bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of school environment on depression among Black and White adolescents
Authors: Choi Mi Jin , Hong Jun Sung , Travis Raphael , Kim Jangmin
Published: December 2022

While the school environment is critical for adolescents' psychological development, how the school environment influences depression among different racial groups has not been fully explored. This study aims to identify the effects of the school environment (school connectedness, school climates, trouble with peers and teachers) on depressive symptoms among Black and White adolescents. It also compares how the effects of school environments differ between Black and White adolescents. This study analyzed wave 6 of the Fragile Families and Child Well‐being Study, a longitudinal birth cohort study in 20 major cities across the United States. Almost three‐fourth (73.39%) of the adolescents were Black, and 26.61% were White. About half (50.46%) of the adolescents were females, and the mean age of adolescents was 15.39. Multiple regression analysis showed that higher school connectedness and less frequent troubles with teachers were associated with lower depression among Black adolescents. In contrast, only school connectedness was associated with depression among White adolescents. Higher school connectedness was associated with lower depressive symptoms for both Black and White adolescents. However, the magnitude of the effects of school connectedness was found to be statistically weaker among Black adolescents. These findings suggest a need for creating a racially equitable school environment that makes every student feel more connected to their schools, especially Black students.
Impact of pH, temperature, and hydraulic residence time on the acidogenic fermentation of fruit and vegetable waste and microbial community analysis
Authors: Liu Huiliang , Wang Fei , Wang Zhi , Wu Di , Xing Tao , Kong Xiaoying , Sun Yongming
Published: December 2022

BACKGROUND

The carboxylic acids produced through acidogenic fermentation of fruit and vegetable waste present wide application and high added value. By performing batch experiments, the influence of pH and temperature on the acidogenic fermentation performance was investigated, and the effects of hydraulic retention time (HRT) on performance and microbial community in semi‐continuous fermentation were also studied.

RESULTS

A maximum product yield of 0.66 ± 0.01 g g−1 VSfed (volatile solids of feed substrate) was found at mesophilic temperature and pH 9.0; acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid comprised 59%, 20%, and 21% of the product, respectively. During semi‐continuous fermentation, a maximum product yield of 0.69 ± 0.03 g g−1 VSfed was found at pH 9.0 and an HRT of 5 days. Lactic acid and acetic acid were regarded as the main products, with respective percentages of 85% and 12%. Reducing the HRT to 3 days increased the daily production from 11.33 ± 0.46 to 15.89 ± 0.67 g d−1. Microbial community analysis revealed that Lactobacillus was predominant in the semi‐continuous alkaline fermentation system.

CONCLUSION

Alkaline fermentation was more favorable for obtaining higher product yield both in batch and semi‐continuous fermentation. Within semi‐continuous alkaline fermentation, the maximum yield was observed at an HRT of 5 days, but a higher daily production was found at an HRT of 3 days. Additionally, reducing the HRT did not change the dominant bacteria but could change the composition of the products. This work provides a theoretical basis and guidance for enhancing product yield and optimizing formation of product. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Clinical characteristics of children with severe neurologic impairment: A scoping review
Authors: Nelson Katherine E. , Finlay Melissa , Huang Emma , Chakravarti Vishakha , Feinstein James A. , Diskin Catherine , Thomson Joanna , Mahant Sanjay , Widger Kimberley , Feudtner Chris , Cohen Eyal
Published: December 2022

Objective

The aim of this study is to extrapolate the clinical features of children with severe neurologic impairment (SNI) based on the functional characteristics and comorbidities described in published studies.

Methods

Four databases were searched. We included studies that describe clinical features of a group of children with SNI (≥20 subjects <19 years of age with >1 neurologic diagnosis and severe functional limitation) using data from caregivers, medical charts, or prospective collection. Studies that were not written in English were excluded. We extracted data about functional characteristics, comorbidities, and study topics.

Results

We included 102 studies, spanning 5 continents over 43 years, using 41 distinct terms for SNI. The terms SNI and neurologic impairment (NI) were used in 59 studies (58%). Most studies (n = 81, 79%) described ≥3 types of functional characteristics, such as technology assistance and motor impairment. Studies noted 59 comorbidities and surgeries across 10 categories. The most common comorbidities were related to feeding, nutrition, and the gastrointestinal system, which were described in 79 studies (77%). Most comorbidities (76%) were noted in <10 studies. Studies investigated seven clinical topics, with “Gastrointestinal reflux and feeding tubes” as the most common research focus (n = 57, 56%). The next most common topic, “Aspiration and respiratory issues,” included 13 studies (13%). Most studies (n = 54, 53%) were retrospective cohorts or case series; there were no clinical trials.

Conclusions

Despite the breadth of described comorbidities, studies focused on a narrow set of clinical topics. Further research is required to understand the prevalence, clinical impact, and interaction of the multiple comorbidities that are common in children with SNI.
Gimap5 promoted RSV degradation through interaction with M6PR
Authors: Dai Pei , Ruan Pinglang , Mao Yu , Tang Zhongxiang , Qiu Xiangjie , Bajinka Ousman , Tan Yurong
Published: December 2022

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the main pathogens of viral pneumonia and bronchiolitis in infants and young children and life‐threatening diseases among infants and young children. GTPases of the immune‐associated protein family (GIMAP) are new family members of immune‐associated GTPases. In recent years, much attention has been paid to the function of the GIMAP family in coping with infection and stress. Gimap5 is a member of the GIMAP family, which may be correlated with anti‐infectious immunity. RT‐qPCR, Western blot, and indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) were used to detect the expression of Gimap5, M6PR and IGF1R(the major RSV receptor). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to detect the degradation of RSV in Gimap5‐overexpressed or ‐silent cell lines. Computer virtual screening was used to screen small molecule compounds targeting Gimap5 and the anti‐RSV effects were explored through in vivo and in vitro experiments. GIMAP5 and M6PR were significantly downregulated after RSV infection. Gimap5 accelerated RSV degradation in lysosomes by interacting with M6PR, and further prevented RSV invasion by downregulating the expression of RSV surface receptor IGF1R. Three small molecule compounds targeting Gimap5 were confirmed to be the agonists of Gimap5. The three compounds effectively inhibited RSV infection and RSV‐induced complications. Gimap5 promotes the degradation of RSV and its receptor through interacting with M6PR. Gimap5 agonists can effectively reduce RSV infection and RSV‐induced complication in vivo and in vitro, which provides a new choice for the treatment of RSV.
Avian influenza A virus H7N9 in China, a role reversal from reassortment receptor to the donator
Authors: He Jun , Hou Sai , Xiong Chenglong , Hu Linjie , Gong Lei , Yu Junling , Zhou Xiaoyu , Chen Qingqing , Yuan Yuan , He Lan , Zhu Meng , Li Weiwei , Shi Yonglin , Sun Yong , Pan Haifeng , Su Bin , Lu Yihan , Wu Jiabing
Published: December 2022

Reassortment can introduce one or more gene segments of influenza A viruses (IAVs) into another, resulting in novel subtypes. Since 2013, a new outbreak of human highly pathogenic avian influenza has emerged in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) and South‐Central regions of China. In this study, using Anhui province as an example, we discuss the possible impact of H7N9 IAVs on future influenza epidemics through a series of gene reassortment events. Sixty‐one human H7N9 isolates were obtained from five outbreaks in Anhui province from 2013 to 2019. Bioinformatics analyses revealed that all of them were characterized by low pathogenicity and high human or mammalian tropism and had introduced novel avian influenza A virus (AIV) subtypes such as H7N2, H7N6, H9N9, H5N6, H6N6, and H10N6 through gene reassortment. In reassortment events, Anhui isolates may donate one or more segments of HA, NA, and the six internal protein‐coding genes for the novel subtype AIVs. Our study revealed that H7N9, H9N2, and H5N1 can serve as stable and persistent gene pools for AIVs in the YRD and South‐Central regions of China. Novel AIV subtypes might be generated continuously by reassortment. These AIVs may have obtained human‐type receptor‐binding abilities from their donors and prefer binding to them, which can cause human epidemics through accidental spillover infections. Facing the continual threat of emerging avian influenza, constant monitoring of AIVs should be conducted closely for agricultural and public health.
Anterior cruciate ligament‐deficient knee induces a posterior location of the femur in the medial compartment during squatting
Authors: Kage Tomofumi , Taketomi Shuji , Tomita Tetsuya , Yamazaki Takaharu , Inui Hiroshi , Yamagami Ryota , Kono Kenichi , Kawaguchi Kohei , Sameshima Shin , Arakawa Takahiro , Tanaka Sakae
Published: December 2022

Although an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency induces knee osteoarthritis, particularly in the medial compartment, the kinematics remains partially unclear. This study investigated the in vivo knee kinematics of ACL‐deficient and normal knees by comparing them during squatting. This prospective comparative study included 17 ACL‐deficient knees and 20 normal knees. The kinematics was investigated under fluoroscopy using a two‐ to three‐dimensional registration technique. The anteroposterior (AP) translation of the medial and lateral sides of the femur, axial rotation of the femur relative to the tibia, and kinematic pathways were evaluated and compared. At first, the medial AP position of the femur translated anteriorly from 0° to midflexion, afterward it translated posteriorly in both ACL‐deficient and normal knees. However, the medial AP position of the femur in the ACL‐deficient knees was located significantly posteriorly compared with normal knees at 0–110° flexion. The lateral AP position of the femur translated posteriorly from 0° to 150° flexion in both ACL‐deficient and normal knees. The lateral AP position of the femur in the ACL‐deficient knees was located significantly posteriorly compared with that in normal knees at 0–10° flexion. The femur showed external rotation from 0° to 150° flexion in both ACL‐deficient and normal knees. A medial pivot motion and subsequent bicondylar rollback were observed in both knees in the kinematic pathway. In conclusion, the AP position of the femur relative to the tibia was altered due to ACL deficiency, particularly in the medial compartment.
Identification of diverse agronomic traits in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) germplasm lines to use in crop improvement
Authors: Nabati Jafar , Mirmiran Seyedeh Mahbubeh , Yousefi Afsaneh , Zare Mehrjerdi Mohammad , Ahmadi‐lahijani Mohamad Javad , Nezami Ahmad
Published: December 2022

A chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) collection consisting of 445 Kabuli‐type collected from different locations of Iran was evaluated based on six qualitative and 14 quantitative morphological descriptors. Chickpea accessions were widely varied in plant height, the number of pods per plant, plant dry weight, 100‐grain weight, grain yield, and harvest index. Grain yield was positively correlated with the number of pods per plant (r = 0.39**), pod fertility percentage (r = 0.42**), dry weight per plant (r = 0.88**), and harvest index (r = 0.30**). The highest value for the Shannon–Weaver diversity index was observed in growth habit (0.98) and leaf color (0.88). The first and second components of the principal component analysis (PCA) explained 17.97% and 16.20% of the total variations, respectively. The cluster analysis results revealed that the accessions with higher pod, leaflet, and peduncle length were grouped in cluster I, whereas cluster II indicated the dominant contribution for the number of pods per plant, plant dry weight, and grain yield. The highest phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) were observed for grain yield per plant (44.3% and 48.3%), the number of pods per plant (44.3% and 45.1%), and dry weight per plant (44.4% and 44.8%). The heritability estimates were also more significant for the number of pods per plant, plant dry weight, and harvest index. These accessions might be used in the chickpea breeding programs to expand high‐yielding Kabuli‐type cultivars with a broad genetic base.
Electrochemical lipolysis of subcutaneous adipose tissue in a porcine animal model
Authors: Bae Jun Sang , Abueva Celine D. G. , Park Geun Hwan , Kim Sehwan , Mo Ji‐Hun , Ryu Hyun Seok , Chung Phil‐Sang , Woo Seung Hoon
Published: December 2022

Objectives

There is a considerable demand for noninvasive low‐cost fat reduction methods with fewer side effects and shorter recovery times. This study aims to develop a fat‐reduction method through electrochemical lipolysis of subcutaneous adipocytes using needle‐based electrodes, body tissue fluids, and electrical current application.

Methods

Electrochemical lipolysis was performed by inserting a 4‐pin needle electrode connected to a DC power supply into the pig's abdomen. Applied electrical current (0.5 and 1 mA) and treatment time (5 or 10 minutes) were varied systematically. Ultrasound imaging was performed before and after treatment to determine changes in fat thickness. Tissue samples were collected at 0, 2, and 4 weeks posttreatment for histological evaluation to determine the mechanism of action and the procedure's efficacy.

Results

Electrochemical subcutaneous adipose tissue lipolysis in a porcine model was achieved through hydrolysis of physiologic fluid within the vicinity of the inserted electrode where an electric current is applied, leading to localized disruption of fat cell membranes and necrosis. Electric current configuration 1.0 mA showed more pronounced lipolysis effects applied for 10 minutes, significantly decreasing adipocyte content per treatment area. The electrochemical treatment method also stimulates collagen synthesis, which helps reduce fat.

Conclusions

Electrochemical lipolysis is a potential new noninvasive localized technique to reduce fat. The treatment method induces fat cell necrosis via in situ reduction‐oxidation reaction by the electrochemical activation of physiologic fluid in the surrounding tissue. Electrochemical lipolysis is a simple, low‐cost, fat‐reducing treatment method without harmful side effects.
Solvability for time‐fractional semilinear parabolic equations with singular initial data
Authors: Ghergu Marius , Miyamoto Yasuhito , Suzuki Masamitsu
Published: December 2022

We discuss the existence and nonexistence of a local and global‐in‐time solution to the fractional problem

where

is a bounded domain with
boundary,

, and
(
) is the Caputo fractional derivative. We assume that
is a continuous function such that for some
, one has
for all
. Particular attention is paid to the doubly critical case
.
A class of improved conjugate gradient methods for nonconvex unconstrained optimization
Authors: Hu Qingjie , Zhang Hongrun , Zhou Zhijuan , Chen Yu
Published: December 2022

In this paper, based on a new class of conjugate gradient methods which are proposed by Rivaie, Dai and Omer et al. we propose a class of improved conjugate gradient methods for nonconvex unconstrained optimization. Different from the above methods, our methods possess the following properties: (i) the search direction always satisfies the sufficient descent condition independent of any line search; (ii) these approaches are globally convergent with the standard Wolfe line search or standard Armijo line search without any convexity assumption. Moreover, our numerical results also demonstrated the efficiencies of the proposed methods.
Long‐term prognostic value of cardiac catheterization and acute vasodilator testing with inhaled iloprost in pediatric idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Zhang Chen , Dimopoulos Konstantinos , Li Qiangqiang , Gu Hong
Published: December 2022

To assess the long‐term prognostic value of cardiac catheterization and acute vasodilator testing (AVT) with inhaled iloprost in children with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). Data on 81 consecutive children with IPAH referred to our center who underwent cardiac catheterization and AVT between June 2008 and August 2019 were collected. The correlation between the invasive hemodynamic data and transplant‐free survival was analyzed. Twenty‐four patients died and 1 underwent lung transplantation during a median follow‐up of 3.8 years, with a 5‐year transplant‐free survival rate of 64.9%. Univariate analysis showed that predictors associated with improved survival included a lower pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI), PVRI/systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP)/mean systemic arterial pressure, mean right atrial pressure, and a higher cardiac index (CI), mixed systemic venous oxygen saturations (SvO2), and acute vasodilator response (AVR) according to the Barst criteria (decrease in mPAP and PVRI/SVRI ratio of >20% without a decrease in CI). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, Barst AVR and SvO2 were independently related to transplant‐free survival. Multiple hemodynamic variables from cardiac catheterization and AVT with inhaled iloprost have important prognostic value for long‐term survival in children with IPAH, of which pulmonary vasoreactivity defined by the Barst criteria and SvO2 are independent prognostic factors.
Synthesis and In Silico Investigation of Isatin‐Based Schiff Bases as Potential Inhibitors for Promising Targets against SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Esam Zohreh , Akhavan Malihe , Lotfi Maryam , Bekhradnia Ahmadreza
Published: December 2022

Despite the significant development in vaccines and therapeutics cocktails, there is no specific treatment available for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), caused by the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). Targeting the main protease (Mpro) of SARS‐CoV‐2, which possesses a key role in producing the essential viral structural and functional proteins, can be considered an efficient way to control this potentially lethal infection. Recently, some of Michael acceptor‐pharmacophore containing inhibitors have been suggested as successful suppressors of the main protease. Here, we synthesized the Isatin‐based Schiff bases possessing the structural pattern of a Michael acceptor‐like portion employing synthesis procedures. In silico investigation of these compounds was not limited to the main protease. We have also evaluated their possible inhibitory activity against the other identified druggable targets using homology modeling, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations. Our investigations revealed that the dimethyl biguanide carrying Schiff bases of Isatin‐derivatives have the best binding mode and interaction energy. The dimethyl biguanide moiety‐containing compounds have formed promising interactions with the key amino acid residues Cys145 and HIS41 of Mpro with a binding free energy of −7.6 kcal/mol which was lower than the positive control compound Carmofur (−6.3 kcal/mol). It also leads to the higher affinity and the much inhibitory potential against the SARS‐CoV‐2 RdRp and Spike glycoproteins, human TMPRSS2, and ACE2 receptors.
Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for the Improvement of Dispersion Stability in Diesel Fuel‐type for Potential Application as Nano Additives
Authors: Acevedo Julián , Escobar Gustavo , López Diana
Published: December 2022

Carbon nanotubes functionalized with long‐chain compounds were obtained. Using different characterization techniques, such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, surface area analysis and electron microscopy (EM), it was possible to characterize the carbon nanotubes, verifying the presence of the added aliphatic chains, as well as the formation of the amide bonds, the morphological and structural changes of the material. Those functionalized with oleylamine showed dispersion stability in Colombian commercial diesel for at least 70 days, by visual inspection; using UV‐Vis absorbance and particle size measurement it was determined that in the first hours after the generation of the dispersion there was sedimentation of a portion of the material to reach an equilibrium point in which 75 % of the particles continued in suspension.
Synthesis and Catalytic Application of MTsCOO‐Cu as a Melamine‐Based Metal‐Organic Framework in Facile Preparation of the 5‐Substituted‐1H‐Tetrazoles
Authors: Movaheditabar Parviz , Javaherian Mohammad , Nobakht Valiollah
Published: December 2022

A novel melamine‐based metal‐organic framework (MTsCOO‐Cu) has been designed, synthesized, and structurally characterized by FT‐IR, NMR, PXRD, FE‐SEM, EDX mapping, DTA, and TGA techniques. The MTsCOO‐Cu is successfully synthesized by the reaction of melamine with tosyl chloride and oxidation of methyl groups of the tosyl counterpart to carboxylic acids moieties and a consequent reaction with copper ion under ultrasonic irradiation. The synthesized MTsCOO‐Cu is catalytically used for the facile preparation of a series of 5‐substituted‐1H‐tetrazoles derivatives via click [3+2] cycloaddition reactions between various arrays of aromatic and aliphatic nitriles and sodium azide in PEG‐400 at 75 °C up to 86 %. The crucial reaction parameters including the type of solvent, temperature, and catalyst loading in progressing the reaction are evaluated and discussed. The synthesized MTsCOO‐Cu MOF showed an excellent catalytic activity, high chemical and thermal stabilities above 600 °C, simple preparation with readily available starting materials, and also ease of recyclability and reusability for four consecutive uses without considerable loss of activity. The output of this work may open new approaches for using new generations of MOFs catalysts in diverse chemical transformations.
Reduction in Indium Usage for Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells in a Short‐Term Industrial Perspective
Authors: Jay Frederic , Gageot Tristan , Pinoit Gabriel , Thiriot Benjamin , Veirman Jordi , Cabal Raphael , De Vecchi Sylvain , Favre Wilfried , Sciuto Marcello , Gerardi Cosimo , Foti Marina
Published: December 2022

Herein, the interest of a sputtering power reduction during physical vapor deposition (PVD) of the rear side indium‐based transparent conduction oxide (TCO) is investigated to reduce the In consumption in silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells. Halving the supplied power allows for a TCO thickness reduction of 50%. Process fine‐tuning is shown to retain satisfying TCO electrical properties, thus preventing unwanted additional resistance losses despite the drastic reduction in TCO thickness. The produced SHJ solar cells with a 50% reduced TCO thickness show similar performances to those made with the reference process. Using thinner TCO layers at the cell backside is, however, found to come with a bifaciality penalty, which is discussed in detail.
Fabrication of Sulfur Defect Rich ZnIn2S4/SnSe2 Photocatalyst with Ohmic Junction for Efficient Water to Hydrogen Energy Conversion
Authors: Wang Xianghu , Wang Xuehua , Shi Tianyu , Meng Alan , Wang Lei , Li Shaoxiang , Li Guicun , Yu Xiao , Li Zhenjiang
Published: December 2022

The development of a noble‐metal‐free cocatalyst is of great significance for boosting photocatalytic H2 evolution performance. Herein, SnSe2 is developed as a cocatalyst to in situ attachment on the surface of sulfur defect rich ZnIn2S4 (Vs‐ZIS) via a simple hydrothermal method. Owing to the intimate atomic‐level interface and the different work function between Vs‐ZIS and SnSe2, a particular Ohmic junction with internal electric field is formed in Vs‐ZIS/SnSe2, which facilitates the electrons in Vs‐ZIS transfer to SnSe2 and participate in H2 evolution reaction rapidly. Moreover, the abundant S vacancies also benefit the separation of photocarriers in Vs‐ZIS/SnSe2. The optimized Vs‐ZIS/SnSe2 photocatalyst performs a high H2 evolution rate of 29.34 mmol h−1 g−1 under visible light (λ > 420 nm) and an apparent quantum efficiency of 12.25% at 420 nm. Herein, constructive model on developing effective cocatalyst is afforded, and expediting photocarriers transfer through interfacial modulating.
Collusion or monitoring? Connected institutional investors and stock price crash risk in China
Authors: Zhang Yan , Liang Yuheng
Published: December 2022

This paper investigates the impact of connected institutional investors on stock price crash risk. We document that the closer institutions are to the central position of the network, the greater the stock price crash risk, whereas the closer they are to the intermediary position, the smaller the stock price crash risk. Such results remain strong after conducting several robustness checks. Further evidences demonstrate that the collusion effect of central position, which is more pronounced for firms with higher insider ownership concentration, lower institutional ownership and lower regional marketization index, works through managers' asymmetric news disclosure, whereas the monitoring effect of intermediary position, which is more pronounced for firms with higher insider ownership concentration, higher institutional ownership and lower regional marketization index, works through better informativeness and control. Overall, our analyses provide insights into the relation between social embeddedness of individual economic activities and corporate governance.
Comparing artificial‐intelligence techniques with state‐of‐the‐art parametric prediction models for predicting soybean traits
Authors: Ray Susweta , Jarquin Diego , Howard Reka
Published: December 2022

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is a significant source of protein and oil and is also widely used as animal feed. Thus, developing lines that are superior in terms of yield, protein, and oil content is important to feed the ever‐growing population. As opposed to high‐cost phenotyping, genotyping is both cost and time efficient for breeders because evaluating new lines in different environments (location–year combinations) can be costly. Several genomic prediction (GP) methods have been developed to use the marker and environment data effectively to predict the yield or other relevant phenotypic traits of crops. Our study compares a conventional GP method (genomic best linear unbiased predictor [GBLUP]), a kernel method (Gaussian kernel [GK]), an artificial‐intelligence (AI) method (deep learning [DL]), and a hybrid method that corresponds to the emulation of a DL model using a kernel method (an arc‐cosine kernel [AK]) in terms of their prediction accuracies for predicting grain yield, oil, and protein using data from the soybean nested association mapping experiment (1,379 genotypes tested in six environments, all genotypes in all environments). The relative performance of the four methods varied with the response variable and whether the model includes the genotype × environmental interaction (G×E) effects or not. The GBLUP consistently showed better performances, whereas GK and AK followed a similar pattern to GBLUP and DL performed slightly worse than the other three methods in most of the cases; however, this may also be attributed to suboptimal hyperparameters. The DL method performed particularly worse than the other three methods in presence of the G×E effects.
Spectrum of brain malformations in fetuses with mild tubulinopathy
Authors: Hagege R. , Krajden Haratz K. , Malinger G. , Ben‐Sira L. , Leibovitz Z. , Heron D. , Burglen L. , Birnbaum R. , Valence S. , Keren B. , Blumkin L. , Jouannic J.‐M. , Lerman‐Sagie T. , Garel C.
Published: December 2022

Objective

To report on a large cohort of fetuses with mild forms of tubulinopathy and to define prenatal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features that can facilitate prenatal diagnosis.

Methods

This was a retrospective multicenter study of fetuses diagnosed between January 2007 and February 2022 with a mild tubulinopathy (without lissencephaly or microlissencephaly). We collected and reviewed brain imaging and genetic data, and defined major criteria as findings observed in ≥ 70% of the patients and minor criteria as those observed in ≥ 50% but < 70% of the patients.

Results

Our cohort included 34 fetuses. The mean gestational age at ultrasound screening, when suspicion of a central nervous system anomaly was first raised, was 24.2 (range, 17–33) weeks. Callosal anomalies (n = 19 (56%)) and abnormal ventricles (n = 18 (53%)) were the main reasons for referral. The mean gestational age at neurosonography was 28.3 (range, 23–34) weeks and that at MRI was 30.2 (range, 24–35) weeks. Major ultrasound criteria were midline distortion, ventricular asymmetry, dysmorphic and/or dilated frontal horn(s) and abnormal sulcation. Minor ultrasound criteria were distortion of the cavum septi pellucidi, abnormal corpus callosum, absent or asymmetric olfactory sulci, ventriculomegaly and basal ganglia dysmorphism. Major MRI criteria were midline distortion, distortion of the cavum septi pellucidi, ventricular asymmetry, dilatation (generally unilateral) and/or distortion, dysmorphic and/or dilated frontal horn(s) and abnormal sulcation (mainly dysgyria). Minor MRI criteria were absent or asymmetric olfactory sulci, abnormal bulge of the pons, anteroposterior diameter of the pons ≤ 5th centile and brainstem asymmetry. A mutation was found in TUBB3 (44.1% of cases), TUBB (23.5%), TUBB2B (14.7%) or TUBA1A (17.6%). The mutation was inherited from a parent in 18/34 cases. The pregnancy was terminated in 23/34 cases.

Conclusions

Prenatal diagnosis of mild forms of tubulinopathy is possible but challenging. We have defined, in this large series of fetuses, major and minor criteria that can help identify this entity in utero. Most findings can be visualized on ultrasound. This evaluation is also important for prenatal counseling. Once a prenatal diagnosis of mild tubulinopathy is suspected, the family members should be referred for exome sequencing and MRI. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
A Self-supervised Adversarial Learning Approach for Network Intrusion Detection System
Authors: Deng Lirui , Zhao Youjian , Bao Heng
Published: December 2022

The network intrusion detection system (NIDS) plays an essential role in network security. Although many data-driven approaches from the field of machine learning have been proposed to increase the efficacy of NIDSs, it still suffers from extreme data imbalance and the performance of existing algorithms depends highly on training datasets. To counterpart the class-imbalanced problem in network intrusion detection, it is necessary for models to capture more representative clues within same categories instead of learning from only classification loss. In this paper, we proposed a self-supervised adversarial learning approach for intrusion detection, which utilize instance-level discrimination for better representation learning and employs a adversarial perturbation styled data augmentation to improve the robustness of NIDS on rarely seen attacking types. State-of-the-art result was achieved on multiple frequently-used datasets and experiment conducted on cross-dataset setting demonstrated good generalization ability.
A handbook of holographic 4-point functions
Authors: Bzowski Adam , McFadden Paul , Skenderis Kostas
Published: December 2022

Abstract

We present a comprehensive discussion of tree-level holographic 4-point functions of scalar operators in momentum space. We show that each individual Witten diagram satisfies the conformal Ward identities on its own and is thus a valid conformal correlator. When the β = ∆ − d/2 are half-integral, with ∆ the dimensions of the operators and d the spacetime dimension, the Witten diagrams can be evaluated in closed form and we present explicit formulae for the case d = 3 and ∆ = 2, 3. These correlators require renormalization, which we carry out explicitly, and lead to new conformal anomalies and beta functions. Correlators of operators of different dimension may be linked via weight-shifting operators, which allow new correlators to be generated from given ‘seed’ correlators. We present a new derivation of weight-shifting operators in momentum space and uncover several subtleties associated with their use: such operators map exchange diagrams to a linear combination of exchange and contact diagrams, and special care must be taken when renormalization is required.
Inhalation therapies in COPD — adverse drug reactions impact on emergency department presentations
Authors: Bergs Ingmar , Just Katja S. , Scholl Catharina , Dreher Michael , Stingl Julia C.
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Inhaled drugs have been cornerstones in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for decades and show a high prescription volume. Due to the local application, drug safety issues of these therapies are often underestimated by professionals and patients. Data about adverse drug reactions (ADRs) caused by inhaled therapy in patients with COPD and polypharmacy are rare. We aimed to analyze the use and relevance of inhaled therapies in those patients in relation to ADR complaints, which were severe enough to warrant presentation to the emergency department.

Methods

Emergency department cases due to suspected ADRs of the ADRED database (n = 2939, “Adverse Drug Reactions in Emergency Departments”; DRKS-ID: DRKS00008979, registration date 01/11/2017) were analyzed for inhaled drugs in patients with COPD. ADRs in cases with overdosed inhaled drugs were compared to non-overdosed cases. ADRs, potentially caused by inhaled drugs, were evaluated, clustered into complexes, and assessed for association with inhaled drug classes.

Results

Of the 269 included COPD cases, 67% (n = 180) received inhaled therapy. In 16% (n = 28), these therapies were overdosed. Overdosed cases presented the complexes of malaise and local symptoms more frequently. Related to the use of inhaled anticholinergics, local (dysphagia-like) and related to inhaled beta-2 agonists, local (dysphagia-like) and sympathomimetic-like ADRs presented more frequently.

Conclusion

Overdosed inhaled therapies in patients with COPD lead to relevant ADRs and impact on emergency room presentations. These are rarely associated to inhaled therapy by healthcare professionals or patients. Due to the high volume of inhaled drug prescriptions, pharmacovigilance and patient education should be more focused in patients with COPD. German Clinical Trial Register: DRKS‐ID: DRKS00008979
Very Low Rates of Spontaneous Gene Deletions and Gene Duplications in Dictyostelium discoideum
Authors: Gill Shelbi E. , Chain Frédéric J. J.
Published: December 2022

The study of spontaneous mutation rates has revealed a wide range of heritable point mutation rates across species, but there are comparatively few estimates for large-scale deletion and duplication rates. The handful of studies that have directly calculated spontaneous rates of deletion and duplication using mutation accumulation lines have estimated that genes are duplicated and deleted at orders of magnitude greater rates than the spontaneous point mutation rate. In our study, we tested whether spontaneous gene deletion and gene duplication rates are also high in Dictyostelium discoideum, a eukaryote with among the lowest point mutation rates (2.5 × 10–11 per site per generation) and an AT-rich genome (GC content of 22%). We calculated mutation rates of gene deletions and duplications using whole-genome sequencing data originating from a mutation accumulation experiment and determined the association between the copy number mutations and GC content. Overall, we estimated an average of 3.93 × 10–8 gene deletions and 1.18 × 10–8 gene duplications per gene per generation. While orders of magnitude greater than their point mutation rate, these rates are much lower compared to gene deletion and duplication rates estimated from mutation accumulation lines in other organisms (that are on the order of ~ 10–6 per gene/generation). The deletions and duplications were enriched in regions that were AT-rich even compared to the genomic background, in contrast to our expectations if low GC content was contributing to low mutation rates. The low deletion and duplication mutation rates in D. discoideum compared to other eukaryotes mirror their low point mutation rates, supporting previous work suggesting that this organism has high replication fidelity and effective molecular machinery to avoid the accumulation of mutations in their genome.
The role of learning-walk related multisensory experience in rewiring visual circuits in the desert ant brain
Authors: Rössler Wolfgang , Grob Robin , Fleischmann Pauline N.
Published: December 2022

Efficient spatial orientation in the natural environment is crucial for the survival of most animal species. Cataglyphis desert ants possess excellent navigational skills. After far-ranging foraging excursions, the ants return to their inconspicuous nest entrance using celestial and panoramic cues. This review focuses on the question about how naïve ants acquire the necessary spatial information and adjust their visual compass systems. Naïve ants perform structured learning walks during their transition from the dark nest interior to foraging under bright sunlight. During initial learning walks, the ants perform rotational movements with nest-directed views using the earth’s magnetic field as an earthbound compass reference. Experimental manipulations demonstrate that specific sky compass cues trigger structural neuronal plasticity in visual circuits to integration centers in the central complex and mushroom bodies. During learning walks, rotation of the sky-polarization pattern is required for an increase in volume and synaptic complexes in both integration centers. In contrast, passive light exposure triggers light-spectrum (especially UV light) dependent changes in synaptic complexes upstream of the central complex. We discuss a multisensory circuit model in the ant brain for pathways mediating structural neuroplasticity at different levels following passive light exposure and multisensory experience during the performance of learning walks.
Malnutrition risk and frailty in head and neck cancer patients: coexistent but distinct conditions
Authors: Dewansingh Priya , Bras Linda , ter Beek Lies , Krijnen Wim P. , Roodenburg Jan L. N. , van der Schans Cees P. , Halmos Gyorgy B. , Jager-Wittenaar Harriët
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Both malnutrition and frailty are associated with adverse treatment outcomes. Malnutrition (risk) and frailty are each commonly present in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). However, their coexistence and association is unknown. Main goal of this study is to determine the coexistence of, and the association between malnutrition risk and frailty in patients with HNC.

Methods

In this retrospective analysis on prospectively collected data, newly diagnosed patients with HNC, enrolled in the OncoLifeS databiobank were included. The Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment Short Form (PG-SGA SF) was used to assess malnutrition risk. The Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI) was used to assess frailty status. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed, taking into account several patient- and tumor-related factors.

Results

In total, 197 patients were included. Seventy-six patients (39%) had a medium or high malnutrition risk and 71 patients (36%) were frail. In 38 patients (19%), malnutrition risk coexisted with frailty. Patients with medium and high malnutrition risk were, respectively, 4.0 (95% CI 1.5–11.2) and 13.4 (95% CI 4.0–48.7) times more likely to be frail, compared to patients with low malnutrition risk. In turn, frail patients were 6.4 times (95% CI 2.6–14.9) more likely to have malnutrition risk compared to non-frail patients.

Conclusions

Malnutrition risk and frailty frequently coexist but not fully overlap in newly diagnosed patients with HNC. Therefore, screening for both conditions is recommended.
Abundance, distribution, and expression of nematicidal crystal protein genes in Bacillus thuringiensis strains from diverse habitats
Authors: Bel Yolanda , Andrés-Antón Miguel , Escriche Baltasar
Published: December 2022

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a Gram-positive bacterium that accumulates pesticidal proteins (Cry and Cyt) in parasporal crystals. Proteins from the Cry5, App6 (formerly Cry6), Cry12, Cry13, Cry14, Cry21, and Xpp55 (formerly Cry55) families have been identified as toxic to nematodes. In this study, a total of 846 Bt strains belonging to four collections were analyzed to determine the diversity and distribution of the Bt Cry nematicidal protein genes. We analyzed their presence by PCR, and positives were confirmed by sequencing. As a result, 164 Bt isolates (20%) contained at least one gene coding for nematicidal Cry proteins. The cry5 and cry21 genes were enriched in collection 1 and were often found together in the same strain. Differently, in collection 4, obtained from similar habitats but after 10 years, cry14 was the gene most frequently found. In collection 2, cry5 and app6 were the most abundant genes, and collection 3 had a low incidence of any of these genes. The results point to high variability in the frequencies of the studied genes depending on the timing, geographical origins, and sources. The occurrence of cry1A, cry2, and cry3 genes was also analyzed and showed that the nematicidal Cry protein genes were frequently accompanied by cry1A + cry2. The expression of the genes was assessed by mass spectrometry showing that only 14% of the positive strains produced nematicidal proteins. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive screening that examines the presence and expression of genes from the seven known Bt Cry nematicidal families.
The environmental effects of the “twin” green and digital transition in European regions
Authors: Bianchini Stefano , Damioli Giacomo , Ghisetti Claudia
Published: December 2022

This study explores the nexus between digital and green transformations—the so-called “twin” transition—in European regions in an effort to identify the impact of digital and environmental technologies on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions originating from industrial production. We conduct an empirical analysis based on an original dataset that combines information on environmental and digital patent applications with information on GHG emissions from highly polluting plants for the period 2007–2016 at the metropolitan region level in the European Union and the UK. Results show that the local development of environmental technologies reduces GHG emissions, while the local development of digital technologies increases them, albeit in the latter case different technologies seem to have different impacts on the environment, with big data and computing infrastructures being the most detrimental. We also find differential impacts across regions depending on local endowment levels of the respective technologies: the beneficial effect of environmental technologies is stronger in regions with large digital technology endowments and, conversely, the detrimental effect of digital technologies is weaker in regions with large green technology endowments. Policy actions promoting the “twin” transition should take this evidence into account, in light of the potential downside of the digital transformation when not combined with the green transformation.
A Novel HydroEconomic - Econometric Approach for Integrated Transboundary Water Management Under Uncertainty
Authors: Englezos N. , Kartala X. , Koundouri P. , Tsionas M. , Alamanos A.
Published: December 2022

The optimal management of scarce transboundary water resources among competitive users is expected to be challenged by the effects of climate change on water availability. The multiple economic and social implications, including conflicts between neighbouring countries, as well as competitive sectors within each country are difficult to estimate and predict, to inform policy-making. In this paper, this problem is approached as a stochastic multistage dynamic game: we develop and apply a novel framework for assessing and evaluating different international strategies regarding transboundary water resources use, under conditions of hydrological uncertainty. The Omo-Turkana transboundary basin in Africa is used as a case study application, since it increasingly faces the above challenges, including the international tension between Kenya and Ethiopia and each individual country’s multi-sectoral competition for water use. The mathematical framework combines a hydro-economic model (water balance, water costs and benefits), and an econometric model (production functions and water demand curves) which are tested under cooperative and non-cooperative conditions (Stackelberg “leader–follower” game). The results show the cross-country and cross-sectoral water use—economic trade-offs, the future water availability for every game case, the sector-specific production function estimations (including residential, agriculture, energy, mining, tourism sectors), with nonparametric treatment, allowing for technical inefficiency in production and autocorrelated Total Factor Productivity, providing thus a more realistic simulation. Cooperation between the two countries is the most beneficial case for future water availability and economic growth. The study presents a replicable, sophisticated modelling framework, for holistic transboundary water management.
Narrative characteristics of captivating secondary mathematics lessons
Authors: Dietiker Leslie , Singh Rashmi , Riling Meghan , Nieves Hector I. , Barno Erin
Published: December 2022

Why do some mathematics lessons captivate high school students and others not? This study explores this question by comparing how the content unfolds in the lessons that students rated highest with respect to their aesthetic affordances (e.g., using terms like “intriguing,” “surprising”) with those the same students rated lowest with respect to their aesthetic affordances (e.g., “just ok,” “dull”). Using a framework that interprets the unfolding content across a lesson as a mathematical story, we examine how some lessons can provoke curiosity or enable surprise. We identify eight characteristics that distinguish captivating lessons and show how some, such as the average number of questions under consideration at any point in the lesson, are strongly related to student aesthetic experiences. In addition, the lessons that students described as more interesting included more instances of misdirection, such as when students’ false assumptions provide opportunities for surprising results. These findings point to the characteristics of future lesson designs that could enable more students to experience curiosity and wonder in secondary mathematics classrooms.