bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dose–response functions and surrogate models for exploring social contagion in the Copenhagen Networks Study
Authors: Donges Jonathan F. , Lochner Jakob H. , Kitzmann Niklas H. , Heitzig Jobst , Lehmann Sune , Wiedermann Marc , Vollmer Jürgen
Published: October 2021

Spreading dynamics and complex contagion processes on networks are important mechanisms underlying the emergence of critical transitions, tipping points and other non-linear phenomena in complex human and natural systems. Increasing amounts of temporal network data are now becoming available to study such spreading processes of behaviours, opinions, ideas, diseases and innovations to test hypotheses regarding their specific properties. To this end, we here present a methodology based on dose–response functions and hypothesis testing using surrogate data models that randomise most aspects of the empirical data while conserving certain structures relevant to contagion, group or homophily dynamics. We demonstrate this methodology for synthetic temporal network data of spreading processes generated by the adaptive voter model. Furthermore, we apply it to empirical temporal network data from the Copenhagen Networks Study. This data set provides a physically-close-contact network between several hundreds of university students participating in the study over the course of 3 months. We study the potential spreading dynamics of the health-related behaviour “regularly going to the fitness studio” on this network. Based on a hierarchy of surrogate data models, we find that our method neither provides significant evidence for an influence of a dose–response-type network spreading process in this data set, nor significant evidence for homophily. The empirical dynamics in exercise behaviour are likely better described by individual features such as the disposition towards the behaviour, and the persistence to maintain it, as well as external influences affecting the whole group, and the non-trivial network structure. The proposed methodology is generic and promising also for applications to other temporal network data sets and traits of interest.
The influence of temperature on physical properties of a hybrid nanofluid flow in a non-Darcy porous medium
Authors: Elgazery Nasser S. , Mady Amal A.
Published: October 2021

The purpose of this paper is to debate the influences of variable thermal conductivity as well as viscosity on a hybrid nanofluid flow through a non-Darcy porous medium along a wavy surface. Two kinds of base fluids are considered; the first is water (H2O) with [Formula: see text] and the second is ethylene glycol–water mixture (C2H6O[Formula: see text]H2O) with [Formula: see text]. Furthermore, the physical properties of the base fluid have been modified via the addition of two kinds of suspended nanoparticles. The suspended nanoparticles of alumina Al2O3were firstly added to the base fluid. Then, titania TiO2suspended nanoparticles are immersed into this nanofluid to form two hybrid nanofluids (TiO[Formula: see text]Al2O3/H2O) and (TiO2-Al2O3/C2H6O2–H2O). Dupuit Forchheimer model as a non-Darcy porous medium is utilized. The mathematical model for the present physical problem with convective boundary condition is studied numerically via the Chebyshev pseudospectral (CPS) technique. Nusselt number, velocity and temperature profiles are investigated under different parameters. The present outcomes clarify that adding the alumina nanoparticle supports and improves the efficiency of the titania nanoparticle. Also, taking both of the hybrid nanofluid viscosity/thermal conductivity as variable functions of temperature has an important role to support the studies of heat transfer.
PREPARATION AND PHOTOCATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF NOVEL PPy/GO/BiVO4 NANOCOMPOSITES
Authors: REN HENGXIN , QIN YUSHAN , LV YUGUANG
Published: October 2021

A new type of poly pyrrole/graphene oxide/bismuth vanadate (PPy/GO/BiVO4) ternary nanocomposite with excellent visible light-driven photocatalytic degradation performance was prepared by the traditional hydrothermal method. The photocatalyst samples were characterized and analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS). Under visible light irradiation, the photocatalytic activity of the samples in the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB), which was used to simulate organic dye pollutants in the real natural environment, was detected. The experimental results demonstrated that the photocatalytic degradation performance of PPy/GO/BiVO4 was reinforced after loading GO and PPy. Among all the photocatalyst samples with different PPy content, the PPy/GO/BiVO4 nanocomposite containing 5% PPy showed the highest photocatalytic activity. The stability test suggested that the nanocomposite remained stable even after four cycles of photocatalytic degradation of RhB. As a novel type of visible light-driven photocatalyst, PPy/GO/BiVO4 can be utilized to degrade pollutants in waste water.
A bored cup of the Mississippian crinoid
Synbathocrinus
Phillips
Authors: Donovan S. K. , Tenny A.
Published: October 2021

Only the second bored cup of the disparid crinoid
Synbathocrinus conicus
Phillips is described, infested by a pit of
Oichnus paraboloides
Bromley. Both bored specimens are from the Mississippian of Salthill Quarry, Clitheroe, Lancashire, UK, although the search for others has extended from northern Europe to North America. The first, described 30 years ago, infested a plate triple-junction of the cup on the presumed up-current side of the crinoid; the new specimen, in contrast, is in the centre of a radial plate, which is inflated as a growth response to infestation. We informally name the producing organism the ‘Salthill bug’. Although unknown, this was a small, unmineralized invertebrate that commonly attached to elevated positions on living crinoids and was likely a filter feeder. It constructed a domicile by boring into the crinoid endoskeleton, and could invade both living and dead crinoid skeletons. On crinoid stems it was commonly gregarious, a habit perhaps favoured by secretions by the first ‘Salthill bug’ to settle, attracting conspecific larvae and similar to the settling patterns of some modern sessile invertebrates. Comparison with
Oichnus
from Trearne Quarry, Ayrshire, UK, reveals several differences between the pits in infested crinoids at the two sites.
The Changshagou gold deposit, Eastern Tianshan, NW China: orogenic gold mineralization overprinting a porphyry gold occurrence
Authors: Liu Yihao , Zhao Yun , Xue Chunji , Yu Liang , Chu Haixia , Zhao Xiaobo
Published: October 2021

The temporal–spatial relationships of porphyry and orogenic gold mineralization in the Eastern Tianshan Orogenic Belt are ambiguous. The newly discovered Changshagou deposit in this belt contains both porphyry and orogenic gold mineralization, which are characterized by polymetallic–sulfide veinlets and quartz–pyrite veins, respectively. Fluid inclusions in the porphyry mineralization episode were trapped at 290–340°C with salinities of 3.0–8.0 wt% NaCl
equiv
. The homogenization temperatures and salinities in the orogenic mineralization episode range from 240 to 300°C and from 1.0 to 5.0 wt% NaCl
equiv
. Coexisting V- and L-type fluid inclusions with similar homogenization temperatures are indicative of fluid immiscibility. The
δ
18
O
w
and
δ
D
w
values are in the ranges 7.6–9.1 and −70.9 to −84.0‰ in the porphyry mineralization episode, and 6.4–7.1 and −65.7 to −72.1‰ in the orogenic mineralization episode, overlapping magmatic and metamorphic ranges, respectively. The pyrite
δ
34
S values range from 3.5 to 4.9‰, falling into the magmatic range. Pyrite in porphyry and orogenic mineralization episodes yield Re–Os isotope ages of 269.1 ± 2.9 and 257.4 ± 2.4 Ma. The porphyry and orogenic gold mineralizations are genetically associated with the quartz syenite porphyry and Kanggur strike-slip shear activity, respectively.
Hypozonal gold mineralization in shear zone-hosted deposits driven by fault valve action and fluid mixing: the Nalunaq deposit, Greenland
Authors: Smith Martin , Banks David , Ray Santanu , Bowers Francis
Published: October 2021

The Nalunaq deposit, Greenland, is a hypozonal, shear zone-hosted, Au deposit. The shear zone has previously been interpreted as having undergone four stages of deformation, accompanied by fluid flow and vein formation. Coupled with previous trapping
T
estimates, fluid inclusion data are consistent with the trapping of fluids with salinities between 28 and 45 wt% NaCl equiv., from 300 to 475°C during D
2
and D
3
, with pressure varying between
c.
800 and 100 MPa. The range reflects pressure cycling during seismic slip-related depressurization events. D
4
fluids were lower salinity and trapped from 200 to 300°C, at
c.
50–200 MPa during late-stage normal faulting. The variation in major element chemistry is consistent with the ingress of hypersaline, granitoid equilibrated fluids into the shear zone system and mixing with fluids that had reacted with the host metamorphic rocks. D
4
-stage fluids represent the ingress of meteoric fluids into the system. Gold contents in inclusion fluids range from
c.
300 to 10 mg kg
−1
. These data are consistent with the high-
P–T
solubility of Au as AuHS(H
2
S)
3
0
complexes, and Au deposition by decompression and cooling. The high salinities also suggest Au transport as chloride complexes may have been possible. Gold distribution was modified by the release of chemically bound or nanoscale Au during sulfide oxidation at the D
4
stage.
Loading‐Rate Dependency of Young’s Modulus for Class I and Class II Rocks
Authors: Zhang Hailong , Okubo Seisuke , Chen Cancan , Tang Yang , Xu Jiang
Published: October 2021

Understanding the time‐dependent behavior of rocks is important for ensuring the long‐term stability of underground structures. Aspects of such a time‐dependent behavior include the loading‐rate dependency of Young’s modulus, strength, creep, and relaxation. In particular, the loading‐rate dependency of Young’s modulus of rocks has not been fully clarified. In this study, four different types of rocks were tested, and the results were used to analyze the loading‐rate dependency of Young’s modulus and explain the underlying mechanism. For all four rocks, Young’s modulus increased linearly with a tenfold increase in the loading rate. The rocks showed the same loading‐rate dependency of Young’s modulus. A variable‐compliance constitutive equation was proposed for the loading‐rate dependency of Young’s modulus, and the calculated results agreed well with measured values. Irrecoverable and recoverable strains were separated by loading‐unloading‐reloading tests at preset stress levels. The constitutive equations showed that the rate of increase in Young’s modulus increased with the irrecoverable strain and decreased with increasing stress. The increase in the irrecoverable strain was delayed at high loading rates, which was concluded to be the main reason for the increase in Young’s modulus with an increasing loading rate.
SAL‐Net: Self‐Supervised Attribute Learning for Object Recognition and Segmentation
Authors: Yang Shu , JingWang  , Arif Sheeraz , Jia Minli , Zhong Shunan
Published: October 2021

Existing attribute learning methods rely on predefined attributes, which require manual annotations. Due to the limitation of human experience, the predefined attributes are not capable enough of providing enough description. This paper proposes a self‐supervised attribute learning (SAL) method, which automatically generates attribute descriptions by differentially occluding the object region to deal with the above problems. The relationship between attributes is formulated with triplet loss functions and is utilized to supervise the CNN. Attribute learning is used as an auxiliary task of a multitask image classification and segmentation network, in which self‐supervision of attributes motivates the CNN to learn more discriminative features for the main semantic tasks. Experimental results on public benchmarks CUB‐2011 and Pascal VOC show that the proposed SAL‐Net can obtain more accurate classification and segmentation results without additional annotations. Moreover, the SAL‐Net is embedded into a multiobject recognition and segmentation system, which realizes instance‐aware semantic segmentation with the help of a region proposal algorithm and a fusion nonmaximum suppression algorithm.
Music Signal Recognition Based on the Mathematical and Physical Equation Inversion Method
Authors: Jiang Wei , Sun Dong
Published: October 2021

Digitization and analysis processing technology of music signals is the core of digital music technology. The paper studies the music signal feature recognition technology based on the mathematical equation inversion method, which is aimed at designing a method that can help music learners in music learning and music composition. The paper firstly studies the modeling of music signal and its analysis and processing algorithm, combining the four elements of music sound, analyzing and extracting the characteristic parameters of notes, and establishing the mathematical model of single note signal and music score signal. The single note recognition algorithm is studied to extract the Mel frequency cepstrum coefficient of the signal and improve the DTW algorithm to achieve single note recognition. Based on the implementation of the single note algorithm, we combine the note temporal segmentation method based on the energy-entropy ratio to segment the music score into single note sequences to realize the music score recognition. The paper then goes on to study the music synthesis algorithm and perform simulations. The benchmark model demonstrates the positive correlation of pitch features on recognition through comparative experiments and explores the number of harmonics that should be attended to when recognizing different instruments. The attention network-based classification model draws on the properties of human auditory attention to improve the recognition scores of the main playing instruments and the overall recognition accuracy of all instruments. The two-stage classification model is divided into a first-stage classification model and a second-stage classification model, and the second-stage classification model consists of three residual networks, which are trained separately to specifically identify strings, winds, and percussions. This method has the highest recognition score and overall accuracy.
Experimental and Theoretical Investigations of a Displacement‐Amplified Torsional Damper
Authors: Mao Huimin , Yan Xueyuan , Ning Xiangliang , Shi Shen
Published: October 2021

In this work, a displacement‐amplified torsional damper (DATD) is proposed for improving the seismic capacity of the beam‐column joints of a frame structure. The proposed DATD uses common steel, lead, and high‐damping rubber. This damper exhibits good energy dissipation under small earthquakes. Under strong earthquakes and large displacements, the strengthening of the high‐damping rubber can improve the overall stiffness of the damper and increase the energy dissipation. In order to investigate the performance of the proposed DATD, theoretical analyses, simulations, and cyclic loading tests were performed, and their results were compared, showing an overall good agreement.
Robust Secure Energy Efficiency Optimization in the MIMO Wiretap Channel with Energy Harvesting
Authors: Ma Wenfeng , Wang Cong , Tian Hui , Cao Xun , Yao Yuanxiang
Published: October 2021

This work considers a secure multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) channel where the energy receiver (ER) is a potential eavesdropper (Eve). Specifically, we aim to maximize the secrecy energy efficiency (SEE) via jointly designing the transmit precoding matrix and the artificial noise (AN) covariance at the base station (BS), as well as the power splitting (PS) ratio at the desired receiver (DR), subject to the constraints of the transmit power budget and harvested energy threshold. To handle the formulated highly nonconvex fractional problem, we apply the successive convex approximation (SCA) method to transform the objective and constraint into a tractable form. Then, a penalty‐based iterative algorithm is proposed. Finally, simulation results validate the performance of the proposed design.
Digitalization of Cross‐Country Skiing Training Based on Multisensor Combination
Authors: Li Xingxing , Song Lulu , Wu Hao
Published: October 2021

The status and role of science and technology in the field of modern competitive sports have become increasingly prominent. The construction of a scientific training command system is of great significance for improving the scientific level of the training process and deepening the digital cognition of ski training. This paper is based on the multisensor combination to conduct a digital research on cross‐country skiing training, aiming to conduct in‐depth research on the realization of human motion capture and the theory of motion inertial sensing. To build a scientific, formal, and malleable ski training program, the requirements for data acquisition, recording, and analysis are quite strict. For this, it is necessary to use scientific and reasonable tools combined with multiple algorithms to process information and data. During the experiment, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers are selected as sensors to receive motion information, and recognition algorithms for identifying weightlessness, hybrid filtering algorithm, displacement estimation algorithm, and kinematic principles are adapted to process multisensor data using information integration technology. A human body motion model was established based on kinematic principles, and a cross‐country skiing motion measurement program was designed. The experimental results show that, according to the combination of multisensing and video platform, the athlete’s posture prediction is adjusted, and the action on the track is more consistent, which can accelerate the athlete’s skiing speed and the size of the inclination angle to a large extent. It can affect the direction of the athlete’s borrowing force and the adjustment of gravity during the exercise. The tilt angle is expanded from 135° to 170°, and it can maintain good continuity during the exercise.
Magnetohydrodynamic Impact on Carreau Thin Film Couple Stress Nanofluid Flow over an Unsteady Stretching Sheet
Authors: Gul Taza , Rehman Muhammad , Saeed Anwar , Khan Imran , Khan Amir , Nasir Saleem , Bariq Abdul
Published: October 2021

A mathematical model of time-dependent thin-film flow of Carreau liquid over a stretching surface is studied in this investigation in the presence of couple stress and uniform magnetic field. To explain the properties of heat and mass transport phenomena, the influence of both thermophoresis and Brownian motion variables is used. For the conversion of the model framework (momentum, heat, and concentration expression with boundary conditions) into a set of ordinary differential equations, the appropriate transformation technique is followed. By using analytical tool, HomotopyAnalysis Method (HAM), the transformed model expressions are solved. For different estimations of the affected physical factors, the numerical results involving skin-friction coefficient, Nusselt number, Sherwood number, fluid velocity profile, thermal profile, and concentration profile are displayed graphically. Besides, the findings for skin-friction coefficient,

Nu

x

, and

ϕ

η

are given in the table format. In raising the fluid temperature, the effect of thermophoresis and magnetic parameters is beneficial. With the Brownian motion and Schmidt number, the solute concentration is found to reduce.
Cancer Signaling Drives Cancer Metabolism: AKT and the Warburg Effect
Authors: Hosios Aaron M. , Manning Brendan D.
Published: October 2021

The Warburg effect, the propensity of some cells to metabolize glucose to lactate in the presence of oxygen (also known as aerobic glycolysis), has long been observed in cancer and other contexts of cell proliferation, but only in the past two decades have significant gains been made in understanding how and why this metabolic transformation occurs. In 2004, Cancer Research published a study by Elstrom and colleagues that provided one of the first connections between a specific oncogene and aerobic glycolysis. Studying hematopoietic and glioblastoma cell lines, they demonstrated that constitutive activation of AKT promotes an increased glycolytic rate without altering proliferation or oxygen consumption in culture. They proposed that it is this effect that allows constitutive AKT activation to transform cells and found that it sensitizes cells to glucose deprivation. In the years since, mechanistic understanding of oncogenic control of metabolism, and glycolysis specifically, has deepened substantially. Current work seeks to understand the benefits and liabilities associated with glycolytic metabolism and to identify inhibitors that might be of clinical benefit to target glycolytic cancer cells.

See related article by Elstrom and colleagues, Cancer Res 2004;64:3892–9
A Novel Long Noncoding RNA Finetunes the DNA Damage Response in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Barcena-Varela Marina , Lujambio Amaia
Published: October 2021

The study by Unfried and colleagues reports the intriguing discovery of a novel long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) with a critical role in the regulation of DNA damage response in hepatocellular carcinoma. Providing an exhaustive and detailed characterization of the complex network interactions within the double-stranded breaks in the DNA, the authors demonstrated that NIHCOLE serves as a scaffold and facilitator of nonhomologous end-joining machinery. This study greatly contributes to the growing evidence supporting the key roles of ncRNAs in health and disease. Although larger studies are needed to understand the potential of lncRNAs to improve the clinical management of patients with cancer, this study demonstrates that high expression of NIHCOLE may be associated with an impaired response to DNA damage–based therapies, in part through its role in preventing cell death.

See related article by Unfried et al., p. 4910
First-in-Class Anti-immunoglobulin–like Transcript 4 Myeloid-Specific Antibody MK-4830 Abrogates a PD-1 Resistance Mechanism in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors
Authors: Siu Lillian L. , Wang Ding , Hilton John , Geva Ravit , Rasco Drew , Perets Ruth , Abraham Anson K. , Wilson Douglas C. , Markensohn Julia F. , Lunceford Jared , Suttner Leah , Siddiqi Shabana , Altura Rachel A. , Maurice-Dror Corinne
Published: October 2021

Purpose:

In this first-in-human study (NCT03564691) in advanced solid tumors, we investigated a novel first-in-class human IgG4 monoclonal antibody targeting the immunoglobulin-like transcript 4 (ILT4) receptor, MK-4830, as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab.

Patients and Methods:

Patients with histologically/cytologically confirmed advanced solid tumors, measurable disease by RECIST v1.1, and evaluable baseline tumor sample received escalating doses of intravenous MK-4830 every 3 weeks as monotherapy (parts A and B) and in combination with pembrolizumab (part C). Safety and tolerability were the primary objectives. Pharmacokinetics, objective response rate per RECIST v1.1, and molecular biomarkers were also evaluated.

Results:

Of 84 patients, 50 received monotherapy and 34 received combination therapy. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed; maximum tolerated dose was not reached. MK-4830 showed dose-related target engagement. Eleven of 34 patients in the dose-escalation phase who received combination therapy achieved objective responses; 5 previously had progressive disease on anti–PD-1/PD-L1 therapies. Exploratory evaluation of the association between response and pretreatment gene expression related to interferon-gamma signaling in tumors suggested higher sensitivity to T-cell inflammation with combination therapy than historically expected with pembrolizumab monotherapy, with greater response at more moderate levels of inflammation.

Conclusions:

This first-in-class MK-4830 antibody dosed as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab was well tolerated with no unexpected toxicities, and demonstrated dose-related evidence of target engagement and antitumor activity. Inflammation intrinsic to the ILT4 mechanism may be facilitated by alleviating the myeloid-suppressive components of the tumor microenvironment, supporting the target of ILT4 as a potential novel immunotherapy in combination with an anti–PD-1/PD-L1 agent.
The Rhetoric of Digital Presentation Tools in Politics: The Case of Visual Knowledge in President Obama's Enhanced State Of the Union
Authors: Kjeldsen Jens E.
Published: October 2021

President Barack Obama's State of the Union speeches were distributed online as so–called Enhanced versions, where the television images of Obama delivering the speech were accompanied by pictures, graphs, and tables used to convince the audience about the factual state of affairs in the United States. The article explores this combination of the rhetoric and epistemology of visuality and information design on the one hand and political oratory on the other. The article demonstrates how the Enhanced State of the Union is a hybrid genre using visuals to create a rhetoric of reification and reality, apparently aiming not to argue but only to establish facts.
Impacts of various mixing approaches towards black seed oil-alginate emulsion attributes
Authors: Rus Shaiqah Mohd , Mohamed Farahidah , Abu Bakar Mohd. Rushdi , Doolaanea Abd Almonem , Mohmad Sabere Awis Sukarni
Published: October 2021

Black seed oil (BSO) contains thymoquinone, an active ingredient that is well-known for its antioxidant property. The bitter taste of BSO makes it challenging for the consumers, mainly children and the elderly, to consume it every day. Thus, BSO is encapsulated in alginate beads in
micrometre size to enhance its palatability. This encapsulation was previously established in the lab-scale and the standard mixing method to produce a stable BSO-alginate emulsion used a magnetic stirrer coupled with a sonicator. This mixing method is not suitable for the production of BSO
beads at a large scale. Hence, this research aims to investigate the impacts of various mixing methods coupled with sonication towards the BSO-alginate emulsion attributes. Four BSOalginate coarse emulsions were prepared using a magnetic stirrer (MS) as the benchmark, overhead stirrer (OS),
homogeniser (H), and overhead stirrer combined with homogeniser (OSH). All the coarse emulsions were then sonicated to produce a nanoemulsion using a flow cell sonicator. The coarse emulsions were characterised in terms of dissolution time while the nanoemulsions were characterised in terms
of droplet size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, conductivity and absorbance. These characteristics were statistically compared to the benchmark emulsion characteristics. MS, OS, H, and OSH coarse emulsion formation required 45, 230, 102, and 46 minutes to be produced, respectively.
There were significant differences (p <0.05) between the droplet size of OSH (266.53±4.36) nm and MS (285.50±1.15) nm emulsions, indicating that the OSH emulsion was more stable. The absorbance of OSH BSO-alginate nanoemulsion was significantly lower (p <0.05)
than the benchmark. In comparison to MS as the benchmark, OSH technique produced a stable emulsion in terms of lower dissolution time, droplet size, zeta potential, and absorbance.
The role of elevated levels of microRNA-155-5p and microRNA-124-5p in hyperuricemia and acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Yao Yuan , Yuan Jun , Ma Yanju , Zhu Runxiu , Ma Yong
Published: October 2021

Hyperuricemia is closely related to acute ischemic stroke (AIS). In our study, we investigated the pattern of miRNA-155-5p and miRNA-124-5p expressions along with its clinical application in AIS and hyperuricemia patients and in a hyperuricemia rat model by RT-qPCR. The hyperuricemia rat model was established, and we found that the levels of miRNA-155-5p and miRNA-124-5p were increased in the serum, brain and kidney tissues compared with those in the normal rats. We proved that the levels of miRNA-155-5p and miRNA-124-5p were also elevated in AIS, hyperuricemia and AIS accompanied with hyperuricemia patients enrolled from the department of neurology in Inner Mongolia People’s Hospital (IMPH). The miRNA-155-5p and miRNA-124-5p were mainly associated with neuronal apoptosis, cerebral vasospasm, neuron projection, neuron projection morphogenesis, neuron differentiation and exocytosis. The above results might provide clues for the study the pathogenesis of AIS and hyperuricemia.
The Impact of Pet Care Needs on Medical Decision-Making among Hospitalized Patients: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Patient Experience
Authors: Polick Carri S. , Applebaum Jennifer W. , Hanna Caitlin , Jackson Darnysus , Tsaras-Schumacher Sophia , Hawkins Rachel , Conceicao Alan , O’Brien Louise M. , Chervin Ronald D. , Braley Tiffany J.
Published: October 2021

Hospital-based protocols to support pet care needs for hospitalized patients may have potential to benefit patient health and wellbeing, but must be informed by experiences of hospitalized pet owners. The aim of this study was to determine the scope and need for pet care services among hospitalized patients. A panel of prior inpatients and their family members at a tertiary care center were surveyed about preferences, experiences, and need for assistance with pet care during hospitalization. Respondents (n = 113) expressed interest in a low/no-cost pet-boarding or foster program for adult patients struggling to find pet care assistance. The majority of respondents (n = 71; 63%) reported challenges securing pet care during a prior hospitalization, and/or knew someone who encountered similar challenges. Respondents also indicated that these challenges had a negative impact on health, recovery, or their own decision to receive medical care. Pet care challenges during hospitalization are likely common and have the potential to hamper medical decision-making and health outcomes of inpatients.
A geno-clinical decision model for the diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Radakovich Nathan , Meggendorfer Manja , Malcovati Luca , Hilton C. Beau , Sekeres Mikkael A. , Shreve Jacob , Rouphail Yazan , Walter Wencke , Hutter Stephan , Galli Anna , Pozzi Sara , Elena Chiara , Padron Eric , Savona Michael R. , Gerds Aaron T. , Mukherjee Sudipto , Nagata Yasunobu , Komrokji Rami S. , Jha Babal K. , Haferlach Claudia , Maciejewski Jaroslaw P. , Haferlach Torsten , Nazha Aziz
Published: October 2021

The differential diagnosis of myeloid malignancies is challenging and subject to interobserver variability. We used clinical and next-generation sequencing (NGS) data to develop a machine learning model for the diagnosis of myeloid malignancies independent of bone marrow biopsy data based on a 3-institution, international cohort of patients. The model achieves high performance, with model interpretations indicating that it relies on factors similar to those used by clinicians. In addition, we describe associations between NGS findings and clinically important phenotypes and introduce the use of machine learning algorithms to elucidate clinicogenomic relationships.
Peripheral T-cell lymphoma: molecular profiling recognizes subclasses and identifies prognostic markers
Authors: Rodríguez Marta , Alonso-Alonso Ruth , Tomás-Roca Laura , Rodríguez-Pinilla Socorro M. , Manso-Alonso Rebeca , Cereceda Laura , Borregón Jennifer , Villaescusa Teresa , Córdoba Raúl , Sánchez-Beato Margarita , Fernández-Miranda Ismael , Betancor Isabel , Bárcena Carmen , García Juan F. , Mollejo Manuela , García-Cosio Mónica , Martin-Acosta Paloma , Climent Fina , Caballero Dolores , de la Fuente Lorena , Mínguez Pablo , Kessler Linda , Scholz Catherine , Gualberto Antonio , Mondéjar Rufino , Piris Miguel A.
Published: October 2021

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a clinically aggressive disease, with a poor response to therapy and a low overall survival rate of approximately 30% after 5 years. We have analyzed a series of 105 cases with a diagnosis of PTCL using a customized NanoString platform (NanoString Technologies, Seattle, WA) that includes 208 genes associated with T-cell differentiation, oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, deregulated pathways, and stromal cell subpopulations. A comparative analysis of the various histological types of PTCL (angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma [AITL]; PTCL with T follicular helper [TFH] phenotype; PTCL not otherwise specified [NOS]) showed that specific sets of genes were associated with each of the diagnoses. These included TFH markers, cytotoxic markers, and genes whose expression was a surrogate for specific cellular subpopulations, including follicular dendritic cells, mast cells, and genes belonging to precise survival (NF-κB) and other pathways. Furthermore, the mutational profile was analyzed using a custom panel that targeted 62 genes in 76 cases distributed in AITL, PTCL-TFH, and PTCL-NOS. The main differences among the 3 nodal PTCL classes involved the RHOAG17V mutations (P < .0001), which were approximately twice as frequent in AITL (34.09%) as in PTCL-TFH (16.66%) cases but were not detected in PTCL-NOS. A multivariate analysis identified gene sets that allowed the series of cases to be stratified into different risk groups. This study supports and validates the current division of PTCL into these 3 categories, identifies sets of markers that can be used for a more precise diagnosis, and recognizes the expression of B-cell genes as an IPI-independent prognostic factor for AITL.
TCRαβ/CD19 depleted HSCT from an HLA-haploidentical relative to treat children with different nonmalignant disorders
Authors: Merli Pietro , Pagliara Daria , Galaverna Federica , Li Pira Giuseppina , Andreani Marco , Leone Giovanna , Amodio Donato , Pinto Rita Maria , Bertaina Alice , Bertaina Valentina , Mastronuzzi Angela , Strocchio Luisa , Boccieri Emilia , Pende Daniela , Falco Michela , Di Nardo Matteo , Del Bufalo Francesca , Algeri Mattia , Locatelli Franco
Published: October 2021

Several nonmalignant disorders (NMDs), either inherited or acquired, can be cured by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Between January 2012 and April 2020, 70 consecutive children affected by primary immunodeficiencies, inherited/acquired bone marrow failure syndromes, red blood cell disorders, or metabolic diseases, lacking a fully matched donor or requiring urgent transplantation underwent TCRαβ/CD19-depleted haploidentical HSCT from an HLA-partially matched relative as part of a prospective study. The median age at transplant was 3.5 years (range 0.3-16.1); the median time from diagnosis to transplant was 10.5 months (2.7 for SCID patients). Primary engraftment was obtained in 51 patients, while 19 and 2 patients experienced either primary or secondary graft failure (GF), the overall incidence of this complication being 30.4%. Most GFs were observed in children with disease at risk for this complication (eg, aplastic anemia, thalassemia). All but 5 patients experiencing GF were successfully retransplanted. Six patients died of infectious complications (4 had active/recent infections at the time of HSCT), the cumulative incidence of transplant-related mortality (TRM) being 8.5%. Cumulative incidence of grade 1-2 acute GVHD was 14.4% (no patient developed grade 3-4 acute GVHD). Only one patient at risk developed mild chronic GVHD. With a median follow-up of 3.5 years, the 5-year probability of overall and disease-free survival was 91.4% and 86.8%, respectively. In conclusion, TCRαβ/CD19-depleted haploidentical HSCT from an HLA-partially matched relative is confirmed to be an effective treatment of children with NMDs. Prompt donor availability, low incidence of GVHD, and TRM make this strategy an attractive option in NMDs patients. The study is registered at ClinicalTrial.gov as NCT01810120.
Anticoagulant therapy in patients with congenital FXI deficiency
Authors: Bravo-Pérez Carlos , Serna María Jose , Esteban Julio , Fernandez-Mellid Eugenia , Fontanes-Trabazo Emilia , Lorenzo Alvaro , Calviño-Suárez Michael , Miñano Antonia , Padilla José , Roldán Vanessa , Vicente Vicente , Corral Javier , de la Morena-Barrio María Eugenia
Published: October 2021

The bleeding phenotype of factor XI (FXI) deficiency is unpredictable. Bleeding is usually mild and mostly occurs after injury. Although FXI deficiency renders antithrombotic protection, some patients might eventually develop thrombosis or atrial fibrillation, requiring anticoagulant therapy. There is almost no evidence on the bleeding risk in this scenario. Our retrospective study of 269 white FXI-deficient subjects (1995-2021) identified 15 cases requiring anticoagulation. They harbored 8 different F11 variants, mainly in heterozygosis (1 case was homozygote), and had mild to moderate deficiency (FXI:C: 20% to 70%). Two subjects (13.3%) had bleeding history before anticoagulation. Atrial fibrillation was the main indication (12/15; 80%). Fourteen patients started therapy with vitamin K antagonists (VKA), but 4 subjects were on direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) at the end of follow-up. Over >1000 months of anticoagulation, 2 mild bleeding episodes in 2 patients (13.3%, 95% confidence interval: 3.7% to 37.9%) were recorded. No major/fatal events were reported. “Pre-post” bleeding localization and severity did not change despite treatment. On VKA, drug dosing and management were also standard, unaltered by FXI deficiency. We provide the largest description of anticoagulant use in FXI deficiency, and the first cases receiving DOACs. Although further studies are needed, our observations suggest that moderate FXI deficiency does not interfere with anticoagulant management nor bleeding risk.
Book reviews in the age of social media
Authors: Johnson Norman A.
Published: October 2021

Despite the large quantity and wide variety of popular science books available in biology, most undergraduate biology majors seldom read full-length books outside of class. To ensure that the students in my Writing in Biology class are exposed to such books, I assign a book review essay and provide an annotated list of a few dozen books in genetics, evolution, and other areas of biology. The assignment also includes a section on the book author’s style, in which students use material discussed earlier in the class. Informal presentations of the books provide opportunities for various discussions. The assignment (including the list of books) is included in an Additional file 1.
Evaluation of selected carotenoids of Lycopersicon esculentum variants as therapeutic targets for ‘Alzheimer’s disease: an in silico approach
Authors: Bakare Olalekan Olanrewaju , Fadaka Adewale Oluwaseun , Akanbi Musa Oyebowale , Akinyede Kolajo Adedamola , Klein Ashwil , Keyster Marshall
Published: October 2021

The seriousness and menace of the worldwide weight of ‘Alzheimer’s disease have been related to a few factors, which incorporate antioxidant system depletion, mutation of proteins, and high expression of cholinesterases due to aging, environmental influence, diet, infectious agents, and hormonal imbalance. Overexpression of cholinesterases has been emphatically connected to ‘Alzheimer’s disease because of the unreasonable hydrolysis of acetylcholine and butyrylcholine. Certain plant phytochemicals, for example, beta-carotenoids, lutein, neoxanthin, and viola-xanthine fromLycopersicon esculentumMill. Var. esculentum (ESC) andLycopersicon esculentumMill. Var. cerasiforme (CER) has been utilized altogether as a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of ‘Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, this research sought to investigate the drug-likeness of the individual carotenoids as detailed for cholinesterase inhibition in the treatment of ‘Alzheimer’s disease. Four potential cholinesterase inhibitors from ESC and CER were retrieved from the PubChem database. Investigation of their drug-likeness, toxicity prediction, molecular docking, and dynamic simulations were carried out using Molinspiration, PreADMET V.2.0, Patchdock server, and Schrodinger Maestro software respectively. Neoxanthin was ranked the safest with a greater tendency to inhibit the cholinesterases with high binding affinity. In addition, its stability after simulation in a mimicked biological environment suggests its relevance as a potential drug candidate for the treatment of ‘Alzheimer’s disease through the inhibition of cholinesterases.
Association between serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferase and blood pressure: a cross-sectional study of Chinese freshmen
Authors: Zhu Lijun , Fang Zhengmei , Jin Yuelong , Chang Weiwei , Huang Mengyun , He Lianping , Chen Yan , Yao Yingshui
Published: October 2021

Background

High blood pressure is a well-recognized risk factor for cardiovascular events, and the incidence of hypertension is increasing among young people. This study investigated the relationship between ALT and AST levels and hypertension among freshmen in China.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Anhui Province from September to November 2018. A total of 3114 freshmen underwent a physical examination including testing of biochemical indicators and a standardized questionnaire.

Results

The overall prevalence of elevated ALT and AST were 6.8% and 2.3% among freshmen. The mean ALT and AST levels were higher in males (22.59 ± 21.98 vs.12.62 ± 10.30 U/L; 23.55 ± 12.24 vs. 20.02 ± 5.75 U/L, respectively). The prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher in men (16.1%) than in women (1.9%). The mean values of BMI, SBP, DBP, TC, TG, and LDL-C were found to be increased with elevated levels of serum ALT and AST in the quartiles (P for trend < 0.05). After adjusting for covariates, the risk of hypertension was significantly higher in the highest ALT quartile than in the lowest quartile (OR (95% CI) of 1.681 (1.028, 2.751) in males; 2.802 (1.102, 7.124) in females). A strong linear relationship was found between serum ALT levels and the odds of hypertension after adjustment for potential confounders only in total population and females (P for trend < 0.05).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that ALT level is significantly associated with hypertension both in male and female freshmen.
Operationalizing respectful maternity care at the healthcare provider level: a systematic scoping review
Authors: Jolivet R. Rima , Gausman Jewel , Kapoor Neena , Langer Ana , Sharma Jigyasa , Semrau Katherine E. A.
Published: October 2021

Background

Ensuring the right to respectful care for maternal and newborn health, a critical dimension of quality and acceptability, requires meeting standards for Respectful Maternity Care (RMC). Absence of mistreatment does not constitute RMC. Evidence generation to inform definitional standards for RMC is in an early stage. The aim of this systematic review is clear provider-level operationalization of key RMC principles, to facilitate their consistent implementation.

Methods

Two rights-based frameworks define the underlying principles of RMC. A qualitative synthesis of both frameworks resulted in seven fundamental rights during childbirth that form the foundation of RMC. To codify operational definitions for these key elements of RMC at the healthcare provider level, we systematically reviewed peer-reviewed literature, grey literature, white papers, and seminal documents on RMC. We focused on literature describing RMC in the affirmative rather than mistreatment experienced by women during childbirth, and operationalized RMC by describing objective provider-level behaviors.

Results

Through a systematic review, 514 records (peer-reviewed articles, reports, and guidelines) were assessed to identify operational definitions of RMC grounded in those rights. After screening and review, 54 records were included in the qualitative synthesis and mapped to the seven RMC rights. The majority of articles provided guidance on operationalization of rights to freedom from harm and ill treatment; dignity and respect; information and informed consent; privacy and confidentiality; and timely healthcare. Only a quarter of articles mentioned concrete or affirmative actions to operationalize the right to non-discrimination, equality and equitable care; less than 15%, the right to liberty and freedom from coercion. Provider behaviors mentioned in the literature aligned overall with seven RMC principles; yet the smaller number of available research studies that included operationalized definitions for some key elements of RMC illustrates the nascent stage of evidence-generation in this area.

Conclusions

Lack of systematic codification, grounded in empirical evidence, of operational definitions for RMC at the provider level has limited the study, design, implementation, and comparative assessment of respectful care. This qualitative systematic review provides a foundation for maternity healthcare professional policy, training, programming, research, and program evaluation aimed at studying and improving RMC at the provider level.
Effect of stereotactic body radiotherapy on regional metabolic liver function investigated in patients by dynamic [18F]FDGal PET/CT
Authors: Sørensen Michael , Fode Mette Marie , Petersen Jørgen Baltzer , Holt Marianne Ingerslev , Høyer Morten
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is increasingly used for treatment of liver tumors but the effect on metabolic liver function in surrounding tissue is largely unknown. Using 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-galactose ([18F]FDGal) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT), we aimed to determine a dose–response relationship between radiation dose and metabolic liver function as well as recovery.

Procedures.

One male subject with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and five subjects (1 female, 4 male) with liver metastases from colorectal cancer (mCRC) underwent [18F]FDGal PET/CT before SBRT and after 1 and 3 months. The dose response was calculated using the data after 1 month and the relative recovery was evaluated after 3 months. All patients had normal liver function at time of inclusion.

Results

A linear dose–response relationship for the individual liver voxel dose was seen until approximately 30 Gy. By fitting a polynomial curve to data, a mean TD50 of 18 Gy was determined with a 95% CI from 12 to 26 Gy. After 3 months, a substantial recovery was observed except in tissue receiving more than 25 Gy.

Conclusions

[18F]FDGal PET/CT makes it possible to determine a dose–response relationship between radiation dose and metabolic liver function, here with a TD50 of 18 Gy (95% CI 12–26 Gy). Moreover, the method makes it possible to estimate metabolic recovery in liver tissue.