bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The other colon cancer: a population‐based cohort study of appendix tumour trends and prognosis
Authors: Halfter Kathrin , Schubert‐Fritschle Gabriele , Klauschen Frederick , Werner Jens , Mayerle Julia , Weichert Wilko , Friess Helmut , Schmid Roland , Kremer Marcus , Ruppert Reinhard , Hoelzl Jürgen , Krenz Detlef , Nerlich Andreas , Agha Ayman , Fuchs Martin , Becker Ingrid , Nowak Kai , Engel Jutta , Schlesinger‐Raab Anne
Published: February 2023

Aim

Appendiceal neoplasms are rare subtypes of colorectal tumours that mainly affect younger patients some 20 years earlier than other colon tumours. The aim of this study was to gain more insight into the histological subtypes of this rare disease and include cases previously excluded, such as mucinous neoplasia.

Method

The cohort study included 1097 patients from the Munich Cancer Registry (MCR) diagnosed between 1998 and 2020. Joinpoint analysis was used to determine trend in incidence. Baseline demographic comparisons and survival analyses using competing risk and univariate/multivariate methods were conducted according to tumour histology: adenocarcinoma (ADENO), neuroendocrine neoplasia (NEN), mixed adeno‐neuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC), and low‐ (LAMN) and high‐grade mucinous neoplasia (HAMN).

Results

Up to 2016 the number of cases increased significantly [annual per cent change (APC) = 6.86, p < 0.001] followed by a decline in the following years (APC = −14.82, p = 0.014; average APC = 2.5, p = 0.046). Comparison of all patients showed that NEN (48.4%) and mucinous neoplasms (11.6%) had a considerably better prognosis than ADENO (36.0%) and MANEC (3.0%, p < 0.0001). A multivariate analysis within the NEN and ADENO subgroups revealed that further histological classification was not prognostically relevant, while older age and regional tumour spread at diagnosis were associated with a poor prognosis. ADENO histology with high tumour grade and appendectomy only was also associated with poorer survival.

Conclusion

Appendiceal neoplasms are histologically heterogeneous; however, this diversity becomes less relevant compared with the marked difference from cancers of the remaining colon. The previously observed increase in cases appears to be abating; fewer cases of appendicitis and/or appendectomies or changes in histopathological assessment may be behind this trend.
Rare case of intraductal foreign bodies in the pancreatic duct after distal pancreatectomy
Authors: Soga Koichi , Takakura Shun , Mazaki Mika
Published: February 2023

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Successful treatment of laryngeal dysplasia with ventriculocordectomy and prosthetic laryngoplasty in a horse
Authors: Morelli Chiara , Rubio‐Martínez Luis M.
Published: February 2023

Prosthetic laryngoplasty is a recognised treatment option for recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) in horses; however, there is no report of the use of laryngoplasty alone or in combination, as a successful treatment of equine laryngeal dysplasia. A 6‐year‐old Warmblood gelding was referred to the hospital for investigation of respiratory noise and exercise intolerance. Grade 4 recurrent laryngeal neuropathy and bilateral vocal fold collapse were diagnosed with overground endoscopy. Ultrasonography revealed laryngeal dysplasia. The horse underwent standing laser bilateral ventriculectomy, left vocal cordectomy, right vocal cordotomy and left‐sided laryngoplasty. Abnormal structural anatomy of the left aspect of the larynx consistent with laryngeal dysplasia was identified during surgery. Post‐operatively, the horse showed substantial clinical improvement with decreased respiratory noise and improved exercise capacity. Follow‐up overground endoscopy at 6 months post‐operative revealed Dixon grade 4 abduction of the left arytenoid cartilage. Follow‐up information via telephone conversation with the owner confirmed that the horse continued in active exercise with clinical improvement. This case report highlights the value of combined clinical, endoscopic and ultrasonographic examinations of the larynx in a horse with laryngeal dysplasia and concurrent grade 4 RLN and the successful surgical treatment achieved with combined bilateral ventriculectomy, left vocal cordectomy, right vocal cordotomy and prosthetic laryngoplasty.
The McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD) dimensions involved in the prediction of adolescent depressive symptoms and their mediating role in regard to socioeconomic status
Authors: Caño González Antonio , Rodríguez‐Naranjo Carmen
Published: February 2023

Family functioning plays an important role in explaining the high prevalence of depressive symptoms in adolescents and it is necessary to identify the family functioning characteristics responsible for this relationship. In turn, while socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with adolescent depressive symptoms, the mechanisms that explain this relationship are largely unknown. In this study, we used the McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD) to obtain a picture of the family functioning dimensions that genuinely contribute to explaining the relationship between family functioning and adolescent depressive symptoms and analyzed the mediating effect of family functioning on the impact of SES on depressive symptoms. Regression‐based conditional process analysis was used with a sample of 636 adolescents aged 12–17 years. Pratt's measures in regression analyses showed that 95% of the variance in depressive symptoms was accounted for by three of the six FAD dimensions: the ability to experience and express emotions appropriately—Affective Responsiveness—the ability to maintain adequate involvement among family members—Affective Involvement—and the ability to set and abide by rules and standards of behavior—Behavioral Control. Results also showed that the impact of SES on depressive symptoms was mediated by the existence of clear expectations about standards of behavior and behavioral patterns for handling family tasks—Behavioral Control and Roles—and, for the boys, by experiencing and expressing emotions appropriately. The results emphasize the importance of affect and clear‐cut family rules to prevent adolescent depressive symptoms and suggest that the existence of family rules and roles buffer the impact of SES on adolescent wellbeing.
Novel double staining of the stratum corneum with fluorescent ε‐poly‐l‐lysine and anionic dextran
Authors: Yoshida Moemi , Numajiri Sana , Notani Nao , Nomoto Koji , Urabe Hiroya , Sato Jun‐ichi , Yamashita Yuji , Hirao Tetsuji
Published: February 2023

Objective

ε‐Poly‐l‐lysine (PLL) is a cationic polymer consisting of 25–35 l‐lysine residues. Our previous study revealed that fluorescently labelled PLL can stain the stratum corneum (SC) via ionic interactions between PLL and SC constituents. In this study, to further clarify the mechanisms underlying the interaction between PLL and the SC, the staining properties of fluorescent PLL were compared with that of fluorescently labelled anionic dextran (aDex), which has approximately the same molecular weight as PLL.

Methods

SC samples were collected by non‐invasive tape stripping and stained with fluorescent PLL and/or fluorescent aDex. Fluorescence images were acquired using a fluorescence microscope and then analysed.

Results

The SC could be stained with either fluorescent PLL or aDex, both of which were inhibited by the addition of high concentrations of salt solutions. In particular, aDex staining was inhibited at a lower salt concentration than PLL staining. Moreover, PLL staining was inhibited under acidic conditions, while aDex staining was inhibited under neutral to alkaline conditions. Double staining of SC with both fluorescent polymers produced heterogeneous staining patterns: corneocytes stained with both polymers, corneocytes stained with PLL or aDex in a mutually exclusive manner, and unstained corneocytes. Staining of SC samples from the face was more extensive than staining of SC samples from the inside of the upper arm with both polymers. In addition, pretreatment of the SC with ethanol resulted in enhanced staining with both polymers. These results suggest that double staining of SC with both polymers can provide information on the damaged SC.

Conclusion

Staining of SC with fluorescent PLL depends on its properties of a cationic and hydrophobic polymer with appropriate molecular size, which can distinguish the damaged SC. Double staining of SC with fluorescent PLL and aDex is a novel approach to obtain information for the analysis of skin conditions.
Attrition rate in infant fNIRS research: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Baek Sori , Marques Sabrina , Casey Kennedy , Testerman Meghan , McGill Felicia , Emberson Lauren
Published: February 2023

Understanding the trends and predictors of attrition rate, or the proportion of collected data that is excluded from the final analyses, is important for accurate research planning, assessing data integrity, and ensuring generalizability. In this pre‐registered meta‐analysis, we reviewed 182 publications in infant (0–24 months) functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) research published from 1998 to April 9, 2020, and investigated the trends and predictors of attrition. The average attrition rate was 34.23% among 272 experiments across all 182 publications. Among a subset of 136 experiments that reported the specific reasons for subject exclusion, 21.50% of the attrition was infant‐driven, while 14.21% was signal‐driven. Subject characteristics (e.g., age) and study design (e.g., fNIRS cap configuration, block/trial design, and stimulus type) predicted the total and subject‐driven attrition rates, suggesting that modifying the recruitment pool or the study design can meaningfully reduce the attrition rate in infant fNIRS research. Based on the findings, we established guidelines for reporting the attrition rate for scientific transparency and made recommendations to minimize the attrition rates. This research can facilitate developmental cognitive neuroscientists in their quest toward increasingly rigorous and representative research.
Risk factors associated with keloid infections: A five‐year retrospective study
Authors: Liang Zhengyun , Zhang Mingzi , Hao Yan , Shan Mengjie , Liu Hao , Xia Yijun , Chen Qiao , Chang Guojing , Wang Youbin
Published: February 2023

Keloid infections reduce patient‐reported quality of life greatly. Characteristics and risk factors of keloid infections have not been thoroughly studied. So, a retrospective cohort study was conducted focusing on the potential risk factors, microbiologic cultures and histological findings. Keloid patients consulting for surgical interventions were included in this study. Data were collected from their electronic medical records. 564 patients were recruited with the keloid infection rate being 22.4%. For adult patients, age above 40 years (OR, 2.84; P = .000), disease duration of 12 years or more (OR, 3.03; P = .000), the number of keloids over 3 (OR, 1.59; P = .050) and the presence of family history (OR, 1.91; P = .027) were significantly associated with keloid infections. Suppurative keloids were located mostly in thorax (61.79%). For the under‐age subgroup(n = 25), family history was frequently seen in patients with infections. Microbiologic cultures revealed a mixed spectrum of bacteria including Staphylococcus (25%), Actinomyces (30%) and Prevotella (10%). The rate of epidermoid cysts was 19.7% in histological examination. Age > 40 years, disease duration ≥12 years, the number of keloids >3 and the presence of family history are risk factors for keloid infections.
Gene expression responses of Bactrocera tryoni larvae feeding on different ripening stages of tomato fruit
Authors: Christensen (née Roohigohar) Shirin , van der Burg Chloé A. , Clarke Anthony R. , Prentis Peter J.
Published: February 2023

The Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni, is an economically important pest insect of horticultural crops in Australia, damaging a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. To study the B. tryoni–fruit interaction, we conducted a transcriptomic investigation of B. tryoni larvae feeding on three ripening stages of tomato fruit, which had been previously shown to influence larval performance. Fruit fly larval survival in immature tomato fruit is very poor, which we hypothesized to be due to the effect of tomato fruit toxins which are mostly expressed in green fruit. We found 2709 transcripts differentially expressed in larvae feeding on the three ripening stages. The transcript expression pattern was most divergent between larvae feeding in immature fruit compared with fully ripe fruit, with intermediate expression in larvae feeding in colour‐break fruit. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis showed that larvae fed in immature fruit had a higher number of depleted GO terms in comparison with larvae fed on fully ripe fruit, particularly GO terms associated with larval development, metabolism and basic cellular functions. Enriched GO terms in larvae fed on fully ripe fruit showed the opposite pattern, with a greater number of enriched terms related to larval growth and detoxification processes. We concluded that poor larval survival in immature‐green fruit is likely because the substrate offers a very poor diet for larvae, which limits normal developmental functions. By contrast, in colour‐break and fully ripe fruit the substrate allows normal development, including the expression of metabolically costly detoxification mechanisms.
The role of ectopic P granules protein 5 homolog (EPG5) in DHPG‐induced pain sensitization in mice
Authors: Mei Xiangyang , Yin Chengyu , Pan Yushuang , Chen Lei , Wu Cheng , Li Xiangyao , Feng Zhiying
Published: February 2023

Nociplastic pain is a severe health problem, while its mechanisms are still unclear. (R, S)‐3,5‐Dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) is a group I metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonist that can cause central sensitization, which plays a role in nociplastic pain. In this study, after intrathecal injection of 25 nmol DHPG for three consecutive days, whole proteins were extracted from the L4~6 lumbar spinal cord of mice 2 h after intrathecal administration on the third day for proteomics analysis. Based on the results, 15 down‐regulated and 20 up‐regulated proteins were identified in mice. Real‐time quantitative PCR (RT‐qPCR) and western blotting (WB) revealed that the expression of ectopic P granules protein 5 homolog (EPG5) mRNA and protein were significantly up‐regulated compared with the control group, which was consistent with the proteomics results. Originally identified in the genetic screening of Caenorhabditis elegans, EPG5 is mainly involved in regulating autophagy in the body, and in our study, it was mainly expressed in spinal neurons, as revealed by immunohistochemistry staining. After the intrathecal injection of 8 μL adeno‐associated virus (AAV)‐EPG5 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) to knock down spinal EPG5, the hyperalgesia caused by DHPG was relieved. Altogether, these results suggest that EPG5 plays an important role in DHPG‐induced pain sensitization in mice.

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Barth's Repetition*
Authors: Stanley Timothy
Published: February 2023

In chapter three of volume 1.2 (§19‐21) of the Church Dogmatics, Karl Barth provided one of his most thoroughgoing accounts of the concept of scripture. Throughout, he held in tension the Word of God with the frailty of the Bible's human words. As Barth explored this two‐fold aspect of the Bible, he relied upon the concept of repetition. However, what has not been fully appreciated is how repetition was at work not just in Barth's account of the Word and letter of the text, but also the Bible's book form. In response, the following essay concentrates upon these three aspects of repetition in Barth's thought. First, it evaluates trinitarian repetition and circular imagery throughout the Church Dogmatics. Second, it clarifies how repetition featured in Barth's hermeneutics of the interior letter of the text. Third, it demonstrates how despite Barth's ambiguities on these matters, repetition also included the physical book. The result reframes Barth's relevance to the material study of the Bible, which when viewed in this light can inform critical debate about the openness of technological information cultures today.
Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of apple chlorotic leaf spot virus isolates from Malus, Pyrus and Prunus hosts in Latvia
Authors: Zuļģe Neda , Gospodaryk Alina , Moročko–Bičevska Inga
Published: February 2023

The prevalence of apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV) in different Rosaceae species, mainly from cultivated apple (Malus domestica), pear (Pyrus communis), plum (Prunus domestica), apricot (Prunus armeniaca) and wild plants of genus Amelanchier, Cotoneaster, Crataegus, Malus, Prunus and Sorbus were studied. ACLSV was found in cultivated M. domestica, P. communis, P. domestica and wild‐growing Malus, including M. sylvestris. Thirty‐four sequences of the ACLSV coat protein gene were obtained and compared with 372 homologous sequences from GenBank to evaluate the genetic diversity of the virus in Latvia and worldwide. The sequence identities varied from 79.6% to 98.4% at the nucleotide level and 84.5% to 100% at the amino acid level. Phylogenetic analyses clustered ACLSV pome fruit isolates into three genetic types but isolates from stone fruits into four phylogenetic groups. Three genetic types of ACLSV pome and stone fruit isolates were identified in Latvia. Two of them were previously characterized as type B6 and P205. The third genetic type was newly recognized among the stone fruit isolates and distinguished from other virus isolates by amino acid substitutions in three positions, Ser14, Asn23 and Leu72. Two natural recombinants, LV27 and NZ5, were detected among ACLSV isolates from Latvia, and recombination events were identified for the first time in wild‐growing Malus, confirming that recombination is a common process in the ACLSV population.
Functional traits are used in restoration practice: a response to Merchant et al. (2022)
Authors: Gornish Elise S. , Campbell Carianne , Svejcar Lauren , Munson Seth M. , Vaughn Kurt , Spaeth Michael K. , Yelenik Stephanie G. , Wolf Ashlee , Mitchell Rachel
Published: February 2023

A recent Restoration Ecology article by Merchant et al. (2022) suggested that practitioners do not regularly use functional traits in restoration planning. We disagree and provide our collective experience that practitioners do leverage trait‐based approaches and information, but in ways that are different from researchers. Here, we provide an expanded perspective that incorporates practitioner voices to provide a more complete assessment of how traits are used in restoration practice. We highlight that a major challenge in the field of restoration ecology that leads to a disconnect between researchers and practitioners is a different set of knowledge systems, goals, incentives, and limitations. We provide approaches that researchers can use to connect with practitioners and leverage their knowledge.
Hospital inpatient suicides: A retrospective comparison between psychiatric and non‐psychiatric inpatients in Milan healthcare facilities
Authors: Rucco Daniele , Gentile Guendalina , Tambuzzi Stefano , Fanton Beatrice , Calati Raffaella , Zoja Riccardo
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Inpatient suicide in hospitals is a worrying phenomenon that has received little attention. This study retrospectively explored the socio‐demographic, clinical, and suicide‐related characteristics of hospital inpatient suicides in Milan, Italy, which were collected at the Institute of Forensic Medicine during a twenty‐eight‐year period (1993–2020). In particular, this study compared the features of hospital inpatient suicides in patients with and without psychiatric diagnoses.

Methods

Data were collected through the historical archive, annual registers, and autopsy reports, in certified copies of the originals deposited with the prosecutors of the courts.

Results

Considering the global sample, inpatients were mainly men (N = 128; 64.6%), with a mean age of 56.7 years (SD ± 19.8), of Italian nationality (N = 176; 88.9%), admitted to non‐psychiatric wards (N = 132; 66.7%), with a single illness (N = 111; 56.1%), treated with psychotropic medications (N = 101; 51%), who used violent suicide methods (N = 177; 89.4%), died of organic injuries (N = 156; 78.8%), and outside the buildings (N = 114; 72.7%). Comparing psychiatric and non‐psychiatric inpatients, suicide cases with a non‐psychiatric diagnosis were predominantly men (N = 48; 76.2%), hospitalized in non‐psychiatric wards (N = 62; 98.4%), assuming non‐psychotropic drugs (N = 37; 58.7%), and died in outside hospital spaces (N = 54; 85.7%).

Conclusions

A fuller characterization of suicide among hospitalized inpatients requires systematic and computerized data gathering that provides for specific information. Indeed, this could be valuable for inpatient suicide prevention strategies as well as institutional policies.
Antibody, cell‐mediated response and infection susceptibility in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell recipients after COVID‐19 mRNA vaccination
Authors: Pizzano Umberto , Facchin Gabriele , Marcon Chiara , Fabris Martina , Battista Marta Lisa , Cerno Michela , Geromin Antonella , Pucillo Martina , Petruzzellis Giuseppe , Vianello Giampaolo , Battaglia Giulia , Peressutti Roberto , Grillone Lucrezia , Tascini Carlo , Curcio Francesco , Fanin Renato , Patriarca Francesca
Published: February 2023

Background

Patients undergoing allogeneic stem‐cell transplantation (allo‐SCT) have reduced responses to vaccines due to immunosuppressive status linked to GvHD prophylaxis and treatment. In our study, we compared humoral responses to anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 mRNA vaccine, and infection onset, according to patients and transplant features; we also evaluated cellular response in patients without seroconversion.

Methods

We tested antibodies titer after second and third vaccine doses. Antibodies were detected through an immune‐enzymatic assay. In a patients’ subgroup without seroconversion, we tested cell‐mediated responses evaluating interferon‐gamma release by T‐lymphocytes exposed to virus spike protein.

Results

Seroconversion rate increased from 66% at 30 days to 81% at 90 days after the second dose; it was 97% at 150 days after the third dose. We found a significant association between seroconversion after the second dose and two variables: shorter interval between allo‐SCT and vaccination; ongoing immunosuppression. Twelve of 19 patients (63%) without antibodies after the second dose did not show cellular responses. Nineteen percent of patients developed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection after the third dose, with favorable outcome in all cases. Patients within 12 months after allo‐SCT showed a significantly higher infection risk.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that an interval shorter than 12 months between allo‐SCT and first vaccine dose and/or ongoing immunosuppression were associated with humoral and cellular response deficiency after two doses. Third dose induced an increased and sustained humoral response in the majority of patients. However, patients within 1 year after allo‐SCT remained at higher infection risk and may be candidate for prophylaxis with anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 monoclonal antibodies.

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Perception of blood donation among employees of healthcare organizations during COVID‐19 pandemic: A national multicenter cross‐sectional study
Authors: Al Zadjali Lubna , Batarfi Khalid , Badawi Maha , Elgohary Ghada , Aljabry Mansour , Alsuhaibani Omar , Ezzat Hatoon , Radhwi Ghazala , AlHashmi Hani
Published: February 2023

Background

Maintaining a safe and adequate blood supply during a crisis is a major challenge facing blood banks around the world. With the recent global COVID‐19 crisis and the enforced “stay at home” lockdown, access to blood donors was limited. Since employees of healthcare facilities may act as potential blood donors, their perception of blood donation and their willingness to donate during the pandemic period is important to be assessed.

Study Design and Method

A national cross‐sectional study at six centers in Saudi Arabia was conducted using an online‐based questionnaire that was distributed to all healthcare employees in these facilities between June and August 2020.

Results

Among the total of 1664 participants, 63.2% (n = 1051) did not donate blood during the last 2 years. However, 53% (n = 882) of participants reported they are likely to donate blood during the COVID‐19 crisis. Furthermore, 85% (n = 1424) did not donate blood during the current pandemic, with the biggest worries of getting the COVID‐19 infection in the donor center. The main concerns of participants were about adherence to physical distancing requirements and the safety of the donation procedure. The majority of health care participants (88.2%) support implementing a hospital policy for a voluntary blood donation by employees during crises.

Conclusion

Recruitment of more blood donors among health care employees is a feasible solution to improve the blood supply during a crisis. This should be based on efforts throughout the year including regular awareness campaigns and effective communication.
Weak similarity orbit of (log)‐self‐similar Markov semigroups on the Euclidean space
Authors: Patie Pierre , Sarkar Rohan
Published: February 2023

We start by identifying a class of pseudo‐differential operators, generated by the set of continuous negative definite functions, that are in the weak similarity (WS) orbit of the self‐adjoint log‐Bessel operator on the Euclidean space. These WS relations turn out to be useful to first characterize a core for each operator in this class, which enables us to show that they generate a class, denoted by , of non‐self‐adjoint ‐contraction positive semigroups. Up to a homeomorphism, includes, as fundamental objects in probability theory, the family of self‐similar Markov semigroups on . Relying on the WS orbit, we characterize the nature of the spectrum of each element in that is used in their spectral representation which depends on analytical properties of the Bernstein‐gamma functions defined from the associated negative definite functions, and, it is either the point, residual, approximate or continuous spectrum. We proceed by providing a spectral representation of each element in which is expressed in terms of Fourier multiplier operators and valid, at least, on a dense domain of a natural weighted ‐space. Surprisingly, the domain is the full Hilbert space when the spectrum is the residual one, something which seems to be noticed for the first time in the literature. We end up the paper by presenting a series of examples for which all spectral components are computed explicitly in terms of special functions or recently introduced power series.
Centros Históricos Urbanos como construcción mediática
Authors: Hernández Grave de Peralta Mailé , Caballero Rivacoba María Teresa
Published: February 2023

Los Centros Históricos Urbanos (CHU) se reconocen como los sitios de mayor valor histórico, económico y social, arquitectónico, ambiental y paisajístico, de calidad de vida y tradición, caracterizados por su valor testimonial y el legado transgeneracional y transterritorial. Los procesos de degradación, los problemas de identidad, y la reducción de políticas sociales por falta de presupuesto, junto a las políticas de privatización y descentralización, evidencian la contradicción entre la riqueza histórica-cultural y la pobreza económica-social. Una paradoja que sitúa a los medios de comunicación como elementos decisivos para rehabilitar el sentido original de estos asentamientos: como espacio central de satisfacción de necesidades vitales donde los habitantes sean agente protagónico de los procesos de desarrollo social, más allá de la búsqueda de la competitividad de la ciudad como escenario de consumo. Desde un enfoque teórico, basado en la investigación bibliográfica documental no sistemática (revisión de textos clave en el campo de estudio y artículos publicados en base de datos científicas: Scopus), se propone un acercamiento al CHU como construcción mediática desde un modelo participativo de comunicación en una primera parte y luego se caracteriza a la radio en tanto recurso para la puesta en valor patrimonial y la apropiación colectiva de los habitantes.
Is 3D ultrasound reliable for the evaluation of carotid disease? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sultan Salahaden R , Bashmail Fatima T , Alzahrani Nouf A , Alharbi Shahd I , Anbar Rayan , Alkharaiji Mohammed
Published: February 2023

Aim: Studies assessing the use of 3D ultrasound (3DUS) for the evaluation of carotid disease reported varying views among observers about its reliability vis-à-vis 2DUS or angiography; ratings provided ranged from poor to excellent. Thisstudy aims to systematically review and analyze the reliability of 3DUS for the evaluation of carotid disease.Materials and methods: The PubMed database was searched for studies that evaluated carotid disease (i.e. plaque measurements and characteristics and degree of stenosis) using 3DUS.Results: Sixteen studies comprising a total of 918 stenosed carotids were reviewed and meta-analyzed. Data on intra- and inter-observer reproducibility and inter-method agreement (i.e. 3DUS vs 2D and 3DUS vs angiography) were analyzed. Overall analysis showed excellent intra- and inter-observer reproducibility (intraobserver: correlation coefficient r=0.88, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.84-0.92; intra-observer: r=0.91, 95% CI 0.87-0.95). The analysis also showed excellent agreement between 3DUS and 2DUS (r=0.89, 95% CI 0.83-0.95) and between 3DUS and angiography (r=0.73, 95% CI 0.44-0.1).Conclusion: 3DUS has excellent intra- and inter-observer reproducibility and excellent agreement with 2DUS and angiography for the evaluation of carotid disease. Further studies assessing the reliability ofcarotid plaque characteristics using 3DUS in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients are required.
CEUS utility in the diagnosis of a stage I renal cancer developed on polycystic kidney. A case report.
Authors: Gomotirceanu Adriana Maria , Sabău Adina , Gomotîrceanu Florin , Gomotîrceanu Bogdan , Ioniță Corina , Gliga Mirela Liana
Published: February 2023

We present the case of a 49-year-old patient with polycystic kidney disease in which, in the pre-transplant CT-scan evaluation, a Bosniak III cyst was found in the left kidney. After contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) examination the cyst wasinterpreted as a Bosniak IV malignant cyst and surgical resection of the kidney was realised. The pathology report showed papillary renal cell carcinoma. This case report emphasizes the role of CEUS in polycystic kidney disease examination.
Molecular dynamics study of SiO2 nanohole etching by fluorocarbon ions
Authors: Cagomoc Charisse Marie D. , Isobe Michiro , Hamaguchi Satoshi
Published: February 2023

As the sizes of semiconductor devices continue to shrink, the fabrication of nanometer-scale device structures on material surfaces poses unprecedented challenges. In this study, molecular dynamics simulations of CF3+ ion beam etching of SiO2 were performed with carbon masks to form holes with a diameter of 4 nm. It is found that, when the ion energy is sufficiently high and the etching continues, tapered holes are formed by the ion beam etching. This is because the etching under these conditions is essentially due to physical sputtering, so that tapered surfaces having high etching yields appear as the sidewalls and sputtered Si-containing species are redeposited. Furthermore, preferential removal of oxygen from SiO2 surfaces occurs, which leads to the formation of Si-rich sidewall surfaces. It is also found that, with simultaneous irradiation of CF3 radicals, the etching yield of a flat SiO2 surface by energetic CF3+ ion beams can double, but too large a flux of CF3 radicals causes etch stop.
Controlling the effective surface mass density of membrane-type acoustic metamaterials using dynamic actuators
Authors: Langfeldt Felix , Cheer Jordan
Published: February 2023

Membrane-type acoustic metamaterials (MAM) are thin and lightweight structures that offer exceptional low-frequency sound transmission loss (STL) values, which can exceed the corresponding mass-law significantly. Typically, the high STL of MAM is confined to a narrow frequency band, which is associated with the so-called anti-resonance. This narrow bandwidth reduces the range of potential noise control applications for MAM. To potentially overcome this challenge, this paper presents an investigation into actively controlling the effective surface mass density of MAM by actuating the MAM with a force that is correlated to the acoustic pressure difference acting on the MAM. In particular, it is shown using theoretical and numerical methods that the anti-resonance frequency of MAM can be adjusted over a wide frequency range by passing the incident sound pressure through an adjustable gain. A simple analytical model to predict the frequency shifting, depending on the gain value, is derived. A realization of this concept is further studied, consisting of a circular MAM with a small electrodynamic actuator (to apply a force to the MAM) and a microphone in front of the MAM (to estimate the pressure difference). Finally, experimental results from impedance tube measurements are used to validate the proposed analytical model.
Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Formation on Vascular Grafts: an
In Vitro
Study
Authors: Tello-Díaz Cristina , Palau Marta , Muñoz Estela , Gomis Xavier , Gavaldà Joan , Fernández-Hidalgo Nuria , Bellmunt-Montoya Sergi
Published: February 2023

The Dacron silver-triclosan and Omniflow II vascular grafts showed the greatest resistance to
in vitro
methicillin-susceptible
Staphylococcus aureus
biofilm formation compared to other vascular grafts.
A Novel Pathogenic Avipoxvirus Infecting Vulnerable Cook’s Petrel (
Pterodroma cookii
) in Australia Demonstrates a High Genomic and Evolutionary Proximity with South African Avipoxviruses
Authors: Sarker Subir , Raidal Shane R.
Published: February 2023

Emerging viral disease is a significant concern with potential consequences for human, animal, and environmental health. Over the past several decades, multiple novel viruses have been found in wildlife species, including birds, and they can pose a threat to vulnerable and endangered species.
Climate and anthropogenic impacts on North American erosion and sediment transport since the Last Glacial Maximum: Evidence from the detrital zircon record of the Lower Mississippi Valley, USA
Authors: Neubeck Nikki , Carter Andrew , Rittenour Tammy , Clift Peter D.
Published: February 2023

The Mississippi River provides an opportunity to examine models of sediment transport in large alluviated floodplain systems. We test the idea that sources of sandy sediment in such settings are invariable on timescales <104 y because of storage and recycling in the floodplains. To reconstruct the development of the Mississippi sediment load over the past 2500 years we collected sediment from an abandoned point bar complex nearby at False River, Louisiana, USA. We also took annual samples from the lower reaches between 2015 and 2021 to assess changes on that timescale. Optically stimulated luminescence dating indicated that the point bar accreted between 2460 and 860 years ago. Detrital zircon U-Pb dating was used to assess sediment source and variability over time. We confirm a dominant sediment flux from the Rocky Mountain foreland but with higher relative erosion from the Superior Province during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) based on existing data from the Gulf of Mexico. There have been resolvable changes in the sources of sediment particularly since the LGM and after 860 years ago, but also over shorter, even sub-annual timescales in the recent past. These changes may reflect seasonal weather or storm events in the headwater regions and imply limited floodplain buffering of the sand load. In recent times this may reflect the installation of levees in the lower reaches, suppressing reworking. Changes over 102−103 y time periods may be related to changes in climate (e.g., the Medieval and Roman warm periods) and to the development of agriculture across North America after ∼2000 years ago. Detrital zircon dating is an effective provenance tool and does not appear to be strongly biased by the grain size of the sediment in this setting.
Extreme isotopic heterogeneity in impact melt rocks: Implications for Martian meteorites
Authors: Jaret Steven J. , Rasbury E. Troy , Reiners Peter , Spray John G. , Thompson Lucy M. , Hemming Sidney R. , Thompson Michelle S.
Published: February 2023

Lead isotope ratios have been determined in multiple feldspar grains from hand samples of impact melt rock at the Manicouagan and Sudbury impact structures in Canada. The results reveal an extreme range of isotope values. This indicates that melt sheets are not homogeneous with respect to Pb at the millimeter scale. Such heterogeneity is significantly larger than that seen in non-impact-generated igneous rocks. Individual Pb isotope ratios of feldspars from Martian shergottites show a large range in 206Pb/204Pb values within one sample, more similar to the terrestrial impact melt sheets than to nonimpact igneous rocks. We suggest crystallization from impact melt sheets rather than volcanic sources as a petrogenetic model for some of the Martian shergottites.
Buoyant doming generates metamorphic core complexes in the North American Cordillera
Authors: Levy Drew A. , Zuza Andrew V. , Michels Zachary D. , DesOrmeau Joel W.
Published: February 2023

Metamorphic core complexes (MCCs) are considered to be a hallmark of large-magnitude crustal extension, with their characteristic high-strain mylonitic fabrics attributed to simple-shear strain downdip of a detachment fault. However, some MCCs exhibit pure-shear–dominated mylonitic fabrics temporally decoupled from regional extension, which may be related to magmatically enhanced buoyant doming of the lower crust. We tested the viability of buoyant doming for the formation of MCCs in the North American Cordillera by investigating the kinematics and conditions of mylonitic shear in the Ruby Mountains–East Humboldt Range (REH) MCC. Field observations and geochronology demonstrate an ~10 m.y. gap between midcrustal attenuation and regional extension in the brittle upper crust. Mylonites in the REH record general shear strain with >80% bulk attenuation at strain rates of 10–13 to 10–12 s–1 and temperatures of 400–600 °C. The REH mylonites developed at the culmination of 40–29 Ma magmatism involving mantle-derived mafic intrusions and leucogranite crustal melts prior to post–17 Ma detachment faulting. We posit diapirism driven by thermal and melt buoyancy could have generated shear zones along the diapir flanks at our documented strain rates. Characteristics of the buoyant doming model are expressed in many low- to moderate-melt-fraction MCCs globally, and the pre-extensional high-strain mylonitic fabrics may therefore be an important mechanism for localizing temporally decoupled brittle detachment faulting.
Poisson's equation in semiconductors: impact of charge depletion on Hall effect measurements
Authors: Masut Remo A.
Published: February 2023

Space-charge effects are familiar to students of solid state physics, semiconductor devices, and surface science. They are usually estimated under the strong depletion or space-charge layer approximation (SCLA), whose limitations are rarely fully discussed. A formal description of these effects is presented, followed by numerical solutions to a one-dimensional Poisson's equation. This equation is valid in cases of charge depletion and of mild accumulation near surfaces and interfaces. Poisson's equation as it applies to a film/substrate interface is analyzed to obtain the boundary condition for the potential at the metallurgical junction. A practical applied example discusses the impact of depletion effects on the determination of the charge carrier concentration by Hall effect measurement in homoepitaxial semiconductor thin films. Examples are highlighted where the SCLA is not an accurate approximation.
Growth and Trade Horizons for Asia: Long-term Forecasts for Regional Integration
Authors: Roland-Holst David , Verbiest Jean-Pierre , Zhai Fan
Published: February 2023

With the emergence of People’s Republic of China (PRC) and India, the economic landscape of Asia and its relation to the global economy have changed. Using a new dynamic global model, we present forecasts for Asian expansion over 2025. These baseline growth forecasts elucidate shifting patterns of regional specialization and their consequences for growth and structural change in the Asian economies. The central role of trade is examined through analysis of a variety of hypothetical global and regional trade agreements. Our results indicate that trade within the Asian region is far from reaching its potential, and policies that facilitate integration and more efficient regional trade can accelerate growth, especially for lower-income Asia. A deeper and more inclusive Asian free trade area can achieve for its members large benefits. As an emerging growth bridge between the PRC and India, economies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have the most to gain from Asian economic integration.
Measuring Efficiency of Macro Systems: An Application to Millennium Development Goal Attainment
Authors: Tandon Ajay
Published: February 2023

At least part of the effort toward attainment of health and education Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) could come from improvements in efficiency of delivery mechanisms. Hence, it is important to know which countries—or which regions within countries—are able to attain higher MDG outcomes even after controlling for resource inputs. This information can be useful for policymakers and can enable a second-stage analysis of why is it that some regions or countries are doing better than others. This paper reviews the methodology for measuring efficiency of macro systems using the health and education sectors as examples. A simpler characterization of efficiency that is less dependent on econometric specifications is introduced. As an example, this method of measuring efficiency is applied to assess the efficiency of health system outcomes at the district (kabupaten) level in Indonesia.
Driving behavior of connected autonomous vehicles in mixed traffic flow within ramp segments on freeway based on an advanced cellular automata
Authors: Wang Tianshi , Lu Huapu , Sun Zhiyuan , Wang Jianyu , Du Ximing
Published: February 2023

Connected autonomous vehicles (CAV) are currently under development, and the mixed flow with CAV would make the traffic states more complicated. Due to the lack of mature applications, the future traffic with CAV are still full of uncertainties. Under the new situation, the traditional cellular automata (CA) model is in need of upgrade. To discover the characteristics of traffic flow under different CAV penetration rates, and considering the particularity of the ramp segments on freeway, this paper updates the current CA model and analyzes the car-following and lane-changing behavior of mixed traffic flow under the intelligent network. Results show that, as the CAV penetration rate continues to increase, the road operation performance continues to improve, and the capacity of the road segment increases accordingly.
Induction-Diffusion-Adsorption Process of Malachite Green for Cobalt Superconformal Electrodeposition
Authors: Ma Xiaochuan , Li Yaqiang , Ren Penghui , Yang Peixia , Zhang Jinqiu , An Maozhong , Lv Wenquan
Published: February 2023

Cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronopotentiometry and quartz crystal microbalance were used to study the effect of Malachite Green (MG) on bottom-up growth of cobalt. The addition of MG not only inhibited the reduction of Co2+ but also accelerated the hydrogen evolution process. The metal reduction process was enhanced as well as the current efficiency was higher with the increase of pH. The bottom-up growth of cobalt can be achieved with the potential of −1.20 V. Induction-diffusion-adsorption superconformal electrodeposition mechanism was proposed to illustrate the synergistic effect of MG and pH on the growth of cobalt. On one hand, the MG concentration gradient and pH gradient could be formed to achieve a growth rate difference within blind vias so as to obtain bottom-up growth (diffusion-adsorption effect). On the other hand, the growth rate difference was intensified due to the accelerating effect of MG on HER so as to boost the cobalt superfilling (induction effect).
Integrated Load Management and Load Control System
Authors: Alvi Talha Shahid
Published: February 2023

The reduction of electricity waste is the primary goal of prototype development. By using a UNO Arduino, an Ethernet module is utilized to control and measure the load via a web page. By making a single click on a web page, the controller is instantly enabled to conduct any additional action, such as turning on and off household equipment like lights and air conditioners and providing the current unit consumed and rupees on the webpage. Using the embedded Arduino language, the device is connected to an Ethernet network interface. The integration was completed using the Arduino program, and the control web page was created using HTML. When a user clicks on a webpage on their laptop or mobile device to control at home, the system is engaged. When the command is received, the microcontroller. The microcontroller unit then automatically regulates the electrical home appliances by turning them ON or OFF in accordance with the user's instructions after receiving the command. In other words, it responds to the web page click to control the devices after reading the command from the web page. The prototype has been created and used effectively. It might offer a useful method for effectively using the energy source. By using technology called Ethernet-based automatic meter reading, data from energy meters can be automatically gathered and sent to a central database for invoicing and/or analysis. The meter is wired to the transmitter circuit, and the meter counts the pulses coming from it and shows the results on the LCD screen. The transmitter circuit includes an Ethernet modem for data transformation, which converts the meter reading following each pulse to a specific number through webpage.
Cloning and Characterization of Two Inhibitors of Apoptosis (IAP) from Eriocheir hepuensis and Their Expression Pattern in the Immune Organs under Azadirachtin Stress
Authors: Lan Zhenyu , Mao Meiqin , Liang Qi , Ma Zihang , Zhang Zining , Liang Ziwei , Chen Boyu , Fu Qianni , Zhou Qinlan , Zhang Yan , Zhu Peng , Liao Yongyan
Published: February 2023

Inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) maintain a balance between cell growth and cell death by suppressing caspase activity and modulating immunological responses. Here, two IAPs (EhIap1 and EhIap2) were identified from Eriocheir hepuensis using RT-PCR technology and characterized using bioinformatics software. Sequence analysis showed that the open reading frames of EhIap1 and EhIap2 were composed of 1,839 bp and 696 bp and encoded 612 amino acids and 231 amino acids, respectively. EhIap1 contained two BIR domains, one UBA domain, and one RING domain, and EhIap2 only contained two BIR domains. qRT-PCR showed that EhIap1 and EhIap2 were expressed in various tissues, and their expression levels were highest in the hepatopancreas. Expression levels of EhIAP1 and Eh1ap2 were more than 87.09 and 411 times higher in the hepatopancreas than in muscle, respectively. Under azadirachtin stress, the expression of EhIap1 and EhIap2 was increased in three immune tissues (hepatopancreas, gill, and heart). The expression of EhIap1 was 18.44, 17.75, and 6.16 times higher in hepatopancreas, heart, and gill tissues under azadirachtin stress compared with the control group, respectively. The expression of EhIap2 was 18.44, 15.48, and 3.91 times higher in hepatopancreas, gill, and heart tissue under azadirachtin stress compared with the control group, respectively. The expression of EhIap1 and EhIap2 was higher in surviving individuals than in dead individuals. Overall, EhIap1 and EhIap2 genes were first cloned, and our findings indicate that EhIAPs might be involved in E. hepuensis against azadirachtin through regulating apoptosis.