bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geometric, spintronic, and opto‐electronic properties of 3d transition metals doped silicene: An ab initio study
Authors: Kalwar Basheer Ahmed , Fangzong Wang , Saeed Muhammad Hammad , Bhutto Aqeel Ahmed , Tunio Mohsin Ali , Bhagat Kalsoom
Published: September 2022

This study shows density functional theory (DFT) investigations that 3d transition metals (TM) doping in silicene can greatly alter the geometric, spintronic, and optoelectronic properties of the pristine silicene (p‐Si) layer. Significant Bader charge transfer from 3d TM atoms to surrounding Si atoms ensures the tight bonding between dopant and substrate; hence, all the 3d transition metal‐doped silicene (3d TM‐Si) systems are said geometrically strong and stable. Sc‐ and Ti‐doped systems show the lowest formation energies of −84.72 and −84.21 eV, respectively, while Zn‐Si bears the highest (−70.89 eV). 3d TMs from V to Co doping induces magnetic moment (MM) in the silicene layer which mainly comes from d‐orbitals of 3d TM atoms and partly from p‐orbitals of Si atoms, meanwhile Mn‐Si has MM as high as 3.0 μB. Among 3d TM‐Si systems studied, Cr‐Si and Mn‐Si systems became half metals, Ti‐Si became indirect semiconductor, whereas rest others convert into metals. Sc and V doping is found to be p‐type doping as the Fermi level shifts into the valence band. Moreover, multiple and broader peaks in the absorption coefficient plot indicate the significant photoabsorption of 3d TM‐Si systems. The present study of electronic, magnetic, and optical properties of 3d TM‐Si systems extend a helpful proposal for further experimental work to fabricate silicene‐based single‐spin electron source and other nano‐electronic devices.
Routine outcome monitoring: The need for case examples
Authors: de Jong Kim , Aafjes‐van Doorn Katie
Published: September 2022

Routine outcome monitoring (ROM) involves measuring an outcome variable (e.g., symptoms and alliance) at a regular interval over time (e.g., before each session), using a standardized patient self‐report measure. Several computerized ROM system exists that also provide the therapist with benchmarks for these measures based on expected treatment responses (ETRs) for a patient, and clinical support tools (CSTs) to help the therapists in making clinician decisions in the treatment. When implementing ROM into clinical practice, a therapist needs to decide what patient‐self report measure to use as well as what ROM system might be most clinically helpful and cost‐effective. Although the use of ROM has shown to be effective, especially in reducing dropout and reducing deterioration of patients, the implementation of ROM can be challenging. The use of ROM always requires the active involvement of the therapist, but the implementation in treatment may look different for each patient. It is thus helpful to see case illustration of exactly how ROM might be useful or not so useful in clinical practice.
A Tribute to the Pioneers of Fetal Pharmacology
Authors: Bhatt‐Mehta Varsha , Ward Robert M. , Zajicek Anne , Giacoia George P. , Burckart Gilbert J.
Published: September 2022

Clinical pharmacology is a branch of the field of pharmacology that evolved following the recognition that the nature, duration, and intensity of drug action depend on both the intrinsic properties of the drug and an interaction with the host to whom the drug is given. Advances in drug development have placed highly specific and extremely potent therapeutic agents in the marketplace. While these advances have progressed rapidly in adult medicine, pediatric clinical pharmacology has not kept pace and until very recently has lagged behind the research and attention paid to the proper use of therapeutic and diagnostic drugs in adults. Recognition that advances in the science of developmental pharmacology and pediatric clinical pharmacology were essential in the development of new drugs to treat children came in the 1950s and 1960s mostly through the work of 2 pioneering scientists in fetal and perinatal clinical pharmacology, Drs Sumner Yaffe and Bernard Mirkin. Here we pay a tribute to these most influential pioneers in the United States who were instrumental in paving the path for advancing the field of fetal and perinatal pharmacology concepts and their incorporation into pediatric drug development programs.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Beliefs of Medication Use in Pregnancy in an Urban Tertiary Care Center
Authors: Kazma Jamil , Araji Tarek , Khilnani Aneka , van den Anker John , Ahmadzia Homa K.
Published: September 2022

Medication use in pregnancy is common. However, there is a gap in the literature assessing the knowledge of pregnant individuals about medication use in pregnancy. The aim of our study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of pregnant people on medication use in pregnancy. We conducted a cross‐sectional survey questionnaire that was completed by pregnant patients from December 2021 to January 2022. The survey included questions regarding knowledge, attitude, and sources for obtaining information about medication use in pregnancy and general statements from the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ). A total of 150 participants completed the survey. Most patients reported that a person should know that medication use for chronic diseases must be modified during pregnancy and that medications can be used in any trimester of pregnancy. Most reported that medication use can lead to fetal growth restriction and maternal bleeding. The mean scores (SDs) on the BMQ‐General for the overuse, harm, and benefit statements were 8.7 (2.4), 8.2 (3.1), and 15.7 (2.8). Even though medication use in pregnancy is common, it is an area of concern to pregnant patients. More research on identifying the risks of different medicines used in pregnancy is thus needed.
Correlation between preoperative imaging biomarkers and histological prognostic factors in endometrial cancer: A prospective study
Authors: Perniola Giorgia , Derme Martina , Manganaro Lucia , Satta Serena , Palaia Innocenza , Di Donato Violante , Muzii Ludovico , Panici Pierluigi Benedetti
Published: September 2022

Purpose

We compared transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detecting myometrial infiltration, cervical involvement, and for measuring tumor volume in endometrial cancer patients. We also correlated tumor volume to worse histological prognostic factors.

Methods

We recruited women with a histological diagnosis of endometrial cancer between March 2019 and March 2021. Inclusion criteria were: age ≥ 18 years, written informed consent, biopsy‐proven endometrial cancer, absence of previous neoadjuvant chemo‐ or radiotherapy treatment, patient suitable for primary surgery. Exclusion criteria were: advanced disease stage and other coexisting malignant tumors. TVUS and MRI were used, in the absence of any contraindication. We compared the preoperative imaging results with final histopathology.

Results

The accuracy of TVUS and MRI in evaluating myometrial infiltration, cervical invasion and tumor volume were comparable. A tumor volume ≥2 ml showed a positive correlation with worse histological prognostic factors, such as high tumor grade, diffuse lymphvascular space involvement (LVSI) and deep myometrial invasion (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

TVUS should be used as first‐line imaging modality, being more available, cost‐effective, and more acceptable by patients. A careful local staging of endometrial cancer patients before surgery is fundamental in order to improve tailored treatment and minimize costs.
Microanatomy of the cerebellum in Persian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus), a transmission electron microscopy, and immunohistochemical study
Authors: Nowrozi Masoumeh , Goodarzi Nader
Published: September 2022

The present study was aimed to investigate the cerebellum histology in the Persian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus), using immunohistochemical staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The brain of 4 adult Persian squirrels (2 males and 2 females) were used. For general histology, crystal violet and Luxol fast blue stains were applied. For immunohistochemical examination, myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG), neurofilament 200 (NF200), Calbindin D 28 K, and glial fibrillary associated protein (GFAP) were investigated. The cerebellar cortex was composed of three traditional cellular layers, including molecular, granular and Purkinje cell (Pc) layers. Numerous Nissl bodies detected in the cytoplasm of Pc, which given a purple or blue appearance to the cytoplasm. At the level of TEM, Purkinje cells were identified by their large euchromatin nucleus with an indented plasma membrane. The cytoplasm was high electron dense containing well‐developed rough endoplasmic reticulum (Er), smooth Er, Golgi apparatus in perinuclear region, numerous mitochondria in oval and spherical shapes, free ribosomes, and lysosomes were dispersed throughout the cytoplasm. The expression rate of calbindin D 28 K, MAG, GFAP, and NF200 was determined 49%, 24%, 71%, and 43% respectively. The cerebellum of the Persian squirrel has a common structure similar to those reported in other mammals. However, at the level of TEM, some unique structural features were observed. These results might be taken as a set of basic information for more detailed future studies investigating histophysiology of the cerebellum and its pathological changes in the Persian squirrel as well as for comparative purposes in rodent species.
Practice resource‐focused revision: Standardized pedigree nomenclature update centered on sex and gender inclusivity: A practice resource of the National Society of Genetic Counselors
Authors: Bennett Robin L. , French Kathryn Steinhaus , Resta Robert G. , Austin Jehannine
Published: September 2022

This focused revision builds on the expert opinions from the original publications of ‘Recommendations for human standardized pedigree nomenclature’ published in 1995 and updated in 2008. Our review of medical publications since 2008 did not identify any fundamental systematic alternative pedigree nomenclature. These findings attest to the relevance of most of the nomenclature with the critical exception of the nomenclature used to denote sex assigned at birth and gender. While we are not recommending the creation of any new pedigree symbols, a major focus of this publication is clarification of the use of symbols and language in the description of the distinction between sex and gender, with a view to ensuring safe and inclusive practice for people who are gender‐diverse or transgender. In addition, we recommend modifications to the way that carrier status is depicted. Our goal is to respect individual differences and identities while maintaining biologically, clinically, and genetically meaningful information.
Event centrality and posttraumatic stress symptoms after traumatic injury: A longitudinal investigation
Authors: Stevens Sarah K. , Timmer‐Murillo Sydney C. , Tomas Carissa W. , Boals Adriel , Larson Christine L. , deRoon‐Cassini Terri , Larsen Sadie E.
Published: September 2022

The development of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) can occur following a traumatic injury, which may include an increase in negative cognitions. One cognitive construct shown to be associated with the development of PTSS is event centrality, or the degree to which an individual views a traumatic experience as central to their life story. Although cross‐sectional work has demonstrated a robust connection between event centrality and PTSS, the directionality of this association remains unclear. Most previous work has investigated centrality as a predictor of PTSS, although one recent study suggests that PTSS may, in fact, predict event centrality. The current longitudinal study enrolled adult civilian participants (N = 191) from a Level 1 trauma center following a traumatic injury and assessed both event centrality and PTSS at three points posttrauma (3, 12, and 18 months). A time‐constrained random intercept cross‐lagged panel analysis showed that PTSS predicted event centrality over the 18‐month follow‐up period, B = 0.16, p = .021, but event centrality did not predict PTSS, B = ‐0.27, p = .340. These findings suggest that the development of PTSS following trauma exposure may lead to the perception of the traumatic event as central to an individual's story over time. Further longitudinal research is necessary to determine what variables may influence the connection between PTSS and event centrality.
Identification of Analytical Singularity in a Non‐Plasmonic Nanosensing System
Authors: Zhou Yanyan , Chan C. T. , Zhang Haixi , Li Nanxi , Li Xuejin , Ho Ho‐Pui
Published: September 2022

Optical sensing works most efficiently around the singularity of resonances. In the pursuit of high quality‐factor and sensitivity, non‐plasmonic nanosensors are desired as metallic materials are intrinsically lossy. However, standalone resonant systems of dielectric nanoparticles (NPs) generally do not possess a pole or its identification has proven to be hard across the complex frequency domain. To solve this problem, an active external cavity is designed and the dielectric NP is put inside it to formulate a cavity‐NP (C‐NP) system. The dielectric NP has dimensions comparable with the effective wavelength in the particle material and the coupled resonance is shown to exhibit a pole when a singular optimum gain is applied, overcoming the no‐pole‐limitation of dielectric NPs. The underlying physics of the coupled system is studied with the pseudo‐orthonormal eigenmode method (POEM), which can treat such non‐Hermitian systems and quickly pinpoint the singularity from the real frequencies. The POEM study generates a set of guidelines that facilitate device design and experimental optimization. Through dynamic finite‐difference time‐domain simulations, the all‐dielectric gain‐assisted cavity‐NP structure thus identified is shown to reach a pole at small optical gain. When used as a sensor, the system accommodates nanoscale sensing volume and giant sensitivity when operated around its pole.
A radiative cooling, anti‐corrosion multifunctional composite coating derived from Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) oil
Authors: Chen Bo Xi , Sun Jian Ping
Published: September 2022

Here, a new application from Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) oil was successfully proposed to develop a multifunctional composite coating using Jatropha oil (JO) as a raw material to replace traditional non‐renewable chemical materials. Here, a new application of Jatropha oil is proposed to develop a multifunctional composite coating using Jatropha oil as a raw material instead of traditional non‐renewable chemical materials. To achieve this goal, Jatropha oil first needs to be made into refined Jatropha oil (RJO) by degumming, deacidification, decolorization, and deodorization. The RJO was then subjected to epoxidation to obtain epoxidized Jatropha oil (EJO), and the optimal epoxidation conditions were explored. Finally, EJO was synthesized as acrylate and barium sulfate (BaSO4) was added as inorganic filler to prepare a composite coating. The results showed that the thermal decomposition temperature of the composite coating was as high as 451°C, and the composite coating showed the best mechanical properties when the filling amount of BaSO4 reached 40%. The composite coating has a reflectivity of over 80% in the UV region and can reach a contact angle of 108 ° with excellent hydrophobicity, which can play a self‐cleaning role. In addition, the composite coating is also immersed in acid and alkali solution for 30 days, it has less mass loss and shows excellent acid and alkali resistance, which can play the role of anti‐corrosion. The composite coating can be attached to the surface of wood, glass, metal, plastic, and other materials to provide protection for the materials, which has good application prospects. This pioneering work provides an opportunity to promote JO with depressed application market in industrial production.
Alpinetin alleviates osteoporosis by promoting osteogenic differentiation in BMSCs by triggering autophagy via PKA/mTOR/ULK1 signaling
Authors: Zeng Chenying , Wang Shan , Chen Fenglei , Wang Ziming , Li Jinteng , Xie Zhongyu , Ma Mengjun , Wang Peng , Shen Huiyong , Wu Yanfeng
Published: September 2022

Osteoporosis, a systemic bone disease that is characterized by a reduction in bone mass and destruction of bone microstructure, is becoming a serious problem worldwide. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) can differentiate into bone‐forming osteoblasts, and play an important role in maintaining homeostasis of bone metabolism, thus being a potential therapeutic target for osteoporosis. Although the phytochemical alpinetin (APT) has been reported to possess a variety of pharmacological activities, it is still unclear whether APT can influence the osteogenic differentiation of on BMSCs and if it can improve osteoporosis. In this study, we found that APT treatment was able to enhance osteogenic differentiation levels of human BMSCs in vitro and mouse ones in vivo as revealed by multiple osteogenic markers including increased alkaline phosphatase activity and osteocalcin expression. Mechanistically, the protein kinase A (PKA)/mTOR/ULK1 signaling was involved in the action of APT to enhance the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. In addition, oral administration of APT significantly mitigated the bone loss in a dexamethasone‐induced mouse model of osteoporosis through strengthening PKA signaling and autophagy. Altogether, these data demonstrate that APT promotes osteogenic differentiation in BMSCs by augmenting the PKA/mTOR/ULK1 autophagy signaling, highlighting its potential therapeutic application for treating osteoporotic diseases.
Strategies for the sustainable development of China in the post‐epidemic era
Authors: Zhao Xin‐Xin , Wen Jun , Zou Xing‐Yun , Wang Quan‐jing , Chang Chun‐Ping
Published: September 2022

Countries around the world are facing enormous challenges in their economic and social development as COVID‐19 continues to spread, resulting in slower economic recovery in the post‐pandemic era. Considering the impact of economic growth on future sustainable development in this new era, green economic recovery (GER) can achieve a win‐win situation between economic recovery and environmental improvement and bring forth environmentally sustainable economic growth. This research first lists related COVID‐19 literature surveys and GER policies in the post‐pandemic era in China. Based on a comparative study of the international experience of GER policy practices, this paper then analyzes the opportunities and challenges China faces for GER and puts forward countermeasures and suggestions on how to promote its sustainable development in the post‐epidemic era. We believe our research presents useful enlightenments for sustainable economic and social development in the post‐epidemic era.
Virtual Screening, Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamics and ADMET Studies on the OTU Protease of Crimean‐Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus
Authors: Yildirim Merve , Celik Ismail
Published: September 2022

Crimean‐Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is caused by the Nairovirus genus CCHF virus from the Bunyaviridae family, which is called by the same name. The effective reservoir for the spread of the virus is the ticks of the genus Hyalomma. The CCHF disease has a mortality rate of 30 % in the world and 5 % in Turkey. Although it has a high mortality rate, there is only one approved drug available to treat the disease. Currently, ribavirin is the only drug approved by the WHO (World Health Organization) for the CCHF virus. However, although it has been proven to be effective in the early diagnosis of the disease in non‐randomized studies, there is still controversial due to the lack of randomized studies. OTU (ovarian tumor), an enzyme that plays a role in viral replication and suppression of the immune system, was chosen as a protease drug target. Computer‐aided drug design aims to increase the success rate while reducing the time and budget spent. Virtual screening, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations and ADMET studies are stages of computer‐aided drug design. In this thesis; as a result of virtual scanning and molecular docking study, the active ingredients of protokylol, rimiterol, and aspoxicillin, which have high values on the OTU protease enzyme of CCHF, were selected. Then, ligand enzyme complexes were investigated by molecular dynamics simulations and ADMET studies.
Synthesis of a Terminal Amino‐Modified Nucleolin Aptamer and Its Paclitaxel Conjugate
Authors: Xu Xiaoling , Jiang Mingyu , Miao Dan , Liu Yongping , Tan Xiaobin , Hu Jiawei , Gu Chunye , Peng Weijie , Jiang Feng
Published: September 2022

Aptamer‐drug conjugate has been developed as a potential class of targeted therapeutics, which using aptamer as tumor recognition elements could targeted deliver the conjugated chemically toxic drug to tumor site. One of the keys to the success of aptamer‐drug conjugate is terminal modification of aptamer to facilitate the conjugation with drugs. Herein, a novel terminal amino‐modified nucleolin aptamer which using solketal as raw material was developed. Moreover, its paclitaxel conjugate wherein the aptamer coupled with paclitaxel derivatives by amidation was also conducted. The easily available raw materials, stable structure, together with its simplicity of operation, gives it the potential for use on an industrial scale.
Tropylium‐BF4 as Organocatalyst for Efficient Synthesis of Nitriles from Aldoximes; Synthetic Scope and Mechanistic Insights
Authors: Anchi Athmanand , Sutar Suraj M. , Kalkhambkar Rajesh G. , Borosky Gabriela L. , Laali Kenneth K.
Published: September 2022

Structurally diverse aldoximes were conveniently transformed within minutes to the corresponding nitriles by using tropylium BF4 as organocatalyst, in 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium ionic liquids (BMIM‐ILs) as solvent, under microwave irradiation. The scope of this convenient, cyanide free, process for nitrile synthesis was explored, and DFT computations were employed to shed light on the mechanistic steps of this catalytic reaction leading to dehydration.
Physicochemical Properties and Molecular Structure of Starches from Potato Cultivars of Different Tuber Colors
Authors: Yu Yingtao , Han Fujuan , Huang Yumin , Xiao Liuyang , Cao Shaopan , Liu Zhenya , Thakur Kiran , Han Lihong
Published: September 2022

Potato plays an important role for starch resource and has diverse colored tubers because of diverse genotype backgrounds. However, it is unknown whether starch physiological and structural properties are dependent on the color of tuber. In the present study, six potato cultivars are grown under the same conditions. Though granule size (D50, 31.33–39.47 µm) and amylose content (29.91–36.66%) of starches from different varieties show significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences, but all exhibit similar morphology and B‐type crystalline structure. The molecular weight of amylose and amylopectin ranges from 5.47 × 104 to 71.50 × 104 g mol−1 and from 121.44 × 105 to 141.09 × 105 g mol−1, respectively. The distributions of amylopectin chain length, thermal, and digestive properties differ among potato starches from six different varieties. The cluster analysis based on starch physiological and structural parameters shows that starch properties of potatoes are independent of the color of tuber but are determined by the variety genotype background. These results can provide a structural basis for quality breeding and targeting future utilization of different colored potato varieties.
Improving obesity and lipid metabolism using conjugated linoleic acid
Authors: Sun Ye , Hou Xufeng , Li Lingjie , Tang Yanqing , Zheng Mingyue , Zeng Weisen , Lei XiaoLong
Published: September 2022

Background

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) can prevent fatty acid accumulation induced by a high‐fructose diet and improve lipid metabolism disorders in patients.

Objectives

We aimed to investigate the effect of CLA on obesity and lipid metabolism and its possible mechanism.

Methods

Eight‐month‐old male BKS.Cg‐Dock7m +/+ Leprdb/JNju (db/db) mice (n = 12) were fed a CLA mix composed of equivalent c9, t11‐CLA and t10, c12‐CLA for 1 month. The effect of CLA on body weight, water and food intake, and triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels was investigated. PPARα, PPARγ and CD36 expression was determined by quantitative PCR and western blotting. Additionally, the expression of these three genes was studied in HepG2 cells treated with CLA and linoleic acid.

Results

CLA treatment notably reduced the dietary and water intake of db/db mice, effectively reduced body weight, and decreased serum TG and TC levels (p < 0.05). Increased expression of PPARα (p < 0.05) and decreased expression of CD36 (p < 0.001) were observed in the liver of mice that were fed CLA. CLA increased PPARα expression (p < 0.001) and decreased PPARγ (p < 0.001) and CD36 expression (p < 0.01) in HepG2 cells.

Conclusions

Our results showed that CLA can improve lipid metabolism in obese mice through upregulation of PPARα expression and downregulation of CD36 expression.
Identifying Limitations when Deriving Probabilistic Views of North Atlantic Hurricane Hazard from Counterfactual Ensemble NWP Re-forecasts
Authors: Philp Tom J. , Champion Adrian J. , Hodges Kevin I. , Pigott Catherine , MacFarlane Andrew , Wragg George , Zhao Steve
Published: September 2022

Downward counterfactual analysis – or quantitatively estimating how our observed history could have been worse – is increasingly being used by the re/insurance industry to identify, quantify, and mitigate against as-yet-unrealised “grey-swan” catastrophic events. While useful for informing site-specific adaptation strategies, the extraction of probabilistic information remains intangible from such downside-only focused analytics. We hypothesise that combined upward and downward counterfactual analysis (i.e., how history could have been either better or worse) may allow us to obtain probabilistic information from counterfactual research if it can be applied objectively and without bias.

Here we test this concept of objective counterfactual analysis by investigating how initial-condition-driven track variability of events in our North Atlantic Hurricane (NAHU) record may affect present-day probabilistic views of US landfall risk. To do this, we create 10,000 counterfactual NAHU histories from NCEP GEFS v2 initial-condition ensemble reforecast data for the period 1985-2016 and compare the statistics of these counterfactual histories to a model-based version of our single observational history.

While the methodology presented herein attempts to produce the histories as objectively as possible, there is clear – and, ultimately, intuitively understandable – systematic underprediction of US NAHU landfall frequency in the counterfactual histories. This limits the ability to use the data in real-world applications at present. However, even with this systematic under-prediction, it is interesting to note both the magnitude of volatility and spatial variability in hurricane landfalls in single cities and wider regions along the US coastline, which speaks to the potential value of objective counterfactual analysis once methods have evolved.
Current and Future Tropical Cyclone Wind Risk in the Small Island Developing States
Authors: Bloemendaal Nadia , Koks E. E.
Published: September 2022

Tropical cyclones (TCs) are amongst the costliest and deadliest natural hazards and can cause widespread havoc in tropical coastal areas. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are particularly vulnerable to TCs, as they generally have limited financial resources to overcome past impacts and mitigate future risk. However, risk assessments for SIDS are scarce due to limited meteorological, exposure, and vulnerability data. In this study, we combine recent research advances in these three disciplines to estimate TC wind risk under past (1980–2017) and near-future (2015–2050) climate conditions. Our results show that TC risk strongly differs per region, with 91% of all risk constituted in the North Atlantic. The highest risk estimates are found for the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, with present-climate expected annual damages (EAD) of 1.51 billion and 1.25 billion USD, respectively. This study provides valuable insights in TC risk and its spatial distribution, and can serve as input for future studies on TC risk mitigation in the SIDS.
Climate Change Impacts to Hurricane-Induced Wind and Storm Surge Losses for Three Major Metropolitan Regions in the U.S.
Authors: Sousounis Peter J. , Grenier Roger , Schneyer Jonathan , Raizman Dan
Published: September 2022

Climate change is expected to have increasingly significant impacts on U.S. hurricane activity through this century (Hayhoe et al., Our changing climate. In: Reidmiller DR, Avery CW, Easterling DR, Kunkel KE, Lewis KLM, Maycock TK, Stewart BC (eds) Impacts, risks, and adaptation in the United States: fourth national climate assessment, volume II. U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC, pp 72:144. https://doi.org/10.7930/NCA4.2018.CH, 2018). A key concern for private insurers is how the relative contributions to loss from wind and water may change because damage from flood is not typically covered in the residential market. This study addresses the concern by considering how climate change by 2050 under an extreme climate scenario may impact hurricane frequency and damage. Using a stochastic catalog of 100,000 years of possible events that can occur in today’s climate, and available information on how hurricane frequency and intensity may change, multiple catalogs of events are created to reflect future hurricane activity. Climate change impacts on precipitation rate are not accounted for here, although sea level rise is included to understand how much worse storm surge may become. Relative changes to wind loss and coastal flood loss are examined for three economically significant and hurricane prone urban locations: Houston-Galveston, Miami, and New York. Results show that relative changes in wind loss may pale in comparison to relative changes in storm surge loss. Houston shows large increases in relative contribution of surge to total loss because the contribution is currently small, New York shows the least significant increases because contributions are currently large, and Miami is in the middle.
Down-regulated lncRNA ROR in tumor-educated platelets as a liquid-biopsy biomarker for nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Wei Jiazhou , Meng Xian , Wei Xiuqi , Zhu Kaidong , Du Li , Wang Hui
Published: September 2022

Purposes

To evaluate the diagnostic value of tumor-educated platelets (TEP) lncRNA ROR for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods

Quantitative real-time PCR was used to determine the expression level of TEP lncRNA ROR in NPC patients (n = 50) as compared to normal subjects (n = 33). The ROC curve analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic value of TEP lncRNA ROR for NPC. Correlations between TEP lncRNA ROR and clinical parameters were further analyzed.

Results

The median of TEP lncRNA ROR was significantly lower in NPC patients than that in normal subjects (0.0209 vs 0.0610, p = 0.0019), while no significant difference was found in plasma lncRNA ROR. ROC analysis showed that TEP lncRNA ROR had a sensitivity of 60%, specificity of 70%, and accuracy of 63.9% in diagnosing NPC, and the area under ROC curve (AUC) was 0.70. The expression level of TEP lncRNA ROR in NPC showed no significant difference among different TNM stages. However, low level of TEP lncRNA ROR correlated well with positive Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) DNA (kappa value = 0.314, p = 0.06), TEP lncRNA ROR and EBV DNA had similar diagnostic positive rate (58.3%) for NPC, and the combination of TEP lncRNA ROR and EBV DNA increased the positive rate to 74%.

Conclusion

The expression level of TEP lncRNA ROR was down-regulated in NPC and the diagnostic value of TEP lncRNA ROR was similar to EBV DNA. Our study indicated that TEP lncRNA ROR might serve as a novel type of liquid biopsy biomarker in diagnosis of NPC patients.
False positives: handling them operationally for automatic pollen monitoring
Authors: Crouzy Benoît , Lieberherr Gian , Tummon Fiona , Clot Bernard
Published: September 2022

This note provides a generic method for handling falsely identified particles (false positive detections) in automatic pollen monitoring systems. The benefits of the method are illustrated using data from two different automatic pollen monitoring devices (Swisens Poleno and Plair Rapid-E) in comparison to reference Hirst-type pollen measurements. Neither climatological nor phenological information are introduced to filter out false positive detections: the method is based only on the measurements.
Role of nanocellulose in tailoring electroanalytical performance of hybrid nanocellulose/multiwalled carbon nanotube electrodes
Authors: Durairaj Vasuki , Liljeström Touko , Wester Niklas , Engelhardt Peter , Sainio Sami , Wilson Benjamin P. , Li Panpan , Kontturi Katri S. , Tammelin Tekla , Laurila Tomi , Koskinen Jari
Published: September 2022

Nanocellulose has emerged as a promising green dispersant for carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and there is an increasing trend in developing nanocellulose/CNT hybrid materials for electrochemical detection of various small molecules. However, there have been very few comprehensive studies investigating the role of nanocellulosic material properties upon the electroanalytical performance of the resultant hybrid electrodes. In this work, we demonstrate the influence of both nanocellulose functionalization and geometry, utilizing sulfated cellulose nanocrystals, sulfated cellulose nanofibers, and TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers. Transmission electron microscopy tomography enables direct visualization of the effect of nanocellulosic materials on the hybrid architectures. High resolution X-ray absorption spectroscopy verifies that the chemical nature of CNTs in the different hybrids is unmodified. Electroanalytical performances of the different nanocellulose/CNT hybrid electrodes are critically evaluated using physiologically relevant biomolecules with different charge such as, dopamine (cationic), paracetamol (neutral), and uric acid (anionic). The hybrid electrode containing fibrillar nanocellulose geometry with a high degree of sulfate group functionalization provides the highest electroanalytical sensitivity and strongest enrichment towards all studied analytes. These results clearly demonstrate for the first time, the extent of tailorability upon the electroanalytical response of nanocellulose/CNT hybrid electrodes towards different biomolecules, offered simply by the choice of nanocellulosic materials.
Decentralized cross-blockchain asset transfers with transfer confirmation
Authors: Sober Michael , Sigwart Marten , Frauenthaler Philipp , Spanring Christof , Kobelt Max , Schulte Stefan
Published: September 2022

Today, several solutions for cross-blockchain asset transfers exist. However, these solutions are either tailored to specific assets or neglect finality guarantees that prevent assets from getting lost in transit. In this paper, we present a cross-blockchain asset transfer protocol that supports arbitrary assets, is adaptable to different means of cross-blockchain communication, and adheres to requirements such as finality. The ability to freely transfer assets between blockchains may increase transaction throughput and provide developers with more flexibility by allowing them to design digital assets that leverage the capacities and capabilities of multiple blockchains. We define the general requirements and specifications for a cross-blockchain asset transfer protocol and provide a proof-of-concept implementation for EVM-based blockchains. Further, we evaluate the protocol concerning costs, transfer duration, and security.
Alert threshold assessment based on equivalent displacements for the identification of potentially critical landslide events
Authors: Valletta Alessandro , Carri Andrea , Segalini Andrea
Published: September 2022

Over the past years, the growing number of natural hazards all over the world has led to an increasing focus on activities aimed at studying and controlling the occurrence of these phenomena. In this context, monitoring systems have become a fundamental component for Landslide Early Warning Systems, allowing to understand the evolution of these processes and assess the need for dedicated mitigation measures. This result is achieved thanks to several technological advancements that led to the introduction of more accurate and reliable sensors, as well as automatic procedures for data acquisition and elaboration. However, despite these improvements, the data interpretation process is still a challenging task, in particular when it comes to the identification of critical events and failure forecasting operations. This paper presents a methodology developed to assess if a potentially critical event is displaying a significant deviation from previously sampled data, or if it could be classified as a false alarm. The process relies on the definition of a threshold value based on the landslide behavior preceding the event of interest. In particular, the reference value derives from the evaluation of equivalent displacements, defined as the displacements previously observed in a time interval equal to the one showed by the potentially critical event. This paper reports a series of examples referring to different case studies, involving both false alarms and real collapses, underlining the effectiveness of the proposed model as a useful tool to evaluate the landslide behavior with a near-real-time approach.
Maximum interpolable gap length in missing smartphone-based GPS mobility data
Authors: McCool Danielle , Lugtig Peter , Schouten Barry
Published: September 2022

Passively-generated location data have the potential to augment mobility and transportation research, as demonstrated by a decade of research. A common trait of these data is a high proportion of missingness. Naïve handling, including list-wise deletion of subjects or days, or linear interpolation across time gaps, has the potential to bias summary results. On the other hand, it is unfeasible to collect mobility data at frequencies high enough to reflect all possible movements. In this paper, we describe the relationship between the temporal and spatial aspects of these data gaps, and illustrate the impact on measures of interest in the field of mobility. We propose a method to deal with missing location data that combines a so-called top-down ratio segmentation method with simple linear interpolation. The linear interpolation imputes missing data. The segmentation method transforms the set of location points to a series of lines, called segments. The method is designed for relatively short gaps, but is evaluated also for longer gaps. We study the effect of our imputation method for the duration of missing data using a completely observed subset of observations from the 2018 Statistics Netherlands travel study. We find that long gaps demonstrate greater downward bias on travel distance, movement events and radius of gyration as compared to shorter but more frequent gaps. When the missingness is unrelated to travel behavior, total sparsity can reach levels of up to 20% with gap lengths of up to 10 min while maintaining a maximum 5% downward bias in the metrics of interest. Temporal aspects can increase these limits; sparsity occurring in the evening or night hours is less biasing due to fewer travel behaviors.
Episodic memory dysfunction and hypersynchrony in brain functional networks in cognitively intact subjects and MCI: a study of 379 individuals
Authors: Chino Brenda , Cuesta Pablo , Pacios Javier , de Frutos-Lucas Jaisalmer , Torres-Simón Lucía , Doval Sandra , Marcos Alberto , Bruña Ricardo , Maestú Fernando
Published: September 2022

Delayed recall (DR) impairment is one of the most significant predictive factors in defining the progression to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Changes in brain functional connectivity (FC) could accompany this decline in the DR performance even in a resting state condition from the preclinical stages to the diagnosis of AD itself, so the characterization of the relationship between the two phenomena has attracted increasing interest. Another aspect to contemplate is the potential moderator role of the APOE genotype in this association, considering the evidence about their implication for the disease. 379 subjects (118 mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 261 cognitively intact (CI) individuals) underwent an extensive evaluation, including MEG recording. Applying cluster-based permutation test, we identified a cluster of differences in FC and studied which connections drove such an effect in DR. The moderation effect of APOE genotype between FC results and delayed recall was evaluated too. Higher FC in beta band in the right occipital region is associated with lower DR scores in both groups. A significant anteroposterior link emerged in the seed-based analysis with higher values in MCI. Moreover, APOE genotype appeared as a moderator between beta FC and DR performance only in the CI group. An increased beta FC in the anteroposterior brain region appears to be associated with lower memory performance in MCI. This finding could help discriminate the pattern of the progression of healthy aging to MCI and the relation between resting state and memory performance.
Accuracy of diagnostic modalities in suspected appendicitis in King Saud Hospital, Unaizah,Qassim, Saudi Arabia-retrospective cohort study
Authors: AlJohani Moath , AlSulaim Lamees , AlHarbi Abrar , AlSwuaileh Ahlam , AlHussain Noor , AlGhumayzi Anfal , AlMahlasi Afrah , Hathal alZamil
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Objective

To retrospectively evaluate the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) ultrasonography (US) in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, confirm the post-appendectomy result via histopathology, and compare the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography (US) to CT scans.

Methods

A retrospective cohort -chart review of 244 patient who underwent CT and US for diagnosis of suspected acute appendicitis in single center -King Saud Hospital, Unaizah, Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia was performed.

Result

All study participants underwent CT scans as part of their diagnostic workup. Of the 244 patients, 240 (98.4%) returned with findings suggestive of acute appendicitis. Of the total number of participants, 203 were confirmed via US out of which only 30.0% of them had features on US scans suggestive of acute appendicitis. The majority of the patients did not have any complications (83.6%)

Conclusion

CT scan can be considered the best modality to diagnose acute appendicitis and its complications with sensitivity of 98% and specifty of 16.7 compared to US, which shows 100% specificity and 29% sensitivity.

Highlights
Birdsong, Speech and Poetry
Authors: Mackenney Francesca
Published: September 2022

In the long nineteenth century, scientists discovered striking similarities between how birds learn to sing and how children learn to speak. Tracing the 'science of birdsong' as it developed from the 'ingenious' experiments of Daines Barrington to the evolutionary arguments of Charles Darwin, Francesca Mackenney reveals a legacy of thought which informs, and consequently affords fresh insights into, a canonical group of poems about birdsong in the Romantic and Victorian periods. With a particular focus on the writings of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the Wordsworth siblings, John Clare and Thomas Hardy, her book explores how poets responded to an analogy which challenged definitions of language and therefore of what it means to be human. Drawing together responses to birdsong in science, music and poetry, her distinctive interdisciplinary approach challenges many of the long-standing cultural assumptions which have shaped (and continue to shape) how we respond to other creatures in the Anthropocene.
Unaging
Authors: Friedland Robert P.
Published: September 2022

Aging is a subject of concern to everyone, but is widely misunderstood. If we view it as inevitable, we miss the fact that not everyone is able to grow to an old age. Realization of this reality helps us to understand that aging presents a wonderful opportunity - an opportunity to make choices about how we live which can enhance the aging process and offer a chance to live to our potential. This book clearly presents the four, multiple reserve, factors (cognitive, physical, psychological and social) which impact our ability to have healthy responses to the stresses of aging. By giving the biological basis for the advice given, you will learn the steps to take in your activities, diet and mental outlook to grasp the opportunity that aging offers. Everyone must know that what we do makes a difference.
Introducing Historical Orthography
Authors: Condorelli Marco
Published: September 2022

Historical orthography – the study of how writing systems have changed over time – is a rapidly growing area of historical linguistics. This book provides the first comprehensive introduction to this exciting focus of research. Written in an engaging and accessible way, it surveys the purposes and methods of this field, and how it has developed as a discipline over time. The volume also discusses the various levels of analysis that historical orthography can carry out, as well as key historical orthographic processes, such as standardization and language change. It covers a range of non-western and western languages, including English, in order to discuss the breadth of typological issues that can arise in the documentation of writing systems. The book also establishes links between orthography and a range of other related disciplines, a quality which makes it an essential resource for advanced students of orthography and writing systems, and historical linguistics.
Outrage in the Age of Reform
Authors: Roszman Jay R.
Published: September 2022

In the 1830s, as Britain navigated political reform to stave off instability and social unrest, Ireland became increasingly influential in determining British politics. This book is the first to chart the importance that Irish agrarian violence – known as 'outrages' – played in shaping how the 'decade of reform' unfolded. It argues that while Whig politicians attempted to incorporate Ireland fully into the political union to address longstanding grievances, Conservative politicians and media outlets focused on Irish outrages to stymie political change. Jay R. Roszman brings to light the ways that a wing of the Conservative party, including many Anglo-Irish, put Irish violence into a wider imperial framework, stressing how outrages threatened the Union and with it the wider empire. Using underutilised sources, the book also reassesses how Irish people interpreted 'everyday' agrarian violence in pre-Famine society, suggesting that many people perpetuated outrages to assert popularly conceived notions of justice against the imposition of British sovereignty.
The International Law of Sovereign Debt Dispute Settlement
Authors: Nakajima Kei
Published: September 2022

The first two decades of the twenty-first century witnessed a series of large-scale sovereign defaults and debt restructurings, in which sovereigns struggled to negotiate with recalcitrant bondholders, particularly hedge funds. Also, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 heralded a bleak financial outlook for many developing and emerging market countries, requiring sovereign debt restructuring in times of great macroeconomic uncertainty. Given the absence of a multilateral mechanism for sovereign debt restructuring equivalent to domestic corporate bankruptcy system, however, defaulted sovereigns often suffer from holdout litigation wrought by bondholders. This book proposes ways in which such legal actions could be regulated without the undue expense of bondholders' remedies by exploring the mechanism of balancing bondholder protection and respect for sovereign debt restructuring at various stages of litigation and arbitration proceedings.