bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcriptomic reveals the ferroptosis features of host response in a mouse model of Zika virus infection
Authors: Yan Qian , Zheng Wenjiang , Jiang Yong , Zhou Peiwen , Lai Yanni , Liu Chengxin , Wu Peng , Zhuang Hongfa , Huang Huiting , Li Geng , Zhan Shaofeng , Lao Zizhao , Liu Xiaohong
Published: December 2022

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a neurotropic flavivirus. The outbreak of ZIKV in 2016 created a global health emergency. However, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms remain elusive. We investigated the host response features of in vivo replication in a mouse model of ZIKV infection, by performing a series of transcriptomic and bioinformatic analyses of ZIKV and mock‐infected brain tissue. Tissue damage, inflammatory cells infiltration and high viral replication were observed in the brain tissue of ZIKV infected mice. RNA‐Seq of the brain indicated the activation of ferroptosis pathways. Enrichment analysis of ferroptosis regulators revealed their involvement in pathways such as mineral absorption, fatty acid biosynthesis, fatty acid degradation, PPAR signaling pathway, peroxidase, and adipokinesine signalling pathway. We then identified 12 interacted hub ferroptosis regulators (CYBB, HMOX1, CP, SAT1, TF, SLC39A14, FTL, LPCAT3, FTH1, SLC3A2, TP53, and SLC40A1) that were related to the differential expression of CD8+ T cells, microglia and monocytes. CYBB, HMOX1, SALT, and SLAC40A1 were selected as potential biomarkers of ZIKV infection. Finally, we validated our results using RT‐qPCR and outside available datasets. For the first time, we proposed a possible mechanism of ferroptosis in brain tissue infected by ZIKV in mice and identified the four key ferroptosis regulators.
Extent, patterns, and drivers of hypoxia in the world's streams and rivers
Authors: Blaszczak Joanna R. , Koenig Lauren E. , Mejia Francine H. , Gómez‐Gener Lluís , Dutton Christopher L. , Carter Alice M. , Grimm Nancy B. , Harvey Judson W. , Helton Ashley M. , Cohen Matthew J.
Published: December 2022

Hypoxia in coastal waters and lakes is widely recognized as a detrimental environmental issue, yet we lack a comparable understanding of hypoxia in rivers. We investigated controls on hypoxia using 118 million paired observations of dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration and water temperature in over 125,000 locations in rivers from 93 countries. We found hypoxia (DO < 2 mg L−1) in 12.6% of all river sites across 53 countries, but no consistent trend in prevalence since 1950. High‐frequency data reveal a 3‐h median duration of hypoxic events which are most likely to initiate at night. River attributes were better predictors of riverine hypoxia occurrence than watershed land cover, topography, and climate characteristics. Hypoxia was more likely to occur in warmer, smaller, and lower‐gradient rivers, particularly those draining urban or wetland land cover. Our findings suggest that riverine hypoxia and the resulting impacts on ecosystems may be more pervasive than previously assumed.
Field exposure study under sheltered and open exposure conditions at different test sites in Germany: First‐year corrosion rate and atmospheric corrosivity
Authors: Babutzka Martin , Lehmann Jens , Burkert Andreas
Published: December 2022

The corrosivity of atmospheres in Europe has changed significantly in recent decades. For the Federal Republic of Germany, no current values for the corrosion rate based on 1‐year atmospheric exposure of standard specimens can be found in the scientific literature after 2000. This paper presents results from a field exposure study in the Berlin metropolitan area and Helgoland in 2016. Based on standard specimens, values for the corrosion rate and the corresponding atmospheric corrosivity category are determined for open exposure and indirect weathering in a ventilated enclosure as sheltering after 1 year of exposure. The results prove that determined corrosivity categories are material‐specific. Sheltered exposure is a typical atmospheric situation for many building components. It allows statements on the effect of the concentration of airborne substances on the corrosivity beyond the normative requirements.
It Is as It Was: MDS‐UPDRS Part III Scores Cannot Be Combined with Other Parts to Give a Valid Sum
Authors: Goetz Christopher G. , Choi Dongrak , Guo Yuanyuan , Stebbins Glenn T. , Mestre Tiago A. , Luo Sheng
Published: December 2022

Background

Original clinimetric analyses by the Movement Disorder Society–sponsored revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS‐UPDRS) developers did not confirm the validity of summing the scores of its parts. Recent studies used the summed score of Part III and other parts as efficacy outcomes.

Objective

The aim of this study was to establish whether summing scores of MDS‐UPDRS parts can be recommended.

Methods

Using 7466 full MDS‐UPDRS scores, we applied two‐step factor analysis as in the original article to reassess the validity analysis with the threshold criterion set at comparative fit index ≥0.9.

Results

All comparative fit indexes of any combination including Part III were lower than 0.90.

Conclusions

Summing Part III MDS‐UPDRS scores with other parts is not clinimetrically sound. The MDS‐UPDRS is a validated four‐part scale with corresponding individual part scores and needs to be used within the limits originally presented. © 2022 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Characterization of a novel non‐canonical splice site variant (c.886‐5T>A) in NBAS and description of the associated phenotype
Authors: Priglinger Claudia S. , Rudolph Günter , Schmid Irene , Mazzola Pascale , Haack Tobias B. , Reith Milda , Stingl Katarina , Weisschuh Nicole
Published: December 2022

Background

Biallelic pathogenic variants in the neuroblastoma‐amplified sequence (NBAS) gene manifest in a broad spectrum of disorders, including, but not limited to recurrent acute liver failure, skeletal dysmorphism, susceptibility to infections, and SOPH syndrome with its cardinal symptoms of short stature, optic atrophy, and Pelger–Huët anomaly. We aimed to present clinical and genetic characteristics of two sisters (20 and 15 years old) who were diagnosed with optic atrophy and cone dystrophy in childhood. Genome sequencing revealed two novel variants in NBAS in compound heterozygous state in both sisters, namely a 1‐bp deletion predicted to result in a premature termination codon (c.5104del; p.(Met1702*)), and a non‐canonical splice site variant of unclear significance (c.886‐5T>A; p.?).

Results

Clinical examination and history revealed cone dystrophy, optic atrophy, and Pelger–Huët anomaly, but no short stature, recurrent acute liver failure, or susceptibility to infections. RNA analysis revealed that the c.886‐5T>A variant results in two aberrant transcripts that are predicted to lead to in frame amino acid changes in the β‐propeller region of the protein.

Conclusion

We hypothesize that the phenotype of our subjects, which appears to be at the end of the spectrum of NBAS‐related disorders, could be explained by residual protein function mediated by the non‐canonical splice site variant c.886‐5T>A. Our study contributes to the existing knowledge on the genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of NBAS‐related disorders.
Complex bifurcation structures and bursting oscillations of an extended Duffing‐van der Pol oscillator
Authors: Zhang Chun , Ma Xindong , Tang Qiaoxia , Bi Qinsheng
Published: December 2022

This work focuses on the compound bursting dynamics and their generation mechanisms in an extended Duffing‐van der Pol oscillator excited by parametrical and external slow‐varying excitations. By considering the cosine excitation
as a slow‐changing variables
and using the Melnikov criterion, the fold, Hopf, and Homoclinic bifurcation critical conditions of the generalized autonomous system are obtained, and the bifurcation sets separate the whole parameter plane into seven different areas. Based on that, five compound bursting patterns, i.e., compound “supHopf/supHopf” type, compound “fold/fold” type, compound “fold/Homoclinic” type via a “fold/fold” and two “fold/Homoclinic” hysteresis loops, compound “fold/supHopf‐supHopf/Homoclinic” type via a “fold/fold” and two “fold/Homoclinic” hysteresis loops and compound “fold/supHopf” type via three “fold/fold” hysteresis loops, are studied. In addition, the mechanism of a period motion is also investigated by overlapping the projection on the space of
to the bifurcation diagrams. Our research shows that the bursting oscillations are sensitive to the parameter
, especially for the small values of
. Moreover, this work explicates that how the choice of the system parameters affects the trends of the slow manifolds. Finally, the numerical simulations are used to illustrate and test the correctness of this work.
Non‐homogeneous p‐Laplacian equations on the Sierpinski gasket
Authors: Sahu Abhilash , Prem Prasad M. Guru
Published: December 2022

Let
be the Sierpiński gasket in
and
denote the boundary of
. In this paper, we study the following non‐homogeneous
‐Laplacian equation

where
are real numbers such that
and the function
is suitably chosen. The existence of at least two nontrivial weak solutions to the above non‐homogeneous equation on the Sierpiński gasket will be established.
Investigating the effect of oblique image acquisition on the accuracy of QSM and a robust tilt correction method
Authors: Kiersnowski Oliver C. , Karsa Anita , Wastling Stephen J. , Thornton John S. , Shmueli Karin
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) is used increasingly for clinical research where oblique image acquisition is commonplace, but its effects on QSM accuracy are not well understood.

Theory and Methods

The QSM processing pipeline involves defining the unit magnetic dipole kernel, which requires knowledge of the direction of the main magnetic field with respect to the acquired image volume axes. The direction of is dependent on the axis and angle of rotation in oblique acquisition. Using both a numerical brain phantom and in vivo acquisitions in 5 healthy volunteers, we analyzed the effects of oblique acquisition on magnetic susceptibility maps. We compared three tilt‐correction schemes at each step in the QSM pipeline: phase unwrapping, background field removal and susceptibility calculation, using the RMS error and QSM‐tuned structural similarity index.

Results

Rotation of wrapped phase images gave severe artifacts. Background field removal with projection onto dipole fields gave the most accurate susceptibilities when the field map was first rotated into alignment with . Laplacian boundary value and variable‐kernel sophisticated harmonic artifact reduction for phase data background field removal methods gave accurate results without tilt correction. For susceptibility calculation, thresholded k‐space division, iterative Tikhonov regularization, and weighted linear total variation regularization, all performed most accurately when local field maps were rotated into alignment with before susceptibility calculation.

Conclusion

For accurate QSM, oblique acquisition must be taken into account. Rotation of images into alignment with should be carried out after phase unwrapping and before background‐field removal. We provide open‐source tilt‐correction code to incorporate easily into existing pipelines:
https://github.com/o‐snow/QSM_TiltCorrection.git.
Improving accelerated MRI by deep learning with sparsified complex data
Authors: Jin Zhaoyang , Xiang Qing‐San
Published: December 2022

Purpose

To obtain high‐quality accelerated MR images with complex‐valued reconstruction from undersampled k‐space data.

Methods

The MRI scans from human subjects were retrospectively undersampled with a regular pattern using skipped phase encoding, leading to ghosts in zero‐filling reconstruction. A complex difference transform along the phase‐encoding direction was applied in image domain to yield sparsified complex‐valued edge maps. These sparse edge maps were used to train a complex‐valued U‐type convolutional neural network (SCU‐Net) for deghosting. A k‐space inverse filtering was performed on the predicted deghosted complex edge maps from SCU‐Net to obtain final complex images. The SCU‐Net was compared with other algorithms including zero‐filling, GRAPPA, RAKI, finite difference complex U‐type convolutional neural network (FDCU‐Net), and CU‐Net, both qualitatively and quantitatively, using such metrics as structural similarity index, peak SNR, and normalized mean square error.

Results

The SCU‐Net was found to be effective in deghosting aliased edge maps even at high acceleration factors. High‐quality complex images were obtained by performing an inverse filtering on deghosted edge maps. The SCU‐Net compared favorably with other algorithms.

Conclusion

Using sparsified complex data, SCU‐Net offers higher reconstruction quality for regularly undersampled k‐space data. The proposed method is especially useful for phase‐sensitive MRI applications.
Mothers' perspectives of physical and psychological issues associated with caring for Ghanaian children living with tuberculosis: A qualitative study
Authors: Tornu Eric , Dzansi Gladys , Wilson Donna M. , Richter Solina , Aziato Lydia
Published: December 2022

Aim

The aim of the study was to explore and describe the mothers' perspectives on issues associated with caring for Ghanaian children aged 0–14 years living with tuberculosis.

Design

Exploratory descriptive qualitative design.

Methods

Semi‐structured individual interviews were conducted face to face with 15 purposively sampled mothers from two health facilities in the Greater Accra area. Transcribed data were analysed using computer‐enhanced thematic analysis.

Results

Findings were grouped into (1) physical burden on the mothers and (2) psychological burden on mothers. The eight subthemes indicate that mothers of children living with tuberculosis experienced tiredness, sleeplessness, body pains, weight loss and sicknesses as they cared for their children. In addition to worrying, mothers experienced stigma and negative emotions such as sadness, guilt, fear and loneliness.

Conclusion

Mothers of children diagnosed with tuberculosis in Ghana experience physical and psychological health problems related to their caregiving roles. Nurses and other healthcare providers should identify specific problems and offer broad‐based emotional and other support for these women.
Relationship between emotional elder abuse and developmental function of the family
Authors: Amirmohammadi Monireh , Nikpeyma Nasrin , Negarandeh Reza , Haghani Shima , Amrollah Majdabadi Zahra
Published: December 2022

Aim

This study aimed to assess the relationship between emotional elder abuse and the developmental function of the family.

Design

Community‐based correlational cross‐sectional study was conducted.

Methods

Data were collected on 265 older adults from July to October 2019 in Tehran‐Iran. The samples were selected by simple random sampling and they completed self‐report tools: demographic information, emotional elder abuse developmental function in the family. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics and SPSS software v.16.

Results

Mean score of the developmental function in the family was 67.38 (SD = 3.22, range = 0–129). There was a significant negative correlation between the total score of developmental function in the families and emotional elder abuse. Moreover, there was a relationship between the subscale of care and regulation, being attracted to human relationships, purposeful exchange, and creating representatives and ideas with emotional elder abuse.
Individualized care for older adults with diabetes and its relationship with communication, psychosocial self‐efficacy, resources and support for self‐management and socio‐demographics
Authors: Bartkeviciute Birute , Riklikiene Olga , Kregzdyte Rima , Lesauskaite Vita
Published: December 2022

Aim

To examine the relationship between patient–provider communication, psychosocial patient self‐efficacy, resources and support for self‐management and socio‐demographics within individualized care of older adults with diabetes.

Design

A quantitative study with a cross‐sectional survey design.

Methods

Data were collected from September 2019 to January 2021 using: Individualized Care Scale, The Communication Assessment Tool, The Diabetes Empowerment Scale and The Resources and Support for Self‐Management Scale. Patients with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes mellitus that were 65 years old and over (N = 145) participated in the study.

Results

The most positive aspects of patient–provider communication were respect and creating a comfortable environment for the patient. A significant relationship was observed between patients' perceptions and support of individualized care and diabetes‐related measures. Effective communication was the main factor associated with support for individualizing care, and together with education level, empowerment and access to resources, explained 23% of the variance.
Mixed convection of ferrofluids in a square enclosure with obstacles: Effect of iso‐perimetric shapes
Authors: Hussain Shafqat , Mahmood Rashid , Ahmed Sameh E.
Published: December 2022

Mixed convection of ferrofluid in square configurations having various iso‐perimetric shaped obstacles has been investigated for fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics. The iso‐perimetric shapes are allowed to vary in size and tested at three different vertical positions subject to adiabatic and isothermal conditions. Simulations have been carried out for various choices of controlling parameters using the higher order mixed finite element method. In particular, the higher order and stable finite element pair of cubic and quadratic () approximations on the hybrid grid is utilized to achieve the discretization of the governing non‐dimensional equations of mass, momentum and energy. The adaptive Newtons method is chosen to solve the discrete system of nonlinear equations. The present solver has been tested against a well‐known open source finite element analysis tool (FEAT2) and published results in the literature. The impact of governing parameters is investigated in the ranges as nanoparticles volume fraction ), the Richardson number , the perimeter of the obstacle , and positions of the obstacles . It is concluded that an increase in the perimeter of the inner obstacles causes a weakness in the fluid flow while a good thermal enclosure is obtained. Moreover, the isothermal obstacles enhance the average Nusselt number more than the adiabatic obstacles in all cases.
Highly sensitive acetone sensor based on conjugated polymer nanocomposites
Authors: Hulimane Shivaswamy Rashmi , Kanive bagilu Ananthapadmanabha Vishnumurthy , Kusanur Raviraj
Published: December 2022

A copolymer of pyrrole and o‐aminophenol was synthesized by single step oxidative polymerization technique. Two different nanocomposites of copolymer with α‐Fe2O3 and Co‐α‐Fe2O3 were prepared and acetone sensing property of both composites were studied at room temperature with different gas concentrations. The calculated sensitivity of the Co‐α‐Fe2O3 nanocomposite was 0.68 and α‐Fe2O3 nanocomposite was 0.44. The sensitivity of prepared composites was higher than the pure polymer. The LOD of the α‐Fe2O3 composite was found to be 0.13 ppm and Co‐α‐Fe2O3 composite was 0.37 ppm. Both the prepared composites have showed excellent selectivity with good repeatability for the acetone gas. The 20% Co‐Fe2O3 containing nanocomposite sensor exhibited faster response time of 1.4 s and recovery time of 4.4 s towards the target gas and 15% α‐Fe2O3 containing nanocomposite sensor exhibited the response time of 1.4 s and recovery time of 4.8 s for the acetone gas. The polymer and the nanocomposites have shown excellent repeatability for 7 cycles. The faster response of the sensor can be attributed to the increased number of oxygen vacancies on the sensor as well as the free OH groups present in the polymer back bone.
Machine learning‐based model for predicting the material properties of nanostructured aerogels
Authors: Tafreshi Omid Aghababaei , Saadatnia Zia , Ghaffari‐Mosanenzadeh Shahriar , Okhovatian Sogand , Park Chul B. , Naguib Hani E.
Published: December 2022

Data‐driven modeling in material science rose to prominence in the last decade, and various supervised and unsupervised machine learning techniques have been employed for material development and deriving insights for decision‐making purposes. In this context, machine learning can have prominent importance in the field of nanostructured aerogels for accelerated materials design and material properties prediction. Current attempts rely only on experimental approach, which have inherent shortcomings, including inefficiency due to the prolonged synthesis process, and necessity of analyzing microstructure and properties. In order to address the challenges associated with the traditional experimental approach, in this study, an artificial neural network (ANN) is employed to predict the material properties of nanostructured aerogels. Polyimide (PI) organic aerogels are selected for this purpose. Through understanding the contributing material and processing factors in PI aerogel synthesis, a dataset is prepared. Data preprocessing is performed, and through hyperparameter tuning, ANN is constructed and trained for a given dataset. Various material properties are predicted, including compressive modulus, density, and porosity. Results show that ANN is trained with high accuracy, which demonstrates the versatility and accuracy of model in materials properties prediction. This study can therefore pave the way for establishing a platform for data‐driven materials innovation.
Differentially expressed glycoproteins in pre‐ and post‐digital rectal examination urine samples for detecting aggressive prostate cancer
Authors: Wang Yuefan , Lih Tung‐Shing Mamie , Höti Naseruddin , Sokoll Lori J. , Chesnut Gregory , Petrovics Gyorgy , Kohaar Indu , Zhang Hui
Published: December 2022

Urinary glycoproteins associated with aggressive prostate cancer (AG‐PCa) were previously reported using post‐digital rectal examination (DRE) urine specimens. To explore the potential of using pre‐DRE urine specimens for detecting AG‐PCa, we compared glycoproteins between pre‐ and post‐DRE urine specimens, verified the previously identified post‐DRE AG‐PCa‐associated urinary glycoproteins in pre‐DRE urine specimens, and explored potential new glycoproteins for AG‐PCa detection in pre‐DRE urine specimens. Quantitative glycoproteomic data were acquired for 154 pre‐DRE urine specimens from 41 patients with no cancer at biopsy, 48 patients with non‐AG‐PCa (Gleason score = 6), and 65 patients with AG‐PCa (Gleason score 7 or above). Compared to glycopeptides from the post‐DRE urine data, humoral immunity‐related proteins were enriched in pre‐DRE urine samples, whereas cell mediated immune response proteins were enriched in post‐DRE urine samples. Analyses of AG‐PCa‐associated glycoproteins from pre‐DRE urine revealed that the three urinary glycoproteins, prostate‐specific antigen (PSA), prostatic acid phosphatase (ACPP), and CD97 antigen (CD97) that were previously identified in post‐DRE urine samples, were also observed as AG‐PCa associated glycoproteins in pre‐DRE urine. In addition, we identified three new glycoproteins, fibrillin 1 (FBN1), vitronectin (VTN), and hemicentin 2 (HMCN2), to be potentially associated with AG‐PCa in pre‐DRE urine specimens. In summary, glycoprotein profiles differ between pre‐ and post‐DRE urine specimens. The identified AG‐PCa‐associated glycoproteins may be further evaluated in large cohort of pre‐DRE urine specimens for detecting clinically significant PCa.
Bioprospecting the American Alligator Peptidome for antiviral peptides against Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus
Authors: Carfagno Amy , Lin Shih‐Chao , Chafran Liana , Akhrymuk Ivan , Callahan Victoria , Po Marynet , Zhu Yaling , Altalhi Amaal , Durkin David P. , Russo Paul , Vliet Kent A. , Webb‐Robertson Bobbie‐Jo , Kehn‐Hall Kylene , Bishop Barney
Published: December 2022

The innate immune protection provided by cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) has been shown to extend to antiviral activity, with putative mechanisms of action including direct interaction with host cells or pathogen membranes. The lack of therapeutics available for the treatment of viruses such as Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) underscores the urgency of novel strategies for antiviral discovery. American alligator plasma has been shown to exhibit strong in vitro antibacterial activity, and functionalized hydrogel particles have been successfully employed for the identification of specific CAMPs from alligator plasma. Here, a novel bait strategy in which particles were encapsulated in membranes from either healthy or VEEV‐infected cells was implemented to identify peptides preferentially targeting infected cells for subsequent evaluation of antiviral activity. Statistical analysis of peptide identification results was used to select five candidate peptides for testing, of which one exhibited a dose‐dependent inhibition of VEEV and also significantly inhibited infectious titers. Results suggest our bioprospecting strategy provides a versatile platform that may be adapted for antiviral peptide identification from complex biological samples.
Isobaric labeling‐based quantitative proteomics of FACS‐purified immune cells and epithelial cells from the intestine of Crohn's disease patients reveals proteome changes of potential importance in disease pathogenesis
Authors: Alfredsson Johannes , Fabrik Ivo , Gorreja Frida , Caër Charles , Sihlbom Carina , Block Mattias , Börjesson Lars G. , Lindskog Elinor Bexe , Wick Mary Jo
Published: December 2022

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent flares of inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Disease etiology is poorly understood and is characterized by dysregulated immune activation that progressively destroys intestinal tissue. Key cellular compartments in disease pathogenesis are the intestinal epithelial layer and its underlying lamina propria. While the epithelium contains predominantly epithelial cells, the lamina propria is enriched in immune cells. Deciphering proteome changes in different cell populations is important to understand CD pathogenesis. Here, using isobaric labeling‐based quantitative proteomics, we perform an exploratory study to analyze in‐depth proteome changes in epithelial cells, immune cells and stromal cells in CD patients compared to controls using cells purified by FACS. Our study revealed increased proteins associated with neutrophil degranulation and mitochondrial metabolism in immune cells of CD intestinal mucosa. We also found upregulation of proteins involved in glycosylation and secretory pathways in epithelial cells of CD patients, while proteins involved in mitochondrial metabolism were reduced. The distinct alterations in protein levels in immune‐ versus epithelial cells underscores the utility of proteome analysis of defined cell types. Moreover, our workflow allowing concomitant assessment of cell‐type specific changes on an individual basis enables deeper insight into disease pathogenesis.
Impact of dose calculation accuracy on inverse linear energy transfer optimization for intensity‐modulated proton therapy
Authors: Chen Mei , Cao Wenhua , Yepes Pablo , Guan Fada , Poenisch Falk , Xu Cheng , Chen Jiayi , Li Yupeng , Vazquez Ivan , Yang Ming , Zhu X. Ronald , Zhang Xiaodong
Published: December 2022

Objective

To determine the effect of dose calculation accuracy on inverse linear energy transfer (LET) optimization for intensity‐modulated proton therapy, and to determine whether adding more beams would improve the plan robustness to different dose calculation engines.

Methods

Two sets of intensity‐modulated proton therapy plans using two, four, six, and nine beams were created for 10 prostate cancer patients: one set was optimized with dose constraints (DoseOpt) using the pencil beam (PB) algorithm, and the other set was optimized with additional LET constraints (LETOpt) using the Monte Carlo (MC) algorithm. Dose distributions of DoseOpt plans were then recalculated using the MC algorithm, and the LETOpt plans were recalculated using the PB algorithm. Dosimetric indices of targets and critical organs were compared between the PB and MC algorithms for both sets of plans.

Results

For DoseOpt plans, dose differences between the PB and MC algorithms were minimal. However, the maximum dose differences in LETOpt plans were 11.11% and 15.85% in the dose covering 98% and 2% (D2) of the clinical target volume, respectively. Furthermore, the dose to 1 cc of the bladder differed by 11.42 Gy (relative biological effectiveness). Adding more beams reduced the discrepancy in target coverage, but the errors in D2 of the structure were increased with the number of beams.

Conclusion

High modulation of LET requires high dose calculation accuracy during the optimization and final dose calculation in the inverse treatment planning for intensity‐modulated proton therapy, and adding more beams did not improve the plan robustness to different dose calculation algorithms.
A tissue miRNA expression pattern is associated with disease aggressiveness of localized prostate cancer
Authors: Juracek Jaroslav , Madrzyk Marie , Stanik Michal , Ruckova Michaela , Trachtova Karolina , Malcikova Hana , Lzicarova Eva , Barth Dominik A. , Pichler Martin , Slaby Ondrej
Published: December 2022

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a heterogeneous malignancy with high variability in clinical course. Insufficient stratification according to the aggressiveness at the time of diagnosis causes unnecessary or delayed treatment. Current stratification systems are not effective enough because they are based on clinical, surgical or biochemical parameters, but do not take into account molecular factors driving PCa cancerogenesis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important players in molecular pathogenesis of PCa and could serve as valuable biomarkers for the assessment of disease aggressiveness and its prognosis.

Methods

In the study, in total, 280 PCa patients were enrolled. The miRNA expression profiles were analyzed in FFPE PCa tissue using the miRCURY LNA miRNA PCR System. The expression levels of candidate miRNAs were further verified by two‐level validation using the RT‐qPCR method and evaluated in relation to PCa stratification reflecting the disease aggressiveness.

Results

MiRNA profiling revealed 172 miRNAs dysregulated between aggressive (ISUP 3–5) and indolent PCa (ISUP 1) (p < 0.05). In the training and validation cohort, miR‑15b‑5p and miR‐106b‐5p were confirmed to be significantly upregulated in tissue of aggressive PCa when their level was associated with disease aggressiveness. Furthermore, we established a prognostic score combining the level of miR‑15b‑5p and miR‐106b‐5p with serum PSA level, which discriminated indolent PCa from an aggressive form with even higher analytical parameters (AUC being 0.9338 in the training set and 0.8014 in the validation set, respectively). The score was also associated with 5‐year biochemical progression‐free survival (bPFS) of PCa patients.

Conclusions

We identified a miRNA expression pattern associated with disease aggressiveness in prostate cancer patients. These miRNAs may be of biological interest as the focus can be also set on their specific role within the molecular pathology and the molecular mechanism that underlies the aggressivity of prostate cancer.
Fungicide smoke generated by electrical heating effectively controls gray mold of Chinese chives and reduces residue risk through adequate environmental sterilization
Authors: Gao Haojie , Shi Shaokun , Luan Fengxin , Jin Yan , Zhang Wenwen , Xu Yue , Li Beixing , Mu Wei , Gao Chuanjie , Liu Feng
Published: December 2022

BACKGROUND

Labor‐saving pesticide application technology is eagerly pursued in the planting system of Chinese chives. In this study, we developed a set of application approaches by turning fungicides into smoke to achieve this goal.

RESULTS

The fungicides fludioxonil, fluopyram, boscalid, procymidone, and prochloraz could be vaporized into smoke at temperatures below 300 °C. The SFR (smoke formation rate) decreased with the increasing temperature. At 300 °C, the SFR of fludioxonil, fluopyram, boscalid and procymidone were all higher than 80%. At 300 °C and 600 °C, there were no significant differences in the smoke particle state of these five fungicides. However, the inhibition rate of these five fungicides against the growth of Botrytis squamosa generally decreased with the temperature. At 600 °C, only fludioxonil and boscalid had inhibition rates higher than 80%. The deposition uniformity of fungicide smoke increased with the increasing amounts of NH4Cl. When the amount of NH4Cl reached 80% of the total content, the smoke of fungicide was uniformly deposited throughout each glass slide. In the greenhouse experiment, the control efficacy of fungicide application by smoke was significantly better than that of spraying application, whereas its residue was much lower.

CONCLUSION

It is feasible to control air‐borne disease through the vaporization of fungicides into smoke by electrical heating. Smoke application would effectively inhibit the spores in the air and would not increase the humidity of the environment. These findings indicate that smoke application is a labor‐saving pesticide application technology viable in production. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Few indirect effects of baculovirus on parasitoids demonstrate high compatibility of biocontrol methods against Tuta absoluta
Authors: Gonthier Jérémy , Arnó Judit , Romeis Jörg , Collatz Jana
Published: December 2022

BACKGROUND

Combining different biocontrol agents, particularly micro‐ and macroorganisms, can contribute to new and sustainable pest control approaches. Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the most destructive pests of solanaceous crops. An emerging management strategy consists of biological control using microbial insecticides such as baculoviruses, but with limited efficacy. Thanks to their high target specificity, baculoviruses can be used simultaneously with natural enemies such as parasitoids for improved control of T. absoluta. However, potential indirect nontarget effects of baculoviruses on parasitoids can result from overlapping resource requirements. We assessed whether ovipositing parasitoid females discriminated against virus‐treated hosts and examined the outcome of within‐host competition between the hymenopteran parasitoids Necremnus tutae (Reuter) (Eulophidae) and Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris Marsch (Braconidae), and the Phthorimaea operculella granulovirus (PhopGV, Baculoviridae) that infects T. absoluta larvae.

RESULTS

Female D. gelechiidivoris discriminated against virus‐treated hosts, whereas N. tutae did not. We found few indirect virus‐related effects depending on the species, the sex, and the time of virus treatment. Effects were ambivalent for D. gelechiidivoris offspring and ranged from increased male longevity when infection occurred before parasitization to reduced emergence and male longevity when infection occurred after parasitization. N. tutae offspring showed a longer development time and shorter male longevity when they developed in virus‐treated hosts.

CONCLUSION

The virus had a low impact on parasitoid offspring. In rare cases, adverse effects were detected; however, the low magnitude of these effects is unlikely to reduce the fitness of parasitoid offspring, therefore both parasitoids seem compatible with the baculovirus for control of T. absoluta. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
The effect of implementation of a creative thinking model on the development of creative thinking skills in high school students: A systematic review
Authors: Saeed Brwa Adnan , Ramdane Tahraoui
Published: December 2022

Creative thinking plays a pivotal role in science, innovation and the arts, solidifying its significance in daily life problem solving as well as maintaining and fostering our well‐being. Creative problem solving (CPS) and critical reasoning enables students to be challenged and to grasp complex problems and is defined as one's ability to generate both original and useful ideas to be adopted in a wide array of situations. However, the literature concerning the integration and adoption of creative thinking models in educational systems and the implications this has on creative thinking skills is limited. To investigate whether the implementation of a creative thinking model leads to the development of creative thinking skills in high school students, and whether it affects any other abilities of high school students, Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed were systematically screened on 21 February 2022. Studies that adopted a CPS model in a high school setting and investigated its role in improving the creative thinking skills of students were included. Eight studies that spanned 542 high school students were included in this systematic review. Implementation of creative thinking models, including FPSPI, SCAMPER, quantum‐based CPS learning, and traditional CPS models, resulted in notable improvements in the development of creative thinking skills in high school students. Improvements were also evident in the participant's academic achievements, concept understanding and higher‐order thinking skills. A data extraction form was formulated in accordance with the PRISMA recommendations and (GRADE) criterion for risk of bias was incorporated. The implementation of a creative thinking model in educational institutions results in the development and improvement of creative thinking skills in high school students when used alongside traditional teaching methods. Future studies should focus on investigating the adoption of these models and others on a wider scale, spanning several geographical locations and education systems.
Performance analysis of weather‐dependent satellite–terrestrial network with rate adaptation hybrid free‐space optical and radio frequency link
Authors: Li Xin , Li Yongjun , Zhao Shanghong , Tang Hanling , Shao Long
Published: December 2022

Due to the rapid development of satellite laser communication technology, free‐space optical (FSO) links present a promising alternative to traditional radio frequency (RF) links. In this paper, taking the influence of weather factors into consideration, we investigate the performance of the hybrid FSO/RF links where the feeder link operates in the FSO band and the user link operates in the hybrid FSO/RF band. Specifically, the FSO feeder link is modeled by the gamma–gamma distribution in the presence of beam wander and pointing error, and the detection method adopts either the intensity modulation with direct intensity (IM/DD) or heterodyne detection. The RF user link is assumed to follow the shadowed Rician model. In addition, in order to improve the transmission rate of the link under the time‐varying satellite–terrestrial channel, a rate adaptation scheme is proposed. The performance of the system under study is evaluated in terms of the outage probability, average bit error rate (BER), and average transmission rate. Our results provide some important insights, for example, (1) due to the constraints of the feeder link and weather factors, there is an upper limit on the outage performance and bit error rate of the hybrid link; (2) the adaptive transmission strategy can significantly improve the transmission rate of the link compared with traditional design.
Folic Acid Modified Graphene Quantum Dots from Konjac Glucomannan for Cell Imaging and Targeted Drug Delivery
Authors: Kang Huiting , Wang Tengfei , Liu Wei , Tian Dating
Published: December 2022

Green and low‐cost photoluminescent graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were prepared by a one‐step hydrothermal method with konjac glucomannan (KGM), a natural polysaccharide, as the precursors. Then, the folic acid (FA)‐functionalized GQDs (FA‐GQDs) was formed by the amidation of GQDs with FA, and the drug carrier named as FA‐GQDs‐DOX was obtained by loading doxorubicin (DOX) on FA‐GQDs. Due to the inherent fluorescence properties of GQDs and DOX in FA‐GQDs‐DOX, the resultant samples could be used to selectively label cancer cells without external dyes, and the cellular uptake and the drug‐releasing behavior could be visualized. The coupling of FA with GQDs and the loading of DOX on FA‐GQDs were confirmed by various means. In addition, the cell imaging showed that the FA‐GQDs could be used as a fluorescent probe to recognize folate receptor (FR)‐positive cancer cells and that the FA‐GQDs‐DOX could selectively deliver DOX to FR‐positive cancer cells. As a result, the FA‐GQDs‐DOX could be applied in early diagnosis and targeted therapy of cancer.
Analyzing business process management capabilities of low‐code development platforms
Authors: Sahay Apurvanand , Di Ruscio Davide , Iovino Ludovico , Pierantonio Alfonso
Published: December 2022

Low‐code development platforms (LCDPs) aim to simplify software systems' development by providing easy‐to‐use graphical interfaces and drag‐and‐drop facilities. The system behaviors are defined through available data handling and workflow mechanisms enabling the specification of business processes from users that do not have strong programming skills. However, the number of LCDPs has grown significantly over the last few years. Consequently, it is not easy for inexpert users to understand their differences, especially in terms of provided modeling constructs. In this article, we analyze and compare eight low‐code development platforms by focusing on their capabilities for specifying business processes. The analysis exploits business process modeling and notation (BPMN) as a reference modeling language. Thus, the core elements of BPMN are leveraged to analyze the workflow mechanisms provided by each of the analyzed LCDP. The article explains different types of process flows and data handling means of the different LCDPs aiming to give potential users objective elements that can be used to make educated decisions when selecting LCDPs.
From Fossil‐Fueled to Hydrogen‐Fueled Annealing Furnaces: Effects on the Oxidation of Stainless Steels
Authors: Airaksinen Susanna , Laukka Aleksi , Heikkinen Eetu-Pekka , Riekki Elina , Fabritius Timo
Published: December 2022

The possibility of replacing methane with hydrogen as the fuel gas in an annealing furnace is studied regarding the oxidation of ferritic AISI 441 and austenitic AISI 304 stainless steels during simulated short‐term annealing. Oxide‐scale formation using the simulated atmospheres based on methane–air, methane–oxygen, and hydrogen–oxygen combustions with different oxidant gas excesses is compared at steel grades’ furnace temperature ranges in an annealing process. Thermogravimetry is used to determine variations of weight gain during oxidation, and field‐emission scanning electron microscopy and glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy are used to characterize oxide scales. The transition to H2 as the fuel gas is more suitable for the ferritic grade than the austenitic grade at the studied temperatures. High water vapor content in hydrogen– and methane–oxygen combustion atmospheres promotes breakaway oxidation for both steel grades. Nodule formation is significantly observed under the most demanding annealing conditions for the ferritic grade, while only the lightest conditions remain without the signs of breakaway oxidation for the austenitic grade. Changes in the oxide‐scale structures produced in both hydrogen–oxygen and methane–oxygen atmospheres are in significant, which can facilitate the exchanges between these atmospheres in relation to methane–air combustion.
Effect of Complex Inclusions on Localized Corrosion Behavior in Ferritic Steel
Authors: Wang Yunlong , Yu Wei , Zhu Renlong , Cheng Zhicheng , Chen Yinli
Published: December 2022

The localized corrosion behavior of different inclusions in a simulated solution of coastal industrial pollution is investigated in this study. It is indicated in the results that the Al2O3–MnS composite inclusions of ordinary carbon Q345B steel have microcracks and induce severe lattice distortions in the surrounding matrix. The MnS in the Al2O3–MnS composite inclusions dissolves preferentially to induce pitting corrosion. The microcracks and severe lattice distortion of the surrounding matrix accelerate the corrosion propagation. The preferential dissolution of CeAlO3–Ce2O2S inclusions induces pitting in No. 2 steel. The inherent physical and chemical properties of the inclusions and the chemical corrosion of the simulated fluid are vital in the initiation and expansion of pitting corrosion. The TiN in the test steel exhibits excellent resistance to pitting corrosion, and the double‐layer composite inclusions completely covered by TiN do not form corrosion pits in the simulated solution and do not cause the dissolution of the adjacent matrix. The coordinated addition of Ti–Ce can reduce the size of the inclusions and improve the probability of complete cladding of TiN.
Characterization of Rsg3, a novel greenbug resistance gene from the Chinese barley landrace PI 565676
Authors: Xu Xiangyang , Mornhinweg Dolores , Bai Guihua , Li Genqiao , Bian Ruolin , Bernardo Amy , Armstrong J. Scott
Published: December 2022

Greenbug (Schizaphis graminum Rondani) is a pest that poses a serious threat to cereal production worldwide. Yield losses caused by greenbug are predicted to increase because of global warming. To date, only a few barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) greenbug resistance genes have been reported and new genes are urgently needed because of the continuous occurrence of novel greenbug biotypes. PI 565676, a landrace collected from Henan province of China, exhibits high resistance to several predominant greenbug biotypes. An F6:7 recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from the cross PI 565676 × ‘Weskan’ was evaluated for response to greenbug biotypes E and F using a standard aphid assay protocol, and a randomized complete block design with two replicates was adopted. The RIL population was genotyped using single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) markers generated by genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS). Gene mapping placed the greenbug resistance gene in PI 565676, designated Rsg3, to an interval of 93,140 bp between 667,558,306 and 667,651,446 bp on the long arm of chromosome 3H. Four high‐confidence genes were annotated in this region with one encoding a leucine‐rich repeat‐containing protein. An allelism test indicated that Rsg3 is independent of the Rsg1 locus, with estimated recombination frequency of 12.85 ± 0.20% and genetic distance of 13.14 ± 0.21 cM between the two loci. Therefore, Rsg3 represents a new locus for greenbug resistance. Two SNPs flanking Rsg3 were converted to Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) markers, which can be used to tag Rsg3 in barley breeding.