bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Further results on the minimal random walk
Authors: Bercu Bernard , Vázquez Guevara Víctor Hugo
Published: September 2022

The aim of this paper is to go further in the analysis of the asymptotic behavior of the so-called minimal random walk (MRW) using a new martingale approach. The MRW is a discrete-time random walk with infinite memory that has three regimes depending on the location of its two parameters. In the diffusive and critical regimes, we establish new results on the asymptotic behavior of the MRW such as quadratic strong laws and functional central limit theorems. In the superdiffusive regime, we prove the almost sure convergence of the MRW, properly normalized, to a nondegenerate random variable. Moreover, we show that the fluctuation of the MRW around its limiting random variable is still Gaussian. Finally, several results on the center of mass of the MRW are also provided.
Rytov variance of plane and spherical waves, and scintillation index in weak to strong underwater turbulence
Authors: Ata Yalçın
Published: September 2022

As a means of distinguishing the weak and strong irradiance fluctuations of optical beam propagation in turbulence, Rytov perturbation approximation and its later extension make it possible to characterize the transition between turbulence regimes. The closed-form expression of Rytov variance is derived for both plane and spherical waves propagating in underwater turbulence. Scintillation index of plane and spherical waves are also investigated depending on the Rytov variance in weak-moderate-strong underwater turbulence regimes. Moreover, the variation of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for an optical wireless communication system operating in underwater turbulent medium is analyzed. Results are presented for various underwater parameters. We believe that researchers may benefit from our results to find the optimum design (e.g. aperture size) and performance (e.g. SNR, bit-error-rate) parameters for an optical wireless communication systems operating in wide range underwater turbulent medium.
Fluorescence measurements: importance of G-factor correction, magic angle, and observation wavelengths
Authors: Kitchner Emma , Seung Michael , Chavez Jose , Ceresa Luca , Kimball Joseph , Gryczynski Ignacy , Gryczynski Zygmunt
Published: September 2022

Excitation and emission (observation) conditions heavily impact fluorescence measurements. Both observed spectra and intensity decays (fluorescence lifetimes), when incorrectly measured, may lead to incorrect data interpretations. In this report, we discuss the role of observation conditions in steady-state and time-resolved (lifetime) fluorescence measurements. We demonstrate the importance of the correction for uneven transmissions of vertical and horizontal polarizations of emission light through the detection system. The necessity of using so-called total fluorescence intensity or intensity measured under magic angle (MA) conditions has been demonstrated for both steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements. The dependence of lifetime measurements on observation (emission) wavelengths is also discussed. Two fluorophores, rhodamine 6G (R6G) and 4,4 Dimethylamino-cyano stilbene (DCS) in two solvents - ethanol and glycerol have been used in order to cover a broad range of dye polarities and solvent viscosities.
Semi-finished flywheel disk based on deep learning research on surface defect detection technology
Authors: Shi G F , Che J W , Hu X K , Li Y L , Wang L N , Mao Y H
Published: September 2022

The surface defects of flywheel disc semi-finished products have complex and changeable morphological characteristics and random distribution. At present, relevant enterprises can only detect them through manual visual inspection. However, the low efficiency of manual inspection and the unstable inspection quality can easily lead to false inspections and missed inspections, which cannot meet the growing demand for production capacity. In order to achieve intelligent and efficient detection of defects, this paper proposes a surface defect detection algorithm for flywheel disc semi-finished products based on improved faster region-based convolutional neural networks (Faster R-CNN). First of all, based on multi-scale feature fusion, residual feature recalibration and deformable convolution, this paper designs a feature extraction network that can better capture and characterize defect morphology. Secondly, optimize the design of Faster R-CNN algorithm, use k-means++ cluster analysis to optimize the anchor generation rules in the network, so as to adapt to the defects of large aspect ratio, the region of interest (ROI) pooling calculation method incorporating global feature information is redesigned to prevent the position deviation of candidate areas when they are mapped back to the original image. Aiming at the problem that adjacent overlapping positive samples are deleted by mistake, the soft non-maximum suppression (Soft-NMS) algorithm is used to optimize the non-maximum suppression process and increase the number of positive samples output by the region proposal network(RPN). Then, the surface defect images are collected to build a data set, aiming at the problem that the data set is small and the distribution of the number of defects in each category is unbalanced, the classical data enhancement methods are used to augment the data set and equalize the defect categories. Finally, the surface defect detection and application experiment research of flywheel disc semi-finished products is carried out. The detection accuracy of the algorithm in this paper on the surface defect test set reaches 92.7%, which is 9.6% higher than the original Faster R-CNN detection accuracy, and 18.5% higher for the detection accuracy of small minor defects, and the improvement effect is more obvious.
Poly(hexamethylene biguanide) salicylate as a novel ionic liquid with antibacterial properties in the production of poly(vinyl alcohol) films
Authors: Słubik Anna , Masłowska-Lipowicz Iwona , Wieczorek Dorota , Wyrębska Łucja
Published: September 2022

The presented work describes the effect of poly(hexamethylene biguanide) salicylate (PHMB-SA) ionic liquid on the properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) film. The ionic liquid synthetized is used as an antimicrobial agent. The ionic liquid consist of the poly(hexamethylene biguanide) cation and the salicylic anion, which exhibit synergistic antibacterial and bacteriostatic properties. The structure of obtained new ionic liquid was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. Additionally, the article describes a simple method of producing an antibacterial PVA-based film with the addition of collagen and an ionic liquid. The study investigated the effect of the amount of the PHMB-SA on the mechanical properties, microorganism in liquid medium and the antibacterial properties of the PVA film. The obtained results indicate that the mechanical and antibacterial properties of the PVA/Col films depended on the amount of the ionic liquid. The higher value of the tensile strength (27.11 MPa) and the higher degree of microbial growth inhibition (7 mm) was obtained for the sample containing 0.75 g PHMB-SA.
Experimental study on the improvement of spray characteristics of aero-engines using gliding arc plasma
Authors: ZHANG Lei , ZHANG Dengcheng , YU Jinlu , ZHAO Bingbing , QU Xinyu , CHEN Yi , CHENG Weida
Published: September 2022

A gliding arc plasma fuel atomization actuator suitable for aeroengines was designed, and a gliding arc plasma fuel spray experimental platform was built to address the fuel atomization problem in aeroengine combustion chambers. The spray characteristics for different airflows, fuel flows, and discharge voltages were analyzed using laser particle size analysis. The research shows that the fuel atomization effect is improved from the increased airflow. The decreased fuel flow not only reduces the injection pressure of the fuel but also changes the discharge mode of the gliding arc, which affects reductions in the discharge power and inhibits fuel atomization. Gliding arc discharges accelerate the breaking, atomization, and evaporation of fuel droplets while reducing the particle size, which increases the proportion of small droplets. Compared with the working conditions of plasma-assisted atomization without the gliding arc, the D
0.5, D
0.9, and average particle size of the fuel droplets are reduced by 4.7%, 6.5%, and 4.1%, respectively, when the modulation voltage of the gliding arc power supply is 200 V.
Near-optimal control of dynamical systems with neural ordinary differential equations
Authors: Böttcher Lucas , Asikis Thomas
Published: September 2022

Optimal control problems naturally arise in many scientific applications where one wishes to steer a dynamical system from an initial state x
0 to a desired target state

x

∗

in finite time T. Recent advances in deep learning and neural network–based optimization have contributed to the development of numerical methods that can help solve control problems involving high-dimensional dynamical systems. In particular, the framework of neural ordinary differential equations (neural ODEs) provides an efficient means to iteratively approximate continuous-time control functions associated with analytically intractable and computationally demanding control tasks. Although neural ODE controllers have shown great potential in solving complex control problems, the understanding of the effects of hyperparameters such as network structure and optimizers on learning performance is still very limited. Our work aims at addressing some of these knowledge gaps to conduct efficient hyperparameter optimization. To this end, we first analyze how truncated and non-truncated backpropagation through time affect both runtime performance and the ability of neural networks to learn optimal control functions. Using analytical and numerical methods, we then study the role of parameter initializations, optimizers, and neural-network architecture. Finally, we connect our results to the ability of neural ODE controllers to implicitly regularize control energy.
Prevention of the Occupational Silicosis Epidemic in Australia: What Do Those Who Assess Workplace Health Risk Think Should Be Done Now?
Authors: Cole Kate , Glass Deborah , Bence Tracey , Pisaniello Dino , Knott Peter , Rowett Shelley , Johnson Sharann
Published: September 2022

An Australian National Dust Disease Taskforce was established to address the re-emergence of occupational lung disease, in particular silicosis. Exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) occurs in various industries in Australia. We asked occupational hygienists about their practical experiences and perspectives on RCS exposure and regulatory action. A total of 105 members of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists completed an anonymous questionnaire, which addressed individual characteristics, experience, perceived level of employer awareness, effectiveness of current regulation, and recommendations for improvement, across three main industrial sectors. Based on professional experience, 71% were concerned about the potential for RCS over-exposure. Barriers to adequate exposure control included lack of management commitment and financial resources. The employment of specialist occupational hygiene inspectors was considered to be the most effective regulatory strategy. Given the large number of exposed workers in the construction industry, with only a moderate awareness, there is the potential for significant cost shifting of the burden of occupational lung disease from employers on to individuals and the public health system. A nationally consistent approach to RCS exposure control across all industrial sectors is now recommended, with an increased focus on measuring and controlling exposure.
SBbadger: biochemical reaction networks with definable degree distributions
Authors: Kochen Michael A , Wiley H Steven , Feng Song , Sauro Herbert M
Published: September 2022

Motivation

An essential step in developing computational tools for the inference, optimization and simulation of biochemical reaction networks is gauging tool performance against earlier efforts using an appropriate set of benchmarks. General strategies for the assembly of benchmark models include collection from the literature, creation via subnetwork extraction and de novo generation. However, with respect to biochemical reaction networks, these approaches and their associated tools are either poorly suited to generate models that reflect the wide range of properties found in natural biochemical networks or to do so in numbers that enable rigorous statistical analysis.

Results

In this work, we present SBbadger, a python-based software tool for the generation of synthetic biochemical reaction or metabolic networks with user-defined degree distributions, multiple available kinetic formalisms and a host of other definable properties. SBbadger thus enables the creation of benchmark model sets that reflect properties of biological systems and generate the kinetics and model structures typically targeted by computational analysis and inference software. Here, we detail the computational and algorithmic workflow of SBbadger, demonstrate its performance under various settings, provide sample outputs and compare it to currently available biochemical reaction network generation software.

Availability and implementation

SBbadger is implemented in Python and is freely available at https://github.com/sys-bio/SBbadger and via PyPI at https://pypi.org/project/SBbadger/. Documentation can be found at https://SBbadger.readthedocs.io.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
GraphLoc: a graph neural network model for predicting protein subcellular localization from immunohistochemistry images
Authors: Hu Jin-Xian , Yang Yang , Xu Ying-Ying , Shen Hong-Bin
Published: September 2022

Motivation

Recognition of protein subcellular distribution patterns and identification of location biomarker proteins in cancer tissues are important for understanding protein functions and related diseases. Immunohistochemical (IHC) images enable visualizing the distribution of proteins at the tissue level, providing an important resource for the protein localization studies. In the past decades, several image-based protein subcellular location prediction methods have been developed, but the prediction accuracies still have much space to improve due to the complexity of protein patterns resulting from multi-label proteins and the variation of location patterns across cell types or states.

Results

Here, we propose a multi-label multi-instance model based on deep graph convolutional neural networks, GraphLoc, to recognize protein subcellular location patterns. GraphLoc builds a graph of multiple IHC images for one protein, learns protein-level representations by graph convolutions and predicts multi-label information by a dynamic threshold method. Our results show that GraphLoc is a promising model for image-based protein subcellular location prediction with model interpretability. Furthermore, we apply GraphLoc to the identification of candidate location biomarkers and potential members for protein networks. A large portion of the predicted results have supporting evidence from the existing literatures and the new candidates also provide guidance for further experimental screening.

Availability and implementation

The dataset and code are available at: www.csbio.sjtu.edu.cn/bioinf/GraphLoc.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Messaging Should Reflect the Nuanced Relationship between Land Change and Zoonotic Disease Risk
Authors: Mader André D , Waters Neil A , Kawazu Erin C , Marvier Michelle , Monnin Noémie , Salkeld Daniel J
Published: September 2022

A hallmark of the media publicity surrounding COVID-19 has been the message that land change causes zoonotic diseases to spill over from wild animals to humans. The secondary peer-reviewed literature sends a similar message. However, as indicated in the primary peer-reviewed literature, the complexity of interacting variables involved in zoonotic disease spillover makes it unlikely for such a claim to be universally applicable. The secondary peer-reviewed literature and the mainstream media also differ markedly from the primary peer-reviewed literature in their lack of nuance in messaging about the relationship between land change and spillover risk. We advocate accurate, nuanced messaging for the sake of the local communities at greatest risk from zoonotic disease, for the sake of scientific credibility, and so that proportionate attention may be given to other possible drivers of spillover risk.
Ideologies, Power and the Politics of Punishment: The Case of the British Conservative Party
Authors: Guiney Thomas
Published: September 2022

Recent scholarship has underscored the limitations of a theoretical repertoire that reduces the politics of punishment to debates over punitiveness, neoliberalism or penal exceptionalism. In this paper I argue that greater understanding of the dynamic interplay between ideologies and power can provide a richer account of the complex and contradictory landscapes of contemporary penal politics. I seek to show that political parties occupy a prominent position within representative systems of government and this mediating role, at the intersection between ideology and power, is closely associated with the production of penal policy outcomes. Reflecting upon the recent history of the British Conservative Party, I conclude that the politics of punishment is shaped, not only by inter-party competition (and consensus), but the dynamics of intra-party conflict.
Coal Criminals: Crimes of the Powerful, Extractivism and Historical Harm in the Global South
Authors: Atiles Jose , Rojas-Páez Gustavo
Published: September 2022

This article provides a criminological analysis of the extraction, consumption, and disposal of coal in the Caribbean and the global south. It looks at how the transnational corporation Applied Energy System (AES) and its 454-megawatt coal-fired electric power plant in Puerto Rico has manufactured a transnational network of environmental harm and violence. The paper aims to demonstrate how coloniality, law, and state-corporate deviance enable the coal sector- a habitual environmental offender- to engage in systemic harm across different jurisdictions and states of the global south. To do so, we engage with the work of scholars in the green criminology (treadmill of production), state-corporate crimes (crimes of development), and crimes of the powerful (Ecocide and Carbon Criminal) traditions. Furthermore, this article briefly describes the stories of resistance taking place in Puerto Rico. In doing so, the article describes the criminogenic practices behind this fossil fuel industry, and how it has taken advantage of colonial practices, thus enhancing the historical harm manufactured by modernity and replicated within the neoliberal economy.
Robot-assisted surgery in total knee arthroplasty: trauma maker or trauma savior? A prospective, randomized cohort study
Authors: Xu Zhonghua , Li Hua , Liu Zaiyang , Li Jie , Zhang Jun , Wang Min , Zhang Yuan
Published: September 2022

Background

Robotic assistance has been increasingly employed to improve the operative precision in modern knee surgery. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the trauma effect of one of the first domestically developed orthopedic surgical robots in China in a clinical trial of robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty (RA-TKA).

Methods

A total of 33 patients who underwent unilateral TKA for end-stage osteoarthritis were randomized to receive RA-TKA (17 cases) or conventional manual TKA (CM-TKA) in our institution in 2020. The trauma effects of the 4 main indicators with 48 sub-indicators in terms of subsectional operative time, inflammation and coagulation markers, physical and radiographical analyses of osteotomy deviation, and postoperative comfort were analyzed.

Results

Subsectional operative time analysis showed that the times for bone cutting and gap balancing with RA-TKA were 5.3 and 2.2 min shorter than those with CM-TKA (p = 0.010, p = 0.02), respectively. Arterial blood gas indicators (partial pressure of carbon dioxide, partial pressure of oxygen and SO2) 24 h after RA-TKA, as well as the white blood cell count and neutrophil ratio, were significantly lower than those after CM-TKA (p < 0.05). Inflammatory markers at 72 h after surgery showed the increments of C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and D-dimer of RA-TKA declined by 180.7, 22.0 and 1050.0% (p < 0.05), respectively, referenced to the preoperative baseline values, as compared to CM-TKA. Mechanical deviation distribution exhibited percentages of region I errors for RA-TKA and CM-TKA of 76.5% and 27.1% (p = 0.000), respectively, and the success rates of one-time osteotomy were 94.1% and 62.5% (p = 0.039), respectively. Radiographical verification showed RA-TKA was more conducive to achieving mechanical alignment and ideal tibial component azimuths. Postoperative efficacy showed that patients were more comfortable after RA-TKA in terms of reduced administration of tranexamic acid, hydrocortisone and the utilization rate of temporary intensive opioid analgesics. No statistical difference in patient-reported outcome measures and complications were recorded between the two groups during continuous observation.

Conclusions

Compared with CM-TKA, RA-TKA decreases rather than increases trauma. It might shorten the time required for bone cutting and gap balancing, reduce mechanical errors related to the osteotomy and prosthesis position, and improve the accuracy of the mechanical alignment reconstruction. RA-TKA is also favorable in promoting postoperative comfort and minimizing inflammatory response and drug consumption.

Trial registration

The Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000031282) approved registration on 26 March 2020.
Digital technologies, gig work and labour share
Authors: Henley Andrew
Published: September 2022

Conflict over the functional income distribution, discussed and explained in Keith Cowling’s work in the 1980s, remains a feature of capitalist economies. In the twenty first century labour flexibilisation strategies have become a key tool in enabling monopoly capitalists to manipulate the functional distribution of income. Through the lens of institutional theory, this paper traces labour flexibilisation in the UK since the 1980s, in order to describe and evaluate how the use of digital technologies has become allied to non-standard contracting and ‘dependent’ self-employment in the growth of the gig economy. The paper argues that this provides employers with increased flexibility of the labour input at both extensive and intensive margins. Digital technology and gig working also position dominant internet platform businesses to apply downward pressure to labour share at a monopoly-monopsony nexus between individual consumers and new service sector workers. This has led to new ways in which employment contracts and the nature of organisations as an outcome of monopoly capitalist labour process are contested.
Digital platforms: monopoly capital through a classical-marxian lens
Authors: Vasudevan Ramaa
Published: September 2022

The classical-marxian conception of capitalist monopoly, based on restrictions to capital mobility arising from production conductions and property rights rather than oligopolistic market structure, is a fruitful way of approaching the implications of the pervasive spread of modern corporations—what has been termed the stage of Monopoly Capital. The relevance of the classical-marxian conception of ‘capitalist monopoly’ in the context of new technology is investigated by applying it to the monopoly exercised by contemporary digital platforms, with a specific focus on Google (Alphabet), Amazon and Facebook.
Benefit of Risk-stratified Prophylactic Treatment on Clinical Outcome in Postoperative Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Joustra Vincent , van Sabben Joris , van der does de Willebois Eline , Duijvestein Marjolijn , de Boer Nanne , Jansen Jeroen , van der Bilt Jarmila , Lameris Wytze , Bemelman Willem , Buskens Christianne , D’Haens Geert
Published: September 2022

Background and Aims

Whereas immediate postoperative treatment has shown effectiveness in reducing endoscopic postoperative recurrence [POR], evidence regarding the clinical benefit is limited. We compared rates of clinical POR in Crohn’s disease [CD] patients receiving immediate prophylactic treatment with rates in patients receiving endoscopy-driven treatment.

Methods

We retrospectively collected data from 376 consecutive CD patients who underwent an ileocaecal resection with anastomosis between 2007 and 2018 with at least 3 years of follow-up at three sites. Subsequently, high- and low-risk patients categorised by established guidelines, who underwent endoscopy within 12 months postoperatively, were grouped according to a prophylactic- or endoscopy-driven approach and compared for incidence and time till endoscopic and clinical POR.

Results

Prophylactic treatment reduced rates of and time till endoscopic POR within 1 year in high-risk (hazard ratio [HR] 0.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.27-0.86, p = 0.04, number needed to treat [NNT] = 5) but not low-risk [HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.32-2.56, p = 0.85] patients. Conversely, no significant differences in clinical POR within 3 years between prophylactic- and endoscopy-driven low-risk [HR 1.17, 95% CI 0.41-3.29, p = 0.75] and high-risk patients were observed [HR 1.06, 95% CI 0.63-1.79, p = 0.82, NNT = 22]. However, a large numerical albeit not statistical significant difference in 3-year clinical POR [28.6% vs. 62.5%, p = 0.11] in a subset of high-risk patients with three or more ECCO-defined risk factors was observed, indicating a cumulative effect of having multiple risk factors.

Conclusion

Our observations favour step-up treatment guided by early endoscopic evaluation with prophylactic treatment reserved for carefully selected high-risk patients, in order to avoid potential overtreatment of a significant number of patients.
A case series of eosinophilic myocarditis: different faces of the same coin
Authors: Mengesha Bethlehem , Meir Karen , Gural Alexander , Asleh Rabea
Published: September 2022

Background

Eosinophilic myocarditis (EM) is a rare form of myocarditis with various aetiologies and dire consequences if not diagnosed and treated expeditiously.

Case summary

We report three cases of EM at different stages of the disease with differing clinical manifestations. We highlight the diagnostic workup including the role of multimodality imaging and endomyocardial biopsy (EMB), and the treatment strategies.

Discussion

EM is an underdiagnosed and potentially life-threatening disease. Therefore, a high clinical suspicion for EM should arise when patients with signs and symptoms of cardiovascular disease develop hypereosinophilia or vice versa. Early identification of this condition using multimodality imaging and EMB is of paramount importance as the disease may progress to the irreversible late fibrotic stage if treatment is delayed.
Spatiotemporal dynamics, community assembly and functional potential of sedimentary archaea in reservoirs: coaction of stochasticity and nutrient load
Authors: Yue Yihong , Wang Fushun , Pan Jie , Chen Xue-Ping , Tang Yi , Yang Zhihong , Ma Jing , Li Meng , Yang Ming
Published: September 2022

Archaea participate in biogeochemical cycles in aquatic ecosystems, and deciphering their community dynamics and assembly mechanisms is key to understanding their ecological functions. Here, sediments from 12 selected reservoirs from the Wujiang and Pearl River basins in southwest China were investigated using 16S rRNA Illumina sequencing and quantitative PCR for archaeal abundance and richness in all seasons. Generally, archaeal abundance and α-diversity were significantly correlated with temperature; however, β-diversity analysis showed that community structures varied greatly among locations rather than seasons, indicating a distance-decay pattern with geographical variation. The null model revealed the major contribution of stochasticity to archaeal community assembly, which was further confirmed by the neutral community model that could explain 71.7% and 90.2% of the variance in archaeal assembly in the Wujiang and Pearl River basins, respectively. Moreover, sediment total nitrogen and organic carbon levels were significantly correlated with archaeal abundance and α-diversity. Interestingly, these nutrient levels were positively and negatively correlated, respectively, with the abundance of methanogenic and ammonia-oxidized archaea: the dominant sedimentary archaea in these reservoirs. Taken together, this work systematically characterized archaeal community profiles in reservoir sediments and demonstrated the combined action of stochastic processes and nutrient load in shaping archaeal communities in reservoir ecosystems.
Involvement of the Noncanonical Polyadenylation Polymerase Cid14 in Fungal Azole Resistance in the Pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Li Chenxi , Zhen Sihui , Ma Xiaoyu , Ma Lan , Wang Zhen , Zhang Ping , Zhu Xudong
Published: September 2022

The yeast noncanonical polyadenylation polymerase Cid14 was originally identified from fission yeast and plays a critical role in the TRAMP complex. This protein is a cytoplasmic cofactor and regulator of RNA-degrading exosomes. Cid14 is highly conserved from yeast to animals and has been demonstrated to play key roles in the regulation of RNA surveillance, nutrition metabolism, and growth in model organisms, but not yet in Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans). Here, we report the identification of a gene encoding an equivalent Cid14 protein, named CID14, in the fungal pathogen C. neoformans. To obtain insights into the function of Cid14, we created a mutant strain, cid14Δ, with the CRISPR–Cas9 editing tool. Disruption of CID14 impaired cell membrane stability. Further investigations revealed the defects of the cid14Δ mutant in resistance to low carbohydrate levels. Meanwhile, significantly, the ability to grow under flucytosine stress was decreased in the cid14Δ mutant. More importantly, our results showed that the cid14Δ mutant does not affect yeast virulence but exhibits multidrug resistance to azole. Our work is the first to suggest that Cid14 plays critical roles in azole resistance by affecting Afr1, which is chiefly responsible for azole excretion in the ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transporter.
The “terminal line”: a novel sign for the identification of distal mesorectum end during TME for rectal cancer
Authors: Ghareeb Waleed M , Wang Xiaojie , Zhao Xiaozhen , Xie Meirong , Emile Sameh H , Shawki Sherief , Chi Pan
Published: September 2022

Background

Although the clinical importance of complete, intact total mesorectal excision (TME) is the widely accepted standard for decreasing local recurrence of rectal cancer, the residual mesorectum still represents a significant component of resection margin involvement. This study aimed to use a visible intraoperative sign to detect the distal mesorectal end to ensure complete inclusion of the mesorectum and avoid unnecessary over-dissection.

Methods

The distal mesorectum end was investigated retrospectively through a review of 124 operative videos at the Union Hospital of Fujian Medical University (Fujian, China) and Cleveland Clinic (Ohio, USA) by two independent surgeons who were blinded to each other. Furthermore, 28 cadavers and 44 post-operative specimens were prospectively examined by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and Masson's staining to validate and confirm the findings of the retrospective part. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to detect the independent factors that can affect the visualization of the distal mesorectal end.

Results

The terminal line (TL) is the distal mesorectal end of the transabdominal and transanal TME (taTME) and appears as a remarkable pearly white fascial structure extending posteriorly from 2 to 10 o'clock. Histopathological examination revealed that the fascia propria of the rectum merges with the presacral fascia at the TL, beyond which the mesorectum ends, with no further downward extension. In the retrospective observation, the TL was seen in 56.6% of transabdominal TME and 56.0% of taTME operations. Surgical approach and tumor distance from the anal verge were the independent variables that directly influenced the detection of the TL (P = 0.03 and P = 0.01).

Conclusion

The TL is a visible sign where the transabdominal TME should end and the taTME should begin. Recognition of the mesorectal end may impact the certainty of complete mesorectum inclusion. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm the preliminary findings.
Characteristics and Predictors of Sleep Among Spousal Care Dyads Living With Chronic Conditions
Authors: Liu Yin , Song Yeonsu , Johnson Florence U , Lei Lianlian , Choi Seung-won Emily , Antonucci Toni C , Robinson-Lane Sheria G
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Poor sleep is common among older adults with chronic health conditions and their spousal caregivers. However, dyadic sleep patterns among spouses are underexplored within the literature. This study examines dyadic sleep characteristics and associated contextual factors among spousal care dyads.

Methods

Participants included 462 older adult spousal care dyads from the 2015 National Health and Aging Trends Study and National Study of Caregiving (mean ages of care recipients/caregivers = 79 and 76 years, respectively; 22% of dyads were living with dementia). Self-reported sleep included frequency of (a) trouble falling back asleep among dyads, (b) care-related sleep disturbances among caregivers, and (c) trouble initiating sleep among care recipients. Predictors included between-dyad characteristics such as whether respondents had dementia, care burden and support, relationship quality, neighborhood cohesion, and within-dyad characteristics such as demographics, depression, and positive affect. We conducted multilevel dyadic analysis and actor–partner interdependence modeling.

Results

Sleep was correlated more among dyads living with dementia than those with other chronic conditions. Care dyads had poorer sleep if caregivers reported higher care burden; however, better relationship quality marginally ameliorated the association. Depressive symptoms had a partner effect on poorer sleep among care dyads, whereas positive emotions and older age only had an actor effect on better sleep for care recipients and spousal caregivers. Neighborhood cohesion, care support, and other demographic characteristics were not associated with dyadic sleep outcomes.

Discussion

Addressing both care recipient- and caregiver-related factors may improve sleep health for both members of the care dyad living with chronic conditions.
A novel recessive mutation in OXR1 is identified in patient with hearing loss recapitulated by the knockdown zebrafish
Authors: Li Yuan , Ning Guozhu , Kang Baoling , Zhu Jinwen , Wang Xiao-Yang , Wang Qiang , Cai Tao
Published: September 2022

Hereditary hearing loss is a highly genetically heterogeneous disorder. More than 150 genes have been identified to link to human non-syndromic hearing impairment. To identify genetic mutations and underlying molecular mechanisms in affected individuals and families with congenital hearing loss, we recruited a cohort of 389 affected individuals in 354 families for whole-exome sequencing analysis. In this study, we report a novel homozygous missense variant (c.233A > G, p.Lys78Arg) in the OXR1 gene, which was identified in a 4-year-old girl with sensorineural hearing loss. OXR1 encodes Oxidation Resistance 1 and is evolutionarily conserved from zebrafish to human. We found that the ortholog oxr1b gene is expressed in the statoacoustic ganglion (SAG, a sensory ganglion of ear) and posterior lateral line ganglion (pLL) in zebrafish. Knockdown of oxr1b in zebrafish resulted in a significant developmental defect of SAG and pLL. This phenotype can be rescued by co-injection of wild-type human OXR1 mRNAs, but not mutant OXR1 (c.233A > G) mRNAs. OXR1-associated pathway analysis revealed that mutations of TBC1D24, a TLDc-domain-containing homolog gene of OXR1, have previously been identified in patients with hearing loss. Interestingly, mutations or knockout of OXR1 interacting molecules such as ATP6V1B1 and ESR1 are also associated with hearing loss in patients or animal models, hinting an important role of OXR1 and associated partners in cochlear development and hearing function.
Standards in semen examination: publishing reproducible and reliable data based on high-quality methodology
Authors: Björndahl Lars , Barratt Christopher L R , Mortimer David , Agarwal Ashok , Aitken Robert J , Alvarez Juan G , Aneck-Hahn Natalie , Arver Stefan , Baldi Elisabetta , Bassas Lluís , Boitrelle Florence , Bornman Riana , Carrell Douglas T , Castilla José A , Cerezo Parra Gerardo , Check Jerome H , Cuasnicu Patricia S , Darney Sally Perreault , de Jager Christiaan , De Jonge Christopher J , Drevet Joël R , Drobnis Erma Z , Du Plessis Stefan S , Eisenberg Michael L , Esteves Sandro C , Evgeni Evangelini A , Ferlin Alberto , Garrido Nicolas , Giwercman Aleksander , Goovaerts Ilse G F , Haugen Trine B , Henkel Ralf , Henningsohn Lars , Hofmann Marie-Claude , Hotaling James M , Jedrzejczak Piotr , Jouannet Pierre , Jørgensen Niels , Kirkman Brown Jackson C , Krausz Csilla , Kurpisz Maciej , Kvist Ulrik , Lamb Dolores J , Levine Hagai , Loveland Kate L , McLachlan Robert I , Mahran Ali , Maree Liana , Martins da Silva Sarah , Mbizvo Michael T , Meinhardt Andreas , Menkveld Roelof , Mortimer Sharon T , Moskovtsev Sergey , Muller Charles H , Munuce Maria José , Muratori Monica , Niederberger Craig , O’Flaherty Cristian , Oliva Rafael , Ombelet Willem , Pacey Allan A , Palladino Michael A , Ramasamy Ranjith , Ramos Liliana , Rives Nathalie , Roldan Eduardo Rs , Rothmann Susan , Sakkas Denny , Salonia Andrea , Sánchez-Pozo Maria Cristina , Sapiro Rosanna , Schlatt Stefan , Schlegel Peter N , Schuppe Hans-Christian , Shah Rupin , Skakkebæk Niels E , Teerds Katja , Toskin Igor , Tournaye Herman , Turek Paul J , van der Horst Gerhard , Vazquez-Levin Monica , Wang Christina , Wetzels Alex , Zeginiadou Theodosia , Zini Armand
Published: September 2022

Biomedical science is rapidly developing in terms of more transparency, openness and reproducibility of scientific publications. This is even more important for all studies that are based on results from basic semen examination. Recently two concordant documents have been published: the 6th edition of the WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen, and the International Standard ISO 23162:2021. With these tools, we propose that authors should be instructed to follow these laboratory methods in order to publish studies in peer-reviewed journals, preferable by using a checklist as suggested in an Appendix to this article.
Performance evaluation of the photovoltaic thermal system with a fin array and surface zigzag layout
Authors: Ghanim Marrwa S , Farhan Ammar A
Published: September 2022

Solar photovoltaic (PV) has many environmental benefits and it is considered to be a practical alternative to traditional energy generation. The electrical conversion efficiency of such systems is inherently limited due to the relatively high thermal resistance of the PV components. An approach for intensifying electrical and thermal production of air-type photovoltaic thermal (PVT) systems via applying a combination of fins and surface zigzags was proposed in this paper. This research study aims to apply three performance enhancers: case B, including internal fins; case C, back surface zigzags; and case D, combinations of fins and surface zigzags; whereas the baseline smooth duct represents case A. A 2D, steady-state simulation model that took into account the impact of the convective flow of air circulating inside the PVT system in addition to radiative and convective heat losses from the front PV surface was developed and validated via previous tests. The results revealed that, under the same volume requirements, the application of surface zigzags is preferred for airflow rates of 0.06 kg/s or less, whereas the introduction of fins is preferred for higher airflow rates. The results also revealed that, of the three cases considered, the introduction of the fin–surface zigzag combination is the most effective and has the potential to improve the electrical and thermal efficiency by ~26% and 3%, respectively.
Unique Equilibrium States for Geodesic Flows on Flat Surfaces with Singularities
Authors: Call Benjamin , Constantine David , Erchenko Alena , Sawyer Noelle , Work Grace
Published: September 2022

Consider a compact surface of genus $\geq 2$ equipped with a metric that is flat everywhere except at finitely many cone points with angles greater than $2\pi $. Following the technique in the work of Burns, Climenhaga, Fisher, and Thompson, we prove that sufficiently regular potential functions have unique equilibrium states if the singular set does not support the full pressure. Moreover, we show that the pressure gap holds for any potential that is locally constant on a neighborhood of the singular set. Finally, we establish that the corresponding equilibrium states have the $K$-property and closed regular geodesics equidistribute.
Why Costly Rivalry Disputes Persist: A Paired Conjoint Experiment in Japan and South Korea
Authors: Lim Sijeong , Tanaka Seiki
Published: September 2022

The literature suggests that voters have a self-centered incentive to call for the de-escalation of conflicts that inflict economic costs on them, which explains why economic sanctions and trade wars often lose popular support when the resulting cost for the domestic economy rises. It is thus puzzling why some costly disputes between two advanced democracies are prolonged. Taking a psychological approach, we argue that nonviolent yet costly disputes between international rivals can fail to de-escalate because the perception of loss invokes anger and risk-taking attitudes. We test our argument using a paired conjoint experiment involving Japan and South Korea. We find that, in both countries, the public becomes more defiant and less supportive of de-escalating an ongoing dispute when informed about (1) the high cost of the trade restrictions on domestic firms, (2) international (i.e., World Trade Organization) support for the rival country, and (3) the rival public's hardline stance on the dispute. These findings lend support to our psychological explanation.
Comparative Chemometric Manipulations of UV-Spectrophotometric Data for the Efficient Resolution and Determination of Overlapping Signals of Cyclizine and Its Impurities in Its Pharmaceutical Preparations
Authors: Fares Michel Y , Abdelwahab Nada S , Hegazy Maha A , Abdelrahman Maha M , El-Sayed Ghada M
Published: September 2022

Background

Cyclizine (CYZ), a commonly used antiemetic drug, has two pharmacopeial toxic impurities, 1-methylpiperazine (MPZ) and diphenylmethanol (DPM). When CYZ parenteral formulations are administered intravenously, both impurities are poisonous, toxic, and harmful to the human body.

Objective

Cyclizine was determined along with its hazardous impurities MPZ and DPM by green multivariate calibration using UV-spectroscopic data.

Methods

Three multivariate algorithms were used to resolve and quantify overlapped spectral signals: principal component regression (PCR), partial least squares (PLS), and synergistic intervals partial least squares (siPLS). A concentration set containing 16 distinct combinations of CYZ, MPZ, and DPM was randomly prepared, and the absorbance values of the concentration set were determined using the 376 point-wavelength set with an interval of 0.2 nm between 200 and 275 nm.

Results

Good linear correlations were established for CYZ, MPZ, and DPM in the concentration ranges of 5.00–25.0, 0.50–2.50, and 0.50–2.50 µg/mL, respectively. The ideal spectral range and associated combinations were chosen based on the lowest root mean error of prediction (RMSEP) and correlation coefficient values (r). The siPLS approach performed better than the PCR and PLS models. The combination of four subintervals, 1, 3, 4, and 7, demonstrated the greatest effect, with RMSEP values of 0.0272, 0.0053, and 0.0315 for CYZ, MPZ, and DPM, respectively, and correlation coefficients of 0.9991, 0.9999, and 0.9997, in order. Various assessment tools were used to evaluate and measure the greenness profile of the established methods. The proposed methods were validated using internal and external validation sets.

Conclusions

The three methods were effectively used to determine CYZ in its pure form and parenteral formulations, as well as its toxic impurities. The acquired results were compared statistically to those obtained using the reported HPLC method.

Highlights

Cyclizine and its toxic impurities can be determined spectrophotometrically by using the three developed chemometric models.
Fertility Treatments and Breast Cancer: A Significant Risk for Our Patients?
Authors: Furlong Samantha A , Sauerbrun-Cutler May-Tal , Dibble Elizabeth H , Carpentier Bianca
Published: September 2022

Fertility medications have been postulated to increase the risk of breast cancer because of the transient but substantial elevation in hormones occurring with their use. Multiple studies exploring the relationship between fertility medications and risk of breast cancer are limited by the wide variety of fertility treatment regimens and confounded by infertility as an independent risk factor for breast cancer. The Practice Committee Guidelines of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine acknowledge that although this relationship is complex, no additional risk of breast cancer has been consistently linked to infertility medications. This article reviews the major studies both supporting and refuting this statement and makes recommendations regarding risk counseling and breast cancer screening in patients with a history of fertility treatments and infertility.
Conceptualizing and Explaining Flexibility in Administrative Crisis Management: A Cross-district Analysis in Germany
Authors: Lenz Alexa , Eckhard Steffen
Published: September 2022

Flexibility in administrative crisis management is a frequently reported determinant for a successful crisis response. But there is little agreement about how to conceptualize, measure, and explain flexibility. We use a three-dimensional measure of administrative flexibility, capturing employees’ decision leeway, staff mobility, and organizational innovation in a crisis response. We then develop and test an explanation of variation in flexibility, focusing on the refugee crisis of 2015/16 in Germany and analyzing survey and socioeconomic data from 235 districts using linear regression analysis. The main finding is that differences in flexibility cannot be explained by the scope of the crisis in a district, but by organizational factors: Agencies with politically unconstrained leadership, with higher financial resources and more crisis-related experience, respond more flexible. These findings contribute to theorizing and explaining administrative flexibility in and beyond crisis management and have practical implications for crisis learning and preparation.
Historical Perspective of Pediatric Health Disparities in Infectious Diseases: Centuries in the Making
Authors: Kronman Matthew P , Snowden Jessica N
Published: September 2022

Coronavirus (COVID-19) laid bare the disproportionate effects of infectious agents on vulnerable communities. However, historically, infectious diseases have long been known to affect certain communities to a greater extent than others. The mechanisms behind these differences are multifactorial, and lie less in biological susceptibility and instead more on socioeconomic factors and other social determinants of health. This article highlights health disparities in common infections such as respiratory syncytial virus, tuberculosis, HIV, syphilis, and influenza and will use lessons learned from previous pathogens and infectious disease disparities in vulnerable populations to provide context to the COVID-19 pandemic.