bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
YAP/TAZ activation predicts clinical outcomes in mesothelioma and is conserved in in vitro model of driver mutations
Authors: Cunningham Richard , Jia Siyang , Purohit Krishna , Salem Omar , Hui Ning Sze , Lin Yue , Carragher Neil O. , Hansen Carsten Gram
Published: February 2023

The Hippo signalling pathway is dysregulated across a wide range of cancer types and, although driver mutations that directly affect the core Hippo components are rare, a handful is found within pleural mesothelioma (PM). PM is a deadly disease of the lining of the lung caused by asbestos exposure. By pooling the largest‐scale clinical datasets publicly available, we here interrogate associations between the most prevalent driver mutations within PM and Hippo pathway disruption in patients, while assessing correlations with a variety of clinical markers. This analysis reveals a consistent worse outcome in patients exhibiting transcriptional markers of YAP/TAZ activation, pointing to the potential of leveraging Hippo pathway transcriptional activation status as a metric by which patients may be meaningfully stratified. Preclinical models recapitulating disease are transformative in order to develop new therapeutic strategies. We here establish an isogenic cell‐line model of PM, which represents the most frequently mutated genes and which faithfully recapitulates the molecular features of clinical PM. This preclinical model is developed to probe the molecular basis by which the Hippo pathway and key driver mutations affect cancer initiation and progression. Implementing this approach, we reveal the role of NF2 as a mechanosensory component of the Hippo pathway in mesothelial cells. Cellular NF2 loss upon physiological stiffnesses analogous to the tumour niche drive YAP/TAZ‐dependent anchorage‐independent growth. Consequently, the development and characterisation of this cellular model provide a unique resource to obtain molecular insights into the disease and progress new drug discovery programs together with future stratification of PM patients.
Intention affects fairness processing: Evidence from behavior and representational similarity analysis of event‐related potential signals
Authors: Xu Qiang , Hu Jiali , Qin Yi , Li Guojie , Zhang Xukai , Li Peng
Published: February 2023

In an ultimatum game, the responder must decide between pursuing self‐interest and insisting on fairness, and these choices are affected by the intentions of the proposer. However, the time course of this social decision‐making process is unclear. Representational similarity analysis (RSA) is a useful technique for linking brain activity with rich behavioral data sets. In this study, electroencephalography (EEG) was used to measure the time course of neural responses to proposed allocation schemes with different intentions. Twenty‐eight participants played an ultimatum game as responders. They had to choose between accepting and rejecting the fair or unfair money allocation schemes of proposers. The schemes were offered based on the proposer's selfish intention (monetary gain), altruistic intention (donation to charity), or ambiguous intention (unknown to the responder). We used a spatiotemporal RSA and inter‐subject RSA (IS‐RSA) to explore the connections between event‐related potentials (ERPs) after offer presentation and intention presentation with four types of behavioral data (acceptance, response time, fairness ratings, and pleasantness ratings). The spatiotemporal RSA results revealed that only response time variation was linked with the difference in ERPs at 432–592 ms after offer presentation on the posterior parietal and prefrontal regions. Meanwhile, the IS‐RSA results found a significant association between inter‐individual differences in response time and differences in ERP activity at 596–812 ms after the presentation of ambiguous intention, particularly in the prefrontal region. This study expands the intention‐based reciprocal model to the third‐party context and demonstrates that brain activity can represent response time differences in social decision‐making.
Using the Ophelia (Optimising Health Literacy and Access to Health Services) process as a practical tool for health promotion program delivery in various Philippine communities
Authors: Tan Abigail Lim , Co Stephanie Anne L. , Modina Cheyenne Ariana Erika M. , Espinosa Christine Ingrid M. , Fowler Krizelle Cleo , Wong John Q.
Published: February 2023

Issue Addressed

The Ophelia (Optimising Health Literacy and Access to Health Services) process can be used as a practical tool for effective health promotion program delivery because of its multi‐sector and pragmatic approach to designing health interventions. An initial case study showed how its first phase was successfully adapted in a pilot community in Leyte, Philippines. In this study, the three phases of the Ophelia process were implemented in Leyte, along with additional communities in Mindoro and Surigao.

Methods

After conducting needs assessment and community profiling in phase 1, the results were transformed into vignettes, hypothetical personas representing the health needs of the community. These were used in phase 2, which involved focus group discussions and workshops to cocreate intervention ideas with government organisations, practitioners, and community representatives. A rapid realist review was conducted in phase 3 to check for the feasibility of interventions.

Results

Through this, the top evidence‐based health interventions for each life stage were listed and presented for prioritisation. Program implementation and impact evaluation plans were created for the top health intervention prior to implementation.

Conclusions

The Ophelia process ensured that health promotion interventions addressed community needs and were designed using community resources and the wisdom of health practitioners that have been immersed in the local health system.

So What?

The study demonstrated the usefulness of vignettes in presenting data to lay people and how the rapid realist review approach is a practical tool for policy‐makers to ensure that program plans designed by the communities and health practitioners are evidence‐based without sacrificing the timeliness of implementation.
Denosumab Treatment Does Not Halt Progression of Bone Lesions in Multicentric Carpotarsal Osteolysis Syndrome
Authors: Lerman Melissa A. , Francavilla Michael , Waqar‐Cowles Lindsay , Levine Michael A.
Published: February 2023

Here we report the use of denosumab, a monoclonal antibody against receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL), as monotherapy for multicentric carpotarsal osteolysis syndrome (MCTO) in an 11.5‐year‐old male with a heterozygous missense mutation in MAFB (c.206C>T; p.Ser69Leu). We treated the subject with 0.5 mg/kg denosumab every 60–90 days for 47 months and monitored bone and mineral metabolism, kidney function, joint range of motion (ROM), and bone and joint morphology. Serum markers of bone turnover reduced rapidly, bone density increased, and renal function remained normal. Nevertheless, MCTO‐related osteolysis and joint immobility progressed during denosumab treatment. Symptomatic hypercalcemia and protracted hypercalciuria occurred during weaning and after discontinuation of denosumab and required treatment with zoledronate. When expressed in vitro, the c.206C>T; p.Ser69Leu variant had increased protein stability and produced greater transactivation of a luciferase reporter under the control of the PTH gene promoter than did wild‐type MafB. Based on our experience and that of others, denosumab does not appear to be efficacious for MCTO and carries a high risk of rebound hypercalcemia and/or hypercalciuria after drug discontinuation. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Identification of key events and regulatory networks in the formation process of primordial germ cell based on proteomics
Authors: Zuo Qisheng , Gong Wei , Yao Zeling , Xia Qian , Zhang Yani , Li Bichun
Published: February 2023

Currently, studies have analyzed the formation mechanism of primordial germ cell (PGC) at the transcriptional level, but few at the protein level, which made the mechanism study of PGC formation not systematic. Here, we screened differential expression proteins (DEPs) regulated PGC formation by label‐free proteomics with a novel sampling strategy of embryonic stem cells and PGC. Analysis of DEPs showed that multiple key events were involved, such as the transition from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation, activation of autophagy, low DNA methylation ensured the normal formation of PGC, beyond that, protein ubiquitination also played an important role in PGC formation. Importantly, the progression of such events was attributed to the inconsistency between transcription and translation. Interestingly, MAPK, PPAR, Wnt, and JAK signaling pathways not only interact with each other but also interact with different events to participate in the formation of PGC, which formed the PGC regulatory network. According to the regulatory network, the efficiency of PGC formation in induction system can be significantly improved. In conclusion, our results indicate that chicken PGC formation is a complex process involving multiple events and signals, which provide technical support for the specific application in PGC research.
Inter‐domain role transitions and work‐family life balance: The mediating effect of integration and segmentation preferences
Authors: Avolio Beatrice , Charles Vincent , Bautista Martha Liliana Albán
Published: February 2023

Despite growing research on boundary management through role transitions, there is still a lack of understanding of the strategies individuals use to achieve work‐family life balance, and there is little research on the relationship between role transitions and work‐family life balance. This article aims to determine the extent to which inter‐domain role transitions affect work‐family life balance using segmentation and integration preferences as mediating variables. To achieve this objective, we conducted an empirical study in which data were collected from a sample of 311 executives (directors) from Ecuadorian higher education institutions. Using structural equation modeling, the direction and strength of the proposed relationships were determined. Findings show that family domain integration preference and family domain segmentation preference mediate the relationship between family‐to‐work role transitions and work‐family life balance. On the other hand, work domain segmentation preference and work domain integration preference were found to have no mediating effect between work‐to‐family role transitions and work‐family life balance. The findings have practical implications for managing work and family life boundaries. This research contributes to a better understanding of the mediating effect played by segmentation and integration preferences between inter‐domain role transitions and work‐family life balance from an individual perspective.
Simultaneous determination of 10 first‐generation histamine h1 receptor blockers in feeds by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole ion trap hybrid mass spectrometer
Authors: Decheng Suo , Xia Fan , Zhiming Xiao , Yang Li , Shi Wang
Published: February 2023

A method for simultaneous determination of 10 first‐generation histamine H1 receptor blockers in feeds by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry combined with solid phase extraction. Instrument conditions, extraction solvents, and purification methods have been optimized. Under the optimum conditions, these analytes were separated effectively at 6 min. These feeds have been extracted by acid acetonitrile and purified by mixed cation exchange solid‐phase extraction. The performance of this method meets the requirements of veterinary residue detection in feeds in China. It is appropriate for the confirmatory monitoring and quantitative analysis of 105 feed samples, five kinds of histamine H1 receptor blockers have been detected in 10 samples.
Adjuvant Radiation and Survival Following Surgical Resection of Sinonasal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Vedula Sudeepti , Kheir Lena , Hu Patrick , Patel Aman M. , Roden Dylan F. , Park Richard C.
Published: February 2023

Objectives

This study aims to investigate the utility of adjuvant radiation in patients who undergo surgical resection for the management of node‐negative sinonasal adenocarcinoma (SNAC).

Study Design

Retrospective database review.

Methods

The 2004–2016 National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) was used to extract patients with surgically resected node‐negative SNAC. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox‐Proportional Hazards Modelling were used to analyze the impact of adjuvant radiation on overall survival (OS) following surgery.

Results

349 patients with SNAC underwent surgical resection. Of these patients, 154 (44.1%) received adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). Although there was no significant difference in race, age, or sex of those receiving RT, those receiving RT have more advanced diseases and are more likely to have positive margins. Kaplan Meier analysis showed no significant difference in 5‐year OS in patient who received adjuvant RT in comparison to those who underwent surgical resection alone (65.7% vs. 72.6%, respectively; p = 0.378). In addition, when looking at only patients with positive margins, 5‐year OS still did not have a significant difference (73.8% vs. 61.6%, respectively; p = 0.101). Only patients with clinical AJCC T4 showed a statistically significant survival benefit with adjuvant RT (56.9% vs. 29.9%, respectively; p = 0.009).

Conclusions

Adjuvant RT does not appear to provide a significant survival benefit in patients with resected SNAC, with the exception of those with clinically AJCC T4 disease.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 133:2603–2612, 2023
Optical and Microwave Metrology at the 10−18 Level with an Er/Yb:glass Frequency Comb
Authors: Nardelli Nicholas V. , Leopardi Holly , Schibli Thomas R. , Fortier Tara M.
Published: February 2023

Optical frequency combs are essential tools for precision metrology experiments ranging in application from remote spectroscopic sensing of trace gases to the characterization and comparison of optical atomic clocks for precision time‐keeping and searches for physics beyond the standard model. Presented here is a description of the architecture and a full characterization of a telecom‐band, self‐modelocking frequency comb based on a free‐space laser with an Er/Yb co‐doped glass gain medium. The laser provides a robust and cost‐effective alternative to Er:fibre laser based frequency combs, while offering stability and noise performance similar to Ti:sapphire laser systems. Finally, the utility of the Er/Yb:glass frequency comb is demonstrated in high‐stability frequency synthesis using two ultra‐stable optical references at 1157 nm and 1070 nm and in low‐noise photonic microwave generation by dividing these references to the microwave domain.
Uncertainty Qualification for Metasurface Design with Amendatory Bayesian Network
Authors: Zhang Jie , Qian Chao , Chen Jieting , Wu Bei , Chen Hongsheng
Published: February 2023

Having a prophetic ability to evaluate the uncertainty of deep learning is important to enable the critical reception of the output result. This is especially pronounced in the emerging domain of intelligent metasurfaces, due to the ubiquitous uncertainties from realistic fabrication and network modeling. Despite the great advancements that have mutated the design and working modality of metasurfaces, this enticing ability remains elusive. Here, a new paradigm to quantify the uncertainty in metasurface design is proposed by generalizing the Bayesian neural network. The uncertainty generally originates from the network model part and data part, the latter of which is imitated by the topologically‐distorted encoding method. The conventional Bayesian neural network is revised by embedding physical‐inspired elements to make it exclusive for metasurface design case. Taking a microwave metasurface as an example, such an approach is benchmarked by simultaneously yielding predicted results and specific uncertainty and also providing experimental reliability for different metasurface manufacturers. This work ushers in a fathomable tool to help users make better decisions for deep learning output, meriting other research domains of optics and materials science.
Evaluation of a two‐dimensional Moire‐free antiscatter grid for cone‐beam computed tomography
Authors: Kim Jongkuk , Kang Yoonseok , Hwang Taesoon , Park Myungkyu , Chung Woohyun
Published: February 2023

Background

Scatter radiation is a traditional problem in cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT). Accordingly, numerous methods have been researched for scatter reduction in terms of software‐ or hardware‐based solutions. The concept of a two‐dimensional antiscatter grid (2D‐ASG) has been shown to provide a solution to the scatter reduction in CBCT. However, the use of an ASG makes it challenging to use in clinical CBCT systems because it causes Moire artifacts of the image.

Purpose

We have developed a Moire‐free 2D‐ASG that was designed to solve the Moire artifact and the scatter radiation problems. We provide the experimental results pertaining to the image quality measurements from the evaluation of the 2D‐ASG compared with those obtained from a one‐dimensional antiscatter grid (1D‐ASG) and no antiscatter grid (No‐ASG) to demonstrate the quantitative extent of the improvements.

Methods

The 2D‐ASG, fabricated based on a sawing process with a graphite body, was prepared to evaluate image quality improvements. Projection images for Pro‐CT MK II phantom were acquired using the CBCT testbed of sample rotation type and reconstructed by Feldkamp–Davis–Kress (FDK) algorithm without any filters. We measured the contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) and uniformity index for the cupping artifacts of the 2D‐ASG, 1D‐ASG, and No‐ASG cases.

Results

2D‐ASG considerably reduced the cupping artifacts owing to the scatter reduction compared with the 1D‐ASG and No‐ASG cases. The cupping artifacts were reduced by 85% in the 2D‐ASG compared with No‐ASG, while the cupping artifacts were reduced by 63% in 1D‐ASG compared with No‐ASG. The 2D‐ASG also yielded a CNR improvement. The average CNR improvements for eight insert materials were 47% in the 2D‐ASG compared with No‐ASG, while the CNR was improved by 36% in the 1D‐ASG compared with No‐ASG.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that the Moire‐free 2D‐ASG improved the image quality by removing scatter radiation in CBCT compared with 1D‐ASG and No‐ASG. We believe that the Moire‐free 2D‐ASG can become one of the effective ways to solve the scatter radiation problem in CBCT images because it provides usability and has the potential to have synergistic effects on other methods, such as bow‐tie filter and scatter correction.
Т1 mapping of rat lungs in 19F MRI using octafluorocyclobutane
Authors: Pavlova Olga S. , Gulyaev Mikhail V. , Gervits Lev L. , Hurshkainen Anna A. , Nikulin Anton V. , Puchnin Viktor M. , Teploukhova Ekaterina D. , Kuropatkina Tatyana A. , Anisimov Nikolay V. , Medvedeva Nataliya A. , Pirogov Yury A.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

To demonstrate the feasibility of using octafluorocyclobutane (OFCB, c‐C4F8) for T1 mapping of lungs in 19F MRI.

Methods

The study was performed at 7 T in three healthy rats and three rats with pulmonary hypertension. To increase the sensitivity of 19F MRI, a bent‐shaped RF coil with periodic metal strips structure was used. The double flip angle method was used to calculate normalized transmitting RF field (B1n+) maps and for correcting T1 maps built with the variable flip angle (VFA) method. The ultrashort TE pulse sequence was applied for acquiring MR images throughout the study.

Results

The dependencies of OFCB relaxation times on its partial pressure in mixtures with oxygen, air, helium, and argon were obtained. T1 of OFCB linearly depended on its partial pressure with the slope of about 0.35 ms/kPa in the case of free diffusion. RF field inhomogeneity leads to distortion of T1 maps built with the VFA method, and therefore to high standard deviation of T1 in these maps. To improve the accuracy of the T1 maps, the B1n+ maps were applied for VFA correction. This contributed to a 2–3‐fold decrease in the SD of T1 values in the corresponding maps compared with T1 maps calculated without the correction. Three‐dimensional T1 maps were obtained, and the mean T1 in healthy rat lungs was 35 ± 10 ms, and in rat lungs with pulmonary hypertension – 41 ± 9 ms.

Conclusion

OFCB has a spin‐rotational relaxation mechanism and can be used for 19F T1 mapping of lungs. The calculated OFCB maps captured ventilation defects induced by edema.
Jumble judging: Cognitive and affective outcomes of intercollegiate collaboration at a soil judging competition
Authors: Young Rebecca A. , Turk Judith K. , Jelinski Nicolas A. , Anderson Amber D. , Clark Kerry M. , Dere Ashlee , Moorberg Colby J. , Osterloh Kristopher , Presley DeAnn
Published: February 2023

Student–student interactions are influential parts of field experiences. While competitive judging events are a fun way to engage students in field‐based learning, the focus on competition leads to an atmosphere that discourages collaboration between students. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cognitive and affective learning outcomes resulting from intercollegiate collaboration at a soil judging competition. Teams with students from two to three different universities were assigned and referred to as jumble judging teams. Jumble judging was held for the first time in the 2021 Region 5 Collegiate Soil Judging Contest. Learning outcomes were assessed using a pre‐ and postsurvey, as well as group and individual reflections completed in the field. Student responses were generally positive, with 70% of students expressing agreement or strong agreement that they would like jumble judging to be included in future contests, 54% citing jumble judging as one of the best parts of the contest, and 93% identifying learning outcomes or describing an affective learning experience resulting from jumble judging. Evidence of both cognitive and affective learning were identified through student surveys and reflections. Overall, the event created a collaborative and collegial atmosphere and increased interaction between students from different universities, while maintaining the competitive nature of the event that motivates many students to get involved with judging teams.
Overfat cutoffs and the optimal combination of body fat indices for detecting cardiometabolic risk among school‐aged children
Authors: Dong Hongbo , Cheng Hong , Liu Junting , Yan Yinkun , Zhao Xiaoyuan , Shan Xinying , Huang Guimin , Mi Jie ,   the China Child and Adolescent Cardiovascular Health (CCACH) collaboration members
Published: February 2023

Objective

This study aimed to develop cutoffs and the optimal combination for body fat indices for screening cardiometabolic risk (CMR) among the pediatric population.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study consisted of 8710 (50.3% boys) Chinese children aged 6 to 18 years. Body fat indices, including fat mass index (FMI), body fat percentage, trunk to leg fat ratio (TLR), and android to gynoid fat ratio, were derived from dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry scans. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the best combination and optimal cutoffs of body fat indices to identify CMR.

Results

Compared with anthropometry‐based obesity measures, i.e., BMI and waist circumference, the FMI + TLR combination presented statistically higher area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values for discriminating CMR and its clustering. The optimal overfat cutoffs of FMI and TLR were respectively determined at the 75th percentile in boys and at the 80th percentile of FMI and the 75th percentile of TLR in girls. Moreover, simplified thresholds derived from age‐group‐merged cutoffs showed similar performance as optimal cutoffs in detecting CMR.

Conclusions

Both the optimal and simplified overfat cutoffs were provided for the Chinese pediatric population. The use of FMI and TLR together allows for adequate screening of CMR and its clustering.
Revealing the Nanoarchitectonics of Amyloid β‐Aggregation on Two‐Dimensional Biomimetic Membranes by Surface‐Enhanced Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy
Authors: Zhu Manyu , Zeng Li , Li Zihao , Wang Chen , Wu Lie , Jiang Xiue
Published: February 2023

The in vivo folding of amyloid β (Aβ) is influenced by many factors among which biomembrane interfaces play an important role. Here, using surface‐enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM), the adsorption, structure, and morphology of Aβ42 aggregating on different two‐dimensional interfaces were investigated. Results show that interfaces facilitate the aggregation of Aβ42 and are conducive to the formation of homogeneous aggregates, while the aggregates vary on different interfaces. On hydrophobic interfaces, strong hydrophobic interactions with the C‐terminus of Aβ42 result in the formation of small oligomers with a small proportion of the β‐sheet structure. On hydrophilic interfaces, hydrogen‐bonding interactions and electrostatic interactions promote the formation of large aggregate particles with β‐sheet structure. The hydration repulsion plays an important role in the interaction of Aβ42 with interfaces. These findings help to understand the nature of Aβ42 adsorption and aggregation on the biomembrane interface and the origin of heterogeneity and polymorphism of Aβ42 aggregates.
The Swedish green infrastructure policy as a policy assemblage: What does it do for biodiversity conservation?
Authors: von Post Maria , Knaggård Åsa , Alkan Olsson Johanna , Olsson Ola , Persson Anna Sofie , Ekroos Johan
Published: February 2023

Green infrastructure (GI) is increasingly used in policymaking to promote biodiversity and enhance ecosystem services through the protection, creation, restoration and connection of natural and man‐made green areas.

The EU Commission adopted in 2013, the concept as a strategy. When member states apply the policy, it is translated into specific bureaucratic and political systems, creating different ‘policy assemblages’ of ideas and institutional features.

We analyse the Swedish GI policy to draw conclusions about how it has been assembled in one particular member state and what that particular assemblage will imply for biodiversity conservation. In combination with understanding policies as assemblages, we use the ‘What's the problem represented to be’‐approach as method.

We show that the Swedish GI policy assemblage consists of a mix of policy ideas developed in Sweden and the EU. Despite the current strong focus on biodiversity conservation, the notion of land's multifunctionality, characterizing the EU strategy and the possibility to conserve biodiversity on land used for purposes other than conservation increasingly influence the Swedish policy as it is formed.

Although the policy has the potential to mainstream biodiversity conservation measures across different sectors, based on our analysis of current discourse, its implementation will likely promote GI measures less disruptive to existing land use activities, making its capacity to halt biodiversity loss marginal.

Read the freePlain Language Summaryfor this article on the Journal blog.
Wood‐framed binary eutectic polyethylene glycol (BEPEG) as phase change materials for thermal storage
Authors: Wang Yan , Zhang Wenliang , Cao Jinzhen
Published: February 2023

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is widely used in thermal energy storage, but leakage and lack of stability limit its further development. Wood is widely used as matrix to develop functional composites due to its porous structure and unique composition. In this study, a novel shape‐stabilized eutectic phase change material for thermal storage (EPCMTS) with enhanced thermal stability and superior chemical stability was fabricated by incorporating binary eutectic PEG (BEPEG) into porous wood flour (WF). It was found that BEPEG systems composed of PEG600 and PEG1000 at different proportions showed different thermal performances. This EPCMTS at its eutectic point exhibited a melting enthalpy of 45.26 J/g, which is higher than that of incomplete eutectic materials. Its thermal stability was enhanced at eutectic point because the melting temperature of 21.83°C was lower than that of each component. Moreover, the leakage rate can be lowered to only 1.1% at a PEG600:PEG1000 mass ratio of 9:1, which indicated that WF can effectively prevent PEG from leaking. No chemical reaction was detected in both PEG eutectic and WF modification processes. This kind of wood‐framed phase change material has broad application prospects in insulation building envelope.
Volatile flavour identification and odour complexity of radix Angelicae sinensis by electronic nose, integrated gas chromatography–mass spectrometry/olfactometry and comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography‐time‐of‐flight‐mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhang Junhan , Cheng Ming , Xue Yanbin , Lin Li , Wang Yali , Li Boyan
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Radix Angelicae sinensis (Danggui, DG) is known as one of the typical traditional Chinese medicines. DG material consists of a variety of volatile substances, polysaccharides, organic acids, ceramides, amino acids, vitamins, microelements, among others, and thus has been used for medicinal and edible purposes in a long history. The fragrance is of importance to assessing the DG material quality.

Objectives

This study was to determine volatile flavour compositions of DG materials and to reveal the odour complexity.

Material and methods

Electronic nose (E‐nose), integrated gas chromatography–mass spectrometry/olfactometry (GC–MS/O) and comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography‐time‐of‐flight‐mass spectrometry (GC × GC‐TOF‐MS), combined with solid‐phase micro‐extraction (SPME), were mainly used to address the flavour complexity of DG materials.

Results

Using the E‐nose sensor responses, a total of 105 batches of DG samples cultivated in six provinces of China were categorised according to their odour differentiations, and a principal component analysis (PCA) model was established for evaluating the sample quality through a combination of Hotelling's T2 and Q‐residual values in a statistical quantitative sense. By the GC–MS/O and GC × GC‐TOF‐MS analyses, 196 volatile flavour compounds were identified, 51 odour‐active areas discerned and 39 odourants determined. It was terpenes and aromatics of the flavour compounds that mainly contributed to the odour attributes of DG herb.

Conclusion

The SPME‐GC × GC‐TOF‐MS method was the first time employed to analyse the volatile flavours of DG materials, and thus made a breakthrough in determining 196 flavour compounds, much more than those in any previous report. The work also made a significant step forward to link the flavour compositions and odour complexity of radix Angelicae sinensis by E‐nose and GC–MS/O techniques. It not only provided a statistical PCA model that did not depend on any predetermined compositions or sensory properties for, but also a comprehensive insight into the quality evaluation of DG materials.
Using a Boron‐Doped Diamond Electrode in Anionic Surfactant Media as an Improved Electrochemical Sensor for the Anticancer Drug Ibrutinib
Authors: Mete Cihat , Pınar Pınar Talay
Published: February 2023

The electrochemical properties of ibrutinib (IBR), a new generation smart anti‐cancer drug, one of the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors were investigated by a voltammetric method in the anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS) medium with the boron‐doped diamond electrode (BDDE). IBR showed an oxidation step at about +1.56 V (vs Ag/AgCl (3.0 mol L−1 KCl) by cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique in 0.1 mol L−1 H2SO4 solution. IBR was found to be irreversible and diffusion‐controlled on the surface of the BDDE with studies of scan rate. The possible electrochemical oxidation reaction of IBR with the electroactive ring (pyrazole‐pyrimidine ring) in the structure of IBR is discussed. Square wave voltammetry (SWV) was preferred as the study method due to reproducibility for the determination of IBR in pharmaceutical and urine samples. At optimal values of SWV parameters, IBR showed good linearity in the concentration range of 0.01–2.00 μg mL−1 (5.7×10−8–2.3×10−6 mol L−1) in 0.1 mol L−1 H2SO4 with 6×10−4 M SDS. The detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) limits for IBR were set at 0.003 μg mL−1 (6.9×10−9 mol L−1) and 0.01 μg mL−1 (2.27×10−8 mol L−1), respectively. The relative standard deviation of the intra‐day and inter‐day repeatability of the proposed method was found 2.15 and 3.76, respectively. The necessary validation parameters have also been studied, and the recovery results obtained from both pharmaceutical dosage form and human urine samples show that the developed method is accurate and precise.
One‐Step Isolation and Biochemical Characterization of A Novel Peroxidase Enzyme from Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus Tuberosus L.)
Authors: Kalın Ramazan
Published: February 2023

In the present study, a novel peroxidase was purified and characterized from the jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus Tuberosus L.) using an efficient one‐step purification method. The purification factor for the jerusalem artichoke peroxidase (POD) was 87.17‐fold (with a yield of 13.28 %). Molecular mass and POD purity were controlled with the SDS‐PAGE and seen a single band at approximately 47.8 kDa. The optimum parameters (pH, ionic strength, and temperature) for POD activity were investigated and determined as pH 6.5, 0.7 M in phosphate buffer, and 40 °C, respectively. The KM and Vmax values of the jerusalem artichoke POD were calculated to be 94.33 mM and 12.74 EU/mL.min for guaiacol, and 0.208 mM and 1.481 EU/mL.min for hydrogen peroxide, respectively. Furthermore, the 4‐aminobenzohydrazide was shown to act as a competitive inhibitor of the jerusalem artichoke POD. Finally, molecular docking studies of the 4‐aminobenzohydrazide were performed, and the estimated binding energy value was calculated to be −3.79 kcal/mol.
Detecting emergence in engineered systems: A literature review and synthesis approach
Authors: Haugen Rune Andre , Skeie Nils‐Olav , Muller Gerrit , Syverud Elisabet
Published: February 2023

Modern product development often generates systems of high complexity that are prone to emergent behavior. The industry has a need to establish better practices to detect inherent emergent behavior when engineering such systems. Philosophers and researchers have debated emergence throughout history, tracing to the time of the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384–322 B.C.) and current literature has both philosophical and practical examples of emergence in modern systems. In this review paper, we investigate the phenomenon of emergent behavior in engineered systems. Our aim is to describe emergence in engineered systems and propose methods to detect it, based on literature. Emergence is in general explained as dynamic behavior seen at macro level that cannot be traced back to the micro level. Emergence can be known or unknown in combination with positive or negative. We find that best practices to engineer complicated systems should contain a sensible suite of traditional approaches and methods, while best practices to engineer complex systems need extensions to this considering a new paradigm using incentives to guide system behavior rather than testing it up‐front.
Incidental small renal tumours: are we performing unnecessary surgery?
Authors: Warren Hannah , Tran Maxine
Published: February 2023

As medical technology develops, cancer can be detected sooner and potentially be treated more effectively. However, the benefits of early detection are not clear. Here the authors discuss whether early detection of kidney cancer is leading to overtreatment of some patients and how newer diagnostic techniques may help improve patient‐centred management of the disease.
Buccal swabs as an effective alternative to traditional tissue sampling methods for DNA analyses in Chamaeleonidae
Authors: Koutsokali Maria , Dianni Christina , Valahas Michael
Published: February 2023

Conservation of wildlife often depends on high quality molecular data to establish reliable species identification. Traditional approaches in extracting material (DNA) for phylogenetic studies on chameleons have relied on removed, euthanized or preserved/museum specimens, while field sampling usually takes the form of tail clippings from living individuals and their subsequent release. In this article, we propose an alternative to these approaches for field sampling, towards isolation of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA with oral (buccal) swabs, a methodology already been demonstrated as effective in other taxa. Options of sampling, storage, transport, extraction of DNA are presented and the quality and quantity of extracted material (using venipuncture as a positive control) was demonstrated as sufficient for downstream applications, including sequencing thereby presenting a practical field alternative. The advantages and limitations of this minimally invasive and non‐destructive method applied to Chamaeleo africanus are further discussed.
Twig selection on mountain birch Betula pubescens by winter‐feeding willow grouse Lagopus lagopus in a subarctic forest
Authors: Klemetsen Anders , Smalås Aslak
Published: February 2023

In a subarctic forest at Kvaløya, northern Norway, willow grouse Lagopus lagopus fed at snow level by clipping bits of twigs from mountain birch Betula pubescens during winter. Birch has two types of twigs ending in a terminal bud: long twigs with a smooth bark, and short twigs with rings of thicker bark. The grouse selected ringed twigs above smooth twigs despite a surplus of smooth twigs in the forest. Ringed twigs had more bark cm−1 of twig length and a higher relative bark/wood ratio than smooth twigs. Smooth twigs had growth nodes that increased in diameter inwards from the tip. Because of the non‐linear relation between the area and the circumference of a circle, the bark/wood ratio decreased for each node. Although being able to clip much thicker twigs, 90% of smooth twigs clipped by grouse were ≤ 2 mm in diameter. It is concluded that willow grouse fed optimally on birch in winter by selecting twigs to minimize fibrous wood intake.
The Gross-Neveu-Yukawa archipelago
Authors: Erramilli Rajeev S. , Iliesiu Luca V. , Kravchuk Petr , Liu Aike , Poland David , Simmons-Duffin David
Published: February 2023

Abstract

We perform a bootstrap analysis of a mixed system of four-point functions of bosonic and fermionic operators in parity-preserving 3d CFTs with O(N) global symmetry. Our results provide rigorous bounds on the scaling dimensions of the O(N)-symmetric Gross-Neveu-Yukawa (GNY) fixed points, constraining these theories to live in isolated islands in the space of CFT data. We focus on the cases N = 1, 2, 4, 8, which have applications to phase transitions in condensed matter systems, and compare our bounds to previous analytical and numerical results.
Thermalization and chaos in a 1+1d QFT
Authors: Delacrétaz Luca V. , Fitzpatrick A. Liam , Katz Emanuel , Walters Matthew T.
Published: February 2023

Abstract

We study aspects of chaos and thermodynamics at strong coupling in a scalar model using LCT numerical methods. We find that our eigenstate spectrum satisfies Wigner-Dyson statistics and that the coefficients describing eigenstates in our basis satisfy Random Matrix Theory (RMT) statistics. At weak coupling, though the bulk of states satisfy RMT statistics, we find several scar states as well. We then use these chaotic states to compute the equation of state of the model, obtaining results consistent with Conformal Field Theory (CFT) expectations at temperatures above the scale of relevant interactions. We also test the Eigenstate Thermalization Hypothesis by computing the expectation value of local operators in eigenstates, and check that their behavior is consistent with thermal CFT values at high temperatures. Finally, we compute the Spectral Form Factor (SFF), which has the expected behavior associated with the equation of state at short times and chaos at long times. We also propose a new technique for extracting the connected part of the SFF without the need of disorder averaging by using different symmetry sectors.
Mechanical characterization of FDM parts through instrumented flat indentation
Authors: Lambiase Francesco , Scipioni Silvia Ilaria , Paoletti Alfonso
Published: February 2023

Evaluating local mechanical properties of parts made by additive manufacturing processes can improve the deposition conditions. This study proposes a non-destructive characterization test to determine the mechanical behavior of fused deposition modeling (FDM) components. Indentation and compression tests were conducted on samples produced by the FDM process, which were created by varying the material flow during the deposition. An empirical relationship was determined between yield strength determined through compression and indentation tests. R2 = 0.92 characterized the correlation between the compression and indentation test. The results indicated that both the yield strength measured through compression tests and that measured by the indentation tests increased linearly with the density of the components. Indentation tests provided more insights concerning the tested surface’s local characteristics than the compression test.
Undifferenced and uncombined GNSS time and frequency transfer with integer ambiguity resolution
Authors: Mi Xiaolong , Zhang Baocheng , El-Mowafy Ahmed , Wang Kan , Yuan Yunbin
Published: February 2023

Precise point positioning (PPP) has been a competitive global navigation satellite system (GNSS) technique for time and frequency transfer. However, the classical PPP is usually based on the ionosphere-free combination of dual-frequency observations, which has limited flexibility in the multi-frequency scenario. More importantly, the unknown integer ambiguities are not restored to the integer nature, making the advantage of high-precision carrier phase observations underutilized. In this contribution, using the undifferenced and uncombined (UDUC) observations, we derive the time and frequency transfer model suitable for multi-constellation and multi-frequency scenarios. Notably, in short- and medium-baseline time and frequency transfer, the ionosphere-fixed and ionosphere-weighted UDUC models are derived, respectively, by making full use of the single-differenced (SD) ionospheric constraints. The proposed model can be applied to short-, medium- and long-baseline time and frequency transfer. The ambiguities are solved in a double-differenced (DD) form and can thus be restored to integers. To verify the feasibility of the model, GPS data from several time laboratories were collected, and the performance of the time and frequency transfer were analyzed with different baseline lengths. The results showed that the ionosphere-fixed and ionosphere-weighted UDUC models with integer ambiguity resolution could improve the frequency stability by 25–60% and 9–30% at an averaging time of several tens of seconds to 1 day for short- and medium-baseline, respectively. Concerning the long-baseline, the UDUC model is 10–25% more stable than PPP for averaging time below a few thousands second and over 1 day.
How does the use of quantified gap-balancing affect component positioning and limb alignment in robotic total knee arthroplasty using functional alignment philosophy? A comparison of two robotic platforms
Authors: Murphy Geoffrey T. , Shatrov Jobe , Duong Julian , Fritsch Brett A
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to compare the effect of an image-based (MAKO) system using a gap-balancing technique with an imageless (OMNIbot) robotic tool utilising a femur-first measured resection technique.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed on patients undergoing primary TKA with a functional alignment philosophy performed by a single surgeon using either the MAKO or OMNIbot robotic systems. In all cases, the surgeon’s goal was to create a balanced knee and correct sagittal deformity (eliminate any fixed flexion deformity). Intra-operative data and patient-reported outcomes (PROMS) were compared.

Results

A total of 207 MAKO TKA and 298 OMNIbot TKAs were analysed. MAKO TKA patients were younger (67 vs 69, p=0.002) than OMNIbot patients. There were no other demographic or pre-operative alignment differences. Regarding implant positioning, in MAKO TKAs the femoral component was more externally rotated in relation to the posterior condylar axis (2.3° vs 0.1°, p<0.001), had less valgus femoral cuts (1.6° vs 2.7° valgus, p<0.001) and more varus tibial cuts (2.4° vs 1.9° varus, p<0.001), and had more bone resected compared to OMNIbot TKAs. OMNIbot cases were more likely to require tibial re-cuts than MAKO (15% vs 2%, p<0.001). There were no differences in femur recut rates, soft tissue releases, or rate of achieving target coronal and sagittal leg alignment between robotic systems. A subgroup analysis of 100 MAKO and 100 OMNIbot propensity-matched TKAs with 12-month follow-up showed no significant difference in OKS (42 vs 43, p=0.7) or OKS PASS scores (83% vs 91%, p=0.1). MAKO TKAs reported significantly better symptoms according to their KOOS symptoms score than patients that had OMNIbot TKAs (87 vs 82, p=0.02) with a higher proportion of KOOS PASS rates, at a slightly longer follow-up time (20 months vs 14 months, p<0.001). There were no other differences in PROMS.

Conclusion

A gap-balanced technique with an image-based robotic system (MAKO) results in different implant positioning and bone resection and reduces tibial recuts compared to a femur-first measured resection technique with an imageless robotic system (OMNIbot). Both systems achieve equal coronal and sagittal deformity correction and good patient outcomes at short-term follow-ups irrespective of these differences.
Use of hip- versus wrist-based actigraphy for assessing functional decline and disease progression in patients with motor neuron disease
Authors: Holdom Cory J. , van Unnik Jordi W. J. , van Eijk Ruben P. A. , van den Berg Leonard H. , Henderson Robert D. , Ngo Shyuan T. , Steyn Frederik J.
Published: February 2023

Background

Actigraphy has been proposed as a measure for tracking functional decline and disease progression in patients with Motor Neuron Disease (MND). There is, however, little evidence to show that wrist-based actigraphy measures correlate with functional decline, and no consensus on how best to implement actigraphy. We report on the use of wrist actigraphy to show decreased activity in patients compared to controls, and compared the utility of wrist- and hip-based actigraphy for assessing functional decline in patients with MND.

Methods

In this multi-cohort, multi-centre, natural history study, wrist- and hip-based actigraphy were assessed in 139 patients with MND (wrist, n = 97; hip, n = 42) and 56 non-neurological control participants (wrist, n = 56). For patients with MND, longitudinal measures were contrasted with clinical outcomes commonly used to define functional decline.

Results

Patients with MND have reduced wrist-based actigraphy scores when compared to controls (median differences: prop. active = − 0.053 [− 0.075, − 0.026], variation axis 1 = − 0.073 [− 0.112, − 0.021]). When comparing wrist- and hip-based measures, hip-based accelerometery had stronger correlations with disease progression (prop. active: τ = 0.20 vs 0.12; variation axis 1: τ = 0.33 vs 0.23), whereas baseline wrist-based accelerometery was better related with future decline in fine-motor function (τ = 0.14–0.23 vs 0.06–0.16).

Conclusions

Actigraphy outcomes measured from the wrist are more variable than from the hip and present differing sensitivity to specific functional outcomes. Outcomes and analysis should be carefully constructed to maximise benefit, should wrist-worn devices be used for at-home monitoring of disease progression in patients with MND.