bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perception of Farmers towards Crop Insurance Schemes in Kerala, India
Authors: Suresh Niranjan , Sreedaya G. S.
Published: November 2022

Agricultural insurance is a risk management approach used by farmers to protect them against crop loss caused by such unpredictable risk factors. The study on perception of farmers towards crop insurance schemes in Kerala was carried out in three selected districts of Kerala namely, Kottayam, Malappuram and Idukki in the year 2020-2021. The findings of the study showed that majority of the farmers (69.17 %) had medium perception, followed by low (18.33 %) and high (12.50 %) perception regarding crop insurance schemes in Kerala.The association between profile characteristics of the respondents with their perception towards crop insurance schemes in Kerala showed that characteristics like education, operational landholding, credit orientation and decision making ability had significant association with their perception regarding crop insurance schemes in Kerala. The comparison of the perception of beneficiary farmers towards the three crop insurance schemes namely, Restructured State Crop Insurance Scheme of Kerala (RSCIS), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) revealed that there existed a significant difference between the central and state crop insurance and there existed no significant difference among the two centrally sponsored crop insurance schemes.
Servant Leadership and Knowledge Management; What Leads to Frugal Innovation?
Authors: Gu Shengyu
Published: November 2022

Frugal innovation is an emerging term, and since the last decade, many studies have been focusing on this type of innovation. Therefore, this research has also directed attention towards frugal innovation. First of all, it studied the effect of servant leadership on knowledge management, and then the relationship between knowledge management and frugal innovation was measured. Moreover, the relationship described above was examined by moderating the role of innovation capabilities and technology turbulence. The data were collected from Sports equipment manufacturing companies in China, and to analyze the data, AMOS was used. The results highlighted a positive relationship between servant leadership and knowledge management, and this management has a significant and positive relation with frugal innovation. In addition, the technology turbulence and innovation capabilities can strengthen the relationship between knowledge management and frugal innovation. Despite highlighting the broad areas and developing a comprehensive model, this research has several limitations which are future directions for further studies. This research focused on sports equipment manufacturing companies, and future studies can highlight the perspective of other companies. In addition, entrepreneurial orientation can be considered as mediating variable as it can be affected by knowledge management and affect frugal innovation. The study is the first to link servant leadership with knowledge management which can lead to frugal innovation.
Micropolitics in the Workplace among Secondary School Teachers: Causes, Consequences, and Insights
Authors: Cruz Vivian Dela , Diaz Rhey Mark
Published: November 2022

This paper explored the experiences of teachers who have witnessed or experienced firsthand the manifestation of micropolitics in the workplace. This employed a phenomenological approach and utilized in-depth interviews to gather data on teachers' challenges, and coping, and insights and results were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study revealed that micropolitics in the workplace is prevalent. Four themes emerged in the life experiences of the teachers, namely: no freedom in the workplace; exploitation of newly-appointed teachers; favoritism in the workplace, and; affected motivation for promotion. On the other hand, results also indicated that teachers continue to thrive on working on themselves and overcoming their challenges through acceptance, self-trust, and development.

Meanwhile, the prevalence of micropolitical actions in teachers' workplaces creates an unhealthy environment and causes bias in the workplace that may cause a rise among peers. Nonetheless, the results have implications for the current system of DepEd and the local offices that handle the division. Thus, appropriate interventions must help teachers secure better-quality education for students.
Isolation, Identification and Evaluation of the Plant Growth Promoting Activities of Endophytic Stenotrophomonas maltophilia to Stimulate Growth of Clover Plants under Salt Stress
Authors: Ali Amal, A. , Osman Neama H.
Published: November 2022

Two endophytic bacterial isolates were obtained from root nodules of clover plants grown in salt affected clay soil of Egypt. The isolates were closely linked to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strains IPR-Pv696 and 262XG2 based on the sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA genes, and deposited in GenBank with accession numbers OM980221.1 (AM1) and OM980223.1 (AM2) respectively. The isolates were evaluated for their potential to promote plant growth. The results revealed that the two isolates of S. maltophilia strains (IPR-Pv696 and 262XG2) respectively exhibited production for indole-3- acetic acid (30.26 & 31.15 µg/ml), exopolysaccharides (13.57 & 13.68 g/l), nitrogen fixation activity and they solubilize the phosphate (278 & 208 mg/l) and potassium (33.5 & 32.9 µg/ml). In a field trial, these two isolates increased clover plant growth, chlorophyll, carbohydrates content and nutrients uptake while lowering proline levels. Hence this highlights its application to be exploited as biofertilizer by leading to sustainable agriculture. This could be a promising inoculant for many other crops.
Trends in Urinary Biomarkers of Exposure to Nicotine and Carcinogens Among Adult e-Cigarette Vapers vs Cigarette Smokers in the US, 2013-2019
Authors: Dai Hongying Daisy , Leventhal Adam M. , Khan Ali S.
Published: November 2022

This study assesses temporal trends of biomarkers among adult nicotine and nonnicotine e-cigarette users and cigarette smokers.
Quantification of Utilization Management Barriers for Patients Initiating Therapy to Lower Lipid Levels
Authors: O’Neil Adam , Calderbank Steve , Brown James , Vandigo Joe , Yin Perry , Bratti Keith , Howell Scott
Published: November 2022

This cohort study quantifies the rejections that patients with new-to-class claims face when attempting to initiate therapy with PCSK9 inhibitors and explores the association of rejection with subsequent behavior.
WDHD1 is over‐expressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and may control the expression of ITGAV
Authors: Wu Ji‐Yun , Niu Yi‐Tong , Huang Su‐Ning , Tan Yu‐Min , Yang Zhen‐Dong , Fang Ye‐Ying , Jiang Li , Zhang Ting‐Ting , Zeng Xiao‐Fen , Peng Yun‐Xi , Mo Miao , Lin Cai‐Xing , Wei Zhu‐Xin
Published: November 2022

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a highly metastatic and invasive malignant tumor that originates in the nasopharynx. The DNA‐binding protein WD repeat and HMG‐box DNA‐binding protein 1 (WDHD1) are highly expressed in a variety of tumours, but its expression and mechanism of action in NPC have not been reported to date. To investigate the involvement of WDHD1 in NPC, we first mined databases for the gene expression profile of NPC. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on 338 cases of NPC and 112 non‐NPC samples to verify the results. We report that the expression of WDHD1 is significantly elevated in NPC. ChIP‐seq was used to show that integrin alpha V (ITGAV) and WDHD1 exhibit a significant binding peak in the promoter region of the ITGAV gene. The expression levels of ITGAV and WDHD1 exhibit a significant positive correlation, and IHC was performed to show that ITGAV is highly expressed in NPC. Expression of ITGAV increased after overexpression of WDHD1, suggesting that ITGAV may be a potential target gene of WDHD1. Pathway analysis showed that both genes were closely related to the cell cycle, and flow cytometry was used to further confirm that decreased expression of WDHD1 significantly increased the number of apoptotic cells. In conclusion, our results suggest that expression of WDHD1 is increased in NPC and is likely to be associated with the NPC cell cycle; thus, we propose that WDHD1 may have the potential as a target gene for primary screening and treatment of NPC.
Quantify total activity by volume‐of‐interest expansion with clinical SPECT/CT systems, a phantom study
Authors: Bian Junguo , James Judy R , Wagner Robert , Halama James
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Quantitative measurements of activity in SPECT are important for radioisotope therapy planning and disease diagnosis. The aim of this manuscript is to develop a robust method to quantify the total activity in a volume‐of‐interest (VOI) of different quantitative SPECT reconstructions and validate the estimation accuracy.

Methods

We customized an IEC body phantom using 3D printing technology and made six sphere inserts of 1–6 cm in diameter with at least 3 cm separation. The activity concentration within the spheres was in the range of patient lesion/organ activity. The background activity was then increased from zero to a sphere/background activity concentration of 8:1, 4:1, and 2:1. SPECT data were acquired with Philips Brightview and GE Discovery 670 SPECT/computed tomography (CT) systems under clinical acquisition protocols. Quantitative SPECT images were reconstructed with Hermes SUV‐SPECT (both Philips and GE data) and GE Q.Metrix (GE data only). The quantitative SPECT reconstructions are iterative with scatter, CT attenuation correction, and resolution recovery. We quantified the total activity by expanding the sphere VOI to include a spill‐out region. Background correction was applied by sampling a region outside the spill‐out region. The true fractions (TFs) (total activity/true activity) were measured for all six spheres for all SPECT acquisitions.

Results

The TF is close to 100% for 2–6 cm spheres for zero background, 8:1 and 4:1 sphere/background activity ratios. The TF was found to be unreliable for the 1‐cm sphere because of the limit of phantom design. TF accuracy for 2:1 sphere/background ratio was degraded due to significantly large background, inadequate scatter correction and detector count loss.

Conclusions

The results demonstrated that the proposed quantification method is accurate for objects of different sizes in currently clinical quantitative reconstruction and has the potential for improving the accuracy for therapeutic treatment planning or radiation dosimetry calculations.
A Quantitative Investigation of Functionalized Glazing Stacks by Atom Probe Tomography
Authors: Perrin Toinin Jacques , Hatzoglou Constantinos , Voronkoff Justine , Montigaud Hervé , Guimard Denis , Wuttig Matthias , Vurpillot François , Cojocaru‐Mirédin Oana
Published: November 2022

Insulating glazings used in products for the building and automotive market consist of flat glass with low‐emissivity (low‐E) coatings. One challenge is to increase the infrared reflectance of the glazing stack while maintaining a high transmittance. This can only be achieved if the chemical interdiffusion between the deposited layers can be controlled and characterized down to the sub‐nanometer level. For that, atom probe tomography (APT) is employed in this work; technique which allows a precise quantification of the chemical interdiffusion in 3D and down to sometimes atomic level. However, the APT specimens prepared using the standard top‐to‐down configuration are prone to systematic fracturing due to strong differences in field evaporation between the layers involved in the glazing stack. The usage of an untypical cross‐section configuration has led to improved yields, but for the latter, artifacts need to be considered and quantified. In particular, the effect of artificial layer intermixing at interfaces due to crossover is studied. It is concluded that Ni diffuses in the Ag layer via grain boundaries already in the as‐deposited state. Hence, this work opens a new perspective in terms of quantification of interdiffusion at early stages, an important finding for low‐E glass applications.
Evaluation of conservation tillage practices in the production of organic flue‐cured tobacco
Authors: Machanoff Cordelia H. , Vann Matthew Christopher , Woodley Alex L. , Suchoff David
Published: November 2022

Intensive tillage in flue‐cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) contributes to soil erosion and reduced water‐holding capacity of soils. Conservation tillage minimizes soil disturbance by planting a crop directly into the residue of overwintered cover crop. Reducing tillage has been shown to improve soil health (increased rainwater infiltration, improved water‐holding capacity, reduced erosion) and to reduce production costs (fuel and labor). The objective of this study was to compare the effects of conservation and conventional tillage on weed management in organically grown flue‐cured tobacco. Field studies were conducted in Kinston, NC, in 2019 and 2020 and in Rocky Mount, NC, in 2020, comparing the impacts of conventional tillage and conservation tillage on weed emergence and tobacco production. An overwintered cereal rye (Secale cereal L.) cover crop was conventionally tilled or terminated via roller‐crimper and left in place as a mulch prior to transplant of flue‐cured tobacco. Cover crop biomass, weed emergence and biomass, soil resistance, crop yield and quality, and cured leaf chemistry were evaluated. In all environments, conservation tillage with cover crop residue reduced weed density and biomass when compared with conventional tillage treatments. In 2019, cured leaf yield was higher under conservation tillage practices than under conventional tillage. In 2020, environmental conditions in both locations resulted in crop loss. These results indicate that conservation tillage practices may be an effective weed management strategy while improving yields in an organic production system. However, organic flue‐cured tobacco grown under conservation tillage is vulnerable to extreme rain events due to the exclusion of in‐season cultivation.
Spirobisnaphthalenes from Fungi, Biological activities and Total Synthesis: A Research Review
Authors: Xu Leichuan , Ma Haoyun , An Xinkun , Wang Mingan
Published: November 2022

Spirobisnaphthalenes are a family of natural products containing two naphthalenes connected with spiroketal or dinaphthalene spiroether. This family of natural compounds has a wide range of biological activities and complex structures, and has attracted great attention from synthetic chemists in recent years. Hundreds of novel spirobisnaphthalenes have been identified from the first separation in 1989. Despite the slow pace of research in recent years, since the latest review in 2017, 30 new natural products have been isolated from the endolichenic and endophytic fungus, including Type A, B, D and E, a new special skeleton with a spiro quaternary carbon center, as well as significant breakthroughs are made in the total synthesis. Here, the last research advances in the isolation of new spirobisnaphthalenes, their activities, mode of action and the total synthesis of spirobisnaphthalenes in the last five years were afforded based on our research in this field in this review.
Kinetics Driven by Hollow Nanoreactors: An Opportunity for Controllable Catalysis
Authors: Yu Zhihao , Ji Na , Li Xiaoyun , Zhang Rui , Qiao Yina , Xiong Jian , Liu Jian , Lu Xuebin
Published: November 2022

As a novel class of catalytic materials, hollow nanoreactors offer new opportunities for improving catalytic performance owing to their higher controllability on molecular kinetic behavior. Nevertheless, to achieve controllable catalysis with specific purposes, the catalytic mechanism occurring inside hollow nanoreactors remains to be further understood. In this context, this Review presents a focused discussion about the basic concept of hollow nanoreactors, the underlying theory for hollow nanoreactor‐driven kinetics, and the intrinsic correlation between key structural parameters of hollow nanoreactors and molecular kinetic behaviors. We aim to provide in‐depth insights into understanding kinetics occurred within typical hollow nanoreactors. The perspectives proposed in this paper may contribute to the development of the fundamental theoretical framework of hollow nanoreactor‐driven catalysis.
Chemical Synthesis of Proteins with Base‐Labile Posttranslational Modifications Enabled by a Boc‐SPPS Based General Strategy Towards Peptide C‐Terminal Salicylaldehyde Esters
Authors: Ma Wenjie , Wu Hongxiang , Liu Sha , Wei Tongyao , Li Xiang David , Liu Han , Li Xuechen
Published: November 2022

Chemical synthesis of proteins bearing base‐labile post‐translational modifications (PTMs) is a challenging task. For instance, O‐acetylation and S‐palmitoylation PTMs cannot survive Fmoc removal conditions during Fmoc‐solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). In this work, we developed a new Boc‐SPPS‐based strategy for the synthesis of peptide C‐terminal salicylaldehyde (SAL) esters, which are the key reaction partner in Ser/Thr ligation and Cys/Pen ligation. The strategy utilized the semicarbazone‐modified aminomethyl (AM) resin, which could support the Boc‐SPPS and release the peptide SAL ester upon treatment with TFA/H2O and pyruvic acid. The non‐oxidative aldehyde regeneration was fully compatible with all the canonical amino acids. Armed with this strategy, we finished the syntheses of the O‐acetylated protein histone H3(S10ac, T22ac) and the hydrophobic S‐palmitoylated peptide derived from caveolin‐1.
The National Library of Medicine indexer assignment dataset: A new large‐scale dataset for reviewer assignment research
Authors: Rae Alastair R. , Mork James G. , Demner‐Fushman Dina
Published: November 2022

MEDLINE is the National Library of Medicine's (NLM) journal citation database. It contains over 28 million references to biomedical and life science journal articles, and a key feature of the database is that all articles are indexed with NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). The library employs a team of MeSH indexers, and in recent years they have been asked to index close to 1 million articles per year in order to keep MEDLINE up to date. An important part of the MEDLINE indexing process is the assignment of articles to indexers. High quality and timely indexing is only possible when articles are assigned to indexers with suitable expertise. This article introduces the NLM indexer assignment dataset: a large dataset of 4.2 million indexer article assignments for articles indexed between 2011 and 2019. The dataset is shown to be a valuable testbed for expert matching and assignment algorithms, and indexer article assignment is also found to be useful domain‐adaptive pre‐training for the closely related task of reviewer assignment.
Towards Luminescent Vanadium(II) Complexes with Slow Magnetic Relaxation and Quantum Coherence
Authors: Dorn Matthias , Hunger David , Förster Christoph , Naumann Robert , van Slageren Joris , Heinze Katja
Published: November 2022

Molecular entities with doublet or triplet ground states find increasing interest as potential molecular quantum bits (qubits). Complexes with higher multiplicity might even function as qudits and serve to encode further quantum bits. Vanadium(II) ions in octahedral ligand fields with quartet ground states and small zero‐field splittings qualify as qubits with optical read out thanks to potentially luminescent spin‐flip states. We identified two V2+complexes [V(ddpd)2]2+with the strong field ligandN,N’‐dimethyl‐N,N’‐dipyridine‐2‐yl‐pyridine‐2,6‐diamine (ddpd) in two isomeric forms (cis‐facandmer) as suitable candidates. The energy gaps between the two lowest Kramers doublets amount to 0.2 and 0.5 cm−1allowing pulsed EPR experiments at conventional Q‐band frequencies (35 GHz). Both isomers possess spin‐lattice relaxation timesT1of around 300 μs and a phase memory timeTMof around 1 μs at 5 K. Furthermore, themerisomer displays slow magnetic relaxation in an applied field of 400 mT. While the vanadium(III) complexes [V(ddpd)2]3+are emissive in the near‐IR‐II region, the [V(ddpd)2]2+complexes are non‐luminescent due to metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer admixture to the spin‐flip states.
Long‐Wavelength Light‐Emitting Electrochemical Cells: Materials and Device Engineering
Authors: Lin Yan‐Ding , Lu Chin‐Wei , Su Hai‐Ching
Published: November 2022

Long‐wavelength light‐emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) are potential deep‐red and near infrared light sources with solution‐processable simple device architecture, low‐voltage operation, and compatibility with inert metal electrodes. Many scientific efforts have been made to material design and device engineering of the long‐wavelength LECs over the past two decades. The materials designed the for long‐wavelength LECs cover ionic transition metal complexes, small molecules, conjugated polymers, and perovskites. On the other hand, device engineering techniques, including spectral modification by adjusting microcavity effect, light outcoupling enhancement, energy down‐conversion from color conversion layers, and adjusting intermolecular interactions, are also helpful in improving the device performance of long‐wavelength LECs. In this review, recent advances in the long‐wavelength LECs are reviewed from the viewpoints of materials and device engineering. Finally, discussions on conclusion and outlook indicate possible directions for future developments of the long‐wavelength LECs. This review would like to pave the way for the researchers to design materials and device engineering techniques for the long‐wavelength LECs in the applications of displays, bio‐imaging, telecommunication, and night‐vision displays.
Analytical enantioseparation of N‐alkyl drugs by reversed‐phase liquid chromatography with carboxymethyl‐β‐cyclodextrin as mobile phase additive
Authors: You Haibo , Chen Ben , Fang Liqun , Lin Tingting , Xu Ping , Chu Chu , Tong Shengqiang
Published: November 2022

Carboxymethyl‐β‐cyclodextrins (CM‐β‐CDs) with five kinds of degrees of substitution were synthesized and characterized. Analytical enantioseparation of six basic drugs containing N‐alkyl groups, including pheniramine, chlorpheniramine, labetalol, propranolol, venlafaxine, and trans‐paroxol, was achieved by reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC) using the synthesized CM‐β‐CD as chiral mobile phase additives. Key influence factors were optimized, including organic modifier, pH value, CM‐β‐CD with different degrees of substitution, and concentration of CM‐β‐CD. The mobile phase was composed of methanol and 10 mmol L−1 of phosphate buffer pH 4.0 containing 10 mmol L−1 of CM‐β‐CD. Peak resolution for six racemic drugs was gradually increased with an increasing degree of substitution of the synthesized CM‐β‐CD. The stoichiometric ratio and binding constants for the inclusion complex formed by CM‐β‐CD and enantiomer were determined, which showed that the stoichiometric ratio for each inclusion complex was 1:1.
Active switched‐capacitor based ultra‐voltage gain quadratic boost DC‐DC converters
Authors: Baba M. F. , Giridhar A. V. , Narasimharaju B. L.
Published: November 2022

This paper presents active switched capacitor integrated ultra‐voltage gain quadratic boost converters (ASC‐QBC). The step‐up conversion ratio provided by quadratic boost converter is not ample to meet the renewable microsource applications. The active switched capacitor integrated quadratic boost converter is a propitious alternate to acquire high voltage conversion ratios. A simple diode‐capacitor voltage lift arrangement is used in one of the introduced converters, thereby further enhancing the voltage gain and also reducing the input current ripple to a greater extent. The voltage stress on semiconductor devices is greatly alleviated with the aid of diode‐capacitor voltage lift arrangement. The input current ripple aspects with green energy sources along with control feasibility of the proposed converters against input voltage and load perturbations are experimentally demonstrated for a power rating of 100 W. The theoretical analysis and performance indices of proposed converters are validated with a fabricated laboratory prototype.
The basics of commonly used molecular techniques for diagnosis, and application of molecular testing in cytology
Authors: Turner Scott A. , Abou Shaar Rand , Yang Zhongbo
Published: November 2022

Molecular diagnostics has expanded to become the standard of care for a variety of solid tumor types. With limited diagnostic material, it is often desirable to use cytological preparations to provide rapid and accurate molecular results. This review covers important pre‐analytic considerations and limitations, and a description of common techniques that the modern cytopathologist should understand when ordering and interpreting molecular tests in practice.
Establishing a quantitative framework for regulatory interpretation of genetic toxicity dose–response data: Margin of exposure case study of 48 compounds with both in vivo mutagenicity and carcinogenicity dose–response data
Authors: Chepelev Nikolai , Long Alexandra S. , Beal Marc , Barton‐Maclaren Tara , Johnson George , Dearfield Kerry L. , Roberts Daniel J. , van Benthem Jan , White Paul
Published: November 2022

Quantitative relationships between carcinogenic potency and mutagenic potency have been previously examined using a benchmark dose (BMD)‐based approach. We extended those analyses by using human exposure data for 48 compounds to calculate carcinogenicity‐derived and genotoxicity‐derived margin of exposure values (MOEs) that can be used to prioritize substances for risk management. MOEs for 16 of the 48 compounds were below 10,000, and consequently highlighted for regulatory concern. Of these, 15 were highlighted using genotoxicity‐derived (micronucleus [MN] dose–response data) MOEs. A total of 13 compounds were highlighted using carcinogenicity‐derived MOEs; 12 compounds were overlapping. MOEs were also calculated using transgenic rodent (TGR) mutagenicity data. For 10 of the 12 compounds examined using TGR data, the results similarly revealed that mutagenicity‐derived MOEs yield regulatory decisions that correspond with those based on carcinogenicity‐derived MOEs. The effect of benchmark response (BMR) on MOE determination was also examined. Reinterpretation of the analyses using a BMR of 50% indicated that four out of 15 compounds prioritized using MN‐derived MOEs based on a default BMR of 5% would have been missed. The results indicate that regulatory decisions based on in vivo genotoxicity dose–response data would be consistent with those based on carcinogenicity dose–response data; in some cases, genotoxicity‐based decisions would be more conservative. Going forward, and in the absence of carcinogenicity data, in vivo genotoxicity assays (MN and TGR) can be used to effectively prioritize substances for regulatory action. Routine use of the MOE approach necessitates the availability of reliable human exposure estimates, and consensus regarding appropriate BMRs for genotoxicity endpoints.
Targeted proteomic scan identifies alteration of serum proteins among workers occupationally exposed to low levels of trichloroethylene
Authors: Hosgood H. Dean , Rahman Mohammad L. , Blansky Deanna , Hu Wei , Davitt Meghan , Wen Cuiju , Huang Yongshun , Tang Xiaojiang , Li Laiyu , Smith Martyn T. , Zhang Luoping , Vermeulen Roel , Rothman Nathaniel , Bassig Bryan A. , Lan Qing
Published: November 2022

Occupational exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE) has been associated with alterations in B‐cell activation factors and an increased risk of non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Here, we aimed to examine the biological processes influenced by TCE exposure to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms. This cross‐sectional molecular epidemiology study included data of 1317 targeted proteins in the serum from 42 TCE exposed and 34 unexposed factory workers in Guangdong, China. We used multivariable linear regressions to identify proteins associated with TCE exposure and examined their exposure‐response relationship across categories of TCE exposure (unexposed, low exposed: <10 ppm, high exposed: ≥10 ppm). We further examined pathway enrichment of TCE‐related proteins to understand their biological response. Occupational exposure to TCE was associated with lower levels of tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 17 (TNFRSF17; β = −.08; p‐value = .0003) and kynureninase (KYNU; β = −.10, p‐value = .002). These proteins also showed a significant exposure‐response relation across the unexposed, low exposed, and high exposed workers (all p‐trends < .001, false discovery rate [FDR] < 0.20). Pathway analysis of TCE‐related proteins showed significant enrichment (FDR < 0.05) for several inflammatory and immune pathways. TCE exposure was associated with TNFRSF17, a key B‐cell maturation antigen that mediates B‐cell survival and KYNU, an enzyme that plays a role in T‐cell mediated immune response. Given that altered immunity is an established risk factor for NHL, our findings support the biological plausibility of linking TCE exposure with NHL.
Electricity demand forecasting and risk management using Gaussian process model with error propagation
Authors: Wen Kuangyu , Wu Wenbin , Wu Ximing
Published: November 2022

Electricity demand forecasting plays a vital role in power system planning, operation, transmission design, and financial risk management. In this study, we employ a Gaussian Process model to estimate the probability distributions of short‐term electricity demand. To account for input uncertainty in multi‐period ahead forecast, we adopt an error propagation procedure that improves upon the naive recursive forecasting. This method is shown to perform well in terms of multi‐step ahead point and probabilistic forecasts. We illustrate the usefulness of the suggested estimator with an application to short term demand forecasting of Texas electricity market.
Machine learning applications for transcription level and phenotype predictions
Authors: Chantaraamporn Juthamard , Phumikhet Pongpannee , Nguantad Sarintip , Techo Todsapol , Charoensawan Varodom
Published: November 2022

Predicting phenotypes and complex traits from genomic variations has always been a big challenge in molecular biology, at least in part because the task is often complicated by the influences of external stimuli and the environment on regulation of gene expression. With today's abundance of omic data and advances in high‐throughput computing and machine learning (ML), we now have an unprecedented opportunity to uncover the missing links and molecular mechanisms that control gene expression and phenotypes. To empower molecular biologists and researchers in related fields to start using ML for in‐depth analyses of their large‐scale data, here we provide a summary of fundamental concepts of machine learning, and describe a wide range of research questions and scenarios in molecular biology where ML has been implemented. Due to the abundance of data, reproducibility, and genome‐wide coverage, we focus on transcriptomics, and two ML tasks involving it: (a) predicting of transcriptomic profiles or transcription levels from genomic variations in DNA, and (b) predicting phenotypes of interest from transcriptomic profiles or transcription levels. Similar approaches can also be applied to more complex data such as those in multi‐omic studies. We envisage that the concepts and examples described here will raise awareness and promote the application of ML among molecular biologists, and eventually help improve a framework for systematic design and predictions of gene expression and phenotypes for synthetic biology applications.
Religious affiliation protects against alcohol/substance use initiation: A prospective study among healthy adolescents
Authors: Rosmarin David H. , Pirutinsky Steven , Kaufman Caroline C. , Harris Sion K. , Sneider Jennifer T. , Silveri Marisa M.
Published: November 2022

Background

A substantial volume of the literature suggests that religious factors buffer against alcohol/substance use among adults, but research among adolescents is sparse. Further, few studies in this area have been prospective, and therefore it is unclear how religion may impact less alcohol/substance use among adolescents.

Method

We prospectively evaluated effects of religious affiliation on initiation of alcohol/substance use in a sample of 81 psychiatrically healthy 13–14‐year‐olds from New England, over a 3‐year period (from November 2015 to January 2019). Known risk factors were also evaluated including anxiety, depression, and impulsivity; family history of mental illness and alcohol/substance misuse; and volume of brain regions implicated in adolescent alcohol/substance misuse (assessed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging).

Results

Religiously affiliated adolescents were significantly less likely to initiate use of alcohol/substances (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.38). The addition of family history of alcohol/substance misuse to the model increased the predictive value of religious affiliation (HR = 0.34). Other risk factors did not diminish nor increase observed effects.

Conclusions

These findings support and extend the current research by suggesting that religious affiliation protects against initiation of alcohol/substance use during early adolescence, particularly in individuals with elevated risk.
Tuning the Poisson's ratio of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate/cellulose nanofibril aerogel scaffold precisely for cultivation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell
Authors: Sun Dong , Liu Wangyu , Tang Aimin , Zhou Feng
Published: November 2022

Tissue engineering (TE) scaffolds with appropriate Poisson's ratio (PR) are suitable for mimicking the environment of native tissues on which cells could survive and thrive better. Herein, cellular structured scaffolds are made by a new composite poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate/cellulose nanofibril aerogel, with prototypes of the hexagonal, reentrant, and semireentrant models. Scaffolds with different geometry parameters (l, t, α) are designed and simulated by COMSOL to enable precise regulation of their PR. Then, nine groups of scaffolds with different PRs ranging from −0.5 to 0.85 are designed by adjusting geometry parameters and fabricated by using stereolithography and freeze‐drying techniques. Subsequently, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSc) are cultured on these scaffolds for 21 days, during which CCK8 assay, fluorescence microscope observation, and real‐time polymerase chain reaction experiments are performed to characterize the proliferation and differentiation of BMSc. The results reflect that the scaffolds with different PR can provide various stress environments for cells, and the scaffold with zero PR is the most suitable for BMSc differentiating into chondrocytes during early culture experiments. This study suggests that tuning PR precisely is an attractive and effective strategy to provide a cells‐suitable environment for scaffold fabrication for TE.
Ingenuity in performing replica permutation: How to order the state labels for improving sampling efficiency
Authors: Fukuhara Daiki , Yamauchi Masataka , Itoh Satoru G. , Okumura Hisashi
Published: November 2022

In the replica‐permutation method, an advanced version of the replica‐exchange method, all combinations of replicas and parameters are considered for parameter permutation, and a list of all the combinations is prepared. Here, we report that the temperature transition probability depends on how the list is created, especially in replica permutation with solute tempering (RPST). We found that the transition probabilities decrease at large replica indices when the combinations are sequentially assigned to the state labels as in the originally proposed list. To solve this problem, we propose to modify the list by randomly assigning the combinations to the state labels. We performed molecular dynamics simulations of amyloid‐β(16–22) peptides using RPST with the “randomly assigned” list (RPST‐RA) and RPST with the “sequentially assigned” list (RPST‐SA). The results show the decreases in the transition probabilities in RPST‐SA are eliminated, and the sampling efficiency is improved in RPST‐RA.
The atypical β‐blocker S‐oxprenolol reduces cachexia and improves survival in a rat cancer cachexia model
Authors: Yuan Luping , Springer Jochen , Palus Sandra , Busquets Silvia , Jové Queralt , Alves de Lima Junior Edson , Anker Markus S. , von Haehling Stephan , Álvarez Ladrón Natalia , Millman Oliver , Oosterlee Annemijn , Szymczyk Agata , López‐Soriano Francisco Javier , Anker Stefan D. , Coats Andrew J.S. , Argiles Josep M.
Published: November 2022

Background

Beta‐blockers and selected stereoisomers of beta‐blockers, like bisoprolol and S‐pindolol (ACM‐001), have been shown to be effective in preclinical cancer cachexia models. Here, we tested the efficacy of stereoisomers of oxprenolol in two preclinical models of cancer cachexia—the Yoshida AH‐130 rat model and the Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) mouse model.

Methods and Results

In the Yoshida AH130 hepatoma rat cancer cachexia model and compared with placebo, 50 mg/kg/d S‐oxprenolol (HR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.28–0.85, P = 0.012) was superior to 50 mg/kg/d R‐oxprenolol (HR: 0.83, 95% CI 0.38–1.45, P = 0.51) in reducing mortality (= reaching ethical endpoints). Combination of the three doses (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg/d) that had a significant effect on body weight loss in the S‐oxprenolol groups vs the same combination of the R‐oxprenolol groups lead to a significantly improved survival of S‐oxprenolol vs R‐oxprenolol (HR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.08–2.39, P = 0.0185). Interestingly, there is a clear dose dependency in S‐oxprenolol‐treated (5, 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg/d) groups, which was not observed in groups treated with R‐oxprenolol. A dose‐dependent attenuation of weight and lean mass loss by S‐oxprenolol was seen in the Yoshida rat model, whereas R‐oxprenolol had only had a significant effect on fat mass. S‐oxprenolol also non‐significantly reduced weight loss in the LLC model and also improved muscle function (grip strength 428 ± 25 and 539 ± 37 g/100 g body weight for placebo and S‐oxprenolol, respectively). However, there was only a minor effect on quality of life indicators food intake and spontaneous activity in the Yoshida model (25 mg/kg/S‐oxprenolol: 11.9 ± 2.5 g vs placebo: 4.9 ± 0.8 g, P = 0.013 and also vs 25 mg/kg/d R‐oxprenolol: 7.5 ± 2.6 g, P = 0.025). Both enantiomers had no effects on cardiac dimensions and function at the doses used in this study. Western blotting of proteins involved in the anabolic/catabolic homoeostasis suggest that anabolic signalling is persevered (IGF‐1 receptor, Akt) and catabolic signalling is inhibited (FXBO‐10, TRAF‐6) by S‐pindolol, but not he R‐enantiomer. Expression of glucose transporters Glut1 and Glut 4 was similar in all groups, as was AMPK.

Conclusions

S‐oxprenolol is superior to R‐oxprenolol in cancer cachexia animal models and shows promise for a human application in cancer cachexia.
Implementation of game‐based training in oral rehabilitation of edentulous patients in an undergraduate dental course
Authors: Tuil Naomi , Lescaille Geraldine , Jordan Laurence , Berteretche Marie‐Violaine , Braud Adeline
Published: November 2022

Background

Coronavirus disease‐19 dramatically changed the learning conditions of dental students, with restricted access to training sessions and clinical practice. The “Playdent” project proposed the integration of serious games (SGs) in the third‐year curriculum, based on tailor‐made scenarios questioning the first dental visit of edentulous patients, and examined whether training with the games would advance students’ learning outcomes.

Materials and methods

Test scores of 89 students, allocated either to a “test” group that accessed SGs during a 4‐week test period in addition to conventional lectures or to a “control” group that benefited solely from conventional lectures, were measured before and immediately after the test period. The subsequent satisfaction of students was assessed in the “test” group.

Results

Scores obtained after the 4‐week period significantly increased within the “test” group (11.1% ± 24.9%, p = 0.04, degree of freedom [df] = 30) while they did not change within the “control” group (p = 0.21, df = 57). Qualitative feedback expressed by students who played SGs during the 4‐week period demonstrated that 71% of them rated the SGs as satisfactory and 91% of them judged the consistency of SGs content with lectures to be satisfactory.

Conclusion

Game‐based learning showed a positive impact on the learning outcomes of third‐year students. Qualitative assessments provide insights into the pertinence of SGs offered in addition to traditional lectures of third‐year complete denture courses. SGs may consolidate skills in oral rehabilitation acquired through traditional passive learning formats proposed in preclinical courses.
Perfluorooctanoic acid uptake in the mustard species Brassica juncea
Authors: Wattier Bryanna D. , Gonzales Annelise K. , Martinez Nicole E.
Published: November 2022

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a surfactant, is a member of the perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) family and is a contaminant of emerging concern for human and environmental health. Perfluorooctanoic acid is a persistent organic pollutant, but currently little is known about (a) the potential ecological and toxicological effects of PFOA and (b) how PFOA moves in the environment. This study uses a radiotracer (14C‐PFOA) to study the uptake and translocation of PFOA in hydroponically grown brown mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.], a representative crop species. Plants were exposed in quadruplicate over the course of 7 d (with plants sampled on Days 4 and 7) to PFOA concentrations of 0, 1, 5, 10, and 15 mg L−1. Uptake was quantified via liquid scintillation counting of samples from the nutrient solution, roots, stems, and leaves. Transfer factors (roots to shoots) ranged from 0.15 to 4.73 kg kg−1. Bioconcentration factors (solution to plant) ranged from 0.36 to 62.29 L kg−1. Factors were influenced by plant compartment, day sampled, and treatment level.
Psychology of the Lvov‐Warsaw School and the shape of postcommunist Polish psychology (unfinished dialog with Brentanian tradition)
Authors: Citlak Amadeusz
Published: November 2022

This article presents the development of Polish psychology from the perspective of the most important intellectual formation in Poland—the Lvov‐Warsaw School of Kazimierz Twardowski. The representatives of the school played an extraordinary role in the history of Polish psychology in the first half of the 20th century. Unfortunately, this influence was halted by the outbreak of the war in 1939 and by communist oppression and propaganda after the war. After 1989, Polish psychology underwent a deep transformation in the spirit of Western psychology but with no continuation of the most significant achievements of Twardowski's School. Although this process has integrated Polish psychologists into the mainstream of psychology in the world, it has not led to the integration of one of the most original European psychological traditions into world psychology.
The intensity of anticoagulant dosing in hospitalized patients with COVID‐19: An observational, comparative effectiveness study
Authors: Myers Laura C. , Xu Stanley , Chen Aiyu , Greene John D. , Creekmur Beth , Bruxvoort Katia , Escobar Gabriel J. , Adams John L. , Langer‐Gould Annette , Liu Vincent X. , Gould Michael K.
Published: November 2022

Background

The question of anticoagulant dosing in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) is unresolved, with randomized trials showing mixed results and heterogeneity of treatment effects for in‐hospital death.

Objective

To examine the association between the intensity of anticoagulation and clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID‐19.

Design, Setting and Participants

Retrospective cohort study of patients with COVID‐19 and respiratory impairment who were hospitalized between 3/1/2020‐12/31/2020 in two Kaiser Permanente regions.

Exposure and Main Outcome

We fit propensity score models using categorical regression to estimate the probability of receiving standard prophylactic, intermediate, or full‐dose anticoagulation beginning on the day of admission or on the day of first respiratory deterioration. Exposure was defined by the highest dose on the day of admission or within 24 hours after deterioration. The primary outcome was in‐hospital death.

Results

We included 17,130 patients in the day of admission analysis and 4,924 patients who experienced respiratory deterioration. There were no differences in propensity score‐adjusted odds of in‐hospital death for patients who received either intermediate (odds ratio [OR]: 1.00, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.89–1.12) or full anticoagulation (OR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.85–1.17) compared with standard prophylaxis beginning on the day of admission. Similarly, there were no differences in in‐hospital death for either intermediate (OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 0.82–1.82) or full anticoagulation (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 0.90–2.51) compared with standard prophylaxis on the day of deterioration.

Conclusion

Results of this real‐world, comparative effectiveness study showed no differences in in‐hospital death among newly admitted or deteriorating patients with COVID‐19 who received intermediate‐dose or full anticoagulation compared with standard prophylaxis.
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Australian oncology health professionals on complementary medicines
Authors: Keene Martin R. , Heslop Ian M. , Sabesan Sabe S. , Glass Beverley D.
Published: November 2022

Background

Approximately half of people with cancer are using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), presenting safety concerns due to potential interactions with conventional cancer treatment. Oncology staff have a role to play in ensuring the safe use of CAMs and so, this study examined their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding CAMs.

Aim

This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Australian doctors, nurses, and pharmacists regarding CAM use in oncology.

Method

Members of three national oncology professional associations took part in an online questionnaire, which determined their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding CAM.

Results

Ninety‐nine completed surveys were obtained from nine doctors, 70 nurses, and 20 pharmacists. Most respondents (68.4%) felt that they did not have adequate knowledge of CAMs to respond to patients' questions. Assessment of attitudes found respondents generally believed that CAMs have a complementary role in oncology but indicated their concerns for the safety of patients. Respondents indicated in practice they would discuss CAMs with less than half of patients (40.6%), with a lack of scientific data and guidelines for CAM use presenting significant barriers to these discussions.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that oncology health professionals' knowledge of CAMs potentially leads to a lack of confidence in providing advice to patients and concerns for patient safety. This impacts their discussion of CAMs and lack of disclosure from patients about their use of CAMs. Education on CAMs in oncology would assist in increasing professionals' confidence in discussing these therapies, leading to increased patient disclosure of CAMs and safer treatment decision making for people with cancer.