bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental study of a new kind of double‐layer shaking table
Authors: Pan Peng , Guo Youming , Wang Tao
Published: June 2021

Existing large‐scale electrohydraulic shaking tables (EHSTs) have limited frequency bandwidth because of the capacity of electrohydraulic systems. Here we propose a double‐layer shaking table (DLST) which is capable of generating excitations over a wide band of frequencies. The lower table is a conventional EHST with a long‐stroke actuator which can generate low‐frequency excitations. The upper table is fixed atop the lower table, and equipped with a short‐stroke actuator which can generate high‐frequency excitations. The FFT/IFFT signal separation process, three‐variable control algorithm, and feedforward compensation technique are employed to control the shaking table. The two tables are controlled simultaneously to ensure the upper table reproduces ground motions over a wide frequency bandwidth. A series of experiments were performed on a unidirectional DLST. The results suggest that the DLST can successfully reproduce excitations over a wide band of frequencies, and demonstrate that the proposed control methods are effective. The control procedure in which the upper table tracks the full‐frequency signal to compensate for the tracking errors of the lower table is recommended.
Wildfires and global change
Authors: Pausas Juli G , Keeley Jon E
Published: June 2021

No single factor produces wildfires; rather, they occur when fire thresholds (ignitions, fuels, and drought) are crossed. Anomalous weather events may lower these thresholds and thereby enhance the likelihood and spread of wildfires. Climate change increases the frequency with which some of these thresholds are crossed, extending the duration of the fire season and increasing the frequency of dry years. However, climate‐related factors do not explain all of the complexity of global fire‐regime changes, as altered ignition patterns (eg human behavior) and fuel structures (eg land‐use changes, fire suppression, drought‐induced dieback, fragmentation) are extremely important. When the thresholds are crossed, the size of a fire will largely depend on the duration of the fire weather and the extent of the available area with continuous fuels in the landscape.
Cooperation Between the NRF2 Pathway and Oncogenic β‐catenin During HCC Tumorigenesis
Authors: Savall Mathilde , Senni Nadia , Lagoutte Isabelle , Sohier Pierre , Dentin Renaud , Romagnolo Beatrice , Perret Christine , Bossard Pascale
Published: June 2021

CTNNB1 (catenin beta 1)–mutated hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) account for a large proportion of human HCCs. They display high levels of respiratory chain activity. As metabolism and redox balance are closely linked, tumor cells must maintain their redox status during these metabolic alterations. We investigated the redox balance of these HCCs and the feasibility of targeting this balance as an avenue for targeted therapy. We assessed the expression of the nuclear erythroid 2 p45‐related factor 2 (NRF2) detoxification pathway in an annotated human HCC data set and reported an enrichment of the NRF2 program in human HCCs with CTNNB1 mutations, largely independent of NFE2L2 (nuclear factor, erythroid 2 like 2) or KEAP1 (Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1) mutations. We then used mice with hepatocyte‐specific oncogenic β‐catenin activation to evaluate the redox status associated with β‐catenin activation in preneoplastic livers and tumors. We challenged them with various oxidative stressors and observed that the β‐catenin pathway activation increased transcription of Nfe2l2, which protects β‐catenin‐activated hepatocytes from oxidative damage and supports tumor development. Moreover, outside of its effects on reactive oxygen species scavenging, we found out that Nrf2 itself contributes to the metabolic activity of β‐catenin‐activated cells. We then challenged β‐catenin activated tumors pharmacologically to create a redox imbalance and found that pharmacological inactivation of Nrf2 was sufficient to considerably decrease the progression of β‐catenin‐dependent HCC development. Conclusion: These results demonstrate cooperation between oncogenic β‐catenin signaling and the NRF2 pathway in CTNNB1‐mediated HCC tumorigenesis, and we provide evidence for the relevance of redox balance targeting as a therapeutic strategy in CTNNB1‐mutated HCC.
Hepatitis C virus: Current steps toward elimination in Germany and barriers to reaching the 2030 goal
Authors: Sarrazin Christoph , Boesecke Christoph , Golsabahi‐Broclawski Solmaz , Moog Gero , Negro Francesco , Silaidos Carmina , Patel Polly , Lohmann Kristina , Spinner Christoph D. , Walcher Stephan , Wedemeyer Heiner , Wörns Marcus‐Alexander
Published: June 2021

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects over 70 million people globally, with an estimated 399 000 HCV‐related deaths in 2016. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a goal to eliminate HCV by 2030. Despite the availability of direct‐acting antivirals—highly effective and well‐tolerated therapies for HCV—many patients infected with HCV in Germany have not initiated treatment, including a majority of those who are aware of their positive diagnosis. Barriers to screening, diagnosis, and treatment are major factors taking many countries off track for HCV elimination by 2030. Identifying country‐specific barriers and challenges, particularly in at‐risk populations such as people who inject drugs or men who have sex with men, has the potential to create tailored programs and strategies to increase access to screening or treatment and engage at‐risk populations. This review aims to report the current steps toward HCV elimination in Germany, the country‐specific barriers and challenges that will potentially prevent reaching the 2030 HCV elimination goal and describe good practice examples to overcome these barriers.
Practical data skills for the farm animal vet
Authors: Hyde Robert , Green Martin , Hudson Chris , Remnant John
Published: June 2021

Background: While farm animal veterinarians receive extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of individual animals, population medicine or ‘herd health’ has also become commonplace in modern production animal veterinary medicine. Clinicians are increasingly using routinely collected farm data to identify epidemiological patterns in order to implement preventive health management changes on farm. As such, data handling and statistical analysis techniques are becoming more important in farm practice. While data handling and statistical techniques can initially be challenging to learn, a relatively small investment in time spent learning can dramatically reduce the time spent analysing farm outcomes, and provide a useful evidence base on which to base on‐farm management decisions.

Aim of the article: This article provides a practical guide to data skills for the production animal vet, briefly covering basic descriptive statistics and graphical representations of data. It also includes further examples of more advanced data analysis techniques, such as statistical modelling and the use of coding language.
Using ultrasound to assess the reproductive performance of deer
Authors: Boyes Gareth
Published: June 2021

Background: The demand for venison has grown at a significant rate in recent years. This is being met with large quantities of imported produce as well as venison sourced from the UK, with wild‐shot deer, parkland herds and farmed deer all contributing to the supply chain. This increase in demand has resulted in an expansion of the number and size of deer farming enterprises, and consequently an opportunity for veterinary consultancy and advice to farmers. During the Covid‐19 pandemic, farmed venison demand has remained stable, but there has been a significant reduction in the value of wild venison. Some of the procedures and technologies used routinely to improve fertility and reproduction in cattle and sheep farming can be transferred to deer farming; by doing so, benefits in reproductive efficiency and performance of the herd can be realised.

Aim of the article: This article discusses the benefits of ultrasound examination of deer for herd management, with reference to additional reproductive technologies that are currently used extensively in other countries where deer farming is established.
Understanding different personality traits in practice
Authors: Aylott Anne‐Marie Svendsen
Published: June 2021

One of the most common things I hear in coaching and training sessions is the statement ‘that is just how I am’ or ‘that's just what they're like…’ But what does science say about personality, and which elements of it are fixed, and which are variable?
Who gains and who loses on stock markets? Risk preferences and timing matter
Authors: Veryzhenko Iryna
Published: June 2021

This paper uses an agent‐based multi‐asset model to examine the effect of risk preferences and optimal rebalancing frequency on performance measures while tracking profit and risk‐adjusted return. We focus on the evolution of portfolios managed by heterogeneous mean‐variance optimizers with a quadratic utility function under different market conditions. We show that patient and risk‐averse agents are able to outperform aggressive risk‐takers in the long‐run. Our findings also suggest that the trading frequency determined by the optimal tolerance for the deviation from portfolio targets should be derived from a tradeoff between rebalancing benefits and rebalancing costs. In a relatively calm market, the absolute range of 6% to 8% and the complete‐way back rebalancing technique outperforms others. During particular turbulent periods, however, none of the existing rebalancing techniques improves tax‐adjusted profits and risk‐adjusted returns simultaneously.
Cyber Sufis: Virtual Expressions of the American Muslim Experience (Islam in the Twenty‐First Century)
Authors: Hegazy Wael
Published: June 2021

If you have made up your mind that the embodied rituals are the main dominant phenomenon in modern Sufism and the cyberspace can only contribute to the marginalization of religious experience, this book is out to persuade you otherwise. This is an ethnographic study that investigates the virtualization of Sufi rituals, religious education, spiritual practices, and public outreach adopted by the Inyati Sufi order. It is also an attempt to explore an American Sufi digital paradigm that helps to balance the traditional ways of performing rituals and coping with the new age of shifting to cyber rituals.
The strategy of modulation blood responses by surface modification with different functional groups on polyester film
Authors: Zhong Rui , He Zeng , Zhang Xuejun , Han Dingding , Wang Hong , Liu Jiaxin
Published: June 2021

A main problem in the design of blood‐contacting biomaterials has been the deficiency of a systematic understanding of blood‐biomaterial interactions and the strategy to modulate blood responses. In this work, different functional groups including carboxyl (COOH), hydroxyl (OH) and zwitterionic sulfobetaine group (⊕N((CH3)2)(CH2)3 SO3‐○‐, SMDB) were grafted on the poly (butylene terephthalate) (PBT) film to study how the functional groups modulate blood responses and in terms of interaction with the coagulation system, the complement system, and platelets. The results showed protein absorption and platelet adhesion was stronger on the PBT bearing COOH group than PBT films bearing OH and zwitterionic sulfobetaine groups (total protein (μg/cm2): 32.92 ± 5.89 vs. 22.02 ± 1.44 vs. 19.09 ± 1.59; platelet adhesion (/mm2): 1,626.7 ± 120.1 vs. 1,395.6 ± 363.3 vs. 1,102.2 ± 373.7), which had a rougher and negatively charged surface, and the coagulation system was inhibited by binding fibrinogen (Fg) and coagulation factors. Meanwhile, PBT‐PSMDB showed anticoagulant property and induced platelet activation. As a result, complement formation on these two films were less than PBT bearing OH groups by inhibiting the coagulation system (C3a (ng/ml): 3,745.4 ± 143.9 vs. 3,290.9 ± 249.7 vs. 4,887.9 ± 88.9; C5a (ng/ml): 22.1 ± 2.6 vs. 22.3 ± 1.8 vs. 27.9 ± 2.0). On the other hand, PBT bearing OH groups did not facilitate remarkable platelet adhesion and activation, and had no influence on platelet aggregation, hypotonic shock response, and coagulation system. The above results showed that the blood responses were highly interlinked, and could be modulated by grafting with different functional groups on the biomaterial surfaces. These findings may help identify a strategy to design materials with better hemocompatibility for blood contact, filtration, and purification applications.
Azilsartan prevented AGE‐induced inflammatory response and degradation of aggrecan in human chondrocytes through inhibition of Sox4
Authors: Lei Jie , He Mengyin , Xu Liangzhou , He Chengjian , Li Jie , Wang Wei
Published: June 2021

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs)‐induced inflammation and degradation of aggrecan in human chondrocytes play an important role in the progression and development of osteoarthritis (OA). Azilsartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, has been licensed for the treatment of high blood pressure. However, the effects of Azilsartan in OA and AGEs‐induced damages in chondrocytes have not been previously reported. The injured chondrocytes model was established by incubating with 5 μmol/L AGEs. 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide was used to evaluate the cell viability of treated SW1353 cells. The gene expression levels of interleukin‐1α (IL‐1α), tumor necrosis factor‐β (TNF‐β), IL‐6, a disintegrin‐like and metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type motif‐4 (ADAMTS‐4), ADAMTS‐5, Aggrecan, and Sox‐4 were evaluated using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and their protein levels were determined using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay or Western blot analysis. Mitogen‐activated protein kinase p38 pathway was surveyed using phosp‐p38 level and its specific inhibitor SB203580 was employed to block the p38 pathway. The overexpression of Sox4 plasmid was transfected into SW1353 cells to assess its regulation on ADAMTS‐4 and ADAMTS‐5. Azilsartan reduced AGEs‐induced production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL‐1α, TNF‐β, and IL‐6. Azilsartan prevented AGEs‐induced expressions of ADAMTS‐4 and ADAMTS‐5 as well as the reduction of aggrecan. Mechanistically, AGEs treatment increased the expression of Sox4 in a dose‐dependent manner. AGE treatment increased the level of phosphorylated p38. However, treatment with the p38 inhibitor SB203580 inhibited AGEs‐induced expression of Sox4, suggesting that AGEs‐induced expression of Sox4 is mediated by p38. Furthermore, Azilsartan suppressed AGEs‐induced phosphorylation of p38 and expression of Sox4. Finally, the overexpression of Sox4 abolished the inhibitory effects of Azilsartan against the expressions of ADAMTS‐4 and ADAMTS‐5. Azilsartan treatment prevented AGEs‐induced inflammatory response and degradation of aggrecan through inhibition of Sox4.
Extracellular Vesicle Capture by AnTibody of CHoice and Enzymatic Release (EV‐CATCHER): A customizable purification assay designed for small‐RNA biomarker identification and evaluation of circulating small‐EVs
Authors: Mitchell Megan I. , Ben‐Dov Iddo Z. , Liu Christina , Ye Kenny , Chow Kar , Kramer Yael , Gangadharan Anju , Park Steven , Fitzgerald Sean , Ramnauth Andrew , Perlin David S. , Donato Michele , Bhoy Emily , Manouchehri Doulabi Ehsan , Poulos Michael , Kamali‐Moghaddam Masood , Loudig Olivier
Published: June 2021

Circulating nucleic acids, encapsulated within small extracellular vesicles (EVs), provide a remote cellular snapshot of biomarkers derived from diseased tissues, however selective isolation is critical. Current laboratory‐based purification techniques rely on the physical properties of small‐EVs rather than their inherited cellular fingerprints. We established a highly‐selective purification assay, termed EV‐CATCHER, initially designed for high‐throughput analysis of low‐abundance small‐RNA cargos by next‐generation sequencing. We demonstrated its selectivity by specifically isolating and sequencing small‐RNAs from mouse small‐EVs spiked into human plasma. Western blotting, nanoparticle tracking, and transmission electron microscopy were used to validate and quantify the capture and release of intact small‐EVs. As proof‐of‐principle for sensitive detection of circulating miRNAs, we compared small‐RNA sequencing data from a subset of small‐EVs serum‐purified with EV‐CATCHER to data from whole serum, using samples from a small cohort of recently hospitalized Covid‐19 patients. We identified and validated, only in small‐EVs, hsa‐miR‐146a and hsa‐miR‐126‐3p to be significantly downregulated with disease severity. Separately, using convalescent sera from recovered Covid‐19 patients with high anti‐spike IgG titers, we confirmed the neutralizing properties, against SARS‐CoV‐2 in vitro, of a subset of small‐EVs serum‐purified by EV‐CATCHER, as initially observed with ultracentrifuged small‐EVs. Altogether our data highlight the sensitivity and versatility of EV‐CATCHER.
Saving and borrowing behaviour among agropastoralists in West Pokot County, Kenya
Authors: Bostedt Göran , Mukoya Lonah , Muricho Deborah , Nyberg Gert
Published: June 2021

Financial inclusion is an important development impetus, where knowledge of saving and borrowing behaviour provides valuable insights. This study focuses on access to and use of financial services among agropastoralists in rural Kenya, using survey‐based household data from 2007 and 2017. Surveys show that households with savings increased from about 57% to 71%—coinciding with increased access to financial training and growing use of informal group‐based savings organizations. Share of households that had access to credit also increased during this period, from about 26% to 54%. Support to group‐based savings organizations can stimulate financial inclusion among agropastoralists.
Diabetes induces macrophage dysfunction through cytoplasmic dsDNA/AIM2 associated pyroptosis
Authors: Nie Lulingxiao , Zhao PengFei , Yue Ziqi , Zhang Peng , Ji Ning , Chen Qianming , Wang Qi
Published: June 2021

Diabetes is emerging as a severe global health problem that threatens health and increases socioeconomic burden. Periodontal impairment is one of its well-recognized complications. The destruction of the periodontal defense barrier makes it easier for periodontal pathogens to invade in, triggering a greater inflammatory response, and causing secondary impairment. Macrophages are the major immune cells in periodontium, forming the frontier line of local innate immune barrier. Here, we explored the periodontal impairments and functional changes of macrophages under the diabetic and aging conditions. Besides, we further explored the molecular mechanism of how hyperglycemia and aging contribute to this pathogenesis. To test this, we used young and aged mice to build diabetic mice, and metformin treatment was applied to a group of them. We demonstrated that under hyperglycemia conditions, macrophage functions, such as inflammatory cytokines secretion, phagocytosis, chemotaxis, and immune response, were disturbed. Simultaneously, this condition elevated the local senescent cell burden and induced secretion of senescence-associated secretory phenotype. Meanwhile, we found that expressions of Gasdermin D (GSDMD) and caspase-1 were up-regulated in diabetic conditions, suggesting that the local senescent burden and systemic proinflammatory state during diabetes were accompanied by the initiation of pyroptosis. Furthermore, we found that the changes in aged condition were similar to those in diabetes, suggesting a hyperglycemia-induced pre-aging state. In addition, we show that metformin treatment alleviated and remarkably reversed these functional abnormalities. Our data demonstrated that diabetes initiated macrophage pyroptosis, which further triggered macrophage function impairments and gingival destructions. This pathogenesis could be reversed by metformin.
Relationship between sacral shape variation and phylogeny in Old World monkeys
Authors: Tojima Sayaka
Published: June 2021

The sacrum, an essential skeletal element in the trunk, articulates with the ilium and lumbar and caudal vertebrae. While there are known morphological differences between hominoids and cercopithecoids (Old World monkeys), sacral morphological variations among cercopithecoids have rarely been studied outside of research on tail length variation. Increased knowledge regarding sacral variations in extant primates, however, could help in understanding and reconstructing their evolutionary development. Therefore, this study aimed to explore phylogenetic sacral shape variations among cercopithecoids. Geometric morphometric analyses were performed on 221 sacra from 39 different cercopithecoid species. Clear shape differences were observed among Colobinae, Cercopithecini, and Papionini, particularly in the spinous processes and sacral lateral mass. These parts function as muscle attachment points or skeletal joints, and variations in them seemed to reflect their required functions. However, the significance of the relationship between shape and function was not so great as to explain all the observed variation. According to recent genetic/developmental biological studies, shape variations may also be caused by the pleiotropic effects of some genes, such as posterior Hox genes. Therefore, while skeletal morphology has previously been considered to be directly connected to skeletal function, this study's results suggest that other factors influencing sacral shape require further research.
Neuroimaging Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Task‐Based Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Activation Following 12 Weeks of Cosmos caudatus Supplementation Among Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: You Yee Xing , Shahar Suzana , Mohamad Mazlyfarina , Rajab Nor Fadilah , Haron Hasnah , Che Din Normah , Abdul Hamid Hamzaini
Published: June 2021

Background

Cosmos caudatus (CC) is traditional Asian vegetable, commonly consumed among the Southeast Asian population. It has been reported to be high in flavonoids and might potentially improve brain activity among older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The effect of CC in brain activation improvement using neuroimaging is yet to be discovered.

Purpose

To investigate the effects of CC supplement on brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) among older adults with MCI.

Study type

Prospective, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial.

Population/subjects

Twenty older adults with mild cognitive impairment (60–75 years old), 14 of them (70%) were female subjects.

Field strength/sequence

A 3.0‐T, T1‐weighted anatomical images, T2*‐weighted imaging data, A single shot, gradient echo‐echo planar imaging (EPI) sequence.

Assessment

All subjects were asked to consume two 500 mg capsules of either CC supplement or placebo (maltodextrin) daily for 12 weeks. Cognitive function was measured using validated neuropsychological tests (i.e. Mini‐mental State Examination and Digit Span) and task‐based fMRI (N‐back and Stroop Color Word Test) at baseline and 12th week. Brodmann's area 9, 46 and anterior cingulate cortex were selected as the regions of interest to define dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in fMRI analysis.

Statistical tests

Normality test was performed with the Shapiro–Wilk test. Two‐way repeated ANOVA determined the intervention effects of the CC supplementation on brain activity after adjustments for covariates. Significance level at P < 0.05 for independent‐t test and Chi square test; adjusted P < 0.0042 for two‐way repeated ANOVA after Bonferroni correction.

Results

Findings showed significant improvements in digit span (partial η2 = 0.559), increment in right DLPFC activation while performing 1‐back task (partial η2 = 0.586) and left DLPFC activation while performing Stroop Color Word Test (SCWT) (congruent) task (partial η2 = 0.432) at 12th week of CC supplementation.

Conclusion

CC supplementation might have the ability to improve DLPFC activation, potentially leading to improved working memory among older adults with MCI after 12 weeks of administration.

Level of evidence

1

Technical efficacy

Stage 4
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s efforts on diversifying the neuroscience research workforce
Authors: Jones Harlan P. , Thorpe Roland J. , Vishwanatha Jamboor K.
Published: June 2021

Research innovation that leads to discovery in the battle against neurological disease and disorders requires diverse ideas. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, one of the National Institutes of Health's 27 institutes and centers, strives to reduce the burden of neurological disease and disorders. The National Institutes of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke is very interested in increasing the diversity of researchers by addressing the existing barriers responsible for the low numbers of underrepresented populations from traditionally minority‐serving institutions (MSIs) and non‐minority serving institutions (non‐MSIs). This commentary provides insight on the persistent underrepresentation of racial/ethnic minorities entering neuroscience research careers paths, focusing on multiples levels within the scientific academy and the supportive role that both MSIs and non‐MSIs play in increasing diversity in the biomedical research workforce.
Lattice implants that generate homeostatic and remodeling strains in bone
Authors: Munford Maxwell J. , Xiao Dannier , Jeffers Jonathan R. T.
Published: June 2021

Bone remodeling is mediated by several factors including strain. An increase in strain between 1% and 10% compared to homeostasis can trigger bone formation. We aim to create an orthopedic implant using clinically established imaging and manufacturing methods that induces this strain control in human bone. Titanium scaffolds were manufactured with multiaxial apparent modulus tailored to the mechanical properties of bone defined from computed tomography scans of cadaver human tibiae. Five bone cubes were tested with corresponding titanium scaffolds by loading under compression, which is similar to the implanted tibia loading condition. Bone strain was precisely controlled by varying the scaffold modulus, from 0% to 15% bone strain increase. This strain increase is the magnitude reported to invoke bone's positive remodeling. Axial modulus was closely matched between titanium scaffolds and bone, ranging from 48–728 and 81–800 MPa, respectively, whereby scaffold axial modulus was within 2% of nominal target values. Fine control of multiaxial moduli resulted in transverse modulus that matched bone well; ranging from 42–648 and 47–585 MPa in scaffolds and bone respectively. The scaffold manufacturing material and method are already used in the orthopedic industry. This study has significant clinical implications as it enables the design of implants which positively harness bone's natural mechanoresponse and respect bone's mechanical anisotropy and heterogeneity.
Diet based on Prosopis laevigata legume seed prevents dyslipidemia development in C57BL/6J mouse
Authors: Díaz‐Batalla Luis , Aguilar Arteaga Karina , Castro‐Rosas Javier , Falfán‐Cortés Reyna N. , Téllez‐Jurado Alejandro , Gómez‐Aldapa Carlos A.
Published: June 2021

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden represents a major challenge for health care systems worldwide. Dyslipidemia is an important factor that triggers the atherogenic process and CVD development. The intake of legume seeds has been associated with a reduced risk of CVDs. Seed flour of Prosopis laevigata is a good source of protein, with high levels of active compounds. In the present work, the dyslipidemia‐prone C57BL/6J mouse was used to evaluate the potential of a diet based on mesquite seed to prevent CVD development, through the reduction of blood lipid levels. The diet based on mesquite seed (D1MS) supported the nutritional requirements of mice for the growing stage as the diet based on casein (D2Cas) and standard chow (D3SC). Mice treated with the diet D1MS (2.33%) had significantly lower visceral fat deposition than mice treated with the diet D2Cas (3.32%) and the diet D3SC (3.48%). Treatment with the diet D1MS decreases significantly the blood levels of glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol, resulting in a lower atherogenic index than treatments with D2Cas and D3SC diets. The phenolic compound content and specifically the presence of apigenin in the diet D1MS decrease body fat accumulation and atherogenic index in C57BL/6J mouse model, suggesting an important anti‐atherogenic potential of mesquite seed.
To disclose or not to disclose? Caregivers experiences of disclosure of HIV status of children living with HIV in Accra, Ghana
Authors: Klutsey Delight Abla , Amankwah‐Poku Margaret , Oppong Asante Kwaku
Published: June 2021

Background

Status disclosure remains a major challenge for most caregivers of children living with HIV/AIDS, and it remains suboptimal, resulting in reduced adherence and negative psychological and physical outcomes in these children. This study explored caregivers’ experiences of disclosure of the HIV status of their affected children within the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.

Methods

Using the interpretive phenomenological qualitative approach, in‐depth interviews were conducted among 15 caregivers (aged 27–55 years) who were either the biological parents or guardians of children living with HIV (aged 6–15 years) from three main hospitals giving antiretroviral care in the Greater Accra Region. Interviews focused on the reasons for disclosure, the process of disclosure, and the aftermaths of disclosure. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and subsequently analyzed thematically.

Results

Three main themes emerged from the analysis: “The Despair of HIV Diagnosis,” “The Dilemma and Nuances of Disclosure,” and “Aftermaths of Disclosure” Generally, the diagnosis of HIV in the children came as a shock to most caregivers which led to subsequent testing and diagnosis of caregivers. Two forms of disclosure were observed from the narratives: partial and full disclosure. Reasons for full disclosure were the child's curiosity, non‐adherence to antiretroviral therapy, and transition to high school. Non‐disclosure was as a result of stigma, the child been too young, and a lack of skill to disclose. Overall, caregivers reported that disclosure improved adherence and well‐being in their children; and helped reduce tension and anxiety among caregivers.

Conclusions

These findings suggest disclosure of HIV status to children living with HIV/AIDS has the potential to positively influence health outcomes in these children. However, caregivers need to be educated to initiate disclosure with the needed assistance from health care providers.
Mandibular rehabilitation: From the Andy Gump deformity to jaw‐in‐a‐day
Authors: Lilly Gabriela L. , Petrisor Daniel , Wax Mark K.
Published: June 2021

The mandible is a critical structure of the lower facial skeleton which plays an important role in several vital functions. Segmental resection of the mandible is at times required in patients with advanced oral cavity malignancies, primary mandibular tumors, and radiation or medication induced osteonecrosis. Mandibulectomy can significantly decrease quality of life, and thus mandibular reconstruction is an important aspect of the operative plan. Mandibular reconstruction is challenging due to the complex three‐dimensional anatomy of the mandible, and the precision required to restore dental occlusion in dentate patients. Significant advances have been made over the past decade in the ability to reconstruct and rehabilitate patients after a segmental mandibulectomy. This review will highlight these advances and discuss the timing of dental implantation.
The Efficacy and Safety of Fractional 1064 nm Nd:YAG Picosecond Laser Combined With Intense Pulsed Light in the Treatment of Atrophic Acne Scar: A Split‐Face Study
Authors: Feng Hao , Wu Yuemeng , Jiang Min , Luo Xiaoqun , Yan Shuxian , Lu Zhong
Published: June 2021

Background and Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fractional 1064 nm Nd:YAG picosecond laser combined with intense pulsed light (IPL) in the treatment of atrophic acne scar with post‐inflammatory erythema (PIE). © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Seventeen patients received five sessions of treatment at weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and were followed up at week 28. One half of the face was randomly treated by fractional 1064 nm Nd:YAG picosecond laser combined with IPL (FxPico + IPL), and the other by IPL alone as a control.

Results

For the 15 patients who completed the study, the FxPico + IPL side demonstrated significant median Échelle D'évaluation clinique des cicatrices D'acné (ECCA) score improvement (P < 0.01), while IPL alone side did not (P = 0.1250). The pore counts for both sides decreased but more pore count reduction was seen on the FxPico + IPL side (P < 0.05). Better scar improvement was observed on the FxPico + IPL‐treated side (P < 0.05) while no difference in erythema improvement was seen between the two sides. There was no difference between the two treatments in terms of overall satisfaction. Pain, erythema, edema, petechiae, crusting, reactive acneiform eruptions, and pruritus were common adverse effects and were mild to moderate.

Conclusion

FxPico + IPL is an effective, efficient, and safe treatment regimen for atrophic acne scars complicated by PIE.
Mechanical and Barrier Properties of Bromo–Butyl Elastomers Filled with Electrochemically Exfoliated Graphene
Authors: Verma Pawan , Zolton Gabriel C. , Truong Phuc Vinh , Arole Kailash , Saha Sanjit , Sentmanat Martin L. , Yakovlev Sergey , Jacob Sunny , Green Micah J. , Hule Rohan A.
Published: June 2021

In this paper, the effects of graphene loading and processing technique on the morphological, mechanical, thermal, rheological, and barrier properties of bromo–butyl rubber, are explored. Bromo–butyl rubber composites with electrochemically exfoliated graphene (EEG) nanosheet filler are prepared via solvent casting and/or melt blending techniques, and their properties are compared against a carbon black control sample. Even though analysis of the EEG composites via microscopy reveals agglomeration problems not present in the carbon black controls, EEG composite samples are observed to have improved barrier properties over carbon black samples in exchange for slightly reduced stress and strain at break. Extensional rheological analysis of the bromo–butyl rubber composites reveals strain hardening phenomena in all the samples and higher extensional modulus in solvent casted‐melt blended (SCM) samples. As a result of better dispersion over the solely melt‐blended samples, the SCM rubber composites exhibit superior tensile modulus and extensional modulus compared to the samples that are solely melt‐blended.
Does the fellow‐villager relationship between the independent director and the chairman of the board can inhibit the major shareholder expropriation? Evidence from China
Authors: Yu Yike , Cao Danting , Wang Zuogong , Zhang Zaijie
Published: June 2021

We studied the influence of the fellow‐villager relationship between the independent directors and the chairman of the board and found that the above relationship significantly eased the shareholder's encroachment. Furthermore, the above suppression effect is more significant in the poor formal institutional environment, and higher equity balance will weaken the restraining effect. At last, we revealed that the reputation mechanism presented the key factor that urged independent directors to exert influence on the decision of the chairman through the fellow‐villager relationship and, in turn, inhibited the encroachment.
Preoperative Electroencephalography‐Based Machine Learning Predicts Cognitive Deterioration After Subthalamic Deep Brain Stimulation
Authors: Geraedts Victor J. , Koch Milan , Kuiper Roy , Kefalas Marios , Bäck Thomas H.W. , van Hilten Jacobus J. , Wang Hao , Middelkoop Huub A.M. , van der Gaag Niels A. , Contarino Maria Fiorella , Tannemaat Martijn R.
Published: June 2021

Background

Subthalamic deep brain stimulation (STN DBS) may relieve refractory motor complications in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Despite careful screening, it remains difficult to determine severity of alpha‐synucleinopathy involvement which influences the risk of postoperative complications including cognitive deterioration. Quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) reflects cognitive dysfunction in PD and may provide biomarkers of postoperative cognitive decline.

Objective

To develop an automated machine learning model based on preoperative EEG data to predict cognitive deterioration 1 year after STN DBS.

Methods

Sixty DBS candidates were included; 42 patients had available preoperative EEGs to compute a fully automated machine learning model. Movement Disorder Society criteria classified patients as cognitively stable or deteriorated at 1‐year follow‐up. A total of 16,674 EEG‐features were extracted per patient; a Boruta algorithm selected EEG‐features to reflect representative neurophysiological signatures for each class. A random forest classifier with 10‐fold cross‐validation with Bayesian optimization provided class‐differentiation.

Results

Tweny‐five patients were classified as cognitively stable and 17 patients demonstrated cognitive decline. The model differentiated classes with a mean (SD) accuracy of 0.88 (0.05), with a positive predictive value of 91.4% (95% CI 82.9, 95.9) and negative predictive value of 85.0% (95% CI 81.9, 91.4). Predicted probabilities between classes were highly differential (hazard ratio 11.14 [95% CI 7.25, 17.12]); the risk of cognitive decline in patients with high probabilities of being prognosticated as cognitively stable (>0.5) was very limited.

Conclusions

Preoperative EEGs can predict cognitive deterioration after STN DBS with high accuracy. Cortical neurophysiological alterations may indicate future cognitive decline and can be used as biomarkers during the DBS screening. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Report reveals increasing children's MH needs during COVID
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: June 2021

More than 70% of parents who responded to a national poll by a children's hospital in Chicago feel that the pandemic has taken a heavy toll on their child's mental health, with many of them feeling like the consequences will be greater for them than for adults.
Breast ultrasound image segmentation: A coarse‐to‐fine fusion convolutional neural network
Authors: Wang Ke , Liang Shujun , Zhong Shengzhou , Feng Qianjin , Ning Zhenyuan , Zhang Yu
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Breast ultrasound (BUS) image segmentation plays a crucial role in computer‐aided diagnosis systems for BUS examination, which are useful for improved accuracy of breast cancer diagnosis. However, such performance remains a challenging task owing to the poor image quality and large variations in the sizes, shapes, and locations of breast lesions. In this paper, we propose a new convolutional neural network with coarse‐to‐fine feature fusion to address the aforementioned challenges.

Methods

The proposed fusion network consists of an encoder path, a decoder path, and a core fusion stream path (FSP). The encoder path is used to capture the context information, and the decoder path is used for localization prediction. The FSP is designed to generate beneficial aggregate feature representations (i.e., various‐sized lesion features, aggregated coarse‐to‐fine information, and high‐resolution edge characteristics) from the encoder and decoder paths, which are eventually used for accurate breast lesion segmentation. To better retain the boundary information and alleviate the effect of image noise, we input the superpixel image along with the original image to the fusion network. Furthermore, a weighted‐balanced loss function was designed to address the problem of lesion regions having different sizes. We then conducted exhaustive experiments on three public BUS datasets to evaluate the proposed network.

Results

The proposed method outperformed state‐of‐the‐art (SOTA) segmentation methods on the three public BUS datasets, with average dice similarity coefficients of 84.71(±1.07), 83.76(±0.83), and 86.52(±1.52), average intersection‐over‐union values of 76.34(±1.50), 75.70(±0.98), and 77.86(±2.07), average sensitivities of 86.66(±1.82), 85.21(±1.98), and 87.21(±2.51), average specificities of 97.92(±0.46), 98.57(±0.19), and 99.42(±0.21), and average accuracies of 95.89(±0.57), 97.17(±0.3), and 98.51(±0.3).

Conclusions

The proposed fusion network could effectively segment lesions from BUS images, thereby presenting a new feature fusion strategy to handle challenging task of segmentation, while outperforming the SOTA segmentation methods. The code is publicly available at https://github.com/mniwk/CF2‐NET.
Prognostic value of three rapid scoring scales and combined predictors for the assessment of patients with coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Hu Hai , Kong Weili , Yao Ni , Qiu Yanru , Yao Rong
Published: June 2021

Aim

To explore the factors affecting mortality in patients with COVID‐19 and to verify the predictive value of the three rapid scoring scales MEWS, RAPS and REMS.

Design

Cross‐sectional observational study.

Methods

Kaplan–Meier and Cox survival analyses were performed to identify the risk factors associated with COVID‐19‐related death. A ROC curve analysis was used to evaluate the abilities of the three scoring scales to predict the prognosis of COVID‐19 patients.

Results

Age, low blood oxygen saturation level and decreased lymphocyte count were the high risk factors for COVID‐19‐related mortality. The analysis of the abilities of the three scales to predict the prognosis of COVID‐19 patients: The AUC of 0.641 for the RAPS (p = .065). The MEWS (AUC = 0.705, p = .007), compared with RAPS, the NRI was 0.371(p = .03), and the IDI = 0.092 (p = .046); The REMS (AUC = 0.841, p < .001), compared with MEWS, the NRI was 0.227(p = .12), and the IDI=0.09(p = .047); The Combining Predictor (AUC = 0.878, p < .001), compared with REMS, the NRI was 0.25(p = .113), and the IDI=0.02(p = .598).

Conclusion

Patients with an old age, low blood oxygen saturation level and decreased lymphocyte count were at a high risk of COVID‐19‐related mortality. Moreover, our analysis revealed that the REMS had a better prognostic ability than the MEWS and RAPS when applied to COVID‐19 patients. Our findings suggest that the REMS can be used as a rapid scoring tool for the early assessment of COVID‐19 severity.
Continuous Improvement Pays Off for South Carolina Water Treatment Plants
Authors: Kilgore Tricia H.
Published: June 2021

Beaufort‐Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA) has a rich legacy of lessons learned from its 25‐year alliance with the Partnership for Safe Water. Because of self‐assessments and optimization efforts, BJWSA has made its processes and plants more robust and reliable as part of its mission to inspire trust and enhance public health.
Make Responsibility Count With a Cost‐Saving, Revenue‐Generating CARE Program
Authors: Adderly T.C.
Published: June 2021

Taxes are one of the key reasons many people choose to move to Florida. The lack of a state income tax, moderate sales and business taxes, and statewide property taxes below the national average are all attractive reasons to call Florida home. But it also means there isn't much room for cities and municipalities to increase taxes further to compensate for inflation, rising costs, or instituting new programs. The City of Miramar, however, has found a solution by approaching these challenges from a new angle: the city's new Comprehensive Assessment of Revenues and Expenses (CARE) program.
Study on synthesis and demolding performance of polyethylene glycol fatty acid mold release agents
Authors: Wu Fucheng , Gao Shanjun , Zeng Yingying , Li Yunzhe , Zhao Zhixin , Shen Chunhui
Published: June 2021

Release agent is an indispensable kind of processing aids for composite molding. A kind of release agents was synthesized by using polyethylene glycol (Mn = 200, 300, 400) with different molecular weight as raw material, reacting with fatty acids with different carbon chains length (lauric acid, myristic acid, hexadecanoic acid, and stearic acid), and further crosslinking with phosphoric acid. The chemical structure of the synthesized release agent was confirmed by FT‐IR and 1H‐NMR. Through the performance test of the synthesized demolding agent, five release agents with excellent performance were screened out. The results showed: The release agents can be well dissolved in ethanol, a green and environment‐friendly solvent. The molecular weight was 480–630. The release agent's acid value was between 0.05 and 0.06KOH/(mg/g). The peeling strength was 0.066–0.087 MPa and the interlaminar shear strength was 1.101–1.323 MPa. The film‐forming time of the release agents on the mold was 1.5 min–3.5 min. The number of demolding was 16–20 times. The micro‐morphology of the resin surface demolded by NnP release agent synthesized in the present study and Meishu brand release agent widely‐used in the market was observed and compared by scanning electron microscope, indicating that the surface morphology of the resin demolded by NnP release agent was smoother after release. So the NnP release agents can be used in actual production.
Assessing children's perceptions of intervention acceptability ratings
Authors: Eckert Tanya L. , Eggleston Brittany N. , Hamsho Narmene F. , Williams Natalie L.
Published: June 2021

This study explored the concordance between 70 third‐grade students' preintervention and postintervention acceptability ratings of a writing intervention administered over 7 weeks. In addition, the association between students' preintervention and postintervention acceptability ratings and intervention effectiveness was examined. Results indicated statistically significant differences between female and male students’ perceptions of the intervention before implementation. In comparison to their male peers, female students rated the intervention more favorably, and the associations between preintervention and postintervention acceptability ratings were larger for female students. In addition, moderate to large associations were observed between female students writing productivity and their preintervention and postintervention acceptability ratings, whereas small to moderate associations were observed for male students. Implications and future research directions are discussed.
Registration of two germplasm lines with improved lint yield and fiber elongation in upland cotton
Authors: Fang Hui , Zhang Kuang , Bowman Daryl T. , Jones Don C. , Kuraparthy Vasu
Published: June 2021

Two conventional upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) germplasm lines, NC18‐05 (Reg. no. GP‐1082, PI 697272) and NC18‐06 (Reg. no. GP‐1083, PI 697273), were developed by the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at North Carolina State University. The lines were bred for fiber elongation within yield‐competitive phenotypes. The two lines were derived from a randomly mated population using multiple parental lines. Both NC18‐05 and NC18‐06 produced equivalent or higher lint than commercial cultivars ‘DP393’, ‘SG747’, and ‘UA48’ during 2 yr in Clayton, NC. Germplasm line NC18‐05 produced 1507.2 kg ha–1 of lint, which was 36.2% higher than DP393 and 29.4% higher than UA48 (p < .05). Germplasm line NC18‐06 produced 1428.6 kg ha–1 of lint, which was 29.1% higher than DP393 and 22.6% higher than UA48 (p < .05). However, neither line yielded more lint per hectare than SG747 or the average of the parental lines (p > .05). Both NC18‐05 and NC18‐06 exhibited equal or higher fiber elongation values (6.0–49.2%) than the commercial cultivar controls. These two lines had higher lint percentages than UA48 (p < .05). NC18‐06 also demonstrated stronger fiber than DP393 and SG747 (p < .05). These two germplasm lines offer breeders a new source of exceptional fiber elongation before break within a high‐yielding background.