bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of mechanical/physical approaches for implant surface decontamination in non‐surgical submarginal instrumentation of peri‐implantitis. A systematic review
Authors: Cosgarea Raluca , Roccuzzo Andrea , Jepsen Karin , Sculean Anton , Jepsen Søren , Salvi Giovanni E.
Published: December 2022

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy of non‐surgical submarginal peri‐implant instrumentation with mechanical/physical decontamination compared to non‐surgical submarginal instrumentation alone or with placebo decontamination in patients with peri‐implantitis.

Materials and Methods

Three focused questions were addressed, and a systematic search for randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials, and prospective cohort studies with definitions of peri‐implantitis and a minimal follow‐up of 6 months was conducted. The main outcome variables were reduction in pocket probing depth (PD) and bleeding on probing (BOP). Suppuration on probing, marginal peri‐implant bone level changes, patient‐related outcomes and adverse events, implant survival, treatment success, and disease resolution were assessed as secondary outcomes.

Results

Out of 239 findings, full‐text articles were assessed for eligibility, and 9 (n = 9 RCTs) were included in the present review. Five studies evaluated the effects of various laser types, and in four studies efficacy of air‐abrasive mechanisms and of a novel ultrasonic device was determined. At 6 months, PD reductions were observed in nine studies but only Er, Cr:YSGG laser‐treated group showed statistically significant higher reductions compared to the control group. BOP was statistically significantly reduced at 6 months in two studies following the application of Er:YAG laser compared to controls. One study reported statistically significant reduction in BOP following application of air‐polishing device compared to control treatment. No statistically significant differences between treatment groups were reported for the secondary outcome variables. Owing to the large heterogeneity of study designs, no meta‐analysis was performed.

Conclusions

Available evidence on the efficacy of non‐surgical submarginal peri‐implant instrumentation with mechanical/physical decontamination is limited by the small number of controlled studies and the high heterogeneity of study protocols. Clinical and patient‐reported benefits remain to be demonstrated.
Continuity of trajectories of autism symptom severity from infancy to childhood
Authors: Franchini Martina , Smith Isabel M. , Sacrey Lori , Duku Eric , Brian Jessica , Bryson Susan E. , Vaillancourt Tracy , Armstrong Vickie , Szatmari Peter , Roberts Wendy , Roncadin Caroline , Zwaigenbaum Lonnie
Published: December 2022

Background

Behavioral symptom trajectories are informative of the development of young children at increased likelihood for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Methods

Developmental trajectories of early signs were examined in a cohort of siblings of children diagnosed with ASD (n = 502) from 6 to 18 months using the Autism Observation Scale for Infants (AOSI), and from 18 months to 5–7 years using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). Diagnostic outcomes for ASD at age 3 confirmed diagnosis for 137 children. We further analyzed the conditional probability of a switch from a trajectory measured with the AOSI to a trajectory measured with the ADOS as well as predictors from age 6 months.

Results

We derived three early trajectories of behavioral signs (“Low,” “Intermediate,” and “Increasing”) from 6 to 18 months using the AOSI. We then derived three similar, distinct trajectories for the evolution of symptom severity between 18 and 60–84 months of age (Low, Intermediate, Increasing) using the ADOS. Globally, the Low trajectory included children showing fewer ASD signs or symptoms and the Increasing trajectory included children showing more severe symptoms. We also found that most children in the Low AOSI trajectory stayed in the corresponding ADOS trajectory, whereas children in an Increasing AOSI trajectory tended to transition to an Intermediate or Increasing ADOS trajectory. Developmental measures taken at 6 months (early signs of ASD, Fine Motor, and Visual Reception skills) were predictive of trajectory membership.

Conclusions

Results confirm substantial heterogeneity in the early emergence of ASD signs in children at increased likelihood for ASD. Moreover, we showed that the way those early behavioral signs emerge in infants is predictive of later symptomatology. Results yield clear clinical implications, supporting the need to repeatedly assess infants at increased likelihood for ASD as this can be highly indicative of their later development and behavior.
Programmed acoustic tags reveal novel information on late‐phase marine life in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar
Authors: Kennedy Richard , Rosell Robert , Hunter Ewan , del Villar‐Guerra Diego
Published: December 2022

This pilot study used programmed acoustic tags implanted into Salmo salar smolts, in conjunction with an extensive offshore marine receiver array, to investigate late‐stage migratory behaviour and survival of returning adult salmon. A total of 100 smolts were tagged in 2020, and a number of individuals were successfully detected as returning adults in 2021. After detection efficiency was accounted for, 5–9 adults were estimated to have returned to the offshore array c. 45 km from the river mouth. A total of three fish were subsequently detected in the river. Losses of between 40% and 66% were evident during the final stages of ocean migration, and one tagged fish provided direct evidence of a predation event.
A population‐based, electronic health record‐guided approach to improve the quality of dementia care
Authors: Reuben David B. , Rosenstein Hanina L. , Chen Kimberly , Pillai Ajaya , Lee David R. , Meshkat Sarah D. , Chen Grace I.
Published: December 2022

Background

The quality of care of the 6.5 million Americans living with dementia has been suboptimal, leading to worse outcomes and higher costs. Few health systems have formal systems in place to guide the care of these patients. To help improve the care of persons living with dementia, we developed and preliminarily evaluated the effectiveness of electronic health record (EHR)‐generated recommendations for patients with dementia.

Methods

This quality improvement study was conducted from October 2020 through June 2022 at a single academic healthcare system and included patients identified as having dementia on their problem list and their physicians. Ten (seven outpatient and three inpatient) algorithms based on clinical logic and evidence were embedded in an EHR system to generate specific recommendations based on combinations of utilization, diagnosis, and medications. The number of each type of recommendation generated, and orders for each type of recommendation were recorded, as well as physician's perceptions of this approach.

Results

Three thousand six hundred and nine recommendations on 763 patients were triggered by the algorithms in the outpatient setting, and 185 referrals were placed. The most common recommendations were for ongoing care through the UCLA Alzheimer's and Dementia Care program, Palliative Care, the Extensivist Clinic, Urogynecology, and Clinical Pharmacy. The most commonly acted upon by providers were recommendations for referral to Pharmacists and the UCLA Alzheimer's and Dementia Care program.

The most common reason for not responding to specific recommendations was that these were not perceived as relevant to the patient. Compared to general medicine physicians, geriatricians felt more comfortable managing dementia care without a referral to a service (23% (95% CI 15%–34%) versus 3% (95% CI 0%–17%), p = 0.012) and less commonly felt the recommendation was appropriate (1% (95% CI 0%–7%) versus 13% (95% CI 4%–30%), p = 0.02).

Conclusions

EHR‐generated algorithms can help guide patients with dementia to appropriate clinical services.
Life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of residential battery storage systems: A German case study
Authors: Fett Daniel , Fraunholz Christoph , Schneider Philipp
Published: December 2022

Battery storage systems (BSSs) are popular as a means to increase the self‐consumption rates of residential photovoltaics. However, their environmental impact is under discussion, given the greenhouse gas emissions caused by the production and the efficiency losses during operation. Against this background, we carry out a holistic environmental assessment of residential BSSs by combining a partial life cycle assessment for the production phase with a detailed simulation of 162 individual German households for the operational phase. As regards the production phase, we only find small differences between the carbon footprints of different cell chemistries. Moreover, we can show that the balance of plant components have a comparable impact on the global warming potential as the cell modules. In terms of the operational phase, our simulations show that BSSs can compensate at least parts of their efficiency losses by shifting electricity demand from high‐emission to low‐emission periods. Under certain conditions, the operational phase of the BSSs can even overcompensate the emissions from the production phase and lead to a positive environmental impact over the lifetime of the systems. As the most relevant drivers, we find the exact emissions at the production stage, the individual household load patterns, the system efficiency, and the applied operational strategy.
Financial inclusion and food insecurity: Examining linkages and potential pathways
Authors: Koomson Isaac , Asongu Simplice A. , Acheampong Alex O.
Published: December 2022

Considering the worsening levels of food insecurity globally, studies exploring the link between financial inclusion and food insecurity have become imperative. This paper contributes to the literature by examining the effect of financial inclusion on food insecurity using a multidimensional index of financial inclusion and a food insecurity construct obtained from the Food Insecurity Experience Scale. Based on data extracted from the seventh round of the Ghana Living Standards Survey, our preferred endogeneity‐corrected results indicate that improvements in financial inclusion is associated with a reduction in food insecurity. This finding is consistent across different conceptualisations of food insecurity, alternative weighting schemes and cut‐offs for the financial inclusion index and different quasi‐experimental methods. Financial inclusion is mainly effective in reducing food insecurity in male‐headed and rural‐located households. Our findings reveal that entrepreneurship is an important pathway through which financial inclusion influences food insecurity.
Patients' right to know: A scoping review
Authors: Inkeroinen Saija , Virtanen Heli , Stolt Minna , Leino‐Kilpi Helena
Published: December 2022

Aims and Objectives

To analyse research‐based evidence about patients' right to know from their own perspective to promote ethically high‐quality nursing and to identify future research areas.

Background

Patients' right to know is a fundamental right. Although of topical research interest, the current state of scientific evidence on patients' right to know has not been reviewed.

Design

A scoping review according to the methodological framework by Arksey & O'Malley and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews.

Methods

In June 2022, a literature search was conducted in the Ovid Medline, CINAHL and Cochrane Library databases. The inclusion criteria were peer‐reviewed, empirical studies on the right to know with samples comprising adult patients. Data were analysed with inductive content analysis, and methodological quality was assessed with Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.

Results

Out of 2658 identified reports, 12 were selected for analysis. Based on the results, the research on patients' right to know can be classified into two main content categories: (1) expectations of the right and (2) realisation of the right. In the quality assessment, most of the reports did not meet all the quality criteria, the most common deficits being related to instrumentation and risk of bias.

Conclusions

Research‐based evidence on patients' right to know provided a general insight into expectations and realisation of the right to know and not to know. The results indicate a need for continued efforts for novel approaches with high‐quality methodological choices in future studies.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Nurses make constantly ethical decisions: The findings of this study can be useful for their decision‐making and understanding of the patient's perspective on knowledge issues, and therefore, support ethically high‐quality patient education.

Patient or Public Contribution

No direct patient or public contribution to the review.
Influence of pre‐grazing herbage mass on bite mass, eating behaviour, and dairy cow performance on pasture
Authors: Rombach Markus , Südekum Karl‐Heinz , Schori Fredy
Published: December 2022

Knowledge about individual daily herbage dry matter (DM) intake (DMI) helps identifying efficient dairy cows and adapting supplementation better to herbage intake and nutrient requirements of grazing dairy cows. With the aid of behavioural characteristics, raw data recorded with the RumiWatch (RW) system and processed with the RW converter 0.7.3.31 (C31), estimation of herbage DMI may be possible. First, C31, which allows differentiation of prehension bites and mastication chews, was validated through direct observation of behavioural characteristics and compared to the previous RW converter 0.7.3.11 (C11). Further, the influence of a low and high pre‐grazing herbage mass (HM), with the same target herbage allowance (HA), on bite mass, DMI, number of prehension bites, and milk production was investigated. In total, 24 lactating Holstein cows were pairwise allotted to one of two HM treatments. The cows received a new pasture paddock twice per day with a daily target HA of 22 kg DM per cow/day. On average, low HM (LHM) and high HM (HHM) paddocks had an HM of 589 and 2288 kg DM/ha, respectively, above 6.7 click units (1 CU = 0.5 cm). Overall, LHM cows produced 2.7 kg/day more milk and 2.5 kg/day more energy‐corrected milk, had the same herbage DMI and a similar prehension bite mass. The averaged bite mass per week was 0.49 g DM/bite (LHM) or 0.47 g DM/bite (HHM), respectively. A longer eating time (617 vs. 559 min/day) and a shorter rumination time (297 vs. 365 min/day) were observed for the LHM cows compared with the HHM cows. The validation of the RW showed similar results for C11 and C31 apart from prehension bites, where C31 showed a mean absolute deviation of 12.4%. Pre‐grazing HM had no effect on relevant behavioural characteristics for prospective intake estimation, namely, bite mass and number of prehension bites.
How religion affects sleep health: exploring the perspectives of religious Muslims and Jews in Israel
Authors: Zarhin Dana
Published: December 2022

Few empirical studies have explored the links between sleep and religion and no research has examined how religious individuals view these links. This article contributes to the literature by drawing on in‐depth interviews with 31 midlife Israeli Muslims and Jews who describe themselves as religious or very religious. Findings indicate that respondents shared the view that sleep is important for health and wellbeing, as well as for religious practice and the proper worship of God. Their accounts clarified that religious observance entails a set of social rules and prescriptions as well as beliefs that may affect sleep behaviour and sleep outcomes. Traditional prayer times affected sleep duration for observant Muslims and Jews because respondents woke up early for prayer but could not always retire early enough so as to obtain a sufficient amount of sleep. Religion also dictated a preferred sleep position, to which participants became accustomed and found to be helpful. Respondents maintained that their deep faith in God and the practice of praying helped reduce stress, which contributed to sleep quality. However, among Muslims, missing prayers could arouse feelings of guilt and unease, thus affecting sleep quality. The article concludes that religion affects the sleep of both Muslims and Jews, but these effects vary by how individuals practice their religion and by how religiosity intersects with other social categories, such as gender. Future studies could enrich understanding of the social determinants of sleep by designing research inspired by lay persons’ insights into the association between religion and sleep.
Sepsis and survival in critically ill calves: Risk factors and antimicrobial use
Authors: Pas Mathilde L. , Bokma Jade , Lowie Thomas , Boyen Filip , Pardon Bart
Published: December 2022

Background

Sepsis is a life‐threatening disease for which critically important antimicrobials (CIA) frequently are used. Diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for sepsis and critically ill calves are largely lacking.

Objectives

Identify factors associated with mortality in critically ill calves and describe bacteria obtained from blood cultures of critically ill calves with sepsis and their antimicrobial resistance.

Animals

Two‐hundred thirty critically ill calves, mainly Belgian Blue beef cattle.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study. Logistic regression, survival analysis, and decision tree analysis were used to determine factors associated with mortality.

Results

Of the critically ill calves, 34.3% had sepsis and 61.3% died. The final survival model indicated that calves with sepsis (hazard risk [HR]: 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0‐2.5;P = .05), abnormal behavior (HR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.3‐4.0;P = .005), and hypothermia (HR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.72‐0.95;P = .01) had a significantly higher mortality risk. In a second survival model, hypothermia (HR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.78‐0.96;P = .004) and hypoglycemia (HR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.5‐3.3;P < .001) were risk factors for mortality. Decision tree analysis emphasized the importance of behavior, hypochloremia, hypoglycemia, hyperkalemia, and lung ultrasonography for mortality risk.

Escherichia coli(30.6%) was most frequently isolated from blood cultures, of which 90.9% were multidrug resistant. Inappropriate use of antimicrobials was frequent for penicillin, amoxicillin, and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, but less for CIA.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Many critically ill calves have sepsis, which increases mortality risk. Bacteria involved are often resistant to first‐intention antimicrobials but less resistant to CIA. The other identified risk factors for mortality can support therapeutic decision‐making.
Ellenberg‐type indicator values for European vascular plant species
Authors: Tichý Lubomír , Axmanová Irena , Dengler Jürgen , Guarino Riccardo , Jansen Florian , Midolo Gabriele , Nobis Michael P. , Van Meerbeek Koenraad , Aćić Svetlana , Attorre Fabio , Bergmeier Erwin , Biurrun Idoia , Bonari Gianmaria , Bruelheide Helge , Campos Juan Antonio , Čarni Andraž , Chiarucci Alessandro , Ćuk Mirjana , Ćušterevska Renata , Didukh Yakiv , Dítě Daniel , Dítě Zuzana , Dziuba Tetiana , Fanelli Giuliano , Fernández‐Pascual Eduardo , Garbolino Emmanuel , Gavilán Rosario G. , Gégout Jean‐Claude , Graf Ulrich , Güler Behlül , Hájek Michal , Hennekens Stephan M. , Jandt Ute , Jašková Anni , Jiménez‐Alfaro Borja , Julve Philippe , Kambach Stephan , Karger Dirk Nikolaus , Karrer Gerhard , Kavgacı Ali , Knollová Ilona , Kuzemko Anna , Küzmič Filip , Landucci Flavia , Lengyel Attila , Lenoir Jonathan , Marcenò Corrado , Moeslund Jesper Erenskjold , Novák Pavel , Pérez‐Haase Aaron , Peterka Tomáš , Pielech Remigiusz , Pignatti Alessandro , Rašomavičius Valerijus , Rūsiņa Solvita , Saatkamp Arne , Šilc Urban , Škvorc Željko , Theurillat Jean‐Paul , Wohlgemuth Thomas , Chytrý Milan
Published: December 2022

Aims

Ellenberg‐type indicator values are expert‐based rankings of plant species according to their ecological optima on main environmental gradients. Here we extend the indicator‐value system proposed by Heinz Ellenberg and co‐authors for Central Europe by incorporating other systems of Ellenberg‐type indicator values (i.e., those using scales compatible with Ellenberg values) developed for other European regions. Our aim is to create a harmonized data set of Ellenberg‐type indicator values applicable at the European scale.

Methods

We collected European data sets of indicator values for vascular plants and selected 13 data sets that used the nine‐, ten‐ or twelve‐degree scales defined by Ellenberg for light, temperature, moisture, reaction, nutrients and salinity. We compared these values with the original Ellenberg values and used those that showed consistent trends in regression slope and coefficient of determination. We calculated the average value for each combination of species and indicator values from these data sets. Based on species’ co‐occurrences in European vegetation plots, we also calculated new values for species that were not assigned an indicator value.

Results

We provide a new data set of Ellenberg‐type indicator values for 8908 European vascular plant species (8168 for light, 7400 for temperature, 8030 for moisture, 7282 for reaction, 7193 for nutrients, and 7507 for salinity), of which 398 species have been newly assigned to at least one indicator value.

Conclusions

The newly introduced indicator values are compatible with the original Ellenberg values. They can be used for large‐scale studies of the European flora and vegetation or for gap‐filling in regional data sets. The European indicator values and the original and taxonomically harmonized regional data sets of Ellenberg‐type indicator values are available in the Supporting Information and the Zenodo repository.
Root exudation of carbon and nitrogen compounds varies over the day–night cycle in pea: The role of diurnal changes in internal pools
Authors: Tixier Aude , Forest Marion , Prudent Marion , Durey Vincent , Zwieniecki Maciej , Barnard Romain L.
Published: December 2022

Rhizodeposition is the export of organic compounds from plant roots to the soil. Carbon allocation towards rhizodeposition has to be balanced with allocation for other physiological functions, which depend on both newly assimilated and stored nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC). To test whether the exudation of primary metabolites scales with plant NSC status, we studied diurnal dynamics of NSC and amino acid (AA) pools and fluxes within the plant and the rhizosphere. These diurnal dynamics were measured in the field and under hydroponic‐controlled conditions. Further, C‐limiting treatments offered further insight into the regulation of rhizodeposition. The exudation of primary metabolites fluctuated diurnally. The diurnal dynamics of soluble sugars (SS) and AA concentrations in tissues coincided with exudate pool fluctuations in the rhizosphere. SS and AA pools in the rhizosphere increased with NSC and AA pools in the roots. C starvation treatments offset the balance of exudates: AA exudate content in the rhizosphere significantly decreased while SS exudate content remained stable. Our results suggest that rhizodeposition is to some extent controlled by plant C:N status. We propose that SS exudation is less controlled than AA exudation because N assimilation depends on controlled C supply while SS exudation relies to a greater extent on passive diffusion mechanisms.
Post coronavirus disease 2019 condition in children at a children's hospital in Japan
Authors: Horikoshi Yuho , Shibata Meiwa , Funakoshi Hanako , Baba Shintaro , Miyama Sahoko
Published: December 2022

Background

Acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is associated with chronic symptoms. These have been termed the “post COVID‐19 condition.” The data on this condition in children are still limited. We therefore aimed to elucidate the characteristics of this post COVID‐19 condition.

Methods

Children referred to a long COVID‐19 clinic were included at Tokyo Metropolitan Children's Medical Center between October 2021 and July 2022. Children with another diagnosis and those who failed to meet criteria for post COVID‐19 condition were excluded. Demographic and clinical data were collected retrospectively.

Results

Of 33 referrals, nine were excluded, and 24 fulfilled the criteria for post COVID‐19 condition. The median age and percentage of girls were 12.5 (IQR: 11–13) years and 29.2%, respectively. All the patients had mild, acute COVID‐19. Dysgeusia and brain fog was observed more frequently during the Delta and Omicron variant periods, respectively. School absenteeism >4 weeks was observed in 41.6% of the patients. Common symptoms included malaise, headache, dysgeusia, and dysosmia. The median duration of post COVID‐19 condition was 4.5 (IQR: 2.8–5.2) months. Pain management and counseling using the pacing approach were the most commonly offered treatments. Symptom resolution and improvement was observed in 29.2% and 54.2% of the patients, respectively.

Conclusions

One third of the patients referred for long COVID did not fit the definition of the post COVID‐19 condition. After a median follow up of 4.5 months, the majority of the cases resolved or improved.
Evaluation of the 14‐h together relationship and financial education program for couples
Authors: Falconier Mariana K. , Foss Rebecca , Lachowicz Mark J. , Kim Jinhee
Published: December 2022

A 14‐h version of TOGETHER, a relationship and financial education program for couples (Author, 2015), was evaluated by comparing pre‐ and post‐intervention changes in psychological distress, relationship functioning, and financial management in couples that participated in this shorter 14‐h workshop (14HW) version, in the original 20‐h workshop (20HW) version, or in a control group that received no intervention. The total sample included 649 community couples (14HW group: 320; 20HW group:182; control group: 147) recruited from the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. Self‐report data were analyzed through dyadic multilevel models to test mean differences within each group (control, 14HW, and 20HW) and across groups from pre‐intervention to post‐intervention controlling for demographic differences and baseline measurement of variables. Compared to the 20HW version, the 14HW format had lower attrition and greater participation. In addition, improvements in positive conflict management, relationship quality and satisfaction, and commitment, and reductions in negative conflict management and difficulties paying bills were not significantly different from the 20HW group, but they were significantly different from the control group. Participants reported high levels of program satisfaction. Limitations and programmatic implications, as well as the need for further evaluations of the 14HW version, are discussed.
Languages, Latin, and the Jacobean Secretariat: William Fowler's Letters in Florence and Venice
Authors: Steenson Allison L.
Published: December 2022

This article presents several letters by Queen Anna of Denmark that are currently preserved in the State Archives of Florence and Venice, and that were written by her foreign secretary, Master William Fowler (Edinburgh 1560–London 1612). Fowler is a well‐known presence in Scottish literary history, as a member of James' VI so‐called ‘Castalian band of poets’ in the 1580 s and a translator of Petrarch and Machiavelli into Scots. The letters penned by him and preserved in Italy, mostly postdating the move of the Scottish court to London, offer a new perspective on Fowler's career as Anna's secretary, and provide additional information on the internal workings of the Queen's secretarial establishment in London, prompting us to re‐evaluate both Fowler's professional trajectory and the nature and functioning of the Jacobean secretariat.
Golgi screen identifies the RhoGEF Solo as a novel regulator of RhoB and endocytic transport
Authors: Lungu Cristiana , Meyer Florian , Hörning Marcel , Steudle Jasmin , Braun Anja , Noll Bettina , Benz David , Fränkle Felix , Schmid Simone , Eisler Stephan A. , Olayioye Monilola A.
Published: December 2022

The control of intracellular membrane trafficking by Rho GTPases is central to cellular homeostasis. How specific guanine nucleotide exchange factors and GTPase‐activating proteins locally balance GTPase activation in this process is nevertheless largely unclear. By performing a microscopy‐based RNAi screen, we here identify the RhoGEF protein Solo as a functional counterplayer of DLC3, a RhoGAP protein with established roles in membrane trafficking. Biochemical, imaging and optogenetics assays further uncover Solo as a novel regulator of endosomal RhoB. Remarkably, we find that Solo and DLC3 control not only the activity, but also total protein levels of RhoB in an antagonistic manner. Together, the results of our study uncover the first functionally connected RhoGAP‐RhoGEF pair at endomembranes, placing Solo and DLC3 at the core of endocytic trafficking.
Firms persistence under sanctions:Micro‐levelevidence from Iran
Authors: Cheratian Iman , Goltabar Saleh , Farzanegan Mohammad Reza
Published: December 2022

Given the importance of firm strategic management in the time of crisis, this study investigates Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) approaches to persistence during the international sanctions against Iran. Using data from a questionnaire of 486 firms between December 2019 and September 2020, we found that reducing research and development (R&D) expenditures, marketing costs and fixed/overhead costs and investing in information technology (IT) are positively related to firm persistence. Conversely, managerial decisions to reduce production and cut or freeze staff pay have negative and significant impacts on a firm's ability to persist during sanctions. Moreover, micro‐firms are more resilient than their small and medium counterparts. The findings also confirm that age has a significant and positive impact on firm persistence. Finally, the results show that having a business plan, access to finance and technology, owner education, export orientation, business networking and consulting services are the key drivers of withstanding pressure from sanctions.
Reduced-size Biocompatible Implantable Planar Inverted F- Antenna
Authors: Dewan Raimi , Yusri Nuradilah , Mohamad Salim Maheza Irna
Published: December 2022

The existence of implantable antennas presents intrinsic challenges as the performance of the antenna degrades due to the high losses of body tissues. In this study, a reduced-size Planar Inverted F- Antenna (PIFA) operating at Industrial, Scientific Medical (ISM) band (2.4 GHz) is designed and optimized. The design of PIFA is modeled to study and analyze the effect on the implantable antenna by placing it within the human body model, particularly in the arm. Copper is used as the patch material and the ground layer of the proposed antenna with Rogers RO3210 as its substrates.  The simulation was carried within the human fat layer which is sandwich between the skin dan muscle layer. The design optimization of the antenna  for operation  in a human fat layer with optimal performance was achieved by reducing the size of the antenna.  The antenna exhibits good stability with the reflection coefficient, S11 ≤ -10 dB at 2.4 GHz suitable for WBAN application in the environment of the human fat layer for near field communication. Analysis performance of the antenna was conducted by the transient movement of the antenna position due to the antenna being prone to movement when it is implanted within the body. The transient movement analysis is done when the implantable antenna is moving toward the skin layer and toward the muscle layer from the initial position within the fat layer. Additionally, 1 mm, 2 mm, interface of the layer and when the antenna within another tissue layer has been set to examine the performance of the implantable antenna. Correspondingly, simulation results indicate the impact of the human body layer due to the electrical properties of the human body in terms of conductivities, permittivity, and thicknesses of the layers. This has shown the design optimization of the antenna satisfies all requirements for an implantable antenna, such as small size of 5.08 × 4.00 × 0.66 (), biocompatible, low reflection coefficient of -42 dB at 2.4 GHz, realized gain of -18 dBi suitable for near field communication, and acceptable performance in fat layer. Future work will expand on conducting Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) to study the high attenuation of the radiated power of the human body on implanted antennas for the safety reason to bring in real life where it is being performed and examined.
A Method for Evaluating Brain Deformation Under Sagittal Blunt Impacts Using a Half-Skull Human-Scale Surrogate
Authors: Hanna Michael , Ali Abdus , Klienberger Michael , Pfister Bryan J.
Published: December 2022

Trauma to the brain is a biomechanical problem where the initiating event is a dynamic loading (blunt, inertial, blast) to the head. To understand the relationship between the mechanical parameters of the injury and the spatial and temporal deformation patterns in the brain, there is a need to develop a reusable and adaptable experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI) model that can measure brain motion under varying parameters. In this effort, we aim to directly measure brain deformation (strain and strain rates) in different brain regions in a human head model using a drop tower. Methods: Physical head models consisting of a half, sagittal plane skull, brain, and neck were constructed and subjected to crown and frontal impacts at two impact speeds. All tests were recorded with a high-speed camera at 1000 frames per second. Motion of visual markers within brain surrogates were used to track deformations and calculate spatial strain histories in 6 brain regions of interest. Principal strains, strain rates and strain impulses were calculated and reported. Results: Higher impact velocities corresponded to higher strain values across all impact scenarios. Crown impacts were characterized by high, long duration strains distributed across the parietal, frontal and hippocampal regions whereas frontal impacts were characterized by sharply rising and falling strains primarily found in the parietal, frontal, hippocampal and occipital regions. High strain rates were associated with short durations and impulses indicating fast but short-lived strains. 2.23 m/s (5 mph) crown impacts resulted in 53% of the brain with shear strains higher than 0.15 verses 32% for frontal impacts. Conclusions: The results reveal large differences in the spatial and temporal strain responses between crown and forehead impacts. Overall, the results suggest that for the same speed, crown impact leads to higher magnitude strain patterns than a frontal impact. The data provided by this model provides unique insight into the spatial and temporal deformation patterns that have not been provided by alternate surrogate models. The model can be used to investigate how anatomical, material and loading features and parameters can affect deformation patterns in specific regions of interest in the brain.
A Phenomenological Combustion Model for Diesel–Methanol Dual-Fuel Engines
Authors: Karystinos Vasileios , Papalambrou George
Published: December 2022

Strict emission regulations and energy security concerns have led to various alternative concepts for the engine operation. Diesel–Methanol dual-fuel combustion solution has gained momentum over the past decade due to the fact that the technology required to convert a pure diesel engine to a dual-fuel one is mature, and methanol is a well-known substance in the industry. However, designing, tuning, and optimizing these engines require fast and reliable simulation models. For this purpose in the present study, a phenomenological combustion model, for a four-stroke port-injected methanol diesel engine, is established. The model is tuned with in-cylinder combustion data. The heat release rate is estimated via a triple-Wiebe function. Ignition delay is modeled with an Arrhenius-type expression, utilizing the methanol and diesel equivalence ratio, among other operational parameters. Other model parameters are obtained from data-driven functions, correlating the basic parameters of the combustion. The data used for model calibration and validation were generated with a computational fluid dynamic numerical model, and it was verified with data provided in the literature.
Study of Flow Patterns in a Moving Bed Reactor for Chemical Looping Combustion Based on Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Shao Yali , Agarwal Ramesh K. , Wang Xudong , Jin Baosheng
Published: December 2022

A tower-type moving bed can be used as the air reactor in a chemical looping combustion system because of its low-pressure drop and smooth operation. In our previous simulation, a quasi-two-dimensional numerical model was established using discrete element method (DEM) approach to investigate the velocity and solid residence time distributions in the moving bed. In this work, the flow patterns under different operating and structural parameters are studied and optimized via machine learning methods. The random Forest regression model is applied to evaluate the importance of each variable to the solid flow pattern, while the feed forward neural network is applied to buildup a high-accuracy model to predict the solid axial velocity in the moving bed without the requirement to understand the physical mechanisms. Results show that the solid mass flux has the least impact on the mass flow index, while the axial position has the dominant influence and what comes next is the wedge angle, reactor angle, and ratio of down-comer diameter to reactor diameter. Further, based on the established feed forward neural network model, relation between the effective transition position and structural parameters of the moving bed is built, which provides valuable guidance for optimization of the reactor configuration.
Teeth Mold Point Cloud Completion Via Data Augmentation and Hybrid RL-GAN
Authors: Toscano Juan Diego , Zuniga-Navarrete Christian , Siu Wilson David Jo , Segura Luis Javier , Sun Hongyue
Published: December 2022

Teeth scans are essential for many applications in orthodontics, where the teeth structures are virtualized to facilitate the design and fabrication of the prosthetic piece. Nevertheless, due to the limitations caused by factors such as viewing angles, occlusions, and sensor resolution, the 3D scanned point clouds (PCs) could be noisy or incomplete. Hence, there is a critical need to enhance the quality of the teeth PCs to ensure a suitable dental treatment. Toward this end, we propose a systematic framework including a two-step data augmentation (DA) technique to augment the limited teeth PCs and a hybrid deep learning (DL) method to complete the incomplete PCs. For the two-step DA, we first mirror and combine the PCs based on the bilateral symmetry of the human teeth and then augment the PCs based on an iterative generative adversarial network (GAN). Two filters are designed to avoid the outlier and duplicated PCs during the DA. For the hybrid DL, we first use a deep autoencoder (AE) to represent the PCs. Then, we propose a hybrid approach that selects the best completion to the teeth PCs from AE and a reinforcement learning (RL) agent-controlled GAN. Ablation study is performed to analyze each component’s contribution. We compared our method with other benchmark methods including point cloud network (PCN), cascaded refinement network (CRN), and variational relational point completion network (VRC-Net), and demonstrated that the proposed framework is suitable for completing teeth PCs with good accuracy over different scenarios.
ACTR5 controls CDKN2A and tumor progression in an INO80-independent manner
Authors: Xu Xiaobao , Chan Anthony K. N. , Li Mingli , Liu Qiao , Mattson Nicole , Pangeni Pokharel Sheela , Chang Wen-Han , Yuan Yate-Ching , Wang Jinhui , Moore Roger E. , Pirrotte Patrick , Wu Jun , Su Rui , Müschen Markus , Rosen Steven T. , Chen Jianjun , Yang Lu , Chen Chun-Wei
Published: December 2022

Epigenetic dysregulation of cell cycle is a hallmark of tumorigenesis in multiple cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nonetheless, the epigenetic mechanisms underlying the aberrant cell cycle signaling and therapeutic response remain unclear. Here, we used an epigenetics-focused CRISPR interference screen and identified ACTR5 (actin-related protein 5), a component of the INO80 chromatin remodeling complex, to be essential for HCC tumor progression. Suppression of ACTR5 activated CDKN2A expression, ablated CDK/E2F-driven cell cycle signaling, and attenuated HCC tumor growth. Furthermore, high-density CRISPR gene tiling scans revealed a distinct HCC-specific usage of ACTR5 and its interacting partner IES6 compared to the other INO80 complex members, suggesting an INO80-independent mechanism of ACTR5/IES6 in supporting the HCC proliferation. Last, our study revealed the synergism between ACTR5/IES6-targeting and pharmacological inhibition of CDK in treating HCC. These results indicate that the dynamic interplay between epigenetic regulators, tumor suppressors, and cell cycle machinery could provide novel opportunities for combinational HCC therapy.
Symbiotic microbes aid host adaptation by metabolizing a deterrent host pine carbohydrate
d
-pinitol in a beetle-fungus invasive complex
Authors: Liu Fanghua , Ye Fangyuan , Cheng Chihang , Kang Zhiwei , Kou Hongru , Sun Jianghua
Published: December 2022

The red turpentine beetle (RTB) is one of the most destructive invasive pests in China and solely consumes pine phloem containing high amounts of
d
-pinitol. Previous studies reported that
d
-pinitol exhibits deterrent effects on insects. However, it remains unknown how insects overcome
d
-pinitol during their host plant adaptation. We found that
d
-pinitol had an antagonistic effect on RTB, which mainly relied on gallery microbes to degrade
d
-pinitol to enhance host adaptation with mutualistic
Leptographium procerum
and two symbiotic bacteria,
Erwinia
and
Serratia
, responsible for this degradation. Genomic, transcriptomic, and functional investigations revealed that all three microbes can metabolize
d
-pinitol via different branches of the inositol pathway. Our results collectively highlight the contributions of symbiotic microbes in RTB’s adaptation to living on pine, thereby facilitating outbreaks of RTB in China. These findings further enrich our knowledge of symbiotic invasions and contribute to the further understanding of plant-insect interactions.
Low-threshold nanolasers based on miniaturized bound states in the continuum
Authors: Ren Yuhao , Li Peishen , Liu Zhuojun , Chen Zihao , Chen You-Ling , Peng Chao , Liu Jin
Published: December 2022

The pursuit of compact lasers with low thresholds has imposed strict requirements on tight light confinements with minimized radiation losses. Bound states in the continuum (BICs) have been recently demonstrated as an effective mechanism to trap light. However, most reported BIC lasers are still bulky due to the absence of in-plane light confinement. Here, we combine BICs and photonic bandgaps to realize three-dimensional light confinements, as referred to miniaturized BICs (mini-BICs). We demonstrate highly compact active mini-BIC resonators with a record high-quality (
Q
) factor of up to 32,500, which enables single-mode lasing with the lowest threshold of 80 W/cm
2
among the reported BIC lasers. In addition, photon statistics measurements further confirm the occurrence of the stimulated emission in our devices. Our work reveals a path toward compact BIC lasers with ultralow power consumption and potentially boosts the applications in cavity quantum electrodynamics, nonlinear optics, and integrated photonics.
Formation of an Anti-Chinese Consensus among US “Think Tanks”: From D. Trump to J. Biden
Authors: Kochegurov D. A.
Published: December 2022

This article is dedicated to the factor of think tanks in the US foreign policy towards China. A rapid change in attitudes to China within the US political elite is recorded, which indirectly reflects the influence of think tanks on it. Based on the analysis of reports of leading think tanks, the evolution of their views on China is demonstrated. The main conclusion is that the think tanks support an anti-Chinese consensus, strengthened during the presidency of D. Trump, and advocate stricter measures against China. Overall, the American expert community sticks to the same approaches to China and gives approximately similar recommendations to the US government.
The Infrastructure Competition between the United States and China in Developing Countries
Authors: Boreyko A. V. , Vernigora A. A. , Kislitsyn S. V.
Published: December 2022

A brief comparative analysis of US and Chinese infrastructure projects is provided. The world-system approach, which sets the objective possibilities and limitations of the strategies of the United States and China as interconnected parts of the world economy and politics, was chosen as the methodological basis. The first part of this article describes the world-system approach, as well as the position of the People’s Republic of China in the modern system of international relations. The second part is devoted to the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative. The third part provides an analysis of counterinitiatives put forward by the United States.
Modeling of Gold Adsorption by the Surface of Defect Graphene
Authors: Asadov M. M. , Mammadova S. O. , Guseinova S. S. , Mustafaeva S. N. , Lukichev V. F.
Published: December 2022

The results of the theoretical investigation of the local structural changes and adsorption characteristics of the graphene (GP) surface in the presence of a vacancy + Auads adatom complex are presented. Based on the density functional theory (DFT), the adsorption properties of Auads at the surface of GP supercells containing 50 carbon atoms with vacancies $$({\text{GP}}\left\langle {{\text{A}}{{{\text{u}}}_{{{\text{ads}}}}}} \right\rangle ,{\text{ G}}{{{\text{P}}}_{{\text{V}}}}\left\langle {{\text{A}}{{{\text{u}}}_{{{\text{ads}}}}}} \right\rangle $$) are calculated. The most stable configuration of $${\text{G}}{{{\text{P}}}_{{\text{V}}}}\left\langle {{\text{A}}{{{\text{u}}}_{{{\text{ads}}}}}} \right\rangle $$ supercells with a vacancy + Auads adatom complex is determined. The effect that an Auads adatom has on the band structure and local magnetic moment in $${\text{G}}{{{\text{P}}}_{{\text{V}}}}\left\langle {{\text{A}}{{{\text{u}}}_{{{\text{ads}}}}}} \right\rangle $$ is calculated. The data are analyzed based on the equilibrium atomic configuration $${\text{G}}{{{\text{P}}}_{{\text{V}}}}\left\langle {{\text{A}}{{{\text{u}}}_{{{\text{ads}}}}}} \right\rangle $$, local density of electronic states, and spin polarization. The calculations are made using the exchange-correlation functional in a local electron-spin density approximation (LSDA).
Looking for Tumor Specific Promoters In Silico
Authors: Kashkin K. N.
Published: December 2022

Abstract—

Previously we demonstrated the tumor-specific activity of several human native and chimeric promoters. Here we have analyzed the DNA sequences of experimentally tested tumor-specific promoters for the presence of recognition matrices of transcription factors and for de novo motif discovery. CiiiDER and MEME Suite software tools were used for this purpose. A number of transcription factor matrices have been identified, which are present more often in tumor-specific promoters than in the promoters of housekeeping genes. New promoter–TF regulatory relationships have been predicted by pathway analysis. A motif of 44 bp characteristic of tumor-specific promoters but not of housekeeping gene promoters has been discovered. The search through 29 598 human promoters from the EPDnew promoter database has revealed a series of promoters with this motif, their genes being associated with unfavorable prognoses in cancer. We suppose that some of these promoters may possess a tumor specific activity. In addition, a close similarity in nucleotide motifs between the promoters of theBIRC5andMCM2genes has been shown. The results of the study may contribute to understanding the peculiarities of gene transcription in tumors, as well as to searching for native tumor-specific promoters or creating artificial ones for cancer gene therapy, as well as in the development of anticancer vaccines.