bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antigenicity is preserved with fixative solutions used in human gross anatomy: A mice brain immunohistochemistry study
Authors: Frigon Ève-Marie , Dadar Mahsa , Boire Denis , Maranzano Josefina
Published: May 2022

Background

Histology remains the gold standard to assess human brain biology, so ex vivo studies using tissue from brain banks are standard practice in neuroscientific research. However, a larger number of specimens could be obtained from gross anatomy laboratories. These specimens are fixed with solutions appropriate for dissections, but whether they also preserve brain tissue antigenicity is unclear. Therefore, we perfused mice brains with solutions used for human body preservation to assess and compare the tissue quality and antigenicity of the main cell populations.

Methods

28 C57BL/6J mice were perfused with: 4% formaldehyde (FAS, N=9), salt-saturated solution (SSS, N=9), and alcohol-solution (AS, N=10). The brains were cut into 40μm sections for antigenicity analysis and were assessed by immunohistochemistry of four antigens: neuronal nuclei (NeuN), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP-astrocytes), ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule1 (Iba1-microglia), and myelin proteolipid protein (PLP). We compared the fixatives according to multiple variables: perfusion quality, ease of manipulation, tissue quality, immunohistochemistry quality, and antigenicity preservation.

Results

The perfusion quality was better using FAS and worse using AS. The manipulation was very poor in SSS brains. FAS and AS fixed brains showed higher tissue and immunohistochemistry quality than the SSS brains. All antigens were readily observed in every specimen, regardless of the fixative solution.

Conclusion

Solutions designed to preserve specimens for human gross anatomy dissections also preserve tissue antigenicity in different brain cells. This offers opportunities for the use of human brains fixed in gross anatomy laboratories to assess normal or pathological conditions.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Neuroscientists currently obtain tissue samples from brain banks. Alternatively, a much larger amount of tissue may be obtained from bodies donated to gross anatomy laboratories. However, they are preserved with different fixative solutions that are used for dissection purposes. We ignore if these solutions also preserve antigenicity of the main cell populations, essential in neuroscientific research. This work is the first to show that two solutions currently used in human gross anatomy laboratories preserve sufficient histological quality, in addition to preserve antigenicity of the main cell populations of the mice brain. This work opens the door to the use of human brain tissue obtained from anatomy laboratories in neuroscientific research.
A reinforcement-based mechanism for discontinuous learning
Authors: Reddy Gautam
Published: May 2022

Problem-solving and reasoning involve mental exploration and navigation in sparse relational spaces. A physical analogue is spatial navigation in structured environments such as a network of burrows. Recent experiments with mice navigating a labyrinth show a sharp discontinuity during learning, corresponding to a distinct moment of ‘sudden insight’ when mice figure out long, direct paths to the goal. This discontinuity is seemingly at odds with reinforcement learning (RL), which involves a gradual build-up of a value signal during learning. Here, we show that biologically-plausible RL rules combined with persistent exploration generically exhibit discontinuous learning. In tree-like structured environments, positive feedback from learning on behavior generates a ‘reinforcement wave’ with a steep profile. The discontinuity occurs when the wave reaches the starting point. By examining the nonlinear dynamics of reinforcement propagation, we establish a quantitative relationship between the learning rule, the agent’s exploration biases and learning speed. Predictions explain existing data and motivate specific experiments to isolate the phenomenon. Additionally, we characterize the exact learning dynamics of various RL rules for a complex sequential task.
Exploring kin and family support to young firms in Ethiopia
Authors: Kar Brajaballav , Ahmed Yimer Ayalew
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aims to compare the outcome of support extended by the family and kin for new firms. The authors specially consider business performance, challenges, demography and personality traits of entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire was used to collect responses on the socio-demography aspects of the entrepreneur, family, kin, business performance, personality traits and perceived challenges were collected from 350 young entrepreneurs of South Wollo province of Ethiopia. The ANOVA test for continuous variables and the Krukal–Walis test for nominal variables were conducted to find differences across eight groups with family and kin, their occupation (business/non-business) and extended support (yes/no).

Findings

Only 40% of entrepreneurs reported support, non-business families support entrepreneurial effort more compared to business families. Support is associated with perceived business performance and sociocultural challenges, but not with revenue. Entrepreneurs with less age, education and prior experience received more support compared to others. Entrepreneurs with higher need-for-achievement traits reported less support. Interestingly, entrepreneurs from business backgrounds are likely to perform better, with or without support.

Research limitations/implications

The extension of support to entrepreneurship depends on socioeconomic, demography, or personality-related factors and their interactions. The study did not investigate support from peers, an extended network, or the nature of support.

Social implications

Family and kin support influences entrepreneurial persistence, overcoming the sociocultural challenges and arresting quit intention among entrepreneurs at the initial stages of a venture.

Originality/value

The influence of immediate family or a network represents extremes, overlooking the role of kin. This study fills this gap and extends understanding of the role of kin in the context of Ethiopian young entrepreneurs.
Perceptions and desires of Chinese senior outbound tourists receiving travel support from adult children: a qualitative study
Authors: Xiong Qi , Zheng Yalan , Gu Ruitong , Wen Jun , Li Zhiyong
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This qualitative study explores how Chinese senior outbound tourists perceive support from their adult children and what kinds of support they desire.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative data were collected from semi-structured interviews with 26 participants. Transcribed interviews were analysed via thematic analysis.

Findings

This study captured the contradictory feelings of different types of Chinese senior outbound tourists (i.e. independent, neutral, and dependent) according to the degree of desire for support from their adult children. The results further identified the real desires among Chinese senior outbound tourists for children's attitudinal support, caring support, appropriate financial support, companionship, and timing support.

Research limitations/implications

Since this qualitative research is based on small samples with typical social and cultural characteristics, our research results only describe an existence. Our findings provide insight into the existence of the phenomenon, rather than allowing the results to be generalized to the wider population (Gramet al., 2019).

Practical implications

The tourism industry could develop products to alleviate such feelings. Integrating the concept of filial piety into adult children's support for their parents' overseas travel can not only meet parents' expectations but also relieve parents' ambivalence. Destination operators and travel agencies could thus design mixed products targeting Chinese elderly parents and their adult children by providing activities for both generations. Purchasing behaviour represents a type of emotional and instrumental support for the elderly. Destination operators and travel agencies can also launch products suitable for in-depth outbound travel that cater to adult children's leisure travel while meeting the elderly's travel needs.

Originality/value

This study also extends both intergenerational support theory and intergenerational ambivalence theory regarding Chinese senior outbound tourists.
Effect of fluid distribution along the channel length on the cooling performance of microchannel heat sink
Authors: Zhang Yanjun , Wang Shuangfeng , Liu Zhuming
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to conduct research on a new kind of division microchannel heat sink (D-MCHS), which can distribute cooling water along the channel-length direction. First, the pressure drops in the D-MCHS with different division region numbers were compared. Then, the cooling performance of the D-MCHS with different division region numbers was also comparatively investigated. Finally, the temperature distribution on the bottom surface of the D-MCHS was analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

First, experiments were conducted to investigate the numerical calculation method. Then, a three-dimensional steady, single-phase, laminar flow and solid-fluid conjugate heat transfer numerical model was used to research the flow and heat transfer characteristics in microchannels.

Findings

The pressure drop in the D-MCHS could be reduced by increasing the number of divided flow regions along the channel-length direction. The bottom average temperature of the D-MCHS could be simultaneously affected by the number of divided flow regions and the water flow rate. The thermal uniformity performance of the D-MCHS could be improved by increasing the number of division flow regions. The number of low-temperature and high-temperature areas on the bottom surface of the D-MCHS is corresponding to the division flow region number.

Originality/value

The D-MCHS exhibited a positive effect on the pressure drop decrease and thermal uniformity improvement. It not only keeps the electronic module working in a secure temperature environment but also consumes less pump power for a lower pressure drop.
Adaptation measures on hydrological risks and climate change impacts in urbanized sub-region, Thailand: a case study in lower Chao Phraya River basin
Authors: Chao-Amonphat Sutinee , Nitivattananon Vilas , Srinonil Sirinapha
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explain the existing adaptation practices in an urbanized sub-region in the lower Chao Phraya River basin (CPRB) across different scales and dimensions. It offers an overview of water hazards in urban areas along the river basin to discover ways to deal with and recover from hazards via understanding the implications of existing and potential practice for the mitigation of hydrological hazards.

Design/methodology/approach

First, this study collected current adaptation strategies and measures from interview, focus group discussion, workshop organization, etc. to get the current adaptation strategies/measures for the whole CPRB and each specific area. Second, this study identified a set of criteria for evaluation from review of current publications and official reports. Then, the current adaptation strategies/measures were examined through a set of criteria to obtain the current situation of existing practices. Finally, analysis of key challenges and opportunities was done to propose supporting guidelines to reduce hydrological risks and incorporate further adaptation measures needed to boost resilience in the area.

Findings

Adaptation methods should focus on mixed adaptation, which integrates structural, social, organizational and natural adaptation, and to develop multi-dimensional collaboration. The adaption strategy has restricted the usage of some technologies and technical know-how, particularly in the area of climate change. As a result, intentional adaptation to become more inventive is required, to reduce hazards and improve disaster-response capacity. The various adaptation measures should be more integrated or more adaptive and to achieve greater cohesion and mutual benefit of individual measures, such as community-based adaptation or community-driven slum upgrading.

Originality/value

Hydrological risks are wreaking havoc on social, economic and environmental elements, particularly river flood, flash flood and drought in the Asia-Pacific region. Twenty-two existing adaptation options were evaluated with evaluation criteria such as scales of risks/impacts reduction, benefits of environmental and socio-economic and institutional aspects. The findings highlight the current situation of existing practices, key challenges and opportunities, which emphasized on natural-based solutions, raising knowledge and awareness and lessons learned on adaptation of hydrological risks. The existing adaptation measures will be suggested as supporting guidelines and master plans to minimize the hydrological risks.
Attractiveness of wine region types: how less popular wine regions can attract wine tourists?
Authors: Harsányi Dávid , Hlédik Erika
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide greater understanding of attractiveness of different wine region types, especially less attractive wine regions. The paper examines the different wine tourist segments’ preferences towards wine region types.

Design/methodology/approach

The preferences of wine tourists were analysed based on an online self-administered survey with 8,552 respondents in Hungary. The wine regions were divided into four categories based on their wine and touristic attractiveness: wine dominant, touristic attraction dominant, complex and non-dominant wine regions. Wine region types were examined based on wine travel frequency and also by subjective wine expertise.

Findings

Wine tourist groups based on wine travel frequency and subjective wine expertise have significantly different preferences towards wine region types. Less attractive wine regions are more popular among frequent travellers and wine experts.

Practical implications

The outcome of this research highlights the importance of designing diverse marketing strategies depending on the wine region type. Less attractive wine regions and little-known wineries should focus on frequent travellers and wine experts and provide a complex and high standard experience, as these consumers are more open and have higher expectations of a travel destination.

Originality/value

The study revealed the different wine tourist preferences with regard to the various types of wine regions. Wine-related and non-wine-related aspects were studied in a complex manner.
Temporal variation in stomatal sensitivity to vapour pressure deficit in western riparian forests
Authors: Guo Jessica S. , Bush Susan E. , Hultine Kevin R.
Published: May 2022

Increasing atmospheric vapour pressure deficit (D) can influence plant water and carbon uptake. However, growing season variation in stomatal responses to D among tree taxa has not been thoroughly quantified and therefore has not been well‐characterized in stomatal regulation models.

Using sap flux data from nine riparian species spanning a 600‐m elevation gradient in semi‐arid northern Utah, USA, we fit a time‐varying empirical model of stomatal conductance to D in a hierarchical Bayesian framework. The reference conductance (Gref, conductance at D = 1 kPa) term was modelled as a function of cumulative growing season D, which varied with site elevation.

Seven species exhibited Gref that varied significantly with cumulative growing season D, but the direction was not consistent among species. Two low‐elevation ring‐porous species, the invasive Tamarix ramosissima and Elaeagnus angustifolia, exhibited significantly positive correlation between Gref and cumulative D, such that standardized stomatal sensitivity (S) decreased during the season. Despite lower D at the mid‐ and high‐elevation sites, five diffuse‐porous native species exhibited progressively increasing sensitivity to D during the growing season.

Stomatal strategies exhibit seasonal trends that vary by environmental conditions (D) and functional traits (wood anatomy), which complicates the prediction of plant hydraulic function under increasing atmospheric drought. In the increasingly arid western United States, the progressively less sensitive stomatal behaviour of invasive taxa may hasten their dominance in riparian forests.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Changing community dynamics and climate alter invasion risk of freshwater fishes historically found in invasion pathways of the Laurentian Great Lakes
Authors: Campbell Sara E. , Hubbard Justin A. G. , Mandrak Nicholas E.
Published: May 2022

Aim

Here, we use an integrative, comprehensive risk assessment framework as a screening tool to evaluate how the invasion risk of previously failed introduced freshwater fish species, commonly found in the live‐trade pathway, will change under future climate‐change scenarios.

Location

Laurentian Great Lakes, North America.

Methods

The 34 species screened for invasion risk previously failed to establish populations, likely due to poor environmental suitability, low propagule pressure, and/or biotic resistance from the recipient community, and are most commonly found in the increasingly important live‐trade pathway. Using established trait‐based models, we quantified the probability of establishment success and probability of having high ecological impact in the decade of first introduction and present‐day communities (2020) based on known species extirpations, introductions and establishments between 1870 and 2020. We completed a climate match analysis under future climate‐change scenarios based on 16 bioclimatic variables. This approach identified a list of species that should be prioritized in surveillance management.

Results

We identified seven species that have an increased climate match with the region and an increased probability of establishment success. Five of these species have an increased probability of high ecological impacts. Twenty‐four species have a current probability of establishment success greater than 50% and 33 species have a current probability of high ecological impacts greater than 50%. Climate match was dynamic under future climate‐change scenarios with 14 species experiencing a better match between their native geographical range and the Laurentian Great Lakes region.

Main conclusions

Our models identify and predict the invasion risk of non‐native freshwater fish species present in pathways relevant to the Great Lakes region and provide a comprehensive framework for future management that prioritize efforts to species of highest risk. This framework could be applied to different taxa, pathways, and/or ecosystems to estimate current and predicted invasion risk under multiple scenarios.
Managing invasive procedures in haemophilia patients with limited resources, extended half‐life concentrates or non‐replacement therapies in 2022
Authors: Mancuso Maria Elisa , Apte Shashikant , Hermans Cedric
Published: May 2022

New treatment possibilities and modalities are now available globally for patients with haemophilia requiring surgery or invasive procedures.

The first is the appropriate application of low‐dose protocols of clotting factor concentrates (CFC) achieving adequate perioperative haemostasis in resources constraint environments. The increasing availability of CFC through humanitarian aid programs allows more invasive surgeries to be performed for which efficacy and safety data should be more widely collected and reported.

Second, extended half‐life CFC that are increasingly available in many countries represent valuable alternatives to standard half‐life products in surgical patients allowing reduced number of infusions and lower consumption, in particular for extended half‐life factor IX.

Third, in the era of recently introduced nonfactor prophylaxis, some minor surgical procedures can now be performed without additional haemostatic treatment, others with few low‐dose administrations of CFC or bypassing agents. Additional factor VIII/IX or recombinant activated factor VII has proven to be safe and effective in association with emicizumab for major surgeries and it was effectively given at low doses in association with fitusiran (including activated prothrombin complex concentrate). No thrombotic complications have been reported in the surgical setting so far. A multidisciplinary team/facility remains crucial to manage major surgery in patients on prophylaxis with these new agents.
Multidirectional activity of bakuchiol against cellular mechanisms of facial ageing ‐ Experimental evidence for a holistic treatment approach
Authors: Bluemke Anika , Ring Annika P. , Immeyer Jeannine , Hoff Anke , Eisenberg Tanya , Gerwat Wolfram , Meyer Franziska , Breitkreutz Sabrina , Klinger Lina M. , Brandner Johanna M. , Sandig Grit , Seifert Marietta , Segger Doerte , Rippke Frank , Schweiger Dorothea
Published: May 2022

Objective

Skin ageing is a multifactorial process involving formation of reactive oxygen species, consecutive inflammation with reduced epidermal and dermal cell viability and resulting damage to the extracellular matrix. Effective dermocosmetic treatment modalities should ideally address these hallmarks in a holistic approach. Here, we determined the corresponding activity profile of bakuchiol, a plant‐derived meroterpene, in an array of in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo studies and compared it to retinol, currently considered as gold standard in topical antiageing cosmetics.

Methods

The antioxidative capacity and power of bakuchiol and retinol were analysed by measuring 2,2′‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) reduction via its absorption decay and electron spin resonance spectroscopy, respectively. Effects on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7), collagen type I and VII (COL1A1, COL7A1), fibronectin (FN) levels as well as the metabolization of water‐soluble tetrazolium 1 (WST‐1) were determined in human dermal fibroblasts. Epidermal regeneration was assessed utilizing an in vitro wound healing model. FN protein levels were analysed ex vivo after treatment with a formulation containing bakuchiol, retinol or vehicle using suction blister fluid. Skin condition improvement was determined in vivo in a split‐face comparison study after application of bakuchiol or vehicle.

Results

In contrast to retinol, bakuchiol demonstrated high antioxidative efficacy. Levels of PGE2 and MIF were significantly decreased by both bakuchiol and retinol. Bakuchiol but not retinol significantly increased FGF7 protein levels. WST‐1 metabolization levels were significantly augmented by bakuchiol and retinol. Bakuchiol and retinol application led to a significant augmentation of COL1A1, COL7A1 and FN protein levels. Wounds supplemented with bakuchiol but not retinol displayed a significant increase in epidermis regeneration. Clinically, areas treated with a bakuchiol‐containing formulation showed a statistically significant increase in FN protein values after a 4‐week application compared to untreated areas and areas treated with vehicle.

Conclusion

These data provide evidence for the multidirectional efficacy of bakuchiol against cellular hallmarks of skin ageing. Its activity profile shares some common features with retinol but demonstrates several hitherto unknown biopositive effects in our studies, namely stimulation of the critical extracellular matrix component FN, and accelerated epidermal regeneration and wound healing.
Antiferroelectricity of NaNbO3: Single‐crystal experimental study and first‐principles calculation
Authors: Yang Dong , Zhang Yuanyuan , Wang Xuping , Li Qian , Li Jing‐Feng
Published: May 2022

Similar to the canonical antiferroelectric (AFE) compound PbZrO3 in Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 solid‐solutions, the presence of double hysteresis loops and that of electric field–induced phase transitions are important characteristics of NaNbO3 AFE materials; yet the phase transition behavior in the latter system is typically irreversible with the related mechanisms not fully understood. Here, we explore the phase transition mechanism of ferroelectric and AFE phases in NaNbO3 based on measurements of single crystals with different directions in conjunction with density‐functional theory (DFT) calculations. The tilting and distortion behaviors of the [NbO6] octahedra are explained by DFT, and the ion displacement in the lattice is traced. The tilting and distortion behaviors of the [NbO6] octahedra with different orientations are compared. We confirm that the tilt and distortion of the [NbO6] octahedra along the [1 1 1] direction is the main reason to improve the stability of AFE phase. This conclusion is verified by the experimental characterizations of large‐size NaNbO3 single crystals successfully obtained in this study.
In situ, direct observation of seasonal embolism dynamics in Aleppo pine trees growing on the dry edge of their distribution
Authors: Wagner Yael , Feng Feng , Yakir Dan , Klein Tamir , Hochberg Uri
Published: May 2022

Xylem embolism impairs hydraulic conductivity in trees and drives drought‐induced mortality. While embolism has been monitoredin vivoin potted plants, and research has revealed evidence of embolism in field‐grown trees, continuousin situmonitoring of cavitation in forests is lacking.

Seasonal patterns of embolism were monitored in branchlets of Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) trees growing in a dry Mediterranean forest. Optical visualization (OV) sensors were installed on terminal branches, in addition to monthly sampling for micro computed tomography scans.

We detected 208 cavitation events among four trees, which represented an embolism increase from zero toc. 12% along the dry season. Virtually all the cavitation events occurred during daytime hours, with 77% occurring between 10:00 and 17:00 h. The probability for cavitation in a given hour increased as vapor pressure deficit (VPD) increased, up to a probability of 42% for cavitation when VPD > 5 kPa.

The findings uniquely reveal the instantaneous environmental conditions that lead to cavitation. The increased likelihood of cavitation events under high VPD in water‐stressed pines is the first empirical support for this long hypothesized relationship. Our observations suggest that low levels of embolism are common in Aleppo pine trees at the dry edge of their distribution.
Validation of remote atopic dermatitis severity assessment with the Eczema Area and Severity Ondex in children using caregiver‐provided photos and videos
Authors: Croce Emily A. , Rathouz Paul J. , Lopes Fabiana C. P. S. , Leszczynska Maria , Diaz Lucia Z. , Levy Moise L. , Ruth Jennifer S. , Varshney Pooja , Rew Lynn , Matsui Elizabeth C.
Published: May 2022

Background/Objectives

We sought to quantify the reliability and validity of remote atopic dermatitis (AD) severity assessment using the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) applied to caregiver‐provided photos (p‐EASI) and videos (v‐EASI).

Methods

Children (0–17 years) with a physician diagnosis of AD were recruited. Caregivers took photos and a video of their child's skin. A clinician scored in‐person EASI on the same day, then p‐EASI and v‐EASI for each participant 10 days or more between ratings. Two additional clinicians scored p‐EASI and v‐EASI. Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) was employed to assess criterion validity using in‐person EASI as the gold standard. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated to assess interrater reliability of p‐EASI and v‐EASI.

Results

Fifty racially and ethnically diverse children (age [mean ± SD]: 4.3 ± 4.4 years; 42% female) with a range of AD severity (EASI: 6.3 ± 6.4) and Fitzpatrick skin types (1–2: 9%; 3–4: 60%; 5–6: 31%) were enrolled and received in‐person EASI assessment. Fifty had p‐EASI and 49 had v‐EASI by the same in‐person rater, and by two additional raters. The CCC and ICC for p‐EASI were 0.89, 95% CI [0.83, 0.95] and 0.81, 95% CI [0.71, 0.89], respectively. The CCC and ICC for v‐EASI were 0.75, 95% CI [0.63, 0.88] and 0.69, 95% CI [0.51, 0.81], respectively.

Conclusions

In this diverse population with a range of skin tones, p‐EASI showed good criterion validity and good interrater reliability. v‐EASI showed moderate to good criterion validity and moderate interrater reliability. Both may be reliable and valid options for remote AD severity assessment.
Reversing the Causal Arrow: Politics' Influence on Religious Choices
Authors: Margolis Michele F.
Published: May 2022

Decades of research has explored the political consequences of religious identities, practices, and beliefs. This article describes new research that has reversed the causal arrow to look at the religious consequences of partisanship and political outlooks. The first part of the article describes the current religious‐political landscape, in which religious Americans are more likely to be Republicans and less religious Americans are more likely to be Democrats. The article then goes on to introduce key theories and findings explaining how politics helped produce this religiosity gap. After discussing avenues for future research in this area, the article switches gears to describe other ways politics can shape religious choices, including pushing evangelical Republicans out of churches and encouraging short‐term fluctuations in religious engagement. The article concludes with a brief discussion of how the study of religion and politics is fundamentally different on account of politics' ability to both shape and be shaped by religion.
The wedge sign: A possible lung ultrasound sign for pulmonary thromboembolism
Authors: Lisciandro Gregory R. , Puchot Melanie L. , Gambino Jennifer M. , Lisciandro Stephanie C.
Published: May 2022

Objective

To describe the finding of the lung ultrasound (LUS) “wedge sign” in dogs with presumptive pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE).

Case Series Summary

This case series describes 2 dogs with predisposing risk factors of (1) right transvenous pacemaker terminating in its right ventricle, severe protein‐losing nephropathy, and glucocorticoid therapy, and (2) caval syndrome, each having the LUS “wedge sign” in upper lung regions, a sign consistent with pulmonary infarction and peripheral PTE.

New or Unique Information Provided

Historically, the diagnosis of canine PTE has been made through supportive findings because the gold standard test, computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA), poses limitations. The use of LUS has shown promise in people for detecting PTE, with the advantages of availability, being radiation‐ and contrast medium‐sparing, rapid (<90 s), point‐of‐care, real‐time information. Our cases suggest a possible new first‐line approach for suspecting canine PTE by using LUS and the finding of the “wedge sign” in nongravity‐dependent caudodorsal and perihilar lung regions.
El papel de los excombatientes en el proceso de DDR: ¿más allá de la participación? Un análisis desde los casos de Irlanda del Norte y Colombia
Authors: Lerma Aura , Grace Leah , Lacaze Rachel
Published: May 2022

El Grupo de Investigación “Construcción de paz, Desarme, Desmovilización, Reintegración y Reincorporación” presenta en este artículo un análisis sobre la participación de los excombatientes en los procesos de Desarme, Desmovilización y Reintegración (DDR), con un énfasis especial en cómo ha sido la participación en el proceso de reintegración en dos países que presentan una experiencia interesante: Irlanda del Norte y Colombia. Para ello, se hace uso de un enfoque pluridisciplinario, utilizando teorías y aportes tanto de la disciplina de las relaciones internacionales en los campos de estudios específicos de paz, conflicto y DDR, como aportes de la sociología para comprender el concepto de participación.

Si bien en muchos casos se encuentra una participación simbólica en el diseño de los programas de reintegración, se analizó que a menudo esta surge desde los grupos desmovilizados que logran mantener redes de cooperación entre sus miembros. Así, instituciones públicas que brindan garantías reales de reconocimiento de esta participación permiten la construcción de un verdadero modelo participativo de reintegración. Eso importa, puesto que un mayor número de iniciativas de construcción de paz de los excombatientes y un nivel alto de participación de los excombatientes en los programas de reintegración parecen ir de la mano.
Motion Strategies for a Cobot in a Context of Intermittent Haptic Interface
Authors: Guda Vamsikrishna , Mugisha Stanley , Chevallereau Christine , Zoppi Matteo , Molfino Rezia , Chablat Damien
Published: May 2022

From the list of interfaces used in virtual reality systems, haptic interfaces allow users to touch a virtual world with their hands. Traditionally, the user’s hand moves the end-effector of a robotic arm. When there is no contact in the virtual world, the robotic arm is passive; when there is contact, the arm suppresses mobility to the user’s hand in certain directions. Unfortunately, the passive mode is never completely seamless to the user. Haptic interfaces with intermittent contacts are interfaces using industrial robots that move towards the user when contact needs to be made. As the user is immersed in the virtual world via a virtual reality head mounted display (HMD), he cannot perceive the danger of a collision when he changes his area of interest in the virtual environment. The objective of this article is to describe four movement strategies for the robot to be as fast as possible on the contact zone while guaranteeing safety. This work uses the concept of predicting the user’s intention through his gaze direction and the position of his dominant hand (the one touching the object) and safe-points outside the human workspace. Experiments are done and analyzed with a Pareto front with a UR5 robot, an HTC vive tracker system for an industrial application involving the analysis of materials in the interior of a car.
CancerVar: An artificial intelligence–empowered platform for clinical interpretation of somatic mutations in cancer
Authors: Li Quan , Ren Zilin , Cao Kajia , Li Marilyn M. , Wang Kai , Zhou Yunyun
Published: May 2022

Several knowledgebases are manually curated to support clinical interpretations of thousands of hotspot somatic mutations in cancer. However, discrepancies or even conflicting interpretations are observed among these databases. Furthermore, many previously undocumented mutations may have clinical or functional impacts on cancer but are not systematically interpreted by existing knowledgebases. To address these challenges, we developed CancerVar to facilitate automated and standardized interpretations for 13 million somatic mutations based on the AMP/ASCO/CAP 2017 guidelines. We further introduced a deep learning framework to predict oncogenicity for these variants using both functional and clinical features. CancerVar achieved satisfactory performance when compared to several independent knowledgebases and, using clinically curated datasets, demonstrated practical utility in classifying somatic variants. In summary, by integrating clinical guidelines with a deep learning framework, CancerVar facilitates clinical interpretation of somatic variants, reduces manual work, improves consistency in variant classification, and promotes implementation of the guidelines.
Global decline in ocean memory over the 21st century
Authors: Shi Hui , Jin Fei-Fei , Wills Robert C. J. , Jacox Michael G. , Amaya Dillon J. , Black Bryan A. , Rykaczewski Ryan R. , Bograd Steven J. , García-Reyes Marisol , Sydeman William J.
Published: May 2022

Ocean memory, the persistence of ocean conditions, is a major source of predictability in the climate system beyond weather time scales. We show that ocean memory, as measured by the year-to-year persistence of sea surface temperature anomalies, is projected to steadily decline in the coming decades over much of the globe. This global decline in ocean memory is predominantly driven by shoaling of the upper-ocean mixed layer depth in response to global surface warming, while thermodynamic and dynamic feedbacks can contribute substantially regionally. As the mixed layer depth shoals, stochastic forcing becomes more effective in driving sea surface temperature anomalies, increasing high-frequency noise at the expense of persistent signals. Reduced ocean memory results in shorter lead times of skillful persistence-based predictions of sea surface thermal conditions, which may present previously unknown challenges for predicting climate extremes and managing marine biological resources under climate change.
Mad3 modulates the G
1
Cdk and acts as a timer in the Start network
Authors: Pérez Alexis P. , Artés Marta H. , Moreno David F. , Clotet Josep , Aldea Martí
Published: May 2022

Cells maintain their size within limits over successive generations to maximize fitness and survival. Sizer, timer, and adder behaviors have been proposed as possible alternatives to coordinate growth and cell cycle progression. Regarding budding yeast cells, a sizer mechanism is thought to rule cell cycle entry at Start. However, while many proteins controlling the size of these cells have been identified, the mechanistic framework in which they participate to achieve cell size homeostasis is not understood. We show here that intertwined APC and SCF degradation machineries with specific adaptor proteins drive cyclic accumulation of the G
1
Cdk in the nucleus, reaching maximal levels at Start. The mechanism incorporates Mad3, a centromeric-signaling protein that subordinates G
1
progression to the previous mitosis as a memory factor. This alternating-degradation device displays the properties of a timer and, together with the sizer device, would constitute a key determinant of cell cycle entry.
Frequency-dependent transition in power-law rheological behavior of living cells
Authors: Hang Jiu-Tao , Xu Guang-Kui , Gao Huajian
Published: May 2022

Living cells are active viscoelastic materials exhibiting diverse mechanical behaviors at different time scales. However, dynamical rheological characteristics of cells in frequency range spanning many orders of magnitude, especially in high frequencies, remain poorly understood. Here, we show that a self-similar hierarchical model can capture cell’s power-law rheological characteristics in different frequency scales. In low-frequency scales, the storage and loss moduli exhibit a weak power-law dependence on frequency with same exponent. In high-frequency scales, the storage modulus becomes a constant, while the loss modulus shows a power-law dependence on frequency with an exponent of 1.0. The transition between low- and high-frequency scales is defined by a transition frequency based on cell’s mechanical parameters. The cytoskeletal differences of different cell types or states can be characterized by changes in mechanical parameters in the model. This study provides valuable insights into potentially using mechanics-based markers for cell classification and cancer diagnosis.
Nd isotopic evidence for enhanced mafic weathering leading to Ordovician cooling
Authors: Conwell Christopher T. , Saltzman Matthew R. , Edwards Cole T. , Griffith Elizabeth M. , Adiatma Y. Datu
Published: May 2022

It remains unclear whether waning of the volcanic degassing CO2 source or enhancement of the mafic (Ca, Mg-silicate) weathering CO2 sink, or both, caused global cooling leading to the Ordovician greenhouse–icehouse transition. We present a uniquely age-constrained and integrated Middle–Late Ordovician (470–450 Ma) continental weathering isotopic proxy data set (87Sr/86Sr and εNd(t)) from carbonate rocks of the Antelope Range of central Nevada, USA, paired with published paleotemperature proxy measurements (δ18O) of conodont apatite from the same locality. This suite of proxy records signals an increase in mafic weathering of the Taconic mountains (eastern United States) at ca. 463 Ma, which forced a period of global cooling. We adapt a 87Sr/86Sr and pCO2 mass balance approach to model CO2 drawdown during the Ordovician, and show that a combined decrease in volcanic degassing and increase in mafic weathering approximately halves pCO2 in agreement with δ18O trends and paleotemperature reconstructions.
Epstein-Barr virus-positive mucocutaneous ulcer, plasmablastic type, associated with nodal CD4+ angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and generalised pruritus: a self-limiting lymphoproliferative disorder resembling cutaneous plasmablastic lymphoma
Authors: Tsutsumi Yutaka , Kitano Seiya , Yanagita Soshi , Tachibana Mitsuhiro
Published: May 2022

A woman in her 80s reported of generalised pruritus, which was treated with phototherapy and steroid administration. Two months after onset, lymph node biopsy revealed CD4+ angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma with systemic superficial nodal involvement. Intractable prurigo was judged as T-cell lymphoma related. After effective chemotherapy (7 months later), skin nodules appeared multifocally, including on the lip, thumb and lower leg. The biopsied infiltrative lesion on the right lower leg microscopically revealed subcutaneous growth of atypical plasmablasts with nearly 100% Ki-67 labelling and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded small nuclear RNA positivity. Plasmablastic lymphoma (CD45/CD19/CD38/CD138/MUM1+, CD20/CD79a/PAX5-) was suspected. Immunoglobulin light-chain restriction and nuclear expression of c-myc protein were undetectable, and the ulcers were spontaneously epithelialised by the cessation of steroid administration. After 10 months, non-progressive prurigos persisted on the extremities, but without regrowth of nodal T-cell lymphoma and cutaneous lymphoproliferative lesion. Reactive nature of the EBV-induced mucocutaneous plasmablastic growth (EBV-positive mucocutaneous ulcer, plasmablastic type) is discussed.
Field Note on IoT Security: Novel JIT Security for Large-Scale Heterogeneous IoT Deployments
Authors: Mozurkewich Karl
Published: May 2022

This article provides an overview of specific security considerations for multi-modal Internet-of-Things(IoT) use-case deployment. With the year-over-year exponential increase in smartdevice deployments, threat vectors continue to fall into a concise list of categories, all of which can be addressed with classic solution architectures. To provide increased business value from technology deployments, we look at applying novel additions to common deployment architectures to achieve high return-on-investment (ROI) on our deployments, while managing the security risk associated with heterogeneous device deployments.
Challenges of rapamycin repurposing as a potential therapeutic candidate for COVID-19: implications for skeletal muscle metabolic health in older persons
Authors: Lees Matthew J. , Hodson Nathan , Tinline-Goodfellow Cassidy T. , Fung Hugo J. W. , Elia Antonis , Moore Daniel R.
Published: May 2022

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged as the causative agent of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that has spread worldwide, resulting in over 6 million deaths as of March 2022. Older people have been disproportionately affected by the disease, as they have a greater risk of hospitalization, are more vulnerable to severe infection, and have higher mortality than younger patients. Although effective vaccines have been rapidly developed and administered globally, several clinical trials are ongoing to repurpose existing drugs to combat severe infection. One such drug, rapamycin, is currently under study for this purpose, given its immunosuppressant effects that are mediated by its inhibition of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), a master regulator of cell growth. Consistent with this premise, acute rapamycin administration in young healthy humans blocks or attenuates mTOR and its downstream effectors, leading to the inhibition of muscle protein synthesis (MPS). Skeletal muscle mass declines when MPS is chronically lower than muscle protein breakdown. This is consequential for older people who are more susceptible to anabolic resistance (i.e., the blunting of MPS) due to reduced activity, sedentariness, or bed rest such as that associated with COVID-19 hospitalization, and who have also demonstrated a delayed or blunted ability to regain inactivity-induced muscle loss. The lack of studies investigating rapamycin administration on skeletal muscle in older people, and the emergence of effective antiviral medications against severe infection, may indicate the reduced relevance of drug repurposing for present or future pandemics.
Research on Digital Information Privacy Behavior of Social Network Users Based on Evolutionary Game
Authors: Gu Tao , Zeng Pan , Wang Hua
Published: May 2022

This article takes social network services as the research object and mainly conducts two aspects of research: first, based on previous research, combining the behavior characteristics of users in the social network environment related to digital information privacy, the digital information privacy of users pays attention to the influential factors of users’ digital information privacy information disclosure behavior, summarize and refine them, establish theoretical research models, and then use structural equation modelling to empirically analyze the significance of each influence path; then, based on the first part of the empirical research, the evolutionary game theory was used to analyze the interests of digital information privacy between social network users and service providers. This paper also studies the evolution of the willingness of each parameter to provide digital information to users under variable expected return conditions and uses MATLAB to analyze its evolutionary trends. It is found that the regulatory intensity coefficient, information leakage loss, and information sensitivity are both for users and websites. It has an important impact, and the loss of information leakage and information sensitivity can affect the evolution direction of users’ willingness to provide digital information and change the speed of website evolution, and the regulatory intensity coefficient is the opposite.
Research on Data Analysis of Digital Economic Management under the Background of Big Data
Authors: Huang Jie
Published: May 2022

In order to study the application of big data in the field of digital economy, data management improves the needs of business model to a certain extent and responds to the pace of rapid development of science and technology and the transformation of business model in special times, so as to promote economic development. Based on the information extracted from the software system log, this study introduces machine learning algorithms such as spatial convolution and fuzzy multicolumn convolution, deduces the interaction between visitors and software according to the system software access log, wavelet algorithm, and denoising algorithm, deduces the data value index of the secondary market, constructs the simulation software under Matlab, and compares it with the previous system, By improving the prediction sensitivity of interaction and the prediction coupling of data value, it is confirmed that the system improves the efficiency of data management, so as to achieve the purpose of digital economic management and promote economic development and progress.