bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Value of Surgical and Nonsurgical Treatment for Sleep Apnea: A Closer Look at Health Care Utilization
Authors: Abdelwahab Mohamed , Marques Sandro , Huang Allen , De Moraes Thyago P. , Previdelli Isolde , Cruz June Alisson Westarb , Al‐Sayed Ahmed A. , Capasso Robson 
Published: February 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo determine how surgery, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and no treatment impact health care utilization in patients who have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Study DesignThis is a retrospective cohort study of patients between the ages of 18 and 65 that were diagnosed with OSA (9th International Classification of Diseases) from January 2007 to December 2015. Data were collected over 2 years, and prediction models were generated to evaluate trends over time.SettingA population‐based study using real‐world data and insurance databases.MethodsA total of 4,978,649 participants were identified, all with at least 25 months of continuous enrollment. Patients with previous soft tissue procedures not approved for OSA (nasal surgery), or without continuous insurance coverage were excluded. A total of 18,050 patients underwent surgery, 1,054,578 were untreated, and 799,370 received CPAP. IBM Marketscan Research database was utilized to describe patient‐specific clinical utilization, and expenditures, across outpatient, and inpatient services, and medication prescriptions.ResultsWhen the cost of the intervention was eliminated in the 2‐year follow‐up, the monthly payments of group 1 (surgery) were significantly less than group 3 (CPAP) in overall, inpatient, outpatient, and pharmaceutical payments (p < .001). The surgery group was associated with less cumulative payments compared to the other 2 groups when the cost of the intervention (CPAP or surgery) was eliminated in all comorbidities and age groups.ConclusionTreating OSA with surgery can lessen overall health care utilization compared to no treatment and CPAP.
Synthesis of dual physical self‐healing starch‐based hydrogels for repairing tissue defects
Authors: Hasan Shahriari Mehrnoosh , Abdouss Majid , Hadjizadeh Afra 
Published: February 2023

AbstractHydrogels have the potential to simulate and permeate body tissues. They can be used in many biomedical applications, such as drug delivery, wound dressings, contact lenses, synthetic implants, biosensors, and tissue engineering. Despite recent significant advances in hydrogel fabrication, with the introduction of double network hydrogels, with ionic or hydrogen bonds, there is still the challenge of achieving optimal mechanical properties with appropriate self‐healing ability. To solve the above problem, in this study, a new type of starch/chitosan/PVA/borax hydrogel was synthesized by adopting the one‐pot method. The effect of concentration and ratio of raw materials on the final properties of hydrogels, such as the degree of hydrophilicity, morphology, degradation, mechanical strength, and drug release rate, was investigated. The properties of hydrogels were examined by scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffractometry, and contact angle, which confirmed the composite synthesis and uniform distribution of HNT and curcumin. In addition, the composite hydrogel showed excellent mechanical properties. Drug release studies confirmed that the drug is slowly released from the nanocomposite hydrogels. The results showed that starch‐based nanocomposite hydrogels could provide appropriate repairing potential for defects exposed to changeable parameters.
Quantifying the influence of encapsulant and backsheet composition on PV‐power and electrical degradation
Authors: Brune Barbara , Ortner Irene , Eder Gabriele C. , Voronko Yuliya , Oreski Gernot , Berger Karl A. , Knöbl Karl , Neumaier Lukas , Feichtner Markus 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAlthough the technical and economic properties of the standard polymer photovoltaic (PV) materials (ethylene‐vinyl acetate (EVA) encapsulant and fluorine‐containing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) backsheet) meet the basic technical requirements, more sustainable polyolefin‐based encapsulants and backsheets have been developed. These new polyolefin materials have to prove their performance compared to the established standard materials in terms of the electrical performance of the modules and in terms of reliability. The long‐term stability of the new materials is tested and evaluated using accelerated aging tests and degradation modelling. Based on experimental results, the influence of the type of encapsulant and backsheet (i) on the electrical output power of PV test modules and (ii) on the aging‐related electrical and material degradation under accelerated stress tests was estimated using statistical modelling approaches. First results showing significant effects for encapsulant, backsheet and the combination of both on the initial power output are presented. In general, modules with polypropylene‐based backsheets have a higher initial power (PMPP) than those with PET‐based backsheets, with the combination of thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) encapsulation material and polyolefin backsheet being superior to the other material combinations. A comparison of the material‐dependent degradation rates obtained from the mixed‐effects models clearly shows that the degradation rate upon damp heat exposure for modules with EVA is significantly larger than that using polyolefin encapsulants. The derived relations aim to provide valuable input for innovative material developments as well as predictive maintenance specifications.
ATP8B1: A prognostic prostate cancer biomarker identified via genetic analysis
Authors: Chen Lih‐Chyang , Huang Shu‐Pin , Shih Chieh‐Tien , Li Chia‐Yang , Chen Yei‐Tsung , Huang Chao‐Yuan , Yu Chia‐Cheng , Lin Victor C. , Lee Cheng‐Hsueh , Geng Jiun‐Hung , Bao Bo‐Ying 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundControlling the asymmetric distribution of phospholipids across biological membranes plays a pivotal role in the life cycle of cells; one of the most important contributors that maintain this lipid asymmetry are phospholipid‐transporting adenosine triphosphatases (ATPases). Although sufficient information regarding their association with cancer exists, there is limited evidence linking the genetic variants of phospholipid‐transporting ATPase family genes to prostate cancer in humans.MethodsIn this study, we investigated the association of 222 haplotype‐tagging single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in eight phospholipid‐transporting ATPase genes with cancer‐specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) of 630 patients treated with androgen‐deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer.ResultsAfter multivariate Cox regression analysis and multiple testing correction, we found that ATP8B1 rs7239484 was remarkably associated with CSS and OS after ADT. A pooled analysis of multiple independent gene‐expression datasets demonstrated that ATP8B1 was under‐expressed in tumor tissues and that a higher ATP8B1 expression was associated with a better patient prognosis. Moreover, we established highly invasive sublines using two human prostate cancer cell lines to mimic cancer progression traits in vitro. The expression of ATP8B1 was consistently downregulated in both highly invasive sublines.ConclusionOur study indicates that rs7239484 is a prognostic factor for patients treated with ADT and that ATP8B1 can potentially attenuate prostate cancer progression.
Climate change, host plant availability, and irrigation shape future region‐specific distributions of the Sitobion grain aphid complex
Authors: Wang Bing‐Xin , Hof Anouschka R. , Matson Kevin D. , van Langevelde Frank , Ma Chun‐Sen 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDUnderstanding where species occur using species distribution models has become fundamental to ecology. Although much attention has been paid to invasive species, questions about climate change related range shifts of widespread insect pests remain unanswered. Here, we incorporated bioclimatic factors and host plant availability into CLIMEX models to predict distributions under future climate scenarios of major cereal pests of the Sitobion grain aphid complex (Sitobion avenae, S. miscanthi, and S. akebiae). Additionally, we incorporated the application of irrigation in our models to explore the relevance of a frequently used management practice that may interact with effects of climate change of the pest distributions.RESULTSOur models predicted that the area potentially at high risk of outbreaks of the Sitobion grain aphid complex would increase from 41.3% to 53.3% of the global land mass. This expansion was underlined by regional shifts in both directions: expansion of risk areas in North America, Europe, most of Asia, and Oceania, and contraction of risk areas in South America, Africa, and Australia. In addition, we found that host plant availability limited the potential distribution of pests, while the application of irrigation expanded it.CONCLUSIONOur study provides insights into potential risk areas of insect pests and how climate, host plant availability, and irrigation affect the occurrence of the Sitobion grain aphid complex. Our results thereby support agricultural policy makers, farmers, and other stakeholders in their development and application of management practices aimed at maximizing crop yields and minimizing economic losses. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Computational design of clinical trials using a combination of simulation and the genetic algorithm
Authors: Tsuchiwata Shinichi , Tsuji Yasuhiro 
Published: February 2023

AbstractArtificial intelligence (AI) has come to be used in various technological fields in recent years. However, there have been no reports of AI‐designed clinical trials. In this study, we tried to develop study designs by a genetic algorithm (GA), which is an AI solution for combination optimization problems. Specifically, the computational design approach was applied to optimize the blood sampling schedule for a bioequivalence (BE) study in pediatrics and optimize the allocation of dose groups for a dose‐finding study. The GA could reduce the number of blood collection points from 15 (typical standard) to seven points without meaningful impact on the accuracy and precision of the pharmacokinetic estimation for the pediatric BE study. For the dose‐finding study, up to 10% reduction of the total number of required subjects from the standard design could be achieved. The GA also created a design that would lead to a drastic reduction of the required number of subjects in the placebo arm while keeping the total number of subjects at a minimum level. These results indicated the potential usefulness of the computational clinical study design approach for innovative drug development.
Graphene‐Oxide‐Coated, Polypyrrole‐Supported, Nano Zerovalent Iron Nanocomposites for Adsorption of Hexavalent Chromium from Wastewater
Authors: Waghmare Aakash , Rathore Roshni , Pandey Archna , Chandra Vimlesh 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe hexavalent chromium in water is extremely toxic to most living organisms and can cause many diseases. In this work, we developed Polypyrrole (PPy), Polypyrrole/graphene oxide (PPy/GO) nanocomposite, and Polypyrrole/graphene oxide/zerovalent iron nanoparticles (PPy/GO/n‐ZVI) nanocomposite for adsorption of Cr (VI) from water. PPy/GO nanocomposite showed the highest Cr (VI) removal capacity for 10 % (weight) loading of GO. PPy/GO/n‐ZVI nanocomposite showed the highest Cr (VI) adsorption capacity for 50 % iron nanoparticle loading. Chemical kinetics data showed that Cr (VI) adsorption occurred with pseudo‐second‐order. The maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) was found to be 64.29 mg/g, 129.09 mg/g, and 171.04 mg/g on PPy, PPy/GO nanocomposite, and PPy/GO/n‐ZVI nanocomposite respectively. The thermodynamic study showed a positive value of ΔS, and a negative value of ΔG indicated rise in the disorder at the adsorbate‐adsorbent interface and spontaneous nature of Cr (VI) adsorption. ΔH was close to 21 kJ/mole indicating adsorption process occurred via physisorption. The recycling of the adsorbent was carried out by washing with sodium hydroxide and Cr (VI) removal efficiency decreased by around twenty % in the fifth cycle. The present study suggests that the PPy/GO/n‐ZVI nanocomposite is an environment‐friendly magnetic material and provides a simple, low‐cost strategy for the adsorption of Cr (VI) from wastewater.
Wafer‐Scale Fabrication of Hierarchically Porous Silicon and Silica by Active Nanoparticle‐Assisted Chemical Etching and Pseudomorphic Thermal Oxidation
Authors: Gries Stella , Brinker Manuel , Zeller‐Plumhoff Berit , Rings Dagmar , Krekeler Tobias , Longo Elena , Greving Imke , Huber Patrick 
Published: February 2023

AbstractMany biological materials exhibit a multiscale porosity with small, mostly nanoscale pores as well as large, macroscopic capillaries to simultaneously achieve optimized mass transport capabilities and lightweight structures with large inner surfaces. Realizing such a hierarchical porosity in artificial materials necessitates often sophisticated and expensive top‐down processing that limits scalability. Here, an approach that combines self‐organized porosity based on metal‐assisted chemical etching (MACE) with photolithographically induced macroporosity for the synthesis of single‐crystalline silicon with a bimodal pore‐size distribution is presented, i.e., hexagonally arranged cylindrical macropores with 1 µm diameter separated by walls that are traversed by pores 60 nm across. The MACE process is mainly guided by a metal‐catalyzed reduction–oxidation reaction, where silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) serve as the catalyst. In this process, the AgNPs act as self‐propelled particles that are constantly removing silicon along their trajectories. High‐resolution X‐ray imaging and electron tomography reveal a resulting large open porosity and inner surface for potential applications in high‐performance energy storage, harvesting and conversion or for on‐chip sensorics and actuorics. Finally, the hierarchically porous silicon membranes can be transformed structure‐conserving by thermal oxidation into hierarchically porous amorphous silica, a material that could be of particular interest for opto‐fluidic and (bio‐)photonic applications due to its multiscale artificial vascularization.
Using artificial intelligence to find design errors in the engineering drawings
Authors: Dzhusupova Rimma , Banotra Richa , Bosch Jan , Olsson Helena Holmström 
Published: February 2023

AbstractArtificial intelligence is increasingly becoming important to businesses because many companies have realized the benefits of applying machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) in their operations. ML and DL have become attractive technologies for organizations looking to automate repetitive tasks to reduce manual work and free up resources for innovation. Unlike rule‐based automation, typically used for standardized and predictable processes, machine learning, especially deep learning, can handle more complex tasks and learn over time, leading to greater accuracy and efficiency improvements. One of such promising applications is to use AI to reduce manual engineering work. This paper discusses a particular case within McDermott where the research team developed a DL model to do a quality check of complex blueprints. We describe the development and the final product of this case—AI‐based software for the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) industry that helps to find the design mistakes buried inside very complex engineering drawings called piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs). We also present a cost‐benefit analysis and potential scale‐up of the developed software. Our goal is to share the successful experience of AI‐based product development that can substantially reduce the engineering hours and, therefore, reduce the project's overall costs. The developed solution can also be potentially applied to other EPC companies doing a similar design for complex installations with high safety standards like oil and gas or petrochemical plants because the design errors it captures are common within this industry. It also could motivate practitioners and researchers to create similar products for the various fields within engineering industry.
Mechanical behavior of semi‐grouting sleeve and steel bar connection
Authors: Ma Jinfeng , Bai Guoliang , Liang Lili , Wang Lei , Su Ningfen 
Published: February 2023

AbstractA series of pull‐out tests were conducted on semi‐grouting sleeve and steel bar connections to investigate the mechanical behavior of the connectors. Taking the steel bar diameter, anchorage length, and grouting material strength as the parameters. The test results showed that when the anchorage length was small and the grouting material strength was low, sufficient anchorage strength cannot be provided, specimens were subjected to bond slip failure, which belongs to the brittle failure. When the anchorage strength between the steel bar and the grouting material was sufficient, the steel bar breaking occurred on the specimens, which belongs to the ductile failure. Then, the semi‐grouting sleeve and steel bar connection was modeled by finite element software, and the bond slip between the steel bar and grouting material was simulated by COMBIN39 element. The results indicated that the failure mode of the specimen obtained by finite element simulation was the same as the test result. The ultimate bearing capacity of the specimen was highly similar to the test result, which verified the feasibility of the modeling method in this paper. Next, the number of specimens and parameter levels were increased through finite element modeling, and the influences of steel bar diameter, anchorage strength, and grouting material strength on the ultimate bearing capacity of semi‐grouting sleeve and steel bar connections were analyzed. The results testified that the ultimate bearing capacity of the specimen increased with the increase of steel bar diameter. In a certain range, the ultimate bearing capacity of the specimen increased with the raising of anchorage length and grouting material strength. While the anchorage length increased, the ultimate bearing capacity of the specimen did not necessarily increase because of the uneven distribution of stress. The steel bar diameter had the most significant influence on the ultimate bearing capacity of the specimen, while the grouting material strength had the most negligible impact, that was, increasing the steel bar diameter is the most effective method to improve the ultimate bearing capacity of the specimen. Finally, according to the results of finite element analysis, the calculation method of ultimate bearing capacity with different failure modes was obtained, and it has been proved to be effective and accurate by the comparison of calculated results and test results. The results of this paper have great significance for improving the calculation theory and design method of relevant engineering.
A deformed IR: a new IR fixed point for four-dimensional holographic theories
Authors: Horowitz Gary T. , Kolanowski Maciej , Santos Jorge E. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIn holography, the IR behavior of a quantum system at nonzero density is described by the near horizon geometry of an extremal charged black hole. It is commonly believed that for systems onS3, this near horizon geometry is AdS2×S3. We show that this is not the case: generic static, nonspherical perturbations of AdS2×S3blow up at the horizon, showing that it is not a stable IR fixed point. We then construct a new near horizon geometry which is invariant under only SO(3) (and not SO(4)) symmetry and show that it is stable to SO(3)-preserving perturbations (but not in general). We also show that an open set of nonextremal, SO(3)-invariant charged black holes develop this new near horizon geometry in the limitT→ 0. Our new IR geometry still has AdS2symmetry, but it is warped over a deformed sphere. We also construct many other near horizon geometries, including some with no rotational symmetries, but expect them all to be unstable IR fixed points.
Modular linear differential equations for four-point sphere conformal blocks
Authors: Mahanta Ratul , Sengupta Tanmoy 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
We construct modular linear differential equations (MLDEs) w.r.t. subgroups of the modular group whose solutions are Virasoro conformal blocks appearing in the expansion of a crossing symmetric 4-point correlator on the sphere. This uses a connection between crossing transformations and modular transformations. We focus specifically on second order MLDEs with the cases of all identical and pairwise identical operators in the correlator. The central charge, the dimensions of the above operators and those of the intermediate ones are expressed in terms of parameters that occur in such MLDEs. In doing so, the q-expansions of the solutions to the MLDEs are compared with those of Virasoro blocks; hence, Zamolodchikov’s elliptic recursion formula provides an important input. Using the actions of respective subgroups, bootstrap equations involving the associated 3-point coefficients have been set up and solved as well in terms of the MLDE parameters. We present explicit examples of MLDEs corresponding to BPZ and novel non-BPZ equations, as well as unitary and non-unitary CFTs.
A novel echocardiography method to assess upper body systemic blood flow in preterm infants and comparison with superior vena cava flow measurement
Authors: Schena Federico , Iannotta Rossella , D’Andrea Vito , Francescato Gaia , Mayer Alessandra , Mancini Giuseppina , Prontera Giorgia , Mosca Fabio , Vento Gianni 
Published: February 2023

AbstractTo evaluate feasibility, reproducibility, and prognostic value of a new echocardiographic method to assess systemic arterial blood flow directed to the upper part of the body (UBAF, upper body arterial flow) alternative to superior vena cava flow (SVCF) measurement. We performed echocardiographic evaluations in 106 infants in the first 2 days of life to obtain SVCF, left ventricle output (LVO), UBAF, and standard parameters of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) significance. UBAF was calculated by subtracting from LVO the aortic arch blood flow measured immediately distally to the origin of the left subclavian artery. Main outcome measures: UBAF and SVCF agreement was assessed by Bland–Altman analysis in terms of bias, limits of agreement and repeatability index. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient was used to measure the strength of inter-rater agreement. The agreement between UBAF and SVCF was high. The Concordance Correlation Coefficient (CCC) was 0.7434. (CCC 0.7434, 95% C.I. [0.656, 0.8111]). There was a good absolute agreement between the two raters ICC = 0.747; p value < 0.0001; 95%CI [0.601; 0.845]. Adjusting for confounding factors (BW, GA, PDA) included in the model, there was a statistically significant relationship between UBAF and SVCF.Conclusion: UBAF showed a strong agreement with the SCVF with a better reproducibility. Our data support UBAF as a potentially useful marker of cerebral perfusion in the evaluation of preterm infants.

What is Known:• Low SVC (superior vena cava) flow in the neonatal period has been associated with periventricular haemorrhage and unfavourable long-term neurodevelopmental outcome.• Ultrasound measurement of flow in SVC shows relatively high inter-operator variability.

What is New:• Our study highlights how much overlap there is between upper-body arterial flow (UBAF) measurement and SCV flow measurement. UBAF is easier to perform and has a strong correlation with better reproducibility.• UBAF may replace measurement of cava flow as a method for haemodynamic monitoring of unstable preterm and asphyxiated infants.