bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Model of a Neural Network for Solving Systems of Inequalities with Three Real Unknowns
Authors: J. Pierre Sakodi Mjanaheri , Luz Mpemba Ngoma , Camile Likotelo Binene , Andre Boleli Nkanga , Telesphore Nsumbu Lukamba , Cedric Kabeya Tshiseba , Boniface Engombe Wedi
Published: July 2023

Apart from all other machine learning models, neural networks are much more complex models in the sense that they represent mathematical functions with millions of coefficients (parameters).
In this article, it is about designing and implementing a network of artificial neurons by applying the Heaviside activation function on each neuron of the first layer of the network and finally on the single output
neuron, we apply the logical "and". To solve a system of linear inequalities with three real unknowns, it is to represent graphically in frame system of the three-dimensional plane, the set of points M of \(\mathbb{R}\)3 whose coordinates (\(\mathit{x}\)1 ,\(\mathit{x}\)2 \(\mathit{and}\) \(\mathit{x}\)3) simultaneously verify all the inequalities of the system.
Where \(\mathit{a}\)\(\mathit{i}\) ,\(\mathit{b}\)\(\mathit{i}\) \(\mathit{et}\) \(\mathit{c}\)\(\mathit{i}\) are coefficients of \(\mathit{x}\)\(\mathit{i}\) with 1\(\le\) i \(\le\) 3 and \(\mathit{a}\)0,\(\mathit{b}\)0 and \(\mathit{c}\)0 the independent terms. The set of solutions of this system is a part of \(\mathbb{R}\)3 whose points satisfy these three inequalities simultaneously. In a neural network, the \(\mathit{x}\)\(\mathit{i}\) are variables, the (\(\mathit{a}\)\(\mathit{i}\)), (\(\mathit{b}\)\(\mathit{i}\)) ,\(\mathit{et}\) (\(\mathit{c}\)\(\mathit{i}\)) are weights associated with these variables and the \(\mathit{a}\)0,\(\mathit{b}\)0 \(\mathit{and}\) \(\mathit{c}\)0 are biases. This model has been implemented in python with the keras easy library for solve systems of linear inequalities with three real unknowns by graphically representing elemental solutions in \(\mathbb{R}\)3.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Prevalence in Oropharynx Squamous Cell Carcinomas (OPSCC) in Brazil: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis
Authors: Ferreira Chrystiano Campos , Rossin Pedro Luiz Florentino , Santos Nathalia Araújo dos , Sella Drielly Gomes Barbosa , Lemos Beatriz Torriani , Ferreira Herika Rangel
Published: July 2023

Background: Oropharynx squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC) are an important public health problem. Our study aimed to conduct a systematic review with a metanalysis of the human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence in OPSCC in Brazil.

The aim of our study was to conduct a systematic review with metanalysis about the level of Knowledge of the relation between human papillomavirus (HPV) and OPSCC among university students

Methodology: We conducted a systematic review according to the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). We searched MEDLINE/PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE and Lilacs for articles published up to March 2023.

Results: A total of 260 studies were retrieved with our search strategy, in addition, we included 3 articles manually. After removing duplicate articles, 156 studies remained. Reading the titles and abstracts of these studies, 34 studies were eligible to read the full article. After reading the full text of the selected articles, we excluded 21 articles for reasons such as: no access to the full text (n = 2), literature reviews, systematic reviews, case studies (n = 3), conference proceedings, thesis (n = 6), studies with few participants (n = 2) and studies that did not address the topic (n=8). There were 13 studies left that were included in this systematic review.

Conclusion: This study revealed a pooled prevalence of 18% of HPV in OPSCC in Brazil
Critical Review of Bioenergy Applications and Sustainable Development: Evidence from Uganda
Authors: Mutumba Geoffrey Ssebabi
Published: July 2023

This study investigates bioenergy applications and sustainable development in Uganda. Traditional biomass dominates Uganda’s energy mix with 89% of overall primary energy consumption. Uganda must reduce traditional biomass energy consumption, if it is to reinforce its sustainable development goals. It seeks to assess bioenergy applications; it also analyses drivers and barriers of biomass consumption.

Bioenergy is a renewable energy source that is conveniently available. This explains why it is dominating in most of the Sub-Saharan Africa. However, most of this is the traditional biomass, because of the insufficient technology to modernise its use in the developing world. This study is to provide a useful pattern for this transition from traditional to modern bioenergy use to occur.

The findings indicate an in-built use of traditional biomass because of the drivers that outweigh the constraints of its use. Suggested policy measures to transition to modern biomass energy consumption are made.

This study provides critical review of bioenergy application and development in the Ugandan setting. This is a landmark in informing the economic planner on the right policy direction of diversifying energy use from traditional to modern sources.
Effect of Some Nut Extracts and Ginger on the Lipid Profile of Hepatitis B Infected Mice
Authors: Baeka Glory Barinuaka , Wekeh-Emenike Aruchi
Published: July 2023

Aim: The determination of the effect of the tiger nut, coconut, coconut &tiger nut milk and ginger extract on the lipid profile of HBV infected mice

Study Design: The study was conducted using adult mice of which some where infected with hepatitis B virus while some which were not infected, served as control.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Rivers State University animal house and the study lasted for 2 months.

Methodology: Adult healthy mice were grouped into five (5). The groups 2 to 5 mice were infected with HBV and the infection was confirmed using HBsAg rapid kit after which those in groups, 3, 4 and 5 were given the extracts. The blood samples of the mice were collected and analyzed.

Results: The results showed that the TC, TG, HDL, LDL and VDL for the group1mice which were not inoculated had mean values of 4.63mmol/l,1.82mmol, 1.79mmol/l, 3.43mmol/l, 0.85mmol/l. The group 2 had mean values of 4.9mmol/l, 2.31mmol/l, 1.72mmol/l, 4.1mmol/l, 0.92mmol/l. The third group given the tigernut and ginger extract showed mean values of 4.7mmol/l, 2.04mmol/l, 1.9mmol/l, 3.83mmol/l, 0.63mmol/l. The fourth group given the coconut and ginger extract had mean values of 4.6mmol/l, 1.97mmol/l, 1.74mmol/l, 3.75mmol/l, 0.9mmol/l respectively. While the fifth group given the combination of coconut, tiger nut and ginger extract had mean values of 5.09mmol/l, 2.04mmol/l, 1.59mmol/l, 4.4mmol/l and 0.93mmol/l respectively.

Conclusion: The tigernut and coconut individual extract with ginger, had positive impacts with the coconut extract with ginger having a better impact on the lipid profile of the infected mice.
Melanoma Detection in Alaska Native, American Indian, Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Pacific Islander Patients in a Large Skin Cancer Screening Initiative
Authors: Smith Brandon , Matsumoto Martha , Wang Hong , Baskin Monica L. , Kirkwood John M. , Ferris Laura K.
Published: July 2023

This cohort study investigates patterns in melanoma detection in racial and ethnic minority populations as part of a large, primary care–based screening initiative.
Long-Term Survival, Prognostic Factors, and Selection of Patients With Colorectal Cancer for Liver Transplant
Authors: Dueland Svein , Smedman Tor Magnus , Syversveen Trygve , Grut Harald , Hagness Morten , Line Pål-Dag
Published: July 2023

Importance

Liver transplant for colorectal cancer with liver metastases was abandoned in the 1990s due to poor overall survival. From 2006, liver transplant for in nonresectable colorectal liver metastases has been reexamined through different prospective trials.

Objective

To determine predictive factors for transplant long-term survival and cure after liver transplant.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a prospective, nonrandomized controlled cohort study derived from different clinical trials on liver transplant for colorectal liver metastases from 2006 to 2020 at Oslo University Hospital. The trials differed in prognostic inclusion criteria, but the design was otherwise identical regarding follow-up scheme to determine disease recurrence, overall survival, and survival after relapse. Final data analysis was performed on December 31, 2021. All patients with colorectal liver metastases from comparable prospective liver transplant studies were included.

Exposure

Liver transplant.

Main outcomes and measures

Disease-free survival, overall survival, and survival time after recurrence were determined in all participants.

Results

A total of 61 patients (median [range] age, 57.8 [28.7-71.1] years; 35 male [57.4%]) underwent liver transplant at Oslo University Hospital. Posttransplant observation time ranged from 16 to 165 months, and no patient was lost to follow-up. Median disease-free period, overall survival, and survival after relapse were 11.8 (95% CI, 9.3-14.2) months, 60.3 (95% CI, 44.3-76.4) months, and 37.1 (95% CI, 4.6-69.5) months, respectively. Negative predictive factors for overall survival included the following: largest tumor size greater than 5.5 cm (median OS, 25.3 months; 95% CI, 15.8-34.8 months; P <.001), progressive disease while receiving chemotherapy (median OS, 39.8 months; 95% CI, 28.8-50.7 months; P = .02), plasma carcinoembryonic antigen values greater than 80 μg/L (median OS, 26.6 months; 95% CI, 22.7-30.6 months; P <.001), liver metabolic tumor volume on positron emission tomography of greater than 70 cm3 (26.6 months; 95% CI, 11.8-41.5 months; P <.001), primary tumor in the ascending colon (17.9 months; 95% CI, 0-37.5 months; P <.001), tumor burden score of 9 or higher (23.3 months; 95% CI, 19.2-27.4 months; P = .02), and 9 or more liver lesions (42.5 months; 95% CI, 17.2-67.8 months; P = .02). An Oslo score of 0 or Fong Clinical Risk Score of 1 yielded 10-year survival of 88.9% and 80.0%, respectively.

Conclusions and relevance

Results of this nonrandomized controlled trial suggest that selected patients with liver-only metastases and favorable pretransplant prognostic scoring had long-term survival comparable with conventional indications for liver transplant, thus providing a potential curative treatment option in patients otherwise offered only palliative care.
Management of Endoleaks After Elective Infrarenal Aortic Endovascular Aneurysm Repair
Authors: Cifuentes Sebastian , Mendes Bernardo C. , Tabiei Armin , Scali Salvatore T. , Oderich Gustavo S. , DeMartino Randall R.
Published: July 2023

Importance

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is the dominant treatment strategy for abdominal aortic aneurysms, encompassing 80% of all repairs in the United States. Endoleaks are ubiquitous and affect 30% of patients treated by EVAR, potentially leading to sac enlargement and increased risk of rupture. The care of EVAR patients requires long-term surveillance by a multidisciplinary team. Accordingly, physicians should be familiar with the fundamentals of endoleak management to achieve optimal outcomes, including timely referral for remediation or providing counseling and reassurance when needed.

Observations

PubMed and the Cochrane database were searched for articles published between January 2002 and December 2022 in English, addressing epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of endoleaks after EVAR. Endoleaks can be detected intraoperatively or years later, making lifelong surveillance mandatory. Type I and III have the highest risk of rupture (7.5% at 2 years and 8.9% at 1 year, respectively) and should be treated when identified. Intervention should be considered for other types of endoleak when associated with aneurysm sac growth larger than 5 mm based on current guidelines. Type II endoleaks are the most common, accounting for 50% of all endoleaks. Up to 90% of type II endoleaks resolve spontaneously or are not associated with sac enlargement, requiring only observation. Although the risk of rupture is less than 1%, cases that require reintervention are challenging. Recurrence is common despite endovascular treatment, and rupture can occur without evidence of sac growth. Type IV endoleaks and endotension are uncommon, are typically benign, and primarily should be observed.

Conclusions and Relevance

Endoleak management depends on the type and presence of sac expansion. Type I and III endoleaks require intervention. Type II endoleaks should be observed and treated selectively in patients with significant sac expansion. Since endoleaks can appear any time after EVAR, at least 1 contrast-enhanced computed tomographic angiogram or duplex ultrasound by an experienced laboratory is recommended every 5 years.
Integrative analysis ofmRNAandmiRNAexpression profiles and somatic variants in oxysterol signaling in early‐stage luminal breast cancer
Authors: Holý Petr , Brynychová Veronika , Šeborová Karolína , Haničinec Vojtěch , Koževnikovová Renata , Trnková Markéta , Vrána David , Gatěk Jiří , Kopečková Kateřina , Mrhalová Marcela , Souček Pavel
Published: July 2023

Oxysterols, oxidized derivatives of cholesterol, act in breast cancer (BC) as selective estrogen receptor modulators and affect cholesterol homeostasis, drug transport, nuclear and cell receptors, and other signaling proteins. Using data from three highly overlapping sets of patients (N = 162 in total) with early‐stage estrogen‐receptor‐positive luminal BC—high‐coverage targeted DNA sequencing (113 genes), mRNA sequencing, and full micro‐RNA (miRNA) transcriptome microarrays—we describe complex oxysterol‐related interaction (correlation) networks, with validation in public datasets (n = 538) and 11 databases. TheESR1‐CH25H‐INSIG1‐ABCA9axis was the most prominent, interconnected through miR‐125b‐5p, miR‐99a‐5p, miR‐100‐5p, miR‐143‐3p, miR‐199b‐5p, miR‐376a‐3p, and miR‐376c‐3p. Mutations inSC5D,CYP46A1, and its functionally linked gene set were associated with multiple differentially expressed oxysterol‐related genes.STARD5was upregulated in patients with positive lymph node status. High expression of hsa‐miR‐19b‐3p was weakly associated with poor survival. This is the first study of oxysterol‐related genes in BC that combines DNA, mRNA, and miRNA multiomics with detailed clinical data. Future studies should provide links between intratumoral oxysterol signaling depicted here, circulating oxysterol levels, and therapy outcomes, enabling eventual clinical exploitation of present findings.
Superlithiophilic, Ultrastable, and Ionic‐Conductive Interface Enabled Long Lifespan All‐Solid‐State Lithium‐Metal Batteries under High Mass Loading
Authors: Lu Guanjie , Liu Wei , Yang Zuguang , Wang Yumei , Zheng Weikang , Deng Rongrui , Wang Ronghua , Lu Li , Xu Chaohe
Published: July 2023

Garnet‐type Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 (LLZTO) suffers from instability against moist air, poor interfacial contact with anode, and serious dendrite issue, which greatly impede its practical application in all‐solid‐state lithium batteries (ASSLBs). Herein, a superlithiophilic, moisture‐resistant, and robust interlayer is demonstrated to overcome these obstacles by in situ forming an AlF3 interlayer on the LLZTO surface. Thanks to the unique property, the AlF3‐modified LLZTO offers a significantly reduced interfacial resistance by more than two orders of magnitude (from 527.5 Ω cm2 for the pristine Li/LLZTO to 1.3 Ω cm2 for the surface‐engineered interface), achieves a critical current density of 1.2 mA cm−2 and long‐term stability of over 4000–4700 h, and endows regulated Li plating/stripping behaviors. Specifically, ASSLBs coupled with LiFePO4 and LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) cathodes can stably charge/discharge over 400 and 100 cycles at 0.5 and 0.2 C at 25 °C, with retentions of >80.0% and Coulombic efficiencies of >99.9%, respectively. Particularly, the NCM811‐based full ASSLB with large mass loading of 8.3 mg cm−2 also delivers a discharge‐specific capacity as high as 199.1 mAh g−1 with good rate capability, even approaching to the liquid cells. This study demonstrates a practical solution to address the interfacial challenges and paves the way for practical progress of ASSLBs.
Getting the basics right on soil enzyme activities: A comment on Sainju et al. (2022)
Authors: Margenot Andrew J. , Wade Jordon
Published: July 2023

Soil enzyme activities have been measured since the mid‐20th century to help understand how agricultural management practices impact nutrient cycling, and are now considered biological indicators of soil health. However, misconceptions persist about what soil enzyme activities represent and how activities can or cannot be interpreted. The publication by Sainju et al. in Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment that seeks to evaluate how soil enzyme activities relate to crop yields exemplifies many of these issues. We therefore provide a constructive diagnosis and critique of five common misunderstandings and even errors exemplified by this work. Our ultimate goal in this critique is to catalyze a better understanding of soil enzyme activities and identify where research is needed to close knowledge gaps.
Multi‐objective design optimization of microreactor arrays for distributed renewable energy conversion: A case study
Authors: Fu Kaihao , Wang Xinjie , Li Ping , Cao Chenxi , Du Wenli
Published: July 2023

Renewable energy accommodation entails extensive use of modular devices, whose performance degrades remarkably from the lab scale to the industrial scale. This work presents a multi‐objective design optimization approach for modular devices scale‐up as exemplified by hierarchical numbering‐up of reverse water‐gas shift microreactors. The optimization objectives cover a wide span of competing system performance metrics, including the reaction performance, energy efficiency, space occupation, environmental impact, and costs. The decision variables involve the hierarchical geometry, branching, and inter‐stack connection schemes of the microreactor stacks. The obtained Pareto‐optimal designs suggest that multiple short stacks with small intra‐stack distribution channels and large inter‐stack connection tubes can well balance cost and performance. Meanwhile, single‐stack structures with large distribution channels are more suitable for portable applications. The methodology not only can be extended to the numbering‐up of various types of microreactors but also has essential guidance for the integration design of other modular devices.
Self‐Powered e‐Skin Based on Integrated Flexible Organic Photovoltaics and Transparent Touch Sensors
Authors: Nair Nitheesh M. , Shakthivel Dhayalan , Panidhara Kumar M. , Adiga Varun , Ramamurthy Praveen C , Dahiya Ravinder
Published: July 2023

There is a growing interest in the large area, lightweight, low‐power electronic skin (e‐Skin), consisting of a multitude of sensors over conformable surfaces. The use of multifunctional sensors is always challenging, especially when their energy requirements are considered. Herein, the heterogeneous integration of custom‐made flexible organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells is demonstrated with a large area touch sensor array. The OPV can offer power density of more than 0.32 μW cm−2 at 1500 lux, which is sufficient to meet the instantaneous demand of the array of touch sensors. In addition to energy harvesting, it is shown that the OPVs can perform shadow sensing for proximity and gesture recognition, which are crucial features needed in the e‐Skin, particularly for safe interaction in the industrial domain. Along with pressure sensing (sensitivity of up to 0.26 kPa−1 in the range of 1–10 kPa) and spatial information, the touch sensors made of indium tin oxide and monolayer graphene have shown >70% transparency, which allow light to pass through them to reach the bottom OPV layer. With better resource management and space utilization, the presented stacked integration of transparent touch‐sensing layer and OPVs can evolve into a futuristic energy‐autonomous e‐Skin that can “see” and “feel.”
Morphological Intelligence Mechanisms in Biological and Biomimetic Flow Sensing
Authors: Gong Zheng , Cao Yudong , Cao Hongchao , Wan Bowei , Yang Zhen , Ke Xin , Zhang Deyuan , Chen Huawei , Wang Kaijie , Jiang Yonggang
Published: July 2023

Many aquatic and aerial animals have evolved highly sensitive flow receptors to help them survive in challenging environments. The biological flow receptors, such as filiform hairs, lateral lines, and seal whiskers, are elegantly designed with interesting biomechanical processing principles for extreme sensitivity, exhibiting obvious morphological intelligence. For instance, superficial neuromasts on the surface of fish body have an elongated cupula to enhance flow detection with a magnified drag. The flow‐induced mechanical information is transferred to arrayed hair bundles in the neuromasts, which show spontaneous oscillation and mechanical coupling effects for a high mechanical sensitivity. In this review, the biomechanical principles of morphological intelligence in biological flow field receptors are discussed, with an emphasis on the functions of stimulus enhancement, noise reduction, and nonlinear oscillation. In addition, the recent achievements in flow sensors with morphological intelligence are summarized in this article. Though there is still a big gap in principle discovery and practical application of morphological intelligence in engineered sensors, it can be anticipated that the field of intelligent flow sensing will be significantly promoted by the establishment of morphological intelligence models.
Development of a Chemically Driven Biomimetic Modular Artificial Muscle (BiMAM)
Authors: Nagwade Pritish , Kang Minseok , Park Jaeu , Jeong Jinwoong , Shin Heejae , Cho Youngjun , Lee Sanghoon
Published: July 2023

Human skeletal muscle is widely considered to be the most efficient actuator, leading to extensive research on developing artificial muscles. Bioinspired technologies such as soft robotics and biomimetics are used to produce artificial muscles with performance characteristics similar to those of their biological counterpart. Despite the complexity of human skeletal muscle, advanced engineering materials and unique approaches can help develop an artificial muscle that replicates its kinematic motions. Herein, biomimetic modular artificial muscle (BiMAM), which is the culmination of different design strategies, is presented, and fabrication methods aimed at developing this BiMAM. This chemically driven modular artificial muscle uses shape memory alloy coated with nanomaterials and nano‐catalysts. Herein, a high‐energy density fuel is employed to actuate this artificial muscle, enabling fast and efficient outputs. Multiple performance characteristics are determined by conducting controlled experiments. Various methods are demonstrated to control the fuel‐based valve system and the actuation of the chemically driven artificial muscle. Lastly, to evaluate its functionality, the curling movement of a robotic finger using BiMAM is demonstrated.
Point‐of‐care ultrasonography—An essential skill for medical graduates?
Authors: Yastrebov Konstantin , Costello Cartan , Taylor Ben , Torda Adrienne
Published: July 2023

The recent proliferation of point‐of‐care ultrasonography (POCUS) in the clinical practice of many medical specialties has exposed persistent barriers to education, training and standardisation. Specialist training curriculums are already overwhelming, having grossly insufficient time available for the specialist trainees and for the small number of available trainers alike to incorporate POCUS into postgraduate education. The logical solution to overcome these barriers could be to incorporate basic POCUS education and training into the undergraduate university curriculums, introducing longitudinal integration with other relevant medical sciences. The Australasian Society of Ultrasound in Medicine already has well‐established educational programmes in POCUS with standardised assessment of competency, which could potentially offer the basis for symbiosis with the Australian and New Zealand medical schools.
No evidence for cognitive decline or neurodegeneration in strain‐matched Grin3a knockout mice
Authors: Verhaeghe Remy , Elía‐Zudaire Oscar , Escamilla Sergio , Sáez‐Valero Javier , Pérez‐Otaño Isabel
Published: July 2023

N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor (NMDAR) dysregulation is thought to contribute to impaired cognition and neurodegeneration in a variety of brain disorders. In a recent article, Zhong et al. proposed that deficiency of the NMDAR subunit GluN3A may be a primary pathogenic factor in sporadic Alzheimer´s disease (AD) based on evidence for degenerative excitotoxicity and cognitive impairment in aging mice lacking GluN3A. Because the result appeared to be at odds with earlier work where genetic GluN3A deletion enhanced learning in younger mice, we have now compared wild‐type and GluN3A knockout mice at later life stages using a congenic mouse strain. Rather than age‐dependent cognitive decline or neurodegeneration, we find that the enhanced performance of young adult GluN3A knockouts in memory tasks persists during aging. In sum, our analysis does not support the hypothesis that GluN3A loss underlies cognitive impairment in AD..
White matter hyperintensities are higher among early‐onset Alzheimer's disease participants than their cognitively normal and early‐onset nonAD peers: Longitudinal Early‐onset Alzheimer's Disease Study (LEADS)
Authors: Eloyan Ani , Thangarajah Maryanne , An Na , Borowski Bret J. , Reddy Ashritha L. , Aisen Paul , Dage Jeffrey L. , Foroud Tatiana , Ghetti Bernardino , Griffin Percy , Hammers Dustin , Iaccarino Leonardo , Jack Clifford R. , Kirby Kala , Kramer Joel , Koeppe Robert , Kukull Walter A. , La Joie Renaud , Mundada Nidhi S , Murray Melissa E. , Nudelman Kelly , Rumbaugh Malia , Soleimani‐Meigooni David N. , Toga Arthur , Touroutoglou Alexandra , Atri Alireza , Day Gregory S. , Duara Ranjan , Graff‐Radford Neill R. , Honig Lawrence S. , Jones David T. , Masdeu Joseph , Mendez Mario F. , Musiek Erik , Onyike Chiadi U. , Rogalski Emily , Salloway Stephen , Sha Sharon , Turner Raymond S. , Wingo Thomas S. , Wolk David A. , Womack Kyle , Beckett Laurel , Gao Sujuan , Carrillo Maria C. , Rabinovici Gil , Apostolova Liana G. , Dickerson Brad , Vemuri Prashanthi ,   and the LEADS Consortium
Published: July 2023

INTRODUCTION

We compared white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) in early‐onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD) with cognitively normal (CN) and early‐onset amyloid‐negative cognitively impaired (EOnonAD) groups in the Longitudinal Early‐Onset Alzheimer's Disease Study.

METHODS

We investigated the role of increased WMH in cognition and amyloid and tau burden. We compared WMH burden of 205 EOAD, 68 EOnonAD, and 89 CN participants in lobar regions using t‐tests and analyses of covariance. Linear regression analyses were used to investigate the association between WMH and cognitive impairment and that between amyloid and tau burden.

RESULTS

EOAD showed greater WMHs compared with CN and EOnonAD participants across all regions with no significant differences between CN and EOnonAD groups. Greater WMHs were associated with worse cognition. Tau burden was positively associated with WMH burden in the EOAD group.

DISCUSSION

EOAD consistently showed higher WMH volumes. Overall, greater WMHs were associated with worse cognition and higher tau burden in EOAD.

Highlights

This study represents a comprehensive characterization of WMHs in sporadic EOAD.

WMH volumes are associated with tau burden from positron emission tomography (PET) in EOAD, suggesting WMHs are correlated with increasing burden of AD.

Greater WMH volumes are associated with worse performance on global cognitive tests.

EOAD participants have higher WMH volumes compared with CN and early‐onset amyloid‐negative cognitively impaired (EOnonAD) groups across all brain regions.
Electrospinning Polyanionic Materials for High‐Rate Na Storage
Authors: Yang Yi , Xu Shitan , Zhu Wensun , Xu Chen , Rui Xianhong
Published: July 2023

As emerging energy storage devices, sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) are perceived as promising alternatives to lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) due to their low cost and high safety. The cathodic side plays a crucial role in determining the energy density as well as the service life of SIBs, and the polyanionic cathode materials are featured by excellent cycle stability, flexible operating voltage and suitable overall electrochemical properties. However, the intrinsic inferior electronic conductivity limits their rate performance. Recently, the possibility of employing advanced electrospinning techniques to fabricate polyanionic materials has been explored. The facile electrospinning can greatly facilitate the ionic and electronic conduction of cathodes by constructing three‐dimensional (3D) conductive networks with the one‐dimensional (1D) nanofibers, and thus improves their electrochemical performance. In this review, we summarize the research progress of the electro‐spun polyanionic cathodic materials and their applications in SIBs, and present future prospects as well as challenges of the electro‐spun polyanions faced to the ever‐increasing demand of advanced energy storage.
Predictive impact of human papillomavirus circulating tumorDNAin treatment response monitoring ofHPV‐associated cancers; a meta‐analysis on recurrent event endpoints
Authors: Karimi Abbas , Jafari‐Koshki Tohid , Zehtabi Mojtaba , Kargar Farzaneh , Gheit Tarik
Published: July 2023

Background

HPV infection can cause cancer, and standard treatments often result in recurrence. The extent to which liquid biopsy using HPV circulating tumor DNA (HPV ctDNA) can be used as a promising marker for predicting recurrence in HPV‐related cancers remains to be validated. Here we conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to assess its effectiveness in predicting treatment response.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature search of online databases, including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library, up to December 2022. The goal was to identify survival studies that evaluated the potential of plasma HPV ctDNA at baseline and end‐of‐treatment (EoT) in predicting recurrence of related cancers. Hazard ratios were estimated directly from models or extracted from Kaplan–Meier plots.

Results

The pooled effect of HPV ctDNA presence on disease recurrence was estimated to be HR = 7.97 (95% CI: [3.74, 17.01]). Subgroup analysis showed that the risk of recurrence was HR = 2.17 (95% CI: [1.07, 4.41]) for baseline‐positive cases and HR = 13.21 (95% CI: [6.62, 26.36]) for EoT‐positive cases. Significant associations were also observed between recurrence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HR = 12.25 (95% CI: [2.62, 57.36])) and cervical cancer (HR = 4.60 (95% CI: [2.08, 10.17])) in plasma HPV ctDNA‐positive patients.

Conclusions

The study found that HPV ctDNA detection can predict the rate of relapse or recurrence after treatment, with post‐treatment measurement being more effective than baseline assessment. HPV ctDNA could be used as a surrogate or incorporated with other methods for detecting residual disease.
Community integration as reentry: Understanding functioning, vocational identity, and core self‐evaluations
Authors: Brehmer Chelsea E. , Strauser David R.
Published: July 2023

Individuals who have experienced incarceration are an underserved population in need of career development to reduce barriers to employment. Given the high rates of disability and health concerns for individuals who have been previously incarcerated, this study explored the relationships between individual health functioning, vocational identity, core self‐evaluations, and community integration. Using structural equation modeling structural regression, results showed that functional difficulties negatively impact vocational identity and core self‐evaluations. Conversely, core self‐evaluations significantly improve community integration and mediate a positive relationship between vocational identity and community integration. Career development activities aimed at core self‐evaluations and increasing meaning in employment may reduce some of the barriers experienced by individuals post incarceration.
Control valve stiction detection using Markov transition field and deep convolutional neural network
Authors: Memarian Amirreza , Damarla Seshu Kumar , Huang Biao
Published: July 2023

Control valve stiction is an industrial problem that often causes oscillations in process control loops. Oscillating control loops are not capable of maintaining key process variables near or at their desired values, thus yielding low‐quality products, inducing economic loss, and increasing environmental impacts. Therefore, it is of vital importance to detect stiction in industrial control valves. In this regard, the present work proposes a new method based on the Markov transition field and convolutional neural network (CNN) to identify sticky control valves in industrial control loops. The Markov transition field is employed to convert process variable (PV) and controller output (OP) into two‐dimensional images, which are then utilized by CNN to learn to distinguish stiction induced oscillations from oscillations brought out by a non‐stiction condition. A transfer learning strategy is adopted to improve the stiction detection capability of the proposed method. Its performance is evaluated via its application to benchmark control loops taken from the chemical, paper, mining, and metal industries. Results demonstrate that the proposed method obtains the correct verdict for the majority of the control loops studied.
Cellular dynamics in tumour microenvironment along with lung cancer progression underscore spatial and evolutionary heterogeneity of neutrophil
Authors: Peng Haoxin , Wu Xiangrong , Liu Shaopeng , He Miao , Tang Chenshuo , Wen Yaokai , Xie Chao , Zhong Ran , Li Caichen , Xiong Shan , Liu Jun , Zheng Hongbo , He Jianxing , Lu Xu , Liang Wenhua
Published: July 2023

Background

The cellular dynamics in the tumour microenvironment (TME) along with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression remain unclear.

Methods

Multiplex immunofluorescence test detecting 10 immune‐related markers on 553 primary tumour (PT) samples of NSCLC was conducted and spatial information in TME was assessed by the StarDist depth learning model. The single‐cell transcriptomic atlas of PT (n = 4) and paired tumour‐draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) (n = 5 for tumour‐invaded, n = 3 for tumour‐free) microenvironment was profiled. Various bioinformatics analyses based on Gene Expression Omnibus, TCGA and Array‐Express databases were also used to validate the discoveries.

Results

Spatial distances of CD4+ T cells–CD38+ T cells, CD4+ T cells–neutrophils and CD38+ T cells–neutrophils prolonged and they were replaced by CD163+ macrophages in PT along with tumour progression. Neutrophils showed unique stage and location‐dependent prognostic effects. A high abundance of stromal neutrophils improved disease‐free survival in the early‐stage, whereas high intratumoural neutrophil infiltrates predicted poor prognosis in the mid‐to‐late‐stage. Significant molecular and functional reprogramming in PT and TDLN microenvironments was observed. Diverse interaction networks mediated by neutrophils were found between positive and negative TDLNs. Five phenotypically and functionally heterogeneous subtypes of tumour‐associated neutrophil (TAN) were further identified by pseudotime analysis, including TAN‐0 with antigen‐presenting function, TAN‐1 with strong expression of interferon (IFN)‐stimulated genes, the pro‐tumour TAN‐2 subcluster, the classical subset (TAN‐3) and the pro‐inflammatory subtype (TAN‐4). Loss of IFN‐stimulated signature and growing angiogenesis activity were discovered along the transitional trajectory. Eventually, a robust six neutrophil differentiation relevant genes‐based model was established, showing that low‐risk patients had longer overall survival time and may respond better to immunotherapy.

Conclusions

The cellular composition, spatial location, molecular and functional changes in PT and TDLN microenvironments along with NSCLC progression were deciphered, highlighting the immunoregulatory roles and evolutionary heterogeneity of TANs.
Joint channel estimation and data detection for high rate orthogonal time frequency space systems
Authors: Ouchikh Rabah , Chonavel Thierry , Aïssa‐El‐Bey Abdeldjalil , Djeddou Mustapha
Published: July 2023

This paper proposes a new pilot pattern in the delay‐Doppler (DD) domain for the orthogonal time frequency space (OTFS) system. In contrast to the embedded‐pilot schemes, guard intervals are not used so as increase the spectral efficiency. Also, compared to the superimposed design where data symbols and pilots are arranged on the entire DD grid, in the proposed rearrangement, the number of pilots used is only spread over a subgrid of the DD grid. Hence, the interference of pilots with data symbols is reduced. Afterwards, an algorithm for channel estimation (CE) and symbol detection in the DD domain benefiting from the sparsity of the DD channel is designed. The sparse CE step is formulated as a specific marginalization of the maximum a posteriori (MAP) criterion by providing a Bayesian approach via the mean‐field approximation that involves the variational Bayesian expectation maximization (VB‐EM) algorithm. Detection of data symbols is done using a low complexity MP algorithm. We also propose an interference cancellation (IC) scheme to mitigate contamination of data by pilots that is run after each CE step. To achieve a high CE accuracy, based on the mean mutual incoherence property (MIP), a pilot optimization problem for OTFS is formulated and develop a simulated annealing‐based algorithm to solve it. Finally, simulation results show that the proposed scheme achieves a good compromise between spectral efficiency, complexity, and performance in terms of bit error rate (BER) and normalized mean square error (NMSE) when compared to literature benchmarks.
Safety of full bowel preparation and colonoscopy in elderly patients with ulcerative colitis: A real‐world multicenter retrospective cohort study
Authors: Hashimoto Yu , Kuribayashi Shiko , Itoi Yuki , Satou Keigo , Nakata Kou , Kasuga Kengo , Tanaka Hirohito , Hosaka Hiroko , Masuo Takashige , Maruhashi Kyoko , Furuya Kensuke , Masuda Tomoyuki , Takahashi Kazuhiro , Yamazaki Setsuo , Iwamoto Atsuo , Uraoka Toshio
Published: July 2023

Background

The number of elderly patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) has been increasing worldwide. Complications are common in elderly patients who undergo colonoscopy, raising doubts about whether colonoscopy should be performed in the same way in this age group as in younger patients. The aim of this study was to determine the safety of full bowel preparation and colonoscopy in elderly patients with UC.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed a cohort of patients with UC who had visited any of the 12 hospitals and were registered in our inflammatory bowel disease database. We compared complications associated with colonoscopy and bowel preparation and relapse of UC after colonoscopy in 133 patients aged ≥65 years with UC (the elderly group) and 116 randomly selected patients aged <65 years with UC (the non‐elderly group).

Results

Nine elderly patients were not referred for colonoscopy by their physicians because of poor performance status or advanced age. There was no significant between‐group difference in the complication rate (p = 0.57) or frequency of relapse of UC after colonoscopy (p = 0.67).

Conclusions

The findings of this study indicate that colonoscopy can be performed as safely in elderly patients with UC as in their younger counterparts. However, our results also indicate that colonoscopy is often avoided in elderly patients, possibly because of concerns about safety.
Transmission of a bumblebee parasite is robust despite parasite exposure to extreme temperatures
Authors: Wolmuth‐Gordon Hannah S. , Brown Mark J. F.
Published: July 2023

All organisms are exposed to fluctuating environmental conditions, such as temperature. How individuals respond to temperature affects their interactions with one another. Changes to the interaction between parasites and their hosts can have a large effect on disease dynamics. The gut parasite, Crithidia bombi, can be highly prevalent in the bumblebee, Bombus terrestris, and is an established epidemiological model. The parasite is transmitted between bumblebees via flowers, exposing it to a range of environmental temperatures prior to infection. We investigated whether incubation duration and temperature exposure, prior to infection, affects parasite infectivity. Prior to inoculation in B. terrestris, C. bombi was incubated at 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50°C for either 10 or 60 min. These times were chosen to reflect the length of time that the parasite remains infective when outside the host and the rate of floral visitation in bumblebees. Prevalence and infection intensity were measured in bees 1 week later. Incubation duration and the interaction between incubation temperature and duration affected the prevalence of C. bombi at 50°C, resulting in no infections after 60 min. Below 50°C, C. bombi prevalence was not affected by incubation temperature or duration. Extreme temperatures induced morphological changes in C. bombi cells; however, infection intensity was not affected by incubation duration or temperature. These results highlight that this parasite is robust to a wide range of temperatures. The parasite was not infective after being exposed to 50°C for 60 min, such temperatures likely exceed the flight abilities of bumblebees, and thus the potential for transmission. This study shows the importance of understanding the effects of environmental conditions on both hosts and parasites, which is needed to predict transmission under different environmental conditions.
Trait‐based and multi‐scale approach provides insight on responses of freshwater mussels to environmental heterogeneity
Authors: Mitchell Zachary A. , Cottenie Karl , Schwalb Astrid N.
Published: July 2023

Our understanding of the factors driving the distribution of metacommunities at different scales can be obscured by high variation in species composition between sites and a lack of fine‐scale distribution data. Trait‐based approaches have long been used to better identify and examine ecological patterns. Most recent studies of riverine metacommunities examining trait‐based patterns have focused on shorter lived organisms. Here we focused on a group of longer lived, sedentary riverine organisms, unionid freshwater mussels. The objective of this study was to examine how (1) the distribution of mussels with different life history strategies (trait‐based approach) and (2) the relative importance of environmental and spatial factors (as a proxy for dispersal) would differ with spatial scale and position in the river; and to (3) further compare this with patterns derived from a taxonomic approach. Fine‐scale distribution data of mussels and environmental factors were collected every 100 m in spatially extensive surveys in an upstream and downstream segment (200 sites/20‐km segment) of a semiarid river, making them some of the most spatially intensive surveys documented to date. A combination of redundancy analysis, asymmetric eigenvector mapping, and variation partitioning analyses revealed that more variation was explained by environmental factors where more environmental differences occur between sites. Where environmental heterogeneity was lower, the amount of variation explained by smaller scale spatial factors was higher, likely mostly associated with stochastic rather than dispersal processes. A higher amount of unexplained variation at the taxonomic level suggests that stochasticity may also play an important role in determining species composition. In contrast, different life history groups had a highly predictable distribution pattern driven by environmental heterogeneity, especially between river segments and mesohabitat, which was associated with different flow conditions. The role we predict for environmental heterogeneity and stochasticity in shaping the distribution of mussels in our study river likely also applies to other taxa and ecosystems at a spatial scale at which neither dispersal limitation nor mass effects occur. Thus, understanding the magnitude and extent of dispersal relative to the amount of environmental heterogeneity may be key for predicting metacommunity structure and dynamics for different organisms.
Tree species size class patterns portend compositional shifts and low resilience in managed northern hardwood forests
Authors: Henry Catherine R. , Walters Michael B.
Published: July 2023

Declining temperate forest biodiversity is a global challenge to future sustainability and resilience. Canopy tree diversity has declined in northern hardwood forests (NHFs) of the Great Lakes region since European colonization, with current tree regeneration patterns suggesting this trend may continue. However, regional (106 ha) patterns and drivers are underexplored. We used data from 141 managed NHF stands, Michigan, USA, to examine diversity indices across tree size classes (seedling, sapling, and canopy); stand‐level drivers of regeneration (seedling and sapling) diversity and individual species density; and patterns among species in relative abundances across size classes. Diversity was similar across size classes (mean asymptotic species richness of 6–7 species and <3 effective common species); however, some species contributing to sapling diversity are unlikely to contribute to future canopy diversity (Fraxinus americanaandFagus grandifolia, insect/pathogen limited;Ostrya virginiana, small maximum size). For the 11 most common species, conspecific canopy density (+, seedlings, significant for 10 species) and stand basal area (−, saplings, 3 species) most consistently associated with density; deer use, site quality, and substrate were less predictive. Patterns of relative density by size class among 18 species present on >10% of sites were consistent with species life history strategy and/or establishment/recruitment barriers. For seven species (includingTsuga canadensis,Betula alleghaniensis), relative density was lowest in the seedling layer, suggesting seedling establishment substrate and/or early shade mortality limitations. For two species (Acer saccharum,Quercus rubra), reduced sapling relative density compared with seedling or canopy strata suggests a sapling recruitment bottleneck from deer browsing/shade, whereas six species (e.g.,F. grandifolia,O. virginiana,Pinus strobus) had highest relative density for saplings, suggesting sapling to canopy recruitment limitations. Lastly, seedlings were relatively most dense forAcer rubrumandPrunusspp., indicating disproportionally high seedling establishment, if not sapling or canopy recruitment, and forF. americana, consistent with recent pest‐related canopy mortality. Collectively our analyses suggest sustained low diversity and shifting composition are driven by limited local seed availability, limited seedling establishment substrate, deep shading, and abundant deer. Management aimed at overcoming these limitations may be necessary to promote future NHF resilience.