bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Becken aus Beton in Entwässerungsanlagen nach ZTV‐ING
Authors: Alonso Junghanns Maria Teresa , Breitenbücher Rolf , Günther Michael , Haist Michael , Haus Jörg
Published: January 2023

Becken aus Beton im Zuge von Bundesfernstraßen sind in der ZTV‐ING geregelt. Unter Berücksichtigung des aktuellen Stands der Technik und der zwischenzeitlich vorliegenden Erfahrungen der Straßenbauverwaltungen sowohl hinsichtlich des Baus als auch des Betriebs von Becken und Pumpenhäusern sollte die Zuordnung dieser Bauteile zu Expositionsklassen überdacht werden. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden die bei Becken aus Beton relevanten Umwelteinwirkungen differenziert betrachtet und die Hintergründe für eine mögliche Anpassung der bisherigen Festlegungen erläutert. Bei einer globalen Kategorisierung sind nach den heutigen Regelungen viele Bauteile solcher Becken formal der Expositionsklasse XF4 zuzuordnen, woraus sich dann unmittelbar die zwingende Verwendung von LP‐Beton ableitet. Differenzierte Betrachtungen, unter Einbeziehung spezifischer Randbedingungen und langjähriger Erfahrungen, lassen aber auch die Verwendung von Betonen ohne künstlich eingeführte Luftporen zu.
In situ biological particle analyzer based on digital inline holography
Authors: Sanborn Delaney , He Ruichen , Feng Lei , Hong Jiarong
Published: January 2023

Obtaining in situ measurements of biological microparticles is crucial for both scientific research and numerous industrial applications (e.g., early detection of harmful algal blooms, monitoring yeast during fermentation). However, existing methods are limited to offer timely diagnostics of these particles with sufficient accuracy and information. Here, we introduce a novel method for real‐time, in situ analysis using machine learning (ML)‐assisted digital inline holography (DIH). Our ML model uses a customized YOLOv5 architecture specialized for the detection and classification of small biological particles. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our method in the analysis of 10 plankton species with equivalent high accuracy and significantly reduced processing time compared to previous methods. We also applied our method to differentiate yeast cells under four metabolic states and from two strains. Our results show that the proposed method can accurately detect and differentiate cellular and subcellular features related to metabolic states and strains. This study demonstrates the potential of ML‐driven DIH approach as a sensitive and versatile diagnostic tool for real‐time, in situ analysis of both biotic and abiotic particles. This method can be readily deployed in a distributive manner for scientific research and manufacturing on an industrial scale.
Substance use disorders among adults during imprisonment in a medium security prison: Prevalence and risk indicators
Authors: Donnir Gordon M. , Asare‐Doku Winifred , Boakye Kofi E.
Published: January 2023

Background

Research shows that the prevalence of substance use disorders among the prison population is high globally. Although prisons are highly controlled environments, access to drugs and other substances in prison remains a major problem. Yet, previous research is focussed mainly on the Western context, with the studies generally reporting on lifetime prevalence without reference to whether the disorders are manifest even within the controlled environment.

Aims

To estimate the prevalence of substance use disorders evident while in prison in Ghana and associated risk indicators. For these purposes, substance use disorder was defined by any indication of dependency, or escalating use or socially problematic use during the 12 months of imprisonment prior to the interview.

Methods

The study involved 500 adults (443 men and 57 women) in a medium‐security prison in Ghana who had served at least 1 year of a prison sentence. Participants' alcohol use disorder was assessed separately from other substance use disorders which included cannabis, cocaine and other stimulants using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI); it is a structured interview and diagnostic tool for major psychiatric and substance use disorders in DSM‐5 and ICD‐10.

Results

Two percent of the 500 participants had used alcohol to the level of alcohol use disorder, and 6% had other substance use disorders in 12 months prior to interview and while in prison. Cannabis (4%) and stimulants (3%) were the most frequently reported substance use disorders. Logistic regression model estimates indicate that younger age, prior offending and alcohol use dependence were significantly associated with such disorders in prison.

Conclusion

In spite of efforts to prevent substance use in prison, nearly one in 10 of these prisoners were using alcohol or illicit drugs to a level indicative of substance use disorders. Our findings suggest that prioritising brief assessment may help identify those in most need of clinical help to limit their alcohol and illicit substance use problems.
Do kafirin bioplastic materials have unique functional characteristics?
Authors: Taylor John R. N. , Taylor Janet
Published: January 2023

Background and Objectives

There is considerable interest in kafirin, sorghum prolamin, as a bioplastic material because it apparently produces bioplastics with superior functional properties. This review evaluates the evidence, focussing on research directly comparing the properties of kafirin bioplastics (films and elastomers) with those from zein and gluten.

Findings

Kafirin and zein are more hydrophobic than gluten but there is little difference in hydrophobicity between them. Kafirin and zein films have better moisture barrier properties than gluten films. Films made from total kafirin (α‐, β‐, and γ‐kafirins) are stronger and take up less moisture than films from commercial zein (essentially α‐zein). However, total kafirin‐ and total zein films have similar moisture uptake. Also, there is little difference in oxygen barrier properties between total kafirin‐ and commercial zein films. Total kafirin elastomers have better elastic recovery than commercial‐ and total zein elastomers and similar elastic recovery to gluten.

Conclusions

The better functional properties of kafirin bioplastics compared to commercial zein bioplastics seems to be largely due to the greater disulfide bonded polymerization of kafirin polypeptides, involving the cysteine‐rich β‐ and γ‐kafirin classes.

Significance and Novelty

This work should stimulate research into disulfide‐bonded polymerization of prolamins to improve their bioplastic functionality.
Bi‐Reforming of Biogas for Hydrogen Production with Sulfur‐Resistant Multimetallic Catalyst
Authors: Poggio-Fraccari Eduardo , Mariño Fernando , Herrera Concepción , Larrubia-Vargas María Ángeles , Alemany Luis
Published: January 2023

A multimetallic sample, NiCeSnRh/Al2O3, was tested in methane reforming with a CH4:H2O:CO2 molar ratio equal to 3:2:1. A very stable methane conversion with the time‐on‐stream was achieved during 20 h. Dimethyl sulfide served as a model sulfur molecule and a sulfurized sample was also tested. This achieved slightly lower conversion with a stable performance for more than 10 h and a minor but continuous decrease of its activity, after this period. The carbon dioxide conversion was always higher than the methane conversion in agreement with the lower H2/CO ratio observed with respect to the theoretical value, 2/1, indicating the sulfur might block the active sites for H2O activation. The analysis of the used catalysts showed graphitic and disordered carbon deposits.
Mechanoresponsive Metal‐Organic Cage‐Crosslinked Polymer Hydrogels
Authors: Küng Robin , Germann Anne , Krüsmann Marcel , Niggemann Louisa P. , Meisner Jan , Karg Matthias , Göstl Robert , Schmidt Bernd M.
Published: January 2023

We report the formation of metal‐organic cage‐crosslinked polymer hydrogels. To enable crosslinking of the cages and subsequent network formation, we used homodifunctionalized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains terminally substituted with bipyridines as ligands for the Pd6L4 corners. The encapsulation of guest molecules into supramolecular self‐assembled metal‐organic cage‐crosslinked hydrogels, as well as ultrasound‐induced disassembly of the cages with release of their cargo, is presented in addition to their characterization by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques, rheology, and comprehensive small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) experiments. The constrained geometries simulating external force (CoGEF) method and barriers using a force‐modified potential energy surface (FMPES) suggest that the cage‐opening mechanism starts with the dissociation of one pyridine ligand at around 0.5 nN. We show the efficient sonochemical activation of the hydrogels HG3–6, increasing the non‐covalent guest‐loading of completely unmodified drugs available for release by a factor of ten in comparison to non‐crosslinked, star‐shaped assemblies in solution.
Prediction of survival with lower intensity therapy among older patients with acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Sasaki Koji , Ravandi Farhad , Kadia Tapan M. , Borthakur Gautam , Short Nicholas J. , Jain Nitin , Daver Naval G. , Jabbour Elias J. , Garcia‐Manero Guillermo , Loghavi Sanam , Patel Keyur P. , Montalban‐Bravo Guillermo , Masarova Lucia , DiNardo Courtney D. , Kantarjian Hagop M.
Published: January 2023

Background

The aim of this study was to develop a prognostic model for survival in older/unfit patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who were treated with lower‐intensity chemotherapy regimens.

Methods

The authors reviewed all older/unfit patients with newly diagnosed AML who received lower‐intensity chemotherapy from 2000 until 2020 at their institution. A total of 1462 patients were included. They were divided (3:1 basis) into a training (n = 1088) and a validation group (n = 374).

Results

In the training cohort of 1088 patients (median age, 72 years), the multivariate analysis identified 11 consistent independent adverse factors associated with survival: older age, therapy‐related myeloid neoplasm, existence of previous myelodysplastic syndrome or myeloproliferative neoplasms, poor performance status, pulmonary comorbidity, anemia, thrombocytopenia, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, cytogenetic abnormalities, and the presence of infection at diagnosis, and therapy not containing venetoclax. The 3‐year survival rates were 52%, 24%, 10%, and 1% in favorable, intermediate, poor, and very poor risk, respectively. This survival model was validated in an independent cohort. In a subset of patients in whom molecular mutation profiles were performed in more recent times, adding the mutation profiles after accounting for the effects of previous factors identified IDH2 (favorable), NPM1 (favorable), and TP53 (unfavorable) mutations as molecular prognostic factors.

Conclusion

The proposed survival model with lower‐intensity chemotherapy in older/unfit patients with newly diagnosed AML may help to advise patients on their expected outcome, to propose different strategies in first complete remission, and to compare the results of different existing or future investigational therapies.

Plain Language Summary

Lower intensity therapy can be considered for older patients to avoid severe toxicities and adverse events.

However, survival prediction in AML was commonly developed in patients who received intensive chemotherapy.

In this study, we have proposed a survival model to guide therapeutic approach in older patients who received lower‐intensity therapy.
Enhanced Triplet–Triplet Annihilation Upconversion Luminescence through Conformational Restriction Based on Donor–Acceptor–Heavy Atom Molecules
Authors: Lee Jae Moon , Park Jeong‐Min , Yoon Jun ho , Kim Jae‐Hyuk , Kim Jae Pil
Published: January 2023

Designing optimized systems for triplet‐triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA‐UC) with high UC emission efficiency at low power densities remains challenging. To improve the lifetime of triplet photosensitizers for TTA‐UC, donor‐acceptor‐heavy atoms were used to synthesize rotationally restricted PY‐MBD‐BR and unrestricted PY‐BD‐BR photosensitizers. The singlet oxygen quantum yields of both photosensitizers was ≈0.60 due to their structural similarity, except for the degree of rotation between the donor and acceptor. The triplet lifetime of PY‐BD‐BR and PY‐MBD‐BR was 352 μs and 1,503 μs, respectively. The latter may be among the highest reported for BODIPY photosensitizers. The prolonged triplet lifetime enabled excellent green‐to‐blue upconversion emission of PY‐MBD‐BR, with a high upconversion emission efficiency (ηUC) of 8.8 % and low threshold intensity (Ith) of 90 mW/cm2 compared to PY‐BD‐Br (low ηUC of 4.0 % and high Ith of 381 mW/cm2). The rigid molecular design of triplet photosensitizers based on donor‐acceptor‐heavy atom systems has potential for efficient TTA‐UC.
N‐Doped Carbon Shells Encapsulated Ru‐Ni Nanoalloys for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Wang Shuang , Li Zhengrong , Shen Tao , Wang Deli
Published: January 2023

The alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is of great significance for the large‐scale green H2 production. Currently, pressing challenges in the fabrication of cost‐effective HER electrocatalysts are related to their sluggish water dissociation kinetics. Herein, a facile strategy to accelerate the desorption of HER intermediates and water dissociation is proposed. RuNi nanoalloy confined within N‐doped carbon shells (Ru7Ni3@NC/C) with optimized Ru/Ni ratio and the dicyandiamide dosage was prepared. It displays an overpotential (η10) of 16 mV, Tafel slope of 29.9 mV dec−1, and long‐term stability over 10 000 cycles. The decent HER performance on Ru7Ni3@NC/C stems from the core‐shell structure that is favoring the exposure of dispersed active sites, and the synergistic effect to promote water capture and dissociation. This work provides insight into the relationship between the HER performance and the electrochemical behavior of the intermediate adsorbed state, and paves an avenue toward rational design efficient electrocatalysts for HER.
Selectively Permeable FeOOH Amorphous Layer Coating CdS for Enhancing Photocatalytic Conversion of Benzyl Alcohol and Selectivity to Benzaldehyde
Authors: Li Yan , Guo Yingxin , Pan Chengsi , Wang Guangli , Zhao Hui , Dong Yuming , Zhu Yongfa
Published: January 2023

The development of new strategies to improve reaction efficiency and light utilization is one of the biggest challenges in photosynthetic chemistry. Dynamics control, particularly tuning the adsorption/desorption of reactants and products, is an ideal way to improve the conversion and selectivity in catalytic reactions, but it is rarely studied for photocatalytic organic synthesis. This study concerns the design of an amorphous FeOOH coating to decorate CdS photocatalyst to control the adsorption and desorption of reactants and products to improve reaction efficiency for the photocatalytic conversion of benzyl alcohol (BA) into benzaldehyde (BAD). The best conversion of the core–shell photocatalyst is 74.1 % in 2 h, together with >99.9 % selectivity to BAD, and the photocatalyst exhibits response above 600 nm, which is the longest active wavelength reported for the reaction. Further data illustrate that the amorphous FeOOH coating enables selective sorption of BA/BAD molecules by H‐bonding interactions, which may result in the excellent performance. Construction of amorphous coating layers and understanding the selective permeability may provide a new strategy for the design of more efficient photocatalytic systems for organic synthesis.
Passive realization of the fractional‐order capacitor based on fractional‐order inductor and its application
Authors: Hao Chunling , Wang Faqiang
Published: January 2023

This paper investigates a new implementation of a passive fractional‐order capacitor (FOC) based on a single‐component fractional‐order inductor (FOI). The significance of this approach lies in providing the fractional‐order passive circuit to synthesize an FOC, which avoids the approximation that only depends on the integer‐order transfer function and reflects truly the infinite‐dimensional nature of fractional‐order impedance characteristic. For this purpose, the realizable conditions of this passive FOC are obtained and the main ideas of the proposed method are described by examples. The sensitivity of the impedance magnitude and phase angle on required components parameters is also analyzed in order to facilitate the design of the FOC emulator. Furthermore, the bandwidth is extended by modular structures connected in series, and the proposed approach shows an improvement over some previous methods in terms of accuracy. Also, based on the fractional calculus Grünwald–Letnikov definition, a single‐component FOI circuit element is packaged to build simulation circuit in Matlab/Simulink, and the effectiveness of the proposed method are validated by simulated and experimental results. In the application of an FOC, the results from in the series–parallel fractional‐order RLCβ bandreject filter circuit indicate that the fractional‐order counterpart can reduce the ripple and improve the suppression level at a certain frequency, and the peak amplitude and the overshoot decrease initially with decreasing order. Moreover, under the fixed inductance, capacitance, and resistance, the rise time varies almost inversely with order, whereas the setting time is on the decrease as the order is decreasing.
The first documented interaction between a long‐tailed weasel (Mustela frenata) and a plains spotted skunk (Spilogale interrupta) carcass
Authors: White Kara M. , Stafford Joshua D. , Lonsinger Robert C.
Published: January 2023

A novel interaction between a long‐tailed weasel (Mustela frenata) and a plains spotted skunk (Spilogale interrupta) carcass is detailed. In November 2020, a farmer in Edmunds County in north‐central South Dakota sent in a video recording of a long‐tailed weasel with a spotted skunk carcass. Location of the event, carcass condition, and recorded behavior of the long‐tailed weasel offer probable, but unconfirmed, evidence that the spotted skunk was killed by the long‐tailed weasel.
When eating disorder attitudes and cognitions persist after weight restoration: An exploratory examination of non‐cognitive responders to family‐based treatment for adolescent anorexia nervosa
Authors: Egbert Amy H. , Gorrell Sasha , Smith Kathryn E. , Goldschmidt Andrea B. , Hughes Elizabeth K. , Sawyer Susan M. , Yeo Michelle , Lock James , Le Grange Daniel
Published: January 2023

Objective

Family‐based treatment (FBT) is a well‐established intervention for adolescent anorexia nervosa (AN). Although FBT is efficacious in promoting weight gain and improvements in psychological symptoms, for some adolescents, cognitive/attitudinal recovery lags behind weight gain. This study conducted an exploratory post hoc analysis of outcomes of adolescents who achieved weight gain by the end of FBT but continued to experience elevated psychological symptoms post‐treatment.

Methods

Data were drawn from two randomised controlled trials (RCTs) testing two forms of FBT (conjoint/whole family and parent‐focussed). Descriptive statistics and generalised estimating equations were used to examine differences in treatment outcomes between non‐cognitive responders (NCRs) (those who regained weight but continued to experience psychological symptoms) and full responders (FRs) (those who achieved both weight and cognitive restoration by the end of treatment) (n = 80; 83.7% female, Agemean [SD] = 14.66 [1.73]).

Results

By 12 months post‐treatment, there were no differences in weight between NCRs and FRs. However, NCRs had a slower trajectory of weight gain than FRs and continued to have elevated levels of psychological symptoms throughout the follow‐up period.

Conclusions

A subset of adolescents appear to continue to experience clinically significant levels of eating pathology up to 12 months after FBT even when weight restoration is achieved.
Forecasting term structure of the Japanese bond yields in the presence of a liquidity trap
Authors: Tsui Albert K. , Wu Junxiang , Zhang Zhaoyong , Zheng Zhongxi
Published: January 2023

The Nelson–Siegel (NS) model is widely used in practice to fit the term structure of interest rates largely due to its high efficacy in the in‐sample fit and out‐of‐sample forecasting of bond yields. In this paper, we compare forecasting performances of estimated yields from the Nelson–Siegel‐based models and some simpler time series models, using the daily, weekly, and monthly data during a prolong period of liquidity trap in Japan. We find that the out‐of‐sample expanding window forecasts by NS‐based models in general perform less satisfactory than the competitor models. However, the NS‐based models can be useful in forecasting yields over longer horizons and can work well with GARCH‐type structures in modeling the conditional volatility.
Suppressor‐type TERT mutations associated with recurrence in ovarian clear cell carcinoma
Authors: Kobayashi Tatsuya , Nishikimi Kyoko , Mitsuhashi Akira , Piao Hongying , Matsuoka Ayumu , Otsuka Satoyo , Tate Shinichi , Shozu Makio , Usui Hirokazu
Published: January 2023

Several cancers harbor “enhancer‐type” mutations of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter for immortalization. Here, we report that 8.6% (8/93) of ovarian clear cell carcinomas (OCCCs) possess the “suppressor‐type” TERT promoter mutation. The recurrence rate of OCCCs with “suppressor‐type” TERT promoter mutations was 62.5% (5/8) and was significantly higher than that of the “unaffected‐type” with no mutation (20.8%, 15/72) or “enhancer‐type” TERT promoter mutations (7.7%, 1/13). Our findings show that the acquired suppression of TERT is closely associated with OCCC development and recurrence, indicating the need for further research on telomerase suppression in cancers.
Can the genes communicate with each other after birth? An international cross‐sectional study
Authors: Hashim Hashim Talib , Hashim Ali Talib , Nazir Abubakar , Afzaal Usama , Nazir Awais , Al‐Obaidi Ahmed Dheyaa
Published: January 2023

Background

Various factors contribute to the pathogenesis of a disease. These include genetic factors, family history, and some idiopathic causes. Genetic makeup has an important role in the progression of disease. This is due to mutations in genetic material, that is, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

Methodology

This is a cross‐sectional study that involved 5000 participants distributed across 250 countries. All the participants were randomly selected and asked to fill out the online survey. All the participants were fully informed about the study's purpose before providing their consent.

Results

The participants were distributed among 250 countries. Their age mean (standard deviation) is 46.7 (12.4). We discovered a significant difference between those who have genetic or congenital diseases and those who have a family history of the disease. Also, there is a statistically significant difference between the recurrence of the disease and the duration of the visits of close relatives who have the same disease.

Conclusion

The study suggests that there might be some ways, through gene waves or the environment, in which a gene changes the expression of other genes of similar sequence in different individuals when the required period of contact is provided. In the future, this theory might explain the idiopathic nature of some diseases.
Relapse and its mitigation: Toward behavioral inoculation
Authors: Kimball Ryan T. , Greer Brian D. , Fuhrman Ashley M. , Lambert Joseph M.
Published: January 2023

Relapse following the successful treatment of problem behavior can increase the likelihood of injury and the need for more intensive care. Current research offers some predictions of how treatment procedures may contribute to relapse, and conversely, how the risk of relapse can be mitigated. This review describes relapse‐mitigation procedures with varying levels of support, the quantitative models that have influenced the research on relapse mitigation, different experimental methods for measuring relapse mitigation, and directions for future research. We propose that by viewing the implementation of relapse‐mitigation procedures as a means of producing behavioral inoculation, clinicians are placed in the proactive and intentional role of exposing their client's behavior to an array of reinforcement and stimulus conditions during treatment with the goal of decreasing the detrimental impact of future treatment challenges.
Perioperative medical emergencies: The role of clinical pharmacists and a review of pharmacotherapy considerations
Authors: Hyland Sara J. , Wolfe Rachel C. , Patel Gourang , Johnson Eric G.
Published: January 2023

Medical emergencies arising in the perioperative period can have unique etiologies, medication management, and care complexities. Clinical pharmacists have established roles and demonstrated value in resuscitative efforts elsewhere within acute care settings, but very little published description of pharmacist participation in perioperative emergency response is currently available. Furthermore, specialized clinical and operational knowledge may be needed to effectively optimize medication use during a perioperative medical crisis. This narrative review offers recommended pharmacist roles, concise pharmacotherapeutic considerations, and key resources to support clinical pharmacists in all facets of perioperative medical emergency management and preparedness. Specific medical crises discussed include malignant hyperthermia, local anesthetic systemic toxicity, intraoperative cardiac arrest, anaphylaxis, carcinoid crisis, pheochromocytoma, and vasoplegia. Additional pharmacy practice studies are needed to validate clinical pharmacists as essential members of perioperative emergency response teams and delineate their associated impact on patient outcomes in this setting.
The animal and cell models that uncovered FKBP51 as a regulator of glucocorticoid receptor function
Authors: Scammell Jonathan G.
Published: January 2023

Many New World primates are glucocorticoid‐resistant secondary to expression of low affinity glucocorticoid receptors. We identified the role of FKBP51 in hormone responsiveness by showing that multiple cell lines derived from New World primates share the same activities: (1) soluble cell extracts conferred low binding affinity to high affinity glucocorticoid receptors; (2) FK506 increased receptor binding in soluble cell extracts; and (3) cellular FKBP51 was elevated and FKBP52 was lower. Details of these cell lines and their availability are described. Subsequently, we showed that New World primate and human FKBP51 decreased glucocorticoid activity in heterologous COS‐7 cell cultures. Future studies using the FKBP51 antagonist SAFit2 in New World primates are proposed.
Proper phosphorylation of septin 12 regulates septin 4 and soluble adenylyl cyclase expression to induce sperm capacitation
Authors: Wang Han‐Yu , Shen Yi‐Ru , Tsai Yung‐Chieh , Wu Shang‐Rung , Wang Chia‐Yih , Kuo Pao‐Lin
Published: January 2023

Septin‐based ring complexes maintain the sperm annulus. Defective annular structures are observed in the sperm of Sept12‐ and Sept4‐null mice. In addition, sperm capacitation, a process required for proper fertilization, is inhibited in Sept4‐null mice, implying that the sperm annulus might play a role in controlling sperm capacitation. Hence, we analyzed sperm capacitation of sperm obtained from SEPT12 Ser196 phosphomimetic (S196E), phosphorylation‐deficient (S196A), and SEPT4‐depleted mutant mice. Capacitation was reduced in the sperm of both the Sept12 S196E‐ and Sept12 S196A‐knock‐in mice. The protein levels of septins, namely, SEPT4 and SEPT12, were upregulated, and these proteins were concentrated in the sperm annulus during capacitation. Importantly, the expression of soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC), a key enzyme that initiates capacitation, was upregulated, and sAC was recruited to the sperm annulus following capacitation stimulation. We further found that SEPT12, SEPT4, and sAC formed a complex and colocalized to the sperm annulus. Additionally, sAC expression was reduced and disappeared in the annulus of the SEPT12 S196E‐ and S196A‐mutant mouse sperm. In the sperm of the SEPT4‐knockout mice, sAC did not localize to the annulus. Thus, our data demonstrate that SEPT12 phosphorylation status and SEPT4 activity jointly regulate sAC protein levels and annular localization to induce sperm capacitation.
Modelling and simulation of Zener diode noise in the time domain
Authors: Brinson Mike
Published: January 2023

This paper presents a new time domain Zener diode compact model for transient noise simulation. SPICE2 and SPIC3 use piece‐wise linear time dependent sources for generating complex waveforms. This approach is not practical when applied to randomly generated noise. Today, through on‐going improvements to freely available circuit simulation tools, SPICE noise generation has moved to a new level. Ngspice, for example, computes white Gaussian noise ‘on‐the‐fly’ as transient simulation progresses. The proposed model has a simple behavioural structure that supports time domain shot, flicker, and thermal noise. The physical properties of the proposed model are introduced in the second section. This is followed by an evaluation of model performance in the third and fourth sections, including static d.c, dynamic charge, and transient noise characterisation. Finally, the fifth section summarises the conclusions of the research.
Raman‐based genetic purity identification of soybean seed production on line
Authors: Zhao Yue , Zhao Xiaoyu , Che Gang , Tong Liang
Published: January 2023

Raman spectroscopy can identify differences between a variety of seeds, but the difference between the hybrid seed, which is masked by significant signals such as internal components of the seed and external environment disturbance, and its parents is too small, and there is no prominent presentation showing variety differences in the spectral data but only slight changes in the local spectral bands. Therefore, we decomposed soybean spectra based on the empirical mode decomposition method and found that the Hilbert envelope spectrum of the decomposed intrinsic mode components presented local features that the raw spectrum could not detect. In this work, we tested the genetic and physical purity of eight varieties based on the combination method of empirical mode decomposition and Hilbert envelope spectrum transformation. The results demonstrated that the back propagation network identification model based on empirical mode decomposition and Hilbert envelope spectrum transformation had better identification accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score (94.74, 95.83, 95.83, and 95.83) and the shortest iteration time (56.6 s) than traditional methods. This identification model realized fast and accurate identification of the genetic purity with its parents, as well as the physical purity, which meets the requirements of online production. Consequently, the Hilbert envelope spectrum transform of intrinsic mode components can not only highlight local features but also significantly compress spectral data at different time scales, which provides a promising tool for detecting minor local differences.
Determining optimal nitrogen management to improve rice yield, quality and nitrogen use efficiency based on multi‐index decision analysis method
Authors: Fei Liwei , Guo Junjie , Liu Wenbo , Ma Anlingyang , Wang Min , Ling Ning , Guo Shiwei
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND

Reasonable nitrogen (N) supply is critical for increasing rice yield while improving grain quality and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). However, the trade‐off relationship between yield, quality and NUE of rice under N management has not been well understood enough. In the present study, a 2‐year field experiment was conducted to identify optimal N fertilizer management practices that resulted in high‐yield, high‐quality and high‐NUE by using the technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) with entropy weight (EW) method.

RESULTS

All the parameters of rice yield, quality and efficiency were remarkably affected by fertilization treatments. Compared with farmer's fertilization practice (FFP), optimizing N fertilizer treatment (OPT) and substituting 20% of N fertilizer with pig manure based on OPT treatment (OPTM) increased grain yield (2.87–6.62%) by maintaining higher 1000‐grain weight and filled grains rate. The agronomic NUE (AE) and N partial factor productivity (PFP) under OPT and OPTM treatment were also remarkably increased by 32.81–43.01% and 28.59–33.28% with respect to the value under FFP treatment, respectively. Meanwhile, OPT and OPTM significantly improved the milling quality of rice by increasing brown rice rate (0.71–1.17%) and head rice rate (1.34–2.31%). OPT and OPTM significantly improved appearance quality by decreasing chalkiness and eating quality by reducing amylose content in 2020. The TOPSIS with EW showed that rice comprehensive evaluation could be maintained at a high level under OPT and OPTM.

CONCLUSION

OPT and OPTM were nutrient management modes of high‐yield, high‐quality and high‐efficiency, and promising practice to improve rice comprehensive productivity. This strategy is also highly‐consistent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Automated Creak Differentiates Adductor Laryngeal Dystonia and Muscle Tension Dysphonia
Authors: Marks Katherine L. , Díaz Cádiz Manuel E. , Toles Laura E. , Buckley Daniel P. , Tracy Lauren F. , Noordzji J. Pieter , Grillone Gregory A. , Stepp Cara E.
Published: January 2023

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine whether automated estimates of vocal creak would differentiate speakers with adductor laryngeal dystonia (AdLD) from speakers with muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) and speakers without voice disorders.

Methods

Sixteen speakers with AdLD, sixteen speakers with MTD, and sixteen speakers without voice disorders were recorded in a quiet environment reading aloud a standard paragraph. An open‐source creak detector was used to calculate the percentage of creak (% creak) in each of the speaker's six recorded sentences.

Results

A Kruskal‐Wallis one‐way analysis of variance revealed a statistically significant effect of group on the % creak with a large effect size. Pairwise Wilcoxon tests revealed a statistically significant difference in % creak between speakers with AdLD and controls as well as between speakers with AdLD and MTD. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses indicated that % creak differentiated AdLD from both controls and speakers with MTD with high sensitivity and specificity (area under the curve statistics of 0.94 and 0.86, respectively).

Conclusion

Percentage of creak as calculated by an automated creak detector may be useful as a quantitative indicator of AdLD, demonstrating the potential for use as a screening tool or to aid in a differential diagnosis.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 133:2687–2694, 2023
Plain language summaries: Enabling increased diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in scholarly publishing
Authors: Rosenberg Adeline , Walker Joanne , Griffiths Sarah , Jenkins Rachel
Published: January 2023

Key points

Plain language summaries (PLS) are accessible, short, peer‐reviewed summaries of scholarly journal articles written in non‐technical language.

The aim of PLS is to enable a broader audience of experts and non‐experts to understand the original article.

Here, we outline the evidence base for the value and impact of PLS and how they can enable diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in scholarly publishing.

PLS can diversify readership and authorship, address information inequity, include typically under‐represented stakeholders and provide an accessible route into scholarly literature.
Family Medicine editors collaborate towards antiracist publishing
Authors: Schrager Sarina , Sexton Sumi , Bowman Marjorie , Richardson Caroline
Published: January 2023

Key points

Editors of 10 North American Family Medicine journals simultaneously published a Joint Call for Action to address systemic racism and encourage diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility/antiracism (DEIA) initiatives in medicine and medical publishing in January 2021.

The efforts of the journals since publication of the joint editorial are summarized and include working to diversify editorial teams, editorial boards and authors; enhanced content about DEIA topics; mentoring of authors who are underrepresented in medicine (URM); and presenting content related to DEIA in Family Medicine publishing at national meetings.

Editors had a follow up meeting in November 2022 to continue working toward a common goal of reducing racism and increasing DEIA initiatives in Family Medicine publications.
Patient reported outcome measures: The impact of environment on VHI‐10 responses
Authors: Kinberg Eliezer C. , Taree Amir , Gray Mingyang , Filip Peter , Courey Mark
Published: January 2023

Objective

A key outcome measure in the clinical evaluation of dysphonia is the Voice Handicap Index (VHI‐10). The clinical validity of the VHI‐10 was established from surveys administered in the physician's office. We aim to understand whether VHI‐10 responses remain reliable when the questionnaire is completed in settings other than the physician's office.

Methods

This is a prospective observational study conducted over a 3‐month period in the outpatient laryngology setting. Thirty‐five adult patients presenting with a complaint of dysphonia, which was symptomatically stable for the preceding 3 months, were identified. Each patient completed a VHI‐10 survey during the initial office visit, followed by three weekly out‐of‐office (termed “ambulatory”) VHI‐10 surveys, over the course of 12 weeks. The specific setting in which the patient completed the survey was recorded (social, home, or work). The Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) is defined as 6 points based on existing literature. T‐tests and a test of one proportion were used for analysis.

Results

A total of 553 responses were collected. Of these, 347 ambulatory scores (63%) differed from the Office score by at least the MCID. Specifically, 94 (27%) were higher than the in‐office score by 6 or more points while 253 (73%) were lower.

Conclusion

The setting in which the VHI‐10 is completed affects how the patient answers the questions. The score is dynamic, reflecting effects of the patients' environment during completion. Utilization of VHI‐10 scores to measure clinical treatment response is only valid if each response is obtained in the same setting.

Level of Evidence

4
Simultaneous bilateral distal venous arterialization between redial artery and cephalic vein in dorsal hand for Raynaud's phenomenon in both hands: A case report
Authors: Yoshida Shuhei , Imai Hirofumi , Roh Solji , Mese Toshiro , Koshima Isao
Published: January 2023

Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is characterized by episodic vasospasm in peripheral vessels and ischemia of the fingers. Venous arterialization is thought to induce neovascularization and increased oxygen tension. In this report, we describe a patient with RP in the fingers of both hands in whom venous arterialization achieved an acceptable result in both hands. The patient was a 62‐year‐old woman with a 10‐year history of worsening pain and cold sensation in the tips of the index, middle, ring, and little fingers on both sides. The venous arterialization procedure was performed on both hands simultaneously at the level of the anatomical snuff box between radial artery and cephalic vein in dorsal hand. There was no need for valvectomy in the level of hands. To prevent development of the steal phenomenon in the arterialized veins, the superficial basilic and median veins of the forearm were ligated via 1 cm skin incisions. The pain and cold sensation in the fingertips of both hands remained decreased, and the nonhealing ulcers on the fingertips healed without the need for amputation. The observation period was 14 months, and the surface temperature of the fingers was increased after venous arterialization, as was the temperature of the palm and forearm. There was no problem when administering intravenous infusion into the forearm on either side postoperatively. The case showed venous arterialization was effective for RP without increasing intravenous pressure in the affected limb, and further investigation is necessary.
The backward problem for radially symmetric time‐fractional diffusion‐wave equation under Robin boundary condition
Authors: Shi Chengxin , Cheng Hao
Published: January 2023

This paper is devoted to solve the backward problem for radially symmetric time‐fractional diffusion‐wave equation under Robin boundary condition. This problem is ill‐posed and we apply an iterative regularization method to solve it. The error estimates are obtained under the a priori and a posteriori parameter choice rules. Numerical results show that the proposed method is efficient and stable.
Upfront Surgery Versus Definitive Radiotherapy: Competing Risk Analyses in Early Stage Oropharyngeal Cancer
Authors: Peng Liang , Zeng Xue‐Lan , Fang Rui‐Hua , Ma Ren‐Qiang , Wen Wei‐Ping , Sun Wei
Published: January 2023

Objective

To compare the survival outcomes of early‐stage oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) patients treated with upfront surgery versus definitive radiotherapy (RT).

Study Design

Retrospective observational study.

Setting

Publicly available database.

Methods

A total of 1877 patients with T1‐2N0‐1M0 OPC were retrieved from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Primary endpoints were cancer‐specific and noncancer mortalities, which were estimated using cumulative incidence function and compared by Gray's test. Univariate and multivariate Fine‐Gray subdistribution hazard models were used to estimate the effects of treatment modality on mortality. Subgroup analyses were performed in propensity‐score‐matched cohorts. All the analyses were conducted separately in human papillomavirus (HPV)‐negative and HPV‐positive cohorts.

Results

In the HPV‐negative cohort, definitive RT was independently associated with increased risk of cancer‐specific mortality (adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR], 2.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.42‐3.68; p = .001) and noncancer mortality (adjusted SHR, 2.74; 95% CI, 1.50‐5.02; p = .001). In the HPV‐positive cohort, definitive RT and upfront surgery could achieve similar cancer‐specific and noncancer survival outcomes.

Conclusion

Upfront surgery is associated with lower cancer‐specific and noncancer mortality in HPV‐negative early‐stage OPC patients. However, in the setting of HPV‐positive early‐stage OPC with better prognosis, the 2 treatment modalities have similar efficacy in terms of cancer‐specific and noncancer survival outcomes. In the future, carefully designed prospective clinical trials are needed to confirm our findings.
The incidence and characterization of weight gain associated with MEK inhibitors in pediatric patients
Authors: Rush Cassandra , Sabus Ashley , Bradley Zanette Kanani , Herbert Maxwell , Hemenway Molly
Published: January 2023

Background

Mitogen‐activated protein kinase enzyme (MEK) inhibitors are used in the treatment of pediatric patients with neurofibromatosis, low grade glioma, and astrocytoma, and may demonstrate a unique side effect profile in this population. Inhibition of MEK has been shown to decrease interleukin (IL)‐6 production, a proinflammatory cytokine. The inhibition of IL‐6 and other proinflammatory cytokines is thought to decrease muscle wasting and may contribute to weight gain.

However, there is limited information on the association of MEK inhibition and weight gain in children and adolescents. This study aimed to characterize and define the incidence of significant weight gain associated with MEK inhibitors in pediatric patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective chart review conducted at a tertiary pediatric hospital. Children 1–18.99 years old were included if they started a MEK inhibitor from July 1, 2013–October 31, 2021, and continued therapy for at least 6 months. Significant weight gain was defined as ≥5% increase in patient's weight‐for‐age percentile.

Results

Sixty‐seven patients were included in the analysis. Sixty‐two received trametinib and 5 received selumetinib. An increase in weight‐for‐age percentile ≥5% was seen in 60% of patients receiving selumetinib and 56% on trametinib. The Dunnett's multiple comparisons test revealed a difference in weight‐for‐age percentile from baseline to end of data collection (p = .0173). Patients who were obese at baseline were more likely to lose weight during treatment, while underweight patients increased in weight‐for‐age percentiles.

Conclusions

Weight gain may be a notable side effect associated with the use of MEK inhibitors in pediatric patients.
Genetic characteristics and treatment outcome in infants with KMT2A germline B‐cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Results of MLL‐Baby protocol
Authors: Popov Alexander , Tsaur Grigory , Permikin Zhan , Henze Guenter , Verzhbitskaya Tatiana , Plekhanova Olga , Nokhrina Ekaterina , Valochnik Alena , Sibiryakov Petr , Zerkalenkova Elena , Olshanskaya Yulia , Gindina Tatiana , Movchan Liudmila , Shorikov Egor , Streneva Olga , Khlebnikova Olga , Makarova Olga , Arakaev Oleg , Boichenko Elmira , Kondratchik Konstantin , Ponomareva Natalia , Lapotentova Elena , Aleinikova Olga , Miakova Natalia , Novichkova Galina , Karachunskiy Alexander , Fechina Larisa
Published: January 2023

The aim of this study was to present the diagnostic and outcome characteristics of infants with germline status of KMT2A gene (KMT2A‐g) B‐cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP‐ALL) treated consistently according to the MLL‐Baby protocol, a moderate‐intensity protocol. Of the 139 patients enrolled in the MLL‐Baby study, 100 (71.9%) carried different types of rearranged KMT2A (KMT2A‐r), while the remaining 39 infants (28.1%) had KMT2A‐g. KMT2A‐g patients were generally older (77% older than 6 months), less likely to have a very high white blood cell count (greater than 100 × 109/L), less likely to be central nervous system (CNS)‐positive, and more likely to be CD10‐positive. The 6‐year event‐free survival and overall survival rates for all 39 patients were 0.74 (standard error [SE] 0.07) and 0.80 (SE 0.07), respectively. Relapse was the most common adverse event (n = 5), with a cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) of 0.13 (SE 0.06), while the incidence of a second malignancy (n = 1) and death in remission (n = 3) was 0.03 (SE 0.04) and 0.08 (SE 0.04), respectively. None of the initial parameters, including genetics and the presence of recently described fusions of NUTM1 and PAX5 genes, was able to distinguish patients with different outcomes. Only rapidity of response, measured as minimal residual disease (MRD) by flow cytometry, showed a statistically significant impact. Moderate‐intensity therapy, as used in the MLL‐Baby protocol in infants with KMT2A‐g BCP‐ALL, yields results comparable to other infant studies. Patients with a slow multicolor flow cytometry (MFC)‐MRD response should be subjected to advanced therapies, such as targeted or immunotherapies.