bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid development of spiral garnets during subduction zone metamorphism revealed from high-resolution Sm-Nd garnet geochronology
Authors: Farrell Thomas P. , Aerden Domingo , Baxter Ethan F. , Starr Paul G. , Williams Mike L.
Published: January 2024

Multiple studies have applied zoned garnet geochronology to place temporal constraints on the rates of metamorphism and deformation during orogenesis. We report new high-resolution isotope dilution–thermal ionization mass spectrometry Sm-Nd isochron ages on concentric growth zones from microstructurally and thermodynamically characterized garnets from the Betic Cordillera, southern Spain. Our ages for the garnet core (13.64 ± 0.31 Ma), mantle (13.41 ± 0.37 Ma), and rim (13.34 ± 0.45 Ma) indicate rapid garnet growth and are consistent with published garnet ages interpreted to reflect high-pressure metamorphism in the region. Thermodynamic analysis indicates garnets grew during subduction at ~1.5–2.0 GPa and 570–600 °C. The core to rim duration of spiral garnet growth was just a few hundred thousand years. While other zoned garnet studies have shown similar rapid growth in subduction zone settings, this is the first documentation of such rapid growth of a spiral garnet. Combining this garnet growth duration with the magnitude of spiral inclusion trail curvature, we compute a strain rate of ~10−13 s−1, an order of magnitude faster than all previous spiral garnet studies. We interpret that these spiral garnets recorded a rapid pulse of deformation and strain during the final stages of subduction and incipient exhumation.
Newborn face mask ventilation training using a standardised intervention and respiratory function monitor: a before and after manikin study
Authors: Ni Chathasaigh Caitriona M , Smiles Linda , Curley Anna E , O'Currain Eoin
Published: January 2024

Objective

The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation has recommended improvements in training for neonatal resuscitation, highlighting the potential role of respiratory function monitors (RFMs). Our objective was to determine whether a manikin-based, standardised face mask ventilation training intervention using an RFM with a simple visual display reduced face mask leak.

Design

Multicentre, before and after study. Participants and instructors were blinded to the RFM display during both assessment periods.

Participants

Healthcare professionals working or training in a hospital providing maternity and neonatal services.

Intervention

All participants underwent a training intervention on positive pressure ventilation using a modified, leak-free manikin and RFM. The intervention consisted of a demonstration of optimal face mask ventilation technique, training in RFM interpretation with corrective strategies for common scenarios and a period of deliberate practice. Each participant performed 30 s of positive pressure ventilation blinded to the RFM display before and after training.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was face mask leak (%) measured after training. Secondary outcome measures included expired tidal volume, inflating pressures and ventilation rate. Adjustments made to technique during training were an important qualitative outcome.

Results

Four hundred and fourteen participants were recruited over a 13-month period from April 2022, and 412 underwent analysis. Median (IQR) face mask leak before training was 31% (10–69%) compared with 10% (6–18%) after training (p<0.0001). Improvements were noted across all other ventilation parameters.

Conclusion

Standardised face mask ventilation training using an RFM with simple visual feedback led to a significant reduction in leak.
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) spreading to the larynx: an unusual condition
Authors: Sanchez Teran Alfonso Ivan , Martínez Zamorano Monserrat , Trujillo Ortíz José Abraham , Cerna Arriaga Jacqueline
Published: January 2024

A man in his mid-70s, heavy smoker with chronic alcohol consumption and a chronic exposure to insecticides and burning of crop residues was referred to the surgical oncology department because of a 4-month onset of hoarseness, dyspnoea and laryngeal stridor. He had a history of left nephrectomy due to Fuhrman IV clear cell renal cancer 2 years ago. The patient underwent a bronchoscopy which identified a deforming tumour of the left vallecula, occlusion of 90% of the lumen and did not allow a safe biopsy. Following discussion between the oncological team, total laryngectomy and bilateral neck dissection of levels II, III, IV and V were performed, finding a transglottic tumour of approximately 4×3 cm with extension to the right anterolateral thyroid cartilage. The pathology report described metastatic RCC. The patient recovered well postoperatively and started systemic therapy with a vascular endothelial growth factor receptors inhibitor.
Neonatal nephrotic syndrome: all is not gloomy
Authors: Chetan Chinmay , Singh Shailendra Kumar , Patra Saikat , Gupta Girish
Published: January 2024

Congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS) is a rare clinical syndrome with a constellation of proteinuria, hypoalbuminaemia and oedema, presenting within 3 months of birth. We present a rare case of neonatal nephrotic syndrome with a probable sepsis induced aetiology. The neonate was referred at day of life 15 withKlebsiella pneumoniasepsis and anasarca. On investigation, the patient had nephrotic range proteinuria, hypoalbuminaemia, generalised anasarca and ascites. The neonate was started on broad-spectrum antibiotics and furosemide. Genetic and other secondary causes of CNS were ruled out. With supportive management and resolution of sepsis, the neonate improved. This case highlights the rare cause of sepsis-induced nephrotic syndrome (NS), which required only supportive treatment without the need for aggressive management of CNS.
An unexpected ferromagnetic foreign body in a paediatric research participant undergoing 3T MRI
Authors: Mckinnon Katie , Jardine Charlotte , Barclay Gayle , Thrippleton Michael J , Abel Selina , Wardlaw Joanna M , Bastin Mark E , Whalley Heather C , Richardson Hilary , Boardman James P
Published: January 2024

Metallic foreign bodies (FBs) are a safety risk during MRI. Here, we describe a boy in early childhood with an unexpected ferromagnetic FB discovered during a research brain MRI. Safety precautions included written and oral safety screening checklists and visual check during a structured safety pause. During introduction to the scanner, he was lifted to look at the bore. Staff became aware of an object flying into the bore. The child reached for his ear, and a 5 mm diameter ball bearing was found in the bore. The child had no external injury. We have introduced a 0.1 T handheld magnet to check for metallic FBs not known to the parent. FBs are a common paediatric emergency department presentation, particularly in younger children or those with cognitive or behavioural problems. This case highlights the importance of safety screening in paediatric MRI scanning, along with its fallibility.
Strategies to support maternal and early childhood wellness: insight from parent and provider qualitative interviews during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Simpson Andrea N , Baxter Nancy N , Sorvari Anne , Boury Himani , Shore Eliane M , Bogler Tali , Campbell Douglas , Gagliardi Anna R
Published: January 2024

Objectives

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in rapid changes to the delivery of maternal and newborn care. Our aim was to gain an understanding from parents and healthcare professionals (HCPs) of how the pandemic and associated public health restrictions impacted the peripartum and postpartum experience, as well as longer-term health and well-being of families.

Design

Qualitative study through focus groups.

Setting

Ontario, Canada.

Participants

HCPs and parents who had a child born during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Interventions

Semistructured interview guide, with questions focused on how the pandemic impacted their care/their ability to provide care, and strategies to improve care and support now or in future situations with similar healthcare restrictions.

Outcome measures

Thematic analysis was used to describe participant experiences and recommendations.

Results

We included 11 HCPs and 15 parents in 6 focus groups. Participants described their experiences as ‘traumatic’, with difficulties in accessing prenatal and postpartum services, and feelings of distress and isolation. They also noted delays in speech and development in children born during the pandemic. Key recommendations included the provision of partner accompaniment throughout the course of care, expansion of available services for young families (particularly postpartum), and special considerations for marginalised groups, including access to technology for virtual care or the option of in-person visits.

Conclusions

Our findings may inform the development of healthcare system and organisational policies to ensure the provision of maternal and newborn care in the event of future public health emergencies. Of primary importance to the participants was the accommodation of antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum partner accompaniment, and the provision of postpartum services.
Robotic beyond total mesorectal excision (TME) for locally advanced or recurrent rectal cancer: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Panagiotopoulou Ioanna Georgiou , Przedlacka Anna , Piozzi Guglielmo Niccolò , Mills Graham A , Harper Mick , Khan Jim S
Published: January 2024

Introduction

The surgical treatment for locally advanced or recurrent rectal cancer requires oncological clearance with a pelvic exenteration or a beyond total mesorectal excision (TME). The aim of this systematic review is to explore the safety and feasibility of robotic surgery in locally advanced and recurrent rectal cancer by evaluating perioperative outcomes, oncological clearance rates, and survival and recurrence rates postrobotic beyond TME surgery.

Methods

The systematic review will include studies published until the end of December 2023. The MEDLINE, EMBASE and Scopus databases will be searched. The screening process, study selection, data extraction, quality assessment and analysis will be performed by two independent reviewers. Discrepancies will be resolved by consensus with a third independent reviewer. The risk of bias will be assessed with validated scores. The primary outcomes will be oncological clearance, overall and disease-free survival, and local and systemic recurrence rates post robotic or robot-assisted beyond TME surgery for locally advanced or recurrent rectal cancer. Secondary outcomes will include perioperative outcomes.

Ethics and dissemination

No ethical approval is required for this systematic review as no individual patient cases are studied requiring access to individual medical records. The results of the systematic review will be disseminated with conference presentations and peer-reviewed paper publications.

PROSPERO registration of the study

CRD42023408098.
Risk of suicide in patients with thyroid cancer: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Chen , Zhang Mengmeng , Wang Quan , Jiang Kewei , Ye Yingjiang
Published: January 2024

Introduction

In recent years, the incidence of thyroid cancer has increased manyfold and young adults, who have a greater financial burden and occupational stress, comprise a large number. Previous studies have shown mixed results, even distinct results, on suicide rates among thyroid cancer survivors. As the overdiagnosis and overtreatment of thyroid cancer has gradually become a topical issue, the study aims to summarise the risk of suicide among patients with thyroid cancer to provide robust evidence of the effects of thyroid cancer on suicide.

Methods and analysis

A total of six databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Google Scholar) will be searched according to MeSH, subheadings, and free words, and the planned search date is 31 Jnauary 2024. The search strategy had three parts, such as suicide, cancer and epidemiological studies, moreover, we will collect the detailed suicide information by reviewers’ extraction. Standard mortality ratio (SMR) was used as the outcome measure, when SMRs were not available, the risk ratio, HR and detailed number of suicides were extracted to calculate the SMRs.

Ethics and dissemination

The Institutional Review Board of Peking University People’s Hospital provided ethical approval exemption and approved the data collection and subsequent analyses in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki as revised in 2013.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023445542.
Effects of ferric derisomaltose on postoperative anaemia in adult spinal deformity surgery: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Zhan Jing , Jiao Yang , Chen Weiyun , Huang Yuguang , Shen Jianxiong
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Postoperative anaemia is prevalent in adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery in association with unfavourable outcomes. Ferric derisomaltose, a novel iron supplement, offers a promising solution in rapidly treating postoperative anaemia. However, the clinical evidence of its effect on patients receiving spinal surgery remains inadequate. This randomised controlled trial aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ferric derisomaltose on postoperative anaemia in ASD patients.

Methods and analysis

This single-centre, phase 4, randomised controlled trial will be conducted at Department of Orthopaedics at Peking Union Medical College Hospital and aims to recruit adult patients who received ASD surgery with postoperative anaemia. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to receive ferric derisomaltose infusion or oral ferrous succinate. The primary outcome is the change in haemoglobin concentrations from postoperative days 1–14. Secondary outcomes include changes in iron parameters, reticulocyte parameters, postoperative complications, allogeneic red blood cell infusion rates, length of hospital stay, functional assessment and quality-of-life evaluation.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Peking Union Medical College Hospital and registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. Informed consent will be obtained from all participants prior to enrolment and the study will be conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The results of this study are expected to be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and academic conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT05714007.
Length of stay and economic sustainability of virtual ward care in a medium-sized hospital of the UK: a retrospective longitudinal study
Authors: Jalilian Abdollah , Sedda Luigi , Unsworth Alison , Farrier Martin
Published: January 2024

Objective

To evaluate the length of stay difference and its economic implications between hospital patients and virtual ward patients.

Design

Retrospective longitudinal study.

Setting

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh (WWL) Teaching Hospitals, National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, a medium-sized NHS trust in the north-west of England.

Participants

Virtual ward patients (n=318) were matched 1:1 to 1:4, depending on matching characteristics, to all hospital patients (n=350). All patients were admitted to the hospital during the calendar year 2022.

Outcome measures

The primary outcome is the length of stay as defined from the date of hospital admission to the date of discharge or death (hospital patients) and from the date of hospital admission to the date of admission in a virtual ward (virtual ward patients). The secondary outcome is the cost of a hospital bed day and the equivalent value of virtual ward savings in hospital bed days. Additional measures were 6-month readmission rates and survival rates at the follow-up date of 30 April 2023.

Risk factors

Age, sex, comorbidities and the clinical frailty score (CFS) were used to evaluate the importance and effect of these factors on the main and secondary outcomes.

Methods

Statistical analyses included logistic and binomial mixed models for the length of stay in the hospital and readmission rate outcomes, as well as a Cox proportional hazard model for the survival of the patients.

Results

The virtual ward patients had a shorter stay in the hospital before being admitted to the virtual ward (2.89 days, 95% CI 2.1 to 3.9 days). Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and frailty were associated with a longer length of stay in the hospital (58%, 95% CI 22% to 100%) compared with patients without CKD, and 14% (95% CI 8% to 21%) compared with patients with one unit lower CFS. The frailty score was also associated with a higher rate of readmission within 6 months and lower survival. Being admitted to the virtual ward slightly improved survival, although when readmitted, survival deteriorated rapidly. The cost of a 24-hour period in a general hospital bed is £536. The cost of a day hospital saved by a virtual ward was £935.

Conclusion

The use of a 40-bed virtual ward was clinically effective in terms of survival for patients not needing readmission and allowed for the freeing of three hospital beds per day. However, the cost for each day freed from hospital stay was three-quarters larger than the one for a single-day hospital bed. This raises concerns about the deployment of large-scale virtual wards without the existence of policies and plans for their cost-effective management.
Are there seasonal patterns for emergency department visits for head injuries in the USA? Findings from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program
Authors: Daugherty Jill , Yuan Keming , Sarmiento Kelly , Law Royal
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Previous international research suggests that the incidence of head injuries may follow seasonal patterns. However, there is limited information about how the numbers and rates of head injuries, particularly sports- and recreation-related head injuries, among adults and children evaluated in the emergency department (ED) vary by month in the USA. This information would provide the opportunity for tailored prevention strategies.

Methods

We analysed data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program from 2016 to 2019 to examine both monthly variation of ED visit numbers and rates for head injuries overall and those due to sports and recreation.

Results

The highest number of head injuries evaluated in the ED occurred in October while the lowest number occurred in February. Among males, children ages 0–4 years were responsible for the highest rates of head injury-related ED visits each year, while in females the highest rates were seen in both children ages 0–4 and adults ages 65 and older. The highest number of head injuries evaluated in the ED due to sports and recreation were seen in September and October. Head injury-related ED visits due to sports and recreation were much more common in individuals ages 5–17 than any other age group.

Conclusion

This study showed that head injury-related ED visits for all mechanisms of injury, as well as those due to sports- and recreation-related activities, followed predictable patterns—peaking in the fall months. Public health professionals may use study findings to improve prevention efforts and to optimise the diagnosis and management of traumatic brain injury and other head injuries.
Genotype and phenotype correlation ofPHACTR1-related neurological disorders
Authors: Xu Zhao , Sadleir Lynette , Goel Himanshu , Jiao Xianru , Niu Yue , Zhou Zongpu , de Valles-Ibáñez Guillem , Poke Gemma , Hildebrand Michael , Lieffering Nico , Qin Jiong , Yang Zhixian
Published: January 2024

Background

PHACTR1 (phosphatase and actin regulators) plays a key role in cortical migration and synaptic activity by binding and regulating G-actin and PPP1CA. This study aimed to expand the genotype and phenotype of patients withde novovariants inPHACTR1and analyse the impact of variants on protein–protein interaction.

Methods

We identified seven patients withPHACTR1variants by trio-based whole-exome sequencing. Additional two subjects were ascertained from two centres through GeneMatcher. The genotype–phenotype correlation was determined, and AlphaFold-Multimer was used to predict protein–protein interactions and interfaces.

Results

Eight individuals carried missense variants and one had CNV in thePHACTR1. Infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS) was the unifying phenotype in eight patients with missense variants ofPHACTR1. They could present with other types of seizures and often exhibit drug-resistant epilepsy with a poor prognosis. One patient with CNV displayed a developmental encephalopathy phenotype. Using AlphaFold-Multimer, our findings indicate that PHACTR1 and G-actin-binding sequences overlap with PPP1CA at the RPEL3 domain, which suggests possible competition between PPP1CA and G-actin for binding to PHACTR1 through a similar polymerisation interface. In addition, patients carrying missense variants located at the PHACTR1–PPP1CA or PHACTR1–G-actin interfaces consistently exhibit the IESS phenotype. These missense variants are mostly concentrated in the overlapping sequence (RPEL3 domain).

Conclusions

Patients with variants inPHACTR1can have a phenotype of developmental encephalopathy in addition to IESS. Moreover, our study confirmed that the variants affect the binding of PHACTR1 to G-actin or PPP1CA, resulting in neurological disorders in patients.
Vibrational spectrum perturbations of alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers with noble gases and chlorinated species
Authors: Snyder Kayla S. , Chen Leanne D. , Thomas Daniel F.
Published: January 2024

This study aims to improve our understanding of some differences in odd and even chain-length alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) using infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) and density functional theory (DFT). Xe, Kr, CH2Cl2, CD2Cl2, and CDCl3 were used experimentally to perturb the CH2 and CH3 stretches arising from the tail region of the SAM films and changes in position and intensity were monitored in the infrared. Using DFT methods, noble gases and CH2Cl2 were added to models of the SAM monolayers, and energies and vibrational spectra were calculated. It was observed that perturbing species affected the CH3 symmetric and asymmetric stretches on hexadecanethiol SAMs (an “even” SAM with a 16-carbon backbone) while on pentadecanethiol SAMs (an “odd” SAM with a 15-carbon backbone) both CH2 and CH3 symmetric and asymmetric stretches were affected. Films formed with shorter chain-length species, hexanethiol (even) and pentanethiol (odd), had less consistent results, likely due to more disorder in the alkanethiol chains from weaker van der Waals interactions. Adsorption energies for different perturbing species on the monolayers were higher for the hexanethiol than the pentanethiol. The vibrational spectrum of pentanethiol monolayers with adsorbed species mainly showed shifts to higher frequencies for CH2 and CH3 stretches; for hexanethiol, shifts to lower frequencies for CH2 stretches and higher frequencies for CH3 stretches were observed. Thus, the odd and even alkanethiol SAMs were affected differently by the perturbing species as observed both experimentally and computationally.
Morphodynamics of macrotidal channels in Korean tidal flats: implications for the role of monsoon precipitation and the stratigraphic architecture of tidal point bars
Authors: Choi K. S. , Jo J. H. , Kim D. H. , Sohn S. Y. , Bang S. H.
Published: January 2024

Tidal channels exert a crucial control on sediment transport and drive geomorphic changes in the tidal environment. Despite their ubiquitous occurrence, long-term morphodynamics and processes driving the morphologic changes remain less well understood than fluvial counterparts. Spanning from straight to dendritic, Korean tidal channels become more sinuous and densely populated with elevation due to higher mud content. Mutually evasive current patterns resulted in a cuspate meander bend, where a flood barb develops at the seaward side of the bend. Multiannual observation revealed that tidal channels migrate from up to 80 m per year in the lower intertidal zone of open-coast sandy tidal flats to nearly stationary for several years in the upper intertidal zone of protected muddy tidal flats. Migration rates are temporarily pronounced during the summer monsoon, when heavy rainfall-induced surface runoff intensifies ebb tidal asymmetry and promotes headward erosion. Meander bends are mostly landward-skewed and shift downstream, implying that ebb currents primarily drive the long-term channel morphodynamics. Tidal point bars commonly display ebbward dipping, inclined heterolithic stratification (IHS) dominated by bedforms formed by subordinate flood tidal currents. An overall ebb dominance and mutually evasive current patterns account for the counterintuitive stratigraphic architecture of point bars in Korean tidal channels.
Taming Algorithmic Priority Inversion in Mission-Critical Perception Pipelines
Authors: Liu Shengzhong , Yao Shuochao , Fu Xinzhe , Tabish Rohan , Yu Simon , Bansal Ayoosh , Yun Heechul , Sha Lui , Abdelzaher Tarek
Published: January 2024

The paper discusses
algorithmic priority inversion
in mission-critical machine inference pipelines used in modern neural-network-based perception subsystems and describes a solution to mitigate its effect. In general,
priority inversion
occurs in computing systems when computations that are "less important" are performed together with or ahead of those that are "more important." Significant priority inversion occurs in existing machine inference pipelines when they do not differentiate between critical and less critical data. We describe a framework to resolve this problem and demonstrate that it improves a perception system's ability to react to critical inputs, while at the same time reducing platform cost.
Correlation-aware Graph Data Augmentation with Implicit and Explicit Neighbors
Authors: Kuo Chuan-Wei , Chen Bo-Yu , Peng Wen-Chih , Hung Chih-Chieh , Su Hsin-Ning
Published: January 2024

In recent years, there has been a significant surge in commercial demand for citation graph-based tasks, such as patent analysis, social network analysis, and recommendation systems. Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) are widely used for these tasks due to their remarkable performance in capturing topological graph information. However, GNNs’ output results are highly dependent on the composition of local neighbors within the topological structure. To address this issue, we identify two types of neighbors in a citation graph: explicit neighbors based on the topological structure and implicit neighbors based on node features. Our primary motivation is to clearly define and visualize these neighbors, emphasizing their importance in enhancing graph neural network performance. We propose a Correlation-aware Network (CNet) to re-organize the citation graph and learn more valuable informative representations by leveraging these implicit and explicit neighbors. Our approach aims to improve graph data augmentation and classification performance, with the majority of our focus on stating the importance of using these neighbors, while also introducing a new graph data augmentation method. We compare CNet with state-of-the-art (SOTA) GNNs and other graph data augmentation approaches acting on GNNs. Extensive experiments demonstrate that CNet effectively extracts more valuable informative representations from the citation graph, significantly outperforming baselines. The code is available on public GitHub.

1
Behave Differently when Clustering: A Semi-asynchronous Federated Learning Approach for IoT
Authors: Fan Boyu , Su Xiang , Tarkoma Sasu , Hui Pan
Published: January 2024

The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized the connectivity of diverse sensing devices, generating an enormous volume of data. However, applying machine learning algorithms to sensing devices presents substantial challenges due to resource constraints and privacy concerns. Federated learning (FL) emerges as a promising solution allowing for training models in a distributed manner while preserving data privacy on client devices. We contribute
SAFI
, a semi-asynchronous FL approach based on clustering to achieve a novel in-cluster synchronous and out-cluster asynchronous FL training mode. Specifically, we propose a three-tier architecture to enable IoT data processing on edge devices and design a clustering selection module to effectively group heterogeneous edge devices based on their processing capacities. The performance of
SAFI
has been extensively evaluated through experiments conducted on a real-world testbed. As the heterogeneity of edge devices increases,
SAFI
surpasses the baselines in terms of the convergence time, achieving a speedup of approximately × 3 when the heterogeneity ratio is 7:1. Moreover,
SAFI
demonstrates favorable performance in non-independent and identically distributed settings and requires lower communication cost compared to FedAsync. Notably,
SAFI
is the first Java-implemented FL approach and holds significant promise to serve as an efficient FL algorithm in IoT environments.
Taxonomy, Biology, Symbionts, Omics, and Management of Rhynchophorus Palm Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Dryophthorinae)
Authors: Hoddle Mark S. , Antony Binu , El-Shafie Hamadttu A.F. , Chamorro M. Lourdes , Milosavljević Ivan , Löhr Bernhard , Faleiro J. Romeno
Published: January 2024

Palm weevils, Rhynchophorus spp., are destructive pests of native, ornamental, and agricultural palm species. Of the 10 recognized species, two of the most injurious species, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus and Rhynchophorus palmarum, both of which have spread beyond their native range, are the best studied. Due to its greater global spread and damage to edible date industries in the Middle East, R. ferrugineus has received more research interest. Integrated pest management programs utilize traps baited with aggregation pheromone, removal of infested palms, and insecticides. However, weevil control is costly, development of resistance to insecticides is problematic, and program efficacy can be impaired because early detection of infestations is difficult. The genome of R. ferrugineus has been sequenced, and omics research is providing insight into pheromone communication and changes in volatile and metabolism profiles of weevil-infested palms. We outline how such developments could lead to new control strategies and early detection tools.
How Nutrients Mediate the Impacts of Global Change on Locust Outbreaks
Authors: Cease Arianne J.
Published: January 2024

Locusts are grasshoppers that can migrate en masse and devastate food security. Plant nutrient content is a key variable influencing population dynamics, but the relationship is not straightforward. For an herbivore, plant quality depends not only on the balance of nutrients and antinutrients in plant tissues, which is influenced by land use and climate change, but also on the nutritional state and demands of the herbivore, as well as its capacity to extract nutrients from host plants. In contrast to the concept of a positive relationship between nitrogen or protein concentration and herbivore performance, a five-decade review of lab and field studies indicates that equating plant N to plant quality is misleading because grasshoppers respond negatively or neutrally to increasing plant N just as often as they respond positively. For locusts specifically, low-N environments are actually beneficial because they supply high energy rates that support migration. Therefore, intensive land use, such as continuous grazing or cropping, and elevated ambient CO2 levels that decrease the protein:carbohydrate ratios of plants are predicted to broadly promote locust outbreaks.
Challenging Differential Diagnosis of Mandible Angle Metastasis from Breast Cancer
Authors: Spirito Francesca , Ambrosino Mariateresa , Morrone Federica , Duraccio Roberto , Lo Muzio Lorenzo , Della Valle Antonio
Published: January 2024

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer‐related death. Breast cancer manifestations in the head and neck are relatively rare, and they are mostly bony metastasis to the mandible and maxilla. In this paper, we present a case report of a metastatic tumor in the mandibular angle originating from breast carcinoma. A 32‐year‐old female patient with a paresthesia/anesthesia in the left mandibular area was referred to us to aid in the differential diagnosis between osteonecrosis and metastasis. Her medical history revealed a radical bimastectomy 3 years ago for invasive lobular carcinoma of the breasts. Additionally, she received chemotherapy and radiotherapy 3 years ago, and intravenous zoledronic acid was administered every 3 weeks. Intraoral examination did not reveal any mucosal ulcer or fistula, and there was no radiological evidence of cyst. The patient demonstrated good oral hygiene. Palpable regional left submandibular lymph nodes and a few swellings on the lateral angular mandibular surface were observed. Cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) and positron emission tomography (PET) were performed. CBCT showed small poorly diffused radiopacity in proximity to the mandibular angle on both medial and lateral surfaces. PET showed fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose uptake in the mandible in the left angle surface area. Based on the patient’s clinical history, signs, symptoms, and tomographic evidence, we were able to diagnose mandibular metastasis. This case also highlights the importance of proficiency in reading tomographic examinations, which can be carried out in dental clinics for various purposes. In the absence of symptoms, misdiagnosis can occur, underscoring the significance of accurate interpretation and diagnosis.
Urban Economic Structures as Multidimensional Networks: A Complex Systems Framework for Analyzing Economic Development Trajectories
Authors: Shutters Shade T.
Published: January 2024

Urban and regional systems often face the difficulty and necessity of structural transitions. These transitions, which can be imposed by external circumstances or initiated by a city itself, include energy transitions, transitions to a circular economy, transitions following a pandemic or natural disaster, or intentional policies meant to “move” an urban economy toward a desired state. However, what does economic structure mean in these cases? Traditional notions of economic structure are ambiguous and simplistic and typically consist of simple distributions, such as number of workers per industry. Yet to better understand, guide, or respond to system transitions, planners must move beyond these nebulous notions toward a theoretically grounded, quantifiable definition of economic structure. A recent trend emerging from the nexus of complexity science and urban science has been to operationalize urban economic structures as networks of interacting economic components. Typically based on colocation patterns of some type of entity, these networks have previously been constructed using economic entities such as products, occupations, or labor skills. Yet different types of entities also exhibit colocation patterns with each other, such as patent technology classes and industries. Here, those cross-entity colocation patterns are used to merge multiple types of entities into a single network representation of urban economies, offering a granularity not possible using a single node type. Occupations, industries, college degrees, and patent technology codes are merged into one multidimensional or multinodal network. As in previous studies, a dense core of highly connected entities emerges in this network. The network locations of individual cities are contrasted, and community detection algorithms are used to identify clusters of highly connected economic entities, showing that the densely connected network core is associated with science, technology, and business-related economic entities. Proximities between individual cities within the network are also measured revealing that many cities that are close to each other in the network are also close to each other in physical space. This framework offers potential applications including the ability to quantify structural change over time in response to a shock or to assess the relative difficulty of future desirable trajectories. More broadly, this framework might be applied to the study of structural change in other complex adaptive systems from human institutions to ecosystems.
Listeria Contamination in Milk-Processing Chain and Proficiency in Listeria monocytogenes Decontamination of Small-Scale Milk Retailers
Authors: Kananub Suppada , Lertsakkongkul Papavarin , Aryatawong Patsara , Horhirunkhajohn Wilailak , Pinniam Nayika , Krajanglikit Praphaphan , Sonthong Kamonrat , Kasemsuwan Suwicha
Published: January 2024

Listeria spp. is an important foodborne bacterium. This microorganism can be discarded from milk using high temperatures such as pasteurization. The milk-processing methods of many small-scale retailers lack quality control. This study was to survey Listeria contamination at the farm and retailer levels. The retailers were to be interviewed for knowledge, attitude, and practice as well. Finally, we were to determine the heating processes employed to decontaminate microorganisms by the retailers using a reference strain of L. monocytogenes. Milk samples were collected from milk-collecting centers and small-scale retailers. In clinical trial, the processing measures were proved for the proficiency in L. monocytogenes decontamination. One out of 99 farms presented Listeria contamination, confirmed to L. marthii. Fifty small-scale retailers participated in the second part, including 13 males and 37 females. No Listeria spp. but Staphylococcus spp. and Bacillus spp. were identified in the processed milk. Data analyses revealed that the location of the retailer was significantly associated with the volume they routinely ordered per lot and the milk-processing time the retailers used to treat milk. Knowledge on raw milk contamination is significantly associated with the stocking or processing of the whole milk lot. Processing measures presale were significantly influenced by the gender of the retailer. The male retailer reportedly spent less time treating milk compared to their female counterparts. To assess the efficacy of the processing methods, a trial using L. monocytogenes as a reference strain was conducted. Interestingly, no L. monocytogenes was detected after sample treatment, but other microorganisms such as S. epidermidis, S. warneri, and Escherichia coli were found, suggesting potential issues with cross-contamination. In conclusion, while the trial implied that the retailers’ processes were effective in L. monocytogenes decontamination, the study highlighted inappropriate practices and the risk of cross-contamination. Continuous monitoring of product safety in small-scale milk retailers is imperative to ensure consumer well-being.
Hybrid Pixel‐Level Crack Segmentation for Ballastless Track Slab Using Digital Twin Model and Weakly Supervised Style Transfer
Authors: Hu Wenbo , Wang Weidong , Liu Xianhua , Peng Jun , Wang Sicheng , Ai Chengbo , Qiu Shi , Wang Wenjuan , Wang Jin , Zaheer Qasim , Wang Lichang
Published: January 2024

Crack detection at the pixel level across complex scenarios (structural interference and adverse working conditions) is a critical consideration in the maintenance of ballastless track slab (BTS). Although existing deep learning models achieve acceptable accuracy on cracks with a monotonous background, the ground truth with high labor cost is inevitable and their performance in complex scenarios may fall far below their theoretical bounds or even cause “all‐black images.” A hybrid algorithm based on synthetic data from digital twin model and weakly supervised style transfer is proposed in this paper for addressing the above challenges. The algorithm uses a region‐attention strategy to enable the uncontrolled generative adversarial network (GAN) focusing its attention on weak labels containing crack regions, directly obtaining segmentation results with the same style as the ground truth of the crack forest dataset. In addition, a digital twin model that can simulate the real inspection working conditions is established to generate a synthetic crack dataset, enabling the hybrid algorithm to extract the most discriminative features. The results show that the performance of the hybrid algorithm on inspection images across complex scenarios is nearly 25% higher than that of the DeepLabv3+ network, while the time cost consumed is only 0.5% of the latter. The deployment of the region attention strategy also enables the hybrid algorithm to achieve a mean intersection of union (MIoU) of 79.38%, which is nearly twice as much as that of GAN. It not only eliminates the oversegmentation caused by structures such as rails and fastener systems but also overcomes “all‐black images.” In addition, synthetic data can greatly enlarge the range, type, and number of discriminative crack features compared with data augmentation based on limited real data, thus enhancing the performance of the hybrid algorithm for uncertain inspection data. Particularly, the fully trained hybrid algorithm based on the synthetic dataset shows good adaptability and generalization to adverse working conditions such as uneven lighting, noise, and blur.
Data from SIRT1 Inactivation Evokes Antitumor Activities in NSCLC through the Tumor Suppressor p27
Authors: Zhu Lijia , Chiao Christine Y. , Enzer Katelyn G. , Stankiewicz Alexander J. , Faller Douglas V. , Dai Yan
Published: January 2024

Abstract
P27Kip1 (CDKN1B) regulates cellular proliferation and senescence, and p27Kip1 deficiency in cancer is strongly correlated with poor prognosis of multiple cancer types. Understanding the mechanism of p27Kip1 loss in cancer and the consequences of restoring p27Kip1 levels is therefore critical for effective management during therapy. Here, SIRT1, a class III histone deacetylase (HDAC), is identified as an important regulator of p27Kip1 expression. Mechanistically, SIRT1 reduces p27Kip1 expression by decreasing p27Kip1 protein stability through the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway. In addition, SIRT1 silencing suppresses non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) proliferation and induces senescence in a p27Kip1-dependent manner. Furthermore, SIRT1 silencing dramatically suppresses tumor formation and proliferation in two distinct NSCLC xenograft mouse models. Collectively, these data demonstrate that not only SIRT1 is an important regulator of p27Kip1 but also SIRT inhibition induces senescence and antigrowth potential in lung cancer in vivo.

Implications: SIRT1 is a key regulator of p27 protein levels and SIRT1 inhibition is a viable strategy for NSCLC therapy by means of p27 reactivation. Mol Cancer Res; 13(1); 41–49. ©2014 AACR.
Data from Next-Gen Sequencing Exposes Frequent MED12 Mutations and Actionable Therapeutic Targets in Phyllodes Tumors
Authors: Cani Andi K. , Hovelson Daniel H. , McDaniel Andrew S. , Sadis Seth , Haller Michaela J. , Yadati Venkata , Amin Anmol M. , Bratley Jarred , Bandla Santhoshi , Williams Paul D. , Rhodes Kate , Liu Chia-Jen , Quist Michael J. , Rhodes Daniel R. , Grasso Catherine S. , Kleer Celina G. , Tomlins Scott A.
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Phyllodes tumors are rare fibroepithelial tumors with variable clinical behavior accounting for a small subset of all breast neoplasms, yet little is known about the genetic alterations that drive tumor initiation and/or progression. Here, targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to identify somatic alterations in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) patient specimens from malignant, borderline, and benign cases. NGS revealed mutations in mediator complex subunit 12 (MED12) affecting the G44 hotspot residue in the majority (67%) of cases spanning all three histologic grades. In addition, loss-of-function mutations in p53 (TP53) as well as deleterious mutations in the tumor suppressors retinoblastoma (RB1) and neurofibromin 1 (NF1) were identified exclusively in malignant tumors. High-level copy-number alterations (CNA) were nearly exclusively confined to malignant tumors, including potentially clinically actionable gene amplifications in IGF1R and EGFR. Taken together, this study defines the genomic landscape underlying phyllodes tumor development, suggests potential molecular correlates to histologic grade, expands the spectrum of human tumors with frequent recurrent MED12 mutations, and identifies IGF1R and EGFR as potential therapeutic targets in malignant cases.

Implications: Integrated genomic sequencing and mutational profiling provides insight into the molecular origin of phyllodes tumors and indicates potential druggable targets in malignant disease.

Visual Overview: http://mcr.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2015/04/02/1541-7786.MCR-14-0578/F1.large.jpg.

Mol Cancer Res; 13(4); 613–9. ©2015 AACR.
Data from LncRNA Expression Discriminates Karyotype and Predicts Survival in B-Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Fernando Thilini R. , Rodriguez-Malave Norma I. , Waters Ella V. , Yan Weihong , Casero David , Basso Giuseppe , Pigazzi Martina , Rao Dinesh S.
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) have been found to play a role in gene regulation with dysregulated expression in various cancers. The precise role that lncRNA expression plays in the pathogenesis of B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is unknown. Therefore, unbiased microarray profiling was performed on human B-ALL specimens, and it was determined that lncRNA expression correlates with cytogenetic abnormalities, which was confirmed by qRT-PCR in a large set of B-ALL cases. Importantly, high expression of BALR-2 correlated with poor overall survival and diminished response to prednisone treatment. In line with a function for this lncRNA in regulating cell survival, BALR-2 knockdown led to reduced proliferation, increased apoptosis, and increased sensitivity to prednisolone treatment. Conversely, overexpression of BALR-2 led to increased cell growth and resistance to prednisone treatment. Interestingly, BALR-2 expression was repressed by prednisolone treatment and its knockdown led to upregulation of the glucocorticoid response pathway in both human and mouse B cells. Together, these findings indicate that BALR-2 plays a functional role in the pathogenesis and/or clinical responsiveness of B-ALL, and that altering the levels of particular lncRNAs may provide a future direction for therapeutic development.

Implications: lncRNA expression has the potential to segregate the common subtypes of B-ALL, predict the cytogenetic subtype, and indicate prognosis. Mol Cancer Res; 13(5); 839–51. ©2015 AACR.