bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Barley grain protein is influenced by genotype, environment, and nitrogen management and is the major driver of malting quality
Authors: Halstead Margaret , Morrissy Campbell , Fisk Scott , Fox Glen , Hayes Patrick , Carrijo Daniela
Published: September 2022

Malted barley (Hordeum vulgare) is a crucial component of beer, and it has been established that barley genotype has an effect on malting quality and beer flavor. This study extends this exploration by evaluating the effects of genotype, environment, and management on malting quality. Five fall‐planted malting barley lines were grown in three locations, each representing a distinct growing environment in the Pacific Northwest (United States), and under nitrogen (N) treatments: control (N1) and N application at heading in addition to the control (N2). Genotype × location interactions were observed for all agronomic (yield, test weight) and grain quality metrics (grain protein, plumpness), and N treatment × genotype interactions were observed for grain protein and plumpness. Overall, N2 increased grain protein, without exceeding specifications, by almost 1% point. Based on random forest analysis, the major driver of all‐malt index score was grain protein, followed by peak gelatinization temperature, germination energy, and water sensitivity. Still, over 70% of variation in all‐malt index score was unexplained, which is likely due to genotype and location differences, as indicated by principal component analysis. This research confirms the agronomic potential of fall‐planted malting barley in the Pacific Northwest and, although micromalted samples did not meet industry specifications, trends were identified that indicate the potential for these varieties at these locations. This research also demonstrates the potential of N management to fine‐tune malting quality through grain protein, and that malting quality is influenced by genotype and environment, though many of the specific drivers remain unknown.
Rational Design of Functional Electrolytes Towards Commercial Dual‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Jiang Hongzhu , Chen Zheng , Yang Yuanyuan , Fan Cheng , Zhao Jingwen , Cui Guanglei
Published: September 2022

Dual‐ion batteries (DIBs) based on anion (de)intercalation into low‐cost graphitic carbon cathodes hold great promise in grid‐scale energy storage. Different from the electrolyte in rocking‐chair batteries, which only serves as a charge transporter, both cations and anions in the electrolyte for DIBs participate in battery reactions. Hence, the impact of the electrolyte formulation on cycle life, energy density, as well as cost has become a subject of vital importance. This review discussed the challenges and recent progress of electrolytes for DIBs, with a particular focus on the exploration of electrolytes with high oxidation stability, high salt concentration, high ionic conductivity, and low cost. Moreover, the influence of varied ion concentrations at different state‐of‐charge levels on the electrolyte properties such as ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability is analyzed. Finally, perspectives on the current limitations and future research directions of electrolytes for DIBs are provided.
Is Pilates more effective and cost‐effective than aerobic exercise in the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome? A randomized controlled trial with economic evaluation
Authors: Franco Katherinne Ferro Moura , Miyamoto Gisela Cristiane , Franco Yuri Rafael dos Santos , Salvador Evany Maira Espírito Santo , do Nascimento Bruna Cristina Brajon , Menten Laura Alves , Cabral Cristina Maria Nunes
Published: September 2022

Background

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness of Pilates versus aerobic exercises in the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome from a societal perspective.

Methods

This two‐arm randomized controlled trial with blinded assessor and economic evaluation included 98 patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome using the American College of Rheumatology 2010 criteria, aged between 20 and 75 years, and pain intensity ≥3 points in the Pain Numerical Rating Scale. Patients were randomly allocated into the aerobic or Pilates group. Treatment was performed twice a week for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was the impact of fibromyalgia measured 8 weeks after randomization. Cost‐effectiveness and cost‐utility analyses were conducted for the impact of fibromyalgia and quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALYs), respectively, with a 12‐month time horizon.

Results

There was no difference between the groups for the impact of fibromyalgia (MD: 6.5 points; 95% CI: −1.8 to 14.9). The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio showed that 1‐point increase in the impact of fibromyalgia was on average associated with a societal cost of £56 for the Pilates group compared to the aerobic group. The cost‐utility analysis showed that the Pilates group had a 0.71 probability of being cost‐effective at a willingness‐to‐pay of £30,000 per QALY gained.

Conclusion

There was no significant difference between groups for the impact of fibromyalgia. Pilates was not cost‐effective compared to aerobic exercises for the impact of fibromyalgia. However, Pilates seemed to be the preferred option of treatment considering QALYs, although it depends on the willingness‐to‐pay threshold.

Significance

Pilates showed to be a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. Pilates presented similar results for the impact of fibromyalgia and superior results for pain relief compared to aerobic exercises, a highly recommended intervention for the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome. Pilates was not cost‐effective compared to aerobic exercises for the impact of fibromyalgia. However, Pilates seemed to be a cost‐effective intervention for QALYs, depending on the decision‐maker's willingness‐to‐pay threshold.
Test–retest reliability of diffusion tensor imaging scalars in 5‐year‐olds
Authors: Rosberg Aylin , Tuulari Jetro J. , Kumpulainen Venla , Lukkarinen Minna , Pulli Elmo P. , Silver Eero , Copeland Anni , Saukko Ekaterina , Saunavaara Jani , Lewis John D. , Karlsson Linnea , Karlsson Hasse , Merisaari Harri
Published: September 2022

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has provided great insights into the microstructural features of the developing brain. However, DTI images are prone to several artifacts and the reliability of DTI scalars is of paramount importance for interpreting and generalizing the findings of DTI studies, especially in the younger population. In this study, we investigated the intrascan test–retest repeatability of four DTI scalars: fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD) in 5‐year‐old children (N = 67) with two different data preprocessing approaches: a volume censoring pipeline and an outlier replacement pipeline. We applied a region of interest (ROI) and a voxelwise analysis after careful quality control, tensor fitting and tract‐based spatial statistics. The data had three subsets and each subset included 31, 32, or 33 directions thus a total of 96 unique uniformly distributed diffusion encoding directions per subject. The repeatability of DTI scalars was evaluated with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC(3,1)) and the variability between test and retest subsets. The results of both pipelines yielded good to excellent (ICC(3,1) > 0.75) reliability for most of the ROIs and an overall low variability (<10%). In the voxelwise analysis, FA and RD had higher ICC(3,1) values compared to AD and MD and the variability remained low (<12%) across all scalars. Our results suggest high intrascan repeatability in pediatric DTI and lend confidence to the use of the data in future cross‐sectional and longitudinal studies.
The business models employed by U.S. colleges & universities
Authors: Cardenas Artemio , Cheslock John
Published: September 2022

This chapter is intended for practitioners and scholars seeking to learn more about organizational finances. A hallmark of the U.S. higher education system is its heterogeneity. From research universities to community colleges, each institution seeks to excel in serving its respective mission. To do so, the institution must have a viable business model that ensures it generates sufficient revenue to offset expenditures. This article describes the business models currently used by different sectors of higher education, emerging threats to those business models, and the potential strategies that can be employed in response to those threats.
CD11b+CD43hiLy6Clo splenocyte‐derived macrophages exacerbate liver fibrosis via spleen–liver axis
Authors: Zhang Shaoying , Wan Dan , Zhu Mengchen , Wang Guihu , Zhang Xurui , Huang Na , Zhang Jian , Zhang Chongyu , Shang Qi , Zhang Chen , Liu Xi , Liang Fanfan , Zhang Chunyan , Kong Guangyao , Geng Jing , Yao Libo , Lu Shemin , Chen Yongyan , Li Zongfang
Published: September 2022

Background and Aims:

Monocyte‐derived macrophages (MoMFs), a dominant population of hepatic macrophages under inflammation, play a crucial role in liver fibrosis progression. The spleen serves as an extra monocyte reservoir in inflammatory conditions; however, the precise mechanisms of involvement of the spleen in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis remain unclear.

Approach and Results:

By splenectomy and splenocyte transfusion, it was observed that splenic CD11b+ cells accumulated intrahepatically as Ly6Clo MoMFs to exacerbate CCl4‐induced liver fibrosis. The splenocyte migration into the fibrotic liver was further directly visualized by spleen‐specific photoconversion with KikGR mice and confirmed by CD45.1+/CD45.2+ spleen transplantation. Spleen‐derived CD11b+ cells purified from fibrotic livers were then annotated by single‐cell RNA sequencing, and a subtype of CD11b+CD43hiLy6Clo splenic monocytes (sM‐1s) was identified, which was markedly expanded in both spleens and livers of mice with liver fibrosis. sM‐1s exhibited mature feature with high expressions of F4/80, produced much ROS, and manifested preferential migration into livers. Once recruited, sM‐1s underwent sequential transformation to sM‐2s (highly expressed Mif, Msr1, Clec4d, and Cstb) and then to spleen‐derived macrophages (sMφs) with macrophage features of higher expressions of CX3CR1, F4/80, MHC class II, and CD64 in the fibrotic hepatic milieu. Furthermore, sM‐2s and sMφs were demonstrated capable of activating hepatic stellate cells and thus exacerbating liver fibrosis.

Conclusions:

CD11b+CD43hiLy6Clo splenic monocytes migrate into the liver and shift to macrophages, which account for the exacerbation of liver fibrosis. These findings reveal precise mechanisms of spleen–liver axis in hepatic pathogenesis and shed light on the potential of sM‐1 as candidate target for controlling liver diseases.
Definition of a tool to assess shared decision‐making (SDM) on women with breast cancer: A value‐based approach
Authors: Angioletti Carmen , de Mattia Egidio , Carloni Luca M. , Morsella Alisha , Fabi Alessandra , Orlandi Armando , Tortora Giampaolo , de Belvis Antonio G.
Published: September 2022

Background and Aims

In oncology, there is increasing talk of personalized treatment and shared decision‐making (SDM), especially when multiple treatment options are available with different outcomes depending on patient preference. The present study aimed to define the set of main dimensions and relative tools to assess the Value brought to patients from a Breast Cancer's Clinical pathway structured according to a dynamic SDM framework.

Methods

Starting from our previous systematic review of the literature, a deep search of the main evidence‐based and already validated questionnaires was carried out. In the second phase, to corroborate this grid, a Delphi survey was conducted to assess each questionnaire identified for each dimension, against the following seven value‐based criteria: Clinical Benefit, Safety, Care Team Well Being, Patient Reported Outcomes Measures, Green Oncology, Impact on Health Budget, and Genomic Profile.

Results

The resulting 7‐dimension questionnaire is composed of 72 questions. Of these, some quantitatively and objectively assess the evolution of the patient's disease state, whereas others aim to ask patients about their active involvement in decisions affecting them and to investigate whether they were free to explore their preferences. Furthermore, to frame the analyzed phenomenon at the right time, for each questionnaire section, the specific, evidence‐based timing of administration is indicated.

Conclusion

The resulting questionnaire is validated in its entirety and it is composed of a set of questions and relative time point for data collections to assess the Value brought to patients undertaking a Breast Cancer's Clinical pathway, structured according to a dynamic SDM framework. It constitutes a quantitative instrument to integrate patient centeredness with a personalized perspective in the care management of women with breast cancer.
Low volume polyethylene glycol combined with senna versus high volume polyethylene glycol, which regimen is better for bowel preparation for colonoscopy? A randomized, controlled, and single‐blinded trial
Authors: Sadeghi Amir , Rahmani Khaled , Ketabi Moghadam Pardis , Abdi Saeed , Jahanian Ali , Fathy Mobin , Mohammadi Mahsa , Mahdavi Roshan Mehran , Olfatifar Meysam , Zali Mohammad Reza , Hatamnejad Mohammad Reza , Rajabnia Mohsen
Published: September 2022

Background and Aims

Bowel preparation affects the quality of colonoscopy. Reaching the optimal preparation has been a challenge for years. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is the sole FDA‐approved substance for this purpose. However, patients find it unpleasant and often complain about its adverse effects. In this study, we aimed to reduce these complaints by lowering the amount of PEG and adding senna which is an herbal stimulant laxative.

Methods

Four hundred and eighty‐six patients were admitted for colonoscopy. Finally, 382 patients were enrolled in the study and we divided them into two groups; 186 patients were placed in which conventional high volume PEG‐alone regimen was consumed and 196 patients in which low volume PEG plus senna regimen was offered. The quality of colon preparation was compared between the two groups by independent two samples t‐test (or its corresponding nonparametric test), Fisher's exact, or χ2 test in SPSS software version 22.

Results

The colon preparation quality was equally efficient in the two groups as 69.36% in the high volume PEG group and 71.94% in PEG plus senna group had adequate bowel preparation (p = 0.58). Adverse effects, like nausea, bloating, headache, and sleeplessness were significantly less in the low volume PEG plus senna group.

Conclusion

Besides the fact that bowel preparation by low volume PEG plus senna combination was noninferior to the conventional high volume PEG‐alone regimen, the side effects were much less common with the low volume PEG plus senna regimen.
Compliance with standard precaution of infection prevention practice and associated factors among health care workers in Ethiopia: Mixed method study
Authors: Kassa Alebachew , Tadesse Sisay Eshete , Walelign Fasil , Kebede Natnael
Published: September 2022

Backgrounds and Aims

In developing countries, most infections can be prevented with relatively inexpensive infection prevention methods. However, there is limited information on standard precautions for infection prevention practices among health workers in Ethiopia Therefore, this study aimed to assess the compliance with the standard precaution of infection prevention practice and associated factors among health care workers (HCWs) using a mixed method study.

Methods

A hospital‐based mixed‐methods study design (concurrent mixed method design) was conducted among 378 randomly selected health professionals. Self‐administered questionnaire; an in‐depth interview and an observational checklist were used to collect the data. The collected data were cleaned and entered into Epi data and analyzed using a static package for social science. Descriptive statistics were conducted and the result was reported using frequency, and percentile. Logistic regression was performed to identify associated factors. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and p < 0.05 were used to explain statistically significant associations.

Results

The proportion of standard precaution practice among HCWs at Dessie specialized and comprehensive hospital was 55.6% (put the 95% CI). Age ≤ 25 years (AOR = 0.13, 95% CI: [0.04, 0.42]) and age 31 years above age ≤ 31 years (AOR = 0.06, 95% CI: [0.02, 0.3]), positive attitude toward the standard precaution (AOR: 6.43, 95% CI: [3.47, 11.94]). Access to IP guidelines (AOR: 3.13, 95% CI: [1.61, 6.07]). Training on standard precautions (AOR: 3.61, 95% CI: [1.75, 7.48]) were factors associated with standard precaution practice.

Conclusions

In this study, the overall proportion of HCWs' compliance with standard preventive practice was low. HCWs aged 31 years and above, training on standard precaution practice, availability of guidelines in each ward, attitude toward standard precaution practice, knowledge about standard precaution practice, and accessibility of standard precaution supplies were associated with compliance to standard precaution practice. Therefore, the strategies should be designed to fulfill hospitals with supplies, training, and avail guidelines in each ward.
Closed‐Loop Dynamically Adaptive Educational Systems
Authors: Wade Jon , Dow Steven , Gerardo Hortense , Gessner Richard , Hargis Jace
Published: September 2022

We believe that our education systems are currently not capable of evolving at the rate necessary to meet the challenges presented by rapidly changing technology epitomized by Industry 4.0 and the digital transformation. Our research project goal is to pilot a learning laboratory that can be used to conduct the necessary experiments to create and apply the foundational knowledge necessary to support a dynamically adaptive educational system for university students that can meet the challenges presented by rapid change. Our research will address the following three critical areas: educational program evolution, social real‐time learning, and personalized knowledge discovery. This paper describes how these three research tracks will produce generalized knowledge about feedback mechanisms that can serve as a foundation for the creation of a dynamic, self‐adapting educational system impacting individual students' acquisition and application of knowledge, skills and dispositions as well as classroom curricula and pedagogy, and program outcomes and design.
Beartooth: Nuclear material testbed with MBSE and digital twin
Authors: Houck Kaleb , Ritter Chris , Burnett Troy , Cavaluzzi Jack
Published: September 2022

Digital engineering can fundamentally change the construction and operation of complex projects. Traditional engineering teams operate in siloed tools and disparate teams. Throughout a project lifecycle, data is translated manually or over brittle point‐to‐point connections, which increases the risk of silent errors. These potential errors can cascade across the effort, resulting in significant project delays and cost overruns. Furthermore, traditional engineering projects are not designed for the rapid digitization that allows for advanced analytic tools. Digital engineering can create a cohesive data “source of truth” to ensure a project is designed for the digital future. There is a need for a standard toolset to normalize and integrate project datasets. Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has developed DeepLynx, a crucial tool to mitigate this data management problem. This paper introduces INL's digital engineering approach and provides a concrete example of a digital engineering design effort currently taking place with Beartooth, a new nuclear material processing testbed project. This paper will provide the benefits, challenges, and lessons learned in using digital engineering on this complex system. The digital engineering approach is utilizing model‐based systems engineering, extended reality, and a digital twin. Finally, this paper will discuss the new possibilities provided by using a digital thread and twin during future operation of a nuclear fuel cycle testbed.
SABOS‐Net: Self‐supervised attention based network for automatic organ segmentation of head and neck CT images
Authors: Francis Seenia , Pooloth Goutham , Singam Sai Bala Subrahmanyam , Puzhakkal Niyas , Pulinthanathu Narayanan Pournami , Pottekkattuvalappil Balakrishnan Jayaraj
Published: September 2022

The segmentation of Organs At Risk (OAR) in Computed Tomography (CT) images is an essential part of the planning phase of radiation treatment to avoid the adverse effects of cancer radiotherapy treatment. Accurate segmentation is a tedious task in the head and neck region due to a large number of small and sensitive organs and the low contrast of CT images. Deep learning‐based automatic contouring algorithms can ease this task even when the organs have irregular shapes and size variations. This paper proposes a fully automatic deep learning‐based self‐supervised 3D Residual UNet architecture with CBAM(Convolution Block Attention Mechanism) for the organ segmentation in head and neck CT images. The Model Genesis structure and image context restoration techniques are used for self‐supervision, which can help the network learn image features from unlabeled data, hence solving the annotated medical data scarcity problem in deep networks. A new loss function is applied for training by integrating Focal loss, Tversky loss, and Cross‐entropy loss. The proposed model outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art methods in terms of dice similarity coefficient in segmenting the organs. Our self‐supervised model could achieve a 4% increase in the dice score of Chiasm, which is a small organ that is present only in a very few CT slices. The proposed model exhibited better accuracy for 5 out of 7 OARs than the recent state‐of‐the‐art models. The proposed model could simultaneously segment all seven organs in an average time of 0.02 s. The source code of this work is made available at https://github.com/seeniafrancis/SABOSNet.
CircPTPRM accelerates malignancy of papillary thyroid cancer via miR‐885‐5p/DNMT3A axis
Authors: Chen Daping , Jiang Xijiao , Luo Huizhou , Hua Qingquan , Zhang Farong
Published: September 2022

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are implicated in carcinogenesis, including papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Despite of previous reports regarding the high expression of circPTPRM in PTC, the role and regulatory mechanism remain to be investigated.

Methods

CircPTPRM and miR‐885‐5p expression were examined, and the effects on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were also measured. Immunoblotting was performed to evaluate DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) and the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT)‐associated proteins.

Results

CircPTPRM was overexpressed in PTC tissues and cell lines, which predicted poor prognosis. CircPTPRM inhibition significantly alleviated the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities. It was subsequently confirmed that circPTPRM competed with miR‐885‐5p for DNMT3A binding. CircPTPRM promoted PTC progression via miR‐885‐5p/DNMT3A signal axis.

Conclusion

Our data elucidated that circPTPRM may play an oncogenic role in PTC through circPTPRM/miR‐885‐5p/DNMT3A axis
RNA‐sequencing reveals the expression profiles of tsRNAs and their potential carcinogenic role in cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Li Yan‐ke , Yan Li‐rong , Wang Ang , Jiang Li‐yue , Xu Qian , Wang Ben‐gang
Published: September 2022

Background

Recently, the incidence of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) has gradually increased. As CCA has a poor prognosis, the ideal survival rate is scarce for patients. The abnormal expressed tsRNAs may regulate the progression of a variety of tumors, and tsRNAs is expected to become a new diagnostic biomarker of cancer. However, the expression of tsRNAs is obscure and should be elucidated in CCA.

Methods

High‐throughput RNA sequencing technology (RNA‐seq) was utilized to determine the overall expression profiles of tsRNAs in three pairs CCA and adjacent normal tissues and to screen the tsRNAs that were differentially expressed. The target genes of dysregulated tsRNAs were predicted and the biological effects and potential signaling pathways of these target genes were explored by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was used to validate 11 differentially expressed tRFs with 12 pairs CCA and adjacent normal tissues.

Results

High‐throughput RNA‐seq totally demonstrated 535 dysregulated tsRNAs, of which 241 tsRNAs were upregulated, such as tRF‐21‐YLKZKWE5D，tRF‐16‐9NF5W8B，tRF‐27‐78YLKZKWE52，tRF‐19‐RLXN48KP，tRF‐33‐IK9NJ4S2I7L7DV，tRF‐19‐F8DHXYIV, and 294 tsRNAs were downregulated (tRF‐20‐739P8WQ0, tRF‐34‐JJ6RRNLIK898HR, tRF‐17‐VL8RPY5, tRF‐23‐YP9LON4VDP, tRF‐39‐EH623K76IR3DR2I2, tRF‐17‐18YKISM, tRF‐19‐Q1Q89PJZ, etc.) in CCA compared with adjacent normal tissues (|log2 [fold change] | ≥ 1 and p value <0.05). GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that the target genes of dysregulated tRFs (tRF‐34‐JJ6RRNLIK898HR, tRF‐38‐0668K87SERM492V, and tRF‐39‐0668K87SERM492E2) were mainly enriched in the Notch signaling pathway, Hippo signaling pathway, cAMP signaling pathway and in growth hormone synthesis, secretion and action, etc. qRT‐PCR result showed that tRF‐34‐JJ6RRNLIK898HR/tRF‐38‐0668K87SERM492V/tRF‐39‐0668K87SERM492E2 was downregulated (p = 0.021), and tRF‐20‐LE2WMK81 was upregulated in CCA (p = 0.033).

Conclusion

Differentially expressed tRFs in CCA are enriched in many pathways associated with neoplasms, which may impact the tumor progression and have potential to be diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets of CCA.
Effects of COVID‐19 epidemic on mental health of dental students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2020
Authors: Tonkaboni Arghavan , Razi‐Avarzamani Abolfazl , Sadrzadeh‐Afshar Maryam‐Sadat
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has imposed panic and fear among people in the community, and has endangered the mental health of people, including students. The purpose of this study was to determine the psychological effects of COVID‐19 outbreak on dental students of our university in 2020.

Methods and materials

The present cross‐sectional and descriptive‐analytical study was conducted on 133 dental students from the fifth and 11th semesters in our University. Data collection tools included the Demographic Information Questionnaire, the 28‐item Goldberg General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐28) to measure the psychological aspects, the BarOn Emotional Quotient‐Inventory (BarOn EQ‐i) to determine emotional intelligence, and the COVID‐19 Anxiety Scale (CAS) of students during the epidemic. The reliability and validity of the questionnaires had already been reviewed and confirmed. The correlation of the scores of the questionnaires was evaluated by Pearson correlation coefficient and the effects of different variables in predicting the scores of the questionnaires by regression model.

Results

Among the tested students, the mean GHQ‐28 score was 35.73%, the mean BarOn EQ‐i score was 59.94%, and the mean CAS score was 25.27%. There was a significant and direct correlation between GHQ‐28 and BarOn EQ‐i scores and also a significant and negative correlation between GHQ‐28 and CAS scores and between BarOn EQ‐i and CAS scores.

Conclusion

Despite limited CAS scores and high BarOn EQ‐i scores, psychological disorders were observed in a significant number of students during the COVID‐19 pandemic period; there is a need for therapeutic and counseling interventions to mitigate the effects of these disorders.
γδ T cells: The potential role in liver disease and implications for cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Ren He , Li WanJing , Liu Xin , Zhao Na
Published: September 2022

The γδ T cell subset was discovered over 30 years ago, yet continues to be an exciting and challenging component of the adaptive immune response. While γδ T cells represent a very small fraction of all T cells in humans, γδ T cells have a vital effect on human immunity, serving as a bridge between the innate and adaptive immune systems. The characteristics of γδ T cells include recognition of non-MHC restrictive antigens, as well as the ability to secrete an abundance of cytokines, suggesting that γδ T cells have high antitumor activity. As such, they have gained ample attention with respect to tumor immunotherapy in the last decade. The γδ T cell subset comprises up to ∼15–20% of the T-lymphocyte population in the liver, although the liver is recognized as an immune organ with primary immune functions, the role of γδ T cells in liver disease has not been established. Herein, we present a comprehensive overview of molecular mechanisms underlying immune γδ T cell activity in liver disease, including immune liver injury, viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, and review γδ T cell-based clinical immunotherapeutic approaches.
People, performance and transition: A case study of psychological contract and stakeholder orientation in the Toyota Australia plant closure
Authors: Samson Danny , Swink Morgan
Published: September 2022

Operations managers often manage in times of change that exert pressure on values and methods usually developed during more stable eras. With increasing global volatility, companies open and close plants because of demand shifts, cost and reshoring considerations, and government‐induced and market forces. Impacts of plant closures on local communities, employees, suppliers, and other stakeholders have been documented, but plant closure processes have not been extensively studied. This paper describes an engaged research study of Toyota Australia's manufacturing closure processes. We apply psychological contract theory, particularly of contract breach, to examine the “respectful” approach Toyota used to close its assembly operation in Melbourne. We examined the role that stakeholder theory plays in describing managerial motivations. Toyota allocated resources beyond typical expectations to prepare its workforce for their post‐Toyota careers and lives. During the 4‐year transition process, employee performance, and engagement improved, supporting propositions that reserves of employee goodwill can come into play when a psychological contract breach occurs. Further, leadership actions can moderate the negative impacts predicted by that theory, beyond outcomes that more transactional views would predict. Our study offers an elaborated model of psychological contract breach that future researchers can apply to plant closures and related operational contexts.
Rapid determination of phthalates in paper products by supercritical fluid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Ovchinnikov Denis V. , Falev Danil I. , Solovyova Polina V. , Ul'yanovskii Nikolay V. , Kosyakov Dmitry S.
Published: September 2022

Phthalic acid esters are widely used as components of industrial and consumer products including paper and cardboard packaging materials in contact with food or human skin. Being endocrine‐disrupting chemicals, phthalic acid esters have a negative effect on human health and must be controlled in pulp and paper products. In the present study, supercritical fluid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry in combination with pressurized liquid extraction was proposed for phthalic acid esters determination in such objects. Octadecyl stationary phase with non‐endcapped silanol groups ensured rapid (4 min) separation of the 10 priority phthalic acid esters in isocratic elution mode and allowed for effective elimination of interferences from the trace impurities of phthalic acid esters in the mobile phase. The attained limits of quantitation are in the range of 0.7–10 μg/L in extracts and 0.02–0.3 μg/g in paper and cardboard samples. The developed method is distinguished by analysis rapidity, easy sample preparation procedure, high selectivity, low susceptibility to mobile phase contamination with analytes, low cost, and environmental friendliness due to the use of carbon dioxide as a main component of the mobile phase. The method was successfully tested on real samples of toilet paper and food packaging paper and cardboard in which eight analytes were found at the levels of 0.03–43.5 μg/g.
Nanocarriers with Multiple Cargo Load—A Comprehensive Preparation Guideline Using Orthogonal Strategies
Authors: Hueppe Natkritta , Wurm Frederik R. , Landfester Katharina
Published: September 2022

Multifunctional nanocarriers enhance the treatment efficacy for modern therapeutics and have gained increasing importance in biomedical research. Codelivery of multiple bioactive molecules enables synergistic therapies. Coencapsulation of cargo molecules into one nanocarrier system is challenging due to different physicochemical properties of the cargo molecules. Additionally, coencapsulation of multiple molecules simultaneously shall proceed with high control and efficiency. Orthogonal approaches for the preparation of nanocarriers are essential to encapsulate sensitive bioactive molecules while preserving their bioactivity. Preparation of nanocarriers by physical processes (i.e., self‐assembly or coacervation) and chemical reactions (i.e., click reactions, polymerizations, etc.) are considered as orthogonal methods to most cargo molecules. This review shall act as a guideline to allow the reader to select a suitable preparation protocol for a desired nanocarrier system. This article helps to select for combinations of cargo molecules (hydrophilic‐hydrophobic, small‐macro, organic–inorganic) with nanocarrier material and synthesis protocols. The focus of this article lies on the coencapsulation of multiple cargo molecules into biocompatible and biodegradable nanocarriers prepared by orthogonal strategies. With this toolbox, the selection of a preparation method for a known set of cargo molecules to prepare the desired biodegradable and loaded nanocarrier shall be provided.
Utilizing 3D Slicer to incorporate tomographic images into GATE Monte Carlo simulation for personalized dosimetry in yttrium‐90 radioembolization
Authors: Abdul Hadi Muhammad Fahmi Rizal , Abdullah Arifah Nazirah , Hashikin Nurul Ab. Aziz , Ying Chee Keat , Yeong Chai Hong , Yoon Tiem Leong , Ng Kwan Hoong
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Monte Carlo (MC) simulation is an important technique that can help design advanced and challenging experimental setups. GATE (Geant4 application for tomographic emission) is a useful simulation toolkit for applications in nuclear medicine. Transarterial radioembolization is a treatment for liver cancer, where microspheres embedded with yttrium‐90 (90Y) are administered intra‐arterially to the tumor. Personalized dosimetry for this treatment may provide higher dosimetry accuracy compared to the conventional partition model (PM) calculation. However, incorporation of three‐dimensional tomographic input data into MC simulation is an intricate process. In this article, 3D Slicer, free and open‐source software, was utilized for the incorporation of patient tomographic images into GATE to demonstrate the feasibility of personalized dosimetry in hepatic radioembolization with 90Y.

Methods

In this article, the steps involved in importing, segmenting, and registering tomographic images using 3D Slicer were thoroughly described, before importing them into GATE for MC simulation. The absorbed doses estimated using GATE were then compared with that of PM. SlicerRT, a 3D Slicer extension, was then used to visualize the isodose from the MC simulation.

Results

A workflow diagram consisting of all the steps taken in the utilization of 3D Slicer for personalized dosimetry in 90Y radioembolization has been presented in this article. In comparison to the MC simulation, the absorbed doses to the tumor and normal liver were overestimated by PM by 105.55% and 20.23%, respectively, whereas for lungs, the absorbed dose estimated by PM was underestimated by 25.32%. These values were supported by the isodose distribution obtained via SlicerRT, suggesting the presence of beta particles outside the volumes of interest. These findings demonstrate the importance of personalized dosimetry for a more accurate absorbed dose estimation compared to PM.

Conclusion

The methodology provided in this study can assist users (especially students or researchers who are new to MC simulation) in navigating intricate steps required in the importation of tomographic data for MC simulation. These steps can also be utilized for other radiation therapy related applications, not necessarily limited to internal dosimetry.
Mirabegron and antimuscarinic use in frail overactive bladder patients in the United States Medicare population
Authors: Johnson Theodore M. , Walker David , Lockefeer Amy , Jiang Baoguo , Nimke David , Lozano‐Ortega Greta , Kimura Tomomi
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Overactive bladder (OAB) and frailty are independently associated with patient burden. However, economic burden and treatment‐taking behavior have not been well characterized among frail patients with OAB, which, given the varying safety and tolerability profiles of available treatments, is crucial.

Objectives

To assess costs, health care resource utilization, treatment‐taking behavior (persistence and adherence) to OAB medication in older, frail OAB patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study using international business machines MarketScan Medicare Supplemental claims data. Eligible frail patients (per Claims‐based Frailty Index score) initiating mirabegron were 1:2 propensity score matched (based on age, sex, and other characteristics) with those initiating antimuscarinics and were followed up to 1 year. All‐cause, per‐person, per‐month costs, health care encounters, persistence (median days to discontinuation assessed using Kaplan−Meier methods) and adherence (≥80% of proportion of days covered at Day 365) were compared.

Results

From 2527 patients with incident mirabegron (21%) or antimuscarinic (79%) dispensations, 516 incident mirabegron users (median age: 82 years, 64% female) were matched to 1032 incident antimuscarinic users (median age: 81 years, 62% female). Median cost was higher in mirabegron group ($1581 vs. $1197 per month); this was primarily driven by medication cost. There was no difference in medical encounters. Adherence (39.1% vs. 33.8%) and persistence (103 vs. 90 days) were higher in mirabegron users.

Conclusions

Among frail older adults with OAB, mirabegron use was associated with higher costs and potential improvements in treatment‐taking behaviors, particularly with respect to treatment adherence, versus those initiating antimuscarinics.
Molecular characteristics of multifocal esophageal squamous cell carcinomas to discriminate multicentric origin from intramural metastasis
Authors: Li Weihua , Cheng Na , Zhao Zitong , Zheng Bo , Yang Zhaoyang , Xu Yang , Shao Yang , Song Yongmei , Lu Ning , Xue Liyan
Published: September 2022

Multifocal esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) can be diagnosed as of multicentric origin (MO) or intramural metastasis (IMM). We aimed here to accurately discriminate MO from IMM and explore the tumor immune microenvironment of multifocal ESCCs. Multifocal ESCCs were identified in 333 ESCC patients, and in 145 patients discrimination between MO and IMM was not possible by histopathological examination. Of the 145 patients, tissues of 14 were analyzed by whole‐exome sequencing (WES) of 71 different tumor regions, and MO, IMM, and MO/IMM mixed groups were identified in three, ten, and one cases, respectively, based on the similarity of genomic architecture between or among different tumors from one patient. Further phylogenetic analyses revealed complex clonal evolution patterns in IMM cases, and tumor cells disseminated from the primary tumors to IMM tumors were independent of lymph node metastasis. The NanoString‐based assay showed that immune cell infiltrates were significantly enriched, and that the immune and proliferation pathways were more activated, in large tumors than in small ones in MO but not IMM cases. Similarly, PD‐L1 expression and the density of paratumoral CD8+ T cells were higher in large tumors than in small tumors in MO. Taken together, through analysis of the genomic and immune landscapes, our study has comprehensively characterized the heterogeneity and clonal relationship of multifocal ESCCs, which may be helpful in distinguishing MO from IMM, and for interpreting the immunotherapy responses for multifocal ESCC patients. © 2022 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Modelling on stress redistribution around broken fibers for fiber reinforced plastic with poor fiber distribution uniformity
Authors: Zhu Fulei , Yu Dianlong , Tian Jia , Cheng Yuanqi , Zhang Shufeng
Published: September 2022

In order to calculate stress redistribution after a fiber breaking for unidirectional fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) with practically poor fiber distribution uniformity, a new and efficient FE model is developed with high computation efficiency. Based on the proposed FE model, the stress concentration factor (SCF) of intact fibers around a broken fiber is investigated for unidirectional FRP. It is observed that the SCF depends heavily on the local fiber volume ratio (FVR), and a modified analytical SCF model is proposed which takes into account the variation of local FVR. It is proved that the modified analytical SCF model can provide SCF values with much better accuracy for FRP with poor fiber distribution uniformity. The modified analytical SCF model would be very useful for accurate prediction of progressive fiber breaking in FRP.
Effect of tufting on the interlaminar bonding behavior of needled composite
Authors: Chen Xiaoming , Zheng Hongwei , Wei Yuying , Ren Zhipeng
Published: September 2022

The needled/stitched dual‐scale interlocking structure is a new fabric structure. However, the effect of stitching on the interlaminar bonding behavior of needled composite has not been elucidated. In this work, the needled/tufted dual‐scale interlocking composite was prepared, and experimental and numerical simulation of Mode I interlaminar property was carried out. The influence of stitching on the interfacial bonding behavior of needled composite was revealed. Results showed that the implantation of tufted fibers greatly improved the Mode I interlaminar property of the needled composite. The maximum experimental load of double cantilever beam (DCB) was 129.32 N, which increased by 248.53% compared to needled composites. And GIC increased by 3 times. Moreover，within a certain range, with the increase of the length of the head of the tufted fiber bundle, the interlaminar performance of Mode I was effectively improved. The typical failure mode of needled/tufted dual‐scale interlocking composite were matrix cracking, brittle fracture of needled fiber bundles, pulled out and brittle fracture of tufted fiber bundles. Moreover, the Tri‐cohesive zone models (TCZMs) was proposed, and DCB simulation of needled/tufted dual‐scale interlocking composite was conducted. The simulation of load–displacement curves was well closed to the experiment. The error range was within 7%.
White matter alterations in the dorsal attention network contribute to a high risk of unsafe driving in healthy older people
Authors: Yamamoto Yasuharu , Hirano Jinichi , Ueda Ryo , Yoshitake Hiroshi , Yamagishi Mika , Kimura Mariko , Kamiya Kei , Shino Motoki , Mimura Masaru , Yamagata Bun
Published: September 2022

Aim

Healthy older drivers may be at high risk of fatal traffic accidents. Our recent study showed that volumetric alterations in gray matter in the brain regions within the dorsal attention network (DAN) were strongly related to the risk of unsafe driving in healthy older people. However, the relationship between white matter (WM) structural connectivity and driving ability in healthy older people is still unclear.

Methods

We used diffusion tensor imaging to examine the association between microstructural alterations in the DAN and the risk of unsafe driving among healthy older people. We enrolled 32 healthy older individuals aged over 65 years and screened unsafe drivers using an on‐road driving test. We then determined the pattern of WM aberrations in unsafe drivers using tract‐based spatial statistics.

Results

The analysis demonstrated that unsafe drivers had significantly higher axial diffusivity values in nine WM clusters compared with safe drivers. These results were primarily observed bilaterally in the dorsal superior longitudinal fasciculus, which is involved in the DAN. Furthermore, correlation analyses showed that higher axial diffusivity values in the superior longitudinal fasciculus were associated with lower Trail Making Test A scores within unsafe drivers. This result suggests that functionally, WM microstructural alterations in the DAN are associated with attention problems, which may contribute to the risk of unsafe driving among healthy older people.

Conclusion

Our findings may elucidate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the increased risk of unsafe driving in healthy older people, potentially facilitating the development of new interventions to prevent fatal accidents.
Susceptibility‐weighted imaging to evaluate normal and abnormal vertebrae in fetuses: A preliminary study
Authors: Cai Xianyun , Chen Xin , Wang Jing , Wei Xinhong , Liu Wen , Li Yuchao , Wang Shanshan , Zhu Jinxia , Haacke E. Mark , Wang Guangbin
Published: September 2022

Objective

To evaluate the performance of susceptibility‐weighted imaging (SWI) in visualizing normal and abnormal fetal vertebrae in vivo and in utero.

Methods

Ninety‐seven women with normal fetal vertebrae and 127 women suspected fetal vertebral anomalies on ultrasound were included in our study. SWI, true fast imaging with steady state precession (TrueFISP), and half‐Fourier acquisition single‐shot turbo spin‐echo (HASTE) of the fetal spine were performed on 1.5‐T magnetic resonance imaging. The image quality and diagnostic performance between HASTE/TrueFISP and SWI were compared. Pearson correlations to correlate the L1 centrum ossification center (COC) measurements with gestational age (GA) were performed.

Results

The visibility of the fetal vertebral structures on the SWI images (3.58 ± 0.69) was significantly greater than those on the HASTE (1.98 ± 0.51, p < 0.001) and TrueFISP (2.63 ± 0.52, p < 0.001). The diagnostic accuracy of SWI (89.0%) was superior to HASTE/TrueFISP (48.0%) (p < 0.001) and the area under the curve for SWI was 0.909 (p < 0.001). The height, transverse, sagittal diameter, and area of L1 COC were linearly correlated with GA (all p < 0.001).

Conclusion

SWI proved to be a reliable method for depicting fetal vertebral structure and growth, which can significantly improve the diagnostic performance of vertebral anomalies in fetuses.
Oxygen transmission rate through thermoformed trays: Modeling and influence of processing variables
Authors: Enguix Carlos , Sanjuan Neus , Ribal Javier
Published: September 2022

The oxygen transmission rate (OTR) is a key parameter when selecting a sheet to make a thermoformed tray, as it influences the shelf life of packaged food. The OTR of a thermoformed tray depends on the distribution of the material's thickness over its walls. The goal of this study is to model the evolution of oxygen in the headspace of a thermoformed plastic tray considering the thickness distribution of its walls. PET/PE films with different thicknesses and a PET/PE/EVOH/PE structure with EVOH acting as a barrier layer were used for the thermoformed trays. The thickness of the thermoformed trays was measured at different points to determine the average thickness of the tray subsections. A model was built to predict the variation in the oxygen content inside the headspace over time. The results of the model were correlated with experimental data by regression analysis. The model can be used to perform a straightforward comparison of both different structures as well as the effect of the thickness of the layers that constitute the multilayer sheet. The model can also support decisions about the best multilayer for a particular tray design so as to achieve a specific product shelf‐life.