bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three trap designs evaluated for a deepwater lionfish fishery
Authors: Harris Holden E. , Garner Steven B. , Tarnecki Joseph H. , Gittings Stephen R. , Chagaris David D. , Patterson William F.
Published: April 2023

A deepwater (>40 m) fishery for invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) offers a potential means to control invasive lionfish densities and mitigate their impacts on reefs too deep for SCUBA removals. Trapping could provide a scalable solution—if an effective fishing gear with minimal environmental impacts could be permitted and adopted by fishers. We tested the efficacy of wooden slat lobster traps, wire sea bass traps, and experimental non-containment Gittings traps. One hundred deployments of each trap type were made at 120 mesophotic (38–78 m deep) natural reef sites in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico (29.6–30.1°N, 86.1–87.6°W). Reef sites were surveyed with remotely operated vehicles (ROV) before and after trap deployments, and remote time-lapse video cameras were affixed above 86 traps to sample in situ recruitment to the traps. The video data showed that lionfish were attracted to the vicinity of the three trap types at similar rates, but that lionfish rarely entered the lobster or sea bass traps. The high bycatch rates of sea bass traps suggested their use is likely unsuitable for targeting lionfish. Lobster traps had lower rates of bycatch, but their relatively high ratio of bycatch-to-lionfish catches suggests that modifications will be needed to make them more efficient. The Gittings traps had the highest lionfish catch rates and lowest bycatches of native fishes, but operational issues were also identified. They failed to open on 20% of deployments and one entangled a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas). Even with the best-performing trap design, the average catch rate of lionfish was less than one lionfish per trap. A potential explanation could be the low biomass of lionfish observed during the ROV surveys, which averaged 0.3 kg lionfish per site. The time-lapse video data suggested that lionfish recruitment to Gittings traps could increase with higher densities of lionfish on the nearby reefs, if traps were retrieved after approximately two days of deployment, and if traps were retrieved during dawn or dusk. Further research, development, and testing is needed for lionfish traps, and critical bio- and techno-economic assessments appear warranted to evaluate the feasibility of a deepwater lionfish fishery.
Contamination characteristics, spatial distribution and ecological-health risk assessment of legacy and current-use pesticides: a case study in the Beibu Gulf
Authors: Zhang Li , Ma Jiaxin , Liu Peipei , Qi Anxiang , Jin Haiyan , Jia Renming , Zheng Zhenming , Yan Cheng , Cai Minghong
Published: April 2023

With the prohibition of conventional organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), the extensive use and continuous release of current-use pesticides (CUPs), such as organic amine pesticides (OAPs) and organophosphate pesticides (OPPs), in agriculture and mariculture activities have raised global attention. In this study, the occurrence and distribution of 36 pesticides from above 3 categories were investigated in seawater and sediment in Beibu Gulf, a typical subtropical agricultural and maricultrual zone. Results showed that pesticides were widely present in this region with the total concentration ranging from 0.36 to 21.07 ng/L in seawater and from 0.02 to 9.73 ng/g dw in sediment. OAPs and OPPs were the most abundant categories contributing 74% and 66% to the total pesticides burden in seawater and sediment, respectively, revealing the current-use pesticides as substitutes of legacy organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were mainly used in surrounding areas. For both seawater and surface sediment, the spatial distribution of pesticides concentrations showed generally seaward decreasing trends, suggesting that anthropogenic activities at coastal areas have an important impact on pesticides pollution. Source identification indicated OCPs in some seawater samples might be from mixture of antifouling paint and dicofol usage, while history residues are main sources of OCPs in sediment. OAPs, especially for cyflufenamid and kresoxim-methyl, mainly come from agricultral and maricultural sewage input, and OPPs were speculated from currency transportation from surrounding areas. Ecological risk assessment showed that OPPs posed moderate to even high risks in most seawater sites. It appears that crustaceans are the most sensitive trophic species to OPPs among aquatic organisms, followed by fish. According to the results of health risks proposed by the major aquatic products in Beibu Gulf (fish and shrimp), the selected pesticides pose no health risk to humans. Nevertheless, OCPs made the highest contribution to the total HQ values. Comprehensively considering the evaluation results of both ecological and health risks, more attention should be given on OPPs and OCPs pollution in the Beibu Gulf.
Determination of fiber orientation model parameters for injection molding simulations via automated metamodel optimization
Authors: Rienesl Konrad , Stelzer Philipp S. , Major Zoltán , Hsu Chih-Chung , Chang Li-Yang , Zulueta Kepa
Published: April 2023

Injection molded short fiber reinforced components reveal a sound light weight potential with moderate costs and thus are widely used in many demanding engineering applications. The accurate determination of the fiber orientation (FO) is essential for predicting the overall mechanical behavior of discontinuous (short or long, with varying aspect ratio) fiber reinforced composites. The simulation of the FO requires a proper modeling of the hydrodynamics, the closure transformation of the FO tensor and optionally the application of specific correction functions. The determination of parameters for the fiber orientation models commonly used in injection molding simulations is a challenging task because they cannot be determined directly in experiments. Hence, a novel way is shown in our paper to derive these parameters faster, more efficiently and accurately by the usage of an automated metamodel optimization. For this, injection molding simulations were performed iteratively by an optimization program until a minimal deviation error of the simulated parameters was reached. The optimization was performed based on proper computed tomography FO data of selected regions of interest. The new approach was tested for a rotationally symmetric Venturi tube geometry made from short glass fiber reinforced polyamide (PA-GF). The fiber orientation distribution models chosen were the iARD-RPR equation with 3 parameters and the novel anisotropic IISO equation with 5 parameters. It was shown that the optimization method is feasible for the calibration of fiber orientation models. Furthermore, the IISO equation with its 2 additional parameters allowed a more accurate prediction of the fiber orientation distribution, especially of the core layer of the injection molded part.
Premorbid use of selective beta-blockers improves sepsis incidence and course: Human cohort and animal model studies
Authors: Hong Shiao-Ya , Lai Chih-Cheng , Teng Nai-Chi , Chen Chao-Hsien , Hsu Chun-Chun , Chan Nai-Ju , Wang Cheng-Yi , Wang Ya-Hui , Lin You Shuei , Chen Likwang
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Beta-blockers are widely prescribed to manage hypertension and cardiovascular diseases and have been suggested as an attractive therapy to improve the prognosis of sepsis. Herein, we investigated the potential benefits of premorbid selective beta-blocker use in sepsis with a real-world database and explored the underlying mechanism by in vivo and in vitro experiments.

Methods

A total of 64,070 sepsis patients and 64,070 matched controls who were prescribed at least one anti-hypertensive drug for more than 300 days within 1 year were selected for the nested case–control study. Female C57BL/6 J mice and THP-1 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were used for studying systemic responses during sepsis to validate our clinical findings.

Results

The risk of sepsis was lower in current selective beta-blocker users than in non-users (adjusted OR (aOR), 0.842; 95% CI, 0.755–0.939), and in recent users than in non-users (aOR, 0.773; 95% CI, 0.737–0.810). A mean daily dose of ≥0.5 DDD was associated with a lower risk of sepsis (aOR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.676–0.725). Metoprolol, atenolol, and bisoprolol users had lower risk of sepsis than non-users. In a LPS-induced sepsis mouse model, mice pre-fed with atenolol had significantly reduced mortality. While atenolol had some mild effects on LPS-induced release of inflammatory cytokines in septic mice, it significantly reduced serum soluble PD-L1 levels. Notably, atenolol treatment reversed the negative correlation of sPD-L1 with inflammatory cytokines in septic mice. Moreover, atenolol markedly downregulated the PD-L1 expression on LPS-stimulated THP-1 monocytes/macrophages via targeting ROS-induced NF-κB and STAT3 activation.

Conclusion

Atenolol pretreatment can reduce sepsis mortality in mice, and in vivo and in vitro studies of PD-L1 expression suggest a role for atenolol in the modulation of immune homeostasis. These findings may contribute to the reduced incidence of sepsis in hypertensive patients with premorbid treatment with selective beta-blockers, especially atenolol.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria in hospital wastewater treatment plant effluent and the possible consequences of its reuse in agricultural irrigation
Authors: Mehanni Magda M. , Gadow Samir I. , Alshammari Fahdah Ayed , Modafer Yosra , Ghanem Kholoud Z. , El-Tahtawi Noha Fathy , El-Homosy Rania F. , Hesham Abd El-Latif
Published: April 2023

Wastewater from hospitals should be monitored precisely and treated properly before discharge and reuse to avoid epidemic and pandemic complications, as it contains hazardous pollutants for the ecosystem. Antibiotic residues in treated hospital wastewater effluents constitute a major environmental concern since they resist various wastewater treatment processes. The emergence and spread of multi-drug-resistant bacteria, that cause public health problems, are therefore always a major concern. The aims and objectives of this study were mainly to characterize the chemical and microbial properties of the hospital effluent of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) before discharge to the environment. Special attention was paid to the presence of multiple resistant bacteria and the effects of hospital effluent reuse in irrigation on zucchini as an economically important plant. The risk of cell-free DNA carrying antibiotic resistance genes contained in the hospital effluent as a long-lasting hazard had been discussed. In this study, 21 bacterial strains were isolated from the effluent of a hospital WWTP. Isolated bacteria were evaluated for multi-drug resistance ability against 5 antibiotics (Tetracycline, Ampicillin, Amoxicillin, Chloramphenicol, and Erythromycin) at a concentration of 25 ppm. Out of them, three isolates (AH-03, AH-07, and AH-13) were selected because they recorded the highest growth in presence of tested antibiotics. Selected isolates were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequence homology as Staphylococcus haemolyticus (AH-03), Enterococcus faecalis (AH-07), and Escherichia coli (AH-13). Their susceptibility to ascending concentrations of tested antibiotics indicated that they were all susceptible at a concentration above 50 ppm. Results of the greenhouse experiment regarding the effect of hospital WWTP effluent reuse on zucchini plant fresh weights compared to that irrigated with fresh water indicated that the former recorded a limited increase in total fresh weights (6.2 g and 5.3 g/plant, respectively). Our results demonstrated the low impact of the reuse of Hospital WWTP effluent in agriculture irrigation compared to its greater risk in transferring multiple antibiotic bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes to soil bacteria through natural transformation.
Antibiotic synergist OM19r reverses aminoglycoside resistance in multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli
Authors: Cui Qi , Yu Han-Dong , Xu Qi-Jun , Liu Yue , Wang Yu-Ting , Li Peng-Hui , Kong Ling-Cong , Zhang Hai-Peng , Jiang Xiu-Yun , Giuliodori Anna Maria , Fabbretti Attilio , He Cheng-Guang , Ma Hong-Xia
Published: April 2023

Introduction

The continued emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens require a new strategy to improve the efficacy of existing antibiotics. Proline-rich antimicrobial peptides (PrAMPs) could also be used as antibacterial synergists due to their unique mechanism of action.

Methods

Utilizing a series of experiments on membrane permeability, In vitro protein synthesis, In vitro transcription and mRNA translation, to further elucidate the synergistic mechanism of OM19r combined with gentamicin.

Results

A proline-rich antimicrobial peptide OM19r was identified in this study and its efficacy against Escherichia coli B2 (E. coli B2) was evaluated on multiple aspects. OM19r increased antibacterial activity of gentamicin against multidrug-resistance E. coli B2 by 64 folds, when used in combination with aminoglycoside antibiotics. Mechanistically, OM19r induced change of inner membrane permeability and inhibited translational elongation of protein synthesis by entering to E. coli B2 via intimal transporter SbmA. OM19r also facilitated the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). In animal models, OM19r significantly improved the efficacy of gentamicin against E. coli B2.

Discussion

Our study reveals that OM19r combined with GEN had a strong synergistic inhibitory effect against multi-drug resistant E. coli B2. OM19r and GEN inhibited translation elongation and initiation, respectively, and ultimately affected the normal protein synthesis of bacteria. These findings provide a potential therapeutic option against multidrug-resistant E. coli.
Multiple Campylobacter jejuni proteins affecting the peptidoglycan structure and the degree of helical cell curvature
Authors: Frirdich Emilisa , Vermeulen Jenny , Biboy Jacob , Vollmer Waldemar , Gaynor Erin C.
Published: April 2023

Campylobacter jejuni is a Gram-negative helical bacterium. Its helical morphology, maintained by the peptidoglycan (PG) layer, plays a key role in its transmission in the environment, colonization, and pathogenic properties. The previously characterized PG hydrolases Pgp1 and Pgp2 are important for generating C. jejuni helical morphology, with deletion mutants being rod-shaped and showing alterations in their PG muropeptide profiles in comparison to the wild type. Homology searches and bioinformatics were used to identify additional gene products involved in C. jejuni morphogenesis: the putative bactofilin 1104 and the M23 peptidase domain-containing proteins 0166, 1105, and 1228. Deletions in the corresponding genes resulted in varying curved rod morphologies with changes in their PG muropeptide profiles. All changes in the mutants complemented except 1104. Overexpression of 1104 and 1105 also resulted in changes in the morphology and in the muropeptide profiles, suggesting that the dose of these two gene products influences these characteristics. The related helical ε-Proteobacterium Helicobacter pylori has characterized homologs of C. jejuni 1104, 1105, and 1228 proteins, yet deletion of the homologous genes in H. pylori had differing effects on H. pylori PG muropeptide profiles and/or morphology compared to the C. jejuni deletion mutants. It is therefore apparent that even related organisms with similar morphologies and homologous proteins can have diverse PG biosynthetic pathways, highlighting the importance of studying PG biosynthesis in related organisms.
Effect of the level of task abstraction on the transfer of knowledge from virtual environments in cognitive and motor tasks
Authors: del Rocío Hernández-Castañón Viviana , Castillo-Ávila Arlem Aleida , Reyes-Meza Verónica , Bianchi-Berthouze Nadia , Morán Alberto L. , Orihuela-Espina Felipe
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Virtual environments are increasingly being used for training. It is not fully understood what elements of virtual environments have the most impact and how the virtual training is integrated by the brain on the sought-after skill transference to the real environment. In virtual training, we analyzed how the task level of abstraction modulates the brain activity and the subsequent ability to execute it in the real environment and how this learning generalizes to other tasks. The training of a task under a low level of abstraction should lead to a higher transfer of skills in similar tasks, but the generalization of learning would be compromised, whereas a higher level of abstraction facilitates generalization of learning to different tasks but compromising specific effectiveness.

Methods

A total of 25 participants were trained and subsequently evaluated on a cognitive and a motor task following four training regimes, considering real vs. virtual training and low vs. high task abstraction. Performance scores, cognitive load, and electroencephalography signals were recorded. Transfer of knowledge was assessed by comparing performance scores in the virtual vs. real environment.

Results

The performance to transfer the trained skills showed higher scores in the same task under low abstraction, but the ability to generalize the trained skills was manifested by higher scores under high level of abstraction in agreement with our hypothesis. Spatiotemporal analysis of the electroencephalography revealed higher initial demands of brain resources which decreased as skills were acquired.

Discussion

Our results suggest that task abstraction during virtual training influences how skills are assimilated at the brain level and modulates its manifestation at the behavioral level. We expect this research to provide supporting evidence to improve the design of virtual training tasks.
Current status of endovascular treatment for older adults with acute large vessel occlusion stroke in China: subgroup analysis of ANGEL act registry
Authors: Han Bin , Sun Dapeng , Raynald  , Jia Baixue , Tong Xu , Wang Anxin , Mo Dapeng , Gao Feng , Ma Ning , Miao Zhongrong
Published: April 2023

Background

Although endovascular treatment (EVT) has become the standard treatment for acute large vessel occlusion (LVO), its safety and efficacy in older adults have not been fully determined. The present study aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of EVT for acute LVO between younger (<80 years old) and older adults (≥80 years old) in the Chinese population.

Methods

The subjects were selected from the ANGEL-ACT registry (endovascular treatment key technique and emergency workflow improvement of acute ischemic stroke). The 90-day modified Rankin score (mRS), successful recanalization, procedure duration, number of passes, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), and mortality within 90 days were compared after adjusting for confounders.

Results

A total of 1,691 patients, 1,543 classified as young and 148 classified as older, were included. We observed that young and older adults had a similar 90-day mRS distribution, successful recanalization, procedure duration, number of passes, ICH, and mortality within 90 days (all p > 0.05). The rate of 90-day mRS 0–3 was found to be higher in young patients than in older adults (39.9% vs. 56.5%, odds ratio = 0.64, 95% confidence interval = 0.44–0.94, p = 0.022).

Conclusion

We found that patients less than or greater than 80 years of age share similar clinical outcomes, without increasing the risk of ICH and mortality.
Comorbidities and laboratory changes of sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a review
Authors: Xie Wen , Karpeta Niki , Tong Busheng , Liu Yuehui , Zhang Zhilin , Duan Maoli
Published: April 2023

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is defined as an abrupt hearing loss of more than 30 dB in three contiguous frequencies within 72 h. It is an emergency disease requiring immediate diagnosis and treatment. The incidence of SSNHL in Western countries' population is estimated between 5 and 20 per 1,00,000 inhabitants. The etiology of SSNHL remains unknown. Due to the uncertainty of the cause of SSNHL, at present, no specific treatment targets the cause of SSNHL, resulting in poor efficacy. Previous studies have reported that some comorbidities are risk factors for SSNHL, and some laboratory results may provide some clues for the etiology of SSNHL. Atherosclerosis, microthrombosis, inflammation, and the immune system may be the main etiological factors for SSNHL. This study confirms that SSNHL is a multifactorial disease. Some comorbidities, such as virus infections, are suggested to be the causes of SSNHL. In summary, by analyzing the etiology of SSNHL, more targeting treatments should be used to achieve a better effect.
Coherence between electromyographic signals of anterior tibialis, soleus, and gastrocnemius during standing balance tasks
Authors: Ojha Anuj , Alderink Gordon , Rhodes Samhita
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Knowledge about the mechanics and physiological features of balance for healthy individuals enhances understanding of impairments of balance related to neuropathology secondary to aging, diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), and traumatic brain injury, such as concussion.

Methods

We examined the neural correlations during muscle activation related to quiet standing from the intermuscular coherence in different neural frequency bands. Electromyography (EMG) signals were recorded from six healthy participants (fs = 1,200 Hz for 30 s) from three different muscles bilaterally: anterior tibialis, medial gastrocnemius, and soleus. Data were collected for four different postural stability conditions. In decreasing order of stability these were feet together eyes open, feet together eyes closed, tandem eyes open, and tandem eyes closed. Wavelet decomposition was used to extract the neural frequency bands: gamma, beta, alpha, theta, and delta. Magnitude-squared-coherence (MSC) was computed between different muscle pairs for each of the stability conditions.

Results and discussion

There was greater coherence between muscle pairs in the same leg. Coherence was greater in lower frequency bands. For all frequency bands, the standard deviation of coherence between different muscle pairs was always higher in the less stable positions. Time-frequency coherence spectrograms also showed higher intermuscular coherence for muscle pairs in the same leg and in less stable positions. Our data suggest that coherence between EMG signals may be used as an independent indicator of the neural correlates for stability.
Whole brain surface-based morphometry and tract-based spatial statistics in migraine with aura patients: difference between pure visual and complex auras
Authors: Abagnale Chiara , Di Renzo Antonio , Sebastianelli Gabriele , Casillo Francesco , Tinelli Emanuele , Giuliani Giada , Tullo Maria Giulia , Serrao Mariano , Parisi Vincenzo , Fiorelli Marco , Caramia Francesca , Schoenen Jean , Di Piero Vittorio , Coppola Gianluca
Published: April 2023

Background

The migrainous aura has different clinical phenotypes. While the various clinical differences are well-described, little is known about their neurophysiological underpinnings. To elucidate the latter, we compared white matter fiber bundles and gray matter cortical thickness between healthy controls (HC), patients with pure visual auras (MA) and patients with complex neurological auras (MA+).

Methods

3T MRI data were collected between attacks from 20 patients with MA and 15 with MA+, and compared with those from 19 HCs. We analyzed white matter fiber bundles using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and cortical thickness with surface-based morphometry of structural MRI data.

Results

Tract-based spatial statistics showed no significant difference in diffusivity maps between the three subject groups. As compared to HCs, both MA and MA+ patients had significant cortical thinning in temporal, frontal, insular, postcentral, primary and associative visual areas. In the MA group, the right high-level visual-information-processing areas, including lingual gyrus, and the Rolandic operculum were thicker than in HCs, while in the MA+ group they were thinner.

Discussion

These findings show that migraine with aura is associated with cortical thinning in multiple cortical areas and that the clinical heterogeneity of the aura is reflected by opposite thickness changes in high-level visual-information-processing, sensorimotor and language areas.
Both the Complexity of Tight Junctions and Endothelial Transcytosis Are Increased During BBB Postnatal Development in Rats
Authors: Li Wei , Zou Jinlong , Shang Junkui , Gao Chenhao , Sun Ruihua , Liu Ruijie , Cao Huixia , Wang Yanliang , Zhang Jiewen
Published: April 2023

Graphical Abstract

Graphical representation of the proposed molecular pathway. During BBB development, cav-1 is gradually upregulated, vesicle transcytosis is gradually increased. Although tight junctions are gradually matured, BBB permeability is still increased, revealing the important role of low vesicle transcytosis in maintaining BBB permeability.
Event-driven spectrotemporal feature extraction and classification using a silicon cochlea model
Authors: Xu Ying , Perera Samalika , Bethi Yeshwanth , Afshar Saeed , van Schaik André
Published: April 2023

This paper presents a reconfigurable digital implementation of an event-based binaural cochlear system on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). It consists of a pair of the Cascade of Asymmetric Resonators with Fast Acting Compression (CAR-FAC) cochlea models and leaky integrate-and-fire (LIF) neurons. Additionally, we propose an event-driven SpectroTemporal Receptive Field (STRF) Feature Extraction using Adaptive Selection Thresholds (FEAST). It is tested on the TIDIGTIS benchmark and compared with current event-based auditory signal processing approaches and neural networks.
Distribution of ciliary adaptor proteins tubby and TULP3 in the organ of Corti
Authors: Lindner Laura A. , Derstroff Dennis , Oliver Dominik , Reimann Katrin
Published: April 2023

Tubby-like proteins are membrane-associated adaptors that mediate directional trafficking into primary cilia. In inner ear sensory epithelia, cilia—including the hair cell’s kinocilium—play important roles as organizers of polarity, tissue architecture and cellular function. However, auditory dysfunction in tubby mutant mice was recently found to be related to a non-ciliary function of tubby, the organization of a protein complex in sensory hair bundles of auditory outer hair cells (OHCs). Targeting of signaling components into cilia in the cochlea might therefore rather rely on closely related tubby-like proteins (TULPs). In this study, we compared cellular and subcellular localization of tubby and TULP3 in the mouse inner ear sensory organs. Immunofluorescence microscopy confirmed the previously reported highly selective localization of tubby in the stereocilia tips of OHCs and revealed a previously unnoticed transient localization to kinocilia during early postnatal development. TULP3 was detected in the organ of Corti and vestibular sensory epithelium, where it displayed a complex spatiotemporal pattern. TULP3 localized to kinocilia of cochlear and vestibular hair cells in early postnatal development but disappeared subsequently before the onset of hearing. This pattern suggested a role in targeting ciliary components into kinocilia, possibly related to the developmental processes that shape the sensory epithelia. Concurrent with loss from kinocilia, pronounced TULP3 immunolabeling progressively appeared at microtubule bundles in non-sensory Pillar (PCs) and Deiters cells (DC). This subcellular localization may indicate a novel function of TULP proteins associated with the formation or regulation of microtubule-based cellular structures.
A review of cyber vigilance tasks for network defense
Authors: Guidetti Oliver Alfred , Speelman Craig , Bouhlas Peter
Published: April 2023

The capacity to sustain attention to virtual threat landscapes has led cyber security to emerge as a new and novel domain for vigilance research. However, unlike classic domains, such as driving and air traffic control and baggage security, very few vigilance tasks exist for the cyber security domain. Four essential challenges that must be overcome in the development of a modern, validated cyber vigilance task are extracted from this review of existent platforms that can be found in the literature. Firstly, it can be difficult for researchers to access confidential cyber security systems and personnel. Secondly, network defense is vastly more complex and difficult to emulate than classic vigilance domains such as driving. Thirdly, there exists no single, common software console in cyber security that a cyber vigilance task could be based on. Finally, the rapid pace of technological evolution in network defense correspondingly means that cyber vigilance tasks can become obsolete just as quickly. Understanding these challenges is imperative in advancing human factors research in cyber security.

CCS categories

Human-centered computing~Human computer interaction (HCI)~HCI design and evaluation methods.
Formation and Identification of a 5-(Hydroxymethyl)-2-Furfural-Zingerone Condensate and Its Cytotoxicity in Caco-2 Cells
Authors: Ke Yujing , Yin Zhao , Chen Nenghua , Chen Peifang , Liu Jie , Ou Shiyi , Li Guoqiang
Published: April 2023

Graphical Abstract

In vitrodigestion of the adduct (HMZ) formed between zingerone and HMF, cytotoxicity against Caco-2 cells of HMZ, and absorption of HMZ by Caco-2 cells
Central adiposity as a predictor of mortality in older adults: Identification of cutoffs using generalized additive models
Authors: Fernandes Dalila Pinto de Souza , Lopes Juvanhol Leidjaira , Nobre Aline Araújo , de Souza Ângela Maria Natal , Ribeiro Andréia Queiroz
Published: April 2023

Background

Obesity is associated with premature mortality in adults; however, this association has been inconsistent in the older adult population. In addition, there is a lack of specific cutoff points for indicators of negative health outcomes in older adults. Methods: This is a prospective study with 796 non-institutionalized older adults. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, food consumption, and nutritional status were obtained at baseline. Generalized additive models were used to identify cutoff points for the waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and Cox proportional hazards models to assess the independent association between adiposity and mortality.

Results

Over the 9 years of follow-up, 197 deaths (24.7%) occurred, of which 51.8% were men, with a mean age of 76.1 ± 9.0 years. Older adults at higher risk of death had WHtR of <0.52 or ≥0.63 and WC of <83 cm or ≥101 cm. An increased risk of death was observed in older adults with high WC (HR: 2.03 95% CI: 1.20–3.41) and high WHtR (HR: 1.51 95% CI: 1.01–2.26) in the adjusted models, and an increase in WC was a risk factor for higher CVD mortality (HR: 2.09, 95% CI: 1.12–3.88) in the adjusted models.

Conclusion

Adiposity was associated with an increased risk of death in older adults. In view of these results and considering the lack of cutoff points for anthropometric indices in Brazilian older adults, further studies are needed to confirm the WC and WHtR cutoff values found in this study.
Polyvinyl alcohol film with chlorine dioxide microcapsules can be used for blueberry preservation by slow-release of chlorine dioxide gas
Authors: Su Hongxia , Chen Zhanpeng , Zhao Yuan , An Jiejie , Huang Haohe , Liu Ren , Huang Chongxing
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) is a safe and efficient bactericide with unique advantages in reducing foodborne illnesses, inhibiting microbial growth, and maintaining the nutritional quality of food. However, gaseous ClO2 is sensitive to heat, vibration, and light, which limits its application.

Methods

In this study, a ClO2 precursor-stabilized ClO2 aqueous solution was encapsulated by the double emulsion method, and a high-performance ClO2 self-releasing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film was prepared to investigate its performance and effect on blueberry quality during storage.

Results

The self-releasing films had the best overall performance when the microcapsule content was 10% as the film's mechanical properties, thermal stability, and film barrier properties were significantly improved. The inhibition rates of Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli were 93.69% and 95.55%, respectively, and the mycelial growth of Staphylococcus griseus was successfully inhibited. The resulting ClO2 self-releasing films were used for blueberry preservation, and an experimental study found that the ClO2 self-releasing antimicrobial film group delayed the quality decline of blueberries. During the 14-day storage period, no mold contamination was observed in the ClO2 self-releasing film group, and blueberries in the antibacterial film group had higher anthocyanin accumulation during the storage period.

Discussion

Research analysis showed that films containing ClO2 microcapsules are promising materials for future fruit and vegetable packaging.
Clinical radiomics-based machine learning versus three-dimension convolutional neural network analysis for differentiation of thymic epithelial tumors from other prevascular mediastinal tumors on chest computed tomography scan
Authors: Chang Chao-Chun , Tang En-Kuei , Wei Yu-Feng , Lin Chia-Ying , Wu Fu-Zong , Wu Ming-Ting , Liu Yi-Sheng , Yen Yi-Ting , Ma Mi-Chia , Tseng Yau-Lin
Published: April 2023

Purpose

To compare the diagnostic performance of radiomic analysis with machine learning (ML) model with a convolutional neural network (CNN) in differentiating thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) from other prevascular mediastinal tumors (PMTs).

Methods

A retrospective study was performed in patients with PMTs and undergoing surgical resection or biopsy in National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan between January 2010 and December 2019. Clinical data including age, sex, myasthenia gravis (MG) symptoms and pathologic diagnosis were collected. The datasets were divided into UECT (unenhanced computed tomography) and CECT (enhanced computed tomography) for analysis and modelling. Radiomics model and 3D CNN model were used to differentiate TETs from non-TET PMTs (including cyst, malignant germ cell tumor, lymphoma and teratoma). The macro F1-score and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were performed to evaluate the prediction models.

Result

In the UECT dataset, there were 297 patients with TETs and 79 patients with other PMTs. The performance of radiomic analysis with machine learning model using LightGBM with Extra Tree (macro F1-Score = 83.95%, ROC-AUC = 0.9117) had better performance than the 3D CNN model (macro F1-score = 75.54%, ROC-AUC = 0.9015). In the CECT dataset, there were 296 patients with TETs and 77 patients with other PMTs. The performance of radiomic analysis with machine learning model using LightGBM with Extra Tree (macro F1-Score = 85.65%, ROC-AUC = 0.9464) had better performance than the 3D CNN model (macro F1-score = 81.01%, ROC-AUC = 0.9275).

Conclusion

Our study revealed that the individualized prediction model integrating clinical information and radiomic features using machine learning demonstrated better predictive performance in the differentiation of TETs from other PMTs at chest CT scan than 3D CNN model.
Dosimetric characterization of single- and dual-port temporary tissue expanders for postmastectomy radiotherapy using Monte Carlo methods
Authors: Ramos-Méndez Jose , Park Catherine , Sharma Manju
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The aim of this work was two-fold: a) to assess two treatment planning strategies for accounting CT artifacts introduced by temporary tissue-expanders (TTEs); b) to evaluate the dosimetric impact of two commercially available and one novel TTE.

Methods

The CT artifacts were managed using two strategies. 1) Identifying the metal in the RayStation treatment planning software (TPS) using image window-level adjustments, delineate a contour enclosing the artifact, and setting the density of the surrounding voxels to unity (RS1). 2) Registering a geometry template with dimensions and materials from the TTEs (RS2). Both strategies were compared for DermaSpan, AlloX2, and AlloX2-Pro TTEs using Collapsed Cone Convolution (CCC) in RayStation TPS, Monte Carlo simulations (MC) using TOPAS, and film measurements. Wax slab phantoms with metallic ports and breast phantoms with TTEs balloons were made and irradiated with a 6 MV AP beam and partial arc, respectively. Dose values along the AP direction calculated with CCC (RS2) and TOPAS (RS1 and RS2) were compared with film measurements. The impact in dose distributions was evaluated with RS2 by comparing TOPAS simulations with and without the metal port.

Results

For the wax slab phantoms, the dose differences between RS1 and RS2 were 0.5% for DermaSpan and AlloX2 but 3% for AlloX2-Pro. From TOPAS simulations of RS2, the impact in dose distributions caused by the magnet attenuation was (6.4 ± 0.4) %, (4.9 ± 0.7)%, and (2.0 ± 0.9)% for DermaSpan, AlloX2, and AlloX2-Pro, respectively. With breast phantoms, maximum differences in DVH parameters between RS1 and RS2 were as follows. For AlloX2 at the posterior region: (2.1 ± 1.0)%, (1.9 ± 1.0)% and (1.4 ± 1.0)% for D1, D10, and average dose, respectively. For AlloX2-Pro at the anterior region (-1.0 ± 1.0)%, (-0.6 ± 1.0)% and (-0.6 ± 1.0)% for D1, D10 and average dose, respectively. The impact in D10 caused by the magnet was at most (5.5 ± 1.0)% and (-0.8 ± 1.0)% for AlloX2 and AlloX2-Pro, respectively.

Conclusion

Two strategies for accounting for CT artifacts from three breast TTEs were assessed using CCC, MC, and film measurements. This study showed that the highest differences with respect to measurements occurred with RS1 and can be mitigated if a template with the actual port geometry and materials is used.
Methods for assessment of the tumour microenvironment and immune interactions in non-small cell lung cancer. A narrative review
Authors: Rangamuwa Kanishka , Aloe Christian , Christie Michael , Asselin-Labat Marie-Liesse , Batey Daniel , Irving Lou , John Thomas , Bozinovski Steven , Leong Tracy L. , Steinfort Daniel
Published: April 2023

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide. Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) has significantly improved outcomes in some patients, however 80-85% of patients receiving immunotherapy develop primary resistance, manifesting as a lack of response to therapy. Of those that do have an initial response, disease progression may occur due to acquired resistance. The make-up of the tumour microenvironment (TME) and the interaction between tumour infiltrating immune cells and cancer cells can have a large impact on the response to immunotherapy. Robust assessment of the TME with accurate and reproducible methods is vital to understanding mechanisms of immunotherapy resistance. In this paper we will review the evidence of several methodologies to assess the TME, including multiplex immunohistochemistry, imaging mass cytometry, flow cytometry, mass cytometry and RNA sequencing.
Comprehensive analysis of prediction of the EGFR mutation and subtypes based on the spinal metastasis from primary lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Cao Ran , Chen Huanhuan , Wang Huan , Wang Yan , Cui E-Nuo , Jiang Wenyan
Published: April 2023

Purpose

To investigate the use of multiparameter MRI-based radiomics in the in-depth prediction of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation and subtypes based on the spinal metastasis in patients with primary lung adenocarcinoma.

Methods

A primary cohort was conducted with 257 patients who pathologically confirmed spinal bone metastasis from the first center between Feb. 2016 and Oct. 2020. An external cohort was developed with 42 patients from the second center between Apr. 2017 and Jun. 2021. All patients underwent sagittal T1-weighted imaging (T1W) and sagittal fat-suppressed T2-weight imaging (T2FS) MRI imaging. Radiomics features were extracted and selected to build radiomics signatures (RSs). Machine learning classify with 5-fold cross-validation were used to establish radiomics models for predicting the EGFR mutation and subtypes. Clinical characteristics were analyzed with Mann-Whitney U and Chi-Square tests to identify the most important factors. Nomogram models were developed integrating the RSs and important clinical factors.

Results

The RSs derived from T1W showed better performance for predicting the EGFR mutation and subtypes compared with those from T2FS in terms of AUC, accuracy and specificity. The nomogram models integrating RSs from combination of the two MRI sequences and important clinical factors achieved the best prediction capabilities in the training (AUCs, EGFR vs. Exon 19 vs. Exon 21, 0.829 vs. 0.885 vs.0.919), internal validation (AUCs, EGFR vs. Exon 19 vs. Exon 21, 0.760 vs. 0.777 vs.0.811), external validation (AUCs, EGFR vs. Exon 19 vs. Exon 21, 0.780 vs. 0.846 vs.0.818). DCA curves indicated potential clinical values of the radiomics models.

Conclusions

This study indicated potentials of multi-parametric MRI-based radiomics to assess the EGFR mutation and subtypes. The proposed clinical-radiomics nomogram models can be considered as non-invasive tools to assist clinicians in making individual treatment plans.
Intravenous Immunoglobulin Use in Hemolytic Disease Due to ABO Incompatibility to Prevent Exchange Transfusion
Authors: Okulu Emel , Erdeve Omer , Kilic Ilknur , Olukman Ozgur , Calkavur Sebnem , Buyukkale Gokhan , Cetinkaya Merih , Ulubas Dilek , Demirel Nihal , Hanta Deniz , Ertugrul Sabahattin , Gultekin Nazli Dilay , Tuncer Oguz , Demir Nihat , Bilgin Leyla , Narli Nejat , Yildiz Duran , Terek Demet , Koroglu Ozge Altun , Seren Canan , Ozyazici Elif , Ozdemir Ramazan , Turgut Hatice , Narter Fatma , Akin Yasemin , Ozyazici Ahmet , Zenciroglu Aysegul , Asker Huseyin Selim , Gokmen Zeynel , Salihli Musa , Bulbul Ali , Zubarioglu Umut , Atasay Begum , Koc Esin ,   Turkish Neonatal Society IVIG Study Group
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has been widely used to treat the hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN). Although it has been shown that IVIG treatment reduces the duration of phototherapy and hospitalization, the use of IVIG in hemolytic disease due to ABO incompatibility has been controversial in recent years. This study aimed to investigate the role of IVIG in the prevention of exchange transfusion in infants with ABO HDN who presented with bilirubin levels at or above the level of exchange transfusion.

Materials and Methods

This study evaluated the data of infants with ABO HDN in the Turkish Neonatal Jaundice Online Registry. The infants with ABO HDN who met the total serum bilirubin level inclusion criteria (within 2–3 mg/dL of exchange transfusion or even above exchange transfusion level) were included in the study according to the guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Turkish Neonatal Society. All patients were managed according to the unit protocols recommended by these guidelines and received light-emitting diode (LED) phototherapy. Infants who only received LED phototherapy, and who received one dose of IVIG with LED phototherapy were compared.

Results

During the study period, 531 term infants were included in the study according to inclusion criteria. There were 408 cases in the phototherapy-only group, and 123 cases in the IVIG group. The demographic findings and the mean bilirubin and reticulocyte levels at admission were similar between the groups (p > 0.05), whereas the mean hemoglobin level was slightly lower in the IVIG group (p = 0.037). The mean age at admission was earlier, the need for exchange transfusion was higher, and the duration of phototherapy was longer in the IVIG group (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). The rate of re-hospitalization and acute bilirubin encephalopathy (ABE) was higher in the IVIG group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively).

Conclusion

In this study, we determined that one dose of IVIG did not prevent an exchange transfusion nor decrease the duration of phototherapy in infants, who had bilirubin levels near or at exchange transfusion level, with hemolytic disease due to ABO incompatibility.
Presentations and outcomes of familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in the pediatric intensive care units (PICUs)
Authors: Alsohime Fahad , Temsah Mohamad-Hani , Alotaibi Rawan M. , Alhalabi Reham M. , AlEnezy Sarah , Yousef Aly Abdelrahman , Alzaydi Abdullah Mohammed , Inany Hussam Sameer , Al-Eyadhy Ayman , Almazyad Mohammed , Alharbi Ali , Alsoqati Abdulaziz Abdullah , Andijani Abdurahman , Abu Ghazal Mohammed , El Masri Kamal , Doussouki Maher , Butt Raheel Farooq , Alshehri Saleh , Alsatrawi Mohammed , Macarambon Jaramia , Hasan Gamal M. , Alsultan Abdulrahman
Published: April 2023

Objectives

We aimed to describe Familial Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (F-HLH) patients' clinical features, intensive care courses, and outcomes.

Methods

Multi-center retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients diagnosed with F-HLH from 2015 to 2020 in five tertiary centers in Saudi Arabia. Patients were classified as F-HLH based on their genetic confirmation of known mutation or on their clinical criteria, which include a constellation of abnormalities, early disease onset, recurrent HLH in the absence of other causes, or a family history of HLH.

Results

Fifty-eight patients (28 male, 30 female), with a mean age of 21.0 ± 33.9 months, were included. The most common principal diagnosis was hematological or immune dysfunction (39.7%), followed by cardiovascular dysfunction in 13 (22.4%) patients. Fever was the most common clinical presentation in 27.6%, followed by convulsions (13.8%) and bleeding (13.8%). There were 20 patients (34.5%) who had splenomegaly, and more than 70% of patients had hyperferritinemia >500 mg/dl, hypertriglyceridemia >150 mg/dl and hemophagocytosis in bone marrow biopsy. Compared to deceased patients 18 (31%), survivors had significantly lower PT (p = 041), bilirubin level of <34.2 mmol/L (p = 0.042), higher serum triglyceride level (p = 0.036), and lesser bleeding within the initial 6 h of admission (p = 0.004). Risk factors for mortality included requirements of higher levels of hemodynamic (61.1% vs. 17.5%, p = 0.001) and respiratory (88.9% vs. 37.5%, p < 0.001) support, and positive fungal cultures (p = 0.046).

Conclusions

Familial HLH still represents a challenge in the pediatric critical care setting. Earlier diagnosis and prompt initiation of appropriate treatment could improve F-HLH survival.