bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultra‐Facile Fabrication of Hydrogels through Photopolymerization of Oleyl Methacrylate and Epoxidized Oleyl Methacrylate with N‐Isopropylacrylamide
Authors: Cakir Hatir Pinar , Cayli Gokhan 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThis study reports an ultra‐facile, economical, and environmentally friendly hydrogel synthesis method using renewable raw materials. The synthesis and photopolymerization of oleyl methacrylate (OM) and the epoxidized derivative of OM monomers are evaluated. In the first step, oleyl alcohol is esterified with methacryloyl chloride and then epoxidized via the Prilezhaev reaction. These monomers are used for hydrogel synthesis. For this purpose, they are polymerized with N‐isopropyl acrylamide, N,N‐methylene bis(acrylamide), or ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDGMA) via the photopolymerization technique. Novel hydrogels are successfully fabricated using a green process. Epoxidized OM‐based hydrogel achieves an excellent yield of 87.1%. Moreover, low‐energy UV irradiation and short reaction times reduces energy consumption. The thermal properties of the gels are also considered by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis techniques. DSC results reveal that the epoxidized OM‐based hydrogel exhibits a melting peak at 84.5 °C. The highest 5% weight loss temperature is obtained for the OM‐EDGMA copolymer as an indicator of thermal stability.
Well‐Defined Tetrazole‐Functional Copolymers as Macromolecular Ligands for Luminescent Ir(III) and Re(I) Metal Species: Synthesis, Photophysical Properties and Application in Bioimaging
Authors: Dallerba Elena , Hartnell David , Hackett Mark J. , Massi Massimiliano , Lowe Andrew B. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractWell‐defined copolymers containing luminescent iridium and hybrid iridium/rhenium fragments are prepared utilizing parent poly(n‐butyl acrylamide‐co‐N‐(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl) acrylamide) as macromolecular chelating species. The parent (co)polymers are prepared via the modification of a precursor poly(pentafluorophenyl acrylate) (polyPFPA) homopolymer, prepared by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization, with n‐butylamine and 5‐aminotetrazole. Reaction of the parent copolymers with [Ir2(ppy)4(μ−Cl2)] (ppy = 2‐phenylpyridine) yields modified copolymers containing the Ir(ppy)2 fragment as a pendent group. Attachment of the Ir species is confirmed by a combination of photophysical studies, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and visually under irradiation with UV light. Importantly, it is demonstrated that the chelation of the Ir(ppy)2 fragment to a polymeric scaffold does not impact the fundamental photophysical properties of the Ir species. Attachment of a second luminescent metal species, Re(CO)3(phen) (phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline), gives hybrid materials containing Re(I) and Ir(III). The photophysical properties of these hybrid materials are consistent with the presence of both metal species and indicate the occurrence of energy transfer phenomena from the polymer‐bound Ir to Re metal centers. Finally, it is demonstrated that the Ir modified polymers and the Ir/Re hybrid materials offer potential in tissue imaging applications with scope to tune both luminescent properties and biological specificity as evidenced from preliminary brain tissue staining experiments.
Sustainable food packaging films based on alginate and aloe vera
Authors: Hadi Alina , Nawab Anjum , Alam Feroz , Zehra Kishwar 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBiodegradable films based on sodium alginate and aloe vera were prepared by casting technique. The resulting films were characterized by swelling behavior, scanning electron microscopy, biodegradation, as well as mechanical and barrier properties. The aloe vera gel exerted a positive influence on mechanical and physico‐chemical properties. Aloe vera gel improved the tensile strength of the films giving maximum value of 21.20 N/mm2at 20% gel. Water vapor permeability of the composite films was reduced which made the film more effective as a moisture barrier, giving the most efficient result of 1.16 × 10−10 g m−1 s−1 Pa−1at 50% aloe vera gel. The present study demonstrates the viability of the composite alginate aloe vera films as a biodegradable alternative to synthetic plastic films for the packaging of food materials.
Computational design of stapled peptide inhibitor against SARS‐CoV‐2 receptor binding domain
Authors: Choudhury Asha Rani , Maity Atanu , Chakraborty Sayantani , Chakrabarti Rajarshi 
Published: April 2022

AbstractSince its first detection in 2019, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has been the cause of millions of deaths worldwide. Despite the development and administration of different vaccines, the situation is still worrisome as the virus is constantly mutating to produce newer variants some of which are highly infectious. This raises an urgent requirement to understand the infection mechanism and thereby design therapeutic‐based treatment for COVID‐19. The gateway of the virus to the host cell is mediated by the binding of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the virus spike protein to the angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) of the human cell. Therefore, the RBD of SARS‐CoV‐2 can be used as a target to design therapeutics. The α1 helix of ACE2, which forms direct contact with the RBD surface, has been used as a template in the current study to design stapled peptide therapeutics. Using computer simulation, the mechanism and thermodynamics of the binding of six stapled peptides with RBD have been estimated. Among these, the one with two lactam stapling agents has shown binding affinity, sufficient to overcome RBD‐ACE2 binding. Analyses of the mechanistic detail reveal that a reorganization of amino acids at the RBD‐ACE2 interface produces favorable enthalpy of binding whereas conformational restriction of the free peptide reduces the loss in entropy to result higher binding affinity. The understanding of the relation of the nature of the stapling agent with their binding affinity opens up the avenue to explore stapled peptides as therapeutic against SARS‐CoV‐2.
High‐precision positioning technology for high‐performance quantum networks
Authors: Kolata Kolja 
Published: April 2022

AbstractA team led by Gerhard Rempe at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics uses SmarAct's nano‐precise, stick‐slip piezo stages to enter the uncharted territory of quantum communications. In order to make this happen, they couple‐crossed optical fiber cavities to one atom. This setup essentially forms a quantum network node that connects to two quantum channels, one provided by each cavity. It features passive, heralded and high‐fidelity quantum memory that is not dependent on any amplitude and phase‐critical control fields or error‐prone feedback loops. Slight modification to the crossed optical fiber cavity setup provides non‐destructive qubit detection within quantum networks. Both the highly reliable quantum memory system and the nondestructive qubit detection represent breakthroughs that pave the way for fully functional, large‐scale quantum networks with multiple connected nodes [1, 2].
Pediatric empyema: Are ultrasound characteristics at the time of intervention predictive of reintervention?
Authors: Haggie Stuart , Selvadurai Hiran , Gunasekera Hasantha , Fitzgerald Dominic A. , Lord David , Chennapragada Murthy S. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundParapneumonic effusions and empyema are the most frequent complication of pediatric pneumonia. Interventions include chest drain and fibrinolytics (CDF) or thoracoscopic surgery. CDF is considered less invasive, and more cost‐effective though with higher rates of reintervention. We hypothesized that sonographic pleural fluid characteristics could identify cases at increased risk of reintervention following primary CDF.MethodsA retrospective cohort of complicated pneumonia managed with primary CDF (2011−2018). Cases were reviewed using ultrasound criteria to describe pleural fluid. We analyzed the correlation between ultrasound findings and reintervention.ResultsWe report 129 cases with a median age of 3.8 years and 44% female. A repeat intervention occurred for 24/129 (19%) cases. The interobserver reliability was moderate for the number of septations (κ 0.72, 95% CI [confidence interval]: 0.62−0.81), weak for the size of the largest locule (κ 0.55, 95% CI: 0.44−0.67), and minimal for the level of echogenicity (κ 0.24, 95% CI: 0.11−0.37), pleural thickening (κ 0.29, 95% CI: 0.17−0.42), maximum effusion depth (κ 0.37, 95% CI: 0.22−0.51), and radiologist's risk for reintervention (κ 0.34, 95% CI: 0.18−0.5). A repeat intervention was not associated with any objective sonographic variable.ConclusionWe report no association between ultrasound characteristics and repeat intervention for complicated pneumonia following primary CDF treatment. There was minimal interobserver agreement in reporting ultrasound characteristics despite more objective criteria. Clinicians rely on ultrasound findings to support decisions around intervention in pediatric empyema. This study does not support relying on ultrasound to estimate the likelihood of reintervention.
Insurance coverage and respiratory morbidities in bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Collaco Joseph M. , Tracy Michael C. , Sheils Catherine A. , Rice Jessica L. , Rhein Lawrence M. , Nelin Leif D. , Moore Paul E. , Manimtim Winston M. , Levin Jonathan C. , Lai Khanh , Hayden Lystra P. , Fierro Julie L. , Austin Eric D. , Alexiou Stamatia , Agarwal Amit , Villafranco Natalie , Siddaiah Roopa , Popova Antonia P. , Cristea Ioana A. , Baker Christopher D. , Bansal Manvi , McGrath‐Morrow Sharon A. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIntroductionPreterm infants and young children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are at increased risk for acute care utilization and chronic respiratory symptoms during early life. Identifying risk factors for respiratory morbidities in the outpatient setting could decrease the burden of care. We hypothesized that public insurance coverage was associated with higher acute care usage and respiratory symptoms in preterm infants and children with BPD after initial neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge.MethodsSubjects were recruited from BPD clinics at 10 tertiary care centers in the United States between 2018 and 2021. Demographics and clinical characteristics were obtained through chart review. Surveys for clinical outcomes were administered to caregivers.ResultsOf the 470 subjects included in this study, 249 (53.0%) received employer‐based insurance coverage and 221 (47.0%) received Medicaid as sole coverage at least once between 0 and 3 years of age. The Medicaid group was twice as likely to have sick visits (adjusted odd ratio [OR]: 2.06; p = 0.009) and emergency department visits (aOR: 2.09; p = 0.028), and three times more likely to be admitted for respiratory reasons (aOR: 3.04; p = 0.001) than those in the employer‐based group. Additionally, those in the Medicaid group were more likely to have nighttime respiratory symptoms (aOR: 2.62; p = 0.004).ConclusionsChildren with BPD who received Medicaid coverage were more likely to utilize acute care and have nighttime respiratory symptoms during the first 3 years of life. More comprehensive studies are needed to determine whether the use of Medicaid represents a barrier to accessing care, lower socioeconomic status, and/or a proxy for detrimental environmental exposures.
Postdischarge health resource use in pediatric survivors of prolonged mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory illness
Authors: Vo Michelle , Miller Kristen , Bennett Tellen D. , Mourani Peter M. , LaVelle Jaime , Carpenter Todd C. , Scott Watson R. , Pyle Laura L. , Maddux Aline B. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractWe aimed to identify characteristics associated with postdischarge health resource use in children without medical complexity who survived an episode of prolonged mechanical ventilation for respiratory illness. We hypothesized that longer durations of mechanical ventilation, noncomplex chronic conditions, and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) would be associated with readmission or an Emergency Department (ED) visit. In this retrospective cohort, we evaluated children without a complex chronic condition who survived a respiratory illness requiring ≥3 days of mechanical ventilation and who had insurance eligibility within the Colorado All Payers Claims Database. We used insurance claims to characterize health resource use and multivariable logistic regression to identify characteristics associated with readmission or an ED visit during the postdischarge year. We evaluated 82 children, median age 12.8 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 4.0–24.1), 20 (24%) with a noncomplex chronic condition and 62 (76%) without any chronic conditions. Bronchiolitis (60%) and pneumonia/aspiration pneumonitis (17%) were the most common etiologies of respiratory failure and 47 (57%) patients had severe ARDS. Forty‐six (56%) patients had an ED visit or readmission. Among the 18 readmitted patients, 16/18 (89%) readmissions were for respiratory illness. Forty (49%) patients had ≥2 outpatient pulmonary visits and 45 (55%) filled a pulmonary medication prescription. In analyses controlling for age, illness severity and mechanical ventilation duration, severe ARDS was predictive of ED visit or readmission (odds ratio [OR]: 5.53 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.79, 19.09]). Children who survive prolonged mechanical ventilation for respiratory disease experience high rates of postdischarge health resource use, particularly those surviving severe ARDS.
Magnetic resonance imaging‐only‐based radiation treatment planning for simultaneous integrated boost of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging‐defined dominant intraprostatic lesions
Authors: Dumas Michael , Leney Marisa , Kim Joshua , Sevak Parag , Elshaikh Mohamed , Pantelic Milan , Movsas Benjamin , Chetty Indrin J. , Wen Ning 
Published: April 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the feasibility of using synthetic computed tomography for treatment planning of the dominant intraprostatic lesion (DIL), a high‐risk region of interest that offers potential for increased local tumor control.MethodsA dosimetric study was performed on 15 prostate cancer patients with biopsy‐proven prostate cancer who had undergone magnetic resonance imaging. DILs were contoured based on the turbo spin echo T2‐weighted and diffusion weighted images. Air, bone, fat, and soft tissue were segmented and assigned bulk‐density HU values of –1000, 285, –50, and 40, respectively, to create a synthetic computed tomography. Simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) and standard treatment plans were created for each patient. The total dose was 79.2 Gy to the non‐boosted planning target volume for both plans with a boost of 100 Gy for the DIL in the SIB plan. A radiobiological model was created to determine individualized dose–response curves based on the patient's apparent diffusion coefficient maps.ResultsMean doses to the non‐boost planning target volume were 81.2 ± 0.3 Gy with the SIB and 81.0 ± 0.4 Gy without. For the DIL, the boosted mean dose was 102.6 ± 0.6 Gy. Total motor unit was 860 ± 100 with the SIB and 730 ±100 without. Femoral heads, rectum, bladder, and penile bulb were within established dose guidelines for either treatment technique. The average tumor control probability was 94% with the SIB compared with 78% without boosting the DIL.ConclusionThis study showed the feasibility of magnetic resonance imaging‐only treatment planning for patients with prostate cancer with a SIB to the DIL. DIL dose can be escalated to 100 Gy on synthetic computed tomography, while maintaining the original 79.2 Gy prescription dose and the organ of interest clinical dose limits.
Prostate MRI percentage tumor involvement or “PI‐RADS percent” as a predictor of adverse surgical pathology
Authors: Ratnani Parita , Dovey Zach , Parekh Sneha , Sobotka Stanislaw , Shukla Devki , Davis Avery , Roshandel Reza , Wagaskar Vinayak , Jambor Ivan , Lundon Dara J. , Wiklund Peter , Kyprianou Natasha , Menon Mani , Tewari Ash 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundThis study assesses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) prostate % tumor involvement or “PI‐RADs percent” as a predictor of adverse pathology (AP) after surgery for localized prostate cancer (PCa). Two separate variables, “All PI‐RADS percent” (APP) and “Highest PI‐RADS percent” (HPP), are defined as the volume of All PI‐RADS 3–5 score lesions on MRI and the volume of the Highest PI‐RADS 3‐5 score lesion each divided by TPV, respectively.MethodAn analysis was done of an IRB approved prospective cohort of 557 patients with localized PCa who had targeted biopsy of MRI PIRADs 3–5 lesions followed by RARP from April 2015 to May 2020 performed by a single surgeon at a single center. AP was defined as ISUP GGG ≥3, pT stage ≥T3 and/or LNI. Univariate and multivariable analyses were used to evaluate APP and HPP at predicting AP with other clinical variables such as Age, PSA at surgery, Race, Biopsy GGG, mpMRI ECE and mpMRI SVI. Internal and External Validation demonstrated predicted probabilities versus observed probabilities.ResultsAP was reported in 44.5% (n = 248) of patients. Multivariable regression showed both APP (odds ratio [OR]: 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–1.14, p = 0.0007) and HPP (OR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.04–1.16; p = 0.0007) were significantly associated with AP with individual area under the operating curves (AUCs) of 0.6142 and 0.6229, respectively, and AUCs of 0.8129 and 0.8124 when incorporated in models including preoperative PSA and highest biopsy GGG.ConclusionsIncreasing PI‐RADS Percent was associated with a higher risk of AP, and both APP and HPP may have clinical utility as predictors of AP in GGG 1 and 2 patients being considered for AS.Patient SummaryUsing PIRADs percent to predict AP for presurgical patients may help risk stratification, and for low and low volume intermediate risk patients, may influence treatment decisions.
Penetrance during Wolbachia‐mediated parthenogenesis of Trichogramma wasps is reduced by continuous oviposition, associated with exhaustion of Wolbachia titers in ovary and offspring eggs
Authors: Zhou Jin‐Cheng , Shang Dan , Qian Qian , Zhang Chen , Zhang Li‐Sheng , Dong Hui 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBACKGROUNDThelytokous Wolbachia‐infected Trichogramma wasps are superior to bisexual uninfected wasps regarding biological control programs. However, continuous oviposition weakens the parthenogenesis‐inducing (PI) strength of Wolbachia. Whether this reduced PI strength relates to decreases in the titer of Wolbachia in the ovary and offspring eggs of Trichogramma remains unclear. Here, using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) methods, we investigated how the penetrance of Wolbachia‐mediated parthenogenesis, Wolbachia density, and distributions of two Wolbachia‐infected Trichogramma species, T. pretiosum (TP) and T. dendrolimi (TD), were influenced by different host access treatments [newly‐emerged virgin females (NE), 7‐day‐old females without access to host eggs (NAH), and 7‐day‐old virgin females with access to host eggs (AH)].RESULTSContinuous oviposition decreased Wolbachia PI strength and titers in TP and TD. Continuous oviposition in AH decreased Wolbachia titers in abdomen and offspring eggs of TP and TD females, compared with NAH and NE; NAH had a lower thorax Wolbachia titer than NE. The numbers of parasitized host eggs and offspring wasps, and emergence rates of offspring deposited by AH were lower than those of NE and NAH, for either species.CONCLUSIONWeakened PI strength, driven by continuous oviposition in Trichogramma wasps, is associated with Wolbachia titer exhaustion in ovary and offspring eggs. Wolbachia density is dependent on PI strength in Trichogramma wasps, highlighting the side effects of continuous oviposition regarding thelytokous Wolbachia‐infected Trichogramma in biological control programs. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Safety enhanced surgical robot for flexible ureteroscopy based on force feedback
Authors: Shu Xiongpeng , Hua Peng , Wang Shuang , Zhang Ling , Xie Le 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundAlthough some robotic systems have been developed to improve conventional flexible ureteroscopy (FURS), a widely used intervention in urology, these robots rarely have a comprehensive force feedback function which is important for master‐slave controlled surgical robots.MethodsHere, we design and fabricate a novel FURS robot with a comprehensive force feedback function. Moreover, to realize better force feedback, a neural network‐based method is also demonstrated to estimate the interactive forces between the flexible ureteroscope and the environment.ResultsWe show that when teleoperating the flexible ureteroscope with our robot, the operator can accurately feel the obstruction if the interactive axial force or torque exceeds 1.2 N or 15.6 mN·m respectively. For bending movement, augmented force feedback greatly improves the accuracy of the operator's perception of obstruction.ConclusionsThe developed robotic system with force feedback is expected to improve the safety of robot‐assisted FURS.
Adaptive finite‐time and fixed‐time control design using output stability conditions
Authors: Zimenko Konstantin , Efimov Denis , Polyakov Andrey 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe present article provides a sufficient condition to ensure output finite‐time and fixed‐time stability. Comparing with analogous researches the proposed result is less restrictive and obtained for a wider class of systems. The presented output stability condition is used for adaptive control design, where the state vector of a plant is extended by adjustable control parameters.
Scaled agile framework. Dealing with software process‐related challenges of a financial group with the action research approach
Authors: Kowalczyk Michał , Marcinkowski Bartosz , Przybyłek Adam 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThis article reports on a domain‐specific software development venture at Nordea. We explore organizational constraints, challenges, and corrective actions undertaken when scaling the agile development approach of their Core Banking Platform program. The fit and required customizations of the rather complex and rigid SAFe framework in a policy‐heavy financial institution are audited against the organic growth of the program. In a qualitative study with three cycles using the Action Research method, both organizational and technical restrictions were tackled jointly with the company employees. Thirty‐four potential solutions were developed—some of which turned out to be dead‐ends. Ultimately, the effectiveness of prior recommendations was tested in a highly challenging implementation environment, and the list of guidelines was extended. We discovered several meeting and collaboration schemes that are not fully aligned with previous reports.