bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A fast method for electronic couplings in embedded multichromophoric systems
Authors: Cignoni Edoardo , Cupellini Lorenzo , Mennucci Benedetta
Published: May 2022

Electronic couplings are key to understanding exciton delocalization and transport in natural and artificial light harvesting processes. We develop a method to compute couplings in multichromophoric aggregates embedded in complex environments without running expensive quantum chemical calculations. We use a transition charge approximation to represent the quantum mechanical transition densities of the chromophores and an atomistic and polarizable classical model to describe the environment atoms. We extend our framework to estimate transition charges directly from the chromophore geometry, i.e., bypassing completely the quantum mechanical calculations using a regression approach. The method allows to rapidly compute accurate couplings for a large number of geometries along molecular dynamics trajectories.
GBDM+: an improved methodology for a GNSS-based distance meter
Authors: Baselga Sergio , García-Asenjo Luis , Garrigues Pascual , Luján Raquel
Published: May 2022

The determination of distances consistent with the definition of the base unit of length in the International System of Units (SI), the SI meter, with uncertainties of less than 1 ppm up to 5 km in the open air is a current challenge that is being increasingly required for different applications, including the determination of local ties, calibration baselines, and high precision geodetic metrology in singular scientific and engineering projects. The required knowledge of the index of refraction of the propagating medium at the same level of 1 ppm is a hard limit to the use of precise electronic distance meters (EDMs), which has motivated the recent development of new two-color, refractivity compensated, EDM prototypes. As an alternative, the use of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) could benefit from their high scale stability although the lack of appropriate estimation of the uncertainties in their sources of error and their unknown propagation into the final result during the data processing has prevented a rigorous uncertainty analysis and, therefore, the use of GNSS for absolute distance determination. Stemming from our initial methodology for a GNSS-based distance meter (GBDM) that was restricted to relatively horizontal baselines and distances up to 1 km only, we have improved the method so that its application range is extended to baselines of up to 5 km with a possibly significant height difference so that it provides the final baseline distance with the corresponding uncertainty derived from the uncertainties in the different error sources rigorously propagated through the equations by which the distance is finally determined. This improved methodology, named as GBDM+, constitutes a significant step forward in the application of GNSS to open air length metrology.
Resilience of radial carpet beams under propagation through indoor convective air turbulence
Authors: Rasouli Saifollah , Bagheri Mohammad
Published: May 2022

In this work, we investigate and compare propagation of Laguerre–Gaussian (LG) and the recently introduced radial carpet (RC) beams through an indoor convective air turbulence under weak to strong turbulence conditions. By determining the radial displacement of the intensity maxima over the donut ring of the LG beam, and tracing the radial coordinates of the main intensity spots of the RC beam, when the beams are propagating through the turbulence, we estimate the variance of the local displacements for both of the beams in the radial direction. It is shown that, under the same turbulence conditions, the RC beam experiences less disturbance and is more resilient to turbulence, especially when it has a complicated structure. The measured values of the image displacement variance for the RC beam are almost one order of magnitude smaller than the same parameter for the LG beam. In addition, for the LG beam, the symmetry of the beam is broken and in many places the intensity ring is even cut off. Although there are slight changes in the RC beams transverse intensity distribution, the number of the main intensity spots rarely changes. This feature makes the RC beam a good candidate for the transmission of information. We also show that a set of RC beams having different values of the main intensity spots (generated with different radial gratings having different spoke numbers) can be used as an orthogonal bases for free-space optical communication.
Color image encryption using vectorial light field through a compact optical set-up
Authors: Kumar Praveen , Nishchal Naveen K , Alfalou Ayman
Published: May 2022

Vector light fields have spatially non-uniform polarization across the transverse plane. In this study, a color image encryption scheme has been proposed in which the data is encoded into the spatially varying polarization states of light to achieve higher degrees of freedom. This scheme provides a strong security and a straightforward way for optical implementation. Simulation and experimental results have been presented to verify the feasibility of the proposed scheme.
Preparation and characterisation of gallic acid loaded carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticles as drug delivery system for cancer treatment
Authors: El-Houssiny A S , Kamel N A , Soliman A A F , El-Messieh S L Abd , Abd-EL-Nour K N
Published: May 2022

Gallic acid (GA) is a natural phenolic compound with antioxidant, anti-proliferative, and anticancer effects. However, the potential of GA as an anticancer agent is restricted by its poor absorption, rapid elimination, and low bioavailability. Nanostructure-drug carriers have opened up a new field in cancer therapy by improving the efficacy of drugs. In this work, we developed a nanoformulation of GA in carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC). The particle size, surface charge and molecular structure of the CMC NPs loaded and unloaded with GA were measured using TEM, DLS and FTIR spectroscopy, respectively. The dielectric parameters (permittivity ε′ and dielectric loss ε″) were measured in the frequency range (0.1 Hz–5 MHz) at room temperature. Additionally, the in-vitro anti-cancer effects of the GA, CMC NPs, and GA-CMC NPs were tested against human colon carcinoma (HCT-116), human breast carcinoma (MCF-7), and normal skin fibroblast cells (BJ1) using MTT assay. TEM confirmed that the NPs have a spherical morphology within the size range of 15 nm. DLS studies revealed NPs with a mean diameter of 31.06 nm. The zeta potential results indicated the high suspension stability of the prepared nanoformulation. The FTIR results indicated the interaction between GA and CMC NPs. The dielectric study showed a decrease within the ε″ and conductivity values of GA-CMC NPs which confirmed the successful encapsulation of GA within the CMC NPs. Cytotoxicity studies indicated that the GA-CMC NPs showed specific toxicity towards cancer cells and non-toxicity to normal cells. Overall, these results indicate that the GA-CMC NPs will be an efficient nanocarrier for delivering gallic acid to cancer cells.
Functions of chondroitin/dermatan sulfate containing GalNAc4,6-disulfate
Authors: Habuchi Osami
Published: May 2022

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) and dermatan sulfate (DS) containing GalNAc4,6-disulfate (GalNAc4S6S) were initially discovered in marine animals. Following the discovery, these glycosaminoglycans have been found in various animals including human. In the biosynthesis of CS/DS containing GalNAc4S6S, 3 groups of sulfotransferases are involved; chondroitin 4-sulfotransferases (C4STs), dermatan 4-sulfotransferase-1 (D4ST-1), and GalNAc 4-sulfate 6-O-sulfotransferase (GalNAc4S-6ST). GalNAc4S-6ST and its products have been shown to play important roles in the abnormal pathological conditions such as central nervous system injury, cancer development, abnormal tissue fibrosis, development of osteoporosis, and infection with viruses or nematodes. CS/DS containing GalNAc4S6S has been shown to increase with the functional differentiation of mast cells, macrophages, and neutrophils. Genetic approaches using knockout or knockdown of GalNAc4S-6ST, blocking of the epitopes containing GalNAc4S6S by specific antibodies and chemical technology that enabled the synthesis of oligosaccharides with defined sulfation patterns, have been applied successfully to these investigations. These studies contributed significantly to the basic understanding of the functional roles of CS/DS containing GalNAc4S6S in various abnormal conditions and appear to provide promising clues to the development of possible measures to treat them.
DDB1 prepares brown adipocytes for cold-induced thermogenesis
Authors: Wang Xu , Liu Shen-Ying , Hu Guo-Sheng , Wang Hao-Yan , Zhang Guo-Liang , Cen Xiang , Xiang Si-Ting , Liu Wen , Li Peng , Ye Haobin , Zhao Tong-Jin
Published: May 2022

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays a key role in thermogenesis during acute cold exposure. However, it remains unclear how BAT is prepared to rapidly turn on thermogenic genes. Here, we show that damage-specific DNA binding protein 1 (DDB1) mediates the rapid transcription of thermogenic genes upon acute cold exposure. Adipose- or BAT-specific Ddb1 knockout mice show severely whitened BAT and significantly decreased expression of thermogenic genes. These mice develop hypothermia when subjected to acute cold exposure at 4 °C and partial lipodystrophy on a high-fat diet due to deficiency in fatty acid oxidation. Mechanistically, DDB1 binds the promoters of Ucp1 and Ppargc1a and recruits positive transcriptional elongation factor b (P-TEFb) to release promoter-proximally paused RNA polymerase II (Pol II), thereby enabling rapid and synchronized transcription of thermogenic genes upon acute cold exposure. Our findings have thus provided a regulatory mechanism of how BAT is prepared to respond to acute cold challenge.
Genericism in the uniformity endeavour: a plea against the one-size-fits-all approach
Authors: Praštalo Boris
Published: May 2022

This article focuses on the practice of United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) to include the text of Article 7 of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) into an array of other instruments, including model laws. Article 7 of the CISG lays out the interpretative methodology of this Convention. The discussion in this article is conducted through the lens of UNCITRAL’s best-known model law—the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration—whose Article 2A is the counterpart to CISG’s Article 7. To this end, this article first explains the difference between model laws and conventions. Second, it focuses on Article 7 of the CISG, explaining its meaning, purpose, and the widely accepted mode of operation. Third, the article shifts its focus specifically to Article 2A of the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration, and against the backdrop of the discussion on Article 7 of the CISG, seeks to unpack the meaning and scope of Article 2A. Last, but not least, the article will make a determination as to whether adding Article 2A to the Model Law was a good idea to begin with. Given the fact that other model laws contain similar or practically verbatim provisions, conclusions reached in this article also ought to be relevant outside of the realm of the Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration itself.
Occurrence of the Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne haplanaria in Vegetable Fields of South Georgia, U.S.A.
Authors: Marquez Josiah , Hajihassani Abolfazl
Published: May 2022

Meloidogyne spp. were found at 4 and 14 second-stage juveniles per 100 cm3 of soil from two adjacent watermelon and cowpea fields, respectively, from randomly sampled vegetable fields in South Georgia. PCR products from two primer sets were obtained from single egg mass cultures for DNA sequencing of cytochrome c oxidase subunit II, tRNAHis, and large subunit 16SrDNA gene fragments. On the basis of molecular analyses, morphological measurements, and perineal pattern characteristics, the root-knot nematode in these fields was identified as M. haplanaria. Results from a pathogenicity study showed that M. haplanaria did not reproduce on cowpea and watermelon, with a reproduction factor not greater than 1, but successfully reproduced on nematode-susceptible and -resistant tomato cultivars and eggplant. The low population density of the nematode in the field of origin and nonhost status of watermelon and cowpea indicate that reproduction of the nematode must have occurred on a previous crop rotated in these fields. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of M. haplanaria in Georgia.
A Review of Radiology Reports From Hip Surveillance Radiographs for Children With Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Miller Stacey D. , Coates Jaimy , Bone Jeffrey N. , Farr Jennifer , Mulpuri Kishore
Published: May 2022

Background:

Measurement of migration percentage (MP) is fundamental to successful hip surveillance for children with cerebral palsy (CP). In British Columbia, Canada, children enrolled in the province’s hip surveillance program get radiographs at the province’s tertiary care pediatric hospital or their local community hospital. This study aimed to review the radiology reporting of images completed as part of hip surveillance.

Methods:

Pelvis radiographs completed between September 2015 and December 2019 of 960 children enrolled in the province’s hip surveillance program were included. MP values measured by the program coordinator and corresponding value measured by the facility’s radiologist, when present, were retrieved. Agreement in MP between the program coordinator and the radiologist was measured using Bland-Altman plots and intraclass correlation coefficients. Radiology reports for images completed at community facilities that prompted a referral to a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon, when reviewed by the hip surveillance team, were further reviewed for qualitative comments.

Results:

In total, 1849 radiographs were reviewed with 69.3% (1282) completed at the pediatric hospital and 30.7% (567) at 64 different hospitals or clinics. MP was reported for 20.6% (264/1282) of radiographs completed at the pediatric hospital and 3.0% (17/567) of the radiographs completed at community hospitals. Bland-Altman plot analyses found a MP mean difference of 1.2% (95% confidence interval=0.6%-1.8%) between the program coordinator and all radiologist reports with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.88 (95% confidence interval=0.86-0.90). There were 47 radiographs completed at community hospitals that resulted in a referral to a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon after review by the hip surveillance team. Eleven of these reports stated normal or unremarkable findings.

Conclusions:

Radiologic reporting of images completed for hip surveillance for children with CP was inadequate to allow for the detection of hip displacement. Reporting of MP was rare, particularly in community hospitals. If radiology reporting will be utilized for hip surveillance in children with CP, education of radiologists is required.
Indicators for Substantial Neurological Recovery Following Elective Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
Authors: Pinter Zachariah W. , Sebastian Arjun S. , Wagner Scott C. , Morrissey Patrick B. , Kaye Ian David , Hilibrand Alan S. , Vaccaro Alexander , Kepler Christopher
Published: May 2022

Study Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Objective:

The purposes of this study were to determine the rate of improvement of significant preoperative weakness, identify risk factors for failure to improve, and characterize the motor recovery of individual motor groups.

Summary of Background Data:

While neck and arm pain reliably improve following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), the frequency and magnitude of motor recovery following ACDF remain unclear.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective review of patients undergoing 1–4-level ACDF at a single institution between September 2015 and June 2016. Patients were subdivided into 2 groups based upon the presence or absence of significant preoperative weakness, which was defined as a motor grade <4 in any single upper extremity muscle group. Clinical notes were reviewed to determine affected muscle groups, rates of motor recovery, and risk factors for failure to improve.

Results:

We identified 618 patients for inclusion. Significant preoperative upper extremity weakness was present in 27 patients (4.4%). Postoperatively, 19 of the affected patients (70.3%) experienced complete strength recovery, and 5 patients (18.5%) experienced an improvement in muscle strength to a motor grade ≥4. The rate of motor recovery postoperatively was 85.7% in the triceps, 83.3% in the finger flexors, 83.3% in the hand intrinsics, 50.0% in the biceps, and 25.0% in the deltoids. Risk factors for failure to experience significant motor improvement were the presence of myelomalacia (odds ratio: 28.9, P<0.01) and the performance of >2 levels of ACDF (odds ratio: 10.1, P<0.01).

Conclusions:

Patients with substantial preoperative upper extremity weakness can expect high rates of motor recovery following ACDF, though patients with deltoid weakness, myelomalacia, and >2 levels of ACDF are less likely to experience significant motor improvement.
Integrating Public Health Surveillance and Environmental Data to Model Presence of Histoplasma in the United States
Authors: Hepler Staci A. , Kaufeld Kimberly A. , Benedict Kaitlin , Toda Mitsuru , Jackson Brendan R. , Liu Xiaonan , Kline David
Published: May 2022

Background:

In the United States, the true geographic distribution of the environmental fungus Histoplasma capsulatum remains poorly understood but appears to have changed since it was first characterized. Histoplasmosis is caused by inhalation of the fungus and can range in severity from asymptomatic to life threatening. Due to limited public health surveillance and under detection of infections, it is challenging to directly use reported case data to characterize spatial risk.

Methods:

Using monthly and yearly county-level public health surveillance data and various environmental and socioeconomic characteristics, we use a spatio-temporal occupancy model to estimate latent, or unobserved, presence of H. capsulatum, accounting for imperfect detection of histoplasmosis cases.

Results:

We estimate areas with higher probabilities of the presence of H. capsulatum in the East North Central states around the Great Lakes, reflecting a shift of the endemic region to the north from previous estimates. The presence of H. capsulatum was strongly associated with higher soil nitrogen levels.

Conclusions:

In this investigation, we were able to mitigate challenges related to reporting and illustrate a shift in the endemic region from historical estimates. This work aims to help inform future surveillance needs, clinical awareness, and testing decisions for histoplasmosis.
Clozapine Rechallenge or Continuation Despite Neutropenia, an Extended Follow-up of a Consecutive Quebec Case Series
Authors: Béchard Laurent , Morasse-Bégis Mahité , Corbeil Olivier , Hakim Joseph-Raymond , Malenfant Esthel , Brodeur Sébastien , Huot-Lavoie Maxime , Essiambre Anne-Marie , Demers Marie-France , Roy Marc-André
Published: May 2022

Background

Clozapine is the most efficacious antipsychotic for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. However, clozapine-induced neutropenia may warrant treatment discontinuation, hindering recovery. Several case reports describe clozapine rechallenge or continuation despite neutropenia, although many are subject to selective reporting, with incomplete information and short follow-up periods. Thus, consecutive case series, devoid of such bias, with long-term comprehensive follow-up are needed to better assess this practice. This study aimed to describe consecutively the evolution of every patient in the Québec City catchment area for whom clozapine was either reintroduced after neutropenia during a previous clozapine trial or was maintained despite a first neutropenia.

Methods

Patients were identified through clozapine’s national hematological monitoring database and their medical records between January 1, 2000, and October 22, 2017.

Results

Twenty-three patients were identified, 8 continued clozapine despite neutropenia, while 15 discontinued clozapine and attempted rechallenge; among the latter, 4 patients were successfully rechallenged after agranulocytosis without the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factors, which is the largest published consecutively. A total of 6 patients experienced further neutropenia episodes. Every patient who had a neutropenia recurrence also had a possible explanation for neutropenia other than exposure to clozapine. After a median follow-up of 4.8 years, 16 patients were still on clozapine and 3 cases discontinued because of a hematological event.

Conclusions

This study adds further data on the subject of clozapine rechallenge or continuation despite neutropenia. Clozapine rechallenge after agranulocytosis may be less perilous than first thought, but a systematic review on this specific subject is needed.
Targeted Next-generation Sequencing Reveals a Wide Morphologic and Immunophenotypic Spectrum of Monomorphic Epitheliotropic Intestinal T-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Hang Jen-Fan , Yuan Chang-Tsu , Chang Kung-Chao , Wang Ren-Ching , Chen Bo-Jung , Hsieh Pin-Pen , Huang Wan-Ting , Chuang Wen-Yu , Chen Tsung-Wei , Yeh Yi-Chen , Lin Shih-Yao , Hsiao Cheng-Hsiang , Chou Shih-Cheng , Tseng Chih-En , Pan Shien-Tung , Chang Shih-Lung , Chuang Shih-Sung
Published: May 2022

Primary intestinal T-cell lymphoma (PITL) is highly aggressive and includes celiac disease–related enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL), monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma (MEITL), and primary intestinal peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (ITCL-NOS). MEITL is the most common PITL in Asia, comprising of monomorphic medium-sized cells typically expressing CD8, CD56, and cytotoxic granules. Occasional cases with intermediate features between MEITL and ITCL-NOS are difficult to be classified and warrant further investigation. We collected 54 surgically resected PITLs from Taiwan, with 80% presenting with bowel perforation. The overall outcome was poor with a median survival of 7 months. Based on histopathology (monomorphic vs. pleomorphic) and immunophenotype, we classified these cases into 4 groups: MEITL with typical immunophenotype (n=34), MEITL with atypical immunophenotype (n=5), pleomorphic PITL with MEITL-like immunophenotype (n=6), and ITCL-NOS (n=9). There was no EATL in our cohort. Targeted next-generation sequencing of the first 3 groups showed highly prevalent loss-of-function mutations for SETD2 (85%, 80%, and 83%, respectively) and frequent activating mutations for STAT5B (64%, 60%, and 50%, respectively) and JAK3 (38%, 20%, and 50%, respectively). In contrast, ITCL-NOS cases had less frequent mutations of SETD2 (56%) and STAT5B (11%) and rare JAK3 mutations (11%). Our results suggest that there is a wider morphologic and immunophenotypic spectrum of MEITL as currently defined in the 2017 WHO classification. MEITL with atypical immunophenotype and PITL with MEITL-like immunophenotype shared clinicopathologic and molecular features similar to MEITL but distinct from ITCL-NOS, indicating that such cases may be considered as immunophenotypic or histopathologic variants of MEITL.
Imaging Findings of Calcaneal Cyst and Lipoma: Can Intraosseous Cyst Changes Into Lipoma With Advancing Age?
Authors: Kawaguchi Masaya , Kato Hiroki , Miyazaki Tatsuhiko , Nagano Akihito , Matsuo Masayuki
Published: May 2022

Objective

Recent studies have indicated that intraosseous lipomas originate from simple bone cysts of the calcaneus. This study evaluates computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of calcaneal cysts and lipomas in pediatric and adult populations.

Methods

Forty-six patients with bone lesions located in the anterior portion of the calcaneus beneath the talocalcaneal joint, who underwent CT and/or MRI, were enrolled in this study. The imaging characteristics were retrospectively reviewed and compared between the pediatric (aged 18 years or younger; n = 29) and adult (aged 19 years or older; n = 17) groups.

Results

On CT images, water/soft tissue attenuation alone was more frequent in the pediatric group than in the adult group (84% vs 13%, respectively; P < 0.01), whereas the combined water/soft tissue and fat attenuation (11% vs 47%, respectively; P < 0.05) and fat attenuation alone (5% vs 40%, respectively; P < 0.05) were less frequent in the pediatric group than in the adult group. On MRI, cystic components alone were more frequent in the pediatric group than in the adult group (88% vs 13%, respectively; P < 0.01), whereas the combined cystic and fat components (8% vs 38%, respectively; P < 0.05) and fat components alone (4% vs 50%, respectively; P < 0.01) were less frequent in the pediatric group than in the adult group.

Conclusions

Calcaneal cysts were more frequent in the pediatric group, whereas calcaneal lipomas were more frequent in the adult group. These results could be additional evidence that intraosseous lipomas originate from simple bone cysts of the calcaneus.
Radiogenomics: A Valuable Tool for the Clinical Assessment and Research of Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Li Beibei , Sun Mingli , Yao Peng , Chang Zhihui , Liu Zhaoyu
Published: May 2022

A new interdisciplinary approach based on medical imaging phenotypes, gene expression patterns, and clinical parameters, referred to as radiogenomics, has recently been developed for biomarker identification and clinical risk stratification in oncology, including for the assessment of ovarian cancer. Some radiological phenotypes (implant distribution, lymphadenopathy, and texture-derived features) are related to specific genetic landscapes (BRCA, BRAF, SULF1, the Classification of Ovarian Cancer), and integrated models can improve the efficiency for predicting clinical outcomes. The establishment of databases in medical images and gene expression profile with large sample size and the improvement of artificial intelligence algorithm will further promote the application of radiogenomics in ovarian cancer.
Imaging Features Derived From Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Differentiate Malignant From Benign Breast Lesions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang Jie , Wang Lin , Liu Hai-Feng
Published: May 2022

The aim of this study is to explore the accuracy of individual imaging features derived from dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in differentiating malignant from benign breast lesions.

Materials and Methods

The PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases were searched up to January 2021 to identify original studies that investigated the accuracy of individual DCE-MRI features in differentiating malignant from benign breast lesions. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve were calculated by STATA software based on the data extracted from included studies. Moreover, quality assessment, subgroup analysis, and publication bias evaluation were performed.

Results

Twenty-nine studies comprising 2976 patients and 3365 suspicious breast lesions were included. Malignant breast lesions tended to present irregular shapes (83.59%), noncircumscribed margins (85.50%), mass enhancement (52.31%), heterogeneous internal enhancement (71.72%), and type II or III time intensity curve (TIC) patterns (91.17%), showing significant differences compared with benign breast lesions (P < 0.05). For differentiating malignant from benign breast lesions, the area under the curve values of irregular shape, noncircumscribed margin, mass enhancement, heterogeneous internal enhancement, and type II or III TIC patterns were 0.79 (0.76–0.83), 0.87 (0.84–0.90), 0.63 (0.58–0.67), 0.82 (0.78–0.85), and 0.89 (0.86–0.92), respectively.

Conclusions

Imaging features derived from DCE-MRI, especially TIC patterns, are important for diagnosing and differentiating malignant from benign breast lesions.
Prolonged casualty care: Extrapolating civilian data to the military context
Authors: Mould-Millman Nee-Kofi , Baidwan Navneet Kaur , Beaty Brenda , Suresh Krithika , Dixon Julia M. , Patel Chandni , de Vries Shaheem , Lategan Hendrick J. , Steyn Elmin , Verster Janette , Schauer Steven G. , Becker Tyson E. , Cunningham Cord , Keenan Sean , Moore Ernest E. , Wallis Lee A. , Ginde Adit A. , Bebarta Vikhyat S.
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

Civilian and military populations alike are increasingly faced with undesirable situations in which prehospital and definitive care times will be delayed. The Western Cape of South Africa has some similarities in capabilities, injury profiles, resource limitations, and system configuration to US military prolonged casualty care (PCC) settings. This study provides an initial description of civilians in the Western Cape who experience PCC and compares the PCC and non-PCC populations.

METHODS

We conducted a 6-month analysis of an ongoing, prospective, large-scale epidemiologic study of prolonged trauma care in the Western Cape (Epidemiology and Outcomes of Prolonged Trauma Care [EpiC]). We define PCC as ≥10 hours from injury to arrival at definitive care. We describe patient characteristics, critical interventions, key times, and outcomes as they may relate to military PCC and compare these using χ2 and Wilcoxon tests. We estimated the associations between PCC status and the primary and secondary outcomes using logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Of 995 patients, 146 experienced PCC. The PCC group, compared with non-PCC, were more critically injured (66% vs. 51%), received more critical interventions (36% vs. 29%), and had a greater proportionate mortality (5% vs. 3%), longer hospital stays (3 vs. 1 day), and higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores (5 vs. 3). The odds of 7-day mortality and a Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score of ≥5 were 1.6 (odds ratio, 1.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.68–3.74) and 3.6 (odds ratio, 3.69; 95% confidence interval, 2.11–6.42) times higher, respectively, in PCC versus non-PCC patients.

CONCLUSION

The EpiC study enrolled critically injured patients with PCC who received resuscitative interventions. Prolonged casualty care patients had worse outcomes than non-PCC. The EpiC study will be a useful platform to provide ongoing data for PCC relevant analyses, for future PCC-focused interventional studies, and to develop PCC protocols and algorithms. Findings will be relevant to the Western Cape, South Africa, other LMICs, and military populations experiencing prolonged care.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic/care management; Level IV.
Non-canonical nematode endogenous retroviruses resulting from RNA virus glycoprotein gene capture by a metavirus
Authors: Sacco Melanie Ann , Lau Jonathan , Godinez-Vidal Damaris , Kaloshian Isgouhi
Published: May 2022

Reverse-transcribing retroviruses exist as horizontally transmitted infectious agents or vertically transmitted endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) resident in eukaryotic genomes, and they are phylogenetically related to the long terminal repeat (LTR) class of retrotransposons. ERVs and retrotransposons are often distinguished only by the presence or absence of a gene encoding the envelope glycoprotein (env). Endogenous elements of the virus family Metaviridae include the insect-restricted Errantivirus genus of ERVs, for which some members possess env, and the pan-eukaryotic Metavirus genus that lacks an envelope glycoprotein gene. Here we report a novel Nematoda endogenous retrovirus (NERV) clade with core retroviral genes arranged uniquely as a continuous gag-env-pro-pol ORF. Reverse transcriptase sequences were phylogenetically related to metaviruses, but envelope glycoprotein sequences resembled those of the Nyamiviridae and Chrysoviridae RNA virus families, suggesting env gene capture during host cell infection by an RNA virus. NERVs were monophyletic, restricted to the nematode subclass Chromadoria, and included additional ORFs for a small hypothetical protein or a large Upf1-like RNA-dependent AAA-ATPase/helicase indicative of viral transduction of a host gene. Provirus LTR identity, low copy number, ORF integrity and segregation of three loci in Meloidogyne incognita, taken together with detection of NERV transcriptional activity, support potential infectivity of NERVs, along with their recent emergence and integration. Altogether, NERVs constitute a new and distinct Metaviridae lineage demonstrating retroviral evolution through sequential heterologous gene capture events.
Reputation, trust, and norms as mechanisms forming academic reciprocity in data sharing: an empirical test of theory of collective action
Authors: Kim Youngseek
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This research investigated how biological scientists' perceived academic reputation, community trust, and norms all influence their perceived academic reciprocity, which eventually leads to their data sharing intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

A research model was developed based on the theory of collective action, and the research model was empirically evaluated by using the Structural Equation Modeling method based on a total of 649 survey responses.

Findings

The results suggest that perceived academic reputation significantly increases perceived community trust, norm of data sharing, and academic reciprocity. Also, both perceived community trust and norm of data sharing significantly increases biological scientists' perceived academic reciprocity, which significantly affect their data sharing intentions. In addition, both perceived community trust and norm of data sharing significantly affect the relationship between perceived academic reciprocity and data sharing intention.

Research limitations/implications

This research shows that the theory of collective action provides a new theoretical lens for understanding scientists' data sharing behaviors based on the mechanisms of reputation, trust, norm, and reciprocity within a research community.

Practical implications

This research offers several practical implications for facilitating scientists' data sharing behaviors within a research community by increasing scientists' perceived academic reciprocity through the mechanisms of reputation, trust, and norm of data sharing.

Originality/value

The collective action perspective in data sharing has been newly proposed in this research; the research sheds light on how scientists' perceived academic reciprocity and data sharing intention can be encouraged by building trust, reputation, and norm in a research community.
i-did: social impact through circular business
Authors: Poldner Kim , Blanken Rolien
Published: May 2022

Study level/applicability

Teaching formats for both BA/MA students and MBA/PhD students in sustainable entrepreneurship and strategic management are offered in the teaching notes.

Subject area

This case juxtaposes the company’s core values of gender equality, sustainability and inclusivity, with the financial pressures of expanding global operations in COVID-19 times.

Case overview

This case illustrates the founding and growth of i-did in the broader context of the global circular textile industry. Being the first company that reclaims value of discarded textiles by making design products out of felt, the dilemma is on how i-did can create a blueprint for sustainable leadership in a scalable (financial) business case.

Expected learning outcomes

The learning outcomes of this case are as follows: to understand the concepts of circular economy and social impact and how they can be translated to business; to apply their knowledge of strategy and entrepreneurship for sustainable business innovation; to be able to analyze a company according to the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically around gender issues, inclusivity and diversity; to evaluate opportunities for multiple value creation in business; and to have the knowledge and capacity to create a circular business with the help of the Business Model Template.

Social implications

This case engages students in critically reflecting on sustainability concepts in relation to i-did (theoretical value) and applying novel business model innovation tools to a real-world enterprise (practical value). The students get the chance to explore the ethical challenges the two entrepreneurial leaders face between short-term economic gains (or maybe even survival) and their core values of (gender) inclusivity, circularity and diversity.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes and a summarizing two-pager are available for educators.

Subject code

CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.
Analysis of the benefits, challenges and risks for the integrated use of BIM, RFID and WSN: a mixed method research
Authors: Seyis Senem , Sönmez Alperen Mert
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify, classify and prioritize the benefits, challenges and risks for the integrated use of building information modeling (BIM), radio frequency identification (RFID) and wireless sensor network (WSN) in the architecture, engineering, construction and operation (AECO) industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This study relies on the mixed method approach which consists of systematic literature review, semistructured interviews and Delphi technique. A systematic literature review was performed and face-to-face semistructured interviews with seven subject matter experts (SMEs) were conducted for identification and classification purposes. Delphi method was applied in two structured rounds with eleven SMEs for prioritization purpose. These three research techniques were chosen to reach the most accurate data by combining different perspectives on the subject matter. Data gathered by these three methods was triangulated to increase the validity and reliability of this research.

Findings

Thirteen benefits, ten challenges and four risks for the integrated use of BIM, RFID and WSN were identified. The results could aid the practitioners and researchers comprehend the pros and cons of this integration by representing SMEs’ valuable insights and perspectives about the current and future status, trends, limitations and requirements of the AECO industry. The identified risks and challenges show the requirements for future studies while the benefits demonstrate the capabilities and the potential contributions of this hybrid integration to the AECO industry.

Originality/value

The integration of BIM, RFID and WSN is still not commonly implemented in the AECO industry. Some studies focused on this topic; however, none of them reveals the benefits, risks and challenges for integrating BIM, RFID and WSN in a holistic manner. This research makes a significant contribution to the AECO literature and industry by uncovering the benefits, challenges and risks for the integrated use of BIM, RFID and WSN that could increase industry applications.
Electrically heated wearable textiles produced by conventional pigmented inks containing carbon black
Authors: Ali Muhammad , Faisal Saira , Naqvi Shenela , Abdul Wahab Khadija , Afreen Rida , Lin Long
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the utility of carbon black containing coating formulations that are conventionally used for pigment printing of textiles in fabricating electrically heated fabrics.

Design/methodology/approach

Specifically, electrical and thermal characterisation of the coating system was carried out to establish the feasibility of the system for use in the manufacturing of flexible heating elements on textile substrates. The coating formulations were applied via a simple padding technique followed by stitching the electrodes using a conductive yarn.

Findings

The heating elements of different sizes thus produced showed Ohmic behaviour as a resistor and attained a targeted temperature difference of up to 40°C within the applied voltage range. A prototype heater was also produced, and thermography results showed uniform heating and cooling of the heater that was incorporated into a jacket.

Originality/value

The proposed method is envisaged to be very practical for the realisation of completely textile-based heating elements of different shapes and sizes. Furthermore, the proposed manufacturing method can be used to convert conventional ready-made articles of clothing into heated textiles for various applications.
Development of thin film heat flux sensor based on transparent conductive oxide thermopile with antireflective coating
Authors: Li Xin , Cui ZaiFu , Sun Daoheng , Chen Qinnan , He Gonghan , Liu Baolin , Hai Zhenyin , Chen Guochun , Jia Zhiyuan , Yao Zong
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The measurement of heat flux is of importance to the development of aerospace engine as basic physical quantities in extreme environment. Heat radiation is one of the basic forms of heat transfer phenomenon. The structure optimizing can improve the performance and infrared absorptivity of the thin film sensor.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper designed one kind of thin film heat flux sensor (HFS) with antireflective coating based on transparent conductive oxide thermopile. The introduced membrane structure is so thin that it has little impact on sensor performance. Fabrication of thin film sensors were fabricated by physical vapor deposition (PVD) process.

Findings

The steady-state and dynamic response characteristics of the HFS were investigated by calibration platform. The experimental results shown that the absorptivity of the membrane structure (for1070nm) improved compared with that before optimization. The sensitivity of heat flux gauge was 48.56 µV/ (kW/m2) and its frequency response was determined to be about 1980 Hz.

Originality/value

The thin film HFS uses thermopile based on Indium Tin Oxid and In2O3. The antireflective coating is introduced to hot endpoint of HFS to improve sensitivity on laser thermal source. The infrared optical properties of membrane layer structure were investigated. The steady-state and the transient response characteristics of the heat flux sensor were also investigated.
Towards building general framework for designing knowledge sharing tool based on actor network theory
Authors: Mustapha S.M.F.D Syed
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the needs to understand the barrier and determinant factors in knowledge sharing (KS), to find the common ones and subsequently to build a general framework that can be referred to in designing a KS tool that addresses the common factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach comprises of two major steps which are to survey the past literature to determine the most common barriers and determinant factors from various unique KS domains and to qualify the factor as the common one based on its presence in at least three to five KS domains. The grounded theory is used to analyze the past literature and to perform categorization.

Findings

This paper helps in the summarization of categories and subcategories of barriers and determinants and demonstration on the mapping between them.

Research limitations/implications

This paper has not proved the actual use of the framework in building a KS tool based on the framework.

Practical implications

The common factors are based on at least 60 references of KS implementation such that it is useful for large area of application domains that require building KS tools.

Originality/value

This paper presents the understanding on the common factors and association between the barriers and determinants in building the general framework in which the application of the framework is demonstrated using actor network theory.
Use of a highly sensitive lung cancer compact panel to detect KRAS G12D in the wash fluid from a lung tumor: A case report
Authors: Minami Daisuke , Takigawa Nagio , Nakajima Yasuhiro , Miyahara Nobuaki , Mizumori Yasuyuki , Ueda Mitsuhiro , Nakamura Seiji , Suzuki Fumihiko , Sato Yoshiharu , Morikawa Kei , Kanehiro Arihiko
Published: May 2022

Here, we report a case of a pulmonary invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma harboring KRAS G12D, diagnosed from tumor samples containing a very small amount of tumor cells using next‐generation sequencing (NGS) and the recently developed Lung Cancer Compact Panel. A 79‐year‐old woman without any respiratory symptoms underwent chest computed tomography, which revealed a tumor in the left lower lobe. During endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)‐guided transbronchial biopsy (TBB) using a guide sheath (GS), a sufficient specimen for pathological diagnosis could not be obtained because the patient had a severe cough and pulmonary bullae located adjacent to the tumor. In the absence of EBUS transbronchial biopsy findings using a guide sheath, brush cytology was used to categorize the tumor as class II (Papanicolaou classification). However, the wash fluid from the cytological examination contained enough cells to obtain sufficient nucleic acid for use in sequencing analysis. The latter revealed KRAS G12D expression. Although the patient underwent surgery without pathological evidence, the evaluation of the surgical specimen confirmed a diagnosis of pulmonary invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma. Use of the Lung Cancer Compact Panel enabled the detection of KRAS G12D in the wash fluid of a brush cytology sample and thus a diagnosis of pulmonary invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma.
Chemical and visual ecology of the Symphyta
Authors: Guignard Quentin , Slippers Bernard , Allison Jeremy
Published: May 2022

The Symphyta is the most basal sub‐order of the Hymenoptera and includes the woodwasps, horntails and sawflies, many of which are pests. Adults are generally short‐lived and as a result males and females experience strong selection to rapidly find a mate and females to find oviposition sites. Mate‐searching typically relies on visual and olfactory stimuli such as sexually dimorphic morphology (i.e., body parts used in signalling) and pheromones.

Here we review the available literature on the chemical and visual ecology of the Symphyta with potential for use in survey and detection programmes. Stimuli reviewed include but are not limited to sex pheromones, larval defensive compounds, plant kairomones and colour preferences.

Sex pheromones are known for 19 species of Symphyta and show shared evolutionary patterns in chemistry, production site and ecological role.

In general, sex pheromones in the Symphyta are female‐produced, oxidized cuticular hydrocarbons and yellow traps capture more individuals than other colours, although exceptions do exist. More work is needed to expand on these and identify new patterns in the visual and chemical ecology of the Symphyta.
Human papillomavirus genotype distribution of genital keratotic lesions
Authors: Seong Seol Hwa , Jeong Sun Mun , Jung Jang Hwan , Kwon Do Ik , Jang Ji Yun , Kim Joon Hee , Park Jong Bin , Baek Jae Woo , Suh Kee Suck , Jang Min Soo
Published: May 2022

Genital keratotic lesions include bowenoid papulosis (BP), which histologically resembles squamous cell carcinoma in situ containing high‐risk HPV, condyloma acuminatum (CA) that is a genital wart containing mostly low‐risk HPV, and genital seborrheic keratosis (GSK), which is a benign epidermal tumour lacking a clear etiologic relationship with HPV. This study compared HPV genotype distributions among BP, CA and GSK and revealed that BP and GSK were related to high‐risk HPV whereas CA was related to low‐risk HPV. It is plausible that GSK is a distinct epidermal tumour often related to high‐risk HPV rather than merely a senescent form of CA considering the overall discrepancy in the frequency distribution of HPV genotypes along with histopathological differences, and the detection of high‐risk HPV in GSK alerts physicians to consider more active treatment and continued follow‐ups.