bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human EGFRvIII chimeric antigen receptor T cells demonstrate favorable safety profile and curative responses in orthotopic glioblastoma
Authors: Abbott Rebecca C , Iliopoulos Melinda , Watson Katherine A , Arcucci Valeria , Go Margareta , Hughes‐Parry Hannah E , Smith Pete , Call Melissa J , Cross Ryan S , Jenkins Misty R
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive and fatal brain malignancy, and effective targeted therapies are required. The combination of standard treatments including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy is not curative. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are known to cross the blood–brain barrier, mediating antitumor responses. A tumor‐expressed deletion mutant of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFRvIII) is a robust CAR T cell target in glioblastoma. Here, we show our de novo generated, high‐affinity EGFRvIII‐specific CAR; GCT02, demonstrating curative efficacy in human orthotopic glioblastoma models.

Methods

The GCT02 binding epitope was predicted using Deep Mutational Scanning (DMS). GCT02 CAR T cell cytotoxicity was investigated in three glioblastoma models in vitro using the IncuCyte platform, and cytokine secretion with a cytometric bead array. GCT02 in vivo functionality was demonstrated in two NSG orthotopic glioblastoma models. The specificity profile was generated by measuring T cell degranulation in response to coculture with primary human healthy cells.

Results

The GCT02 binding location was predicted to be located at a shared region of EGFR and EGFRvIII; however, the in vitro functionality remained exquisitely EGFRvIII specific. A single CAR T cell infusion generated curative responses in two orthotopic models of human glioblastoma in NSG mice. The safety analysis further validated the specificity of GCT02 for mutant‐expressing cells.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the preclinical functionality of a highly specific CAR targeting EGFRvIII on human cells. This CAR could be an effective treatment for glioblastoma and warrants future clinical investigation.
The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on ozone budget and radical chemistry in a typical industrial city of China
Authors: Li Rui , Cui Lulu , Wang Gehui
Published: March 2023

Ozone (O) levels in East China suffered from rapid
increases during the COVID-19 period. To clarify the reason for the
O increase, a continuous campaign was performed in a
industrial city in North China Plain (NCP). Meanwhile, the
machine-learning technique and the box model were employed to reveal the
mechanisms of O increase from the perspective of
meteorology and photochemical process, respectively. The result
suggested that the ambient O level in Tangshan
increased from 18.7 ± 4.63 to 45.6 ± 8.52 μg/m
(143%) after COVID-19 lockdown, and the emission reduction and
meteorology contributed to 77% and 66% of this increment,
respectively. The higher Wind speed (WS) coupled with regional transport
played a significant role on O increase (30.8 kg/s).
The O sensitivity verified that O
production was highly volatile organic compounds (VOC)-sensitive
(Relative incremental reactivity (RIR): 0.75), while the
NO showed the negative impact on O
production in Tangshan (RIR: -0.59). It suggested that the control of
VOCs rather than NO might be more effective in reducing
O level in Tangshan because it was located on the
VOC-limited regime. Besides, both of ozone formation potential (OFP)
analysis and observation-based model (OBM) demonstrated that the alkenes
(36.3 ppb) and anthropogenic oxygenated volatile organic compounds
(OVOCs) (15.2 ppb) showed the higher OFP compared with other species,
and their reactions released a large number of HO and
RO radicals. Moreover, the concentrations of these
species did not experience marked decreases after COVID-19 lockdown,
which were major contributors to O increase during this
period.
Enhancing Thermo‐Osmotic Low‐Grade Heat Recovery by Applying a Negative Pressure to the Feed
Authors: Zhang Yifan , Li Ji , Zhang Zikang , Liu Wei , Liu Zhichun
Published: March 2023

A newly developed technology, thermo‐osmotic energy conversion (TOEC), is supposed to convert low‐grade heat into power. However, the performance of existing TOEC experiments is deficient. This paper discusses the feasibility of strengthening TOEC by applying negative pressure to the feed liquid, which can reduce air pressure in the membrane pores and molecular diffusion resistance. Theoretical calculation shows that when the cooling and heating temperatures are 40 and 80 °C, respectively, and the transmembrane pressure difference is 5.0 MPa, the TOEC system with a negative pressure of 0.5 bar at the feed side can approach an efficiency of 3.01% and a power density of 16.85 W m−2, which increases by 20% and 27% compared with no negative pressure, respectively. Given the nonuniformity in the real system, computational fluid dynamics simulation is used to obtain the correction factor, which is then used to revise the theory prediction results for the first time. Moreover, a lab‐scale experiment also proves that a negative pressure at the feed benefits the performance of the TOEC device. Overall, this research presents a feasible method to enhance a TOEC system, which may promote the development of a more‐efficiently TOEC system for low‐grade heat utilization.
Response of dissolved organic carbon dynamics to salinity in a Constructed Fen Peatland in the Athabasca Oil Sands region
Authors: Prystupa Emily , Davidson Scott J. , Price Jonathan , Strack Maria
Published: March 2023

In northern Alberta, oil sands mining disturbs the boreal landscape, and reclamation to an ‘equivalent land capability’ is required. Industry is testing peatland construction as part of landscape reclamation. To determine if constructed peatlands can be self‐sustaining, an understanding of the cycling of solutes in pore water and their interactions with dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is needed since DOC can represent an important carbon loss from peatlands. DOC is of interest due to its biotic origin and use by the microbial community and impact on carbon budgets. Additionally, salinity as a control on DOC quantity and quality may be important in oil sands reclaimed systems due to the likelihood of elevated sodium (Na+) from saline groundwater input derived from tailings used to construct catchments, and natural sources. For this research, DOC concentration and quality, and Na+ concentration were measured in the rooting zone (10 and 30 cm depth) of Nikanotee Fen to evaluate the role of Na+ in DOC dynamics. DOC concentration and quality suggested that DOC in the fen was largely sourced from vegetation inputs, with quality also suggesting increases in vegetation inputs between years. Elevated Na+ at 30 cm below ground surface corresponded with high concentrations of labile DOC. At 10 cm below ground surface, sampling location and temperature were the best predictors of DOC concentration and quality. With expected increases in Na+, increased production of mobile and microbially active DOC may lead to higher rates of carbon export.
Peer ethnic/racial socialization in adolescence: Current knowledge and future directions
Authors: Wang Yijie , Lin Sylvia
Published: March 2023

Peer groups are a central socialization setting in adolescence, and an emerging body of research has started to investigate the influence of peers on how adolescents understand, think about, and act on issues of ethnicity and race. This commentary summarizes the existing research that has investigated peer ethnic/racial socialization (ERS) and its associations with adolescent outcomes, highlighting the need to better understand: (1) what peers are doing related to issues of ethnicity/race; (2) who these peers are; (3) in what contexts peer ERS occurs; and (4) how peer ERS changes over time in adolescence. We hope the commentary, along with recent theoretical work seeking to unpack the complexity of ethnic/racial messages that young people receive across various developmental settings, will help generate more research to better understand the content, sources, and context of ERS, as well as its developmental changes over time.

Highlights

Peer groups are a central socialization setting in adolescence, and an emerging body of research hasstarted to examine the influence of peers on how adolescents understand, think about, and act on issues of ethnicity and race.

This commentary summarizes the existing research that has investigated peer ethnic/racial socialization (ERS) and its associations with adolescent outcomes.

The commentary highlights the need to betterunderstand 1) what peers are doing related to issues of ethnicity/race, 2)who these peers are, 3) in what contexts peer ERS occurs, and 4) how peerERS changes over time in adolescence.

The commentary seeks to generate more researchto better unpack the complexity of ERS across various developmental settings.
3‐Dmolecular stars with covalent axial bonding
Authors: Guan Xiao‐Ling , Sun Rui , Jin Bo , Yuan Caixia , Wu Yan‐Bo
Published: March 2023

In designing three‐dimensional (3‐D) molecular stars, it is very difficult to enhance the molecular rigidity through forming the covalent bonds between the axial and equatorial groups because corresponding axial groups will generally break the delocalized π bond over equatorial frameworks and thus break their star‐like arrangement. In this work, exemplified by designing the 3‐D stars Be2©Be5E5+(E = Au, Cl, Br, I) with three delocalized σ bonds and delocalized π bond over the central Be2©Be5moiety, we propose that the desired covalent bonding can be achieved by forming the delocalized σ bond(s) and delocalized π bond(s) simultaneously between the axial groups and equatorial framework. The covalency and rigidity of axial bonding can be demonstrated by the total Wiberg bond indices of 1.46–1.65 for axial Be atoms and ultrashort Be‐Be distances of 1.834–1.841 Å, respectively. Beneficial also from the σ and π double aromaticity, these mono‐cationic 3‐D molecular stars are dynamically viable global energy minima with well‐defined electronic structures, as reflected by wide HOMO‐LUMO gaps (4.68–5.06 eV) and low electron affinities (4.70–4.82 eV), so they are the promising targets in the gas phase generation, mass‐separation, and spectroscopic characterization.
Effect of B12 and folate deficiency in hypomethylation of Angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 gene and severity of disease among the acute respiratory distress syndrome patients
Authors: Najafipour Reza , Mohammadi Davood , Momeni Abdolmabood , Moghbelinejad Sahar
Published: March 2023

Background

Angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE‐2) is the most important receptor and has important role in the entry of corona virus to the host cells. The present study aimed to investigate the different mechanisms involved in the expression regulation of this gene among the COVID‐19 patients.

Methods

A total of 140 patients with COVID‐19 (n = 70 mild COVID‐19, n = 70 ARDS) and 120 controls were recruited. The expression of ACE‐2 and miRNAs was evaluated by quantitative real‐time PCR (QRT‐PCR), and methylation of CpG dinucleotides in the ACE2 promoter was quantified using bisulfite pyro‐sequencing. Finally, different polymorphisms of the ACE‐2 gene were studied by Sanger sequencing.

Results

Our results showed a significant high expression of the ACE‐2 gene in the blood samples of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients (3.8 ± 0.77) in comparison with controls (0.88 ± 0.12; p < 0.03). The methylation rate of the ACE‐2 gene in ARDS patients was 14.07 ± 6.1 compared with controls (72.3 ± 5.1; p < 0.0001). Among the four studied miRNAs, only miR200c‐3p showed significant downregulation in ARDS patients (0.14 ± 0.1) in comparison with controls (0.32 ± 0.17; p < 0.001). We did not see a substantial difference in the frequency of rs182366225 C>T and rs2097723 T>C polymorphisms between patients and controls (p > 0.05). There was a significant correlation between B12 (R = 0.32, p < 0.001), folate (R = 0.37, p < 0.001) deficiency, and hypo‐methylation of the ACE‐2 gene.

Conclusion

These results for the first time indicated that among the different mechanisms of ACE‐2 expression regulation, its promoter methylation is very crucial and can be affected by factors involved in one‐carbon metabolisms such as B9 and B12 vitamins deficiency.
Circulating tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1β, and interleukin‐17A estimates increased major adverse cardiac event risk in acute myocardial infarction patients
Authors: Guo Jing , Hu Zhenfeng , Ren Liang , Zhao Weibo , Zuo Ruijing , Guo Shuang , Jia Chaoguo , Gao Wei
Published: March 2023

Background

Inflammatory cytokines are implicated in the development of atherosclerosis and cardiomyocyte injury during acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study aimed to investigate the correlation of eight common inflammatory cytokines with major adverse cardiac event (MACE) risk and further establish a prognostic model in AMI patients.

Methods

Serum samples of 210 AMI patients and 20 angina pectoris patients were, respectively, collected at admission, to detect tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐17A, vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1), and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM‐1) via enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐17A, VCAM‐1, and ICAM‐1 were elevated (all p < 0.050); IL‐10 (p = 0.009) was declined; IL‐1β (p = 0.086) was not varied in AMI patients compared with angina pectoris patients. TNF‐α (p = 0.008), IL‐17A (p = 0.003), and VCAM‐1 (p = 0.014) were elevated in patients with MACE occurrence compared to patients without MACE occurrence; meanwhile, they possessed a relatively good value for identifying MACE risk via receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Subsequent multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the independent risk factors for MACE contained TNF‐α (odds ratio (OR) = 1.038, p < 0.001), IL‐1β (OR = 1.705, p = 0.044), IL‐17A (OR = 1.021, p = 0.009), history of diabetes mellitus (OR = 4.188, p = 0.013), history of coronary heart disease (OR = 3.287, p = 0.042), and symptom‐to‐balloon time (OR = 1.064, p = 0.030), whose combination disclosed a satisfying prognostic value for MACE risk (area under the curve: 0.877, 95% CI: 0.817–0.936).

Conclusion

Elevated levels of serum TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐17A independently correlated with MACE risk in AMI patients, which perhaps provide novel auxiliary for AMI prognostic prediction.
Leisure‐time physical activity and sarcopenia among older adults from low‐ and middle‐income countries
Authors: Jacob Louis , Gyasi Razak M. , Oh Hans , Smith Lee , Kostev Karel , López Sánchez Guillermo F. , Rahmati Masoud , Haro Josep Maria , Tully Mark A. , Shin Jae Il , Yon Dong Keon , Koyanagi Ai
Published: March 2023

Background

There are no data on the association between leisure‐time physical activity (LTPA) and sarcopenia in older adults from low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). This study aimed to investigate the association between LTPA and sarcopenia in individuals aged ≥65 years living in six LMICs.

Methods

Cross‐sectional data from the Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health (China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa) were analysed. Sarcopenia referred to the presence of both low skeletal muscle mass and weak handgrip strength. LTPA was assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and was analysed as a dichotomized variable [high LTPA (>150 min/week of moderate‐to‐vigorous LTPA) or low LTPA (≤150 min/week)]. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess associations.

Results

There were 14 585 individuals included in this study [mean (SD) age 72.6 (11.5) years; 55.0% women]. The prevalence of high LTPA and sarcopenia was 8.9% and 12.0%, respectively. After adjusting for potential confounders, low LTPA was significantly associated with higher odds for sarcopenia [prevalence odds ratio (POR) = 1.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.29–2.65] compared with high LTPA. Significant associations were found in women (POR = 3.22, 95% CI = 1.82–5.68) but not in men (POR = 1.52, 95% CI = 0.99–2.35).

Conclusions

A positive and significant association between low LTPA and sarcopenia was found among older adults from LMICs. The promotion of LTPA among older adults in LMICs may aid in the prevention of sarcopenia, especially among females, pending future longitudinal research.
Patients' attitudes regarding genetic counseling before germline BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants testing in Taiwan: A single‐country, multi‐center, patient‐reported outcome study
Authors: Kuo Wen‐Ling , Lin Po‐Han , Peng Meng‐Ting , Chu Chia‐Hui , Cho Chia‐Wei
Published: March 2023

Germline pathogenic variants of BRCA1 or BRCA2 cause hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndromes. The present study investigated the participants' understanding and awareness of germline BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants before genetic counseling, the expectations and obstacles for genetic testing from the perspective of participants and their families, and their attitudes towards genetic testing after counseling. In this single‐country, multicenter, non‐interventional, patient‐reported outcome study, untested cancer patients and their families who visited genetic counseling clinics or who wanted to receive pre‐test genetic counseling were eligible to fill in the questionnaire after pre‐test counseling for germline BRCA1/2 testing. Demographic information, clinical characteristics, and information collected from the questionnaires, including the understanding of BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants before genetic counseling, understanding of BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants and feelings after genetic counseling, willingness to share results of genetic testing with family, and willingness to receive genetic testing, were summarized using descriptive statistics. A total of 88 participants were enrolled. The proportion of slight understanding of BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants increased from 11.4% to 67.0%, and the proportion of full understanding increased from 0% to 8.0%. After genetic counseling, most participants were willing to undergo genetic testing (87.5%) and share the results with their families (96.6%). The main factors that may affect participants' willingness to undergo BRCA1/2 testing were management (61.2%) and testing costs (25.9%). After pre‐test counseling, there was a high acceptance of BRCA1/2 testing and in‐family information sharing in Taiwanese patients with cancer and their families, which may serve as a reference for implementing genetic counseling in Taiwan.
What knowledge is required for an informed choice related to non‐invasive prenatal screening?
Authors: Griffin Erin , Hooker Gillian , Grace Matthew , Kaphingst Kimberly , Velez Edwards Digna , Zhao Zhiguo , Slamon Jill
Published: March 2023

Non‐invasive prenatal screening (NIPS) using cell‐free DNA is a screening test for fetal aneuploidy offered by a variety of prenatal healthcare providers. Guidelines for genetic screening consistently recommend that providers facilitate informed choices, which have been associated with better psychological and clinical outcomes than uninformed choices. The multidimensional measure of informed choice (MMIC) is a widely used and theory‐based measure that combines knowledge, values, and behavior to classify decisions as either informed or uniformed. We implemented a previously validated version of the MMIC for women offered NIPS to describe the choices made by women receiving prenatal care at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The survey included the Ottawa Decisional Conflict scale, an outcome measure used for validation of choice categorization. We found that most women (87%) made an informed choice about NIPS. Of the women categorized as uninformed, 67% had insufficient knowledge, and 33% had an attitude discordant with their decision. The vast majority of respondents (92.5%) underwent NIPS and had a positive attitude toward screening (94.3%). Ethnicity (p = 0.04) and education (p = 0.01) were found to be significantly associated with informed choice. Decisional conflict was extremely low among all participants, with only 5.6% of all participants demonstrating any form of decisional conflict, and all being categorized as having made an informed choice. This study suggests that pre‐test counseling by a genetic counselor results in high rates of informed choice and low‐decisional conflict amongst women offered NIPS by genetic counselors, though more research is required to determine if rates of informed choice remain high when NIPS is offered by other prenatal providers.
Sub‐classification of laparoscopic left hepatectomy based on hierarchic interaction of tumor location and size with perioperative outcomes
Authors: Ruzzenente Andrea , Valle Bernardo Dalla , Poletto Edoardo , Syn Nicholas L. , Kabir Tousif , Sugioka Atsushi , Cipriani Federica , Cherqui Daniel , Han Ho‐Seong , Armstrong Thomas , Long Tran Cong Duy , Scatton Olivier , Herman Paolo , Pratschke Johann , Aghayan Davit L. , Liu Rong , Marino Marco V. , Chiow Adrian K. H. , Sucandy Iswanto , Ivanecz Arpad , Vivarelli Marco , Di Benedetto Fabrizio , Choi Sung‐Hoon , Lee Jae Hoon , Prieto Mikel , Fondevila Constantino , Efanov Mikhail , Rotellar Fernando , Choi Gi‐Hong , Robles‐Campos Ricardo , Wang Xiaoying , Sutcliffe Robert P. , Lai Eric C. H. , Chong Charing C. , D'Hondt Mathieu , Yong Chee Chien , Troisi Roberto I. , Kingham T. Peter , Ferrero Alessandro , Levi Sandri Giovanni Battista , Soubrane Olivier , Yin Mengqiu , Lopez‐Ben Santiago , Mazzaferro Vincenzo , Giuliante Felice , Monden Kazateru , Mishima Kohei , Wakabayashi Go , Cheung Tan‐To , Fuks David , Abu Hilal Mohammad , Chen Kuo‐Hsin , Aldrighetti Luca , Edwin Bjorn , Goh Brian K. P. ,   International robotic and laparoscopic liver resection study group investigators are co‐authors of this study
Published: March 2023

Background

The aim of this multicentric study was to investigate the impact of tumor location and size on the difficulty of Laparoscopic‐Left Hepatectomy (L‐LH).

Methods

Patients who underwent L‐LH performed across 46 centers from 2004 to 2020 were analyzed. Of 1236 L‐LH, 770 patients met the study criteria. Baseline clinical and surgical characteristics with a potential impact on LLR were included in a multi‐label conditional interference tree. Tumor size cut‐off was algorithmically determined.

Results

Patients were stratified into 3 groups based on tumor location and dimension: 457 in antero‐lateral location (Group 1), 144 in postero‐superior segment (4a) with tumor size ≤40 mm (Group 2), and 169 in postero‐superior segment (4a) with tumor size >40 mm (Group 3). Patients in the Group 3 had higher conversion rate (7.0% vs. 7.6% vs. 13.0%, p‐value .048), longer operating time (median, 240 min vs. 285 min vs. 286 min, p‐value <.001), greater blood loss (median, 150 mL vs. 200 mL vs. 250 mL, p‐value <.001) and higher intraoperative blood transfusion rate (5.7% vs. 5.6% vs. 11.3%, p‐value .039). Pringle's maneuver was also utilized more frequently in Group 3 (66.7%), compared to Group 1 (53.2%) and Group 2 (51.8%) (p = .006). There were no significant differences in postoperative stay, major morbidity, and mortality between the three groups.

Conclusion

L‐LH for tumors that are >40 mm in diameter and located in PS Segment 4a are associated with the highest degree of technical difficulty. However, post‐operative outcomes were not different from L‐LH of smaller tumors located in PS segments, or tumors located in the antero‐lateral segments.
Supporting the career development of Black adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Cabell Autumn
Published: March 2023

In this pilot study, Black adults (N = 15) in a large Midwestern city who were economically impacted by the pandemic completed three career development webinars. The study examined how completing three career development webinars improved participants’ perceptions of career search efficacy and helped participants progress toward their career development goals. Results of a linear regression indicated a significant positive increase in post‐test career search efficacy scores. Results of the thematic analysis revealed four themes: career development knowledge, career development confidence, entrepreneurship, and exploring career interests. Implications for counselors and counselor educators are discussed.
Viability analysis for population reinforcement of Grauer's gorillas at Mount Tshiaberimu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Iyer Neetha , Kahlenberg Sonya M. , Williamson Elizabeth A. , Kyungu Jean‐Claude , Syaluha Eddy K. , Mbeke Jackson K. , de Merode Emmanuel , Caillaud Damien
Published: March 2023

Reintroduction and translocation programs have been sparingly used for the management of endangered primate populations. Mount Tshiaberimu in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) contains 6 Grauer's gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri) with only 2 adult females. Without intervention, this population is at high risk of extinction. We designed population viability analysis models to compare different release scenarios of wild‐born captive female gorillas housed at the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education (GRACE) Center in the DRC. We identified the minimum number of females needed to maintain a viable population in this habitat. We used a stochastic Leslie matrix model and a more complex individual‐based model to project population growth. We used published demographic parameters for mountain gorillas (Gorilla b. beringei) corresponding to a 3.2% annual growth rate, and then applied a correction factor to female fertility to obtain parameters consistent with 1% and 2% growth rates. We ran each scenario over a 50‐year time period (1,000 simulations) to determine the final population size and risk of local extinction. Results from our optimistic (3.2% growth) and conservative (1% growth) individual‐based model projections indicated that the extinction risk dropped below 1% with the release of at least 2 or 3 females, respectively. Both approaches predicted similar extinction risks for all scenarios; however, the variance in final population size was higher with the individual‐based model. For long‐lived mammals like primates, we recommend the use of individual‐based models, which can incorporate life‐history parameters such as long gestation and nursing periods. Our analysis suggests a translocation of ≥3 females to rescue the Tshiaberimu gorilla population in the short term. Factors such as inbreeding depression, habitat quality, disease risks, and anthropogenic pressures will need to be evaluated in later stages of population reinforcement planning.
Male elk survival, vulnerability, and antler size in a transboundary and partially migratory population
Authors: Martin Hans , Hebblewhite Mark , Hubbs Anne , Corrigan Rob , Merrill Evelyn H.
Published: March 2023

Migration is a behavioral strategy used by many ungulates to access resources and avoid predation in heterogenous landscapes. If migratory individuals access higher quality forage and avoid predation, then they should attain greater fitness. Migration can also expose individuals following distinct migratory tactics to differential mortality and harvest. We investigated how transboundary migration affected male elk (Cervus canadensis) survival and antler size when subjected to harvest with different antler point restrictions (APRs) and year‐round harvest by treaty First Nations in a multi‐carnivore system in Alberta, Canada. We measured antler size and age for 35 unmarked, harvested male elk and 90 global positioning system (GPS)‐collared adult male elk. We also estimated radio‐collared elk survival and cause‐specific mortality (105 elk‐years) from 2018 to 2020. Antler size increased as a non‐linear function of age and exposure to high quality forage for migrants. The biological effect size of exposure to higher quality forage (i.e., lower biomass) obtained by migrants was variable but biologically equivalent to the antler size difference (i.e., 33–54 cm) predicted between 5‐ and 6‐year‐old male elk. Annual mortality rate was 0.304 and the primary cause of death was hunting (cumulative incidence functions [CIF] mortality rate = 0.203,n = 33 mortalities) of which a third was by First Nations treaty harvest (CIF = 0.101,n = 12). Non‐human‐caused mortality was rare (CIF = 0.015); only 2 males died because of predation by wolves (Canis lupus). Six‐point APRs resulted in lower annual survival rates (S = 0.42) for male elk with ≥6 antler points, which were usually >4 years of age. Harvest risk increased by 20% for every 1‐km closer to an access road. Elk harvested by licensed recreational or First Nations hunters were similar with respect to male elk age, antler size, date, and location. There was very little evidence that multiple species of large carnivores influenced male elk survival. These results indicate forage quality and vulnerability to harvest by humans influence male elk age structure, and hence antler size, of transboundary and partially migratory populations, even in carnivore‐rich complex systems.
Analysis of decision‐making for value co‐creation in digital innovation systems: An evolutionary game model of complex networks
Authors: Xu Yingying , Sun Hui , Lyu Xichen
Published: March 2023

Digitalization has reshaped the way of value co‐creation among innovation subjects, expanded the existing innovation ecosystem theories, and triggered the thinking about the digital innovation ecosystem. How to continuously promote value co‐creation between focal companies and non‐focal subjects within the digital innovation ecosystem to elevate the sustainable development of the system is an urgent issue to be solved. In this paper, we built a model of value co‐creation behavior evolution of focal companies and non‐focal subjects in the digital innovation ecosystem based on the complex network evolutionary game theory. The dynamic decision‐making process and critical factors of value co‐creation behavior of focal companies and non‐focal subjects were explored, and the emergence mechanism from micro‐behavior of value co‐creation to macro‐evolution was studied. The results showed that (1) increasing the variability of digital resources shared by focal companies and non‐focal subjects and the level of digital innovation benefits could promote value co‐creation in the system, but digital innovation ecosystems of different scales have various sensitivities to the variability of digital resources and the level of digital innovation benefits; (2) during the initial construction period of digital innovation ecosystems, the distribution of digital innovation benefits should be dominated by focal companies. With the expansion of the ecosystem, the focus of benefit distribution should gradually shift to non‐focal subjects. (3) In the evolution of the digital innovation ecosystem, focal companies should bear relatively more coordination costs of value co‐creation to promote the stable development of the system. (4) It is necessary to establish a punishment mechanism for opportunistic behavior, and the punishment should be gradually increased as the scale of digital innovation ecosystem expands. This study characterizes the digital innovation ecosystem with scale‐free networks in complex networks and constructs a complex network evolutionary game model to study the dynamic decision‐making process of value co‐creation behavior in the system, which makes up for the limitations of traditional evolutionary game research in which game subjects interact in a uniformly mixed manner and highlights the macroscopic phenomena emerging from the dynamic decision‐making of value co‐creation behavior of micro subjects. The research findings have important implications for the co‐creation of value by focal companies and non‐focal subjects in the digital innovation ecosystem and the sustainable development of the system.
Cross‐impact of beam local wavenumbers on the efficiency of self‐adaptive artificial boundary conditions for two‐dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger equation
Authors: Trofimov Vyacheslav , Loginova Maria , Egorenkov Vladimir , Yang Yongqiang , Wang Meng
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we propose self‐adaptive artificial boundary conditions (ABCs) for the two‐dimensional (2D) time‐dependent nonlinear Schrödinger equation and studied their efficiency. This equation describes the laser pulse interaction with a semiconductor layer under laser‐induced plasma generation. Because of its nonlinearity, the interaction process is very sensitive to the appearance of the optical beam spurious reflection; therefore, highly transparent ABCs are urgently required to avoid disturbing the interaction process by an unphysical reflected wave. This can be achieved by using time‐ and spatial‐dependent local wavenumbers computed near the artificial boundaries. We claim that it is necessary to account for both wavenumbers in each of the adaptive ABCs stated on both spatial coordinates. Based on computer simulation, we demonstrate an increase in the efficiency of the adaptive ABC stated on the coordinate along which the optical pulse propagates by involving both local wavenumbers. The accuracy of the developed approach is verified using a well‐known analytical solution of the linear Schrödinger equation as well as the reference problem solution, obtained by solving the problem with zero‐value boundary conditions on the extended spatial domain. For computer modeling, the finite‐difference scheme, possessing asymptotic stability, is applied together with a two‐stage iterative process for its realization. The algorithm and peculiarities of the local wavenumber computation are discussed in detail. The applicability of the developed approach is also demonstrated via the solution of both linear and nonlinear problems. The proposed method has widespread application for solving various laser physics problems governed by the Schrödinger equation.
Design of a broadband GaN 12 W power amplifier
Authors: Fan Ze , Mou Shouxian
Published: March 2023

A compact broadband 12 W power amplifier with broadband matching networks is presented. Transistors connected in parallel are used to synthesize the high power. Input, interstage, and output matching networks are also properly designed to meet the requirement of the broadband application. The broadband high power amplifier (HPA) was fabricated using a 0.15‐μm gallium nitride (GaN) HEMT technology, with a maximum saturated measured output power of 43 dBm from 6 to 18 GHz. The measured power added efficiency exceeds 20% in the whole interested band. The proposed HPA also has a compact size of 3.1 mm × 2.96 mm.
Focused navigation for respiratory–motion‐corrected free‐running radial 4D flow MRI
Authors: Falcão Mariana B. L. , Rossi Giulia M. C. , Rutz Tobias , Prša Milan , Tenisch Estelle , Ma Liliana , Weiss Elizabeth K. , Baraboo Justin J. , Yerly Jérôme , Markl Michael , Stuber Matthias , Roy Christopher W.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

To validate a respiratory motion correction method called focused navigation (fNAV) for free‐running radial whole‐heart 4D flow MRI.

Methods

Using fNAV, respiratory signals derived from radial readouts are converted into three orthogonal displacements, which are then used to correct respiratory motion in 4D flow datasets. Hundred 4D flow acquisitions were simulated with non‐rigid respiratory motion and used for validation. The difference between generated and fNAV displacement coefficients was calculated. Vessel area and flow measurements from 4D flow reconstructions with (fNAV) and without (uncorrected) motion correction were compared to the motion‐free ground‐truth. In 25 patients, the same measurements were compared between fNAV 4D flow, 2D flow, navigator‐gated Cartesian 4D flow, and uncorrected 4D flow datasets.

Results

For simulated data, the average difference between generated and fNAV displacement coefficients was 0.04 0.32 mm and 0.31 0.35 mm in the x and y directions, respectively. In the z direction, this difference was region‐dependent (0.02 0.51 mm up to 5.85 3.41 mm). For all measurements (vessel area, net volume, and peak flow), the average difference from ground truth was higher for uncorrected 4D flow datasets (0.32 0.11 cm2, 11.1 3.5 mL, and 22.3 6.0 mL/s) than for fNAV 4D flow datasets (0.10 0.03 cm2, 2.6 0.7 mL, and 5.1 .9 mL/s, p < 0.05). In vivo, average vessel area measurements were 4.92 2.95 cm2, 5.06 2.64 cm2, 4.87 2.57 cm2, 4.87 2.69 cm2, for 2D flow and fNAV, navigator‐gated and uncorrected 4D flow datasets, respectively. In the ascending aorta, all 4D flow datasets except for the fNAV reconstruction had significantly different vessel area measurements from 2D flow. Overall, 2D flow datasets demonstrated the strongest correlation to fNAV 4D flow for both net volume (r2 = 0.92) and peak flow (r2 = 0.94), followed by navigator‐gated 4D flow (r2 = 0.83 and r2 = 0.86, respectively), and uncorrected 4D flow (r2 = 0.69 and r2 = 0.86, respectively).

Conclusion

fNAV corrected respiratory motion in vitro and in vivo, resulting in fNAV 4D flow measurements that are comparable to those derived from 2D flow and navigator‐gated Cartesian 4D flow datasets, with improvements over those from uncorrected 4D flow.
Toxicity of Copper Sulfate to Largemouth Bass Fry in Naturally Soft Water
Authors: Straus David L. , Ledbetter Cynthia K. , Farmer Bradley D. , Deshotel Michael B. , Heikes David L.
Published: March 2023

The use of copper sulfate pentahydrate (herein, designated CuSO4) for fungus control on fish embryos is extremely effective and economical for farmers in waters with moderate or high alkalinity/hardness; however, fry toxicity in low alkalinity/hardness waters is a concern. The present study determined the acute toxicity of CuSO4 to Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides in naturally soft water (42 mg/L alkalinity [as CaCO3], 41 mg/L hardness [as CaCO3]). Median lethal concentration (LC50) values at 24 h were 3.97 mg/L CuSO4 for yolk-sac fry and 5.24 mg/L CuSO4 for swim-up fry. Most importantly for farmers, the no observed effect concentration (NOEC; the highest concentration tested to not cause fry mortality) was 0.625 mg/L CuSO4 for both stages of fry. Regarding the safe use of CuSO4 for fungus control on Largemouth Bass embryos, this research was done to demonstrate CuSO4 toxicity to Largemouth Bass fry in soft water.
The impact of distance education on readmission of patients with heart failure: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ramtin Sarina , Yazdani Zahra , Tanha Kiarash , Negarandeh Reza
Published: March 2023

Aim

To estimate the effect size of distance education on the readmission of patients with heart failure.

Design

This study was a systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Method

Both Persian and English interventional studies focused on investigating the effectiveness of any form of distance education interventions on the readmission of patients with heart failure were retrieved from the main databases: Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SID, and Google Scholar. Two independent teams screened the articles for eligibility. The Cochrane Risk of bias tool was implemented to evaluate the studies' quality. A random‐effects model was applied to pool the effect sizes, I2 was calculated to examine heterogeneity, and Meta‐regression was used to investigate the source of heterogeneity. The proposal was registered in the PROSPERO database (no. CRD42020187453).

Results

Articles 8836 were retrieved, and 11 articles were selected. Nine studies investigated the effect of distance education on readmission with <12‐month follow‐up (RR: 0.78 [95% CI 0.67–0.92]) and the I2 of 0.00%; and four studies examined the effect of distance intervention on readmission with 12‐month or more follow‐up (RR: 0.89 [95% CI 0.73–1.09]) and the I2 of 71.59%.
Prevalent use and evolution of exonic regulatory sequences in the human genome
Authors: Chen Jing , Ni Pengyu , Wu Siwen , Niu Meng , Guo Jun‐tao , Su Zhengsheng
Published: March 2023

It has long been known that exons can serve as cis‐regulatory sequences, such as enhancers. However, the prevalence of such dual‐use of exons and how they evolve remain elusive. Based on our recently predicted, highly accurate large sets of cis‐regulatory module candidates (CRMCs) and non‐CRMCs in the human genome, we find that exonic transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) occupy at least a third of the total exon lengths, and 96.7% of genes have exonic TFBSs. Both A/T and C/G in exonic TFBSs are more likely under evolutionary constraints than those in non‐CRMC exons. Exonic TFBSs in codons tend to encode loops rather than more critical helices and strands in protein structures, while exonic TFBSs in untranslated regions (UTRs) tend to avoid positions where known UTR‐related functions are located. Moreover, active exonic TFBSs tend to be in close physical proximity to distal promoters whose genes have elevated transcription levels. These results suggest that exonic TFBSs might be more prevalent than originally thought and likely in dual‐use. We proposed a parsimonious model that well explains the observed evolutionary behaviors of exonic TFBS as well as how a stretch of codons evolve into a TFBS.

Key points

There are more exonic regulatory sequences in the human genome than originally thought.

Exonic transcription factor binding sites are more likely under negative selection or positive selection than counterpart nonregulatory sequences.

Exonic transcription factor binding sites tend to be located in genome sequences that encode less critical loops in protein structures, or in less critical parts in 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions.
Infiltration monitoring using carbon nanotube buckypaper for the characterization of out‐of‐plane unsaturated permeability
Authors: Zhang Jiaxing , Zhang Wei , Wang Shaokai , Xing Fei , Gu Yizhuo , Wang Yanjie , Li Min
Published: March 2023

This paper developed an out‐of‐plane permeability measuring method by utilizing conductive carbon nanotube (CNT) buckypaper and its piezoresistivity. A series of CNT sensors was arranged orderly in different interlaminar regions to achieve infiltration monitoring for both glass and carbon fabrics. The response of electrical resistance to flow front was investigated, and the out‐of‐plane unsaturated permeabilities at different fiber volume fractions were further calculated according to the monitoring results of those CNT sensors. The results show that the electrical resistance variation and time curves can be divided into three stages, including the initial baseline stage, rapid growth stage, and smooth growth stage. For most CNT sensors, ΔR/R0 becomes higher than 15% and 20% at the end of rapid growth stage and smooth growth stage, respectively. These CNT sensors show the sudden increase of electrical resistance successively along the infiltration direction. The squared infiltration distance and time show linear relationship, and the out‐of‐plane unsaturated permeability is further calculated based on Darcy's law. The out‐of‐plane unsaturated permeability of EW100 glass fabric is measured to be 4.76 × 10−13 m2 at a fiber volume faction of 63.0%. The unsaturated permeability increases with decreasing fiber volume fraction, and the carbon fabric with smaller fiber diameter shows smaller unsaturated permeability at the approximate fiber volume fraction.
Associations between antidepressant use patterns during pregnancy and birth outcomes among periconception antidepressant users
Authors: Nance Nerissa , Badon Sylvia E. , Ridout Kathryn , Ahern Jennifer , Li De‐Kun , Quesenberry Charles , Avalos Lyndsay A.
Published: March 2023

Background

Little is known about antidepressant medication use patterns during pregnancy among periconception (before and immediately following conception) users. Additionally, the associations between these patterns and birth outcomes is unclear, after taking into account underlying depression severity.

Objective

This study describes patterns of antidepressant use among periconception users and examines associations between usage patterns and birth outcomes.

Study Design

This retrospective cohort study included pregnant Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) members with a live birth between 2014 and 2017 and an antidepressant medication fill that overlapped the 8th week of pregnancy. Outcomes were preterm birth and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. Data were extracted from KPNC's electronic health records. Modified Poisson regression was conducted.

Results

Of the 3637 pregnancies meeting inclusion criteria, 33% (n = 1204) continued antidepressant use throughout the pregnancy (refilled throughout pregnancy), 47% (n = 1721) discontinued use (no refills), and 20% (n = 712) stopped and reinitiated use (refill after 30+ day gap in supply). Women who continued use had 1.86 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.53, 2.27) times the risk of preterm birth and 1.76 (95% CI: 1.42, 2.19) times the risk of NICU admission, compared to women who discontinued use during pregnancy. Similarly, women with continued use had 1.66 (95% CI: 1.27, 2.18) times the risk of preterm birth and 1.85 (95% CI: 1.39, 2.46) times the risk of NICU admission, compared to women who stopped and reinitiated use. This relationship held when examining continuous exposure; the relationship between continuous exposure and preterm delivery was stronger in later trimesters.

Conclusions

Periconception antidepressant users who continue use during pregnancy, particularly into the second and third trimesters, may be at higher risk of adverse birth outcomes. This evidence should be considered alongside the risks associated with depression relapse.
A complex role of Arabidopsis CDKD;3 in meiotic progression and cytokinesis
Authors: Tanasa Sorin , Shukla Neha , Cairo Albert , Ganji Ranjani S. , Mikulková Pavlina , Valuchova Sona , Raxwal Vivek K. , Capitao Claudio , Schnittger Arp , Zdráhal Zbyněk , Riha Karel
Published: March 2023

Meiosis is a specialized cell division that halves the number of chromosomes in two consecutive rounds of chromosome segregation. In angiosperm plants is meiosis followed by mitotic divisions to form rudimentary haploid gametophytes. In Arabidopsis, termination of meiosis and transition to gametophytic development are governed by TDM1 and SMG7 that mediate inhibition of translation. Mutants deficient in this mechanism do not form tetrads but instead undergo multiple cycles of aberrant nuclear divisions that are likely caused by the failure to downregulate cyclin dependent kinases during meiotic exit. A suppressor screen to identify genes that contribute to meiotic exit uncovered a mutation in cyclin‐dependent kinase D;3 (CDKD;3) that alleviates meiotic defects in smg7 deficient plants. The CDKD;3 deficiency prevents aberrant meiotic divisions observed in smg7 mutants or delays their onset after initiation of cytokinesis, which permits formation of functional microspores. Although CDKD;3 acts as an activator of cyclin‐dependent kinase A;1 (CDKA;1), the main cyclin dependent kinase that regulates meiosis, cdkd;3 mutation appears to promote meiotic exit independently of CDKA;1. Furthermore, analysis of CDKD;3 interactome revealed enrichment for proteins implicated in cytokinesis, suggesting a more complex function of CDKD;3 in cell cycle regulation.