bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of surface oxide layer on the impact dynamic behavior of molten aluminum droplets
Authors: Yang Wenjie , Yang Rui , Yao Yina , Gao Zishan , Zhang Hui
Published: January 2023

Oxide layer is easily formed on the surface of some metal droplets, which affects the dynamic behavior of droplet impact. In this paper, experiments were conducted for the impacting process of a molten aluminum droplet on a Teflon substrate. The thickness of surface oxide layer of aluminum droplets was controlled by varying oxygen concentrations in the gas atmosphere. The effects of oxygen concentration and Weber number on droplet spread, rebound, and splash behavior were investigated. The results show that the oxygen concentration in the environment directly affects the droplet impact behavior. The differences in the droplet retraction process at different oxygen concentrations are more significant than the spread process. Strong retraction causes droplet rebound (We = 17.11) and splash (We = 102.3) in hypoxic environments, whereas only weak retraction in air. The viscous dissipation of the droplet impact in different oxygen concentration environment is estimated by counting the droplet bounce height, and the dissipation increases with the increase in the oxygen concentration. The thickness of the oxide layer measured by scanning electron microscope became thinner as the oxygen concentration decreases and, accordingly, the aluminum droplet collisions show different dynamic behavior. The experimental results are analyzed and explained regarding the reduction in surface tension, the increase in viscous forces, and the shear-thinning properties which increase the viscous dissipation during retraction. Ryan model was used to predict the droplet maximum spreading factor ξmax with the Weber number to the power of 0.5, better than the energy conservation-based Pasandideh-Fard model.
Establishment of a Reynolds average simulation method and study of a drag reduction mechanism for viscoelastic fluid turbulence
Authors: Yuan Ying , Yin Ran , Jing Jiaqiang , Du Shejiao , Pan Jie
Published: January 2023

Reynolds average simulation governing equations are derived for viscoelastic fluid turbulence using the Reynolds time-averaged method combined with the Navier–Stokes equations, the viscoelastic fluid finitely extensible nonlinear elastic-Peterlin constitutive equation, the viscoelastic fluid molecular conformation tensor transport equation, and the k−ε−v′2¯−f turbulence model. To identify the relevant viscoelastic terms, user-defined functions and the programing language C are used to write a simulation subroutine for the Reynolds average of viscoelastic fluid turbulence; this subroutine is embedded into computational fluid dynamics software to establish a simulation method for Reynolds average of viscoelastic fluid turbulence. Then, the flow field structure of viscoelastic fluid turbulence is analyzed. Using energy transport theory, expressions for the contribution of viscous, elastic, and Reynolds shear stress to the turbulent friction factor of viscoelastic fluid in a horizontal tube are established, and the turbulent drag reduction mechanism of the viscoelastic fluid is revealed. The simulated values for pressure drop, Fanning friction factor, and the drag reduction rate of viscoelastic fluid in tests are in good agreement with experimental values, and the average relative error is less than 12.37%. In addition, elastic shear stress is produced after the dissolution of drag reduction agents in water, which increases the turbulent friction factor; however, Reynolds shear stress is greatly reduced, and viscous shear stress is weakened by inhibiting the turbulence fluctuation, so the turbulent friction factor decreases; more importantly, the increase in the friction factor of the former is much smaller than that of the latter.
Differential effects of language proficiency and use on L2 lexical prediction
Authors: Fernández-Arroyo Laura , Sagarra Nuria , Fernández Kaylee
Published: January 2023

Language experience is essential for SLA. Yet, studies comparing the role of L2 proficiency and L2 use on L2 processing are scant, and there are no studies examining how these variables modulate learners’ ability to generalize grammatical associations to new instances. This study investigates whether L2 proficiency and L2 use affect L2 stress-tense suffix associations (a stressed syllable cuing a present suffix, and an unstressed syllable cuing a preterit suffix) using eye-tracking. Spanish monolinguals and English learners of Spanish varying in L2 proficiency and L2 use saw two verbs (e.g., firma-firmó ‘(s)he signs/signed’), heard a sentence containing one of the verbs, and chose the verb they had heard. Both groups looked at target verbs above chance before hearing the suffix, but the monolinguals did so more accurately and earlier than the learners. The learners recognized past verbs faster than present verbs, were faster with higher than lower L2 proficiency, and later with higher than lower L2 use. Finally, higher L2 proficiency yielded earlier morphological activation but higher L2 use produced later morphological activation, indicating that L2 proficiency and L2 use affect L2 word processing differently. We discuss the contribution of these findings to language acquisition and processing models, as well as models of general cognition.
Quality monitoring of projection welding using machine learning with small data sets
Authors: Koal Johannes , Hertzschuch Tim , Baumgarten Martin , Zschetzsche Jörg , Füssel Uwe
Published: January 2023

Capacitor discharge welding is an efficient, cost-effective and stable process. It is mostly used for projection welding. Real-time monitoring is desired to ensure quality. Until this point, measured process quantities were evaluated through expert systems. This method is strongly restricted to specific welding tasks and needs deep understanding of the process. Another possibility is quality prediction based on process data with machine learning. This requires classified welding experiments to achieve a high prediction probability. In industrial manufacturing, it is rarely possible to generate big sets classified data. Therefore, semi-supervised learning is investigated to enable model development on small data sets. Supervised learning models on large amounts of data are used as a comparison to the semi-supervised models. A total of 389 classified weld tests were performed. With semi-supervised learning methods, the amount of training data necessary was reduced to 31 classified data sets.
NamiRNA-enhancer network of miR-492 activates the NR2C1-TGF-β/Smad3 pathway to promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Liu Shanshan , He Xiaomeng , Di Yang , Li Qiuyue , Li Feng , Ma Yan , Chen Litian , Gao Yushi , Xu Jingjing , Yang Shuai , Xu Li , Corpe Christopher , Ling Yun , Zhang Xiaoyan , Xu Jianqing , Yu Wenqiang , Wang Jin
Published: January 2023

Pancreatic cancer (PaCa) is one of the most fatal malignancies of the digestive system, and most patients are diagnosed at advanced stages due to the lack of specific and effective tumor-related biomarkers for the early detection of PaCa. miR-492 has been found to be upregulated in PaCa tumor tissue and may serve as a potential therapeutic target. However, the molecular mechanisms by which miR-492 promotes PaCa tumor growth and progression are unclear. In this study, we first found that miR-492 in enhancer loci activated neighboring genes (NR2C1/NDUFA12/TMCC3) and promoted PaCa cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. We also observed that miR-492-activating genes significantly enriched the TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway in PaCa to promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during tumorigenesis and development. Using CRISPR–Cas9 and ChIP assays, we further observed that miR-492 acted as an enhancer trigger, and that antagomiR-492 repressed PaCa tumorigenesis in vivo, decreased the expression levels of serum TGF-β, and suppressed the EMT process by downregulating the expression of NR2C1. Our results demonstrate that miR-492, as an enhancer trigger, facilitates PaCa progression via the NR2C1-TGF-β/Smad3 pathway.
‘Alien Seamen’ or ‘Imperial Family’? Race, Belonging and British Sailors of Colour in the Royal Navy, 1939–47
Authors: Houghton Frances
Published: January 2023

In October 1939, the British Government lifted a formal ‘colour bar’ to military service for the duration of hostilities. Yet despite the state’s rhetoric of a multi-racial, multi-ethnic ‘People’s War’, racial discrimination continued to pervade Britain’s wartime armed forces. In particular, the Royal Navy (RN) fiercely resisted opening up naval service to eligible British men of colour. Providing a fresh critical perspective on wartime Admiralty records, this article establishes that the Second World War catalysed a significant shift from a codified de jure structure of racial exclusion in the Navy, to a more informal system that was rooted in a complex and diffuse web of de facto racist recruiting practices. It demonstrates the ways in which, between the temporary removal of the formal ‘colour bar’ to naval service in 1939 and its permanent abolition in 1947, the RN enacted a series of complicated covert mechanisms that were designed to shut out men of colour by stealth as far as possible. The article also scrutinises a number of letters of protest that were written to the Admiralty on behalf of Black West Indian, Maltese and Anglo-Indian individuals who were denied entry to the Service. These letter-writers collectively sought to expose the Navy’s hidden racial discrimination and to challenge, with varying degrees of individual success, the naval institution’s continued practices of racial exclusion. Overall, this article ascertains how complex and contested meanings of ‘race’, national ‘belonging’ and ‘Britishness’ were invested in the Royal Navy during the Second World War.
More Examples May Benefit Dictionary Users
Authors: Ptasznik Bartosz
Published: January 2023

There is no doubt that example sentences enhance a dictionary’s value by providing dictionary users with the typical context of words. But how many examples do dictionary users need in a dictionary, or how many examples in a dictionary lead to confusion? The aim of the paper is twofold. First, an attempt will be made to investigate the usefulness of encoding examples in language production. Second, the aim will be to see whether a multitude of encoding examples exhibiting various types of syntax and collocation patterns confuse or benefit students of English during a translation task. 213 Polish learners of English participated in the study. To achieve the aims of the present study, mixed-effects logistic models were fitted and analyzed for the purpose of statistical analysis. The findings of the current study suggest that the presence of encoding examples in dictionaries is beneficial to learners of English in language production. Also, it can be inferred from the data that exposure to eight examples exhibiting two target syntax/collocation patterns of use is equally helpful to dictionary users as the availability of three examples exhibiting a single target syntax/collocation pattern.
Characterization of Virulence-Associated Traits in Mycoplasma penetrans Strains Acting as Likely Etiological Agents of Idiopathic Nongonococcal Urethritis
Authors: Schwab Nathan R , Young Natalie E , Nzenwata Davidson U , Toh Evelyn , Mikulin Joseph A , Wilson Timothy J , Nelson David E , Balish Mitchell F
Published: January 2023

Mycoplasma penetrans is an emerging pathogen with a reduced genome. This bacterium has only previously been cultured from individuals with chronic immunodeficiencies. Here we report the characteristics of 4 M. penetrans isolates from the urine of immunocompetent males with nongonococcal urethritis, in comparison with strain HF-2 from an immunocompromised patient. Several features exhibited distinct differences between these isolates and HF-2. Unlike HF-2, all 4 were resistant to azithromycin. They exhibited greater sialic acid-dependent binding to erythrocytes, gliding motility speed, and H2O2 production than HF-2. All new isolates produced thinner capsules than HF-2. Invasiveness varied, with some isolates being more invasive than HF-2 and some less invasive. Cytotoxicity to HeLa cells was similar to HF-2, and all strains could clear extracellular traps produced by innate immune cells. We conclude that subtle differences among M. penetrans strains may be critical for this organism to establish an infection in an otherwise healthy individual.
Effect of inclusion of distillers grains with solubles and crude glycerin in beef cattle finishing diets on ruminal fermentation and fatty acid biohydrogenation
Authors: Larson Haley E , Crawford Grant I , Cox Ryan B , DiCostanzo Alfredo
Published: January 2023

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of feeding bio-fuel co-products on ruminal fermentation characteristics and composition of omasal digesta flow. Four ruminally cannulated Holstein steers (371 ± 5 kg) were used in a 4 × 4 Latin Square design. Omasal sample collection and triple marker technique was used to quantify fatty acid omasal flow. Treatments were applied as a 2 × 2 factorial where a steam flaked corn (SFC) basal diet (DGS-N CG-N) was replaced with 40% of diet DM as corn distillers grains (DGS; DGS-Y CG-N) or 10% of diet DM as crude glycerin (DGS-N CG-Y) or 40% of diet DM distillers grains and 10% of diet DM as crude glycerin (DGS-Y CG-Y). No effects were observed for the interaction of DGS and glycerin on measured rumen characteristics. Dietary inclusion of glycerin decreased (P = 0.05) ruminal content 4-h post feeding on a DM basis but did not influence DMI (P = 0.64). Feeding DGS had no effect (P = 0.34) on particulate passage to the omasum (kg/d) in spite of greater (P = 0.04) DMI. Feeding DGS reduced flow rate (% of rumen volume/h) (P = 0.05) but did not affect total VFA concentration (P = 0.46) or average ruminal pH (P = 0.72). No differences (P > 0.05) were observed in ruminal parameters when feeding glycerin, besides ruminal particulate content (kg) on DM basis (P = 0.05). An interaction of DGS and glycerin affected intake of stearic (P < 0.01), linoleic (P < 0.01), and linolenic acid (P < 0.01). An interaction of DGS and glycerin did not affect individual fatty acid flow with respect to intake for stearic (P = 0.17), linoleic (P = 0.18), or linolenic acid (P = 0.66). Dietary inclusion of glycerin had no impact on g of linolenic (P = 0.16) or linoleic (P = 0.32) acid transformed. A trend was identified for cattle fed diets with glycerin to have increased (P = 0.07) grams of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA; C18:2 cis-9, trans-11) per gram of linoleic acid intake, with no impact on the percent of saturated fat (P = 0.44) or unsaturated fat (P = 0.43) in omasal flow. For cattle fed diets with DGS, fewer grams of linoleic (P < 0.01) and linolenic (P < 0.01) were present in digesta flow per gram of intake. Inclusion of DGS in the treatment diets also increased (P < 0.01) stearic acid flow (g) and CLA flow (g) per gram of stearic and linoleic acid intake, respectively. Observed differences in CLA proportion post fermentation may indicate interrupted biohydrogenation when glycerin is fed.
Matching and sorting across regions
Authors: Lacava Chiara
Published: January 2023

This article measures the effects of workers’ mobility across regions characterised by different productivity levels through the lens of a search and matching model with heterogeneous workers and firms estimated using administrative data. In an application to Italy, the model estimates imply that the relocation of workers to the most productive region boosts employment and output at the country level, reduces inequality and widens productivity gaps. There is an interplay between the sorting of workers across regions and across firms, and migration mitigates the frictions caused by worker–firm sorting. The model allows for the evaluation of general equilibrium effects of place-based policies towards the least productive region. Subsidising the creation of high-technology jobs reduces migration substantially while increasing employment and productivity. In contrast, subsidies for hiring unemployed or high-skill migrants imply indirect effects that limit policy effectiveness.
Patient Safety and the Question of Dignitary Harms
Authors: Mitchell Polly , Cribb Alan , Entwistle Vikki
Published: January 2023

Patient safety is a central aspect of healthcare quality, focusing on preventable, iatrogenic harm. Harm, in this context, is typically assumed to mean physical injury to patients, often caused by technical error. However, some contributions to the patient safety literature have argued that disrespectful behavior towards patients can cause harm, even when it does not lead to physical injury. This paper investigates the nature of such dignitary harms and explores whether they should be included within the scope of patient safety as a field of practice. We argue that dignitary harms in health care are—at least sometimes—preventable, iatrogenic harms. While we caution against including dignitary harms within the scope of patient safety just because they are relevantly similar to other iatrogenic harms, we suggest that thinking about dignitary harms can help to elucidate the value of patient safety, and to illuminate the evolving relationship between safety and quality.
An investigation on ellipsis from network science approach
Authors: Jin Huiyuan , Yang Kecheng , Liu Haitao
Published: January 2023

Ellipsis refers to a linguistic mismatch between sound and meaning. In order to fill the research gap in exploring the cause of ellipsis concerning research methods, the study herein attempts to further this issue with an empirical approach. A complex network approach is used to describe the structural patterns of ellipsis language from a macroscopic perspective and different scales of microscopic granularity. According to previous theoretical foundations on ellipsis, two syntactic network models are established, one is derived from the treebank of spoken conversation in modern Chinese; the other is obtained from the same treebank, but with all its elliptical structures added. Twelve kinds of network measures are used to approach the structural similarities and differences between the two networks. Research results suggested that elliptical structures did not change the network topology extracted from the communication system, nor the relevant importance of the linguistic element for transmitting the information. More specifically, the linguistic elements functioned as good ‘spreaders’, transitivity, connectedness, efficiency, and stability in information transmission of the communication system are not affected by elliptical structures.
Exploring the possibilities of Thomson’s fourth paradigm transformation—The case for a multimodal approach to digital oral history?
Authors: Smyth Hannah K , Nyhan Julianne , Flinn Andrew
Published: January 2023

This article seeks to reorientate ‘digital oral history’ towards a new research paradigm, Multimodal Digital Oral History (MDOH), and in so doing it seeks to build upon Alistair Thomson’s (Thomson, A., 2007, Four paradigm transformations in oral history. Oral History Review, 34(1): 49–70.) characterization of a ‘dizzying digital revolution’ and paradigmatic transformation in oral history (OH). Calling for a recalibration of the current dominance of the textual transcript, and for active engagement with the oral, aural, and sonic affordances of both retro-digitized and born digital OH (DOH) collections, we call for a re-orientation of the digital from passive to generative and self-reflexive in the human–machine study of spoken word recordings. First, we take stock of the field of DOH as it is currently conceived and the ways in which it has or has not answered calls for a return to the orality of the interview by digital means. Secondly, we address the predominant trend of working with transcriptions in digital analysis of spoken word recordings and the tools being used by oral historians. Thirdly, we ask about the emerging possibilities—tools and experimental methodologies—for sonic analysis of spoken word collections within and beyond OH, looking to intersections with digital humanities, sociolinguistics, and sound studies. Lastly, we consider ethical questions and practicalities concomitant with data-driven methods, analyses and technologies like AI for the study of sonic research artefacts, reflections that dovetail with digital hermeneutics and digital tool criticism and point towards a new MDOH departure, a sub-field that has potential to inform the many fields that seek patterns in audio, audio-visual, and post-textual materials, serially and at scale.
Siberian Radioheliograph: sunspot oscillations in 3–6 GHz band
Authors: Sych Robert , Altyntsev Alexander
Published: January 2023

We present the first observations of spatially resolved oscillation sources obtained with the Siberian Radioheliograph at 3–6 GHz. We have found significant flux oscillations with periods of about 3, 5, and 13 min emitted from AR12833. The 3-min periodicity dominates at higher frequencies. It was found that the apparent level of oscillations depends on the active region location on the disc, and scales down towards the limbs. The oscillations were studied in detail during 1 h interval on 2021 June 19. We found that sources of 3-min oscillations were located above the umbra and their emission is extraordinary polarized. The 5- and 13-min periods were manifested in emission at lower frequencies, down to 2.8 GHz. Sources with 5-min periodicity were located near the umbra/penumbra boundary and in the pore region. Positions of sources with 13-min oscillations were different at 3.1 and 4.7 GHz. We found consistency between spatial location of the oscillation sources in radio and ultraviolet at 171 and 304 Å. There is significant correlation of signals in two ranges. Time delays between microwave oscillations increase as the frequency decreases, which can be explained by upward propagation of periodic disturbances. The localization of oscillation sources is probably related to magnetic structures with different wave cut-off frequencies at different heights.
The Compassion Club: A New Proposal for Transformation of Tobacco Retail
Authors: Starr Raven , Murray Kim , Chaiton Michael
Published: January 2023

Introduction

One major assumption in the current tobacco industry is the distribution of tobacco products through a system of commercial for-profit retail. However, other models of distribution that do not rely on this mechanism exist.

Aims and Methods

In this review, we examine the potential of a nonprofit Compassion Club model and discuss how the current existence of independent vape stores might provide the infrastructure to allow the transformation of tobacco distribution.

Results

Compassion Clubs exist internationally with different levels of regulation and legality and have generally been focused on the distribution of illegal drugs or hard-to-access pharmaceuticals. They provide access to drugs for existing users, limit access by novices, limit negative impacts from illicit markets, and provide social support focused on reducing harms associated with drug use.

Conclusions

With decreasing prevalence of tobacco use in many countries and growing interest in a tobacco endgame, a Compassion Club model of distribution could help transition tobacco away from the model of commercial widely available distribution. More work is needed to develop the regulations and policies that might guide a compassion club model.

Implications

Compassion clubs are a model for the distribution of psychoactive substances that are focused on harm reduction and social support rather than profit. There has been little discussion about the possibility that this promising model could be applied to help transform the tobacco industry. Many independent vape stores already demonstrate aspects of the compassion club model that could be used to support a transition.
Differential Gene Expression of fresh tissue and patient-derived explants’ matricellular proteins augment inflammatory breast cancer metastasis: the possible role of IL-6 and MCP-1
Authors: Tarek Alshaimaa , Mohamed Hossam Taha , El-Sharkawy Aya Ali , El-Sayed Shrouk Khalaf , Hirshon Jon Mark , Woodward Wendy A , El-Shinawi Mohamed , Mohamed Mona Mostafa
Published: January 2023

Background

Matricellular proteins comprising matrisome and adhesome are responsible for structure integrity and interactions between cells in the tumour microenvironment of breast cancer. Changes in the gene expression of matrisome and adhesome augment metastasis. Since inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is characterized by high metastatic behaviour. Herein, we compared the gene expression profile of matrisome and adhesome in non-IBC and IBC in fresh tissue and ex vivo patient-derived explants (PDEs) and we also compared the secretory inflammatory mediators of PDEs in non-IBC and IBC to identify secretory cytokines participate in cross-talk between cells via interactions with matrisome and adhisome.

Methods

Fifty patients (31 non-IBC and 19 IBC) were enrolled in the present study. To test their validation in clinical studies, PDEs were cultured as an ex vivo model. Gene expression and cytokine array were used to identify candidate genes and cytokines contributing to metastasis in the examined fresh tissues and PDEs. Bioinformatics analysis was applied on identified differentially expressed genes using GeneMANIA and Metascape gene annotation and analysis resource to identify pathways involved in IBC metastasis.

Results

Normal and cancer fresh tissues and PDEs of IBC were characterized by overexpression of CDH1 and MMP14 and downregulation of CTNNA1 and TIMP1 compared with non-IBC. The secretome of IBC cancer PDEs is characterized by significantly high expression of interleukin 6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (CCL2) compared with non-IBC.

Conclusion

Genes expressed by adhisome and matrisome play a significant role in IBC metastasis and should be considered novel target therapy.
ASSESSMENT OF DOSES FROM INGESTION OF NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIONUCLIDES K-40 AND RA-226 IN RICE CONSUMED IN TAIWAN
Authors: Huang Wei-Hsiang , Liu Yung-Yu , Lin Sheng-Chi , Yeh Yi-Lung , Chen Ting-Chien
Published: January 2023

This study investigated natural gamma emitting radionuclides 40K and 226Ra in rice consumed in Taiwan. Thirty rice samples, collected from local markets, included 24 local rice and 6 imported rice samples. Radionuclide activities were 24.05 ± 10.21 and 0.62 ± 0.61 Bq/kg for 40Kand 226Ra for all rice samples. The activity of each radionuclide was insignificantly different for local and imported samples (p = 0.33 and 0.52 for 40K and 226Ra, respectively). The annual effective doses from rice consumption were estimated to be 6.80 ± 2.89 and 7.86 ± 7.81 μSv/y for 40K and 226Ra, respectively, and the sum ingestion dose of 226Ra and 40K was 14.66 ± 8.57 μSv/y. These values were one order of magnitude less than the 290 μSv/y world average of the ingestion exposure from natural sources. The results suggest that rice consumption in Taiwan is radiologically safe for the investigated radionuclides.
Noninvasive positive pressure in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Nathani Avantika , Hatipoğlu Umur , Mireles-Cabodevila Eduardo
Published: January 2023

Purpose of review

Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIV) is standard of care for patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). We review the most current evidence and highlight areas of uncertainty and ongoing research. We highlight key concepts for the clinician caring for patients with AECOPD which require NIV.

Recent findings

Implementation of NIV in AECOPD is not uniform in spite of the evidence and guidelines. Initiation of NIV should be done early and following protocols. Low-intensity NIV remains the standard of care, although research and guidelines are evaluating higher intensity NIV. Scores to predict NIV failure continue to be refined to allow early identification and interventions. Several areas of uncertainty remain, among them are interventions to improve tolerance, length of support and titration and nutritional support during NIV.

The use of NIV in AECOPD is the standard of care as it has demonstrated benefits in several patient-centered outcomes. Current developments and research is related to the implementation and adjustment of NIV.
Topical Review: Impact of Central Vision Loss on Navigation and Obstacle Avoidance while Walking
Authors: Cloutier Melissa , DeLucia Patricia R.
Published: January 2023

SIGNIFICANCE

Individuals with central vision loss are at higher risk of injury when walking and thus may limit trips outside the home. Understanding the mobility challenges associated with central vision loss (CVL) can lead to more effective interventions.

A systematic literature review focusing on mobility in CVL was conducted. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses method, 2424 articles were identified in 4 databases (PsycINFO, APA PsycArticles, PubMed, and Web of Science). To be included within this review, the study methodology needed to be related to the three components of walking: (1) navigation, defined as the ability to reach a target destination; (2) obstacle avoidance, defined as the ability to avoid collisions with obstacles located at various heights and directions; and (3) street crossing, defined as the ability to both navigate a path and avoid collisions in a traffic environment. The methodology also needed to be empirical. Case studies, unstructured observational studies, studies based on self-report, research proposals, and existing systematic reviews were excluded. Titles, abstracts, and full text of identified articles were screened, yielding 26 articles included in the review. Results showed that, in many tasks, individuals with CVL can accomplish a level of performance comparable with individuals with normal vision. Differences between normal and impaired vision were due to either age or how the groups completed the task. For example, individuals with CVL could cross a street successfully but did so less safely (i.e., smaller safety margins) than individuals with normal vision. To identify new interventions for CVL, future research should focus on the differences in the mechanisms underlying mobility between individuals with normal and impaired vision rather than solely on performance differences.
Spatial Interactions in Interocular and Monocular “Blur Suppression”
Authors: Qian Jin , Patel Saumil S. , Bedell Harold E.
Published: January 2023

SIGNIFICANCE

The suppression of blurred images in one eye by clear images in the other eye is thought to contribute to the success of monovision correction. We show that interocular suppression occurs also for low-contrast targets that are not blurred and, to a lesser extent, when clear and low-contrast targets are presented to the same eye.

PURPOSE

A blurred target presented to one eye may be suppressed when a clear target is presented to the other eye. We sought to determine how this interocular suppression varies according to the separation between the blurred and clear targets and the magnitude of imposed blur. In addition, we examined whether a similar suppression occurs when the clear and blurred targets are imaged in the same eye.

METHODS

Subjects (N = 4) viewed a clear 20/40 Sloan letter surrounded by four 2 × 10 min-arc flanking bars. In different blocks of trials, the gap between the letter and flanking bars varied from 0.5 to 4 bar widths. In addition, the flanking bars were either clear or spatially filtered to simulate 0.5 to 2 D of blur. The contrast required to detect the flanking bars was determined when the letter and flanking bars were presented either dichoptically or monoptically and compared with the thresholds for the bar targets presented alone.

RESULTS

In both dichoptic and monoptic viewing conditions, detection thresholds for the blurred flanking bars are highest for the smallest spatial gap and decrease systematically as the gap increases. Thresholds are uniformly higher during dichoptic than monocular viewing, but the proportional change with the bar-to-letter separation is similar in both conditions. Surprisingly, the magnitude of imposed blur has very little influence on the magnitude of threshold elevation in either the dichoptic or monoptic viewing conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

Because threshold elevation is nearly the same in the presence of 0 to 2 D of blur, we prefer to designate the phenomenon we studied as “contrast suppression.” The similar spatial characteristics of suppression during dichoptic and monoptic viewing are consistent with contributions from a common neural mechanism.
Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma With Tumor Thrombus in the Inferior Vena Cava or Right Atrium
Authors: Ichida Akihiko , Kokudo Takashi , Shimada Shingo , Hatano Etsuro , Kubo Shoji , Kato Yutaro , Ishikawa Yoshiya , Mori Akira , Baba Hideo , Matsuyama Yutaka , Endo Itaru , Yamaue Hiroki , Yamamoto Masakazu , Kokudo Norihiro , Hasegawa Kiyoshi
Published: January 2023

Objective:

To clarify the short and long-term postoperative outcomes and surgical indications for patients accompanied by hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus (TT) in the inferior vena cava (IVC) or right atrium (RA).

Background:

These patients are known to have an extremely poor prognosis; however, the postoperative outcomes have not been fully verified because of the rarity of this disease.

Methods:

We contacted 211 specialized centers in Japan and collected data on liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma with TT in the IVC or RA from centers with experience performing surgery for such patients. The patient characteristics, operative procedures, and surgical outcomes were then analyzed.

Results:

A total of 119 patients from 23 institutions were enrolled; 49 patients had TT in the IVC below the diaphragm (type I), 42 had TT in the IVC above the diaphragm (type II), and 28 had TT entering the RA (type III). The severity and frequency of postoperative complications did not differ among the 3 groups. There was one surgery-related death in the type III group. The median survival times were 2.47 years in the type I group, 1.77 years in the type II group, and 1.02 years in the type III group. Multivariate analysis identified an indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes >15% and ≥3 tumors as prognostic factors affecting survival, whereas the use of cardiopulmonary bypass and ≥3 tumors were risk factors for recurrence.

Conclusions:

As the postoperative prognosis of patients with type I or type II disease and of patients with no risk factors is relatively good, surgery should be considered for these patient populations.
The Identification of Key Genes and Biological Pathways in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and its Complications by Next Generation Squancing (NGS) and Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Vastrad Basavaraj , Vastrad Chanabasayya
Published: January 2023

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is is associated with infertility, obesity, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular problems, neurological and psychological problems and cancer. The specific mechanism of PCOS and its complications remains unclear. The aim of this study was to apply a bioinformatics approach to reveal related pathways or genes involved in the development of PCOS and its complications. The next generation squancing (NGS) datset GSE199225 was downloaded from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis was performed using DESeq2. The g:Profiler was utilized to analyze the functional enrichment, gene ontology (GO) and REACTOME pathway of the differentially expressed genes. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed and module analysis was performed using HiPPIE and cytoscape. The miRNA-hub gene regulatory network and TF-hub gene regulatory network were also constructed for research. The expression of the hub genes was validated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. We have identified 957 DEGs in total, including 478 up regulated genes and 479 down regulated gene. GO and REACTOME illustrated that DEGs in PCOS were significantly enriched in regulation of molecular function, developmental process, interferon signaling and platelet activation, signaling and aggregation. Finally, through analyzing the PPI network, modules, miRNA-hub gene regulatory network and TF-hub gene regulatory network, we screened hub genes HSPA5, PLK1, RIN3, DBN1, CCDC85B, DISC1, AR, MTUS2, LYN and TCF4 by the Cytoscape software. This study uses a series of bioinformatics technologies to obtain hug genes and key pathways related to PCOS and its complications. These analysis results provide us with novel ideas for finding biomarkers and treatment methods for PCOS and its complications.
Cellular Immune Responses Induced by Subretinal AAV Gene Transfer can be Restrained by the Subretinal Associated Immune Inhibition Mechanism
Authors: Vendomèle Julie , Chauveau Gaëlle Anne , Dalkara Deniz , Galy Anne , Fisson Sylvain
Published: January 2023

For more than a decade, AAV-mediated gene transfer has been tested successfully in clinical trials to treat inherited retinal diseases. Despite the eye’s immune-privileged status and the use of corticoids as an adjunct treatment, some patients display inflammatory events which led us to question the immune consequences of a subretinal AAV administration. We first characterized anti-transgene immune responses induced in the periphery by injecting increasing doses of AAV8 encoding reporter proteins fused with the HY male antigen into the subretinal space of female C57BL/6 and rd10 mice. Transgene expression was monitored over time with bioluminescence imaging and T-cell immune responses in the spleen were analyzed by IFNγ ELISpot and cytokine multiplex assays. Our data show that an AAV8 injection causes proinflammatory T-cell immune response against the transgene product, correlated with the transgene expression level at 2.109vg and above. Additionally, co-injection of immunodominant peptides from the transgene product, along with AAV8, modulates the immune response at all AAV doses tested. Taken together, our data suggest that injection of AAV8 in the subretinal space induces proinflammatory peripheral T-cell responses to the transgene product that can be modulated by the subretinal associated immune inhibition (SRAII) mechanism.
Sex allocation plasticity in response to resource and pollination availability in the annual plantBrassica rapa(Brassicaceae)
Authors: Kostur Nikolet , Wadgymar Susana M.
Published: January 2023

Premise of research

Hermaphroditic plants reproduce as females by maturing seeds from fertilized ovules and as males by fertilizing the ovules of other plants. Sex allocation theory predicts a trade-off between investment in male and female function. Thus, to maximize fitness, selection should favor plasticity in resource allocation among individuals or flowers of the same plant in response to environmental conditions. As female reproduction is typically more costly while male reproduction is mate-limited, we predict greater investment in female function when resources are plentiful and in male function when pollination is limited.

Methodology

We investigated plasticity in sex allocation in the rapid cycling lineage of the hermaphroditic mustard species,Brassica rapa, in response to resource availability (altered pot size) and the pollination environment (unpollinated or fully pollinated). We assess investment in male function (anther length) and female function (ovary length) in flower buds produced at the onset of reproduction and in buds produced approximately 15 days later. We also measured traits often correlated with increased allocation to female (plant size) and male (flower size) function.

Pivotal Results

Larger plants had longer anthers, longer ovaries, and larger flowers at the onset of reproduction, resulting in similar anther:ovary length ratios across plants of different sizes. Independent of plant-size, plants produced smaller anthers at the onset of reproduction in the low resource treatment and larger flowers over the course of reproduction in the pollen-absent treatment. Furthermore, larger plants produced increasingly longer ovaries over the course of reproduction compared to smaller plants.

Conclusions

Our findings underscore the influence of condition on changes in sex allocation and correlated traits over time. Furthermore, we provide some additional supporting evidence that resource availability and the pollination environment can influence sex allocation and contribute cautionary advice on effective methods for experimentally eliciting and measuring sex allocation plasticity.
Evaluating the neural underpinnings of motivation for walking exercise
Authors: Doren Sarah , Schwab Sarah M. , Bigner Kaitlyn , Calvelage Jenna , Preston Katie , Laughlin Abigail , Drury Colin , Tincher Brady , Carl Daniel , Awosika Oluwole O. , Boyne Pierce
Published: January 2023

Background

Motivation is critically important for rehabilitation, exercise, and motor performance, but its neural basis is poorly understood. Recent correlational research suggests that superior frontal gyrus medial area 9 (SFG9m) may be involved in motivation for walking activity. This study experimentally evaluated brain activity changes in periods of additional motivation during walking exercise, and tested how these brain activity changes relate to self-reported exercise motivation and walking speed.

Methods

Non-disabled adults (N=26; 65% female; 25 ± 5 years old) performed a vigorous exercise experiment involving 20 trials of maximal speed overground walking. Half of the trials were randomized to include ‘extra motivation’ stimuli (lap timer, tracked best lap time and verbal encouragement). Wearable nearinfrared spectroscopy measured oxygenated hemoglobin responses (ΔHbO2) from frontal lobe regions, including the SFG9m, primary motor, dorsolateral prefrontal, anterior prefrontal, supplementary motor and dorsal premotor cortices.

Results

Compared with standard trials, participants walked faster during ‘extra-motivation’ trials (2.67 vs. 2.43 m/s; p<0.0001) and had higher ΔHbO2in all tested brain regions. This extra motivation effect on ΔHbO2was greatest for SFG9m (+703 µM) compared with other regions (+45 to +354 µM; p≤0.04). Greater SFG9m activity was correlated with more self-determined motivation for exercise and faster walking speed.

Conclusions

Simple motivational stimuli during walking exercise seem to upregulate widespread brain regions, especially SFG9m. This could help explain the positive effects of motivational feedback on gait outcomes observed in prior rehabilitation research. Thus, these findings provide a potential biologic basis for the benefits of motivational stimuli, elicited with clinically-feasible methods during walking exercise. Future clinical studies could build on this information to develop prognostic biomarkers and test novel brain stimulation targets for enhancing exercise motivation (e.g. SFG9m).
AgamPrimer: Primer Design inAnopheles gambiaeinformed by range-wide genomic variation
Authors: Nagi Sanjay Curtis , Miles Alistair , Donnelly Martin J
Published: January 2023

The major malaria mosquito,Anopheles gambiae s.l, is one of the most studied organisms in medical research and also one of the most genetically diverse. When designing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or hybridisation-based molecular assays, reliable primer and probe design is crucial. However, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in primer binding sites can prevent primer binding, leading to null alleles, or bind suboptimally, leading to preferential amplification of specific alleles. Given the extreme genetic diversity ofAn. gambiae, researchers need to consider this genetic variation when designing primers and probes to avoid amplification problems. In this note, we present a python package, AgamPrimer, which exploits the AG1000G dataset and allows users to rapidly design primers inAn. gambiae, whilst summarising genetic variation in the primer binding sites and visualising the position of primer pairs. AgamPrimer allows the design of both genomic DNA and cDNA primers and hybridisation probes. By coupling this python package with Google Colaboratory, AgamPrimer is an open and accessible platform for primer and probe design, hosted in the cloud for free. AgamPrimer is available herehttps://github.com/sanjaynagi/AgamPrimerand we hope it will be a useful resource for the community to design probe and primer sets that can be reliably deployed across theAn. gambiaespecies range.
Qualitative assessment of cryo-EM map reconstruction
Authors: Kutumbarao Nidamarthi. H. V.
Published: January 2023

With the rapid advancement of Cryo-EM technique in deciphering structural features of biological molecules, it is a necessity to develop and explore different parameters which help us in critical evaluation of different aspects of reconstruction. In this age of ever-increasing automation and number of particles used in reconstruction to achieve high resolution maps, assessment parameters help in validation of reconstruction process. Here, we have employed one such quality parameter which quantitatively assess the presence of non-particles in the reconstructed map.
Induced Alpha And Beta Electroencephalographic Rhythms Covary With Single-Trial Speech Intelligibility In Competition
Authors: Viswanathan Vibha , Bharadwaj Hari M. , Heinz Michael G. , Shinn-Cunningham Barbara G.
Published: January 2023

1.

Neurophysiological studies suggest that intrinsic brain oscillations influence sensory processing, especially of rhythmic stimuli like speech. Prior work suggests that brain rhythms may mediate perceptual grouping and selective attention to speech amidst competing sound, as well as more linguistic aspects of speech processing like predictive coding. However, we know of no prior studies that have directly tested, at the single-trial level, whether brain oscillations relate to speech-in-noise outcomes. Here, we combined electroencephalography while simultaneously measuring intelligibility of spoken sentences amidst two different interfering sounds: multi-talker babble or speech-shaped noise. We find that induced parieto-occipital alpha (7–15 Hz; thought to modulate attentional focus) and frontal beta (13–30 Hz; associated with maintenance of the current sensorimotor state and predictive coding) oscillations covary with trial-wise percent-correct scores; importantly, alpha and beta power provide significant independent contributions to predicting single-trial behavioral outcomes. These results can inform models of speech processing and guide noninvasive measures to index different neural processes that together support complex listening.