bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Food on the Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of a Single Oral Dose of SHR4640, a Selective Urate Transporter 1 Inhibitor, in Healthy Chinese Male Volunteers
Authors: Liang Beibei , Wang Jin , Bai Nan , Zhuo Jiaju , Wang Rui , Lin Hongda , Cai Yun 
Published: November 2022

AbstractSHR4640, also named as ruzinurad, is a selective human urate transporter 1 (URAT1) inhibitor developed for the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout. This study evaluated the high‐fat, high‐calorie food effect on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of SHR4640 in healthy Chinese male volunteers. In this open‐label, randomized, 2‐period crossover phase 1 trial, 14 healthy male subjects were randomized to receive a single 10‐mg dose of SHR4640 under both fasted and fed conditions. The washout period was 7 days. Blood samples were collected for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analysis. Pharmacokinetic parameters were analyzed by a noncompartmental method. The safety of the drug was also evaluated in the trial. A total of 14 healthy male volunteers were enrolled in the study, and finally 13 healthy volunteers completed the study. A single 10‐mg dose of SHR4640 was safe and well tolerated in healthy Chinese male volunteers. After single‐dose administration of SHR4640, the 90%CIs of the geometric mean ratios of the area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time 0 to the last quantifiable concentration and the area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time 0 to infinity were within the equivalence criteria of 0.80‐1.25. The 90%CIs of maximum plasma concentration was slightly outside the lower limit of bioequivalent criteria, with about 13.40% decrease in the fed versus fasted condition. The time to maximum concentration was slightly delayed under the fasted condition. A single 10‐mg dose of SHR4640 was safe and well tolerated in this trial. The main pharmacokinetic parameters and serum uric acid lowering of SHR4640 were not affected by food effect; thus, SHR4640 can be recommended to be administered with or without food
Improving the delivery ratio in vehicular delay‐tolerant network using customized binary particle swarm optimization‐based optimized throwbox deployment
Authors: Chourasia Vishakha , Pandey Sudhakar , Chaurasiya Rahul , Kumar Sanjay 
Published: November 2022

SummaryVehicular delay tolerant networks (VDTNs) suffer due to insufficient connection opportunities in sparse infrastructure. The sparsity of the network results in poor delivery ratio (DR). Deployment of additional small nodes named throwbox increases the contact opportunities, resulting in improved performance in terms of DR. However, randomly deployed throwboxes do not provide optimum results. Therefore, this article proposes the throwbox deployment as an optimization problem. Customized binary particle swarm optimization‐based optimization method is employed to solve the problem. With the objective of maximizing the DR, the method optimize the placement of‐throwboxes in the network. The performance of the proposed methods is tested and compared by simulating a VDTN model in opportunistic network environment simulator. The optimization framework was implemented in Matlab. Exhaustive experiments were carried out by varying the number of throwboxes (). A statistical comparison of the results with the existing throwbox deployment methods validates the effectiveness of the proposed optimization‐based approach. The article also presents an analysis for choice of value of for a desired network performance.
Participants’ Perspectives on Payment for Research Participation: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Largent Emily A. , Eriksen Whitney , Barg Frances K. , Greysen S. Ryan , Halpern Scott D. 
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACTInvestigators commonly offer payments to research participants to promote recruitment and retention. Yet the ethics of offering monetary incentives to research participants continues to be debated. Prior conceptual work has addressed some of these concerns; there is, however, also a need for empirical evidence to understand the effects of payment on participants. Here, we report the results of a qualitative study comprising (1) discourse analysis of recruitment conversations between study coordinators and potential participants for an actual clinical trial and (2) semistructured interviews with participants addressing the effects of an incentive on their decision‐making. Many participants reported that money had been a motivation for enrolling in the clinical trial but did not use reasoning that suggested undue influence or unjust inducement. These findings add to a growing body of literature suggesting that payment is an ethically acceptable tool for promoting recruitment and retention in clinical trials.
Challenges and Possible Solutions to Adapting to Virtual Recruitment: Lessons Learned from a Survey Study during the Covid‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Cooksey Krista E. , Mozersky Jessica , DuBois James , Kuroki Lindsay , Marx Christine M. , Politi Mary C. 
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACTThe Covid‐19 pandemic required rapid changes to research protocols, including immediate transitions to recruiting research participants and conducting the informed consent process virtually. This case study details the challenges our research team faced adapting an in‐person, behavioral‐intervention and survey study to virtual recruitment. We reflect on the impact of these rapid changes on recruitment and retention, discuss protocol changes we made to address these challenges and the needs of potential and enrolled participants, and propose recommendations for future work. Using computer technology to display professional return phone numbers, being flexible by contacting potential participants through various means, minimizing email communication due to added regulatory requirements, and partnering with the institutional review board to shorten and improve the consent document and process were critical to study success. This case study can offer insight to other researchers as they navigate similar processes. Virtual recruitment is likely to continue; it is important to ensure that it facilitates, rather than hinders, equitable and just recruitment practices.
Effects of different protease treatment on protein degradation and flavor components of Lentinus edodes
Authors: Fang Xiangjun , Chen Ziqi , Wu Weijie , Chen Hangjun , Nie Shaoping , Gao Haiyan 
Published: November 2022

AbstractShiitake mushrooms (Lentinus edodes) form a great source of protein; however, the effect of enzymatic hydrolysis to improve its flavor has not yet been investigated. To explore the effects of different protease treatments on protein degradation and flavor compounds of shiitake mushrooms, papain, neutral protease, and flavourzyme were selected for the hydrolysis of shiitake mushrooms. Proteolysis index, Trichloroacetic acid‐nitrogen soluble index, and protein content were estimated to evaluate protein degradation. Flavor amino acids and volatile components of the hydrolysate were also analyzed. Results showed flavourzyme has an advantage over the others in promoting protein degradation and improving flavor. Compared to single‐enzyme treatment, a combination treatment with three enzymes, at 1:1:1 ratio, was found to perform greater protein hydrolysis. After protease‐mediated hydrolysis, the variety and content of flavor substances (free amino acids and eight‐carbon compounds) in L. edodes increased. We concluded that protease treatment is an effective method for improving the quality and flavor of L. edodes.
Systemic immune‐inflammation index as a prognostic marker for advanced chronic heart failure with renal dysfunction
Authors: Wang Zeyu , Qin Zhen , Yuan Ruixia , Guo Jiacheng , Xu Shuai , Lv Yan , Xu Yanyan , Lu Yongzheng , Gao Jiamin , Yu Fengyi , Tang Laiyi , Zhang Li , Bai Jing , Cui Xiaolin , Zhang Jinying , Tang Junnan 
Published: November 2022

AbstractAimsWe aim to investigate the correlation between high levels of the systemic immune‐inflammation index (SII) and long‐term mortality and major cardiovascular adverse events in advanced chronic heart failure patients with renal dysfunction.Methods and resultsSeven hundred seventeen advanced chronic heart failure patients with renal dysfunction, who visited the First affiliated hospital of Zhengzhou University from September 2019 to December 2020, were included. All‐cause mortalities (ACM) were selected as primary endpoints and major cardiovascular adverse events (MACEs) as the secondary endpoints. Based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the Youden index, the optimal cut‐off values of SII for ACM and MACEs were 1228 and 1406. In the group where ACM were the primary endpoint, patients were categorized into the low‐SII group (n = 479) and the high‐SII group (n = 238). Patients in the group using MACEs as the secondary endpoint were also categorized into the low‐SII groups (n = 514) and the high‐SII groups (n = 203). Univariate and multivariate COX regression were used to screen the independent predictors for ACM and MACEs, revealing the relationship between SII levels and endpoints. According to the univariate COX analysis, SII was the risk factor (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.144, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.565–2.938, P < 0.001) for the ACM subgroup. It was also the risk factor (HR = 1.625, CI: 1.261–2.905, P < 0.001) for the MACEs subgroup. Multivariate COX regression analysis indicated that the occurrence of ACM and MACEs in high‐level SII and low‐level SII patients had statistical differences. The incidence of ACM increased by 70.3% (HR = 1.703; 95% CI: 1.200–2.337; P = 0.002) in patients of the high SII level group, the incidence of MACEs increased by 58.3% (HR = 1.583, 95% CI: 1.213–2.065, P = 0.001). Kaplan–Meier (K‐M) survival analysis further suggested that patients with a high SII level had an increased risk of having ACM (log‐rank P < 0.001) and MACEs (log‐rank P < 0.001) within 30 months. SII could be considered as a novel predictor of the occurrence of ACM and MACEs for patients with advanced chronic heart failure and renal dysfunction.ConclusionsThis study suggested that SII is a novel independent predictor of mortality in advanced chronic heart failure patients with renal dysfunction, and it should be considered in current clinical management.
Acylation‐stimulating protein and heart failure progression in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
Authors: Ren Jie , Chen Liang , Chen Xiao , Zhang Ningning , Sun Xiaogang , Song Jiangping 
Published: November 2022

AbstractAimsOur previous studies suggested that the complement system was critical in the prognosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). The acylation‐stimulating protein (ASP), generated through the alternate complement pathway, was reported to regulate lipogenesis and triglyceride storage. This study aimed to investigate the role of ASP in predicting adverse cardiac events in an ARVC cohort.Methods and resultsWe enrolled 111 ARVC patients and 106 healthy volunteers, and measured their plasma ASP levels using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. Plasma ASP levels were significantly higher in the ARVC patients than in the healthy controls (2325.22 ± 20.08 vs. 2189.75 ± 15.55, P < 0.001), with a similar trend observed in the myocardial explant assay. Spearman correlation analysis indicated plasma ASP level associated with cardiac structural (right ventricular internal dimension, P = 0.006) and functional remodelling (left ventricular ejection fraction, P = 0.002) in ARVC patients. The ARVC patients were followed up for an average of 17.79 ± 1.09 months. Heart failure‐associated events (HFAEs) were defined as heart transplantation, on a cardiac transplant list, or death due to end‐stage heart failure. Plasma ASP levels in patients with HFAEs were significantly higher than in those without clinical events (2486.03 ± 26.70 vs. 2268.83 ± 23.51, P < 0.001) or those with malignant arrhythmic events (2486.03 ± 26.70 vs. 2297.80 ± 60.46, P = 0.008). LASSO (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) and multivariable Cox regression analyses showed the ASP level (HR = 1.004, 95% CI [1.002,1.006], P = 0.002) was an independent predictor for adverse HFAEs in ARVC patients. The spline‐fitting procedure was applied to illustrate the HFAE‐free probabilities at different time points.ConclusionsOur results suggest that plasma ASP may be a useful biomarker in prediction of adverse HF‐associated events in ARVC patients.
Ionic Liquid‐Catalyzed C−C Bond Formation for the Synthesis of Polysubstituted Olefins
Authors: Lv Haotian , Han Feng , Wang Ning , Lu Nan , Song Zenghong , Zhang Jian , Miao Chengxia 
Published: November 2022

AbstractPolysubstituted olefins as attractive and useful compounds are generally acquired by traditional acid or metal catalyzed system. Herein, a convenient and environmentally friendly method using acidic ionic liquid as a metal‐free catalyst and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) as a green solvent has been demonstrated to synthesize polysubstituted olefins through construction of new C−C bonds by activating of ethers and alkenes. In the system, the usage of metal, halogen, traditional toxic solvents, and a large number of additives was avoided, neutralization after the reaction was not required, and waste production was reduced. The system was suitable for benzyl ethers and styrene derivatives, and recyclable [MeBs(dio)TMP][OTf] exhibited best activity. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest synergistic functions of the cation and anion of ILs and show hydrogen bonds and π‐π stacking interactions between catalyst and substrates, which can lead to lower barriers.
Effect of calcium hydroxide on the characteristics of volatile organic compounds emission during sewage sludge incineration
Authors: Zhang Shizao , Xu Zhenghui , Hu Chunhua , Shen Hong , Hu Suliu , Zhu Dingfang , Liu Minghui , Liu Juanjuan , Fang Ping 
Published: November 2022

AbstractEmission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during sludge incineration was explored after the addition of calcium hydroxide (Ca [OH]2), and the effects of incineration temperature, sludge particle size, and moisture content were investigated in a lab‐scale tubular furnace. Further, the contribution of the emission of VOCs in ozone formation potential (OFP) without Ca (OH)2 was calculated. The results indicated that incineration temperature in the range of 550–950°C can inhibit the emission of VOCs, with concentrations of the emissions varying from 3076.91 to 1277.11 μg/m3. Ca (OH)2 content had pronounced effects on the emission of VOCs during sludge incineration. The emission concentration of the VOCs decreased from 2421.16 to 1226.68 μg/m3 with Ca (OH)2 content increasing from 0 to 0.8 g. Sludge particle size and moisture content had little effects on the total amount of emitted VOCs during sludge incineration. Meanwhile, the contribution of the components of VOCs from sludge incineration in OFP was analyzed, which exhibited a decreasing trend: aromatic compounds > other substances > alkanes and olefins > chlorinated organic compounds. Aromatic compounds displayed the highest contribution rate at 92.72% because of the high concentration of benzene (1033.43 μg/m3). Our study provided theoretical data and a strong evidence of reduction in the emission of VOCs, OFP, and environmental regulation during sludge incineration.
Dynamic response characterization and simplified analysis methods for viscoelastic dampers considering heat transfer
Authors: Kasai Kazuhiko , Osabel Dave Montellano , Sato Daiki 
Published: November 2022

AbstractViscoelastic (VE) dampers are sensitive to temperature, excitation frequency, and strain level. As they dissipate the kinetic energy from earthquake or wind‐induced structural vibrations, their temperature increases from the heat generated, consequently softening their VE materials and lowering their dynamic mechanical properties. Temperature increase can be significant for long‐duration loading, but can be limited by heat conduction and convection which depend on damper configuration. The writers analytically explored such effect on the six different dampers by using their previously proposed three‐dimensional finite‐element analysis method. Results provided better understanding of how heat is generated within the VE material, conducted and stored in different damper parts, and dispersed to the surrounding air. These results also led to characterization of both local (e.g., temperatures, properties, and strain energy density) and global (e.g., hysteresis loops, and stiffness) behavior of VE dampers, and provided a framework for a new simplified one‐dimensional (1D) modeling approach for time‐history analysis. This new proposed 1D method greatly improves the computation time of the previously proposed long‐duration method coupling fractional time‐derivatives VE constitutive rule with 1D heat transfer analysis. Unlike the previous method, it idealizes uniform shear strain and VE material property distributions for computational efficiency, but still simulating non‐uniform temperature distribution along the thickness direction of the VE material. Despite the approximations, it accurately predicts VE damper global responses.
Cyclic Displacement Model for Reinforced Concrete Columns
Authors: Bicici Erkan , Sezen Halil 
Published: November 2022

AbstractReinforced concrete (RC) structures in low to moderate seismic regions and many older RC structures in high seismic regions include columns with steel reinforcement details not meeting the requirements of modern seismic design codes. These columns typically fail in shear or in a brittle manner and their behavior must be accurately captured when RC structures are modeled and analyzed. The total lateral displacement of a low ductility or shear critical RC column can be represented as the sum of three displacement components: (1) flexural displacement, (2) displacement due to slippage of the reinforcing bars at column ends, and (3) shear displacement. In this study, these three displacement components are separately modeled and then combined together following a proposed procedure based on the expected overall behavior of the column and its failure mechanism. A simplified slip model is proposed. The main objective of this research is to develop an easy‐to‐apply method to model and capture the cyclic behavior of RC columns considering the shear failure mechanism. The proposed model is validated using the available data from RC column and frame experiments.
Intelligent reflecting surface empowered WPCN system over generalized κ−μ$$ \kappa -\mu $$ fading channels: Performance analysis and optimization
Authors: Nagarajan Deepan , Balakrishnan Rebekka 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIntelligent reflecting surfaces (IRS), which dynamically modify the incident electromagnetic wave propagation characteristics, are appealing as a potential candidate to improve the spectral and energy efficiency of future wireless communication networks. In this paper, we investigate the performance of an IRS‐enabled wireless powered communication network (WPCN), which consists of a dedicated power source (PS), an energy‐constrained wireless device (WD), and a data access point (DAP). Due to energy limitations, WD first performs energy harvesting (EH) operation through the radio‐frequency (RF) signal supplied by the PS and then uses this energy to transmit its information to DAP. In this system setup, an IRS module is employed at both PS and DAP, respectively, in order to enhance the wireless energy transfer and wireless information transfer efficiency. For the underlying system model, we develop a unified performance evaluation framework with regard to outage probability, average throughput, effective throughput, and average, by assuming a generalized fading channels. In addition, we also present an asymptotic analysis, under a high signal‐to‐noise ratio assumption, which helps us to understand the system behavior deeply. Furthermore, an optimal EH time duration is developed for the proposed model to achieve maximum system throughput. The numerical simulation results demonstrate that the IRS‐enabled wireless transmission mechanisms for the WPCN system help to boost the overall performance significantly compared to conventional WPCN networks. All the derived numerical results are verified with Monte‐Carlo simulation results.
Cesarean scar niche: An evolving concern in clinical practice
Authors: Armstrong Fionnvola , Mulligan Karen , Dermott Roisin Mac , Bartels Helena C. , Carroll Stephen , Robson Michael , Corcoran Siobhan , Parland Peter Mc , Brien Donal O. , Brophy David , Brennan Donal J. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIncreasing cesarean section rates have led to an increased awareness of associated complications such as the formation of cesarean scar niche, defined as an indentation at the site of the cesarean scar with a depth of at least 2 mm, diagnosed by ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging. The precise prevalence of cesarean scar niche is unclear. The cause of a cesarean scar niche appears to be multifactorial and likely a combination of technical factors (low incision location), anatomical factors (uterine retroflexion), and patient factors, which might impair healing (body mass index, smoking, maternal age). Most patients with cesarean scar niche are asymptomatic; however, women can present with postmenstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and subfertility. In pregnancy, cesarean scar niches have been associated with placenta accreta spectrum disorder and uterine rupture. Treatment should be reserved for symptomatic women. Hormonal treatment using either the combined oral contraceptive pill or a progesterone‐containing intrauterine device may address irregular vaginal bleeding. Surgical management should be reserved for those in whom hormonal manipulation has failed or is contraindicated. The aim of this review was to summarize current literature pertaining to the cause, prevalence, diagnosis, and symptoms of cesarean scar niche and to make recommendations for managing this relatively new condition.