bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact on reproductive performance and body condition in a small limpet parasitized by a large castrator pea crab
Authors: Ocampo Emiliano H. , Pérez García Macarena , Nuñez Jesús D. , Luppi Tomás A.
Published: August 2021

Parasitic castrators utilize the energy reserves that the host allocates on reproduction resulting in sterilization of the host. However, whether other processes (e.g., growth) are also impaired depends on the balance between the castrator's energy requirements and the available resources that the castrated host does not use in reproduction. We investigated whether the castrator pea crab Calytraeotheres garthi alters body condition, reproductive performance, and occurrence of copulation in its limpet host Bostrycapulus odites. For this purpose, we examined the anatomy of the ovary, the seminal receptacles, and the body condition of parasitized and unparasitized limpets. The histology of the female gonad of parasitized limpets revealed the ovarian tubules are smaller and characterized by a greater proportion of intertubular and intratubular free space compared with non‐parasitized individuals. The body condition of female limpets from all sizes (during summer) and those larger than ~16 mm (during spring and autumn) were impacted by the pea crab. These results are in contrast to that previously reported in the comparatively larger limpet species Crepidula cachimilla, in which the same pea crab species does not alter or even increase the host body weight. We concluded this pea crab species could drastically impair its host's reproduction and body condition although deleterious effects are species‐specific and likely depend on limpet body size. The histology of seminal receptacles revealed an uncommon disposition of spermatozoa (i.e., excessive debris and acrosomes detached from epithelium) in seminal receptacles of some parasitized limpets. However, this analysis failed to determine whether sperm derived from present matings or previous pea crab infection. Further studies are needed to address whether pea crabs interfere with the mating behavior of limpets and if the alterations in sperm disposition are a consequence of castration.
Anatomy and evolution of the head of Dorylus helvolus (Formicidae: Dorylinae): Patterns of sex‐ and caste‐limited traits in the sausagefly and the driver ant
Authors: Boudinot Brendon Elias , Moosdorf Olivia Tikuma Diana , Beutel Rolf Georg , Richter Adrian
Published: August 2021

Ants are highly polyphenic Hymenoptera, with at least three distinct adult forms in the vast majority of species. Their sexual dimorphism, however, is overlooked to the point of being a nearly forgotten phenomenon. Using a multimodal approach, we interrogate the near total head microanatomy of the male of Dorylus helvolus, the “sausagefly,” and compare it with the conspecific or near‐conspecific female castes, the “driver ants.” We found that no specific features were shared uniquely between the workers and males to the exclusion of the queens, indicating independence of male and worker development; males and queens, however, uniquely shared several features. Certain previous generalizations about ant sexual dimorphism are confirmed, while we also discover discrete muscular presences and absences, for which reason we provide a coarse characterization of functional morphology. Based on the unexpected retention of a medial carinate line on the structurally simplified mandible of the male, we postulate a series of developmental processes to explain the patterning of ant mandibles. We invoke functional and anatomical principles to classify sensilla. Critically, we observe an inversion of the expected pattern of male‐queen mandible development: male Dorylus mandibles are extremely large while queen mandibles are poorly developed. To explain this, we posit that the reproductive‐limited mandible phenotype is canalized in Dorylus, thus partially decoupling the queen and worker castes. We discuss alternative hypotheses and provide further comparisons to understand mandibular evolution in army ants. Furthermore, we hypothesize that the expression of the falcate phenotype in the queen is coincidental, that is, a “spandrel,” and that the form of male mandibles is also generally coincidental across the ants. We conclude that the theory of ant development and evolution is incomplete without consideration of the male system, and we call for focused study of male anatomy and morphogenesis, and of trait limitation across all castes.
QCA based cost efficient coplanar 1 × 4 RAM design with set/reset ability
Authors: Naz Syed Farah , Ahmed Suhaib , Ko Seok‐Bum , Shah Ambika Prasad , Sharma Sparsh
Published: August 2021

In this paper, a loop based coplanar random access memory (RAM) cell with set/reset ability using quantum‐dot cellular automata (QCA) technology is first proposed. The operation of the RAM cell is validated physically as well as by simulations using QCADesigner tool. The energy dissipation analysis of the proposed RAM cell demonstrates that the proposed design dissipates very low energy. Additionally, the fault tolerance to single cell missing and addition defects of the proposed RAM cell is also presented. Further, we designed a coplanar 1 × 4 RAM which consists of four proposed RAM cells, one 2:4 decoder and one 5‐input majority voter along with the control signals required for the proper operation of the RAM. The proposed RAM cell and 1 × 4 RAM designs achieve performance improvement of up to 88.16% and 79.28%, respectively from the existing design in terms of QCA circuit cost. These structures can therefore be used to design efficient higher order RAM structures.
Changes in the ENSO–ISMR relationship in the historical and future projection periods based on coupled models
Authors: Varikoden Hamza , Hrudya Palakkal Puthan Veedu Haridas , Vishnu Rajagopalan Nair , Kuttippurath Jayanarayanan
Published: August 2021

We examine the projected changes in Indian summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR) and El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) along with their changing relationships by the end of 21st century using Coupled Model Inter Comparison Project Phase5 (CMIP5) models. The historical (1951–2005) and future (2050–2099) projections of ISMR were assessed in addition to the changes in the ENSO–ISMR relationship during both the periods. The future period was selected as 2050–2099 in order to understand how the increase in greenhouse gas emissions and global warming by the end of 21st century will affect the ocean atmosphere interactions over the tropical Pacific Ocean and the associated rainfall characteristics over the Indian region. For the future projection, we considered Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios for the five models (CNRM‐CM5, GISS‐E2‐R, GISS‐E2‐R‐CC, HadGEM2‐CC and IPSL‐CM5A‐MR), which were selected from the 25 CMIP5 models based on their ability to capture the seasonal cycle and variability in the historical period. Although, all the five models simulate an increase in ISMR in both the RCPs, the increase is well simulated by CNRM‐CM5, HadGEM2‐CC and IPSL‐CM5A‐MR models mainly over the northeast, west coast, foothills of Himalayas, central India and the peninsular Indian regions. Substantial differences in simulating the ENSO–ISMR relationship are observed among the models in both historical and future RCP scenarios, and the observed relationship is well represented in GISS‐E2‐R‐CC, HadGEM2‐CC and IPSL‐CM5A‐MR models. The rainfall over most of the Indian regions shows a significant decrease (increase) during El Niño (La Niña) events in RCP 4.5. The changes in sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies and Walker circulations over the Indo‐Pacific region during El Niño and La Niña events are connected with the ISMR characteristics during these events in the RCP 4.5 scenario. On the other hand, the Indo‐Pacific region undergoes total warming (cooling) during El Niño (La Niña) events, and the Indo‐Pacific SST does not exhibit significant variability in the RCP 8.5 scenario. Hence, they are not well related with the observed ISMR patterns in that scenario.
Dissociation as a Transdiagnostic Indicator of Self‐Injurious Behavior and Suicide Attempts: A Focus on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder
Authors: Sommer Jordana L. , Blaney Caitlin , Mota Natalie , Bilevicius Elena , Beatie Brooke , Kilborn Kayla , Chang Unice , Sareen Jitender , El‐Gabalawy Renée
Published: August 2021

Dissociative symptoms and suicidality are transdiagnostic features of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD). The primary objective of this study was to examine associations between dissociation (i.e., depersonalization and derealization) and suicidality (i.e., self‐harm and suicide attempts) among individuals with PTSD and BPD. We analyzed data from the 2012–2013 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC‐III; N = 36,309). The Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule for DSM‐5 was used to assess lifetime PTSD and BPD. Estimated rates of self‐harm among individuals who endorsed dissociation were 15.5%–26.2% for those with PTSD and 13.7%–23.5% for those with BPD, and estimates of suicide attempts among individuals who endorsed dissociation were 34.5%–38.1% for those with PTSD and 28.3%–33.1% for those with BPD. Multiple logistic regressions were conducted to examine the associations between dissociation (derealization, depersonalization, and both) and both self‐harm and suicide attempts among respondents with PTSD and BPD. The results indicated that dissociation was associated with self‐harm and suicide attempts, especially among individuals with BPD, aORs = 1.39–2.66; however, this association may be driven in part by a third variable, such as other symptoms of PTSD or BPD (e.g., mood disturbance, PTSD or BPD symptom severity). These results may inform risk assessments and targeted interventions for vulnerable individuals with PTSD, BPD, or both aimed at mitigating the risk of self‐harm and suicide.
Sharp difference in the rate of formation and stability of the Diels–Alder reaction adducts with 2,3‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone and N‐phenylimide‐1,4‐benzoquinone‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid
Authors: Kiselev Vladimir D. , Kolesnikova Anastasia O. , Shulyatiev Alexey A. , Dinikaev Ildar F. , Kornilov Dmitry A.
Published: August 2021

This work reports new studies of the activity and Diels–Alder kinetics of a series of dienophiles: tetracyanoethylene (1), 2,3‐dicyano‐p‐benzoquinone (10), and N‐phenylimide‐1,4‐benzoquinone‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid (11). Rate differences are interpreted in terms of the donor–acceptor properties of the reagents. The relative π‐acceptor properties of the dienophiles are probed by measuring their interaction energies with a series π‐donor solvents: benzene, toluene, o‐xylene, and chlorobenzene. The normalized interaction energies of 1, 10, and 11 are found to be 100:64:28. Despite the increased energy of the donor–acceptor interaction, dienophile 10 is 255 times less active in the reaction with 9,10‐dimethylanthracene than 11. It is suggested that this is due to the significantly lower energy of π‐bond cleavage in bicyclic dienophile 11, compared with monocyclic 10.
Online machine drawing pedagogy—A knowledge management perspective through maker education in theCOVID‐19 pandemic era
Authors: Sharma Gummaluri Venkata Surya Subrahmanya , Prasad Chilamkurti Lakshmi Venkata Ranga Sobhanachala Vara , Rambabu Velamala
Published: August 2021

Drawing is a visual mode of communication. Teaching drawing requires one‐to‐one personal interaction among the tutor and the learner. The technical drawing is no exception, and it requires a considerable amount of imagination skills. On‐line mode of pedagogy shall be occupying a substantial portion of the mode of delivery in teaching and learning during, as well as, after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic era. This work focuses on the training and knowledge sharing of machine drawing skills through online mode, which is the requirement of the present era. A knowledge management perspective for machine drawing pedagogy is involved in this work. Challenges in the online pedagogy of machine drawing are deliberated through Ishikawa diagram and service Failure Modes and Effects Analysis. A maker education perspective of online machine drawing pedagogy is delineated. An approach toward knowledge workforce, knowledge transfer, and tacit knowledge is adopted for online teaching of machine drawing. Finally, conclusions are drawn in context of online pedagogy for a spatial visualization–based course like machine drawing.
Employees' citizenship behavior and workplace climate in promoting knowledge sharing
Authors: Park Sunyoung , Kim Eun‐Jee
Published: August 2021

We investigated the relationships among leadership, workplace climate, employee citizenship behavior (ECB), and knowledge sharing behavior. Survey data were collected from employees in the multi‐sector industry, including engineering and construction. We found that leadership affected workplace climate and citizenship behavior; workplace climate and citizenship behavior influenced knowledge sharing behavior; and workplace climate and citizenship behavior mediated between leadership and knowledge sharing. This study focused on how leadership, climate, and behavioral aspects affect individual behavior and the role of citizenship behavior and workplace climate.
Soybean yield and quality relative to Mollisols fertility with 7‐year consecutive cattle manure application under maize‐soybean rotation
Authors: Li Yansheng , Xie Zhihuang , Zhou Meng , Liu Changkai , Yu Zhenhua , Wu Junjiang , Jin Jian , Chen Yuan , Zhang Xingyi , Liu Xiaobing
Published: August 2021

Improving soil productivity is the best way to increase grain production by 1% annually for feeding the rising population within the next 20 years in China. Nevertheless, how soybean yield and seed quality are affected by improving soil quality via consecutive manure addition are still unclear. A 7‐year consecutive cattle manure addition experiment was conducted under a soybean [Glycine max(Merrill.) L.] and maize (Zea maysL.) rotation in Mollisols. Treatments were as follows: CK: the non‐fertilizer control; CF: chemical fertilizer (NPK); CFM1: CF + 15 Mg ha−1cattle manure; CFM2: CF + 30 Mg ha−1cattle manure. The results showed CFM1 significantly increased soybean yield by 22%–105% and 21%–86% compared to CK and CF during 2014–2018. The consecutive cattle manure addition significantly increased the proportion of macro‐aggregates (1–0.25 mm) but decreased the proportion of micro‐aggregates (0.25–0.053 mm) and slit (<0.053 mm). The SOC storage in the large (>1 mm) and small macro‐aggregates (1–0.25 mm) was higher (by 24%–156%) under cattle manure addition than that under CK and CF. The soil productivity was enhanced by cattle manure addition because of the increase in soil available nutrients, that is, ‐N and ‐N, and Olsen‐P, all of which had positive correlations with the yield increase. At least 36% of soybean yield variation under CFM1 could be attributed to the indirect effect of pH value on increasing soil available nutrients concentrations. The cattle manure addition increased soybean seed oil concentration but decreased protein concentration. However, there were no differences in yield and quality between CFM1 and CFM2 after 7‐year of the treatment. It suggests that cattle manure addition at 15 Mg ha−1is a practical approach to improve Mollisols' productivity and SOC stability.
Seasonality and episodic variation in picoeukaryote diversity and structure reveal community resilience to disturbances in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre
Authors: Rii Yoshimi M. , Peoples Logan M. , Karl David M. , Church Matthew J.
Published: August 2021

We examined variability in the euphotic zone (0–175 m) picoeukaryotic community based on time‐series observations (2011–2013) at Station ALOHA in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. By sampling over scales ranging from daily to approximately monthly over 2.25 years, we evaluated the resilience of the picoeukaryotic community to seasonal‐ to episodic‐scale physical disturbances, such as convective mixing and mesoscale processes, respectively. We quantified the frequency and intensity of disturbances that altered upper ocean light and nutrients in the context of the Hawaii Ocean Time‐series program climatology, and evaluated picoeukaryotic community resilience based on shifts in dissimilarity in community structure at different depths in the euphotic zone. Our results suggest that in this stratified habitat, picoeukaryote communities are resilient on timescales of days to weeks in response to these physical disturbances, and that the juxtaposition of mesoscale and submesoscale disturbances on more predictable seasonality requires spatially and temporally resolved assessment of community response and resilience. We highlight the value of examining recent (days to weeks) physical forcing of the upper ocean for insight into the influences of physical habitat alterations that structure the contemporaneous plankton community.
Health Technology Assessment of medical devices. Overcoming the critical issues of current assessment
Authors: Tallarico Salvatore , Aloini Davide , Dulmin Riccardo , Lazzini Simone , Mininno Valeria , Pellegrini Luisa
Published: August 2021

Medical devices are introduced in the market with an ever‐increasing rate, with important benefits for the whole society's health. In the greatest majority of cases, although representing the entry point for devices, healthcare local institutions/hospitals do not receive any macro‐level guidance from (inter)national authorities for their assessment. Hence, in the absence of a methodological support, local institutions/hospitals started to assess devices autonomously, building on Health Technology Assessment (HTA) tools based on Multi‐Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), in order to take into‐account the multifaceted aspects connected with devices. However, the strategies described so far in the scientific literature for implementing MCDA in local‐based HTA of medical devices suffer from a harsh methodological weaknesses – that is, the use of bespoke criteria for the specific device to be assessed ‐ that severely affect the evaluation of medical devices. Within this scenario, this work proposes a new tool based on peer‐to‐peer IF‐TOPSIS, intended for micro‐level assessment of medical devices with the main objective of overcoming the above‐mentioned critical issues and provide local institutions/hospitals with a general tool. An example of application of this tool in the choice between three neurological devices is shown. Contributions are both theoretical and practical. Theoretically, while proposing a general MCDA tool for micro‐level HTA, we answer the call for the identification of key methodological principles for the local assessment of medical devices. At the practical level, this tool is readily implementable and can be adapted to consider the local idiosyncratic characteristics of the context where decisions have to be made.
Preexisting Bipolar Disorder Influences the Subsequent Phenotype of Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Onofrj Marco , Di Iorio Angelo , Carrarini Claudia , Russo Mirella , Franciotti Raffaella , Espay Alberto J. , Boylan Laura S. , Taylor John‐Paul , Di Giannantonio Massimo , Martinotti Giovanni , Valente Enza M. , Thomas Astrid , Bonanni Laura , Delli Pizzi Stefano , Dono Fedele , Sensi StefanoL.
Published: August 2021

Background

Patients with bipolar spectrum disorders (BSDs) exhibit an increased risk of Parkinson's disease (PD).

Objective

The aim is to investigate whether a previous diagnosis of BSDs influences the phenotype of PD.

Methods

Of 2660 PD patients followed for at least 6 years (6–27), 250 (BSD‐PD) had BSDs, 6–20 years before PD diagnosis; 48%–43% had a PD or BSD family history, and 34 carried glucocerebrosidase (GBA) and Parkin (PRKN) mutations. The cohort was split into a subset of 213 BSD‐PD patients, compared with 426 matched PD patients without BSDs, and a subset of 34 BSD‐PD and 79 PD patients carrying GBA or PRKN mutations. Carriers of mutations absent in BSD‐PD patients and of synuclein triplication were excluded. Structured clinical interviews and mood disorder questionnaires assessed BSDs. Linear mixed models evaluated the assessment scales over time. Thirteen BSD‐PD patients underwent subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN‐DBS) and were compared with 27 matched STN‐DBS‐treated PD patients.

Results

Compared to PD patients, BSD‐PD showed (1) higher frequency of family history of PD (odds ratio [OR] 3.31; 2.32–4.71) and BSDs (OR 6.20; 4.11–9.35) 5); (2) higher incidence of impulse control disorders (hazard ratio [HR] 5.95, 3.89–9.09); (3) higher frequency of functional disorders occurring before PD therapy (HR, 5.67, 3.95–8.15); (4) earlier occurrence of delusions or mild dementia (HR, 7.70, 5.55–10.69; HR, 1.43, 1.16–1.75); and (5) earlier mortality (1.48; 1.11–1.97). Genetic BSD‐PD subjects exhibited clinical features indistinguishable from nongenetic BSD‐PD subjects. STN‐DBS‐treated BSD‐PD patients showed no improvements in quality of life compared to the control group.

Conclusions

BSDs as a prodrome to PD unfavorably shape their course and are associated with detrimental neuropsychiatric features and treatment outcomes. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
On a nonlocal problem for a Caputo time‐fractional pseudoparabolic equation
Authors: Nguyen Anh Tuan , Hammouch Zakia , Karapinar Erdal , Tuan Nguyen Huy
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we consider a class of pseudoparabolic equations with the nonlocal condition and the Caputo derivative. Two cases of problems (1–2) will be studied, which are linear case and nonlinear case. For the first case, we establish the existence, the uniqueness, and some regularity results by using some estimates technique and Sobolev embeddings. Second, the Banach fixed‐point theorem will be applied to the nonlinear case to prove the existence and the uniqueness of the mild solution.
Antioxidant enzymes and association of CAT SNP‐21 A/T (rs7943316) with male infertility
Authors: Sadia Khulah , Sultan Sikandar , Khan Kifayatullah , Javeres Leonel M. , Rumman Baseerat , Shah Syed T. A. , Batool Sajida , Nurulain Syed M.
Published: August 2021

Infertility is a multifactorial and polygenic disease. A vast majority of infertility is still unexplained despite modern diagnostic techniques. Oxidative stress is considered a factor for male infertility but etiology in terms of functional gene polymorphism and experimental studies on human subjects is scarcely reported. The aim of the study was to investigate the status of three antioxidant enzymes; catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione reduced (GSH) in clinically diagnosed infertile males and find the potential association of CAT gene variant in the promoter region −21 A/T (rs7943316). The study consisted of 55 clinically diagnosed infertile males and 50 non‐infertile volunteers. The activity of antioxidant enzymes was measured through a spectrophotometer. Polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism was performed for genotyping of single‐nucleotide polymorphism. Catalase enzyme activity was significantly decreased while SOD and GSH were substantially increased (p ≤ 0.01) in infertile men in comparison to non‐infertile. CAT gene variant rs7943316 had shown significant association in dominant, recessive model and allelic frequencies. The study concludes that rs7943316 has a substantial role in male infertility. The outcome of the study may help in resolving idiopathic infertility cases and may help in evolving novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Other variants of CAT and antioxidant genes are suggested to ascertain further insight.
Optimization of pseudo‐continuous arterial spin labeling at 7T with parallel transmission B1 shimming
Authors: Wang Kai , Ma Samantha J. , Shao Xingfeng , Zhao Chenyang , Shou Qinyang , Yan Lirong , Wang Danny J. J.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

To optimize pseudo‐continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) for 7 T, and to further improve the labeling efficiency with parallel RF transmission transmit B1 () shimming.

Methods

pCASL parameters were optimized based on field distributions at 7 T with simulation. To increase labeling efficiency, the amplitude at inflowing arteries was increased with parallel RF transmission shimming. The “indv‐shim” with shimming weights calculated for each individual subject, and the “univ‐shim” with universal weights calculated on a group of 12 subjects, were compared with circular polarized (CP) shim. The optimized pCASL sequences with three shimming modes (indv‐shim, univ‐shim, and CP‐shim) were evaluated in 6 subjects who underwent two repeated scans 24 hours apart, along with a pulsed ASL sequence. Quantitative metrics including mean amplitude, perfusion, and intraclass correlation coefficient were calculated. The optimized 7T pCASL was compared with standard 3T pCASL on 5 subjects, using spatial SNR and temporal SNR.

Results

The optimal pCASL parameter set (RF duration/gap = 300/250 us, ) achieved robust perfusion measurement in the presence of inhomogeneities. Both indv‐shim and univ‐shim significantly increased amplitude compared with CP‐shim in simulation and in vivo experiment (P < .01). Compared with CP‐shim, perfusion signal was increased by 9.5% with indv‐shim (P < .05) and by 5.3% with univ‐shim (P = .35). All three pCASL sequences achieved fair to good repeatability (intraclass correlation coefficient ≥ 0.5). Compared with 3T pCASL, the optimized 7T pCASL achieved 78.3% higher spatial SNR and 200% higher temporal SNR.

Conclusion

The optimized pCASL achieved robust perfusion imaging at 7 T, while both indv‐shim and univ‐shim further increased labeling efficiency.
Charity advertising: A literature review and research agenda
Authors: Wymer Walter , Gross Hellen
Published: August 2021

The authors present an overview of the academic literature on charity advertising. Through systematically reviewing 63 empirical studies on charity advertising, a synthesis of the body of work is framed in a general model. Predominant antecedents in the charity advertising literature include various appeal tactics and victim portrayals. Research streams on moderators and mediators include various ad characteristics and audience characteristics. The audience's intentions to donate were the most used outcome variable. Recommendations for continuing theoretical advancement in the field are presented. Managerial implications are also presented. This literature review contributes a knowledge base to guide future charity advertising research.
Risk Stratification of Early-Stage Cervical Cancer with Intermediate-Risk Factors: Model Development and Validation Based on Machine Learning Algorithm
Authors: Chu Ran , Zhang Yue , Qiao Xu , Xie Lin , Chen Wei , Zhao Ying , Xu Yintao , Yuan Zeng , Liu Xiaolin , Yin Aijun , Wang Zhiwen , Zhang Qing , Yang Xingsheng , Su Xuantao , Kong Beihua , Song Kun
Published: August 2021

Background

Adjuvant therapy for patients with cervical cancer (CC) with intermediate-risk factors remains controversial. The objectives of the present study are to assess the prognoses of patients with early-stage CC with pathological intermediate-risk factors and to provide a reference for adjuvant therapy choice.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective study included 481 patients with stage IB–IIA CC. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, machine learning (ML) algorithms, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were used to develop and validate prediction models for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

A total of 35 (7.3%) patients experienced recurrence, and 20 (4.2%) patients died. Two prediction models were built for DFS and OS using clinical information, including age, lymphovascular space invasion, stromal invasion, tumor size, and adjuvant treatment. Patients were divided into high-risk or low-risk groups according to the risk score cutoff value. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significant differences in DFS (p = .001) and OS (p = .011) between the two risk groups. In the traditional Sedlis criteria groups, there were no significant differences in DFS or OS (p > .05). In the ML-based validation, the best AUCs of DFS at 2 and 5 years were 0.69/0.69, and the best AUCs of OS at 2 and 5 years were 0.88/0.63.

Conclusion

Two prognostic assessment models were successfully established, and risk grouping stratified the prognostic risk of patients with CC with pathological intermediate-risk factors. Evaluation of long-term survival will be needed to corroborate these findings.

Implications for Practice

The Sedlis criteria are intermediate-risk factors used to guide postoperative adjuvant treatment in patients with cervical cancer. However, for patients meeting the Sedlis criteria, the choice of adjuvant therapy remains controversial. This study developed two prognostic models based on pathological intermediate-risk factors. According to the risk score obtained by the prediction model, patients can be further divided into groups with high or low risk of recurrence and death. The prognostic models developed in this study can be used in clinical practice to stratify prognostic risk and provide more individualized adjuvant therapy choices to patients with early-stage cervical cancer.
Phase I Study of Entinostat in Combination with Enzalutamide for Treatment of Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Lin Jianqing , Elkon Jacob , Ricart Brittany , Palmer Erica , Zevallos-Delgado Christian , Noonepalle Satish , Burgess Brooke , Siegel Robert , Ma Yan , Villagra Alejandro
Published: August 2021

Lessons Learned

Entinostat at the selected dose levels in combination with a standard dose of enzalutamide showed a promising safety profile in this small phase I study

Background

Entinostat inhibits prostate cancer (PCa) growth and suppresses Treg cell function in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

This was a phase I study to explore the safety and preliminary efficacy of entinostat (3 and 5 mg orally per week) in combination with enzalutamide in castration resistant PCa (CRPC). The study was carried out in an open-label two-cohort design. Patients who had developed disease progression on or were eligible for enzalutamide were enrolled in the study. The safety profile of the combination therapy, Prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels, the pharmacokinetics of enzalutamide after entinostat administration, peripheral T-cell subtype (including Treg quantitation), and mononuclear cell (PBMC) histone H3 acetylation were analyzed.

Results

Six patients with metastatic CRPC were enrolled. There was no noticeable increment of fatigue related to entinostat. Toxicities possibly or probably related to entinostat or the combination therapy included grade 3 anemia 1/6 (17%), grade 2 white blood cell (WBC) decrease 1/6 (17%), and other self-limiting grade 1 adverse events (AEs). Median duration of treatment with entinostat was 18 weeks. Entinostat did not affect the steady plasma concentration of enzalutamide. Increased PBMC histone H3 acetylation was observed in blood samples. No evident T-cell subtype changes were detected, including in Treg quantitation.

Conclusion

Entinostat 5 mg weekly in combination with enzalutamide showed an acceptable safety profile in this small phase I study. A planned phase II part of the trial was terminated because of sponsor withdrawal.
Gas‐phase peroxynitrite generation using dielectric barrier discharge at atmospheric pressure: A prospective sterilizer
Authors: Liu Kun , Duan Qingsong , Zheng Zhenfeng , Zhou Rusen , Zhou Renwu , Tang Weibin , Cullen Patrick , (Ken) Ostrikov Kostya
Published: August 2021

Peroxynitrite is an important chemical in the human immune system, which has high biocidal activity and can resist the invasion of pathogens. Currently, in vitro generation of peroxynitrite faces major technological challenges, especially for gas‐phase production, which requires low‐pressure conditions. Here, we report the method of how to generate gas‐phase peroxynitrite at atmospheric pressure using dielectric barrier discharge. Results show that the peroxynitrite concentration positively correlates with energy density. Moreover, Penicillium digitatum, a common fungus contaminant greatly affecting food and fruit preservation, was used as a microbial pathogen model to confirm the biocidal effects of ozone‐free nitrogen oxides under different discharge conditions. The germination inhibition efficiency of P. digitatum is highly likely attributed to the synergistic effect of gaseous peroxynitrite and NO.
On estimation procedures of constant stress accelerated life test for generalized inverse lindley distribution
Authors: Kumar Devendra , Nassar Mazen , Dey Sanku , Alam Farouq Mohammad A.
Published: August 2021

In manufacturing industries and several other fields, accelerated life testing is used widely to obtain sufficient failure time data of test units quickly as compared to normal use conditions. It is assumed that the lifetime of a product at constant stress level follows generalized inverse Lindley distribution. It is a common observation that while estimating the parameters of a model, one usually adopts the maximum likelihood estimation method as the starting point. In this paper, we consider eight frequentist methods of estimation, besides using the maximum likelihood method for estimating the parameters of the generalized inverse Lindley distribution under constant stress accelerated life test. In addition, the shape parameter and the reliability function of the model under usual conditions are obtained using nine considered estimation methods. Monte Carlo simulations are performed for investigating the performances of the considered methods in terms of their mean relative estimates and mean square errors using small, medium and large sample sizes. One accelerated life test data set is analyzed for illustrative purposes. In addition, bootstrap confidence intervals of the parameters are obtained as part of data analysis based on the considered estimation methods.
Geometric properties of chemical graphs
Authors: Rada Juan , Rodríguez José M. , Sigarreta José M.
Published: August 2021

The study of Gromov hyperbolic graphs has many applications. In this paper we study the hyperbolicity constant of hexagonal systems. In particular, we compute the hyperbolicity constant of every catacondensed hexagonal system. Besides, we obtain upper and lower bounds of general hexagonal systems. Since the hyperbolicity constant of a graph measures the deviation of the graph from a tree, we also study the chemical graphs with small hyperbolicity constant.
First‐principles study on the methane adsorption properties by Ti‐modified graphyne
Authors: Xu Wenhui , Chen Yuhong , Zhao Yingjie , Zhang Meiling , Tian Ranran , Zhang Cairong
Published: August 2021

Graphyne (GY) is an allotrope composed of sp and sp2 hybridized carbon atoms. In this paper, the adsorption performance of Ti‐modified GY (Ti‐GY) system on the adsorption of CH4 molecules is studied based on first principles. The study found that the most stable adsorption site for Ti atoms is the six‐membered carbon ring pore site. There is a strong ionic interaction between the two, and the Ti‐GY system structure remains stable during the adsorption of CH4 molecules. A single Ti‐modified GY can adsorb 7 CH4 molecules on one side, and the adsorption structure is stratified, with average adsorption energy of −0.298 eV, and an adsorption capacity of 0.369 g g−1; two Ti‐modified GY adsorbs 14 CH4 molecules on double‐sided, the average adsorption energy is about −0.300 eV, and the adsorption capacity reaches 0.484 g g−1. The first layer of CH4 molecules is adsorbed, which is mainly affected by the Ti atoms. There is a strong Coulomb interaction between it and Ti. With the increase of CH4 molecules, the adsorption energy decreases; While the second layer of CH4 molecules is due to the distance Ti atoms are far away, At this time, the interaction between the CH4 molecules and the substrate is mainly the electrostatic interaction between the positively charged CH4 molecules and the negatively charged GY and the van der Waals interaction between the CH4 molecules. The adsorption performance of CH4 molecules is closely related to the pore size of the two‐dimensional adsorbent. When the pore size is small, the interaction between molecules is enhanced and the average adsorption energy is larger. On the contrary, the larger the pore size, the higher the adsorption capacity.
The global emergence of Chikungunya infection: An integrated view
Authors: Manzoor Khanzadi Nazneen , Javed Farakh , Ejaz Muhammad , Ali Mubashar , Mujaddadi Neelam , Khan Abid Ali , Khattak Aamer Ali , Zaib Assad , Ahmad Ibrar , Saeed Waqar Khalid , Manzoor Sobia
Published: August 2021

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is one of the emerging viruses around the globe. It belongs to the family Togaviridae and genus Alphavirus and is an arthropod borne virus that transmits by the bite of an infected mosquito, mainly through Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopcitus. It is a spherical, enveloped virus with positive single stranded RNA genome. It was first discovered during 1952‐53 in Tanganyika, after which outbreaks were documented in many regions of the world. CHIKV has two transmission cycles; an enzootic sylvatic cycle and an urban cycle. CHIKV genome contains 11,900 nucleotides and two open reading frames and shows great sequence variability. Molecular mechanisms of virus host‐cell interactions and the pathogenesis of disease are not fully understood. The disease involves three phases; acute, post‐acute and chronic with symptoms including high‐grade fever, arthralgia, macupapular rashes and headache. There is no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for CHIKV infection. This lack of specific interventions combined with difficulties in making a precise diagnosis together make the disease difficult to manage. In this review we aim to present the current knowledge of global epidemiology, transmission, structure, various aspects of diagnosis as well as highlight potential antiviral drugs and vaccines against CHIKV.
Robust adaptive finite‐time and fixed‐time synchronization of chaotic systems with smooth control
Authors: Wu Jie , Ma Ru‐ru
Published: August 2021

By taking the noise into consideration, this article addresses the robust stochastic adaptive finite‐time and fixed‐time synchronization of two chaotic systems. The novel adaptive and smooth control protocols are proposed to (i) adjust all the control gains automatically without selecting them in advance; (ii) overcome the chattering problem caused by the signum function contained in the conventional finite/fixed‐time controllers, which effectively improves the synchronized performance of chaotic systems. Based on the (stochastic) stability theory, the sufficient conditions are derived for achieving (stochastic) finite‐time and fixed‐time synchronization, respectively, in which the upper bound of synchronization time can be estimated in advance regardless of initial states of chaotic systems. Finally, two representative applications concerning the memristor chaotic circuit and the permanent magnet synchronous motors validate the effectiveness and feasibility of proposed theoretical results.
Comparison of attributed network clustering approaches to analysing Seoul public bike stations
Authors: Choi Yunjin , Lee Jaemin , Park Gunwoong
Published: August 2021

Network clustering is a fundamental task that discovers innate communities or groups in networks. Hence, network clustering methods such as spectral clustering and regularized spectral clustering have been applied in a wide range of realms. On top of a network structure, it is known in social network analysis that incorporates information from each vertex can be beneficial. This has led to the development of a series of attributed network clustering algorithms that utilize not only network connectivity but also vertex covariates in order to uncover latent clusters. This paper compares the performance of state‐of‐the‐art attributed network clustering approaches focused on detecting clusters of Seoul public bike stations. The data set consists of trip information over the bike station network in 2019. Spatial information about the bike stations is posed as vertex attributes. We show that certain attributed network clustering methods are well suited to detecting explainable clusters of bike rental stations. The results can help bike‐sharing operators better understand system usage and learn how to improve service quality in the existing system.
The Effect of Amylose on Structures and Properties of Chitosan‐Vanillin Films
Authors: Qin Dan , Wu Jun , Zhang Yuxiang , Bao Mian , Du Xiaoyue , Sang Hongqing , Wei Zhengyou
Published: August 2021

This study experimentally investigates the effect of changes in amylose‐to‐amylopectin ratio on the multi‐scale structures, hydrophilicity, and thermal properties of starch–chitosan essential oil (EO) films incorporated with vanillin. The results indicate that aggregates and uneven structures tend to form in the EO films with a higher proportion of amylose. In Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, as the chitosan content increases, the wavenumber of stretching vibration of hydroxyl and the bending vibration of amino groups decrease, while the wavenumber of stretching vibration of C‐O increases. Furthermore, with an increase in the chitosan content, the changes in the starch–chitosan EO film structure impacts the hydrophilic trend, and the hydrophilic changes in the EO films with common starch and G80 starch are significant changes with the proportions of starch to chitosan from 7:3 to 5:5. When their mass ratio is 3:7, the starch–chitosan EO films investigated exhibit the lowest decomposition peak temperature.
Asymptotic symmetries of scalar electrodynamics and of the abelian Higgs model in Hamiltonian formulation
Authors: Tanzi Roberto , Giulini Domenico
Published: August 2021

Abstract

We investigate the asymptotic symmetry group of a scalar field minimally-coupled to an abelian gauge field using the Hamiltonian formulation. This extends previous work by Henneaux and Troessaert on the pure electromagnetic case. We deal with minimally coupled massive and massless scalar fields and find that they behave differently insofar as the latter do not allow for canonically implemented asymptotic boost symmetries. We also consider the abelian Higgs model and show that its asymptotic canonical symmetries reduce to the Poincaré group in an unproblematic fashion.
Virasoro algebras, kinematic space and the spectrum of modular Hamiltonians in CFT2
Authors: Das Suchetan , Ezhuthachan Bobby , Porey Somnath , Roy Baishali
Published: August 2021

Abstract

We construct an infinite class of eigenmodes with integer eigenvalues for the Vacuum Modular Hamiltonian of a single interval N in 2d CFT and study some of its interesting properties, which includes its action on OPE blocks as well as its bulk duals. Our analysis suggests that these eigenmodes, like the OPE blocks have a natural description on the so called kinematic space of CFT2 and in particular realize the Virasoro algebra of the theory on this kinematic space. Taken together, our results hints at the possibility of an effective description of the CFT2 in the kinematic space language.
A rapid and reliable liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry method for SARS-CoV-2 analysis from gargle solutions and saliva
Authors: Kipping Marc , Tänzler Dirk , Sinz Andrea
Published: August 2021

We describe a rapid liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the direct detection and quantitation of SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein in gargle solutions and saliva. The method is based on a multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) mass spectrometry approach with a total cycle time of 5 min per analysis and allows the detection and accurate quantitation of SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein as low as 500 amol/μL. We improved the sample preparation protocol of our recent piloting SARS-CoV-2 LC-MS study regarding sensitivity, reproducibility, and compatibility with a complementary reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis of the same sample. The aim of this work is to promote diagnostic tools that allow identifying and monitoring SARS-CoV-2 infections by LC-MS/MS methods in a routine clinical environment.

Graphical abstract
Molecular and comparative genomic analyses reveal evolutionarily conserved and unique features of the Schizosaccharomyces japonicus mycelial growth and the underlying genomic changes
Authors: Papp László Attila , Ács-Szabó Lajos , Batta Gyula , Miklós Ida
Published: August 2021

Fungal pathogens, from phytopathogenic fungus to human pathogens, are able to alternate between the yeast-like form and filamentous forms. This morphological transition (dimorphism) is in close connection with their pathogenic lifestyles and with their responses to changing environmental conditions. The mechanisms governing these morphogenetic conversions are still not fully understood. Therefore, we studied the filamentous growth of the less-known, non-pathogenic dimorphic fission yeast,S. japonicus, which belongs to an ancient and early evolved branch of the Ascomycota. Its RNA sequencing revealed that several hundred genes were up- or down-regulated in the hyphae compared to the yeast-phase cells. These genes belonged to different GO categories, confirming that mycelial growth is a rather complex process. The genes of transport- and metabolic processes appeared especially in high numbers among them. High expression of genes involved in glycolysis and ethanol production was found in the hyphae, while other results pointed to the regulatory role of the protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. The homologues of 49S. japonicusfilament-associated genes were found by sequence alignments also in seven distantly related dimorphic and filamentous species. The comparative genomic analyses betweenS. japonicusand the closely related but non-dimorphicS. pombeshed some light on the differences in their genomes. All these data can contribute to a better understanding of hyphal growth and those genomic rearrangements that underlie it.
Prediction of the occurrence of calcium oxalate kidney stones based on clinical and gut microbiota characteristics
Authors: Xiang Liyuan , Jin Xi , Liu Yu , Ma Yucheng , Jian Zhongyu , Wei Zhitao , Li Hong , Li Yi , Wang Kunjie
Published: August 2021

Purpose

To predict the occurrence of calcium oxalate kidney stones based on clinical and gut microbiota characteristics.

Methods

Gut microbiota and clinical data from 180 subjects (120 for training set and 60 for validation) attending the West China Hospital (WCH) were collected between June 2018 and January 2021. Based on the gut microbiota and clinical data from 120 subjects (66 non-kidney stone individuals and 54 kidney stone patients), we evaluated eight machine learning methods to predict the occurrence of calcium oxalate kidney stones.

Results

With fivefold cross-validation, the random forest method produced the best area under the curve (AUC) of 0.94. We further applied random forest to an independent validation dataset with 60 samples (34 non-kidney stone individuals and 26 kidney stone patients), which yielded an AUC of 0.88.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that clinical data combined with gut microbiota characteristics may help predict the occurrence of kidney stones.