bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immobilized polyphosphate kinase: preparation, properties, and potential for use in adenosine 5′‐triphosphate regeneration
Authors: Hoffman RC , Wyman PL , Smith LE , Nolt CL , Conley JL , Hevel JM , Warren JP , Reiner GA , Jr OA Moe
Published: October 2023

Polyphosphate kinase (ATP:polyphosphate phosphotransferase; EC 2.7.4.1), partially purified from Escherichia coli, has been immobilized on glutaraldehyde‐activated aminoethyl cellulose with a 10% retention of enzymatic activity. The immobilized enzyme can carry out the synthesis of ATP from ADP, using long‐chain inorganic polyphosphate as a phosphoryl donor. Chromatographic analyses of the product mixture produced from ADP and [32P]polyphosphate demonstrated that 98% of the 32P was incorporated into ATP, indicating that the immobilized polyphosphate kinase is substantially free from contaminating polyphosphate phosphohydrolase (EC 3.6.1.11), adenosine triphosphatase (EC 3.6.1.4), and adenylate kinase (EC 2.7.4.3). Immobilized polyphosphate kinase loses no activity when stored in an aqueous suspension for 2 months at 5 degrees C or for 1–2 weeks at 25 degrees C. It may be stored indefinitely as a lyophilized powder at −10 degrees C. Michaelis constants for ADP and polyphosphate were determined to be 160 and 120 microM, respectively, for the immobilized enzyme. A small‐batch reactor was found to produce ATP linearly with time up to 65% conversion of polyphosphate into ATP and to attain greater than 85% conversion to ATP at equilibrium. The ease of purification and immobilization of E. coli polyphosphate kinase, its storage stability, the purity and yield of its ATP product, and the low values of the Michaelis constants for its substrates make it a highly promising enzyme for ATP regeneration.
Use of Cloned Htpr Gene of Escherichia Coli to Introduce Htpr Mutation into the Chromosome
Authors: Kiselev VI
Published: October 2023

A deletion htpR mutant of Escherichia coli has been constructed on the basis of site‐directed mutagenesis. To this end, the chromosomal allele of htpR gene was substituted by a mutant allele introduced into the cell with a recombinant plasmid. The htpR mutant is characterized by a reduced level of proteolysis and therefore by a decreased rate of proteolytic degradation of RNA polymerase of bacteriophage T7. The mutation in htpR is linked with chloramphenicol resistance.
Some Effects of the Trypanocidal Drug Isometamidium on Encapsulation in Bovine Carrier Erythrocytes
Authors: DeLoach JR , Wagner GG
Published: October 2023

Bovine erythrocyte exposure to isometamidium chloride causes increased osmotic fragility. Control cells tolerated up to 1 mg/ml drug with no effects. Carrier erythrocytes were highly susceptible to drug, with increased osmotic fragility and decreased encapsulation potential of sucrose and inulin. Scanning electron micrographs of control and carrier erythrocytes exposed to drug revealed the formation of enkephalocytes with carrier erythrocytes. Control erythrocytes showed greater tolerance to the drug. Apparently, access of the drug to the interior of the erythrocyte membrane allows the drug to be more interactive with the membrane.
Active Human Tissue Plasminogen Activator Secreted from Insect Cells Using a Baculovirus Vector
Authors: Furlong AM , Thomsen DR , Marotti KR , Post LE , Sharma SK
Published: October 2023

A baculovirus expression vector was constructed with the tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) cDNA under the control of the viral polyhedrin promoter. After infection of insect cells with the recombinant baculovirus, active TPA was secreted into the medium in which these cells were grown. TPA was isolated from the conditioned media using metal chelate affinity chromatography followed by immunoaffinity purification using mouse monoclonal anti‐human TPA coupled to Sepharose. Sodium dodecyl sulfate‐gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions and sequence analysis of recombinant human TPA have revealed a two‐chain form of the enzyme. The N‐terminal amino acid was identified to be serine, indicating that it was processed at its N‐terminus by the insect cell culture in a manner similar to that observed for mammalian cells. The relative specific activity of recombinant TPA from insect cells is comparable to that of Bowes melanoma TPA standard. Its activity is stimulated in the presence of fibrinogen fragments, but by a factor about 2.3‐fold lower than the Bowes melanoma TPA. The apparent molecular weight of recombinant TPA from insect cells was about 60K by fibrin agar activity gels, suggesting less complex glycosylation than recombinant TPA from mammalian cells.
Anti‐α6β4 integrin autoantibodies inhibit the binding of laminins to α6β4 integrin in patients with pemphigoid and affect the gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Arase Noriko , Sasaoka Yusuke , Narita Jun , Kiyohara Eiji , Hashimoto Kazuhisa , Shinzaki Shinichiro , Nojima Satoshi , Takagi Junichi , Fujimoto Manabu
Published: October 2023

Background

Anti‐α6β4 integrin autoantibodies can be observed in some patients with mucous membrane pemphigoid. We have previously identified anti‐α6β4 integrin extracellular domain autoantibodies together with anti‐BP180 NC16A antibodies in a patient with DPP‐4 inhibitor‐induced bullous pemphigoid. However, the significance and impact of anti‐α6β4 integrin antibodies are unknown.

Objectives

To characterize anti‐α6β4 integrin extracellular domain autoantibodies in pemphigoid patients, to determine whether these antibodies inhibit laminin‐α6β4 integrin binding and to observe their systemic effects.

Methods

Anti‐α6β4 integrin autoantibodies were analysed by staining cells expressing the extracellular region of α6β4 integrin with sera from 20 patients with pemphigoid. The anti‐α6β4 integrin autoantibodies were characterized using different transfectants. The binding of laminins to α6β4 integrin was studied using cells expressing the activated conformation of α6β4 integrin and the inhibitory effect of the autoantibodies on the binding of laminins to α6β4 integrin was tested. Trends in antibody titres and clinical symptoms were quantified and analysed.

Results

IgG autoantibodies against the extracellular domain of anti‐α6β4 integrin were found in some patients with pemphigoid. Laminin binding to α6β4 integrin was observed in the active conformation of α6β4 integrin, and serum from a patient with a high titre of anti‐α6β4 integrin antibodies inhibited the binding of both laminin‐511 and laminin‐332 to α6β4 integrin. α6β4 integrin is expressed on the basement membrane of both skin and small intestine, and exfoliation was observed in the patient's epidermis and small intestinal epithelium. A reduction in the titre of the anti‐α6β4 integrin antibody was associated with improvement in both skin and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the presence of anti‐α6β4 integrin extracellular domain‐specific autoantibodies in some patients with pemphigoid. In addition, these autoantibodies showed inhibitory activity on α6β4 integrin‐laminin binding. Anti‐α6β4 integrin antibodies can affect the gastrointestinal tract as well as the skin and oral mucosa.
Assessing the performance of parametric and non‐parametric tests for trend detection in partial duration time series
Authors: Amorim Renato , Villarini Gabriele
Published: October 2023

The detection of nonstationarities in partial duration time series (PDS) depends on several factors, including the length of the time series, the selected statistical test, and the heaviness of the tail of the distribution. Because of the more limited attention received in the literature when compared to the trend detection on block maxima variables, we perform a Monte Carlo simulation study to evaluate the performance of different approaches: Spearman's rho, Mann–Kendall, ordinary least squares (OLS), Sen's slope estimator (SEN), and the nonstationary generalized Pareto distribution fit to identify the presence of trends in PDS records characterized by different sample sizes (n), shape parameter (ξ) and degrees of nonstationarity. The results point to a power gain for all tests by increasing n and the degree of nonstationarity and by reducing ξ. The use of a nonparametric test is recommended in samples with a high positive skew. Furthermore, the use of sampling rates greater than one to increase the PDS sample size is encouraged, especially when dealing with small records. The use of SEN to estimate the magnitude of a trend is preferable over OLS due to its slightly smaller probability of occurrence of type S error when ξ is positive.
PCSK9 inhibitor use during pregnancy in a case of familial hypercholesterolemia complicated with coronary artery disease
Authors: Suzuki Takuma , Tsurane Kotoi , Umemoto Tomoyuki , Sasano Tetsuo , Ushiki Eiko , Fudono Ayako , Hirose Asuka , Sekiguchi Masaki , Miyasaka Naoyuki
Published: October 2023

Limited data have been reported on the use of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK 9) inhibitors during pregnancy in women with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Here, we present the first case of initiating evolocumab (PCSK9 inhibitor) in a compound heterozygous FH mother. The patient was a 34‐year‐old primipara with severe dyslipidemia and a history of coronary artery bypass surgery. An elevated low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) level of 420 mg/dL was detected in the first trimester and persistently increased throughout pregnancy. Evolocumab was administered at 31 and 35 weeks of gestation, showing a positive effect on stabilizing LDL‐C levels. Planned delivery with labor analgesia was performed at 38 + 4 weeks. Both the mother and infant were discharged without any notable complications. Hence, evolocumab, an IgG2 monochromatic antibody with little placental permeability, may be an alternative medication with limited influence on infants. Further studies are needed to assess the safety of evolocumab administration during pregnancy.
Telomerase reverse transcriptase gene polymorphisms and cervical cancer susceptibility in high‐risk human papillomavirus‐infected women
Authors: Sun Shuang , Wang Yuhong , Liu Ying , Leng Zongxiang , Jiang Yujuan , Liang Yu , Jiang Zhe
Published: October 2023

Objective

To investigate the relationship between Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene polymorphisms and the susceptibility and clinicopathological parameters of cervical cancer in women infected with high‐risk human papillomavirus (HR‐HPV).

Method

A total of 380 patients with HPV‐infected cervical cancer who were admitted to the Jilin province Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital (Jilin province Obstetrics Quality Control Center) from July 2019 to July 2023 were selected as case group, and 408 women with negative HPV results in the cervical cancer screening results of the physical examination in the same hospital were selected as the control group. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the polymorphisms of hTERT, and its relationship with the susceptibility to high‐risk HPV infection and clinicopathological parameters in patients with cervical cancer was analysed.

Results

Individuals carrying the GA and AA genotypes of rs2736122 were significantly associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer when compared with the GG genotype and the adjusted ORs were 0.53 (0.37–0.79) for the AA genotype and 0.73 (0.59–0.88) for the A allele genotype. Besides, GG genotype or G allele of rs2853677 presented a significant influence on cervical cancer, with ORs of 0.59 (0.41–0.86) and 10.77 (0.63–0.94), respectively, when compared with the AA genotype. And rs2853677 have statistically significant difference in tumour diameter and degree of differentiation subgroup(p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate that the hTERT gene rs2736122AA and rs2853677 GG genotypes can increase the susceptibility of high‐risk HPV infection in cervical cancer patients. And rs2853677 is related to tumours above 4 cm and highly differentiated tumours. But both have nothing to do with the patient's chemotherapy sensitivity.
A case–control study on the effect of rhythmic masticatory muscle activity (RMMA) clusters on sleep fragmentation and severity of orofacial muscle pain in sleep bruxism
Authors: Martynowicz Helena , Lavigne Gilles , Kato Takafumi , Poreba Rafal , Michalek‐Zrabkowska Monika , Macek Piotr , Gac Pawel , Wojakowska Anna , Surowiak Pawel , Mazur Grzegorz , Wieckiewicz Mieszko
Published: October 2023

Rhythmic masticatory muscle activity (RMMA) is a periodic muscle activity that characterises sleep bruxism (SB) events. These can occur as a single event, in pairs, or in clusters. Since RMMA episodes often occur in clusters and the relevance of this occurrence is unknown, we conducted a study to investigate the effect of RMMA clusters on sleep fragmentation and the severity of orofacial muscle pain. This study involved a secondary analysis using data from 184 adult subjects with orofacial muscle pain who underwent definitive polysomnography (PSG) for sleep bruxism diagnosis. Self‐reported orofacial muscle pain (OFMP) was assessed using the numeric rating scale, and additional evaluation of side‐to‐side equivalence (symmetry) was described using a binary system. Among the 184 participants, 60.8% (n = 112) did not exhibit clusters and among the 72 participants with clusters, 36.1% (n = 26) and 63.9% (n = 46) were in the high and low RMMA frequency groups, respectively. The high SB group had significantly three times more phasic RMMA events than the noncluster group. A total of 89.67% (n = 165) of subjects reported orofacial muscle pain. While there was no difference in the severity of OFMP among groups, a significant decrease in symmetry between the severity of temporal muscle pain on the left and right sides was noted in the cluster group compared with the noncluster group. Clustering of RMMA events is associated with sleep fragmentation. The asymmetry of temporal muscle pain is related to the presence of RMMA clusters in sleep bruxism.
A global synthesis and meta‐analysis of the environmental heterogeneity effects on the freshwater biodiversity
Authors: Agra Janaina , Cornelissen Tatiana , Viana‐Junior Arleu Barbosa , Callisto Marcos
Published: October 2023

The spatial environmental heterogeneity (EH) has been invoked as an important factor to explain biodiversity. It is expected that higher spatial EH provides a wider range of resources and conditions for species with different requirements, leading to an increase of biodiversity. However, differences among geographical locations, ecosystem types, taxonomic groups, their occurrence zone, and methodological approaches may reveal idiosyncrasy between studies. Thus, we aimed to synthesize the global knowledge about the relationship between spatial EH and freshwater biodiversity (i.e. taxonomic and functional diversity, and their respective α and β components). Through a systematic review, we integrated results from 98 studies, published in 33 different countries, about the role of spatial EH – biodiversity relationship in freshwater ecosystems. Through meta‐analysis, we demonstrated that spatial EH has a positive effect over taxonomic and functional alpha diversity. Besides, we confirmed that the positive effect of spatial EH over taxonomic alpha diversity is consistent across geographical locations, ecosystem types, taxonomic groups, occurrence zones and between experiments with different methodological designs. Nonetheless, there was not enough evidence to robustly estimate the overall effect of spatial EH over taxonomic and functional beta diversity. Further, we discuss the mechanisms addressed to explain spatial EH‐biodiversity relationship, and implications for the management, conservation and restoration plans for freshwater ecosystems.
Ruthless times—Songs of care: Crisis in older people care sector
Authors: Cubelo Floro
Published: October 2023

Background

The Finnish‐language documentary, “Ruthless Times ‐ Songs of Care,” highlighted the challenges of older people care in Finland. Through a blend of choral scenes and documentary footage, it exposed the ethical and economic disparities in caregiving.

Objective

To provide a narrative of the documentary and its implications in the older people care sector.

Methods

Media review.

Results

The film explored the consequences of nursing personnel shortages, showcasing the impact on patient care and nursing staff morale. It also featured a choir of nursing staff and pensioners, adding depth to the narrative.

Conclusion

The documentary compellingly emphasized the intrinsic connection between the shortage of nursing staff and the quality of care within the older people community, advocating for a holistic approach to improve older people care within the Finnish social and healthcare framework.

Implications for practice

There is a need for systemic reforms and increased support for nursing staff to enhance the quality of care for older people in Finland.
Nursing home managers' descriptions of multi‐level barriers to leading person‐centred care: A content analysis
Authors: Backman Annica , Ahnlund Petra , Lövheim Hugo , Edvardsson David
Published: October 2023

Background

Research suggests that person‐centred care can be beneficially implemented and sustained, even though barriers remain that prevent uptake in clinical practice. Understanding barriers to person‐centred care seems important, as this has an impact on care practices and resident outcomes. Moreover, there is limited knowledge about nursing home managers' descriptions of barriers when leading person‐centred care.

Objectives

To explore barriers to leading person‐centred care as narrated by nursing home managers.

Methods

A descriptive qualitative design was used to collect data using individual interviews with 12 nursing home managers in highly person‐centred nursing homes. Data were analysed using content analysis.

Results

Multi‐level barriers to leading person‐centred care were identified on the (1) person level, (2) team level and (3) organisational level. Placing professional and family considerations ahead of resident considerations was described as a barrier on the personal level (1). Also, staff's divergent care values, processes, and priorities together with turnover and low foundational knowledge were identified as barriers on the team level (2). On an organisational level (3), constrained finances, functional building design and group level rostering were identified as barriers.

Conclusion

Multi‐level barriers influence nursing home managers' ability to lead and promote person‐centred care. Promoting the development of person‐centred practices requires efforts to eliminate barriers on person, team and organisational level.

Implications for Practice

Identifying and overcoming barriers at various levels in nursing home care has the potential to promote person‐centred practices. This study can inform stakeholders and policymakers of challenges and complexities in person‐centred practices. Multi‐level strategies are needed to target challenges at person‐, team‐ and organisational level when striving to develop person‐centred care.
Interspecific hybridization of decapod crustacean species with commercial interest—A review
Authors: Syafaat Muhammad Nur , Abualreesh Muyassar H. , Yatim Norhafiza Ilyana , Fazhan Hanafiah , Waiho Khor , Ma Hongyu , Okomoda Victor Tosin , Ikhwanuddin Mhd
Published: October 2023

Interspecies hybridization has been widely used in the development of aquaculture in fish species but there is not much impact in crustacean species. Several species of crustaceans that have been successfully crossed still have low hatching rates and the hybrids obtained have not met expectations. This review tries to summarize and analyse interspecific hybridization of cultured crustacean species (shrimps, lobsters, crayfish and crabs) and its potential for development of crustacean aquaculture production. The success of cross‐breeding on several species of shrimp and lobster has been supported by artificial insemination technology. In crabs, artificial insemination cannot be applied and cross‐breeding still relies on natural mating with an unstable success rate. In addition to cross‐breeding in captivity, cross‐breeding of crustacean species (shrimp, lobster, crayfish and crab) in nature has also been found. Interbreeding of crustacean species in nature cannot always be distinguished morphologically, hybrids between them can be known with certainty after carrying out molecular analysis. Even though the level of reproductive performance in cross‐breeding of shrimp, lobster, crayfish and crab species is still low, cross‐breeding efforts must be continued to obtain more information so that it can later be mapped which species have the potential to develop hybrids for cultivation. Furthermore, growth, reproductive performance, monosex hybridity and disease resistance are all hybrid parameters that must be evaluated.
Clinical features and outcomes of small airway disease in ANCA‐associated vasculitis
Authors: Zhou Peining , Gao Li , Li Zhiying , Que Chengli , Li Haichao , Ma Jing , Wang Guangfa
Published: October 2023

Background and Objective

To clarify the prevalence, features and outcomes of small airway disease (SAD) in a Chinese cohort with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)‐associated vasculitis (AAV) related pulmonary involvement.

Methods

SAD was recorded when the manifestations of either centrilobular nodules or air trapping were observed according to CT scans, except for infection or other airway‐related comorbidities. Baseline and follow‐up data were collected retrospectively.

Results

Of the 359 newly diagnosed AAV patients with pulmonary involvement, 92 (25.6%) had SAD, including 79 (85.9%) cases of anti‐MPO‐ANCA positive, 9 (9.8%) cases of anti‐PR3‐ANCA positive and 2 (2.2%) cases of double positive. Patients with SAD were more likely to be younger, female, non‐smokers, have more ear–nose–throat (ENT) involvement, and have higher baseline Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) compared to patients without SAD. Several AAV‐related SAD patients have improved lung function and CT scans after immunosuppressive therapy. Patients with SAD had a better prognosis compared to those without SAD. When dividing all patients into three groups: isolated SAD (only small airway involvements), SAD with other lower airway involvements, and non‐SAD, patients in the SAD with other lower airway involvements group had the highest risk of infection, while patients in the non‐SAD group had the worst long‐term outcomes. Similar results were observed in anti‐MPO‐ANCA positive patients when performing subgroup analyses.

Conclusion

SAD is a unique manifestation of AAV‐related lung involvement and exhibits distinct clinical features. It is vital to focus on SAD because of its association with prognosis and infection in AAV patients, especially in anti‐MPO‐ANCA positive patients. Moreover, SAD might represent a better response to immunosuppressors.
New insights into the palaeoenvironmental–palaeoclimatic significance and sedimentary dynamics of carbonate Lagerstätten: The lower Albian of Pietraroja (Southern Italy)
Authors: Graziano Roberto , Raspini Arturo , Bartiromo Antonello
Published: October 2023

This study reports the first high‐resolution, integrated facies analysis of the lowermost Albian Pietraroja Lagerstätten (Apennine Carbonate Platform) which yields the first dinosaur (Scipionyx samniticus) found in Italy and other terrestrial vertebrates and plants. Aiming to clarify the long‐debated palaeoenvironmental significance of the Pietraroja succession, the following have been carried out: (i) a field survey to establish stratigraphic position and number of the fossil Lagerstätten; (ii) the centimetre‐scale facies analysis of a new section, ca 15 m thick, consisting of two new lithostratigraphic units, the ‘Cyclically organized Limestones’ and the ‘Cherty Limestones’; (iii) the scanning electron microscopy – energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and backscattered electron – energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analyses of clay mineral proxies for palaeoclimate and non‐carbonate grains; and (iv) the regional and supra‐regional investigation of the event stratigraphical context of the fossil Lagerstätten, in order to elucidate the controls on their formation. The section includes two out of the three observed fossil‐rich Lagerstätten, each up to 1.5 m thick. The arrangement of lithofacies and early diagenetic overprint defines shallow‐water depositional cycles suggestive of precession and short‐eccentricity periodicities. The Middle Lagerstätte yielding Scipionyx samniticus consists of three intervals. The lower, paralic interval was deposited during arid conditions and passes gradually to the plant‐rich, coastal wetland carbonaceous marls of the upper interval. The ‘Cherty Limestones’, yielding the Upper Lagerstätte with terrestrial vertebrates, contains two spiculitic intervals suggesting the development of siliceous sponge meadows in a shallow, restricted lagoon. Genetic stratigraphy suggests that the Pietraroja Lagerstätten were formed during glacioeustatic lowstands; interestingly, the Middle Lagerstätte mirrors the earliest Albian sea‐level lowstand (KAl1 event, ca 111.2 Myr), during a semi‐continuous supply of windblown volcaniclastics. Findings herein substantiate the pivotal role of paralic–continental Lagerstätten for deriving high‐frequency palaeoclimatic dynamics and glacioeustacy from carbonate platform archives. The origin of Tethyan continental bridges between Africa and Europe during the late Aptian–earliest Albian cold interval is discussed.
Pleistocene glaciomarine laminated muds in the Central Basin of the northwestern Ross Sea and their palaeoceanographic records
Authors: Khim Boo‐Keun , Sohn Young Kwan , Lee Min Kyung , Kim Sunghan , Lee Jae Il , Yoo Kyu Cheul
Published: October 2023

Glaciomarine laminated muds around the Antarctic continental margin are important in the marine geological record related to ice sheet dynamics. Microscopic observation and backscattered electron imagery of Pleistocene laminated muds in the Central Basin (Ross Sea) reveal that the light laminae comprise terrigenous angular to subangular silt‐sized particles, scattered diatom fragments, and eroded sand‐sized lumps of fossil‐bearing mud. In contrast, the dark laminae are clayey and biogenic with very tiny pieces of fossils. These laminated muds are interpreted to have been deposited by subglacial meltwater plumes underneath the advancing glaciers that torn off the earlier‐deposited and semi‐consolidated diatom‐rich sediments. Thus, most biogenic components of these laminated muds were recycled from older deposits, indicating that they are not related to enhanced biological production during the mud deposition. Our study suggests that the recycling of biogenic particles should be considered when interpreting the palaeoclimatic and palaeoceanographic implications of Antarctic environmental system.
Knowledge‐guided digital twin modeling method of generating hierarchical scenes for a high‐speed railway
Authors: Zhang Heng , Zhao Wen , Han Zujie , Zhu Jun , Zhu Qing , Xu Zhu , Feng Dejun , Song Yongjun , Song Shufeng , Zhang Bo , Jia Fengpin , Xie Yakun , Quan Yushan , Zhang Junhu , Li Weilian
Published: October 2023

China's railway construction is rapidly transitioning toward integrated management of “stakeholders, management elements, and management processes”. Therefore, comprehensive and whole‐process digital twin scene modeling is urgently needed for intelligent railway construction. However, the requirements of three‐dimensional scenes in different stages vary hierarchically, resulting in a lack of construction semantics and limited universality in modeling. This article proposes a knowledge‐guided digital twin modeling method of hierarchical scenes for a high‐speed railway. We first build a knowledge graph of “knowledge‐model‐data” to achieve an accurate and hierarchical description of railway scenes. We then establish a parameter‐driven modeling method that integrates knowledge guidance and primitive combination to generate a display scene and a virtual design scene automatically. Third, we propose joint linkage and model growth methods for construction action modeling, which are used to generate a virtual construction scene. Finally, in response to the hierarchical scene‐generating requirements in different stages, we conduct intelligent modeling experiments for the entire design and construction process. The knowledge graph of the hierarchical semantic description mode significantly improves the flexibility and universality of the modeling method. The proposed modeling method for the entire process contributes to the rapid representation of design data, in‐depth design, visual exploration, and dynamic optimization of the construction process. This article provides a reliable digital twin modeling solution for the entire process to improve design and construction quality.
A focus on progestogens in hormone replacement therapy
Authors: Ghosh Srirupa , Imrie Rachel , Goadsby James , Savvas Michael
Published: October 2023

Key content

Women receiving estrogen replacement require concomitant progestogen to prevent endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma.

A variety of progestogens are used in hormone replacement therapy (HRT), with different advantages and disadvantages and routes of administration.

Progestogenic side effects may be mild but can be debilitating and lead to the discontinuation of HRT, so progestogens should be tailored to the individual woman.

Combined HRT containing estrogen and progestogens may be associated with a small increase in the absolute risk of breast cancer, which is not seen in women taking estrogen alone. However, this risk is small, particularly when compared with other modifiable lifestyle risk factors.

The addition of certain progestogens to estrogen in the long term may be associated with an increased risk of heart disease, breast cancer and dementia.

Learning objectives

To understand relative advantages and disadvantages of the different progestogens, regimens and routes of administration.

To be aware of current evidence for types, dose and routes of administration of different progestogens.

To be able to prescribe progestogens safely in terms of side effect and risk profiles that are individualised to the patient.

Ethical issues

Well‐informed counselling including absolute, individualised risks for women considering HRT with a progestogenic component is essential to allow patients to make well‐informed choices.
An unsupervised learning approach to identify immunoglobulin utilization patterns using electronic health records
Authors: Riazi Kiarash , Ly Mark , Barty Rebecca , Callum Jeannie , Arnold Donald M. , Heddle Nancy M. , Down Douglas G. , Sidhu Davinder , Li Na
Published: October 2023

Background

Managing Canada's immunoglobulin (Ig) product resource allocation is challenging due to increasing demand, high expenditure, and global shortages. Detection of groups with high utilization rates can help with resource planning for Ig products. This study aims to uncover utilization subgroups among the Ig recipients using electronic health records (EHRs).

Methods

The study included all Ig recipients (intravenous or subcutaneous) in Calgary from 2014 to 2020, and their EHR data, including blood inventory, recipient demographics, and laboratory test results, were analyzed. Patient clusters were derived based on patient characteristics and laboratory test data using K‐means clustering. Clusters were interpreted using descriptive analyses and visualization techniques.

Results

Among 4112 recipients, six clusters were identified. Clusters 1 and 2 comprised 408 (9.9%) and 1272 (30.9%) patients, respectively, contributing to 62.2% and 27.1% of total Ig utilization. Cluster 3 included 1253 (30.5%) patients, with 86.4% of infusions administered in an inpatient setting. Cluster 4, comprising 1034 (25.1%) patients, had a median age of 4 years, while clusters 2–6 were adults with median ages of 46–60. Cluster 5 had 62 (1.5%) patients, with 77.3% infusions occurring in emergency departments. Cluster 6 contained 83 (2.0%) patients receiving subcutaneous Ig treatments.

Conclusion

The results identified data‐driven segmentations of patients with high Ig utilization rates and patients with high risk for short‐term inpatient use. Our report is the first on EHR data‐driven clustering of Ig utilization patterns. The findings hold the potential to inform demand forecasting and resource allocation decisions during shortages of Ig products.
EFFECTS OF SOAKING PROCESS AND ROTATING METHOD ON EDIBLE BIRD NEST CLEANING TIME AND CLEANLINESS
Authors: Seenivasan Divean , Tan Chan Sin
Published: October 2023

The paper examines the effects of rotation and soaking processes on the cleaning time and cleanliness of edible bird nests (EBN). During breeding season, swift’s species known as Aerodramus secrete salivary glands to build a nest that humans harvest. To be sold, the harvested EBN must be cleaned. The raw EBN cleaning process consists of four operations: soaking, cleaning, reshaping, and drying. Generally, harvested EBN is cleaned manually using tweezers. However, this procedure is time-consuming, as cleaning one EBN take about an hour. Therefore, several mechanical cleaning methods were required to clean raw EBN to improve cleaning time and cleanliness. This research aims to improve the two mechanical cleaning methods, rotating and soaking. The Taguchi Method is used to design and optimize the overall parameter setup. The selected optimized parameter set will be tested to determine the best parameter sets. For the current study, EBN wetting process has time settings of 12, 18, and 24 hours. The rotating method's time settings were 30, 45, and 60 seconds. The soaking time can be set to 2, 4, or 6 minutes. Each of these parameters is thoroughly tested to determine the best-optimized one. The experiment is then carried out by combining the two parameters chosen in a sequence to determine the cleanliness of the raw EBN. According to the experiments' results, the cleaning sequence contributes 63.75 percent cleanliness at a cleaning time of 5 minutes, which includes a soaking time of 4 minutes and a rotating method of 60 seconds.
OPTIMAL BLUETOOTH LOW ENERGY (BLE) SYSTEM DEPLOYMENT STRATEGY PRIOR TO SYSTEM APPLICATION ON THE CONSTRUCTION SITE
Authors: Tsu Yian Lee , Ahmad Faridahanim , Sarijari Mohd Adib
Published: October 2023

The application of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) systems for labour tracking on construction sites is a popular research trend. Strategic system deployment is crucial for ensuring the overall reliability and feasibility of these systems. This study aims to identify the optimal BLE system deployment strategy for tiling work zones in three different renovation sites. The BLE system consists of BLE beacon, BLE gateway, Raspberry Pi (data logger), and MATLAB for data analysis. To ensure optimal placement of the BLE gateway, site visits were conducted to evaluate various conditions, such as power supply availability, signal blockage by structures, and potential disruption to the tiling work. In addition, the beacon transmission (Tx) levels were adjusted to enhance the detection accuracy of the system. The findings show that the optimum beacon Tx powers at sites A, B, and C are -12dBm (86.3% accuracy), -16dBm (94.6% accuracy), and -16dBm (91.1% accuracy), respectively. These findings will be adopted in future research on these sites.  The study contributes to the understanding of optimal BLE system deployment strategies in construction sites, which can improve labour tracking accuracy and overall project management.
AUTOMATIC MEASUREMENT OF CT NUMBER LINEARITY IN THREE TYPES OF CATPHAN PHANTOMS
Authors: Anam Choirul , Amilia Riska , Naufal Ariij , Dougherty Geoff
Published: October 2023

This study aims to develop an algorithm for automatically measuring CT number linearity in three different types of Catphan phantom. We used a sensitometry module image from three Catphan phantoms (types 500, 504, and 604). Each phantom and its air material were segmented. Based on the centroid of the air material, the coordinates for every object within the sensitometry modules were determined. The average CT numbers for every object were calculated and graphs of CT number linearity were automatically generated. Accurate segmentation of each object in the sensitometry modules produced accurate graphs of CT number linearity for each phantom. The linear regression of the Catphan 604 failed to pass the tolerance level, while the other two phantoms passed with R2 > 0.99. The automatic CT number linearity measurements were easy, fast, and more objective than manual measurements.
LRBA signalosomes activate vasopressin‐induced AQP2 trafficking at recycling endosomes
Authors: Yanagawa Hideki , Hara Yu , Ando Fumiaki , Suzuki Soichiro , Fujiki Tamami , Oikawa Daisuke , Yui Naofumi , Mandai Shintaro , Mori Yutaro , Susa Koichiro , Mori Takayasu , Sohara Eisei , Tokunaga Fuminori , Uchida Shinichi
Published: October 2023

Aquaporin‐2 (AQP2) water channels are proteins that are recycled between intracellular vesicles and the apical plasma membrane in renal collecting ducts. Lipopolysaccharide‐responsive beige‐like anchor protein (LRBA) is a protein kinase A (PKA) anchoring protein that creates compartmentalized PKA signalling responsible for AQP2 phosphorylation. In response to increased plasma osmolality, vasopressin/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/PKA signalling phosphorylates AQP2, promoting AQP2 trafficking into the apical plasma membrane and increasing water reabsorption from urine. However, the molecular mechanisms by which LRBA mediates vasopressin‐induced AQP2 phosphorylation remain unknown. To investigate AQP2 intracellular localization and phosphorylation statusin vivo, a density gradient ultracentrifugation technique was combined with anin situproximity ligation assay, super‐resolution structured illumination microscopy and immunoelectron microscopy. Most of the AQP2 was localized on the recycling endosome in the presence of tolvaptan, a vasopressin type 2 receptor (V2R) antagonist. Desmopressin, a V2R agonist, phosphorylated AQP2, translocating it from the recycling endosome to the apical plasma membrane. In contrast, LRBA was constitutively localized at the recycling endosome. Therefore, LRBA and AQP2 were well colocalized in the absence of vasopressin stimulation. The loss of LRBA/PKA signalling byLrbaknockout impaired vasopressin‐induced AQP2 phosphorylation, resulting in AQP2 retention at the recycling endosome. Defective AQP2 trafficking caused low urinary concentrating ability inLrba−/−mice. The LRBA‐PKA complex created compartmentalized PKA signalling at the recycling endosome, which facilitated AQP2 phosphorylation in response to vasopressin.

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Key points

Membrane proteins are continuously internalized into the endosomal system via endocytosis, after which they are either recycled back to the plasma membrane or degraded at the lysosome.

In T cells, lipopolysaccharide‐responsive beige‐like anchor protein (LRBA) binds directly to the cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA‐4), a checkpoint immune molecule, to prevent CTLA‐4 lysosomal degradation and promote its vesicle recycling.

LRBA has different physiological functions in renal collecting ducts. LRBA and aquaporin‐2 (AQP2) water channels were colocalized on the recycling endosomein vivoin the absence of the anti‐diuretic hormone vasopressin.

LRBA promoted vasopressin‐induced AQP2 trafficking, increasing water reabsorption from urine via AQP2. LRBA determined renal responsiveness to vasopressin at recycling endosomes.

LRBA is a ubiquitously expressed anchor protein. LRBA signalosomes might regulate membrane trafficking of several constitutively recycled proteins at recycling endosomes.
Simulation of Pitting Corrosion Under Stress Based on Cellular Automata and Finite Element Method
Authors: Wang Ying , Shi Haoran
Published: October 2023

A new cellular automaton (CA) program was written in python language to simulate the random pitting evolution process, which can not only obtain a variety of different corrosion products but also obtain a variety of common corrosion morphologies on the surface of metal pipes, bridge steel members, etc. In addition, commercial finite element (FE) software abaqus was redeveloped using python scripting language, and the FE mesh with the same size as the cellular mesh was established based on the consistent mesh algorithm, which ensured the efficiency and accuracy of the cyclic iterative algorithm. The stress and strain fields were calculated in real-time by applying the force load, the dissolution probability parameter P was updated in python according to the force-chemical coupling model, and a new corrosion morphology was obtained in python. At the same time, the birth and death element method was applied in abaqus to kill the corrosion elements in this iterative step simultaneously, and the new stress-strain field was recalculated in abaqus. The established consistent grid modeling strategy and cyclic iterative algorithm can significantly improve the solving efficiency of pitting evolution under the coupled action of corrosive medium and load. The results show that the stress concentration caused by pit expansion and the corrosion acceleration effect dominated by plastic deformation will promote each other, leading to the continuous growth of pitted pits. The established modeling strategy and cyclic iterative algorithm can significantly improve the solving efficiency of pitting evolution under the coupled action of corrosive medium and load.
Thermal Performance Improvement of a Spiral Channel Solar Air Heater: Numerical and Experimental Investigation in the Desert Climate of Gabes Region
Authors: Ben Amara Walid , Bouabidi Abdallah , Chrigui Mouldi
Published: October 2023

This study focuses on improving the thermal performance of a solar air heater (SAH) using a single-pass spiral-shaped ducts. The SAH is designed and tested under prevailing weather conditions of Gabes, Tunisia (33°52.8876′ N,10°5.892′ E). The experimental measurements are carried out over 4 days. Similarly, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed to study the fluid flow and the heat transfer inside the SAH using the commercial software ansys fluent 2021 R1”. The discrete ordinate (DO) radiation model and the k-ω shear stress transport (SST) turbulence model are used to study the radiative heat transfer and the turbulent flow in the SAH, respectively. The numerical model is validated against experimental data, and the average error does not exceed 3.6%. To improve the heat transfer phenomena, the ratio of horizontal baffle spacing “d” to vertical baffle spacing “p” (d/p) is numerically investigated. Moreover, the highest air outlet temperature during the test days reached 81.1 °C under a mass flowrate of 0.0077 kg/s. The maximum efficiencies are 57%, 54%, 49%, and 46% for the configurations d/p = 1.5, d/p = 2, d/p = 1, and d/p = 0.5 under a mass flowrate of 0.02 kg/s, respectively. The SAH design with d/p = 1.5 is about 4–10% more efficient than the standard design with d/p = 1 under a mass flowrate ranging from 0.0077 kg/s to 0.025 kg/s.
Sensor Data Protection Through Integration of Blockchain and Camouflaged Encryption in Cyber-Physical Manufacturing Systems
Authors: Shi Zhangyue , Oskolkov Boris , Tian Wenmeng , Kan Chen , Liu Chenang
Published: October 2023

The advancement of sensing technology enables efficient data collection from manufacturing systems for monitoring and control. Furthermore, with the rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoT) and information technologies, more and more manufacturing systems become cyber-enabled, facilitating real-time data sharing and information exchange, which significantly improves the flexibility and efficiency of manufacturing systems. However, the cyber-enabled environment may pose the collected sensor data with high risks of cyber-physical attacks during the data and information sharing. Specifically, cyber-physical attacks could target the manufacturing process and/or the data transmission process to maliciously tamper the sensor data, resulting in false alarms or failures in anomaly detection in monitoring. In addition, cyber-physical attacks may also enable illegal data access without authorization and cause the leakage of key product/process information. Therefore, it becomes critical to develop an effective approach to protect data from these attacks so that the cyber-physical security of the manufacturing systems can be assured in the cyber-enabled environment. To achieve this goal, this paper proposes an integrative blockchain-enabled data protection method by leveraging camouflaged asymmetry encryption. A real-world case study that protects the cyber-physical security of collected sensor data in additive manufacturing is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results demonstrate that malicious tampering could be detected in a relatively short time (less than 0.05 ms), and the risk of unauthorized data access is significantly reduced as well.
Metal Surface Defect Detection Method Based on Improved Cascade R-CNN
Authors: Wang Yani , Wang Xiang , Hao Ruiyang , Lu Bingyu , Huang Biqing
Published: October 2023

In contemporary industrial systems, ensuring the quality of object surfaces has become an essential and inescapable aspect of factory inspections. Cascade regional convolutional neural network (cascade R-CNN), an object detection and instance segmentation algorithm based on deep learning, has been widely applied in numerous industrial applications. Nonetheless, there is still space for improving the detection of defects on metal surfaces. The cascade R-CNN does not currently have good results in metal defect detection, but after improving it by combining some newly proposed modules, cascade R-CNN has a good performance. This article proposes an enhanced metal defect detection method based on cascade R-CNN. Specifically, the improved backbone network is employed to acquire the features of images, which enables more precise localization. Additionally, up and down sampling is combined to extract multiscale defect feature maps, and contrast histogram equalization enhancement is utilized to tackle the issue of unclear contrast in the data. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach achieves a mean average precision (mAP) of 0.754 on the NEU-DET dataset and outperforms the cascade R-CNN model by 9.2%.
Aerodynamic and Thermal Field Development of Cooled Transonic HP NGV
Authors: Amend Jonas , Lubbock Roderick , Ornano Francesco , Chowdhury Nafiz , Povey Thomas
Published: October 2023

In this study we present detailed aerodynamic and thermal field measurements downstream of an annular cascade of fully-cooled nozzle guide vanes (NGVs). The experiments were conducted in the Engine Component Aerothermal (ECAT) facility at the University of Oxford, at engine-matched conditions of Reynolds number and Mach number, and high turbulence intensity. The experimental data are unusually high-fidelity and allow for detailed comparison with modern computational fluids dynamics (CFD) methods. We compare the experimental data to simulations of fully-featured geometry (resolved internal geometry and film cooling holes). We analyze distributions of whirl angle, kinetic energy loss, and non-dimensional temperature at three axial planes downstream of the NGVs. The aerodynamic and thermal wakes are also characterized in terms of their spreading and decay rates. The analysis is deepened with detailed comparison to a previous data-set for a different design of heavily-cooled NGV. The analysis is a useful reference point for assessing the accuracy of the current state-of-the-art numerical methods used in the engine design process.