bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combining fiber optical tweezers and Raman spectroscopy for rapid identification of melanoma
Authors: Qiu Xun , He Tao , Wu Xingda , Wang Peng , Wang Xin , Fu Qiuyue , Fang Xianglin , Li Shaoxin , Li Ying 
Published: August 2022

AbstractCutaneous melanoma is a skin tumor with a high degree of malignancy and fatality rate, the incidence of which has increased in recent years. Therefore, a rapid and sensitive diagnostic technique of melanoma cells is urgently needed. In this paper, we present a new approach using fiber optical tweezers to manipulate melanoma cells to measure their Raman spectra. Then, combined with Principal Component Analysis and Support Vector Machines (PCA‐SVM) classification model, to achieve the classification of common mutant, wild‐type and drug‐resistant melanoma cells. A total of 150 Raman spectra of 30 cells were collected from mutant, wild‐type and drug‐resistant melanoma cell lines, and the classification accuracy was 92%, 94%, 97.5%, respectively. These results suggest that the study of tumor cells based on fiber optical tweezers and Raman spectroscopy is a promising method for early and rapid identification and diagnosis of tumor cells.
Primary non‐parasitic splenic cyst: US‐ and fluoroscopy‐guided percutaneous management by alcohol sclerosis on six patients
Authors: Giurazza Francesco , Marra Paolo , Mosconi Cristina , Corvino Fabio , Corvino Antonio , Niola Raffaella 
Published: August 2022

AbstractPurposeThis manuscript aims to report on a retrospective analysis of six patients treated with combined US‐ and fluoroscopic‐guided percutaneous alcohol sclerosis for primary non‐parasitic splenic cysts.MethodsIn this retrospective analysis, three females and three males affected by primary non‐parasitic splenic cysts were included. All except one were symptomatic. Preoperative cyst diameter was in mean 113 mm (range: 67–210 mm). Ethanol 96% was adopted as sclerosant agent; the amount of ethanol injected corresponded to the 20%–30% of the cystic volume. US follow‐up was planned at 2/4 weeks; MR follow‐up was conducted almost at 6 months after the last treatment session.Technical success was considered as cyst disappearance or reduction of the maximum diameter <50 mm; clinical success, in those symptomatic cases, was considered as symptoms resolution or marked improvement.ResultsEleven procedures had been performed: one in three patients, three in two patients and two in one patient. Technical success was 83.3%; clinical success was 80%. Only one patient, with a preoperative cystic diameter of 210 mm and despite three treatment sessions, had an increase in the cystic size and did not report symptoms improvement.ConclusionsIn this sample, US‐guided percutaneous alcohol sclerosis was a safe and effective spleen preserving option to treat primary non‐parasitic splenic cysts.
Growth trends of the adult hospitalist workforce between 2012 and 2019
Authors: Lapps Joshua , Flansbaum Bradley , Leykum Luci K. , Bischoff Heidi , Howell Eric 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundAccurately identifying the number of practicing hospitalists across the United States continues to be a challenge. Characterizing the workforce is important in the context of healthcare reforms and public reporting.ObjectiveWe sought to estimate the number of adult hospitalists practicing in the United States over an 8‐year period, to examine patterns in growth, and begin to explore billing patterns.Design, Settings, and ParticipantsRetrospective study using national Medicare Part B claims datasets. We applied a commonly used 90% threshold of billing hospital visit‐associated Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System codes to identify adult hospitalists in publicly available Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment data for 2012–2019. We then analyzed billing patterns for those identified hospitalists.Main Outcomes and MeasuresIdentify trends in the number of identified adult hospitalists, including those self‐identified. Compare hospitalists' billing to that of non‐hospitalist Internal Medicine and Family Medicine physicians.ResultsWe saw more than a 50% growth rate of practicing adult hospitalists between 2012 and 2019. In 2019, we identified 44,037 adult hospitalists.ConclusionsThe number of adult hospitalists continued to grow at a consistent rate, such that hospitalists are in the top five largest physician specialties in the United States. In the absence of more formal identification and consistent use by hospitalists, a threshold continues to be a meaningful tool to characterize the workforce.
Stability and transmissibility of SARS‐CoV‐2 in the environment
Authors: Geng Yansheng , Wang Youchun 
Published: August 2022

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), the virus causing the ongoing global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, is believed to be transmitted primarily through respiratory droplets and aerosols. However, reports are increasing regarding the contamination of environmental surfaces, shared objects, and cold‐chain foods with SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA and the possibility of environmental fomite transmission of the virus raises much concern and debate. This study summarizes the current knowledge regarding potential mechanisms of environmental transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2, including the prevalence of surface contamination in various settings, the viability and stability of the virus on surfaces or fomites, as well as environmental factors affecting virus viability and survival such as temperature and relative humidity. Instances of fomite transmission, including cold‐chain food transmission, and the importance of fomite transmission in epidemics, are discussed. The knowledge gaps regarding fomite transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2 are also briefly analyzed.
Genetic predisposition to blood cell indices in relation to severe COVID‐19
Authors: Yao Yao , Song Hongfei , Zhang Fanshuang , Liu Jibin , Wang Dong , Feng Quansheng , Rao Shuquan , Jiang Cen 
Published: August 2022

AbstractDespite considerable variation in disease manifestations observed among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the risk factors predicting disease severity remain elusive. Recent studies suggest that peripheral blood cells play a pivotal role in COVID‐19 pathogenesis. Here, we applied two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to evaluate the potential causal contributions of blood cell indices variation to COVID‐19 severity, using single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as instrumental variables for 17 indices from the UK Biobank and INTERVAL genome‐wide association studies (N = 173 480). Data on the associations between the SNPs and very severe respiratory confirmed COVID‐19 were obtained from the COVID‐19 host genetics initiative (N = 8779/1 001 875). We observed significant negative association between hematocrit (HCT; odds ratio, OR = 0.775, 95% confidence interval, CI = 0.635–0.915, p = 3.48E−04) or red blood cell count (OR = 0.830, 95% CI = 0.728–0.932, p = 2.19E−03) and very severe respiratory confirmed COVID‐19, as well as nominal negative association of hemoglobin concentration (OR = 0.808, 95% CI = 0.673–0.943, p = 3.95E−03) with very severe respiratory confirmed COVID‐19 (no effect survived multiple correction). In conclusion, the MR study supports a protective effect of high HCT and red blood cell count from very severe respiratory confirmed COVID‐19, suggesting potential strategies to ameliorate/treat clinical conditions in very severe respiratory confirmed COVID‐19.
Causal effect of COVID‐19 on Alzheimer's disease: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Baranova Ancha , Cao Hongbao , Zhang Fuquan 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIt was reported that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection may cause brain size reduction and cognitive decline. Whether COVID‐19 may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is not known. We conducted genetic correlation and Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to assess genetic relationships and potential causal associations between AD and three COVID‐19 outcomes (SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, COVID‐19 hospitalization, and critical COVID‐19) by utilizing genome‐wide association study datasets on these traits. A map of COVID‐19‐driven molecular pathways was constructed to investigate potential mechanisms underlying the COVID‐19 and AD connection. Genetic correlation analyses indicated that AD had a significant positive genetic correlation with hospitalized COVID‐19 (rg = 0.271). The MR analysis from the inverse‐variance‐weighted model showed that genetic liabilities to hospitalized COVID‐19 (odds ratio: 1.02, 95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.03) and critical COVID‐19 (1.01, 1.00–1.02) were associated with an increased risk for AD. However, no causal effect of genetic liability to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection on AD was detected (1.03, 0.97–1.09). A total of 60 functionally interconnected genes were reported to mediate the COVID‐19‐AD connection, which showed functional enrichment in immunity‐related pathways and tissue enrichment in the lung and brain. Our study suggests that severe COVID‐19 may contribute to the development of AD, while suffering a mild case of COVID‐19 may not increase the risk for AD. The influence of COVID‐19 on AD may be mediated by immunity‐related pathways acting predominantly in the lung and brain.
Influence of teleconnection patterns on global moisture transport during peak precipitation month
Authors: Vázquez Marta , Nieto Raquel , Liberato Margarida L. R. , Gimeno Luis 
Published: August 2022

AbstractTeleconnection patterns are an important feature influencing the variability of moisture transport. This study explores the influence of the Arctic, Antarctic, Pacific‐North American, and El Niño–Southern Oscillations on moisture transport from major oceanic and continental moisture sources during the peak precipitation month. The positive phase of the Pacific‐North American teleconnection pattern increases the influence of Pacific Ocean moisture on western North America, while the negative phase increases the influence of Atlantic Ocean moisture over eastern North America, with differences between phases higher than 1.5 mm·day−1 over most of the area when the sources are the preferred. The positive phase of the Arctic Oscillation increases the importance of the Mediterranean as a source of moisture for western Europe while the negative phase increases the importance of the North Atlantic as a source with contribution increased in more than 2 mm·day−1 over Europe. The positive phase of the Antarctic Oscillation favours the contribution from the western Indian basin over eastern Africa, while in the negative phase the contribution from the southern Pacific is increased over northwestern Africa. For El Niño–Southern Oscillation, the main influence occurs over South America during El Niño events, increasing the moisture contributions from the South Pacific Ocean over southern South America and from South Atlantic over southeastern Brazil. El Niño events also increase the moisture transport from the North Atlantic over western Europe and from the North Pacific over North America. In contrast, La Niña events increase moisture contributions from the Pacific over Central America and northern South America, being the latter the area when higher differences between phases are observed.
Temperature‐dependent structural variations of water and supercooled water and spectral analysis of Raman spectra of water in the OH‐stretching band region and low‐frequency region studied by two‐dimensional correlation Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Asano Hiroto , Ueno Nami , Ozaki Yukihiro , Sato Harumi 
Published: August 2022

AbstractRaman spectra of water and supercooled water were measured in the temperature range of −6 to 18°C with every 2°C step. The obtained spectra were analyzed for the 3750–2850 and 400–100 cm−1 regions by two‐dimensional correlation (2D‐COS) Raman spectroscopy. As previously reported, there are three bands at around 3620, 3420, and 3200 cm−1 in the OH‐stretching region. These bands were assigned to the OH‐stretching modes of dangling (Dang) bonds of water, destructured, and structured water species, respectively. A pair of clear peaks appear in asynchronous 2D‐COS maps in the 3750–2850 cm−1 region of Raman spectra of water developed using the spectra measured in the temperature ranges of −6 to 2°C, 0 to 8°C, and 8 to 18°C, and they are similar to each other, suggesting nonlinear (convex) temperature‐dependent increase and decrease of the two kinds of water species. A power spectrum calculated along the diagonal line in the synchronous spectrum in the −6 to 18°C range has a peak at 3171 cm−1 with a broad shoulder at around 3400 cm−1. These peaks at 3171 and 3400 cm−1 may be assigned to the collective mode and its local mode of structured water, respectively. In the 400–100 cm−1 region, there is a broad feature centered at 185 cm−1 assigned to the intermolecular stretching mode of water molecule. Close inspection of the low‐frequency region by the baseline corrected spectra and the second derivative spectra shows that the broad feature consists of a major band at around 185 cm−1 and a weak shoulder at around 150 cm−1. We have assigned these two peaks at 185 and 150 cm−1 to the structured and destructured water, respectively, based on the results of 2D‐COS and the comparison with the results of multivariate curve resolution‐alternative least squares reported by Hamaguchi et al. A hetero 2D correlation synchronous map between the 3750–3000 and 400–100 cm−1 regions reveals that there is a cross peak between the structured water band at around 3200 cm−1 and the 185 cm−1 band, confirming that the 185 cm−1 band comes from the structured water.
An investigation on the mechanisms of ant nest corrosion of copper tube in formic acid environment
Authors: Li Haihong , Liu Xiao , Li Deshan , Wang Zhongqi , Zhang Xintao , Wang Songwei 
Published: August 2022

AbstractCopper tubes used in air‐conditioners and refrigerators often fail due to ant nest corrosion (ANC) in formic acid environment. In this paper, corrosion behavior and corrosion mechanisms of copper tubes in formic acid (HCOOH) were analyzed by vapor corrosion tests, optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry (EDS). The effects of the surface condition on ANC of copper tube were also investigated. Results showed that ANC of copper tube was a spontaneous process. The surface integrity of copper tube surface oxide layer is not the decisive factor of ANC. ANC originated from the dissolution of the surface oxide layer in HCOOH, which exposed fresh copper matrix. ANC is a special electrochemical corrosion, where the copper matrix acts as an anode and the undissolved surface oxide layer acts as a cathode due to the potential difference. The accumulation of corrosion products consisting of Cu(HCOO)2 and Cu2O can produce a wedge effect and generate many microcracks until to penetrate the copper tube wall. These findings would provide a deep understanding of the corrosion behavior of copper and copper alloys.
Age‐at‐death estimation in archaeological samples: Differences in population means resulting from different aging methods can be predicted from the mean ages of method‐specific reference samples
Authors: Navitainuck Denise U. , Vach Werner , Pichler Sandra L. , Alt Kurt W. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractAge mimicry is a well‐known phenomenon in the application of osteological age‐estimation methods. Age mimicry refers to the fact that predicting age‐at‐death from a specific trait (age indicator) based on the relation observed in a specific reference sample implies that age estimates to some degree reflect the age structure of the reference sample. In particular, the estimated population mean in a target population in which an age‐estimation method is applied is shifted towards the mean in the method‐specific reference sample. Consequently, differences in population means between different age‐estimation methods in the same target population may be due to differences in mean age of the reference samples used to develop the age‐estimation methods. We aim at quantifying the expected magnitude for such differences. Fifteen different traditional age‐estimation methods were applied to a sample of 675 adult individuals from the early medieval cemetery of Mannheim‐Seckenheim. The relation of the observed estimated population age means and the mean age in the reference samples was analyzed by linear regression. We find that up to 80% of the variation in the estimated population age means can be explained by the variation of the mean age in the reference samples. Furthermore, differences in the magnitude of 3 to 4 years in the mean age between two reference samples can imply a 1‐year difference in estimated target population age means. Because large differences in mean age between reference samples used to develop different age‐estimation methods are common, some care is needed in interpreting differences between individual age estimates or population mean age estimates in cases where different age‐estimation techniques are used.
Wild foods from forests: Quantities collected across Zambia
Authors: Steel E. Ashley , Bwembelo Lubomba , Mulani Akatama , Siamutondo Alice Likando Masheke , Banda Penias , Gumbo Davison , Moombe Kaala , Ickowitz Amy 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Forests provide an immense range of benefits to people, many of which are not prioritized by forest policy because they are difficult to quantify. Wild foods from forests enhance the quality of diets for those who consume them and provide income for those who sell or trade them. The quantity of wild food collected is challenging to measure because of non‐standard units, seasonal differences in collection patterns and large numbers of species.

To provide initial estimates of collection volume in Zambia and pilot new methods, we surveyed 209 households across 14 villages randomly selected within 5 study areas covering all four agro‐ecological areas between 6 August and 27 October, 2019. For each study area, we conducted a focus group to identify the most commonly collected species within each of nine food product types (mushrooms, insects, green leafy vegetables, tubers, fruits, nuts, wild meat, wild fish, and aquatic plants).

All but one surveyed household collected some wild foods; on average, each household collected five types of food product, most commonly mushrooms, fruits and green leafy vegetables. Volume collected varied markedly by household, product type and study area. Rural households in Zambia are estimated to collect over 380 million litres, 380,000 m3, of wild foods annually. We estimate that 88% of these wild foods are collected directly from forests. Accounting for uncertainties, we estimate the volume of wild foods collected from forests to be at least 238,000 m3 per year, 125% of the volume of sawnwood produced, or about 12 million large (20 L) collecting buckets.

Volume collected was not strongly correlated with metrics of wealth, indicating ubiquitous consumption of wild foods; however, the most food insecure collected particularly high volumes of wild food. Pilot market surveys found local value chains for wild foods, indicating a potential for economic contribution. Our results underscore the value of data that can be disaggregated locally and indicate that national estimates of quantities of wild food collected from forests would be highly useful for designing forest policy and management strategies.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Optimal maintenance period and maintenance sequence planning under imperfect maintenance
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqiang , Jiang Hao , Zheng Bo , Li Zhoushuo , Gao Huiying 
Published: August 2022

AbstractMaintenance is essential for today's equipment or systems and maintenance costs account for a significant portion of the overall expenditure of devices. Maintenance period optimization and maintenance sequence planning are primary aspects of maintainability. To this end, this paper proposes an approach for maintenance period optimization and maintenance sequence planning, with the consideration of imperfect maintenance. A model of the total maintenance cost per unit time is set up, and the optimal time period for preventive maintenance is calculated. In addition, a new index is created to evaluate the maintenance efficiency of optimal maintenance sequences in different scenarios. The performance of the proposed method is validated by a maintenance sequence optimization and maintenance sequence planning of baggage handling systems. The results indicate that the proposed method is efficient and contributes to maintenance cost savings.
Design of a Self‐Powered System by Wind‐Driven Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on 0.94(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3–0.06Ba(Zr0.25Ti0.75)O3/Polyvinylidene Fluoride (BNT–BZT/PVDF) Composites
Authors: Zhao Kun , Meng Jingke , Zhong Ming , Li Suixin , Niu Yunxia , Liu Hongjie , Gu Bing‐Ni , Liu Ming‐Jin , Zhang Ding , Kong Lingbin , Chueh Yu‐Lun 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe portable power bank as an energy storage device has received tremendous attention while the limited capacity and periodical charging are critical issues. Here, a self‐charging power system (SCPS) consisting of a 0.94(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3–0.06Ba(Zr0.25Ti0.75)O3/polyvinylidenefluoride (BNT–BZT/PVDF) composite film‐based triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is designed as a wind energy harvester and an all‐solid‐state lithium‐ion battery (ASSLIB) as the energy storage device. The optimized TENG can provide an output voltage of ≈400 V, a current of ≈45 µA, and a maximum power of ≈10.65 mW, respectively. The ASSLIB assembled by LiNiCoMnO2 as the cathode, NiCo2S4 as the anode, and Li7La3Zr2O12 as the solid electrolyte can maintain a discharge capacity of 51.3 µAh after 200 cycles with a Coulombic efficiency of 98.5%. Particularly, an ASSLIB can be easily charged up to 3.8 V in 58 min using the wind‐driven TENG, which can continuously drive 12 parallel‐connected white light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) or a pH meter. This work demonstrates the development of low‐cost, high‐performance and high‐safety SCPSs and their large‐scale practical application in self‐powered microelectronic devices.
Regenerative and anti‐inflammatory effect of a novel bentonite complex on burn wounds
Authors: Lee Ju Young , Suh Han Na , Choi Kwan Young , Song Chang Woo , Hwang Jeong Ho 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundBentonite, a montmorillonite clay, has been used as a classical remedy strategy for a long time. Recently, bentonite has been used as a raw material in cosmetic products because of its antibacterial and antioxidant properties. However, the therapeutic effect of bentonite on burn injuries has not yet been identified.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to explore the therapeutic effect of a novel bentonite complex, which was developed for medical use, on burn wounds and the anti‐inflammatory function of bentonite clay in the complex in vitro.MethodsA novel bentonite complex and bentonite clay were prepared for each in vivo and in vitro assay (C&L Biotech, Seoul, Korea). Burn wounds were induced on the dorsal skin of two Yucatan minipigs, and effects of tissue regeneration and anti‐inflammation were assessed by histological and gene expression analysis.ResultsThe bentonite complex improved skin regeneration in burn wounds by inducing collagen synthesis, cell proliferation and angiogenesis in vivo. Furthermore, expression of inflammatory cytokines was significantly inhibited by treatment of the bentonite complex. In vitro study for identification of anti‐inflammatory effect showed that bentonite clay significantly regulated COX‐2 signalling in both HacaT keratinocytes and 3D4/2 macrophage cell lines.ConclusionsThis study identified the therapeutic effect of a novel bentonite complex in burn wounds by inducing skin regeneration and bentonite‐mediated anti‐inflammatory responses.