bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic neuromorphic architecture selection scheme for intelligent Internet of Things services
Authors: Park Kicheol , Kim Bongjae
Published: May 2021

With the development of Internet of Things (IoT)‐related technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, various IoT services are becoming more intelligent, and their use range is increasing and diversifying. IoT hardware and IoT software must support AI‐related functions to provide an intelligent IoT service. In general, IoT devices powered by batteries have limited computing performance when compared to general computing environments. Therefore, it is essential to provide AI‐related functions at low power in IoT devices to implement and offer various intelligent services. Neuromorphic computing devices or neuromorphic computing architectures can operate with low power energy consumption. If applied to IoT devices, AI‐related functions can be implemented in a resource‐constrained IoT device environment. The proposed neuromorphic architecture abstraction (NAA) model dynamically selects the proper neuromorphic architecture by comparing the parameter size of a given SNN model. It also considers the specifications and error probability of the available neuromorphic architecture. We also implement the proposed model in a real IoT computing environment and show that the proposed NAA model and dynamic selection scheme can reduce the execution time for training and inferencing. It reduces the training and inferencing time of a given model compared with the method of randomly specifying the neuromorphic architecture.
Highly Strained Nanoscale Bicyclophane Monolayers Entering the Third Dimension: A Combined Synthetic and Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Investigation
Authors: Henzel Sebastian , Becker Steven , Hennen Daniel , Keller Tristan J. , Bahr Joshua , Jester Stefan‐S. , Höger Sigurd
Published: May 2021

Invited for this month's cover are the collaborating groups of Prof. Dr. Sigurd Höger and Dr. Stefan‐S. Jester from Rheinische Friedrich‐Wilhelms‐Universität Bonn, Germany. The cover picture shows a bicyclophane that forms a two‐dimensional supramolecular nanopattern on graphite at the solid/liquid interface. After adsorption, the central unit points towards the volume phase. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/cplu.202000711.
An activated‐zinc oral rinse reduces pro‐inflammatory cytokine secretion and promotes proliferation in Porphyromonas gingivalisLPS‐challenged gingival tissues – A pilot study
Authors: Stanton Kaitlyn A. , McCracken Barbara A.
Published: May 2021

Objectives

The use of adjunct post‐treatment mouth rinses containing chlorhexidine (CHX) for periodontitis patients is associated with side effects that reduce patient compliance. Our aim was to evaluate the proinflammatory and cell proliferation effects of an activated‐zinc mouth rinse (SM) that has been suggested as an alternative post‐treatment therapeutic.

Materials and Methods

Tissue models of gingival epithelium were used to simulate periodontal disease and compare inflammatory reactions after treatment with CHX or SM. Tissues were exposed to Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS and wounded to simulate periodontal disease. Tissues were treated and incubated for 6, 12, or 24 h. Inflammatory cytokines were measured in culture medium by ELISA and local expression of Toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐4 and proliferation marker Ki‐67 was visualized by immunohistochemistry.

Results

SM and CHX treatments decreased secretion of IL‐1β and IL‐8 into culture media at all time points. IL‐1β secretion levels were further decreased by SM compared to CHX treatment at all time points. TLR‐4 expression appeared significantly increased 12 h post‐treatment in the CHX tissues but remained relatively low in SM tissues at all time points. Ki‐67 results suggest that cell proliferation was increased in the SM tissues earlier than CHX tissues.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that SM may reduce inflammation in gingival tissues.
Teachers’ Perceptions of Physical literacy
Authors: Stoddart Alexandra L. , Humbert M. Louise
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this study was to explore what current physical education specialists and generalists know and understand about physical literacy and how the concept is operationalised in physical education. Six teachers from an urban school district in Canada participated in semi‐structured interviews as part of a larger physical literacy intervention study. Interviews were audio‐recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were thematically analysed. Three themes were generated from the data: (a) ‘Never really used that word [physical literacy] before’, (b) ‘Well, we do have outcomes’ and (c) ‘What do you guys want to play’? Findings demonstrated that the majority of teachers in this study, regardless of being a specialist or generalist, exhibited limited understanding regarding the overall concept of physical literacy. This illuminates the need for all teachers to be better supported to understand and develop physical literacy through their physical education classes.
Metabolic syndrome and its components in different phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Krentowska Anna , Kowalska Irina
Published: May 2021

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy affecting reproductive‐age women. Important factors in its pathogenesis are hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance, which lead to higher risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its complications. With the implementation of the Rotterdam diagnostic criteria in 2003, the group of PCOS patients became highly heterogeneous, with varying metabolic risk reported for different phenotypes of the syndrome. The aim of the present review is to assess the prevalence and severity of MetS and its components in patients with the four phenotypes of PCOS. A comprehensive search of Pubmed database was performed to identify studies comparing metabolic characteristics between PCOS patients with different phenotypes of the syndrome. The results of 60 studies published between 2004 and 2020 were retrieved and analysed. More adverse metabolic profile was observed in PCOS patients with hyperandrogenic phenotypes in comparison to normoandrogenic patients, as well as in classic phenotypes, defined by National Institutes of Health criteria, in comparison to newer phenotypes introduced by the Rotterdam criteria. In the majority of observations, normoandrogenic PCOS patients did not differ significantly from controls in terms of metabolic characteristics, although some East Asian studies reported more adverse metabolic profile in normoandrogenic phenotype in comparison to healthy women. In conclusion, metabolic abnormalities in PCOS seem to be associated with joint effects of hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance and visceral obesity. The differences observed between the four phenotypes of PCOS underline the need for individualised diagnostic and therapeutic approach.
Switching from insulin to dulaglutide therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes: A real‐world data study
Authors: Lee Jiwoo , Kim Hwi Seung , Jung Chang Hee , Park Joong‐Yeol , Lee Woo Je
Published: May 2021

Aim

Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) who require injectable therapy have been conventionally treated with insulin. A glucagon‐like peptide 1 receptor agonist was recently recommended as first‐line injectable treatment, but few studies have investigated the effects of switching from insulin to dulaglutide. This study investigated the clinical efficacy and parameters affecting responses to dulaglutide as an alternative to insulin in patients with T2DM in a real‐world clinical setting.

Methods

Ninety‐eight patients with T2DM who were switched from insulin to dulaglutide therapy were retrospectively evaluated. Changes in HbA1c concentrations were assessed after 6 months of consistent treatment with dulaglutide. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate parameters affecting the response to dulaglutide treatment.

Results

After treatment with dulaglutide for 6 months, patients experienced changes in HbA1c of −0.95% (95% confidence interval [CI]: −1.30% to −0.59%, P < 0.001) and in body weight of −1.75 kg (95% CI: −2.42 to −1.08 kg, P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that higher baseline HbA1c was significantly associated with a greater reduction in HbA1c. The most frequent adverse events were gastrointestinal symptoms.

Conclusion

Switching from insulin to dulaglutide can lead to significant improvement in HbA1c levels and body weight ​reduction in T2DM patients over 6 months. Higher baseline HbA1c is associated with a better clinical response to dulaglutide.
Testing the precision and sensitivity of density estimates obtained with a camera‐trap method revealed limitations and opportunities
Authors: Pettigrew Pascal , Sigouin Daniel , St‐Laurent Martin‐Hugues
Published: May 2021

The use of camera traps in ecology helps affordably address questions about the distribution and density of cryptic and mobile species. The random encounter model (REM) is a camera‐trap method that has been developed to estimate population densities using unmarked individuals. However, few studies have evaluated its reliability in the field, especially considering that this method relies on parameters obtained from collared animals (i.e., average speed, in km/h), which can be difficult to acquire at low cost and effort. Our objectives were to (1) assess the reliability of this camera‐trap method and (2) evaluate the influence of parameters coming from different populations on density estimates. We estimated a reference density of black bears (Ursus americanus) in Forillon National Park (Québec, Canada) using a spatial capture–recapture estimator based on hair‐snag stations. We calculated average speed using telemetry data acquired from four different bear populations located outside our study area and estimated densities using the REM. The reference density, determined with a Bayesian spatial capture–recapture model, was 2.87 individuals/10km2 [95% CI: 2.41–3.45], which was slightly lower (although not significatively different) than the different densities estimated using REM (ranging from 4.06–5.38 bears/10km2 depending on the average speed value used). Average speed values obtained from different populations had minor impacts on REM estimates when the difference in average speed between populations was low. Bias in speed values for slow‐moving species had more influence on REM density estimates than for fast‐moving species. We pointed out that a potential overestimation of density occurs when average speed is underestimated, that is, using GPS telemetry locations with large fix‐rate intervals. Our study suggests that REM could be an affordable alternative to conventional spatial capture–recapture, but highlights the need for further research to control for potential bias associated with speed values determined using GPS telemetry data.
Genetic diversity and evolutionary patterns of Taraxacum kok‐saghyz Rodin
Authors: Zhang Yan , Ren Hailong , Zhang Xuechao , Wang Li , Gao Qiang , Abudurezike Abudukeyoumu , Yan Qingqing , Lu Zifeng , Wang Yonggang , Nie Qiuhai , Xu Lin , Zhang Zhibin
Published: May 2021

Taraxacum kok‐saghyz Rodin (TKS) is an important potential alternative source of natural inulin and rubber production, which has great significance for the production of industrial products. In this study, we sequenced 58 wild TKS individuals collected from four different geography regions worldwide to elucidate the population structure, genetic diversity, and the patterns of evolution. Also, the first flowering time, crown diameter, morphological characteristics of leaf, and scape of all TKS individuals were measured and evaluated statistically. Phylogenetic analysis based on SNPs and cluster analysis based on agronomic traits showed that all 58 TKS individuals could be roughly divided into three distinct groups: (a) Zhaosu County in Xinjiang (population AB, including a few individuals from population C and D); (b) Tekes County in Xinjiang (population C); and (c) Tuzkol lake in Kazakhstan (population D). Population D exhibited a closer genetic relationship with population C compared with population AB. Genetic diversity analysis further revealed that population expansion from C and D to AB occurred, as well as gene flow between them. Additionally, some natural selection regions were identified in AB population. Function annotation of candidate genes identified in these regions revealed that they mainly participated in biological regulation processes, such as transporter activity, structural molecule activity, and molecular function regulator. We speculated that the genes identified in selective sweep regions may contribute to TKS adaptation to the Yili River Valley of Xinjiang. In general, this study provides new insights in clarifying population structure and genetic diversity analysis of TKS using SNP molecular markers and agronomic traits.
Thermal ecology and baseline energetic requirements of a large‐bodied ectotherm suggest resilience to climate change
Authors: Crowell Hayley L. , King Katherine C. , Whelan James M. , Harmel Mallory V. , Garcia Gennesee , Gonzales Sebastian G. , Maier Paul H. , Neldner Heather , Nhu Thomas , Nolan John T. , Taylor Emily N.
Published: May 2021

Most studies on how rising temperatures will impact terrestrial ectotherms have focused on single populations or multiple sympatric species. Addressing the thermal and energetic implications of climatic variation on multiple allopatric populations of a species will help us better understand how a species may be impacted by altered climates.

We used eight years of thermal and behavioral data collected from four populations of Pacific rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus) living in climatically distinct habitat types (inland and coastal) to determine the field‐active and laboratory‐preferred body temperatures, thermoregulatory metrics, and maintenance energetic requirements of snakes from each population.

Physical models showed that thermal quality was best at coastal sites, but inland snakes thermoregulated more accurately despite being in more thermally constrained environments. Projected increases of 1 and 2°C in ambient temperature result in an increase in overall thermal quality at both coastal and inland sites.

Population differences in modeled standard metabolic rate estimates were driven by body size and not field‐active body temperature, with inland snakes requiring 1.6× more food annually than coastal snakes.

All snakes thermoregulated with high accuracy, suggesting that small increases in ambient temperature are unlikely to impact the maintenance energetic requirements of individual snakes and that some species of large‐bodied reptiles may be robust to modest thermal perturbations under conservative climate change predictions.

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Determinants of trophic cascade strength in freshwater ecosystems: a global analysis
Authors: Su Haojie , Feng Yuhao , Chen Jianfeng , Chen Jun , Ma Suhui , Fang Jingyun , Xie Ping
Published: May 2021

Top‐down cascade effects are among the most important mechanisms underlying community structure and abundance dynamics in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems worldwide. A current challenge is understanding the factors controlling trophic cascade strength under global environmental changes. Here, we synthesized 161 global sites to analyze how multiple factors influence consumer‐resource interactions with fish in freshwater ecosystems. Fish have a profound negative effect on zooplankton and water clarity but positive effects on primary producers and water nutrients. Furthermore, fish trophic levels can modify the strength of trophic cascades, but an even number of food chain length does not have a negative effect on primary producers in real ecosystems. Eutrophication, warming, and predator abundance strengthen the trophic cascade effects on phytoplankton, suggesting that top‐down control will be increasingly important under future global environmental changes. We found no influence or even an increasing trophic cascade strength (e.g., phytoplankton) with increasing latitude, which does not support the widespread view that the trophic cascade strength increases closer to the equator. With increasing temporal and spatial scales, the experimental duration has an accumulative effect, whereas the experimental size is not associated with the trophic cascade strength. Taken together, eutrophication, warming, temporal scale, and predator trophic level and abundance are pivotal to understanding the impacts of multiple environmental factors on the trophic cascade strength. Future studies should stress the possible synergistic effect of multiple factors on the food web structure and dynamics.
A novel downstream process for highly pure 1,3‐propanediol from an efficient fed‐batch fermentation of raw glycerol by Clostridium pasteurianum
Authors: Zhang Chijian , Sharma Shubhang , Wang Wei , Zeng An‐Ping
Published: May 2021

An efficient downstream process without prior desalination was developed for recovering 1,3‐propanediol (1,3‐PDO) with high purity and yield from broth of a highly productive fed‐batch fermentation of raw glycerol by Clostridium pasteurianum. After removal of biomass and proteins by ultrafiltration, and concentration by water evaporation, 1,3‐PDO was directly recovered from the broth by vacuum distillation with continuous addition and regeneration of glycerol as a supporting agent. Inorganic salts in the fermentation broth were crystallized but well suspended by a continuous flow of glycerol during the distillation process, which prevented salt precipitation and decline of heat transfer. On the other hand, ammonium salt of organic acids were liberated as ammonia gas and free organic acids under vacuum heating. The latter ones formed four types of 1,3‐PDO esters of acetic acid and butyric acid, which resulted in yield losses and low purity of 1,3‐PDO (< 80%). In order to improve the efficiency of final 1,3‐PDO rectification, we examined alkaline hydrolysis to eliminate the ester impurities. By the use of 20% (w/w) water and 2% (w/w) sodium hydroxide, > 99% reduction of 1,3‐PDO esters was achieved. This step conveniently provided free 1,3‐PDO and the sodium salt of organic acids from the corresponding esters, which increased the 1,3‐PDO yield by 7% and prevented a renewed formation of esters. After a single stage distillation from the hydrolyzed broth and a followed active carbon treatment, 1,3‐PDO with a purity of 99.63% and an overall recovery yield of 76% was obtained. No wastewater with high‐salt content was produced during the whole downstream process. The results demonstrated that the monitoring and complete elimination of 1,3‐PDO esters are crucial for the efficient separation of highly pure 1,3‐PDO with acceptable yield from fermentation broth of raw glycerol.
Survival and Contaminants in Imperiled and Common Riverine Fishes Assessed with an In Situ Bioassay Approach
Authors: Grieshaber Casey A. , Cope W. Gregory , Kwak Thomas J. , Penland Tiffany N. , Heise Ryan J. , Mac Law J.
Published: May 2021

An in situ bioassay approach was used to determine whether aquatic contaminant stressors in a large Atlantic river ecosystem affect the survival of 3 fish species: the largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides, juveniles), the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas, adults), and the robust redhorse (Moxostoma robustum, juveniles). Hatchery-propagated fish were placed into cages to assess site-specific survival in the Yadkin-Pee Dee River of North Carolina and South Carolina, USA. Contaminants were measured in caged fish and sediment and surface water at each site. No apparent longitudinal trends in fish survival were detected, and contaminant concentrations varied among sites. Juvenile largemouth bass and robust redhorse did not survive past 13 and 23 d, with corresponding Kaplan-Meier median survival estimates of 9.7 and 12.1 d, respectively. Survival of adult fathead minnows deployed in cages alongside the juvenile fish averaged 43% at the end of the 28-d exposure, with a 22-d median survival estimate. The intersex condition, an indicator of endocrine disruption, was not observed in any adult fathead minnow. Contaminant accumulation in surviving fathead minnows was apparent, with highest accumulated concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (34.6–93.4 ng/g dry wt), organochlorine pesticides (19.9–66.1 ng/g dry wt), and mercury (0.17–0.63 μg/g dry wt). Contaminants and other water quality stressors in this river system appear to detrimentally impact juvenile fish survival, with presumed effects at the fish assemblage and community levels. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2206–2219. © 2021 SETAC

Abstract

An in situ bioassay approach was implemented to determine if aquatic contaminant stressors in a river ecosystem affect the survival of juvenile imperiled and common fishes. PCB = polychlorinated biphenyl.
Overexpression of PIF4 affects plant morphology and accelerates reproductive phase transitions in soybean
Authors: Arya Hina , Singh Mohan B. , Bhalla Prem L.
Published: May 2021

Phytochrome‐interacting factor 4 acts as a signalling hub for integrating multiple environmental cues like light and temperature. While the function of PIF4 in the model plant Arabidopsis has been studied, there is limited knowledge regarding the role of PIF4 in agronomically important legume crop soybean. Here, we employed a constitutive overexpression approach to functionally characterise a soybean PIF4 homolog, GmPIF4b in a determinate short‐day cultivar, Bragg. Multiple sequence alignment of seven soybean PIF4 homologs (GmPIF4a‐g) with Arabidopsis PIF4 revealed the presence of an active phytochrome‐binding (APB) domain in the N‐terminal region of six soybean PIF4 homologs. Cis‐elements related to plant hormone biosynthesis, stress response, meristem and endosperm gene expression were located in the promoter region of soybean PIF4s. Interestingly, transgenic soybean plants carrying 35s::GmPIF4b::polyA construct showed reduced plant height, reduced leaf surface area, decreased branching, early flowering and faster transition from full‐bloom flowering stage to full maturity stage without any decline in yield. Further, pod colour of transgenic soybean plants changed to dark brown, whereas wild‐type plants showed tan or light brown pod colour. Clear hilum was observed in seeds obtained from transgenic plants as opposed to the dark or black hilum of wild‐type seeds. Transcripts of soybean florigens GmFT2a and GmFT5a were also elevated in transgenic plants. Collectively, our results suggest that GmPIF4b overexpression could affect phenotypes related to plant morphology and reproductive stages in soybean, and can be used as a gene target for soybean improvement programmes to ensure future food security.
Gene‐based mapping of trehalose biosynthetic pathway genes reveals association with source‐ and sink‐related yield traits in a spring wheat panel
Authors: Lyra Danilo H. , Griffiths Cara A. , Watson Amy , Joynson Ryan , Molero Gemma , Igna Alina‐Andrada , Hassani‐Pak Keywan , Reynolds Matthew P. , Hall Anthony , Paul Matthew J.
Published: May 2021

Trehalose 6‐phosphate (T6P) signalling regulates carbon use and allocation and is a target to improve crop yields. However, the specific contributions of trehalose phosphate synthase (TPS) and trehalose phosphate phosphatase (TPP) genes to source‐ and sink‐related traits remain largely unknown. We used enrichment capture sequencing on TPS and TPP genes to estimate and partition the genetic variation of yield‐related traits in a spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) breeding panel specifically built to capture the diversity across the 75,000 CIMMYT wheat cultivar collection. Twelve phenotypes were correlated to variation in TPS and TPP genes including plant height and biomass (source), spikelets per spike, spike growth and grain filling traits (sink) which showed indications of both positive and negative gene selection. Individual genes explained proportions of heritability for biomass and grain‐related traits. Three TPS1 homologues were particularly significant for trait variation. Epistatic interactions were found within and between the TPS and TPP gene families for both plant height and grain‐related traits. Gene‐based prediction improved predictive ability for grain weight when gene effects were combined with the whole‐genome markers. Our study has generated a wealth of information on natural variation of TPS and TPP genes related to yield potential which confirms the role for T6P in resource allocation and in affecting traits such as grain number and size confirming other studies which now opens up the possibility of harnessing natural genetic variation more widely to better understand the contribution of native genes to yield traits for incorporation into breeding programmes.
Fractional cointegration in bitcoin spot and futures markets
Authors: Wu Jinghong , Xu Ke , Zheng Xinwei , Chen Jian
Published: May 2021

This paper adopts the fractional cointegrated vector autoregressive (FCVAR) model to examine high‐frequency price discovery of bitcoin spot and futures prices from December 18, 2017 to July 31, 2020. We find that bitcoin spot and futures prices exhibit long memory properties and they are fractionally cointegrated. The result shows that the bitcoin futures market dominates the price discovery process. Interestingly, during the Covid‐19 pandemic, the bitcoin price discovery leadership has switched to the spot market. Moreover, we find that the bitcoin futures market follows a long‐run contango. The nonfractional CVAR model overestimates the price discovery of the futures market.
Disentangling age‐ and disease‐related alterations in schizophrenia brain network using structural equation modeling: A graph theoretical study based on minimum spanning tree
Authors: Liu Xinyu , Yang Hang , Becker Benjamin , Huang Xiaoqi , Luo Cheng , Meng Chun , Biswal Bharat
Published: May 2021

Functional brain networks have been shown to undergo fundamental changes associated with aging or schizophrenia. However, the mechanism of how these factors exert influences jointly or interactively on brain networks remains elusive. A unified recognition of connectomic alteration patterns was also hampered by heterogeneities in network construction and thresholding methods. Recently, an unbiased network representation method regardless of network thresholding, so called minimal spanning tree algorithm, has been applied to study the critical skeleton of the brain network. In this study, we aimed to use minimum spanning tree (MST) as an unbiased network reconstruction and employed structural equation modeling (SEM) to unravel intertwined relationships among multiple phenotypic and connectomic variables in schizophrenia. First, we examined global and local brain network properties in 40 healthy subjects and 40 schizophrenic patients aged 21–55 using resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI). Global network alterations are measured by graph theoretical metrics of MSTs and a connectivity‐transitivity two‐dimensional approach was proposed to characterize nodal roles. We found that networks of schizophrenic patients exhibited a more star‐like global structure compared to controls, indicating excessive integration, and a loss of regional transitivity in the dorsal frontal cortex (correctedp<.05). Regional analysis of MST network topology revealed that schizophrenia patients had more network hubs in frontal regions, which may be linked to the “overloading” hypothesis. Furthermore, using SEM, we found that the level of MST integration mediated the influence of age on negative symptom severity (indirect effect 95% CI [0.026, 0.449]). These findings highlighted an altered network skeleton in schizophrenia and suggested that aging‐related enhancement of network integration may undermine functional specialization of distinct neural systems and result in aggravated schizophrenic symptoms.
Functional connectivity of the human hypothalamus during wakefulness and nonrapid eye movement sleep
Authors: Jiang Jun , Zou Guangyuan , Liu Jiayi , Zhou Shuqin , Xu Jing , Sun Hongqiang , Zou Qihong , Gao Jia‐Hong
Published: May 2021

Animal experiments indicate that the hypothalamus plays an essential role in regulating the sleep–wake cycle. A recent neuroimaging study conducted under resting wakefulness conditions suggested the presence of a wake‐promoting region and a sleep‐promoting region in the human posterior hypothalamus and anterior hypothalamus, respectively, and interpreted their anticorrelated organization in resting‐state functional networks as evidence for their opposing roles in sleep–wake regulation. However, whether and how the functional networks of the two hypothalamic regions reorganize according to their wake‐ or sleep‐promoting roles during sleep are unclear. Here, we constructed functional networks of the posterior and anterior hypothalamus during wakefulness and nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep using simultaneous electroencephalography and functional magnetic resonance imaging data collected from 62 healthy participants. The functional networks of the posterior and anterior hypothalamus exhibited inversely correlated organizations during both wakefulness and NREM sleep. The connectivity strength of the posterior hypothalamic functional network was stronger during wakefulness than during stable sleep. From wakefulness to sleep, the anterior cingulate gyrus, paracingulate gyrus, insular cortex, and fontal operculum cortex showed decreased positive connectivity, while the precentral gyrus and postcentral gyrus showed decreased negative connectivity with the posterior hypothalamus. Additionally, the insular cortex and frontal operculum cortex showed negative connectivity during wakefulness and positive connectivity during sleep with the anterior hypothalamus, exhibiting an increasing trend. These findings provide insights into the correspondence between the functional network organizations and hypothalamic sleep–wake regulation in humans.
Predicting survival in head and neck cancer: External validation and update of the prognostic model OncologIQ in 2189 patients
Authors: Hoesseini Arta , van Leeuwen Nikki , Offerman Marinella P. J. , Zhang Jang , Dronkers Emilie A. C. , Sewnaik Aniel , Lingsma Hester F. , Baatenburg de Jong Robert Jan
Published: May 2021

Background

Disclosing prognostic information is necessary to enable patients to make well‐informed treatment decisions. OncologIQ is a prognostic model that predicts the overall survival (OS) probability in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We aimed to externally validate and update the model with new prognostic factors and translate it to a clinically useful tool.

Methods

A consecutive retrospective sample of 2189 patients eligible for curative treatment of a primary HNSCC were selected. Discriminative performance was determined using the C‐statistic.

Results

External validation showed systematic underestimation of OS in the new population, and reasonable discrimination (C‐statistic 0.67). Adding smoking, pack years, BMI, weight loss, WHO performance, socioeconomic status, and p16 positivity to the recalibrated multivariable model, improved the internally validated C‐statistic to 0.71. The model showed minor optimism and was translated in an online tool (www.oncologiq.nl).

Conclusions

The updated model enables personalized patient counseling during treatment decision consultations.
NRSF deficiency leads to abnormal postnatal development of dentate gyrus and impairment of progenitors in subgranular zone of hippocampus
Authors: Wang Yan‐Cong , Liu Pu , Yue Ling‐Yun , Huang Fang , Xu Yu‐Xia , Zhu Cui‐Qing
Published: May 2021

Neuron‐restrictive silencing factor (NRSF) is a zinc‐finger transcription factor that regulates expression of a diverse set of genes. However, NRSF function in brain development still remains elusive. In the present study, we generated NRSF‐conditional knockout (NRSF‐cKO) mice by hGFAP‐Cre/loxp system to study the effect of NRSF deficiency on brain development. Results showed that NRSF conditional knockout caused a smaller hippocampus and a thinner granule cell layer (GCL) in mice. Moreover, the reduction and disarrangement of GFAP+ cells in subgranular zone (SGZ) of NRSF‐cKO mice was accompanied with the decreased number of premature neurons, neural stem cells (NSCs) and neural progenitor cells (NPCs), as well as compromising the majority of mitotically active cells. The analysis of postnatal development of hippocampus indicated the existence of an abnormality at postnatal day (P) 8, rather than at P1, in NRSF‐cKO mice, although the densities of Ki67+ cells with mitotic ability in dentate gyrus were relatively unaffected at P1 and P8. Meanwhile, NRSF deficiency led to abnormal organization of SGZ at P8 during postnatal development. RNA‐Seq analysis revealed 79 deregulated genes in hippocampus of NRSF‐cKO mice at P8, which were involved in p53 signal transduction, neuron migration and negative regulation of cell proliferation, etc. The deregulation of p53 pathway in NRSF‐cKO mice at P1 and P8 was evidenced, of which p21/Cdkn1a was accumulated in a portion of NSCs and NPCs in hippocampus during postnatal development. Together, these results, for the first time, revealed that NRSF could significantly influence the postnatal development of hippocampus, especially the formation of SGZ.
Which disadvantaged students study medicine? Analysis of an English outreach scheme
Authors: Murray Carolyn , Mountford‐Zimdars Anna , Mattick Karen
Published: May 2021

Background

Students from disadvantaged backgrounds continue to be underrepresented in medical education. Widening participation (WP) or outreach schemes seek to increase diversity. Drawing on previously unexplored data from a scheme called Realising Opportunities in England, this study aimed to investigate which high‐achieving socioeconomically disadvantaged students in a national WP scheme went on to study medicine at university.

Methods

This retrospective longitudinal study analyzed data of 2665 16‐year‐olds on a WP scheme in England between 2010 and 2014. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses investigated any differences between those that went on to study medicine and those that did not. Eligibility for studying medicine, student's neighborhood, gender, ethnicity, parent's higher education experience, exam attainment, interest in medicine, and their subject of choice for university at age 16 were considered.

Results

Of the 1850 students who were tracked to a university destination, only 55 (3%) studied medicine. Participants with high exam results, female, Asian, and from neighborhoods of higher university entry were most likely to study medicine. In the multivariate model, only prior attainment and intention to study medicine predicted studying medicine. Three hundred and forty Realising Opportunities participants expressed interest in studying medicine at age 16, but 80 (24%) were found to have unrealistic aspirations based on their prior academic attainment.

Conclusions

Attainment and intention were key factors for predicting medicine enrolment among these outreach scheme participants. Some students interested in studying medicine had insufficient academic attainment to compete for medical school places. Efforts to equalize attainment and provide guidance for career choice are crucial factors for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Risk scores for prediction of 30‐day mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: Results from a two‐center study in Norway
Authors: Kjønås Didrik , Dahle Gry , Schirmer Henrik , Malm Siri , Eidet Jo , Aaberge Lars , Steigen Terje , Aakhus Svend , Busund Rolf , Rösner Assami
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)‐specific risk scores have been developed based on large registry studies. Our aim was to evaluate how both surgical and novel TAVI risk scores performed in predicting all cause 30‐day mortality. In addition, we wanted to explore the validity of our own previously developed model in a separate and more recent cohort.

Methods

The derivation cohort included patients not eligible for open surgery treated with TAVI at the University Hospital of North Norway (UNN) and Oslo University Hospital (OUS) from February 2010 through June 2013. From this cohort, a logistic prediction model (UNN/OUS) for all cause 30‐day mortality was developed. The validation cohort consisted of patients not included in the derivation cohort and treated with TAVI at UNN between June 2010 and April 2017. EuroSCORE, Logistic EuroSCORE, EurosSCORE 2, STS score, German AV score, OBSERVANT score, IRRMA score, and FRANCE‐2 score were calculated for both cohorts. The discriminative accuracy of each score, including our model, was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and compared using DeLong test where P< .05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The derivation cohort consisted of 218 and the validation cohort of 241 patients. Our model showed statistically significant better accuracy than all other scores in the derivation cohort. In the validation cohort, the FRANCE‐2 had a significantly higher predictive accuracy compared to all scores except the IRRMA and STS score. Our model showed similar results.

Conclusion

Existing risk scores have shown limited accuracy in predicting early mortality after TAVI. Our results indicate that TAVI‐specific risk scores might be useful when evaluating patients for TAVI.
Granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor is not pathogenic in lupus nephritis
Authors: Gottschalk Timothy A. , Vincent Fabien B. , Hoi Alberta Y. , Hibbs Margaret L.
Published: May 2021

Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) is an autoimmune disease characterized by autoantibodies that form immune complexes with self‐antigens, which deposit in various tissues, leading to inflammation and disease. The etiology of disease is complex and still not completely elucidated. Dysregulated inflammation is an important disease feature, and the mainstay of lupus treatment still utilizes nonspecific anti‐inflammatory drugs. Granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) is a growth, survival, and activation factor for neutrophils and a mobilizer of hematopoietic stem cells, both of which underlie inflammatory responses in lupus. To determine whether G‐CSF has a causal role in lupus, we genetically deleted G‐CSF from Lyn‐deficient mice, an experimental model of lupus nephritis. Lyn−/−G‐CSF−/− mice displayed many of the inflammatory features of Lyn‐deficient mice; however, they had reduced bone marrow and tissue neutrophils, consistent with G‐CSF's role in neutrophil development. Unexpectedly, in comparison to aged Lyn‐deficient mice, matched Lyn−/−G‐CSF−
/− mice maintained neutrophil hyperactivation and exhibited exacerbated numbers of effector memory T cells, augmented autoantibody titers, and worsened lupus nephritis. In humans, serum G‐CSF levels were not elevated in patients with lupus or with active renal disease. Thus, these studies suggest that G‐CSF is not pathogenic in lupus, and therefore G‐CSF blockade is an unsuitable therapeutic avenue.
Strategies to anode protection in lithium metal battery: A review
Authors: Li Jiawei , Kong Zhao , Liu Xiaoxi , Zheng Bocong , Fan Qi Hua , Garratt Elias , Schuelke Thomas , Wang Keliang , Xu Hui , Jin Hong
Published: May 2021

Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) are considered the most promising energy storage devices for applications such as electrical vehicles owing to its tremendous theoretical capacity (3860 mAh g−1). However, the serious safety issues and poor cycling performance caused by the dendritic crystal growth during deposition are concerned for any rechargeable batteries with a lithium metal anode. To make widespread adoption a possibility, considerable efforts have been devoted to suppressing lithium (Li) dendrite growth. In this review, the recent strategies to developing dendrite free Li anode, including constructing an artificial solid electrolyte interface, current collector modification, separator film improvement, and electrolyte additive, are summarized. The merits and shortcomings for different strategies are reviewed and a general summary and perspective on the next generation rechargeable batteries are presented.

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Authors: Yang Ruisheng , Xu Jing , Shen Nian‐Hai , Zhang Fuli , Fu Quanhong , Li Junjie , Li Hongqiang , Fan Yuancheng
Published: May 2021

Toroidal excitation in metamaterial is emerging as a novel platform for the localization of optical field in both spatial and time domain. In the article, the authors (DOI: 10.1002/inf2.12174) highlight the recent progresses of toroidal excitations based subwavelength optical localization in various plasmonic and Mie (all‐dielectric) metamaterials, and discuss the toroidal excitation related promising applications for advanced optical field manipulation or information processing in e.g. spaser, sensitive sensing and active nanophotonics.

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Performing and interpreting PCR assays in canine and feline patients
Authors: Barker Emi
Published: May 2021

Background: Assays based upon PCR technology are non‐culture‐based molecular diagnostic tools that have the potential to detect pathogens, characterise the presence of both desirable and deleterious genetic traits, and facilitate the diagnosis of neoplasia. The availability of PCR assays to investigate disease and to guide treatment choices is ever increasing. They have the advantages of being highly sensitive and specific, can be performed on a wide variety of sample types, and have the potential to be an incredibly useful clinical tool. However, these assays are not without limitations, which must be considered when using them in practice.

Aim of the article: This article aims to provide an overview of the technology behind PCR assays, highlighting where this has been exploited for clinical use. Limitations to its application (ie, production of false positive and false negative results) are also reviewed.
Managing glandular gastric disease in horses
Authors: Hewetson Mike
Published: May 2021

Background: Equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) is an erosive disease of the glandular mucosa of the stomach, which is increasingly recognised as a potential cause of poor performance, girthing pain and behavioural changes in sport horses. Unfortunately, the cause of EGGD has not yet been identified, and thus targeted treatment is not possible. Therefore, current recommendations for treatment and prevention are based on acid suppression and management strategies aimed at mitigating known risk factors.

Aim of the article: This article summarises what we currently know about EGGD and outlines how we can use this information to manage the disease more effectively.
4Cs of finance applications: cash, collateral, character and capability
Authors: Ejdelbaum Henry
Published: May 2021

The bespoke nature of business finance means that any business that is looking to raise funds might face certain challenges. As lenders underwrite all the different aspects of each individual application and have their own criteria and guidelines, it can sometimes be tricky to raise finance for a business. Fortunately, the nature of veterinary practice businesses means that there are several aspects of the industry that are usually advantageous to any finance application.
Pebrine diagnosis using quantitative phase imaging and machine learning
Authors: P. P. Prasobhkumar , Venukumar Aravind , C. R. Francis , Gorthi Sai Siva
Published: May 2021

Pebrine is the most dreaded infectious disease of the silkworm and has devastated sericulture in Europe during the 18th century. Thereafter, if it is detected, the crop is burned to prevent further dissemination. The conventional microscopic examination of moth's body fluid is erroneous and it exacerbates on Metarhizium anisopliae (MA) contaminated test samples. This is due to the resemblance of pebrine and MA spores in the microscopic examination. Therefore, this study aims to demonstrate an efficient pebrine detection technique. In the proposed method, a motorised brightfield microscope is custom‐made to acquire focused and defocused images of test spores. These images are used to produce quantitative phase images of the spores by the transport of intensity equation method. The phase images' histogram of oriented gradients feature is used by a machine learning classifier to categorise the spores. This system classified 92 pebrine and 185 MA spores with an accuracy of 97% at 0.04 seconds/spore. The duration taken for image acquisition is 2.5 minutes per sample (10 fields of view covering an area of 302 × 260 μm2). The proposed method shows reliable results in pebrine diagnosis and would be an efficient alternative for current approaches.
Biomimetic sponges improve muscle structure and function following volumetric muscle loss
Authors: Haas Gabriel , Dunn Andrew , Madsen Josh , Genovese Peter , Chauvin Hannah , Au Jeffrey , Ziemkiewicz Natalia , Johnson David , Paoli Allison , Lin Andrew , Pullen Nicholas , Garg Koyal
Published: May 2021

Skeletal muscle is inept in regenerating after traumatic injuries such as volumetric muscle loss (VML) due to significant loss of various cellular and acellular components. Currently, there are no approved therapies for the treatment of muscle tissue following trauma. In this study, biomimetic sponges composed of gelatin, collagen, laminin‐111, and FK‐506 were used for the treatment of VML in a rodent model. We observed that biomimetic sponge treatment improved muscle structure and function while modulating inflammation and limiting the extent of fibrotic tissue deposition. Specifically, sponge treatment increased the total number of myofibers, type 2B fiber cross‐sectional area, myosin: collagen ratio, myofibers with central nuclei, and peak isometric torque compared to untreated VML injured muscles. As an acellular scaffold, biomimetic sponges may provide a promising clinical therapy for VML.
Artificially altered gravity elicits cell homeostasis imbalance in planarian worms, and cerium oxide nanoparticles counteract this effect
Authors: Salvetti Alessandra , Degl'Innocenti Andrea , Gambino Gaetana , van Loon Jack J.W.A. , Ippolito Chiara , Ghelardoni Sandra , Ghigo Eric , Leoncino Luca , Prato Mirko , Rossi Leonardo , Ciofani Gianni
Published: May 2021

Gravity alterations elicit complex and mostly detrimental effects on biological systems. Among these, a prominent role is occupied by oxidative stress, with consequences for tissue homeostasis and development. Studies in altered gravity are relevant for both Earth and space biomedicine, but their implementation using whole organisms is often troublesome. Here we utilize planarians, simple worm model for stem cell and regeneration biology, to characterize the pathogenic mechanisms brought by artificial gravity alterations. In particular, we provide a comprehensive evaluation of molecular responses in intact and regenerating specimens, and demonstrate a protective action from the space‐apt for nanotechnological antioxidant cerium oxide nanoparticles.