bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiología y características clínicas de las mordeduras de serpientes venenosas en el norte de la Amazonía del Ecuador (2017-2021)
Authors: Calvopiña Manuel , Guamán-Charco Elías , Ramírez Karen , Dávalos Felipe , Chiliquinga Paola , Villa-Soxo Sergio , Oña-Vistin René , Romero-Álvarez Daniel
Published: April 2023

Introducción. En Ecuador, las mordeduras de serpientes venenosas son un problema de salud pública. Sin embargo, no existe información hospitalaria reciente desde la Amazonía.Objetivo. Analizar retrospectivamente las características clínico-epidemiológicas de las mordeduras de serpientes en pacientes ingresados en un hospital de la Amazonía del Ecuador.Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal en el hospital provincial de Nueva Loja (Sucumbíos), que colinda con Colombia, 2017-2021. La información sobre las variables demográficas, epidemiológicas y clínicas, y la condición al egreso hospitalario, se obtuvieron de la ficha epidemiológica del Ministerio de Salud Pública.Resultados. En cinco años se hospitalizaron 147 pacientes (29,4 por año), sin que se presentaran muertes. Corresponden a 26, 34, 32, 29 y 26 casos, en el 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 y 2021, respectivamente. Según el sexo, los más afectados fueron los hombres (n=99; 67,3 %), según el grupo etario, los de 21 a 30 años (n=28; 19,0 %) y, según la raza, los de etnia mestiza (n=94; 63,9 %), estudiantes y agricultores. La mediana de edad fue de 28 años (rango: 4 a 81). Hubo mayor prevalencia en abril, junio y septiembre. Todos los accidentes fueron causados por serpientes Viperidae. Veinte (13,6 %) casos fueron leves, 90 (61,2 %), moderados, y 37 (25,2 %), graves. La mordedura fue más frecuente en los pies (45 casos). El 53,1 % recibió suero antiofídico antes de la hospitalización y en el 19,8 % de los pacientes se colocó un torniquete. La mediana de tiempo de llegada al hospital fue de 5 horas (rango: 1-192), y lo más frecuente fue entre 2 y 3 horas (41 casos). No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas según la gravedad del caso.Conclusiones. Se evidenció una gran prevalencia de mordeduras de serpientes en el norte de la región amazónica-Ecuador, con mayor incidencia en la estación lluviosa y todas causadas por Viperidae. Es importante resaltar la mortalidad nula. Las campañas informativas sobre prevención y primeros auxilios, como la desmotivación del uso de torniquetes, serían fundamentales para reducir los casos, especialmente, en los grupos vulnerables.
Epidemiología y uso de recursos de salud en dermatitis atópica en Colombia: análisis retrospectivo de datos del Registro Nacional de Salud de 2015 a 2020
Authors: Londoño Angela María , Castro-Ayarza Juan Raúl , Kronfly Amira , Buitrago Diana Camila , Samacá Daniel Felipe
Published: April 2023

Introducción. La dermatitis atópica, también conocida como eczema o eczema atópico, es un trastorno inflamatorio crónico de la piel caracterizado por la presencia de prurito acompañado de picor. En Colombia, la información epidemiológica y de utilización de recursos sanitarios sobre esta enfermedad es limitada.Objetivo. Describir las características epidemiológicas y los patrones de utilización de recursos sanitarios para la dermatitis atópica en Colombia.Material y métodos. Se trata de un estudio retrospectivo en el cual se utilizan datos de la práctica clínica real obtenidos del registro nacional SISPRO (Sistema de Información para la Protección Social) en el período 2015-2020. Se extrajeron datos sociodemográficos (incluida la edad y la prestación de servicios de salud), epidemiológicos (incluidos la incidencia, la prevalencia y las comorbilidades) y los correspondientes a la utilización de los recursos sanitarios.Resultados. Los resultados epidemiológicos han demostrado un aumento de la incidencia y prevalencia de la dermatitis atópica en Colombia en el periodo 2018-2019, en comparación con el periodo 2015-2017. Aumentó el número de consultas médicas (particularmente, con especialistas) de pacientes con dermatitis atópica, el deprocedimientos y el de hospitalizaciones. Los corticoides tópicos y sistémicos fueron los medicamentos más prescritos.Conclusiones. Los diagnósticos de dermatitis atópica en Colombia aumentaron con un incremento concomitante en la utilización de recursos sanitarios durante 2015-2020, que posiblemente se vio atenuado por la llegada del Covid-19. Este estudio puede ayudar a los médicos a tener un mejor conocimiento de la enfermedad y, por lo tanto, mejorar el tratamiento de los pacientes con dermatitis atópica.
Regulación del calcio por SERC-A antes de la enfermedad de Alzheimer y durante la misma
Authors: Alwiraikat-Flores Alamira Farah , Octavio-Aguilar Pablo
Published: April 2023

Hay muchos factores implicados en la incidencia de la enfermedad de Alzheimer que, en combinación, terminan por impedir o dificultar las funciones neuronales normales.Actualmente, poco se conoce sobre la regulación del calcio, antes de la enfermedad y durante la misma. La inestabilidad interna de los niveles de calcio se asocia a un mayor riesgo vascular, condición prevalente en un gran número de individuos ya comprometidos por la enfermedad de Alzheimer.Esta revisión proporciona una reevaluación de los mecanismos moleculares de la ATPasa dependiente de Ca2+ del retículo sarcoendoplásmico (SERC-A) en la enfermedad y analiza los aspectos más destacados de la función de los canales de calcio dependientes de voltaje; de esta manera, se podrán abrir nuevas alternativas de tratamiento. Estos mecanismos de regulación son clínicamente relevantes, ya que se ha implicado la función irregular de SERC-A en diversas alteraciones de la función cerebral.
Context awareness based Sketch-DeepNet architecture for hand-drawn sketches classification and recognition in AIoT
Authors: Ali Safdar , Aslam Nouraiz , Kim DoHyeun , Abbas Asad , Tufail Sania , Azhar Beenish
Published: April 2023

A sketch is a black-and-white, 2-D graphical representation of an object and contains fewer visual details as compared to a colored image. Despite fewer details, humans can recognize a sketch and its context very efficiently and consistently across languages, cultures, and age groups, but it is a difficult task for computers to recognize such low-detail sketches and get context out of them. With the tremendous increase in popularity of IoT devices such as smartphones and smart cameras, etc., it has become more critical to recognize free hand-drawn sketches in computer vision and human-computer interaction in order to build a successful artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) system that can first recognize the sketches and then understand the context of multiple drawings. Earlier models which addressed this problem are scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) and bag-of-words (BoW). Both SIFT and BoW used hand-crafted features and scale-invariant algorithms to address this issue. But these models are complex and time-consuming due to the manual process of features setup. The deep neural networks (DNNs) performed well with object recognition on many large-scale datasets such as ImageNet and CIFAR-10. However, the DDN approach cannot be carried out for hand-drawn sketches problems. The reason is that the data source is images, and all sketches in the images are, for example, ‘birds’ instead of their specific category (e.g., ‘sparrow’). Some deep learning approaches for sketch recognition problems exist in the literature, but the results are not promising because there is still room for improvement. This article proposed a convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture called Sketch-DeepNet for the sketch recognition task. The proposed Sketch-DeepNet architecture used the TU-Berlin dataset for classification. The experimental results show that the proposed method beats the performance of the state-of-the-art sketch classification methods. The proposed model achieved 95.05% accuracy as compared to existing models DeformNet (62.6%), Sketch-DNN (72.2%), Sketch-a-Net (77.95%), SketchNet (80.42%), Thinning-DNN (74.3%), CNN-PCA-SVM (72.5%), Hybrid-CNN (84.42%), and human recognition accuracy of 73% on the TU-Berlin dataset.
Bee colony remote monitoring based on IoT using ESP-NOW protocol
Authors: Kviesis Armands , Komasilovs Vitalijs , Ozols Niks , Zacepins Aleksejs
Published: April 2023

Information and communication technologies, specifically the Internet of Things (IoT), have been widely used in many agricultural practices, including beekeeping, where the adoption of advanced technologies has an increasing trend. Implementation of precision apiculture methods into beekeeping practice depends on availability and cost-effectiveness of honey bee colony monitoring systems. This study presents a developed bee colony monitoring system based on the IoT concept and using ESP8266 and ESP32 microchips. The monitoring system uses the ESP-NOW protocol for data exchange within the apiary and a GSM (Global System for Mobile communication)/GPRS (General packet radio service) external interface for packet-based communication with a remote server on the Internet. The local sensor network was constructed in a star type logical topology with one central node. The use of ESP-NOW protocol as a communication technology added an advantage of longer communication distance between measurement nodes in comparison to a previously used Wi-Fi based approach and faster data exchange. Within the study, five monitoring devices were used for real-time bee colony monitoring in Latvia. The bee colony monitoring took place from 01.06.2022 till 31.08.2022. Within this study, the distance between ESP-NOW enabled devices and power consumption of the monitoring and main nodes were evaluated as well. As a result, it was concluded that the ESP-NOW protocol is well suited for the IoT solution development for honeybee colony monitoring. It reduces the time needed to transmit data between nodes (over a large enough distance), therefore ensuring that the measurement nodes operate in an even lower power consumption mode.
Active acoustic surveys reveal coastal fish community resistance to an environmental perturbation in South Florida
Authors: Binder Benjamin M. , Rieucau Guillaume , Locascio James V. , Taylor J. Christopher , Boswell Kevin M.
Published: April 2023

Coastal fish communities are under increasing levels of stress associated with climate variation and anthropogenic activities. However, the high degree of behavioral plasticity of many species within these communities allow them to cope with altered environmental conditions to some extent. Here, we combine meteorological information, data from hydroacoustic surveys, and recordings of goliath grouper sound production to examine the response of coastal fish communities to heavy rainfall events in South Florida, USA, that resulted in the release of excess storm water into surrounding estuaries and coastal waters. We observed a nearly 12,000% increase in water column acoustic backscatter following a heavy rainfall event of September 16th, 2015. Interestingly, estimates of school backscatter, a proxy for biomass, increased by 172% with the onset of the perturbation. Schooling fish density also increased by 182%, as did acoustically derived estimates of mean schooling fish length (21%). Following the perturbed period, school backscatter decreased by 406%, along with schooling density (272%), and mean schooling fish length (35%). Hydrophone and hydroacoustic data also revealed that goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara) spawning aggregations were persistent in the region throughout the duration of the study and continued to exhibit courtship behavior during the perturbed period. Our observations demonstrate the high level of resistance common in coastal species but raises new questions regarding the threshold at which fish communities and reproductive activities are disrupted. As coastal land use continues to increase, and the effects of global climate change become more pronounced, more Before-After Control Impact (BACI) studies will provide improved insight into the overall response of nearshore communities to future perturbations and the cumulative effect of repeated perturbations over extended periods.
Expanded sampling of New Zealand glass sponges (Porifera: Hexactinellida) provides new insights into biodiversity, chemodiversity, and phylogeny of the class
Authors: Dohrmann Martin , Reiswig Henry M. , Kelly Michelle , Mills Sadie , Schätzle Simone , Reverter Miriam , Niesse Natascha , Rohde Sven , Schupp Peter , Wörheide Gert
Published: April 2023

Glass sponges (Hexactinellida) constitute important parts of ecosystems on the deep-sea floor worldwide. However, they are still an understudied group in terms of their diversity and systematics. Here, we report on new specimens collected during RV Sonne expedition SO254 to the New Zealand region, which has recently emerged as a biodiversity hotspot for hexactinellids. Examination of the material revealed several species new to science or so far unknown from this area. While formal taxonomic descriptions of a fraction of these were published earlier, we here briefly report on the morphology of the remaining new species and use the collection to greatly expand the molecular phylogeny of the group as established with ribosomal DNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit I markers. In addition, we provide a chemical fingerprinting analysis on a subset of the specimens to investigate if the metabolome of glass sponges contains phylogenetic signal that could be used to supplement morphological and DNA-based approaches.
Estimating the impact of new high seas activities on the environment: the effects of ocean-surface macroplastic removal on sea surface ecosystems
Authors: Spencer Matthew , Culhane Fiona , Chong Fiona , Powell Megan O. , Roland Holst Rozemarijn J. , Helm Rebecca
Published: April 2023

The open ocean beyond national jurisdiction covers nearly half of Earth’s surface and is largely unexplored. It is also an emerging frontier for new types of human activity. Understanding how new activities interact with high seas ecosystems is critical for our management of this other half of Earth. Using The Ocean Cleanup (TOC) as a model, we demonstrate why it is important to account for uncertainty when assessing and evaluating impacts of novel high seas activities on marine ecosystems. TOC’s aim is to remove plastic from the ocean surface by collecting it with large nets. However, this approach also results in the collection of surface marine life (neuston) as by-catch. Using an interdisciplinary approach, we explore the social-ecological implications of this activity. We use population models to quantify potential impacts on the surface ecosystem; we determine the links between these ecosystems and society through an ecosystem services approach; and we review the governance setting relevant to the management of activities on the high seas. We show that the impact of ocean surface plastic removal largely depends on neuston life histories, and ranges from potentially mild to severe. We identify broader social-ecological implications that could be felt by stakeholders both beyond and within national jurisdiction. The legal framework applicable to TOC’s activities is insufficiently specific to address both the ecological and social uncertainty we describe, demonstrating the urgent need for detailed rules and procedures on environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment to be adopted under the new International Agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction which is currently being negotiated.
Eastern oysters Crassostrea virginica settle near inlets in a lagoonal estuary: spatial and temporal distribution of recruitment in Mid-Atlantic Coastal Bays (Maryland, USA)
Authors: Farmer Madeline A. , Klick Sabrina A. , Cullen Daniel W. , Stevens Bradley G.
Published: April 2023

Background

Declines of the Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, and its numerous ecological benefits have spurred oyster restoration initiatives. Successful restoration of a self-sustaining oyster population requires evaluating the temporal and spatial patterns of recruitment (settlement and survival) of oyster larvae in the target waterbody. Restoration of the Eastern oyster population in the Maryland Coastal Bays (MCBs), USA, a shallow lagoonal estuary, is of interest to federal, state, and non-governmental, but the location and timing of natural recruitment is not known.

Methods

We assessed the spatial and temporal variation in oyster larval recruitment throughout the MCBs using horizontal ceramic tiles and PVC plates. Newly settled oyster larvae (recruits) were monitored biweekly from June to September 2019 and 2020 at 12 sites in the MCBs and a comparison site in Wachapreague, Virginia. Water quality measurements collected included temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and turbidity. The objectives of this study were to determine (1) the most effective substrate and design for monitoring oyster recruitment, (2) the spatial and temporal distribution of oyster larval recruitment in the MCBs, and (3) patterns in oyster larval recruitment that would be applicable to other lagoonal estuaries.

Results

(1) Ceramic tiles were more effective than PVC plates for recruiting oyster larvae. (2) Peak settlement began during the period from late June through July, and oyster recruitment was greatest at sites closest to the Ocean City and Chincoteague inlets. (3) Areas near broodstock that have slow flushing rates to retain larvae may provide the best environments for recruitment of oysters to lagoonal estuaries.

Discussion

As the first study on oyster larval recruitment in the MCBs, our results provide insight into their spatial and temporal distribution, methods that can serve as a foundation for future recruitment studies in other lagoonal estuaries, and baseline data that can be used to inform stakeholders and evaluate the success of oyster restoration projects in MCBs.
Antagonistic antimalarial properties of a methoxyamino chalcone derivative and 3-hydroxypyridinones in combination with dihydroartemisinin against Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Kampoun Tanyaluck , Koonyosying Pimpisid , Ruangsuriya Jetsada , Prommana Parichat , Shaw Philip J. , Kamchonwongpaisan Sumalee , Suwito Hery , Puspaningsih Ni Nyoman Tri , Uthaipibull Chairat , Srichairatanakool Somdet
Published: April 2023

Background

The spread of artemisinin (ART)-resistant Plasmodium falciparum threatens the control of malaria. Mutations in the propeller domains of P. falciparum Kelch13 (k13) are strongly associated with ART resistance. Ferredoxin (Fd), a component of the ferredoxin/NADP+ reductase (Fd/FNR) redox system, is essential for isoprenoid precursor synthesis in the plasmodial apicoplast, which is important for K13-dependent hemoglobin trafficking and ART activation. Therefore, Fd is an antimalarial drug target and fd mutations may modulate ART sensitivity. We hypothesized that loss of Fd/FNR function enhances the effect of k13 mutation on ART resistance.

Methods

In this study, methoxyamino chalcone (C3), an antimalarial compound that has been reported to inhibit the interaction of recombinant Fd and FNR proteins, was used as a chemical inhibitor of the Fd/FNR redox system. We investigated the inhibitory effects of dihydroartemisinin (DHA), C3, and iron chelators including deferiprone (DFP), 1-(N-acetyl-6-aminohexyl)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpyridin-4-one (CM1) and deferiprone-resveratrol hybrid (DFP-RVT) against wild-type (WT), k13 mutant, fd mutant, and k13 fd double mutant P. falciparum parasites. Furthermore, we investigated the pharmacological interaction of C3 with DHA, in which the iron chelators were used as reference ART antagonists.

Results

C3 showed antimalarial potency similar to that of the iron chelators. As expected, combining DHA with C3 or iron chelators exhibited a moderately antagonistic effect. No differences were observed among the mutant parasites with respect to their sensitivity to C3, iron chelators, or the interactions of these compounds with DHA.

Discussion

The data suggest that inhibitors of the Fd/FNR redox system should be avoided as ART partner drugs in ART combination therapy for treating malaria.
Will future maize improvement programs leverage the canopy light-interception, photosynthetic, and biomass capacities of traditional accessions?
Authors: Mubarak Ahamadeen Nagoor Mohamed , Mufeeth Mohammathu Mohammathu Musthapha , Kumara Arachchi Devayalage Nishantha Thissa
Published: April 2023

Maize germplasm has greater latent potential to address the global food and feed crisis because of its high radiation, water and nutrient efficiencies. Photosynthetic and canopy architectural traits in maize are important in determining yield. The present study aimed to screen a subset of local maize accessions in Sri Lanka to evaluate their photosynthetic, biomass and yield related traits and to identify resource efficient germplasm. Experiments were carried out in the Ampara district of Sri Lanka. Eight maize accessions viz; SEU2, SEU6, SEU9, SEU10, SEU14, SEU15, SEU17 and SEU17 and two elite F1 cultivars (cv. Pacific-999 and cv. Bhadra) were analyzed under field conditions. Our results showed that maize genotypes produced a lower leaf area index (LAI) at the third and tenth week after field planting (WAP). However, the LAI was significantly increased in six WAP by Pacific-999, SEU2, SEU9, and SEU15. A similar trend was observed for percentage of light interception at three WAP (47%), six WAP (>64%), and decreased at 10 WAP. In addition, LAI maximum values were between 3.0 and 3.5, allowing 80% of the incident light to be intercepted by maize canopies. The estimated light extinction coefficient (k) remained lower (<0.5), suggesting that maize leaves are eractophilic canopies. Although fractional interception (f) varies, SEU2 and SEU9 had the highest values (0.57), and quantum yields of PSII (>0.73) in dark-adapted leaves. In addition, Pacific-999, SEU2, SEU9, and SEU17 had significantly higher rates of photosynthesis with minimal stomatal conductance and transpiration rates. As a result, they outperformed the control plants in terms of biomass, cob weight and grain yield. This suggests that native maize germplasm could be introduced as novel, less resource-intensive cultivars to sustain global food security.
O nível de concentração de capital influencia a estrutura de capital das empresas brasileiras?
Authors: Jardim José Renato de Paula Souza , Nakamura Wilson Toshiro , De Azevedo Paulo José
Published: April 2023

O objetivo da presente pesquisa é identificar se a estrutura de capital das empresas abertas brasileiras é influenciada pelo nível de concentração de capital. Adotou-se como amostra as  104 empresas brasileiras de capital aberto listadas na BM&FBOVESPA, totalizando 1.258 observações para dados anuais do período de 1º de janeiro de 2008 a 31 de dezembro de 2014. Ao utilizar a análise com dados em painel e levar em consideração as variáveis de controle apontadas como relevantes pela literatura, os principais resultados mostraram que (i) a concentração de capital possui uma relação positiva com o endividamento de mercado e com a dívida líquida de longo prazo sobre Patrimônio Líquido de mercado; (ii) as variáveis tamanho, volatilidade, rentabilidade e tangibilidade, destacadas no arquétipo teórico, evidenciaram uma significativa influência na dívida de longo prazo sobre PL a mercado e contábil, e (iii) não houve qualquer tipo de constatação e/ou inferência que a dívida líquida sobre o EBITDA pode trazer implicações para a concentração de capital dos acionistas. Para estudos futuros, sugere-se i) incrementar observações de empresas de capital fechado brasileiras; ii) comparar os resultados obtidos com a estrutura de capital de outros países, e iii) evidenciar e relacionar outras variáveis da literatura não abordadas pela presente pesquisa.
A gênese de criação de uma startup com foco no agronegócio
Authors: De Albuquerque Maria Vitória Prado , Ramos Paulo Henrique Bertucci
Published: April 2023

O setor agrícola é um dos principais pilares de sustentação da balança comercial brasileira. Para que esse setor seja um pilar efetivo são necessários constantes investimentos em produção. As startups agrícolas (agtechs) construem muito para o aumento da produção e consequentemente da produtividade. Embora sejam importantes, poucos estudos são encontrados com foco exclusivo nesse tipo de empresa nascente (agtechs) e mais raros ainda são os estudos que buscam entender a gênese de sua criação. Diante disso o trabalho buscou compreender a criação e fundamentação dessas novas empresas de base tecnológicas. Para isso realizou-se um estudo de caso de carater exploratório, primeiramente com coleta de dados em artigos científicos e em segundo momento com uma entrevista com o CEO de uma empresa consolidada do setor. Os resultados obtidos apontam para a importância que a empresa tem para a economia do local onde está inserida. Apresenta, também os principais desafios que ela viveu e quais oportunidades podem ser buscadas. Como principal limitação desse artigo, pode-se destacar o estudo de caso único que gera resultados que dificilmente pode ser extrapolado para outras regiões e ramos de atuação dessa empresa. Como estudos futuros indica-se compreender a gênese de outros tipos de empresas, bem como utilizar estudos de caso múltiplos.
Potencial turístico de la antigua hacienda el detalle de Mario Moreno Cantinflas en Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosí
Authors: Vargas Alma Rafaela Bojórquez , Domínguez Herman Oscey González , Gómez Carlos Pedraza , González Gisela Beatriz Hernández , Pavón Romano Gino Segrado
Published: April 2023

El objetivo consistió en analizar la preferencia de la demanda respecto a las estrategias potenciales de aprovechamiento de la antigua hacienda; así como, analizar las condiciones físico arquitectónicas de la misma. Metodología: se aplicaron cuestionarios semiestructurados, observación directa y entrevistas a profundidad a habitantes del ejido. Resultados: la opción de usarla como Hacienda turística fue la más demandada La hacienda presenta deterioro principalmente por intemperismo y el saqueo por abandono, pero no se pierde el interés por ser visitada.
Machine Learning for Big Data Analytics in Development of Wildfire Prediction Models
Authors: Lee Chanjung , Lim Mooyoung , Lee Yohan
Published: April 2023

This study aims to develop a model that predicts domestic forest fire occurrences during fire outbreaks using machine learning techniques. For the modeling methods, logistic regression analysis and ensemble techniques, such as gradient boost and random forest, were used while the oversampling technique was utilized to address the imbalance problem of the forest fire data. The model developed in this study predicted 239 out of 333 forest fire occurrences during the nationwide forest fire period in 2020 with a prediction accuracy of approximately 71.8%. Forest fires that occur during such periods are highly influenced by different factors affecting the climate, such as temperature, humidity, and precipitation. In Gangwon-do, in addition to these factors, a high correlation between farmland density and stem volume per hectare has also been associated with increased forest fire occurrences. The significance of this study lies in the fact that it presents a customized wildfire occurrence prediction model that can be used in the administrative parts, which serve as the basic centers for wildfire prevention, of provinces and cities across the country.
From a High School Student to an Otolaryngologist—19 Years With a Jugular Foramen Meningioma
Authors: Durongphan Anuch
Published: April 2023

In this essay, an otolaryngologist reflects on the circular journey from patient to physician to patient again over 19 years living with a left jugular foramen meningioma.
GROUND HOUSE: A case study of a cognitively diverse space
Authors: Shigaki Takayuki
Published: April 2023

This project is an attempt to build a house in a suburban residential area that incorporates the broad meaning of the word “house” typified by the farmhouses and townhouses that were once common in Japan. To do this, we performed a case study on a house possessing cognitively diverse properties based on the concept of “dots” and “cues” inspired by Gestalt theory.
Effect of the initial energy layer and spot placement parameters on IMPT delivery efficiency and plan quality
Authors: Zhu Mingyao , Flampouri Stella , Stanforth Alex , Slopsema Roelf , Diamond Zachary , LePain William , Langen Katja
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Improving efficiency of intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) treatment can be achieved by shortening the beam delivery time. The purpose of this study is to reduce the delivery time of IMPT, while maintaining the plan quality, by finding the optimal initial proton spot placement parameters.

Methods

Seven patients previously treated in the thorax and abdomen with gated IMPT and voluntary breath‐hold were included. In the clinical plans, the energy layer spacing (ELS) and spot spacing (SS) were set to 0.6–0.8 (as a scale factor of the default values). For each clinical plan, we created four plans with ELS increased to 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, and SS to 1.0 while keeping all other parameters unchanged. All 35 plans (130 fields) were delivered on a clinical proton machine and the beam delivery time was recorded for each field.

Results

Increasing ELS and SS did not cause target coverage reduction. Increasing ELS had no effect on critical organ‐at‐risk (OAR) doses or the integral dose, while increasing SS resulted in slightly higher integral and selected OAR doses. Beam‐on times were 48.4 ± 9.2 (range: 34.1–66.7) seconds for the clinical plans. Time reductions were 9.2 ± 3.3 s (18.7 ± 5.8%), 11.6 ± 3.5 s (23.1 ± 5.9%), and 14.7 ± 3.9 s (28.9 ± 6.1%) when ELS was changed to 1.0, 1.2, and 1.4, respectively, corresponding to 0.76–0.80 s/layer. SS change had a minimal effect (1.1 ± 1.6 s, or 1.9 ± 2.9%) on the beam‐on time.

Conclusion

Increasing the energy layers spacing can reduce the beam delivery time effectively without compromising IMPT plan quality; increasing the SS had no meaningful impact on beam delivery time and resulted in plan‐quality degradation in some cases.
Micro‐Pore Composed Soft Pressure Sensor with Ether‐Surfactant via High‐Sensitivity in Wide Range for Robotic Machine Interface Application
Authors: Tou Kaiin , Nara Kenta , Sekine Tomohito , Wang Yi‐Fei , Takeda Yasunori , Kumaki Daisuke , Tokito Shizuo
Published: April 2023

Robotic machine interfaces with sensor devices in robotics applications can facilitate the proper handling of objects. The wide‐range responses of the sensors are important for achieving statement of recognition in tactile sensing systems. Thus, this study proposes a novel micro‐pore‐induced soft pressure sensor via wide‐range response by synthesizing functional composite materials with ether‐surfactant and conductive materials. The aim is to produce soft pressure sensors that are highly responsive and exhibit a wide sensitivity range for the detection of an applied pressure. The sensor comprises a multiwalled‐carbon nanotube, an ether‐based surfactant, and polymeric soft materials, which exhibit high‐speed response characteristics because of the microporous structure of the sensing layer. Moreover, a novel wearable robotic machine interface for facilitating object manipulation is achieved. Furthermore, the findings of this study in terms of the performance of the robotic‐tactile sensing sensor confirm its suitability for the machine interface of an artificial perception system. Furthermore, a real‐time tactile sensing system using the manufactured sensor in the form of wearable e‐skins is experimentally demonstrated.
Re‐appraisal of the universal definition of tumor rupture among patients with high‐risk gastrointestinal stromal tumors
Authors: Gotohda Naoto , Nishida Toshirou , Sato Shinsuke , Ozaka Masato , Nakahara Yujiro , Komatsu Yoshito , Kondo Masato , Cho Haruhiko , Kurokawa Yukinori , Kitagawa Yuko
Published: April 2023

Aim

Tumor rupture has been indicated as a risk factor for recurrence of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). The universal definition of tumor rupture was proposed. This study evaluated whether the universal definition was more accurate in identification of GISTs with high recurrent risk than subjective judgment.

Methods

The study included 507 patients with high‐risk GISTs who underwent complete resection between December 2012 and December 2015. We conducted a questionnaire survey in participating institutes to re‐diagnose tumor rupture based on the universal definition according to their surgical and pathological findings. We compared the clinical outcomes of tumor rupture based on the definition to those based on the surgeon's judgment and clarified the clinical importance of the rupture.

Results

Sixty‐four patients were initially registered to have tumor rupture by surgeon's judgment, and it became 90 patients who had tumor rupture after reevaluation. Although there were significant differences in recurrence‐free survival (RFS) between no rupture and rupture for both initial registration and reevaluation (p = 0.002, <0.001, respectively), a significant difference in overall survival was only observed after reevaluation (p = 0.011). Tumor rupture was significantly associated with large tumor size, mixed cell type in histology, R1 resection, frequent adjuvant therapy and recurrence, but not with location, mitosis, and genotype. Adjuvant therapy more than 3 years improved RFS of patients with tumor rupture.

Conclusion

This study suggested that tumor rupture based on the universal definition more accurately identified GISTs with poor prognostic outcomes than the subjective judgment.
Mental health in adults living with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita
Authors: Sarveswaran Shirromi , Mortenson William Ben , Sawatzky Bonita
Published: April 2023

Little is known about the mental well‐being of adults living with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC). The objectives of this study were to determine the incidence of depression in an international population of adults with AMC and to identify variables independently associated with depression. This cross‐sectional study used independent samples t‐test and hierarchical multiple regression. The mean Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale—depression (HADS‐D) score of our sample, which included 60 adults with AMC, was 4.0 ± 3.6, with 19% having some signs of depression. Occupation status, age, sex, physical independence, environmental factors, anxiety, and fatigue explained 52.2% of the variance in HADS‐D. The prevalence of depression in an adult sample of individuals with AMC is similar to that of the general adult population in the United States. Beyond direct interventions to ameliorate depression, rehabilitation clinicians may also consider treatments and interventions to decrease anxiety and reduce fatigue and environmental barriers.
Introduction to Antibiotic Stewardship Principles for the Perioperative Nurse
Authors: Gomez Jessica , Domonoske Christine , Chang Michael
Published: April 2023

Since 1942, health care personnel have administered antibiotics in the United States to prevent and treat a variety of infections, including surgical site infections. Bacteria can mutate and develop resistance after frequent and repeated antibiotic exposure, thus limiting the antibiotic's effectiveness. Because antibiotic resistance can be passed from one bacterium to another, antibiotics are the only class of medications where use in one patient may negatively affect clinical outcomes in another. Antibiotic stewardship (AS) focuses on appropriate antibiotic selection, dosing, route, and duration of therapy; it seeks to minimize unplanned consequences, such as resistance and toxicity. Although there is a lack of literature on AS specific to perioperative nurses, general nursing practice includes AS activities (eg, assessing patient allergies, adhering to antibiotic administration recommendations). Perioperative nurses should participate in AS activities and use evidence‐based strategies to communicate effectively with health care team members when advocating for appropriate antibiotic use.
Quarternized polysulfone/ZSM‐5 zeolite composite anion exchange membrane separators for aluminum‐air battery
Authors: Lekoane Tlhologelo , Msomi Phumlani F.
Published: April 2023

A membrane is a critical component of an Al‐air battery because it provides ion transport and ensures separation of the anode and cathode. In this work, a series of quaternized polysulfone (QPSF) membrane blended with ZSM‐5 zeolite anion exchange membranes (AEMs) were fabricated by solution casting to be used as separators in Al‐air batteries. All membranes showed moderate to excellent water uptake (WU), swelling ratio, ion exchange capacity (IEC), and ion conductivity measurements (IC). Incorporation of ZSM‐5 zeolite resulted in hydrophilicity and improved WU, with QPSF/3 wt% ZSM‐5 retaining 114% water at room temperature. The QPSF/3 wt% ZSM‐5 composite membrane was the best performing membrane with the IEC and the highest hydration number of 2.85 mmol g−1, 2.23, and a maximum of IC of 229.85 mS cm−1 at room temperature, respectively. QPSF/3 wt% ZSM‐5 retained 65% of its original IC in an alkaline medium after 7 days. QPSF/3 wt% ZSM‐5 exhibited a stable discharge voltage of 1.3 V and a specific capacity of 11,716 mAh/gAl in a laboratory fabricated Al‐air cell. This study provides an excellent anion exchange composite membrane separator candidate for Al‐air battery applications.
Chances for children: The 22‐year journey of psychodynamic/attachment‐based infant mental health in underserved communities
Authors: Mayers Hillary , Buckner Elizabeth
Published: April 2023

This paper follows the 22‐year journey of a small community‐based program with roots in a psychoanalytic training institute, to the program's current status as an independent non‐profit organization serving families throughout the Bronx with psychodynamic, attachment‐based parent‐infant treatment. The product of an unusual collaboration among a psychoanalytic training institute, a program of the NYC Department of Education and several generous foundations, we aimed to offer teen mothers a dyadic model of parent‐infant intervention based on the principles of psychodynamic theory, attachment theory, and mentalization through the lens of an infant mental health perspective. Underlying the creation, implementation, and expansion of the Chances for Children organization at every level were questions of basic trust and mistrust, class, and culture. With this in mind, we describe the development of the model, collaborations with institutions and communities, and the obstacles we encountered along the way. On a macro level, we consider questions of class, culture, and institution that we encountered on every level in institutional bureaucracy, in community outreach, and in collaborating programs. On a more micro level, we use the contexts of a teen‐parent therapeutic group and a dyadic mother‐child treatment to address issues that arise when white, middle‐class clinicians of privilege work in communities of color that are frequently suffering insufficiencies in food, housing, jobs, and experiencing random violence. Finally, we reflect on what has made the work of Chances for Children possible, successful, and enduring even as we embarked on the telehealth practices necessary during the COVID pandemic.
Trace Water‐induced Morphology Engineering and Oxygen Vacancy for Enhancing the Capacity of Bi2O3 Alkaline Battery‐Anode
Authors: Ma Yanting , Bai Yangyang , Tang Yan , Zheng Shizheng , Zhang Cuiqing , Hu Changyuan , Dai Kejie , Zhao Jing , Ding Qian , Zhang Rongbin
Published: April 2023

Bi2O3 is a theoretically high capacitive anode material; however, its low conductivity and deficient surface‐active sites lead to reduced practical capability compared to the theoretical one. Herein, a facile and environmentally benign strategy is developed to simultaneously tailor the morphology and create oxygen vacancies in Bi2O3 by adding trace water in a solvothermal procedure. Here trace water serves as an intermediary agent to change the growth mechanism of Bi2O3 and form a hierarchical structure with increased crystallinity. Electrochemical experiments reveal that the optimal tremella‐shaped Bi2O3 delivers a higher specific capacity, approximately reaching 65 % of the theoretical one. Such satisfactory electrochemical performance is due to the regulated tremella shape and the created oxygen vacancies, which can expose more electrochemical active‐sites and promote ion diffusion. Moreover, the massive oxygen vacancies and increased crystallinity are also beneficial for electron transfer, thus enhancing the capacity. Eventually, a Bi2O3‐6//AC asymmetric device is constructed and a superior energy density (40.8 Wh kg−1) is realized than the others Bi2O3‐based peers. This study paves a facile way for exploring advanced Bi2O3‐based alkaline battery anode materials through an environmentally benign method.
A low‐bandgap polymer bearing the N‐octyl‐2,7‐dithia‐5‐azacyclopenta[α]pentalene‐4,6‐dione electron‐withdrawing unit
Authors: Lee Ji Eun , Ahn Pyeongkang , Lee Seul , Kim Yun‐Hi , Kwon Soon‐Ki , Kim BongSoo
Published: April 2023

A low‐bandgap PBDTDTPD polymer is synthesized. It is a donor‐acceptor‐type polymer that consists of dialkylthiophenyl benzodithiophene (BDT) donor unit and N‐octyl‐2,7‐dithia‐5‐aza‐cyclopenta[a]pentalene‐4,6‐dione (DTPD) acceptor unit. The thienothiophene‐fused strong‐electron‐withdrawing DTPD effectively reduces the bandgap of the resulting polymer and keeps its highest occupied molecular orbital low. Moreover, PBDTDTPD is thermally stable and dissolves well in typical organic solvents. PBDTDTPD:PC71BM(1:1) blend film showed a power conversion efficiency of 3.18% and a largely elevated open‐circuit voltage of 0.75 V compared to that of well‐known P3HT:PC61BM blend film. In this work, we prove that the DTPD moiety can be utilized to develop a future low‐bandgap material that can absorb a broad wavelength of light and have high thermal stability, which are important characteristics for next‐generation high‐performance organic solar cells.
Design of an ocu‐Metal‐Organic Framework for a Photocatalysis Reaction
Authors: Liang Weibin , Noor Muhammad Zulkarnain Mohd , Lewis William , Macmillan Alexander , Zhang Xingmo , Tang Rui , Kochubei Alena , Wiley Dianne , Haynes Brian S. , Huang Jun
Published: April 2023

Empowered by reticular chemistry, an ocu‐metal‐organic framework (MOF) catalyst has been created for the first time. The catalyst, SYD‐1, was rationally designed and successfully synthesised by assembling 8‐c prismatic zirconium oxo‐clusters and 6‐c octahedral Ru(bpy)32+‐based metalloligands into a three‐dimensional structure. Catalytically active metal sites were then attached to the coordinatively unsaturated sites on the Zr oxo‐clusters postsynthetically via a sequential practice of solvent‐assisted ligand exchange and metalation processes, giving rise to SYD‐1‐CuNi. SYD‐1‐CuNi was thoroughly characterised via an array of X‐ray diffraction, 77 K N2 sorption experiments, nuclear magnetic resonance measurements, microscopic analysis, optical absorption spectra analysis and electrochemical measurements to demonstrate the successful synthesis of the targeted SYD‐1‐CuNi and its potential in photocatalysis. The photocatalytic performance of SYD‐1‐CuNi was illustrated by driving a model reaction, namely photocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (yield of CH4 19.2 μmol g−1 h−1)/hydrogen evolution reaction (yield of H2 200.4 μmol g−1 h−1) concomitantly with oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde (286.6 μmol g−1 h−1). The present work highlights the power and potential of reticular chemistry in the at‐will synthesis of MOF materials for a specific application.
Uptake and preferential partitioning of zinc in different wheat species
Authors: Fan Yalei , Wang Zhangjun , Hu Shiping , Li Qingfeng , Liu Fenglou , Liu Gang , Ma Ming , Liu Caixia
Published: April 2023

Some wild relatives have higher grain zinc (Zn) concentrations than common wheat and were widely used for wheat biofortification. However, little is known about the mechanisms controlling Zn accumulation in wheat and its wild relatives. This study is aimed to shed light on the causes of different grain Zn concentrations in wheat at a physiological level. Six genotypes, including one Triticale, one Triticum monococcum, one Triticum petropavlovskyi, and three Triticum aestivum, with different grain Zn concentrations, were evaluated in this study. Zn concentrations in roots and aboveground tissues in the field at grain maturity were measured to assess the differences in Zn uptake and partitioning among genotypes. Zn concentrations in roots and shoots at the seedling stage in hydroponics were also assessed to see if the differences in Zn uptake efficiencies could be identified before planting in the laboratory. The triticale had the highest grain Zn concentration, followed by the cultivated einkorn wheat, the T. petropavlovskyi wheat, and then the three common wheat varieties. No difference in Zn concentration was detected between grains from the main stem and grains from tillers. Genotypes with high grain Zn concentration generally had higher Zn uptake and rachis Zn loading efficiencies. The cultivated einkorn wheat showed retarded translocation of Zn in nodes. Genotypes with high Zn uptake efficiencies may be identified at the seedling stage in hydroponics. Grain Zn concentration is a product of multiple physiological processes. Roots, nodes, and rachis could be the potential target tissues for further research related to grain Zn accumulation.
King rail (Rallus elegans) home range and microhabitat characteristics in western Lake Erie coastal marshes
Authors: Brewer Dustin E. , Gehring Thomas M. , Garcia Madeline M. , Shirkey Brendan T. , Simpson John W. , Fournier Auriel M. V.
Published: April 2023

The king rail (Rallus elegans) is a secretive marsh bird that is threatened or endangered in eight of nine states and provinces in the Laurentian Great Lakes (Great Lakes) region. Available survey data suggests that this species has undergone population declines across this region and these are believed to have been driven by habitat loss and degradation. An improved understanding of the amount and type of habitat king rails require during the breeding season at sites within the Great Lakes region would inform and improve progress toward conservation goals. During 2019–2021, we caught and radio‐tagged 14 king rails in northwestern Ohio and southeastern Michigan within impounded coastal wetlands of western Lake Erie. We used radio telemetry to identify breeding season (May–August) home‐range characteristics and third order habitat selection within home ranges (hereafter microhabitat). For the birds whose home range stabilized (N = 10), we found a mean home‐range size of 8.8 ha (±1.63 [SE]; range = 1.9 to 15.8). We generated a classification tree to determine which habitat characteristics were associated with king rail presence within home ranges in our study. We found that vegetative density within home ranges was particularly associated with king rail presence. Phragmites australis was also associated with king rail presence, despite its invasiveness and negative ecological impacts in the region, and could be selectively maintained to benefit king rails. Our results suggest that managers may be able to provide microhabitat for king rails by maintaining water depths of 6 to 17 cm and by promoting native, robust vegetation in the genera Carex and Juncus. Our findings could help inform wetland managers and conservation planners in the Great Lakes region, particularly in western Lake Erie coastal marshes, of patch sizes, water depths, plant communities, and vegetative structure preferred by king rails.