (W15) ice. Various saline water samples of the above four sections with different salinities and volumes were prepared and infiltrated successively into soil columns that were packed with the coastal saline soils. The infiltration parameters, distribution patterns of soil moisture, salt, and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and soil desalinization in different sections were investigated and analyzed. Results showed that the infiltration of higher salinity water in the initial section increased the infiltration rates of slightly saline and fresh water in the last section. A greater infiltration rate, cumulative infiltration, and infiltration depth were ranked as W5 < W10 < W15. Moreover, the faster infiltration process obtained higher soil water contents throughout the S1, S1 + S2, and S1 + S2 + S3 sections, and more water was ultimately distributed in the deeper soil layer (S1 + S2 + S3 + S4 section). Both the soil salt and SAR increased initially (Section S1) and then decreased in the following sections; >80% of the total leached salt loads occurred in the S2 section for all treatments. Lower levels of soil salt contents and SAR developed within the later infiltration sections. Ultimately, the 30 cm desalinization layer was obtained among all treatments, and the treatments corresponding to the saline ice with higher salinity acquired lower salt contents and SAR values. These results indicate that the successive infiltration of water with various salinity levels, characterized by meltwater from saline ice, accelerated the infiltration process, and resulted in an obvious soil desalinization effect on the coastal saline soil.
Nurse practitioner scope of practice and patient harm: Evidence from medical malpractice payouts and adverse action reports
Authors: Markowitz Sara , Smith Andrew J. D. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractMany states have recently changed their scope of practice laws and granted full practice authority to nurse practitioners, allowing them to practice without oversight from physicians. Physician groups have argued against this change, citing patient safety concerns. In this paper, we use a ratio‐in‐ratio approach to evaluate whether the transition to full practice authority results in harm to patients as proxied by malpractice payouts and adverse action reports against nurse practitioners. We find no evidence of such harm, and instead find that physicians may benefit from the law change in terms of reduced paid malpractice cases against them.
Morphological engineering of SiO2 interlayer towards meliorative dielectric and thermal properties in β‐SiCw@SiO2/PVDF composites
Authors: Zheng Jian , Gong Ming , Zhou Wenying , Peng Weiwei , Kong Fanrong , Wu Hongju , Wang Guangheng , Cai Huiwu , Yuan Mengxue 
Published: July 2023

AbstractPolymers with high thermal conductivity (TC) and dielectric constant (ε) but low dielectric loss show enormously potential applications in electrical power systems. To enhance the ε and TC while significantly suppressing the loss of β‐silicon carbide whisker (β‐SiCw)/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), in this study, SiO2 shells with different morphologies were constructed on the superficies of β‐SiCw via a facile oxidation method in air atmosphere. The SiO2 shell’ morphology on the TC and dielectric performances of the β‐SiCw@SiO2/PVDF are systematically explored as a function of the frequency and filler loading. The β‐SiCw@SiO2/PVDF demonstrate astonishingly restricted loss and meliorative TC when compared to the β‐SiCw/PVDF because the SiO2 shell not only suppresses the β‐SiCw from direct contact with one another and impedes the long‐distance charges migration thereby resulting in rather low loss and leakage conductivity, but also restrains the thermal interfacial resistance via increased interfacial compatibility and interactions. The concurrent enhancement effect in the ε and TC but low loss of the composites is more evident in the crystalline SiO2 interlayer with a high TC compared with amorphous one. These results provide insight into the exploration of composite nanodielectrics with large TC and ε but low loss for applications in electrical power systems.Highlights
Core@shell structured β‐SiCw@SiO2/PVDF were obtained by a facile oxidation.
The great reduction in both loss and conductivity is attributed to the SiO2 shell.
Crystalline SiO2 shell can improve the composites' thermal conductivity.
The SiO2 shell prevents long‐range carrier migration.
Elevated pretreatment squamous cell Carcinoma Antigen indicates unfavorable treatment outcomes in cervical cancer patients receiving definitive radiotherapy
Authors: Liu Dingchao , Wang Weiping , Zeng Zheng , Liu Xiaoliang , Zhou Yuncan , Wang Chen , Li Xiaoyan , Hu Ke 
Published: July 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the prognostic value of pretreatment squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC Ag) levels for treatment failure prediction in patients with cervical cancer.MethodsA quantity of 985 patients satisfying the eligibility criteria were included, with a median follow‐up duration of 63.7 months. The optimal cutoff value for pretreatment SCC Ag levels was verified by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Five‐year disease‐free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and local control (LC) rates were evaluated utilizing the Kaplan‐Meier method. Log‐rank test and Cox proportional hazards model was implemented to recognize independent prognostic predictors.ResultsThe optimal pretreatment SCC Ag cutoff value was 8.85 ng/mL. Patients with pretreatment SCC Ag levels ≥ 8.85 ng/mL presented significantly inferior 5‐year DFS (63.8% vs. 81.8%), OS (71.7% vs. 88.7%), and LC (80.5% vs. 91.0%) compared to those with levels < 8.85 ng/mL (all p < 0.001). The results of the multivariate analysis indicated that the pretreatment SCC Ag level was an independent predictor of treatment failure (HR,1.772; 95% CI, 1.366 to 2.299; p < 0.001).ConclusionPretreatment SCC Ag is an effective prognostic factor in patients with cervical cancer undergoing definitive radiotherapy, with a ROC‐identified cutoff value of 8.85 ng/mL and elevated SCC Ag indicates unfavorable outcomes.
Genetic mutations in smoking‐associated prostate cancer
Authors: Elshafei Ahmed , Al‐Toubat Mohammed , Feibus Allison H. , Koul Kashyap , Jazayeri Seyed Behzad , Lelani Navid , Henry Valencia , Balaji K. C. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractObjectivesTobacco smoking is known to cause cancers potentially predisposed by genetic risks. We compared the frequency of gene mutations using a next generation sequencing database of smokers and nonsmokers with prostate cancer (PCa) to identify subsets of patients with potential genetic risks.Materials and MethodsData from the American Association for Cancer Research Project Genomics Evidence Neoplasia Information Exchange (GENIE) registry was analyzed. The GENIE registry contains clinically annotated sequenced tumor samples. We included 1832 men with PCa in our cohort, categorized as smokers and nonsmokers, and compared the frequency of mutations (point mutations, copy number variations, and structural variants) of 47 genes with more than 5% mutation rate between the two categories and correlated with overall survival using logistic regression analysis.ResultsOverall, 1007 (55%) patients were nonsmokers, and 825 (45%) were smokers. The mutation frequency was significantly higher in smokers compared to nonsmokers, 47.6% and 41.3%, respectively (p = 0.02). The median tumor mutational burden was also significantly higher in the samples from smokers (3.59 mut/MB) compared to nonsmokers (1.87 mut/MB) (p < 0.001). Patients with a smoking history had a significantly higher frequency of PREX2, PTEN, AGO2, KMT2C, and a lower frequency of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and KMT2A mutations than compared to nonsmokers. The overall mortality rate (28.5% vs. 22.8%) was significantly higher among smokers (p = 0.006). On a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the presence of metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis (OR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.78−2.89, p < 0.001), smoking history (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.05−1.65, p = 0.02), and higher frequency of PTEN somatic gene mutation (OR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.46−2.45, p < 0.001) were independent predictors of increased overall mortality among patients with PCa. Patients with PTEN mutation had poorer overall survival compared to men without PTEN mutations: 96.00 (95% CI: 65.36−113.98) and 120.00 (95% CI: 115.05−160.00) months, respectively (p < 0.001) irrespective of smoking history although the G129R PTEN mutation was characteristically detected in smokers.ConclusionsPCa patients with a tobacco smoking history demonstrated a significantly higher frequency of somatic genetic mutations. Whereas mutations of PREX2, KMT2C, AGO2, and PTEN genes were higher in smokers, the APC and KMT2A mutations were higher in nonsmokers. The PTEN somatic gene mutation was associated with increased overall mortality among patients with PCa irrespective of smoking history. We found that G129R PTEN mutation known to reduce the PTEN phosphatase activity and K267Rfs*9 a frameshift deletion mutation in the C2 domain of PTEN associated with membrane binding exclusively detected in smokers and nonsmokers, respectively. These findings may be used to further our understanding of PCa associated with smoking.
The causal effect of metabolic syndrome and its components on benign prostatic hyperplasia: A univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Lv Kaikai , Yang Guorong , Wu Yangyang , Xia Xinze , Hao Xiaowei , Pang Aibo , Han Dong , Yuan Qing , Song Tao 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundPrevious observational studies have indicated that metabolic abnormalities are associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The limitations of the research methodology of observational studies do not allow causal inference to be drawn; however, Mendelian randomization (MR) can clarify this.MethodsUsing summary‐level data from genome‐wide association studies, we conducted a two‐sample MR study to examine the causality of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components on BPH (26,358 BPH cases and 110,070 controls). The random‐effects inverse‐variance weighted was employed as the primary method for MR analyses.ResultsWe observed that genetically predicted waist circumference (WC) (odds ratio [OR] = 1.236, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.034−1.478, p = 0.020) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (OR = 1.011, 95% CI: 1.002−1.020, p = 0.020) were significantly positively associated with BPH risk. We did not identify a causal effect of MetS (OR = 0.975, 95% CI: 0.922−1.031, p = 0.375), systolic blood pressure (OR = 1.004, 95% CI: 0.999−1.008, p = 0.115), triglycerides (OR = 1.016, 95% CI: 0.932−1.109, p = 0.712), high‐density lipoprotein (OR = 1.005, 95% CI: 0.930−1.086, p = 0.907), and fasting blood glucose (OR = 1.037, 95% CI: 0.874−1.322, p = 0.678) on BPH. In the multivariable MR analysis, we observed that the risk effect of DBP (OR = 1.013, 95% CI: 1.000−1.026, p = 0.047) on BPH persisted after conditioning with WC (OR = 1.132, 95% CI: 0.946−1.356, p = 0.177).ConclusionsOur study provides genetic evidence supporting the causal effect of DBP on BPH, although the effect of WC needs to be further validated.
Amphiphilic peptide Mastoparan‐B induces conformational changes within the AdeB efflux pump, down‐regulates adeB gene expression, and restores antibiotic susceptibility in an MDR strain of Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Shakibaie Mohammad Reza , Modaresi Farzan , Azizi Omid , Tadjrobehkar Omid , Ghaemi Mohammad Mehdi 
Published: July 2023

AbstractMastoparan B (MP‐B) is an amphiphilic peptide with a potent antimicrobial activity against most Gram‐negative bacteria. However, there is little information available on the inhibition of the Acinetobacter baumannii resistance‐nodulation‐cell‐division (RND) efflux pump using this antimicrobial peptide. Here, we carried out a series of in‐silico experiments to find the mechanisms underlying the anti‐efflux activity of MP‐B using a multi‐drug resistant (MDR) strain of A. baumannii (AB). According to our findings, MP‐B demonstrated a potent antibacterial activity against an MDR‐AB (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] = 1 μg/mL) followed by a 20‐fold reduction in the adeB gene expression in the presence of sub‐MIC of this peptide. Using Groningen Machine for Chemicals Simulation (GROMACS) via PyMOL Graphical User Interface (GUI), (we observed that, the AdeB transporter had conserved helix‐turn‐helix regions and a tight pore rich in Phe and Ala residues. To understand how inhibition of the AdeB is achieved, we generated 20 apo‐MP‐B poses using the InterPep and SiteMap tools. The high‐quality model was created by homology modeling and used for docking via AutoDock/Vina to identify the MP‐B binding sites. We established that the most apo‐MP‐B formed H‐bonds to the backbone of five amino acids in the Helix‐5. As a result, the dihedral angles of the involved amino acids shift by 9.0–9.6 Ǻ, causing a change in the conformation of the AdeB protein. This led to helix conformation stereoisomerization and block the AdeB activity. MP‐B presumably has dual mechanisms. (1) It blocks the AdeB transporter by changing its conformation. (2) MP‐B influences the adeB gene expression by binding to G‐protein which laterally controls efflux regulators like MarA, RamA, SoxS, and Rob proteins.
Systematic errors that compromise integrity of safety instrumented systems
Authors: Chastain‐Knight Denise 
Published: July 2023

AbstractA safety instrumented system (SIS) is an important independent protection layer (IPL) to mitigate risk. Many IPLs, such as a basic process control system (BPCS), can provide only one order of magnitude risk reduction (RRF 10). A SIS however, is capable of providing one, two, or three orders of magnitude risk reduction (RRF 10, 100, or 1000). Correct specification, design, and maintenance of a SIS is critical to ensure that the SIS delivers the assigned risk reduction. Issues with SIS lifecycle management can lead to systematic errors such as underestimating the safety integrity level (SIL) target, overestimating the risk reduction provided by design, and inadequate maintenance, testing, or replacement. This paper discusses a few of these systematic errors and provide guidelines to avoid them.
Getting the deal done—While managing process safety risk
Authors: Currie John , Kas Kathleen 
Published: July 2023

AbstractHistorically, chemical complexes originated from a single company that developed a large site with significant infrastructure and diverse operating units. However, as corporate objectives change, companies frequently consider alternative business models such as mergers, acquisitions, leases, and licensing agreements. These deals (referred to as mergers and acquisitions [M&A] in this paper) often result in a shift from the single owner/operator structure toward other ownership, operating, and service provider models. These models can create substantial value; however, if not properly managed, they can also increase risk. Assessing these deals to manage process safety risk is challenging; deals are often confidential, the scope is sometimes fluid, and there is limited time to complete the process safety evaluations. If significant deal risks cannot be mitigated, concerns need to be elevated to upper management so they can be addressed before the deal is signed. Contract provisions may also be needed to clarify expectations and ensure continued safe operation. This paper discusses the challenges in assessing potential M&A deals from a process safety lens and describes a work process for engaging with the M&A team, conducting preliminary screening and more detailed assessments, communicating the results, and incorporating key agreements into the contract language.
Failure analysis and quick recovery of a low‐temperature distillation station
Authors: Xiao Renjie , Huang Shilin , Mi Hongfu , Yang Xinlin , Zhang Di , Wang Guixin 
Published: July 2023

AbstractA coupling model based on hazard and operability analysis (HAZOP) and fault tree analysis is proposed and used to analyze the failure of a low‐temperature distillation station (LTDS). It is found that the formation of scale in the deamination tower in the LTDS is the most significant cause for the failure. The scale was mainly composed of SrSO4, CaCO₃, CaSO4, and MgCO₃, which were determined by various techniques from the gas‐field water. Dynamic weight loss experiments were conducted to estimate the corrosion rate of 304 steel with different cleaning solutions. The corrosion behaviors of the metal in the deamination tower were further investigated in three types of cleaning solution via potentiodynamic polarization method. The cleaning solution composed of 6% sulfamic acid, LAN826, JFC, and a defoaming agent could safely and quickly remove the scale covering the LTDS at 50°C. In addition, the optimal cleaning time was found to be 6 h.
Signal‐to‐noise and predictable modes of variability in winter seasonal forecasts
Authors: Hodson Daniel L.R. , Sutton Rowan T. , Scaife Adam A. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractRecent studies suggest seasonal forecasts for European winters are now skilful, but they also identify a “signal‐to‐noise paradox”, wherein models predict the real world more skilfully (higher correlation) than the evolution of their ensemble members. Here, we analyse seasonal hindcasts from the Met Office GloSea5 seasonal forecast system to identify sources of predictability and seek insight into the signal‐to‐noise problem. For the first time, we use an optimal detection method to identify predictable signals over the North Atlantic region within the forecast system on subseasonal time‐scales. We find two primary predictable modes: a Pacific North America (PNA)‐like mode and a North Atlantic oscillation (NAO)‐like mode. The latter is the leading predictable mode in December–January, and its spatial pattern closely resembles the NAO. The PNA‐like mode dominates in January–February. Whereas the PNA‐like mode is driven by Pacific Ocean sea‐surface temperatures, the NAO‐like mode is driven at least partly by Indian Ocean sea‐surface temperatures, not solely due to the common trend. We develop a novel method of comparing the magnitude of these modes in the forecast system and observations that complements previous approaches. This suggests that the signal‐to‐noise problem in GloSea5 is primarily a feature of the December–January NAO‐like mode, with the observed mode being three times larger than in the model. The magnitude of the PNA‐like mode is better captured by the forecasts, although there is still evidence of a weaker signal‐to‐noise problem. This suggests particular mechanisms may lead to the lower signal to noise seen in NAO hindcasts, rather than a global weakness of the forecast system in responding to initialization and external forcing. Our results, though specific to GloSea5, provide insights into the causes of the signal‐to‐noise problem in seasonal forecasts of European winters. They also imply there is significant potential for improving such forecasts and suggest how such improvements may be achieved.
Explainable machine learning for phishing feature detection
Authors: Calzarossa Maria Carla , Giudici Paolo , Zieni Rasha 
Published: July 2023

AbstractPhishing is a very dangerous security threat that affects individuals as well as companies and organizations. To fight the risks associated with this threat, it is important to detect phishing websites in a timely manner. Machine learning models work well for this purpose as they can predict phishing cases, using information on the underlying websites. In this paper, we contribute to the research on the detection of phishing websites by proposing an explainable machine learning model that can provide not only accurate predictions of phishing, but also explanations of which features are most likely associated with phishing websites. To this aim, we propose a novel feature selection model based on Lorenz Zonoids, the multidimensional extension of Gini coefficient. We illustrate our proposal on a real dataset that contains features of both phishing and legitimate websites.
Spider Silk Protein Forms Amyloid‐Like Nanofibrils through a Non‐Nucleation‐Dependent Polymerization Mechanism
Authors: Qi Xingmei , Wang Yu , Yu Hairui , Liu Ruifang , Leppert Axel , Zheng Zihan , Zhong Xueying , Jin Zhen , Wang Han , Li Xiaoli , Wang Xiuzhe , Landreh Michael , A. Morozova‐Roche Ludmilla , Johansson Jan , Xiong Sidong , Iashchishyn Igor , Chen Gefei 
Published: July 2023

AbstractAmyloid fibrils—nanoscale fibrillar aggregates with high levels of order—are pathogenic in some today incurable human diseases; however, there are also many physiologically functioning amyloids in nature. The process of amyloid formation is typically nucleation‐elongation‐dependent, as exemplified by the pathogenic amyloid‐β peptide (Aβ) that is associated with Alzheimer's disease. Spider silk, one of the toughest biomaterials, shares characteristics with amyloid. In this study, it is shown that forming amyloid‐like nanofibrils is an inherent property preserved by various spider silk proteins (spidroins). Both spidroins and Aβ capped by spidroin N‐ and C‐terminal domains, can assemble into macroscopic spider silk‐like fibers that consist of straight nanofibrils parallel to the fiber axis as observed in native spider silk. While Aβ forms amyloid nanofibrils through a nucleation‐dependent pathway and exhibits strong cytotoxicity and seeding effects, spidroins spontaneously and rapidly form amyloid‐like nanofibrils via a non‐nucleation‐dependent polymerization pathway that involves lateral packing of fibrils. Spidroin nanofibrils share amyloid‐like properties but lack strong cytotoxicity and the ability to self‐seed or cross‐seed human amyloidogenic peptides. These results suggest that spidroins´ unique primary structures have evolved to allow functional properties of amyloid, and at the same time direct their fibrillization pathways to avoid formation of cytotoxic intermediates.