bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distinct structural and dynamic components of portal hypertension in different animal models and human liver disease etiologies
Authors: Königshofer Philipp , Hofer Benedikt Silvester , Brusilovskaya Ksenia , Simbrunner Benedikt , Petrenko Oleksandr , Wöran Katharina , Herac Merima , Stift Judith , Lampichler Katharina , Timelthaler Gerald , Bauer David , Hartl Lukas , Robl Bernhard , Sibila Maria , Podesser Bruno K. , Oberhuber Georg , Schwabl Philipp , Mandorfer Mattias , Trauner Michael , Reiberger Thomas
Published: October 2021

Background and Aims

Liver fibrosis is the static and main (70%‐80%) component of portal hypertension (PH). We investigated dynamic components of PH by a three‐dimensional analysis based on correlation of hepatic collagen proportionate area (CPA) with portal pressure (PP) in animals or HVPG in patients.

Approach and Results

Different animal models (bile duct ligation: n = 31, carbon tetrachloride: n = 12, thioacetamide: n = 12, choline‐deficient high‐fat diet: n = 12) and patients with a confirmed single etiology of cholestatic (primary biliary cholangitis/primary sclerosing cholangitis: n = 16), alcohol‐associated (n = 22), and metabolic (NASH: n = 19) liver disease underwent CPA quantification on liver specimens/biopsies. Based on CPA‐to‐PP/HVPG correlation, potential dynamic components were identified in subgroups of animals/patients with lower‐than‐expected and higher‐than‐expected PP/HVPG. Dynamic PH components were validated in a patient cohort (n = 245) using liver stiffness measurement (LSM) instead of CPA. CPA significantly correlated with PP in animal models (Rho = 0.531; p < 0.001) and HVPG in patients (Rho = 0.439; p < 0.001). Correlation of CPA with PP/HVPG varied across different animal models and etiologies in patients. In models, severity of hyperdynamic circulation and specific fibrosis pattern (portal fibrosis: p = 0.02; septa width: p = 0.03) were associated with PH severity. In patients, hyperdynamic circulation (p = 0.04), vascular dysfunction/angiogenesis (VWF‐Ag: p = 0.03; soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1: p = 0.03), and bile acids (p = 0.04) were dynamic modulators of PH. The LSM‐HVPG validation cohort confirmed these and also indicated IL‐6 (p = 0.008) and hyaluronic acid (HA: p < 0.001) as dynamic PH components.

Conclusions

The relative contribution of “static” fibrosis on PH severity varies by type of liver injury. Next to hyperdynamic circulation, increased bile acids, VWF‐Ag, IL‐6, and HA seem to indicate a pronounced dynamic component of PH in patients.
Mucosal‐associated invariant T‐cell tumor infiltration predicts long‐term survival in cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Zimmer Christine L. , Filipovic Iva , Cornillet Martin , O’Rourke Colm J. , Berglin Lena , Jansson Hannes , Sun Dan , Strauss Otto , Hertwig Laura , Johansson Helene , von Seth Erik , Sparrelid Ernesto , Dias Joana , Glaumann Hans , Melum Espen , Ellis Ewa C. , Sandberg Johan K. , Andersen Jesper B. , Bergquist Annika , Björkström Niklas K.
Published: October 2021

Background and Aims

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a malignancy arising from biliary epithelial cells of intra‐ and extrahepatic bile ducts with dismal prognosis and few nonsurgical treatments available. Despite recent success in the immunotherapy‐based treatment of many tumor types, this has not been successfully translated to CCA. Mucosal‐associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are cytotoxic innate‐like T cells highly enriched in the human liver, where they are located in close proximity to the biliary epithelium. Here, we aimed to comprehensively characterize MAIT cells in intrahepatic (iCCA) and perihilar CCA (pCCA).

Approach and Results

Liver tissue from patients with CCA was used to study immune cells, including MAIT cells, in tumor‐affected and surrounding tissue by immunohistochemistry, RNA‐sequencing, and multicolor flow cytometry. The iCCA and pCCA tumor microenvironment was characterized by the presence of both cytotoxic T cells and high numbers of regulatory T cells. In contrast, MAIT cells were heterogenously lost from tumors compared to the surrounding liver tissue. This loss possibly occurred in response to increased bacterial burden within tumors. The residual intratumoral MAIT cell population exhibited phenotypic and transcriptomic alterations, but a preserved receptor repertoire for interaction with tumor cells. Finally, the high presence of MAIT cells in livers of iCCA patients predicted long‐term survival in two independent cohorts and was associated with a favorable antitumor immune signature.

Conclusions

MAIT cell tumor infiltration associates with favorable immunological fitness and predicts survival in CCA.
On‐campus food purchasing behaviours and satisfaction of Australian university students
Authors: Hutchesson Melinda J. , Whatnall Megan C. , Patterson Amanda J.
Published: October 2021

Issue addressed

Many university students have unhealthy dietary intake. The food environment on university campuses is a potentially important contributor to students’ diet. This study aimed to describe on‐campus food purchasing behaviours; satisfaction with the cost and availability of foods and beverages on‐campus; and preferences for the on‐campus food environment, in a sample of Australian university students.

Methods

An online cross‐sectional survey of 409 students at the University of Newcastle, Australia was conducted in 2017‐2018. The survey assessed on‐campus purchasing behaviours (frequency of purchase and expenditure), satisfaction with the cost and availability of foods, preferences for the on‐campus food environment, and socio‐demographics (eg age, domestic/international student). Results are reported as basic descriptive statistics.

Results

The majority of students (94%) purchased food or beverages on‐campus, with 59% purchasing at least once per week. Satisfaction with the availability of foods was low (35.8% satisfied with the types of main meals available, and 48.5% for snacks); however, 72.8% were satisfied with types of beverages available. The majority of students were not satisfied with the cost of food and beverages (<40%). The top‐rated preferences for changes to the on‐campus food environment were healthier options, higher quality food, and cheaper food.

Conclusion

Overall, the findings demonstrate strong support from students for healthier and cheaper food to be made available on‐campus.

So what?

There are two main factors of concern with regard to university food environments; the healthiness of food and beverage options and their cost. These should be key considerations of any future strategies aiming to improve university food environments.
Thermo‐electrokinetic rotating non‐Newtonian hybrid nanofluid flow from an accelerating vertical surface
Authors: Jayavel Prakash , Tripathi Dharmendra , Anwar Bég O. , Tiwari Abhishek Kumar , Kumar Rakesh
Published: October 2021

This paper explores the combined effects of Coriolis force and electric force on the rotating boundary layer flow and heat transfer in a viscoplastic hybrid nanofluid from a vertical exponentially accelerated plate. The hybrid nanofluid comprises two different types of metallic nanoparticles, namely silver (Ag) and magnesium oxide (MgO) suspended in an aqueous base fluid. The Casson model is deployed for non‐Newtonian effects. An empirical model is implemented to determine the thermal conductivity of the hybrid nanofluid. Rosseland's radiative diffusion flux model is also utilized. An axial electrical field is considered and the Poisson–Boltzmann equation is linearized via the Debye–Hückel approach. The resulting coupled differential equations subject to prescribed boundary conditions are solved with Laplace transforms. Numerical evaluation of solutions is achieved via MATLAB symbolic software. A parametric study of the impact of key parameters on axial velocity, transverse velocity, nanoparticle temperature and Nusselt number is conducted for both the hybrid (Ag–MgO)–water nanofluid and also unitary (Ag)–water nanofluid. With increasing volume fraction of silver nanoparticles, there is a reduction in both axial velocity and temperatures, whereas there is a distinct elevation in transverse velocity for both unitary and hybrid nanofluids. Elevation in the heat absorption parameter strongly decreases axial velocity, whereas it enhances transverse velocity. Increasing the radiation parameter strongly boosts temperatures. Increasing the heat absorption parameter significantly accelerates the transverse flow. Negative values of Helmholtz–Smoluchowski velocity decelerate the axial flow whereas positive values accelerate it; the opposite behavior is observed for transverse velocity. Increasing Taylor number significantly damps both the axial (primary) and transversal (secondary) flow. Increasing thermal Grashof number strongly enhances the axial flow but damps the transverse flow. The unitary nanofluid achieves higher Nusselt numbers than the hybrid nanofluid but these are decreased with greater radiative effect (due to greater heat transport away from the plate surface), Prandtl number and heat absorption. Nusselt number is significantly reduced with greater time progression and values are consistently higher for the unitary nanofluid compared with hybrid nanofluid. The computations provide insight into more complex electrokinetic rheological nanoscale flows of relevance to biomedical rotary electro‐osmotic separation devices.
NKG2A is a late immune checkpoint on CD8 T cells and marks repeated stimulation and cell division
Authors: Borst Linda , Sluijter Marjolein , Sturm Gregor , Charoentong Pornpimol , Santegoets Saskia J. , van Gulijk Mandy , van Elsas Marit J. , Groeneveldt Christianne , van Montfoort Nadine , Finotello Francesca , Trajanoski Zlatko , Kiełbasa Szymon M. , van der Burg Sjoerd H. , van Hall Thorbald
Published: October 2021

The surface inhibitory receptor NKG2A forms heterodimers with the invariant CD94 chain and is expressed on a subset of activated CD8 T cells. As antibodies to block NKG2A are currently tested in several efficacy trials for different tumor indications, it is important to characterize the NKG2A+ CD8 T cell population in the context of other inhibitory receptors. Here we used a well‐controlled culture system to study the kinetics of inhibitory receptor expression. Naïve mouse CD8 T cells were synchronously and repeatedly activated by artificial antigen presenting cells in the presence of the homeostatic cytokine IL‐7. The results revealed NKG2A as a late inhibitory receptor, expressed after repeated cognate antigen stimulations. In contrast, the expression of PD‐1, TIGIT and LAG‐3 was rapidly induced, hours after first contact and subsequently down regulated during each resting phase. This late, but stable expression kinetics of NKG2A was most similar to that of TIM‐3 and CD39. Importantly, single‐cell transcriptomics of human tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) showed indeed that these receptors were often coexpressed by the same CD8 T cell cluster. Furthermore, NKG2A expression was associated with cell division and was promoted by TGF‐β in vitro, although TGF‐β signaling was not necessary in a mouse tumor model in vivo. In summary, our data show that PD‐1 reflects recent TCR triggering, but that NKG2A is induced after repeated antigen stimulations and represents a late inhibitory receptor. Together with TIM‐3 and CD39, NKG2A might thus mark actively dividing tumor‐specific TILs.
A disease network‐based deep learning approach for characterizing melanoma
Authors: Lai Xin , Zhou Jinfei , Wessely Anja , Heppt Markus , Maier Andreas , Berking Carola , Vera Julio , Zhang Le
Published: October 2021

Multiple types of genomic variations are present in cutaneous melanoma and some of the genomic features may have an impact on the prognosis of the disease. The access to genomics data via public repositories such as The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) allows for a better understanding of melanoma at the molecular level, therefore making characterization of substantial heterogeneity in melanoma patients possible. Here, we proposed an approach that integrates genomics data, a disease network, and a deep learning model to classify melanoma patients for prognosis, assess the impact of genomic features on the classification and provide interpretation to the impactful features. We integrated genomics data into a melanoma network and applied an autoencoder model to identify subgroups in TCGA melanoma patients. The model utilizes communities identified in the network to effectively reduce the dimensionality of genomics data into a patient score profile. Based on the score profile, we identified three patient subtypes that show different survival times. Furthermore, we quantified and ranked the impact of genomic features on the patient score profile using a machine‐learning technique. Follow‐up analysis of the top‐ranking features provided us with the biological interpretation of them at both pathway and molecular levels, such as their mutation and interactome profiles in melanoma and their involvement in pathways associated with signaling transduction, immune system and cell cycle. Taken together, we demonstrated the ability of the approach to identify disease subgroups using a deep learning model that captures the most relevant information of genomics data in the melanoma network.
Study on awareness of COVID‐19 and compliance with social distancing during COVID‐19 pandemic in Indonesia
Authors: Mukhlis Hamid , Widyastuti Tria , Harlianty Rully Afrita , Susanti Susi , Kumalasari Desi
Published: October 2021

Public compliance with social distancing policy is necessary to slow down the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). One of the factors that contribute to compliance with social distancing policy is awareness of COVID‐19. This study aimed to examine the relationship between awareness of COVID‐19 and compliance with social distancing policy. The study used an online survey through Google Form to 404 respondents aged 18–63 years. The data were collected by using awareness on the COVID‐19 scale and compliance with the social distancing scale. The data were analyzed using the Spearman correlation and Kruskal–Wallis, followed by Mann–Whitney U with Bonferroni correction. The awareness of COVID‐19 was significantly and positively associated with compliance with social distancing order. Based on demographic variables found that the awareness was significantly higher in postgraduates. The awareness of COVID‐19 was also significantly higher in working participants. The compliance with social distancing order was found higher in women. The study's primary result is that the awareness of COVID‐19 positively correlates with public compliance on social distancing order. In particular, there is a need to provide means and interventions to raise public awareness of this challenging situation.
Constructing a web‐based health directory for adolescent men who have sex with men: Strategies for development and resource verification
Authors: Drab Ryan , Wolfe James R. , Chavanduka Tanaka , Bonar Erin E. , Guest Jodie L. , Hightow‐Weidman Lisa , Castel Amanda D. , J. Horvath Keith , Sullivan Patrick S. , Stephenson Rob , Bauermeister José
Published: October 2021

Online health directories are increasingly used to locate health services and community resources, providing contact and service information that assists users in identifying resources that may meet their health and wellness needs. However, service locations require additional vetting when directories plan to refer vulnerable populations. As a tool included as part of a trial of a mobile life skills intervention for cisgender adolescent men who have sex with men (AMSM; ages 13–18), we constructed and verified resources for an online resource directory focused on linking young people to LGBTQ+ friendly and affirming local health and community social services resources. We collected information for 2301 individual directory listings through database and internet searches. To ensure the listings aligned with the project's focus of supporting young sexual minority men, we developed multiple data verification assessments to ensure community appropriateness resulting in verification of 1833 resources suitable for inclusion in our locator tool at project launch (March 2018). We offer lessons learned and future directions for researchers and practitioners who may benefit from adapting our processes and strategies for building culturally‐tailored resource directories for vulnerable populations.
Echocardiographic assessment of cardiac function after mild coronavirus disease 2019: A preliminary report
Authors: Uziębło‐Życzkowska Beata , Krzesiński Paweł , Domino Barbara , Chciałowski Andrzej , Maciorowska Małgorzata , Gielerak Grzegorz
Published: October 2021

Purpose

While most coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) cases are mild, the risk of heart dysfunction remains unknown. The objective of this observational study was to assess the impact of mild COVID‐19 on heart function in a short‐term follow‐up using advanced echocardiography.

Methods

Our study cohort comprised patients diagnosed with COVID‐19 who did not require hospitalization. Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) was used to assess heart chambers function in the 31 recovered COVID‐19 patients, and the results were compared with those of the control group (28 healthy participants).

Results

Left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) systolic function was assessed using standard and STE methods and was found to be normal and comparable in both groups (LV ejection fraction [p = 0.075], LV global longitudinal strain [p = 0.123], LV global radial strain [p = 0.630], LV global circumferential strain [p = 0.069], tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion [p = 0.417], tricuspid S′ peak systolic velocity [p = 0.622], and RV free wall longitudinal strain [p = 0.749]). Similarly, atrial function was not impacted when assessed using advanced STE.

Conclusions

The heart function of patients with mild COVID‐19 symptoms, assessed using standard and advanced echocardiographic methods, was observed to be normal after a short‐term follow‐up.
Interrelationship between liver T2*‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging and acoustic radiation force impulse elastography measurement results and plasma ferritin levels in children with β‐thalassemia major
Authors: Kaban Selami , Damar Çağrı
Published: October 2021

Purpose

To evaluate correlation and agreement between T2*‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (T2*‐wMRI), acoustic radiation force impulse elastography (ARFI‐e) measurement results of liver and plasma ferritin levels (PFLs) in children with β‐thalassemia major (β‐TM).

Methods

The study included 40 pediatric patients (aged 64–216 months; 14 girls, 26 boys) receiving blood transfusion and chelation therapy. To detect the severity of liver iron overload (LIO) and concomitant parenchymal fibrosis, T2*‐wMRI and ARFI‐e measurements were performed from the right lobe segments. Student's t‐test, Mann–Whitney U, ANOVA, Spearman's test and ICC were used for statistical analysis.

Results

After the measurements of T2*‐wMRI, patients were grouped as normal in 4 (10%), mild in 11 (27.5%), moderate in 21 (52.5%), and severe in 4 (10%) cases in terms of LIO. Combined moderate and severe groups had significantly higher ARFI‐e and PFL values than the combination of other groups (p = .001, p = .040). The ARFI‐e measurements of boys were found to be significantly higher than those of girls (p = .023). A strong negative correlation between T2*‐wMRI and ARFI‐e and a moderate negative correlation between T2*‐wMRI and PFL were detected (p;r = 0.001;‐0.606, p;r = 0.009; −0.407). A strong positive correlation was found between ARFI‐e values and PFL (p;r = 0.001; 0.659). The optimal cut‐off value of ARFI‐e to predict liver fibrosis because of moderate&severe LIO was determined to be 1.29 M/s (80% sensitivity and 88% specificity). A moderate agreement was observed between the T2*‐wMRI and ARFI‐e methods [ICC: 0.680, 95% CI: (0.470 to 0.817)].

Conclusion

Given the strong correlation and moderate agreement between ARFI‐e and T2*‐wMRI, ARFI ‐e could be used to monitor LIO in children with β‐TM.
Comparison of postoperative complications and long‐term oncological outcomes in minimally invasive versus open pancreatoduodenectomy for distal cholangiocarcinoma: A propensity score‐matched analysis
Authors: Kim Sung Hyun , Lee Boram , Hwang Ho Kyoung , Lee Jun Suh , Han Ho‐Seong , Lee Woo Jung , Yoon Yoo‐Seok , Kang Chang Moo
Published: October 2021

Background

Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) is the only curative therapy for distal cholangiocarcinoma (dCC). There has been no study to compare outcomes between minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy (MIPD) and open pancreatoduodenectomy (OPD) for dCC. The aim of the study is to compare the two operation types for dCC in terms of postoperative and oncologic outcomes.

Methods

Data from 426 patients who underwent MIPD (n = 91) or OPD (n = 335) for dCC from January 2012 to December 2019 at two tertiary hospitals were retrospectively reviewed. After 1:2 propensity score matching, postoperative and oncologic outcomes were compared.

Results

Minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy group showed more favorable results than OPD group in terms of blood loss (MIPD vs OPD, 250 [150‐400] vs 400 [200‐600], mL, P < .001), and length of hospital stay (19.8 ± 11.3 vs 26.6 ± 14.3 days, P < .001). OPD group showed more favorable results than MIPD group in terms of operation time (MIPD vs OPD, 457 ± 70 vs 398 ± 85 min, P < .001) and harvested lymph nodes (14.9 ± 7.8 vs 20.7 ± 11.5, P < .001). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the R0 resection rate and complications. In long‐term survival analysis, there was no significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusion

Minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy showed comparable postoperative complications and long‐term oncologic survival with OPD in the treatment of dCC.
Advances in the reduction of quinolines to 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinolines
Authors: El‐Shahat Mahmoud
Published: October 2021

The pursuit of modern sustainable chemistry has stimulated the development of innovative catalytic processes that enable chemical transformations to be performed under mild and clean conditions with high efficiency. Herein, we report that the hydrogenation of heteroaromatic compounds is one of the most efficient methods for the construction of heterocyclic skeletons, and only a few promising progress has been achieved. Transition metal‐catalyzed, a countless number of transition metals include have been used toward the development of homo/heterogeneous hydrogenation of quinolines via the most convenient route (Direct Hydrogenation) to obtain the corresponding tetrahydroquinoline derivatives.
A search for antiinflammatory therapies: Synthesis, in silico investigation of the mode of action, and in vitro analyses of new quinazolin‐2,4‐dione derivatives targeting phosphodiesterase‐4 enzyme
Authors: Abdelmonsef Aboubakr H. , Abdelhakeem Mohamed A. , Mosallam Ahmed M. , Temairk Hussain , El‐Naggar Mohamed , Okasha Hend , Rashdan Huda R. M.
Published: October 2021

Inflammation is the response of the body's immune system to harmful stimuli. The expression of phosphodiesterase 4 enzyme (PDE4) was demonstrated in many inflammatory cells. Thus, it was considered an attractive therapeutic target for combating inflammatory disorders. In the present study, a novel class of quinazolin‐2,4‐dione analogues 1‐17a,b was synthesized. Structures of the newly synthesized compounds were characterized by means of spectral and elemental analysis. Additionally, molecular docking studies for the new synthetic compounds were performed using PyRx—virtual screening tool to demonstrate the possible binding pattern mode of interactions within the active site region of the PDE4 enzyme. The antiinflammatory activity of the synthesized compounds was also in vitro examined using inhibition of protein denaturation, anti‐proteinase effect, and membrane stabilization assay. The in silico docking studies revealed that the newly synthesized compounds were well accommodated by the active site region of the target protein through a network of noncovalent interactions such as hydrogen bonds and pi‐stacking, which contributed to the enhancement of affinity and stability between the compounds and the target protein. They exhibited better docking scores when compared with reference drugs diclofenac and coumarin. In addition, in vitro testing revealed that the compounds had moderate to good antiinflammatory effects. The biological study agreed with in silico approach, which revealed that the compounds had promising antiinflammatory activity. Hence, our detailed results can facilitate the rational drug design targeting PDE4 enzyme.
A survey to explore the psychological impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on radiation therapists in Norway and Canada: A tale of two countries
Authors: Morassaei Sara , Di Prospero Lisa , Ringdalen Elisabeth , Olsen Sunniva S. , Korsell Agnethe , Erler Darby , Ying Carmen , Ho Choi Sang , Bolderston Amanda , Middleton Jacqueline , Johansen Safora
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Several studies have demonstrated the psychological impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on health care providers. However, there is little known about how the COVID‐19 pandemic has impacted radiation therapists (RTs) in Norway or Canada. The aim of this investigation was to study the psychological impact of working during the COVID‐19 pandemic among RTs in Canada and Norway.

Methods

Online surveys were administered to a convenience sample of RTs and RT department managers. Approximately 2000 and 300 RTs were invited to participate from Canada and Norway, respectively. The RT survey collected information on demographics, work‐related stressors, psychological impact, quality of life, and workplace support programmes. The RT manager survey collected information on departmental changes, patient volumes, staff shortages and redeployment, personal protective equipment, and infection control measures. Descriptive analysis, group comparisons and logistic regression were used to examine the impact of COVID‐19 on RTs in the two countries, while open‐ended questions were examined through thematic analysis.

Results

Work‐related stress and anxiety were prevalent among Canadian (n = 155) and Norwegian RTs (n = 124), with Canadian RTs reporting higher levels. Fear of transmission, changes in PPE usage, and changes in staffing were reported as the most frequent work‐related stressors. Themes related to working during the pandemic included: generalised anxiety; physical, emotional and cognitive symptoms of stress; and loneliness, as well as negative impact on health and quality of relationships. Survey findings from RT department managers in Canada (n = 12) and Norway (n = 13) suggest that the pandemic had an organisational impact on RT departments due to implemented infection control measures and changes in staffing.

Conclusion

The COVID‐19 pandemic has led to similar stressors amongst Canadian and Norwegian RTs but relatively higher levels of psychological impact among Canadian RTs. Findings demonstrate the importance of mental health support programmes in the workplace to mitigate the psychological impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on RTs.
Humoral response to SARS‐CoV‐2 and seasonal coronaviruses in COVID‐19 patients
Authors: Adams Ortwin , Andrée Marcel , Rabl Denise , Ostermann Philipp N. , Schaal Heiner , Lehnert Erik , Ackerstaff Stefanie , Müller Lisa , Fischer Johannes C.
Published: October 2021

We used enzyme‐linked immunoassay methods to measure the prevalence and the levels of antibody responses to the nucleocapsid (N) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and four seasonal human coronaviruses (HCoV‐OC43, HCoV‐HKU1, HCoV 229E, and HCoV‐NL63) in a cohort of 115 convalescent plasma donors infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 (1–61 days after symptom onset) compared to antibody levels in 114 individuals with no evidence of a recent infection with SARS‐CoV‐2. In the humoral response to the four seasonal coronaviruses, only HCoV‐HKU1‐ and HCoV‐229E‐assays showed slightly elevated antibody levels in the COVID group compared to the control group. While in the COVID‐group the levels of SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies correlated significantly with disease severity, no association was found in the levels of antibodies against the seasonal coronaviruses. The most striking result in both groups was that the levels of antibodies against all tested coronaviruses, including the new SARS‐CoV‐2 showed a highly significant correlation with each other. There seems to be an individual predisposition to a weaker or stronger humoral immune response against all known seasonal human coronaviruses including the new SARS‐CoV‐2, which could lead to a definition of low and high responders against human coronaviruses with potential impact on the assessment of postinfection antibody levels and protection.
System security enhancement using hybridHUA‐GPCapproach under transmission line(s) and/or generator(s) outage conditions
Authors: Alluri Amarendra , Lanka Ravi Srinivas , Rao Rayapudi Sreenivasa
Published: October 2021

In this manuscript, a hybrid HUA‐GPC strategy with unified power flow controller (UPFC) is proposed to enhance that security of power system under the condition of transmission and/or generator failure. The proposed hybrid strategy is joint implementation of Human urbanization algorithm (HUA) and Giza Pyramids Construction (GPC) and commonly named as HUA‐GPC approach. GPC approach is utilized to develop that search behavior of HUA. The main aim of the proposal is the operation and control of electrical system is to satisfy the demand continuously in the absence of failures. A new severity function is created with transmission line loads and bus voltage magnitude deviations. The proposed function and generation fuel cost are evaluated in contingency conditions of transmission line (s) and/or generator (s). System safety in contingency conditions is evaluated with optimal power flow issue. To improve system safety in contingency conditions in the presence of UPFC, it is essential to recognize an optimal position to install this device. To recognize an optimal UPFC position, in this proposal, a HUA‐GPC technique depending on line overload sensitivity index (LOSI) is evolved. The LOSI is assessed for every transmission lines in contingencies. An energy injection model based on UPFC voltage source, incorporation process and optimal location recognition approach depending on line overload sensitivity indices is proposed. The constraints are the constraints of equality and inequality. The proposed approach is then performed on the MATLAB/Simulink work platform and the efficiency is compared with existing strategies. The quality of the solution for the proposed system is analyzed in terms of best aptitude, worst aptitude, mean aptitude, SD, coefficient of variation and the error of best is 1110936.01, 1097382.12, 1107656.56, 1051.98, 0.075, and 0.82.
Light microscopic and heterogeneity analysis of astrocytes in the common marmoset brain
Authors: Muñoz Yorka , Cuevas‐Pacheco Francisco , Quesseveur Gaël , Murai Keith K.
Published: October 2021

Astrocytes are abundant cells of the central nervous system (CNS) and are involved in processes including synapse formation/function, ion homeostasis, neurotransmitter uptake, and neurovascular coupling. Recent evidence indicates that astrocytes show diverse molecular, structural, and physiological properties within the CNS. This heterogeneity is reflected in differences in astrocyte structure, gene expression, functional properties, and responsiveness to injury/pathological conditions. Deeper investigation of astrocytic heterogeneity is needed to understand how astrocytes are configured to enable diverse roles in the CNS. While much has been learned about astrocytic heterogeneity in rodents, much less is known about astrocytic heterogeneity in the primate brain where astrocytes have greater size and complexity. The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is a promising non‐human primate model because of similarities between marmosets and humans with respect to genetics, brain anatomy, and cognition/behavior. Here, we investigated the molecular and structural heterogeneity of marmoset astrocytes using an array of astrocytic markers, multi‐label confocal microscopy, and quantitative analysis. We used male and female marmosets and found that marmoset astrocytes show differences in expression of astrocytic markers in cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. These differences were accompanied by intra‐regional variation in expression of markers for glutamate/GABA transporters, and potassium and water channels. Differences in astrocyte structure were also found, along with complex interactions with blood vessels, microglia, and neurons. This study contributes to our knowledge of the cellular and molecular features of marmoset astrocytes and is useful for understanding the complex properties of astrocytes in the primate CNS.
Extreme minimum temperatures in the Great Lakes region of the United States: A climatology with implications for insect mortality
Authors: Kiefer Michael T. , Andresen Jeffrey A. , McCullough Deborah G. , Baule William J. , Notaro Michael
Published: October 2021

Winter‐season extreme minimum temperatures may play a major role in limiting population growth and spread of the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) (Adelges tsugae Annand) (Hemiptera: Adelgidae), an invasive sap‐feeding insect that has caused extensive mortality of hemlock trees (Tsuga spp.) in many eastern United States (US) forests. This atypical insect feeds throughout the winter but populations can sustain high mortality when winter‐season extreme minimum temperatures drop below −20 to −30°C. Detection of HWA in Michigan during 2015 motivated interest in HWA winter survival in the US Great Lakes region. Here, we used the parameter‐elevation regressions on independent slopes model (PRISM) gridded daily minimum temperature dataset to construct a 1981–2018 climatology of extreme minimum temperatures in the Great Lakes region, the first such effort for this region. Metrics examined include absolute and mean annual extreme minimum temperatures (defined as the lowest daily minimum temperature during the study period and the study‐period mean lowest daily minimum temperature during each calendar year, respectively), and the frequency of daily minimum temperatures below −20 and −30°C. Minimum temperature patterns we identified support the following two hypotheses: first, proximity to water, surface elevation and latitude are the principal controls for extreme minimum temperatures in the Great Lakes region; second, the modifying influence of the relatively warm Lake Michigan serves to protect locations within about 10–25 km of the lakeshore from severe and potentially lethal temperatures for HWA. Analysis of projected minimum temperatures at the end of the 21st century (2080–2099) reveals a range of HWA distribution expansion scenarios. Although the original motivation for this study arose from interest in potential HWA mortality, a climatological study of extreme minimum temperatures has potentially broad relevance to, for example, human health and safety and forest ecology.
Reliability and accuracy in radiographic measurements of musculoskeletal tumors
Authors: Kellish Alec S. , Miskiel Sandra , Gaughan John , Barshay Veniamin , Kim Tae W. , Gutowski Christina J.
Published: October 2021

Tumor size and growth are important parameters when evaluating bone and soft tissue neoplasms. There are no reports comparing the intra‐ and interobserver reliability among physicians in their evaluation of musculoskeletal (MSK) tumor imaging. This study investigates the accuracy and precision of measurements made by orthopedic and radiology physicians in different stages of training. Blinded magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans from six patients, three soft tissue, and three bone tumors were selected: each case included an “old” and “new” scan that was performed at least 3 months apart. Fourteen participants were selected, representing varying levels of education and experience, including two of each of the following: medical students, orthopedic and radiology residents, oncology and nononcologic orthopedic attendings, and MSK and non‐MSK radiology attendings. Participants compared the old and new studies, recording tumor size in the transverse, cranial–caudal, and anterior–posterior dimensions, and determined if the tumor was stable or unstable. The MRI's official report served as the “gold standard.” Average intraobserver variability (|Trial 1 − Trial 2|/[(Trial 1 + Trial 2)/2])) in size measurements was 11.08% (0.00%–68.62%). The lowest variability was recorded by the MSK radiologist 1 (6.16%), and the greatest variability by Orthopedic Surgery Resident 1 (16.70%). Participants correctly determined stability 82% of the time (71%–100%). Only MSK radiologists correctly determined stability in over 90% of cases. There is considerable variability and inaccuracy in MRI‐based measurements of MSK tumors. These findings motivate opportunities for improving MSK imaging education of radiology and orthopedic residents. Physicians ordering MRI scans should evaluate them themselves, instead of relying on the radiology report alone, to inform clinical decision‐making.
The exploration of Iranian solo female travellers' experiences
Authors: Hosseini Seyedasaad , Macias Rafael Cortes , Garcia Fernando Almeida
Published: October 2021

For various reasons, some women experience solo travel in different parts of the world. However, as with many leisure activities, access to travel and tourism does not have the same distribution between different social groups, including other classes and genders (men and women). While there is a growing body of research on solo female travellers, few studies have included women from Middle Eastern or Muslim‐majority countries. Drawing upon a series of in‐depth interviews, this paper examines the travel experiences of Iranian solo female travellers, which have been mainly overlooked in prior studies on the topic. The study's findings indicate that solo travel motivations can be categorized into personal factors: freedom and flexibility, self‐empowerment, independence, and exploration. Also, the absence of family responsibilities, routines, and gender constraints, as well as the promotion of their social and personal selves, contributed to their well‐being. The results also indicate that, despite the restrictions imposed by Iran's religious‐patriarchal society, tourism has made women more visible in the public sphere. Overall, this study fills a significant gap in tourism research by highlighting the experience, limitations, and motivation of solo female travellers, which heralds social change.
Global existence and asymptotic behavior of solutions for one‐dimensional infrarelativistic model of a compressible viscous gas with radiation
Authors: Qin Yuming , Dong Xiaolei , Liu Xin
Published: October 2021

In this paper, under suitable hypotheses on the transport coefficients, we prove the global existence and asymptotic behavior of solutions in
(see below for its definition) for the one‐dimensional infrarelativistic model of a compressible viscous gas with radiation. We have improved the previous results in Qin et al. (2014).
Validity of the nonlinear Schrödinger approximation for quasilinear dispersive systems with more than one derivative
Authors: Heß Max
Published: October 2021

For nonlinear dispersive systems, the nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation can usually be derived as a formal approximation equation describing slow spatial and temporal modulations of the envelope of a spatially and temporally oscillating underlying carrier wave. Here, we justify the NLS approximation for a whole class of quasilinear dispersive systems, which also includes toy models for the waterwave problem. This is the first time that this is done for systems, where a quasilinear quadratic term is allowed to effectively lose more than one derivative. With effective loss, we here mean the loss still present after making a diagonalization of the linear part of the system such that all linear operators in this diagonalization have the same regularity properties.
Robust region encoding and layer attribute protection for the segmentation of retina with multifarious abnormalities
Authors: Zhang Yuhan , Li Mingchao , Yuan Songtao , Liu Qinghuai , Chen Qiang
Published: October 2021

Purpose

To robustly segment retinal layers that are affected by complex variety of retinal diseases for optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) en face projection generation.

Methods

In this paper, we propose a robust retinal layer segmentation model to reduce the impact of multifarious abnormalities on model performance. OCTA vascular distribution that is regarded as the supplements of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) structural information is introduced to improve the robustness of layer region encoding. To further reduce the sensitivity of region encoding to retinal abnormalities, we propose a multitask layer‐wise refinement (MLR) module that can refine the initial layer region segmentation results layer‐by‐layer. Finally, we design a region‐to‐surface transformation (RtST) module without additional training parameters to convert the encoding layer regions to their corresponding layer surfaces. This transformation from layer regions to layer surfaces can remove the inaccurate segmentation regions, and the layer surfaces are easier to be used to protect the retinal layer natures than layer regions.

Results

Experimental data includes 273 eyes, where 95 eyes are normal and 178 eyes contain complex retinal diseases, including age‐related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), choroidal neovascularization (CNV), and so forth. The dice similarity coefficient (DSC: %) of superficial, deep and outer retina achieves 98.92, 97.48, and 98.87 on normal eyes and 98.35, 95.33, and 98.17 on abnormal eyes. Compared with other commonly used layer segmentation models, our model achieves the state‐of‐the‐art layer segmentation performance.

Conclusions

The final results prove that our proposed model obtains outstanding performance and has enough ability to resist retinal abnormalities. Besides, OCTA modality is helpful for retinal layer segmentation.
Variance‐aware attention U‐Net for multi‐organ segmentation
Authors: Lin Haoneng , Li Zongshang , Yang Zefan , Wang Yi
Published: October 2021

Purpose

With the continuous development of deep learning based medical image segmentation technology, it is expected to attain more robust and accurate performance for more challenging tasks, such as multi‐organs, small/irregular areas, and ambiguous boundary issues.

Methods

We propose a variance‐aware attention U‐Net to solve the problem of multi‐organ segmentation. Specifically, a simple yet effective variance‐based uncertainty mechanism is devised to evaluate the discrimination of each voxel via its prediction probability. The proposed variance uncertainty is further embedded into an attention architecture, which not only aggregates multi‐level deep features in a global‐level but also enforces the network to pay extra attention to voxels with uncertain predictions during training.

Results

Extensive experiments on challenging abdominal multi‐organ CT dataset show that our proposed method consistently outperforms cutting‐edge attention networks with respect to the evaluation metrics of Dice index (DSC), 95% Hausdorff distance (95HD) and average symmetric surface distance (ASSD).

Conclusions

The proposed network provides an accurate and robust solution for multi‐organ segmentation and has the potential to be used for improving other segmentation applications.
Modeled Walleye Regulation Outcomes in a Midwestern Reservoir with Varying Forage and Walleye Density
Authors: Krogman Rebecca M. , Dodd Benjamin J. , Otting Andy , Weber Michael J. , Weber Robert E.
Published: October 2021

In a put-grow-take fishery, management of Walleye Sander vitreus may require length-based regulation and depends on population dynamics such as growth, which in turn depends on forage. Big Creek Lake, an important Iowa Walleye fishery, underwent forage changes twice within two decades. Concurrently, Walleye density changed due to increased stocking and reduced emigration, resulting in four scenarios: (1) low-density Walleye with Gizzard Shad Dorosoma cepedianum forage (period A: 1998–2000), (2) low-density Walleye with centrarchid or percid forage (period B: 2006–2008), (3) high-density Walleye with centrarchid or percid forage (period C: 2013–2015), and (4) high-density Walleye with Gizzard Shad forage (period D: 2019). We examined Walleye population dynamics and relative effects of four length-based regulations during each period. Walleye in Big Creek Lake likely experienced density-dependent effects when Walleye density was high and Gizzard Shad were absent, resulting in depressed growth, low condition, increased natural mortality, reduced exploitation, and ineffectiveness of regulations. At lower Walleye densities, the centrarchid or percid forage supported Walleye growth and condition equivalent to when Gizzard Shad were present. Fishing regulations for enhancing Walleye size distribution or yield differed over time due to shifting population dynamics and angler exploitation and were notably ineffective during period C. The preferred regulation for the current scenario (high-density Walleye with Gizzard Shad) depends on angler preferences for higher catch or larger fish. Big Creek Lake’s Walleye fishery provided a useful demonstration of how rapidly a population can respond to changes in density and forage and, therefore, how dynamic fishery management needs to be.
Investigations on effectiveness of transfer layer on specific wear rate and coefficient of friction during dry sliding of hybrid polymer matrix composites
Authors: Subramanian Kalaiselvan , Ramasubramanian Sarala , Selvam Baskaran , Rajaram Prithivirajan
Published: October 2021

The formation of transfer layer especially in polymer‐based composites is unavoidable and essential to investigate the effectiveness of transfer layer under working conditions as it decides the material removal between mating parts. The main aim of the present work is to analyze the performance of transfer layer on specific wear rate (SWR) and coefficient of friction (COF) during dry sliding of hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN)/prosopis juliflora (PJ) reinforced polymer matrix composite. The mechanical test results exhibited that 136.4%, 145.7%, and 106.2% improvement in hardness, tensile and flexural properties of the hybrid composites compared to pure epoxy. Pin on disc wear test results showed that 15 wt% of h‐BN and 5 wt% of PJ reinforced hybrid composite produced better wear performance of minimum COF as 0.0912 and SWR as 0.0000151 mm3/Nm. ANOVA analysis results showed that load is major contributing parameter on COF and SWR and their percentage of contribution as 25.40% and 79.38% respectively. Worn surface analysis revealed that the reason behind transfer layer formation and its effectiveness under sliding conditions. The major wear mechanisms are identified as micro cutting and micro plowing followed by matrix crack, fiber debonding, and fiber pull out.