bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non‐invasive brain stimulation for treating post‐stroke depression: A network meta‐analysis
Authors: Yanyu Sun , Ying Li , Kexin Li , Jin Wu
Published: June 2023

Objective

To compare the antidepressant effects and tolerability of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) treatments in patients with post‐stroke depression (PSD).

Methods

We included randomized controlled trials comparing active stimulation with sham stimulation. Primary outcomes were the depression score after treatment, presented as standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals. Response/remission and long‐term antidepressant efficacy were also examined. We estimated effect‐size using pairwise and Bayesian network meta‐analysis (NMA) with random‐effects model.

Results

We identified 33 studies (total n = 1793). In NMA, 5 of 6 treatment strategies were associated with higher effect compared with sham therapy: dual rTMS (standardized mean differences = −1.5; 95% confidence interval = −2.5 to −0.57), dual LFrTMS (−1.5, −2.4 to −0.61), dual tDCS (−1.1, −1.5 to −0.62), HFrTMS (−1.1, −1.3 to −0.85) and LFrTMS (−0.90, −1.2 to −0.6). And dual rTMS, dual LFrTMS or HFrTMS may be more effective than other interventions for achieving antidepressant effects. Regarding secondary outcomes, rTMS can promote depression remission and response, and alleviate depression for at least 1 month. rTMS and tDCS were well tolerated.

Conclusions

Bilateral rTMS and HFrTMS are considered top‐priority non‐invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) interventions for improving PSD. Dual tDCS and LFrTMS are also efficient.

Significance

The findings of this study provide evidence for considering NIBS techniques as alternative or add‐on treatments for patients with PSD. This work also emphasizes the need for future clinical trials to address the inadequacies identified in this review to optimize methodological quality.
Mega dam‐induced riverbed erosion exacerbates drought effects on river water surface elevation
Authors: Mei Xuefei , Dai Zhijun , Du Jinzhou , Darby Stephen E.
Published: June 2023

By regulating the seasonal flow discharge, dams are frequently used to augment downstream flow discharges and water surface elevations in dry season periods. However, dams also typically generate severe bed incision in their downstream reaches, which whilst not reducing the volume of flow passing through the channel, can nevertheless reduce water surface elevations. Such reductions in water surface elevations can make it more difficult to access available water in the river in instances where they drop substantially below the levels of water intake structures. Here, we evaluate the extent to which dam‐induced incision downstream of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) contributes to falling water surface elevations during the 2019 dry season (December to February), which was a period characterized by extremely low water surface elevations along the mid‐lower reaches of the Changjiang River. Our results indicate that the 2019 dry season exhibited the second lowest water surface elevation ever recorded in the middle Changjiang even though the flow discharge was actually larger than in previous dry seasons. The 2019 event was found to be characterized by a sharp fall of water surface elevation, caused by TGD‐induced downstream channel narrowing and bed incision. Thus, whilst TGD releases did augment flows during the 2019 dry season, channel degradation resulted in a substantial net lowering of water surface elevations. Consequently, the overall impact of the TGD on dry season water surface elevations was to aggravate (not mitigate) low water surface elevations experienced along the Changjiang River. Our study has relevance for other major dam‐altered rivers that experience extreme low water surface elevations in dry periods.
Experimental density and volumetric properties of DESs based on tetrabutylammonium bromide and used for effective extraction of naphthol green B and malachite green
Authors: Thamby Beevi Fathima Mohamed , Santhi Vivek Mariappan , Ramalingam Anantharaj
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND

To improve the quality of wastewater and thereby to meet the standards as per environmental production agency in US and UK. In the present work, Malachite green (MG) and Naphthol Green B (NGB) has been taken as model dyes in wastewater. Solvent extraction process was carried out using deep eutectic solvents (DESs) as an alternative solvent for organic and ionic liquids.

RESULTS

The possible molecular interaction between DESs and selective dyes in water were analyzed and discussed in details using volumetric properties including excess molar volume , partial molar volume , excess partial molar volume , apparent molar volume , isobaric thermal expansion () and excess isobaric thermal expansion (αE). Further, the extraction of selective dyes was conducted and characterized in terms of extraction efficiency (η), effect of temperature on extraction efficiency, effect of shaking time on extraction efficiency, effect of concentration on extraction efficiency, effect of HBD on extraction efficiency, distribution coefficient (D). Finally, the thermodynamic extraction feasibility was analysed by means of Gibbs free energy , change in enthalpy , and change in entropy .

CONCLUSION

There is possible molecular interaction between hydrophilic DESs and NGB/MG in water at molecular level. 96% of extraction efficiency was obtained for NGB using hydrophobic DESs like {[TBAB][DA]} and {[TBAB][OA]} whereas {[TBAB][DA]} and {[TBAB][OA]} gave above 72% removal efficiency of MG. Finally the thermodynamic feasibility of extraction process was analyzed and discussed. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Zero Echo Time Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Techniques and Clinical Utility in Musculoskeletal System
Authors: Fujisaki Akitaka , Tsukamoto Jun , Narimatsu Hidekuni , Hayashida Yoshiko , Todoroki Yo , Hirano Natsumi , Takeda Kazuki , Shin Sho , Ota Satoru , Anai Kenta , Fukumitsu Satoshi , Yoshimatsu Yuta , Kono Yuichiro , Ueno Midori , Ide Satoru , Murakami Yu , Aoki Takatoshi
Published: June 2023

Zero echo time (ZTE) sequence is recent advanced magnetic resonance technique that utilizes ultrafast readouts to capture signals from short‐T2 tissues. This sequence enables T2‐ and T2* weighted imaging of tissues with short intrinsic relaxation times by using an extremely short TE, and are increasingly used in the musculoskeletal system. We review the imaging physics of these sequences, practical limitations, and image reconstruction, and then discuss the clinical utilities in various disorders of the musculoskeletal system. ZTE can be readily incorporated into the clinical workflow, and is a promising technique to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure, cost, and time‐consuming by computed tomography in some cases.

Level of Evidence

4

Technical Efficacy

Stage 1
Genomic diversity of mpox virus in Paris area (France) during the 2022 outbreak
Authors: Piorkowski Géraldine , Ghosn Jade , Coppée Romain , Mailhé Morgane , Ferré Valentine Marie , Houhou‐Fidouh Nadhira , Yazdanpanah Yazdan , Le Hingrat Quentin , Raoul Hervé , Charpentier Charlotte , Descamps Diane , de Lamballerie Xavier
Published: June 2023

In May 2022, several countries reported mpox cases from patients without history of traveling to endemic areas. France was one of the most affected European countries by this outbreak. In this study, the clinical characteristics of mpox cases in France were described, and the genetic diversity of the virus was studied. Patients diagnosed with mpox infection (quantitative polymerase chain reaction ct < 28) between May 21, and July 4, 2022 and between 16th August and 10th September 2022 were included to this study. Twelve amplicons corresponding to the most polymorphic regions of the mpox genome and covering ~30 000 nucleotides were generated and sequenced using the S5 XL Ion Torrent technology to evaluate the genetic diversity of mpox sequences. One hundred and forty‐eight patients were diagnosed with mpox‐infection. 95% were men, 5% transgender (M‐to‐F), 50% were taking human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pre‐exposure prophylaxis, and 25% were HIV seropositive. One hundred and sixty‐two samples (some patients had two samples) were sequenced and compared to GenBank sequences. Overall, low genetic diversity of mpox sequences was found compared with pre‐epidemic Western‐African sequences, with 32 distinct mutational patterns. This study provides a first glance at the mutational landscape of early mpox 2022 circulating strains in Paris (France).
Investigation of DC and RF characteristics of spacer layer thickness engineered recessed gate and field‐plated III‐nitride nano‐HEMT on β‐Ga2O3 substrate
Authors: Rao G. Purnachandra , Lenka Trupti Ranjan , Boukort Nour El. I. , Nguyen Hieu Pham Trung
Published: June 2023

In this work, a field plated recessed gate III‐nitride HEMT on β‐Ga2O3 substrate is proposed using AlN spacer between AlGaN and GaN layers. The two‐dimensional electron gas (2DEG) transport characteristics, input/output, and RF characteristics of the proposed HEMT with AlN spacer layer of different thickness (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 nm) are numerically simulated and compared with HEMT without spacer layer. The 2DEG, which is created at the junction of AlGaN/GaN, plays a crucial role in the operation of GaN HEMTs. With the help of AlN as spacer layer between AlGaN and GaN, an augmented 2DEG concentration is accomplished owing to its large conduction band offset, high polarization effect, and higher barrier. Additionally, the inclusion of AlN spacer layer shifts the 2DEG density away from interface, resulting minimized interface scattering which results into greater mobility. The HEMT exhibited a mobility of 1261 cm2/Vs, threshold voltage of −0.45 V, drain current of 1.12 A/mm, breakdown voltage of 149 V, and excellent RF characteristics, that is, cut‐off frequency (maximum oscillation frequency) of 384 GHz (546 GHz) using 2‐nm AlN spacer layer. The proposed III‐nitride HEMT on β‐Ga2O3 substrate with 2‐nm AlN spacer can be used for RF/microwave and high‐power nanoelectronics applications.
Heart failure is associated with increased risk of all‐cause mortality after transvenous lead extraction: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Talaei Fahimeh , Tan Min C. , Trongtorsak Angkawipa , Lee Justin Z. , Rattanawong Pattara
Published: June 2023

Background

Transvenous lead extraction (TLE) is increasingly considered in cardiac implantable electronic device management. Heart failure (HF) might be associated with mortality risks after the TLE procedure. This study aims to assess mortality risk in HF patients undergoing TLE.

Method

We searched MEDLINE and Embase databases from inception to June 2022 to identify articles that included patients with and without HF who underwent TLE, which reported mortality in both groups. The pooled effect size was calculated with a random‐effects model and 95% CI to compare post‐TLE mortality between the two groups.

Results

Eleven studies were included in the analysis. Each left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) increased by 1% was associated with reduced mortality by 2% (HR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.97–0.99, I2 = 74.9%, p < .01). The presence of HF compared to those without HF was associated with higher mortality rates (OR: 3.04, 95% CI: 2.56–3.61, I2 = 0.0%, p < .531). There was a significant increase in the mortality rates in patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) function class III (OR: 2.29, 95% CI: 1.29–4.06, I2 = 0.0%, p = .498) and NYHA IV (OR: 8.5, 95% CI: 2.98–24.3, I2 = 0.0%, p = .997).

Conclusions

Our study found that post‐TLE mortality decreases by 2% as LVEF increases by 1%, also mortality is higher in patients with NYHA III and IV.
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy versus upfront surgery as the initial treatment for patients with resectable, synchronous colorectal cancer liver metastases
Authors: Lee Jong Min , Han Yoon Dae , Cho Min Soo , Hur Hyuk , Lee Kang Young , Kim Nam Kyu , Min Byung Soh
Published: June 2023

Background

Although perioperative chemotherapy has been the standard treatment for colorectal cancer with resectable liver metastases (CRLM), studies that have compared neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and upfront surgery, especially in the setting of synchronous metastases are rare.

Methods

We compared perioperative outcomes, overall survival (OS) and overall survival after recurrence (rOS) in a retrospective study of 281 total and 104 propensity score‐matched (PSM) patients who underwent curative resection, with or without NAC, for synchronous CRLM, from 2006 to 2017. A Cox regression model was developed for OS.

Results

After PSM, 52 NAC and 52 upfront surgery patients with similar baseline characteristics were compared. Postoperative morbidity, mortality, and 5‐year OS rate (NAC: 78.9%, surgery: 64.0%; p = 0.102) were similar between groups; however, the NAC group had better rOS (NAC: 67.3%, surgery: 31.5%; p = 0.049). Initial cancer stage (T4, N1–2), poorly differentiated histology, and >1 hepatic metastases were independent predictors of worse OS. Based on these factors, patients were divided into low‐risk (≤1 risk factor, n = 115) and high‐risk (≥2 risk factors, n = 166) groups. For high‐risk patients, NAC yielded better OS than upfront surgery (NAC: 74.5%, surgery: 53.2%; p = 0.024).

Conclusions

Although NAC and upfront surgery‐treated patients had similar perioperative outcomes and OS, better postrecurrence survival was shown in patients with NAC. In addition, NAC may benefit patients with worse prognoses; therefore, physicians should consider patient disease risk before initiating treatment to identify patients who are most likely to benefit from chemotherapy.
The RVU Compensation Model and Head and Neck Surgical Education
Authors: Chow Michael S. , Gordon Alex J. , Talwar Abhinav , Lydiatt William M. , Yueh Bevan , Givi Babak
Published: June 2023

Background

The present study aims to quantify the opportunity cost of training residents and fellows for head and neck surgery.

Methods

A 2005–2015 review of ablative head and neck surgical procedures was performed using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP). Work relative value units (wRVU) generated per hour were compared among procedures performed by attendings alone, attendings with residents, and attendings with fellows.

Results

Among 34,078 ablative procedures, the rate of wRVU generation per hour was greatest for attendings alone (10.3), followed by attendings with residents (8.9) and attendings with fellows (7.0, p < 0.001). Resident and fellow involvement was associated with opportunity costs of $60.44 per hour (95% CI: $50.21–$70.66/h) and $78.98 per hour ($63.10–$94.87/h, 95% CI), respectively.

Conclusion

wRVU‐based physician reimbursement does not consider or adjust for the extra effort involved in training future head and neck surgeons.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 134:113–119, 2024
Existence and multiplicity of positive solutions of certain nonlocal scalar field equations
Authors: Bhakta Mousomi , Chakraborty Souptik , Ganguly Debdip
Published: June 2023

We study existence and multiplicity of positive solutions of the following class of nonlocal scalar field equations:

where , , , and is a nonnegative functional, that is, whenever u is a nonnegative function in . We establish Palais–Smale decomposition of the functional associated with the above equation. Using the decomposition, we establish existence of three positive solutions to (), under the condition that with as and is small enough (but ). Further, we prove that () admits at least two positive solutions when , as and is small enough (but ). Finally, we prove the existence of a positive solution when under certain asymptotic behavior on the function a.
The impact of government support on firm innovation: Evidence from China
Authors: Gao Weiwei , Lv Guocan , Li Zhengfeng
Published: June 2023

This paper systematically analyzes the relationship between government support and private enterprise innovation. A firm‐level proxy for government support is derived based on Chinese context. Specifically, we explore whether and how government subsidies affect private firms' innovation output. We find that government subsidies can promote private enterprise innovation, and this impact will be further strengthened when firms face high level of financing constraints and when large shareholders pledge their equities. However, this impact will be weakened in regions with high marketization degree and good information environment. Further analysis shows that government support can have a positive impact on corporate innovation by increasing private firms' innovation input and reducing financing costs. Our study sheds new light on the role of government support by investigating the boundary conditions and exploring the impact channel of its effect. Also, this paper fills a gap in the research on the role of government support and the situational research by putting this issue in Chinese context.
Searching for and evaluating outsourced chief investment officers
Authors: Park Daehyeon , Ryu Doojin
Published: June 2023

This study analyzes the impact of the outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) index and OCIO search consultant on asset owners' selection of OCIOs. We adopt an agent‐based model with a reinforcement learning method by defining the OCIO search problem as a multi‐armed bandit problem. Our model highlights the significance of the information regarding potential managers provided by the OCIO index and an OCIO search consultant. Our simulation results indicate that the more managers in the market, the harder it is for asset owners to identify the optimal OCIO. If asset owners place greater emphasis on their preferences when evaluating OCIOs, those challenges might be eased. Our results suggest that OCIO search consultants and the OCIO index can support asset owners' decision‐making.
Cardiac function in pediatric Ewing sarcoma during and after treatment: A longitudinal study
Authors: Mande Radnyi , Prasad Maya , Srinivasan Shyam , Parambil Badira Cheriyalinkal , Gollamudi Venkata Rama Mohan , Daddi Anuprita , Sawant Sheela , Khanna Nehal , Laskar Siddharth , Chinnaswamy Girish
Published: June 2023

Background

While anthracycline therapy has been shown to improve outcomes in Ewing sarcoma, it may be associated with severe and even fatal cardiac dysfunction. We evaluated the burden and determinants of cardiac dysfunction in pediatric Ewing sarcoma (pES).

Methods

This retrospective study included children aged 0–18 years with pES treated at our center with the EFT 2001 protocol (anthracycline and cyclophosphamide containing regimen), with/without radiation therapy from January 2001 to December 2018. Cardiac dysfunction was defined as left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction with an absolute value <50%.

Results

Amongst 650 eligible patients (median age at diagnosis 12 years and median follow‐up duration 69 months), 85 (13%) developed cardiac dysfunction, at a median 13 months (range: 1–168 months). The cumulative incidence of cardiac dysfunction was 5.7% at 12 months, 12% at 2 years, 13% at 3 years, 14% at 5 years, and 15 % at 10 years. At a median follow‐up duration of 25 (range: 3–212) months, 21 (24.7%) patients had normalization of LV function, whereas nine (10.6%) patients died of cardiac causes. Older age at diagnosis (7–12 years OR 5.1, p = .01, 13–18 years, OR 3.9, p = .03), female sex (OR 2.3, p = .004), undernutrition (OR 2.9, p = .001), and chest wall location (OR 8.7, p = .08) were risk factors for cardiac dysfunction.

Conclusions

Children with Ewing sarcoma have a high incidence of cardiac dysfunction, which continues to develop even years after therapy, underlining the need for life‐long surveillance. Undernourished children are at a higher risk for cardiac dysfunction and need stringent monitoring.
Unfolding parental knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs toward palliative care for children with cancer
Authors: Rassam Rima Saad , Huijer Huda Abu‐Saad , Noureddine Samar , Smith Ellen M. Lavoie , Wolfe Joanne , Fares Souha , Abboud Miguel R.
Published: June 2023

Background

Parents’ views toward pediatric palliative care (PPC) remain underexplored, especially in low/middle‐income countries where care relies heavily on families. A better understanding of parents’ perspectives would inform strategies to support PPC integration into the care of children with cancer. This multicenter study aimed to examine knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs toward PPC among parents of children with cancer in Lebanon to uncover areas for improvement and determine associated factors.

Methods

Using a quantitative cross‐sectional descriptive design, 105 primary caregivers (RR = 95.4%) were recruited during the child's visit to one of three pediatric oncology centers in Lebanon. Data were collected through structured interviews using questionnaire items newly developed or taken from validated tools. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlational analysis, and multiple linear regression.

Results

Only 18/105 participants (17.1%) had heard about PPC and 2% had accurate information about it. When given a brief description, more than 90% endorsed PPC and recommended its integration upon the child's diagnosis. Respectively, “Religious and spiritual engagement” and “Overwhelming negative emotions” were the most cited facilitators and barriers to integrating PPC. Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs were significantly associated with several demographic and clinical factors such as education level, number of persons living with the child, child's symptom count, and pain score.

Conclusion

This research is among the very first studies conducted to examine parents’ perspectives toward PPC for children with cancer in Lebanon. Study findings inform future directions to promote PPC in limited‐resource settings through expanded research, policy, education, and practice initiatives.
A novelO‐carboxymethyl chitosan‐based hydrogel of an outstanding adsorption performance for removal of cationic Basic Red 12 dye from its aqueous solution
Authors: Al‐Harby Nouf F. , Almutairi Ruwayda S. , Elmehbad Noura Y. , Mohamed Nadia A.
Published: June 2023

O‐Carboxymethyl chitosan (O‐CM‐chitosan) hydrogel, prepared in our previous study, was investigated in this work for the first time as adsorbent for Basic Red 12 (BR 12) dye. With rising temperature (from 25°C to 55°C) and decreasing solution pH (from 9 to 4), a lowering in both adsorption capacity (from 703.47 to 400.79 mg/g) and removal efficiency (from 70.34% to 40.08%) was observed. A significant increase in adsorption capacity (from 342.75 to 621.39 mg/g) was observed with increasing initial dye concentration (from 400 to 1000 mg/L), while a decrease in removal efficiency (from 85.69% to 62.14%) was noted. Pseudo‐second‐order model fitted well the adsorption. Isotherms of adsorption conform to Langmuir model with a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 625 mg/g. The value of∆H°(−23.99 kJ/mol) implied exothermic nature of adsorption process. Values of ΔG°indicated that the adsorption was spontaneous at low temperature and nonspontaneous at high temperature. The value of activation energy is equal to 13.071 kJ/mol. The dye removal percentage from the hydrogel was 88% at the first cycle. Thus,O‐CM‐chitosan hydrogel has promising and effective properties for removing BR 12 and similar dyes from aqueous media.
Syringin inhibits endogenous volume regulated anion channel currents of HEK293 cells in hypotonic circumstances
Authors: Xu Ziwei , Yao Wei , Liang Minyan , Wang Song , Lu Longhui , Wang Jingjing , Zhu Na , Huang Liping
Published: June 2023

Syringin is a natural chemical compound first isolated from the bark of lilac and is known to have neuroprotective effects in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Volume regulated anion channel (VRAC) is a cell swelling‐activated anion channel, which is implicated in brain ischemia. However, the mechanism underlying the syringin protecting the neuron from damage in MCAO is still unclear. We hypothesized that syringin has an inhibitory effect on the opening of VRAC channels. To access the effect of syringin on VRAC currents and predict how syringin interacts with VRAC proteins, we performed whole‐cell patch‐clamp experiments using HEK293 cells. Initially, HEK293 cells were perfused with isotonic extracellular solution, followed by hypotonic extracellular solution to stimulate endogenous VRAC currents. Once the VRAC currents reached a steady state, the hypotonic solution containing syringin was perfused to study the effect of syringin on VRAC currents. The potential interaction between syringin and the VRAC protein was investigated using molecular docking as a predictive model. In this study, we found that syringin moderately inhibited VRAC currents in a dose‐dependent manner. The potential binding of syringin to LRRC8 protein was predicted through in silico molecular docking, which suggests an affinity of −6.6 kcal/mol and potential binding sites of arginine 103 and leucine 101. Our results herein characterize syringin as an inhibitor of the VRAC channels, which provides valuable insights for the future development of VRAC channel inhibitors.
CNS4 causes subtype‐specific changes in agonist efficacy and reversal potential of permeant cations in NMDA receptors
Authors: Boehringer Seth C. , Johnston Tullia V. , Kwapisz Lina Cortez , VandeVord Pamela J. , Costa Blaise M.
Published: June 2023

The NMDA subtype of glutamate receptor serves as an attractive drug target for the treatment of disorders evolving from hyper‐ or hypoglutamatergic conditions. Compounds that optimize the function of NMDA receptors are of great clinical significance. Here, we present the pharmacological characterization of a biased allosteric modulator, CNS4. Results indicate that CNS4 sensitizes ambient levels of agonists and reduces higher‐concentration glycine & glutamate efficacy in 1/2AB receptors, but minimally alters these parameters in diheteromeric 1/2A or 1/2B receptors. Glycine efficacy is increased in both 1/2C and 1/2D, while glutamate efficacy is decreased in 1/2C and unaltered in 1/2D. CNS4 does not affect the activity of competitive antagonist binding at glycine (DCKA) and glutamate (DL‐AP5) sites; however, it decreases memantine potency in 1/2A receptors but not in 1/2D receptors. Current–voltage (I‐V) relationship studies indicate that CNS4 potentiates 1/2A inward currents, a phenomenon that was reversed in the absence of permeable Na+ ions. In 1/2D receptors, CNS4 blocks inward currents based on extracellular Ca2+ concentration. Further, CNS4 positively modulates glutamate potency on E781A_1/2A mutant receptors, indicating its role at the distal end of the 1/2A agonist binding domain interface. Together, these findings reveal that CNS4 sensitizes ambient agonists and allosterically modulates agonist efficacy by altering Na+ permeability based on the GluN2 subunit composition. Overall, the pharmacology of CNS4 aligns with the need for drug candidates to treat hypoglutamatergic neuropsychiatric conditions such as loss function GRIN disorders and anti‐NMDA receptor encephalitis.
Comigration and interactions between two species of rice planthopper (Laodelphax striatellus and Sogatella furcifera) and natural enemies in eastern Asia
Authors: Wang Xingya , Ma Haotian , Wu Qiulin , Zhou Yan , Zhou Lihong , Xiu Xianzhi , Zhao Yuechao , Wu Kongming
Published: June 2023

Background

Natural enemies are important in pest control. However, control by natural enemies is hindered by the migration of rice planthoppers. Therefore, comigration and interactions between Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén) and Sogatella furcifera (Horváth) and five predator species, Chrysoperla sinica Tjeder, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), Episyrphus balteatus, Syrphus corollae (Fab.) and Chrysopa pallens (Rambur) in eastern Asia were investigated.

Results

From 2012 to 2021, the migration patterns of two rice planthoppers and five natural enemy species were monitored by suction trapping on Beihuang Island, Shandong Province, China. Both planthoppers and the five natural enemies regularly comigrated from late April to late October each year. There were significant interannual and seasonal differences in the numbers of two rice planthoppers migrating across this island. Simulated seasonal migration trajectories indicated different source areas for the two rice planthoppers, which mainly originated in northeast, north and east China. The biomass of planthoppers was significantly positively correlated with that of the ladybug H. axyridis in all migration periods, and significant differences in the ratio of rice planthoppers to natural enemies among months. A time‐lag effect between seasons was obtained when natural enemies and pests comigrated.

Conclusion

Migration was coordinated between rice planthoppers and natural enemies in East Asia. When natural enemies and rice planthoppers comigrated, time lags between seasons were observed. The unique insights into the migration patterns will help to increase understanding of the occurrence of rice planthoppers in eastern Asia and provide an important theoretical basis for regional monitoring and management of rice planthoppers. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Classical Emulation of Bright Quantum States
Authors: Vlasenko Svetlana , Mikhalychev Alexander , Pakniyat Samaneh , Hanson George , Boag Amir , Slepyan Gregory , Mogilevtsev Dmitri
Published: June 2023

The way to emulate classically a number of fundamental quantum mechanical experiments is shown, such as Hong‐Ou‐Mandel interference, phase measurements with NOON states and specifically structured “revivals” in Jaynes‐Cummings model using coherent states with large number of photons. It is also shown that certain classes of bright non‐classical states can be efficiently emulated by our technique independently of the average photon number of these states.
Approximate Bayesian computation for the natural history of breast cancer, with application to data from a Milan cohort study
Authors: Bondi Laura , Bonetti Marco , Grigorova Denitsa , Russo Antonio
Published: June 2023

We explore models for the natural history of breast cancer, where the main events of interest are the start of asymptomatic detectability of the disease (through screening) and the time of symptomatic detection (through symptoms). We develop several parametric specifications based on a cure rate structure, and present the results of the analysis of data collected as part of a motivating study from Milan. Participants in the study were part of a regional breast cancer screening program, and their ten‐year trajectories were obtained from administrative data available from the Italian national health care system. We first present a tractable model for which we develop the likelihood contributions of the observed trajectories and perform maximum likelihood inference on the latent process. Likelihood based inference is not feasible for more flexible models, and we implement approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) for inference. Issues that arise from the use of ABC for model choice and parameter estimation are discussed, including the problem of choosing appropriate summary statistics. The estimated parameters of the underlying disease process allow for the study of the effect of different examination schedules (age range and frequency of screening examinations) on a population of asymptomatic subjects.
Mixture of longitudinal factor analyzers and their application to the assessment of chronic pain
Authors: Ounajim Amine , Slaoui Yousri , Louis Pierre‐Yves , Billot Maxime , Frasca Denis , Rigoard Philippe
Published: June 2023

Multivariate longitudinal data are used in a variety of research areas not only because they allow to analyze time trajectories of multiple indicators, but also to determine how these trajectories are influenced by other covariates. In this article, we propose a mixture of longitudinal factor analyzers. This model could be used to extract latent factors representing multiple longitudinal noisy indicators in heterogeneous longitudinal data and to study the impact of one or several covariates on these latent factors. One of the advantages of this model is that it allows for measurement non‐invariance, which arises in practice when the factor structure varies between groups of individuals due to cultural or physiological differences. This is achieved by estimating different factor models for different latent classes. The proposed model could also be used to extract latent classes with different latent factor trajectories over time. Other advantages of the model include its ability to take into account heteroscedasticity of errors in the factor analysis model by estimating different error variances for different latent classes. We first define the mixture of longitudinal factor analyzers and its parameters. Then, we propose an EM algorithm to estimate these parameters. We propose a Bayesian information criterion to identify both the number of components in the mixture and the number of latent factors. We then discuss the comparability of the latent factors obtained between subjects in different latent groups. Finally, we apply the model to simulated and real data of patients with chronic postoperative pain.
Novel Waxy Starch Cryostructured Coatings Applied on Commercial Crackers
Authors: Coria‐Hernández Jonathan , López‐Figueroa Luis Rodrigo , Méndez‐Albores Abraham , Arjona‐Román José Luis , Meléndez‐Pérez Rosalía
Published: June 2023

The food industry is constantly striving to find new ways to preserve the characteristics of its products during storage, so it is important to create new ways to achieve this. A viable alternative is the use of coatings that are compatible with the surface of food and safe for consumption, which restricts the exchange of water vapor between the material and the environment. Coatings from waxy starch cryogels are an alternative little studied and with great potential for use in crackers. The coating prevents the cookies from absorbing approximately 50% less water from the environment when stored under controlled conditions, directly reflecting on their mechanical properties. Likewise, it is verified through the micrographs obtained by Scanning Electron Microscopy that the surface of the crackers is modified with the addition of cryogel. Regarding the analysis by Fourier Transform Infrared‐Attenuated Total Reflection spectroscopy and thermal by Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry, it is observed that the coating modified interactions at the molecular level in terms of the vibrations of the main functional groups and their thermal behavior in terms of heat flow, heat capacity, and evaporation enthalpies. It is found that the coating works as an excellent barrier to water vapor after 21 days of storage.
Prospective evaluation of canine partial limb amputation with socket prostheses
Authors: Wendland Theresa M. , Seguin Bernard , Duerr Felix M.
Published: June 2023

Background

Canine prostheses have been commercially available for many years but are still in early stages of research, development, and clinical application.

Objective

To prospectively investigate mid‐term clinical outcomes of partial limb amputation with a socket prosthesis (PLASP) in canine patients via a descriptive prospective clinical case series and to describe a clinical protocol for PLASP.

Methods

Client‐owned dogs (n = 12) with distal limb pathology for which total limb amputation was recommended were enrolled. Partial limb amputation was performed and a socket prosthesis was moulded and fitted to the limb. Complications, clinical follow‐up, and objective gait analysis (OGA) were recorded for at least 6 months. An online survey was completed by owners after study completion.

Results

Ten dogs with thoracic limb pathology and two with pelvic limb pathology were included. The most common site of amputation was mid‐radius (n = 5). Eleven of 12 dogs demonstrated quadrupedal gait on OGA with mean per cent body weight distribution (%BWD) of 26% on thoracic limb prostheses and a %BWD of 16% for the one pelvic limb prosthesis that OGA data were available for. Complications included prosthesis suspension difficulties (n = 5), pressure sores (4), bursitis (4), postoperative infection (3), prosthesis aversion (2), dermatitis (1), and owner noncompliance (1). Two owners elected to discontinue prosthesis use.

Conclusions

PLASP allowed restoration of quadrupedal gait patterns in most patients. Owners reported overall positive satisfaction, though a high complication rate was observed. PLASP should be considered in select cases as an alternative to total limb amputation for dogs with distal limb pathology.
Maximizing the potential for living cell banks to contribute to global conservation priorities
Authors: Mooney Andrew , Ryder Oliver A. , Houck Marlys L. , Staerk Johanna , Conde Dalia A. , Buckley Yvonne M.
Published: June 2023

Although cryobanking represents a powerful conservation tool, a lack of standardized information on the species represented in global cryobanks, and inconsistent prioritization of species for future sampling, hinder the conservation potential of cryobanking, resulting in missed conservation opportunities. We analyze the representation of amphibian, bird, mammal, and reptile species within the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Frozen Zoo® living cell collection (as of April 2019) and implement a qualitative framework for the prioritization of species for future sampling. We use global conservation assessment schemes (including the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species™, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Alliance for Zero Extinction, the EDGE of Existence, and Climate Change Vulnerability), and opportunities for sample acquisition from the global zoo and aquarium community, to identify priority species for cryobanking. We show that 965 species, including 5% of all IUCN Red List “Threatened” amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles, were represented in the collection and that sampling from within existing zoo and aquarium collections could increase representation to 16.6% (by sampling an additional 707 “Threatened” species). High‐priority species for future cryobanking efforts include the whooping crane (Grus americana), crested ibis (Nipponia nippon), and Siberian crane (Leucogeranus leucogeranus). Each of these species are listed under every conservation assessment scheme and have ex situ populations available for sampling. We also provide species prioritizations based on subsets of these assessment schemes together with sampling opportunities from the global zoo and aquarium community. We highlight the difficulties in obtaining in situ samples, and encourage the formation of a global cryobanking database together with the establishment of new cryobanks in biodiversity‐rich regions.
Economization
Authors: Hallonsten Olof
Published: June 2023

Current society’s obsession with innovation is tightly connected with the reorientation of politics and public life to economic concerns, and the rise of an enterprise culture that reshapes individuals as economic subjects. These changes have been ongoing since the 1960s and 1970s, and include the elevation of economic priorities to a prime role in policymaking, and a proliferation of the view of the market as the superior form of human organization and human interaction. The chapter chronicles and analyzes this development, with the help of social theory of modernity and late modernity, and organizational sociological conceptualizations of economization and managerialism.
Candidate iO from Homomorphic Encryption Schemes
Authors: Brakerski Zvika , Döttling Nico , Garg Sanjam , Malavolta Giulio
Published: June 2023

We propose a new approach to construct general-purpose indistinguishability obfuscation (iO). Our construction is obtained via a new intermediate primitive that we call split fully homomorphic encryption (split FHE), which we show to be sufficient for constructing iO. Specifically, split FHE is FHE where decryption takes the following two-step syntactic form: (i) a secret decryption step that uses the secret key and produces a hint which is (asymptotically) shorter than the length of the encrypted message, and (ii) a public decryption step that only requires the ciphertext and the previously generated hint (and not the entire secret key) and recovers the encrypted message. In terms of security, the hints for a set of ciphertexts should not allow one to violate semantic security for any other ciphertexts. Next, we show a generic candidate construction of split FHE based on three building blocks: (i) A standard FHE scheme with linear decrypt-and-multiply (which can be instantiated with essentially all LWE-based constructions), (ii) a linearly homomorphic encryption scheme with short decryption hints (such as the Damgård-Jurik encryption scheme, based on the DCR problem), and (iii) a cryptographic hash function (which can be based on a variety of standard assumptions). Our approach is heuristic in the sense that our construction is not provably secure and makes implicit assumptions about the interplay between these underlying primitives. We show evidence that this construction is secure by providing an argument in an appropriately defined oracle model. We view our construction as a big departure from the state-of-the-art constructions, and it is in fact quite simple.
Frobenius pseudo-variety of numerical semigroups with a given multiplicity and ratio
Authors: Moreno-Frías M. A. , Rosales J. C.
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we study the set $$\mathscr {L}(m,r)$$

L
(
m
,
r
)

of all numerical semigroups with multiplicity m and ratio r. In particular, we present some algorithms that compute all the elements of $$ \mathscr {L}(m,r)$$

L
(
m
,
r
)

with a given genus or with a given Frobenius number.
Efficacy of iron-silver bimetallic nanoparticles to enhance radiotherapy
Authors: Afifi Marwa M. , El-Gebaly Reem H. , Abdelrahman Ibrahim Y. , Rageh Monira M.
Published: June 2023

Radiotherapy (RT) is one of the primary cancer treatment methods. Radiosensitizers are used to enhance RT and protect healthy tissue. Heavy metals have been studied as radiosensitizers. Thus, iron oxide and iron oxide/silver nanoparticles have been the main subjects of this investigation. A simple honey-based synthesis of iron (IONPs) and iron-silver bimetallic nanoparticles (IO@AgNPs) were prepared followed by characterization with transmission electron microscope (TEM), absorption spectra, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Additionally, Ehrlich carcinoma was induced in 30 adult BALB/c mice and divided into 6 groups. Mice of group G1 were not treated with nanoparticles or exposed to irradiation (control group), and group G2 and G3 were treated with IONPs and IO@AgNPs respectively. Mice of group G4 were exposed to a high dose of gamma radiation (HRD) (12 Gy). Groups G5 and G6 were treated with IONPs and IO@AgNPs followed by exposure to a low dose of gamma radiation (LRD) (6 Gy) respectively. The impact of NP on the treatment protocol was evaluated by checking tumor growth, DNA damage, and level of oxidative stress in addition to investigating tumor histopathology. Additional research on the toxicity of this protocol was also evaluated by looking at the liver’s cytotoxicity. When compared to HRD therapy, combination therapy (bimetallic NPs and LRD) significantly increased DNA damage by about 75% while having a stronger efficacy in slowing Ehrlich tumor growth (at the end of treatment protocol) by about 45%. Regarding the biosafety concern, mice treated with combination therapy showed lower alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in their liver tissues by about half the value of HRD. IO@AgNPs enhanced the therapeutic effect of low-dose radiation and increased the efficacy of treating Ehrlich tumors with the least amount of harm to normal tissues as compared to high radiation dosage therapy.
Managing Intractable Natural Resource Conflicts: Exploring Possibilities and Conditions for Reframing in a Mine Establishment Conflict in Northern Sweden
Authors: Johansson Andreas
Published: June 2023

Natural resource management (NRM) increasingly relies on communicative measures to enable reframing in intractable conflicts. Reframing occurs when disputants change their perceptions of a conflict situation, and/or their preferences for dealing with it. However, the types of reframing possible, and the conditions under which they can occur, remain unclear. Through an inductive and longitudinal analysis of a mine establishment conflict in northern Sweden this paper explores to what extent, how, and under what conditions reframing can occur in intractable NRM conflicts. The findings reveal the difficulty in achieving consensus-oriented reframing. Despite multiple dispute resolution efforts, the disputants’ perceptions and preferences became increasingly polarized. Nonetheless, the results suggest that it is possible to enable reframing to the extent that all disputants can understand and accept each other’s different perceptions and positions, i.e., meta-consensus. Meta-consensus hinges on neutral, inclusive, equal, and deliberative intergroup communication. However, the results show that intergroup communication and reframing are significantly informed by institutional and other contextual factors. For example, when implemented within the formal governance system in the investigated case, intergroup communication lagged in quality and did not contribute to meta-consensus. Moreover, the results show that reframing is strongly influenced by the nature of the disputed issues, actors’ group commitments, and the governance system’s distribution of power to the actors. Based on these findings, it is argued that more efforts should focus on how governance systems can be configurated so that high-quality intergroup communication and meta-consensus can be enabled and inform decision making in intractable NRM conflicts.
The prevalence and incidence of progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lyons Shane , Trépel Dominic , Lynch Tim , Walsh Richard , O’Dowd Sean
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal syndrome (CBS) are progressive neurodegenerative syndromes characterised by Parkinsonism with additional features including cognitive dysfunction, falls, and oculomotor abnormalities. Understanding the epidemiology of these conditions is critical to planning for future service provision.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of studies reporting incidence and prevalence of CBS and PSP. A search of the PubMed and EMBASE data bases was conducted from their date of inception to 13th July 2021. Meta-analysis of studies sharing similar methodologies was carried out to generate estimated pooled prevalence and incidence.

Results

We found 32 studies meeting our criteria for inclusion. There were 20 studies with data on prevalence and 12 with incidence data of PSP. Prevalence of CBS was reported in eight studies while seven studies reported incidence. Reported estimates of prevalence for PSP ranged from 1.00 (0.9–1.1) to 18 (8–28) per 100,000 while prevalence rates for CBS ranged from 0.83 (0.1–3.0) to 25 (0–59). Incidence rates for PSP and CBS respectively ranged from 0.16 (0.07–0.39) to 2.6 per 100,000 person-years and 0.03 (0–0.18) to 0.8 (0.4–1.3) per 100,000 person-years. A random effects model meta-analysis of studies with similar methodologies yielded a pooled prevalence estimate for PSP of 6.92 (4.33–11.06, I2 = 89%, τ2 = 0.3907) and 3.91 (2.03–7.51, I2 = 72%, τ2 = 0.2573) per 100,000 for CBS.

Conclusion

Studies of the epidemiology of PSP and CBS report highly heterogeneous findings. There is a need for further studies using rigorous phenotyping and the most recent diagnostic criteria to understand the true burden of these conditions.