bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Susceptibility of Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Shigella spp to Ethanoic Extract of Lawsonia inermis
Authors: Bassi Paul Amos , Kaur Manpreet , Kaur Manavjot , Crown Ramyil M. S. 
Published: July 2022

Background: The acceptance of traditional medicine as an alternative form of healthcare and the development of microbial resistance to the available antibiotics has led researchers to investigate the antimicrobial activity of plant extracts.
Aim: This was to evaluate antibacterial activity and potential effect of Lawsonia inermis leaves against three tests organisms namely: Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, and Shigella.
Methodology: Ethanoic extracts of Lawsonia inermis was obtained. The extracts were boiled, macerated, soaked and the implementation of the extracts to determine the antimicrobial activities on culture was performed by diffusion method. Three antibiotics (Gentamicin, Ciprofloxacin and Cefataxime) were used as control for the test organisms respectively.
Results: The inhibition of each test organism was achieved in one or two extracts. Escherichia coli had the highest (7.25mm) zone of inhibition from soaked extract with lowest (5.00mm) zone of inhibition from boiled extract, Salmonella typhi had the highest (11.63mm) zone of inhibition from boiled extract with lowest (8.25mm) zone of inhibition from macerated extract, and Shigella had the highest zone of inhibition 19.50mm from soaked extract, and had the lowest zone of inhibition 12.63mm from boiled extract. Furthermore, the soaked ethanoic extract had a zone of inhibition ranging from 7.25mm- 19.50mm. Also, the ethanoic extract boiled had zones of inhibition ranging from 5.00mm – 12.63mm, and the ethanoic extract macerated had a zone of inhibition range of 6.63mm- 17.75mm. The zones of inhibition produced by the controls are; gentamicin produced zones of inhibition ranging from 25.00mm – 26.00mm, ciprofloxacin produced zones of inhibition ranging from 20.00mm – 22.00mm, and cefataxime produced zones of inhibition ranging from 18.00mm – 21.00mm. The Statistical analysis was applied to the result using the one-way ANOVA test to compare the differences in the means.
Conclusion: The results indicated that there was no significant difference in the effects of the ethanoic extracts of Lawsonia inermis on the tests organisms S. typhi, E. coli and Shigella and the controls. (p<0.05, F Cal = 0.103, F Tab = 4.257).
Cost‐Effectiveness of Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy and Physical Therapy for Degenerative Meniscal Tear
Authors: Williams Emma E. , Katz Jeffrey N. , Leifer Valia P. , Collins Jamie E. , Neogi Tuhina , Suter Lisa G. , Levy Bruce , Farid Alexander , Safran‐Norton Clare E. , Paltiel A. David , Losina Elena 
Published: July 2022

ObjectiveWe examined the cost‐effectiveness of treatment strategies for concomitant meniscal tear and knee osteoarthritis (OA) involving arthroscopic partial meniscectomy surgery and physical therapy (PT).MethodsWe used the Osteoarthritis Policy Model, a validated Monte Carlo microsimulation, to compare three strategies, 1) PT‐only, 2) immediate surgery, and 3) PT + optional surgery, for participants whose pain persists following initial PT. We modeled a cohort with baseline meniscal tear, OA, and demographics from the Meniscal Tear in Osteoarthritis Research (MeTeOR) trial of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy versus PT. We estimated risks and costs of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy complications and accounted for heightened OA progression post surgery using published data. We estimated surgery use rates and treatment efficacies using MeTeOR data. We considered a 5‐year time horizon, discounted costs, and quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALYs) 3% per year and conducted sensitivity analyses. We report incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios.ResultsRelative to PT‐only, PT + optional surgery added 0.0651 QALY and $2,010 over 5 years (incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio = $30,900 per QALY). Relative to PT + optional surgery, immediate surgery added 0.0065 QALY and $3080 (incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio = $473,800 per QALY). Incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios were sensitive to optional surgery efficacy in the PT + optional surgery strategy. In the probabilistic sensitivity analysis, PT + optional surgery was cost‐effective in 51% of simulations at willingness‐to‐pay thresholds of both $50,000 per QALY and $100,000 per QALY.ConclusionFirst‐line arthroscopic partial meniscectomy has a prohibitively high incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio. Under base case assumptions, second‐line arthroscopic partial meniscectomy offered to participants with persistent pain following initial PT is cost‐effective at willingness‐to‐pay thresholds between $31,000 and $473,000 per QALY. Our analyses suggest that arthroscopic partial meniscectomy can be a high‐value treatment option for patients with meniscal tear and OA when performed following an initial PT course and should remain a covered treatment option.
Evolving Experimental Platforms to Evaluate Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Sharma Tiffany T. , Rabizadeh Rebecca R. , Prabhakar Vibhav S. , Bury Matthew I. , Sharma Arun K. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractUlcerative colitis (UC) is a multifactorial disease defined by chronic intestinal inflammation with idiopathic origins. It has a predilection to affect the mucosal lining of the large intestines and rectum. Management of UC depends upon numerous factors that include disease pathogenesis and severity that are maintained via medical or surgical means. Chronic inflammation that is left untreated or managed poorly from a clinical stance can result in intestinal ulceration accompanied by resulting physiological dysfunction. End‐stage UC is mediated by surgical intervention with the resection of diseased tissue. This can lead to numerous health‐related quality of life issues but is considered a curative approach. Regimens to treat UC are ever evolving and find their basis within various platforms to evaluate and treat UC. Numerous modeling systems have been examined to delineate potential mechanisms of action. However, UC is a heterogenous disease spanning unknown genetic origins coupled with environmental factors that can influence disease outcomes and related treatment procedures. Unfortunately, there is no one‐size‐fits‐all model to fully assess all facets of UC. Within the context of this review article, the utility of various approaches that have been employed to gain insight into different aspects of UC will be investigated.
Amnion Cells in Tailored Hydrogels Deposit Human Amnion Native Extracellular Matrix
Authors: Avilla‐Royo Eva , Roschitzki Bernd , Pfammatter Sibylle , Grossmann Jonas , Airaghi Pietro , Vonzun Ladina , Ochsenbein‐Kölble Nicole , Vallmajo‐Martin Queralt , Ehrbar Martin 
Published: July 2022

AbstractFetal therapies regularly result in iatrogenic preterm premature rupture of the fetal membranes (iPPROM), which is associated with preterm birth. Biomaterials that promote the healing of traumatized fetal membranes (FMs) may prevent iPPROM‐associated preterm births, addressing this unmet clinical need. Here, a fully defined synthetic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogel is developed to study the healing functions of human amnion‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMCs) in 3D cultures. A pipeline to analyze extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins deposited by hAMCs in PEG hydrogels is established involving label‐free quantification of mass‐spectrometry data. Owing to the contaminant‐free PEG hydrogels and a short fetal bovine serum (FBS)‐free culture period, 128 ECM proteins, of which 97 are present in the native amnion, are identified. Upon stimulation with platelet‐derived growth factor BB (PDGF‐BB), a cell proliferation and migration inducing factor, hAMCs remodel their surroundings and deposit ECM proteins pericellularly. Among the most abundantly deposited amnion proteins, transforming growth factor β‐induced protein ig‐h3 (TGFβi), a very distinctive amnion protein that is involved in the wound healing cascade, is identified. These data support the potential of PDGF‐BB to promote the repair of traumatized FMs and encourage its use for the engineering of biomaterials for FM healing, to ultimately prevent iPPROM.
A Fibrinogen‐Mimicking, Activated‐Platelet‐Sensitive Nanocoacervate Enhances Thrombus Targeting and Penetration of Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Effective Thrombolytic Therapy
Authors: Huang Yu , Jiang Jingxuan , Ren Jie , Guo Yuanyuan , Zhao Qianqian , Zhou Jia , Li Yuehua , Chen Rongjun 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe development of a fibrinolytic system with long circulation time, high thrombus targeting, efficient thrombus penetration, effective thrombolysis, and minimal hemorrhagic risk remains a major challenge. Herein, inspired by fibrinogen binding to activated platelets in thrombosis, this article reports a fibrinogen‐mimicking, activated‐platelet‐sensitive nanocoacervate to enhance thrombus penetration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) for targeted thrombolytic therapy. This biomimetic nanothrombolytic system, denoted as RGD‐Chi@tPA, is constructed by “one‐pot” coacervation through electrostatic interactions between positively charged arginine‐glycine‐aspartic acid (RGD)‐grafted chitosan (RGD‐Chi) and negatively charged tPA. Flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy measurements show targeting of RGD‐Chi@tPA to activated platelets. Controlled tPA release triggered by activated platelets at a thrombus site is demonstrated. Its targeted fibrinolytic and thrombolytic activities are measured in in vitro models. The pharmacokinetic profiles show that RGD‐Chi@tPA can significantly prolong circulation time compared to free tPA. In a mouse tail thrombus model, RGD‐Chi@tPA displays efficient thrombus targeting and penetration, enabling a complete vascular recanalization as confirmed by the fluorescence imaging, histochemical assay, and laser speckle contrast imager. Consequently, RGD‐Chi@tPA induces a substantial enhancement in thrombolysis with minimal hemorrhagic risk compared to free tPA. This simple, effective, and safe platform holds great promise for the development of thrombolytic nanomedicines.
An Initial Covalent Organic Polymer with Closed‐F Edges Directly for Proton‐Exchange‐Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Li Xueli , Liu Qingbin , Yang Bolong , Liao Zhijian , Yan Wensheng , Xiang Zhonghua 
Published: July 2022

AbstractCovalent organic polymers (COPs) are a class of rising electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) due to the atomically metrical control of the organic molecular components along with highly architectural robustness and thermodynamic stability even in acid or alkaline media. However, the direct application of pristine COPs as acidic ORR electrocatalysts, especially in device manner, e.g., in proton‐exchange‐membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), remains a big challenge. Currently, the decoration toward electronic structures of active sites is considered a vital pathway to enhancing the acidic ORR activity of carbon‐based electrocatalysts. Here, an initial F‐decorated fully closed π‐conjugated quasi‐phthalocyanine COP (denoted as COPBTC‐F) is reported. The introduction of the closed‐F edges stepwise drags more electrons from FeN4 sites in COPBTC‐F into the catalyst margin, which weakens the occupied numbers of bonding orbitals between COPBTC‐F and OH* intermediates at the rate‐determining step, exhibiting over five times intrinsic performance beyond the counterpart without F functionalities (termed as COPBTC). Significantly, the maximum power density utilizing COPBTC‐F as a cathode catalyst in PEMFCs is remarkably increased by an order of magnitude compared with COPBTC, which is a stride forward among catalysts based on a pyrolysis‐free conjugated‐polymer network in device manner to date.
Additive Manufacturing of Subject‐Conformal Receive Coils for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Vanduffel Hanne , Parra‐Cabrera Cesar , Gsell Willy , Oliveira‐Silva Rodrigo , Goossens Louca , Peeters Ronald , Himmelreich Uwe , Van Hooreweder Brecht , Sakellariou Dimitrios , Vanduffel Wim , Ameloot Rob 
Published: July 2022

AbstractHigh signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) is crucial to obtaining high‐quality magnetic resonance (MR) images. However, a poor fit of fixed‐size radiofrequency (RF) coils to the subject often limits the SNR both in research and clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) practice. Therefore, there is an urgent need to fabricate RF coils that exhibit a close geometrical fit (or are subject conformal) to the to‐be‐imaged region. A range of 3D printing methods are proposed for producing such conformal coils and overcoming constraints in geometrical complexity, production time, and cost. Laser powder bed fusion and stereolithography‐based methods are explored. The fully digital workflow allows for the seamless integration of electromagnetic simulations of geometrically complex coils, resulting in rapid design iterations. SNR gains up to 68% are observed for single 3D‐printed subject‐conformal coils compared to a state‐of‐the‐art commercially available (nonconformal) coil array. In addition to tests on phantoms, a conformal 3D‐printed coil is used to image the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb from a volunteer on an MRI scanner to demonstrate the improved image quality.
A Self‐Powered, Single‐Mode Tactile Sensor Based on Sensory Adaptation Using Piezoelectric‐Driven Ion Migration
Authors: Lee Ey‐In , Park Jin‐Woo 
Published: July 2022

AbstractA piezoelectric tactile sensor is beneficial for creating a self‐powered system with a compact design, which is essential in electronic‐skin technology. However, piezoelectricity is only capable of dynamic pressure detection because it responds to sudden environmental changes. Since it is common to add another sensing unit to detect static pressure that accompanies bulkiness, including a measuring apparatus, we demonstrate a self‐powered, single‐mode piezoelectric tactile sensor by fabricating a piezoelectric gel through the electrospinning technique. As piezoelectricity senses the dynamic pressure without an external power supply, ions detect the static pressure by maintaining the potential difference upon sustained pressure. Since each component outputs a voltage signal of the same type but different profiles upon pressure, it is possible to distinguish dynamic and static pressure in a single mode. Moreover, inspired by the sensory adaptation of mammalian skin, an ion‐assisted piezoelectric tactile sensor efficiently detects concurrently stacked stimuli by decreasing the output signal for sustained stimuli. The sensitivity for superimposed pressure upon initial 14.7 kPa increases by more than four times compared to that without sensory adaptation for both dynamic and static pressure.
Broadband Enhancement of Cherenkov Radiation Using Dispersionless Plasmons
Authors: Hu Hao , Lin Xiao , Liu Dongjue , Chen Hongsheng , Zhang Baile , Luo Yu 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAs one of leading technologies in detecting relativistic particles, Cherenkov radiation plays an essential role in modern high‐energy and particle physics. However, the limited photon yield in transparent dielectrics makes efficient Cherenkov radiation only possible with high‐energy particles (at least several MeV). This restriction hinders applications of Cherenkov radiation in free‐electron light source, bio‐imaging, medical therapy, etc. Broadband enhancement of Cherenkov radiation is highly desired for all these applications, but still widely acknowledged as a scientific challenge. To this end, a general approach is reported to enhance the photon yield of Cherenkov radiation using dispersionless plasmons. Broadband dispersionless plasmons can be realized by exploiting either the acoustic nature of terahertz plasmons in a graphene‐based heterostructure or the nonlocal property of optical plasmons in a metallodielectric structure. When coupled to moving electrons, such dispersionless plasmons give rise to a radiation enhancement rate more than two orders of magnitude (as compared with conventional Cherenkov radiation) over an ultrabroad frequency band. Moreover, since the phase velocity of dispersionless plasmons can be made as small as the Fermi velocity, giant radiation enhancements can be readily induced by ultralow‐energy free electrons (e.g., with a kinetic energy down to 3 eV), without resorting to relativistic particles.
Self‐Imaging Based Programmable Spin‐Wave Lookup Tables
Authors: Gołębiewski Mateusz , Gruszecki Paweł , Krawczyk Maciej 
Published: July 2022

AbstractInclusion of spin waves into the computing paradigm, where complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor devices are still at the fore, is now a challenge for scientists around the world. In this work, a wave phenomenon that has not yet been used in magnonics‐self‐imaging, also known as the Talbot effect, to design and simulate the operation of interference systems that perform logic functions on spin waves in thin ferromagnetic multimode waveguides is utilized. Lookup tables operating in this way are characterized by high programmability and scalability; thanks to which they are promising for their implementation in field‐programmable gate arrays circuits, where multiple logic realizations can be obtained.
Flexible 3D Printed Acrylic Composites based on Polyaniline/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for Piezoresistive Pressure Sensors
Authors: Arias‐Ferreiro Goretti , Lasagabáster‐Latorre Aurora , Ares‐Pernas Ana , Dopico‐García M. Sonia , Pereira N. , Costa P. , Lanceros‐Mendez S. , Abad María‐José 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe development of tunable UV‐curable polymeric composites for functional applications, taking into consideration environmental issues and additive manufacturing technologies, is a research topic with relevant challenges yet to be solved. Herein, acrylic composites filled with 0–3 wt.%. polyaniline/ multiwalled carbon nanotubes (PANI/MWCNT) are prepared by Digital Light Processing (DLP) in order to tailor morphology, thermal, mechanical, and electromechanical properties. Viscosity, real‐time infrared spectroscopy, and cure depth tests allow optimizing resin composition for suitable DLP printing. 2 wt.% is the maximum filler content reproducibly embedded in the polymer matrix. The advantages of PANI/MWCNT (50/50 wt.%) compared with single‐component composites include safety issues, enhanced printability, increased electrical conductivity and thermal stability, and lower electrical percolation threshold (0.83 wt.%). Above this threshold the composites display excellent piezoresistive response, no hysteresis, and stability for over 400 compression cycles. The pressure sensibility (PS) of 2 wt.% composites decreases with applied pressure from PS ≈ 15 to 0.8 Mpa−1 for maximum pressures of 0.02 and 0.57 MPa, respectively. A proof‐of‐concept of the functionality of the novel materials is developed in the form of a tactile sensor, demonstrating their potential for pressure sensing applications as cost‐effective, sustainable, and flexible materials for printed electronics.
Transition Metals Embedded Siloxene as Single‐Atom Catalyst for Advanced Sulfur Host in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries: A Theoretical Study
Authors: Gong Ning , Hu Xuewen , Fang Tiantian , Yang Changyu , Xie Tianzhu , Peng Wenchao , Li Yang , Zhang Fengbao , Fan Xiaobin 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe practical applications of lithium–sulfur batteries are presently hindered by the shuttle effect, sluggish reaction kinetics, and poor electronic conductivity of sulfur. Siloxene, a new 2D nanomaterial with three types of structures (Weiss, chain like, and Kautsky), is regarded to be a promising cathode‐supporting material for Li–S batteries. Herein, a series of 3d transition metal single‐atom embedded siloxenes (TM‐SA‐siloxenes) is designed and their potential in Li–S batteries is evaluated by first‐principles calculations. It is found that Weiss‐siloxene shows the best polysulfide anchoring ability and lowest Gibbs free energy for the sulfur reduction reaction (SRR). Among a series of TM‐SA‐siloxenes, Co‐SA‐siloxene is identified as the optimal candidate. It shows moderate adsorption energies for polysulfides and outstanding bifunctional electrocatalytic activity for SRR and Li2S decomposition, as well as excellent electronic conductivity. It is also revealed that suitable d and p band center positions, obvious hybridization between Co–3d and S–3p orbitals, and more charge obtained from adsorbed polysulfides, contribute to the high redox kinetics of Co‐SA‐siloxene for the catalyzing conversion of polysulfides. These interesting results provide valuable theoretical guidance for the study of siloxene‐based cathode host materials for Li–S batteries.
Does direct observation influence the quality of workplace‐based assessment documentation?
Authors: Landreville Jeffrey M. , Wood Timothy J. , Frank Jason R. , Cheung Warren J. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundA key component of competency‐based medical education (CBME) is direct observation of trainees. Direct observation has been emphasized as integral to workplace‐based assessment (WBA) yet previously identified challenges may limit its successful implementation. Given these challenges, it is imperative to fully understand the value of direct observation within a CBME program of assessment. Specifically, it is not known whether the quality of WBA documentation is influenced by observation type (direct or indirect).MethodsThe objective of this study was to determine the influence of observation type (direct or indirect) on quality of entrustable professional activity (EPA) assessment documentation within a CBME program. EPA assessments were scored by four raters using the Quality of Assessment for Learning (QuAL) instrument, a previously published three‐item quantitative measure of the quality of written comments associated with a single clinical performance score. An analysis of variance was performed to compare mean QuAL scores among the direct and indirect observation groups. The reliability of the QuAL instrument for EPA assessments was calculated using a generalizability analysis.ResultsA total of 244 EPA assessments (122 direct observation, 122 indirect observation) were rated for quality using the QuAL instrument. No difference in mean QuAL score was identified between the direct and indirect observation groups (p = 0.17). The reliability of the QuAL instrument for EPA assessments was 0.84.ConclusionsObservation type (direct or indirect) did not influence the quality of EPA assessment documentation. This finding raises the question of how direct and indirect observation truly differ and the implications for meta‐raters such as competence committees responsible for making judgments related to trainee promotion.