bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peeking back in time: Novel insights into the evolutionary relationships of diplommatinids (Caenogastropoda, Cyclophoroidea) from around Australia
Authors: Köhler Frank
Published: August 2023

Based both on published GenBank DNA sequences and newly produced sequences, I have assembled the largest multi‐loci sequence dataset of the Diplommatinidae to date to investigate their evolutionary history. The focus of this study is on the diverse genusPalaina, which is represented by new sequences of its type species as well as additional samples from Timor and the Solomon Islands. In addition, the type species ofPalmatinafrom Norfolk Island is also included. A relaxed molecular clock hypothesis is presented that incorporates several calibration points based on fossils or on previously published age estimates for major clades. Accordingly, the Sundaland diplommatinidsPlectostoma,Opisthostoma,AriniaandDiplommatinaare of considerable evolutionary antiquity, each likely having originated during the Cretaceous or early Paleogene at the latest. ThePalainasensu lato main clade was found to be the sister of all other diplommatinids included in the tree and has also diverged during the late Cretaceous.Palainaas currently delineated is rendered non‐monophyletic by the radiations ofHungerfordiaandEupalaina, which are endemic to the archipelago of Palau, as well asPalmatinafrom Norfolk Island.
The Appeal of French – Leveraging the Soft Power of French Language and Francophone Culture Globally and Locally in the Classroom and Beyond
Authors: Smith Kathleen Stein
Published: August 2023

This article examines the significance of French language and Francophone culture in the world and in the United States through the lens of its worldwide appeal. It discusses ways in which its unique role and presence can be leveraged in French language learning, use, and advocacy. Within this framework, the soft power, or influence, of France throughout the world and the importance of both Francophones and Francophiles are discussed, as are the topics of French language advocacy, Francoresponsabilité, and Franco-activisme. The support of French language and Francophone culture through cultural diplomacy, the worldwide campaign for French, and a variety of local organizations and initiatives is also discussed. The role of French language skills and cultural knowledge is also discussed in terms of self-transformation and global citizenship within the context of multilingualism and bilingualism. The future of French both locally and globally, along with the importance of French language and Francophone culture in appealing to learners. heritage language speakers, and other French language stakeholders and in supporting sustainable motivation to learn and use the language and to live the culture.
Myo‐inositol alters the effects of glucose, leptin and insulin on placental palmitic acid and oleic acid metabolism
Authors: Watkins Oliver C. , Pillai Reshma Appukuttan , Selvam Preben , Yong Hannah E.J. , Cracknell‐Hazra Victoria K.B. , Sharma Neha , Cazenave‐Gassiot Amaury , Bendt Anne K. , Godfrey Keith M. , Lewis Rohan M. , Wenk Markus R. , Chan Shiao‐Yng
Published: August 2023

Well‐regulated placental palmitic acid (PA) and oleic acid (OA) metabolism is vital for optimal placental function and fetal development, but dysregulation occurs with gestational diabetes (GDM). We hypothesized that such dysregulation might arise from increased maternofetal glucose, leptin or insulin concentrations present in GDM, and that dysregulated PA and OA lipid metabolism could be moderated by myo‐inositol, a natural polyol and potential GDM intervention. Placental explants from 21 women were incubated with stable isotope‐labelled 13C‐PA or 13C‐OA for 48 h. Explants were treated with glucose (5, 10 mm) or leptin (13 nm) or insulin (150 nm) in combination with myo‐inositol (0.3, 30, 60 μm). Forty‐seven 13C‐PA lipids and 37 13C‐OA lipids were measured by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LCMS). Compared with controls (5 mm glucose), glucose (10 mm) increased 19 13C‐OA lipids and nine 13C‐PA lipids, but decreased 13C‐OA phosphatidylethanolamine 38:5 and 13C‐PA phosphatidylethanolamine 36:4. The effects of leptin and insulin were less prominent than glucose, with leptin increasing 13C‐OA acylcarnitine 18:1, and insulin increasing four 13C‐PA triacylglycerides. Most glucose, leptin and insulin‐induced alterations in lipids were attenuated by co‐incubation with myo‐inositol (30 or 60 μm), with attenuation also occurring in all subgroups stratified by GDM status and fetal sex. However, glucose‐induced increases in acylcarnitine were not attenuated by myo‐inositol and were even exaggerated in some instances. Myo‐inositol therefore appears to generally act as a moderator, suppressing the perturbation of lipid metabolic processes by glucose, leptin and insulin in placenta in vitro. Whether myo‐inositol protects the fetus and pregnancy from unfavourable outcomes requires further research.

image

Key points

Incubation of placental explants with additional glucose, or to a lesser extent insulin or leptin, alters the placental production of 13C‐lipids from 13C‐palmitic acid (PA) and 13C‐oleic acid (OA) in vitro compared with untreated controls from the same placenta.

Co‐incubation with myo‐inositol attenuated most alterations induced by glucose, insulin or leptin in 13C‐lipids, but did not affect alterations in 13C‐acylcarnitines.

Alterations induced by glucose and leptin in 13C‐PA triacylglycerides and 13C‐PA phospholipids were influenced by fetal sex and gestational diabetes status, but were all still attenuated by myo‐inositol co‐incubation.

Insulin differently affected 13C‐PA triacylglycerides and 13C‐PA phospholipids depending on fetal sex, with alterations also attenuated by myo‐inositol co‐incubation.
Large-area deposition of protective (Ti,Al)N coatings onto polycarbonate
Authors: Patterer Lena , Kollmann Sabrina , de los Arcos Teresa , Jende Leonie , Karimi Aghda Soheil , Holzapfel Damian M. , Salman Sameer A. , Mráz Stanislav , Grundmeier Guido , Schneider Jochen M.
Published: August 2023

Polycarbonate (PC) and protective (Ti,Al)N coatings exhibit extremely different material properties, specifically crystal structure, thermal stability, and elastic and plastic behavior, as well as thermal expansion coefficients. These differences present formidable challenges for the deposition process development as low-temperature synthesis routes have to be explored to avoid a thermal overload of the polymer substrate. Here, a large-area sputtering process is developed to address the challenges by systematically adjusting target peak power density and duty cycle. Adhering (Ti,Al)N coatings with a critical residual tensile stress of 2.2 ± 0.2 GPa are obtained in the pulsed direct current magnetron sputtering range, whereas depositions at higher target peak power densities, realized by high power pulsed magnetron sputtering, lead to stress-induced adhesive and/or cohesive failure. The stress-optimized (Ti,Al)N coatings deposited onto PC with a target peak power density of 0.036 kW cm−2 and a duty cycle of 5.3% were investigated by the cross-cut test, confirming adhesion. By investigating the bond formation at the PC|(Ti,Al)N interface, mostly interfacial CNx bonds and a small fraction of (C−O)−(Ti,Al) bonds are identified by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, indicating reactions at the hydrocarbon and the carbonate groups during deposition. Nanoindentation reveals an elastic modulus of 296 ± 18 GPa for the (Ti,Al)N coating, while a Ti–Al–O layer is formed during electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in a borate buffer solution, indicating protective passivation. This work demonstrates that the challenge posed by the extremely different material properties at the interface of soft polymer substrates and hard coatings can be addressed by the systematical variation in the pulsing parameters to reduce the residual film stress.
Validity and Reliability of the Persian Version of Barriers to Physical Activity Questionnaire for People With Mobility Impairments
Authors: Khani Alireza , Bahramizadeh Mahmood , Mardani Mohammad Ali , Babaee Taher
Published: August 2023

Background: Although physical activity (PA) is an important determinant of health, physically disabled individuals tend to have a sedentary lifestyle. The Barriers to Physical Activity Questionnaire for People with Mobility Impairments (BPAQ-MI) is a self-report instrument evaluating PA barriers. This study was intended to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of BPAQ-MI (P-BPAQ-MI) and to report the prevalence and severity of PA barriers among Persian-speaking individuals. Methods: The translation and back translation of the BPAQ-MI was conducted according to an internationally accepted guideline and tested on 163 participants to assess its reliability and validity. Internal consistency and test–retest reliability were analyzed using Cronbach alpha and Spearman correlation coefficient. Convergent construct validity was established by comparing the scores of P-BPAQ-MI and The Baecke Habitual Physical Activity Questionnaire. Known-groups construct validity was assessed with regard to type of assistive device and sex of the individual. Prevalence and severity of the barriers were reported by computing the percentage and means of “yes” answers. Results: The P-BPAQ-MI domains demonstrated very good internal consistency (Cronbach alpha of .77–.95) and excellent test–retest reliability (Spearman rho of .73–.96) with a significant inverse small correlation with Baecke Habitual Physical Activity Questionnaire indexes. The P-BPAQ-MI successfully discriminated between individuals with different assistive devices and sex. Community Built Environment barriers were the most prevalent and severe. Conclusions: The P-BPAQ-MI is a valid and reliable instrument to assess the PA barriers of people with physical disability. The community barriers were the most frequently reported obstacles to PA.
Distribution of malaria parasite-derived phosphatidylcholine in the infected erythrocyte
Authors: Vallintine Tansy , van Ooij Christiaan
Published: August 2023

Malaria parasites modify their host erythrocyte in multiple ways, leading to changes in the deformability, adhesiveness, and permeability of the host erythrocyte. Most of these changes are mediated by proteins exported from the parasite to the host erythrocyte, where these proteins interact with the host cell cytoskeleton or form complexes in the plasma membrane of the infected erythrocyte. In addition, malaria parasites induce the formation of membranous compartments—the parasitophorous vacuole, the tubovesicular network (TVN), the Maurer’s clefts and small vesicles—within the infected erythrocyte, a cell that is normally devoid of internal membranes. After infection, changes also occur in the composition and asymmetry of the erythrocyte plasma membrane. Although many aspects of the mechanism of export of parasite proteins have become clear, the mechanism by which these membranous compartments are formed and expanded is almost entirely unknown. To determine whether parasite-derived phospholipids play a part in these processes, we applied a metabolic labeling technique that allows phosphatidylcholine to be labeled with a fluorophore. As the host erythrocyte cannot synthesize phospholipids, within infected erythrocytes, only parasite-derived phosphatidylcholine will be labeled with this technique. The results revealed that phosphatidylcholine produced by the parasite is distributed throughout the infected erythrocyte, including the TVN and the erythrocyte plasma membrane, but not Maurer’s clefts. Interestingly, labeled phospholipids were also detected in the erythrocyte plasma membrane very soon after invasion of the parasites, indicating that the parasite may add phospholipids to the host erythrocyte during invasion.

IMPORTANCE

Here, we describe a previously unappreciated way in which the malaria parasite interacts with the host erythrocyte, namely, by the transfer of parasite phospholipids to the erythrocyte plasma membrane. This likely has important consequences for the survival of the parasite in the host cell and the host organism. We show that parasite-derived phospholipids are transferred from the parasite to the host erythrocyte plasma membrane and that other internal membranes that are produced after the parasite has invaded the cell are produced, at least in part, using parasite-derived phospholipids. The one exception to this is the Maurer’s cleft, a membranous organelle that is involved in the transport of parasite proteins to the surface of the erythrocyte. This reveals that the Maurer’s cleft is produced in a different manner than the other parasite-induced membranes. Overall, these findings provide a platform for the study of a new aspect of the host-parasite interaction.
Supplemental Material: Evidence for a prehistoric multifault rupture along the southern Calico fault system, Eastern California Shear Zone, USA
Authors: Vadman Michael , al. et , Spotila James A.
Published: August 2023

Includes additional supporting figures not shown in text, detailed information on all measured offsets, and additional methods and data related to OSL and IRSL geochronology. 
Mathematical Elements of Elementary Education
Authors: Posicelskaya M. A. , Rudchenko T. A. , Semenov A. L.
Published: August 2023

In recent decades, several Russian schools have been implementing a world-unique education program of mathematics for elementary schools. In it, the landscape of school arithmetic is radically expanded due to the basic objects of modern mathematics and computer science. These objects and their operations are visual, making them much more comprehensible than traditional arithmetic. The range of activities also expands due to, for example, the introduction of strategies for enumeration, game winning, and algorithms (also operating in a visual environment). At the same time, the student’s position changes: they independently discover and build mathematics and constantly solve personally new, but feasible tasks that are “not-known-how-to-solve.” The student’s resources are saved by using a computer to perform routine arithmetic operations that have already been discovered and understood. The implementation of this approach is discussed in detail and is illustrated by examples of actual tasks that are representative of the program under consideration and the whole approach.
Constructive Combinatorics in Elementary School Mathematics
Authors: Posicelskaya M. A.
Published: August 2023

The paper describes in detail a class of educational problems from an elementary school course of mathematics and computer science. This course has been implemented over the past decades by a team led by Academician of the RAS A.L. Semenov. In the problems, it is necessary to find, build, or list all objects that satisfy a certain system of conditions. The student conducts these activities in a visual world of basic objects of discrete mathematics and computer science: strings (finite sequences of symbols), bags (multisets), tables, trees, and statements containing quantifiers. The connections of these problems with problems in computational combinatorics (counting the number of options), with search problems in the theory of computational complexity, with “big ideas,” and general cognitive strategies for their formation in education are considered. The content of education in our approach is more adequate to the context of the modern world.
Duodeno-duodenal intussusception presenting as upper gastrointestinal bleed
Authors: Das Snehasis , Sunil Julia , Prakash Sagar , Shaikh Oseen Hajilal , Reddy Abhinaya , Kumbhar Uday Shamrao
Published: August 2023

Duodeno-duodenal intussusception (DDI) is the type of intestinal intussusception in which a segment of the duodenum invaginates into the next part of the duodenum. We present a case of a male patient in his 50s presenting with right upper abdominal pain with multiple episodes of vomiting and a history of melena for 1 month. Imaging studies showed the presence of DDI without apparent growth. The patient underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, which showed a doubtful growth in the duodenum, and the biopsy, was suggestive of adenocarcinoma. The patient underwent Whipple’s procedure, and postoperative histology was diagnostic of Brunner’s gland adenoma. The patient improved well without any complications.
Remarks on propagating waves in non-linear vacuum electrodynamics
Authors: Pérez-García M. A. , Pérez Martínez A. , Rodríguez Querts E.
Published: August 2023

Using the quadratic expansion in the photon fields of Euler–Heisenberg (EH) non-linear electrodynamics (NLED) Lagrangian model we study relevant vacuum properties in a scenario involving the propagation of a photon probe in the presence of a background constant and static magnetic field,$$\mathbf{B_e}$$Be. We compute the gauge invariant, symmetric and conserved energy–momentum tensor (EMT) and angular momentum tensor (AMT) for arbitrary magnetic field strength using the Hilbert method under the soft-photon approximation. We discuss how the presence of magneto-electric terms in the EH Lagrangian is a source of anisotropy, induce the non-zero trace in the EMT and leads to differences between EMT calculated by the Hilbert or Noether method. From the Hilbert EMT we analyze some quantities of interest such as the energy density, pressures, Poynting vector, and angular momentum vector, comparing and discussing the differences with respect to the improved Noether method. The magnetized vacuum properties are also studied showing that a photon effective magnetic moment can be defined for different polarization modes. The calculations are done in terms of derivatives of the two scalar invariants of electrodynamics, hence, extension to other NLED Lagrangian is straightforward. We discuss further physical implications and experimental strategies to test magnetization, photon pressure, and effective magnetic moment.
Directional transport of coupled self-propelled particles with potential and Gaussian colored noise
Authors: Wang Bing , Wu Wenfei
Published: August 2023

The transport phenomenon of coupled self-propelled particles with potential and colored noise is investigated. Large translational motion noise intensity is good for the directional transport in [Formula: see text]-direction, but large self-correlation time of translational motion noise will inhibit this transport. For proper value of the asymmetry parameter, coupled inert particles move always in the [Formula: see text]-direction with increasing angular noise intensity, but in coupled self-propelled particles appears current reversal phenomenon with increasing angular noise intensity. The average velocity has a maximum and a minimum with increasing spring constant k. For inert particles and particles with small self-propelled speed, large number of particles is good for directional movement, but the effect of coupling will become weak when the self-propelled speed is large.
Biomedical Data Annotation: An OCT Imaging Case Study
Authors: Anderson Matthew , Sadiq Salman , Nahaboo Solim Muzammil , Barker Hannah , Steel David H. , Habib Maged , Obara Boguslaw
Published: August 2023

In ophthalmology, optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a widely used imaging modality, allowing visualisation of the structures of the eye with objective and quantitative cross‐sectional three‐dimensional (3D) volumetric scans. Due to the quantity of data generated from OCT scans and the time taken for an ophthalmologist to inspect for various disease pathology features, automated image analysis in the form of deep neural networks has seen success for the classification and segmentation of OCT layers and quantification of features. However, existing high‐performance deep learning approaches rely on huge training datasets with high‐quality annotations, which are challenging to obtain in many clinical applications. The collection of annotations from less experienced clinicians has the potential to alleviate time constraints from more senior clinicians, allowing faster data collection of medical image annotations; however, with less experience, there is the possibility of reduced annotation quality. In this study, we evaluate the quality of diabetic macular edema (DME) intraretinal fluid (IRF) biomarker image annotations on OCT B‐scans from five clinicians with a range of experience. We also assess the effectiveness of annotating across multiple sessions following a training session led by an expert clinician. Our investigation shows a notable variance in annotation performance, with a correlation that depends on the clinician’s experience with OCT image interpretation of DME, and that having multiple annotation sessions has a limited effect on the annotation quality.
The Important Role of Interleukin-2 in COVID-19
Authors: Ghanbari Naeini Leila , Abbasi Laleh , Karimi Farzaneh , Kokabian Pajman , Abdi Abyaneh Fahimeh , Naderi Delaram
Published: August 2023

There is controversial literature about the effects of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) cytokine family in COVID-19 pathogenesis and immunity. So we aimed to identify the potential in the role of the IL-2 family in COVID-19. A narrative review search was done through online databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The search deadline was up to December 2022. We applied no time limits for the searching strategy. After retrieving articles from the databases, the authors summarized the data into two data extraction tables. The first data extraction table described the changes in the IL-2 cytokine family in COVID-19 and the second table described the therapeutic interventions targeting IL-2 family cytokines. The results of the literature on the role of the IL-2 cytokine family do not show a singular rule. IL-2 cytokine family can change during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Some studies suggest that IL-2 cytokine family rise during the infection and cause severe inflammatory response and cytokine storm. These cytokines are shown to be increased in immunocompromised patients and worsen their prognosis. In individuals without underlying disease, the upregulation of the IL-2 family shows the clinical outcome of the disease and rises with disease severity. However, some other studies show that these cytokines do not significantly change. IL-2 cytokine family is mostly upregulated in healthy individuals who had vaccination, but immunocompromised patients did not show significant changes after a single dose of vaccines, which shows that these patients need booster doses for efficient immunity. IL-2 cytokine family can also be used as immunotherapy agents in COVID-19.
Impact of Overwintering Hoard on the Edible Tissues, Muscle Quality, Hepatopancreas Color, and Proximate Biochemical and Amino Acid Compositions of Male Eriocheir sinensis
Authors: Guoliang Chang , Shan Jiang , Yuhao Song , Liu Yang , Haitao Zhao , Huiyu Ding , Jianming Xu , Aimei Ma , Yongxu Cheng , Younis Muhammad Laghari
Published: August 2023

The Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis, is a popular food and an important breeding crab in China. In order to pursue higher sales prices and improve breeding efficiency, many farmers often hoard these crabs, until around the Spring Festival or even later, before selling them. Therefore, considering the time span of hoarding, the present study was designed to check the quality (edible tissues, muscle quality, hepatopancreas color, proximate biochemical and amino acid compositions) of E. sinensis, before and after overwintering hoard. The hepatosomatic index before hoarding in winter was higher than that of after hoarding in winter, but the gonadosomatic index, meat yield, total edible yield, and condition factor were significantly (

p
<
0.05

) lower after hoarding in winter. The texture profile analysis (TPA) of muscle, the springiness, chewiness, and cohesiveness after hoarding in winter were significantly (

p
<
0.05

) higher than those before hoarding in winter. The redness and yellowness of the hepatopancreas before hoarding in winter were lower than those after hoarding in winter. No significant difference (

p
<
0.05

) was found in moisture, crude protein, and crude lipid in hepatopancreas, gonad, and muscle tissues of male E. sinensis. The contents of all amino acids (except methionine and histidine) in hepatopancreas, gonad, and muscle before hoarding in winter were higher than after hoarding, but there was no significant difference (

p
<
0.05

) in hepatopancreas and gonad. While, in the muscle, the contents such as threonine, serine, glutamic acid, glycine, alanine, leucine, phenylalanine, histidine, and arginine, before hoarding in winter, were significantly (

p
<
0.05

) higher than after hoarding. This study showed that, for the male E. sinensis after overwintering hoard, the edible tissues and muscle quality increased, and, moreover, the hepatopancreas color and proximate biochemical and amino acid compositions of hepatopancreas and gonad have no significant changes, but the content of many good amino acids, ΣNEAA and ΣDAA, in muscle all decreased.
Individual-Level Prediction of Exposure Therapy Outcome Using Structural and Functional MRI Data in Spider Phobia: A Machine-Learning Study
Authors: Chavanne Alice V. , Meinke Charlotte , Langhammer Till , Roesmann Kati , Boehnlein Joscha , Gathmann Bettina , Herrmann Martin J. , Junghoefer Markus , Klahn Luisa , Schwarzmeier Hanna , Seeger Fabian R. , Siminski Niklas , Straube Thomas , Dannlowski Udo , Lueken Ulrike , Leehr Elisabeth J. , Hilbert Kevin
Published: August 2023

Machine-learning prediction studies have shown potential to inform treatment stratification, but recent efforts to predict psychotherapy outcomes with clinical routine data have only resulted in moderate prediction accuracies. Neuroimaging data showed promise to predict treatment outcome, but previous prediction attempts have been exploratory and reported small clinical sample sizes. Herein, we aimed to examine the incremental predictive value of neuroimaging data in contrast to clinical and demographic data alone (for which results were previously published), using a two-level multimodal ensemble machine-learning strategy. We used pretreatment structural and task-based fMRI data to predict virtual reality exposure therapy outcome in a bicentric sample of

N
=
190

patients with spider phobia. First, eight 1st-level random forest classifications were conducted using separate data modalities (clinical questionnaire scores and sociodemographic data, cortical thickness and gray matter volumes, functional activation, connectivity, connectivity-derived graph metrics, and BOLD signal variance). Then, the resulting predictions were used to train a 2nd-level classifier that produced a final prediction. No 1st-level or 2nd-level classifier performed above chance level except BOLD signal variance, which showed potential as a contributor to higher-level prediction from multiple regions across the brain (1st-level balanced

accuracy
=
0.63

). Overall, neuroimaging data did not provide any incremental accuracy for treatment outcome prediction in patients with spider phobia with respect to clinical and sociodemographic data alone. Thus, we advise caution in the interpretation of prediction performances from small-scale, single-site patient samples. Larger multimodal datasets are needed to further investigate individual-level neuroimaging predictors of therapy response in anxiety disorders.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Safety and Efficacy of Cediranib in the Treatment of Cancer Patients
Authors: Wang Yan , Cai Yan , Wang Qi-Ming
Published: August 2023

Objective. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors are exciting new anticancer strategies. As one of the most promising oral tyrosine kinase inhibitors, cediranib has been proven effective in treating various solid malignant tumors. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cediranib in cancer patients. Methods. A comprehensive literature review was conducted for phase II and phase III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to June 31, 2021, using databases from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science. Relevant clinical trials reporting the efficacy and toxicity characteristics of cediranib in cancer patients were analyzed using Stata 15.1. The GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) system was used to assess the strength of the evidence. Results. The systematic review yielded 14 eligible trials, comprising 4,387 patients with solid malignant tumors. The analysis results of RCTs showed that the cediranib-containing group had a significantly better PFS than the control group (HR: 0.75; 95% CI 0.69–0.82;

P

 < 0.001), and the pooled OS of the cediranib-containing group was significantly higher than that of the control group (HR: 0.91; 95% CI 0.84–1.00;

P

 = 0.041). The sensitivity analysis revealed that the pooled HR was stable and excluding a single study had no effect on the significance of the pooled HR. In addition, the meta-analysis passed Begg’s and Egger’s tests, indicating no publication bias. Regarding safety, the most common adverse events were diarrhea, nausea, hypertension, fatigue, sensory neuropathy, dyspnea, vomiting, headache, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia. Conclusion. Cediranib treatment responds better than noncediranib therapy but can increase the risk of specific treatment-related toxicities.
Regional Variation in HPV Knowledge and Awareness among American Indians and Alaska Natives: An Analysis of the Health Information National Trends Survey, 2011–2020
Authors: Sherman Bendu M. , Islam Jessica Y. , Gartner Danielle R.
Published: August 2023

Background:

American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) people experience a disproportionately high incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers and mortality, and these rates vary across geographic regions. To address the unexplained regional differences among AIAN people, we describe regional variations and sociodemographic correlates of HPV-related knowledge and HPV vaccination awareness indicators.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was implemented with data for 866 AIAN respondents pooled from eight cycles of the Health Information National Trends Survey. We used χ2 tests to determine whether there were regional differences in the indicators and then used multivariable, modified Poisson regression to explore associations between sociodemographic characteristics and HPV-related knowledge and vaccination awareness measures.

Results:

Of the 13 indicators, just one demonstrated regional variation. However, we observed a high level of uncertainty regarding HPV and HPV vaccine–related knowledge and experience. We also observed that women were more likely than men to have heard of HPV [adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR), 1.29; 95% confidence interval (CI):1.03–1.63], the HPV vaccine (aPR, 1.59; 95% CI: 1.15–2.22), and to have discussed it with their providers (aPR, 3.69; 95% CI: 1.47–9.28). There were also differences by age, education, and insurance status.

Conclusions:

High levels of uncertainty and lack of regional variation in indicators suggest that there may be missed opportunities across Indian Country for engagement between health care providers and AIAN in HPV-related conversations.

Impact:

Efforts toward improving HPV knowledge and vaccination should target all at-risk sexes (and genders), age groups, and education levels. Moreover, AIAN-serving health care providers should be empowered with sufficient understanding, so they are prepared for discussions with at-risk patients.
Temporal Trends of Stages and Survival of Biliary Tract Cancers in the United States and Associations with Demographic Factors
Authors: Wen Wanqing , Mumma Michael , Zheng Wei
Published: August 2023

Background:

The incidence of cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer has been increasing and decreasing respectively in the United States, whereas their mortality has been declining since 1980, which suggests improved overall survival of biliary tract cancers (BTC). We aimed to investigate temporal trends of BTC stages and survival and their associations with demographic factors.

Methods:

A total of 55,163 patients with BTC collected from 2000 to 2018 from the NCI Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 18 registry were included in this study. We assessed the temporal trend of BTC stages with diagnosis years using the annual percentage of change (APC) in the proportion of the stages. We estimated the association of BTC survival and stages with diagnosis years and demographic factors using the Cox regression models.

Results:

While localized BTC proportion remained little changed from 2006 to 2018, the proportion of regional and distant BTCs significantly decreased (APC = −2.3%) and increased (APC = 2.7%), respectively, through the years. The overall and cancer-specific survival increased from 41.0% and 47.3% in 2000 to 2004 to 51.2% and 53.8% in 2015 to 2018, respectively. Patients with BTC who were older, Black, unmarried, or had lower socioeconomic status (SES) had significantly poorer overall survival.

Conclusions:

We found that distant and regional BTC significantly increased and decreased, respectively, and the BTC survival significantly improved over time. Age, sex, race, SES, and marital status were significantly associated with overall survival and less evidently with cancer-specific survival of patients with BTC.

Impact:

Our findings suggest that demographic factors were associated with BTC stages and BTC survival.
Comprehensive Analysis of Tumor Microenvironment Reveals Prognostic ceRNA Network Related to Immune Infiltration in Sarcoma
Authors: Leng Dongliang , Yang Ziyi , Sun Heng , Song Chengcheng , Huang Chen , Ip Ka U. , Chen Guokai , Deng Chu-Xia , Zhang Xiaohua Douglas , Zhao Qi
Published: August 2023

Purpose:

Sarcoma is the second most common solid tumor type in children and adolescents. The high level of tumor heterogeneity as well as aggressive behavior of sarcomas brings serious difficulties to developing effective therapeutic strategies for clinical application. Therefore, it is of great importance to identify accurate biomarkers for early detection and prognostic prediction of sarcomas.

Experimental Design:

In this study, we characterized three subtypes of sarcomas based on tumor immune infiltration levels (TIIL), and constructed a prognosis-related competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network to investigate molecular regulations in the sarcoma tumor microenvironment (TME). We further built a subnetwork consisting of mRNAs and lncRNAs that are targets of key miRNAs and strongly correlated with each other in the ceRNA network. After validation using public data and experiments in vivo and in vitro, we deeply dug the biological role of the miRNAs and lncRNAs in a subnetwork and their impact on TME.

Results:

Altogether, 5 miRNAs (hsa-mir-125b-2, hsa-mir-135a-1, hsa-mir92a-2, hsa-mir-181a-2, and hsa-mir-214), 3 lncRNAs (LINC00641, LINC01146, and LINC00892), and 10 mRNAs (AGO2, CXCL10, CD86, CASP1, IKZF1, CD27, CD247, CD69, CCR2, and CSF2RB) in the subnetwork were identified as vital regulators to shape the TME. On the basis of the systematic network, we identified that trichostatin A, a pan-HDAC inhibitor, could potentially regulate the TME of sarcoma, thereby inhibiting the tumor growth.

Conclusions:

Our study identifies a ceRNA network as a promising biomarker for sarcoma. This system provides a more comprehensive understanding and a novel perspective of how ceRNAs are involved in shaping sarcoma TME.
Supplementary Table S1 from Natural Killer Cell Activation by Ubiquitin-specific Protease 6 Mediates Tumor Suppression in Ewing Sarcoma
Authors: Jain Kanika , Henrich Ian C. , Quick Laura , Young Robert , Mondal Shreya , Oliveira Andre M. , Blobel Gerd A. , Chou Margaret M.
Published: August 2023

Flow antibodies used
FIGURE 5 from Natural Killer Cell Activation by Ubiquitin-specific Protease 6 Mediates Tumor Suppression in Ewing Sarcoma
Authors: Jain Kanika , Henrich Ian C. , Quick Laura , Young Robert , Mondal Shreya , Oliveira Andre M. , Blobel Gerd A. , Chou Margaret M.
Published: August 2023

USP6/Ewing sarcoma (ES) and NK cells participate in a paracrine feedforward loop mediated through IFNGR signaling in Ewing sarcoma cells. A, Diagram of proposed paracrine feedforward loop between USP6-expressing Ewing sarcoma cells and NK cells: (1) USP6/Ewing sarcoma cells activate NK cells; (2) activated NK cells secrete IFNγ, which feeds back on USP6/Ewing Sarcoma cells which have elevated surface levels of IFNGR; (3) IFNγ-inducible chemokines CXCL9/CXCL10 are synergistically induced in USP6-expressing cells, stimulating further NK cell recruitment, maturation, and activation. USP6/RD-ES were treated ± dox, in the absence or presence of NK-92 (0.1:1 E:T ratio). Samples were subjected to qRT-PCR (n ≥ 3; B), or intracellular flow cytometry to detect CXCL10 (n = 3; C). D, NK-92 were cocultured with USP6/RD-ES (either WT, or CRISPR-deleted IFNAR1 or IFNGR1 derivatives) at 0.1:1 ratio overnight, then subjected to qRT-PCR. CXCL9/CXCL10 mRNA levels were expressed relative to those in USP6/wild type (WT) RD-ES cells cocultured with NK-92 in the presence.
FIGURE 1 from Natural Killer Cell Activation by Ubiquitin-specific Protease 6 Mediates Tumor Suppression in Ewing Sarcoma
Authors: Jain Kanika , Henrich Ian C. , Quick Laura , Young Robert , Mondal Shreya , Oliveira Andre M. , Blobel Gerd A. , Chou Margaret M.
Published: August 2023

NK cells are required for inhibition of Ewing sarcoma tumor growth by USP6. A, RAG2−/− mice were subcutaneously xenografted with USP6/A673 cells, treated with or without dox water, and tumor size recorded until a terminal volume of 2,000 mm3 was reached (n = 10 per cohort). The percent of mice remaining whose tumors have yet to reach terminal volume was plotted. B, RAG2−/− mice were injected intraperitoneally with the NK cell–depleting antibody anti-NK1.1 (PK136) or control IgG2a, then xenografted with USP6/A673 the next day and monitored as in A (n = 10 per cohort). C, Tumors were excised, digested, and analyzed by flow cytometry. Surface levels of CD69 (activation marker) and CD86 (cytotoxicity marker) were quantified in the indicated populations. MFI, mean fluorescence intensity (−dox n = 9, +dox n = 7).
A new species and morphological notes on the remarkable termitophilous genus Austrospirachtha Watson from Australia (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae)
Authors: ZILBERMAN BRUNO , PIRES-SILVA CARLOS M.
Published: August 2023

Termitophilous rove beetles in Australia encompass diverse genera and species from several tribes in Aleocharinae. While some taxa have been well-documented, others remain poorly known due to the scarcity of available material. The existing knowledge of Austrospirachtha Watson for instance, is based solely on Austrospirachtha mimetes, described from two specimens collected in an old termite mound. The genus is known for its highly developed physogastry and potential mimicry adaptations. Herein, we present the description of a new species, Austrospirachtha carrijoi sp. nov., representing the second known species for the genus.
The Two- to Four-Day Predictability of Midlatitude Cyclones: Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
Authors: Lloveras Daniel J. , Durran Dale R. , Doyle James D.
Published: August 2023

We use convection-permitting idealized simulations of moist midlatitude cyclones to compare the growth of synoptic-scale perturbations derived from an adjoint model with the growth of equal-energy-norm, monochromatic-wavelength perturbations at the smallest resolved scale. For initial magnitudes comparable to those of initial-condition uncertainties in present-day data assimilation systems, the adjoint perturbations produce a “forecast bust,” significantly changing the intensity and location of the cyclone and its accompanying precipitation. In contrast, the small-scale-wave perturbations project strongly onto the moist convection, but the upscale growth from the random displacement of individual convective cells does not significantly alter the cyclone’s development nor its accompanying precipitation through 2–4-day lead times. Instead, the differences in convection generated at early times become negligible because the development of subsequent convection is driven by the mostly unchanged synoptic-scale flow. Reducing the perturbation magnitudes by factors of 10 and 100 demonstrates that nonlinear dynamics play an important role in the displacement of the cyclone by the full-magnitude adjoint perturbations, and that the upscale growth of small-magnitude, small-scale perturbations is too slow to significantly change the cyclone. These results suggest that a sensitive dependence on the synoptic-scale initial conditions, analogous to that of the Lorenz (1963) system, may be more relevant to 2–4-day midlatitude-cyclone forecast busts than the upscale error growth in the Lorenz (1969) model.
Extended family collaboration in childcare during the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic
Authors: Peng Yinni
Published: August 2023

The coronavirus disease-19 pandemic and the accompanying public health restrictions have posed significant challenges to parents with dependent children. A rich body of literature has examined the problems encountered by parents and their gendered division of labour in childcare during the pandemic. However, little attention has been paid to their interactions and collaborations with extended family for childcare. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 43 urban parents in Shenzhen, China, I examine how parents mobilised childcare support from extended family during the pandemic, focusing on their collaboration with grandparents. Viewing parenting as a series of interactive and relational practices, I analyse how parents made new childcare arrangements and sought support from extended family to cope with work–childcare conflict and their ambivalence towards family collaboration in childcare during the pandemic. My findings highlight the significance of extended family collaboration for parents to overcome childcare challenges and reveal the embeddedness and relationality of parenting during the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic within extended family.
The ‘In/formal Nocturnal City’: Updating a research agenda on nightlife studies from a Southern European perspective
Authors: Aramayona Begoña , Guarneros-Meza Valeria
Published: August 2023

During the last three decades, nightlife policies in Southern European cities have been directed towards promoting the night as a space–time for tourism-oriented promotion. At the same time, highly precarious, often racialised migrant actors performing informal activities during the night have been (re-)criminalised, put under surveillance and persecuted by public discourse and policy-making. The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed the centrality of ‘the night’ as a fundamental cornerstone for urban governance. However, analysis of how debates on urban nightlife dialogue with frameworks on urban in/formality, security and governance during the day require a more systematic analysis. In this commentary, we call into question the role of the in/formal urban night in ordering neoliberal cities in Southern Europe. By focussing on informal workers during the night as exemplar cases of how in/formal nocturnal governance is produced, we propose an approach to incorporate deeper explorations in future nightlife studies along three avenues: (i) contradictory public discourses encompassed by ‘the night’, and how they are affected by long-term cultural, neo-colonial legacies and ‘darkness’ archetypes; (ii) survival and resistance strategies conducted by precarious/subaltern nocturnal actors during the day and night; and (iii) urban governance arrangements shaping and being shaped by the in/formal night in contemporary ‘Fortress Europe’. The research agenda suggested in this critical commentary aims to be a provocation, not only for nightlife scholars, but also for broader urban studies to take into deeper consideration how the criminalisation of ‘In/formal Nocturnal Cities’ is used in governance processes in contemporary (post-)pandemic cities.
Exploring the Value of Children in the Context of China’s Modernization Transition
Authors: Xia Yanyu , Wu Aruna , Li Dan , Wu Lingling , Han Jingxin
Published: August 2023

The perception of the value of children (VOC) can elucidate why individuals consider it beneficial to have children by uncovering their subjective intentions and experiences regarding their fertility decisions. Using VOC perceptions to understand fertility change in the modernization process, this qualitative study explores how parents’ VOC change meshes with China’s socioeconomic and cultural contexts. This article examines intergenerational VOC evolution under the support and constraints of socioeconomic environments and cultural norms. Grandparents, embedded in the rural economy and traditional culture, exhibit economic/utilitarian and social/normative VOC. Young parents, living, and having grown up in urban economic and modernized cultural contexts, recognize emotional/psychological VOC for fertility intention. Migrant parents living in urban economies but bound by traditional culture believe that social/normative VOC is important for fertility intention. The results advance understanding of the integration of individuals’ psychological intentions with the socioeconomic-cultural contexts that influence their fertility and VOC.
Pohang canal dataset: A multimodal maritime dataset for autonomous navigation in restricted waters
Authors: Chung Dongha , Kim Jonghwi , Lee Changyu , Kim Jinwhan
Published: August 2023

This paper presents a multimodal maritime dataset and the data collection procedure used to gather it, which aims to facilitate autonomous navigation in restricted water environments. The dataset comprises measurements obtained using various perception and navigation sensors, including a stereo camera, an infrared camera, an omnidirectional camera, three LiDARs, a marine radar, a global positioning system, and an attitude heading reference system. The data were collected along a 7.5-km-long route that includes a narrow canal, inner and outer ports, and near-coastal areas in Pohang, South Korea. The collection was conducted under diverse weather and visual conditions. The dataset and its detailed description are available for free download at https://sites.google.com/view/pohang-canal-dataset .
High-flow nasal cannula therapy in patients with COVID-19 in intensive care units in a country with limited resources: a single-center experience
Authors: Phan Anh-Minh Vu , Hoang Hai-Yen Thi , Truong Do Thanh-Son , Hoang Trung Quoc , Phan Thuan Van , Huynh Nguyet-Anh Phuong , Minh Le Khoi
Published: August 2023

Objective

This study was performed to determine the outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who developed hypoxemic respiratory failure necessitating high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy and to identify the predictors of HFNC therapy success.

Methods

This retrospective observational study involved all patients treated with HFNC therapy at a center for COVID-19 in Viet Nam from August to October 2021.

Results

The study recruited 302 patients. Of these 302 patients, 171 (56.6%) underwent successful HFNC therapy, and the all-cause mortality rate was 33.44%. Non-critical COVID-19 and a higher respiratory rate–oxygenation (ROX) index at 48 hours after initiating HFNC therapy were independently correlated with HFNC therapy success. The statistically significant predictors of HFNC therapy success were younger age, non-critical COVID-19, a higher platelet count when starting HFNC therapy, and a higher ROX index at 24, 36, and 48 hours after HFNC therapy initiation.

Conclusions

HFNC therapy appears to be effective in patients with COVID-19 who develop respiratory failure requiring respiratory support. Non-critical COVID-19 and a higher ROX index measured 48 hours after HFNC therapy initiation might serve as predictive factors for the success of HFNC therapy.