bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smooth copula‐based generalized extreme value model and spatial interpolation for extreme rainfall in Central Eastern Canada
Authors: Palacios‐Rodriguez Fatima , Bernardino Elena Di , Mailhot Melina
Published: February 2023

This paper proposes a smooth copula‐based Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) model to map and predict extreme rainfall in Central Eastern Canada. The considered data contains a large portion of missing values, and one observes several nonconcomitant record periods at different stations. The proposed two‐step approach combines GEV parameters' smooth functions in space through the use of spatial covariates and a flexible hierarchical copula‐based model to take into account dependence between the recording stations. The hierarchical copula structure is detected via a clustering algorithm implemented with an adapted version of the copula‐based dissimilarity measure recently introduced in the literature. Finally, we compare the classical GEV parameter interpolation approaches with the proposed smooth copula‐based GEV modeling approach.
Seismic response of column supported tanks considering uplift effect and soil‐structure interaction
Authors: Liu Jiepeng , Zhao Ming , Zhou Junwen
Published: February 2023

In this paper, the seismic responses of column supported tanks under horizontal earthquake are obtained by finite element method. Two types of structures are discussed including the anchored tank with columns fixed on the ground and the resilient tank whose columns can uplift. The uplift effect is realized by the contact algorithm to allow the column move upwards in a vertical direction and the soil‐structure interaction (SSI) is considered by equivalent soil springs. Different soil types and hard ground condition are adopted to study SSI effect on natural frequencies of tanks and seismic responses of the anchored tank, as well as coupling effect (both uplift and SSI effects) on seismic responses of the resilient tank. The structural displacement and acceleration, the stress of tank walls and columns, the base shear and the overturning moment, the uplift displacement of columns are discussed. The results of tanks in different conditions are compared with each other, which show that SSI has a significant impact on seismic responses of column supported tanks. As the stiffness of soil decreases, the tank has larger displacement, smaller natural frequency, and stress level of structural members especially when it is sited on softer soil type. Compared to the anchored tank, due to the combination of both uplift effect and foundation deformation, the resilient tank has smaller displacement to prevent its overall collapse and lower responses such as the base shear and the overturning moment. The resilient tank has better seismic performances regardless of soil conditions.
Continuous adjoint‐based shape optimization of a turbomachinery stage using a 3D volumetric parameterization
Authors: Trompoukis X. S. , Tsiakas K. T. , Asouti V. G. , Giannakoglou K. C.
Published: February 2023

This work presents a novel volumetric parameterization technique along with the continuous adjoint method to support gradient‐based CFD shape optimization of turbomachinery stages. The proposed parameterization retains axisymmetry and periodicity by acting on a transformed coordinate system. The same volumetric model controls the shape and the computational volume mesh in a seamless manner, avoiding the additional use of a mesh deformation tool. Moreover, it is differentiated to compute mesh sensitivities (i.e., derivatives of nodal coordinates with respect to the design variables) and is combined with the flow and continuous adjoint, multi‐row solvers of the in‐house PUMA software. Flow field solutions in successive rows communicate based on the mixing plane approach; the development of continuous adjoint to the latter is also presented in this article. The adjoint to the turbulence model and distance‐from‐the‐wall (Hamilton–Jacobi) equations are solved, increasing the accuracy of the computed sensitivity derivatives. All these tools run on modern GPUs, accelerating both flow/adjoint solutions and shape/mesh manipulations. The capabilities of these tools are demonstrated in the shape optimization of the rotor blades of the MT1 high‐pressure, transonic, turbine stage, aiming at maximum stage isentropic efficiency with constraints on stage reaction and inlet capacity.
Pattern recognition reveals sex‐dependent neural substrates of sexual perception
Authors: Putkinen Vesa , Nazari‐Farsani Sanaz , Karjalainen Tomi , Santavirta Severi , Hudson Matthew , Seppälä Kerttu , Sun Lihua , Karlsson Henry K. , Hirvonen Jussi , Nummenmaa Lauri
Published: February 2023

Sex differences in brain activity evoked by sexual stimuli remain elusive despite robust evidence for stronger enjoyment of and interest toward sexual stimuli in men than in women. To test whether visual sexual stimuli evoke different brain activity patterns in men and women, we measured hemodynamic brain activity induced by visual sexual stimuli in two experiments with 91 subjects (46 males). In one experiment, the subjects viewed sexual and nonsexual film clips, and dynamic annotations for nudity in the clips were used to predict hemodynamic activity. In the second experiment, the subjects viewed sexual and nonsexual pictures in an event‐related design. Men showed stronger activation than women in the visual and prefrontal cortices and dorsal attention network in both experiments. Furthermore, using multivariate pattern classification we could accurately predict the sex of the subject on the basis of the brain activity elicited by the sexual stimuli. The classification generalized across the experiments indicating that the sex differences were task‐independent. Eye tracking data obtained from an independent sample of subjects (N = 110) showed that men looked longer than women at the chest area of the nude female actors in the film clips. These results indicate that visual sexual stimuli evoke discernible brain activity patterns in men and women which may reflect stronger attentional engagement with sexual stimuli in men.
Effects of 12‐week escitalopram treatment on resting‐state functional connectivity of large‐scale brain networks in major depressive disorder
Authors: Zhang Shudong , Zhou Jingjing , Cui Jian , Zhang Zhifang , Liu Rui , Feng Yuan , Feng Lei , Wang Yun , Chen Xiongying , Wu Hang , Jin Yuening , Zhou Yuan , Wang Gang
Published: February 2023

In this study, the effects of antidepressants on large‐scale brain networks and the neural basis of individual differences in response were explored. A total of 41 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 42 matched healthy controls (HCs) were scanned by resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging separately at baseline and after a 12‐week follow‐up. The patients with MDD received escitalopram for 12 weeks. After treatment, patients were classified into those with MDD in remission [MDDr, endpoint 17‐item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) total score ≤7] and those in nonremission (MDDnr). The human Brainnetome Atlas was used to define large‐scale networks and compute within‐ and between‐network resting‐state functional connectivity (rsFC). Results showed the decreased subcortical network (SCN)–ventral attention network (VAN) connectivity at baseline increased in patients with MDD after 12‐week treatment, and it was comparable with that of HCs. This change was only observed in patients with MDDr. However, the decreased within‐network rsFC in SCN and default mode network (DMN) persisted in all patients with MDD, including those with MDDr and MDDnr, after treatment. The strength of SCN–VAN connectivity at baseline was significantly negatively correlated with the reduction rate of HAMD score in all patients with MDD. Thus, SCN–VAN connectivity may be an antidepressant target associated with depressive state changes and a predictor of treatment response to serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The within‐network rsFC in SCN and DMN may reflect a trait‐like abnormality in MDD. These findings provide further insights into the mechanism of antidepressants and their individual differences in response. The trial name is “Appropriate technology study of MDD diagnosis and treatment based on objective indicators and measurement” (URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=21377; registration number: ChiCTR‐OOC‐17012566).
Niobium‐containing bioactive glasses modulate alkaline phosphatase activity during bone repair
Authors: de Souza Balbinot Gabriela , Leitune Vicente Castelo Branco , da Cunha Bahlis Eduardo Antunes , Ponzoni Deise , Visioli Fernanda , Collares Fabrício Mezzomo
Published: February 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the pre‐clinical behavior of niobium‐containing bioactive glasses (BAGNb) by their ability to promote bone repair and regulate alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in an animal model. BAGNbs were produced as powders and as scaffolds and surgically implanted in the femur of male rats (Wistar lineage n = 10). Glasses without Nb (BAG) were produced and implanted as well. The Autogenous Bone (AB) was used as a control. After 15, 30, and 60 days of surgical implantation, blood serum samples were collected to quantify ALP activity, and femurs were removed to assess bone repair. Bone samples were histologically processed and stained with H&E to quantify the % new bone into defects. No postoperative complications were identified. Early‐stage repair (15 days) resulted in increased ALP activity for all groups, with increased values ​​for powdered BAGNb. The maturation of the new bone led to a reduction in serum ALP levels. Histological sections showed the formation of immature bone tissue and vascularization with the progression of bone deposition to mature and functional tissue over time. BAG powder showed less new bone formation in 15 days, while the analysis at 30 and 60 days showed no difference between groups (p > .05). Niobium‐containing bioactive glasses safely and successfully induced bone repair in vivo. The modulation of ALP activity may be a pathway to describe the ability of niobium‐containing materials to contribute to new bone formation.
Toward effective Atg8‐based ATTECs: Approaches and perspectives
Authors: Schwalm Martin P. , Knapp Stefan , Rogov Vladimir V.
Published: February 2023

Induction of Atg8‐family protein (LC3/GABARAP proteins in human) interactions with target proteins of interest by proximity‐inducing small molecules offers the possibility for novel targeted protein degradation approaches. However, despite intensive screening campaigns during the last 5 years, no potent ligands for LC3/GABARAPs have been developed, rendering this approach largely unexplored and unsuitable for therapeutic exploitation. In this Viewpoint, we analyze the reported attempts identifying LC3/GABARAP inhibitors and provide our own point of view why no potent inhibitors have been found. Additionally, we designate reasonable directions for the identification of potent and probably selective LC3/GABARAP inhibitors for alternative therapeutic applications.
Pre‐COVID‐19 predictors of low‐income women's COVID‐19 appraisal, coping, and changes in mental health during the pandemic
Authors: Lengua Liliana J. , Stavish Caitlin M. , Green Lindsey M. , Shimomaeda Lisa , Thompson Stephanie F. , Calhoun Rebecca , Moini Natasha , Smith Michele R.
Published: February 2023

Study examined predictors and mental health consequences of appraisal (threat, support satisfaction) and coping (active, avoidant) in a sample of low‐income women during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Pre‐COVID‐19 contextual risk and individual resources and COVID‐19‐specific risk factors were examined as predictors of COVID‐19 appraisal and coping, which, in turn, were tested as predictors of changes in depression and anxiety across the pandemic. Pre‐COVID‐19 resilience predicted more active coping, whereas pre‐COVID‐19 anxiety and depression predicted more avoidant coping and lower support satisfaction, respectively. Increases in anxiety were predicted by lower pre‐COVID‐19 self‐compassion and higher concurrent threat appraisal and avoidant coping. Increases in depression were related to lower pre‐COVID‐19 self‐compassion, active coping and support satisfaction, and higher COVID‐19 hardships and health risk. Findings highlight contextual and individual factors and processes that contribute to mental health problems in a vulnerable population during community‐level stressors, with implications for prevention and intervention.
C‐terminal agrin fragment as a biomarker of muscle wasting and weakness: a narrative review
Authors: Monti Elena , Sarto Fabio , Sartori Roberta , Zanchettin Gianpietro , Löfler Stefan , Kern Helmut , Narici Marco Vincenzo , Zampieri Sandra
Published: February 2023

Ageing is accompanied by an inexorable loss of muscle mass and functionality and represents a major risk factor for numerous diseases such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. This progressive loss of muscle mass and function may also result in the insurgence of a clinical syndrome termed sarcopenia, exacerbated by inactivity and disease. Sarcopenia and muscle weakness yield the risk of falls and injuries, heavily impacting on health and social costs. Thus, screening, monitoring and prevention of conditions inducing muscle wasting and weakness are essential to improve life quality in the ageing modern society. To this aim, the reliability of easily accessible and non‐invasive blood‐derived biomarkers is being evaluated. C‐terminal agrin fragment (CAF) has been widely investigated as a neuromuscular junction (NMJ)‐related biomarker of muscle dysfunction. This narrative review summarizes and critically discusses, for the first time, the studies measuring CAF concentration in young and older, healthy and diseased individuals, cross‐sectionally and in response to inactivity and physical exercise, providing possible explanations behind the discrepancies observed in the literature. To identify the studies investigating CAF in the above‐mentioned conditions, all the publications found in PubMed, written in English and measuring this biomarker in blood from 2013 (when CAF was firstly measured in human serum) to 2022 were included in this review. CAF increases with age and in sarcopenic individuals when compared with age‐matched, non‐sarcopenic peers. In addition, CAF was found to be higher than controls in other muscle wasting conditions, such as diabetes, COPD, chronic heart failure and stroke, and in pancreatic and colorectal cancer cachectic patients. As agrin is also expressed in kidney glomeruli, chronic kidney disease and transplantation were shown to have a profound impact on CAF independently from muscle wasting. CAF concentration raises following inactivity and seems to be lowered or maintained by exercise training. Finally, CAF was reported to be cross‐sectionally correlated to appendicular lean mass, handgrip and gait speed; whether longitudinal changes in CAF are associated with those in muscle mass or performance following physical exercise is still controversial. CAF seems a reliable marker to assess muscle wasting in ageing and disease, also correlating with measurements of appendicular lean mass and muscle function. Future research should aim at enlarging sample size and accurately reporting the medical history of each patient, to normalize for any condition, including chronic kidney disease, that may influence the circulating concentration of this biomarker.
Effects of corticosterone administration on the body condition and blood parameters of the house sparrow, Passer domesticus
Authors: Padrones Marcelo N. , Cid Fabricio D. , Chediack Juan G.
Published: February 2023

Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones produced by the adrenal glands and released into the bloodstream in response to stressful situations. In birds, corticosterone (CORT) is the main glucocorticoid released under stress. Throughout their lives, animals in nature are continually exposed to noxious stimuli known as stressful events. Any alteration of homeostatic stability is a stressful situation and this alteration triggers physiological changes to restore homeostasis. Glucocorticoids are one of the components of the complex set of physiological and behavioral responses to stress. In this work, we use CORT supplied in drinking water to evaluate its effect in blood parameters and physiology in house sparrows (Passer domesticus). To accomplish this, P. domesticus were administered three different doses of CORT in drinking water for 72 h. Body mass, organ mass, pectoral muscle mass, leg muscle mass, and blood parameters (CORT, triglycerides, glucose and uric acid, heterophils/lymphocytes ratio, hematocrit, and serum protein profile) were determined before and after CORT treatment. A 15% decrease in body mass with a significant decrease in pectoral mass were observed after the higher CORT treatment, as well as a decrease in the plasma concentration of uric acid. Lastly, we found a reversal of the heterophils/lymphocytes ratio and a decrease in hematocrit. It was possible to establish first data for baseline and CORT‐alteration values in serum protein profile for P. domesticus. Baseline and altered values of blood parameters and serum protein profile could be an important tool in field ecology because they provide important data to assess the physiological condition in wild birds.
Short‐term impact of a wildfire on the homeostasis of Tropidurus oreadicus lizards
Authors: Furtado Adriana P. , Carvalho Izabelle T. S. , Lewis Erin L. , Bleke Cole A. , Pantoja Davi L. , Colli Guarino R. , French Susannah S. , Paludo Giane R.
Published: February 2023

Wildfires cause significant changes in natural habitats and can impact lizard populations. Through changes in the thermal environment, reduced prey availability, and increased exposure to parasite vectors, wildfires affect lizard physiology, immunity, and health. We sampled 56 Tropidurus oreadicus lizards from Cerrado savannas of Brazil living in two adjacent sites: one burned 14 days before the study, and the other unburned for 6 years. We logged the air temperatures of those sites throughout fieldwork. We assessed the short‐term possible homeostatic imbalances caused by the fires via measuring body mass, circulating levels of corticosterone (CORT), leukocytes profile changes in heterophile‐lymphocyte ratios (HLRs), innate immunity using the bacterial killing assay (BKA), and the diagnosis of hemoparasites using molecular techniques. The air temperature was significantly higher in the burned site. There was no difference in lizard body mass between the two sites, suggesting that prey availability was not affected by the wildfire. While parasite presence was seemingly not affected by fire, the timing of initial parasite infection for animals in the study was unknown, so we also evaluated parasitism as an independent variable relative to the other metrics. Our results showed that parasitic infections lead to reduced bactericidal capacity and body mass in lizards, suggesting clinical disease and depletion of innate immune resources. Moreover, we observed increased HLR with fire and parasitic infections and a strong negative correlation with BKA. These findings suggest that the increased environmental temperature following wildfires may lead to increased CORT and decreased BKA.
Highly selective catalytic transfer hydrodeuteration of cyclic alkenes
Authors: Hintzsche Samuel J. , Vang Zoua Pa , Rivera Torres Emanuel , Podoski Mykaela , Clark Joseph R.
Published: February 2023

Selective deuterium installation into small molecules is becoming increasingly desirable not only for the elucidation of mechanistic pathways and studying biological processes but also because of deuterium's ability to favorably adjust the pharmacokinetic parameters of bioactive molecules. Fused bicyclic moieties, especially those containing heteroatoms, are prevalent in drug discovery and pharmaceuticals. Herein, we report a copper‐catalyzed transfer hydrodeuteration of cyclic and heterocyclic alkenes, which enables the synthesis of chromans, quinolinones, and tetrahydronaphthalenes that are precisely deuterated at the benzylic position. We also demonstrate the ability to place one deuterium atom at the homobenzylic site of these scaffolds with high regioselectivity by swapping transfer reagents for their isotopic analogs. Furthermore, examples of chemoselective transfer hydrogenation and transfer deuteration are disclosed, allowing for the simultaneous incorporation of two vicinal hydrogen or deuterium atoms into a double bond.
Adaptive changes in sexual behavior in the high‐risk population in response to human monkeypox transmission in Canada can help control the outbreak: Insights from a two‐group, two‐route epidemic model
Authors: Bragazzi Nicola Luigi , Han Qing , Iyaniwura Sarafa Adewale , Omame Andrew , Shausan Aminath , Wang Xiaoying , Woldegerima Woldegebriel Assefa , Wu Jianhong , Kong Jude Dzevela
Published: February 2023

Monkeypox, a zoonotic disease, is emerging as a potential sexually transmitted infection/disease, with underlying transmission mechanisms still unclear. We devised a risk‐structured, compartmental model, incorporating sexual behavior dynamics. We compared different strategies targeting the high‐risk population: a scenario of control policies geared toward the use of condoms and/or sexual abstinence (robust control strategy) with risk compensation behavior change, and a scenario of control strategies with behavior change in response to the doubling rate (adaptive control strategy). Monkeypox's basic reproduction number is 1.464, 0.0066, and 1.461 in the high‐risk, low‐risk, and total populations, respectively, with the high‐risk group being the major driver of monkeypox spread. Policies imposing condom use or sexual abstinence need to achieve a 35% minimum compliance rate to stop further transmission, while a combination of both can curb the spread with 10% compliance to abstinence and 25% to condom use. With risk compensation, the only option is to impose sexual abstinence by at least 35%. Adaptive control is more effective than robust control where the daily sexual contact number is reduced proportionally and remains constant thereafter, shortening the time to epidemic peak, lowering its size, facilitating disease attenuation, and playing a key role in controlling the current outbreak.
Vibrational and electronic properties of Na2Ti6O13
Authors: Silva Fábio Lacerda Resende e , Ribeiro Guilherme Almeida Silva , Balzuweit Karla , Bantignies Jean‐Louis , Moreira Roberto Luiz , Righi Ariete
Published: February 2023

Sodium hexatitanate, Na2Ti6O13, in the form of elongated microcrystals, were synthesized by solid‐state reaction of titanium dioxide and sodium carbonate. The monoclinic structure was confirmed by X‐ray powder diffraction and selected area electron diffraction. Electron diffraction was used to determined zone axis and the crystal‐grown direction, which allowed to perform polarized Raman measurements. Energy band gap and the electronic transition were studied by UV–Vis diffuse reflectance and using Tauc relation. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations also revealed an indirect allowed bandgap transition and a good agreement between theoretical and experimental energy band gaps were demonstrated. For the first time, the assignment of the vibrational modes was carried out in the samples and thoroughly compared with theoretical data obtained from DFT calculations. The most relevant of the 60 predicted optical phonon modes of Na2Ti6O13were experimentally observed and assigned to their symmetries.
Neoadjuvant pazopanib in nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas (ARST1321): A report of major wound complications from the Children's Oncology Group and NRG Oncology
Authors: Kayton Mark L. , Weiss Aaron R. , Xue Wei , Binitie Odion , Hayes Dixon Andrea , Randall R. Lor , Sorger Joel I. , Hawkins Douglas S. , Spunt Sheri L. , Wang Dian , Million Lynn , Terezakis Stephanie , Choy Edwin , Okuno Scott H. , Venkatramani Rajkumar , Chen Yen‐Lin , Scharschmidt Thomas J.
Published: February 2023

Background and Objectives

The impact upon wound healing of targeted molecular therapies, when incorporated into neoadjuvant therapy of soft tissue sarcoma, is largely unknown. Here, we describe wound complications following addition of pazopanib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), to neoadjuvant radiotherapy (RT) +/− chemotherapy for soft tissue sarcoma.

Methods

Wound complications were evaluated on dose‐finding and randomized arms of ARST1321, a phase II/III study incorporating neoadjuvant RT, +/− pazopanib, +/− ifosfamide/doxorubicin (ID) for sarcoma therapy.

Results

Of 85 evaluable patients, 35 (41%) experienced postoperative wound complications. Most (57%) were grade III. Randomization to pazopanib + RT + ID carried a 50% wound complication rate (17/34, with 47% grade III), compared to 22% (5/23) with ID + RT alone. In nonchemotherapy study arms, pazopanib + RT resulted in a 59% wound complication rate versus 25% for those receiving RT alone. Grade III wound complications occurred among 26% (15/58) of all patients receiving pazopanib. Wound complications occurred a median of 35 days postoperatively. Some occurred following diagnostic biopsies and at remote surgical sites.

Conclusion

The addition of pazopanib to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and RT resulted in a higher wound complication rate following therapy of soft tissue sarcoma. The rate of grade III complications remained comparable to that reported in contemporary literature.
Dissecting chemical markers for controlling “Paozhi” method of traditional Chinese medicine with untargeted metabolomics: Vinegar‐baked Euphorbia kansui as a case study
Authors: Ni Hui , Hou Jinjun , Zhang Linlin , Wu Xingdong , Wu Wenyong , Yin Haoran , Zhang Zijia , Long Huali , Lei Min , Wu Wanying , Guo De‐an
Published: February 2023

The processing of Traditional Chinese Medicine requires the appropriate parameters, while the specific chemical markers are still absent to obtain the optimized processing. In this study, we used vinegar‐baked Euphorbia kansui as a case to dissect the chemical markers for the baking process using untargeted metabolomics. The robust chemical markers were selected based on the three rules, correlation, significant difference, and controllability. All the differential features were categorized based on their mass defects. After the differential analysis, 310 differential compounds were screened out and could be mainly divided into six categories: diacylglycerols and triacylglycerols demonstrated increasing trends with the baking time in the discriminant model, while ingenane‐type diterpenes, jatrophane‐type diterpenes, fatty acid esters, and fatty acids had decreasing trends. It was unexpected to find that the diterpenes did not correlate with the baking time. Only very few compounds meet the three rules. They were validated with a high‐performance liquid chromatography method. Finally, only 13‐Hydroxy‐9,11‐octadecadienoic acid and its isomer 9‐Hydroxy‐10,12‐octadecadienoic acid could be used further to differentiate the commercial vinegar‐baked Euphorbia kansui. It would be of interest to evaluate whether these two compounds could be utilized as markers to control more processing methods in future studies.
Authors' choice between parent and mirror journals of Elsevier
Authors: Asai Sumiko
Published: February 2023

Key points

2021, open access articles in parent journals with higher charges accounted for 72% of the total open access articles in parent and mirror journals.

Although the charges for mirror journals were significantly reduced in 2021, the increase in the number of articles was relatively small.

These findings suggest that many authors do not significantly respond to changes in article processing charges.
Quantifying uncertainty in Pareto estimates of global lake area
Authors: Stachelek Jemma
Published: February 2023

Size is a critical factor determining the rate and occurrence of specific lake processes such as carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions and emerging evidence suggests that small lakes in particular have particularly large CO2 flux rates. Because we do not have a complete census of all lakes, upscaling estimates of such processes to small lakes at broad spatial scales requires the use of lake size‐abundance distributions rather than empirical measurements of area. Existing lake census efforts are incomplete such that as lakes become smaller, they are more likely to be omitted either because they are too small to be resolved from remote sensing products or because of limited ground surveying effort (i.e., “censoring” of small lakes relative to large lakes). The present study explores one potential shortcoming of prior approaches estimating global lake area using lake size‐abundance distributions. Namely, that these prior approaches rely on frequentist curve fitting techniques combined with an ad‐hoc cutoff determination strategy (visual inspection to determine a likely censoring point). This yields an over‐exact lake area estimate that is typically reported with no uncertainty bounds. I show how these shortcomings can be addressed with a Bayesian model that produces larger estimates of lake area uncertainty relative to the typical approach. When used as part of a sensitivity analysis, such an approach has the potential to enable more robust intercomparisons among studies of aquatic processes upscaling.
Recent developments and applications of selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT‐MS)
Authors: Smith David , Španěl Patrik , Demarais Nicholas , Langford Vaughan S. , McEwan Murray J.
Published: February 2023

Selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT‐MS) is now recognized as the most versatile analytical technique for the identification and quantification of trace gases down to the parts‐per‐trillion by volume, pptv, range. This statement is supported by the wide reach of its applications, from real‐time analysis, obviating sample collection of very humid exhaled breath, to its adoption in industrial scenarios for air quality monitoring. This review touches on the recent extensions to the underpinning ion chemistry kinetics library and the alternative challenge of using nitrogen carrier gas instead of helium. The addition of reagent anions in the Voice200 series of SIFT‐MS instruments has enhanced the analytical capability, thus allowing analyses of volatile trace compounds in humid air that cannot be analyzed using reagent cations alone, as clarified by outlining the anion chemistry involved. Case studies are reviewed of breath analysis and bacterial culture volatile organic compound (VOC), emissions, environmental applications such as air, water, and soil analysis, workplace safety such as transport container fumigants, airborne contamination in semiconductor fabrication, food flavor and spoilage, drugs contamination and VOC emissions from packaging to demonstrate the stated qualities and uniqueness of the new generation SIFT‐MS instrumentation. Finally, some advancements that can be made to improve the analytical capability and reach of SIFT‐MS are mentioned.
On a class of nonlinear time‐fractional pseudo‐parabolic equations with bounded delay
Authors: Wang Sen , Pang Denghao , Zhou Xianfeng , Jiang Wei
Published: February 2023

In the present paper, we study a class of nonlinear time‐fractional pseudo‐parabolic equations with bounded time‐delay. Firstly, we analyze the well‐posedness of the problem by the well‐known Galerkin's method and some compactness criteria. Next, the existence of the stationary solutions is established by utilizing a lemma of ours, which is a corollary of the Brouwer fixed point theorem. Finally, with regard to the stability analysis of the stationary solutions, we prove the local stability via the direct method of energy estimations and show the asymptotic stability by the construction of appropriate Lyapunov functionals.
On the Cauchy problem for Keller‐Segel model with nonlinear chemotactic sensitivity and signal secretion in Besov spaces
Authors: Zhou Shouming , Zhang Li
Published: February 2023

In this paper, the local well‐posedness (which means that the initial‐to‐solution map
is existence, uniqueness and continuous) for the Cauchy problem of the Keller‐Segel model with nonlinear chemotactic sensitivity and signal secretion in Besov spaces
with
and
was established, and the solution of PEKS (Keller‐Segel system with
) converges to the solution of HEKS (Keller‐Segel system with
) as the diffusion coefficient
in these Besov spaces was proved. In addition, we show that the solution of this parabolic‐elliptic chemotaxis‐growth system is local well‐posedness in the critical spaces
but ill‐posed (not continuous) in Besov spaces
. Moreover, we show a further continuity result that the initial‐to‐solution map
is Hölder continuous in Besov spaces
equipped with weaker topology. Finally, a blow‐up criteria for the solutions of this system in Besov spaces
was also obtained.
Brachytherapy evolution as seen today
Authors: Beaulieu Luc , Rivard Mark J.
Published: February 2023

While brachytherapy is the oldest form of radiation therapy, it is also a very exciting field from both physics and clinical perspectives. From the physics standpoint, brachytherapy dosimetry is largely being governed by the inverse‐square law, leading to an unparalleled dose deposition kernel (dose emitted by a seed or single dwell position), even compared to proton or heavy‐ion beamlets. There is slightly more dose beyond the central deposition point, but comparatively very little prior to it, that is, little or no entrance dose! It is easy to sum multiple dwell positions that cover a tumor, and the intensity can be modulated quite effectively using dwell times. From a clinical perspective, what sets brachytherapy apart from other intraoperative modalities (e.g., laser, radiofrequency, cryogenic) is our ability to precisely calculate the energy deposited across the relevant patient geometry, anticipate the effect from known dose‐outcome relationships, and deliver that energy with exquisite control and selectively to the target volume while sparing organs at risks. This targeting ability has improved substantially over the last two decades. It is built upon key foundational elements, many of which stem from the research and development within our medical physics community. This article provides an overview of these elements that combine to make brachytherapy a successful and developing radiotherapy modality.
Evaluation of a calibration rig for stereo laparoscopes
Authors: Dowrick Thomas , Xiao Guofang , Nikitichev Daniil , Dursun Eren , van Berkel Niels , Allam Moustafa , Koo Bongjin , Ramalhinho Joao , Thompson Stephen , Gurusamy Kurinchi , Blandford Ann , Stoyanov Danail , Davidson Brian R. , Clarkson Matthew J.
Published: February 2023

Background

Accurate camera and hand‐eye calibration are essential to ensure high‐quality results in image‐guided surgery applications. The process must also be able to be undertaken by a nonexpert user in a surgical setting.

Purpose

This work seeks to identify a suitable method for tracked stereo laparoscope calibration within theater.

Methods

A custom calibration rig, to enable rapid calibration in a surgical setting, was designed. The rig was compared against freehand calibration. Stereo reprojection, stereo reconstruction, tracked stereo reprojection, and tracked stereo reconstruction error metrics were used to evaluate calibration quality.

Results

Use of the calibration rig reduced mean errors: reprojection (1.47 mm [SD 0.13] vs. 3.14 mm [SD 2.11], p‐value 1e−8), reconstruction (1.37 px [SD 0.10] vs. 10.10 px [SD 4.54], p‐value 6e−7), and tracked reconstruction (1.38 mm [SD 0.10] vs. 12.64 mm [SD 4.34], p‐value 1e−6) compared with freehand calibration. The use of a ChArUco pattern yielded slightly lower reprojection errors, while a dot grid produced lower reconstruction errors and was more robust under strong global illumination.

Conclusion

The use of the calibration rig results in a statistically significant decrease in calibration error metrics, versus freehand calibration, and represents the preferred approach for use in the operating theater.
Latent anxiety and depression dimensions differ amongst patients with eating disorders: A Swedish nationwide investigation
Authors: Hübel Christopher , Birgegård Andreas , Johansson Therese , Petersen Liselotte V. , Isomaa Rasmus , Herle Moritz
Published: February 2023

Objective

Anxiety and depression symptoms are common in individuals with eating disorders. To study these co‐occurrences, we need high‐quality self‐report questionnaires. The 19‐item self‐rated Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale for Affective Syndromes (CPRS‐S‐A) is not validated in patients with eating disorders. We tested its factor structure, invariance, and differences in its latent dimensions.

Method

Patients were registered by 45 treatment units in the Swedish nationwide Stepwise quality assurance database for specialised eating disorder care (n = 9509). Patients self‐reported their anxiety and depression symptoms on the CPRS‐S‐A. Analyses included exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) in split samples, and testing of invariance and differences in subscales across eating disorder types.

Results

Results suggested a four‐factor solution: Depression, Somatic and fear symptoms, Disinterest, and Worry. Multigroup CFA indicated an invariant factor structure. We detected the following differences: Patients with anorexia nervosa binge‐eating/purging subtype scored the highest and patients with unspecified feeding and eating disorders the lowest on all subscales. Patients with anorexia nervosa or purging disorder show more somatic and fear symptoms than individuals with either bulimia nervosa or binge‐eating disorder.

Conclusion

Our four‐factor solution of the CPRS‐S‐A is suitable for patients with eating disorders and may help to identify differences in anxiety and depression dimensions amongst patients with eating disorders.
Surfacing Response Thresholds of Blue Catfish Exposed to Low-Frequency Electrofishing
Authors: Montague Graham F. , Shoup Daniel E. , Zentner Douglas L. , Snow Richard A. , Cooney Patrick B.
Published: February 2023

Increasingly, management efforts are being directed at Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus native and invasive populations; however, a lack of standardized sampling procedures using low-frequency electrofishing (LFE) has hampered the ability to collect comparable data across temporal and spatial scales. Therefore, we conducted wetlab LFE trials to determine optimal power densities that elicit a capture-prone surfacing response by Blue Catfish. We tested power density applied to the fish (Dm) from 4.69 × 10−6 to 3.65 μW/cm3 and trials with at least one surfacing fish occurred between Dm values of 2.144 × 10−5 and 0.854 μW/cm3. Trials in which ≥50% of fish surfaced all occurred at Dm values between 9.29 × 10−5 and 0.2084 μW/cm3. Even within this narrower range, responses were variable and included trials where no fish surfaced, indicating a wide range of response rates across all power levels tested. Our results suggest that a power density applied to the fish (Dm) between 9.29 × 10−5 and 0.2084 μW/cm3 is most likely to elicit a surfacing response in Blue Catfish, thus exposing them for capture. Further research is needed to map power densities over a range of distances from the electrode (i.e., relating power at the electrode [Pa] with power density in the water [Da]) before standard power tables can be produced. Until this information becomes available, we recommend using the power tables from Bonar et al. (2009) because these allow effective capture of catfishes and will standardize the effectiveness until a better power table could be produced for LFE. Additional research is needed to better understand the Blue Catfish's unique electroreceptive mechanism that drives variability in the response to LFE and whether the proportion of fish surfacing is consistent enough to use catch per unit effort as an index of abundance.
Classifying metal‐binding sites with neural networks
Authors: Oostrom Marjolein , Akers Sarah , Garrett Noah , Hanson Emma , Shaw Wendy , Laureanti Joseph A.
Published: February 2023

To advance our ability to predict impacts of the protein scaffold on catalysis, robust classification schemes to define features of proteins that will influence reactivity are needed. One of these features is a protein's metal‐binding ability, as metals are critical to catalytic conversion by metalloenzymes. As a step toward realizing this goal, we used convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to enable the classification of a metal cofactor binding pocket within a protein scaffold. CNNs enable images to be classified based on multiple levels of detail in the image, from edges and corners to entire objects, and can provide rapid classification. First, six CNN models were fine‐tuned to classify the 20 standard amino acids to choose a performant model for amino acid classification. This model was then trained in two parallel efforts: to classify a 2D image of the environment within a given radius of the central metal binding site, either an Fe ion or a [2Fe‐2S] cofactor, with the metal visible (effort 1) or the metal hidden (effort 2). We further used two sub‐classifications of the [2Fe‐2S] cofactor: (1) a standard [2Fe‐2S] cofactor and (2) a Rieske [2Fe‐2S] cofactor. The accuracy for the model correctly identifying all three defined features was >95%, despite our perception of the increased challenge of the metalloenzyme identification. This demonstrates that machine learning methodology to classify and distinguish similar metal‐binding sites, even in the absence of a visible cofactor, is indeed possible and offers an additional tool for metal‐binding site identification in proteins.
Clinical, pathologic, and molecular features of amphicrine prostate cancer
Authors: Graham Laura S. , Haffner Michael C. , Sayar Erolcan , Gawne Agnes , Schweizer Michael T. , Pritchard Colin C. , Coleman Ilsa , Nelson Peter S. , Yu Evan Y.
Published: February 2023

Background

Amphicrine prostate carcinoma (AMPC) is a poorly defined subset of prostate cancer in which cells co‐express luminal prostate epithelial and neuroendocrine markers. The optimal treatment strategy is unknown. We sought to further characterize the clinical, histomorphologic, and molecular characteristics of AMPC and to identify areas of potential future treatment investigations.

Methods

We retrospectively identified 17 cases of AMPC at a single institution, defined as synaptophysin expression in >70% of cells and co‐expression of androgen receptor (AR) signaling markers (either AR, PSA, or NKX3.1) in >50% of cells. Clinical and histologic features of AMPC cases as well as response to treatment and clinical outcomes were described.

Results

Five AMPC cases arose de novo in the absence of prior systemic treatment and behaved distinctly from cases that were treatment‐emergent. In these de novo cases, despite expression of neuroendocrine markers, prognosis appeared more favorable than high‐grade neuroendocrine carcinoma, with two (40%) patients with de novo metastatic disease, universal response to androgen deprivation therapy, and no deaths at a median follow‐up of 12.3 months. Treatment‐emergent AMPC arose a median of 41.1 months after androgen deprivation therapy initiation and was associated with poor response to therapy.

Conclusions

We show that amphicrine prostate cancer is a unique entity and differs in clinical and molecular features from high‐grade neuroendocrine carcinomas of the prostate. Our study highlights the need to recognize AMPC as a unique molecularly defined subgroup of prostate cancer.
The combined effects of microbial insecticides and sodium chloride on the development and emergence of Chironomus xanthus
Authors: Dornelas Aline Silvestre Pereira , Pestana João L.T. , de Souza Saraiva Althiéris , Barbosa Rone Silva , Cavallini Grasiele Soares , Gravato Carlos , da Maia Soares Amadeu Mortágua Velho , Sarmento Renato Almeida
Published: February 2023

Background

Freshwater organisms are facing increasing salinity levels, not only due to natural environmental processes, but also human activities, which can cause several physiological adaptations to osmotic stress. Additionally, these organisms might also have to deal with contamination by microbial insecticides. Our main goal was to use Chironomus xanthus to assess the chronic effects of increasing the salinity and commercial formulations of the microbial insecticides based on Bacillus thuringiensis subs. kurstaki (Btk) and Beauveria bassiana (Bb) as active ingredients, respectively.

Results

A significant interaction of growth was observed between the biopesticide based on Bb and NaCl on the larvae of C. xanthus. Single exposure to NaCl and each one of the formulations demonstrated deleterious impacts not only on larval development, but also on the emergence success and emergence time of this nontarget insect, with potential consequences for freshwater ecosystems due to cascading effects.

Conclusion

The chronic effects induced by both bioinsecticides show that these formulations can have environmental impacts on nontarget freshwater insects. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Metallomics in pulmonary arterial hypertension patients
Authors: El‐Kersh Karim , Hopkins C. Danielle , Wu Xiaoyong , Rai Shesh N. , Cave Matthew C. , Smith M. Ryan , Go Young‐Mi , Jones Dean P. , Cai Lu , Huang Jiapeng
Published: February 2023

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) prevalence is increasing worldwide, and the prognosis is poor with 5‐year survival < 50% in high risk patients. The relationship between metal exposure/essential metal dyshomeostasis and PAH/right ventricular dysfunction is less investigated. The aim of this study is to investigate vegetable consumptions and metal levels between PAH patients and controls. This was a prospective, single center pilot study. Questionnaires were completed by all study subjects (20 PAH patients and 10 healthy controls) on smoking, metal exposure risks, metal supplements, and vegetable consumptions. Blood and urine samples were collected to measure 25 metal levels in blood, plasma, and urine using an X Series II quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Statistical analysis was conducted using SAS 9.5 and results with p value < 0.05 were considered significant. Vegetables consumptions (broccoli risk ratio [RR] = 0.4, CI = (0.2, 0.9)], cabbage [RR = 0.2, CI = (0.1, 0.8)], and brussel sprouts [RR = 0.2, CI = (0.1, 0.5)]) are associated with less risks of PAH. In the plasma samples, silver (p < 0.001), and copper (p = 0.002) levels were significantly higher in PAH patients. There was significant positive correlation between cardiac output and cardiac index with plasma levels of silver (r = 0.665, p = 0.001 and r = 0.678 p = 0.001), respectively. There was significant correlation between mixed venous saturation, 6‐min walk distance, and last BNP with plasma levels of chromium (r = −0.520, p = 0.022; r = −0.55, p = 0.014; r = 0.463, p = 0.039), respectively. In conclusion, there are significant differences between PAH and control groups in terms of vegetable consumptions and metal concentrations. Silver and chromium levels are correlated with clinical indicators of PAH severities.