bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structured pattern hollow fiber membrane designed via reverse thermally induced phase separation method for ultrafiltration applications
Authors: Huyen Dao Thi Thanh , Ray Saikat Sinha , Kim In‐Chul , Kim Min‐Gyu , Kwon Young‐Nam 
Published: May 2022

AbstractMembrane fouling is a major problem that hinders the application of the membrane in water filtration. To address this issue, a novel reversed thermally induced phase separation (RTIPS) process is applied to fabricate a patterned polyethersulfone (PES) hollow fiber (HF) membrane using a structured spinneret. Surface patterning could induce turbulence, thereby preventing the accumulation of foulants on membrane surface. The RTIPS method requires lesser material with similar mechanical strength compared to that of conventional TIPS method. The fabrication process is optimized by changing the spinning conditions. A dope composition of 24 wt% PES is chosen to prepare the membrane. The chemical composition of the membrane is confirmed via sophisticated techniques such as Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the sample indicates the successful formation of the pattern on the shell side of the HFs. The prepared patterned HF membranes exhibits a high rejection of 97% of bovine serum albumin (BSA), which is comparable to or higher than that of commercial membranes. Moreover, the patterned membrane demonstrates better performance, thereby confirming the effectiveness of this modification in enhancing the antifouling nature.
Advances in breast cancer screening modalities and status of global screening programs
Authors: Luo Chenyu , Wang Le , Zhang Yuhan , Lu Ming , Lu Bin , Cai Jie , Chen Hongda , Dai Min 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBreast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent malignancy worldwide, and a continued upward trend has been predicted in the coming decades. Screening in selected targeted populations, which is effective in reducing cancer‐related mortality, has been widely implemented in many countries. This review summarizes the advances in BC screening techniques, organized or opportunistic BC screening programs across different countries, and screening modalities recommended by different academic authorities. Mammography is the most widely used and effective technique for BC screening. Other complementary techniques include ultrasound, clinical breast examination, and magnetic resonance imaging. Novel screening tests, including digital breast tomosynthesis and liquid biopsies, are still under development. Globally, the implementation status of BC screening programs is uneven, which is reflected by differences in screening modes, techniques, and population coverage. The recommended optimal screening strategies varied according to the authoritative guidelines. The effectiveness of current screening programs is influenced by several factors, including low detection rate, high false‐positive rate, and unsatisfactory coverage and uptake rates. Exploration of accurate BC risk prediction models and the development of risk‐stratified screening strategies are highly warranted in future research.
Determination of active ingredients in alcohol‐based gel by spectroscopic techniques and chemometric analysis
Authors: Herculano Leandro S. , Lukasievicz Gustavo V. B. , Sehn Elizandra , Torquato Alex S. , Belançon Marcos P. , Simon Anna P. , Barison Andersson , de Fátima C. Santos Maria , Savi Elton L. , Malacarne Luis C. , Astrath Nelson G. C. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe international public health emergency related to COVID‐19 caused by the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus has altered several production and registration criteria for sanitary products, including alcohol‐based hand sanitizers. In this work, we investigate the concentration of alcohol in sanitizers presented in gel form applying the principal component regression method on measurements using Infrared and Raman spectroscopic methods. The chemometric calibration is performed using isopropanol or ethanol as active agents, and the method is used to characterize several commercial samples. Furthermore, the results of the prediction of alcohol concentration, obtained by applying the principal component regression and partial least squares methods, in the spectroscopic techniques, were compared with each other and with the results provided by nuclear magnetic resonance. Our results show that spectroscopic techniques coupled with principal component regression are fast, low‐cost, and safe tools for the determination of alcohol concentration, regardless the gelling agent used.
Additional cytogenetic features determine outcome in patients allografted for TP53 mutant acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Loke Justin , Labopin Myriam , Craddock Charles , Cornelissen Jan J. , Labussière‐Wallet Hélène , Wagner‐Drouet Eva Maria , Van Gorkom Gwendolyn , Schaap Nicolaas P.M. , Kröger Nicolaus M. , Veelken Joan Hendrik , Rovira Montserrat , Menard Anne Lise , Bug Gesine , Bazarbachi Ali , Giebel Sebastian , Brissot Eolia , Nagler Arnon , Esteve Jordi , Mohty Mohamad 
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUNDThe presence of TP53 mutations is associated with an unfavorable outcome in patients allografted for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), leading some to question the benefit of an allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo‐SCT) for this patient group, although this has not been studied in a large cohort.METHODSA total of 780 patients with AML in first complete remission, with either intermediate‐ or adverse‐risk cytogenetics, whose TP53 mutation status was reported, were included in this study from the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation.RESULTSTwo‐year overall survival (OS) was impaired in patients (n = 179) with evidence of a TP53 mutation at diagnosis (35.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 26.7–43.7) as compared to the cohort without (n = 601) (64%; 95% CI, 59.1–68.4; P = .001). In patients with mutant TP53 AML with no evidence of either chromosome 17p loss (17p–) and/or complex karyotype (CK) (n = 53, 29.6%), 2‐year OS was 65.2% (95% CI, 48.4–77.6). This was not significantly different to patients without TP53 mutations. In patients with mutant TP53 AML with either 17p– and/or CK (n = 126, 70.4%), the OS was lower (24.6%; 95% CI, 16.2–34; P = .001).CONCLUSIONSIn summary, the adverse prognostic effect of TP53 mutations in AML following an allo‐SCT is not evident in patients with neither co‐occurring 17p– and/or CK, and these data inform decisions regarding allo‐SCT in patients with TP53 mutant AML.
Demographic response of Northern Bobwhite to hardwood canopy management in pine savanna
Authors: Malone Kristen M. , Terhune Theron M. , Sieving Kathryn E. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractDisruption of historic fire regimes has led to the expansion of hardwoods into pine savanna ecosystems in the southeastern United States. Management strategies that reduce mature mesophytic oaks in pine savanna that was previously fire suppressed may help restore understory vegetation and positively affect understory birds. Many private lands in the Southeast are managed intentionally for the Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus; hereafter bobwhite), a species with high cultural and economic importance to the region. Mechanical hardwood reduction is used to restore southeastern pine savanna and as a predation management tool to enhance populations of bobwhite although its utility has not been empirically tested. We measured the demographic response of bobwhite to a large‐scale hardwood reduction using a before‐after‐control‐impact (BACI) study replicated at two properties in the Red Hills region of northern Florida, United States, that had a relatively low density of mature, mesophytic hardwoods and were already managed for bobwhite with 2‐year fire return intervals, supplemental feeding, and meso‐mammal control. We monitored reproduction at 561 nests and survival of 1529 adults tracked with radiotelemetry. In treated sites, mean daily nest survival was 0.98 and did not change following hardwood reduction. Reproductive effort declined each year (pre‐ and post‐treatment; 2015–2018) in one treated site and varied relatively little in the other. At both treated sites, weekly adult survival decreased to 0.93–0.94 immediately following the treatment, then increased gradually but did not exceed pretreatment weekly survival (0.98) within 2–3 years following the treatment. Our results suggest hardwood reduction may not benefit bobwhite adult survival or productivity within 2–3 years of application on sites that are already managed intensively with prescribed fire, predator control, and supplemental feeding and that hardwoods in this system may not have direct negative impacts on understory birds. Further study is necessary to determine under what conditions hardwood reduction may be beneficial and whether other metrics such as chick survival or immigration are affected. Our study sites represent typical land management in the Red Hills region, and we believe the inference of this study extends at least to properties with similar management schemes and similar bobwhite population density.
Flow cytometry‐based high‐throughput RNAi screening for miRNAs regulating MHC class II HLA‐DR surface expression
Authors: Houseman Maja , Huang Melody Ying‐Yu , Huber Markus , Staiger Matthias , Zhang Lan , Hoffmann Anneliese , Lippuner Christoph , Stüber Frank 
Published: May 2022

AbstractHLA‐DR isotype is a MHC‐II cell‐surface receptor found on APCs and plays a key role in initiating immune responses. In severely immunocompromised patients with conditions like sepsis, the number of HLA‐DR molecules expressed on leukocytes is considered to correlate with infectious complications and patients’ probability of survival. The underlying regulatory mechanisms of HLA‐DR expression remain largely unknown. One probable path to regulation is through microRNAs (miRNAs), which have been implicated as regulatory elements of both innate and adaptive immune system development and function. In our study, flow cytometry‐based high‐throughput miRNA screening was performed in a stable HLA‐DR‐expressing human melanoma cell line, MelJuSo, for either up‐ or downregulating miRNAs of the surface HLA‐DR expression. By the end of the screening, the top ten upregulators and top five downregulators were identified, and both the HLA‐DR protein and mRNA regulations were further verified and validated. In‐silico approaches were applied for functional miRNA‐mRNA interaction prediction. The potential underlying gene regulations of different miRNAs were proposed. Our results promote the study of miRNA‐mediated HLA‐DR regulation under both physiological and pathological conditions, and may pave the way for potential clinical applications.
Assessment and conceptual design of a SOFC/TIG/TEG‐based hybrid propulsion system for a small UAV
Authors: Ren Xiaohui 
Published: May 2022

SummaryImproving the electricity output of a propulsion configuration of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can be effective in achieving the targets of controlling fuel consumption and high flight endurance. Recently, fuel cell‐powered UAVs have been developed to achieve these goals. In addition, the use of an integrated fuel cell‐based electric propulsion system can further improve power generation rate. On the other hand, due to the limited reports on fuel cell‐powered UAVs (especially solid oxide fuel cell [SOFC]), it is necessary to conduct more and detailed studies. In this regard, the present article provides a conceptual analysis of a SOFC/thermionic generator (TIG)/thermoelectric generator (TEG) integrated propulsion configuration to produce electric energy of a small UAV. SOFC stack converts chemical energy into electric current and thermal energy. The thermal energy of the stack's exhaust is converted into electric power under two processes in downstream generators. The objective of this work is to calculate the needful power of an UAV at desired mission requirements. The present study presents a new propulsion configuration. In addition, the proposed system's design and modeling as well as provided results are in such a way that the propulsion system can be generalized for any desired size of UAV. The finding revealed that the introduced propulsion configuration could produce nearly 553.7 W of electricity. Moreover, the efficiency of electricity production was close to 49.3%. It was also found that the drone requires nearly 1.3 kW of electric power to perform the intended mission. According to the conceptual evaluation of the proposed propulsion configuration, five scenarios are also suggested to provide the necessary power to the UAV.
Resilient expansion planning of virtual power plant with an integrated energy system considering reliability criteria of lines and towers
Authors: Mishra Sambeet , Bordin Chiara , Wu Qiuwei , Manninen Henri 
Published: May 2022

SummaryThe portfolio of virtual power plants (VPP) is a flexible system for facilitating a wide range of resources with wide geographical coverage. A VPP can be placed at the intersection of electric power and energy systems by adding heat pumps to the portfolio, thereby accelerating the formation of integrated energy systems. VPPs, while virtual, still rely on a physical network for operations. The power transmission network has the responsibility of ensuring the security of supply, reliability of operation, and optimal planning for expansion. A vast majority of power network infrastructures, such as lines and towers, were installed in the last century, thus the existing infrastructure with aging components is not homogeneous. The transmission network covers a large geographical area which is expensive to maintain and requires large investments to avoid congestion. This work addresses the research question of how the condition of the existing network infrastructure affects the potential plans to expand the network. The condition of network infrastructure refers to the health of each line and tower. The decision of expansion includes both expansion with dismantling (restructuring) and without (reconfiguration) dismantling the existing lines and towers. The condition of the power network is determined by the maintenance cost of lines as well as a health index with associated risk factors of the tower. The investigation covers a range of cases where we research how the investment decisions change with the option of installing heat pumps in order to meet heating demand locally, and also when the condition of the network (health of lines and towers) is factored in, while also adding in the level of risk associated with each tower. Beyond the cases, extensive sensitivity analyses are conducted to evaluate the trade‐offs between decision variables, such as cost of heat pump, coefficient of performance of heat pump, risk factors, and line and tower costs. The results of this work lay the foundation for understanding how the condition of network infrastructure impacts optimal decisions for expansion.
High‐order modeling of interface interactions using level sets
Authors: Fleischmann Nico , Winter Josef M. , Adami Stefan , Adams Nikolaus A. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractMost technological advancements in medicine, process and energy engineering, life and food science, mobility and environmental engineering involve mastering fluid mechanical effects. In particular, compressible flow physics including shockwaves and phase‐interface interactions exhibit multi‐scale phenomena spanning several orders of magnitude upwards from nanometer and nanosecond time scales. Clearly, detailed analysis of such effects is impossible by means of experimental techniques. On the contrary, numerical modeling and simulations allow to capture the aforementioned mechanisms and provide non‐invasive access to any quantity of interest. Yet, the complex fluid physics require powerful computational methods utilizing recent advancements for high‐order schemes. In this work, we provide an overview on latest high‐order low‐dissipation schemes using level sets to model discontinuous phase‐interface interactions.
The p97‐Nploc4 ATPase complex plays a role in muscle atrophy during cancer and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Re Cecconi Andrea David , Barone Mara , Gaspari Simona , Tortarolo Massimo , Bendotti Caterina , Porcu Luca , Terribile Giulia , Piccirillo Rosanna 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe p97 complex participates in the degradation of muscle proteins during atrophy upon fasting or denervation interacting with different protein adaptors. We investigated whether and how it might also be involved in muscle wasting in cancer, where loss of appetite occurs, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), where motoneuron death causes muscle denervation and fatal paralysis.MethodsAs cancer cachexia models, we used mice bearing colon adenocarcinoma C26, human renal carcinoma RXF393, or Lewis lung carcinoma, with breast cancer 4T1‐injected mice as controls. As ALS models, we employed 129/SvHsd mice carrying the mutation G93A in human SOD1. The expression of p97 and its adaptors was analysed in their muscles by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot. We electroporated plasmids into muscles or treated mice with disulfiram (DSF) to test the effects of inhibiting p97 and nuclear protein localization protein 4 (Nploc4), one of its adaptors, on atrophy.ResultsThe mRNA levels of p97 were induced by 1.5‐fold to 2‐fold in tibialis anterior (TA) of all the cachectic models but not in the non‐cachectic 4T1 tumour‐bearing mice (P ≤ 0.05). Similarly, p97 was high both in mRNA and protein in TA from 17‐week‐old SOD1G93A mice (P ≤ 0.01). Electroporation of a shRNA for murine p97 into mouse muscle reduced the fibre atrophy caused by C26 (P = 0.0003) or ALS (P ≤ 0.01). When we interrogated a microarray, we had previously generated for the expression of p97 adaptors, we found Derl1, Herpud1, Nploc4, Rnf31, and Hsp90ab1 induced in cachectic TA from C26‐mice (Fold change > 1.2, adjusted P ≤ 0.05). By qPCR, we validated their inductions in TA of cachectic and ALS models and selected Nploc4 as the one also induced at the protein level by 1.5‐fold (P ≤ 0.01). Electroporation of a CRISPR/Cas9 vector against Nploc4 into muscle reduced the fibre atrophy caused by C26 (P = 0.01) or ALS (P ≤ 0.0001). Because DSF uncouples p97 from Nploc4, we treated atrophying myotubes with DSF, and found accumulated mono and polyubiquitinated proteins and reduced degradation of long‐lived proteins by 35% (P ≤ 0.0001), including actin (P ≤ 0.05). DSF halves Nploc4 in the soluble muscle fraction (P ≤ 0.001) and given to C26‐bearing mice limited the body and muscle weight loss (P ≤ 0.05), with no effect on tumour growth.ConclusionsOverall, cancer cachexia and ALS seem to display similar mechanisms of muscle wasting at least at the catabolic level. The p97‐Nploc4 complex appears to have a crucial role in muscle atrophy during these disorders and disrupting this complex might serve as a novel drug strategy.
Effect of green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles using Paspalum scrobiculatum grains extract in biological applications
Authors: Velsankar K. , Parvathy G. , Mohandoss S. , Sudhahar Sakkarapani 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIn this report, ZnO nanoparticles were biosynthesized using Paspalum scrobiculatum grains extract for the first time. GC–MS analysis explicated that diethyl phthalate was the major phytocompound with 94.09% in aqueous extract. ZnO nanoparticles formation was confirmed by various physicochemical analyses. HR‐TEM images showed the hexagonal, rectangular shaped nanoparticles in 15–30 nm size. The antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and anti‐diabetic analyses showed the effective bioactivity of ZnO nanoparticles in 80 μg/ml concentration with 95.36%, 94.08%, and 91.96%, respectively. The morphological and tissue changes witnessed in larvicidal and insecticidal activities against Culex tritaeniorhynchus and Tribolium castaneum revealed the efficient nature of ZnO nanoparticles in 100 ppm at 48 h and 100 μg/kg at 72 h, respectively. The morphological changes in antibacterial activity demonstrated the bactericidal nature of ZnO nanoparticles against Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus in 150 μg/ml concentration. The morphological observations in anticancer activity against HepG2 liver cancer cells showed the potent drug features of ZnO nanoparticles in 100 μg/ml concentration with 97.18% of cytotoxicity. The ZnO nanoparticles showed no toxicity against HDF normal cells in lower concentrations and it explicated the biocompatible features of nanoparticles. The Vigna radiata plant growth was efficiently promoted by low (60 ppm) concentration of nanoparticles. The ZnO nanoparticles divulged effective degradation of IPA, EDTA, BQ, and DPBF in 75%, 45%, 55%, and 80% through ROS formation, respectively. Thus, the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles are biocompatible and inexpensive material compared to the traditional one and can be utilized as an efficient material in biological fields.Research Highlights
Efficient larvicidal and insecticidal activities were evinced at low IC50 value.
The ZnO nanoparticles were non‐toxic to HDP (fibroblast) normal cells.
Efficient plant growth was attained at 60 ppm concentration.
Evaluation of the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 2019 and the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guidelines' performances for choledocholithiasis prediction in clinically suspected patients: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Tunruttanakul Suppadech , Chareonsil Borirak , Verasmith Kotchakorn , Patumanond Jayanton , Mingmalairak Chatchai 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackground and AimThe American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) have published guidelines for choledocholithiasis. However, the guidelines were formulated using data from a large number of patients with no to low risk of common bile duct (CBD) stones. This study aimed to assess the guidelines' predictive performance in a population with a high frequency of stones.MethodsData for three choledocholithiasis standard reference tests were retrospectively reviewed from January 2019 to June 2021. Clinical parameters were used to categorize patients into risk groups according to the guidelines, and then the guidelines' predictive abilities were calculated.ResultsAmong 1185 patients, 521 were included. The stone prevalence was 61.0% (n = 318). Twelve (2.3%), 146 (28.0%), and 363 (69.7%) patients were classified into low‐, intermediate‐, and high‐risk groups according to the ASGE guidelines, and 30 (5.8%), 149 (28.6%), and 342 (65.6%) according to the ESGE guidelines. Focusing on the high‐risk group, the ASGE guidelines had a positive predictive value of 73.6 and a positive likelihood ratio of 1.78. The ESGE guidelines had a positive predictive value of 73.7 and positive likelihood ratio of 1.79. Both guidelines had equivalent areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.69 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.65–0.73) and 0.68 (95% CI: 0.64–0.72), respectively.ConclusionIn the high‐risk group, the guidelines increased the chance of detecting choledocholithiasis by approximately 10% (61.0% prevalence to 73.6 and 73.7% positive predictive value). However, statistically, the guidelines had marginal discriminative performance in a population with high stone prevalence.