bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating network-based missing protein prediction using p-values, Bayes Factors, and probabilities
Authors: Goh Wilson Wen Bin , Kong Weijia , Wong Limsoon
Published: January 2023

Some prediction methods use probability to rank their predictions, while some other prediction methods do not rank their predictions and instead use [Formula: see text]-values to support their predictions. This disparity renders direct cross-comparison of these two kinds of methods difficult. In particular, approaches such as the Bayes Factor upper Bound (BFB) for [Formula: see text]-value conversion may not make correct assumptions for this kind of cross-comparisons. Here, using a well-established case study on renal cancer proteomics and in the context of missing protein prediction, we demonstrate how to compare these two kinds of prediction methods using two different strategies. The first strategy is based on false discovery rate (FDR) estimation, which does not make the same naïve assumptions as BFB conversions. The second strategy is a powerful approach which we colloquially call “home ground testing”. Both strategies perform better than BFB conversions. Thus, we recommend comparing prediction methods by standardization to a common performance benchmark such as a global FDR. And where this is not possible, we recommend reciprocal “home ground testing”.
A GAME WORTH THE CANDLE? META-ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTS OF FORMALIZATION ON FIRM PERFORMANCE
Authors: FLORIDI ANDREA , DEMENA BINYAM AFEWERK , WAGNER NATASCHA
Published: January 2023

Under what circumstances does firm formalization yield net benefits for previously informal firms? We systematically assessed 22 primary studies in a meta-analysis of African, Asian and Latin American firms. The studies are published between 2011 and 2021 and provide 1,372 performance and business practice estimates: 40 percent of the estimates show significantly positive and 54 percent insignificant effects. The FAT-PET analysis suggests a small positive effect of formalization on firm performance. We also employ a multivariate analysis: The overall genuine effect is modest. There is a positive role for information and time for effects to materialize. Notably, more rigorous designs and recent studies tend to identify smaller and more dispersed effects. The modest effects cast doubt about the capacity of formalization policies to improve business performances suggesting that policies might better focus on prioritizing business productivity and managerial capability over formalization. Yet, we need further experimenting and fine-tuning of policy approaches to precisely identify what could make the candle of formalization worth the effort. The current evidence supports theories arguing that the rational cost-benefit argument is an overly simplistic representation of the decision to formalize and that formalization is an uncertain decision affected by multiple and interrelated aspects.
GENDER AND INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT OF EARLY-STAGE SOCIAL SERVICE ENTREPRENEURS: THE ROLES OF ENTREPRENEURIAL EXIT EXPERIENCE AND INNOVATION
Authors: QIU TIANJIAO
Published: January 2023

The paper empirically examines how gender affects international market engagement through its effects on entrepreneurial exit experience and innovation in early-stage social service ventures across different countries. Empirical findings from generalized linear mixed models with SAS GLIMMIX procedures support the direct effect of gender on international market engagement and the indirect effect of gender on international market engagement through entrepreneurial exit experience and innovation in early-stage social service ventures. The study shows significant gender gaps in the international market engagement of early-stage social service ventures owned by male and female entrepreneurs. The gaps appear to be rooted in gender differences in experiential learning resulting from entrepreneurial exit experience and innovation. The paper calls on governments to build gender-aware ecosystems that engage female entrepreneurs in experiential learning and innovation, thereby empowering them to grow through active international market engagement in early-stage social service ventures.
Automated cervical cancer classification using deep neural network classifier
Authors: Kumari C. Meenu , Bhavani R. , Padmashree S. , Priya R.
Published: January 2023

Cervical cancer (CC) has become one of the serious and deadly diseases in women around the world. Predicting a CC is at risk because testing is not possible at the early stage. Doctors predict the types of cancer by collecting cervical cells and by intervening in person. This approach affects the level of prediction due to human negligence, high cost, and is time consuming. In this paper, we propose the automatic cancer classification using deep neural network to overcome this problem. The proposed work has four stages namely, pre-processing, outlier elimination, dimensionality reduction, and classification. Initially, the missing test data should be removed. Second, the inconsistent data are eliminated based on identical values. Third, principal component analysis (PCA) is used to overcome the limitations caused by high-volume data. Finally, enter the reduced size database in the proposed neural network (DNN) classifier and classify the input data as normal or abnormal. We implement the suggested method using Python and we inspect the performance in terms of different metrics.
Global eigenvalue fluctuations of random biregular bipartite graphs
Authors: Dumitriu Ioana , Zhu Yizhe
Published: January 2023

We compute the eigenvalue fluctuations of uniformly distributed random biregular bipartite graphs with fixed and growing degrees for a large class of analytic functions. As a key step in the proof, we obtain a total variation distance bound for the Poisson approximation of the number of cycles and cyclically non-backtracking walks in random biregular bipartite graphs, which might be of independent interest. We also prove a semicircle law for random [Formula: see text]-biregular bipartite graphs when [Formula: see text]. As an application, we translate the results to adjacency matrices of uniformly distributed random regular hypergraphs.
Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis Incorporating Sulfo-Phenylated Polyphenylene Catalyst Coated Membranes
Authors: Wang Xin , Mardle Peter , Adamski Michael , Chen Binyu , Holdcroft Steven
Published: January 2023

Herein, fully hydrocarbon-based ionomer catalyst coated membranes (CCM)s based on sulfo-phenylated polyphenylene biphenyl (sPPB-H+) are evaluated in a proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer cell at 70 °C. In conjunction with catalyst layers incorporating Nafion® D520 ionomer, sPPB-H+ membranes require a lower applied potential than reference Nafion® NR112 recast membranes of equal thickness, e.g., 1.66 V vs 1.75 V at 1 A cm−2. Initially, sPPB-H+ membranes yield substantially lower gas crossover compared to the CCMs containing NR112 membrane, however, increasing gas crossover and a higher rates of voltage evolution is measured during a stability test at 1 A cm−2. A reinforced and commercialized membrane of similar chemistry (Pemion®) is also evaluated, demonstrating smaller changes to the initial gas crossover owing to higher mechanical stability. Employment of sPPB-H+ as the catalyst layer binder is also investigated, where the highest efficiency for all-sPPB-H+ CCMs is achieved when the anode and cathode ionomer content are 20 wt%, which from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is predominately attributed to changes in the proton conductivity within the catalyst layer. Despite this advancement, high ionomer swelling and catalyst delamination led to shorter electrolyzer lifetimes for the all hydrocarbon and non fluorinated membrane electrode assembly, informing future ionomer development.
Relaxation Effects in Self-Discharge Measurements of Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Roth Thomas , Streck Luiza , Graule Andreas , Niehoff Philipp , Jossen Andreas
Published: January 2023

In order to determine the quality of newly produced lithium-ion cells, self-discharge measurements are performed after manufacturing during the so-called aging step. The aging step is a time-consuming and cost-intensive process due to relaxation effects disturbing the self-discharge measuremtens. Relaxation effects are mainly attributed to voltage relaxation and anode overhang equalization. In this work, different methods for electrical self-discharge measurement, such as the voltage decay method, the voltage hold method, and the capacity loss method, were investigated using commercial Samsung INR21700–50E cylindrical cells (NCA/silicon-graphite) and non-commercial pouch-cells (NMC622/graphite). Various preconditioning methods allowed a distinction to be made between undisturbed, short-term, and long-term disturbed cells. While short-term disturbances subsided after several hours, long-term disturbances due to anode overhang were found to significantly disturb all electrical self-discharge measurements for several weeks. A theoretical explanation was introduced, describing the lithium inventory change due to anode and coupled side reactions being measured differently by voltage- and capacity-based methods. Experimental results confirmed this notion and showed that voltage-based self-discharge measurements underestimated the anode overhang equalization. A comparison to the initial cell aging data indicated that the self-discharge measurement performed shortly after cell formation was disturbed by the anode overhang equalization.
Morphologically Tunable Fabrication of Hematite Nanostructures for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Performance
Authors: Aalim Malik , Mir Arshid , Mir Jaffar Farooq , Ahmad Reyaz , Suhail Aamir , Shah M. A.
Published: January 2023

Herein, a photoelectrochemical investigation of photoanodes based on hematite nanorods and nanospheres fabricated via hydrothermal technique is reported. The fabricated nanostructures have been thoroughly analyzed and characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray Diffractometer (XRD), UV-Visible spectroscopy, Photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The presence of oxygen vacancies and morphological characteristics of Hematite photoanodes were shown to be directly related to their photoelectrochemical performances. The nanorod-based photoanode yields an excellent photocurrent density of 1.63 mAcm2 which was about 4 times greater than the nanosphere-based photoanode. Further hematite nanorods showed efficient charge transfer kinetics, increased donor density and, excellent photo stability. The enhancement in photoelectrochemical properties of nanorods can be attributed to the oxygen vacancies generated in hematite nanorods which provide excellent electrical conductivity and better charge transfer kinetics. The results demonstrate that oxygen vacancy-rich nanorods can serve as ideal photoelectrode for enhancing the electrochemical properties of hematite nanostructures.
Exploration of the Long Noncoding RNAs Involved in the Crosstalk between M2 Macrophages and Tumor Metabolism in Lung Cancer
Authors: Fang Fang , Yao Yuanshan , Ma Zhe
Published: January 2023

Background. Complex regulation exists between tumor metabolism and M2 macrophages. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are famous for their wide regulatory role. This study aimed to identify the lncRNAs involved in the crosstalk between tumor metabolism and M2 macrophages. Methods. The Cancer Genome Atlas was responsible for the public data. R software was responsible for the analysis of public data. Results. Based on the input expression profile, we quantified the M2 macrophage infiltration using the CIBERSORT algorithm and found that M2 macrophages were a risk factor for lung cancer. Also, we found that M2 macrophages were correlated with multiple metabolism pathways. Then, 67 lncRNAs involved in both M2 macrophages and related metabolism pathways were identified. A prognosis signature based on AC027288.3, AP001189.3, FAM30A, GAPLINC, LINC00578, and LINC01936 was established, which had good prognosis prediction ability. The clinical parameters and risk score were combined into a nomogram plot for better prediction of the patient’s prognosis. A high fit of actual survival and nomogram-predicted survival was found using the calibration plot. Moreover, in low-risk patients, immunotherapy was more effective, while cisplatin and docetaxel were more effective in high-risk patients. Biological enrichment analysis indicated pathways of notch signaling, TGF-β signaling, interferon alpha response, and interferon-gamma response were activated in the high-risk group. Meanwhile, the risk score was associated with tumor metabolism and M2 macrophages. Also, we found that the promoting effect of CAPLINC on M2 macrophage polarization might act through multiple metabolism pathways. Conclusions. Our result can provide new insights into the interaction between M2 macrophages and tumor metabolism, as well as the involved lncRNAs, which can provide the direction for future studies.
Transdural Skull Base Infiltration by Glioblastoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Thrull Michael , Atasi Khaled , Boese Lennart-Maximilian , Cakar Mahmut , Heller Ullrich , Jansen Nils , Menzel Leoni-Christine , Omaimen Hassan , Theis Katharina , Karacic Damir , Dimov Diyan , Coras Roland , Klingebiel Randolf
Published: January 2023

We report the rare occurrence of a temporal glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) showing transdural tumor extension into adjacent mastoid cells. As the dura mater provides a barrier to intraaxial tumors, GBM seldom penetrates into the skull base, even though it is a high-grade astrocytoma with a tendency to spread. Yet, some mechanisms of GBM-induced skull invasion have been identified, making this entity a very rare but nonetheless relevant differential diagnosis in otherwise ambiguous cases of an intracerebral tumor extending into the skull base. In addition, imaging markers that may assist in distinguishing extra- from intraaxial tumor infiltration of the temporal bone are described.
Volleyball Movement Standardization Recognition Model Based on Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Li Baiyu , Tian Ming
Published: January 2023

Artificial intelligence and deep learning have attracted much attention from researchers in industry and academia. The volleyball movement standardization and recognition model involve the application of artificial intelligence and deep learning. In order to solve the problem that human action in volleyball video is continuous and effective spatial and temporal features need to be extracted from the video stream, the Inception module is decoupled and heterogeneous, replacing the original 5 × 5 convolutional structures with two 3 × 3 convolutional structures, as well as replacing the 3 × 3 convolutional structures with 1 × 3 and a 3 × 1 convolutional structure with internal parameter optimization to ensure the accuracy of recognition. The model uses the input motion video RGB map as the spatial input and the optical flow map as the temporal input, and the two are weighted 1 : 1 for feature fusion. Experiments are conducted on the volleyball action video and homemade dataset in UCF101, and the experimental data show that the accuracy of the DNet volleyball action standardization recognition model proposed in this paper is 94.12%, which proves that the method improves the recognition ability of the model while speeding up the training speed. The research presented in this paper provides important theoretical guidance for artificial intelligence and deep learning.
Use of Machine Learning to Predict California Bearing Ratio of Soils
Authors: Kassa Semachew Molla , Wubineh Betelhem Zewdu
Published: January 2023

CBR is a crucial metric used to assess the durability of base course materials and subgrade soils in various types of pavements. In this research, the machine learning (ML) approach has been implemented using random forest (RF), decision tree (DT), linear regression (LR), and artificial neural network (ANN) models to estimate CBR (California bearing ratio) values of the soil based on seven predictors such as maximum dry density, soil classification, optimum moisture content, liquid limit, plastic limit, plastic index, and swell, which can be easily determined from the laboratory. AASHTO M 145 was used to categorize 252 soil samples that formed the basis of an experimental data set. In this model study, the data were split into 20% test data and 80% training data. Standard statistical measures including coefficient of determination, correlations, and errors were used to assess the effectiveness of the models such as MSE (mean squared error), MAE (mean absolute error), and RMSE (root mean square error). From these evaluation metrics, the random forest algorithm gets a smaller error and larger relative error (R2) value to compare with other algorithms. Therefore, it can be concluded that a random forest algorithm based on the analysis findings can accurately forecast the soil’s CBR.
Inorganic Adsorption on Thermal Response and Wear Properties of Nanosilicon Nitride-Developed AA6061 Alloy Nanocomposite
Authors: Anjalin F. Mary , Krishnan A. Mohana , Arunkumar G. , Raju K. , Vivekanandan M. , Somasundaram S. , Thirugnanasambandham T. , Ramaraj Elangomathavan
Published: January 2023

Inorganic-based ceramic reinforcements are promising superior thermal behaviour and are lightweight and developed with aluminium alloy matrix for automobile applications. The AA6061 alloy nanocomposite containing 0 wt%, 4 wt%, 8 wt%, and 12 wt% of silicon nitride nanoparticles(50 nm) was synthesized by stir cast. The influences of thermal adsorption on silicon nitride (nano) additions, density, thermal response, hardness, and wear characteristics of AA6061 matrix nanocomposites are studied. Based on the rule of mixture, the density of nanocomposites is evaluated. The differential thermal and thermogravimetric analysis techniques are used to find the thermal response nanocomposite. The differential scanning calorimeter is used to find the heat flow between 400°C and 700°C. The micro Vickers hardness and wear characteristics of AA6061 nanocomposite were experimentally investigated by ASTM E384 and ASTM G99-05 standards. The adsorption of inorganic nanosilicon nitride particles (12 wt%) in AA6061 alloy showed a decreased mass loss with increased temperatures 0° to 700°C. The differential thermal analysis of nanocomposite reveals the transformation of solid-to-liquid phase under high temperature (528°C).
Performance of Statistical and Machine Learning Risk Prediction Models for Surveillance Benefits and Failures in Breast Cancer Survivors
Authors: Su Yu-Ru , Buist Diana S.M. , Lee Janie M. , Ichikawa Laura , Miglioretti Diana L. , Bowles Erin J. Aiello , Wernli Karen J. , Kerlikowske Karla , Tosteson Anna , Lowry Kathryn P. , Henderson Louise M. , Sprague Brian L. , Hubbard Rebecca A.
Published: January 2023

Background:

Machine learning (ML) approaches facilitate risk prediction model development using high-dimensional predictors and higher-order interactions at the cost of model interpretability and transparency. We compared the relative predictive performance of statistical and ML models to guide modeling strategy selection for surveillance mammography outcomes in women with a personal history of breast cancer (PHBC).

Methods:

We cross-validated seven risk prediction models for two surveillance outcomes, failure (breast cancer within 12 months of a negative surveillance mammogram) and benefit (surveillance-detected breast cancer). We included 9,447 mammograms (495 failures, 1,414 benefits, and 7,538 nonevents) from years 1996 to 2017 using a 1:4 matched case–control samples of women with PHBC in the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium. We assessed model performance of conventional regression, regularized regressions (LASSO and elastic-net), and ML methods (random forests and gradient boosting machines) by evaluating their calibration and, among well-calibrated models, comparing the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results:

LASSO and elastic-net consistently provided well-calibrated predicted risks for surveillance failure and benefit. The AUCs of LASSO and elastic-net were both 0.63 (95% CI, 0.60–0.66) for surveillance failure and 0.66 (95% CI, 0.64–0.68) for surveillance benefit, the highest among well-calibrated models.

Conclusions:

For predicting breast cancer surveillance mammography outcomes, regularized regression outperformed other modeling approaches and balanced the trade-off between model flexibility and interpretability.

Impact:

Regularized regression may be preferred for developing risk prediction models in other contexts with rare outcomes, similar training sample sizes, and low-dimensional features.
Blocking Genomic Instability Prevents Acquired Resistance to MAPK Inhibitor Therapy in Melanoma
Authors: Dharanipragada Prashanthi , Zhang Xiao , Liu Sixue , Lomeli Shirley H. , Hong Aayoung , Wang Yan , Yang Zhentao , Lo Kara Z. , Vega-Crespo Agustin , Ribas Antoni , Moschos Stergios J. , Moriceau Gatien , Lo Roger S.
Published: January 2023

Blocking cancer genomic instability may prevent tumor diversification and escape from therapies. We show that, after MAPK inhibitor (MAPKi) therapy in patients and mice bearing patient-derived xenografts (PDX), acquired resistant genomes of metastatic cutaneous melanoma specifically amplify resistance-driver, nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ), and homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes via complex genomic rearrangements (CGR) and extrachromosomal DNAs (ecDNA). Almost all sensitive and acquired-resistant genomes harbor pervasive chromothriptic regions with disproportionately high mutational burdens and significant overlaps with ecDNA and CGR spans. Recurrently, somatic mutations within ecDNA and CGR amplicons enrich for HRR signatures, particularly within acquired resistant tumors. Regardless of sensitivity or resistance, breakpoint–junctional sequence analysis suggests NHEJ as critical to double-stranded DNA break repair underlying CGR and ecDNA formation. In human melanoma cell lines and PDXs, NHEJ targeting by a DNA-PKCS inhibitor prevents/delays acquired MAPKi resistance by reducing the size of ecDNAs and CGRs early on combination treatment. Thus, targeting the causes of genomic instability prevents acquired resistance.

Significance:

Acquired resistance often results in heterogeneous, redundant survival mechanisms, which challenge strategies aimed at reversing resistance. Acquired-resistant melanomas recurrently evolve resistance-driving and resistance-specific amplicons via ecDNAs and CGRs, thereby nominating chromothripsis–ecDNA–CGR biogenesis as a resistance-preventive target. Specifically, targeting DNA-PKCS/NHEJ prevents resistance by suppressing ecDNA/CGR rearrangements in MAPKi-treated melanomas.

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Evaluating Pneumonitis Incidence in Patients with Non–small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Immunotherapy and/or Chemotherapy Using Real-world and Clinical Trial Data
Authors: Liu Qi , Zhang Chenan , Huang Yue , Huang Ruihao , Huang Shiew-Mei , Larkins Erin , Stapleford Liza , Rivera Donna R. , Kluetz Paul G. , Wang Shenggang , Zhu Hao , Weese James , Cromartie Elizabeth , Teka Mahder , Walters Sheetal , Wolf Frank , Brown Thomas D.
Published: January 2023

Pneumonitis is a potentially life-threatening complication of anticancer therapy, and future treatment decisions may be informed by characterizing patients receiving therapies in the real-world setting. In this study, the incidence of treatment-associated pneumonitis (TAP) was compared among patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) or chemotherapies in either of two settings: randomized clinical trials (RCT) or real world data (RWD)-based clinical practice. Pneumonitis cases were identified using International Classification of Diseases codes (for RWD), or the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities preferred terms (for RCTs). TAP was defined as pneumonitis diagnosed during treatment or within 30 days of the last treatment administration. Overall TAP rates in the RWD cohort were lower [ICI: 1.9%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.2–3.2; chemotherapy: 0.8%; 95% CI, 0.4–1.6] than overall rates in the RCT cohort (ICI: 5.6%; 95% CI, 5.0–6.2; chemotherapy: 1.2%; 95% CI, 0.9–1.5). Overall RWD TAP rates were similar to grade 3+ RCT TAP rates (ICI: 2.0%; 95% CI, 1.6–2.3; chemotherapy: 0.6%; 95% CI, 0.4–0.9). In both cohorts, higher TAP incidence was observed among patients with a past medical history of pneumonitis than those without, regardless of treatment group. On the basis of this sizable study leveraging RWD, TAP incidence was low in the RWD cohort, likely in part due to methodology used for RWD focusing on clinically significant cases. Past medical history of pneumonitis was associated with TAP in both cohorts.

Significance:

Pneumonitis is a potentially life-threatening complication of anticancer treatment. As treatment options expand, management decisions become increasingly complex, and there is a greater need to understand the safety profiles of the treatment options in the real-world setting. Real-world data serve as an additional source of valuable information to complement clinical trial data and inform understanding of toxicity in patients with non–small cell lung cancer receiving ICIs or chemotherapies.
Measuring the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Health Behaviors and Health Care Utilization in Rural and Urban Patients with Cancer and Cancer Survivors
Authors: Cole Allison , Andrilla C. Holly A. , Patterson Davis , Davidson Sarah , Mendoza Jason
Published: January 2023

Health care access and health behaviors differ between those living in urban and rural communities and contribute to inequitable cancer health outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant disruptions in daily life and health care delivery. This cross-sectional survey aimed to measure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health behaviors of patients with cancer and survivors, comparing outcomes for urban and rural respondents. Survey was administered from January 2021 to June 2021 to patients with cancer or survivors (treated within the last 5 years) at one of six cancer centers in Washington and Idaho. Respondent ZIP code was used to assess rurality using rural-urban commuting area designation. A total of 515 rural (43.5% of those contacted) and 146 urban (40% of those contacted) patients with cancer and survivors participated. Few differences between urban and rural patients with cancer and cancer survivors were noted. Rural residents were older (69.2 vs. 66.9 years). Rural respondents had higher mean alcohol consumption than urban respondents (4.4 vs. 2.7 drinks per week). A total of 12.2% of those who reported drinking in the last 30 days also reported increased alcohol consumption since the start of the pandemic, with no difference in reported increased alcohol consumption in rural versus urban respondents. A total of 38.5% reported decreased physical activity. A total of 20.5% reported canceling or delaying cancer care due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Delays in cancer health care services and worsening health behaviors due to the COVID-19 pandemic may contribute to poorer health outcomes, with few differences between rural and urban patients with cancer and cancer survivors.

Significance:

COVID19 led to significant disruptions in health care access and daily life. Rural communities experience barriers to healthy behaviors and health care access that contribute to poorer cancer outcomes, compared with urban populations. The impact of COVID19 on rural and urban patients with cancer and cancer survivors has not been assessed.
Clinical Outcomes of Older Persons and Persons with Dementia Admitted for Coronavirus Disease 2019: Findings from the Philippine CORONA Study
Authors: Anlacan Veeda Michelle M. , Piamonte Bernadeth Lyn C. , Sy Marie Charmaine C. , Villanueva III Emilio Q. , Jamora Roland Dominic G. , Espiritu Adrian I.
Published: January 2023

Introduction: The Philippine CORONA Study was a multicenter, retrospective, cohort study of 10,881 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) admissions between February and December 2020. Methods: Subgroup analysis was done on clinical outcomes of mortality, respiratory failure, duration of ventilator dependence, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, length of ICU stay, and length of hospital stay among older persons and persons with dementia. Results: The adjusted hazard ratios for mortality among the mild and severe cases were significantly higher by 3.93, 95% CI [2.81, 5.50] and by 1.81, 95% CI [1.43, 2.93], respectively, in older persons compared to younger adults. The adjusted hazard ratios for respiratory failure in older persons were increased by 2.65, 95% CI [1.92, 3.68] and by 1.27, 95% CI [1.01, 1.59] among the mild and severe cases, respectively. The adjusted hazard ratio for ICU admission in older persons was higher by 1.95, 95% CI [1.47, 2.59] among the mild cases. The adjusted hazard ratios for mortality and ICU admission in persons with dementia were higher by 7.25, 95% CI [2.67, 19.68] and by 4.37, 95% CI [1.08, 17.63], respectively, compared to those without dementia. Conclusion: Older age and dementia significantly increased the risk of mortality, respiratory failure, and ICU admission among COVID-19 patients.
The New Youngest Case of Grange Syndrome with a Novel Biallelic Pathogenic Variant in YY1AP1
Authors: Karakaya Taner , Turkyilmaz Ayberk , Eris Deniz , Kaya Mehtap , Oksuz Kupra , Eryigit Meltem Aygul , Gönen Gizem
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Grange syndrome (OMIM 602531) is characterized by a constellation of symptoms of hypertension, stenosis, or occlusion of different arteries (including the cerebral, renal, abdominal, and coronary vessels) with a variable occurrence of brachysyndactyly, bone fragility, and congenital heart defects. Learning disabilities were also reported in some cases. Biallelic pathogenic variants in YY1AP1 are associated with the syndrome. Only 14 individuals with this ultra-rare syndrome (12 of them were molecularly confirmed) have hitherto been reported in the literature. Case Presentation: We herein describe a 11/2-year-old additional female case of Grange syndrome with hypertension, patent ductus arteriosus, and brachysyndactyly who was subsequently confirmed to carry a novel homozygous frameshift variant (c.2291del; p.Pro764Leufs*12) in the YY1AP1 gene through whole-exome sequencing. Conclusion: This report extends the allelic spectrum in Grange syndrome and helps provide insight into the potential role of YY1AP1 in the regulation of cellular processes.
A Practical Approach to Squamous Abnormalities on Cervical Cytology: Overview of Interpretive Criteria and Guidance for Altering Thresholds in Response to Quality Assurance Findings
Authors: Thrall Michael James
Published: January 2023

Background: Squamous intraepithelial lesions observed in Papanicolaou (Pap) test gynecologic cytology arise as a result of infection of the cervicovaginal tract by human papillomavirus (HPV). The viral cytopathic effect of HPV manifests as koilocytosis, also known as low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) in The Bethesda System (TBS). Integration of HPV genetic material into the genome of squamous cells can, in some women, result in progressive accumulation of mutations and abnormalities of growth and maturation leading to high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) and possibly invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Due to morphologic overlap between reactive processes and these changes related to HPV, TBS includes equivocal categories that may be applied to Pap tests with uncertain morphology: atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) and atypical squamous cells cannot exclude HSIL (ASC-H). Quality assurance (QA) measures in gynecologic cytology laboratories aim to maximize the sensitivity for LSIL and HSIL lesions while simultaneously keeping the use of ASC-US at reasonable levels. Summary: TBS provides a comprehensive nomenclature for squamous abnormalities encountered in screening, but subjectivity in interpretation remains. QA practices attempt to identify problematic patterns of misinterpretation for correction. Key Message: This review aimed to provide practical recommendations for cytology practitioners seeking to alter their interpretive thresholds for ASC-US, LSIL, and HSIL in response to feedback from QA procedures indicating deviation from desired norms.
A comparison of four sampling techniques for assessing species richness of adult odonates at riverbanks
Authors: Darshetkar Apeksha , Patwardhan Ankur , Koparde Pankaj
Published: January 2023

Members of the insect order Odonata are known as good ecological indicators. Many are sensitive to habitat modifications and are easily monitored for use in environmental assessment studies. Rapid assessments rely on efficient sampling techniques. However, there is limited information available on sampling techniques for adult odonates, and protocols require evaluation. To do this, we standardized counting methods during sampling of odonates from August to November 2016 at the Mula River, Pune, India. We used four counting techniques; full-width belt transect (FWBT), full-circle point count (FCPC), half-width belt transect (HWBT), and half-circle point count (HCPC). For HWBT and HCPC areas facing the river were sampled, and for each technique we took multiple temporal replicates. We compared species detected per unit time, species detected per unit area, new species detected per unit time, and new species detected per unit area. Additionally, we compared species estimates. With HCPC we detected the maximum number of species and new species per unit area, whereas FWBT returned maximum coverage of recorded species. We recommend our proposed techniques be considered in the future across various habitats to decide the most suitable sampling strategy for the different habitats or situations.
Biology of Bhutanitis ludlowi Gabriel, 1942 (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhutan
Authors: Dendup Tshering , Shacha Namgay , Tempa Karma , Ghalley Tez Bdr.
Published: January 2023

It was in 1933–34 that the first discovery of Bhutanitis ludlowi was made by plant explorer Frank Ludlow and George Sheriff at Tobrang, upper part of Trashiyangtse valley, Bhutan. It was rediscovered after a lapse of 76 years in 2009 by Bhutanese forester Karma Wangdi. Bhutanitis ludlowi is native to Trashiyangtse and occurs in few pockets of areas in northeastern part of Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS). There has been no report which described complete life cycle of Bhutanitis ludlowi till date. Listed in CITES appendix II, the endemic species is also the first butterfly species to be included under Schedule I of FNCRR of Bhutan, making it a totally protected species in Bhutan. For the first time a complete life cycle stages of Bhutanitis ludlowi was recorded at BWS on the host plant Aristolochia griffithii Hook.f. & Thomson ex Duch in ex situ environment. A greenhouse with dimensions of 12 X 5 X 3 m was constructed and a thriving habitat was created artificially through establishment of Aristolochia griffithii nursery inside the greenhouse. The eggs were brought down to the new environment at an elevation of 1,752 m from their natural habitat (elevation of 2,200 m). The eggs were incubated in the greenhouse with host plants in ex-situ conditions. Eggs incubated inside the greenhouse were examined at eight hour intervals daily (twice a day: 0900 h and 1700 h) to record physical changes in eggs such as colours. Bhutanitis ludlowi is univoltine brood where the life cycle completes in 365–367 days with egg hatching (Average = 16 days; SD = 2), larva (Avg. of 174 days SD 3), pupa (174 days, SD 1.53)) and adults emerged after 366 days. Predators of Bhutanitis ludlowi include spider, wasps, praying mantis, snails, and ants. Bhutanitis ludlowi protects themselves by avoiding predators through mechanisms like odour, camouflaged colorations, and excretion of poisons. Advocacy programs on its conservation importance and formation of community conservation support groups to protect its habitats is seen as one of the priority activities in the identified range of Bhutanitis ludlowi.
A checklist of avifauna of Mangalore University, Karnataka, India
Authors: K.  Maxim Rodrigues  , K. Vineeth Kumar  , Hasyagar Vivek , M.C. Prashantha Krishna  , Naik Deepak
Published: January 2023

The study of the avifaunal diversity was carried out in the Mangalore University campus, located in Dakshina Kannada District, Karnataka from 2013 to 2021, in and around the campus. A total of 150 bird species belonging to 18 orders and 56 families were recorded during the study. Out of these, the study area supports five species which are endemic to the Western Ghats. The feeding guild analysis revealed that the insectivorous group had the highest number of species (53 species). The study provides baseline data for monitoring the avifauna in the campus and demonstrates the importance of the area in bird conservation.
First record of the long-horned beetle Niphona fuscatrix (Fabricius, 1792) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) from the Western Ghats, India
Authors: Mane Yogesh K. , Patil Priyanka B. , Gaikwad Sunil M.
Published: January 2023

A long-horned beetle, collected when attracted to light, was identified as Niphona fuscatrix (Fabricius 1792). This species is reported for the first time from western India (Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra).
Sauromatum horsfieldii (Araceae): a new addition to the flora of Manipur, northeastern India
Authors: Kazhuhrii Eshuo  , Lokho Adani
Published: January 2023

The present paper deals with the taxon Sauromatum horsfieldii Miq. reported for the first time from Manipur, India. The detailed morphological description and the photographs are provided along with the artificial key to the Indian species of Sauromatum.
Conservation significance of Changaram wetlands - a key wintering site for migratory shorebirds and other waterbirds in the western coast of Kerala, India
Authors: Anand Jasmine , H. Byju  , Nefla Aymen , S. Abhijith  , Omer R. Reshi  , K.M. Aarif
Published: January 2023

Changaram wetland is an important stopover ground for migratory shorebirds, gulls, terns, and other waterbirds in the western coast of Kerala and it encompasses major habitats like exposed mudflats, mangrove fringes, and an agroecosystem. A total of 77 species of waterbirds (shorebirds, large wading birds, gulls, and terns) including long distance migrants, local migrants, and resident species were encountered in our survey carried out during 2018 and 2019. Ten out of these 77 species fall under threatened category in the IUCN Red List and hence the Changaram wetlands demand immediate attention from the conservation perspective. Considering tremendous anthropogenic pressures faced by these wetlands, and the decline in the abundance of waterbirds, a regular system for monitoring the bird population and the wetlands must be deployed for the conservation of the ecosystem and of the birds.
First report of a coreid bug Aurelianus yunnananus Xiong, 1987 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Coreidae) from India
Authors: Ghate Hemant V. , Pansare Pratik , Lodf Rahul
Published: January 2023

Aurelianus yunnananus Xiong, 1987 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomomorpha: Coreidae: Coreinae: Mictini) is reported for the first time from India. It was collected from Tripura, in the eastern part of our country. Brief redescription and several photos, including those of the male genitalia, are provided along with the images of the male holotype and female allotype. This report also adds the genus Aurelianus to the known Indian Coreidae genera.
Book Review - Under the Feet of Living Things Editors — Aparajita Datta, Rohan Arthur & T.R. Shankar Raman
Authors: Pinto Melito Prinson
Published: January 2023

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Parallel processing relies on a distributed, low-dimensional cortico-cerebellar architecture
Authors: Müller Eli J. , Palesi Fulvia , Hou Kevin Y. , Tan Joshua , Close Thomas , Gandini Wheeler-Kingschott Claudia A. M. , D’Angelo Egidio , Calamante Fernando , Shine James M.
Published: January 2023

A characteristic feature of human cognition is our ability to ‘multi-task’—performing two or more tasks in parallel—particularly when one task is well learned. How the brain supports this capacity remains poorly understood. Most past studies have focussed on identifying the areas of the brain—typically the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex—that are required to navigate information-processing bottlenecks. In contrast, we take a systems neuroscience approach to test the hypothesis that the capacity to conduct effective parallel processing relies on a distributed architecture that interconnects the cerebral cortex with the cerebellum. The latter structure contains over half of the neurons in the adult human brain and is well suited to support the fast, effective, dynamic sequences required to perform tasks relatively automatically. By delegating stereotyped within-task computations to the cerebellum, the cerebral cortex can be freed up to focus on the more challenging aspects of performing the tasks in parallel. To test this hypothesis, we analysed task-based fMRI data from 50 participants who performed a task in which they either balanced an avatar on a screen (balance), performed serial-7 subtractions (calculation) or performed both in parallel (dual task). Using a set of approaches that include dimensionality reduction, structure-function coupling, and time-varying functional connectivity, we provide robust evidence in support of our hypothesis. We conclude that distributed interactions between the cerebral cortex and cerebellum are crucially involved in parallel processing in the human brain.
The family Hydroptilidae Curtis (Trichoptera) in the Ogasawara Islands, northwestern Pacific, with particular reference to adaptive radiation in the oceanic islands
Authors: ITO TOMIKO , SASAKI TETSURO , TAKAHASHI CHICACO , SUGAWARA HIROTAKA , HAYASHI FUMIO
Published: January 2023

The caddisfly family Hydroptilidae Curtis was revised for the oceanic Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands, northwestern Pacific. Six endemic species of the genus Hydroptila Dalman 1819 (H. demersa Ito & Sasaki sp. nov., H. ishiura Ito & Sasaki sp. nov., H. tokoyo Ito & Sasaki sp. nov., H. hahajima Ito & Sasaki sp. nov., H. nagahama Ito & Sasaki sp. nov. and H. ogasawaraensis Ito 2011, in Ito et al. 2011) are recognized based on larval and adult morphology and molecular analysis. Each of six species was not distributed widely but limited to a narrow area: H. ogasawaraensis on Chichi-jima, H. tokoyo on southern Chichi-jima, H. demersa and H. ishiura on Ani-jima and northern Chichi-jima, H. hahajima on southern Haha-jima, and H. nagahama on central Haha-jima. This speciation pattern in the small area might be an example of adaptive radiation in these oceanic islands. The larva of H. demersa has an elongate and depressed head capsule and makes a slightly compressed case with rough surface, suggesting that it inhabits the hyporheic zone, where aquatic organisms are scarce in the oceanic islands. The other five species, H. ishiura, H. tokoyo, H. hahajima, H. nagahama, and H. ogasawaraensis, were often found in hygropetric habitats and small waterfalls, where other species of microcaddisflies are absent. Small dorsal sclerites of abdominal segments I–III of larvae in the five species may be another adaptation to this microhabitat with rapid water flow.
First report of Brachyplatycerus De Santis (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae) from China, with description of a new species
Authors: ZHEN WENQUAN , XUE HAO , ZU GUOHAO , ZHANG LIANZHONG
Published: January 2023

The genus Brachyplatycerus De Santis is recorded for the first time from China (Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region), and Brachyplatycerus chinensis sp. nov. is described. This is the second species of the genus which was so far monotypic.
Anatase Film on Orotracheal Tubes to Mitigate Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Manfroi Lucas Augusto , da Silva Michely Glenda Pereira , Vieira Angela Aparecida , Macário Paulo Fabrício , da Silva Newton Soares , Marques Francisco Chagas , Vieira Lúcia
Published: January 2023

Bacterial contamination in hospital environments is a significant concern for patient admissions. Aiming to reduce contamination, titanium dioxide film (TiO2) in the anatase phase has been prepared on the surface of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubes. The PVC tube material was
used to study the film’s effectiveness in inhibiting bacterial growth and cell viability. The morphology and composition of deposited films were investigated using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) map. In addition, Fourier-Transform Infrared
Spectroscopy (FTIR) and XRD diffractogram were used to analyze film composition and phase, respectively. The adhesion of TiO2 film on PVC substrate was determined using Scotch™ tape-test according to ASTM: D3359-09, 2010, and the film surface morphology was analyzed by the
MEV-FEG technique and EDS map. The bacterial viability was performed with Staphylococcus aureus, and cell viability was performed using L929 strain mouse fibroblasts. The results of TiO2 in the anatase phase deposited by ALD on the PVC surface demonstrate good adherence and
the film’s effectiveness in inhibiting bacterial growth and cell viability.
Recovery of Tungsten and Vanadium from Spent Selective Catalytic Reduction Catalysts by Soda Roasting: A Mechanistic Study
Authors: Lin Dehai , Liu Zilin , Wang Baodong , Han Yifan
Published: January 2023

This research investigated how soda roasting, which alters the roasting temperature and sodium carbonate concentration, recovers tungsten and vanadium from used selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts. The ideal sodium carbonate content and roasting temperature were determined to be 800 °C and 30 wt%, respectively. Under these circumstances, tungsten and vanadium recoveries were 82.63% and 90.07%, respectively. In order to understand the roasting process, the compositions and morphologies of the original catalyst and specimens after roasting were examined by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy. In addition, the thermodynamic parameters associated with this process were calculated using the HSC 6.0 program to confirm compositional changes during roasting, the result shows that the chemical reactions among vanadium, tungsten, titanium and sulfur with sodium carbonate have priority in this system, as V2O5= SO3> WO3> TiO2; And the phases formation of vanadium and titanium are different at different temperatures and the amount of sodium carbonate, such as Na2V2O6, NaVO3, Na3VO4, VO2, Na2O* TiO2, Na2O* 3TiO2, 4Na2O* 5TiO2, and so on. Therefore, the recovery of vanadium and tungsten is significantly influenced by the other catalyst components as well as the reaction conditions. Based on this combination of experimental study and theoretical calculations, a technique for recovering tungsten and vanadium from spent SCR catalysts by soda roasting is suggested.
Application of Mesh Materials and Effects of Representative Procedures in Pelvic Organ Prolapse Treatment
Authors: Huang Wu , Yao Hai , Xia Yujie , Chen Cheng , Fang Zhijiang , Wu Qiongbo
Published: January 2023

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) affects 30%–70% of women’s health to varying degrees, and numerous risk factors have been confirmed. For patients with moderate to severe POP, surgical intervention is the primary solution. The application of mesh materials, especially tissue-engineered
materials, is more desirable for surgical outcomes. Compared to those for traditional surgery, the recurrence and reoperation rates for mesh implantation are low. The continuous development and improvement of tissue engineering technology and various related procedures offer good prospects.
However, there is still no consensus on the criteria for POP treatment. Therefore, in this review, we describe the effects of different types of mesh materials and several related representative implantation procedures, explore the potential concerns and future remedies, and provide information
for optimizing mesh implantation and formulating POP clinical protocols.