bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal trends in geographic clines of chum salmon reproductive traits associated with global warming and hatchery programmes
Authors: Hasegawa Koh , Okamoto Yasutaka , Morita Kentaro
Published: November 2021

Geographic clines in life‐history traits are often recognized as adaptations to the associated transitional environments. As life‐history traits evolve in response to anthropogenic processes, these geographic clines can change over time.

The geographic and temporal trends of reproductive traits in Japanese chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta were analysed. Data were collected from 23 rivers located between 36° and 45° north latitude and 136° and 146° east longitude from 1994 to 2010.

We confirmed the geographic clines of reproductive traits: relative gonad weight increased in more northeasterly locations, and females had fewer, but larger, eggs in more northeasterly locations after standardization by body size.

The geographic clines changed over the years. The northeastward geographic trend of increasing gonad weight became more pronounced over time. Temporal trends towards smaller but more numerous eggs were evident, especially in northeasterly locations.

Under natural and sexual selection, gonadal investment should be constrained by the energetic demands of the cost of migration, particularly in southwesterly locations (which are farthest from the feeding grounds), and by breeding competition during natural reproduction. In addition, females should have fewer but larger eggs owing to a constraint on growth opportunities for their offspring in more northeasterly regions of Japan, which are colder and have less available food. However, global warming may mitigate this constraint on growth opportunities in northeastern Japan by increasing river water temperatures. Moreover, we consider that relaxation of the effects of natural and sexual selection on intense breeding competition and early growth conditions has occurred through domestication selection by hatchery programmes. These may have caused temporal shifts in geographic clines.

We should consider several co‐occurring anthropogenic impacts on natural and sexual selection when evaluating the life‐history traits of organisms. For the sustainable use of biological resources, maintaining geographically adapted life‐history traits during adaptation to climate change is essential. Therefore, the conservation of wild salmon populations formed by natural selection is preferable to the stocking of hatchery‐reared fry.
Dual‐layer spectral CT for proton, helium, and carbon ion beam therapy planning of brain tumors
Authors: Longarino Friderike K. , Tessonnier Thomas , Mein Stewart , Harrabi Semi B. , Debus Jürgen , Stiller Wolfram , Mairani Andrea
Published: November 2021

Pretreatment computed tomography (CT) imaging is an essential component of the particle therapy treatment planning chain. Treatment planning and optimization with charged particles require accurate and precise estimations of ion beam range in tissues, characterized by the stopping power ratio (SPR). Reduction of range uncertainties arising from conventional CT‐number‐to‐SPR conversion based on single‐energy CT (SECT) imaging is of importance for improving clinical practice. Here, the application of a novel imaging and computational methodology using dual‐layer spectral CT (DLCT) was performed toward refining patient‐specific SPR estimates.

A workflow for DLCT‐based treatment planning was devised to evaluate SPR prediction for proton, helium, and carbon ion beam therapy planning in the brain. DLCT‐ and SECT‐based SPR predictions were compared in homogeneous and heterogeneous anatomical regions. This study included eight patients scanned for diagnostic purposes with a DLCT scanner. For each patient, four different treatment plans were created, simulating tumors in different parts of the brain.

For homogeneous anatomical regions, mean SPR differences of about 1% between the DLCT‐ and SECT‐based approaches were found. In plans of heterogeneous anatomies, relative (absolute) proton range shifts of 0.6% (0.4 mm) in the mean and up to 4.4% (2.1 mm) at the distal fall‐off were observed. In the investigated cohort, 12% of the evaluated organs‐at‐risk (OARs) presented differences in mean or maximum dose of more than 0.5 Gy (RBE) and up to 6.8 Gy (RBE) over the entire treatment. Range shifts and dose differences in OARs between DLCT and SECT in helium and carbon ion treatment plans were similar to protons.

In the majority of investigated cases (75th percentile), SECT‐ and DLCT‐based range estimations were within 0.6 mm. Nonetheless, the magnitude of patient‐specific range deviations between SECT and DLCT was clinically relevant in heterogeneous anatomical sites, suggesting further study in larger, more diverse cohorts. Results indicate that patients with brain tumors may benefit from DLCT‐based treatment planning.
Time‐varying robustness analysis of launch vehicles under thrust perturbations
Authors: Biertümpfel Felix , Bennani Samir , Pfifer Harald
Published: November 2021

This article presents a robustness analysis for launch vehicles during atmospheric ascent. It is based on recent advances in the worst‐case analysis of uncertain, finite horizon linear time‐varying (LTV) systems. Integral quadratic constraints are used to represent the uncertainties leading to a worst‐case gain condition based on a parameterized Riccati differential equation (RDE). This framework readily covers certain parametric uncertainties, for example, aerodynamic uncertainties. However, the effects of thrust perturbations are inherently harder to address. They directly result in mass and balance uncertainties, and a deviation from the planned trajectory. The latter amounts to a shift from the nominal/reference trajectory that has to be accounted for. Since thrust is proportional to the mass change of the launch vehicle, the thrust uncertainty is modeled as an external disturbance acting on the system. In order to cover the deviation from the reference trajectory, a dynamic uncertainty model is added in the analysis. A worst‐case aerodynamic loads and lateral drift analysis under wind disturbances is performed. The LTV results are validated against Monte Carlo simulations of the space launcher's nonlinear model.
Chance‐constrained model predictive control a reformulated approach suitable for sewer networks
Authors: Svensen Jan Lorenz , Niemann Hans Henrik , Falk Anne Katrine Vinther , Poulsen Niels Kjølstad
Published: November 2021

In this work, a revised formulation of chance‐constrained (CC) model predictive control (MPC) is presented. The focus of this work is on the mathematical formulation of the revised CC‐MPC, and the reason behind the need for its revision. The revised formulation is given in the context of sewer systems, and their weir overflow structures. A linear sewer model of the Astlingen benchmark sewer model is utilized to illustrate the application of the formulation, both mathematically and performance‐wise through simulations. Based on the simulations, a comparison of performance is done between the revised CC‐MPC and a comparable deterministic MPC, with a focus on overflow avoidance, computation time, and operational behavior. The simulations show similar performance for overflow avoidance for both types of MPC, while the computation time increases slightly for the CC‐MPC, together with operational behaviors getting limited.
Nanosecond Laser Patterned Porous Graphene from Monolithic Mesoporous Carbon for High‐Performance Solar Thermal Interfacial Evaporation
Authors: Liu Fenghua , Lou Deyuan , Liang Enkang , Gu Yunjiao , Wang Zan , Shi Xiaowen , Bradley Robert , Zhao Binyuan , Wu Weiping
Published: November 2021

Photothermal interfacial evaporation based on micro‐nano porous materials is an effective and energy‐saving new strategy to utilize low‐density solar energy to achieve water purification, but there are still many challenges especially in preparing nanostructures toward enhanced performances. Here, a one‐step simple method is adopted by using nanosecond laser to process the surface of monolithic biomass carbon under ambient conditions. During the preparation process, the surface of biomass carbon is directly converted into patterned porous graphene under the action of nanosecond laser. This method not only provides a new way for the wide and easy preparation of graphene, but more importantly, it can be very convenient to prepare graphene‐biomass porous carbon composites with special textures and special microstructures with ultra‐broadband light absorption. The combination of the macroscopic porous feature in monolithic carbon revealed by synchrotron X‐ray ptychography together with the nanostructured surface of patterned porous graphene demonstrates ultrahigh solar thermal‐vapor conversion rate up to 98.7%. This work develops an effective way to fabricate porous graphene from biomass carbon, as well as an energy‐efficient water treatment technology toward wastewater containing complex contaminants.
Peer coaching increases emergency medicine faculty ability to perform and teach awake fiberoptic intubation
Authors: McCloskey Colin G. , Dimza Christopher T. , Stull Matthew J.
Published: November 2021

Objectives

This study sought to evaluate the impact of peer coaching as a continuing medical education (CME) modality to improve faculty performance and teaching of a low‐frequency, high‐complexity procedure, awake fiberoptic intubation (AFOI).

Methods

Academic emergency medicine faculty at a single tertiary care, Level I trauma center participated in a prospective pre‐/postinterventional assessment of a peer coaching educational intervention. Participants completed a preintervention online survey to identify comfort and previous experience with performing and teaching AFOI. The participants reviewed presession materials and then completed a 25‐min didactic session with a peer coach. Participants were then broken into dyads where they initially each practiced the procedure and then attempted to teach the procedure to their colleague. An institutional standardized checklist for AFOI was utilized to assess participants procedural competency. Postintervention online surveys were compared to the preintervention surveys.

Results

A total of 15 faculty members were recruited for the study and completed pre‐ and postintervention surveys. All participants showed ability to perform AFOI as proven by successful completion of the procedural checklist. There was a statistically significant increase for self‐perceived efficacy in performing (p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.34 to 3.06) and teaching AFOI (p < 0.001, 95% CI = 1.56 to 3.05). All participants felt more likely to attempt AFOI after a single peer coaching session and most (14/15, 93.3%) were more likely to teach AFOI. Participants identified peer coaching as more effective at instilling confidence to perform and teach the skill than other CME activities that they have experienced.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that peer coaching increases practicing faculty's ability to perform and teach a low‐frequency, high‐complexity procedure, AFOI. Peer coaching may offer an opportunity to improve the utility of learning compared to more traditional didactic‐based CME initiatives.
Fabrication and the barrier characterization of the cellulose nanofibers/organic montmorillonite/poly lactic acid nanocomposites
Authors: Li Yuan , Zhang Lu , Li Fayong , Wang Ke , Wu Xiaoru , Liu Hailu , Long Bibo , Zhao Yang , Xie Dong , Chen Junjia
Published: November 2021

The hydrophobic modification of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) was carried out via free radical polymerization using methyl methacrylate (MMA) as the monomer to improve the compatibility between CNF and poly lactic acid (PLA). Followed by the preparation of the novel nanocomposites in combination of the organic montmorillonite and the substrate. The resulting nanocomposites were then coated on paper surface using a cast‐coating process in an attempt to improve the barrier properties towards water vapor and oxygen. In addition, the composite films are prepared via a solution casting method. The water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), water vapor permeability (WVP), oxygen transmission rate (OTR), and tensile strength of the as‐prepared films were systematically measured. The corresponding results demonstrated that the WVTR, WVP and OTR decreased with the addition of a certain content of MCNF in coatings. 0.2 wt% MCNF is the optimum content, showing the best gas resistance and tensile performance. The lowest value of WVTR and WVP are 10.30 g/(m2⋯24 h) and 3306.58 g⋯μm/(m2⋯24 h) for films with 0.2 wt% MCNF added, which is 88.23% and 26.05% lower than that of PLA composite film without NFC.
Long‐Term Efficacy and Safety of Guselkumab, a Monoclonal Antibody Specific to the p19 Subunit of Interleukin‐23, Through Two Years: Results From a Phase III, Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Study Conducted in Biologic‐Naive Patients With Active Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: McInnes Iain B. , Rahman Proton , Gottlieb Alice B. , Hsia Elizabeth C. , Kollmeier Alexa P. , Xu Xie L. , Jiang Yusang , Sheng Shihong , Shawi May , Chakravarty Soumya D. , van der Heijde Désirée , Mease Philip J.
Published: November 2021

Objective

To assess long‐term efficacy and safety of guselkumab, an interleukin‐23 p19 subunit (IL‐23p19) inhibitor, in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) from the phase III DISCOVER‐2 trial.

Methods

In the DISCOVER‐2 trial, patients with active PsA (≥5 swollen joints and ≥5 tender joints; C‐reactive protein level ≥0.6 mg/dl) despite prior nonbiologic therapy were randomized to receive the following: guselkumab 100 mg every 4 weeks; guselkumab 100 mg at weeks 0 and 4 and then every 8 weeks; or placebo with crossover to guselkumab 100 mg every 4 weeks, beginning at week 24. Efficacy assessments included American College of Rheumatology ≥20%/50%/70% improvement criteria (ACR20/50/70), Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) of psoriasis score of 0 (indicating complete skin clearance), resolution of enthesitis (Leeds Enthesitis Index) and dactylitis (Dactylitis Severity Score), and changes in the Sharp/van der Heijde modified radiographic scores for PsA. Clinical data (imputed as no response/no change from baseline if missing) and observed radiographic data were summarized through week 100; safety assessments continued through week 112.

Results

Of the 739 randomized and treated patients, 652 (88%) completed treatment through week 100. Across groups of guselkumab‐treated patients (including those in the placebo–guselkumab crossover group), the following findings at week 100 indicated that amelioration of arthritis signs/symptoms and extraarticular manifestations was durable through 2 years: ACR20 response (68–76%), ACR50 response (48–56%), ACR70 response (30–36%), IGA score of 0 (55–67%), enthesitis resolution (62–70%), and dactylitis resolution (72–83%). Mean changes in the Sharp/van der Heijde modified score for PsA from weeks 52 to week 100 (range 0.13–0.75) indicated that the low rates of radiographic progression observed among guselkumab‐treated patients at earlier time points extended through week 100. Through week 112, 8% (5.8 per 100 patient‐years) and 3% (1.9 per 100 patient‐years) of the 731 guselkumab‐treated patients had a serious adverse event or serious infection, respectively; 1 death occurred (road traffic accident).

Conclusion

In biologic‐naive PsA patients, guselkumab provided durable improvements in multiple disease domains with no unexpected safety findings through 2 years.
Relative age and the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile: How do birth month and peer group age composition determine attribution of a ‘Good Level of Development’—and what does this tell us about how ‘good’ the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile is?
Authors: Campbell Tammy
Published: November 2021

The Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP) is a statutory, summative teacher assessment against nationally prescribed criteria. It is completed for all children in state education in England in summer of the reception year, when September‐born children are nearly 6 and summer‐born children are turning 5. This research uses quantitative descriptive and regression analyses of de‐identified National Pupil Database records spanning 2008–2018 (N = 6 million+). It considers how children’s own age and the mean age of their school year‐group peers interplay in determining attribution of the EYFSP ‘Good Level of Development’ (‘GLD’). Birth month is starkly predictive of ‘GLD’ attribution: on average, across years, August‐borns are 30 percentage points less likely to be deemed ‘Good’ than September‐borns. Moreover, an older year‐group predicts lowered chances of ‘GLD’ attribution for children born across all seasons. In 2018, for example, a summer‐born child in a much older year‐group had an estimated 58% chance of being attributed a ‘GLD’; a comparable summer‐born child in a young year‐group had an estimated 65% chance; an autumn‐born child in an old year‐group had an estimated 79% chance; and an autumn‐born child in a young year‐group had an estimated 83% chance. Results build upon previous research indicating that teachers’ judgements are relative, and also complement studies describing ‘moderation’ requirements forcing teachers to shape EYFSP scores into prescribed patterns within schools. The latest EYFSP revision continues to ignore the dominance of age in determining ‘GLD’ attribution and the effects of context and relative judgement. Therefore the EYFSP cannot be an entirely ‘reliable, valid and accurate’ measure of ‘child development’ as intended by the Department for Education.
Targeting lactate metabolism and glycolytic pathways in the tumor microenvironment by natural products: A promising strategy in combating cancer
Authors: Kooshki Leila , Mahdavi Parisa , Fakhri Sajad , Akkol Esra Küpeli , Khan Haroon
Published: November 2021

Anticancer drugs are not purely effective because of their toxicity, side effects, high cost, inaccessibility, and associated resistance. On the other hand, cancer is a complex public health problem that could intelligently adopt different signaling pathways and alter the body's metabolism to escape from the immune system. One of the cancer strategies to metastasize is modifying pH in the tumor microenvironment, ranging between 6.5 and 6.9. As a powerful determiner, lactate is responsible for this acidosis. It is involved in immune stimulation, including innate and adaptive immunity, apoptotic‐related factors (Bax/Bcl‐2, caspase), and glycolysis pathways (e.g., GLUT‐1, PKM2, PFK, HK2, MCT‐1, and LDH). Lactate metabolism, in turn, is interconnected with several dysregulated signaling mediators, including PI3K/Akt/mTOR, AMPK, NF‐κB, Nrf2, JAK/STAT, and HIF‐1α. Because of lactate's emerging and critical role, targeting lactate production and its transporters is important for preventing and managing tumorigenesis. Hence, exploring and developing novel promising anticancer agents to minimize human cancers is urgent. Based on numerous studies, natural secondary metabolites as multi‐target alternative compounds with health‐promoting properties possess more high effectiveness and low side effects than conventional agents. Besides, the mechanism of multi‐targeted natural sources is related to lactate production and cancer‐associated cross‐talked factors. This review focuses on targeting the lactate metabolism/transporters, and lactate‐associated mediators, including glycolytic pathways. Besides, interconnected mediators to lactate metabolism are also targeted by natural products. Accordingly, plant‐derived secondary metabolites are introduced as alternative therapies in combating cancer through modulating lactate metabolism and glycolytic pathways.
In silico and in vivo studies of the effect of surface curvature on the osteoconduction of porous scaffolds
Authors: Zhang Yun , Wang Peng , Jin Jiyong , Li Lan , He Si‐yuan , Zhou Ping , Jiang Qing , Wen Cuie
Published: November 2021

Recent evidence shows that the curvature of porous scaffold plays a significant role in guiding tissue regeneration. However, the underlying mechanism remains controversial to date. In this study, we developed an in silico model to simulate the effect of surface curvature on the osteoconduction of scaffold implants, which comprises the primary aspects of bone regeneration. Selective laser melting was used to manufacture a titanium scaffold with channels representative of different strut curvatures for in vivo assessment. The titanium scaffold was implanted in the femur condyles of rabbits to validate the mathematical model. Simulation results suggest that the curvature affected the distribution of growth factors and subsequently induced the migration of osteoblast lineage cells and bone deposition to the locations with higher curvature. The predictions of the mathematical model are in good agreement with the in vivo assessment results, in which newly formed bone first appeared adjacent to the vertices of the major axes in elliptical channels. The mechanism of curvature‐guided osteoconduction may provide a guide for the design optimization of scaffold implants to achieve enhanced bone ingrowth.
New Insights into the Substituents’ Effect on the Formation and Dissociation of Radical Anions: Dissociative Electron Transfer to Arylsulfonylphthalimides
Authors: Houmam Abdelaziz , Hamed Emad M. , Saley Michael A.
Published: November 2021

The electrochemical reduction of a series of biologically relevant p‐substituted arylsulfonylphthalimides was investigated and the results were analysed using theoretical calculations and application of Savéant's dissociative electron transfer theory. The dissociation rate constants of the radical anion intermediates were calculated and showed that upon changing the substituent from the MeO, to Me, H, F, Cl and CN the dissociation became faster. A good correlation with the Hammett substituent constants was also obtained. With the NO2 substituent the trend was however inversed. These results and the electrolysis data showed that the dissociation involves the N−S chemical bond. Theoretical calculations showed that for all investigated compounds the extra electron was hosted by the phthalimidyl group except for the p‐NO2 substituted compound for which the extra electron was hosted by the nitrophenyl moiety. Thermodynamic considerations showed that the dissociation of the radical anion of the p‐NO2 compound followed a heterolytic cleavage whereas those of the rest of the investigated compounds followed a homolytic cleavage. The above intriguing result was rationalized through application of the extension of Savéant's dissociative electron transfer theory to the decomposition of radical anions. This study is important not only for understanding substituents’ effect on the biological activity of these compounds but also on the formation and dissociation of radical anions in general.
Cancer‐Mitochondria Dual‐Targeting Glycol/Ferrocenium‐Based Polydopamine Nanoparticles for Synergistic Photothermal and Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Qu Yun , Wang Xinxin , Pei Zhichao , Pei Yuxin
Published: November 2021

A cancer‐mitochondria dual‐targeting nanoparticle based on lactose and ferrocenium derivatives conjugated polydopamine (PDA@Lac/Fc/Hyp) was constructed, which exhibited cancer‐targeting and mitochondria‐targeting ability deriving from lactose and ferrocenium derivatives due to the specific carbohydrate‐protein interaction and cationic species properties, respectively. Moreover, PDA@Lac/Fc/Hyp showed great biocompatibility and phototherapeutic efficiency. This work displays a good example of constructing cancer‐mitochondria dual‐targeting nanoparticle for synergistic phototherapy.
Prevalence and risk factors of cancer‐related fatigue in childhood cancer survivors: A DCCSS LATER study
Authors: van Deuren Sylvia , Penson Adriaan , van Dulmen‐den Broeder Eline , Grootenhuis Martha A. , van der Heiden‐van der Loo Margriet , Bronkhorst Ewald , Blijlevens Nicole M. A. , Streefkerk Nina , Teepen Jop C. , Tissing Wim J. E. , van der Pal Helena J. H. , van den Heuvel‐Eibrink Marry M. , Versluys Birgitta A. B. , Bresters Dorine , van Leeuwen Flora E. , Ronckers Cécile M. , Kremer Leontien C. M. , Knoop Hans , Loonen Jacqueline J. ,   for the DCCSS‐LATER Consortium
Published: November 2021

Background

Cancer‐related fatigue is a debilitating late effect after treatment for childhood cancer. The prevalence of fatigue in childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) and associated factors for fatigue has varied widely in previous studies. Two important aspects of cancer‐related fatigue, its severity and chronicity, are often not assessed. This study investigated the prevalence of, and risk factors for, severe chronic fatigue (CF) in a national cohort of Dutch CCSs.

Methods

In this study, 2810 CCSs (5‐year survivors of all childhood malignancies diagnosed between 1963 and 2001 with a current age of 12‐65 years) and 1040 sibling controls were included. CF was assessed with the Short Fatigue Questionnaire and was defined as a score ≥ 18 and persistence of fatigue for ≥6 months. Cancer‐ and treatment‐related characteristics, current health problems, and demographic and lifestyle variables were assessed as potential risk factors for CF via multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Results

In adult CCSs and sibling controls (≥18 years old), the prevalence of CF was 26.1% and 14.1%, respectively (P < .001). In adolescent CCSs and sibling controls (<18 years old), the prevalence of CF was 10.9% and 3.2%, respectively. Female gender (odds ratio [OR], 2.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.73‐2.62), unemployment (OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.67‐2.85), having 1 or more health problems (OR for 1‐2, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.18‐1.87; OR for >2, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.50‐3.21), and a central nervous system diagnosis (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.17‐2.60) were significantly associated with CF in adult CCSs.

Conclusions

This study shows that CCSs, regardless of their cancer diagnosis, report CF more often than sibling controls. This study provides new evidence for the prevalence of fatigue in CCSs.
Electrospun Nanofibers for Wound Management
Authors: John Johnson V. , McCarthy Alec , Karan Anik , Xie Jingwei
Published: November 2021

Electrospun nanofibers show great potential in biomedical applications. This minireview traces the recent advances in electrospun nanofibers for wound management via various approaches. Initially, we provide a short note on the four phases of wound healing, including hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Then, we state how the nanofiber dressings can stop bleeding and reduce the pain. Following that, we discuss the delivery of therapeutics and cells using different types of nanofibers for enhancing cell migration, angiogenesis, and re‐epithelialization, resulting in the promotion of wound healing. Finally, we present the conclusions and future perspectives regarding the use of electrospun nanofibers for wound management.
Activating ZnO‐Based Hierarchical Particles for Visible Light Dependent Photocatalytic Performance via Cr‐Incorporated Rapid Chemical Synthesis
Authors: Naeem Hafiz Muhammad , Tariq Salman , Moiz Muhammad Abdul , Khan Mahmood , Rehman Nagina , Basit Muhammad Abdul
Published: November 2021

Flower like nanostructured ZnO hierarchical particles termed as NSPs exhibit high surface area as well as defect free growth which makes them competent for further exploration. In this work, a simple chemical approach to incorporate Chromium (Cr) as dopant in ZnO NSPs is utilized, ensuring the combined effect of effectual nature of pristine ZnO NSPs as well as visible light harvesting character owing to the Cr‐doping. Using a simple wet‐chemical approach, developed Cr‐doped ZnO NSPs are developed having appreciable nanostructure characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, UV–vis spectroscopy, and other relevant techniques. As affirmed by the change in the color of ZnO NSPs as well as reduction in the bandgap value (Eg≈ 2.9 eV), ZnO NSPs exhibit significant increase in the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye that is taken as reference for determination of evolution of visible light dependent characteristics in ZnO NSPs. Nearly 70% degradation of RhB is obtained just in an hour which reflects the efficient photoactive behavior of Cr‐doped ZnO NSPs.
A simplified approach for including the incidence angle effect in seismic risk assessment
Authors: Vargas‐Alzate Yeudy Felipe , Silva Vitor , Vamvatsikos Dimitrios , Pujades Lluis Gonzaga
Published: November 2021

A simplified procedure is developed to consider the azimuthal orientation of buildings when estimating seismic risk. Two square‐plan reinforced concrete building models are considered as a testbed, one with similar and one with dissimilar properties along the two principal horizontal axes. The fragility of both structures is analysed using a set of ground motion records rotated to multiple incidence angles to develop orientation‐dependent fragility functions. It has been observed that, re‐orienting all records so that these structures have the same azimuth vis‐à‐vis the corresponding epicentre leads to significant differences compared to assuming random orientations. Additional results stemming from single‐degree‐of‐freedom oscillators further confirm such findings, showing a dependence to the proximity to the faults and the level of dissimilarity in the principal horizontal axes of the structure. The end results point to a non‐negligible bias in assessment studies when a structure's orientation with respect to governing rupture scenarios is not taken into account. It is shown that the median of fragility curves calculated for un‐rotated incidence angles can be bias‐corrected through shifted by an amount that depends on the azimuthal orientation and level of axes‐dissimilarity of structures.
Sandstone weathering processes in the painted rock shelters of Cerro Colorado (Córdoba, Argentina)
Authors: Peña‐Monné José Luis , Sampietro‐Vattuone María M. , Báez Walter Ariel , García‐Giménez Rosario , Stábile Franco Matías , Martínez Stagnaro Susana Y. , Tissera Luis E.
Published: November 2021

Tafoni, produced by physicochemical weathering of sandstones, are abundant in the Cerro Colorado (Córdoba province, Argentina). Many of the rock shelters are decorated with rock art of high heritage significance. This art belongs to semisedentary communities from the Late Prehispanic Period (ca. 1550–350 AP). They include morphologies inherited from more humid ancient climates combined with current weathering processes. Evolutionary relief study established that tafoni formation is a product of inherited past wetter climates. Mineralogical and petrographic analyses were performed on samples collected from the sandstones and from various morphologies, weathering residues, and wall and ceiling concretions at four rock shelters, Cueva del Indio, Ricci, Quitilipi, and La Trampa. Gypsum and other salts that are not part of the unaltered rock but the result of weathering reveal the magnitude of hydroclastic and haloclastic processes. These activities form active granular disintegration, flaking, and spalling, and impinge on some painted panels. Mapping the distribution of weathering features and processes at each rock shelter enables the planning of interventions to mitigate and alleviate the effects caused by infiltration of water through rock discontinuities, fractures, and overhangs. It also allows decreasing the accumulation of dust and minimizing muddy water flowing over the paintings. These actions are aimed at retarding the progression of rock art degradation and the visible loss of some paintings.
First record of Late Pennsylvanian fusulinids from the North Tianshan belt, NW China
Authors: Huang Xing , Wang Yue , Ueno Katsumi , Zhang Xionghua , Jin Suosuo , Chen Jitao
Published: November 2021

A noteworthy late Pennsylvanian fusulinid fauna is for the first time reported from the Qi'eshan Formation in the Eastern Tianshan, NW China. From three main outcrop sections, 19 species of six genera are identified and illustrated, among which several index taxa are described in detail. The present fusulinids are assigned to the middle Kasimovian to early Gzhelian in age, representing the youngest fusulinid fauna in northern Xinjiang up to now, which constrains the age of the Qi'eshan Formation up to the early Gzhelian. Palaeobiogeographically, the fusulinid fauna in the Eastern Tianshan was closely related to the populations from Central Asia (e.g., southern Fergana, the Alay Mountains and Darvaz) of the western Palaeotethyan Subprovince, and kept exchanging with those from the Eastern European Platform of Ural Province, given the common, particularly endemic species. The characteristic species include Montiparus ex gr. sinuosus alaicus, Rauserites rossicus, Schwageriniformis fusiformis, Triticites acutus, Triticites arcticus, and Triticites arcticus cybaeus. This palaeobiogeographic affinity suggests that the close of timing of the North Tianshan Ocean was later than the Early Gzhelian, and that the southern Urals and western Palaeotethys shared a common fusulinid fauna during this period.
Screening and management options for severe thinness during pregnancy in India
Authors: Sethi Vani , Choedon Tashi , Chowdhury Ranadip , Bhatia Neena , Dinachandra Konsam , Murira Zivai , Bhanot Arti , Baswal Dinesh , de Wagt Arjan , Bhargava Madhavi , Meshram Indrapal Ishwarji , Babu Giridhara R. , Kulkarni Bharati , Divakar Hema , Jacob Chandni Maria , Killeen Sarah Louise , McAuliffe Fionnuala , Vergehese Mini , Ghosh Sebanti , Hanson Mark
Published: November 2021

This paper answers research questions on screening and management of severe thinness in pregnancy, approaches that may potentially work in India, and what more is needed for implementing these approaches at scale. A desk review of studies in the last decade in South Asian countries was carried out collating evidence on six sets of strategies like balanced energy supplementation (BEP) alone and in combination with other interventions like nutrition education. Policies and guidelines from South Asian countries were reviewed to understand the approaches being used. A 10‐point grid covering public health dimensions covered by World Health Organization and others was created for discussion with policymakers and implementers, and review of government documents sourced from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Eighteen studies were shortlisted covering Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. BEP for longer duration, preconception initiation of supplementation, and better pre‐supplementation body mass index (BMI) positively influenced birthweight. Multiple micronutrient supplementation was more effective in improving gestational weight gain among women with better pre‐supplementation BMI. Behavior change communication and nutrition education showed positive outcomes on dietary practices like higher dietary diversity. Among South Asian countries, Sri Lanka and Nepal are the only two countries to have management of maternal thinness in their country guidelines. India has at least nine variations of supplementary foods and three variations of full meals for pregnant women, which can be modified to meet additional nutritional needs of those severely thin. Under the National Nutrition Mission, almost all of the globally recommended maternal nutrition interventions are covered, but the challenge of reaching, identifying, and managing cases of maternal severe thinness persists. This paper provides four actions for addressing maternal severe thinness through available public health programs, infrastructure, and human resources.
A unique and effective method of anatomy education: Small‐group learning with prosected plastinated specimens
Authors: Lopez Elisabeth K. N. , Johnson Joshua H. , Cunningham Elena P. , Warshaw Johanna , Baker Eric W.
Published: November 2021

Objective

At the New York University College of Dentistry, we are faced with the challenge of teaching Head and Neck Anatomy to a class of approximately 380 first‐year students. We have developed an innovative anatomy curriculum that has proven effective in facilitating students’ learning and long‐term retention of the material. It has the added benefit of being time‐ and cost‐efficient. Here, we share the structure of our curriculum and examine the student outcomes and student feedback.

Materials and Methods

In this paper, we describe the evidence‐based methods used in our course and present measures of student success. We also surveyed students about aspects of the anatomy curriculum.

Results

Our curriculum efficiently manages cost, instructional time, and classroom space, while promoting student success. Over the last 9 years, NYU Dentistry students have achieved a mean first‐time pass rate of 98.6% and an average anatomy score of 1.74 standard deviations above the national mean on the National Board Dental Examination Part I. Students agree with instructor assessments of which features of the curriculum are valuable and state that the course helps them prepare for clinical courses.

Conclusion

We believe that the main factors in the success of our course are the small group setting, the benefits of spaced repetition and frequent quizzes, and the use of plastinated specimens in place of wet cadavers.
A Comparative Study of Amide Proton Transfer Weighted Imaging and Intravoxel Incoherent Motion MRI Techniques Versus (18) F‐FDG PET to Distinguish Solitary Pulmonary Lesions and Their Subtypes
Authors: Fang Ting , Meng Nan , Feng Pengyang , Huang Zhun , Li Ziqiang , Fu Fangfang , Yuan Jianmin , Yang Yang , Liu Hui , Roberts Neil , Wang Meiyun
Published: November 2021

Background

Amide proton transfer weighted imaging (APTw), intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM), and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging all have the potential to characterize solitary pulmonary lesions (SPLs).

Purpose

To compare APTw and IVIM with PET imaging for distinguishing between benign and malignant SPLs and their subtypes.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

Ninety‐five patients, 78 with malignant SPLs (including 48 with adenocarcinoma [AC] and 17 with squamous cell carcinoma [SCC]), and 17 with benign SPLs.

Field Strength/Sequence

Fast spin‐echo (FSE) T2WI, FSE APTw and echo‐planar imaging IVIM, MR‐base attenuation correction (MRAC), and PET imaging on a 3‐T whole‐body PET/MR system.

Assessment

The magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry (MTRasym) at 3.5 ppm, diffusion coefficient (D), pseudo diffusion coefficient (D*), perfusion fraction (f), and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) were analyzed.

Statistical Tests

Individual sample t‐test, Delong test, Pearson's correlation analysis, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). P < 0.05 indicated statistical significance.

Results

The MTRasym and SUVmax were significantly higher, and D was significantly lower in the malignant group (3.3 ± 2.6 [%], 7.8 ± 5, and 1.2 ± 0.3 [×10−3 mm2/second]) compared to the benign group (−0.3 ± 1.6 [%], 3.1 ± 3.8, and 1.6 ± 0.3 [×10−3 mm2/second]). The MTRasym and D were significantly lower, and SUVmax was significantly higher in the SCC group (0.8 ± 1.0 [%], 1.0 ± 0.2 [×10−3 mm2/second] than in the AC group (4.1 ± 2.6 [%], 1.3 ± 0.3 [×10−3 mm2/second], 6.7 ± 4.6). Besides, the combination (AUC = 0.964) of these three methods showed higher diagnostic efficacy than any individual method (AUC = 0.917, 0.851, 0.82, respectively) in identifying malignant and benign SPLs. However, APTw showed better diagnostic efficacy than the combination of three methods or PET imaging alone in distinguishing SCC and AC groups (AUC = 0.934, 0.781, 0.725, respectively).

Data Conclusion

APTw, IVIM, and PET imaging are all effective methods to distinguish benign and malignant SPLs and their subtypes. APTw is potentially more capable than PET imaging of distinguishing lung SCC from AC.

Level of Evidence

2

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Agri‐residual waste, wheat bran as a biosorbent for mitigation of dye pollution in industrial wastewaters
Authors: Das Sujata , Singh Shalini , Garg Shashank
Published: November 2021

In the current investigation, a comparison of mitigation of industrial‐grade, Dispersive Dark Red (DDR) (93.55%), Disperse Orange (DO) (93.48%) and lab grade, Malachite Green (MG) (95.25%), and Congo Red (CR) (97.02%) dyes using biosorptive ability of wheat bran (WB) (efficient, economical, readily available and environment‐friendly adsorbent) has been reported. WB obtained from wheat (a type of grass plant, a major human food crop), is a waste product generated from agricultural practices. The effect of different variables, namely, pH, adsorbate concentration, incubation time, adsorbent dosage, and temperature were investigated to determine the optimal parameters for dye sorption. The influence of the chemical modification of the sorbent on its adsorption capacity was also tested, which showed a positive effect of acid modification towards acidic dyes and vice versa towards the basic dyes. For all the dyes, in comparison to the Freundlich model, nonlinear Langmuir model of isotherm has given better conformity, with maximum adsorption capacity of 11.14 (MG), 15.17 (CR), 12.34 (DDR), and 15.98 (DO) mg/g at their respective optimal temperature following a pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model for adsorption, proving it to be dependent on adsorption capacity of WB. The findings clearly suggest WB to be an efficient dye remover from aqueous solutions and can, thus, be well explored for dye pollution reduction in industrial wastewaters.
Prophylactic anticoagulation in children receiving home parenteral nutrition
Authors: Nagelkerke Sjoerd Cornelis Johannes , Schoenmaker Melissa H.A. , Tabbers Merit M. , Benninga Marc Alexander , van Ommen C. Heleen , Gouw Samantha C.
Published: November 2021

Background

Children with intestinal failure (IF) are at risk of loss of vascular access because of catheter‐related venous thrombosis. Whether primary prophylactic anticoagulation is effective and safe in preventing catheter‐related thrombosis is largely unknown. Our aim was to assess the incidences of catheter‐related venous thrombosis and bleeding complications in children with IF receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN) treated with primary prophylactic anticoagulation.

Methods

All children, aged 0–18 years, treated with HPN at the Emma Children's Hospital/Amsterdam UMC were followed from January 2007 to July 2019. All patients were offered primary prophylactic anticoagulation from the start of HPN. The primary outcomes were catheter‐related venous thrombosis and bleeding on prophylactic anticoagulation.

Results

In total, 55 (76%) of 74 patients received primary prophylactic anticoagulation. The median age at the start of prophylaxis was 8.4 (interquartile range [IQR], 5.0–55.7) months. Patients were followed for a median of 31.2 (IQR, 10.7–53.5) months, with a total of 65,463 catheter days. The incidence of catheter‐related thrombosis on prophylactic anticoagulation was 0.2 per 1000 catheter days. In total, the incidence of clinically relevant bleeding was 0.1 per 1000 catheter days. The median time to first event was 1268 (IQR, 149–2014) days for thrombosis and 389 (IQR, 227–2912) days for clinically relevant bleeding. Cumulative event‐free survival after 5 years was 78% for thrombosis.

Conclusions

Our study shows a low rate of catheter‐related venous thrombosis and a slightly elevated rate of clinically relevant bleeding in children receiving HPN and primary prophylactic anticoagulation.
Ocular Ultrasound
Authors: Abramowicz Jacques S. , Adhikari Srikar , Dickman Eitan , Estroff Judy A. , Harris Gerald R , Nomura Jason , Silverman Ronald H. , Taylor Lindsay A. , Barr Richard G.
Published: November 2021

Ocular ultrasound is an invaluable tool for the evaluation of the eye and orbit. However, the eye and orbit are potentially sensitive to the thermal and mechanical effects of ultrasound. When performing B‐mode imaging, dedicated ocular settings should be used. If these settings are not available, limiting the acoustic output to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended maximum levels is strongly advised. Especially important is the acoustic output in spectral (pulsed) and color Doppler modes, which can exceed the FDA's maximum recommended levels for the eye. Adjusting settings to decrease acoustic output and limiting the time of the examination should be done when performing a Doppler examination. The acoustic output of shear wave elastography is significantly higher than FDA guidelines for the eye and should be considered experimental.
Analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry: An update for 2017–2018
Authors: Harvey David J.
Published: November 2021

This review is the tenth update of the original article published in 1999 on the application of matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI) mass spectrometry to the analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates and brings coverage of the literature to the end of 2018. Also included are papers that describe methods appropriate to glycan and glycoprotein analysis by MALDI, such as sample preparation techniques, even though the ionization method is not MALDI. Topics covered in the first part of the review include general aspects such as theory of the MALDI process, new methods, matrices, derivatization, MALDI imaging, fragmentation and the use of arrays. The second part of the review is devoted to applications to various structural types such as oligo‐ and poly‐saccharides, glycoproteins, glycolipids, glycosides, and biopharmaceuticals. Most of the applications are presented in tabular form. The third part of the review covers medical and industrial applications of the technique, studies of enzyme reactions, and applications to chemical synthesis. The reported work shows increasing use of combined new techniques such as ion mobility and highlights the impact that MALDI imaging is having across a range of diciplines. MALDI is still an ideal technique for carbohydrate analysis and advancements in the technique and the range of applications continue steady progress.
Deep learning‐based motion tracking using ultrasound images
Authors: Dai Xianjin , Lei Yang , Roper Justin , Chen Yue , Bradley Jeffrey D. , Curran Walter J. , Liu Tian , Yang Xiaofeng
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Ultrasound (US) imaging is an established imaging modality capable of offering video‐rate volumetric images without ionizing radiation. It has the potential for intra‐fraction motion tracking in radiation therapy. In this study, a deep learning‐based method has been developed to tackle the challenges in motion tracking using US imaging.

Methods

We present a Markov‐like network, which is implemented via generative adversarial networks, to extract features from sequential US frames (one tracked frame followed by untracked frames) and thereby estimate a set of deformation vector fields (DVFs) through the registration of the tracked frame and the untracked frames. The positions of the landmarks in the untracked frames are finally determined by shifting landmarks in the tracked frame according to the estimated DVFs. The performance of the proposed method was evaluated on the testing dataset by calculating the tracking error (TE) between the predicted and ground truth landmarks on each frame.

Results

The proposed method was evaluated using the MICCAI CLUST 2015 dataset which was collected using seven US scanners with eight types of transducers and the Cardiac Acquisitions for Multi‐structure Ultrasound Segmentation (CAMUS) dataset which was acquired using GE Vivid E95 ultrasound scanners. The CLUST dataset contains 63 2D and 22 3D US image sequences respectively from 42 and 18 subjects, and the CAMUS dataset includes 2D US images from 450 patients. On CLUST dataset, our proposed method achieved a mean tracking error of 0.70 ± 0.38 mm for the 2D sequences and 1.71 ± 0.84 mm for the 3D sequences for those public available annotations. And on CAMUS dataset, a mean tracking error of 0.54 ± 1.24 mm for the landmarks in the left atrium was achieved.

Conclusions

A novel motion tracking algorithm using US images based on modern deep learning techniques has been demonstrated in this study. The proposed method can offer millimeter‐level tumor motion prediction in real time, which has the potential to be adopted into routine tumor motion management in radiation therapy.