bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classifying annual daily hydrographs in Western North America using t‐distributed stochastic neighbour embedding
Authors: Tang Weigang , Carey Sean K.
Published: January 2022

Flow regimes are critical for determining physical and biological processes in rivers and their classification and regionalization traditionally seeks to link patterns of flow to physiographic, climate and other information. There are many approaches to, and rationales for, catchment classification, with those focused on streamflow often seeking to relate a particular response characteristic to a physical property or climatic driver. Rationales include such topics as prediction in ungauged basins (PUB), and providing guidance for model selection in poorly understood hydrological systems. The annual daily hydrograph (ADH) is a first‐order easily visualized integrated expression of catchment function, and over many years the average ADH is a distinct hydrological signature that differentiate catchments from each other. In this study, we use t‐SNE, a state‐of‐the‐art technique of dimensionality reduction, to classify 17 110 ADHs for 304 reference catchments in mountainous Western North America. t‐SNE is chosen over other conventional methods of dimensionality reduction (e.g., PCA) as it presents greater separability of ADHs, which are projected on a 2D map where the similarities are evaluated according to their map distance. We then utilize a Deep Learning encoder to upgrade the non‐parametric t‐SNE to a parametric approach, enhancing its capability to address ‘unseen’ samples. Results showed that t‐SNE successfully clustered ADHs of similar flow regimes on the 2D map and allowed more accurate classification with KNN. In addition, many compact clusters on the 2D map in the coastal Pacific Northwest suggest information redundancy in the local streamflow network. The t‐SNE map provides an intuitive way to visualize the similarity of high‐dimensional data of ADHs, groups catchments with like characteristics, and avoids the reliance on subjective hydrometric indicators.
Automatic fabric pattern recognition and design based on deep learning and portable device
Authors: Zhou Xianke , Li Hang , Zhang Dejun
Published: January 2022

With the development of e‐commerce, online shopping has become the main approach to buy clothes, in which accurately classifying clothing through images becomes more and more important. However, most of clothing classification works focus on clothing types. With the increasing volume of online clothing transactions, various platforms have accumulated a large number of unmarked clothing images that cannot be fully utilized. Meanwhile, many consumers pay more attention to the clothing style. In order to solve this problem, this paper proposes a clothing style recognition framework based on Alex Net run on a portable device. The proposed clothing style recognition is evaluated on Deepfashion dataset. The experimental results show that the proposed clothing style recognition is superior to traditional convolutional neural network (CNN), ResNet and Bilinear convolutional neural network (Bilinear‐CNN).
AI‐driven efficient and reliable routing mechanism for optical fiber communication and wireless sensor networks
Authors: Hao Huali
Published: January 2022

Wireless sensor networks is a comprehensive intelligent information system which integrates information acquisition, information transmission and information processing. It has been widely used in many fields. How to guarantee the quality of service is an important topic to make effective use of wireless sensor networks. Additionally, the applications of wireless sensor networks also put forward new requirements which are different from traditional networks. This paper adopts an energy‐efficient routing protocol with QoS guarantee for real‐time communication in wireless sensor networks. The energy‐efficient routing protocol transforms the real‐time requirements of application communication into the speed requirements of data packets and dynamically adjusts the transmission power and routing decision of nodes according to the data packet speed and network state. When the real‐time requirement of communication is high, it increases the transmission power of nodes and switching speed with increasing energy consumption and reducing system throughput. When the real‐time requirement of communication is low, it saves energy consumption and increases system throughput by reducing the transmission power of nodes. The associated structure includes dynamic speed allocator, delay estimator, forwarding policy, queue manager and neighbor manager. Experimental results show that the energy‐efficient routing protocol greatly reduces the loss rate and energy consumption of real‐time data communication delay.
Numb is required for optimal contraction of skeletal muscle
Authors: De Gasperi Rita , Mo Chenglin , Azulai Daniella , Wang Zhiying , Harlow Lauren M. , Du Yating , Graham Zachary , Pan Jiangping , Liu Xin‐hua , Guo Lei , Zhang Bin , Ko Fred , Raczkowski Ashleigh M. , Bauman William A. , Goulbourne Chris N. , Zhao Wei , Brotto Marco , Cardozo Christopher P.
Published: January 2022

Background

The role of Numb, a protein that is important for cell fate and development and that, in human muscle, is expressed at reduced levels with advanced age, was investigated; adult mice skeletal muscle and its localization and function within myofibres were determined.

Methods

Numb expression was evaluated by western blot. Numb localization was determined by confocal microscopy. The effects of conditional knock out (cKO) of Numb and the closely related gene Numb‐like in skeletal muscle fibres were evaluated by in situ physiology, transmission and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy, three‐dimensional reconstruction of mitochondria, lipidomics, and bulk RNA sequencing. Additional studies using primary mouse myotubes investigated the effects of Numb knockdown on cell fusion, mitochondrial function, and calcium transients.

Results

Numb protein expression was reduced by ~70% (P < 0.01) at 24 as compared with 3 months of age in gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscle. Numb was localized within muscle fibres as bands traversing fibres at regularly spaced intervals in close proximity to dihydropyridine receptors. The cKO of Numb and Numb‐like reduced specific tetanic force by 36% (P < 0.01), altered mitochondrial spatial relationships to sarcomeric structures, increased Z‐line spacing by 30% (P < 0.0001), perturbed sarcoplasmic reticulum organization and reduced mitochondrial volume by over 80% (P < 0.01). Only six genes were differentially expressed in cKO mice: Itga4, Sema7a, Irgm2, Vezf1, Mib1, and Tmem132a. Several lipid mediators derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids through lipoxygenases were up‐regulated in Numb cKO skeletal muscle: 12‐HEPE was increased by ~250% (P < 0.05) and 17,18‐EpETE by ~240% (P < 0.05). In mouse primary myotubes, Numb knockdown reduced cell fusion (~20%, P < 0.01) and delayed the caffeine‐induced rise in cytosolic calcium concentrations by more than 100% (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

These findings implicate Numb as a critical factor in skeletal muscle structure and function and suggest that Numb is critical for calcium release. We therefore speculate that Numb plays critical roles in excitation–contraction coupling, one of the putative targets of aged skeletal muscles. These findings provide new insights into the molecular underpinnings of the loss of muscle function observed with sarcopenia.
Switching efavirenz to rilpivirine in virologically suppressed adolescents with HIV: a multi‐centre 48‐week efficacy and safety study in Thailand
Authors: Phongsamart Wanatpreeya , Jantarabenjakul Watsamon , Chantaratin Sasitorn , Anugulruengkitt Suvaporn , Suntarattiwong Piyarat , Sirikutt Pakpen , Kosalaraksa Pope , Maleesatharn Alan , Chokephaibulkit Kulkanya
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Efavirenz (EFV) is commonly used for first‐line antiretroviral therapy in children and adolescents with HIV, but is associated with neuropsychiatric and metabolic side effects. Rilpivirine (RPV) is better tolerated, and switching from EFV to RPV in virologically suppressed adults has been safe and efficacious, but data in adolescents are limited. Our primary objective was to describe the 48‐week immunologic and virologic outcomes in virologically suppressed adolescents switching from EFV‐ to RPV‐based antiretroviral therapy. Secondary objectives included assessment of neuropsychiatric adverse events, quality of life (QOL) and metabolic profiles while on RPV.

Methods

We conducted an open‐label, single‐arm, multi‐centre study in Thailand in virologically suppressed adolescents aged 12–18 years receiving EFV plus two nucleoside/tide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs/NtRTI) for ≥3 months. Participants were switched to an RPV (25 mg) tablet once daily, with the same NRTIs. HIV RNA viral load, CD4 cell count, fasting total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, glucose, neuropsychiatric adverse events, depression and QOL were assessed over 48 weeks. Data were collected between February 2016 and September 2018.

Results

One hundred and two (52% male) adolescents were enrolled. Median age at entry was 15.5 years (IQR 14.4–17.0), median CD4 count was 664 cells/mm3 (29.9%); 58% were receiving tenofovir‐DF and emtricitabine. At weeks 24 and 48, 96 (94.1%) and 94 (92.2%) participants were virologically suppressed, respectively, with no significant change in CD4 cell counts from baseline. Six (5.9%) participants experienced virologic failure, two of whom had RPV‐associated mutations (K101E and Y181C) and a lamivudine‐associated mutation (M184V/I). There were significant decreases in TC, triglyceride, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) at weeks 24 and 48 and a significant increase in LDL/HDL ratio at week 48 compared to baseline. No substantial changes in EFV‐related symptoms, depression score or health‐related QOL were observed over time; however, there was significant improvement in performance‐based assessments of executive function at week 24.

Conclusions

A high proportion of adolescents (>92%) remained virologically suppressed up to 48 weeks after switching from EFV to RPV along with no significant change in CD4 cell counts. RPV was well tolerated and associated with improvements in metabolic profiles and executive function.
Early lecithotrophic stages of Nymphon grossipes, and the role of larval appendages and glands in different larval types of pycnogonids
Authors: Alexeeva Nina , Tamberg Yuta
Published: January 2022

Nymphon grossipes is a common subtidal species belonging to a small and unique group of chelicerates, that is, the sea spiders. These animals have an anamorphic phase during post‐embryonic development and often hatch as small, oligomeric and exotrophic larvae (protonymphons) with four postocular segments, cheliphores, and two pairs of larval legs. A common alternative to protonymphons is a large lecithotrophic larval type, where animals hatch at more advanced stages and have a foreshortened anamorphic development. Based on external morphology, N. grossipes was believed to be an intriguing intermediate between these two conditions and its hatchlings were called “lecithotrophic protonymphons.” Here, we examine the anatomy and ultrastructure of instars I and II and review the variety of roles of larval appendages and associated glands in other sea spiders in order to correctly place the larva of this species among pycnogonid larval types. Compared to “typical protonymphons,” N. grossipes young hatch with an advanced segmental and appendage composition: six postocular segments instead of four, buds of walking legs 1 and hidden buds of walking legs 2. This state corresponds to the instars II/III (rather than larvae) of Nymphon brevirostre and Pycnogonum litorale. Modifications of the larval appendages, chelar, and spinning glands are aligned with ecological needs of different larval types along a few typical dimensions: locomotion and feeding, dispersal, and attachment to the parent. Although the main challenge for N. grossipes young is secure attachment to the egg package while they growth, there are some discrepancies in their anatomy: N. grossipes retains an oyster basket, but an otherwise nonfunctional digestive system, and a strong silken thread for attachment, but no corresponding reduction of the larval legs. Thus, it is likely that the switch to lecithotrophy happened in the recent evolutionary history of this species.
Modifying LI‐RADS on Gadoxetate Disodium‐Enhanced MRI: A Secondary Analysis of a Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Jiang Hanyu , Song Bin , Qin Yun , Konanur Meghana , Wu Yuanan , McInnes Matthew D.F. , Lafata Kyle J. , Bashir Mustafa R.
Published: January 2022

Background

The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI‐RADS) is widely used for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, with unsatisfactory sensitivity, complex ancillary features, and inadequate integration with gadoxetate disodium (EOB)‐enhanced MRI.

Purpose

To modify LI‐RADS (mLI‐RADS) on EOB‐MRI.

Study Type

Secondary analysis of a prospective observational study.

Population

Between July 2015 and September 2018, 224 consecutive high‐risk patients (median age, 51 years; range, 26–83; 180 men; training/testing sets: 169/55 patients) with 742 (median size, 13 mm; interquartile range, 7–27; 498 HCCs) LR‐3/4/5 observations.

Field Strength/Sequence

3.0 T T2‐weighted fast spin‐echo, diffusion‐weighted spin‐echo based echo‐planar, and 3D T1‐weighted gradient echo sequences.

Assessment

Three radiologists (with 5, 5, and 10 years of experience in liver MR imaging, respectively) blinded to the reference standard (histopathology or imaging follow‐up) reviewed all MR images independently. In the training set, the optimal LI‐RADS version 2018 (v2018) features selected by Random Forest analysis were used to develop mLI‐RADS via decision tree analysis.

Statistical Tests

In an independent testing set, diagnostic performances of mLI‐RADS, LI‐RADS v2018, and the Korean Liver Cancer Association (KLCA) guidelines were computed using a generalized estimating equation model and compared with McNemar's test. A two‐tailed P < 0.05 was statistically significant.

Results

Five features (nonperipheral “washout,” restricted diffusion, nonrim arterial phase hyperenhancement [APHE], mild–moderate T2 hyperintensity, and transitional phase hypointensity) constituted mLI‐RADS, and mLR‐5 was nonperipheral washout coupled with either nonrim APHE or restricted diffusion. In the testing set, mLI‐RADS was significantly more sensitive (72%) and accurate (80%) than LI‐RADS v2018 (sensitivity, 61%; accuracy 74%; both P < 0.001) and the KLCA guidelines (sensitivity, 64%; accuracy 74%; both P < 0.001), without sacrificing positive predictive value (mLI‐RADS, 94%; LI‐RADS v2018, 94%; KLCA guidelines, 92%).

Data Conclusion

In high‐risk patients, the EOB‐MRI‐based mLI‐RADS was simpler and more sensitive for HCC than LI‐RADS v2018 while maintaining high positive predictive value.

Level of Evidence

2

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) modeling of nanoscale hydrodynamics of clay‐water system at elevated temperature
Authors: Zhang Zhe , Song Xiaoyu
Published: January 2022

The engineering problems involving clay under non‐isothermal conditions (e.g., geothermal energy harvest, landfill cover system, and nuclear waste disposal) are multiscale and multiphysics by nature. The nanoscale hydrodynamics of clay at elevated temperature is essential in developing a physics‐based multiscale model for clay under non‐isothermal conditions. The nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) is a useful tool to study the nanoscale hydrodyndamics of clay. This article presents an NEMD modeling of hydrodynamics of clay nanopores at elevated temperatures. Water flow confined in pyrophyllite and montmorillonite clay nanopores is investigated. The nonequilibrium state is maintained by uniformly exerting an external force on each water molecule. The NEMD simulations have provided a molecular‐scale perspective of temperature effect on clay‐water density, water flow velocity, shear viscosity, clay‐water slip length, hydraulic conductivity, and clay‐water friction coefficient. The numerical results have shown a strong temperature dependence of fluid flow velocity, shear viscosity, clay‐water slip length, and hydraulic conductivity at the nanoscale. We have validated the applicability of cubic law in determining hydraulic conductivity at the nanopore scale at elevated temperatures. It is found from our numerical results that slip clay‐water boundary condition is an essential factor in properly determining nanoscale fluid flow velocity. By numerical examples, we also study the impact of nanopore size and clay layer thickness on the hydrodynamics of the clay‐water system.
Saturation‐prolongated and inhomogeneity‐mitigated chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging with parallel transmission
Authors: Qian Zihua , Liu Ruibin , Wu Zhe , Hsu Yi‐Cheng , Fu Caixia , Sun Yi , Wu Dan , Zhang Yi
Published: January 2022

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging benefits from a longer saturation duration and a higher saturation duty cycle. Dielectric shading effects occur when the radiofrequency (RF) wavelength approaches the object size. Here, we proposed a simultaneous parallel transmission‐based CEST (pTx‐CEST) sequence to prolongate the saturation duration at a 100% duty cycle and improve the RF saturation homogeneity in CEST imaging. The simultaneous pTx‐CEST sequence was implemented by switching the CEST saturation module from the non‐pTx to pTx mode, using the pTx functionality with both transmit channels being driven simultaneously (instead of time‐interleaved). The optimization of amplitude ratio and phase difference settings between RF channels for best B1 homogeneity was performed in phantoms of two different sizes mimicking the human brain and abdomen. The optimal amplitude and phase settings generating the best B1 homogeneity in the phantoms were used in pTx‐CEST scans of the human study. The comparison of the maximum achievable saturation duration between the non‐pTx‐CEST and pTx‐CEST sequences was performed in a protein phantom, healthy volunteers, and a metastatic brain tumor patient. The optimal amplitude ratio and phase difference setting between transmit channels manifested circular and elliptical polarization in the head‐sized and abdomen‐sized phantoms. In the brain, the maximum saturation durations achieved at a 100% duty cycle using the simultaneous pTx‐CEST sequence were prolonged to 2240, 3220, and 4200 ms compared with 980 ms using the non‐pTx‐CEST sequence at repetition times of 3, 4, and 5 s, respectively. The longer saturation duration helped improve the image contrast between the tumor and the normal tissue in the patient. The optimized elliptical polarization mode saturation pulses yielded improved uniformity of CEST signals acquired from the human abdomen. The proposed simultaneous pTx‐CEST sequence enabled essentially arbitrarily long saturation duration at a 100% duty cycle and helped reduce the dielectric shading effects with the optimized RF setting.
Acute and chronic effects of oral administration of a medium‐chain fatty acid, capric acid, on locomotor activity and anxiety‐like and depression‐related behaviors in adult male C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Shoji Hirotaka , Kunugi Hiroshi , Miyakawa Tsuyoshi
Published: January 2022

Aim

Capric acid (also known as decanoic acid or C10) is one of the fatty acids in the medium‐chain triglycerides (MCTs) commonly found in dietary fats. Although dietary treatment with MCTs is recently of great interest for the potential therapeutic effects on neuropsychiatric disorders, the effects of oral administration of C10 on behavior remain to be examined. This study investigated acute and chronic effects of oral administration of C10 on locomotor activity and anxiety‐like and depression‐related behaviors in adult male C57BL/6J mice.

Methods

To explore the acute effects of C10 administration, mice were subjected to a series of behavioral tests in the following order: light/dark transition, open field, elevated plus maze, Porsolt forced swim, and tail suspension tests, 30 minutes after oral gavage of either vehicle or C10 solution (30 mmol/kg dose in Experiment 1; 0.1, 0.3, 1.0, 3.0 mmol/kg doses in Experiment 2). Next, to examine chronic effects of C10, mice repeatedly administered with either vehicle or C10 solution (0.3, 3.0 mmol/kg doses per day, for 21 days, in Experiment 3) were subjected to behavioral tests without oral administration immediately before each test.

Results

The mice administrated with the high dose of C10 (30 mmol/kg) showed lower body weights, shorter distance traveled, and more anxiety‐like behavior than vehicle‐treated mice, and the results reached study‐wide statistical significance. The C10 administration at a lower dose of 0.3 mmol/kg had no significant effects on body weights and induced nominally significantly longer distance traveled than vehicle administration. Repeated administration of C10 at a dose of 3.0 mmol/kg for more than 21 days caused lower body weights and decreased depression‐related behavior, although the behavioral differences did not reach study‐wide significance.

Conclusions

Although these results suggest dose‐dependent effects of oral administration of capric acid on locomotor activity and anxiety‐like and depression‐related behaviors, further study will be needed to replicate the findings and explore the underlying brain mechanisms.
Valorization of Esparto Grass Cellulosic Derivatives for the Development of Promising Energetic Azidodeoxy Biopolymers: Synthesis, Characterization and Isoconversional Thermal Kinetic Analysis
Authors: Tarchoun Ahmed Fouzi , Trache Djalal , Klapötke Thomas M. , Slimani Kheireddine , Belouettar Baha‐eddine , Abdelaziz Amir , Bekhouche Slimane , Bessa Wissam
Published: January 2022

In the frame of developing new high‐energy materials from bioresources, emergent cellulose and microcrystalline cellulose functionalized with explosophoric azides were successfully synthesized from a prominent alternative esparto grass fibres. The designed insensitive nitrogen‐rich cellulosic biopolymers, namely, azidodeoxy esparto grass cellulose (AEGC) and azidodeoxy esparto grass microcrystalline cellulose (AEGMCC), displayed outstanding features, such as nitrogen content (w/w) of 18.24–18.68 %, the density of 1.601–1.626 g/cm3, and thermal decomposition of 203–218 °C. Their kinetic triplet was also determined under non‐isothermal DSC conditions employing isonversional integral approaches. Interestingly, the apparent activation energy and the decimal logarithm of a pre‐exponential factor of the developed AEGC and AEGMCC were found to be better than those of the common nitrocellulose. In addition, the reaction model examination based on Trache‐Abdelaziz‐Siwani (TAS) approach revealed that the produced AEGC and AEGMCC were accurately presented by an autocatalytic Avrami‐Erofeev decomposition process. These results established that esparto grass fibres could be considered as a valuable alternative feedstock for the synthesis of outstanding energetic cellulose‐rich polymers for potential applications in solid propellant formulations.
A modular agricultural robotic system (MARS) for precision farming: Concept and implementation
Authors: Xu Rui , Li Changying
Published: January 2022

Increasing global population, climate change, and shortage of labor pose significant challenges for meeting the global food and fiber demand, and agricultural robots offer a promising solution to these challenges. This paper presents a new robotic system architecture and the resulting modular agricultural robotic system (MARS) that is an autonomous, multi‐purpose, and affordable robotic platform for in‐field plant high throughput phenotyping and precision farming. There are five essential hardware modules (wheel module, connection module, robot controller, robot frame, and power module) and three optional hardware modules (actuation module, sensing module, and smart attachment). Various combinations of the hardware modules can create different robot configurations for specific agricultural tasks. The software was designed using the Robot Operating System (ROS) with three modules: control module, navigation module, and vision module. A robot localization method using dual Global Navigation Satellite System antennas was developed. Two line‐following algorithms were implemented as the local planner for the ROS navigation stack. Based on the MARS design concept, two MARS designs were implemented: a low‐cost, lightweight robotic system named MARS mini and a heavy‐duty robot named MARS X. The autonomous navigation of both MARS X and mini was evaluated at different traveling speeds and payload levels, confirming satisfactory performances. The MARS X was further tested for its performance and navigation accuracy in a crop field, achieving a high accuracy over a 537 m long path with only 15% of the path having an error larger than 0.05 m. The MARS mini and MARS X were shown to be useful for plant phenotyping in two field tests. The modular design makes the robots easily adaptable to different agricultural tasks and the low‐cost feature makes it affordable for researchers and growers.
Time in a bottle: Use of soil archives for understanding long‐term soil change
Authors: Bergh Emma L. , Calderon Francisco J. , Clemensen Andrea K. , Durso Lisa , Eberly Jed O. , Halvorson Jonathan J. , Jin Virginia L. , Margenot Andrew J. , Stewart Catherine E. , Pelt Scott Van , Liebig Mark A.
Published: January 2022

Soil archives preserve a snapshot of soils from a specific time and location, allowing researchers to re‐evaluate soils of the past in the context of the present for an improved understanding of long‐term soil change. To date, the extent of soil archive use in the peer‐reviewed literature is poorly inventoried. Here, we document the characteristics and distribution of global soil archive use, as found in 245 publications, following an exhaustive search of English language journals. Soil archive use has increased substantially since 1980, reaching 59 publications between 2016 and 2020. The age of soil archives across the compilation ranged from 5 to 160 yr, with mean and median archive ages of 48 and 37 yr, respectively. Publications using soil archives originated mostly from countries in the northern hemisphere, with the top five reporting countries including the United States (61), United Kingdom (52), New Zealand (21), Canada (18), and China (14). Land uses associated with soil archive publications were dominated by agroecosystems, specifically land planted to annual crops. Forty‐seven percent of investigations focused on changes in soil C, N, or organic matter, whereas investigations of other subjects did not exceed 20% each. The compilation is publicly available online. As demands on soils increase, archives will serve as an invaluable tool for understanding long‐term soil change in the Anthropocene era. Multiregional coordination and increased investment in curation and retention of soil archives are recommended to preserve these irreplaceable resources.
Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopic study on the interface electronic structure of the L‐cysteine on Pd surface
Authors: Koswattage Kaveenga Rasika , Liyanage Chathudina Janitha , Maduwantha G. D. Kaveendra Virajith
Published: January 2022

L‐cysteine is one of the most versatile biomolecules with a unique metal‐binding ability. L‐cysteine has an outstanding role in the bioelectronics field as a linker between proteins of biomolecules and metal electrodes of the inorganic metals through multiple functional groups. The interface electronic structures between L‐cysteine with metals deserve further investigation for applications in bioelectronics. However, the interface electronic structures of L‐cysteine and metals have not been well understood. We have previously reported the existence of a new state between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of L‐cysteine and the Fermi level of the metals for L‐cysteine/Au(111), L‐cysteine/Ag(111), and L‐cysteine/Cu(111) using photoemission spectroscopy and attributed the formation of the new state to an interaction of the d band with HOMO of L‐cysteine. In this study, the electronic structure at the interfaces of L‐cysteine on a Palladium (Pd) surface is investigated by ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS) using synchrotron radiation including work function, secondary electron cutoff (SECO), and HOMO onset; the position of an interface state, charge injection barrier, and ionization energy are estimated. It is observed that thin‐film spectra of L‐cysteine on Pd surfaces in the valance top region are different from the L‐cysteine thick films, and this can be attributed to an interaction between a sulfur‐originated state of L‐cysteine HOMO with Pd d orbitals. Also, a 0.6‐eV SECO shift is estimated due to the charge transferring between L‐cysteine and Pd. The results of SECO further confirm the weakening of the Pd–sulfur bond with increasing L‐cysteine coverage on Pd.
Nano Drug Delivery Systems: Effective Therapy Strategies to Overcome Multidrug Resistance in Tumor Cells
Authors: Shen Jiayan , Sun Chengtao , Liu Qun , Kai Guoyin , Qian Jun
Published: January 2022

Multidrug resistance (MDR) of tumor cells refers to the fact that tumor cells are resistant to one drug while also to others with different types and structures. MDR is an important reason for the failure of many chemotherapies. And researchers have been trying to break through this fatal problem for a long time. Fortunately, the rapid development of nano drugs in recent years has brought new ideas to overcome the MDR. Based on its inherent small size and easy modification characteristics, nano drug can easily reach tumor cells and prolong the circulation time in vivo. This review summarizes three most extensive and in‐depth strategies for counteracting MDR based on nano drug delivery systems, including: 1) controlling ROS levels and stimulus response; 2) co‐delivery of P‐gp inhibitors; 3) directly targeting the nucleus. Furthermore, other innovative and cutting‐edge anti‐MDR strategies are also discussed in this review. It is hoped that the overview of the above treatment strategies can provide inspiration for the design of anti‐cancer nano drugs in the future.
Content and computing outline of two undergraduate Bayesian courses: Tools, examples, and recommendations
Authors: Hu Jingchen , Dogucu Mine
Published: January 2022

Undergraduate Bayesian education is an area that has started getting attention lately. As many educational innovations and articles are published and increasingly more teaching and learning materials are shared, statistics educators might be interested in incorporating Bayesian statistics in their undergraduate statistics and data science curriculum. In this paper, we share a succinct overview of two undergraduate Bayesian courses we have been teaching, with a comparison analysis to present the similarities and differences in our approaches. We dive deeper into various choices of Markov chain Monte Carlo estimation methods of Bayesian models with a working example and discuss their pros and cons for different learning objectives of computing that aspiring Bayesian educators might have in mind. Furthermore, we share challenges and opportunities for course development and curriculum design. The paper is suitable for aspiring Bayesian educators who are interested in learning ways to introduce Bayesian statistics to undergraduate students.
What Does It Mean? EL‐Identified Adolescents’ Interpretations of Testing and Course Placement
Authors: Brooks Maneka Deanna
Published: January 2022

Adultism within English learner (EL) policy in the United States relegates youth to the status of objects whose English proficiency and academic achievement is assessed, monitored, and developed. This study challenges this institutionalized adultism by centering youths’ interpretations of their own schooling experiences. It uses an intersectional anti‐adultism conceptual lens to investigate how 20 high school youths understood the relationship between two routine EL practices—English language proficiency (ELP) testing and EL‐related course placement—and their institutional EL classification. The primary data source for this study is semi‐structured interviews with youth that were contextualized by student records, administrator interviews, policy documents, and analytic memos. The findings indicate that in the absence of mandated direct communication about their EL classification from school‐affiliated adults, most participants did not use ELP testing or EL‐related course placement to recognize their labeling. Although adult‐determined significance of these routine EL practices shaped all youths’ educational trajectories, it did not dominate how most youths interpreted their significance. Youths’ interpretations of meaning were related to how they understood themselves and their experiences of schooling. The findings highlight the necessity to create structures for multidirectional and intergenerational communication between youth and adults that challenge institutionalized adultism within EL policy.
Antagonistic effect of selenium on mercuric chloride in the central immune organs of chickens: The role of microRNA‐183/135b‐FOXO1/TXNIP/NLRP3 inflammasome axis
Authors: Gao Pei‐Chao , Chen Xue‐Wei , Chu Jia‐Hong , Li Lan‐Xin , Wang Zhen‐Yong , Fan Rui‐Feng
Published: January 2022

Mercury (Hg) is a persistent environmental and industrial pollutant that accumulated in the body and induces oxidative stress and inflammation damage. Selenium (Se) has been reported to antagonize immune organs damage caused by heavy metals. Here, we aimed to investigate the prevent effect of Se on mercuric chloride (HgCl2)‐induced thymus and bursa of Fabricius (BF) damage in chickens. The results showed that HgCl2 caused immunosuppression by reducing the relative weight, cortical area of the thymus and BF, and the number of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Meanwhile, HgCl2 induced oxidative stress and imbalance in cytokines expression in the thymus and BF. Further, we found that thioredoxin‐interacting protein (TXNIP) and the NOD‐like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome mediated HgCl2‐induced oxidative stress and inflammation. Mechanically, the targeting and inhibitory effect of microRNA (miR)‐135b/183 on forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) were an upstream event for HgCl2‐activated TXNIP/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. Most importantly, Se effectively attenuated the aforementioned damage in the thymus and BF caused by HgCl2 and inhibited the TXNIP/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway by reversing the expression of FOXO1 through inhibiting miR‐135b/183. In conclusion, the miR‐135b/183‐FOXO1/TXNIP/NLRP3 inflammasome axis might be a novel mechanism for Se to antagonize HgCl2‐induced oxidative stress and inflammation in the central immune organs of chickens.
Serological, virological and molecular diagnosis of an outbreak of lumpy skin disease among cattle in Butana area, Eastern Sudan
Authors: Hussien Mohammed O. , Osman Adam A. , Bakri Eman O. , Elhassan Amira M. , Elmahi Molhima M. , Alfaki Shima H. , El Hussein Abdel Rahim M.
Published: January 2022

Background

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a highly infectious disease of cattle caused by a virus of the Poxviridae family, genus Capripoxvirus. The disease has great economic effects on the global cattle industry. In this study, an outbreak of LSD among cattle which occurred in Nahr Atbara and Halfa El Jadida locations in Butana area, Kassala State in November, 2020 is described.

Methods

Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) antibody and nucleic acid were detected in specimens (n = 50) using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results

The virus was isolated on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of embryonated chicken eggs and identified by PCR. The number of animals at risk was 295 with a morbidity rate of 4.1% and a mortality rate of 2.4%.

Conclusions

LSDV was diagnosed for the first time in the Butana region, Kassala State, Eastern Sudan in 2020.
Erosion of Professional Integrity: The Collapse of the Canterbury TV Building in Christchurch on 22 February 2011
Authors: Seibel Wolfgang
Published: January 2022

From 4 September 2010 on, a series of earthquakes shattered New Zealand for more than one year the most devastating of which caused the Canterbury TV (CTV) building in downtown Christchurch to collapse on 22 February 2011. One hundred and fifteen people were killed. A Royal Commission found out that, in 1986, the Christchurch City Council (CCC) had granted a building permit despite concerns about structural design issues. Moreover, the authority did not insist on structural analyses of the building after the initial earthquake of 4 September 2010. Thorough investigations after the disaster of 22 February 2011 revealed that the early concerns about insufficient joints between floors and shear walls had been entirely justified since the failure of the joints, according to all likelihood, had triggered the collapse of the building.
Politicization of the Non-politicizable: The Collapse of the Ice Skating Rink in Bad Reichenhall on 2 January 2006
Authors: Seibel Wolfgang
Published: January 2022

After heavy snowfall, the skating rink of the city of Bad Reichenhall collapsed on 2 January 2006. Fifteen people, twelve children between the age of 7 and 15 and three mothers, were killed by the falling debris of the roof, 34 people were injured. Court trials came to the conclusion that the City of Bad Reichenhall, over a long period of time, had seriously neglected the maintenance of the hall despite clear indication of water ingress and related weak points in the roof structure. The Lord Mayor admitted before court to have purposefully obstructed the decision of the municipal parliament to renovate the hall since he had intended to have the hall dismantled anyway and to build a modern pastime and wellness center instead.
Mixed Reality (MR) for Generation Z in Cultural Heritage Tourism Towards Metaverse
Authors: Buhalis Dimitrios , Karatay Nurshat
Published: January 2022

Generation Z is transforming tourism by demanding the cocreation of transformative experiences. Cultural heritage professionals must comprehend the needs and desires of the Gen Z to support the cocreation of transformative experiences. This study analysed the role of Mixed Reality (MR) from the perspective of Gen Z guests through 18 semi-structured interviews and inductive qualitative research. Participants believe that cultural heritage experiences can benefit from immersive technology. Technology supports cocreation of experiences between developers, service providers, DMOs, and consumers. Cultural heritage sites, as a key element of tourism destinations, should consider how to use MR to enhance consumer experiences. Participants express the opinion that cultural heritage sites and tourism destinations require considerable modernisation to create transformative experiences. Metaverse in tourism and cultural heritage sites will undoubtedly support Gen Z to cocreate transformational experiences.
Exploring the Utilitarian and Hedonic Value Derived from Tourism Pre-experiences with Virtual Reality: Differences Between Destinations and Accommodations
Authors: Flavián Carlos , Ibáñez-Sánchez Sergio , Orús Carlos
Published: January 2022

The tourism industry is in a convulsive situation of great uncertainty. The recovery of the sector depends on boosting digitalization processes. In this sense, virtual reality represents an essential tool that can generate added value in the customer experience. This study analyzes the impact of virtual reality tourism pre-experiences on the utilitarian and hedonic value perceived by the customer. In addition, given the heterogeneity of tourism products and offers, it is proposed that the influence of virtual reality on the dimensions of perceived value will depend on whether the product is evaluated on an attribute basis (hotels) or holistically (destinations). The results will provide interesting implications for understanding and generating tourism experiences with high added value. Particularly, these results will be helpful for tourism managers to design effective virtual reality pre-experiences according to the features of the tourism products they are promoting, fostering the corresponding hedonic/utilitarian value in the tourist’s pre-experience.
Online Travel Planning for Families with a Child with a Disability
Authors: Khomsi Mohamed Reda , Delorme Karl , Martin-Colonna Cyril
Published: January 2022

Whereas the search for information when starting to plan a trip is generally perceived as enjoyable, families with a disabled child may associate this step with anxiety and stress. This is due to a lack of information and poor consideration of disabled children’s needs in most tourist websites, making it difficult for such families to find answers to their questions. In this context, the present research attempts to understand the online travel planning process of families with a child with a disability in order to propose solutions adapted to these families’ needs.
Compressed SENSE in Pediatric Brain Tumor MR Imaging
Authors: Meister Rieke L. , Groth Michael , Jürgens Julian H. W. , Zhang Shuo , Buhk Jan H. , Herrmann Jochen
Published: January 2022

Purpose

To compare the image quality, examination time, and total energy release of a standardized pediatric brain tumor magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol performed with and without compressed sensitivity encoding (C-SENSE). Recently introduced as an acceleration technique in MRI, we hypothesized that C‑SENSE would improve image quality, reduce the examination time and radiofrequency-induced energy release compared with conventional examination in a pediatric brain tumor protocol.

Methods

This retrospective study included 22 patients aged 2.33–18.83 years with different brain tumor types who had previously undergone conventional MRI examination and underwent follow-up C‑SENSE examination. Both examinations were conducted with a 3.0-Tesla device and included pre-contrast and post-contrast T1-weighted turbo-field-echo, T2-weighted turbo-spin-echo, and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequences. Image quality was assessed in four anatomical regions of interest (tumor area, cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and posterior fossa) using a 5-point scale. Reader preference between the standard and C‑SENSE images was evaluated. The total examination duration and energy deposit were compared based on scanner log file analysis.

Results

Relative to standard examinations, C‑SENSE examinations were characterized by shorter total examination times (26.1 ± 3.93 vs. 22.18 ± 2.31 min; P = 0.001), reduced total energy deposit (206.0 ± 19.7 vs. 92.3 ± 18.2 J/kg; P < 0.001), and higher image quality (overall P < 0.001).

Conclusion

C‑SENSE contributes to the improvement of image quality, reduction of scan times and radiofrequency-induced energy release relative to the standard protocol in pediatric brain tumor MRI.
Societal Preferences for Gender of Surgeons: A Cross‐Sectional Study in the General Population of Pakistan
Authors: Martins Russell Seth , Gillani Mishal , Jawaid Samreen , Zaidi Syeda Maryam Zehra , Malik Mahim Akmal
Published: January 2022

Background

Sociocultural norms and gender biases may result in surgeon gender preferences among the general public. This study aimed to understand preferences and perceptions related to surgeon gender among the general population in Pakistan, a lower‐middle‐income country.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted by the Aga Khan University, Karachi, among the adult general population in Pakistan. Sequential mixed‐mode data collection was performed via online dissemination on social media platforms and in‐person surveying at different geographic locations in Karachi.

Results

Among 1604 respondents, 50% did not report having surgeon gender preferences in general. Among respondents with gender preferences, there was a highly significant preference for gender concordance across all surgical subspecialties (p <0.001) except cardiothoracic surgery and neurosurgery. Exceptions where women preferred a male surgeon were neurosurgery (59.7% vs. 40.3%; p <0.001) and cardiothoracic surgery (53.1% vs. 46.9%; p <0.001). Moreover, respondents felt more comfortable communicating with (67.6%) and being examined by (73.3%) gender concordant surgeons. Men more commonly perceived male surgeons as more competent (26% vs. 14.5%; p <0.001) and warmer (18.3% vs. 9.8%; p <0.001) than female surgeons. Nevertheless, the most important factors influencing selection of a surgeon were the surgeon's reputation (69.6%) and experience (50.5%). Most respondents (84.5%) believed that more females should practice surgery.

Conclusion

While around half of respondents do not have gender preferences, a significant proportion prefers a gender concordant surgeon across subspecialties. In a society where conservative sociocultural norms play a significant role when seeking health care, this makes yet another compelling argument for gender parity in surgery.
Assessment of Intraparenchymal Injection of 1% Patent Blue Dye in the Upper Outer Quadrant of the Breast to Identify Sentinel Lymph Node in Early Retro‐Areolar Breast Cancer in Women: A Tertiary Centre Experience in Egypt
Authors: Fouad Mina M. B. , Fouad Kirilos , Ibraheim Sandy M. N.
Published: January 2022

Background

Sentinel lymph node biopsy is the gold standard for axillary assessment of patients with clinically node negative breast cancer. The current internationally accepted methods comprise of the usage of either a radioactive tracer, vital stains or the combination of both. However, in developing countries radioactive tracer is not widely used due to its high cost and limited availability. In addition, the classic retro‐areolar blue dye injection has a high failure rate.

Objective

Our study aimed to assess the efficacy of patent blue dye injection in the upper outer quadrant of the breast after validation by concurrent usage of radioactive nanocolloid, in comparison with the classic retro‐areolar injection in identifying the sentinel node.

Methods

A randomized control study involving 279 patients randomly divided into two groups. In group A lateral injection of 1% patent blue dye (validated by radioactive nanocolloid) was used, while subdermal patent blue dye injection in the retro‐areolar space was performed in group B.

Results

The new technique showed the promising results with lower failure rate (3.4%) in comparison with the classic retro‐areolar patent blue injection (13.7%).

Conclusions

The lateral injection technique can be result in comparable results to the combination technique with the added benefit of being widely available and a cheaper option especially in developing countries.