bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of acquired antithrombin deficiency in paediatric patients supported on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Procaccini David E. , Roem Jennifer , Ng Derek K. , Rappold Thomas E. , Jung Dawoon , Gobburu Jogarao V. S. , Bembea Melania M.
Published: February 2023

Aims

There remains a paucity of literature regarding best practice for antithrombin (AT) monitoring, dosing and dose–response in paediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a quaternary care paediatric intensive care unit in all patients <18 years of age supported on ECMO from 1 June 2011 to 30 April 2020. Adverse events and outcomes were characterized for all ECMO runs. AT activity and replacement were characterized and compared between two clinical protocols. AT activities measured post‐ vs. pre‐AT replacement were compared in order to characterize a dose–response relationship.

Results

The final cohort included 191 patients with 201 ECMO runs and 2028 AT activity measurements. The median AT activity was 65% (interquartile range [IQR], 51–82) and 879 (43.3%) measurements met the criteria of deficient. The overall median AT dose and increase in AT activity were 50.6 units/kg/dose (IQR, 39.5–67.2) and 23.5% (IQR, 9.8–36.0), respectively. In the protocol that restricted AT activity measurements to clinical scenarios concerning for heparin resistance, there was significantly higher dosing in conjunction with significantly fewer overall administrations. Approximately one third of AT activity remained deficient after repletion. There was no difference in mechanical complications, reasons for discontinuation of ECMO support, time on ECMO or survival between protocols.

Conclusions

There was a high prevalence of AT deficiency in paediatric ECMO patients. An AT replacement protocol based on evaluating heparin resistance is associated with fewer AT administrations, with similar circuit and patient outcomes. Further data are needed to identify optimal dosing strategies.
Single‐cell atlas of the immune microenvironment reveals macrophage reprogramming and the potential dual macrophage‐targeted strategy in multiple myeloma
Authors: Li Jing , Yang Yang , Wang Wenjing , Xu Jiadai , Sun Yifeng , Jiang Jifeng , Tan Hui , Ren Liang , Wang Yue , Ren Yuhong , Zhang Yian , Xu Tianhong , Jia Xuebing , Huang Xiaoyun , Liu Peng
Published: February 2023

The tumour microenvironment (TME) plays a critical role in disease progression in multiple myeloma (MM). This study aimed to present an atlas of MM‐TME in disease progression and explore TME‐directed therapeutic strategies. We performed single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) in samples from different disease stages. We validated the findings by bulk RNAseq, flow cytometry (FCM) and in vitro and in vivo functional experiments. We delineated a compromised TME during disease progression, characterized by enrichment of exhausted NK cells and CD8+ T cells and reprogramming of macrophages (MPs). The reprogrammed tumour‐associated MPs (TAMs) displayed a mixed phenotype showing both M1 and M2 features, with two TAM clusters exclusively present in the MM stage showing higher M2 scores. We validated the mixed M1/M2 phenotype in TAMs in a clinical cohort and verified phagocytic dysfunction in reprogrammed TAMs. Cellular interaction analysis identified two enriched ligand–receptor pairs between MPs and malignant plasma cells (PCs), including the SIRPA‐CD47 pathway suppressing phagocytosis and the CD74–MIF (macrophage inhibitory factor) reshaping the phenotype of MPs. The expression of CD47 and MIF correlated with disease progression and adverse outcomes. We designed a dual‐MP‐targeted strategy by combining an anti‐CD47 antibody and MIF inhibitor to activate phagocytosis and repolarize MP to a functional phenotype and proved its potent antitumour effect in vitro and in vivo. We drafted alterations in MM‐TME during disease progression and unravelled TAM's reprogramming. The dual MP‐targeted approach blocking both CD47 and MIF showed potent antitumour effects.
Single‐cell RNA sequencing reveals tumor heterogeneity, microenvironment, and drug‐resistance mechanisms of recurrent glioblastoma
Authors: Wu Haibin , Guo Chengcheng , Wang Chaoye , Xu Jiang , Zheng Suyue , Duan Jian , Li Yiyun , Bai Hongming , Xu Qiuyan , Ning Fangling , Wang Feng , Yang Qunying
Published: February 2023

Glioblastomas are highly heterogeneous brain tumors. Despite the availability of standard treatment for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), i.e., Stupp protocol, which involves surgical resection followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, glioblastoma remains refractory to treatment and recurrence is inevitable. Moreover, the biology of recurrent glioblastoma remains unclear. Increasing evidence has shown that intratumoral heterogeneity and the tumor microenvironment contribute to therapeutic resistance. However, the interaction between intracellular heterogeneity and drug resistance in recurrent GBMs remains controversial. The aim of this study was to map the transcriptome landscape of cancer cells and the tumor heterogeneity and tumor microenvironment in recurrent and drug‐resistant GBMs at a single‐cell resolution and further explore the mechanism of drug resistance of GBMs. We analyzed six tumor tissue samples from three patients with primary GBM and three patients with recurrent GBM in which recurrence and drug resistance developed after treatment with the standard Stupp protocol using single‐cell RNA sequencing. Using unbiased clustering, nine major cell clusters were identified. Upregulation of the expression of stemness‐related and cell‐cycle‐related genes was observed in recurrent GBM cells. Compared with the initial GBM tissues, recurrent GBM tissues showed a decreased proportion of microglia, consistent with previous reports. Finally, vascular endothelial growth factor A expression and the blood–brain barrier permeability were high, and the O6‐methylguanine DNA methyltransferase‐related signaling pathway was activated in recurrent GBM. Our results delineate the single‐cell map of recurrent glioblastoma, tumor heterogeneity, tumor microenvironment, and drug‐resistance mechanisms, providing new insights into treatment strategies for recurrent glioblastomas.
Multi‐agent Path Planning with Heterogenous Interactions in Tight Spaces
Authors: Modi V. , Chen Y. , Madan A. , Sueda S. , Levin D. I. W.
Published: February 2023

By starting with the assumption that motion is fundamentally a decision making problem, we use the world‐line concept from Special Relativity as the inspiration for a novel multi‐agent path planning method. We have identified a particular set of problems that have so far been overlooked by previous works. We present our solution for the global path planning problem for each agent and ensure smooth local collision avoidance for each pair of agents in the scene. We accomplish this by modelling the collision‐free trajectories of the agents through 2D space and time as rods in 3D. We obtain smooth trajectories by solving a non‐linear optimization problem with a quasi‐Newton interior point solver, initializing the solver with a non‐intersecting configuration from a modified Dijkstra's algorithm. This space–time formulation allows us to simulate previously ignored phenomena such as highly heterogeneous interactions in very constrained environments. It also provides a solution for scenes with unnaturally symmetric agent alignments without the need for jittering agent positions or velocities.
Corporate Endowment Insurance Fee Reduction and Employee Wages: Evidence from China
Authors: Zhang Xufei , Fang Hongsheng , Guo Lin
Published: February 2023

To stimulate economic growth, the Chinese government implemented three consecutive policies between 2016 and 2019 to reduce the corporate endowment insurance contribution ratio (CEICR), the highest payment item for Chinese companies. Using China's CEICR reduction policies as a quasi‐natural experiment, this paper evaluates the impact of corporate payment burden reduction on employee wages. Generally, reducing CEICR appears to prompt companies to increase employee wages. Corporate cash flow is a possible channel of influence. Moreover, the positive effect is found to be more pronounced in companies that are more labor intensive, performing better in labor payment compliance, and located in regions with higher pressure for elderly care. This paper offers evidence in favor of implementing CEICR reduction policies from the perspective of improving the well‐being of employees.
Impact of Outward Foreign Direct Investment on Chinese Manufacturing Firms' Financialization and Servitization
Authors: Nie Fei , Li Jian , Etienne Xiaoli , Li Gucheng
Published: February 2023

This study examines the impact of outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) on Chinese manufacturing firms' financialization and servitization. Using a difference‐in‐differences approach with propensity score matching, we found that OFDI encouraged firms' financial and service activities. The effects of OFDI on financialization were stronger for firms specializing in short‐term financial assets, operating in labor and technology‐intensive sectors, investing overseas to pursue production, resources and markets there, and investing in non‐OECD and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries. Meanwhile, firms investing overseas were more likely to provide services at the sale or postsale stages. Outward foreign direct investment has also boosted the service activities of firms operating in the technology‐intensive sector by investing overseas to seek resources and markets, as well as investing in non‐OECD and BRI countries. Finally, OFDI partially influenced the extent of financialization and servitization of firms by affecting their profit‐making ability.
Challenges of methadone maintenance treatment decentralisation from Vietnamese primary care providers' perspectives
Authors: Nguyen Diep Bich , Nguyen Trang Thu , Lin Chunqing , Dinh Thuy Thi Thanh , Le Giang Minh , Li Li
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Decentralising methadone maintenance treatment to primary care improves patients' access to care and their drug and HIV treatment outcomes. However, primary care providers (PCP), especially those working in limited‐resource settings, are facing great challenges to provide quality methadone treatment. This study explores the challenges perceived by PCP providing methadone treatment at commune health centres in a mountainous region in Vietnam.

Method

We conducted in‐depth interviews with 26 PCP who worked as program managers, physicians, counsellors, pharmacists and medication dispensing staff at the methadone programs of eight commune health centres in Dien Bien, Vietnam, in November and December 2019. We used the health‐care system framework in developing the interview guides and in summarising data themes.

Results

Participants identified major challenges in providing methadone treatment in commune health centres at the individual, clinic and environmental levels. Individual‐level challenges included a lack of confidence and motivation in providing methadone treatment. Clinic‐level factors included inadequate human resources, lack of institutional support, insufficient technical support, lack of referral resources and additional support for patients. Environment‐level factors comprised a lack of reasonable policies on financial support for providers at commune health centres for providing methadone treatment, lack of regulations and mechanisms to ensure providers' safety in case of potential violence by patients and to share responsibility for overdose during treatment.

Discussion and Conclusion

PCP in Vietnam faced multi‐level challenges in providing quality methadone treatment. Supportive policies and additional resources are needed to ensure the effectiveness of the decentralisation program.
Cross‐sectional survey of a convenience sample of Australians who use alcohol home delivery services
Authors: Colbert Stephanie , Wilkinson Claire , Thornton Louise , Feng Xiaoqi , Campain Anna , Richmond Robyn
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Online alcohol purchasing and home delivery has increased in recent years, accelerated by the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. This article aims to investigate the purchasing and drinking behaviour of Australians who use online alcohol delivery services.

Method

A cross‐sectional self‐report survey with a convenience sample of 1158 Australians ≥18 years (49.3% female) who used an online alcohol delivery service in the past 3 months, recruited through paid social media advertisements from September to November 2021. Quota sampling was used to obtain a sample with age and gender strata proportional to the Australian adult population. Descriptive statistics were generated and logistic regression used to explore variables that predict hazardous/harmful drinking (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test score ≥8).

Results

One‐in‐five (20.1%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 17.8–22.5) participants had used an alcohol delivery service to extend a home drinking session because they had run out of alcohol and wanted to continue drinking and, of these, one‐third (33.9%, 95% CI 27.9–40.4) indicated that if the service was not available they would have stopped drinking. Using delivery services in this way was associated with six times higher odds of drinking at hazardous/harmful levels (odds ratio 6.26, 95% CI 3.78–10.36). Participants ≤25 years were significantly more likely to report never having their identification verified when receiving their alcohol delivery at the door compared with purchasing takeaway alcohol in‐person at a bottle shop (p < 0.001, McNemar).

Discussion and Conclusion

Given the risks associated with alcohol delivery, regulation of these services should be improved to meet the same standards as bricks‐and‐mortar bottle shops.
Disasters collide at the intersection of extreme weather and infectious diseases
Authors: Drake John M. , Marty Éric , Gandhi Kamal J. K. , Welch‐Devine Meredith , Bledsoe Brian , Shepherd Marshall , Seymour Lynne , Fortuin Christine C. , Montes Cristian
Published: February 2023

Natural disasters interact to affect the resilience and prosperity of communities and disproportionately affect low income families and communities of colour. However, due to lack of a common theoretical framework, these are rarely quantified. Observing severe weather events (e.g. hurricanes and tornadoes) and epidemics (e.g. COVID‐19) unfolding in southeastern US communities led us to conjecture that interactions among catastrophic disturbances might be much more considerable than previously recognized. For instance, hurricane evacuations increase human aggregation, a factor that affects the transmission of acute infections like SARS‐CoV‐2. Similarly, weather damage to health infrastructure can reduce a community's ability to provide services to people who are ill. As globalization and human population and movement continue to increase and weather events are becoming more intense, such complex interactions are expected to magnify and significantly impact environmental and human health.
It is past time to use ecosystem models tactically to support ecosystem‐based fisheries management: Case studies using Ecopath with Ecosim in an operational management context
Authors: Craig J. Kevin , Link Jason S.
Published: February 2023

The implementation of ecosystem management requires ecosystem modelling within the context of a natural resource management process. Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) is the most widely used modelling platform for investigating the dynamics of marine ecosystems, but has played a limited role in fisheries management and in multi‐sector resource decision‐making. We review 10 case studies that demonstrate the use of EwE to support operational resource management. EwE models are being used to inform tactical decision‐making in fisheries and other ocean use sectors, as well as to identify key trade‐offs, develop appropriate policy objectives, and reconcile conflicting legislative mandates in a variety of ecosystems. We suggest the following criteria to enhance the use of EwE and other ecosystem models in operational resource management: (1) a clear management objective that can be addressed through modelling; (2) an important trade‐off and a receptive policy context amenable to trade‐off evaluation; (3) an accessible and well‐documented model that follows best practices; (4) early and iterative engagement among scientists, stakeholders, and managers; (5) integration within a collaborative management process; (6) a multi‐model approach; and (7) a rigorous review process. Our review suggests that existing management frameworks are as much or more of a limitation to the operational use of EwE than technical issues related to data availability and model uncertainty. Ecosystem models are increasingly needed to facilitate more effective and transparent decision‐making. We assert that the requisite conditions currently exist for enhanced strategic and tactical use of EwE to support fisheries and natural resource management.
Individual, family, and employer: Factors associated with fathers' use of parental leave
Authors: Choi Youjin
Published: February 2023

Objective

This study aims to examine factors associated with fathers' use of parental leave in Canada, considering a rich set of individual, family, and employer characteristics.

Background

The province of Quebec and the rest of Canada have two different parental benefits programs and show different patterns in fathers' parental benefit use. Also, the role of employers in fathers' benefit use has gained little attention in the Canadian context.

Method

Using Canadian administrative data, logistic regression models were estimated separately for the two regions to examine characteristics associated with the likelihood of using parental benefits among fathers whose first child was born in 2016.

Results

The percentage of male coworkers who used parental benefits, employer's industry, fathers' earnings, and whether the mother received parental benefits were important factors for fathers' parental benefit use in both Quebec and the rest of Canada. Some of these associations were opposite in the two regions.

Conclusion

Not only individual and family characteristics but also employer characteristics are important for understanding fathers' parental benefit use, and these associations depend on the design of a parental benefit program.

Implications

Findings can be used to improve a parental benefit program to target fathers with low uptake or their employers.
Metabolic switching of estrogen‐related receptor alpha in breast cancer aggression
Authors: Tripathi Madhulika , Singh Brijesh Kumar
Published: February 2023

Orphan nuclear receptor estrogen‐related receptor alpha (ERRα) is an important regulator of energy metabolism, whereas its hyperactivation in breast cancer has been shown to regulate cell migration, proliferation, and tumour development. These findings suggest a fine balance in the status of ERRα in regulating metabolic homeostasis or promoting cancer progression. In this issue, Brindisi et al. have shown that ERRα is endogenously activated by cholesterol and caused breast cancer aggressiveness. This study also supports the anti‐tumour mechanisms of cholesterol‐lowering drugs such as statins.
CARPs regulate STUB1 and its pathogenic mutants aggregation kinetics by mono‐ubiquitination
Authors: Sharma Rahul , Mondal Prema , Srinivasula Srinivasa M.
Published: February 2023

The development of neurological pathologies is linked to the accumulation of protein aggregates like alpha‐synuclein in Parkinson's disease and tau protein in Alzheimer's disease. Mono‐ or di‐ubiquitination of these molecules has been reported to stabilize aggregates and contribute to the disorders. STIP1 Homologous and U‐Box‐containing protein 1 (STUB1) is a multifunctional protein that maintains proteostasis and insulin signalling. In spinocerebellar ataxia 16 (SCAR16), an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease, mutations in and aggregation of STUB1 are reported. Despite the well‐accepted neuroprotective role of STUB1, very little is known of regulatory mechanisms that control the dynamics of STUB1 aggregate assembly. Here, we report that CARP2, a ubiquitin ligase, is a novel regulator of STUB1. CARP2 interacts and mono‐ubiquitinates STUB1. Furthermore, we found that CARP2 regulates STUB1 through its TPR motif, a domain that is also associated with HSP70. Modification of STUB1 by CARP2 leads to detergent‐insoluble aggregate formation. Importantly, pathogenic mutants of STUB1 are more prone than the wild‐type to CARP2‐mediated aggregate assembly. Hence our findings revealed CARPs (CARP1 & CARP2) as novel regulators of STUB1 and controlled its cytosolic versus aggregate dynamics.
Effect of eribulin on epithelial–mesenchymal transition plasticity in metastatic breast cancer: An exploratory, prospective study
Authors: Hayashi Takanori , Kobayashi Naomi , Ushida Kaori , Asai Naoya , Nakano Shogo , Fujii Kimihito , Ando Takahito , Utsumi Toshiaki
Published: February 2023

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a pivotal role in cancer metastasis and treatment resistance, which worsens prognosis. In phase III trials, eribulin improved overall survival in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients. In preclinical studies, eribulin suppressed EMT. However, clinical data on the use of eribulin for MBC patients are limited. In this exploratory, prospective study, we examined the effect of eribulin on EMT in MBC patients. Twenty‐two patients aged 44–82 years with recurrent breast cancer or MBC were treated with eribulin. Breast cancer tissue samples were obtained before treatment and on Day 15 ± 5 of the first cycle of eribulin treatment. EMT markers (E‐cadherin, claudin‐3, vimentin, and N‐cadherin) were analyzed using western blotting. EMT changes were evaluated based on the ratio of epithelial to mesenchymal markers before and after treatment in individual tumors. E‐cadherin/vimentin, claudin‐3/vimentin, E‐cadherin/N‐cadherin, and claudin‐3/N‐cadherin ratios were significantly higher after treatment (p = .007, p = .005, p = .006, and p = .011, respectively). Based on E‐cadherin/vimentin, 65.0% of tumors shifted to an epithelial phenotype, as compared to 66.7% based on claudin‐3/vimentin, 84.6% based on E‐cadherin/N‐cadherin, and 71.4% based on claudin‐3/N‐cadherin ratios. Thus, our results showed that eribulin suppressed EMT in breast cancer tissues.
Mast cell evaluation in gastrointestinal biopsies: should we be counting? A critical review and practical guide for the surgical pathologist
Authors: Shivji Sameer , Conner James Ryan , Kirsch Richard
Published: February 2023

Mast cells are residents of the tubular gastrointestinal (GI) tract, where they play an important role in host defence and other vital functions. Dysregulation of mast cells has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several neoplastic, inflammatory, and functional disorders, some of which may manifest with GI symptoms. Surgical pathologists must therefore confront when and how to evaluate GI biopsies for mast cells, and whether such decisions should be based on morphologic criteria, clinical context, or direct request from clinical colleagues. The pathologist's role in evaluation of mast cell infiltrates is best defined in the diagnosis of systemic mastocytosis, where the utility of morphologic assessment coupled with ancillary studies is well established. In contrast, in nonneoplastic mast cell disorders such as mast cell activation syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, or so‐called ‘mastocytic enterocolitis’, a role for histopathology, if any, is controversial. Despite this, pathologists have seen a sharp increase in requests for mast cell quantification in the latter setting, despite these requests not being supported by published evidence. Moreover, what constitutes a ‘normal’ number of mast cells in a luminal GI biopsy is not well established. As a result, there is considerable variation in how these requests are handled in practice. This review evaluates and summarizes the published evidence relating to mast cell evaluation in endoscopic GI biopsies in various clinical scenarios, with a goal of providing practical, evidence‐based guidance for the surgical pathologist when approached with requests for mast cell quantification in GI biopsies.
An eco‐friendly system for stabilization of retinol: A step towards attending performance with improved environmental respect
Authors: Wang Pamella Huey Mei , Agach Mickael , Libii Majolie , Chonez Stéphan , Gregoire Sébastien , Lee Brittany , Simonnet Jean‐Thierry
Published: February 2023

Objective

Retinol (Vitamin A) is one of the most effective molecules for the treatment of skin aging. However, it degrades rapidly under the influence of light, oxygen, metal ions, and oxidizing agents. To prevent this, stabilizing systems are used commonly. Notably, butylated hydroxytoluene (2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐p‐cresol) (BHT) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) salts exhibit excellent antioxidant and metal‐chelating properties but are not eco‐friendly. In this study, our goal was to develop a new eco‐friendly stabilization system for retinol‐based formulations such that the system does not interfere with retinol skin absorption, nor its clinical efficacy.

Methods

An evaluation tool called the Sustainable Product Optimization Tool (SPOT) was used to assess the environmental performance of formulations containing retinol and the various stabilizers investigated. Accelerated stability tests were performed on formulations stored for 2 months at 4 and 45°C (ISO/TR Standard 18811 2018 directives). Long‐term stability evaluation was done on formulations stored for 24‐months at room temperature. Retinol skin absorption was assessed by the Franz cell method using human skin explants (OECD guideline 428). Finally, a clinical study was performed to evaluate the cosmetic performance of a 0.3% stabilized retinol formulation.

Results

N,N’‐ethylenediamine disuccinic acid ([S,S]‐EDDS isomer) and pentaerythritol tetrakis(3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐hydroxyhydrocinnamate) (PBHC) showed higher biodegradability and a reduced water footprint compared with those of BHT and EDTA. The SPOT simulation gave [S,S]‐EDDS + PBHC a score of 10 versus 8.84 for EDTA + BHT. Moreover, [S,S]‐EDDS + PBHC better controlled the chemical degradation of retinol compared with EDTA + BHT. Retinol skin absorption was also achieved in the case of a formulation containing [S,S]‐EDDS + PBHC, and several skin attributes improved significantly after 12 weeks of product use, with over 75% of the panel perceiving benefits.

Conclusion

Regarding retinol stabilization, the PBHC + [S,S]‐EDDS combination is an eco‐friendlier and more effective alternative to BHT + EDTA.
Plasma long noncoding RNAs lncDC and THRIL as potential diagnostic markers of adult primary immune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Jiang Nan , Wang Yin , Feng Qi , Wang Shuwen , Leng Shaoqiu , Zhang Xiaoyu , Liu Qiang , Peng Jun , Li Xin
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a common acquired hemorrhagic disease without “gold standard” for the diagnosis, long non‐coding RNA (lncRNAs) can participate in regulating gene expression through various mechanisms and may play a role in immune intolerance in ITP. Several previous studies have confirmed that lncRNA lncDC and THRIL are involved in the development of autoimmune diseases. This study investigates the relationship between expression levels of two plasma lncRNAs (lncDC and THRIL) and clinical characteristics of adult primary ITP patients, ascertain their potential applications as diagnostic markers of ITP.

Methods

We recruited 102 subjects, including 41 ITP patients, 41 healthy controls (HCs) and 20 patients under myelosuppression phase after chemotherapy (MS). qRT‐PCR was used to detect the expression of two lncRNAs in the peripheral blood plasma of the three groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to test the diagnostic efficacy of lncDC and THRIL in ITP.

Results

The expression level of lncDC was downregulated in ITP patients compared with HCs (p = . 012) and MS (p = .035), whereas THRIL was significantly upregulated (p = .0005, p < . 0001). We further revealed that lncDC has a high sensitivity (78. 05%), while THRIL has a high specificity (97. 56%). The area under the curve (AUC) (0.869, 95% CI: 0.795–0.943, p < .0001) of the ROC curve for this combination increased significantly.

Conclusions

THRIL and lncDC expression levels were changed in adult ITP patients. The lncRNAs lncDC and THRIL can serve as potential diagnostic markers for adult primary ITP.
Evidence of prezygotic isolation, but not assortative mating, between locally adapted populations ofFundulus heteroclitusacross a salinity gradient
Authors: Brennan Reid S. , Whitehead Andrew
Published: February 2023

Selection along environmental gradients can drive reproductive isolation and speciation. Among fishes, salinity is a major factor limiting species distributions, and despite its importance in generating species diversity, speciation events between marine and freshwater are rare. Here, we tested for mechanisms of reproductive isolation between locally adapted freshwater and brackish water‐native populations of killifish,Fundulus heteroclitus, from either side of a hybrid zone along a salinity gradient. There was evidence for pre‐zygotic endogenous reproductive isolation with reduced fertilization success between crosses of freshwater‐native males and brackish water‐native females. Exogenous pre‐zygotic isolation was also present where females had highest fertilization in their native salinity. We used a replicated mass spawning design to test for mate choice in both brackish and fresh water. After genotyping 187 parents and 2523 offspring at 2347 SNPs across the genome, 85% of offspring were successfully assign to their parents. However, no reinforcing mate choice was observed. These results therefore demonstrate emerging, yet limited, reproductive isolation and incipient speciation across a marine to freshwater salinity gradient and suggest that both endogenous and exogenous mechanisms, but not assortative mating, contribute to divergence.
Melanocyte stem cells and hair graying
Authors: Zhang Xiaojiao , Zhu Jinyu , Zhang Jiezhi , Zhao Hengguang
Published: February 2023

Objectives

To explore the relationship between melanocyte stem cells in the hair follicle bulge and hair graying so as to fully understand their key role in the pathogenesis of hair graying.

Methods

The published articles about “hair graying, hair color, pigmentation disorders” and “melanocyte stem cells, melanocyte” were searched and analyzed in PubMed to explore their relationship.

Results

Melanocytes in hair bulb are involved in the pathogenesis of hair graying as well as the melanocyte stem cells in hair follicle bulge also play important roles in the formation of hair graying through some ways.

Conclusion

Loss of melanocyte stem cells in hair follicle bulge is one of the main reasons of hair graying, and more researches are needed to explain the underlying mechanisms of ectopic differentiation of melanocyte stem cells in different individual.
The role of groups in assessing learners with specific learning difficulties
Authors: Acai Anita
Published: February 2023

The author invites readers to consider the role of group‐based assessment, such as that performed by competence committees, in making decisions about the competence of learners with specific learning difficulties.
Propagating Afrikaner nationalism: The Voortrekker stamps as icons of an ideology, c.1933–1949
Authors: Baines Gary
Published: February 2023

This paper posits the importance of visual representations in cultivating a national consciousness among white Afrikaners in South Africa. It provides a case study of stamps issued to commemorate the centenary of the Great Trek in 1938 that sought to raise awareness of and funds for the Voortrekker Monument project. Although stamps are, ordinarily, symbols of banal nationalism, the Voortrekker stamps resonated strongly with the sentiments the Afrikaner volk (people). They reified an iconography of the Voortrekkers and the narrative of the Great Trek already embedded in a canon of texts, images and rituals. The paper provides a semiotic reading of the designs of the stamps and shows how they shaped the cultural imaginary of Afrikaners. Although the Voortrekker stamps were issued with the approval of the postal authorities, they were actually commissioned by the Sentrale Volksmonumentekomitee [Central People's Monuments Committee (SVK)], which had close ties to the National Party (NP) opposition. Although the project was largely state sponsored, the SVK insisted upon its autonomy. Thus the government sanctioned a project over which it exercised no jurisdiction. The United Party paid a price for accommodating sectional Afrikaner interests when it lost control of the state in 1948.
Microbial villages in the geography of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbioses
Authors: Johnson Nancy Collins , Marín César
Published: February 2023

This article is a Commentary on Wang et al. (2023), 238: 859–873.
Tertiary succession—do we really need the new term? Response to Rapson (2023)
Authors: Prach Karel
Published: February 2023

The term tertiary succession which follows restoration measures was introduced recently as a complement to primary and secondary succession. However, its widespread use is not justified ecologically. It seems rather formalistic and does not contribute to a better linking of successional theory and practical ecological restoration. The arguments questioning the use of this term are summarized here.
‘I am still valuable’ – A qualitative study of incurable cancer patients coping in hospice care
Authors: Viitala Anu , Åstedt‐Kurki Päivi , Lehto Juho T. , Palonen Mira
Published: February 2023

Background

Knowledge of the experiences of coping in patients with incurable cancer is essential for high‐quality palliative and end‐of‐life care.

Aim and Objective

To describe the coping experiences of patients with incurable cancer in hospice care to better develop patient‐centred care.

Methods

The data for this qualitative study were collected through semi structured interviews, with patients with incurable cancer in hospice care (N = 20) and analysed with inductive content analysis. Ethical and organisational approvals were obtained, and the participants received both verbal and written information before consenting to participate.

Results

The patients' coping was enhanced with their involvement in treatment‐related decisions. Valuing day‐to‐day living and coping with emotional stressors helped them accept their own life situations. Accepting their increasing fragility was enhanced by their self‐reappraisal. The patients found security in the possibility of receiving support when they needed it. Although the ordinariness of dying in hospice care settings was sometimes too much to bear, they understood dying to be a part of the natural cycle of life. They questioned the responsiveness of healthcare services because they felt that they were not always heard.

Study Limitations

Because this study was limited to a specific population of cancer patients in hospice care, the results might not be generalised to other patient groups with chronic diseases or other palliative care settings.

Conclusions

The experiences of patients in hospice care of coping with incurable cancer were reminiscent of the common coping process descriptions. Surprisingly, even though participants voiced that they had accepted their situation, dying itself was something they did not find crucial to discuss. The crucial aspects – without being in denial – dealt more with focusing on positive thinking and facing life.
Non‐immune hydrops fetalis: a practical guide for obstetricians
Authors: Khairudin Delima , Alfirevic Zarko , Mone Fionnuala , Navaratnam Kate
Published: February 2023

Key content

Hydrops fetalis is the accumulation of two or more fetal fluid collections, including pericardial effusion, pleural effusion(s), ascites and skin oedema.

In the absence of red cell alloimmunisation, hydrops fetalis is non‐immune and affects approximately 1 in 2000 pregnancies.

Non‐immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) is associated with severe perinatal morbidity/mortality and significant maternal risks, including maternal mirror syndrome.

Priorities for clinicians are determining the cause antenatally to optimise management and discuss treatment options, if available.

Systematic reviews have indicated that a cause can be identified prenatally in ~60% cases. Recent evidence indicates fetal exome sequencing can provide a diagnosis in 30% of previously unexplained cases.

Learning objectives

To understand causes of NIHF and its association with perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality

To appreciate the basis for investigations for NIHF, including exome sequencing

To understand how care can be effectively shared by referring units and tertiary fetal medicine units
Validation of a blood gas device for ionized calcium analysis in Holstein cows
Authors: Deniz Abdülkerim , Metin Mert , Aksoy Kemal , Pekmezci Aytaç
Published: February 2023

Background

Accurate analysis of ionized calcium (iCa) is critical for the detection of hypocalcemia or subclinical hypocalcemia. The Edan i15 Vet (EDAN) blood gas device has not been validated for iCa in dairy cows.

Objectives

We aimed to validate the EDAN blood gas device against the Gem Premier 3000 (GEM) analyzer by measuring iCa concentrations and evaluating the ability of these measurements, compared with serum total calcium (TCa) concentrations, to diagnose subclinical hypocalcemia.

Methods

iCa concentrations were measured with the EDAN and GEM devices, and serum TCa concentrations were measured with a wet biochemistry method with blood from 125 lactating Holstein cows between calving to day 27 postpartum.

Results

Bland‐Altman plots showed a mean and total bias of 0.05 and 0.24 mmol/L for the EDAN device, respectively. The intercept did not include zero, but the slope included 1.0 in the Passing‐Bablok regression. The sensitivity and specificity (Se/Sp) of the EDAN device were 93/94%, 93/90%, 91/93%, and 85/95% for iCa cut‐off values of <1.00, 1.05, 1.10, and 1.15 mmol/L, respectively, as determined with the GEM device. The Se/Sp were 57/82% and 72/80% for EDAN and 57/80% and 72/79% for GEM at serum TCa cut‐off points <2.15 and <2.00 mmol/L, respectively. The average iCa concentrations analyzed with the GEM and EDAN devices were 1.04 ± 0.18 and 1.09 ± 0.17, respectively.

Conclusions

The EDAN device did not have satisfactory agreement with GEM and could not be used interchangeably, but it had satisfactory Se/Sp to diagnose subclinical hypocalcemia compared with the GEM‐derived iCa cut‐off points. Serum TCa concentration cut‐off values were not suitable for diagnosing subclinical hypocalcemia because of unsatisfactory Se/Sp compared with iCa concentrations analyzed by the GEM and EDAN devices. The iCa values analyzed using the EDAN and GEM devices were consistent with previously reported data.
EVALUATION OF SIMULTANEOUS IDENTITY, AGE AND GENDER RECOGNITION FOR CROWD FACE MONITORING
Authors: Abir Intiaz , Mohd Zaki Hasan Firdaus , Mohd Ibrahim Azhar
Published: February 2023

Nowadays, facial recognition combined with age estimation and gender prediction has been deeply involved with the factors associated with crowd monitoring. This is considered to be a major and complex job for humans. This paper proposes a unified facial recognition system based on already available deep learning and machine learning models (i.e., FaceNet, ResNet, Support Vector Machine, AgeNet and GenderNet) that automatically and simultaneously performs person identification, age estimation and gender prediction. Then the system is evaluated on a newly proposed multi-face, realistic and challenging test dataset. The current face recognition technology primarily focuses on static datasets of known identities and does not focus on novel identities. This approach is not suitable for continuous crowd monitoring. In our proposed system, whenever novel identities are found during inference, the system will save those novel identities with an appropriate label for each unique identity and the system will be updated periodically in order to correctly recognise those identities in the future inference iterations. However, extracting the facial features of the whole dataset whenever a new identity is detected is not an efficient solution. To address this issue, we propose an incremental feature extraction based training method which aims to reduce the computational load of feature extraction. When tested on the proposed test dataset, our proposed system correctly recognizes pre-trained identities, estimates age, and predicts gender with an average accuracy of 49%, 66.5% and 93.54% respectively. We conclude that the evaluated pre-trained models can be sensitive and not robust to uncontrolled environment (e.g., abrupt lighting conditions).
INVESTIGATION OF PSK/QAM MODULATED HYBRID FIBER OPTIC AND FREE SPACE OPTIC SYSTEM UNDER VARIOUS ATMOSPHERIC LOSSES
Authors: Kumar M Vinoth , Kumar Vinod , Singh Rupali
Published: February 2023

This research aims to investigate how effectively digital modulation performs to transfer data via hybrid fiber optic and free space optic (FO-FSO) channels for last-mile communication systems. Digital modulation techniques investigated are phase-shift keying (PSK) 8-PSK, 16-PSK, quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) 4-QAM, 16-QAM, and 64-QAM. FSO is line-of-sight technology being a solution to a last-mile communication system for the challenge of fiber optic cables installation. Combining FSO with fiber optic technology avoids bending losses and the implementation challenges of fiber optic cables in metropolitan areas and between buildings. But atmospheric challenges such as haze, fog, and rain cause signal loss while transmitting data in free space. Also, atmospheric turbulence and antenna misalignments lead to signal error. This paper proposed the models of QAM and PSK digital modulated signal transmission over FO-FSO and compared the results to better fiber optic-FSO links to achieve a last-mile communication network. This fiber optic and FSO model is analyzed for the distance up to 100 km of fiber optic channel and 0.4-1.5 km of FSO channel. Constellation diagrams and error-vector magnitude (EVM) concerning received power at the receiver are compared to analyze FSO channel capacity for various weather attenuations.
CIRCULAR TUNNEL STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS IN SOFT GROUND
Authors: Shek Poi Ngian , Lee Ze Yang
Published: February 2023

Analytical bedded-beam spring model is most commonly adopted in the tunnel engineering practice due to its simplicity and promising outputs. Despite many well documented literatures exist concerning about the theories and fundamentals of various methods, there is a dearth of information on the modelling framework of a bedded-beam spring and many details are often overlooked in the modelling process. The main aim of this paper is to produce the modelling framework of the bedded-beam spring model in soft ground, for both direct and indirect approaches in considering the effects of segmental joints. Particular emphasis is devoted to the modelling techniques of each components of the structural model which in turn, is able to facilitate the modelling quality and process for the practicing engineers. Reviews on the technical papers of tunneling variables as well as parameters identification for the structural analysis have been first performed followed by the comparison of the consideration adopted in the modelling techniques. Analyses have been carried out to evaluate the structural forces on the tunnel lining and the obtained results are discussed in a comparison with the field measurements and design values of the actual tunneling projects. The results suggested that the direct approach always yields greater bending moments up to i) 26% for 6+1 ring configuration and ii) 21% for 5+1 ring configuration compared to that of the indirect approach. With the presence of more number of radial joints, the differences between the approaches have the tendency to be greater. With the validated models, parametric studies including tunnel lining flexibility ratio, compressibility ratio and the soil lateral earth pressure coefficient have been performed to provide better insight on the relative importance of each of the parameters. The results of the studies suggested that with the increase in flexibility ratio, the difference between the direct and indirect approach has shown to increase from 10% to 28%.  However, insignificant influence has been observed on the axial forces regardless of the joint consideration approach a well as the compressibility ratio.
GEO-SPATIAL MAPPING OF IRON (FE) AND MANGANESE (MN) PRESENT IN GROUNDWATER OF CLARK, PHILIPPINES
Authors: Manalang Mark Franklin , Ocampo Giovanni , Alonto Al-Shaimah , Rimocal Gallardo
Published: February 2023

The study covers a comprehensive analysis of Fe and Mn to characterize their distribution and occurrence within the Clark Freeport Zone. 3-year groundwater samples taken from 39 wells/boreholes scattered throughout the study area. Fe was most frequently detected with concentrations near the limits of Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW).  0.42% of the 958 studied samples for Fe had concentration greater than the 1mg/L limit.  As for Mn, none of the 909 samples for Mn had concentration greater than the PNSDW. Of those wells that have shown presence higher than the minimum detection level (MDL), 5 have been installed with individual filtration system (DMI-65) to capture Fe and Mn. No correlation has been found between the two parameters. As for seasonality, there is an obvious spike in Fe for all wells during the months of July, September, and October. Mn on the other hand manifested a spike in July for the shallow wells. The QGIS3 software was also used to develop a spatial map and report the distribution presence. From the generated maps, Fe and Mn gradually increase in concentration going north to northeastern directions of CFZ. The produced map can be key in raising awareness of the public and fellow water concessionaires with regards to the possible extent of underground Fe and Mn presence. Information generated here will be valuable as resources, and engineering controls can be applied to give priority to the low probability affected areas.
LIGHT-TRANSMITTING CONCRETE PROPERTIES OF SHORT WALL PANEL
Authors: Rong Tang Chi , Mei Chiew Shing , Mohammed Al-Fasih Mohammed Yahya , Ibrahim Izni Syahrizal , Sarbini Noor Nabilah , Padil Khairul Hazman
Published: February 2023

Consideration of fiber configuration and the distance between the light source or light meter and the LTC specimen in the previous studies is still limited. The incorporation of plastic optical fiber (POF) into concrete with fiber configurations of 5 ´ 5 and 6 ´ 6 grids is investigated in terms of short wall panel application to study its light intensity and strength properties. The light-transmitting concrete (LTC) short wall panel of 300 mm wide ´ 400 mm high ´ 75 mm thick is cast using self-compacting concrete (SCC) to ensure the flowability of the concrete during mixing. The fresh SCC is tested under slump flow, V-funnel, and L-box to verify its fresh properties, while compression test is carried out at 28-days on cube specimens to determine its compressive strength. Then, light transmittance and axial load test under compression are conducted for the LTC wall panel. The findings show that the light intensity of the LTC wall panel increased with the increased number of fiber configurations. However, regardless of fiber configurations, the light intensity reduced with the increase of both light source and light meter distances. In addition, the ultimate axial load of the LTC wall panel with fiber configurations of 5 ´ 5 and 6 ´ 6 grids are 662 kN and 643 kN, respectively. It implies that the fiber configuration does not affect the axial compression load. Furthermore, both LTC wall panels failed solely under pure compression load.