bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutrient Restoration of a Large, Impounded, Ultra-Oligotrophic Western River to Recover Declining Native Fishes
Authors: Hardy Ryan S. , Ross Tyler J. , McDonnell Kevin N. , Quist Michael C. , Holderman Charlie , Stevens Bryan S.
Published: July 2022

Declines in many fish populations in large, western rivers have been primarily attributed to the anthropogenic reduction of nutrient inputs and subsequent impacts to the food web. The largest known river fertilization program was implemented starting in 2005 on the Kootenai River in northern Idaho to restore resident fisheries. Annual electrofishing surveys were conducted at multiple sites in Idaho and Montana before and during nutrient addition to evaluate assemblage and population-level responses. Although few responses in fish assemblage structure were observed, the addition of liquid ammonium polyphosphate fertilizer (3 μg/L) to the Kootenai River increased fish abundance and biomass over the 20-km stretch of river downstream of the treatment site. Increases were most notable in Largescale Suckers Catostomus macrocheilus, Mountain Whitefish Prosopium williamsoni, and Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss populations, although increases in catch and biomass were detected for nearly all fish species. The Kootenai River is approximately 30 times larger in discharge than other rivers that have been experimentally fertilized and provides compelling evidence that the mitigation of nutrient declines in rivers of similar size can result in positive influences on the fish populations where primary and secondary production are limiting growth, survival, and recruitment. However, results from our study also highlight the importance of completing evaluations across varying levels of biological organization (e.g., assemblage and population) and over biologically relevant timeframes.
Characterizing Sockeye Salmon Smolt Interactions with a Hydrokinetic Turbine in the Kvichak River, Alaska
Authors: Courtney Michael B. , Flanigan Austin J. , Hostetter Mary , Seitz Andrew C.
Published: July 2022

The development of hydrokinetic turbines has been motivated by the desire to reduce fossil fuel reliance, energy production costs, and greenhouse gas emissions. Detailed information about fish interactions with hydrokinetic turbines is limited; therefore, this study sought to characterize the interactions between a turbine (RivGen; Ocean Renewable Power Company) and Sockeye Salmon Oncorhynchus nerka from one of the most productive populations in the world—that in the Kvichak River, Alaska. By viewing real-time video imagery, our objectives were to quantify the number of Sockeye Salmon smolts that interacted with the turbine and to assess the behaviors/outcomes of these interactions during the species' smolt out-migration. From May 21 to June 10, 2021, a total of 2,374 Sockeye Salmon smolts passed through the field of view of cameras placed immediately downstream of the hydrokinetic turbine. The majority of these observed events occurred over a short (5-d) time period from late May to early June during periods of darkness (0000–0400 hours). Fish were observed passing through the hydrokinetic turbine in both normal and disoriented manners, with the rotational status/speed of the hydrokinetic turbine appearing to influence passage behavior. Blade strikes on fish were also observed, all of which occurred when the turbine was rotating at high “production” speeds. After temporally and spatially extrapolating the observed fish interactions to account for our subsampling, the results suggest that when monitoring was conducted, the hydrokinetic turbine interacted with approximately 200,000 Sockeye Salmon smolts during this species' smolt out-migration period. This study adds to the sparse knowledge base on fish interactions with emerging riverine hydrokinetic devices and may inform strategies to mitigate the impacts of developing energy projects on socially and culturally important fisheries.
UK government delays restriction of promotions on less‐healthy foods: Serious implications for tackling obesity
Authors: Moore Sally , Butler Tom
Published: July 2022

Regulations ensuring that the promotion and advertising of foods high in fat, sugar, and salt were restricted from October 2022 are now to be delayed by the UK Government. The delay of this policy is to be condemned because it will set back the anticipated improvement to population diets and obesity levels by postponing the expected transformation of retail food environments in‐store and online. Governmental justifications for delaying these policies, the implementation of which was the responsibility of the UK food industry, can be perceived to reflect a short‐sighted willingness to use the current economic circumstances to push the responsibility for obesity and dietary choices back into the court of the consumer. Delaying these polices will, yet again, leave public health and clinical practitioners tackling obesity with less‐effective approaches focused on individual willpower and information provision.
A deep learning‐based method for classification, detection, and localization of weeds in turfgrass
Authors: Jin Xiaojun , Bagavathiannan Muthukumar , McCullough Patrick E , Chen Yong , Yu Jialin
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND

Precision spraying of synthetic herbicides can reduce herbicide input. Previous research demonstrated the effectiveness of using image classification neural networks for detecting weeds growing in turfgrass, but did not attempt to discriminate weed species and locate the weeds on the input images. The objectives of this research were to: (i) investigate the feasibility of training deep learning models using grid cells (subimages) to detect the location of weeds on the image by identifying whether or not the grid cells contain weeds; and (ii) evaluate DenseNet, EfficientNetV2, ResNet, RegNet and VGGNet to detect and discriminate multiple weed species growing in turfgrass (multi‐classifier) and detect and discriminate weeds (regardless of weed species) and turfgrass (two‐classifier).

RESULTS

The VGGNet multi‐classifier exhibited an F1 score of 0.950 when used to detect common dandelion and achieved high F1 scores of ≥0.983 to detect and discriminate the subimages containing dallisgrass, purple nutsedge and white clover growing in bermudagrass turf. DenseNet, EfficientNetV2 and RegNet multi‐classifiers exhibited high F1 scores of ≥0.984 for detecting dallisgrass and purple nutsedge. Among the evaluated neural networks, EfficientNetV2 two‐classifier exhibited the highest F1 scores (≥0.981) for exclusively detecting and discriminating subimages containing weeds and turfgrass.

CONCLUSION

The proposed method can accurately identify the grid cells containing weeds and thus precisely locate the weeds on the input images. Overall, we conclude that the proposed method can be used in the machine vision subsystem of smart sprayers to locate weeds and make the decision for precision spraying herbicides onto the individual map cells. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Spirotetramat resistance inMyzus persicae(Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and its association with the presence of theA2666Vmutation
Authors: Umina Paul A. , Bass Chris , van Rooyen Anthony , Chirgwin Evatt , Arthur Aston L. , Pym Adam , Mackisack Jo , Mathews Andrew , Kirkland Lisa
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND

Chemicals are widely used to protect field crops against aphid pests and aphid‐borne viral diseases. One such species isMyzus persicae(Sulzer), a global pest that attacks a broad array of agricultural crops and transmits many economically damaging plant viruses. This species has evolved resistance to a large number of insecticide compounds as a result of widespread and repeated chemical use in many parts of the world. In this study, we investigated the evolution of resistance to a new plant protection product, spirotetramat, following reported chemical control failures.

RESULTS

Our study provides clear phenotypic and genotypic evidence of spirotetramat resistance in populations ofM. persicaefrom Australia. We show there is cross‐resistance to other insecticides within the same chemical group, namely spiromesifen and spirodiclofen. We also demonstrate that resistance is associated with the previously reported mutation, A2226V in the target site of spirotetramat, acetyl‐CoA carboxylase. Our genetic analysis found all resistantM. persicaepopulations belong to the same multi‐locus clonal type and carry the A2226V mutation, which appears to be inherited as a dominant trait in this species.

CONCLUSION

Our findings provide new insight into the resistance conferred by A2226V and have implications for the control ofM. persicaein Australia and worldwide. A diagnostic assay developed in this study should serve as a valuable tool for future resistance monitoring and to support the implementation of pest management strategies. © 2022 The Authors.Pest Management Sciencepublished by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Phonemic Awareness: A Meta‐Analysis for Planning Effective Instruction
Authors: Rice Marianne , Erbeli Florina , Thompson Christopher G. , Sallese Mary Rose , Fogarty Melissa
Published: July 2022

The National Reading Panel identified phonemic awareness (PA) as one of the five components of reading and found explicit instruction effective in developing PA skills in students. In the current meta‐analysis, we explored the extent to which PA instruction was effective for developing PA skills in preschool through first‐grade students and examined moderators related to malleable instructional characteristics relevant to the effective implementation of PA instruction in schools (e.g., type of instructor, specifically including computer programs and parents aside from teachers as instructors) and their possible interactions. We collected data from 46 experimental and quasi‐experimental primary studies, with 59 independent samples providing 119 effect sizes (treatment groups, N = 1892; control groups, N = 1747). Using robust variance estimation, PA instruction was moderately effective (g = 0.63, p < .001) at improving PA outcomes. No statistically significant difference was found for type of instructor. Other moderator analyses revealed no significant differences for group size, duration, PA skills taught, use of letters, grade level, at‐risk for reading difficulties status, or English language learner status. Finally, examination of the interaction between type of instructor and at‐risk status suggested teachers, computer programs, and parents are effective instructors for both at‐risk and low‐risk students. As schools plan for effective PA instruction, results indicate computer programs and parents can be useful resources to build PA skills for students to supplement teacher instruction.
The effects of CEO activism: Partisan consumer behavior and its duration
Authors: Hou Young , Poliquin Christopher W.
Published: July 2022

Research Summary

CEOs increasingly engage in activism on controversial social and political issues that do not directly affect their core business. Simultaneously, the general public is increasingly politically polarized. We examine how CEOs' support for gun control after two mass shootings differentially affected the behavior of liberal and conservative consumers and the persistence of these effects. Using mobile phone location data to measure store‐level visits, we find (a) consumer visits to stores decreased by 3%; (b) this decrease was asymmetric: visits in the most conservative counties decreased by about 5% but did not change in the most liberal counties; and (c) these effects dissipated within 10 weeks after activism. Our results highlight the strategic implications for executives pressured to take stances on controversial issues.

Managerial Summary

We study how consumers respond to CEO support for gun control, and how consumers' partisan views influence their behavior. Visits to the stores of several major retailers declined about 3% in the 4 weeks after their CEOs supported expanding background checks for gun purchases. In the most liberal counties, visits did not change following CEO support for gun control, while in the most conservative counties visits declined about 5%. Hence, the reaction of liberal consumers did not counteract the reaction of conservative consumers. We find, however, that these effects dissipated within 10 weeks; as a result, retailers whose CEOs supported gun control did not experience any long‐term, net decrease in sales despite the short‐term sales decrease in conservative counties.
Molecular Insights into the Self‐Assembly of Block Copolymer Suckerin Polypeptides into Nanoconfined β‐Sheets
Authors: Liu Yuying , Wang Ying , Tong Chaohui , Wei Guanghong , Ding Feng , Sun Yunxiang
Published: July 2022

Suckerin in squid sucker ring teeth is a block‐copolymer peptide comprised of two repeating modules—the alanine and histidine‐rich M1 and the glycine‐rich M2. Suckerin self‐assemblies display excellent thermo‐plasticity and pH‐responsive properties, along with the high biocompatibility, biodegradability, and sustainability. However, the self‐assembly mechanism and the detailed role of each module are still elusive, limiting the capability of applying and manipulating such biomaterials. Here, the self‐assembly dynamics of the two modules and two minimalist suckerin‐mimetic block‐copolymers, M1‐M2‐M1 and M2‐M1‐M2, in silico is investigated. The simulation results demonstrate that M2 has a stronger self‐association but weaker β‐sheet propensities than M1. The high self‐assembly propensity of M2 allows the minimalist block‐copolymer peptides to coalesce with microphase separation, enabling the formation of nanoconfined β‐sheets in the matrix formed by M1–M2 contacts. Since these glycine‐rich fragments with scatted hydrophobic and aromatic residues are building blocks of many other block‐copolymer peptides, the study suggests that these modules function as the “molecular glue” in addition to the flexible linker or spacer to drive the self‐assembly and microphase separation. The uncovered molecular insights may help understand the structure and function of suckerin and also aid in the design of functional block‐copolymer peptides for nanotechnology and biomedicine applications.
Dry Sliding Tribological Behavior of Cryotreated Cr–V Ledeburitic Tool Steel against CuSn6 Counterpart
Authors: Yarasu Venu , Hornik Jakub , Jurci Peter
Published: July 2022

The purpose herein is to assess the impact of different combinations of cryogenic treatments and tempering regimes on tribological properties of Cr–V tool steel against a CuSn6 counterpart. Dry sliding wear experiments are performed using a pin‐on‐disk tribometer according to the Taguchi method. Tribological behavior is investigated under four process parameters at mixed levels: cryotemperatures (−75, −140, or −196 °C), tempering temperatures (170 or 530 °C), sliding velocity (0.064, 0.128, 0.1885 m s−1), and load (1, 5, 10 N). According to the analysis, the minimum friction coefficient is obtained by cryotreatment at −140 °C combined with 170 °C tempering, with a sliding velocity of 0.128 m s−1 and load of 10 N. For the minimum counterpart´s material adhesion level, cryogenic treatment at −196 °C followed by tempering at 530 °C, sliding velocity of 0.1885 m s−1, and applied load of 1 N are the optimum settings. The analysis of variance model shows that the load (39.2%) has statistical significance on the friction coefficient, while the load (59.1%) and tempering temperature (18.0%) have statistical significance on adhesion levels. The tribological behavior of the steel is explained by thorough microstructural examinations using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy‐dispersive spectroscopy.
Congestion Management in Power System Using Locational Marginal Price in Balancing Power Market
Authors: Ba Djibeyrou , Tsuji Takao
Published: July 2022

It is of prime importance to realize the integration of variable renewable energy sources (VRE) for sustainable energy society. The frequency regulation becomes an important issue in the power system with more VRE integration due to uncertain output fluctuation of VRE generators. Another issue caused by VRE integration is congestion management in transmission network, and locational marginal price (LMP) has been applied in some power networks to avoid the congestion issue based on economic mechanism. The congestion issue has to be considered in the balancing control to cope with frequency fluctuation because more balancing power could be needed due to the VRE integration. Hence, in this paper, the application of LMP to the balancing power market in terms of capacity procurement was proposed. A part of transmission capacity was assigned to the balancing control and the location of the control reserves was given with LMP. The effectiveness of the proposed method was verified through numerical simulations based on a combined model for both the frequency regulation and the power flow calculation. It was shown that the congestion issue was properly mitigated with keeping the frequency fluctuation by using the proposed method. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Isolation and characterization of extracellular vesicles and future directions in diagnosis and therapy
Authors: De Sousa Karina P. , Rossi Izadora , Abdullahi Mahamed , Ramirez Marcel Ivan , Stratton Dan , Inal Jameel Malhador
Published: July 2022

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a unique and heterogeneous class of lipid bilayer nanoparticles secreted by most cells. EVs are regarded as important mediators of intercellular communication in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells due to their ability to transfer proteins, lipids and nucleic acids to recipient cells. In addition to their physiological role, EVs are recognized as modulators in pathological processes such as cancer, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders, providing new potential targets for diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. For a complete understanding of EVs as a universal cellular biological system and its translational applications, optimal techniques for their isolation and characterization are required. Here, we review recent progress in those techniques, from isolation methods to characterization techniques. With interest in therapeutic applications of EVs growing, we address fundamental points of EV‐related cell biology, such as cellular uptake mechanisms and their biodistribution in tissues as well as challenges to their application as drug carriers or biomarkers for less invasive diagnosis or as immunogens.

This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > Biosensing

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease
Integrating transcription and splicing into cell fate: Transcription factors on the block
Authors: Boumpas Panagiotis , Merabet Samir , Carnesecchi Julie
Published: July 2022

Transcription factors (TFs) are present in all life forms and conserved across great evolutionary distances in eukaryotes. From yeast to complex multicellular organisms, they are pivotal players of cell fate decision by orchestrating gene expression at diverse molecular layers. Notably, TFs fine‐tune gene expression by coordinating RNA fate at both the expression and splicing levels. They regulate alternative splicing, an essential mechanism for cell plasticity, allowing the production of many mRNA and protein isoforms in precise cell and tissue contexts. Despite this apparent role in splicing, how TFs integrate transcription and splicing to ultimately orchestrate diverse cell functions and cell fate decisions remains puzzling. We depict substantial studies in various model organisms underlining the key role of TFs in alternative splicing for promoting tissue‐specific functions and cell fate. Furthermore, we emphasize recent advances describing the molecular link between the transcriptional and splicing activities of TFs. As TFs can bind both DNA and/or RNA to regulate transcription and splicing, we further discuss their flexibility and compatibility for DNA and RNA substrates. Finally, we propose several models integrating transcription and splicing activities of TFs in the coordination and diversification of cell and tissue identities.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative Splicing

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein‐RNA Interactions: Functional Implications

RNA Processing > Splicing Mechanisms
Anisotropic deconfined criticality in Dirac spin liquids
Authors: Shackleton Henry , Sachdev Subir
Published: July 2022

Abstract

We analyze a Higgs transition from a U(1) Dirac spin liquid to a gapless ℤ2 spin liquid. This ℤ2 spin liquid is of relevance to the spin S = 1/2 square lattice antiferromagnet, where recent numerical studies have given evidence for such a phase existing in the regime of high frustration between nearest neighbor and next-nearest neighbor antiferromagnetic interactions (the J1-J2 model), appearing in a parameter regime between the vanishing of Néel order and the onset of valence bond solid ordering. The proximate Dirac spin liquid is unstable to monopole proliferation on the square lattice, ultimately leading to Néel or valence bond solid ordering. As such, we conjecture that this Higgs transition describes the critical theory separating the gapless ℤ2 spin liquid of the J1-J2 model from one of the two proximate ordered phases. The transition into the other ordered phase can be described in a unified manner via a transition into an unstable SU(2) spin liquid, which we have analyzed in prior work. By studying the deconfined critical theory separating the U(1) Dirac spin liquid from the gapless ℤ2 spin liquid in a 1/Nf expansion, with Nf proportional to the number of fermions, we find a stable fixed point with an anisotropic spinon dispersion and a dynamical critical exponent z ≠ 1. We analyze the consequences of this anisotropic dispersion by calculating the angular profiles of the equal-time Néel and valence bond solid correlation functions, and we find them to be distinct. We also note the influence of the anisotropy on the scaling dimension of monopoles.
On chiral bosons in 2D and 6D
Authors: Mezincescu Luca , Townsend Paul K.
Published: July 2022

Abstract

In the Hamiltonian formulation of chiral 2k-form electrodynamics, the 2k-form potential on the (4k + 1)-space is defined up to the addition of either (i) a closed 2k-form or (ii) an exact 2k-form, depending on the choice of chirality constraint. Case (i) is realized by the Floreanini-Jackiw 2D chiral boson (for k = 0) and its Henneaux-Teitelboim generalisation to k > 0. For all k, but focusing on the 6D case, we present a simple Lorentz-invariant Hamiltonian model that realizes case (ii), and we derive it from Siegel’s manifestly Lorentz invariant Lagrangian formulation.
Violations of quark-hadron duality in low-energy determinations of αs
Authors: Pich Antonio , Rodríguez-Sánchez Antonio
Published: July 2022

Abstract

Using the spectral functions measured in τ decays, we investigate the actual numerical impact of duality violations on the extraction of the strong coupling. These effects are tiny in the standard αs($$ {m}_{\tau}^2 $$

m
τ
2

) determinations from integrated distributions of the hadronic spectrum with pinched weights, or from the total τ hadronic width. The pinched-weight factors suppress very efficiently the violations of duality, making their numerical effects negligible in comparison with the larger perturbative uncertainties. However, combined fits of αs and duality-violation parameters, performed with non-protected weights, are subject to large systematic errors associated with the assumed modelling of duality-violation effects. These uncertainties have not been taken into account in the published analyses, based on specific models of quark-hadron duality.
New meromorphic CFTs from cosets
Authors: Das Arpit , Gowdigere Chethan N. , Mukhi Sunil
Published: July 2022

Abstract

In recent years it has been understood that new rational CFTs can be discovered by applying the coset construction to meromorphic CFTs. Here we turn this approach around and show that the coset construction, together with the classification of meromorphic CFT with c ≤ 24, can be used to predict the existence of new meromorphic CFTs with c ≥ 32 whose Kac-Moody algebras are non-simply-laced and/or at levels greater than 1. This implies they are non-lattice theories. Using three-character coset relations, we propose 34 infinite series of meromorphic theories with arbitrarily large central charge, as well as 46 theories at c = 32 and c = 40.
Genomic regions associated with resistance to soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) under field conditions in soybean germplasm accessions from Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam
Authors: Walker David R. , McDonald Samuel C. , Harris Donna K. , Roger Boerma H. , Buck James W. , Sikora Edward J. , Weaver David B. , Wright David L. , Marois James J. , Li Zenglu
Published: July 2022

Key message

Eight soybean genomic regions, including six never before reported, were found to be associated with resistance to soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) in the southeastern USA.

Soybean rust caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi is one of the most important foliar diseases of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Although seven Rpp resistance gene loci have been reported, extensive pathotype variation in and among fungal populations increases the importance of identifying additional genes and loci associated with rust resistance. One hundred and ninety-one soybean plant introductions from Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam, and 65 plant introductions from other countries were screened for resistance to P. pachyrhizi under field conditions in the southeastern USA between 2008 and 2015. The results indicated that 84, 69, and 49% of the accessions from southern Japan, Vietnam or central Indonesia, respectively, had negative BLUP values, indicating less disease than the panel mean. A genome-wide association analysis using SoySNP50K Infinium BeadChip data identified eight genomic regions on seven chromosomes associated with SBR resistance, including previously unreported regions of Chromosomes 1, 4, 6, 9, 13, and 15, in addition to the locations of the Rpp3 and Rpp6 loci. The six unreported genomic regions might contain novel Rpp loci. The identification of additional sources of rust resistance and associated genomic regions will further efforts to develop soybean cultivars with broad and durable resistance to soybean rust in the southern USA.
Smoking, use of smokeless tobacco, HLA genotypes and incidence of latent autoimmune diabetes in adults
Authors: Edstorp Jessica , Wei Yuxia , Ahlqvist Emma , Alfredsson Lars , Grill Valdemar , Groop Leif , Rasouli Bahareh , Sørgjerd Elin P. , Thorsby Per M. , Tuomi Tiinamaija , Åsvold Bjørn O. , Carlsson Sofia
Published: July 2022

Aims/hypotheses

Smoking and use of smokeless tobacco (snus) are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. We investigated whether smoking and snus use increase the risk of latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) and elucidated potential interaction with HLA high-risk genotypes.

Methods

Analyses were based on Swedish case–control data (collected 2010–2019) with incident cases of LADA (n=593) and type 2 diabetes (n=2038), and 3036 controls, and Norwegian prospective data (collected 1984–2019) with incident cases of LADA (n=245) and type 2 diabetes (n=3726) during 1,696,503 person-years of follow-up. Pooled RRs with 95% CIs were estimated for smoking, and ORs for snus use (case–control data only). The interaction was assessed by attributable proportion (AP) due to interaction. A two-sample Mendelian randomisation (MR) study on smoking and LADA/type 2 diabetes was conducted based on summary statistics from genome-wide association studies.

Results

Smoking (RRpooled 1.30 [95% CI 1.06, 1.59] for current vs never) and snus use (OR 1.97 [95% CI 1.20, 3.24] for ≥15 box-years vs never use) were associated with an increased risk of LADA. Corresponding estimates for type 2 diabetes were 1.38 (95% CI 1.28, 1.49) and 1.92 (95% CI 1.27, 2.90), respectively. There was interaction between smoking and HLA high-risk genotypes (AP 0.27 [95% CI 0.01, 0.53]) in relation to LADA. The positive association between smoking and LADA/type 2 diabetes was confirmed by the MR study.

Conclusions/interpretation

Our findings suggest that tobacco use increases the risk of LADA and that smoking acts synergistically with genetic susceptibility in the promotion of LADA.

Data availability

Analysis codes are shared through GitHub (https://github.com/jeseds/Smoking-use-of-smokeless-tobacco-HLA-genotypes-and-incidence-of-LADA).

Graphical abstract
Risk of symptomatic osteoarthritis associated with exposure to ergonomic factors at work in a nationwide Italian survey
Authors: d’Errico Angelo , Fontana Dario , Sebastiani Gabriella , Ardito Chiara
Published: July 2022

Objective

The risk of developing osteoarthritis (OA) has been reported to increase with exposure to various ergonomic factors at work, although this finding is still debated in the literature. Aim of this study was to assess the association between prevalence of symptomatic OA and exposure to workplace ergonomic factors assigned through a job-exposures matrix (JEM).

Methods

The study population was composed of 24,604 persons of 40–69 years who participated in the National Health Survey 2013 and were employed at that occasion. Exposure to ergonomic factors was assigned to the study population through a JEM constructed from the Italian O*NET database, consisting of 17 physical factors, which were summed and averaged by job title (796 jobs) to obtain a combined exposure index. The outcome was self-reported OA characterized by moderate or severe limitations in daily activities. The relationship between OA prevalence and the combined exposure index in quartiles was examined using robust Poisson regression models adjusted for socio-demographics and potential confounders.

Results

In the analysis adjusted for age and gender, the risk of OA was increased by approximately 20–30% in the second and third quartiles, and by 80% in the highest exposure quartile, compared to the least exposed, with a risk attenuation by approximately 15–20% controlling for other significant covariates.

Conclusion

Our results support a causal role of exposure to physical factors at work in the development of OA. As OA is associated with a great burden of disability, any effort should be made to reduce workers’ exposure to ergonomic factors.
Non-specific symptoms as a prodrome of immune-related adverse events in patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving nivolumab: a consecutive analysis of 200 patients
Authors: Higashiyama Ryoko Inaba , Horinouchi Hidehito , Kuchiba Aya , Matsumoto Yuji , Murakami Shuji , Goto Yasushi , Kanda Shintaro , Fujiwara Yutaka , Yamamoto Noboru , Ohe Yuichiro
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Immune checkpoint blockade therapy is the standard treatment for metastatic or refractory non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, it is associated with immune-related adverse events (irAEs). irAEs are sometimes fatal; however, an efficient method for early irAEs detection has not been developed because their onset timing varies. We examined the significance of non-specific symptoms as a prodrome of irAEs in patients with NSCLC.

Methods

We reviewed consecutive patients who received nivolumab at a dosage of 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks for metastatic NSCLC between December 2015 and August 2017. Patient demographics, irAEs and signal symptoms were recorded. Non-specific symptoms (fever and fatigue) occurred 7 days or earlier before the onset of irAEs were considered signal symptoms. For statistical analyses, the association between irAEs and clinical information, including signal symptoms, was evaluated using Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression.

Results

A total of 200 patients received nivolumab; 131 (65.5%) were male, their median age was 63 years (range 30–83), 174 (87.0%) had performance status of 0–1. Signal symptoms occurred in 38 (19.0%) of the 77 patients (38.5%) who experienced irAEs, and were positively associated with the occurrence of irAEs (P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that the occurrence of irAEs was significantly higher in patients with PS 0–1 [odds ratio (OR) 7.01; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.69–29.13] and patients experienced signal symptoms (OR 17.30; 95% CI, 6.51–45.99).

Conclusion

The occurrence of signal symptoms could be used in the early detection and management of irAEs in patients during immune checkpoint blockade therapy.
Algorithms and Complexity on Indexing Founder Graphs
Authors: Equi Massimo , Norri Tuukka , Alanko Jarno , Cazaux Bastien , Tomescu Alexandru I. , Mäkinen Veli
Published: July 2022

We study the problem of matching a string in a labeled graph. Previous research has shown that unless theOrthogonal Vectors Hypothesis(OVH) is false, one cannot solve this problem in strongly sub-quadratic time, nor index the graph in polynomial time to answer queries efficiently (Equi et al. ICALP 2019, SOFSEM 2021). These conditional lower-bounds cover even deterministic graphs with binary alphabet, but there naturally exist also graph classes that are easy to index: For example,Wheeler graphs(Gagie et al. Theor. Comp. Sci.2017) cover graphs admitting a Burrows-Wheeler transform -based indexing scheme. However, it is NP-complete to recognize if a graph is a Wheeler graph (Gibney, Thankachan, ESA 2019). We propose an approach to alleviate the construction bottleneck of Wheeler graphs. Rather than starting from an arbitrary graph, we study graphs induced frommultiple sequence alignments().Elastic degenerate strings(Bernadini et al. SPIRE 2017, ICALP 2019) can be seen as such graphs, and we introduce here their generalization:elastic founder graphs. We first prove that even such induced graphs are hard to index under OVH. Then we introduce two subclasses, repeat-free and semi-repeat-free graphs, that are easy to index. We give a linear time algorithm to construct a repeat-free (non-elastic) founder graph from a gapless , and (parameterized) near-linear time algorithms to construct a semi-repeat-free (repeat-free, respectively) elastic founder graph from general . Finally, we show that repeat-free founder graphs admit a reduction to Wheeler graphs in polynomial time.
Exploring clinically relevant risk profiles in patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion: a cohort study
Authors: Janssen Esther R. C. , Prestigiacomo F. G. , van Leent E. A. P. , van Meeteren N. L. U. , Hulsbosch M.
Published: July 2022

Purpose

To explore risk profiles of patients scheduled for lumbar spinal fusion (LSF) and their association with short-term recovery of patient after surgery.

Methods

Forty-nine patients scheduled for elective 1–3 level LSF between March 2019 and June 2020 were included. Patients underwent a preoperative risk screening, consisting of an anamnesis, questionnaires and physical performance tests. A latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify possible risk profiles within this population.

Results

Two risk profiles could be established: a fit and deconditioned risk profile. A significant between-profile difference was found in smoking status (p = 0.007), RAND36-PCS (p < 0.001), Timed Up and Go (TUG) (p < 0.001), de Morton Morbidity Index (DEMMI) (p < 0.001), finger floor distance (p = 0.050), motor control (p = 0.020) and steep ramp test (p = 0.005). Moreover, the fit risk profile had a significant shorter time to functional recovery (3.65 days versus 4.89 days, p = 0.013) and length of hospital stay (5.06 days versus 6.00 days, p = 0.008) compared to the deconditioned risk profile. No differences in complication rates between both risk profiles could be established. Allocation to a risk profile was associated with the functional recovery rate (p = 0.042), but not with LOS or complications.

Conclusion

This study found a fit and deconditioned risk profile. The patients with a fit risk profile perceived a better quality of life, performed better in mobility, motor control, cardiopulmonary tests and showed also a significant shorter stay in the hospital and a shorter time to functional recovery. Preoperatively establishing a patient’s risk profile could aid in perioperative care planning and preoperative decision-making.
The virtualization of human–robot interactions: a user-centric workload assessment
Authors: Nenna Federica , Orso Valeria , Zanardi Davide , Gamberini Luciano
Published: July 2022

Interest in the virtualization of human–robot interactions is increasing, yet the impact that collaborating with either virtual or physical robots has on the human operator’s mental state is still insufficiently studied. In the present work, we aimed to fill this gap by conducting a systematic assessment of a human–robot collaborative framework from a user-centric perspective. Mental workload was measured in participants working in synergistic co-operation with a physical and a virtual collaborative robot (cobot) under different levels of task demands. Performance and implicit and explicit workload were assessed as a function of pupil size variation and self-reporting questionnaires. In the face of a similar self-reported mental demand when maneuvering the virtual or physical cobot, operators showed shorter operation times and lower implicit workload when interacting with the virtual cobot compared to its physical counterpart. Furthermore, the benefits of collaborating with a virtual cobot most vividly manifested when the user had to position the robotic arm with higher precision. These results shed light on the feasibility and importance of relying on multidimensional assessments in real-life work settings, including implicit workload predictors such as pupillometric measures. From a broader perspective, our findings suggest that virtual simulations have the potential to bring significant advantages for both the user's mental well-being and industrial production, particularly for highly complex and demanding tasks.
In silico development and experimental validation of a novel 7-gene signature based on PI3K pathway-related genes in bladder cancer
Authors: Wang Linhui , Wang Yutao , Bi Jianbin
Published: July 2022

Although bladder cancer (BLCA) is the 10th most common tumor worldwide, particularly practical markers and prognostic models that might guide therapy are needed. We used a non-negative matrix factorization algorithm to classify PI3K pathway-related genes into molecular subtypes. A weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was generated to identify co-expression modules. Univariate Cox regression, least absolute shrinkage sum selection operator-Cox regression, and multivariate Cox regression were utilized to develop a prognostic score model. Kaplan–Meier analysis and receiver operating characteristics were utilized to measure the model’s effectiveness. A nomogram was constructed to improve the predictive ability of the model based on clinical parameters and risk. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to evaluate the nomogram. To evaluate the immune microenvironment, an estimate algorithm was used. Drug sensitivity was identified using the R package “pRRophetic.” UM-UC-3 cell line was used to measure the effect of CDK6 in Western blotting, proliferation assay, and 5-ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine assay. Based on PI3K pathway-related genes, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-BLCA and GSE32894 patients were divided into two subtypes. Twenty-five co-expression modules were established using the WGCNA algorithm. A seven-gene signature (CDK6, EGFR, IGF1, ITGB7, PDGFRA, RPS6, and VWF) demonstrated robustness in TCGA and GSE32894 datasets. Expression levels of CDK6 and risk positively correlated with M2 macrophages and IgG. Cisplatin, gemcitabine, methotrexate, mitomycin C, paclitaxel, and vinblastine are sensitive to different groups based on the expression of CDK6 and risk. Functional experiments suggested that CDK6 promotes the proliferation of UM-UC-3 cells. We constructed a seven-gene prognostic signature as an effective marker to predict the outcomes of BLCA patients and guide individual treatment.
Modeling ATP-mediated endothelial cell elongation on line patterns
Authors: Roselli Nicole , Castagnino Alessia , Pontrelli Giuseppe , Natalini Roberto , Barakat Abdul I.
Published: July 2022

Endothelial cell (EC) migration is crucial for a wide range of processes including vascular wound healing, tumor angiogenesis, and the development of viable endovascular implants. We have previously demonstrated that ECs cultured on 15-μm wide adhesive line patterns exhibit three distinct migration phenotypes: (a) “running” cells that are polarized and migrate continuously and persistently on the adhesive lines with possible spontaneous directional changes, (b) “undecided” cells that are highly elongated and exhibit periodic changes in the direction of their polarization while maintaining minimal net migration, and (c) “tumbling-like” cells that migrate persistently for a certain amount of time but then stop and round up for a few hours before spreading again and resuming migration. Importantly, the three migration patterns are associated with distinct profiles of cell length. Because of the impact of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) on cytoskeletal organization and cell polarization, we hypothesize that the observed differences in EC length among the three different migration phenotypes are driven by differences in intracellular ATP levels. In the present work, we develop a mathematical model that incorporates the interactions between cell length, cytoskeletal (F-actin) organization, and intracellular ATP concentration. An optimization procedure is used to obtain the model parameter values that best fit the experimental data on EC lengths. The results indicate that a minimalist model based on differences in intracellular ATP levels is capable of capturing the different cell length profiles observed experimentally.
Tumor response and survival outcomes of salvage concurrent chemoradiotherapy with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and 5-fluorouracil/platinum-based chemotherapy for postoperative locoregional recurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ito Renma , Nakamura Yoshiaki , Sunakawa Hironori , Fujiwara Hisashi , Hojo Hidehiro , Nakamura Naoki , Fujita Takeo , Yano Tomonori , Daiko Hiroyuki , Akimoto Tetsuo , Yoshino Takayuki , Kojima Takashi
Published: July 2022

Background

Salvage concurrent chemoradiotherapy is effective against locoregional recurrence after curative resection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. However, there is no consensus on its application. We investigated the outcomes of salvage concurrent chemoradiotherapy (60 Gy in 30 fractions) with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and 5-fluorouracil/platinum-based chemotherapy.

Methods

We retrospectively investigated the outcomes and prognostic factors in 51 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated with salvage concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Results

The median follow-up was 17.5 (range, 2.8–116.1) months. The overall response, complete response, and partial response rates were 74.5%, 49.0%, and 25.5%, respectively. The median progression-free survival was 8.2 months; the 3-year progression-free survival rate was 22.9%. The median overall survival was 23.1 months; the 3-year overall survival rate was 40.7%. Overall survival was significantly longer in patients with a complete response than in those without (median overall survival: not reached vs. 15.3 months); 3-year overall survival rate: 62.5% vs. 20.3% (hazard ratio: 0.222; P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the independent prognostic factor for overall survival was < 25 mm longest diameter of metastatic lymph nodes (hazard ratio: 3.71).

Conclusions

Salvage concurrent chemoradiotherapy (60 Gy in 30 fractions) with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and 5-fluorouracil/platinum-based chemotherapy was an effective and safe treatment for locoregional recurrence after curative resection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, especially in those approaching a complete response. Additionally, a shorter longest diameter of metastatic lymph nodes may be associated with better long-term survival.
Renal resistance index independently predicts worsening of renal function after coronary angiography
Authors: Barone Roberta , Goffredo Giovanni , Di Terlizzi Vito , Alcidi Gianmarco , Tabella Erika , Centola Antonio , Campanale Giulio , Ruggiero Antonio , Cuculo Andrea , Di Biase Matteo , Brunetti Natale Daniele , Iacoviello Massimo
Published: July 2022

The renal resistance index (RRI) has been demonstrated to be a useful parameter that can detect patients at a high risk of worsening of renal function (WRF). This study was designed to evaluate the role of the RRI in predicting WRF mediated by the intravascular administration of contrast media. We enrolled patients who were referred for coronary angiography. Renal arterial echo-color Doppler was performed to calculate the RRI. WRF was defined as an increase of > 0.3 mg/dL and at least 25% of the baseline value in creatinine concentration 24–48 h after coronary angiography. Among the 148 patients enrolled in this study, 18 (12%) had WRF. In the multivariate logistic analysis, the RRI was independently associated with WRF (odds ratio [OR]: 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09–1.36; p = 0.001). After angiography, the RRI significantly increased in both patients with and without WRF. In the receiver operating characteristic curve analyses for WRF, the RRI at baseline and after angiography showed similar accuracy, and the best cutoff value for predicting WRF was 70%. In patients undergoing coronary angiography, the RRI is independently associated with WRF, probably because it provides more accurate information about cardiorenal pathophysiological factors and reflects kidney hemodynamic status and flow reserve.
Saponins as cytotoxic agents: an update (2010–2021). Part II—Triterpene saponins
Authors: Podolak Irma , Grabowska Karolina , Sobolewska Danuta , Wróbel-Biedrawa Dagmara , Makowska-Wąs Justyna , Galanty Agnieszka
Published: July 2022

Saponins make up an important group of natural glycosidic compounds which are distinguished by triterpene or steroidal aglycone. Although widely distributed in terrestrial flora, especially higher plants, they can also be found in some marine organisms. Cytotoxic activity is one of the most frequently reported from a wide array of pharmacological activities known for these metabolites. The current review is an update of our previous paper—Saponins as cytotoxic agents(Podolak et al. Phytochem Rev 9:425–474, 2010), and covers studies that were since published (2010–2021). This part refers to triterpene saponins and complements the first, which was devoted solely to steroidal saponins (Sobolewska et al. Phytochem Rev 19:139–189, 2020). Cytotoxic activities in vitro and in vivo are presented with a main focus on structure-activity relationships and molecular mechanisms of action.