bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nuclear transport proteins are secreted by cancer cells and identified as potential novel cancer biomarkers
Authors: van der Watt Pauline J. , Okpara Michael O. , Wishart Andrew , Parker M. Iqbal , Soares Nelson C. , Blackburn Jonathan M. , Leaner Virna D.
Published: September 2021

Previous studies have identified increased expression of members of the nuclear transport protein family in cancer cells. Recently, certain nuclear transport proteins have been reported to be secreted by cells and found in the serum. The aims of our study were to investigate the levels of multiple nuclear transport proteins secreted from cancer cells, and to determine their potential as diagnostic markers for cervical and oesophageal cancer. Mass spectrometry identified 10 nuclear transport proteins in the secretome and exosomes of cultured cancer cells, and Western blot analysis confirmed increased secreted levels in cancer cells compared to normal. To investigate their presence in patient serum, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays were performed and revealed significantly increased levels of KPNβ1, CRM1, CAS, IPO5 and TNPO1 in cervical and oesophageal cancer patient serum compared to non‐cancer controls. Significantly elevated KPNα2 and RAN levels were also identified in oesophageal cancer serum samples. Logistics regression analyses revealed IPO5 and TNPO1 to be the best performing individual candidate biomarkers in discriminating between cancer cases and controls. The combination of KPNβ1, CRM1, KPNα2, CAS, RAN, IPO5 and TNPO1 as a panel of biomarkers had the highest diagnostic capacity with an area under the curve of 0.944 and 0.963, for cervical cancer and oesophageal cancer, and sensitivity of 92.5% at 86.8% specificity and 95.3% sensitivity at 87.5% specificity, respectively. These results suggest that nuclear transport proteins have potential as diagnostic biomarkers for cervical and oesophageal cancers, with a combination of protein family members being the best predictor.
Suspension and expulsion in Colorado early care and education settings: Child, program, and community‐level predictors
Authors: Miles Elly , Stoker Jessica , Senehi Neda , Ash Jordana , Schlueter Lisa , Baumann Carsten , Barney Jacob
Published: September 2021

Expulsion presents a significant risk in Early Care and Education (ECE) settings due to its association with early disadvantage and frequency of use. A statewide survey was conducted to characterize ECE suspension and expulsion (S/E) in Colorado. Child, program, and community‐level factors were examined as predictors of S/E, alongside preventative intervention supports capable of reducing S/E. Six hundred and sixty three licensed child care programs participated in the survey, providing information on 19,848 enrolled children, 312 suspensions, and 74 expulsions. A series of multilevel hierarchical regressions were conducted, examining predictors for S/E. Children with IEPs/IFSPs were disproportionately suspended; 2–3‐year‐olds were disproportionately expelled; and boys, 5–6‐year‐olds, and children with disabilities were disproportionately suspended and expelled. Center‐based programs, lower quality ratings, and “zero tolerance” policies predicted greater use of suspension. In contrast, school‐district affiliation and knowledge of how to access infant and early childhood mental health consultation (IECMHC) decreased suspension. Lower levels of regional child poverty predicted higher use of expulsion. Affiliation with a school‐district, IECMH consultant‐led training, and use of quality coaches predicted decreased expulsion. This study identifies the need for ongoing protection for children with IEPs/ IFSPs and the preventative interventions that mitigate risk for S/E.
Trends in Dentistry and Dental Education
Authors: Valachovic Richard W. , Weaver Richard G. , Sinkford Jeanne C. , Haden N. Karl
Published: September 2021

This report represents the second edition of Trends in Dental Education, which was first published in 2000. Trends is compiled from many of the surveys that the American Dental Education Association routinely publishes. They include the ADEA Survey of Dental Educators, the ADEA Faculty Salary Survey, the ADEA Applicant Analysis, the ADEA Senior Survey, the ADEA Survey on Student Financial Assistance, and ADEA Survey of Clinic Fees and Revenues. Appropriate data from other sources are also included, particularly recognizing the American Dental Association surveys of predoctoral, postdoctoral, and allied dental education, as well as health and oral health surveys conducted by various agencies of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

We believe that in order for dental and allied dental educators to see the complete picture of the profession, help those outside the field understand it, and plan for the future, this information cannot be examined in isolation, but viewed within the context of patient needs and demands. The statistics and text provide a comprehensive overview of trends over time from which readers can select the most useful information for their particular purposes.
Gelatin methacrylate hydrogel loaded with brain‐derived neurotrophic factor enhances small molecule‐induced neurogenic differentiation of stem cells from apical papilla
Authors: Zou Ting , Jiang Shan , Yi Baicheng , Chen Qixin , Heng Boon Chin , Zhang Chengfei
Published: September 2021

The limited neurogenic potential of adult stem cells and their non‐specific lineage differentiation pose major challenges in cell‐replacement therapy for neurological disorders. In our previous study, we demonstrated that the neurogenic potential of stem cells from apical papilla (SCAPs) was significantly improved upon induction with a small molecule cocktail. This study attempted to investigate whether neuronal differentiation of SCAPs induced by a small molecule cocktail can be further enhanced in a three‐dimensional gelatin methacrylate hydrogel loaded with brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF‐GelMA). The physiological properties and neural differentiation of SCAPs treated with a combination of small molecules and BDNF‐GelMA were evaluated by CCK8, Live/Dead assay, quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction, western blot and immunocytochemistry. SCAPs embedded in BDNF‐GelMA displayed superior morphological characteristics when induced by a small molecule cocktail, similar to neuronal phenotypes as compared to pure GelMA. There was significant upregulation of neural markers including Tuj1 and MAP2 by SCAPs embedded in BDNF‐GelMA, as compared to pure GelMA. Hence, GelMA hydrogel loaded with a potent neurotrophic factor (BDNF) provides a conducive scaffold that can further enhance the differentiation of small molecule‐treated SCAPs into neuronal‐like cells, which may provide a therapeutic platform for the management of neurological disorders.
Genetic counseling experiences at the University of Cape Town during COVID‐19
Authors: Wessels Tina‐Marié , Düsterwald Gillian , Barlow Robyn , Cameron‐Mackintosh Sinead , Diedericks Angelique , Francois Sydney , Laing Nakita , Pretorius Willem , Scholtz Kathrine , Vorster Nina
Published: September 2021

Soon after the first COVID‐19 case was reported in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, South Africa announced a national lockdown in an attempt to curb the spread of the disease. Under national lockdown, businesses were closed, learning institutions moved to emergency remote teaching (ERT), and hospitals reduced their patient loads. De‐escalation of clinical services at Groote Schuur and Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospitals affected Genetic Counseling Services and resulted in a decrease in in‐person and an increase in telecounseling sessions. ERT, offered by the University of Cape Town, affected the teaching of Genetic Counseling students, and other methods of training had to be found to compensate for the lack of patient contact. In this paper, we present our Genetic Counseling team's experiences of learning and clinical services during the COVID‐19 pandemic in South Africa. The team met online as a group in November 2020 to discuss their experiences. The discussion was recorded and transcribed, and topics that arose during the discussion were identified. The pandemic and the accompanying lock down, which forced trainees to move back home, resulted in great uncertainty. The trainees found ERT on an online platform, including simulated cases, very helpful, but they lost the confidence to work with real patients. Telecounseling became the predominant form of service delivery and was experienced as positive when video sessions were possible. The telephone service for advanced maternal age counseling was problematic due to unreliable networks. The biggest loss for the GCs was the feeling of disconnection from peers, supervisors, and patients. The experiences highlighted positive and negative aspects as well as specific challenges faced in South Africa. Lessons learnt from the COVID‐19 pandemic will be used in future to improve training of GCs and to enhance service delivery.
Alterations in Resting‐State Functional MRI Connectivity Related to Cognitive Changes in Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas Before and After Embolization Treatment
Authors: Sekar Sabarish , Kannath Santhosh Kumar , Ramachandran Sushama , Menon Ramshekhar N. , Thomas Bejoy
Published: September 2021

Background

Cognitive decline is a non‐hemorrhagic, major complication of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF), thought to be primarily related to venous hypertension. However, imaging features to predict cognitive decline are scanty in the literature.

Purpose

To evaluate functional connectivity (FC) changes of resting‐state networks (RSNs) in DAVF before and after treatment and its relation to cognitive impairment.

Study Type

Prospective.

Subjects

DAVF subjects were screened for inclusion. Pre‐embolization (N = 33, mean age 45.9 years, 29 males), 1 month post‐embolization (N = 20, mean age 42.7 years, 19 males), and healthy controls (HC, N = 33, mean age 45.09 years, 27 males).

Field Strength/Sequence

3.0 T, resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), three‐dimensional (3D) T1, T2 fast spin echo (FSE), diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI), fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery, and time of flight.

Assessment

Data quality assessment was performed. FC analysis was done using group independent component analysis (ICA) and seed to voxel analysis. Neuropsychology (NP) scores of patients were compared with HC and correlated with FC changes.

Statistical Tests

Voxel‐wise parametric T‐statistics for F‐test was executed in FC analysis (p‐FDR corrected <0.05). NP scores between DAVF group and HC group were compared using one‐way analysis of variance with post hoc Bonferroni correction (P < 0.05).

Results

Both RSNs analysis methods showed reduced FC at the precuneus‐posterior cingulate cortex (PC‐PCC) of default mode network (DMN), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of the salience network (SN), and possible compensatory increased connectivity at the frontoparietal (FPN) and dorsal attention (DAN) networks. DAVF with low NP scores showed reduced FC at DMN and SN and minimal to absent connectivity at FPN and DAN. At post‐embolization 1‐month follow‐up, improvement in FC at PC‐PCC of DMN and ACC of SN were noted.

Data Conclusion

RS‐fMRI in DAVF displayed FC changes that may be related to cognitive decline and its subsequent reversibility after treatment. FC changes at DMN, SN, FPN, and DAN were linked to cognitive decline and the corresponding NP scores.

Level of Evidence

2

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Does environmental corporate social responsibility (ECSR) promote green product and process innovation?
Authors: Li Dongdong , Wang Leonard F. S.
Published: September 2021

We develop a dynamic model to investigate the effects of environmental corporate social responsibility (ECSR) on a monopolist's investments in green product and process innovation. We find that ECSR increases the steady‐state investments of green product and process innovation only when the weight a firm gives to pollution is large, while ECSR does not affect the complementarity (substitutability) relationship between green product and process innovation in the long run. To achieve a socially optimal investment in green product innovation, the government should urge the firm to pay more attention to the environment than to the consumer surplus.
Dynamics of immunotherapy antitumor models with impulsive control strategy
Authors: Wang Jingnan , Zhang Yanqiao
Published: September 2021

In this paper, using the methods of killing tumors and impulsive differential equations, two immunotherapy antitumor models for describing therapies of general tumors and advanced solid tumors are established. By using the theories of impulsive equations, small amplitude perturbation techniques, and the comparison technique, we obtain the conditions which guarantee the global asymptotical stability of the tumor‐eliminated periodic solution and system permanence, when immunotherapy alone is performed. The numerical results of the influences of the impulsive perturbation on the inherent oscillation show rich dynamics, such as period‐doubling bifurcation and chaos. Moreover, the effects of the combination of radiotherapy with immunotherapy on antitumor are obtained, including the threshold value of stability conditions of tumor‐eradication periodic solution when the mixed combination treatment of immunotherapy and radiotherapy is performed. Some numerical simulations for the effects of the timing of radiotherapy application and the timing of injection T cells on the threshold value are performed. Finally, we present some theoretical methods for suppressing the growth of tumors.
On the almost periodicity in discontinuous impulsive gene regulatory networks
Authors: Stamov Gani , Stamov Trayan , Stamova Ivanka
Published: September 2021

In this paper, the almost periodic solutions for discontinuous impulsive gene regulatory networks (GRNs) are investigated. Firstly, the concept of almost periodicity is introduced for the impulsive model under consideration. Secondly, sufficient conditions are presented for the existence, uniqueness, and global exponential stability of almost periodic solutions. To this end, an estimate of the Cauchy matrix of the model of GRNs is established. Finally, the obtained results as well as the control power of the impulses are demonstrated via examples. This research contributes to the development of the qualitative theory of impulsive GRNs in almost periodic environment.
An improved transistor noise equivalent circuit model for silicon‐on‐insulator transistors considering the frequency dispersion effect
Authors: Du Xingzheng , Cao Xin , Liu Huihua
Published: September 2021

In this paper, an improved transistor equivalent circuit noise model is proposed. This model takes the frequency dispersion effects into account and modified the induced gate current source (Ig) equation based on the classical Van der Ziel noise model. First, the conductance at Vd = 0 V (gd0) is derived from DC bias condition, and the accuracy of channel thermal noise (Id) is verified. Then, by analyzing the physical structure of the silicon‐on‐insulator (SOI) transistor, an equivalent lumped‐parameter circuit model is established. The element initial values are extracted based on the measured S‐parameters. Then, the parameters in the Ig equation are obtained through noise circle simulation in comparison with measurement data. In contrast to existing models, the frequency dispersion effect is analyzed and modeled using a three‐order polynomial. The results show that with respect to the traditional noise model, the noise circle's root‐mean‐square error of this work is decreased from 23.16 to 1.55.
Eculizumab in refractory generalized myasthenia gravis previously treated with rituximab: subgroup analysis of REGAIN and its extension study
Authors: Siddiqi Zaeem A. , Nowak Richard J. , Mozaffar Tahseen , O'Brien Fanny , Yountz Marcus , Patti Francesco ,   the REGAIN Study Group
Published: September 2021

Introduction/Aims

Individuals with refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) who have a history of rituximab use and experience persistent symptoms represent a population with unmet treatment needs. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of eculizumab in patients with refractory anti‐acetylcholine receptor antibody‐positive (AChR+) gMG previously treated with rituximab.

Methods

This post hoc subgroup analysis of the phase 3 REGAIN study (NCT01997229) and its open‐label extension (OLE; NCT02301624) compared baseline characteristics, safety, and response to eculizumab in participants who had previously received rituximab with those who had not. Rituximab use was not permitted within the 6 months before screening or during REGAIN/OLE.

Results

Of 125 REGAIN participants, 14 had received rituximab previously (7 received placebo and 7 received eculizumab). In the previous‐rituximab group, 57% had used at least four other immunosuppressants compared with 16% in the no‐previous‐rituximab group. Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living total scores from eculizumab baseline to week 130 of eculizumab treatment improved in both the previous‐rituximab and no‐previous‐rituximab groups (least‐squares mean −4.4, standard error of the mean [SEM] 1.0 [n = 9] and least‐squares mean −4.6, SEM 0.3 [n = 67], respectively; difference = 0.2, 95% confidence interval −1.88 to 2.22). In addition, in both groups, most patients who were treated with eculizumab for 130 weeks achieved a Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America post‐intervention status of minimal manifestations (66.7% and 65.0%, respectively). The eculizumab safety profile was similar between groups and consistent with its established profile.

Discussion

Eculizumab is an effective therapy for patients with refractory AChR+ gMG, irrespective of whether they had received rituximab treatment previously.
Towards threshold‐agnostic heavy‐hitter classification
Authors: Pekar Adrian , Duque‐Torres Alejandra , Seah Winston K.G. , Caicedo Rendon Oscar M.
Published: September 2021

A heavy‐hitter (HH) network traffic flow consumes considerably more network resources than other flows combined. The classification of HHs is critical to provide, among others, the required level of Quality of Service and reliability in both conventional and data center networks. HH classification is typically threshold‐based. However, there is no consistent and accepted threshold or set of thresholds that would reliably classify flows. Furthermore, existing threshold‐driven approaches use counters (e.g., duration, packets, and bytes); thus, their accuracy depends on how complete the flow information is. This paper paves the way to threshold‐agnostic HH identification by proposing an approach that performs HH classification based on per‐flow packet size distribution (PSD) and template matching (TM). PSD allows capturing the behavior and dynamism of network traffic flows (even from their first few packets). TM enables to classify HHs by measuring the similarity between the PSD of observed flows and a set of master templates representing the flow size behavior of HH classes. We evaluated the PSD‐ and TM‐based approach using flows extracted from real traffic traces. Results show that our approach classifies HHs accurately and timely, corroborating that the threshold‐less perspective is feasible for HH identification.
Prevalence of oncology nurses' compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Algamdi Maaidah
Published: September 2021

Aim

To systematically review and comprehensively analyse findings of studies reporting oncology nurses' compassion satisfaction (CS), burnout (BO) and secondary traumatic stress (STS), measured by the professional quality of life (ProQOL) scale, and explore CS and CF related factors.

Design

Systematic review and meta‐analysis of cross‐sectional and interventional studies.

Method

Electronic databases were searched using keywords, and the review followed PRISMA guidelines. The prevalence of CS, BO and STS and their instrumental ratings were pooled using random effects meta‐analyses. Meta‐regression studies explored the effects of variables.

Results

Fifteen studies (sample size 2,509) were reviewed, and nine were in the meta‐analysis. The prevalence of CS, BO, and STS were 22.89%, 62.79% and 66.84%, respectively. No substantial correlation was found for independent variables, possibly due to sample size. There was a weak negative correlation between CS and BO [−0.06(0.90)] and a weak positive correlation between CS and STS [0.20(0.70)].
Improved silicon optical parameters at 25°C, 295 K and 300 K including temperature coefficients
Authors: Green Martin A.
Published: September 2021

Although the author's earlier tabulations of silicon's refractive index and absorption coefficient over a wide range of wavelengths have found wide use, recent luminescent measurements have shown that refinement is needed at wavelengths beyond 1200 nm. An updated dataset is described for lightly doped silicon tabulated over the 250‐ to 1450‐nm range in 10‐nm increments at three temperatures, 25°C, 295 K and 300 K, incorporating the most recent experimental results. Temperature coefficients are also included allowing reasonably accurate estimates of optical parameters over the much broader −24°C to 200°C range.
A reevaluation of the role of the ASIL trihelix transcription factors as repressors of the seed maturation program
Authors: Ruiz Kevin A. , Pelletier Julie M. , Wang Yuchi , Feng Min Jun , Behr Jacqueline S. , Ðào Thái Q. , Li Baohua , Kliebenstein Daniel , Harada John J. , Jenik Pablo D.
Published: September 2021

Developmental transitions are typically tightly controlled at the transcriptional level. Two of these transitions involve the induction of the embryo maturation program midway through seed development and its repression during the vegetative phase of plant growth. Very little is known about the factors responsible for this regulation during early embryogenesis, and only a couple of transcription factors have been characterized as repressors during the postgerminative phase. Arabidopsis 6b‐INTERACTING PROTEIN‐LIKE1 (ASIL1), a trihelix transcription factor, has been proposed to repress maturation both embryonically and postembryonically. Preliminary data also suggested that its closest paralog, ASIL2, might play a role as well. We used a transcriptomic approach, coupled with phenotypical observations, to test the hypothesis that ASIL1 and ASIL2 redundantly turn off maturation during both phases of growth. Our results indicate that, contrary to what was previously published, neither of the ASIL genes plays a role in the regulation of maturation, at any point during plant development. Analyses of gene ontology (GO)‐enriched terms and published transcriptomic datasets suggest that these genes might be involved in responses during the vegetative phase to certain biotic and abiotic stresses.
PAMAM‐containing semiconducting polymers: Effect of dendritic side chains on optoelectronic and solid‐state properties
Authors: Mason Gage T. , Nyayachavadi Audithya , Mooney Madison , Schlingman Kory , Rondeau‐Gagné Simon
Published: September 2021

Dendronized polymers are a particularly interesting platform for the preparation of advanced semiconductors given their high degree of functionalization, monodispersity, and bulkiness. Despite advantageous features, the incorporation of dendritic moieties in semiconducting polymers is still relatively underexplored, and the impact on the optoelectronic, thermomechanical, and solid‐state properties are difficult to predict. This work focuses on the incorporation of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendritic side chains to semicrystalline polymers based on diketopyrrolopyrrole. Using a versatile synthetic strategy based on the azide‐alkyne Huisgen 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition, dendronized semiconducting polymers were prepared and the effect of the dendritic side chains on different properties were carefully characterized using different techniques. The dendritic side chains were found to reduce aggregation and crystallinity of the polymers in thin films. PAMAM‐containing semiconducting polymers were also shown to have good charge transport properties in organic field‐effect transistors, within the same order of magnitude to that of diketopyrrolopyrrole‐based polymers bearing branched alkyl chains. This new design approach is particularly interesting to develop advanced semiconducting polymers given its synthetic versatility and the structural diversity of the dendronized moieties. Furthermore, the utilization of dendritic moieties in semiconducting polymers is a promising approach to fine‐tune the thermomechanical properties toward semiconducting polymers for next‐generation organic electronics.
Influential factors in Black and White breast cancer survivors' beliefs about breast cancer
Authors: Edmonds Megan C. , Dahman Bassam , McGuire Kandace , Sheppard Vanessa B.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Breast cancer beliefs are widely studied to improve preventative screening behaviors in women without cancer; however, limited research has examined breast cancer beliefs among breast cancer survivors. To fill this gap in research we investigated racial differences and the predicting role of influential factors (e.g., stage) in survivors' beliefs about their breast cancer.

Methods

This study is a secondary analysis of data from the Narrowing Gap in Adjuvant Therapy Study (2006–2011), where Black (N = 210) and White women (N = 149) were interviewed within 20 weeks following their breast cancer diagnosis and primary surgery in Washington DC and Detroit, MI. Outcomes of this analysis were perceived susceptibility to a breast cancer recurrence and perceived severity of breast cancer. Bivariate analyses were conducted to assess racial differences in sample characteristics, and on the study outcomes. Adjusted multiple regression models examined correlates between independent variables (e.g., sociodemographic/clinical) and women's breast cancer beliefs about susceptibility of a recurrence and disease severity.

Results

Most of the sample were Black women (58%), had breast‐conserving surgery (64%), and were privately insured (67%). Black women reported higher perceived disease severity beliefs than White women (p = 0.004). Other associated factors with greater perceived severity beliefs included lower education (p = 0.008), public health insurance (p = 0.021) and greater levels of medical mistrust (p = 0.016). In our adjusted multiple regression models' women with lower satisfaction regarding financial aspects of their healthcare were more likely to have higher perceived severity beliefs (p = 0.007); women with stage II cancer compared to stage I had greater susceptibility beliefs to a cancer recurrence (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

We found racial differences in women's perceived severity beliefs, and identified theory‐based clinical and psychosocial correlates in survivor's breast cancer beliefs by race. Specifically, women diagnosed at stage (II) compared to stage (I) reported greater perceived susceptibility to a recurrence. Survivors diagnosed at stage (I) and (III) cancers may serve as important target groups to monitor their surveillance and follow‐up behaviors. This study contributes salient predictors in survivors' beliefs about their BC and informs navigation strategies to improve cancer survivorship recommendations in the context of psycho‐oncology and follow‐up cancer care.
Long‐term predictors of loss of asthma control in school‐aged well‐controlled children with mild to moderate asthma: A 5‐year follow‐up
Authors: Hauerslev Marie , Garpvall Kalle , Marckmann Mads , Hermansen Mette N. , Hansen Kirsten S. , Chawes Bo L.
Published: September 2021

Background

Long‐term follow‐up studies establishing risk factors for loss of asthma control in well‐controlled children with mild to moderate disease are lacking and are of importance for improving patient quality of life and utilization of health‐care resources.

Methods

Loss of asthma control was assessed in 146 school‐aged children with well‐controlled mild to moderate asthma from a Danish pediatric asthma outpatient clinic based on hospital admissions, emergency department (ED), or outpatient management of exacerbations, oral corticosteroid (OCS) use, or step‐up of regular asthma treatment according to Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines through a 5‐year follow‐up period. Risk factors included sex, ethnicity, age, body mass index (BMI), atopic comorbidity and predisposition, lung function, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) level, exercise challenge test results, regular physical activity, GINA treatment step at baseline, and adherence to controller therapy.

Results

A total of 27 (18%) children experienced 56 acute events defined by hospital admission, ED, or outpatient management. Risk of experiencing any acute event was increased with female sex (adjusted odds ratio, aOR = 2.4 (1.0–5.9), p = 0.047) and higher baseline GINA treatment step (aOR = 1.6 (1.1–2.5), p = 0.03). Furthermore, female sex (aOR = 6.1 (1.4–42.2), p = 0.01) and higher FeNO (aOR = 1.8 (1.0–3.2), p = 0.04) were associated with OCS prescriptions, whereas no risk factors were identified for GINA treatment step‐up during the 5‐year follow‐up.

Conclusions

Female sex, higher FeNO, and higher baseline GINA treatment step increase the risk of long‐term loss of control including acute events and OCS use in well‐controlled children with mild to moderate asthma. These findings are important for primary physicians and clinicians in asthma outpatient clinics to identify seemingly well‐controlled children at risk to plan more frequent follow‐ups.
Highly educated skilled migrants are attracted to global cities: The case of Greek PhD holders
Authors: Labrianidis Lois , Sykas Theodosis , Sachini Evi , Karampekios Nikolaos
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we investigate to what extent highly educated skilled Greek migrants are attracted to global cities. With the use of a novel database, we find that highly educated Greek migrants are attracted more to cities indexed as global than to cities that are not indexed as global. Moreover, the more the international indexes that list a city as global, the greater the number of such migrants this city receives; that is, these migrants prefer to live in those global cities that are considered to have the most attributes to be classified as such. We provide information on which specific cities these migrants live in, thus filling a gap in the relevant literature. Our data further support a well‐documented argument that there is a mutual beneficial relationship between skilled migrants and global cities to the extent that global cities create a favourable socio‐economic environment that attracts highly skilled migrants.
Ballistic Charge Transport by Mobile Nonlinear Excitations
Authors: Russell F. Michael , Archilla Juan F. R.
Published: September 2021

The developments in hyperconductivity, the loss‐free transmission of electric charge at room temperature and above, due to the ballistic transport of electric charge in crystals with quasi‐layered structure, are reported. The electric charge is carried by quodons, a type of mobile nonlinear intrinsic localized mode of lattice excitation observed as fossil tracks in layered silicates and recently by laboratory experiments. Here, ballistic means moving with minimal scattering or interaction with phonons. A test for hyperconductivity in solid materials is developed. It is based on the unique effect of short‐term continuation of transport of charge, by total internal reflection, after creation of quodons has ceased. This effect is called the slow‐quodon‐decay effect or SQD effect. So far, only layered silicates have been shown to exhibit hyperconductivity. New evidence is presented for hyperconductivity in chrysotile, a nonlayered silicate material with new results. Being a fibrous material, it is more flexible than the sheet mica phyllosilicates. It is found that quodons can also be created and carry charge in very different materials, such as polymers, but without showing hyperconductivity, because of the very short range and lifetime of quodons in those materials.
Extending the two‐stage single arm phase II clinical trial design to the delayed response scenario
Authors: Chen Bo , Zhao Xing , Zhang Juying
Published: September 2021

Two‐stage single arm designs are widely used in phase II clinical trials with binary endpoints. The trial may be stopped early due to insufficient positive responses in the first stage. There may be some enrolled subjects who have yet to respond by the end of the first stage, and their data are ignored if the first stage results in rejection of the trial. It is possible that the result after the first stage is rejection by a slim margin, while the results of pipeline subjects are quite positive. In this case, combining the data from the two sources may provide a valuable opportunity to rescue a promising treatment that was mistakenly rejected. We propose a novel double‐check design to take advantage of the pipeline subjects' data to establish a rescue criterion based on two‐stage design. When the rescue criterion is met, the decision to reject the trial at the end of the first stage can be reversed, allowing the trial to continue. A derivation based on a binomial distribution shows that the double‐check strategy can strictly preserve the type I error rate. Further examination shows that the strategy can provide a slight increase in overall power and a substantial increase in conditional power when the proportion of positive response at the end of the first stage is at the margin. The extra rescue opportunity's cost is pretty low, only a slight increasing in the expected sample size.
Three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction and navigation in robotic‐assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for renal masses in the solitary kidney: A comparative study
Authors: Li Le , Zeng Xing , Yang Chunguang , Un Waikeong , Hu Zhiquan
Published: September 2021

Background

Numerous efforts were made to improve renal function and oncologic outcomes in surgery for patients with kidney cancer. We explored new robotic methods in solitary kidneys.

Materials and Methods

We prospectively registered and included 16 patients in the 3D–robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) group with a solitary kidney (anatomic or functional), and retrospectively identified 25 patients with a solitary kidney who received RAPN also operated by us for comparison.

Results

The rates of global clamping reduced in the 3D‐RAPN group (37.5% vs 76%)while selective rates were higher (56.2% vs 20%) (p = 0.028). The mean percentages of Scr increase (+20.2% vs +30.2%, p = 0.045) and eGFR reduction (−16.8% vs −27.1%) as well as rate of opening collecting systems (31.3% vs 72%, p = 0.010) were lower in 3D‐RAPN group.

Conclusions

3D‐RAPN less impaired the renal function of patients with a solitary kidney and showed superiority or non‐inferiority in other evaluation indexes compared to conventional RAPN.
Making concrete blocks by raw leachate and construction and demolition waste
Authors: Esmaeili Negar , Heidarzadeh Nima
Published: September 2021

Research was performed to determine if a viable concrete product can be produced using waste streams accumulating in landfills. The lack of recycling and reuse of construction and demolition (C&D), despite technical, economic, and environmental justifications, has led to the accumulation of C&D waste in landfills throughout Iran. Another issue with landfills in Iran is the existence of pools of municipal solid waste leachate, which has caused problems due to lack of treatment. In this study, by simultaneously utilizing raw municipal leachate and C&D waste in the concrete production process, an attempt was made to produce concrete that is environmentally sustainable and can be used in civil works. After crushing, the C&D waste was granulated into different sizes, its coarse aggregate was completely replaced, and 70% of its fine aggregate was replaced with natural aggregate to form concrete samples that were then made using different percentages of leachate. The utilization of the leachate and C&D waste for concrete production doubled the concrete slump and reduced the unconfined compressive strength of 7‐ and 28‐day curing time by 9 and 15.7 MPa, respectively, when compared to concrete produced with natural aggregates. A leaching procedure test showed that samples made using leachate and recycled C&D waste did not result in high concentrations of leachable heavy metals. Therefore, the study showed that low leachate percentages and recycled C&D wastes can be used in projects where high‐strength concrete is not necessary.
Improved depth information from routine analysis of the inelastic background of XPS and HAXPES spectra using optimized two‐ and three‐parameter cross‐sections
Authors: Zborowski Charlotte , Tougaard Sven
Published: September 2021

Determination of the depth distribution of complex nanostructures by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) inelastic background analysis may be complicated if the sample materials have widely different inelastic scattering cross‐sections. It was recently demonstrated that this may be solved by using a mixture of cross‐sections. This permits retrieval of depth distributions of complex stacks and deeply buried layers with a typical 5% accuracy. This requires however that the cross‐sections of the individual sample materials are known which is often not the case and this can complicate practical use for routine analysis. In this paper, we explore to what extent a suitable two‐ or three‐parameter cross‐section can be defined independent of prior knowledge of the cross‐sections involved but simply defined by fitting the cross‐section parameters to the spectrum being analyzed. This paper presents a theoretical study following our recent paper that explored how to make the best choice of inelastic mean free path and inelastic scattering cross‐section for the inelastic background analysis with the Quases‐Tougaard software. It was previously shown that a rough analysis of the inelastic background could give a good idea of the depth distribution. Here, we demonstrate with model spectra from buried layers created with Quases‐Tougaard Generate software that a rather accurate analysis can be performed for very different cases with an average ~5% error. This analysis is easy to apply as it only needs the two‐ or three‐parameter cross‐sections generated with the Quases‐Tougaard software. This study is aimed to improve routine analysis of the inelastic background of XPS and hard X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) spectra.
Laser Refrigeration by an Ytterbium‐Doped NaYF4 Microspinner
Authors: Ortiz‐Rivero Elisa , Prorok Katarzyna , Martín Inocencio Rafael , Lisiecki Radosław , Haro‐González Patricia , Bednarkiewicz Artur , Jaque Daniel
Published: September 2021

Thermal control of liquids with high (micrometric) spatial resolution is required for advanced research such as single molecule/cell studies (where temperature is a key factor) or for the development of advanced microfluidic devices (based on the creation of thermal gradients at the microscale). Local and remote heating of liquids is easily achieved by focusing a laser beam with wavelength adjusted to absorption bands of the liquid medium or of the embedded colloidal absorbers. The opposite effect, that is highly localized cooling, is much more difficult to achieve. It requires the use of a refrigerating micro‐/nanoparticle which should overcome the intrinsic liquid heating. Remote monitoring of such localized cooling, typically of a few degrees, is even more challenging. In this work, a solution to both problems is provided. Remote cooling in D2O is achieved via anti‐Stokes emission by using an optically driven ytterbium‐doped NaYF4 microparticle. Simultaneously, the magnitude of cooling is determined by mechanical thermometry based on the analysis of the spinning dynamics of the same NaYF4 microparticle. The angular deceleration of the NaYF4 particle, caused by the cooling‐induced increase of medium viscosity, reveals liquid refrigeration by over −6 K below ambient conditions.
In Situ Constructed Ionic‐Electronic Dual‐Conducting Scaffold with Reinforced Interface for High‐Performance Sodium Metal Anodes
Authors: Lin Kui , Xu Xiaofu , Qin Xianying , Wu Junxiong , Liu Qi , Tang Zhiyun , He Shun , Ye Yonghuang , Kang Feiyu , Li Baohua
Published: September 2021

The formation of severe dendritic sodium (Na) microstructure reduces the reversibility of anode and further hinders its practical implementation. In this work, an ionic‐electronic dual‐conducting (IEDC) scaffold composed of Na3P and carbon nanotubes is in situ developed by a scalable strategy with subsequent alloying reaction, for realizing dendrite‐free Na deposition under high current density and large areal capacity. The in situ formed Na3P with high sodiophilicity not only sets up a hierarchically efficient ionic conducting network, but also participates in the construction of reinforced solid electrolyte interphase, while carbon nanotubes can assemble an electronic conducting framework. As a result, the multifunctional IEDC scaffold contributes to smooth Na plating and exceptionally reversible Na stripping. High average Coulombic efficiency of 99.8% after prolonged 1200 cycles at 3 mA cm−2 and small overpotential of 20 mV over 250 h (equals to 530 cycles) at high rate of 5 mA cm−2 are obtained. The high availability of Na in IEDC scaffold enables the impressive performance of full cell with limited Na, using Na3V2(PO4)3 (NVP) cathode at practical level. More importantly, the as‐developed anode‐free full cell with IEDC||NVP configuration delivers a high capacity retention with long lifetime, indicating its great potential for practical Na metal batteries.
Modeling and verifying NLSR protocol of NDN for CPS using UPPAAL
Authors: Fei Yuan , Zhu Huibiao , Yin Jiaqi
Published: September 2021

Named Data Networking (NDN) is a new promising architecture of information‐centric networking, which supports multicast of data and adopts the publish/subscribe model in the network. The features of NDN, including name‐based data and in‐network caching, make it a promising Internet architecture for cyber‐physical systems (CPSs). Named‐Data Link State Routing (NLSR) protocol is the routing protocol for NDN, which is designed to disseminate link state advertisements (LSAs) to both build a network topology and distribute all the name prefixes to every node in the network. In this paper, we make the very first attempt to formally model and verify some fundamental properties of the NLSR protocol using model checker UPPAAL. We validate the NLSR protocol modeled into timed automata with simulator in UPPAAL. We verify our model with four fundamental properties (termination, reachability ofSync Interest, reachability ofSync Data, and digest synchronization). The first synchronization problem is found in a scenario with two nodes topology. We give the improved model that owns a valid result in digest synchronization verification. To capture more problems, we make the model to support the simulation of temporary network crash. The second synchronization problem is also exposed in two comparative scenarios. We also propose a mechanism implemented in our model, which has a valid result in digest synchronization verification. We hope that our study and preliminary results would help enhancing the adaptability and robustness of NLSR protocol.
A computational approach for progressive architecture shrinkage in action recognition
Authors: Tomei Matteo , Baraldi Lorenzo , Fiameni Giuseppe , Bronzin Simone , Cucchiara Rita
Published: September 2021

Efficiency plays a key role in video understanding modeling, and developing more efficient spatiotemporal deep networks is a key ingredient for enabling their usage in production scenarios. In this work, we propose a methodology for reducing the computational complexity of a video understanding backbone while limiting the drop in accuracy caused by architectural changes. Our approach, named, Progressive Architecture Shrinkage, applies a sequence of reduction operators to the hyperparameters of a network to reduce its computational footprint. The choice of the sequence of operations is automatically optimized in a coordinate‐descent schema, and the approach transfers knowledge from both the initial network and previous stages of the shrinking process by employing a Knowledge Distillation and an adaptive fine‐tuning strategy. As each iteration of the shrinking algorithm requires to train a large‐scale video understanding network, we perform experiments on MARCONI 100—a supercomputer equipped with an IBM Power9 architecture and Volta NVIDIA GPUs. Experimental evaluations are conducted using two backbones and three different action recognition benchmarks. We show that, through our approach, high accuracy levels can be maintained while reducing the number of multiply–adds operations by four times with respect to the original architectures. Code will be made available.
Template Protection Based on Chaotic Map for Finger Vein Recognition
Authors: Shao Lei , Ren Hengyi , Sun Lijuan , Han Chong , Guo Jian
Published: September 2021

While the widespread application of biometric identification technology has provided convenient services, the security, and privacy of personal data have also attracted increasing attention. Because biometric traits are unique, once an attack occurs, the information stored in the system will be permanently leaked. Thus, ensuring the security of biometric templates is a major challenge. In order to solve this problem, we propose a finger vein template protection method based on chaotic map. First, we randomize and scramble the finger vein features after feature extraction, disturbing the location distribution of the pixels. Second, on the basis of the chaotic features of the finger veins, binary quantization is applied to further ensure the safety of the template. Finally, the compact and safe finger vein template is directly stored in the database. Finger vein matching is realized in the encryption domain, which changes the way that the traditional finger vein recognition system directly stores biometric templates. We conducted a series of detailed experiments on the public dataset. The experimental results show that our method can ensure the safety of finger vein templates while maintaining stable recognition performance. Moreover, the method has universality for different feature‐extraction methods and meets the requirements of good biometric template protection. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural features of histiocytic sarcoma in a chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera)
Authors: Enomoto Kaoru , Tsutsumitani Chihiro , Asakawa Midori Goto
Published: September 2021

A 9‐year‐old intact female chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) was presented to a referring veterinarian due to small, multiple cervical nodules that had been rapidly increasing in size and number. Cytology of the nodules revealed sheets of pleomorphic round cells that were morphologically most compatible with histiocytic sarcoma. Histologically, the nodules were fairly demarcated, partially infiltrative, densely cellular neoplasm, and was composed of pleomorphic large round cells arranged in sheets. Special stains for bacteria (Gram stain and Ziehl–Neelsen stain) and fungi (periodic acid‐Schiff stain) were all negative. On immunohistochemistry, the neoplastic cells showed strong cytoplasmic positivity for Iba‐1 and CD204, but were negative for CD3 and CD20. Transmission electron microscopy failed to detect Birbeck's granules in the cytoplasm of the neoplastic histiocytes. The chinchilla received chemotherapy with lomustine but died spontaneously on day 62 despite treatment. Autopsy with histopathologic examination revealed disseminated histiocytic sarcoma involving the bone marrow, bronchial lymph nodes, nasal cavity, lung, heart, stomach, pancreas, pancreatic lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and kidney. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of disseminated histiocytic sarcoma in chinchillas.