bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Circulating microRNA breast cancer biomarker detection in patient sera with surface plasmon resonance imaging biosensor
Authors: Wong Chi Lok , Loke Sau Yeen , Lim Hann Qian , Balasundaram Ghayathri , Chan Patrick , Chong Bee Kiang , Tan Ern Yu , Lee Ann Siew Gek , Olivo Malini
Published: August 2021

In this article, we report for the first time, the detection of circulating miRNA as a breast cancer biomarker in patient sera using surface plasmon resonance imaging biosensor. The advantage of this approach lies in the rapid, label‐free and sensitive detection. The sensor excites plasmonic resonance on the gold sensor surface and specific DNA‐miRNA molecular bindings elucidate responses in the plasmonic resonance image. Experiments of detecting synthetic miRNA molecules (miR‐1249) were performed and the sensor resolution was found to be 63.5 nM. The sensor was further applied to screen 17 patient serum samples from National Cancer Centre Singapore and Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Sensor intensity response was found to differ by 20% between malignant and benign cases and thus forms, a potential and an important metric in distinguishing benignity and malignancy.
Abnormal Bone Tissue Organization and Osteocyte Lacunocanalicular Network in Early‐Onset Osteoporosis Due to SGMS2 Mutations
Authors: Mäkitie Riikka E. , Blouin Stéphane , Välimäki Ville‐Valtteri , Pihlström Sandra , Määttä Kirsi , Pekkinen Minna , Fratzl‐Zelman Nadja , Mäkitie Outi , Hartmann Markus A.
Published: August 2021

Pathological variants in SGMS2, encoding sphingomyelin synthase 2 (SMS2), result in a rare autosomal dominant skeletal disorder with cranial doughnut lesions. The disease manifests as early‐onset osteoporosis or a more severe skeletal dysplasia with low bone mineral density, frequent fractures, long‐bone deformities, and multiple sclerotic cranial lesions. The exact underlying molecular features and skeletal consequences, however, remain elusive. This study investigated bone tissue characteristics in two adult males with a heterozygous SGMS2 mutation p.Arg50* and significant bone fragility. Transiliac bone biopsy samples from both (patient 1: 61 years; patient 2: 29 years) were analyzed by bone histomorphometry, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and quantitative backscattered electron imaging (qBEI). Bone histomorphometry portrayed largely normal values for structural and turnover parameters, but in both patient 1 and patient 2, respectively, osteoid thickness (−1.80 SD, −1.37 SD) and mineralizing surface (−1.03 SD, −2.73 SD) were reduced and osteoid surface increased (+9.03 SD, +0.98 SD), leading to elevated mineralization lag time (+8.16 SD, +4.10 SD). qBEI showed low and heterogeneous matrix mineralization (CaPeak −2.41 SD, −3.72 SD; CaWidth +7.47 SD, +4.41 SD) with a chaotic arrangement of collagenous fibrils under polarized light. Last, osteocyte lacunae appeared abnormally large and round in shape and the canalicular network severely disturbed with short‐spanned canaliculi lacking any orderliness or continuity. Taken together, these data underline a central role for functional SMS2 in bone matrix organization and mineralization, lacunocanalicular network, and in maintaining skeletal strength and integrity. These data bring new knowledge on changes in bone histology resulting from abnormal sphingomyelin metabolism and aid en route to better understanding of sphingolipid‐related skeletal disorders. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Lysine245 plays a crucial role in stability and function of glycerol 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (Gpd1) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Pallapati Anusha R. , Sirigiri Sri D. , Jain Swati , Ratnala Vamsi , Roy Ipsita
Published: August 2021

Glycerol 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (Gpd1 isoform) catalyzes the rate limiting step of glycerol synthesis and is a critical component of the osmo‐responsive machinery in yeast. The three‐dimensional structure of the enzyme is similar to the enzyme from many other organisms, including humans. A recent study with the human enzyme has proposed K120 (K152 in yeast) to be in the correct orientation for catalysis; K204 (K245 in yeast) is out of plane and is not a participant in the catalytic cycle. The current work was carried out to establish the role of K245 in the catalytic cycle of yeast Gpd1. K245A mutant was found to possess lower catalytic activity. Osmotically stressed cells expressing Gpd1 (K245A) showed no change in intracellular glycerol as compared with wild‐type cells which showed ~60% increase. Fluorescence microscopy, native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) analysis, fluorescence spectroscopy, and Thioflavin T spectrofluorimetry showed a relatively unstable, aggregation‐ and degradation‐prone conformation for the mutant. In silico studies showed an aggregation “hotspot” around K245. This study establishes the requirement of K245 for conformational stability and functional adaptation of Gpd1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
RETRACTED: Analyzing the factors affecting the attitude of public toward lockdown, institutional trust, and civic engagement activities
Authors: Xie Qing , Sundararaj Vinu , MR Rejeesh
Published: August 2021

The early 2020 witnessed Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic followed by a nationwide lockdown in the whole history for the first time. The entire world had to go for nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of such contagious and deadly disease. In short, the coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent lockdown had created a storm in the world giving rise to change in public with respect to parameters like trust in the government institutions, civic engagement, and so on. In this raising dilemma, multiple countries have acknowledged the significance of trusting institutions, especially during lockdown. It is also widely accepted that lives of individuals had been undergoing change ever since the spread of COVID‐19. Likewise, public's trust in the institutions is directly related to the civic engagement. Civic engagement is commonly understood as a phenomenon that develops a difference in an individual's civic life by combining values, skills, motivation, as well as knowledge. Different forms of civic engagement include national service, volunteering, societal services, and so forth. The main focus of this article is to examine the influence of COVID‐19 outbreak on general attitude of the citizens of Malaysia and India, their trust on the governing institutions, and the civic engagement. In other words, this study tries to assess the impact of the pandemic on variables such as attitude toward the lockdown, trust in institutions, and civic engagement. For this, the study adopted cross‐sectional community questionnaire survey in two countries—Malaysia and India. The respondents selected for the study was 1437. The respondent's demographics, attitude toward lockdown, trust in institutions, and civic engagement during the lockdown were collected by means of convenience sampling technique. Later the collected data were measured in terms of descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Findings of the study stated that public's trust in the institution can be increased by enhancing the civic activities and implementing policies that govern and build the society.
Morpho‐anatomical characterization of Eryngium yuccifolium ('Rattlesnake‐master')
Authors: Raman Vijayasankar , Manfron Jane , Khan Ikhlas Ahmed
Published: August 2021

This paper provides detailed morpho‐anatomical and histochemical characteristics of the leaves, peduncles, stems, and roots of Eryngium yuccifolium Michx. (Apiaceae) by bright‐field light and scanning electron microscopy. Noteworthy morpho‐anatomical features include the monocot‐like leaves with parallel venation and distant marginal bristles, amphistomatic leaves with paracytic or anisocytic stomata and heterogenous isobilateral mesophyll, the presence of epicuticular wax crystalloids on both leaf surfaces, calcium oxalate druses and secretory canals in all the studied plant parts, presence of hypodermis, stem and peduncle with longitudinal ribs containing collenchyma, presence of aerenchyma in the peduncle and root, and absence of sclerenchyma in all the plant parts analyzed. These characteristics would aid in the taxonomy, species identification as well as quality control of the botanical.
A new definition about the relationship of intercellular fluid in the brain with the mandibular and parotid lymph nodes
Authors: Nur İsmail Hakkı , Keleş Hacı , Ünlükal Nejat , Solmaz Merve , Erdoğan Ender , Pérez William
Published: August 2021

This study was carried out to reveal the relationship of the brain with both the mandibular lymph node (MLN) and parotid lymph node (PLN) by the hyperspectral fluorescence imaging techniques of Qdot 800 (QD) nanoparticles using in vivo. This relationship of the brain with both lymph nodes offers the preliminary morphological definition of lymphatic drainage. QD was injected into the left parietal brain lobe of each rat at a depth of 2.50 mm. In 65% of the rats that were imaged in vivo, signals were received first from the right MLN and PLN, and then from the left MLN and PLN. In contrast, in two female rats, the first signal was received from the right PLN. There was no difference between the female and male rats overall. The most noteworthy finding of this study was that the tracer injected into the left parietal lobe reached the right mandibular and parotid lymph nodules earlier. This result indicates a different and unknown pathway in the brain that communicates with the lymph nodes. Moreover, this study shows that these lymph nodes pathways can be used in the treatment of diseases such as brain trauma, cerebral edema, and Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Leaf structure of Tillandsia species (Tillandsioideae: Bromeliaceae) by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy
Authors: de Oliveira Rafaelle Souza , de Oliveira Souza Sandra , Aona Lidyanne Yuriko Saleme , Souza Fernanda Vidigal Duarte , Rossi Mônica Lanzoni , de Souza Everton Hilo
Published: August 2021

Tillandsia L. is the largest genus of the family Bromeliaceae, containing 755 species and seven subgenera. Morphoanatomical studies of leaves provide useful characteristics to phylogenetic, taxonomic, and ecological analyses. This study aims to characterize and compare the leaves of 24 species of the four subgenera of Tillandsia that occur in Bahia and also perform adaptative inferences to environmental responses. The results of the species' morphoanatomical studies were compared through dissimilarity analysis. The species have rosulate leaves with varying lengths and widths. The peltate trichomes present variation in the indument density and the length of their wing and central disk. The stomata are longitudinally distributed in one or both sides of the limb. The mesophyll is dorsiventral and presents aquiferous and chlorophyllic parenchymas. The vascular bundles are collateral and partially covered by fibers, except for Tillandsia linearis. Based on the dissimilarity analysis, it was possible to identify the formation of five groups. Group G1 was composed of T. linearis, which diverged from the other species of the subgenus. Group G2 was formed by the remaining species of the subgenus Phytarrhiza. G3 and G4 presented the species of the subgenus Diaphoranthema and Tillandsia, respectively. Group G5 gathered 11 species of the subgenus Anoplophytum and presented higher variability than the other subgenera. Based on the results, the morphoanatomical characteristics can be used to characterize and group Tillandsia species, besides confirming the morphological variability of these species to the epiphyte habit in different environments, especially xeric ones.
The wind regime over the Brazilian Southeast: Spatial and temporal characterization using multivariate analysis
Authors: Correia Filho Washington Luiz Félix , Souza Pedro Henrique de Almeida , Oliveira‐Júnior José Francisco de , Santiago Dimas de Barros , Lyra Gustavo Bastos , Zeri Marcelo , Cunha‐Zeri Gisleine
Published: August 2021

The characterization of spatial and temporal patterns of wind is essential to several sectors, including energy, urban climate, and applied meteorology. However, few studies describe the regional characteristics of the wind regime over the Brazilian Southeast (SEB), the most developed and populated part of the country. The objectives of the current work were (a) to assess the spatial patterns of the wind regime using cluster analysis (CA) and (b) to apply principal components analysis (PCA) to investigate which meteorological systems influence the spatial and temporal patterns of the wind regime. The dataset consisted of wind speed and direction from 70 automatic weather stations with records from 2008 to 2019. According to the CA method, four groups of homogeneous wind speed (G1–G4) were identified; G4 presented the highest magnitudes of wind speed (wind speed >5 m·s−1, with maxima of 7.2 m·s−1). Seasonal well‐defined minima (March–June) and maxima (July–October) were observed only for G2 and G3. The systems South Atlantic Subtropical Anticyclone (SASA), Frontal Systems (FS), and the South Atlantic Convergence Zone (SACZ) influenced these groups. In addition, the mesoscale meteorological systems likely influence other groups such as breezes from land/sea (G1, G3, and G4), lakes (G2 and G3), and valley/mountain (G2 and G3). The topography had a strong influence on G3, mainly due to the mountain ranges of Mantiqueira and Serra do Mar and Paraíba River valley. Dominant wind directions were E, N/NE, and NW, associated with SASA, in addition to S and SE/SW, influenced by FS and SACZ. The wind speed range of 1.4–3.9 m·s−1 was dominant in all groups, except for G4 (range of 2.4–5.5 m·s−1). According to PCA analysis, two PCs are enough to explain the wind pattern in the SEB with 69.9% of the total variance explained. The surface roughness accounted for 29% of the total variance explained in PC1. The latitude (37.6%) and distance to the coast (30.8%) are the most important variables for PC2. Region's physiography and meteorological systems strongly influenced the wind regime over the Brazilian Southeast. The assessment of wind regime variability presented in this work is expected to support public policies on renewable energy applications, air pollution, and climate change mitigation.
RNA methyltransferase NSUN2 promotes growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by regulating fizzy‐related‐1 in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Zhai Chun‐Tao , Tian Yi‐Cheng , Tang Zu‐Xiong , Shao Long‐Jiang
Published: August 2021

The aim of the study was to investigate the role of NSUN2 (NOP2/Sun RNA Methyltransferase Family Member 2) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The expressions of NSUN2 and FZR1 were measured. Cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis were assessed. HCC xenograft in nude mouse model was established. Tumor weight and volume were examined. Tumor tissues were collected for immunohistochemistry (IHC). TCGA database analysis and clinical sample testing suggested that the transcript levels of NSUN2 and FZR1 were increased in HCC tissues. NSUN2 knockdown inhibited HCC cell viability and proliferation, and promoted cell apoptosis. Moreover, the effects of NSUN2 could be countered by overexpressing FZR1. In animal experiment, NSUN2 silencing suppressed tumor growth in nude mice by downregulating FZR1. In conclusion, NSUN2 has a regulatory effect on HCC cell proliferation and apoptosis. NSUN2 knockout could inhibit cellular processes in HCC and tumor growth, likely via FZR1 inhibition. This finding has not only revealed the role of NSUN2 in HCC growth, but also suggests a promising target for HCC treatment.
JMJD5 attenuates oxygen–glucose deprivation and reperfusion‐induced injury in cardiomyocytes through regulation of HIF‐1α‐BNIP3
Authors: Zhang Ya‐Nan , Pang Ya‐Xiang , Liu Da‐Wei , Hu Hai‐Juan , Xie Rui‐Qin , Cui Wei
Published: August 2021

Proteins in Jumonji family function as histone demethylases and participate in cardiac development. Jumonji domain containing 5 (JMJD5) is responsible for the embryonic development through removing methyl moieties from H3K36me2 histone, and has pro‐proliferative effect on heart and eye development. However, the protective role of JMJD5 against oxygen–glucose deprivation and reperfusion (OGD/R)‐induced injury in cardiomyocytes has not been fully understood. Firstly, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) rat model was established by ligation of left coronary artery. OGD/R was performed in non‐transfected H9C2 or H9C2 transfected with pcDNA‐JMJD5 plasmid to induce cell cytotoxicity. Data from qRT‐PCR and western blot showed that JMJD5 was reduced in the heart tissues of myocardial I/R rat model and OGD/R‐induced H9C2. Secondly, JMJD5 over‐expression attenuated OGD/R‐induced decrease in cell viability and increase in lactate dehydrogenase secretion and cell apoptosis in H9C2. Mitophagy was promoted by pcDNA‐mediated over‐expression of JMJD5 with enhanced protein expression of LC3‐I, LC3‐II, Atg5, and Beclin 1. Thirdly, knockdown of JMJD5 aggravated OGD/R‐induced decrease in hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α), whereas JMJD5 over‐expression enhanced BNIP3 (Bcl‐2/adenovirus E1B 19‐kDa interacting protein) through upregulation of HIF‐1α. Lastly, BNIP3 silencing promoted cell apoptosis, suppressed mitophagy, and attenuated the protective effects of JMJD5 over‐expression against OGD/R‐induced injury in H9C2. In conclusion, JMJD5 exerted protective effects against OGD/R‐induced injury in cardiomyocytes through upregulation of HIF‐1α‐BNIP3.
Quantifying Upper Aerodigestive Sequelae in Esophageal Atresia/Tracheoesophageal Fistula Neonates
Authors: Patterson Kelli , Beyene Tariku J. , Asti Lindsey , Althubaiti Abdulrahman , Lind Meredith , Pattisapu Prasanth
Published: August 2021

Objectives

We examined rates of upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) procedures in a multi‐institutional cohort of neonates with esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) to estimate secondary UADT pathology.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed using a previously‐validated population of patients with EA/TEF within the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) between 2007 and 2015. ICD‐9/10‐CM codes for aerodigestive procedures were examined from 2007 to 2020: 1) diagnostic direct laryngoscopy and/or bronchoscopy (DLB), 2) DLB with intervention, 3) tracheostomy, 4) gastrostomy, 5) fundoplication, 6) aortopexy, 7) laryngotracheoplasty, and 8) esophageal dilation. Associations between procedures and demographics, length of gestation, and weight were estimated using generalized linear mixed models.

Results

We identified 2,509 patients with EA/TEF from 47 hospitals, 56.7% male and 43.3% female. Median length of stay for the first admission was 24 days (interquartile range: 12–55). Of these patients, 1,943 (77.4%) had at least one aerodigestive procedure within 14 admissions. Specifically, 1,635 (65.2%) underwent diagnostic DLB, 85 (3.4%) DLB with intervention, 167 (6.7%) tracheostomy, 1,043 (41.2%) gastrostomy, 211 (11.0%) fundoplication, 52 (2.1%) aortopexy, 161 (6.4%) laryngotracheoplasty, and 207 (8.3%) esophageal dilation. Preterm gestation increased odds of tracheostomy (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5–3.7), gastrostomy (OR 2.1, CI 1.7–2.7), fundoplication (OR 1.7, CI 1.1–2.4), aortopexy (OR 5.8, CI 2.1–16.1), and esophageal dilation (OR 2.0, CI 1.4–3.0). Very low birth weight (<1,500 g) increased odds of gastrostomy (OR 2.5, CI 1.6–3.8).

Conclusion

Patients with EA/TEF frequently have aerodigestive sequelae. This work helps quantify aerodigestive needs in neonates with EA/TEF, suggesting early otolaryngology evaluation in their care.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 132:695–700, 2022
Three‐step irradiance schedule versus two‐step irradiance schedule for pain control during topical 5‐aminolevulinic acid‐photodynamic therapy of facial acne in Chinese patients: A prospective randomized comparative study
Authors: Wu Hai‐En , Liu Yong‐Bin , Cui Liang , Xu Gui‐Juan , Sun Xiao‐Dong
Published: August 2021

Background

A two‐step irradiance schedule has been found to be useful for pain control during photodynamic therapy (PDT) on nonmelanotic skin cancer and condyloma acuminatum.

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy of a new three‐step irradiance schedule derived from the psychological “peak‐end rule” and two‐step irradiance schedule in relieving pain during 5‐aminolevulinic acid PDT (ALA‐PDT) on acne.

Methods

A total of 90 moderate to severe acne patients were enrolled in our study and randomly divided into two groups with a ratio of 1:1. They were treated by a light‐emitting diode light source of 633 ± 10 nm after being incubated with 5% ALA for an hour using a two‐step or three‐step irradiance schedule, respectively. The total irradiance intensity was 84 J/cm2 of each session and the treatment interval was 2 weeks. Pain was recorded 30 min after each PDT using a visual analog scale (VAS). Follow‐up was done at baseline and 2 weeks after each treatment. The numbers of lesions were counted after the third treatment through the pictures taken before and all the side effects were recorded at each follow‐up visit.

Results

Eighty‐seven subjects completed the total three treatments (44 cases in Group A and 43 cases in Group B). The average VAS of Group B (1.61 ± 0.67) was significantly lower than that of Group A (3.14 ± 0.67), with a difference of 1.52 ± 0.08 (p < 0.0001) between them. Both groups received a similar effective rate after the total three sessions (88.64% vs. 88.37%, p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The new three‐step irradiance method could relieve pain during ALA‐PDT more significantly than the two‐step schedule with a similar effective rate.
Caught out! The role of customer emotional intelligence and dual thinking processes in perceptions of frontline service employees' inauthentic positive displays
Authors: Wang Karyn L. , Nguyen Helena , Johnson Anya , Groth Markus
Published: August 2021

Frontline service employees often feign positive displays during customer interactions to enhance service outcomes, but to what extent are customers aware of these inauthentic positive displays? The perception of inauthenticity involves a series of complex judgments, however, the influence of customers' different thinking processes on these judgments and the role of customer individual differences in emotional intelligence are seldom investigated. This article investigates how customer emotional intelligence influences the processing of frontline employees' inauthentic positive displays. Across three experimental studies, we find that experiential processes combine with high emotional intelligence to predict more accurate perceptions of frontline employees' inauthentic positive displays (Study 1). In contrast, rational processes interact with low emotional intelligence to predict less accurate perceptions (Study 2). We also find that high emotional intelligence and high dual thinking processes (both experiential and rational) predict more accurate perceptions of frontline employees' inauthentic positive displays (Study 3). These results extend knowledge of the important role of customers in detecting the frontline employee's inauthentic displays. Our findings have important practical implications for service settings where there are strong expectations for frontline employees to provide “service with a smile.”
Pectins that Structurally Differ in the Distribution of Methyl‐Esters Attenuate Citrobacter rodentium‐Induced Colitis
Authors: Beukema Martin , Akkerman Renate , Jermendi Éva , Koster Taco , Laskewitz Anne , Kong Chunli , Schols Henk A. , Faas Marijke M. , de Vos Paul
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Pectins have anti‐inflammatory properties on intestinal immunity through direct interactions on Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) in the small intestine or via stimulating microbiota‐dependent effects in the large intestine. Both the degree of methyl‐esterification (DM) and the distribution of methyl‐esters (degree of blockiness; DB) of pectins contribute to this influence on immunity, but whether and how the DB impacts immunity through microbiota‐dependent effects in the large intestine is unknown. Therefore, this study tests pectins that structurally differ in DB in a mouse model with Citrobacter rodentium induced colitis and studies the impact on the intestinal microbiota composition and associated attenuation of inflammation.

Methods and Results

Both low and high DB pectins induce a more rich and diverse microbiota composition. These pectins also lower the bacterial load of C. rodentium in cecal digesta. Through these effects, both low and high DB pectins attenuate C. rodentium induced colitis resulting in reduced intestinal damage, reduced numbers of Th1‐cells, which are increased in case of C. rodentium induced colitis, and reduced levels of GATA3+ Tregs, which are related to tissue inflammation.

Conclusion

Pectins prevent C. rodentium induced colonic inflammation by lowering the C. rodentium load in the caecum independently of the DB.
Improving digital charge sharing compensation in photon counting detectors with a low‐threshold comparator
Authors: Hsieh Scott Sigao , Iniewski Kris
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Charge sharing is a major non‐ideality in photon counting detectors (PCDs) and can increase variance in material decomposition images. Analog charge summing (ACS) is an effective mechanism for charge sharing compensation (CSC), but is complex to implement and may limit the maximum count rate of the PCD. Digital CSC mechanisms such as digital count summing (DCS) may be simpler to implement; however, earlier simulation studies suggest that digital CSC only provides half the benefit of ACS. We propose including an additional low‐threshold comparator (LTC) underneath the noise floor of the PCD to improve the effectiveness of digital CSC.

Methods

We simulated a PCD with four or eight equally spaced energy bins. X‐ray photons arrived on the PCD following a Poisson distribution, and charge was allocated to PCD pixels following Monte Carlo techniques. Gaussian electronic noise was added with standard deviation of 2 keV and the signals were processed with four CSC schemes: no CSC, ACS, DCS, and DCS with LTC. The energy bins were placed from 25 to 100 keV at 25 keV intervals (for four bins) or from 25 to 112.5 keV at 12.5 keV intervals (for eight bins), and the LTC threshold was placed at 8 keV in both cases. The binned counts were transformed into estimates of water and iodine material thickness using a linear estimator that was fitted to the data. Our simulations were performed in the low‐flux limit without any pileup, assuming a 120 kVp spectrum, 25 cm water object, and 0.3 mm PCD pixel size.

Results

All CSC schemes decreased variance in basis material decomposition. In the four‐bin PCD, the relative dose efficiencies (inverse of the variance) for iodine material decomposition were 1.0, 2.4, 3.2, and 4.3 for a PCD without CSC, DCS without LTC, DCS with LTC, and ACS, respectively. In the eight‐bin PCD, the relative dose efficiencies were 1.1, 2.5, 3.1, and 4.8, respectively. In a sensitivity analysis, electronic noise had a stronger deleterious effect on ACS than DCS. In simulated visual images, DCS and ACS improved high frequency contrast in material decomposition images.

Conclusions

Introducing an LTC may reduce the performance differential between DCS and ACS. These findings have been derived from simulation studies only and have not been validated experimentally.
Automatic breast lesion detection in ultrafast DCE‐MRI using deep learning
Authors: Ayatollahi Fazael , Shokouhi Shahriar B. , Mann Ritse M. , Teuwen Jonas
Published: August 2021

Purpose

We propose a deep learning‐based computer‐aided detection (CADe) method to detect breast lesions in ultrafast DCE‐MRI sequences. This method uses both the 3D spatial information and temporal information obtained from the early‐phase of the dynamic acquisition.

Methods

The proposed CADe method, based on a modified 3D RetinaNet model, operates on ultrafast T1 weighted sequences, which are preprocessed for motion compensation, temporal normalization, and are cropped before passing into the model. The model is optimized to enable the detection of relatively small breast lesions in a screening setting, focusing on detection of lesions that are harder to differentiate from confounding structures inside the breast.

Results

The method was developed based on a dataset consisting of 489 ultrafast MRI studies obtained from 462 patients containing a total of 572 lesions (365 malignant, 207 benign) and achieved a detection rate, sensitivity, and detection rate of benign lesions of 0.90 (0.876–0.934), 0.95 (0.934–0.980), and 0.81 (0.751–0.871) at four false positives per normal breast with 10‐fold cross‐testing, respectively.

Conclusions

The deep learning architecture used for the proposed CADe application can efficiently detect benign and malignant lesions on ultrafast DCE‐MRI. Furthermore, utilizing the less visible hard‐to‐detect lesions in training improves the learning process and, subsequently, detection of malignant breast lesions.
Price and revenue bounds for bundles of information goods
Authors: Banciu Mihai , Ødegaard Fredrik , Stanciu Alia
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we investigate the behavior of the expected revenue function generated from selling bundles with arbitrarily many components. A motivating example of such bundles includes the production and delivery of digital content, where variable costs are generally negligible. Specifically, we derive generic lower and upper bounds for the expected revenue function even when accounting for arbitrary, potentially complex, dependence structures among the bundle components. The expected revenue bounds in turn provide upper and lower bounds regarding the optimal pure bundle price. Our results reconcile the extant bundling literature involving expected revenue bounds, while sharpening some of these results even when relaxing the traditional assumption of independence among the valuations for the bundle components. We show how these bounds can be further tightened when the seller has additional information about the dependence relationship. Since these results effectively reduce the search space for the optimal bundle price, the pricing bounds provided by our framework have important managerial implications.
Calcyphosine promotes the proliferation of glioma cells and serves as a potential therapeutic target
Authors: Zhu Zheng , Wang Jiao , Tan Juan , Yao Yue‐Liang , He Zhi‐Cheng , Xie Xiao‐Qing , Yan Ze‐Xuan , Fu Wen‐Juan , Liu Qing , Wang Yan‐Xia , Luo Tao , Bian Xiu‐Wu
Published: August 2021

Calcyphosine (CAPS) was initially identified from the canine thyroid. It also exists in many types of tumor, but its expression and function in glioma remain unknown. Here we explored the clinical significance and the functional mechanisms of CAPS in glioma. We found that CAPS was highly expressed in glioma and high expression of CAPS was correlated with poor survival, in glioma patients and public databases. Cox regression analysis showed that CAPS was an independent prognostic factor for glioma patients. Knockdown of CAPS suppressed the proliferation, whereas overexpression of CAPS promoted the proliferation of glioma both in vitro and in vivo. CAPS regulated the G2/M phase transition of the cell cycle, but had no obvious effect on apoptosis. CAPS affected PLK1 phosphorylation through interaction with MYPT1. CAPS knockdown decreased p‐MYPT1 at S507 and p‐PLK1 at S210. Expression of MYPT1 S507 phosphomimic rescued PLK1 phosphorylation and the phenotype caused by CAPS knockdown. The PLK1 inhibitor volasertib enhanced the therapeutic effect of temozolomide in glioma. Our data suggest that CAPS promotes the proliferation of glioma by regulating the cell cycle and the PLK1 inhibitor volasertib might be a chemosensitizer of glioma. © 2021 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Fabrication of polyrotaxane and graphene nanoplate composites with high thermal conductivities
Authors: Iida Masaki , Goto Taku , Mayumi Koichi , Maeda Rina , Hatakeyama Kazuto , Ito Tsuyohito , Shimizu Yoshiki , Ito Kohzo , Hakuta Yukiya , Terashima Kazuo
Published: August 2021

In recent years, rapid progress in the development of flexible electronic devices has increased the demand for materials with low Young's modulus and high thermal conductivities. In this study, we successfully fabricated such composites with polyrotaxane (PR) by applying highly concentrated graphene nanoplates (GNPs). A high thermal conductivity of 25 W m−1 K−1 was achieved along the in‐plane direction of the composite while maintaining a low Young's modulus of 147 MPa at 35 vol% of GNPs. This thermal conductivity is higher than those achieved with PR composites containing 56 vol% of hexagonal boron nitride and 37 vol% of aligned carbon nanofiber/carbon nanotubes.
Racial and ethnic differences in uptake of cell‐free fetal DNA aneuploidy screening in an urban safety net hospital
Authors: Yarrington Christina D. , Smith‐Lin Carolyn , Neuhalfen Rachel , Hanchate Amresh , Connors Philip , Wang Catharine
Published: August 2021

Objective

To identify racial disparities in cell‐free fetal DNA (cffDNA) first‐line aneuploidy screening use among advanced maternal age women at a safety net hospital.

Study Design

This retrospective cohort study of women 35 and older who delivered at Boston Medical Center from 2012 to 2015 compared to women who used cffDNA for first‐line aneuploidy screening to those who did not. Maternal conventional demographics and social determinants of health were collected. We investigated the relationship between race and odds of cffDNA use, adjusting for covariates by stepwise logistic regression.

Results

We identified 1223 women. Seventy‐two percent were publicly insured. Upon adjusting for parity, prenatal care site, year of delivery, and insurance status, odds of cffNDA use remained lower for Black and Hispanic women (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.30, 0.71 and aOR 0.34 [0.21, 0.55]) compared to White women. Language proved to be an effect modifier among Hispanic women that attenuated but did not resolve the disparity in use among Hispanic compared to White women. Racial differences in cffDNA use persisted across the study period.

Conclusion

Disparity in cffDNA screening uptake exists by race in this diverse urban population. The gap in utilization between Hispanic and White women may be related to primary preferred language.
Allosteric regulation within the highly interconnected structural scaffold of AraC/XylS homologs tolerates a wide range of amino acid changes
Authors: Picard Hunter R. , Schwingen Kristen S. , Green Lisa M. , Shis David L. , Egan Susan M. , Bennett Matthew R. , Swint‐Kruse Liskin
Published: August 2021

To create bacterial transcription “circuits” for biotechnology, one approach is to recombine natural transcription factors, promoters, and operators. Additional novel functions can be engineered from existing transcription factors such as the E. coli AraC transcriptional activator, for which binding to DNA is modulated by binding L‐arabinose. Here, we engineered chimeric AraC/XylS transcription activators that recognized ara DNA binding sites and responded to varied effector ligands. The first step, identifying domain boundaries in the natural homologs, was challenging because (i) no full‐length, dimeric structures were available and (ii) extremely low sequence identities (≤10%) among homologs precluded traditional assemblies of sequence alignments. Thus, to identify domains, we built and aligned structural models of the natural proteins. The designed chimeric activators were assessed for function, which was then further improved by random mutagenesis. Several mutational variants were identified for an XylS•AraC chimera that responded to benzoate; two enhanced activation to near that of wild‐type AraC. For an RhaR•AraC chimera, a variant with five additional substitutions enabled transcriptional activation in response to rhamnose. These five changes were dispersed across the protein structure, and combinatorial experiments testing subsets of substitutions showed significant non‐additivity. Combined, the structure modeling and epistasis suggest that the common AraC/XylS structural scaffold is highly interconnected, with complex intra‐protein and inter‐domain communication pathways enabling allosteric regulation. At the same time, the observed epistasis and the low sequence identities of the natural homologs suggest that the structural scaffold and function of transcriptional regulation are nevertheless highly accommodating of amino acid changes.
Machine Learning‐Aided Process Design: Modeling and Prediction of Transformation Temperature for Pearlitic Steel
Authors: Qiao Ling , Zhu Jingchuan , Wang Yuan
Published: August 2021

In this article, different machine learning (ML) algorithms are provided to predict the transformation temperature of pearlite using relevant material descriptors, austenitizing temperature, and cooling rate. To search for an appropriate model, the predictive performance of ML model including artificial neural network (ANN), generalized regression neural network (GRNN), radial basis function neural network (RBFNN), and extreme learning machine (ELM) is evaluated and compared on testing dataset. To quickly find the appropriate parameters, artificial fish swarm algorithm (AFSA) is applied to further improve the prediction accuracy of ANN model. In view of the distinguished prediction performance, the regression analysis shows that the GRNN model performs favorably against the other learning models. To verify the superiority of proposed model, a type of pearlitic steel with hypereutectoid composition is prepared. The phase transition temperature and transformation products are determined using diametral dilatometric and microscopy technique through continuous cooling transformation with cooling rates of 1 and . As a result, the experimental results agree well with the predictive results. The work proposes a reliable model to predict the phase transition temperature which can facilitate the optimization of process parameters to achieve the best possible microstructure.
Flexural response characteristics of ultra‐high performance concrete made with steel microfibers and macrofibers
Authors: Karim Rizwan , Shafei Behrouz
Published: August 2021

Ultra‐high performance concrete (UHPC) is increasingly used for various engineering applications, owing to its superior strength properties. Such properties, however, can be accompanied by workability issues, especially if the dosage of steel fibers is significantly increased. As a potential solution, this study explored the use of a combination of steel microfibers and macrofibers through a holistic experimental testing program. This was to understand the effects of steel fiber combinations on the workability and flexural strength of various UHPC mixtures. The microfibers were investigated for five different dosages from 1.0% to 3.0% (with an increment of 0.5%). In parallel, two mixtures were prepared with a 2.0% dosage of macrofibers in the form of twisted wire and hooked fibers. At the next stage, six additional mixtures were prepared with a combination of microfibers and macrofibers of various dosages. Further to the measurements extracted from the workability and flexural strength tests, digital image correlation (DIC) analyses were employed to obtain firsthand information about the widths and depths of cracks observed in the flexural specimens tested under an increasing load. The outcome of this study showed how a combination of microfibers and macrofibers can contribute to improving the flexural response characteristics of UHPC, especially without having to increase the dosage of steel fibers to the ranges that can adversely affect the mixture's workability.
Adaptive Backstepping Robust Coordinated Control with Consideration of Parameter Uncertainty for Generator Excitation and STATCOM
Authors: Du Chaofan , Zhang Lei , Tang Yuanhui , Zhu Jiahao
Published: August 2021

In order to improve the transient stability of the coordinated control system of generator excitation and static synchronous compensator (STATCOM), an adaptive backstepping robust coordinated control strategy based on immersive and invariant (I&I) adaptive backstepping control and L2‐gain control is proposed with consideration of the multiple uncertain parameters and external disturbance in the system modeling. The parameter adaptive law and coordination of control law are designed independently. The parameter adaptive laws for the two uncertain parameters: damping coefficient and mechanical power in the system are designed simultaneously by adopting I&I adaptive control method; the L2‐gain control is introduced in the backstepping design to eliminate the effects of the external disturbance on the system transient stability. The results of simulation show that the proposed strategy has strong adaptability to parameter fluctuations and robustness to external disturbances. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Growth patterns of monochorionic twin pregnancy complicated by Type‐III selective fetal growth restriction
Authors: Shinar S. , Xing W. , Lewi L. , Slaghekke F. , Yinon Y. , Raio L. , Baud D. , DeKoninck P. , Melamed N. , Huszti E. , Sun L. , Van Mieghem T. ,   Collaborators
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Little is known regarding fetal growth patterns in monochorionic twin pregnancy complicated by Type‐III selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR). We aimed to assess fetal growth and umbilical artery Doppler pattern in Type‐III sFGR across gestation and evaluate the effect of changing Doppler flow pattern on growth and intertwin growth discordance.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of all Type‐III sFGR pregnancies managed at nine fetal centers over a 12‐year time period. Higher‐order multiple pregnancy and cases with major fetal anomaly or other monochorionicity‐related complications at presentation were excluded. Estimated fetal weight (EFW) was assessed on ultrasound for each twin pair at five timepoints (16–20, 21–24, 25–28, 29–32 and > 32 weeks' gestation) and compared with singleton and uncomplicated monochorionic twin EFW. EFW and intertwin EFW discordance were compared between pregnancies with normalization of umbilical artery Doppler of the smaller twin later in pregnancy and those with persistently abnormal Doppler.

Results

Overall, 328 pregnancies (656 fetuses) met the study criteria. In Type‐III sFGR, the smaller twin had a lower EFW than an average singleton fetus (EFW Z‐score ranging from −1.52 at 16 weeks to −2.69 at 36 weeks) and an average monochorionic twin in uncomplicated pregnancy (Z‐score ranging from −1.73 at 16 weeks to −1.49 at 36 weeks) throughout the entire gestation, while the larger twin had a higher EFW than an average singleton fetus until 22 weeks' gestation and was similar in EFW to an average uncomplicated monochorionic twin throughout gestation. As pregnancy advanced, growth velocity of both twins decreased, with the larger twin remaining appropriately grown and the smaller twin becoming more growth restricted. Intertwin EFW discordance remained stable throughout gestation. On multivariable longitudinal modeling, normalization of fetal umbilical artery Doppler was associated with better growth of the smaller twin (P = 0.002) but not the larger twin (P = 0.1), without affecting the intertwin growth discordance (P = 0.09).

Conclusions

Abnormal fetal growth of the smaller twin in Type‐III sFGR was evident early in pregnancy, while EFW of the larger twin remained normal throughout gestation. Normalization of umbilical artery Doppler was associated with improved fetal growth of the smaller twin. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Scattering amplitudes for monopoles: pairwise little group and pairwise helicity
Authors: Csáki Csaba , Hong Sungwoo , Shirman Yuri , Telem Ofri , Terning John , Waterbury Michael
Published: August 2021

Abstract

On-shell methods are particularly suited for exploring the scattering of electrically and magnetically charged objects, for which there is no local and Lorentz invariant Lagrangian description. In this paper we show how to construct a Lorentz-invariantS-matrix for the scattering of electrically and magnetically charged particles, without ever having to refer to a Dirac string. A key ingredient is a revision of our fundamental understanding of multi-particle representations of the Poincaré group. Surprisingly, the asymptotic states for electric-magnetic scattering transform with an additional little group phase, associated withpairsof electrically and magnetically charged particles. The corresponding “pairwise helicity” is identified with the quantized “cross product” of charges,e1g2− e2g1, for every charge-monopole pair, and represents the extra angular momentum stored in the asymptotic electromagnetic field. We define a new kind of pairwise spinor-helicity variable, which serves as an additional building block for electric-magnetic scattering amplitudes. We then construct the most general 3-pointS-matrix elements, as well as the full partial wave decomposition for the 2→2 fermion-monopoleS-matrix. In particular, we derive the famous helicity flip in the lowest partial wave as a simple consequence of a generalized spin-helicity selection rule, as well as the full angular dependence for the higher partial waves. Our construction provides a significant new achievement for the on-shell program, succeeding where the Lagrangian description has so far failed.
Ex vivo assessment of the buccal and oral bone by CBCT
Authors: Ruetters M. , Kim T.-S. , Hagenfeld D. , Kronsteiner D. , Gehrig H. , Lux C.-J. , Sen S.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Identifying buccal and oral bone as an important supporting periodontal structure for teeth provides important information for treatment planning in periodontics and orthodontics. This study aims to add evidence to the knowledge of preciseness of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) measurements of the vertical dimension of buccal and oral bone. The hypothesis is that CBCT is an accurate and reliable method to measure vertical vestibular and oral bone loss.

Methods

The amount of vertical buccal and oral bone loss (bl) of 260 sites of 10 human cadavers was investigated clinically and radiographically by CBCT. Radiographic measurements were rated by two blinded raters. Measurements and the corresponding differences between clinical and radiological findings are described by medians and quartiles (Q1–Q3). For statistical analysis, Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and Bland–Altman plots were calculated.

Results

The CCC between the raters was 0.994 (95% confidence interval 0.992–0.995). The median bone loss (bl) distance from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) to the bony defect (BD) was 3.5 mm (range 3–5 mm). The median bl measured in the CBCT was 3.8 mm (range 3.1–4.8 mm). The median difference of the 2 measurements for all sites included in the study (N = 260) was −0.2 mm (−0.7 to 0.3 mm).

Conclusions

CBCT seems to be an accurate and highly reliable method to detect and describe vertical buccal and oral bone loss. It could improve planning and prediction for successful combined periodontal and orthodontic therapies.