bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of seasonal groundwater origin and evolution processes in a geologically heterogeneous catchment using geophysical, isotopic and hydro‐chemical techniques (Lough Gur, Ireland)
Authors: O'Connell David W. , Rocha Carlos , Daly Eve , Carrey Raul , Marchesi Massimo , Caschetto Mariachiara , Ansems Nienke , Wilson Jean , Hickey Caoimhe , Gill Laurence W.
Published: September 2022

Lough Gur is a shallow groundwater fed eutrophic lake situated within a small agricultural catchment containing volcanic and karst rock features in mid‐west Ireland. Seasonally active conduits linking two spring discharge locations from the lake under high flow conditions were revealed using dye tracing and a terrestrial geophysical survey, highlighting the architecture of the conduit flow path from Lough Gur to its discharge spring. A radon survey combined with a lake geophysical survey identified the locations of in‐lake discharge springs and thickness of the lakebed sediments. Falling head hydraulic characterization experiments illustrated the heterogenous nature of lakebed sediments and hydrograph analysis coupled with stable isotopes of water (δ18O andδ2H) revealed significant surface water ‐ groundwater interaction during high flow periods. Significantly,δ18O andδ2H signatures plot above the global meteoric water line and local meteoric water line indicating hydration of silicate minerals and direct isotope exchange ofδ18O between water and rock minerals. Groundwaterδ18O andδ2H signatures during low flow periods indicate that recharge sources are influenced by enriched surface waters and precipitation while a wider range of signatures during high flow periods indicates a greater variation of sources. D‐excess signatures illustrate rapid rainfall infiltration under high flow conditions, thereby demonstrating the vulnerability of the groundwater, while lake water signatures confirm widespread surface water‐groundwater interaction/mixing. Hydrochemical analyses confirm both silicate weathering and carbonate dissolution as primary geochemical processes with Mg/Ca ratios suggesting greater groundwater residence time during low flow periods. Correlations betweenδ13CDICand dissolved organic carbon suggest a seasonal switch in the source of DIC to groundwaters between the oxidation of organic matter in summer and dissolution of carbonate minerals in winter. The SI saturation index for calcite (SIC) illustrates calcium carbonate precipitation along with CO2evasion to be a perennial processes. Finally, the spatial variation for nitrate isotopic signatures (δ18ONO3‐andδ15NNO3‐) suggests a number of nitrate sources to groundwaters including soil organic nitrogen, manure and/or domestic effluent with indications of denitrification processes under low flow conditions.
Riparian zone as a variable source area for the estimation of evapotranspiration through the analysis of daily fluctuations in streamflow
Authors: Sarwar Muhammad Waqas , Campbell David I. , Shokri Ali
Published: September 2022

Evapotranspiration is a critical component of the water balance of a catchment, and riparian zones play a crucial role in the hydrological process. However, the influence of riparian zones on evapotranspiration, especially at a catchment scale, needs more investigation. Since evapotranspiration is negligible at night, the difference in recharge between day and night generates diurnal fluctuations in streamflows. A new method is developed to estimate riparian evapotranspiration by analysing the streamflow response to diurnal evapotranspiration. The potential evapotranspiration (PET) calculated by FAO‐56 is used as a true reference for validation. The estimated evapotranspiration shows acceptable goodness of fit with the hourly PET calculated from FAO 56. However, the new approach estimates average evapotranspiration across the entire riparian area than a point observation and provides a better understanding of the impact of the riparian zone on streamflow patterns.
Patient‐derived tumor organoids predict responses to irinotecan‐based neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer
Authors: Lv Tao , Shen Lijun , Xu Xiaoya , Yao Ye , Mu Peiyuan , Zhang Hui , Wan Juefeng , Wang Yan , Guan Ruoyu , Li Xiaomeng , Fu Guoxiang , Zhang Long , Wang Yaqi , Xia Fan , Hu Chen , Clevers Hans , Zhang Zhen , Hua Guoqiang
Published: September 2022

Adding irinotecan to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) increases the pathologic complete response (pCR) rate but brings more toxicities. Robust biomarkers to predict response to irinotecan‐based nCRT are extremely necessary for selecting the right patients. Our previous study suggests that patient‐derived tumor organoids (PDTOs) sensitivity to chemoradiotherapy matches patient responses. In this study, we investigated whether PDTOs sensitivity to irinotecan can predict complete response (CR) and survival. Eligible patients receiving irinotecan‐based nCRT between April 5, 2017 and December 11, 2020 were enrolled in the training cohort (n = 91) for response prediction and survival analysis. Patients receiving nCRT between February 21, 2021 and September 17, 2021 were included in the validation cohort (n = 27). Predictive performances of irinotecan organoid size ratio (OSR) for CR or pCR were evaluated. The irinotecan‐sensitive groups had higher response rates compared with the insensitive groups (training cohort: 71.8% vs 24.4%, P < .0001; validation cohort, 81.8% vs 18.8%, P = .002). Moreover, the irinotecan‐sensitive group had higher rates of 3‐year disease‐free survival (DFS: 71.6% vs 55.5%, P = .034) and distant metastasis‐free survival (DMFS, 77.9% vs 57.2%, P = .015) than the irinotecan‐insensitive group. 5‐FU and irradiation sensitivities failed to predict 3‐year DFS (5‐FU: 65.4% vs 61.9%, P = .643; irradiation: 84.8% vs 57.8%; P = .072). Performances of irinotecan OSR to predict CR or pCR were good in the training cohort (CR: AUC = 0.828; 95% CI = 0.723‐0.932; pCR: AUC = 0.864; 95% CI = 0.759‐0.961). The validation showed robust predictive ability (CR: AUC = 0.796, 95% CI = 0.5974‐0.9952; pCR: AUC = 0.917, 95% CI = 0.7921‐1.0000). Irinotecan sensitivity in PDTOs was a predictive and prognostic factor in LARC.
Automated differentiation of skin melanocytes from keratinocytes in high‐resolution histopathology images using a weakly‐supervised deep‐learning framework
Authors: Parajuli Madan , Shaban Mohamed , Phung Thuy L.
Published: September 2022

Early detection and accurate diagnosis of melanoma skin cancer which accounts for 75% of all skin cancer mortalities would significantly improve survival rates. Melanoma is characterized by an abnormal proliferation of malignant melanocytes in the epidermis of the skin, which is composed predominantly of keratinocytes. Localization and differentiation of melanocytes from keratinocytes in the skin in whole slide images (WSIs) is an important initial task towards the diagnosis of the tumor. Because of the small size of melanocytes and the dominance of keratinocytes in the epidermis, identification of melanocytes can be challenging and prone to errors. We propose a new fully‐automated framework based on deep‐machine learning to identify melanocytes and keratinocytes with detection accuracy of 90.5% and 87.4%, respectively. This framework begins with segmenting the epidermis layer inside 640 × 320 × 3 super tiles of WSIs using a DeepLabV3+ model followed by a weakly‐supervised deep learning approach deploying a fine‐tuned pre‐trained visual geometry group (VGG)‐16 model, gradient‐weighted class activation mapping (Grad‐CAM), Otsu's and contour estimation methods in order to identify melanocytes and keratinocytes inside each 64 × 64 × 3 tile (i.e., a subdivision of the super tile). The proposed framework outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art methods as well as provides a significant improvement of 28% and 17% over the fully supervised faster region‐based convolutional neural network (R‐CNN) in detecting melanocytes and keratinocytes respectively without the need for expensive expert fine labels for model training and validation. The proposed framework offers a promising accurate tool to aid pathologists in differentiating melanocytes from keratinocytes that would eventually support the diagnosis of melanoma.
Gate‐tunable spin valve effect in Fe3GeTe2‐based van der Waals heterostructures
Authors: Zhou Ling , Huang Junwei , Tang Ming , Qiu Caiyu , Qin Feng , Zhang Caorong , Li Zeya , Wu Di , Yuan Hongtao
Published: September 2022

Magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs), a prominent type of spintronic device based on the spin valve effect, have facilitated the development of numerous spintronic applications. The technical appeal for the next‐generation MTJ devices has been proposed in two directions: improving device performance by utilizing advanced two‐dimensional (2D) ferromagnetic materials or extending device functionalities by exploring the gate‐tunable magnetic properties of ferromagnets. Based on the recent development of 2D magnets with the ease of external stimuli, such as electric field, due to their reduced dimensions, reliable prospects for gate‐tunable MTJ devices can be achieved, shedding light on the great potential of next‐generation MTJs with multiple functionalities for various application environments. While the electrical gate‐tunable MTJ device is highly desirable for practical spintronic devices, it has not yet been demonstrated. Here, we demonstrate the experimental realization of a spin valve device by combining a vertical Fe3GeTe2/h‐BN/Fe3GeTe2 MTJ with an electrolyte gate. The magnetoresistance ratio (MR ratio) of 36% for the intrinsic MTJ confirms the good performance of the device. By electrolyte gating, the tunneling MR ratio of Fe3GeTe2/h‐BN/Fe3GeTe2 MTJ can be elevated 2.5 times, from 26% to 65%. Importantly, the magnetic fields at which the magnetoresistance switches for the MTJ can be modulated by electrical gating, providing a promising method to control the magnetization configuration of the MTJ. Our work demonstrates a gate‐tunable MTJ device toward the possibility for gate‐controlled spintronic devices, paving the way for performing 2D magnetism manipulations and exploring innovative spintronic applications.

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Successful treatment with therapeutic plasmapheresis of a pediatric patient with Guillain‐Barré syndrome associated with neurobrucellosis
Authors: Varol Fatih , Yusuf Can Yasar , Sahin Ebru , Sahin Suleyman Berkay , Akyuz Gulcan , Aydin Ali , Kara Manolya , Cam Halit
Published: September 2022

Brucellosis is a multisystemic disease that can present with multiple signs and symptoms. Rarely, brucellosis can manifest as neurobrucellosis, with central or peripheral nervous system involvement. Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) is a post‐infectious autoimmune disease that progresses rapidly, causing ascending muscle weakness, and is accompanied by areflexia/hyporeflexia. Regarding GBS etiology, it is thought to be an autoimmune disease, triggered by a previous bacterial or viral infection. There are a few Brucella‐associated GBS case reports in the literature and in our opinion, only one of them is a pediatric patient. Herein we reported a case of GBS associated with neurobrucellosis, who was successfully treated with therapeutic plasmapheresis (TP) due to poor response to IVIG treatment.
About the number of oriented Hamiltonian paths and cycles in tournaments
Authors: El Sahili Amine , Ghazo Hanna Zeina
Published: September 2022

We prove that a tournament and its converse contain the same number of oriented Hamiltonian paths and the same number of oriented Hamiltonian cycles, of any given type, as a generalization of Rosenfeld's result proved for antidirected paths.
Pancreatic Cystic Lesions on MRI: What Is The Likelihood of a Present or Future Diagnosis of Pancreatic Carcinoma?
Authors: Alwahbi Omar , Larocque Natasha , Kulkarni Ameya , Gopee‐Ramanan Prasaanthan (Prasa) , Ghumman Zonia , Sarkar Rahul , Kagoma Yoan K. , Alabousi Abdullah , Tsai Scott , Wat Josephine , McInnes Matthew , van der Pol Christian B.
Published: September 2022

Background

Pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) are followed for years due to older and likely biased works demonstrating a strong association with pancreatic carcinoma; more recent data are needed clarifying this relationship.

Purpose

To determine the association between PCLs on MRI and a synchronous or future diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma.

Study type

Single‐center retrospective cohort.

Population

A total of 192 patients (111 female, 58%) with median age 66 years (range 26–87 years) with PCLs on abdominal MRI from 2011 to 2016.

Field Strength/Sequences

1.5 T and 3 T, including T2WI, T1WI, diffusion weighted imaging and contrast‐enhanced T1WI.

Assessment

Each PCL was reviewed independently by 2 of 10 fellowship‐trained abdominal radiologists. Fukuoka guideline worrisome features and high‐risk stigmata were evaluated. Follow‐up imaging and clinical notes were reviewed within a system that captures pancreatic carcinoma for the region, for a median follow‐up of 67 months (interquartile range: 43–88 months).

Statistical Tests

Pancreatic carcinoma prevalence and incidence rate for future carcinoma with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Fisher exact test, logistic regression with odds ratios (OR) and the Wilcoxon rank‐sum test were used to assess PCL morphologic features with the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test used to assess for normality. P < 0.05 defined statistical significance.

Results

The prevalence of pancreatic carcinoma on initial MRI showing a PCL was 2.4% (95% CI: 0.9%, 5.2%). Thickened/enhancing cyst wall was associated with pancreatic carcinoma, OR 52 (95% CI: 4.5, 1203). Of 189 patients with a PCL but without pancreatic carcinoma at the time of initial MRI, one developed high‐grade dysplasia and none developed invasive carcinoma for an incidence rate of 0.97 (95% CI: 0.02, 5.43) and 0 (95% CI: 0, 3.59) cases per 1000 person‐years, respectively.

Data Conclusion

A low percentage of patients with a PCL on MRI had a pancreatic carcinoma at the time of initial evaluation and none developed carcinoma over a median 67 months of follow‐up.

Evidence Level

3

Technical Efficacy

5
Adjustment of extreme wind speed in regional climate downscaling over southwestern South Atlantic
Authors: da Silva Natália Pillar , Crespo Natália Machado , Kaufmann Clarisse Lacerda Gomes , Lima José Antônio Moreira , Andrioni Marcelo , de Camargo Ricardo , da Rocha Rosmeri Porfírio
Published: September 2022

In this study, we estimated near‐surface wind speed 100‐year return values over the southwestern South Atlantic Ocean, using present‐day (1979–2018) simulations from the regional climate models (RCMs) WRF and RegCM4. Extreme wind events, associated with hazardous conditions over coastal and oceanic areas, must be well represented in numerical models for risk assessment, and few studies focused on the added value offered by RCMs to wind extremes. Events were selected with the peaks‐over‐threshold method and extremes were calculated by fitting peaks to a generalized Pareto distribution. For the assessment of model performance, we used the satellite‐based dataset from the Cross‐Calibrated Multi Platform (CCMP), which has great agreement with in situ observations. While modern reanalysis underestimated higher wind speed quantiles, the CCMP was able to represent these quantiles. Dynamical downscaling with the WRF (RegCM4) indicates an underestimation (overestimation) of wind speed for upper quantiles. To mitigate the effects of these differences in the extreme value estimate, we applied a linear adjustment in the simulated wind speed using the CCMP as reference. This application reduced the bias for higher wind speeds in simulations for all regions, except over the coastal area near Argentina and Uruguay, where downscaling already realistically represents extreme events. The spatial distribution of the simulated extremes is compatible with previous results based on reanalysis and satellite data, although with finer‐scale structure, especially over the southern South Atlantic, a region frequently affected by cyclone occurrence and extreme near‐surface winds. The extreme wind speed maps estimated for 100 years reflect these conditions with values reaching around 30 m·s−1 in the area, even after the wind adjustment. Besides, the fine‐scale features aggregate important new information related to extreme winds in the region, which is a relevant added value in the study of return values estimates.
Homogenization of Swedish mean monthly temperature series 1860–2021
Authors: Joelsson L. Magnus T. , Engström Erik , Kjellström Erik
Published: September 2022

The Swedish monthly average 2 m temperature observational data set is homogenized with a new automated version of the homogenization tool HOMogenizaton softwarE in R. Data from 836 individual time series (1860–2021) are merged into 456 time series with a novel automatic merging method. Merging limits the need of interpolation of data and increase the number of long time series without a net loss of data. Twenty‐two of the merged time series were found to be homogeneous. For the other time series, the median time per break‐point is 17 years. 37% of the detected break‐points are supported in meta data. 42% of the data are corrected by ±0.5°C or less, 3% by ±1°C or more. On average corrections are negative, larger in the early periods, and larger in the summertime. The average trend 1860–2021 in the resulting merged and homogenized data set is (0.13 ± 0.03)°C decade, which does not significantly differ from that of the raw observational data. Extremely warm months, defined as being outside of three times the standard deviation from the average of the full time series, are most frequent and extremely cold months least frequent in the most recent 30‐year period (1991–2020). In the homogenized data set, extremely warm months are even more frequent and extremely cold months even less frequent in 1991–2020, than in the raw observational data set.
The effects of epiphytic microbiota and chemical composition of Italian ryegrass harvested at different growth stages on silage fermentation
Authors: Yin Xuejing , Zhao Jie , Wang Siran , Dong Zhihao , Li Junfeng , Shao Tao
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND

The influence of epiphytic microbiota and chemical composition on fermentation quality and microbial community of Italian ryegrass silage was evaluated. Italian ryegrass harvested at the filling stage (FS) and the dough stage (DS) was sterilized by gamma‐ray irradiation and inoculated as follows: (I) FS epiphytic microbiota + irradiated FS (FF); (II) FS epiphytic microbiota + irradiated DS (FD); (III) DS epiphytic microbiota + irradiated DS (DD); (IV) DS epiphytic microbiota + irradiated FS (DF).

RESULTS

After 60 days of ensiling, silage made from irradiated FS had a lower pH and ammonia nitrogen (NH3‐N) content and a higher lactic acid (LA) content than that made from irradiated DS. Similarly, silage inoculated with the epiphytic microbiota of DS had a lower pH and NH3‐N content and a higher LA content than that inoculated with the epiphytic microbiota of FS. However, LA‐type fermentation (lactic acid:acetic acid > 2:1) was presented at DF and DD. The principal coordinates analysis showed that the distance between FF and DF and FD and DD was closer than other treatments, suggesting that the microbial community of silages made from irradiated FS (or DS) was more similar.

CONCLUSION

The epiphytic microbiota played a more important role in the fermentation type, whereas the chemical composition had a great influence on the contents of fermentation end‐products. However, chemical composition had a stronger effect on the microbial community of silage than the epiphytic microbiota. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Selective corrosion of cast nickel–aluminum bronze in seawater
Authors: Zheng Jian , Liu Ranran , Ning Lingling
Published: September 2022

Based on a failure analysis of cut‐off valves, this study investigated the selective corrosion behavior of cast nickel–aluminum bronze (NAB) by an immersion corrosion test and explained it with energy dispersive spectroscopy and microanalysis. Fracture analysis and finite element numerical simulation results showed that the joints of valve discs and seal rings were corroded first. Cast NAB contains α, β, and κ phases with different chemical compositions. Chemical component segregation is the fundamental reason for the difference in corrosion potential in seawater. After the ferric chloride immersion corrosion test, the corrosion cracks appeared at the grain boundary between the α phase and κ phase. Galvanic corrosion cells are formed at the phase boundary, and cracks and corrosion occur preferentially at the grain boundary.
Parkinsonism in Genetic Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Systematic Review
Authors: von Scheibler Emma N.M.M. , van Eeghen Agnies M. , de Koning Tom J. , Kuijf Mark L. , Zinkstok Janneke R. , Müller Annelieke R. , van Amelsvoort Thérèse A.M.J. , Boot Erik
Published: September 2022

Background

With advances in clinical genetic testing, associations between genetic neurodevelopmental disorders and parkinsonism are increasingly recognized. In this review, we aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of reports on parkinsonism in genetic neurodevelopmental disorders and summarize findings related to genetic diagnosis, clinical features and proposed disease mechanisms.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted in PubMed and Embase on June 15, 2021. Search terms for parkinsonism and genetic neurodevelopmental disorders, using generic terms and the Human Phenotype Ontology, were combined. Study characteristics and descriptive data were extracted from the articles using a modified version of the Cochrane Consumers and Communication Review Group's data extraction template. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020191035).

Results

The literature search yielded 208 reports for data‐extraction, describing 69 genetic disorders in 422 patients. The five most reported from most to least frequent were: 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, beta‐propeller protein‐associated neurodegeneration, Down syndrome, cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis, and Rett syndrome. Notable findings were an almost equal male to female ratio, an early median age of motor onset (26 years old) and rigidity being more common than rest tremor. Results of dopaminergic imaging and response to antiparkinsonian medication often supported the neurodegenerative nature of parkinsonism. Moreover, neuropathology results showed neuronal loss in the majority of cases. Proposed disease mechanisms included aberrant mitochondrial function and disruptions in neurotransmitter metabolism, endosomal trafficking, and the autophagic‐lysosomal and ubiquitin‐proteasome system.

Conclusion

Parkinsonism has been reported in many GNDs. Findings from this study may provide clues for further research and improve management of patients with GNDs and/or parkinsonism.
Influence mechanisms of drug safety: Government regulation and corporate social responsibility perspectives
Authors: Wan Anxia , Zhao Xuan , Sheng Xin , Peng Benhong
Published: September 2022

In view of the current status of government regulation (GR) failure and corporate social responsibility (CSR) deficiency of medicines in China, studies on the influence mechanism of drug safety are needed. In the paper, we design a questionnaire to survey the GR and CSR of drug safety in China. Structural equation model (SEM) based on the questionnaire outcomes is performed to evaluate the multivariate relationships among GR, CSR, and drug safety. The role of extrinsic and intrinsic factors influencing the level of drug safety is elaborated. The results illustrate that GR has a direct impact on drug safety.
Resource utilization and multidisciplinary care needs for patients with Ehlers–Danlos syndrome
Authors: Jones Jordan T. , Black William R. , Cogan Wendy , Callen Elisabeth
Published: September 2022

Background

Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS) represents a family of heritable connective tissue disorders with overlapping phenotypic features, frequently including joint hypermobility, tissue fragility, and skin hyperextensibility. Comorbid symptoms are common for patients with EDS and include multiple body systems marked by neurologic, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal issues, chronic pain, headaches, and anxiety and depression. The many comorbidities lead to high disease burden, which requires greater healthcare utilization.

Methods

This survey of families examines healthcare utilization, of adults and minors, through evaluation of subspecialty care appointments across many healthcare systems in one region.

Results

There were 155 adults and 83 minors with a diagnosis of EDS with a total of 693 unique visits across 27 different specialties at over 20 different hospitals or clinics in the surveyed area. Cardiology, neurology, and gastroenterology were the most utilized subspecialties for adults, while rheumatology, cardiology, and neurology were most utilized by minors. Many respondents (67%) reported their medical care needs are not being met, and 87% reported interest in a multidisciplinary clinic for EDS with the most interest in pain management, physical and occupational therapy, and rheumatology.

Conclusion

Understanding healthcare utilization and needs of those with EDS can provide the foundation for improved care for those with EDS through a coordinated multidisciplinary care model.
Enrichment of hepatic glycogen and plasma glucose from H₂18O informs gluconeogenic and indirect pathway fluxes in naturally feeding mice
Authors: Coelho Margarida , Mahar Rohit , Belew Getachew D. , Torres Alejandra , Barosa Cristina , Cabral Fernando , Viegas Ivan , Gastaldelli Amalia , Mendes Vera M. , Manadas Bruno , Jones John G. , Merritt Matthew E.
Published: September 2022

Deuterated water (2H2O) is a widely used tracer of carbohydrate biosynthesis in both preclinical and clinical settings, but the significant kinetic isotope effects (KIE) of 2H can distort metabolic information and mediate toxicity. 18O‐water (H218O) has no significant KIE and is incorporated into specific carbohydrate oxygens via well‐defined mechanisms, but to date it has not been evaluated in any animal model. Mice were given H218O during overnight feeding and 18O‐enrichments of liver glycogen, triglyceride glycerol (TG), and blood glucose were quantified by 13C NMR and mass spectrometry (MS). Enrichment of oxygens 5 and 6 relative to body water informed indirect pathway contributions from the Krebs cycle and triose phosphate sources. Compared with mice fed normal chow (NC), mice whose NC was supplemented with a fructose/glucose mix (i.e., a high sugar [HS] diet) had significantly higher indirect pathway contributions from triose phosphate sources, consistent with fructose glycogenesis. Blood glucose and liver TG 18O‐enrichments were quantified by MS. Blood glucose 18O‐enrichment was significantly higher for HS versus NC mice and was consistent with gluconeogenic fructose metabolism. TG 18O‐enrichment was extensive for both NC and HS mice, indicating a high turnover of liver triglyceride, independent of diet. Thus H218O informs hepatic carbohydrate biosynthesis in similar detail to 2H2O but without KIE‐associated risks.
History of scurvy and use of vitamin C in critical illness: A narrative review
Authors: Dresen Ellen , Lee Zheng‐Yii , Hill Aileen , Notz Quirin , Patel Jayshil J. , Stoppe Christian
Published: September 2022

In 1747, an important milestone in the history of clinical research was set, as the Scottish surgeon James Lind conducted the first randomized controlled trial. Lind was interested in scurvy, a severe vitamin C deficiency which caused the death of thousands of British seamen. He found that a dietary intervention with oranges and lemons, which are rich in vitamin C by nature, was effective to recover from scurvy. Because of its antioxidative properties and involvement in many biochemical processes, the essential micronutrient vitamin C plays a key role in the human biology. Moreover, the use of vitamin C in critical illness—a condition also resulting in death of thousands in the 21st century—has gained increasing interest, as it may restore vascular responsiveness to vasoactive agents, ameliorate microcirculatory blood flow, preserve endothelial barriers, augment bacterial defense, and prevent apoptosis. Because of its redox potential and powerful antioxidant capacity, vitamin C represents an inexpensive and safe antioxidant, with the potential to modify the inflammatory cascade and improve clinical outcomes of critically ill patients. This narrative review aims to update and provide an overview on the role of vitamin C in the human biology and in critically ill patients, and to summarize current evidence on the use of vitamin C in diverse populations of critically ill patients, in specific focusing on patients with sepsis and coronavirus disease 2019.
Load migration in distributed softwarized network controllers
Authors: Abbasi Zadeh Sepehr , Zandi Farid , Beiruti Mohammad Amin , Ganjali Yashar
Published: September 2022

Distributed control solutions were introduced to address controller reliability and scalability issues in software‐defined networking (SDN). The dynamic nature of network traffic can lead to load imbalance among controller instances. A highly loaded controller instance can be slow in responding to datapath queries and can slow down the entire control platform, as state synchronization and consensus among controller instances are performed in a cooperative manner. In this paper, we present Efficient, Resilient, Consistent (ERC), a novel protocol for migrating the load of a given switch from a controller instance to a different instance. Our protocol has three distinguishing properties compared with prior works in this area: (1) It is resilient to failures during migration, (2) it maintains consistency among all controller instances, and nevertheless, (3) it is more efficient than existing load migration protocols. Compared with state‐of‐the‐art, ERC reduces the migration time by 23–50% depending on network load. The implicit assumed use case in the design of previous load migration algorithms (including ERC) has been the load balancing scenario. However, as this is not the only possible case, by maintaining the desirable properties of ERC, we introduce four variants of our protocol that can add to the versatility of the load migration handling. This is achieved by considering variations of role exchange between controller instances, which gives us an advantage over the fixed master–slave exchange that vanilla ERC or previous work support. We perform an extensive set of experiments to examine the impact of variable network parameters on the performance metrics of interest and to show the effectiveness of the ERC family of protocols in load migration.
Quantifying weight loss program preferences of men working in trade and labor occupations: A discrete choice experiment
Authors: Crane Melissa M. , Walton Surrey M. , Suzuki Sumihiro , Appelhans Bradley M.
Published: September 2022

Objective

Men who work in skilled and unskilled trades and labor occupations (i.e., blue‐collar occupations), have high rates of obesity and associated comorbidities but are underrepresented in weight loss programs. A first step in engaging this group is to better understand their preferences for weight loss programs.

Methods

Respondents were men working in trade and labor occupations, with overweight/obesity, and an interest in losing weight. A discrete choice experiment was developed, and the data were analyzed using mixed logit model. Respondent characteristics were tested as effect modifiers.

Results

Respondents (N = 221, age (M ± SD) 45.0 ± 12.6, BMI 33.3 ± 6.3, 77% non‐Hispanic white) working in a variety of occupations (construction 31%, manufacturing 30%, transportation 25%, maintenance/repair 14%) participated in this study. Results indicate preferences for programs that encourage making smaller dietary changes, are delivered online, and do not incorporate competition. Results were consistent across sensitivity analyses and most respondent groups.

Conclusions

The results suggest specific ways to make weight loss programs more appealing to men in trade and labor occupations. Using experimental methods to quantify preferences using larger, more representative samples would further assist in tailoring behavioral weight loss programs for under‐reached populations.
Clinical features and neurological outcomes in pediatric immune‐mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: A report from a large pediatric hematology center
Authors: Graciaa Sara , Adeagbo Segun , Fong Grace , Rollins Margo , McElfresh Patricia , Zerra Patricia E. , Bennett Carolyn , Josephson Cassandra D. , Briones Michael , Fasano Ross M. , Chonat Satheesh
Published: September 2022

Background

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a potentially life‐threatening disorder characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and severely reduced or absent ADAMTS13 (A disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 repeats, member 13) activity, with varying degrees of organ dysfunction. As TTP is rare in pediatrics, most of the medical and scientific literature has largely reported on adult patients. As a result, limited data exist regarding the clinical features, comorbidities, treatment response, and long‐term outcomes in pediatric patients with immune‐mediated TTP.

Methods

A single‐center retrospective cohort study was conducted of all children and adolescents presenting to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, between the years 2001 and 2021 with immune‐mediated TTP (iTTP). Clinical features, treatments, and outcomes, including long‐term neurocognitive function, were analyzed.

Results

Eighteen individuals were identified, six of whom had a total of 10 relapses, amounting to 28 episodes overall. Thirty‐eight percent of the patients experienced exacerbations but, ultimately, 85% achieved a clinical response and clinical remission. Only one in‐hospital death occurred (mortality rate 5.5%). Seventy‐three percent of analyzed patients demonstrated long‐term neurocognitive abnormalities, including cognitive delay, learning difficulties, and severe depression.

Conclusions

Children and adolescents recovering from iTTP are at high risk for neurocognitive deficits from initial and possibly ongoing microvascular disease. Due to risk for long‐term neurological deficits, we recommend neuropsychological testing in addition to monitoring of other organ functions in all children with TTP, as well as long‐term surveillance of ADAMTS13 activity during remission to detect and promptly treat early relapse.
Blood counts in children with Down syndrome
Authors: Harvey Susan , Wolter‐Warmerdam Kristine , Hickey Francis , Daniels Dee , DomBourian Melkon , Ambruso Daniel R. , McKinney Christopher
Published: September 2022

Background

Children with Down syndrome (DS) are more likely to have hematologic and immunologic abnormalities compared to their typically developing peers, but normal ranges have not been defined. The goal of this study was to create references for complete blood counts (CBCs) in patients with DS.

Methods

A retrospective investigation of 355 (male = 196, 55.2%; mean age = 6.49 years, SD = 5.07) healthy pediatric patients with DS who received a CBC between 2011 and 2017 as part of their medical care at a single, large, pediatric teaching hospital. Control data on 770 healthy patients without DS were included. Descriptive statistics were performed on demographic and clinical characteristics. Kruskal–Wallis H tests, nested analysis‐of‐variance tests, and t‐tests were run to determine the significant associations.

Results

Age‐related normative curves for healthy children with DS outlining 2.5th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 97.5th percentiles are provided for total white blood count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, and platelet, absolute neutrophil, absolute lymphocyte, eosinophil, monocyte, and basophil counts. Statistical differences were found between children with and without DS receiving care at the same hospital based on matched age/sex groups.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that patients with DS have different reference ranges for multiple blood counts compared to those without DS, creating a new resource for pediatricians to refer to when evaluating CBCs in this population.
Impact of invasive Lantana camara on maize and cassava growth in East Usambara, Tanzania
Authors: Hamad Amina A. , Kashaigili Japhet J. , Eckert Sandra , Eschen René , Schaffner Urs , Mbwambo John Richard
Published: September 2022

The impacts of invasive alien plant species on native plants are generally well documented, but little is known about the mechanisms underlying their impacts on crop growth. A better understanding of immediate as well as legacy effects and of direct and indirect impacts of invasive alien plant species is essential for an improved management of invaded cropland. We investigated how Lantana camara impacts the growth of two subsistence crops (maize and cassava) through competition for resources, allelopathy and the indirect plant–plant interactions. We carried out two pot experiments using soils from invaded abandoned, invaded cultivated and non‐invaded cultivated crop fields. In the first experiment maize and cassava were grown alone or together with L. camara and half of the pots were treated with activated carbon to suppress allelochemicals. The effect of the soil microbial community on L. camara—crop interactions was assessed in a second experiment using autoclaved soil with 5% of soil from the three soil types. We found that L. camara reduced the growth of maize by 29%, but cassava was not affected. We did not find evidence of allelopathic effects of L. camara. Inoculation of autoclaved soil with microorganisms from all soil types increased biomass of cassava and reduced the growth of maize. Because L. camara only caused impacts when growing simultaneously with maize, the results suggest that removal of L. camara will immediately mitigate its negative impacts on maize.
Evaluating the evidence for sacubitril/valsartan across the continuum of heart failure
Authors: Skersick Preston T. , Proco Darrian , Sharma‐Huynh Preetika , Montepara Courtney A. , Rodgers Jo E.
Published: September 2022

Since initial publication of the PARADIGM‐HF trial in 2014, sacubitril/valsartan has been investigated in various settings to establish optimal use, further expanding its indications in patients with heart failure (HF). Although numerous studies have been published, until recently these have primarily involved post hoc analyses from the PARADIGM‐HF study itself with a consistent focus on use of sacubitril/valsartan in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). This has led to a gap in the literature regarding utility of sacubitril/valsartan in other HF subpopulations. The aim of this review is to provide a summary of recent clinical trials further expanding use and guideline recommendations for sacubitril/valsartan. The findings of 15 studies, including clinical trials and post hoc analyses, are summarized and describe the use of sacubitril/valsartan in additional HF subpopulations, such as HFrEF following hospitalization for acute decompensated HF and advanced HF, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and HF postmyocardial infarction. In addition, three studies investigating timing of initiation, dose titration regimens, and cost‐effectiveness are examined. Select ongoing trials are also reviewed to demonstrate the continued commitment to further advance care of patients with HF. This comprehensive review serves as a resource for health care providers who pursue optimal utilization of sacubitril/valsartan in their respective clinical practices.
Psychometric properties of the School Kindness Scale in Hong Kong, mainland China, and the Philippines
Authors: Buenconsejo Jet U. , Pianpiano Olivia I. P. , Datu Jesus Alfonso
Published: September 2022

Studies have shown that the School Kindness Scale (SKS) has adequate psychometric properties in different societies such as Canada, Turkey, and the Philippines. However, there is scarce evidence on the psychometric validity of this scale across multiple societies and educational contexts. This study explores the cross‐national invariance of the SKS among high school students in the Philippines, Hong Kong, and mainland China. Results showed that the modified unidimensional model of school kindness with correlated error terms on item number 2 and 3 had the most optimal fit. There was evidence supporting partial invariance of the modified unidimensional model of school kindness across setting and year level, and full invariance across gender. Whereas school kindness also demonstrated positive correlations with perceived academic performance in Hong Kong and mainland China, this construct was linked to higher emotional and social engagement in math in all contexts.
Understanding curing dynamics of arylacetylene and phthalonitrile thermoset blends
Authors: Laskoski Matthew , Dyatkin Boris , Osti Naresh C. , Keum Jong K. , Mamontov Eugene , Butler Tristan
Published: September 2022

Tetrakis(phenylethynyl)benzene (TPEB), a high char yield arylacetylene resin, was blended with a resorcinol‐based PEEK™‐like oligomeric phthalonitrile resin (Res). We observed the influence of each polymer precursor on the structural changes and material dynamics of different mixtures of these resins during thermal curing to produce thermosets with high char retention. We provide insight to help understand fundamental processes that control and tune this complex thermally driven curing mechanism, which, to date, has not been well understood. We show that an equivalent blend of Res and TPEB mitigates the exothermic curing process and exhibits a low viscosity, which may facilitate processing of these thermosetting blends for composite manufacturing. To obtain a more comprehensive overview of the different dynamics of these polymers during curing, we correlated thermodynamic changes with rheology, materials characterization, and molecular dynamics derived from neutron scattering. Our efforts shed more light on the thermally driven chemical changes, physical transformation, and gelation dynamics that drive or accompany softening and curing of these two distinct crosslinking resin groups.
Enhancing the oral and topical insecticidal efficacy of a commercialized spider venom peptide biopesticide via fusion to the carrier snowdrop lectin (Galanthus nivalis agglutinin)
Authors: Sukiran Nur Afiqah , Pyati Prashant , Willis Caitlin E , Brown Adrian P , Readshaw Jennifer J , Fitches Elaine C
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND

Spear®‐T sold as a contact foliar spray for the control of glasshouse pests such as aphids, thrips, spider mites and whiteflies, contains the recombinant spider venom peptide GS‐ω/κ‐HxTx‐Hv1h (named as GS‐ω/κ‐HxTx‐Hv1a by Vestaron) as the active ingredient. Here we investigate whether fusion of the peptide to snowdrop lectin, (Galanthus nivalis agglutinin; GNA) enhances the efficacy of this venom peptide towards aphid pests.

Results

Recombinant GS‐ω/κ‐HxTx‐Hv1h (HxTx‐Hv1h) and an HxTx‐Hv1h/GNA fusion protein were produced using the yeast Pichia pastoris. Purified proteins showed comparable toxicity when injected into lepidopteran (Mamestra brassicae) larvae, but significant differences in oral and contact activity towards aphids. HxTx‐Hv1h had comparable acute oral toxicity to pea (Acyrthosiphon pisum) and peach potato (Myzus persicae) aphids with respective Day (2) median lethal concentration (LC50) values of 111 and 108 μm derived from diet assays. The fusion protein also showed comparable oral toxicity to both species but D2 LC50 values were >3‐fold lower (35 and 33 μm for pea and peach potato aphids, respectively) as compared to HxTx‐Hv1h. Topically applied toxin and fusion protein, but not GNA, caused significant reductions in pea aphid survival. Contact effects on mortality were significantly greater for aphids exposed to fusion protein as compared to toxin alone. Whole aphid fluorescence microscopy and immunoblotting suggest that improved efficacy is due to enhanced persistence of HxTx‐Hv1h when fused to GNA following internalisation of ingested or topically applied proteins.

Conclusions

This is the first study to report on the insecticidal activity of HxTx‐Hv1h towards aphids and results suggest that a fusion protein‐based approach offers opportunities to significantly enhance oral and contact efficacy of naturally derived toxins, such as HxTx‐Hv1h, towards crop pests. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
The underlying hepatoprotective mechanism of PKC#963 in alcohol or carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury via inhibition of iNOS, COX‐2, and p‐STAT3 and enhancement of SOD and catalase
Authors: Kim Dong Sub , Lee Hyo‐Jung , Sim Deok Yong , Park Ji Eon , Park Youngsang , Kim Bonglee , Shim Bumsang , Kim Sung‐Hoon
Published: September 2022

The aim of the present study is to explore the underlying hepatoprotective mechanism of PKC#963, consisting of Pinus koraiensis, Saururus chinensis, and Lycium barbarum in association with acute and chronic liver injury induced by alcohol or carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Here, PKC#963 significantly suppressed aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p‐STAT3), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase (COX‐2) in CCl4‐treated HepG2 cells. Also, PKC#963 significantly suppressed reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in HepG2 cells. Consistently, PKC#963 suppressed the expression of AST, ALT, p‐STAT3, iNOS, COX‐2, interleukin 6 (IL‐6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) and increased procaspase 3 in the liver tissues of CCl4 treated rats. In addition, PKC#963 enhanced alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) for alcohol metabolism, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase as antioxidant enzymes and also suppressed AST and ALT in alcohol‐treated rats. Furthermore, PKC#963 reduced hepatic steatosis and necrosis in CCl4‐treated rats by H&E (Hematoxylin and Eosin) staining. Taken together, these findings highlight evidence that PKC#963 has hepatoprotective potential via inhibition of iNOS, COX‐2, and p‐STAT3 and enhancement of SOD and catalase.
Green governance and corporate social responsibility: The role of big data analytics
Authors: Li Miao
Published: September 2022

This study considers the role and importance of Big Data analytics (BDA) in green governance and corporate social responsibility, as well as the prospects for their development. The purpose of the research is to determine how BDA can contribute to green governance and corporate social responsibility. In addition, the concepts of green governance and corporate social responsibility are studied in terms of their relationship with the concept of sustainable development. The study suggests that currently BDA is not widely used in the formation of corporate social responsibility rules and mechanisms, but it has great potential for the expansion in this area. At the moment, this potential is not being fully realized due to the lack of both relevant empirical studies and data interpretation techniques. Important Big Data sources include social networks and company reports on corporate social responsibility, which are in the public domain.