bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A vehicle cloud control system considering communication quantization and stochastic delay
Authors: Pan JiAn , Xu Qing , Li KeQiang , Wang JianQiang
Published: March 2023

A novel kind of networked feedback controller is designed for the vehicle cloud control system in the presence of both sensor‐controller/controller‐actuator delay and communication quantization. Firstly, the vehicle cloud control system with delayed and quantized communication is modeled using the lateral/longitudinal vehicle dynamic and Markovian jump linear system (MJLS) theory. Then, some efficient stabilization conditions in matrix inequalities forms are derived for the considered cloud‐controlled vehicles. Furthermore, a cone complementary linearization method is utilized to solve the nonlinear matrix inequalities involved in the stabilization conditions. Simulation tests on connected vehicle lateral and longitudinal control are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the analytical results. Compared with the commonly used constant‐parameter controllers, the proposed method is practical to design vehicle cloud controllers under stochastic delay and communication quantization scenarios, with known delay distribution. Lastly, the stability of the vehicle cloud control system is guaranteed under the infection of unreliable communication factors with the proposed control method.
A censored quantile regression approach for relative survival analysis: Relative survival quantile regression
Authors: Williamson John M. , Lin Hung‐Mo , Lyles Robert H.
Published: March 2023

We propose a censored quantile regression model for the analysis of relative survival data. We create a hybrid data set consisting of the study observations and counterpart randomly sampled pseudopopulation observations imputed from population life tables that adjust for expected mortality. We then fit a censored quantile regression model to the hybrid data incorporating demographic variables (e.g., age, biologic sex, calendar time) corresponding to the population life tables of demographically‐similar individuals, a population versus study covariate, and its interactions with the variables of interest. These latter variables can be interpreted as relative survival parameters that depict the differences in failure quantiles between the study participants and their population counterparts.
Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma transformation: A novel acquired drug resistance mechanism in colorectal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Du Feng , Han Ying , Hu Xiao , Xiao Yanjie , Shi Youwu , Sun Jing , Sun Zhiwei , Yang Ying , Yu Jing , Zhang Xiaodong , Jia Jun
Published: March 2023

Acquired resistance is a major problem limiting the clinical efficacy of treatments for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Histological transformation is an important mechanism underlying the acquired resistance of non‐small cell lung cancer and prostate cancer to targeted therapy. However, no report has examined the role of histological transformation in mCRC. Here, we report the first case of histologically transformed large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma from primary colon adenocarcinoma during antiangiogenesis and anti‐PD‐1 combination therapy. The histologic conversion was confirmed by the observation that the transformed large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma lesion retained the original mutational signature found in the primary tumor. Sequential tumor biopsy and dynamic changes in tumor markers demonstrated the transformed process. The histological transformation not only resulted in discordant responses to the same treatment but also significantly shortened overall survival. This case calls for more attention to histological transformation in mCRC. Tumor rebiopsy upon disease progression and monitoring dynamic changes in tumor markers would help to identify such cases.
Comprehensive transcriptomic analysis to identify biological and clinical differences in cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Silvestri Marco , Nghia Vu Trung , Nichetti Federico , Niger Monica , Di Cosimo Serena , De Braud Filippo , Pruneri Giancarlo , Pawitan Yudi , Calza Stefano , Cappelletti Vera
Published: March 2023

Background

Cholangiocarcinoma (CC) is a rare and aggressive disease with limited therapeutic options and a poor prognosis. All available public records of cohorts reporting transcriptomic data on intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECC) were collected with the aim to provide a comprehensive gene expression‐based classification with clinical relevance.

Methods

A total of 543 patients with primary tumor tissues profiled by RNAseq and microarray platforms from seven public datasets were used as a discovery set to identify distinct biological subgroups. Group predictors developed on the discovery sets were applied to a single cohort of 131 patients profiled with RNAseq for validation and assessment of clinical relevance leveraging machine learning techniques.

Results

By unsupervised clustering analysis of gene expression data we identified both in the ICC and ECC discovery datasets four subgroups characterized by a distinct type of immune infiltrate and signaling pathways. We next developed class predictors using short gene list signatures and identified in an independent dataset subgroups of ICC tumors at different prognosis.

Conclusions

The developed class‐predictor allows identification of CC subgroups with specific biological features and clinical behavior at single‐sample level. Such results represent the starting point for a complete molecular characterization of CC, including integration of genomics data to develop in clinical practice.
Radiological lymph‐node size improves the prognostic value of systemic inflammation index in rectal cancer with pathologically negative nodes
Authors: Peng Shaoyong , Liu Xiaoxia , Li Yingjie , Yu Huichuan , Xie Yumo , Wang Xiaolin , Zhou Jiaming , Zhu Mingxuan , Luo Yanxin , Huang Meijin
Published: March 2023

Background

The relationship between the radiological lymph node (rLN) size and survival outcome in node‐negative rectal cancer is still uncertain. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of enlarged rLN in predicting the survival of node‐negative rectal cancers.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 722 node‐negative rectal cancer who underwent curative resection. Factors associated with DFS (disease‐free survival) and CSS (cancer‐specific survival) were assessed with univariate and multivariate analysis. Survival analysis was performed according to presence with or without enlarged rLN. Combining rLN with NLR as a new index‐inflammation immune score (IIS) for predicting survival. Comparing different models to assess the predictive powers.

Results

A total of 119 patients had tumor recurrence and 73 patients died due to cancer. Patients with enlarged rLN (≥5 mm) was significantly associated with better DFS (HR:0.517, 95%CI:0.339–0.787, p = 0.002) and CSS (HR:0.43, 95%CI:0.242–0.763, p = 0.004). The risk factors of recurrence were rLN, neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), CEA level, and distance from the anal verge. The risk of recurrence increased by 1.88‐ and 2.83‐fold for the high score in IIS compared with the low and intermediate score group (All p < 0.001). Similarly, the high score in IIS also increased the risk of cancer‐specific death. In the model comparison, the AIC and LR were improved by including the rLN into the NLR model for DFS and CSS prediction (All p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Node‐negative rectal cancer patients with enlarged rLN had a better survival outcome. IIS might be a more comprehensive and complete inflammation immune index for survival prediction.
Progress in the Total Synthesis of Antitumor Tetrahydroisoquinoline Alkaloids
Authors: Gao Yi , Tu Ni , Liu Xiaoting , Lu Kangkang , Chen Siyu , Guo Ju
Published: March 2023

Among the tetrahydroisoquinoline(THIQ) of natural products, a family of THIQ alkaloids has the characteristics of similar biosynthetic pathway. Such THIQ alkaloids family mainly include Renieramycins, Ecteinasicdins, Tetrazaomine, Lemonomycin, etc. Most of these natural compounds have strong antitumor activities, and its family member Ecteinasicdins743 (ET‐743, Trabectedin) has been marketed in the European Union and the United States for the treatment of advanced soft tissue tumors and ovarian cancer. Because of the excellent biological activity and complex chemical structure of this kind of THIQ products, it has aroused great interest of biologists and chemists, and many synthetic chemists have paid considerable efforts to their total synthesis over the past decade. Based on this, the recent advances in the total synthesis of such THIQ alkaloids are reviewed.
Stereodivergent Biocatalytic Formal Reduction of α‐Angelica Lactone to (R)‐ and (S)‐γ‐Valerolactone in a One‐Pot Cascade
Authors: Tonoli Alessia , Wagner Karla , Bacchin Arianna , Reiter Tamara , Bergantino Elisabetta , Robescu Marina S. , Hall Mélanie
Published: March 2023

The formal asymmetric and stereodivergent enzymatic reduction of α‐angelica lactone to both enantiomers of γ‐valerolactone was achieved in a one‐pot cascade by uniting the promiscuous stereoselective isomerization activity of Old Yellow Enzymes with their native reductase activity. In addition to running the cascade with one enzyme for each catalytic step, a bifunctional isomerase‐reductase biocatalyst was designed by fusing two Old Yellow Enzymes, thereby generating an unprecedented case of an artificial enzyme catalyzing the reduction of nonactivated C=C bonds to access (R)‐valerolactone in overall 41 % conversion and up to 91 % ee. The enzyme BfOYE4 could be used as single biocatalyst for both steps and delivered (S)‐valerolactone in up to 84 % ee and 41 % overall conversion. The reducing equivalents were provided by a nicotinamide recycling system based on formate and formate dehydrogenase, added in a second step. This enzymatic system provides an asymmetric route to valuable chiral building blocks from an abundant bio‐based chemical.
SHORES: A suicide protective factors mnemonic with applications in career counseling
Authors: Cureton Jenny L. , Tovey Bridget E.
Published: March 2023

An established suicide protective factors mnemonic is beneficial to career counselors as career‐related suicide concerns increase. SHORES stands for skills and strategies for coping (S), hope (H), objections (O), reasons to live and restricted means (R), engaged care (E), and support (S). This literature‐backed suicide resiliency tool applies across client populations and to career assessment, intervention, and ongoing counseling. We establish the clear overlap between work and suicide, describe SHORES applied in career counseling, and provide an illustrative case example. Particular implications include SHORES in screening and comprehensive client conceptualization as well as needed research on SHORES in career practice.
Enhancing reversibility of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 by regulating surface oxygen deficiency
Authors: Wang Dandan , Gao Cong , Zhou Xuefeng , Peng Shang , Tang Mingxue , Wang Yonggang , Huang Lujun , Yang Wenge , Gao Xiang
Published: March 2023

Oxygen deficiency has crucial effects on the crystal structure and electrochemical performance of spinel oxide lithium electrode materials such as LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) cathode. In particular, the oxygen stoichiometry on the crystal surface differs from that on the crystal interior in LNMO. The detection of local oxygen loss in LNMO and its correlation with the crystal structure and the cycling stability of LNMO remain challenging. In this study, the effect of oxygen deficiency in LNMO controlled by sintering temperature on the surface crystal structure and electrochemical performance of LNMO is comprehensively investigated. The high concentration of oxygen vacancies segregates at the surface regions of LNMO forming a thin rock‐salt and/or deficient spinel surface layer. The atomic‐level surface structure reconstruction was demonstrated by annular dark‐field and annular bright‐field techniques. For the synthesis of LNMO, the higher sintering temperature results in higher crystallinity but the higher oxygen deficiency in LNMO. The high crystallinity of LNMO would increase the thermal stability of LNMO cathodes while the high content of oxygen deficiency would decrease the surface structural stability of LNMO. Therefore, the LNMO sintered at a medium temperature of 850°C achieved the best capacity retention. The results suggest a competitive function mechanism between oxygen stoichiometry and the crystallinity of LNMO on the cycling performance of LNMO.
Identifying Protein‐Protein Interactions by Proximity Biotinylation with AirID and splitAirID
Authors: Schaack Grace A. , Sullivan Owen M. , Mehle Andrew
Published: March 2023

Proteins frequently function in high‐order complexes. Defining protein‐protein interactions is essential to acquiring a full understanding of their activity and regulation. Proximity biotinylation has emerged as a highly specific approach to capture transient and stable interactions in living cells or organisms. Proximity biotinylation exploits promiscuous biotinylating enzymes fused to a bait protein, resulting in the biotinylation of adjacent endogenous proteins. Biotinylated interactors are purified under very strict conditions and identified by mass spectrometry to obtain a high‐confidence list of candidate binding partners. AirID is a recently described biotin ligase specifically engineered for proximity labeling. This protocol details proximity biotinylation by AirID, using protein complexes that form during a type I interferon response as an example. It covers the construction and validation of AirID fusion proteins and the enrichment and identification of biotinylated interactors. We describe a variation on the protocol using splitAirID. In this case, AirID is split into two inactive fragments and ligase activity is only restored upon dimerization of the bait proteins. This permits selective detection of proteins that interact with homo‐ or heterodimeric forms of the bait. The protocol considers design strategies, optimization, and the properties of different biotin ligases to identify optimal conditions for each experimental question. We also discuss common pitfalls and how to troubleshoot them. These approaches allow proximity biotinylation to be a powerful tool for defining protein interactomes. © 2023 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Construction and functional validation of AirID fusion proteins

Alternate Protocol: Construction and functional validation of splitAirID fusion proteins

Support Protocol: Western blot for biotinylated proteins

Basic Protocol 2: Biotinylation, enrichment, and identification of protein interactors
Computerized cognitive practice effects in relation to amyloid and tau in preclinical Alzheimer's disease: Results from a multi‐site cohort
Authors: Young Christina B. , Mormino Elizabeth C. , Poston Kathleen L. , Johnson Keith A. , Rentz Dorene M. , Sperling Reisa A. , Papp Kathryn V.
Published: March 2023

Scalable cognitive paradigms that provide metrics such as the Computerized Cognitive Composite (C3) may be sensitive enough to relate to Alzheimer's disease biomarkers in the preclinical clinically unimpaired (CU) stage. We examined CU older adults (n = 3287) who completed alternate versions of the C3 approximately 51 days apart. A subset of CU with abnormal amyloid also completed tau positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. C3 initial performance and practice effects were examined in relation to amyloid status and continuous regional tau burden. Initial C3 performance was associated with amyloid status across all participants, and with tau burden in the medial temporal lobe and early cortical regions in CU with abnormal amyloid. Short‐term practice effects were associated with reduced tau in these regions in CU with abnormal amyloid, but were not associated with amyloid status. Thus, computerized cognitive testing repeated over a short follow‐up period provides additional insights into early Alzheimer's disease processes.
Brief group cognitive‐behavioral therapy for bulimia nervosa and binge‐eating disorder: A pilot study of feasibility and acceptability
Authors: Moore Elana , Waller Glenn
Published: March 2023

Objective

Brief cognitive‐behavioral therapy for non‐underweight eating disorders (CBT‐T) has been shown to be clinically useful in non‐underweight samples, when delivered one‐to‐one. This pilot study assessed the acceptance, compliance and feasibility levels of a group version of CBT‐T, which has the potential to enhance patient access.

Method

A group CBT‐T protocol was developed and piloted in two therapy groups (N = 8). Eating disorder attitudes and behaviors, depression and anxiety were assessed at the beginning and end of treatment.

Results

A third of all patients approached accepted the offer of group CBT‐T, and entered treatment. Among that group of treatment starters, none were lost to treatment. The therapy was feasible in practical terms, including online delivery. Finally, mean scores on measures suggested improvement in clinical profiles.

Discussion

This pilot study demonstrated that a group CBT‐T is a feasible intervention for non‐underweight eating disorders in adults, with low acceptance but high compliance. Group CBT‐T has the potential to reduce demand on services and in turn increase availability of treatment to those with eating disorders.

Public Significance

The present research contributes to the treatment of non‐underweight adults with eating disorders. Group CBT‐T was shown to be feasible in this pilot study. It was associated with low acceptance but strong compliance. If supported by further research, group CBT‐T has the potential to reduce waitlists, ensure throughput in services, and ultimately improve the lives of many who are affected by eating disorders.
Optimizing differential equations to fit data and predict outcomes
Authors: Frank Steven A.
Published: March 2023

Many scientific problems focus on observed patterns of change or on how to design a system to achieve particular dynamics. Those problems often require fitting differential equation models to target trajectories. Fitting such models can be difficult because each evaluation of the fit must calculate the distance between the model and target patterns at numerous points along a trajectory. The gradient of the fit with respect to the model parameters can be challenging to compute. Recent technical advances in automatic differentiation through numerical differential equation solvers potentially change the fitting process into a relatively easy problem, opening up new possibilities to study dynamics. However, application of the new tools to real data may fail to achieve a good fit. This article illustrates how to overcome a variety of common challenges, using the classic ecological data for oscillations in hare and lynx populations. Models include simple ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and neural ordinary differential equations (NODEs), which use artificial neural networks to estimate the derivatives of differential equation systems. Comparing the fits obtained with ODEs versus NODEs, representing small and large parameter spaces, and changing the number of variable dimensions provide insight into the geometry of the observed and model trajectories. To analyze the quality of the models for predicting future observations, a Bayesian‐inspired preconditioned stochastic gradient Langevin dynamics (pSGLD) calculation of the posterior distribution of predicted model trajectories clarifies the tendency for various models to underfit or overfit the data. Coupling fitted differential equation systems with pSGLD sampling provides a powerful way to study the properties of optimization surfaces, raising an analogy with mutation‐selection dynamics on fitness landscapes.
Wildfire disturbance reveals evidence of ecosystem resilience and precariousness in a forest–grassland mosaic
Authors: Hamilton Nicholas P. , Burton Philip J.
Published: March 2023

Forest and grassland ecosystems are sometimes located adjacently within the same climate. In Interior British Columbia, Canada, there are complex forest–grassland mosaics within the Interior Douglas‐fir biogeoclimatic zone. Historically, both grassland and forest ecosystems experienced high‐frequency, low‐severity fire regimes. Since European settlement and introduction of livestock grazing and fire exclusion, trees have encroached on grasslands, and tree densities in forests have increased. In this study, we characterize plant communities and near‐surface soil moisture in forest and grassland sites, and in historical grassland sites affected by tree encroachment. We hypothesized that spatial and temporal patterns of near‐surface soil moisture are reflected in aboveground plant community composition and structure. After initial sampling of soil moisture and plant communities, the study area was burned in a wildfire. Applying a multifactorial approach to comparing adjacent grassland and forest sites, we treated the wildfire event as a natural experiment, sampling post‐wildfire plant species composition and soil moisture, and measuring the severity and spatial heterogeneity of surface burn conditions. Evidence supports the concept of mutually exclusive fire‐reinforced bistable grassland and forest states, with greater spatial heterogeneity of soil moisture and burn severity in forests, and highly uniform patterns of soil moisture, vegetation, and burn severity in grasslands. Areas of forest encroachment on grasslands had understory plant communities dominated by exotic species, while restored grasslands had native bunchgrass cover like typical grasslands of the region. Additionally, there was post‐wildfire divergence of forest‐ and grassland‐associated plant communities. Viewed through a resilience theory conceptual framework, we suggest that ecosystem legacies are reinforcing post‐wildfire ecosystem identity and associated native plant communities. External factors—particularly past heavy livestock grazing and fire suppression—have caused ecosystem precariousness that can be addressed with management actions.
Aquatic vegetation types identified during early and late phases of vegetation recovery in the Upper Mississippi River
Authors: Larson Danelle M. , Carhart Alicia M. , Lund Eric M.
Published: March 2023

Assemblage patterns and processes of aquatic vegetation in most large floodplain rivers are not well understood, particularly after plant recovery. Identifying vegetation types, which are recurring plant groupings based on species composition, diversity, and abundances, can describe plant assembly patterns and environmental drivers that aid conservation planning and management. We used a 22‐year dataset (n = 18,000 sampling plots) to identify aquatic vegetation types during an “early phase” and “late phase” of plant recovery at multiple spatial scales nested within a 500‐km river reach of the Upper Mississippi River, USA. We hypothesized that vegetation types varied according to scale because of the stark environmental differences among riverine habitats and differing regional species pools along the river's latitudinal gradient, and that the late phase of recovery had developed several new vegetation types. We first used cluster analyses at multiple spatiotemporal scales to identify the number of vegetation types and their characteristics, such as indicator species, species compositions and abundances, and diversity index. Then we applied a multivariate regression to pinpoint environmental factors (such as hydrodynamics, system productivity, local habitat, and water quality) that structured those vegetation types. Clustering revealed that ~90% of plots irrespective of recovery phase were not classified into vegetation types, which indicated that most aquatic sampling plots are unique in species composition and unpredictable. However, impounded areas upriver from dams had matured five vegetation types: lotus (Nelumbo lutea Willd.), submersed (a mix of 11 common submersed species), watercelery (Vallisneria americana Michx.), arrowheads (Sagittaria rigida Pursh and Sagittaria latifolia Willd.), and a diverse community (with high diversity indices and multiple life forms). The vegetation types were associated with three environmental gradients related to inundation depth and duration, system productivity, and water clarity. These five vegetation types are known to be of high ecological value to fish and wildlife and thus targets for restoration, for example, the watercelery community is principal forage for migrating canvasback ducks (Aythya valisineria) along the Mississippi River flyway. Our results provide insights on vegetation assembly during recovery and aid habitat conservation by providing quantitative, environmental targets for restoration.
Construction of Dynamic Alloy Interfaces for Uniform Li Deposition in Li‐Metal Batteries
Authors: Li Qingwen , Liu Yulu , Zhang Ziheng , Chen Jinjie , Yang Zelong , Deng Qibo , Mumyatov Alexander V. , Troshin Pavel A. , He Guang , Hu Ning
Published: March 2023

It is well accepted that a lithiophilic interface can effectively regulate Li deposition behaviors, but the influence of the lithiophilic interface is gradually diminished upon continuous Li deposition that completely isolates Li from the lithiophilic metals. Herein, we perform in‐depth studies on the creation of dynamic alloy interfaces upon Li deposition, arising from the exceptionally high diffusion coefficient of Hg in the amalgam solid solution. As a comparison, other metals such as Au, Ag, and Zn have typical diffusion coefficients of 10–20 orders of magnitude lower than that of Hg in the similar solid solution phases. This difference induces compact Li deposition pattern with an amalgam substrate even with a high areal capacity of 55 mAh cm−2. This finding provides new insight into the rational design of Li anode substrate for the stable cycling of Li metal batteries.
Catalytic N‐Alkylation of Amines with Aldehydes by a Molecular Mo Oxide Catalyst
Authors: Su Wei , Xie Ya , Chen Ming , Xu Zhenmin , Shi Da , Yu Weiguo , Jiang Feng , Yu Han
Published: March 2023

Secondary and tertiary amine derivatives are very important in chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The N‐alkylation of amines with aldehydes is a proper way to form secondary and tertiary amines. However, the traditional catalyst systems for this transformation bring a series of problems such as narrow substrate scope, challenges of difficult catalyst preparation and metal residues and toxicity. Herein an efficient way to perform N‐alkylation of amines with aldehydes was described which used a molecular Mo oxide catalyst. In this pathway, various aldehyde and amine derivatives were successfully converted to the corresponding secondary and tertiary amines with high selectivity and efficiency. In addition, the catalyst was easy to prepare, and could be recycled six times without appreciable loss of conversion. Finally, the reaction mechanism was presented based on the observation of the possible intermediates and control experiments.
ILAE Genetic Literacy Series: Self‐limited familial epilepsy syndromes with onset in neonatal age and infancy
Authors: Millevert Charissa , Weckhuysen Sarah ,   for the ILAE Genetics Commission
Published: March 2023

The self‐limited (familial) epilepsies with onset in neonates or infants, formerly called benign familial neonatal and/or infantile epilepsies, are autosomal dominant disorders characterized by neonatal‐ or infantile‐onset focal motor seizures and the absence of neurodevelopmental complications. Seizures tend to remit during infancy or early childhood and are therefore called “self‐limited”. A positive family history for epilepsy usually suggests the genetic etiology, but incomplete penetrance and de novo inheritance occur. Here, we review the phenotypic spectrum and the genetic architecture of self‐limited (familial) epilepsies with onset in neonates or infants. Using an illustrative case study, we describe important clues in recognition of these syndromes, diagnostic steps including genetic testing, management, and genetic counseling.
Focal epilepsies: Update on diagnosis and classification
Authors: Nascimento Fábio A. , Friedman Daniel , Peters Jurriaan M. , Bensalem‐Owen Meriem K. , Cendes Fernando , Rampp Stefan , Wirrell Elaine , Blümcke Ingmar , Tatum William , Beniczky Sándor
Published: March 2023

Correctly diagnosing and classifying seizures and epilepsies is paramount to ensure the delivery of optimal care to patients with epilepsy. Focal seizures, defined as those that originate within networks limited to one hemisphere, are primarily subdivided into focal aware, focal impaired awareness, and focal to bilateral tonic–clonic seizures. Focal epilepsies account for most epilepsy cases both in children and adults. In children, focal epilepsies are typically subdivided in three groups: self‐limited focal epilepsy syndromes (e.g., self‐limited epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes), focal epilepsy of unknown cause but which do not meet criteria for a self‐limited focal epilepsy syndrome, and focal epilepsy of known cause (e.g., structural lesions—developmental or acquired). In adults, focal epilepsies are often acquired and may be caused by a structural lesion such as stroke, infection and traumatic brain injury, or brain tumors, vascular malformations, metabolic disorders, autoimmune, and/or genetic causes. In addition to seizure semiology, neuroimaging, neurophysiology, and neuropathology constitute the cornerstones of a diagnostic evaluation. Patients with focal epilepsy who become drug‐resistant should promptly undergo assessment in an epilepsy center. After excluding pseudo‐resistance, these patients should be considered for presurgical evaluation as a means to identify the location and extent of the epileptogenic zone and assess their candidacy for a surgical procedure. The goal of this seminar in epileptology is to summarize clinically relevant information concerning focal epilepsies. This contributes to the ILAE's mission to ensure that worldwide healthcare professionals, patients, and caregivers continue to have access to high‐quality educational resources concerning epilepsy.
Modeling and optimization of hybrid renewable energy with storage system using flamingo swarm intelligence algorithms
Authors: Raghuwanshi Santosh S. , Raghuwanshi Prashant , Masih Animesh , Singh Preeti
Published: March 2023

This paper unveils the simulation and optimum design of five models based on photovoltaic (PV), diesel generator (DG), and battery energy systems for rural area farmhouse load demand (agriculture and household). The choice for designing an optimal energy system is constructed on minimum technical considerations like loss of load probability (LOLP), economic (cost of electricity [COE] with net present cost [NPC]), environmental (CO2aspects) using a novel flamingo swarm intelligence algorithm (FSIA). The optimization results are compared by particle swarm intelligence algorithm, improved particle swarm intelligence algorithm, genetic algorithms, and hybrid optimization of multiple energy resources (HOMER‐Pro). FSIA shows PV/DG/battery energy system to be an optimal system as regards NPC (Rs. 8 056 734), COE (12.14 Rs./kWh), CO2(13 784 kg/y), and LOLP (0.00000501 per year). The saving of the fuel cost and CO2emission from PV/DG/battery to DG only system is 66.10% and 61.26%, respectively.
A dynamic game modeling on air pollution mitigation with regional cooperation and noncooperation
Authors: Yang Tingru , Liao Hua , Du Yunfei
Published: March 2023

Mitigating regional air pollution involves multifaceted trade-offs, including long-term versus short-term development versus emission-reduction among different regions. Considering the heterogeneity of levels of regional economic development and capacity for environmental governance as well as the spatial spillover effect of pollution, the game theory method can explore each region's dynamic emission-reduction path. In this article, the dynamic game mechanism (Regional Environment Economy Game Modeling model) is incorporated into the environment economy system to solve the Nash equilibrium under dynamic conditions and explore the game strategies of each region. Taking air pollution mitigation in North China as an example, this article compares the emission-reduction effect and social welfare under regional cooperative and noncooperative game scenarios and clarifies the abatement-sharing mechanism between provinces. The results show that a noncooperative policy is strictly inferior to a cooperative policy for achieving given emission-reduction goals and maximizing social welfare. Our findings offer evidence for strengthening regional cooperation in reducing carbon emissions and provide policy recommendations for synergistic pollution abatement and joint regional pollution mitigation. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:1555–1569. © 2023 SETAC
Have You Heard of Bonnie Bassler? A Historical Perspective on a Remarkable Career
Authors: Fuqua Clay
Published: March 2023

The area of chemical communication in bacteria has grown explosively since the end of the 20th century. Among a number of key individuals and seminal findings that broke open this area of microbiology, the contributions of Bonnie Bassler and her colleagues are immense and multi‐layered. In this short and informal review, I provide perspective on my own entry into this research field, my introduction to Dr. Bassler and her early findings, followed by the founding of the Bassler lab and the flood of brilliant experimentation and public outreach that has done so much to propel the field of bacterial chemical communication.
Re‐Imagining Drug Discovery using Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Cooks R. Graham , Feng Yunfei , Huang Kai‐Hung , Morato Nicolás M. , Qiu Lingqi
Published: March 2023

It is argued that each of the three key steps in drug discovery, (i) reaction screening to find successful routes to desired drug candidates, (ii) scale up of the synthesis to produce amounts adequate for testing, and (iii) bioactivity assessment of the candidate compounds, can all be performed using mass spectrometry (MS) in a sequential fashion. The particular ionization method of choice, desorption electrospray ionization (DESI), is both an analytical technique and a procedure for small‐scale synthesis. It is also highly compatible with automation, providing for high throughput in both synthesis and analysis. Moreover, because accelerated reactions take place in the secondary DESI microdroplets generated from individual reaction mixtures, this allows either online analysis by MS or collection of the synthetic products by droplet deposition. DESI also has the unique advantage, amongst spray‐based MS ionization methods, that complex buffered biological solutions can be analyzed directly, without concern for capillary blockage. Here, all these capabilities are illustrated, the unique chemistry at droplet interfaces is presented, and the possible future implementation of DESI‐MS based drug discovery is discussed.
Interaction of the coupled effects of irrigation mode and nitrogen fertilizer timing on rice yield in different regions
Authors: Su Qingwang , Cang Baifeng , Ullah Raza , Song Ze , Li Yunzhe , Cui Jingjing , Wei Xiaoshuang , Yang Meiying , Yang Xue , Wu Zhihai
Published: March 2023

The production efficiency of water and nitrogen is affected by irrigation and the nitrogen rate. However, it is unclear whether there is a coupling effect of irrigation mode and the timing of nitrogen fertilizer application on rice. Therefore, a two‐year field experiment was conducted at two sites with varying cumulative temperatures from 2018 to 2019. The effects of irrigation mode and nitrogen fertilization timing on rice yield and related physiological parameters were examined in different regions. The results showed that sites with different average temperatures had different coupling effects of water and nitrogen on crop growth. The impact of irrigation mode on yield was greater than that of nitrogen fertilizer timing at the site with a 2800 °C annual cumulative temperature (Wanchang). Alternate wetting and drying irrigation increased yield, water production efficiency and nitrogen production efficiency by 8%–10%, 31%–37% and 8%–10%, respectively. In the site with a 2500 °C annual cumulative temperature (Longjing), the coupling effect of irrigation method and nitrogen fertilization timing was significant, and continuously flooded irrigation combined with nitrogen fertilizer (40%:30%:20%:10%) improved rice yield and production efficiency by delaying senescence of leaves and increasing dry matter translocation. The results indicate that combining temperature to explore the optimal coupling mode of irrigation and nitrogen is a promising cropping technique to improve crop productivity and production efficiency in northeastern China.
Decline in intravenous immunoglobulin titer against influenza virus A/H2N2 derived from donors in Japan
Authors: Yunoki Mikihiro , Kubota‐Koketsu Ritsuko , Shioda Tatsuo
Published: March 2023

Human influenza A/H2N2 can induce a pandemic in the future. This study evaluated the hemagglutination inhibition and neutralizing titers of intravenous immunoglobulin against A/H2N2 viruses, indicating the status of the donor population. In this study, the antibody titers decreased during the study period—2012–2021—suggesting a reduction in the immunity of the studied population.
Design of microaerobically inducible miniR1 plasmids
Authors: Islas Fabiola , Sabido Andrea , Sigala Juan‐Carlos , Lara Alvaro R.
Published: March 2023

Impact statement

Plasmid DNA manufacture is an essential step to produce gene therapy agents and next‐generation vaccines. However, little attention has been paid toward developing alternative replicons that can be coupled with large‐scale production conditions. Our results demonstrate that the miniR1 replicon can be efficiently induced by oxygen limitation when a copy of the regulatory protein RepA under control of a microaerobic promoter is used. The results are potentially attractive for industrial applications.
Bile Acid Alterations Characterize the Early Onset and Progression of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Young Mice Fed with High Fat and Fructose Diet
Authors: Xiang Wenqing , Liu Ana , Xu Cuifang , Zhang Danni , Li Wei , Ni Yan
Published: March 2023

Scope

Bile acids (BAs) are closely associated with obesity and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). How BAs change within the enterohepatic circulation during the onset and progression of NAFLD as biomarkers deserves to be explored.

Methods and Results

Four‐week‐old young mice were fed with high‐fat diet plus 4% v/w fructose drinking water (HFF) or normal diet with tap water (ND) for 4 and 12 weeks. In comparison, eight‐week‐old adult mice were fed with HFF or ND for 12 weeks. BAs were measured in six different anatomical sites to evaluate the systematic changes of BAs within the enterohepatic circulation. The dysregulated BA metabolism had occurred in HFF after 4‐week intervention, represented by increased primary BAs and decreased hyocholic acid (HCA) species. After 12 weeks, the impact was more significant with increased secondary BA synthesis and excretion, particularly for lithocholic acid (LCA) species. More interestingly, the BA changes were more significant in younger mice in response to 12‐week diet intervention.

Conclusions

The enterohepatic circulation of BAs changed with the development of NAFLD, and the younger mice were more susceptible to the unhealthy diet. HCA and LCA species may be potential biomarkers for predicting the development of NAFLD.
Realizing efficient asymmetric transmission using optical activity of ultrathin chiral metasurfaces for K‐band applications
Authors: Bibi Aisha , Ismail Khan M. , Hu Bin , Khan Imdad
Published: March 2023

An elliptical chiral split‐ring‐resonator‐based bilayer thin metasurface is introduced in this paper. The proposed metasurface realizes strong electromagnetic (EM) activity with asymmetric transmission in the K‐band of the microwave regime. The efficiency is more than 80% over a range of frequencies from 18.6 to 20.8 GHz. Angular stability up to 60° makes the structure robust for practical applications. The structure also exhibits a negative refractive index for circularly polarized wave due to the strong chirality factor. Polarization azimuth rotation angle of 90° and ellipticity of 0° reveal the pure EM/optical activity. Furthermore, the simulation and measured results also affirmed orthogonal pure linear polarization transformation. The proposed chiral metasurface finds applications in radar and satellite belonging to K‐band.
Extraction of the optical properties of waveguides through the characterization of silicon‐on‐insulator integrated circuits
Authors: Ershov Alexander A. , Eremeev Andrey I. , Nikitin Andrey A. , Ustinov Alexey B.
Published: March 2023

In the present work, a method to determine the optical waveguide properties of silicon‐on‐insulator (SOI) integrated circuits has been developed. According to the explicit relations between transfer functions of a microring resonator and the waveguide properties the inner optical parameters could be extracted. An increase in accuracy can be achieved by measuring the transfer functions of additional elements, such as a straight waveguide and a directional coupler. It is shown that the developed method allows one to determine the coupling coefficient, damping decrement, Bragg grating coupler efficiency, and waveguide dispersion with high accuracy. The obtained optical waveguide properties are used for modeling the transmission of a Mach–Zehnder interferometer which is used as a control element. The modeling results demonstrate a good agreement with the experimental characteristics. The developed method paves the way to local characterization of large‐scale SOI integrated circuits by using the aforementioned structures as reference elements.
Automatic segmentation of neurovascular bundle on mri using deep learning based topological modulated network
Authors: Lei Yang , Wang Tonghe , Roper Justin , Tian Sibo , Patel Pretesh , Bradley Jeffrey D. , Jani Ashesh B. , Liu Tian , Yang Xiaofeng
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Radiation damage on neurovascular bundles (NVBs) may be the cause of sexual dysfunction after radiotherapy for prostate cancer. However, it is challenging to delineate NVBs as organ‐at‐risks from planning CTs during radiotherapy. Recently, the integration of MR into radiotherapy made NVBs contour delineating possible. In this study, we aim to develop an MRI‐based deep learning method for automatic NVB segmentation.

Methods

The proposed method, named topological modulated network, consists of three subnetworks, that is, a focal modulation, a hierarchical block and a topological fully convolutional network (FCN). The focal modulation is used to derive the location and bounds of left and right NVBs’, namely the candidate volume‐of‐interests (VOIs). The hierarchical block aims to highlight the NVB boundaries information on derived feature map. The topological FCN then segments the NVBs inside the VOIs by considering the topological consistency nature of the vascular delineating. Based on the location information of candidate VOIs, the segmentations of NVBs can then be brought back to the input MRI's coordinate system.

Results

A five‐fold cross‐validation study was performed on 60 patient cases to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. The segmented results were compared with manual contours. The Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and 95th percentile Hausdorff distance (HD95) are (left NVB) 0.81 ± 0.10, 1.49 ± 0.88 mm, and (right NVB) 0.80 ± 0.15, 1.54 ± 1.22 mm, respectively.

Conclusion

We proposed a novel deep learning‐based segmentation method for NVBs on pelvic MR images. The good segmentation agreement of our method with the manually drawn ground truth contours supports the feasibility of the proposed method, which can be potentially used to spare NVBs during proton and photon radiotherapy and thereby improve the quality of life for prostate cancer patients.
Effect of particle shape and bedding angle on suffusion in gap‐graded granular soils by coupled CFD‐DEM method
Authors: Zhou Chuang , Qian Jian‐Gu , Yin Zhen‐Yu , Liu Ya‐Jing , Du Zi‐Bo
Published: March 2023

The natural deposition of soils results in significant fabric anisotropy, and its influence on suffusion remains unclear. In this study, a series of gap‐graded soil samples with different particle shapes and bedding angles are generated and implemented into the coupled computational fluid dynamics‐discrete element method (CFD‐DEM) simulations to investigate the migration of fine particles within the coarse grain matrix. Macroscopic results, including mass loss, void ratio variation, and soil deformation, as well as microscopic particle trajectory, force chain network, and contact orientation are analyzed. In addition, drained triaxial tests on samples before and after erosion are carried out. All results turn out that the greater the bedding angle, the more severe the loss of fines and the more significant the soil deformation. Three different migration characteristics can be identified according to soil anisotropy degree, that is, when the bedding angle is 0°, the migration of fine particles remains relatively stable; when the bedding angle is 30° and 60°, the particle migration shows a gradual change throughout the erosion; when the bedding angle is 90°, the fine particles migrate significantly in the very early stages of suffusion. Besides, the aspect ratio (AR) of the particle is found to be beneficial for both erosion resistance and soil strength.
Trends in clomiphene citrate and gonadotropins use in women with infertility between 2010 and 2017: A population‐based study in France
Authors: Bourrion Bastien , Panjo Henri , François Mathilde , Pelletier‐Fleury Nathalie
Published: March 2023

Purpose

To describe temporal trends and assess factors associated with changes in the prescription of clomiphene citrate and gonadotropins between 2010 and 2017 in women with infertility aged 18–50 from metropolitan France.

Methods

6321 prevalent women from a representative sample of the national medico‐administrative database were identified. We performed a Cochran‐Armitage trend test and calculated the rate ratios. A Poisson regression was used to derive the incidence rate ratios, for each treatment class.

Results

The prevalence rate and incidence rate of clomiphene citrate use significantly decreased by 20% (RR 0.80: 95% CI 0.71–0.90) and 23% (RR 0.77: 95% CI 0.66–0.89), respectively. Its initiation was higher in all age groups compared to the reference (18–24 years), with a downward gradient. It was also higher when the density of gynaecologists was higher and in disadvantaged areas. The prevalence rate and incidence rate of gonadotropin use increased by 11% (RR 1.11: 95% CI 1.01–1.22) and 33% (RR 1.33: 95% CI 1.14–1.55) respectively. Gonadotropin initiation was highest in the 31–35 age group, but it was also higher in the 25–30 and 36–40 age groups at a similar level (reference 18–24 years). Its initiation was higher when the density of gynaecologists was higher, but not associated with social deprivation.

Conclusion

Our results showed an increase in gonadotropin use for infertility treatment in France during the 2010–2017 period and a decrease in clomiphene citrate use. Further work should be undertaken to analyse the use of these drugs in relation to women's care pathways.