bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of depth of invasion on local recurrence in R0 resected node‐negative oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Dang Rushil R. , Kim Jaegak , Qureshi Muhammad M. , Fazeli Shoreh Roghayeh , Zhao Qing , Noonan Vikki L. , Sundararajan Devaki , Salama Andrew , Truong Minh Tam
Published: December 2022

Background

This study evaluates the impact of depth of invasion (DOI) on local recurrence (LR) in node‐negative oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Methods

Fifty‐one patients were retrospectively reviewed from an institutional database. Patients were evaluated for local control (LC). Cox‐proportional hazards modeling was used to calculate hazard ratios.

Results

There were 84.3% T1/2 and 15.7% T3/4 classification tumors. The 3‐year overall survival rate was 97.9%. Local failure rate was 5.7% with a 3‐year LC of 93.6%. On Univariate analysis, increased hazard of LR was noted with each unit increase in DOI (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.07–1.83, p = 0.014). Age, sex, T classification, margins ≥5 mm, lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and perineural invasion (PNI), and adjuvant treatment were not associated with LR. On Multivariate analysis, adjusting for age and adjuvant treatment, results for DOI remained significant (aHR 1.46, 95% CI 1.08–1.98, p = 0.013).

Conclusion

On evaluation of our institutional dataset increasing DOI was associated with increased hazard of local recurrence with oral tongue SCC.
Lenalidomide treatment for recurrent adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Tanaka Takashi , Inamoto Yoshihiro , Ito Ayumu , Watanabe Mizuki , Takeda Wataru , Aoki Jun , Kim Sung‐Won , Fukuda Takahiro
Published: December 2022

Patients with recurrent adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo‐HCT) have a dismal prognosis. We retrospectively evaluated the safety and efficacy of lenalidomide (LEN) in 11 consecutive patients with recurrent ATL after allo‐HCT. The median time from allo‐HCT to ATL recurrence was 111 days (range, 20–1476), and that from allo‐HCT to the initiation of LEN was 162 days (range, 43–1560). The median initial daily dose of LEN was 10 mg (range, 5–25), and the median duration of LEN treatment was 37 days (range, 3–1078). Three patients (27%) achieved complete response and two (18%) achieved partial response (PR). The rates of complete or PR according to the involved site were 57% for skin and 50% for nodal or extranodal lesions. With a median follow‐up of 1033 days (range, 601–1465) among survivors, the 1‐year probability of overall survival (OS) after ATL recurrence was 55%. Grade ≥3 toxicities included cytopenia (n = 4), superficial vein thrombosis (n = 1), and deep vein thrombosis (n = 1). Graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) newly developed in five patients (45%) and worsened in four patients (36%). The median duration from the initiation of LEN to GVHD onset or worsening was 5 days (range, 1–9). GVHD was manageable in all patients. Seven patients received mogamulizumab (MOG) for recurrent ATL before LEN treatment. The overall response rates to LEN were 57% in patients who had previously received MOG and 25% in those who had not. The 1‐year probabilities of OS after recurrent ATL were 71% in patients who had previously received MOG and 25% in those who had not. Although cytopenia and GVHD are common among patients with recurrent ATL after allo‐HCT, LEN may improve survival. Administering MOG before LEN may augment treatment efficacy in the allo‐HCT population.
‘When my mummy and daddy aren't looking at me when I do my maths she helps me’; Children can be taught to create imaginary companions: An exploratory study
Authors: Davis Paige E. , King Nigel , Meins Elizabeth , Fernyhough Charles
Published: December 2022

Spontaneous imaginary companion (SIC) creation in childhood is a typical imaginative play behaviour associated with advanced sociocognitive skills; however, the direction of causality has not been established. To investigate this experimentally, researchers must determine whether children can create, on request, qualitatively equivalent imaginary companions (ICs) to those created spontaneously. We examined whether children could create ICs, and how these compared to SICs. Nine elementary school children were encouraged to create ICs in a 3‐month intervention. Accounts of elicited ICs were compared with an age‐matched sample of interviewees with SICs. Seven children maintained ICs for 6 months post intervention. Template analysis of IC interviews found four themes: Realistic Play, Multifaceted IC Mind, Utility of the IC, and Elicited IC Across Time. Analysis suggests elicited and SICs were similar in nature and utility, although intervention ICs tended to have animal rather than human appearances. Findings support the argument that children can be encouraged to create ICs similar to SICs.
Short-term hydromorphological and ecological responses of using woody structures for river restoration in a tailing-impacted tropical river
Authors: Furley Tatiana H. , Calado Sabrina Loise M. , Mendes Lucas B. , Chagas Katia R. , Andrade Douglas P. , Covre Barbiero Danielle , Alves Carlos Bernardo M. , Ivo Diógenis Belo Pedro , Ribeiro-Filho Paulo S. M. , Niencheski Luis Felipe H.
Published: December 2022

Gualaxo do Norte River (GNR), in southeastern Brazil, was impacted by iron ore tailings from the Fundão Dam rupture (November 2015). The deposition of tailings on the riverbed has changed the hydrogeomorphological characteristics of the GNR, resulting in a decrease in the diversity of physical habitats and ecological biodiversity. As part of the process of restoration and management of this damaged ecosystem, the river restoration project ReNaturalize was implemented to restructure the geomorphological characteristics and the physical habitat and to enhance the reestablishment of biota, mainly for macroinvertebrates and fishes. For this goal, 203 wooden structures, such as tree trunks, branches, and grass were installed in two sections of GNR (T6R and T7R), totaling 1.8 km long. The effectiveness of the project was evaluated by an assessment that followed a before and after and control and impacted (BACI) design. Upstream of each Restored reach there is a Control and a Reference reach. Four campaigns were carried out, two before and two after the restoration process. After 14 months of the woody installation, an increase in hydraulic retention in the restored reaches was observed (T6R—20.2%; T7R—63.5%), when compared with the Control reaches, which favored the accumulation of sediments (T6R—388 metric tons; T7R—396 metric tons). This enhanced the formation of natural tailings barriers and promoted the enrichment of substrate types (T6R—39.2%; T7R—43%). The benthic macroinvertebrate community showed an increase in the total abundance (T6—110%), including the most sensitive groups (T6R—124%; T7R—124%). For fish, the increase was up to 81.38% with hand nets capture, indicating the recruitment of juveniles, and the abundance and the biomass of some species were also higher (up to 100%) than the Control reaches. The results indicated that the Restored reach is already qualitatively and quantitatively better than the Control reach and similar to the Reference reach, indicating the success of the study. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:648–662. © 2022 SETAC
Longitudinal changes in term and preterm infant night wakings: The role of caregiver anxious‐depression
Authors: Lobermeier Michelle , Hicks Amanda , Staples Angela D. , Huth‐Bocks Alissa C. , Warschausky Seth , Taylor H. Gerry , Lukomski Angela , Brooks Judi , Lajiness‐O'Neill Renée
Published: December 2022

Changes in infant night waking during the first year of life are associated with individual (e.g., prematurity) and family (e.g., caregiver psychopathology) factors. This study examined the association between infant night waking and caregiver anxious‐depressive symptoms during the first year of life in preterm and term infants. We considered between‐person differences and within‐person changes in caregiver anxious‐depressive symptoms in relation to changes in infant night waking from 2‐ to 9‐months. Racially (30.0% Black, 60.4% White, 9.5% multiracial/other) and socioeconomically (40.0% below median household income) diverse caregivers (N = 445) of full term (n = 258) and preterm (n = 187) infants were recruited from hospitals and clinics in two midwestern states. Caregivers completed measures of anxious‐depression and their infant's night waking at four sampling periods (2‐, 4‐, 6‐, and 9‐months). Infant night wakings declined from 2‐ to 9‐months. Between‐person differences were observed, such that caregivers with higher average anxious‐depressive symptoms or infants born full term reported more night wakings. Within‐person effects of caregiver anxious‐depressive symptoms were not significant. Caregiver anxious‐depression is closely associated with infant night wakings. By considering a caregiver's average severity of anxious‐depression, healthcare providers can more effectively plan infant sleep interventions. If caregiver anxious‐depressive symptoms are ameliorated, night wakings may also decrease.
Investigation of biological activities of various 1,2,3‐triazole compounds: Their effects on cholinesterase enzymes, determination of antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial activity
Authors: Almaz Züleyha
Published: December 2022

1,2,3‐triazoles are pharmaceutically significant compounds that have attracted recent interest from medicinal chemists because of their important biological activities. Addressed herein, some 1,2,3‐triazoles were synthesized to investigate the inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes, antioxidant capacity, and antimicrobial effect. The antioxidant profile of 1,2,3‐triazoles determined by varied bioanalytical antioxidant methods, including 2,2′‐azino‐bis (3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS.+), 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazil (DPPH·), cupric ion (Cu2+) and ferric ion (Fe3+) ascorbic acid, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) were used as the standard compounds. In addition, the antibacterial and antifungal activities of these compounds were investigated against seven bacteria and three fungal species using the hollow agar method. As a result of these studies, it was determined that compound 4 showed the best antimicrobial activity and antioxidant activity close to the standards. Inhibitory effects and kinetic studies of these molecules on cholinesterase enzymes were performed. According to the results obtained, compound 4 showed stronger AChE inhibition and compound 3 stronger BChE inhibition compared to other compounds. In kinetic studies, it was found that AChE showed noncompetitive inhibition by compound 4, and BChE showed competitive inhibition by compound 3.
Cancer detection during the COVID‐19 pandemic—Experiences in primary care and recommendations for the future
Authors: Siepman Van den Berg Marinde F. R. , Grant Matthew , van Erp Nicole , van Gils Carla H. , Muris Jean , Brandenbarg Daan , van Asselt Kristel M. , de Wit Niek J. , Helsper Charles W. ,   COVID and Cancer‐NL Consortium
Published: December 2022

Background

To describe general practitioners (GPs) experiences with the impact COVID‐19 on the duration of cancer detection.

Methods

Cross‐sectional survey study among Dutch GPs.

Results

Fifty‐eight GPs participated. During the first wave, COVID‐19‐related delays were experienced by 88%, 52%, and 67% of GPs in the contact‐seeking, primary care, and referral phases, respectively. GPs reported delays due to telehealth consultations, longer waiting times and patient's concerns of COVID infections and overburdening GPs.

Conclusions

The majority of GPs experienced delays in cancer diagnostic processes during the beginning of the COVID pandemic, which was most prominent in the timeliness in which patients sought GP care.
The natural killer cell‐associated rs9916629‐C allele is a novel genetic risk factor for fatal COVID‐19
Authors: Vietzen Hannes , Furlano Philippe L. , Traugott Marianna , Totschnig David , Hoepler Wolfgang , Strassl Robert , Zoufaly Alexander , Puchhammer‐Stöckl Elisabeth
Published: December 2022

The severity of COVID‐19 is associated with individual genetic host factors. Among these, genetic polymorphisms affecting natural killer (NK) cell responses, as variations in the HLA‐E‐ (HLA‐E*0101/0103), FcγRIIIa‐ (FcγRIIIa‐158‐F/V), and NKG2C‐ (KLRC2wt/del) receptor, were associated with severe COVID‐19. Recently, the rs9916629‐C/T genetic polymorphism was identified that indirectly shape the human NK cell repertoire towards highly pro‐inflammatory CD56bright NK cells. We investigated whether the rs9916629‐C/T variants alone and in comparison to the other risk factors are associated with a fatal course of COVID‐19. We included 1042 hospitalized surviving and 159 nonsurviving COVID‐19 patients as well as 1000 healthy controls. rs9916629‐C/T variants were genotyped by TaqMan assays and were compared between the groups. The patients' age, comorbidities, HLA‐E*0101/0103, FcγRIIIa‐158‐F/V, and KLRC2wt/del variants were also determined. The presence of the rs9916629‐C allele was a risk factor for severe and fatal COVID‐19 (p < 0.0001), independent of the patients' age or comorbidities. Fatal COVID‐19 was more frequent in younger patients (<69.85 years) carrying the FcγRIIIa‐158‐V/V (p < 0.006) and in older patients expressing the KLRC2del variant (p < 0.003). Thus, patients with the rs9916629‐C allele have a significantly increased risk for fatal COVID‐19 and identification of the genetic variants may be used as prognostic marker for hospitalized COVID‐19 patients.
Site formation processes at Cenjiawan (Nihewan Basin, North China): a case study on the structure of the Early Pleistocene archaeological record in lakeshore environments
Authors: DONGDONG  , PEI SHUWEN , XIE FEI , DE LA TORRE IGNACIO , DING XIN , YE ZHI
Published: December 2022

Lakeshore environments offer an excellent opportunity to explore how early humans adapted to changing landscapes and environments. The Nihewan fluvio‐lacustrine sequence in North China contains one of the densest concentrations of Early Pleistocene Palaeolithic sites outside of Africa. Among these, the Cenjiawan site, dated at 1.1 Ma, draws attention due to the large number of stone tool refits. We present here Cenjiawan's sedimentary context, artefact spatial patterns, size distribution and taphonomic features, which are complemented by an experimental programme to better understand archaeological debitage size patterns, thus enabling a detailed analysis of formation processes at the site. The Cenjiawan assemblage is also interpreted in the light of its geographical and geological context, where a synsedimentary fault induced a minor topographic relief across the lacustrine lakeshore. This resulted in a shallow‐water setting in the down‐thrown hanging wall of the fault compartment, and a fluvial environment in the uplifted footwall. Our results indicate that Cenjiawan, situated in the hanging wall of the fault, underwent minimal disturbance, constituting a remarkable example of optimal preservation of archaeological assemblages in Early Pleistocene lakeshore environments.
TheCONSENSYSapproach: An instrument to supportCONtextual SENsitivityinSYStematicreviews
Authors: Bengough Theresa , Sommer Isolde , Hannes Karin
Published: December 2022

Contextual factors such as cultural values and traditions impact on implementation processes of healthcare interventions. It is one of the reasons why local stakeholders may decide to role out a programme differently from how it has originally been developed or described in scientific literature. This can result in different but most likely more context‐specific outcomes. Systematic reviews are considered important in answering what works, for whom and in which circumstances. They often include a section on implications for policymakers and practitioners, in which they discuss relevant options to engage with. Implementation sections are coloured by the cultural background, theoretical and disciplinary perspective of the reviewers formulating them. They do not necessarily consider local contexts in which the evidence needs to be applied, hence the recommendations may be too general to be useful. When policy makers and practitioners implement systematic review findings the evidence presented needs to be translated to their local context. We propose CONSENSYS, an instrument that facilitates the transfer from review evidence into practice. CONSENSYS contains 52 contextual factors categorised as either of ecological and socio‐cultural relevance or pitched as influencing actor. CONSENSYS is relevant for reviewers because it supports them in structuring and formulating context‐sensitive implications sections. It may also guide end‐users of systematic reviews in translating review evidence for use in local policies and practices. CONSENSYS is the first rigorously developed instrument that focusses on implications for policy and practice sections in systematic reviews.
Mixed cropping with duck co‐culture: an agroecological system to improve grain quality and farm profitability
Authors: Li Meijuan , Li Ronghua , Zhang Jiaen , Liu Shiwei , Hei Zewen , Wang Qi
Published: December 2022

BACKGROUND

Previous studies found that mixed cropping combined with duck co‐culture (MCDC) system could improve the efficiency of grain production and positively affect soil nutrient contents. However, the effects on grain quality, and profitable income have not been evaluated yet. In this study, a field experiment with four combinations of different rice varieties and ducks was conducted during both the early and late rice growing seasons.

RESULTS

The field survey demonstrated that MCDC system significantly decreased the grain appearance of chalky rice rate and the chalkiness degree with an average of 56.82%, and 54.28%, respectively. Leaf SPAD value, photosynthetic rate, and aboveground dry weight were all improved in the MCDC and mixed‐cropping systems, relative to the mono‐cropping system. The net income obtained from the mono‐cropping, mixed cropping (no ducks), and MCDC (with ducks) systems (from grain and ducks' meat) was 581.2 USD ha−1 yr−1, 1001.8 USD ha−1 yr−1, and 5242.1 USD ha−1 yr−1 in both growing seasons, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Planting genetically diverse rice varieties and co‐culture with ducks increased rice growth rates, productivity and grain quality. The MCDC system would provide more ecological and economic benefits compared with the conventional mono‐cropping system. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Oncological impact of intraperitoneal chemotherapy after cytoreductive surgery for patients with colorectal peritoneal metastasis: A bi‐institutional retrospective analysis
Authors: Park Soo Yeun , Park Jun Seok , Kim Hye Jin , Kim Jong Gwang , Kang Byung Woog , Baek Jin Ho , Kim Hyeong Rok , Kim Chang Hyun , Kim Young Jin , Choi Gyu‐Seog
Published: December 2022

Background and objectives

There is a paucity of evidence on the value of intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC) following cytoreductive surgery (CRS) for colorectal peritoneal metastasis. This study aimed to evaluate the association between mitomycin C‐IPC and survival outcomes following CRS.

Methods

The institutional databases of two tertiary hospitals were reviewed to identify patients who underwent CRS for colorectal peritoneal metastasis. The outcomes of patients who underwent CRS without IPC were compared with those of patients who underwent CRS plus early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC) or CRS plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). The primary endpoints were cancer‐specific survival (CSS), progression‐free survival (PFS), and peritoneal PFS (P‐PFS).

Results

In 149 patients with peritoneal metastasis alone, EPIC and HIPEC use was significantly associated with better CSS, PFS, and P‐PFS in the multivariate analysis. CSS was also significantly associated with perioperative systemic chemotherapy. Among 42 patients with both peritoneal and extraperitoneal metastases, CSS was independently related to the completeness of cytoreduction score, location of extraperitoneal metastasis, and grade 3–4 complications.

Conclusions

Mitomycin C‐IPC after CRS was associated with better survival outcomes than CRS alone in patients with resectable peritoneal metastasis of colorectal cancer. This study found that IPC had beneficial effects regarding P‐PFS in patients with both peritoneal and extraperitoneal metastases.
Human decimation caused bottleneck effect, genetic drift, and inbreeding in the Canarian houbara bustard
Authors: Horreo Jose L. , Ucero Alberto , Palacín Carlos , López‐Solano Alfonso , Abril‐Colón Inmaculada , Alonso Juan C.
Published: December 2022

An endangered subspecies of the African houbara bustard, the Canarian houbara (Chlamydotis undulata fuertaventurae), is endemic to the Canary Islands off southern Morocco (Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and La Graciosa islands). This population decreased over the last centuries because of hunting and egg collection, and was close to extinction in Lanzarote around the middle of last century. Later, the species recovered because of hunting bans, but in Fuerteventura a significant decline has again occurred in the last decades and houbaras are on the brink of extirpation on that island. We describe the genetic characteristics and recent evolutionary history of this subspecies to provide essential information for the evaluation of the conservation actions implemented and for the development of new measures to prevent further declines and local extirpations. We amplified microsatellite loci to infer genetic variability, population structure, and gene flow. The subspecies exhibited relatively high genetic variability but reduced heterozygosity. In spite of high gene flow among locations and islands, we identified 2 genetic units: 1 comprising La Graciosa and Fuerteventura islands, and the other restricted to Lanzarote. We detected genetic bottlenecks and subsequent inbreeding in both units, with a reduced effective number of alleles in Lanzarote compared to Fuerteventura‐La Graciosa. This genetic structure may be explained by human‐induced historical population declines and an associated bottleneck effect, particularly in Lanzarote. Conservation measures should aim to recover the houbara population of Fuerteventura, improving survival of adults and juvenile productivity, and to ensure that genetic flow continues among breeding locations and islands to recover the original population structure (an unique genetic unit over the range of the species) and prevent further genetic deterioration, which could lead to extirpation of this endemic subspecies.
A device for assessing microbial activity under ambient hydrostatic pressure: The in situ microbial incubator (ISMI)
Authors: Amano Chie , Reinthaler Thomas , Sintes Eva , Varela Marta M. , Stefanschitz Julia , Kaneko Sho , Nakano Yoshiyuki , Borchert Wolfgang , Herndl Gerhard J. , Utsumi Motoo
Published: December 2022

Microbes in the dark ocean are exposed to hydrostatic pressure increasing with depth. Activity rate measurements and biomass production of dark ocean microbes are, however, almost exclusively performed under atmospheric pressure conditions due to technical constraints of sampling equipment maintaining in situ pressure conditions. To evaluate the microbial activity under in situ hydrostatic pressure, we designed and thoroughly tested an in situ microbial incubator (ISMI). The ISMI allows autonomously collecting and incubating seawater at depth, injection of substrate and fixation of the samples after a preprogramed incubation time. The performance of the ISMI was tested in a high‐pressure tank and in several field campaigns under ambient hydrostatic pressure by measuring prokaryotic bulk 3H‐leucine incorporation rates. Overall, prokaryotic leucine incorporation rates were lower at in situ pressure conditions than under to depressurized conditions reaching only about 50% of the heterotrophic microbial activity measured under depressurized conditions in bathypelagic waters in the North Atlantic Ocean off the northwestern Iberian Peninsula. Our results show that the ISMI is a valuable tool to reliably determine the metabolic activity of deep‐sea microbes at in situ hydrostatic pressure conditions. Hence, we advocate that deep‐sea biogeochemical and microbial rate measurements should be performed under in situ pressure conditions to obtain a more realistic view on deep‐sea biotic processes.
Gas‐phase Förster resonance energy transfer in mass‐selected and trapped ions
Authors: Langeland Jeppe , Lindkvist Thomas T. , Kjær Christina , Nielsen Steen Brøndsted
Published: December 2022

Förster Resonance Energy transfer (FRET) is a nonradiative process that may occur from an electronically excited donor to an acceptor when the emission spectrum of the donor overlaps with the absorption spectrum of the acceptor. FRET experiments have been done in the gas phase based on specially designed mass‐spectroscopy setups with the goal to obtain structural information on biomolecular ions labeled with a FRET pair (i.e., donor and acceptor dyes) and to shed light on the energy‐transfer process itself. Ions are accumulated in a radio‐frequency ion trap or a Penning trap where mass selection of those of interest takes place, followed by photoexcitation. Gas‐phase FRET is identified from detection of emitted light either from the donor, the acceptor, or both, or from a fragmentation channel that is specific to the acceptor when electronically excited. The challenge associated with the first approach is the collection and detection of photons emitted from a thin ion cloud that is not easily accessible while the second approach relies both on the photophysical and chemical behavior of the acceptor. In this review, we present the different instrumentation used for gas‐phase FRET, including a discussion of advantages and disadvantages, and examples on how the technique has provided important structural information that is not easily obtainable otherwise. Furthermore, we describe how the spectroscopic properties of the dyes are affected by nearby electric fields, which is readily discernable from experiments on simple model systems with alkyl or π‐conjugated bridges. Such spectral changes can have a significant effect on the FRET efficiency. Ideas for new directions are presented at the end with special focus on cold‐ion spectroscopy.
Establishment and verification of a radiomics nomogram to predict distant metastasis in patients with descending type of nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Yang Qin , Chen Yu , Huang Rui , Yin Wenya , Zhang Shuang , Tang Qianlong , Chen Xinyue , Lang Jinyi , Yin Gang , Zhang Peng
Published: December 2022

Distant metastasis is one of the main reasons for the failure of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treatment, and descending type of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (type D NPC) is more prone to distant metastasis. Few people have explored the relationship between the radiomics characteristics of lymph nodes and the distant metastasis of type D NPC. Therefore, we establish a nomogram based on radiomics risk factors to predict distant metastasis in patients with type D NPC. This study retrospectively included 144 type D NPC (T1‐2N2‐3MO, AJCC 8th). 2600 features were extracted each from CT and MRI examinations conducted before treatment, respectively. Feature selection was performed by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression. A binary logistic regression model was used to construct a nomogram, and the C‐index and calibration curve were used to evaluate the discrimination and accuracy of the nomogram. Combining CT and MRI radiomics features with a multimodal radiomics model, the average area under curve of the synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) data set was 0.873 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.797–0.949). The C‐index in the training and validation sets of the original data set were 0.91 (95% CI: 0.848–0.972) and 0.815 (95% CI: 0.664–0.967); the sensitivity were 0.75 and 0.545, the specificity were 0.932 and 0.903, and the accuracy were 0.882 and 0.81. Therefore, we concluded that the multimodal radiomics model in predicting distant metastasis in descending type of NPC patients was good. The proposed model can provide a reference for precise treatment and prognosis prediction.
Automatic segmentation of the tumor in nonsmall‐cell lung cancer by combining coarse and fine segmentation
Authors: Zhang Fuli , Wang Qiusheng , Fan Enyu , Lu Na , Chen Diandian , Jiang Huayong , Wang Yadi
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Radiotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of nonsmall‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Accurate delineation of tumor is the key to successful radiotherapy. Compared with the commonly used manual delineation ways, which are time‐consuming and laborious, the automatic segmentation methods based on deep learning can greatly improve the treatment efficiency.

Methods

In this paper, we introduce an automatic segmentation method by combining coarse and fine segmentations for NSCLC. Coarse segmentation network is the first level, identifing the rough region of the tumor. In this network, according to the tissue structure distribution of the thoracic cavity where tumor is located, we designed a competition method between tumors and organs at risk (OARs), which can increase the proportion of the identified tumor covering the ground truth and reduce false identification. Fine segmentation network is the second level, carrying out precise segmentation on the results of the coarse level. These two networks are independent of each other during training. When they are used, morphological processing of small scale corrosion and large scale expansion is used for the coarse segmentation results, and the outcomes are sent to the fine segmentation part as input, so as to achieve the complementary advantages of the two networks.

Results

In the experiment, CT images of 200 patients with NSCLC are used to train the network, and CT images of 60 patients are used to test. Finally, our method produced the Dice similarity coefficient of 0.78 ± 0.10.

Conclusions

The experimental results show that the proposed method can accurately segment the tumor with NSCLC, and can also provide support for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Telehealth education and training in entry‐to‐practice physiotherapy programs in Australian universities: A qualitative study with university educators
Authors: Davies Luke , Lawford Belinda , Bennell Kim L. , Russell Trevor , Hinman Rana S.
Published: December 2022

Background

To explore attitudes to telehealth education and experiences incorporating telehealth education into entry‐to‐practice physiotherapy programs in Australia, from the perspective of university educators.

Methods

Qualitative design based on a constructivist paradigm and a phenomenological approach. Sixteen university educators (who had a responsibility for telehealth curriculum or oversight of the broader curriculum in an entry‐to‐practice physiotherapy programme at an Australian university) were recruited. Individual semi‐structured interviews were conducted via Zoom. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed thematically using an inductive approach.

Results

Three themes (with associated subthemes) were identified: (i) telehealth education has a role in contemporary physiotherapy practice (COVID‐19 pandemic was a driver for telehealth education, acknowledgement that telehealth is here to stay and identified areas of focus for telehealth education and training); (ii) telehealth education and training vary substantially (content delivered and assessment of telehealth competency is ad hoc and student exposure to telehealth on clinical placements is inconsistent); (iii) challenges in telehealth education (finding space and time in the curriculum, as well as insufficient knowledge and expertise of staff, are challenges for implementation of telehealth education, however, course and subject development and/or reviews provide opportunities for implementing telehealth education and training).

Conclusion

Current content and volume of telehealth education and training in entry‐to‐practice physiotherapy programs across Australia varies substantially. Although educators believe telehealth is an important component of contemporary physiotherapy practice, many barriers exist for including telehealth training into the curriculum.
Implementing the classroom password game via telehealth among students with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Meyers Lauren M. , Ripple Hailey , Bates‐Brantley Kayla , Bobak Harry , VanderWoude Tashina , Gadke Daniel L.
Published: December 2022

Educational institutions are constantly aiming to better meet the academic needs of individuals with disabilities. As more students with disabilities attend postsecondary education settings researchers need to better understand how to apply both academic and behavioral interventions to better serve this population. Group contingencies are widely popular among educational settings to increase academic engagement and manage classroom behavior. More specifically, the classroom password is an independent group contingency intervention, often utilized in classroom settings to increase academic engagement and decrease disruptive and off‐task behaviors. Utilizing a single case design withdrawal design, researchers sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the classroom password intervention to increase academic engagement and decrease disruptive and off‐task behavior. Due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, researchers utilized the classroom password via telehealth. Overall, the current study's results demonstrate that the intervention was effective at increasing academic engagement and decreasing disruptive and off‐task behavior. Furthermore, the intervention was rated high for social validity among most participants. Future studies should continue to explore the effectiveness, generalizability, and maintenance of these results.
Regulatory dynamics distinguishing desiccation tolerance strategies within resurrection grasses
Authors: St. Aubin Brian , Wai Ching Man , Kenchanmane Raju Sunil K. , Niederhuth Chad E. , VanBuren Robert
Published: December 2022

Desiccation tolerance has evolved recurrently in grasses using two unique strategies of either protecting or dismantling the photosynthetic apparatus to minimize photooxidative damage under life without water (anhydrobiosis). Here, we surveyed chromatin architecture and gene expression during desiccation in two closely related grasses with distinguishing desiccation tolerance strategies to identify regulatory dynamics underlying these unique adaptations. In both grasses, we observed a strong association between nearby chromatin accessibility and gene expression in desiccated tissues compared to well‐watered, reflecting an unusual chromatin stability under anhydrobiosis. Integration of chromatin accessibility (ATACseq) and expression data (RNAseq) revealed a core desiccation response across these two grasses. This includes many genes with binding sites for the core seed development transcription factor ABI5, supporting the long‐standing hypothesis that vegetative desiccation tolerance evolved from rewiring seed pathways. Oropetium thomaeum has a unique set of desiccation induced genes and regulatory elements associated with photoprotection, pigment biosynthesis, and response to high light, reflecting its adaptation of protecting the photosynthetic apparatus under desiccation (homoiochlorophyly). By contrast, Eragrostis nindensis has unique accessible and expressed genes related to chlorophyll catabolism, scavenging of amino acids, and hypoxia, highlighting its poikilochlorophyllous adaptations of dismantling the photosynthetic apparatus and degrading chlorophyll under desiccation. Together, our results highlight the complex regulatory and expression dynamics underlying desiccation tolerance in grasses.
Chaotic Image Encryption Based on Boson Sampling
Authors: Shi Jinjing , Zhao Tongge , Wang Yizhi , Feng Yanyan , Wu Junjie
Published: December 2022

As a fundamental form of information representation, image encryption is a significant research issue in the multimedia era. An image encryption scheme is proposed benefiting from chaotic random behavior characteristics of Boson sampling (BS) probability distribution, where the chaotic random number sequence is used to implement the encryption process including scrambling image pixels and altering the values of pixels. Further, a BS‐based image encryption prototype system is constructed on the programmable silicon photonic processor chip for BS with 5‐mode 2‐photon, which can encrypt 4 × 4 grayscale images. Besides, experiments for encrypting 256 × 256 gray‐scale images with 20‐mode 8‐photon BS are simulated on the StrawberryFields photonic quantum software platform. Numerical analyses demonstrate the proposed scheme has good effectiveness in terms of randomness test, information entropy, histogram, correlation, key space, key sensitivity, and anti‐attack, offering gains in many cryptographic applications. The BS‐based image encryption prototype system extends the application of BS to solve practical problems in addition to proving quantum advantages.
Improving the routine analysis of siderite for δ13C and δ18O in environmental change research
Authors: Lacey Jack H. , Sloane Hilary J. , Leng Melanie J. , Crowley Stephen F.
Published: December 2022

Rationale

The carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) isotope composition of siderite (FeCO3) is used widely to understand and quantify geochemical processes to reconstruct past climate and environmental change. However, few laboratories follow precisely the same protocol for the preparation and analysis of siderite‐bearing materials, which combined with the absence of international reference materials and mineral‐specific acid fractionation factors, leads potentially to significant differences in isotope data generated by individual laboratories. Here we examine procedures for the isotope analysis of siderite and discuss factors potentially contributing to inconsistencies in sample measurement data.

Methods

Isotope analysis of siderite is first assessed using similar versions of the classical off‐line, sealed vessel acid digestion method by comparing data sets obtained from intercomparison materials measured at two participating laboratories. We then compare data from the classical method against those generated using an automated preparation technique using data produced from an independent set of test materials.

Results

Measurement of siderite δ13C is generally both repeatable and reproducible, but measurement of δ18O may be subject to large (~1‰), method‐dependent bias for siderite reacted at differing temperatures (70°C and 100°C) under classical and automated CO2 preparation conditions. The potential for poor oxygen isotope measurement reproducibility is amplified by local differences in sample preparation protocols and procedures used to calibrate measurement data to international reference scales.

Conclusions

We offer suggestions for improving the repeatability and reproducibility of δ13C and δ18O analysis on siderite. The challenge of producing consistent isotope data from siderite can only be resolved by ensuring the availability of siderite reference materials to facilitate identical treatment as a basis for minimising method‐dependent contributions to data inconsistency between laboratories.
Event‐triggered robust control for multi‐player nonzero‐sum games with input constraints and mismatched uncertainties
Authors: Zhang Shunchao , Zhao Bo , Liu Derong , Alippi Cesare , Zhang Yongwei
Published: December 2022

In this article, an event‐triggered robust control (ETRC) method is investigated for multi‐player nonzero‐sum games of continuous‐time input constrained nonlinear systems with mismatched uncertainties. By constructing an auxiliary system and designing an appropriate value function, the robust control problem of input constrained nonlinear systems is transformed into an optimal regulation problem. Then, a critic neural network (NN) is adopted to approximate the value function of each player for solving the event‐triggered coupled Hamilton–Jacobi equation and obtaining control laws. Based on a designed event‐triggering condition, control laws are updated when events occur only. Thus, both computational burden and communication bandwidth are reduced. We prove that the weight approximation errors of critic NNs and the closed‐loop uncertain multi‐player system states are all uniformly ultimately bounded thanks to the Lyapunov's direct method. Finally, two examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed ETRC method.
Elemental composition and thickness determination of thin films by electron probe microanalysis
Authors: Terborg Ralf , Kim Kyung Joong , Hodoroaba Vasile‐Dan
Published: December 2022

Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) applies to solid samples of homogenous (bulk) chemical composition and can usually not be applied to structures which are inhomogeneous in the micrometer range such as thin film systems down to a few nm. However, in combination with the established thin film software Stratagem, the thickness as well as the elemental composition of thin films on a substrate can be determined. This has been recently successfully demonstrated for Fe‐Ni on Si and Si‐Ge on Al2O3 thin film systems. For both systems five samples of different elemental composition and a reference were produced and characterised by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS), Rutherford backscattering (RBS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as reference values. Last year, a new and open‐source thin film evaluation programme called BadgerFilm has been released. It can also be used to determine thin film composition and thickness from intensity ratios of the unknown sample and standards (k‐ratios). In this contribution, we re‐evaluated the data acquired for the Fe‐Ni and Si‐Ge systems using the BadgerFilm software package and compared the obtained elemental compositions and thickness values with the results of the Stratagem software and the reference methods. The conclusion is that the BadgerFilm software shows good agreement with the elemental composition and thickness calculated by Stratagem (mostly <2% for both composition and thickness) and with the reference values for two representative thin film systems (<1%–2% for composition and <10%–20% for thickness).
State capacity and the socialist calculation debate
Authors: Bunyk Mykola , Krasnozhon Leonid
Published: December 2022

Despite its invaluable contribution to the field of comparative economics, the socialist calculation debate has focused on the narrow topic of the impossibility of the rational economic calculation under socialism. The literature on new institutional economics suggests that economic development is determined by economic and political institutions which are far more complex than the issue of economic calculation. To bridge the gap between the calculation debate and new institutional economics, this paper utilizes the historical case studies of Perestroika and Deng's China to demonstrate relationship between state capacity and economic calculation. We argue that rational economic calculation requires the state's institutional ability to make a credible commitment to constraints inhibiting public predation.
Changes in teachers' beliefs: A longitudinal study of science teachers engaging in storyline curriculum‐based professional development
Authors: Lowell Benjamin R. , McNeill Katherine L.
Published: December 2022

Reforms such as the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) call for substantial change in teacher practice such as instruction that is more phenomenon‐based, three‐dimensional, supportive of student epistemic agency, and coherent from the student perspective. Such change requires ongoing support in the form of aligned curricular materials and professional development (PD), but little work has been done to understand how teachers respond to PD over time in the NGSS era. Therefore, this study investigated how teachers' beliefs about science instruction and self‐efficacy in implementing a reform science curriculum changed over time. Using survey data from the field test of the OpenSciEd middle school curriculum implementation, we tracked changes in teaching beliefs and self‐efficacy beliefs in 322 teachers over 2 years, which included four rounds of PD workshops and implementation of four new curricular units. Teachers' teaching beliefs and self‐efficacy beliefs changed initially and leveled out over time, but self‐efficacy took longer to change than teaching beliefs. This suggests that teachers may require more time, iteration, or enactment to increase their confidence in implementing new instruction as compared to their beliefs in the value of the new approach. Using hierarchical linear modeling, we identified teacher characteristics associated with differences in those changes. Teachers who had more experience and found the PD more valuable were less likely to hold traditional teaching beliefs and more likely to have higher self‐efficacy. Of these variables, teachers' value of the PD is particularly interesting because it can be designed for. Based on these results, we argue that PD should be designed to build trust and to provide a rationale for PD activities for participants to help understand the value of the experiences.
Probing the Sociocultural Relevance of TESOL in Three Stories of Becoming an English Teacher
Authors: Mirhosseini Seyyed‐Abdolhamid , Bayat Golgis
Published: December 2022

Although critical views of language education have redefined teacher roles, teachers' understanding of their own position within the ideological contestations surrounding language teaching is not widely investigated. This narrative study explores the perspectives of three Iranian English language teachers on the sociocultural roles and responsibilities that they may assume for themselves and examines how such perspectives are shaped. In extensive multi‐session narrative interviews, the participants shared their stories of becoming a teacher, starting from their retrospection on teacher roles during their language learning. Our narrative analysis depicts their different trajectories of shaping conceptions of language teachers' sociocultural roles in three stages: as a language learner, as a student teacher, and as a beginner teacher. On this basis, their narrative accounts of becoming English teachers appear to indicate that critical sociocultural views still play a marginal role in actual teacher preparation processes and the field needs to further embrace critical approaches to language teacher education aimed at raising English language teachers' awareness of their sociocultural responsibility. Moreover, our participants' narratives illustrate that understanding the genesis of language teachers' teaching philosophies requires a wide perspective of their long‐term background of learning (to teach) the language.