bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
FaxMatch: Multi‐Curriculum Pseudo‐Labeling for semi‐supervised medical image classification
Authors: Peng Zhen , Zhang Dezhi , Tian Shengwei , Wu Weidong , Yu Long , Zhou Shaofeng , Huang Shanhang 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundSemi‐supervised learning (SSL) can effectively use information from unlabeled data to improve model performance, which has great significance in medical imaging tasks. Pseudo‐labeling is a classical SSL method that uses a model to predict unlabeled samples and selects the prediction with the highest confidence level as the pseudo‐labels and then uses the generated pseudo‐labels to train the model. Most of the current pseudo‐label‐based SSL algorithms use predefined fixed thresholds for all classes to select unlabeled data.PurposeHowever, data imbalance is a common problem in medical image tasks, where the use of fixed threshold to generate pseudo‐labels ignores different classes of learning status and learning difficulties. The aim of this study is to develop an algorithm to solve this problem.MethodsIn this work, we propose Multi‐Curriculum Pseudo‐Labeling (MCPL), which evaluates the learning status of the model for each class at each epoch and automatically adjusts the thresholds for each class. We apply MCPL to FixMatch and propose a new SSL framework for medical image classification, which we call the improved algorithm FaxMatch. To mitigate the impact of incorrect pseudo‐labels on the model, we use label smoothing (LS) strategy to generate soft labels (SL) for pseudo‐labels.ResultsWe have conducted extensive experiments to evaluate our method on two public benchmark medical image classification datasets: the ISIC 2018 skin lesion analysis and COVID‐CT datasets. Experimental results show that our method outperforms fully supervised baseline, which uses only labeled data to train the model. Moreover, our method also outperforms other state‐of‐the‐art methods.ConclusionsWe propose MCPL and construct a semi‐supervised medical image classification framework to reduce the reliance of the model on a large number of labeled images and reduce the manual workload of labeling medical image data.
Identification of dual‐rate sampled errors‐in‐variables systems with time delays
Authors: Xie Li , Huang Jiacheng , Tao Hongfeng , Yang Huizhong 
Published: February 2023

AbstractFor identification of dual‐rate sampled errors‐in‐variables (EIV) systems with time delays, this paper utilizes the polynomial transformation technique and the redundant rule to derive the augmented dual‐rate model, and proposes a bias compensation‐based least squares (BC‐LS) algorithm. The basic idea is to obtain a biased parameter estimate by using the LS algorithm, then compensate the noise‐induced bias by the estimated noise variances, and finally estimate the time delay according to the unbiased parameter estimate and the given threshold. Considering that proper threshold selection has great influence on the performance of the BC‐LS identification algorithm for high noise level, the generalized orthogonal matching pursuit (GOMP) algorithm is introduced to simultaneously estimate the biased parameters and the time delay, and the bias compensation‐based GOMP (BC‐GOMP) algorithm is further proposed to identify the dual‐rate sampled EIV systems with time delays. The simulation examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed two algorithms, and the BC‐GOMP algorithm performs better especially when the modeling dataset is small.
Multiscale interfacial enhancement of surface grown carbon nanotubes carbon fiber composites
Authors: Li Min , Xing Fei , Li Tianshu , Wang Shaokai , Gu Yizhuo , Zhang Wei , Wang Yanjie , Li Qinghui 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe interface properties between surface grown carbon nanotubes carbon fiber (CNTs‐CF) and epoxy resin were investigated by different modification methods. The X‐ray photoelectron spectrometer probations show that the pristine CNTs‐CF has very low contents of both oxygen element and active carbon element. Taking the naked carbon fiber (CF) without CNTs grown as a reference, the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of CNTs‐CF/epoxy is only 5.6% higher. After heat treatment, chemical modification and sizing treatments, the surface chemical activity of CNTs‐CF is improved considerably. In contrast with the IFSS of standard CF/epoxy, the interfacial strength of chemical‐treated CNTs‐CF‐E1/epoxy is increased to 122.8 MPa by 29.7%. The increasing content of the epoxy active groups at the modified CNTs‐CF‐E1 surface is conducive to forming covalent bonds between the epoxy resin and the CNTs‐CF‐E1 surface particularly the activated nanotube surface. The enhancement of CNT/epoxy interface is beneficial to the over whole interface property of the composites. Hence, the compressive and torsion strength of sizing CNTs‐CF‐E1 bundle combined with epoxy resin are increased by 32.4% and 14.1%, respectively. The SEM images show the failure morphologies of different modification methods, and the enhancement mechanism of multiscale interface is further clarified. Compared with chemical treatment, heat treatment can remove the inert amorphous carbon on the CNTs‐CF fiber surface and improve the interface adhesion of CNT/epoxy and CF/epoxy, and surface sizing treatment improves the CF/epoxy interface. The enhancement mechanisms of these modified CNTs‐CFs/epoxy should be ascribed to the competition and synergetic effects of the multiscale interfaces, including CNT/CF, CNT/epoxy, and CF/epoxy.
Intra‐articular and soft‐tissue corticosteroid injections and risk of infections: Population‐based self‐controlled‐risk‐interval design
Authors: Zacay Galia , Heymann Anthony D. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractPurposeChronic and short‐term treatment with oral corticosteroids is associated with an increased risk of infection. However, the potential risk of infection that may be associated with intra‐articular and soft‐tissue injections of corticosteroids has not been reported. The aim of this study was to assess the risk for infection following intra‐articular or soft‐tissue corticosteroid injections.MethodsSelf‐controlled‐risk‐interval study with 15 732 adults who were treated with intra‐articular or soft‐tissue corticosteroid injections during 2015–2018. The study was conducted in a large Israeli Health Maintenance Organization. We self‐matched the participants and analyzed the incidence of infection over three periods: an exposure‐period of 90 days following the injection, and two 90‐day control periods. We identified the occurrence of several common infections in the patient's electronic medical record and analyzed the incidence rates of all infections (composite end‐point) as well as each infection separately.ResultsThe incidence of any infection was higher during postexposure period compared with the control periods (46.5 vs. 42.1 events per 1000 persons), number needed to harm was 227 persons. Self‐matching analysis showed increased incidence‐rate‐ratio (IRR) for the combined incidence of infections in the post‐exposure period compared with the control periods (IRR = 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.21). A sensitivity analysis showed that the highest IRR was during the first 30 days (IRR = 1.19, 95% CI 1.03–1.38), with higher IRR for patients aged 65 years and older (IRR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.08–1.73).ConclusionsIntra‐articular and soft‐tissue corticosteroids injections may be associated with an increased risk of infections; however, the absolute risk increase is low.
Maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with treating hypertension in pregnancy at different thresholds
Authors: Avalos Lyndsay A. , Neugebauer Romain S. , Nance Nerissa , Badon Sylvia E. , Cheetham T. Craig , Easterling Thomas R. , Reynolds Kristi , Idu Abisola , Bider‐Canfield Zoe , Holt Victoria L. , Dublin Sascha 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIntroductionIn the United States, there has been controversy over whether treatment of mild‐to‐moderate hypertension during pregnancy conveys more benefit than risk.ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to compare risks and benefits of treatment of mild‐to‐moderate hypertension during pregnancy.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included 11,871 pregnant women with mild‐to‐moderate hypertension as defined by blood pressure (BP) values from three Kaiser Permanente regions between 2005 and 2014. Data were extracted from electronic health records. Dynamic marginal structural models with inverse probability weighting and informative censoring were used to compare risks of adverse outcomes when beginning antihypertensive medication treatment at four BP thresholds (≥155/105, ≥150/100, ≥145/95, ≥140/90 mm Hg) compared with the recommended threshold in the United States at that time, ≥160/110 mm Hg. Outcomes included preeclampsia, preterm birth, small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) care, and stillbirth. Primary analyses allowed 2 weeks for medication initiation after an elevated BP. Several sensitivity and subgroup (i.e., race/ethnicity and pre‐pregnancy body mass index) analyses were also conducted.ResultsIn primary analyses, medication initiation at lower BP thresholds was associated with greater risk of most outcomes. Comparing the lowest (≥140/90 mm Hg) to the highest BP threshold (≥160/110 mm Hg), we found an excess risk of preeclampsia (adjusted Risk Difference (aRD) 38.6 per 100 births, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 30.6, 46.6), SGA (aRD: 10.2 per 100 births, 95% CI: 2.6, 17.8), NICU admission (aRD: 20.2 per 100 births, 95% CI: 12.6, 27.9), and stillbirth (1.18 per 100 births, 95% CI: 0.27, 2.09). The findings did not reach statistical significance for preterm birth (aRD: 2.5 per 100 births, 95% CI: −0.4, 5.3). These relationships were attenuated and did not always reach statistically significance when comparing higher BP treatment thresholds to the highest threshold (i.e., ≥160/110 mm Hg). Sensitivity and subgroup analyses produced similar results.ConclusionsInitiation of antihypertensive medication at mild‐to‐moderate BP thresholds (140–155/90–105 mm Hg; with the largest risk consistently associated with treatment at 140/90 mm Hg) may be associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Limitations include inability to measure medication adherence.
In situ reaction of modified cellulose nanocrystals in shape memory polyacrylamide/gelatin composite hydrogel with enhanced performance
Authors: Fan Weiwei , Li Zhengjun 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIn this work, 3‐methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane modified cellulose nanocrystals (MCNCs) were first synthesized through a hydrolysis‐condensation reaction and subsequently incorporated with acrylamide and gelatin by an in situ reaction to fabricate shape memory polyacrylamide/gelatin composite hydrogels (PG‐MCNCs). It was found that the rigid MCNCs with methacryl and silanol or hydroxyl groups could act as chemical–physical crosslinking joints between polyacrylamide and gelatin and were capable of being well distributed in hydrogel. Meanwhile, the inserted MCNC filler could significantly improve the mechanical, shape memory and swelling resistance performances. Notably, the most effective improvement was obtained when 2 wt% MCNC was added to the hydrogel, i.e. the PG‐MCNC2 with suitable pore size and ordered pore size distribution showed superior tensile strength (0.50 MPa), elongation at break (2419%), compressive strength (0.15 MPa) and adhesion strength (19.8 kPa). Moreover, PG‐MCNC2 hydrogel exhibited better swelling resistance and thermally induced shape memory function (shape fixity ratio and shape recover ratio were 76.6% and 96.5%, respectively). Furthermore, the representative PG‐MCNC2 hydrogel possessed good cytocompatibility, which might be qualified for potential application as biomaterial. © 2023 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
FkpA enhances membrane protein folding using an extensive interaction surface
Authors: Devlin Taylor , Marx Dagan C. , Roskopf Michaela A. , Bubb Quenton R. , Plummer Ashlee M. , Fleming Karen G. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractOuter membrane protein (OMP) biogenesis in gram‐negative bacteria is managed by a network of periplasmic chaperones that includes SurA, Skp, and FkpA. These chaperones bind unfolded OMPs (uOMPs) in dynamic conformational ensembles to suppress aggregation, facilitate diffusion across the periplasm, and enhance folding. FkpA primarily responds to heat‐shock stress, but its mechanism is comparatively understudied. To determine FkpA chaperone function in the context of OMP folding, we monitored the folding of three OMPs and found that FkpA, unlike other periplasmic chaperones, increases the folded yield but decreases the folding rate of OMPs. The results indicate that FkpA behaves as a chaperone and not as a folding catalyst to influence the OMP folding trajectory. Consistent with the folding assay results, FkpA binds all three uOMPs as determined by sedimentation velocity (SV) and photo‐crosslinking experiments. We determine the binding affinity between FkpA and uOmpA171 by globally fitting SV titrations and find it to be intermediate between the known affinities of Skp and SurA for uOMP clients. Notably, complex formation steeply depends on the urea concentration, suggesting an extensive binding interface. Initial characterizations of the complex using photo‐crosslinking indicate that the binding interface spans the entire FkpA molecule. In contrast to prior findings, folding and binding experiments performed using subdomain constructs of FkpA demonstrate that the full‐length chaperone is required for full activity. Together these results support that FkpA has a distinct and direct effect on OMP folding that it achieves by utilizing an extensive chaperone‐client interface to tightly bind clients.
Rapid screening of high‐priority N‐nitrosamines in pharmaceutical, forensic, and environmental samples with paper spray ionization and filter cone spray ionization‐mass spectrometry
Authors: McDaniel Trevor J. , Holtz Jessica M. , Bondzie Ebenezer H. , Overfelt Makoy , Fedick Patrick W. , Mulligan Christopher C. 
Published: February 2023

RationaleThe burgeoning concern of N‐nitrosamine (NAM) contamination found in various pharmaceutical compositions has increased the demand for rapid and reliable screening methods to better assess the breadth of the problem. These carcinogenic compounds are also found in food, water, and soil, and they have been used in poison‐related homicides.MethodsA combination of complementary, ambient ionization methods, paper spray ionization (PSI) and filter cone spray ionization (FCSI)‐mass spectrometry (MS), was characterized towards trace‐level residue screening of select NAMs (e.g., N‐nitrosodimethylamine, N‐nitrosodiethylamine, N‐nitrosodibutylamine) directly from complex and problematic matrices of interest, including prescription and over‐the‐counter tablets, drinking water, soil, and consumable goods. Spectral data for analyte confirmation and detection limit studies were collected using a Thermo LCQ Fleet ion trap mass spectrometer.ResultsPSI‐MS and FCSI‐MS readily produced mass spectral data marked by their simplicity (e.g., predominantly protonated molecular ions observed) and congruence with traditional electrospray ionization mass spectra in under 2 min. per sample. Both methods proved robust to the complex matrices tested, yielding ion signatures for target NAMs, as well as active pharmaceutical ingredients for analyzed tablets, flavorants inherent to food products, etc. Low part‐per‐million detection limits were observed but were shown dependent on sample composition.ConclusionsPSI‐MS and FCSI‐MS were successful in detecting trace‐level NAMS in complex liquid‐ and solid‐phase matrices with little to no prior preparation. This work suggests that these methodologies can provide a means for assessing problematic pharmaceutical adulterants/degradants for expedited quality control, as well as enhancing environmental stewardship efforts and forensic investigations.
Quercetin for the treatment of COVID‐19 patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Cheema Huzaifa Ahmad , Sohail Aruba , Fatima Areej , Shahid Abia , Shahzil Muhammad , Ur Rehman Mohammad Ebad , Awan Rehmat Ullah , Chinnam Sampath , Nashwan Abdulqadir J. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractCurrently approved therapies for COVID‐19 are mostly limited by their low availability, high costs or the requirement of parenteral administration by trained medical personnel in an in‐hospital setting. Quercetin is a cheap and easily accessible therapeutic option for COVID‐19 patients. However, it has not been evaluated in a systematic review until now. We aimed to conduct a meta‐analysis to assess the effect of quercetin on clinical outcomes in COVID‐19 patients. Various databases including PubMed, the Cochrane Library and Embase were searched from inception until 5 October 2022 and results from six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were pooled using a random‐effects model. All analyses were conducted using RevMan 5.4 with odds ratio (OR) as the effect measure. Quercetin decreased the risk of intensive care unit admission (OR = 0.31; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.10–0.99) and the incidence of hospitalisation (OR = 0.25; 95% CI 0.10–0.62) but did not decrease the risk of all‐cause mortality and the rate of no recovery. Quercetin may be of benefit in COVID‐19 patients, especially if administered in its phytosome formulation which greatly enhances its bioavailability but large‐scale RCTs are needed to confirm these findings.
Funneliformis mosseae–induced changes of rhizosphere microbial community structure enhance Capsicum annuum L. plant growth and fruit yield
Authors: Tang Cheng , Sun Bin , Zeeshan Muhammad , Li Jie , Zhang Xiaoxu 
Published: February 2023

AbstractArbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, such as Funneliformis mosseae, are essential components of the soil microbiome that can facilitate plant growth and enhance abiotic and biotic stress resistances. However, the mechanisms via which F. mosseae inoculation influences Capsicum annuum L. plant growth and fruit yield remain unclear. Here, we conducted pot experiments to investigate bacterial and fungal community structures in the rhizosphere of C. annuum plants inoculated with F. mosseae based on 16S ribosomal RNA and internal transcribed spacer gene sequencing. The α‐diversity of bacteria increased significantly following F. mosseae inoculation (p < 0.01); however, there was no significant difference in fungal diversity indices between treatments. The relative abundances of major bacterial phyla, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Gemmatimonadetes, together with the fungal phylum Ascomycota, were all higher in inoculated samples than in uninoculated controls. F. mosseae inoculation led to a remarkable enrichment of potentially beneficial genera (e.g., Streptomyces, Sphingomonas, Lysobacter, and Trichoderma), in stark contrast to the depletion of fungal pathogens (e.g., Botryotrichum, Acremonium, Fusarium, and Plectosphaerella). Rhizosphere pathways related to amino acid metabolism and antibiotic biosynthesis were upregulated by F. mosseae inoculation, whereas pathways involved in infectious diseases were downregulated. Thus, F. mosseae inoculation appears to reshape the rhizosphere microbiome, thereby augmenting C. annuum plant growth and fruit yield.
How sleep disturbance is associated with Chinese police officers' job satisfaction: A moderated mediation model
Authors: Ye Zhi , Wang Yinyi , Wu Xia , Chen Lihua 
Published: February 2023

AbstractTasked with a wide variety of duties, police officers often encounter stressful situations and suffer from sleep disturbance. Previous studies have found that police officers with sleep disturbance generally reported lower levels of job satisfaction; however, the psychological mechanisms by which sleep disturbance is associated with job satisfaction are still relatively underexplored. This study investigated how sleep disturbance was associated with job satisfaction via the mediation of job involvement and via the moderation of resilience among police officers. Data from a sample of 827 Chinese police officers (86.9% men) was analysed. Participants completed a written questionnaire assessing sleep disturbance, job satisfaction, job involvement, resilience, and demographic information. A moderated mediation model was conducted to examine the research questions. Sleep disturbance was negatively associated with job involvement, which, in turn, was positively associated with job satisfaction. Furthermore, both direct and indirect effects of sleep disturbance on job satisfaction were moderated by resilience. Specifically, the negative association between sleep disturbance and job satisfaction was significant only for those with low levels of resilience, but not for those with high levels of resilience. In addition, the positive association between job involvement and job satisfaction was stronger for those with higher resilience compared with those with lower resilience. The findings advance understanding of the psychological mechanisms underlying the association between sleep disturbance and job satisfaction among police officers.
Magnetic Non‐Spherical Particles Inducing Vortices in Microchannel for Effective Mixing
Authors: Feng Shi , Pan Cunliang , Ye Hongfei , Liu Wendong , Yang Wenbo , Lv Yingdi , Tao Shengyang 
Published: February 2023

AbstractMixing in microfluidic channels is dominated by diffusion owing to the absence of chaotic flow. However, high‐efficiency microscale mixing over short distances is desired for the development of lab‐on‐chip systems. Here, enhanced mixing in microchannels achieved using magnetic nonspherical particles (MNSPs), is reported. Benefiting from the nonspherical shape of the MNSPs, secondary vortices exhibiting cyclical characteristics appear in microchannels when the MNSPs rotate under an external magnetic field. Increasing the rotation rate enlarges the secondary vortices, expanding the mixing zone and enhancing the mixing, resulting in a mixing efficiency exceeding 0.9 at Re of 0.069–0.69. Complementary micro‐particle image velocimetry (µPIV) for flow field analysis clarifies the mixing mechanism. In addition, a chaotic vortex area is generated in the presence of two MNSPs, which shortens the distance required for achieving an appropriate mixing efficiency. This study demonstrates the potential of employing MNSPs as efficient mixers in lab‐on‐chip devices.
Matching CP@NCOH/NF Cathode and GH/FNP/NF Anode for High‐Performance Asymmetric Supercapacitor
Authors: Meng Haoyan , Wang Shilong , Ma Xueying , Zhang Dehao , Zhang Linlin , Liu Xuying , Zhang Li 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIt is extremely crucial to design and match high‐quality cathode and anode for achieving high‐performance asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs). Herein, Co3(PO4)2@NiCo‐LDH/Ni foam (CP@NCOH/NF) cathode with hierarchical morphology and graphene hydrogel/Fe–Ni phosphide/Ni foam (GH/FNP/NF) anode with the robust and porous structure are elaborately designed and prepared, respectively. Owing to their unique and profitable structures, both CP@NCOH/NF and GH/FNP/NF electrodes yield the superior capacity (10760 and 2236 mC cm−2 at 2 mA cm−2, respectively), good rate capability (63% retention at 200 mA cm−2 and 52% retention at 50 mA cm−2, respectively), and excellent cycling stability (72% and 74% retention after 10 000 cycles, respectively). Benefiting from their matchable electrochemical performances, the configured solid‐state CP@NCOH/NF//GH/FNP/NF ASC outputs both competitive energy density (80.2 Wh kg−1/4.1 mWh cm−3) and power density (14563 W kg−1/750 mW cm−3), companied by remarkable cyclability (71% retention after 10 000 cycles), manifesting its great promise for large‐scale integrated energy‐storage system.