bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phenotypes characterization and ABC genotypes distribution of clinical Candida albicans isolates
Authors: Mahmoodi Mozhgan , Nouraei Hasti , Nasr Reza , Zomorodian Kamiar , Khodadadi Hossein , Pakshir Keyvan 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundCandidemia and vaginitis are the most common types of candidiasis mostly caused by Candida albicans species. C. albicans has several genotypes and the potential ability to form different phenotype colonies on specific media. This study aimed to evaluate the genotype distribution of blood and vaginal C. albicans isolates and phenotype characteristics on Spider and yeast peptone dextrose agar medium.MethodsA total of 40 clinical Candida albicans isolates comprising vagina (20) and blood (20) were used. ABC typing using CA‐INT‐R and CA‐INT‐L primers was performed to span the transposable group I intron of the 25S rDNA gene. For colony phenotypic characteristics, the Spider and YPDA media were used.ResultsAmong the blood and vaginal isolates, genotype A (12/60%) and genotype C (10/50%) were the most common types, respectively. The highest phenotype shape frequency of the colonies in blood and vaginal samples was the ring and the lowest was the hat/ring. The dominant color phenotype in blood and vaginal samples was gray. There was a significant relationship between genotype and phenotype forms in the blood sample on YPDA medium (p = 0.02). In the Spider medium, there were no significant differences between genotypes and phenotypes.ConclusionIn this study, genotype A and genotype C were predominant in blood and vaginal samples, respectively. In both groups, YPD agar medium demonstrated the most variety of phenotypes that was related to genotypes A and C. The variety of phenotypes in both groups was the same in genotypes A and C on the Spider medium.
Efficiency and impact factors of anatomical intelligence for breast and hand‐held ultrasound in lesion detection
Authors: Dai Chaochao , Bao Lingyun , Yan Hongju , Zhu Luoxi , Xu Xiaojing , Tan Yanjuan , Yu Lifang , Yang Jing , Jiang Chenxiang , Shen Yingzhao 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the efficiency and impact factors of anatomical intelligence for breast (AI‐Breast) and hand‐held ultrasound (HHUS) in lesion detection.MethodsA total of 172 outpatient women were randomly selected, underwent AI‐Breast ultrasound (Group AI) once and HHUS twice. HHUS was performed by breast imaging radiologists (Group A) and general radiologists (Group B). For the AI‐Breast examination, a trained technician performed the whole‐breast scan and data acquisition, while other general radiologists performed image interpretation. The examination time and lesion detection rate were recorded. The impact factors for breast lesion detection, including breast cup size, number of lesions, and benign or malignant lesions were analyzed.ResultsThe detection rates of Group AI, A, and B were 92.8 ± 17.0%, 95.0 ± 13.6%, and 85.0 ± 22.9%, respectively. Comparable lesion detection rates were observed in Group AI and Group A (P > 0.05), but a significantly lower lesion detection rate was observed in Group B compared to the other two (both P < 0.05). Regarding missed diagnosis rates of malignant lesions, comparable performance was observed in Group AI, Group A, and Group B (8% vs. 4% vs. 14%, all P > 0.05). Scan times of Groups AI, A, and B were 262.15 ± 40.4 s, 237.5 ± 110.3 s, 281.2 ± 86.1 s, respectively. The scan time of Group AI was significantly higher than Group A (P < 0.01), but was slightly lower than Group B (P > 0.05). We found a strong linear correlation between scan time and cup size in Group AI (r = 0.745). No impacts of cup size and number of lesions were found on the lesion detection rate in Group AI (P > 0.05).ConclusionsWith the assist of AI‐Breast system, the lesion detection rate of AI‐Breast ultrasound was comparable to that of a breast imaging radiologist and superior to that of the general radiologist. AI‐Breast ultrasound may be used as a potential approach for breast lesions surveillance.
Female Surgical Ergonomics in Otolaryngology: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Morse Elliot , Harpel Lexa , Born Hayley , Rameau Anaïs 
Published: April 2023

ObjectiveTo explore the surgical ergonomic challenges experienced by women in otolaryngology, identify specific equipment that is ergonomically challenging, and assess the impact of suboptimal ergonomics on female otolaryngologists.MethodsWe performed a qualitative study using an interpretive framework rooted in grounded theory. We performed semi‐structured qualitative interviews of 14 female otolaryngologists from nine institutions at various stages in training and across subspecialties. Interviews were independently analyzed by thematic content analysis by two researchers and inter‐rater reliability was assessed via Cohen's kappa. Differing opinions were reconciled via discussion.ResultsParticipants noted difficulties with equipment including microscopes, chairs, step stools, and tables as well as difficulty using larger surgical instruments, preference for smaller instruments, frustration with lack of smaller instruments, and a desire for a larger spectrum of instrument sizes. Participants reported neck, hand, and back pain associated with operating. Participants suggested modifications to the operative environment, including a wider variety of instrument sizes, adjustable instruments, and more focus and attention on ergonomic issues and the range of surgeon physiques. Participants felt that optimizing their operating room set‐up was an additional burden on them, and that lack of inclusive instrumentation affected their sense of belonging. Participants emphasized positive stories of mentorship and empowerment from peers and superiors of all genders.ConclusionFemale otolaryngologists face unique ergonomic challenges. As the otolaryngology workforce becomes increasingly diverse, it is important to address the needs of a diverse set of physiques to avoid inadvertently disadvantaging certain individuals.Level of EvidenceN/A Laryngoscope, 133:3034–3041, 2023
Interrelated influence of iron, light, and CO2 on carbon fixation in a Southern Ocean diatom
Authors: Ye Youting , Sunda William G. , Hong Haizheng , Shi Dalin 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe productivity of diatoms in the Southern Ocean plays a key role in the transfer of carbon (C) from the atmosphere to the ocean's interior, which impacts climate. However, diatom growth in the Southern Ocean is limited by several environmental factors including iron (Fe) and light. Ongoing increases in ocean CO2 concentrations may increase diatom carbon fixation, but it is uncertain how this will interact with extant Fe and light limitation. Here we grew the Southern Ocean diatom Fragilariopsis cylindrus under a matrix of growth sufficient and limiting Fe and light levels and current and elevated CO2 concentrations, and found that a decrease in Fe concentration at high light, or in light intensity at high Fe, caused a similar 28–35% decrease in growth rate. Combined low Fe and low light caused a much larger (71–75%) decrease in growth rate than occurred with low Fe or low light alone, indicating Fe and light co‐limitation. At a given concentration of bioavailable dissolved inorganic Fe (Fe′), increasing pCO2 from 400 to 750 μatm had no significant effect on growth or C‐fixation rates under any Fe and light conditions. These results suggest that unlike previous measurements in Fe‐ and light‐limited temperate diatoms, increased CO2 should have little effect on C‐fixation rates in Southern Ocean diatoms. The different physiological responses of cold‐water and temperate diatoms to the changing environment warrant further investigation for understanding and predicting changes in the efficiency of the biological carbon pump and the associated potential feedback to the climate change.
All‐Printed Electrochromic Stickers
Authors: Brooke Robert , Freitag Kathrin , Petsagkourakis Ioannis , Nilsson Marie , Andersson Ersman Peter 
Published: April 2023

AbstractDisplays are one of the most mature technologies in the field of printed electronics. Their ability to be manufactured in large quantities and at low cost has led to their recent uptake into the consumer market. Within this article this technology is extended to electrochromic display stickers. This is achieved using a recent reverse display architecture screen printed on textile and paper sticker substrates. The electrochromic stickers are comparable to plastic control substrates and show little performance difference even when adhered to curved surfaces. The electrochromic display technology is extended to sticker labels for authentication applications by patterning either the dielectric or the graphical layer. A proof‐of‐concept prototype emulating a wax seal on an envelope is presented to show that other colors can be implemented in this technology.
Vibration isolation of row of piles due to moving harmonic loads embedded in the layered isotropic saturated medium
Authors: Yang Shuai , Jia Mincai 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThis paper develops an analytical layer element‐boundary element coupling method to study the vibration isolation effect of pile rows in multi‐layered isotropic saturated soils subjected to a moving harmonic load. The isotropic saturated soil is represented using an analytical layer‐element solution as a kernel function, and the pile‐soil boundary integral equation is applied to obtain the soil flexibility matrices. The finite difference method is used for the piles modeled as a Bernoulli–Euler beam. The dynamic response equations of the pile rows under a harmonic moving load are achieved by considering pile‐soil displacement coordination condition. Then, the displacements of the observation point with and without the pile effect are calculated, respectively. Several numerical examples are presented to examine the influences of the soils’ stratification characteristics, the pile length, pile spacing, pile‐soil Young's modulus ratio, and the load moving speed on the isolation effect of the pile rows.
Porous cellulose microspheres loaded with dry Nile water algae for removal of MB dye and copper ions from aqueous media
Authors: Moghazy Reda M. , Bakr Ahmed M. , El‐Wakeel Shaimaa T. , El Hotaby Walid 
Published: April 2023

AbstractLow‐cost‐effective applied technologies for water and wastewater treatment, such as microalgae, have growing attention due to their mutual benefit in wastewater treatment and for valuable algae biomass production. A newly constructed Nile water algae cross‐linked cellulose microsphere (NACS) was applied by functionalization of cross‐linked cellulose acetate with dry Nile water algae forming an efficient adsorptive microsphere. The adsorption capacity of microspheres was evaluated for the removal of basic dye (Methylene blue: MB) and heavy metal copper ions (Cu+2). The molecular structure revealed that the prepared microspheres have several functional groups and elements that have a high affinity for heavy metals and dye removal; furthermore, the morphological structure emphasizes this removal affinity by the presence of micropores at the surface of the microsphere. The results of maximum biosorption conditions showed both MB and Cu through the microsphere were 20 mg/L MB and (10 and 20) mg/L Cu concentrations, 2 g/L of adsorbent dose, pH (MB = 6 and Cu = 5.5), and contact time of 60 min. The maximum adsorption capacities (qmax) were significantly enhanced at 200 and 153.2 mg/g for MB and Cu (II), respectively. The possibility of removal, recovery, and reuse of MB by prepared microsphere was efficiently achieved.
Time‐to‐event calibration‐free odds design: A robust efficient design for phase I trials with late‐onset outcomes
Authors: Jin Huaqing , Yin Guosheng 
Published: April 2023

AbstractCompared with most of the existing phase I designs, the recently proposed calibration‐free odds (CFO) design has been demonstrated to be robust, model‐free, and easy to use in practice. However, the original CFO design cannot handle late‐onset toxicities, which have been commonly encountered in phase I oncology dose‐finding trials with targeted agents or immunotherapies. To account for late‐onset outcomes, we extend the CFO design to its time‐to‐event (TITE) version, which inherits the calibration‐free and model‐free properties. One salient feature of CFO‐type designs is to adopt game theory by competing three doses at a time, including the current dose and the two neighboring doses, while interval‐based designs only use the data at the current dose and is thus less efficient. We conduct comprehensive numerical studies for the TITE‐CFO design under both fixed and randomly generated scenarios. TITE‐CFO shows robust and efficient performances compared with interval‐based and model‐based counterparts. As a conclusion, the TITE‐CFO design provides robust, efficient, and easy‐to‐use alternatives for phase I trials when the toxicity outcome is late‐onset.
Exponential stabilization of asynchronously switched linear systems with constant time‐delay: Observer‐based event‐triggered control
Authors: Li Wenjin , Huang Xia , Wang Zhen , Xia Jianwei 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIn this article, the exponential stabilization of an asynchronously switched linear system with constant time‐delay is studied by using continuous event‐triggered control. Aiming at reducing the communication and guaranteeing a satisfactory system performance, an observer‐based event‐triggered scheme is proposed with the introduction of an upper bound for the trigger interval. The cases of no trigger and multiple triggers within an interval of system switching are considered, respectively. Taking the system switching interval as a reference interval, the above two cases are modeled to establish a unified augmented closed‐loop system. A set of multiple Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functionals (LKFs) is constructed, the exponential stabilization of the switched system is studied based on the average dwell time (ADT) method and the constructed LKFs. Meanwhile, a LMI‐based design algorithm for the observer gain and the controller gain is given, respectively. In addition, the minimum lower bound of the trigger interval is determined to exclude the Zeno behavior. Two simulation examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed results.
Multi‐Responsive Aryl (Indolyl) Methane as a Redox‐Controlled Fluorescent Switch
Authors: Yang Ya‐Hsu , Maranchery Anjali. , Lin Zih‐Syun , Patil Shivaraj B. , Chuang Min‐Chieh , Manjappa Kiran B. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractA series of symmetrical and unsymmetrical (indolyl)methanes were synthesized using the Ball milling methodology. The redox switching of the prepared compounds was studied by exploiting their multi‐responsive behavior towards oxidants (light/oxygen), reductants (NaBH4, hydrogen with Pd/C or palladium‐doped magnetic nanoparticles) and electrochemical modulation. Coumarin‐derived (indolyl)methane exhibited distinct color variation and emission On/Off during the redox switching which could be useful in materials/biomaterials applications. Overall, this paper describes the design, synthesis and demonstration of the multi‐responsive behavior of (indolyl)methanes towards redox switching.
Enabling rechargeable Li‐MnO2 batteries using ether electrolytes
Authors: Xia Dawei , Gao Hongpeng , Li Mingqian , Holoubek John , Yan Qizhang , Yin Yijie , Xu Panpan , Chen Zheng 
Published: April 2023

AbstractA low‐carbon future demands more affordable batteries utilizing abundant elements with sustainable end‐of‐life battery management. Despite the economic and environmental advantages of Li‐MnO2 batteries, their application so far has been largely constrained to primary batteries. Here, we demonstrate that one of the major limiting factors preventing the stable cycling of Li‐MnO2 batteries, Mn dissolution, can be effectively mitigated by employing a common ether electrolyte, 1 mol/L lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) in 1,3‐dioxane (DOL)/1,2‐dimethoxyethane (DME). We discover that the suppression of this dissolution enables highly reversible cycling of the MnO2 cathode regardless of the synthesized phase and morphology. Moreover, we find that both the LiPF6 salt and carbonate solvents present in conventional electrolytes are responsible for previous cycling challenges. The ether electrolyte, paired with MnO2 cathodes is able to demonstrate stable cycling performance at various rates, even at elevated temperature such as 60°C. Our discovery not only represents a defining step in Li‐MnO2 batteries with extended life but provides design criteria of electrolytes for vast manganese‐based cathodes in rechargeable batteries.
Photocatalytic degradation of perfluorooctanoic acid on Pb‐doped TiO2 coated with reduced graphene oxide
Authors: Chowdhury Nusrat , Choi Hyeok 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPoor reactivity of extraordinarily strong per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with TiO2 makes it necessary to advance photocatalytic materials. In this present work, lead (Pb)‐doped TiO2 coated with reduced graphene oxide (TiO2‐Pb/rGO) was prepared using hydrothermal method, and then its photocatalytic activity with various PFAS in water, especially perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), was investigated. PFAS decomposition kinetics by TiO2‐Pb/rGO was compared with neat TiO2, Pb‐doped TiO2 (TiO2‐Pb), and rGO‐coated TiO2 (TiO2/rGO). TiO2‐Pb/rGO (0.33 g/L) under ultraviolet (UV) showed superior removal of PFOA (10 mg/L) at 98% after 24 h, following TiO2‐Pb/UV at 80%, TiO2/rGO/UV at 70%, TiO2/UV at <10%, and UV at <10%. Doping of TiO2 with Pb and introduction of rGO to TiO2 greatly changed the physicochemical properties of TiO2 and the subsequent charge transfer mechanism. Radical scavenger experiments indicated that holes, superoxide radical anion, and singlet oxygen were responsible for the observed PFOA decomposition. Decomposition of PFOA by TiO2‐Pb/rGO under UV led to formation of short‐chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) as reaction intermediates through step‐by‐step removal of CF2 units. Polyfluoroalkyl substance (6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate [6:2FTS]) and long‐chain PFCAs such as PFOA were significantly removed and defluorinated by TiO2‐Pb/rGO, whereas it was ineffective toward perfluorosulfonic acids and short‐chain PFCAs. Removal kinetics decreased in the order of 6:2FTS > PFOA >> PFOS > PFHpA ≈ PFHxS ≈ PFBA ≈ PFBS. Pb doping to TiO2/rGO showed better performance than Fe doping. Overall, this study implied that proper designing of TiO2 photocatalytic materials enables to expedite the decomposition of persistent organic pollutants in water, in particular highly challenging fluorinated chemicals.Practitioner Points

Photocatalytic decomposition of various PFAS using TiO2‐Pb/rGO was studied.
TiO2‐Pb/rGO shows better photoactivity towards PFAS than TiO2‐Pb and TiO2/rGO system.
Scavenger test indicated that h+, •O2−, and iO2 are responsible for PFOA removal.
Using TiO2‐Pb/rGO, PFOA removal was comparable under UVA, UVB, and UVC, and it can be explained by spanning UV absorption to 415 nm.
Formation of intermediate PFCAs and F− ions confirmed PFOA removal via chemical decomposition.
The clinical progress and challenges of mRNA vaccines
Authors: Yu Meng‐Zhen , Wang Nan‐Nan , Zhu Jia‐Qing , Lin Yao‐Xin 
Published: April 2023

AbstractOwing to the breakthroughs in the prevention and control of the COVID‐19 pandemic, messenger RNA (mRNA)‐based vaccines have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional vaccine approaches for infectious disease prevention and anticancer treatments. Advantages of mRNA vaccines include flexibility in designing and manipulating antigens of interest, scalability in rapid response to new variants, ability to induce both humoral and cell‐mediated immune responses, and ease of industrialization. This review article presents the latest advances and innovations in mRNA‐based vaccines and their clinical translations in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases or cancers. We also highlight various nanoparticle delivery platforms that contribute to their success in clinical translation. Current challenges related to mRNA immunogenicity, stability, and in vivo delivery and the strategies for addressing them are also discussed. Finally, we provide our perspectives on future considerations and opportunities for applying mRNA vaccines to fight against major infectious diseases and cancers.This article is categorized under:
Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies
Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease
Biology‐Inspired Nanomaterials > Lipid‐Based Structures
The Impact of Age in the Treatment of Non‐comorbid Patients with Rectal Cancer: Survival Outcomes from the National Cancer Database
Authors: Erdem Suna , Warschkow Rene , Studer Peter , Tsai Catherine , Nussbaum Daniel , Schmied Bruno M. , Blazer Dan , Worni Mathias 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundMultimodal therapy has improved survival outcomes for rectal cancer (RC) significantly with an exemption for older patients. We sought to assess whether older non‐comorbid patients receive substandard oncological treatment for localized RC referring to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines and whether it affects survival outcomes.
MethodsThis is a retrospective study using patient data from the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) for histologically confirmed RC from 2002 to 2014. Non‐comorbid patients between ≥50 and ≤85 years and defined treatment for localized RC were included and assigned to a younger (<75 years) and an older group (≥75 years). Treatment approaches and their impact on relative survival (RS) were analyzed using loess regression models and compared between both groups. Furthermore, mediation analysis was performed to measure the independent relative effect on age and other variables on RS. Data were assessed using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist.ResultsOf 59,769 included patients, 48,389 (81.0%) were assigned to the younger group (<75 years). Oncologic resection was performed in 79.6% of the younger patients compared to 67.2% of the older patients (p < 0.001). Chemotherapy (74.3% vs. 56.1%) and radiotherapy (72.0% vs. 58.1%) were provided less often in older patients, respectively (p < 0.001). Increasing age was associated with enhanced 30‐ and 90‐day mortality with 0.6% and 1.1% in the younger and 2.0% and 4.1% in the elderly group (p < 0.001) and worse RS rates [multivariable adjusted HR: 1.93 (95% CI 1.87–2.00), p < 0.001]. Adherence to standard oncological therapy resulted in a significant increase in 5‐year RS (multivariable adjusted HR: 0.80 (95% CI 0.74–0.86), p < 0.001). Mediation analysis revealed that RS was mainly affected by age itself (84%) rather than the choice of therapy.ConclusionsThe likelihood to receive substandard oncological therapy increases in the older population and negatively affects RS. Since age itself has a major impact on RS, better patient selection should be performed to identify those that are potentially eligible for standard oncological care regardless of their age.