bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between papillary thyroid carcinoma and cervical lymph node metastasis based on ultrasonic radio frequency signals
Authors: Zhou Liuhua , Zheng Yi , Yao Jincao , Chen Liyu , Xu Dong
Published: May 2023

Objective

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has a high propensity for cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM). We evaluated the association between PTC radio frequency (RF) signals and CLNM.

Methods

Patients with PTC (n = 170) confirmed by pathology after thyroidectomy between July 2019 and May 2022 were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Patients were divided into positive and negative groups according to CLNM. Univariate analysis was performed to predict CLNM and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated to evaluate the diagnostic performance of RF signals and the Thyroid imaging Reporting and Data System.

Results

Of 170 patients with 182 nodules included in the study, 11 had multiple nodules. Univariate analysis showed that age, maximum tumor diameter, cross‐sectional and longitudinal aspect ratio, RF quantitative parameters (cross‐sectional intercept, mid‐band, S1, and S4, and longitudinal Higuchi, slope, intercept, mid‐band, S1), and echogenic foci were independently associated with CLNM (p < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) values of the maximum tumor diameter, longitudinal slope, and echogenic foci were 0.68, 0.61, and 0.62, respectively. Linear regression analysis of maximum tumor diameter, longitudinal slope, and echogenic foci showed that the correlations between longitudinal slope and CLNM were greater than that of echogenic foci (ß = 0.203 vs. ß = 0.154).

Conclusion

Longitudinal slope and echogenic foci have similar diagnostic efficacy for predicting the risk of CLNM in PTC, although longitudinal slope has a greater correlation with CLNM.
An interaction design model for virtual reality mindfulness meditation using imagery‐based transformation and positive feedback
Authors: She Yingying , Wang Qing , Liu Fang , Lin Lin , Yang Baorong , Hu Bin
Published: May 2023

In recent years, mindfulness meditation has become increasingly popular as a way to relieve negative emotions. Although many studies have shown the advantages of the most immersive virtual reality (VR) technologies to support mindfulness meditation, few have summarized a standardized process for developing a VR tool to aid mindfulness meditation. We propose an interaction design model for VR mindfulness meditation using imagery‐based transformation and positive feedback to help users quickly soothe their negative emotions. Based on the traditional mindfulness meditation model, we propose the three detailed transformational steps to build (1) an interaction guidance process, (2) an interaction experience context, and (3) an interaction feedback mechanism. We build two scenarios based on them. Our experimental results suggest that our design can effectively alleviate a user's anxiety and provide emotional relief. Our insights on the transformation model of VR mindfulness meditation can be applied in related research, providing an effective reference model for VR mindfulness meditation systems, while providing new ideas for non‐pharmacological interventions in psychotherapy.
Interlinking of diabetes mellitus and cancer: An overview
Authors: Ahmad Iftikhar , Suhail Mohd , Ahmad Ausaf , Alhosin Mahmoud , Tabrez Shams
Published: May 2023

Cancer and diabetes mellitus (DM) are among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the global arena. Lately, several studies demonstrated that DM could promote cancer. However, the exact mechanism(s) highlighting this association are largely untouched and require comprehensive detailing. In the present review, we aimed to explore and decipher the possible mechanism of DM an cancer association. Hyperglycemia could be a subordinate plausible explanation of carcinogenesis in the diabatic patient. It is well known that high glucose levels may help in cancer proliferation. In addition, chronic inflammation, the other well‐known factor of diabetes, could also play a role in carcinogenesis. Moreover, the numerous medicines to treat diabetes either increase or reduce cancer risk. Insulin is one of the potent growth factors that promotes cell propagation and induces cancer directly or via insulin like growth factor‐1. On the other hand, hyperinsulinemia leads to an increased activity of growth factor‐1 by inhibiting growth factor binding protein‐1. To improve cancer prognosis, individuals with diabetes should be screened to discover cancer at an early stage and treated appropriately.
Protein Modification via Nitrile Oxide−Dehydroalanine Cycloaddition: Formation of Isoxazoline Ring on the Protein Backbone
Authors: Phanumartwiwath Anuchit , Kesornpun Chatchai , Chokchaichamnankit Daranee , Khongmanee Amnart , Diskul‐Na‐Ayudthaya Penchatr , Ruangjaroon Theetat , Srisomsap Chantragan , Kittakoop Prasat , Svasti Jisnuson , Ruchirawat Somsak
Published: May 2023

Here we describe a novel catalyst‐free 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition bioconjugation approach for chemical modification of proteins. The dehydroalanine (Dha)‐containing protein reacts with nitrile oxides generated in situ through 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition in fully aqueous‐buffered systems. This leads to the formation of a new isoxazoline ring at a pre‐defined site (Dha) of the protein. Furthermore, the 1‐pyrene isoxazoline‐installed annexin V acts as a fluorescent probe, which successfully labels the outer cellular membranes of human cholangiocarcinoma (HuCCA‐1) cells for detection of apoptosis.
Alkali Metal Halide Ion‐Pair Binding in Conformationally Dynamic Halogen Bonding Heteroditopic [2]Rotaxanes
Authors: Min Tay Hui , Docker Andrew , Cheong Tse Yuen , Beer Paul D.
Published: May 2023

A series of heteroditopic halogen bonding (XB) [2]rotaxanes were prepared via a combination of passive and active metal template‐directed strategies. The ability of the [2]rotaxanes to bind alkali metal halide ion‐pairs was investigated by extensive 1H NMR titration studies, wherein detailed analysis of cation, anion and ion‐pair affinity measurements indicate dramatic positive cooperative enhancements in halide anion association upon either Na+ or K+ pre‐complexation. This study demonstrates that careful consideration of multiple, parallel and competing binding equilibria is essential when interpreting observed 1H NMR spectral changes in ion‐pair receptor systems, especially those which exhibit dynamic behaviour. Importantly, in comparison to XB [2]catenane analogues, these neutral XB heteroditopic [2]rotaxane host systems demonstrated that despite their relatively weaker cation and anion binding affinities, they exhibit a notably higher level of positive cooperativity for alkali metal halide ion‐pair binding, highlighting the role of greater co‐conformational adaptive behaviour in mechanically‐bonded hosts for the purposes of charged species recognition.
Transformation of Mytella falcata residual shell into CaAl/LDH adsorbent: Removal of methyl orange and methylene blue dyes
Authors: Henrique Diogo Carlos , Henrique Daniely Carlos , Duarte José Leandro da Silva , Georgin Jordana , Franco Dison Stracke Pfingsten , Meili Lucas
Published: May 2023

This study analyzed the viability of using malacoculture residue (Mytella falcata) to produce layered double hydroxides (LDHs) and for its subsequent use as an adsorbent. The CaAl/LDH‐RE material was produced with calcium oxide from the residue and the CaAl/LDH‐AP was produced with a commercial reagent. Both were used to remove methyl orange (MO) and methylene blue (MB) dyes. The CaAl/LDH‐RE presented a surface area of 28.54 m2 g−1, being 65.62% larger than the CaAl/LDH‐AP material (17.23 m2 g−1). The adsorbents showed mesopores distributed on a surface formed by plates in the form of hexagonal sheets arranged in an overlapping manner. The dosage of 0.05 g L−1 obtained the removal of 95% and 97% for MO, while for MB it was 94% and 93% using the adsorbents LDH/CaAl‐AP and LDH/CaAl‐RE, respectively. The system reached equilibrium at 90 min for MO and 120 min for MB. The pseudo‐second order model well represented the kinetic data reaching 11.36 mg g−1 (CaAl/LDH‐RE) and 8.42 mg g−1 (CaAl/LDH‐AP) for MO, and 4.47 mg g−1 (CaAl/LDH‐RE) and 4.14 mg g−1 (CaAl/LDH‐AP) for MB. The Freundlich model better represented the isothermal data, where the temperature exerted little influence. Adsorbents showed similar removal percentages in real and synthetic matrices. The LDH/CaAl‐RE can be applied in up to 3 cycles, maintaining its adsorption capacity. These results corroborate the use of MFW to produce CaAl/LDH‐RE, which can be used for the efficient removal of organic pollutants in an aqueous solution.
Safety and efficacy of ablation index‐guided atrial fibrillation ablation in octogenarians
Authors: Okamatsu Hideharu , Okumura Ken , Onishi Fumitaka , Yoshimura Akino , Negishi Kodai , Tsurugi Takuo , Tanaka Yasuaki , Nakao Koichi , Sakamoto Tomohiro , Koyama Junjiro
Published: May 2023

Background

Limited data on the efficacy and safety of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation using an ablation index (AI) for octogenarians is available. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of AI‐guided AF ablation between AF patients aged ≥80 years (Group 1) and <80 (Group 2).

Hypothesis

We hypothesized that AI‐guided AF ablation could complete the procedure with comparable efficiency and safety in patients aged ≥80 years and <80.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 2087 AF patients undergoing their first AI‐guided AF ablation in our hospital. We compared the atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT) recurrence and procedure‐related complication rate between Group 1 (n = 193) and Group 2 (n = 1894).

Results

The mean age was 83.0 (interquartile range [IQR] 81.0, 84.0) years in Group 1 and 67.0 (IQR 60.0, 72.0) in Group 2. AF type was significantly different between the two groups: Of Group 1 patients, 120 (62.2%) had paroxysmal AF, 61 (31.6%) persistent AF, and 12 (6.2%) long‐standing persistent AF, while of Group 2 patients, 1016 (53.6%) paroxysmal AF, 582 (30.7%) persistent AF, and 296 (15.6%) long‐standing persistent AF (p = .001). Unadjusted AT recurrence‐free survival curves showed similar AT recurrence‐free survival between the two groups (p = .67 by log‐rank test). After the adjustment for AF type, the survival curve was similar between them (hazard ratio, 1.24; 95% CI [0.92–1.65]; p = .15, Group 1 vs. Group 2). The rate of procedure‐related complications was similar between the two groups (3.1% vs. 3.0%, respectively, p = .83).

Conclusion

Catheter ablation guided by AI achieved similar AT recurrence and complication rates between elderly AF patients aged ≥80 years and patients <80 years.
Comparison of blue laser imaging and light‐emitting diode‐blue light imaging for the characterization of colorectal polyps using the Japan narrow‐band imaging expert team classification: The LASEREO and ELUXEO COLonoscopic study
Authors: Okada Masahiro , Yoshida Naohisa , Kashida Hiroshi , Hayashi Yoshikazu , Shinozaki Satoshi , Yoshimoto Shiori , Fujinuma Toshihiro , Sakamoto Hirotsugu , Sunada Keijiro , Tomita Yuri , Dohi Osamu , Inoue Ken , Hirose Ryohei , Itoh Yoshito , Komeda Yoriaki , Sekai Ikue , Okai Natsuki , Lefor Alan Kawarai , Yamamoto Hironori
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Although the laser light is optically ideal for producing narrow‐band light, it has not been used in some areas of the world. Endoscopic light sources using light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) are used worldwide. The purpose of this study was to compare blue laser imaging (laser‐BLI) and LED‐blue light imaging (LED‐BLI) for the characterization of colorectal polyps using the Japan narrow band imaging expert team (JNET) classification.

Methods

Colorectal lesions were prospectively examined using magnifying narrow‐band light generated by a laser (laser‐BLI) or LEDs (LED‐BLI). Twelve endoscopists (six non‐experts and six experts from three institutions) evaluated each still‐magnified image of lesions using the JNET classification.

Results

Seven hundred and fifty‐six images from 63 lesions were reviewed. The mean polyp size was 24.5 ± 13.4 mm. Histopathology included 13 serrated lesions and 50 neoplasms. The rate of agreement between laser‐BLI and LED‐BLI using the JNET classification was 92.5% (699/756). The weighted κ‐statistic was 0.99. The percentages of “almost similar” comparing scores of surface patterns, vessel patterns, and brightness among all endoscopists were 95.4%, 95.9%, and 95.0%, respectively.

Conclusions

This multicenter study demonstrates that the rate of agreement between laser‐BLI and LED‐BLI using the JNET Classification is very high. The surface patterns, vessel patterns, and brightness are almost similar.
Habitat and climatic associations of climate‐sensitive species along a southern range boundary
Authors: Wilson Evan C. , Cousins Stella , Etter Dwayne R. , Humphreys John M. , Roloff Gary J. , Carter Neil H.
Published: May 2023

Climate change and habitat loss are recognized as important drivers of shifts in wildlife species' geographic distributions. While often considered independently, there is considerable overlap between these drivers, and understanding how they contribute to range shifts can predict future species assemblages and inform effective management. Our objective was to evaluate the impacts of habitat, climatic, and anthropogenic effects on the distributions of climate‐sensitive vertebrates along a southern range boundary in Northern Michigan, USA. We combined multiple sources of occurrence data, including harvest and citizen‐science data, then used hierarchical Bayesian spatial models to determine habitat and climatic associations for four climate‐sensitive vertebrate species (American marten [Martes americana], snowshoe hare [Lepus americanus], ruffed grouse [Bonasa umbellus] and moose [Alces alces]). We used total basal area of at‐risk forest types to represent habitat, and temperature and winter habitat indices to represent climate. Marten associated with upland spruce‐fir and lowland riparian forest types, hares with lowland conifer and aspen‐birch, grouse with lowland riparian hardwoods, and moose with upland spruce‐fir. Species differed in climatic drivers with hares positively associated with cooler annual temperatures, moose with cooler summer temperatures and grouse with colder winter temperatures. Contrary to expectations, temperature variables outperformed winter habitat indices. Model performance varied greatly among species, as did predicted distributions along the southern edge of the Northwoods region. As multiple species were associated with lowland riparian and upland spruce‐fir habitats, these results provide potential for efficient prioritization of habitat management. Both direct and indirect effects from climate change are likely to impact the distribution of climate‐sensitive species in the future and the use of multiple data types and sources in the modelling of species distributions can result in more accurate predictions resulting in improved management at policy‐relevant scales.
Structure‐guided Capacitance Relationships in Oxidized Graphene Porous Materials Based Supercapacitors
Authors: Gadipelli Srinivas , Akbari Hanieh , Li Juntao , Howard Christopher A. , Zhang Hong , Shearing Paul R. , Brett Dan J. L.
Published: May 2023

Supercapacitors formed from porous carbon and graphene‐oxide (GO) materials are usually dominated by either electric double‐layer capacitance, pseudo‐capacitance, or both. Due to these combined features, reduced GO materials have been shown to offer superior capacitance over typical nanoporous carbon materials; however, there is a significant variation in reported values, ranging between 25 and 350 F g−1. This undermines the structure (e.g., oxygen functionality and/or surface area)‐performance relationships for optimization of cost and scalable factors. This work demonstrates important structure‐controlled charge storage relationships. For this, a series of exfoliated graphene (EG) derivatives are produced via thermal‐shock exfoliation of GO precursors and following controlled graphitization of EG (GEG) generates materials with varied amounts of porosity, redox‐active oxygen groups and graphitic components. Experimental results show significantly varied capacitance values between 30 and 250 F g−1 at 1.0 A g−1 in GEG structures; this suggests that for a given specific surface area the redox‐active and hydrophilic oxygen content can boost the capacitance to 250–300% higher compared to typical mesoporous carbon materials. GEGs with identical oxygen functionality show a surface area governed capacitance. This allows to establish direct structure‐performance relationships between 1) redox‐active oxygen functional concentration and capacitance and 2) surface area and capacitance.
Aging‐related histone modification changes in brain function
Authors: Ding Yanwen , Liu Chengxi , Zhang Yi
Published: May 2023

Aging can be defined as a decline of physiological function that is more difficult to reverse, characterized by the loss of the physiological integrity of tissues, organs, and cells of an organism over time. Normal aging is associated with structural and functional changes in the brain, involving neuronal apoptosis, synaptic structure, neurotransmission, and metabolism alterations, leading to impairment in sleep, cognitive functions, memory, learning, and motor and sensory systems. Histone modification is a significant aging‐related epigenetic change that influences synaptic and mitochondrial function and immune and stress responses in the brain. This review discusses the changes in histone modifications that occur during brain aging, specifically methylation and acetylation, and the associated changes in gene transcription and protein expression. We observed that genes related to synaptic and mitochondrial function are downregulated in the aging brain, while genes related to immune response and inflammatory functions are upregulated.
Exposure to combat experiences: PTSD, somatization and aggression amongst combat and non‐combat veterans
Authors: Harwood‐Gross Anna , Stern Nadav , Brom Danny
Published: May 2023

To this date, the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and associated psychological symptom profiles amongst non‐combatant community‐based veterans in Israel has not been studied. Data were analysed from a web‐based survey of veterans via a market research platform during September 2021 and included 522 non‐combat (e.g. intelligence, office‐based or education corps) veterans and 534 combat (e.g. front‐line infantry) veterans. The survey assessed PTSD, depression, anxiety and somatic symptoms in addition to the prevalence of self‐reported aggression. A two‐way multivariate analysis of covariance indicated that higher PTSD and somatic symptoms were prevalent for those exposed to combat experiences even when not in a combatant role. A logistic regression indicated that of those who did not self‐define as aggressive prior to service, those exposed to combat were three times more likely to be aggressive following their service than veterans not exposed to combat. This effect was not demonstrated for combat soldiers compared to non‐combat soldiers. Results indicate that mental health outreach would be better targeted towards those who have been exposed to combat‐type experiences during their service even in non‐combat units. The current study highlights the effect of combat exposure on secondary PTSD symptoms; aggression and somatization.
Active contour and texture features hybrid model for breast cancer detection from ultrasonic images
Authors: Rautela Kamakshi , Kumar Dinesh , Kumar Vijay
Published: May 2023

Breast ultrasound is commonly used in the early detection of breast cancer. The existing geodesic‐based methods use pre‐defined filters that necessitate extensive prior knowledge to achieve the region of interest in input image. Furthermore, the majority of ultrasound images suffer from noise and acoustic shadowing, which reduces the accuracy of tumor detection. To make the breast ultrasound image more informative, the discriminative features can also be extracted to improve detection accuracy. This article proposes a method to combine Active Contour and Texture Feature Vectors to find discriminative patterns. A comprehensive set of discriminative features for cancer detection in ultrasound images is created by combining the two learning models. The Breast Ultrasound Images dataset is used to evaluate the suggested method and compare it to recently created algorithms. Experimental results reveal that the proposed approach outperforms the existing algorithms in terms of accuracy, recall, precision, Jaccard index, and F1 score.
Adiposity is associated with widespread transcriptional changes and downregulation of longevity pathways in aged skeletal muscle
Authors: Burton Mark A. , Antoun Elie , Garratt Emma S. , Westbury Leo , Baczynska Alica , Dennison Elaine M. , Harvey Nicholas C. , Cooper Cyrus , Patel Harnish P. , Godfrey Keith M. , Lillycrop Karen A. ,   EpiGen Global Research Consortium
Published: May 2023

Background

Amongst healthy older people, a number of correlates of impaired skeletal muscle mass and function have been defined. Although the prevalence of obesity is increasing markedly in this age group, information is sparse about the particular impacts of obesity on ageing skeletal muscle or the molecular mechanisms that underlie this and associated disease risk.

Methods

Here, we examined genome‐wide transcriptional changes using RNA sequencing in muscle biopsies from 40 older community‐dwelling men from the Hertfordshire Sarcopenia Study with regard to obesity (body mass index [BMI] >30 kg/m2, n = 7), overweight (BMI 25–30, n = 19), normal weight (BMI < 25, n = 14), and per cent and total fat mass. In addition, we used EPIC DNA methylation array data to investigate correlations between DNA methylation and gene expression in aged skeletal muscle tissue and investigated the relationship between genes within altered regulatory pathways and muscle histological parameters.

Results

Individuals with obesity demonstrated a prominent modified transcriptional signature in muscle tissue, with a total of 542 differentially expressed genes associated with obesity (false discovery rate ≤0.05), of which 425 genes were upregulated when compared with normal weight. Upregulated genes were enriched in immune response (P = 3.18 × 10−41) and inflammation (leucocyte activation, P = 1.47 × 10−41; tumour necrosis factor, P = 2.75 × 10−15) signalling pathways and downregulated genes enriched in longevity (P = 1.5 × 10−3) and AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) (P = 4.5 × 10−3) signalling pathways. Furthermore, differentially expressed genes in both longevity and AMPK signalling pathways were associated with a change in DNA methylation, with a total of 256 and 360 significant cytosine–phosphate–guanine–gene correlations identified, respectively. Similar changes in the muscle transcriptome were observed with respect to per cent fat mass and total fat mass. Obesity was further associated with a significant increase in type II fast‐fibre area (P = 0.026), of which key regulatory genes within both longevity and AMPK pathways were significantly associated.

Conclusions

We provide for the first time a global transcriptomic profile of skeletal muscle in older people with and without obesity, demonstrating modulation of key genes and pathways implicated in the regulation of muscle function, changes in DNA methylation associated with such pathways and associations between genes within the modified pathways implicated in muscle regulation and changes in muscle fibre type.
Comparison of heart rate and cardiac output of VVI pacemaker settings in patients with atrial fibrillation with bradycardia
Authors: Yokota Ayako , Kabutoya Tomoyuki , Mitama Tadayuki , Okuyama Takafumi , Watanabe Hiroaki , Kamioka Masashi , Watanabe Tomonori , Komori Takahiro , Imai Yasushi , Kario Kazuomi
Published: May 2023

Background

While most VVI pacemakers in bradycardic patients are set to a low limit of 60/min, the optimal lower limit rate for VVI pacemakers in atrial fibrillation has not been established. Although an increase in heart rate within the normal range in the setting of a VVI pacemaker might be expected to lead to an increase in cardiac output with the shortening of the diastolic time, the changes in cardiac output at different pacemaker settings have not been fully clarified.

Methods

We included 11 patients with bradycardic atrial fibrillation who had VVI pacemakers implanted. Stroke volume was measured using the electrical cardiometry method (AESCULONⓇ mini; Osypka Medical) without pacing and at ventricular pacings of 60, 70, 80, and 90/min.

Results

Stroke volume decreased stepwise at ventricular pacing rates of 60, 70, 80, and 90/min (63.6 ± 11.2, 61.9 ± 10.6, 59.3 ± 12.2, and 57.5 ± 12.2 mL, p < .001), but cardiac output increased (3.81 ± 0.67, 4.33 ± 0.74, 4.74 ± 0.97, and 5.17 ± 1.09 L/min, p < .001). The rate of increase in cardiac output at a pacing rate of 70/min compared to 60/min correlated with left ventricular end‐systolic volume (r = 0.711, p = .014).

Conclusions

Cardiac output increased at a pacing rate of 70 compared to 60 in bradycardic atrial fibrillation patients, and the rate of increase in cardiac output was greater in those with larger left ventricular end‐systolic volume.
An uncertainty management perspective on the antecedents of leader self‐serving behavior
Authors: Babalola Mayowa T. , Qu Yuanmei (Elly) , Ali Moazzam , Pathki Chandra Shekhar Rao , Usman Muhammad , Muchiri Michael
Published: May 2023

Leader self‐serving behavior has been associated with a range of adverse outcomes in the workplace. However, much remains to be explored about why and when such leader behavior emerges in organizations. This research develops and tests a theoretical framework that delineates the emotional and cognitive states that give rise to leader self‐serving behavior. Specifically, we draw on uncertainty management theory to theorize that job insecurity heightens leaders' anxiety and self‐serving cognitions that subsequently trigger leader self‐serving behavior. We further argue that the overall justice of an organization effectively mitigates the indirect relationship between a leader's sense of job insecurity and leader self‐serving behavior via leader anxiety and self‐serving cognitions. Results from a three‐wave field study involving 481 leader–follower dyads provide support for our hypothesized model. We discuss the implications of our findings for leadership theory and practice.
Climate change over Indonesia and its impact on nutmeg production: An analysis under high‐resolution CORDEX‐CORE regional simulation framework
Authors: Anripa Nuralfin , Kumar A. , Maharana Pyarimohan , Dimri A. P.
Published: May 2023

Nutmeg is an important spice and contributes significantly to the gross domestic product of Indonesia. The study examines the impact of climate change on Indonesia and the production of nutmeg over Banda Neira Island. For this, the outputs from high‐resolution regional climate models under different representative concentration pathways (RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5), within the framework of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 5/Coordinated Regional Climate Down‐scaling Experiment‐Coordinated Output for Regional Evaluations (CMIP5/CORDEX‐CORE) over southeast Asia domain are employed. The representation of the spatial structure of rainfall and temperature climatology is found to be much better in ensembles as compared to individual model experiments. The behaviour of simulated rainfall and temperature from the model experiments is examined to check whether the projected climate favours an increase in nutmeg production. The study found that projected changes in the number of wet days (ideal 100–160 wet days), heavy rainfall events, rising mean temperature above the optimum temperature range (25–26°C), increasing heatwave spells, and prolongation of the warm period led to an unfavourable climate for nutmeg production. Based on the analysis of dynamically produced (model simulated) climate variables, the study rejects the forecasted increase in nutmeg production using a statistical regression model due to the unfavourable climatic conditions that are likely to affect the growth, production and quality of nutmeg. The changing climate not only reduces regional agricultural production but also impacts the socio‐economic condition of the people of Indonesia. Therefore, the study emphasizes implementing stringent climate laws and policies at global, regional and local levels to curb greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the negative impact of climate change.
Valley Polarized Edge States beyond Inversion Symmetry Breaking
Authors: Bisharat Dia'aaldin J. , Sievenpiper Daniel F.
Published: May 2023

Valley‐contrast physics has gained considerable attention, particularly for realizing photonic topological insulators (PTIs) that support reflection‐free valley‐polarized edge modes (VPEMs) in the absence of inter‐valley scattering. It is an open question whether similar robust states can exist in the absence of topological valley phase, i.e., nonvanishing Berry curvature at the valleys. It is shown that a C6υ‐symmetric triangular photonic crystal (PhC) inherently exhibits uniform distribution of spatially varying phase vortices, which support a local (limited) version of valley Hall effect (LVHE), where the valley polarization is location defined as opposed to being fixed throughout the bulk. Then it is demonstrated that defect regions with sublattice asymmetry in otherwise a symmetric PhC lead to wave localization and splitting of photons according to their valley index, thus enabling VPEMs along a line defect waveguide. The device is fabricated on a silicon‐on‐insulator (SOI) slab, and it is characterized at near‐infrared frequencies showing robust transmission through sharp bends comparable to valley PTIs. The results present a new perspective to creating valley edge states and outline a new waveguiding mechanism applicable to electromagnetics as well as plasmonics, mechanics, and acoustics.
Nonlinear Optical Wavefront Engineering with Geometric Phase Controlled All‐Dielectric Metadevice
Authors: Jin Mingke , Hu Zixian , Liu Xuan , Li Guixin
Published: May 2023

Optical wavefront engineering with artificial nanostructures has important applications in laser manufacturing, bioimaging, optical communications, etc. In the linear optical regime, metasurfaces are widely utilized to realize wavefront engineering functionalities, such as imaging with a flat lens and generation of vortex beams and holographic images. On the other hand, it is highly desirable to directly control the wavefront of light during nonlinear optical processes. Here, the nonlinear optical wavefront engineering with geometric phase controlled all‐dielectric metadevices is experimentally demonstrated. This is realized by integrating the multifunctional dielectric metasurface with the conventional nonlinear optical crystals. It is demonstrated that the nonlinear metadevice can be used to generate optical vortices and nonreciprocal holographic images at second harmonic frequencies. The proposed all‐dielectric metadevice represents an important strategy to develop compact and multifunctional nonlinear optical sources.
Organoids: The current status and biomedical applications
Authors: Yang Siqi , Hu Haijie , Kung Hengchung , Zou Ruiqi , Dai Yushi , Hu Yafei , Wang Tiantian , Lv Tianrun , Yu Jun , Li Fuyu
Published: May 2023

Organoids are three‐dimensional (3D) miniaturized versions of organs or tissues that are derived from cells with stem potential and can self‐organize and differentiate into 3D cell masses, recapitulating the morphology and functions of their in vivo counterparts. Organoid culture is an emerging 3D culture technology, and organoids derived from various organs and tissues, such as the brain, lung, heart, liver, and kidney, have been generated. Compared with traditional bidimensional culture, organoid culture systems have the unique advantage of conserving parental gene expression and mutation characteristics, as well as long‐term maintenance of the function and biological characteristics of the parental cells in vitro. All these features of organoids open up new opportunities for drug discovery, large‐scale drug screening, and precision medicine. Another major application of organoids is disease modeling, and especially various hereditary diseases that are difficult to model in vitro have been modeled with organoids by combining genome editing technologies. Herein, we introduce the development and current advances in the organoid technology field. We focus on the applications of organoids in basic biology and clinical research, and also highlight their limitations and future perspectives. We hope that this review can provide a valuable reference for the developments and applications of organoids.
Reasons for stability in the construction of derivative‐free multistep iterative methods
Authors: Cordero Alicia , Neta Beny , Torregrosa Juan R.
Published: May 2023

In this paper, a deep dynamical analysis is made, by using tools from multidimensional real discrete dynamics, of some derivative‐free iterative methods with memory. All of them have good qualitative properties, but one of them (due to Traub) shows to have the same behavior as Newton's method on quadratic polynomials. Then, the same techniques are employed to analyze the performance of several multipoint schemes with memory, whose first step is Traub's method, but their construction was made using different procedures. Therefore, their stability is analyzed, showing which is the best in terms of wideness of basins of convergence or the existence of free critical points that would yield to convergence toward different elements from the desired zeros of the nonlinear function. Therefore, the best stability properties are linked with the best estimations made in the iterative expressions, rather than in their simplicity. These results have been checked with numerical and graphical comparison with many other known methods with and without memory, with different order of convergence, with excellent performance.
Immune checkpoint inhibitor‐related myocarditis in thymic epithelial tumors: Recent progress and perspectives
Authors: Yin Jianqiong , Yao Zhuoran , Pan Jing , Gan Lu , Xue Jianxin
Published: May 2023

Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare anterior mediastinal malignancies originating in the thymus with poor outcomes, and standard platinum‐based chemotherapy shows limited efficacy for treating metastatic or recurrent disease. In this setting, further improved novel treatment strategies are needed. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are widely applied in clinical practice for cancer therapy and early results of clinical trials have brought notable objective responses and lasting survival benefits to patients with TETs. However, the incidences of immune‐related adverse events (irAEs), especially cardiac adverse events, are higher than those of other tumor types. Myocarditis is a rapidly progressive and life‐threatening irAE in patients treated with ICIs, thereby hindering the further utilization of ICI in TETs patients. Therefore, this article aims to review the results of case series and clinical trials that evaluated ICIs for the treatment of TETs and to provide an overview of the clinical features of fatal ICI‐related myocarditis in TETs. Furthermore, we approach insights into the immunobiology of thymic tumors and focus on revealing the mechanisms of cardiotoxicity in patients with TETs, hoping to provide several valuable insights for maximizing the therapeutic potential of ICIs in TETs.
Effect of cilostazol on preventing paclitaxel‐induced neuropathy in patients with breast cancer: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Haroun Esraa A. , Mansour Noha O. , Eltantawy Ahmed , Shams Mohamed E. E.
Published: May 2023

Study Objective

Paclitaxel‐induced peripheral neuropathy is a significant clinical problem can markedly deteriorate patient's quality of life (QoL). Preclinical evidence exists about the preventive capacity of cilostazol against peripheral neuropathy. However, this hypothesis has not yet been clinically investigated. This proof‐of‐concept study evaluated the effect of cilostazol on the incidence of paclitaxel‐induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with non‐metastatic breast cancer.

Design

This is a parallel randomized placebo‐controlled trial.

Setting

The Oncology Center at Mansoura University, Egypt.

Patients

Patients with breast cancer scheduled to receive paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 biweekly.

Interventions

Patients were randomized to either cilostazol group who received cilostazol tablets 100 mg BID, or to control group who received placebo instead.

Measurements

The primary endpoint was the incidence of paclitaxel‐induced neuropathy evaluated through common terminology criteria for adverse event (NCI‐CTCAE) version 4. Secondary endpoints included assessment of the patient's QoL by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group‐Neurotoxicity (FACT‐GOG‐NTx) subscale. Exploratory outcome measures included changes in serum levels of biomarkers namely nerve growth factor (NGF), and neurofilament light chain (NfL).

Main Results

The incidence of grade 2 and 3 peripheral neuropathies were significantly lower in the cilostazol group (40%) compared to the control group (86.7%) (p < 0.001). The incidence of clinically significant worsening in neuropathy‐related QoL was higher in control group compared to the cilostazol group (p = 0.001). A higher percent increase from baseline in serum NGF was observed in the cilostazol group (p = 0.043). The circulating levels of NfL deemed comparable between the two arms at the end of the study (p = 0.593).

Conclusion

Adjunctive use of cilostazol is as a novel option that might reduce the incidence of paclitaxel‐induced peripheral neuropathy and improve the patients' QoL. Future larger clinical trials are warranted to confirm these findings.
Adapting school‐based implementation support from in‐person to virtual: An experimental evaluation of a virtual coaching program to improve intervention fidelity
Authors: Wang Jiayi , Begeny John C. , Durling Jesslyn M. , Newson Natasha K.
Published: May 2023

Intervention fidelity is crucial in ensuring efficient and quality support for students in need. Some coaching strategies have evidenced positive impacts on intervention fidelity and virtual coaching has been emerging in recent years, especially during the COVID‐19 pandemic. However, current literature is still limited in examining the effects of virtual coaching. After adapting an evidence‐based set of in‐person coaching materials and procedures into a virtual delivery format, this study used a multiple baseline design to evaluate the efficacy of the virtual coaching program in supporting interventionists who implemented a small‐group reading intervention. Visual analysis and nonparametric analyses demonstrated considerable improvement in interventionists' fidelity after receiving the virtual coaching program. Additionally, surveys from interventionists indicated positive perceptions toward the coaches and the virtual coaching process. Practical implications of virtual coaching and future research directions are discussed.
Inclusive collaboration across plant physiology and genomics: Now is the time!
Authors:   Interdisciplinary Plant Science Consortium
Published: May 2023

Within the broad field of plant sciences, what are the most pressing challenges and opportunities to advance? Answers to this question usually include food and nutritional security, climate change mitigation, adaptation of plants to changing climates, preservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services, production of plant‐based proteins and products, and growth of the bioeconomy. Genes and the processes their products carry out create differences in how plants grow, develop, and behave, and thus, the key solutions to these challenges lie squarely in the space where plant genomics and physiology intersect. Advancements in genomics, phenomics, and analysis tools have generated massive datasets, but these data are complex and have not always generated scientific insights at the anticipated pace. Further, new tools may need to be created or adapted, and field‐relevant applications tested, to advance scientific discovery derived from such datasets. Meaningful, relevant conclusions and connections from genomics and plant physiological and biochemical data require both subject matter expertise and the collaborative skills needed to work together outside of specific disciplines. Bringing the best expertise to bear on complex problems in plant sciences requires enhanced, inclusive, and sustained collaboration across disciplines. However, despite significant efforts to enable and sustain collaborative research, a variety of challenges persist. Here, we present the outcomes and conclusions of two workshops convened to address the need for collaboration between scientists engaged in plant physiology, genetics, and genomics and to discuss the approaches that will create the necessary environments to support successful collaboration. We conclude with approaches to share and reward collaboration and the need to train inclusive scientists that will have the skills to thrive in interdisciplinary contexts.
Electrochemical Restoration of Battery Materials Guided by Synchrotron Radiation Technology for Sustainable Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Lei , Shen Yihao , Liu Yuanlong , Zeng Pan , Meng Junxia , Liu Tiefeng , Zhang Liang
Published: May 2023

Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) have been ubiquitous in modern society, especially in the fields of electronic devices, electric vehicles and grid storage, while raising concerns about a tremendous number of spent batteries in the next five to ten years. As environmental awareness and resource security is gaining increasingly extensive attention, how to effectively deal with spent LIBs has become a challenging issue academically and industrially. Accordingly, the development of battery recycling has surfaced as a highly researched topic in the battery community. Recently, the structural and electrochemical restoration of recycled electrode materials have been proposed as a non‐destructive method to save more energy and chemical agents compared with mature metallurgical methods. Such a refurbishment process of electrode materials is also regarded as a reverse process of their degradation in the working condition. Notably, synchrotron radiation technology, which is previously applied to diagnose battery degrade, has started to play major roles in gaining more insight into the structural restoration of electrode materials. Here, the contribution of synchrotron radiation technology to reveal the underlying degradation and regeneration mechanisms of LIBs cathodes is highlighted, providing a theoretical basis and guidance for the direct recycling and reuse of degraded cathodes.
Minimally‐Invasive and In‐Vivo Hydrogel Patterning Method for In Situ Fabrication of Implantable Hydrogel Devices
Authors: Cha Gi Doo , Kim Minjeong , Park Ok Kyu , Sunwoo Sung‐Hyuk , Kang Taegyu , Lee Wang Hee , Nam Seonghyeon , Hyeon Taeghwan , Choi Seung Hong , Kim Dae‐Hyeong
Published: May 2023

Despite advances in a wide range of device applications of hydrogels, including implantable ones, a method for deploying patterned hydrogel devices into the body in a minimally‐invasive manner is not available yet. However, in situ patterning of the hydrogel in vivo has an obvious advantage, by which incision surgery for implantation of the hydrogel device can be avoided. Here, a minimally‐invasive and in vivo hydrogel patterning method for in situ fabrication of implantable hydrogel devices is presented. The sequential application of injectable hydrogels and enzymes, with assistance of minimally‐invasive surgical instruments, enables the in vivo and in situ hydrogel patterning. This patterning method can be achieved by adopting an appropriate combination of the sacrificial mold hydrogel and the frame hydrogel, in consideration of unique material properties of the hydrogels such as high softness, facile mass transfer, biocompatibility, and diverse crosslinking mechanisms. In vivo and in situ patterning of the hydrogels functionalized with nanomaterials is also demonstrated to fabricate the wireless heater and tissue scaffold, showcasing broad applicability of the patterning method.
Right‐sizing a registrar's office
Authors: D’Orio Wayne
Published: May 2023

AURORA, COLORADO — The question is a simple one, but the more you dig into it, the harder it seems to solve.
Introduction
Authors: Hollerbach Teresa
Published: May 2023

At the turn of the seventeenth century, the Venetian physician Sanctorius Sanctorius (1561–1636) developed instruments to measure and to quantify physiological change. As trivial as quantitative assessment with regard to health issues might seem to us today – in times of fitness trackers and smart watches – it was a highly innovative step at the time. With his instruments, Sanctorius introduced quantitative research into physiology and thus represents an early case of today’s self-tracking, or self-quantifying, technology. Until now, no systematic research has been undertaken to investigate Sanctorius and his work from the broader perspective of processes of knowledge transformation in early modern medicine while including the entire range of his activities—intellectual and practical—rather than just a selection. This work aspires to fill that gap. As an introduction to the entire book, this chapter gives an overview of the aims, sources, methodologies and contents of the book.
Sanctorius Revisited
Authors: Hollerbach Teresa
Published: May 2023

This chapter reflects on the epistemic processes that made the use of quantification and measurements in medicine conceivable to Sanctorius, and which might explain how these methods made sense to him in ways that they had not before. To this end, I bring into focus the relation between the categories of innovation and tradition as well as the interplay of the realms of theory and practice in Sanctorius’s works, unifying the main results of my study. Then, based on my analysis of the measuring instruments in Chap. 7, I reflect on what quantifying health meant to Sanctorius. Finally, I briefly sketch out how his measuring instruments were received. Building upon the historical analyses of the previous chapters, I present a new and revised view of the Venetian physician Sanctorius, which hopefully will contribute not only to a better understanding of his work, but also, more generally, of how knowledge was transformed in the early modern period.
Causality constraints on corrections to Einstein gravity
Authors: Caron-Huot Simon , Li Yue-Zhou , Parra-Martinez Julio , Simmons-Duffin David
Published: May 2023

Abstract

We study constraints from causality and unitarity on 2 → 2 graviton scattering in four-dimensional weakly-coupled effective field theories. Together, causality and unitarity imply dispersion relations that connect low-energy observables to high-energy data. Using such dispersion relations, we derive two-sided bounds on gravitational Wilson coefficients in terms of the mass M of new higher-spin states. Our bounds imply that gravitational interactions must shut off uniformly in the limit G → 0, and prove the scaling with M expected from dimensional analysis (up to an infrared logarithm). We speculate that causality, together with the non-observation of gravitationally-coupled higher spin states at colliders, severely restricts modifications to Einstein gravity that could be probed by experiments in the near future.