bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Useful functional recovery and quality of life after surgical treatment of peroneal nerve injuries
Authors: Rasulić Lukas , Nikolić Živan , Lepić Milan , Savić Andrija , Vitošević Filip , Novaković Nenad , Radojević Stefan , Mićić Aleksa , Lepić Sanja , Mandić-Rajčević Stefan
Published: November 2022

Closed injuries to the peroneal nerve recover spontaneously in about a third of patients, but surgery may be needed in the remaining 2/3. The recovery after surgery is not always satisfactory and the patients may need an orthosis or a walking aid to cope with regular daily activities. This study aimed to evaluate the useful functional recovery and quality of life (QoL) in surgically treated patients with peroneal nerve (PN) injuries. The study involved 51 patients who have undergone surgical treatment due to PN injury in our department, within a 15-year period (2006–2020). Thirty patients (59%) were treated with neurolysis, 12 (23%) with nerve repair techniques, and 9 (18%) with tendon transfer (TT). Neurolysis is employed in the least extensive nerve injuries when nerve continuity is preserved and yields a motor recovery ratio of almost 80%. Nerve repairs were followed by 58.33% of patients achieving M3+ recovery, while 41.66% recovered to the useful functional state (M4 or M5) With the use of TTs, all patients recovered to the M3+, while 66.7% recovered to M4. All our results correspond to the results of previous studies. No statistically significant differences were found regarding the QoL of the groups. There is an apparent advantage of neurolysis, over nerve repair, over TT procedure, both in terms of useful functional recovery, and foot-drop-related QoL. However, when involving all aspects of QoL, these advantages diminish. The individual approach leads to optimal results in all groups of patients.
Head and neck small-cell carcinoma: A multicenter study of 39 cases from 10 institutions
Authors: Matsuyama Hiroshi , Ueki Yushi , Okamoto Isaku , Nagao Toshitaka , Honda Kohei , Yamazaki Keisuke , Okabe Ryuichi , Togashi Takafumi , Shodo Ryusuke , Ota Hisayuki , Takahashi Takeshi , Omata Jo , Yokoyama Yusuke , Saijo Kohei , Tanaka Ryoko , Tsukahara Kiyoaki , Kitahara Tadashi , Uemura Hirokazu , Yoshimoto Seiichi , Matsumoto Fumihiko , Okami Kenji , Sakai Akihiro , Takano Kenichi , Kondo Atsushi , Inohara Hidenori , Eguchi Hirotaka , Oridate Nobuhiko , Tanabe Teruhiko , Nakamizo Munenaga , Yokoshima Kazuhiko , Miura Koki , Kitani Yosuke , Horii Arata
Published: November 2022

Objective

Basal information of head and neck small-cell carcinoma (HNSmCC) including epidemiology, primary site, treatment, and prognosis remains sparse due to its rarity. We report here a multicenter retrospective study on the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of patients with HNSmCC.

Materials and methods

This study involved 47 patients with HNSmCC from 10 participating institutions. Eight patients were excluded for whom no pathological specimens were available (n = 2) and for discrepant central pathological judgements (n = 6). The remaining 39 patients were processed for data analysis.

Results

As pretreatment examinations, computed tomography (CT) was performed for the brain (n = 8), neck (n = 39), and chest (n = 32), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the brain (n = 4) and neck (n = 23), positron emission tomography-CT (PET-CT) in 23 patients, bone scintigraphy in 4, neck ultrasonography in 9, and tumor markers in 25. Primary sites were oral cavity (n = 1), nasal cavity/paranasal sinuses (n = 16), nasopharynx (n = 2), oropharynx (n = 4), hypopharynx (n = 2), larynx (n = 6), salivary gland (n = 3), thyroid (n = 2), and others (n = 3). Stages were II/III/IV-A/IV-B/IV-C/Not determined = 3/5/16/6/5/4; stage IV comprised 69%. No patient had brain metastases. First-line treatments were divided into 3 groups: the chemoradiotherapy (CRT) group (n = 27), non-CRT group (n = 8), and best supportive care group (n = 4). The CRT group included concurrent CRT (CCRT) (n = 17), chemotherapy (Chemo) followed by radiotherapy (RT) (n = 5), and surgery (Surg) followed by CCRT (n = 5). The non-CRT group included Surg followed by RT (n = 2), Surg followed by Chemo (n = 1), RT alone (n = 2), and Chemo alone (n = 3). The 1-year/2-year overall survival (OS) of all 39 patients was 65.3/53.3%. The 1-year OS of the CRT group (77.6%) was significantly better compared with the non-CRT group (31.3%). There were no significant differences in adverse events between the CCRT group (n = 22) and the Chemo without concurrent RT group (n = 9).

Conclusion

Neck and chest CT, neck MRI, and PET-CT would be necessary and sufficient examinations in the diagnostic set up for HNSmCC. CCRT may be recommended as the first-line treatment. The 1-year/2-year OS was 65.3%/53.3%. This study would provide basal data for a proposing the diagnostic and treatment algorithms for HNSmCC.
A pilot study to demonstrate the paracrine effect of equine, adult allogenic mesenchymal stem cells in vitro, with a potential for healing of experimentally-created, equine thoracic wounds in vivo
Authors: Caruso Michael , Shuttle Shannon , Amelse Lisa , Elkhenany Hoda , Schumacher James , Dhar Madhu S.
Published: November 2022

Regenerative biological therapies using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are being studied and used extensively in equine veterinary medicine. One of the important properties of MSCs is the cells' reparative effect, which is brought about by paracrine signaling, which results in the release of biologically active molecules, which in turn, can affect cellular migration and proliferation, thus a huge potential in wound healing. The objective of the current study was to demonstrate the in vitro and in vivo potentials of equine allogenic bone marrow-derived MSCs for wound healing. Equine bone marrow-derived MSCs from one allogenic donor horse were used. Equine MSCs were previously characterized for their in vitro proliferation, expression of cluster-of-differentiation markers, and trilineage differentiation. MSCs were first evaluated for their migration using an in vitro wound healing scratch assay, and subsequently, the conditioned medium was evaluated for their effect on human fibroblast proliferation. Subsequently, allogenic cells were intradermally injected into full-thickness, cutaneous thoracic wounds of 4 horses. Wound healing was assessed by using 3-D digital imaging and by measuring mRNA expression of pro-and anti-inflammatory markers for 30 days. Using human fibroblasts in an in vitro wound healing assay, we demonstrate a significantly higher healing in the presence of conditioned medium collected from proliferating MSCs than in the presence of medium containing fetal bovine serum. The in vitro effect of MSCs did not translate into a detectable effect in vivo. Nonetheless, we proved that molecularly characterized equine allogenic MSCs do not illicit an immunologic response. Investigations using MSCs derived from other sources (adipose tissue, umbilical cord), or a higher number of MSCs or a compromised animal model may be required to prove the efficacy of equine MSCs in wound healing in vivo.
Enhanced pathogenicity by up-regulation of A20 after avian leukemia subgroup a virus infection
Authors: Chen Xueyang , Wang Xingming , Yang Yuxin , Fang Chun , Liu Jing , Liang Xiongyan , Yang Yuying
Published: November 2022

Avian leukemia virus subgroup A (ALV-A) infection slows chicken growth, immunosuppression, and tumor occurrence, causing economic loss to the poultry industry. According to previous findings, A20 has a dual role in promoting and inhibiting tumor formation but has rarely been studied in avians. In this study, A20 overexpression and shRNA interference recombinant adenoviruses were constructed and inoculated into chicken embryos, and ALV-A (rHB2015012) was inoculated into 1-day-old chicks. Analysis of body weight, organ index, detoxification, antibody production, organ toxin load, and Pathological observation revealed that A20 overexpression could enhance ALV-A pathogenicity. This study lays the foundation for subsequent exploration of the A20-mediated tumorigenic mechanism of ALV-A.
Overlapping Grid-Based Optimized Single-Step Hybrid Block Method for Solving First-Order Initial Value Problems
Authors: Motsa Sandile
Published: November 2022

This study presents a new variant of the hybrid block methods (HBMs) for solving initial value problems (IVPs). The overlapping hybrid block technique is developed by changing each integrating block of the HBM to incorporate the penultimate intra-step point of the previous block. In this paper, we present preliminary results obtained by applying the overlapping HBM to IVPs of the first order, utilizing equally spaced grid points and optimal points that maximize the local truncation errors of the main formulas at the intersection of each integration block. It is proven that the novel method reduces the local truncation error by at least one order of the integration step size, O(h). In order to demonstrate the superiority of the suggested method, numerical experimentation results were compared to the corresponding HBM based on the standard non-overlapping grid. It is established that the proposed method is more accurate than HBM versions of the same order that have been published in the literature.
Accelerated Conjugate Gradient for Second-Order Blind Signal Separation
Authors: Dam Hai Huyen , Nordholm Sven
Published: November 2022

This paper proposes a new adaptive algorithm for the second-order blind signal separation (BSS) problem with convolutive mixtures by utilising a combination of an accelerated gradient and a conjugate gradient method. For each iteration of the adaptive algorithm, the search point and the search direction are obtained based on the current and the previous iterations. The algorithm efficiently calculates the step size for the accelerated conjugate gradient algorithm in each iteration. Simulation results show that the proposed accelerated conjugate gradient algorithm with optimal step size converges faster than the accelerated descent algorithm and the steepest descent algorithm with optimal step size while having lower computational complexity. In particular, the number of iterations required for convergence of the accelerated conjugate gradient algorithm is significantly lower than the accelerated descent algorithm and the steepest descent algorithm. In addition, the proposed system achieves improvement in terms of the signal to interference ratio and signal to noise ratio for the dominant speech outputs.
Automated Segmentation and Classification of Aerial Forest Imagery
Authors: Pichai Kieran , Park Benjamin , Bao Aaron , Yin Yiqiao
Published: November 2022

Monitoring the health and safety of forests has become a rising problem with the advent of global wildfires, rampant logging, and reforestation efforts. This paper proposes a model for the automatic segmentation and classification of aerial forest imagery. The model is based on U-net architecture and relies on dice coefficients, binary cross-entropy, and accuracy as loss functions. While models without autoencoder-based structures can only reach a dice coefficient of 45%, the proposed model can achieve a dice coefficient of 79.85%. In addition, for barren adn dense forestry image classification, the proposed model can achieve 82.51%. This paper demonstrates how complex convolutional neural networks can be applied to aerial forest images to help preserve and save the forest environment.
Physicochemical Evaluations of Diets, Rumen Fluid, Blood and Faeces of Beef Cattle under Two Different Feedlot Systems
Authors: Malafaia Pedro , Souza Vinícius Carneiro de , Costa Diogo Fleury Azevedo
Published: November 2022

The physicochemical characteristics of diets and faeces were evaluated in combination with data of rumen fluid and blood lactate collected from two distinct feedlot systems in Brazil to understand the causes and correlations to digestive disorders in these production systems. The data were collected during two visits to a finishing system which fed about 80,000 head per year, and four visits to two properties that fed 150 to 180 straight bred Nellore bulls per year to be sold as stud cattle. The findings suggest that ruminal acidosis occurred when there was high intake of starch-rich concentrate, and that subacute rumen acidosis (SARA) most likely occurred in situations where more than 4% of faecal dry matter was excreted as particles larger than 4 mm. The latter were associated with diets having less than 15% of particles smaller than 8 mm and faecal pH under 6.30. It is concluded that ancillary tests, such as ruminal and faecal pH, and particle size distribution in the faeces, can potentially be used in combination with information on diet nutritional composition and a series of best practice management protocols to increase not only animal productivity but to reduce the risks of SARA and ensure the welfare of animals.
Effects of Cisatracurium in Sevoflurane and Propofol Requirements in Dog-Undergoing-Mastectomy Surgery
Authors: Interlandi Claudia , Di Pietro Simona , Costa Giovanna L. , Spadola Filippo , Iannelli Nicola M. , Macrì Daniele , Ferrantelli Vincenzo , Macrì Francesco
Published: November 2022

The purpose of the present study was to test whether the addition of cisatracurium in combination with propofol and sevoflurane would result in a change in doses of used anesthetic drugs. Ten dogs (Group A) undergoing elective unilateral mastectomy surgery were included in the study. To induce and maintain anesthesia, subjects received propofol and sevoflurane at varying doses; analgesia was performed with remifentanil. After three months, the same subjects (Group B) underwent contralateral mastectomy and received the same anesthetic protocol with the addition of cisatracurium at a dosage of 0.2 mg/kg−1. The following parameters were monitored during anesthesia: heart rate, systolic blood pressure, end-tidal CO2, oxygen saturation, halogenate requirement, and rectal temperature at baseline (T0), induction (T1), 5 (T5), 10 (T10), 15 (T15), 20 (T20), 25 (T25), 30 (T30), and 35 (T35) time points. In Group A, halogenate requirement was reduced at all the time points other than T1 (p < 0.001); in Group B, the percentage of halogenate requirement was already reduced at T1 and remained constant during the experimental period, showing no significant intragroup differences. The dose requirements of sevoflurane and propofol varied significantly between the two groups, with significantly lower dosages in the Group B (the cisatracurium-treated group). Moreover, patients treated with cisatracurium showed a stable anesthetic plan. The nondepolarizing-muscle-relaxant cisatracurium besylate could be considered a useful adjunct to anesthetic protocols.
Study of Refining Effect of Mixed Pulps Using Refiner Plates with Different Bar Patterns
Authors: Ryu Jeong-Heon , Kim Chul-Hwan , Lee Ji-Young , Lee Ji-Su , Lee Cheong-Ha , Park Jin-Hwa
Published: November 2022

A new lightweight vertical bar plate was developed by inserting individual bars into the plate base rather than the typical sand casting method. The lightweight vertical bar plate has a very sharp bar edge because vertical bars are inserted instead of trapezoidal bars. The refining effects of the mixed stock with softwood bleached kraft pulp (Sw-BKP) and hardwood bleached kraft pulp (Hw-BKP) were compared using two types of lightweight vertical bar plates with cutting edge lengths of 55 km/s (PA55) and 97 km/s (PB97). The fine bar plate (PB97) with large CEL (PB97) was very effective in reducing the refining energy required to reach the final freeness regardless of the mixing ratios of Sw-BKP and Hw-BKP compared to the plate with a small CEL (PA55). PB97 also consumed less refining energy than PA55 until proper sheet strength was achieved. In particular, irrespective of the mixing ratios of Sw-BKP and Hw-BKP, the tensile strength of sheets at the final freeness was greater in PB97 than in PA55. For stock throughput during refining, PA55 with the wide groove was almost similar to PB97 with the narrow groove.
Temperature-Dependent Density and Magnetohydrodynamic Effects on Mixed Convective Heat Transfer along Magnetized Heated Plate in Thermally Stratified Medium Using Keller Box Simulation
Authors: Ullah Zia , Akkurt Nevzat , Alrihieli Haifaa F. , Eldin Sayed M. , Alqahtani Aisha M. , Hussanan Abid , Ashraf Muhammad , Jabeen Mah
Published: November 2022

The heat transmission properties along the non-magnetized geometries have been numerically obtainedby various researchers. These mechanisms are less interesting in engineering and industrial processes because of excessive heating. According to current studies, the surface is magnetized and the fluid is electrically conductive, which helps to lessen excessive surface heating. The main objective of the current analysis is to numerically compute the temperature-dependent density effect on magnetohydrodynamic convective heat-transfer phenomena of electrical-conductive fluid flow along the vertical magnetized and heated plate placed in a thermally stratified medium. For the purpose of numerical analysis, the theoretical process governing heat and magnetic intensity along a vertical magnetic plate is examined. By using suitable and well-known similarity transformations for integration, the non-linear coupled PDEs for the aforementioned electrical-conductive fluid flow mechanism are changed and subsequently converted into non-similar formulation. The Keller Box method is used to numerically integrate the final non-similar equations. The MATLAB software program plots the transformed algebraic equations graphically and quantitatively. The behavior of the physical quantities such asvelocity graph, magnetic field graph, and temperature plot along with their slopes that arerate of skin friction, the rate of heat transfer, and the rate of magnetic intensity for different parameters included in the flow model. The novelty of the current work is to compute the magneto-thermo analysis of electrically conducting flow along the vertical symmetric heated plate. First, we secure the numerical solution for steady part and then these results are used to find skin friction, heat transfer, and magnetic intensity. In the current work, the fluid becomes electrically conducing due to a magnetized surface which insulates heat during the mechanism and reduces the excessive heating. The results are excellent and accurate because they are satisfied by its given boundary conditions. Additionally, the current problems have a big impact on the production of polymer materials, glass fiber, petroleum, plastic films, polymer sheets, heat exchangers, catalytic reactors, and electronic devices.
Soil Classification by Machine Learning Using a Tunnel Boring Machine’s Operating Parameters
Authors: Kang Tae-Ho , Choi Soon-Wook , Lee Chulho , Chang Soo-Ho
Published: November 2022

This study predicted soil classification using data gathered during the operation of an earth-pressure-balance-type tunnel boring machine (TBM). The prediction methodology used machine learning to find relationships between the TBM’s operating parameters which are monitored continuously during excavation, and the engineering characteristics of the ground which are only available from prior geotechnical investigation. Classification criteria were set using the No. 200 sieve pass rate and N-value and employed classification algorithms that used data for six operating parameters (penetration rate, thrust force, cutterhead torque, screw torque, screw revolution speed, and earth pressure). The results of the ensemble model (i.e., AdaBoost, gradient boosting, XG boosting, and Light GBM), decision tree, and SVM model were examined. As a result, the decision tree and AdaBoost models showed accuracy values of 0.759 to 0.879 in the first and second classification steps, but with poor precision and recall values of around 0.6. In contrast, the gradient boosting, XG boosting, Light GBM, and support vector models all showed excellent performance, with accuracy values over 0.90, and strong precision and recall values. Comparing the performance and the speed of learning using the same PC found Light GBM which showed both excellent learning performance and speed to be a suitable model for predicting soil classification using TBM operating data. The classification model developed here is expected to help guide excavation in sections of ground that lack prior geotechnical information.
Comparing Modern Manufacturing Tools and Their Effect on Zero-Defect Manufacturing Strategies
Authors: Trebuna Peter , Pekarcikova Miriam , Dic Michal
Published: November 2022

The aim of most manufacturing and production factories can be defined as achieving smart and sustainable long-term production systems, which means moving towards strategies defined by Zero-Defect Manufacturing strategies with many areas of improvement, such as: lowering overall cost and energy consumption, amount of scrapped output and wasting raw material and improving overall lead times, production status overview, and planning abilities. These facts were the motivations behind the writing of this paper. The authors considered if the classical architecture of Zero-Defect Manufacturing can be improved by additional tools conventionally used in modern manufacturing. The authors have selected Advanced Planning and Scheduling software tools. To prove that different scheduling methods can have a serious impact on overall production results, we prepared a simple case base comparing different scheduling rules. The theoretical basis for writing this manuscript was prepared by studying classical ZDM methodology and defining the industry gap. The methodology is based on the Zero-Defect Manufacturing architecture, which is essential for high-level implementation in industrial practice. Adding new tools, such as Scheduling and the Industrial Internet of Things, to the classic ZDM architecture improves overall methodology. The impact of different scheduling strategies, which is also described in this study, depends on industry and working conditions. The scheduling rules were compared by several key performance indicators, such as lead time and the number of late/unfinished orders. The study realized, with the practical accent shown this challenge, further research in connection with digitalization.
Radiation Dose Optimization Based on Saudi National Diagnostic Reference Levels and Effective Dose Calculation for Computed Tomography Imaging: A Unicentral Cohort Study
Authors: Al-Othman Abdullah Yousef , Al-Sharydah Abdulaziz Mohammad , Abuelhia Elfatih Ibrahim , Mohtasib Rafat , Bin Dahmash Abdulmajeed , Hegazi Tarek Mohammed , Tajaldeen Abdulrahman Amin , Alshehri Sultan Salman , Al-Malki Fahad Mabruk , Alghamdi Salem
Published: November 2022

Few studies have reviewed the reduction of doses in Computed tomography (CT), while various diagnostic procedures use ionizing radiation to explore the optimal dose estimate using multiple exposure quantities, including milliampere-seconds, kilovoltage peak, and pitch factors while controlling the CT dose index volume (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP). Therefore, we considered optimizing CT protocols to reduce radiation and organ doses during head, chest, abdominal, and pelvic CT examinations. For establishing institutional diagnostic reference levels as a benchmark to correlate with national diagnostic reference levels (NDRLs) in KSA conforming to international guidelines for radiation exposure, 3000 adult-patients underwent imaging of organs. Dose parameters were obtained using Monte Carlo software and adjusted using the Siemens Teamplay™ software. CTDIvol, DLP, and effective dose were 40.67 ± 3.8, 757 ± 63.2, and 1.74 ± 0.19, for head; 14.9 ± 1.38, 547 ± 42.9, and 7.27 ± 0.95 for chest; and 16.84 ± 1.45, 658 ± 53.4, and 10.2 ± 0.66 for abdomen/pelvis, respectively. The NDRL post-optimization comparison showed adequate CT exposure. Head CT parameters required additional optimization to match the NDRL. Therefore, calculations were repeated to assess radiation doses. In conclusion, doses could be substantially minimized by selecting parameters per clinical indication of the study, patient size, and examined body region. Additional dose reduction to superficial organs requires a shielding material.
All the Missiles Are One Missile Revisited: Dazzle in the Work of Zofia Kulik
Authors: Wilson Sarah
Published: November 2022

This essay revisits one of Polish artist Zofia Kulik’s most important ‘photocarpets’, produced in a moment of hope, retrospection yet continuing war in 1993; seen by an international public in 1997. Visually, its composition is dominated by late Soviet sculptures symbolising Mother Russia and military aggression, yet the composition, ‘kilim-like’, with an additional reference to Polish Catholicism, involves bilateral and rotational symmetries which undermine significations of power and might with various other symbols: bodies, naked or draped, and Polish TV screenshots from both the military and entertainment worlds. ‘Dazzle’, the camouflage-related military term is also related to tears and (repressed) mourning. The female artist’s attitude to gender is crucial. The piece is both a ‘revisualisation’ and ‘rewriting’, relating both to the author’s previous texts on the artist from 1999 and 2001, and Kulik’s own rediscovery of her Ukrainian heritage, which reframes her own vision and understanding of the piece in 2022.
Monthly Agricultural Reservoir Storage Forecasting Using Machine Learning
Authors: Kim Soo-Jin , Bae Seung-Jong , Lee Seung-Jae , Jang Min-Won
Published: November 2022

Storage rate forecasting for the agricultural reservoir is helpful for preemptive responses to disasters such as agricultural drought and planning so as to maintain a stable agricultural water supply. In this study, SVM, RF, and ANN machine learning algorithms were tested to forecast the monthly storage rate of agricultural reservoirs. The storage rate observed over 30 years (1991–2022) was set as a label, and nine datasets for a one- to three-month storage rate forecast were constructed using precipitation and evapotranspiration as features. In all, 70% of the total data was used for training and validation, and the remaining 30% was used as a test. The one-month storage rate forecasting showed that all SVM, RF, and ANN algorithms were highly reliable, with R2 values ≥ 0.8. As a result of the storage rate forecast for two and three months, the ANN and SVM algorithms showed relatively reasonable explanatory power with an average R2 of 0.64 to 0.69, but the RF algorithm showed a large generalization error. The results of comparing the learning time showed that the learning speed was the fastest in the order of SVM, RF, and ANN algorithms in all of the one to three months. Overall, the learning performance of SVM and ANN algorithms was better than RF. The SVM algorithm is the most credible, with the lowest error rates and the shortest training time. The results of this study are expected to provide the scientific information necessary for the decision-making regarding on-site water managers, which is expected to be possible through the connection with weather forecast data.
The Dual Nature of Chaos and Order in the Atmosphere
Authors: Shen Bo-Wen , Pielke Roger , Zeng Xubin , Cui Jialin , Faghih-Naini Sara , Paxson Wei , Kesarkar Amit , Zeng Xiping , Atlas Robert
Published: November 2022

In the past, the Lorenz 1963 and 1969 models have been applied for revealing the chaotic nature of weather and climate and for estimating the atmospheric predictability limit. Recently, an in-depth analysis of classical Lorenz 1963 models and newly developed, generalized Lorenz models suggested a revised view that “the entirety of weather possesses a dual nature of chaos and order with distinct predictability”, in contrast to the conventional view of “weather is chaotic”. The distinct predictability associated with attractor coexistence suggests limited predictability for chaotic solutions and unlimited predictability (or up to their lifetime) for non-chaotic solutions. Such a view is also supported by a recent analysis of the Lorenz 1969 model that is capable of producing both unstable and stable solutions. While the alternative appearance of two kinds of attractor coexistence was previously illustrated, in this study, multistability (for attractor coexistence) and monostability (for single type solutions) are further discussed using kayaking and skiing as an analogy. Using a slowly varying, periodic heating parameter, we additionally emphasize the predictable nature of recurrence for slowly varying solutions and a less predictable (or unpredictable) nature for the onset for emerging solutions (defined as the exact timing for the transition from a chaotic solution to a non-chaotic limit cycle type solution). As a result, we refined the revised view outlined above to: “The atmosphere possesses chaos and order; it includes, as examples, emerging organized systems (such as tornadoes) and time varying forcing from recurrent seasons”. In addition to diurnal and annual cycles, examples of non-chaotic weather systems, as previously documented, are provided to support the revised view.
Effect of Anthropogenic Aerosols on Wheat Production in the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain
Authors: Shrestha Shreemat , Peel Murray C. , Moore Graham A. , Gaydon Donald S. , Poulton Perry L. , Dutta Swaraj K.
Published: November 2022

The Indo Gangetic Plain (IGP) is a food basket of South Asia and is considered a hotspot for air pollution due to persistently high emissions of anthropogenic aerosols. High levels of aerosols in the IGP not only affect the health of people but also the health of the natural system and the climate of the region. Aerosol effects on crop production in the IGP is an emerging area of interest for policymakers and the scientific community due to their possible effect on the food security and livelihood of millions of people in the region. To investigate the effect of anthropogenic aerosols on wheat production in the eastern IGP, we used a calibrated and validated Agricultural Production System Simulator (APSIM) model at nodes in Bangladesh, India and Nepal, 2015–2017. The effects of anthropogenic aerosols on wheat production were examined by running the APSIM model under three conditions: firstly, the condition with anthropogenic aerosols, using the observed meteorological data; secondly, the condition without anthropogenic aerosols, considering only the radiative effect of anthropogenic aerosols (adding the reduced radiation due to anthropogenic aerosols on the observed data); thirdly, the condition without anthropogenic aerosols, considering the radiation as well as temperature effects (by adding the reduced solar radiation and temperature due to anthropogenic aerosols on the observed data). The study revealed that, on average, anthropogenic aerosols reduced the wheat grain yield, biomass yield, and crop evapotranspiration by 11.2–13.5%, 21.2–22%, and 13.5–15%, respectively, when considering the 2015–2017 seasons at the target sites of eastern IGP. The study also showed an average reduction of more than 3.2 kg per capita per annum of wheat production in the eastern IGP due to anthropogenic aerosols, which has a substantial effect on food security in the region. Moreover, the loss of wheat grain yield due to anthropogenic aerosols in the eastern IGP is estimated to be more than 300 million USD per annum during the study period, which indicates a significant effect of anthropogenic aerosols on wheat production in the eastern IGP.
Long−Term Fertilization Increased Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Croplands Reclaimed from Desert
Authors: Wu Yufeng , Gao Xiaopeng , Kuang Wennong , Li Xiangyi , Zeng Fanjiang
Published: November 2022

Few studies have investigated how the reclamation of the desert to cropland affects soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. A study site was initiated in 2005 at the southern Taklimakan Desert by establishing four fields along the desert−oasis ecotone. Three fields were reclaimed as croplands for continuous cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production and received (1) high, (2) low, and (3) no fertilizer inputs and the fourth field remained as a native desert. Static-chamber monitoring of N2O flux was conducted from April 2019 to March 2021. N2O emissions occurred in cropland mainly after drip fertigation during the growing season. The two−year N2O emissions in the desert, no fertilizer, low fertilizer, and high fertilizer were 248, 670, 2232, and 3615 g N ha−1, respectively. The native desert was a weak source of N2O emissions, with the non−growing season emissions accounting for 66% of the annual emissions. N2O emissions from farmland mainly occurred over the growing season, accounting for 73−98% of the total annual emissions. The N2O flux was positively related to soil NO3−−N concentration and soil water−filled pore space (WFPS), highlighting the importance of soil N availability and moisture in affecting N2O emissions in extremely arid areas. Our results demonstrate that land reclamation from the desert to cropland significantly increased N2O emissions due to high nutrient inputs. Thus, appropriate fertilizer management in the reclaimed land is essential for maintaining yield, improving soil quality, and reducing N2O emissions for continuous cotton production.
Combined Pulsed Electric Field with Antimicrobial Caps for Extending Shelf Life of Orange Juice
Authors: Jin Tony Z. , Aboelhaggag Ramadan M.
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of combined pulsed electric fields (PEF) and antimicrobial packaging treatment in maintaining the quality and stability of orange juice stored at 10 °C. Orange juice was treated by PEF and stored in glass jars with antimicrobial caps coated with 10 µL of carvacrol essential oil (AP). Microbial reductions and physiochemical properties of juice samples were determined after treatments and during storage at 10 °C. Orange juice samples subjected to the combined treatment (PEF+AP) had the lowest yeast and mold populations after 14 day-storage at 10 °C. There were no significant differences in pH, acidity, color, total soluble solid contents, total phenol compounds, and Vitamin C among all samples after treatments. Storage studies showed that PEF, AP, and PEF+AP treatments maintained the quality and stability of orange juice stored at 10 °C for 5 weeks but lost Vitamin C. This study provides valuable information to juice processors for consideration and design of nonthermal pasteurization with antimicrobial packaging of juice products.
Patient-Level Omics Data Analysis Identifies Gene-Specific Survival Associations for a PD-1/PD-L1 Network in Pleural Mesothelioma
Authors: O’Connor Geraldine M. , Bakker Emyr Y.
Published: November 2022

Immune checkpoint blockade targeting PDCD1 (PD-1) or CD274 (PD-L1) has demonstrated efficacy and interest across multiple cancers. However, the exact determinants of the response and cancer-specific molecular features remain unclear. A recent pan-cancer study identified a PDCD1/CD274-related immunotherapy network of 40 genes that had differential patient survival associations across multiple cancers. However, the survival relevance of this network in mesothelioma could not be assessed due to a lack of available survival data for the mesothelioma study included. Mesothelioma, a rare cancer that most commonly arises in the pleural membranes around the lung, does have immune checkpoint blockade as an approved treatment strategy, yet questions over its efficacy remain. RNA-seq data from 87 pleural mesothelioma patients were interrogated on cBioPortal to assess the role of the PDCD1/CD274 network identified in a previous study, in addition to identifying repurposed drugs that may have therapeutic efficacy. Extensive literature searches were conducted to identify known information from the literature around the genes shown to impact patient survival (CCR5, GATD3A/GATD3, CXCR6, GZMA, and TBC1D10C). The same literature validation was performed for putative repurposed drugs that were identified as potential immunotherapeutic adjuvants in the context of mesothelioma (disulfiram, terfenadine, maraviroc, clioquinol, chloroxine, and oxyphenbutazone). Only disulfiram returned a specifically focused research article based on the literature search. This article demonstrated cytotoxicity in a panel of five human MPM cell lines of mixed histology (epithelioid, biphasic, and sarcomatoid). There was little information on the remaining five drugs, yet the clear preclinical efficacy of disulfiram validates the methodology used herein and prompts further exploration of the remaining drugs in mesothelioma. This study ultimately sheds light on novel preclinical information of genes related to PDCD1/CD274 in mesothelioma, as well as identifying putative drugs that may have therapeutic efficacy either independently or as an immunotherapeutic adjuvant.
The Simultaneous Determination of Chlorpyrifos–Ethyl and –Methyl with a New Format of Fluorescence-Based Immunochromatographic Assay
Authors: Xu Zi-Hong , Liu Jia , Li Bin , Wang Jun-Kai , Zeng Xi , Chen Zi-Jian , Hongsibsong Surat , Huang Wei , Lei Hong-Tao , Sun Yuan-Ming , Xu Zhen-Lin
Published: November 2022

The improper and excessive use in agriculture of chlorpyrifos–methyl (CPSM) and chlorpyrifos–ethyl (CPSE) may affect the health of human beings. Herein, a fluorescence-based immunochromatographic assay (FICA) was developed for the simultaneous determination of CPSM and CPSE. A monoclonal antibody (mAb) with equal recognition of CPSM and CPSE was generated by the careful designing of haptens and screening of hybridoma cells. Instead of labeling fluorescence with mAb, the probe was labeled with goat-anti-mouse IgG (GAM-IgG) and pre-incubated with mAb in the sample. The complex could compete with CPS by coating antigen in the test line. The new format of FICA used goat-anti-rabbit IgG (GAR-IgG) conjugated with rabbit IgG labeled with fluorescence microspheres as an independent quality control line (C line). The novel strategy significantly reduced nonspecific reactions and increased assay sensitivity. Under the optimal conditions, the proposed FICA showed a linear range of 0.015–64 mg/L and limit of detection (LOD) of 0.015 mg/L for both CPSE and CPSM. The average recoveries of CPS from spiked food samples by FICA were 82.0–110.0%. The accuracy was similar to the gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) results. The developed FICA was an ideal on-site tool for rapid screening of CPS residues in foods.
A Chemometric-Assisted Colorimetric-Based Inexpensive Paper Biosensor for Glucose Detection
Authors: Kishnani Vinay , Kumari Shrishti , Gupta Ankur
Published: November 2022

This article reports a simple and inexpensive leak-proof paper pad with an initial selection of a paper substrate on the grounds of surface morphology and fluid absorption time. Herein, a drying method is used for glucose detection on a paper pad through colorimetric analysis, and the spot detection of glucose is analyzed by optimizing the HRP concentration and volume to obtain accurate results. The rapid colorimetric method for the detection of glucose on the paper pad was developed with a limit of detection (LOD) of 2.92 mmol L−1. Furthermore, the effects of the detection conditions were investigated and discussed comprehensively with the help of chemometric methods. Paper pads were developed for glucose detection with a range of 0.5–20 mM (apropos to the normal glucose level in the human body) and 0.1–0.5 M (to test the excessive intake of glucose). The developed concept has huge potential in the healthcare sector, and its extension could be envisioned to develop the reported paper pad as a point-of-care testing device for the initial screening of a variety of diseases.
Structural Cerebellar Abnormalities and Parkinsonism in Patients with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome
Authors: Piervincenzi Claudia , Fanella Martina , Petsas Nikolaos , Frascarelli Marianna , Morano Alessandra , Accinni Tommaso , Di Fabio Fabio , Di Bonaventura Carlo , Berardelli Alfredo , Pantano Patrizia
Published: November 2022

Background: The phenotypic expression of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is variable and may include cognitive, psychiatric, and neurological manifestations, e.g., parkinsonism. We investigated brain structural alterations in patients with 22q11.2DS with and without parkinsonism (Park+ and Park−) in comparison with healthy controls (HCs). Methods: Voxel-based morphometry was performed on 3D T1-weighted MR images to explore gray matter volume (GMV) differences between 29 patients (15 Park+, 14 Park−), selected from a consecutive series of 56 adults diagnosed with 22q11.2DS, and 24 HCs. One-way ANOVA and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to explore group differences in GMV and correlations between clinical scores (MDS-UPDR-III and MoCA scores) and structural alterations. Results: Significant between-group differences in GMV were found in the cerebellum, specifically in bilateral lobes VIII and left Crus II, as well as in the left superior occipital gyrus. Although both Park+ and Park− patients showed GMV decrements in these regions with respect to HCs, GMV loss in the right lobe VIII and left Crus II was greater in Park+ than in Park− patients. GMV loss did not correlate with clinical scores. Conclusions: Patients with 22q11.2DS and parkinsonism manifest specific cerebellar volume alterations, supporting the hypothesis of neurodegenerative processes in specific cerebellar regions as a putative pathophysiological mechanism responsible for parkinsonism in patients with 22q11.2DS.
Thyroid Hormone Augmentation for Bipolar Disorder: A Systematic Review
Authors: Seshadri Ashok , Sundaresh Vishnu , Prokop Larry J. , Singh Balwinder
Published: November 2022

Thyroid hormone (TH) augmentation, although commonly used for major depression, is sparingly used for bipolar disorder (BD) after the failure of mood-stabilizing agents. While the exact mechanisms of thyroid hormone action in BD remains unclear, central thyroid hormone deficit has been postulated as a mechanism for rapid cycling. This systematic review—conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines—of eight studies synthesizes the evidence for TH augmentation in BD. A systematic search of the Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane databases was conducted for randomized controlled trials (RCT), open-label trials, and observational studies of levothyroxine (LT4) and triiodothyronine (T3) for BD. Open-label studies of high dose LT4 augmentation for bipolar depression and rapid cycling showed improvement in depression outcomes and reduction in recurrence, respectively. However, an RCT of high-dose LT4 did not show benefit in contrast to placebo. An RCT comparing LT4, T3, and placebo showed benefit only in rapid-cycling bipolar women. A meta-analysis could not be completed due to significant differences in study designs, interventions, and outcomes. Our systematic review shows mixed evidence and a lack of high-quality studies. The initial promise of supratherapeutic LT4 augmentation from open-label trials has not been consistently replicated in RCTs. Limited data are available for T3. The studies did not report significant thyrotoxicosis, and TH augmentation were well tolerated. Therefore, TH augmentation, especially with supratherapeutic doses, should be reserved for highly treatment-resistant bipolar depression and rapid-cycling BD.
The Flex Robotic System in Head and Neck Surgery: A Review
Authors: Riva Giuseppe , Cravero Ester , Briguglio Marco , Capaccio Pasquale , Pecorari Giancarlo
Published: November 2022

The Flex Robotic System is a device intended for robot-assisted visualization and surgical site access to the head and neck. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge about the Flex Robotic System in head and neck transoral robotic surgery (TORS). The primary search was performed using the term “Flex Robot” across several databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus). Patients were treated for both benign and malignant diseases. The oropharynx was the most frequent site of disease, followed by the supraglottic larynx, hypopharynx, glottic larynx, oral cavity, and salivary glands. Most of the studies did not reveal major intra- or post-operative complications. Bleeding incidence was low (1.4–15.7%). Visualization of the lesion was 95–100%, while surgical success was 91–100%. In conclusion, lesions of the oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx can be successfully resected, thus making the Flex Robotic System a safe and effective tool, reducing the morbidity associated with traditional open surgery.
Merkel Cell Polyomavirus (MCPyV) and Cancers: Emergency Bell or False Alarm?
Authors: Dimitraki Maria Georgia , Sourvinos George
Published: November 2022

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), the sole member of Polyomavirus associated with oncogenesis in humans, is the major causative factor of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare, neuroendocrine neoplasia of the skin. Many aspects of MCPyV biology and oncogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood. However, it has been established that oncogenic transformation is the outcome of the integration of the viral genome into the host DNA. The high prevalence of MCPyV in the population, along with the detection of the virus in various human tissue samples and the strong association of MCPyV with the emergence of MCC, have prompted researchers to further investigate the role of MCPyV in malignancies other than MCC. MCPyV DNA has been detected in several different non-MCC tumour tissues but with significantly lower prevalence, viral load and protein expression. Moreover, the two hallmarks of MCPyV MCC have rarely been investigated and the studies have produced generally inconsistent results. Therefore, the outcomes of the studies are inadequate and unable to clearly demonstrate a direct correlation between cellular transformation and MCPyV. This review aims to present a comprehensive recapitulation of the available literature regarding the association of MCPyV with oncogenesis (MCC and non-MCC tumours).
Advances in Understanding of Metabolism of B-Cell Lymphoma: Implications for Therapy
Authors: Kluckova Katarina , D’Avola Annalisa , Riches John Charles
Published: November 2022

There have been significant recent advances in the understanding of the role of metabolism in normal and malignant B-cell biology. Previous research has focused on the role of MYC and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and how these interact with B-cell receptor signaling and hypoxia to regulate glycolysis, glutaminolysis, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and related metabolic pathways in germinal centers. Many of the commonest forms of lymphoma arise from germinal center B-cells, reflecting the physiological attenuation of normal DNA damage checkpoints to facilitate somatic hypermutation of the immunoglobulin genes. As a result, these lymphomas can inherit the metabolic state of their cell-of-origin. There is increasing interest in the potential of targeting metabolic pathways for anti-cancer therapy. Some metabolic inhibitors such as methotrexate have been used to treat lymphoma for decades, with several new agents being recently licensed such as inhibitors of phosphoinositide-3-kinase. Several other inhibitors are in development including those blocking mTOR, glutaminase, OXPHOS and monocarboxylate transporters. In addition, recent work has highlighted the importance of the interaction between diet and cancer, with particular focus on dietary modifications that restrict carbohydrates and specific amino acids. This article will review the current state of this field and discuss future developments.