bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neuroendocrine gene expression coupling of interoceptive bacterial food cues to foraging behavior of C. elegans
Authors: Boor Sonia A , Meisel Joshua D , Kim Dennis H
Published: October 2023

Animal internal state is modulated by nutrient intake, resulting in behavioral responses to changing food conditions. The neural mechanisms by which internal states are generated and maintained are not well understood. Here, we show that in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, distinct cues from bacterial food – interoceptive signals from the ingestion of bacteria and gustatory molecules sensed from nearby bacteria – act antagonistically on the expression of the neuroendocrine TGF-beta ligand DAF-7 from the ASJ pair of sensory neurons to modulate foraging behavior. A positive-feedback loop dependent on the expression of daf-7 from the ASJ neurons acts to promote transitions between roaming and dwelling foraging states and influence the persistence of roaming states. SCD-2, the C. elegans ortholog of mammalian anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), which has been implicated in the central control of metabolism of mammals, functions in the AIA interneurons to regulate foraging behavior and cell-non-autonomously control the expression of DAF-7 from the ASJ neurons. Our data establish how a dynamic neuroendocrine daf-7 expression feedback loop regulated by SCD-2 functions to couple sensing and ingestion of bacterial food to foraging behavior. We further suggest that this neuroendocrine feedback loop underlies previously characterized exploratory behaviors in C. elegans. Our data suggest that the expression of daf-7 from the ASJ neurons contributes to and is correlated with an internal state of ‘unmet need’ that regulates exploratory foraging behavior in response to bacterial cues in diverse physiological contexts.
The analysis of the structural parameter influences on measurement errors in a binocular 3D reconstruction system: a portable 3D system
Authors: Sha Ou , Zhang Hongyu , Bai Jing , Zhang Yaoyu , Yang Jianbai
Published: October 2023

This study used an analytical model to investigate the factors that affect the reconstruction accuracy composed of the baseline length, lens focal length, the angle between the optical axis and baseline, and the field of the view angle. Firstly, the theoretical expressions of the above factors and measurement errors are derived based on the binocular three-dimensional reconstruction model. Then, the structural parameters’ impact on the error propagation coefficient is analyzed and simulated using MATLAB software. The results show that structural parameters significantly impact the error propagation coefficient, and the reasonable range of structural parameters is pointed out. When the angle between the optical axis of the binocular camera and the baseline is between 30° and 55°, the ratio of the baseline length to the focal length can be reasonably reduced. In addition, using the field angle of the view that does not exceed 20° could reduce the error propagation coefficient. While the angle between the binocular optical axis and the baseline is between 40° and 50°, the reconstruction result has the highest accuracy, changing the angle out of this range will lead to an increase in the reconstruction error. The angle between the binocular optical axis and the baseline changes 30° through 60° leads to the error propagation coefficient being in a lower range. Finally, experimental verification and simulation results show that selecting reasonable structural parameters could significantly reduce measurement errors. This study proposes a model that constructs a binocular three-dimensional reconstruction system with high precision. A portable three-dimensional reconstruction system is built in the article.
Assessing the magnitude of changes from protocol to publication—a survey on Cochrane and non-Cochrane Systematic Reviews
Authors: Siebert Maximilian , Caquelin Laura , Madera Meisser , Acosta-Dighero Roberto , Naudet Florian , Roqué Marta
Published: October 2023

Objective

To explore differences between published reviews and their respective protocols in a sample of 97 non-Cochrane Systematic Reviews (non-CSRs) and 97 Cochrane Systematic Reviews (CSRs) in terms of PICOS (Patients/Population, Intervention, Comparison/Control, Outcome, Study type) elements and the extent to which they were reported.

Study Design and Setting

We searched PubMed and Cochrane databases to identify non-CSRs and CSRs that were published in 2018. We then searched for their corresponding Cochrane or PROSPERO protocols. The published reviews were compared to their protocols. The primary outcome was changes from protocol to review in terms of PICOS elements.

Results

We identified a total of 227 changes from protocol to review in PICOS elements, 1.11 (Standard Deviation (SD), 1.22) changes per review for CSRs and 1.23 (SD, 1.12) for non-CSRs per review. More than half of each sub-sample (54.6% of CSRs and 67.0% of non-CSRs) (Absolute Risk Reduction (ARR) 12.4% [−1.3%; 26.0%]) had changes in PICOS elements. For both subsamples, approximately a third of all changes corresponded to changes related to primary outcomes. Marked differences were found between the sub-samples for the reporting of changes. 95.8% of the changes in PICOS items were not reported in the non-CSRs compared to 42.6% in the CSRs (ARR 53.2% [43.2%; 63.2%]).

Conclusion

CSRs showed better results than non-CSRs in terms of the reporting of changes. Reporting of changes from protocol needs to be promoted and requires general improvement. The limitations of this study lie in its observational design. Registration: https://osf.io/6j8gd/.
Inter-rater and test-retest reliabilities of lumbar stiffness measurement in the postero-anterior direction using a portable algometer and the Kinovea program
Authors: Yodchaisarn Wantanee , Rungruangbaiyok Sunthorn , de Lourdes Pereira Maria , Rungruangbaiyok Chadapa
Published: October 2023

Background

Back pain negatively impacts a person’s quality of life and can cause major disability or even death. The measurement of spinal stiffness can be utilized as a promising tool to guide therapeutic decisions regarding physical therapy that result in effective back pain management. This study aimed to determine the reliability of instrumented postero-anterior (PA) stiffness assessment of the lumbar spine in asymptomatic participants by novice assessors using a portable algometer and the Kinovea program.

Methods

Thirty asymptomatic participants aged 18–25 years were enrolled in this study. Two novice assessors examined the participants for lumbar spinal stiffness at L1–L5 for two consecutive days. The algometer was applied to measure the PA force that applied to each lumbar. The stiffness assessment of each lumbar region was recorded as a video. The 600 data sets of assessment videos were imported into the Kinovea program to perform displacement measurements of each lumbar level. Spinal displacement values at 15 N were defined by graph plotting between force and displacement. The spinal stiffness values were defined by slope calculation. Both variables were analyzed for inter-rater and test-retest reliabilities using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) and standard error of measurement (SEM). Bland-Altman analysis was applied to assess the inter-rater and test-retest systematical bias and limits of agreement of measuring displacement and stiffness.

Results

The inter-rater reliability of measuring the displacement and the stiffness of L1–L5 was moderate to good (displacement ICCs: 0.67–0.83, stiffness ICCs: 0.60–0.83). The test-retest reliability of measuring the displacement and stiffness of L1–L5 were moderate to good, ICCs: 0.57–0.86 and ICCs: 0.51–0.88, respectively. The inter-rater analysis’s Bland-Altman plot showed that the systematic bias was 0.83 when measuring displacement and 0.20 when measuring stiffness and the bias of both parameters were in both directions. While the test-retest systematically biased measurements of displacement and stiffness were −0.26 mm and 0.22 N/mm, respectively, and the bias of both parameters were in both directions.

Conclusions

The moderate-to-good inter-rater and test-retest reliabilities of the portable instrumented spinal stiffness assessment using a digital algometer and the Kinovea program by novice assessors were demonstrated in this study. Bland-Altman analysis showed that measuring stiffness was more stable and had less systematic bias than measuring displacement. To figure out how reliable the device is in general, more comprehensive studies should be comparatively conducted in the future on subgroups of patients with normal vertebra, hypomobile or hypermobile conditions.
TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE ONSHORE WIND ENERGY INDUSTRY IN TAMAULIPAS, MEXICO
Authors: REQUENA HERNANDEZ Lidia Elena , SOLIS MARTINEZ Hugo Alberto , MUÑOZ LEDEZMA Lilian , TOLEDO GONZALEZ Noé , GONZALEZ MORENO Humberto Raymundo
Published: October 2023

The expansion of renewable energy has not changed, nor the fundamentals which they are ruled with, and their share in world electricity generation reached almost 27% in 2019; currently, solar PV and onshore wind are already the cheapest way to incorporate new electricity generating plants in most countries. Disruptions to the renewable energy supply chain, caused by the COVID-19 crisis, slowed the progress of any project globally during the first six months of 2020, however, plants construction and manufacturing activity intensified again starting in the second half of the year and logistical challenges were mostly resolved with the easing of cross-border restrictions. The purpose of this article is to carry out an analysis of the development of the energy market of the second renewable source with the highest installed capacity in Mexico and the first with highest installed capacity in Tamaulipas: onshore wind and its trends that predominate globally.
Effect of Magnetic Field and Electric Current Treatments on Growth, Yield and Seedling Parameters in Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum L.)
Authors: Nagalakshmi Chintala , Dayal Abhinav
Published: October 2023

Effect of pre-sowing magnetic field (MF) and electric current treatments on germination, seedling parameters and yield attributes in Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum L) was investigated in this experiment. This study was designed to check the response of magnetic and electric treatments with different intensities and durations on buckwheat on different growth, yield and seedling parameters such as field emergence, leaf surface area, plant height, days to first flowering, seed yield per plant, biological yield, harvest index, germination per-cent, root length, shoot length, seedling fresh weight, seedling dry weight, vigour index Ⅰ, seed metabolic efficiency and chlorophyll content (a & b). Seeds of Buckwheat (IC-329456) treated by using an AC magnetic flux intensities 75mT, 100mT, 125mT for 3 and 5 minutes in the magnetic field and AC electric current ranging from 75mA, 100mA, 125mA for 30,60,90 seconds. In this study, it found that among various treatments T6 (Magnetic field @ 125mT for 5 minutes) performing better in terms of field emergence (96.04%), leaf area (30.87m2), days to first flowering(46days), seed yield per plant (8.80g), while lowest was found in control. Results showed that the seeds treated with magnetic field demonstrated remarkable effects on growth and yield parameters of buckwheat. Germination per-cent (99%), seedling fresh weight (0.177g), seedling dry weight (0.035) and chlorophyll (a & b) content was maximum in T6 (Magnetic field @ 125mT for 5 minutes) which performed better among the other treatments. Effect of treatments on seedling parameters were found to be non-significant. Both the electric current and magnetic field treatment of seeds is likely to play an important role in production of food which is free from toxic and chemical residues were beneficial for human consumption.
Effect of Soil Application of Zinc Sulphate on Growth, Yield and Quality of Guava cv. L-49
Authors: Baloda Satpal , Sharma Jeet Ram , Sehrawat S. K. , Sharma Sushil , Rani Savita , Mehta Akshay
Published: October 2023

A field study was carried out to determine the effect of soil application of zinc sulphate on growth, yield and quality of guava cv. L-49 during rainy and winter season. Different soil applications were applied i.e. T1 : ZnSO4 @ 0 g/plant (Control), T2 : ZnSO4 @ 50 g/plant, T3 : ZnSO4 @ 75 g/plant, T4 : ZnSO4 @ 100 g/plant, T5 : ZnSO4 @ 125 g/plant and T6 : ZnSO4 @ 150 g/plant with three replications under randomized block design. The results of the study revealed significant increase in growth, yield and quality of guava fruit. However, application of ZnSO4 @ 125 g/plant proved to be the best treatment in increasing the yield, fruit length & fruit breadth, fruit weight, TSS, Ascorbic acid and decreased acidity during rainy and winter seasons. For nutrient analysis, maximum N and Zn content in leaf and fruit was recorded under application of ZnSO4 @ 125 g/plant and maximum K content in guava fruit was observed due to application of ZnSO4 @ 100 g/plant. Thus, it can be concluded that effect of soil application of zinc sulphate increases the growth, yield and quality of guava fruits.
ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE: RISK-BASED SHORELINE MANAGEMENT PLANNING
Authors: John Sian , Flikweert Jaap
Published: October 2023

Shoreline management planning is entering its third generation in the UK and its first in NZ. In both countries Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) aim to establish the short, medium, and long term ‘management intent’ for unique, distinct stretches of coast by understanding coastal processes, hazards, and risks. They also aim to reflect the interests of all parties (of the community) and be deliverable. However, there are differences between the approaches, which reflect the countries different geographies and governance structures, but also their different shoreline management planning history. And lessons can be taken from both.
APPLICATION OF HISTORICAL DATA FROM SATELLITE IMAGERY TO IMPROVE UNDERSTANDING OF COMPLEX NEARSHORE DYNAMICS
Authors: Albada Edward , Mondon Elisabeth , Hinds Richard
Published: October 2023

Collection of nearshore data such as bathymetry and benthic surveys are a requirement to all coastal projects. Typically, surveys are conducted in advance of a modelling exercise so as to replicate in-situ and existing conditions. These surveys only show one snapshot in time and as such do not represent conditions that are out of equilibrium from either seasonal or long-term changes. In these locations, an assessment of a timeseries of surveys would benefit the understanding of nearshore coastal dynamics. However, timeseries of nearshore data are seldom available. Traditional coastal survey technology, e.g., bathymetry from acoustic means or airborne lidar, are expensive and time consuming, and as such they are rarely conducted on a regular basis. Satellite data offers a novel solution by allowing access to very high-resolution data generated over a 20-year time period stored in easily accessible archives, including a convenient web-based application. This paper describes the application of historical satellite data to understand coastal change to a dynamic sand spit feature in Pigeon Point in Southwest Tobago.
CLIMATE RESILIENT COASTAL SOLUTIONS IN THE CARIBBEAN CONTEXT
Authors: Camarena Amaury , Kaji Aline , Mauti Gabby
Published: October 2023

Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face a unique set of development challenges and are exposed to some of the most extreme weather events. While the Caribbean region has a limited contribution to climate change drivers, such as greenhouse gas emissions, the region is significantly impacted by the effects of climate change, especially sea level rise, increase in tropical storm intensity, and ocean warming and acidification. The objective of this study is to describe key SIDS case studies completed in recent years, including challenges and opportunities, and to highlight the unique characteristics and lessons learnt that led to the development of the design framework.
CHALLENGES IN AUTOMATION OF QUALITY CONTROL FOR TIDE GAUGE DATA
Authors: Soltau Felix , Niehüser Sebastian , Jensen Jürgen
Published: October 2023

Tide gauges provide important water level data for navigation, port management, coastal protection strategies, ecological adaptation measures, or climate change assessments. For these tasks, a reliable availability and high quality of the data is crucial. However, water level data from tide gauges contain technical errors as well as anthropogenic and natural influences. For the German North Sea coast and estuaries, resulting water level anomalies are partially detected and corrected manually by qualified personnel and further considered by individual subsequent users of that data. Figure 1 shows an example of such a correction of water level anomalies around tidal low water from tide gauge data at Husum, Germany, in 2016. In general, manual quality control leads to different handlings and thus incomparable results. Consequently, a uniform and automated pre-processing is needed for tide gauge data in Germany in order to detect, correct, and classify anomalies ideally in real time. The developed pre-processing approaches will not be limited to tide gauges in Germany but can be globally transferred or be extended to river sites.
GLOBAL OCEAN WAVES AND STORM SURGE CHANGES UNDER A WARMING CLIMATE
Authors: Shimura Tomoya , Pringle William J. , Mori Nobuhito , Miyashita Takuya , Yoshida Kohei
Published: October 2023

Impact assessments of climate change on coastal hazard risk are conducted in order to evaluate how coastal communities should adapt their coastal defense systems and other mitigation measures going forward. In this context, global mean sea level rise has been well-studied for several decades now. In addition, to mean sea level rise, it is important to estimate future changes in extreme sea levels due to storm surges and ocean waves for coastal adaptation purposes. This study aims to estimate the climate change impacts on both global waves and storm surges under an extremely high-resolution Global Climate Model (GCM) forcing continuously over 150 years, starting from the mid-20th century and extending to the end of the 21st century as the climate warms. This allows us to gain a consistent and temporally seamless understanding of past and projected future changes to global waves and storm surges.
PALM BEACH SHORELINE PROJECT: INNOVATIVE COASTAL MANAGEMENT SOLUTION
Authors: Hunt Shannon , Britton Greg , Messiter Dan , Prenzler Paul , Knight Sam , Watterson Evan
Published: October 2023

Palm Beach is a four kilometre beach located on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. Since the 1960’s there have been numerous significant erosion events that have threatened infrastructure and impacted on recreational beach amenity. As this section of coastline is highly developed with low, medium and high-density developments and infrastructure, there was significant risk to coastal assets, tourism and recreational amenity and to city image and reputation. This Paper discusses the planning, design and construction of a project that provides both effective coastal protection and benefits to the local community, including enhanced surfing opportunities.
COMPUTER SIMULATION OF WAVE OVERTOPPING RATE ON VERTICAL WALL BY BOUSSINESQ WAVE MODEL
Authors: Kwak Moon Su , Kobayashi Nobuhisa
Published: October 2023

Recently, Boussinesq equation models have been used in research on wave overtopping. The advantage of this model is that compared to the NLSW model or the NS model, it is possible to simulate a wider wave field to the intermediate water depth. This model can set offshore boundary conditions further away from the structure, so that the start of the wave breaking can be figured out and the wave propagation from the foreshore can be well reproduced. When waves propagate to the shallow water, the nonlinearity of the waves is increasing as the ratio of amplitude and water depth increases. In order to simulate the wave transformation in shallow water, a strong nonlinear wave model is required. In addition, the 2D wave model capable of simulation of wave field in a wide area is needed for study of the countermeasures of wave overtopping. In this study, a computer simulation model capable of calculating the wave overtopping rate in a horizontal wave field was established by adding a subroutine to the FUNWAVE-TVD model, a fully nonlinear Bussinesq wave model. The subroutine was composed by coding the wave overtopping rate equations of EurOtop (2018) and Goda (2009)'s empirical formulas obtained from many experimental and field observations. The verification of the model was carried out by comparing the computer simulation results of the wave overtopping rate of irregular waves on the vertical wall with new experiment results in Korea. Froude similitude with a length scale of 1/36(model/prototype) is assumed in the following prototype computations.
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON WAVE OVERTOPPING OF DOUBLE PARAPET TYPE SEAWALL
Authors: Tsuruta Naoki , Suzuki Kojiro , Nakazawa Yuhi , Nishinosono Norihito , Toyoda Yosuke
Published: October 2023

Considering a risk of the future sea level rise, it is urgent issue that seawalls should be improved to reduce overtopping waves for ports and harbors in Japan. To improve existing seawalls, not only raising height of the sea walls, but also installing wave-dissipating blocks in front of the seawalls might be restricted depending on locations due to their use. In such cases, additional installation of a parapet, namely a double parapet is effective in reducing wave overtopping. The wave overtopping rate over a rear parapet fluctuates depending on the storage of a water-ponding between the parapets, which has not been studied sufficiently. This study investigates the tendency of fluctuation of wave overtopping rate according to the drainage performance by conducting three-dimensional hydraulic experiments targeting a double-parapet type seawall at an existing airport, particularly with focusing on a corner. Further, some additional countermeasures to reduce the wave overtopping rate are tested and their effectiveness is investigated through the experiments.
Disparities in Kidney Transplant Waitlisting Among Young Patients Without Medical Comorbidities
Authors: Husain S. Ali , Yu Miko E. , King Kristen L. , Adler Joel T. , Schold Jesse D. , Mohan Sumit
Published: October 2023

Importance

Disparities in kidney transplant referral and waitlisting contribute to disparities in kidney disease outcomes. Whether these differences are rooted in population differences in comorbidity burden is unclear.

Objective

To examine whether disparities in kidney transplant waitlisting were present among a young, relatively healthy cohort of patients unlikely to have medical contraindications to kidney transplant.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study used the US Renal Data System Registry to identify patients with end-stage kidney disease who initiated dialysis between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2019. Patients who were older than 40 years, received a preemptive transplant, were preemptively waitlisted, or had documented medical comorbidities other than hypertension or smoking were excluded, yielding an analytic cohort of 52 902 patients. Data were analyzed between March 1, 2022, and February 1, 2023.

Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s)

Kidney transplant waitlisting after dialysis initiation.

Results

Of 52 902 patients (mean [SD] age, 31 [5] years; 31 132 [59%] male; 3547 [7%] Asian/Pacific Islander, 20 782 [39%] Black/African American, and 28 006 [53%] White) included in the analysis, 15 840 (30%) were waitlisted for a kidney transplant within 1 year of dialysis initiation, 11 122 (21%) were waitlisted between 1 and 5 years after dialysis initiation, and 25 940 (49%) were not waitlisted by 5 years. Patients waitlisted within 1 year of dialysis initiation were more likely to be male, to be White, to be employed full time, and to have had predialysis nephrology care. There were large state-level differences in the proportion of patients waitlisted within 1 year (median, 33%; range, 15%-58%). In competing risk regression, female sex (adjusted subhazard ratio [SHR], 0.92; 95% CI, 0.90-0.94), Hispanic ethnicity (SHR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.75-0.80), and Black race (SHR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.64-0.68) were all associated with lower waitlisting after dialysis initiation. Unemployment (SHR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.45-0.48) and part-time employment (SHR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.70-0.77) were associated with lower waitlisting compared with full-time employment, and more than 1 year of predialysis nephrology care, compared with none, was associated with greater waitlisting (SHR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.46-1.56).

Conclusions and Relevance

This retrospective cohort study found that fewer than one-third of patients without major medical comorbidities were waitlisted for a kidney transplant within 1 year of dialysis initiation, with sociodemographic disparities in waitlisting even in this cohort of young, relatively healthy patients unlikely to have a medical contraindication to transplantation. Transplant policy changes are needed to increase transparency and address structural barriers to waitlist access.
Multisite Oral Amoxicillin Challenges During Pediatric Emergency Department Visits
Authors: Vyles David , Hoganson George , McAneney Constance , Castells Mariana , Phillips Elizabeth J. , Visotcky Alexis , Brousseau David C.
Published: October 2023

This cohort study assesses differences in children’s allergy risk level designation and results of a direct oral challenge via a penicillin allergy delabeling process.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Candidate Magnetic Resonance Imaging Knee Osteoarthritis Definitions Versus Radiograph in an Acute Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Cohort
Authors: Liew Jean W. , Turkiewicz Aleksandra , Roemer Frank W. , Frobell Richard B. , Felson David , Englund Martin
Published: October 2023

Objective

We tested the diagnostic accuracy of previously proposed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) osteoarthritis (OA) definitions in a cohort after acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

Methods

We studied participants with posteroanterior and lateral knee radiographs and MRI 5 years after ACL injury, scored using the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Osteoarthritis Score. Radiographic OA (ROA) was defined using Osteoarthritis Research Society International scoring of osteophytes and joint space narrowing considering medial/lateral tibiofemoral and patellofemoral compartments. We tested three candidate MRI OA definitions that performed well in an older adult cohort. “Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST) simple” required cartilage score ≥2 (range 0–6) and osteophyte score ≥2 (0–7); “MOST optional” included cartilage score ≥2, osteophyte score ≥2, and either bone marrow lesions (BMLs) ≥1 (0–3) or synovitis ≥2 (0–3). The third, a Delphi panel definition, included nonzero scores for cartilage, osteophyte, BMLs, meniscus, and other structures. We calculated sensitivity and specificity with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for each MRI definition versus ROA.

Results

We included 113 participants (mean age 26 years, 26% female). At 5 years, 29 participants (26%) had ROA. “MOST simple” had a sensitivity of 52% (95% CI 33%–71%), and specificity of 76% (95% CI 66%–85%). Sensitivity and specificities for “MOST optional” were 28% (95% CI 29%–67%) and 83% (95% CI 74%–91%), respectively. The Delphi panel definition had a sensitivity of 48% (95% CI 29%–67%) and specificity of 77% (95% CI 67%–86%).

Conclusion

Simple MRI‐based OA definitions requiring at least cartilage damage and an osteophyte have low sensitivity and high specificity in young persons after knee injury.
Preparation, Characterization, and Anticancer Activity of PEGylated Nano Liposomal Loaded with Rutin against Human Carcinoma Cells (HT‐29)
Authors: Al‐Ekaid Noorin Manhal , Al‐Samydai Ali , Al‐deeb Ibrahim , Nsairat Hamdi , Khleifat Khaled , Alshaer Walhan
Published: October 2023

The abstract discusses the development of rutin‐loaded nanoliposomes and their anti‐colorectal cancer activity against human carcinoma cells (HT‐29). The study characterizes the nanoliposomes using the thin‐film hydration method and analyzes their size, charge, and polydispersity index. The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading ability of rutin at different concentrations were investigated. The nanoliposomes were found to be stable for up to one month at 4 °C and showed sustained drug release for up to 24 h. The anti‐cancer activity of the rutin‐loaded nanoliposomes was found to be concentration‐dependent and significantly improved compared to free rutin. PEGylated nanoliposomes with rutin (1.8 mg/ml) showed the highest encapsulation efficiency and drug loading ability, along with improved selectivity against cancer cells. Overall, the study provides important insights into the potential use of rutin‐loaded nanoliposomes for the treatment of colorectal cancer.
Molybdenum‐based Nanocatalysts for CO Oxidation Reactions in Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells: A Critical Review
Authors: Yeetsorn Rungsima , Kumar Yogesh Gaurav , Wanchan Waritnan , Koinkar Pankaj , Yadav Kamlesh
Published: October 2023

Carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation is crucial in fuel cell anodes. Recent research has focused on electrocatalysts that synergistically enhance CO oxidation alongside alcohol/hydrogen oxidation. High sensitivity and selectivity for CO oxidation at lower onset potentials are the key objectives. Molybdenum (Mo) has emerged as a promising non‐noble transition metal co‐catalyst for CO oxidation. Mo versatility arises from its ability to alloy with Pt and mix with other non‐noble transition metals in various forms (MoOx, MoS2, MoC). Carbon‐supported Mo nanoparticles have shown potential in reducing Pt loading and improving CO tolerance due to Mo oxyphilic properties, effectively oxidizing weakly adsorbed CO and lowering onset and peak potentials. However, challenges persist, such as a limited potential window for CO oxidation and decreased CO adsorption affinity at higher potentials. Addressing these issues requires understanding factors affecting Mo‐based electrocatalysts (Mo‐ECs) activity, including PtMo alloy composition, Mo′s chemical state, cell temperature, and the role of carbon support. This article provides a comprehensive review of Mo‐ECs role in CO electrooxidation in direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) over the past two decades.
Predicting Blomia tropicalis allergens using a multiomics approach
Authors: Hubert Jan , Vrtala Susanne , Sopko Bruno , Dowd Scot E. , He Qixin , Klimov Pavel B. , Harant Karel , Talacko Pavel , Erban Tomas
Published: October 2023

Background

The domestic mite Blomia tropicalis is a major source of allergens in tropical and subtropical regions. Despite its great medical importance, the allergome of this mite has not been sufficiently studied. Only 14 allergen groups have been identified in B. tropicalis thus far, even though early radioimmunoelectrophoresis techniques (27 uncharacterized allergen complexes) and comparative data based on 40 allergen groups officially recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO)/IUIS in domestic astigmatid mites suggest the presence of a large set of additional allergens.

Methods

Here, we employ a multiomics approach to assess the allergome of B. tropicalis using genomic and transcriptomic sequence data and perform highly sensitive protein abundance quantification.

Findings

Among the 14 known allergen groups, we confirmed 13 (one WHO/IUIS allergen, Blo t 19, was not found) and identified 16 potentially novel allergens based on sequence similarity. These data indicate that B. tropicalis shares 27 known/deduced allergen groups with pyroglyphid house dust mites (genus Dermatophagoides). Among these groups, five allergen‐encoding genes are highly expressed at the transcript level: Blo t 1, Blo t 5, Blo t 21 (known), Blo t 15, and Blo t 18 (predicted). However, at the protein level, a different set of most abundant allergens was found: Blo t 2, 10, 11, 20 and 21 (mite bodies) or Blo t 3, 4, 6 and predicted Blo t 13, 14 and 36 (mite feces).

Interpretation

We report the use of an integrated omics method to identify and predict an array of mite allergens and advanced, label‐free proteomics to determine allergen protein abundance. Our research identifies a large set of novel putative allergens and shows that the expression levels of allergen‐encoding genes may not be strictly correlated with the actual allergenic protein abundance in mite bodies.
Altitude, latitude and climate zone as determinants of mountain hare (Lepus timidus) coat colour change
Authors: Stokes Allan W. , Hofmeester Tim R. , Thorsen Neri H. , Odden John , Linnell John D. C. , Pedersen Simen
Published: October 2023

Local adaptation to annually changing environments has evolved in numerous species. Seasonal coat colour change is an adaptation that has evolved in multiple mammal and bird species occupying areas that experience seasonal snow cover. It has a critical impact on fitness as predation risk may increase when an individual is mismatched against its habitat's background colour. In this paper, we investigate the correlation between landscape covariates and moult timing in a native winter‐adapted herbivore, the mountain hare (Lepus timidus), throughout Norway. Data was collected between 2011 and 2019 at 678 camera trap locations deployed across an environmental gradient. Based on this data, we created a Bayesian multinomial logistic regression model that quantified the correlations between landscape covariates and coat colour phenology and analysed among season and year moult timing variation. Our results demonstrate that mountain hare moult timing is strongly correlated with altitude and latitude with hares that live at higher latitudes and altitudes keeping their winter white coats for longer than their conspecifics that inhabit lower latitudes and altitudes. Moult timing was also weakly correlated with climate zone with hares that live in coastal climates keeping their winter white coats for longer than hares that live in continental climates. We found evidence of some among year moult timing variation in spring, but not in autumn. We conclude that mountain hare moult timing has adapted to local environmental conditions throughout Norway.
Highly Efficient 3D Evaporator for Interfacial Solar Steam Generation and Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Zhao Yujuan , You Dongyu , Chen Yiduo , Pan Qinhe , Su Zhongmin , Yang Weiting
Published: October 2023

Solar‐driven interfacial evaporation is one of the means to effectively alleviate the global shortage of freshwater resources without the need for additional energy supply. Although the emergence of various evaporators has improved the evaporation rate and efficiency, it still needs further efforts in terms of improving space utilization, reducing material waste, and enhancing salt resistance. Herein, a 3D bridge evaporator H1.68MoO3/MS (MS, melamine sponge) is designed, where H1.68MoO3 and MS endow the evaporator with high light absorption in the whole wavelength range and excellent water transport capability, respectively. The support of expanded polystyrene realizes the self‐floating of the device, and the evaporation interface is arched upward and exposed to the air in a bridge shape, effectively improving the space volume utilization rate, reducing material consumption and reducing the heat loss during the evaporation process. Under the sunlight intensity of 1 kW m−2, the evaporator achieves an evaporation rate of 2.75 kg m−2 h−1 and an evaporation efficiency of 167.0%, meanwhile showing excellent resistance to salt deposition and ability to remove heavy metals and dyes (removal efficiency over 99%). In addition, the evaporation performance of the evaporator remains stable in the evaporation experiment lasting for 10 days, showing good long‐term usability.
Cloud migration framework clustering method for social decision support in modernizing the legacy system
Authors: Aslam Mubeen , Rahim Lukman A. B. , Watada Junzo , Rubab Saddaf , Khan Muhammad Attique , AlQahtani Salman A. , Gadekallu Thippa Reddy
Published: October 2023

Cloud solutions accelerate the large‐scale acceptance of IoT projects. By diminishing the need for maintaining on‐premises infrastructure, the cloud has enabled corporations to surpass the traditional applications of IoT (e.g., in‐home appliances) and opened the doors for large‐scale deployment of IoT applications on the cloud. However, shifting legacy systems to the cloud environment can be considerably difficult. Accordingly, this article proposes a method that may support organizations in deciding to modernize their legacy systems. The main concept of this study is to discuss the modernization strategies in detail and to support organizations in selecting the most accurate and appropriate cloud migration strategy, based on their requirements of the legacy system. This article introduces a novel research process, called the K‐means cosine cloud clustering method (K3CM). K3CM is a statistical knowledge‐based method for identifying and clustering the most relevant and similar cloud migration strategies. The quality of a cluster is evaluated by measuring intra‐cohesiveness. Simulation experiments statistically analyzed, evaluated, and verified the quality of K3CM clusters. Correspondence analysis explored the similarity and relationship among cloud migration frameworks and validated the proposed technique. The statistical and simulation results of this study focus on the analytics and decision support system implementation that provides a reliable, valid, and robust clustering method for modernizing the legacy system.
iso‐Fatty Acid Metabolism in Caenorhabditis elegans’ Ceramide Biosynthesis
Authors: Rivera Sánchez Rocío , Bandi Siva , Scheidt Marie‐Désirée , Laaroussi Hanna , William Fox Bennett , Ishida Yojiro , Glauser Gaétan , Sutour Sylvain , von Reuss Stephan H.
Published: October 2023

Ceramide biosynthesis and its connection to iso‐fatty acid metabolism in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans was investigated using a combination of reverse genetics and comparative ESI‐(+)‐HR‐MSe ceramide profiling along with incorporation experiments with bacterial mutants specifically enriched with isotopically labeled branched‐chain amino acids or branched‐chain fatty acids. Incorporation of a l‐leucine‐derived isovalerate unit into the conserved d17 : 1iso sphingosine building block proceeds through elo‐5 dependent chain elongation and depends on peroxisomal β‐oxidation by the 3‐ketoacyl‐CoA thiolase daf‐22, although ceramide profiles of N2 wildtype and daf‐22(ok693) are indistinguishable. Biosynthesis of the homologous N‐iso‐acyl moieties also depends on l‐leucine and isovalerate chain elongation but proceeds independently of elo‐5 and daf‐22. Biosynthesis of the dominating N‐docosanoyl moiety depends on elo‐3‐catalyzed chain elongation of bacteria‐derived palmitic acid, whereas the N‐tetracosanoyl moiety is derived from de novo lipogenesis.
Association of Medicaid expansion with 2‐year survival and time to treatment initiation in gastrointestinal cancer patients: A National Cancer Database study
Authors: Mobley Erin M. , Chen Guanming , Xu Jie , Edgar Lauren , Pather Keouna , Daly Meghan C. , Awad Ziad T. , Parker Alexander S. , Xie Zhigang , Suk Ryan , Mathews Simon , Hong Young‐Rock
Published: October 2023

Introduction

We evaluated whether Medicaid expansion (ME) was associated with improved 2‐year survival and time to treatment initiation (TTI) among patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer.

Methods

GI cancer patients diagnosed 40–64 years were queried from the National Cancer Database. Those diagnosed from 2010 to 2012 were considered pre‐expansion; those diagnosed from 2014 to 2016 were considered post‐expansion. Cox models estimated hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for 2‐year overall survival. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% CI of TTI within 30‐ and 90 days. Multivariable Difference‐in‐Difference models were used to compare expansion/nonexpansion cohorts pre‐/post‐expansion, adjusting for patient, clinical, and hospital factors.

Results

377,063 patients were included. No significant difference in 2‐year survival was demonstrated across ME and non‐ME states overall or in site‐based subgroup analysis. In stage‐based subgroup analysis, 2‐year survival significantly improved among stage II cancer, with an 8% decreased hazard of death at 2 years (0.92; 0.87–0.97). Those with stage IV had a 4% increased hazard of death at 2 years (1.04; 1.01–1.07). Multivariable GEE models showed increased TTI within 30 days (1.12; 1.09–1.16) and 90 days (1.22; 1.17–1.27). Site‐based subgroup analyses indicated increased likelihood of TTI within 30 and 90 days among colon, liver, pancreas, rectum, and stomach cancers, by 30 days for small intestinal cancer, and by 90 days for esophageal cancer. In subgroup analyses, all stages experienced improved odds of TTI within 30 and 90 days.

Conclusion

ME was not associated with significant improvement in 2‐year survival for those with GI cancer. Although TTI increased after ME for both cohorts, the 30‐ and 90‐day odds of TTI was higher for those from ME compared with non‐ME states. Our findings add to growing evidence of associations with ME for those diagnosed with GI cancer.
Disaster exposure and mental health among Puerto Rican teachers after Hurricane Maria
Authors: Sackey Enoch T. , Stewart Regan W. , Young John , Orengo‐Aguayo Rosaura
Published: October 2023

The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence rates of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) outcomes among teachers (N = 8,167) exposed to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. The findings indicate that the rates of likely significant symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD were 13.1%, 8.7%, and 5.4%, respectively. There were no significant disparities in psychopathological symptoms based on sex, except that female participants were more likely to exhibit anxiety symptoms than their male counterparts, odds ratio (OR) = 1.53. Key disaster‐related factors, such as perceived threat, actual threat, and disruption of life were found to significantly influence all psychopathology outcomes, ORs = 1.20–3.57, whereas increased social support significantly buffered the manifestation of clinically significant psychopathology symptoms across all domains, ORs = 0.30–0.46. These outcomes, strongly linked to peritraumatic consequences, were not constrained by geographical or socioeconomic boundaries, highlighting the wide‐ranging impact of the hurricane. Nevertheless, social support emerged as a significant counteracting force, reducing the likelihood of detrimental mental health symptoms. Consistent with prior studies, this study emphasizes the crucial role of social support in nurturing posttraumatic resilience and curbing the severity of posttraumatic stress outcomes, thus underscoring the need for incorporating robust social support systems within disaster response strategies.
Long‐term clinical outcomes of Spitz‐type lesions in adults: A single institution retrospective cohort review
Authors: Chintapalli Renuka , Chintapalli Prakash , Patel Animesh
Published: October 2023

Background

The lack of information on clinical outcomes of Spitz‐type lesions, means that their management remains a contentious issue, with some centres opting for a purely conservative, observational approach, while others mandate further surgery and long‐term follow‐up.

Objectives

Our aim was, therefore, to determine the long‐term clinical outcome of classic Spitz and Spitzoid naevi, atypical Spitz tumours (ASTs) and Spitzoid melanomas, with a view to finding evidence to support a unified management approach.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort review of Addenbrooke's Hospital patients aged ≥18 years with a histopathologic diagnosis containing the term ‘Spitz’, from 1991 through 2020. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) results, wide local excision (WLE) rates, metastases and fatality were assessed.

Results

One hundred and twenty‐six patients with Spitz‐type proliferations and follow‐up information were identified (mean age: 35.9, SD: 11.6). There were 86 (68.3%) classic Spitz or Spitzoid naevi, 12 (9.5%) ASTs, 27 (21.4%) Spitzoid malignant melanomas and one (0.8%) melanoma that arose in a previously excised Spitz naevus. SLNB findings were positive in three of seven but none of the 10 individuals with ASTs and Spitzoid melanomas, respectively. Invasive non‐Spitz melanoma developed in four patients with classic Spitz or Spitzoid naevi. After a median follow‐up of 46 months (range: 1–304), only one patient with a Spitzoid melanoma, who had a different malignant melanoma (2.4 mm, level 4), developed distant metastases. No deaths were observed.

Conclusions

Spitz‐type lesions are only rarely associated with mortality and distant metastasis, but CSNs may increase the risk of developing non‐Spitz‐type malignant melanoma. These findings support the suggestion that aggressive surgical management of these lesions such as SLNB and WLE may not be necessary, but surveillance should still continue to assess for subsequent development of malignant melanoma.
Determination on the Metastable Interface Structure of Nb/MgO(100) Interface
Authors: Yang Jun , Fang Yong , Jin Yongzhong , Saturi Baco , Zong Hongxiang , Moh Pak Yan
Published: October 2023

The metastable interface structures between Nb thin films and MgO(100) substrate are investigated using first‐principles calculation. Based on the calculation results of interface separation works for 25 interface models, three metastable interfaces and one stable interface are identified. The growth orientations of Nb films in both the metastable and stable interfaces are found to be Nb[110] and Nb[100], respectively, which align with previous experimental findings. This suggests that it is feasible to predict the metastable interfaces in metal/oxide interface systems by calculating interface energy. Additionally, a comparison is conducted between the stable and metastable interfaces. The metastable interface exhibits a lower interface separation work and lower system energy compared to the stable interface. Herein, it is indicated that the interface separation work plays a key role in determining the metastable interface structure of Nb/MgO(100), rather than the total energy of the entire interface system.
Observation of Boundary‐Obstructed Topological Insulators in 2D Asymmetric Su–Schrieffer–Heeger Topological Electric Circuits
Authors: Guo Shengqun , Huang Jinke , Lin Zhili , Qiu Weibin , Huang Ruimin , Kan Qiang
Published: October 2023

Topological insulators that support unique symmetry‐protected boundary states gain popularity in the field of electric circuit systems. Boundary‐obstructed topological (BOT) insulators, as a new class of topological insulators, do not utilize the closure of the bulk band during the topological phase transition, which displays as an obstruction of boundary states. In this work, the experimental realization of BOT insulators based on electric circuit systems are reported and it is further demonstrated experimentally that the corresponding hollow structure consisting of only edges and corners can offer corner states in the edge gap. In this research, a highly controllable platform is offered for investigating unique topological phenomena and the way is paved for observing boundary‐obstructed topology by electric circuit systems.