bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An investigation of temperature and fever burdens in patients with sepsis admitted from the emergency department to the hospital
Authors: Beadle Jessica L. , Perman Sarah M. , Pennington Justin , Gaieski David F.
Published: November 2023

Aim

We sought to collect granular data on temperature burden to further explore existing conflicting information on the relationship between temperature alterations and outcomes in patients with sepsis requiring hospital admission.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study that enrolled a convenience sample of patients with sepsis or septic shock admitted to the hospital from the emergency department (ED). A “unit of temperature burden (UTB)” was defined as >1°C (1.8°F) above or below 37°C (98.6°F) for 1 min. Fever burden was defined as the number of UTBs >38°C (100.4°F). The primary objective was to calculate the fever burden in patients with sepsis during their ED stay. This was analyzed for patients who present to triage febrile or hypothermic and also for those who developed temperature abnormalities during their ED stay. The secondary objectives were correlating fever and hypothermia burden with in‐hospital mortality, Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) criteria, and the quick Sequential (Sepsis‐Associated) Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score and identification of patients who may benefit from early implementation of targeted temperature management.

Results

A total of 256 patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age of patients was 60.1 ± 18.4 years; 46% were female and 29.6% were black. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) fever burden for the fever in triage cohort (n = 99) was 364.6 (174.3‐716.8) UTB and for the no fever in triage cohort (n = 157) was 179.3 (80.9‐374.0) UTB (p = 0.005). The two groups had similar in‐hospital mortality (6.1 vs 8.3%; p = 0.5). The median fever burden for the fever anytime cohort was 303.8 (IQR 138.8‐607.9) UTB and they had lower mortality than the no fever anytime cohort (4.7% vs 11.2%; p = 0.052). Patients with fever at triage had higher mean SIRS criteria than those without (2.8 vs 2.0; p < 0.001) while qSOFA points were similar (p = 0.199). A total of 27 patients had hypothermia during their ED stay and these patients were older with higher mean SIRS criteria.

Conclusions

Patients with sepsis and septic shock have a significant temperature burden in the ED. When comparing patients who had fever at any time during their ED stay with those who never had a fever, a trend toward an inverse relationship between fever burden and mortality was found.
Outcome in intoxicated patients transported by a physician‐staffed helicopter in Japan from 2015 to 2020
Authors: Yanagawa Youichi , Takeuchi Ikuto , Nagasawa Hiroki , Ohsaka Hiromichi , Ishikawa Kouhei
Published: November 2023

Aim

We retrospectively investigated the current status of poisoned patients who had been transported by a physician‐staffed helicopter emergency medical service and their final outcomes using data from the JAPAN DOCTOR HELICOPTER REGISTRY SYSTEM.

Methods

The following details of dispatch activity were collected from the database of the JAPAN DOCTOR HELICOPTER REGISTRY SYSTEM: patient age and sex, timing of dispatch request, presence of cardiac arrest, vital signs, medical intervention, main etiology of intoxication, and final outcome. The patients were divided into two groups: those with a good outcome and those with a poor outcome. The variables were compared between the two groups.

Results

A total of 336 patients were intoxicated. Psychotropic drug overdose was the dominant cause, followed by carbon monoxide and ethanol. The median Glasgow Coma Scale score was significantly higher in the good outcome group than in the poor outcome group. The rates of cardiac arrest, interventions to secure an airway and/or assist with ventilation, and drug administration were significantly lower in the good outcome group than in the poor outcome group. There were no records concerning the decontamination of the intoxicating substance at the scene or during air evacuation.

Conclusion

The study suggests that various factors may influence the outcomes of patients with different types of intoxication. These findings offer valuable insights that could help to establish effective treatment strategies and the operation of doctor helicopters for intoxicated patients.
Inversin‐deficient (inv) mice do not establish a polarized duct system in the liver and pancreas
Authors: Fujisawa Hiromu , Ota Noriaki , Shiojiri Nobuyoshi
Published: November 2023

Inversin‐deficient (inv) mice have anomalies in liver and pancreatic development in addition to an inverted left–right axis of the body. The present study was undertaken to unveil mechanisms of bile and pancreatic duct development from immunohistochemical analyses of anomalies in inv mice. Intrahepatic bile ducts having proximodistal polarity in size and the height of their epithelia, and ductules were formed in livers of wild‐type neonates. By contrast, in inv mice, ductal plates, precursor structures of intrahepatic bile ducts and ductules, persisted without the proximodistal polarity. Their epithelial cells did not acquire planar cell polarity (PCP) in terms of expression of tight junction proteins although they expressed bile duct markers, HNF1β and SOX9. They had an apicobasal polarity from expression of basal laminar components. Enlargement of the hepatic artery and poor connective tissue development, including the abnormal deposition of the extracellular matrices, were also noted in inv mice, suggesting that bile duct development was coupled to that of the hepatic artery and portal vein. In pancreata of inv neonates, neither the main pancreatic duct was formed, nor dilated duct‐like structures had the morphological polarity from the connecting point with the common bile duct. Lumina of acini was dilated, and centroacinar cells changed their position in the acini to their neck region. Immunohistochemical analyses of tight junction proteins suggested that epithelial cells of the duct‐like structures did not have a PCP. Thus, Invs may be required for the establishment of the PCP of the whole duct system in the liver and pancreas.
Impact assessment of metabolite instability in the development and validation of LC–MS/MS bioanalytical assays for measurement of rosuvastatin in human plasma and urine samples
Authors: Cui Yuxiang , Kowalski Kevin , Van Parys Michael , Miller Dennis , Hansen Patricia , Liang Xiaorong , Dean Brian , Chen Liuxi
Published: November 2023

During bioanalytical assay development and validation, maintaining the stability of the parent drug and metabolites of interest is critical. While stability of the parent drug has been thoroughly investigated, the stability of unanalyzed metabolites is often overlooked. When an unstable metabolite is known or suspected to interfere with measurement of the parent drug or other metabolites of interest through back‐conversion or other routes, additional tests with these unstable metabolites should be conducted. Here, the development and validation of two assays for quantification of rosuvastatin, one in human plasma and one in human urine, was reported. To this end, additional sets of quality control samples were added during assay validation to ensure the reliability of the assays. Acid treatment of samples is shown to be necessary for rosuvastatin quantification. In this regard, stability issues caused by the metabolite, rosuvastatin lactone, may have been overlooked if assay development and validation had only considered the parent drug, rosuvastatin. These assays represent a case study for how to develop and validate assays with unstable metabolites. Taken together, unstable metabolites should be included in all applicable stability tests.
Are multicancer early detection screening tests a hoped‐for breakthrough?
Authors: Nierengarten Mary Beth
Published: November 2023

This news section offers Cancer readers timely information on events, public policy analysis, topical issues, and personalities. In this issue, multicancer screening tests have the ability to detect multiple cancer types earlier, but researchers are still determining whether their advantages outweigh their drawbacks. In addition, removing the thymus in adults raises the risk of developing or dying from cancer, and adding immunotherapy to stereotactic ablative radiotherapy improves event‐free survival in patients with early or recurrent non‐small cell lung cancer.
A network study to differentiate suicide attempt risk profiles in male and female patients with major depressive disorder
Authors: Sarti Pierfrancesco , Colliva Chiara , Varrasi Simone , Guerrera Claudia Savia , Platania Giuseppe Alessio , Boccaccio Francesco Maria , Castellano Sabrina , Pirrone Concetta , Pani Luca , Tascedda Fabio , di Nuovo Santo , Caraci Filippo , Blom Johanna M. C.
Published: November 2023

Suicide attempts are a possible consequence of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), although their prevalence varies across different epidemiological studies. Suicide attempt is a significant predictor of death by suicide, highlighting its importance in understanding and preventing tragic outcomes. Researchers are increasingly recognizing the need to study the differences between males and females, as several distinctions emerge in terms of the characteristics, types and motivations of suicide attempts. These differences emphasize the importance of considering gender‐specific factors in the study of suicide attempts and developing tailored prevention strategies. We conducted a network analysis to represent and investigate which among multiple neurocognitive, psychosocial, demographic and affective variables may prove to be a reliable predictor for identifying the ‘suicide attempt risk’ (SAR) in a sample of 81 adults who met DSM‐5 criteria for MDD. Network analysis resulted in differences between males and females regarding the variables that were going to interact and predict the SAR; in particular, for males, there is a stronger link toward psychosocial aspects, while for females, the neurocognitive domain is more relevant in its mnestic subcomponents. Network analysis allowed us to describe otherwise less obvious differences in the risk profiles of males and females that attempted to take their own lives. Different neurocognitive and psychosocial variables and different interactions between them predict the probability of suicide attempt unique to male and female patients.
Business accountability in the Anthropocene
Authors: Grabs Janina
Published: November 2023

The arrival of the Anthropocene requires a profound rethinking of business accountability. A central challenge in this age is the possibility of pushing past planetary boundaries, which may irreversibly propel the Earth system into a new equilibrium that is less hospitable for human civilization. Businesses drive many of the processes contributing to such boundaries, and are powerful political actors who may shape or obstruct the necessary transformations to our socio‐economic systems. We therefore need to reconsider their accountability, focused on the following guiding question: Who (in business) should be accountable to whom for what? The answer to this question has important implications for environmental policy and governance. Drawing on a range of recent conceptual and policy developments, I present four major lines of thinking for reconsidering business accountability in the Anthropocene context: to rethink the purpose of business; to acknowledge companies' expanded but shared accountability for productive activities; to heighten collective and individual liability for past and future actions linked to overshooting planetary boundaries; and to recognize business accountability for influencing political and societal processes. Each of these lines of thinking imply policy changes related to, inter alia, corporate governance, due diligence, liability, and lobbying laws. I further call on businesses to actively participate in the large‐scale transformation necessary to keep within planetary boundaries by changing not only their production processes, but also product portfolios, business models, legal forms, and political and societal engagement; and highlight avenues for future research.
Walnut fruit diaphragm ethanol extract ameliorates damage due to Triton WR‐1339‐induced hyperlipidemia in rats
Authors: Palabiyik Esra , Sulumer Ayse Nurseli , Uguz Handan , Avci Bahri , Askin Seda , Askin Hakan
Published: November 2023

The walnut fruit diaphragm (WFD) is an economically and ecologically important by‐product of the Juglandaceae family. Components in the ethanolic extract of WFD (E‐WFD) were identified by gas chromatography‐mass spectroscopy (GC‐MS). In our study, the lipid‐lowering effect, antioxidant potential, and anti‐inflammatory properties of E‐WFD in the blood, heart, and liver tissues of rats (♂, Wistar) with hyperlipidemia caused by Triton WR‐1339 were determined using biochemical, histopathological, and molecular techniques. Experimental animals for analysis are as follows: K1: healthy control group, K2: E‐WFD (150 mg, o.d.), K3: E‐WFD (300 mg, o.d.), K4: HL (hyperlipidemic group) (400 mg kg–1 Triton WR‐1339, i.p.), K5: HL + E‐WFD (300 mg) grouped as (n = 6). After the application, anti‐hyperlipidemic analysis (TC, TG, LDL‐C, HDL‐C, ALT, and AST), oxidative stress (MDA, SOD, and CAT) parameters measurement, histopathological examinations, and inflammatory biomarker genes (Tnf‐α, Il‐6, Il‐1β, Mmp‐2, Mmp‐9, Lxr‐α and Srebp‐1c) expression stability were determined by q‐RT PCR. With the E‐WFD application, there was a decrease in TC and TG levels and an increase in HDL‐C. Oxidative stress decreased by changing MDA, SOD, and CAT levels. Histopathological deterioration in the tissues changed positively. In addition, E‐WFD showed significant inhibitory properties on Tnf‐α, Il‐6, Il‐1β, Mmp‐2, Mmp‐9, Lxr‐α, and Srebp‐1c genes.

Practical Applications: It is known that hyperlipidemia causes a wide range of diseases. In this study, the effect of walnut fruit diaphragm (WFD) ethanol extract was compared against the effect of Triton WR‐1339‐induced hyperlipidemia on rats. With the use of WFD, the damages caused by hyperlipidemia were significantly ameliorated. Accordingly, it is expected to contribute to the pharmacology, food and cosmetic industries as a very valuable alternative product.]
Ligand Combination Approach in Pd‐Catalyzed Direct C−H Arylation of Benzothiazole and Benzoxazole
Authors: Bakare Sneha Prasad , Patil Mahendra
Published: November 2023

The use of ligand combination approach in the Pd catalyzed direct C−H arylation of benzothiazole and benzoxazole is demonstrated. The combination of two ligands phenanthroline monohydrate (Phen.H2O) and triphenylphosphine (PPh3) with Pd‐catalyst have offered the best catalytic properties in the C−H bond arylation reactions than either of two ligands employed separately in the reactions. This protocol exhibits a wide substrate scope affording C2 arylated benzothiazole and benzoxazole derivatives in excellent yields. Mechanistic studies including kinetic isotope effect (KIE), H/D exchange and competition experiments show that the C−H bond activation of benzothiazole and benzoxazole is very facile under reaction conditions. Furthermore, different mechanistic pathways originated from the catalytically active species such as Pd(η2‐dba)L (dba=dibenzylidene acetone) and Pd(PPh3)2 were investigated using computational methods. The computational results suggest that the generation of catalytically active species from Pd2(dba)3 is endoergic process and Phen ligand can initiate this step. On the other hand, the presence of PPh3 could be crucial for the oxidative addition of aryl halides which is the rate‐determining step of the reaction.
Extrapolating Metal (Cu, Ni, Zn) Toxicity from Individuals to Populations Across Daphnia Species Using Mechanistic Models: The Roles of Uncertainty Propagation and Combined Physiological Modes of Action
Authors: Hansul Simon , Fettweis Andreas , Smolders Erik , Schamphelaere Karel De
Published: November 2023

Mechanistic effect modeling is a promising tool to improve the ecological realism of environmental risk assessment. An open question for the mechanistic modeling of metal toxicity is whether the same physiological mode of action (PMoA) could be assumed for closely related species. The implications of various modeling choices, such as the use of parameter point estimates and assumption of simplistic toxicodynamic models, are largely unexplored. We conducted life-table experiments with Daphnia longispina, Daphnia magna, and Daphnia pulex exposed to the single metals Cu, Ni, and Zn, and calibrated toxicokinetic–toxicodynamic (TKTD) models based on dynamic energy budget theory. We developed TKTD models with single and combined PMoAs to compare their goodness-of-fit and predicted population-level sensitivity. We identified the PMoA reproduction efficiency as most probable in all species for Ni and Zn, but not for Cu, and found that combined-PMoA models predicted higher population-level sensitivity than single-PMoA models, which was related to the predicted individual-level sensitivity, rather than to mechanistic differences between models. Using point estimates of parameters, instead of sampling from the probability distributions of parameters, could also lead to differences in the predicted population-level sensitivity. According to model predictions, apical chronic endpoints (cumulative reproduction, survival) are conservative for single-metal population effects across metals and species. We conclude that the assumption of an identical PMoA for different species of Daphnia could be justified for Ni and Zn, but not for Cu. Single-PMoA models are more appropriate than combined-PMoA models from a model selection perspective, but propagation of the associated uncertainty should be considered. More accurate predictions of effects at low concentrations may nevertheless motivate the use of combined-PMoA models. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:338–358. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Responsibility boundaries and the governance of global value chains: The interplay of efficiency, ethical, and institutional pressures in global strategy
Authors: DeBerge Thomas
Published: November 2023

Research Summary

I explore the relationship of firm global strategy and global value chain (GVC) governance, within a context of expanding responsibility boundaries for unethical practices in the value chain. Specifically, focusing on the tantalum supply chain within the digital electronics GVC, I conduct a case‐based process study that contextualizes the different strategic responses of three manufacturers of tantalum capacitors when faced with similar efficiency, ethical, and institutional pressures. Integrating the GVC and global strategy literatures, I find that structural inertia in GVCs limits the efficacy of strategies that preserve, rather than alter, the governance structure, instead requiring a strategic restructuring carried out by individual firms, whose internalization of responsibility boundaries is encouraged by the institutionalization of these boundaries through public policy.

Managerial Summary

Unethical practices within global value chains are increasingly becoming the responsibility of firms with no direct control over such practices, leading to growing pressures for firms to alter their global strategies to meet social and institutional demands. Research has focused on strategies that preserve the structure of the value chain, despite questions about the efficacy of these approaches. By looking at the case of “conflict minerals” within the digital electronics value chain, this study finds that inherent flaws in value chain structures, which managers can identify, require individual firms to implement strategies that change the structure of the value chain, specifically by increasing ownership and control over the linkages where unethical practices occur and encouraging public policies that add value to these strategies.
Going the extra mile? General practitioners' upcoding of fees for home visits
Authors: O’Halloran Jamie , Oxholm Anne Sophie , Pedersen Line Bjørnskov , Gyrd‐Hansen Dorte
Published: November 2023

General practitioners' (GPs') income often relies on self‐reported activities and performances. They can therefore ‘game the system’ to maximize their remuneration. We investigate whether Danish GPs game their travel fees for home visits. Combining administrative and geographical data, we measure the difference between GPs' traveled and billed distances. We exploit a rise in the fees for home visits. If there is a link between the rise in fees and upcoding, we interpret this finding as indicative of gaming behavior. We find that upcoding occurs slightly more often than downcoding (16% vs. 13% of visits) for visits that can be both upcoded and downcoded. Using linear probability models with GP fixed effects, we find that the fee rise is associated with a reduction in upcoding of 0.6% of home visits (2.8% for visits where upcoding is feasible) and no change in downcoding. Importantly, we find no statistically significant differences in the reduction in upcoding across distance bands despite large differences in their fee rises. We therefore conclude that there is no causal evidence of GPs gaming their fees.
Evaluation of an acute trust Domestic Abuse Coordinator role: Impact findings and a budget impact model
Authors: Melendez‐Torres G. J. , Crathorne Louise , Hepworth Eleanor , Sloane Vanessa , Jackson Sally , Nicholas Rachel , Cohen Charlotte E.
Published: November 2023

Domestic Abuse Coordinators (DACs) work strategically across National Health Service (NHS) hospital and other off‐site clinical settings to support clinical staff in domestic abuse enquiry and response, and to co‐lead the development and implementation of effective clinical policies and procedures for the management of domestic abuse and the support of survivors. Drawing on data from a large NHS acute trust in central London, we analyse the impact of the DAC role in increasing the rate of referrals of high‐risk domestic abuse cases, and generate plausible estimates of the budget impact of the DAC role in respect of costs accrued to NHS trusts. Using eight quarters of clinical data and an interrupted time series design, we find that evidence that implementation of a DAC role is linked with an increase in the rate of high‐risk referrals of between 18% and 21% per quarter, indicating improved responses to victim‐survivors at highest risk of imminent harm. Under a range of reasonable assumptions, initiation of the DAC role is shown to be cost‐saving to an employing acute trust. Future work should seek to quantify the direct impacts to survivor health and wellbeing of the implementation of the DAC role.
1,25(OH)2D3 inhibits Lewis lung cancer cell migration via NHE1‐sensitive metabolic reprograming
Authors: Chen Hong , Zhu Mei‐zhen , Wang Xi‐ting , Ai Min , Li Shuang‐shuang , Wan Ming‐yu , Wang Pei‐yao , Cai Wei‐wei , Hou Bao , Xu Fei , Lang Florian , Qiu Li‐ying , Zhou Yue‐tao
Published: November 2023

High prevalence and metastasis rates are characteristics of lung cancer. Glycolysis provides energy for the development and metastasis of cancer cells. The 1,25‐dihydroxy vitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) has been linked to reducing cancer risk and regulates various physiological functions. We hypothesized that 1,25(OH)2D3 could be associated with the expression and activity of Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1) of Lewis lung cancer cells, thus regulating glycolysis as well as migration by actin reorganization. Followed by online public data analysis, Vitamin D3 receptor, the receptor of 1,25(OH)2D3 has been proved to be abundant in lung cancers. We demonstrated that 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment suppressed transcript levels, protein levels, and activity of NHE1 in LLC cells. Furthermore, 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment resets the metabolic balance between glycolysis and OXPHOS, mainly including reducing glycolytic enzymes expression and lactate production. In vivo experiments showed the inhibition effects on tumor growth as well. Therefore, we concluded that 1,25(OH)2D3 could amend the NHE1 function, which leads to metabolic reprogramming and cytoskeleton reconstruction, finally inhibits the cell migration.
Leveraging a comprehensive systems thinking framework to analyze engineer complex problem‐solving approaches
Authors: Dugan Kelley E. , Mosyjowski Erika A. , Daly Shanna R. , Lattuca Lisa R.
Published: November 2023

Background

To prepare engineers who can address complex sociotechnical problems, a deep understanding of engineers' complex problem‐solving approaches is needed.

Purpose/Hypothesis

This study operationalizes comprehensive systems thinking as an analysis framework that attends to aspects of engineering work and relationships among those aspects. Leveraging this framework to analyze engineers' complex problem‐solving approaches enables attention to social and technical dimensions.

Design/Method

We interviewed 46 engineers about their specific complex problem‐solving experiences. To explore a range of perspectives, we purposely sampled participants with varying academic, professional, and personal backgrounds and experiences. Data analysis focused on operationalizing comprehensive systems thinking; we first developed a set of aspects that captured the variety of considerations that participants discussed in their descriptions of solving a complex problem. We then inductively developed a scoring guide to differentiate response quality.

Results

The scoring approach differentiated the quality of consideration based on a combination of the number of details provided, the degree of specificity, and analytical depth. While most participants discussed the consideration of a wide range of aspects of engineering work, they discussed far fewer possible relationships between these aspects. Contextual aspects of engineering work were consistently the least commonly identified and least likely to be considered in relation to other aspects of a given problem.

Conclusions

Our differentiation of various complex problem‐solving approaches can guide the development of educational interventions and tools, ultimately facilitating more comprehensive consideration of aspects—and in particular relationships among aspects—and setting up engineers to be more successful at developing appropriate solutions.
Micromorphological and phytochemical profiling of Delphinium suave Huth. from Hindukush range, Lower Dir Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan
Authors: Ahmad Imran , Dastagir Ghulam
Published: November 2023

This is a very first attempt to study various parameters of a medicinal plant, Delphinium suave Huth. The plant is erect, geophytic, herbaceous, with tuberous root, trifid in a palmatipartite, strigose cuneate leaf and white spurred zygomorphic flower. The root was isodiametric phellem with single non‐glandular trichomes. The stem revealed single‐layered cuticle, multiseriate epidermis, cortex, pith ray and uniserate bowed non‐glandular trichomes. The leaf was amphistomatic, showed tapering trichomes, prismatic crystals and ranunculaceous stomata with circumference 144.66–182.67 μm. Pollen grains in Light Microscopy (LM), were prolate, spheroidal trizonocolpate, isopolar, radiosymmetric, scabrate, elliptic and monads. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) pollen surface was scabrate, monad, size varied from 18.06 to 16.67 μm, colpus to inaperturate, tricolpate, ornamented, echinus, isopolar, isodiametric and circular. SEM roots showed sclerenchymatic tissues, stellate, glandular, non‐glandular trichomes and crystals. The stem showed scalariform, pitted vessels, warty protuberances, unicellular, silicified, non‐glandular trichomes. Leaves powder revealed, simple, unicellular, tapered headed, uniseriate, sessile, capitate, unbranched glandular, non‐glandular, trichomes with crystals. Capitate, stellate, circular, unicellular, branchy trichomes were observed for the first time through SEM. Powder drug study of root, stem leaves through LM revealed different tissues. Preliminary phytochemical revealed alkaloids, anthocyanins, anthraquinones, coumarins, flavones, mucilages, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, volatile oils and proteins. GC/MS showed 36 compounds in roots, 33 in stem while 40 in leaves. Fluorescence analysis of roots, stem and leaves showed variations in color when treated with chemicals. This study will assist pharmacognostic exploration, authentication from adulterants/allied species for consistent quality, resulting in safe use, preservation and efficacy.

Research Highlights

This was first attempt on pharmacognostic study on D. suave Huth. which could be used as a foundation for identifying and authenticating the specie from other allied species by these morphological, anatomical, GC/MS profiling, phytochemical analysis and fluorescence analysis.
Plant disease identification using contextual mask auto‐encoder optimized with dynamic differential annealed optimization algorithm
Authors: Prasannakumar M. , Latha K.
Published: November 2023

Most of the food consumed worldwide is produced by plants. Plant disease is a major cause of reduced production, but can be managed with regular monitoring. Manually observing plant diseases takes more time and is error‐prone. Early detection of plant diseases with the aid of artificial intelligence and computer vision can decrease the effects of disease and help plants withstand the downsides of continuing surveillance. In this manuscript, plant disease identification using contextual mask auto‐encoder optimized with dynamic differential annealed optimization algorithm (PDI‐CMAE‐DDAOA) is proposed. The plant village dataset is used to collect the images. Then the image is fed to preprocessing. Using an adaptive self‐guided filter approach, the noise is removed from the input images during the pre‐processing phase. The result of the pre‐processing section serves as input for the feature extraction segment. Four statistical features, including mean, variance, entropy, and kurtosis, are recovered from the cosine similarity hidden Markov model (CSHMM). The contextual mask auto‐encoder (CMAE) is given the extracted features to accurately classify the healthy and unhealthy regions of the plant image. The issue of slow convergence affects the CMAE. However, it is noted that the CMAE converges more quickly with deep learning features than with texture features in this instance. The CMAE classifier generally does not exhibit any adaptation of optimization algorithms for determining the best parameters to ensure the precise classification of plant disease. Therefore, dynamic differential annealed optimization algorithm (DDAOA) is considered to enhance the CMAE classifier, which accurately distinguishes between healthy and diseased plants. The proposed PDI‐CMAE‐DDAOA is done in Python. The efficacy of PDI‐CMAE‐DDAOA is evaluated under some performance metrics, like accuracy, precision, sensitivity, F1‐score, specificity, error rate, receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), computational time. The proposed method provides higher accuracy 23.34%, 34.33%, and 32.07%; higher sensitivity 36.67%, 36.33%, and 23.21%; higher F1‐score 46.67%, 57.56%, and 43.21%; higher specificity 56.67%, 67.56%, and 23.21% analyzed with existing models, like transfer learning‐based deep ensemble neural network for plant leaf infection recognition (PDI‐DENN), plant disease detection with hybrid model based on convolutional auto‐encoder and convolutional neural network (PDI‐CAE‐CNN), and automatic and reliable leaf disease finding depending on deep learning methods (PDI‐EN‐CNN), respectively.

Research Highlights

To find the plant disease at early stage.

To present PDI‐CMAE‐DDAOA.

To get better classification accuracy by extracting the optimal features with the help of efficient CSHMM.

To minimize the error during classification process.

To maximize high area under curve value.
The effects of annual cycle, source population, and body condition on leukocyte profile and immune challenge in a basal reptile, the tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus)
Authors: Lamar Sarah K. , Frank Hannah K. , La Flamme Anne , Gartrell Brett , Ormsby Diane , Nelson Nicola
Published: November 2023

Leukocyte profiles are broadly used to assess the health status of many species. Reference intervals, and an understanding of the factors that may influence these intervals, are necessary for adequate interpretation of leukograms. Using a data set that spans over three decades, we investigated variation in leukocyte profile in several populations of the evolutionarily unique reptile, the tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus). To do this, we first established reference intervals for each leukocyte type according to best practices. Next, we determined that source population and sampling date were the two most important predictors of leukocyte makeup. We found significant differences in the ratio of heterophils: lymphocytes (H:L) between populations, with tuatara on the more resource‐stressed sampling island having a significantly higher ratio of H:L. Finally, we found that sampling location, sex, and life stage did not explain variation in the responses of tuatara to stimulation with Concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide in both 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐di‐phenyltetrazolium bromide and Griess assay experiments. Our results offer important insight into the function of leukocytes in reptiles.
Increasing compound hazard of landfalling tropical cyclones in China during 1980–2020
Authors: Tan Hongjian , Cai Rongshuo , Guo Ziyan
Published: November 2023

Identifying the geographical regions where tropical cyclone (TC) activities are changing most is critical for policymakers to develop long‐term strategies for coastal disaster prevention. However, the key concerns for assessing the variation trends of the regional hazard caused by landfalling TCs are limited by data availability in the spatio‐temporal coverage and homogeneity. In this study, based on the high spatio‐temporal resolution ERA5 reanalysis data and a quasi‐Lagrangian approach, we investigate the long‐term variation trend of the compound hazard resulting from wind and precipitation during the landfall of the TCs in the coastal areas of China from 1980 to 2020. Two hotspot areas of TCs hazards are identified, one in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding areas, and the other in the Hainan Island and the northern South China Sea. The observed compound hazard in the former hotspot area shows a noticeable increasing trend over the past 40 years at a rate of 5% per year, while the latter hotspot area displays a robust decreasing trend. This variation pattern of the hazard trend is mainly attributed to the increased frequency of intense TCs (typhoon intensity grade and above) and the northward movement of TC track in China. The number of intense landfalling TCs in southeastern China nearly tripled in 2000–2019 compared to those in 1980–1999. The widespread increase in the compound hazard also suggests a rise in the disaster risk for the middle‐ and high‐latitude coastal regions of China, which require an immediate development and execution of advanced prevention strategies.
Tourism in ASEAN‐5: A novel panel unit‐root test for shocks persistence with gradual structural breaks and common factors
Authors: Husein Jamal
Published: November 2023

This study investigates whether shocks to tourist arrivals in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand (ASEAN‐5) are permanent or transitory, given the frequent and severe external shocks experienced by the tourism industry. Using monthly data from 2000 to 2019, we employ a novel panel unit‐root test that controls for cross‐correlations, multiple gradual structural breaks, and other nonlinearities present in the data to assess the stationarity properties of tourist arrivals. Additionally, we apply a panel unit‐root test that controls for cross‐correlations and allows for abrupt structural changes for robustness. The empirical findings reveal that shocks to tourist arrivals in the ASEAN‐5 countries exert persistent effects. Our results demonstrate nonstationarity within the series, illuminated by our careful consideration of both gradual and abrupt structural breaks. This finding underscores the necessity for policy interventions to mitigate the impact of adverse shocks on the tourism industry.
Knowledge sharing and knowledge protection: An investigation of interorganizational collaboration in China
Authors: Song Chao , Yu Kaidong
Published: November 2023

The effective management of knowledge sharing and protection poses a critical challenge for enterprises engaged in interorganizational collaboration. Prior research has indicated that knowledge sharing and protection are often viewed as incompatible or even contradictory organizational behaviors. This study presents a more comprehensive theoretical framework that takes into account both knowledge sharing and protection. To investigate the relationships between influential antecedent factors and collaborative performance outcomes, we conducted a survey involving 247 knowledge‐intensive manufacturing companies in China. The study contributes to the field by developing a conceptual model for understanding knowledge sharing and protection, and it also provides practical value through the introduction of “Knowledge Sharing and Protection Guidelines.” These guidelines are designed to assist enterprises in enhancing their individual performance, expanding their market share, and bolstering their competitiveness. Simultaneously, they aim to foster innovation and create market advantages for all stakeholders engaged in interorganizational collaboration, ultimately leading to improvement in overall performance.
A space‐for‐time framework for forecasting the effects of ocean stratification on zooplankton vertical habitat use and trait composition
Authors: Matthews Stephanie A. , Ohman Mark D.
Published: November 2023

The effects of environmental change on zooplankton communities, and more broadly, pelagic ecosystems are difficult to predict due to the high diversity of ecological strategies and complex interspecific interactions within the zooplankton. Trait‐based approaches can define zooplankton functional groups with distinct responses to environmental change. Analyses across multiple mesozooplankton groups can help identify key organizing traits. Here, we use the pronounced cross‐shore environmental gradient within the California Current Ecosystem in a space‐for‐time substitution to test potential effects of ocean warming and increased stratification on zooplankton communities. Along a horizontal gradient in sea‐surface temperature, water column stratification, and light attenuation, we test whether there are changes in zooplankton species composition, trait composition, and vertical habitat use. We employ DNA metabarcoding at two loci (18S‐V4 and COI) and digital ZooScan imaging of zooplankton sampled in a Lagrangian manner. We find that vertical distributions of many mesozooplankton taxa shift to deeper depths in the cross‐shore direction, and light attenuation is the strongest predictor of magnitude of change. Vertical habitat shifts vary among functional groups, with changes in vertical distribution most pronounced among carnivorous taxa. Herbivorous taxa remain associated with the chlorophyll maximum, especially in clear offshore waters. Our results suggest that increased stratification of this ocean region will lead to deeper depths occupied by some components of epipelagic mesozooplankton communities, and may result in zooplankton communities with more specialized feeding strategies, increased egg brooding, and more asexual reproduction.
Family History of AD/Dementia, Polygenic Risk Score for AD, and Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Xu Xinming , Li Yaqi , Wang Jian , Cao Yaying , Feng Chengwu , Guo Yi , Zong Geng , Sun Liang , Gao Xiang
Published: November 2023

Background

Co‐occurrence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) has been observed. However, there is limited knowledge on how family history of AD is associated with PD.

Objectives

To prospectively examine the associations of family history of AD/dementia and polygenic risk score for AD (AD‐PRS) with PD risk.

Methods

The study included 477,190 participants from UK Biobank who were free of PD at baseline (2006–2010) and had complete data on the studied exposure variables, family history of AD and AD‐PRS. Cox proportional hazards model was used to examine the hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of family history of AD/dementia and AD‐PRS for PD risk. We also conducted mediation analysis to examine the proportion of the association between family history of AD/dementia and PD risk that could be mediated by AD‐PRS.

Results

During a median follow‐up of 12.5 years, we identified 2550 incidences of PD. Family history of AD/dementia (adjusted HR = 1.21; 95% CI 1.09–1.35) and AD‐PRS (adjusted HR = 1.10 per 1 unit increment; 95% CI 1.05–1.14) were associated with PD risk, after adjustment for age, sex, lifestyle factors, and other potential confounders. The association between family history of AD/dementia and PD risk was mediated by 13.1% by the AD‐PRS. As expected, we observed significant associations of family history of AD/dementia and AD‐PRS with risks of dementia and AD (P < 0.001 for all).

Conclusions

Family history of AD/dementia appeared to be associated with PD risk, and this association could be mediated partially by AD‐related genetic factors.
Hearing characteristics and otoradiological abnormalities in three patients with novel pathogenic variants of KMT2D‐related Kabuki syndrome
Authors: Zheng Zhoushu , Ding Lu , Wang Meihong , Zhang Yinghui , Yang Yihui , Tang Ming , Xu Jun , Wang Liangjiong , Wu Junhua , Li Haibo
Published: November 2023

Background

Kabuki syndrome 1 (KS1; OMIM:147920), which is characterized by distinctive dysmorphic facial features (such as arched eyebrows, long palpebral fissures with eversion of the lower lid, and large protuberant ears), intellectual disability, short stature, and dermatoglyphic and skeletal abnormalities, is brought on by pathogenic variants in KMT2D (OMIM:602113). In this work, three individuals with novel pathogenic KMT2D gene variants had their longitudinal audiological manifestations and ear structural characteristics outlined.

Methods

The longitudinal audiological data from neonatal hearing screening and a battery of several hearing tests were evaluated. The battery of hearing tests included tympanometry, distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE), click‐evoked air‐conduction auditory brain‐stem response (AC‐ABR), click‐evoked bone‐conduction auditory brain‐stem response (BC‐ABR), narrow band CE‐chirp auditory steady‐state response (NB CE‐chirp ASSR), and pure‐tone audiometry (PTA). Phenotype identification and whole exome sequencing (WES) were performed on recruited individuals.

Results

All three patients (two females and on male; last evaluations at 14 months, 11 months, and 5.7 years, respectively) failed the newborn hearing screening, and the audiological follow‐up data revealed mild to profound fluctuating hearing loss, which was directly influenced by the incidence and severity of otitis media with effusion (OME). When OME occurred, the AC‐ABR thresholds increased from 30–75 dBnHL to 45–90 dBnHL. The threshold for the BC‐ABR and BC‐PTA was between 25 and 50 dBnHL, indicating mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). The high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT) pictures indicated that all three patients had middle and inner ear abnormalities. Middle ear anomalies showed as diminished mastoid gasification and ossicle dysplasia. Cochlear dysplasia, a dilated vestibule, fusion of the vestibule with the horizontal semicircular canals, and a short and thick horizontal semicircular canal were visible on images of the inner ear. This study recruited three individuals with three novel pathogenic variants (c.5104C>T, c.10205delA, and c.12840delC) of KMT2D who were identified at ages 27 days, 2 months, and 5.5 years.

Conclusions

Hearing characteristics of three individuals with three novel pathogenic variants of KMT2D range from mild to profound fluctuating hearing loss with mild to moderate SNHL. HRCT scans showed that all three individuals had anatomical middle and inner ear abnormalities. KS 1 patients must get clinical therapy for OME, frequent auditory monitoring, and prompt intervention.
Technical note: Optimization functions for re‐irradiation treatment planning
Authors: Ödén Jakob , Eriksson Kjell , Svensson Stina , Lilley John , Thompson Christopher , Pagett Christopher , Appelt Ane , Murray Louise , Bokrantz Rasmus
Published: November 2023

Background

Although re‐irradiation is increasingly used in clinical practice, almost no dedicated planning software exists.

Purpose

Standard dose‐based optimization functions were adjusted for re‐irradiation planning using accumulated equivalent dose in 2‐Gy fractions (EQD2) with rigid or deformable dose mapping, tissue‐specific α/β, treatment‐specific recovery coefficients, and voxelwise adjusted EQD2 penalization levels based on the estimated previously delivered EQD2 (EQD2deliv).

Methods

To demonstrate proof‐of‐concept, 35 Gy in 5 fractions was planned to a fictitious spherical relapse planning target volume (PTV) in three separate locations following previous prostate treatment on a virtual human phantom. The PTV locations represented one repeated irradiation scenario and two re‐irradiation scenarios. For each scenario, three re‐planning strategies with identical PTV dose‐functions but various organ at risk (OAR) EQD2‐functions was used:

reRTregular: Regular functions with fixed EQD2 penalization levels larger than EQD2deliv for all OAR voxels.

reRTreduce: As reRTregular, but with lower fixed EQD2 penalization levels aiming to reduce OAR EQD2.

reRTvoxelwise: As reRTregular and reRTreduce, but with voxelwise adjusted EQD2 penalization levels based on EQD2deliv.

PTV near‐minimum and near‐maximum dose (D98%/D2%), homogeneity index (HI), conformity index (CI) and accumulated OAR EQD2 (α/β = 3 Gy) were evaluated.

Results

For the repeated irradiation scenario, all strategies resulted in similar dose distributions. For the re‐irradiation scenarios, reRTreduce and reRTvoxelwise reduced accumulated average and near‐maximum EQD2 by ˜1–10 Gy for all relevant OARs compared to reRTregular. The reduced OAR doses for reRTreduce came at the cost of distorted dose distributions with D98% = 92.3%, HI = 12.0%, CI = 73.7% and normal tissue hot spots ≥150% for the most complex scenario, while reRTregular (D98% = 98.1%, HI = 3.2%, CI = 94.2%) and reRTvoxelwise (D98% = 96.9%, HI = 6.1%, CI = 93.7%) fulfilled PTV coverage without hot spots.

Conclusions

The proposed re‐irradiation‐specific EQD2‐based optimization functions introduce novel planning possibilities with flexible options to guide the trade‐off between target coverage and OAR sparing with voxelwise adapted penalization levels based on EQD2deliv.