bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water Sorption Isotherm of Ebi Seasoned Potato Chip Model
Authors: Evelyn Elysia , Waspodo Priyo
Published: May 2023

The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of the water sorption isotherm of dried shrimp (ebi) seasoned potato chips (ESPC) model and the appropriate equation model. The parameters used were critical parameters for quality degradation such as water content (%), crispness value (hardness force) and hedonic organoleptic analysis. ESPC samples were stored at room temperature, with different humidity conditions, namely 100%, 84%, 75.5%, 43%, 32.4% and 6.90% using water and saturated solution of KCl, NaCl, K2CO3, MgCl2 and NaOH respectively until reaching constant weight. During storage, the samples were analysed its water content, hardness force values and texture hedonic scores. The critical moisture content and critical texture of ESPC is 5.82% and 4.45N, i.e., when the the texture hedonic scores at least 4.0. The Water Sorption Isotherm curve of ESPC was examined with equation models of Hasley, Chen-Clayton, Henderson, Caurie and Oswin. The fittest model is determined by using Mean Relative Determination (MRD) of which the lowest value of the obtained MRD to be considered as the best model. This study revealed that best equation model for describing the water sorption isotherm of ESPC model was the Oswin equation model.
The effect of sorghum flour substituted in kwetiau (rice noodles) on the characteristics of physicochemical, functional, and sensory
Authors: Bartolomiussihosa J A , Amrinola W
Published: May 2023

This research objective was to determine the best formula, and the effect of sorghum flour on the physicochemical, functional, and sensory characteristics of kwetiau. In this research, four substitute formulas of sorghum flour were used, namely 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75%. The results were analyzed based on their physicochemical, functional, and sensory properties. The results showed the addition of sorghum flour had a significant effect (P<0.05) on elongation, cooking loss, water content, ash, protein, fat, carbohydrates, tannin, water absorption, color, aroma, and overalls, but not have a significant effect (P>0.05) on the texture. The best formula in this study was the P3 sample (75% sorghum flour: 25% rice flour).
Nano metal oxide-intercalated MXene in-situ prepared by irradiation as effective electromagnetic wave absorbents
Authors: Chen Yu , Hu Feiyue , Cui Xianghao , Zhang Peigen , Zhang Haiqian , Chang Shuquan , Hu Xiaodan , Zhang Xiaohong
Published: May 2023

With the rapid development of electronic communication technology, electromagnetic pollution has become increasingly severe, leading to a growing need for absorption materials with excellent absorption performance. Herein, nano-sized oxide-intercalated Ti3C2T
x
MXene composites were synthesized via γ-radiation in an aqueous system. The synthesis was conducted in a reducing environment at room temperature, which effectively prevented the oxidation of MXene. Nano-oxides (Fe2O3 and Cu2O) were formed in situ between the MXene layers, forming a homogeneous oxide-intercalated structure. Compared with the original MXene, the intercalated structure significantly enhanced the electromagnetic wave absorption (EMA) performance of the MXene/Fe2O3 composite in the frequency range of 2–18 GHz, with smaller reflection loss (RL) (−58.7 dB), thinner thickness (2.35 mm). The RLmin value of the MXene/Cu2O composite was −50.9 dB (2.55 mm) and the effective frequency width was 4.88 GHz at a thickness of 1.3 mm. Compared with ordinary chemical methods, the γ-radiation is a facile and ‘green’ method that is suitable for large-scale preparation. The absorption mechanism was attributed to conductive loss, polarization loss, and magnetic loss, which contributed to efficient EMA. This work demonstrates that γ-radiation is a promising method for preparing nano metal oxide-intercalated MXene with enhanced EMA performance.
Photo-assisted spin transport in double quantum dots with spin–orbit interaction
Authors: Fernández-Fernández David , Picó-Cortés Jordi , Vela Liñán Sergio , Platero Gloria
Published: May 2023

We investigate the effect of spin–orbit interaction on the intra- and interdot particle dynamics of a double quantum dot (QD) under ac electric fields. The former is modeled as an effective ac magnetic field that produces electric-dipole spin resonance transitions, while the latter is introduced via spin-flip tunneling amplitudes. We observe the appearance of non-trivial spin-polarized dark states (DSs), arising from an ac-induced interference between photo-assisted spin-conserving and spin-flip tunneling processes. These DSs can be employed to precisely measure the spin–orbit coupling in QD systems. Furthermore, we show that the interplay between photo-assisted transitions and spin-flip tunneling enables the system to operate as a highly tunable spin filter. Finally, we investigate the operation of the system as a resonant flopping-mode qubit for arbitrary ac voltage amplitudes, allowing for high tunability and enhanced qubit control possibilities.
Statistical inference for models driven by 𝑛-th order fractional Brownian motion
Authors: Chaouch Hicham , Maroufy Hamid , Omari Mohamed
Published: May 2023

We consider the following stochastic integral equation
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="upper X left-parenthesis t right-parenthesis equals mu t plus sigma integral Subscript 0 Superscript t Baseline phi left-parenthesis s right-parenthesis d upper B Subscript upper H Superscript n Baseline left-parenthesis s right-parenthesis">

X
(
t
)
=
μ
t
+
σ

∫
0
t

φ
(
s
)
d

B
H
n

(
s
)

X(t)=\mu t + \sigma \int _0^t \varphi (s) dB_H^n(s)

,

t
≥
0

t\geq 0

, where

φ
\varphi

is a known function and

B
H
n

B^n_H

is the

n
n

-th order fractional Brownian motion. We provide explicit maximum likelihood estimators for both

μ
\mu

and

σ
2

\sigma ^2

, then we formulate explicitly a least squares estimator for

μ
\mu

and an estimator for

σ
2

\sigma ^2

by using power variations method. The consistency and asymptotic normality are established for those estimators when the number of observations or the time horizon is sufficiently large.
Approximations for success run probabilities in Bernoulli trials
Authors: Kaczkowski Stephen
Published: May 2023

Concise and convenient bounds are obtained for the probability mass and cumulative distribution functions associated with the first success run of length

k
k

in a sequence of

n
n

Bernoulli trials. Results are compared to an approximation obtained by the Stein–Chen method as well as to bounds obtained from statistical reliability theory. These approximation formulas are used to obtain precise estimates of the expectation value associated with the occurrence of at least one success run of length

k
k

within

N
N

concurrent sequences of Bernoulli trials.
Aggregation of network traffic and anisotropic scaling of random fields
Authors: Leipus Remigijus , Pilipauskaitė Vytautė , Surgailis Donatas
Published: May 2023

We discuss joint spatial-temporal scaling limits of sums

A

λ
,
γ

A_{\lambda ,\gamma }

(indexed by

(
x
,
y
)
∈

R

+
2

(x,y) \in \mathbb {R}^2_+

) of large number

O
(

λ

γ

)

O(\lambda ^{\gamma })

of independent copies of integrated input process

X
=
{
X
(
t
)
,
t
∈

R

}

X = \{X(t), t \in \mathbb {R}\}

at time scale

λ
\lambda

, for any given

γ
>
0

\gamma >0

. We consider two classes of inputs

X
X

: (I) Poisson shot-noise with (random) pulse process, and (II) regenerative process with random pulse process and regeneration times following a heavy-tailed stationary renewal process. The above classes include several queueing and network traffic models for which joint spatial-temporal limits were previously discussed in the literature. In both cases (I) and (II) we find simple conditions on the input process in order that the normalized random fields

A

λ
,
γ

A_{\lambda ,\gamma }

tend to an

α
\alpha

-stable Lévy sheet

(
1
>
α
>
2
)

(1> \alpha >2)

if

γ
>

γ
0

\gamma > \gamma _0

, and to a fractional Brownian sheet if

γ
>

γ
0

\gamma > \gamma _0

, for some

γ
0

>
0

\gamma _0>0

. We also prove an ‘intermediate’ limit for

γ
=

γ
0

\gamma = \gamma _0

. Our results extend the previous works of R. Gaigalas and I. Kaj [Bernoulli 9 (2003), no. 4, 671–703] and T. Mikosch, S. Resnick, H. Rootzén and A. Stegeman [Ann. Appl. Probab. 12 (2002), no. 1, 23–68] and other papers to more general and new input processes.
Asymptotic results for certain first-passage times and areas of renewal processes
Authors: Macci Claudio , Pacchiarotti Barbara
Published: May 2023

We consider the process

{
x
−
N
(
t
)
:
t
≥
0
}

\{x-N(t):t\geq 0\}

, where

x
∈

R

+

x\in \mathbb {R}_+

and

{
N
(
t
)
:
t
≥
0
}

\{N(t):t\geq 0\}

is a renewal process with light-tailed distributed holding times. We are interested in the joint distribution of

(
τ
(
x
)
,
A
(
x
)
)

(\tau (x),A(x))

where

τ
(
x
)

\tau (x)

is the first-passage time of

{
x
−
N
(
t
)
:
t
≥
0
}

\{x-N(t):t\geq 0\}

to reach zero or a negative value, and

A
(
x
)
≔

∫
0

τ
(
x
)

(
x
−
N
(
t
)
)
d
t

A(x)≔\int _0^{\tau (x)}(x-N(t))dt

is the corresponding first-passage (positive) area swept out by the process

{
x
−
N
(
t
)
:
t
≥
0
}

\{x-N(t):t\geq 0\}

. We remark that we can define the sequence

{
(
τ
(
n
)
,
A
(
n
)
)
:
n
≥
1
}

\{(\tau (n),A(n)):n\geq 1\}

by referring to the concept of integrated random walk. Our aim is to prove asymptotic results as

x
→
∞

x\to \infty

in the fashion of large (and moderate) deviations.
A comment on rates of convergence for density function in extreme value theory and Rényi entropy
Authors: Saeb Ali
Published: May 2023

De Haan and Resnick [Ann. Probab. 10 (1982), no. 2, 396–413] have shown that the Rényi entropy of order

β
\beta

(

β
>
1

\beta >1

) of normalized sample maximum of independent and identically distributed (iid) random variables with continuous differentiable density converges to the Rényi entropy of order

β
\beta

of a max stable law. In this paper, we review the rate of convergence for density function in extreme value theory. Finally, we study the rate of convergence for Rényi entropy in the case of normalized sample maxima.
On quadratic variations for the fractional-white wave equation
Authors: Shevchenko Radomyra
Published: May 2023

This paper studies the behaviour of quadratic variations of a stochastic wave equation driven by a noise that is white in space and fractional in time. Complementing the analysis of quadratic variations in the space component carried out in [Correlation structure, quadratic variations and parameter estimation for the solution to the wave equation with fractional noise, Electron. J. Stat. 12 (2018), no. 2, 3639–3672] and [Generalized

k
k

-variations and Hurst parameter estimation for the fractional wave equation via Malliavin calculus, J. Statist. Plann. Inference 207 (2020), 155–180], it focuses on the time component of the solution process. For different values of the Hurst parameter a central and a noncentral limit theorems are proved, allowing to construct parameter estimators and compare them to the findings in the space-dependent case. Finally, rectangular quadratic variations in the white noise case are studied and a central limit theorem is demonstrated.
Distribution of the product of a Wishart matrix and a normal vector
Authors: Yonenaga Koshiro , Suzukawa Akio
Published: May 2023

We consider the distribution of the product of a Wishart matrix and a normal vector with uncommon covariance matrices. We derive the stochastic representation which reduces the computational burden for the generation of realizations of the product. Using this representation, the density function and higher order moments of the product are derived. In a numerical illustration, we investigate some properties of the distribution of the product. We further suggest the Edgeworth type expansions for the product, and we observe that the suggested approximations provide a good performance for moderately large degrees of freedom of a Wishart matrix.
Development of artificial intelligence tools for invasive Doppler-based coronary microvascular assessment
Authors: Seligman Henry , Patel Sapna B , Alloula Anissa , Howard James P , Cook Christopher M , Ahmad Yousif , de Waard Guus A , Pinto Mauro Echavarría , van de Hoef Tim P , Rahman Haseeb , Kelshiker Mihir A , Rajkumar Christopher A , Foley Michael , Nowbar Alexandra N , Mehta Samay , Toulemonde Mathieu , Tang Meng-Xing , Al-Lamee Rasha , Sen Sayan , Cole Graham , Nijjer Sukhjinder , Escaned Javier , Van Royen Niels , Francis Darrel P , Shun-Shin Matthew J , Petraco Ricardo
Published: May 2023

Aims

Coronary flow reserve (CFR) assessment has proven clinical utility, but Doppler-based methods are sensitive to noise and operator bias, limiting their clinical applicability. The objective of the study is to expand the adoption of invasive Doppler CFR, through the development of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to automatically quantify coronary Doppler quality and track flow velocity.

Methods and results

A neural network was trained on images extracted from coronary Doppler flow recordings to score signal quality and derive values for coronary flow velocity and CFR. The outputs were independently validated against expert consensus. Artificial intelligence successfully quantified Doppler signal quality, with high agreement with expert consensus (Spearman’s rho: 0.94), and within individual experts. Artificial intelligence automatically tracked flow velocity with superior numerical agreement against experts, when compared with the current console algorithm [AI flow vs. expert flow bias −1.68 cm/s, 95% confidence interval (CI) −2.13 to −1.23 cm/s, P < 0.001 with limits of agreement (LOA) −4.03 to 0.68 cm/s; console flow vs. expert flow bias −2.63 cm/s, 95% CI −3.74 to −1.52, P < 0.001, 95% LOA −8.45 to −3.19 cm/s]. Artificial intelligence yielded more precise CFR values [median absolute difference (MAD) against expert CFR: 4.0% for AI and 7.4% for console]. Artificial intelligence tracked lower-quality Doppler signals with lower variability (MAD against expert CFR 8.3% for AI and 16.7% for console).

Conclusion

An AI-based system, trained by experts and independently validated, could assign a quality score to Doppler traces and derive coronary flow velocity and CFR. By making Doppler CFR more automated, precise, and operator-independent, AI could expand the clinical applicability of coronary microvascular assessment.
Urbanization shapes phenotypic selection of fruit traits in a seed-dispersal mutualism
Authors: Palacio Facundo X , Ordano Mariano
Published: May 2023

Urbanization is currently one of the trademarks of the Anthropocene, accelerating evolutionary processes and reshaping ecological interactions over short time scales. Species interactions represent a fundamental pillar of diversity that is being altered globally by anthropogenic change. Urban environments, despite their potential impact, have seldom been studied in relation to how they shape natural selection of phenotypic traits in multispecies interactions. Using a seed-dispersal mutualism as a study system, we estimated the regime and magnitude of phenotypic selection exerted by frugivores on fruit and seed traits across three plant populations with different degrees of urbanization (urban, semiurban, and rural). Urbanization weakened phenotypic selection via an indirect positive impact on fruit production and fitness and, to a lesser extent, through a direct positive effect on species visitation rates. Our results show that urban ecosystems may affect multifarious selection of traits in the short term and highlight the role of humans in shaping eco-evolutionary dynamics of multispecies interactions.
Ralstonia solanacearum type III effector RipAS associates with potato type one protein phosphatase StTOPP6 to promote bacterial wilt
Authors: Wang Bingsen , He Wenfeng , Huang Mengshu , Feng Jiachen , Li Yanping , Yu Liu , Wang Yuqi , Zhou Dan , Meng Chengzhen , Cheng Dong , Tang Ning , Song Botao , Chen Huilan
Published: May 2023

The bacterial pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum (R. solanacearum) delivered type III secretion effectors to inhibit the immune system and cause bacterial wilt on potato. Protein phosphatases are key regulators in plant immunity, which pathogens can manipulate to alter host processes. Here, we show that a type III effector RipAS can reduce the nucleolar accumulation of a type one protein phosphatase (PP1) StTOPP6 to promote bacterial wilt. StTOPP6 was used as bait in the Yeast two-Hybrid (Y2H) assay and acquired an effector RipAS that interacts with it. RipAS was characterized as a virulence effector to contribute to R. solanacearum infection, and stable expression of RipAS in potato impaired plant resistance against R. solanacearum. Overexpression of StTOPP6 showed enhanced disease symptoms when inoculated with wild strain UW551 but not the ripAS deletion mutant, indicating that the expression of StTOPP6 facilitates the virulence of RipAS. RipAS reduced the nucleolar accumulation of StTOPP6, which occurred during R. solanacearum infection. Moreover, the association also widely existed between other PP1s and RipAS. We argue that RipAS is a virulence effector associated with PP1s to promote bacterial wilt.
Knowledge, power and the failure of US peacemaking in Afghanistan 2018–21
Authors: Theros Marika
Published: May 2023

The power of narrative and norm entrepreneurship in shaping policy and practice is increasingly appreciated in the study of international relations but rarely investigated in the context of international peacemaking and mediation. Applying constructivist analyses and drawing on empirical evidence from US diplomacy in Afghanistan between 2018 and 2021, this article demonstrates how emergent western policy discourses, knowledge production, and the mediator's ideas and practices interacted in a dynamic context to induce a significant shift in US policy, legitimate it, and fundamentally reshape the conflict and peacemaking landscape. Approaching the reality of conflict and peacemaking as socially constructed and drawing on documentary analysis, in-depth interviews and insights from first-hand participation in the Afghan ‘peace’ process, I argue that these new narratives influenced and sanctioned a coercive US peacemaking approach that reshaped the interests and behaviors of Afghan stakeholders, with violent material consequences on the ground. In doing so, the article highlights the potential of constructivist analyses of peacemaking to provide a more holistic, multi-dimensional understanding of these processes and their outcomes in ways that purely rationalist or structurally-based accounts can not.
ASEAN, Chinese and US legitimation strategies over the Indo-Pacific security architecture
Authors: Ng Joel
Published: May 2023

As growing Sino-US tensions have led to increasingly contested architecture in the Asia–Pacific, rival actors have become more vocal in legitimizing their preferred structures. Yet supplanting existing, accepted structures requires legitimation, and raises questions this article seeks to address: how do competing actors legitimize their preferred architectures and what influences their legitimation strategies? This article looks at US-, China- and ASEAN-led legitimation strategies through Lenz and Söderbaum's three analytical perspectives (agent-, audience-, or environment-based approaches). The article argues that legitimation strategies will correlate with relative power in that established, rising and weak powers will source their strategies from agent, audience and environment bases respectively. The empirical basis is explored through three questions concerning the regional security architecture: the dispute over regional demarcation (‘Indo-Pacific’), the relevant structures of security provision and the idea of a ‘rules-based order.’ Assessing these issues against domestic sources of influence, adjustment for international audience demands and attempts to reconcile other actors' preferences, the article finds that actors' legitimation strategies correlate with their relational power: the US relied on agent-based legitimation, China usually pursued audience-based strategies and ASEAN used environment-based legitimation. These present distinct policy constraints for their respective goals.
Mitral and tricuspid valve repair using interannular bridging in children
Authors: Ishidou Motonori , Ito Hiroki , Hirose Keiichi , Ikai Akio , Sakamoto Kisaburo
Published: May 2023

OBJECTIVES

In children, it is difficult to control mitral valve (MV) or tricuspid valve (TV) regurgitation with conventional procedures alone because complex factors hamper easy improvement of valve coaptation. We investigated interannular bridging in children with MV/TV regurgitation.

METHODS

The subjects were 9 patients who underwent interannular bridging to control TV or MV regurgitation between January 2014 and December 2021. We analysed reintervention for the valve, progression of stenosis/regurgitation and valve growth.

RESULTS

The TV and MV groups included 4 and 5 patients, respectively. At operation, the median age was 5.8 (1.4–14) years in TV and 3.6 (0.3–7.0) years in MV. The median weight was 13.0 (8.4–41.2) kg in TV and 11.0 (4.8–18.3) kg in MV. The median follow-up periods were 78 (11–94) months for TV and 30 (4–34) months for MV. None of the patients in either group underwent reintervention. Moderate or greater regurgitation recurred in 1 TV patient but subsequently improved to mild regurgitation. Valve stenosis (mean diastolic pressure gradient >10 mmHg) was not detected. The median valve diameter (Z-score) ranged from −1.17 (−3.7 to 0.85) at discharge to −0.59 (−1.2 to 2.01) at the latest follow-up in TV patients. In MV patients, valve diameter changed from 1.14 (−1.68 to 1.46) to 0.72 (−0.23 to 1.36). After bridging, the coaptation height was maintained at the same value over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Interannular bridging could be a useful approach for complicated TV/MV regurgitation in children.
Prevalence, aetiology, vaccination coverage and spatio-temporal pattern among patients admitted with acute bacterial meningitis to the sentinel hospital surveillance network in Yemen, 2014–20, before and during the civil war
Authors: Al-Samhari Galal A , Al-Mushiki Gaber M , Tamrakar Rashi , Lin Yue-Dong , Al-Shaebi Fadhl , Akroot Mohammed A , Al-Nahari Saddam A , Li Guan-Jie , Tang Xian-Yan
Published: May 2023

Background

Acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) is a serious health issue in Yemen where civil war, which continues unabated, has crippled the healthcare system. We conducted a nationwide retrospective observational study in Yemeni sentinel hospitals to identify the prevalence, aetiology, vaccination coverage and spatio-temporal pattern of ABM in children aged <5 years before and during the civil war, 2014–20.

Methods

Cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected from hospitalized children and were analysed macroscopically for appearance and microscopically by Gram stain and white blood cell count. Culture and latex agglutination tests were performed. Data on the prevalence of and vaccination coverage for ABM were obtained from the Ministry of Health. Joinpoint regression was used to assess the annual percent change (APC) of ABM prevalence and vaccination coverage. Pearson's correlation was used to evaluate the association between ABM prevalence and vaccination coverage.

Results

In total, 11 339 hospitalized children had suspected cases of ABM (prevalence, 40.07/100 000 of the whole Yemeni population) and 2.6% (293/11 339) of suspected ABM cases were confirmed (prevalence, 1.04/100 000 of the whole Yemeni population). The dominant pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). The civil war reduced the Hib and pneumococcal vaccination coverage (APC = –1.92), reaching its lowest (79.5%) in 2018. The prevalence of suspected ABM increased (APC = 3.46), reaching its maximum (6.08/100 000 of the whole Yemeni population) in 2019. The conflict inversely correlated with the ABM prevalence and vaccination coverage (Pearson correlation coefficient (r), –0.69 to –0.53). Ta'izz region, which was severely affected by the civil war, had the highest prevalence of suspected ABM (120.90/100 000 of the whole Yemeni population) and lowest vaccination coverage (60%).

Conclusions

The civil war had a negative impact on vaccination coverage and coincided with increasing prevalence of ABM in Yemen. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the dominant causative pathogen.
Important considerations regarding the widespread use of doxycycline chemoprophylaxis against sexually transmitted infections
Authors: Kong Fabian Yuh Shiong , Kenyon Chris , Unemo Magnus
Published: May 2023

Rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to rise across the world and interventions are essential to reduce their incidence. Past and recent studies have indicated this may be achieved using doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and this has sparked considerable interest in its use. However, many unanswered questions remain as to its long-term effects and particularly potentially negative impact on human microbiomes and antimicrobial resistance among STIs, other pathogens, and commensals. In this review, we discuss seven areas of concern pertaining to the widespread use of doxycycline PEP.
Human galectin-9 potently enhances SARS-CoV-2 replication and inflammation in airway epithelial cells
Authors: Du Li , Bouzidi Mohamed S , Gala Akshay , Deiter Fred , Billaud Jean-Noël , Yeung Stephen T , Dabral Prerna , Jin Jing , Simmons Graham , Dossani Zain Y , Niki Toshiro , Ndhlovu Lishomwa C , Greenland John R , Pillai Satish K
Published: May 2023

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has caused a global economic and health crisis. Recently, plasma levels of galectin-9 (Gal-9), a β-galactoside-binding lectin involved in immune regulation and viral immunopathogenesis, were reported to be elevated in the setting of severe COVID-19 disease. However, the impact of Gal-9 on SARS-CoV-2 infection and immunopathology remained to be elucidated. In this study, we demonstrate that Gal-9 treatment potently enhances SARS-CoV-2 replication in human airway epithelial cells (AECs), including immortalized AECs and primary AECs cultured at the air–liquid interface. Gal-9–glycan interactions promote SARS-CoV-2 attachment and entry into AECs in an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-dependent manner, enhancing the binding of the viral spike protein to ACE2. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that Gal-9 and SARS-CoV-2 infection synergistically induced the expression of key pro-inflammatory programs in AECs, including the IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, EIF2, and TNFα signaling pathways. Our findings suggest that manipulation of Gal-9 should be explored as a therapeutic strategy for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Enumeration of regular fractional factorial designs with four-level and two-level factors
Authors: Bohyn Alexandre , Schoen Eric D , Goos Peter
Published: May 2023

Designs for screening experiments usually include factors with two levels only. Adding a few four-level factors allows for the inclusion of multi-level categorical factors or quantitative factors with possible quadratic or third-order effects. Three examples motivated us to generate a large catalogue of designs with two-level factors as well as four-level factors. To create the catalogue, we considered three methods. In the first method, we select designs using a search table, and in the second method, we use a procedure that selects candidate designs based on the properties of their projections into fewer factors. The third method is actually a benchmark method, in which we use a general orthogonal array enumeration algorithm. We compare the efficiencies of the new methods for generating complete sets of nonisomorphic designs. Finally, we use the most efficient method to generate a catalogue of designs with up to three four-level factors and up to 20 two-level factors for run sizes 16, 32, 64, and 128. In some cases, a complete enumeration was infeasible. For these cases, we used a bounded enumeration strategy instead. We demonstrate the usefulness of the catalogue by revisiting the motivating examples.
Data quantity governance for machine learning in materials science
Authors: Liu Yue , Yang Zhengwei , Zou Xinxin , Ma Shuchang , Liu Dahui , Avdeev Maxim , Shi Siqi
Published: May 2023

Data-driven machine learning (ML) is widely employed in the analysis of materials structure–activity relationships, performance optimization and materials design due to its superior ability to reveal latent data patterns and make accurate prediction. However, because of the laborious process of materials data acquisition, ML models encounter the issue of the mismatch between a high dimension of feature space and a small sample size (for traditional ML models) or the mismatch between model parameters and sample size (for deep-learning models), usually resulting in terrible performance. Here, we review the efforts for tackling this issue via feature reduction, sample augmentation and specific ML approaches, and show that the balance between the number of samples and features or model parameters should attract great attention during data quantity governance. Following this, we propose a synergistic data quantity governance flow with the incorporation of materials domain knowledge. After summarizing the approaches to incorporating materials domain knowledge into the process of ML, we provide examples of incorporating domain knowledge into governance schemes to demonstrate the advantages of the approach and applications. The work paves the way for obtaining the required high-quality data to accelerate materials design and discovery based on ML.
Investigation of Blood Plasma Viral Nucleocapsid Antigen as a Marker of Active Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Omicron Variant Infection
Authors: Damhorst Gregory L , Schoof Nils , Nguyen Phuong-Vi , Verkerke Hans , Wilber Eli , McLendon Kaleb , O’Sick William , Baugh Tyler , Cheedarla Suneethamma , Cheedarla Narayanaiah , Stittleburg Victoria , Fitts Eric C , Neja Margaret A , Babiker Ahmed , Piantadosi Anne , Roback John D , Waggoner Jesse J , Mavigner Maud , Lam Wilbur A
Published: May 2023

Background

Nasopharyngeal qualitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the gold standard for diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, but it is not practical or sufficient in every clinical scenario due to its inability to distinguish active from resolved infection. Alternative or adjunct testing may be needed to guide isolation precautions and treatment in patients admitted to the hospital.

Methods

We performed a single-center, retrospective analysis of residual clinical specimens and medical record data to examine blood plasma nucleocapsid antigen as a candidate biomarker of active SARS-CoV-2. Adult patients admitted to the hospital or presenting to the emergency department with SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA) detected by RT-PCR from a nasopharyngeal swab specimen were included. Both nasopharyngeal swab and a paired whole blood sample were required to be available for analysis.

Results

Fifty-four patients were included. Eight patients had positive nasopharyngeal swab virus cultures, 7 of whom (87.5%) had concurrent antigenemia. Nineteen (79.2%) of 24 patients with detectable subgenomic RNA and 20 (80.0%) of 25 patients with N2 RT-PCR cycle threshold ≤ 33 had antigenemia.

Conclusions

Most individuals with active SARS-CoV-2 infection are likely to have concurrent antigenemia, but there may be some individuals with active infection in whom antigenemia is not detectable. The potential for high sensitivity and convenience of a blood test prompts interest in further investigation as a screening tool to reduce reliance on nasopharyngeal swab sampling and as an adjunct diagnostic test to aid in clinical decision making during the period after acute coronavirus disease 2019.
A Systematic Review on the Safety of Mycobacterium tuberculosis–Specific Antigen–Based Skin Tests for Tuberculosis Infection Compared With Tuberculin Skin Tests
Authors: Hamada Yohhei , Kontsevaya Irina , Surkova Elena , Wang Ting Ting , Wan-Hsin Liu , Matveev Aleksandr , Ziganshina Liliya Eugenevna , Denkinger Claudia M , Korobitsyn Alexei , Ismail Nazir , Abubakar Ibrahim , Rangaka Molebogeng X
Published: May 2023

Background

A systematic review showed that the accuracy of Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen–based skin tests (TBSTs) for tuberculosis is similar to that of interferon γ release assay, but the safety of TBSTs has not been systematically reviewed.

Methods

We searched for studies reporting injection site reactions (ISRs) and systemic adverse events associated with TBSTs. We searched Medline, Embase, e-library, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure database for studies through 30 July 2021, and the database search was updated until 22 November 2022.

Results

We identified 7 studies for Cy-Tb (Serum Institute of India), 7 (including 2 found through the updated search) for C-TST (Anhui Zhifei Longcom), and 11 for Diaskintest (Generium). The pooled risk of any injection site reactions (ISRs) due to Cy-Tb (n = 2931; 5 studies) did not differ significantly from that for tuberculin skin tests (TSTs; risk ratio, 1.05 [95% confidence interval, .70–1.58]). More than 95% of ISRs were reported as mild or moderate; common ISRs included pain, itching, and rash. In 1 randomized controlled study, 49 of 153 participants (37.6%) given Cy-Tb experience any systemic adverse event (eg, fever and headache), compared with 56 of 149 participants (37.6%) given TST (risk ratio, 0.85 [95% confidence interval, .6–1.2]). In a randomized controlled study in China (n = 14 579), the frequency of systemic adverse events in participants given C-TST was similar to that for TST, and the frequency of ISRs was similar to or lower than that for TST. Reporting of the safety data on Diaskintest was not standardized, precluding meta-analysis.

Conclusion

The safety profile of TBSTs appears similar to that of TSTs and is associated with mostly mild ISRs.
Childhood Bacterial Meningitis Surveillance in Southern Vietnam: Trends and Vaccination Implications From 2012 to 2021
Authors: Truong Hieu Cong , Van Phan Thanh , Nguyen Hung Thanh , Truong Khanh Huu , Do Viet Chau , Pham Nguyet Nguyen My , Ho Thang Vinh , Phan Tram Thi Quynh , Hoang Thang Anh , Soetewey Antoine , Ho Thuy Nguyen Loc , Pham Quang Duy , Luong Quang Chan , Vo Dai Thi Trang , Nguyen Thuong Vu , Speybroeck Niko
Published: May 2023

Background

This retrospective hospital-based surveillance aimed to assess the epidemiology, causative pathogens trend, and serotypes distribution of pneumococcal meningitis among children aged under 5 years with bacterial meningitis in Southern Vietnam after the introduction of pentavalent vaccine in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI).

Methods

From 2012 to 2021, cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected from children aged under 5 years with suspected bacterial meningitis at Children's Hospitals 1 and 2 in Ho Chi Minh City. Probable bacterial meningitis (PBM) cases were identified using biochemistry and cytology. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to confirm cases of confirmed bacterial meningitis (CBM) caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, or Neisseria meningitidis. Streptococcus pneumoniae serotyping was performed.

Results

Of the 2560 PBM cases, 158 (6.2%) were laboratory-confirmed. The CBM proportion decreased during the 10-year study and was associated with age, seasonality, and permanent residence. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most common pathogen causing bacterial meningitis (86.1%), followed by H influenzae (7.6%) and N meningitidis (6.3%). The case-fatality rate was 8.2% (95% confidence interval, 4.2%–12.2%). Pneumococcal serotypes 6A/B, 19F, 14, and 23F were the most prevalent, and the proportion of pneumococcal meningitis cases caused by the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) serotypes decreased from 96.2% to 57.1% during the PCV eras.

Conclusions

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most frequent causative agent of bacterial meningitis in children aged under 5 years in Southern Vietnam over the last decade. Policymakers may need to consider introducing PCVs into the EPI to effectively prevent and control bacterial meningitis.
Alternative oxidase 1a and 1d enable metabolic flexibility during Ala catabolism in Arabidopsis
Authors: Oh Glenda Guek Khim , Kumari Vinti , Millar A Harvey , O’Leary Brendan M
Published: May 2023

Ala is a central metabolite in leaf cells whose abundance is related to pyruvate (Pyr) metabolism and nocturnal respiration rates. Exposure of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaf disks to certain exogenous amino acids including Ala led to substantial increases in nighttime respiration rates as well as increases in alternative oxidase (AOX) 1d transcript and protein levels. During Ala treatment, AOX1d accumulation, but not AOX1a accumulation, was dependent upon the catabolism of Ala. Complete loss of AOX expression in aox1a aox1d leaf disks did not significantly affect oxygen consumption rates (OCR) under Ala treatment, indicating that AOX capacity per se was not essential for respiratory stimulation by Ala. Rather, Ala treatments caused induction of select antioxidant mechanisms in leaf disks, including a large increase of the ascorbate pool, which was substantially more oxidized in aox1a aox1d leaf disks. Furthermore, we observed differences in the accumulation of a sequence of TCA cycle intermediates from Pyr to 2-oxoglutarate (2-OG) in wild type (WT) upon Ala treatment that did not occur in aox1a aox1d leaf disks. The results indicate that AOX induction during enhanced Ala catabolism in leaves mediates mitochondrial redox status, allowing greater metabolic flexibility in mitochondrial organic acid metabolism.
What’s your Opinion? Negation and ‘Weak’ Attitude Verbs
Authors: Schiller Henry Ian
Published: May 2023

Attitude verbs like ‘believe’ and ‘want’ exhibit neg-raising: an ascription of the form a doesn’t believe that p tends to convey that a disbelieves—i.e., believes the negation of—p. In ‘Belief is Weak’, Hawthore et al. observe that neg-raising does not occur with verbs like ‘know’ or ‘need’. According to them, an ascription of the form a believes that p is true just in case a is in a belief state that makes p more likely than not, and so—excepting cases of complete indifference—a will either believe p or disbelieve p. I expand and revise this explanation: so-called ‘weak’ attitude verbs are used in ascriptions of an opinion about some subject matter S—a kind of selection from among the elements of S—and these ascriptions are themselves responsive to conversational topics that presuppose that the subject of the ascription has an opinion about S. ‘Strong’ attitude verbs denote more direct relationships between subject and world.
Prevalence and characteristics of subclinical giant cell arteritis in polymyalgia rheumatica
Authors: De Miguel Eugenio , Macchioni Pierluigi , Conticini Edoardo , Campochiaro Corrado , Karalilova Rositsa , Monti Sara , Ponte Cristina , Klinowski Giulia , Monjo-Henry Irene , Falsetti Paolo , Batalov Zguro , Tomelleri Alessandro , Hocevar Alojzija
Published: May 2023

Objective

The main objective of this study was to analyse the prevalence and characteristics of subclinical GCA in patients with PMR.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional multicentre international study of consecutive patients with newly diagnosed PMR without symptoms or signs suggestive of GCA. All patients underwent US of the temporal superficial, common carotid, subclavian and axillary arteries. Patients with halo signs in at least one examined artery were considered to have subclinical GCA. The clinical, demographic and laboratory characteristics of the PMR group without subclinical vasculitis were compared with subclinical GCA, and the pattern of vessel involvement was compared with that of a classical single-centre GCA cohort.

Results

We included 346 PMR patients, 267 (77.2%) without subclinical GCA and 79 (22.8%) with subclinical GCA. The PMR patients with subclinical GCA were significantly older, had a longer duration of morning stiffness and more frequently reported hip pain than PMR without subclinical GCA. PMR with subclinical GCA showed a predominant extracranial large vessel pattern of vasculitic involvement compared with classical GCA, where the cranial phenotype predominated. The patients with PMR in the classical GCA group showed a pattern of vessel involvement similar to classical GCA without PMR but different from PMR with subclinical involvement.

Conclusion

More than a fifth of the pure PMR patients had US findings consistent with subclinical GCA. This specific subset of patients showed a predilection for extracranial artery involvement. The optimal screening strategy to assess the presence of vasculitis in PMR remains to be determined.
Evolution of the Genetic Structure of the Didymella tanaceti Population During Development of Succinate Dehydrogenase Inhibitor Resistance
Authors: Pearce Tamieka L. , Scott Jason B. , Wilson Calum R. , Gent David H.
Published: May 2023

Emergence of pathogens with decreased sensitivity to succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor fungicides is a global agronomical issue. Analysis of Didymella tanaceti isolates ( n = 173), which cause tan spot of pyrethrum ( Tanacetum cinerariifolium), collected prior to (2004 to 2005) and after (2009, 2010, 2012, and 2014) the commercial implementation of boscalid in Tasmanian pyrethrum fields identified that insensitivity developed over time and has become widespread. To evaluate temporal change, isolates were characterized for frequency of mutations in the succinate dehydrogenase (Sdh) B, C, and D subunits associated with boscalid resistance, mating type, and SSR genotype. All isolates from 2004 and 2005 exhibited wild-type (WT) Sdh alleles. Seven known Sdh substitutions were identified in isolates collected from 2009 to 2014. In 2009, 60.7% had Sdh substitutions associated with boscalid resistance in D. tanaceti. The frequency of WT isolates decreased over time, with no WT isolates identified in 2014. The frequency of the SdhB-H277Y genotype increased from 10.7 to 77.8% between 2009 and 2014. Genotypic evidence suggested that a shift in the population structure occurred between 2005 and 2009, with decreases in gene diversity ( uh; 0.51 to 0.34), genotypic evenness (E5; 0.96 to 0.67), genotypic diversity (G; 9.3 to 6.8), and allele frequencies. No evidence was obtained to support the rapid spread of Sdh genotypes by clonal expansion of the population. Thus, insensitivity to boscalid has developed and become widespread within a diverse population within 4 years of usage. These results suggest that D. tanaceti can disperse insensitivity through repeated frequent mutation, sexual recombination, or a combination of both.
Caregiver and Child Distress as Predictors of Dyadic Physiological Attunement During Vaccination
Authors: DiLorenzo-Klas Miranda G. , Waxman Jordana A. , Flora David B. , Schmidt Louis A. , Garfield Hartley , Flanders Dan , Weinberg Eitan , Savlov Deena , Pillai Riddell Rebecca R.
Published: May 2023

Objective:

Previous research discerned 3 groups of caregiver-toddler dyads that differed in their physiological coregulatory patterns, also known as physiological attunement, during routine vaccinations in the second year of life. One group of dyads (80% of sample) displayed an attuned regulatory pattern, and 2 groups of dyads (20% of sample) showed maladaptive attunement patterns (ie, a lack of attunement or misattunement). The objective of the current study was to examine how well the pain-related distress of children and caregivers during vaccination predicted these patterns.

Methods:

Caregiver-toddler dyads (N = 189) were part of a longitudinal cohort observed at either 12-, 18-, or 24-month vaccination appointments. The caregiver’s self-report of worry was assessed before and after the needle, and the child behavioral pain-related distress was also measured during the vaccination appointment. Logistic regression was used to determine how well these variables predicted caregiver-child physiological attunement patterns, as indexed by high-frequency heart rate variability.

Results:

Higher behavioral pain-related distress at various timepoints after the needle were associated with membership in the dyad groups that showed misattunement or lack of attunement. Further, caregivers with higher preneedle worry and lower postneedle worry had a greater likelihood of belonging to groups that showed a maladaptive attunement pattern.

Discussion:

Findings suggest that caregivers who experience distress associated with their toddlers’ vaccination experience more difficulty coregulating with their child during vaccination, and these children are at risk of experiencing higher levels of pain-related distress. This research highlights the need to help caregivers support their children’s regulation during vaccination.
Hip reconstruction in children with cerebral palsy: does magnitude of surgery influence complications and outcomes?
Authors: Westberry David E. , Carson Lisa , Shull Emily R. , Hyer Lauren C.
Published: May 2023

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) and neuromuscular hip dysplasia (NMHD) frequently require hip reconstruction including femoral and pelvic osteotomies. Outcomes and complications in CP patients with NMHD who underwent varying degrees of hip reconstruction surgeries were examined. Ninety-nine patients with a diagnosis of CP who underwent surgical management of NMHD over a 15-year period (2005–2020) were reviewed. Three patient cohorts with varying degrees of surgery were analyzed including: (1) unilateral femoral osteotomy with pelvic osteotomy; (2) bilateral femoral osteotomy with unilateral pelvic osteotomy; and (3) simultaneous bilateral femoral osteotomy and bilateral pelvic osteotomy. Data points included operative (OR) time, length of stay (LOS), estimated blood loss (EBL), and transfusion requirement. Complications during the perioperative and postoperative periods were identified and graded by severity. Increased EBL, need for transfusion, OR time, and LOS were observed more frequently in patients undergoing bilateral reconstruction. Complication rates were high for all three cohorts, with 87% of cases in the bilateral pelvic osteotomy cohort experiencing ≥1 complication. However, 90% of these were considered grade I or II and required no or minimal intervention. The average postoperative migration index at final follow-up for treated hips was significantly less in bilateral pelvic osteotomy cases. Patients with CP and bilateral NMHD can be safely managed with bilateral simultaneous comprehensive reconstruction. The data presented in this study can help both surgeons and families anticipate a more accurate postoperative course. Level of evidence: III.