bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Telemedicine for neurological diseases: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: León‐Salas Beatriz , González‐Hernández Yadira , Infante‐Ventura Diego , de Armas‐Castellano Aythami , García‐García Javier , García‐Hernández Miguel , Carmona‐Rodríguez Montserrat , Olazarán Javier , Dobato José Luis , Rodríguez‐Rodríguez Leticia , Trujillo‐Martín María M.
Published: October 2022

Background and purpose

The aim was to systematically review the effectiveness and safety of telemedicine combined with usual care (in‐person visits) compared to usual care for the therapeutic management and follow‐up assessment of neurological diseases.

Methods

The electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched (June 2021). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on patients of any age with neurological diseases were considered. Two reviewers screened and abstracted data in duplicate and independently and assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane risk‐of‐bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2). When possible, pooled effect estimates were calculated.

Results

Of a total of 3018 records initially retrieved, 25 RCTs (n = 2335) were included: 11 (n = 804) on stroke, four (n = 520) on Parkinson's disease, three (n = 110) on multiple sclerosis, two (n = 320) on epilepsy, one (n = 63) on dementia, one (n = 23) on spina bifida, one (n = 40) on migraine, one (n = 22) on cerebral palsy and one (n = 433) on brain damage. Types of telemedicine assessed were online visits (11 studies), tele‐rehabilitation (seven studies), telephone calls (three), smartphone apps (two) and online computer software (two). The evidence was quite limited except for stroke. Compared to usual care alone, telemedicine plus usual care was found to improve depressive symptoms, functional status, motor function, executive function, generic quality of life, healthcare utilization and healthy lifestyle in patients in post‐stroke follow‐up.

Conclusions

Well‐designed and executed RCTs are needed to confirm our findings on stroke and to have more scientific evidence available for the other neurological diseases.
Data‐driven prediction of the probability of creep–fatigue crack initiation in 316H stainless steel
Authors: Chavoshi Saeed Zare , Tagarielli Vito L.
Published: October 2022

Stainless steel components in advanced gas‐cooled reactors (AGRs) are susceptible to creep–fatigue cracking at high temperatures. Quantifying the probability of creep–fatigue crack initiation requires probabilistic numerical simulations; these are complex and computationally intensive. Here, we present a data‐driven approach to develop fast probabilistic surrogate models of creep–fatigue crack initiation in 316H stainless steel. We perform a set of Monte Carlo simulations based on the R5V2/3 high temperature assessment procedure and determine the sensitivity of the probability of crack initiation to loads and operating conditions. The data are used to train different supervised machine learning models considering Bayesian hyperparameter optimization. We discuss the relative performance of such models and show that a gradient tree boosting algorithm results in surrogate models with the highest accuracy.
Investigating the potential of Andean lupin as a lignocellulosic feedstock for Europe: First genome‐wide association study on Lupinus mutabilis biomass quality
Authors: Gulisano Agata , Dechesne Annemarie , Paulo Maria‐João , Trindade Luisa M.
Published: October 2022

The development of multipurpose crops will drive the transformation of agricultural “waste” into added‐value products, helping to meet biomass demands without competing with food production or increasing environmental pressure. Lupinus mutabilis, has been proposed not only as a valid source of protein and oil for Europe but also as a possible source of lignocellulosic feedstock for the biorefinery industry. In this study, the quality of L. mutabilis lignocellulosic biomass and its genetic architecture are investigated for the first time, using a panel of 223 accessions planted across three locations in two different European cropping conditions. Biomass quality was evaluated based on the estimation of neutral detergent fiber, cellulose, hemicellulose and acid detergent lignin fractions, and on the basis of the monosaccharide composition of cell wall polysaccharides. The broad variation in yield and composition of biomass encountered in the panel confirms the potential of L. mutabilis as lignocellulosic feedstock and points out the value of this panel as a breeding tool for the improvement of biomass quality. A genome‐wide association study was conducted to identify single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with biomass quality, both across locations and per specific location. Scanning of 16,781 SNPs across the whole genome identified 46 unique quantitative trait loci for biomass quality, 4 of which were detected as common either among traits or GWAS models. For each of the traits analyzed, between 3 and 10 SNPs were detected, explaining 2.7%–15.9% of the phenotypic variation. Underlying these loci, 28 genes were proposed as candidate genes for biomass quality. Important genes involved in cellulose and sucrose synthesis (CESA4, SPP1,WRKY33, GONST2), monolignol biosynthesis (SKIP31, WAT1, CCR‐SNL6) and pectin degradation (RAV1, PE) were identified and will require validation to confirm their value for application in L. mutabilis breeding.
A Simulation Study to Explore Inference about Global Moran's I with Random Spatial Indexes
Authors: Westerholt René
Published: October 2022

Inference procedures for spatial autocorrelation statistics assume that the underlying configurations of spatial units are fixed. However, sometimes this assumption can be disadvantageous, for example, when analyzing social media posts or moving objects. This article examines for the case of point geometries how a change from fixed to random spatial indexes affects inferences about global Moran's I, a popular spatial autocorrelation measure. Homogeneous and inhomogeneous Matérn and Thomas cluster processes are studied and for each of these processes, 10,000 random point patterns are simulated for investigating three aspects that are key in an inferential context: the null distributions of I when the underlying geometries are varied; the effect of the latter on critical values used to reject null hypotheses; and how the presence of point processes affects the statistical power of Moran's I. The results show that point processes affect all three characteristics. Inferences about spatial structure in relevant application contexts may therefore be different from conventional inferences when this additional source of randomness is taken into account.
Divergent foraging habitat preferences between summer‐breeding and winter‐breedingProcellariapetrels
Authors: Bentley Lily K. , Manica Andrea , Dilley Ben J. , Ryan Peter G. , Phillips Richard A.
Published: October 2022

Foraging niche specialization is thought to occur when different members of speciose communities divide resources in either time or space. Here we compared habitat preferences of the congeneric Grey PetrelProcellaria cinereaand White‐chinned PetrelProcellaria aequinoctialis, tracked in the same calendar year using GPS loggers from Gough Island and Bird Island (South Georgia), respectively. We identified periods of active foraging and determined habitat characteristics using remote‐sensing data. Although these highly pelagic species could potentially overlap at sea across large areas, they showed markedly different foraging preferences during their incubation periods, which are temporally offset because Grey Petrels breed during the austral winter. Grey Petrels foraged mostly in pelagic cold‐water areas to the north‐west of South Georgia, whereas White‐chinned Petrels foraged almost exclusively in the warm, shallow waters of the Patagonian Shelf. Within each species, foraging habitat characteristics were highly consistent. Our results demonstrate the diversity of habitat preferences within genera, and provide further evidence that colony‐specific information on habitat preference is crucial to identify important feeding areas for pelagic predators.
ABC of the future
Authors: Pesonen Henri , Simola Umberto , Köhn‐Luque Alvaro , Vuollekoski Henri , Lai Xiaoran , Frigessi Arnoldo , Kaski Samuel , Frazier David T. , Maneesoonthorn Worapree , Martin Gael M. , Corander Jukka
Published: October 2022

Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) has advanced in two decades from a seminal idea to a practically applicable inference tool for simulator‐based statistical models, which are becoming increasingly popular in many research domains. The computational feasibility of ABC for practical applications has been recently boosted by adopting techniques from machine learning to build surrogate models for the approximate likelihood or posterior and by the introduction of a general‐purpose software platform with several advanced features, including automated parallelisation. Here we demonstrate the strengths of the advances in ABC by going beyond the typical benchmark examples and considering real applications in astronomy, infectious disease epidemiology, personalised cancer therapy and financial prediction. We anticipate that the emerging success of ABC in producing actual added value and quantitative insights in the real world will continue to inspire a plethora of further applications across different fields of science, social science and technology.
Intensive care nurses' lived experience of altruism and sacrifices during the Covid‐19 pandemic: A phenomenological study
Authors: Slettmyr Anna , Arman Maria , Andermo Susanne , Malmberg Chris , Hällström Åsa , Hugelius Karin , Schandl Anna
Published: October 2022

Aim

The aim of this study was to understand the lived experience of altruism and sacrifices among Swedish nurses working in intensive care units (ICU) during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Design

This was a descriptive phenomenological study.

Methods

The study was conducted between June 2020 and March 2021 and included 20 nurses who were directly involved in the ICU care of COVID‐19 patients in Sweden during the pandemic. The text transcripts were analysed using Malterud's Systematic Text Condensation.

Findings

The analysis revealed four themes. The work situation changed from 1 day to another—the nurses were brutally confronted with a new and highly demanding situation. Adapting to the chaotic situation—despite fear, anguish and exhaustion, the nurses adapted to the new premises. They shouldered the moral responsibility and responded to the needs of the patients and the health care system since they had the competence. Being confronted with ethical and moral challenges—the nurses were overwhelmed by feelings of helplessness and inadequacy because despite how hard they worked, they were still unable to provide care with dignity and of acceptable quality. The importance of supporting each other—collegiality was fundamental to the nurses' ability to cope with the situation.

Conclusions

Taken together, being exposed to a constantly changing situation, facing the anguish and misery of patients, families, and colleagues, and being confronted with a conflict between the moral obligation to provide care of high quality and the possibility to fulfil this commitment resulted in suffering among the nurses. Collegial back‐up and a supportive culture within the caring team were important for the nurses' endurance.

Impact

The study contributes an understanding of nurses' lived experience of working during the COVID‐19 pandemic and highlights the importance of protecting and preparing nurses and nursing organisation for potential future crises.
Relevance of corona virus in food industry: A literature review on risks, challenges, and potential preventive measures
Authors: Radulovic Ana , Miocinovic Jelena , Radulovic Zorica , Rajkovic Milos B.
Published: October 2022

Food industry is highly affected by COVID‐19 pandemic; therefore, the preventive measures and precautions to be taken to reduce the risk of transmission of the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus and incidence of infection are necessary. This review integrate and analyze the available information and data on precautions of corona virus in food industry in pursuance of informing the public and the scientific community, as well as creating collective knowledge among food industry establishment and raising awareness of preventive measures during COVID‐19 pandemic. In this study, the information and data have been reviewed about the transmitting routs of the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus and the preventive measures and precautions to be taken in food industry during COVID‐19 pandemic in order to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus and incidence of the infection. The restriction of spreading corona virus through food industry in procedures, such as manufacturing, processing, packing, transporting. The transmitting routs of the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus are studied adequately in favor of suggesting strategies from the present scenarios. Limited number of publications has identified the risk factors for COVID‐19 and preventive measures, especially in food industry. Findings from this review may contribute to promoting research and spreading knowledge among food industry establishment and raise awareness of preventive measures in food industry during COVID‐19 pandemic.
Reply to Galizia and Abete
Authors: Bennett Ari J. , Levine Benjamin D.
Published: October 2022

This is a response to the article by Galizia et al. in this issue.
To What Extent Do Learner‐ and Word‐Related Variables Affect Production of Derivatives?
Authors: Iwaizumi Emi , Webb Stuart
Published: October 2022

This study explores the effects of receptive derivational affix knowledge, derivative frequency, part of speech, and vocabulary breadth on production of derivatives. Twenty‐one speakers of English as a first language and 107 learners of English as a second language were asked to produce derivatives for 90 prompt words on a decontextualized derivative form‐recall test. Results indicated that (a) increased receptive derivational affix knowledge and derivative frequency were linked to greater accuracy in production of derivatives, (b) adverb derivatives were more frequently produced compared to other parts of speech, and (c) learners’ vocabulary breadth was associated with greater accuracy in producing derivatives. Results also indicated a larger facilitative effect of derivative frequency for second language learners in comparison to first language speakers, but this effect diminished as vocabulary breadth increased. These findings suggest that learners may initially acquire derivatives on a case‐by‐case basis but, as their knowledge of derivational affixes and vocabulary breadth increases, they may acquire derivatives more systematically.
A history of variceal bleeding is associated with further bleeding under atezolizumab–bevacizumab in patients with HCC
Authors: Larrey Edouard , Campion Bertille , Evain Manon , Sultanik Philippe , Blaise Lorraine , Giudicelli Héloïse , Wagner Mathilde , Cluzel Philippe , Rudler Marika , Ganne‐Carrié Nathalie , Thabut Dominique , Allaire Manon
Published: October 2022

Background

Atezolizumab–bevacizumab is the new standard for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but its impact on portal hypertension (PHT) is unknown. We aimed to identify predictive factors of acute variceal bleeding (AVB) and to monitor PHT parameters under treatment.

Methods

We conducted a prospective study including all cirrhotic patients treated with atezolizumab–bevacizumab since 2020. We performed monitoring of PHT using upper endoscopy at inclusion and at 6 months and hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) at inclusion, 3 and 6 months after the beginning of treatment. We also included a retrospective series of patients treated with sorafenib. Time‐to‐events data were estimated by Kaplan–Meier with the log‐rank test, along with Cox models.

Results

Forty‐three patients treated with atezolizumab–bevacizumab were included (male 79.1%, Child‐Pugh A 86%). At baseline, 48.8% were treated with curative anticoagulation, 16.3% already experienced AVB and 25.6% had large oesophageal varices (EV). Sorafenib group characteristics were similar. Vascular invasion was present in 60.5% and median was HVPG 8.5 mm Hg. No significant modification in HVPG and EV size was observed at 6 months in the whole cohort but also when considering vascular invasion and radiological response. 14% presented AVB within a median time of occurrence of 3 months, without bleeding‐related death. In multivariate analysis, history of AVB (HR = 10.58, p = .03) was associated with AVB. AVB incidence was higher in atezolizumab–bevacizumab compared to sorafenib group (21% vs. 5% at 1 year, p = .02).

Conclusions

Atezolizumab–bevacizumab treatment was associated with a higher risk of AVB compared to sorafenib. A history of AVB was associated with AVB during follow‐up, which questions the use of bevacizumab in this setting.
Inhibition of HSPA8 by rifampicin contributes to ferroptosis via enhancing autophagy
Authors: Zhou Juan , Tan Yingzheng , Hu Lingli , Fu Jingli , Li Dan , Chen Jun , Long Yunzhu
Published: October 2022

Background and Aim

Rifampicin is the most common pathogenic factor in anti‐tuberculosis drug‐induced liver injury (AT‐DILI), the mechanisms that it promotes hepatocyte damage in AT‐DILI are not yet to be thoroughly elucidated. In this study, we investigated the potential molecular mechanisms for ferroptosis involving rifampicin hepatotoxicity.

Methods

Animal and cell injury models of rifampicin were constructed, and the toxicity of rifampicin was assessed by physicochemical staining and cell viability assay. Next, flow cytometry was employed to detect changes in ferroptosis‐related markers, and Western blotting was used to detect protein expression. Then, the important role of autophagy and ferroptosis was verified with small molecule compound intervention.

Results

We found that ferritinophagy‐induced ferroptosis participates in the toxicity of rifampicin, and the mechanism is that rifampicin precisely activates high‐throughput autophagy, which leads to the massive degradation of ferritin and the increase of free iron. Moreover, rifampicin exhibited conspicuous inhibition of Human 71 kDa heat shock cognate protein (HSPA8) that is intimately associated with Microtubule‐associated protein light chain 3 isoform B (LC3B) expression, in turn, HSPA8 inducer attenuated intracellular autophagy flux. Of note, inducing HSPA8 or inhibition of autophagy and ferroptosis considerably relieved the hepatotoxicity of rifampicin in mouse model.

Conclusions

The present study highlights the crucial roles of the HSPA8 and autophagy in ferroptotic cell death driving by rifampicin, particularly illumines multiple promising regulatory nodes for therapeutic interventions in diseases involving AT‐DILI.
Clinical efficacy and mechanism of transcutaneous neuromodulation on ineffective esophageal motility in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease
Authors: Ma Yimin , Cai Rencheng , Liu Zhengqing , Zou Xiaoping , Qiao Zhenguo
Published: October 2022

Background

Esophageal motility disorder is one of the pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The clinical and functional relationship between the ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) and GERD have been found. PPI is a widely used drug of this diaease, but some patients have poor efficacy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and possible mechanism of Transcutaneous Neuromodulation in these patients.

Methods

Fifty‐six patients with GERD with IEM were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups, one group was TN ST‐36 group, the other group was sham TN group. The GERD questionnaire (GerdQ), quality of life score, MOS item short from health survey (SF‐36), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used to assess the severity of symptoms. High‐resolution esophageal manometry (HRM) test was performed to assess low esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure and distal contractile integral (DCI). The heart rate variability (HRV) test was performed to assess autonomic nervous function.

Key Results

Compared with sham TN, chronic TN treatment decreased the GERD‐Q score (p < 0.001). The anxiety score (p = 0.058) and depression score (p = 0.156) were decreased, but there were no statistical differences. Chronic TN treatment also significantly improved the quality of life of patients, mainly in physical function, physical pain, overall health, vitality, social function, emotional function, and mental health. Acute TN treatment increased the DCI (p < 0.001) and LES pressure (p < 0.001) significantly and decreased the combined percentage of failed and weak peristalsis (p < 0.001). Concurrently, acute TN enhanced vagal activity (p < 0.001).

Conclusions and Inferences

IEM is an important link in the pathogenesis of GERD. Chronic TN treatment can significantly improve the clinical symptoms of patients. Acute TN treatment can significantly increase LES pressure and DCI and reduce the frequency of esophageal lost peristalsis and weak peristalsis. The improvement of esophageal motility in GERD patients with IEM by TN treatment may be related to the regulation of autonomic nervous function.
Xylem hydraulics strongly influence the niche differentiation of tree species along the slope of a river valley in a water‐limited area
Authors: Zhang Chi , Khan Attaullah , Duan Chun‐Yang , Cao Yu , Wu De‐Dong , Hao Guang‐You
Published: October 2022

Xylem hydraulic characteristics govern plant water transport, affecting both drought resistance and photosynthetic gas exchange. Therefore, they play critical roles in determining the adaptation of different species to environments with various water regimes. Here, we tested the hypothesis that variation in xylem traits associated with a trade‐off between hydraulic efficiency and safety against drought‐induced embolism contributes to niche differentiation of tree species along a sharp water availability gradient on the slope of a unique river valley located in a semi‐humid area. We found that tree species showed clear niche differentiation with decreasing water availability from the bottom towards the top of the valley. Tree species occupying different positions, in terms of vertical distribution distance from the bottom of the valley, showed a strong trade‐off between xylem water transport efficiency and safety, as evidenced by variations in xylem structural traits at both the tissue and pit levels. This optimized their xylem hydraulics in their respective water regimes. Thus, the trade‐off between hydraulic efficiency and safety contributes to clear niche differentiation and, thereby, to the coexistence of tree species in the valley with heterogeneous water availability.
Posterior delta/theta EEG activity as an early signal of Stroop conflict detection
Authors: Haciahmet Céline C. , Frings Christian , Beste Christian , Münchau Alexander , Pastötter Bernhard
Published: October 2022

The conflict monitoring theory postulates that conflict detection is initiated in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), indexed by midfrontal theta oscillations in the electroencephalogram (EEG). Recent research suggested that distractor detection (in the Eriksen flanker task) can be initiated relatively early by attentional control processes in the occipital lobe. Whether attentional control is also involved in the detection of stimulus–response overlapping conflict in the Stroop task is yet unclear. In the present study, we analyzed EEG time‐frequency data (N = 47) to investigate the contribution of early attentional control processes to the detection of response conflict and semantic conflict in a lateralized version of the color‐word Stroop task. The behavioral results showed significant conflict effects in response times (RT). The EEG results showed a prominent midfrontal response conflict effect in total theta power (4–8 Hz). Importantly, detection of response conflict and semantic conflict was observed in posterior delta/theta power (2–8 Hz), which was lateralized depending on the presentation side of the irrelevant Stroop words. In explorative regression analysis, both the midfrontal and the posterior response conflict effects predicted the size of response conflict errors. These results suggest that attentional control processes in posterior areas contribute to the initiation of response‐conflict detection in the Stroop task. The findings are consistent with the idea of a representational link between stimulus and response features, known as the common coding principle.
Delabeling penicillin and other antibiotic allergies in solid organ transplantation patients
Authors: Ham Young Yoon , Joshi Shyam , Sukerman Ellie
Published: October 2022

Background

Immunocompromised populations including solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients have a high likelihood of need for antibiotic therapy for treatment of infection as well as for prophylaxis. Antibiotic allergy is commonly reported and often leads to the use of alternative, second‐line antibiotics, which have been associated with poor outcomes, increased adverse effects, and higher cost. Formal allergy assessment and allergy testing can serve as an important antimicrobial stewardship tool in optimizing antibiotic regimens for this patient population.

Methods

A PubMed search with relevant keywords was performed. Review of relevant professional society guidelines was also performed.

Results

Documented penicillin and sulfonamide allergies are common impediments to the treatment and prophylaxis of immunocompromised populations, but are rarely formally evaluated in practice; however, there is evidence that most patients with documented allergy to these antibiotics can, in fact, tolerate penicillins and sulfonamide antibiotics. Implementation of an antibiotic allergy evaluation and testing program has been shown to increase the use of first‐line antibiotics and can be cost saving.

Conclusion

Antibiotic allergies have significant clinical consequences, especially in immunocompromised populations. Evaluation of these allergies to prevent the avoidance of first‐line antibiotics should be a standard part of the workflow for these patients, prior to transplant. Programs can be tailored to the available personnel and resources of the organization.

image
Challenges and opportunities in stewardship among solid organ transplant recipients with Candida auris bloodstream infections
Authors: Vu Christine A. , Jimenez Adriana , Anjan Shweta , Abbo Lilian M.
Published: October 2022

Background

Candida auris is an emerging nosocomial pathogen worldwide. However, there has been little published on the management of C. auris in solid organ transplant recipients.

Methods

A single‐center, retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate C. auris bloodstream infections in solid organ transplant recipients between January 2020 and December 2021. Patient‐related and outcomes data were extracted from electronic medical records.

Results

Of the 42 patients identified with C. auris bloodstream infections, five were in solid organ transplant recipients (1 heart, 3 liver, and 1 combined liver‐kidney). The median time to fungemia from hospital admission was 43 days, and the median time to fungemia from transplant was 18 days. All patients received micafungin as initial treatment, at a median of 6 hours from pathogen detection. Four patients achieved blood clearance, two patients had persistent fungemia, and two patients developed secondary complications from hematogenous spread. One patient died, resulting in a mortality rate of 20%.

Conclusions

Solid organ transplant recipients are at high risk for developing C. auris bloodstream infections. In order to prevent graft loss and mortality, best practices for the management of C.auris should include rapid screening, diagnosis, and treatment. While echinocandins are considered first‐line, antifungal selection should be based on susceptibilities and site of infection. Data to support routine use of combination therapy are lacking, however there may be a role for refractory cases. Prevention efforts against C. auris infection are especially important given the lack of effective decolonization strategies. For transplant recipients, hospitals should seek opportunities to restore patients' gut microbiome by curtailing unnecessary hospital procedures and inappropriate antimicrobial use. Further research and national guidelines are needed to better direct stewardship in this field.
Antibiotic allergy labels in immunocompromised populations
Authors: Waldron Jamie L. , Trubiano Jason A.
Published: October 2022

Antibiotic allergy labels (AALs) are commonly reported, with well‐defined prevalence in the general population; several studies have now focused efforts on immunocompromised hosts. Understanding the prevalence of reported allergy labels and methods of antibiotic allergy evaluation and delabeling strategies has the potential to improve prescribing practices and clinical outcomes in this high‐antibiotic use group. In this review, we will discuss the current literature on the prevalence, impact, and evaluations of AALs in immunocompromised hosts with a focus on beta‐lactam (penicillin) allergy and sulfa‐antibiotic (antimicrobial sulfurs) allergy labels.
Machine learning, antimicrobial stewardship, and solid organ transplantation: Is this the future?
Authors: Kherabi Yousra , Messika Jonathan , Peiffer‐Smadja Nathan
Published: October 2022

Background

The use of machine learning (ML) in infectious diseases is expanding.

Objectives

This review aims to provide an overview of the literature on ML for clinical decision support in antimicrobial stewardship in the particular context of solid organ transplantation (SOT).

Methods

References for this review were identified through searches of MEDLINE/PubMed and Google Scholar databases up to July 2022.

Results

ML may improve the prediction of infectious complications and the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases in SOT recipients. One of the most studied applications for antimicrobial stewardship is the individual prediction of antimicrobial resistance that could guide the empiric use of anti‐infective treatments. ML may also guide the choice of antimicrobial dose taking into account the interactions with immunosuppressive drugs. The main challenge to the development of ML clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) in SOT is the development of large clinical databases, accessible to all, with good quality, comprehensive, and diversified data. ML‐driven CDSSs are still at an experimental stage, and the education of clinicians about the benefits and limits of ML is essential.

Conclusion

ML could improve antimicrobial stewardship for SOT, but literature on that specific topic is scarce. Future studies are needed to design ML‐CDSS in the particular population of solid organ recipients and report clinical outcomes following use in routine practice.
Integral Transform Solution of Porous Medium Models for Heat Sinks Subject to Periodic Heat Loads
Authors: Lisboa Kleber Marques , Pinheiro Isabela Florindo , Cotta Renato Machado
Published: October 2022

Analysis of the energy transport in thermal microdevices modeled as a porous medium under periodic heat loads is conducted using integral transforms. Coupled eigenvalue problems are employed and a single set of coupled ordinary differential equations conveying all information on the temperature fields in both the solid and fluid phases are reached, allowing for a relatively straightforward treatment of the local thermal nonequilibrium (LTNE) formulation. This characteristic proved instrumental in finding out that the local thermal equilibrium (LTE) hypothesis is inadequate for unsteady problems. The solid phase is shown to have a significant role on inducing thermal lag in the fluid, which may be severe, depending on the dimensions and operational conditions. In general, devices comprised of larger fractions of solid material and with poorer heat transfer characteristics are more prone to having larger thermal lag along them. These conclusions may be relevant to a wide range of applications such as electronics cooling, battery thermal management, solar energy harvesting, among others.
Sonic boom measurements: Practical implications considering ground effects, microphone installation, and weather hardening
Authors: Downs Robert , Page Juliet , Durrant J. Taggart , Gee Kent L. , Novakovich Daniel J. , Anderson Mark C. , Loubeau Alexandra
Published: October 2022

Sonic boom measurements from recent flight tests have provided an opportunity to investigate effects of microphone installation on sonic boom waveforms, spectra, and metric levels in support of NASA X-59 flight test planning. While those flight tests used N-wave aircraft (F-18s), modeling studies were also conducted using source characteristics for a shaped low-boom aircraft. Of particular interest were the effects of receiver height on boom waveforms and metrics at elevated receiver positions, microphone installation, and local ground cover type. Reductions of more than 2 dB in A-weighted sound exposure level and perceived level were shown for 1.6 ft (0.48 m) microphone heights for 35º ray elevation angle. Measured and modeled results are described in this letter.
Identification of Key Genes during Ca
2+
-Induced Genetic Transformation in
Escherichia coli
by Combining Multi-Omics and Gene Knockout Techniques
Authors: Zhu Ning , Sun Shangchen , Leng Feifan , Fan Wenguang , Chen Jixiang , Ma Jianzhong , He Haining , Yang Guangrui , Wang Yonggang
Published: October 2022

Using transcriptome and proteome techniques and association analysis, we identified several key genes involved in the formation of Ca
2+
-mediated
E. coli
DH5α competent cells. We used Red homologous recombination technology to construct three single-gene deletion strains and found that the transformation efficiencies of
yiaW
,
ygiZ
, and
osmB
deletion strains for different-size plasmids were significantly increased.
Protection Efficacy of Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting Different Regions of Specific SzM Protein from Swine-Isolated Streptococcus equi ssp.zooepidemicusStrains
Authors: Song Haoshuai , Yuan Chen , Zhang Yu , Pan Fei , Fan Hongjie , Ma Zhe
Published: October 2022

The swine-isolated SEZ, with its specificszmgene sequence, has impacted the pig feeding industry in China and North America and has led to serious economic loss. Though the SzM protein of SEZ has been proven to be an effective vaccine in preventing infection, most previous studies focused on horse-isolated strains, which have differentszmgene types compared to swine-isolated strains.
Development and Assessment of a Novel Whole-Gene-Based Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing Assay for Detecting the Susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to 14 Drugs
Authors: Wu Sheng-Han , Xiao Yu-Xin , Hsiao Hseuh-Chien , Jou Ruwen
Published: October 2022

We developed and validated a tNGS assay that was the first to target 22 whole genes instead of regions of drug resistance genes and comprehensively detected susceptibility to 14 anti-TB drugs, with great flexibility to include new or repurposed drugs. Notably, we demonstrated that our custom-designed Ion AmpliSeq TB research panel platform had high concordance with pDST and could significantly reduce turnaround time (by approximately 70%) to meet a clinically actionable time frame.
Infrared Image Enhancement Based on Optimally Weighted Multi-Scale Laplacian of Gaussian and Local Statistics Using Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Moradi Saed , Moradi Jahed , Aghaziyarati Saeid , Shahraki Hadi
Published: October 2022

Infrared imagery is extensively used in defense, remote sensing and medical applications. While the infrared images have many advantages over RGB images, the details in these images are usually blurred which in turn leads to some difficulties for human operators. In this paper, a new method based on Laplacian of Gaussian scale-space and local variance is presented to improve the visual quality of the infrared images. At the first step, the Gaussian scale-space is constructed by convolving the original image with different Gaussian kernels. Then, the two-dimensional Laplacian kernels are convolved with the Gaussian scale-space to achieve details with both positive as well as negative contrasts. The weighted details are added to the original image to deblur the dim areas. At the final step, to increase the dynamic range of the image and have better visual quality, the local variance of the image is also added to the output of the previous step. Since finding optimum weighting coefficients is a difficult task empirically, here, we use a population-based meta-heuristic optimization algorithm called particle swarm optimization (PSO) to find the optimum values for weighting coefficient values. Beside qualitative comparison, Structural Similarity (SSIM) and second-derivative-like measure of enhancement (SDME) are used to quantitatively investigate the images quality. The proposed method outperforms the baseline algorithms in both qualitative and quantitative perspectives.
NONLINEAR, HETEROGENEOUS AND MEDIATING EFFECTS OF INSTITUTIONAL OWNERSHIP ON ENTERPRISE INNOVATION: EVIDENCE FROM CHINESE LISTED ENTERPRISES
Authors: CUI ZHAOCAI , XIAO YUE , LI CHENG
Published: October 2022

Based on the microdata of Chinese listed enterprises from 2012 to 2017, we empirically examine the nonlinear relationship between institutional ownership and enterprise innovation. We find that institutional ownership has an inverted-U nonlinear relationship with enterprise patenting when enterprise characteristics and fixed effects such as time, region, industry type and ownership type of enterprises (SOE or NSOE) are controlled and the endogeneity is considered. This nonlinear relationship significantly varies among active, passive, pressure-resistant and pressure-sensitive groupings of institutional investors. Employing the mediation model proposed by Hayes and Preacher (2010) [Quantifying and testing indirect effects in simple mediation models when the constituent paths are nonlinear. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 45(4), 627–660], we further investigate the mediating effects of financing constraints and R&D manipulation. The results show that institutional ownership linearly drives enterprise innovation by alleviating financing constraints but nonlinearly affects the enterprise innovation by manipulating R&D activities.
About this title - The Consummate Geoscientist: A Celebration of the Career of Maarten de Wit
Authors: Hynes A. J. , Murphy J. B.
Published: October 2022

Papers in this special publication mirror Maarten's career as a leading expert on Gondwana evolution and Archean tectonics. Maarten also contributed to our understanding of Archean life, African erosional history and South African shale-gas development, and was a vigorous supporter of the advancement of South African students from varied backgrounds.
Ordovician biostratigraphy: index fossils, biozones and correlation
Authors: Goldman Daniel , Leslie Stephen A. , Liang Yan , Bergström Stig M.
Published: October 2022

Two remarkable events in the history of life on the Earth occur during the Ordovician Period (486.9–443.1 Ma). The first is an exceptionally rapid and sustained radiation of marine life known as the ‘Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event’ (GOBE), and the second is a catastrophic Late Ordovician mass extinction (LOME). Understanding the duration, rate and magnitude of these events requires an increasingly precise global correlation framework. In this chapter we review the major subdivisions of the Ordovician System, their Global Stratotype Section and Points, and the chronostratigraphic levels that define their bases. We also present a detailed set of correlation charts that illustrate the relationships between most of the regional graptolite, conodont and chitinozoan successions across the world.
Formal Security Analysis on dBFT Protocol of NEO
Authors: Wang Qin , Li Rujia , Chen Shiping , Xiang Yang
Published: October 2022

NEO is one of the top public chains worldwide. It adopts a new consensus algorithm calleddelegated Byzantine Fault Tolerance(dBFT). In this article, we formalize dBFT via the state machine replication model and point out its potential issues. Our theoretical analysis indicates that dBFT could guarantee neitherlivenessnorsafety, even if the number of Byzantine nodes is no more than the threshold, which has contradicted the established security claim. Then, we identify two attacks and successfully simulate them. Finally, we provide recommendations. Notably, NEO official team has accepted our suggested fixes.
HCDRNN‐NMPC: A New Approach to Design Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (NMPC) Based on the Hyper Chaotic Diagonal Recurrent Neural Network (HCDRNN)
Authors: Johari Samira , Yaghoobi Mahdi , Kobravi Hamid R.
Published: October 2022

In industrial applications, Stewart platform control is especially important. Because of the Stewart platform’s inherent delays and high nonlinear behavior, a novel nonlinear model predictive controller (NMPC) and new chaotic neural network model (CNNM) are proposed. Here, a novel NMPC based on hyper chaotic diagonal recurrent neural networks (HCDRNN‐NMPC) is proposed, in which, the HCDRNN estimates the future system’s outputs. To improve the convergence of the parameters of the HCDRNN to better the system’s modeling, the extent of chaos is adjusted using a logistic map in the hidden layer. The proposed scheme uses an improved gradient method to solve the optimization problem in NMPC. The proposed control is used to control six degrees of freedom Stewart parallel robot with hard‐nonlinearity, input constraints, and in the presence of uncertainties including external disturbance. High prediction performance, parameters convergence, and local minima avoidance of the neural network are guaranteed. Stability and high tracking performance are the most significant advantages of the proposed scheme.
The Perfect Roman Domination Number of the Cartesian Product of Some Graphs
Authors: Almulhim Ahlam , Akwu Abolape Deborah , Al Subaiei Bana
Published: October 2022

A perfect Roman dominating function on a graphGis a functionf:V(G)⟶{0,1,2} for which every vertexvwithf(v) = 0 is adjacent to exactly one neighboruwithf(u) = 2. The weight offis the sum of the weights of the vertices. The perfect Roman domination number of a graphG, denoted by , is the minimum weight of a perfect Roman dominating function onG. In this paper, we prove that ifGis the Cartesian product of a pathPrand a pathPs, a pathPrand a cycleCs, or a cycleCrand a cycleCs, wherer,s> 5, then .
The Effect of A2E on the Ca2+-PKC Signaling Pathway in Human RPE Cells Exposed to Blue Light
Authors: Luo Maomei , Wang Shu , Tang Yun , Zeng Chun , Cai Shanjun
Published: October 2022

Aims. In a model of blue light-induced damage in N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine (A2E)-loaded human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, we examined the effect of A2E on the calcium (Ca2+)-protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathway. Methods. Primary human RPE cells were cultured, and the cells in the 4th–6th passages were used in this study. The cells were divided into 5 groups: control cells (no A2E, no blue light), blue light-treated cells, blue light + chloroquine-treated cells, blue light + A2E-treated cells, and blue light + A2E + chloroquine-treated cells. The cells were first treated with chloroquine (15 μM for 12 h) and then loaded with A2E (25 μM for 2 h).The blue light intensity was 2000 ± 500 lux, and the duration was 6 h. After blue light exposure, the cells were cultured for 24 h. Fluo-3/AM staining was used to determine the level of cytoplasmic Ca2+, and the cells were photographed using a laser scanning confocal microscope to analyze the fluorescence intensity. The intracellular levels of inositol triphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Intracellular PKC activity was measured with a nonradioactive nuclide assay. Results. Among all cell groups, the levels of Ca2+, DAG, and IP3 were lowest in the control cells (

P
<
0.05

). The Ca2+, DAG, and IP3 levels in the blue light + A2E-treated cells and blue light + chloroquine-treated cells were higher than those in the blue light-treated cells (

P
<
0.05

). The Ca2+, DAG, and IP3 levels were highest in the blue light + A2E + chloroquine-treated group (

P
<
0.05

). PKC activity was lowest in the control cells (

P
<
0.05

). The PKC activity of the blue light + A2E-treated cells and blue light + chloroquine-treated cells was higher than that of the blue light-treated cells (

P
<
0.05

), and the PKC activity of the blue light + A2E + chloroquine-treated cells was the highest (

P
<
0.05

). Conclusion. Blue light and A2E increased the levels of Ca2+, IP3, and DAG in human RPE cells and enhanced PKC activity, and blue light and A2E had a synergistic effect. Chloroquine further increased the levels of Ca2+, IP3, and DAG and PKC activity in RPE cells or A2E-loaded RPE cells exposed to blue light.
Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities of Prinsepia utilis Royle Leaf and Seed Extracts
Authors: Bagale Rakshya , Acharya Srijana , Gupta Akriti , Chaudhary Pooja , Chaudhary Gautam Prasad , Pandey Jitendra
Published: October 2022

Our study was designed to screen the antibacterial potency of Princepia utilis leaf and seed extract and to measure their antioxidant effects, total phenol content, total flavonoid content, and total carbohydrate content. Collected samples were extracted by cold maceration. Hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and distilled water were used as extraction solvents. In the disc diffusion method, P. utilis ethyl acetate leaf extract was most prominent against Staphylococcus epidermis with a zone of inhibition (ZOI) of 13.83 mm. Similarly, methanolic leaf extract was most prominent against Staphylococcus aureus (ZOI-12.33 mm). Furthermore, the methanolic seed extract was most sensitive against Klebsiella pneumoniaee (ZOI-11.66 mm) Escherichia coli (ZOI-9.0 mm). The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of 0.5 mg/mL and 0.6 mg/mL, respectively, were shown by ethyl acetate leaf extract against S. epidermis. Similarly, the highest values of MIC and MBC, i.e., 20.8 mg/mL and 33.3 mg/mL, respectively, were shown by hexane leaf extract against S. epidermidis. On the other hand, evaluation of antioxidant capacity revealed that ethyl acetate leaf extract showed the maximum antioxidant effect (IC50: 66.69 μg/mL). The total flavonoid contents of different extracts were measured in the range of 37 ± 0.74 μg QE/mg dry extract weight (methanolic seed extract) to 321.84 ± 4.82 μg QE/mg dry extract weight (hexane seed extract). Likewise, the total polyphenol content ranged from the hexane leaf extract (17.33 ± 0.642 μg GAE/mg dry extract weight) to ethyl acetate leaf extract (62.56 ± 1.284 μg GAE/mg dry extract weight). We found a variation in total carbohydrate content in the range of 23.55 ± 1.125 μg glucose/mg dry extract weight (hexane leaf extract) to 96.63 ± 2.253 μg glucose/mg dry extract weight (aqueous leaf extract). Overall, this study revealed that leaf and seed extract of P. utilis exhibited noteworthy antibacterial effects against diverse pathogenic microorganisms.