bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of long-range sound propagation in western Pacific
Authors: Bi Sizhao  , Peng Zhaohui  , Xie Zhimin  , Wang Guangxu  , Zhang Lingshan  ,   1) (State Key Laboratory of Acoustics, Institute of Acoustics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China),   2) (School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China),   3)（Naval Military Marine Environment Construction Office, Beijing 100081, China）
Published: August 2022

Acoustic signals can travel thousands of kilometers in seawater, and the characteristics of long-range sound propagation are different from short range propagation. This paper is based on a long-range underwater acoustic experiment data carried in the western Pacific Ocean, whose farthest propagation distance is nearly 2000km. The ocean environment information and vertical line array information are carefully processed. We analyze the attenuation in the seawater of long-distance acoustic propagation and multi-path arrival structure characteristics under the complete acoustic channel environment of the ocean. In terms of the attenuation law of long-distance propagation energy, with the increase of propagation distance, the effect of seawater absorption on the attenuation of sound energy becomes prominent, and the selection of absorption coefficient is very important for accurate prediction of sound field energy. Absorption in seawater of low frequency signals is small, and the transmission loss of acoustic signal with 100Hz center frequency only increases by about 6dB when the propagation distance is from 1000km to 2000km. In terms of multi-path arrival structure characteristics of deep-sea acoustic channel for long-distance sound propagation, the thermocline sound velocity profile in the experimental sea area has higher sound speed, which makes the number of eigenrays reaching the receiving point more and the multi-path arrival structure more complex. The arrival structure formed by sea surface reflected eigenrays is in the earlier position of the overall arrival structure and has relatively strong energy. Due to the influence of subtropical water over the northwest Pacific Ocean on the sound speed profile, the time of some eigenrays arriving at the receiving point is earlier, and the length of multi-way arrival structure on the time axis is prolonged.
Study on deformation evolution and diffusion characteristics of PMMA under impact loading
Authors: Miao Chun-he  , Yuan Liangzhu  , Lu Jianhua  , WANG Pengfei  , XU Songlin  ,   1) (CAS Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China),   2) (the United Laboratory of High-Pressure Physics and Earthquake Science, CEA Key Laboratory of Earthquake Prediction (Institute of Earthquake Science), China Earthquake Administration, Beijing, 100036, China)
Published: August 2022

Dynamic compression experiments were carried out on cubic PMMA specimens and two kinds of trapezoid PMMA specimens by changing the transmission bars to steel and aluminum bar with the Loading device of split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). The compression process of PMMA specimens was recorded by high-speed photography, and the breakage process of PMMA specimens was analyzed based on the force displacement curves and high-speed images. The evolution of deformation and diffusion resistance of PMMA specimens under impact loading was discussed. The results show that the failure of the sample is mainly caused by the partial failure front at the contact end, and then the failure front propagates to the inside of the sample and leads to the breakage of the sample. The failure front of cubic samples is preferentially generated at the transmission end under low speed impact and generated at the incident end under the higher speed impact. After changing the shape of the specimen and material of the transmission bar, the relaxation phenomenon is obvious, and the failure front only occurs at the incident end. The compressive deformation of the trapezoid sample before breakage is non-uniform, and the stress and strain in the sample gradually decrease with the increase of the cross section, and show a linear diffusion distribution. The strain distribution and shear activation diffusion equation were used to obtain the generalized diffusion resistance distribution of the failure front. The generalized diffusion resistance increases first in front of the failure front and decreases after the failure front and the amplitude of the generalized diffusion resistance is related to the release of local strain energy.
Enteroendocrine cell types that drive food reward and aversion
Authors: Bai Ling , Sivakumar Nilla , Yu Shenliang , Mesgarzadeh Sheyda , Ding Tom , Ly Truong , Corpuz Timothy V , Grove James CR , Jarvie Brooke C , Knight Zachary A
Published: August 2022

Animals must learn through experience which foods are nutritious and should be consumed, and which are toxic and should be avoided. Enteroendocrine cells (EECs) are the principal chemosensors in the GI tract, but investigation of their role in behavior has been limited by the difficulty of selectively targeting these cells in vivo. Here, we describe an intersectional genetic approach for manipulating EEC subtypes in behaving mice. We show that multiple EEC subtypes inhibit food intake but have different effects on learning. Conditioned flavor preference is driven by release of cholecystokinin whereas conditioned taste aversion is mediated by serotonin and substance P. These positive and negative valence signals are transmitted by vagal and spinal afferents, respectively. These findings establish a cellular basis for how chemosensing in the gut drives learning about food.
The unmitigated profile of COVID-19 infectiousness
Authors: Sender Ron , Bar-On Yinon , Park Sang Woo , Noor Elad , Dushoff Jonathan , Milo Ron
Published: August 2022

Quantifying the temporal dynamics of infectiousness of individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for understanding the spread of COVID-19 and for evaluating the effectiveness of mitigation strategies. Many studies have estimated the infectiousness profile using observed serial intervals. However, statistical and epidemiological biases could lead to underestimation of the duration of infectiousness. We correct for these biases by curating data from the initial outbreak of the pandemic in China (when mitigation was minimal), and find that the infectiousness profile of the original strain is longer than previously thought. Sensitivity analysis shows our results are robust to model structure, assumed growth rate and potential observational biases. Although unmitigated transmission data is lacking for variants of concern (VOCs), previous analyses suggest that the alpha and delta variants have faster within-host kinetics, which we extrapolate to crude estimates of variant-specific unmitigated generation intervals. Knowing the unmitigated infectiousness profile of infected individuals can inform estimates of the effectiveness of isolation and quarantine measures. The framework presented here can help design better quarantine policies in early stages of future epidemics.
Mechanism of the cadherin–catenin F-actin catch bond interaction
Authors: Wang Amy , Dunn Alexander R , Weis William I
Published: August 2022

Mechanotransduction at cell–cell adhesions is crucial for the structural integrity, organization, and morphogenesis of epithelia. At cell–cell junctions, ternary E-cadherin/β-catenin/αE-catenin complexes sense and transmit mechanical load by binding to F-actin. The interaction with F-actin, described as a two-state catch bond, is weak in solution but is strengthened by applied force due to force-dependent transitions between weak and strong actin-binding states. Here, we provide direct evidence from optical trapping experiments that the catch bond property principally resides in the αE-catenin actin-binding domain (ABD). Consistent with our previously proposed model, the deletion of the first helix of the five-helix ABD bundle enables stable interactions with F-actin under minimal load that are well described by a single-state slip bond, even when αE-catenin is complexed with β-catenin and E-cadherin. Our data argue for a conserved catch bond mechanism for adhesion proteins with structurally similar ABDs. We also demonstrate that a stably bound ABD strengthens load-dependent binding interactions between a neighboring complex and F-actin, but the presence of the other αE-catenin domains weakens this effect. These results provide mechanistic insight to the cooperative binding of the cadherin–catenin complex to F-actin, which regulate dynamic cytoskeletal linkages in epithelial tissues.
VALIDACIÓN DE UN INSTRUMENTO PARA LA CATEGORIZACIÓN DE USUARIOS, SEGÚN DEPENDENCIA Y RIESGO DE CUIDADOS, ADAPTADO PARA SERVICIOS DE NEONATOLOGÍA DE HOSPITALES PÚBLICOS DE CHILE
Authors:   Neonatología, Hospital Félix Bulnes Cerda, Santiago (Chile), Ramírez Aguilera Nicolás , Miranda Vargas Horacio ,   Departamento de Producción Agropecuaria, Facultad de Cs. Agropecuarias y Forestales, Universidad de La Frontera. Temuco (Chile), Barrios Casas Sara ,   Departamento de Enfermería, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco (Chile)
Published: August 2022

La categorización de usuarios según dependencia y riesgo de cuidados a través del instrumento CUDYR, responde a la reforma de salud chilena, que enfoca la gestión de las instituciones asistenciales, los cuales deben mejorar su eficiencia, efectividad, calidad y seguridad, otorgando una herramienta para la gestión del cuidado en atención cerrada. El objetivo de este estudio fue adaptar y validar el instrumento CUDYR para servicios de Neonatología de hospitales públicos de Chile. La muestra no probabilística correspondió a los casos disponibles por intención según los criterios de inclusión de juicio de expertos y estuvo conformada por 152 pacientes de un hospital público de Chile. Se aplicó consentimiento informado, utilizando los principios éticos propuestos por Ezequiel Emanuel. Se realizó adaptación del instrumento vigente por expertos en el área, abarcando filosofía de cuidados neonatales, y validación por contenido por contraparte experta en el área obteniéndose una calificación entre un 97% y 100% sobre la pertinencia de los ítems propuestos. Se aplicó el instrumento CUDYR-NEO durante diciembre de 2017. El instrumento final quedó conformado por dos dimensiones con una fiabilidad estimada mediante alfa ordinal de 0,89 y una varianza extraída de aprox. 0,56 (sobre 0,5) lo cual determina una alta calidad de medición del instrumento. Además, el instrumento cumple tanto con la validez convergente, así como con la validez discriminante. La saturación de los ítems en los factores latentes presentó cargas factoriales por sobre los 0,47 con un máximo de 0,99 consideradas como altas. Se concluye que el instrumento CUDYR-NEO presenta propiedades psicométricas suficientes y altas de fiabilidad y validez, constituyendo una herramienta adecuada para la categorización de usuarios según dependencia-riesgo en servicios de Neonatología.
PERSPECTIVAS ACADÉMICAS DE ESTUDIANTES DE ENFERMERÍA EN LA ASIGNATURA DE PRIMEROS AUXILIOS
Authors:   Escuela de Enfermería, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, Temuco (Chile), Hernández Díaz Alejandro Antonio
Published: August 2022

INTRODUCCIÓN: La inserción de los programas de Primeros Auxilios en el currículum de Enfermería proporcionan en la población estudiantil aprendizaje experiencial y competencias ya en etapas tempranas del modelaje académico. OBJETIVO: Descubrir las perspectivas académicas que le otorgan los estudiantes de la carrera de enfermería a la asignatura de Primeros Auxilios en el currículum. METODOLOGÍA: Investigación cualitativa, exploratoria, con enfoque fenomenológico social de acuerdo con Alfred Schultz. La muestra se conformó por 15 informantes claves, criterio de inclusión: ser estudiante matriculado en el año lectivo y estar curricularmente al día. Recolección de datos se formaron dos grupos focales. La transcripción de la data verbal fue realizada mediante metodología de Jefferson, se cumplió con los criterios de rigor y éticos. RESULTADOS: Emergieron tres categorías: Aporte que tiene Primeros Auxilios en el desarrollo de las competencias genéricas, Identidad profesional y Sugerencias para la asignatura de Primeros Auxilios. De las competencias genéricas destaca Comunicación y toma de decisiones; de la segunda sobresale el rol educativo y asistencial que se enmarca como contribución profesional y las sugerencias apuntan a que debería incluirse Primeros Auxilios psicológicos y rodear un enfoque innovador que tenga en cuenta las redes sociales. CONCLUSIONES: Los discentes sí asocian la asignatura con su currículum. Se reconocieron competencias genéricas como: Conocimiento, Motivación, Liderazgo, Comunicación y Toma de decisiones. Como contribución profesional se identificaron el rol educativo y rol asistencial; no se visualizan roles administrativos ni investigación. Sugerencia: incorporación de primeros auxilios psicológicos y elaboración de interacciones digitales aplicadas en redes sociales.
Effect of Seed Priming with Various Organic and Inorganic Compounds on Cotton Seed Germination and Seedling Development
Authors: Kumar R. Kavin , Thirukumaran K. , Karthikeyan R. , Latha M. R.
Published: August 2022

Aims: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of seed priming with various organic and inorganic compounds on cotton seed germination and seedling development.

Study design:  Completely randomized design

Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted in Department of cotton, AC & RI, TNAU, Coimbatore in 2022.

Methodology: The acid delinted seeds were treated with 10 different organic and inorganic priming materials and treatments are T1- Hydropriming, T2- Panchagavya 5%, T3- Panchagavya 10%, T4- Cow urine 3%, T5- Cow urine 6%, T6- KNO3 2%, T7- Mepiquat chloride 200 ppm, T8- Mepiquat chloride 300 ppm, T9- Salicylic acid 100 ppm, T10- Salicylic acid 200 ppm. Seeds were soaked in priming materials for 12 hours and shade dried for 3 hours and following observations were made, Germination percent (%), Root length (cm), Shoot length (cm), Seedling length (cm), Number of lateral roots, Seedling fresh weight (g), Seedling dry weight (g), Seedling Vigor Index I, Seedling Vigor Index II and were taken between 10 days interval i.e., 10,20,30 DAS.

Results: Maximum germination percent (100%) was recorded under treatment T5- Cow urine 6%. Maximum root length (9.3, 10.1 and 18.4 cm), shoot length (9.9, 18.8 and 26.0 cm), seedling length (19.2, 28.9, 44.4cm) were recorded with T5- Cow urine 6%. Seedling fresh weight (0.75, 2.26, 6.97 g), seedling dry weight (0.075, 0.39, 0.83 g) were found highest in the treatment T5- Cow urine 6% in all observations. Number of lateral roots (25, 28, 38) and vigor indices I (1920, 2893, 4437) & II (7.53, 39, 83.3) were recorded higher with T5- Cow urine 6%.

Conclusion: Among seed priming with various organic and inorganic compounds, seed priming with 6 percent cow urine outperformed all other treatments and recorded highest seedling vigor.
A Case Report of Management of Multiple Peri-orbital Cysts (Eccrine Hidrocystoma) in a 35-Year Old Woman
Authors: S. Amadi E. , N. Amaewhule M. , Okejim C.
Published: August 2022

Background: Hidrocystoma is a rare benign swelling(tumour) of sweat glands also known as the cystic form of hidroadenoma, cystadenomas, sudoriferous cysts, and Moll’s gland. It has no racial or sex predilection. Its rarity and site of occurrence makes its management challenging due to limitation in knowledge of making diagnosis, treatment, availability of drugs and interventions and aesthetic concerns.

Presentation of Case: A 35 year old Nigerian woman from the Igbo ethnic group with tertiary level of education who presented to the dermatology outpatient clinic with a 10 year history of recurrent peri-orbital swelling associated with occasional pruritus. There was no history of similar lesion in any family member. Patient had resorted to self-medication and consulted different doctors prior to being referred to the dermatologist. Her physical examination was normal. She was also counselled about the disease and management options. She subsequently received seven sessions of the chemo-ablation using trichloroacetic acid (TCA) with remarkable improvement and has had no recurrence of lesions for the past 1 year.

Conclusion: Hidrocystomas can be successfully treated in our environment.
Community Participation in the Delivery of Basic Education at Abakrampa Traditional Area in the Central Region of Ghana
Authors: Saani Abdul-Jaleel
Published: August 2022

The purpose of the study was to investigate the problems confronting community participation in the running of public basic schools at Abakrampa traditional area in Ghana. Specifically, the study assessed the nature of community participation in terms of cooperation between school authorities and community members, problems confronting the participation of community groups, and interventional strategies put forth by educational authorities to enhance community participation in education delivery. The study adopted the cross sectional survey design with mixed methods approach. The population comprised circuit supervisors, headteachers, teachers, parents and other stakeholders of the basic schools in the area. The sample was 150. The headteachers, teachers and circuit supervisors were selected purposively while parents and school management committees’ members were randomly selected. Questionnaire and interview guide were the instruments used. Frequency, percentage, and chi-square were used to analyse the quantitative data while the qualitative were analysed manually using open, axial and selective coding systems. The findings revealed the need to foster community-school participation in order to enhance educational delivery, management and development in public basic schools at the traditional area. In conclusion, one can say that community-school participation is necessary for orderly development of schools, aside from engendering trust, accountability and help to solve school problems so that academic work can flourish in an atmosphere of peace and orderliness. It is, therefore, recommended to school authorities to constantly communicate with community leaders and parents regarding the activities of the schools and also organise biannual fora and public hearings on the need for them to get actively involved in school matters. This will create room for them to appreciate the challenges the schools are facing and also for the school authorities to understand and appreciate the expectations and needs of the stakeholders regarding education delivery in the community.
Transcriptional Switching of Host Defence Response to Combat Hemibiotrophic Fungal Infection
Authors: Abdullah Siti Nor A. , Bahari Mohammad Nazri A. , Sakeh Nurshafika M.
Published: August 2022

Hemibiotrophic fungal pathogens cause major destruction to food and industrial crops globally. Their dual infection phases appear to be a winning strategy. The pathogen establishes an initial colonisation biotrophically keeping the host cells alive. It then shifts to the notorious necrotrophic mode of infection, killing the host cells resulting in biochemical and physiological impairment destructive to the whole plant. A better understanding of the molecular interaction at the early stage of infection is critical to save the infected crops. In this article, we integrate findings from different plant–pathogen pathosystems to provide a comprehensive evaluation about the defence response network, covering crops that are infected through the aerial and root tissues. The high‐throughput transcriptomics and metabolomics approaches as well as relevant biochemical and physiological analyses have revealed key genes and cellular components associated with signalling pathways and defence responses during the biotrophic and necrotrophic phases. Factors influencing the biotrophy to necrotrophy transition are discussed. Transcriptional reprogramming involving key regulatory proteins acting as master or key transcription factors to provide an effective two‐stage defence network in host plants is also elaborated.
Functional 2D Iron‐Based Nanosheets for Synergistic Immunotherapy, Phototherapy, and Chemotherapy of Tumor
Authors: Wang Xingbo , Cheng Yan , Han Xiaoqing , Yan Jiao , Wu Yunyun , Song Panpan , Wang Yanjing , Li Xi , Zhang Haiyuan
Published: August 2022

Immunotherapy efficacy has been limited by tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs), which are the most abundant immune regulatory cells infiltrating around tumor tissues. The repolarization of pro‐tumor M2 TAMs to anti‐tumor M1 TAMs is a very promising immunotherapeutic strategy for cancer therapy. In this manuscript, multifunctional 2D iron‐based nanosheets (FeNSs) are synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method for the first time, which not only possess photothermal and photodynamic properties, but also can repolarize TAMs from M2 to M1. After modifying with polyethylene glycol and loading with bioreductive prodrug banoxantrone (AQ4N), abbreviated as APFeNSs, it can effectively repolarize TAMs from M2 to M1 and deliver AQ4N to tumor microenvironment (TME). Moreover, the repolarized M1 TAMs overexpress inducible nitric oxide synthase, which can convert nontoxic AQ4N to cytotoxic AQ4 under hypoxic TME, enabling immunomodulation‐activated chemotherapy. A series of in vitro and in vivo results corroborate that APFeNSs effectively exert photothermal and photodynamic effects and repolarize M2 TAMs to M1 TAMs, releasing inflammatory factors and activating the chemotherapeutic effect, thereby realizing synergistic tumor therapy.
Environmental Impact Assessment of Solid Polymer Electrolytes for Solid‐State Lithium Batteries
Authors: Larrabide Alain , Rey Irene , Lizundia Erlantz
Published: August 2022

Solid‐state batteries play a pivotal role in the next‐generation batteries as they satisfy the stringent safety requirements for stationary or electric vehicle applications. Notable efforts are devoted to the competitive design of solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) acting as both the electrolyte and the separator. Although particular efforts to attain acceptable ionic conductivities and wide electrochemical stability widows are carried out, the environmental sustainability is largely neglected. To address this gap, here the cradle‐to‐gate environmental impacts of the most representative SPEs using life cycle assessment (LCA) are quantified. Raw material extraction and electrolyte fabrication are considered. Global warming potential values of 0.37–10.64 kg CO2 equiv. gelectrolyte
−1 are achieved, where PEO/LiTFSI presents the lower environmental burdens. A minor role of the polymer fraction on the total impacts is observed, with a maximum CO2 footprint share of 0.61%. Following ecodesign approaches, a sensitivity analysis is performed to simulate industrial‐scale fabrication processes and explore environmentally friendlier scenarios. The electrochemical performance of SPEs is further analyzed into Li/LiFePO4 solid lithium metal battery cell configuration. Overall, these results are aimed to guide the ecologically sustainable design of SPEs and facilitate the implementation of next‐generation sustainable batteries.
Manipulating Reaction Intermediates to Aqueous‐Phase ZnSe Magic‐Size Clusters and Quantum Dots at Room Temperature
Authors: Li Yang , Zhang Meng , He Li , Rowell Nelson , Kreouzis Theo , Zhang Chunchun , Wang Shanling , Luan Chaoran , Chen Xiaoqin , Zhang Sijie , Yu Kui
Published: August 2022

It is not resolved which model describes better the aqueous‐phase nucleation and growth of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), the classical one‐step one or the nonclassical multi‐step one. Here, we design a room‐temperature reaction to trap reaction intermediates in the prenucleation stage of ZnSe QDs (as a model system). We show that the trapped intermediate can transform to magic‐size clusters (MSCs) via intra‐molecular reorganization and can fragment to enable the growth of QDs. The MSCs exhibit a sharp optical absorption peaking at 299 nm, labelled MSC‐299. The intermediate, the precursor compound (PC‐299) of MSC‐299, is optically transparent at 299 nm and to longer wavelengths. This intermediate forms in various Zn and Se reaction systems. The present study provides unambiguous evidence that the nonclassical and classical pathways are both necessary to explain the nucleation and growth of aqueous‐phase QDs, with the former pathway favored more by high reaction concentrations.
A novel clinic structure for exposure counseling during pregnancy
Authors: Pressman Katherine , Müller Réka , Krstić Nevena , Običan Sarah
Published: August 2022

Background

Congenital malformations and adverse fetal outcomes secondary to teratogenic exposures are major public health concerns. We review all inquiries made to the Florida MotherToBaby service center as well as the novel Exposure Clinic, which offers direct patient counseling.

Methods

We completed a retrospective review of all inquiries made to the MotherToBaby Florida service and the Exposure Clinic consults between its inception January 2019 through December 2021. All de‐identified data was collected at the time of the inquiry and stored in the OTIS database. Aggregate data was then extracted and descriptive statistics were performed. A p value of less than .05 indicated statistical significance.

Results

In 2019, there were 163 total inquiries, 265 in 2020, and 1,279 in 2021. These 1,707 inquiries covered 2,809 unique exposures. In the Exposure Clinic, 49 patients were seen in 2019, 140 in 2020, and 263 in 2021. The clinic's geographical reach increased over time with patients from 22 different counties being seen in 2021. Of all individual exposures, 45% were evaluated in 452 unique encounters in the Exposure Clinic and 55% were evaluated in 1255 unique encounters via traditional modes of contact. The average number of exposures discussed at each clinic appointment 2.8 versus 1.2 in inquiries via traditional methods. The majority of all exposures were regarding prescription medications, specifically psychiatric medications, followed by immunizations. The exposure with the single most inquiries was the COVID‐19 vaccine.

Conclusions

This novel clinic structure allows for complex counseling and clinical recommendations regarding exposures during pregnancy.
Cyanobacterial supra‐polysaccharide: Self‐similar hierarchy, diverse morphology, and application prospects of sacran fibers
Authors: Budpud Kulisara , Okeyoshi Kosuke , Okajima Maiko K. , Kaneko Tatsuo
Published: August 2022

The biological functions of polysaccharides are influenced by their chemistry and chain conformation, which have resulted in various functional applications and new uses for polysaccharides in recent years. Sacran is an intriguing ampholytic polysaccharide with several key properties such as metal adsorption, anti‐inflammatory nature, and transdermal drug‐carrying capacity. It has an extremely high molecular weight over 107 g/mol, which is much higher than those of the previously reported microbial polysaccharides. In particular, it has a remarkable self‐orienting characteristic over a large length scale, which could produce a bundle with twisted morphologies from the nanoscale to the microscale with diameters of ~1 μm and lengths of >800 μm. In this review, morphological variations, as well as novel self‐organization and hierarchical self‐assembly are comprehensively discussed. Sacran fibers deform into various forms, such as two‐ and three‐dimensional flexible fibers and micro–nano fragments, during their evaporation. The self‐assembly and disassembly of the sacran are explained in terms of the preparation process and factors that influence the morphology. This review will pave the way for the development of novel modules such as humidity‐sensitive actuators, micro‐patterned cell scaffolds, and uniaxially oriented membranes.
CT radiomics identifying non‐responders to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy among patients with locally advanced rectal cancer
Authors: Zhang Zinan , Yi Xiaoping , Pei Qian , Fu Yan , Li Bin , Liu Haipeng , Han Zaide , Chen Changyong , Pang Peipei , Lin Huashan , Gong Guanghui , Yin Hongling , Zai Hongyan , Chen Bihong T.
Published: August 2022

Background and Purpose

Early detection of non‐response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) for locally advanced colorectal cancer (LARC) remains challenging. We aimed to assess whether pretreatment radiotherapy planning computed tomography (CT) radiomics could distinguish the patients with no response or no downstaging after nCRT from those with response and downstaging after nCRT.

Materials and Methods

Patients with LARC who were treated with nCRT were retrospectively enrolled between March 2009 and March 2019. Traditional radiological characteristics were analyzed by visual inspection and radiomic features were analyzed through computational methods from the pretreatment radiotherapy planning CT images. Differentiation models were constructed using radiomic methods and clinicopathological characteristics for predicting non‐response to nCRT. Model performance was assessed for classification efficiency, calibration, discrimination, and clinical application.

Results

This study enrolled a total of 215 patients, including 151 patients in the training cohort (50 non‐responders and 101 responders) and 64 patients in the validation cohort (21 non‐responders and 43 responders). For predicting non‐response, the model constructed with an ensemble machine learning method had higher performance with area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.92 and 0.89 as compared to the model constructed with the logistic regression method (AUC: 0.72 and 0.71 for the training and validation cohorts, respectively). Both decision curve and calibration curve analyses confirmed that the ensemble machine learning model had higher prediction performance.

Conclusion

Pretreatment CT radiomics achieved satisfying performance in predicting non‐response to nCRT and could be helpful to assist in treatment planning for patients with LARC.
Deep learning for assessing the aesthetics of professional photographs
Authors: Chambe Mathieu , Cozot Rémi , Le Meur Olivier
Published: August 2022

Aesthetic quality assessment for photographs is an important research topic since it can be used for a number of applications, such as image database management or image browsing. In 2012, the aesthetic visual analysis (AVA) dataset has been proposed. It has since then been used to train the majority of computational models of aesthetics assessment. We observe that AVA is mainly composed of competitive photographs which notion of aesthetics differs from other kinds of photographs, such as professional photographs. In this paper, we evaluate whether or not recent aesthetics assessment models generalize well and perform well over professional photographs. We noticed that the different models we tested behave differently on both categories, and therefore do not generalize well. Besides, we fine‐tuned one of the tested model using professional photographs and the results show that this fine‐tuning is effectively improving the coverage of the methods.
Ionic Liquid Sheath Stabilizes Atomically Dispersed Reduced Graphene Aerogel‐Supported Iridium Complexes during Ethylene Hydrogenation Catalysis
Authors: Kurtoğlu‐Öztulum Samira F. , Yalçın Kaan , Hoffman Adam S. , Jalal Ahsan , Zhao Yuxin , Gates Bruce C. , Bare Simon R. , Unal Ugur , Uzun Alper
Published: August 2022

An atomically dispersed reduced graphene aerogel (rGA)‐supported iridium catalyst having reactive ethylene ligands was synthesized at an iridium loading of 9.9 wt % and coated with an ionic liquid, 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIM][OAc]). Continuous‐scan X‐ray absorption spectra demonstrated that the iridium remained site‐isolated in flowing equimolar C2H4 and H2 during a temperature ramp to 100 °C. The data further showed the lack of detectable iridium aggregation when the feed was H2‐rich or even pure H2 at 100 °C. An Arrhenius plot determined for ethylene hydrogenation catalysis with the sample in flowing equimolar ethylene and hydrogen showed no variation in the apparent activation energy at temperatures up to 100 °C, confirming that the active sites remained intact at the higher temperatures. The results point to opportunities for overcoming the stability limitations of atomically dispersed supported noble metal catalysts by choice of electron‐donor supports and ionic liquid sheaths.
Integrated statistical and machine learning analysis provides insight into key influencing symptoms for distinguishing early‐onset type 2 diabetes
Authors: Wood David A.
Published: August 2022

Background

Being able to predict with confidence the early onset of type 2 diabetes from a suite of signs and symptoms (features) displayed by potential sufferers is desirable to commence treatment promptly. Late or inconclusive diagnosis can result in more serious health consequences for sufferers and higher costs for health care services in the long run.

Methods

A novel integrated methodology is proposed involving correlation, statistical analysis, machine learning, multi‐K‐fold cross‐validation, and confusion matrices to provide a reliable classification of diabetes‐positive and ‐negative individuals from a substantial suite of features. The method also identifies the relative influence of each feature on the diabetes diagnosis and highlights the most important ones. Ten statistical and machine learning methods are utilized to conduct the analysis.

Results

A published data set involving 520 individuals (Sylthet Diabetes Hospital, Bangladesh) is modeled revealing that a support vector classifier generates the most accurate early‐onset type 2 diabetes status predictions with just 11 misclassifications (2.1% error). Polydipsia and polyuria are among the most influential features, whereas obesity and age are assigned low weights by the prediction models.

Conclusion

The proposed methodology can rapidly predict early‐onset type 2 diabetes with high confidence while providing valuable insight into the key influential features involved in such predictions.
Utility of NR4A3 on FNA cytology smears and liquid‐based preparations of salivary gland
Authors: Millan Nicolas , Tjendra Youley , Zuo Yiqin , Jorda Merce , Garcia‐Buitrago Monica , Velez‐Torres Jaylou M. , Gomez‐Fernandez Carmen
Published: August 2022

Background

Fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is generally the initial sampling method for salivary gland neoplasms. The cytomorphologic features of acinic cell carcinoma (AciCC) of salivary gland can overlap with other neoplastic and nonneoplastic entities. AciCCs harbor a recurrent t(4;9) rearrangement with upregulation of nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 3 (NR4A3). NR4A3 protein overexpression has been shown to be highly sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of AciCC in histologic specimens and cell block preparations. However, data on NR4A3 immunocytochemistry (ICC) on conventional smears or liquid‐based cytology are limited.

Methods

The authors identified 18 FNAC of histologically proven AciCC cases between 2013 and 2019. FNAC samples of diagnostic mimickers were likewise retrieved and included in the study cohort for comparison. The NOR1/NR4A3 mouse monoclonal antibody was applied directly to FNAC slides using a standard ICC technique.

Results

The cohort included ethanol‐fixed Papanicolaou‐stained cytologic smears and liquid‐based preparations from 18 AciCC, one secretory carcinoma, four mucoepidermoid carcinomas, four salivary duct carcinomas, five pleomorphic adenomas (PA), five Warthin tumors, five oncocytomas, one oncocytic hyperplasia, and five nonneoplastic salivary gland cases. Strong nuclear staining for NR4A3 was present in all AciCC, weak nuclear staining was present in one PA, and all other non‐AciCC were negative (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 97%).

Conclusions

NR4A3 ICC can be used directly on FNAC conventional smears and liquid‐based cytology to reliably distinguish AciCC from its mimickers. This marker may be useful in cases where a cell block preparation is unavailable or inadequate.
An autologous colonic organoid‐derived monolayer model to study immune: bacterial interactions in Crohn's disease patients
Authors: Angus Hamish CK , Urbano Paulo CM , Laws Gemma A , Fan Shijun , Gadeock Safina , Schultz Michael , Butt Grant , Highton Andrew J , Kemp Roslyn A
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Crohn's disease (CD) initiation and pathogenesis are believed to involve an environmental trigger in a genetically susceptible person that results in an immune response against commensal gut bacteria, leading to a compromised intestinal epithelial barrier and a cycle of inflammation. However, it has been difficult to study the contribution of all factors together in a physiologically relevant model and in a heterogenous patient population.

Methods

We developed an autologous colonic monolayer model that incorporated the immune response from the same donor and a commensal bacteria, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Two‐dimensional monolayers were grown from three‐dimensional organoids generated from intestinal biopsies, and the epithelial integrity of the epithelium was measured using transepithelial electrical resistance. We determined the effect of immune cells alone, bacteria alone and the co‐culture of immune cells and bacteria on integrity.

Results

Monolayers derived from CD donors had impaired epithelial integrity compared to those from non‐inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) donors. This integrity was further impaired by culture with bacteria, but not immune cells, despite a higher frequency of inflammatory phenotype peripheral T cells in CD donors. Variability in epithelial integrity was higher in CD donors than in non‐IBD donors.

Conclusion

We have developed a new autologous model to study the complexity of CD, which allows for the comparison of the barrier properties of the colonic epithelium and the ability to study how autologous immune cells directly affect the colonic barrier and whether this is modified by luminal bacteria. This new model allows for the study of individual patients and could inform treatment decisions.
A bio‐inspired backbone formation protocol in cognitive radio networks
Authors: Kumar Santosh , Murmu Mahendra Kumar , Singh Awadhesh Kumar
Published: August 2022

The cognitive radio network (CRN) is an emerging technology where communication among secondary users (SUs) takes place in an opportunistic manner. Since, a backbone eases the routing, reduces communication overhead, and efficiently handles the dynamic changes in the network. Therefore, we intend to propose a backbone formation algorithm in CRN. However, finding optimal backbone is equivalent to find minimum connected dominating set (CDS) for the given network, which is NP‐complete. Hence, the backbone construction problem can be better handled by optimization algorithms than the deterministic ones. The bio‐inspired is an interesting category of optimization algorithms. Therefore, it has been popularly used to handle various optimization problems in wireless networks. However, it has never been used for backbone construction in CRN. The ant colony optimization (ACO) is a promising bio‐inspired method because it has been effectively used to handle many problems in wireless networks, e.g. cluster head selection, leader election, routing etc. Therefore, we use ant colony system (ACS) for backbone formation in CRN. Also, the approach helps us to find optimized path between any pair of nodes to ensure efficient communication. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first bio‐inspired backbone construction algorithm in CRN.
Clinical value of the ThinPrep cytologic test with E6/E7 mRNA detection for cervical cancer screening in disease diagnosis
Authors: Zhang Liyi , Qi Ruihong , Wang Lin , Jiang Fengxi , Pan Shuguang , Fu Wei , Su Zhanqin , Gui Dingqing
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND

To investigate the clinical value of the ThinPrep cytologic test (TCT) with the E6/E7 mRNA test for cervical cancer screening in disease diagnosis.

METHODS

A total of 405 samples from Dazhou Central Hospital from April 2017 to July 2020 were collected, and we conducted a comparative analysis of the diagnostic performance of several test methods both individually andcombination.

RESULTS

The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, accuracy, and area under the curve (AUC) were compared by single TCT, E6/E7 mRNA test, and combination methods. The TCT+E6/E7mRNA test was confirmed to have a relatively higher specificity of 80.32% (95% CI: 75.40%–84.48%, both P < 0.001), and AUC value (0.78, 95% CI: 0.73–0.83, and P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The relative diagnostic value may be further improved by the combined detection of TCT and E6/E7 mRNA test. The combined detection of TCT and the E6/E7 mRNA test is expected to become a potential indicator for cervical lesions.
Performance of wild animals with “broken” traits: Movement patterns in nature of moose with leg injuries
Authors: Hendry Andrew P. , Hendry Cedar A. , Hendry Aspen S. , Roffey Heather L. , Hendry Michael A.
Published: August 2022

Organismal traits are presumed to be well suited for performance in the tasks required for survival, growth, and reproduction. Major injuries to such traits should therefore compromise performance and prevent success in the natural world; yet some injured animals can survive for long periods of time and contribute to future generations. We here examine 3 years of camera trap observations along a remote trail through old‐growth forest in northern British Columbia, Canada. The most common observations were of moose (2966), wolves (476), and brown bears (224). The moose overwhelmingly moved in one direction along the trail in the late fall and early winter and in the other direction in the spring. This movement was clustered/contagious, with days on which many moose traveled often being interspersed with days on which few moose traveled. On the video recordings, we identified 12 injured moose, representing 1.4% of all moose observations. Seven injuries were to the carpus, three were to the antebrachium, and two were to the tarsus—and they are hypothesized to reflect damage to ligaments, tendons, and perhaps bones. The injured moose were limping in all cases, sometimes severely; and yet they did not differ noticeably from uninjured moose in the direction, date, contagiousness, or speed of movement along the trail. We discuss the potential relevance of these findings for the action of natural selection in the evolution of organismal traits important for performance.
Scavenger guild and consumption patterns of an invasive alien fish species in a Mediterranean wetland
Authors: Orihuela‐Torres Adrian , Pérez‐García Juan Manuel , Sánchez‐Zapata José Antonio , Botella Francisco , Sebastián‐González Esther
Published: August 2022

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) alter ecosystems, disrupting ecological processes and driving the loss of ecosystem services. The common carp Cyprinus carpio is a hazardous and widespread IAS, becoming the most abundant species in many aquatic ecosystems. This species transforms ecosystems by accumulating biomass to the detriment of other species, thus altering food webs. However, some terrestrial species, such as vertebrate scavengers, may benefit from dead carps, by incorporating part of the carp biomass into the terrestrial environment. This study describes the terrestrial vertebrate scavenger assemblage that benefits from carp carcasses in a Mediterranean wetland. We also evaluate the seasonal differences in the scavenger assemblage composition and carrion consumption patterns. Eighty carp carcasses (20 per season) were placed in El Hondo Natural Park, a seminatural mesohaline wetland in south‐eastern Spain, and we monitored their consumption using camera traps. We recorded 14 scavenger species (10 birds and four mammals) consuming carp carcasses, including globally threatened species. Vertebrates consumed 73% of the carrion biomass and appeared consuming at 82% of the carcasses. Of these carcasses consumed, 75% were completely consumed and the mean consumption time of carcasses completely consumed by vertebrates was 44.4 h (SD = 42.1 h). We recorded differences in species richness, abundance, and assemblage composition among seasons, but we did not find seasonal differences in consumption patterns throughout the year. Our study recorded a rich and efficient terrestrial vertebrate scavenger assemblage benefitting from carp carcasses. We detected a seasonal replacement on the scavenger species, but a maintenance of the ecological function of carrion removal, as the most efficient carrion consumers were present throughout the year. The results highlight the importance of vertebrate scavengers in wetlands, removing possible infectious focus, and moving nutrients between aquatic and terrestrial environments.
Hiding in plain sight: Cryptic enemies are found on cochineal (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae), a scale insect of economic and cultural significance
Authors: Kelly Suzanne E. , Moore Wendy , Hall W. Eugene , Hunter Martha S.
Published: August 2022

Cochineal is the common name for cactus‐feeding scale insects in the Dactylopiidae. These ruby‐red insects include the domesticated dye insect Dactylopius coccus. Dactylopius coccus and congeners have been introduced around the world, some accidentally, to become pests of prickly pear cactus species (Opuntia), and some intentionally, for dye production or biological control of pest Opuntia. In the northern Sonoran Desert (Tucson, AZ, USA), we studied the enemy complex of D. opuntiae and D. confusus on Opuntia and characterized two cryptic enemies, a coccinellid beetle predator and a parasitoid wasp. (1) Hyperaspis sp. The coccinellid predator Hyperaspis trifurcata shares a niche with a similar, typically all‐black beetle. Morphological data, crossing tests, and phylogenetic results showed the black beetle to be a distinct, undescribed species in the genus Hyperaspis, with a rare spotted phenotype that is similar in appearance to H. trifurcata. Crossing tests among black and spotted forms showed the spotted morph is inherited as a single‐locus dominant allele. (2) Formicencyrtus thoreauini. Rearing of this ant‐like parasitoid wasp (Encyrtidae) in pure culture of D. opuntiae showed it to be a semi‐gregarious primary parasitoid of cochineal. To our knowledge, this is the first confirmed instance of a cochineal parasitoid. Observations of development show early instar larvae keep their posterior end within the egg chorion, attached to an aeroscopic plate with a connection to the cochineal body wall. Late instar larvae are eventually surrounded by a membrane, likely of larval origin. Wasps then pupate in a dry air‐filled chamber within the desiccated scale remains before chewing out as an adult. Both Hyperaspis sp. and F. thoreauini may have restricted distributions. Hyperaspis sp. does not appear to be a member of the cochineal community in Mexico or Texas, and scant records suggest F. thoreauini may also be restricted to the Southwestern USA.
New research reports reveal enrollment trends
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: August 2022

With the COVID‐19 pandemic and changing demographics, enrollment at colleges and universities has experienced significant impacts over the past few years. Two recent reports from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center track student numbers and behavior.
Adopt best practices to meet unique needs of adult learners
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: August 2022

“My interest in adult learners really comes from my own experience,” said Susan J. Barcinas, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Coordinator for the Adult, Workforce, and Continuing Professional Education Program in the Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development at North Carolina State University.