bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sexual Activity and Physical Tenderness in Older Adults: Prevalence and Associated Characteristics from a Belgian Study
Authors: Cismaru-Inescu Adina , Hahaut Bastien , Adam Stéphane , Nobels Anne , Beaulieu Marie , Vandeviver Christophe , Keygnaert Ines , Nisen Laurent
Published: February 2022

Background

Despite the World Health Organization calling for sexuality to be recognized as an aspect of well-being, no studies have explored sexual activity and physical tenderness in older adults aged ≥ 75 years in Belgium or those aged ≥ 85 years worldwide.

Aim

To assess the prevalence and predictors of sexual activity and physical tenderness in a sample of older adults.

Methods

Using data from a Belgian cross-sectional study on sexual violence (UN-MENAMAIS), information on sexual activity, physical tenderness, and associated characteristics was collected during structured face-to-face interviews with older adults living in the community, assisted living facilities, or nursing homes. Cluster random probability sampling with a random route-finding approach was used to select the participants.

Outcomes

Current sexual activity and physical tenderness in the previous 12 months, sociodemographic characteristics, chronological age, subjective age, number of sexual partners, sexual satisfaction, attitudes toward sexuality in later life, quality of life, and lifetime sexual victimisation.

Results

Among the 511 participants included, 50.3% were in a relationship, mainly living with their partner; 31.3% indicated they were sexually active; and 47.3% of sexually inactive participants reported having experienced forms of physical tenderness in the previous 12 months. Sexual activity was associated with the presence of a partner, satisfaction with sexual life, permissive attitudes regarding sexuality in later life, a younger age, and a lack of disability. Physical tenderness was associated with the presence of a partner, community residency, and permissive attitudes regarding sexuality in later life.

Clinical Implications

Raising awareness among the general population, healthcare professionals, and older adults about sexuality in later life could contribute to ending this taboo and should therefore be a priority for society.

Strengths and Limitations

Our study fills a gap in the literature regarding sexual activity and physical tenderness in older adults aged ≥ 70 years, including respondents aged up to 99 years. Additionally, we explored different forms of sexual expression beyond intercourse, and face-to-face interviews contributed to the quality of the collected data. The main limitation of this study was the sample size, although the findings were similar to recent statistical indicators in Belgium.

Conclusion

One in 3 older adults aged ≥ 70 years living in Belgium are sexually active. These findings provide an opportunity to inform the general public and older adults about later life sexuality and to educate healthcare professionals about aging sexuality to increase discussions and avoid assumptions of asexuality in later life.
A novel approach to myringotomy simulation
Authors: Kelly Z , Cao A , Ahmedli N , Nassar M
Published: March 2022

Objective

In the wake of the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic, elective cases and opportunities for clinical application have decreased, and the need for useful simulation models has become more apparent for developing surgical skills. A novel myringotomy with ventilatory tube insertion simulation model was created.

Methods

Residents across all levels at our institution participated in the simulation. Participants were evaluated in terms of: time of procedure, microscope positioning, cerumen removal, identification of middle ear effusion type, canal wall trauma, tympanic membrane damage and tube placement.

Results

Eleven residents participated. Scores ranged from 14 to 34, out of a maximum of 40. The average score among junior and senior residents was 24 and 31, respectively. The simulation was felt to be representative of the operating theatre experience.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates a low-cost simulation model that captures several important, nuanced aspects of myringotomy with tube insertion, often overlooked in previously reported simulations.
“Our country has gained independence, but we haven't”: Collaborative translanguaging to decolonize English language teaching
Authors: Rajendram Shakina
Published: March 2022

The colonial history of many English language teaching (ELT) contexts has shaped how the concept of language is understood, how language policies are constructed, and how language education is organized. Various aspects of ELT in countries that were colonized continue to promote the imperialism of English (Motha, 2014) through the naming (i.e., labeling of linguistic phenomena as distinct languages, dialects, and language varieties), separation and hierarchization of languages, and the dominance of monolingual policies and practices in the classroom. Translanguaging, a theory and pedagogy that challenges colonial understandings of language and monoglossic norms in language teaching, has the transformative potential to liberate language practices that have been rendered invisible by abyssal thinking in ELT (García et al., 2021). Translanguaging as a theory posits that multilingual learners do not possess two or more autonomous language systems but rather that they select and deploy linguistic features from a unitary linguistic repertoire (Vogel & García, 2017). Translanguaging as a pedagogy urges educators to leverage learners’ entire linguistic and semiotic repertoires to support their learning instead of requiring them to keep certain languages outside the classroom. However, in educational contexts that respond to socially and politically imposed boundaries between languages, there are ideological and systemic challenges to the enactment of translanguaging as a pedagogy. This paper discusses these challenges with reference to the Malaysian language education context and draws on data from a collaborative translanguaging pedagogy designed through teacher-researcher collaboration and implemented in two Malaysian elementary English classrooms to offer recommendations for how ELT can be decolonized.
Criticality, identity, and ethics: Toward the construction of ethical subjectivity in applied linguistics research
Authors: Shin Jaran
Published: March 2022

Criticality has become legitimate and prominent in the field of applied linguistics. Given the realities of our uncertain and worrying times, however, it is essential to consider (a) how criticality can move beyond the rhetoric of inclusion, social transformation, and justice, and (b) the direction(s) in which critical applied linguistics research must point. This paper conjoins criticality, identity, and ethics and proposes the construction of ethical subjectivity as a way to reorient applied linguistics research toward the public good. Drawing on Foucault's later work, I contend that the process of becoming an ethical subject, which involves both internal and external transformations, would create alternative spaces and ways of action—giving new momentum to the project of realizing the world we wish to live in together.
Use of artificial intelligence to enable dark nudges by transnational food and beverage companies: analysis of company documents
Authors: Brooks Ruby , Nguyen Duy , Bhatti Asim , Allender Steven , Johnstone Michael , Lim Chee Peng , Backholer Kathryn
Published: March 2022

Objective:

To describe the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled dark nudges by leading global food and beverage companies to influence consumer behaviour.

Design:

The five most recent annual reports (ranging from 2014 to 2018 or 2015 to 2019, depending on the company) and websites from twelve of the leading companies in the global food and beverage industry were reviewed to identify uses of AI and emerging technologies to influence consumer behaviour. Uses of AI and emerging technologies were categorised according to the Typology of Interventions in Proximal Physical Micro-Environments (TIPPME) framework, a tool for categorising and describing nudge-type behaviour change interventions (which has also previously been used to describe dark nudge-type approaches used by the alcohol industry).

Setting:

Not applicable.

Participants:

Twelve leading companies in the global food and beverage industry.

Results:

Text was extracted from fifty-seven documents from eleven companies. AI-enabled dark nudges used by food and beverage companies included those that altered products and objects’ availability (e.g. social listening to inform product development), position (e.g. decision technology and facial recognition to manipulate the position of products on menu boards), functionality (e.g. decision technology to prompt further purchases based on current selections) and presentation (e.g. augmented or virtual reality to deliver engaging and immersive marketing).

Conclusions:

Public health practitioners and policymakers must understand and engage with these technologies and tactics if they are to counter industry promotion of products harmful to health, particularly as investment by the industry in AI and other emerging technologies suggests their use will continue to grow.
Personalisierte Therapie des chronischen Koronarsyndroms
Authors: Stehli Julia , Jakob Philipp , Michel Jonathan , Kasel Markus , Ruschitzka Frank , Templin Christian , Stähli Barbara E.
Published: March 2022

Zusammenfassung. Das chronische Koronarsyndrom stellt eine der häufigsten Erkrankungen dar. Die durch das chronische Koronarsyndrom bedingte myokardiale Ischämie kann sowohl durch morphologische wie auch funktionelle Veränderungen der Herzkranzgefässe bedingt sein, wobei Veränderungen das epikardiale Koronarsystem oder die koronare Mikrozirkulation betreffen können. Zur Abklärung von Personen mit Verdacht auf ein chronisches Koronarsyndrom werden nicht-invasive und invasive diagnostische Verfahren eingesetzt. Lebensstilveränderungen, optimale medikamentöse Therapie und die koronare Revaskularisation stellen die Hauptpfeiler in der Behandlung von Patientinnen und Patienten mit chronischem Koronarsyndrom dar. Der vorliegende Übersichtsartikel fasst die unterschiedlichen Formen des chronischen Koronarsyndroms zusammen und diskutiert Diagnostik und Therapie von Menschen mit chronischem Koronarsyndrom. Insbesondere wird der Stellenwert der perkutanen koronaren Revaskularisation in der Behandlung des chronischen Koronarsyndroms erörtert.
Visible to Mid‐Infrared Optical Constants of Orthopyroxenes
Authors: Rucks Melinda J. , Ye Cheng , Sklute Elizabeth C. , Arnold Jessica A. , DiFrancesco Nicholas J. , Glotch Timothy D.
Published: March 2022

Radiative transfer models of remotely acquired infrared spectra result in quantitative identification of minerals on planetary surfaces. Optical constants, or the real (n) and imaginary (k) indices of refraction are necessary inputs in such models. Pyroxenes are ubiquitous on the surfaces of terrestrial bodies within our solar system and can be readily used as thermo‐barometers to interpret magmatic histories. However, optical constants for intermediate pyroxene compositions are undetermined. Here, we have determined the optical constants of two natural orthopyroxenes both in the visible/near‐infrared (VNIR) and mid‐infrared (MIR) regions. VNIR reflectance spectra were measured using powdered samples and modeled using a combination of Hapke theory and Kramers‐Kronig analysis. MIR reflectance spectra were measured on oriented single crystal samples with non‐normal incidence and modeled using Lorentz‐Lorenz dispersion theory. The optical constants derived here are available to the scientific community at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4758045 to be used in the interpretation of remote sensing data.
Benthic Biolayer Structure Controls Whole‐Stream Reactive Transport
Authors: Roche Kevin R. , Dentz Marco
Published: March 2022

Hyporheic zone reaction rates are highest just below the sediment‐water interface, in a shallow region called the benthic biolayer. Vertical variability of hyporheic reaction rates leads to unexpected reaction kinetics for stream‐borne solutes, compared to classical model predictions. We show that deeper, low‐reactivity locations within the hyporheic zone retain solutes for extended periods, which delays reactions and causes solutes to persist at higher concentrations in the stream reach than would be predicted by classical approaches. These behaviors are captured by an upscaled model that reveals the fundamental physical and chemical processes in the hyporheic zone. We show how time scales of transport and reaction within the biolayer control solute retention and transformation at the stream scale, and we demonstrate that accurate assessment of stream‐scale reactivity requires methods that integrate over all travel times.
3D Microseismic Monitoring Using Machine Learning
Authors: Chen Yangkang , Saad Omar M. , Savvaidis Alexandros , Chen Yunfeng , Fomel Sergey
Published: February 2022

Microseismic source localization is important for inferring the dynamic status of the subsurface stress field during hydraulic fracturing. Traditional deterministic methods for 3D microseismic source localization require either ray tracing or full waveform modeling, thus are computationally expensive. We propose a very efficient (e.g., within 1 s) microseismic source localization method based on machine learning. First, three‐dimensional (3D) ray tracing is performed with hypothetical event locations and realistic acquisition geometry to calculate the theoretical travel‐times. The theoretical travel‐time differences and the spatial locations of the stations are treated as the input features of the training data set, and the corresponding source locations are used as the labels. The manually or automatically picked arrival time differences between different stations and a reference station after a microseismic event and the actual station locations are fed into the well‐trained model for a fast and accurate location prediction. The proposed method is efficient enough to be widely applied for the real‐time monitoring of hydraulic fracturing. The machine learning model is analogous to 3D grid search but performs 3D ray tracings before the actual localization, and needs to be retrained when applied to a new study area. We use several synthetic tests and a real data example from the Weiyuan hydraulic fracturing experiment in Sichuan, China, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The application of the proposed method to earthquake localization is also demonstrated to be straightforward.
Upwelling of Atlantic Water in Barrow Canyon, Chukchi Sea
Authors: Li Shutong , Lin Peigen , Dou Tingfeng , Xiao Cunde , Itoh Motoyo , Kikuchi Takashi , Qin Dahe
Published: February 2022

Using long‐term moorings data together with wind and sea ice measurements, we document the characteristics and variations of upwelling in Barrow Canyon and investigate the upwelled Atlantic Water (AW) on the Chukchi Sea shelf and how it impacts the ice cover. Driven by strong northeasterly winds, upwelling occurs more often in the cold months, and the occurrence tends to increase interannually since 2001. Over the 12‐year mooring record at the mouth of Barrow Canyon, roughly 10% of the upwelling events can drive AW onto the Chukchi Sea shelf. Both AW and non‐AW upwelling events have more occurrence and stronger strength in the cold months, but do not present a significant interannual trend. These variations are associated with the northeasterly winds. Comparing to the non‐AW upwelling, the AW upwelling is generally characterized by more vertical displacement of the AW layer at the mouth of Barrow Canyon, and stronger up‐canyon volume and heat transport. In the ice‐covered period, these two types of upwelling have different consequences for forming polynyas on the shelf. Under similar wind forcing, the ice reduction appears confined in the coastal region in the non‐AW upwelling events, while during AW upwelling events, the sea ice declines dramatically in the shelf interior with 15% more ice loss. It elucidates that the heat carried by the upwelled AW plays a considerable role in modulating the ice cover in the shelf interior.
Integrating Aquatic and Terrestrial Carbon Fluxes to Assess the Net Landscape Carbon Balance of a Highly Erodible Semiarid Catchment
Authors: Ran Lishan , Wang Xuhui , Li Siliang , Zhou Yuanyuan , Xu Yi‐Jun , Chan Chun Ngai , Fang Nufang , Xin Zhongbao , Shen Hongxun
Published: February 2022

The magnitude of the carbon (C) sink due to terrestrial primary production may be overestimated if the C losses through fluvial networks are not properly accounted for. In this study, we hypothesize that terrestrial‐aquatic C transfers represent a major loss of the terrestrial C sink in semiarid catchments. To test the hypothesis, we assessed the net landscape carbon balance (NLCB) of a highly erodible catchment on the semiarid Chinese Loess Plateau by compiling terrestrial net ecosystem productivity (NEP) estimates and aquatic fluxes of downstream C export, emission of CO2 and CH4, and C burial. Our results showed that, despite the severe erosion and strong C mobilization, this catchment was a net C sink (NLCB = 48.3–54.8 Mg C km−2 year−1). Downstream C export at catchment outlet and evasion of CO2 and CH4 only offset terrestrial NEP by 7.7%–8.5% due largely to low flow discharge and small water surface area of the stream network. Furthermore, C burial in reservoirs played a considerable role, reducing an additional 7.5%–8.3% of the NEP. Altogether, approximately 84% of the net terrestrial C production was stored within the catchment. Our study reveals that semiarid catchments with widespread erosion and low terrestrial production remain a net C sink, although the magnitude is lower than those found in other climate zones. Our study further advocates the need to integrate terrestrial‐aquatic C transfer into a comprehensive net C balance accounting at the landscape scale. Ignoring the aquatic C loss will cause biased estimates of the overall C sink strength.
Multi‐Task Deep Learning of Daily Streamflow and Water Temperature
Authors: Sadler J. M. , Appling A. P. , Read J. S. , Oliver S. K. , Jia X. , Zwart J. A. , Kumar V.
Published: March 2022

Deep learning (DL) models can accurately predict many hydrologic variables including streamflow and water temperature; however, these models have typically predicted hydrologic variables independently. This study explored the benefits of modeling two interdependent variables, daily average streamflow and daily average stream water temperature, together using multi‐task DL. A multi‐task scaling factor controlled the relative contribution of the auxiliary variable's error to the overall loss during training. Our experiments examined the improvement in prediction accuracy of the multi‐task approach using paired streamflow and water temperature data from sites across the conterminous United States. Our results showed that for 56 out of 101 sites, the best performing multi‐task models performed better overall than the single‐task models in terms of Nash‐Sutcliffe efficiency for predicting streamflow with single‐site models. For 43 sites, the best multi‐task, single‐site models made no significant difference in predicting streamflow. The multi‐task approach had a smaller effect when applied to a model trained with data from 101 sites together, significantly improving performance for only 17 sites. The multi‐task scaling factor was consequential in determining to what extent the multi‐task approach was beneficial. A naïve selection of this factor led to significantly worse‐performing models for 3 of 101 sites when predicting streamflow as the primary variable, and 47 of 53 sites when predicting stream temperature as the primary variable. We conclude that a multi‐task approach can make more accurate predictions by leveraging information from interdependent hydrologic variables, but only for some sites, variables, and model configurations.
Insula network connectivity mediates the association between childhood maltreatment and depressive symptoms in major depressive disorder patients
Authors: He Cancan , Fan Dandan , Liu Xinyi , Wang Qing , Zhang Haisan , Zhang Hongxing , Zhang Zhijun , Xie Chunming
Published: March 2022

Childhood maltreatment (CM) is a major risk factor for developing the major depressive disorder (MDD), however, the neurobiological mechanism linking CM and MDD remains unclear. We recruited 34 healthy controls (HCs) and 44 MDD patients to complete the childhood maltreatment experience assessment with Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and resting-state fMRI scan. Multivariate linear regression analysis was employed to identify the main effects of CM and depressive symptoms total and subfactors scores on bilateral anterior and posterior insula functional connectivity (IFC) networks, respectively. Mediation analysis was performed to investigate whether IFC strength mediates the association between CM and depressive symptoms. MDD patients showed significantly decreased connectivity in the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex and increased connectivity in the medial frontal gyrus in the bipartite IFC networks, compared to HCs. The main effects of CM and depressive symptoms showed a large discrepancy on the anterior and posterior IFC networks, which primarily located in the frontal-limbic system. Further, conjunction analysis identified the overlapping regions linking CM and depressive symptoms were mainly implicated in self-regulation and cognitive processing circuits. More important, these IFC strengths could mediate the association between different types of CM, especially for childhood abuse and childhood neglect, and depressive symptoms in those overlapping regions. We demonstrated that early exposure to CM may increase the vulnerability to depression by influencing brain’s self-regulating and cognitive processing circuitry. These findings provide new insight into the understanding of pathological mechanism underlying CM-induced depressive symptoms.
Structural basis for mismatch surveillance by CRISPR–Cas9
Authors: Bravo Jack P. K. , Liu Mu-Sen , Hibshman Grace N. , Dangerfield Tyler L. , Jung Kyungseok , McCool Ryan S. , Johnson Kenneth A. , Taylor David W.
Published: March 2022

CRISPR–Cas9 as a programmable genome editing tool is hindered by off-target DNA cleavage1–4, and the underlying mechanisms by which Cas9 recognizes mismatches are poorly understood5–7. Although Cas9 variants with greater discrimination against mismatches have been designed8–10, these suffer from substantially reduced rates of on-target DNA cleavage5,11. Here we used kinetics-guided cryo-electron microscopy to determine the structure of Cas9 at different stages of mismatch cleavage. We observed a distinct, linear conformation of the guide RNA–DNA duplex formed in the presence of mismatches, which prevents Cas9 activation. Although the canonical kinked guide RNA–DNA duplex conformation facilitates DNA cleavage, we observe that substrates that contain mismatches distal to the protospacer adjacent motif are stabilized by reorganization of a loop in the RuvC domain. Mutagenesis of mismatch-stabilizing residues reduces off-target DNA cleavage but maintains rapid on-target DNA cleavage. By targeting regions that are exclusively involved in mismatch tolerance, we provide a proof of concept for the design of next-generation high-fidelity Cas9 variants.
Metabolites of soil microorganisms modulate amyloid β production in Alzheimer’s neurons
Authors: Kondo Takayuki , Yamamoto Tsuyoshi , Okayama Kaoru , Narumi Hideki , Inoue Haruhisa
Published: March 2022

Microbial flora is investigated to be related with neuropathological conditions in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and is attracting attention as a drug discovery resource. However, the relevance between the soil microbiota and the pathological condition has not been fully clarified due to the difficulty in isolation culture and the component complexity. In this study, we established a library of secondly metabolites produced in microorganism to investigate the potential effect of microorganisms on the production of amyloid β (Aβ), one of the most representative pathogens of AD. We conducted a library screening to quantify Aβ and neuronal toxicity by using cortical neurons from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) of AD patients after adding secondary metabolites. Screening results and following assessment of dose-dependency identified Verrucarin A, produced in Myrothecium spp., showed 80% decrease in Aβ production. Furthermore, addition of Mer-A2026A, produced in Streptomyces pactum, showed increase in Aβ42/40 ratio at the low concentration, and decrease in Aβ production at the higher concentration. As a result, established library and iPSC-based phenotyping assay clarified a direct link between Aβ production and soil microorganisms. These results suggest that Aβ-microorganism interaction may provide insight into the AD pathophysiology with potential therapeutics.
Improved spin–orbit torque induced magnetization switching efficiency by helium ion irradiation
Authors: An Suhyeok , Baek Eunchong , Kim Jin-A , Lee Ki-Seung , You Chun-Yeol
Published: March 2022

Increasing the efficiency of spin–orbit torque (SOT) is of great interest in spintronics devices because of its application to the non-volatile magnetic random access memory and in-logic memory devices. Accordingly, there are several studies to alter the magnetic properties and reduce the SOT switching current with helium ion irradiation, but previous researches are focused on its phenomenological changes only. Here, the authors observe the reduction of switching current and analyze its origins. The analyzed major reasons are improved spin Hall angle represented as the changed resistivity of heavy metal layer and the reduction of surface anisotropy energy at interface between heavy metal and ferromagnet. It is confirmed that almost linear relation between changed SHA and Pt resistivity by helium ion irradiation, which is attributed because of the increase in the scattering sources induced by structural distortion during ion penetration. From the calculated power consumption ratio based on the derived parameter, the requiring power decreases according to the degree of ion irradiation. Our results show that helium ion penetration induced layer and interfacial disturbance affects SOT induced magnetization switching current reduction and may provide possibility about helium ion irradiation based superior SOT device engineering.
Nardilysin in adipocytes regulates UCP1 expression and body temperature homeostasis
Authors: Saijo Sayaka , Ohno Mikiko , Iwasaki Hirotaka , Matsuda Shintaro , Nishi Kiyoto , Hiraoka Yoshinori , Ide Natsuki , Kimura Takeshi , Nishi Eiichiro
Published: March 2022

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) dissipates chemical energy as heat through uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). The induction of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) in BAT was recently identified as a mechanism that supports UCP1-dependent thermogenesis. We previously demonstrated that nardilysin (NRDC) plays critical roles in body temperature homeostasis. Global NRDC-deficient (Nrdc–/–) mice show hypothermia due to a lower set point for body temperature, whereas BAT thermogenesis at room temperature (RT) is enhanced mainly to compensate for poor thermal insulation. To examine the primary role of NRDC in BAT thermogenesis, we generated adipocyte-specific NRDC-deficient (Adipo-KO) mice by mating Nrdc floxed (Nrdcflox/flox) mice with adiponectin-Cre mice. Adipo-KO mice showed hyperthermia at both RT and thermoneutrality. They were also more cold-tolerant than Nrdcflox/flox mice. However, UCP1 mRNA levels were significantly lower in Adipo-KO BAT at RT, thermoneutrality, and 4 °C, whereas no significant differences were observed in UCP1 protein levels at RT and 4 °C. We examined the protein stability of UCP1 using the cycloheximide chase assay and found that NRDC negatively regulated its stability via the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway. NRDC may be also involved in ROS-mediated in vivo thermogenesis because the inhibitory effects of N-acetyl cysteine, an ROS scavenger, on β3 agonist-induced thermogenesis were stronger in Adipo-KO mice. Collectively, the present results demonstrate that NRDC in BAT controls adaptive thermogenesis and body temperature homeostasis possibly via the regulation of UCP1 protein stability and ROS levels.
TRPA1s act as chemosensors but not as cold sensors or mechanosensors to trigger the swallowing reflex in rats
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Zakir , Ando Hiroshi , Unno Shumpei , Kitagawa Junichi
Published: March 2022

We examined the role of TRPA1s in triggering the swallowing reflex. TRPA1s predominantly localized on thin nerve fibers and fibroblast-like cells in swallowing-related regions and on small to medium-sized superior laryngeal nerve-afferents in the nodose–petrosal–jugular ganglionic complex. Topical application of a TRPA1 agonist, allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), dose-dependently triggered swallowing reflexes. Prior topical application of a TRPA1 antagonist significantly attenuated the AITC-induced reflexes. Application of cold AITC (4 °C) very briefly reduced the on-site temperature to < 17 °C (temperature at which TRPA1s can be activated), but had no effect on triggering of the reflex. By contrast, reducing the on-site temperature to < 17 °C for a longer time by continuous flow of cold AITC or by application of iced AITC paradoxically delayed/prevented the triggering of AITC-induced reflexes. Prior application of the TRPA1 antagonist had no effect on the threshold for the punctate mechanical stimuli-induced reflex or the number of low-force or high-force continuous mechanical pressure stimuli-induced reflexes. TRPA1s are functional and act as chemosensors, but not as cold sensors or mechanosensors, for triggering of the swallowing reflex. A brief cold stimulus has no effect on triggering of the reflex. However, a longer cold stimulus delays/prevents triggering of the reflex because of cold anesthesia.
Sirolimus-eluting cobalt–chrome alloy stent suppresses stent-induced tissue hyperplasia in a porcine Eustachian tube model
Authors: Kang Jeon Min , Kim Song Hee , Choi Yeon Joo , Park Yubeen , Ryu Dae Sung , Kang Woo Seok , Park Jung-Hoon , Park Hong Ju
Published: March 2022

Various preclinical studies with developed Eustachian tube (ET) stents are in progress but have not yet been clinically applied. ET stent is limited by stent-induced tissue hyperplasia in preclinical studies. The effectiveness of sirolimus-eluting cobalt–chrome alloy stent (SES) in suppressing stent-induced tissue hyperplasia after stent placement in the porcine ET model was investigated. Six pigs were divided into two groups (i.e., the control and the SES groups) with three pigs for each group. The control group received an uncoated cobalt–chrome alloy stent (n = 6), and the SES group received a sirolimus-eluting cobalt–chrome alloy stent (n = 6). All groups were sacrificed 4 weeks after stent placement. Stent placement was successful in all ETs without procedure-related complications. None of the stents was able to keep its round shape as original, and mucus accumulation was observed inside and around the stent in both groups. On histologic analysis, the tissue hyperplasia area and the thickness of submucosal fibrosis were significantly lower in the SES group than in the control group. SES seems to be effective in suppressing stent-induced tissue hyperplasia in porcine ET. However, further investigation was required to verify the optimal stent materials and antiproliferative drugs.
Fluorescence thermometers: intermediation of fundamental temperature and light
Authors: Feng Guangfu , Zhang Huaizu , Zhu Xiaohua , Zhang Jiaheng , Fang Jun
Published: March 2022

Fluorescence thermometers and the relationship between fluorescence intensity and wavelength.
Low thermal conductivity and high performance anisotropic thermoelectric properties of XSe (X = Cu, Ag, Au) monolayers
Authors: Xie Qing-Yu , Ma Jiang-Jiang , Liu Qing-Yi , Liu Peng-Fei , Zhang Pei , Zhang Kai-Wang , Wang Bao-Tian
Published: March 2022

A surprise TE figure of merit (ZT) of 3.26 along the y-direction for n-type doping for a CuSe monolayer.
Light-driven carbon dioxide reduction over the Ag-decorated modified TS-1 zeolite
Authors: Li Guohui , Wang Min , Shao Hengyang , Liu Wenqing , Yang Sicong , Sun Wei , Ishihara Tatsumi , Sun Yuanyuan , Zhou Xiaoxia
Published: March 2022

Cu species doped defective Ag/TS-1 owns Ti3+–Vo which could play an vital part in stabilizing Cu2O. It shows high selectivity for CO and C2H5OH under light excitation and photoelectric condition. The possible pathway of CO2RR process is proposed.
Dehydration of primary amides to nitriles in water. Late-stage functionalization and 1-pot multistep chemoenzymatic processes under micellar catalysis conditions
Authors: Wood Alex B. , Kincaid Joseph R. A. , Lipshutz Bruce H.
Published: March 2022

Palladium-catalyzed dehydration of primary amides to the corresponding nitriles can be performed in aqueous micelles, without need of significant volumes of organic co-solvent.
Fabrication of a zinc oxide/alginate (ZnO/Alg) bionanocomposite for enhanced dye degradation and its optimization study
Authors: Siddiqui Vasi Uddin , Ansari Afzal , Ansari M. Taazeem , Akram Md. Khursheed , Siddiqi Weqar Ahmad
Published: March 2022

Here, we reported the synthesis of ZnO/Alg bionanocomposite and analyzed photocatalytic degradation efficiency for MB and MO dyes under UV light. We also performed optimization studies using the RSM-CCD method and obtained 98% degradation efficiency.
Field-mediated interactions of passive and conformation-active particles: multibody and retardation effects
Authors: Fournier Jean-Baptiste
Published: March 2022

Passive, or conformation-active particles, undergoing multi-body field-mediated interactions exhibit peculiar behavior: low density liquid phases, retardation effects, and nonequilibrium band structures with recurrent lump formation (activity).
MoO3/TiO2/Ti3C2Tx nanocomposite based gas sensors for highly sensitive and selective isopropanol detection at room temperature
Authors: Yao Yu , Han Yutong , Zhou Ming , Xie Lili , Zhao Xueling , Wang Zifeng , Barsan Nicolae , Zhu Zhigang
Published: March 2022

The MoO3/TiO2/Ti3C2Tx composite was synthesized by a simple one-step hydrothermal method. Due to the formation of more active centers and heterojunctions, the sensor has excellent performance for VOCs and has a unique response to isopropanol.
Stimuli-responsive cyclodextrin-based supramolecular assemblies as drug carriers
Authors: Yuan Ying , Nie Tianqi , Fang Yifen , You Xinru , Huang Hai , Wu Jun
Published: March 2022

Drug delivery systems can achieve diverse functions by integrating the host–guest chemistry of CDs with stimuli-responsive functions.
Development of photochromic fused 2H-naphthopyrans with promising thermal fading rates
Authors: Yan Taishan , Tu Xi , Xi Zhiqiang , Du Siyi , Han Jie , Zhao Bin , He Zhengjie
Published: March 2022

The effect of electronic and steric factors on the thermal fading rate (t1/2) of fused 2H-naphthopyrans has been rationalized at the transition state level for the first time. The t1/2 can be tuned to 5 seconds by rational molecular design.
Merging strain-release and copper catalysis: the selective ring-opening cross-coupling of 1,2-oxazetidines with boronic acids
Authors: Xu Ji-Hang , Liu Zi-Kui , Tang Yan-Liu , Gao Yang , Hu Xiao-Qiang
Published: March 2022

A facile copper catalysed ring-opening cross-coupling of highly strained 1,2-oxazetidines with arylboronic acids has been achieved for the first time, delivering a wide range of aminomethylation products in useful to good yields.
Investigation of the influence of chirality and halogen atoms on the anticancer activity of enantiopure palladium(ii) complexes derived from chiral amino-alcohol Schiff bases and 2-picolylamine
Authors: Rudbari Hadi Amiri , Kordestani Nazanin , Cuevas-Vicario Jose V. , Zhou Min , Efferth Thomas , Correia Isabel , Schirmeister Tanja , Barthels Fabian , Enamullah Mohammed , Fernandes Alexandra R. , Micale Nicola
Published: March 2022

In order to evaluate the impact of chirality and halogen-substitution pattern on biological activity, four mixed-ligand enantiomeric pairs of Pd(ii) complexes were synthesized and characterized.
Facile synthesis of ZnMoO4/AlPO4-5 nanorod composites as visible-light-driven photocatalysts and high-performance energy storage materials
Authors: Aman Delvin , Abdel-Azim Samira , Said S. , Mohamed Saad G.
Published: March 2022

Photocatalytic degradation of PNP over single-crystalline ZnMoO4/AlPO4-5.
A solid-supported organocatalyst for asymmetric Mannich reaction to construct C2-quaternary indolin-3-ones
Authors: An Jian-Xiong , Yang Fen-Fen , Wang Pan , Gu Zhi-Cheng , Li Yan , Chen Lei , Zhao Yong-Long , He Bin
Published: March 2022

A simple and novel solid-supported organocatalyst from a 2-chlorotrityl chloride resin-immobilized 4-hydroxyproline was developed, which has been used for the asymmetric Mannich reaction of 2-aryl-3H-indol-3-ones and aldehydes/ketones.
Cascading reconstruction to induce highly disordered Fe–Ni(O)OH toward enhanced oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Hua Wei , Sun Huanhuan , Jiang Mingwei , Ren Lingbo , Zhang Yu , Wang Jian-Gan
Published: March 2022

NiHCF nanocubes are in situ etched away and simultaneously induce the reconstruction of underneath Ni(OH)2 to form highly disordered Fe–Ni(O)OH.
Teacher Educational Decision Making for Children With Specific Language Impairment
Authors: Girolamo Teresa M. , Rice Mabel L. , Selin Claire M. , Wang Chien J.
Published: March 2022

Purpose:

Children with specific language impairment (SLI) are underidentified, despite a robust literature on their language abilities and a clinical grammar marker. Adlof and Hogan (2019) call for school systems to assess oral language and provide supports through response to intervention (RTI), with the aim of identifying and supporting children with SLI and other language impairments. However, it is unknown how teachers make educational decisions for children with SLI.

Method:

A web-based survey was distributed to public school teachers nationwide (
N
= 304). In this observational study, teachers read six vignettes featuring profiles of children systematically varying in the linguistic characteristics relevant to SLI (e.g., difficulty with verb tense) and responded to items on the educational decisions that they would make in the absence of workplace constraints.

Results:

Teachers were likely to identify that the children in the vignettes needed language for classroom success and to indicate that they would provide in-class intervention. However, teachers were unlikely to recommend speech-language pathology services. These outcomes were mostly consistent across all child characteristics and teacher characteristics.

Conclusions:

Findings show that teachers were sensitive to the language-based needs of children with SLI and elected to provide in-class intervention. Future work is needed to understand how workplace characteristics, including opportunities for interprofessional collaboration, and the heterogeneity of children with SLI, inform teacher educational decision making.
A high‐precision adaptive blind estimation method for chaotic time series
Authors: Liu Fang , Cheng Mowen , Feng Yongxin
Published: February 2022

To improve the estimation accuracy of chaotic time series and reduce the computational complexity, a high‐precision adaptive blind estimation method is proposed. By introducing the pre‐treatment method, the adaptive identification model is established, and the linear estimation equation is derived. Through the organic combination of the model and the least square mechanism, the complexity of the model is limited. When changing the type and length of the sequence, the parameters can be changed adaptively, so as to construct the corresponding trajectory equation and realize the blind estimation of chaotic time series. The analysis and experimental results show that the estimation accuracy of this method can reach 10–16 order of magnitude.
Liebe Leserinnen und Leser,
Authors: Dengler Reinhard , Zierz Stephan
Published: March 2022

Liebe Leserinnen und Leser,

die diagnostischen Möglichkeiten bei Myopathien und anderen
neuromuskulären Erkrankungen sind in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten deutlich
mehr geworden und haben vielfach auch zu einem besseren Verständnis
einzelner neuromuskulären Erkrankungen geführt.
Clinicoepidemiological Profile and Treatment Outcomes in Children with Retinoblastoma: Experience from a Cancer Care Center in Northeast India
Authors: Hazarika Munlima , Kumar Gaurav , Saikia Bhargab Jyoti , Sarangi Satya Sadhan , Roy Partha Sarathi , Bhattacharjee Kasturi , Barman Manabjyoti
Published: February 2022

Background Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in children. We sought to provide a comprehensive assessment of epidemiological profile and treatment outcomes of children with RB.

Methods In this retrospective study, we analyzed 189 children diagnosed with RB at our center between 2004 and 2017. Survival was analyzed with the Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank test.

Results Median age at presentation was 14 months with male: female ratio 1.2:1. Mean duration between onset of symptoms and presentation was 49 days (standard deviation ± 79). Most common presenting symptom was white pupillary reflex in 60% of children. Family history of RB and other cancers was found in one (0.5%) and seven (4%) children, respectively. Primary mode of diagnosis and staging was ocular ultrasonography (bone scan) in 87% of patients. Computed tomographic scan and magnetic resonance imaging were done in 124 (66%) and 30 (16%) patients, respectively. International staging system grade E disease was found in 144 (76%), extraocular disease in 55 (29%), bilateral disease in 49 (26%), and trilateral disease in 3 (1.5%) children. Out of 189 children with RB, 33 (18%) refused treatment and 156 children received treatment (24 children [15%] abandoned treatment midway and 132 [85%] completed treatment). One hundred children (64%) received systemic therapy as neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy and 20 (13%) received local therapy. Eyeball and vision salvage rate with chemotherapy were 20 (13%) and 9 (6%), respectively. Cryotherapy was the most common modality of local treatment used in 11 (55%) children. Five-year survival for patients who received treatment was 76% (median survival not reached). In the treatment refusal group, median survival was 9 months.

Conclusion In developing countries, RB is mostly detected in advanced stages resulting in poor outcomes. Increased awareness and accessibility to dedicated centers for treating childhood malignancy can lead to early diagnosis, better prognosis, and increased vision salvage.
Compliance of Radiotherapy Treatment at a Tertiary Cancer Center in India—A Clinical Audit
Authors: Khanna Nehal R. , Kumar Anuj , Kataki Kaushik , Sehra Nishtha , Laskar Sarbani Ghosh , Mummudi Naveen , Gupta Tejpal , Tibdewal Anil , Pathak Rima , Wadasadawala Tabassum , Krishnatry Rahul , Chopra Supriya , Goda Jayant Sastri , Chatterjee Abhishek , Budrukkar Ashwini , Gurram Lavanya , Engineer Reena , Murthy Vedang , Swain Monali , Laskar Siddhartha , Sarin Rajiv , Agarwal Jai Prakash
Published: February 2022

Introduction Noncompliance to planned radiotherapy (RT) treatment is associated with inferior outcomes and also serves as an indicator of quality of care offered to the patients. Identification of the rate of noncompliance and its causative factors can help us develop an insight toward implementing mitigation measures thereby improving the quality of treatment.

Objective To ascertain the incidence of noncompliance and the factors affecting the same in patients offered RT appointments.

Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2019, who were noncompliant (defaulted RT simulation or defaulted initiation of RT or defaulted planned RT during the course of RT but excluding planned/unplanned treatment breaks or early conclusions prescribed by the treating radiation oncologist) for the planned RT treatment.

Results Of the 8,607 appointments (7,699 external beam RT and 908 brachytherapy) given to the patients attending the radiation oncology outpatient department in the year 2019, a total of 197 (2.28%) patients were found to be noncomplaint. Ninety-seven patients defaulted RT simulation (49.2%), 53 defaulted RT starting (26.9%), and 47 defaulted while on RT (23.9%). Half of these had either head–neck (29.9%) or gynecological (20.8%) malignancies. Patients with breast cancers had the least noncompliance rates (0.02%). The cause for noncompliance was ascertained in 135 patients (68.5%). The common causes of noncompliance were the desire to continue treatment closer to home (21.5%) followed by logistic (17%), lack of confidence in the curative potential of the planned therapy (17%), and financial reasons (11.8%). Patients with head–neck and gynecological malignancies were more often with advanced staged disease and were planned multimodal treatment protocols. The majority of the 23 patients who defaulted palliative RT were planned for fractionated treatments (73.9%).

Conclusion The incidence of noncompliance in patients planned for RT in our institute can be considered optimum. Appropriate counseling of patients at the time of scheduling appointment, upfront identification of patients at high risk of noncompliance, and assisting patients with financial and logistic challenges are imperative to ensure adherence to planned treatment schedule.
Prognostic Significance of HE4 Tissue Expression in Serous Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma
Authors: Sethi Ankita , Kumar Lalit , Mathur Sandeep , Mahey Reeta , Kachhawa Garima , Bhatla Neerja
Published: February 2022

Background Human Epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is expressed in ovarian cancer. Preoperative serum testing is still not widely available. This pilot study aimed to investigate the magnitude of expression of HE4 in tissue sections of serous epithelial ovarian carcinoma, its correlation with clinical outcome, and the feasibility of HE4 immunohistochemistry as a prognostic marker.

Materials and Method In this ambispective study, immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to evaluate tissue sections of ovarian serous epithelial carcinoma at primary cytoreductive surgery. On HE4 immunohistochemistry (IHC), the magnitude of HE4 expression was assessed categorically as high or low HE4 expression and semiquantitatively by the H-score, and correlated with clinical outcome in terms of survival status, progression-free survival, and overall survival.

Results Of 32 cases, most (n = 31, 96.8%) were positive for HE4 IHC. The mean age was 49 ± 8.2 years; 29 (90.6%) patients were in FIGO stage IIIC; 25 (78.9%) had ≥1cm residual disease after surgery; 31 (96.8%) received adjuvant chemotherapy, either 3-weekly (n = 25, 81.2%) or dose-dense weekly (n = 6, 18.8%) regimen. The majority (n = 31, 96.8%) had a high-grade tumor, of whom 19 (59.4%) had high HE4 expression and 13(40.6%) patients had H-score in the range of 5 to 8. The mean H-score was 6.97 ± 3.61 (range 0 to 12). The overall survival of the study population at 64 months was 36.65% (95% CI: 8.59–66.34), with median overall survival of 59 months. A new scoring system was developed combining categorical HE4 expression and serum CA-125 levels; the combination of HE4 expression with postoperative CA-125 levels was found to be the best prognostic marker for overall survival (p = 0.05). A composite score of 2 identified patients with poor progression-free survival (HR 4.64, p = 0.039) and overall survival (HR 5.45, p = 0.05).

Conclusion The new composite scoring system using HE4 IHC with postoperative serum CA-125 levels offers an extremely useful option for prognosticating patients with serous epithelial ovarian carcinoma than serum CA-125 alone. This is useful where preoperative records are not available to the treating clinician.