bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of somatic embryo production during embryogenic tissue proliferation stage using morphology, maternal genotype, proliferation rate and tissue age of Pinus thunbergii Parl
Authors: Sun Tingyu , Wang Yanli , Zhu Lihua , Liu Xiaowei , Wang Qingtong , Ye Jianren
Published: May 2021

To determine the optimal embryogenic capacity (somatic embryo production) of the selected elite nematode-resistant genotypes of Pinus thunbergii, variables such as embryogenic tissue (ET) morphology, maternal genotype, proliferation rate and tissue age were analyzed. ET morphology and histological evaluation of the proliferation stage showed a decrease in filamentous clump and protuberant surfaces and a decline in the acetocarmine-staining area, which indicates a decrease in somatic embryo production (SEP). Variations in cell physiology during the proliferation stage showed that SEP was positively correlated with soluble sugars and proteins, but negatively correlated with starch, peroxidase, and superoxidase. In addition, SEP was significantly (p < 0.001) affected by maternal genotype, tissue age and proliferation rate. Moreover, SEP was positively correlated with proliferation rate (r = 0.98, p < 0.001), but negatively correlated with tissue age (r =  − 0.95, p < 0.001). In general, the results suggest that SEP could be assessed in ET proliferation stages by the apparent cell morphology, histology, proliferation rate and tissue age, which provides novel insights for evaluating the ET maturation capacity (number of somatic embryos) during the proliferation stage of P. thunbergii somatic embryogenesis.
Effects of grazing disturbance of spatial distribution pattern and interspecies relationship of two desert shrubs
Authors: Zhang Lei , Gao Yong , Li Jinrong , Zhang Chao , Li Minyu , Hu Zhao , Cui Xiangxin
Published: May 2021

Grazing significantly affects the distribution, growth, and productivity of shrubs. In this study, we evaluated the effects of grazing disturbance on the spatial distribution patterns and interspecific relationships of two desert shrubs, Ammopiptanthus mongolicus and Sarcozygium xanthoxylon. Three types of grazing conditions were considered, including enclosed area (EA), seasonal rotational grazing area (SRGA), and grazing area (GA) (100 m × 100 m), in the West Ordos Nature Reserve of Inner Mongolia, China. The results showed that A. mongolicus and S. xanthoxylon populations were uniformly distributed at a small scale, and the distribution in EA and SRGA became gradually random. In GA, A. mongolicus population showed aggregated distribution but S. xanthoxylon population showed random distribution at a small scale. Moreover, both A. mongolicus and S. xanthoxylon populations at the 5–7 m scale showed random distribution. At the small and intermediate scales, the two species showed positive interspecific relationships of GA. However, no interspecific relationship was noted between the two species in EA and SRGA. A significant positive relationship (P < 0.01) was noted between the two species at 2–9 m and a negative relationship (P < 0.01) at 13–17 m scales in GA. Positive relationship (P < 0.01) was noted between the two species at 6–13 m scales and a significant negative relationship (P < 0.01) at 14–24 m scales in SRGA. The two species of desert shrubs showed positive interspecific relationships at the small scale, and they showed negative relationships as the interspecific competition intensified in the presence of grazing disturbance. When the grazing intensity exceeds a certain threshold, the interspecific relationships become weak. Therefore, moderate grazing would facilitate interspecific competition and species succession, whereas excessive grazing would disrupt natural competition causing desertification ultimately.
Infarct-related chronic total coronary occlusion and the risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmic events in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors
Authors: van der Graaf M. , Jewbali L. S. D. , Lemkes J. S. , Spoormans E. M. , van der Ent M. , Meuwissen M. , Blans M. J. , van der Harst P. , Henriques J. P. , Beishuizen A. , Camaro C. , Bleeker G. B. , van Royen N. , Yap S. C.
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Chronic total coronary occlusion (CTO) has been identified as a risk factor for ventricular arrhythmias, especially a CTO in an infarct-related artery (IRA). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an IRA-CTO on the occurrence of ventricular tachyarrhythmic events (VTEs) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors without ST-segment elevation.

Methods

We conducted a post hoc analysis of the COACT trial, a multicentre randomised controlled trial. Patients were included when they survived index hospitalisation after cardiac arrest and demonstrated coronary artery disease on coronary angiography. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of a VTE, defined as appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy, sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmia or sudden cardiac death.

Results

A total of 163 patients from ten centres were included. Unrevascularised IRA-CTO in a main vessel was present in 43 patients (26%). Overall, 61% of the study population received an ICD for secondary prevention. During a follow-up of 1 year, 12 patients (7.4%) experienced at least one VTE. The cumulative incidence rate of VTEs was higher in patients with an IRA-CTO compared to patients without an IRA-CTO (17.4% vs 5.6%, log-rank p = 0.03). However, multivariable analysis only identified left ventricular ejection fraction < 35% as an independent factor associated with VTEs (adjusted hazard ratio 8.7, 95% confidence interval 2.2–35.4). A subanalysis focusing on CTO, with or without an infarct in the CTO territory, did not change the results.

Conclusion

In out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors with coronary artery disease without ST-segment elevation, an IRA-CTO was not an independent factor associated with VTEs in the 1st year after the index event.
The Florence Emotional Eating Drive (FEED): a validation study of a self-report questionnaire for emotional eating
Authors: Cassioli Emanuele , Calderani Enrico , Fioravanti Giulia , Lazzeretti Lisa , Rotella Carlo Maria , Rossi Eleonora , Ricca Valdo , Mannucci Edoardo , Rotella Francesco
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Emotional eating is a trans-diagnostic dimension in eating disorders and is present in many other conditions that could affect eating attitudes. At present, there is no instrument that measures emotional eating evaluating both the intensity and the frequency of emotion-induced desire to eat. The aim of the study was the validation of the Florence Emotional Eating Drive (FEED).

Methods

A sample of healthy volunteers was initially enrolled to explore internal consistency and test–retest reliability. The Emotional Eating Scale (EES), Eating Disorders Evaluation-Questionnaire (EDE-Q), Binge Eating Scale (BES) and Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90-R), together with the final version of FEED, were administered to a clinical sample composed by patients with eating disorders, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, to explore the underlying structure of the questionnaire and verify its validity.

Results

FEED showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.96) and test–retest reliability (r = 0.93). FEED scores were higher in patients with BN and BED than in AN patients, negatively correlated with age and positively with BES and EES. Multiple regression analysis showed that FEED, but not EES, was independently associated with SCL-90-R and EDE-Q scores.

Conclusion

FEED internal consistency and test–retest reliability were excellent. The addition of specific questions on the frequency of behaviours led to a better component structure and robustness compared to EES. A tool that reliably and specifically assesses eating behaviours driven by emotional states may be extremely useful in clinical settings.

Level of evidence

Level V, cross-sectional study.
Clinical Quality Considerations when Using Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) in Clinical Drug Development
Authors: Ménard Timothé , Barros Alaina , Ganter Christopher
Published: May 2021

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and decreased costs of genomic testing are changing the paradigm in precision medicine and continue to fuel innovation. Integration of NGS into clinical drug development has the potential to accelerate clinical trial conduct and ultimately will shape the landscape of clinical care by making it easier to identify patients who would benefit from particular therapy(ies) and to monitor treatment outcomes with less invasive tests. This has led to an increased use of NGS service providers by pharmaceutical sponsors: to screen patients for clinical trials eligibility and for patient stratification, expanded Companion Diagnostic (CDx) development for treatment recommendations and Comprehensive Genomic profiling (CGP). These changes are reshaping the face of clinical quality considerations for precision medicine. Although some clinical quality considerations do exist in Health Authorities (HA) guidances and regulations (e.g., International Conference of Harmonization Good Clinical Practices—GCP), there is currently no holistic GxP-like detailed framework for pharmaceutical sponsors using NGS service providers in clinical trials, or for the development of CDx and CGP. In this research, we identified existing and applicable regulations, guidelines and recommendations that could be translated into clinical quality considerations related to technology, data quality, patients and oversight. We propose these considerations as a basis for pharmaceutical sponsors using NGS service providers in clinical drug development to develop a set of guidelines for NGS clinical quality.
The Destruction and Recovery of Monte Cassino, 529–1964
Authors: Rennie Kriston R.
Published: May 2021

Between the sixth and twentieth centuries, the Benedictine Abbey of Monte Cassino (est. 529) experienced a cycle of atrocities which forever transformed its identity. This book examines how such a tumultuous history has been constructed, remembered, and represented from the Middle Ages to the present day. It uses this singular and pivotal case to analyse the historical process of remembering and its impact on modern representations of the past. Exactly how Monte Cassino is remembered is distinctive and diagnostic. The abbey is recognizable today as a beacon of western civilization, culture, and learning precisely because of its 'destruction tradition' over fourteen centuries. This book asks how the abbey's fragmented past has been ideologically, politically, and culturally constituted and preserved; how its experience with destruction and suffering - and recovery and rebirth - has become incorporated into a modern narrative of progress and triumph.
REDUCING RISK: MAYA LITHIC PRODUCTION AND ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION AT CALLAR CREEK QUARRY, BELIZE
Authors: Horowitz Rachel A.
Published: May 2021

The role of craft producers in past economies provides information that helps contextualize the role of economies in broader sociopolitical systems. Through this examination of lowland Maya lithic producers in the Late to Terminal Classic period (a.d.600–890), this article explores the centrality of economic activities in integrating craft producers into larger regional political communities and simultaneously buffering them against regional political conflicts. Through a study of lithic extraction and production at Callar Creek Quarry, Belize, this article examines the relevance of crafting activities in the minimization of economic uncertainty. These data indicate that lithic reduction served to diversify economic activities for lithic producers, and thus minimized economic risk. The use of economic activity to minimize risk provides evidence for the continuity of small-scale householders. This illustrates the independence of economic activities from political frameworks, and suggests that economic diversification serves as a critical stabilizing force for rural Classic-period Maya residents.
Dynamic aspects of tumour–immune system interaction under a periodic immunotherapy
Authors: TORRES-ESPINO GLADIS , ZAMORA MANUEL
Published: May 2021

We study a mathematical model proposed in the literature with the aim of describing the interactions between tumor cells and the immune system, when a periodic treatment of immunotherapy is applied. Combining some techniques from non-linear analysis (degree theory, lower and upper solutions, and theory of free-homeomorphisms in the plane), we give a detailed global analysis of the model. We also observe that for certain therapies, the maximum level of aggressiveness of a cancer, for which the treatment works (or does not work), can be computed explicitly. We discuss some strategies for designing therapies. The mathematical analysis is completed with numerical results and conclusions.
The market as a process for the discovery of whom not to trust
Authors: Choi Ginny Seung , Storr Virgil Henry
Published: May 2021

Trust is an important component of all successful commercial exchanges. Indeed, there is now a considerable literature on the economic importance of trust as well as the relationship between trust and institutions. Although there is now a sizeable literature on the economic importance of trust, and on the institutions that are associated with higher levels of trust, this literature remains relatively silent on the potential of markets to generate trust and, more specifically, how market actors discover whom to trust and, perhaps more importantly, whom not to trust. In this paper, we build on research by market process theorists that understands the market as a discovery process. We argue that the market is also a discovery process through which market participants acquire knowledge about their trading partners' dispositions, moral priorities, and personalities. Specifically, we argue that the market facilitates the identification of trustworthy and untrustworthy individuals and is, thus, a process for the discovery of whom to trust and whom not to trust. Additionally, we report experimental evidence that suggests that although market participants are trusting of strangers (at least in our experimental setting), they are less trusting of trading partners who have proven to be untrustworthy in past dealings.
Are Mental Health Apps Adequately Equipped to Handle Users in Crisis?
Authors: Parrish Emma M. , Filip Tess F. , Torous John , Nebeker Camille , Moore Raeanne C. , Depp Colin A.
Published: May 2021

Abstract. Background: Mental health (MH) apps are growing in popularity. While MH apps may be helpful, less is known about how crises such as suicidal ideation are addressed in apps. Aims: We examined the proportion of MH apps that contained language mentioning suicide or suicidal ideation and how apps communicated these policies and directed users to MH resources through app content, terms of services, and privacy policies. Method: We chose apps using an Internet search of “top mental health apps,” similar to how a user might find an app, and extracted information about how crisis language was presented in these apps. Results: We found that crisis language was inconsistent among apps. Overall, 35% of apps provided crisis-specific resources in their app interface and 10.5% contained crisis language in terms of service or privacy policies. Limitations: This study employed a nonsystematic approach to sampling apps, and therefore the findings may not broadly represent apps for MH. Conclusion: To address the inconsistency of crisis resources, crisis language should be included as part of app evaluation frameworks, and internationally accessible, vetted resources should be provided to app users.
Description and Demonstration of the Coupled Community Earth System Model v2 – Community Ice Sheet Model v2 (CESM2‐CISM2)
Authors: Muntjewerf Laura , Sacks William J. , Lofverstrom Marcus , Fyke Jeremy , Lipscomb William H. , Ernani da Silva Carolina , Vizcaino Miren , Thayer‐Calder Katherine , Lenaerts Jan T. M. , Sellevold Raymond
Published: May 2021

Earth system/ice‐sheet coupling is an area of recent, major Earth System Model (ESM) development. This work occurs at the intersection of glaciology and climate science and is motivated by a need for robust projections of sea‐level rise. The Community Ice Sheet Model version 2 (CISM2) is the newest component model of the Community Earth System Model version 2 (CESM2). This study describes the coupling and novel capabilities of the model, including: (1) an advanced energy‐balance‐based surface mass balance calculation in the land component with downscaling via elevation classes; (2) a closed freshwater budget from ice sheet to the ocean from surface runoff, basal melting, and ice discharge; (3) dynamic land surface types; and (4) dynamic atmospheric topography. The Earth system/ice‐sheet coupling is demonstrated in a simulation with an evolving Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) under an idealized high CO2 scenario. The model simulates a large expansion of ablation areas (where surface ablation exceeds snow accumulation) and a large increase in surface runoff. This results in an elevated freshwater flux to the ocean, as well as thinning of the ice sheet and area retreat. These GrIS changes result in reduced Greenland surface albedo, changes in the sign and magnitude of sensible and latent heat fluxes, and modified surface roughness and overall ice sheet topography. Representation of these couplings between climate and ice sheets is key for the simulation of ice and climate interactions.
A Changing Hydrological Regime: Trends in Magnitude and Timing of Glacier Ice Melt and Glacier Runoff in a High Latitude Coastal Watershed
Authors: Young Joanna C. , Pettit Erin , Arendt Anthony , Hood Eran , Liston Glen E. , Beamer Jordan
Published: May 2021

With a unique biogeophysical signature relative to other freshwater sources, meltwater from glaciers plays a crucial role in the hydrological and ecological regime of high latitude coastal areas. Today, as glaciers worldwide exhibit persistent negative mass balance, glacier runoff is changing in both magnitude and timing, with potential downstream impacts on infrastructure, ecosystems, and ecosystem resources. However, runoff trends may be difficult to detect in coastal systems with large precipitation variability. Here, we use the coupled energy balance and water routing model SnowModel‐HydroFlow to examine changes in timing and magnitude of runoff from the western Juneau Icefield in Southeast Alaska between 1980 and 2016. We find that under sustained glacier mass loss (−0.57 ± 0.12 m w. e. a−1), several hydrological variables related to runoff show increasing trends. This includes annual and spring glacier ice melt volumes (+10% and +16% decade−1) which, because of higher proportions of precipitation, translate to smaller increases in glacier runoff (+3% and +7% decade−1) and total watershed runoff (+1.4% and +3% decade−1). These results suggest that the western Juneau Icefield watersheds are still in an increasing glacier runoff period prior to reaching “peak water.” In terms of timing, we find that maximum glacier ice melt is occurring earlier (2.5 days decade−1), indicating a change in the source and quality of freshwater being delivered downstream in the early summer. Our findings highlight that even in maritime climates with large precipitation variability, high latitude coastal watersheds are experiencing hydrological regime change driven by ongoing glacier mass loss.
Predictors of trajectories of obsessive-compulsive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in the general population in Germany
Authors: Jelinek Lena , Göritz Anja S. , Miegel Franziska , Moritz Steffen , Kriston Levente
Published: May 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with an increase in obsessive-compulsive disorder/symptoms (OCD/OCS). However, knowledge is limited regarding the trajectories of OCS during the pandemic, as well as their predictors and mechanisms (e.g., experiential avoidance, EA). The aim of this study was to describe the trajectories of OCS and the identification of associated factors. We assessed 1207 participants of the general population in March 2020 (t1) and June 2020 (t2). Pre-pandemic data was available from March 2014 for a subsample (n = 519). To define trajectories, we determined OCS status (OCS+/−). We performed a hierarchical multinomial logistic regression to investigate predictors of trajectories. Between t1 and t2, 66% of participants had an asymptomatic trajectory (OCS−/OCS−); 18% had a continuously symptomatic trajectory (OCS+/OCS+). Ten percent had a delayed-onset trajectory (OCS−/OCS+), and the recovery trajectory group (OCS+/OCS−) was the smallest group (6%). Higher education reduced the odds of an OCS+/OCS− trajectory. OCS in 2014 was associated with increased odds of showing an OCS+/OCS+ or OCS−/OCS+ trajectory. When EA at t1 and change in EA from t1 to t2 were added to the model, higher EA at t1 was associated with increased odds of scoring above the cut score on one or more of the assessments. A higher decrease in EA from t1 to t2 reduced the probability of showing an OCS+/OCS+ and an OCS−/OCS+ trajectory. While the current data supports a slight increase in OCS during the pandemic, trajectories differed, and EA seems to represent an important predictor for an unfavorable development.
A diet high in sugar and fat influences neurotransmitter metabolism and then affects brain function by altering the gut microbiota
Authors: Guo Yinrui , Zhu Xiangxiang , Zeng Miao , Qi Longkai , Tang Xiaocui , Wang Dongdong , Zhang Mei , Xie Yizhen , Li Hongye , Yang Xin , Chen Diling
Published: May 2021

Gut microbiota (GM) metabolites can modulate the physiology of the host brain through the gut–brain axis. We wished to discover connections between the GM, neurotransmitters, and brain function using direct and indirect methods. A diet with increased amounts of sugar and fat (high-sugar and high-fat (HSHF) diet) was employed to disturb the host GM. Then, we monitored the effect on pathology, neurotransmitter metabolism, transcription, and brain circularRNAs (circRNAs) profiles in mice. Administration of a HSHF diet-induced dysbacteriosis, damaged the intestinal tract, changed the neurotransmitter metabolism in the intestine and brain, and then caused changes in brain function and circRNA profiles. The GM byproduct trimethylamine-n-oxide could degrade some circRNAs. The basal level of the GM decided the conversion rate of choline to trimethylamine-n-oxide. A change in the abundance of a single bacterial strain could influence neurotransmitter secretion. These findings suggest that a new link between metabolism, brain circRNAs, and GM. Our data could enlarge the “microbiome–transcriptome” linkage library and provide more information on the gut–brain axis. Hence, our findings could provide more information on the interplay between the gut and brain to aid the identification of potential therapeutic markers and mechanistic solutions to complex problems encountered in studies of pathology, toxicology, diet, and nutrition development.
Understanding the impact of removable partial dentures on patients' lives and their attitudes to oral care
Authors: Shaha Mita , Varghese Roshan , Atassi Mounir
Published: May 2021

Introduction Due to a rising prevalence of removable partial denture (RPD) use, there is an unmet need to explore the psychological impact on patient wellbeing.

Aim To assess the psychological effects of consumers losing teeth and receiving partial dentures to better manage their needs.

Design Four market research surveys, undertaken on behalf of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, are described.

Setting Surveys were conducted across the US, Japan, Malaysia, Colombia, Brazil, Poland and Italy.

Materials and methods Quantitative/qualitative methods were used to gain knowledge regarding patients' experiences living with partial dentures.

Results In a global market research survey involving 3,952 RPD wearers (RPDWs), 54% said that losing teeth was difficult to accept, 40% were concerned about their appearance, 32% were embarrassed about wearing dentures and 62% wished that more oral care education was available when they were younger. In another survey of >1,000 RPDWs, self-esteem was negatively impacted in 51% of respondents and 57% reported anxiety around dental visits.

Conclusions Global market research confirmed that RPDWs can have emotional and practical needs that are not well understood/documented by dental healthcare professionals (HCPs). Consumer research can enhance understanding of patients' needs by dental HCPs and provide suggestions about how they may address them.
Sulfamic acid pyromellitic diamide-functionalized MCM-41 as a multifunctional hybrid catalyst for melting-assisted solvent-free synthesis of bioactive 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-(1H)-ones
Authors: Valiey Ehsan , Dekamin Mohammad G. , Alirezvani Zahra
Published: May 2021

This study introduces a practical approach to fabricate a novel hybrid acidic catalyst, namely sulfamic acid pyromellitic diamide-functionalized MCM-41 (MCM-41-APS-PMDA-NHSO3H). Various techniques such as FTIR, TGA, XRD, BET, FESEM, and EDX were used to confirm its structural characteristics. The efficiency of the new MCM-41-APS-PMDA-NHSO3H organosilica nanomaterials, as a heterogenous nanocatalyst, was examined in the synthesis of biologically active 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-(1H)-one derivatives under solvent-free conditions. It was found that the nanoporous MCM-41-APS-PMDA-NHSO3H, demonstrating acidic nature and high surface area, can activate all the Biginelli reaction components to afford desired 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-(1H)-ones under solvent-free conditions in short reaction time. Furthermore, easy and quick isolation of the new introduced hybrid organosilica from the reaction mixture as well as its reusability with negligible loss of activity in at least five consecutive runs are another advantages of this green protocol.
Simultaneous corn and soybean yield prediction from remote sensing data using deep transfer learning
Authors: Khaki Saeed , Pham Hieu , Wang Lizhi
Published: May 2021

Large-scale crop yield estimation is, in part, made possible due to the availability of remote sensing data allowing for the continuous monitoring of crops throughout their growth cycle. Having this information allows stakeholders the ability to make real-time decisions to maximize yield potential. Although various models exist that predict yield from remote sensing data, there currently does not exist an approach that can estimate yield for multiple crops simultaneously, and thus leads to more accurate predictions. A model that predicts the yield of multiple crops and concurrently considers the interaction between multiple crop yields. We propose a new convolutional neural network model called YieldNet which utilizes a novel deep learning framework that uses transfer learning between corn and soybean yield predictions by sharing the weights of the backbone feature extractor. Additionally, to consider the multi-target response variable, we propose a new loss function. We conduct our experiment using data from 1132 counties for corn and 1076 counties for soybean across the United States. Numerical results demonstrate that our proposed method accurately predicts corn and soybean yield from one to four months before the harvest with an MAE being 8.74% and 8.70% of the average yield, respectively, and is competitive to other state-of-the-art approaches.
Humidity sensor based on Gallium Nitride for real time monitoring applications
Authors: Furqan Chaudhry Muhammad , Khan Muhammad Umair , Awais Muhammad , Jiang Fulong , Bae Jinho , Hassan Arshad , Kwok Hoi-Sing
Published: May 2021

Gallium Nitride (GaN) remarkably shows high electron mobility, wide energy band gap, biocompatibility, and chemical stability. Wurtzite structure makes topmost Gallium atoms electropositive, hence high ligand binding ability especially to anions, making it usable as humidity sensor due to water self-ionization phenomenon. In this work, thin-film GaN based humidity sensor is fabricated through pulse modulated DC magnetron sputtering. Interdigitated electrodes (IDEs) with 100 μm width and spacing were inkjet printed on top of GaN sensing layer to further enhance sensor sensitivity. Impedance, capacitance, and current response were recorded for humidity and bio-sensing applications. The sensor shows approximate linear impedance response between 0 and 100% humidity range, the sensitivity of 8.53 nF/RH% and 79 kΩ/RH% for capacitance and impedance, and fast response (Tres) and recovery (Trec) time of 3.5 s and 9 s, respectively. The sensor shows little hysteresis of < 3.53% with stable and wide variations for accurate measurements. Especially, it demonstrates temperature invariance for thermal stability. Experimental results demonstrate fabricated sensor effectively evaluates plant transpiration cycle through water level monitoring by direct attachment onto leaves without causing any damage as well as freshness level of meat loaf. These properties of the proposed sensor make it a suitable candidate for future electronics providing a low-cost platform for real time monitoring applications.
Subgap dynamics of double quantum dot coupled between superconducting and normal leads
Authors: Baran B. , Taranko R. , Domański T.
Published: May 2021

Dynamical processes induced by the external time-dependent fields can provide valuable insight into the characteristic energy scales of a given physical system. We investigate them here in a nanoscopic heterostructure, consisting of the double quantum dot coupled in series to the superconducting and the metallic reservoirs, analyzing its response to (i) abrupt bias voltage applied across the junction, (ii) sudden change of the energy levels, and imposed by (iii) their periodic driving. We explore subgap properties of this setup which are strictly related to the in-gap quasiparticles and discuss their signatures manifested in the time-dependent charge currents. The characteristic multi-mode oscillations, their beating patters and photon-assisted harmonics reveal a rich spectrum of dynamical features that might be important for designing the superconducting qubits.
Transcriptomic analysis of atopic dermatitis in African Americans is characterized by Th2/Th17-centered cutaneous immune activation
Authors: Wongvibulsin Shannon , Sutaria Nishadh , Kannan Suraj , Alphonse Martin Prince , Belzberg Micah , Williams Kyle A. , Brown Isabelle D. , Choi Justin , Roh Youkyung Sophie , Pritchard Thomas , Khanna Raveena , Eseonu Amarachi C. , Jedrych Jaroslaw , Dillen Carly , Kwatra Madan M. , Chien Anna L. , Archer Nathan , Garza Luis A. , Dong Xinzhong , Kang Sewon , Kwatra Shawn G.
Published: May 2021

Atopic dermatitis (AD) often presents more severely in African Americans (AAs) and with greater involvement of extensor areas. To investigate immune signatures of AD in AAs with moderate to severe pruritus, lesional and non-lesional punch biopsies were taken from AA patients along with age-, race-, and sex-matched controls. Histology of lesional skin showed psoriasiform dermatitis and spongiotic dermatitis, suggesting both Th2 and Th17 activity. Gene Set Variation Analysis showed upregulation of Th2 and Th17 pathways in both lesional versus non-lesional and lesional versus control (p < 0.01), while Th1 and Th22 upregulation were observed in lesional versus control (p < 0.05). Evidence for a broad immune signature also was supported by upregulated Th1 and Th22 pathways, and clinically may represent greater severity of AD in AA. Furthermore, population-level analysis of data from TriNetX, a global federated health research network, revealed that AA AD patients had higher values for CRP, ferritin, and blood eosinophils compared to age-, sex-, and race-matched controls as well as white AD patients, suggesting broad systemic inflammation. Therefore, AA AD patients may feature broader immune activation than previously thought and may derive benefit from systemic immunomodulating therapies that modulate key drivers of multiple immune pathways.
NLR and BRCA mutational status in patients with high grade serous advanced ovarian cancer
Authors: Marchetti Claudia , D’Indinosante Marco , Bottoni Carolina , Di Ilio Chiara , Di Berardino Stefano , Costantini Barbara , Minucci Angelo , Vertechy Laura , Scambia Giovanni , Fagotti Anna
Published: May 2021

Laboratory-markers of the systemic inflammatory-response, such as neutrophil/lymphocyte-ratio (NLR) have been studied as prognostic factors in several tumors but in OC-patients their role is still controversial and no data about the possible correlation with the BRCA-status has been ever reported. We consecutively enrolled a series of 397 newly diagnosed high-grade serous-advanced OC-patients. All patients were tested for BRCA-mutational-status and blood-parameters have been collected 48 h before staging-surgery. A significant correlation of NLR with disease distribution (p < 0.005) was found and patients with NLR < 4 underwent primary-debulking-surgery more frequently (p-value 0.001), with a lower surgical-complexity-score (p-value 0.002). Regarding survival-data, patients with NLR < 4 had a significant 7-month increase in mPFS (26 vs 19 months, p = 0.009); focusing on the BRCA-status, among both BRCA-mutated and BRCA-wild type patients, those with lower NLR had a significantly prolonged mPFS compared to patients with NLR > 4 (BRCA-mutated: 35 vs 23 months, p = 0.03; BRCA-wt: 19 vs 16 months, p = 0.05). At multivariate-analysis, independent factors of prolonged PFS were BRCA mutational status, having received complete cytoreduction and NLR < 4. Also, the strongest predictors of longer OS were BRCA-mutational status, having received complete cytoreductive surgery, NLR < 4 and age. NLR is confirmed to be a prognostic marker in OC-patients and it seems unrelated with BRCA-mutational status.
Predicting youth diabetes risk using NHANES data and machine learning
Authors: Vangeepuram Nita , Liu Bian , Chiu Po-hsiang , Wang Linhua , Pandey Gaurav
Published: May 2021

Prediabetes and diabetes mellitus (preDM/DM) have become alarmingly prevalent among youth in recent years. However, simple questionnaire-based screening tools to reliably assess diabetes risk are only available for adults, not youth. As a first step in developing such a tool, we used a large-scale dataset from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) to examine the performance of a published pediatric clinical screening guideline in identifying youth with preDM/DM based on American Diabetes Association diagnostic biomarkers. We assessed the agreement between the clinical guideline and biomarker criteria using established evaluation measures (sensitivity, specificity, positive/negative predictive value, F-measure for the positive/negative preDM/DM classes, and Kappa). We also compared the performance of the guideline to those of machine learning (ML) based preDM/DM classifiers derived from the NHANES dataset. Approximately 29% of the 2858 youth in our study population had preDM/DM based on biomarker criteria. The clinical guideline had a sensitivity of 43.1% and specificity of 67.6%, positive/negative predictive values of 35.2%/74.5%, positive/negative F-measures of 38.8%/70.9%, and Kappa of 0.1 (95%CI: 0.06–0.14). The performance of the guideline varied across demographic subgroups. Some ML-based classifiers performed comparably to or better than the screening guideline, especially in identifying preDM/DM youth (p = 5.23 × 10−5).We demonstrated that a recommended pediatric clinical screening guideline did not perform well in identifying preDM/DM status among youth. Additional work is needed to develop a simple yet accurate screener for youth diabetes risk, potentially by using advanced ML methods and a wider range of clinical and behavioral health data.
Space-time characterization of community noise and sound sources in Accra, Ghana
Authors: Clark Sierra N. , Alli Abosede S. , Nathvani Ricky , Hughes Allison , Ezzati Majid , Brauer Michael , Toledano Mireille B. , Baumgartner Jill , Bennett James E. , Nimo James , Bedford Moses Josephine , Baah Solomon , Agyei-Mensah Samuel , Owusu George , Croft Briony , Arku Raphael E.
Published: May 2021

Urban noise pollution is an emerging public health concern in growing cities in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), but the sound environment in SSA cities is understudied. We leveraged a large-scale measurement campaign to characterize the spatial and temporal patterns of measured sound levels and sound sources in Accra, Ghana. We measured sound levels and recorded audio clips at 146 representative locations, involving 7-days (136 locations) and 1-year measurements between 2019 and 2020. We calculated metrics of noise levels and intermittency and analyzed audio recordings using a pre-trained neural network to identify sources. Commercial, business, and industrial areas and areas near major roads had the highest median daily sound levels (LAeq24hr: 69 dBA and 72 dBA) and the lowest percentage of intermittent sound; the vice-versa was found for peri urban areas. Road-transport sounds dominated the overall sound environment but mixtures of other sound sources, including animals, human speech, and outdoor music, dominated in various locations and at different times. Environmental noise levels in Accra exceeded both international and national health-based guidelines. Detailed information on the acoustical environmental quality (including sound levels and types) in Accra may guide environmental policy formulation and evaluation to improve the health of urban residents.
A conductive polymer nanowire including functional quantum dots generated via pulsed laser irradiation for high-sensitivity sensor applications
Authors: Sasaki Michiko , Goto Masahiro
Published: May 2021

The fabrication of functional conductive polymer nanowires (CPNWs), including ultrahigh-sensitive flexible nanosensors has attracted considerable attention in field of the Internet of Things. However, the controllable and space-selective growth of CPNWs remains challenging, and a novel synthetic technique is required. Herein, we demonstrate the synthesis of space-selective CPNWs that include quantum dots (QDs) with changeable optical properties via single-pulse laser irradiation in air at atmospheric pressure. Time-resolved shadowgraphy was applied to monitor the synthetic process of the CPNWs and optimise the process conditions. The electrical conductivity of the CPNWs with QDs (QD-CPNWs) was analysed in the presence and absence of light irradiation and was found to change drastically (over six times) under light irradiation. QD-CPNW synthesis under laser irradiation shows great potential for fabricating highly photosensitive functional nanomaterials and is expected to be applied in the production of ultrahigh-sensitive photosensors in the future.
Microplastic in angling baits as a cryptic source of contamination in European freshwaters
Authors: de Carvalho Aline Reis , Imbert Alexis , Parker Ben , Euphrasie Axelle , Boulêtreau Stéphanie , Britton J. Robert , Cucherousset Julien
Published: May 2021

High environmental microplastic pollution, and its largely unquantified impacts on organisms, are driving studies to assess their potential entry pathways into freshwaters. Recreational angling, where many anglers release manufactured baits into freshwater ecosystems, is a widespread activity with important socio-economic implications in Europe. It also represents a potential microplastic pathway into freshwaters that has yet to be quantified. Correspondingly, we analysed three different categories of industrially-produced baits (‘groundbait’, ‘boilies’ and ‘pellets’) for their microplastic contamination (particles 700 µm to 5 mm). From 160 samples, 28 microplastics were identified in groundbait and boilies, with a mean concentration of 17.4 (± 48.1 SD) MP kg−1 and 6.78 (± 29.8 SD) mg kg−1, yet no microplastics within this size range were recorded in the pellets. Microplastic concentrations significantly differed between bait categories and companies, but microplastic characteristics did not vary. There was no correlation between microplastic contamination and the number of bait ingredients, but it was positively correlated with C:N ratio, indicating a higher contamination in baits with higher proportion of plant-based ingredients. We thus reveal that bait microplastics introduced accidentally during manufacturing and/or those originating from contaminated raw ingredients might be transferred into freshwaters. However, further studies are needed to quantify the relative importance of this cryptic source of contamination and how it influences microplastic levels in wild fish.
A whole lung in silico model to estimate age dependent particle dosimetry
Authors: Poorbahrami Kamran , Vignon-Clementel Irene E. , Shadden Shawn C. , Oakes Jessica M.
Published: May 2021

Anatomical and physiological changes alter airflow characteristics and aerosol distribution in the developing lung. Correlation between age and aerosol dosimetry is needed, specifically because youth are more susceptible to medication side effects. In this study, we estimate aerosol dosages (particle diameters of 1, 3, and 5 $$\upmu$$
μ
m) in a 3 month-old infant, a 6 year-old child, and a 36 year-old adult by performing whole lung subject-specific particle simulations throughout respiration. For 3 $$\upmu$$
μ
m diameter particles we estimate total deposition as 88, 73, and $$66\%$$

66
%

and the conducting versus respiratory deposition ratios as 4.0, 0.5, and 0.4 for the infant, child, and adult, respectively. Due to their lower tidal volumes and functional residual capacities the deposited mass is smaller while the tissue concentrations are larger in the infant and child subjects, compared to the adult. Furthermore, we find that dose cannot be predicted by simply scaling by tidal volumes. These results highlight the need for additional clinical and computational studies that investigate the efficiency of treatment, while optimizing dosage levels in order to alleviate side effects, in youth.
Suggestion of a simpler and faster influenza-like illness surveillance system using 2014–2018 claims data in Korea
Authors: Choi HeeKyoung , Choi Won Suk , Han Euna
Published: May 2021

Influenza is an important public health concern. We propose a new real-time influenza-like illness (ILI) surveillance system that utilizes a nationwide prospective drug utilization monitoring in Korea. We defined ILI-related claims as outpatient claims that contain both antipyretic and antitussive agents and calculated the weekly rate of ILI-related claims, which was compared to weekly ILI rates from clinical sentinel surveillance data during 2014–2018. We performed a cross-correlation analysis using Pearson’s correlation, time-series analysis to explore actual correlations after removing any dubious correlations due to underlying non-stationarity in both data sets. We used the moving epidemic method (MEM) to estimate an absolute threshold to designate potential influenza epidemics for the weeks with incidence rates above the threshold. We observed a strong correlation between the two surveillance systems each season. The absolute thresholds for the 4-years were 84.64 and 86.19 cases per 1000claims for claims data and 12.27 and 16.82 per 1000 patients for sentinel data. The epidemic patterns were more similar in the 2016–2017 and 2017–2018 seasons than the 2014–2015 and 2015–2016 seasons. ILI claims data can be loaded to a drug utilization review system in Korea to make an influenza surveillance system.
Faster life history strategy manifests itself by lower age at menarche, higher sexual desire, and earlier reproduction in people with worse health
Authors: Sýkorová Kateřina , Flegr Jaroslav
Published: May 2021

Factors which indicate lower life expectancy also induce switching to a faster life strategy, that is, a higher investment in current reproduction at the expense of future reproduction and body maintenance. We tested a hypothesis according to which impairment of individual health serves as a signal for switching to a faster life strategy using online-gathered data from 32,911 subjects. Worse health was associated with lower age at menarche and earlier initiation of sexual life in women and higher sexual desire and earlier reproduction in both sexes. Individuals with worse health also exhibited lower sexual activity, lower number of sexual partners, and lower total number of children. These results suggest that impaired health shifts individuals towards a faster life strategy but also has a negative (physiological) effect on behaviours related to sexual life. Signs of a faster life strategy were also found in Rh-negative men in good health, indicating that even just genetic predisposition to worse health could serve as a signal for switching to a faster life strategy. We suggest that improved public health in developed countries and the resulting shift to a slower life strategy could be the ultimate cause of the phenomenon of demographic transition.
Exome sequencing of early-onset patients supports genetic heterogeneity in colorectal cancer
Authors: Fernández-Rozadilla C. , Álvarez-Barona M. , Quintana I. , López-Novo A. , Amigo J. , Cameselle-Teijeiro J. M. , Roman E. , Gonzalez D. , Llor X. , Bujanda L. , Bessa X. , Jover R. , Balaguer F. , Castells A. , Castellví-Bel S. , Capellá G. , Carracedo A. , Valle L. , Ruiz-Ponte Clara
Published: May 2021

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a complex disease that can be caused by a spectrum of genetic variants ranging from low to high penetrance changes, that interact with the environment to determine which individuals will develop the disease. In this study, we sequenced 20 early-onset CRC patients to discover novel genetic variants that could be linked to the prompt disease development. Eight genes, CHAD, CHD1L, ERCC6, IGTB7, PTPN13, SPATA20, TDG and TGS1, were selected and re-sequenced in a further 304 early onset CRC patients to search for rare, high-impact variants. Although we found a recurring truncating variant in the TDG gene shared by two independent patients, the results obtained did not help consolidate any of the candidates as promising CRC predisposing genes. However, we found that potential risk alleles in our extended list of candidate variants have a tendency to appear at higher numbers in younger cases. This supports the idea that CRC onset may be oligogenic in nature and may show molecular heterogeneity. Further, larger and robust studies are thus needed to unravel the genetics behind early-onset CRC development, coupled with novel functional analyses and omic approaches that may offer complementary insight.
Automatic detect lung node with deep learning in segmentation and imbalance data labeling
Authors: Chiu Ting-Wei , Tsai Yu-Lin , Su Shun-Feng
Published: May 2021

In this study, a novel method with the U-Net-based network architecture, 2D U-Net, is employed to segment the position of lung nodules, which are an early symptom of lung cancer and have a high probability of becoming a carcinoma, especially when a lung nodule is bigger than 15 $$\mathrm{mm}^2$$

mm

2

. A serious problem of considering deep learning for all medical images is imbalanced labeling between foreground and background. The lung nodule is the foreground which accounts for a lower percentage in a whole image. The evaluation function adopted in this study is dice coefficient loss, which is usually used in image segmentation tasks. The proposed pre-processing method in this study is to use complementary labeling as the input in U-Net. With this method, the labeling is swapped. The no-nodule position is labeled. And the position of the nodule becomes non-labeled. The result shows that the proposal in this study is efficient in a small quantity of data. This method, complementary labeling could be used in a small data quantity scenario. With the use of ROI segmentation model in the data pre-processing, the results of lung nodule detection can be improved a lot as shown in the experiments.