bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Technical feasibility and clinical success of direct “free hand” EUS-guided gastroenterostomy in patients with gastric outlet obstruction
Authors: Fischer Hanna , Rüther Katharina , Abdelhafez Mohamed , Götzberger Manuela , Dollhopf Markus , Schlag Christoph 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Background and study aims Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) with lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) appears to be a promising intervention in management of gastroduodenal out obstruction (GOO), particularly for patients for whom surgery is high risk or in a palliative setting. This study aimed to evaluate the technical feasibility, procedure-associated adverse events (AEs), and clinical outcome of direct “free hand” EUS-GE.
Patients and methods This retrospective two-center study included patients who underwent direct “free hand” EUS-GE (April 2017 to March 2021) investigating technical success (correctly placed LAMS), clinical outcome (successful oral nutrition), and management of procedure-associated AEs. “Free hand” was defined as the use of the electrocautery enhanced stent delivery system alone without additional guidewire-assistance for EUS-GE creation.
Results Forty-five patients (58 % women/42 % men; mean age 65 years) with malignant (n = 39), benign (n = 4) or unclear (n = 2) GOO underwent direct “free hand” EUS-GE. The technical success rate was 98 % (44/45). Of the patients, 95% (42/44) had less vomiting and increased ability to tolerate oral food intake after the intervention. In one patient, a second EUS-GE was necessary to achieve sufficient clinical improvement. Procedure-associated AEs were observed in 24 % (11/45) of cases including stent misplacement (n = 7), leakage (n = 1), development of a gastrojejunocolic fistula (n = 1), and bleeding (n = 2), which could be all managed endoscopically.
Conclusions Direct EUS-GE has a favorable risk-benefit profile for patients with GOO, showing high technical success rates, manageable AEs, and rapid symptom relief.
Tribological behaviour of TiB2 ceramic based composite coating deposited on stainless steel AISI 304 by gas tungsten arc (GTA) cladding process
Authors: Kumar Ravi , Das Anil Kumar 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
In this study, Titanium (Ti)-Titanium diboride (TiB2) metal matrix composite (MMC) cladding layers were fabricated on an AISI 304 stainless steel substrate by the gas tungsten arc (GTA) cladding process. The composite cladding layer was produced using different powder mixtures: 85 wt% TiB2−15 wt% Ti, 75 wt% TiB2−25 wt% Ti, and 65 wt% TiB2 −35 wt% Ti. During cladding, the GTA process currents were used in the range of 70 A to 90 A with 10 A interval differences and the scan speed in the range of 1.1 mm sec−1 to 1.9 mm s−1 with 0.4 mm s−1 interval differences. All samples were investigated for mechanical properties, microstructure, and phase analysis by Vickers microhardness, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and x-ray diffraction (XRD) respectively. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) findings indicate that the composite coatings consist of TiB2, TiB, Ti, Fe3C, B4C, and NiTi phases. The presence of elements B, C, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, and Ni in the coating was confirmed by x-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX). The maximum microhardness value of the composite coating was enhanced in the range of 1639 HV0.1 to 3781 HV0.1, whereas the microhardness of the AISI 304 stainless steel substrate was 194 HV0.1. The average wear rate of the coated samples was determined in the range of 11.09 × 10−9 g N−1-m−1 to 27.63 × 10−9 g N−1m−1, whereas the average wear rate of the AISI 304 steel substrate was 88.414 × 10−9 g N−1m−1. It can be concluded that the maximum micro-hardness of the composite coating increased by 9-19 times than that of the nominal substrate (AISI 304 stainless steel). Also, the wear resistance of the composite coating enhanced by 8 times as compared to AISI 304 steel substrate. It is demonstrated in this study that the processing current, TiB2 content, and scanning speed have significant effect on the microstructure, mechanical, and tribological features of the cladding layers under consideration.
Simulation of crack growth for metal plates with holes based on cohesive zone model
Authors: Ma Lian-hua , Song Zi-zhen , Zhang Kun , Wang Lin , Zhou Wei , Zhang Qiang 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Hole defects are very common in metal plates. The propagation of cracks in engineering structural members will be affected by the holes of the members, which will not only change the propagation direction of cracks, but also have the ability to limit the growth of cracks. Therefore, the study of material fracture crack propagation caused by the distribution of holes and other factors under loading conditions has become a problem that needs to be considered in structural design. The cohesive zone model (CZM) can effectively avoid the singularity problem of crack tip stress when simulating crack growth, and at the same time can clearly show the crack growth path. Based on exponential CZM, the finite element analysis of tensile test for metallic materials with hole defects was carried out. The crack propagation law under constant load was obtained. It was proved that CZM could simulate the crack propagation in metallic materials with holes more accurately. The influence of the pore size, shape, distribution on the crack propagation is discussed. The results show that the smaller the distance difference between holes, the greater the supporting reaction force. The smaller the radius of the hole, the higher the fracture toughness and the maximum supporting reaction force of the metal plate. And it also can be seen that as the number of holes increases, the maximum supporting reaction force and fracture toughness of the metal plate decrease. The use of staggered holes distribution has greater supporting force and better toughness. The research results of this paper provide a theoretical basis and reference for investigating the propagation and propagation of cracks in the process of damage and failure of materials and for structural design and performance evaluation of engineering materials.
Silver nanowires: a focused review of their synthesis, properties, and major factors limiting their commercialization
Authors: Muhmood Tahir , Ahmad Farooq , Hu Xiaobin , Yang Xiaofei 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Metallic nanostructures play a vital role in the nanoscale engineering of flexible optoelectronic devices as active units. Due to the limited flexibility properties of nanoparticles, researchers are devoting much more attention nowadays to nanowires (NWs) for designing flexible transparent electrodes for different electronic devices. Silver NW (AgNW) possesses a 1D structure with a changeable aspect ratio. It also includes up-to-date properties for future optoelectronic devices, such as low cost, high conductivity, high transparency, and mechanical flexibility. In view of the increasing demand for AgNWs, commercial-scale synthesis of AgNWs is inevitable. However, high discrepancies among the published data have resulted in a major delay in its commercialization. Therefore, this review critically discusses the ignored factors that limit AgNW commercialization and provide possible solutions.
The crossing multiplier for solvable lattice models
Authors: Belavin Vladimir , Gepner Doron , Ramos Cabezas J 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
We study the large class of solvable lattice models, based on the data of conformal field theory. These models are constructed from any conformal field theory. We consider the lattice models based on affine algebras described by Jimbo et al, for the algebras ABCD and by Kuniba et al for G
2. We find a general formula for the crossing multipliers of these models. It is shown that these crossing multipliers are also given by the principally specialized characters of the model in question. Therefore we conjecture that the crossing multipliers in this large class of solvable interaction round the face lattice models are given by the characters of the conformal field theory on which they are based. We use this result to study the local state probabilities of these models and show that they are given by the branching rule, in regime III.
Fitting China in: local elite collusion and contestation along Kenya’s standard Gauge Railway
Authors: Alden Chris , Otele Oscar M 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT
Scholarship examining African agency towards Chinese development projects typically focuses on negotiations between African national elites and Chinese actors at the inception and policy formulation phase, a period which excludes local elites and public participation more generally. This gap between the policy formulation and policy implementation phases in the project cycle can, however, be exploited by local elites at the periphery of power to serve as a channel of influence over the distribution of foreign-derived patronage. Using opportunities posed by elections, these local elites assert their claims to the spoils of patronage with national elites through strategies like protest, bargaining and co-optation. This article investigates how the implementation phase of the Chinese-funded Standard Gauge Railway presented opportunities for collusion and contestation over foreign economic largesse amongst Kenya’s national and local elites, underscoring the multi-actor aspects of African agency and, concurrently, those structural and temporal factors that enable and shape such agency.
Oral β-lactams vs fluoroquinolones and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole for step-down therapy forEscherichia coli,Proteus mirabilis, andKlebsiella pneumoniaebacteremia
Authors: McAlister Michael J , Rose Dusten T , Hudson F Parker , Padilla-Tolentino Eimeira , Jaso Theresa C 
Published: July 2022

AbstractPurposeTo compare rates of treatment failure for patients with bloodstream infections (BSIs) due to Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, or Proteus mirabilis who received oral step-down antibiotic therapy with either a fluoroquinolone (FQ) or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (SXT) to rates for those who received an oral β-lactam (BL).MethodsThis retrospective, multicenter, cohort study included 397 unique adult hospitalized patients with a BSI due to E. coli, K. pneumoniae, or P. mirabilis at 6 hospitals in central Texas between July 11, 2016, and July 11, 2018. The primary outcome was a composite of treatment failure comprising 30-day readmission due to recurrence, 30-day all-cause mortality, and change in oral antibiotic. Secondary outcomes included 90-day development of Clostridioides difficile infection, 90-day colonization with a multidrug-resistant organism, 90-day all-cause readmission, hospital length of stay, and the individual components of the primary outcome.ResultsOf the 397 patients included, 200 received oral step-down therapy with a BL while 197 received an FQ or SXT. Most patients had an infection due to E. coli (82.8%) and a urinary source of infection (85%). Median total duration of therapy was 14 days in both groups. No difference in treatment failure was identified between the groups treated with a BL and FQ/SXT (7% vs 5.8%, P = 0.561). Median hospital length of stay was the only secondary endpoint in which there was an observed difference (6 vs 5 days, P = 0.04).ConclusionWe observed no difference in treatment failure rates for patients receiving an oral BL compared to an oral FQ or SXT for step-down therapy of BSIs due to E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and P. mirabilis.
VII—Reflecting, Registering, Recording and Representing: From Light Image to Photographic Picture
Authors: Wilson Dawn M 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Photography is valued as a medium for recording and visually reproducing features of the world. I seek to challenge the view that photography is fundamentally a recording process and that every photograph is a record—a view that I claim is based on a ‘single-stage’ misconception of the process. I propose an alternative, ‘multi-stage’ account in which I argue that causal registration of light is not equivalent to recording and reproducing an image. Intervention or non-intervention by photographers is more sophisticated than the traditional view allows. Using the multi-stage account, I describe four models for producing photographic images and pictures.
Structural features of free N-glycans in α1,3/4-fucosidase-deficient Arabidopsis thaliana: deletion of α1,3/4-fucosidase activity induced accumulation of plant complex type GN1 free N-glycans
Authors: Takata Shun , Hayashi Megumi , Maeda Megumi , Ishimizu Takeshi , Kimura Yoshinobu 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT
Deletion of α-1,3/4-fucosidase activity in Arabidopsis thaliana resulted in the accumulation of GN1-type free N-glycans with the Lewis a epitope (GN1-FNG). This suggests that the release of α-fucose residue(s) may trigger rapid degradation of the plant complex-type (PCT) GN1-FNG. The fact that PCT-GN1-FNG has rarely been detected to date is probably due to its easier degradation compared with PCT-GN2-FNG.
Expression analysis of gibberellin-regulated protein in peach by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR
Authors: Kawai Natsuki , Hirakawa Yuki , Matsumoto Shinya , Itai Akihiro , Matsunaga Kayoko , Narita Hiroshi , Momma Keiko 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT
Gibberellin-regulated protein (GRP) is a fruit severe allergen. The amounts of GRP expression normalized against actin in peach were determined by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The results were consistent with those determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The GRP expression was more evident in flesh than peel and increased rapidly in the maturing period. This approach is applicable to estimate the amount of GRP in other plants.
Anti-melanogenic effect of furanoeremophilanes identified from edible wild plants belonging to the genus Cacalia
Authors: Uesugi Shota , Hakozaki Mayuka , Kanno Yuko , Takahashi Yuta , Shindo Kazutoshi , Kimura Ken-ichi , Yano Akira 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT
Cacalia delphiniifolia and Cacalia hastata are edible wild plants in Japan. We found that these plants have anti-melanogenic activity in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. Three furanoeremophilanes, cacalol (from C. delphiniifolia), dehydrocacalohastin, and cacalohastin (from C. hastata), were identified as the main active components. The genus Cacalia may be a good source of beneficial materials with anti-melanogenic effects.
Impact of endometrial claudin-3 deletion on murine implantation, decidualization, and embryo development
Authors: Grund Susanne C , Wu Xin Xin , Müller Dominik , Wennemuth Gunther , Grümmer Ruth 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe composition of cell contacts in the endometrium plays an important role in the process of embryo implantation and the establishment of pregnancy. In previous studies, we showed an induction of the tight junction protein claudin-3 in the developing decidua from day 6.5 of pregnancy onward. To evaluate the role of this specific claudin-3 distribution, we here evaluated the effect of an endometrial claudin-3 deletion in implantation and embryo development in claudin-3 knockout mice. Claudin-3 knockout mice were fertile but revealed a slightly reduced amount of implantation sites as well as of litter size. Though implantation sites showed morphologically regularly developed embryos and deciduas, depth of ectoplacental cone invasion was reduced in tendency compared to controls. The weight of the implantation sites on day 6.5 and 8.5 of pregnancy as well as the weight of the embryos on day 17.5 of pregnancy, but not of the placentas, was significantly reduced in claudin-3 knockout mice due to a maternal effect. This could be due to an impairment of decidualization as substantiated by a downregulation of the transcription of various decidua-associated genes in the early implantation sites of claudin-3 knockout mice. The fact that claudin-3 knockout mice are nevertheless fertile possibly may be compensated by the presence of other claudins like claudin-4 and claudin-10.
Healthcare resource utilisation and related costs of patients with CKD from the UK: a report from the DISCOVER CKD retrospective cohort
Authors: Pollock Carol , James Glen , Garcia Sanchez Juan Jose , Carrero Juan Jesus , Arnold Matthew , Lam Carolyn S P , Chen Hungta (Tony) , Nolan Stephen , Pecoits-Filho Roberto , Wheeler David C 
Published: July 2022

Abstract

Background
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is widely reported to decrease quality of life, increase morbidity and mortality and cause increased healthcare resource utilisation (HCRU) as the disease progresses. However, there is a relative paucity of accurate and recent estimates of HCRU in this patient population. Our aim was to address this evidence gap by reporting HCRU and related costs in patients with CKD from the UK primary and secondary care settings.

Methods
HCRU and cost estimates of CKD were derived for UK patients included in the DISCOVER CKD cohort study using clinical records from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink linked to external databases. Patients with a history of transplant or undergoing dialysis were not included. HCRU and costs were stratified by CKD severity using the urinary albumin:creatinine ratio (UACR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate.

Results
Hospitalisation rates more than tripled between low (A1) and high (A3) UACR categories and the mean annual per-patient costs ranged from £4966 (A1) to £9196 (A3) and from £4997 (G2) to £7595 (G5), demonstrating that a large healthcare burden can be attributed to a relatively small number of patients with later stage CKD, including those with kidney failure and/or albuminuria.

Conclusions
HCRU and costs associated with CKD impose a substantial burden on the healthcare system, particularly in the more advanced stages of CKD. New interventions that can delay the progression of CKD to kidney failure may not only prolong the patient’s life, but would also provide significant resource and cost savings to healthcare providers.
Prediction of right ventricular failure after left ventricular assist device implantation: role of vasodilator challenge
Authors: Cacioli Giulio , Polizzi Vincenzo , Ciabatti Michele , Cristiano Ernesto , Pergolini Amedeo , Distefano Giada , Lilla Della Monica Paola , Comisso Marina , Piazza Vito , Sbaraglia Fabio , Musumeci Francesco 
Published: July 2022

Abstract

Aims
Pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi) is an indicator of right ventricular (RV) function and an independent predictor of right ventricular failure (RVF) following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Administration of vasodilator challenge during right heart catheterization (RHC) could reduce RV workload allowing a better assessment of its functional reserve.

Methods and results
Patients undergoing LVAD implantation at our Institution between May 2013 and August 2021 were enrolled. Only patients who had undergone RHC and vasodilator challenge with sodium nitroprusside were analyzed. We collected all available clinical, instrumental, and haemodynamic parameters, at baseline and after nitroprusside infusion and evaluated potential associations with post-LVAD RVF. Of the 54 patients analyzed, 19 (35%) developed RVF after LVAD implantation. Fractional area change (FAC) (OR: 0.647, CI: 0.481–0.871; P = 0.004), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) (OR: 0.856, CI: 0.761–0.964; P = 0.010), and post-sodium nitroprusside (NTP) PAPi (OR: 0.218, CI: 0.073–0.653; P = 0.006) were independent predictors of post-LVAD RVF. The model combining FAC, PASP, and post-NTP PAPi demonstrated a predictive accuracy of 90.7%. Addition of post-NTP PAPi significantly increased the predictive accuracy of the European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support right-sided heart failure risk score [79.4 vs. 70.4%; area under the curve (AUC): 0.841 vs. 0.724, P = 0.022] and the CRITT score (79.6% vs. 74%; AUC: 0.861 vs. 0.767 P = 0.033).

Conclusion
Post-NTP PAPi has observed to be an independent predictor of RVF following LVAD implantation. Dynamic assessment of PAPi using a vasodilator challenge may represent a method of testing RV functional reserve in candidates for LVAD implantation. Larger and prospective studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.
Differentially Active and Conserved Neural Enhancers Define Two Forms of Adaptive Noncoding Evolution in Humans
Authors: Pizzollo Jason , Zintel Trisha M , Babbitt Courtney C 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
The human and chimpanzee genomes are strikingly similar, but our neural phenotypes are very different. Many of these differences are likely driven by changes in gene expression, and some of those changes may have been adaptive during human evolution. Yet, the relative contributions of positive selection on regulatory regions or other functional regulatory changes are unclear. Where are these changes located throughout the human genome? Are functional regulatory changes near genes or are they in distal enhancer regions? In this study, we experimentally combined both human and chimpanzee cis-regulatory elements (CREs) that showed either (1) signs of accelerated evolution in humans or (2) that have been shown to be active in the human brain. Using a massively parallel reporter assay, we tested the ability of orthologous human and chimpanzee CREs to activate transcription in induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived neural progenitor cells and neurons. With this assay, we identified 179 CREs with differential activity between human and chimpanzee; in contrast, we found 722 CREs with signs of positive selection in humans. Selection and differentially expressed CREs strikingly differ in level of expression, size, and genomic location. We found a subset of 69 CREs in loci with genetic variants associated with neuropsychiatric diseases, which underscores the consequence of regulatory activity in these loci for proper neural development and function. By combining CREs that either experienced recent selection in humans or CREs that are functional brain enhancers, presents a novel way of studying the evolution of noncoding elements that contribute to human neural phenotypes.
Stop Codon Usage as a Window into Genome Evolution: Mutation, Selection, Biased Gene Conversion and the TAG Paradox
Authors: Ho Alexander T , Hurst Laurence D 
Published: July 2022

AbstractProtein coding genes terminate with one of three stop codons (TAA, TGA, or TAG) that, like synonymous codons, are not employed equally. With TGA and TAG having identical nucleotide content, analysis of their differential usage provides an unusual window into the forces operating on what are ostensibly functionally identical residues. Across genomes and between isochores within the human genome, TGA usage increases with G + C content but, with a common G + C → A + T mutation bias, this cannot be explained by mutation bias-drift equilibrium. Increased usage of TGA in G + C-rich genomes or genomic regions is also unlikely to reflect selection for the optimal stop codon, as TAA appears to be universally optimal, probably because it has the lowest read-through rate. Despite TAA being favored by selection and mutation bias, as with codon usage bias G + C pressure is the prime determinant of between-species TGA usage trends. In species with strong G + C-biased gene conversion (gBGC), such as mammals and birds, the high usage and conservation of TGA is best explained by an A + T → G + C repair bias. How to explain TGA enrichment in other G + C-rich genomes is less clear. Enigmatically, across bacterial and archaeal species and between human isochores TAG usage is mostly unresponsive to G + C pressure. This unresponsiveness we dub the TAG paradox as currently no mutational, selective, or gBGC model provides a well-supported explanation. That TAG does increase with G + C usage across eukaryotes makes the usage elsewhere yet more enigmatic. We suggest resolution of the TAG paradox may provide insights into either an unknown but common selective preference (probably at the DNA/RNA level) or an unrecognized complexity to the action of gBGC.