bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maple syrup urine disease due to a paracentric inversion of chr 19 that disrupts BCKDHA: A case report
Authors: Yokoi Katsuyuki , Nakajima Yoko , Sudo Yuta , Mariya Tasuku , Kawamura Rie , Tsutsumi Makiko , Inagaki Hidehito , Yoshikawa Tetsushi , Ito Tetsuya , Kurahashi Hiroki
Published: September 2022

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a rare autosomal recessive inherited disorder of branched‐chain amino acid metabolism caused by mutations in BCKDHA, BCKDHB, and DBT that encode the E1α, E1β, and E2 subunits of the branched‐chain α‐ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKD) complex. Various MSUD‐causing variants have been described; however, no structural rearrangements in BCKDHA have been reported to cause the classic MSUD phenotype. Here, we describe the classic patient with MSUD with compound heterozygous pathogenic variants in BCKDHA: a missense variant (NM_000709.3:c.757G > A, NP_000700.1:p.Ala253Thr) and a paracentric inversion disrupting Intron 1 of BCKDHA, which was identified by whole‐genome sequencing and validated by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Using the sequence information of the breakpoint junction, we gained mechanistic insight into the development of this structural rearrangement. Furthermore, the establishment of junction‐specific polymerase chain reaction could facilitate identification of the variant in case carrier or future prenatal/preimplantation tests are necessary.
Ad5‐nCoV booster and Omicron variant breakthrough infection following two doses of inactivated vaccine elicit comparable antibody levels against Omicron variants
Authors: Kong Weiya , Zhong Qingyang , Chen Mingxiao , Yu Pei , Xu Ruhong , Zhang Lei , Lai Changchun , Deng Min , Zhou Qiang , Xiong Shilong , Liang Yuemei , Wan Li , Lin Meifang , Wang Minhong , Mai Weikang , Chen Lu , Lei Yu , Qin Nan , Zhu Jianqiang , Ruan Jianfeng , Huang Qiulan , Kang An , Wang Jun , Li Wenrui , Ji Tianxing
Published: September 2022

Little information is available for antibody levels against SARS‐CoV‐2 variants of concern induced by Omicron breakthrough infection and a third booster with an inactivated vaccine (InV) or Ad5‐nCoV in people with completion of two InV doses. Plasma was collected from InV pre‐vaccinated Omicron‐infected patients (OIPs), unvaccinated OIPs between 0 and 22 days, and healthy donors (HDs) 14 days or 6 months after the second doses of an InV and 14 days after a homogenous booster or heterologous booster of Ad5‐nCoV. Anti‐Wuhan‐, Anti‐Delta‐, and Anti‐Omicron‐receptor binding domain (RBD)‐IgG titers were detected using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. InV pre‐vaccinated OIPs had higher anti‐Wuhan‐, anti‐Delta‐, and anti‐Omicron‐RBD‐IgG titers compared to unvaccinated OIPs. Anti‐Wuhan‐RBD‐IgG titers sharply increased in InV pre‐vaccinated OIPs 0–5 days postinfection (DPI), while the geometric mean titers (GMTs) of anti‐Delta‐ and anti‐Omicron‐RBD‐IgG were 3.3‐fold and 12.0‐fold lower. Then, the GMT of anti‐Delta‐ and anti‐Omicron‐RBD‐IgG increased to 35 112 and 28 186 during 11–22 DPI, about 2.6‐fold and 3.2‐fold lower, respectively, than the anti‐Wuhan‐RBD‐IgG titer. The anti‐Wuhan‐, anti‐Delta‐, and anti‐Omicron‐RBD‐IgG titers declined over time in HDs after two doses of an InV, with 25.2‐fold, 5.6‐fold, and 4.5‐fold declination, respectively, at 6 months relative to the titers at 14 days after the second vaccination. Anti‐Wuhan‐, anti‐Delta‐, and anti‐Omicron‐RBD‐IgG titers elicited by a heterologous Ad5‐nCoV booster were significantly higher than those elicited by an InV booster, comparable to those in InV pre‐vaccinated OIPs. InV and Ad5‐nCoV boosters could improve humoral immunity against Omicron variants. Of these, the Ad5‐nCoV booster is a better alternative.
Surgical oncology during the post‐COVID‐19 era: What is next?
Authors: Lianos Georgios D. , Frountzas Maximos , Schizas Dimitrios , Baltagiannis Evangelos G. , Alexiou George A. , Bali Christina , Glantzounis Georgios K. , Mitsis Michail , Vlachos Konstantinos
Published: September 2022

During first outburst of COVID‐19, several strategies had been applied for surgical oncology patients to minimize COVID‐19 transmission. COVID‐19 infection seemed to compromise survival and major complication rates of surgical oncology patients. However, survival, tumor progression and recurrence rates of surgical oncology patients were associated to the consequences of COVID‐19 pandemic on their management. In addition, the severity of COVID‐19 infections has been downgraded. Therefore, management of surgical oncology patients should be reconsidered.
Control of Pre‐phonatory Glottal Shape by Intrinsic Laryngeal Muscles
Authors: Pillutla Pranati , Reddy Neha K. , Schlegel Patrick , Zhang Zhaoyan , Chhetri Dinesh K.
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Surgical manipulations to treat glottic insufficiency aim to restore the physiologic pre‐phonatory glottal shape. However, the physiologic pre‐phonatory glottal shape as a function of interactions between all intrinsic laryngeal muscles (ILMs) has not been described. Vocal fold posture and medial surface shape were investigated across concurrent activation and interactions of thyroarytenoid (TA), cricothyroid (CT), and lateral cricoarytenoid/interarytenoid (LCA/IA) muscles.

Study Design

In vivo canine hemilarynx model.

Methods

The ILMs were stimulated across combinations of four graded levels each from low‐to‐high activation. A total of 64 distinct medial surface postures (4 TA × 4 CT × 4 LCA/IA levels) were captured using high‐speed video. Using a custom 3D interpolation algorithm, the medial surface shape was reconstructed.

Results

Combined activation of ILMs yielded a range of unique pre‐phonatory postures. Both LCA/IA and TA activation adducted the vocal fold but with greater contribution from TA. The transition from a convergent to a rectangular glottal shape was primarily mediated by TA muscle activation but LCA/IA and TA together resulted in a smooth rectangular glottis compared to TA alone, which caused rectangular glottis with inferomedial bulging. CT activation resulted in a lengthened but slightly abducted glottis.

Conclusions

TA was primarily responsible for the rectangular shape of the adducted glottis with synergistic contribution from the LCA/IA. CT contributed minimally to vocal fold medial shape but elongated the glottis. These findings further refine laryngeal posture goals in surgical correction of glottic insufficiency.

Level of Evidence

NA, Basic science Laryngoscope, 133:1690–1697, 2023
Analysing the issues surrounding information and communication technology penetration and growth
Authors: Ahmed Aminu Adamu
Published: September 2022

The main aim of this study is to analyse the issues surrounding information and communication technology (ICT) penetration and growth based on the 13 measurable factors of the technology, organisation and environment framework. Furthermore, to investigate the most common technology and sector where ICT is most prevalent, 38 articles were selected for this study sample size. Systematic literature review and descriptive statistics were employed as methods of data analysis and presentation using tables and charts. According to the study's findings, top management support, competitive pressure, security and privacy and relative advantage backing were all cited as key challenges, respectively. Furthermore, the most popular ICT industry used by small and medium‐sized enterprises is cloud computing. The government should encourage huge investment in ICT.
Do you still trust me? An experimental study on the effect of uncertainty, complexity and anchors in a trust game
Authors: Eskinazi Naveh , Malul Miki , Rosenboim Mosi , Shavit Tal
Published: September 2022

The current study tests experimentally whether people's propensity to trust is biased by uncertainty, complexity, and the presence of numerical anchors in their personal monetary funds. Two hundred and fifty‐eight undergraduate Israeli students were randomly assigned to five groups that differed by the type of endowment they received. Participants were asked to indicate how much money they wanted to send to their counterpart, allocated from an endowment with an amount of money that was certain or derived from a more complex lottery whose outcomes were varying, and hence, uncertain. The results indicate that trust is strongly affected by the presence of low numerical anchors but not by the uncertainty and complexity of the endowment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that examines the effect of uncertainty, complexity, and the presence of numerical anchors together on the trustor's behavior in the Trust Game.
Fading regularization FEM algorithms for the Cauchy problem associated with the two‐dimensional biharmonic equation
Authors: Boukraa Mohamed Aziz , Amdouni Saber , Delvare Franck
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we use the fading regularization method to solve a biharmonic inverse problem, represented by the Cauchy problem. Two formulations are studied and implemented numerically using a finite element method (FEM). We present numerical reconstructions of the missing data on the inaccessible part of the boundary from the knowledge of over‐prescribed noisy data for both smooth and piecewise smooth two‐dimensional geometries. Numerical examples validate the convergence, stability and efficiency of the proposed numerical algorithm, as well as its capability to deblur the noisy data.
Nonzero nonnegative solutions of population models of Ricker types and theory of limit inferiors and superiors
Authors: Lan Kunquan
Published: September 2022

The existence of nonzero nonnegative solutions of the population models of Ricker types governed by systems of second‐order elliptic boundary value problems is studied. New theory on limit inferiors and superiors of functions at points and
in product Banach spaces is established. New results on the limit inferiors, limit superiors and limits for monotone and mixed monotone functions at points in ordered Banach spaces and at
in the Euclidean spaces are obtained. These results on limit inferiors and superiors are used to obtain the existence of nonzero nonnegative solutions of the population models of Ricker types.
Oocyte‐secreted factor TGFB2 enables mouse cumulus cell expansion in vitro
Authors: Hao Xiaoqiong , Yuan Feifei , Cui Yanying , Zhang Meijia
Published: September 2022

Cumulus expansion is necessary for the release of a fertilizable oocyte from the ovary, which is critical for the normal fertilization of mammals. Cumulus expansion requires cooperation between epidermal growth factor (EGF)‐like growth factors and oocyte paracrine factors. Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) are well‐known paracrine factors secreted by oocytes. In addition, transforming growth factor‐β2 (TGFB2) was primarily expressed in oocytes and its membrane receptors type 1 receptor (TGFBR1) and type 2 receptor (TGFBR2) were located in cumulus cells. In our present study, TGFB2 induced expansion of oocytectomized (OOX) complexes and increased the expression of expansion‐related genes in the presence of EGF, suggesting that TGFB2 enables cumulus expansion. Inhibition of TGF‐β signaling with SD208 blocked TGFB2‐promoted cumulus expansion. Furthermore, in the culture of OOX complexes from mice of Tgfbr2‐specific depletion in granulosa cells, TGFB2‐promoted cumulus expansion and the expression of expansion‐related genes were impaired. These results suggest that TGFB2 could induce cumulus expansion through TGFBR‐SMAD2/3 signaling. Tgfb2‐specific depletion in oocytes using Zp3‐Cre mice had no effect on cumulus expansion in vivo, possibly due to the compensatory effect of other cumulus expansion‐enabling factors. Taken together, TGFB2 is involved in expansion‐related gene expression and consequent cumulus expansion.
Data‐driven optimization of sampling patterns for MR brain T1ρ mapping
Authors: Menon Rajiv G. , Zibetti Marcelo V. W. , Regatte Ravinder R.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The goal of this study was to apply a fast data‐driven optimization algorithm, called bias‐accelerated subset selection, for MR brain T1ρ mapping to generate optimized sampling patterns (SPs) for compressed sensing reconstruction of brain 3D‐T1ρ MRI.

Methods

Five healthy volunteers were recruited, and fully sampled Cartesian 3D‐T1ρ MRIs were obtained. Variable density (VD) and Poisson disc (PD) undersampling was used as the input to SP optimization process. The reconstruction used 3 compressed sensing methods: spatiotemporal finite differences, low‐rank plus sparse with spatial finite differences, and low rank. The performance of images and T1ρ maps using PD‐SP and VD‐SP and their optimized sampling patterns (PD‐OSP and VD‐OSP) were compared to the fully sampled reference using normalized root mean square error (NRMSE).

Results

The VD‐OSP with spatiotemporal finite differences reconstruction (NRMSE = 0.078) and the PD‐OSP with spatiotemporal finite differences reconstruction (NRMSE = 0.079) at the highest acceleration factors (AF = 30) showed the largest improvement compared to the respective nonoptimized SPs (VD NRMSE = 0.087 and PD NRMSE = 0.149). Prospective undersampling was tested at AF = 4, with VD‐OSP NRMSE = 0.057 versus PD‐OSP NRMSE = 0.060, with optimized sampling performing better that input PD or VD sampling. For brain T1ρ mapping, the VD‐OSP with low rank reconstruction for AFs <10 and VD‐OSP with spatiotemporal finite differences for AFs >10 perform better.

Conclusions

The study demonstrated that the appropriate use of data‐driven optimized sampling and suitable compressed sensing reconstruction technique can be employed to potentially accelerate 3D T1ρ mapping for brain imaging applications.
The analytic connectivity in uniform hypergraphs: Properties and computation
Authors: Cui Chunfeng , Luo Ziyan , Qi Liqun , Yan Hong
Published: September 2022

The analytic connectivity (AC), defined via solving a series of constrained polynomial optimization problems, serves as a measure of connectivity in hypergraphs. How to compute such a quantity efficiently is important in practice and of theoretical challenge as well due to the non‐convex and combinatorial features in its definition. In this article, we first perform a careful analysis of several widely used structured hypergraphs in terms of their properties and heuristic upper bounds of ACs. We then present an affine‐scaling method to compute some upper bounds of ACs for uniform hypergraphs. To testify the tightness of the obtained upper bounds, two possible approaches via the Pólya theorem and semidefinite programming respectively are also proposed to verify the lower bounds generated by the obtained upper bounds minus a small gap. Numerical experiments on synthetic datasets are reported to demonstrate the efficiency of our proposed method. Further, we apply our method in hypergraphs constructed from social networks and text analysis to detect the network connectivity and rank the keywords, respectively.
Cure4Kids: Two decades of knowledge transfer
Authors: Moreira Daniel C. , Jones Hannah M. , Schaeffer Elizabeth , Wellman Andrew , Shuler Ana , Ribeiro Raul , Chantada Guillermo , Rodriguez‐Galindo Carlos
Published: September 2022

Cure4Kids is a free web‐based knowledge platform for professionals providing care for children with cancer and hematologic diseases, offering its users a comprehensive suite of learning opportunities. It has been a resource for the pediatric oncology community across the world for the past two decades, with 60,107 users having logged in 1,412,514 times with 22,045,553 content hits. A transformation of Cure4Kids is being planned and will include an improved user interface, increased interactivity, and more content.
Examining the potential direct cardiovascular benefit of tumor‐necrosis factor inhibitor in rheumatoid arthritis: Natural and controlled direct effect analyses
Authors: Yoshida Kazuki , Harrold Leslie R. , Middaugh Nicole , Guan Hongshu , Stryker Scott , Karis Elaine , Solomon Daniel H.
Published: September 2022

Background/Purpose

Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) may have a direct benefit on cardiovascular (CV) disease beyond reducing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity measured by the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI).

Methods

We compared TNFi initiators and methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy initiators from the CorEvitas RA registry. Two approaches to the “direct effect” of TNFi beyond CDAI were used. In the natural direct effect (NDE) analysis, the potential CV benefit of TNFi was partitioned into NDE and the natural indirect effect (NIE) mediated by CDAI during the first 6 months. We also estimated the controlled direct effects (CDE), corresponding to the direct benefit of TNFi when CDAI trajectories were hypothetically equalized between the initiators of TNFi and MTX monotherapy at a constant value. Estimates were given on the hazard ratio scale.

Results

We identified 5764 initiators of TNFi and 3588 initiators of MTX monotherapy. TNFi initiators were younger (58 vs. 64 years) with a shorter disease duration. Our total effect estimates (TNFi vs. MTX [reference]) were protective in direction (0.76–0.91). The NDE estimate was 0.76 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59, 0.98], whereas the NIE estimate was 1.00 [95%CI 1.00, 1.00]. In the CDE analyses accounting for longitudinal CDAI, the CDE estimates was 1.27 [95%CI 0.60, 2.69].

Conclusions

We could not convincingly demonstrate a direct benefit of TNFi outside its impact on CDAI. At present, the emphasis should be on the stringent control of RA disease activity, a known important CV risk factor, regardless of medication choice.
Simultaneous splenectomy improving the outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, cirrhosis and portal hypertension treated with hepatectomy
Authors: Liu Fuchen , Guo Xinggang , Zhang Wenli , Zou Minghao , Huang Jian , Dong Wei , Zhang Jinmin , Zhu Xiuli , Pan Zeya , Lau Wan Yee , Zhou Weiping , Liu Hui
Published: September 2022

Aims

Patients with cirrhosis and clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) usually have concomitant secondary hypersplenism, and splenectomy (Spx) is an option for treating these patients in the Asia‐Pacific region. CSPH is the most important risk factor for postoperative liver dysfunction (PLD) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis undergoing liver resection. However, the impact of simultaneous Spx and hepatectomy in patients with HCC and CSPH remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine the impact of simultaneous Spx on the posthepatectomy outcomes in these patients.

Methods

This study included 691 consecutive patients with hepatitis B virus‐related HCC, cirrhosis, and CSPH. These included 565 patients who underwent hepatectomy only (non‐Spx group) and 126 who underwent simultaneous hepatectomy and splenectomy (Spx group). We analyzed the effect of 25 preoperative and 5 intraoperative factors on postoperative outcomes using logistic regression. To overcome any possible selection bias, confounders were balanced by propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analyses, and subgroup analyses were performed within the PSM‐matched groups.

Results

Logistic regression analyses revealed that Spx was an independent protective factor for severe postoperative liver dysfunction (SPLD; odds ratio [OR] = 0.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.11–0.43, p < 0.001) and 90‐day SPLD‐related mortality (OR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.06–0.55, p = 0.004), respectively. Spx was also independently associated with a higher overall survival rate (hazard ratio = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.47–0.85, p = 0.002) based on Cox regression analysis. PSM and IPTW models showed that the benefit of Spx was also consistent across the major and minor hepatectomy subgroups examined.

Conclusion

Simultaneous Spx improved the outcomes of patients with HCC, cirrhosis, and CSPH treated with hepatectomy, including patients who underwent major and minor hepatectomies.
Understanding of Polydopamine Encapsulation of Hydrophobic Curcumin for Pleiotropic Drug Nanoformulation
Authors: Liu Jie , Li Li , Xu Zhi Ping
Published: September 2022

Pleiotropic drug nanoformulation promises the enhanced efficacy of nanomedicines on the market. In this study, it is demonstrated that polydopamine (PDA)‐based drug encapsulation is a potential strategy for such nanoformulation, yet its mechanism remains poorly investigated. This study elucidates the mechanism of PDA‐encapsulated Curnanoformulations (CP NPs) using hydrophobic curcumin (Cur) as a model drug via local dopamine (DA) polymerization on self‐assembled Cur NPs. The formation of PDA‐based drug nanoformulations with the core–shell structure is comprehensively investigated by controlling the key synthetic parameters, deepening the understanding of DA polymerization in the context of drugs. An intriguing morphology evolution is proposed to be the key event in the formation of CP NPs, attributing to the Cur diffusion from the core to the shell of CP NPs. Moreover, the morphological data can be used to guide the optimization of the PDA‐based nanoformulation. In addition, the verification of soluble DA polymers in CP NPs hints at the heterogeneous nature of the excipient (i.e., PDA) of CP NPs, providing a cautionary view on the long‐term safety of PDA‐formulated drugs. In sum, this study would enable the pharmaceutical development of PDA‐encapsulated Cur nanomedicines and generalize the PDA‐based nanoformulation approach for a wider range of hydrophobic drugs.
Thermal Behavior and Kinetics of Double Base Propellant Catalyzed with Green Graphene Iron Oxide Nanocomposite
Authors: Louafi Elamine , Karim Boulkadid Moulai , Belgacemi Raouf , Touidjine Sabri , Akbi Hamdane , Belkhiri Samir , Mezroua Abderrahmane , Azeri Basem , Nedjma Sakher Safa
Published: September 2022

In this work, a green approach for the synthesis of graphene‐iron oxide nanocomposite (GINC) was followed. FTIR, Raman, XRD and SEM analysis tools were all used to characterize the synthesized nanocomposite. Furthermore, the Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) method was used to investigate the GINC′s catalytic activity for the decomposition of a double base propellant (DBP). Kinetic characteristics for the thermal decomposition of DBP such as activation energy and frequency factor, were determined using iso‐conversional approaches, including Vyazovkin's nonlinear integral with compensatory effect (VYA/CE), iterative Kissinger‐Akahira‐Sunose (It‐KAS), and iterative Flynn‐Wall‐Ozawa (It‐FWO). Based on the results obtained from the kinetic analysis, the introduction of GINC has reduced the activation energy of the pristine DBP (approximately 230 kJ/mol) by 40 kJ/mol, showing that this addition has good catalytic activity on the thermal degradation of DBP. Additionally, the results showed that the critical ignition temperature is augmented from 187.1 to 199.6 °C, when DBP is doped with 3 % GINC highlighting the fact that GINC enhanced the thermal safety of DBP.
Energy Output of High‐speed Flowing Two‐phase IPN/Air in the Combustion Chamber
Authors: Wan Hangwei , Wen Yuquan , Zhang Qi
Published: September 2022

Fuel‐air cloud explosions or detonations are often affected by initial ambient conditions. A two‐dimensional (2D) semi‐confined model was established to study the effects of the inflowing air temperature and initial temperature of the combustor on the explosion process of isopropyl nitrate (IPN)/air mixture. The results showed that at different initial temperatures (1000–3000 K), the first peak pressure (P1) and second peak pressure (P2) decreased with the increase in initial temperature; the maximum flame temperature (2338–3534 K) increased with the increasing initial temperature; the explosion pressure and temperature had the opposite trends with the initial temperature, indicating that the oxygen content in the combustor had a greater impact on the explosion pressure, while the initial temperature had a more significant effect on the flame temperature. Under different incoming air temperatures (1000–3000 K), the flame temperature (∼2700 K) of the two‐phase explosion had a small difference at the incoming temperature of≤2500 K, signifying that the airflow temperature (<3000 K) and the oxygen content in air jointly dominated the flame temperature; the flame temperature was 3100 K at the incoming temperature of 3000 K, which was about 300 K higher than other incoming flow temperatures, indicating that the flame temperature was more sensitive to the incoming air temperature (≥3000 K). At 600 m/s airflow, the explosion parameter curves at the inflow temperatures of 300 K and 600 K were compared, and the critical inflow temperature of the explosion process was also investigated.
Acute toxicity, biochemical and transcriptomic analysis of Procambarus clarkii exposed to avermectin
Authors: Zhu Hongyuan , Guan Xianjun , Pu Lei , Shen Liyang , Hua Hongxia
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND

Pesticides are extensively applied globally. Pesticide residues induce calamitous effects on the environment and untargeted organisms. Public concerns for the safety of freshwater organisms and the challenges posed by aquatic contaminants remain high. In the present study, the acute toxicity of avermectins (AVMs) to the crayfish, Procambarus clarkii was evaluated. We also evaluated the potential effects of AVM on the biochemical and transcriptomic status of the hepatopancreas and gastrointestinal tract in P. clarkii.

RESULTS

The 24, 48, 72, 96 h median lethal concentrations (LC50) of AVM on crayfish were 2.626, 1.162, 0.723, 0.566 mg L−1, respectively. The crayfish were then exposed to 0.65 mg L−1 of AVM for 96 h. AVM significantly altered biochemical parameters including AChE and CAT activities in the hepatopancreas, and AChE, SOD and Na + ‐K + ‐ATPase activities in the gastrointestinal tract at several time points. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis identified 953 and 1851 differentially‐expressed genes (DEGs) in the hepatopancreas and gastrointestinal tract, respectively. KEGG enrichment showed that the gene expression profiles of the hepatopancreas and gastrointestinal tract were distinct from each other. The DEGs in the hepatopancreas were mostly enriched with stress‐response pathways, while the majority of the DEGs in the gastrointestinal tract belonged to metabolism‐related pathways.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated that the AVM induced acute toxicity, oxidative stress, osmoregulation disturbance, neurotoxicity and transcriptome imbalance in crayfish. These findings unraveled the detrimental effects of AVMs exposure on crayfish. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Cross‐protection interactions in insect pests: Implications for pest management in a changing climate
Authors: Bueno Erika M. , McIlhenny Casey L. , Chen Yolanda H.
Published: September 2022

Agricultural insect pests display an exceptional ability to adapt quickly to natural and anthropogenic stressors. Emerging evidence suggests that frequent and varied sources of stress play an important role in driving protective physiological responses; therefore, intensively managed agroecosystems combined with climatic shifts might be an ideal crucible for stress adaptation. Cross‐protection, where responses to one stressor offers protection against another type of stressor, has been well documented in many insect species, yet the molecular and epigenetic underpinnings that drive overlapping protective responses in insect pests remain unclear. In this perspective, we discuss cross‐protection mechanisms and provide an argument for its potential role in increasing tolerance to a wide range of natural and anthropogenic stressors in agricultural insect pests. By drawing from existing literature on single and multiple stressor studies, we outline the processes that facilitate cross‐protective interactions, including epigenetic modifications, which are understudied in insect stress responses. Finally, we discuss the implications of cross‐protection for insect pest management, focusing on the consequences of cross‐protection between insecticides and elevated temperatures associated with climate change. Given the multiple ways that insect pests are intensively managed in agroecosystems, we suggest that examining the role of multiple stressors can be important in understanding the wide adaptability of agricultural insect pests. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Combination effects of tebuconazole with Bacillus subtilis to control rice false smut and the related synergistic mechanism
Authors: Liu Lianmeng , Zhao Kehan , Cai Lubin , Zhang Yilin , Fu Qiang , Huang Shiwen
Published: September 2022

Background

Management of rice false smut is based mainly on chemical control, which poses many safety and environmental challenges. The other option, biological control with biofungicides, does not have such problems but is not as reliable because of low systemic ability, and lower and unstable efficacy. Therefore, it is necessary to combine application of chemical fungicides and biological control agents (BCAs) and elucidate their synergistic mechanism.

Results

A combination of tebuconazole and a proven BCA, Bacillus subtilis H158, was evaluated for control of rice false smut. Tebuconazole at low application rates stimulated growth of B. subtilis, prolonged the effective period of B. subtilis by enhancing its persistence on the surface of rice plants, accelerated biofilm formation of the BCA to facilitate colonization, promoted induced systemic resistance in rice by regulating defense‐related enzymes and genes, and reduced the natural resistance of the pathogen by suppressing the key gene for fungal resistance to tebuconazole. However, at high application rates, tebuconazole had adverse effects on these factors and showed antagonistic combination effects with B. subtilis. The combination of B. subtilis with tebuconazole at low application rates showed great synergistic effects, but at high application rates showed only antagonistic effects in field experiments over two consecutive years.

Conclusion

The combination of B. subtilis with tebuconazole had significant synergistic effects at low application rates. The synergistic effects are the result of multiple mechanisms involved in BCA, rice and the fungal pathogen. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
CYTOCON: The manually curated database of human in vivo cell and molecule concentrations
Authors: Leonov Vladislav , Mogilevskaya Ekaterina , Gerasimuk Elita , Gizzatkulov Nail , Demin Oleg
Published: September 2022

Cell and cYTOkine CONcentrations DataBase (CYTOCON DB) is a project undertaken by the InSysBio team and aimed at the development of a database that allows collecting, processing, and visualizing publicly available in vivo human data on baseline concentrations of cells, cytokines, chemokines, and other molecules. Besides manual curation, an important feature of CYTOCON is that most values found in papers are converted from a huge variety of original units (i.e., mg/ml and number of cells per mm2 of biopsy surface section) to unified units: “pM” for cytokine and “kcell/L” for cell concentration. These features of the database can help researchers facilitate the creation and calibration of quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) models. Possible applications can be: estimation of the average value or variability of the cell, cytokine or chemokine concentrations for patient groups with different characteristics, such as age, gender, disease severity, disease subtype, etc.; and analysis of correlations among the cell, cytokine, or chemokine concentrations in patients with different characteristics, such as severity of the disease.
X‐Rays in Diamond Photonics: A New Way to Control Charge States of Color Centers
Authors: Sektarov Eduard , Sedov Vadim , Ralchenko Victor , Boldyrev Kirill
Published: September 2022

This work is focused on the investigation of the X‐ray's interaction with the color centers in diamond. X‐rays have the high penetrating power of radiation, which allows performing unhindered modifications deeply in the bulk of diamond crystals. Herein, it is shown that X‐rays irradiation of diamond can change the charge states of its defects, including silicon‐vacancy (SiV) and nitrogen‐vacancy (NV) color centers. By studying low‐temperature absorption spectra, it is shown that negatively charged SiV− and NV− centers partially transform into neutrally charged SiV0 and NV0 centers, accordingly. In addition, new absorption lines are registered, which may belong to other charge states of color centers. The results open a new way for the study of charge states for defects in various crystals (not limited to diamond), as well as allow the control over the charge state of color centers for diamond‐based quantum optics.
Boron Arsenate Scaled‐Up: An Enhanced Nano‐Mimicking Mechanical Metamaterial
Authors: Grima-Cornish James N. , Attard Daphne , Vella-Żarb Liana , Grima Joseph N. , Evans Kenneth E.
Published: September 2022

Novel mechanical metamaterials inspired by single crystal boron arsenate built at the macroscale using conventional materials are presented and investigated through finite element simulations. It is shown that these mechanical metamaterials can mimic, to some extent, the properties of boron arsenate with the more robust rotating rigid‐units mechanism being excellently replicated and even made to operate more efficiently through modifications of the geometry of the mechanical metamaterial. It is also shown that not all mechanisms causing auxeticity at the nanoscale can be upscaled due to the absence of the appropriate interactions at higher length scales. This confirms that already existing materials, which have been adequately characterized and studied, can prove to be a very useful source of information for the design of novel mechanical metamaterials which can exhibit even more auxetic properties than the original material itself.
Effect of relaxation time, recovery time and extension speed during characterization of LLDPE wrap film properties
Authors: Leguebe Elora , Huart Victor , Krajka Nicolas , Pellot Jérôme , le Baillif Marie , Erre Damien
Published: September 2022

Nowadays, product protection during transportation has become essential as import–export is increasing drastically. As a result, wrapping is used to stabilize and protect the goods and must be performed properly. The most commonly used wrapping material is the linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE), either manually or through a mechanical equipment. This study will focus on the adequation of stretch film standard to wrapping and transport applications. Both manual and mechanical films were analysed. The anisotropy of the materials was investigated. Characterization of the material was focused on tensile properties, elastic recovery, permanent deformation and stress retention in order to correspond to pallet wrapping applications. It was found that both materials showed anisotropic behaviours. Standard testing conditions were found to not be described properly transport wrapping applications. Relaxation time and extension speed were found to significantly affect hysteresis properties.
Automated wall‐climbing robot for concrete construction inspection
Authors: Yang Liang , Li Bing , Feng Jinglun , Yang Guoyong , Chang Yong , Jiang Biao , Xiao Jizhong
Published: September 2022

Human‐made concrete structures require cutting‐edge inspection tools to ensure the quality of the construction to meet the applicable building codes and to maintain the sustainability of the aging infrastructure. This paper introduces a wall‐climbing robot for metric concrete inspection that can reach difficult‐to‐access locations with a close‐up view for visual data collection and real‐time flaws detection and localization. The wall‐climbing robot is able to detect concrete surface flaws (i.e., cracks and spalls) and produce a defect‐highlighted 3D model with extracted location clues and metric measurements. The system encompasses four modules, including a data collection module to capture RGB‐D frames and inertial measurement unit data, a visual–inertial navigation system module to generate pose‐coupled keyframes, a deep neural network module (namely InspectionNet) to classify each pixel into three classes (background, crack, and spall), and a semantic reconstruction module to integrate per‐frame measurement into a global volumetric model with defects highlighted. We found that commercial RGB‐D camera output depth is noisy with holes, and a Gussian‐Bilateral filter for depth completion is introduced to inpaint the depth image. The method achieves the state‐of‐the‐art depth completion accuracy even with large holes. Based on the semantic mesh, we introduce a coherent defect metric evaluation approach to compute the metric measurement of crack and spall area (e.g., length, width, area, and depth). Field experiments on a concrete bridge demonstrate that our wall‐climbing robot is able to operate on a rough surface and can cross over shallow gaps. The robot is capable to detect and measure surface flaws under low illuminated environments and texture‐less environments. Besides the robot system, we create the first publicly accessible concrete structure spalls and cracks data set that includes 820 labeled images and over 10,000 field‐collected images and release it to the research community.
Analysis for the Potential of High‐Efficiency and Low‐Cost Vehicle‐Integrated Photovoltaics
Authors: Yamaguchi Masafumi , Nakamura Kyotaro , Ozaki Ryo , Kojima Nobuaki , Ohshita Yoshio , Masuda Taizo , Okumura Kenichi , Satou Akinori , Nakado Takashi , Yamada Kazumi , Tanimoto Tsutomu , Zushi Yusuke , Takamoto Tatsuya , Araki Kenji , Ota Yasuyuki , Nishioka Kensuke
Published: September 2022

The spread of the photovoltaic‐powered electric vehicle (PV‐EV) is desirable and is essential for reduction in CO2 emissions, increasing electric range, and creating a new clean energy infrastructure based on PVs. Development of highly efficient PV modules with reasonable cost is necessary to realize a longer PV‐driving range of passenger cars. Herein, the potential of various solar cell modules for vehicle‐integrated photovoltaic (VIPV) applications is analyzed. This article shows that the use of highly efficient solar cell modules with an efficiency of higher than 35% enables longer than 30 km day−1 PV driving under average irradiance of 4 kWh m−2 day−1 without external charging. Cost reduction of VIPV modules is also very important for spreading the PV‐powered vehicles. By considering electricity charging cost saving and reduction in CO2 emission of electric vehicles, the cost target of VIPV is discussed. The cost targets of the solar cell modules for the PV‐EV by considering only electricity charging cost saving, $2.6/Wp for a module with conversion efficiency of 20% and $3.7/Wp for a module with that of 40%, are estimated in the case of electric mileage of 10 km kWh−1.
Elucidating the Factors Limiting the Photovoltaic Performance of Mixed Sb–Bi Halide Elpasolite Absorbers
Authors: Li Zewei , Huang Yi-Teng , Mohan Lokeshwari , Zelewski Szymon J. , Friend Richard H. , Briscoe Joe , Hoye Robert L. Z.
Published: September 2022

Although Cs2AgBiBr6 halide elpasolites have gained substantial attention as potential nontoxic and stable alternatives to lead–halide perovskites, they are limited by their wide bandgaps >2.2 eV. Alloying with Sb into the pnictogen site has been shown to be an effective method to lower the bandgap, but this has not translated into improvements in photovoltaic (PV) performance. Herein, the underlying causes are investigated. Pinhole‐free films of Cs2Ag(SbxBi1−x)Br6 are achieved through antisolvent dripping, but PV devices still exhibit a reduction in power conversion efficiency from 0.44% ± 0.02% (without Sb) to 0.073% ± 0.007% (90% Sb; lowest bandgap). There is a 0.7 V reduction in the open‐circuit voltage, which correlates with the appearance of a sub‐bandgap state ≈0.7 eV below the optical bandgap in the Sb‐containing elpasolite films, as found in both absorbance and photoluminescence measurements. Through detailed Williamson–Hall analysis, it is found that adding Sb into the elpasolite films leads to an increase in film strain. This strain is relieved through aerosol‐assisted solvent treatment, which reduces both the sub‐bandgap state density and energetic disorder in the films, as well as reducing the fast early decay in the photogenerated carrier population due to trap filling. This work shows that Sb alloying leads to the introduction of extra sub‐bandgap states that limit the PV performance, but can be mitigated through post‐annealing treatment to reduce disorder and strain.
Gravitational memory effects and higher derivative actions
Authors: Godazgar Mahdi , Long George , Seraj Ali
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We show that charges associated with the internal Lorentz symmetries of general relativity, with higher derivative boundary terms included in the action, capture observable gravitational wave effects. In particular, the Gauss-Bonnet charge measures the precession rate of a freely-falling gyroscope, while the Pontryagin charge encodes the relative radial acceleration of freely-falling test masses. This relation highlights the importance of the tetrad formalism and the physical significance of asymptotic internal Lorentz symmetries.
Target space entanglement in quantum mechanics of fermions at finite temperature
Authors: Hanyuda Temma , Mori Soichiro , Sugishita Sotaro
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We consider the target space entanglement in quantum mechanics of non-interacting fermions at finite temperature. Unlike pure states investigated in [1], the (Rényi) entanglement entropy for thermal states does not follow a simple bound because all states in the infinite-dimensional Hilbert space are involved. We investigate a general formula of the target space Rényi entropy for N fermions at finite temperature, and present numerical results of the entropy in a one-dimensional model. We also argue the large N behaviors with a comparison to the grand canonical ensemble.
Poincaré index formula and analogy with the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition in a non-rotated cold atom Bose-Einstein condensate
Authors: Garaud Julien , Niemi Antti J.
Published: September 2022

Abstract

A dilute gas of Bose-Einstein condensed atoms in a non-rotated and axially symmetric harmonic trap is modelled by the time dependent Gross-Pitaevskii equation. When the angular momentum carried by the condensate does not vanish, the minimum energy state describes vortices (or antivortices) that propagate around the trap center. The number of (anti)vortices increases with the angular momentum, and they repel each other to form Abrikosov lattices. Besides vortices and antivortices there are also stagnation points where the superflow vanishes; to our knowledge the stagnation points have not been analyzed previously, in the context of the Gross-Pitaevskii equation. The Poincaré index formula states that the difference in the number of vortices and stagnation points can never change. When the number of stagnation points is small, they tend to aggregate into degenerate propagating structures. But when the number becomes sufficiently large, the stagnation points tend to pair up with the vortex cores, to propagate around the trap center in regular lattice arrangements. There is an analogy with the geometry of the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition, with the angular momentum of the condensate as the external control parameter instead of the temperature.
A scattering amplitude for massive particles in AdS
Authors: Gadde Abhijit , Sharma Trakshu
Published: September 2022

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a conformally covariant momentum space representation of CFT correlation functions. We call it the AdS S-matrix. This representation has the property that it reduces to the S-matrix in the flat space limit. The flat space limit in question is taken by keeping all the particle masses fixed as the operator conformal dimensions go to infinity along with the AdS radius R. We give Feynman-like rules to compute the AdS S-matrix in 1/R perturbation theory. Moreover, we relate it to the Mellin space representation of the conformal correlators in 1/R perturbation theory.
Classical group matrix models and universal criticality
Authors: Kimura Taro , Purkayastha Souradeep
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We study generalizations of the Gross-Witten-Wadia unitary matrix model for the special orthogonal and symplectic groups. We show using a standard Coulomb gas treatment — employing a path integral formalism for the ungapped phase and resolvent techniques for the gapped phase with one coupling constant — that in the largeNlimit, the free energy normalized modulo the square of the gauge group rank is twice the value for the unitary case. Using generalized Cauchy identities for character polynomials, we then demonstrate the universality of this phase transition for an arbitrary number of coupling constants by linking this model to the random partition based on the Schur measure.
Lepton flavor violation and scotogenic Majorana neutrino mass in a Stueckelberg U(1)X model
Authors: Chen Chuan-Hung , Chiang Cheng-Wei , Nomura Takaaki , Su Chun-Wei
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We construct a scotogenic Majorana neutrino mass model in a gauged U(1)X extension of the standard model, where the mass of the gauge boson and the unbroken gauge symmetry, which leads to a stable dark matter (DM), can be achieved through the Stueckelberg mechanism. It is found that the simplest version of the extended model consists of the two inert-Higgs doublets and one vector-like singlet fermion. In addition to the Majorana neutrino mass, we study the lepton flavor violation (LFV) processes, such as ℓi → ℓjγ, ℓi → 3ℓj, μ − e conversion rate in nucleus, and muonium-antimuonium oscillation. We show that the sensitivities of μ → 3e and μ − e conversion rate designed in Mu3e and COMET/Mu2e experiments make both decays the most severe constraints on the μ → e LFV processes. It is found that τ → μγ and τ → 3μ can reach the designed significance level of Belle II. In addition to explaining the DM relic density, we also show that the DM-nucleon scattering cross section can satisfy the currently experimental limit of DM direct detection.
Prevalence, features, and explanations of missed and misinterpreted pancreatic cancer on imaging: a matched case–control study
Authors: Hoogenboom Sanne A. , Engels Megan M. L. , Chuprin Anthony V. , van Hooft Jeanin E. , LeGout Jordan D. , Wallace Michael B. , Bolan Candice W.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To characterize the prevalence of missed pancreatic masses and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)-related findings on CT and MRI between pre-diagnostic patients and healthy individuals.

Materials and methods

Patients diagnosed with PDAC (2010–2016) were retrospectively reviewed for abdominal CT- or MRI-examinations 1 month—3 years prior to their diagnosis, and subsequently matched to controls in a 1:4 ratio. Two blinded radiologists scored each imaging exam on the presence of a pancreatic mass and secondary features of PDAC. Additionally, original radiology reports were graded based on the revised RADPEER criteria.

Results

The cohort of 595 PDAC patients contained 60 patients with a pre-diagnostic CT and 27 with an MRI. A pancreatic mass was suspected in hindsight on CT in 51.7% and 50% of cases and in 1.3% and 0.9% of controls by reviewer 1 (p < .001) and reviewer 2 (p < .001), respectively. On MRI, a mass was suspected in 70.4% and 55.6% of cases and 2.9% and 0% of the controls by reviewer 1 (p < .001) and reviewer 2 (p < .001), respectively. Pancreatic duct dilation, duct interruption, focal atrophy, and features of acute pancreatitis is strongly associated with PDAC (p < .001). In cases, a RADPEER-score of 2 or 3 was assigned to 56.3% of the CT-reports and 71.4% of MRI-reports.

Conclusion

Radiological features as pancreatic duct dilation and interruption, and focal atrophy are common first signs of PDAC and are often missed or unrecognized. Further investigation with dedicated pancreas imaging is warranted in patients with PDAC-related radiological findings.

Graphical abstract