bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thyroid hormones: Metabolism and transportation in the fetoplacental unit
Authors: Zuñiga Luis Felipe Falla , Muñoz Yhoiss Smiht , Pustovrh Maria Carolina 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe thyroid hormones (THs), thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), are of vital importance for fetal development. The concentration of THs in fetal circulation varies throughout gestation and differs from the concentration in the maternal serum, indicating the presence of maternal‐fetal thyroid homeostasis regulatory mechanisms in the placenta. The passage of THs from maternal circulation to fetal circulation is modulated by plasma membrane transporters, enzymes, and carrier proteins. Monocarboxylate transporter 8, iodothyronine deiodinases (DIO2 and DIO3), and transthyretin are especially involved in this maternal‐fetal thyroid modulation, shown by a greater expression in the placenta. THs also play a role in placental development and as expected, abnormal variations in TH levels are associated with pregnancy complications and can result in damage to the fetus. Although new evidence regarding TH regulation during pregnancy and its effects in the mother, placenta, and fetus has been published, many aspects of these interactions are still poorly understood. The objective of this review is to provide an evidence‐based update, drawn from current data, on the metabolism and transport of THs in the placenta and their vital role in the maternal‐fetal relationship.
Women with functional constipation have a worse ability to relax their pelvic floor muscle: A cross sectional study
Authors: Miotto Viviane G. , Fernades Ana C. N. L. , de la Ossa Aura M. P. , Bazanelli Gabriela S. , Fretta Tatiana de B. , de Paula Nicole A. , Homsi Jorge Cristine 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIntroductionFunctional intestinal constipation (FIC) has a high prevalence worldwide. It is higher in adult and elderly women, and in those with alterations in the pelvic floor muscle (PFM) structure and function.ObjectiveThe primary aim of this study was to characterize PFM function, including tone, of women with and without FIC. The secondary aim was to assess and compare the general and symptom‐related quality of life (QoL) between participants with and without FIC and its correlation with the assessed PFM function.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional observational study, the outcomes were assessed using vaginal palpation, vaginal manometry and validated questionnaires: the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire Short Form 7 (PFIQ‐7), the Pelvic Floor Distress inventory (PFDI‐20), and the Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐36). This study included 60 women, 30 with FIC and 30 without FIC. The mean age of women with FIC was 48.2 years (standard deviation [SD] 12.22) and 51 years (SD 13.47) for those without FIC. Both groups were overweight. There was a significant difference between groups in the bowel domain of the PFIQ‐7 (p = 0.016) and in the anal dysfunction domain of the PFDI‐20 (p < 0.001), being higher in those women with FIC. Women with FIC presented a significantly worse ability to voluntarily relax their PFM (38.3%) than those without FIC (11.7%; p = 0.008). participants without FIC presented higher values of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) assessed by vaginal manometry compared to participants without FIC (p = 0.008). PFM tone was not different between groups.ConclusionWomen with FIC have more difficulty in relaxing their PFM and lower MVC values than women without FIC. FIC negatively impacts women's symptom‐related QoL. The main contribution of this study was to reavel the difficulty of the participants with FIC to relax their PFM. This finding is important to guide clinical decision making for an adequate treatment program direct to women with FIC.
Home pelvic floor exercises in children with non‐neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: Is fitball an alternative to classic exercises?
Authors: Sollini Maria Laura , Capitanucci Maria Luisa , Foti Calogero , Nocentini Ugo , Castelli Enrico , Mosiello Giovanni 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIntroductionBiofeedback with home pelvic floor exercises were recommended as non‐pharmacologic treatment for non‐neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) in children. Fitball is recommended to improve all‐over flexibility, balance, and coordination, especially for pelvic floor. Aim of the study was to investigate efficacy of standard home pelvic floor exercises versus exercises using fitball.MethodsFrom April 2021 to February 2022 to all children arrived in our clinic with non‐neurogenic LUTS nonresponder at urotherapy, our pelvic floor rehabilitative program was proposed. During the rehabilitation children performed: standard urotherapy, pelvic floor animated biofeedback therapy and pelvic floor exercises in a standard way and using a fitball. After the first session, patients received prescription to repeat at home the same exercises performed at hospital. Children who chose classic exercises were enrolled in group A and they who chose fitball in group B. Continence rate, pelvic floor muscles activity, adherence and satisfaction were evaluated by means of bladder diary, external pubococcygeus test and Likert‐type psychometric scale (from 1 = very unsatisfied to 5 = very satisfied) respectively.ResultsTwenty‐six children affected by LUTS were enrolled: 13 in group A and 13 in B. At 4th control urinary incontinence was reduced by 72,5% in A and 71.4% in B. Pubococcygeus test increased in both groups. Adherence at home was 92% in group A and 62% in group B. Satisfaction with the treatment (4 or 5 points) was 95% in both groups. Four patients of group A and all of group B decided to maintain home exercises including fitball.ConclusionsOur preliminary study shows that efficacy of home exercises, with or without fitball, is comparable. Satisfaction with fitball is high, regardless results obtained, because parents and children have learned a new, interesting and stimulating way to manage urinary problems. The opportunity to perform these exercises using fitball, it's an important finding for pediatric population.
Preconditioners for robust optimal control problems under uncertainty
Authors: Nobile Fabio , Vanzan Tommaso 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe discretization of robust quadratic optimal control problems under uncertainty using the finite element method and the stochastic collocation method leads to large saddle‐point systems, which are fully coupled across the random realizations. Despite its relevance for numerous engineering problems, the solution of such systems is notoriously challenging. In this manuscript, we study efficient preconditioners for all‐at‐once approaches using both an algebraic and an operator preconditioning framework. We show in particular that for values of the regularization parameter not too small, the saddle‐point system can be efficiently solved by preconditioning in parallel all the state and adjoint equations. For small values of the regularization parameter, robustness can be recovered by the additional solution of a small linear system, which however couples all realizations. A mean approximation and a Chebyshev semi‐iterative method are proposed to solve this reduced system. We consider a random elliptic partial differential equation whose diffusion coefficient is modeled as an almost surely continuous and positive random field, though not necessarily uniformly bounded and coercive. We further provide estimates of the dependence of the spectrum of the preconditioned system matrix on the statistical properties of the random field and on the discretization of the probability space. Such estimates involve either the first or second moment of the random variables and , where is the spatial domain. The theoretical results are confirmed by numerical experiments, and implementation details are further addressed.
Effectiveness of an eHealth intervention to improve subjective well‐being and self‐efficacy in cardiovascular disaease patients: A pilot non‐randomized controlled trial
Authors: Farhane‐Medina Naima Z. , Castillo‐Mayén Rosario , Tabernero Carmen , Rubio Sebastián J. , Gutiérrez‐Domingo Tamara , Cuadrado Esther , Arenas Alicia , Luque Bárbara 
Published: October 2022

AbstractAimTo evaluate the effectiveness of a multicomponent, eHealth‐based self‐efficacy intervention to promote subjective well‐being and self‐efficacy in patients with cardiovascular disease, exploring sex differences.DesignA pilot study of a two‐arm non‐randomized controlled trial.MethodsForty‐two cardiovascular patients (31% women) participated in the study. The experimental group received a personalized psychoeducational session and a 14‐days eHealth intervention. Subjective well‐being (positive and negative affect) and self‐efficacy (chronic and cardiac) were assessed at baseline, post‐psychoeducational session, post‐eHealth intervention and at two follow‐ups.ResultsThe levels of the experimental group in positive affect, at post‐eHealth and follow‐up 1, and self‐efficacy, at post‐eHealth, and both follow‐ups, were statistically significantly higher compared to the control group (all ps < .05). When considering sex, the intervention was effective only for men. The results highlight the potential of eHealth interventions for cardiac patients and underline the importance of considering a gender perspective in their treatment.
Solving the2Dand3Dnonlinear inverse source problems of elliptic type partial differential equations by a homogenization function method
Authors: Liu Chein‐Shan , Qiu Lin 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIn this article, the inverse source problems of 2D and 3D elliptic type nonlinear partial differential equations are resolved. For this purpose, a family of single‐parameter homogenization functions that automatically meet the given boundary conditions are deduced and employed as the bases to expand the solution. We solve a linear algebraic equations system which satisfies the over‐specified Neumann boundary condition to obtain the unspecified coefficients, and then the solution in the entire domain is permitted. Taking the solution into the governing equation, the unknown source function can be determined quickly. The present novel method is verified to be an accurate, effective, and robust scheme which is without solving nonlinear equations and iterations, and the additional data used are quite economical.
Whose talon is this? A manual for the identification of ungual phalanges of European accipitrid birds of prey
Authors: Bochenski Zbigniew M. , Tomek Teresa , Wertz Krzysztof 
Published: October 2022

AbstractClaws of avian raptors have been used to make symbolic objects and decorations in many geographic regions and cultures; thus, their species identification increases our ability to draw more in‐depth conclusions from zooarcheological materials. It is the first ever manual for identification of ungual phalanges of European Accipitridae. It can be used in conjunction with a previously published manual for owls and falcons as well as independently.
Highly Efficient Darzens Reactions Mediated by Phosphazene Bases under Mild Conditions
Authors: Lops Carmine , Pengo Paolo , Pasquato Lucia 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe highly basic and poorly nucleophilic phosphazene base P1‐t‐Bu promotes the Darzens condensation of α‐halo esters with aromatic aldehydes affording α,β‐epoxy esters in nearly quantitative yields under mild conditions and in short reaction times. The more basic P4‐t‐Bu phosphazene was found useful with low reactivity aldehydes. These reactions can be performed in aprotic organic solvents of low polarity, thus minimizing the hydrolysis of α,β‐epoxy esters which often accompanies the base‐promoted Darzens condensations.
Highly Strong Interaction between Fe/Fe3C Nanoparticles and N‐Doped Carbon toward Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Reaction Performance
Authors: Li Jianpeng , Xiao Dingshu , Wang Peichu , Chen Hongyan , Deng Minghua , Zhu Degang , Yu Jie 
Published: October 2022

AbstractTransition metal compounds anchored on N‐doped carbon (NC) show intrinsic activity and stability for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, the interaction between the transition metal compounds and NC still needs to be strengthened for electron transfer at the compounds/carbon interface. Herein, Fe/Fe3C hybrid nanoparticles encapsulated into N‐doped carbon (Fe@NC) are used as high‐performance ORR catalysts. Benefiting from the strong interaction at Fe/Fe3C nanoparticles/NC interface, the electrons can transfer from Fe/Fe3C hybrid nanoparticles to NC, redistributing the electron density of active sites and promoting the ORR process. The as‐synthesized Fe@NC exhibits outstanding ORR catalytic activity with an onset potential of 1.01 V and a half‐wave potential of 0.92 V in alkaline media. It also shows prominent cycling stability and tolerance to methanol crossover, superior to Pt/C catalyst. The theoretical analysis reveals that the Fe nanoparticles have regulated the electron distributions at the heterojunction interface. The Gibbs free energy diagrams for ORR illustrate that the rate‐determining step is the conversion of OH* to OH−. In situ Raman spectra give evidence of O‐containing intermediates to prove the ORR process.
Indirect GC‐MS Method via Alcoholysis Reaction for Rapid Detection of Organoaluminum Compounds and its Impurities: A Case Study of Triethylaluminium
Authors: Su Pengfei , E Xiu‐tian‐feng , Wang Jingna , Zhu Yanlong , Zhang Gao , Chang Hai , Liu Ke , Meng Zihui 
Published: October 2022

AbstractOrganoaluminum compounds have been employed as catalysts in many reactions. However, due to their high reactivity of the Al−C bond towards water or air, the accurate analysis and detection of organoaluminum compounds are still challenging. Here we demonstrate the possibility of rapidly and precisely detecting the purity and impurities of triethylaluminium (TEAL). An indirect GC‐MS method via alcoholysis reaction using a designed alcoholysis reactor was adopted to detect and separate the main components and impurities of the synthesized TEAL. Previously, the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and the inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometer (ICP‐MS) methods were also selected to detect the main compounds in the synthesized TEAL. The impurities in TEAL was identified as n‐butyl aluminum, and the purity of synthesized TEAL is 97.47 % with high accuracy (ca. 99 %). This work suggests a new strategy to detect the purity and impurities of some kind of hazardous compounds.
Copper coordination states affect the flexibility of copper Metallochaperone Atox1: Insights from molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Schwartz Renana , Ruthstein Sharon , Major Dan Thomas 
Published: October 2022

AbstractCopper is an essential element in nature but in excess, it is toxic to the living cell. The human metallochaperone Atox1 participates in copper homeostasis and is responsible for copper transmission. In a previous multiscale simulation study, we noticed a change in the coordination state of the Cu(I) ion, from 4 bound cysteine residues to 3, in agreement with earlier studies. Here, we perform and analyze classical molecular dynamic simulations of various coordination states: 2, 3, and 4. The main observation is an increase in protein flexibility as a result of a decrease in the coordination state. In addition, we identified several populated conformations that correlate well with double electron–electron resonance distance distributions or an X‐ray structure of Cu(I)‐bound Atox1. We suggest that the increased flexibility might benefit the process of ion transmission between interacting proteins. Further experiments can scrutinize this hypothesis and shed additional light on the mechanism of action of Atox1.
Initial outcomes and insights from a novel high‐risk prostate cancer screening clinic
Authors: Harper Jonathan B. , Greenberg Samantha E. , Hunt Trevor C. , Cooney Kathleen A. , O'Neil Brock B. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIntroductionGuidelines for germline testing in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) are identifying family members who require additional surveillance given pathogenic variants (PVs) that confer increased PCa risk. We established an interdisciplinary clinic for cancer surveillance in high‐risk individuals aimed to implement screening recommendations. This study aimed to characterize the clinical features of this cohort.Patients and MethodsThe Prostate Cancer Risk Clinic (PCRC) was established for unaffected individuals with germline PVs or a strong PCa family history. PCa screening, urine labs, and questionnaires were included in the visit. Individuals with BRCA1/2 PVs underwent clinical breast exam as well. Data from the initial visit were abstracted from the medical record and questionnaires for analysis.ResultsThirty‐five individuals with increased PCa risk were followed by the PCRC with a median age of 47 years of age. Twenty individuals (57%) had a family history of PCa, and 34 (97%) had a germline PV associated with an increased risk for developing PCa. Four individuals underwent biopsy due to care in the PCRC, with one PCa identified in an individual with TP53 PV. Median patient response scores indicated mild symptoms of an enlarged prostate (AUASS), normal erectile function (SHIM), and relatively low anxiety about developing PCa (MAX‐PC). However, there were notable “outlier” scores on each questionnaire.ConclusionsIndividuals with prostates and BRCA1/2 PVs, among other germline PVs, can benefit from a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach to high‐risk management. PCa was identified in an individual with a non‐BRCA PV, emphasizing the importance and need for high‐risk screening guidelines across all genes with increased risk for PCa. “Outlier” patient response scores demonstrate that some participants experienced worse symptoms or anxiety than was indicated by median scores alone.
CTPC, a combined transcriptome data set of human prostate cancer cell lines
Authors: Cheng Siyuan , Yu Xiuping 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBackgroundCell lines are the most used model system in cancer research. The transcriptomic data of established prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines help researchers explore differential gene expressions across the various PCa cell lines.MethodsThrough large scale datamining, we established a curated Combined Transcriptome dataset of PCa Cell lines (CTPC) which contains the transcriptomic data of 1840 samples of 9 commonly used PCa cell lines including LNCaP, LNCaP‐95, LNCaP‐abl, C4‐2, VCaP, 22Rv1, PC3, DU145, and NCI‐H660.ResultsThe CTPC dataset provides an opportunity for researchers to not only compare gene expression across different PCa cell lines but also retrieve the experiment information and associate the differential gene expression data with meta data, such as gene manipulation and drug treatment information. Additionally, based on the CTPC dataset, we built a platform for users to visualize the data (https://pcatools.shinyapps.io/CTPC_V2/).ConclusionsIt is our hope that the combined CTPC dataset and the user‐friendly platform are of great service to the PCa research community.
Observer‐based prescribed‐time consensus control for heterogeneous multi‐agent systems under directed graphs
Authors: Ke Jin , Zeng Jianping , Duan Zhisheng 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThis work studies the prescribed‐time robust consensus tracking problem of heterogeneous multi‐agent systems over directed graphs. Aiming at multi‐agent systems with a static leader and only matched disturbances, a distributed observer‐based consensus algorithm is developed, to ensure that the tracking errors converge to zero accurately in prescribed time. For the case of multi‐agent systems with a dynamic leader and mismatched/matched disturbances, an adaptive strategy based on a distributed observer and a disturbance observer is designed by the dynamic damping reciprocal technology. Such strategy can avoid the numerical singularity, adapt to the situation that the upper bounds of the disturbances are unknown, and assure that the tracking errors converge to an adjustable neighborhood of zero within prescribed time. Finally, simulations are given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control strategies.
Single Step Assembly of Janus Porous Biomaterial by Sub‐Ambient Temperature Electrodeposition
Authors: Lei Miao , Liao Haitao , Wang Shijia , Zhou Hang , Zhao Zhiling , Payne Gregory F. , Qu Xue , Liu Changsheng 
Published: October 2022

AbstractJanus porous biomaterials are gaining increasing attention and there are considerable efforts to develop simple, rapid, and scalable methods capable of tuning micro‐ and macro‐structures. Here, a single‐step electro‐fabrication method to create a Janus porous film by the electrodeposition of the amino‐polysaccharide chitosan is reported. Specifically, a Janus structure emerges spontaneously when electrodeposition is performed at sub‐ambient temperature (0–5 °C). Sub‐ambient temperature electrodeposition experiments show that: a Janus microstructure emerges (potentially as the result of a subtle alteration of the intermolecular interactions responsible for self‐assembly); important microstructural features (pore size, porosity, and thicknesses) can be tuned by conditions; and this method is readily scalable (vs serial printing) and can yield complex tubular structures with Janus faces. In vitro studies demonstrate anisotropic cell guidance, and in vivo studies using a rat calvarial defect model further confirm the beneficial features of such Janus porous film for guided bone regeneration. In summary, these results further demonstrate that electro‐fabrication provides a simple and scalable platform technology for the controlled functional structures of soft matter for applications in regenerative medicine.
Knowledge and use of work‐related musculoskeletal disorder (WRMSD) prevention techniques in the daily practice of final‐year Australian sonography students: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Felton Jacinta L. , Kennedy Narelle , Thoirs Kerry , Alphonse Jennifer , Quinton Ann E. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIntroductionWork‐related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) commonly occur among student and qualified sonographers. While students may be educated about preventative techniques, transfer of this knowledge to practice may not occur. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the theoretical knowledge final‐year students had of some common WRMSD prevention techniques, and the use of these techniques on clinical placement.MethodsA cross‐sectional study via anonymous online survey was distributed to Australian sonography students from a single institution completing their final year of clinical placement.ResultsThere were 31/81 participants equating to a response rate of 42%. Of the 12 sonography WRMSD prevention techniques selected to be part of this study, participants had theoretical knowledge of 11/12 (91.7%) prevention techniques. A significant association was established between the theoretical knowledge of, and the use of 8/11 (72.7%) prevention techniques. Ergonomic adjustment of equipment 29/31 (92.6%) and postural modifications 28/31 (90.3%) were the WRMSD prevention techniques implemented most frequently. No association was found between the theoretical knowledge and use of stretching prior to or between scanning patients, or the use of ergonomic aids for WRMSD prevention.ConclusionStudents were found to have retained ergonomic knowledge, utilising both postural and equipment adjustments during clinical placement. Consistent implementation of WRMSD prevention techniques may reduce students' risk of developing a future WRMSD. Longitudinal research is suggested to ascertain if students continue to implement prevention techniques once qualified.