bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasonographic morphological characteristics determined using a deep learning-based computer-aided diagnostic system of breast cancer
Authors: Kim Young Seon , Lee Seung Eun , Chang Jung Min , Kim Soo-Yeon , Bae Young Kyung
Published: January 2022

To investigate the correlations between ultrasonographic morphological characteristics quantitatively assessed using a deep learning-based computer-aided diagnostic system (DL-CAD) and histopathologic features of breast cancer.

This retrospective study included 282 women with invasive breast cancer (<5 cm; mean age, 54.4 [range, 29–85] years) who underwent surgery between February 2016 and April 2017. The morphological characteristics of breast cancer on B-mode ultrasonography were analyzed using DL-CAD, and quantitative scores (0–1) were obtained. Associations between quantitative scores and tumor histologic type, grade, size, subtype, and lymph node status were compared.

Two-hundred and thirty-six (83.7%) tumors were invasive ductal carcinoma, 18 (6.4%) invasive lobular carcinoma, and 28 (9.9%) micropapillary, apocrine, and mucinous. The mean size was 1.8 ± 1.0 (standard deviation) cm, and 108 (38.3%) cases were node positive. Irregular shape score was associated with tumor size (P < .001), lymph nodes status (P = .001), and estrogen receptor status (P = .016). Not-circumscribed margin (P < .001) and hypoechogenicity (P = .003) scores correlated with tumor size, and non-parallel orientation score correlated with histologic grade (P = .024). Luminal A tumors exhibited more irregular features (P = .048) with no parallel orientation (P = .002), whereas triple-negative breast cancer showed a rounder/more oval and parallel orientation.

Quantitative morphological characteristics of breast cancers determined using DL-CAD correlated with histopathologic features and could provide useful information about breast cancer phenotypes.
Prediction of loss of correction after hemiepiphysiodesis for the alignment of lower limb angular deformities
Authors: Schagemann Jan , Kudernatsch Nils , Russlies Martin , Mittelstädt Hagen , Götze Melanie , Horter Melanie , Paech Andreas , Behnke Barbara
Published: January 2022

Guided growth by temporary hemiepiphysiodesis (HEPD) is established for the alignment of lower limb angular deformities. This retrospective cohort study was designed to assess the effect of HEPD in idiopathic coronal plane deformities around the knee and on the frontal knee joint line orientation, and to test the frontal knee joint line as predictive means for recurrence.

Fourty-four patients (78 deformities: valgus n = 64, varus n = 14) were enrolled in the retrospective observational study. Mechanical axis deviation, mechanical lateral distal femoral angle, and mechanical medial proximal tibial angle were assessed prior to surgery and during follow-up. The facultative frontal knee joint line angle (FKJLA) was used as predictive tool. Cases of remaining growth potential (n = 45/78) after implant removal were followed to assess rebound deformity.

Pre-operative angles of the mechanical axis were corrected average 9.0 months after HEPD. Pre-operative assessment of the frontal knee joint line revealed a mean of 3.9° in valgus, and –1.0° in varus deformities. At time of complete deformity correction, mean FKJLA was –0.2° in valgus, and –0.8° in varus deformities. Mean shift of FKJLA was significantly higher after singleHEPD compared to combiHEPD (P < .001). Patients having an unphysiological FKJLA (>/<0°–3°) after correction of mechanical axis had a significantly higher risk of rebound deformity (P = .01). Regression analysis showed a 60.5% higher risk of rebound deformity per each degree deviating from the FKJLA physiological range. Age, gender, or body mass index had no impact.

Temporary HEPD offers great potential for the correction of the mechanical axis and the frontal knee joint line. An unphysiological change of the frontal knee joint line is associated with a high risk of recurrent angular deformities. CombiHEPD instead of singleHEPD seems to be safer to prevent detrimental frontal knee joint line shift.

Level of Evidence: Retrospective comparative therapeutic study, Level III.
Prevention of postoperative adhesions after flexor tendon repair with acellular dermal matrix in Zones III, IV, and V of the hand
Authors: Lee Yeon Ji , Ryoo Hyun Jung , Shim Hyung-Sup
Published: January 2022

Background:

Various techniques have been attempted for preventing postoperative flexor tendon adhesion, such as modification of suture technique, pharmacological agents, and mechanical barriers. However, there is no evidence of the efficacy of these methods in clinical settings. In this study, we present the long-term outcomes of a randomized prospective study in which acellular dermal matrix (ADM) was used to prevent postoperative adhesions after tendon injury in the hand.

Methods:

From January 2017 to January 2020, all patients with an acute single flexor tendon injury in hand Zones III, IV, or V were candidates. A single-digit, total tendon rupture repaired within 48 hours, from the index finger to the little finger, was included in the study. Patients were randomly allocated to either a control or ADM group. Complications and the range of movements were recorded. Functional outcomes and a patient satisfaction questionnaire were evaluated after 12 months following the tendon repair surgery. The present study is adhered to the CONSORT guidelines.

Results:

A total of 25 patients was enrolled in the study: 13 patients in the ADM group and 12 in the control group. According to Buck-Gramcko II criteria, the postoperative functional outcome score was 14.38 ± 1.71 in the ADM group and 13.08 ± 1.82 in the control group (P value = .0485). Patient satisfaction was recorded at 8.38 ± 1.44 in the ADM group and 7.08 ± 1.58 in the control group (P value = .0309), a significant difference. There were no differences in complications between the 2 groups.

Conclusion:

The beneficial effects of ADM after tendon repair were confirmed by improved postoperative functional outcome at flexor Zones III, IV, and V, preventing peritendinous adhesions and acting effectively as an anti-adhesive barrier.
Chinese herbal medicine Xianling Gubao capsule for knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Liu Wang , Xu Daoqing , Qi Qi , Li Jingjing , Ou Liang
Published: January 2022

Background:

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is the most prevalent degenerative joint disease among populations over 60 years old, and is the most common cause of musculoskeletal pain and disability worldwide. Xianling Gubao capsule (XLGBC), a Chinese patent medicine, is widely used for treatment of osteoporosis. Meanwhile, according to the theory of homotherapy for heteropathy, XLGBC is increasingly applied in the clinical practice of KOA. However, no systematic review has found that XLGBC is as effective in treatment of KOA as it is in treatment of osteoporosis. Therefore, we will conduct a systematic review of XLGBC in KOA treatments.

Methods:

All randomized controlled trials assessing the validity of XLGBC therapy for KOA will be retrieved from the following seven databases, including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan Fang Database, and Chinese Scientific Journal Database. The primary outcome measures are the visual analogue scale pain score, and a comprehensive evaluation including the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index scores, Lysholm scores, and Bristol scores. And the secondary outcome measures include cure rate and adverse events. The procedure such as retrieval and selection of literature, data extraction, evaluation of risk of bias, and assessment of reporting bias will be executed by 2 reviewers independently. The data synthesis for meta-analysis will be conducted by Review Manager 5.4 software.

Results:

A high-quality evidence of XLGBC for the treatment of KOA will be generated from the aspects of safety and efficacy.

Conclusion:

This systematic review will provide evidence to help us confirm the clinical efficacy of XLGBC in the treatment of KOA.

OSF Registration number:

Registration DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/QD5SY.
Unilateral pachydermodactyly misdiagnosed as juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Aljohani Roaa
Published: January 2022

Rationale:

Pachydermodactyly is a rare, benign disease that can manifest in healthy adolescent boys as painless, spindle-shaped, soft-tissue swelling of the proximal interphalangeal joints in the hand. It is usually bilateral, with symmetrical joint enlargement. There are relatively few documented cases of pachydermodactyly worldwide, signifying either a low incidence or lack of recognition by physicians; therefore, its diagnosis is challenging.

Patient concerns:

A 16-year-old boy with a 3-year history of painless unilateral swelling of the proximal interphalangeal joints of his left hand was misdiagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and was treated with oral methotrexate for 1 year. He had a history of frequent finger cracking.

Diagnosis:

He had normal levels of inflammatory markers, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. His autoantibody profile results were normal, and radiography of his hands showed soft tissue swelling with no bone abnormalities. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed with Parkinson disease.

Interventions:

Methotrexate was discontinued, and a skin biopsy was performed, which revealed hyperkeratosis in the epidermis with thick collagenous fibers in the dermis. Therefore, the patient was informed of the benign nature of the disease and was advised to stop cracking his fingers.

Outcomes:

After regular follow-up, there was no progression of the patient's symptoms, and repeated blood tests revealed normal results.

Lessons:

Pachydermodactyly should be considered in the differential diagnosis of painless swelling in adolescent men with normal blood testing. Early recognition of this rare benign condition helps physicians appropriately reassure the patient and his parents without exposing them to unnecessary therapy.
Conservative management of orbital involvement in malignant tumors: is the paradigm evolving? A critical review
Authors: Dallan Iacopo , Picariello Miriana , Fiacchini Giacomo
Published: January 2022

Purpose of review

Review the recent literature regarding conservative management of orbital invasion in sinonasal cancers.

Recent findings

Recent data seem to confirm the possibility to preserve the orbital content in a significant number of patients. MRI is the best available imaging tool for evaluating orbital invasion. Limited periorbital and extraconal fat invasion should not be considered an indication for orbital cleaning. Histology-driven neoadjuvant chemotherapy should be attempted whenever possible, and could act as a prognosticator.

Orbital preservation strategy can be attempted even in case of limited extraconal fat invasion. When extraocular muscles, massive extraconal fat, lateral wall of the lacrimal sac, eyelids or even optic nerve/globe are invaded, a conservative procedure cannot be offered. Induction chemotherapy and postoperative radiotherapy are invaluable tools for maintaining oncological outcome while preserving ocular function. Frozen section should be used for guiding surgical procedures in borderline situations.
Factors Associated With Point-of-Care Ultrasound Use by Recent Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship Graduates
Authors: Lawson Simone L. , Breslin Kristen A. , Thomas-Mohtat Rosemary , Abo Alyssa M. , Cohen Joanna S.
Published: January 2022

Objective

The aims of this study were to describe point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) use by recent pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) fellowship graduates and identify associations between frequency and breadth of POCUS use with variations in POCUS training and current clinical practice environment.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional online survey of recent PEM fellowship graduates. Chi-square and nonparametric tests were used to compare POCUS use among physicians with varying types of POCUS training and varying clinical practice environments.

Results

Eighty-two percent of 143 respondents reported using POCUS in their past 10 shifts. There was no association between the methods of POCUS education and frequency or breadth of POCUS use. Pediatric emergency medicine fellowship graduates with additional POCUS fellowship training performed more scans and used more applications than those who completed a pediatrics or medicine-pediatrics residency before PEM fellowship only [median 15 (9, 20) vs 2 (1, 5) (P < 0.01) and median 11 (6.5, 13) vs 2 (1, 3) (P < 0.01), respectively]. Participants who worked in academic emergency departments performed more ultrasounds than those who did not [3.5 (1, 8) vs 1 (0, 2), P < 0.01] and used a greater breadth of applications [3 (1, 5) vs 1 (0, 3), P < 0.01]. Physicians who billed for POCUS studies were more likely to use POCUS (odds ratio, 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–7.3) with greater frequency [5 (2.3, 10) vs 2 (0.8, 5), P < 0.01] and use a broader range of applications [3 (2,6) vs 2 (0.8, 3.3), P < 0.01].

Conclusion

Most respondents report recent POCUS use in practice. Point-of-care ultrasound fellowship training, working in an academic emergency department, and having the ability to bill were associated with increased POCUS use.
SERM: a self-consistent deep learning solution for rapid and accurate gene expression recovery
Authors: Islam Md Tauhidul , Wang Jen-Yeu , Ren Hongyi , Li Xiaomeng , Khuzani Masoud Badiei , Sang Shengtian , Yu Lequan , Shen Liyue , Zhao Wei , Xing Lei
Published: January 2022

Single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is a promising technique to determine the states of individual cells and classify novel cell subtypes. Computationally, the processing of scRNA-seq data presents a daunting challenge because of the noisy nature and humongous size and dimensionality of the data. Compromised solution by omitting the genes with low expression is commonly taken in current scRNA-seq analysis, which leads to inaccurate gene counts. In this paper, we introduce a broadly applicable data-driven gene expression recovery framework, referred to as the self-consistent expression recovery machine (SERM), to impute the missing gene expression. Using deep learning, SERM first learns from a subset of the noisy gene expression data to estimate the underlying data distribution. SERM then recovers the overall gene expression data by imposing a self-consistency on the gene expression matrix, thus ensuring that the expression levels are similarly distributed in different parts of the matrix. We show that SERM significantly improves the accuracy of gene imputation with at least 100-fold increase in computational efficiency in comparison to the state-of-the-art techniques. Thus SERM promises to provide an urgently needed computational solution for rapid and accurate recovery of big genomic expression data. SERM is available as a web-based computational tool (https://www.analyxus.com/compute/serm) and its source codes can be found in https://github.com/xinglab-ai/self-consistent-expression-recovery-machine.
Leisure of the elderly Brazilian: the southeast in focus
Authors: Ungheri Bruno Ocelli , Santos Carla Augusta Nogueira Lima e , Venâncio Maria Aparecida Dias , Stoppa Edmur Antônio , Isayama Hélder Ferreira
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This paper is an excerpt from a countrywide study entitled “Leisure in Brazil: representations and realizations of daily experiences”, which aims to investigate what Brazilians do in their leisure time, what they would like to do and why they do not do it.

Design/methodology/approach

Specifically, in this paper, the authors analyze data referring to the elderly population from southeastern Brazil. Sampling of the national survey comprised representative quotas of the population, considering region and state, and, in each state, quotas of sex, age, education level and family income, according to data obtained by IBGE in 2010. A total of 2,400 interviews were conducted in total. For the present study, the 91 interviews conducted with elderly subjects from the Southeast region of Brazil were considered.

Findings

The majority of participants understand leisure as a time for resting and fun and have physical/sports interests as their favorite leisure activity during the week. On weekends, social and tourism interests stand out, and idleness stands out in the preference of this public during the holiday period. Lack of time and financial resources are the main barriers to the access to and permanence in the desired leisure practices.

Originality/value

Having knowledge of the relationship between leisure and aging in Brazil is a way to contribute to the potential of this stage of life, based on the quality of life and continued learning provided by the content they enjoy.
Social media research trends in tourism city context
Authors: T.T. Trinh Ngo , L.A. Phuong Bui , T.H. Dung Pham , N. Tram Mai , K. Luan Bui
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has a massive impact on people’s lives, the wealth of nations, tourism cities, economic and social media. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to challenges and innovations to deal with multiple direct and indirect impacts. This research aims to explore the development of social media research in the tourism city context to highlight emerging research themes, methodological approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

This study searched and filtered on the Scopus Web and Web of Science to collect databases and applied hybrid methods. The VOSviewer algorithm was used in the paper to generate maps from bibliographic and text data. Furthermore, a polynomial trend line was used to depict the data fluctuations of papers in the relationship between documents and years. Besides, other mathematical and statistical tools to measure the inter-relationships and impacts of social media publications within the tourism city research area, identify valuable insights and determine a framework for social media research trends.

Findings

The study outcomes expressed the development in social media research trends from 2005 to 2021 in the tourism city context of topics (social media, social networking (online)), methodology (sentiment analysis), publication outputs with most extensive collaborations and some other contents to form a framework of social media research trends in tourism cities.

Research limitations/implications

Research data is mainly from reviews of articles that may not account for all trends in reality.

Practical implications

This research is original that will apply to future social media researchers and institutions.

Social implications

Policy makers could base on the research trends to examine their future tourism development orientation.

Originality/value

This research assists social media scholars in understanding trends and themes in tourism city contexts that they could apply in their business area. Moreover, there is a desire to comprehend an overview of the related literature of social media science in tourism city contexts. The outcomes showed the limitations of lacking journals and volume of social media research. The results contribute to meaningful insights by having a more holistic understanding of social media through aggregated data sources.
Penicillin‐resistant, ampicillin‐susceptible Enterococcus faecalis isolates are uncommon in non‐clinical sources
Authors: Correa Fábio Ederson Lopes , Zanella Rosemeire Cobo , Cassiolato Ana Paula , Paiva Aline Dias , Okura Monica Hitomi , Conceição Natália , Oliveira Adriana Gonçalves
Published: January 2022

This study aimed to investigate whether penicillin‐resistant, ampicillin‐susceptible E. faecalis (PRASEF) isolates are disseminated in non‐clinical sources, and to compare the molecular characteristics and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profile of clinical and non‐clinical E. faecalis isolates. Non‐clinical samples (n = 280) were collected and 101 E. faecalis isolates were recovered from food (n = 18), faeces of healthy animals (n = 24), water (n = 28) and sewage (n = 31). PRASEF (n = 68) and penicillin‐susceptible, ampicillin‐susceptible E. faecalis (n = 77) isolates of clinical origin were also evaluated. A significant variety of AMR profiles was observed among non‐clinical isolates according to the source. No food isolate exhibited a multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype different from those of isolates from animal faeces (50.0%) and sewage (38.7%). Overall, the MDR phenotype was more frequent among clinical (56.6%) than non‐clinical isolates (22.8%) (p < 0.01). Non‐clinical PRASEF isolates (n = 3) were only recovered from hospital sewage. Note that representative clinical and non‐clinical PRASEF isolates were grouped in pulsotype A, and belonged to CC9 (clonal complex). In conclusion, E. faecalis isolates exhibiting the unusual penicillin‐resistant but ampicillin‐susceptible phenotype appeared to be restricted to the hospital environment. Our findings highlight the ability of PRASEF isolates to survive in sewage, which could enable these hospital‐adapted lineages to spread to new ecological niches.
Bodyland
Authors: BAPTISTA JOÃO AFONSO
Published: January 2022

The Angolan village of Cusseque, established during the country's civil war, lost its military purpose when the conflict ended in 2002. The village's neighbors assumed that Cusseque's remaining residents would leave; most stayed. They have since fought to legitimize their presence. Fieldwork with Cusseque residents helps illuminate why they assert their merging with the land—a merging that I call bodyland—through the agency of honeybees. These men and women exert a compelling body politics, one that is subject to the more‐than‐human agencies that dissolve the contours of the human. Moreover, Cusseque's residents contribute to anthropological discussions about human‐land relations by blending the question of the human with that of the land. They defy pervasive humanist regimes in which the legitimacy of human presence is dissociated from the interdependence between body and land. [human‐land relationship, legitimacy, transcorporeality, honey, honeybees, postwar, body politics, Angola]
CIBERER: Spanish national network for research on rare diseases: A highly productive collaborative initiative
Authors: Luque Juan , Mendes Ingrid , Gómez Beatriz , Morte Beatriz , López de Heredia Miguel , Herreras Enrique , Corrochano Virginia , Bueren Juan , Gallano Pía , Artuch Rafael , Fillat Cristina , Pérez‐Jurado Luis A. , Montoliu Lluis , Carracedo Ángel , Millán José M. , Webb Susan M. , Palau Francesc ,   The CIBERER Network, Lapunzina Pablo
Published: January 2022

CIBER (Center for Biomedical Network Research; Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red) is a public national consortium created in 2006 under the umbrella of the Spanish National Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII). This innovative research structure comprises 11 different specific areas dedicated to the main public health priorities in the National Health System. CIBERER, the thematic area of CIBER focused on rare diseases (RDs) currently consists of 75 research groups belonging to universities, research centers, and hospitals of the entire country. CIBERER's mission is to be a center prioritizing and favoring collaboration and cooperation between biomedical and clinical research groups, with special emphasis on the aspects of genetic, molecular, biochemical, and cellular research of RDs. This research is the basis for providing new tools for the diagnosis and therapy of low‐prevalence diseases, in line with the International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC) objectives, thus favoring translational research between the scientific environment of the laboratory and the clinical setting of health centers. In this article, we intend to review CIBERER's 15‐year journey and summarize the main results obtained in terms of internationalization, scientific production, contributions toward the discovery of new therapies and novel genes associated to diseases, cooperation with patients' associations and many other topics related to RD research.
Re‐conceptualisation of school bullying from a children's rights' perspective: The illustrative case of the Cypriot educational context
Authors: Kaloyirou Chrystalla , Vong Sou Kuan
Published: January 2022

School bullying is a matter of global concern. Paradoxically, it becomes complicated, when the expansion of a longer period of universal free education shows the commitment to safeguard children's right to education. This paper interrogates the ways in which school, as a significant site of socialisation, can safeguard children's rights, and function as a safe haven, free from bullying. Stemming from a children's rights perspective, this paper employs the Cypriot educational context as an illustrative case to demonstrate in what ways the problem of school bullying can be re‐conceptualised in the lens of human rights, and to address the challenges that emerge.
Getting the (right) message across: How to encourage citizens to report corruption
Authors: Peiffer Caryn , Walton Grant W
Published: January 2022

Motivation

Anti‐corruption campaigns often include an awareness‐raising component that stress the consequences of corruption. Indeed, governments and international donors have spent millions on promoting the evils of corruption. Experience suggests, however, that messages that highlight the prevalence of corruption may backfire by adding to the belief that corruption is normal.

Purpose

The article examines the impacts of anti‐corruption messages on citizens' willingness to report corruption in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Methods and approach

We present findings from a survey‐experiment conducted with over 1,500 respondents in Port Moresby to understand how Papua New Guineans might respond to different messages about corruption and anti‐corruption. The messages tested emphasized the legal, moral, and communal aspects of corruption and anti‐corruption in PNG, as well as its ubiquity.

Findings

Respondents were more likely to be favourable about reporting corruption when they were exposed to anti‐corruption messages that emphasized the impacts on their local kinship groups. Messages that emphasized that corruption is widespread, illegal or immoral did not affect respondents' willingness to do something about it.

Policy implications

Findings suggest that policymakers must be careful in framing anti‐corruption messages, which need to be carefully adapted to the local context and tested before they are deployed. Targeted campaigns can help motivate anti‐corruption action if messages focus on the impact of corruption on what matters most to citizens. In the case of PNG, anti‐corruption messages should emphasize how corruption has an impact on citizens' family and local community.
Thrombosis of native rheumatic mitral valve: A case report
Authors: Karnib Mohamad , Helmy Irfan , Annam Anthony , Zacharias Michael , Hoit Brian D
Published: January 2022

Spontaneous native mitral valve leaflet thrombosis is an exceedingly rare phenomenon. Here, we describe the case of a 71‐year‐old woman with rheumatic mitral stenosis who presented with cardiogenic shock. She was found to have a thrombus on her native mitral valve despite being on anticoagulation and without a clear associated hypercoagulable comorbidity. The patient underwent mitral valve replacement with favorable outcomes. This case sheds light on the inflammatory and prothrombotic nature of rheumatic valvular disease.
Seeing the locust in the swarm: accounting for spatiotemporal hierarchy improves ecological models of insect populations
Authors: Lawton Douglas , Scarth Peter , Deveson Edward , Piou Cyril , Spessa Allan , Waters Cathy , Cease Arianne J.
Published: January 2022

Ecological phenomena operate at different spatial scales and are not uniform across landscapes or through time. One ecological theory that attempts to account for scaling and spatiotemporal variances is hierarchical patch dynamics. It introduces a hierarchical patch network with smaller spatiotemporal scales being nested within larger scales. However, few studies have modeled its presence within animal population dynamics. Locusts are an excellent model for investigating the spatiotemporal hierarchy of animal population dynamics, due to their high migratory capacity, large geographic ranges that extend across widely differing environments, and available long‐term data on distributions. Here, we investigated the influence of preceding vegetation growth on desert locustSchistocerca gregariaand Australian plague locustChortoicetes terminiferaoutbreaks on three spatial levels (species range > geographic region > land unit) and between seasons. Both species are dryland herbivores with population dynamics linked to habitat productivity pulses after rain. We used NDVI data (MODIS imagery) as a measure of vegetation growth in hierarchical generalized additive models at different scales. Locust outbreaks were either preceded by vegetation growth between 78 and 32 days (Australian plague locusts) or 32 and 20 days before (desert locust) the observation. Although prior vegetation growth characterized outbreaks of both species, the temporal pattern of NDVI differed between spatiotemporal levels. All model selection criteria selected for a similar spatial hierarchy for both species: geographic region > land unit which supports the hierarchical patch dynamics paradigm. Further, it illuminates important timing differences between geographic regions and land units for preceding vegetation growth and locust outbreaks which can help locust managers identify when and where outbreaks occur. By acknowledging the spatiotemporal patterning of locust abundance, we account for heterogeneity of population dynamics throughout species ranges. Our findings demonstrate the importance of incorporating spatiotemporal variation in population models of insects and other animals.
VIPoma: an unsuspecting culprit of severe secretory diarrhoea in a human immunodeficiency virus‐infected patient
Authors: Vemuri Kanthi R. , Balcerek Matthew I. , McGowan Tom E. , Love Amanda , Chapman Paul R.
Published: January 2022

A 35‐year‐old man with known human immunodeficiency virus experienced chronic diarrhoea for 18 months. He presented to multiple hospitals with profuse secretory diarrhoea and life‐threatening electrolyte disturbances. Infectious and non‐infectious aetiologies were considered, with focussed history and investigations ultimately leading to a diagnosis of VIPoma. Initiation of somatostatin analogue therapy followed by surgical resection led to complete resolution of symptoms and markedly improved quality of life.
Unravelling the role of GntR on the regulation of alkane hydroxylase AlkB2 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa DN1 based on transcriptome analysis
Authors: Pan Jincheng , Wei Fengdan , Liu Yani , Xu Yuanyuan , Ma Yanling
Published: January 2022

Aims

The purpose of this study is to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the involvement of the gene alkB2 in alkane degradation.

Methods and Results

The changes of gene expression in the wild-type and alkB2 knockout strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa DN1 were characterized based on transcriptional profiling, when grown in a medium containing eicosane (C20 n-alkane) as the sole carbon source. Compared to wild-type, approximately 7% of the genes in the knockout mutant was significantly differentially expressed, including 344 upregulated genes and 78 downregulated genes. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses revealed that numerous differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were potentially associated with degradation or physiological response to n-alkane, including genes encoding methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs), an outer membrane fatty acid transport protein (FadL), a membrane receptor protein (FptA), oprin and transcriptional regulators. Notably, the transcriptional regulator gene gntR (RS18845) located upstream of alkB2 (RS18850) was upregulated. The possible regulatory function of this transcriptional regulator on alkB2 was investigated using a gene knockout approach and quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-qPCR) combined with electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) experiments. The RT-qPCR results showed that in the gntR mutant, alkB2 expression was independent of the presence of eicosane, while its expression was significantly induced by the substrate when GntR was produced. Based on the EMSA analysis, the palindromic DNA motif 5′-ATTGTCAGACAAT-3′ was verified as being recognized by GntR, and two copies of GntR were able to bind this sequence. However, the interaction between GntR and DNA was altered in the presence of eicosane, suggesting that GntR could bind with eicosane to regulate the expression of alkB2.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that GntR plays a key role in the transcriptional regulation of alkB2, which affects the degradation of C20 n-alkane in P. aeruginosa DN1.

Significance and Impact of the Study

This report presents insights into the significance of GntR in the regulation of alkane degradation by alkB2, and increases our understanding of the complex regulatory network involved in alkane degradation.
Rhizosphere bacteria induce programmed cell death defence genes and signalling in chilli pepper
Authors: Syed-Ab-Rahman Sharifah Farhana , Arkhipov Alexander , Wass Taylor J. , Xiao Yawen , Carvalhais Lilia C. , Schenk Peer M.
Published: January 2022

Aim

To understand how beneficial bacteria assist chilli plants (Capsicum annuum) in defence against biotrophic or hemibiotrophic pathogens.

Method and Results

We quantified marker genes of plant defence pathways in Phytophthora capsici-infected chilli pepper treated with anti-oomycete plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus velezensis and Acinetobacter sp. Plants displayed strong resistance, and the pathogen load in the roots was significantly lower in infected plants treated with bacterial biocontrol agents at all time points tested (1, 2 and 7 days after pathogen inoculation, p < 0.05). Gene expression profiling revealed that P. capsici infection in the absence of beneficial bacteria led to the upregulation of a wide array of defence genes. The addition of biocontrol bacteria modulated defence by further enhancing genes involved in programmed cell death, such as CaLOX1, CaPAL1, CaChitIV and CaPTI1, while suppressing others CaLRR1, a negative regulator of cell death.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the bacteria exerted a combined effect by directly antagonizing the pathogen and enhancing the expression of key plant defence genes, including those involved in cell death, causing resistance at early stages of infection by this hemibiotrophic pathogen.
Constitutive and activated toxigenic activity ofHalomicronema metazoicum(Cyanoprokaryota, Cyanophyta)
Authors: Mutalipassi Mirko , Mazzella Valerio , Glaviano Francesca , Zupo Valerio
Published: January 2022

Phormidium‐like cyanobacteria produce a variety of biologically active molecules. We isolated a free‐living strain ofHalomicronema metazoicum, previously known uniquely as a symbiont of marine sponges, and demonstrated that its spent medium was toxic for various protozoans and fish parasites. However, we still ignore if its mats contain constitutive or activated defences influencing the physiology of other organisms, with potential influences on organisms that share the same environment. The goal of this study is to clarify ifPhormidium‐like cyanobacteria accumulate toxic bioactive molecules in the colony tissues, for example for anti‐grazing purposes, or if they constitutively secrete them in the medium, with a potential allelopathic function. To address this hypothesis, the toxigenic power of cyanobacterial spent medium and of disintegrated cells (to simulate lysis) was assayed using standard toxicity‐tests on nauplii of the brine shrimpArtemia salina. Toxigenic effects were triggered by the spent culture medium, but the homogenates (disintegrated cyanobacteria cells) did not show any acute toxicity. In addition, chronic toxicity tests of the spent medium demonstrated a reduced but still present toxigenic effect, with an inverse correlation between toxicity and medium dilution. The present research contributes to the understanding of cyanobacteria chemical‐ecology and shows that they may play fundamental ecological roles, influencing the survival and the blooms of various co‐habiting species by constitutively releasing toxic exudates. Since the bioactive compounds produced byH. metazoicumare stable in water, and considering the bioactivity of exudates on invertebrates' physiology, our results might be exploited for the development of novel biotechnologies in the fields of aquaculture, ecological conservation and medicine, due to the potential antitumoral and anti‐parasitic activity demonstrated in strictly related species.
Diversity of stem rust resistance in modern Siberian bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) germplasm
Authors: Kelbin Vasiliy N. , Skolotneva Ekaterina S. , Shamanin Vladimir P. , Salina Elena A.
Published: January 2022

Stem rust disease caused by the obligate biotrophic fungus Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici significantly reduces the yield and quality of wheat grain. A total of 92 entries of new Siberian agricultural wheat germplasm were studied with an integrated approach: phenotyping in the field and seedling stage reactions and using molecular markers to identify stem rust resistance genes. Among the tested germplasm, 38% were highly or moderately sensitive to stem rust, and 56% were resistant or moderately resistant. In total, 10 out of 16 molecular markers were positive in 92 entries of the new Siberian germplasm: specific or major genes Sr15, Sr22, Sr23, Sr24, Sr25, Sr31, Sr38 and Sr44 and nonspecific or minor genes Sr2 and Sr57, singly or combined. The Sr31 + Sr44, Sr31 + Sr24 and Sr31 + Sr25 gene pyramids provided effective resistance to natural infection. Since a substantial number of gene pyramids with various degrees of genetic resistance were identified, this wheat germplasm could be useful to pursue a strategy of durable resistance to stem rust in Western Siberia.
Anemic Women are More at Risk of Injectable Contraceptive Discontinuation due to Side Effects in Ethiopia
Authors: Stevens Rose , Malbos Blandine , Gurmu Eshetu , Riou Jérémie , Alvergne Alexandra
Published: January 2022

This paper investigates the importance of women's physiological condition, alongside sociocultural factors, for predicting the risk of discontinuation of the injectable contraceptive due to side effects in Ethiopia. Contraceptive calendar data from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey were analyzed. Women aged 15–49 who had initiated the injectable contraceptive in the last two years were included in the analysis (n = 1,513). Physiological factors investigated were body mass, iron status, reproductive depletion, and physical strain. After checking for reverse causality, associations between physiological and sociocultural risk factors and discontinuation due to side effects (DSE) or discontinuation due to other reasons (DOR) were estimated using multivariate Cox proportional regression analyses. Anemia status was associated with DSE, but not DOR. Anemic women were two times more at risk of DSE compared with nonanemic women (adjusted hazard ratios [aHR] = 2.38, confidence interval [CI] = 1.41–4.00). DOR was predicted by religion, wealth, and relationship status. Accounting for diversity in physiological condition is key for understanding contraceptive discontinuation due to side effects. To reduce side effects, family planning programs might benefit from providing hormonal contraception within an integrated package addressing anemia.
Identification of the novel allele, HLA‐A*01:01:01:92, in an individual from North India
Authors: Jaiswal Ram Mohan , Kanga Uma , Singla Ashina , Godara Suraj
Published: January 2022

HLA‐A*01:01:01:92 differs from HLA‐A*01:01:01:01 by a single nucleotide G‐>C change at gDNA‐56 position.
Alternative splicing of an exitron determines the subnuclear localization of the Arabidopsis DNA glycosylase MBD4L under heat stress
Authors: Cecchini Nicolás Miguel , Torres José Roberto , López Ignacio Lescano , Cobo Santiago , Nota Florencia , Alvarez María Elena
Published: January 2022

DNA glycosylases are critical enzymes that recognize small base lesions in DNA and trigger their repair to preserve genome integrity. The Arabidopsis MBD4‐like (MBD4L) DNA glycosylase improves tolerance to genotoxic stress. This enzyme is encoded by a single gene carrying an exonic intron (exitron) at its 5′ region. Although alternative splicing (AS) of exitrons (protein‐coding cryptic introns within exons) is suspected to increase protein diversity, phenotypes associated to exitron removal or retention are only known for a few genes. Here, we show that AS of the MBD4L exitron determines the generation of two enzyme isoforms with different subnuclear localization. Both isoforms conserve the catalytic domain but are directed to either the nucleoplasm or the nucleolus. Interestingly, heat stress regulates the AS of the MBD4L exitron and increases the relative abundance of the nucleolar variant. This process depends on the splicing factors NTR1 and RS31. Next, we generated transgenic plants expressing a mutated MBD4L‐GFP gene version that abolished exitron splicing and found that nucleolar protein targeting was impaired in these plants. Our findings suggest that AS of the MBD4L exitron can function as a mechanism to drive the enzyme to the nucleolus during heat stress. Several DNA repair enzymes reach the nucleolus under particular conditions although AS of exitrons has not been so far associated with this process. To our knowledge, this is the first example of an exitron mediating enzyme localization in eukaryotes.
Legislative and Executive Conflicts in Nigeria’s Presidential Democracy since the Fourth Republic (1999-2021)
Authors: Awotokun Kunle
Published: January 2022

The work examines the legislative-executive conflicts in Nigeria’s presidential democracy in an exploratory manner since the inception of Nigeria’s fourth republic to date. The paper also undertake the study of the processes of the two (legislative and executive) arms in order to determine and interrogate the issues involved in their differences.The work relies mainly on secondary data to elicite information and to run analysis for the discourse. Such data includes textbooks, journals, periodicals, news magazines, newspapers, etc.The findings are that the relationships between the legislative and executive have not been all that cordial since the inauguration of Nigeria’s fourth republic. It is also discovered that political party differences, regional, ethnic and religious affiliations have fueled the differences.The work concludes on a note of recommendations that there is a serious need for review of the 1999 constitution with the view of granting autonomy to the constituent units that make up the Nigerian state. The works also contextualizes the need for mutual respect, and underscore the sanctity of legislative and executive institutions as critical stakeholders in good governance.
Morphing of Reversible Axial Fan Blade: A FSI-FEM Study
Authors: Barnabei Valerio F. , Castorrini Alessio , Corsini Alessandro , Rispoli Franco
Published: January 2022

Reversible axial fans are widely used in industrial and tunnel ventilation systems, and a lot of research effort is spent in the design process of the blades shape and blades profile. The target is to achieve reasonable performances in both flow directions, but those are still below the levels of the corresponding nonreversible geometries. In this article, an alternative design solution for reversible axial fan is presented by adopting flexible blades instead of the rigid ones. Such design, inspired by the boat sails, could allow the blade to change its shape by passively adapting to the flow field, from a symmetrical blade profile to a not symmetric one, and thus adapting the curvature to the flow condition. In this article, a series of alternative materials and material distributions are analyzed and compared. The analysis is conducted by performing fluid–structure interaction simulations using stabilized finite elements formulations for both the fluid and the structure dynamics. Simulations are performed using the in-house built software fempar, which implements the Residual Based Variational MultiScale to model the Navier–Stokes equation, the total Lagrangian formulation for the nonlinear elastic solid, and the solid extension moving mesh technique to move the fluid mesh.
Exploring complex pattern formation with convolutional neural networks
Authors: Scholz Christian , Scholz Sandy
Published: January 2022

Many nonequilibrium systems, such as biochemical reactions and socioeconomic interactions, can be described by reaction–diffusion equations that demonstrate a wide variety of complex spatiotemporal patterns. The diversity of the morphology of these patterns makes it difficult to classify them quantitatively, and they are often described visually. Hence, searching through a large parameter space for patterns is a tedious manual task. We discuss how convolutional neural networks can be used to scan the parameter space, investigate existing patterns in more detail, and aid in finding new groups of patterns. As an example, we consider the Gray–Scott model for which training data are easy to obtain. Due to the popularity of machine learning in many scientific fields, well maintained open source toolkits are available that make it easy to implement the methods that we discuss in advanced undergraduate and graduate computational physics projects.
ACOUSTICAL NEWS
Authors: Moran Elaine
Published: January 2022

Editor's Note: Readers of this journal are encouraged to submit news items on awards, appointments, and other activities about themselves or their colleagues. Deadline dates for news and notices are 2 months prior to publication.
Using the Design Environment for Low-amplitude Thermoacoustic Energy Conversion in the Classroom
Authors: Garrett Steven L.
Published: January 2022

The Design Environment for Low-amplitude Thermoacoustics Energy Conversion (DeltaEC) is a free software package that is capable of modeling quasi-one-dimensional, multi-domain acoustical networks and includes a 300-page users' guide. The program is a versatile differential equation solver that analyzes a series of “segments” representing ducts, compliances, speakers, etc., that are specified using MKS units. DeltaEC can be a useful pedagogical tool for an introductory course on acoustics in fluids. Examples of its instructional applications include illustration of effective length and quality factor for a Helmholtz resonator and the modes of coupled Helmholtz resonators, as well as standing waves within a resonator of variable cross section and within a catenoidal horn driven by an electrodynamic loudspeaker. Segments representing electrodynamic loudspeakers, radiation loading, and flow resistance in porous media will be used to demonstrate the coupled-oscillatory behavior of a bass-reflex enclosure's complex electrical impedance versus frequency. DeltaEC's plotting features allow immediate visualization of the pressure and velocity fields as well as the power flow or temperature distribution through a network or within a resonator, horn, or waveguide. The “thermo-physical property” feature provides fluid and solid properties at the students' choice of pressure, temperature, and frequency, making it useful as a “handbook” for other assignments.
Introduction to the special issue on Additive Manufacturing and Acoustics
Authors: Naify Christina J. , Matlack Kathryn H. , Haberman Michael R.
Published: January 2022

Additive manufacturing (AM) has expanded to a wide range of applications over the last few years, and acoustic applications are no exception. This article is an introduction to the special issue of the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America on AM and acoustics. To provide background to the reader, a brief introduction to the manufacturing approach of AM is included. The ways in which the articles in this special issue advance the field of acoustics are described for a range of applications.