bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are there disparities in access to robot‐assisted laparoscopic surgery among pediatric urology patients? US institutional experience
Authors: Mohanty Amrita , Lombardo Alyssa M , Judge Clark , Gundeti Mohan S
Published: March 2022

Objective

Literature suggests access to robotic surgery varies by race and payer status. We seek to investigate whether disparities exist in robot‐assisted laparoscopic surgery among the pediatric urology population at our tertiary academic medical center and, if so, to find plausible reasons why.

Methods

Retrospective analysis identified patients who underwent open or robot‐assisted laparoscopic surgery by a single surgeon at a tertiary care center between 2008 and 2019. Univariate and multivariate analyses determined the relationship of patient demographic and socioeconomic factors to procedure approach.

Results

Among 356 patients, race, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists status, and year of surgery were significant by univariate analysis. Insurance status was not significant (P = 0.066). Multivariate analysis indicated that age, American Society of Anesthesiologists status, and year of surgery were statistically significant (P < 0.001, P = 0.005, P < 0.001). By multivariate logistic regression, Black and Hispanic patient race were not significant with an odds ratio of 0.60 (0.35–1.02) (P = 0.061). In 60.2% of open cases, open approach selection was attributable to complex pathology, limitations of robotic approach, and surgeon's robot‐assisted laparoscopic learning curve.

Conclusions

Optimal procedure approach was determined by case complexity and surgeon's robot‐assisted laparoscopic learning curve and was independent of patient race and payer status. This study did not find racial or socioeconomic disparities in robotic surgery within pediatric urology at our tertiary medical center, inconsistent with previous literature.
Artificial urinary sphincter in congenital neuropathic bladder: Very long‐term outcomes
Authors: Delgado‐Miguel Carlos , Muñoz‐Serrano Antonio , Amesty Virginia , Rivas Susana , Lobato Roberto , Martínez‐Urrutia María J , López‐Pereira Pedro
Published: March 2022

Objective

Artificial urinary sphincter has been used to treat urinary incontinence in children with neuropathic bladder, although there are few studies reporting very long‐term results. We assess our experience over the last 27 years in the management of artificial urinary sphincter.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed in patients with neuropathic bladder in whom an artificial urinary sphincter was placed in our institution between 1994 and 2020. Demographic variables, pre‐ and post‐artificial urinary sphincter implantation urodynamic studies, long‐term outcomes, and postoperative complications were collected.

Results

An artificial urinary sphincter was implanted in 71 patients (median age 14.5; interquartile range 12.8–15.9), with a median follow‐up time of 17.2 years (interquartile range 9.8–23.9 years). Thirty‐nine patients underwent enterocystoplasty combined with artificial urinary sphincter placement and 32 underwent artificial urinary sphincter implantation alone, of whom 12 patients (16.9%) eventually required an enterocystoplasty because of unexpected bladder behavior changes, usually within 3 years of artificial urinary sphincter implantation. Adequate urinary continence was reported in 90.1% of patients, nine void their bladders spontaneously, and 62 need clean intermittent catheterization. Eighteen mechanical malfunctions occurred in 15 patients (21.1%), with an average artificial urinary sphincter working life of 15.1 ± 1.3 years. In five patients artificial urinary sphincter was removed due to infection or erosion. In 12 patients (30.8%), a continent catheterizable stoma was made (before or during the follow‐up) because of problems with clean intermittent catheterization through the urethra.

Conclusion

The very long‐term results of this study demonstrate that artificial urinary sphincter is an effective treatment for urinary incontinence in neuropathic bladder patients. Long‐term follow‐up is important to identify potential unexpected changes in bladder behavior in these patients.
Efficient credit portfolios under IFRS 9
Authors: Brito Rui Pedro , Júdice Pedro
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we devise a forward‐looking methodology to determine efficient credit portfolios under the IFRS 9 framework. We define and implement a credit loss model based on prospective point‐in‐time probabilities of default. We determine these probabilities of default and the credits' stage allocation through a credit stochastic simulation. This simulation is based on the estimation of transition matrices. Using data from 1981 to 2019, in a non‐homogeneous Markov chain setting, we estimate transition matrices conditional on the global real gross domestic product growth. This allows considering the effects of the economic cycle, which are of great importance in bank management. Finally, we develop a robust optimization model that allows the bank manager to analyze the trade‐off between the annual average portfolio income and the corresponding portfolio volatility. According to the proposed bi‐objective model, we compute the efficient credit portfolios constructed based on 10‐year maturity credits. We compare their structure to those generated by the IAS 39 and CECL accounting frameworks. The results indicate that the IFRS 9 and CECL frameworks generate efficient credit portfolios whose structure penalizes riskier‐rated credits. In turn, the riskier efficient credit portfolios under the IAS 39 framework concentrate entirely on speculative‐grade credits. This pattern is also encountered in efficient credit portfolios constructed based on credits with different maturities, namely 5 and 15 years. Moreover, the longer the maturity of the credits that enter into the composition of the efficient portfolios, the more the speculative‐grade credits tend to be penalized.
The selection of an optimal segmentation region in physiological signals
Authors: Oliveira Jorge , Carvalho Margarida , Nogueira Diogo , Coimbra Miguel
Published: March 2022

Physiological signals are often corrupted by noisy sources. Usually, artificial intelligence algorithms analyze the whole signal, regardless of its varying quality. Instead, experienced cardiologists search for a high‐quality signal segment, where more accurate conclusions can be draw. We propose a methodology that simultaneously selects the optimal processing region of a physiological signal and determines its decoding into a state sequence of physiologically meaningful events. Our approach comprises two phases. First, the training of a neural network that then enables the estimation of the state probability distribution of a signal sample. Second, the use of the neural network output within an integer program. The latter models the problem of finding a time window by maximizing a likelihood function defined by the user. Our method was tested and validated in two types of signals, the phonocardiogram and the electrocardiogram. In phonocardiogram and electrocardiogram segmentation tasks, the system's sensitivity increased on average from 95.1% to 97.5% and from 78.9% to 83.8%, respectively, when compared to standard approaches found in the literature.
Rotational flexural strength of cylindrical brittle specimens
Authors: Wereszczak Andrew A. , Steiner Emily F. , Jadaan Osama M. , Wiles Randy H. , Kuwik Brett S.
Published: March 2022

Conventional static flexural strength testing of brittle cylindrical rods only subjects a small fraction of the entire specimen's area or volume to the maximum tensile stress. Thus, a nonconservative measured strength likely results since most flaws on the surface or in the bulk are not subjected to a sufficiently high tensile stress that can cause fracture. To mitigate this, a rotational flexural tester and corresponding test method were developed whereby rotation and monotonically increasing three‐point flexure were superimposed to investigate fracture response of solid glass cylinders. This combination of rotation and flexure subjects more area and volume of a cylindrical test specimen to tensile stress than a standard static (nonrotating) flexural test. As anticipated, failure stresses were lower for the rotational flexural test. Expressions for effective area and volume are provided for rotating solid rods and tubes subjected to three‐point, four‐point, uniform, and uniformly distributed load bending configurations.
Principal element design of garnets to access structure stability and excellent microwave dielectric properties
Authors: Mei Hongrong , Zhang Liangbin , Chen Feilong , Wang Zhiguo , Rao Zhenggang , Li Chunchun
Published: March 2022

Guided by the tolerance factor and average electronegativity difference, two stable garnets with compositions Ca3BTiGe3O12 (B = Mg, Zn) were designed, synthesized followed by structural, and dielectric characterization. The phase purity and structural characteristics were analyzed using X‐ray, Rietveld refinement, and microstructural analysis through scanning electron microscopy. A cubic structure with an Ia‐3d space group was confirmed for synthesized compositions. A combination of microwave dielectric properties for both garnets suggested that Ca3MgTiGe3O12 ceramic possessed a much higher quality factor (Q × f) ∼ 84 000 ± 3000 GHz coupled by a higher dielectric constant (εr) ∼ 12.97 ± 0.03, and a smaller temperature coefficient of resonance frequency (τf) ∼ −29.4 ± 1.5 ppm/°C compared to its Zn counterpart (Q × f ∼ 45 000 ± 2000 GHz, εr ∼ 12.84 ± 0.03, and τf ∼ −33.19 ± 1.6 ppm/°C). Such differences in dielectric performances were further explored utilizing packing fraction, ion polarizability, bond valence, Raman, and infrared spectrum to understand structure–property relationship.
Rapid radiation of Southern Ocean shags in response to receding sea ice
Authors: Rawlence Nicolas J. , Salis Alexander T. , Spencer Hamish G. , Waters Jonathan M. , Scarsbrook Lachie , Mitchell Kieren J. , Phillips Richard A. , Calderón Luciano , Cook Timothée R. , Bost Charles‐André , Dutoit Ludovic , King Tania M. , Masello Juan F. , Nupen Lisa J. , Quillfeldt Petra , Ratcliffe Norman , Ryan Peter G. , Till Charlotte E. , Kennedy Martyn
Published: March 2022

Aim

Understanding how natural populations respond to climatic shifts is a fundamental goal of biological research in a fast‐changing world. The Southern Ocean represents a fascinating system for assessing large‐scale climate‐driven biological change, as it contains extremely isolated island groups within a predominantly westerly, circumpolar wind and current system. Blue‐eyed shags represent a paradoxical seabird radiation—a circumpolar distribution implies strong dispersal capacity yet their species‐rich nature suggests local adaptation and isolation. Here we attempt to resolve this paradox in light of the history of repeated cycles of climate change in the Southern Ocean.

Location

Southern Ocean.

Taxa

16 species and subspecies of blue‐eyed shags (Phalacrocoracidae; Leucocarbo spp.).

Methods

We use mitochondrial and nuclear sequence data from individuals across the geographical range of the genus to conduct the first comprehensive, time‐calibrated phylogenetic analyses and ancestral‐range biogeographical reconstructions of the blue‐eyed shags.

Results

The origins of many island‐endemic lineages are remarkably recent, consistent with a recent high‐latitude circumpolar radiation in the Pliocene or Early Pleistocene. This recent sub‐Antarctic expansion contrasts with significantly deeper lineages detected in South America and, to a lesser extent, New Zealand. These regions, particularly South America, acted as glacial refugia and sources for multiple waves of post‐glacial dispersal.

Main conclusions

The blue‐eyed shag paradox is resolved, with at least two waves of dispersal, linked to interglacial cycles, explaining the current distribution and diversity. Descendants of a Pliocene or Early Pleistocene wave of dispersal out of South America survive in the New Zealand region. In contrast, taxa distributed on sub‐Antarctic islands originated much later, possibly since the Last Glacial Maximum. Blue‐eyed shags therefore represent a powerful model system—comprising several natural replicates—for studying the early stages of founder‐event speciation and adaptation in a Southern‐Ocean bird group.
Luck versus Skill in the Cross Section of Mutual Fund Returns: Reexamining the Evidence
Authors: HARVEY CAMPBELL R. , LIU YAN
Published: March 2022

While Kosowski et al. (2006, Journal of Finance 61, 2551–2595) and Fama and French (2010, Journal of Finance 65, 1915–1947) both evaluate whether mutual funds outperform, their conclusions are very different. We reconcile their findings. We show that the Fama‐French method suffers from an undersampling problem that leads to a failure to reject the null hypothesis of zero alpha, even when some funds generate economically large risk‐adjusted returns. In contrast, Kosowski et al. substantially overreject the null hypothesis, even when all funds have a zero alpha. We present a novel bootstrapping approach that should be useful to future researchers choosing between the two approaches.
Seasonal variation of vasopressin and its relevance for the winter peak of cardiometabolic disease: A pooled analysis of five cohorts
Authors: Enhörning Sofia , Melander Olle , Engström Gunnar , Elmståhl Sölve , Lind Lars , Nilsson Peter M. , Pihlsgård Mats , Timpka Simon
Published: March 2022

Background

Vasopressin concentration is typically higher at night, during stress, and in males, but readily lowered by water intake. Vasopressin is also a causal candidate for cardiometabolic disease, which shows seasonal variation.

Objective

To study whether vasopressin concentration varies by season in a temperate climate.

Methods

The vasopressin surrogate marker copeptin was analyzed in fasting plasma samples from five population‐based cohorts in Malmö, Sweden (n = 25,907, 50.4% women, age 18–86 years). We investigated seasonal variation of copeptin concentration and adjusted for confounders in sinusoidal models.

Results

The predicted median copeptin level was 5.81 pmol/L (7.18 pmol/L for men and 4.44 pmol/L for women). Copeptin exhibited a distinct seasonal pattern with a peak in winter (mid‐February to mid‐March) and nadir in late summer (mid‐August to mid‐September). The adjusted absolute seasonal variation in median copeptin was 0.62 pmol/L (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.50; 0.74, 0.98 pmol/L [95% CI 0.73; 1.23] for men and 0.46 pmol/L [95% CI 0.33; 0.59] for women). The adjusted relative seasonal variation in mean log copeptin z‐score was 0.20 (95% CI 0.17; 0.24, 0.18 [95% CI 0.14; 0.23] in men and 0.24 [95% CI 0.19; 0.29] in women). The observed seasonal variation of copeptin corresponded to a risk increase of 4% for incident diabetes mellitus and 2% for incident coronary artery disease.

Conclusion

The seasonal variation of the vasopressin marker copeptin corresponds to increased disease risk and mirrors the known variation in cardiometabolic status across the year. Moderately increased water intake might mitigate the winter peak of cardiometabolic disease.
A Digital Technique to Manage Restoration of Severely Tilted Adjacent Implants: A Dental Technique
Authors: Hu Liqun , Sa Yue
Published: March 2022

Implant placement in close proximity with adverse angulations may result in difficulty with impression making. With the lock surface function provided by intraoral scanning software programs, severely tilted adjacent implants can be digitized one by one without interfering with the accuracy of the digital cast. This article presents a straightforward digital impression technique for severely mesiodistally tilted adjacent implants in a clinical case.
Divine Fate Moral and the Best of All Possible Worlds: Origen’s Apokatastasis Panton in Cambridge Origenism and Enlightenment Rationalism
Authors: Hengstermann Christian
Published: March 2022

In his account of his Düsseldorf conversations with G.E. Lessing shortly before the latter’s death in 1781, F.H. Jacobi records the Enlightenment poet and philosopher’s allusion to the Kabbalistic philosophy of Henry More, whom he cited in support of his shocking Spinozist creed of the hen kai pan. Origen’s first Christian philosophy hinges upon a conviction of universal divine goodness which cannot but share its riches with beings capable of participating in it by virtue of their own free will. From this first Christian truth flow the infamous doctrines of the pre‐existence of souls and, above all, the restitution of all things envisaged as a never‐ending process of autonomous moral soul‐making. Origen’s philosophy of divine goodness and human freedom appealed deeply to the Cambridge Platonists Ralph Cudworth and Henry More, who cited the Church Father in support of their metaphysics of God’s benignity and man’s free will. German rationalist G.W. Leibniz was also a close reader of Cudworth and More. Both his Theodicy and his Monadology—notably the notion of a best possible world created by a good God and inhabited by self‐improving spiritual monads—are indebted to the Church Father’s Christian philosophy. G.E. Lessing, reviewing the controversial discussions about the apokatastasis in his day, staunchly defended Leibniz’s Origenist rationalism in several works devoted to his philosophical eschatology. Above all, he restated Origen’s notion of salvation as divine pedagogy in his celebrated Education of the Human Race. The present essay establishes the deeply Origenist character of the historic systems of these two seminal German rationalists, with their shared concern for God’s creative goodness and man’s free perfectibility.
Ethylene‐responsive factor ERF114 mediates fungal pathogen effector PevD1‐induced disease resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Li Ze , Zhang Yi , Ren Jie , Jia Fenglian , Zeng Hongmei , Li Guangyue , Yang Xiufen
Published: March 2022

APETALA2/ethylene‐responsive factor (AP2/ERF) family transcription factors are well‐documented in plant responses to a wide range of biotic and abiotic stresses, but their roles in mediating elicitor‐induced disease resistance remains largely unexplored. PevD1 is a Verticillium dahliae secretory effector that can induce disease resistance in cotton and tobacco plants. In our previous work, Nicotiana benthamiana ERF114 (NbERF114) was identified in a screen of genes differentially expressed in response to PevD1 infiltration. Here, we found that the ortholog of NbERF114 in Arabidopsis thaliana (ERF114) also strongly responded to PevD1 treatment and transcripts were induced by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) DC3000 infection. Loss of ERF114 function caused impaired disease resistance, while overexpressing ERF114 (OE‐ERF114) enhanced resistance to Pst DC3000. Moreover, ERF114 mediated PevD1‐induced disease resistance. RNA‐sequencing analysis revealed that the transcript level of phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase1 (PAL1) and its downstream genes were significantly suppressed in erf114 mutants compared with A. thaliana Col‐0. Reverse transcription‐quantitative PCR (RT‐qPCR) analysis further confirmed that the PAL1 mRNA level was significantly elevated in overexpressing OE‐ERF114 plants but reduced in erf114 mutants compared with Col‐0. Chromatin immunoprecipitation‐qPCR (ChIP‐qPCR) and electrophoretic mobility shift assay verified that ERF114 directly bound to the promoter of PAL1. The gene expression profiles of ERF114 and PAL1 in oestradiol‐inducible transgenic plants confirmed ERF114 could activate PAL1 transcriptional expression. Further investigation revealed that ERF114 positively modulated PevD1‐induced lignin and salicylic acid accumulation, probably by activating PAL1 transcription.
Role of inflammation in pediatric irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Di Nardo Giovanni , Cremon Cesare , Staiano Annamaria , Stanghellini Vincenzo , Borrelli Osvaldo , Strisciuglio Caterina , Romano Claudio , Mallardo Saverio , Scarpato Elena , Marasco Giovanni , Salvatore Silvia , Zenzeri Letizia , Felici Enrico , Pensabene Licia , Sestito Simona , Francavilla Ruggiero , Quitadamo Paolo , Baldassarre Mariella , Giorgio Valentina , Tambucci Renato , Ziparo Chiara , Parisi Pasquale , Barbaro Maria Raffaella , Barbara Giovanni ,   Neurogastroenterology Study Group of the Italian Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology, Nutrition (SIGENP)
Published: March 2022

Background

IBS affects a large number of children throughout the world and is thought to be the result of disturbed neuroimmune function along with the brain–gut axis. Although the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms are not clear, the role of low‐grade inflammation and mucosal immune activation in IBS symptom generation has become evident also in subsets of pediatric patients. Animal models provided meaningful insight in the causal relationship between abnormal mucosal immune activation and changes in gastrointestinal (GI) sensory‐motor function. Likewise, the development of long‐standing GI symptoms fulfilling the current criteria for functional GI disorders after infection gastroenteritis and in patients with IBD or celiac disease in remission further supports this hypothesis. Immune activation, its impact on gut sensory‐motor function, and potential implications for symptom generation emerged in both children and adults with IBS.

Purpose

The aim of this review is to summarize the main evidence on the presence of low‐grade inflammation and immune activation in children with IBS, its possible role in symptom generation, and its potential implication for new therapeutic strategies.
Quantification of gastric emptying with magnetic resonance imaging in healthy volunteers: A systematic review
Authors: Bertoli Davide , Steinkohl Emily , Mark Esben Bolvig , Brock Christina , Drewes Asbjørn Mohr , Frøkjær Jens Brøndum
Published: March 2022

Background

Several magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols have been used to assess gastric emptying (GE) with MRI. This systematic review summarizes the current literature on the topic. The aim was to provide an overview of the available imaging protocols and underline the items that appear most agreed upon and those that deserve further investigation.

Methods

According to PRISMA guidelines, two independent reviewers conducted a systematic literature search with a pre‐specified strategy in different databases. Peer‐reviewed articles that utilized MRI techniques to assess GE in healthy volunteers (HVs) were included. The quality and the outcomes of the studies were reported and analyzed.

Key Results

The literature search yielded 30 studies (531 HVs, weighted mean age 27.4, weighted mean body mass index 23.0 kg/m2), T2‐weighted sequences, balanced turbo field echo, and balanced gradient echo were evenly utilized, with volunteers in the supine position (74% of the studies). After overnight fasting, both liquid (56%) and mixed (44%) meals were equally utilized. Segmentation of the volumes was predominantly performed manually (63%) with a reported mean T50 ranging from 7 to 330 min.

Conclusions & Inferences

As observed in this systematic review, MRI is a flexible tool for assessing GE. Different protocols were analyzed, showing an equal capacity to assess the GE. However, many items in these protocols still require further investigation to obtain a common standard and increase this assessment quality.
Heart rate variability in patients with anxiety disorders: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Cheng Ying‐Chih , Su Min‐I , Liu Cheng‐Wei , Huang Yu‐Chen , Huang Wei‐Lieh
Published: March 2022

Aims

Patients with anxiety disorders (AD) have been found to have lower heart rate variability (HRV) than healthy individuals in some studies, but this was inconsistent. Furthermore, the influence of distinct diagnoses, study design, and demographic factors on the results was not comprehensively examined.

Methods

We gathered studies comparing HRV in patients with AD and in healthy controls. The parasympathetic activity in the hierarchical order principle was adopted in the main analysis. We adopted the random effects model to calculate the standardized mean difference.

Results

Of the 7805 screened studies, 99 were included in the quantitative analysis, with a total of 4897 AD patients and 5559 controls finally entered the meta‐analysis. AD patients had a significantly lower resting‐state HRV for parasympathetic activity compared to control (Hedges' g = −0.3897). For the diagnostic subgroup analysis relative to the controls, resting‐state HRV was significantly lower in post‐traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety disorder patients. HRV reactivity (all reactivity data, data on physiological challenge, and psychological challenge) did not show significant inter‐group differences between AD patients and healthy subjects.

Conclusions

The results supported that patients with AD had significantly lower resting‐state HRV than the healthy population, but no alterations were found for HRV reactivity.
Responsiveness to second and third dose of mRNA COVID‐19 vaccination in adolescent and young adult heart transplant recipients
Authors: Feingold Brian , Berman Pamela , Moninger Allison , Huston Allison , Stinner Brenda , West Shawn C. , Rose‐Felker Kirsten , Zinn Matthew D. , Miller Susan A. , Michaels Marian G.
Published: March 2022

Background

Third‐dose mRNA COVID‐19 vaccine is currently recommended in the United States for SOT recipients based in part on data showing diminished immune response, including Ab production, after a two‐dose regimen. Data on vaccine response in adolescent and young adult SOT recipients are limited, including no data reported on third‐dose responsiveness.

Methods

Results of serologic testing in a convenience sample of 28 vaccinated adolescent and young adult HT recipients at a single institution were collected from the medical record and summarized.

Results

At a median of 98.5 days (IQR 59–150) after second dose, 17 (61%) had an Ab response. Among 12 who had serology before and after third‐dose vaccination, four of seven who were negative prior to third dose became positive at a median of 34 days (IQR 31–39.5) following third dose. No myocarditis, acute rejection, graft dysfunction, graft loss, or deaths were observed.

Conclusions

These findings support recommendations for the routine administration of three doses of mRNA vaccines in adolescent and young adult HT recipients and show a potential subpopulation in whom the fourth dose should be contemplated.
Necrotizing enterovirus myositis in a pediatric renal transplant recipient
Authors: Valencia Deray Kristen G. , Taylor Margaret G. , Blessing Melissa M. , Bocchini Claire E. , Schallert Erica K. , Ruderfer Daniel , Srivaths Poyyapakkam R. , Malatesta Muncher Rossana
Published: March 2022

Background

Enteroviruses can cause severe infections, including viral myocarditis, meningitis, acute flaccid myelitis, and viral myositis.

Methods/Results

We report a 3‐year‐old female renal transplant recipient who presented to a tertiary care hospital with elevated serum liver aminotransferases and subsequently developed proximal muscle pain, weakness, and respiratory distress during the first week of hospitalization. Imaging of the lower extremities revealed diffuse myositis of the proximal thigh and pelvic muscles. A muscle biopsy was obtained and revealed necrotizing myositis with immunostaining positive for enterovirus, consistent with a diagnosis of enterovirus necrotizing myositis. She had complete resolution of symptoms with steroids, intravenous immune globulin, reduced tacrolimus dose, and physical therapy.

Conclusions

Enterovirus myositis should be included in the differential diagnosis for necrotizing myositis following renal transplantation in children.
Sphagnum bleaching: Bicarbonate ‘toxicity’ and tolerance for seven Sphagnum species
Authors: Koks A. H. W. , Fritz C. , Smolders A. J. P. , Rehlmeyer K. , Elzenga J. T. M. , Krosse S. , Lamers L. P. M. , van Dijk G.
Published: March 2022

Growth and functioning of Sphagnum mosses are closely linked to water level and chemistry. Sphagnum mosses occur in wet, generally acidic conditions, and when buffered, alkaline water is known to negatively impact Sphagnum. The effects of time, dose and species‐specific responses of buffered, alkaline water on Sphagnum are largely unknown.

We investigated the effects of bicarbonate and calcium on the survival, growth and physiological functioning of seven Sphagnum species occurring in contrasting environments, from raised bogs to (rich) fens. Mosses were submerged in different concentrations of bicarbonate and calcium solutions for 10 weeks under climate‐controlled circumstances.

After 2 weeks, all species exposed to the high bicarbonate treatment (2.0 mM) showed severe potassium leakage and swift discoloration. In contrast, species showed differential responses to the intermediate bicarbonate treatment (0.8 mM), some with a later onset of potassium leakage. S. squarrosum, S. teres & S. contortum generally persisted the longest, with all species dying after 6 to 10 weeks. Calcium alone, in contrast, negatively affected S. squarrosum, S. teres & S. contortum, causing discoloration and potassium leakage.

Our study shows enrichment with bicarbonate, but not calcium, is detrimental for most Sphagnum species tested. A mechanistic model was developed that is consistent with dose and duration dependence and the species specificity. Future conservation and restoration measures for Sphagnum‐dominated habitats and Sphagnum farming (cultivation, production and harvest of Sphagnum moss biomass) should limit flooding with bicarbonate‐rich waters while investigating new management options, like acidifying surface waters to lower bicarbonate levels.
Tariffs, R&D, and two merger policies
Authors: Arzandeh Mehdi , Gunay Hikmet
Published: March 2022

We compare welfare‐increasing and consumer‐surplus‐increasing merger policies in an oligopoly when merging firms face endogenous trade policies, and engage in cost‐reducing R&D activity. As R&D becomes less efficient, the equilibrium market structures (EMS) become less concentrated under both merger policies. When R&D is very efficient, monopoly becomes the EMS under the welfare‐increasing merger policy. This occurs as the absence of tariff and efficient R&D under monopoly limit the price increase and the gain in profits outweighs the loss in consumer surplus and tariff revenue. The results suggest that trade policies should take into account merger policies and industries' R&D efficiency. The results also show that global welfare maximization requires global merger policy coordination.
New problems for Tennant's definition of harmony
Authors: Ceragioli Leonardo
Published: March 2022

Steinberger proposes as a counterexample to Tennant's harmony criterion a degenerate quantifier that makes it possible to prove consequences such as for every propositional function and pair of terms. Tennant suggests an answer that, according to Steinberger, is inadequate for the purpose. In this paper, it is shown that Steinberger's counterexample works only within a finitary framework, and that, moreover, it rests on a controversial interpretation of Tennant's criterion. Another deepened interpretation of the same criterion is suggested and defended. It is then proved that this new reading solves Steinberger's counterexample but leads to an unacceptable weakening of the logical system.
Knock‐down of gene expression throughout meiosis and pollen formation by virus‐induced gene silencing in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Calvo‐Baltanás Vanesa , De Jaeger‐Braet Joke , Cher Wei Yuan , Schönbeck Nils , Chae Eunyoung , Schnittger Arp , Wijnker Erik
Published: March 2022

Through the inactivation of genes that act during meiosis it is possible to direct the genetic make‐up of plants in subsequent generations and optimize breeding schemes. Offspring may show higher recombination of parental alleles resulting from elevated crossover (CO) incidence, or by omission of meiotic divisions, offspring may become polyploid. However, stable mutations in genes essential for recombination, or for either one of the two meiotic divisions, can have pleiotropic effects on plant morphology and line stability, for instance by causing lower fertility. Therefore, it is often favorable to temporarily change gene expression during meiosis rather than relying on stable null mutants. It was previously shown that virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) can be used to transiently reduce CO frequencies. We asked if VIGS could also be used to modify other processes throughout meiosis and during pollen formation in Arabidopsis thaliana. Here, we show that VIGS‐mediated knock‐down of FIGL1, RECQ4A/B, OSD1 and QRT2 can induce (i) an increase in chiasma numbers, (ii) unreduced gametes and (iii) pollen tetrads. We further show that VIGS can target both sexes and different genetic backgrounds and can simultaneously silence different gene copies. The successful knock‐down of these genes in A. thaliana suggests that VIGS can be exploited to manipulate any process during or shortly after meiosis. Hence, the transient induction of changes in inheritance patterns can be used as a powerful tool for applied research and biotechnological applications.
Anticancer activity of IRAK‐4 inhibitors against canine lymphoid malignancies
Authors: Park Jun‐Hyeong , Lee Jeong‐Hwa , An Ju‐Hyun , Park Chong‐Woo , Choi Yoon‐Pyo , Seo Seong‐Wook , Lee Hyuk‐Woo , Youn Hwa‐Young
Published: March 2022

The interleukin‐1 receptor‐related kinase 4 (IRAK4), downstream of myd88, plays an essential role in hyperactive TLR signalling seen in some B‐cell lymphomas. In particular, efficient IRAK4 inhibitors of activated B‐cell subtype of human diffuse large B‐Cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are being developed. However, the anticancer effect of IRAK‐4 inhibitors in veterinary medicine has not been elucidated. It is therefore explored in this study involving the GL‐1 and CL‐1 canine lymphoma cell lines in vitro. MyD88 expression was analysed using polymerase chain reaction. GL‐1 and CL‐1 cells were subjected to concentration‐ and time‐dependent treatment with an IRAK‐4 inhibitor and assessed for viability, TLR signalling association and apoptosis using a cell counting Kit‐8 assay, Western blotting and flow cytometry. The GL‐1 and CL‐1 cells exhibited enhanced MyD88 expression, however, canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (cPBMCs) did not. The IRAK‐4 inhibitor reduced cell viability in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner, significantly reduced the phosphorylation of molecules associated with TLR signalling at IC50 such as IRAK1, IRAK4, NF‐κB and STAT3, and induced apoptosis in GL‐1 and CL‐1 cells. The anticancer effect of the IRAK‐4 inhibitor on canine lymphoma cells is mediated by apoptosis via downregulation of TLR signalling.
Effects of tetraethylammonium‐sensitive K+ channel blockade on cholinergic and thermal sweating in endurance‐trained and untrained men
Authors: Amano Tatsuro , Fujii Naoto , Kenny Glen P. , Okamoto Yumi , Inoue Yoshimitsu , Kondo Narihiko
Published: March 2022

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Does inhibition of K+ channels modulate the exercise‐training‐induced augmentation in cholinergic and thermal sweating?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Iontophoretic administration of tetraethylammonium, a K+ channel blocker, blunted sweating induced by a low dose (0.001%) of the cholinergic agent pilocarpine, but not heat‐induced sweating. However, no differences in the cholinergic sweating were observed between young endurance‐trained and untrained men. Thus, while K+ channels play a role in the regulation of eccrine sweating, they do not contribute to the increase in sweating commonly observed in endurance‐trained adults. Our findings provide important new insights into the mechanisms underlying the regulation of sweating by endurance conditioning.

We evaluated the hypothesis that the activation of K+ channels mediates the exercise‐training‐induced augmentation of cholinergic and thermal sweating. On separate days, 11 endurance‐trained and 10 untrained men participated in two experimental protocols. Prior to each protocol, we administered 2% tetraethylammonium (TEA, K+ channels blocker) and saline (Control) at forearm skin sites on both arms via transdermal iontophoresis. In protocol 1, low (0.001%) and high (1%) doses of pilocarpine were administered at the TEA‐treated and Control sites over a 60‐min period. In protocol 2, participants were passively heated by immersing their lower limbs in hot water (43°C) until core (rectal) temperature (Tc) increased by 0.8°C above resting levels. Administration of TEA attenuated cholinergic sweating (P = 0.001) during the initial 20 min after the treatment of low dose of pilocarpine only whilst the response was similar between the groups (P = 0.163). Cholinergic and thermal sweating were higher in the trained relative to the untrained men (all P ≤ 0.033). Thermal sweating reached ∼90% of the response at a Tc elevation of 0.8°C during the initial 20 min of passive heating, which corresponds to the period wherein TEA attenuated cholinergic sweating in protocol 1. However, sweating did not differ between the Control and TEA sites in either group (P = 0.704). We showed that activation of K+ channels does not appear to mediate the elevated sweating response induced by a low dose of pilocarpine in trained men. We also demonstrated that K+ channels do not contribute to sweating during heat stress in either group.
A ROBUST QRS COMPLEX DETECTION METHOD BASED ON SHANNON ENERGY ENVELOPE AND HILBERT TRANSFORM
Authors: XU WANSONG , DU FANYU
Published: March 2022

QRS complex detection plays an important role in electrocardiogram (ECG) automatic analysis. The accuracy and robustness of the detection algorithm greatly affect its practicability. However, the existing detection algorithms are greatly affected by ECG signal quality, and some detection algorithms cannot even work properly due to the poor signal quality. In this paper, a robust QRS complex detection algorithm is proposed based on Shannon energy envelope and Hilbert transform. The detection algorithm extracts the Shannon energy envelope of the preprocessed ECG signal, performs Hilbert transform on the envelope signal, then detects the suspected [Formula: see text]-peaks on the envelope by detecting the position of zero pass and screens the real [Formula: see text]-peaks by using a combination of ECG refractory period and backtracking mechanism. The proposed detection algorithm is validated using MIT-BIH Arrhythmia Database, and achieves the average detection accuracy of 99.69%, sensitivity of 99.81% and positive predictivity of 99.88%. Experimental results show that the proposed detection algorithm can still detect QRS complex correctly under complex interference, and the performance of the algorithm is hardly affected.
Nothing New Under “Top-Level Design”? A Review of the Conceptual Literature on Local Policymaking in China
Authors: AHLERS ANNA L. , SCHUBERT GUNTER
Published: March 2022

Scholarship on local governance in China in general and on the Chinese policy process in particular has expanded remarkably over the last four decades. Where earlier studies were mostly interested in grasping the dynamics of central-local relations, more specific features like performance evaluation systems or policy implementation processes have come under scholarly scrutiny over the course of time. New theoretical concepts have been introduced to explain phenomena pertaining to local governance, and this research has become ever more specialized. In this state-of-the art review, we trace the trajectories of research on the Chinese policy process in the reform era in two distinct periods before and after the inauguration of current CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping. By drawing on prominent theoretical and conceptual approaches to understanding and assessing the Chinese policy process in these two periods, we highlight the changes and continuities in local policymaking under Xi’s “top-level design.” Although most recent studies indicate increasing top-down centralization in the local Chinese state, it seems that the basic institutional prerequisites of the policy process have hardly been altered. Therefore, most of the older conceptual characterizations of local policymaking still very much hold water. Still, we do conclude by pointing to some so far understudied aspects of local policymaking in China.
Yolov4 High-Speed Train Wheelset Tread Defect Detection System Based on Multiscale Feature Fusion
Authors: Zhang Changfan , Hu Xinliang , He Jing , Hou Na
Published: March 2022

The Yolov4 detection algorithm does not sufficiently extract local semantic and location information. This study aims to solve this problem by proposing a Yolov4-based multiscale feature fusion detection system for high-speed train wheel tread defects. First, multiscale feature maps are obtained from a feature extraction backbone network. The proposed multiscale feature fusion network then fuses the underlying features of the original three scales. These fused features contain more defect semantic information and location details. Based on the fused features, a path aggregation network is used to fuse feature maps at different resolutions, with an improved loss function that speeds up the convergence of the network. Experimental results show that the proposed method is effective at detecting defects in the wheel treads of high-speed trains.
Metaphor Recognition of English Learners Based on Machine Learning Algorithm
Authors: Fu Xiaoling
Published: March 2022

The advantage of machine learning algorithm lies in predicting the semantic category of new language features according to the joint probability distribution of existing language features and their semantic categories. Based on a machine learning algorithm, this paper studies the metaphor recognition of English learners. The process of metaphor recognition is described as the classification of metaphorical meaning and literal meaning. Metaphor modeling is carried out by maximum entropy and naive Bayes. Check whether the sentences in the verification set contain the language rules in the knowledge base, and semantically identify the words in the sentences according to the annotations of the knowledge base. For sentences that do not meet the language rules of the knowledge base, the machine learning module is used for further verification and identification. Based on the comprehensive features of context words and parts of speech, the ideal window of maximum entropy recognition is determined, and then the left and right position features are introduced to improve the experimental effect. In the comparative experiments of the three models, this model has obvious advantages in English learners’ metaphor recognition. Its recognition accuracy is high, and it has certain practical value.
English Listening Prediction Strategy and Training Method with Data Mining
Authors: Duan Ruifang , Qiu Peilei
Published: March 2022

Listening comprehension is very essential for English learners. Good listening comprehension helps learners to improve comprehensive language proficiency, and promotes the effective implementation of foreign language teaching. However, it is an important and difficult point for foreign language learners. Students cannot understand the listening materials in listening exercises, and they face difficulties in completing the listening exercises assigned by the teacher. This can lead to anxiety and stress for learners which can probably result in lack of interest in learning English. Therefore, the language teaching researchers focus on effective teaching in English listening classes. Recent studies have shown that the learning strategies are helpful for learners to master relevant learning content, and learners can use some listening learning strategies to help them better understand listening content. This research aims at the high school English listening classroom, and proposes the idea of combining predictive strategy training with high school English listening teaching to explore the following two questions. (1) What are the differences in the use of predictive strategies among students with a large degree of English listening performance? (2) What kind of influence does the training of predictive strategies have on the listening performance of high school students? This study comprehensively used the educational experiment method and the questionnaire survey method to investigate and study a high school student. With the help of data analysis software SPSS22.0, data mining is carried out on the results of the questionnaire in the experiment and the results of the students before and after the test, aiming to answer the relevant questions explored in this experiment.
Implementation of Hidden Node Detection Scheme for Self-Organization of Data Packet
Authors: Ganesh P. , Naidu G. B. S. R. , Swaroopa Korla , Rahul R. , Almadhor Ahmad , Senthilkumar C. , Gangodkar Durgaprasad , Rajaram A. , Yeshitla Alazar
Published: March 2022

The mobile nodes are infrequent movement in nature; therefore, its packet transmission is also infrequent. Packet overload occurred for routing process, and data are lossed by receiver node, since hackers hide the normal routing node. Basically, the hidden node problem is created based on the malicious nodes that are planned to hide the vital relay node in the specific routing path. The packet transmission loss occurred for routing; so, it minimizes the packet delivery ratio and network lifetime. Then, proposed enhanced self-organization of data packet (EAOD) mechanism is planned to aggregate the data packet sequencially from network structure. The hacker node present in routing path is easy to separate from network with trusty nodes. In order to secure the regular characteristics of organizer node from being confirmed as misbehaving node, the hidden node detection technique is designed for abnormal routing node identification. This algorithm checks the neighboring nodes that are hacker node, which hide the trust node in the routing path. And that trust nodes are initially found based on strength value of every node and assign path immediately. It increases network lifetime and minimizes the packet loss rate.
Network Pharmacology Integrated with Transcriptomics Deciphered the Potential Mechanism of Codonopsis pilosula against Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Zhili , Sun Yuzhe , Zhen Hefu , Nie Chao
Published: March 2022

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth main reason of cancer-related death. Codonopsis pilosula is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for patients with HCC. However, its potential mechanism for treatment of HCC remains unclear. Here, we used transcriptomics and network pharmacology to explore the potential molecular mechanisms of Codonopsis pilosula. In our study, twelve differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (5 upregulated and 7 downregulated) of Codonopsis pilosula treating HepG2 cells (a kind of HCC cell) were identified. Among the 12 DEGs, HMOX1 may play an essential role. Codonopsis pilosula mainly affects the mineral absorption pathway in HCC. We acquired 2957, 1877, and 255 targets from TCMID, SymMap, and TCMSP, respectively. Codonopsis pilosula could upregulate HMOX1 via luteolin, capsaicin, and sulforaphane. Our study provided new understanding of the potential pharmacological mechanisms of Codonopsis pilosula in treating HCC and pointed out a direction for further experimental research.
X-Chromosome Inactivation and Related Diseases
Authors: Sun Zhuo , Fan Jinbo , Wang Yang
Published: March 2022

X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) is the form of dosage compensation in mammalian female cells to balance X-linked gene expression levels of the two sexes. Many diseases are related to XCI due to inactivation escape and skewing, and the symptoms and severity of these diseases also largely depend on the status of XCI. They can be divided into 3 types: X-linked diseases, diseases that are affected by XCI escape, and X-chromosome aneuploidy. Here, we review representative diseases in terms of their definition, symptoms, and XCI’s role in the pathogenesis of these diseases.