bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wear Resistance of 3D Printed and Prefabricated Denture Teeth Opposing Zirconia
Authors: Pham Diana M. , Gonzalez Maria D. , Ontiveros Joe C. , Kasper F. Kurtis , Frey Gary N. , Belles Donald M.
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To evaluate the wear resistance of a recently developed three‐dimensional (3D) printed denture teeth resin compared to three commercially available prefabricated denture teeth.

Materials and Methods

A total of 88 maxillary first molar denture teeth were evaluated: C (Classic; Dentsply Sirona, York, PA), DCL (SR Postaris DCL; Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein), IPN (Portrait IPN; Dentsply Sirona, York, PA), and F (Denture Teeth A2 Resin 1 L; Formlabs, Somerville, MA). The 3D printed denture tooth specimens were fabricated from a methacrylate‐based photopolymerizing resin using stereolithography (SLA). Denture teeth were subjected to a three‐body wear test with a poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) abrasive slurry. A Leinfelder‐style four station wear apparatus with custom bullet‐shaped milled zirconia styli was utilized with a load force of 36–40 N at 1.7 Hz for 200,000 cycles. Maximum depth of wear was measured using a lab grade scanner and analyzing software program. Data were analyzed using a one‐way ANOVA followed by the Tukey's Multiple Comparisons post hoc test (α = 0.05).

Results

A statistically significant difference in depth of wear was found between denture tooth materials (p < 0.001). The mean vertical depth of wear for the 3D printed denture teeth (0.016 ± 0.010 mm) was statistically significantly less than the prefabricated denture teeth. The highly cross‐linked denture teeth, DCL (0.036 ± 0.011 mm) and IPN (0.035 ± 0.014 mm), exhibited statistically significantly less wear than the conventional acrylic denture teeth. The conventional acrylic denture teeth demonstrated the greatest wear (0.058 ± 0.014 mm). No significant difference in depth of wear was found between DCL and IPN (p > 0.001).

Conclusions

Denture tooth material significantly influences the depth of wear. The 3D printed denture teeth demonstrated superior wear resistance compared to the commercially available prefabricated denture teeth when opposed to zirconia. Denture teeth fabricated with SLA technology may have a promising future in prosthetic dentistry.
Cardiovascular health behaviours of young adolescents: Results from the global school‐based student health survey
Authors: Qi Wanfu , Zhou Yanji , You Dingyun , Liu Jingjing , Li Lian , Xu Guodong , Hu Jingcen , Wang Shuyu , Xu Lei , Yang Delun , Liu Huina
Published: January 2021

Aim

Levels of American Heart Association‐defined cardiovascular (CV) health behaviours have not been fully reported among young adolescents in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). We describe poor, intermediate and ideal levels of American Heart Association‐defined CV health behaviours among young adolescents in LMICs.

Methods

We categorised the levels of CV health behaviours (smoking, body mass index, physical activity and diet) as poor, intermediate, or ideal and calculated the prevalence of each level and the cumulative number of ideal CV health behaviours using the latest data from the global school‐based health survey during 2009–2015. The weighted prevalence and 95% confidential intervals were calculated for the whole sample and for sub‐groups stratified by gender and age. Pooled overall and regional estimates were calculated using a random‐effects model. This study included 153 759 young adolescents from 45 countries.

Results

Overall, 86.3% (95% confidence interval, 82.7–89.9), 80.1% (79.8–80.4), 15.4% (13.7–17.2) and 1.7% (1.1–2.2) of respondents reported ideal levels for smoking, body mass index, physical activity and a healthy diet score, respectively. Overall, 0.3% (0.2–0.4) of respondents had ‘four’ cumulative ideal CV health behaviours. This ‘percentage’ was lowest in the Americas (0.2%) and highest in Southeast Asia (0.5%).

Conclusions

Consistently low proportions of young adolescents in LMICs met the ideal levels of physical activity and a healthy diet score or had ‘four’ ideal CV health behaviours. For this population, physical activity and a healthy dietary pattern should be strongly prioritised.
Predictors and outcomes of extubation failure in extremely preterm infants
Authors: Kidman Anna Madeline , Manley Brett J , Boland Rosemarie A , Davis Peter G , Bhatia Risha
Published: January 2021

Aim

To determine predictors and outcomes of extubation failure in extremely preterm (EP) infants born <28 weeks' gestational age (GA).

Methods

Retrospective clinical audit across two tertiary‐level neonatal intensive care units in Melbourne, Australia. Two‐hundred and four EP infants who survived to their first extubation from mechanical ventilation. Extubation failure (re‐intubation) within 7 days after the first extubation.

Results

Lower GA (odds ratio [OR] 0.71, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.61–0.89, P < 0.001) and higher pre‐extubation measured mean airway pressure (MAP) on the mechanical ventilator (OR 1.9 [95% CI 1.41–2.51], P < 0.001) predicted extubation failure. The area under a receiver operating characteristic curve for GA and MAP was 0.77 (95% CI 0.70–0.82). After adjustment for GA, infants who experienced extubation failure had higher rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (P < 0.001), post‐natal systemic corticosteroid treatment (P < 0.001), airway trauma (P < 0.003), longer durations of treatment with mechanical ventilation (P < 0.001), non‐invasive respiratory support (P < 0.001), supplemental oxygen therapy (P = 0.05) and longer hospitalisation (P = 0.025).

Conclusions

Lower GA and higher pre‐extubation measured MAP were predictive of extubation failure within 7 days in extremely preterm infants. Extubation failure was associated with increased morbidity and extended periods of respiratory support and hospitalisation.
Outcome of Chinese patients with hepatitis B at 96 weeks after functional cure with IFN versus combination regimens
Authors: Pan Calvin Q. , Li Ming‐Hui , Yi Wei , Zhang Lu , Lu Yao , Hao Hong‐Xiao , Wan Gang , Cao Wei‐Hua , Wang Xing‐Yue , Ran Chong‐Ping , Shen Ge , Wu Shu‐Ling , Chang Min , Gao Yuan‐Jiao , Xie Yao
Published: January 2021

Background & Aims

Nucleotides with add‐on interferon treatment (NUC‐IFN) provide significantly higher rates of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study aimed to investigate the sustainability of HBsAg loss and the prevention of clinical relapse.

Methods

Patients with CHB who achieved HBsAg loss and HBV DNA levels <20 IU/ml after IFN or NUC‐IFN therapy were enrolled and followed up for 96 weeks. The primary outcome was HBsAg negativity without viremia at week 96. Secondary outcomes included virological or clinical relapse and predictors of relapse.

Results

420 patients were included in intention‐to‐treat analysis with 290 and 130 in the IFN and NUC‐IFN groups respectively. At week 96, the intention‐to‐treat analysis revealed similar outcomes between groups, including HBsAg seroreversion (24.83% vs. 23.08%, P = .70), viremia (16.90% vs 13.08%, P = .32) and clinical relapse (11.38% vs 10.00%, P = .68); the per‐protocol analyses also showed HBsAg seroreversion, viremia and clinical relapse in IFN group (15.50%, 6.59% and 0.39%) did not differ from those in NUC‐IFN group (15.25%, 4.24% and 0.85%, P > .05). These outcomes were similar between patients who received entecavir and those who received telbivudine/lamivudine/adefovir before the combination therapy. In NUC‐IFN‐treated patients, fibrosis regression was observed at week 96. Baseline HBsAb negativity was independent predictors of HBsAg sero‐reversion and recurrence of viremia in IFN treated group.

Conclusion

NUC‐IFN and IFN therapies are equally effective in achieving sustained functional cure and fibrosis regression. (ClinicalTrials.gov, Number NCT02336399).
Over‐education in Cyprus: Micro and macro determinants, persistence and state dependence. A dynamic panel analysis
Authors: Charalambidou Christiana , McIntosh Steven
Published: January 2021

We use longitudinal panel data from the EU‐SILC for the period 2005–2011 to examine the micro and macro determinants, persistence and dynamics of over‐education. The key contribution in terms of the determinants of over‐education is the inclusion of macro‐level explanatory variables to control for both aggregate supply and aggregate demand labor market conditions. Their effects are found to be strongly significant and to have the expected sign. The article also disentangles the effect of past over‐education experience on the likelihood of current over‐education. Results demonstrate that over‐education is not only a long‐run phenomenon for many workers but also that current over‐education is largely due to past circumstances of the individual with this state dependence present at all career stages.
Guilt, shame, and postpartum infant feeding outcomes: A systematic review
Authors: Jackson Leanne , De Pascalis Leonardo , Harrold Jo , Fallon Victoria
Published: January 2021

Negative maternal affect (e.g., depression and anxiety) has been associated with shorter breastfeeding duration and poorer breastfeeding intention, initiation, and exclusivity. Other affective states, including guilt and shame, have been linked with formula feeding practice, though existing literature has yet to be synthesised. A narrative synthesis of quantitative data and a framework synthesis of qualitative and quantitative data were conducted to explore guilt and/or shame in relation to infant feeding outcomes. Searches were conducted on the DISCOVER database between December 2017 and March 2018. The search strategy was rerun in February 2020, together yielding 467 studies. The study selection process identified 20 articles, published between 1997 and 2017. Quantitative results demonstrated formula feeders experienced guilt more commonly than breastfeeding mothers. Formula feeders experienced external guilt most commonly associated with healthcare professionals, whereas breastfeeding mothers experienced guilt most commonly associated with peers and family. No quantitative literature examined shame in relation to infant feeding outcomes, warranting future research. The framework synthesis generated four distinct themes which explored guilt and/or shame in relation to infant feeding outcomes: ‘underprepared and ineffectively supported’, ‘morality and perceived judgement’ (breastfeeding), ‘frustration with infant feeding care’ and ‘failures, fears and forbidden practice’ (formula feeding). Both guilt and shame were associated with self‐perception as a bad mother and poorer maternal mental health. Guilt and shame experiences were qualitatively different in terms of sources and outcomes, dependent on infant feeding method. Suggestions for tailored care to minimise guilt and shame, while supporting breastfeeding, are provided.
Post‐treatment with yiqifumai injection and its main ingredients attenuates lipopolysaccharide‐induced microvascular disturbance in mesentery and ileum
Authors: Ayididaer Ayan , Sun Kai , Pan Chun‐Shui , Yan Li , Liu Yu‐Ying , Li Dan‐Tong , Fan Jing‐Yu , Han Jing‐Yan
Published: January 2021

Objective

To investigate the effect of Yiqifumai injection (YQFM), a compound Chinese medicine, and its main active ingredients on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced microvascular disturbance in mesentery and ileum.

Methods

Rats were infused with LPS (5 mg/kg/h) for 90 min. Thirty minutes after initiation of LPS administration, YQFM (160 mg/kg/h), Rb1 (5 mg/kg/h), Sch (2.5 mg/kg/h), or Rb1+Sch (5 mg/kg/h + 2.5 mg/kg/h) was infused until 90 min. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were incubated with LPS (100 ng/ml) for 90 min. YQFM (1 mg/ml), Rb1 (100 µM), Sch (100 µM), or Rb1+Sch (200 µM) was added 30 min after initiation of LPS stimulation.

Results

Yiqifumai injection and Rb1+Sch inhibited mesenteric venule hyperpermeability, suppressed microvillar erosion and submucosal edema, and protected claudin‐5 from downregulation and interleukin‐1β from upregulation in ileal tissues after LPS. Study in HUVECs confirmed the effect of YQFM and Rb1+Sch on JAM‐1 after LPS and revealed a similar effect on other junction proteins. Moreover, YQFM and Rb1+Sch attenuated the dysfunctional energy metabolism and the activation of TLR‐4/Src/NF‐κB signaling with Rb1 and Sch being partially effective.

Conclusion

These results demonstrated the beneficial effect of post‐treatment with YQFM, which is attributable to its main ingredient Rb1 and Sch, and likely mediated by targeting TLR‐4/Src/NF‐κB signaling pathway.
Periodontitis is a factor associated with dyslipidemia
Authors: Gomes‐Filho Isaac Suzart , Oliveira Michelle Teixeira , Cruz Simone Seixas da , Cerqueira Eneida de Moraes Marcílio , Trindade Soraya Castro , Vieira Graciete Oliveira , Couto Souza Paulo Henrique , Adan Luis Fernando Fernandes , Hintz Alexandre Marcelo , Passos‐Soares Johelle de Santana , Scannapieco Frank Andrew , Loomer Peter Michael , Seymour Gregory John , Figueiredo Ana Claudia Morais Godoy
Published: January 2021

Objective

To investigate the association between the severity of periodontitis (exposure) and dyslipidemia (outcome).

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study of users of public health services. Periodontitis was defined using the Center for Disease Prevention and Control and the American Academy of Periodontology criteria. Lipid evaluation used data on systemic biomarkers. Dyslipidemia diagnosis was based on the Guidelines of total cardiovascular risk of the World Health Organization. Weight, height, waist circumference, and blood pressure were measured, and socioeconomic–demographic, lifestyle behavior factors, general and oral health conditions of the participants were collected. Hierarchical and logistic regression analyzes were used to determine the association between the exposures and the outcome. Odds Ratios, unadjusted and adjusted, and 95% confidence intervals were estimated.

Results

Of 1,011 individuals examined, 75.17% had dyslipidemia, and 84.17% had periodontitis, 0.2% with mild, 48.56% moderate, and 35.41% severe disease. The association between periodontitis and dyslipidemia was maintained through hierarchical analysis and in the multiple regression modeling, showing that the occurrences of dyslipidemia in the group with periodontitis, and its moderate and severe levels, were, respectively, 14%, 30%, and 16% higher compared with those without periodontitis.

Conclusions

The results showed a positive association between moderate and severe periodontitis and dyslipidemia.
Effects of ibuprofen administration timing on oral surgery pain: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: La Monaca Gerardo , Pranno Nicola , Annibali Susanna , Polimeni Antonella , Pompa Giorgio , Cristalli Maria Paola
Published: January 2021

Objective

This study aimed to compare the analgesic effect of ibuprofen 400 mg given 30 min before or immediately after third molars surgery under local anaesthesia.

Materials and Methods

The single‐centre, randomized, split‐mouth, triple‐blind, clinical trial involved 38 outpatients, for a total of 76 bilateral symmetrical fully bone impacted mandibular third molars. Each patient was undergone to separate surgical sessions for the right and left side, and ibuprofen was randomly administered 30 min before or immediately after the intervention. Study participants recorded pain intensity using Numerical Rating Scale‐11, the timing of rescue therapy intake and overall tablets consumption over 3 days.

Results

The overall pain intensity score was lower in the group receiving ibuprofen immediately after (3.13 ± 2.46) than before (3.58 ± 2.40) surgery, with statistically significant differences only on the second and third days. The mean time to the first using rescue therapy was longer in the postoperative (598.33 ± 422.62 min) than in the preoperative (406.25 ± 149.79 min) analgesic treatment group (p = .123). The number of supplemented ibuprofen tablets did not differ (p = .530) between both groups.

Conclusions

Within the limits of the present study, ibuprofen administration immediately after surgery seemed to be more effective than preoperative administration.
Motion perception at mesopic light levels: effects of physiological ageing and eccentricity
Authors: Sepulveda Juan A. , Anderson Andrew J. , Wood Joanne M. , McKendrick Allison M.
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To explore the differential effects of age and eccentricity on the perception of motion at photopic and mesopic light levels.

Methods

Thirty‐six visually normal participants (18 younger; mean age 25 years, range: 20–31) and (18 older; mean age 70 years, range: 60–79) underwent two testing sessions, one at photopic and one at mesopic light levels. In each session, motion perception was tested binocularly at two eccentricities (centrally, and peripherally at 15° rightwards and 5° superior to the horizontal) for four motion tasks: minimum contrast of a drifting Gabor to identify motion direction (motion contrast); translational global motion coherence; biological motion embedded in noise and the minimum duration of a high‐contrast Gabor to determine the direction of motion, using two Gabor sizes to measure spatial surround suppression of motion.

Results

There was a significant main effect of light condition (higher thresholds in mesopic) for motion contrast (p < 0.001), translational global motion (p = 0.001) and biological motion (p < 0.001); a significant main effect of age (higher thresholds in older adults) for motion contrast (p < 0.001) and biological motion (p = 0.04) and a significant main effect of eccentricity (higher thresholds peripherally) for motion contrast (p < 0.001) and biological motion (p < 0.001). Additionally, we found a significant three‐way interaction between light levels, age and eccentricity for translational global motion (similar increase in mesopic thresholds centrally for both groups, but a much larger deterioration in older adult’s peripheral mesopic thresholds, p = 0.02). Finally, we found a two‐way interaction between light condition and eccentricity for translational global motion (higher values in central mesopic relative to peripheral photopic, p = 0.001) and for biological motion (higher values in peripheral mesopic relative to central photopic, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

For the majority of tasks assessed, motion perception was reduced in mesopic relative to photopic conditions, to a similar extent in both age groups. However, because some older adults exhibited elevated thresholds even under photopic conditions, particularly in the periphery, the ability to detect mesopic moving stimuli even at high contrast was markedly impaired in some individuals. Our results imply age‐related differences in the detection of peripheral moving stimuli at night that might impact hazard avoidance and night driving ability.
Pediatric melanoma in the Hispanic population: An analysis of institutional and national data
Authors: Kim Dong Joo , Yuan Tze‐An , Chen Pin‐Chun , Liu‐Smith Feng , Koh Stephen Seongeun , Mesinkovska Natasha Atanaskova , Sarpa Hege Grande
Published: January 2021

Background/Objectives

Pediatric melanoma is rare and remains poorly characterized, especially in racial/ethnic minorities of whom Hispanics are the largest and fastest growing in the United States. The health care burden of melanoma in Hispanics, who often present with more advanced disease, is rising and has even been called an early epidemic in California. We sought to document key clinicopathologic features of melanoma in Hispanic pediatric patients and to compare these parameters to pediatric non‐Hispanic whites (NHWs) under the a priori hypothesis that Spitzoid melanomas occur in greater proportions in Hispanics.

Methods

Single‐institution cross‐sectional study of pediatric melanoma cases (age < 20 years) with Hispanic stratification and comparison with matched Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data from the same time frame (1988‐2016).

Results

Of our 61 institutional cases of pediatric melanoma, Hispanics (11), compared with NHWs (40), presented significantly younger (11.7 years, 95% CI: 2.77‐8.00 years; P = .001), with lower limb predominance (46%; P < .05), mostly Spitzoid melanomas (82%; P < .05), and thicker tumors (2.34 mm, CI: 0.26‐2.19 mm; P < .05). Similarly, SEER data (2499 cases) showed greater proportions of childhood/pre‐pubertal adolescent melanomas (<15 years), lower limb involvement, Spitzoid subtype (36.5% vs 22.5% in NHWs; P = .001), and advanced (regional/distant) disease stages in Hispanics (212) compared with NHWs (2197).

Conclusions

Pediatric melanomas may present differently in Hispanics, and heightened awareness/lower threshold to biopsy high‐risk Spitzoid tumors on the lower limb may be warranted. Further investigations are needed to aid prevention and early detection in a vulnerable minority population less likely to seek outpatient dermatology specialty care.
Blending Capacity on a Rideshare Platform: Independent and Dedicated Drivers
Authors: Chakravarty Amiya K.
Published: January 2021

A rideshare platform acts as an aggregator that connects riders with ride providers (drivers). The drivers are independent workers who share a part of their revenue with the principal, who owns the platform. While drivers have flexible schedules, the fairness of labor contracts and control exercised by the principal have come into question lately. Suggested options include treating the drivers as employees and/or safeguarding a minimum income for them. We study a rideshare platform with blended driver capacity: full time employees with a fixed wage rate, and independent drivers who are paid a share of revenue. We examine a scenario where the principal establishes the number of employee drivers, revenue sharing, and a base price for the platform; and the independent drivers then determine whether to join the platform. We identify economic equilibrium for two different demand rationing strategies: preference for employee drivers, and equal opportunity for all drivers (driver‐agnostic). We find that a blended platform capacity becomes viable if the wage rate is moderate, pool of independent drivers is large, and the ride‐seeker market is large. We show that the unpredictability of driver's reservation value motivates the principal to hire more employee drivers and to increase the base price. Our result that a driver‐agnostic demand rationing causes fewer independent drivers to join the platform is somewhat counterintuitive and is explained by how revenue sharing affects demand rationing. We find that the ride seekers prefer preferential demand rationing over driver‐agnostic rationing.
Fast and Frugal: Information Processing Related to The Coronavirus Pandemic
Authors: Wong Jody Chin Sing , Yang Janet Zheng , Liu Zhuling , Lee David , Yue Zhiying
Published: January 2021

This research focuses on three factors that influence how individuals cognitively process information related to the coronavirus outbreak. Guided by dual‐process theories of information processing, we establish how the two different information processing modes (system 1: heuristic processing; system 2: systematic processing) are influenced by individuals’ responsibility attribution, discrete negative emotions, and risk perception. In an experiment, participants were exposed to a news article that either blames China (n = 445) or does not blame China (n = 498) for the pandemic. Results reveal that exposure to the responsibility attribution frame led individuals to engage in more heuristic processing, but it did not influence systematic processing. Discrete negative emotions and risk perception mediated the relationship between responsibility attribution and information processing. The indirect relationships suggest a more intricate process underlying heuristic processing and systematic processing. In particular, information processing styles seem to be determined by social judgment surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
How robustness can change the desirability of speed limit policy
Authors: Hasui Kohei
Published: January 2021

This paper investigates a robust monetary policy under speed limit policy when a central bank fears model misspecification. We reveal several points. First, the persistence of the output gap becomes small with the robust speed limit policy. The low persistence of the output gap contributes to mitigating the variance of the output gap. Second, for a robust policy, social losses are lower under the speed limit policy than under precommitment. Our results suggest that adding the growth of the output gap to the central bank’s objectives is effective when the worst‐case scenario is realized.
Rental prices in Germany: A comparison between migrants and natives
Authors: Eilers Lea , Paloyo Alfredo R. , Vance Colin
Published: January 2021

This paper deals with the question of whether migrants pay a rent premium for apartments of comparable quality and neighborhood characteristics. We use a two‐step selection‐correction model augmented by a control function to account for nonrandom neighborhood choice. The estimation sample is a uniquely assembled panel comprising the Socio‐Economic Panel (SOEP), information on household and apartment characteristics, as well as georeferenced data describing neighborhood quality. Our estimates reveal that people with migration backgrounds are not penalized in the German local rental market in terms of higher rental payments.
Conflating linear features using turning function distance: A new orientation‐sensitive similarity measure
Authors: Lei Ting L. , Wang Rongrong
Published: January 2021

Measuring the similarity between counterpart geospatial features is crucial in the effective conflation of spatial datasets from difference sources. This article proposes a new similarity metric called the “map turning function distance” (MTFD) for matching linear features such as roads based on the well‐known turning function (TF) distance in computer vision. The MTFD overcomes the limitations of the traditional TF distance, such as the inability to handle partial matches and insensitivity to differences in scale and rotation. In particular, the MTFD allows one to: (a) partially match a linear feature to a portion of a larger feature from a certain position of match; and (b) consider both the shape and orientation differences of polylines based on comparing their turning angles. In finding the best match position, we prove that the optimal position can be found among a finite set of positions on the target feature. We then combine the MTFD with widely used point‐offset distances such as the Hausdorff distance to form a composite similarity metric. Our experiments with real road datasets demonstrate that the new metric has greater discriminative power than traditional point‐offset‐based similarity measures, and significantly improves the precision of two tested conflation models.
Enzymatic basis for stepwise C‐glycosylation in the formation of flavonoid di‐C‐glycosides in sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.)
Authors: Feng Cheng‐Yong , Li Shan‐Shan , Taguchi Goro , Wu Qian , Yin Dan‐Dan , Gu Zhao‐Yu , Wu Jie , Xu Wen‐Zhong , Liu Cheng , Wang Liang‐Sheng
Published: January 2021

Lotus plumule, the embryo of the seed of the sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera), contains a high accumulation of secondary metabolites including flavonoids and possesses important pharmaceutical value. Flavonoid C‐glycosides, which accumulate exclusively in lotus plumule, have attracted considerable attention in recent decades due to their unique chemical structure and special bioactivities. As well as mono‐C‐glycosides, lotus plumule also accumulates various kinds of di‐C‐glycosides by mechanisms which are as yet unclear. In this study we identified two C‐glycosyltransferase (CGT) genes by mining sacred lotus genome data and provide in vitro and in planta evidence that these two enzymes (NnCGT1 and NnCGT2, also designated as UGT708N1 and UGT708N2, respectively) exhibit CGT activity. Recombinant UGT708N1 and UGT708N2 can C‐glycosylate 2‐hydroxyflavanones and 2‐hydroxynaringenin C‐glucoside, forming flavone mono‐C‐glycosides and di‐C‐glycosides, respectively, after dehydration. In addition, the above reactions were successfully catalysed by cell‐free extracts from tobacco leaves transiently expressing NnCGT1 or NnCGT2. Finally, enzyme assays using cell‐free extracts of lotus plumule suggested that flavone di‐C‐glycosides (vicenin‐1, vicenin‐3, schaftoside and isoschaftoside) are biosynthesized through sequentially C‐glucosylating and C‐arabinosylating/C‐xylosylating 2‐hydroxynaringenin. Taken together, our results provide novel insights into the biosynthesis of flavonoid di‐C‐glycosides by proposing a new biosynthetic pathway for flavone C‐glycosides in N. nucifera and identifying a novel uridine diphosphate‐glycosyltransferase (UGT708N2) that specifically catalyses the second glycsosylation, C‐arabinosylating and C‐xylosylating 2‐hydroxynaringenin C‐glucoside.
Comparison of pathologist review protocols for cytologic detection of prostatic and urothelial carcinomas in canines: A bi‐institutional retrospective study of 298 cases
Authors: McAloney Camille A. , Evans Samantha J. M. , Hokamp Jessica A. , Wellman Maxey L. , White Mary E.
Published: January 2021

Urothelial carcinoma, also known as transitional cell carcinoma, is the most common primary bladder tumour in dogs, and can also involve the prostate gland. Cytology is a common diagnostic tool utilized for dogs with bladder or prostate gland lesions. The objectives of this retrospective study were to compare the sensitivity and specificity of cytologic evaluation for urothelial or prostatic carcinoma between two institutions with different cytology review protocols as well as determine if certain collection methods resulted in higher cytologic accuracy. A total of 298 cases met inclusion criteria. The overall sensitivity and specificity for institution 1 were 91.8% and 50%, respectively, compared to 31.1% and 97.4%, respectively, for institution 2. When the urine sample review protocol at institution 2 was matched to that of institution 1, sensitivity and specificity were more similar to institution 1 (71.2% and 88.9%, respectively). Our results show that the sensitivity and specificity of cytology are affected by screening and review protocols implemented by different institutions. The data also demonstrate that sensitivity and specificity vary by collection method. Diagnostic catheterization had the highest performance: of the 11 cases between two institutions, it had 100% sensitivity and specificity. In contrast, examination of urine sediment not collected via diagnostic catheterization had low sensitivity and specificity that varied greatly by institution. In summary, cytologic interpretation should be undertaken with consideration given to both processing and collection protocols.
Low responders to endurance training exhibit impaired hypertrophy and divergent biological process responses in rat skeletal muscle
Authors: West Daniel W. D. , Doering Thomas M. , Thompson Jamie‐Lee M. , Budiono Boris P. , Lessard Sarah J. , Koch Lauren G. , Britton Steven L. , Steck Roland , Byrne Nuala M. , Brown Matthew A. , Peake Jonathan M. , Ashton Kevin J. , Coffey Vernon G.
Published: January 2021

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

The extent to which genetics determines adaptation to endurance versus resistance exercise is unclear. Previously, a divergent selective breeding rat model showed that genetic factors play a major role in the response to aerobic training. Here, we asked: do genetic factors that underpin poor adaptation to endurance training affect adaptation to functional overload?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Our data show that heritable factors in low responders to endurance training generated differential gene expression that was associated with impaired skeletal muscle hypertrophy. A maladaptive genotype to endurance exercise appears to dysregulate biological processes responsible for mediating exercise adaptation, irrespective of the mode of contraction stimulus.

Divergent skeletal muscle phenotypes result from chronic resistance‐type versus endurance‐type contraction, reflecting the principle of training specificity. Our aim was to determine whether there is a common set of genetic factors that influence skeletal muscle adaptation to divergent contractile stimuli. Female rats were obtained from a genetically heterogeneous rat population and were selectively bred from high responders to endurance training (HRT) or low responders to endurance training (LRT; n = 6/group; generation 19). Both groups underwent 14 days of synergist ablation to induce functional overload of the plantaris muscle before comparison to non‐overloaded controls of the same phenotype. RNA sequencing was performed to identify Gene Ontology biological processes with differential (LRT vs. HRT) gene set enrichment. We found that running distance, determined in advance of synergist ablation, increased in response to aerobic training in HRT but not LRT (65 ± 26 vs. −6 ± 18%, mean ± SD, P < 0.0001). The hypertrophy response to functional overload was attenuated in LRT versus HRT (20.1 ± 5.6 vs. 41.6 ± 16.1%, P = 0.015). Between‐group differences were observed in the magnitude of response of 96 upregulated and 101 downregulated pathways. A further 27 pathways showed contrasting upregulation or downregulation in LRT versus HRT in response to functional overload. In conclusion, low responders to aerobic endurance training were also low responders for compensatory hypertrophy, and attenuated hypertrophy was associated with differential gene set regulation. Our findings suggest that genetic factors that underpin aerobic training maladaptation might also dysregulate the transcriptional regulation of biological processes that contribute to adaptation to mechanical overload.
Teleoperated Motorized Functional Electric Stimulation Actuated Rehabilitative Cycling
Authors: Stubbs Kimberly J. , Allen Brendon C. , Dixon Warren E.
Published: January 2021

Many people are affected by a wide range of neuromuscular disorders, many of which can be improved through the use of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) rehabilitative cycling. Recent improvements in nonlinear, Lyapunov-based FES muscle control with motor assistance in unstimulated regions of the cycle-crank rotation have led to a reduction in muscle fatigue, allowing rehabilitation time to be extended. Studies in rehabilitation have shown that the addition of coordinated movement between the upper limbs and lower limbs can have a positive effect on neural plasticity leading to faster restoration of walking in those who have some neurological disorders. In this paper, to implement coordinated motion during rehabilitation, a strongly coupled bilateral telerobotic system is developed between a hand-cycle system driven by the participant’s volitional efforts and a split-crank leg-cycle system driven by the switched application of FES with motor assistance. A variable operator is applied to the leg-cycle’s motor input during the FES stimulation regions to provide assistance as required. Lyapunov-based analysis methods are used on the combined leg and hand-cycle system to prove global exponential stability. Analysis further proves that all switched system inputs are bounded, thus the states of the telerobotic master (i.e., hand-cycle system) are bounded, therefore, the telerobotic system is stable.
PD Controller With Self Adaptive Gains for Quadrotor Waypoint Navigation
Authors: Sudakar Madhavan , Sridhar Siddharth , Kumar Manish
Published: January 2021

Proportional-Derivative (PD) controllers are commonly used in quadrotors due to their simple structure. Tuning of the gains of the PD controller is often cumbersome due to strong coupling of the dynamics between three linear and three angular degrees of freedom. This paper presents a novel method of auto adjusting the proportional and derivative gains of the quadrotor without the use of any stable reference model (unlike model reference adaptive control). The gains are automatically adjusted throughout the flight based on just the state errors. Lyapunov stability analysis and adaptive gain law is used to formulate the control algorithm to achieve way point navigation. It is shown that our proposed controller achieves effective way point navigation even when started off from random gain values.
A time-frequency analysis approach to dispersion curve estimation for single-hydrophone acoustic signals in shallow water
Authors: Liang Ningning , Yang Yixin , Zhou Jianbo , Hou Xianghao
Published: January 2021

This Letter provides an advanced time-frequency analysis method for quickly and precisely estimating dispersion curves of low-frequency impulsive sounds propagated in shallow water. First, the modal chirplet transform is derived based on an approximated variation law of the modal instantaneous frequency, which can omit the modal filtering step of warping-based methods. Then an extension modal chirplet transform (EMCT) is developed to further improve its potential for automation, together with a trick for fast computation. EMCT is applied to a recorded signal to demonstrate that the method can achieve high time-frequency concentration for modal components in a significantly decreased run time.
Prelaminated paramedian forehead flap for subtotal nasal reconstruction using three-dimensional printing
Authors: Ziegler John P , Oyer Samuel L
Published: January 2021

Nasal reconstruction following a total or subtotal resection presents a challenging clinical scenario. Ample external skin coverage is readily available using the paramedian forehead flap (PMFF), but restoring adequate internal lining of sufficient size and pliability is a major limitation. Intranasal mucosal flaps or free tissue transfer is often employed for this purpose, each with their own sets of limitations. Prelamination of the PMFF with a skin graft prior to transfer is a method to create a composite flap with both internal and external lining. Another challenge in subtotal nasal reconstruction centres around restoring adequate dimensions to the nose without an existing template to work from. Three-dimensional (3D) printing has become an increasingly popular tool in reconstructive surgery as it captures precise patient-specific dimensions to guide reconstruction. Herein, we describe a case of subtotal nasal reconstruction using a prelaminated PMFF using a patient-specific 3D printed model as a template for reconstruction.
Targeting cancer stem cells with a pan-BCL-2 inhibitor in preclinical and clinical settings in patients with gastroesophageal carcinoma
Authors: Song Shumei , Chen Qiongrong , Li Yuan , Lei Guang , Scott Ailing , Huo Longfei , Li Cordelia Y , Estrella Jeannelyn Santiano , Correa Arlene , Pizzi Melissa Pool , Ma Lang , Jin Jiankang , Liu Bin , Wang Ying , Xiao Lianchun , Hofstetter Wayne L , Lee Jeffrey H , Weston Brian , Bhutani Manoop , Shanbhag Namita , Johnson Randy L , Gan Boyi , Wei Shaozhong , Ajani Jaffer A
Published: January 2021

Objective

Gastro-oesophageal cancers (GEC) are resistant to therapy and lead to poor prognosis. The cancer stem cells (CSCs) and antiapoptotic pathways often confer therapy resistance. We sought to elucidate the antitumour action of a BCL-2 inhibitor, AT101 in GEC in vitro, in vivo and in a clinical trial.

Methods

Extensive preclinical studies in vitro and in vivo were carried out to establish the mechanism action of AT101 on targeting CSCs and antiapoptotic proteins. A pilot clinical trial in patients with GEC was completed with AT-101 added to standard chemoradiation.

Results

Overexpression of BCL-2 and MCL-1 was noted in gastric cancer tissues (GC). AT-101 induced apoptosis, reduced proliferation and tumour sphere formation in MCL-1/BCL-2 high GC cells. Interestingly, AT101 dramatically downregulated genes (YAP-1/Sox9) that control CSCs in GEC cell lines regardless of BCL-2/MCL-1 expression. Addition of docetaxel to AT-101 amplified its antiproliferation and induced apoptosis effects. In vivo studies confirmed the combination of AT101 and docetaxel demonstrated stronger antitumour activity accompanied with significant decrease of CSCs biomarkers (YAP1/SOX9). In a pilot clinical trial, 13 patients with oesophageal cancer (EC) received AT101 orally concurrently with chemoradiation. We observed dramatic clinical complete responses and encouraging overall survival in these patients. Clinical specimen analyses revealed that AT-101 dramatically reduced the expression of CSCs genes in treated EC specimens indicating antitumour activity of AT101 relies more on its anti-CSCs activity.

Conclusions

Our preclinical and clinical data suggest that AT-101 overcomes resistance by targeting CSCs pathways suggesting a novel mechanism of action of AT101 in patients with GEC.
Effect of medium on reactivity for alkaline hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate and S-p-nitrophenyl thioacetate in DMSO–H2O mixtures of varying compositions: ground state and transition state contributions
Authors: Um Ik-Hwan , Kim Seungjae
Published: January 2021

Second-order rate constants (kN) for reactions of p-nitrophenyl acetate (1) and S-p-nitrophenyl thioacetate (2) with OH– have been measured spectrophotometrically in DMSO–H2O mixtures of varying compositions at 25.0 ± 0.1 °C. The kN value increases from 11.6 to 32 800 M–1 s–1 for the reactions of 1 and from 5.90 to 190 000 M–1 s–1 for those of 2 as the reaction medium changes from H2O to 80 mol % DMSO, indicating that the effect of medium on reactivity is more remarkable for the reactions of 2 than for those of 1. Although 2 possesses a better leaving group than 1, the former is less reactive than the latter by a factor of 2 in H2O. This implies that expulsion of the leaving group is not advanced in the rate-determining transition state, i.e., the reactions of 1 and 2 with OH– proceed through a stepwise mechanism, in which expulsion of the leaving group from the addition intermediate occurs after the rate-determining step. Addition of DMSO to H2O would destabilize OH– through electronic repulsion between the anion and the negative-dipole end in DMSO. However, destabilization of OH– in the ground state is not solely responsible for the remarkably enhanced reactivity upon addition of DMSO to the medium. The effect of medium on reactivity has been dissected into the ground state and transition state contributions through combination of the kinetic data with the transfer enthalpies (ΔΔHtr) from H2O to DMSO–H2O mixtures for OH– ion.
Hyperspherical variables analysis of lattice QCD three-quark potentials: skewed Y-string as the mechanism of confinement?
Authors: Leech James , Šuvakov Milovan , Dmitrašinović V.
Published: January 2021

We have re-analysed the lattice QCD calculations of the 3-quark potentials by: (i) Sakumichi and Suganuma (Phys Rev D 92(3), 034511, 2015); and (ii) Koma and Koma (Phys Rev D 95(9), 094513, 2017) using hyperspherical variables. We find that: (1) the two sets of lattice results have only two common sets of 3-quark geometries: (a) the isosceles, and (b) the right-angled triangles; (2) both sets of results are subject to unaccounted for deviations from smooth curves that are largest near the equilateral triangle geometry and are function of the hyperradius – the deviations being much larger and extending further in the triangle shape space in Sakumichi and Suganuma’s than in Koma and Koma’s data; (3) the variation of Sakumichi and Suganuma’s results brackets, from above and below, the Koma and Koma’s ones; the latter will be used as the benchmark; (4) this benchmark result generally passes between the Y- and the $$\Delta $$
Δ
-string predictions, thus excluding both; (5) three pieces of elastic strings joined at a skewed junction, which lies on the Euler line, reproduce such a potential, within the region where the data sets agree, in qualitative agreement with the calculations of colour flux density by Bissey et al. (Phys Rev D 76, 114512, 2007).
Study on the effect of pore-scale heterogeneity and flow rate during repetitive two-phase fluid flow in microfluidic porous media
Authors: Zhang Jingtao , Zhang Haipeng , Lee Donghee , Ryu Sangjin , Kim Seunghee
Published: January 2021

Various energy recovery, storage, conversion and environmental operations may involve repetitive fluid injection and thus, cyclic drainage–imbibition processes. We conducted an experimental study for which polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based micromodels were fabricated with three different levels of pore-space heterogeneity (coefficient of variation, where COV  =  0, 0.25 and 0.5) to represent consolidated and/or partially consolidated sandstones. A total of 10 injection-withdrawal cycles were applied to each micromodel at two different flow rates (0.01 and 0.1 ml min
−1
). The experimental results were analysed in terms of flow morphology, sweep efficiency, residual saturation, the connection of fluids and the pressure gradient. The pattern of the invasion and displacement of the non-wetting fluid converged more readily in the homogeneous model (COV  =  0) as the repetitive drainage–imbibition process continued. The overall sweep efficiency converged between 0.4 and 0.6 at all tested flow rates, regardless of different flow rates and COV in this study. In contrast, the effective sweep efficiency was observed to increase with higher COV at the lower flow rate, while that trend became reversed at the higher flow rate. Similarly, the residual saturation of the non-wetting fluid was largest at COV  =  0 for the lower flow rate, but it was the opposite for the higher flow-rate case. However, the Minkowski functionals for the boundary length and connectedness of the non-wetting fluid remained quite constant during repetitive fluid flow. Implications of the study results for porous media-compressed air energy storage (PM-CAES) are discussed as a complementary analysis at the end of this paper.

Supplementary material:
Figures showing the distribution of water (Fig. S1) and oil (Fig. S2) at the end of each drainage and imbibition step in different microfluidic pore-network models are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5276814

Thematic collection:
This article is part of the Energy Geoscience Series available at:
https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/energy-geoscience-series
Federated Learning and Control at the Wireless Network Edge
Authors: Bennis Mehdi
Published: January 2021

We are at the cusp of two transformational technologies, namely the fifth generation of wireless communication systems, known as 5G, and machine learning (ML). On the one hand, while the evolutionary part of 5G, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), focusing mainly on millimeter-wave transmissions has made significant progress, fundamentals of ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC), one of the major tenets of the 5G revolution, are yet to be fully understood. In essence, URLLC warrants a departure from average-based system design toward a clean slate design centered on tail, risk, and scale [1]. While risk is encountered when dealing with decision making under uncertainty, scale is driven by the sheer amount of devices, antennas, sensors, and actuators, all of which pose unprecedented challenges in network design, optimization, and scalability.