bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bioproduction of Natural Phenethyl Acetate, Phenylacetic Acid, Ethyl Phenylacetate, and Phenethyl Phenylacetate from Renewable Feedstock
Authors: Sekar Balaji Sundara , Li Xirui , Li Zhi
Published: January 2022

Natural phenethyl acetate (PEA), phenylacetic acid (PAA), ethyl phenylacetate (Et‐PA), and phenethyl phenylacetate (PE‐PA) are highly desirable aroma chemicals, but with limited availability and high price. Here, green, sustainable, and efficient bioproduction of these chemicals as natural products from renewable feedstocks was developed. PEA and PAA were synthesized from l‐phenylalanine (l‐Phe) via novel six‐ and five‐enzyme cascades, respectively. Whole‐cell‐based cascade biotransformation of 100 mm l‐Phe in a two‐phase system (aqueous/organic: 1 : 0.5 v/v) containing ethyl oleate or biodiesel as green solvent gave 13.6 g L−1 PEA (83.1 % conv.) and 11.6 g L−1 PAA (87.1 % conv.), respectively. Coupled fermentation and biotransformation approach produced 10.4 g L−1 PEA and 9.2 g L−1 PAA from glucose or glycerol, respectively. The biosynthesized PAA was converted to natural Et‐PA and PE‐PA by esterification using lipases with ethanol or 2‐phenylethanol derived from sugar, affording 2.7 g L−1 Et‐PA (83.1 % conv.) and 4.6 g L−1 PE‐PA (96.3 % conv.), respectively.
Multilevel controller‐assisted intrinsically modified ant colony optimization heuristic‐based load‐balancing model for mega cloud infrastructures
Authors: P Govardhan , P Srinivasan
Published: January 2022

The exponential rise in decentralized computing demands has made cloud computing an inevitable technical need; however, under exceedingly high load dynamism, ensuring service level agreement (SLA) has remained a challenge. Despite of the fact that heuristic‐driven VM migration or load‐balancing methods are effective towards quality of service (QoS) and reliable cloud services, the major existing solutions ignore the issues of local minima and convergence and hence undergo SLA violation (SLAV). Moreover, most of the existing methods are designed as a reactive scheduling concept that often results into delayed scheduling and hence SLAV or QoS compromise. To alleviate such issues, in this paper, a robust intrinsically modified evolutionary computing‐driven dynamic load‐balancing model (intrinsically modified ant colony system [IMACS]) is proposed for mega cloud infrastructures. To address aforesaid issues, IMACS employs stochastic prediction‐based overload detection, followed by SLA‐sensitive VM selection and IMACS for load balancing. In IMACS, the use of stochastic prediction‐based overload detection method enabled timely hotspot detection and hence improved proactive decision ability. Moreover, it applies minimum migration time‐sensitive VM selection concept that too helped in guaranteeing load balancing without undergoing downtime or SLAV. To improve VM migration, unlike classical heuristic methods, we designed IMACS with multitype population, adaptive pheromone update, adaptive pheromone diffusion, and coevolution concept, which not only helped in reducing the search space and allied computation but also enabled time‐efficient scheduling decision. The overall proposed model was realized in sync with two controllers named local controller and global controller. Here, the first controller collects the real‐time VM and VM manager (VMM) information which is used to detect overloaded host and the VM to be migrated. While the global controller is designed with IMACS to exploit the information from local controller to execute QoS‐sensitive VM migration. The proposed IMACS‐driven load‐balancing model was realized with CloudSim platform were simulating it over 800 number of independent VMs, each encompassing autonomous task, the performance was analyzed in terms of SLAV, number of migrations, SLA per active host, and energy consumption. Simulation results revealed that the proposed model exhibits 20% higher migration, while retaining almost 19% better SLA in comparison to the other state‐of‐art methods like genetic algorithm or classical ant colony system‐based load‐balancing methods. IMACS exhibited 30% higher host shutdown signifying better energy efficiency (15% lower power consumption).
An effective double gene knock‐in strategy using small‐molecule L755507 in the medaka fish (Oryzias latipes)
Authors: Murakami Yu , Kobayashi Toru
Published: January 2022

Homology‐directed repair (HDR)‐mediated genome editing has become a powerful method for altering chromosomal sequences in a seamless and accurate manner. However, the low efficiency of HDR in most cells hinders the establishment of desired strains harboring accurately modified genomes. To enhance HDR‐mediated knock‐in events, we explored two approaches, namely low‐temperature incubation and chemical compound administration using medaka embryos after microinjection. We validated the performance of each method by calculating the knock‐in efficiencies according to the expression area of fluorescent protein in the embryos. The in vivo assay indicated that the reduction in temperature did not promote HDR events, whereas among the nine compounds screened, the small molecule L755507 could enhance the HDR‐mediated targeted integration of reporter cassettes. Additionally, the L755507‐based approach allowed for the simultaneous integration of two different DNA fragments into the two targeted loci, that is, double knock‐in. Our established knock‐in system combining L755507, donor plasmids, and the CRISPR/Cas9 nickase system can reduce the workload for genetically modified strain generation, thus accelerating studies on the molecular mechanisms of biological phenomena.
Quantifying song behavior in a free‐living, light‐weight, mobile bird using accelerometers
Authors: Eisenring Elena , Eens Marcel , Pradervand Jean‐Nicolas , Jacot Alain , Baert Jan , Ulenaers Eddy , Lathouwers Michiel , Evens Ruben
Published: January 2022

To acquire a fundamental understanding of animal communication, continuous observations in a natural setting and at an individual level are required. Whereas the use of animal‐borne acoustic recorders in vocal studies remains challenging, light‐weight accelerometers can potentially register individuals’ vocal output when this coincides with body vibrations. We collected one‐dimensional accelerometer data using light‐weight tags on a free‐living, crepuscular bird species, the European Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus). We developed a classification model to identify four behaviors (rest, sing, fly, and leap) from accelerometer data and, for the purpose of this study, validated the classification of song behavior. Male nightjars produce a distinctive “churring” song while they rest on a stationary song post. We expected churring to be associated with body vibrations (i.e., medium‐amplitude body acceleration), which we assumed would be easy to distinguish from resting (i.e., low‐amplitude body acceleration). We validated the classification of song behavior using simultaneous GPS tracking data (i.e., information on individuals’ movement and proximity to audio recorders) and vocal recordings from stationary audio recorders at known song posts of one tracked individual. Song activity was detected by the classification model with an accuracy of 92%. Beyond a threshold of 20 m from the audio recorders, only 8% of the classified song bouts were recorded. The duration of the detected song activity (i.e., acceleration data) was highly correlated with the duration of the simultaneously recorded song bouts (correlation coefficient = 0.87, N = 10, S = 21.7, p = .001). We show that accelerometer‐based identification of vocalizations could serve as a promising tool to study communication in free‐living, small‐sized birds and demonstrate possible limitations of audio recorders to investigate individual‐based variation in song behavior.
The Synthesis of Asymmetric Perylene Diimide Acceptors and Their Optoelectronic Properties Studies
Authors: Wang Liping , Shen Hao , You Xiaoxiao , Wu Di , Xia Jianlong
Published: January 2022

Inspired by the advantages of heteroatoms introducing and molecular structure symmetry‐breaking in construction of non‐fullerene acceptors (NFAs), in this contribution, we designed and synthesized three asymmetric perylene diimide (PDI) based acceptors by annulating a selenophene and/or fusing a thiophene ring at the bay position. Using commercially purchased PBDB−T as electron donor, a best power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.32 % was achieved for selenophene‐annulated PDI (PDI2−Se), while higher PCE of 6.10 % was obtained for the thiophene fused one (PDI2−FT). Interestingly, PDI2Se−FT, in which the S and Se atoms introduced simultaneously, showed the best photovoltaic performance among the three asymmetric NFAs with an optimal PCE of 6.96 %. This result demonstrates that incorporation of diverse heteroatoms at the bay positions to construct asymmetric configuration is a robust design strategy for high performance PDI‐based NFAs.
Bridging of childhood obsessive‐compulsive personality disorder traits and adult eating disorder symptoms: A network analysis approach
Authors: Giles Sarah , Hughes Elizabeth K. , Fuller‐Tyszkiewicz Matthew , Treasure Janet , Fernandez‐Aranda Fernando , Karwautz Andreas F. K. , Wagner Gudrun , Anderluh Marija , Collier David A. , Krug Isabel
Published: January 2022

Objectives

Obsessive‐compulsive personality disorder (OCDP) traits are commonly associated with eating disorders (EDs), with evidence demonstrating that these traits predispose and exacerbate the ED illness course. However, limited research has examined the symptomatic interplay between ED and OCDP traits. We used network analysis to (1) identify the most central symptoms in a network comprised of OCPD traits retrospectively assessed in childhood and ED symptoms and (2) to identify symptoms which bridged OCPD traits and ED symptoms.

Methods

Participants were 320 females with an ED (anorexia nervosa n = 227, bulimia nervosa n = 93), who completed the semi‐structured EATATE interview and the Eating Disorder Inventory‐2. Expected influence (EI) was computed to determine each symptom's influence in the network. Bridge symptoms were identified by computing bridge EI.

Results

A regularised partial correlation network showed that ascetism, social insecurity, ineffectiveness, and impulsivity had the highest EI in the OCPD and ED network. With respect to bridging symptoms, interpersonal distrust emerged as a possible bridging node between the OCPD and ED trait/symptom clusters.

Discussion

These findings highlight the centrality of non‐specific ED symptoms in the ED symptom network and suggest that interpersonal distrust may play a functional role through which childhood OCPD traits and ED symptoms are connected.
Control energy assessment of spatial interactions among macro‐scale brain networks
Authors: Yuan Jing , Ji Senquan , Luo Liao , Lv Jinglei , Liu Tianming
Published: January 2022

Many recent studies have revealed that spatial interactions of functional brain networks derived from fMRI data can well model functional connectomes of the human brain. However, it has been rarely explored what the energy consumption characteristics are for such spatial interactions of macro‐scale functional networks, which remains crucial for the understanding of brain organization, behavior, and dynamics. To explore this unanswered question, this article presents a novel framework for quantitative assessment of energy consumptions of macro‐scale functional brain network's spatial interactions via two main effective computational methodologies. First, we designed a novel scheme combining dictionary learning and hierarchical clustering to derive macro‐scale consistent brain network templates that can be used to define a common reference space for brain network interactions and energy assessments. Second, the control energy consumption for driving the brain networks during their spatial interactions is computed from the viewpoint of the linear network control theory. Especially, the energetically favorable brain networks were identified and their energy characteristics were comprehensively analyzed. Experimental results on the Human Connectome Project (HCP) task‐based fMRI (tfMRI) data showed that the proposed methods can reveal meaningful, diverse energy consumption patterns of macro‐scale network interactions. In particular, those networks present remarkable differences in energy consumption. The energetically least favorable brain networks are stable and consistent across HCP tasks such as motor, language, social, and working memory tasks. In general, our framework provides a new perspective to characterize human brain functional connectomes by quantitative assessment for the energy consumption of spatial interactions of macro‐scale brain networks.
Tumor factors associated with in‐field failure for nasopharyngeal carcinoma after intensity‐modulated radiotherapy
Authors: Liu Xixi , Wu Bian , Huang Jing , Qin You , Zhang Zhanjie , Shi Liangliang , Hong Xiaohua , Ding Qian , Peng Gang , Yang Kunyu
Published: January 2022

Background

To identify the tumor factors of in‐field failure for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in the intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) era.

Methods

Patterns of recurrence were classified as in‐field, marginal, and out‐field failures. Multivariate analyses with the Cox proportional hazards model were used to identify tumor‐related factors of in‐field failure.

Results

A total of 1039 patients with NPC received IMRT from 2012 to 2019 and 75 developed recurrences, with 88.0% (66/75) considered as having in‐field failures. Multivariate analysis showed that pretreatment gross tumor volume of nasopharynx ≥68.8 mL and histopathological type of nonkeratinizing differentiated carcinoma (NKDC) were the independent tumor factors of in‐field local failure, while gross tumor volume of involved lymph nodes ≥19.9 mL and cervical nodal necrosis (CNN) were associated with in‐field regional failure (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions

In‐field failure was the major pattern of recurrence in patients with NPC. Large tumor volume, NKDC, and CNN were the tumor factors associated with in‐field failure.
Mitochondrial structural variations in the process of mitophagy
Authors: Zhang Dan , He Ying , Wang Jinying , Wu Liuying , Liu Bing , Cai Songtao , Li Yuan , Yan Wei , Yang Zhigang , Qu Junle
Published: January 2022

Mitochondrion is one of significant organelles inside cells because it serves as a hub for energy management and intracellular signaling. Internal/external damages on mitochondria would lead to mitochondrial stresses with the malfunctions, accompanying with the changes of morphological structure and abnormal local environments (pH values). Mitophagy is capable of degradation of damaged mitochondrial segments to restore its normal metabolism, dynamics, and biogenesis. The dynamic structural visualization and pH quantification can be helpful for the understanding of mitochondrial functions as well as the diagnosis of disorders linking with this process. In this work, we use confocal laser scanning microscopy, STED super‐resolution nanoscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, in conjunction with a mitochondrial probe to image the dynamic changes in the mitochondrial morphology and microenvironmental pH values during mitophagy in live cells, in particular, the structural changes of mitochondrial cristae beyond optical diffraction can be distinguished by STED nanoscopy with/without treatment by CCCP, which will provide a new view for the diagnosis and personalized treatment of mitochondrial dysfunction‐related diseases.
The pathophysiology and treatment of musculoskeletal fibrosis
Authors: Sheets Kelsey , Overbey Juliana , Ksajikian Andre , Bovid Karen , Kenter Keith , Li Yong
Published: January 2022

Fibrosis continues to challenge the regeneration and repair of the Orthopaedic tissues in states of injury or disease. The mechanism behind developmental fibrosis has been widely investigated in the last few decades. However, the current efficacy of treatment for existing fibrous scars remains insufficient from both basic research and clinical perspectives. Scarred fibrotic tissue impedes the physical function of affected local tissues and organs and may also be associated with abnormal pain conduction or tissue reinjury. It is necessary to discover the functional treatment for fibrous scars as this pathology is medically demanding to effected patients. The current article will review the mechanisms behind fibrosis formation and the treatment potential in the field of the musculoskeletal system, especially in the pathology and treatment of injured skeletal muscle and the development of osteoarthritis.
Aberrant expressions of circulating lncRNA NEAT1 and microRNA‐125a are linked with Th2 cells and symptom severity in pediatric allergic rhinitis
Authors: Wu Xionghui , Zhao Sijun , Huang Weiqing , Huang Lihua , Huang Min , Luo Xinyou , Chang Shuting
Published: January 2022

Objective

Long noncoding RNA nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (lnc‐NEAT1) and its target microRNA‐125a (miR‐125a) are reported to regulate immune and inflammation process in allergic rhinitis (AR). Hence, this study intended to investigate the correlation between lnc‐NEAT1 and miR‐125a expressions, as well as their clinical values in pediatric AR patients.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples from 80 pediatric AR patients, 40 disease controls (DCs), and 40 healthy controls (HCs) were collected to detect lnc‐NEAT1 and miR‐125a expressions by reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction. For pediatric AR patients only, serum interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) and interleukin (IL)‐10 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; meanwhile, T helper (Th) 1 and Th2 cells in CD4+ T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry.

Results

Lnc‐NEAT1 was overexpressed, while miR‐125a downregulated in pediatric AR patients compared to DCs and HCs (all p < 0.001). Moreover, lnc‐NEAT1 expression negatively correlated with miR‐125a expression in pediatric AR patients (p = 0.002), but not in DCs (p = 0.226) or HCs (p = 0.237). Furthermore, in pediatric AR patients, lnc‐NEAT1 expression positively associated with TNSS (p < 0.001), sneezing score (p = 0.006), and congestion score (p = 0.008); miR‐125a expression was negatively related to TNSS (p < 0.001), itching score (p = 0.040), and sneezing score (p = 0.005). Additionally, lnc‐NEAT1 expression positively, while miR‐125a expression negatively correlated with Th2 cells and IL‐10 (all p < 0.05), but they were not correlated with Th1 cells or IFN‐γ in pediatric AR patients.

Conclusion

Circulating lnc‐NEAT1 and miR‐125a are aberrantly expressed and linked with Th2 cells and symptom severity in pediatric allergic rhinitis.
Internalized stigma and self‐presentation strategies of persons with psychotic and psychiatric experiences
Authors: Georgaca Eugenie , Zissi Anastasia , Cromby John
Published: January 2022

Stigma is detrimental to persons experiencing mental distress, as it impacts on their social inclusion, quality of life, and recovery. In this article, we present the self‐presentation strategies employed by persons with psychosis to manage internalized stigma. A study of the life trajectories of persons with psychosis analyzed 27 biographical interviews and identified five types of biographical trajectories. This article focuses on one biographical type, represented by six narratives. Participants placed in this biographical type struggle to portray a socially acceptable self through concealing experiences of distress and distancing the self from the psychiatric label they entail. This was achieved through several strategies, including the normalization of prior life, unwillingness to disclose psychotic experiences, unquestioning compliance with psychiatric medication, and presenting oneself as an ordinary person. Fostering more adaptive coping strategies to reduce internalized stigma may be a potential goal for psychosocial interventions.
Muscle strength and prediabetes progression and regression in middle‐aged and older adults: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Qiu Shanhu , Cai Xue , Yuan Yang , Xie Bo , Sun Zilin , Wang Duolao , Wu Tongzhi
Published: January 2022

Background

Prediabetes progression is associated with increased mortality while its regression decreases it. It is unclear whether muscle strength is related to prediabetes progression or regression. This study investigated the associations of muscle strength, assessed by grip strength and chair‐rising time, with prediabetes progression and regression based on the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) enrolling middle‐aged and older adults.

Methods

We included 2623 participants with prediabetes from CHARLS, who were followed up 4 years later with blood samples collected for measuring fasting plasma glucose and haemoglobin A1c. Grip strength (normalized by body weight) and chair‐rising time were assessed at baseline and categorized into tertiles (low, middle, and high groups). Prediabetes at baseline and follow‐up was defined primarily using the American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria and secondarily using the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Expert Committee (IEC) criteria. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was applied to obtain the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

The mean age of included participants was 59.0 ± 8.6 years, and 46.6% of them were males. During follow‐up, 1646 participants remained as prediabetes, 379 progressed to diabetes, and 598 regressed to normoglycaemia based on ADA criteria. Participants who progressed to diabetes had lower normalized grip strength than those who remained as prediabetes (0.49 ± 0.15 vs. 0.53 ± 0.15, P < 0.001), but participants who regressed to normoglycaemia showed the opposite (0.55 ± 0.16 vs. 0.53 ± 0.15, P = 0.003). However, chair‐rising time was comparable across different groups (Poverall = 0.17). Compared with participants in low normalized grip strength or high chair‐rising time group, those in high normalized grip strength or low chair‐rising time group had decreased odds of progression to diabetes (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.87; and OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.93, respectively) after multivariable adjustment. However, both were unrelated to the odds of regression to normoglycaemia (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.25; and OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.07, respectively). These outcomes remained generally comparable when prediabetes was defined by WHO or IEC criteria. Higher normalized grip strength but not lower chair‐rising time was prospectively associated with lower blood pressure, better glycaemic condition, and lower inflammation (all P ≤ 0.04).

Conclusions

High muscle strength is associated with reduced odds of progression to diabetes but does not predict regression to normoglycaemia in prediabetes. Future studies are warranted to assess whether increases in muscle strength promote prediabetes regression.
On the geometrical perturbation of a three‐shell spherical model in electroencephalography
Authors: Papargiri Athena , Kalantonis Vasileios S. , Vafeas Panayiotis , Doschoris Michael , Kariotou Foteini , Fragoyiannis George
Published: January 2022

The forward electroencephalography (EEG) problem is studied in the framework of a multilayered structure, which models the scalp, skull, cerebrospinal fluid, and brain. Both the exterior and all inner boundaries are perturbed spheres so that special localized defects in head‐brain imaging are considered in analytic fashion. Linear perturbation analysis is implemented, providing exact expression for the first significant term of the forward EEG solution of the perturbed problem. Comparison with the solution of the corresponding unperturbed spherical problem is included, together with numerical demonstration of the produced errors in special deformation cases. The results suggest that significant errors are caused when large inaccuracies in the head‐brain structure in the vicinity of EEG source are not taken into account. Moreover, the suggested procedure provides a mathematical tool for evaluating quantitatively the impact of special deformations in the head representation on the EEG forward analytic solution.
Heat‐Treated Adzuki Bean Protein Hydrolysates Reduce Obesity in Mice Fed a High‐Fat Diet via Remodeling Gut Microbiota and Improving Metabolic Function
Authors: Zhao Qingyu , Fu Yongxia , Zhang Fan , Wang Chao , Yang Xuehao , Bai Shuqun , Xue Yong , Shen Qun
Published: January 2022

Scope

Heat‐treated adzuki bean protein hydrolysates (APH) reduce cholesterol in vitro. However, it is unclear if APH have anti‐obesity effects in vivo and, if so, the relationship between the effects and the improvement of gut microbiota composition and metabolic function.

Methods and Results

Four groups of mice are fed either a normal control diet (NCD) or a high‐fat diet (HFD) with or without APH for 12 weeks. In HFD‐fed mice, APH supplementation significantly alleviate fat accumulation, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, and inflammation. In addition, APH supplementation regulate gut microbiota composition, reduce the abundance of harmful bacteria (Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Romboutsia, Blautia, Mucispirillum, Bilophila, and Peptococcus), enrich Lactobacillus and SCFA‐producing bacteria (Lactobacillaceae, Eisenbergiella, Alistipes, Parabacteroides, Tannerellaceae, Eubacterium_nodatum_group, Acetatifactor, Rikenellaceae, and Odoribacter), and increase fecal SCFAs concentration. Importantly, APH supplementation significantly regulate the levels of serum metabolites, especially Lactobacillus‐derived metabolites and tryptophan derivatives, which help to alleviate obesity and its complications.

Conclusion

APH improve gut microbiota composition and metabolic function in mice and may help to prevent and treat obesity and related complications.
Pediatric chest‐abdomen‐pelvis and abdomen‐pelvis CT images with expert organ contours
Authors: Jordan Petr , Adamson Philip M. , Bhattbhatt Vrunda , Beriwal Surabhi , Shen Sangyu , Radermecker Oskar , Bose Supratik , Strain Linda S. , Offe Michael , Fraley David , Principi Sara , Ye Dong Hye , Wang Adam S. , van Heteren John , Vo Nghia‐Jack , Schmidt Taly Gilat
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Organ autosegmentation efforts to date have largely been focused on adult populations, due to limited availability of pediatric training data. Pediatric patients may present additional challenges for organ segmentation. This paper describes a dataset of 359 pediatric chest‐abdomen‐pelvis and abdomen‐pelvis Computed Tomography (CT) images with expert contours of up to 29 anatomical organ structures to aid in the evaluation and development of autosegmentation algorithms for pediatric CT imaging.

Acquisition and validation methods

The dataset collection consists of axial CT images in Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) format of 180 male and 179 female pediatric chest‐abdomen‐pelvis or abdomen‐pelvis exams acquired from one of three CT scanners at Children's Wisconsin. The datasets represent random pediatric cases based upon routine clinical indications. Subjects ranged in age from 5 days to 16 years, with a mean age of 7 years. The CT acquisition, contrast, and reconstruction protocols varied across the scanner models and patients, with specifications available in the DICOM headers. Expert contours were manually labeled for up to 29 organ structures per subject. Not all contours are available for all subjects, due to limited field of view or unreliable contouring due to high noise.

Data format and usage notes

The data are available on The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA_ (https://www.cancerimagingarchive.net/) under the collection Pediatric‐CT‐SEG. The axial CT image slices for each subject are available in DICOM format. The expert contours are stored in a single DICOM RTSTRUCT file for each subject. The contour names are listed in Table 2.

Potential applications

This dataset will enable the evaluation and development of organ autosegmentation algorithms for pediatric populations, which exhibit variations in organ shape and size across age. Automated organ segmentation from CT images has numerous applications including radiation therapy, diagnostic tasks, surgical planning, and patient‐specific organ dose estimation.
Adiponectin deficiency promotes endometrial carcinoma pathogenesis and development via activation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase
Authors: Yan Yunjing , Shi Hui , Zhao Zhenggang , Wang Shuai , Zhou Sujin , Mu Yunping , Ding Ning , Lai Yimei , Zhao Allan Z , Cheng Lixian , Li Fanghong
Published: January 2022

Obesity is one of the major risk factors for cancer. Clinical studies have demonstrated that circulating levels of adiponectin are inversely correlated, not only with the extent of adiposity, but also with the incidence of several types of cancer, particularly endometrial cancer (EC). However, thus far, adiponectin remains a correlative factor, without definitive evidence to show a causal effect in EC and the potential mechanism(s) involved. To address this issue, we introduced an Apn‐null mutation into Pten haploid‐deficient (Pten+/−) mice. The Pten heterozygous mutation alone led to the development of EC in less than 30% of female mice; however, when combined with the Apn‐null mutation, the incidence of endometrial lesions rose to at least two‐thirds. Although Apn deficiency did not further potentiate the Akt activation caused by the Pten mutation, it elevated the phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) p42/44, indicating activation of the MAPK signaling pathway. Treatment of Apn−/−;Pten+/− mice with a MEK inhibitor blocked the development of EC. Finally, xenografts of a PTEN‐proficient human EC cell line grew faster in Apn‐deficient mice, whereas an adiponectin receptor agonist reduced xenograft growth of a PTEN‐deficient human EC cell line. Thus, reduction of adiponectin activity promotes EC development, at least in the context of Pten mutation, by activating MAPK. © 2022 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Application of two‐layer viscoplasticity model to predict a semicrystalline polymer response under compression and microindentation
Authors: dos Santos Bianca Bastos , da Costa Marysilvia Ferreira , Pasqualino Ilson Paranhos , da Costa Celio Albano
Published: January 2022

Polymeric materials are widely used in structural components and systems, and the accurate prediction of their complex time‐dependent behavior is critical. Several constitutive models are available for different types of mechanical behaviors and loading conditions. However, selecting the model and the correct calibration of its parameters is often a challenge. This paper evaluates the applicability of the two‐layer viscoplasticity (TLV) model to predict the viscoplastic behavior of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) in a large range of strain rates and complex states of strain. The setting of parameters and model validation was made by performing experimentally and numerically uniaxial compression tests and relaxation tests. The model parameters were also analyzed in performing microindentation tests. The TLV model using the same set of parameters selected well predicted the PVDF behavior in a wide variety of compressive loading conditions.
Bio‐basedbenzoxazine from renewableL‐tyrosine: Synthesis, polymerization, and properties
Authors: Ren Shitong , Tian Fangjing , Zhang Shaoheng , Zhou Weicong , Du Yonggang
Published: January 2022

Developing thermosets derived from renewable sources is of great importance. In this work, a fully bio‐based benzoxazine monomer, 3,6‐bis((3‐(furan‐2‐ylmethyl)‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐benzo[e][1,3]oxazin‐6‐yl)methyl)piperazine‐2,5‐dione (TCDPF), is conveniently synthesized from L‐tyrosine cyclic dipeptide (TCDP), furfurylamine and paraformaldehyde. The chemical structure of TCDPF is confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) techniques. The curing behavior of TCDPF is investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and in situ FT‐IR techniques. After temperature‐programmed curing, the thermomechanical property and thermal stability of the resulting TCDPF polymer (PTCDPF) are evaluated by dynamic mechanical analysis and thermogravimetric analysis techniques, respectively. It is found that PTCDPF have excellent comprehensive performance such as high glass transition temperature (Tg = 322 °C), high thermal degradation temperature (T5% = 342 °C,T10% = 395 °C in N2atmosphere), and high char yield (CY = 51.3% at 800 °C in N2atmosphere). The results demonstrate that L‐tyrosine is a promising bio‐based raw material for preparing high performance polybenzoxazines.
Benefit of pulmonary subspecialty care for children with sickle cell disease and asthma
Authors: Saxena Shikha , Afolabi‐Brown Olufunke , Ballester Lance , Schmucker Nathaniel , Smith‐Whitley Kim , Allen Julian , Bhandari Anita
Published: January 2022

Objective

Asthma is a recognized comorbidity in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). It increases the risk of acute chest syndrome (ACS), vaso‐occlusive episodes, and early mortality. We aim to determine whether evaluation and management of children with SCD and asthma by a pulmonologist reduce rate of asthma exacerbation and ACS.

Methods

The study included 192 patients with SCD (0–21 years) followed at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Hematology between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2018, with a diagnosis of asthma, wheeze, or cough. Patients were placed in two groups: those evaluated by a pulmonologist (SCD‐A‐P) and those not (SCD‐A). Rates of emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations for asthma exacerbation and ACS were compared between groups and over time.

Results

SCD‐A‐P patients (n = 70) were predominantly SCD type SS with lower hemoglobin and hematocrit compared to SCD‐A patients (n = 122). SCD‐A‐P started with a higher average rate of hospital visits for asthma exacerbation and ACS per year (2.69 [1.02–4.37]) compared to SCD‐A (0.43 [0.24–0.63]), (p < 0.001). For SCD‐A‐P patients with at least one hospital visit (n = 48), the average rate decreased from 3.93 (1.57–6.29) to 0.85 (0.48–1.23) following pulmonary consultation (p = 0.014) and was comparable to the SCD‐A rate by study end.

Conclusion

SCD‐A‐P was mainly SCD type SS and had higher ED/hospitalization rates for asthma exacerbation and ACS compared to SCD‐A, but the rates significantly decreased following pulmonology consultation. These findings support the pulmonologist's role in the multidisciplinary care of SCD patients and highlight the need for evidence‐based asthma guidelines for children with SCD.
Magneto‐Optical Goos−Hänchen Displacement in Quasiperiodic Gradient 1D Photonic Crystal
Authors: Wang Haishi , Yu Bo , Cai Deqing , Chen Kaixin
Published: January 2022

In recent years, various approaches for GH (Goos−Hänchen) displacement control have been proposed, including various waveguide structures, different material interfaces, and other physical phenomena (such as surface plasmon resonance, etc.), which make GH displacement flexible and controllable. Herein, the magneto‐optic GH displacement in quasiperiodic gradient 1D photonic crystals is introduced. The variation of GH displacement by changing the magnetic field for periodic and quasiperiodic structures is shown. The thickness of the initial material is determined by the change of the material thickness, and then the tunable GH displacement is observed under the applied magnetic field. The GH value increases with the thicker gradient thickness but decreases with increase in magnetic field, and it is more sensitive to the magnetic field intensity.
Solid and liquid green Ag nanoparticles based on banana peel extract as an eco‐friendly remedy for ringworm in pets
Authors: Emam Mahmoud , Soliman Mona M. H. , Eisa Wael H. , Hasanin Mohamed
Published: January 2022

Green chemistry‐based biowaste has been taken attention toward new components for many applications especially in dermatophytes of animals and humans. The main goal of this study is to assist the synthetic pathways; clean and large‐scale synthesis of silver nanoparticles is achieved as a promising alternative green technique with high efficiency, simplicity and less hazardous waste based on agro‐waste of banana peels extract powder. The preparation of silver nanoparticles is directly via solid‐state reaction and the liquid one based on the natural agro‐waste of banana peels under specific conditions for treating ringworm in pets. Ultraviolet (UV)‐visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to prove the prepared nanoparticles. A total of 30 samples from pets (dogs and cats) were subjected to mycological examination. Ten (33.3%) were culture positive, and 100% of the positive samples were Microsporum canis. In vitro antifungal activity against M. canis isolates using both the disc diffusion and the broth microdilution methods was evaluated. The significant results for solid silver nanoparticles (Ags1 and Ags2) than liquid Ag NPs (AgL) with p < 0.05 compared with itraconazole were observed. This biomaterial from waste could be used as a fast, simple, eco‐friendly, and efficient method to prepare Ag NPs on solid that can be applied in the veterinary sector against ringworm.
Response adaptive intervention allocation in stepped‐wedge cluster randomized trials
Authors: Grayling Michael J. , Wason James M. S. , Villar Sofía S.
Published: January 2022

Background

Stepped‐wedge cluster randomized trial (SW‐CRT) designs are often used when there is a desire to provide an intervention to all enrolled clusters, because of a belief that it will be effective. However, given there should be equipoise at trial commencement, there has been discussion around whether a pre‐trial decision to provide the intervention to all clusters is appropriate. In pharmaceutical drug development, a solution to a similar desire to provide more patients with an effective treatment is to use a response adaptive (RA) design.

Methods

We introduce a way in which RA design could be incorporated in an SW‐CRT, permitting modification of the intervention allocation during the trial. The proposed framework explicitly permits a balance to be sought between power and patient benefit considerations. A simulation study evaluates the methodology.

Results

In one scenario, for one particular RA design, the proportion of cluster‐periods spent in the intervention condition was observed to increase from 32.2% to 67.9% as the intervention effect was increased. A cost of this was a 6.2% power drop compared to a design that maximized power by fixing the proportion of time in the intervention condition at 45.0%, regardless of the intervention effect.

Conclusions

An RA approach may be most applicable to settings for which the intervention has substantial individual or societal benefit considerations, potentially in combination with notable safety concerns. In such a setting, the proposed methodology may routinely provide the desired adaptability of the roll‐out speed, with only a small cost to the study's power.
Synthesis of a Single‐Stranded DNA Aptamer Modified Near‐infrared, Water‐Soluble Fluorophore for Lung Cancer Cell Imaging
Authors: He Xiaoyan , Li Hui , Liu Sisi , Li Yue , Lin Xiangde , Zheng Haoyang , Zhou Zhaoli , Zeng Dongdong
Published: January 2022

In recent years, aza‐boron dipyrromethene (aza‐BODIPY) derivatives have attracted considerable attention as fluorescent imaging agents. In this work, two polyethylene glycol functionalized water soluble aza‐BODIPY derivatives (a mono cycloaddition product 1PEG‐BOD and a double cycloaddition product 2PEG‐BOD) were synthesized through a cycloaddition click reaction between aza‐BODIPY and N3‐PEG2000‐COOH. The absorption and fluorescence profiles of these two compounds were in near‐infrared region. The fluorescence quantum yield of 2PEG‐BOD was 20 times higher than 1PEG‐BOD in water. The attachment of an A549 lung cancer cell targeting aptamer with 2PEG‐BOD afforded APT‐PEG‐BOD. The average fluorescence intensity of APT‐PEG‐BOD (5 μmol/L) in A549 lung cancer cells calculated from confocal microscopy images was 25–33 times stronger than that in other cell lines, such as MDA‐MB‐231, HT1080 and LO2. These results indicated that APT‐PEG‐BOD shows high affinity to A549 lung cancer cells.
Room Temperature‐Sintering Conductive Ink Fabricated from Oleic‐Modified Graphene for the Flexible Electronic Devices
Authors: Le Tam The , Bui Huy Hoang Tran , Dinh An Khang Phung , Van Duc Vu , Ho Quang Dinh , Thi Hoai An Nguyen , Nguyen Du Hoa , La Duong Duc
Published: January 2022

Graphene, a novel 2D nanomaterial, has been intensively studied and utilized in many fields of applications. Graphene‐based conductive ink has attracted many scientific researchers due to its flexibility, durability, and, most importantly, high electrical conductivity. However, the low dispensability and high curing temperature have hindered the use of graphene ink in many practical applications. In this work, graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were modified with oleic acid to improve dispensability. Then, the modified GNPs were employed as a major component in the conductive ink‘s formulation. The effects of the oleic acid, binder, and GNPs contents on the conductivity of the prepared ink were studied. The results showed that at the ink‘s formulation of 0.75 % binder and 6 % GNPs (modified with 2.5 % oleic acid), the lowest resistance with the value of 22 Ω.cm and sheet resistance of 7.56 Ω cm2 was obtained. Remarkably, the high conductivity of the modified conductive ink on the substrate could also be observed after curing at room temperature, which is advantageous for practical application. The viscosity of the resultant conductive ink could also be adjusted by changing the amount of solvent in the ink‘s formulation for application of the ink in the pen, painting, or inkjet printing.
Essential Loop Dynamics Modulates Catalytic Activity in α‐Chymotrypsin
Authors: Biswas Pritam , Pal Uttam , Adhikari Aniruddha , Mondal Susmita , Ghosh Ria , Mukherjee Dipanjan , Saha‐Dasgupta Tanusri , Choudhury Sudeshna Shyam , Das Ranjan , Pal Samir Kumar
Published: January 2022

Conformational dynamics of macromolecules including enzymes are essential for their function. The present work reports on the role of essential dynamics in alpha‐chymotrypsin (CHT) which correlates with its catalytic activity. Detailed optical spectroscopy and classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to study thermal stability, catalytic activity and dynamical flexibility of the enzyme. The study of the enzyme kinetics reveals optimum catalytic efficiency at 308 K. Polarization gated fluorescence anisotropy with 8‐anilino‐1‐napthelene sulfonate (ANS) have revealed increasing flexibility of the enzyme with an increase in temperature. Examination of the structure of CHT reveal the presence of five loop regions (LRs) around the catalytic S1 pocket. MD simulations have indicated that flexibility increases concurrently with temperature which decreases beyond an optimum temperature. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the eigenvectors manifests essential dynamics and gatekeeping role of the five LRs surrounding the catalytic pocket which controls the enzyme activity.
The Spread of Agriculture: Quantitative Laws in Prehistory?
Authors: Fort Joaquim
Published: January 2022

We review quantitative estimations of Neolithic spread rates in different regions of the world. The speed is about 1 km/year in most cases. This holds for the average rate of the spread of the Neolithic in Europe and the near East, rice in China and southeastern Asia, and the eastern Bantu expansion. A regularity in spread rates is thus clearly implied, which suggests a quantitative law in prehistory (first law or ‘1 km/year law’). However, there are exceptions. The Khoi-khoi herding expansion in Southern Africa and the southern Bantu expansion display rates of about 2 km/year, perhaps due to substantial cultural diffusion in addition to demic diffusion (second law). Along the Western Mediterranean, the spread rate was about 10 km/year, and a similarly fast spread rate has been also estimated in the Western Pacific (Austronesia). This suggests another quantitative law, valid for sea travel (third law). Another exception is Scandinavia, where the spread rate is only about 0.6 km/year, possibly due to lower reproduction rates. Ethnographic work has shown that human reproduction tends to decrease with increasing latitude. Thus, a similar trend could also exist in the spread rates of agriculture (fourth law).
Mapping Environments of the World
Authors: Shi Peijun , Wang Jing’ai , Wang Ying , Liu Tian
Published: January 2022

A regional disaster system is essentially the product of the interaction of humans and nature, which is composed of the disaster-formative environment, exposure, hazard, and disaster losses. It is a dynamic system with complex characteristics on the surface of the earth (Fig. 1) (Shi 1991).
Mapping Global GDP Distribution
Authors: Sun Fubao , Wang Tingting , Wang Hong
Published: January 2022

Socioeconomic projections are crucial in climate change impact, mitigation, and adaptation research and risk assessments for future scenarios.
Electroweak baryogenesis in aligned two Higgs doublet models
Authors: Enomoto Kazuki , Kanemura Shinya , Mura Yushi
Published: January 2022

Abstract

We evaluate the baryon number abundance based on the charge transport scenario of top quarks in the CP-violating two Higgs doublet model, in which Yukawa interactions are aligned to avoid dangerous flavor changing neutral currents, and coupling constants of the lightest Higgs boson with the mass 125 GeV coincide with those in the standard model at tree level to satisfy the current LHC data. In this model, the severe constraint from the electric dipole moment of electrons, which are normally difficult to be satisfied, can be avoided by destructive interferences between CP-violating phases in Yukawa interactions and scalar couplings in the Higgs potential. Viable benchmark scenarios are proposed under the current available data and basic theoretical bounds. We find that the observed baryon number can be reproduced in this model, where masses of additional Higgs bosons are typically 300–400 GeV. Furthermore, it is found that the triple Higgs boson coupling is predicted to be 35–55 % larger than the standard model value.
A Slightly Supercritical Condition of Regularity of Axisymmetric Solutions to the Navier–Stokes Equations
Authors: Seregin G.
Published: January 2022

In the note, a new regularity condition for axisymmetric solutions to the non-stationary 3D Navier–Stokes equations is proven. It is slightly supercritical.
Measurement of unsteady shock standoff distance around spheres flying at Mach numbers near one
Authors: Kikuchi T. , Ohtani K.
Published: January 2022

This paper reports the experiments on the shock standoff distance (SSD) around spheres flying at Mach numbers from slightly below 1.0. Spheres of the same diameter but three different densities were launched in a ballistic range by a light-gas gun, and the flow field around each sphere was measured by optical visualization. The purpose of this study is to investigate how projectile deceleration influences the SSD by comparing the results for projectiles of the same shape, size, and Mach number but different densities. The location history of the sphere center is obtained by fitting a formula derived from the equation of motion of a decelerating object, and the history of the instantaneous projectile Mach number is obtained by differentiating this formula.The SSDs of the projectiles with different densities are the same at higher Mach numbers, but different at lower Mach numbers, and the SSD decreases with decreasing projectile density. Seemingly, because projectile deceleration is related to the flow unsteadiness, steady flow cannot be assumed in the present range of Mach number with the different SSDs. At Mach numbers close to one, that of the propagating detached shock wave is higher than that of the flying projectile.
Convex analysis on polyhedral spaces
Authors: Botero Ana María , Ignacio Burgos Gil José , Sombra Martín
Published: January 2022

We introduce notions of concavity for functions on balanced polyhedral spaces, and we show that concave functions on such spaces satisfy several strong continuity properties.