bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of flow cytometry‐based assays to assess the ability of antibodies to bind to SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected and spike‐transfected cells and mediate NK cell degranulation
Authors: Mielke Dieter , Stanfield‐Oakley Sherry , Jha Shalini , Keyes Taylor , Zalaquett Adam , Dunn Brooke , Rodgers Nicole , Oguin Thomas , Sempowski Greg D. , Binder Raquel A. , Gray Gregory C. , Karuna Shelly , Corey Lawrence , Hural John , Tomaras Georgia D. , Pollara Justin , Ferrari Guido
Published: March 2022

Since the beginning of the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic, antibody responses and antibody effector functions targeting SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected cells have been understudied. Consequently, the role of these types of antibodies in SARS‐CoV‐2 disease (COVID‐19) and immunity is still undetermined. To provide tools to study these responses, we used plasma from SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected individuals (n = 50) and SARS‐CoV‐2 naive healthy controls (n = 20) to develop four specific and reproducible flow cytometry‐based assays: (i) two assessing antibody binding to, and antibody‐mediated NK cell degranulation against, SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected cells and (ii) two assessing antibody binding to, and antibody‐mediated NK cell degranulation against, SARS‐CoV‐2 Spike‐transfected cells. All four assays demonstrated the ability to detect the presence of these functional antibody responses in a specific and reproducible manner. Interestingly, we found weak to moderate correlations between the four assays (Spearman rho ranged from 0.50 to 0.74), suggesting limited overlap in the responses captured by the individual assays. Lastly, while we initially developed each assay with multiple dilutions in an effort to capture the full relationship between antibody titers and assay outcome, we explored the relationship between fewer antibody dilutions and the full dilution series for each assay to reduce assay costs and improve assay efficiency. We found high correlations between the full dilution series and fewer or single dilutions of plasma. Use of single or fewer sample dilutions to accurately determine the response rates and magnitudes of the responses allows for high‐throughput use of these assays platforms to facilitate assessment of antibody responses elicited by SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and vaccination in large clinical studies.
Chemostratigraphic characteristics of trace elements, biomarkers and clay mineralogy indicating environmental conditions within Aptian sediments of the Organyà Basin, North‐east Spain, prior to the onset of OAE 1a
Authors: Herdocia Carlos , Maurrasse Florentin J‐M. R.
Published: March 2022

Shifting palaeoceanographic and palaeoclimatic conditions together with fluctuating eustatic sea levels during the Early Cretaceous Aptian stage led to a globally widespread deposition of organic‐rich marine sediments designated Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a. Here a detailed lithostratigraphic and geochemical study is presented for 35.6 m of the Cabó Formation, part of the Organyà Basin, North‐east Spain, to assess intermittent periods of enhanced organic carbon preservation in Lower Aptian sediments preceding Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a. The Organyà area contains well‐exposed outcrops of Mesozoic black to dark grey marlstones and limestones with variable amount of organic matter (OM) indicative of oxygen‐deficient conditions. Previous work in a section near the town of Organyà focussed on lithostratigraphy and biostratigraphy and assigned a Barremian–Aptian age. This study aims to provide an updated age based on carbon isotope correlation established elsewhere, and assess the chemostratigraphic characteristics of the Barremian–Aptian to clarify environmental changes regarding oxygen deficient conditions in the basin at that time. The δ13Corg values fluctuate from −22.1 to −24.4‰ showing concurrence with results at the El Pui section west of the studied section. Chemostratigraphic correlation of the δ13Corg reveals that the section is within segment C2, in the Lower Aptian. Redox‐sensitive trace elements (V, Ni, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo) indicate heightened dysoxic conditions at five organic‐rich layers, here designated carbonaceous layers (TOC >2%), associated with enhanced terrigenous fluxes coincident with increased major elements (Al, Si and Ti) during these intervals. Biomarkers from six levels showed n‐alkane distributions with chain lengths from nC14 to nC34, mostly below nC21 indicating a predominance of marine‐derived OM. Climate conditions inferred from variable smectite, and kaolinite content suggests fluctuating humid‐warm conditions. The results thus reveal that the Organyà Basin experienced intervals of distinct oxygen‐poor conditions prior to the onset of Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a.
Insect defoliation modulates influence of climate on the growth of tree species in the boreal mixed forests of eastern Canada
Authors: Boakye Emmanuel Amoah , Houle Daniel , Bergeron Yves , Girardin Martin P. , Drobyshev Igor
Published: March 2022

Increasing air temperatures and changing precipitation patterns due to climate change can affect tree growth in boreal forests. Periodic insect outbreaks affect the growth trajectory of trees, making it difficult to quantify the climate signal in growth dynamics at scales longer than a year. We studied climate‐driven growth trends and the influence of spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana Clem.) outbreaks on these trends by analyzing the basal area increment (BAI) of 2058 trees of Abies balsamea (L.) Mill., Picea glauca (Moench) Voss, Thuja occidentalis L., Populus tremuloides Michx., and Betula papyrifera Marsh, which co‐occurs in the boreal mixedwood forests of western Quebec. We used a generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) to analyze species‐specific trends in BAI dynamics from 1967 to 1991. The model relied on tree size, cambial age, degree of spruce budworm defoliation, and seasonal climatic variables. Overall, we observed a decreasing growth rate of the spruce budworm host species, A. balsamea and P. glauca between 1967 and 1991, and an increasing growth rate for the non‐host, P. tremuloides, B. papyrifera, and T. occidentalis. Our results suggest that insect outbreaks may offset growth increases resulting from a warmer climate. The observation warrants the inclusion of the spruce budworm defoliation into models predicting future forest productivity.
Impacts of spruce budworm defoliation on the habitat of woodland caribou, moose, and their main predators
Authors: Chagnon Catherine , Bouchard Mathieu , Pothier David
Published: March 2022

Forest logging has contributed to the decline of several woodland caribou populations by causing the fragmentation of mature coniferous stands. Such habitat alterations could be worsened by spruce budworm (SBW) outbreaks. Using 6201 vegetation plots from provincial inventories conducted after the last SBW outbreak (1968–1992) in boreal forests of Québec (Canada), we investigated the influence of SBW‐caused tree defoliation and mortality on understory vegetation layers relevant to woodland caribou and its main predators. We found a positive association between severe outbreaks and the cover of most groups of understory plant species, especially in stands that were dominated by balsam fir before the outbreak, where a high canopy openness particularly benefited relatively fast‐growing deciduous plants. Such increases in early successional vegetation could provide high‐quality forage for moose, which is likely to promote higher wolf densities and increase predation pressure on caribou. SBW outbreaks may thus negatively affect woodland caribou by increasing predation risk, the main factor limiting caribou populations in managed forests. For the near future, we recommend updating the criteria used to define critical caribou habitat to consider the potential impacts of spruce budworm defoliation.
Variation in the intestinal microbiota at different developmental stages of Hynobius maoershanensis
Authors: Yang Bo , Cui Zhenzhen , Ning Meihong , Chen Yu , Wu Zhengjun , Huang Huayuan
Published: March 2022

Intestinal microbiota play an important role in the life of amphibians and its composition may vary by developmental stage. In this study, 16S rRNA high‐throughput sequencing was used to profile the intestinal microbiota of Hynobius maoershanensis, which exclusively inhabit the Maoer Mountain swamp at an altitude of approximately 2,000 m. We characterized the bacterial composition, structure, and function of the microbiota of H. maoershanensis at different developmental stages. The alpha diversity was not markedly different for the Simpson, Shannon, Ace, and Sobs indices of microbes. The beta diversity revealed that there were age‐related differences in the structure of the intestinal microbes of H. maoershanensis, specifically, at the phylum level. Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria were the dominant bacteria present in the adult stage, and the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes was significantly higher compared with that of tadpoles. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the dominant phylum during the tadpole stage and their relative abundance was significantly higher compared with the adult period. Functional analysis revealed that the pathways associated with organismal systems and metabolism were significantly enriched in the adults, whereas human diseases, genetic information processing, and cellular processes were more enriched in the hindlimb bud stage. Human diseases and environmental information processing were more enriched in the forelimb bud stage at KEGG pathway level 1. Possibilities for the observed discrepancies include the adaptation to eating habits and the remodeling of the intestines during development. We speculated that H. maoershanensis adults may be more suitable to a high‐fiber diet, whereas the tadpoles are associated with a carnivorous diet. Our study provides evidence of variations in the intestinal microbiota during development in amphibians, highlighting the influence of historical developments on the intestinal microbiota and an increased understanding of the importance of physiological characteristics in shaping the intestinal microbiota of amphibians. These data will help us formulate more effective protection measures for H. maoershanensis.
Shifting season of fire and its interaction with fire severity: Impacts on reproductive effort in resprouting plants
Authors: Thomsen Alexandria M. , Ooi Mark K. J.
Published: March 2022

Fire regimes shape plant communities but are shifting with changing climate. More frequent fires of increasing intensity are burning across a broader range of seasons. Despite this, impacts that changes in fire season have on plant populations, or how they interact with other fire regime elements, are still relatively understudied. We asked (a) how does the season of fire affect plant vigor, including vegetative growth and flowering after a fire event, and (b) do different functional resprouting groups respond differently to the effects of season of fire? We sampled a total of 887 plants across 36 sites using a space‐for‐time design to assess resprouting vigor and reproductive output for five plant species. Sites represented either a spring or autumn burn, aged one to three years old. Season of fire had the clearest impacts on flowering in Lambertia formosa with a 152% increase in the number of plants flowering and a 45% increase in number of flowers per plant after autumn compared with spring fires. There were also season × severity interactions for total flowers produced for Leptospermum polygalifolium and L. trinervium with both species producing greater flowering in autumn, but only after lower severity fires. Severity of fire was a more important driver in vegetative growth than fire season. Season of fire impacts have previously been seen as synonymous with the effects of fire severity; however, we found that fire season and severity can have clear and independent, as well as interacting, impacts on post‐fire vegetative growth and reproductive response of resprouting species. Overall, we observed that there were positive effects of autumn fires on reproductive traits, while vegetative growth was positively related to fire severity and pre‐fire plant size.
Decline effects are rare in ecology
Authors: Costello Laura , Fox Jeremy W.
Published: March 2022

The scientific evidence base on any given topic changes over time as more studies are published. Currently, there is widespread concern about nonrandom, directional changes over time in the scientific evidence base associated with many topics. In particular, if studies finding large effects (e.g., large differences between treatment and control means) tend to get published quickly, while small effects tend to get published slowly, the net result will be a decrease over time in the estimated magnitude of the mean effect size, known as a “decline effect.” If decline effects are common, then the published scientific literature will provide a biased and misleading guide to management decisions, and to the allocation of future research effort. We compiled data from 466 meta‐analyses in ecology to look for evidence of decline effects. We found that decline effects are rare. Only ~5% of ecological meta‐analyses truly exhibit a directional change in mean effect size over time arising for some reason other than random chance, usually but not always in the direction of decline. Most apparent directional changes in mean effect size over time are attributable to regression to the mean, consistent with primary studies being published in random order with respect to the effect sizes they report. Our results are good news: decline effects are the exception to the rule in ecology. Identifying and rectifying rare cases of true decline effects remains an important task, but ecologists should not overgeneralize from anecdotal reports of decline effects.
Application of uniconazole (S3307) promotes selenium accumulation inCyphomandra betaceaseedlings under selenium stress
Authors: Wang Jin , Xiao Yunying , Zhu Jinpeng , Xu Xiangting , Dong Yiping , Chen Xu , Deng Qunxian
Published: March 2022

To improve the ability ofCyphomandra betaceato accumulate selenium (Se), the effects of uniconazole (S3307) at different concentrations on the growth and Se accumulation ofC. betaceaseedlings were studied in this experiment. S3307 at different concentrations increased the biomass ofC. betaceaseedlings, and 20 mg L−1 S3307 had the best effect. The application of S3307 also increased the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2concentration, transpiration rate, photosynthetic pigment (chlorophylla, chlorophyllb, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid) content, and antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase) activity ofC. betaceaseedlings. Application of S3307 increased the Se content in the different organs ofC. betaceaseedlings to some extent. Besides, the different S3307 concentrations demonstrated a polynomial regression relationship with the root and shoot biomass and the root and shoot Se content. Besides, Se content of the various organs significantly positive correlated with the different organs' biomass. These results indicate that S3307 promotesC. betaceaseedling growth and improves Se accumulation ability, with 20 mg L−1demonstrating the highest response.
Sustainability assessment of single slope solar still with glass cover cooling using naturally available fibers
Authors: Suraparaju Subbarama Kousik , Natarajan Sendhil Kumar
Published: March 2022

The objective of the present study is to evaluate the sustainability of solar still by enhancing the condensation rate using natural fibers on the glass cover. It is accomplished by employing naturally available Banana Fibers (BF) and Jute Fibers (JF) over the glass of the solar still (SS). The experimental investigation on Conventional Solar Still (CSS), Solar Still with Banana Fibers (SSBF) and Solar Still with Jute Fibers (SSJF) is conducted under similar meteorological conditions. The results reported that the glass cover temperatures of SSBF and SSJF are significantly reduced by 23% and 28% respectively relative to CSS. Also, the condensation rate in SSJF is comparatively better than SSBF and CSS. The significant factor for improving the condensation rate is the absorption, retention, and porosity of natural fibers. Nevertheless, the potable water yield of CSS, SSBF, and SSJF is noticed as 2.23, 2.87, and 3.18 L/m2, respectively. Besides, the viability of solar stills is assessed by economic analysis and the cost per liter (CPL) of water obtained from SSJF is about $ 0.029 with a payback period (PBP) of 4.7 months whereas SSBF and CSS are having a CPL of $ 0.034 and $ 0.041 with a PBP of 5.6 months and 6.8 months respectively.
Performance enhancement for differential energy signal detection of ambient backscatter communications
Authors: Liu Yuan , Ren Pinyi , Du Qinghe , Xu Dongyang
Published: March 2022

Ambient backscatter communications are a critical enabling technology of radio frequency identification in Internet of Things due to its full usage of ambient signals with low cost to transmit tag signals. However, the signal detection of tag signals is a challenging task as tag signals are usually superposed on the ambient radio frequency signals and the channel state information is unavailable due to its huge and unacceptable computation complexity at tags. To solve this, we in this article proposed an enhanced signal detection scheme for the differential energy detection in ambient backscatter communications. We discovered that the single detection threshold in classic detection will not provide desirable results in smart storage scenarios. We proposed a double‐threshold detection method which subtly integrates differential energy detection with maximum likelihood method to improve the detection accuracy while reducing the complexity of the reader. In addition, we derived the closed‐form expressions for bit error rate (BER), miss detection, and false alarm probabilities of the data bits sent by the tag. Simulation results are presented to show that our proposed detector can offer lower BER and computational complexity compared with single threshold detection schemes in low‐power and low‐storage scenarios, especially when the system is in a poor channel status environment.
Assessment of autonomic symptoms may assist with early identification of mild cognitive impairment with Lewy bodies
Authors: Hamilton Calum A. , Frith James , Donaghy Paul C. , Barker Sally A. H. , Durcan Rory , Lawley Sarah , Barnett Nicola , Firbank Michael , Roberts Gemma , Taylor John‐Paul , Allan Louise M. , O’Brien John , Yarnall Alison J. , Thomas Alan J.
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Autonomic symptoms are a common feature of the synucleinopathies, and may be a distinguishing feature of prodromal Lewy body disease. We aimed to assess whether the cognitive prodrome of dementia with Lewy bodies, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with Lewy bodies (MCI‐LB), would have more severe reported autonomic symptoms than cognitively healthy older adults, with MCI due to Alzheimer's disease (MCI‐AD) also included for comparison. We also aimed to assess the utility of an autonomic symptom scale in differentiating MCI‐LB from MCI‐AD.

Methods

Ninety‐three individuals with MCI and 33 healthy controls were assessed with the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score 31‐item scale (COMPASS). Mild cognitive impairment patients also underwent detailed clinical assessment and differential classification of MCI‐AD or MCI‐LB according to current consensus criteria. Differences in overall COMPASS score and individual symptom sub‐scales were assessed, controlling for age.

Results

Age‐adjusted severity of overall autonomic symptomatology was greater in MCI‐LB (Ratio = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.37–2.96), with higher orthostatic intolerance and urinary symptom severity than controls, and greater risk of gastrointestinal and secretomotor symptoms. MCI‐AD did not have significantly higher autonomic symptom severity than controls overall. A cut‐off of 4/5 on the COMPASS was sensitive to MCI‐LB (92%) but not specific to this (42% specificity vs. MCI‐AD and 52% vs. healthy controls).

Conclusions

Mild cognitive impairment with Lewy bodies had greater autonomic symptom severity than normal ageing and MCI‐AD, but such autonomic symptoms are not a specific finding. The COMPASS‐31 may therefore have value as a sensitive screening test for early‐stage Lewy body disease.
Navigating the paradox of global scaling
Authors: Tippmann Esther , Monaghan Sinéad , Reuber Rebecca A.
Published: March 2022

Research summary

Much global strategy research explores the management of competing strategic demands. Although these demands vary by a firm's context, the focus has been largely on established long‐lived multinational enterprises (MNEs) that are not based on digital technologies. There is thus a need to extend theory to take into account the co‐existence of rapid growth and digitization, a condition which is increasingly prominent. This study of globally scaling digital firms shows that they navigate the paradoxical demands of replication, to achieve frictionless rapid growth, and entrepreneurship, to innovate and remain competitive. We provide a theoretical model, which shows how MNEs navigate this global scaling paradox through a virtuous cycle of identifying innovations that can be replicated. Surprisingly, given the ease of modifying digital products and services, navigating the global scaling paradox involves minimizing local responsiveness, which is regarded as antithetical to replication. This research also builds insights on the global strategies of digital firms.

Managerial summary

Many digital firms strive to scale globally to achieve market dominance in competitive, fast‐paced industries, but only a few succeed. Studying software‐as‐a‐service firms that have successfully scaled globally, we illustrate that the core demands of global scaling are replication and entrepreneurship. Although contradictory, both demands need to be satisfied in tandem. Leaders of globally scaling firms can achieve this through a strategy that sustains three interrelated mechanisms: top‐down replication, bottom‐up entrepreneurial orientation, and replicable innovation generation to engender and screen replicable ideas. These mechanisms represent a virtuous cycle through which globally scaling digital firms can revise their global business model in a replicable way in order to sustain competitiveness.
Polo‐like kinase 4 inhibitor CFI‐400945 suppresses liver cancer through cell cycle perturbation and eliciting antitumor immunity
Authors: Chan Cerise Yuen‐Ki , Yuen Vincent Wai‐Hin , Chiu David Kung‐Chun , Goh Chi‐Ching , Thu Kelsie L. , Cescon David W. , Soria‐Bretones Isabel , Law Cheuk‐Ting , Cheu Jacinth Wing‐Sum , Lee Derek , Tse Aki Pui‐Wah , Tan Kel Vin , Zhang Misty Shuo , Wong Bowie Po‐Yee , Wong Chun‐Ming , Khong Pek‐Lan , Ng Irene Oi‐Lin , Bray Mark R. , Mak Tak Wah , Yau Thomas Chung‐Cheung , Wong Carmen Chak‐Lui
Published: March 2022

Background and Aims:

Prognosis of HCC remains poor due to lack of effective therapies. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have delayed response and are only effective in a subset of patients. Treatments that could effectively shrink the tumors within a short period of time are idealistic to be employed together with ICIs for durable tumor suppressive effects. HCC acquires increased tolerance to aneuploidy. The rapid division of HCC cells relies on centrosome duplication. In this study, we found that polo‐like kinase 4 (PLK4), a centrosome duplication regulator, represents a therapeutic vulnerability in HCC.

Approach and Results:

An orally available PLK4 inhibitor, CFI‐400945, potently suppressed proliferating HCC cells by perturbing centrosome duplication. CFI‐400945 induced endoreplication without stopping DNA replication, causing severe aneuploidy, DNA damage, micronuclei formation, cytosolic DNA accumulation, and senescence. The cytosolic DNA accumulation elicited the DEAD box helicase 41–stimulator of interferon genes–interferon regulatory factor 3/7–NF‐κβ cytosolic DNA sensing pathway, thereby driving the transcription of senescence‐associated secretory phenotypes, which recruit immune cells. CFI‐400945 was evaluated in liver‐specific p53/phosphatase and tensin homolog knockout mouse HCC models established by hydrodynamic tail vein injection. Tumor‐infiltrated immune cells were analyzed. CFI‐400945 significantly impeded HCC growth and increased infiltration of cluster of differentiation 4–positive (CD4+), CD8+ T cells, macrophages, and natural killer cells. Combination therapy of CFI‐400945 with anti–programmed death‐1 showed a tendency to improve HCC survival.

Conclusions:

We show that by targeting a centrosome regulator, PLK4, to activate the cytosolic DNA sensing‐mediated immune response, CFI‐400945 effectively restrained tumor progression through cell cycle inhibition and inducing antitumor immunity to achieve a durable suppressive effect even in late‐stage mouse HCC.
Activin A regulates the excitability of hippocampal mossy cells
Authors: Schmidt Carla C. , Zheng Fang , Alzheimer Christian
Published: March 2022

Mossy cells (MCs) in the hilus of the dentate gyrus (DG) receive increasing attention as a major player controlling information processing in the DG network. Furthermore, disturbed MC activity has been implicated in widespread neuropsychiatric disorders such as epilepsy and major depression. Using whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings from MCs in acute hippocampal slices from wild type and transgenic mice, we demonstrate that activin, a member of the transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) family, has a strong neuromodulatory effect on MC activity. Disruption of activin receptor signaling reduced MC firing, dampened their excitatory input and augmented their inhibitory input. By contrast, acute application of recombinant activin A strongly increased MC activity and promoted excitatory synaptic drive. Notably, similar changes of MC activity have been observed in a rodent model of depression and after antidepressant drug therapy, respectively. Given that a rise in activin signaling particularly in the DG has been proposed as a mechanism of antidepressant action, our data suggest that the effect of activin on MC excitability might make a considerable contribution in this regard.
Reflecting on China's crisis management and market exit mechanism for insurers – Based on or independent of the general bankruptcy system?
Authors: Xu Geleite
Published: March 2022

Due to the special nature of their business, insurers are under prudential regulation, subject to a series of statutory and regulatory requirements. From time to time, there are crises where insurers fall below the requirements they should conform to. In order to address these crises effectively and efficiently, it is important to have a well‐designed crisis management and market exit mechanism for insurers (the CMME mechanism). However, the CMME mechanism has not been well‐formed in China. The current mechanism is comprised of the regulatory intervention system and the bankruptcy system, but there is a lack of consideration of the special features of insurers. As a consequence, it would not be feasible or efficient to apply many of the arrangements therein when crises of insurers occur. Since many incompatible arrangements are basic elements inherent in the general bankruptcy system, this article argues that it would be more desirable to have a CMME mechanism which is independent of the general bankruptcy system. To achieve this, a radical overhaul is needed to detach the CMME mechanism from the general bankruptcy system. In this way, the whole CMME mechanism can be specifically designed to accommodate the special features of insurers, without containing any elements in the bankruptcy system which are arguably not fit for insurers.
Successful endoscopic treatment using thulium YAG laser for multiple ureteral fibroepithelial polyps in a pediatric patient
Authors: Fukui Shinji , Yoshida Takashi , Nakao Kazuyoshi , Matsuzaki Tomoaki , Kinoshita Hidefumi
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Ureteral fibroepithelial polyps are extremely rare and cause ureteropelvic junction obstruction in the pediatric population. Recent advancements in endoscopic treatment, such as holmium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet laser, have created more options for practitioners to treat multiple ureteral fibroepithelial polyps cases. However, the use of holmium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet laser multilobulated ureteral fibroepithelial polyps may have technical difficulties.

Case presentation

An 11‐year‐old boy with intermittent right flank pain revealed multiple ureteral fibroepithelial polyps approximately 3 cm long at the right ureteropelvic junction. The ureteral fibroepithelial polyps were resected using flexible ureteroscopy using thulium:YAG laser. A second‐look ureteroscopy revealed no recurrence, residual polyps, or ureteral stricture. At 1‐year follow‐up, ultrasonography showed no hydronephrosis on the affected side.

Conclusion

Thulium:YAG laser provides clear visibility due to its high hemostatic and evaporation effects. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first pediatric case of multiple ureteral fibroepithelial polyps successfully treated with endoscopic resection using thulium:YAG laser, with a favorable clinical outcome.
Diagnostic accuracy of the Single‐item Measure of Burnout (Japanese version) for identifying medical resident burnout
Authors: Nagasaki Kazuya , Seo Emiko , Maeno Tetsuhiro , Kobayashi Hiroyuki
Published: March 2022

Background

Burnout is a psychological syndrome consisting of emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and decreased professional efficacy. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) is widely used as the standard measure. However, the MBI is lengthy and not free to use, which makes it a less than ideal tool for regularly assessing burnout. The single question burnout measure (SMB) is a novel and simple measure of burnout, which is associated well with emotional exhaustion and has sufficient diagnostic performance for burnout. This study aimed to evaluate the concurrent and convergent validity of the Japanese version of the single‐item measure of burnout (SMB‐J) compared with the MBI.

Methods

Ninety‐four medical residents volunteered to complete the MBI‐General Survey (MBI‐GS) and the SMB‐J. We assessed the concurrent (sensitivity and specificity) and convergent validity of the SMB‐J compared with the MBI‐GS.

Results

The sensitivity for identifying burnout using the SMB‐J was 53.8%, and the specificity was 88.2%. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.71. MBI‐GS scores on the subscales of Emotional Exhaustion (r = 0.509, p < 0.0001) and Cynicism (r = 0.57, p < 0.0001) strongly correlated with the SMB‐J scores.

Conclusions

We concluded that for identifying burnout among Japanese medical residents, the psychometric properties of the SMB‐J are comparable to those of the original version of the SMB. Although the SMB‐J has low sensitivity to detect burnout, it is more convenient to use than the MBI.
High penetrance, recurrent attacks and thrombus formation in a family with hereditary coproporphyria
Authors: Towns Cindy , Balakrishnan Sobana , Florkowski Chris , Davies Andrew , Barrington‐Ward Elaine
Published: March 2022

Hereditary coproporphyria (HCP) is the rarest of the autosomal dominant acute porphyrias with an estimated incidence of 0.02 per 10 million per year. HCP has been considered to be mild in presentation compared with the more common acute intermittent porphyria although there is limited information comparing the subtypes. Penetrance in the acute porphyrias is low with 90% of patients with a mutation never exhibiting symptoms. We present seven members from a family with HCP with a novel mutation in whom penetrance and severity are high. In addition, they appear to have a high rate of veno‐thromboembolism. Penetrance is confirmed at 57% but is suspected to be 71%. The first patient experienced life‐threatening complications, four of the seven have had recurrent attacks and the development of opioid dependence has complicated management. The case series documents the impact of a new mRNA interference molecule givosiran as well as a plan for embryo selection which is not commonly used in porphyria. The use of ketamine for the treatment of acute attacks is also documented for the first time in the porphyria literature. The use of international registries would aid the characterisation and management of this very rare disease.
Phase transitions and p–T phase diagram of the multiferroic TbFe3(BO3)4 crystal
Authors: Krylov Alexander , Pavlovskiy Maksim , Kitaev Yuri , Gudim Irina , Andryshin Nikita , Vtyurin Aleksander , Jiang Qinghui , Krylova Svetlana
Published: March 2022

The structural phase transitions in multiferroic TbFe3(BO3)4 with change hydrostatic pressures and temperatures have been studied by Raman spectroscopy and calculation within density functional theory. Lattice dynamics calculations in the TbFe3(BO3)4 crystal in the
phase under various values of applied hydrostatic pressure (from 0 up to 5 GPa with 1 GPa step) were performed. The calculation performed in this work in a TbFe3(BO3)4 crystal showed that the applied pressure can increase the phase transition temperature. Raman spectra of the TbFe3(BO3)4 crystal have been investigated at simultaneously high temperature and high pressure (up to 5.14 GPa and 465 K). The appearance of a soft mode was observed with decreasing temperature at normal pressure. The manifestations of the interaction of the structural and magnetic order parameters in the range from 13 to 50 K were observed at normal pressure. With increasing pressure and a fixed temperature, recovery of the soft modes is also observed. The experimental p–T phase diagram of TbFe3(BO3)4 was established. An increase in pressure leads to an increase in the temperature of transition.
Insight into dominant intestinal microbiota and the fatty acids profile of turkeys following the administration of synbiotic preparations
Authors: Markowiak‐Kopeć Paulina , Śliżewska Katarzyna , Lipiński Krzysztof
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

Probiotics and prebiotics are widely used as natural feed additives in the nutrition of farm animals, including poultry. The using of this type of preparation has a positive effect on animal welfare, human health and the environment. High potential is attributed to preparations combining probiotics and prebiotics, called synbiotics. The aim of the research was to confirm the beneficial effects of synbiotics on the performance of turkeys and the number of dominant intestinal microbiota. In addition, we also investigated the concentration of organic acids (lactic acid, short‐chain and branched‐chain fatty acids) in the excreta of turkeys.

RESULTS

The synbiotic supplementation of turkeys caused statistically significant (P < 0.05) differences in body weight of animals and European production efficiency factor (EPEF) compared to control group after 15 weeks of rearing. Administration of the synbiotics resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the count of potential pathogens (Clostridium spp., Clostridium coccoides and Escherichia coli) but a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the count of beneficial microorganisms (lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium spp.) in the excreta of turkeys. Results of synbiotic supplementation showed that the short‐chain fatty acids and lactic acid concentration were significantly (P < 0.05) increased, while the concentration of branched‐chain fatty acids was decreased.

CONCLUSION

The results showed a beneficial influence of the synbiotics on the animals’ performance, dominant intestinal microbiota and fatty acid profile in the excreta of turkeys. The developed synbiotics can be effectively used in nutrition of turkeys. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Training in Obstetric Ultrasound Biometry
Authors: Donadono Vera , Ambroise Grandjean Gaëlle , Stegen Marie‐Louise , Collin Adeline , Bertholdt Charline , Casagrandi Davide , Morel Olivier , Napolitano Raffaele
Published: March 2022

Objectives

To assess the intra‐ and interobserver reproducibility of fetal biometry measurements obtained by trainee (junior) and experienced sonographers (senior) in the contest of two training programs in obstetric ultrasound.

Methods

This was a prospective study on 192 women recruited ensuring an even distribution throughout gestation (18–41 weeks), at University College London Hospital (UCLH), England (87 cases), and at Maternité Regionale Universitaire de Nancy (MRUN), France (105 cases). The training took place in two training centers with experience in ultrasound training and subspecialist training in fetal medicine. Measurements for head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), and femur length (FL) were obtained twice by junior and senior sonographers, blind to their own and each other's measurements. Differences between and within sonographers were expressed in millimeters and as a percentage of fetal dimensions. Reproducibility was assessed using Bland–Altman plots.

Results

Reproducibility was overall high with 95% confidence intervals (CI) within <6% for intraobserver and <8% for interobserver reproducibility. Intraobserver reproducibility was lower within junior than within senior sonographers' measurements for HC (95% CI: <4% versus <3%) and FL (95% CI: <6% and < 5%). Intraobserver reproducibility was similar between the two centers/training programs (AC 95% CI: <6%). Cumulative interobserver reproducibility in both centers was similar to the reproducibility within a single site (95% CI: <5%, <8%, and <7% for HC, AC, and FL, respectively).

Conclusions

Reproducibility of fetal biometry measurement was high in centers with structured training programs regardless of sonographers' experience. Reproducibility was higher in sonographers who completed the training.
Evaluating modelled winds over an urban area using ground‐based Doppler lidar observations
Authors: Filioglou Maria , Preissler Jana , Troiville Anselme , Thobois Ludovic , Vakkari Ville , Auvinen Mikko , Fortelius Carl , Gregow Erik , Hämäläinen Karoliina , Hellsten Antti , Järvi Leena , O'Connor Ewan , Schönach David , Hirsikko Anne
Published: March 2022

Wind information in urban areas is essential for many applications related to air pollution, urban climate and planning, safety of drone‐related operations, and assessment of urban wind energy potential. These applications require accurate wind forecasts, and obtaining this information in an urban environment is challenging as the morphology of a city varies from street to street, altering the wind flow. Remote sensing techniques such as Doppler lidars (light detection and ranging) provide a unique opportunity for wind forecast verification as they can provide both the vertical profile of the horizontal wind and the spatial variation in the horizontal domain at high resolution. In this study, the performance of numerical weather prediction (NWP) models, analysis systems, and large‐eddy simulation (LES) models have been analysed by comparing the modelled winds against Doppler lidar observations under various atmospheric conditions and from season to season, in the coastal environment of Helsinki, Finland. The long‐term mean vertical profile of the modelled horizontal wind shows good agreement with observations; the NWP model and the analysis systems selected here exhibit different strengths and weaknesses depending on the atmospheric conditions but no significant diurnal variation in performance. However, both the model and analysis systems show differences in their spatially‐averaged bias when investigating different wind directions. LES verification shows that these models can potentially provide winds down to street level, given pre‐computed scenarios of atmospheric conditions. For Helsinki, the observed winds are stronger during winter than summer, and, on average, higher wind speeds were observed at the urban site than the sub‐urban site.
A U‐snake based deep learning network for right ventricle segmentation
Authors: Huang Kaiwen , Xu Lei , Zhu Yingliang , Meng Penghui
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Ventricular segmentation is of great importance for the heart condition monitoring. However, manual segmentation is time‐consuming, cumbersome, and subjective. Many segmentation methods perform poorly due to the complex structure and uncertain shape of the right ventricle, so we combine deep learning to achieve automatic segmentation.

Method

This paper proposed a method named U‐Snake network which is based on the improvement of deep snake together with level set to segment the right ventricular in the MR images. U‐snake aggregates the information of each receptive field which is learned by circular convolution of multiple dilation rates. At the same time, we also added dice loss functions and transferred the result of U‐Snake to the level set so as to further enhance the effect of small object segmentation. Our method is tested on the test 1 and test 2 datasets in the right ventricular segmentation challenge (RVSC), which shows the effectiveness.

Results

The experiment showed that we have obtained good result in the RVSC. The highest segmentation accuracy on the right ventricular test set 2 reached a dice coefficient of 0.911, and the segmentation speed reached 5 fps.

Conclusions

Our method, a new deep learning network named U‐snake, has surpassed the previous excellent ventricular segmentation method based on mathematical theory and other classical deep learning methods, such as Residual U‐net, Inception CNN, and Dilated CNN. However, it can only be used as an auxiliary tool instead of replacing the work of human beings.
Optimal control‐decision strategy for wireless networked control systems with structural variation and packet dropout
Authors: Zhu Jin , Xia Kai , Wang Linpeng
Published: March 2022

This article takes into account a class of wireless networked control systems in which the plant structure is subject to random abrupt variations and signals may be lost due to packet dropout over unreliable transmission channels. Firstly, a discrete‐time Markovian jump linear system with two independent Markov chains is established to model such systems where structural variation is governed by one Markov chain while packet dropout is governed by another. Secondly, a control‐decision strategy is introduced where decision is utilized to decrease signal losses and controller is to guarantee system stability. Meanwhile, a generalized quadratic performance with both control and decision cost is formulated to evaluate the proposed strategy. For the optimization of such generalized performance, an optimal control‐decision strategy, which is dependent on the decision, can then be deduced via stochastic dynamic programming. Based on this, a gradient descent algorithm is proposed for obtaining the optimal decision together with its convergence proof. Numerical examples illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
Prenatal bone abnormalities in three cases of familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia
Authors: Frerot Alice , Baudouin Véronique , Rideau‐Batista Aline , Couderc Anne , Garel Catherine , Soltane Samia , Colella Marina , Vargas‐Poussou Rosa , Hureaux Marguerite
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Prenatal diagnosis of bone and mineralization anomalies is associated with a wide range of etiologies and prognoses. The improvement of antenatal ultrasound combined with the development of molecular diagnosis in genetics has transformed antenatal medicine into a challenging discipline. Of the various known causes of bone abnormalities and hypomineralization, calcium and phosphate metabolism disorders are exceptional. An accurate diagnosis is crucial for providing appropriate genetic counseling and medical follow‐up after birth.

Case

We report on three siblings with severe bone abnormalities diagnosed during the second trimester ultrasound of pregnancy. Postnatal follow‐up showed transitory hyperparathyroidism, with hypercalcemia and hypocalciuria.

Methods

Sanger sequencing performed after birth in the three newborns revealed a monoallelic pathogenic variant in the CASR gene, encoding the calcium sensing receptor, confirming the diagnosis of familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia, paternally inherited. Postnatal evolution was favorable after treatment with a calcimimetic agent.

Conclusions

Previously, prenatal bone abnormalities caused by familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia had only been described in one patient. This entity should be considered as differential diagnosis of bones abnormalities. Knowing about this unusual etiology is important to guide the diagnosis, the prenatal counseling and to improve medical management.
Phenylboronic acid as a novel agent for controlling plant pathogenic bacteria
Authors: Martinko Katarina , Ivanković Siniša , Đermić Edyta , Đermić Damir
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

Phenylboronic acid (PBA) is an environmentally non‐toxic substance with antimicrobial activity. Due to increasing ecological limitations in phytopharmacy and considering the development of resistance of phytopathogenic bacteria to available antibacterial agents, here we explore a possible role of PBA as an antibacterial agent of choice.

RESULTS

We determined a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of PBA in vitro on the Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) (0.5 mg/mL) and Erwinia amylovora (0.8 mg/mL), two of the most damaging plant pathogenic bacteria. In comparison, boric acid MIC was 2.5–6‐fold higher than that of PBA, indicating enhanced antibacterial efficacy of the latter. Moreover, we determined the effect of PBA on cell growth and viability of both bacteria and have shown that PBA has bactericidal effect in concentrations > 1.0 mg/mL, whereas in lower concentration it is bacteriostatic. In addition, we have shown that PBA impairs Pst ability to cause symptoms on tomato plants in a dose‐dependent manner, whereas solely applied PBA did not affect plant morphology at bactericidal concentrations.

CONCLUSION

We report, for the first time, that PBA is a suitable agent for controlling phytopathogenic bacteria. PBA has bacteriostatic activity in lower, and bactericidal activity in higher (> 1.0 mg/mL) concentrations. When applied on tomato plants, PBA managed to suppress symptoms caused by Pst, while having no adverse effect on plants at the bactericidal concentrations. As an additional benefit, PBA is environmentally friendly. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Strain Effects in Wurtzite Boron Nitride: Elastic Constants, Internal Strain, and Deformation Potentials from Hybrid Functional Density Functional Theory
Authors: Sheerin Thomas P. , Schulz Stefan
Published: March 2022

Boron‐containing III‐nitride heterostructures have recently attracted significant attention for improving the efficiency of visible and UV light emitters. However, the fundamental material properties of wurtzite (WZ) boron nitride (BN) are largely unexplored. Here, highly accurate first‐principles calculations are used to gain insight into internal strain, elastic constants, and electronic band structure deformation potentials. These parameters are key ingredients for simulating, and thus predicting, electronic and optical properties of boron‐containing III‐nitride‐based light emitters. The ab initio calculations show, for instance, that the quasi‐cubic approximation for deformation potentials is a poor approximation for WZ BN.