bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Greater Frontoparietal Connectivity During Task Engagement Among Toddlers With Parent‐Reported Inattention
Authors: Joseph Heather M. , Santosa Hendrik , Fisher Nadiyah , Huppert Theodore , Morgan Judith K.
Published: September 2024

Attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder with lifelong impairments. ADHD‐related behaviors have been observed as early as toddlerhood for children who later develop ADHD. Children with ADHD have disrupted connectivity in neural circuitry involved in executive control of attention, including the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and dorsal attention network (DAN). It is not known if these alterations in connectivity can be identified before the onset of ADHD. Children (N = 51) 1.5–3 years old were assessed using functional near‐infrared spectroscopy while engaging with a book. The relation between mother‐reported ADHD‐related behaviors and neural connectivity, computed using robust innovation‐based correlation, was examined. Task engagement was high across the sample and unrelated to ADHD‐related behaviors. Observed attention was associated with greater connectivity between the right lateral PFC and the right temporal parietal junction (TPJ). Children with greater ADHD‐related behaviors had greater frontoparietal connectivity, particularly between the PFC bilaterally and the right TPJ. Toddlers at risk for developing ADHD may require increased frontoparietal connectivity to sustain attention. Future work is needed to examine early interventions that enhance developing attention and their effect on neural connectivity between the PFC and attention networks.
Quantifying the impact of habitat modifications on species behavior and mortality: A case study of tropical tuna
Authors: Dupaix Amaël , Dagorn Laurent , Deneubourg Jean‐Louis , Capello Manuela
Published: September 2024

Ecosystems and biodiversity across the world are being altered by human activities. Habitat modification and degradation are among the most important drivers of biodiversity loss. These modifications can have an impact on species behavior, which can, in turn, impact their mortality. While several studies have investigated the impacts of habitat degradation and fragmentation on terrestrial species, the extent to which habitat modifications affect the behavior and fitness of marine species is still largely unknown, particularly for pelagic species. Since the early 1990s, industrial purse seine vessels targeting tuna have started deploying artificial floating objects—Drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (DFADs)—in all oceans to increase tuna catchability. Since then, the massive deployment of DFADs has modified tuna surface habitat, by increasing the density of floating objects, with potential impacts on tuna associative behavior and mortality. In this study, we investigate these impacts for yellowfin tuna in the Indian Ocean. Using an individual‐based model based on a correlated random walk and newly available data on DFAD densities, we quantify for the first time how the increase in floating object density, due to DFAD use, affects the percentage of time that yellowfin tuna spend associated, which, in turn, directly impacts their availability to fishers and fishing mortality. This modification of tuna associative behavior could also have indirect impacts on their fitness, by retaining tuna in areas detrimental to them or disrupting schooling behavior. Hence, there is an urgent need to further investigate DFAD impacts on tuna behavior, in particular, taking social behavior into account, and to continue regulation efforts on DFAD use and monitoring.
American mistletoes: A dataset of Phoradendron species and their hosts across their distribution range
Authors: Tinoco‐Domínguez Eurídice , González‐Elizondo M. Socorro , Lira‐Noriega Andrés
Published: September 2024

Parasite–host systems are a good study model for answering ecological and evolutionary questions. In this regard, mistletoes have been increasingly studied in recent decades in both temperate and tropical zones. The genus Phoradendron is a group of American mistletoes that has been studied from different evolutionary and ecological approaches as a model of parasite–host systems. Currently, however, no systematic compilation of the plant species parasitized by these mistletoes is available. To address this issue, we conducted a thorough search and compilation of interactions between mistletoe species of the genus Phoradendron and their hosts. This involved consulting multiple sources, including monographs, digitized herbaria material, and scientific publications. Additionally, we incorporated information regarding the presence records of Phoradendron from the most authoritative databases at the national, continental, and global levels. This process yielded a comprehensive dataset consisting of two independent tables, offering information on the interactions and occurrences of Phoradendron throughout its distribution range in the Americas. The dataset includes the interactions between 159 mistletoe species and 118 hosts at the family level, 379 hosts at the genus level, and 544 hosts at the species level, totaling 2929 interactions between species of the genus Phoradendron and their hosts. This data paper represents an updated compilation of a genus of parasitic plants, with the purpose of making this database of interactions accessible for researchers to address questions at multiple scales and from disciplines as varied as biogeography, ecology, evolution, and epidemiology. We plan to use and expand this database with subsequent studies from the authors. There are no copyright restrictions on the dataset; please cite this data paper when using data from this publication. We also encourage you to contact the authors if you are interested in contributing to this database.
Tviblindi algorithm identifies branching developmental trajectories of human B‐cell development and describes abnormalities in RAG‐1 and WAS patients
Authors: Bakardjieva Marina , Pelák Ondřej , Wentink Marjolein , Glier Hana , Novák David , Stančíková Jitka , Kužílková Daniela , Mejstříková Ester , Janowska Iga , Rizzi Marta , van der Burg Mirjam , Stuchlý Jan , Kalina Tomáš
Published: September 2024

Detailed knowledge of human B‐cell development is crucial for the proper interpretation of inborn errors of immunity and malignant diseases. It is of interest to understand the kinetics of protein expression changes during development, but also to properly interpret the major and possibly alternative developmental trajectories. We have investigated human samples from healthy individuals with the aim of describing all B‐cell developmental trajectories. We validated a 30‐parameter mass cytometry panel and demonstrated the utility of “vaevictis” visualization of B‐cell developmental stages. We used the trajectory inference tool “tviblindi” to exhaustively describe all trajectories leading to all developmental ends discovered in the data. Focusing on Natural Effector B cells, we demonstrated the dynamics of expression of nuclear factors (PAX‐5, TdT, Ki‐67, Bcl‐2), cytokine and chemokine receptors (CD127, CXCR4, CXCR5) in relation to the canonical B‐cell developmental stage markers. We observed branching of the memory development, where follicular memory formation was marked by CD73 expression. Lastly, we performed an analysis of two example cases of abnormal B‐cell development caused by mutations in RAG‐1 and Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome gene in patients with primary immunodeficiency. In conclusion, we developed, validated, and presented a comprehensive set of tools for the investigation of B‐cell development in the bone marrow compartment.
Photoactivation of nano MgO anchored g‐C3N4 enhances biodiesel production in Chlorella sorokiniana: A sustainable approach
Authors: Khalifa Amany , Faried Maryam , Abdelsalam Essam M. , Samer Mohamed , Moselhy Mohamed A. , Elsayed Hassan , Attia Yasser A.
Published: September 2024

Investigating the potential of magnesium oxide (MgO), graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4), and their composite nanoparticles as nutrient sources for enhanced microalgae biodiesel production formed the core of this study. Supplementing the growth medium with g‐C3N4 and MgO/g‐C3N4 nanoparticles significantly increased microalgae (Chlorella sorokiniana) growth and lipid accumulation, culminating in a 58 mg/L lipid concentration. Interestingly, while MgO nanoparticles alone led to the highest biodiesel yield, the synergistic effect of MgO and g‐C3N4 in the composite nanoparticles improved nutrient availability and facilitated optimal microalgae growth and lipid accumulation. These findings pave the way for further research and development of nanoparticle‐based strategies to optimize microalgae‐based biodiesel production, offering a promising avenue for a more sustainable and efficient future of biofuel generation. The results showed that the addition of 15 mg/L of MgO NPs produced the maximum biodiesel yield which reached 61.5 mg/L.
Acute symptomatic seizures in patients with recurrent ischemic stroke: A multicentric study
Authors: Leal Rato Miguel , Schön Miguel , Zafra Maria Paula , Aguiar de Sousa Diana , Pinho e Melo Teresa , Franco Ana Catarina , Peralta Ana Rita , Ferreira‐Atuesta Carolina , Mayor‐Romero Luis Carlos , Rouhl Rob P. W. , Bentes Carla
Published: September 2024

Objective

Epileptic seizures occur frequently after stroke due to changes in brain function and structure, and up to around 10% of stroke patients experience stroke recurrence in the first year. We aimed to establish the risk of acute symptomatic seizures in patients with recurrent stroke.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study including consecutive admissions to a Stroke Unit due to acute ischemic stroke, during a 5‐year period. Additional inclusion of patients admitted to two centers in different countries to corroborate findings (confirmatory cohort). We aimed to compare acute symptomatic seizure incidence in patients with and without previous stroke. Patients with history of epilepsy were excluded. Logistic regression modeling was performed to identify predictors in middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke.

Results

We included 1473 patients (1085 with MCA stroke), of which 117 had a recurrent ischemic stroke (84 with MCA stroke). Patients with recurrent stroke had a seizure risk during hospital stay similar to that of patients with a first‐ever stroke (5.1% vs. 4.5%, OR 1.15, 95% CI .48–2.71, p = .75). Risk of acute symptomatic seizures was also similar (5.0% vs. 4.1, OR 1.22, 95% CI .29–5.27, p = .78). Older age, female sex, and hemorrhagic transformation were predictors of seizures in patients with a first MCA ischemic stroke, but not in recurrent stroke patients. Electrographic characteristics were similar between the two groups in patients who had an electroencephalogram (46 with first stroke, 5 with recurrent stroke). The low rate of seizures (1.5%) in the confirmatory cohort (n = 198) precluded full comparison with the initial cohort. Nevertheless, the rate of seizures was not higher in stroke recurrence.

Significance

History of previous stroke was not associated with an increased risk of acute symptomatic seizures during hospital stay. Larger, prospective studies, with prospective electrophysiological evaluation, are needed to explore the impact of stroke recurrence on seizure risk.
Wildfires, Record Heat Waves and Extreme Weather Events — The Perils of Climate Change
Authors: Cartwright Echo D.
Published: September 2024

Wildfires, record heatwaves, hurricanes, tornados, floods, power outages—the news on the climate front is worsening. Previous editorials have focused on increasing heatwaves and weather events. What had previously been record breaking temperatures has once again been broken. These continuing events are raising havoc with our electric grid resulting in more and prolonged power outages from storm damage, and straining resources as grid operators struggle to maintain grid reliability in the face of long‐duration heat events—all placing mounting pressure on utilities to upgrade systems to meet these new challenges. And the cost of upgrading systems are ultimately borne by customers.
Climate Risk Disclosure: Expanding Regardless of SEC Rule Implementation
Authors: South David W.
Published: September 2024

The regulatory requirements, frameworks and tools for climate risk disclosure and reporting have been expanding at an exponential pace. Beginning in the early 1970's the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) required companies to disclose the financial impact of—and risks associated with—compliance with environmental laws based on the concept of “materiality.” Then in 2010, as a result of investor pressure regarding the financial risks of climate change, the SEC issued voluntary guidance to clarify when the impacts of climate change may trigger disclosure obligations.1 As a result of the Paris Agreement in 2015 there was an international focus on climate change and a simultaneous increase in pressure on businesses to be more accountable for their climate and environmental policies. This translated into a rise in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and sustainability reports developed by companies in an to attempt to showcase their green initiatives.
The Man Van: A pilot study of using mobile targeted case‐finding to address health inequalities in prostate cancer
Authors: Moghul Masood , Tran Amina , Croft Fionnuala , Kinsella Netty , Peckitt Clare , Cahill Declan , James Nicholas D.
Published: September 2024

Early diagnosis remains a major limitation of cancer outcomes with ethnicity and deprivation being determinants of inequalities that impact outcomes. Prostate cancer suffers from lower incidence rates and higher mortality rates in the most deprived versus the least deprived groups. We developed the ‘Man Van’ to enable high‐risk male patients' from deprived communities and ethnic minorities increased access to health care to address these health inequalities. Between December 2021 and December 2022 the Man Van project was piloted in eight different locations chosen using geospatial targeting based on ethnic minority populations and deprivation scores. The primary outcome measures were the prevalence of prostate cancer and other health conditions. 810 men were recruited to be seen at our Man Van clinics with 610 men attending. 48% of attendees were non‐White including 30% of men who were Black. 420 men had PSA tests performed with a median PSA of 1 μg/L. 15 prostate cancers were diagnosed (3.6%; 95% CI 2.0–5.9) with 10 of these being clinically significant disease. Black men were more likely to be diagnosed compared to white men: 7.1% versus 1.8% (p < .05). The Man Van project is a novel approach to tackling health inequalities combining awareness raising, improved access to healthcare as well as ease of follow‐up. Comparatively high levels of prostate cancers were diagnosed at early stages and high levels of other health conditions were found which could improve the economic value of the service.
Integrating Multi‐Scale Feature Boundary Module and Feature Fusion With CNN for Accurate Skin Cancer Segmentation and Classification
Authors: Malaiarasan S. , Ravi R.
Published: September 2024

The skin, a crucial organ, plays a protective role in the human body, emphasizing the significance of early detection of skin diseases to prevent potential progression to skin cancer. The challenge lies in diagnosing these diseases at their early stages, where visual resemblance complicates differentiation, highlighting the need for an innovative automated method for precisely identifying skin lesions in biomedical images. This paper introduces a holistic methodology that combines DenseNet, multi‐scale feature boundary module (MFBM), and feature fusion and decoding engine (FFDE) to tackle challenges in existing deep‐learning image segmentation methods. Furthermore, a convolutional neural network model is designed for the classification of segmented images. The DenseNet encoder efficiently extracts features at four resolution levels, leveraging dense connectivity to capture intricate hierarchical features. The proposed MFBM plays a crucial role in extracting boundary information, employing parallel dilated convolutions with various dilation rates for effective multi‐scale information capture. To overcome potential disadvantages related to the conversion of features during segmentation, our approach ensures the preservation of context features. The proposed FFDE method adaptively fuses features from different levels, restoring skin lesion location information while preserving local details. The evaluation of the model is conducted on the HAM10000 dataset, which consists of 10 015 dermoscopy images, yielding promising results.
Noncontact Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy of Synovial Fluid Samples for Rapid Identification of Infections
Authors: Drewke Erin E. , Brand Robert L. , Geels Caroline G. , Jensen Hanna K. , Wong Kevin , Sanders Jarret D. , Rajaram Narasimhan
Published: September 2024

Severe joint infections, such as septic arthritis, require rapid diagnostic testing of the synovial fluid aspirated from joints level so that a surgical team can be assembled quickly. We present a diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) system for noncontact determination of infection. Using a light‐tight syringe holder and fiber optic probe, diffusely reflected light from 475 to 655 nm was acquired from 18 patient samples through the wall of a syringe in a noncontact and sterile manner. We determined the reflectance ratios at two different wavelengths—R
490/R
600 and R
580/R
600 and found statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in both ratios between the infected and noninfected groups. Critically, the R
490/R
600 and R
580/R
600 ratios were significantly correlated with clinical biomarkers—the white blood cell (WBC) and red blood cell (RBC) counts, respectively. This study demonstrates the potential of DRS as a rapid diagnostic tool for joint infections.
Effects of combustible cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems on immune cell‐driven inflammation: Evidences from diabetic patients and multiple low dose streptozotocin‐treated diabetic mice
Authors: Kastratovic Nikolina , Arsenijevic Aleksandar , Harrell Carl Randall , Mladenovic Violeta , Djukic Aleksandar , Volarevic Ana , Jovanovic Dalibor , Zdravkovic Marija , Macut Jelica Bjekic , Djonov Valentin , Volarevic Vladislav
Published: September 2024

Considering detrimental impacts of combustible cigarettes (CCs) on the exacerbation of diabetes mellitus (DM), a significant number of DM patients have substituted CCs with electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). Herewith, we compared CCs and ENDS‐dependent modulation of immune cell‐driven inflammation in DM patients who used ENDS (DMENDS), CCs (DMCC) or were non‐smokers (DMAIR), paving the way for the better understanding of ENDS‐induced biological effects. Multiple low dose streptozotocin (MLD‐STZ)‐induced mice model of DM was used to support clinical findings. Both CCs and ENDS aggravated MLD‐STZ‐induced DM. Pancreatic injury and inflammation were more severe in CC‐exposed than in ENDS‐exposed diabetic mice. CCs promoted activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, enhanced production of inflammatory cytokines in neutrophils, macrophages and remarkably improved antigen presenting capacity of dendritic cells which resulted in the expansion of TNF‐α, IFN‐γ and IL‐17‐producing Th1 and Th17 lymphocytes, NK and NKT cells. Compared to CCs, ENDS more intensively promoted expansion of FoxP3‐expressing, IL‐10‐producing NK and NKT cells and triggered less intense systemic inflammatory response in diabetic animals. Similar findings were observed in DM patients. The highest numbers of inflammatory, TNF‐α and IL‐1β‐producing neutrophils and monocytes, TNF‐α and IFN‐γ‐producing T lymphocytes, NK and NKT cells were determined in the blood of DMCC patients, while total number of immunosuppressive, TGF‐β‐producing CD3 + CD4 + T cells was the highest in the blood of DMENDS patients. In conclusion, although both CC and ENDS aggravate on‐going inflammation in DM, ENDS have weaker capacity to induce production of inflammatory cytokines in immune cells than CCs.
Amniotic‐umbilical‐to‐cerebral ratio, a Doppler index for estimating adverse perinatal outcomes in fetal growth restriction
Authors: Seyhanli Zeynep , Bayraktar Burak , Karabay Gulsan , Agaoglu Recep Taha , Ulusoy Can Ozan , Aktemur Gizem , Cakir Betul Tokgoz , Bucak Mevlut , Yucel Kadriye Yakut
Published: September 2024

Objective

To evaluate amniotic fluid volume with Doppler parameters and its association with composite adverse perinatal outcomes (CAPOs) in fetal growth restriction (FGR).

Materials and Methods

This study was conducted prospectively in a tertiary referral center between 2023 and 2024 on pregnant women diagnosed with early‐ and late‐onset FGR. Fetal ultrasonographic measurements, including deepest vertical pocket (DVP) for amniotic fluid, and Doppler parameters including uterine artery (UtA) systolic/diastolic (S/D) and pulsatility index (PI), middle cerebral artery (MCA) S/D and PI, and umbilical artery (UA) S/D and PI, were conducted following fetal biometry. The cerebroplacental ratio (CPR), cerebral ratio, cerebro‐placental‐uterine ratio (CPUR), and amniotic‐umbilical‐to‐cerebral ratio (AUCR) were all calculated. Pregnant women diagnosed with FGR were planned to give birth after 37 weeks' gestation, unless a pregnancy complication requiring earlier delivery occurred. We assessed perinatal outcomes subsequent to delivery, with CAPOs defined as the presence of at least one adverse outcome: 5th minute APGAR score <7, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), umbilical cord blood pH <7.2, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission.

Results

The study included 132 participants, divided into early‐ (n = 32) and late‐onset FGR (n = 100) groups. AUCR was significantly lower in fetuses with late‐onset FGR who experienced CAPOs. Multivariate analysis showed gestational age at birth and birth weight were significant predictors of CAPOs in early‐onset FGR, while gestational age, birth weight, and AUCR were significant predictors in late‐onset FGR. CPR, UCR, and CPUR did not show significance in predicting CAPOs in both early‐ and late‐onset FGR on multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

AUCR is a potential reliable marker for predicting adverse perinatal outcomes in late‐onset FGR.
Integrating artificial intelligence (S‐Detect software) and contrast‐enhanced ultrasound for enhanced diagnosis of thyroid nodules: A comprehensive evaluation study
Authors: Zou Lu‐Lu , Zhang Qi , Yao Zhi , He Yong , Zhou Jun
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study aims to assess the diagnostic efficacy of Korean Thyroid imaging reporting and data system (K‐TIRADS), S‐Detect software and contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) when employed individually, as well as their combined application, for the evaluation of thyroid nodules, with the objective of identifying the optimal method for diagnosing thyroid nodules.

Methods

Two hundred and sixty eight cases pathologically proven of thyroid nodules were retrospectively enrolled. Each nodule was classified according to K‐TIRADS. S‐Detect software was utilized for intelligent analysis. CEUS was employed to acquire contrast‐enhanced features.

Results

The area under curve (AUC) values for diagnosing benign and malignant thyroid nodules using K‐TIRADS alone, S‐Detect software alone, CEUS alone, the combined application of K‐TIRADS and CEUS, the combined application of S‐Detect software and CEUS were 0.668, 0.668, 0.719, 0.741, and 0.759, respectively (p < 0.001). The sensitivity rate of S‐Detect software was 89.9% (p < 0.001). It was the highest of the five diagnostic methods above.

Conclusion

The utilization of S‐Detect software can be served as a powerful tool for early screening. Notably, the combined utilization of S‐Detect software with CEUS demonstrates superior diagnostic performance compared to employing K‐TIRADS, S‐Detect software, CEUS used individually, as well as the combined application of K‐TIRADS with CEUS.
Vitamin E‐stabilized polyethylene shows similar survival rates at minimum 7‐year follow‐up compared to conventional polyethylene in primary total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Bistolfi Alessandro , Spezia Marco , Cipolla Alessandra , Bonera Monica , Mellano Danilo , Banci Lorenzo , Colombo Marta , Massè Alessandro
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to compare survival, clinical and radiographic results of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with vitamin E‐stabilized polyethylene (VEPE) or conventional polyethylene (CPE) at a minimum of 7‐year follow‐up.

Methods

Patients who underwent primary TKA between 2011 and 2015, receiving the same cemented rotating platform knee design with VEPE or CPE tibial inserts, were identified. Patients were contacted for clinical and radiographic follow‐up. American Knee Society Score (KSS), Forgotten Joint Score (FJS‐12), presence of periprosthetic radiolucent lines (RLLs) and osteolysis were evaluated at the last follow‐up. Any revision, reintervention or other complications were recorded.

Results

Among 350 TKAs initially identified, 102 VEPE and 97 CPE knees were included for analysis with mean follow‐up of 8.5 and 8.3 years, respectively. No significant difference was found in survival rates at 10‐year follow‐up with revision due to aseptic loosening (95.0% vs. 97.8%, p = 0.29) or due to any reason (87.6% vs. 89.6%, p = 0.78) between VEPE and CPE TKA. KSS function score resulted significantly higher in the VEPE group over CPE (77 vs. 63, p = 0.01). RLLs were more frequent in VEPE than CPE (54% vs. 32%, p = 0.05), mainly noticed medially and posteriorly beneath the tibial plate, adjacent to the trochlear shield and the posterior condyles. Osteolysis was observed in one knee per group, but patients were asymptomatic with stable implants.

Conclusion

TKA with VEPE and CPE tibial inserts showed comparable survival rates, complications and clinical and radiographic results up to 10‐year follow‐up.

Level of Evidence

Level III.
Exploring the potential of in vitro extracellular vesicle generation in reproductive biology
Authors: Franko Roksan , de Almeida Monteiro Melo Ferraz Marcia
Published: September 2024

The interest in the growing field of extracellular vesicle (EV) research highlights their significance in intercellular signalling and the selective transfer of biological information between donor and recipient cells. EV studies have provided valuable insights into intercellular communication mechanisms, signal identification and their involvement in disease states, offering potential avenues for manipulating pathological conditions, detecting biomarkers and developing drug‐delivery systems. While our understanding of EV functions in reproductive tissues has significantly progressed, exploring their potential as biomarkers for infertility, therapeutic interventions and enhancements in assisted reproductive technologies remains to be investigated. This knowledge gap stems partly from the difficulties associated with large‐scale EV production relevant to clinical applications. Most existing studies on EV production rely on conventional 2D cell culture systems, characterized by suboptimal EV yields and a failure to replicate in vivo conditions. This results in the generation of EVs that differ from their in vivo counterparts. Hence, this review firstly delves into the importance of EVs in reproduction to then expand on current techniques for in vitro EV production, specifically examining diverse methods of culture and the potential of bioengineering technologies to establish innovative systems for enhanced EV production.
Levelling the field: A review of the ICT revolution and agricultural extension in the Global South
Authors: Khan Rashid Parvez , Gupta Saurabh , Daum Thomas , Birner Regina , Ringler Claudia
Published: September 2024

Information and communications technology has evolved significantly over the last seven decades, beginning with radio and video vans and culminating in the rise of smartphones and mobile internet in remote areas of the Global South. While ICT is an integral part of agricultural extension, little is known about how these changes have influenced agricultural extension practices. After a systematic review of 131 papers, we find that changes in ICT have shaped agricultural extension, enabling a shift from linear dissemination and “one‐way communication” to co‐innovation and farmer‐to‐farmer learning. The results indicate the potential for smartphones and mobile internet to democratize agricultural extension.
The effect of recombinant zoster vaccine on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases: A multi‐institutional propensity score‐matched cohort study
Authors: Tsai Ya‐Wen , Zhang Bin , Wu Jheng‐Yan , Hsu Wan‐Hsuan , Liu Ting‐Hui , Chuang Min‐Hsiang , Huang Po‐Yu , Lai Chih‐Cheng
Published: September 2024

Although the recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) has demonstrated efficacy in reducing the risk of herpes zoster (HZ) for individuals aged 50 years and older, its effectiveness in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains uncertain. This study was conducted to assess the effect of RZV on the risk of HZ in COPD patients. A multi‐institutional propensity score‐matched retrospective cohort study was conducted using the TriNetX Research network, including individuals aged 40 years or older with COPD from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2022. Patients with a history of HZ or prior zoster vaccination were excluded. The primary outcome was HZ occurrence, with secondary outcomes including severe and nonsevere HZ. After propensity score matching, each 17 431 patients receiving RZV and unvaccinated patients were included. The vaccinated group had a significantly lower risk of HZ compared to the unvaccinated group (HR, 0.62; [95% confidence intervals] 95% CI, 0.51–0.75, p < 0.01). Similar risk reductions were observed for nonsevere HZ (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 049–0.75, p < 0.01) and severe HZ (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.38–0.73, p < 0.01). Further subgroup analyses demonstrated consistent risk reductions across age (50–59, 60–69, 70–79, and ≥80 years), sex, and comorbidities, except for individual aged 40–49 years. This study confirms the effectiveness of RZV in reducing HZ risk in patients with COPD aged 50 years and older, supporting its administration in this population. However, vaccination rates remain low, highlighting the need for improved vaccination strategies in this high‐risk group. Efforts to enhance vaccine uptake are warranted to reduce HZ morbidity.
A millimeter‐wave ultra‐wideband triplexer with high isolation and high power
Authors: Li Dong , Wei Zhouyang , Wang Maoyan , Hong Zhenyu , Wei Boqi , Lin Juntao , Sun Lijie , Xu Jun , Zhang Xiaochuan
Published: September 2024

This paper provides a compact, noncontiguous, high isolation, manifold triplexer operating from 25.8 to 49.5 GHz, a 62.95% wide fractional operating bandwidth. The triplexer is composed of three waveguide bandpass filters with Chebyshev responses. The initialization and loop optimization strategy of the triplexer are given. To eliminate undesired high‐order mode transmission between common port and filters, ridged‐waveguide topology, tuning screws, capacitive windows, and narrowing the wide edges of resonant cavities for the third filter are employed. The measured results and simulated ones are in good agreement. To our knowledge, this is the most broadband, high‐power triplexer demonstrated to date.
Immune Cells Promote BDNF Expression by Infiltrated Macrophages via Interleukin 4 in the Cerebral Ischemia of Male Rats
Authors: Li Xiaobo , Guan Yunqian , Chen Danni , Li Jiyu , Yu Wenxiu , Zou Haiqiang , Liu Bochao , Chen Ling , Chen Zhiguo
Published: September 2024

We reported that infiltrated Ly6C+ macrophages express brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) only at the cerebral cortex infarct in a rat dMCAO model. However, the changein neuron‐expressed BDNF, the niche components that induce the Ly6C+ cells to express BDNF, and the cellular sources of these components, remain unclear. In this study, immunofluorescence double staining was performed to label BDNF and Ly6C on brain sections at 3, 24, and 48 h following distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (dMCAO) of male rats, and to stain BDNF with Ly6C, IL‐4R, and IL‐10R. A neutralizing anti‐IL‐4 antibody was injected into the infarct, and the IL‐4 and BDNF concentrations in the subareas of the infarct were determined using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. To find out the cellular sources of IL‐4, the markers for microglia, T cells, and neurons were co‐stained with IL‐4 separately. In certain infarct subareas, the main BDNF‐expressing cells shifted quickly from NeuN+ neurons to Ly6C+ cells during 24–48 h post‐stroke, and the Ly6C+/BDNF+ cells mostly expressed IL‐4 receptor. Following IL‐4 neutralizing antibody injection, the BDNF, IL‐4 protein levels, and BDNF+/Ly6C+ cells decreased significantly. The main IL‐4‐expressing cell type in this infarct subarea is not neuron either, but immune cells, including microglia, monocyte, macrophages, and T cells. The neurons, maintained BDNF and IL‐4 expression in the peri‐infarct area. In conclusion, in a specific cerebral subarea of the rat dMCAO model, IL‐4 secreted by immune cells is one of the main inducers for Ly6C+ cells to express BDNF.
Links between the Botswana High and drought modes over southern Africa
Authors: Maoyi Molulaqhooa L. , Abiodun Babatunde J.
Published: September 2024

Drought is one of the most devastating threats to the livelihoods of the southern African population, who mainly rely on rain‐fed agriculture for income. Previous studies have highlighted that the Botswana High influences drought over the region; however, its influence on the spatial modes of drought remains unknown. This study examines the spatiotemporal structures of drought modes (DMs) over southern Africa and their link with the Botswana High in observation, reanalysis and Model for Prediction Across Scales (MPAS). To characterize droughts, the study uses the 3‐month scale standardized precipitation index (SPI) and the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI). Spatiotemporal characteristics of the DMs are identified using empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis on SPI and SPEI. EOF analysis is also used to identify the spatiotemporal characteristics of the Botswana High. The relationship between each DM and the Botswana High is quantified using correlation and R2 analysis. In all the datasets (Climate Research Unit (CRU), European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts version 5 (ERA5), 20th Century reanalysis II (20C) and MPAS), the most dominant five DMs (hereafter DM1–DM5) over southern Africa jointly explain more than 60% of the interannual variability in the 3‐month scale summer droughts for SPEI and SPI. CRU, ERA5 and MPAS agree that the Botswana High correlates with the interannual variability of DM1, with a stronger correlation in ERA5 (r = −0.85) compared to MPAS (r = −0.42) and CRU (r = −0.35). Additionally, wet years (+ve SPEI and SPI) are characterized by a weak Botswana High and drought years (−ve SPEI and SPI) by a strong Botswana High. The wet and dry years correspond to the −ve and +ve phases of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), respectively. Given this, the results of this study suggest that the Botswana High might be a teleconnection pattern through which ENSO signals influence DM1 over the region.
Anemia secondary to copper deficiency in a child receiving gastrojejunal feeds: A case report
Authors: Sabir Sarah , Jain Megha , Goyal Meenakshi , Teitelbaum Jonathan E. , Guli Katelyn
Published: September 2024

Pediatric macrocytic anemia has a varied etiology, including nutritional deficiencies, such as folate or B12 deficiency, hematological factors, and micronutrient deficiencies, such as copper deficiency. We present the case of a 9‐year‐old girl with a complex medical history and gastrojejunal tube (G‐J tube)‐dependent nutrition who developed macrocytic anemia due to copper deficiency. Despite receiving enteral nutrition, her dietary copper intake was insufficient, leading to hematological abnormalities. Copper supplementation resulted in the normalization of hematological indices, highlighting the importance of considering trace element deficiencies in patients reliant on enteral nutrition, particularly in those receiving jejunal feeds. This case underscores the necessity for vigilant monitoring and optimized micronutrient supplementation in such patients given the lack of standardized guidelines for copper supplementation.
Oil‐in‐water emulsion activity and stability of short‐term retrograded starches depend on starch molecular size, amylose content, and amylopectin chain length
Authors: Li Songnan , Feng Duo , Xiao Xue , Li Enpeng , Wang Jun , Li Cheng
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND

Natural emulsifiers are increasingly preferred by the food industry to meet consumers' demand for ‘clean‐label’ emulsion products. In the present study, 10 short‐term retrograded starches with unique molecular structures were explored to examine the relationships between starch structures and their ability to form stable oil‐in‐water emulsions.

RESULTS

Waxy maize starch showed the largest value of contact angle and conductivity of emulsion, whereas potato and lentil starch showed the lowest value of contact angle and conductivity of emulsion, respectively. Emulsion prepared by rice starch showed the lowest, whereas that of sweet potato starch showed the highest value of viscosity. Consequentially, the emulsion stabilized with waxy maize and tapioca starch showed the smallest and less polydisperse droplets, resulting in a much higher emulsifying index. On the other hand, emulsion prepared with potato starch showed the highest stability compared to other starches. Correlation analysis suggested that starches with larger molecular size, a lower amylose content and shorter amylopectin short chains had a higher emulsification ability, whereas the amount of starch molecular interactions formed during short‐term retrogradation revealed no obvious linking to emulsion performances.

CONCLUSION

These findings provided food industry with exciting opportunities to develop ‘clean‐label’ emulsions with desirable properties. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
The impact of AI on the post‐pandemic generation of early career researchers: What we know or can predict from the published literature
Authors: Herman Eti , Nicholas David , Abrizah Abdullah , Revez Jorge , Rodríguez‐Bravo Blanca , Swigon Marzena , Clark David , Xu Jie , Watkinson Anthony
Published: September 2024

This extensive literature review is not a stand‐alone paper, as it was conducted to help set the scene for the third and current stage of the Harbinger of Change project (H‐3), which is focusing on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on early career researchers (ECRs). Its purpose is to inform the design, scope and question‐forming of the ongoing interview project (2024–). The overarching aim of the review is to establish what we know of the already extant and/or predicted opportunities and challenges that AI‐driven technologies present to researchers, in general, and the cohort of junior researchers among them, in particular. It was found that very little empirical evidence exists of what is happening to ECRs on the ground, and that tends to be drowned in a sea of forecasts and prognostications. However, down the road there are clear benefits accruing to ECRs and, arguably, the most appealing for novice researchers must be the benefits of enhancing their productivity, the key to all scholarly rewards, inclusive of career advancement.
Tidal pumping and intertidal groundwater springs create pronounced spatiotemporal thermal variability in a coastal lagoon
Authors: Smith Kathryn A. , McKenzie Jeffrey M. , Kurylyk Barret L.
Published: September 2024

Intertidal groundwater springs provide thermally stable, nutrient‐rich freshwater that causes fine‐scale variability in water temperature and salinity and promotes biodiversity in coastal estuaries and lagoons. In this study, we combined three thermal sensing techniques to elucidate summer water temperature patterns at the mouths of intertidal groundwater springs and the ambient coastal lagoon in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Thermal infrared imagery captured the spatiotemporal variability in relative temperatures of the lagoon channel and cold‐water plumes from the springs. Thermal anomalies due to the springs were detected at the surface throughout a tidal cycle, suggesting that the thermal plumes were buoyant. Fiber‐optic distributed temperature sensing paired with temperature loggers near the spring outlets recorded groundwater temperatures at low tide (~ 7°C) but ambient lagoon temperatures (up to 26°C) at high tide due to the vertical thermal gradient in the stratified water column. Calculated estuarine Richardson numbers throughout the study confirm intertidal spring buoyancy due to salinity differences. The fiber‐optic distributed temperature sensing results revealed pronounced variations in temperature as evidenced by spatial (3.7°C) and temporal (5.5°C) standard deviations over the cable length during the study and lower mean lagoon bed water temperatures at high tide (22.5°C) than low tide (24.3°C) due to heat advection from tidal pumping. Lagoon temperatures fluctuate at diurnal (solar) and semi‐diurnal (tidal) frequencies. The findings emphasize the efficacy of a multi‐technology approach to reveal fine‐scale and dynamic thermal processes that drive temperature patterns and habitat distribution in coastal lagoon ecosystems and highlight the thermal influence of intertidal springs.
Unusual Nonlinear Absorption Switching in Mixed‐Halide Perovskites by Light‐Induced Halide Segregation
Authors: Gao Guan‐Feng , Chen Ze‐Kai , Lin Ke‐Sheng , Li Ze‐Lin , Gu Hao‐Tian , Gao Yu , Miao Yu , Wu Yongbo , Hu Xiaowen , Polavarapu Lakshminarayana , Jiang Xiao‐Fang
Published: September 2024

Mixed‐halide perovskites (MHPs) have emerged as important semiconductor materials for optoelectronic devices due to the bandgap tunability by halide composition. However, their device applications are hampered by light‐induced ion migration and halide segregation, leading to the formation of lower bandgap domains with red‐shifted photoluminescence. Previous studies of phase segregation in MHPs have predominantly focused on their linear optical properties. Herein, nonlinear absorption (NLA) properties of MAPbBr2I films before and after femtosecond laser irradiation are investigated using the Micro‐I‐scan technique. An unusual NLA switching from reverse‐saturable absorption (RSA) to saturable absorption (SA) under intense laser illumination is found. It is unveiled that the initial RSA originates from two‐photon absorption in uniform bromide‐rich regions of as‐prepared film whereas the SA occurs due to state filling effect in the newly generated low bandgap I‐rich phases under laser irradiation. The switching threshold and effective NLA coefficient are highly dependent on the distribution of halide ions, which is controllable through the laser illumination time. Furthermore, an all‐optical logic gate scheme is demonstrated based on the unusual NLA switching. The results not only unveil that halide segregation results in NLA switching in MHPs but also pave the way for the realization of MHPs‐based nonlinear photonic devices.
Corrosion Behavior of Heat‐Treated Fe‐Based Shape Memory Alloys
Authors: Kulkarni Pranav Vivek , Oza Meet Jaydeepkumar , Igual‐Munoz Anna , Sallese Jean‐Michel , Shahverdi Moslem , Leinenbach Christian , Mischler Stefano
Published: September 2024

The influence of various heat treatments on the corrosion behavior of a novel iron‐based shape memory alloy (Fe‐SMA), Fe‐17Mn‐6Si‐10Cr‐4Ni‐1(V,C), used as prestressing elements in civil engineering was examined through electrochemical corrosion methods. SMAs were subjected to two different electrolytes: saturated Ca(OH)2 solutions with and without chlorides to mimic the conditions in concrete. Two specific heat treatments were applied to the Fe‐SMA, which resulted in a change in grain size and precipitation of secondary phases. Furthermore, conventional structural steel, B500B, was utilized as a reference material. The results reveal that the heat treatments did not significantly change the corrosion rates of these alloys in Ca(OH)2 solution compared to B500B when chlorides were absent. However, the presence of chloride ions suppressed the passivity of B500B and promoted the localized corrosion (pitting and intergranular) of the Fe‐SMAs, among which the solutionized alloy showed significantly higher resistance to the pitting. It was demonstrated that the heat treatments and, consequently, microstructural characteristics influence the pitting behavior of these alloys.
Electrochemical Polymerization to Access CS2‐Derived Polythioureas at Room Temperature
Authors: Su Changhui , Liu Shuxin , Zheng Nan
Published: September 2024

Electrochemistry has been widely used in energy storage, metallurgy, chemical synthesis and other fields since its birth using electricity as one of the cheapest reagents. However, compared with the revival of electrochemical synthesis of small molecules, the electrochemical polymerization for preparing macromolecules is still rudimentary due to formidable challenges. Herein, A unique electrochemical polymerization is disclosed between CS2 and diamines at room temperature in an electrolyte‐free manner to access poly thioureas. Polythioureas have high selectivity for four metal ions, including Au3+, Ag+, Pt4+, and Hg2+, and can be used as an efficient adsorbent for recovering gold from metal waste.
Archimedes Spiral Ratings: Determinants and Population‐Based Limits of Normal
Authors: Hopfner Franziska , Tietz Anja , D'Elia Yuri , Pattaro Cristian , Becktepe Jos S. , Gögele Martin , Barin Laura , Pramstaller Peter P. , Kuhlenbäumer Gregor , Melotti Roberto
Published: September 2024

Background

Tremor is commonly found among healthy humans or prevalently a symptom of neurological dysfunctions. However, the distinction between physiological and pathological tremor is dependent on the examiner's competence. Archimedes Spiral Rating (ASR) is a valid and reproducible semi‐quantitative method to assess the severity of action tremor.

Objectives

(1) To assess the range and percentiles of ASR in a large sample seemingly free of tremor‐related conditions or symptoms from the population‐based CHRIS‐study. (2) To analyze the influence of sex, age, and the drawing hand on ASR. (3) To define ASR limits of normal. (4) To supply exemplary Archimedes spiral drawings by each rating to favor consistent and proficient clinical evaluation.

Methods

Accurately investigated participants were randomly sampled over 14 sex‐age strata. 2686 paired spirals drawn with both hands by 1343 participants were expertly assessed on a tremor rating scale from 0 to 9.

Results

ASR had a quadratic increase with age in both sexes, while it was relatively lower in the dominant compared to the non‐dominant hand and in women compared to men. ASRs above sex‐age specific 97.5th percentiles of 4 and 5, below and above 60 years of age, respectively, were conceivably of non‐physiological nature.

Conclusions

In a large population‐based sample we show a steeper increase of action tremor by age as age progresses. Relatively higher ratings among the elderly, males and the non‐dominant hands, appear compatible with ASR limits of “normal” across sex‐age groups. The current operational evidence may support practitioners differentiating physiological and pathological hand tremor.