bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Payment versus charitable donations to attract agricultural and natural resource survey participation
Authors: Penn Jerrod M. , Hu Wuyang
Published: June 2023

This analysis provides two case studies comparing direct payment versus charitable donations on respondents' behalf as survey participation incentives. The first examines agricultural producers' willingness to participate in several hypothetical surveys. Donation to charity significantly increases producers' willingness to participate relative to direct payment. The second case study examines forest landowners' willingness to participate in an actual, one‐time survey. Neither payment nor donation incentives improve participation among mail respondents and donations are less effective versus payment among online respondents. If they do not decrease participation, then donations may be preferred, requiring less effort to process a smaller number of transactions.
Identification of a Biallelic Missense Variant in Gasdermin D (c.823G > C, p.Asp275His) in a Patient of Atypical Gorham‐Stout Disease in a Consanguineous Family
Authors: Uehara Daniela Tiaki , Muramatsu Tomoki , Ishii Senichi , Suzuki Hidetsugu , Fukushima Kazuyuki , Arasaki Yasuhiro , Hayata Tadayoshi , Inazawa Johji , Ezura Yoichi
Published: June 2023

Gorham–Stout disease (GSD), also called vanishing bone disease, is a rare osteolytic disease, frequently associated with lymphangiomatous tissue proliferation. The causative genetic background has not been noted except for a case with a somatic mutation in KRAS. However, in the present study, we encountered a case of GSD from a consanguineous family member. Whole‐exome sequencing (WES) analysis focusing on rare recessive variants with zero homozygotes in population databases identified a homozygous missense variant (c.823G > C, p.Asp275His) in gasdermin D (GSDMD) in the patient and heterozygous in his unaffected brother. Because this variant affects the Asp275 residue that is involved in proteolytic cleavage by caspase‐11 (as well as ‐4 and ‐5) to generate an activating p30 fragment required for pyroptotic cell death and proinflammation, we confirmed the absence of this cleavage product in peripheral monocytic fractions from the patient. A recent study indicated that a shorter p20 fragment, generated by further cleavage at Asp88, has a cell‐autonomous function to suppress the maturation of osteoclasts to resorb bone matrix. Thus, the present study suggests for the first time the existence of hereditary GSD cases or novel GSD‐like diseases caused by GSDMD deficiency. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
RETN gene polymorphisms interact with alcohol dependence in association with depression
Authors: Xu Xiaoyan , Xu Zeping , Zhou Fan , Chen Lijing , Li Huai , Niculescu Michelle , Shen Guanghui , Wu Liujun , Wang Wei , Chen Li , Liu Yanlong , He Jue , Wang Fan , Yang Fan
Published: June 2023

Background

Previous studies suggest that alcohol dependence is associated with increased risk of depression. The occurrence of depressive symptoms is related to polymorphisms in various genetic regions. This study aimed to investigate the interaction of RETN gene polymorphisms (rs1477341, rs3745368) with alcohol dependence on depressive symptoms in adult male during acute alcohol withdrawal.

Methods

A total of 429 male adults were recruited in this study. Alcohol dependence was assessed using the Michigan alcoholism screening test (MAST). Depression was assessed using the 20‐item self‐rating depression scale (SDS). Hierarchical regression analysis was used to evaluate the interaction between genes and alcohol dependence on depression. Region of significance (ROS) test was used to explain the interaction effect. The strong and weak forms of the differential susceptibility and diathesis models were used to determine which fits the data better.

Results

Our results showed that MAST scores were significantly positively associated with SDS scores (r = 0.23, p < 0.01) in alcohol‐dependent patients during alcohol withdrawal. The interaction between genotype and alcohol dependence was significant (β = −0.14, p < 0.05) in a strong diathesis‐stress model. Susceptibility for depression symptoms was associated with alcohol dependence in RETN rs1477341 A carriers. Specifically, those that showed more alcohol dependence and the A allele of RETN rs1477341 exhibited more depression symptoms. However, RETN rs3745368 had no significant interaction with alcohol dependence.

Conclusions

The A allele of RETN rs1477341 may correlate with susceptibility to depression symptoms in alcohol‐dependent individuals during acute alcohol withdrawal.
Logistic‐Nomogram model based on red blood cell parameters to differentiate thalassemia trait and iron deficiency anemia in southern region of Fujian Province, China
Authors: Xu Meihong , Lin Guojin , Dong Zhigao , Wang Qingqing , Ma Lili , Su Junnan
Published: June 2023

Background

Differentiation between thalassemia trait (TT) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is challenging and costly. This study aimed to construct and evaluate a model based on red blood cell (RBC) parameters to differentiate TT and IDA in the southern region of Fujian Province, China.

Methods

RBC parameters of 364 TT patients and 316 IDA patients were reviewed. RBC parameter‐based Logistic‐Nomogram model to differentiate between TT and IDA was constructed by multivariate logistic regression analysis plus nomogram, and then compared with 22 previously reported differential indices.

Results

The patients were randomly selected to a training cohort (nTT = 248, nIDA = 223) and a validation cohort (nTT = 116, nIDA = 93). In the training cohort, multivariate logistic regression analysis identified RBC count, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and MCH concentration (MCHC) as independent parameters associated with TT susceptibility. A nomogram was plotted based on these parameters, and then the RBC parameter‐based Logistic‐Nomogram model g (μy) = 1.92 × RBC count‐0.51 × MCH + 0.14 × MCHC‐39.2 was devised. The area under the curve (AUC) (95% CI) was 0.95 (0.93–0.97); sensitivity and specificity at the best cutoff score (120.24) were 0.93 and 0.89, respectively; the accuracy was 0.91. In the validation cohort, the RBC parameter‐based Logistic‐Nomogram model had AUC (95% CI) of 0.95 (0.91–0.98); sensitivity and specificity were 0.92 and 0.87, respectively; accuracy was 0.90. Moreover, compared with 22 reported differential indices, the RBC parameter‐based Logistic‐Nomogram model showed numerically higher AUC, net reclassification index, and integrated discrimination index (all p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The RBC parameter‐based Logistic‐Nomogram model shows high performance in differentiating patients with TT and IDA from the southern region of Fujian Province.
Exploring the differentiation of behavioural and emotional problems across childhood: A prospective longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Askelund Adrian Dahl , Ask Helga , Ystrom Eivind , Havdahl Alexandra , Hannigan Laurie J.
Published: June 2023

Background

An individual's overall burden of behavioural and emotional problems across childhood is associated with increased likelihood of later mental health conditions. However, the relative extent of behavioural versus emotional problems ‐ that is, the extent to which the domains are differentiated from one another ‐ may provide additional information about who is at risk of developing a mental health condition. Here, we seek to validate differentiation as an independent predictor of later mental health conditions, and to explore its aetiology.

Methods

We analysed data from ~79,000 children in the population‐based Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study, and linked health‐care registries. In preregistered analyses, we modelled the extent and rate of differentiation of behavioural and emotional problems between ages 1.5–5 years, and estimated associations with later symptoms (age 8) and diagnoses (after age 8). We also explored the aetiology of differentiation by estimating associations with early life exposures and, in a subset of 23,945 full siblings, assessing the impact of accounting for unobserved familial confounding.

Results

Differentiation of behavioural and emotional problems was associated with later symptoms and diagnoses of mental health conditions, independent of total problems. Maternal at‐risk drinking (β = 0.04 [0.02, 0.06]) and parental relationship problems (β = 0.04 [0.02, 0.05]) were associated with higher behavioural relative to emotional problems at age 5. Maternal prenatal distress (|β| = 0.04 [0.03, 0.06]), concurrent distress (|β| = 0.04 [0.02, 0.06]) and parental education (|β| = 0.05 [0.04, 0.07]) predicted higher emotional relative to behavioural problems at age 5. Estimates for maternal prenatal distress and at‐risk drinking were consistent across both unadjusted and adjusted analyses accounting for unobserved familial risk.

Conclusions

Differentiation of behavioural and emotional problems in early childhood represents a valid source of inter‐individual variability linked to the later emergence of psychopathology and may be relevant for early detection and prevention strategies for mental health.
Stromal cell‐derived small extracellular vesicles enhance radioresistance of prostate cancer cells via interleukin‐8‐induced autophagy
Authors: Wang Xiumei , Xu Fan , Kou Hengyuan , Zheng Yawen , Yang Jing , Xu Zhi , Fang Yao , Sun Wenbo , Zhu Shuyi , Jiang Qin , Wei Xiaowei , Xu Yong
Published: June 2023

Radiation is a curative treatment for localized prostate cancer (PCa). Unfortunately, radiotherapeutic efficacy is often diminished when patients develop more aggressive or metastatic phenotypes. Recent studies have demonstrated that extracellular vesicles participate in cancer therapeutic resistance by delivering small bioactive molecules, such as small non‐coding RNAs. Here, we show that stromal cell‐derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) facilitate the radioresistance of PCa cells by transporting interleukin‐8 (IL‐8). Indeed, prostatic stromal cells secrete more IL‐8 than AR‐positive PCa cells, which can be accumulated in sEVs. Intriguingly, the uptake of stromal cells‐derived sEVs by radiosensitive PCa cells enhanced their radioresistance, which could be attenuated by silencing CXCL8 in stromal cells or inhibiting its receptor CXCR2 in PCa cells. sEV‐mediated radioresistance has been validated in zebrafish and mouse xenograft tumours. Mechanistically, the uptake of stromal sEVs triggers the AMPK‐activated autophagy pathway in PCa cells under the irradiation condition. Consequently, inactivating AMPK efficiently resensitized radiotherapy either by utilizing an AMPK inhibitor or silencing AMPKα in PCa cells. Furthermore, chloroquine (CQ), a lysosomal inhibitor, sufficiently resensitized radiotherapy via blockade of autophagolysosome fusion, leading to autophagosome accumulation in PC cells. Collectively, these results suggest that stromal cells enhance the radioresistance of PCa cells mainly through sEVs that deliver IL‐8.
Fatal outcome of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) and severe and critical COVID‐19 is associated with the hyperproduction of IL‐10 and IL‐6 and the low production of TGF‐β
Authors: Kang Su Yeon , Yoo Jeong Rae , Park Yejin , Kim So‐Hee , Heo Sang Taek , Park Seong Hyeon , Kim Misun , Kim Tae‐Jin , Oh Songhyeok , Lee Moo‐Seung , Kim Jung Mogg , Cho Nam‐Hyuk , Lee Kyung‐Mi , Lee Keun Hwa
Published: June 2023

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) can cause the hyperproduction of inflammatory cytokines, which have pathological effects in patient including severe or fatal cytokine storms. To characterize the effect of SFTSV and SARS‐CoV‐2 infection on the production of cytokines in severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) and COVID‐19 patients, we performed an analysis of cytokines in SFTS and COVID‐19 patients and also investigated the role of interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) in vitro studies: lipopolysaccharide‐induced THP‐1‐derived macrophages, SFTSV infection of THP‐1 cells, and SARS‐CoV‐2 infection of THP‐1 cells. In this study, we found that levels of both IL‐10 and IL‐6 were significantly elevated, the level of transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) was significantly decreased and IL‐10 was elevated earlier than IL‐6 in severe and critical COVID‐19 and fatal SFTS patients, and inhibition of IL‐10 signaling decreased the production of IL‐6 and elevated that of TGF‐β. Therefore, the hyperproduction of IL‐10 and IL‐6 and the low production of TGF‐β have been linked to cytokine storm‐induced mortality in fatal SFTS and severe and critically ill COVID‐19 patients and that IL‐10 can play an important role in the host immune response to severe and critical SARS‐CoV‐2 and fatal SFTSV infection.
Do quantitative levels of antispike‐IgG antibodies aid in predicting protection from SARS‐CoV‐2 infection? Results from a longitudinal study in a police cohort
Authors: Sendi Parham , Widmer Nadja , Branca Mattia , Thierstein Marc , Büchi Annina Elisabeth , Güntensperger Dominik , Blum Manuel Raphael , Baldan Rossella , Tinguely Caroline , Heg Dik , Theel Elitza S. , Berbari Elie , Tande Aaron J. , Endimiani Andrea , Gowland Peter , Niederhauser Christoph ,   for the PoliCOV‐19 study
Published: June 2023

In a COVID‐19 sero‐surveillance cohort study with predominantly healthy and vaccinated individuals, the objectives were (i) to investigate longitudinally the factors associated with the quantitative dynamics of antispike (anti‐S1) IgG antibody levels, (ii) to evaluate whether the levels were associated with protection from SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, and (iii) to assess whether the association was different in the pre‐Omicron compared with the Omicron period. The QuantiVac Euroimmun ELISA test was used to quantify anti‐S1 IgG levels. The entire study period (16 months), the 11‐month pre‐Omicron period and the cross‐sectional analysis before the Omicron surge included 3219, 2310, and 895 reactive serum samples from 949, 919, and 895 individuals, respectively. Mixed‐effect linear, mixed‐effect time‐to‐event, and logistic regression models were used to achieve the objectives. Age and time since infection or vaccination were the only factors associated with a decline of anti‐S1 IgG levels. Higher antibody levels were significantly associated with protection from SARS‐CoV‐2 infection (0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.82–0.97), and the association was higher during the time period when Omicron was predominantly circulating compared with the ones when Alpha and Delta variants were predominant (adjusted hazard ratio for interaction 0.66, 95% CI 0.53–0.84). In a prediction model, it was estimated that >8000 BAU/mL anti‐S1 IgG was required to reduce the risk of infection with Omicron variants by approximately 20%–30% for 90 days. Though, such high levels were only found in 1.9% of the samples before the Omicron surge, and they were not durable for 3 months. Anti‐S1 IgG antibody levels are statistically associated with protection from SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. However, the prediction impact of the antibody level findings on infection protection is limited.
Changes in soil fertility under partial organic substitution of chemical fertilizer: a 33‐year trial
Authors: Gao Jichao , Zhang Xiuzhi , Luo Jiafa , Zhu Ping , Lindsey Stuart , Gao Hongjun , Li Qiang , Peng Chang , Zhang Lei , Xu Lingying , Qiu Weiwen , Jiao Yunfei
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND

This study examined the changes in soil fertility in a maize cropping area when chemical fertilizer was partially replaced with straw or livestock manure over a 33‐year period. Four treatments were included: (i) CK (no fertilizer application); (ii) NPK (only chemical fertilizer application); (iii) NPKM (chemical fertilizer partly replaced with livestock manure); (iv) NPKS (chemical fertilizer partly replaced with straw).

RESULTS

Soil organic carbon increased by 41.7% and 95.5% in the NPKS and NPKM treatments, respectively, over the 33‐year trial compared with the initial concentration. However, soil organic carbon in NPK was significantly reduced by 9.8%. Soil total N, P and K increased in both NPKM and NPKS treatments compared to the original soil. Soil pH was significantly acidified from 7.6 to 5.97 in the NPK treatment during the experimental period. The NPKM and NPKS treatments buffered the acidification compared to NPK. Meta‐analysis results showed that, compared with NPK, NPKM significantly raised soil bacteria and fungi populations by 38.7% and 58.6%; enhanced microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen by 66.3% and 63%, respectively; and increased sucrase, urease and catalase activities by 34.2%, 48.2% and 21.5%. NPKS significantly increased soil fungi and actinomycetes populations by 24.3% and 41.2%, respectively; enhanced microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen by 27.1% and 45%; and strengthened sucrase and urease activities by 36% and 20.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Long‐term chemical fertilizer application led to the deterioration of soil fertility and environment. Partial replacement of chemical fertilizers with organic materials could significantly amend and buffer such negative effects. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Assessing the sustainable development: A review of multi‐criteria decision analysis for urban and architectural sustainability
Authors: Mecca Beatrice
Published: June 2023

Sustainable development of cities constitutes nowadays a worldwide goal. Therefore, the related urban and architectural choices must fulfil sustainable objectives. In this context, sustainability assessment presents itself as a key and fundamental element to guide decision‐making processes, orienting choices towards actions that make the built environment more sustainable. Among the several existing assessment tools and methods, multi‐criteria decision analysis (MCDA) are part of the most widely used approaches to support sustainable decisions. Therefore, this article aims to understand what makes sustainability assessment through MCDA suitable or unsuitable to support decision‐making processes in the context of sustainable urban and architectural design and observe how available MCDA methods support this purpose. To do this, a literature review related to MCDA methods in sustainable urban and architectural context has been performed. Descriptive statistics and tables are provided to point out the main trends according to specific research questions. In this sense, it is intended to highlight some potential gaps and points of reflection for future research developments that can support sustainable urban and architectural development.
California governor proposes to transform MHSA for first time in 20 years
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: June 2023

California Gov. Gavin Newsom's plans to amend the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) — the nearly 20‐year landmark law that levies a 1% tax on personal incomes above $1 million to support prevention, early intervention and treatment services for the high‐needs population — has ignited some concerns from the provider and advocacy community that his proposal could limit hard‐earned investments in various programs, including children and youth services.
Report offers strategies to advance standardized outpatient MH treatment
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: June 2023

A new report based on a gathering of mental health thought leaders in 2022 offers a roadmap for establishing standardized benchmarks to evaluate outpatient mental health services. The report suggests that use of measurement‐based care should not be enforced by government mandate, but perhaps encouraged as a standard of care via provider licensing and accreditation agencies.
National minority mental health month commemorated
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: June 2023

Mental Health America (MHA) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) are working on campaigns and activities and providing resources to mark Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, including highlighting an equity initiative and a new culture‐based theme.
Half mode rectangular SIW slotted antenna for multiband operations using ANN optimization
Authors: Daniel R. Samson
Published: June 2023

A multiband half‐mode substrate integrated waveguide (HMSIW) slotted antenna is developed for ISM/WiMAX/WLAN applications. HMSIW technique has been utilized to acquire antenna compactness. Two inverted L‐shaped slots of half wavelength are embedded onto a HMSIW rectangular cavity for attaining a hybrid mode (i.e., Half‐mode of Half‐mode of ), which induces a lower resonance at 2.4 GHz. An inverted L‐shaped slot is influenced to radiate hybrid mode at 2.4 GHz, while the innermost inverted L‐shaped slot radiates modified mode at 3.30 GHz. A multiband is obtained by amalgamation of hybrid mode (at 2.4 GHz), modified mode (at 3.30 GHz) and modified mode (at 5.38 GHz). The radiating modes are elucidated by using mode theory methodology for ascertaining the resonance characteristics of the prototype antenna. The antenna parameters have been optimized by artificial neural network technique using MATLAB. The antenna geometry possesses a shrinkage size of 30 × 16 × 1.6 mm3, which has been designed on FR‐4 substrate. To vindicate the simulated consequence, the fabricated prototype has been tested. It contributes the fractional bandwidth of 6.4% (2.09−2.23 GHz) in the hybrid mode at 2.18 GHz, 9.03% (2.89−3.17 GHz) in the half cavity mode at 3.10 GHz and 9.96% (5.11−5.65 GHz) in the half cavity mode at 5.42 GHz, respectively, which is beneficial for ISM, WiMAX and WLAN band wireless applications.
Efficacy of different types of dressings on pressure injuries: Systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang Chunjin , Zhang Shu , Wu Bo , Zou Kang , Chen Hong
Published: June 2023

Aim

To investigate the effectiveness of different dressings on pressure injuries and screen the dressings for efficacy.

Design

Systematic review and network meta‐analysis.

Methods

Articles published from several electronic databases and other resources were selected. Two reviewers independently selected studies, extracted data and assessed the quality of selected studies.

Results

Twenty‐five studies that contained data on moist dressings (hydrocolloidal dressing, foam dressing, silver ion dressing, biological wound dressing, hydrogel dressing, polymeric membrane dressing) and sterile gauze dressings (traditional gauze dressings) were included. All RCTs were at a medium to high risk of bias. Moist dressings were found to be more advantageous than the traditional dressings. Hydrocolloid dressings [RR = 1.38, 95% CI (1.18, 1.60)] showed a higher cure rate than sterile gauze dressing and foam dressings [RR = 1.37, 95% CI (1.16, 1.61)]. Silver ion dressings [RR = l.37, 95% CI (1.08, 1. 73)] showed a higher cure rate than sterile gauze dressings. Sterile gauze dressing dressings [RR = 0.51, 95% CI (0.44, 0.78)] showed a lower cure rate compared with polymeric membrane dressings; whereas Sterile gauze dressing dressings [RR = 0.80, 95% CI (0.47, 1.37)] had a lower cure rate compared to biological wound dressings. Foam and hydrocolloid dressings were associated with the least healing time. Few dressing changes were required for moist dressings.
Socioeconomic determinants of risky sexual behaviors and HIV seropositivity among university students in South Africa: A case control analysis
Authors: Pillay Trishka , Govender Nalini , Reddy Poovendhree
Published: June 2023

Socioeconomic determinants of risky sexual behaviors in sub‐Saharan Africa are well known. The socioeconomic determinants of the sexual behaviors of university students, however, remain unclear. This case control study aimed to investigate the socioeconomic determinants of risky sexual behavior and HIV seropositivity among university students in KwaZulu‐Natal (KZN), South Africa. Participants (N = 500; 375 HIV uninfected and 125 HIV infected) from four public higher educational institutions in KZN were recruited, using a non‐randomized strategy. Socioeconomic status was assessed by food insecurity, access to the government loan scheme, and sharing of the bursary/loan with family. The findings of this study suggest that students reporting food insecurity were 1.87 times more likely to have multiple sexual partners; 3.18 times more likely to engage in transactional sex for money; and presented a fivefold higher risk of engaging in transactional sex for basic needs other than money. Accessing the government financing for education and sharing of the bursary/loan with family was also significantly associated with an increased risk of having an HIV seropositive status. A significant association between socioeconomic measures, risky sexual behavior, and HIV seropositivity is demonstrated in this study. Moreover, the socioeconomic risks and drivers when determining and/or developing HIV prevention interventions, including preexposure prophylaxis use, should be considered by healthcare providers based at campus health clinics.
A novel polyhydroxyalkanoate/polyvinyl alcohol composite porous membrane via electrospinning and spin coating as potential application for chemotherapy and tissue engineering
Authors: Chen Shengnan , Li Yuxin , Yan Eryun , Lu Hong , Gao Jianwei , Wang Yan
Published: June 2023

Polyhydroxyalkanoate/polyvinyl alcohol (PHA/PVA) composite porous membranes were successfully prepared by coupling of electrospinning and spin‐coating. The resulting composite membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), FT‐IR spectrometer, x‐ray diffraction (XRD), contact angle tester and Brunner–Emmet–Teller (BET). It indicated that the PHA/PVA membrane belonged to a mesoporous material, which can be used as a drug delivery carrier for doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX). In vitro drug release experiments showed that DOX loaded PHA/PVA composite membranes presented higher DOX release level in acidic environment than that in neutral environment since the degradation rate of the membranes under pH = 4 was significantly higher. And that, the DOX loaded membranes exhibited excellent performance for inhibiting the growth of Caco‐2 cells, which revealed the membranes' biomedical potential for chemotherapy of colon cancer. Meanwhile, in view of the good adhesion of the cells to the membranes, this novel mesoporous material was also perspective in tissue engineering.
Telomere biology disorder presenting acutely with pulmonary fibrosis and hepatopulmonary syndrome in a young adult male
Authors: Kung Samantha Chin‐Yun , Dixon Olivia , Kentwell Sarah , Vasireddy Raja S. , Rodgers Jonathan , Ding Yuming , Rahman Tony , Tallis Caroline , Yang Ian A. , Mackintosh John A.
Published: June 2023

A 33‐year‐old man presented with acute dyspnoea and profound hypoxaemia, and had clubbing, greying of hair, orthodeoxia and fine inspiratory crackles. CT chest showed established pulmonary fibrosis in a usual interstitial pneumonia pattern. Additional investigations revealed a small patent foramen ovale, pancytopenia, and oesophageal varices and portal hypertensive gastropathy from liver cirrhosis. Telomere length testing demonstrated short telomeres (<1st percentile), confirming the diagnosis of a telomere biology disorder. An interstitial lung disease gene panel identified a pathogenic variant in TERT (c.1700C>T, p.(Thr567Met)) and a variant of uncertain significance in PARN (c.1159G>A, p.(Gly387Arg)). Combined lung and liver transplantation was deemed not suitable due to frailty and severe hepatopulmonary syndrome, and he died 56 days after presentation. Early recognition of the short telomere syndrome is important, and its multi‐organ involvement poses challenges to management. Genetic screening may be important in younger patients with pulmonary fibrosis or in unexplained liver cirrhosis.
Adaptive asymptotic tracking control for nonlinear systems with actuator fault and prescribed performance based on event‐triggered mechanism
Authors: Jiang Kun , Zhang Xuxi
Published: June 2023

In this article, the event‐triggered adaptive neural networks tracking control problem for nonlinear systems with prescribed performance and actuator fault is investigated. Meanwhile, bias faults and loss of effectiveness in actuators are taken into consideration, and the effectiveness factor is unknown. In the process of controller design under the framework of backstepping technology, neural networks are implemented to model the unknown terms of systems, and the tracking error is limited to a predefined boundary by using an error transformation. To economize communication resources, an adaptive neural networks event‐triggered control (ETC) strategy is developed, which can ensure that all the closed‐loop signals are bounded, and the tracking error not only confines to a prescribed function but also asymptotically converges to zero. Finally, two simulation examples are presented to further confirm the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.
Design and Synthesis of Cabazitaxel Loaded Core‐Shell Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles with Different Morphologies for Prostate Cancer Therapy
Authors: Mohanan Shan , Sathish CI , Ramadass Kavitha , Liang Mingtao , Vinu Ajayan
Published: June 2023

In this work, the synthesis of core‐shell ordered mesoporous silica nanoparticles (CSMS) with tunable particle size and shape through a dual surfactant‐assisted approach is demonstrated. By varying the synthesis conditions, including the type of the solvent and the concentration of the surfactant, monodispersed and ordered mesoporous silica nanoparticles with tunable particle size (140–600 nm) and morphologies (hexagonal prism (HP), oblong, spherical, and hollow‐core) can be realized. Comparative studies of the Cabazitaxel (CBZ)‐loaded HP and spherical‐shaped CSMS are conducted to evaluate their drug delivery efficiency to PC3 (prostate cancer) cell lines. These nanoparticles showed good biocompatibility and displayed a faster drug release at acidic pH than at basic pH. The cellular uptake of CSMS measured using confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, microplate reader, and ICP‐MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) techniques in PC3 cell lines revealed a better uptake of CSMS with HP morphology than its spherical counterparts. Cytotoxicity study showed that the anticancer activity of CBZ is improved with a higher free radical production when loaded onto CSMS. These unique materials with tunable morphology can serve as an excellent drug delivery system and will have potential applications for treating various cancers.
Nonmetal‐Mediated Atomic Spalling of Large‐Area Monolayer Transition Metal Dichalcogenide
Authors: Kim Sein , Kim Seung-Il , Ghods Soheil , Kim Jin-Su , Lee Young Cheol , Kwun Hyung Jun , Moon Ji-Yun , Lee Jae-Hyun
Published: June 2023

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have attracted intense interest; however, despite the considerable effort of researchers, a universal manufacturing method that can guarantee both high material quality and throughput has not been realized to date. Herein, a universal approach to producing high‐quality monolayer TMDCs on a large scale via germanium (Ge)‐mediated atomic spalling is presented. Through the modified analytic model, the study verifies that the thin Ge film could be a suitable stressor that effectively reduces the crack propagation depth at the sub‐nanometer range. In particular, an acid‐etching process is not required in the overall atomic spalling process due to the water‐soluble nature of the Ge, enabling it widely applicable to various TMDCs. Under the optimized spalling conditions, a millimeter‐sized monolayer of stable MoS2, as well as unstable MoTe2, is successfully achieved. Through detailed spectroscopic and electrical characterizations, it is confirmed that the proposed methodology for obtaining large‐area atomic layers does not introduce any significant structural defects or chemical contaminations.
Intramolecular Alkyne Aromatization: Unexpected Synthesis of Expanded [9]Helicene and π‐Extended Double [4]Helicene, and Their Molecular Geometry Effect on Transistor Memory
Authors: Yu Yang , Wang Le , Wang Chang , Liu Fei , Ling Haifeng , Liu Junzhi
Published: June 2023

Intramolecular alkyne aromatization is a powerful tool that enables the synthesis of nonplanar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Herein, an unexpected intramolecular alkyne aromatization via a trifluoroacetic acid‐promoted cyclization is described, in which two structural isomers, expanded [9]helicene (1) and π‐extended double [4]helicene (2) are obtained. A possible rearrangement mechanism is proposed to account for the formation of 1. The geometric and optoelectronic properties of these two nonplanar molecular nanocarbons are comprehensively investigated by single‐crystal X‐ray, UV–vis absorption, photoluminescence spectra, and cyclic voltammetry analysis. These two structural isomers exhibit wide energy gaps with similar energy levels, which further apply them as molecular floating gate in organic field‐effect transistor nonvolatile memory (OFET‐NVM) devices. The nonplanar geometry of 1 and 2 shows a remarkable effect on charge‐trapping behaviors in OFET‐NVMs; the 1‐based device displays a more than threefold wider memory window (MW, 44.5 V) than that of the 2‐based device (14.2 V), and a large charge‐trapping density of 1.08 × 1013 cm−2. The distinct different charge‐trapping behavior is likely attributed to the different molecular geometries, resulting in different molecular‐packing modes. It is revealed in this study that controlling the geometry of molecular nanocarbons is a new strategy for application in organic electronics.
Modification of Sulfide in a 303 Ton Carbon Manganese Steel Heavy Ingot with Cerium Treatment
Authors: Zhou Qiuyue , Ren Ying , Ba Juntao , Chen Wei , Zhang Lifeng
Published: June 2023

Herein, the cerium treatment is used to modify large MnS inclusions in a 303‐ton carbon manganese steel ingot. When the cerium content in steel in the tundish is 90 ppm, the inclusions are CeAlO3 with a small amount of Ce2O2S. The precipitation sequence of inclusions during the solidification and cooling process in the ingot is MgO·Al2O3 + CeAlO3→Ce2S3→MnS→MgS. Due to the inevitable macrosegregation, a small amount of elongated MnS inclusions is precipitated at the radial center. The maximum diameter is 257.80 μm, and the average aspect ratio is 3.28. For heterogeneously nucleated sulfide, the average diameter is less than 13.39 μm, and the average aspect ratio is less than 1.88. The morphology of MnS inclusion is well controlled when the mass ratio of Ce/S in steel is in the range of 0.7–2.8. The average aspect ratio of homogeneously nucleated MnS is less than 1.9. In addition, the formation of CeAlO3 clusters is avoided. According to the atomic mismatch obtained by the edge‐to‐edge matching model, the possibility of heterogeneous nucleation of MnS on the oxide core is CeAlO3 > Ce2O2S > MgO·Al2O3. The Ce2S3 inclusions are mainly precipitated with the core of MgO·Al2O3.
Woodborers in Forest Stands
Authors: Dodds Kevin J. , Sweeney Jon , Allison Jeremy D.
Published: June 2023

Woodborers are an ecologically important guild in forested ecosystems and include Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, and Siricidae. Members of these families contribute to various ecological processes including nutrient cycling and forest succession, and are also important components of food webs. Most woodborers encountered in forests are secondary species that rarely kill trees, however, important invasive species like Asian longhorned beetle, emerald ash borer, and Sirex noctilio can have broad ranging impacts on urban, managed, and natural forests. This chapter provides a broad overview of three woodborer families, including information on natural history, abiotic and biotic population regulation factors, ecological roles, chemical ecology, management, and a brief overview of economically important species.
Gall Formers
Authors: Hurley Brett P. , Dittrich-Schröder Gudrun , Gevers Caitlin R.
Published: June 2023

Gall formers are among the most highly evolved herbivores. Several organisms induce gall formation including viruses, bacteria, mites and nematodes. Insects are one of the most dominant gall-forming groups, with estimates ranging from 21,000 to 211,000 species (Ciesla, Forest Entomology: a global perspective, John Wiley & Sons, West Sussex, 2011).
Forest Insect Population Dynamics
Authors: Garnas Jeff R. , Ayres Matthew P. , Lombardero Maria J.
Published: June 2023

Most insect species are rare most of the time, but populations of certain taxa exhibit dramatic fluctuations in abundance across years. These fluctuations range from highly regular, cyclical dynamics to mathematical chaos. Peaks in abundance, or “population outbreaks” are notable both for the damage they can cause in natural and planted forests and for the rich body of research and theory they have inspired focused on elucidating drivers of population fluctuations across time and space. This chapter explores some of the key mechanisms that explain the population dynamics of outbreaking species, including variation in intrinsic growth rates, lagged endogenous feedbacks linked to top-down and/or bottom-up effects, nonlinearities in the density dependent relationship, and the existence of multiple stable and unstable equilibria, among others. We explore some basic mathematical and graphical approaches to modeling and representing these dynamics and provide a suite of empirical examples from the recent and historical literature.
Insects and Forest Succession
Authors: Thomas Sean C.
Published: June 2023

There is a long-standing, even ancient, belief in Western thought that forests, particularly unmanaged forests relatively free from obvious human impacts, are never-changing; this is the connotation of the German word “urwald” or “original forest” that influenced early thinking on forests from the origins of the emerging scientific disciplines of forestry and ecology in the 1800s. However, all forests, including extant ancient forests, are in fact in a state of flux.
Spatiotemporal Variability of Urban Greenspace and Surface Temperature in Dhaka City: A Public Health Aspect
Authors: Nahin Khadiza Tul Kobra , Sara Hasna Hena , Barai Krishna Rani , Quayyum Zahidul , Baumgartner Jill
Published: June 2023

Urban greenspaces can affect the physical and mental health of city residents and they can also contribute to improving urban environmental quality in ways that can benefit human health. Dhaka, a megacity with over 22.4 million residents, has progressively lost its greenspace over the past decade as the city has grown and urbanised. This study evaluates the availability and accessibility of greenspace considering its population and residential areas, as well as assessing the changes to greenspace in the last 30 years throughout the city. We utilized secondary data from the 2011 Census and areal imagery to perform the analysis for city wards, the smallest administrative unit, using ArcGIS software. We generated geospatial maps of greenspace distribution and accessibility as well as vegetation, land surface temperature and humidity in different years. Accessibility to greenspace was measured with 100-meter and 300-meter buffer zones, and a total of 56.5 square kilometers area of 77.47 square kilometers of residential area fell under these territories. Changes in vegetation were obtained using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for the years 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020, and a high level of loss in vegetation was observed. Land Surface Temperature (LST) and Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI) were used to assess the temperature and humidity for the same years. We measured that Dhaka has 2.24% greenspace coverage and only 2 wards out of 110 have greater than 20% greenspace coverage. A highest estimate of 0.003207 square meter per capita greenspace was found at ward-46, which does not even meet the minimum health standard. Increased temperature and decreased humidity were observed in Dhaka city from 1990 to 2020, in a level that may adversely impact on the city population’s public health. We found a high correlation between NDVI with LST and NDMI. In 49% of wards, vegetation and humidity decreased, whereas temperature increased. This study provides noteworthy information on the lack of greenspace throughout Dhaka city. The spatial distribution of greenspace provided in the study has the potential to be useful in taking measures for improving sustainable greenery management in the city area and the health of Dhaka’s growing population.
Grundlagen
Authors: Krohn Markus
Published: June 2023

Verfahren der Nierenersatztherapie dienen der Behandlung des Nierenversagens. Wird nach der Geschwindigkeit des Krankheitsverlaufs differenziert, ergibt sich die Unterscheidung zwischen chronischer Niereninsuffizienz und akutem Nierenversagen. Wird nach dem Schweregrad unterschieden, ergibt sich die Einteilung zwischen präterminaler sowie terminaler Insuffizienz, wobei im terminalen Stadium Verfahren der Nierenersatztherapie notwendig sind um das Überleben des Patienten zu sichern.
Fazit
Authors: Krohn Markus
Published: June 2023

Dem Ziel der Bildung homogener Gruppen folgend – so wie es die Grundintention von Fallpauschalensystemen ist – hat die vorliegende Arbeit am Beispiel extrakorporaler Verfahren der Nierenersatztherapie aufgezeigt, wie Kosten für einzelne Verfahrensoptionen bei unterschiedlichem Differenzierungsgrad berechnet werden können. Es wurde deutlich, dass die Ansätze und Vorgaben der heutigen Methodik der Kostenkalkulation die Realität in einem deutlichen Maße abstrahieren. Eine solche Vereinfachung der Realität ist jedoch unvermeidlich, denn Gruppenbildung – egal wie differenziert diese sein mag – bedeutet immer ein Zusammenfassen ungleicher Werte.
Current Housing Provision
Authors: Moore Trivess , Doyon Andréanne
Published: June 2023

In this chapter, we explore current housing provision and outline how we have arrived at the current way of ‘doing’ housing, including the governing, financing, planning, designing, building, and habitation of housing. We start the chapter by discussing the market failures of housing and neo-classical market approaches that are not suitable for providing the type of sustainable housing required for achieving a low carbon future. To address this, the use of policy by government in many parts of the world has been a critical driver of housing design, quality, and performance. However, many sustainability advocates argue that these policies have been slow to improve and do not go far enough, given the current climate emergency and other housing issues seen around the world. We discuss some of these key policy mechanisms, including setting and improving minimum performance requirements in building codes, using planning systems to require additional sustainability standards, and developing financial and other alternative mechanisms. This discussion sets the context for later chapters where we explore the range of challenges facing the housing sector and discuss current best practice in sustainable housing and policy.
Measurement of the branching fraction of J/ψ → ρπ at KEDR
Authors:   The KEDR collaboration, Anashin V. V. , Anchugov O. V. , Andrianov A. V. , Astrelina K. V. , Aulchenko V. M. , Baldin E. M. , Baranov G. N. , Barladyan A. K. , Barnyakov A. Yu. , Barnyakov M. Yu. , Basok I. Yu. , Batrakov A. M. , Bekhtenev E. A. , Belikov O. V. , Berkaev D. E. , Blinov A. E. , Blinov V. E. , Blinov M. F. , Bobrov A. V. , Bobrovnikov V. S. , Bogomyagkov A. V. , Bolkhovityanov D. Yu. , Bondar A. E. , Buzykaev A. R. , Cheblakov P. B. , Dorohov V. L. , Emanov F. A. , Gambaryan V. V. , Grigoriev D. N. , Kaminskiy V. V. , Karnaev S. E. , Karpov G. V. , Karpov S. V. , Karukina K. Yu. , Kashtankin D. P. , Kasyanenko P. V. , Katcin A. A. , Kharlamova T. A. , Kiselev V. A. , Kononov S. A. , Krasnov A. A. , Kravchenko E. A. , Kudryavtsev V. N. , Kulikov V. F. , Kuyanov I. A. , Levichev E. B. , Logachev P. V. , Maksimov D. A. , Maltseva Yu. I. , Malyshev V. M. , Maslennikov A. L. , Meshkov O. I. , Mishnev S. I. , Morozov I. A. , Morozov I. I. , Nikiforov D. A. , Nikitin S. A. , Nikolaev I. B. , Okunev I. N. , Oreshkin S. B. , Osipov A. A. , Ovtin I. V. , Pavlenko A. V. , Peleganchuk S. V. , Piminov P. A. , Podgornov N. A. , Prisekin V. G. , Rezanova O. L. , Ruban A. A. , Savinov G. A. , Shamov A. G. , Shekhtman L. I. , Shvedov D. A. , Shwartz B. A. , Simonov E. A. , Sinyatkin S. V. , Skrinsky A. N. , Sokolov A. V. , Starostina E. V. , Sukhanov D. P. , Sukharev A. M. , Talyshev A. A. , Tayursky V. A. , Telnov V. I. , Tikhonov Yu. A. , Todyshev K. Yu. , Tribendis A. G. , Tumaikin G. M. , Usov Yu. V. , Vorobiov A. I. , Zhilich V. N. , Zhukov A. A. , Zhulanov V. V. , Zhuravlev A. N.
Published: June 2023

Abstract

We present the study of the decay J/ψ → ρπ. The results are based on of 5.2 million J/ψ events collected by the KEDR detector at the VEPP-4M collider. The branching fractions are measured to be $$ \mathcal{B} $$
B
(J/ψ → ρπ) = (2.072 ± 0.017 ± 0.062) ∙ 10−2 and $$ \mathcal{B} $$
B
(J/ψ → π+π−π0) = (1.878 ± 0.013 ± 0.051) ∙ 10−2, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. Our results are more precise than the previous relative measurements.
Development of patient-specific osteosynthesis including 3D-printed drilling guides for medial tibial plateau fracture surgery
Authors: Assink Nick , Oldhoff Miriam G. E. , ten Duis Kaj , Kraeima Joep , Doornberg Job N. , Witjes Max J. H. , de Vries Jean-Paul P. M. , Meesters Anne M. L. , IJpma Frank F. A.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

A substantial proportion of conventional tibial plateau plates have a poor fit, which may result in suboptimal fracture reduction due to applied -uncontrolled- compression on the bone. This study aimed to assess whether patient-specific osteosyntheses could facilitate proper fracture reduction in medial tibial plateau fractures.

Methods

In three Thiel embalmed human cadavers, a total of six tibial plateau fractures (three Schatzker 4, and three Schatzker 6) were created and CT scans were made. A 3D surgical plan was created and a patient-specific implant was designed and fabricated for each fracture. Drilling guides that fitted on top of the customized plates were designed and 3D printed in order to assist the surgeon in positioning the plate and steering the screws in the preplanned direction. After surgery, a postoperative CT scan was obtained and outcome was compared with the preoperative planning in terms of articular reduction, plate positioning, and screw direction.

Results

A total of six patient-specific implants including 41 screws were used to operate six tibial plateau fractures. Three fractures were treated with single plating, and three fractures with dual plating. The median intra-articular gap was reduced from 6.0 (IQR 4.5–9.5) to 0.9 mm (IQR 0.2–1.4), whereas the median step-off was reduced from 4.8 (IQR 4.1–5.3) to 1.3 mm (IQR 0.9–1.5). The median Euclidean distance between the centre of gravity of the planned and actual implant was 3.0 mm (IQR: 2.8–3.7). The lengths of the screws were according to the predetermined plan. None of the screws led to screw penetration. The median difference between the planned and actual screw direction was 3.3° (IQR: 2.5–5.1).

Conclusion

This feasibility study described the development and implementation of a patient-specific workflow for medial tibial plateau fracture surgery that facilitates proper fracture reduction, tibial alignment and accurately placed screws by using custom-made osteosynthesis plates with drilling guides.