bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The regulation of child pornography in China and the United States: A comparative review of laws
Authors: Zhou Shuhuan
Published: May 2023

Grounded in comparative law research, this paper compares differences in the regulation of online child pornography in China and the United States. The United States began regulating child pornography through criminal law in the 1970s, gradually refining the laws to distinguish between child pornography and obscenity and prohibit the possession of child pornography and virtual child pornography. In contrast, China treats child pornography on an equal footing with adult pornography, but imposes more lenient penalties on disseminating child pornography, which has led to the proliferation of child pornography. By comparing the two countries' policies and laws on child pornography, this review makes four recommendations for other countries: (i) define child pornography in criminal law; (ii) distinguish between obscenity and child pornography; (iii) prohibit virtual child pornography on the internet; and (iv) increase criminal penalties for child pornography.
Comparison of different density functional theory methods for the calculation of vibrational circular dichroism spectra
Authors: Groß Jonathan , Kühlborn Jonas , Pusch Stefan , Weber Carina , Andernach Lars , Renzer Galit , Eckhardt Paul , Brauer Jan , Opatz Till
Published: May 2023

The determination of the absolute configuration (AC) of an organic molecule is still a challenging task for which the combination of spectroscopic with quantum‐mechanical methods has become a promising approach. In this study, we investigated the accuracy of DFT methods (480 overall combinations of 15 functionals, 16 basis sets, and 2 solvation models) to calculate the VCD spectra of six chiral organic molecules in order to benchmark their capability to facilitate the determination of the AC.
Density Functional Theory‐Based Protocol to Calculate the Redox Potentials of First‐row Transition Metal Complexes for Aqueous Redox Targeting Flow Batteries
Authors: Rahbani Noura , de Silva Piotr , Baudrin Emmanuel
Published: May 2023

Transition metal complexes are a promising class of redox mediators for targeting redox flow batteries due to the tunability of their electrochemical potentials. However, reliable time‐efficient tools for the prediction of their reduction potentials are needed. In this work, we establish a suitable density functional theory protocol for their prediction using an initial experimental data set of aqueous iron complexes with bidentate ligands. The approach is then cross‐validated using different complexes found in the redox‐flow literature. We find that the solvation model affects the prediction accuracy more than the functional or basis set. The smallest errors are obtained using the COSMO‐RS solvation model (mean average error (MAE)=0.24 V). With implicit solvation models, a general deviation from experimental results is observed. For a set of similar ligands, they can be corrected using simple linear regression (MAE=0.051 V for the initial set of iron complexes).
The effect of kangaroo care on cortisol levels and immune factors in breast milk
Authors: Yilmaz Kurt Fatma , Küçükoğlu Sibel , Aytekin Özdemir Aynur , Oğul Tanju , Türkön Hakan , Atay Selma , Aşki Nesrin
Published: May 2023

This paper investigated the effect of kangaroo mother care (KMC) in the early postpartum period on cortisol levels and immune factors in breast milk. This quasi‐experimental study was conducted at the obstetrics clinic of a university hospital in western Türkiye. The sample consisted of 63 mothers and their infants. All mothers had a cesarean delivery. Participants were divided into control (n = 32) and experimental groups (n = 31). The control group received routine care at the clinic. The experimental group received KMC for the first 3 days after birth in addition to the routine care at the clinic. Milk samples were collected on the third day after delivery to examine cortisol, IgA, IgM, and IgG levels. All parameters were measured using the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method. The experimental group had lower cortisol levels (17.740 ± 1.438) than the control group (18.503 ± 1.449) (p < .05). This result showed that the difference between the two groups was clinically significant (effect size = .53). There was no significant difference in IgA, IgM, and IgG levels between the groups (p > .05). The experimental and control groups had similar immunological factors, but the former had lower cortisol levels than the latter. Therefore, healthcare professionals should encourage mothers to provide KMC to their infants as soon as possible.
Future research directions of the model marine tubeworm Hydroides elegans and synthesis of developmental staging of the complete life cycle
Authors: Nesbit Katherine T. , Shikuma Nicholas J.
Published: May 2023

Background

The biofouling marine tube worm, Hydroides elegans, is an indirect developing polychaete with significance as a model organism for questions in developmental biology and the evolution of host‐microbe interactions. However, a complete description of the life cycle from fertilization through sexual maturity remains scattered in the literature, and lacks standardization.

Results and discussion

Here, we present a unified staging scheme synthesizing the major morphological changes that occur during the entire life cycle of the animal. These data represent a complete record of the life cycle, and serve as a foundation for connecting molecular changes with morphology.

Conclusions

The present synthesis and associated staging scheme are especially timely as this system gains traction within research communities. Characterizing the Hydroides life cycle is essential for investigating the molecular mechanisms that drive major developmental transitions, like metamorphosis, in response to bacteria.
Histone acetyltransferases and histone deacetyl transferases play crucial role during oogenesis and early embryo development
Authors: Bozdemir Nazlican , Uysal Fatma
Published: May 2023

Dynamic epigenetic regulation is critical for proper oogenesis and early embryo development. During oogenesis, fully grown germinal vesicle oocytes develop to mature Metaphase II oocytes which are ready for fertilization. Fertilized oocyte proliferates mitotically until blastocyst formation and the process is called early embryo development. Throughout oogenesis and early embryo development, spatio‐temporal gene expression takes place, and this dynamic gene expression is controlled with the aid of epigenetics. Epigenetic means that gene expression can be altered without changing DNA itself. Epigenome is regulated through DNA methylation and histone modifications. While DNA methylation generally ends up with repression of gene expression, histone modifications can result in expression or repression depending on type of modification, type of histone protein and its specific residue. One of the modifications is histone acetylation which generally ends up with gene expression. Histone acetylation occurs through the addition of acetyl group onto amino terminal of the core histone proteins by histone acetyltransferases (HATs). Contrarily, histone deacetylation is associated with repression of gene expression, and it is catalyzed by histone deacetylases (HDACs). This review article focuses on what is known about alterations in the expression of HATs and HDACs and emphasizes importance of HATs and HDACs during oogenesis and early embryo development.
Spatio‐temporal control of targeted gene expression in combination with CRISPR/Cas and Tet‐On systems in Medaka
Authors: Kayo Daichi , Kimura Sayaka , Yamazaki Touko , Naruse Kiyoshi , Takeuchi Hideaki , Ansai Satoshi
Published: May 2023

Spatial and temporal control of transgene expression is a powerful approach to understand gene functions in specific cells and tissues. The Tet‐On system is a robust tool for controlling transgene expression spatially and temporally; however, few studies have examined whether this system can be applied to postembryonic stages of Medaka (Oryzias latipes) or other fishes. Here, we first improved a basal promoter sequence on the donor vector for a nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ)‐based knock‐in (KI) system. Next, using transgenic Medaka for establishing the Tet‐On system by KI, we demonstrated that doxycycline administration for four or more days by feeding can be a stable and efficient method to achieve expression of the transduced reporter gene in adult fish. From these analyses, we propose an optimized approach for a spatio‐temporal gene‐expression system in the adult stage of Medaka and other small fishes.
Damage detection based on stiffness identification in time domain for poly‐linear hysteresis using sparse modeling
Authors: Nabeshima Kunihiko
Published: May 2023

The physical parameter identification of the dynamic mechanical model, such as stiffness identification, provides some valuable information for detecting post‐earthquake damage to building structures. During an earthquake, tracking changes in stiffness on the skeleton curve can be effective. It would also be helpful as an approximate evaluation if the method could be applied to structures with arbitrary poly‐linear hysteresis characteristics. However, previous research has not identified any poly‐linear hysteresis characteristics in a unified formulation. This paper proposes a new stiffness identification method in the time domain for building structures with any poly‐linear hysteresis characteristics using sparse modeling. The validity of the proposed method was investigated through numerical simulations and a full‐scale shaking table test.
Creating collaborative spaces to practice praxis
Authors: Triana Claudia , Bowman Alison , Bowman Nicole , Davis Ja'Dell , Forbes Jacquie , Fuller Regina , Good Annalee , Hernandez Anthony , Hook Tyler , Reeves Marlo , Rodriguez‐Escutia Yasmin , Symonette Hazel , Westaby Katelyn A. , Williams Troy
Published: May 2023

This chapter presents a call to action grounded in a graduate student clinical program at the Wisconsin Center for Education Research (WCER) at the University of Wisconsin‐Madison. The WCER Clinical Program (wcerclinicalprogram.org) creates a reciprocal space where graduate students and community‐based partners develop and practice connections between research, evaluation, practice, and policy through applied projects in the community, in real time, in real contexts, and with real impact. The Evaluation Clinic evolved from two primary needs: systematic and applied learning in Culturally Responsive and Equitable Evaluation (CREE) for graduate students in the School of Education; and accessible, high‐quality evaluation from WCER for local community‐based partners. Our ultimate vision is that people and organizations have the capacity to critically reflect on and mobilize knowledge to support equitable opportunities and outcomes.
Undergraduate certificate in community‐based assessment and evaluation
Authors: Sperling Rick , Márquez‐Muñoz Jessica
Published: May 2023

Undergraduate education is not typically considered an appropriate space for educating future evaluators. In this chapter, we challenge this assumption by explaining how one such program, the academic certificate in Community‐Based Assessment and Evaluation (CBAE), has produced multiple cohorts of well‐trained students. We describe the impetus for starting CBAE, its philosophical orientation and curricular requirements, our available resources, and the challenges we faced in ensuring its successful implementation. Through dogged determination and a commitment to our students and our surrounding communities, CBAE has emerged as a legitimate training ground for aspiring evaluators and an essential element to our institution's commitment to serving Mexican American students. We hope that reading our story will open educators to the idea that undergraduates are capable of achieving competence and that local communities benefit from the next generation of culturally responsive evaluators.
Kinship pathways: Nurturing and sustaining resilient, responsible, and respected indigenous evaluators
Authors: Dodge Francis Carolee , Bowman Nicole , King Sutton
Published: May 2023

In this chapter, we reflect upon the historical context and intersection of kinship and its relationality to Indigenous evaluators and their path to the evaluation profession. Indigenous evaluators with Indigenous lens perspectives are crucial to the field of evaluation. Our ability to ensure the success of current and future Indigenous evaluators requires that we reflect and examine both evaluation and Indigenous experience through an Indigenous lens. Our narrative concludes with suggestions that we move past the status quo of evaluation learning and teaching and embrace the concept of kinship as a component of addressing this complex and challenging issue within the field of evaluation.
Moving beyond methods training: Key directions for decolonizing evaluation education in the global south
Authors: Dighe Satlaj
Published: May 2023

While effective in imparting skills and competencies required for donor‐centric evaluations, the present system of evaluation education in the Global South adds little to the development of Indigenous evaluation theory and practice. As education is the primary tool for building evaluators’ capacity to construct knowledge situated in local epistemologies and culture, deconstructing the colonial character of education is the first step toward the decolonization of evaluation practice. The chapter first discusses the importance of disrupting the colonial episteme as a core feature of the decolonization process. Next, it explores the coloniality of the present education system in Global South evaluation and its implication for the evaluation field. The chapter then proposes five key strategic directions for decolonizing evaluation education and reinstating the voice and agency of Global South communities in the evaluation process: (1) transforming evaluation education to prioritize the learning needs of field‐based organizations, (2) strengthening access to evaluation education for grassroots communities, (3) acknowledging the primacy of local languages in building transformative knowledge, (4) reimagining evaluation educators, and (5) recognizing internal colonialism and social justice in the evaluation curriculum.
Early cortical oligodendrocyte precursor cells are transcriptionally distinct and lack synaptic connections
Authors: Vana Natascha S. , van Loo Karen M. J. , van Waardenberg Ashley J. , Tießen Monika , Cases‐Cunillera Silvia , Sun Wenjing , Quatraccioni Anne , Schoch Susanne , Dietrich Dirk
Published: May 2023

Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) generate oligodendrocytes, a process that may be tuned by neuronal activity, possibly via synaptic connections to OPCs. However, a developmental role of synaptic signaling to OPCs has so far not been shown unequivocally. To address this question, we comparatively analyzed functional and molecular characteristics of highly proliferative and migratory OPCs in the embryonic brain. Embryonic OPCs in mice (E18.5) shared the expression of voltage‐gated ion channels and their dendritic morphology with postnatal OPCs, but almost completely lacked functional synaptic currents. Transcriptomic profiling of PDGFRα+ OPCs revealed a limited abundance of genes coding for postsynaptic signaling and synaptogenic cell adhesion molecules in the embryonic versus the postnatal period. RNA sequencing of single OPCs showed that embryonic synapse‐lacking OPCs are found in clusters distinct from postnatal OPCs and with similarities to early progenitors. Furthermore, single‐cell transcriptomics demonstrated that synaptic genes are transiently expressed only by postnatal OPCs until they start to differentiate. Taken together, our results indicate that embryonic OPCs represent a unique developmental stage biologically resembling postnatal OPCs but without synaptic input and a transcriptional signature in the continuum between OPCs and neural precursors.
Neural similarity in nucleus accumbens during decision‐making for the self and a best friend: Links to adolescents' self‐reported susceptibility to peer influence and risk taking
Authors: Dai Junqiang , Kwon Seh‐Joo , Prinstein Mitchell J. , Telzer Eva H. , Lindquist Kristen A.
Published: May 2023

Adolescence is marked by increased peer influence on risk taking; however, recent literature suggests enormous individual variation in peer influence susceptibility to risk‐taking behaviors. The current study uses representation similarity analysis to test whether neural similarity between decision‐making for self and peers (i.e., best friends) in a risky context is associated with individual differences in self‐reported peer influence susceptibility and risky behaviors in adolescents. Adolescent participants (N = 166, Mage = 12.89) completed a neuroimaging task in which they made risky decisions to receive rewards for themselves, their best friend, and their parents. Adolescent participants self‐reported peer influence susceptibility and engagement in risk‐taking behaviors. We found that adolescents with greater similarity in nucleus accumbens (NACC) response patterns between the self and their best friend reported greater susceptibility to peer influence and increased risk‐taking behaviors. However, neural similarity in ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) was not significantly associated with adolescents' peer influence susceptibility and risk‐taking behaviors. Further, when examining neural similarity between adolescents' self and their parent in the NACC and vmPFC, we did not find links to peer influence susceptibility and risk‐taking behaviors. Together, our results suggest that greater similarity for self and friend in the NACC is associated with individual differences in adolescents' peer influence susceptibility and risk‐taking behaviors.
‘If you want something to happen, you have to do it yourself’: Understanding rural Australian's perspectives of health volunteering
Authors: Polson Bianca , Crozier Alyson J. , Dollman Jim , Gunn Kate M.
Published: May 2023

Issue Addressed

Rurality is associated with poorer health outcomes and access to health services, yet a strength of rural living includes community cohesion indicated by high rates of volunteering. While volunteerism is an effective means to target health needs in resource‐restricted contexts, research on volunteerism to address rural Australian health needs is limited. This research aimed to explore rural adults' perspectives of volunteerism in local activities and programs that had a direct health related benefit (health volunteering).

Methods

Eight people from the Murray Mallee region of South Australia participated during April 2021, ranging in age from 32 to 75 years. Participants were invited to one‐on‐one interviews that occurred via a phone call or teleconference meeting, which were audio‐recorded and transcribed verbatim to facilitate thematic analysis.

Results

Seven main themes emerged. Participants identified that (1) health volunteering takes many forms, (2) health volunteering affords local ownership and accessibility, (3) health volunteers have particular skills and values, but also (4) gain social benefits and learn new skills. Rural health volunteering was also associated with (5) a variety of personal costs, and (6) there are several environmental barriers and (7) facilitators to rural health volunteering that should be considered when designing health programs.

Conclusion

Results provide insight into how rural communities can enhance the development and application of volunteering roles to support health volunteering.

So What?

Including local champions, reducing the financial burden and developing support networks for volunteers are practical suggestions to enhance levels of volunteering for health in rural settings.
Video‐based behavioral change communication to change consumption patterns: Experimental evidence from urban Ethiopia
Authors: Abate Gashaw T. , Baye Kaleab , de Brauw Alan , Hirvonen Kalle , Wolle Abdulazize
Published: May 2023

Poor diet quality has been identified as a primary driver of malnutrition and increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Low fruit and vegetable consumption contributes to poor diet quality. We experimentally assess whether videos embedded messages about increasing fruit and vegetable consumption affect consumption. Four months after viewing either a basic video or a video that explains why fruits and vegetables can improve health and nutrition outcomes, average household consumption of fruits and vegetables increased by about 9% in both treatment groups relative to the control group, both in kilocalorie and consumption expenditure terms.
“I love being in the outdoors”: A qualitative descriptive study of outdoor adventure education program components for adolescent wellbeing
Authors: Down Michael , Picknoll Duncan , Piggott Ben , Hoyne Gerard , Bulsara Caroline
Published: May 2023

Background

This qualitative descriptive study gauged the perceptions of adolescent focus group participants and outdoor adventure education teachers on their preferred program components to improve adolescent wellbeing during a secondary school outdoor adventure education program.

Methods

Five student focus groups (N = 29) and four key informant interviews were conducted. Manual clustering of transcripts and template thematic analysis involving the development of a priori codes from interview questions resulted in an initial deductive code frame, followed by an inductive coding process.

Findings

Six themes were developed, namely perceptions of the outdoors, motivators for participation, barriers to participation, staff traits, and ideal program components. The main findings were that self‐efficacy, resilience, and individual empowerment opportunities were highly valued. Students also valued autonomy and independence, which presented a challenge for teachers managing the risks of their programs. Social connections and relationships were also held in high regard.

Contribution

Whilst adrenalin‐fuelled adventurous activities such as white water canoeing or rock climbing were popular with students and staff, the most valued aspects of outdoor adventure education were the opportunities to develop relationships, build social connections, self‐efficacy, resilience, and a sense of individual empowerment. Greater access to this style of education for adolescent students from lower socio‐economic areas would be beneficial due to the extant “opportunity gap” for this population.
The role of bacterial infections in rheumatoid arthritis development and novel therapeutic interventions: Focus on oral infections
Authors: Afrasiabi Shima , Chiniforush Nasim , Partoazar Alireza , Goudarzi Ramin
Published: May 2023

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) represents a primary public health challenge, which is a major source of pain, disability, and socioeconomic effects worldwide. Several factors contribute to its pathogenesis. Infections are an important concern in RA patients, which play a key role in mortality risk. Despite major advances in the clinical treatment of RA, long‐term use of disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drugs can cause serious adverse effects. Therefore, effective strategies for developing novel prevention and RA‐modifying therapeutic interventions are sorely needed.

Objective

This review investigates the available evidence on the interplay between various bacterial infections, particularly oral infections and RA, and focuses on some potential interventions such as probiotics, photodynamic therapy, nanotechnology, and siRNA that can have therapeutic effects.
Connecting data for consumer preferences, food quality, and breeding in support of market‐oriented breeding of root, tuber, and banana crops
Authors: Arnaud Elizabeth , Menda Naama , Tran Thierry , Asiimwe Amos , Kanaabi Michael , Meghar Karima , Forsythe Lora , Kawuki Robert , Ellebrock Bryan , Kayondo Ismail Siraj , Agbona Afolabi , Zhang Xiaofei , Mendes Thiago , Laporte Marie‐Angélique , Nakitto Mariam , Ssali Reuben Tendo , Asfaw Asrat , Uwimana Brigitte , Ogbete Chukwudi E. , Makunde Godwill , Maraval Isabelle , Mueller Lukas A. , Bouniol Alexandre , Fauvelle Eglantine , Dufour Dominique
Published: May 2023

The 5‐year project ‘Breeding roots, tubers and banana products for end user preferences’ (RTBfoods) focused on collecting consumers' preferences on 12 food products to guide breeding programmes. It involved multidisciplinary teams from Africa, Latin America, and Europe. Diverse data types were generated on preferred qualities of users (farmers, family and entrepreneurial processors, traders or retailers, and consumers). Country‐based target product profiles were produced with a comprehensive market analysis, disaggregating gender's role and preferences, providing prioritised lists of traits for the development of new plant varieties. We describe the approach taken to create, in the roots, tubers, and banana breeding databases, a centralised and meaningful open access to sensory information on food products and genotypes. Biochemical, instrumental textural, and sensory analysis data are then directly connected to the specific plant record while user survey data, bearing personal information, were analysed, anonymised, and uploaded in a repository. Names and descriptions of food quality traits were added into the Crop Ontology for labelling data in the databases, along with the various methods of measurement used by the project. The development and application of standard operating procedures, data templates, and adapted trait ontologies improved the data quality and its format, enabling the linking of these to the plant material studied when uploaded in the breeding databases or in repositories. Some modifications to the database model were necessary to accommodate the food sensory traits and sensory panel trials. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Kinetic and equilibrium studies of adsorption of acid blue dye onto preformed flocs as adsorbents
Authors: Munilakshmi Nijagala , Srimurali Muduru , Karthikeyan Janakiram , Nagaraju Charmathi
Published: May 2023

Adsorption studies of decolorization of Acid blue dye by using novel adsorbents of preformed flocs of Aluminum Sulphate, Ferric Chloride, and Ferrous Sulphate were carried out through non‐flow batch sorption studies. The influence of pH, equilibrium contact time, and floc dose on color removal was studied. Kinetic and equilibrium studies were carried out to know the efficacy of adsorbents in the decolorization of an aqueous solution of C.I. Acid blue 113 dye. In order to probe into the mechanism involved in the decolorization of dye solution, FTIR and SEM studies were conducted. The Langmuir isotherm was well fitted to the equilibrium data implying that there is monolayer formation in the process of sorption. Kinetic data fitted well to pseudo second order which states that chemisorption is the rate limiting step in the adsorption process. The adsorption capacity of preformed flocs of aluminum sulphate, ferric chloride, and ferrous sulphate were found to be 450 mg/g, 500 mg/g, and 125 mg/g. FTIR and SEM studies shows that there is adsorbent‐dye complex formation in the adsorption process of decolorization of Acid dye with preformed flocs.
Immunotherapy in the First‐Line Treatment of Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Guven Deniz Can , Stephen Bettzy , Sahin Taha Koray , Cakir Ibrahim Yahya , Aksoy Sercan
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Data regarding the clinical benefits of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are limited in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Therefore, we conducted a meta‐analysis of phase‐III clinical trials to evaluate the benefit of adding ICIs to chemotherapy in the first‐line treatment of advanced NPC.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review using Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase for studies published until September 21, 2022. The meta‐analyses were performed with the generic inverse‐variance method with a random‐effects model. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were the principal summary measures. This protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database (registration number: CRD 42022361866).

Results

Three eligible studies with a total of 815 patients were included. The addition of ICIs to standard chemotherapy significantly improved PFS (HR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.43–0.63, p < 0.0001). Although the OS results were immature, ICIs significantly reduced the risk of death (HR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.47–0.84, p = 0.0020). The benefit of ICIs was consistent regardless of initial disease presentation (recurrent or de novo), baseline EBV levels, PD‐L1 expression, and ECOG performance status. No significant difference in the rates of serious adverse events (HR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.74–1.30) was found between the two groups.

Conclusion

The available evidence demonstrates that adding ICIs to chemotherapy in the first‐line treatment of advanced NPC provided better PFS with acceptable safety. However, a longer follow‐up is required to evaluate the true OS benefit of these combinations.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 134:7–17, 2024
Brownian Dynamics Investigations of the Scattering Functions of Ideal and Excluded Volume Linear Polymers in Higher Dimensions
Authors: Dinh Khoa Dang , Bishop Marvin
Published: May 2023

Brownian Dynamics is used to investigate the scattering functions of ideal and excluded volume linear polymers in two to seven spatial dimensions. The scattering functions for ideal and excluded volume polymers examined are in agreement with theoretical predictions in all dimensions. As the dimension is increased, the scattering functions for the excluded volume chains converge toward the ideal results. These findings indicate that excluded volume chains behave more and more as ideal ones as the dimension gets larger.
Sural communicating nerve for application as a vascularized nerve graft: A microneurovascular anatomic study in cadavers
Authors: Kannan Ruben , Khajuria Ankur , Davies D. Ceri , Rymer Ben , Nduka Charles , Koshima Isao
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Sural nerve harvest causes paraesthesia to the lateral heel of the foot, which can debilitate those with already compromised proprioception. To circumvent this, we investigated an alternative donor nerve, branch of the lateral sural nerve complex called the sural communicating nerve (SCoNe), for its harvest and use as a vascularized nerve graft, in cadaver.

Methods

The SCoNe was visualized by dissection in 15 legs from 8 human cadavers and the relationship of the SCoNe to the overall sural nerve complex was documented. The surface markings, dimensions, and the micro‐neurovascular anatomy in the super‐microsurgery range (up to 0.30 mm) of the SCoNe was recorded and analyzed.

Results

SCoNe graft surface marking was confined within a triangle drawn between the fibular head laterally, the popliteal vertical midline medially and the tip of the lateral malleolus inferiorly. The proximal end of the SCoNe was situated at a mean intersection distance of 5 cm from both the fibular head and popliteal midline respectively. The mean length of the SCoNe was 226 ± 43 mm with a mean proximal diameter of 0.82 mm and mean distal diameter of 0.93 mm. In 53% of the cadavers, an arterial input was present in the proximal third of the SCoNe and veins were predominantly (87%) present in the distal third. In 46% and 20% of the 15 legs respectively, there was a nutrient artery and vein perfusing the SCoNe in its central segment. The external mean diameter of this artery was 0.60 ± 0.30 mm, while the vein was slightly larger with a mean diameter of 0.90 ± 0.50 mm.

Discussion

SCoNe graft may preserve lateral heel sensation, compared to sural nerve harvest, pending clinical studies. It may have wide applications as a vascularized nerve graft, including being ideal as a vascularized cross‐facial nerve graft because its nerve diameter is similar to the distal facial nerve branches. The accompanying artery is a good anastomotic match to the superior labial artery.
Abstract neutral differential equations with state‐dependent delay and almost sectorial operators
Authors: Jaiswal Anjali , Tyagi Jagmohan
Published: May 2023

We establish the existence and uniqueness of mild solutions of a first‐order neutral differential equation with state‐dependent delay and almost sectorial operator by using the theory of almost sectorial operators and fixed point theorems and show that under certain conditions mild solution becomes the classical solution. Later, we also discuss the local well‐posedness of the associated Cauchy problem.
Radial equivalence and applications to the qualitative theory for a class of nonhomogeneous reaction‐diffusion equations
Authors: Iagar Razvan Gabriel , Sánchez Ariel
Published: May 2023

Some transformations acting on radially symmetric solutions to the following class of nonhomogeneous reaction‐diffusion equations

which has been proposed in a number of previous mathematical works as well as in several physical models, are introduced. We consider here
,
,
, and
,
real exponents. We apply these transformations in connection to previous results on the one hand to deduce general qualitative properties of radially symmetric solutions and on the other hand to construct self‐similar solutions, which are expected to be patterns for the dynamics of the equations, strongly improving the existing theory. We also introduce mappings between solutions which work in the semilinear case
.
Tumor phantom model for MRI‐guided focused ultrasound ablation studies
Authors: Antoniou Anastasia , Evripidou Nikolas , Georgiou Leonidas , Chrysanthou Antreas , Ioannides Cleanthis , Damianou Christakis
Published: May 2023

Background

The persistent development of focused ultrasound (FUS) thermal therapy in the context of oncology creates the need for tissue‐mimicking tumor phantom models for early‐stage experimentation and evaluation of relevant systems and protocols.

Purpose

This study presents the development and evaluation of a tumor‐bearing tissue phantom model for testing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐guided FUS (MRgFUS) ablation protocols and equipment based on MR thermometry.

Methods

Normal tissue was mimicked by a pure agar gel, while the tumor simulator was differentiated from the surrounding material by including silicon dioxide. The phantom was characterized in terms of acoustic, thermal, and MRI properties. US, MRI, and computed tomography (CT) images of the phantom were acquired to assess the contrast between the two compartments. The phantom's response to thermal heating was investigated by performing high power sonications with a 2.4 MHz single element spherically focused ultrasonic transducer in a 3T MRI scanner.

Results

The estimated phantom properties fall within the range of literature‐reported values of soft tissues. The inclusion of silicon dioxide in the tumor material offered excellent tumor visualization in US, MRI, and CT. MR thermometry revealed temperature elevations in the phantom to ablation levels and clear evidence of larger heat accumulation within the tumor owing to the inclusion of silicon dioxide.

Conclusion

Overall, the study findings suggest that the proposed tumor phantom model constitutes a simple and inexpensive tool for preclinical MRgFUS ablation studies, and potentially other image‐guided thermal ablation applications upon minimal modifications.
The effect of splenic vein diameter on the diagnosis of portal vein thrombosis
Authors: Xiong Zhuxiang , Yan Yuling , Wang Xiaoze , Liu Zhan , Luo Xuefeng , Zheng Tinghui
Published: May 2023

Background

It was still controversial that whether the increase of splenic vein (SV) diameter increased the risk of portal vein thrombosis (PVT), which was a severe disease with high mortality, in the clinic.

Purposes

This study, using computational fluid dynamics method, aimed to investigate how the increase of SV diameter affects the portal vein hemodynamics under different anatomical and geometric features of the portal venous system, thus how it induced to PVT.

Methods

The ideal models of the portal system, including different anatomical structures according to the location of left gastric vein (LGV) and inferior mesenteric vein (IMV), and different geometric morphological parameters models were established to carry out numerical simulation in this study. In addition, the morphological parameters of real patients were measured to verify the numerical simulation results.

Results

First, the wall shear stress (WSS) and helicity intensity, which were closely related to the occurrence of thrombosis, gradually decreased with the increase of SV diameter in all models. However, the degree of decrease was bigger in following models: (1) the models with LGV and IMV linking to SV compared with them linking to PV; (2) the models with big angle of PV and SV compared with small angle. In addition, the morbidity of PVT was higher when LGV and IMV linked to SV rather than them linked to PV in the real patients. Moreover, the angle of PV and SV was also different between PVT and non‐PVT patients (125.53° ± 16.90° vs. 115.03° ± 16.10°, p = 0.01).

Conclusion

Whether the increase of SV diameter will result in PVT is depended on the anatomical structure of portal system and the angle between PV and SV, this is also the reason leading to the clinical controversy that the increase of SV diameter is the risk factor of PVT.
Simultaneously cured diglycidyl ethers of bisphenol A and polyethylene glycol: DSC, TGA, and DMA measurements
Authors: Ghallemohamadi Mehrdad Omidi , Heydari Iman , Jahani Abolfazl , Behniafar Hossein
Published: May 2023

In this study, to improve the physico‐mechanical properties of epoxy thermosets, simultaneous curing of two resins with a stoichiometric amount of an aromatic amine hardener was investigated. The two resins used included the well‐known diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBPA) with relatively rigid molecular structure and a diglycidyl ether derived from a popular polymer, polyethylene glycol (PEG), with loose molecular structure (DGEPEG). DGEPEG was used in amounts of 10 and 25 mol% in the resin mixture. A single‐resin curing process, including only DGEBA, was also examined. Before isothermal curing, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to determine the position of the curing exotherm. To ensure the completion of the curing processes, infra‐red (IR) and DSC techniques were performed on both simultaneously‐cured thermosets and the control thermoset. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of the prepared thermosets showed that the addition of DGEPEG resin in the curing process of DGEBA resin has no significant effect on reducing the thermal resistance of the thermoset. In addition, the storage moduli (E′) and the damping coefficients (tan δ) were measured by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). As the mole percentage of DGEPEG resin increased, the rapid drop in the E′ value and the α‐relaxation, which is a measure of the glass transition (Tg), occurred at lower temperatures.
A comprehensive strategy for prediction and quality evaluation of standardized planting herbs based on plant metabolomics coupled with extreme learning machine: Astragali Radix as an example
Authors: Li Chenyue , Lv Yangbin , Gao Wei , Mao Keji , Shan Weiguang , Tong Shengqiang , Xing Xiaolin , Qiu Feijun , Xia Zhengyan , Chu Chu
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Standardizing the planting process is an effective way to control the quality stability of herbal resources, which are susceptible to external environmental factors (e.g., moisture, soil, etc.). However, how to scientifically and comprehensively assess the effects of standardized planting on plant quality and quickly test unknown samples has not been addressed.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine and compare the metabolite levels of herbs before and after standardized planting, to quickly distinguish their sources, and to evaluate their quality, using the typical herb Astragali Radix (AR) as an example.

Methods

In this study, an efficient strategy using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) based on plant metabolomics combined with extreme learning machine (ELM) has been developed to efficiently distinguish and predict AR after standardized planting. Moreover, a comprehensive multi‐index scoring method has been developed for the comprehensive evaluation of the quality of AR.

Results

The results confirmed that AR after standardized planting was significantly differentiated, with a relatively stable content of 43 differential metabolites, mainly including flavonoids. An ELM model was established based on LC‐MS data, and the accuracy in predicting unknown samples could reach more than 90%. As expected, higher total scores were obtained for AR after standardized planting, indicating much better quality.

Conclusion

A dual system for evaluating the impact of standardized planting on the quality of plant resources has been established, which will significantly contribute to innovation in the quality evaluation of medicinal herbs and support the selection of optimal planting conditions.
Association between serum oxytocin levels and depressive state in community‐dwelling older adults: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Orihashi Ryuzo , Imamura Yoshiomi , Yamada Shigeto , Monji Akira , Mizoguchi Yoshito
Published: May 2023

Aim

Identifying peripheral biomarkers related to the prevention or modification of unhealthy mental conditions in older adults would be extremely beneficial. This study aimed to evaluate serum oxytocin levels in older adults living in a rural community and their association with cognitive function, anxiety, depressive state, and well‐being.

Methods

This survey was conducted between November 2016 and September 2017 in Kurokawa‐cho, Imari, Saga Prefecture, Japan, among people aged ≥65 years. Blood samples were collected from the participants for serum oxytocin level analysis, which was performed using peptide enzyme immunoassay. Participants underwent neuropsychological assessments, including the Mini‐Mental State Examination, Clinical Dementia Rating, Frontal Assessment Battery, State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory, 15‐item Geriatric Depression Scale, and 17‐item Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale. We examined the association between serum oxytocin levels and neuropsychological assessment results.

Results

Out of 94 participants, 25 were men and 69 were women, with mean ages of 78.24 ± 3.85 years and 78.10 ± 5.43 years, respectively. Serum oxytocin levels were negatively associated with 15‐item Geriatric Depression Scale scores. Additionally, nondepressive state/depressive state was classified by the 15‐item Geriatric Depression Scale (cut‐off 5/6). Logistic regression analysis showed that higher serum oxytocin levels tended to be associated with a less depressive state at that time.

Conclusions

Serum oxytocin levels may be associated with depressive state in adults aged ≥65 years.
Knockout of tyramine receptor 1 results in a decrease of oviposition, mating, and sex pheromone biosynthesis in female Plutella xylostella
Authors: Zheng Wei , Ma Haihao , Liu Zhangyang , Zhou Yong , Zhu Hang , Liu Jia , Zhang Chengjia , Liu Zheming , Zhou Xiaomao
Published: May 2023

BACKGROUND

Mating and oviposition are essential and closely coordinated events in the reproduction of moths. Although tyramine, a biogenic amine, can affect insect reproduction by binding its receptors, the specific regulatory mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated.

RESULTS

Plutella xylostella mutant with tyramine receptor 1 (TAR1) knockout (homozygous mutant with 7‐bp deletion, Mut7) was developed by the CRISPR/Cas9 system to investigate the effect of TAR1 knockout on the reproduction of the moth. Compared with wild‐type (WT), the egg yield of Mut7 female (Mut7F) was significantly lower, no significant difference was observed in the egg size and hatching ratio between the groups. Further analysis showed that TAR1 knockout adversely affected ovary development, characterized by shorter ovarioles and fewer mature oocyte. Additionally, TAR1 knockout significantly reduced the occurrence of mating, resulting in a decrease in egg yield in Mut7F. The amounts of sex pheromones were quantified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Results showed that the amounts of sex pheromone released by Mut7F were significantly lower before mating. Correspondingly, the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of sex pheromone biosynthesis enzymes, including acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC) and desaturase (DES), were significantly lower in the Mut7F pheromone gland. The decreased sex pheromone biosynthesis in Mut7F, especially before re‐mating, may be related to the underexpression of pheromone biosynthesis‐activated neuropeptide (PBAN).

CONCLUSION

Overall, this study investigated the effect of PxTAR1 on oviposition and mating of P. xylostella. We report for the first time that TAR1 knockout could reduce the sex pheromone biosynthesis. These findings provide insights for developing a novel integrated pest control strategy based on mating interference. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Pharmacokinetic analysis across studies to drive knowledge‐integration: A tutorial on individual patient data meta‐analysis (IPDMA)
Authors: van Wijk Rob C. , Imperial Marjorie Z. , Savic Radojka M. , Solans Belén P.
Published: May 2023

Answering challenging questions in drug development sometimes requires pharmacokinetic (PK) data analysis across different studies, for example, to characterize PKs across diverse regions or populations, or to increase statistical power for subpopulations by combining smaller size trials. Given the growing interest in data sharing and advanced computational methods, knowledge integration based on multiple data sources is increasingly applied in the context of model‐informed drug discovery and development. A powerful analysis method is the individual patient data meta‐analysis (IPDMA), leveraging systematic review of databases and literature, with the most detailed data type of the individual patient, and quantitative modeling of the PK processes, including capturing heterogeneity of variance between studies. The methodology that should be used in IPDMA in the context of population PK analysis is summarized in this tutorial, highlighting areas of special attention compared to standard PK modeling, including hierarchical nested variability terms for interstudy variability, and handling between‐assay differences in limits of quantification within a single analysis. This tutorial is intended for any pharmacological modeler who is interested in performing an integrated analysis of PK data across different studies in a systematic and thorough manner, to answer questions that transcend individual primary studies.
Bayesian borrowing from historical control data in a vaccine efficacy trial
Authors: Peng Lin , Jin Jing , Chambonneau Laurent , Zhao Xing , Zhang Juying
Published: May 2023

In the context of vaccine efficacy trial where the incidence rate is very low and a very large sample size is usually expected, incorporating historical data into a new trial is extremely attractive to reduce sample size and increase estimation precision. Nevertheless, for some infectious diseases, seasonal change in incidence rates poses a huge challenge in borrowing historical data and a critical question is how to properly take advantage of historical data borrowing with acceptable tolerance to between‐trials heterogeneity commonly from seasonal disease transmission. In this article, we extend a probability‐based power prior which determines the amount of information to be borrowed based on the agreement between the historical and current data, to make it applicable for either a single or multiple historical trials available, with constraint on the amount of historical information to be borrowed. Simulations are conducted to compare the performance of the proposed method with other methods including modified power prior (MPP), meta‐analytic‐predictive (MAP) prior and the commensurate prior methods. Furthermore, we illustrate the application of the proposed method for trial design in a practical setting.