bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microfluidic device for recapitulating PAH-afflicted pulmonary artery: design, fabrication, and on-chip cell culture
Authors: Ahsan Fakhrul 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a rare condition and a hyperproliferative vascular disorder, is characterized by vascular remodeling of the intrapulmonary arterial wall, resulting in elevated pulmonary vascular resistance, right ventricular hypertrophy, and eventually right heart failure and death. Although animal models can reproduce the chief feature of the disease, i.e., elevated pulmonary arterial pressure, they do not accurately portray the biology of human PAH. Further, the FDA Modernization Act 2021 encourages using alternatives to animal models such as organ chip models in non-clinical studies because the latter models are not only humane but also expected to expedite drug development and discovery. As such, we recently established the feasibility of designing, developing, and deploying a PAH-on-a-chip for studying PAH pathophysiology and screening for anti-PAH drugs in our laboratory. This PAH-chip model mimics five layers of the pulmonary artery and allows the growing of adult PAH cells in separate channels, facilitating cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Importantly, the device can reconstruct the major clinical features of PAH, including arterial muscularization and plexiform lesions. Here, we described a step-by-step detailed method of PAH-chip design and fabrication and cell seeding on the device so that any biologist can prepare the device and study PAH pathophysiology in a laboratory setting. Our protocol is different from other published methods of PDMS-based chips in terms of application of the device and the depth of the details. We envision that this method of chip fabrication can also be used to study other pulmonary vascular disorders.
Architectured Ceramics: Interlocking Design, Programmable Laser Manufacturing and Testing
Authors: Sarvestani Hamidreza Yazdani , Esmail I. , Katz Z. , Jain S. , Sa J.H. , Backman D. , Ashrafi B. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Tough and impact-resistant ceramic systems offer a wide range of remarkable opportunities beyond those offered by conventional brittle ceramics. However, despite their promise, the availability of traditional manufacturing techniques to fabricate such advanced ceramic structures in a highly controllable and scalable manner poses a significant manufacturing bottleneck. In this study, a precise and programmable laser manufacturing system was used to manufacture architectured ceramics inspired by biological materials such as bone, nacre and tooth enamel. This manufacturing strategy offers feasible mechanisms for precise material architecture and quantitative process control, particularly when scalability is considered. An optimized material removal method that approaches near-net shaping was employed to fabricate topologically interlocking ceramic systems (load-carrying assemblies of building blocks interacting by contact and friction) with different architectures (i.e., interlocking angle and building block size) subjected to low-velocity impact conditions. These impacts were evaluated using 3D digital image correlation (DIC). The optimal architectured ceramics exhibited a higher deformation (up to 310%) than the others. Their performance was tuned by controlling the interlocking angle and block size, adjusting the frictional sliding, and minimizing damage to the building blocks. The developed subtractive manufacturing technique leads to the fabrication of tough, impact-resistant, damagetolerant ceramic systems with excellent versatility and potential scalability.
Multi-patch epidemic models with partial mobility, residency, and demography
Authors: Akuno Albert Orwa , Ramirez-Ramirez L. Leticia , Mehta Chahak , Krishnanuni C. G , Bui-Thanh Tan , Montoya Jose Arturo 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

The emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases has been a global cause of concern in the past few decades. Previous research in the field has revealed that human connectivity and mobility behaviour play a major role in the spreading of an infectious disease. In this work, we propose multi-patch models that take into account the effects of human mobility on the evolution of disease dynamics in a multi-population environment. In particular, we develop SEIRS multi-patch and multi-group epidemic models, extending the work of [1] and [2] to practically account for distinct epidemiological-status-dependent mobilities in each patch. We rigorously show that the disease free equilibria (DFE) for both models are stable when R0 ≤ 1. We also prove that the models have a unique endemic asymptotically stable equilibrium when R0 > 1. We also introduce new local reproduction numbers from the point of view of the sub populations, and establish some important relation between them and the global reproduction number. Various numerical simulations are conducted to study the effects of mobility and the residence time matrix on the evolution of the disease in individual patches and the overall environment.
Libyan Medical Students’ Knowledge, Attitude and Barrier Towards Clinical Research
Authors: Atia Ahmad , Al-Abbasi Fatima , Benneama Maram , Ammoush Aya , Al-Ghrabi Amani 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background and aims.Undergraduate involvement in research necessitates a better understanding of their potential as well as the anticipated barriers they will face. The objective of this study was to assess medical undergraduates' knowledge, attitudes, and research barriers. Methods. A cross sectional study included medical students from the University of Tripoli, Libya, where a self-administered questionnaire was used to evaluate the students' knowledge, attitudes and perceived barriers. Filled questionnaires were received from the medical undergraduates of different faculties of medical specialties. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results. A total of completed questionnaires were received from 120 undergraduate medical students. The overall result of knowledge among them was encouragingly good (51%). Majority of students taught that the main barriers in conducting research were lack of awareness (71.7%), lack of self-interest (56.7%), lack of faculty encouragement for research (84.2%), insufficient time (59.2%), and the difficulty in obtaining resources and data for research (68.3%). Conclusion. Participants in the current study showed a moderate knowledge level with associated positive attitudes towards research. This attitude needs to be transformed into better knowledge and appropriate practice
Ground-state phase diagram of quantum link electrodynamics in $(2+1)$-d
Authors: Hashizume Tomohiro , Halimeh Jad , Hauke Philipp , Banerjee Debasish 
Published: August 2022

The exploration of phase diagrams of strongly interacting gauge
theories coupled to matter in lower dimensions promises the
identification of exotic phases and possible new universality classes,
and it facilitates a better understanding of salient phenomena in
Nature, such as confinement or high-temperature superconductivity. The
emerging new techniques of quantum synthetic matter experiments as well
as efficient classical computational methods with matrix product states
have been extremely successful in one spatial dimension, and are now
motivating such studies in two spatial dimensions. In this work, we
consider a \mathrm{U}(1)U(1)
quantum link lattice gauge theory where the gauge fields, represented by
spin-\frac{1}{2}12
operators are coupled to a single flavor of staggered fermions. Using
matrix product states on infinite cylinders with increasing diameter, we
conjecture its phase diagram in (2+1)(2+1)-d. This
model allows us to smoothly tune between the
\mathrm{U}(1)U(1)
quantum link and the quantum dimer models by adjusting the strength of
the fermion mass term, enabling us to connect to the well-studied phases
of those models. Our study reveals a rich phase diagram with exotic
phases and interesting phase transitions to a potential liquid-like
phase. It thus furthers the collection of gauge theory models that may
guide future quantum-simulation experiments.
Water and sanitation service levels in urban informal settlements: a case study of Portee-Rokupa in Freetown, Sierra Leone
Authors: Tumwebaze Innocent Kamara , Hrdličková Zuzana , Labor Amadu , Turay Abdulai , Macarthy Joseph M. , Chmutina Ksenia , Scott Rebecca , Kayaga Sam , Koroma Braima , Howard Guy 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Evidence-based data are fundamental in enhancing the delivery of sustainable and resilient water and sanitation services in informal settlements of urban cities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This paper describes the water and sanitation service situation of an urban informal settlement of Freetown, Sierra Leone's capital city. Data were collected from 385 households through a cross-sectional design. More than 80% of the respondents use sachet water as the main drinking source and 59% use protected wells for non-drinking needs. One-third (32%) of the respondents use unimproved sanitation services. Lined pit latrines are the most used facilities (39%), followed by hanging toilets (14.3%). Sanitation facilities mostly shared (69.6%) with a poor hygiene level and the risk of using them at night are reported as main threats. These findings point to the need for greater priority for investments and improvements for safely managed water and sanitation services.
Research needs for optimising wastewater-based epidemiology monitoring for public health protection
Authors: Robins Katie , Leonard Anne F. C. , Farkas Kata , Graham David W. , Jones David L. , Kasprzyk-Hordern Barbara , Bunce Joshua T. , Grimsley Jasmine M. S. , Wade Matthew J. , Zealand Andrew M. , McIntyre-Nolan Shannon 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is an unobtrusive method used to observe patterns in illicit drug use, poliovirus, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The pandemic and need for surveillance measures have led to the rapid acceleration of WBE research and development globally. With the infrastructure available to monitor SARS-CoV-2 from wastewater in 58 countries globally, there is potential to expand targets and applications for public health protection, such as other viral pathogens, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), pharmaceutical consumption, or exposure to chemical pollutants. Some applications have been explored in academic research but are not used to inform public health decision-making. We reflect on the current knowledge of WBE for these applications and identify barriers and opportunities for expanding beyond SARS-CoV-2. This paper critically reviews the applications of WBE for public health and identifies the important research gaps for WBE to be a useful tool in public health. It considers possible uses for pathogenic viruses, AMR, and chemicals. It summarises the current evidence on the following: (1) the presence of markers in stool and urine; (2) environmental factors influencing persistence of markers in wastewater; (3) methods for sample collection and storage; (4) prospective methods for detection and quantification; (5) reducing uncertainties; and (6) further considerations for public health use.
Study on the evaluation model of collaborative governance capacity of sustainable supply chain in water diversion projects
Authors: Lu Yali , Ding Wenwen , Liu Meng 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
In order to objectively evaluate the operation effect of the Sustainable Supply Chain (SSC) collaborative governance of Water Diversion Projects (WDPs), this paper, from the perspectives of SSC and collaborative governance, and according to the existing modes of SSC collaborative governance of WDPs, constructs the collaborative management mechanism of related subjects of WDPs, and then constructs the evaluation model of the collaborative governance capacity of WDPs by using the DEMATEL (Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory)-ANP (Analytic Network Process) method. Specifically, in this paper, the indexes at various levels are selected through literature mining and text analysis, and the mutual influence degrees among index are determined with the help of DEMATEL, so that the causality diagram can be drawn. On this basis, we obtain the global weight and the mixed weight of each index by using the ANP method and SD (Super Decisions) software, thus determining the relative importance of each index. The study finds that with regard to the SSC collaborative governance capability of WDPs, the highest requirement is made on Information Collaboration Capability (ICC) which also provides the foundational guarantee. The proportion carried by Subject Participation and Collaboration Capability (SPCC) is the lowest, however, its mixed weight is 1.9077, second only to ICC. Both Water Quantity Collaboration Capability (WQCC) and Water Quality Assurance Coordination Capacity (WQACC) account for a high percentage, which is consistent with the actual situation. The study provides a capability evaluation index system for the SSC collaborative governance of WDPs, enriches the theory of SSC collaborative governance of WDPs, and provides decision-making support for the operation and management of WDPs.
Oncostatin M: Risks and Benefits of a Novel Therapeutic Target for Atherosclerosis
Authors: Venhorst Jennifer , Rankouhi Tanja Rouhani , Keulen Daniëlle van , Tempel Dennie 
Published: August 2022

Background:Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death worldwide. It is predicted that approximately 23.6 million people will die from CVDs annually by 2030. Therefore, there is a great need for an effective therapeutic approach to combat this disease. The European Cardiovascular Target Discovery (CarTarDis) consortium identified Oncostatin M (OSM) as a po-tential therapeutic target for atherosclerosis. The benefits of modulating OSM - an interleukin (IL)-6 family cytokine - have since been studied for multiple indications. However, as decades of high at-trition rates have stressed, the success of a drug target is determined by the fine balance between benefits and the risk of adverse events. Safety issues should therefore not be overlooked.Objective:In this review, a risk/benefit analysis is performed on OSM inhibition in the context of atherosclerosis treatment. First, OSM signaling characteristics and its role in atherosclerosis are de-scribed. Next, an overview of in vitro, in vivo, and clinical findings relating to both the benefits and risks of modulating OSM in major organ systems is provided. Based on OSM’s biological function and expression profile as well as drug intervention studies, safety concerns of inhibiting this target have been identified, assessed, and ranked for the target population.Conclusion:While OSM may be of therapeutic value in atherosclerosis, drug development should also focus on de-risking the herein identified major safety concerns: tissue remodeling, angiogene-sis, bleeding, anemia, and NMDA- and glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. Close monitoring and/or exclusion of patients with various comorbidities may be required for optimal therapeutic benefit.
Anti-cancerous Properties of the Synthesized Substituted Chromene Compounds and their Pharmacological Activities
Authors: Abdelwahab Ashraf Hassan Fekry , Fekry Salma Ashraf Hassan 
Published: August 2022

Introduction:2-Amino-7-hydroxy-4-phenyl-4H-chromene-3-carbonitrile (4) was synthesized through a three-component reaction in ethanol/piperidine solution.Methods:Synthesis of several new 4H-chromenes (5-14) has been achieved involving various reactions. The structure of these new compounds was confirmed using IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR, as well as MS spectroscopy.Results and Conclusion:All newly substituted chromene derivatives displayed potential analgesic and anticonvulsant activities. The structure-activity relationship study revealed that 2-amino-4-phenyl-3-(1Htetrazol- 5-yl)-4H-chromen-7-ol (13) was more beneficial than 8-hydroxy-2-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro- 4H-chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one (11), 8-hydroxy-2,5-diphenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidin- 4-one (12), and 8-hydroxy-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one (14) in terms of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities.
Understanding the Predictive Potential of the Oral Microbiome in the
Development and Progression of Early Childhood Caries
Authors: Duque Cristiane , Chrisostomo Daniela Alvim , Souza Amanda Caselato Andolfatto , de Almeida Braga Gabriela Pacheco , dos Santos Vanessa Rodrigues , Caiaffa Karina Sampaio , Pereira Jesse Augusto , de Oliveira Warlley Campos , de Aguiar Ribeiro Apoena , Parisotto Thaís Manzano 
Published: August 2022

Background:
Early childhood caries (ECC) is the most common chronic disease in young children and a public health problem worldwide. It is characterized by the presence of atypical and fast progressive caries lesions. The aggressive form of ECC, severe early childhood caries (S-ECC), can lead to destruction of the whole crown of most of the deciduous teeth and cause pain and sepsis, affecting the child's quality of life. Although the multifactorial etiology of ECC is known, including social, environmental, behavioral, and genetic determinants, there is a consensus that this disease is driven by an imbalance between the oral microbiome and host, or dysbiosis, mediated by high sugar consumption and poor oral hygiene. Knowledge of the microbiome in healthy and caries status is crucial for risk monitoring, prevention, and development of therapies to revert dysbiosis and restore oral health. Molecular biology tools including next-generation sequencing methods and proteomic approaches have led to the discovery of new species and microbial biomarkers that could reveal potential risk profiles for the development of ECC and new targets for anti-caries therapies. This narrative review summarized some general aspects of ECC, such as definition, epidemiology, and etiology, the influence of oral microbiota in the development and progression of ECC based on the current evidence from genomics, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic studies and the effect of antimicrobial intervention on oral microbiota associated with ECC.

Conclusion:
The evaluation of genetic and proteomic markers represents a promising approach to predict the risk of ECC before its clinical manifestation and from there to plan efficient therapeutic interventions for ECC in its initial stages, avoiding irreversible dental cavitation.
Delirium in Head Trauma: Looking for a Culprit
Authors: Villani Emanuele Rocco , Franza Laura , Cianci Rossella 
Published: August 2022

Abstract:
Head trauma and delirium are two common conditions in the elderly population. They both carry a heavy burden in terms of mortality and morbidity and are associated with one another through several environmental and clinical factors, such as comorbidities, age, and sex. One factor that may play a role in both these conditions is inflammation, which might also represent a link between these two conditions.. In particular, head trauma can cause both systemic and neuroinflammation, while delirium appears to be precipitated by inflammatory conditions, while also involving a number of inflammatory pathways in its pathogenesis. Interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α are only two of the main actors in this crosstalk, which also involves microglia and immune cells. An indirect proof is that anti-inflammatory drugs, have proven effective in reducing posttraumatic delirium, thus demonstrating the importance of inflammation in the pathophysiology of this disease. In this paper, we have revised the available literature exploring the links between inflammation, head trauma and delirium and we will discuss the mechanisms of this relationship, paying particular attention to the possible future implications.
Quality of Life in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs) Patients after
Surgery
Authors: Di Candido Francesca 
Published: August 2022

Abstract:
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs) are chronic, relapsing and disabling diseases that affect the gastrointestinal tract. This relapsing course is often unpredictable with severe flares and the need for intensive medical treatment, hospitalization, or emergent/urgent surgery, all of which significantly impact patients’ quality of life (QoL). QoL in IBD patients is significantly lower than in the general population, and depression and anxiety have been shown to have a high-er prevalence than in healthy individuals, especially during disease flares. Complications requir-ing hospitalization and repeated surgeries are not uncommon during the disease course and signif-icantly affect QoL in IBD patients. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) can be used to measure the impact of chronic disease on QoL from the patient’s perspective. The use of PROMs in IBD patients undergoing surgery could help to investigate the impact of the surgical procedure on QoL and determine whether there is any improvement or worsening. This review summarizes the use of PROMs to assess QoL after various surgical procedures required for IBD treatment.
Migration of an Escape Room–Style Educational Game to an Online Environment: Design Thinking Methodology
Authors: Videnovik Maja , Vold Tone , Dimova Georgina , Kiønig Linda Vibeke , Trajkovik Vladimir 
Published: August 2022

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak has led to a sudden change in education, closing schools and shifting to online teaching, which has become an enormous challenge for teachers and students. Implementing adequate online pedagogical approaches and integrating different digital tools in the teaching process have become a priority in educational systems. Finding a way to keep students' interest and persistence in learning is an important issue that online education is facing. One possible way to establish engaging and interactive learning environments, using the energy and enthusiasm of students for educational purposes, is the use of game-based learning activities and gamification of different parts of the educational process.

Objective
This paper presents a use case of migrating an escape room–style educational game to an online environment by using the design thinking methodology. We wanted to show that the design thinking methodology is useful to create engaging and motivating online games that provide educational value.

Methods
Starting from students’ perspective, we created a simple digital escape room–style game where students got an opportunity to self-assess their knowledge in computer science at their own pace. Students tested this prototype game, and their opinions about the game were collected through an online survey. The test's goal was to evaluate the students' perceptions about the implemented digital escape room–style educational game and gather information about whether it could achieve students' engagement in learning computer science during online teaching.

Results
In total, 117 students from sixth and seventh grades completed the survey regarding the achieved student engagement. Despite the differences in students’ answers about game complexity and puzzle difficulty, most students liked the activity (mean 4.75, SD 0.67, on a scale from 1 to 5). They enjoyed the game, and they would like to participate in this kind of activity again (mean 4.74, SD 0.68). All (n=117, 100%) students found the digital escape room–style educational game interesting for playing and learning.

Conclusions
The results confirmed that digital escape room–style games could be used as an educational tool to engage students in the learning process and achieve learning outcomes. Furthermore, the design thinking methodology proved to be a useful tool in the process of adding novel educational value to the digital escape room–style game.