bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The key role of levator ani thickness for early urinary continence recovery in patients undergoing robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy: A multi‐institutional study
Authors: Tutolo Manuela , Rosiello Giuseppe , Stabile Giorgio , Tasso Giovanni , Oreggia Davide , De Wever Liesbeth , De Ridder Dirk , Pellegrino Antony , Esposito Antonio , De Cobelli Francesco , Salonia Andrea , Briganti Alberto , Montorsi Francesco , Everaerts Wouter , Van der Aa Frank 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundUrinary continence (UC) recovery dramatically affects quality of life after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Membranous urethral length (MUL) has been the most studied anatomical variable associated with UC recovery.ObjectiveTo investigate whether levator ani thickness (LAT), assessed with multi‐parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), correlates with UC recovery after RARP.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThe study included 209 patients treated with RARP by expert surgeons with extensive robotic experience from 2017 to 2019. All patients had complete, clinical, mpMRI, pathological, and postoperative data including pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) protocols.InterventionAfter a radiologist‐specific training, two urologists independently examined the files, blinded to clinical and pathological findings as well as to postoperative continence status.Outcome Measurements and Statistical AnalysisOn mpMRI, LAT, bladder neck (BN) shape, MUL, and apex overlapping (AO) were measured. UC recovery was defined as use of 0 or 1 safety pad at follow‐up. Multivariable models were used to assess the association between variables and UC recovery.Results and LimitationsOverall, 173 (82.8%) patients were continent after a median follow‐up of 23 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 17–28). Of these, 98 (46.9%) recovered within 3 months after surgery, 42 (20.1%) from 3 to 6 months, and 33 (15.8%) from 6 months onwards. A significant higher rate of patients with LAT > 10 mm (88.1 vs.75.8%; p = 0.03) experienced UC recovery, compared to those with LAT < 10 mm. This difference was observed in the first 3 months after surgery. At multivariable analysis, LAT (odds ratio [OR]: 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–1.37; p = 0.02), Preoperative ICIQ score (OR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.82–0.98, p = 0.03) and PFMT (OR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.01–3.93; p = 0.04) independently predict higher UC recovery within 3 months, after accounting for age, BMI, preoperative PSA, D'Amico risk group, MUL, BN shape and AO.ConclusionsLAT greater than 1 cm was associated with greater UC recovery. Specifically, LAT greater than 1 cm seems to be associated with higher UC rate at 3 months after RARP, compared to those with LAT < 1 cm.Patient SummaryMagnetic resonance features can help in predicting the risk of incontinence after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy and should be taken into account when counseling patients before surgery.
Multisource uncertain dynamic load identification fitted by Legendre polynomial based on precise integration and the Savitzky–Golay filters
Authors: Wang Lei , Xu Hanying , Wang Xiaojun , Ding Xuyun 
Published: July 2022

AbstractIn this article, a precise integral method (PIM) for the load identification of continuous structures based on the polynomial nonlinear hypothesis is presented. Essentially, load identification can be regarded as solving a dynamic equation in an inverse process. PIM is famous for its high precision in positive engineering problems. It has been already used in load reconstruction, but most cases are with discrete structures. In each time step, the dynamic responses of the measured points are used to identify the load without establishing a recursive chain, so PIM is not sensitive to the initial value and has no accumulated error. Legendrepolynomials (LPIM) is a computational scheme. The dynamic load is assumed to be a polynomial fitting nonlinear function in each integral time step with LPIM. Just with the first modal, LPIM can reliably identify the concentrated load. In addition, as uncertainty is getting more and more attention in engineer, it is also needed to be considered in load identification. In linear systems, interval vertex is a reliable method to obtain the load bounds in the virtue of multisource uncertainties. The results of identified load are too lumpy because of the polynomial fitting. To improve the precision, Savitsky–Golay (S–G) filters which fit the curves by polynomials in a frame length is introduced to smooth down the load in high fidelity. Eight numerical examples are investigated to demonstrated the efficiency and precision of the developed method.
Reversal of obesity development in Ceacam1−/− male mice by bone marrow transplantation or introduction of the human CEACAM1 gene
Authors: Zhang Zhifang , La Placa Deirdre , Gugiu Gabriel , Thunen Alyssa , Le Keith , Shively John E. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractObjectiveAlthough Ceacam1−/− male mice become obese on normal chow, the effect of bone marrow transplantation or introduction of the carcinoembryonic antigen‐related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) gene has not been studied, to the knowledge of the authors.MethodsThis study analyzed Ceacam1−/− mice on normal diet or high‐fat diet (HFD), including effects of bone marrow transplantation or introduction of the CEACAM1 gene.ResultsMale Ceacam1−/− mice on normal diet versus HFD for 24 weeks gained significantly more weight than controls, and Ceacam1−/− mice aged up to 2 years had a high frequency of liver cancer. Transplantation of wild‐type bone marrow into Ceacam1−/− mice or introduction of the human CEACAM1 gene fully or partially reversed the obesity phenotype. Liver lipidomics on Ceacam1−/− versus wild‐type controls on an HFD revealed a significant increase in diacyl glycerides. An increase in fatty acid transporter CD36 levels further suggests that loss of Ceacam1 leads to a major dysregulation of free fatty acid uptake.ConclusionsCEACAM1 expression in both the liver and immune cells regulates obesity and lipid storage pathways in the liver. Bone marrow reconstitution of the immune system or introduction of the human CEACAM1 gene can fully or partially reverse the phenotype.
Design and preparation of a novel organic–inorganic hybrid for reducing fire hazards of epoxy
Authors: Lu Jiangtao , Shi Congling , Qian Xiaodong , Zhou Keqing 
Published: July 2022

AbstractHerein, a novel type of organic–inorganic hybrid (SiO2‐Co‐BHMTPMPA) with core‐shell structure was designed to reduce the fire risk of epoxy resin (EP). The chemical composition and micro‐morphology of SiO2‐Co‐BHMTPMPA were characterized by XRD, FTIR, TGA, XPS, and SEM. As observed by SEM images, the SiO2‐Co‐BHMTPMPA exhibited spherical morphology while a large amount of SiO2 was attached on the surface to form a covering layer. The SiO2‐Co‐BHMTPMPA hybrids showed better dispersion state within epoxy matrix, in comparison with that of Co‐BHMTPMPA. According to TGA and cone calorimeter test, the thermal stability and fire safety of EP/SiO2‐Co‐BHMTPMPA have been significantly improved. Compared to neat epoxy, the epoxy composites with 2 wt% SiO2‐Co‐BHMTPMPA exhibited a low mass loss rate, increased residual char of 68.4%, reduced 36.0% in peak heat release rate (PHRR) and a drop of 28.5% in peak smoke production rate (PSPR), respectively. The good dispersibility, catalytic carbon formation and smoke inhibition ability of SiO2‐Co‐BHMTPMPA hybrid led to the reduction of fire risk of epoxy composites.
Predicting the compressive strength of additively manufactured PLA‐based orthopedic bone screws: A machine learning framework
Authors: Agarwal Raj , Singh Jaskaran , Gupta Vishal 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAdditive manufacturing (AM) technology is an innovative technique that has shown potential in several surgical innovations such as the fabrication of cost‐effective orthopedic screws. It is imperative that the process parameters used during the fabrication of bone screws determine the strength of the screw to support the load‐bearing fracture sites. In this present work, the application of machine learning (ML) models was leveraged for predicting the compressive strength of additively manufactured orthopedic cortical screws. Different ML models such as k‐nearest neighbors, support vector regression, decision trees, and random forest were compared to offer a robust predictive ML model. During the study, fused deposition modeling based additive manufacturing technology is used to fabricate poly(lactic acid) based cortical screws and compressive strength was monitored using the universal testing machine. The predictive ML models were developed by various independent parameters such as infill percentage, layer height, infill pattern and wall thickness. The adequacy and robustness of different ML models were observed at different error metrics. The error metrics of the random forest model were comparatively lower for testing data with a mean absolute error of 2.06 ± 0.91, root mean square error of 2.37 ± 0.9 and coefficient of determination of 0.96 ± 0.042. The results highlight that the random forest is the most adequate ML model for predicting the compressive strength of additively manufactured cortical screws.
Comment on “Anomalous structural recovery in the near glass transition range in a polymer glass: Data revisited in light of temperature variability in vacuum oven‐based experiments”
Authors: Cangialosi Daniele , Alegría Angel , Colmenero Juan 
Published: July 2022

AbstractRecent efforts, fostered by a pioneering work by us, have shown the of multiple steps in the recovery of equilibrium of glasses. Jin and McKenna raise concerns regarding the validity of such scenario alleging that the multiple recovery steps would be an artifact arising from poor temperature control in the oven used for isothermal glass equilibration. We critically discuss Jin and McKenna arguments from both the viewpoints of scrutinizing previous literature data and that of the temperature control in the oven. In doing so, we provide compelling arguments that Jin and McKenna conjectures are unjustified and point out the need for efforts to describe glass dynamics significantly below the glass transition temperature, Tg, by accounting for the presence of different relaxation mechanisms active in glass equilibration.
S‐Nitroso‐l‐cysteine and ventilatory drive: A pediatric perspective
Authors: Hubbard Dallin , Tutrow Kaylee , Gaston Benjamin 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThough endogenous S‐nitroso‐l‐cysteine (l‐CSNO) signaling at the level of the carotid body increases minute ventilation (v̇E), neither the background data nor the potential clinical relevance are well‐understood by pulmonologists in general, or by pediatric pulmonologists in particular. Here, we first review how regulation of the synthesis, activation, transmembrane transport, target interaction, and degradation of l‐CSNO can affect the ventilatory drive. In particular, we review l‐CSNO formation by hemoglobin R to T conformational change and by nitric oxide (NO) synthases (NOS), and the downstream effects on v̇E through interaction with voltage‐gated K+ (Kv) channel proteins and other targets in the peripheral and central nervous systems. We will review how these effects are independent of—and, in fact may be opposite to—those of NO. Next, we will review evidence that specific elements of this pathway may underlie disorders of respiratory control in childhood. Finally, we will review the potential clinical implications of this pathway in the development of respiratory stimulants, with a particular focus on potential pediatric applications.
Comparison of tracheal aspirate and bronchoalveolar lavage samples in the microbiological diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infection in pediatric patients
Authors: Tsukahara Katharine , Johnson Brandy , Klimowich Katelyn , Chiotos Kathleen , Jensen Erik A. , Planet Paul , Phinizy Pelton , Piccione Joseph 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundBacterial cultures from tracheal aspirates (TA) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens can be used to assess patients with artificial airways for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). TA collection may be advantageous in situations of limited resources or critical illness. Literature comparing these diagnostic modalities in pediatric populations is scarce.MethodsSingle‐center, retrospective analysis of 52 pediatric patients with an artificial airway undergoing evaluation for LRTI. All patients had a TA specimen collected for semiquantitative Gram stain and culture followed by BAL within 48 h. Microbiologic diagnosis of LRTI was defined as a BAL sample with >25% neutrophils and growth of >104 colony‐forming units/ml of one or more bacterial species. The test characteristics of TA were compared with these BAL results as the reference standard. Concordance in microorganism identification was also assessed.ResultsOverall, 24 patients (47%) met criteria for LRTI using BAL as the diagnostic standard. TA samples positive for an isolated organism had poor sensitivity for acute LRTI when compared with BAL, regardless of semiquantitative white blood cell (WBC) count by Gram stain. Using a TA diagnostic threshold of organism growth and at least “moderate” WBC yielded a specificity of 93%. Positive predictive value was highest when an organism was identified by TA. Negative predictive value was >70% for TA samples with no WBC by semiquantitative analysis, with or without growth of an organism. Complete concordance of cultured species was 58% for all patients, with a higher rate seen among those with endotracheal tubes.ConclusionsThe role of cultures obtained by TA remains limited for the diagnosis of acute LRTI as demonstrated by the poor correlation to BAL results within our cohort. Optimal strategies for diagnosing LRTI across patient populations and airway types remain elusive.
Evaluation of unexpected protecting group removal in solid‐phase peptide synthesis: Quantified using continuous flow methods
Authors: Laude Victoire , Nuño Manuel , Moses Roger C. , Guthrie Duncan 
Published: July 2022

As peptides gained interest as new drugs in the past years, their synthetic routes had been the subject of review and improvement. Fmoc/tBu‐based solid‐phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) is the most convenient technique, and the implementation in continuous flow has allowed for single‐pass coupling and deprotection reactions. The focus of this research is to evaluate the relationship between undesired solvent‐promoted reactions and final crude purity, by studying volume changes of a variable bed flow reactor through the synthesis. Based on the temperature, typical solvents for SPPS such as dimethylformamide (DMF) or N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP) can cause unwanted Fmoc removal during wash steps. It was found that for every millilitre of DMF used at 80°C, up to 1 μmol of Fmoc‐protected peptide is deprotected, leading to additional impurities. This effect can, however, be minimised by adding additives such as HOBt, which reduces such unwanted deprotection to just 0.1 μmol/ml.
Effects of licorice root supplementation on liver enzymes, hepatic steatosis, metabolic and oxidative stress parameters in women with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized double‐blind clinical trial
Authors: Rostamizadeh Pouya , Asl Seyed Mohammad Kazem Hosseini , Far Zohreh Ghaem , Ahmadijoo Pegah , Mahmudiono Trias , Bokov Dmitry Olegovich , Alsaikhan Fahad , Jannat Behrooz , Mazloom Zohreh 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of licorice root supplementation on liver enzymes, hepatic steatosis, metabolic and oxidative stress parameters in women with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this randomized double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial, 60 women with NAFLD were selected and randomly assigned into 2 groups to take 1,000 mg/day powder of licorice root extract or placebo for 12 weeks. In addition, all the patients were advised to follow a weight loss diet and healthy lifestyle. The plasma levels of liver enzymes, glycemic indices, lipid profile, oxidative stress parameters, as well as hepatic steatosis were measured at the beginning and end of the study. Through the 12‐weeks period of supplementation, women who received powder of licorice root experienced a statistically significant improvement in alanine aminotransferase (p < .001), insulin (p = .002), insulin resistance (p = .003), malondialdehyde (p < .001) serum levels, and ultrasonographic findings of liver steatosis (p < .001), compared to the placebo group. In conclusion, licorice root supplementation in addition to gradual weight loss and lifestyle modification is superior to lifestyle modification alone for the treatment of NAFLD.
In vitro characterization of iridoid and phenylethanoid glycosides from Cistanche phelypaea for nutraceutical and pharmacological applications
Authors: Delicato Antonella , Masi Marco , de Lara Francisco , Rubiales Diego , Paolillo Ida , Lucci Valeria , Falco Geppino , Calabrò Viola , Evidente Antonio 
Published: July 2022

Abstract“Desert hyacinths” are a remarkable group of parasitic plants belonging to genus Cistanche, including more than 20 accepted species typically occurring in deserts or coastal dunes parasitizing roots of shrubs. Several Cistanche species have long been a source of traditional herbal medicine or food, being C. deserticola and C. tubulosa the most used in China. This manuscript reports the isolation and identification of some phenylethanoid and iridoid glycosides, obtained from the hydroalcoholic extract of C. phelypaea collected in Spain. The present study aims to characterize the antioxidant activity of C. phelypaea metabolites in the light of their application in nutraceutical and cosmeceutical industries and the effect of acetoside, the most abundant metabolite in C. phelypaea extract, on human keratinocyte and pluripotent stem cell proliferation and differentiation. Our study demonstrated that acetoside, besides its strong antioxidant potential, can preserve the proliferative potential of human basal keratinocytes and the stemness of mesenchymal progenitors necessary for tissue morphogenesis and renewal. Therefore, acetoside can be of practical relevance for the clinical application of human stem cell cultures in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Exponential stability of totally positive switched linear systems with both stable and unstable subsystems
Authors: Pan Shiyao , Shao Yuanfu 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThis article discusses the exponential stability of totally positive switched linear systems (TPSLSs) for continuous‐time and discrete‐time cases. By employing the multiple piecewise‐continuous linear copositive Lyapunov function (MPLCLF) and mode‐dependent average dwell time (MDADT) methods, TPSLSs containing both stable and unstable subsystems are firstly considered and two kinds of switching strategies are proposed, which reduce the conservativeness greatly and provide a more relaxed constraints on parameters compared with the previous results. Finally, two examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of our results.
Stepless shape morphing polymer
Authors: Min Lei , Zhu Min , Lu Hanlun , Li Yao , Fan Longfei , Zhang Mingqiu , Rong Minzhi 
Published: July 2022

AbstractTo change the situation of shape memory polymers (SMPs) that can only remember very few shapes and enable discretional morphing for practical application, the authors report a reversible stepless multiple SMP derived from ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). As the crystals of semi‐crystalline polymers are assembled by those with slightly different melting temperatures, and each type of crystal can remember a single shape, the crystalline region of UHMWPE is allowed to remember plenty of temporary shapes after programming. Changing the temperature of the programmed polymer within the melting/crystallization temperature ranges would lead to releasing/recovery of the memorized temporary shapes. Accordingly, multiple shape memory effects can be easily realized without an elaborate design of material structure and training process in advance as before. The temperature‐dependent adjustability of the analog capacitor and soft lens with embedded programmed UHMWPE as actuators, characterized by the continuous/random/proportional responsivity, further reveals the utilization prospects of the controllable reversible stepless discretionary morphing effect. Moreover, the maximum work density of the programmed UHMWPE is found to be 210 kJ/m3, which is more than 10 times of piezoelectric ceramics, so that it can serve as a proof‐of‐concept mechanical driver for reversibly pumping of ethanediol‐droplet upon heating/cooling.
The effects of occupational licensing reform for nurse practitioners on children's health
Authors: Bhai Moiz , Mitchell David T. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractWe examine how scope of practice reforms that allow nurse practitioners independent practice authority impact children's health. We exploit spatial and temporal variation in independent practice authority to implement a difference‐in‐differences research design using data from the first three waves of the National Survey of Children's Health. We find that these reforms have significant positive impacts on a commonly used and validated measure of children's health: parental evaluation of child health. As a result of this scope of practice reforms, parental evaluations of overall child health improve as parents increasingly rate their child as having Excellent Health. More importantly, we observe these improvements in health are driven primarily by older children and children from lower family income backgrounds. These findings indicate that an expansion in the supply of healthcare through occupational licensing reform can positively influence health outcomes for children. Such findings have important implications for mitigating child health inequality.
The Janus-Face of Contemporary Migration: Perspectives on West African Return Migration and Transnationalism with a Focus on Ghana and Senegal
Authors: Mensah Joseph , Teye Joseph Kofi , Setrana Mary Boatemaa 
Published: July 2022

AbstractRecently, a burgeoning literature has emerged on the return experience of migrants, with some analysts touting the benefits of return to the socioeconomic development of countries of origin, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Still, only few studies have examined how return migrants create and sustain transnational connectivity with their countries of destination upon their return to the homeland, and fewer still have analyzed how these dynamics play out in the context of West African migrants. This primarily theoretical paper explores the interconnections between return migration and transnationalism among West African migrants, focusing on the case of Ghanaian and Senegalese migrants. The insistent premise of the paper posits that contemporary migration is essentially Janus-faced, in the sense that migrants are transnational in both their pre- and post-return periods. The paper addresses the following questions: (i) What are the perspectives of Northern countries and supra-national bodies, such as the EU, on return migration, and how do these perspectives compare with those of Southern countries, such as Ghana and Senegal? (ii) How do West African migrants view their own return migration, and to what extent are their emic perspectives different from those of Northern governments and their government in the homeland? (iii) How do West African returnees—specifically, Ghanaian and Senegalese returnees—use their transitional connectivities to facilitate their resettlement and reintegration in the homeland upon their return? Clearly, return migration elicits a number of important questions, into which this Chapter stands to provide useful preliminary prescience in the context of Ghanaian and Senegalese migrants.