bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contribution of tillers to maize yield stability at low plant density
Authors: Massigoge Ignacio , Ross Fernando , Fernández Javier A. , Echarte Laura , Ciampitti Ignacio A. , Cerrudo Anibal
Published: August 2022

One of the main challenges of using low plant densities in restrictive and variable environments is to maximize the use of resources in better‐than‐expected years. In this context, tillering could be an alternative to increase reproductive and vegetative plasticity. The objectives of this study were to (a) characterize the correlation between environmental conditions, tiller traits, crop grain yield, and grain yield advantages due to tillers; (b) determine the grain yield response to tillering (i.e., grain yield difference between tillered and nontillered crops) for a wide range of environments; and (c) to evaluate the effect of tiller presence on grain yield of the main shoot, considering its effect on the apical and subapical ears. Tillered and nontillered crops were evaluated under rainfed conditions during two seasons (2018–2019 and 2019–2020). These experiments were carried out at 11 sites in the southern Argentinean Pampas, varying sowing date (22 Oct. to 5 Dec.), plant density (2–3 plants m−2), genotype (AX7784 and AX7761), and soil depth. Grain yield (3.2–11.9 Mg ha−1) was correlated with tillers productivity, mainly explained by postflowering precipitations. The contribution of tillers to grain yield was more proportional than their consequent yield depression at the main shoot. Tillers either increased (3 sites) or maintained (8 sites) grain yield, and their contribution increased as the environment improved without any detrimental effect in the most restrictive environments. Tillering has the potential for increasing resource (radiation, water, nitrogen) use efficiency under low plant density strategies adopted for restrictive environments.
Cell geometry distinguishes migration‐associated heterogeneity in two‐dimensional systems
Authors: Varankar Sagar S , Hari Kishore , Kartika Sharon , Bapat Sharmila A , Jolly Mohit Kumar
Published: August 2022

In vitro migration assays are a cornerstone of cell biology and have found extensive utility in research. Over the past decade, several variations of the two‐dimensional (2D) migration assay have improved our understanding of this fundamental process. However, the ability of these approaches to capture the functional heterogeneity during migration and their accessibility to inexperienced users has been limited. We downloaded published time‐lapse 2D cell migration data sets and subjected them to feature extraction with the Fiji software. We used the “Analyze Particles” tool to extract 10 cell geometry features (CGFs), which were grouped into “shape,” “size,” and “position” descriptors. Next, we defined the migratory status of cells using the “MTrack2” plugin. All data obtained from Fiji were further subjected to rigorous statistical analysis with R version 4.0.2. We observed consistent associative trends between size and shape descriptors and validated our observations across four independent data sets. We used these descriptors to identify and characterize “nonmigrator (NM)” and “migrator (M)” subsets. Statistical analysis allowed us to identify considerable heterogeneity in the NM subset. Interestingly, differences in 2D‐packing appeared to affect CGF trends and heterogeneity within the migratory subsets. We developed an analytical pipeline using open source tools, to identify and morphologically characterize functional migratory subsets from label‐free, time‐lapse imaging data. Our quantitative approach identified heterogeneity between nonmigratory cells and predicted the influence of 2D‐packing on migration.
Sulfur‐Decorated Ni−N−C Catalyst for Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction with Near 100 % CO Selectivity
Authors: Lu Song , Zhang Yang , Mady Mohamed F. , Egwu Eleri Obinna , Mekonnen Tucho Wakshum , Mazur Michal , Li Ang , Lou Fengliu , Gu Minfen , Yu Zhixin
Published: August 2022

Developing highly efficient electrocatalysts for electrochemical CO2 reduction (ECR) to value‐added products is important for CO2 conversion and utilization technologies. In this work, a sulfur‐doped Ni−N−C catalyst is fabricated through a facile ion‐adsorption and pyrolysis treatment. The resulting Ni−NS−C catalyst exhibits higher activity in ECR to CO than S‐free Ni−N−C, yielding a current density of 20.5 mA cm−2 under −0.80 V versus a reversible hydrogen electrode (vs. RHE) and a maximum CO faradaic efficiency of nearly 100 %. It also displays excellent stability with negligible activity decay after electrocatalysis for 19 h. A combination of experimental investigations and DFT calculations demonstrates that the high activity and selectivity of ECR to CO is due to a synergistic effect of the S and Ni−NX moieties. This work provides insights for the design and synthesis of nonmetal atom‐decorated M−N−C‐based ECR electrocatalysts.
The deep multichannel discrete‐time cellular neural network model for classification
Authors: Abtioglu Emrah , Yalcin Mustak Erhan
Published: August 2022

High latency and power consumption are two major problems that need to be addressed in convolutional neural networks (CNN). In this paper, the convolutional layer is replaced with a discrete‐time cellular neural network (CellNN) to overcome these problems. Multiple configurations of CellNNs are trained in a framework called TensorFlow to classify objects from the CIFAR‐10 database. Effects of the number of iterations, the number of channels, batch normalization, and activation functions on the classification accuracies are presented. It is shown that TensorFlow is a tool that is capable of training discrete‐time CellNNs. Although the accuracies of the proposed networks on CIFAR‐10 are slightly lesser than the existing CNNs, with reduced parameters and multiply‐accumulates (MACs), power consumption and computation time of our networks will be less than CNNs.
Enhanced resolution of marine viruses with violet side scatter
Authors: Zhao Yuan , Zhao Yanchu , Zheng Shan , Zhao Li , Zhang Wuchang , Xiao Tian , Grégori Gérald
Published: August 2022

Marine viruses make up an essential compartment of the marine ecosystem. They are the most abundant organisms and represent one of the biggest sources of unknown biodiversity. Viruses also have an important impact on bacterial and algal mortality in the ocean, and as such have a major influence on microbial diversity and biogeochemical cycling. However, little is known about the abundance and distribution patterns of viruses across the oceans and seas. Over the last 20 years, flow cytometry has been the technique of choice to detect and count the viral particles in natural samples. Nevertheless, due to their small size, the detection of marine viruses is still extremely challenging. In this article we describe how a new generation of flow cytometer which uses the side scatter (SSC) of violet photons from a 405 nm laser beam helps to improve the resolution for detecting marine viruses. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report where virioplankton has been detected in aquatic samples using flow cytometry with a 405 nm violet SSC instead of a 488 nm blue SSC.
Cytomorphology of spindle cell/sclerosing rhabdomyosarcoma, including MYOD1 (LI22R) mutation result
Authors: Rekhi Bharat , Dodd Leslie , Dharavath Bhaskar , Dutt Amit
Published: August 2022

Spindle cell/sclerosing rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), characterized by MYOD1 (L122R) mutation in a subset of cases is a newly described subtype of RMS. Presently, there is no documentation of cytomorphological features, especially of sclerosing RMS. Case 1: A 24‐year‐old male presented with pain and swelling in his wrist for a one‐year duration. MRI revealed a well‐defined soft tissue lesion measuring 5.3 cm, encasing the lower end of the ulna. Fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) smears revealed clusters of tumor cells with round to oval to spindle‐shaped nuclei, scant to moderate amount of cytoplasm with the wisps of the metachromatic stroma. Histopathological examination revealed a malignant tumor comprising cells with polygonal to spindle‐shaped nuclei, arranged in a sclerotic stroma. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for desmin, myogenin, and MYOD1. A diagnosis of sclerosing RMS was offered. Furthermore, the tumor revealed MYOD1 (L122R) mutation. Case 2: A 43‐year‐old male presented with a 4‐month history of “nasal stuffiness” and pressure. Imaging revealed a poorly defined infiltrative lesion in his nasal cavity. FNAC smears revealed loose and tightly cohesive clusters of malignant cells with oval to spindle‐shaped nuclei, a moderate amount of ill‐defined bluish to finely vacuolated cytoplasm, and focal streak artifact with interspersed stromal fragments. Histopathological examination revealed a malignant tumor composed of oval to spindle‐shaped nuclei, embedded in a variably hyalinized stroma. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for desmin, and myogenin. Diagnosis of spindle cell/sclerosing RMS was offered. The present study constitutes one of the first documentation of cytomorphological features of two rare cases of spindle cell/sclerosing RMS. The differential diagnoses and treatment‐related implications are presented.
Comparison of six surrogate insulin resistance indexes for predicting the risk of incident stroke: The Rural Chinese Cohort Study
Authors: Zhao Yang , Zhang Jinli , Chen Chuanqi , Qin Pei , Zhang Ming , Shi Xuezhong , Yang Yongli , Lu Jie , Sun Liang , Hu Dongsheng
Published: August 2022

Background and Purpose

Some cheap and easily used operated indexes of insulin resistance (IR) were currently available. We aimed to evaluate the association of six surrogate indexes of IR with incident stroke and to compare their predictive capacity.

Methods

We analysed data from 14,595 eligible study participants from the Rural Chinese Cohort Study. Modified Poisson regression models were used to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) of incident stroke associated with the visceral adiposity index (VAI), the Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI), lipid accumulation product (LAP), triglyceride‐glucose (TyG), TyG‐body mass index, and TyG‐waist circumference. The receiver operator characteristic curve was used to compare the ability of the abovementioned IR indexes to predict stroke.

Results

During a median follow‐up of 6 years, 786 newly diagnosed stroke cases were identified. The levels of six surrogate indexes of IR were all significantly higher in the stroke population than in the non‐stroke population (p < 0.001). Compared with quartile 1, the multivariable adjusted RRs (95% CIs) of incident stroke for quartile 4 were 2.01 (1.47–2.76), 1.62 (1.28, 2.04), 1.64 (1.28–2.09), and 1.92 (1.50–2.45) for CVAI, VAI, LAP, and TyG, respectively. Significant dose–response associations were also found between surrogate IR indexes and risk of stroke. The area under the curves|areas under the curves for CVAI (0.674) was significantly greater than for other indexes (TyG‐WC:0.622, TyG:0.614, LAP:0.606, TyG‐BMI:0.598, and VAI:0.577) (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Six surrogate indexes of IR were independently associated with incident stroke. The CVAI may be the most suitable index for stroke prediction.
Long‐term effects of artificial nighttime lighting and trophic complexity on plant biomass and foliar carbon and nitrogen in a grassland community
Authors: Anic Vinka , Gaston Kevin J. , Davies Thomas W. , Bennie Jonathan
Published: August 2022

The introduction of artificial nighttime lighting due to human settlements and transport networks is increasingly altering the timing, intensity, and spectra of natural light regimes worldwide. Much of the research on the impacts of nighttime light pollution on organisms has focused on animal species. Little is known about the impacts of daylength extension due to outdoor lighting technologies on wild plant communities, despite the fact that plant growth and development are under photoperiodic control. In a five‐year field experiment, artificial ecosystems (“mesocosms”) of grassland communities both alone or in combination with invertebrate herbivores and predators were exposed to light treatments that simulated street lighting technologies (low‐pressure sodium, and light‐emitting diode [LED]‐based white lighting), at ground‐level illuminance. Most of the plant species in the mesocosms did not exhibit changes in biomass accumulation after 5 years of exposure to the light treatments. However, the white LED treatment had a significant negative effect on biomass production in the herbaceous species Lotus pedunculatus. Likewise, the interaction between the white LED treatment and the presence of herbivores significantly reduced the mean shoot/root ratio of the grass species Holcus lanatus. Artificial nighttime lighting had no effect on the foliar carbon or nitrogen in most of the grassland species. Nevertheless, the white LED treatment significantly increased the leaf nitrogen content in Lotus corniculatus in the presence of herbivores. Long‐term exposure to artificial light at night had no general effects on plant biomass responses in experimental grassland communities. However, species‐specific and negative effects of cool white LED lighting at ground‐level illuminance on biomass production and allocation in mixed plant communities are suggested by our findings. Further studies on the impacts of light pollution on biomass accumulation in plant communities are required as these effects could be mediated by different factors, including herbivory, competition, and soil nutrient availability.
Guidelines for model adaptation: A study of the transferability of a general seagrass ecosystem Dynamic Bayesian Networks model
Authors: Hatum Paula Sobenko , McMahon Kathryn , Mengersen Kerrie , Wu Paul Pao‐Yen
Published: August 2022

In general, it is not feasible to collect enough empirical data to capture the entire range of processes that define a complex system, either intrinsically or when viewing the system from a different geographical or temporal perspective. In this context, an alternative approach is to consider model transferability, which is the act of translating a model built for one environment to another less well‐known situation. Model transferability and adaptability may be extremely beneficial—approaches that aid in the reuse and adaption of models, particularly for sites with limited data, would benefit from widespread model uptake. Besides the reduced effort required to develop a model, data collection can be simplified when transferring a model to a different application context. The research presented in this paper focused on a case study to identify and implement guidelines for model adaptation. Our study adapted a general Dynamic Bayesian Networks (DBN) of a seagrass ecosystem to a new location where nodes were similar, but the conditional probability tables varied. We focused on two species of seagrass (Zostera noltei and Zostera marina) located in Arcachon Bay, France. Expert knowledge was used to complement peer‐reviewed literature to identify which components needed adjustment including parameterization and quantification of the model and desired outcomes. We adopted both linguistic labels and scenario‐based elicitation to elicit from experts the conditional probabilities used to quantify the DBN. Following the proposed guidelines, the model structure of the general DBN was retained, but the conditional probability tables were adapted for nodes that characterized the growth dynamics in Zostera spp. population located in Arcachon Bay, as well as the seasonal variation on their reproduction. Particular attention was paid to the light variable as it is a crucial driver of growth and physiology for seagrasses. Our guidelines provide a way to adapt a general DBN to specific ecosystems to maximize model reuse and minimize re‐development effort. Especially important from a transferability perspective are guidelines for ecosystems with limited data, and how simulation and prior predictive approaches can be used in these contexts.
Functional traits underlying performance variations in the overwintering of the cosmopolitan invasive plant water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) under climate warming and water drawdown
Authors: Huang Xiaolong , Ke Fan , Li Qisheng , Zhao Yu , Guan Baohua , Li Kuanyi
Published: August 2022

Reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicate that temperature rise is still the general trend of the global climate in the 21st century. Invasive species may benefit from the increase in temperature, as climate can be viewed as a resource, and the increase in the available resources favors the invasibility of invasive species. This study aimed to assess the overwintering growth of the cosmopolitan invasive plant water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) at its northern boundary. Using E. crassipes as a model plant, a cross‐year mesocosm experiment was conducted to determine 17 plant functional traits, including growth, morphological, root topological, photosynthetic, and stoichiometric traits, under climate warming (ambient, temperature rises of 1.5°C and 3.0°C), and water drawdown or water withdrawal (water depths of 1, 10, and 20 cm) treatments. The overwintering growth of E. crassipes was facilitated by climate warming and proper water drawdown, and climate warming played a leading role. A temperature rises of 3.0°C and a water depth of 10 cm were the most suitable conditions for the overwintering and rooting behavior of the plant. Controlling the temperature to within 1.5°C, an ambitious goal for China, still facilitated the overwintering of E. crassipes. With climate warming, the plant can overwinter successfully, which possibly assists it in producing and spreading new ramets in the vernal flood season. The new rooting behavior induced by ambient low temperature may be viewed as a unique growth adaptation strategy for a niche change, as it helps these plants invade empty niches left by dead free‐floating plants on the water surface following winter freezes. With continued global warming, the distribution of the plant may expand northward, and eradication of the plant during the winter water drawdown period may be a more effective strategy.
Improving measurements of the falling trajectory and terminal velocity of wind‐dispersed seeds
Authors: Zhu Jinlei , Buchmann Carsten M. , Schurr Frank M.
Published: August 2022

Seed dispersal by wind is one of the most important dispersal mechanisms in plants. The key seed trait affecting seed dispersal by wind is the effective terminal velocity (hereafter “terminal velocity”, Vt), the maximum falling speed of a seed in still air. Accurate estimates of Vt are crucial for predicting intra‐ and interspecific variation in seed dispersal ability. However, existing methods produce biased estimates of Vt for slow‐ or fast‐falling seeds, fragile seeds, and seeds with complex falling trajectories. We present a new video‐based method that estimates the falling trajectory and Vt of wind‐dispersed seeds. The design involves a mirror that enables a camera to simultaneously record a falling seed from two perspectives. Automated image analysis then determines three‐dimensional seed trajectories at high temporal resolution. To these trajectories, we fit a physical model of free fall with air resistance to estimate Vt. We validated this method by comparing the estimated Vt of spheres of different diameters and materials to theoretical expectations and by comparing the estimated Vt of seeds to measurements in a vertical wind tunnel. Vt estimates closely match theoretical expectations for spheres and vertical wind tunnel measurements for seeds. However, our Vt estimates for fast‐falling seeds are markedly higher than those in an existing trait database. This discrepancy seems to arise because previous estimates inadequately accounted for seed acceleration. The presented method yields accurate, efficient, and affordable estimates of the three‐dimensional falling trajectory and terminal velocity for a wide range of seed types. The method should thus advance the understanding and prediction of wind‐driven seed dispersal.
Cupric Halide‐Promoted Stereoselective Intramolecular Cis‐Addition to Construct (Z)‐Chloro(bromo)benzo[c,d]indoles
Authors: Diao Hanying , Liu Li , Wang Jin , Lin Yanfei , Zhao Xiangyuan , Zeng Heyang , Shi Senlei , Gao Wei , Yang Long , Du Guanben , Zhang Lianpeng
Published: August 2022

A convenient and efficient method for one pot synthesis of polysubstituted (Z)‐halobenzo[c,d]indoles from 8‐alkynyl‐1‐naphthylamine derivatives using CuCl2 and CuBr2 as the halogenated reagents has been developed. In this protocol, both (Z)‐chloro and bromobenzo[c,d] indole derivatives can be obtained in moderate to good yields by copper halide‐promoted stereoselective intramolecular cis‐addition annulation reactions. A novel fluorescent molecule with AIE properties was constructed via Suzuki coupling reaction and its optical properties was investigated, which made them possible candidates for optoelectronic conjugated materials.
Uncertainty: Nothing is more certain
Authors: Cripps Sally , Durrant‐Whyte Hugh
Published: August 2022

This articles discusses the importance and types of uncertainty in environmental science. Uncertainty is categorized into four types, three of which are familiar to statisticians and one of which is introduced by the authors as knowledge uncertainty. The article claims that the Bayesian paradigm is a logically consistent mechanism, and a useful framework for decision makers in environmental science, to manage and quantify the first three types of uncertainty. However knowledge uncertainty, common in environmental sciences, requires more detailed thought and more nuanced management strategies for robust decision making in the environment. The article concludes with the observation that only if we acknowledge the uncertainty inherent in inferring complex quantities from data can we make robust and explainable policy decisions that build trust with the public.
Density functional theory calculations of electronic structure and thermoelectric properties of K‐based double perovskite materials
Authors: Berri Saadi , Bouarissa Nadir
Published: August 2022

Structural parameters, elastic constants, electronic band structures, and thermoelectric properties of K2ABF6 (A = Ag, Na, B = Rh, Pd, Ni, Nb, Ru, Ti) materials at zero pressure and elevated temperatures have been studied. The computations have been presented within the density functional theory using the Cambridge Serial Total Energy Package code. Special attention has been given to the thermoelectric properties of the studied materials for K‐based double perovskite materials. The obtained results are generally found to be in good agreement with the available data in the literature. Other case, our results are predictions. The calculated lattice parameters are found to be less than 3% with those of experiments. All materials of interest are classified as ductile ones. An inspection of the band structure indicated that all materials under load are indirect bandgap semiconductors. The high Seebeck coefficient is shown by the semiconductors, while metals have the least Seebeck coefficient. The alloys possess high figure of merit (ZT) values, suggesting their applications in thermoelectric power generation.
A mixed‐method systematic review and meta‐analysis of the influences of food environments and food insecurity on obesity in high‐income countries
Authors: Eskandari Fatemeh , Lake Amelia A. , Rose Kelly , Butler Mark , O'Malley Claire
Published: August 2022

Obesity remains a serious public health concern in rich countries and the current obesogenic food environments and food insecurity are predictors of this disease. The impact of these variables on rising obesity trends is, however, mixed and inconsistent, due to measurement issues and cross‐sectional study designs. To further the work in this area, this review aimed to summarize quantitative and qualitative data on the relationship between these variables, among adults and children across high‐income countries. A mixed‐method systematic review was conducted using 13 electronic databases, up to August 2021. Two authors independently extracted data and evaluated quality of publications. Random‐effects meta‐analysis was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) for the association between food insecurity and obesity. Where statistical pooling for extracted statistics related to food environments was not possible due to heterogeneity, a narrative synthesis was performed. Meta‐analysis of 36,113 adults and children showed statistically significant associations between food insecurity and obesity (OR: 1.503, 95% confidence interval: 1.432–1.577, p < .05). Narrative synthesis showed association between different types of food environments and obesity. Findings from qualitative studies regarding a reliance on energy‐dense, nutrient‐poor foods owing to their affordability and accessibility aligned with findings from quantitative studies. Results from both qualitative and quantitative studies regarding the potential links between increased body weight and participation in food assistance programs such as food banks were supportive of weight gain. To address obesity among individuals experiencing food insecurity, wide‐reaching approaches are required, especially among those surrounded by unhealthy food environments which could potentially influence food choice.
Vitamin D and parathyroid hormone in the umbilical cord blood – Correlation with light and dark maternal skin color
Authors: Wille Klara , Richard Aline , Nieters Alexandra , Rohrmann Sabine , Quack Lötscher Katharina
Published: August 2022

During pregnancy, vitamin D deficiency is associated with negative health consequences for mother and child. Furthermore, dark skin color is associated with lower vitamin D levels. We investigated 25‐hydroxy‐vitamin D (25(OH)D) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in mothers and in cord blood of their newborns depending on maternal skin color. We recruited 202 mother and child pairs at the University Hospital Zurich and measured 25(OH)D and PTH concentrations in maternal and postpartum umbilical cord blood. Skin type was self‐reported based on the Fitzpatrick Scale (type I to V). Uni‐ and multivariate methods were used to compare the maternal and neonatal 25(OH)D and PTH levels by skin type (light: I–III vs. dark: IV–V). As many as 54.5% of all mothers and 41.1% of the neonates were 25(OH)D deficient. This was higher in the neonates of dark‐skinned (55.9%) than in the neonates of light‐skinned mothers (38.1%; p = .06). The correlation of 25(OH)D in the maternal with umbilical cord blood was high (light: r = 0.85, dark: r = 0.87), with higher concentrations of 25(OH) vitamin D in the umbilical cord than in maternal blood. Regression analysis revealed that country of origin and maternal 25(OH)D concentration were the only statistically significant determinants for umbilical cord blood 25(OH)D. We observed no correlation of maternal with umbilical cord PTH concentrations; median PTH concentrations in the umbilical cord (5.6 pg/ml) were significantly lower than in maternal blood (25.7 pg/ml). The recommendation of vitamin D supplementation in newborns in their first 3 years of life should be particularly emphasized to dark‐skinned mothers.
Possible linkage between Paleolithic site occurrence and past climate change in the central Korean Peninsula
Authors: Shin Seungwon , Park Yong‐Hee , Lim Jaesoo , Cheong Daekyo , Choi Seung‐Yup , Choi Jeong‐Heon , Jun Chang‐Pyo , Lim Hyoun Soo , Lee Jin‐Young
Published: August 2022

Korea's Paleolithic sites are primarily located in riverine environments and the margins of alluvial fans. More than 100 Paleolithic excavations have been conducted in the Korean Peninsula, but the relationship between the locations of these sites and past climate change has received little attention. In this study, we investigated this relationship at a Paleolithic site in Wonju city, Korea, that contained two cultural layers and yielded a total of 336 stone artifacts. The lithological units present at the site indicate that the sedimentary environment changed from a riverine sandy channel to an alluvial plain owing to channel migration at the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 4. The alluvial plain sediments deposited during MIS 4–2 are characterized by low sand content (<5%) and two soil wedges. Most Paleolithic artifacts were excavated from the upper soil wedge, deposited during MIS 3 under relatively warm and wet conditions associated with global climatic changes (as indicated by sea level or continental ice volume) and the East Asian summer monsoon. The number of Paleolithic cultural layers increases in late MIS 3 in other regions, suggesting that climate conditions are an essential factor in the development of Paleolithic cultural layers.
MDB – Leistungsfähiges, flexibles und betriebsorientiertes Drainagespülen in Eisenbahntunneln
Authors: Heissenberger Roman , Schneider Martin , Wagner Hanns , Ferreira Christina , Schachinger Tobias
Published: August 2022

The development of a partially remote controlled and automated long distance flushing system used during maintenance is part of the maintenance strategy of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB Infrastruktur AG). The so called MDR (modular drainage flushing system railway) will come into use in the three new railway tunnels Granitztal Tunnel, Koralm Tunnel and Semmering Base Tunnel along the Southern Railway Line. The flushing system consists of the major components MDR flushing box, MDR transport module and various permanently installed components such as flushing shaft, water supply, electricity and data connection. During drainage flushing the MDR is positioned on top of the central flushing shaft in the respective crossway area and connected to the required infrastructure. With the proposed hose length of 600 m, the remote‐controlled flushing system flushes all drainages along a length of 500 m in both tunnel tubes as well as the crossways. Once the flushing process and quality check via camera inspection have been completed, the MDR flushing box is moved to the next site at the next crossway during a break in operations. During the flushing process itself, railway traffic does not have to be interrupted. Track closure is only necessary when the MDR is being relocated. In order to increase the MDR flushing box's flexibility the system should also be usable on the tracks themselves.
Oncologic outcomes of salvage surgery and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A single‐institution retrospective study
Authors: Konuthula Neeraja , Do Olivia A. , Gobillot Ted , Rodriguez Cristina P. , Futran Neal D. , Houlton Jeffrey , Barber Brittany R.
Published: August 2022

Background

Survival outcomes in recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are poor. This study aimed to compare survival outcomes between salvage surgery and immunotherapy in patients with recurrent advanced HNSCC.

Methods

Patients with advanced stage (stage III or IV) recurrent HNSCC following treatment with platinum‐based chemotherapy were included. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and Cox regression was used for multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Two‐year overall survival after salvage surgery was 68.6% and after immunotherapy patients was 24.6%. Multivariate logistic regression showed that salvage surgery was associated with improved survival without statistical significance (hazard ratio [HR] 0.12, p = 0.25). Subgroup analysis of patients with oral cavity/oropharyngeal cancer noted improved survival with salvage surgery over immunotherapy (HR 0.006, p = 0.01) and decreased survival with neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) > 5 (HR 6.4, p = 0.02).

Conclusion

Our retrospective single‐institutional data suggest that resectable advanced stage recurrent HNSCC may have improved survival with salvage surgery in appropriately selected patients, but larger prospective studies are required.
Cellular communication network factor 1‐stimulated liver macrophage efferocytosis drives hepatic stellate cell activation and liver fibrosis
Authors: Kim Ki‐Hyun , Cheng Naiyuan , Lau Lester F.
Published: August 2022

Following inflammatory injury in the liver, neutrophils quickly infiltrate the injured tissue to defend against microbes and initiate the repair process; these neutrophils are short lived and rapidly undergo apoptosis. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the principal precursor cells that transdifferentiate into myofibroblast‐like cells, which produce a large amount of extracellular matrix that promotes repair but can also lead to fibrosis if the injury becomes chronic. The matricellular protein cellular communication network factor 1 (CCN1) acts as a bridging molecule by binding phosphatidylserine in apoptotic cells and integrin αvβ3 in phagocytes, thereby triggering efferocytosis or phagocytic clearance of the apoptotic cells. Here, we show that CCN1 induces liver macrophage efferocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced liver injury, leading to the production of activated transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1, which in turn induces HSC transdifferentiation into myofibroblast‐like cells that promote fibrosis development. Consequently, knock‐in mice expressing a single amino acid substitution in CCN1 rendering it unable to bind αvβ3 or induce efferocytosis are impaired in neutrophil clearance, production of activated TGF‐β1, and HSC transdifferentiation, resulting in greatly diminished liver fibrosis following exposure to CCl4. Conclusion: These results reveal the crucial role of CCN1 in stimulating liver macrophage clearance of apoptotic neutrophils, a process that drives HSC transdifferentiation into myofibroblastic cells and underlies fibrogenesis in chronic liver injury.
Linear stability analysis of electro‐convection in dielectric Oldroydian nanofluid
Authors: Devi Jyoti , Sharma Veena , Thakur Anukampa , Rana Gian C.
Published: August 2022

This study deals with an analytical and computational study for the initiation of oscillatory convection in a rheological nanofluid permeated with an alternating current electric field using stress‐free boundary conditions. The rheological properties of the nanofluid are described using the Oldroyd model. The used model for nanofluid permeated with electric field integrates the additional effect of electrophoresis, Brownian motion, and thermophoresis in the conservation of momentum equations. The coupled partial differential equations are simplified to a nondimensional ordinary linear differential equation using infinitesimal perturbations, Boussinesq approximation, normal mode technique, and linearized stability theory. The characteristic equation is solved analytically for stress‐free boundary conditions and the expressions for Rayleigh number of non‐oscillatory and oscillatory modes initiation are determined with regard to various nondimensional governing variables. The oscillatory modes are found to occur for both the cases of top‐/bottom‐heavy nanoparticle distributions. The thermal Rayleigh number are presented graphically to investigate the influence of involved variables on the stability of the considered system. The results show that the electric Rayleigh number, Prandtl number, and stress‐relaxation parameter advance whereas the strain‐retardation parameter delays the initiation of both stationary and oscillatory convection.
Evaluation of the role of intraoperative frozen section and magnetic resonance imaging in endometrial cancer
Authors: Ooka Reina , Nanki Yoshiko , Yamagami Wataru , Kawaida Miho , Nagai Shimpei , Hirano Takuro , Sakai Kensuke , Makabe Takeshi , Chiyoda Tatsuyuki , Kobayashi Yusuke , Kataoka Fumio , Aoki Daisuke
Published: August 2022

Objective

To evaluate the accuracy of preoperative endometrial biopsy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of endometrial cancer compared with that of intraoperative frozen section.

Methods

This retrospective study included 264 patients who underwent surgery with intraoperative frozen section for endometrial cancer at our institution between 2014 and 2018. Diagnosis was determined by histologic type, grade, and myometrial invasion. Concordance rate, sensitivity, and specificity of preoperative diagnosis and intraoperative frozen diagnosis were calculated, in comparison to the final pathologic diagnosis.

Results

Preoperative and intraoperative diagnoses showed no statistically significant difference in determining histologic type and grade (P = 0.152). Intraoperative diagnosis showed higher sensitivity for endometrioid carcinoma grade 3 and other types, and higher specificity for grade 1. For myometrial invasion, intraoperative diagnosis showed significantly higher concordance rate than preoperative MRI findings (P < 0.01). Intraoperative diagnosis showed higher sensitivity and specificity in patients with and without myometrial invasion, respectively.

Conclusion

Higher agreement between intraoperative and final diagnoses, especially in myometrial invasion, suggests that intraoperative frozen section is a good indicator for appropriate surgical procedure decision making.
TCM2COVID: A resource of anti‐COVID‐19 traditional Chinese medicine with effects and mechanisms
Authors: Ren Liping , Xu Yi , Ning Lin , Pan Xianrun , Li Yuchen , Zhao Qi , Pang Bo , Huang Jian , Deng Kejun , Zhang Yang
Published: August 2022

In China, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used for coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID‐19) prevention, treatment, and recovery and has played a part in the battle against the disease. A variety of TCM treatments have been recommended for different stages of COVID‐19. But, to the best of our knowledge, a comprehensive database for storing and organizing anti‐COVID TCM treatments is still lacking. Herein, we developed TCM2COVID, a manually curated resource of anti‐COVID TCM formulas, natural products (NPs), and herbs. The current version of TCM2COVID (1) documents over 280 TCM formulas (including over 300 herbs) with detailed clinical evidence and therapeutic mechanism information; (2) records over 80 NPs with detailed potential therapeutic mechanisms; and (3) launches a useful web server for querying, analyzing and visualizing documented formulas similar to those supplied by the user (formula similarity analysis). In summary, TCM2COVD provides a user‐friendly and practical platform for documenting, querying, and browsing anti‐COVID TCM treatments, and will help in the development and elucidation of the mechanisms of action of new anti‐COVID TCM therapies to support the fight against the COVID‐19 epidemic. TCM2COVID is freely available at http://zhangy-lab.cn/tcm2covid/.
Hypoparathyroidism: Genetics and Diagnosis
Authors: Mannstadt Michael , Cianferotti Luisella , Gafni Rachel I , Giusti Francesca , Kemp Elizabeth Helen , Koch Christian A , Roszko Kelly L , Yao Liam , Guyatt Gordon H , Thakker Rajesh V , Xia Weibo , Brandi Maria-Luisa
Published: August 2022

This narrative report summarizes diagnostic criteria for hypoparathyroidism and describes the clinical presentation and underlying genetic causes of the nonsurgical forms. We conducted a comprehensive literature search from January 2000 to January 2021 and included landmark articles before 2000, presenting a comprehensive update of these topics and suggesting a research agenda to improve diagnosis and, eventually, the prognosis of the disease. Hypoparathyroidism, which is characterized by insufficient secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) leading to hypocalcemia, is diagnosed on biochemical grounds. Low albumin-adjusted calcium or ionized calcium with concurrent inappropriately low serum PTH concentration are the hallmarks of the disease. In this review, we discuss the characteristics and pitfalls in measuring calcium and PTH. We also undertook a systematic review addressing the utility of measuring calcium and PTH within 24 hours after total thyroidectomy to predict long-term hypoparathyroidism. A summary of the findings is presented here; results of the detailed systematic review are published separately in this issue of JBMR. Several genetic disorders can present with hypoparathyroidism, either as an isolated disease or as part of a syndrome. A positive family history and, in the case of complex diseases, characteristic comorbidities raise the clinical suspicion of a genetic disorder. In addition to these disorders' phenotypic characteristics, which include autoimmune diseases, we discuss approaches for the genetic diagnosis. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Carbendazim toxicity in different cell lines and mammalian tissues
Authors: Sharma Monika , Maheshwari Nikhil , Khan Fahim Halim , Mahmood Riaz
Published: August 2022

The extensive production and use of harmful pesticides in agriculture to improve crop yield has raised concerns about their potential threat to living components of the environment. Pesticides cause serious environmental and health problems both to humans and animals. Carbendazim (CBZ) is a broad spectrum fungicide that is used to control or effectively kill pathogenic microorganisms. CBZ is a significant contaminant found in food, soil and water. It exerts immediate and delayed harmful effects on humans, invertebrates, aquatic animals and soil microbes when used extensively and repeatedly. CBZ is a teratogenic, mutagenic and aneugenic agent that imparts its toxicity by enhancing generation of reactive oxygen species generation. It elevates the oxidation of thiols, proteins and lipids and decreases the activities of antioxidant enzymes. CBZ is cytotoxic causing hematological abnormalities, mitotic spindle deformity, inhibits mitosis and alters cell cycle events which lead to apoptosis. CBZ is known to cause endocrine‐disruption, embryo toxicity, infertility, hepatic dysfunction and has been reported to be one of the leading causes of neurodegenerative disorders. CBZ is dangerous to human health, the most common side effects upon chronic exposure are thyroid gland dysfunction and oxidative hepato‐nephrotoxicity. In mammals, CBZ has been shown to disrupt the antioxidant defense system. In this review, CBZ‐induced toxicity in different cells, tissues and organisms, under in vitro and in vivo conditions, has been systematically discussed.
The ideal free distribution accounts for free‐operant domesticated dog foraging
Authors: Salzer Allyson R. , Reed Derek D.
Published: August 2022

The Ideal Free Distribution suggests the relative allocation of the number of organisms foraging across two or more resource sites will match the relative density of reinforcement patches in those resource sites. This initial project sought to develop a new method of foraging research for dogs by using a commercially available treat dispenser in basic behavioral research. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the Ideal Free Distribution equation could describe the behavior of the domesticated dog in a daycare setting. Toward this end, we recorded dog behavior in a free operant arrangement on various variable‐time schedules of reinforcement. Results indicated matching occurred in the dog sample, which corresponded with the Ideal Free Distribution equation, with a slight visual appearance toward undermatching, consistent with extant literature on group foraging. Furthermore, there was a lack of bias in the current sample of foraging dogs. Implications and future directions involve extending foraging research in the domesticated dog. That the study occurred in a local dog daycare specifically highlights how practical concerns in animal welfare and/or training can be addressed in rigorous ways with strong conceptual foundations in the experimental analysis of behavior.
Compression Elastography and Shear Wave Ultrasound Elastography for Measurement of Brain Elasticity in Full‐Term and Premature Neonates
Authors: Yang Huihui , Li Huibing , Liao Jianyi , Yuan Xiaoyan , Shi Changzheng , Liang Weixiang
Published: August 2022

Objectives

To investigate the brain tissue elasticity in normal term and premature neonates using compression elastography and shear wave elastography.

Methods

This prospective observational study enrolled term and premature neonates admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University between July 2019 and December 2020.

Results

A total of 106 neonates, including 65 premature neonates and 41 term neonates, were enrolled. The elastic modulus of the frontal white matter in males was significantly lower than in females (11.67 ± 0.98 versus 12.25 ± 1.31, P = .030), but the shear wave velocity of the thalamus in males was significantly lower than in females (1.18 ± 0.13 versus 1.82 ± 0.10, P < .001). There was no significant correlation between real‐time body weight and brain tissue elasticity including elastic modulus and shear wave velocity. But, the shear wave velocity of parietal white matter (r = 0.319, P = .014) and thalamus (r = −0.268, P = .040) and the elastic modulus of parietal white matter (r = 0.356, P = .006) were correlated with corrected gestational age.

Conclusions

Clinicians may consider using elastography to determine brain tissue elasticity in term and preterm neonates.
Density, harvest rates, and growth of a reintroduced American black bear population
Authors: Alston Joshua D. , Clark Joseph D. , Gibbs Daniel B. , Hast John
Published: August 2022

Less than 30% of all species reintroductions have been successful and it is important that factors associated with success or failure be identified. Officials experimentally translocated 14 adult female American black bears (Ursus americanus) from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee, USA, to Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area in the Cumberland Plateau of Kentucky and Tennessee, USA, in 1996–1997. Since that time, the reintroduced bear population has continued to expand in size and range so our study objective was to use spatially explicit capture‐recapture methods across a wide spatial extent to estimate bear population abundance and growth. We constructed 440 (223 in KY, 217 in TN) hair traps in our primary sampling area in 2019 arranged in clusters of 4–9 traps/cluster, which we augmented with data from 138 hair traps in a secondary sampling area in Tennessee collected in 2018. We extracted and genotyped DNA from hair samples to construct spatially explicit capture histories, using spatial covariates to model inhomogeneous densities. Population abundance estimates across our 36,035‐km2 study area were 411 males and 406 females excluding cubs. Based on an initial standing population of 18 adult and subadult bears, the mean annual growth rate (λ) from 1998 to 2019 was 1.199. The mean annual harvest rate in Kentucky from 2013 to 2019 was 5.1% and in Tennessee from 2014 to 2019 was 13.2%. Based on simulations, the hunting seasons reduced mean λ from 1.217 to 1.199, but growth was rapid despite harvest. Genetic diversity was retained, with similar expected heterozygosity as in the source population. The lack of conspecifics, highly productive habitat, and an initial age and sex distribution that was skewed toward the most fecund members of the population likely contributed to the rapid growth and high levels of gene retention in this bear population.