bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Baseline and lifetime alcohol consumption and risk of skin cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort (EPIC)
Authors: Mahamat‐Saleh Yahya , Al‐Rahmoun Marie , Severi Gianluca , Ghiasvand Reza , Veierod Marit B. , Caini Saverio , Palli Domenico , Botteri Edoardo , Sacerdote Carlotta , Ricceri Fulvio , Lukic Marko , Sánchez Maria J. , Pala Valeria , Tumino Rosario , Chiodini Paolo , Amiano Pilar , Colorado‐Yohar Sandra , Chirlaque María‐Dolores , Ardanaz Eva , Bonet Catalina , Katzke Verena , Kaaks Rudolf , Schulze Matthias B. , Overvad Kim , Dahm Christina C. , Antoniussen Christian S. , Tjønneland Anne , Kyrø Cecilie , Bueno‐de‐Mesquita Bas , Manjer Jonas , Jansson Malin , Esberg Anders , Mori Nagisa , Ferrari Pietro , Weiderpass Elisabete , Boutron‐Ruault Marie‐Christine , Kvaskoff Marina
Published: August 2022

Experimental evidence suggests that alcohol induces cutaneous carcinogenesis, yet epidemiological studies on the link between alcohol intake and skin cancer have been inconsistent. The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) is a prospective cohort initiated in 1992 in 10 European countries. Alcohol intake at baseline and average lifetime alcohol intake were assessed using validated country‐specific dietary and lifestyle questionnaires. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated in Cox models. A total of 14 037 skin cancer cases (melanoma: n = 2457; basal‐cell carcinoma (BCC): n = 8711; squamous‐cell carcinoma (SCC): n = 1928; unknown: n = 941) were identified among 450 112 participants (average follow‐up: 15 years). Baseline alcohol intake was positively associated with SCC (>15 vs 0.1‐4.9 g/day: HR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.17‐1.77; Ptrend = .001), BCC (HR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.01‐1.23; Ptrend = .04), and melanoma risks in men (HR = 1.17, 95% CI = 0.95‐1.44; Ptrend = .17), while associations were more modest in women (SCC: HR = 1.09, 95% CI = 0.90‐1.30; Ptrend = .13; BCC: HR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.00‐1.17, Ptrend = .03; melanoma: HR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.80‐1.08, Ptrend = .13). Associations were similar for lifetime alcohol intake, with an attenuated linear trend. Lifetime liquor/spirit intake was positively associated with melanoma (fourth vs first quartile: HR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.08‐1.99; Ptrend = .0009) and BCC risks in men (HR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.04‐1.31; Ptrend = .14). Baseline and lifetime intakes of wine were associated with BCC risk (HR = 1.25 in men; HR = 1.11‐1.12; in women). No statistically significant associations were found between beverage types and SCC risk. Intake of beer was not associated with skin cancer risk. Our study suggests positive relationships between alcohol intake and skin cancer risk, which may have important implications for the primary prevention of skin cancer.
The FIGO ovulatory disorders classification system
Authors: Munro Malcolm G. , Balen Adam H. , Cho SiHyun , Critchley Hilary O. D. , Díaz Ivonne , Ferriani Rui , Henry Laurie , Mocanu Edgar , van der Spuy Zephne M. ,   for the FIGO Committee on Menstrual Disorders and Related Health Impacts, and FIGO Committee on Reproductive Medicine, Endocrinology, and Infertility
Published: August 2022

Ovulatory disorders are common causes of amenorrhea, abnormal uterine bleeding, and infertility, and are frequent manifestations of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). There are many potential causes and contributors to ovulatory dysfunction that challenge clinicians, trainees, educators, and those who perform basic, translational, clinical, and epidemiological research. Similarly, therapeutic approaches to ovulatory dysfunction potentially involve a spectrum of lifestyle, psychological, medical, and procedural interventions. Collaborative research, effective education, and consistent clinical care remain challenged by the absence of a consensus comprehensive system for classification of these disorders. The existing and complex system, attributed to WHO, was developed more than three decades ago and did not consider more than 30 years of research into these disorders in addition to technical advances in imaging and endocrinology. This manuscript describes the development of a new classification of ovulatory disorders performed under the aegis of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and conducted using a rigorously applied Delphi process. The stakeholder organizations and individuals who participated in this process comprised specialty journals, experts at large, national, specialty obstetrical and gynecological societies, and informed lay representatives. After two face‐to‐face meetings and five Delphi rounds, the result is a three‐level multi‐tiered system. The system is applied after a preliminary assessment identifies the presence of an ovulatory disorder. The primary level of the system is based on an anatomic model (Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Ovary) that is completed with a separate category for PCOS. This core component of the system is easily remembered using the acronym HyPO‐P. Each anatomic category is stratified in the second layer of the system to provide granularity for investigators, clinicians, and trainees using the “GAIN‐FIT‐PIE” mnemonic (Genetic, Autoimmune, Iatrogenic, Neoplasm; Functional, Infectious and Inflammatory, Trauma and Vascular; Physiological, Idiopathic, Endocrine). The tertiary level allows for specific diagnostic entities. It is anticipated that, if widely adopted, this system will facilitate education, clinical care, and the design and interpretation of research in a fashion that better informs progress in this field. Integral to the deployment of this system is a periodic process of reevaluation and appropriate revision, reflecting an improved understanding of this collection of disorders.
Identification of dynamic latent factor models of skill formation with translog production
Authors: Del Bono Emilia , Kinsler Josh , Pavan Ronni
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we highlight an important property of the translog production function for the identification of treatment effects in a model of latent skill formation. We show that when using a translog specification of the skill technology, properly anchored treatment effect estimates are invariant to any location and scale normalizations of the underlying measures. By contrast, when researchers assume a CES production function and impose standard location and scale normalizations, the resulting treatment effect estimates vary with the chosen normalizations. Access to age‐invariant measures does not solve this problem since arbitrary scale and location restrictions are still imposed in the initial period. We theoretically prove the normalization invariance of the translog production function and then complete several empirical exercises illustrating the effects of location and scale normalizations for different technologies and types of skills measures.
Long‐run predictability tests are even worse than you thought
Authors: Hjalmarsson Erik , Kiss Tamas
Published: August 2022

We derive asymptotic results for the long‐horizon ordinary least squares (OLS) estimator and corresponding
‐statistic for stationary autoregressive predictors. The
‐statistic—formed using the correct asymptotic variance—together with standard‐normal critical values result in a correctly‐sized test for exogenous predictors. For endogenous predictors, the test is size distorted regardless of the persistence in the predictor and adjusted critical values are necessary. The endogeneity problem stems from the long‐run estimation and is distinct from the ordinary persistence‐dependent “Stambaugh” bias. The bias for fully stationary predictors appears not to have been previously noted and adds further difficulty to inference in long‐run predictive regressions.
Evaluation of the effect of green tea and its constituents on embryo development in a zebrafish model
Authors: Zhang Qiuping , Gao Qian , Zhao Lin , Li Xu , Wang Xixi , Wang Yuhua , Chen Dongyan
Published: August 2022

As one of the most popular beverages, green tea has attracted much interest for its beneficial effects on human health. However, the toxicity of green tea and its underlying mechanism are still poorly understood. Here, we evaluated the effect of green tea and its constituents on development by exposing zebrafish embryos to them. Morphologic results demonstrated that 0.1% and 0.2% green tea increased mortality, delayed epiboly of gastrulation, and shortened body length. Green tea altered the expression pattern of dlx3, cstlb, myod, and papc and decreased the expression levels of wnt5 and wnt11, suggesting that green tea disturbed convergence and extension movement through the downregulation of wnt5 and wnt11. The increased expression of the dorsal gene chordin and reduced expression of wnt8 and its target genes vox and vent in embryos exposed to 0.1% and 0.2% green tea indicated that green tea could affect dorsoventral differentiation by inhibiting the wnt8 signaling pathway. Additionally, green tea could inhibit epiboly progression by disrupting F‐actin organization or removing F‐actin in vegetal yolks during gastrulation. However, no malformation was caused by exposure to the five catechins and gallic acid individually. The mixture of constituents showed a similar effect to green tea solution on the embryos, such as smaller eyes and head, shorter body length, and slower heart rate, which indicated that the effect of green tea solution on embryo development was mainly due to the comprehensive effect of multiple components in the green tea solution.
Seasonality in tropical birds
Authors: Renthlei Zothanmawii , Yatung Subu , Lalpekhlui Ruth , Trivedi Amit Kumar
Published: August 2022

The survival of offspring depends on environmental conditions. Many organisms have evolved with seasonality, characterized as initiation‐termination‐reinitiation of several physiological processes (i.e., body fattening, molt, plumage coloration, reproduction, etc). It is an adaptation for the survival of many species. Predominantly seasonal breeders use photoperiod as the most reliable environmental cue to adapt to seasonal changes but supplementary factors like temperature and food are synergistically involved in seasonal processes. Studies from diverse vertebrate systems have contributed to understanding the mechanism involved in seasonal reproduction at the molecular and endocrine levels. Long‐day induced thyrotropin (thyroid‐stimulating hormone) released from the pars tuberalis of the pituitary gland triggers local thyroid hormone activation within the mediobasal hypothalamus. This locally produced thyroid hormone, T3, regulates seasonal gonadotropin‐releasing hormone secretion. Most of the bird species studied are seasonal in reproduction and linked behavior and, therefore, need to adjust reproductive decisions to environmental fluctuations. Reproductive strategies of the temperate zone breeders are well‐documented, but less is known about tropical birds' reproduction and factors stimulating the annual breeding strategies. Here, we address seasonality in tropical birds with reference to seasonal reproduction and the various environmental factors influencing seasonal breeding.
Health‐related needs reported by adolescents living with HIV and receiving antiretroviral therapy in sub‐Saharan Africa: a systematic literature review
Authors: Chem Elvis D. , Ferry Alissa , Seeley Janet , Weiss Helen A. , Simms Victoria
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) have specific health needs that can be challenging to deliver. Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) is home to 84% of the global population of ALHIV, of whom about 59% receive ART. Several studies in SSA have demonstrated health service gaps due to lack of synchronized healthcare for ALHIV receiving ART. We conducted a systematic review of health‐related needs among ALHIV on ART in SSA to inform decisions and policies on care.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane library and grey literature for studies reporting health‐related needs among ALHIV receiving ART in SSA, between January 2003 and May 2020.

Results and discussion

Of the 2333 potentially eligible articles identified, 32 were eligible. Eligible studies were published between 2008 and 2019, in 11 countries: Zambia (7), Uganda (6), Tanzania (4), South Africa (4), Kenya (3), Ghana (2), Zimbabwe (2), Rwanda (1), Malawi (1), Botswana (1) and Democratic Republic of Congo (1). Seven categories of health needs among ALHIV were identified. In descending order of occurrence, these were: psychosocial needs (stigma reduction, disclosure and privacy support, and difficulty accepting diagnosis); dependency of care (need for family and provider support, and desire for autonomy); self‐management needs (desire for better coping strategies, medication adherence support and reduced ART side effects); non‐responsive health services (non‐adolescent friendly facility services and non‐compatible school system); need for food, financial and material support; inadequate information about HIV (desire for more knowledge to fight misinformation and misconception); and developmental and growth needs (desire to experience sex, parenthood and love). Ecological analysis identified different priority needs between ALHIV, their caregivers and healthcare providers, including psychosocial needs, financial challenges and non‐responsive health services, respectively.

Conclusions

To respond effectively to the health needs of ALHIV and improve ART adherence, interventions should focus on stigma reduction, disclosure challenges and innovative coping mechanisms for ART. Interventions that address the health needs of ALHIV from the perspective of carers and providers, such as financial support schemes and adolescent‐friendly healthcare strategies, should supplement efforts to improve adolescent ART adherence outcomes.
Multi‐omics in classical galactosemia: Evidence for the involvement of multiple metabolic pathways
Authors: Hermans Merel E. , van Weeghel Michel , Vaz Frédéric M. , Ferdinandusse Sacha , Hollak Carla E. M. , Huidekoper Hidde H. , Janssen Mirian C. H. , van Kuilenburg André B. P. , Pras‐Raves Mia L. , Wamelink Mirjam M. C. , Wanders Ronald J. A. , Welsink‐Karssies Mendy M. , Bosch Annet M.
Published: August 2022

Classical galactosemia (CG) is one of the more frequent inborn errors of metabolism affecting approximately 1:40.000 people. Despite a life‐saving galactose‐restricted diet, patients develop highly variable long‐term complications including intellectual disability and movement disorders. The pathophysiology of these complications is still poorly understood and development of new therapies is hampered by a lack of valid prognostic biomarkers. Multi‐omics approaches may discover new biomarkers and improve prediction of patient outcome. In the current study, (semi‐)targeted mass‐spectrometry based metabolomics and lipidomics were performed in erythrocytes of 40 patients with both classical and variant phenotypes and 39 controls. Lipidomics did not show any significant changes or deficiencies. The metabolomics analysis revealed that CG does not only compromise the Leloir pathway, but also involves other metabolic pathways including glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway, and nucleotide metabolism in the erythrocyte. Moreover, the energy status of the cell appears to be compromised, with significantly decreased levels of ATP and ADP. This possibly is the consequence of two different mechanisms: impaired formation of ATP from ADP possibly due to reduced flux though the glycolytic pathway and trapping of phosphate in galactose‐1‐phosphate (Gal‐1P) which accumulates in CG. Our findings are in line with the current notion that the accumulation of Gal‐1P plays a key role in the pathophysiology of CG not only by depletion of intracellular phosphate levels but also by decreasing metabolite abundance downstream in the glycolytic pathway and affecting other pathways. New therapeutic options for CG could be directed towards the restoration of intracellular phosphate homeostasis.
Study of scaling effect of ferroelectric gate stack in planar InGaAs MOSFET
Authors: Maity Subir Kumar , Basak Arindam , Das Himadri Sekhar
Published: August 2022

Negative capacitance field effect transistors is found to be a promising option for low power VLSI devices in the advanced technology node. In this article, through extensive numerical simulation, we report the scaling effect of ferroelectric gate stack, channel thickness and gate length on electrostatic integrity, DC, analog and RF performance of InGaAs quantum well MOS transistor. The different DC and analog figure of merits such as on current (), switching ratio (), threshold voltage roll‐off, sub‐threshold swing (SS), trans‐conductance (), transconductance efficiency () of the test device has been analyzed for different ferroelectric layer thicknesses and compared with the baseline device. We have investigated RF performance such as gate capacitance, unity‐gain cut‐off frequency and small signal voltage gain of the device. Improvement in DC and analog figure of merits is proportional to the ferroelectric layer thickness. However, for higher values of ferroelectric thickness, the hysteresis effect gradually became prominent. MOS transistor with optimum ferroelectric layer thickness shows the negligible amount of threshold voltage roll‐off and improved transconductance‐frequency product compared to the baseline device. In presence of ferroelectric layer, the effect of channel thickness variation on device performance is reduced. The role of ferroelectric gate stack is found to be more prominent at shorter gate length.
Using image‐based machine learning and numerical simulation to predict pesticide inline mixing uniformity
Authors: Dai Xiang , Xu Youlin , Song Haichao , Zheng Jiaqiang
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND

Accurate pesticide inline mixing uniformity (PIMU) evaluation for direct nozzle injection systems (DNIS) helps evaluate system performance and develop efficient inline mixers. Based on supervised machine learning (ML), inline mixing images and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are directly associated for realizing intelligent PIMU predictions.

RESULTS

Image sets can be reduced to less than 3% of the data size at the same time as retaining 98% of information using principal component analysis (PCA). The CFD results, as referenced values for ML, were justified by mixture sampling experiments. Enhanced images for the long‐mixing tube effectively trained models including generalized linear model (GLM), support vector regression (SVR), BP‐neural network (NNW), and classification and regression trees (CART). By testing the re‐collected images, the verification accuracy of GLM was less than 95% and it failed to recognize uniformity differences under varying working conditions, whereas NNW, CART and SVR realized it with an accuracy for NNW and CART higher than 97% and for SVR slightly lower than 97%. By testing images of the jet mixer, the prediction accuracy compared with the CFD results of NNW and CART was also higher than 97%, although that for SVR was relatively lower, and insignificant declines in accuracy were observed on comparing the results with mixture sampling experiments.

CONCLUSION

PCA facilitates evaluations of CFD‐referenced PIMU using image‐based ML. Models trained by enhanced image sets of the long‐mixing tube have satisfactory performance. NNW and CART performed slightly better than SVR, and they can be used as tools to improve the rationality when evaluating PIMU in DNIS. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Non‐Vascular Considerations When Interpreting Extremity Arterial and Venous Examinations
Authors: Malik Dania G. , Dahiya Nirvikar , Young Scott W. , Heng Lauren Xuan Xin , Patel Maitray D.
Published: August 2022

Peripheral arterial and venous examinations are performed regularly in vascular labs and interpreted by physicians of different specialities. Many vascular examinations have nonvascular pathology that is either inadvertently imaged by the sonographer or imaged with intent as it relates to patient's symptoms. It is prudent for every reader of vascular studies to be acquainted with the sonographic appearance of these non‐vascular lesions to enable appropriate and optimal interpretation that has a direct bearing on patient's clinical care. Our review includes a discussion of the nonvascular pathologies like lymph nodes, soft tissue edema, soft tissue fluid collections, musculotendinous injuries, soft tissue masses, and joint and bursal pathologies that may be encountered during interpretation of vascular exams. The pictorial essay includes a discussion of their sonographic appearances and pitfalls in interpretation. Multiple illustrative examples and sonographic images of the non‐vascular pathologies found during interpretation of vascular studies have been utilized to highlight their appearances.
Rural area and agricultural region revitalisation modelling
Authors: Zhu Kunyan
Published: August 2022

Comparing the per capita incomes of urban and rural households reveals a sizable income disparity in the latter, as well as an uneven distribution of income across China's regions. This article discusses and ranks the drivers that affect rural development. Among the most critical are farmer support factors, transportation infrastructure development, information and communication technology development, and rural entrepreneurship. The decline in the Engel coefficient, which reflects changes in welfare and income elasticity estimates of food demand, and income elasticity itself, indicates that food demand for Chinese farmers has become extremely inelastic. The ranking of China's regions in terms of per capita income growth shows that the intended policy of wealth equalisation of the country's population is being followed. The objective is to modernise agriculture and reduce regional disparities for China to achieve the status of a moderately developed country shortly, which will require state assistance. The emphasis is on farmer welfare, rural areas, and agriculture. In the face of massive population densities, regional disparities, and vast heterogeneous territory, the land consolidation practice is demonstrated in various regions as a platform and lever for rural life revitalisation. Rural tourism development is defined as a means of generating additional jobs and ensuring the long‐term viability of villages. The rural elite's decisive role in leading the agricultural sector's restructuring is emphasised. Central and local governments can use the results to strengthen the legislative framework, develop plans and programmes, and identify rural development models.
Engineering the Surface Properties of DNA Nanostructures by Tuning the Valency of Assembling Species for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Liu Qian , Xia Jingruo , Yu Qingtao , Gu Pengcheng , Yuan Yue , Liu Ke , Huang Chaowang , Chen Chunfa , Guo Xiaolan , Qian Hang
Published: August 2022

Self‐assembled DNA nanostructures hold great potentials in biomedical applications. Nevertheless, the negatively charged DNA backbone and susceptivity to enzyme degradation pose challenges to this regard. Engineering the surface properties of DNA nanostructures by assembling DNA with guest molecules in magnesium‐free system is promising to solve these issues. In this study, the polyamines‐mediated DNA self‐assembly with an emphasis on the valency of polyamines is investigated. Both spermine, spermidine, and putrescine can assemble DNA tetrahedron under appropriate concentrations. The cytotoxicity and cellular uptake efficiencies vary with the polyamine valency. Compared with magnesium‐assembled DNA tetrahedron, polyamine‐assembled DNA tetrahedron exhibits higher cellular uptake efficiency and serum stability. Circular dichroism spectrum results indicate that polyamines induce DNA conformation slightly shifting from B form to A form. The improved performances of polyamine‐assembled DNA tetrahedrons under physiological settings are attributed to the surface properties that altered by guest molecules polyamine. The current study suggests that engineering the surface properties of DNA nanostructures by assembling them with guest cationic species is promising to further their biomedical applications.
The Effect of Infant Gastric Digestion on Human Maternal Milk Cells
Authors: Doerfler Rose , Melamed Jilian R. , Whitehead Kathryn A.
Published: August 2022

Scope

Human breast milk contains a variety of cell types that have potential roles in infant immunity and development. One challenge associates with defining the purpose(s) of milk cells in the infant is a poor understanding of the effect of digestion on cell fate.

Methods and results

This study first demonstrates that milk cell death occurs after gastric digestion in mice. Then flow cytometry and RT‐PCR are used to understand the mechanism of human milk cell death and quantify live cell types before and after simulated gastric digestion. This study finds that digestion in simulated gastric fluid for 30 min reduces cell viability from 72% to 27%, with most cell death is caused by the acidic pH. The primary mechanism of cell death is caspase‐mediated apoptosis. The non‐cellular components of milk offer only mild protection against cell death from stomach acid.

Conclusions

Gastric digestion does not select for a specific resilient cell population to survive—most cell types die in equal proportions in the gastric environment. Taken together, these results provide a foundation with which to understand the fate of human breast milk cells in the infant's intestine and beyond.
Diallyl Trisulfide Prevents Adipogenesis and Lipogenesis by Regulating the Transcriptional Activation Function of KLF15 on PPARγ to Ameliorate Obesity
Authors: Hu Yanzhou , Xu Jia , Gao Ruxin , Xu Ye , Huangfu Bingxin , Asakiya Charles , Huang Xianghui , Zhang Feng , Huang Kunlun , He Xiaoyun , Luo Yunbo
Published: August 2022

Scope

Diallyl trisulfide (DATS) is a bioactive compound in garlic. The anti‐obesity effect of garlic oil has been reported, but the role and mechanism of DATS in preventing obesity remain to be explored.

Methods and results

Studies with high‐fat‐diet‐induced obese mice and 3T3‐L1 adipocytes are performed. The results show that DATS significantly reduces lipid accumulation and repairs disordered metabolism in vivo by restraining adipogenesis and lipogenesis, and promoting lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation in white adipose tissue. In cells, DATS plays different roles at different stages of adipocyte differentiation. Notably, DATS reduces lipid accumulation mainly by inhibiting adipogenesis and lipogenesis at the late stage. KLF15 is knocked down in 3T3‐L1 cells, which eliminate the inhibitory effect of DATS on adipogenesis and lipogenesis. The dual‐luciferase reporter and ChIP assays indicate that DATS can inhibit the transcriptional activation function of KLF15 on PPARγ by inhibiting the binding of KLF15 to PPARγ promoter. The function comparison of structural analogs and the intervention of dithiothreitol show that disulfide bond is crucial for DATS to work.

Conclusion

DATS prevents obesity by regulating the transcriptional activation function of KLF15 on PPARγ.
Deep learning–based 4D‐synthetic CTs from sparse‐view CBCTs for dose calculations in adaptive proton therapy
Authors: Thummerer Adrian , Seller Oria Carmen , Zaffino Paolo , Visser Sabine , Meijers Arturs , Guterres Marmitt Gabriel , Wijsman Robin , Seco Joao , Langendijk Johannes Albertus , Knopf Antje Christin , Spadea Maria Francesca , Both Stefan
Published: August 2022

Background

Time‐resolved 4D cone beam–computed tomography (4D‐CBCT) allows a daily assessment of patient anatomy and respiratory motion. However, 4D‐CBCTs suffer from imaging artifacts that affect the CT number accuracy and prevent accurate proton dose calculations. Deep learning can be used to correct CT numbers and generate synthetic CTs (sCTs) that can enable CBCT‐based proton dose calculations.

Purpose

In this work, sparse view 4D‐CBCTs were converted into 4D‐sCT utilizing a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN). 4D‐sCTs were evaluated in terms of image quality and dosimetric accuracy to determine if accurate proton dose calculations for adaptive proton therapy workflows of lung cancer patients are feasible.

Methods

A dataset of 45 thoracic cancer patients was utilized to train and evaluate a DCNN to generate 4D‐sCTs, based on sparse view 4D‐CBCTs reconstructed from projections acquired with a 3D acquisition protocol. Mean absolute error (MAE) and mean error were used as metrics to evaluate the image quality of single phases and average 4D‐sCTs against 4D‐CTs acquired on the same day. The dosimetric accuracy was checked globally (gamma analysis) and locally for target volumes and organs‐at‐risk (OARs) (lung, heart, and esophagus). Furthermore, 4D‐sCTs were also compared to 3D‐sCTs. To evaluate CT number accuracy, proton radiography simulations in 4D‐sCT and 4D‐CTs were compared in terms of range errors. The clinical suitability of 4D‐sCTs was demonstrated by performing a 4D dose reconstruction using patient specific treatment delivery log files and breathing signals.

Results

4D‐sCTs resulted in average MAEs of 48.1 ± 6.5 HU (single phase) and 37.7 ± 6.2 HU (average). The global dosimetric evaluation showed gamma pass ratios of 92.3% ± 3.2% (single phase) and 94.4% ± 2.1% (average). The clinical target volume showed high agreement in D98 between 4D‐CT and 4D‐sCT, with differences below 2.4% for all patients. Larger dose differences were observed in mean doses of OARs (up to 8.4%). The comparison with 3D‐sCTs showed no substantial image quality and dosimetric differences for the 4D‐sCT average. Individual 4D‐sCT phases showed slightly lower dosimetric accuracy. The range error evaluation revealed that lung tissues cause range errors about three times higher than the other tissues.

Conclusion

In this study, we have investigated the accuracy of deep learning–based 4D‐sCTs for daily dose calculations in adaptive proton therapy. Despite image quality differences between 4D‐sCTs and 3D‐sCTs, comparable dosimetric accuracy was observed globally and locally. Further improvement of 3D and 4D lung sCTs could be achieved by increasing CT number accuracy in lung tissues.
Self‐reported bio‐psycho‐social factors partially distinguish rotator cuff tendinopathy from other shoulder problems and explain shoulder severity: A case‐control study
Authors: Delen Mehmet , Şendil Ateş , Kaux Jean‐François , Pedret Carles , Le Sant Guillaume , Pawson Jessica , Miller Stuart Charles , Birn‐Jeffery Aleksandra , Morrissey Dylan
Published: August 2022

Objective

Examine how rotator cuff (RC) tendinopathy differed from other shoulder problems (OSP) by measuring a variety of self‐reported bio‐psycho‐social factors, and establish which explain severity.

Methods

A validated online survey battery was used to collect self‐reported biopsychosocial variables in an international population. Diagnostic group and severity were the dependent variables. Multiple logistic and linear regression analyses were utilised to generate explanatory models for group differences and severity after group comparison and univariate regression analysis.

Results

82 people with RC tendinopathy (50 female, 42.8 ± 13.9 years) and 54 with OSP (33 female, 40.2 ± 14.1 years) were recruited. Both groups had comparable severity results (Shoulder Pain and Disability Index = 37.3 ± 24.5 vs. 33.7 ± 22.5). Seven factors individually differentiated RC tendinopathy from OSP. The multivariable model included 4 factors: activity effect on pain (OR(95%CI) = 2.24(1.02–4.90)), previous injury in the shoulder (OR(95% CI) = 0.30(0.13–0.69)), activity level (moderate OR(95% CI) = 3.97(1.29–12.18), high OR(95% CI) = 3.66(1.41–9.48)) and self‐efficacy (OR(95%CI) = 1.12(1.02–1.22)) demonstrating acceptable accuracy. The second multivariable model for RC tendinopathy severity included one demographic, three psychological and two biomedical variables (β(range) = 0.19–0.38) and explained 68% of the variance.

Conclusion

Self‐reported bio‐psycho‐social variables may be beneficial for further detailed clinical assessment as they partially distinguish RC tendinopathy from OSP, even when the groups have comparable overall pain and functional problems. Moreover, these variables were shown to be substantially associated with RC tendinopathy severity variance, implying that the clinical evaluation might be improved, perhaps by pre‐consultation online data collection. The models should be validated in the future and considered alongside data from physical and imaging examinations.
Make diversity, bias training a positive experience
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: August 2022

LAS VEGAS — “This is a training about how to make diversity training and bias training palatable to law enforcement,” Lewis Eakins, Ph.D., CPP, Vice President for Public Safety and Emergency Management at Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana, said. Eakins spoke at the recent annual conference for the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators.
Unusually Large Effects of Charge‐assisted C−H⋅⋅⋅F Hydrogen Bonds to Anionic Fluorine in Organic Solvents: Computational Study of 19F NMR Shifts versus Thermochemistry
Authors: Kaupp Martin , Schattenberg Caspar J. , Müller Robert , Reimann Marc
Published: August 2022

A comparison of computed 19F NMR chemical shifts and experiment provides evidence for large specific solvent effects for fluoride‐type anions interacting with the σ*(C−H) orbitals in organic solvents like MeCN or CH2Cl2. We show this for systems ranging from the fluoride ion and the bifluoride ion [FHF]− to polyhalogen anions [ClFx]−. Discrepancies between computed and experimental shifts when using continuum solvent models like COSMO or force‐field‐based descriptions like the 3D‐RISM‐SCF model show specific orbital interactions that require a quantum‐mechanical treatment of the solvent molecules. This is confirmed by orbital analyses of the shielding constants, while less negatively charged fluorine atoms (e. g., in [EF4]−) do not require such quantum‐mechanical treatments to achieve reasonable accuracy. The larger 19F solvent shift of fluoride in MeCN compared to water is due to the larger coordination number in the former. These observations are due to unusually strong charge‐assisted C−H⋅⋅⋅F− hydrogen bonds, which manifest beyond some threshold negative natural charge on fluorine of ca. < −0.6 e. The interactions are accompanied by sizable free energies of solvation, in the order F−≫[FHF]−>[ClF2]−>[ClF4]−. COSMO‐RS solvation free energies tend to moderately underestimate those from the micro‐solvated cluster treatment. Red‐shifted and intense vibrational C−H stretching bands, potentially accessible in bulk solution, are further spectroscopic finger prints.
Computer‐assisted fetal laser surgery in the treatment of twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome: Recent trends and prospects
Authors: van der Schot Anouk Marlon , Sikkel Esther , Spaanderman Marc Erich August , Vandenbussche Frank Patrick Hector Achilles
Published: August 2022

Fetal laser surgery has emerged as the preferred treatment of twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). However, the limited field of view of the fetoscope and the complexity of the procedure make the treatment challenging. Therefore, preoperative planning and intraoperative guidance solutions have been proposed to cope with these challenges. This review uncovers the literature on computer‐assisted software solutions focused on TTTS. These solutions are classified by the pre‐ or intraoperative phase of the procedure and further categorized by discussed hardware and software approaches. In addition, it evaluates the current maturity of technologies by the technology readiness level and enumerates the necessary aspects to bring these new technologies to clinical practice.
Novel preparation of lithium‐ion battery wet‐processed separator based on the synergistic effect of porous skeleton nano‐Al2O3in situ blending and synchro‐draw
Authors: Ding Lei , Li Dandan , Du Fanghui , Zhang Daoxin , Zhang Sihang , Wu Tong
Published: August 2022

Routine lithium‐ion battery separators with uneven micropores and poor electrolyte affinity raise ion transport barriers and become the battery‐performance‐limiting factors. A wet‐processed separator with homogeneous porous structure and porous skeleton nano‐Al2O3 in situ blending is readily prepared by thermally induced phase separation of paraffin, nano‐Al2O3 and ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) in this work. SEM, ImageJ statistical analysis, porosity and Gurley calculation show that a separator that has undergone asynchronous drawing exhibits ample sturdy fibrils, heterogeneous pore size dispersion, poor permeability and strong anisotropy. However, UHMWPE deforms much more uniformly under a synchro‐draw, which distinctly lessens coarse fibrils, centralizes porous construction after stretching and brings better isotropy for the separator. Additionally, nano‐Al2O3 scattered in the cast film further weakens the heterogeneity of micropores stemming from the uneven thermally induced phase separation. Wettability tests and thermal diagnoses also show that nano‐Al2O3 on the porous skeleton strengthens the thermal stability and electrolyte affinity of the separator. Consequently, batteries containing nano‐Al2O3 composite separators show much higher electrochemical stability, ionic conductivity and Li+ transport number because of the synergistic effect of the even microvoids and nano‐Al2O3 on the porous skeleton, which expedites Li+ transport and endows superior lithium‐ion battery performance. © 2022 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Control of a far‐red/near‐infrared spectral switch in an artificial fluorescent biliprotein derived from allophycocyanin
Authors: Hou Ya‐Nan , Höppner Astrid , Rao Aditya G. , Lahav Yigal , Kumar Das Prabir , Ding Wen‐Long , Jiang Xiang‐Xiang , Hu Ji‐Ling , Schapiro Igor , Noy Dror , Zhao Kai‐Hong
Published: August 2022

The molecular structure of mBDFP, a far‐red fluorescent protein (FPs) derived from an allophycocyanin homolog was resolved to 2.52 Å. Its biliverdin chromophore was found to be attached to the protein in an unusual way that was never observed in natural phycobiliproteins, and only once in a sub‐population of artificial bacteriophytochrome‐derived FPs. One of the biliverdin's vinyl groups had two cysteine residues covalently bound to its two carbon atoms. This reduces the conjugation length of the biliverdin π‐electron system, which shifts the absorption and emission spectra by about 40 nm, from the near‐infrared to the far‐red region of the spectrum. By spectrally characterizing a set of mBDFP mutants, we show that such spectral shifts can be induced by modifying a single residue in either one of two critical positions in the vicinity of the binding cysteines. This changes the reactivity of biliverdin and the cysteine's thiols towards forming one, or two thioether bonds to the vinyl group. The ability to control the spectral properties of BDFP by specific point mutations opens many possibilities for rational design of far‐red and near‐infrared FPs that are of great interest to the development of fluorescence markers for bioimaging since most biological tissues are transparent in this spectral window.
Electronic State Coupling Between Structural Deformation and Surficial Defects in Co‐Layered LaCoSi for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Shan Yun , Li Tinghui
Published: August 2022

The exploitation of the earth‐abundant catalysts with high reactive activity for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) remains a grand challenge, which is strongly related with their superficial electronic structure. Herein, the Co‐layered LaCoSi material is proposed to disclose the electronic state coupling between structural strain and defect distribution, where the bonding interaction between reactants and catalysts can be affected by the electronic reconfiguration at reactive sites. Comprehensive first‐principle calculations disclose that the catalytic activity of Co site can be obviously enhanced by tensile strain, and the antibonding interaction between Co and adsorbed hydrogen is also enforced. However, the introduced Si defect can make the neighboring Si atoms gain more 3d electrons from Co site, leading to a compressive‐strain‐response HER performance. The analysis about electronic structure demonstrates that the coupled electronic states play a critical role in enhancing HER performance. This work provides a new insight into designing new‐type catalysts by considering the synergistic effect of surface strain and defect engineering.
Successful removal of a broncholith using a cryo‐probe under rigid bronchoscopy: A case report
Authors: Ando Moe , Saka Hideo , Matsuo Yasuhiro , Lee Shin , Morishita Tetsuji , Fujita Kei , Tsuzuku Akifumi
Published: August 2022

Broncholithiasis is a rare condition in which lymph nodes, cartilage or inhaled material in the bronchi become calcified. Removal of the broncholith is indicated when it causes symptoms such as hemoptysis and obstructive pneumonia. Although there are various methods for removing broncholiths, no international recommendations exist. We report a case of safe removal of broncholiths using a cryo‐probe under rigid bronchoscopy. A 72‐year‐old man presented with blood‐tinged sputum for 5 months. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed collapse of the middle lung lobe. Flexible bronchoscopy demonstrated broncholiths at the orifice of the middle lobe. We successfully removed the broncholiths with a cryo‐probe under rigid bronchoscopy without any complications. Our experience suggests that removal of broncholiths can be safely and successfully performed using a cryo‐probe under rigid bronchoscopy.
Research Progress on Modification and Application of Raw Lacquer
Authors: Li Dong , Li Kun , Fang Junfei
Published: August 2022

Raw lacquer is a kind of natural polymer coating with excellent performance. The lacquer film formed after drying of pure natural raw lacquer has the advantages of hard quality, heat resistance and corrosion resistance. However, natural raw lacquer also has some disadvantages. For example, it must be dried at a specific temperature and humidity to form a film, difficult to spray, dark color, poor alkali resistance, easy to cause human skin allergy and so on. Due to urushiol is the main film‐forming material in raw lacquer, its performance and drying film‐forming process will directly affect the properties of the lacquer film. Taking advantage of the particularity of its structure, urushiol can be modified in its drying film‐forming process, so as to speed up its drying film‐forming process or obtain a modified lacquer film with excellent performance. Thus, the research on raw lacquer and its modification mainly focuses on the modification of urushiol, the main film‐forming substance of the raw lacquer. This paper reviews the modification and combined methods of the natural urushiol by researchers in recent years, mainly including urushiol polymerization catalyzed by proton acid, urushiol polymerization initiated by UV irradiation, copolymerized with other polymer materials, reacted with metal compounds to form urushiol metal polymers, and formed composite coatings with multi‐wall carbon nanotubes, graphene oxide, nano‐TiO2 and so on. The modified lacquer has shown excellent performance in some aspects, such as the gloss and hardness of the lacquer film have been significantly improved, the heat resistance, acid and alkali resistance have been enhanced, the ageing resistance and solvent resistance have been improved, the impact strength and toughness have been enhanced, the curing time of the lacquer film has been greatly shortened and so on. Then the application fields and development trends of the modified raw lacquer are discussed, hoping to provide a theoretical basis for the further development and utilization of raw lacquer.
Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Selective Sorption of Tricyclazole in Food
Authors: Laskar Namrata , Ghoshal Debabrata , Gupta Suman
Published: August 2022

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for selective recognition and separation of tricyclazole have been synthesized by precipitation polymerization technique, using three different functional monomers viz. methacrylic acid (acidic), 4‐vinyl pyridine (basic) and methyl acrylate (neutral). MIP synthesized using tricyclazole as template, methacrylic acid as functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross‐linker, 2,2’–azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator and methanol:acetonitrile (1 : 1, v/v) as porogen gave the highest binding efficiency of 93.78 %. Sorption kinetics followed second pseudo order model (R2=0.999) and the data fitted better to Freundlich isotherm (R2=0.991). High values of selectivity factors α (19.43–24.90) and β (23.88–35.03) indicate selectivity of MIPs over non‐imprinted polymers (NIPs) toward tricyclazole in presence of other structural analogues. The MIPs were successfully applied for separating tricyclazole from fortified samples of rice and water, with recovery percentage of 91.64 % and 88.04 %, respectively. These MIPs with high selectivity and reusability can be employed routinely in sample preparation for tricyclazole residue analysis.
The Mechanism of Modification of Poly(anthraquinonylsulfide) Organic Electrode Materials
Authors: Kong Taoying , Zhu Weichen , Jiang Bo , Liao Xia , Xiao Rengui
Published: August 2022

Organic electrode materials have received much attention in recent years, but their solubility of organic affects the capacity of the battery and the cycling performance. The solubility can be effectively reduced by polymerization, which can improve the stability of the material, but the capacity of organic polymer materials generally decreases with an increase in molar mass. In this study, poly(anthraquinonyl sulfide) (PAQS) is strongly oxidized, and its morphological characteristics and active sites are found to change without affecting its solubility, leading to enhanced the battery capacity and stability performance. The experimental results show that PAQS is converted into micro‐sized spherical particles after being treated with H2SO4 solution.This process changes the sulfone group structure of PAQS and increases its active site S=O bond. Calculations show that the adsorption energy of the S=O active site is more stable than that of the original C=O active site, making it easier for the S=O group to adsorb cations. At the same time, the conductivity of PAQS increases after the treatment. The experimental results show that the capacity of the battery is 128.3 mAhg−1 at a current rate of 2 C when the strongly oxidized PAQS is used as the negative electrode, while the initial capacity was only 84.3 mAhg−1 under the same test conditions before the treatment.
Development of Solution‐ and Film‐Based Economical Sensors for Reversible Sensing of Fluoride and Cyanide Ions
Authors: Kakoti Arobinda , Rohman Rakiba , Kar Rahul , Khakhlary Prithiviraj
Published: August 2022

Three Bisphenol based economical sensors were developed from readily available reagents with single synthetic step. The bisphenols were obtained from reaction of 2,6‐dimethylphenol with 4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde (BP‐1), 4‐bromobenzaldehyde (BP‐2) and 4‐nitrobenzaldehyde (BP‐3). The cyanide and fluoride ions induce visual colour changes which enabled their naked eye detection and distinguished them as well. All the three sensors were able to detect these anions upto a nano molar range. Selective detection of these two anions with paper strips experiments were demonstrate by taking the BP‐1 as representative case. Again, among the sensors BP‐1 was chosen to immobilize into the cellulose based hydrogel matrix. Resulting composite efficiently detect cyanide and fluoride ions in 100 % aqueous system which otherwise was not feasible owing to water insolubility of BP‐1. The 1 cm2 film containing 0.01 mmol of BP‐1 can absorb 2 ppm of fluoride ion from standard aqueous solution of KF. The morphology study reveals a smooth and miscible distribution of BP‐1 into the polymer matrix. Surface morphology of the composite changes upon treatment with cyanide solution. Both the solution and film based sensing of these anions were found to be reversible in nature. The substituent effect on anion binding ability of respective sensors were demonstrated experimentally and validated theoretically.