bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward Digital Picture Books for a New Generation of Emergent Readers
Authors: Bus Adriana G. , Anstadt Rosalie
Published: December 2021

The study tests the efficacy of a new sort of digital picture book. It includes camera movements to guide children’s visual attention through the pictures and the possibility to control page-turning and the pace at which the camera moves through pictures. There were 56 participants (Mage = 60.34 months, SD = 6.24) randomly assigned to three conditions: still images, camera movements (no control over pace), and camera movements (control over pace). For the 50% of children least proficient in language skills, sparingly adding well-chosen camera movements to the illustrations helps children understand the story. In addition, the camera movements’ effect can be enhanced by enabling control over the pace at which new information appears. Particularly the 50% low-language proficiency children benefited from camera movements and spending more time processing information.
The Importance of Disability Identity, Self-Advocacy, and Disability Activism
Authors: Smith Ivanova , Mueller Carlyn O.
Published: December 2021

Disability identity development is an important part of the experience of people with disabilities. Participation in disability community activism and advocacy for the goals of the disability community is related to self-advocacy and plays a fundamental role in shifting individuals’ views of themselves and their disabilities. This article explores a political disability identity conceptual framework and provides recommendations for teachers to develop an understanding of disability in school focused on self-worth and pride; awareness of discrimination, common cause within the disability community, and policy alternatives; and engagement in political action.
Experimental investigations into the mechanical performance of glulam dowel-type connections with either bolts or screws as fasteners
Authors: Li Zheng , Feng Wei , Ou Jiajia , Liang Feng , He Minjuan
Published: December 2021

Dowel-type connections are the most common connections in glulam structures. Bolts are often used as fasteners for dowel-type connections. However, the clearance between the bolts and the pre-drilled bolt holes leads to low rotational stiffness and insufficient moment-resisting capacity. To achieve better mechanical performance, screws can be used as alternative fasteners for dowel-type connections. In this paper, monotonic and cyclic loading tests were conducted on glulam dowel-type connections with either bolts or screws as fasteners. The failure modes, moment-resisting capacity, ductility ratio, stiffness degradation, and equivalent viscous damping ratio of the specimens were analyzed and reported. Results showed that compared with traditional bolted connections, the screwed connections had larger moment-resisting capacity and better ductility. The hysteretic loops of the screwed connections were plumper, and the pinching effect was gentler compared to those of traditional bolted connections.
Gene prediction of aging-related diseases based on DNN and Mashup
Authors: Ye Junhua , Wang Shunfang , Yang Xin , Tang Xianjun
Published: December 2021

Background

At present, the bioinformatics research on the relationship between aging-related diseases and genes is mainly through the establishment of a machine learning multi-label model to classify each gene. Most of the existing methods for predicting pathogenic genes mainly rely on specific types of gene features, or directly encode multiple features with different dimensions, use the same encoder to concatenate and predict the final results, which will be subject to many limitations in the applicability of the algorithm. Possible shortcomings of the above include: incomplete coverage of gene features by a single type of biomics data, overfitting of small dimensional datasets by a single encoder, or underfitting of larger dimensional datasets.

Methods

We use the known gene disease association data and gene descriptors, such as gene ontology terms (GO), protein interaction data (PPI), PathDIP, Kyoto Encyclopedia of genes and genomes Genes (KEGG), etc, as input for deep learning to predict the association between genes and diseases. Our innovation is to use Mashup algorithm to reduce the dimensionality of PPI, GO and other large biological networks, and add new pathway data in KEGG database, and then combine a variety of biological information sources through modular Deep Neural Network (DNN) to predict the genes related to aging diseases.

Result and conclusion

The results show that our algorithm is more effective than the standard neural network algorithm (the Area Under the ROC curve from 0.8795 to 0.9153), gradient enhanced tree classifier and logistic regression classifier. In this paper, we firstly use DNN to learn the similar genes associated with the known diseases from the complex multi-dimensional feature space, and then provide the evidence that the assumed genes are associated with a certain disease.
The Dawn of next generation DNA sequencing in myelodysplastic syndromes- experience from Pakistan
Authors: Anwar Nida , Memon Faheem Ahmed , Shahid Saba , Shakeel Muhammad , Irfan Muhammad , Arshad Aisha , Naz Arshi , Ujjan Ikram Din , Shamsi Tahir
Published: December 2021

Background

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are clonal disorders of hematopoietic stem cells exhibiting ineffective hematopoiesis and tendency for transformation into acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The available karyotyping and fluorescent in situ hybridization provide limited information on molecular abnormalities for diagnosis/prognosis of MDS. Next generation DNA sequencing (NGS), providing deep insights into molecular mechanisms being involved in pathophysiology, was employed to study MDS in Pakistani cohort.

Patients and methods

It was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out at National institute of blood diseases and bone marrow transplant from 2016 to 2019. Total of 22 cases of MDS were included. Complete blood counts, bone marrow assessment and cytogenetic analysis was done. Patients were classified according to revised WHO classification 2016 and IPSS score was applied for risk stratification. Baseline blood samples were subjected to analysis by NGS using a panel of 54 genes associated with myeloid malignancies.

Results

The median age of patients was 48.5 ± 9.19 years. The most common presenting complaint was weakness 10(45.45%). Cytogenetics analysis revealed abnormal karyotype in 10 (45.45%) patients. On NGS, 54 non-silent rare frequency somatic mutational events in 29 genes were observed (average of 3.82 (SD ± 2.08) mutations per patient), including mutations previously not observed in MDS or AML. Notably, two genes of cohesin complex, RAD21 and STAG2, and two tumor suppressor genes, CDKN2A and TP53, contained highest number of recurrent non-silent somatic mutations in the MDS. Strikingly, a missense somatic mutation p.M272Rof Rad21 was observed in 13 cases. Overall, non-silent somatic mutations in these four genes were observed in 21 of the 22 cases. The filtration with PharmGKB database highlighted a non-synonymous genetic variant rs1042522 [G > C] located in the TP53. Genotype GG and GC of this variant are associated with decreased response to cisplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy. These two genotypes were found in 13 cases.

Conclusion

Sequencing studies suggest that numerous genetic variants are involved in the initiation of MDS and in the development of AML. In countries like Pakistan where financial reservation of patients makes the use of such analysis even more difficult when the availability of advanced techniques is already a prevailing issue, our study could be an initiating effort in adding important information to the local data. Further studies and large sample size are needed in future to enlighten molecular profiling and ultimately would be helpful to compare and contrast the molecular characteristics of Asian versus global population.
The “General practitioner learning stations”—development, implementation and optimization of an innovative format for sustainable teaching in general practice
Authors: Atmann Oxana , Torge Marion , Schneider Antonius
Published: December 2021

Background

Teaching general practice in a university setting is still challenging. In our department we have developed a teaching format with content from a previous lecture-style-teaching into an interactive small group format taught by frontline general practitioners (GPs). The “GP learning stations” introduce students to the skills and attributes of a GP working in primary care in a university setting. Our main objective was to understand whether the teaching format had proven itself sustainable in a university setting over eight years. Furthermore, we wanted to better understand the role of the GP as a medical educator.

Methods

More than eight years of experience in organizational and staff expenses were collected and analyzed. In addition, the grade point average of the students’ evaluation was calculated and their free text answers were categorized and evaluated descriptively. During two teach-the-teacher seminars attending GPs were asked why they teach and if they feel equipped to teach the format.

Results

The initially high organizational and staff expenses were significantly reduced. The recruitment of GPs, their didactic contribution, and their joint creation of content went smoothly throughout the whole period. A total of 495 students participated in the regular evaluation. The analysis yielded a grade point average of 1.9, on a scale from 1 = very good to 6 = insufficient. In the free text answers students praised the educators, the format and the practical relevance. The interactive transfer of the content, the didactic competence of the educators and the spatial environment were viewed critically. Reasons for GPs to teach were the joy to pass on knowledge and experience, and to make the work of GPs more attractive to students. Most GPs felt prepared to teach through their experience as a physician although some felt unprepared to teach through their lack of didactic knowledge.

Conclusion

Despite reducing the costs of the format, a grade point average of 1.9 could be achieved in the long term. This supports the teaching concept of learning stations and its “mixture of discussion, scientific background and role play, combined with (…) experiences and exciting individual cases from (GPs) everyday life”, hopefully making general practice more attractive to the students.
Is transcranial direct current stimulation, alone or in combination with antidepressant medications or psychotherapies, effective in treating major depressive disorder? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Jingying , Luo Huichun , Schülke Rasmus , Geng Xinyi , Sahakian Barbara J. , Wang Shouyan
Published: December 2021

Background

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has shown mixed results for depression treatment. The efficacies of tDCS combination therapies have not been investigated deliberately. This review aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of tDCS as a monotherapy and in combination with medication, psychotherapy, and ECT for treating adult patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and identified the factors influencing treatment outcome measures (i.e. depression score, dropout, response, and remission rates).

Methods

The systematic review was performed in PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Sciences, and OpenGrey. Two authors performed independent literature screening and data extraction. The primary outcomes were the standardized mean difference (SMD) for continuous depression scores after treatment and odds ratio (OR) dropout rate; secondary outcomes included ORs for response and remission rates. Random effects models with 95% confidence intervals were employed in all outcomes. The overall effect of tDCS was investigated by meta-analysis. Sources of heterogeneity were explored via subgroup analyses, meta-regression, sensitivity analyses, and assessment of publication bias.

Results

Twelve randomised, sham-controlled trials (active group: N = 251, sham group: N = 204) were included. Overall, the integrated depression score of the active group after treatment was significantly lower than that of the sham group (g = − 0.442, p = 0.017), and further analysis showed that only tDCS + medication achieved a significant lower score (g = − 0.855, p < 0.001). Moreover, this combination achieved a significantly higher response rate than sham intervention (OR = 2.7, p = 0.006), while the response rate remained unchanged for the other three therapies. Dropout and remission rates were similar in the active and sham groups for each therapy and also for the overall intervention. The meta-regression results showed that current intensity is the only predictor for the response rate. None of publication bias was identified.

Conclusion

The effect size of tDCS treatment was obviously larger in depression score compared with sham stimulation. The tDCS combined selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors is the optimized therapy that is effective on depression score and response rate. tDCS monotherapy and combined psychotherapy have no significant effects. The most important parameter for optimization in future trials is treatment strategy.
Falsely normalized ankle-brachial index despite the presence of lower-extremity peripheral artery disease: two case reports
Authors: Maruhashi Tatsuya , Matsui Shogo , Yusoff Farina Mohamad , Kishimoto Shinji , Kajikawa Masato , Higashi Yukihito
Published: December 2021

Background

The ankle-brachial index measurement is used for screening and diagnosis of lower-extremity peripheral artery disease and cardiovascular risk assessment. However, the value is occasionally unreliable since the oscillometric ankle-brachial index can be elevated and falsely normalized despite the presence of lower-extremity peripheral artery disease because of the incompressibility of infrapopliteal arteries at the ankle, potentially leading to a missed diagnosis of lower-extremity peripheral artery disease or underestimation of cardiovascular risk.

Case presentation

We report two cases of lower extremity peripheral artery disease with normal ankle-brachial index (a 76-year-old Asian man and a 66-year-old Asian man). In both cases, the ankle-brachial index was within the normal range (1.00–1.40) despite the presence of lower-extremity peripheral artery disease, whereas upstroke time at the ankle calculated from the pulse volume waveform simultaneously obtained by plethysmography during the ankle-brachial index measurement was prolonged (≥ 180 milliseconds). Diagnostic imaging tests revealed the presence of occlusive arterial disease in the lower extremity and severe calcification of infrapopliteal arteries.

Conclusions

In both cases, the oscillometric ankle-brachial index might have been falsely normalized despite the presence of lower-extremity peripheral artery disease because of calcified incompressible infrapopliteal arteries. Sole reliance on the ankle-brachial index value may lead to a missed diagnosis of lower-extremity peripheral artery disease or underestimation of cardiovascular risk. Upstroke time at the ankle was helpful for suspecting the presence of lower-extremity peripheral artery disease in both patients with normal ankle-brachial index. In addition to history-taking and vascular examination, upstroke time at the ankle should be carefully checked for accurate diagnosis of peripheral artery disease and cardiovascular risk assessment in patients with normal ankle-brachial index.
Micro multi-nozzle jet coating of organic thin film for organic light-emitting diode lighting devices
Authors: Shin Kwon-Yong , Kang Mingyu , Cho Kwan Hyun , Kang Kyung-Tae , Lee Sang-Ho
Published: December 2021

Uniform deposition across large areas of an organic layer is one of the challenges for the industrial application of solution-based organic light‐emitting diode (OLED). In this paper, we propose an organic thin film deposition method for OLED using a micro multi-nozzle jet coating process. The developed micro multi-nozzle jet head consists of eighteen nozzles (100 μm diameter), a side suction line, inlets, and a nozzle protection outer hole. To demonstrate organic thin film deposition for OLED lighting device fabrication, a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) solution was used as a hole injection layer (HIL). Thickness uniformity of the PEDOT:PSS thin film was analyzed by regulating the jetting pressure. Through single-path coating of twelve successive stable column-jet flows, PEDOT:PSS organic film of 26 mm width was coated on an ITO substrate at 1 m/s head speed. The PEDOT:PSS thin film of 24.25 ± 1.55 nm (CV = 6.39%) thickness was obtained by the proposed coating method. For the feasibility test, OLED lighting devices with emission areas of 20 mm × 20 mm and 70 mm × 70 mm were successfully fabricated using PEDOT:PSS films deposited by a micro multi-nozzle jet coating method.
Two-step hybrid process of movable part inside glass substrate using ultrafast laser
Authors: Kim Jeongtae , Kim Sung-Il , Joung Yeun-Ho , Choi Jiyeon , Koo Chiwan
Published: December 2021

We demonstrate a two-step hybrid process for fabricating movable parts inside glass substrate using the selective laser-induced etching (SLE) process that is consisted of laser-direct writing and wet chemical etching. To obtain an influence by the optical characteristics of a glass substrate when fabricating a 3D microstructure using the SLE, we analyzed the relationship of their dimensions between the designed and the fabricated devices. Two 3D microfluidic devices are designed and fabricated on glass substrates as the demonstrations of the hybrid process: a 3D microfluidic valve device with a movable plug and a 3D microfluidic mixer with a rotatable impeller and multilayer microchannels. The valving plug and the impeller of each device are successfully moved and rotated. The smallest structure is a pillar of the impeller device, and its size is 29 μm (diameter) × 277 μm (height). We expect this study to be extended to potential applications in 3D glass microfabrication and microfluidic systems.
Designing gamification for geometry in elementary schools: insights from the designers
Authors: Kamalodeen Vimala Judy , Ramsawak-Jodha Nalini , Figaro-Henry Sandra , Jaggernauth Sharon J. , Dedovets Zhanna
Published: December 2021

Popularly used in marketing and business, gamification has been gaining interest in educational contexts for its potential to invigorate otherwise mundane or difficult processes. A gamified environment transfers motivational elements of games to learning activities thereby engaging learners in the learning task thus transforming dull classroom environments to smart ones. This paper presents the design process of a gamification intervention in geometry at elementary level, based upon Huang and Soman (Gamification of education. Research report series: behavioural economics in action, 29. Rothman School of Management, University of Toronto, Toronto, 2013) model. We describe how insights from various sources helped us to refine an intervention previously used in one school. The design focuses on gamifying the tangram, an unplugged resource, through incorporating game-based elements of leader boards, points/stars and challenge levels to motivate young learners individually and in teams. Cognitive and motivational scaffolding undergird five challenge levels to bring affordances to self and social elements for learner participation in increasingly complex geometry tasks. There are limited theoretical models to guide educational researchers, especially ones that do not require digital resources. This paper presents our insights and recommendations to support scaffolded learning in student-centred gamified learning environments.
Development of a scale to measure expected concussion reporting behavior
Authors: Kroshus Emily , Lowry Sarah J. , Garrett Kimberly , Hays Rachel , Hunt Tamerah , Chrisman Sara P. D.
Published: December 2021

Background

Most concussion education aims to increase athlete self-report of concussive symptoms. Although the population burden of concussion is high, frequency with which this injury occurs on a given sports team in a given season is relatively low. This means that powering concussion education evaluation studies to measure change in post-injury symptom reporting behavior requires what is often a prohibitively large sample size. Thus, evaluation studies are typically powered to measure proximal cognitions. Expected reporting behavior, a cognition that reflects planned and reactive decision-making, is a theoretically indicated construct for inclusion in evaluation studies. However, previously no scales were available to measure this construct with demonstrated reliability and validity among youth athletes. The objective of this study was to develop and assess the validity of a brief single-factor scale to measure expected youth athlete concussion reporting behavior (CR-E) in a sample of youth athletes.

Methods

A mixed methods approach was used, including cognitive interviews with youth athletes, and quantitative item reduction and validation. Participants were youth athletes (aged 9–16) from the Seattle metropolitan and rural south-Georgia regions. After refining an initial pool of items using cognitive interviews with a diverse group of youth athletes (n = 20), a survey containing these items was administered to youth soccer and football players (n = 291). Item reduction statistics and sequential confirmatory factor analyses were used to reduce the initial scale using a randomly selected half of the sample. Then, a final confirmatory factor analysis and validation tests were applied to the other half of the sample of youth athletes. Predictive validation was conducted longitudinally in a separate sample of youth athletes (n = 155).

Results

Internal consistency was high (alpha = 0.89), model fit was excellent, validation tests were in the hypothesized directions, and the scale was feasible to use. Using the finalized 4-item scale, we observed that less than one-third of youth soccer and football athletes expect to “always” tell their coach about symptoms of a suspected concussion.

Conclusions

The CR-E measure should be included in future studies evaluating concussion education programming in youth athlete populations.
Migration routes, population status and important sites used by the globally threatened Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor): a synthesis of surveys and tracking studies
Authors: Chen Yiwen , Yu Yat-tung , Meng Fanjuan , Deng Xueqin , Cao Lei , Fox Anthony David
Published: December 2021

Background

The Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) is a globally threatened species, nesting mainly in western Korea with smaller numbers breeding in Liaoning Province, China, and Far East Russia. Recent winter field surveys to estimate the species’ population size were almost totally conducted in coastal areas, but tracking studies showed that some individuals now winter inland. To ensure its long-term survival, we need a more comprehensive assessment of the current distribution and abundance of the species.

Methods

We combined the most recent count data and satellite tracking information to update existing information about the population abundance and distribution of the Black-faced Spoonbill at all stages of its annual life cycle, and how these have changed during 2004–2020.

Results

Black-faced Spoonbills mainly breed on the west coast of the Korean peninsula, while immature birds show a wider summer distribution throughout Yellow Sea coastal areas, when a few remain on wintering sites in the south. Combined tracking results and mid-winter counts confirmed known wintering sites on the east and south coasts of China, but showed that the species also winters on wetlands in the Yangtze River floodplain and in Southeast Asia. During 2004–2020, counts of wintering birds in coastal habitats increased from 1198 to 4864, with numbers wintering on the island of Taiwan contributing most to the overall increase. Latest counts found 5222 in 2021. We also identify key wintering and stopover sites as well as their current conservation status.

Conclusions

This study revised the known summering and wintering ranges of the Black-faced Spoonbill and assessed the conservation status of key sites based on a combination of field survey and satellite tracking data. We recommend prioritisation of further field research to identify and survey inland wintering areas in the Yangtze River floodplain and summering areas of immature birds. More tracking of adult individuals and birds during spring migration is necessary to fill these information gaps. We also suggest establishing a Black-faced Spoonbill monitoring platform to store, share and show real-time distribution range and population abundance data.
Postoperative recurrence with right cervical lymph node metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report
Authors: Tanoue Kiyonori , Kawasaki Yota , Yamasaki Yoichi , Iino Satoshi , Sakoda Masahiko , Mataki Yuko , Idichi Tetsuya , Kita Yoshiaki , Hozaka Yuto , Nakajo Akihiro , Arigami Takaaki , Kurahara Hiroshi , Ohtsuka Takao
Published: December 2021

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with metastases to the cervical lymph nodes are extremely rare, and its clinical course is characterized by rapidly progressive disease. Hence, there have been no reports of metastatic cervical lymph node recurrence indicated after a long postoperative surveillance period.

Case presentation

The patient was a 63-year-old male who underwent right hepatectomy for HCC of the right upper lobe. Three years after resection, metastatic lymph node recurrence was detected in the subdiaphragm, superior mediastinum, and right cervical lymph nodes. The patient underwent excisional biopsy of the cervical lymph node, followed by molecular-targeted therapy and radiation therapy. Lenvatinib reduced the size of all metastatic lymph nodes and the patient survived for a relatively long period of 43 months after the recurrence was detected.

Conclusions

After resection of HCC in the right upper lobe, there is the possibility of metastatic lymph node recurrence in unusual sites, including the cervical region, and lenvatinib may be effective in those recurrences.
RETRACTED – Influence of antidepressants on plasma levels of nitric oxide metabolites in patients with major depressive disorder
Authors: Ikenouchi Atsuko , Okamoto Naomichi , Konno Yusuke , Fujii Rintaro , Fujino Yoshihisa , Yoshimura Reiji
Published: December 2021

The impairment of endothelial function by reduced endothelial production of nitric oxide (NO) may contribute to the increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease in patients with depression. NO also plays an essential role in the efficacy of antidepressants. The present study aimed to confirm our previous preliminary findings using a larger sample and different antidepressants. We enrolled 100 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 50 healthy controls. Patients were administered sertraline, duloxetine or mirtazapine and were followed up for 8 weeks. We also compared the rate of increase in plasma levels of metabolites of NO (NOx) among the three antidepressant treatments. Baseline plasma NOx levels were significantly lower in the MDD group than in the control group. A negative correlation was found between plasma NOx levels and the severity of MDD. Treatment with duloxetine significantly increased plasma NOx levels, whereas sertraline treatment caused no significant increase.
The Penrose hypothesis in the second half of the 20th century: investigating the relationship between psychiatric bed numbers and the prison population in England between 1960 and 2018–2019
Authors: Wild Georgina , Alder Ross , Weich Scott , McKinnon Iain , Keown Patrick
Published: December 2021

Background

NHS Psychiatric beds comprise mental illness and intellectual disability beds. Penrose hypothesised that the number of psychiatric in-patients was inversely related to prison population size.

Aims

To ascertain whether the Penrose hypothesis held true in England between 1960 and 2018–2019.

Method

A time-series analysis explored the association between total prison population and NHS psychiatric beds; this was also tested for the male and female prison populations, using non-psychiatric beds as a comparator. Associations were explored with time lags of up to 20 years. Linear regression was conducted to estimate the size of the effect of bed closures.

Results

NHS psychiatric beds decreased 93% and the prison population increased 208%. A strong (r =−0.96) and highly significant negative correlation between these changes was found. Annual reduction in psychiatric bed numbers was associated with an increase in prison population, strongest at a lag of 10 years. The closure of mental illness and intellectual disability beds was associated with increases in female prisoners 10 years later. The only significant explanatory variable for the increase in male prison population was intellectual disability bed reduction.

Conclusions

The Penrose hypothesis held true between 1960 and 2018–2019 in England: psychiatric bed closures were associated with increases in prison population up to 10 years later. For every 100 psychiatric beds closed, there were 36 more prisoners 10 years later: 3 more female prisoners and 33 more male prisoners. Our results suggest that the dramatic increase in the female prison population may relate to the closure of NHS beds.
Composition of the Current Academic Radiation Oncology Workforce in Comprehensive Cancer Centers
Authors: McClelland Shearwood , Huang Christina C. , Griffith Kent A. , Shan Mu , Holliday Emma B. , Jagsi Reshma , Zellars Richard C.
Published: December 2021

PURPOSE:

The landscape of the profession of academic radiation oncology is constantly changing. We sought to determine the demographic makeup of the current academic radiation oncology workforce.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Internet web site searches of the 51 National Cancer Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers (CCCs) were conducted in September 2019. The Scopus database was subsequently searched in December 2019 to ascertain the h-index for each radiation oncologist. Geographic location was economically stratified (New York, California, Massachusetts, Illinois, and Washington DC) as previously reported. Race and binary sex were attributed by authors using publicly available information. Univariate analysis involved the chi-square test; a multivariable model considered several factors including rank and sex.

RESULTS:

Of 993 radiation oncologists at CCCs, 53.6% are junior faculty, 24.8% associate professors, and 21.7% full professors. The average radiation oncologist at a CCC has been a physician for 19.7 (standard deviation = 11.3) years; 4.7% (47/993) are under-represented minorities. 24.6% of men and 15.5% of women were full professors, a statistically significant difference ( P = .001). Of the 51 department chairs, 11.8% are women and 5.6% are under-represented minorities. There are fewer female than male program directors in the most economically stratified locations ( P = .02). The mean h-index for all faculty is 17.6 (standard deviation = 16.9), and significantly differs between junior faculty (8.21), associate professors (18.46), and full professors (40.05; P < .0001). It also differs between men (19.35) and women (14.11). On multivariable analysis, sex, academic rank, and a secondary advanced degree were independently significant correlates of h-index.

CONCLUSION:

Among academic radiation oncologists at CCCs, under 5% are under-represented minorities, men are significantly over-represented among senior faculty, and women have significantly lower h-indices than men.
Primary Aldosteronism, Aldosterone, and Extracellular Vesicles
Authors: Carvajal Cristian A , Tapia-Castillo Alejandra , Pérez Jorge A , Fardella Carlos E
Published: December 2021

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is an endocrine related condition leading to arterial hypertension due to inappropriately high and unregulated aldosterone concentration. Recently, a broad spectrum of PA has been recognized, which brings new challenges associated with early identification of this condition that affect renal epithelial and extrarenal tissues. Reports have shown the potential role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and EV cargo as novel and complementary biomarkers in diagnosis and prognosis of PA. In vivo and in vitro studies have identified specific EV surface antigens, EV-proteins, and EV microRNAs that can be useful to develop novel diagnostic algorithms to detect, confirm, or follow up the PA. Moreover, the study of EVs in the field of PA provides further insight in the pathophysiological mechanism of the PA disease.
In a Stationary Population, the Average Lifespan of the Living Is a Length-Biased Life Expectancy
Authors: Wrigley-Field Elizabeth , Feehan Dennis
Published: December 2021

What is the average lifespan in a stationary population viewed at a single moment in time? Even though periods and cohorts are identical in a stationary population, we show that the answer to this question is not life expectancy but a length-biased version of life expectancy. That is, the distribution of lifespans of the people alive at a single moment is a self-weighted distribution of cohort lifespans, such that longer lifespans have proportionally greater representation. One implication is that if death rates are unchanging, the average lifespan of the current population always exceeds period life expectancy. This result connects stationary population lifespan measures to a well-developed body of statistical results; provides new intuition for established demographic results; generates new insights into the relationship between periods, cohorts, and prevalent cohorts; and offers a framework for thinking about mortality selection more broadly than the concept of demographic frailty.
Vascular endothelial growth factor c regulates hematopoietic stem cell fate in the dorsal aorta
Authors: Schiavo Rebecca K. , Tamplin Owen J.
Published: December 2021

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) are multipotent cells that self-renew or differentiate to establish the entire blood hierarchy. HSPCs arise from the hemogenic endothelium of the dorsal aorta (DA) during development in a process called endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition. The factors and signals that control HSPC fate decisions from the hemogenic endothelium are not fully understood. We found that Vegfc has a role in HSPC emergence from the zebrafish DA. Using time-lapse live imaging, we show that some HSPCs in the DA of vegfc loss-of-function embryos display altered cellular behavior. Instead of typical budding from the DA, emergent HSPCs exhibit crawling behavior similar to myeloid cells. This was confirmed by increased myeloid cell marker expression in the ventral wall of the DA and the caudal hematopoietic tissue. This increase in myeloid cells corresponded with a decrease in HSPCs that persisted into larval stages. Together, our data suggest that Vegfc regulates HSPC emergence in the hemogenic endothelium, in part by suppressing a myeloid cell fate. Our study provides a potential signal for modulation of HSPC fate in stem cell differentiation protocols.
Effects of combat sports on cerebellar function in adolescents: a resting-state fMRI study
Authors: Li Wei , Kong Xin , Ma Jun
Published: December 2021

Objectives:

To evaluate the effects of combat sports on cerebellar function in adolescents based on resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI).

Methods:

Rs-fMRI data were acquired from the combat sports (CS) group (n = 32, aged 14.2 ± 1.1 years) and non-athlete healthy control (HC) group (n = 29, aged 14.8 ± 0.9 years). The amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo), and functional connectivity (FC) within the cerebellum was calculated and then compared between the two groups.

Results:

None of these participants displayed intracranial lesions on conventional MRI and microhemorrhages on SWI. Compared with the HC group, the CS group showed decreased ALFF and ReHo in the bilateral cerebellum, mainly located in the inferior regions of the cerebellum (Cerebellum_8, Cerebellum_9, Cerebellum_7b, and Cerebellum_Crus2). While increased FC was found within the cerebellar network, mainly located in the superior regions near the midline (bilateral Cerebellum_6, Cerebellum_Crus1_R, and Vermis_6). There is no internetwork FC change between the CEN and other networks.

Conclusion:

This study confirmed extensive effects of combat sports on cerebellar rs-fMRI in adolescents, which could enhance the understanding of cerebellar regulatory mechanism under combat conditions, and provide additional information about cerebellar protective inhibition and compensatory adaptation.

Advances in knowledge:

Adolescent combat participants are an ideal model to study training-induced brain plasticity and vulnerability. Relative to task-related fMRI, rs-fMRI can bring more information about cerebellar regulation and explain the Central Governor Model more comprehensively.
Vascular anatomy of temporal fossa
Authors: Νικολής Ανδρέας
Published: December 2021

Τα ενέσιμα υαλουρονικού οξέος εφαρμόζονται για τη διόρθωση παραμορφώσεων του κροταφικού βόθρου που σχετίζονται με την ηλικία, παρέχοντας αύξηση μαλακών ιστών καθώς και υποστήριξη αυτών (ιστών). Αν και γενικά θεωρούνται ασφαλή, σημαντικές ανεπιθύμητες ενέργειες (ΑΕ) έχουν συσχετιστεί με χρήση αυτών. Η ενδελεχής γνώση της ανατομίας της περιοχής, καθώς και η αξιολόγηση των κινδύνων και τα οφέλη που σχετίζονται με τις διαφορετικές τεχνικές έγχυσης, είναι θεμελιώδεις για τη διασφάλιση βέλτιστων αποτελεσμάτων και την αποφυγή των ΑΕ. Ειδικότερα, η αγγείωση της κροταφικής περιοχής απαιτεί ιδιαίτερη προσοχή καθώς μπορεί να σχετίζεται με σοβαρές ΑΕ, όπως η αρτηριακή απόφραξη, ισχαιμία και εμβολή. Στα πλαίσια αυτά, διερευνήσαμε την ανατομία του κροταφικού βόθρου και τον τρόπο με τον οποίο σχετίζεται με τις αγγειακές AE ύστερα από ενέσιμα υαλουρονικού οξέος. Επιπλέον, εξαιτίας της έλλειψης δεδομένων στον τομέα της αισθητικής καθώς και των επιπτώσεων στις βαθιές κροταφικές αρτηρίες (deep temporal arteries), διερευνήσαμε και αξιολογήσαμε την ανατομία της περιοχής και την επίδραση αυτών των ενέσιμων θεραπειών επί των αγγείων.
A whole genome atlas of 81 Psilocybe genomes as a resource for psilocybin production.
Authors: McKernan Kevin , Kane Liam , Helbert Yvonne , Zhang Lei , Houde Nathan , McLaughlin Stephen
Published: December 2021

The Psilocybe genus is well known for the synthesis of valuable psychoactive compounds such as Psilocybin, Psilocin, Baeocystin and Aeruginascin. The ubiquity of Psilocybin synthesis in Psilocybe has been attributed to a horizontal gene transfer mechanism of a ~20Kb gene cluster. A recently published highly contiguous reference genome derived from long read single molecule sequencing has underscored interesting variation in this Psilocybin synthesis gene cluster. This reference genome has also enabled the shotgun sequencing of spores from many Psilocybe strains to better catalog the genomic diversity in the Psilocybin synthesis pathway. Here we present the de novo assembly of 81 Psilocybe genomes compared to the P.envy reference genome. Surprisingly, the genomes of Psilocybe galindoi, Psilocybe tampanensis and Psilocybe azurescens lack sequence coverage over the previously described Psilocybin synthesis pathway but do demonstrate amino acid sequence homology to a less contiguous gene cluster and may illuminate the previously proposed evolution of psilocybin synthesis.
Analysis of the Appearance of Micronuclei in the Erythrocytes and Activity of Bone Marrow Cells Proliferation after the Prolonged Low Dose Fast Neutrons Irradiation of Mice
Authors: Moskaleva E. , Romantsova A. , Semochkina Yu. , Rodina A. , Cheshigin I. , Degtyarev A. , Zhirnik A.
Published: December 2021

Purpose: To analyze the level of cytogenetic damage and the activity of bone marrow cells proliferation in C57BL/6 mice after prolonged fast neutrons low dose irradiation at 10–500 mGy.

Material and methods: Male C57BL/6 mice at the age of 7–8 and 16 weeks were used in the experiments. Irradiation was carried out on an OR-M installation in the field of fast neutrons and gamma quanta using five Pu(α,n)Be radionuclide sources with a high fast neutron yield at a dose rate of 2.13 mGy/h. The frequency of polychromatophilic (PCE) and normochromic (NCE) erythrocytes with micronuclei (MN) and the ratio of PCE and NCE were analyzed using light microscopy after cytochemical staining of the bone marrow cells of control and irradiated mice. The proliferation activity of bone marrow cells was determined by the number of Ki-67+-cells. The parameters of the cell cycle and the level of apoptosis were studied after DNA staining with DAPI using flow cytometry. Statistical processing of the results was carried out according to the Student’s method using the computer program Origin.

Results: It was found that prolonged irradiation of mice with fast neutrons at a low dose rate (2.13 mGy/h) at doses from 10 to 500 mGy after 24 h led to statistically significant increase in the frequency of PCE with MN at all studied doses. No dose dependence of this parameter was observed in the studied range. The increase in the frequency of PCE with MN at a dose of 500 mGy was prolonged and persisted for at least 72 h. A significant increase in the frequency of NCE with MN 24 h after irradiation was found only at a dose of 500 mGy, which persisted up to 48 h. At this dose, there was also a decrease in the number of nucleated cells in the bone marrow 24 – 72 h after exposure, a decrease in the number of Ki-67+-cells 24 h after irradiation of mice, a block of the cell cycle in the G2/M phase, and a decrease of cells in the G0/G1 phase, but after 48 h, there were no disturbances in the cell cycle.

Conclusion: It has been shown that after a single total prolonged irradiation of mice at low doses (10–500 mGy), when analyzing the frequency of PCE with MN, cytogenetic damage is recorded in the bone marrow, which indicates the genetic danger of exposure to even such low levels of fast neutron irradiation. A decrease in Ki67+ cells and cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase were found only after irradiation of mice at a dose of 500 mGy and only 24 h after exposure, while the number of nucleated cells in the bone marrow at this dose was reduced, at least to 72 h.
Lokacje miast w dobrach prywatnych na Krajnie w średniowieczu (do końca XV wieku)
Authors: Karczewska Joanna Danuta
Published: December 2021

The article discusses the issue of noble towns in the area of Nakielski poviat in the Middle Ages. The elaboration presents urbanization of this area and the related issues concerning the process of embedment of towns within private goods, difining the variants of town rights and formulating and functioning of the local self -government .Attention was also paid to town as one of the components of a noble property and the subject of transactions and family divisions. Artykuł dotyczy zagadnienia miast szlacheckich na obszarze powiatu nakielskiego w średniowieczu. Opracowanie przedstawia urbanizację tego terytorium  i związane z tym kwestie dotyczące procesu osadzania miast w dobrach prywatnych, okreslenia odmiany prawa miejskiego oraz formowania i funkcjonowania samorządu. Zwrócono też uwagę na miasto jako część składową majątku szlacheckiego oraz przedmiot transakcji i działów rodzinnych.
Performance of constructed wetland system using different species of macrophytes in the treatment of domestic sewage treatment
Authors: Sandri Delvio , Reis Ana Paula
Published: December 2021

The objective is to assess the initial performance of a constructed wetland system and the development of the macrophyte species cattail(Typha spp.) (CWt), piripiri (Cyperus giganteus) (CWp), and white garland lily (Hedychium coronarium Koehne) (CWl) and an suncultivated (UNc) on the treatment of sewage from toilets and from a restaurant. Changes in hydrogen potential, electrical conductivity, total suspended solids, total solids, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, turbidity, nitrate, ammonium nitrogen, total phosphate, hydraulic retention time (HRT), and potential evapotranspiration (PET) and the development and adaptation of macrophytes were measured. The surface area of ??each constructed wetland (CW) had a surface area of 16.25 m2 and average volume treated of 0.40 m3 d-1, with continuous variable horizontal subsurface flow equally fed with sewage previously treated in three septic tanks in series, with an individual useful volume of 5.100 L. The PET in CWt, CWp and CWl was higher than that of UNc. The highest pH values were obtained in the effluent of CWp, CWt, and CWl. The use of macrophytes did not influence the EC, TS, BOD5,20, COD, and nitrate were lower and ammonium nitrogen and total phosphate were higher in the effluent of CWs and UNc in relation to the influent. The efficiency indexes that showed a very strong Pearson correlations (> 90%) were pH correlated with N-NH4+, turbidity correlated with COD, TS correlated with EC, and BOD5,20 and COD correlated with NO3-.Piripiri and cattails showed the best development of plants in the second half of CW.
Diffractive imaging and intermodulation based multiple image encryption
Authors: Hazer Abdurrahman , Yıldırım Remzi
Published: December 2021

In this research, the HYBRID-III method has been developed to encrypt multiple images. The method, which is obtained by combining diffractive imaging and phase retrieval based intermodulation, can be used to encode multiple images as a single plane. The method contributes to the solution of the bandwidth problem of communication systems since it sends images as a single plane while encrypting them. Users can access only their own plaintext independently of others by using disposable mask codes. The method has been tested in different matrix sizes and different file structures. Moreover, the strength of the method against cyber-attacks is additionally tested.
Pink noise removal and spectral distortion correction based fiber Bragg grating demodulation algorithm
Authors: Shang Qiufeng , Fan Song , Qin Wenjie , Yao Guozhen
Published: December 2021

Pink noise and spectral distortions affect the demodulation accuracies of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs). A noise reduction algorithm with Savitzky–Golay filtering on each intrinsic mode function component decomposed by CEEMDAN, followed by signal reconstruction from the filtered components, is presented herein. Simulations show that the algorithm retains FBG signal details while reducing noise, avoids measurement errors from excessive smoothing, and suppresses white and pink noises adequately. A resolution-enhanced peak detection algorithm with distortion spectrum correction is also proposed with high accuracy and simple calculation. The experimental results show that the goodness of fit of the FBG temperature–wavelength curve R2 improves from 0.9826 to 0.9999.
Etchless pedestal chalcogenide waveguide platform for long-wave IR applications
Authors: Mourgelas Vasileios , Sessions Neil P. , Wilkinson James S. , Murugan Ganapathy Senthil
Published: December 2021

We report the fabrication of GeAsSeTe/GeAsSe waveguides using a simple and cost-effective process. Chalcogenides are very delicate materials and can be degraded when in contact with developer solutions during photolithography and when processed using common etchants, making the use of conventional fabrication processes unattractive. In order to avoid any post-film deposition processing for the fabrication of chalcogenide waveguides, we pre-patterned pedestal structures on silicon substrates using photolithography and a simple wet-etch process followed by the deposition of chalcogenide films on the patterned structures. Using the scattered light decay fitting method, we estimated waveguide propagation losses averaging approximately 0.9 dB/cm for wavelengths between 7 and 11 µm. With these findings we show that this waveguide platform is a very attractive candidate for long-wave infrared applications.