bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Safety of ACEi and ARB in COVID‐19 management: A retrospective analysis
Authors: Kumar Sabina , Nikravesh Mastaneh , Chukwuemeka Umeh , Randazzo Michael , Flores Peter , Choday Prithi , Raja Ajith , Aseri Mahendra , Shivang Shah , Chaudhuri Sumanta , Barve Pranav 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackground & AimsSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV2)is a highly contagious virus that has infected 260 million individuals since December 2019. The severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) depends upon the complex interplay between viral factors and the host's inflammatory response, which can trigger a cascadeeventually leading to multiorgan failure. There is contradictory evidence that angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) may affect mortality in patients with severe COVID‐19, theoretically due to interaction with the bradykinin pathway. Therefore, we aim to explore the association between ACEi and ARB use and mortality in severe SARS‐CoV2 infection.Severe acute respiratory yndrome with coronavirus (SARS‐CoV2) is a highly contagious virus that has infected 260 million individuals since December 2019. The severity of COVID‐19 depends upon the complex interplay between viral factors and the host's inflammatory response, which can trigger a cascadeeventually leading to multiorgan failure. There is contradictory evidence that angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) may affect mortality in patients with severe COVID‐19, theoretically due to interaction with the bradykinin pathway. Therefore, we aim to explore the association between ACEi and ARB use and mortality in severe SARS‐CoV2 infection.Materials & MethodologyThis multicenter retrospective observational study enrolled 2935 COVID‐19 patients admitted at six hospitals in Southern California, USA, between March 2020 and August 2021. Our primary outcome was the association of pre‐hospital use of ACEi and ARB on in‐hospital mortality in COVID‐19 patients. First, relevant deidentified patient data were extracted using an SQL program from the electronic medical record. Then, a bivariate analysis of the relationship between ACEi and ARB use and different study variables using χ2 and t test was done. Finally, we did a backward selection Cox multivariate regression analysis using mortality as a dependent variable.ResultsOf the 2935 patients in the study, hypertension was present in 40.6%, and congestive heart failure in 13.8%. ACEi and ARB were used by 17.5% and 11.3% of patients, respectively, with 28.8% of patients on either medication. After adjusting for confounding variables in the multivariate analysis, the use of ACEi (HR: 1.226, 95% CI: 0.989–1.520) or ARB (HR: 0.923, 95% CI: 0.701–1.216) was not independently associated with increased mortality.ConclusionOur results are consistent with the clinical guidelines and position statements per the International Society of Hypertension, that there is no indication to stop the use of ACEi/ARB in COVID‐19 patients.
An Ensemble Structure and Physicochemical (SPOC) Descriptor for Machine‐Learning Prediction of Chemical Reaction and Molecular Properties
Authors: Yang Qi , Liu Yidi , Cheng Junjie , Li Yao , Liu Siyuan , Duan Yingdong , Zhang Long , Luo Sanzhong 
Published: April 2022

AbstractFeature representations, or descriptors, are machines’ chemical language that largely shapes the prediction capability, generalizability and interpretability of machine learning models. To develop a generally applicable descriptor is highly warranted for chemists to deal with conventional prediction tasks in the context of sparsely distributed and small datasets. Inspired by the chemist's vision on molecules, we presented herein an ensemble descriptor, SPOC, curated on the principles of physical organic chemistry that integrates Structure and Physicochemical property (SPOC) of a molecule. SPOC could be readily constructed by combining molecular fingerprints, representing the structure of a given molecule, and molecular physicochemical properties extracted from RDKit or Mordred molecular descriptors. The applicability of SPOC was fully surveyed in a range of well‐structured chemical databases with machine learning tasks varying from regression to classifications.
Remotely sensed effectiveness assessments of protected areas lack a common framework: A review
Authors: Gohr Charlotte , von Wehrden Henrik , May Felix , Ibisch Pierre L. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractEffective protected areas reflect socio‐ecological values, such as biodiversity and habitat maintenance, as well as human well‐being. These values, which safeguard ecosystem services in protected areas, are treated as models for the sustainable preservation and use of resources. While there is much research on the effectiveness of protected areas in a variety of disciplines, the question is whether there is a common framework that uses remote sensing methods. We conducted a qualitative and a quantitative analysis of 44 peer‐reviewed scientific papers utilizing remote sensing data in order to examine the effectiveness of protected areas. Very few studies to date have a wide or even a global geographical focus; instead, most quantify the effectiveness of protected areas by focusing on local‐scale case studies and single indicators such as forest cover change. Methods that help integrate spatial selection approaches, to compare a protected area's characteristics with its surroundings, are increasingly being used. Based on this review, we argue for a multi‐indicator‐based framework on protected area effectiveness, including the development of a consistent set of socio‐ecological indicators for a global analysis. In turn, this will allow for globally applicable use, including a concrete evaluation that considers the diversity of regional parameters, biome‐specific variables, and political frameworks. Ideally, such a framework will enhance the monitoring and evaluation of global strategies and conventions.
Solid Contact Ion‐selective Electrodes on Printed Circuit Board with Membrane Displacement
Authors: Zhang Zhehao , Papautsky Ian 
Published: April 2022

AbstractMultiplexed solid‐contact ion‐selective electrodes (SCISEs) are fabricated using printed circuit board (PCB) and mesoporous carbon black (MCB) as ion‐to‐electron transducer (solid contact). Four sensor configurations were examined and showed that in addition to MCB, the sensor configuration plays crucial role in the stability of the potential response. The enhanced sensor stability was also linked with suppression of transmembrane flux of water. The sensors exhibited near‐Nernstian sensitivity (58.1 mV/dec for K+ ISEs and −55.1 mV/dec for NO3‐ ISEs), low detection limits (1.5–2.2 μM), and good short‐term stability (∼0.1 mV/min). Sensors can be stored dry and used without preconditioning. This work demonstrates a promising approach to combining PCB technology and carbon black for large‐scale production of low cost ISEs for point‐of‐care testing, wearables, or in situ field measurements.
Frequency–dependency of the involvement of dopamine D1/D5 and beta‐adrenergic receptors in hippocampal LTD triggered by locus coeruleus stimulation
Authors: Babushkina Natalia , Manahan‐Vaughan Denise 
Published: April 2022

AbstractPatterned stimulation of the locus coeruleus (LC, 100 Hz), in conjunction with test‐pulse stimulation of hippocampal afferents, results in input‐specific long‐term depression (LTD) of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. Effects are long‐lasting and have been described in Schaffer‐collateral–CA1 and perforant path‐dentate gyrus synapses in behaving rats. To what extent LC‐mediated hippocampal LTD (LC‐LTD) is frequency‐dependent is unclear. Here, we report that LC‐LTD can be triggered by LC stimulation with 2 and 5 Hz akin to tonic activity, 10 Hz equivalent to phasic activity, and 100 Hz akin to high‐phasic activity in the dentate gyrus (DG) of freely behaving rats. LC‐LTD at both 2 and 100 Hz can be significantly prevented by an NMDA receptor antagonist. The LC releases both noradrenaline (NA) and dopamine (DA) from its hippocampal terminals and may also trigger hippocampal DA release by activating the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Unclear is whether both neurotransmitters contribute equally to hippocampal LTD triggered by LC stimulation (LC‐LTD). Both DA D1/D5 receptors (D1/D5R) and beta‐adrenergic receptors (β‐AR) are critically required for hippocampal LTD that is induced by patterned stimulation of hippocampal afferents, or is facilitated by spatial learning. We, therefore, explored to what extent these receptor subtypes mediate frequency‐dependent hippocampal LC‐LTD. LC‐LTD elicited by 2, 5, and 10 Hz stimulation was unaffected by antagonism of β‐AR with propranolol, whereas LC‐LTD induced by these frequencies was prevented by D1/D5R‐antagonism using SCH23390. By contrast, LC‐LTD evoked at 100 Hz was prevented by β‐AR‐antagonism and only mildly affected by D1/D5R‐antagonism. Taken together, these findings support that LC‐LTD can be triggered by LC activity at a wide range of frequencies. Furthermore, the contribution of D1/D5R and β‐AR to hippocampal LTD that is triggered by LC activity is frequency‐dependent and suggests that D1/D5R may be involved in LC‐mediated hippocampal tonus.
Entropy analysis of MHD flow of Jeffrey fluid in an inclined channel
Authors: Mani Ramanuja , G. Gopi Krishna 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThis study is aimed at investigating the influence of entropy analysis of magnetohydrodynamic flow of Jeffrey fluid in an inclined micro‐channel in the presence of thermal radiation and field suction/injection. We have improved the mathematical model of the physical problem under consideration. The designed equations have been solved by applying the shooting‐based fourth‐order, Runge–Kutta method with the boundary conditions, which describe velocity slip and temperature jump conditions at the fluid–wall inter‐face. Numerical efforts are described graphically and mentioned quantitatively concerning different parameters such as Jeffery parameter, Bejan number, and entropy generation embedded in the problem. The numerical results for the expression of the irreversibility ratio are obtained. It is observed that the wall inclination strengthens the entropy production rate in the micro‐channel, and the thermal buoyancy layer induces an increase in fluid velocity as suction.
Analytical assessment of the time‐space fractional bioheat transfer equation by the radial basis function method for living tissues
Authors: Hosseinzadeh Saman , Mousavi Seyed M. , Emadi Seyed M. , Ganji Davood D. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIn recent years, thermal treatment has proven to be helpful, notably in oncology. In fact, ablating the superfluous mass and eliminating the malignant tumor using a different modality such as warmth or cooling is a therapeutic method. In this study, the radial basis function approach was used to answer the time‐space fractional heat transfer equations of human body tissue during thermal therapy. To validate the radial basis function technique, it was also compared to the fourth‐order Runge–Kutta numerical method. The findings demonstrated that this methodology is extremely accurate and efficient, with an error rate of less than 1%. The effect of time and spatial fractional parameters, blood perfusion coefficient, metabolic coefficient, and internal source coefficient on the temperature profile inside human living tissues has been studied and depicted well.
Cattaneo–Christov heat flux model for the two‐phase radiative flow of dusty fluid over various surfaces
Authors: Srilatha Pudhari , Thanesh Kumar Kusuru , Manjunatha Pattasale T. , Rana Saurabh , Gali Manjunatha , Suresha Siddaramappa 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe present study explores the effect of a magnetic field on the dusty fluid flow past a cone, wedge, and plate with radiation and heat sink/source effects by using the non‐Fourier heat flux model. The nonlinear coupled systems are solved using Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg's fourth fifth‐order (RKF‐45) approach. The appropriate initial assumptions and numerous values of nondimensional parameters are carefully picked and well‐adjusted to produce the most accurate outcomes. Finally, the impacts of the relevant physical and technical factors on the flow and heat transport characteristics are displayed graphically and in tabular form. The solutions are presented to demonstrate the effects of a variety of significant factors on velocity and temperature profiles that represent both dust and fluid phases. Results reveal that the presence of radiation improves the rate of heat transfer. The upsurge in the magnetic parameter decays the velocity for all three flow cases. The fluid phase velocity is larger than the dust phase velocity near the wall for increased values of porosity parameter. Moreover, the fluid and dust phase velocity declines faster for the cone case than for the remaining cases. Heat transfer is accelerated by dust particles suspended in the fluid. For velocities, the thermal Grashof number is favorable.
Vacancy defect engineering in semiconductors for solar light‐driven environmental remediation and sustainable energy production
Authors: Ding Yang , Maitra Soumyajit , Wang Chunhua , Halder Somoprova , Zheng Runtian , Barakat Tarek , Roy Subhasis , Chen Li‐Hua , Su Bao‐Lian 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe introduction of vacancy defects in semiconductors has been proven to be a highly effective approach to improve their photocatalytic activity owing to their advantages of promoting light absorption, facilitating photogenerated carrier separation, optimizing electronic structure, and enabling the production of reactive radicals. Herein, we outline the state‐of‐the‐art vacancy‐engineered photocatalysts in various applications and reveal how the vacancies influence photocatalytic performance. Specifically, the types of vacancy defects, the methods for tailoring vacancies, the advanced characterization techniques, the categories of photocatalysts with vacancy defects, and the corresponding photocatalytic behaviors are presented. Meanwhile, the methods of vacancies creation and the related photocatalytic performance are correlated, which can be very useful to guide the readers to quickly obtain in‐depth knowledge and to have a good idea about the selection of defect engineering methods. The precise characterization of vacancy defects is highly challenging. This review describes the accurate use of a series of characterization techniques with detailed comments and suggestions. This represents the uniqueness of this comprehensive review. The challenges and development prospects in engineering photocatalysts with vacancy defects for practical applications are discussed to provide a promising research direction in this field.
DNA methylation testing with S5 for triage of high‐risk HPV positive women
Authors: Adcock Rachael , Nedjai Belinda , Lorincz Attila T. , Scibior‐Bentkowska Dorota , Banwait Rawinder , Torrez‐Martinez Norah , Robertson Michael , Cuzick Jack , Wheeler Cosette M. ,   New Mexico HPV Pap Registry Steering Committee
Published: April 2022

AbstractMethylation of host and viral genes is promising for triage of women with high‐risk human papillomavirus infections (hrHPV). Using a population‐based sample of hrHPV positive women with cervical biopsies within 12 months after cervical screening, the clinical value of the S5 methylation classifier (S5), HPV genotyping and cytology were compared as potential triage tests, for outcomes of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 3 or greater (CIN3+), CIN2+ and CIN2, and the area under the curve (AUC) calculated. S5 scores increased with histopathology severity (Ptrend < .001). For CIN3+, the AUC was 0.780 suggesting S5 provides good discrimination between <CIN3 and CIN3+. AUCs were significant for all pairwise comparisons of <CIN2, CIN2 and CIN3+ (P < .001). The positive predictive value (PPV) of HPV16/18 genotyping for women with any abnormal cytology was greater than S5 (25.36% vs 20.87%, P = .005) for CIN3+, while sensitivity was substantially greater for S5 (83.33% vs 59.28%, P < .001). Restricting to women with abnormal cytology, but excluding those with high‐grade cytology, both S5 and HPV16/18 provided CIN3+ PPVs high enough to recommend colposcopy. Triage with S5 also appeared useful for hrHPV positive women negative for HPV16/18 (CIN3+ PPV: 7.33%, sensitivity: 57.52%). S5 provided increased sensitivity for CIN3+ compared to HPV16/18 genotyping for hrHPV positive women, overall and when restricted to women with abnormal cytology, suggesting S5 may improve colposcopy referral. S5 also has the ability to distinguish between <CIN2, CIN2 and CIN3+, a finding of importance for managing CIN2, given the complexity and uncertainty associated with this diagnosis.
The role of neoadjuvant imatinib in gastrointestinal stromal tumor patients: 20 years of experience from a tertial referral center
Authors: Renberg Sara , Zhang Yifan , Karlsson Fredrik , Bränström Robert , Åhlen Jan , Jalmsell Li , Linder‐Stragliotto Christina , Haglund de Flon Felix , Papakonstantinou Andri 
Published: April 2022

AbstractSurgery is the cornerstone of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) treatment, and adjuvant therapy with imatinib has improved survival for high‐risk tumors. The use of imatinib preoperatively has been increasing, but efficacy and impact on patient outcomes have not been formally investigated. This is a retrospective study from a single‐center cohort of patients diagnosed with GIST and treated with neoadjuvant imatinib at Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden over a 20‐year period. Eighty‐four patients diagnosed with GIST and treated with neoadjuvant imatinib were identified and included. Tumors were located throughout the whole gastrointestinal tract but most frequently in the stomach (n = 29; 35%) and the small intestine (n = 30; 36%), followed by the rectum (n = 12; 14%) and the gastroesophageal junction (n = 10; 12%). The tumors were large (mean 10.5 cm) and decreased after treatment (mean 7.6 cm). Main indications for neoadjuvant imatinib were tumor size or anatomical location. None of the patients with stomach tumors and four patients with tumors near the gastroesophageal junction underwent gastrectomy. Three patients with tumors in the small intestine underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, whereas seven patients with rectal tumors underwent rectal amputation. After surgery, 94% (n = 79) of the tumors had R0‐resection. About one‐fourth experienced local relapse or distant metastasis. In conclusion, neoadjuvant imatinib can reduce tumor size and prevent high morbidity due to more extensive surgery, or at least reduce the extent of the surgery, especially for tumors in the stomach or small intestine.
The Impact of Workforce Development Policies on Literacy Instruction for Adult English Learners
Authors: Finn Heather B. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractWorkforce development has been a primary focus of funding throughout the United States, with significant increases over the past 10 years (The Council for Community and Economic Research, 2019). As funding expands, policies related to workforce development and college and career readiness (CCR) will continue to have implications for adult education students, including adult English Learners (ELs). To closely examine how these policies influence the literacy development of adult ELs, I observed a newly implemented CCR class at a community‐based organization in New York City over a 10‐month period. The content of the course was driven in part by the nation‐wide College and Career Readiness for Adult Education Standards as well as funding from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; however, since the CCR standards are not a curriculum, states (and individual organizations) can individually interpret the standards. The result is a range of instructional practices not only across states, but also across organizations and even specific classes. In this Column, I argue for a broader understanding of the challenges many adult ESL instructors face when balancing policy requirements and the breadth of literacy instruction necessary to improve students’ access to careers and college.
AFF3 is a novel prognostic biomarker and a potential target for immunotherapy in gastric cancer
Authors: Zeng Yuling , Zhang Xueping , Li Fazhan , Wang Ying , Wei Ming 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundGastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide with a poor prognosis. The tumor microenvironment (TME) serves a pivotal role in affecting the prognosis and efficacy of immunotherapy. Given the poor prognosis of GC patients and the limitation of immunotherapy, we urged to identify new prognostic and immunotherapeutic biomarkers.MethodsThe transcriptome data were downloaded from the TCGA, GEO, and GEPIA databases, and performed differential analysis of AFF3 in tumor samples and normal samples. The UALCAN, Kaplan–Meier plotter and GEPIA databases were employed to assess the correlation of AFF3 with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis. The potential mechanism of AFF3 was explored by the GO and KEGG enrichment. The potential role of AFF3 on tumor‐infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) was explored by TIMER2.0 and TISIDB. TIMER2.0 and SangerBox3.0 databases were, respectively, used to determine the correlation of AFF3 with immune checkpoint (ICs), tumor mutational burden (TMB), and microsatellite instability (MSI) in GC.ResultsWe found significant downregulation of AFF3 in GC tissues as compared with normal tissues. However, GC patients having a higher expression of AFF3 were found to have worse clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis. Moreover, the GO enrichment analysis illustrated that AFF3 might regulate the immune cells in the TME. In addition, the AFF3 was positively correlated with TIICs, ICs, TMB, and MSI.ConclusionHere, we conclude that AFF3 may be a promising potential marker for the diagnosis and prognosis of GC patients, and may influence response to ICIs by affecting TIICs and ICs expression in the TME.
Role of experimental support as an essential component of sustainable design of the activated sludge process for nitrogen removal
Authors: Orhon Derin , Hallaç Esra , Sağır Kurt Ece , Ubay Çokgör Emine , Solmaz Bülent , Sözen Seval 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundThis study evaluated the essential role of the experimental support as an integral component of process design for the nitrogen removal activated sludge process. This role was demonstrated in prescribing and implementing a relevant design procedure; a similar treatment plant at Ambarlı in Istanbul was selected to provide the necessary experimental support, which was derived from the sewage, lab‐scale experiments, and from the plant itself. Each step of the design included the relevant scientific and conceptual basis and was implemented using the necessary experimental data specifically generated from a selected wastewater source.ResultsThe target was to compile experimental data that would be necessary for the study and be equally applicable to similar design or research activities elsewhere. This data included major wastewater characteristics, chemical oxygen demand (COD) fractionation, process kinetics for COD removal and nitrification, applicable sewage temperature, and details for the impact of primary settling on system performance.ConclusionThis study developed a new design approach involving solely COD for both the substrate and biomass but expressing the related component per unit flow rate. This approach offered a template that is adjustable to any similar design by only requiring specific information on the sewage flow and sludge age. The entire design procedure was presented as supported by original experimental data and in a summarized algorithm format. The study also emphasized the selection of an appropriate anoxic volume. A revised empirical expression was suggested for the computation of the corresponding denitrification potential, which was also supported by process modelling; they both indicated that the current empirical approach generally defined an excessively large anoxic volume. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).