bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EfficientUNet: Modified encoder‐decoder architecture for the lung segmentation in chest x‐ray images
Authors: Agrawal Tarun , Choudhary Prakash
Published: April 2022

Chest x‐rays are a widely used medical imaging technique for the early detection of pulmonary diseases. However, the increasing workload and shortage of radiologists have motivated the research community to explore the possibilities in automated diagnosis. Segmentation is the most critical and essential procedure to improve the automatic diagnosis. Irregular lung shape and size with the overlapped lung regions make the identification of lung boundaries difficult. Further, the dense abnormalities often have high‐intensity values that can be interpreted as lung boundaries. UNet is the most popular segmentation architecture among the deep learning community. Despite its high performance, there is scope for improvement. Most of the proposed segmentation models for lung segmentation in chest x‐rays are trained and tested on a same dataset. It is reported that the model trained on one dataset fails when tested on another dataset. The aim of this study is to develop an efficient architecture for accurate lung segmentation in chest x‐rays. The proposed model uses the pre‐trained encoder, and the decoder uses residual learning and batch normalization to improve the performance. The publicly available Shenzhen, Montgomery County, and the NIH datasets are used for the evaluation of the proposed model. It is also validated by cross‐dataset generalization. The proposed model obtained the 96.14% DSC and 92.67% JI value on the Shenzhen dataset, while 98.48% DSC and 97.01% JI value on the MC dataset. For cross‐dataset evaluation, the EfficientUNet reported the DSC value of 95.97% and JI value of 92.34% for the MC dataset. While the DSC value of 94.02% and JI value of 88.86% on the NIH dataset. The obtained results across the different metrics show the efficiency of the proposed model. Unlike, the other state‐of‐the‐art models, the proposed model is evaluated on the lungs that are highly irregular in shape and size due to different pulmonary abnormalities.
Parental acceptance of lesbian, gay, and bisexual children in Taiwan: Towards relationship‐based practice
Authors: Huang Yu‐Te
Published: April 2022

Objective

To delineate the process and contributors to parental acceptance of their child's lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) identity.

Background

Research has depicted the processes through which parents accept their LGB child. This study extends the scope of inquiries to a non‐Western context and delineates the factors for shifts in parental attitudes.

Method

Twelve mothers and four fathers in Taiwan participated in interviews recounting their responses to learning of their child's LGB status. Following grounded theory methodology, we coded and analyzed data using constant comparative analysis.

Results

Two themes were identified. The first involved parents' initial reactions to their child coming out, which were dominated by emotional unrest and lingering concerns regarding their child's future. The second highlighted the mechanisms of change, including seeking support and knowledge, emotional connections with LGB children, and social and legal changes. The results of this study provide contextualized descriptions of how Taiwanese parents navigate their child's disclosure of their LGB identity.

Conclusion

Contemporary parents need psychosocial support from peers and professionals to understand and accept their LGB child.

Implications

This study highlights the importance of a contextual understanding and relationship‐based approach to support parental acceptance of their LGB child.
Effect of hot isostatic pressing on fatigue behavior and fracture mechanism of A319 aluminum alloy under uniaxial and nonproportional multiaxial loading conditions
Authors: Liao Yiping , Liu Xiaoshan , He Guoqiu , Zhou Zhiqiang , Huang Ziao , Pan Jiaqi , Li Jingquan , Wang Qigui
Published: April 2022

The effect of hot isostatic pressing (HIPing)‐induced porosity difference on the fatigue behavior and fracture mechanism of A319 aluminum alloy under uniaxial and nonproportional multiaxial loading is investigated. Non‐HIPed alloy exhibits weaker nonproportional additional hardening capacity than HIPed alloy, which is ascribed to the nonproportional multiaxial loads that enhance the cyclic softening induced by casting pores. Additional plastic damage caused by nonproportional multiaxial loads is highly susceptible to HIPing. Torsional loads trigger the tension‐compression asymmetry of the axial stress response during nonproportional multiaxial fatigue. Multiaxial fatigue life is more sensitive to HIPing at minor total strain amplitudes. The rapid bridging among adjacent pores serves as the preferred channel for fatigue crack propagation. Nonproportional multiaxial loads improve the probability of encountering pores during fatigue crack initiation and propagation.
Agreement between self‐rated denture condition and clinical examination in older adults
Authors: Reis Luiz Otávio B. , Silva Alexandre Emidio Ribeiro , Cascaes Andreia Morales , Boscato Noéli
Published: April 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to compare differences between complete denture conditions self‐rated by older adult wearers and clinically exanimated by a professional based on standardised aesthetics and functional criteria.

Materials and methods

Complete denture clinical examination was based on the functional (stability, retention, occlusion and articulation, vertical dimension of occlusion) and aesthetics criteria. Data on self‐rated complete denture conditions were measured using the Patient’s Denture Assessment (PDA) questionnaire based on standardised aesthetic and functional criteria (n = 122). Prevalence rates of clinical and self‐rated complete denture condition, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and absolute and relative bias were calculated.

Results

The highest sensitivity (66.7% [95% CI 55.3‐76.7]) was obtained for aesthetic criterion, whereas occlusion revealed the lowest sensitivity (14.9% [95% CI 6.2‐28.3]). Stability had the highest specificity (91.3% [95% CI 72.0‐98.9]) and aesthetics the lowest (21.4% [95% CI 8.3‐41.0]). Stability also yielded the highest positive predictive value (83.3% [95% CI 51.6‐97.9]), and vertical dimension of occlusion the lowest (26.3% [95% CI 9.1‐51.2]). The vertical dimension of occlusion yielded the highest negative predictive value (71.2% [95% CI 58.7‐81.7]). Self‐rated data underestimated the complete denture condition in 6.5% compared with clinical examinations when the aesthetic criterion was excluded from the analysis and 7.6% when added.

Conclusions

Older adult wearers better identified the condition of their complete denture when the aesthetic criterion was excluded from examination. In contrast, considering functional criteria (retention, stability, occlusion and vertical dimension of occlusion), self‐rated complete denture conditions underestimated clinical examination.

Clinical Relevance

Using standardised aesthetic criteria in epidemiological studies for assessing complete denture conditions self‐rated by wearers could avoid underestimating or overestimating the information regarding the use or need for dental prostheses.
Role of TLR9 methylation on its active transcription in apical inflammation
Authors: Fernández Alejandra , Astorga Jessica , Bordagaray María José , Lira María Jesús , Gebicke‐Haerter Peter J. , Hernández Marcela
Published: April 2022

Aim

To explore the methylation pattern, its role in transcriptional regulation and potential modifiers of methylation of the TLR9 gene in chronic periapical inflammation.

Methodology

In this cross‐sectional study, apical lesions of endodontic origin (ALEO, n = 61) and healthy periodontal ligaments (HPL, n = 15) were included. Products from bisulfited and PCR‐amplified DNA were analysed for their methylation profiles in the promoter region and at each CpG island. Additionally, TLR9 mRNA levels were quantified by qPCR and bivariate and multiple modelling were performed to better understand the influence of methylation on gene transcription.

Results

TLR9 mRNA levels were upregulated in ALEO compared to HPL (p < .001). TLR9 promoter CpG sites and CpG +2086 in the intragenic island 1 were demethylated in ALEO compared to HPL (p < .05). Multivariate analysis, adjusted by smoking and gender, revealed that demethylation of TLR9 promoter sites enhanced transcriptional activity, specifically demethylated CpGs at positions −736 and −683, (p = .02), which are close to CRE binding. Although ALEO reduced the global methylation of the gene promoter and intragenic‐island 2 (p < .05) by −42.5 and −9.5 percentage points, respectively, age reduced the global methylation of intragenic‐island 3 within the exon 2.

Conclusions

Demethylations of TLR9 promoter CpG sites, along with the intragenic DNA methylation status, were involved in higher transcription in ALEO. Hence, chronic periapical inflammation and ageing modify the methylation status both in the gene promoter and in intragenic CpG islands.
Changes in polyphenol fractions and bacterial composition after in vitrofermentation of apple peel polyphenol by gut microbiota
Authors: He Ziqian , Deng Na , Zheng Bisheng , Li Tong , Liu Rui Hai , Yuan Ling , Li Wenzhi
Published: April 2022

The changes in polyphenol fractions after in vitro fermentation of apple peel polyphenol (APP) by gut microbiota as well as the effects of APP on the growth, pH value, short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production and intestinal flora composition of gut microbiota fermentation were firstly explored in this study. The relative abundance of Lactobacillus in the APP group was 49.55% with an increment of 49.40% compared with the blank group, while that of Bifidobacterium was 13.32%. Moreover, the flora produced 37.093 ± 0.478 mM of SCFAs including acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid and valeric acid during the process of fermentation, thus reduced the environmental pH value. In addition, polyphenol fractions in APP were altered by gut microbiota fermentation to some extent, for example, glycosides were hydrolysed to aglycones. These findings suggested APP as a potential prebiotic agent to alleviate the disorder of intestinal flora.
Therapeutic antibody glycosylation impacts antigen recognition and immunogenicity
Authors: Wolf Babette , Piksa Mateusz , Beley Isabelle , Patoux Agnes , Besson Thierry , Cordier Valerie , Voedisch Bernd , Schindler Patrick , Stöllner Daniela , Perrot Ludovic , von Gunten Stephan , Brees Dominique , Kammüller Michael
Published: April 2022

In this study we show that glycosylation is relevant for immune recognition of therapeutic antibodies, and that defined glycan structures can modulate immunogenicity. Concerns regarding immunogenicity arise from the high heterogeneity in glycosylation that is difficult to control and can deviate from human glycosylation if produced in non‐human cell lines. While non‐human glycosylation is thought to cause hypersensitivity reactions and immunogenicity, less is known about effects of Fc‐associated glycan structures on immune cell responses. We postulated that glycosylation influences antigen recognition and subsequently humoral responses to therapeutic antibodies by modulating 1) recognition and uptake by dendritic cells (DCs), and 2) antigen routing, processing and presentation. Here, we compared different glycosylation variants of the antibody rituximab (RTX) in in vitro assays using human DCs and T cells as well as in in vivo studies. We found that human DCs bind and internalize unmodified RTX stronger compared to its aglycosylated form suggesting that glycosylation mediates uptake after recognition by glycan‐specific receptors. Furthermore, we show that DC‐uptake of RTX increases or decreases if glycosylation is selectively modified to recognize activating (by mannosylation) or inhibitory lectin receptors (by sialylation). Moreover, glycosylation seems to influence antigen presentation by DCs because specific glycovariants tend to induce either stronger or weaker T cell activation. Finally, we demonstrate that antibody glycosylation impacts anti‐drug antibody (ADA) responses to RTX in vivo. Hence, defined glycan structures can modulate immune recognition and alter ADA responses. Glyco‐engineering may help to decrease clinical immunogenicity and ADA‐associated adverse events such as hypersensitivity reactions.
COVID‐19 severity from Omicron and Delta SARS‐CoV‐2 variants
Authors: Wrenn Jesse O. , Pakala Suman B. , Vestal Grant , Shilts Meghan H. , Brown Hunter M. , Bowen Sara M. , Strickland Britton A. , Williams Timothy , Mallal Simon A. , Jones Ian D. , Schmitz Jonathan E. , Self Wesley H. , Das Suman R.
Published: April 2022

The Omicron variant of SARS‐CoV‐2 achieved worldwide dominance in late 2021. Early work suggests that infections caused by the Omicron variant may be less severe than those caused by the Delta variant. We sought to compare clinical outcomes of infections caused by these two strains, confirmed by whole genome sequencing, over a short period of time, from respiratory samples collected from SARS‐CoV‐2 positive patients at a large medical center. We found that infections caused by the Omicron variant caused significantly less morbidity, including admission to the hospital and requirement for oxygen supplementation, and significantly less mortality than those caused by the Delta variant.
Refining species boundaries among velvet worms (Onychophora, Peripatopsidae), with the description of two new species of Opisthopatus from South Africa
Authors: Barnes Aaron , Daniels Savel R.
Published: April 2022

In the present study, two new species of velvet worm, Opisthopatus, from the Eastern Cape province of South Africa are described. We used both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data (cytochrome oxidase subunit I [COI] and 18S rRNA subunit [18S]) to explore the possibility that species boundaries in Opisthopatus have been underestimated. A previous fine‐scale phylogeographic study of the velvet worm Opisthopatus amaxhosa demonstrated the presence of two distinct clades, of which the first could be assigned to O. amaxhosa and the second represented a novel as yet undescribed species. In addition, specimens of Opisthopatus from the Valley of Desolation, Camdeboo Nature Reserve, Graaff‐Reinet, were not assigned to a new species in the most recent taxonomic revision because of the limited number of specimens. Following recent collection and scanning electron microscopy, we assigned the Graaff‐Reinet specimens to Opisthopatus camdebooi sp. nov. and the second lineage in sympatry with O. amaxhosa we described as Opisthopatus baziya sp. nov. The application of four species delimitation methods (Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning [ASAP], Poisson Tree Processes [PTP], generalized mixed Yule‐coalescent model [GMYC], and Species Tree and Classification Estimation, Yarely [STACEY]) generally revealed congruent groupings across clades, suggesting that the alpha taxonomic diversity in Opisthopatus has been underestimated. The continued discovery of new velvet worm species in poorly or unsampled areas suggests that several novel species might still be undescribed in South Africa. Collectively, our results suggest that fine‐scale sampling is critical to detect and describe the biodiversity of other saproxylic taxa.
Multi‐faceted role of pyroptosis mediated by inflammasome in liver fibrosis
Authors: Yang Hui , Wang Juan , Liu Zhen‐Guo
Published: April 2022

Liver fibrosis is a reversible pathological overreaction during the self‐repair of liver injuries, and it is the common period of chronic liver diseases induced by different pathogenesis progress into cirrhosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma. Pyroptosis, a novel form of programmed cell death, is reported to take part in the pathogenesis and progression of acute or chronic liver diseases and liver fibrosis. Caspase‐1 dependent canonical pathway and caspase‐4/‐5/‐11 mediated noncanonical pathway are the two signalling pathways to induce pyroptosis. The activation of inflammasomes under the stimulation of pathogenic microorganisms and danger signals can initiate the pyroptotic pathway and release large amounts of proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokines. This article comprehensively summarizes recent researches focused on the mechanism of pyroptosis and its role in major hepatic cells, which can provide potential therapeutic strategies for liver fibrosis.
Simulation of Poyang Lake water levels and outflow under historical extreme hydrological scenarios
Authors: Yu Meixiu , Liu Xiaolong , Wood Paul , Wei Li , Wang Guoqing , Zhang Jianyun , Li Qiongfang
Published: April 2022

Due to an intensification of anthropogenic activities and climate change in recent decades, the hydrological connections and relationships between rivers and lakes have been significantly modified globally. Poyang Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes globally and is one of the few that remain naturally connected to the Yangtze River. To investigate the full hydrological conditions (extreme high and low discharge) of Poyang Lake outflow under current bathymetric conditions, a large‐scale 1D‐ and 2D‐coupled high‐resolution hydrodynamic model of the Poyang Lake basin–Yangtze River system was developed. We simulated the outflow and water levels of Poyang Lake under nine different extreme hydrological scenarios with high precision and computational efficiency. We propose (1) a novel partition calibration method to characterize the roughness coefficient of large water bodies in complicated geographical terrain both for wet and dry seasons; (2) a new method for setting initial conditions for hydrodynamic simulation of large water bodies subject to strong hydrological regulation. Results indicated that (1) maximum outflow and water levels will reach 37,200 m3/s and 22.28 m when Poyang Lake basin floodwater coincides with flooding on the Yangtze River; (2) precipitation over the lake has increased outflow but this has had very limited influence on its changing hydrological pattern; (3) the effect of hydrological conditions within the system differs for both the lake outflow and water level. The research provides important reference conditions for the application of the InfoWorks ICM model in future applications and studies of large river–lake systems.
Bad company: Loneliness longitudinally predicts the symptom cluster of pain, fatigue, and depression in older adults
Authors: Powell Victoria D. , Kumar Navasuja , Galecki Andrzej T. , Kabeto Mohammed , Clauw Daniel J. , Williams David A. , Hassett Afton , Silveira Maria J.
Published: April 2022

Background

Pain, fatigue, and depression frequently co‐occur as a symptom cluster. While commonly occurring in those with cancer and autoimmune disease, the cluster is also found in the absence of systemic illness or inflammation. Loneliness is a common psychosocial stressor associated with the cluster cross‐sectionally. We investigated whether loneliness predicted the development of pain, fatigue, depression, and the symptom cluster over time.

Methods

Data from the Health and Retirement Study were used. We included self‐respondents ≥50 year‐old who had at least two measurements of loneliness and the symptom cluster from 2006–2016 (n = 5974). Time‐varying loneliness was used to predict pain, fatigue, depression, and the symptom cluster in the subsequent wave(s) using generalized estimating equations (GEE) and adjusting for sociodemographic covariates, living arrangement, and the presence of the symptom(s) at baseline.

Results

Loneliness increased the odds of subsequently reporting pain (aOR 1.22, 95% CI 1.08, 1.37), fatigue (aOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.32, 1.65), depression (aOR 2.33, 95% CI 2.02, 2.68), as well as the symptom cluster (aOR 2.15, 95% CI 1.74, 2.67). The median time between the baseline and final follow‐up measurement was 7.6 years (IQR 4.1, 8.2).

Conclusions

Loneliness strongly predicts the development of pain, fatigue, and depression as well as the cluster of all three symptoms several years later in a large, nonclinical sample of older American adults. Future studies should examine the multiple pathways through which loneliness may produce this cluster, as well as examine whether other psychosocial stressors also increase risk. It is possible that interventions which address loneliness in older adults may prevent or mitigate the cluster of pain, fatigue, and depression.
Long‐term sex differences in all‐cause and infection‐specific mortality post hip fracture
Authors: Bajracharya Rashmita , Guralnik Jack M. , Shardell Michelle D. , Rathbun Alan M. , Yamashita Takashi , Hochberg Marc C. , Gruber‐Baldini Ann L. , Magaziner Jay S. , Orwig Denise L.
Published: April 2022

Background

Mortality rates among men are double that of women in the first 2 years after hip fracture and may be related to more infections. Research has only examined differences in short‐term mortality after hip fracture. Thus, the objective was to determine if long‐term all‐cause mortality and infection‐specific mortality rates are higher in men compared to women.

Methods

Data come from a prospective cohort study (Baltimore Hip Studies 7th [BHS‐7]) with up to 10.2 years of follow‐up (2006–2018). The participants were selected from eight acute care hospitals in the 25‐hospital BHS network. Enrolled women were frequency‐matched (1:1) to men on timing of admission for hip fracture that yielded an analytic sample size of 300 participants (155 women, 145 men). Associations between sex and mortality were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard models and cause‐specific Cox models adjusted for age, cognition, body mass index, pre‐fracture lower extremity activities of daily living limitation, depressive symptoms, and comorbidity.

Results

Participants had a mean age of 80 years, 48% (n = 145) were men and the median follow‐up was 4.9 (interquartile range = 2.3–8.7) years. Over the follow‐up period after hospital admission for hip fracture, 237 (79.0%) participants died of all causes (132 men and 105 women) and 38 (12.7%) died of infection‐specific causes (25 men and 13 women). Men had significantly higher rates of all‐cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.31(95% confidence interval [CI] 2.02–2.59)] and infection‐specific mortality (HR = 4.43, CI 2.07–9.51) compared to women.

Conclusions

Men had a two‐fold higher rate of all‐cause mortality and four‐fold higher rate of infection‐specific mortality compared to women over a follow‐up period of up to 10.2 years. Findings suggest that interventions to prevent and treat infections, tailored by sex, may be needed to narrow significant differences in long‐term mortality rates between men and women after hip fracture.
Cross‐Sectional Association of State Recess Laws With District‐Level Policy and School Recess Provision in the United States
Authors: Clevenger Kimberly A. , Lowry Mark , Perna Frank M. , Berrigan David
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

State recess laws are recommended to encourage adequate and equitable access to recess and its benefits, but the downstream effects of state recess laws are unknown. We examined the association of state recess laws with district‐level policy and school recess provision.

METHODS

This is cross‐sectional analysis of the School Health Policies and Practices Survey, a US nationally representative sample of school districts (2016) and schools (2014). State‐level recess laws were coded as none, recommend, or require recess. Logistic and linear regression were used to examine the association between state law with district policies and school recess provision, respectively. Data from 2000 are presented to highlight changes in recess policy and provision over time.

RESULTS

The odds of a district policy requiring recess were 2.22 and 2.34 times greater when state recess law recommended or required recess, respectively, compared to states with no recess policy. There were no significant differences in school‐level recess provision by state recess law but point estimates from 2000 indicated states without a law had the largest declines in recess provision over time.

CONCLUSIONS

State recess laws are positively associated with district‐level policy. Effects at the school level are unclear and continued surveillance is needed.
Negative impact of insomnia and daytime sleepiness on quality of life in individuals with the cyclin‐dependent kinase‐like 5 deficiency disorder
Authors: Downs Jenny , Jacoby Peter , Saldaris Jacinta , Leonard Helen , Benke Tim , Marsh Eric , Demarest Scott
Published: April 2022

Cyclin‐dependent kinase‐like 5 (CDKL5) gene pathogenic variants result in CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD). Early onset intractable epilepsy and severe developmental delays are prominent symptoms of CDD. Comorbid sleep disturbances are a major concerning symptom for families. We aimed to explore the relationship between insomnia, daytime sleepiness, sleep medications and quality of life in children with CDD. Caregivers of 129 children with CDD in the International CDKL5 Disorder Database completed the Quality‐of‐Life Inventory‐Disability (QI‐Disability) questionnaire and “Disorders of Maintaining Sleep” (DIMS) and the “Disorders of Excessive Somnolence” (DOES) items of the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children. Adjusting for covariates, a unit increase in DOES score was associated with reduced quality of life total (coefficient −3.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35–7.80), physical health (coefficient −7.20, 95% CI −10.64, −3.76) and negative emotions (coefficient −3.90, 95% CI −7.38, −0.42) scores. Adjusting for covariates, a unit increase in DIMS score was associated with reduced negative emotions (coefficient −6.02, 95% CI −10.18, −2.86). Use of sleep medications had small influences on the effect sizes. This study highlights the importance of sleep problems as a determinant of quality of life in children with CDD, consistent with effects observed for other groups of children with intellectual disability. Excessive daytime sleepiness was particularly associated with detrimental effects on quality of life. Further research in optimal behavioural and pharmaceutical management of sleep problems for this population is required.
Automated visual surveying of vehicle heights to help measure the risk of overheight collisions using deep learning and view geometry
Authors: Lu Linjun , Dai Fei
Published: April 2022

Overheight vehicle collisions continuously pose a serious threat to transportation infrastructure and public safety. This study proposed a vision‐based method for automatic vehicle height measurement using deep learning and view geometry. In this method, vehicle instances are first segmented from traffic surveillance video frames by exploiting mask region‐based convolutional neural network (Mask R‐CNN). Then, 3D bounding box on each vehicle instance is constructed using the obtained vehicle silhouette and three orthogonal vanishing points in the surveilled traffic scene. By doing so, the vertical edges of the constructed 3D bounding box are directly associated with the vehicle image height. Last, the vehicle's physical height is computed by referencing an object with a known height in the traffic scene using single view metrology. A field experiment was performed to evaluate the performance of the proposed method, leading to the mean and maximum errors of 3.6 and 6.6, 5.8 and 12.9, 4.4 and 8.1, and 9.2 and 18.5 cm for cars, buses, vans, and trucks, respectively. The experiment also demonstrated the ability of the method to overcome vehicle occlusion, shadow, and irregular appearance interferences in height estimation suffered by existing image‐based methods. The results signified the potential of the proposed method for overheight vehicle detection and collision warning in real traffic settings.
Chromosomal and reproductive barriers among three species of Cleome L. from Ile‐Ife, Nigeria
Authors: Olaoluwa Emmanuel Abiodun , Azeez Sekinat Okikiola
Published: April 2022

Cleome rutidosperma DC, C. viscosa L. and C. gynandra L. have been observed to sometimes grow sympatrically in Ile‐Ife, Nigeria. Here, we investigated the genetic relationship and reproductive barriers among these species through cytological, reproductive biology and hybridization studies. A chromosome number of 2n = 2x = 34 was observed in C. gynandra, while 2n = 2x = 20 was documented in C. viscosa and C. rutidosperma. Two simultaneous cytokineses were observed in meiotic chromosomes of all three species and no chromosomal aberrations were observed. The seed germination percentage increased over the course of 12 months in C. gynandra, while a loss of seed viability was observed with increasing storage time in C. viscosa and C. rutidosperma. Reciprocal crosses were characterized by heavy flower drops and embryo abortion and no viable F1 seed was obtained. The lowest percentage of fruit set, 4% and 2.3%, was observed in C. viscosa × C. rutidosperma and C. viscosa × C. gynandra, respectively. The results demonstrate that although the species appear to share the same pollinators, strong post‐zygotic reproductive isolation mechanisms have been established, thereby making the exchange of genes difficult. In addition, the species‐specific inherent mechanisms of seed dormancy might have a strong influence on the distribution of these species
An exploratory study on support for caregivers of people with vision impairment in the UK
Authors: Enoch Jamie , Dickinson Christine , Potts Judith , Subramanian Ahalya
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Many of the UK's 2.5 million individuals living with vision loss receive support from relatives or friends (so‐called ‘informal caregivers’). However, there is limited understanding of how caregivers of people with visual impairment (PVI) are, or feel, supported by UK healthcare/statutory services and charities. This exploratory study was conducted to explore caregivers' experiences and their suggestions for enhancing support.

Methods

Participants self‐identifying as UK‐based caregivers of PVI (N = 100) volunteered to undertake an online survey, distributed through charity partners. The survey was comprised of the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire‐8 (CSQ‐8, a validated, self‐report measure of satisfaction with support services), Likert‐type questions and two open‐ended, free‐text questions. Interview participants (N = 22) were then selected from survey respondents, and semi‐structured interviews were conducted to focus on caregivers' ideas for improving support. The Framework Method was used for inductive analysis of the free‐text question responses and interview data.

Results

The mean (SD) CSQ‐8 score was 21.60 (7.2), with no significant differences by demographic, relationship or vision‐related factors, likely limited by the small subgroup sizes. Qualitative data demonstrated the heterogeneity of participating caregivers' experiences, highlighting the importance of personalised support for caregivers. Many participants advocated enhancing informational, practical, emotional and social support for caregivers, and stressed the importance of accessible services and consistent points of contact to turn to for support and advice.

Conclusions

Although our sample was arguably better connected to support services than the general caregiver population, this study identified concrete suggestions to improve practical, emotional and peer support for caregivers of PVI.
Instability of rotational activation as atrial fibrillation drivers: Assessment by ExTRa Mapping system
Authors: Kawaji Tetsuma , Aizawa Takanori , Hojo Shun , Yaku Hidenori , Nakatsuma Kenji , Kaneda Kazuhisa , Kato Masashi , Yokomatsu Takafumi , Miki Shinji
Published: April 2022

Background

ExTRa Mapping™ has developed to visualize rotational activation as atrial fibrillation (AF) drivers. The current study was sought to evaluate the instability of AF drivers by ExTRa Mapping™.

Methods

Variation of nonpassively activated ratio (%NP) among three‐time repetitive recordings before and after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in left atrium was assessed in 26 persistent AF patients. The recoding time was set at 5 or 8 s for the respective patients. The outcome measures included %NP at each recording, mean value of the three‐time recordings, and the instability index, which was defined as maximum difference per mean %NP × 100 (%).

Results

Total 683 sites 2049 recordings were assessed. Mean %NP was 33.3(23.3–42.7)%, and higher in sites with severe (≥50%) and patchy low voltage area than those without, but not in those with severe complex fractionated atrial electrogram area. There was significant correlation between actual and mean %NP (R = 0.86, P < .001), but maximum difference among the repetitive recordings was 16(10–24)%. The instability index of %NP was 55.9(30.9–83.6)%, and significantly lower at the recordings of 8 s compared with 5 s (50.6[28.6–78.4]% vs. 60.4[35.0–90.0]%, P = .004). Furthermore, it was higher at sites with lower reliability of the recordings. After PVI, mean %NP significantly decreased (28.7[18.3–36.7]% vs. 37.7[28.7–45.7]%, P < .001), but the instability index significantly increased compared with those before PVI (60.0[35.0–92.7]% vs. 48.9[29.1–75.0]%, P = .001).

Conclusion

Rotational activation as AF drivers assessed by ExTRa Mapping™ is unstable, and repetitive and longer recording is required for the reliable assessment even after PVI.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and paracorporeal lung assist devices as a bridge to pediatric lung transplantation
Authors: Chiel Laura E. , Winthrop Zachary A. , Fynn‐Thompson Francis , Midyat Levent
Published: April 2022

Background

“Bridging” is a term used to describe the implementation of various treatment modalities to improve waitlist survival while a patient awaits lung transplantation. ECMO and PLAD are technologies used to bridge patients to lung transplantation. ECMO and PLAD are cardiopulmonary support systems that help move blood forward while using an artificial membrane to remove CO2 from and add O2 to the blood. Recent studies showed that these technologies are increasingly effective in bridging patients to lung transplantation, especially with optimizing patient selection, implementing physical rehabilitation and ambulation goals, standardization of management decisions, and increasing staff experience, among other considerations. We review these technologies, their roles as bridges to pediatric lung transplantation, as well as indications, contraindications, complications, and mortality rates.

Conclusion

Finally, we discuss the existing knowledge gaps and areas for future research to improve patient outcomes and understanding of lung assist devices.
Modelling the Extremes of Seasonal Viruses and Hospital Congestion: The Example of Flu in a Swiss Hospital
Authors: Ranjbar Setareh , Cantoni Eva , Chavez-Demoulin Valérie , Marra Giampiero , Radice Rosalba , Jaton Katia
Published: April 2022

Viruses causing flu or milder coronavirus colds are often referred to as ‘seasonal viruses’ as they tend to subside in warmer months. In other words, meteorological conditions tend to impact the activity of viruses, and this infor2mation can be exploited for the operational management of hospitals. In this study, we use 3 years of daily data from one of the biggest hospitals in Switzerland and focus on modelling the extremes of hospital visits from patients showing flu-like symptoms and the number of positive flu cases. We propose employing a discrete generalized Pareto distribution for the number of positive and negative cases. Our modelling framework allows for the parameters of these distributions to be linked to covariate effects, and for outlying observations to be dealt with via a robust estimation approach. Because meteorological conditions may vary over time, we use meteorological and not calendar variations to explain hospital charge extremes, and our empirical findings highlight their significance. We propose a measure of hospital congestion and a related tool to estimate the resulting CaRe (Charge-at-Risk-estimation) under different meteorological conditions. The relevant numerical computations can be easily carried out using the freely available GJRM R package. The empirical effectiveness of the proposed method is assessed through a simulation study.
Defending and integrating an organism by the immune system
Authors: Dembic Zlatko
Published: April 2022

The Integrity model proposes that the adaptive immune response defends, protects and keeps vigilance over the unity of an organism. These functions conceptually rely on three signals that can explain them. All signals have a dual character. The signal‐1 is the recognition of antigen or peptide/MHC ligand. The signal‐2 comprises either help and costimulation or suppression and coinhibition. Lastly, the signal‐3 signals tissues' condition, state or integrity. A part overlaps with the Danger‐associated molecular patterns, and the other part should be detected by putative cell‐surface molecules, intracellular factors or epigenetic events. They are called the Integrity‐associated molecular patterns (IAMPs). The IAMPs originate from damaged (positive signal‐3) or undamaged (negative signal‐3) tissues. The positive signal‐3 would induce costimulatory signal‐2, whereas the negative signal‐3 would induce coinhibitory signal‐2 in APCs. However, in analogue reality, we might more likely encounter a range of signals supposedly sensed by a group of responder cells and integrated overtime (quorum sensing). The predominant option would sway the decision of the immune system to perform either defence or protection (active tolerance). Thus, the quorum sensing supposedly delivers two qualitative thresholds for T (and B) cells' decisions to defend or suppress. If these were not attained, the vigilance (anergy) of adaptive immunocytes for T‐dependent antigens would ensue. These functions provide defence against pathogens and preservation of unity/integrity of an organism, which in turn permits protection of commensals.
Microscale deformation mechanisms in paperboard during continuous tensile loading and 4D synchrotron X‐ray tomography
Authors: Johansson Sara , Engqvist Jonas , Tryding Johan , Hall Stephen A.
Published: April 2022

A better physical understanding of mesoscale and microscale mechanisms behind deformation and failure of paperboard material is important to optimize industrial packaging converting processes and decrease waste. In this study, these mechanisms were investigated using synchrotron X‐ray tomography during in situ continuous uniaxial tensile loading. High spatial and temporal data resolution enabled quantification of rapid changes in the material occurring before, during and after material failure. The evolution of 3D strain fields, fibre orientations and sample thickness showed that deformation and failure mechanisms differ significantly between samples tested in machine direction (MD), cross direction (CD) and 45° from the loading direction. In 45° and CD, gradual failure processes could be followed across several load steps. Immediately after failure, the in‐plane fracture region was significantly larger in both 45° and CD compared to MD. Both fracture characteristics and strain field distributions differed between the three material directions. Significant fibre reorientation was an active deformation mechanism in 45° already from the beginning of the loading, also present in CD after peak load but absent in MD. The MD‐dependent mechanisms interpreted and quantified at the scale of the fibre network in this study can help guide model development and likely have wider applicability to other paper‐based materials.
A new method for automatic and accurate coded target recognition in oblique images to improve augmented reality precision
Authors: Karimi Mina , Zakariyaeinejad Zana , Sadeghi‐Niaraki Abolghasem , Ahmadabadian Ali Hosseininaveh
Published: April 2022

To have an accurate augmented reality (AR) in a ubiquitous geospatial information system (UBGIS), camera poses should be accurately estimated. Consumer‐grade sensors of mobile phones do not provide high accuracies. Using artificial markers and image‐based techniques could be a good solution for accurately estimating camera pose parameters. Automatic detection of these markers in very oblique images is challenging. This article aims to combine targets and mobile phone sensors to improve augmented reality precision in visualizing underground infrastructures. To achieve this goal, we propose a new method for automatically recognizing coded targets (CTs) and identifying their centers in oblique images. Then, we estimate the camera pose by computing exterior orientation parameters by combining sensors and CTs for the space restriction procedure. Finally, we visualize underground infrastructures using AR. Comparing the results with the well‐known photogrammetry software Agisoft PhotoScan show that the proposed method is robust, fast, and invariant under different transformations of scaling, rotation, and incidence angle variations. It is also more accurate than the Agisoft with sub‐pixel accuracy (about 0.692 ± 0.141 pixels). Comparing the results of the vision‐based method of calculating exterior orientation parameters with the sensor‐based method demonstrates the precision improvement in camera pose estimation and thus better AR visualization.
Public Health is a Job for Engineers
Authors: Forsberg Charles W.
Published: April 2022

Instead of waiting to fight diseases inside the human body, engineering can establish lines of defense further out by either intercepting and neutralizing the pathogens before they reach humans or diluting them so much that they can’t build up an infective load. Good engineering can create robust public health.
Outdoor Community Ambulation Interventions to Improve Physical and Mental Health in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Bhatia Dominika , Salbach Nancy M. , Akinrolie Olayinka , Alsbury-Nealy Kyla , dos Santos Renato Barbosa , Eftekhar Parvin , Loewen Hal , Nekolaichuk Erica , Scheller Chelsea , Schorr Rebecca , Scodras Stephanie , Barclay Ruth
Published: April 2022

Limited community ambulation, defined as independent mobility outside the home, predicts adverse outcomes in older adults. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine outdoor community ambulation intervention effectiveness in older adults. We searched six databases until October 2021. Studies with an evaluative research objective, older adult population, and outdoor community ambulation interventions were eligible. After reviewing 23,172 records, five studies were included. The meta-analysis found no significant difference in walking endurance and depression outcomes between outdoor community ambulation and comparison interventions. For outcomes not suitable for meta-analysis, studies showed no significant difference in walking activity, anxiety, and general and health-related quality of life, and possible improvements in gait speed and lower extremity function and strength. Most evidence was of low to very low certainty. Considering the limited evidence base, the design, implementation, and evaluation of outdoor community ambulation interventions in older adults should be prioritized in primary research.
Rising dissolved organic carbon concentrations in coastal waters of northwestern Borneo related to tropical peatland conversion
Authors: Sanwlani Nivedita , Evans Chris D. , Müller Moritz , Cherukuru Nagur , Martin Patrick
Published: April 2022

Southeast Asia’s peatlands are considered a globally important source of terrigenous dissolved organic carbon (DOC) to the ocean. Human disturbance has probably increased peatland DOC fluxes, but the lack of monitoring has precluded a robust demonstration of such a regional-scale impact. Here, we use a time series of satellite ocean color data from northwestern Borneo to show that DOC concentrations in coastal waters have increased between 2002 and 2021 by 0.31 μmol liter
−1
year
−1
(95% confidence interval, 0.18 to 0.44 μmol liter
−1
year
−1
). We show that this was caused by a ≥30% increase in the concentration of terrigenous DOC and coincided with the conversion of 69% of regional peatland area to nonforest land cover, suggesting that peatland conversion has substantially increased DOC fluxes to the sea. This rise in DOC concentration has also increased the underwater light absorption by dissolved organic matter, which may affect marine productivity by altering underwater light availability.
Water evaporation–induced electricity with
Geobacter sulfurreducens
biofilms
Authors: Hu Qichang , Ma Yongji , Ren Guoping , Zhang Bintian , Zhou Shungui
Published: April 2022

Water evaporation–induced electricity generators (WEGs) have recently attracted extensive research attention as an emerging renewable energy–harvesting technology that harvests electricity directly from water evaporation. However, the low power output, limited available material, complicated fabrication process, and extremely high cost have restricted wide applications of this technology. Here, a facile and efficient WEG prototype based on
Geobacter sulfurreducens
biofilm was demonstrated. The device can generate continuous electric power with a maximum output power density of ~685.12 μW/cm
2
, which is two orders of magnitude higher than that of previously reported analogous devices. The superior performance of the device is attributed to the intrinsic properties of the
G. sulfurreducens
biofilm, including its hydrophilicity, porous structure, conductivity, etc. This study not only presents the unprecedented evaporating potential effect of
G. sulfurreducens
biofilms but also paves the way for developing hydrovoltaic technology with biomaterials.
Bifidobacterium infantis
treatment promotes weight gain in Bangladeshi infants with severe acute malnutrition
Authors: Barratt Michael J. , Nuzhat Sharika , Ahsan Kazi , Frese Steven A. , Arzamasov Aleksandr A. , Sarker Shafiqul Alam , Islam M. Munirul , Palit Parag , Islam Md Ridwan , Hibberd Matthew C. , Nakshatri Swetha , Cowardin Carrie A. , Guruge Janaki L. , Byrne Alexandra E. , Venkatesh Siddarth , Sundaresan Vinaik , Henrick Bethany , Duar Rebbeca M. , Mitchell Ryan D. , Casaburi Giorgio , Prambs Johann , Flannery Robin , Mahfuz Mustafa , Rodionov Dmitry A. , Osterman Andrei L. , Kyle David , Ahmed Tahmeed , Gordon Jeffrey I.
Published: April 2022

Disrupted development of the gut microbiota is a contributing cause of childhood malnutrition.
Bifidobacterium longum
subspecies
infantis
is a prominent early colonizer of the infant gut that consumes human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). We found that the absolute abundance of
Bifidobacterium infantis
is lower in 3- to 24-month-old Bangladeshi infants with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) compared to their healthy age-matched counterparts. A single-blind, placebo-controlled trial (SYNERGIE) was conducted in 2- to 6-month-old Bangladeshi infants with SAM. A commercial U.S. donor–derived
B. infantis
strain (EVC001) was administered daily with or without the HMO lacto-
N
-neotetraose for 28 days. This intervention increased fecal
B. infantis
abundance in infants with SAM, although to levels still 10- to 100-fold lower than in untreated healthy controls. EVC001 treatment promoted weight gain that was associated with reduced intestinal inflammation markers in infants with SAM. We cultured fecal
B. infantis
strains from Bangladeshi infants and colonized gnotobiotic mice with these cultured strains. The gnotobiotic mice were fed a diet representative of that consumed by 6-month-old Bangladeshi infants, with or without HMO supplementation. One
B. infantis
strain, Bg_2D9, expressing two gene clusters involved in uptake and utilization of
N
-glycans and plant-derived polysaccharides, exhibited superior fitness over EVC001. The fitness advantage of Bg_2D9 was confirmed in a gnotobiotic mouse model of mother-to-infant gut microbiota transmission where dams received a pretreatment fecal community from a SAM infant in the SYNERGIE trial. Whether Bg_2D9 is superior to EVC001 for treating malnourished infants who consume a diet with limited breastmilk requires further clinical testing.