bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of perianal fistulas in 20 patients with Crohn's disease: Results of the HOT‐TOPIC trial after 1‐year follow‐up
Authors: Lansdorp Corine A. , Buskens Christianne J. , Gecse Krisztina B. , Löwenberg Mark , Stoker Jaap , Bemelman Willem A. , D’Haens Geert R. A. M. , van Hulst Rob A.
Published: February 2022

Background

Previously published short‐term results (week 16) of this trial showed a significant improvement in clinical, radiologic and biochemical outcomes in Crohn's disease patients with therapy‐refractory perianal fistulas after treatment with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Objective

To assess the long‐term (week 60) efficacy, safety and feasibility of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in perianal fistula in Crohn's disease.

Methods

Crohn's disease patients with high perianal fistula(s) failing conventional treatment >6 months were included. Exclusion criteria were presence of a stoma, rectovaginal fistula(s) and recent changes in treatment regimens. Patients received 40 hyperbaric oxygen sessions and outcomes were assessed at week 16 and week 60.

Results

Twenty patients were included (median age 34 years). At week 16, median scores of the perianal disease activity index and modified Van Assche index (co‐primary outcomes) decreased from 7.5 (95% CI 6–9) to 4 (95% CI 3–6, p < 0.001) and 9.2 (95% CI 7.3–11.2) to 7.3 (95% CI 6.9–9.7, p = 0.004), respectively. At week 60, the respective scores remained significantly lower than baseline: 4 (95% CI 3–7, p < 0.001) and 7.7 (95% CI 5.2–10.2, p = 0.003). Perianal disease activity index score of 4 or less (representing inactive perianal disease) was observed in 13 patients at week 16 and 12 patients at week 60. Using fistula drainage assessment, 12 and 13 patients showed a clinical response at week 16 and 60, respectively, and clinical remission was achieved in four patients for both time points. At week 16, a statistically significant biochemical improvement (C‐reactive protein and faecal calprotectin levels) was found, but this effect was no longer significant at week 60.

Conclusions

The clinical and radiologic improvement of perianal fistula in Crohn's disease, that was found at week 16 after treatment with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, is maintained at 1‐year follow‐up.
Use of antimicrobial impregnated calcium sulphate beads in the surgical management of mandibular osteomyelitis in an 8‐year‐old huacaya alpaca
Authors: Po Eleonora , Allen Matthew James , Whitelock Richard G. , Elsayed Sara Hassouna
Published: February 2022

An 8‐year‐old male huacaya alpaca presented for a left mandibular swelling that was not responsive to antimicrobial treatment. A computed tomography scan was obtained, confirming the presence of a lytic bone destruction and primary mandibular osteomyelitis. Surgical debridement of the area was performed and the surgical site was packed with antibiotic‐loaded calcium sulphate beads to provide local antibiotic delivery and support new bone formation. The surgical intervention and implantation of the beads were well tolerated, and no postsurgical issues were reported over the following 12 months. A follow‐up computed tomography scan was performed 14 months after surgery and this revealed near‐complete restoration of bone architecture and no evidence of active bone destruction. A combination of surgical debridement and antibiotic‐loaded calcium sulphate beads is a viable and cost‐reasonable option for the treatment of osteomyelitis in camelids.
Budd–Chiari syndrome secondary to caudal vena cava obstruction by vascularly invasive lymphoma in a cat
Authors: Whitlock James , Alexander Akash , Williams Claire , Griffin Sally , Allerton Fergus
Published: February 2022

A 2‐year‐old female neutered domestic shorthair cat presented with ascites following a 2‐week history of hyporexia and moderate weight loss. Sonographic assessment of the abdominal cavity identified a hepatic mass in close association with the caudal vena cava that contained an intraluminal structure. Computed tomography confirmed the hepatic mass in the right craniodorsal aspect of the liver with invasion of the posthepatic caudal vena cava and consequent vessel occlusion. This congestion caused transudation of fluid from the vasculature, resulting in the observed ascites (Budd–Chiari syndrome). Cytology from fine‐needle aspirates of the mass confirmed a diagnosis of high‐grade lymphoma. The patient was started on a high‐dose COP chemotherapy protocol, consisting of cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisolone. The patient showed a dramatic improvement in its clinical signs, with resolution of the ascites within 1 week of starting treatment. After a 12‐month period, chemotherapy was stopped, and 2.5 years after first diagnosis the patient has excellent quality of life with no current health problems related to its atypical lymphoma presentation.
Antemortem diagnosis of a doubly committed juxta‐arterial ventricular septal defect resulting in bacterial endocarditis and septic arthritis in a Holstein heifer
Authors: Lyons Rachael Ann H. , Simpson Katharine M. , Spraker Terry R. , Pierce Kursten V.
Published: February 2022

A 20‐month‐old Holstein heifer presented for evaluation of progressive hindlimb lameness that was localised to the left coxo‐femoral joint, with development of a fever, tachycardia and bruxism. Radiographs and ultrasound of the coxo‐femoral joint were relatively unremarkable. An echocardiogram showed a static left‐to‐right shunting ventricular septal defect (initially diagnosed via echocardiogram 1 year prior) and a new filling defect within the pulmonary trunk suggestive of pulmonary valve endocarditis. Blood culture was positive for alpha‐haemolyticStreptococcusspp. Euthanasia was elected and postmortem examination confirmed ventricular septal defect, pulmonary valvular endocarditis, septic arthritis of the left coxo‐femoral joint and positive cultures for alpha‐haemolyticStreptococcusspp. This case describes endocarditis, bacteraemia and septic arthritis in a heifer with a ventricular septal defect. As with other species, cattle with ventricular septal defects should be considered susceptible and predisposed to complications such as endocarditis; this information may be useful for prognostication and management decisions.
A Toolbox to Study Tissue Mechanics In Vivo and Ex Vivo
Authors: Moreira Sofia , Espina Jaime A. , Saraiva Joana E. , Barriga Elias H.
Published: February 2022

During vertebrate embryogenesis, tissues interact and influence each other’s development to shape an embryo. While communication by molecular components has been extensively explored, the role of mechanical interaction between tissues during embryogenesis is just starting to be revealed. Addressing mechanical involvement in morphogenesis has traditionally been challenging mainly due to the lack of proper tools to measure and modify mechanical environments of cells in vivo. We have recently used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to show that the migration of the Xenopus laevis cephalic neural crest cells is triggered by stiffening of the mesoderm, a tissue that neural crest cells use as a migratory substrate in vivo. Interestingly we showed that the activity of the planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway is required to mediate this novel mechanical interaction between two tissues. In this chapter, we share the toolbox that we developed to study the role of PCP signaling in mesoderm cell accumulation and stiffening (in vivo) as well as the impact of mesoderm stiffness in promoting neural crest cell polarity and migration (ex vivo). We believe that these tools can be of general use for investigators interested in addressing the role of mechanical inputs in vivo and ex vivo.
The constraints of post-quantum classical gravity
Authors: Oppenheim Jonathan , Weller-Davies Zachary
Published: February 2022

Abstract

We study a class of theories in which space-time is treated classically, while interacting with quantum fields. These circumvent various no-go theorems and the pathologies of semi-classical gravity, by being linear in the density matrix and phase-space density. The theory can either be considered fundamental or as an effective theory where the classical limit is taken of space-time. The theories have the dynamics of general relativity as their classical limit and provide a way to study the back-action of quantum fields on the space-time metric. The theory is invariant under spatial diffeomorphisms, and here, we provide a methodology to derive the constraint equations of such a theory by imposing invariance of the dynamics under time-reparametrization invariance. This leads to generalisations of the Hamiltonian and momentum constraints. We compute the constraint algebra for a wide class of realisations of the theory (the “discrete class”) in the case of a quantum scalar field interacting with gravity. We find that the algebra doesn’t close without additional constraints, although these do not necessarily reduce the number of local degrees of freedom.
Periodic Solutions to Second-Order Nonlinear Differential Equations in Banach Spaces
Authors: Ariza-Ruiz David , Garcia-Falset Jesús
Published: February 2022

In this article, we deal with the existence of solutions for the following second-order differential equation: $$\begin{aligned} \left\{ \begin{aligned}&u''(t)=f(t,u(t))+h(t)\\&u(a)-u(b)= u'(a)-u'(b)=0, \end{aligned}\right. \end{aligned}$$

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.

The proofs are obtained using a recent generalization of the well-known Bolzano–Poincaré–Miranda theorem to infinite-dimensional Banach spaces. In the last section, we present three examples of application of the general result.
Virtual non-contrast images calculated from dual-energy CT shoulder arthrography improve the detection of intraarticular loose bodies
Authors: Stern Christoph , Graf Dimitri N. , Bouaicha Samy , Wieser Karl , Rosskopf Andrea B. , Sutter Reto
Published: February 2022

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the image quality of virtual non-contrast (VNC) images calculated from dual-energy CT shoulder arthrography (DECT-A) and their ability to detect periosteal calcifications and intraarticular loose bodies.

Materials and methods

In 129 shoulders of 123 patients, DECT arthrography (80 kV/140 kV) was performed with diluted iodinated contrast material (80 mg/ml). VNC images were calculated with image postprocessing. VNC image quality (1 = worst, 5 = best), dose parameters, and CT numbers (intraarticular iodine, muscle, VNC joint fluid density) were assessed. Image contrast (iodine/muscle) and percentage of iodine removal were calculated. Two independent readers evaluated VNC and DECT-A images for periosteal calcifications and intraarticular loose bodies, and diagnostic confidence (1 = low, 4 = very high) was assessed.

Results

VNC images (129/129) were of good quality (median 4 (3–4)), and the mean effective dose of DECT-A scans was 2.21 mSv (± 1.0 mSv). CT numbers of iodine, muscle, and VNC joint fluid density were mean 1017.6 HU (± 251.6 HU), 64.6 HU (± 8.2 HU), and 85.3 HU (± 39.5 HU), respectively. Image contrast was mean 953.1 HU (± 251 HU) on DECT-A and 31.3 HU (± 32.3 HU) on VNC images. Iodine removal on VNC images was 91% on average. No difference was observed in the detection of periosteal calcifications between VNC (n = 25) and DECT-A images (n = 21) (p = 0.29), while the detection of intraarticular loose bodies was superior on VNC images (14 vs. 7; p = 0.02). Diagnostic confidence was higher on VNC images for both periosteal calcifications (median 3 (3–3) vs. 3 (3–3); p = 0.009) and intraarticular loose bodies (median 3 (3–4) vs. 3 (3–3); p < 0.001).

Conclusion

VNC images from DECT shoulder arthrography are superior to DECT-A images for the detection of intraarticular loose bodies and increase the confidence in detecting periosteal calcifications.
Laparoscopic Minor Liver Resections for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Posterosuperior Segments Using the Rubber Band Technique
Authors: Tagaytay Theo Genesis , Han Dai Hoon , Chong Jae Uk , Hwang Hyeo Seong , Choi Gi Hong , Kim Kyung Sik
Published: February 2022

Background

Although laparoscopic minor liver resections (LLR) of posterosuperior (PS) segments are technically challenging, several expert centers are increasingly performing this procedure. In the present study, we introduced novel techniques, including the rubber band traction method and positional changes, and compared surgical outcomes of LLR for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) located in PS segments with open minor liver resection (OLR).

Methods

From January 2008 to August 2019, 113 patients underwent laparoscopic (n = 55) or open (n = 58) minor liver resections for single small HCCs (<5 cm) located in PS segments. Propensity score matching in a 1:1 ratio was conducted to minimize preoperative selection bias, and surgical outcomes were compared between the two groups.

Results

There was no intraoperative mortality or reoperation in either group. One conversion to open surgery was necessary due to severe post‐operative adhesions. The matched LLR group compared to OLR had significantly shorter operative time (215.16 vs. 251.41 min, P = 0.025), lesser blood loss (218.11 vs. 358.92 mL, P = 0.046), lower complication rate (8.1% vs. 29.7%, P = 0.018), and shorter hospital stay (7.03 vs. 11.78 days, P = 0.001). Intraoperative transfusion, R0 resection, resection margin, 5‐year disease‐free survival and 5‐year overall survival were comparable.

Conclusion

Our standardized LLR provided improved short‐term outcomes and similar long‐term outcomes, when compared with OLR. With advanced techniques and accumulated surgical experience, LLR can be the first option for HCC in PS segments at expert centers.
Prediction of drug–drug interaction potential mediated by transporters between dasatinib and metformin, pravastatin, and rosuvastatin using physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling
Authors: Chang Ming , Bathena Sai , Christopher Lisa J. , Shen Hong , Roy Amit
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Recent in vitro studies demonstrated that dasatinib inhibits organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2), multidrug and toxin extrusion proteins (MATEs), and organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1/1B3 (OATP1B1/1B3). We developed a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model to assess drug–drug interaction (DDI) potential between dasatinib and known substrates for these transporters in a virtual population.

Methods

The dasatinib PBPK model was constructed using Simcyp® Simulator by combining its physicochemical properties, in vitro data, in silico predictions, and pharmacokinetic (PK) results from clinical studies. Model validation against three independent clinical trials not used for model development included dasatinib DDI studies with ketoconazole, rifampin, and simvastatin. The validated model was used to simulate DDIs of dasatinib and known substrates for OCT2 and MATEs (metformin) and OATP1B1/1B3 (pravastatin and rosuvastatin).

Results

Simulations of metformin PK in the presence and absence of dasatinib, using inhibitor constant (Ki) values measured in vitro, produced estimated geometric mean ratios (GMRs) of the maximum observed concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration–time curve (AUC) of 1.05 and 1.06, respectively. Sensitivity analysis showed metformin exposure increased < 30% in both AUC and Cmax when dasatinib Ki was reduced by tenfold for OCT2 and MATEs simultaneously, and < 40% with a 20-fold Ki reduction. The estimated GMRs of Cmax and AUC for pravastatin and rosuvastatin with co-administration of dasatinib were unity (1.00).

Conclusions

This PBPK model accurately described the observed PK profiles of dasatinib. The validated PBPK model predicts low risk of clinically significant DDIs between dasatinib and metformin, pravastatin, or rosuvastatin.
Target and non-target vessel related events at 10 years post percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Coughlan J. J. , Aytekin Alp , Xhepa Erion , Cassese Salvatore , Joner Michael , Koch Tobias , Wiebe Jens , Lenz Tobias , Rheude Tobias , Pellegrini Constanza , Gewalt Senta , Ibrahim Tareq , Laugwitz Karl-Ludwig , Schunkert Heribert , Kastrati Adnan , Kufner Sebastian
Published: February 2022

Aims

To define the incidence of events related to the stented vessel (target vessel related events: TVRE) and events related to non-stented vessels (non-target vessel related events: NTVRE) through to 10-year follow-up in patients post-PCI with newer generation drug eluting stents (DES).

Methods and results

The current study is a post-hoc analysis of patient level data from two randomised controlled trials in Germany. Patients older than 18 years with ischemic symptoms or evidence of myocardial ischemia in the presence of ≥ 50% de novo stenosis located in the native coronary vessels were considered eligible. The endpoints of interest were TVRE (a composite of first target vessel myocardial infarction or target vessel revascularization) and NTVRE (a composite of first non-target vessel MI or non-target vessel revascularization) through to 10 years post PCI.

We included 4953 patients in this analysis. Through to 10-years post-PCI, TVRE occurred in 1238 of 4953 patients (cumulative incidence: 25.8%) and NTVRE occurred in 1442 of 4953 patients (cumulative incidence: 30.3%). The majority of TVRE and NTVRE were revascularization events. From 0 to 1 years, the cumulative incidence of TVRE was 15.9% and of NTVRE was 12.3%. From 1 to 10 years, the cumulative incidences of TVRE and NTVRE were 11.2% and 22.4%, respectively.

Conclusion

At 10-year post-PCI with new generation drug eluting stents, events related to remote vessel disease progression account for a higher proportion of events than events related to the stented vessel.

Trial registration

ISAR TEST 4 ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00598676. ISAR TEST 5 ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00598533.

Graphical abstract
Bayesian statistics in anesthesia practice: a tutorial for anesthesiologists
Authors: Introna Michele , van den Berg Johannes P. , Eleveld Douglas J. , Struys Michel M. R. F.
Published: February 2022

This narrative review intends to provide the anesthesiologist with the basic knowledge of the Bayesian concepts and should be considered as a tutorial for anesthesiologists in the concept of Bayesian statistics. The Bayesian approach represents the mathematical formulation of the idea that we can update our initial belief about data with the evidence obtained from any kind of acquired data. It provides a theoretical framework and a statistical method to use pre-existing information within the context of new evidence. Several authors have described the Bayesian approach as capable of dealing with uncertainty in medical decision-making. This review describes the Bayes theorem and how it is used in clinical studies in anesthesia and critical care. It starts with a general introduction to the theorem and its related concepts of prior and posterior probabilities. Second, there is an explanation of the basic concepts of the Bayesian statistical inference. Last, a summary of the applicability of some of the Bayesian statistics in current literature is provided, such as Bayesian analysis of clinical trials and PKPD modeling.
The concept of the mobilized domain: how it can explain and predict the forces exerted by a cohesive granular avalanche on an obstacle
Authors: Kyburz M. L. , Sovilla B. , Gaume J. , Ancey C.
Published: February 2022

The calculation of the impact pressure on obstacles in granular flows is a fundamental issue of practical relevance, e.g. for snow avalanches impacting obstacles. Previous research shows that the load on the obstacle builds up, due to the formation of force chains originating from the obstacle and extending into the granular material. This leads to the formation of a mobilized domain, wherein the flow is influenced by the presence of the obstacle. To identify the link between the physical mobilized domain properties and the pressure exerted on obstacles, we simulate subcritical cohesionless and cohesive avalanches of soft particles past obstacles with circular, rectangular or triangular cross-section using the Discrete Element Method. Our results show that the impact pressure decreases non-linearly with increasing obstacle width, regardless of the obstacle’s cross-section. While the mobilized domain size is proportional to the obstacle width, the pressure decrease with increasing width originates from the jammed material inside the mobilized domain. We provide evidence that the compression inside the mobilized domain governs the pressure build-up for cohesionless subcritical granular flows. In the cohesive case, the stress transmission in the compressed mobilized domain is further enhanced, causing a pressure increase compared with the cohesionless case. Considering a kinetic and a gravitational contribution, we are able to calculate the impact pressure based on the properties of the mobilized domain. The equations used for the pressure calculation in this article may be useful in future predictive pressure calculations based on mobilized domain properties.

Graphic Abstract
Symptoms related to gastrointestinal tract involvement and low muscularity in systemic sclerosis
Authors: Rosato Edoardo , Gigante Antonietta , Pellicano Chiara , Villa Annalisa , Iannazzo Francesco , Alunni Fegatelli Danilo , Muscaritoli Maurizio
Published: February 2022

Introduction/objectives

Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) involvement is frequently observed in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and may lead to nutritional impairment. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of symptoms related to GIT involvement and to analyze the possible association between gastrointestinal symptoms and low muscularity in SSc patients.

Methods

Sixty-nine consecutive patients (60 females, median age 53 (IQR 43–63), body mass index (BMI) 23.2 (IQR 20.9–24.6) kg/m2) with diagnosis of SSc admitted to our Scleroderma Unit were enrolled. Clinical status, anthropometric data, and bioelectrical impedance (Inbody 770, USA) analysis-assessed Fat-Free Mass Index (FFMI) were recorded upon enrollment. UCLA questionnaire was used to quantify GIT involvement with seven specific scales.

Results

Mean FFMI was 16.2 kg/m2 (IQR 15.2–17.6). The median UCLA total score was 0.53 (IQR 0.19–0.89). FFMI showed a significant negative correlation with UCLA total score (r = −0.29, p = 0.016) and UCLA distention/bloating (r = −0.35, p < 0.01). In 16 patients (23.1%), FFMI was reduced and UCLA distention/bloating was significantly higher (p = 0.039) in SSc patients with lower FFMI [1.75 (IQR 0.75–2.12) vs 0.75 (IQR 0.25–1.75)]. At multiple linear regression model, FFMI showed association with UCLA distention/bloating [beta coefficient − 0.315 (95% CI of beta coefficient: −0.591; −0.039), p = 0.026], BMI [beta coefficient 0.259 (95% CI of beta coefficient: 0.163; 0.355), p = 0.001], and disease duration [beta coefficient − 0.033 (95% CI of beta coefficient: −0.059; −0.007), p = 0.015].

Conclusions

In SSc, low FFMI is associated with symptoms related to GIT involvement, in particular with distension/bloating.

Key Points• FFMI is associated with symptoms related to GIT involvement.• Low FFMI is associated with symptoms related to UCLA distention/bloating.• Malnutrition is not associated with symptoms related to GIT involvement.
Cell signalling compound improves pasture and livestock productivity and the environment
Authors: Amaranathan Usha , Balasingham Nathan
Published: February 2022

A biogenic agricultural compound enables pasture to synthesise more soluble sugars and delivers benefits attributable to bioactive molecules: phenylpropanoids. Phenylpropanoids are plant secondary compounds that help plants overcome biotic and abiotic stress to increase pasture quality and yield. When consumed by ruminants, phenylpropanoids improve the conversion efficiency of pasture protein to milk and meat. The effect of this compound, trademarked Biozest™, on pasture and ruminant efficiency was evaluated via split block trials followed by full scale, full life cycle, on-farm trials. Aspects measured include pasture resilience, quality and productivity, livestock productivity and urea excretion. Biozest™ improved pasture resilience, quality, and yield by over 75%. Soluble sugar content of the pasture increased (18%). When livestock grazed Biozest™ treated pasture, urea excretion was reduced (20–48%), and milk and meat production increased (30%). The pasture, livestock productivity and urea benefits of Biozest™ have been established. Trial results support the following inferences. First, the fermentation of the increased soluble carbohydrates in Biozest treated pasture would result in increased propionates and less acetoclastic methanogenesis. Second, the reduction in urea excretion and increase in livestock productivity would result from a reduction in the proportion of dietary protein digested to ammonia and reduced deamination of some of the ammonia to urea. Further, due to the reduced deamination, fewer carbonyls and hydride moieties would be available for methylotrophic and hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. Future work may include quantification or modelling of increased carbon dioxide sequestration and quantification of the reduction in nitrous oxide and methane emissions.
Non-linear Finite-Time Tracking Control of Uncertain Robotic Manipulators Using Time-Varying Disturbance Observer-Based Sliding Mode Method
Authors: Razmjooei Hamid , Shafiei Mohammad Hossein , Palli Gianluca , Arefi Mohammad Mehdi
Published: February 2022

In this paper, a time-varying chattering-free disturbance observer-based position tracking control law of serial robotic manipulators is presented to track a reference signal in a finite time. The key idea is to employ a positive-increasing function associated with the control/observer objectives to improve the control performance. First, the model of an uncertain robotic manipulator is presented as the case study of the proposed strategy. Then, the time-varying form of the robotic manipulator model is obtained to provide finite-time boundedness using the first-order sliding mode method. Moreover, without any knowledge about the upper bounds of the uncertainties, a reduced-order observer is presented to estimate the uncertainties in a finite time. Subsequently, a disturbance observer-based finite-time position tracking control law is designed. The time-varying gains are provided to converge the position tracking error to a neighborhood of zero in a finite time. Finally, comparative simulations are presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed scheme compared to other existing strategies.
Asymptotic Posterior Normality of Multivariate Latent Traits in an IRT Model
Authors: Kornely Mia J. K. , Kateri Maria
Published: February 2022

The asymptotic posterior normality (APN) of the latent variable vector in an item response theory (IRT) model is a crucial argument in IRT modeling approaches. In case of a single latent trait and under general assumptions, Chang and Stout (Psychometrika, 58(1):37–52, 1993) proved the APN for a broad class of latent trait models for binary items. Under the same setup, they also showed the consistency of the latent trait’s maximum likelihood estimator (MLE). Since then, several modeling approaches have been developed that consider multivariate latent traits and assume their APN, a conjecture which has not been proved so far. We fill this theoretical gap by extending the results of Chang and Stout for multivariate latent traits. Further, we discuss the existence and consistency of MLEs, maximum a-posteriori and expected a-posteriori estimators for the latent traits under the same broad class of latent trait models.
Variation in foraging patterns as reflected by floral resources used by male vs female bees of selected species at Badlands National Park, SD, USA
Authors: Larson Diane L. , Portman Zachary M. , Larson Jennifer L. , Buhl Deborah A.
Published: February 2022

Female and male bees forage for different reasons: females provision nests with pollen appropriate for larval development and consume nectar for energy while males need only fuel their own energetic requirements. The expectation, therefore, is that females should visit fewer floral resource species than males, due to females’ focus on host plant species and their tie to the nest location. We used pollen collected from bees’ bodies and the flowers they were collected on to infer floral resource use in 2010–2012 at Badlands National Park, SD, USA. We collected bees on 24 1-ha plots centered on particular plant species. We compared number of floral species and families (1) associated with individual female and male bees (via generalized linear mixed models) and (2) accumulated by each sex (using rarefaction); and (3) effect of variation between sexes in plant-bee interactions via modularity analyses. Analyses were restricted to bee species with ≥ 5 individuals per sex. Contrary to expectation, female and male bees differed infrequently in the number of floral resources they had visited, both on single foraging bouts and collectively when accumulated across all males and females of a species. When males and females did differ, males visited fewer floral species than females. Generalist and specialist bee species did not differ markedly in floral resource use by females and males. When separated by sex, seven of eleven species occupied different modules than they did when analyzed as a species; most of the bee species were connectors, thus important for stability of the network during perturbations.
Effect of Ultrasound on the Activity of Mushroom (Agaricus bisporous) Polyphenol Oxidase and Observation of Structural Changes Using Time-resolved Fluorescence
Authors: Tsikrika Konstantina , Lemos M. Adília , Chu Boon-Seang , Bremner David H. , Hungerford Graham
Published: February 2022

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) is an enzyme associated with the browning process that can occur from mechanical injury and postharvest storage. Thus, its inactivation to inhibit this process is of great interest to the food industry. Recently a nonthermal technology, high frequency ultrasound (100–1 MHz), has found usage in this aspect. In this work, the application of high-frequency (378 kHz, 583 kHz, 1144 kHz, and 1175 kHz) and low frequency (20 kHz) treatment on a PPO extract (from mushrooms) by monitoring the residual enzymatic activity is described. A control thermal treatment at 40 °C was also performed for comparison purposes. High-frequency inactivation data fitted well using the Weibull model, whereas those obtained upon low frequency followed first-order kinetics. The inactivation rate constant obtained ranged from 0.0054 (20 kHz) to 0.028 min−1 (at 583 kHz). To elucidate changes in the enzyme structure time-resolved spectroscopy of a commercial PPO enzyme model was employed. Results indicated that ultrasound-induced structural changes in PPO, in keeping with the activity behaviour upon sonication.
Research progress on drugs targeting the TGF-β signaling pathway in fibrotic diseases
Authors: Shi Ning , Wang Zhihong , Zhu Hecheng , Liu Weidong , Zhao Ming , Jiang Xingjun , Zhao Jin , Ren Caiping , Zhang Yan , Luo Longlong
Published: February 2022

Tissue fibrosis is a key factor leading to disability and death worldwide; however, thus far, there are no approved treatments for fibrosis. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is a major pro-fibrotic cytokine, which is expected to become a target in the treatment of fibrosis; however, since TGF-β has a wide range of biological functions involving a variety of biological processes in the body, a slight change in TGF-β may have a systematic effect. Indiscriminate inhibition of TGF-β can lead to adverse reactions, which can affect the efficacy of treatment. Therefore, it has become very important to explore how both the TGF-β signaling pathway is inhibited and the safe and efficient TGF-β small molecule inhibitors or neutralizing antibodies are designed in the treatment of fibrotic diseases. In this review, we mainly discuss the key role of the TGF-β signaling pathway in fibrotic diseases, as well as the development of fibrotic drugs in recent years, and explore potential targets in the treatment of fibrotic diseases in order to guide subsequent drug development.
Using Intervention Mapping to Develop ISAC, a Comprehensive Intervention for Early Detection and Prevention of Oral Cancer in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Jafer Mohammed , Moafa Ibtisam , Crutzen Rik , van den Borne Bart
Published: February 2022

Oral cancer forms a major public health issue. In Saudi Arabia, Jazan region has the highest rate of oral cancer; > 35% of total cases. Furthermore, dentists’ engagement in oral cancer screening and patient education in Jazan region is limited. This paper aimed to describe the process used to develop a comprehensive oral cancer (OC) practice intervention to be implemented in dental clinics. The intervention was informed by the six steps of intervention mapping (IM). Steps 1–3 included mixed methods approach of reviewing relevant existing literature, focus group discussions, observations, one-on-one interviews, and questionnaires utilizing the community participatory approach. Step 4 used information form steps 1–3 to develop the intervention components and its associated tools to facilitate its delivery. Steps 5 and 6 specified the prospective plans for implementation and evaluation. ISAC is the developed intervention that comprises the following: Informing dental patients about performing routine OC screenings, Screenings for OC, Advising patients, and Connecting patients to the required services. ISAC practical applications were clustered into two components: (a) didactical session covering aspects related to OC practices and introducing ISAC and (b) practical session that included a step-by-step modeling of the intervention. Using IM facilitated the systematic planning of the ISAC intervention that covers the main issues revealed by the need’s assessments. Working towards developing the ISAC required extensive work in assessing dental public health issues in a specific context with limited data — and this constituted a great challenge. The development of the ISAC was a lesson that casts light on the advantages of engaging multidisciplinary expertise to tackle serious public health issue like OC.
GIS-based comparative assessment of groundwater potential zone using MIF and AHP techniques in Cooch Behar district, West Bengal
Authors: Senapati Ujjal , Das Tapan Kumar
Published: February 2022

Global warming, change in climate and rapid growth of population have put a huge strain on the world's groundwater resources. The use of excess groundwater has created a drop in the water table. Increased use of groundwater for agriculture in agro-based areas increases the demand for groundwater. The current study has been conducted in Cooch Behar, an agro-based remote district of North Bengal in the Indian state of West Bengal, where the use of high groundwater in agriculture has reduced groundwater levels. Comparative assessment of Multi-Influencing Factor (MIF) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) techniques has been used to create a perspective mapping of groundwater potential zone for the research region. Land use and land cover (LULC), rainfall, soil texture, geomorphology, lithology, drainage density, Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI), and Topographic Wetness Index (TWI) have been used to create the map. The MIF and AHP techniques have been used for Groundwater Potential Zones (GPZ) mapping. Output GPZ has been classified into 5 classes, i.e., very poor, poor, moderate, good, and excellent. MIF technique shows that the groundwater potential classes are covering 9% (285 km2), 21% (67  km2), 30% (944 km2), 27% (837 km2) and 13% (410 km2) of the study area, respectively, whereas the output GPZ from AHP technique shows that the groundwater potential classes are covering 8% (271 km2), 15% (508 km2), 24% (813 km2), 33% (1118 km2) and 20% (677 km2), respectively. Finally, the maps have been verified using groundwater fluctuation data through Receivers Operating Characteristic curve (ROC). The MIF technique's Area Under Curve (AUC) score is 76.5%, while the AHP technique reveals 88.9% accuracy. Both techniques for assessing and monitoring GPZ have been accurate and reasonable. Thus, this type of research is reliable for a more appropriate framework for swiftly analyzing groundwater recharge and directing the location of artificial recharge structures and other groundwater management operations of agricultural-based areas.
Geochemical characterization, deciphering groundwater quality using pollution index of groundwater (PIG), water quality index (WQI) and geographical information system (GIS) in hard rock aquifer, South India
Authors: Sunitha V. , Reddy B. Muralidhara
Published: February 2022

Fifty groundwater samples were obtained pre and post-monsoon seasons in parts of hard rock terrain in Andhra Pradesh, South India, in order to assess the drinking water quality. PIG values of groundwater samples ranged from 0.95–1.53 and 0.83–1.28 during pre and post-monsoon seasons. PIG values are slightly higher in the pre-monsoon season when compared to the post-monsoon season. In the pre monsoon season, 96% of the groundwater samples showed insignificant pollution class (< 1), 4% of the groundwater samples are low pollution (1–1.5). 82% of the groundwater samples showed insignificant pollution status (< 1), 18% of the groundwater samples fall under the low pollution (1–1.5), is noticed in post-monsoon season, respectively. WQI values of groundwater samples ranged from 108.5–204 mg/L and 112.6–170 mg/L during pre and post-monsoon seasons; its shows that 100% are very poor for drinking purpose. Piper diagram reveals that groundwater is majorly mixed Ca2+-Mg2+-Cl−, Ca2+-Mg2+-Cl−-SO42−, Na+-K+-Cl−- SO42− type in this region. The Gibbs plot indicates that groundwater samples fall within the field of rock dominance. Through applying GIS techniques, the spatial distribution of groundwater quality analysis reveals that most of the groundwater samples do not comply drinking water quality standards and water needs to be prior treatment before consumption.
Understanding land use/land cover and climate change impacts on hydrological components of Usri watershed, India
Authors: Kumar Mukesh , Denis Derrick M. , Kundu Arnab , Joshi Nitin , Suryavanshi Shakti
Published: February 2022

Land use/cover (LULC) and climate are significant environmental factors that influence watershed hydrology across the globe. The present study attempts to understand the consequences of existing changing patterns of climate and LULC on the hydrology of the Usri watershed. Different water balance components were simulated using a semi-distributed Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. Sixteen scenarios were generated using combinations of four periods of climatic data (1974–84; 1985–1995; 1996–2006 and 2007–2016) and four sets of land use maps (1976; 1989; 2000 and 2014). The SWAT model performed well for monthly stream flows during calibration and validation. The study finds that the individual impact of LULC change contributes to increase in the streamflow and decrease in evapotranspiration (ET) primarily due to increase in urbanization and decrease in water bodies, forest cover and barren land of Usri watershed. The combined impact of climatic variations and land use change reveals complex interactions. The study provides insight into hydrological response to variations in climate and land use changes in Usri watershed in recent decades. The results of this study can be beneficial to the authorities, decision-makers, water resource engineers and planners for the best water resource management approaches in the perspective of climate change and LULC transformation of similar ecological regions as that of Usri.
Assessment of groundwater potential zone using MCDA and AHP techniques: case study from a tropical river basin of India
Authors: Ghosh Anitabha , Adhikary Partha Pratim , Bera Biswajit , Bhunia Gouri Sankar , Shit Pravat Kumar
Published: February 2022

Shortage of potable water is a global problem, and this problem can be met by searching new areas where groundwater is available. GIS is an effective and necessary tool to identify groundwater potential zones in an area. In the present study, groundwater potential zones (GWPZs) were identified in the Kangsabati River basin of east India having an area of about 6488 km2using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The criteria like geology, geomorphology, elevation, slope, drainage, lineament, curvature, topographic wetness, land use/land cover, and soil were extracted from satellite data and the weights for each parameter and its sub-parameters were assigned through analytical hierarchy process based on their respective relevance as influencing factors for groundwater recharge. Very low, low, moderate, high, and very high groundwater potentiality represent 28.93%, 30.56%, 19.75%, 14.62%, and 6.11% area, respectively. The low-lying flat plains of the southeastern section, as well as the centrally located dam, are ideal for groundwater recharge, while the upland plain of the northwestern part, with its hard rock terrain, is less so. This outcome has been verified using pre-monsoon and post-monsoon groundwater depth data, indicating that the strategy is most appropriate for this region. Thus, the groundwater potential zone maps remain very useful for conducting extensive ground-based hydrogeological studies that facilitate the identification of suitable bore well/dug well sites.
BMP4 preserves the developmental potential of mESCs through Ube2s- and Chmp4b-mediated chromosomal stability safeguarding
Authors: Wang Mingzhu , Zhao Kun , Liu Meng , Wang Mengting , Qiao Zhibin , Yi Shanru , Jiang Yonghua , Kou Xiaochen , Zhao Yanhong , Yin Jiqing , Li Tianming , Wang Hong , Jiang Cizhong , Gao Shaorong , Chen Jiayu
Published: February 2022

Chemically defined medium is widely used for culturing mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), in which N2B27 works as a substitution for serum, and GSK3β and MEK inhibitors (2i) help to promote ground-state pluripotency. However, recent studies suggested that MEKi might cause irreversible defects that compromise the developmental potential of mESCs. Here, we demonstrated the deficient bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signal in the chemically defined condition is one of the main causes for the impaired pluripotency. Mechanistically, activating the BMP signal pathway by BMP4 could safeguard the chromosomal integrity and proliferation capacity of mESCs through regulating downstream targets Ube2s and Chmp4b. More importantly, BMP4 promotes a distinct in vivo developmental potential and a long-term pluripotency preservation. Besides, the pluripotent improvements driven by BMP4 are superior to those by attenuating MEK suppression. Taken together, our study shows appropriate activation of BMP signal is essential for regulating functional pluripotency and reveals that BMP4 should be applied in the serum-free culture system.
Crystal structure and enhanced microwave dielectric properties of the Ce2[Zr1−x(Al1/2Ta1/2)x]3(MoO4)9 ceramics at microwave frequency
Authors: Feng Chao , Zhou Xu , Tao Bingjing , Wu Haitao , Huang Shifeng
Published: February 2022

Dense microwave dielectric ceramics of Ce2[Zr1−x(Al1/2Ta1/2)x]3(MoO4)9 (CZMAT) (x = 0.02–0.10) were prepared by the conventional solid-state route. The effects of (Al1/2Ta1/2)4+ on their microstructures, sintering behaviors, and microwave dielectric properties were systematically investigated. On the basis of the X-ray diffraction (XRD) results, all the samples were matched well with Pr2Zr3(MoO4)9 structures, which belonged to the space group $$R\bar 3c$$

R

3
¯

c

. The lattice parameters were obtained using the Rietveld refinement method. The correlations between the chemical bond parameters and microwave dielectric properties were calculated and analyzed by using the Phillips—Van Vechten—Levine (P—V—L) theory. Excellent dielectric properties of Ce2[Zr0.94(Al1/2Ta1/2)0.06]3(MoO4)9 with a relative permittivity (εr) of 10.46, quality factor (Q × f) of 83,796 GHz, and temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τf) of −11.50 ppm/°C were achieved at 850 °C.
Thermal conductivity of boron carbide under fast neutron irradiation
Authors: Qu Zhixue , Yu Chuanjin , Wei Yitong , Su Xiping , Du Aibing
Published: February 2022

Due to the complex products and irradiation-induced defects, it is hard to understand and even predict the thermal conductivity variation of materials under fast neutron irradiation, such as the abrupt degradation of thermal conductivity of boron carbide (B4C) at the very beginning of the irradiation process. In this work, the contributions of various irradiation-induced defects in B4C primarily consisting of the substitutional defects, Frenkel defect pairs, and helium bubbles were re-evaluated separately and quantitatively in terms of the phonon scattering theory. A theoretical model with an overall consideration of the contributions of all these irradiation-induced defects was proposed without any adjustable parameters, and validated to predict the thermal conductivity variation under irradiation based on the experimental data of the unirradiated, irradiated, and annealed B4C samples. The predicted thermal conductivities by this model show a good agreement with the experimental data after irradiation. The calculation results and theoretical analysis in light of the experimental data demonstrate that the substitutional defects of boron atoms by lithium atoms, and the Frenkel defect pairs due to the collisions with the fast neutrons, rather than the helium bubbles with strain fields surrounding them, play determining roles in the abrupt degradation of thermal conductivity with burnup.
Rail temperature variation under heavy haul operations
Authors: Bosomworth Chris , Spiryagin Maksym , Alahakoon Sanath , Cole Colin , Sneath Ben , Makin Bruce
Published: February 2022

There currently does not exist in industry a reliable method for the detection of rail foot flaws. Like their head-based counterparts, foot flaws result in broken rail with potentially catastrophic consequences. A proposed area of research for the detection of these flaws is thermography, a non-contact method of measuring and analysing infrared emissions from an object under test. In industry, active excitation thermography is the most common, requiring an excitation source. This paper will present a temperature measurement system and a method of transient temperature extraction from the running rails for the effects of a passing train to evaluate heat transfer in the practical rail environment. The outcomes of these results will provide future direction in the development of a rail heat transfer model and determine if train passage provides enough active excitation for a thermography-based detection technique.