bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Poor pretransplantation minimal residual disease clearance as an independent prognostic risk factor for survival in myelodysplastic syndrome with excess blasts: A multicenter, retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ma Ying‐Ying , Wei Ze‐liang , Xu Ya‐Jing , Shi Ji‐Min , Yi Hai , Lai Yong‐Rong , Jiang Er‐Lie , Wang San‐Bin , Wu Tao , Gao Lei , Gao Li , Kong Pei‐Yan , Wen Qin , Bai Hai , Li Yu , Cao Yi‐geng , Li Qiao‐Chuan , Zhang Zhong‐Ming , Liu Bei‐Cai , Su Yi , Lai Xiao‐Yu , Ma Xia , Cheng Ting‐Ting , Luo Yi , Zhang Xi , Zhang Cheng
Published: March 2023

Background

Minimal residual disease (MRD) is an important prognostic factor for survival in adults with acute leukemia. The role of pretransplantation MRD status in myelodysplastic syndrome with excess blasts (MDS‐EB) is unknown. This study retrospectively analyzed the relationship between pretransplantation MRD status and long‐term survival.

Materials and Methods

Patients with MDS‐EB who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT) from March 5, 2005, to November 8, 2020, were included. The relationship between pretransplantation MRD status and long‐term survival was analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models.

Results

Of 220 patients with MDS‐EB who underwent allo‐HSCT, 198 were eligible for inclusion in this multicenter, retrospective cohort study. Complete remission was attained in 121 (61.1%) patients, and 103 patients underwent detection of MRD pretransplantation, with 67 patients being MRD‐positive and 36 patients being MRD‐negative. The median follow‐up time was 16 months, the median age was 41 years (6–65 years), and 58% of the patients were men. The 3‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) probabilities for all patients were 70.1% and 72.9%, respectively. For patients in complete remission, the 3‐year DFS and OS probabilities were 72.2% and 74.8%, respectively. Further analysis found that the 3‐year DFS rates of MRD‐negative and MRD‐positive patients were 85.6% and 66.5% (p = .045), respectively, whereas the 3‐year OS rates were 91.3% and 66.4% (p = .035), respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that poor pretransplantation MRD clearance was an independent prognostic risk factor for DFS and OS.

Conclusion

Poor pretransplantation MRD clearance is an independent prognostic risk factor for long‐term survival after allo‐HSCT for patients with MDS‐EB.

Plain language summary

Poor minimal residual disease clearance pretransplanation is an independent prognostic risk factor for long‐term survival after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome with excess blasts.
Age‐related changes in surface reflection, diffuse reflection, and subsurface scattering light of facial skin: Luminance value measured by the system for the optical properties of facial skin
Authors: Kikuchi Kumiko , Katsuyama Masako , Shibata Takako , Hardeberg Jon Yngve
Published: March 2023

We have developed a system that separates and measures the optical properties of skin that determine its visual quality, that is, the surface reflection, diffuse reflection, and subsurface scattering components of the skin. This system includes two polarization filters that separate light from the skin into a surface reflection component image and a diffuse reflection component image. Furthermore, by using a projector as a light source and irradiating the skin using a high‐frequency binary illumination pattern, the subsurface scattering component image alone can be separated and generated. Application of an algorithm that calculates the luminance value Y for each component image not only makes it possible to analyze each light signal from the skin quantitatively, but also enables understanding of how each light signal is related to the skin's overall appearance. Using the proposed system, we performed a survey of 154 Japanese women aged from their 20s to their 70s and analyzed age‐related changes in the optical properties of their skin. The results revealed the following. First, the luminance value Y of the surface reflection from the cheek and its standard deviation within the analysis area increase with age. Second, the Y value of diffuse reflection from the skin decreases with age. Third, the amount of light in the subsurface scattering components also decreases with age. The proposed system is expected to be suitable for a wide range of applications, including color science, and various studies of the appearance of human skin.
Animal Models for the Study of Food Allergies
Authors: Kazemi Sahar , Danisman Ece , Epstein Michelle M.
Published: March 2023

In the last decades there has been a parallel increase in the incidence of food allergies and the development of experimental mouse models. These models have improved our understanding of the disease but do have limitations. For instance, they do not entirely reproduce human pathophysiology; moreover, validated and predictive models are absent. Nevertheless, the models provide opportunities to further understand fundamental disease mechanisms. The selection of any of the many experimental models depends on the research aims. This overview focuses on IgE‐mediated food allergy in wild‐type, genetically modified, and humanized mouse models and presents a comprehensive overview of the currently used protocols, challenges, and limitations, as well as provides guidelines for model selection based on the three critical areas of research: 1) safety assessment, 2) evaluating treatment, and 3) elucidating pathophysiology. © 2023 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Leaf phyllosphere microbiome and crop productivity under climate warming
Authors: Wang Jianqing
Published: March 2023

Climate warming is an incontrovertible fact, seriously threatening microbial reproduction and food security. Crop‐associated leaf phyllosphere microbiome plays a crucial role in regulating crop productivity, plant health, stress resistance, pathogen resistance, and even mitigating climate warming. However, empirical evidence for the impact of climate warming on leaf phyllosphere‐associated microbiomes and crop productivity is lacking. I am writing to urge research into the linkage between leaf phyllosphere microbiome and crop productivity under climate warming to develop effective food productivity strategies in the future.
High voltage‐gain and wide‐range input DC‐DC converter using single switch suitable for fuel‐cell hybrid vehicles
Authors: Esmaili Siamak , Feyzi Mohammadreza , Bannae Sharifian Mohammad Bagher , Sabahi Mehran
Published: March 2023

In this paper, a new high voltage‐gain DC‐DC converter with wide‐range input is presented suitable for hybrid electric vehicle applications. The proposed structure acts as an interface converter between the fuel cell and DC link. The main benefits of the proposed topology consist of low voltage stress across semiconductors, flexibility of duty cycle changes without voltage fluctuations at the output side, having only one switch, and simple controls. Using a power switch with lower resistance on state (Rds‐on) reduces the total losses of the proposed topology. The proposed converter is analyzed in both CCM and DCM operating modes. Finally, a laboratory prototype at operating 50 kHz with 135 W is built and tested.
Greater dietary variety is associated with lower food anxiety at discharge from intensive eating disorder treatment
Authors: Vanzhula Irina , Duck Sarah Ann , Pletch Allisyn , Guarda Angela S. , Schreyer Colleen
Published: March 2023

Objective

Food anxiety and limited dietary variety often persist after intensive treatment for eating disorders (EDs) and may contribute to relapse. Prior studies demonstrate decreased meal‐related anxiety with residential or inpatient treatment, but less is known about changes in dietary variety and anxiety associated with specific foods. The current study assessed change in food anxiety and dietary variety in inpatients with EDs (anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa) in relation to discharge outcomes from meal‐based behavioral treatment.

Method

Patients (N = 128) admitted to a specialized, hospital‐based behavioral treatment program completed measures of food anxiety, dietary variety, and ED symptoms at admission and discharge. Demographic and clinical data were abstracted from electronic medical records. A novel network community analysis identified three food anxiety groups: fruit‐veg, animal‐based, and carb‐based foods.

Results

High‐energy density combination foods were most anxiety‐provoking and most avoided. Food anxiety decreased, and dietary variety increased from admission to discharge. Reduction in food anxiety was associated with lower ED symptom scores and higher normative eating self‐efficacy at discharge. For animal‐based foods, increased dietary variety was associated with lower food anxiety at discharge. Neither variety nor anxiety was associated with weight restoration.

Discussion

Findings highlight the importance of broadening dietary variety and targeting food anxiety during the nutritional rehabilitation and weight restoration phase of ED treatment. Increasing dietary variety may contribute to reduced food anxiety, which, in turn, may increase normative eating self‐efficacy. These results may help inform nutritional guidelines for meal‐based treatment programs.

Public significance

Consuming a greater variety of foods during meal‐based intensive treatment may help alleviate food anxiety in patients with eating disorders.
Effects of temporal abiotic drivers on the dynamics of an allometric trophic network model
Authors: Eloranta Antti P. , Perälä Tommi , Kuparinen Anna
Published: March 2023

Current ecological research and ecosystem management call for improved understanding of the abiotic drivers of community dynamics, including temperature effects on species interactions and biomass accumulation. Allometric trophic network (ATN) models, which simulate material (carbon) transfer in trophic networks from producers to consumers based on mass‐specific metabolic rates, provide an attractive framework to study consumer–resource interactions from organisms to ecosystems. However, the developed ATN models rarely consider temporal changes in some key abiotic drivers that affect, for example, consumer metabolism and producer growth. Here, we evaluate how temporal changes in carrying capacity and light‐dependent growth rate of producers and in temperature‐dependent mass‐specific metabolic rate of consumers affect ATN model dynamics, namely seasonal biomass accumulation, productivity, and standing stock biomass of different trophic guilds, including age‐structured fish communities. Our simulations of the pelagic Lake Constance food web indicated marked effects of temporally changing abiotic parameters on seasonal biomass accumulation of different guild groups, particularly among the lowest trophic levels (primary producers and invertebrates). While the adjustment of average irradiance had minor effect, increasing metabolic rate associated with 1–2°C temperature increase led to a marked decline of larval (0‐year age) fish biomass, but to a substantial biomass increase of 2‐ and 3‐year‐old fish that were not predated by ≥4‐year‐old top predator fish, European perch (Perca fluviatilis). However, when averaged across the 100 simulation years, the inclusion of seasonality in abiotic drivers caused only minor changes in standing stock biomasses and productivity of different trophic guilds. Our results demonstrate the potential of introducing seasonality in and adjusting the average values of abiotic ATN model parameters to simulate temporal fluctuations in food‐web dynamics, which is an important step in ATN model development aiming to, for example, assess potential future community‐level responses to ongoing environmental changes.
Seismic internal force in rocking shear frame with superelastic tendon restraint
Authors: Li Sheng , Tsang Hing‐Ho , Lam Nelson
Published: March 2023

A structure with rocking mechanism is able to prolong the period of vibration and reduce seismic internal force. Recent research demonstrated the effectiveness of a tendon made of superelastic material wire connected in series with steel wire in controlling the amount of rotation and providing a source of hysteretic energy dissipation, thereby lowering the risk of overturning to a rigid structure undergoing whole‐body rotation. This article proposed to extend the use of superelastic tendon restraint on a (flexible) shear frame to strike a balance between the need to reduce the seismic force demand and the need to exercise control of the overturning risk. Initially, an analytical model for the rocking response of shear frame with the superelastic tendon restraint was developed. In addition, a physical model of the shear frame with tendon restraint was fabricated and tested under base excitations. Analysis results showed to match with experiment on both strain gauge and rotation sensor readings in the dynamic testing. Simulations and tests were also applied to an unrestrained shear frame for comparison. It was also found that the total deflection of the shear frame during the rocking phase could be described as horizontal vibration about a non‐constant balancing deflection. The analytical models developed for flexible rocking systems were extended in the current study to deal with superelastic tendon restrained rocking shear frames. The validity and versatility were confirmed by shaker table test results.
Lyophilized royal jelly preparation in nanoscale and evaluation of its physicochemical properties and bactericidal activity
Authors: Ghadimi‐Garjan Reza , Javadi Afshin , Jafarizadeh‐Malmiri Hoda , Anarjan Navideh , Mirzaei Hamid
Published: March 2023

Royal jelly, due to its unique bioactive components, has special biological activities, but a great extent of its nutritional value is lost during processing and storage. Lyophilization, an effective preservation technique, can feasibly preserve the main bioactive compounds present in royal jelly. In this study, fresh royal jelly was subjected to the freeze‐drying process at a pressure and temperature of 100 Pa and − 70°C, respectively, for 40 h. The results obtained indicated that the pH, turbidity, total phenol content, and antioxidant activity of the royal jelly powder (RJP), during 3 months of storage at ambient temperature (30°C), were constant with values of 4.30, 1.634 (%A.U.), 0.617 (g/L), and 28.7 (%), respectively. Moisture content of the prepared RJP was less than 1%, while that of the fresh royal jelly was 70%. Furthermore, for the fresh royal jelly, the mentioned parameters were significantly (p < .05) decreased after 2 months of storage at freezer temperature (−20°C). GC–MS analysis indicated that the amount of 10‐hydroxy‐2‐decanoic acid (10H2DA) in RJP was 3.85 times more than that of fresh royal jelly. The obtained results also indicated that prepared RJP had a high bactericidal effect toward Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with clear zone diameters of 12 and 15 mm, respectively. The present study provides a foundation for research on the potential application of prepared RJP and the development of dietary supplements and functional foods.
Astrocyte structural heterogeneity in the mouse hippocampus
Authors: Viana João Filipe , Machado João Luís , Abreu Daniela Sofia , Veiga Alexandra , Barsanti Sara , Tavares Gabriela , Martins Manuella , Sardinha Vanessa Morais , Guerra‐Gomes Sónia , Domingos Cátia , Pauletti Alberto , Wahis Jérôme , Liu Chen , Calì Corrado , Henneberger Christian , Holt Matthew G. , Oliveira João Filipe
Published: March 2023

Astrocytes are integral components of brain circuits, where they sense, process, and respond to surrounding activity, maintaining homeostasis and regulating synaptic transmission, the sum of which results in behavior modulation. These interactions are possible due to their complex morphology, composed of a tree‐like structure of processes to cover defined territories ramifying in a mesh‐like system of fine leaflets unresolved by conventional optic microscopy. While recent reports devoted more attention to leaflets and their dynamic interactions with synapses, our knowledge about the tree‐like “backbone” structure in physiological conditions is incomplete. Recent transcriptomic studies described astrocyte molecular diversity, suggesting structural heterogeneity in regions such as the hippocampus, which is crucial for cognitive and emotional behaviors. In this study, we carried out the structural analysis of astrocytes across the hippocampal subfields of Cornu Ammonis area 1 (CA1) and dentate gyrus in the dorsoventral axis. We found that astrocytes display heterogeneity across the hippocampal subfields, which is conserved along the dorsoventral axis. We further found that astrocytes appear to contribute in an exocytosis‐dependent manner to a signaling loop that maintains the backbone structure. These findings reveal astrocyte heterogeneity in the hippocampus, which appears to follow layer‐specific cues and depend on the neuro‐glial environment.
Multicenter retrospective study of the prognosis and the effect of postoperative adjuvant therapy in Japanese oral squamous cell carcinoma patients with close margin
Authors: Hasegawa Takumi , Kakei Yasumasa , Yamakawa Nobuhiro , Kirita Tadaaki , Okura Masaya , Naruse Tomofumi , Otsuru Mitsunobu , Yamada Shin‐ichi , Kurita Hiroshi , Hirai Eiji , Rin Shin , Ueda Michihiro , Umeda Masahiro , Akashi Masaya ,   Japan Oral Oncology Group (JOOG)
Published: March 2023

Background

The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the prognosis of patients with oral cavity cancer with positive margin (PM) or close margin (CM) divided into pN− and pN+ groups.

Methods

The evaluated endpoints were local control and disease‐specific survival (DSS) rates.

Results

Higher T classification, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), and older age were significant risk factors for DSS in the pN− groups. On the other hand, extranodal extension, multiple lymph node metastases, and LVSI were significant risk factors for DSS in the pN+ groups. Among the CM pN+ patients, no significant differences in the 3‐year DSS were observed between the only surgery (51.9%) and adjuvant groups (53.2%).

Conclusions

Higher T classification and LVSI are high‐risk features more than PM or CM in the pN− groups for DSS. However, further prospective studies are needed to demonstrate the usefulness of adjuvant treatment in patients with PM or CM.
Bioresponsive fluorescent probes active in the second near‐infrared window
Authors: Chen Yuqin , Chen Jie , Chang Baisong
Published: March 2023

Emerging stimuli‐responsive composite probes active in the second near‐infrared window (NIR‐II, 1000–1700 nm) hold vast potential for improving in vivo imaging performance with minimized noise interference. The interactions among external irradiation, shell species, and the emissive core are key factors in the design of smart structures. The external irradiation provides energy for shell species and the emissive core to generate intense NIR‐II fluorescence signals, while the energy transfer process hinders NIR‐II emission in the inner structure of smart composite probes. However, if pathophysiological stimuli interrupt the above processes, then NIR‐II fluorescence signals are recovered. This review covers NIR‐II imaging based on diverse smart composite NIR‐II fluorescent probes responding to various biological stimuli, including ONOO−, overexpressed reactive sulfur species, abnormally expressed enzymes, and abnormal levels of physiological metabolites. Finally, to appreciate these advances, the challenges and perspectives of stimuli‐responsive composite NIR‐II probes are highlighted.
Novel synthesis method of oxygen vacancy WO3 and its photocatalytic performance for degradation of rhodamine B
Authors: Zhang Yu , Zheng Ming , Feng Yuan , Yu Zhichong , Wu Minghong , Tang Liang
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

Photocatalytic degradation of organic pollution as a ‘green’ treatment technology has been a broad concern in water treatment. This work proposed a simple method for introducing oxygen vacancies into WO3 and enhancing the degradation of WO3 for rhodamine B under simulated solar light.

RESULTS

In this work, titanium power was used as an oxygen absorber to introduce oxygen vacancies into WO3. The degradation of organic dyes by semiconductor materials is significantly improved by the presence of oxygen vacancies. After 4 h of simulated sunlight irradiation, 100% degradation efficiency of rhodamine B by WO3 with vacancies was achieved, compared to about 60% by WO3. Combined with liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and total organic carbon analysis results, we speculated the degradation path of rhodamine B degraded by WO3‐2.

CONCLUSION

There exist three reasons for the enhanced photocatalytic performance of oxygen‐containing vacancy WO3: (i) the introduction of vacancies generates an energy level of the donor that can reduce the band gap; (ii) the presence of oxygen vacancies can effectively prevent the electron–hole complexation process; and (iii) oxygen vacancies increase the adsorption capacity of the catalyst. It is expected that this method of oxygen vacancy introduction can be extended to other semiconductor systems to achieve higher performance in pollutant degradation and water remediation. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Cardiovascular Manifestations Following COVID‐19
Authors: Tijmes Felipe Sanchez , Marschner Constantin , Thavendiranathan Paaladinesh , Hanneman Kate
Published: March 2023

Globally, over 650 million people have had COVID‐19 due to infection with the SARS‐Cov‐2 virus. Cardiac complications in the acute infectious and early recovery phase were recognized early in the pandemic, including myocardial injury and inflammation. With a decrease in the number of acute COVID‐19 related deaths, there has been increased interest in postacute sequela of COVID‐19 (PASC) and other longer‐term cardiovascular complications. A proportion of patients recovered from COVID‐19 have persistent cardiac symptoms and are at risk of cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular imaging, including MRI, plays an important role in the detection of cardiovascular manifestations of COVID‐19 in both the acute and longer‐term phases after COVID‐19. The purpose of this review is to highlight the role of cardiovascular imaging in the diagnosis and risk stratification of patients with acute and chronic cardiovascular manifestations of COVID‐19 with a focus on cardiac MRI.

Evidence Level

4.

Technical Efficacy

Stage 3.
Monkeypox (Mpox) outbreak during COVID‐19 pandemic—Past and the future
Authors: Aden Durre , Zaheer Sufian , Kumar Rohit , Ranga Sunil
Published: March 2023

Monkeypox infection (Mpox) is caused by the Orthopoxvirus (OPXV) genus of the Poxviridae family, closely resembling its more famous sibling smallpox. Recently World Health Organization (WHO), have renamed monkeypox as Mpox citing racial concerns, so we will be referring to monkeypox as Mpox. There has been a recent outbreak in May 2022 when Mpox cases were identified in all six WHO regions. On July 23, 2022, WHO declared it a public health emergency. Before the current outbreak, Mpox had been reported in people from several parts of central and west African countries; and almost all Mpox cases in people outside of Africa were linked to international travel to countries where the disease commonly occurs or through imported animals. With the waning of smallpox vaccine‐induced immunity, Mpox can spread in the global population. Though the virus generally does not cause high mortality in immunocompetent individuals, however, severe disease and mortality may result if the virus spreads to immunocompromised individuals, children, elderly individuals, pregnant women, and individuals living with comorbidities such as diabetes. The current transmission was suspected to have occurred through sexual activity in 95% of the persons with infection. It was found that 98% of the persons with infection were either gay or bisexual men, with 41% suffering from HIV infection. The reasons behind this current epidemiological behavior have to be studied further to formulate a hypothesis that, is it the homosexuals who need to be more concerned or is it a global concern, and is monkeypox changing its behaviour to a sexually transmitted infection? The rash, along with associated lymphadenopathy, is a clue toward Mpox infection, but polymerase chain reaction is needed for the confirmative diagnosis. With the discovery of a vaccine, repurposed antivirals, and precautionary steps to prevent the spread of infection, it might help in the containment of the virus. In addition, what we already know about Mpox has to be re‐evaluated, because most of the information gathered is from low‐resource settings in Africa. The world at large and health care agencies specifically needs to galvanize a well‐funded global plan and research initiatives to contain the spread of Mpox. In this article, we have attempted to make the readers aware of the biology, etiopathogenesis including the changes at the cellular level the virus is causing, the changing trends of the virus transmission, and the clinical manifestations. We have also attempted to elaborate on the potential challenges and the need for early diagnosis and containment of this Mpox outbreak. This could be achieved by effectieve use of vaccination and taking social safety measures, especially by the communities at risk.
Effect of bias voltage on the microstructure and high‐temperature steam oxidation behavior of Cr coatings prepared by multi‐arc plating on Zircaloy‐4 alloy
Authors: Ning Yi , Zhu Pengzhou , Huang Weijiu , Ruan Haibo , Wang Junjun , Liao Haiyan , Zhang Tengfei , Xu Xiangkong , Xu Meng , Yin Shangyi
Published: March 2023

Cr coatings were deposited on the Zircaloy‐4 alloy by multi‐arc ion plating under different bias voltages from −50 to −110 V, and the microstructure, mechanical properties, and high‐temperature steam oxidation behavior of these coatings were systematically investigated. The results indicate that the bias voltage significantly affects the crystal orientation, surface morphology, deposition rate, nanohardness, and bonding strength of Cr coating on the Zircaloy‐4 alloy. The high‐temperature oxidation behavior of the Cr coating is closely related to its crystallographic orientation. Compared with the Cr coating with relatively random grain orientations, the Cr coating with (211) preferred orientation has a dense and uniform oxide scale and has the best oxidation resistance in the steam environment at 1200°C.
An overview of the Canadian nuclear waste corrosion program
Authors: Binns Wilfred Jeffrey , Behazin Mehran , Briggs Scott , Keech Peter G.
Published: March 2023

Over the past decade, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization has conducted a thorough proof test plan (PTP) to evaluate their novel copper‐coated used fuel container and bentonite buffer box underground emplacement concept for use in a deep geological repository (DGR). This PTP has included the development of new technologies as well as feasibility studies related to engineered barrier production, underground emplacement, and safety assessment of the technologies within a DGR. Although the PTP was winding down in 2022, many work packages continue, particularly those associated with the evaluation of the corrosion performance of the used fuel container, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO)'s copper corrosion allowance. This work evaluates the extent of corrosion that may result from oxic‐, radiolytic‐, anoxic‐, and sulfide‐induced corrosion which may occur in the Canadian DGR. Particular attention is paid to assessing the potential for localized corrosion phenomena across each project. This article provides an overview of these work packages which support a lifetime corrosion expectation of 270 µm and an extreme upper bound of corrosion of 1204 µm over one million years.
Noncoding RNAs as regulators of STAT3 pathway in gastrointestinal cancers: Roles in cancer progression and therapeutic response
Authors: Ashrafizadeh Milad , Mohan Chakrabhavi D. , Rangappa Shobith , Zarrabi Ali , Hushmandi Kiavash , Kumar Alan Prem , Sethi Gautam , Rangappa Kanchugarakoppal S.
Published: March 2023

Gastrointestinal (GI) tumors (cancers of the esophagus, gastric, liver, pancreas, colon, and rectum) contribute to a large number of deaths worldwide. STAT3 is an oncogenic transcription factor that promotes the transcription of genes associated with proliferation, antiapoptosis, survival, and metastasis. STAT3 is overactivated in many human malignancies including GI tumors which accelerates tumor progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. Research in recent years demonstrated that noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) play a major role in the regulation of many signaling pathways including the STAT3 pathway. The major types of endogenous ncRNAs that are being extensively studied in oncology are microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs. These ncRNAs can either be tumor‐promoters or tumor‐suppressors and each one of them imparts their activity via different mechanisms. The STAT3 pathway is also tightly modulated by ncRNAs. In this article, we have elaborated on the tumor‐promoting role of STAT3 signaling in GI tumors. Subsequently, we have comprehensively discussed the oncogenic as well as tumor suppressor functions and mechanism of action of ncRNAs that are known to modulate STAT3 signaling in GI cancers.
Analysis of q‐fractional coupled implicit systems involving the nonlocal Riemann–Liouville and Erdélyi–Kober q‐fractional integral conditions
Authors: Alam Mehboob , Khalid Khansa Hina
Published: March 2023

The solutions to fractional differential equations are a developing area of current research, given that these equations arise in various domains. In this article, we provide some necessary criteria for the existence, uniqueness, and different types of Ulam stability for a coupled implicit system requiring the conditions for nonlocal Riemann–Liouville and Erdélyi–Kober q‐fractional integral conditions. The uniqueness and existence results for the suggested coupled system are demonstrated using Banach fixed point theorem and Leray–Schauder of cone type. We also explore the various types of stability using classical methods of nonlinear functional analysis. To verify the effectiveness of our theoretical outcomes, we study an interesting example.
High isolation 4‐port MIMO sloted antenna for Sub‐6 GHz wireless applications
Authors: Ren Yong‐Li , Du Cheng‐Zhu , You Xin
Published: March 2023

Aiming at the application of Sub‐6 GHz band, this paper presents a high isolation four‐port MIMO slot antenna with CPW feeding mode. About this antenna, two parallel binary antennas are oppositely arranged with connected ground, and isolation branches are adopted to improve isolation. Each element antenna is realized through elliptical shape patch and trident structure feed line. The measured results show that its working frequency band is 1.82–6.5 GHz band, with ports isolation less than −20 dB. In addition, its other performance parameters are good, such as gain of 7.03 dB and ECC parameter below 0.004, and CCL is less than 0.3 bps/Hz. The antenna has high isolation and it can not only work in the mobile communication frequency bands such as n41, n77, n78, and n79, but also work in the frequency band of the IoT, such as WiFi5, V2X, and DSRC.
Towards fast adaptive replanning by constrained reoptimization for intra‐fractional non‐periodic motion during robotic SBRT
Authors: Gerlach Stefan , Hofmann Theresa , Fürweger Christoph , Schlaefer Alexander
Published: March 2023

Background

Periodic and slow target motion is tracked by synchronous motion of the treatment beams in robotic stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). However, spontaneous, non‐periodic displacement or drift of the target may completely change the treatment geometry. Simple motion compensation is not sufficient to guarantee the best possible treatment, since relative motion between the target and organs at risk (OARs) can cause substantial deviations of dose in the OARs. This is especially evident when considering the temporally heterogeneous dose delivery by many focused beams which is typical for robotic SBRT. Instead, a reoptimization of the remaining treatment plan after a large target motion during the treatment could potentially reduce the actually delivered dose to OARs and improve target coverage. This reoptimization task, however, is challenging due to time constraints and limited human supervision.

Purpose

To study the detrimental effect of spontaneous target motion relative to surrounding OARs on the delivered dose distribution and to analyze how intra‐fractional constrained replanning could improve motion compensated robotic SBRT of the prostate.

Methods

We solve the inverse planning problem by optimizing a linear program. When considering intra‐fractional target motion resulting in a change of geometry, we adapt the linear program to account for the changed dose coefficients and delivered dose. We reduce the problem size by only reweighting beams from the reference treatment plan without motion. For evaluation we simulate target motion and compare our approach for intra‐fractional replanning to the conventional compensation by synchronous beam motion. Results are generated retrospectively on data of 50 patients.

Results

Our results show that reoptimization can on average retain or improve coverage in case of target motion compared to the reference plan without motion. Compared to the conventional compensation, coverage is improved from 87.83 % to 94.81 % for large target motion. Our approach for reoptimization ensures fixed upper constraints on the dose even after motion, enabling safer intra‐fraction adaption, compared to conventional motion compensation where overdosage in OARs can lead to 21.79 % higher maximum dose than planned. With an average reoptimization time of 6 s for 200 reoptimized beams our approach shows promising performance for intra‐fractional application.

Conclusions

We show that intra‐fractional constrained reoptimization for adaption to target motion can improve coverage compared to the conventional approach of beam translation while ensuring that upper dose constraints on VOIs are not violated.
Recovery strategies, a posteriori error estimation, and local error indication for second‐order G/XFEM and FEM
Authors: Bento Murilo H. C. , Proença Sergio P. B. , Duarte C. Armando
Published: March 2023

This article presents a computationally efficient and straightforward to implement a posteriori error estimator for second‐order G/XFEM and FEM approximations. The formulation is based on the recently proposed block‐diagonal Zienkiewicz–Zhu (ZZ‐BD) a posteriori error estimator. The focus is on linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) problems but the proposed error estimator formulation is general and can be adapted to other types of problems such as those involving material interfaces. The proposed ZZ‐BD error estimator is based on a new strategy to recover stress fields from second‐order G/XFEM and FEM approximations. This recovery procedure involves locally weighted projections of raw stresses on an approximation space for discontinuous and singular stress fields. The basis functions for these stress approximations are defined using a low‐order partition of unity together with polynomial, discontinuous, and singular recovery enrichment functions. These singular enrichments are provided by the gradient of G/XFEM enrichments for LEFM problems and are, thus, available in most G/XFEM implementations. They also lead to a more computationally efficient stress recovery procedure than the one in the original ZZ‐BD error estimator. The adopted G/XFEM are optimally convergent with the error in the energy norm of . Numerical experiments show that the error of the recovered stress field converges at the same rate as the discretization error. They also show that the effectivity index of the error estimator is close to the unity and that it provides good local error indicators for mesh adaptivity algorithms. Second‐order FEM for elasticity problems is a special case of the G/XFEM adopted here. This is exploited to define a block‐diagonal ZZ error estimator for the FEM as a special case of the proposed estimator for the G/XFEM. This brings the computational efficiency, simplicity, and accuracy of the ZZ‐BD error estimator, originally developed for the G/XFEM, to second‐order standard FEM.
Immunochromatographic assay for miroestrol and deoxymiroestrol, its cross‐reactivity, and application in Pueraria mirifica (white Kwao Krua) analysis
Authors: Chuphol Natthapon , Nokkaew Nuttikarn , Makkliang Fonthip , Sae‐Foo Worapol , Phaisan Suppalak , Putalun Waraporn , Sakamoto Seiichi , Yusakul Gorawit
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Miroestrol (Mi) and deoxymiroestrol (Dmi) are trace, yet potent, phytooestrogens found in white Kwao Krua [Pueraria candollei var. mirifica (Airy Shaw & Suvat.) Niyomdham, PM]. However, the analysis of these substances is difficult because of complex matrix effects and their various analogues. In addition, alteration in the cross‐reactivity of a gold nanoparticle (AuNP)‐based immunochromatographic assay (ICA) resulting from the electrostatic adsorption between antibodies and AuNPs has not yet been evaluated.

Objectives

This study aims to develop, characterise, and validate ICA with a monoclonal antibody exhibiting similar reactivity against Mi and Dmi (MD‐mAb).

Materials and Methods

The ICA performance was validated for cross‐reactivity and performance in comparison with those of indirect competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (icELISAs) with MD‐mAb and mAb exhibiting specificity against Mi (Mi‐mAb).

Results

The ICA showed a limit of detection (LOD) at 1 and 16 μg/mL for Mi and Dmi, respectively. The cross‐reactivity of the ICA with Dmi was lower (6.25%) than that observed with the icELISA (120%). Cross‐reactivity of ICA against other compounds of the PM was also correlated with those of icELISA; no false‐positive/negative results were observed. The repeatability and reproducibility of the ICA were confirmed. The results obtained using ICA in samples of PM are correlated with the concentrations determined through icELISAs.

Conclusion

An ICA with MD‐mAb was constructed and validated. However, direct conjugation via the electrostatic adsorption of mAb‐AuNPs was expected to alter the cross‐reactivity of ICA, especially that of the analyte analogue Dmi.
Synthesis of new biobased benzoxazine through green strategy and its polybenzoxazine resin with high thermal resistance and mechanical strength
Authors: Liu Yuqi , Yuan Li , Liang Guozheng , Gu Aijuan
Published: March 2023

Benzoxazine resins from benzoxazine monomers synthesized with green strategies often do not have high thermal resistance and mechanical strength. Herein, starting from renewable resources citraconic anhydride, furfurylamine and tyramine, a new benzoxazine monomer (CT‐fa) was synthesized and purified in green solvents (ethanol and ethyl acetate), which has excellent molding processability reflected by low melting point (84.9 °C) and low curing temperature (207–245 °C). More attractively, the curedCT‐faresin (poly(CT‐fa)) has both high glass transition temperature (281 °C) and high initial thermal decomposition temperature (407 °C), the former is higher than those of all monofunctional benzoxazine resins synthesized though green strategies in literature, and the latter is even higher than those of all benzoxazine resins synthesized by green strategies (SCI database). In addition,poly(CT‐fa)also has high storage modulus (3955 MPa) and good tensile strength (51.60 MPa). These attractive properties demonstrate thatpoly(CT‐fa)is a promising green high performance resins.
Bandgap Fluctuations, Hot Carriers, and Band‐to‐Acceptor Recombination in Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 Microcrystals
Authors: Krustok Jüri , Kaupmees Reelika , Abbasi Nafiseh , Muska Katri , Mengü Idil , Timmo Kristi
Published: March 2023

Temperature and laser power dependencies of the band‐to‐acceptor recombination in Cu2ZnSn(S
x
Se1−x
)4 (x = 0.7) microcrystals, which exhibit large bandgap energy fluctuations, are studied. The average depth of these fluctuations is approximately 79 meV. The shape of the corresponding wide photoluminescence (PL) band is analyzed using a modified localized‐state ensemble model. The temperature dependence of this PL band is demonstrated to be influenced by the redistribution of holes between potential wells in the valence band with varying depths. The shape of this band at different temperatures is well fitted when an effective carrier temperature is introduced. This temperature is found to be approximately 300 K higher than the lattice temperature in the samples, and it is mainly caused by the very short minority carrier lifetime. According to the laser power‐dependent PL studies, there is a consistent reduction in the effective carrier temperature as the laser power increases. This phenomenon is explained by the dominance of nonradiative Shockley–Read–Hall recombination at lower temperatures.
A rare case of Rosai–Dorfman disease presenting as a pulmonary artery mass in a 33‐year‐old female with hypoxia
Authors: Dronamraju Veena , McSurdy Kaitlyn , Graham Ryan , Rali Parth , Kumaran Maruti , Proca Daniela , Lashari Bilal , Toyoda Yoshiya , Gupta Rohit
Published: March 2023

Rosai–Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare form of non‐Langerhans histiocytosis. It is often idiopathic in etiology, but has been associated with viral, autoimmune, and malignant disease. Adequate diagnosis of RDD requires a combination of clinical symptoms, radiography, and histology. Most commonly, patients with RDD present with cervical lymphadenopathy. We describe a case of a young female who was initially thought to have a pulmonary embolism at the time of a COVID‐19 infection but was noted to have a rare occurrence of RDD presenting as a pulmonary artery mass upon further evaluation of radiology and histology. Though RDD is frequently benign, extranodal involvement can progress to end organ damage and must be recognized appropriately.
Linear Optical Universal Quantum Gates with Higher Success Probabilities
Authors: Liu Wen‐Qiang , Wei Hai‐Rui
Published: March 2023

Universal quantum gates lie at the heart of designing quantum computer. Here two compact quantum circuits for implementing post‐selected controlled‐phase‐flip (CPF) gate and Toffoli gate with linear optics are constructed assisted by one and two single photons, respectively. The current existing maximum success probability of 1/4 for linear optical CPF gate is achieved by resorting to an ancillary single photon rather than an entangled photon pair or two single photons. Remarkably, the presented Toffoli gate is accomplished with current maximum success probability of 1/30 and unity fidelity in principle, without using additional entangled photon pairs and the standard decomposition‐based approach. Linear optical implementations of the presented two universal gates are feasible and economical under current technology, and provide a potential application in large‐scale optical quantum computing.
Charge‐State‐Enhanced Ion Sputtering of Metallic Gold Nanoislands
Authors: Szabo Gabriel L. , Jany Benedykt R. , Muckenhuber Helmut , Niggas Anna , Lehner Markus , Janas Arkadiusz , Szabo Paul S. , Gan Ziyang , George Antony , Turchanin Andrey , Krok Franciszek , Wilhelm Richard A.
Published: March 2023

Experimental results on the charge‐state‐dependent sputtering of metallic gold nanoislands are presented. Irradiations with slow highly charged ions of metallic targets were previously considered to show no charge state dependent effects on ion‐induced material modification, since these materials possess enough free electrons to dissipate the deposited potential energy before electron‐phonon coupling can set in. By reducing the size of the target material down to the nanometer regime and thus enabling a geometric energy confinement, a possibility is demonstrated to erode metallic surfaces by charge state related effects in contrast to regular kinetic sputtering.
Work and Learning in the Adult Education Sector: A Cross Country Comparative View
Authors: Clancy Sharon , Hefler Günter , Rapanà Francesca , Steinheimer Eva , Studená Ivana
Published: March 2023

The adult learning sector is particularly diverse. Evidence on how its employees access workplace learning is very limited. Focussing on learning by early career teaching staff, using evidence from eight case studies across four countries (Austria, Italy, Slovakia and the UK) and different sub-fields (from providing basic skills training to corporate sector management courses), the chapter reveals that while staff have high levels of skill, their conditions vary significantly. In general, adult learning teachers’ jobs emphasise self-directed learning and professionalism, and novices’ career pathways are poorly structured. The learning-conduciveness of available work varies significantly; this cannot be attributed only to the type of services provided but also reflects organisational agency. Work organisation and human resource practices affect adult education teachers’ learning experiences, in early career and beyond.
Participation of Vulnerable Young Labour Market Groups in Job-Related Training: The Effect of Macro-structural and Institutional Characteristics
Authors: Saar Ellu , Roosmaa Eve-Liis , Martma Liisa
Published: March 2023

This chapter focuses on why two groups of disadvantaged young adults (the low-educated and those working in low- or medium-skilled occupations) participate—or do not—in job-related non-formal education and training. It suggests that, across occupational groups, job content is the core mechanism preventing young adults from participating. It also shows that institutional context is important: when unemployment rates are high, inequality in participation between occupational groups increases. During the post-2008 recession, investment in active labour market policies and similar measures reduced the ‘training gap’ between high-skilled and low-/medium-skilled occupations. When labour market conditions are more favourable, strong employment protection legislation appears to reduce inequalities in job-related non-formal education; during the economic crisis, however, it seems to have increased them.
Governing Adult Learning Through Influencing Public Debate: How the Media Use PIAAC Data in Denmark, Italy and the United Kingdom
Authors: Milana Marcella , Vatrella Sandra , Klatt Gosia , Rasmussen Palle , Larson Anne
Published: March 2023

This chapter examines how visible the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) is in widely read newspapers in Denmark, Italy, and the United Kingdom, and how those newspapers use PIAAC data. Analysing 83 articles, editorials and opinion pieces, using a common protocol, it shows that press reporting of PIAAC tends to confirm general standards for adult learning. PIAAC data and PIAAC’s ‘implicit’ benchmarking of Level 3 in adults’ performances support European standard setting in adult learning. When national governments ask international organisations to do ‘objective’ evaluations, the latter’s power is enhanced. How PIAAC data is used by different newspapers varies not only between countries but also according to the role each newspaper plays within national debates.