bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and antitumor activity of a mutant type of interleukin 2
Authors: Dehghan Rada , Beig Parikhani Arezoo , Zeinali Sirous , Shokrgozar Mohamadali , Amanzadeh Amir , Ajdary Soheila , Ahangari Cohan Reza , Talebkhan Yeganeh , Behdani Mahdi 
Published: March 2022

AbstractInterleukin-2 (IL-2) is an important cytokine in survival, expansion, function of CD8+ T cells and natural killer cells in immunotherapy of melanoma and renal cell carcinomas. Its severe toxicity following binding to its high affinity IL-2 receptor alpha (IL-2Rα) has restricted its application in cancer patients. In the present study, we investigated the antitumor efficacy and cytotoxicity of a mutated human IL-2 previously designed by selective amino acid substitutions, and its reduced affinity towards high-affinity IL-2Rα (CD25) was approved compared to the wild type IL-2 (wtIL-2). Furthermore, their ability to induce PBMC cell proliferation, and interferon-gamma secretion was compared. The mutant IL-2 also represented higher antitumor activity and more efficient cytotoxicity than wild type hIL-2. The developed mutant IL-2 can be an alternative tool in IL-2 associated immunotherapy of various cancers.
Enantioselective Dearomative Alkynylation of Chromanones: Opportunities and Obstacles
Authors: Mattson Anita E. , Guan Yong , Buivydas Tadas , Lalisse Remy F. , Ali Rameez , Hadad Christopher M. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractA catalytic and highly enantioselective dearomative alkynylation of chromanones has been discovered that enables the construction of biologically relevant tertiary ether stereogenic centers. This methodology is robust, accommodating a variety of alkynes and chromanones. More than 40 substrates tested gave rise to >90% ee. Computational studies have indicated that the optimal indanyl ligand identified for most cases likely affords a network of supportive, non-covalent interactions that drive the enantioselective nature of the reaction.
Artificial intelligence-assisted staging in Barrett’s carcinoma
Authors: Knabe Mate , Welsch Lukas , Blasberg Tobias , Müller Elisa , Heilani Myriam , Bergen Christoph , Herrmann Eva , May Andrea 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used to detect neoplasia and interpret endoscopic images. The T stage of Barrett’s carcinoma is a major criterion for subsequent treatment decisions. Although endoscopic ultrasound is still the standard for preoperative staging, its value is debatable. Novel tools are required to assist with staging, to optimize results. This study aimed to investigate the accuracy of T stage of Barrett’s carcinoma by an AI system based on endoscopic images.
Methods 1020 images (minimum one per patient, maximum three) from 577 patients with Barrett’s adenocarcinoma were used for training and internal validation of a convolutional neural network. In all, 821 images were selected to train the model and 199 images were used for validation.
Results AI recognized Barrett’s mucosa without neoplasia with an accuracy of 85 % (95 %CI 82.7–87.1). Mucosal cancer was identified with a sensitivity of 72 % (95 %CI 67.5–76.4), specificity of 64 % (95 %CI 60.0–68.4), and accuracy of 68 % (95 %CI 64.6–70.7). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for early Barrett’s neoplasia < T1b sm2 were 57 % (95 %CI 51.8–61.0), 77 % (95 %CI 72.3–80.2), and 67 % (95 %CI 63.4–69.5), respectively. More advanced stages (T3/T4) were diagnosed correctly with a sensitivity of 71 % (95 %CI 65.1–76.7) and specificity of 73 % (95 %CI 69.7–76.5). The overall accuracy was 73 % (95 %CI 69.6–75.5).
Conclusions The AI system identified esophageal cancer with high accuracy, suggesting its potential to assist endoscopists in clinical decision making.
Overcoming divergence: managing expectations from organisers and members in community supported agriculture in Switzerland
Authors: Vaderna Claudia , Home Robert , Migliorini Paola , Roep Dirk 
Published: March 2022

AbstractCommunity supported agriculture (CSA) is a producer–consumer union that aims to shift the predominant paradigm in agriculture towards a model based on social justice, fairness, and participation. However, the long-term existence of CSA initiatives, and their ability to build the social capital envisioned by the initiators, can be challenged by a struggle to generate a sufficient income for a fair salary to be paid to the producer. This study aimed to explore the main challenges faced by eight CSAs in Switzerland, along with the pathways they used to address them. The expectations and perceptions of organisers were collected through in-depth photo elicitation interviews, which were analysed using grounded theory. The perspective of members was evaluated using a quantitative survey with 254 responses. The results showed that organisers are often filled with enthusiastic ideas but experience a sense of deflation when they realise that the members follow a more pragmatic approach. The information flow from members to the organisers leading them to new insights for adjustments, is a key component in overcoming divergence between the expectations of members and organisers. Involving members in administration and fieldwork lowers the workload of the organisers and fosters informal social interactions and mutual understanding, which leads to an increase in social capital. Focusing on local embeddedness and co-creation between members and organisers, thus allowing a dynamic evolution of the CSA, was found to be more beneficial for the long-term existence of the CSA than rigidly trying to implement the initial vision of the organisers.
High-power quasi-cw semiconductor lasers (1060 nm) with an ultra-wide emitting aperture
Authors: Slipchenko S.O. , Romanovich D.N. , Kapitonov V.A. , Bakhvalov K.V. , Pikhtin N.A. , Kop’ev P.S. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
High-power quasi-cw semiconductor lasers with an emitting aperture 800 μm wide and a continuous p-contact are developed. Laser operation with a pulse duration of 1 ms, a repetition rate of 10 Hz, and a maximum peak power of 87 W at a wavelength 1060 – 1070 nm is demonstrated under pumping by current pulses with am amplitude of 97 A. Experimental estimates show that overheating of the active region at the end of the laser pulse at a current of 97 A may reach 36.7 °C.
A model for the formation of complex coupling coefficients in a ring resonator of a laser gyroscope
Authors: Petrukhin E.A. , Bessonov A.S. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
A model of the interference of fields from backscattering point sources in a ring optical resonator is presented. Examples of calculations of complex coupling coefficients in ring resonators of laser gyroscopes are given. Comparison of the calculation results with the results of model experiments demonstrates good agreement and makes it possible to determine dissipative and conservative backscattering components of individual resonator mirrors. The possibilities of reducing the dissipative and conservative backscattering components in the process of ring resonator alignment are discussed.
Microfluidic system manufacturing by direct laser writing for the generation and characterization of microdroplets
Authors: Álvarez-Martínez Jonathan U , Medina-Cázares Orlando M , Soto-Alcaraz Maria E , Castañeda-Priego Ramón , Gutiérrez-Juárez G , Castro-Beltrán R 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
This work contributes to the development of microfluidics devices in a simpler way and by keeping the cost of microfabrication as low as possible. Implementing methods to develop microfluidic devices and to have control over the channel size rapidly and easily have become a challenge. In the present work, direct laser writing (DLW) is proposed as a manufacturing technique to develop a T-junction microfluidic droplet generator operating in the squeezing regime. Owing to the channel size, DLW depends on both the focused laser spot properties and the interface material refractive indices. The Debye–Wolf theory behind this technique predicts the focal shift of the laser spot to avoid optical misalignment during the fabrication process. The Debye–Wolf theory and the COMSOL ray-tracing module are presented as complementary design tools. The flow rates and the channel sizes were investigated under the two-phase COMSOL module. Experimental droplet generation results were assisted with the solution of the Navier–Stokes equation with appropriate boundary conditions. Microdroplet size characterization, as well as simulations, show a linear tendency with the flow rate ratios (FRRs). For FRR ranging from 0.25 to 2, droplet lengths from

∼
320

μ

m to

∼
1050

μ

m were observed. This information is confirmed by implementing a digital image processing protocol. The dynamics of droplets formation, strongly influenced by the input flow rate fluctuations caused by the syringes and micropump operation, are presented. This protocol aims the full control of these devices to perform potential applications, such as particle insulators, drug delivery, fluidic microlasers, among others.
A numerical investigation of power loss in a thickness-mode piezoelectric transducer
Authors: Rodríguez Orlando , Chong-Quero J Enrique 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Power loss reduction in piezoelectric transducers has been attracting the attention of diverse researchers and the ultrasonic technology manufactures for years. In this context, fundamentally two frequencies have been profusely investigated to excite these transducers, namely the resonance and antiresonance ones. However, more recently other operation points have been examined. This article presents a numerical investigation of power loss in a thickness-extensional mode piezoelectric transducer, excited at its fundamental resonance, and designed with the data compatible with a very-high mechanical quality factor (Q
m) piezoceramic. Additionally, harmonic electric excitations of the device and a constant velocity of its front face were supposed, when it was acoustically coupled to air or water loads, i.e. in real loading conditions for numerous applications. In this investigation it was found an optimal operation point where a remarkable power loss reduction may be obtained regarding excitations at the resonance or antiresonance frequencies. Finally, it was discovered that power loss frequency spectrum depends on the external acoustic load for this type of transducers. In simulations, a linear piezoelectrics was assumed.
Comparing person-level matching algorithms to identify risk across disparate datasets among patients with a controlled substance prescription: retrospective analysis
Authors: Ferris Lindsey M , Weiner Jonathan P , Saloner Brendan , Kharrazi Hadi 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe opioid epidemic in the United States has precipitated a need for public health agencies to better understand risk factors associated with fatal overdoses. Matching person-level information stored in public health, medical, and human services datasets can enhance the understanding of opioid overdose risk factors and interventions.ObjectiveThis study compares approximate match versus exact match algorithms to link disparate datasets together for identifying persons at risk from an applied perspective.MethodsThis study used statewide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP), arrest, and mortality data matched at the person-level using an approximate match and 2 exact match algorithms. Impact of matching was assessed by analyzing 3 independent concepts: (1) the prevalence of key risk indicators used by PDMP programs in practice, (2) the prevalence of arrests and fatal opioid overdose, and (3) the performance of a multivariate logistic regression for fatal opioid overdose. The PDMP key risk indicators included (1) multiple provider episodes (MPE), or patients with prescriptions from multiple prescribers and dispensers, (2) high morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs), which represents an opioid’s potency relative to morphine, and (3) overlapping opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions.ResultsPrevalence of PDMP-based risk indicators were higher in the approximate match population for MPEs (n = 4893/1 859 445 [0.26%]) and overlapping opioid/benzodiazepines (n = 57 888/1 859 445 [4.71%]), but the exact-basic match population had the highest prevalence of individuals with high MMEs (n = 664/1 910 741 [3.11%]). Prevalence of arrests and deaths were highest for the approximate match population compared with the exact match populations. Model performance was comparable across the 3 matching algorithms (exact-basic validation area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC]: 0.854; approximate validation AUC: 0.847; exact + zip validation AUC: 0.826) but resulted in different cutoff points balancing sensitivity and specificity.ConclusionsOur study illustrates the specific tradeoffs of different matching methods. Further research should be performed to compare matching algorithms and its impact on the prevalence of key risk indicators in an applied setting that can improve understanding of risk within a population.
Effects of Chinese gallnut tannic acid on growth performance, blood parameters, antioxidative status, intestinal histomorphology, and cecal microbial shedding in broilers challenged with aflatoxin B1
Authors: Zhang Zheng Fan , Xi Yu , Wang Si Tian , Zheng Li Yun , Qi Ya , Guo Shuang Shuang , Ding Bin Ying 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of tannic acid (TA) on growth performance, blood parameters, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health in broilers challenged with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). A total of 480 broilers aged 1 d were randomly allotted into four treatments: 1) CON, control diet; 2) AF, CON + 60 μg/kg AFB1 of feed during days 1 to 21, CON + 120 μg/kg AFB1 of feed during days 22 to 42; 3) TA1, AF + 250 mg/kg TA; and 4) TA2, AF + 500 mg/kg TA. Average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were increased in the TA1 during days 1 to 21, days 22 to 42, and days 1 to 42 compared with CON and AF treatments (P &lt; 0.05). Broilers fed the TA2 diet had greater ADG and ADFI than those fed the CON and AF diets during the finisher and the whole period (P &lt; 0.05). Administration of TA decreased the relative weight of liver and kidney compared with broilers fed the AF diet on day 42 (P &lt; 0.05). The blood activity of alanine transferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) was increased in the AF treatment compared with the CON (P &lt; 0.05). Broilers fed the TA1 decreased the ALT content on day 21, and the level of ALT and GGT was decreased in the TA2 compared with the AF group on day 42 (P &lt; 0.05). The activity of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in plasma, and the hepatic glutathione S-transferase (GST) was decreased in the AF group compared with the CON group (P &lt; 0.05). The TA decreased plasma malondialdehyde concentration, and increased plasma T-SOD, GSH-Px, total antioxidant capacity, and hepatic GST activity compared with the AF (P &lt; 0.05). The crypt depth of the jejunum was decreased in the TA1 treatment on day 21, and the villus height of the ileum was increased in the TA2 group on day 42 compared with the AF treatment (P &lt; 0.05). The cecal Lactobacillus counts on day 21 were tended to increase in the TA treatments compared with the AF (P = 0.061). In conclusion, dietary inclusion of 250 and 500 mg/kg TA could improve the growth, antioxidant capacity, and partially protected the intestinal health of broilers challenged with AFB1.
Cosmological constraints from the density gradient weighted correlation function
Authors: Xiao Xiaoyuan , Yang Yizhao , Luo Xiaolin , Ding Jiacheng , Huang Zhiqi , Wang Xin , Zheng Yi , Sabiu Cristiano G , Forero-Romero Jaime , Miao Haitao , Li Xiao-Dong 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACT
The mark weighted correlation function (MCF) W(s, μ) is a computationally efficient statistical measure which can probe clustering information beyond that of the conventional two-point statistics. In this work, we extend the traditional mark weighted statistics using powers of the density field gradient |∇ρ/ρ|α as the weight, and use the angular dependence of the scale-averaged MCFs to constrain cosmological parameters. The analysis shows that the gradient-based weighting scheme is statistically more powerful than the density-based weighting scheme, while combining the two schemes together is more powerful than separately using either of them. Utilizing the density-weighted or the gradient-weighted MCFs with α = 0.5, 1, we can strengthen the constraint on Ωm by factors of 2 or 4, respectively, compared with the standard two-point correlation function, while simultaneously using the MCFs of the two weighting schemes together can be 1.25 times more statistically powerful than using the gradient weighting scheme alone. The mark weighted statistics may play an important role in cosmological analysis of future large-scale surveys. Many issues, including the possibility of using other types of weights, the influence of the bias on this statistics, and the usage of MCFs in the tomographic Alcock–Paczynski method, are worth further investigations.
Surgical Treatment of Single Level Cervical Radiculopathy
Authors: Padhye Kedar , Shultz Paul , Alcala Christopher , Mehbod Amir , Garvey Timothy , Schwender James , Dawson John M. , Transfeldt Ensor 
Published: March 2022

Study Design:
This was a retrospective cohort study.

Objective:
The objective of this study is to retrospectively compare the clinical outcomes, complication rates, and reoperation rates among the 4 treatments in patients with cervical radiculopathy.

Summary of Background Data:
Surgical options for cervical radiculopathy include anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), open posterior cervical foraminotomy (O-PCF), minimally invasive posterior cervical foraminotomy (MI-PCF), and cervical disk arthroplasty (CDA).

Materials and Methods:
Retrospective chart review after Review Board approval. Of the 384 patients in the study—257 ACDF, 18 O-PCF, 52 MI-PCF, and 56 CDA. Information was obtained from the charts and compared between the groups.

Patient Sample:
Patients above 18 years of age with single-level, unilateral cervical radiculopathy correlating with magnetic resonance imaging, failure of nonoperative management, and 1-level ACDF, O-PCF, MI-PCF, or CDA with >24 months of follow-up.

Outcome Measures:
Neck Disability Index (NDI), Visual Analog Score neck and arm pain, minimum clinically significant difference (MCID), complication rates, and reoperation rates.

Results:
Operative time was significantly shorter for MI-PCF. Median estimated blood loss was small, but greater with O-PCF compared with other interventions. The length of hospital stay was longest for the ACDF group. At 2 years’ follow-up, 36 subjects (9%) had subsequent neck surgery. The most common indication for additional surgery was recurrent symptoms (3.4%) followed by adjacent segment disease (2.6%), pseudoarthrosis (2.1%), adjacent segment disease + pseudoarthrosis (0.5%), and implant-related complications (0.3%). There was no statistically significant difference in complication rates between groups. MCID in NDI was achieved in 40% of MI-PCF subjects, 42% of O-PCF subjects, 66% of CDA subjects and 46% of ACDF subjects.

Conclusions:
All 4 treatment options confer good clinical results on patients for cervical radiculopathy. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were low and comparable in all 4 groups. MI-PCF had the shortest surgical time and length of hospital stay. More CDA patients achieved MCID in NDI compared with the others, and the rate for additional surgery at 2 years was lowest in the CDA group.
PM2.5 composition and disease aggravation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Nunez Yanelli , Boehme Amelia K. , Goldsmith Jeff , Li Maggie , van Donkelaar Aaron , Weisskopf Marc G. , Re Diane B. , Martin Randall V. , Kioumourtzoglou Marianthi-Anna 
Published: March 2022

Background:
Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been associated with disease aggravation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this study, we characterized long-term exposure to six major PM2.5 components and their individual association with disease aggravation in ALS.

Methods:
We leveraged 15 years of data from the New York Department of Health Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (2000–2014) to calculate annual ALS first hospitalizations in New York State. We used the first hospital admission as a surrogate of disease aggravation and a prediction model to estimate population-weighted annual black carbon, organic matter (OM), nitrate, sulfate, sea salt, and soil concentrations at the county level. We used a multi-pollutant mixed quasi-Poisson model with county-specific random intercepts to estimate rate ratios (RR) of 1-year exposure to each PM2.5 component and disease aggravation in ALS, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results:
We observed 5,655 first ALS-related hospitalizations. The annual average hospitalization count per county was 6.08 and the average PM2.5 total mass concentration per county was 8.1 μg/m3—below the United States’ National Ambient Air Quality Standard of 12 μg/m3. We found a consistent positive association between ALS aggravation and OM (1.17, 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.11, 1.24 per standard deviation [SD] increase) and a negative association with soil (RR = 0.91, 95% CI, 0.86, 0.97).

Conclusion:
Our findings suggest that PM2.5 composition may influence its effect on ALS. We found that annual increases in county-level particulate OM may be associated with disease aggravation in ALS, even at PM2.5 levels below current standards.
Microsurgical Scalp Replantation: Lessons Learned and Technical Considerations
Authors: Wechselberger Gottfried , Pumberger Peter , Schwaiger Karl , Wimbauer Julia , Köninger Fabian , Russe Elisabeth , Heinrich Klemens 
Published: March 2022

Summary:
Total scalp avulsion is defined as a severe soft-tissue injury which involves the hairy scalp and commonly occurs in women as a result of the entrapment of long hair in high-speed rotating industrial machinery. The first microvascular replantation of an avulsed scalp was described by Miller et al in 1976 when both superficial temporal arteries along with five veins were successfully reanastomosed. Our patient was managed with a vein graft measuring 8 cm in length for reanastomosis of the superficial temporal artery. Furthermore, after successful replantation, we used an expander for aesthetic refinement and achieved an excellent outcome. A scalp replantation should be performed in every possible case. Despite partial skin necrosis, hair growth in the remaining areas is possible. In cases of partial skin necrosis, it is possible to eliminate the hairless areas by implanting an expander and excising the hairless area. A pressure-related ulcer at the occiput is likely due to immobility of the head postoperatively and may be avoided by using a halo fixation device.